fracturamods | [break-in 2] this is a crime and it’s punishable by crime.

[The room has the lingering scent of skin and women's perfume. It's not a very bad smell really. Along one wall is a sectional couch, and in front of it is an oval coffee table. The only light comes from two lamps on either side of the couch, so the room is maybe a bit dim.

Tsukasa is watching the door, so he might get startled when a very tall, broad man suddenly appears. He matches Lan Wangji for height, but he's wider in the chest and shoulders, thick like the trunk of a tree. He pretty much has "bouncer" written all over him, from his narrow-eyed scowl to the scar splitting his cheek to his jaw.]

You three can't be hangin' around here if ya ain't buyin', [he says, and then he whistles over his shoulder.

Four girls, laughing, duck around him and spill into the room, mowing Tsukasa down. Two different ladies loop their arms around each of his and squish said arm between their breasts. They sweep him back toward the couch to try to get him to sit. The other two have two bottles of alcohol and several glasses.

The bouncer shut the door.]

Hiii, [the girls call together as the drinks are placed on the table. One says:] Let's have fun! [And another says:] Twenty dollars will get you a bottle and something fun!

[wow, kangai sure is glad he wasn't guarding the door. rip, tsukasa. kangai is going to stay standing by a wall if he can, looking a little like a deer in headlights.

so, uh. you handle this, lan wangji? thanks.]

[This is not, in fact, the worst night of Lan Wangji's life, but hot damn it's getting close. He's too principled to sigh, but he definitely wants to.

He very recently had a talk with Baren about how you have to pay to get information, blah blah blah, so he'll just skip all of that and put down like a hundred bucks. WHERE DOES HE GET ALL THIS MONEY don't ask me just go with it.]

That is not why we are here. [Also just kind of glancing at Tsukasa and Kangai as if to say "DON'T DRINK THAT BOOZE".] Who is the owner of this establishment?

[how much more obvious can he make it that they do not belong in this building]

[ Wow.................... He wants to die, but at the same time, this is probably the most action he's gotten in mafiatown, and the two wolves inside of him (teenage boy vs The Police) are having a good struggle.

He. Eventually, very, uh- he tries, anyway, to pull himself free from the Very Nice Ladies who want twenty dollars, without touching anything he isn't supposed to, because he's a very polite young man, laughing a little awkwardly. ]

P-Perhaps another time, ma'ams. You're both very lovely, but- [ um ] We're unfortunately here on business... Very important business, as you may have gathered from my associate's brusque manner. Any cooperation you might be able to offer us is appreciated, from the bottom of our hearts.

[ ....... ): he's in the wrong town for being a nice boy i know this in my heart ]

[Tsukasa is, thankfully, released from the clutches of Dracula's succubi.] Haha, [one girl laughs,] you're so funny! Everyone who comes in here is always coming on business.

[But then Lan Wangji lays the smack down with crisp bills for a whopping one hundred. All of the girls part their lips and look at each other in surprise. One of them exclaims,] It really is a hundred dollars! [The rest softly gasp. Chuuya's good money is paying for the wages of Xian Le women. Very considerate.]

Are you surprised when the police are involved? [One or two gasp again, and then all turn to look at Tsukasa.] That's what Mister Kingston said. [Wrow!! They probably like a man in uniform. Lucky Tsukasa.]

Oh, Madam Wren doesn't ever come here, [a girl says.] She has more important things to do.

[kangai remains far, far away.]

Who's Mister Kingston?

[WOW HE'S NOT BRUSQUE HE'S JUST... yeah okay he's being brusque. He's tired. Chuuya's money is paying for his sleep debt.]

More important?

[ Tsukasa's immediately turning even redder when attention's drawn to the fact he's police and the girls, like, don't seem Immediately completely turned off by the idea. He probably matches his hair now, but on the other hand, also seems like he wants to melt into the floor and disappear. He... can never... let anyone else know. He Cannot. ]

Um... Well, the matters we'd like to ask about are actually- actually quite important, my good ladies. [ winning them points, tsukasa. ] If one of you'd like to fetch Madame Wren, or even this Mister Kingston, we would very much appreciate it. We wouldn't feel comfortable submitting you kind, pretty young women to such dire questions.

[ he means he wouldn't, kangai might not but lwj probably doesn't really care either way, But He Knows He Wouldn't ]

[The younger girls find Tsukasa amusing and cute. Very rarely do they get a chance to have the entertainment; usually, they're the ones who are being forced to entertain stupid and grimy men. They whisper between each other, giggling.]

Mister Kingston just left! [one girl laughs.] He's the muscle. [Another girl leans forward in Tsukasa's direction, voice syrupy:] Are you going to detain and question him?

[Another girl shakes her head.] Madam Wren owns other places, too. No one can fetch her. [One of the girls nods in agreement.] She comes and goes as she pleases!

[thank god only one person here has "prey" written all over them. stay strong, tsukasa.

though the funny thing is that while tsukasa may be teenage police in this world, kangai was a former teenage detective for real, so honestly, he doesn't mind questioning people that much.]

What are the other places Madam Wren owns?

[YEAH GOOD LUCK TSUKASA because Lan Wangji's glancing thoughtfully back over at the door.]

I can speak to him, if you two are alright in here.

[Since Tsukasa's doing perfectly fine!! But also probably shouldn't be left here by himself, even if Kangai's doing his best impression of a bookcase.]

[ HE'S GOING TO DO HIS BEST. He might die in the process, so make sure to deliver his body to the rats, but he'll do his besst. ]

Ahaha... We'll be fine, sir. [ Probably. It's just a bunch of cute, overly-friendly girls. What's the worst that could happen. ] Go ahead and talk to him if you think you might be able to get something. We can handle the lovely ladies here.

