They Fight Crime. (Thoma - Jess)

[Jessica Jane]

"That's good. Because there's a lot of story that I want to hear." She tried to make that point clear.

Jess turned her eyes skyward and examined the place. Immediately, her stomach started to grumble just a bit more loudly than she would have liked. This was the worst part about a meal: the anticipation. It made actually getting to the food all that much harder.

[Thoma Hirako]

Thoma either didn't notice, or he didn't mind her stomach, "I'll start with my own, and then we can get to business," he told her, going right to a table that was set aside - not that it was a bad thing - it was in a nice place, just more private.

So that they could discuss business without others listening. He held her chair out for her.

[Jessica Jane]

It was interesting that thus far, the entire conversation had been pretty one-sided. She seemed determined to pull out Thoma's secrets, but he had hardly inquired about her past. It made her wonder what, if anything, was going on for the umpteenth time this day. But time would have to answer that one... she couldn't.

She took her seat and then nodded to show that plan was fine by her.

[Thoma Hirako]

He moved around the table and sat himself down, "I'll tell you in good time, but for now, we should order," he gestured to the menus at their spots.

Most of the time we skip this if it ever happens; easier that way. We just say it happened and get on with the rest of whatever was being discussed or whatever.

[Jessica Jane]

(OoC: Alrighty)

"If hunger doesn't kill me, then the wait will." Jess didn't even try to stop the barb from leaving her throat. It was warranted.

She glanced over her menu, trying to recognize something that sounded appetizing. Sadly, the bulk of it looked a bit too appealing. She quickly picked a random dish off of the page and decided to go with that. Stewing on this too much would make any sort of decision impossible.

[Thoma Hirako]

Thoma gave his order, and after having them taken away, he turned to Jessica, "I'll give you the gist of my past," he said, having no hesitation over his past misdeeds, over telling about them, not when it was this important to the future.

"I started to steal; it was easy, and I got really good at it. Over the years, as I improved my art, I also began to con people. I didn't have money, so this is how I lived; it was the easiest way, but no excuse. The...I met Yuka, and began to steal for both of our well-beings, con people for both of us.

"I tried to change my ways, I started to regret things, and then...I was arrested; they finally caught me. I knew I had to serve my time for my sins...and during my time in prison, as Yuka waited...she died. That's what I was told; that's what all reports say. I know she had to have been killed, though. Because of her connection to me."

[Jessica Jane]

Okay... So the cliff notes version of Thoma's story wasn't anything overly special. It fit in with a couple of stories that she'd heard during her time in Asia. Jessica leaned back in her chair and mulled it over. That last bit was disconcerting... It sounded like something out of the Twilight Zone.

"So the reports say that she died, I'm assuming of natural causes, but your mystical connection tells you otherwise." She repeated, then asked: "Why?"

[Thoma Hirako]

"I made enemies; plenty of them, but none could get me. I have to think that she died because of one of them. The only reason I think that is because they couldn't get me; so they went after the woman I loved," Thoma told her, his voice dropping as he started to succumb to the painful memories, "That's the only thing I can think of."

[Jessica Jane]

Ah, he was talking about a relationship connection, not a magical one, Jess realized. So much for clear communication. She contemplated this a moment and then decided to go ahead and raise her objection to all of this. Well... an objection. There was a lot more than one.

"So the fact is that you don't know she was murdered, you just think that she was, and there was a lot more than one guy after you, so you don't even know which one it was..." Jess tossed her head in disbelief. "That's all you've got to go on? That... smacks a lot of wishful thinking to me. What about proof? That's what you guys harp on, right?"

[Thoma Hirako]

Proof. He didn't need proof, but he was doing this legally, well, he said he wouldn't drag her into anything illegal. That might be a problem, but he would sort all the little details out a bit later.

"There's only a few who might cross that line," Thoma said, "This guy is one of them. I just need to go through the list. I'll find proof as I go. It's not the best plan...but it's mine."

[Jessica Jane]

"Thoma... look... what you're talking about is more than just finding the man who killed your girlfriend. What you're talking about is a vendetta. What are you going to do if the guy isn't the murderer? Are you going to go after the next guy as well? I'm not trying to be unsympathetic, but... going into this half-cocked is only going to get you in trouble in the long run." Jess frowned as she spoke; her mind was running during that little speech. There was so much wrong here... but she didn't want to just abandon Thoma. Not while he was dealing with this sort of pain.

[Thoma Hirako]

"If it's not him, then I move onto the next," he said, "Simple as that. I'm only in this city because of that man. I just keep moving; that's my plan. It's not well planned, but it's the best I can do, especially with SPD watching me so closely," he explained, "This isn't a vendetta. You have that part wrong. I'm not going to murder the man, whoever it is who killed her, if one of them. I'm going to see justice done; proper justice. Not more murder. I'm against murder."

[Jessica Jane]

Her finger started tapping against the table. Stubborn guy, this was. You didn't just go around harassing people because of what they did or did not do. But then, that was her way of thinking. This guy's was obviously different. It was time to change the subject.

"So who is 'this guy'?" She inquired.

[Thoma Hirako]

"Makoto, Enui," he answered her simply.

[Jessica Jane]

"Yeah... that doesn't help me much." Was he just trying to be frustrating? "Who is he?"