Patricia Birdway
"Now the building should be around here somewhere." It was now a bit passed noon for Touya who is wandering the streets of Academy City. Of course he wasn't walking mindlessly, taking directions from a few people who direct him to a building where the address on the canister had. Now having enough time to return the thing to its proper owner.
'I wonder how Shirai is doing?' Touya thought recalling the sweet girl about an hour ago. H sincerely hoped she'd help her girlfriend to get away from this scumbag. Honestly, there was just no end to punks like them. 'Well, she should be able to handle it. She seems like a strong woman anyway.'
Anyway, Touya continued his walk until finally he found the building he was looking for. Time to make a delivery.
"No, no, no." Muttering in slight panic and being upset is a young girl pacing in circles biting her nail. The look on her face showing someone in distress. Ignoring the news on t.v., just appeared to have lost something, which is exactly what happened in truth.
"Darn those bullies. I can't believe they made me lose the canister." The girl finally topped walking revealing herself. Showing a very familiar face reminiscent like a certain cabal boss. The only difference excluding the skin, hair color, and eyes, was that this girl has short blonde hair and blue eyes. She wears a track suit consisting of a light-blue jersey and spandex slacks, along with a white vest. She also has headphones hanging from her shoulders.
Her name is Patricia Birdway, a current resident in Academy City with a high degree that would put many to shame. And she didn't even live in the city until recently. Just goes to show that not every genius lived in the city of science. While few, there were other geniuses outside the city, not many, but some like Patricia.
Still, despite being a genius Patricia is technically a young girl. A girl that had been attacked and nearly been 'used' by the depravity of many males. Luckily that kind young man helped her, though it was a shame he took her canister and never brought it back. The only good thing of the ordeal after is how her sister told her that she and her club 'dealt' with them.
"..also in other news, a group of young men have been discovered excessively beaten and damaged. Officials say they will never walk again." Patricia grabbed the remote and turned off the television. Not even having paid attention to what was just repeated, having other problems to worry about. Like the loss of a major project that could set her back for weeks. Oh why did she just walk out with it out in the open? Then again, how was she to know those thugs somehow knew about it, damn leak. She already gotten heard someone had been arrested here, most likely the person who had told and hired those boys to steal it.
She hoped they never walked again.
"I need to find that boy, but how. Should I call my sister?" That club of her's was super big. According to her sister, she had tons of members, all working for her. So maybe they can help with their huge numbers. "...no, I can't waste her time."
Her sister was doing other important things. Something about finding a new base. Besides, she already helped her enough with those jerks. Patricia had to deal with this herself. But it won't be easy. That boy that saved her could be anywhere by now. So it wouldn't be easy to regain the canister again.
Bzzzzz.
"Hm." Patricia then felt her pocket vibrate, her phone specifically. Taking it out, she saw someone was trying to call her, the front desk. Tapping the screen, she answered. "Yes?"
"Hello Ms. Birdway. We have someone down here wanting to speak with you." The person on the line said. Patricia normally would accept, but had other problems to deal with.
"I'm sorry, but can you tell the person no. I'm having my own problem right now and am busy." She replied.
"Ah, about that." The person continued. "The man here says he wants to return what appears to be some canister. Saying he wanted to give it back and-"
"Bring him in!"
"Wow! Can't believe this place is all yours. And for someone so young." Touya had been allowed in to deliver the canister. Having been guided to a room where he was told a brilliant person lived inside. He was surprised to see it was such a small child.
'She must be incredible to be here.' Touya thought as the blue eyed girl then stared at him. Gazing at the canister in his hands with a smile.
"I-I see you have it after all." Truthfully she wasn't certain if this man actually had her canister. After all, it was that blonde boy that grabbed it, not this man. Of course she had to be certain just in case, and behold, it was her canister.
"Yep. A blonde guy gave it to me. Seemed busy." Touya referred to Shiage who had promptly left after getting a call from his girlfriend. To put it straight, he had a very good time.
"I see. Glad he was okay." Patricia was worried the boy may have been injured. Looks like those worries could be put to rest. "Thank you for bringing this back Mr…"
"Kamijou. Kamijou Touya." Touya told her.
"-Right. Mr. Kamijou. This thing is a very important item I had been working on for a good while. It would have set me back had I lost it."
"What is it?" Touya asked wondering just what it was this canister is. Those delinquents seemed to want it bad for some reason, and just chased that blonde kid. Even began shooting at him just to get it. Must have been very important.
