The faint smile shifts into a genuine grin at the councilwoman's crude wording, the hint of a chuckle touching the assassin's shoulders. "Honestly, I might actually take you up on that for another asshole entirely, too." she says, casting her eyes to the lush flora shielding the sky.

Her silence lingers, and then she just sighs. "I'm really not sure what to do with him, either," she mutters underneath her breath, moreso rhethorically than to actually expect a reply to it. Newly-resurrected, Kyrenai knew little about Yuki's life in the Beyond, nor what to think about her at all. At first she'd been happy, emotional at seeing her again, but now she remembered the words that had caused the woman's death in the first place, it had soured her initial reaction.

She hadn't mentioned it to anyone. Yet. Not even her family was aware of her ties with the Hanakata Clan.

"How are you dealing with things ever since..." Ever since everything. Kyrenai just gestures with her hand, a swirling motion, but it gets the point across.

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

"Honestly, I feel like I've already squandered many such opportunities." Kyrenai notes, watching from the corner of her eye how a Magcargo is making its way down the side of the mountain. She pays it no heed, sending her Hydreigon off to the skies once again after giving it a thankful headpat. Her eyes follow the beast as it soars.

"I'll make the most of those I still have." Eventually; she thinks. Luck's involved in the making of these moments, and she's long since realised luck has it out for her.

"What about you?"

Skipping~

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

She nods, lessening her pace until she's fallen back in step with Penelope. Or close to, at least; she's only a few paces ahead rather than a several feet, silently thanking the jungle's momentary reprieve as the thicket opens up for a path of sorts, most-likely one its original inhabitants follow on the daily.

"It's... going. Barely," she admits. "I've scheduled an impromptu visit after this, actually. Planned on doing so sooner, but I got," her voice trails off as she thinks about the many reasons her original plans on said family reunion got thwarted. It takes her a moment too long to gather her thoughts, the momentary hesitation out in the open when she continues. "sidetracked."

The smile she gives the councilwoman is all but convincing.

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

Of all things, the decadence tied around Slateport's Upper District had been something she'd never truly missed.

But oh, how easy it had been to fall back into it now she had returned.

It was the best way to drag her mind into blissful ignorance, if only for a few hours, where she only had to wonder about her next drink and the right conversational partner rather than the everything that played with her doubts. How she doubted about her purpose; how she failed as the shield she'd set out to be, and had fallen to be a sword without meaning more often than not.

She could not protect, no matter how hard she tried.

But hurt? That she inflicted like a second nature.

"Miss Black? Is everything okay?"

Kyrenai blinked and focused her eyes back unto the man before her; greying hair and a receding hairline mere moments away from impending baldness, Joseph Magnus had all the makings of senior citizen in the make-- if it were not for the keen eyes that never wavered. They showed strength where his body showed age; a hidden wisdom. It had been the reason she'd hired him for a potential venture in Hoenn. She smiled softly and shook her head. "Merely wondering about our host, Magnus, nothing more." Her eyes followed evette keitzmann as she descended the stage and mingled with the crowd before putting her attention back on Magnus, whom she noticed had been following her gaze as well.

He sighed, gently patting her arm. "Hmmm, I think I know what you mean." The older man said conspiratorially, inclining his head. "In that case, don't let me keep you. I'm sure we both have our respective threads to pull tonight, don't we?"

"That we do. Take care, Magnus, and I'll see you next week. Don't hesitate to call me if anything comes up." Kyrenai nodded, watching as Magnus took off to speak with other executives that had been gathering near the buffet table. She didn't care much for the food at this point; her red wine would keep her company for now.

And for a moment that's all she does as she watches the sea of people, her glass ever so slightly tipped against her lips. She ignores the gazes resting upon her in passing; she knows they linger on the left side of her black dress, where the cloth of her top half has been replaced by an exorbant amount of crystals, scantily covering her shoulders all the way down her side and across her hip. A purposeful decision. Kyrenai had meant to shock with a generous amount of tasteful naked skin, and the knowing smile she carried as she pretended not to see told everything.


