The Reunion

Opening

The session opens as the group is heading back to the mall. Everyone looks fairly rough, but they're not far from respite.

Circeth is wrapped up in blankets. Usagi is lost in thought and Nathan asks her what she's thinking about. She mentions that she feels a presence, as if the person she's close to is nearby. Nathan hopes for her sake.

The group makes their way back to the mall. As they pull in, Katrina nudges Circeth's blanket, and they skitter in. Usagi and Nathan follow suit.

As Usagi enters, her heart is tight. Kate notices this and nudes Moki. Moki runs up in a full sprint and hugs her. The two share a tearful reunion and catch up on things that have happened.

Circeth introduces themselves to Moki.

Usagi also explains about things happening in Moki's absence. Someone named Nyx has returned to Usagi's life, and she is not good for her. Moki mentions she'll put a word in to Lorelai, Clare, and Audrey about this person.

Moki asks about the loxodon. Circeth pipes up calling him the coward. Usagi adds to this. Moki explains that Clare and Audrey are not happy about what they did to Cir.

Kate meets Circeth. The two meet on awkward terms as Circeth can smell Kate's blade. Circeth asks Kate to keep her weapon away from their mushrooms.

Johnny Johnson ran for mayor and opened a rival strip mall across the street. He has requested the services of Calico-works to investigate suspicious customers. His motive for doing so is unclear, especially as he's hiring competition.

Katrina also mentions there's a job she has specifically for Kate and Moki, but she's leaving it as a surprise.

Kate and Moki turn in for the evening. As they sleep, Moki and Usagi snuggle. Kate has put a divider up to allow Moki and Usagi their space.

Kate stays asleep. Moki wakes up early and gets out of bed, telling Usagi that she's going to chat with Katrina.

Katrina is at her desk in the common area. Moki goes out and her unseen servant hands Katrina the axe. Moki elaborates, saying that the two had discussed it, and felt it belonged to Katrina. Katrina takes it and puts it under the sign, saying it's a tradition to keep something of the first adventurer who signed on up for show.

Moki invites Katrina for a walk. As they talk, Moki mentions Katrina was right to be suspicious of the vial Moki drank. She elaborates, drawing the parallel of Katrina's hero's blood, and her own Yokai blood. She also mentions the fact that there's a third Moki.

Katrina asks if this will be a problem, Moki says no. Saying that she and her other self have been learning to work together. Katrina nods.

Moki cycles back to the blood topic, mentioning the oddity of how it even persisted, since Yokai blood doesn't stay around in the material plane. Katrina mentions it may have been synthesized, going into the underground of spells crossed with tech and unstable counterfeits.

Moki mentions she'll keep an eye out, thinking they'll be seeing a lot more of that soon. Katrina agrees, especially considering the tokens and their control of the leylines.

Moki also opens up regarding Usagi, she expresses her concern that things are getting scarier now, and she's afraid that Usagi might get hurt. Katrina responds saying it's only a matter of time before she sees things like they have. Moki wants to make sure Usagi will be able to get up to speed before things get bad. Katrina responds that there's no real way to be ready. Moki understands, though she's not exactly enthused. She changes her tone and hopes that Usagi doesn't become like the third Moki. Katrina assures her she probably won't.

The two head back. Before they enter, Katrina hands Moki an envelope, stating it's her pay, backdated. It contains $2000. She hands her another which is addressed to Kate.

As Moki heads back into her quarters, she places Kate's envelope on her forehead. Moki lays back in bed, still settling in her mind she's finally with her partner once again.

Kate eventually wakes up, noticing the envelope on her forehead. She freaks out as she opens it, not realizing they were getting paid. Moki shares the thought, also not realizing they were on payroll. Not that she was complaining.

Green was in the corner playing with the TV, and Circeth unknowingly slept in a box in the rafters. The conversation shifts to Circeth's mushrooms. Kate is uncomfortable and Green mentions that Circeth had always been around, though they've never been the same since.

Kate leaves the room and goes to sit with Nathan in the common area. She asks him what his deal is with the mask. He responds he values his privacy, mentioning how people are willing to use other's likenesses, among other problems.

Kate doesn't press on this, and also goes on to talk about what happened to Skab. Nathan responds rather morbidly that it's probably for the best, given he'd be able to live forever in this form, and that there's now at least two people who can patch him up if need be. Kate seems somewhat bothered by this as she hadn't had to think about that before. Nathan lets slip that his species needs to think about it a lot. They don't live too long.

The topic shifts to Kate's blade, and wondering if Nathan can enhance it. Kate also mentions she can begin to see the weave at the blade she has. She lays it on the table in front of them. Nathan mentions he can strap a gun to it. As he speaks, Kate sees it flashing, as if it were receiving a call. She answers, and sees a projection of Lorelai, who tells her that this is a new ability she's trying. She also looks over at Ken and mentions she bets $10 that he'd kill to have a feature like that in his belt. Once she's satisfied, she severs the connection and her sword returns to normal. Nathan picks up, suggesting the gun idea again. Kate considers it, but says no, given the weight imbalance.

Nathan understands and says he could try to even it out, but it would up the weight. He also mentions the better suggestion of augments like as a gauntlet or shoulder plate, which Kate seems more welcome to.

The conversation is interrupted by Katrina over a megaphone, calling them to get their jobs. Everyone comes out from their spaces and make their way to Katrina. She assigns The Pizza Party to the new job from the mayor. Since it's just odd customers, it should be relatively safe.

Kate and Moki are to go with Katrina to get some office supplies, and to debrief from where they were. Katrina mentions the nearby Zoo, which is owned by Adventures and Ventures, since it's a safe, quiet place.

Kimmy and Skab are on security back at the mall. Green and Ken are on logistics for the Pizza Party, and to make sure nothing goes wrong for them.

The scene flashes forward to The Pizza Party in a Bed Bath and Beyond, seeing someone checking out with over 20 bars of soap, saying he thinks he'll use his credit card, only to hand over a giant wad of cash.