14th Howl: Cave Shenanigans [Action]

[professorwolf]

Lyall was less than pleased about the group decision to head out to this mine and explore, but as there was no way to forbid them all from doing it, the only option was to make sure it happened as safely as possible, and under supervision. So here he was, showing up at the site, making sure everyone had a flashlight with spare batteries, a bottle of water, some sturdy climbing rope, and a walkie talkie in case they got separated, plus a first aid kit or two. And making sure nobody went too far from the group, with any luck.

"All right, we don't know how safe it is in there, so everyone stick together and don't go exploring off on your own, all right?" he said, standing just on the outside side of the rusty, broken fence so ineffectively blocking the mine entrance off. He'd already passed out all the supplies he had, and looked a bit dorkier than usual in jeans, jacket, a Firefly t-shirt instead of his usual teacher-like clothes. "If you see something that interests you, let us all know, and we'll all look. If you do get separated, don't keep moving. Call on the radio, and someone will come find you."

He eyed the mine entrance with mild misgivings, then sighed and gave in to the inevitable. "Everyone ready? Come on, then."


((note: this is not for finding the Sage, this is just for the High School Numbers Club to bumble around together :) see comment threads below for different scenarios!))

Comments

Starting Off: Shuji Kiyokumi

[professorwolf]

As they approach the entrance, someone else is just coming out-- someone Lyall doesn't recognize, though perhaps someone else would?

[controlsdesire]

While the network hadn't gotten itself in an uproar over the events to come just yet, Shuji had come to the caves after hearing that it was the area the statue stones had come from. He had attended the art gallery's event and felt the effects of the statue in place there, feeling a familiar pain in his chest that he couldn't explain. It was different from the emotional pull he'd felt shortly after arriving in the town, but the quick sequence of events was enough to push him towards investigating on his own. Teaming up with anyone else was something he wouldn't dare do. Being a member of the police force meant that he would be watched even more closely than anyone else in town. Keeping himself apart would make him less suspicious.

After spending a couple hours wandering around the outside of the cave and taking a few tentative walks through the first parts, Shuji had been unsure of going any further. He was smart enough to know not to go into dangerous areas by himself, as much as he wanted to keep going. If something bad would happen, no one knew he was here. So, he'd settled for snapping a few pictures with his cell phone, essentially leaving empty-handed.

Shuji certainly hadn't expected to see a group approaching as he was walking out of the cave again, bag slung over his shoulder and still as dressed up as he would be if he were going to work. He stared in their direction for a few moments, weighing his options on if he should approach or not. Just how old were some of those kids? Generic troublemakers, or other people investigating the suspicious happenings?

He opted for speaking, his English still giving off a bit of an accent from his preference and habit of speaking Japanese. "You shouldn't be here."

[professorwolf]

"Yes, well, try keeping them from it, I assure you they'll just come back another time when it's probably more dangerous," Lyall answered dryly, though his eyes were sharp on the stranger. Who went into a coal mine, of all places, dressed like that? He wanted to get closer to catch a scent, see if the fellow was with the police in the bad way or not, but he wasn't close enough yet.

He added, lest whoever this is think he approved of the whole thing, "It was all I could do to make sure they came with adult supervision and decent emergency supplies."

[controlsdesire]

"There are plenty of ways to keep them from it." Already, Shuji didn't appreciate the tone this man was taking with him. He had never been a fan of when people tried to go against something he said, though he would never admit that he was intentionally looking out for people. However, this was a group of what he considered to be children, and keeping innocents out of trouble was something he'd had ingrained in his morals for a very long time. If there really was something dangerous in there, he'd want to keep it away from them. Having a death on his conscience didn't seem enjoyable.

If he'd really wanted, he could have gone as far as to report people checking out the area to the rest of the police and have a patrol put up, but he still wanted to know what was going on. Putting a police presence in place meant that it could make it far more difficult for Shuji himself to look around.

As for the outfit, it really was a habit of Shuji's to try and keep his professional appearance. He had hoped it would cause him to be a bit more intimidating if people could tell the type of person he was.

"Haikyo..." What was the English word for that again...? Of course, they were in the middle of nowhere and the rusty fence and worn signs weren't that good of a deterrent. "There's no trespassing. Exploring... abandoned places," there was the word he'd been looking for, "isn't safe. Even if you're in a group, that cave is old and unstable. I don't need anyone getting hurt."

