2025-10-10: It Might Be Magic All the Way Down
- Log: 2025-10-10
- Cast: Tamaki Uchida, Ulala Serizawa
- Where: Kuzunoha Detective Agency
- OOC Date: October 10, 2025
- IC Date: July 24, 2012
- Summary: Ulala visits the Kuzunoha Detective Agency and informs Tamaki of the plan that Team Whoop-Ass has concocted.
(|======================== Kuzunoha Detective Agency =========================|)
-=================================================== Sumaru City/Aoba Ward ====-
The first thing that greets visitors to Kuzunoha Detective Agency is a giant
golden lucky cat statue that, with its left paw raised, bids a hearty welcome to
customers and opportunities alike. Inspect it, and a mewling voice will ask for
donations: 100 yen from students and other children, and 1000 yen from adults.
A pair of dark couches that frame a coffee table have an excellent view of the
massive HDTV and dual stereos on the far right wall. On the far left wall are
shelves upon shelves full of books, none of which definitely can slide to one
side. A large desk with a lamp and computer stands in front of it. This is where
the portly older ex-gumshoe, Chief Daisuke Todoroki, makes his business, as...
blessed... by the agency's original owner. He investigates (and will spread) all
manner of rumors to find out the truth (and change reality), assisted by veteran
Persona User Tamaki Uchida.
The back room is nothing special; it has a stove and a sink, so it's a simple
task to always have tea ready for customers. There's a bathroom there too, but
it seems like it's always occupied. Don't ask who's in there, meow.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
It's an otherwise quiet day at the Kuzunoha Detective Agency. Todoroki's on a phone conversation, the lucky cat statue by the entrance keeps its eternal watch for new customers, and Tamaki's reviewing material for the remainder of her finals for the week.
Her focus is criminology, but she's taking other classes to remain well-rounded. The textbook in front of her is for set theory, a topic within mathematics. While it's a topic she enjoys, she does find it a bit draining, and her focus starts to wane.
If only the front doors would open, and a "Welcome, nya~!" would break the silence ..!
<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
The front doors open! Eventually. Ulala takes her TIME without knowing, because she's fixing her makeup in a pocket mirror.
BUT THEN SHE WALKS IN
Ulala Serizawa, a known Persona User and client of the Kuzunoha Detective Agency, has come to talk to some of her allies. She's worried she'll get cold feet about the Joker Killer plan Team Whoop-Ass came up with and destroy her entire position of worth within the group, so she has to steel herself! Get advice! Maybe spread a cool rumor!
As the green-clad redhead walks in, Ulala's eying the room Todoroki's busy and the Lucky Cat doesn't give the best conversation, so...
"Ah, Uchida-san! Just the person I was looking for..." she grins, as she moves to approach. She sees the textbook.
"Math... I'm so sorry for your hardship," she teases solemnly, having been a... she was some kind of student, at least. "You all busy right now?"
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Tamaki, with no hesitation, immediately snaps the book shut and stands up to greet Ulala. "Welcome, Serizawa-san!" She gives a glance back to Todoroki, who waves her off and turns around, still occupied with his phone conversation, emitting the occasional rumble and grumble here and there. The cat, as usual, continues with its customary request: "Please donate 1000 yen, nya!" Both the head and assistant detectives summarily ignore it.
Tamaki turns back to Ulala and gives a slight wave. "Well, you've got my attention, at least. What may I help you with?"
Tamaki looks genuinely confused at the remark on her textbook and tilts her head. "You're ... sorry?" After a beat, she understands what was meant, and then beams at Ulala. "Oh -- no, don't be! What is the hardship of studying a difficult subject but an opportunity to push one's boundaries and grow, after all?"
Maybe her words would be more convincing without circles under her eyes, though.
<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
Ulala will get to what she can be helped with in a minute. She waves a hand at the cat statue like 'hello now stop asking me for money'. Instead, she purses her lips, considering Tamaki's words about school. "You need a break, I think. You're gonna collapse and burnout and Todoroki-san's gonna get mad." She might be a client but she's also a fairly considerate person.
"I need to talk business! Maybe spread a rumor. We've got some leads on the Old Maid case, and perhaps a... plan." She doesn't quite say 'we're pretty sure we know who he is' though.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Tamaki confidently points a finger in Ulala's direction. "Not to worry about that! I've made plans for once finals are over! It's only a matter of days, then I can rest my laurels."
There's a glint in her eyes at the mention of a plan. Tamaki places her hands together -- fingers touching, palms apart -- and sidles up to Ulala, slightly bent forward with an intensely curious gaze.
