☆ 001 | ACTION

[rydiaofmist]

[Amidst the snow and cold of Union, a strange woman walks the streets in minimal, what looked to be handmade winter gear, not nearly as affected by it as she has any right to be. She is tall, striking green eyes and even more unusual green hair thrown partially over on shoulder, looking more wild than anything else. Gliding above her is a Pidgey, a band of brightly-colored beads wrapped around its right ankle; and rested on her shoulder is a Goomy, likewise adorned with a necklace of differently-colored beads, part of which seem to have been enveloped within its gooey body. She walks without purpose, simply watching, seemingly mystified by what she saw.

Scouting the outer wall did not prepare her for what was inside. These people lived piled atop one another, and there were so many of them! They dressed strangely, too (what were these things called petticoats, and why did some women insist upon wearing them?), almost completely covered from head to toe, and in such drab colors. This Union, it was a strange place, so very different from what she was used to.]

Comments

[underwearfortomorrow]

[Eiji is probably going to stick out then, because he's also dressed very colorfully. He's a little better about dressing for winter, though and is decked in layers, but he's definitely something of an eyesore compared to the rest of Union.]

[He's sitting on a bench eating his lunch and then occasionally offering some of it to the Fletchling on his shoulder.]

[rydiaofmist]

[Finally, someone who wasn't dressed in brown, gray or black. Rydia walks toward the bench.]

Do you mind if I join you?

[underwearfortomorrow]

[Eiji blinks and looks up. He surprised for a moment, but then he smiles and nods.]

Go right ahead. We don't mind, right Hina?

[Hina chirps!]

[rydiaofmist]

Thank you!

[Boco the Pidgey, who until this point had been hovering nearby, goes down to land on the back of the bench as she sits. He appears to be eyeing Hina's food. Rydia immediately goes on the offensive.]

Boco, that's rude. Cut it out. If you're hungry, go find your own meal.

[He huffs and fluffs out his feathers a bit more than usual. He's cold and huffy.]

[underwearfortomorrow]

[Hina fluffs up at the Pidgey eying her food. Eiji reaches up to scritch her head.]

Calm down, there's plenty for everyone.

[He tears off a bit of bread for Boco.]

[rydiaofmist]

[And Boco some how puffs out more. It's pretty ridiculous looking, to be honest.

Rydia blinks a few times and smiles.]

You don't have to.

[OH HECK YES! HUMANS ARE AWESOME! THIS HUMAN IS AWESOME! NOMS FOR BOCO! If Eiji can understand Pokespeak, he'll get a happy chatter from the Pidgey in-between bites. This is so awesome best day ever.]

[underwearfortomorrow]

[THIS IS A PUFFING CONTEST- wait, no Eiji what are you doing. Sigh. Hina deflates and goes back to munching on her own food but she is WATCHING YOU BOCO.]

[Meanwhile Eiji laughs at Boco's enthusiasm. He can't exactly understand it word for word, but he's empathic enough to get the gist of it.]

I don't mind! You're welcome ah, Boco was it?

[rydiaofmist]

[YUP! Boco cheeps, mouth full of bread, and gets a half reproachful, half bemused look from his partner. Slowly the Pidgey closes his beak and Rydia laughs.]

Sorry, he can be a bit dramatic. Thank you, by the way.

[underwearfortomorrow]

[Eiji grins and shakes his head.]

Ah, it's no big deal, really! I have a way with birds, I'm told.

[Hina nips at his ear and he jolts.]

Ow! Hinaaaa!

[Hina fluffs at him and gives him the cold shoulder. Sigh. Birds.]

My name's Eiji, by the way.

[somnambulatory]

[Rydia will likely notice Jinxie making her rounds throughout the city selling her charms, with her Duskull floating at her side just like always.]

[rydiaofmist]

[Oh! She thinks that she's heard of this before! A human handing out things. What did Lady Yukari tell her it was called?

Right! Solicitation!

Rydia's going to follow you around a bit and observe, Jinxie.]

[somnambulatory]

[Jinxie spends some time going up to people and showing them her wares, all of which consist of little slips of paper with writing on them like the one she has attached to her forehead. A lot of them walk right by, but some of them give her a few coins in exchange for one.]

Thank you for your patronage!

[She bows her head gratefully.]

[rydiaofmist]

[Rydia continues to follow, trying not to get too close. What were those pieces of paper? She couldn't tell. They looked like scribbles. Were scribbles really so important to humans? They were giving her money, so Rydia assumes...

Gradually, each time Jinxie bows her head, Rydia with start to emulate the movement, trying to figure out the significance of it all. Write scribbles, sell scribbles, get money, bow head? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?]

[somnambulatory]

[Eventually, of course, Jinxie notices she's being followed. Turning around to see Rydia following along behind her, she blinks a few times before approaching.]

Would you like to buy one?

[She's holding a charm in her hand.]

[rydiaofmist]

No, thanks.

[She doesn't have any money. Also what is she going to do with squiggles?]

What is it?

[somnambulatory]

It's a protection charm.

[rydiaofmist]

Protection against what?

[Action]

[second_destiny]

[Asemu is likewise hanging around in Union. Today is a day off for him, so he's simply enjoying the fresh air and presence of fellow people. He's wearing mostly white, like he was the day he encountered Rydia and Tiki, and generally not difficult to spot.

At the moment, he seems to be walking toward a cafe. He's looking for a mug of hot chocolate.]

[Action]

[rydiaofmist]

[Someone she recognizes.]

Ranger Asemu!

[Action]

[second_destiny]

Huh?

[Asemu turns around when he hears his name being called. It doesn't take him very long at all to spot the person who called him.]

Oh, hey!

[He lifts an arm to wave, so she knows he's noticed her.]

[Action]

[rydiaofmist]

[She'll jog toward him.]

Hello again.

[Action]

[second_destiny]

Hey. What are you up to right now?

[Action]

[rydiaofmist]

People watching, mostly. What about you?

[Action]

[second_destiny]

I have the day off today, so I thought I'd go for a walk and get some hot chocolate. This cafe is my favorite place to get any kind of hot drink.

[Action]

[rydiaofmist]

Hot chocolate? Is it spicy?