his hair is up in a loose tie, but that doesn't stop the humidity from dewing the back of his neck. his sportwear is breathable on account of it not being standard-issued rocket wear. he can be light on his feet when he needs to be, but he's by no means a hardened explorer or hand-to-hand combatant. 

that's what his pokemon are for. 

"i'd agree, but what lay beyond the rifts are technically far away from hoenn, no? this is here. an entire ecosystem, right under our noses."

was it here the entire time? 

ianthe has taken immediately to the escort, which he wasn't prepared for, as ianthe doesn't take to anyone. crown has fallen right into step behind her sister, as she is want to do, and nikkari gives her a look-over when he can, while they walk.

he's seen her around the casino before, but that's not how he knows her name. or her profession. or her history. Yumi Hasegawa had left him breadcrumbs and he'd picked up the rest of the pieces with his network, so he's more than prepared when she dips her head. 

"nikkari hect," he replies mildly, "and she mentioned her roommate, yes. apologies for not making a proper introduction before. i get a bit absorbed with my work."

Mei Liu

☉

ianthe is a spoiled rotten prince. to see her swept up in mei's arms colors surprise on nikkari's face, but her hackles are flat, ears relaxed. even her tail wriggles with joy? as mei scratches her behind the ears. the frosmoth makes him think she has an affinity for ice-types, but this is more than that. 

"property management," he says promptly and flashes an endearing smile as he strides a couple paces ahead to hold back an overgrown monstera leaf in their path. 

"you have a keen eye, don't you, miss liu? what else do you think it is i do?"

Mei Liu

☉

bits of debris from tera crystals falls beside them once while they walk and he's taken by the shimmering flakes of dust it leaves behind. by the time they come upon the pool, he's drained his water bottle. all of them look as though they're ready to strip bare and dive into the oasis, save for crown. she's thriving right now. 

ianthe does manage to wriggle free so she can cool off her toes in the water. nikkari crouches down by the water and fills his canteen, only after crown has sniffed a couple of times and deemed it safe. 

"like i said, a keen eye." he takes a generous swig and then offers it up to mei. "but take that a step further. why do i have such an interest in miss hasegawa?"

Mei Liu

☉

their cohabitation makes more and more sense to nikkari with every word that drops from mei's mouth. yumi can afford a place on her own, should she so desire, and he'd assumed, rightfully so, that her chosen roommate would e just as interesting as the woman herself.

at her insinuations, he raises a brow. she's fetching, certainly, but he's somewhat disappointed that she reads his desires with a want for anything remotely having to do with the flesh.

throes of passion, if he so wanted, could be bought. infatuation comes with attachment; like flyaway hairs, brushed away but their tickling sensation left upon the skin. he says, "i find powerful people captivating when their dynasties were built by their own hands." water slips through his own as he skims the surface of the pool.

"and i'm a filthy opportunist at my core," he says, showing teeth. "i spent a great deal of my life sitting on the sidelines and reporting to my betters. would you know how many times i've seen the kindling of an empire snuff out before it can catch?"

Mei Liu

☉

they aren't so different. it's what makes nikkari believe every word of her threat; his smile maintains itself. one hand brushes some of the grit from their travels off of his shoulder. he stretches languidly, like a cat, and his gathered hair swings like a pendulum between his shoulder blades. 

"there is no equity in a partnership. not in totality." someone, inevitably, gives more. takes more. relationships are malleable intricacies. "but only the weak stand to benefit from wetting her flame.

"and besides, i still have a moral compass, miss liu."

Mei Liu

☉