tampered | [ open ] Muraki & Megumi

When; Now, after Muraki and Megumi's coffee date.
Rating; G - PG for violence
Characters; Muraki Kazutaka [

roy_de_epee ] & Megumi [

pinkenglishrose ]
Summary; Persuasion can become rather deadly. And this isn't even workplace rivalry. Hired by Alexis, Muraki sets out to trap himself a witch under the guise of finding romance with Tsuzuki.
Log;

[ An odd conversation, but certainly not unpleasant. Axl and the kids know that she occasionally comes home late, so she knows they won't be too worried. After all, food's ready and they have everything they need, well before time. Which is why this trip doesn't seem so bad... though as she walks back through the quiet path, a change from her regular route owing to her having just met Muraki, she glances up at the sky...

It's getting late. She'd better hurry. ]

... I should have worn a sweater... [ She murmurs to herself, before she begins to walk faster. This path is taking her longer than her normal route home, and she doesn't want to be in here longer than necessary. It feels too... desolate and quiet, despite the city sounds surrounding the distance ahead... ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A note...?

[ That doesn't make any sense and after she's certain she can stand up, she does so. However, she instantly regrets doing so, one side of her dress has been mauled from the top enough to be improper, and at the skirt too and she quickly lowers her head to let her hair cover the rest. ]

But what does this have to do with me? [ She asks finally, biting down the embarrassed blush and looking up at him ] What is it about?

[He has her now into the lie, and Muraki tries to bite back a triumphant smile. That wouldn't do here. Instead, he tries for a concerned look, unfolding the note hesitantly.]

Whoever wrote it... they told me they had some guy named Axl hostage. And they were coming for you next.... [Muraki pauses, frowning in confusion before looking at the note once more.] I don't even know why they sent it to me... Is there anyone after you, Yamamura-san?

What?!

[ Uncharacteristically shocked, even for her, she moves forward to look at Muraki in worry ]

They mentioned Axl?! But I just-- [ Looks at the note in his hand ]

Why you?! We've hardly even met before this!!

[He knows he's pulled the right string. Alexis was right - mention that name and she'd go right for it.

Muraki goes for a confused, worried look as he shows the note clearly to Megumi.]

I've no idea why they targeted me, Yamamura-san. Whoever it is must have known we'd meet tonight. [He pauses, looking at Megumi - his tigers had certainly done a number on her, hadn't they?]

You look cold.... here, this will do the trick.

[Just for a friendly little touch, he suddenly removes his overcoat and moves to put it on her - build that trust, even with little touches.]

[ As she takes the note, she doesn't pay much attention to the letter first, listening to that explanation. Someone keeping tabs on her? But who... why? However, it's as he's putting the coat on her that her eyes widen when the handwriting becomes familiar to her, and the color drains from her face ]

Alexis Hargreaves...

[ Him... she thought he'd forgotten all about her, then... why? How did he... ]

W... why is he still... [ She looks like she's going to cry, clutching the note tightly ] Why can't he just leave me be?!

Wait - you know whoever it is that did this?

[It was just as Alexis had warned him - she would easily recognise that handwriting of his, and she'd be blind to everything else. Perfect for the occasion, really... anything to throw off the trail leading back to Muraki.]

What...- [He tries for a troubled tone to his voice, which works just perfectly.] What's going on, Yamamura-san?

[ She shakes her head quickly, looking up at him ]

I'm sorry... that he involved you in this. It's not... [ she feels her voice shiver ] I have to go. I have to go find Axl-- he could just be baiting me, or...

[ It's when the weakness sets in and she sways on her feet, staggering back. The shock of Alexis' presence, the exhaustion from using offensive magic... it's beginning to take its toll. ]

Yamamura-san, wait!

[Muraki follows her, looking even more concerned as she stumbles about. Just a little nudge more, a push here and there, and it would be done. He catches her quickly, stabilising her balance before moving to face her.]

You're looking a little weak - I'll follow you, all right?

No!!

[ She knows she needs the help, but she forces a firm expression onto her face as she looks up at him ]

I don't want you involved in this, Dr. Muraki!! This isn't your concern!

[Muraki pauses, still looking worriedly at her as he remains in front of her. So close.... so close to the goal...]

Are you sure? I can help, you know.

... [ She doesn't answer, instead, lowering her head and beginning to move away from him. She needs to find Axl, and she needs to make sure that Alexis isn't really bluffing.

She has to stay strong until then. And she walks forward, stumbling a little as her vision blurs and she covers her forehead with a hand ]

... this is my fight. [ She hisses, then speaks over her shoulder ]

If you really want to help me.. then don't risk your life with this man. He's dangerous.

[She's close - the stumbling, the low voice, the hand to the forehead are all give-aways. Muraki smiles to himself while her back is turned to him, and continues to follow her doggedly.]

I'm still going to follow you to make sure you're okay, Yamamura-san. You're worrying me.

[He doesn't have to worry about risking his life - not when the guy she was warning him about had requested him to perform this task.]

...

[ moving a hand to reach out for the nearest tree, she rests her head against the bark, feeling herself grow even more drained with every step. Something isn't right here, and she can't place what. Has she really used up that much energy?

She isn't supposed to use offensive magic, summoning alone has knocked a lot out of her. Her vision is growing foggier and she finally loses strength in her legs, collapsing to her knees ]

Can't...

[Yes. Yes. Megumi appears weak now, and Muraki stands at a distance, watching as she sinks to kneel on the ground. Very, very close. He pauses where he is, a look of worried shock working its way onto his face.]

Yamamura-san....? Are you all right?

Dr. Muraki... please leave. Or at least...

[ What's happening? Was there something in the beasts power? She feels stranger, as though something was sucking out her energy there, and she whispers the words ]

... help me f i n d . . .

[ her eyes feel heavier and she can feel consciousness slipping. This isn't right... this... ]

A x. . . l. . .

[ She's unconscious before she knows it's happened. So much for heroism... ]

[It took a little while, but finally she was knocked out. Muraki's beasts had done the trick, really, and he reminds himself of the technique he used. That might prove useful later on. He quickly catalogues the information as he steps closer, closer to the prone form on the forest floor. She looked destroyed, damaged somehow.]

Foolish girl.

[His voice seems to have no inflection, no sympathy for the fallen heroine at his feet. Why should he, when he was merely to deliver her? He crouches to the ground next to her, staring a moment before lifting her from the ground. She's a little heavy, but much lighter than most he had had in his grasp.]

Well, time to go, Yamamura-san.

[He smirks, continuing down along the path with Megumi in his arms. Now it was time to complete the transaction.]

[ open ] Muraki & Megumi - Witch Hunting

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