Arisugawa's Locket

Out of the Locket, In with Others

"Wait, I was being INVESTIGATED BY THE COPS?" Juri blinked, the orange haired woman meeting with her lawyer.

Chiho Tenjou looked at her employer with amusement. The boyish older woman said, "Arisugawa, you've been selling vintage coinage, raw gold and silver and even precious gems. Of COURSE someone's going to look into it."

"Ugh. Point," Juri conceded.

Chiho Tenjou was the aunt of her friend Utena, and had come to Juri's attention when she needed a lawyer in setting up her company. The woman was smart, reliable and a bit sarcastic, all of which Juri liked.

"I consulted with Mr Kiryuu," Chiho said with some distaste, "we've registered you as an antiquities dealer."

"Ah," Juri blinked.

"That should provide you with sufficient cover, but try not to bring in blocks of precious metal again," Chiho added dryly. "I think that's what finally set off a red flag."

"I'll try," Juri nodded.

"We've gotten inquiries about franchising the Locket, again," Chiho added,

"No," Juri shook her head, "I don't want to dilute the brand." She added mentally, 'And a lot of our success is due to the Time-Space engine Washu installed. Can't really copy THAT.'

Chiho gave her a 'You're turning down FREE MONEY' look, but dropped it. "There are also investors who want to buy in," she added.

"I REALLY don't get the interest," Juri shook her head. "I mean, we do okay but...," she shrugged slightly.

"I expect some of it is lesbians who want to make sure you stay around," Chiho pointed out.

"Well, yes. But all the stock is bought up," Juri added.

"Stock split, open up the stockholders selling some?" Chiho suggested.

"I want to be sure I hold on to my majority," Juri shook her head, "and I don't know if anyone else wants to sell."

"Probably not. I know I've done well with my shares," Chiho admitted.

"That everything?" Juri asked.

"One of the interested investors has said she'd like to meet you," Chiho added. "I would recommend seeing her."

Juri frowned, "Oh?"

"Sonomi Daidouji. She's extremely wealthy, and you do not want to antagonize her," Chiho told her seriously.

"Ah," Juri nodded, "well, set it up, I don't object to talking to her."

"Will do," Chiho agreed. "That's it, then."

Juri got up, stretching as she noted, "Haven't seen you by the club lately."

Chiho admitted, "Been seeing someone who's a bit of a homebody. I'll try to talk her into a visit, though."

"We need to be sure she's good enough for you," Juri teased.

Chiho laughed as she escorted Juri out of her office. "I'll call you once I have a date set up for seeing Sonomi."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Haruka Tenoh burst out laughing, "You nearly got arrested?"

"Oh sure, laugh," Juri smiled wryly.

Michiru smiled warmly as she said, "Well, at worst I'm sure Setsuna would have busted you out of jail."

Setsuna smirked, "You KNOW we don't use our powers for personal gain." She looked at Juri, "Sorry, dear."

Hotaru chucked, the younger woman sitting by Setsuna. Now that Setsuna and Juri were living seperately, she liked to get in Setsuna-time if she could,

"Well, it does make sense," Hotaru noted. "It's not like the police know you're bartering with people from other universes."

"It does make things complicated," Juri sighed. She nodded to Haruka, "Did I hear that right? You're getting out of racing?"

"I think it's time," Haruka admitted. "To be honest, it feels kind of unfair to compete with ordinary racers, you know?"

Juri nodded sympathetically. Being a Sailor Soldier Haruka was just naturally a bit faster, agile and had better reflexes. Even in her un-transformed state, it was noticable.

Juri added, "I've noticed something like that, too. In fencing and kendo, I have to... cosciously hold back a lot. Or it's completely unfair."

"Sucks," Hotaru nodded.

Juri drank some coffee as she asked Haruka, "Are you going to be okay, money wise?"

Hjaruka laughed, "I've put most of my winnings aside. As well, there are several companies that still want me for endorsements."

