"Alright, I am heading out right now. Make sure to say hello to Kurapika for me." walking out of the hotel room I made my way to the street to hail a cab. On the way I thought about the texts Kurapika sent me, he was originally going to tell me about the healer in person today but he called his contact to ask about the healer last night and apparently they will be findable at some hole in the wall place in town.
'I guess I could also get something to eat there, I did run out the door without bothering to eat.' now sitting in the back of the cab I began to sit in uncomfortable anticipation. Doing anything to distract myself from my hand. Though now that I was about to finally get it back it was if my stump was hurting even more than ever. I mean, I was able to somewhat deal with the pain…considering I never really sat down and thought about it. Since the cut was so clean It did not cause many complications. I could have gotten it reattached by a high-end regular doctor if I was quick and wealthy enough. Instead, I 'bandaged' it up with aura and I was able to create a cast for my arm. It was somewhat analogous to a paper cut, it hurt when you got it, hurts when you get something in it, and hurts if you stretch the skin around it open or prod it. Since I had my Hatsu coating the wound it was mostly tolerable though still insufferable.
'The number of times I reached for an item with my stump the past few days… I am afraid I'll have picked up a bad habit of using my right hand for everything even though I now have an arm.' As I rolled up to my destination I noticed and appreciated the relatively quiet travels, sure there was the constant traffic and blaring of car horns sprinkled in, but the general populace and in particular my cab driver somewhat kept their heads down and stayed quiet so to speak. Currently, various news publications were branding the whole thing as a terrorist attack but had no real clue as to who was responsible. The criminal underworld wanted to keep the whole thing inside their circles and not spread to the public I would reason.
"Have a good day sir." Nodding back at the cabbie after I promptly paid and exited the taxi and began to stroll down the sidewalk as I filtered through the various addresses or shop signs as I continued to look for my destination. This was another 'buffer' area similar to the strip mall where the spiders were trailed for a bit, still in a 'good area' but only a few blocks from the bad area of the city.
"Ah there it is… 'the mottled duck,' that is certainly a name" chuckling as I entered the small pub I was greeted with the stark contrast of the outside streets and the indoor area that was quite dark and moody. Old red brickwork and the darkened dirty wood floors spoke for the building's age, nearly every piece of furniture most likely had a tenth of its original weight removed from all the dings and scratches marring the surfaces of the chairs and tables.
Moving over to the small counter I met a waitress who looked more surprised than pleased to see a customer walk through the doors. I suppose these sorts of places have a small but loyal customer base and don't really get new walk-ins, instead, regulars bring someone with them.
"Ah… Hello sir, how many will be with you today?" giving me a cramped smile and releasing a quiet sigh she straightened her back and stood up off the stool she was relaxing on top of.
"Uhm, I am meeting someone here. *ruffle* I think it was 'inside private room number three' setting down my briefcase I quickly slid my phone outside my pocket before opening up my messages and recited the location of the meeting. Afterward, a small glimmer of understanding and a small smile formed on the waitress's face as if she had been reaffirmed that yes, no new customers actually come here.
"I see, Shall I take you back then, the person you are meeting already checked in a few minutes ago." placing down the menu she had picked up earlier she gestured for me to follow her as we walked past the dining area and bar toward the staff area and kitchen. Taking a turn after entering the back room I was met with a far more furnished and maintained hallway as a series of thick metal doors lined the hall each with a number stamped on them.
"Here is your room sir." keeping it short, the waitress turned to run back to her seat to do 'work' for the rest of her shift and earn her paycheck.
"Hello…" rapping on the door twice and slightly opening the door as I walked in and peered around the door as I subconsciously used the thick metal door as a shield. Ever since I became a hunter these sorts of practices have become second nature to me, every little advantage you can stack to keep yourself alive should be implemented after all.
"Ah." staring at the familiar young woman sitting at the table with a small sack cloth set next to her my mind began to race as I maintained my impassive face. Only being able to do so due to a mix of experience, the natural qualities of my new body, and being dead tired.
"?" giving me a sharp stare was Machi, a very alive, not dead, and fully intact abdominal section that had not been speared through during our fight.
"You look somewhat familiar? Did you go to JHS high school over in Jappon?" lying as easily as I breathed I fabricated a somewhat plausible story. And seeing her expression shift from suspicion to slight confusion to a neutral one I gave myself a mental pat on the back.