As Yumi wandered the stalls with nabi park and Mei Liu, something unique caught her eye. She froze in her tracks, eyes wide, mouth open in shock. "Is that what I think it is?" [break][break]

She hurried over to the merchandise booth in question, not caring if her friends were following. Using her elbows to make room between two people (Alexei Ivanov and Elise Calcifet), she quickly snatched up the object that had grabbed her attention. [break][break]

"It is!" Yumi exclaimed, her shout quickly transforming into melodic laughter as she picked up the 2024 RANGER CALENDAR. She flipped it over to ogle the preview images on the back. [break][break]

"Look at how ridiculous this is!" she shouted to Mei and Nabi as she waved the calendar at them, pointing at it with her other hand. "I might just buy it!" [break][break]

Because who wouldn't want to look at attractive men and women from time to time?

TAGS – snowboy showdown 2024[break]
NOTES[break]
– open to interactions | outfit[break]
– Hanging out with nabi park and Mei Liu. Loudly laughs at the Ranger calendar.[break]
– Prompt: Purchase or look at a Ranger calendar.[break]
– Snowboy complete!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Nabi's immediate acceptance was a pleasant surprise. A satisfied smile spread across Yumi's face. Reaching out, she rested her hand on Nabi's shoulder. [break][break]

"Wonderful. Consider this a bright new chapter of your life." [break][break]

Withdrawing, Yumi stood and walked back to her desk. She slid into her high-backed, comfortable chair and started tapping away at her keyboard. [break][break]

"I'll have a contract ready for you shortly. Once we both sign it, you're free to go." [break][break]

It was a simple and straightforward affair. Both women signed two identical pieces of paper after Nabi had time to read them. Then Yumi folded one and tucked it away into a drawer of her desk. [break][break]

"By the way, this is for you," she said before Nabi could leave. Quickly, she scribbled a phone number on a sheet of custom stationery and handed it to the younger woman. [break][break]

"My phone number, in case you need to reach me."

TAGS – nabi park[break]
NOTES – mission | outfit | office inspo

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"There's no need to decide right away," Yumi said, sensing Lex's hesitation. Anyone with sense knew better than to accept or refuse a proposal on the spot, anyway. [break][break]

To bring more ease to her friend, Yumi's expression softened into a familiar smile. "I just wanted to put the offer out there, in case it's something that interests you." [break][break]

A waitress came by with identical dishes of pork katsu, the crispy cutlet resting on a bed of rice and fresh vegetables. A small jar of katsu sauce accompanied each plate. The aroma was heavenly. Yumi picked up her chopsticks, ready to dig in. [break][break]

"But enough about work. Let's eat and catch up." And, because she recognized that Lex may not wish to speak about herself, she added, "I'll tell you all about how things are going."

TAGS – Alexandra Briarwood[break]
NOTES – social | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

As Nikkari released his two Vulpix, Yumi opened the capsule housing her Tsareena. The Shadow Pokémon regarded her mistress and three other companions with an unreadable expression. [break][break]

Ignoring the silent judgment, Yumi nodded and started forward between the empty cells. "Just once, and not in any place like this," she admitted. "Nor do I recall seeing a prison among the buildings. We must be underground, or in another area of the kingdom." [break][break]

Finally, she turned to her Tsareena. [break][break]

"Kaori, scout ahead up those stairs and clear the rooms of anything hostile. We'll follow." [break][break]

At first, the Tsareena did not move to obey. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at Yumi as if sizing her up. Then, with some reluctance, she strode ahead and disappeared around a corner. [break][break]

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – mechanical kingdom #2

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi and Lex had known each other for a long time. They'd met as children, became fast friends, and grew up together—at least, for a few years. Now, in the latter half of their twenties, they felt more like strangers. [break][break]

But Yumi saw the emotions erupt across Lex's face and knew exactly she neared a line she should not cross. Calmly, the black-haired woman took another sip of her plum wine. [break][break]

"Not the casino. I have enough staff there. I'm expanding my operations outside of Sootopolis. Sometimes shipments of goods need escorting, sometimes locations need guarding, and sometimes an arrogant fool needs to be reminded of their place." [break][break]

She set down her glass again. In a matter of minutes, her casual demeanor had transformed into no-nonsense business. The gleam in her eye was not amusement and curiosity but ambition. [break][break]

"You wouldn't have to set foot in Sootopolis if you don't want to. I need people all across the region: Lilycove, Slateport, Rustboro, Petalburg. Just tell me where you want to go and what you'd prefer to do."

TAGS – Alexandra Briarwood[break]
NOTES – social | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Among the few visitors approaching the entrance, one approached with a cautious, searching expression on her face that suggested she, too, was looking for someone. Yumi honed in on the stranger at once. [break][break]

A pale-haired woman of average height was not the person Yumi had been expecting. Her annoyance at Fern lessened somewhat. Even if the idea of a date was stupid, perhaps she would make a friend. Assuming, of course, that the stranger was indeed there to meet her. [break][break]

There was only one surefire way of finding out. Yumi strode over with confident elegance, Yukiko shadowing her every step. [break][break]

"Are you supposed to be meeting someone here? A blind date, perhaps?" she asked, holding up her own ticket.

