Probably the tallest tower in the Magistrate District; hell, the tallest in Kria. A black building that curved around the vicinity. If you stare long enough you might see the shimmering of white sparkles on the polished black walls.
One could see almost the entirety of Kria if stood atop the spire which casted a shadow from the Sun. Within the shadow stood the four of them, waiting at the entrance past the security gates.
"Thundering Blade. We were expecting you," the guards saluted, recognizing the gold blonde and the sword at her side.
"It's a bit scary, isn't it?" Hotaru verbalized.
"How many floors with how many secrets," Fumeko gawked.
"I know. So many things to explore!" Asobi held her wand with both hands.
Jotou facing the door, looked about to her friends, "Well if you all keep staring up at a massive building of course it's gonna get unsettling," she spoke, bringing their attention back down.
"Less unsettled, more intrigued," Fumeko rubbed her hands.
"Right; Fumeko? Let me do the talking, okay?" Hotaru directed.
"What!? This is my boon!"
"That you wouldn't have so quickly if not for Jotou's new title. We're on thin ice," Hotaru retorted. Fumeko scoffed, looking towards Jotou with furrowed brows.
Jotou exhaled, "Talk only if necessary. If you think something you're gonna say might bring conflict, don't say it. This is still your boon and you're the detective.
If you have genuine questions, ask them without offending them. We need as much information as we can get about the case and anything else. More flies with honey than vinegar and all that."
"What does food have to do with it?" Asobi questioned.
"It's just a saying Asobi," Hotaru answered.
Fumeko looked Jotou in the eyes, before silently nodding, "I'll keep my eyes out."
And the doors opened, shoes clacking against the tile. A man in uniform, black suit-like garments with the symbol of the Maleficos Ordinate above the left shirt pocket.
Jet black hair, smooth and well groomed, one side slicked till the back while the other side hung loose till his shoulder. Pale complexion and light blue eyes they saw as he adjusted his glasses.
He stood tall and firm, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Ms Howllett, Ms Kinoshita, Ms Namora and Ms Asobi. Please, come in," he addressed each of them, giving a formal bow before turning in one motion and stepping into the building.
He waited for their footsteps to follow. Asobi skipped forward, followed by Hotaru and Jotou before the man began walking again.
Fumeko held Jotou's coat lightly to pull her back, grabbing the blonde's attention. Fumeko followed along, looking up to Jotou, "Thanks for trusting me… and calling me a detective; I could tell that was genuine," she mumbled before moving ahead.
Jotou paced up, "Of course," she whispered back.
The lights beamed down from the windows from all directions—certainly not sunlight. The lack of people only made their steps echo more, the lady at the front desk in the same uniform took a bow as he passed behind her.
He walked onto a platform with the stairs behind him. He faced the four, "Step on please." They heeded his request and stepped onto the platform.
The platform buzzed and an aura of deep blue lit up in a square around where they stood, creating a short wall before the floor shifted and the platform began elevating them.
"Cool…" Fumeko goggled at her surroundings.
"What are the stairs for then!?" Asobi hopped on the platform which did not move an inch from her weight.
Hotaru hid her amazement well; Jotou… 'It's an elevator… They're excited for a magical elevator; I guess it's kinda cool.' She looked towards the man.
"For emergencies," he answered before turning around, never letting his posture lax for a second. "Apologies for the formalities, but it's how it's done," their attention turned.
"I'm Kor Azveal. Acting chief of the Krian Maleficos Ordinate," he smiled for only a second, "Whilst the chief, Reenius Legisvia is off on business in Luxinor, you may bring your concerns to me."
The lift went up, passing by floors where they could easily step off into; the doors being shut for various departments. The higher they went, the smaller below became; Fumeko huddled closer to the middle, a nervous sweat on her brow.
"I'm not one for idle chatter unless necessary. So, to put it bluntly, we both have information to exchange. I can assure you if you desire your information to be kept private, they will not leave my lips willingly.
That being said, I would hope any information I provide privately, will be treated similarly. As you can see, our numbers are low.
Many departments have been changed and reorganized over the course of months. Perhaps yesterday, the most. However, arranging an appointment with you, was a necessary, personal measure."
His speech never wavered; he did not wait for them to understand. And he did not need to because every word was spoke clearly and with conviction.
One would expect such confidence from someone older, but his young figure would break any such expectation; a man who looked to be in his mid to late twenties.
"What do you mean by personal, sir?" Hotaru narrowed her eyes.
"Master Azveal or chief will do for now; and yes. I wish this statement to be kept private—many in our ranks disliked the idea of someone marching in and poking around.
Personally, Thundering Blade, your case was intriguing from the moment of your return. It was my call to allow this visit. Hence, I hope formalities will be endured a little while longer…"
Jotou stared back; the man was waiting for a confirmation from her. 'Endure? He has something to say, but he can't right now?' "I understand; we'll do our best," Jotou answered, serious.
It's then when Fumeko noticed something about the acting chief; his composed eyes glimmered slightly, his shoulder laxed for but a second before it all returned.
He nodded, "You have my thanks," the elevator stopped, several floors up. One side of the barrier opened, allowing them to step onto the floor.
One look down and anyone would be given a new fear of heights. The guardrails being the only protection. They stepped off, taking a left around the donut of a floor.
"This is perhaps where you would be most interested to investigate," he stood in front of two doors, about to open them.
"Can I ask questions?" Fumeko enquired.
"Be cautious of where, or who, you poke around. Remember, formalities," Azveal warned before he opened the doors, "And this, is the department that spearheads the Velatos Case."