In contrast to the Johtoan Ranger, Thomas' movements were calm and deliberate. The taller man looked around, his focus being on the job.

That was, until her comment caught his attention. "I still have it in storage somewhere, you know. Though it might be a little tight on me.", he teased.

Thomas remembered the day they met. Acting undercover as Taiga Suzuki, he nearly met his end at her blade. Though thankfully, they got it straightened out, and worked together, in a way. They would have a few run-ins over the years on better terms, even if their last encounter was a darker one.

Thomas chuckled at her remarks about the carnival being one big picnic. "Just don't get too distracted, yeah?", Thomas replied to her. Though he teased her, he clearly approved of her 'plan.'

Thomas saw what Setsuna saw. Teenagers playing the Dugtrio Ring Toss, attempting to get a ring wrapped around the elusive moles, only for them to quickly burrow underground, and dodge the oncoming rings. A difficult game, to be sure, and easy money for the carnie running the game.

Thomas wouldn't stop her from participating in the game at hand. "I'll stand guard while you play, if you can stand guard when I get a round in.", he offered.

---

tags: Setsuna Hanzo
notes: Prompt: Involve or reference a Dugtrio-Ring-Toss Game

[attr="class","rigidw"]

Setsuna scoffed at Thomas' joke - the idea that he'd have any trouble fitting into whatever he wanted a source of amusement for the Ranger. She wasn't exactly into Thomas - that notion had gone out the window the last time she had seen him covered in blood. But she had to admit he looked good. And he was a capable partner - someone who could defend himself and a guy who seemed to hate Team Rocket every bit as much as she did. It was a bit ironic when she remembered that he had been wearing a Rocket uniform when they first met. But that was years ago now - and felt like even longer than it had been, at least to the young ranger of Dewford. [break][break]

"Yeah, right! Focus. Angry bees. Right after this." Setsuna murmured, before she stepped between the teenagers who had all but given up with three rings left.[break][break]

She tapped one girl on the shoulder, exchanged some words Thomas wouldn't quite be able to hear, and held out a hand expectantly. The girl hesitated for just a moment and then nodded. Setsuna accepted the remaining rings and turned to face the Dugtrio. The mole-type Pokémon were accompanied by Diglett as well but they were worth a lot less point wise. Setsuna ignored the Diglett and her sharp eyes began to track the Dugtrio. She gave a seemingly lazy toss of a ring - and missed as a Dugtrio retreated into the ground. The teenagers around her groaned - and one of them made a comment about Setsuna being worse than they had been.[break][break]

But Setsuna didn't listen - she was focused on her objective. The first throw had been a test, and it yielded good results. She watched the pattern the Dugtrio took as it went under and resurfaced several times in different places. She knew there wasn't really a way to get the hoops around a Dugtrio by throwing where the Pokémon was. But she also knew that Pokémon - like people - were animals. They had habit and muscle memory and instinct all working against them. And when Setsuna next moved it was to pantomime a toss of the ring when the Dugtrio was in its original spot.[break][break]

But she paused for half a heartbeat and tossed both rings off to an empty side of the area. And just before those twin rings could hit the ground - even as the kids were ready to sigh in disappointment and give up - the Dugtrio popped up under the rings and they hooked around the Pokémon who seemed as surprised as the stall owner. The teens cheered - and the manager of the event picked his jaw up off the floor long enough to collect himself. Setsuna looked proud - her chest puffed out just a little - and she turned to flash Thomas a grin to signal that she was done.