Chapter 23: Run Before You Walk (Part 10)

"In all my years I don't think I've had anyone come up with nearly as nefarious a plot as this one to kill or coerce me. And you almost got away with it too."

"If I told you your figure would hardly be diminished by a measly few pounds would you consider me a sycophant, dishonest or genuine?"

Touko stared down at her churro with undisguised malice, as if it was personally responsible for some kind of great crime against her.

"I would think you're trying to flatter your way into my bed."

"Why are you so worried about a bunch of appetizers anyway? Aren't you using one of your puppet bodies right now?"

The gamer received an extremely pointed and extremely unimpressed look from Touko as they continued down the street, the magus casually remarking, "I would certainly like to know where you get all of this information from yet somehow come across as clueless half the time. And what makes you think I'm actually using one of said puppets anyway?"

Gesturing with his own snack the man responded, "For your first question? It's all a matter of knowing which dicks to suck, which clits to flick and which asses to kiss."

"Uh huh."

Ignoring Touko's obvious disbelief the man continued with, "And for the second? Well this is an unknown mission where we're deliberately looking for trouble, in what situation wouldn't you use an easily replaceable doppelganger?"

She merely continued to stare, eyebrow elegantly arched.

"Fine, continue to play coy and ominously silent, see what I care."

Touko shook her head, remarking, "You reveal information far too easily and quickly. You would make for a terrible Magus."

"A badge I will happily wear with great distinction. And the criteria for being a 'great Magus' seems pretty loose."

Cayman smirked, innocently remarking, "I mean, how many other great Magi are living paycheck to paycheck, running a little hole in the wall investigative agency with a merry band of strange characters, accepting all sorts of little odd jobs ranging from simple investigation to outright lunch dates?"

Aozaki's eye twitched, voice dead neutral as she responded, "Living conditions aren't reflective of one's capability."

"I just so happen to agree. Pot, meet kettle."

Cerb unleashed a happy little bark as if to punctuate that statement, Touko losing her annoyance for a brief moment as a smirk played across her lips.

"Well at least you have the basics of verbal battle down, it seems there's a salvageable Magi in there somewhere."

+5 REP with Touko Aozaki [20/100]

"I knew I'd grow on you eventually. Also if you don't feel like eating anymore you can just give the rest to Cerb, he's a glutton and will down just about anything."

The summon plaintively met Touko's gaze with zero shame and a hundred begging as the Magus shrugged before handing off the treat, Cerb greedily accepting it and mashing the thing to pieces before swallowing it at lightspeed.

"Are you sure giving your dog all this food is a good idea?"

"If he can be brought down by a few grapes then I didn't do a good job manifesting him. Now brace yourself, looks like a burger joint is next on the list."

His traveling companion unleashed a silent grimace while Cerb predictably began to wag up a storm, tongue lolling in his mouth as the sweet scent of juicy meat filled his nostrils.

"Well at least one of them is happy."

Amused at the dichotomy of his companions the trio entered the restaurant, Cayman sweeping his gaze over the crowd with practiced motions-

-and squinted as a pair of young men caught his attention…although it was more what was tattooed on the backs of their necks that drew his eye than the men themselves, casually dressed and unremarkable as they were.

A sigil of a snake eating its own tail with highly stylized letters of KB on the inside.

Sure, it could just be any kind of tattoo or marking - not even one gang related - but was the sign of the Ouroboros surrounding the initials of the Khaos Brigade from DxD a lead they could afford to pass up, slim as aforementioned leads were?

"Found something?"

The picture perfect definition of cool under pressure Touko didn't even glance his way, Cayman reciprocating the gesture as he replied, "Best trail we've had all day. Khaos Brigade mean anything to you?"

She shook her head, Cayman nodding as he considered what that meant. Originally the Khaos Brigade had been a widespread terrorist organization comprised of dozens of extremely powerful figures that had a vested interest in seeing the world turned on its head for reasons both relatable and cartoonish in equal measure. That Touko didn't know of them meant the organization either hadn't revealed itself to the public or was playing it smart and safe, staying out of sight and mind until they were ready to do whatever it was they felt like doing. It was anyone's guess at this point, the setting was kind of a hot mess.

Regardless they ordered and took their seats, Aozaki staring at her food like it was a radioactive bit of weasel shit before promptly keeping her sweet tea and setting the burger on the floor, Cerb tearing the meal to shreds like he'd never eaten once in his life.

