Backdated to after Hajime and Kinji's fight in World Series week 1

[triggerhappytraitor]

I can't find Kinji.

[[There are equal levels of worry and agitated discomfort in that single sentance]]

Comments

[summerorange]

[It certainly would, if Natsumi herself was aware of such things.]

An American...cowboy? Did he look like your typical American besides the clothes, or more like us?

[triggerhappytraitor]

He likely has Japanese heritage, if that's what you mean. He has hair like mine, only shorter and without the grey.

[[The grand total of 3 grey hairs that aren't even noticeable]]

[summerorange]

[There's a sense of disbelief on that last part, but she's to polite to say much of it right now.]

A Japanese-American cowboy...alright. I'll have Kivaara search one area while I search another. We'll let you know if we find any signs of him.

[And after a long pause where she describes him to her tiny partner...]

What was his name again?

[triggerhappytraitor]

Kinji.

Kinji Takigawa.

..Thank you. Both of you.

[summerorange]

Kinji Takigawa... I see.

[Once she passed on the name, she sends Kivaara on her way, while Natsumi herself starts searching in the opposite direction.]

And it's the least we can do to help. After all, a Rider should always be willing to help one of their own as much as they should aid the innocent.

A few hours later...

[summerorange]

[After some time has passed, and she has heard back from Kivaara...]

Tachibana-san?

I...I'm sorry, but...we couldn't find him.

[triggerhappytraitor]

[[a small delay. When he replies, his mental voice is tired, far more depressed than the high anxiety worry of before.]]

Did you spot any odd doors or anything like it?

Hajime thinks he may have fallen into a dungeon....

[summerorange]

[Oh, that perfectly matches the feelings of failing at an important task and guilt for letting someone down.]

No, none that either of us are aware of. Any doors lead to the workshop, or to other people's rooms.

[triggerhappytraitor]

[[Which is exactly how he's feeling right now]]

I guess that's that... and all we can do is wait.

[[So very unhappy with that. So very]]

Thank you for looking.

[summerorange]

So it seems...

[And because they're not feeling rubbish enough already...]

...I'm sorry...