Mirri sighed. She liked manors like this one, in principle. They did remind her of home, after all. Of Galarian castles, of wide fortifications one could take a stroll on during the night to clear one’s head. Those had always been her refuge, alongside the hidden little crannies and even secret passages where she could easily withdraw to whenever social pressure became too much. She missed these days, even though by now she was an adult. The option was always there to just, well, leave. At any time, she could go if she did not feel it. But that had the opposite effect. As a child, she’d had to be there. She couldn’t just leave, but only had to stay as long as necessary.



Now as an adult? It was her call to make. And it was so difficult. Even when she was just pretending to drink and participate in a conversation that went well above her head. It was just…difficult. Somehow, she had managed to slip out tonight, only a little bit intoxicated but still feeling way too warm. Hence, she had come outside, walking across one of the bigger balconies in lieu to having a proper palisade to use. It felt reassuring, in a way. The cold air was refreshing and she could focus on sounds of nature instead of needing to listen to any conversation. Just having those moments to herself saw her smile to herself.



Until she noticed motion from the corner of her eyes. It was difficult to make out, but she was a trained knight. One that was awkward around people, yes, but she knew to act first on a hunch like that. Hence, she called out her Corviknight into a mid-air position and got onto it right away. Wasting no time, the two of them dove the relatively short distance swiftly, almost naturally flying right into the path of the cacturne, metallic wings ready to intercept needles potentially being shot at the other – and protecting its rider in the process as well. “Are you alright, lady?” The latter called out to the other without looking, her eyes fixated on the dark type.


Fenelle Miller

(Fenelle is slightly regretting der choice not to bring any pokémon whenever dee is being Xuanyi for a bit of a while - it would help immensely in this situation, but it seems to have, eventually, been the right shot. After all, it turned out, quite excitedly, that they haven't been entirely alone.)

Xuanyi's just making the call to give running away their best shot, as a shadow swoops in. They immediately back away more, not grasping the situation at first. Is this another hostile pokémon out for them-?! But then, they notice the rider, and see thin needles glinting in the light, directly aimed at the Corviknight. Their hands lift to cover their mouth in shock, before they realise with relief that the friendly pokémon doesn't seem harmed. Nonetheless, they use that moment of distraction to step away another step, being slightly (quite) intimidated by the black steel bird.

The pink-haired looks at their saviour with relief, however, even- I'm deaf, they sign, waving to maybe catch the other's attention - but she seems to be focused entirely on the Cacturne, which seems to be angry that its easy prey has been intercepted. There's a glint in its eye, and they are in shock once more, but also try to shout - it's a muted, odd sound, made by someone who hasn't ever heard anything before, but seems to know the workings in theory.

"!!"

It's moments before the Cacturne would leap forward with a Sucker Punch.

Mireille Wynter

From the corner of her eyes she could see that the distressed girl was not injured. Or, well, at least that was how it looked for her. Mireille was mostly focused on the dangerous wild Pokemon shooting its barbed quills at them. That was a problem. Fortunately, her steel-typed aerial ride could take this. For the time being it could, at least. Mirri herself was not quite as sturdy. Hence, the bird of steel shifted itself, wings raised in defense. That way, she could slide down behind it without exposing herself to the attacks coming at them.



In doing that, she could see the quiet girl a bit more clearly. She had made a sound earlier, but so far, the knight had figured that to have been some fashion of yelp, but now that she had a look at the girl – most likely still trying to sign something – she could reason out some things.

Well, to the extent she possibly could. They only had moments. Hence Mirri only gave a nod with a slight smile. Then, she turned once more. This was not some sanctioned fight. She did not have to win. Nor fight fair. Hence, she called out both of her Honedges out at once, while Corviknight held the line. Those two would surge towards the Cacturne, flanking it from both sides. Hopefully, that would simply get it to back off and flee.


Fenelle Miller

Xuanyi is glad for one moment to have successfully captured the attention of their knight in steely company, but this doesn't last too long - after all, the Cacturne has went in for an attack, that has swiftly been blocked by the metal wings of the steel bird. The pink-haired seems to be equally impressed as well as intimidated, as they take an unconscious step backwards, getting some distance between them and the fight. They could run off, but now, that just seemed rude, even if this would fully serve the purpose of the stranger intervening.

(At least Fenelle thinks that they swooped in to save their pokémon-less ID - it definitely would make for a better story, in der opinion.)

There's even more pokémon that the blonde calls upon, pokémon that slowly do make Xuanyi back off, even if they seem to also understand that these are, by no means, hostile. Still, their mere presence seems to instill a certain kind of fear in them, and it shows in widened eyes, that also do not look away from the object of their fear.

Okay, maybe they glance at the other person present, too.

