Chapter 31: Run Before You Walk (Part 18)
"Well hello beautiful, how I've missed you…"
Eyes alight with glee at the sight before him Cayman had an unstoppable grin as he stared at the numbers and data contained within the folder Zelretch had given him, a summary of assets both digital and physical for him to use.
And the most immediately identifiable, the resource that meant an end to one of the more demeaning and pressing matters he'd been struggling against?
A nice, fat stack of 400 million Yen waiting in accounts for withdrawal or investment, whatever he saw fit to use them for. Gone were the days of pilfering cash from his victim's wallets and scraping by or bullshitting his way into not paying for something.
Sure, four million USF in the grand scheme of things wasn't a whole lot to play with but when his budget had been measured in a few thousand dollars and nothing else it might as well have been a complete reversal of his previous fortune. And he was not afraid to show his greed.
Nor was he afraid of the death stare Rin was sending his way as she sat across from him at his tiny dining table, the only motion being a rhythmic bouncing of her foot while the leg it was attached to was primly crossed over the other.
Zelretch had been on his way with the formalities taken care of, leaving just the three of them behind as Till curiously watched him shuffle through the papers and documents, asking, "Do people in this world really need so many records of what belongs to who?"
"I take it Fairies don't deal with as much administrative bullshit as we do?"
"Not really. I think the only bit of land that 'belongs' to anyone is the palace my mother and I live in, everything else is kind of just available for whoever wants to use it, my people swapping or trading places as they please."
Cayman chuckled, musing, "Funnily enough, that's not too different from what other species do. We just have more complicated and convoluted ways of ending up at the same destination."
"Ugh."
Chuckling at his companion's pinched expression he went back to taking stock of all the bits and pieces available to him, now on the physical properties and other assets he had to play with. The payout for both his previously completed missions and the Sanctuary budget was awesome, yes, but in reality it was the other stuff that he would be making use of long term.
Most notably a well-maintained but ultimately unused warehouse near the main Tokyo bay, just a bit too far to make for convenient storage but not so far that it was turned into anything else. According to the report the most it ever got used for was the occasional company meeting or assembly hall and even that was only every other month or so.
Not exactly the perfect hiding place, but an empty warehouse in a moderately traveled locale on the docks was ideal for a remodel with a minimum of questions. You tended to see questionable shit when working a long career in shipping and a guy that had a 'small business' in a rented warehouse not far from your workplace wasn't really all that weird.
His boss had used that fact to excellent use in his previous life, no sense in not exploiting it here as well. Not to mention it would be nice to finally have a place that he could store Hoestia's latest and greatest creation in, that damn tank had been clogging up his inventory for what felt like forever.
"And on that note…"
"You think Rossweisse or Lavinia take on requests for security systems? I mean considering the line of work we're in this is gonna be something we can't skimp on."
"I bet they would be happy to do it, they seem like really nice people."
Till favored him with a pointed look.
"But you still need to do something nice for Rossweisse!"
Rolling his eyes at the Fairy's insistent reminder and giving her a playful poke on the head - which she eagerly responded to by biting his finger - Cayman idly asked, "Hey, Rin, how good are you at bounded fields? I hear there's a lot of-"
SLAM!
Till jumped as the Magi's open palm slammed onto the table, eye twitching with clear vehemence.
"What the hell are you playing at?"
"No playing involved. I'm entirely serious when I asked how good you are at bounded fields. And while this question might be slightly overdue how did you get roped into this entire mess?"
The young woman's jaw briefly clenched before she blew out a small breath, grumbling, "How else? That asshole of a Vampire I call a teacher showed up in my room one morning, told me to pack and be ready to leave on an assignment in an hour and then here I am. Stuck with the two of you."
"You don't have a bag."
Till's helpful observation had Rin showing perfectly symmetrical and polished teeth.
"You're right. I don't. I was a little bit more concerned with actually getting together my normal supplies for magecraft than I was a change of clothes. Imagine that."
Not bothering to hide his chuckle - which naturally only seemed to irritate the Magus even more - Cayman joked, "Good thing I don't pay in experience then. It also helps that I just got delivered a fat amount of cash so you're not going to have go dumpster diving for the essentials."
"Well aren't you just the kindest man this side of the world?"
Sarcasm noticeable enough that even the deaf would have picked up on it.
"Well I say that but you're still going to be having to settle for normal and relatively cheap stuff for awhile, I just got done living paycheck to paycheck and I'm not about to take that for granted."
He felt a smile tug at his lips.
"Hope your gem magecraft can function just fine with garnets."
Appearing truly irate Rin grumbled, "This is the worst start to an assignment ever. I was right in the middle of something and then-"
"Perhaps that's why he did it?"