Outfit

evette keitzmann

☉

Slateport City's Upper District held many things; fine dining establishments, malls, museums, businesses galore. Yet the only particular one that held her interest had been Akura Inc; a business she'd once aspired to lead, but had fallen short of when her brother was put in charge. She'd been salty about it once. Now she only blessed the decision, for GABRIEL BLACK had done a far better job in helming it than she ever would've.

She'd found her freedom -mismaked as it had been- elsewhere. Clan Black knew little of what had befallen her, safe for the information she did let on. Architecture. The occassional letter home; a video call on even rarer occassions. Kyrenai knew she'd only returned home once or twice during the holidays in all those years, and even then she'd barely stayed longer than a handful of days.

But now, with recent relevations, she yearned to find them again. To reignite the fires of kinship she'd almost snuffed out. Gabriel Black was not aware of her plans to visit Akura Inc. His staff severely unprepared for the verbal onslaught; her tongue just as sharp as the blade she often wielded.

How dared they make her wait? Did they even know who she was?

Oh, the shocked look on the woman's face when she realised who exactly she was talking to. Priceless.

It'd only taken her a moment of confusion to slip past the pristine entrance and into the building, swapping elegance and professionalism for monotone walls of even more monotone halls. Once she'd ventured down to the lower levels, they'd stretched far and beyond. And now she was just wandering about.

Flicking her phone out of her jacket, she quickly composes a message and presses [send] before pocketing the device again.

"Hey Gabe, you should honestly do something about the staff manning the front desk. Poor girl scares far too easily."

Wonder how long it would take for them to pinpoint her location... but knowing her brother, he'd probably already be aware of her presence. Well, not that she was actually bothering with sneaking around now she was in. She wanted him to know. If only to get under his skin for a little bit; for old time's sake.

Now... where was her older brother hiding?

GABRIEL BLACK

☉

How long had she been wandering about the endless sepias of floating mountains and isles?


If one told her time flowed differently within the Border, she would've been inclined to believe them, for the concept of time had faded from her mind a long time ago.


A long time, she thinks. But she's not sure. 


The only certainty is the pull dragging her heart and her feet onward; she's long since passed all the notable landmarks she'd come across during her exploration and ventured into territories yet to be mapped. 


"I'll find you." she whispers to the winds, and for a moment her hand finds itself back on the blade's hilt. 


A memento, of arguably better days.


His blade.


She'd never been able to part with it. And after the investigations had been concluded, she'd done everything in her power to retrieve it. A token meant to remind her whenever her mind dared waver. 


Something unspoken calls the assassin to attention, and when she lifts her gaze from the voids occupying her thoughts she sees the fields before her; hundreds, if not thousands of flowers dance upon the breeze. Among them a single lily; Spider. Blazing red. It stands proud among the sea of white, like a drop of blood on porcelain skin. 


She crosses the floral sea towards it, and for a second time she lingers before it, and kneels. Her fingers tenderly graze its tendrils, yet she does not question why it was a flower of all things that called for her; its loneliness a silent reminder. 


It only reminds her of him.


Of Kagetora Shinada.


"I missed you, Kage," she whispers to the flower, fingers lowering to its stem. "I still miss you."


And then she pulls.

Kagetora Shinada

☉

Another tap, and her Hydreigon appeared behind her, slamming down three sets of teeth on the Dusknoir's hands and Bind with a vicious Crunch. Her Tyranitar seemed to struggle more with the opposing Salazzle's Attract, but it needed the time to collect its bearings after the Giga Impact it had dealt. All Vex had to do was keep its head in the clear and fight the Salazzle's pheromones; luckily the ruthless training she and Vex had undergone together seemed to pay off, as it was actively fighting the Attract, not willing to succumb to it.

With her two most trusted pokémon backing her, Kyrenai's focus did not have to waver from the redhead stuck in her grasp. The young woman was putting up a valiant fight, and her bold bravado was commendable, albeit foolish. Then again, she could not fault her for not knowing whom exactly she was dealing with. Kyrenai's grip tightened around the girl's throat, slowly squeezing out her air supply-- enough to make breathing a struggle, but not impossible.

