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The bustling city streets were filled with people moving to and fro, going about their days, thinking naught of the people around them. In spite of the ambient noise of passersby and the various electronic billboards, Ike found himself quite relaxed. “What do you think, Soren? Do you think that everyone back home are all able to go about themselves without needing to worry about where their next enemy might appear, or how they’re gonna get enough food on the table?” Ike’s gaze fixed itself to the slender, dark haired man sitting at the other side of the table; his most valuable ally and cherished partner. “Just because the war is over doesn’t mean things will fix themselves Ike. You know that as well as I do.” Soren’s barbed response likely would have stung anyone else, but it was what Ike valued the most about him. “I know, those wounds will take a long time to heal. But….” Ike’s voice hesitated for a moment, as the thought of what he was about to say was still a sobering idea. “We have no idea how much time has passed since we left, or if this land is even connected to Tellius.” Soren finished Ike’s thought. “We just have to trust that they are all living their best lives, I suppose.” Ike sighed and took a sip of his drink.
It wasn’t long after Ike and Soren had left Tellius; their ship was swept away in a storm, and when the pair had come to they were in an unfamiliar land. The duo had stood out like a sore thumb at first, until Soren was able to learn enough about where they were and was able to procure some clothing and enough money for them to get their bearings. They were able to learn that they were in a place called Tokyo, and that civilization had advanced beyond anything either of the two thought possible. Additionally, Soren had learned that he was no longer able to use his magic. Though what had shocked the pair the most is that Laguz did not exist in this world, nor did the Branded. Though Soren no longer had a reason to fear persecution, such a thing was not so easily reconciled.
“Ike, I’ve found another job for us.” The tactician’s voice brought Ike back to the present, as Soren placed the phone that was in his hand down in front of him. Ike glanced down at the screen, reading the page: “Help wanted: Logistics and manual labour - Fortuna Entertainment”. “Sounds right up our alley.” Ike responded jovially. The pair had taken up contract work to make ends meet since their arrival, as it was what they were both familiar with. “I already took a look at Fortuna’s history. They’re above board and have glowing endorsements of how well they treat their employees.” Soren was quick to inform Ike about everything he could need to know about a potential employer. “Well then, shall we?”
Following their meal at the outdoor cafe, the pair made their way to the office of Fortuna Entertainment at a brisk, yet not hurried pace. It was not long before the two had arrived and found themselves at the desk of Maiko Shimazaki, President of Fortuna Entertainment. “So the two of you are the ones that applied for the logistics and labour position then?” The President’s eyes scanned over the pair, delicately yet fiercely studying their bodies and mannerisms with a trained eye. “Yes, that would be us.” Soren replied in his usual blunt manner, his eyes following Maiko’s as she sized the two of them up. “My, my. Cautious ones, aren’t you?” Maiko said in a teasing manner, clearly having noticed Soren’s eyes following her own. “I don’t bite, you know.” Soren scowled as the woman in front of him continued to tease them. “My apologies, we’ve had some run-ins with ill-intentioned employers in the past.” Ike entered the conversation, trying to defuse the tension. While Soren’s bluntness was ever valuable, it was seen as even more poor social etiquette here than back in Tellius. “I see. There certainly are people out there looking to exploit contractors for cheap labour.” Maiko responded in a more mature tone, seamlessly matching Ike’s energy. “Well then. Moving on, I believe the two of you seem more than capable enough of handling what we need done.” The president’s observations had given her enough of a gut feeling about Ike and Soren that she decided to hire them on the spot. “I have someone I’d like you to meet.”
Shortly after their meeting with Maiko had concluded, a dark-haired young boy in his late teens, clad in a blue jacket had come to meet with Ike and Soren. “Hello, my name is Itsuki Aoi. Miss Maiko told me to come and show you two what you’ll be doing.” Itsuki spoke in a calm and polite manner, though Ike felt a familiar aura of authority coming from him; as though he were the leader of a mercenary band. “So, what kind of work do you have lined up for us?” Ike got down to business as usual, though he could feel Soren studying the boy intently from behind him. “Well we need some help moving around stage props and planning how to make the best use of our venue spacing.” Itsuki began explaining how the logistics work would help optimize use of space, but also help with what the audience could and could not see from each angle, and how to factor in lines of sight to help keep from any individual experience from being hindered and so forth. “So the short of it is that you want to minimize concealment around center stage?” Soren cut right to the point, caring little about much else besides the job at hand. “Well, I suppose you could put it that way.” Itsuki couldn’t help but laugh a bit at how straightforward Soren was. “I’m sorry if he’s a little eager to cut to the chase, it’s an old habit of his.” Ike began to apologize on behalf of Soren before Itsuki stopped him. “No, it’s actually rather refreshing. A lot of people in this industry like to dance around things, so it’s nice to have someone get right into things every once in a while.” Soren was a little surprised, but thought it was nice to finally meet someone else that valued the things that mattered over trying to make things sound pleasant all the time.
“Alright, we’re here.” Itsuki stopped outside of a storefront in Shibuya Square. “This is Hee-Ho Mart, it’s doing a collaboration event with Tsubasa Oribe, an idol at Fortuna Entertainment.” Itsuki began to explain the details of the event to Ike and Soren; though as Itsuki continued to speak, Ike began to feel as though he was being watched, and he began to stand on guard out of habit. Itsuki gave a puzzled look as Soren followed Ike’s lead, until the air shifted and Itsuki himself began to stand at the ready. Isuki had many questions about how the strange pair before him had detected the enemy in advance, and how they could even feel the presence of the Mirages in the first place. Time seemed to stop as the sky darkened around Shibuya, and the once bustling crowd of people were now all standing in an entranced state, seemingly unaware of their surroundings. Ike instinctively went for his sword, his body forgetting that he was no longer armed. Much to the surprise of Ike, he found himself wielding Ragnell, as though it had been with him the whole time. Ike glanced over toward Soren and Itsuki, only to find that Soren was wielding his magic as though he had never lost the ability, and to see Itsuki had completely transformed and was now wielding a sword of his own. “I have no idea what’s going on, but it seems like things are starting to get interesting around here.” Ike spoke as his body dropped into a combat stance, ready to face whatever was coming his way.