[BitP:R] Mortal World

[KerfuffleMach2]

As the last of her belongings are put away, Silva lets out a sigh and collapses onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. The apartment is small. Very small. In fact, a better description would be a studio. It consisted of two rooms; the bathroom, and the rest.

But, it was enough for her needs. It was cheap, big enough for her, and not far from the cemetery. Sure, the landlord probably thought it was odd for her to point that out. But she was used to that.

After a few minutes of lying there, Silva sits up and looks at the digital clock next to the bed. It isn't time yet. She's unpacked, so she didn't have much to do around here. Guess she should take a walk on the town. Get to know the area. She'd probably be around here for at least a little while. She should know what's where.

She gets up from her bed, which is actually just a futon, and heads to the bathroom for a shower. After the shower, she gets changed. She places a dagger into a pouch on her belt. It's becomes fairly well hidden. She's had too many people noticing it in public to leave it hanging out all the time. But she wouldn't be caught dead without it.

Actually, she probably would be dead without it.

She locks her door as she leaves, and walks the three flights down to the street. Once outside, she glances around a little. The landlord mentioned a little cafe in the area. What was it called again? Vent-something?

Ah, she'll find it.

[strawberryman]

Val nods and smiles widely, giving her mother a hug before darting out of the house. Beckoning their driver back, she is quickly escorted to the cafe. As soon as the driver pulls off, she does her best to blend in, shakily bowing to Donovan before finding a seat. ...Unfortunately (or fortunately?), it's a busy day, so she has to settle with sitting across from the boy surrounded with books.

...She is fairly nervous, being in the midst of so many people. It doesn't help that she's fairly noticeable as a foreigner, even if she wasn't as deathly pale as she is.

[Draken]

Donovan looks up at Rosa as she adresses him, and gives a polite welcome to Val as she takes a seat, before turning back to Rosa.

"A job you say? Well, we could use some more waitresses" - Since technically only Eirine works here - "let me see... We just got an arrival, show me what you can do."

Donovan beckons Rosa into the Café, and points her to Valeria.

[Shades of Gray]

Eirene Klossner

"It seems like things are picking up. I'll go serve our customers, you keep up the good work guys." A muffled voice says to Ava and Donovan. The large crow-mascot entered the café and goes into the back room of the establishment.

A minute later a young woman emerges, looking to be of a similar age to the students at the school. She is fairly short. Her black hair is kept short and slightly spiked out to the back, part of her bangs are kept to the side with a white hairclip. She is wearing gray clothing and a red apron as she brings the drinks around to the tables. "Enjoy." She says to each recipient before quickly scampering away to the counter to make more drinks. She seems incredibly cheery.

[KnightDisciple]

Val nods and smiles widely, giving her mother a hug before darting out of the house. Beckoning their driver back, she is quickly escorted to the cafe. As soon as the driver pulls off, she does her best to blend in, shakily bowing to Donovan before finding a seat. ...Unfortunately (or fortunately?), it's a busy day, so she has to settle with sitting across from the boy surrounded with books.

...She is fairly nervous, being in the midst of so many people. It doesn't help that she's fairly noticeable as a foreigner, even if she wasn't as deathly pale as she is.

For several moments, Kaito is absorbed in his books and his drink. After a moment, he realizes he's no longer alone. He looks up, and smiles politely at Val.

"Oh, hello there. My name is Watanabe Kaito. Let me give you some room."

With that, he removes one of the books from the table, placing it back in his bag.

"There. Sorry for not noticing you at first."

[riccaru]

"Donny-San, is that your way of telling me to get lost? Why, I never thought you'd be one to tell me that." Yoko then walks inside, before hearing Donovan's answer, and sits with Val. Ignoring any forthcoming protests she stares intently at the girl, taking up her violin and playing a light and soft song. "Hello, miss. My name is Rose Yoko, welcome to the city of my inhabitance. I know we shall be great friends. Would you like something to drink?" She asks Val without so much as looking from her violin.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Venti Buon... Silva reads the sign over the entrance. Must be the place.

She walks into the building and glances around. Her gaze lingers on both Donovan and Yoko. Longer than on anybody else here.

