"Well, I didn't expect a ghost shield," muttered Vlad Plasmius as he got up and dusted his suit. "Especially one made by the natural flow of non-ectoplasmic energy. If I only had the Skeleton Key..."
Earlier, Plasmius was in Wisconsin searching for said key in his castle when an interesting missle surfaced from his lab. To cut the story short, it had spend some of his energy and a hefty repair bill before he finally stopped it. By then, the Box Ghost had taken the key (or the box the key was in) and fled to the Ghost Zone. Fright Knight and Skulker went after him, but it turns out that the key landed in a tower owned by a ghost named Clockwork. Not only did they returned emptyhanded, but they weren't too eager to try again so soon. All the more reason to hate Jack Fenton.
"Stupid Box Ghost...If he was worth my time, I'd kill him." Plasmius flew down to the bottom of the stairs, and when nobody was around, he let two black rings flow over him, revealing one Vlad Masters underneath his skin. "Fortunately, there is still another key made for tonight's purpose."
Vlad walked up to a tea shop that had its lights still on. He was about to knock on the door, but it opened for him, a woman with short dark hair stepping out. And judging from the slight change in her face, she wasn't happy to see him.
"Vlad Masters...What are you doing here?" The only reaction she got was a smirk.
"Ah, Haruka, it's been, what, eighteen years since I last saw you. How is Mrs. Hina these days?"
"Travelling, which you should be doing right now." Haruka attempted to close the door, but Vlad held it open.
"Dear, I am not here on a business trip. In fact, you could say it's more of the educational sort." Haruka raised an eyebrow. "But that detail is only for the manager's ear. Speaking of which, is he here?"
Haruka hn'd. "Go ahead. Just don't expect an inn at the end."
"Dully noted. So, about that key-" But Haruka wouldn't speak of it anymore. Vlad rubbed his fingers as he went further up the stairs. Why didn't he get that other key? About eighteen years ago, Granny Hina and he had met in the same tea shop for one of their negociations. During that time, Vlad had spotted a particular looking box with strips of paper on it. He found out that this was the box that held the key that he currently seeks now. He also learned what ofudas can do to half ghosts. No doubt they would still keep the key under wraps. Of course, the key should still be the property of Hinata Inn...
"I won't sell it." Said a young woman with long black hair as she looked over Vlad and pulled out an apron. "Besides, my brother wouldn't be happy."
Vlad frowned. "But I wasn't going to say anything of that sort." Apparently Mrs. Hina had warned her heirs of him. "Anyway, as mayor back in a town of the U.S., I've funded a school to partake in Japan's culture. However, they will require a place to stay..." Vlad looked at the inn, which currently had construction tools all over it. "They won't be here for another two weeks, but I will pay for their rent for the month, including those who do not come. Don't worry, you only have to handle about thirty of those little badgers, plus compensation for your reinnovations."
The woman took some consideration. "Well, reinnovations are done. Just some minor details to deal with." She looked over at a hot spring where some girls and construction workers were lazing around. "I see..." Vlad muttered.
"It shall be dealt with soon." The woman fiddled with an cigarette. "However, it is regardless of how much you offer. Even if the inn reopens, there will be no guests before the guest of honor comes."
"Guest of honor?" Vlad mused. "You're saying you would give up possibly millions of dollars and potential customers just for him? He must be very important to you if you have that bad of a business sense."
"Indeed." The two of them fell to silence as the woman pulled out a wig. "About your guest of honor, Miss..."
"Urashima. Kanako Urashima. The guest of honor is my brother."
"Really. I know a kid who resembles your brother..."