This moment of inattention might lead to the following turn in battle - the Cacturne has definitely clocked Xuanyi to be the weakest among the group, and also quickly calculated its odds against the trio of steel pokémon. Unsurprisingly, it barely stood a chance - so instead, it kicks up sand with a Sand Attack, wanting to distract Mireille's pokémon while getting past them, seemingly going for Xuanyi directly!

Mireille Wynter

What a strangely persistent Cacturne. Mireille found herself honestly confused. If this was a wild one, why didn’t it just leave the moment it became outmatched? It made little sense to her. Well, for the most part. Sometimes, she saw that in the wild. Pokemon that insisted on fighting because they wanted to outright be captured by humans.



Momentarily, she entertained that notion. This was not a Pokemon she wanted to catch. But she still took that into consideration. At least until suddenly, the Cacturne decided to unleash a rather large Sand Attack on her Steel types. Fortunately, she was still behind Corviknight, so the sand did not actually reach Mirri. She saw what the dark type was doing. And, to stop it, she had no other chance but to spring into action personally.



It would hurt, she knew. But that girl was evidently worse prepared to be assailed like this. So, Mireille just threw herself bodily into the Cacturne, trying to use her version of the move Bodycheck. Just to deter it long enough for her own Pokemon to get back on track.


Fenelle Miller

The Cacturne feels hurt in its pride, being so easily deflected that its fighting spirit seems to have returned tenfold. Planning to distract the pokémon to directly aim for its original target, it has not expected the human interloper to just bodily throw herself into the fray. Xuanyi also makes a surprised noise, utterly horrified as the Cacturne and their saviour clash.

(Dee is excited, but makes sure not to let is show. Well, that's a really good tale.)

The Cacturne equally is shocked at the intervention, retreating with a bewildered expression on its face. Just one more attack, and it'd be defeated entirely - if it doesn't decide to run away right away.

Xuanyi clenches their fists for one moment, an unobserved gaze lingering on the other's pokémon for a moment, before they'd rush towards Mireille, hoping that her pokémon would take care of the Cacturne. They kneel down next to the other, face frantic as they look if there's any wounds. Their fingers are fidgeting with the seams of their dress - should they rip some of as bandage? Through it all, they do not speak, just sign with distraught movements.

Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Do we need a bandage-?

Mireille Wynter

That did hurt. Quite a bit, even. Fortunately, she missed the biggest needles coming out of that Pokemon, but she was still throwing herself forcefully at some of the smaller ones. Naturally, they pierced skin and drew blood. But she had enough experience in physical altercations that she managed to do so without damaging herself unduly – or truly hurting the Pokemon. Even dark types like that one were not actually evil, after all. They were just wild animals not knowing any better. This one probably had had some reason to attack the lady.



Mirri could not condone that. But it did not warrant death, either. Her Pokemon knew that too, having been trained to not inflict major injuries unless the situation truly was dire. They all were holding back, to an extent, unlike what they would do in a truly life-threatening situation.

And the price paid for that was pain. She winced, but still held her head up high as she watched it leave. She had to be unflappable. Until it left. That was how one dealt with their kind.



Fortunately, she did not have to wait too long. It left, and she leaned against Corviknight, resting a little. But a knight’s duty was not over yet. After a brief moment of closing her eyes, she found the lady again. The latter was evidently distressed – albeit probably not for the same reason anymore as before. “To say I am not hurt would be a lie.” And as such unbecoming of a knight. “But it is nothing serious. Some wound-cleaning and a bandage would be enough. More importantly though, are you quite alright, lady?” It took a lot of effort to not use milady. But she had learned that much by now. People found that weird, even if it was normal in her books.


Fenelle Miller

(Fenelle got to admit, that person was quite the knightly person - something dee would consider a bit weird, but also ... fascinating.)

All of Xuanyi's frantic movement would come to a halt as Mireille starts speaking, and a pink gaze (coloured lenses) would fixate on the other's face, the movement of her lips. Lipreading is something they don't really want to rely on, but for the moment - they are unmoving for a moment, contemplative. Then, they point at themself and nod, signing, I'm alright! even if it would only fall on ununderstanding eyes. At least the clutched together hands in combination with a bow might be universally read as Thank you, before they scramble to pick up the notebook they've had earlier.

You need help. Can you walk? Or I can run- I'm fast.

Xuanyi appears to be a bit distraught over their handwriting, but show it to Mireille nonetheless, before, oh, ah. They point at their ears and then shake their head - hoping that this would be enough to signal to the other that they're deaf.

Again, their hands fidget with the seams of their dress, and ... very carefully, they start to tear it in pieces for a makeshift bandage to stop the biggest bleeding. They couldn't worry about finances now or how mad their parents would be!

Mireille Wynter

Mirri observed the other’s antics for a bit, trying to figure out what exactly was going on there. She got the gist of it easily enough, but she was not quite sure until the girl actually made moves to explain her situation. When she did, the knight would nod in response. Being deaf explained things well enough, even why the other did not speak. It did not usually come with muteness as far as she knew. But it made a lot of sense. Someone who could never hear their own voice, their own words, would not be able to use them that way.



