2003/Literary Asylum

Literary Asylum
Date of Scene:	05 October 2016
Location:	Seiyou Public School - Royal Garden
Synopsis:	Blue Lotus appears to ask Tadase to help her guard the Compendium of Infinite Worlds from a determined pursuer.
Cast of Characters:	Blue Lotus, Tadase Hotori

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Blue Lotus has posed:
    It's been months since Blue Lotus has been seen or heard from. People seem to have forgotten about the book she stole- even Eclipse, although it's more likely they are simply pretending to no longer be interested to cover up the embarassment of not being able to locate it. Either way, there's been no indication that Lotus has managed to use the book for what she intended (whatever that really was). Those who knew she had it, few as they were, might even have begun to assume she had either given up or been killed in some ill-advised experimentation.

    That supposition can be laid to rest quite suddenly, however, when she shows back up at Seiyou, the last place she was reliably seen, holding a canvas-wrapped bundle under her arm that is distinctly book-shaped. She enters the Garden, seeking out the representatives of Virtue she last had contact with.

Tadase Hotori has posed:
Tadase is, as usual, able to be found at the Garden. Despite his earlier discussion with Naru about the magical invention known as 'cellular phones' he still finds himself spending time there - for exactly this reason. Not everyone has the cell numbers or is comfortable using them.

But just as pretty much anyone who isn't Ikuto or an actual youma, Blue Lotus gets a wave and a smile when her presence is noticed.

"Lotus-san." Tadase says, after pulling the name from his memory, and being formal as always. "It's been quite a while since anyone heard from you. It's good to see you in what I hope is good health?" The girl is not a friend, per se, so she gets a more formal interaction with the King.

Blue Lotus has posed:
    "Good health," Comes Blue Lotus' response from behind the ever-present mask which hides her features, including eyes- all that's seen through the slanted eye-holes of the Lotus-shaped mask is a faint glitter of reflected light. "But not good mood. I have yet to unravel the secrets of this," she thumps the book down onto a convinient table, still wrapped in canvas.

    "And it seems my time to do so is growing short. It has come to my attention that.. a particular person is after me. Or rather, this." She taps the book. "And she is getting frustratingly close to finding me. I need to place it in your protection for the time being, until I am sure that I can continue my research in safety. Do you think you can adequately protect it?"

Tadase Hotori has posed:
Tadase looks down at the book - moving the canvass for just a moment, but only a moment. It's a strange, intricate thing - not of this planet, originally. He wraps it back in the cloth.

He takes the book up. It had fallen through the list of other concerns, but was still something Virtue would be happy to know was safe. "We've been working on a new sort of place to store things like this. It'll be guarded and hidden." he says, tucking it under his arm for now. "But what about you?" Tadase, always going for the people element. "Are you going to be alright with this person hunting you? What will happen if they realize you don't have it? Are you going to be safe?"

Blue Lotus has posed:
    "You do not need to be concerned with me." Blue Lotus says, straightening after Tadase claims the book, her tone level and her expression, of course, impossible to glean from behind the mask. "I believe I have adequately demonstrated my ability to disappear. You should be more concerned with your own safety, now that you are the one holding that." She gestures to the book.

    "The one who has been sniffing around is a career criminal named Madison Perry. I assume you are familiar with her by reputation, at least. I believe a notice went out through Virtue when she escaped from her TSAB holding pen earlier this summer. I have gleaned that she is now working on a contract basis for Eclipse, which is likely where she heard about the book."

    "I do not know why she is proving more persistant than earlier searchers. She seems unusually.. motivated. She kept getting closer than I would like, which is why I made the decision to give the book over to your custody until she is dealt with.. one way or the other."

Tadase Hotori has posed:
The look of concern on Tadase's face doesn't fade when Lotus tells him not to, but he does nod and in a way accept it. It's not the first person who told him not to worry - who said they'd be okay on their own. He knew the futility that often existed when trying to change that.

The look does change at the mention of Madison Perry. Tadase makes a less-than-pleased face. "Yes, although I haven't interacted or seen much of her since she escaped, really. It doesn't surprise me she's working for Eclipse. She seems the type." He doesn't think highly of 'the type' - that much is clear.

"Whatever she wants it for, it's not a good thing. I can agree on that much. The motivation she has isn't altruistic, not based off what I read from her files." Virtue has files? Well, the TSAB does. Virtue's working on it.

"I'll make sure this is kept under watch." He looks down at it, then back to her. "But if you do need assistance in some other way, we're here." That's all he says on it, another offer. He doesn't think she'll take it.

Blue Lotus has posed:
    Although Blue Lotus is ostensibly a member of Virtue, she has always worked on her own and seemingly with her own agenda. Tadase's prediction proves accurate. "I can take care of myself. Besides, it isn't me that she's after. It's that." She points at the book. "Once she learns that I no longer have it, I do not think she will pursue me further."

    She pauses a moment, then continues, "I intend to return and reclaim it to continue my research once it is safe to do so. This is not a permenant gift. The book belongs to me." Well, since she was the one who stole it from Eclipse in the first place, anyway. "I just want to make that clear now so there are no unfortunate misunderstandings in the future."

    She turns, as if to leave, then pauses and offers, "Thank you. My goal has no changed, but the circumstances have. I will endeavor to repay you for your assistance in the future, should things end in a satisfactory manner."

Tadase Hotori has posed:
Tadase almost considers arguing about the book, about its danger - but then decides not to endanger the handoff. When she returns he can try to get more... learned members of Virtue to make that argument. It wasn't his forte or place.

"Your position on all of this is understood." he says, in an attempt to diplomatically agree without committing. "You don't need to repay us - just perhaps start to trust us. We can do more together than we can seperately - that's the whole point of the group." he says, as she turns to walk away. "You don't have to make a commitment now - just think about that."

Blue Lotus has posed:
    "We'll see." is all that Blue Lotus says. There's a faint sensation of narrowing eyes behind that mask, as if she perhaps senses that reclaiming the book will not be as easy as she would like- but that's a bridge that can be crossed after more pressing concerns are dealt with. Clearly she would not be here at all if she did not think it was necessary.

    "I imagine I will have plenty of time to think. Just.. be prepared. Things have a habit of being more complicated than any of us can forsee, as I've learned to my detriment."

    And with that, she is gone, vanishing back out the door as quickly and quietly as she appeared.