"Well, um," While Patricia is grateful for the man's help, she wasn't sure if she should just tell him. After all, she didn't know who he is. While she pondered trying to give a proper answer without sounding rude, Touya's eyes caught sight of some paper. On it was a name, 'Patricia Birdway'.
"Patricia Birdway," He muttered wondering why that name seemed familiar. His eyes widening recalling. "Hey, are you by any chance related to a Leivinia Birdway?"
"You know my sister!?" Patricia didn't see this coming. How did this man know her sister? Maybe he was a club member or acquaintance. Her sister did have loads of club members and connections as she put it.
"Kinda," Touya continued giving his explanation. A bit surprised Leivinia had a sister. Then again this girl did look a bit like her. "I met her with a friend of mine and she bought us ice cream. She even said she wanted to make a deal with me."
"A deal!" This man was assuredly connected to Leivinia club after all. Patricia knowing just how stubborn her sister is in letting in new members. This man must be very exceptional to have been asked for a deal. If so, then perhaps she can trust him. Just a bit.
"I guess I can show you...but you can't tell anybody." She told him with the man nodding in understanding.
"Don't have to tell me twice. I know how Academy City is privy to their technology." People could be arrested for just stealing a phone. That just showed how protective they were of their technology. Especially the good ones.
"...Okay then, follow me." Touya followed the young genius as she took him to a small table where she set down the canister. She then put on some goggles giving some to Touya as well. Then carefully grabbed the top and made a few twists and turns, unlocking it. She then opened it where Touya felt like he saw a flash but then vanished.
"I added a small trap in case anybody tried opening it despite not being the proper owners." Patricia explained taking off the goggles along with Touya. "It sends a very blinding flash which makes the person blind for a few hours." She then tapped the goggles lens. "These things help protect us."
"Very nice." Touya replied. Who then tried peering into what was inside, seeing nothing at all.
"Hold on, I have to remove the second cap." Patricia then dug her hand into it and seemed to twist around A click was then heard as Patricia then began taking her hand out. With it however is some strange long metallic substance that glew in a special container.
"What is it?" Touya asked intrigued by the blue light it gave off.
"A new energy source that I have been working on along with some other people. If used properly, it can power an entire block for ten years straight." She told him impressing him further.
"Wow. I can see why those men must have wanted it." Those thugs had likely been trying to steal it for some sinister purpose. Something Patricia scowled at.
"Yeah. This thing was probably taken so they could power up some stolen tech they took. A few battle suits I think." Now that was shocking.
"Hold on, they took power suits! How did that happen?" Patricia shrugged.
"I'm not to sure. Most likely they just stole some old models under storage and then realized they had no power. Thus they wanted to take this." It didn't help that a leak was sent out, otherwise there was no way those boys would have known where she was and what the canister truly is. "Ultimately though there plan would have failed."
"Why's that?"
"Because this thing," Patricia then tapped the glass, the energy inside fluctuating a bit. "Is kinda unstable. Had they done what they wanted, they only would have accomplished blowing themselves up into nothing but dust. Alongside whatever building they were in."
Touya gulped, now realizing he had such a dangerous item with him all this time. If he had somehow messed up, or got to curious, he would be watching his family in the sky above. Thank goodness he isn't nosy.
"Right...so, when it's done it'll probably do some good, huh." He said changing topics from the destruction this thing could cause.
"Pretty much. Which reminds me." Patricia then faced him while putting the energy core away, locking it up with the cap. "I was wondering if you can answer a question for me. You know, in exchange for telling you about this. It is supposed to be a secret."
"Um, sure." Touya said hoping it wouldn't be a personal one.
"Good. First things first." Patricia then dug into her pocket again taking out her phone. Clicking it a bit before showing him an image of two girls at what appears to be some fair. Patricia and Leivinia. The former all smiling with the latter happily chewing on a caramel apple. "This is the person you met, my sister, correct?"
"Yep." He recognized that face.
"In that case, can you tell me what kind of deal she made with you." So she wanted to know huh. Guess it wasn't that bad of a question. Unfortunately Touya himself didn't have a proper answer.
"Sorry, but your sister only said she wanted to make a deal. Nothing more than that." The second she said it the girl left.
"Really?" Patricia asked confused. "Because I know my sister, and she doesn't talk to many people, let aside ask for deals. Especially if they aren't part of her club."
"Club?" What club is she talking about? Patricia noticed Touya's confused gaze and answered back.
"My sister has a big, and I mean big club. Gathering a lot of people going on special field trips. Traveling a lot to." Patricia usually saw those men, mostly Mark. She didn't know exactly what they did, but figured it must be traveling and enjoying landmarks across the world. Her sister always having new items with her chuckling. She was weird that way.