"Leads, you say? A plan, you say? You have my utmost attention. I'm all ears." Tatsuya Suou was asking her if she had leads just the other day, but sadly, she had nothing firm to act on at the time. This sounds like it could be something, though!
<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
"Oh, good! Treat yourself. Go on a date or something!" As usual, Ulala has a one-track mind.
But, as they begin talking about the leads, and Tamaki approaches, she nods. "We have an idea on who he is... which has it's own complications to actually getting to him." She frowns at that, considering.
"So, we were planning on luring him out. We've got a plan and everything... but it's dangerous. Really dangerous. So we might need some help when the time comes."
A pause, as she knows what that implies, and lets it hang for a moment. "I volunteered. It's for the best."
you're putting your own life on the line
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
While the rest of her beaming expression maintains its facade and she refrains from any further commentary on the topic said aloud, one of Tamaki's eyes twitch at the suggestion she go on a date. With who?! How does someone even find a date in the adult world? She just ended a years-long relationship that started in high school, she'd have to learn some things all over again! ... What is hardship but an opportunity to push one's boundaries and grow, though?
"You have an idea on who he is? Hmm ... I'd like to hear your thoughts on that topic. I've been trying to crack that nut, myself ..."
Ulala proceeds with suggesting the rest of her plan, and Tamaki's face grows more serious as she realizes what that entails. Someone calls the Joker Killer on Ulala. That's what she's offering. Right? "That's ... risky. I'd be glad to lend a hand, but you do understand that you're putting your own life on the line, right? There's no coming back from that if things go wrong."
Tamaki shakes her head and exhales a frustrated sigh. "I don't know if I agree that it's for the best. But should you go through with this, I'll fight tooth and nail as if you're making the worst mistake of your life by gambling with it like that. Am I clear?"
<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
Ulala considers Tamaki's words with a strong facing. Inside, she's definitely scared... but if it was going to be Maya or her... it should be the one who already committed a sin. "I'm aware. But hey, my life sucks already, right?" It sounds like a joke. It really is not.
A sigh. "Yes, you're clear. Maya volunteered first, and if it was gonna be me or her... I'll do the calling. I think he takes self-calls?" She sounds... unsure about that part. But it's worth a try!
But, her voice quiets down a bit as they go on the lead. "Are you familiar with the Foreign Minister? We... got a lead that it might be his son. Who..." She's trying to figure out how to say this.
"Is apparently in an insane asylum for arson. He has no way out to our knowledge..." It sounds like a tricky puzzle, the way she puts it, as she processes it. "But this is all magic bullshit anyways, so..."
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Tamaki certainly doesn't take it as a joke. Ulala's quip clearly touches a deep-seated nerve. Her expression turns to outright silent fury for a few moments. Realizing that it's not really Ulala who she's angry with, Tamaki struggles to restrain from outburst, however, and succeeds, averting her gaze as she appears to deflate. When the words come out, they're meek. "Even so, I -- I stand by what I said."
Brushing off what must clearly be something deeply personal to Tamaki, she slips her mask back on and returns to her regular business-like attitude. "Self-calls, as in ... naming yourself on the line? Hmmm. I suppose the rumor doesn't say anything about that as an exception. At least not yet. Were you perhaps hoping to spread something to tilt the odds more in your favor?"
At the news of his apparent identity, she narrows her eyes. "... Sudou's son?" Government. She'd been looking in the corporate world, since that seemed to line up with other aspects of these cognitive space events, and Myunghon had tasked her with looking into the Kirijo Group, which at least holds some historical relation to SEBEC and the Nanjo Group. No wonder she hadn't made much strides on the Old Maid case, though.
"I have, I suppose, seen stranger things than that. Someone having free reign to escape from an asylum sounds about right to me. I'm surprised he's actually a person and isn't some sort of fiction made real, though, like some Demons I've seen and heard of born from urban legends." Poor Tatsuya, getting soaked by Hanako ...
<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
Ulala's expression falters as Tamaki gets angry, though she tries to build it back up when she gets her words out. It's not a good time to pry, as much as she normally would, so she doesn't, just nodding.
"Yeah... I don't think any of the others should have to do that. I was wondering if there was anything we could spread... I'm thinking we'll have everyone on standby, so when he bursts in, we can all jump him." She is unaware that Sudou is capable of waiting until she least expects it, of course.
Speaking of Sudou, though... "Yes. His name is Tatsuya Sudou. Apparently this isn't the first time he's killed. I'd go to the sanitarium, but I doubt that'd go well. Honestly, I'm afraid we'd all get fucking disappeared for that, you know?" He's a political guy! He'd definitely disappear people!
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Tamaki engages in her usual habit of fiddling with her necklace. She pauses for a few moments to think.
