[video] July 11th, morning.

[canis-blade.livejournal.com]

[The video on the PDA flickers once or twice. A hand blocking the screen moves away to reveal a corner of blue sky and an extremely tired face. The face in question belongs to a young woman with short black hair. Naoto looks beat up, worn, as if she had just come out of a fight.]

Is...this on?

[She blinks at the screen a couple of times, hesitating a little bit more before plunging on.]

I'm sorry, but I won't fight your battles. That's something the people in this city should do. I have to do something back home and...I have to get back. I have to save them.

[A pause. Her face is darkening now and her mouth is set into a hard line.]

Please. Return my katana to me. Now.

Comments

::voice::

[crackingcases.livejournal.com]

::A pause as he thinks over this tidbit of information, mulling briefly over what it means then that this other Naoto is asking about her father.::

I see. I don't know anyone by the name of Fuyumine.

::voice::

[canis-blade.livejournal.com]

[And that little piece of anger dissolves. The person's not lying to her. She's relieved and disappointed. And embarrassed.]

Oh...I'm sorry.

::voice::

[crackingcases.livejournal.com]

::Sorry, other Naoto, but he's going to press for the advantage while he has it. He hasn't had enough time with friends to establish social graces for this sort of conversation. If he wants to know something, he will attempt to retrieve it by whatever means is necessary.::

No apology is necessary...however, I would appreciate some sort of explanation concerning your unfavorable response.

::voice::

[canis-blade.livejournal.com]

[Well, he sort of deserves one. But, it's a touchy subject.]

I thought - that you were the person I was searching for.

::voice::

[crackingcases.livejournal.com]

Why did you ask if I was female?

::voice::

[canis-blade.livejournal.com]

All I know is that person's a woman. And Naoto is not...very gender-specific.

::voice::

[crackingcases.livejournal.com]

A woman? ::Another woman named Naoto? Very unusual indeed.::

Did this woman commit some crime against you and your father? I only ask because considering your reaction...

I am a detective. It is my duty to help if I can.

::And he's honestly intrigued by this situation.::

::voice::

[canis-blade.livejournal.com]

[She's met detectives before, but at least this boy wasn't as annoying as Badou.]

.....She murdered him. [And stole her past.]

::voice::

[crackingcases.livejournal.com]

::If not for a certain talk with the people that will eventually become his friends, Naoto would have pushed off the emotions involved with such loss to focus on the case.::

I'm sorry.

::And his voice is of a tone to show that he means it - he finds her circumstances unfortunate.::

::voice::

[canis-blade.livejournal.com]

It's - [Alright? Okay? Naoto wasn't sure.] It's not your fault.

::voice::

[crackingcases.livejournal.com]

I am aware...however...

If you require the services of a detective in the future, please let me know.

::voice:: orz late tag.

[canis-blade.livejournal.com]

Thank you. [She does mean this.]

::voice::

[crackingcases.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.