She takes a seat at an empty table and reviews the menu, deciding what she wants.

After a few moments, she decides on a green tea.

[InyutheBeatIs]

Rosa nods briefly after recieving Donovan's assignment, sets her briefcase in an out of the way location, and walks over to Val. However, just as she was about to greet her, Yoko sat down and asked Val if she wanted a drink. After Yoko had spoken, Rosa bowed slightly towards Val. "Good morning. Is there something I can get for you?" She said with a smile, and without skipping a beat.

[Draken]

Donovan is bewildered. Eirine went over his head while he was talking to the new girl, and then Yoko begins to wonder if he was trying to get rid of her.

"AAAH! This is crazy! You all are going to drive me crazy at this rate!"

Donovan proceeds to run through the shop and grovel behind the counter.

[riccaru]

As Silva enters Yoko pauses for just a fraction of a second, shifting her eyes to the fellow bount. She then resumes playing softly, the music shifting quickly, presenting a dozen different moods in a short time. It seems this town is attracting even more spiritual talents. It's good to have a fellow bount arrive. She thinks to herself.

[strawberryman]

Valeria is slightly overwhelmed as seemingly everyone focuses on her at once. Addressing Yoko first, she smiles, embarrassed.

"...If you're offering to buy for me, uh... it's quite all right... I'm fine."

She then turns to Rosa and Eirine.

"Erm... Do you have any pastries...? I'll take anything like that, and... some tea. Anything's fine. Money's not a problem." She blushes, before turning back to Kaito.

"No, it's okay, you were here first. I'm Valeria Abel." Many of the likely natives notice the shakiness and lack of confidence in Valeria's japanese, like she hasn't been a speaker for long.


Viatrix rolls her eyes from the table she's still hanging around. Geez, swarm the new girl, why don't you.

[KnightDisciple]

Valeria is slightly overwhelmed as seemingly everyone focuses on her at once. Addressing Yoko first, she smiles, embarrassed.

"...If you're offering to buy for me, uh... it's quite all right... I'm fine."

She then turns to Rosa and Eirine.

"Erm... Do you have any pastries...? I'll take anything like that, and... some tea. Anything's fine. Money's not a problem." She blushes, before turning back to Kaito.

"No, it's okay, you were here first. I'm Valeria Abel." Many of the likely natives notice the shakiness and lack of confidence in Valeria's japanese, like she hasn't been a speaker for long.

Kaito eyed Yoko with distrust. The waitresses received polite nods.

"It's nice to meet you...Valeria? Is that your given name, instead of your family name? I'd hate to make the mistake this early on. And I don't mind sharing the table, it's a public place. I'm just doing a bit of preparatory study, along with some things on the side. I might take a break with a novel after a while. What brings you here?"

He seems to occasionally glance down at his book, but he's clearly paying attention to Val nonetheless.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Silva surveys the room.

So much energy here, she thinks to herself. Probably safe to assume somebody's noticed mine. Possibly the other Bounts here.

She idly drops her hand from the table to the hilt of the dagger on her right side, which is barely visible. It's something she did without even thinking about it. Like the action comforted her.

Might have some competition for souls around here, then.

[riccaru]

After being eyed by Kaito, Yoko moves to the table with Silva, nodding to her and looking at her hand drifting toward her doll. "Hello, Madam, My name is Rose Yoko, I feel we have much in common?" She says to her, smiling as she finishes.

[strawberryman]

Valeria winces a bit, and nods. "Oh, yeah. Sorry; I'm pretty new to Japanese. You could probably tell, though..." She smiles, still quite embarrassed.

"Well... I just moved here, my father is the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, and they just expanded to Japan... he's busy a lot." She frowns. "...but, yeah. Me and my mom took a plane from our mansion in Romania, just near the Carpathians. ...And, wow, I'm telling my whole life story, almost... what about you?"

[InyutheBeatIs]

Valeria is slightly overwhelmed as seemingly everyone focuses on her at once. Addressing Yoko first, she smiles, embarrassed.

"...If you're offering to buy for me, uh... it's quite all right... I'm fine."