"So what's the plan? Follow em' or leave them be?"

"For now we follow them, I'm not sure if they're who we're looking for but it's the best we've got. Feel like earning your keep? I have been paying for your food all day you know."

Rolling her eyes Touko nonetheless lightly kicked her Projection Box disguised as a simple briefcase, the seam briefly slipping open and allowing her Ether Clump cat to spring into existence, darting into the shadows without so much as an errant meow as the Magus nodded in satisfaction.

"There. The moment they leave they'll have an invisible tail on them that I'll be able to find no matter where they go."

"Handy."

Cayman glanced at where the construct had momentarily become visible to his eye, weirded out by the altered and shifting body it possessed.

"Think they have a way of detecting the thing? Not that I'm complaining or anything but your kitty cat there was pretty noticeable."

"If you think I'm a novice so green that I wouldn't have a clue how to mask my creation's presence then that would be an insult greater than any artery-clogging junk you've been feeding me all day."

Cayman whistled, musing, "Point taken, I'll be sure to mind my manners in the future. Or at least come prepared with a box of doughnuts."

The dour expression Touko sent him warmed his heat, the woman asking, "Well? What's so special about the Khaos Brigade?"

"Hold on, I know I've been a naughty Magus and all by giving away info practically for free but even I've got limits. What are you offering for me to tell you that?"

"My company isn't enough?"

"When all you've done is complain that I'm making you fat? Sorry, no dice."

"And I was supposed to be grateful to you for pumping me full of enough grease to lubricate half of the USF's military arsenal?"

Chuckling at her swift riposte Cayman shrugged, deciding there wasn't any harm in telling the woman the basics. As far as he was concerned the more people who knew about the possible trouble heading their way the better, even if they were more pragmatic sorts like Touko who wouldn't get involved unless it was their neck on the line. Or they were paid. One or the other.

"The Brigade is a loose collection of what I'm assuming are Supernatural, Moonlit and Demonic factions - Gods, Dragon Gods and probably a bunch of other Phantasmal whatnots that I haven't even considered included - working in conjunction to further their goals. Goals which run a wide gamut of end results, some seeking to reclaim lost status or influence, some wanting equality and recognition while others are just plain assholes that want to fuck shit up."

"...And such an organization stays coherent how?"

Shrugging as if he couldn't be bothered to find out Cayman replied, "Beats me. Probably through some intimidation trickle down effect. Every level of management is overseen by a progressively bigger dick until the CEO of schlong itself makes the big decisions."

"Has anyone ever told you you have a way with words?"

"Why thank you, I made them myself."

Touko's eye yet again twitched imperceptibly, Cayman having to hold back another amused smirk. A lifetime of dealing with smooth talkers, old nobility and the like had probably left her with an unspoken assumption that most people were at least somewhat cultured.

No one had ever accused him of being the most sensitive or eloquent of public speakers.

"This admittedly sounds like the kind of problem that would necessitate an investigation of sorts."

"Glad you agree. Although that's assuming these guys are involved in that and not just some random gang bangers with ink that looks close to the source material."

"We'll find out soon, they're leaving."

True to Touko's words the duo threw away their trash and began leaving the restaurant, completely unaware that they were being tailed by a rather dangerous and malicious creature.

Digging out his phone Cayman sent a message to their other comrades, letting them know they had a possible lead while he and Aozaki sat around for a few more minutes, just to ensure they didn't end up being too suspicious or standout.

"You know, when I said you were being too free with information I meant it. Now I'm starting to wonder if you really don't have some kind of underhanded scheme in the works."

"Does the bad Magi excuse fly any more?"

"No."

"Then rest assured, I'm only doing this because I'm hopelessly lonely and you're a beautiful woman that I desperately seek to court."

Touko sighed, dryly commenting, "I'm not going to get a straight answer out of you, am I?"

"I sincerely doubt you would believe me if I told you my actual reasoning."

She arched an eyebrow.

"Because I already said I was doing it to get on your good side and you didn't buy it."

A defeated sigh left the Magus as Cayman chuckled, both of them rising to their feet as they made to resume their search, waiting for a report back from her familiar.

"Well, it may take some time for her to get that I'm not here to fuck her over. Or at least not in a detrimental way, hah hah."