"Oh, what do they do? Sound interesting." Perhaps Leivinia wanted him to join.
"No idea. All I know is that they travel all around the world gathering items for souvenirs I think. My sister doesn't really tell me much." Any time she tried asking her sister, she just gave a weak excuse and was stubborn in not saying anything. Her club mates being just as tight lipped. Though she did manage to get one to tell her that Leivinia was gathering something called 'magic' cards.
That man wasn't seen since.
"Must be something important." Touya concluded. Also acknowledging the club must have major fundings to be travelling around like that. The travel aspect reminding him very much like his own job. Nice to see other people gathering souvenirs just like him. Bringing a smile to his face.
"It is." Patricia replied back. "It just sucks she doesn't let me know anything. Always secretive."
"Heh, I know what you mean." Whenever he talked to Touma the few times he could, he always felt like his son is hiding something. A secret he didn't want to let out. Even though his son hid it well, his instincts told him Touma was worried about something. Not to mention for some reason he felt like Touma has been...distant to them. Like he wasn't as open as before. Even questioning who they were when they met.
Still, he felt like there had to be a reason for such a thing. In time he'll talk to Touma about it. Maybe then he could figure out what was wrong with his son.
"In any case, what do you think your sister wants from me? I do work with a company, but nothing to special." Patricia just shrugged her shoulder also unsure.
"Sis has always been strange like that. Always gathering interesting people." Each person she had a chance of meeting were people of all sorts. Ethnicity, size, gender, all of them unique in their own way. Working for Leivinia as if she were the boss. But Patricia knew that in the end Mark was the real boss of the club with her sister being second in command. After all, she's always seen Mark doing the work with Leivinia just doing weird things with her items.
"Well, I'm sure she'll tell you one day. For now, I guess you just have to stick with it." Touya advised her who nodded.
"Yeah. It sucks but I guess this is just how it is." Maybe Leivinia will tell her the truth one day. Why she was so secretive and the reason she always traveled. Until then, she'll wait.
"Alright then," Touya said getting up. "This has been interesting, but I gotta go. It was nice meeting you though. Who knows, maybe we'll meet again."
"Probably." If Leivinia wanted to make a deal with this fine man, then surely she'll see him as part of the club. "Who knows, maybe you can find out what sis does and tell me what it is she does."
"Hehe. Maybe." He can't make any promises since he wasn't even sure Leivinia would accept him. Only time will tell.
"Oh, here's my number just in case. That way if I do get accepted by your sisters club, I can contact you." Touya presented the young girl with his contact number. Patricia accepting it.
"Thanks." She then turned around and opened a drawer, getting something out. Then turned back and outstretched her hand with an item in it. "Here, have this. Consider it a thanks for giving the container back."
Touya looked at the item and grabbed it. Seeing it was some metal marbles, a bunch of them with some weight on them. Nothing that he could handle though. "Why thanks, but, what is it?"
"Those are special little sound bombs. You throw them at anybody chasing you and it's send out a resonating frequency that confuses the brain and makes them unable to move. It's a short radius though of course, and you should be a bit careful not getting in range. Still, it can help in case you get in trouble." Patricia actually had these with her when those boys tried grabbing her, but was to scared at the moment to use them. Next time though, she'd be ready.
"That seems nice." Touya accepted the gift, thinking that maybe he can give them to Touma if he got the chance. Granted he'll keep one for himself, but the rest for his troublesome child. Knowing he always seemed to get in trouble. "Bye now. Until we meet again."
"Likewise." The two then waved good-bye with Touya leaving the room on his way out. Patricia then going back to work on some papers, glad she can now resume her studies on the energy core again. Making certain that it was well and secure.
'What a nice man.' She thought and complimented of Mr. Kamijou. Happy he aided in the return of the project. Also feeling she'd meet him again. Although she did have another thought about him 'Strange though, he looked so familiar.'
She wasn't sure why, but she felt like she's seen him somewhere before, but where? Oh well, not that big of a deal if she couldn't remember. Most likely she just saw him on the streets and just forgot, recalling hi only now. Wouldn't be odd if that was what happened. Besides,she now had to call her co-workers so they can continue on stabilizing the energy core for the future. Time to get back to work.
Nope, that isn't it. She 'recalls' him though another incident which I won't say. That's a story for another time. In any case, Touya has now seen the sister, can't wait when he meets both Patricia and Leivinia at the same time. But that'll have to wait for the time being. Until next time.
