Match of the Millennium

Description: With all eyes on Japan, Captain Hazama has summon Tsubaki Yayoi for some purpose. As one of the despire 0th Division, Lt. Yayoi is determined to make a name for herself, but is this meeting everything it seems to be?

[TERUMI]
All hands have been called to Southtown due to the crisis of the Gears; despite Heihachi's suppression of the Novus Orbis Librarium intervening in any fashion, Central Headquarters still wants everyone prepared for if the worst were to happen. With the city under the threat of nuclear and divine annihilation, many might be uncomfortable with such an assignment, but the importance of such rings from the upper echelons. As the Zero Division lacks commanding officers at every facility, the chief operatives existing in Central, Tsubaki is likely familiar with working nominally beneath the Intelligence Division. This is no exception, and at the moment the highest ranked officer in Southtown is Hazama Honoka himself.

Intelligence is in a small building on the fringes of the city, a great distance from where Kagura's main headquarters rests. Perhaps three stories, a couple dozen black-dressed individuals slither about within, wordlessly working orders and missions of unknown importance. Officially everything this division does is legal and able to be openly investigated by any country they reside, but off the record they do a number of disavowed and untraceable missions for the benefit of NOL.

After proving her credentials to the secretary on the first floor, Tsubaki would be instructed to take the old, rickety elevator to the third floor, and that Hazama's office is at the end. He has a strange reputation, as many tend to be warily complimentary. 'He is kind, but...' 'Well, he does great work...' None dare properly air these misgivings, and most appear to revolve around him simply being creepy or unnerving, in a way that has no direct evidence beyond the shivers running down one's back from his presence. A large brown door with a marbled obtuse glass reading 'HAZAMA HONOKA' is her ultimate destination, brass knob gleaming and highly shined.

[TSUBAKI]
It was with some trepidation that Tsubaki Yayoi made her way through this 'office' of the intelligence division. She was indeed accustomed to working for this division, and had taken some assignments handed down from Hazama Honoka in the past. Nominaly as a Zero Division member, she was only brought to bare on threats deemed too powerful for most members of the NOL, or well..."trash detail" as it was sometimes refered to as, destruction of traitors or individuals within the NOL that had compromised the organization. Intelligence may certainlly have it's cloaked hands in all manner of illicit activity off the books, but the 0th Division had a reputation that followed any of its members and it's comings and goings with suspicion.

Tsubaki was not garbed in the signature unit of the division, the cloak and mask that clearly mark one of the NOL's blood executioners, too most her white uniform would simply be seen as perhaps some fancier version of the standard blue of the NOL, unless of course one understood the intricacies of the organization. Her ice blue eyes looking to that marker, before she calmly reached down and opened the door, stepping into the room and offering a salute.

"First Lieutenant Tsubaki Yayoi reporting." she stood at attention

[TERUMI]
Intelligence and the Zero Division have much the same issues. Being associated with them can arouse unwanted suspicion and create many issues, although those within Tsubaki's shoes are far more disliked. One of the tenants taught, after all, is to suspect everyone. Friend and stranger alike. That doesn't lead to many deep and meaningful relationships inside NOL. When the door is opened, she's exposed to a surprisingly dark office. The blinds are down, and only a single lamp hums in a corner. Everything is incredibly neat and tidy, with the slender form of Hazama Honoka settled in his chair. White gauze bandages are around his neck and hands, with a few bandages upon his face. Tsubaki likely heard he had some run-in with Ragna the Bloodedge, and given he has no combative certifications or training on record one can imagine the result would be injury. Yet he has no apparent pain, moving fluidly without the slightest wince or unsteadiness.

"Oh, Lieutenant Yayoi. Nice that we could finally meet, face to face." His eyes are not quite visible given his face is angled towards the desk. A number of papers are there, and a large silver bowl. Within it are countless hard boiled eggs, giving a distinctive scent to the room. "I hope your accomodations have been appropriate, for an esteemed member of the Twelve Originators?" Obviously not. Despite being in one of the more respected families, Tsubaki's relegated to a run-down single room hotel that might satisfy the roaches and rats squatting under the fridge. Quite a difference from the height of luxury she grew up in.

