Mingmei university

Chougou looks at the raccoon as well

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The professor says, "Raccoon? Oh! That is just my tanuki, Tantarou. I initially got him as part of an experiment to see if there was any relation between the animal and the mythological trickster spirit. My conclusion is no. He does not appear to be awakened in any way through various assensing tests, and even if he was somehow masking it, I have yet to see him show even a hint of magical ability. He makes for a cute pet though, so I kept him."

Sam nods.
"Okay. Well, thanks. I'll see you around, maybe. We'll let you know how it goes with the jiangshi."
Sam leaves the office (presumably with Chougou), and closes the door behind them.

The professor bids you farewell and you both head outside. As you walk out the door, a human gentleman in expensive-looking clothes is walking your way. You pass each other in the hall and notice that he enters the same office that you just left. He definitely does not look like a student or professor and did not bother knocking on the door.

Chougou nods at the explanation for the tanuki and smiles at the Professor. Thanks again he says and then follows Sam out the door.

((Does Chougou have the ability to take pictures of people with his drones? I'm thinking that since I didn't declare it that he shouldn't have his drones ready, but I'd like to hide one in his hair for that purpose.))

Chougou looks up at Sam and mentions doing more recon at the temple as well, to see how they are doing there.

((Okay... so, my guess is that is Sato who you are introducing, but if I don't know him, I probably do't really care that another person came to talk to Morikami... So, let's do this: ))

Sam stops outside the professor's door, listening to see if he can hear what this well dressed stranger might want with Morikami.
Sam Dekker carried out 5 launched of one d6 :

, , , ,

((perception test))

He also does a matrix search to try to ascertain how much access to the public is available at the temple ((Possibly just checks their website? If it's not there, though))
Sam Dekker carried out 15 launched of one d6 :

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

((matrix search))

"I don't know how the guys are doing down in the woods," he says to Chougou. "I'd like to get some better intel on the temple, if we can."

((yes drones can take pictures, as can commlinks and tons of other devices. In general I will presume you have the small ones on you, but leave the combat ones behind unless you say otherwise. You need to command it to take pictures, which means you are plugging into your rcc. It is similarly subtle to using your commlink to take a picture. So, not that subtle. If you are already plugged in, then there is not much to notice since it is just a mental command.))


Listening at the door, Sam hears talking but the voices are indistinct. He manages to catch "jiangshi" and "ofuda".

The temple is open to the public during day hours and closes at night. Visiting just requires an admission fee of 15 nuyen.

Chougou pokes at Sam's leg a bit insistently trying to remind him that it's rude to listen in on doors, and then agrees that the temple would be a good place to go.

((do they know who went there or what they are planning? Can we contact them from here to see how they're doing?))

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As Sam and Chougou leave the stone university building and head back to the street to look for a taxi, they hear heavy footfalls behind them and turn to see a man running towards them at full tilt. The man is of average height, and handsome in a forgettable way.

What does catch your attention is that he is wearing an extremely nice suit. You may not know drek about fashion, but it's pretty obvious this is the kind of suit that says "some old guy who smells just a bit of tobacco came to my house and spent a lot of time with a measuring tape and pins making sure this thing looked nice.

...and where there was nice there was likely nuyen.

"Wait! Are you the two that just meet with Morikami-sensei? We might be able to help each other...I've encountered the..." (and he abruptly stops as he notices he is in public...and glances to either side to see if there was anyone in earshot and lowers his voice) "...person you're looking for and I think I know where it lives..."

((who went where? To the farm? Everyone else is there... Maybe not kingfisher? It's tough to figure out what kingfisher is doing. But, no. We don't know how it's going with them.))

Sam tells Chougou that admission to the temple is 15 nuyen.
They head to the temple.

Sam and Chougou are, presumably, headed out to Chougou's van. They stop when they hear Sato.
"Um," Sam says. "Who are you? You know where..."
and he figures out that Sato means the jingshai.
"Well, that would be a lot easier than trying to convince Chougou to convince one of his hooker friends to be the bait..." he mutters to himself. But not successfully quietly enough so that the other two can't plainly understand what he said.
"We should find somewhere more private... No. I'm going to stick with who are you, for now."

((weasels are awful!!))

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We were just heard to a temple nearby in search of peachwood. If our interests overlap them we will need a way to add some finality to the situation...would you care to travel with us and we can speak on the way there? I am Chougou and this is Sam.

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"I mean, we don't even know your name yet. But, sure. Why not. Just come on in a van with my, maybe overly trusting, friend here and me while we go case a temple. We can get to know each other on the way. Or in the commission of the crime. You know, whatever."

That's true, we can have lots of fun together. Chougou says as he smiles up at Sam.

So tell us friend, what is your name?
Chougou looks at Satou

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Sato takes a glance at your van. His face twitches a bit upon seeing that it’s clearly also your living quarters.

He composes himself

“Excuse my rudeness. I am known as ‘Sato.’ Pleased to make your acquaintance.

While your van appears...eeeeh...very nice, I think perhaps first we should make a deal. It appears we have common interests. I am looking to help my uncle investigate and avenge a brutal murder of a family member, and you are similarly inclined. Let us discuss what we know and hopefully come to some agreement.

In the meantime, I suggest we agree to a peaceful trip in your van while we talk. Are we agreed?”

Sato’s tone of voice and expression are neutral.

Chougou looks at the empty noodle boxes in the back of his van and suddenly becomes slightly embarrassed.

He agrees to Sato's proposal and engages his flying wasp drones ((I'm remembering that they have little bug legs that can help do this from the picture?)) to help him clear the obvious refuse from the seats and put it into a trash bag that he is holding.

He also pulls out another trash bag and offers it to Sato indicating that he can put it over the seat to protect his clothing.

"Apologies for the disheveled conditions friend Sato. I have been spending some long nights here and wasn't expecting company. Please make yourself comfortable."

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Chougou then relates the details of their assignment and what they have learned so far.

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Sato flashes a grateful smile and spreads the bag on the seat before he sits.

As the van starts moving, he relates his story.

“A few weeks ago, my uncle found one of my cousins dead, with an expression of horror fixed upon her face. My uncle suspected a spirit of some kind, so he immediately reached out to me, as I have a small amount of experience with such things.”

“I spent many nights staking out the spot of her murder, a clearing in Wanpaku Koen. I am fortunate that my job requires great patience as the monster took over a week to strike its next victim, but I was ready...or so I thought.”

Sato pauses for a moment, his usually expressionless face creased - clearly troubled by the memory.

"Go on," Sam prompts, seemingly unmoved by the change in Sato's demeanor or expression.

After a moment to compose himself, Sato continues his story.

"One night in the very early hours, I noticed a young OL (("office lady" - basically a young secretary who works for the sole purpose of finding a husband)) walking by herself through the park.  I know the cowboys and other public servants ensure that Izakaya is not particularly dangerous, but even so, she was perhaps a bit too tipsy to be walking alone through an empty park in the dead of night."

"It had been a hot and humid day, so the cool of night had brought a mist amongst the cedar trees.  It obscured my vision somewhat so I was slow to react when the monster struck.  It is my great shame that I was not able to act quickly enough to save her."  

Sato paused again and frowned as his memories flooded back.  

"I hope I never have to witness anything like that again.  It was a strange thing to see how fast it moved - it leaped through the air in great bounds, inexplicably as fast as a running man.  I had barely started towards it when it fell upon her.  It was over so fast, she didn't even have time to scream."

He drew an engraved case from his suit's chest pocket and withdrew a hand-rolled cigarette.  He motioned with it to Chougou - wordlessly asking for permission to smoke in his car.