She then turns to Rosa and Eirine.

"Erm... Do you have any pastries...? I'll take anything like that, and... some tea. Anything's fine. Money's not a problem." She blushes, before turning back to Kaito.

"No, it's okay, you were here first. I'm Valeria Abel." Many of the likely natives notice the shakiness and lack of confidence in Valeria's japanese, like she hasn't been a speaker for long.


Viatrix rolls her eyes from the table she's still hanging around. Geez, swarm the new girl, why don't you.

Noticing Val's glance towards Eirine, Rosa looks to her side, noticing the waitress with an analytical look. That's odd, she thought, I didn't notice her. She looked towards Val and nodded, returning to a warm and welcoming face. She motioned towards Eirine and said, "She will bring them to you in a moment." She then walked towards Silva, leaving Eirine to serve Val. When she reached Silva's table, she bowed slightly and said, Good morning. Can I offer you something to drink?

Throughout the events, she never once even batted an eye. She acted completely cool and calm, always acting warm and pleasant. Yes, even when Donovan ran past her and groveled behind the counter. When Yoko started interacting with Silva, Rosa talked to her. "Excuse me miss, could you give the customers a little space? It might make them feel more comfortable." She said it without a hint of hostility or bitterness.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Silva decides to answer Rosa before Yoko. Yeah, can I just get a green tea?

She stares at the general public of the room as she answers Yoko. I guess that'd be one way to put it. She then turns to look at Yoko. She searches for anything that might be her doll. Her eyes rest on the violin for a moment.

...no...it couldn't be that thing...could it?

[InyutheBeatIs]

"Certainly. Is there any way you want it in particular? Do you want anything added to it, or do you want it just straight?" The whole time she was saying this, Rosa looked out of the corner of her eyes, analyzing Yoko.

[riccaru]

"If this madam wishes it, I shall leave her be. Until then, I believe that of all the customers here she is the one that would be least off put by myself." Yoko says, looking softly at Rosa How dare this mere mortal speak to me like this? She thinks sharply.

[KnightDisciple]

Valeria winces a bit, and nods. "Oh, yeah. Sorry; I'm pretty new to Japanese. You could probably tell, though..." She smiles, still quite embarrassed.

"Well... I just moved here, my father is the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, and they just expanded to Japan... he's busy a lot." She frowns. "...but, yeah. Me and my mom took a plane from our mansion in Romania, just near the Carpathians. ...And, wow, I'm telling my whole life story, almost... what about you?"

Kaito smiles and shrugs in return.

"Your Japanese is fine.

The Carpathians? Romania? Interesting. I've never been outside of Japan myself. Nonetheless, welcome to Japan, and our city.

I can identify with busy parents. My father is an inspector with the city police, and my mother works mother in the Criminal Investigation Bureau, in the financial crimes department. I've had more than one night where they've been home quite late.

Are you going to be going to school when term starts?"

[KerfuffleMach2]

Straight's fine, thanks.

Silva glances at Yoko after her comment.

Wow. Don't think that was called for.

She doesn't say anything, though. Not her place.

[strawberryman]

Val nods... "Interesting..."

The girl nods at Kaito's question. "Yeah... it'll actually be the first time I've ever been in an actual school... I was home schooled, mostly because of the solitude of where I lived, but also... Erm... well, that's a little depressing, really, you don't need to hear about that." She blushes.

[InyutheBeatIs]

Rosa looks at Yoko after the comment. It is fairly tempting to confront her on this issue. No, don't. Don't mess up a job opportunity over something like that. "Very well." She says to Yoko. She then turns to Silva and nods. "Alright! I will be back with your drink shortly." She then finds anyone who hasn't been served yet and takes their orders, with the same politeness and warmness as she showed Val and Silva. Afterwards, she walks behind the counter and looks down towards Donovan, bending slightly and lowering her voice. "Uhm, excuse me sir? I just recieved the orders from the customers. I was wondering if I should give them to someone else or if I can make them without causing any problems?

[KnightDisciple]

Val nods... "Interesting..."

