Chapter 2: The First Royal
"Thanks for the lift, keep the change."
The cab driver happily accepted the yen bill a fair bit larger than his fare before driving off, Alesandro stretching his back before entering the relatively small building that had a humble sign reading Rastus Career Finders on a plain plastic billboard attached to its entrance, the entire residency two floors and perhaps 5200 square feet of floor space total, set directly inbetween the more impressive city center and residential neighborhoods.
"It's smaller than I remember it being."
Then again, the last time he had been at this particular branch had been almost fifteen years ago, shortly before MBI had begun the large-scale redesign and reorganizing of the capital. He'd been much smaller back then, no doubt the office had simply looked more impressive than it did now.
Walking through the door that had been specifically enlarged for the sake of its employees and owners Alesandro was greeted by a smile from the middle-aged man attending the reception desk, groomed beard and swarthy skin a familiar sight as a gruff voice stated, "Well look what the cat dragged in. Been a few years since I've seen you, lad. You go ahead and get taller again or something?"
"More likely you've begun to shrink, uncle Lander. It's good to see you again."
The two warmly embraced, Lander himself only standing twenty or so centimeters shorter than his nephew.
"So I guess my brother and sister-in-law finally decided to do something about MBI, eh?"
"Just between you and me I think they should have acted much sooner. Kamikura island and the mess that arose from that debacle should have been reason enough but, well...better late than never."
The older man snorted, pulling out a chair for the other male to sit in as he wryly remarked, "Considering that we're now dealing with a set of fully intact and functional Jinki I'd say we're very much teetering on the precipice of never. Oh well, you're here now and we can at last get to work in taking MBI to task. This city has been their little testbed for all sorts of experiments they stole off that damn colony ship, never mind the genetic experimentation on the embryos. Honestly, what was the Pillar thinking?"
Alesandro shrugged, commenting, "Who knows? It's easy to cast judgement when our ancestor's ships landed safely and without difficulty. And as for the genetic manipulation of the Sekirei embryos? I'll ascertain that level of meddling directly, it's my intention to enter into this harebrained competition Hiroto is hosting and learn as much as I can before we openly move."
A smirk appeared on Lander's lips.
"Oh? So the kid gloves are coming off, hmm?"
"Only if the situation warrants it. Like it or not MBI has a great deal of military personnel and power at their disposal, not to mention that Disciplinary Squad that held off an entire military task force. We're not exactly equipped or numerous enough to stand up against that."
The man's uncle seemed supremely unconcerned with the reality of the situation, simply responding, "We're aware of what we could be up against. Not to worry, we brought along a few Unlockers and can use them to give ourselves an extra boost against Sekirei level opponents. You just give the word if tender caresses don't do the trick and a closed fist is needed, okay kid?"
"Will do."
A comfortable silence fell between the two men, Lander eventually breaking it by smirking at the younger man, teasingly stating, "So you're gonna enter into the plan, huh? Looking to shack up with some of our legendary ancestors, hmm? See firsthand the devotion and unconditional love of our fabled progenitors? I hear rumors that some of the 'adjustments' MBI performed have turned this ship's Sekirei into some real babes~!"
Rolling his eyes at his uncle's crass observation Alesandro retorted, "Don't be so vulgar, what's happened to those embryos is hardly something to joke about."
"What, should I be endlessly dour and morose about things instead? Where's the levity and humor in that?"
Chalking that statement up to his uncle's more blunt and irreverent nature the dark-haired young man instead asked, "So how about introducing me to everyone working here? If push comes to shove I'd like to know who'll be watching my back."
"Sure thing, right this way, kid."
Illustrious primly sat in the seat of a small cafe across from the building her quarry had just entered, the picture perfect definition of calm and composed beauty...were it not for the slight tinge of pink to her cheeks and barely trembling hands, typing out shaky messages to Victorious and Unicorn, the two badgering her for details on what she'd found...not unusual for the leggy and upbeat blonde, but definitely a departure for the quiet and reserved purple-haired girl.
Really, this candidate was proving to be most promising.
"Let's see, Rastus Career Finders...an independent family-run company founded almost forty years ago, works as a middle man for those seeking work and firms seeking workers, mostly positive reviews but they haven't seemed to expand or shrink in those decades, although they adapt to technology quite well, if the smooth transition to the internet is any indication..."
Illustrious felt her heart yet again beat a furious tempo as her mind flashed back to the scene she had been graced with when her—hopefully—Ashikabi had stepped out of the taxi he'd been in, revealing a most handsome and striking individual that had almost had her leaving her seat in a bid to immediately introduce herself.
Tall, handsome, worked at a respectable company...although it was a bit disgraceful that she did not even know her most beautiful light's name, something that would have to be remedied in the very near future.
"Be still, my heart...rushing into this situation, no matter how promising it may seem, is a bad idea."
With that thought in mind the snow-haired Sekirei continued her careful observation of the company her ideal Ashikabi had entered, sending a link with the company website and attached picture she had snapped to her sisters.
