Second Feather ✪ [Video]

[sleepingvalkyrie]

Greetings, Union!


[ It's Gwendolyn! With a burbling Firesong the Fletchling on her left shoulder, and a shivering pile of Cherrim leaves poking over the right. She's smiling, trying her best to look as much the diplomat as possible, but it's clear that she's excited in spite of herself.

Dressed as formally as ever for the Valkyrie, there is one key difference in her appearance today - three feathers are attached to the left side of her hairband, a bright contrast to her silver hair: two yellow feathers flanking a longer blue one. ]


Some of you may have noticed some excitement amongst the Valkyrie and others from Citadel in the past few days. Well, that is because this coming week marks the start of the Citadel Games! These are an annual tradition throughout the months of Spring, where athletes show off their athletic prowess in a number of activities, and the preliminaries will be held at the Great Tree all next week!

You have everything from relay racing to Caldera rules rugby to wrestling to gymnastics, as well as an exhibition match of the Dragonite Races! Both humans and pokémon have their own events, in addition to traditional doubles and partnership matches, along with sports from both Caldera and Union being on display. And this year will also feature the debut of Griftorb as an official pokémon-only sport!

[her hands clap together before her, eyes shining with excitement] Rumour also has it that the annual endurance race, which is always held prior to the start of Summer, will be ending in Caldera proper this year. And the victor will be crowned on the Day of Fire! So that should prove exciting, if true.

Anyway, number of us are planning to travel there tomorrow to attend for the week. Should anyone else wish to go, you and your bond mates are welcome to travel with us!

Comments

[sleepingvalkyrie]

I would not underestimate the strength of a Valkyrie if I were you! Or you'll be in for an unpleasant surprise.

[ Or perhaps a pleasant one - this girl seemed the sort to enjoy a brawl. ]

Unionites have some intriguing sports of their own, but I have no doubt you could find interest in that here in Union, especially with so many Calderans in residence.

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Ha! I'll be around any time you wanna test that theory out.

[There's no real bite behind the challenge, it's both a Calderan thing and a Ryuko thing after all, but it's no less for real. She can't help it. All this talk about some real actual good competition after spending so much time in a place as mellow as this has her a little fired up.]

I dunno anything about Union sports but I've been dying for a chance to cut loose. I'll have'ta look into that.

[sleepingvalkyrie]

Off-limits to me right now. [she sounds genuinely disappointed by this fact, before brightening] Once my wings are stronger and can be bound safely for during play, I'll be happy to.

Will it be humans only, or will you leave it open for pokémon to join in as well?

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Hm? Didn't really think of that but, hey, street rules are street rules so I don't see why not. [She shrugs.] Not like it's a good idea for any regular humans to get in on a game like that anyway.

[She pauses a second, tilting her head.] Wings though, huh? Something happen to them to put you off-limits?

[sleepingvalkyrie]

I am sure they will find a way to adapt it for safer play, or place wagers on watching Enlightened in action. [quite common in Citadel, really]

Ah, I recently gained mine as a greater Windblessing. They are still very new, and wings take time to strengthen for flight. It would be ill advised of me to enter combat or take part in sports where I would risk them before they are ready. [a sigh] After spending so much time sidelined by the fight with that Dragon, I'd prefer not to risk being unable to lend my spear to battle - even if I do enjoy Rugby.

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Little extra cash on the side, huh? Never hurt.

[She doesn't think so anyway. Does Union have laws against gambling? Eh, fuck it.]

I dunno anything about Windblessings but I guess that makes sense. Oh well, rain check. I'll be around whenever you're ready to give it a try.

[sleepingvalkyrie]

Indeed. So long as you have someone trustworthy to handle the wagers. [and won't run off with the cash]

I shall hold you to that!

[guitar_case_vagabond]

That ain't my problem, long as I get paid when I win.

[She flashes a cocky grin at the camera.]

Lookin' forward to it. The name's Ryuko Matoi.

[sleepingvalkyrie]

And I am Gwendolyn, formerly of Citadel. Mine is the Ragnanival tribe. Tis good to meet you, Ryuko.

[Sure, she says that now..]

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Yeah, you too. I'm of the, uh, the South Side Gangs. I ran that turf back home.

[Yeah. That's something to brag about.]

[sleepingvalkyrie]

I...see. [Nope, never heard of them] Is that territory extensive within Caldera? I've never been to the city.

[guitar_case_vagabond]

....

[Will her reputation as delinquent trash ever go appreciated in this city.]

Yeah, it's a pretty big chunk of territory!

[It isn't.]

It's a pretty big deal, running a place like that.

[It's... sort of a big deal.]

[sleepingvalkyrie]

[ No. No, probably not. ]

I see! Well, with all that responsibility back home, why are you here in Union?

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[ONE DAY.]

I had some business to take care of around here. Still takin' care of it.

Long story.

[sleepingvalkyrie]

Ahh. [Knowing. She won't pry. She understands Business all too well.] I hope that you are able to sort things without too much trouble, then.

Do you think it will keep you in Union long?

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Thanks.

[She glances away, scowling a little deeper and then gives a heavy sigh of clear frustration.]

Really startin' to look like that, yeah.

[sleepingvalkyrie]

There are worse places you could be, I suppose.

[guitar_case_vagabond]

I guess not.

[It's true. Union's not a bad place to be, slower and quieter than she's used to, but pretty nice all the same. Still, it's frustrating, getting stuck with dead end after dead end....]

Meh. What about you? What're you doin' here?

[sleepingvalkyrie]

I was assigned here with my Valkyrie wing, to represent my tribe and show Citadel's support to its alliance with Union.

[ Her face falls, then. She's the only one left after the Elite Four's attack. ]

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[She actually catches the shift in Gwendolyn's expression. Crap, did she say something wrong?]

Oh. Uh... that's cool?

[sleepingvalkyrie]

Well, yes. [she tries to perk back up] It's a great honor. However, should the Matriarch or my s--Elder call me back, I would have to return at once.

[a small smile] Hopefully not too soon, though. Union is..interesting.

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Yeah, it's somethin' else alright.

[It's a noncommital thing to say and she scratches her cheek.]

Guess I'm kinda lucky like that. I got nothin' back home to call me back before I'm done here.