[professorwolf]

Lyall motioned for the students to stay back, then padded up closer to Shuji. It was half to have a conversation without shouting, and half to get a good scent from him. An idiot who went into a coal mine in a suit was either trouble, or... well, an idiot, as far as he was concerned. The place had to be filthy.

"You obviously don't know teenagers very well," he began, with an aire of weariness. "Put up all the signs you like, all the chain link fences, post a guard-- but if they can't come now, with me, they'll come in alone or a couple at a time, get lost, and get hurt." He shrugged. The man didn't smell like the police did... but there was something strange in his scent. Lyall couldn't put a finger on it. "At least now they come together, with plenty of flashlights and supplies in case of an emergency, and I'll know if anyone gets separated."

[controlsdesire]

"I know enough about them." Shuji already hated the tone this man was taking with him. Anyone who talked down to him was already on the list of people he Did Not Want to Deal With. Of course, he understood teenagers enough as he'd been one not that long ago, but he had hated most of the ones he'd known and knew how stupid and irresponsible they could be. Getting innocents involved in anything was worth avoiding, if he could manage to talk them out of it.

It wasn't looking like that would happen with this man here. He wasn't easily intimidated.

"No one can ever be fully prepared for what they might encounter." Shuji tilted his head to the side and gave the man an intent look. "What exactly are you doing here?" He'd never been one to dodge questions, at least not when asking them.

[professorwolf]

If it helps, he's really not trying to talk down to him. He's actually going for companionable and resigned, more than condescending-- but if Shuji is getting condescending out of it, well, he is a teacher, it's probably not impossible, either. He'd still rather be amicable than confrontational, if he can manage it, though.

"Playing chaperone, I thought that was obvious," he shrugs. Nope, not intimidated, sorry, man. If he were here officially, he would have said so and done something about it, so Lyall is pretty sure he has no real authority to send them home. "This place has been in the news, my students were talking about going, and I knew better than to forbid it, but I could at least regulate it. I'd rather them be doing this in an organized fashion than alone, that's all."

... definitely not an animal scent. Something metallic? It's unlike anything he's ever smelled before.

[controlsdesire]

"This place is not open to visitors. Even if you're in a group, I don't want you going in there. Someone might get hurt." Though his tone was tense, Shuji was sincere about that. He didn't want to see anyone go in there and end up like that kid, partially because he wouldn't want it on his conscience and this group of people seemed like they really weren't trying to actively do anything bad.

To hopefully sway his point, Shuji took out the small leather book containing his badge and ID, holding it up for the other to see. "I'm not joking."

Even he was playing with fire while being out here, but he was convinced he could handle himself better than anyone else in that group.

[professorwolf]

Lyall's expression lost most of its amiability, though at least he managed to keep it from turning into dismay. Just a kind of neutral blankness. The last thing he wanted was to deal with the police, given what he knew about them and their involvement with... everything else. Even if this one didn't smell "off"-- unless that metallic scent was some new change in them-- none of them would believe him unless they were part of the network, as well. And he didn't recognize this one as someone he'd seen.

"Are you here on official business, then, detective?" he asked, lifting his chin a little and trying to rapidly, and silently, work through his options. Hopefully he had one that didn't wind up with him and all his students targeted in the future.

[controlsdesire]

"It doesn't matter why I'm here." Shuji really missed the days where he didn't feel so defensive about his job, but it was hard to ask for something like that when he was part of what he considered a potentially corrupt police force. While the top ranking man had seemed an unwilling participant, Shuji still didn't feel comfortable. Maybe there was more to that story, but...

He also wasn't intent on repeating himself, so he let his previous statements stay where they were.

[professorwolf]

"Actually, it matters a great deal," Lyall countered blandly. "If you aren't here on official business, then you have no jurisdiction to tell me to leave. This is not a police matter. If you are here on official business, then we are likely in more trouble than you're intimating. And since you dodged the question, I think it's safe to assume you're not here on official business."

He tilted his head to one side and smiled coolly. "I believe we're finished here. If you're really that concerned for our welfare, you are, of course, welcome to come along for the hike."