Working With Phantoms

The Wondrous Alibaba

July 9th

Madran arrived at school, with the sudden realization that the whole deadline for Kaneshiro's palace was on that day. Then, as she met up with Sheila and Suga, she brought the thought up.

"Hey, so, isn't today gonna be the change of heart?"

"Oh, yeah, you're right."

"I really hope that it worked."

"Well, it's worked every other time, so I wouldn't be worried."

The trio then parted ways and went to class, with the school day going rather pleasantly, aside from Madran realizing that exams were rearing their heads again next week, with her arriving home to study.

"Hey, mom, I'm home!"

Madran looked around to see Elia on the phone.

"Wait, what did you say your name was again?"

Elia nodded.

"Alibaba... ok, well, what do you want with me? Wait, how do you know about that?"

"Mom?"

"Oh, you want to talk to Madran? She's right here."

"Huh?"

"Oh, hey, Madran. This weird person named 'Alibaba' called me. They apparently know about your Metaverse thing, as well as Akira's."

"Wait, really?"

Madran took the phone.

"Hey, who are you, and what do you want?"

A rather distorted voice that sounded faintly feminine came through on the other end.

"I, as Elia said, am Alibaba. I am an interested party in your operations in the Metaverse, as well as your continued operations with The Phantom Thieves."

"Um, how'd you figure this out?"

"On top of being interested in your operations, I have been able to access your phone and listen in on several of your explorations within the Metaverse."

"So, you can hack? Why not download the Metanav on your phone and see for yourself?"

"Why, you see, I have a request."

While Alibaba spoke, Madran opened Elia's messenger app and opened the conversation with Maya.

"Well, what is it?"

Madran then began to text Maya.

Elia: Hey, this is Madran. There's this weird person talking to us, who knows all about the Metanav, so can you get Baofu to track the signal?

"Madran. I can see what you're texting."

"S-Shut up! You hack me, so I'll get a friend to hack you!"

"Baofu is aware of wiretapping, while everything today is wireless."

Maya: I'll see what I can do. Meet me and Baofu in the Velvet Room soon and give me your phone.
Elia: Ok, plus, the person knows I'm talking to you.
Maya: Go to the Velvet Room!

Madran then rallied Chicory and Elia and went to the Velvet Room.

"Well, Alibaba, we're about to figure out who you are."

"Hey, where are you?"

"In a cool room where you can't track my phone signal."

"Hmm."

Madran looked over at Baofu and handed him her phone.

"Hey, uh, do you know how to track stuff like this?"