[video] May 12th, early afternoon

[heavenly_earth]

[The feed flips on for no apparent reason as silence filters through a still video. In the Death Room, Neji's taken up a still meditative pose on the floor, veined white eyes focused in a far-off direction. Silence reigns for several long minutes, his expression distant and preoccupied until he blinks and seems to come back to himself]

We've found them.

[He pauses, brows drawn and considering how to elaborate] They're alive with minor injuries and none are in critical condition. They don't seem traumatized, just subdued from being force-fed sedatives. They know we're coming, since now that we have their location, we can organize a team. However...

[Neji glances somewhere off-camera, then places a hand on his knee to stand]

We still don't know what their captor's intentions are. This means no one is getting their exact location until we've organized to avoid rash behavior that could further compromise the captives. I apologize, but this is necessary for their safety. I can assure you that I'll be monitoring them until they've been retrieved.

Azusa-san is in the planning stages of the operation, and I'm certain we'll have no shortage of volunteers. We'll have to expect an increase in security, so although they're being held by civilians, be certain to come prepared. Once again however, the use of lethal force will be forbidden.

All interested parties should meet at Shibusen for a briefing this evening in classroom 54. Thank you.


Filter- Kanji
I've spoken with Naoto. She says she apologizes for not returning and worrying you. She doesn't wish to leave you alone.


Filter- Obito
Obito-san, there's something I need you to investigate for me..

Comments

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[heavenly_earth]

[His brows draw together, frowning]

At first, I thought perhaps they may want information.. Information they can use against the guests or Shibusen. To my relief, their injuries and mental states don't reflect such an approach, however. Perhaps they intend to use them to set an example of sorts, which is currently the most worrying possibility. This is why we can't afford rash actions.

So far, it looks most like it's a simple tactic to provoke the Guests of the city. However unwise, they may succeed in this and have more reason to condemn us.

It's also possible that a small faction of them have joined the Witches for no clear reason and intend to hand them over. The Witches have performed experiments on kidnapped Guests before... It's not likely, but not impossible.

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[heretic_hamlet]

[He nods.]

All the more reason to take such care in our response.

But why would they see to their safety if they only meant to slaughter them...? Unlikely, as you'd said, all the more puzzling as a result.

[Another few moments' consideration.]

The captors. How many do they number?

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[heavenly_earth]

[Neji half-shrugs, uncertain of anything himself when left with little evidence] Perhaps as the night wears on, I'll be able to relay more information on their motives..

At the moment, I can pinpoint about a dozen souls in their immediate vicinity. There are roughly half a dozen more that seem to move in patrolling patterns in the area.