As much as she wished to simply jump into matters that was never the wisest of decisions. And as the minutes turned into just shy of half-an-hour the Sekirei noticed something a bit odd about the company. Namely that everyone who worked within was very tall. Not quite to her Ashikabi's level but far superior to the average Human, even the two women present were impressive, not a centimeter under 1.8 meters.
Granted, height wasn't enough to directly incriminate any group for less than savory dispositions...but it was strange.
Resigning herself to yet another agonizing fifteen minutes of waiting and observation, of searching for any useful or telling bits of info just from visual acuity alone...the Sekirei's patience snapped, a quick payment at the establishment coinciding with her striding across the street towards the firm with sure steps, eagerness at meeting her Ashikabi overwhelming her common sense that dictated she practice patience rather than overeagerness.
"Goodness, what would my sisters say, if they saw me acting with such haste and irrationality?"
Well in practice the women could care less what her fellow Sekirei would think or comment, seeing as how they would be doing the exact same thing were they in her position.
With that thought firmly in mind the buxom young lady boldly opened the door to the business firm, anticipatory smile on her features as her body seemed to burn in anticipation of finally coming face-to-face with her Ashikabi-
"Good morning, young lady. Anything this old man can help you with?"
-and Illustrious came to a screeching halt, mind quickly reorganizing itself as she belatedly realized she would need to come up with a reason to actually meet the man in question...all while not knowing his name.
Offering a polite and regal smile to the middle-aged man at the front desk—who for some reason was also causing her to react, just not to the extent the one from earlier had—the Sekirei stated, "Yes, I saw a man enter here not too long ago and was wondering if I may speak to him? You see, I think I may recognize him from when we attended school together and was curious if he was truly the same individual."
"There! A plausible and innocent enough reason to finally meet with my Ashikabi, it's perfect!"
Nodding contritely at her words the man said, "Certainly, how soon ago was 'soon', though? A few of us come and go as part of company work through the back entrance."
Expression freezing at the words 'back entrance' the Sekirei realized there was a very real possibility her Ashikabi could have exited the building...and she would have never noticed.
Keeping the sudden apprehension from her features Illustrious clarified, "It was just shy of an hour ago, and he entered through the front door, not the back."
"Ah, that must be Alesandro you're talking about."
A brief thrill shot through the buxom woman's body at the name of her guiding light, smile becoming impossibly giddy as she swiftly stated, "Yes, that's him!"
"So you saw the kid enter the building almost an hour ago and only now are coming to confirm it's actually him?"
Illustrious's smile became strained, joyous expression turning chilly as she lightly replied, "I had other business to attend to, unfortunately."
"Well if you say so. I get it, no one wants to reopen old lines of communication on an empty stomach."
Bewildered at the odd statement the Sekirei glanced to where the older gentleman had motioned with his head-
-and felt her eye twitch as she realized she had been sitting in full view of the office the whole time.
"Old man? Decorum and my wish to set a positive role model demands that I not resort to foul language or physical violence unless absolutely forced to...but if you keep me from my Ashikabi one second longer I will quite happily reconsider such a stance!"
Not letting her growing frustration show Illustrious merely kept the polite smile on her lips, the man eventually shrugging before returning to his computer, tone disinterested as he stated, "Well regardless you're just a bit too late, he left about twenty minutes ago through aforementioned back entrance, had to grab the train to his house. He doesn't actually work here so he likely won't be physically present in the near future anyways."
The Sekirei unsuccessfully tried to hide her panic and apprehension, immediately scheming of ways to somehow track her chosen one-
"Well aren't you just a devoted little bird? Guess those adjustments are no joke."
-and was immediately put on guard by the uncannily accurate and knowledgeable comment from the older man, her spine stiffening as they locked eyes, Illustrious trying to ignore the mild thumping of her heart as her body instinctively reacted to a potential Ashikabi...and was left blinking in surprise as he suddenly chuckled, handing her a small business card with a written address.
"You know how to use GPS on that phone of yours?"
"Umm...yes."
Mentally kicking herself for the unimpressive and disgraceful response the Sekirei was left once more flabbergasted as the older man waved her off, stating, "He's at that address, go speak to him since you're clearly over the moon for the lucky dog."
Scarcely able to believe her good fortune—as well as having narrowly avoided the Hell her sisters would have rightfully given her for losing their chosen light—Illustrious completely forgot all about the odd comments the man had made, instead beaming with delight and performing a regal curtsy, stating, "Thank you very much for your time, it is most appreciated," before rushing out of the building.
Lander waited until she was gone before frowning slightly, sending Alesandro a message that his mission was about to go looking for him.
"...Talk about a lucky bastard, that girl was smoking."
Victorious eagerly marched into the modest hotel complex Formidable had elected to stay at, ignoring the stares and gawking as she instead checked her phone every few seconds with a joyous smile, hanging off of every update and detail with unbridled joy and anticipation.
"While somewhat shameful that it was not I that could bring us our Ashikabi—it would only be natural that one named after victory would do so—sister Illustrious can always be depended on!"
Fighting down the urge to start skipping only with great effort the blonde Sekirei flowed into the lobby of the hotel, all eyes naturally gravitating towards her.