Leaving aside the sardonic inner monologue the trio resumed the trek, not more than half an hour passing before Touko mused, "Hmm…well isn't this interesting?"

"Interesting good or interesting bad?"

"Depends on what you were expecting out of this venture. My familiar tracked them to a pretty normal hotel but upon entering their room they vanished. To where? No idea but the fact that something clearly designed to remain hidden is proof enough that they have something to hide."

She stroked her chin as they walked, musing, "The question now is what manner of transport they used. I don't think it's magecraft, my familiar would have been able to sense something like that. That leaves Supernatural and Demonic techniques which suggests that they really do belong to this Khaos Brigade of yours, as those would be most of the assumed members."

"You're really getting into this. Feel like helping out for a discount?"

"Do you think I'm that invested in your little quest?"

"Think? No. Hoping? Yes. Also I was right after all, feel free to begin lavishing praise upon my intellect and intuition."

The Magus predictably ignored his latter statement, Cayman sighing in mock defeat as he called up Kairi and Natsume in order to let them know what they'd discovered.


"Well color me impressed, didn't think we were gonna find anything that quickly. You must have the luck of the devil."

Figuring that particular saying had a similar but more potent meaning now that the world basically knew every myth and legend under the sun was real the gamer settled for a shrug at Kairi's words, replying, "Well good things come to those who aggressively and wantonly pursue. We got a plan for what comes after?"

Natsume tapped her bottom lip with a contemplative air, asking, "Have you discovered any additional facets or origins to this field, Miss Aozaki?"

"Nothing spectacular or specific yet, only that it's of Devil and Demonic origins. I couldn't begin to tell you what kinds of protections or observations they have operating unless I was able to get in close."

"Which would kinda give the game away. Fair point."

Kairi laced his hands behind his head, causing the cafe chair he was lounging in to creak in protest. They had convened in a small and innocuous building a fair distance away from their target while Mai stuck to her recon, joining in on the conversation via conference call.

Cayman and Touko hadn't ordered so much as a glass of water, Cerb finally passing out in a food coma at the Surveyor's feet. Instead the Magus pulled out a cigarette of some kind, lighting it up and releasing a truly foul aroma that had the gamer's eyes watering in protest.

"Jesus, I'm no stranger to cigars and the like but that shit is truly foul. What's her favored brand called again? Dragon Smoke or something? Better remember that if I need to fuck up some building's ventilation system."

"Well that's it for my part in this little adventure. You have your target and you have a vague idea what you're up against. Best of luck."

While neither Natsume or Kairi appeared ready to push the issue - no doubt respecting the woman's reputation and just happy with what they got - Cayman raised an eyebrow, curiously asking, "Oh? I don't remember hiring you to just find stuff and then dip."

"Technically you never specified what my job was supposed to be, just that I was supposed to help you in finding this mystery group. Which I did. Allow me to remind you of how bad of a Magus you actually are."

Electing to pursue another line of inquiry since Natsume and Kairi were clearly begging him to not do anything stupid he settled for a shrug, stating, "Well in that case I'll just go ahead and give her a lift back to the agency, you need me here for the next phase of things?"

The duo shook their heads, Natsume cheerfully smiling as she set a hand over Kairi's own before stating, "No, after all I'll be perfectly all right with my manly bodyguard to keep me safe as we search for a place to stay for the night, won't we?"

[I'll continue to keep an eye on things from up here as well.]

Mai's reassurance was all there really was to things, Cayman and Touko rising to their feet as the gamer rolled his neck, replying, "Well you all have my number. I've got shit of my own to see too tonight but I should be back here by tomorrow afternoon. If there's any emergencies just call me."

"Will do. See you then."

They went their separate ways as Cayman and Touko headed back to the parking garage, Cerb sleepily following in their wake as the journey was made in silence, not resuming until the car was started and entering the flow of traffic.

"Well? I'm dying to hear about this plan of yours to get me to rejoin this little investigation."

Glancing over his shoulder - because of all the possible ways he could die in this world traffic accident was the stupidest one of them - Cayman bluntly replied, "Oh I'm perfectly capable of pushing the matter if you insist…but I'm well aware of how loosely defined the deal was and if you want to back out that's fine by me."

Touko crossed both her arms and legs as she gave him a narrowed, sidelong glare.