"Because I'm asking nicely?" she purrs, closing in to whisper in her ear. "And I wouldn't want to cut that pretty skin of yours," Cold steel now brushes against Ruby's throat, the pointed edge of a dagger making itself known. It's sharp enough to draw blood with a mere push, but the assassin wields them masterfully, keeping them from doing so. "So, stand. Down. Don't make me repeat myself a third time, sweetheart. My patience has its limits."



tldr;
- outfit
- 50 MP for PD mission Participation
- 60 MP for IC Posts (6x10MP)
- 100 MP for Mission completion (min. 5 posts)
- 50 MP for KO'd pokémon

Ruby Garcia

☉

"Like I said before, you can't be good at everything. But in due time..."

She gives Elise another smile, warmer this time, and again her eyes seem to wander as she ponders something. A momentary silence falls between them, and after a few more seconds Kyrenai extends her hand at Elise. "Phone please," It comes out more like an order than she intended, but to her surprise Elise obeys her request and hands over her phone. Kyrenai's fingers race across the touchscreen, and after a final, resolute tap she nods and hands the princess her device again.

"If you ever need something; advice or whatnot, call me. I'd be glad to help."

Gently patting her shoulder, Kyrenai then turns her sights back on the valley in front of them and inclines her head. "Let's put some fire in our step. I've been told Nihilego like to linger around these parts, so I'd rather clear them as fast as we can."




tldr;
- outfit
- 50 MP for Participation in PD Mission
- 60 MP for IC posts (6x10MP)
- 100 MP for Cargo Mission

Elise Calcifet

☉

Jaci stood no chance against the effectiveness of Polyphemus' Shadow Sneak, no matter how hard it tried. The Lunatone tried to resist, but eventually buckled and collapsed with a whimpering cry to the ghost-type's power. It's defeat echoed through the cave, reaching the assassin's ears moments after its demise.

She gritted her teeth, yet when the young woman called forth her Salazzle and threatened her, Kyrenai's nostrils flared. "You... dare-" her voice dropped low. And then everything went fast. Rather than her knife, she tapped her belt, a pokéball dropping to the floor and releasing the imposing figure of her Tyranitar right beside her. As the silhouette grew Kyrenai latched on, allowing Vex' strenght to free her from the adhessive keeping her from moving. The moment she felt her leg pulled loose she let go, allowing the Tyranitar its momentum. Despite its size it moved nimbly, flowing with the rage of its trainer it lashed out, striking the Salazzle with a full-powered Giga Impact to shut it up.

Kyrenai flew past her partner and stepped into the younger woman's personal space, forcing her against the rocky wall, hand stretched out towards her throat. When she spoke her voice dipped low, a hot whisper laced with threats and fire. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood right now, little girl," her face was mere inches away from Ruby's, piercing eyes set on her victim. "Tell your pokémon to stand down. Now. Or else..."



tldr;
- outfit
- 50 MP for PD mission Participation
- 50 MP for IC Posts (5x10MP)
- 100 MP for Mission completion (min. 5 posts)
- 50 MP for KO'd pokémon

Ruby Garcia

☉

And with their luck, no battle seemed to come their way either as they traversed the vastness of the Ultra Sea. In fact, the tranquil silence seemed to bother her more than a surprise battle would have, as it meant Rocket was wreaking havoc elsewhere.

The second outpost came in sight before she knew it, the Ultra Sea even sparing them any encounters with its local wildlife, not even a mere sighting, allowing for the antidote against the Nihilego poison to be kept for another time. A time in which she hoped she would truly need it. Once they arrived she made sure to stick around long enough for their cargo to be safely stored away, then thanked Kyle for joining, and bid the champion farewell.

Mayhaps their paths would cross again in better times.


tldr;
- 50 MP for participation in PD Mission
- 50 MP for IC Posts (10 MP x5)
- 100 MP for Cargo Mission
- 200 MP for Mission completion
=> 400 MP

kyle lopez

☉