At least she seems to have been pondering tactics, not whatever provoked her earlier display. "We don't exactly know the rules on when or where he shows up to kill one of his targets, though. For other killings, do we know how long passed between when he was called and when he appeared? I don't think even I know when he was called or by whom, and the only hint that he's been called in the first place is that he's shown up somewhere."
"Is he limited by physical space before he shows up? Travel time? Or can he simply manifest somewhere? Will he show up if we're all present to jump him, or will he wait for an opportune moment? What's your plan if you're caught out alone?"
After that rapid-fire barrage of questions, Tamaki blinks and waits for a beat. "Those aren't all questions that need to be answered right this second. Just some things to consider before rushing in."
"An assault on the asylum would go poorly, I imagine, though I do wonder if we have an opportunity to tap the phone wires in the asylum to see if Joker Killer calls get routed there. There's a chance they may not, but that could indicate that rather than being called directly, someone higher up the food chain is giving the Joker Killer marching orders."
<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
As Tamaki starts asking questions... Ulala frowns about not knowing the rules. "Ugh, why can't it be simple..." she muses, before trying to answer. "Don't think so. Don't know. Don't know, probably. ...don't know. I'll fight him, of course. I've got a Persona too." It is very clear that Ulala is *not the team tactician*.
"Oh, Baofu could probably do that... but I wonder. Are we sure the calls go anywhere at all? Maybe its magic all the way down." A sigh. "But at least, I'm glad to have your help with this. Katsuya-san's better at being the brains than I am, but..." She trails off.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Tamaki shakes her head. "We'd be better facing him as a group -- if you're calling him to serve as bait, then be bait. Don't stand and fight, but run to lure him out. Have a quick way to contact us."
"I wonder if there are applicable methods of stealth so he only thinks he's ambushing someone alone," she muses. "I've got someone in mind I could ask, but it's a long shot -- " Reiya Aomori, that is " -- but I feel that forming a plan for us 'standby' members to convene as soon as possible is higher priority."
"Tamaki grins and points at Ulala's last answer regarding the phones. "Aha, see, you're seeing the flaws in my logic. We're not sure! It could also be magic all the way down! So perhaps it's not worth risking getting caught there for no clear benefit." She's never seemed so happy to be ... proven wrong?
<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
"...this is why I'm not the tactician," Ulala manages to crack a small grin. But about the ambush... "That's a good idea. Maybe a group text? I'll toss a message into it with my location..." she's musing a little. She's resigned herself to doing this, so she has to do it.
"That makes sense. Rumors could probably do something, but they could also make it worse... my team will talk over it sometime." Ulala smiles. "Thank you, Uchida-san. I knew just going into this without asking for help would be a bad idea..." Even if there's a hint of jealousy in her mind, at a person like Tamaki, having it altogether. Being good at tactics. Being good at logic. It's so hard sometimes...
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
"We've all got our strengths! As much as I seem to have it together, I find myself wearing ... a lot of hats without any particular deep specialty. Ahahaha." She glances over at Todoroki, then back to Ulala. "Chief's got a better sense of logistics and more connections in other places, but I've got the physical youth and energy to go personally investigate places. If you fear you don't have one, trust me, you just haven't found it yet!" Tamaki punctuates this statement with a pleasant smile.
"Hmm... what about a GPS tracking app? That way, you only need to contact us and indicate that there's trouble without needing to update us on your position."
"Let me know how it goes, and keep me in the loop, alright?" Tamaki makes a fist with one hand and punches her other hand's open palm and grins. "I'll be damned if I miss out on helping to protect you."
<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
"...thank you, Uchida-san." Ulala tries to say earnestly about strengths and that she hasn't found hers yet, but she's not sure. (She's one half of the team's heart, obviously.)
"Oh, that's a good idea..." she says about the GPS app. "I'll look for a good one tonight."
But Tamaki asks to be kept in the loop. She nod onces, bowing her head politely. "I appreciate that, thank you. I need to get back to make dinner... good luck on the exams, Uchida-san."
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Tamaki waves Uchida off. "Take care, Serizawa-san."
She gives her textbook a glance ... and considering Ulala's earlier words, she figures dinner's also good idea and goes to gather her things.
"Oh, hey -- probably not tonight, but maybe we can grab a bite sometime else? Since you're good at reminding me that I need to take breaks."
<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
As Ulala is asked about going out sometime, she stops and turns back to Tamaki briefly. "I'd love that...! Let's arrange it sometime." Even if she's jealous of the other girl at times... she doesn't *dislike* her. That's just Ulala's brainworms at play.
For now, she leaves cheerfully, to go home and make sure Maya doesn't make a mess trying to feed herself. Important stuff!