That was just common sense to her. Just like how making makeshift bandages like this was. Even though it was a shame to sacrifice pretty dresses for it, of course. “Sorry. I do not know sign language well,” she ultimately replied, speaking slowly since it seemed as if the other could at least read lips to an extent. And since she had no notebook of her own to use there, this would just have to make do for the time being. “It is nothing serious. As long as we patch it up quick there probably will not even be a scar.” It really was nothing that a lady like that should be sent running for. Plus, no matter how fast she was, taking a flight on Corviknight would always be better. Yet, she did not say that out loud for the time being. That would have been uncouth.


Fenelle Miller

Xuanyi focuses on Mirri's lips and expression to have a guess at what she might be saying, and lets out a sigh of relief as the other says she'll be alright. They approach the other carefully then, looking at her with a questioning expression - asking for allowance to take care of the wound as best as they could. Their movements, while their hands are still shaking a bit, are still quite experienced and reassured - something that once more calls for a bit of an embarrassed look later as they grab their notebook again.

It's okay to speak normally! But if you can articulate clearly, that would be really good. You can also take the notebook, if you want of course ... !!
Is the bandage alright? I've

They pause at this moment, a faint blush covering their cheeks at their upcoming confession

fallen from trees a lot when I was a kid, so I learned ...

(Which is an actual truth about Fenelle - not because dee's been really outdoorsy, but because there's a lot of world to see if you're hanging in a tree.)

Mireille Wynter

Ahh. So talking was fine. That was a bit of a relief. Despite being an avid reader personally, Mirri wasn’t actually any good at writing – both creatively or quickly. She had obsessed a bit too much in her youth about beautifully written words of her favourite novels, but that only led to an overly elaborate and eloquent style of handwriting – one that did not lend itself to brief conversations on page. She would not mind more pen-pals though. Those she could deal with much better.



For now, though, just holding a bit of a conversation while putting some discipline into her talking would be well enough, she figured. “As long as you really are fine with this, I will stick to talking. Especially with my arm being bandaged.” Not that it was a primary reason, of course. But that did not make it any less true. She also did not really want to need to scribble something down. At least not while a beautiful young lady gently tended to her wounds.



That was, after all, the best outcome for a knight. “I can relate. I certainly had my parents exasperated with my own antics as a kid. Granted, my brother was worse in general. But since I am a girl, I got scolded a lot more.”


Fenelle Miller

Lipreading is a skill and an art that Xuanyi is fairly good at - a necessity that they developed after being roped into the shenanigans that their adoptive parents wanted them to do. Observe the snobby folk and report back what they might merely whisper. It truly isn't something to rely on, especially with the hushedness of their articulation when whispering, but it's something their parents insisted on nonetheless, falling for false myths that Xuanyi had to bend to.

Here, however, it comes in handy to make some light conversation where they fill in some gaps with context clues.

It does take some moments until they formulated the probably spoken sentence in their head, leading to a few breaks before they seem like having an epiphany and start to write.

Yes! Do not worry about it too much, there's not much to do with the arm, too ... I'm so sorry for that.

Xuanyi appears very apologetic as they give the knight the text to read, and hastily continue to carefully bandage it. They chuckle as they understand that the other also has similiar experiences with doing things she shouldn't do. The sound is odd, but the expression of a laugh lovely nonetheless.

I would love to chat more about it ... but I'm afraid I might need to leave soon. I think they'll start looking for me anytime soon ... I'm Xuanyi, by the way. Xuanyi de Laurierwylle.

Mireille Wynter

“It is fine. I can get it properly bandaged up somewhere. No need to worry about that,” she simply replied. A true heroine would never let a princess do all that work, after all. No, she already knew where she could go to get this settled – if it was even necessary. A true knight knew first aid, too. And she was used to being on her own. As much as she yearned for having someone to fixate on in her life, she was used to the loneliness. Given that her semi-useless brother was always gallavanting around the globe, she had to not rely on others, period.



However, none of that mattered. The lady introduced herself. It would not do to receive that while leaning against a Pokemon like some slob. Given that they were finished with the arm for now, Mireille would gently insist on getting up again – and taking a knee in front of the other. “Now, where are my manners. I apologize for my slovenly actions. I am Mireille Wynter, knight of Galar, at your service.” She bowed a little, suppressing the urge to take the woman’s hand and kissing it. That was a knightly thing, sure. But it was also uncouth in the modern day. She was not only thinking in antiquated ways. Previous experiences had taught her well enough to behave, after all.



Before she continues, she makes sure to raise her head enough for her lips to be visible. “You speak of others looking for you. Are you still in danger, lady de Lauriewylle?”


Fenelle Miller