Rebirth to Now

[Ken's just as tense as Aya. At the moment, he's rather close to pacing, but he doesn't. There's really no need for it, and it'd just make things even worse.]

It's not like you to withhold info, Mamoru.

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[Aya shakes his head at Ken then looks at Mamoru.]

What is it?

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vivalamorte

[Ken's comment throws him off for a moment. Two seconds of uncertainty, and he lets it go because there are more important things to focus on right now.]

If you see the blonde that Schuldig was speaking with over the network, be careful. I don't know how involved he is, but he's responsible for giving Farfarello the worldhop. In the few minutes I spoke with him, he demonstrated self-interest, manipulative behavior, and an open lack of concern for his safety that concerns me. He's either very foolish or very powerful.

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Or a nice mix of both.

[Ken knows well enough to know that foolish can be just as dangerous as powerful.]

Are we thinking he could be an issue here?

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[Aya frowns more. He doesn't like the sound of having to deal with another person on top of all this.]

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vivalamorte

I'm not sure. It's possible, so it's important to be aware. Let's avoid him if we can. The fewer adversaries we have to deal with, the better.

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[Ken just nods his agreement.]

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Is there anything else?

[Anyone can see in his eyes that he's about ready to dash over to Schuldig to rescue his sister.]

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vivalamorte

[Mamoru goes quiet and averts his eyes.

You know that awkward pause that happens when there is something else but the person isn't sure they want to share it? Yeah...]

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[Ken's all too aware of the evasion. They might not be teammates anymore, but he knows Mamoru, almost as well as he knew Omi.]

... out with it.

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Tell us.

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vivalamorte

[Damn it.]

...I noticed Schuldig mention to someone that this was probably connected to a virus. I know which one he means.

Aya-chan was Farfarello's mother.

[And you remember what he did to his last one, right?]

Let's hurry, shall we?

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[Ken bits off a soft curse and the glower is enough to evoke memories of a much younger Aya, but he doesn't say anything else. It's business, yes, but it's personal business now and in all things to him, Aya has the lead. He spares one quick withering look at Mamoru, then looks to Aya.]

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[Despite what is happening, Aya is keeping it together rather well. Nodding, he holds out the orb for the others to touch as well so they can go to where they need to meet Schuldig.]

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vivalamorte

[Without further word, Mamoru extends his hand and touches the orb.]

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[A quick glance around to make sure they're safely alone and that the others are ready and Ken does the same, reaching out to settle his fingers on the orb.]

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[He's grateful to Ken for having his back right now and watches the world around them shift as he thinks about where they will be meeting Schuldig, everything settling once they get there.]

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[Schuldig's there waiting like he said he'd be. Hell, he was early expecting them to not want to delay.?]

Took you long enough. I realize this is a reunion for you three but let's not drag this out longer than necessary.

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vivalamorte

[Mamoru does his best to be thankful they don't have to wait for Schuldig rather than offput by his very presence. The virus had done little to change his opinion of the man.]

Indeed. Rest assured we have every desire to do this quickly.

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[Ken just spares his old antagonistic a not so subtle glare, but for once, he stays quiet.]

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Enough, Schuldig. We're moving out.

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[He does a quick scan to figure out just what the delay was about before walking over to them, smile aimed Mamoru's way.]

Didn't share the whole story there now did you, Papa?

You already have the place; year is 1899.

[And he's more than ready to get there and back already.]

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vivalamorte

[Mamoru doesn't say anything. He just sends Schuldig a distrustful look.]

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[The look Ken gives Mamoru clearly says they'll chat later.]

Then let's go.

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[Aya doesn't have time to focus on that, too focused on the orb to send them where they need to go.]

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[Before anything, Schuldig tightened down on the private line that connected Schwarz--last thing they wanted was Farfarello getting a head's up they were there. He'd still be able to find them; he'd been in Farf's head more than enough times.

As soon as they arrived, Schuldig knew where they were and wasn't surprised in the least.]

That way.

[He nodded off toward the small church nearby.]

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vivalamorte

[Mamoru isn't sure why Ken is giving him that look. He'd told them all that was really needed, hadn't he?

Keeping on alert for any other presences nearby, he walks behind Schuldig heading towards the church. He wanted to race there as quickly as he could, but with such unfamiliar territory and known adversaries around, they couldn't afford that kind of carelessness.]

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[For once, Ken's all business, but there's no mistaking the tension in his muscles. He's spoiling for a fight, but first things first... innocents out of harm's way.]

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[Aya's eyes focus on the church and he moves forward until he's right behind Schuldig. He's only allowing him to read right now because he needs his telepathy. He needs it to save his sister.]

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[The closer they got to the church, the easier it was to pick up on just what was going on inside. Happily (and how fucking weird is it to think that) they're just talking with none of Farfarello's other church time activities.

Odd enough to be in this situation, worst still to think he needs to reassure Fujimiya.]

She's fine. They're just talking.

[Question now was how to go about this without inflaming the situation, inside or out.]

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vivalamorte

[Small relief. Mamoru won't fully believe that until he sees for himself, but it does take the edge off the sense of urgency he felt that was getting a little too close to panic. It isn't just awareness of what Farfarello did to his own mother and the existing parallel to Aya in the wake of the virus. It's what Farfarello did to a girl that, for quite some time, Mamoru believed to be his sister. Aya's sister at his mercy now brings memories of that night back to the forefront of his mind.]

Let's scout the outside of the building. We should know the number and positions of the doors leading out. And if anyone else is lurking nearby.

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Better stay that way.

[As ready as Ken is, he easily slips into mission mode, nodding agreement as he slips off to do exactly what Mamoru suggested.]

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[Aya has no idea how much longer he can delay heading inside. He needs to see for himself that his sister is alright. Yet, he knows that will put her in danger.

Squeezing his eyes shut for a moment, he takes a deep breath.]

Let's move.

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[Takatori's remark, while a good idea normally, is rather stupid overall. He doesn't stop Hidaka from leaving however.]

You do know I can tell how many people are in the area. I also have no reason to allow any outside interference; and the wizard wasn't interested in getting involved anyway.

[The whole thing has become a lot easier as far as Schuldig is concerned, as long as Weiss (or whatever the fuck they called themselves now) didn't blow their cool and let him try and handle it, things would be fine.]

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vivalamorte

Go ahead, Aya-kun. I'll wait here.

[It was true that Schuldig could easily know for himself who was in the area, but that didn't mean Mamoru trusted him to be honest about it. He was there for his own ends. Maybe it was what he said it was and maybe it was for something else, like a trap. With proven assistance from a local to his teammate and Schuldig holding the position of He Who Initiated Contact, there was enough doubt in his mind to justify the traditional strategy.

But it's the last bit that really catches his attention.]

Wizard?

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