A natural reaction, as it was only Human nature to be drawn to the promise of a bright future like moths to a flame, something she took great pains to symbolize.
Not that those thoughts stayed with her for very long, quickly replaced with the giddiness accompanying Illustrious's latest message, providing them with their Ashikabi's home address and the warning that she was on her way there now to introduce herself, as well as to learn more about him directly.
"Ooh...jealousy is an emotion most unbecoming but I cannot help it! Sister Illustrious very much has the right to meet with our Ashikabi first since she located him but that elegant vixen is so generously gifted in the asset department that she may demand more of our Ashikabi's time to herself than is fair!"
The Sekirei was derailed from her train of thought as her phone vibrated once more, a soft giggle escaping her as a message from Unicorn asked for a great deal of additional details.
Their darling little sister typically kept her emotions to herself...but when something grabbed her attention she would refuse to let go until satisfied.
A few more minutes of swift travel brought her to Formidable's room, the Sekirei belatedly realizing that she didn't have a key.
"Oh dear, this could be a problem..."
Knocking on the door produced no result, an even more aggressive pounding yielding a similar conclusion until one of the passing hotel staff approached her.
"Excuse me, miss? Is there anything I can help you with?"
Noticing that the young man was trying very hard not to stare at her more womanly parts—a consequence of the revealing clothing she wore to resemble the olden Goddesses of victory—Victorious inwardly smirked, clasping her hands before her and gently intoning, "I'm so sorry for causing a commotion, but I was supposed to meet my friend here and she's not answering her door. Could you by any chance see if she's inside for me?"
Clearly flustered by her words the uniformed man quickly stuttered, "O-of course, I would be happy to!"
As he turned around and used his master key to unlock the door Victorious had to hide a satisfied smirk, proud of her womanly charms working without so much as a hitch. It had been difficult to practice on an isolated island full of nothing but researchers and guards but it seems her efforts had paid off in full.
"I'm sorry, miss, but it seems your friend is not present at the moment."
Quickly adopting a worried and distressed demeanor the blonde simpered, "Oh no, where could she have gone...we were supposed to meet at this time and now what do I do?"
A 'eureka' expression appeared on the young employee's features, tone eager as he stated, "You're here for the convention, aren't you? You and your friend?"
"That's not the explanation I was hoping for, but it will have to do."
Shyly gesturing to her flowing robe of pure white, black leggings and black underwear on full display the Sekirei replied, "Yes, and as you can tell by my features I'm not from Japan. I can speak the language but familiarity with this city and its customs is a bit out of my comfort zone."
Allowing worry and apprehension to leak into her voice Victorious averted her gaze, whispering, "Umm...I know this is probably against the law or rules of your job, but...could you let me stay inside that room for now? I don't know where else to go or wait and she left her phone in there, didn't she?"
Nodding in sympathy the attendant responded, "It's on the nightstand from what I could see."
Quickly glancing up and down the hallway the male whispered, "It's not a big deal, you're welcome to stay until your friend returns, miss."
"Really?! Thank you!"
Engulfing the man in a hug that she was sure to make a bit on the sensual side as she pressed her chest against his Victorious didn't bother hiding her triumphant smirk, the male stiffening before she just as quickly pulled away, bowing low in respect before entering her sister's room and shutting the door behind her.
"I almost feel sorry for how easy the poor boy was to hoodwink. Alas, victory is victory...and now where have you gotten to, sister?"
Examining the interior of the hotel room Victorious found it to be quite sparse in potential clues. Formidable's phone was where the attendant said it was, still at a healthy charge and showing a bevy of unread messages since this morning when they had reopened contact between them. The bed was made somewhat imperfectly, the bathroom was neatly organized with a few basic toiletries and beauty products—Sekirei such as themselves had little need for cosmetic enhancements—dotting the sink while there was no leftover moisture to indicate a shower had been taken recently.
Even the closets were entirely lacking in clues, filled only with a spare outfit that was halfway between a maid outfit and ballroom dress—her sister's favored choice of attire—and a rather racy set of lingerie that had Victorious smirking.
"My my, sister...planning to impress our Ashikabi through such sinful means? I approve of your desire to attain victory at any cost~!"
But that was essentially the extent of available information, the only real clue being that her sister's wallet was missing.
"Most likely she intended to buy something and forgot her phone...but that would mean she's been gone for almost three hours now without returning. That seems...well not unlikely but certainly unusual."
Releasing a sigh of agitation Victorious shucked her top and threw herself onto the bed, idly kicking her legs through the air and enjoying the simple sensation of an air conditioner on low power caressing her legs and naked breasts, imagining that it was her Ashikabi's hands making the journey...or perhaps even his tongue~!
Giggling at the thought Victorious returned to her phone and informed her sisters of the situation before huffing in annoyance at how Unicorn was already on her way to meet their Ashikabi, Illustrious mere minutes from the address as she stuck around in an empty hotel room.
Sure, it was likely that Formidable had merely forgotten her communication device and that was that...but the blonde couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss and decided to post herself nearby until the truth could be ascertained.
After all, the manifestation of victory itself couldn't afford to be so callous and unconcerned with potential foes hiding around corners unseen.