1st cut - Action; Outside Union

[revolutionista]

[Anyone outside or on the walls of the city early this morning will notice a stranger approaching the city. Heading from the woods, they're wearing a dark grey hooded cloak that hides their face rather well. They seem to be carrying a sword, as well as a lightweight-looking bag strapped to their shoulder.

They also seem suspicious.

When the person comes close enough, they briefly look up at the walls - if anyone watching is attentive enough, they might be able to make out the features of a girl - and smile, giving a small "hmph" of satisfaction. Finally here.

With that smile, the girl continues on towards the city gates.]

Let's see how much has changed here.

Comments

[kaidont]

[Because it's early morning, you're going to have to share your dramatic entrance at the gates with someone else.

Granted, he isn't looking very dramatic right now (he just took his late night/early morning run and training with his pokemon, and was about to go home for a light breakfast and a nap), but his appearance (with the morning sun not yet shining as brightly as it does during the day, there's definitely a weird gleam in his eyes) and the fact that he's surrounded by a full team of pokemon might compensate for that.

Though his pokemon keep moving along and chatting as usual, he looks up at you--and whatever welcome you were expecting of the natives, his face is closer to "suspicious" than to "welcoming." As he tenses and slows down, his Floette reacts first, turning back towards him, taking in the situation, and discreetely placing herself between you and the rest of the team, hiding Petilil from view in particular]

[revolutionista]

[She wouldn't have paid you much attention (besides possibly staring at your team. That's a lot of Pokemon), but if you're going to challenge her... She stops, too, and turns towards you. She lifts her face a little, so you can actually see it - the smile's gone, instead replaced by a frown and a look of superiority. You wanna go punk

She won't move otherwise, though, only enough to show she's noticed your presence.]

[kaidont]

[Who're you calling punk, Princess?

Depends on your definition of "challenge," really. At least you're not trying to be stealthy anymore, which is a plus, but...]

Don't think I've seen you around here.

[revolutionista]

[Well, she has been here before. Whose fault is it you didn't meet her back then?]

And you've seen and remembered every other person in this city? I envy your memory.

1/2

[kaidont]

[He was avoiding you guys so he wouldn't accidentally kill someone, you should be grateful]

You learn to pay attention to clothes. [when you've been hanging out on the street enough] And anyone out at this hour is either a ranger or someone like me. [And he knows a bunch of them]

[kaidont]

Insulting people to redirect their attention away from the question isn't going to work on everybody, you know.

[He lives with a master at redirection]

[revolutionista]

Hah. All the better.

[Well, she doesn't like hiding all that much anyway, and she's above trying to wriggle her way out of this with words.

She lifts her hood, fully revealing her face, framed by her long black bangs. Her pose is somewhat more confident and aggressive now - but it's the natural aggression of someone powerful, not conscious intent to scare.]

Yes, you haven't seen me before. So what of it?

[kaidont]

So where do you come from and what's someone like you doing sneaking into Union before everyone's awake?

[He, on the other hand, slides from his tense posture into a more relaxed one. He hasn't let his guard down, but he feels confident enough that he doesn't need to be aggressive, now he's established you're not going to act rashly. A different kind of powerful, maybe.

Seeing him relax, Floette finally moves, shooing Petilil closer to Scraggy and Shroomish, and flying closer to Kaido so she can observe you. She's curious]

icon succession in these two tags is beautiful

[revolutionista]

[... Squint. Are you even good enough to be questioning her? In a swift but quiet motion, she sets her sword before her and rests her hands on it.]

I do not sneak. And I do not waste time, either. I have come to this city looking for the man called Sanageyama Uzu, and if you cannot help me find him then I have no further business with you.

[globalawareness]

[Sanageyama was on duty this morning. Lucky, as he had the other guards on duty with him stand down, saying he'd see to this himself.

That's why he's leaving the gates as she approaches. Rather than stern, he looks rather pleased to see her.]

So you've returned, eh? You look well.

[revolutionista]

Sanageyama.

[A brief smile, and she lifts her hood - no need for secrecy if he's already here. Finding Sanageyama was one of the main reasons for her arrival, after all.

You look like you've changed. For better or for worse? Shall I be the judge?

[Her tone is a little mocking, but with Satsuki it counts as affectionate. He did promise to beat her on an even ground one day, after all.]

[globalawareness]

You're welcome to see.

[He's speaking with confidence this time, rather than cockiness or bravado. He's been training since he was so handily defeated last time.]

But I wouldn't recommend this as a place to check. The City Guard would almost certainly take it as an act of hostility.

Sorry for lateness

[revolutionista]

Not rushing into it? I see you've learnt at least something.

[She gives another small smile - approving of his growth.]

If memory serves, your city had an arena. They held their wretched tournament there. It would make a good place for a rematch.

No worries!

[globalawareness]

Quite the grand stage for such an event, though, isn't it? But at least it's something I can book -- in which case, it's fortunate you showed up early in the morning. There should be plenty of time to get a block of time for today.

... assuming this takes place after the Kaido thread

[revolutionista]

Are you that influential in this city? That sounds useful.

[... She's still smiling, being with Sanageyama is always somehow... amusing. More amusing than being around anyone from the team, anyway.]

If I were to say I'm not at my best right now, would your pride still allow you to fight me?

[globalawareness]

It's more my connections than me.

[He is, after all, a noble, even if he never tells anyone that he is. He can throw his name around a little.]

I'd say that depends. What's your main goal here, to test my progress or to see if I can beat you?

[revolutionista]

My goal here is to stay. Tell me, Sanageyama - how does one become a citizen of Union?

[unreined]

[Absol is on her way out of the city, preparing for an early-morning hunt in the nearby forest. As she approaches to pass this stranger, the glint of the sword catches her eye... as might the naginata brazenly wrapped across Absol's back.]

I'm sorry, somehow I never received the notification for this

[revolutionista]

[That does catch Satsuki's eye. In her memory, weapons were not too favoured in Union, even more so going around with one unconcealed. Has things changed that much here?

Absol might notice Satsuki stops to follow her with her gaze, at least for a little while.]

NP, I'm happy you replied. :)

[unreined]

[Absol certainly notices that she's being watched, and slows to a halt.]

... what are you looking at?

And then I was late again I am a loser

[revolutionista]

[Well, Satsuki doesn't seem to be too impressed by the semi-aggressive attitude.]

An unconcealed blade is a rarity in these parts... or used to be.

[unreined]

I can carry this wherever I want to. What about you? [She looks at Satsuki's sword.]

[revolutionista]

Did you threaten the guards into letting you carry it?

[She notices Absol's glance and runs her hand down Bakuzan's handle]

Bakuzan is one with me. I shall only lay it down of my own volition.

And now I'm the late one, sorry!

[unreined]

They knew better to try and take it from me. I could say this weapon is a part of me too.

It's okay, I also keep backtagging

[revolutionista]

[... Well, Satsuki can appreciate that. You get a small smirk, Absol]

I see... So you are a warrior, too. Few understand their bond with their weapon.