TAGS – Galayne Valois[break]
NOTES – mission | outfit | coat

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The Petalburg Botanical Gardens were a staple of the city's wondrous sights, drawing locals and visitors alike throughout the year. Despite the chill of late winter, its flowers were all in bloom, forming a dazzling display of color all across the grounds. [break][break]

Yumi stood at the entrance of the gardens with her ticket in hand. It was a Palentine's Day gift from fern delaney, which was all well and good by itself. However, Fern's card had warned her that he'd given an identical ticket to someone else with the intention of setting her up on a blind date. [break][break]

And no matter how many times she repeated that she didn't want to go on a date, they insisted that she go enjoy the day, regardless of who showed up. [break][break]

Fern had a point. Yumi knew how to treat herself to nice things. A stroll through the gardens was certainly one way to do just that. Then afterward, perhaps she'd buy a Frappuccino and a new pair of heels.[break][break]

Dressed in the new Burberry coat jayden cross gave her and attended by her Alolan Ninetales, Yukiko, Yumi eyed the solitary visitors walking up to the entrance, wondering who might be her lucky date that day.

TAGS – open![break]
NOTES – mission | outfit | coat

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"Nothing to do with the casino, don't you worry," Yumi said, as if reading Nabi's mind. "I don't think my patrons would take it well if I hired someone who was seen causing trouble." [break][break]

She placed the tissue box on the coffee table in front of them, then signaled to the guards that they could leave. They glanced at Nabi with mistrust but did not argue with their employer. After directing respectful bows to Yumi, they departed the office, leaving the two women alone. [break][break]

Folding her hands in her lap, Yumi pinned her attention on Nabi. Dark eyes met her pale blue ones. [break][break]

"This is my primary business, but I have others—subsidiary ventures that turn profit in other ways," Yumi explained. "Sometimes they require people to run errands between locations. Sometimes precious goods must be escorted by protection. [break][break]

"The job is never the same every day. You can work alone if that's your preference, or you can work with some interesting people in my employ. And," she added, with emphasis, "you will receive a regular monthly paycheck." [break][break]

Idly, Yumi smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from her trousers. [break][break]

"You'll sign a contract, but other than that, you don't have to worry about corporate nonsense, you can work flexible hours, and I won't ask you to do anything you're uncomfortable doing." [break][break]

She paused there, allowing time for her words to sink in. [break][break]

"What do you say?"

TAGS – nabi park[break]
NOTES – mission | outfit | office inspo

[attr="class","pkmn"]

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – mission | dress & coat

[attr="class","credit"]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi sipped her plum wine as Lex did, savoring the sweetness on her tongue. "He is," she said of Hitoshi Inoue. "He's head of security now at the casino, though he's been away a lot for other jobs. Speaking of which…" [break][break]

Leaning her elbows on the table, she laced her fingers together and pinned her friend with a scrutinizing gaze. [break][break]

"What are you doing these days, Lex? Besides the underground fighting scene. Is that your only employment, or do you have other work?" [break][break]

Somehow, Yumi doubted it. As a capable thief, the red-haired woman had no problem carving out her own living in the world of crime. A living that could be comfortable, even luxurious, if she wanted. [break][break]

But the Lex sitting across from her didn't give her the impression of someone living comfortably. Or living at all.

TAGS – Alexandra Briarwood[break]
NOTES – social | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

“You’re right,” Yumi said to nabi park, nodding thoughtfully. “Though I think dear Mei was talking about going to a bar afterward. Still, there’s no reason we can’t pregame.” [break][break]

Grinning, she all but dragged her two friends toward the stalls with snacks and drinks. One vendor was selling paper cups of spiced wine and cider. Though the alcohol amount was not very high, in Yumi’s opinion, it would suffice. [break][break]

“Three cups of spiced wine,” she told the woman behind the register. Money exchanged hands, followed by the cups. Yumi handed one first to Mei Liu and the second to nabi park, taking the third for herself. [break][break]

“We should get snacks for the Pokémon, too,” the long-haired woman mused aloud, eyeing a nearby stall selling pink, green, and white dango on sticks.

TAGS – snowboy showdown 2024[break]
NOTES[break]
– open to interactions | outfit[break]
– Hanging out with nabi park and Mei Liu. Buys three cups of spiced wine and suggests getting snacks, too.[break]
– Prompt: Include something pink or green in your post.[break]
– Snowboy complete!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"Hitoshi found it," Yumi explained, picking up the laminated menu. A single sheet of long paper, it boasted dishes on one side and drinks on the other. A photograph accompanied each dish so diners had no doubt about what they were selecting. [break][break]

Glancing up at her friend seated across from her, Yumi asked, "You remember him, right?" [break][break]

Hitoshi Inoue had entered her family's employ when she was sixteen. He almost never left her side in those early years. [break][break]

Regardless of Lex's response, Yumi turned the menu around to consider drinks, then hailed a passing server. "A glass of plum wine and a pork katsu," she said, indicating her order. "Lex, choose whatever you want. Dinner's on me."

TAGS – Alexandra Briarwood[break]
NOTES – social | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]