He gingerly plucks up one of the eggs, placing it into his mouth. His tongue draws it in, before soundlessly swallowing, momentary bulge rippling down his bandaged throat.

[TSUBAKI]
Tsubaki blinked, at first worried that Izayoi had already begun to claim her vision, before she realized that the Commander of the Intelligence division was sitting in a darker room. As her vision adjusted to the gloom she noted the bandages, finding it odd the man seemed to still be able to move despite what appeared to be extensive wounds. But that is not the point of this meeting. She resisted an urge to wrinkle her nose at the scent of the hard boiled eggs, her arm drifting down to her side as she still stood at attention. A member of the Twelve Originators she may be, but since her placement in the 0th Division she had been forced to 'slum' far more than she would have liked, but this assignment had so far been one of the worst.

Tsubaki had long set herself to the tasks she was given, believing that showing her loyalty to the NOL would bring her back to the place members of the Yayoi family would be expected, and she had reasoned to herself in some maddening private moments, she was doing necessary work, even if she was not in a prestigious position befitting her station publicly.

"Yes, Captain Honoka. I was surprised at the apparent personal request for my presence here." In person, she felt even more apprehension towards the Captain, though the ever dutiful Tsubaki Yayoi would not let it show. Unless the man were the best poker player ever, Tsubaki's face was that of serene calm and poise befitting the next heir to the Yayoi family.

[TERUMI]
"Oh, I prefer Captain Hazama." is corrected in a casual manner, before a few more papers are shuffled around between his fingers before the black-clad man flips them over to settle face down upon the desk. Only then does his chin lift, revealing a small smile and eyes seemingly closed. Green tufts of hair peek beneath his hat, a shocking contrast of color to the dullness of the poorly lit office. "But I wished for only the best. And as a member of the Yayoi household, I can think of none better suited in your class." This appears to be an opinion nobody else in NOL has shared. After all, First Lieutenant is the absolute lowest officer position an Originator is guaranteed, let alone in one of the less prestigious divisions. "Unless I'm wrong...? You DO consider yourself the best, correct? In terms of marks and ability, overall you are by and far superlative in your graduation!" Another egg is plucked up, popped within his mouth to be slowly swallowed.

[TSUBAKI]
"Very well, Captain Hazama." There's a confused look at the mix of casual and official manner that comes out of her mouth. His words draw a tug at the corner of her mouth. She indeed had been the best in her class, it was only expected of a Yayoi to be at the top of their class, their squard, or even division. But that was where things had fallen apart, there is no commander of the 0th Division, with the exception of the Imperator, but then, the 'Wings of Justice' also answered to any division needing them, and they were not afforded the luxuries afforded to others. While Intelligence would not seek out the most opulent of lodgings so as to keep a low profile and hide their dealings, the 0th Division would not be afforded luxury because their work would not allow it. The Division was not meant to announce itself until needed to bring swift justice to a traitor. Her hands balled into fists subconciously at her side for a moment. "You're not wrong sir. I believe my record speaks for itself." Oh the divisions 'records' were sealed to most, but someone like Hazama would no doubt have full access to the breadth of Tsubaki's carreer. Though the manner in which he was eating those eggs was distracting...a slight shudder at the way in which he slowly swallowed them.

[TERUMI]
Overtly, Hazama does not seem to take note of Tsubaki's momentarily clenched fists, merely smiling towards her. "I wasn't asking about your records." is finally repeated, as a third egg begins dancing across the slender serpent's bandaged fingers. "I am from Intelligence. Analyzing simple numbers and reports is my forte. I was asking your opinion, Lieutenant Yayoi. Do you THINK you are a cut above your peers? Ms. Vermillion, Ms. St. Jeanne, Ms. Natsume, even my own subordinate, Ms. Nanaya?" The pressure is subtle, but there's little way to worm out of the demand now without a definitive statement. "After all, I said I wanted the best. If you feel you are not a fit, then many of your colleagues are in much more meaningful stations... I'd say Ms. Vermillion, as aide to Jin Kisaragi, might have more merit..." From his expression, he seems to be reconsidering whatever desires he had for the Zero Division.