The girl nods at Kaito's question. "Yeah... it'll actually be the first time I've ever been in an actual school... I was home schooled, mostly because of the solitude of where I lived, but also... Erm... well, that's a little depressing, really, you don't need to hear about that." She blushes.

"Alright then. Is there anything you're curious about that you think I could answer?"

Kaito had settled back a bit in his chair. A foreign exchange student from Romania. She promised to provide all sorts of insight to life outside this city, as well as general conversation.

[strawberryman]

Val looks around. "Well... are there any other 'hot spots' like this? It seems like a pretty popular place..."

[Edge]

Yet another figure enters the Venti Buon. He barely looks a day over twenty, obviously isn't Japanese and has a body on the tall and skinny side. He runs a hand through his steel-grey hair as he looks for somewhere to sit with his identically coloured eyes. He eventually takes a seat near where Valeria and Kaito are sitting, putting his bag down beside him as he does so. He waits for one of the waitresses to come take his order, an odd smile playing lightly across his face.

Well, this is a nice enough little place. Good to have somewhere to fall back on if you forget to take something to work.

"Shush, Männy."

[KnightDisciple]

Val looks around. "Well... are there any other 'hot spots' like this? It seems like a pretty popular place..."

Kaito looks thoughtful.

"Well, I suppose it depends on what you like to do. We do have a fairly new mall. There are a couple of movie theaters. A couple of big bookstores with those little coffee shops attached. Of course, part of the reason this place is popular is because it's almost right next to the school. I mean, a lot of us tend to stay after classes themselves end; clubs, study sessions, and so on tend to last for a bit after that. So a lot of us come by here once in a while. They've got pretty good prices and items, even if the staff is a bit...odd."

[horngeek]

Meanwhile, the front door opens, as Hayashi Izumi walks in.

She sits down, and looks around, waiting to be served.

[Steilos]

A car rolls up outside the Venti Buon Cafe. The door swings open with a click and out clambers one Detective Henry Rheims Coleby, the dust from the streets clearly visible on his boots. Stepping into the cafe, he takes a seat near the back corner from where he can see the outside street and the clientele, and keep an eye on both. Tipping his hat cordially to the staff as he walks by, Henry greets them. "Good morning."
Although it's been anything but good, Henry thinks to himself as he focuses on ignoring the spiritual energy (Although he doesn't notice the bounts at all regardless) from the room.

[Frozen_Feet]

Elsewhere, the woman in suit is walking through the town, holding a map and looking lost. Her hair is disheveled and she looks dead tired. She just barely managed to get to her job interview in time - it went rather well, even - but finding her way to a good restaurant, or even the hotel she's reserved a room from, is turning out to be a bother.

Okay, turn left from the next crossing... oh, wait, I have the map upside down, she muses and rotates the paper in her hands, sighing. She takes a desperate glance around, trying to pinpoint her location using the guideposts and adress labes nearby to help. For the love of...! Why couldn't people keep their settlements small and cozy? This new urban architechture is so oppressing!

Finally finding herself from the map, the woman crumples it in her hand and hurries across the street, careful not to disrupt the flow of traffic. Okay, so they didn't have it much better in Rome twenty centuries ago, but this is still ridiculous. And this is only mid-sized city, equivalent to a small village back then. Good grief, nowadays are crazy!

Slowing her stride after getting to a sidewalk again, the woman straightens her map, but stops when she senses something emanating from a small path between nearby buildings, like a cold breeze blowing on her face. Hmmm? What's this?, she thinks, curious, and walks closer. For a moment, she stands completely still at the mouth of the alley, her dark eyes narrowing as she peers into the shadows.

This bears further investigation., she muses, a malicious glint lighting in her eyes. She takes a step forwards, but falters and nearly falls down, almost as if she'd fainted for a second. Fortunately, the fit of illness seems to go away as fast as it came, as she stands straight again and turns to walk away with firm steps. For that passing moment, anyone with sight for the otherwordly would've seen a tall, pale form standing behind the woman - but maybe it was just a trick of light. Oh? Seems like I have competition around. The reapers haven't been doing their jobs, it seems.

Oh well. They're lucky to have me around then. Time to lend them a helping hand or two.