"Just checking," Juri smiled and shrugged. "Besides, Michiru could always keep you as her boytoy."

Hotaru and Setsuna both broke up laughing as Haruka looked offended, Michiru smirked, "THERE'S an idea!"

"Oh thanks a lot," Haruka shook her head.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Are you sure it's all right if I come along?" Setsuna asked as they headed into the high rise that housed Daidouji's offices.

"No one said I couldn't bring someone," Juri noted as they walked to the security desk, "and I'm not sure what she wants."

"Ah," Setsuna nodded.

"Juri Arisugawa and guest, to see Sonomi Daidouji," she told the security woman.

"Certainly," she passed two pass cards over, "fifth floor. You'll need the cards to opereate the elevators. Have a nice day."

As they took the cards then walked over to the elevators Setsuna murmured, "She took your bringing me calmly."

"Sonomi may have researched me and knew about you," Juri noted as they stepped inside and pressed the button for the fifth floor.

"I'm not sure I like that," Setsuna noted.

They got out on the fifth floor, where there was a large lobby and another woman behind a desk. Much like the security woman, she was very attractive looking. She smiled, "Miss Arisugawa, Miss Meiou. Welcome."

"Thank you," Juri nodded, neither woman reacting to her knowing who Setsuna was without her being introduced.

"Miss Daidouji's assistant will be out shortly," she continued, "please take a seat. Can I get you coffee? Water?"

"We're fine," Setsuna said smoothly.

Several people walked through the lobby, going into other doors or into the elevators. Well, 'people' in this case was all women. And, apparently, all very attractive ones.

"Is this place just staffed by gorgeous women?" Juri murmured to Setsuna.

"Actually, yes," the woman at the desk clearly had good hearing as she added, "Ms Daidouji prefers it that way."

The door beside the desk opened, and both women blinked as a familiar figure appeared.

"Ms Arisugawa, Ms Meiou, please follow me," Shiori Takatsuki smiled impishly.

Juri had to fight done a 'WTF' reaction as they got up and followed.

As soon as they entered a hallway and the door clicked shut, Shiori laughed warmly. "You should see your faces," she grinned.

"PLEASE tell me this meeting isn't a prank," Juri noted dryly. Though Shiori WAS dressed in sleek executive wear, much like the staff.

"No joke," Shiori reassured them as they walked to a corner office, "my boss indulged me in surprising you, though. Sorry."

"Well, I'm impressed seeing you here," Setsuna noted.

"Thank you," Shiori smiled, "I've been here a few months."

They reached a door, and Shiori knocked briskly. "Come in," a voice called.

"Ms Daidouji, here are Ms Arisugawa and Ms Meiou," Shiori said as she opened the door and waved them in.

Sonomi Daidouji was almost exactly the model of a sleek, femme lesbian. She had a short, boyish haircut, was dressed in a custom made woman's suit, and she reeked power and self confidence.

"Juri, Setsuna," Sonomi smiled, "let's dispense with the formalities. You can call me Sonomi, of course."

"It's a pleasure," Setsuna smiled politely.

"Sonomi, nice to meet you," Juri nodded. She paused, "Have I seen you at the Locket?"

"Not for awhile," Sonomi said. "Coffee, water," she smiled impishly, "coloured ginger ale?"

Juri smiled, noting that the woman had clearly done her research. "I'll pass," she continued, "My lawyer implied that you wanted to see me somewhat urgently?"

"Right down to business, hmm? I like that," Sonomi noted.

Shiori hovered a bit nervously, interestingly. 'Did Sonomi get her information on me from her?' Juri found herself wondering.

"Well, simply put," Sonomi met Juri's eyes, "I want to buy Arisugawa's Locket completely."

To be continued!

Notes: Chiho Tenjou is a OC, sorry. I couldn't find a anime lawyer I wanted to swipe. It occurred to me that the weird currency the bar gets might end up causing a problem. So, that.