[TSUBAKI]
Those names, all from her class, all good friends, and all...There's a slip of that proud mask as Tsubaki slapped hand down onto the desk, her gaze intensifying for a moment as she manges, "I am the best!" is the intense decleration from the young woman, a tremble in her hand on that desk before she quickly reallizes what she's down, and stands back up straight, coughing into her hand, and clearing her throat. "That is, you did not make a mistake Captain Hazama, you are of course correct in knowing that I am the best." The it wasn't the other names that had truly set her off...it was one, and the fact it had been mentioned twice, and the second time in conjunction with a source of jealousy, a future she felt like had been taken. Noel Vermillion, her best friend, and yet...the person who had become the aid to someone she had cared for since the moment she met him.

[TERUMI]
"Good. That's what I wanted to hear." Hazama says, his smile growing a little broader. The third egg is stuffed in his mouth and savored, shifting from cheek to cheek before finally begin swallowed in another visible, slowly shifting bulge down gauzed throat. "Ms. Vermillion almost died trying to acquire the Command Gear. This will only add to her merits as a soldier. Even the Imperator has to acknowledge such selfless actions. She's still in medical, if you wanted to visit her." A pregnant pause follows, letting that hang in the air. The thought that Noel's life was truly at risk, but also the thought that her actions would only increase her position in NOL, while Tsubaki continues to languish at the lowest line. "Still, I bet if you asked Colonel Mutsuki, he would happily take you in. You've known each other since you were very little, isn't that right...? Or is it you want to climb the ranks with your own merits, and not the simple word of the Twelve Originator's chief?"

[TSUBAKI]
That got another tension of a fist at her side for a moment. Mutsuki, that playboy had no doubt SLEPT his way into the position he was in now. That dangerous look in Tusbaki's eye glinting for a moment. How could Hazama know all these dark secrets swirling beneath the surface of the seemingly unflinchingly loyal Tsuabki? And to hear what had happened with Noel only getting her MORE prestige? There's silence, before Tsubaki calmly responds, "While I value the connections of my youth, it is here and now that I will prove my worth the Imperator, Captain Hazama. My family earned it's position through dedication and duty, not simply asking others to give to us." she took a breath, must he swallow those eggs whole? A breath, calming herself, if only others would see her devotion. SHe had even claimed Izayoi for the purpose of showing her loyalty, was not potentially surrendering her sight, or even life wielding such an artifact not proof enough of what she was willing to give? Had not countless successful assignments proven her worth? Why was it they wanted to see her crawl and beg, while others were simply handed rewards even in failure!? She did not know how well Hazama could read through her normally serene mask, but she had already let her anger slip before, doing so again could be potentially dangerous. What did he want from her? Why the unending jabs at failures that had been heeped on her while others were allowed to simply skate by on nothing?

[TERUMI]
"I see. You're truly a role model for those who wish to serve the Imperator." Hazama then takes off his hat, placing it over his chest and dipping his head. "Dispatched in mankind's darkest hour. We are the knights of the blue flame!" Perhaps he does not speak with the genuine emotion of Tsubaki, however. The hat is placed back atop his head afterwards. "And humanity's darkest hour might be here. Reports indicate the gear, Justice, might not even be under military control any more. Can you imagine such creatures, unshackled, rampaging about the world with their own flawed ideals of 'justice'? Only the Imperator is fit to determine such, wouldn't you agree?" He leans forward then, elbows resting on the desk as fingers interlace. "Heihachi Mishima has stated we cannot interfere in this conflict. Our legal requirements to all nations cooperating with NOL are clear. As such, you are to look into another matter. Although Ragna the Bloodedge incapacitated me in a single blow, and I scarcely got Ms. Vermillion to safety, we survived. It seems another party intervened. An individual who used chains. One of your classmates wielded those, Ms... Clio St. Jeanne, isn't that right? I doubt she would be a match for the Grim Reaper, though. I'd like for you and Ms. Nanaya to investigate this. I think this chain wielding man is *incredibly* dangerous. Call it..." He holds up a fourth egg. "...a gut feeling." And then slowly places it in his mouth. In the end, she's here on grunt work once more...