"All right, this is one gift horse whose mouth I'm prying open. What are you getting at with all of this? You gave me a priceless biological specimen and all you want in return is a minor bit of help that - since you were the one who spotted them in the first place - was arguably even needed in the first place?"

"I can't follow them like your Ether kitten can, that part was extremely helpful."

She clicked her tongue, Cayman chuckling at the annoyed action as they came to a stop at a red light before looking her directly in the eyes and suavely murmuring, "It's because I deeply, truly love you, Touko Aozaki."

"You have five seconds before I go ahead and force answers out of you."

Grinning at his companion's annoyance and letting one hand lazily pet Cerb as the summon rested in his lap the gamer responded, "It's because I trust you."

"Excuse me?"

The disbelieving words had the man backpedaling, amending, "Sorry, let me put that in a way that doesn't sound ludicrously idiotic. I trust you but not in the 'my life is now and forever in your hands' kind of way. But I trust that I understand your motivations and even respect them a fair bit."

He airily gestured with one hand as they began to resume the drive, the Magus patiently waiting for him to continue.

"You will absolutely scam and flay me alive if I don't make the terms of a deal airtight…but you'll keep your word as long as I keep mine and won't cross that line if I don't cross yours."

A minor frown tilted her lips.

"And now we arrive at the original point, why did you offer such a good bargain knowing I would try to get the supposed best deal possible?"

"Because - and you'll just have to take my word for this - I want us to have a nice, respectful working relationship in the future."

He didn't miss the quick, disbelieving blink she gave.

"And for people like us that means having a juicy, lucrative deal always at the ready."

There was a few seconds of silence, Aozaki just looking at him with an inscrutable expression…and the briefest of smiles reversed the frown before she went back to being cool and collected.

"Well it seems I stand corrected yet again. You're merely a mediocre Magus."

+5 REP with Touko Aozaki [25/100]

"Nice try, but thankfully I have a surprisingly useful power for figuring out how someone actually feels about things."

"I'll take a passing grade any day of the week. Also no smoking in the car."

He deftly plucked one of her specialty cigarettes from her mouth before it could be lit, Aozaki favoring him with a raised eyebrow.

"What? It's a rental, I can't afford to go paying for additional charges. And those things are nasty, no amount of deep cleaning would fix it."

Huffing out an annoyed breath Touko grumpily slotted the stick back into its carton, Cayman grinning at the sight.

"Wipe that smile off your face or I'll charge double next time."

"Damn, and here I thought we were finally getting along."


Dropping Touko off had been an easy affair after their little conversation, Cayman reasonably certain that they were on somewhat decent terms now with an even more decent understanding of where they stood in regards to one another.

"Now all I have to deal with is a bunch of hyperactive Demons and a young lady operating under an entirely unfair amount of pressure."

Resting his hand on the doorknob leading to his apartment - and feeling his expression turn wry at the constant stream of conversation and teasing emanating from within - he added, "Why does this seem even more difficult and exhausting than dealing with the whole mess involving two extremely potent and dangerous factions?"

Shaking his head the gamer strode on in, lips quirking at the sight before him. Namely that of Till desperately trying to reassure an overwhelmed Yumi that she was on her side, the Sacred Gear wielder being accosted by the three Demons without so much as a break in conversation.

"Hey, why don't you try on these socks next? Some people have a foot fetish and you'll want to keep yourself safe-"

"I know you wanted a long skirt but it doesn't hurt showing a bit of leg so maybe try hiking it up your hips a bit higher-"

"We compromised on no risque underwear which is totally boring but at least these colors can work with your pale skin, black can be pretty sexy even if the material itself is-"

Yumi's gaze fell on Cayman's and the sheer relief evident to see honestly made the man feel a little guilty. Sure, the trio were about as harmless as it came but for someone who was basically going from one extreme situation to the next their overly energetic attitude and interest no doubt came across as overwhelming.

"Maybe I should have had someone a bit more easygoing break in her first days in Tokyo."

He didn't have time to further ponder that, the trio of Demons zeroing in on him and immediately voicing protests.

"Hey, you really are a villain, aren't you?!"

"Yeah, we don't want to work for a scumbag like you!"

"How could you abuse and rape such an innocent girl like her?!"

Yumi sputtered and went red in the face, wildly waving her arms in a bid to head off the false accusations-

-while Till and Cayman just rolled their eyes, the gamer dryly stating, "They're joking, Yumi. It's fine."