[ A little smile to the one that leaned closer to him? Sure, they can handle them. He hopes. Really, like, they can't honestly be any worse than Okuni, and he manages with her. ]

[The girls all exchange glances, and an entire conversation happens between their looks that Kangai, Lan Wangji, and Tsukasa would never hope to be able to unravel.]

She owns a clothing store, [one of the girls finally says.] And a restaurant, and some of the empty warehouses.

[Another of the girls who is still standing side-steps in front of Lan Wangji, both hands up.] Don't get Mister Kingston! [she pleads.] He'll think something is wrong! That you're not happy! [The other girls nod, and the one close to Tsukasa latches onto his arm which unfortunately means his arm is between her breasts again. Pwease hewp powiceman.]

Are you looking for the kidnappers? [a girl asks.] That's why you're here with the police, huh?

[next thing these girls are going to say she owns the coffee shop too at which point kangai will scream.]

Well...

[he can't really say, "we just happened to run into this guy", so...]

[Look, don't say "are you gonna go do this thing" and then be surprised that he's gonna do the thing. He will do the thing.]

We received a summons.

[He ain't gonna answer directly but it's not a no.]

[ someone pwease hewp the powiceman. He pats the girl's ....... arm comfortingly, since she, um. Seems like she needs it? Yeah. ]

We're- [ mmm. ] We all happened to come together at the same place - I wouldn't really say the three of us are working together, or, er... That they're with me, at least.

[ Also... not a no, just a slight correction. ]

[The only reason the girl lets go of Tsukasa's arm is because one of the older girls leans in, and the rest of them all just instinctively know to fall in and huddle. They whisper amongst themselves, voices low; it doesn't sound like an argument so much as an intense discussion. There's nodding and a few headshaking.

Finally, the girls part so they can look between Kangai, Lan Wangji, and Tsukasa.]

We'll show you Madam Wren's warehouses, if... [They all look at Tsukasa, and the older girl speaking points at him.] ...he comes back here to see us.

[Hm.]

[

looks away and pretends he has nothing to do with this]

[

Looks at Tsukasa and nods firmly]

[ AH?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. ]

You two...! [ YOU TWO..!!! but

but. the good of the town rides on this. and they are nice... maybe he can just talk to them... become Good Friends. ] Um... It'd be my honor to visit all of you again sometime. Would you like me to come back after our business is through or, um, is in my free time okay...?

[The moment Tsukasa says, "It'd be my honor," most of the girls give an excited squeal, grabbing each other and--well, they're bouncing, but you three perverts should turn away and ask forgiveness from the Lord.]

We don't want to get in the way of the law, [the girls says, a little smarmy, but grinning.] Come back when you have free time. But! You have to come back.

Or we'll send Mister Kingston to find you!

[Two girls grab up Tsukasa again, one on each arm. One girl latches onto Kangai, or tries. The final girl is leading, leaving Lan Wangji free of feminine clutches...........but only because he's very huge. He'll be fine on his own.

The girl in front splits through the room to the far wall, reaching up to smooth a hand over the wall slowly here and there. She finally finds the panel and presses it. The wall unlatches, and she pushes it to open and reveal a little, tight hallway. (Lan Wangji may have to duck as they go through.)

Ready, boys? Too late, they're already going!]

[HE'S FLINCHING AWAY THANKS]

A secret passageway. Of course.

[but yeah he'll follow. he'll take the front unless lan wangji wants to.]

[Oh, no, however will he live without a feminine embrace.

He'll bring up the back though, casting one last glance around the room. (DON'T LOSE HIS HAND TELESCOPE KANGAI.) Actually can he like. Jam a pen or something in the doorway so they don't get trapped in this hallway]

[ this is legitimately the most action tsukasa has had in Any Life Ever so actually, thanks anna!!

he'll go meekly with the girls, already figuring out how to fix his schedule... he guesses he can visit them after his rounds and just tell any ~~nosy~~ concerned individuals that he just got caught by a grandmother or something to help her find her cat. pretty much anyone would believe him. he's tsukasa "never lies" suou, except ignore the part where he has been lying either straightout or by omission for the past (checks calendar) like three weeks or however long we've been in mafialand. ]

...You girls aren't going to get in trouble, are you? [ like this has just occurred to him. ] Helping us like this. I mean, we appreciate it, but I don't want you girls to take any heat. I'm sure the others wouldn't either.

[ yall out here selling him to some hookers hes just gonna volunteer yall to be nice ]

You gave us a hundred dollars! [And some good fun, and a policeman, so that's really what they care about most. The girls giggle quietly, but it's probably REAL funny for any other rooms they pass by between the walls... hearing the muffled, unintelligible voices of some dudes and some girls. Very funny.] If you don't tell, we won't.

It'll be our secret!

[Lan Wangji, by the way, can have a little door jam, as a treat. When it swings shut after them, it'll catch, leaving a bit of a crack. But the girls continue on! Actually, everyone has to single-file through the hallway it's so small, so one girl leads, and the rest are peppered between Kangai, Tsukasa, and Lan Wangji.

After a few moments, they reach the opposite end. Which turns out to be... a dead end in that direction. The girl in front, however, turns left and hauls up a metal beam locking another door. Cool and damp air burst through the hallway over them when the door opens, and the sounds of town ring loud. The iron balcony is small, so everyone has to squeeze out onto it. From here, it looks like they are on the backside of the brothel, the river nearby on one side and the rest of town on the other. It's not a bad view!

"It kind of smells," says one girl. "It's the river," another says.] There, there! [one of the youngest calls out. She points to a few dock warehouses in the distance. Looks inconspicuous and quiet. It's really far away and kind of dark, though.

Maybe they can see better if they had something that could help...?]

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