Staring at the gamer as he returned to the collection of reports he elaborated with, "Force someone out of their comfort zone. Make them adapt and work with people or tools they've never seen before. One of the harsher but more effective learning experiences, something I can see someone with the Kaleidoscope's reputation employing."
Rin merely scoffed, retorting, "Because you've always had to work with subpar or lacking resources, right?"
"Yes, actually."
"We just told you that's what we've been dealing with!"
Till crossed her arms, adding, "It was actually really impressive how many different ways my contractor managed to make his money last. Especially when he practically had none of it to begin with!"
The Magus gave the files he was flipping through and Till's adamant attitude a thorough glance, no trace of emotion to be found…not that he necessarily needed to see it.
+5 REP with Rin [-5/100]
"All right, fine. Now what exactly are we doing, just sitting around in here? Sounds like you have a bunch of things to go over and inspect, right?"
Finally arriving on the last page of his provided files - unfortunately just a simple mug shot of himself and Sanctuary ID crap - he responded, "Right now we're waiting for our first prospective member of this little group of ours. And unless I'm wrong she should be arriving in just a few-"
A sudden knock on the door cut him off, Cayman smiling as he strode to the entryway and invited Mai in without further preamble, the Taimanin back to her casual clothing and carrying a simple looking briefcase that no doubt had all her belongings in them.
"Morning, Mai. Sleep alright?"
The pale-haired girl nodded, demurely responding, "As well as can be expected. Thank you for taking me home, I…"
Her lovely pink eyes briefly averted themselves.
"Drank more than I thought I would."
"Well you did just get through with a particularly nasty mission, I think letting loose a little is perfectly normal. That all aside, how do you feel about shifting gears on short notice?"
The Taimanin tilted her head, confused at the offer as she slowly replied, "How so?"
Showing her to the table where Rin was giving the girl a calculating gaze he went ahead with brief introductions, stating, "Mai, this is Rin Tohsaka, Magus and star pupil of the Kaleidoscope. Rin, this is Mai Nanase and a skilled Taimanin I had the pleasure of working with."
The terse and mildly suspicious stares the young women sent each other was actually rather endearing in how blatant they were, brief nods their only further communication as Cayman said, "Put simply we're picking up where the last mission left off, continuing to hunt down and investigate the connection between the Old Satan Faction, Nomad and the Khaos Brigade."
He passed the attentive girl a couple of the provided files, the ones that contained a full list of his authorities as a Surveyor.
"Asagi and the rest of Sanctuary leadership have already signed off on this and given me permission to recruit who I deem necessary. Seeing as how your skills are of excellent caliber and you're already familiar with what we're dealing with I want you as the first official member of this new task force."
Pink eyes widened as she silently flipped through the papers, mouth opening to reply-
-and just as quickly shut it, eventually responding, "I appreciate your faith in me, but…I don't know if I'm cut out for this."
Fairly confident he knew where the girl was going with this Cayman merely crossed his arms, asking, "What makes you say that?"
"I didn't perform very well in our previous assignment. I was unable to properly support our comrades which lead to the death of an operative much more skilled and valuable than myself."
The words were stoic but subdued, Cayman deciding the blunt method here was best as he responded, "All very true. But that implies Kairi - an experienced Enforcer - and Natsume were also fairly unskilled since they fell for the same tricks. Do you think that's the case here?"
Hesitating as she realized she didn't articulate her thoughts very well the Surveyor continued with, "And I can't help but notice you left out the part where we infiltrated an enemy base, helped subdue a few of the people wandering about and even put a centuries - if not millennia - old Devil on the backfoot long enough for the team to make it out alive."
"Not everyone."
"And if the way you insist on beating yourself up is any indication then you'll carry that lesson into the future. You've got talent, Mai. And talent is best honed through experience."
+10 REP with Mai Nanase [60/100]
"Yep. Sybaritic Initiate is a beast."
The Taimanin settled for a firm nod at his words, handing back the papers as Rin watched on with clear bemusement.
And on the subject of Rin…
"Well, I think it's time we go on and pick up the latest member of this merry band of ours."
He favored the Magus with a lopsided smirk.
"How's your relationship with your sister and her lover?"
"...What?"
"So how was the sleepover, Yumi?"
"Yeah, was it any fun?"
Practically sagging in relief that Cayman and Till were back safe and sound the blonde replied, "It was…interesting. Mister Shirou-"
Both Cayman and Till snorted at that, Yumi's cheeks briefly pinking before she forged ahead with, "-has no shortage of interesting things he can do with his powers. If he really does decide to train me on a constant basis I can see myself learning quite quickly."