"Aww, it's no fun that he knows our tricks…"

"Hmph! Accusing someone of really cruel things when he's actually a really nice guy is a trick?"

"Going in a little hard on the 'nice guy' angle there, Till."

The man nonetheless welcomed the Fairy to his shoulder with an affectionate head stroke, a grateful smile on his part being accepted with a radiant glow on hers. She had put in some serious hours looking after Yumi, after all.

"They were the worst, always trying to buy her lingerie or outrageously expensive things that they probably just wanted for themselves."

All three Demons nodded as if they had been complimented, Minasaki replying, "Well we wanted her to look good, if she was going to be his sex slave then being pretty is an important factor to that!"

"Yeah, otherwise he would beat her and do all sorts of depraved things to her body and heart!"

Yumi turned a fascinating shade of scarlet and hid behind her hands, the action so unexpectedly adorable and genuine that Cayman couldn't help but smile.

Not that it kept him from stating, "Alright, alright. Enough of that, take it easy on Yumi or I'm kicking you out."

+10 Rep with Yumi Kiba [20/100]!

"Wow. They must have been really freaking her out. Well at least they have me to focus on now so she should hopefully catch a break."

Strolling into the kitchen and going through the fridge he asked, "Well I don't doubt you're all pretty hungry after a long day of whatever it was you were up to…want dinner?"

"Eh? You can cook?"

Lilim and the Yatagarasu sisters practically teleported to his shoulder, Till grimacing in annoyance as they crowded around her as the gamer responded, "I'd like to think I'm an even hand at the art. You get to partake if you promise not to pull any bullshit or freak out Yumi the rest of the night, deal?"

"DEAL!"

+10 REP with Lilim [35/100], Minasaki [10/100] and Hatsukaze [10/100]!

"So I guess these three are just more gluttonous than Mai and Natsume were. What a world."

Pulling out some chicken to dethaw as well as a few bell peppers he'd gotten for cheap the male glanced over his shoulder, asking Yumi, "How about you? Down for some dinner?"

Eyes widening at his sudden inquiry the girl hesitantly pointed to herself, obviously unsure of what he was asking before a tiny blush covered her cheeks. Less one of embarrassment and more of surprise at being asked for her opinion, Cayman was willing to wager.

"I…yes, that sounds good."

"Excellent, no offense meant but you look like you could use a hearty meal."

He ruefully stared around at his now fairly cramped apartment, what with six people occupying it.

"And I could use a bigger flat."

"Yeah, what are you? Poor or something? Hey, how are you going to pay us if you don't have any money?!"

Ignoring Lilim's protesting shout he simply grinned, good cheer and an odd mix of company keeping his spirits high.

"Not a dull moment to be found in this reality, apparently."


Chapter got a little delayed from it's usual two week update due to some weekend work projects...as well as the more time consuming prospect of watching the final two episodes of 86, experiencing the void and then talking about it with a couple of my friends.

Seriously, the show - despite it's constant production issues and delays - is something I haven't seen in anime in a LONG time. It's actually kinda crazy. The older you get you don't ever stop enjoying things but the more events you live through and the more media you experience things tend to lose some of that initial wow factor.

You can't lose your v-card again, you can't top the first time you broke a bone, you can't watch the sheer eye candy that is Pacific Rim or Avatar and you can't be blown away by films like Seven or the Prestige as their finales leave you on the edge of your seat. So when something like 86 comes out of literal nowhere and clubs you across the face with its novelty you can't help but be intrigued.

Then you watch the show and realize it's a truly rare blend of incredible directing, writing and music/sound that has a message and theme to impart that performs the magnificent task of not being blatant or obvious about it, or taking the easy route and presenting things in overly simple terms of black and white.

It truly is one of the greatest shows - not just anime - I've had the pleasure of viewing over the past years and the final two episodes have one of the most satisfying and earned endings I've witnessed in a LONG damn time, 23 episodes of buildup culminating in an incredible conclusion that left me feeling 'the void'.

If anyone feels compelled to view after that little rant then all I ask is that you don't spoil yourself and start from the beginning. You'll know by the end of episode 4 if it's not a show for you and the payoff for making your way through the entire series episode by episode is worth it.

Fuckin' glory to the Spearhead Squadron!