though early in her personal mission, she’d already been following a small string of crime across hoenn. whether or not rocket was involved was yet to be determined. after shaking someone down, she had gathered that a questionable delivery was being made in dewford.

so, she got a babysitter, and crossed the region to be there.

she, too, had a black mask covering all but her eyes. where her hair usually flowed down and free, it was pulled back, tight and high. though it might not have been much, she definitely looked different, and it was becoming a go-to disguise.

stealthily, she crept around another corner to get a better shot. they had been alerted by something. had they seen her?

unfortunately, she hadn’t accounted for the reflection of the light off her lens as it danced across surfaces.

@owen

he was magnified on her screen. she watched him step away, having half a mind to cut him off and attempt to subdue him then and there. instead, she bided her time. it was still daylight. she would follow them, she decided. surely, there would be better, and safer opportunities.

but then, as they were finishing packing up to leave, she realized that he was staying behind. one was a lot more manageable than a crowd, in her experience.

her camera was lowered to the ground, hidden behind a rock. crouching behind foliage, she carefully made her way closer. a man-sized owl waited in the trees nearby, so motionless in the leaves that it almost blended in entirely.

sage swiped two fingers in the air in a small, deft motion, and the bird sprung to life all of the sudden. its massive wings beat loudly as it burst from the trees and out overhead. its deep voice cooed, trilling through the air.

@owen

fifer the decidueye created his distraction, looking as though he might round back toward them. his deep cry bellowed again, threatening.

meanwhile, sagira waited for the right moment, before springing to action. out of the bushes, she went with a knife up behind him. her arm swung around, and in a fraction of a section, it was poised at his throat. she was a tall woman, not having to reach terribly far. her breath behind him was silent, steady behind her words.

”tell your ambipom not to attack.”

@owen

”you’re right. i don’t.” the knife was steady, not pressing any more or any less. ”so tell me what i want to know.”

her free hand came up to give another gesture, and the decidueye swooped down to the ground, settling nearby to keep an eye on the ambipom.

first things first.

”whose cargo was that, and where is it headed?” she was steady and sharp as the blade in her hand, but like it, her words didn’t aim to cut or intimidate more than they needed to.

it was broad daylight. she couldn’t get keep him here for long. hopefully he would cooperate with little difficulty.

@owen