Gratified to hear that the young woman was already warming up to his idea he noticed her giving Mai a slightly wary look, the gamer quickly introducing them with, "Yumi, this is Mai Nanase, a Taimanin who'll be working with us for the foreseeable future. Also we're going to be moving out of the apartment soon. Mai, this is Yumi Kiba, a Sacred Gear wielder and assistant in training."
"It's good to meet you, miss Yumi."
No doubt caught off guard by the rapid fire stream of revelations the blonde took a moment to hastily nod, responding, "Er, likewise…what was that about moving out of the apartment?"
"I'll tell you when we're on our way. Right now why don't we just sit quietly and enjoy the awkward atmosphere?"
"Awkward seems right."
Till's wry observation coincided with the group looking to the side where Rin and Sakura nervously sat across from each other at one of the tables, Shirou and Medusa taking every opportunity to excuse themselves in order to grab drinks or snacks.
"So…profits have been good, I take it?"
"Yes, we've stayed busy and earn a decent amount of money. Are your studies going well?"
"Yes, it's a little difficult and annoying at times but it's…alright?"
Cayman couldn't help but experience second hand discomfort, reminding himself that this cringe-inducing interaction was actually fairly healthy in the grand scheme of things. Considering that Sakura had basically been consigned to hell because of Rin - albeit indirectly - and the latter had been burdened with the guilty knowledge she left her sister to such a fate the fact they were even trying was positive.
The effort to reach out and reconnect was there, it was just that neither really felt it was safe or possible to act as if nothing had occurred.
"That's one problem I have no idea how to go about fixing right now, actually. No smooth talking and game classes can undo the shitshow that was the Heaven's Feel route in one conversation."
Electing to instead catch Shirou's eye and motion towards the door with his head the male and Medusa seemed downright grateful for the excuse, quickly and quietly approaching them as they adjourned to the front of the restaurant, Rin and Sakura apparently too deep in their awkward debate to notice or care.
"I'm glad they aren't angry or bitter with each other anymore but that was…"
"Painful?"
Medusa nodded at Cayman's comment.
"Painful."
"Regardless, we need to get going. And again, thank you for looking after Yumi."
The trademark easygoing Shirou smile accompanied the man stating, "It was no trouble at all, she's nothing if not good company. Polite almost to a fault."
The blonde just scuffed her shoe against the ground as if in embarrassment before the male paused, lips pursing slightly before he greatly surprised Cayman by bowing slightly.
"If it's still what you and Yumi want I'd like to train her. Seeing some of what she can do and what your job is…I'd like for her to have the best odds possible."
Medusa doubled down on what Sakura had earlier hinted at as she sanguinely added, "I would also like to render my services. Not everyone gets a chance at a better second life."
Chuckling to himself the Surveyor mused, "You know it was me who originally approached you with this request, right?"
The duo shrugged unrepentantly.
"Well, Yumi? You in?"
The blonde hesitated only a moment, bowing her head and firmly responding, "I'd be honored to learn from the both of you."
Now openly smirking Cayman said, "Well, there we have it. Unfortunately we're going to be pretty busy for the next few days so I'll have to lay out a schedule and payment later. That alright?"
Shirou nodded, pausing for a moment before curiously asking, "How did you end up involved with Rin, if you don't mind me asking?"
"The life of a Surveyor is nothing if not exciting, that's how. Zelretch randomly showed up and told us we're going to be working together for the foreseeable future, something she was less than excited about."
Medusa sagely nodded, murmuring, "That does sound like her."
"Also had to badger her into visiting, she wasn't really all that enthusiastic at first."
A sad smile graced Shirou's face, the man stating, "While most of the bad blood between them is gone things are still…awkward. It's for the best that you managed to get them together like this."
+15 REP with Shirou, Sakura and Medusa [25/100]
Surprised at the sudden increase in REP the gamer settled for a shrug, responding, "Hey, happy to help. Even if that help was inadvertent. Unfortunately, clock's a ticking."
The group nodded in understanding at his words, Cayman turning to the still uneasy duo, shouting, "Hey, Rin! We're headed out now. If you want to stay behind just say the word!"
Leaping to her feet as if she'd been burned Rin seemed relieved for the excuse, a sentiment shared by Sakura as they exchanged hasty farewells, both women now sporting relieved body language as they rejoined their respective groups.
"All right, we're off. We'll be in the general neighborhood if you need something so don't be afraid to send word or ask for a meeting. Thanks again for the help and see you around."
The trio of restaurant owners nodded as they departed without further ado, Rin lost in thought as Yumi and Mai didn't see a need to break the silence, Till content to just watch everyone with blatant curiosity at the newfound dynamic that was headed their way.