[TSUBAKI]
As the oath of the NOL is spoke, Tsubaki speaks it with heartfelt loyalty and respect, "Dispatched in mankind's darkest hour. We are knights of the blue flame!" There is genuine zeal for that oath in her voice. A fist over her heart, and the uniform beret removed as she speaks. She had come to this meeting without Izayoi active after all. She seems to have calmed, especially as events are recounted, speaking of Ragna the Bloodedge, Justice going rampant. The insistence of Mishima to not have the NOL step in? Was she to partake in some clandestine mission to capture the gear? Or perhaps the infamous Bloodedge? She and Makoto to be paired off no doubt to hunt down...some man that was wielding chains. She stares into the middle distance at the reallization this is just one more junk assignment. Oh yes, to see Makoto again will be nice after so long. But would it have to be under such loathsome circumstances? "Of course...Captain Hazama." there's a numb resignment in her voice. Why? Why was she being under utilized? Was her value not plain? Not only as one of the 12 Originators, but her flawless grades at the academy, her constant dutiful work, was it truly all for nothing? She sighed, quietly putting her beret back on once more, "Is there any intel on this target at all?"

[TERUMI]
"Only that they fought on par with Ragna the Bloodedge. They might have even won. We have no documentation of such battle power in our Intelligence records. People who fight with chains, let alone ones that are imbued with energy, happen to be very rare. If there's an unknown battle potential in the city, we'd like to know about it. Perhaps a Gear? Although why would they want to attack Ragna? So many questions, so few answers. That's where *you* come in. This is a test, Lieutenant Yayoi. On just how competent you really are. I'm currently in a position where, if I recognize your abilities, I can move your career in a very positive direction. But, if you come up with nothing..." A sort of slow, helpless shrug follows. "I honestly have no concern about that, from a self-professed pinacle of what the Wings of Judgement *truly* have to offer!"

[TSUBAKI]
That first bit catches her attention, someone that can fight on the level of Ragna the Bloodedge? Tsubaki's interest is piqued. A hand goes to her chin in thought before the words that truly interest her are spoken. That seems to draw the crisp salute from Tsubaki, "I will endeavor to exceed your expectations Captain Hazama. Do we have a description or image of this person? I wish to review everything we know for when I rendezvous with Ms. Nanaya." she wasn't privy to her friends rank at current. Though she will need to use Izayoi to it's fullest no doubt in this persuit.

[TERUMI]
"Ah, I also got a note that Colonel Mutsuki assigned Ms. Clio St. Jeanne to me..." Hazama continues, digging around a bit before coming up with a piece of paper. "She's also a suspect, of course. But you can use her as you see fit as well. I suggest looking into the forensics from the battle site. Perhaps debriefing Ms. Vermillion, to see if she remembers something I do not. For now, you are the commanding officer... Ms. Nanaya and Ms. St. Jeanne will both report to you. Don't let me down, now... you are doing this not only as a representative of the Wings of Justice, and of the Imperator... but also of the Yayoi Clan itself. I look forward to your report. You are dismissed." He settles back in his chair then, returning to his paperwork apparently unaffected by the office's dimness.

[TSUBAKI]
Maintaining the salute, and being told she was in command of this operation? That's a start, it is indeed as it should be. A slight smirk of satisfaction on Tsubaki's face, "Yes sir." is her response, turning to leave the office and allowing that mask to slip a bit further, a dangerous smile on Tsubaki's face as she has been given permission to truly set herself up for success now. She would prove that she was not going to allow herself to be shuffled off into some dark corner. No, indeed, she will be the Imperator's true Wings of Justice now.

As she stepped out of site, she took a breath, her hand going to her chest. Noel...yes it would perhaps be good to see her old friend and ask about this main with the chains that could equal Ragna the Bloodedge, use what Noel knew, see what Makoto and Clio were capable of and claw herself out of this pit she had fallen into. She would not be some insignificant speck anymore.

Log created on 20:59:06 12/04/2017 by Tsubaki, and last modified on 23:26:49 12/04/2017.