Cayman had entirely different thoughts.
"I'm gonna need a bigger car at this rate."
That seemed to snap Rin out of her thoughts, the Magus briefly scoffing as she complained, "On that note why does a high and mighty Surveyor have such a beaten down piece of junk?"
"Well the previous owner sure didn't need it."
The Magus seemed to catch onto the implication that said owner was dead as shit, nonetheless giving the beat up four-seater that looked like a strange mix between corolla and volvo an unimpressed glare as she took shotgun, Mai and Yumi wordlessly slipping into the back seats as they rejoined the flow of traffic.
The mood was the definition of stilted, Till - riding on his shoulder - giving Cayman a pointed glance as he switched on the radio.
Except it didn't work, the Surveyor giving the device a disgruntled look as he resigned himself to an uncomfortable ride until he figured out a way to get everyone chatting.
"Thanks for that, by the way."
He sent Rin an arched brow at the sudden words, the Magus averting her gaze as she elaborated with, "For making me go see them. I probably wouldn't have done that on my own."
She sent him a nasty glare with sharp blue eyes.
"So I advise you against getting too many ideas or forcing me to keep chatting with them."
The words were harsh but the-
+20 REP with Rin [15/100]
-said otherwise.
"If you say so, ice queen."
While he got a scowl in response to that he merely grinned, deciding to try another avenue of conversation as he asked, "So, Yumi, what did you think of their cooking?"
"It was really good. Weirdly good, in fact…I don't think they should be running such a small-"
Continuing to chat the Surveyor had a small smile on his face, relived that he'd managed to keep things from devolving into a long, torturous ride of horrific silence.
"Why is it so cold?"
"As much as I may admire your lovely legs perhaps you should try pants next time? I don't see why you're complaining though, Till has way less on and she's fine."
Rin rubbed her arms as a sharp, chilling breeze flowed across the Tokyo harbor, giving Cayman a volcanic glare as she grumbled, "Yeah, I can't imagine why that would be the case."
The Fairy in question just smugly cackled from where she rode just below her partner's neck, ensconced in the warmth of his shirt and jacket.
"If you're really that cold, you could always just sidle up close and share body warmth~!"
Mai and Yumi blushed at the suggestion while Rin just scowled, Cayman heartily chuckling as he couldn't help but be bemused at the shift in companions he was dealing with on a day-to-day basis.
One minute he was dealing with mature, badass killers and seductresses that were Touko and Natsume, then pure-hearted and adorable maidens like Rossweisse and Lavinia to young and shy ladies like Mai and Yumi.
Not to mention the arch tsundere herself, Rin.
"Seriously though, if I'm going to be living in this place with all of you it better be insulated."
Mai - not appearing bothered by the chilly weather in the slightest despite her simple civilian attire - frowned, replying, "If a little inclement weather is too much for a Magi perhaps I've overestimated most of you."
"Oh well excuse me for having a functioning body not jacked up with Demon genetics. And why aren't you cold?!"
Yumi shrunk slightly under Rin's agitated words, hesitantly responding, "It's…not that bad? I've experienced colder."
Trailing off with a disgruntled huff they thankfully arrived at their destination without further discord, Cayman more than pleased with what he saw. Around 70,000 square feet and possessing both large main doors no doubt intended for heavy merchandise alongside a few side entrances for ease of access alongside utilities already built into the warehouse. The key admitted access inside, the Surveyor liking what he saw more and more. While it was all flat concrete and sporting only a few ports for water and electricity everything was in good condition, no signs of vermin or degradation.
"Perfect."
Rin was of a less favorable opinion, grumbling, "What exactly are you planning to do with this? Sleep on the floor?"
"Never heard of a loft setup before, Rin? Trust me, just a little bit of work and hired contractors and this'll be one hell of a fortress-oh well that wasn't on the floor plan…"
The rest of his companions followed in his wake, wondering what had grabbed his attention as Cayman approached a corner of the empty warehouse, pulling open a set of doors built into the floor and revealing a set of stairs that - after a moment's exploration - lead into a large basement just as large as the floor plan up above, broken up only by a few support beams and sporadic light fixtures.
"This wasn't on the blueprint of the warehouse."
Cayman shrugged, responding to Mai's inquiry with, "Yeah, but that was from a year ago…this is a new addition."
A smug smirk pulled at his lips.
"And I intend to take full advantage of it."
Can confirm suddenly having money is a wonderous thing.
As someone who came from a mildly poor family suddenly having a job where I make just shy of three figures is an almost overwhelming amount of capital.
At least until I learned how freakin' expensive having a pet can be. It's a good thing dogs are cute as heck.
