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Freya's somewhat distant expression was not lost on Mei, though the other woman's tone was colored with honesty. King seemed to carry a measure of scorn for the rifts. Had they shared an experience?[break][break]
"I have," Mei answered softly. "Once."[break][break]
She supposed she'd deserved what had happened to her in the Border. All the lives she'd taken coming back to haunt her. Except, could one be haunted if they'd never had a choice? Kanto was the real monster. The ghosts ought to go there to exact their revenge.[break][break]
Existential quandaries were not Mei's specialty, nor her preference. She had killed, and she didn't regret it. She could not carry that sort of weight around on shoulders that had never known a life that wasn't in service to Rocket. Except now, she did have a measure of autonomy. She could choose to ally with both the Freyas and the Kings of this region, and she could serve the clients of her choosing.[break][break]
The freedom to design her own cage was all she'd ever really wanted.[break][break]
"It was the one at Mt. Pyre."[break][break]
Mei slid her empty whisky glass across the bar counter towards King. Her mouth curled back into a feline grin. "Another."

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Mei found it amusing that a man passionately insistent on his ability to be someone's sword was crumpling so thoroughly beneath her teasing. There was an intense sincerity to the way he talked about Yumi, however. Years of learning to read the emotions of others had taught Mei how to discern someone's intentions, loyalties, desires, and needs. Hitoshi did have an agenda: it might not have anything to do with wooing his mistress, but it was something akin to devotion.[break][break]
It was fascinating.[break][break]
"Her family assigned her a bodyguard," Mei intuited. "Is that it?" Mei paused. "I know about her family," she added. Perhaps that would clear the air between them a bit. Hitoshi seemed intent on keeping Yumi's secrets, even to her own roommate.[break][break]
Yumi came from old crime money, some sort of Johto criminal empire that was capable of contending with Team Rocket - who, Mei was well aware, had failed to takeover that region like they had Kanto. Pieces of the puzzle began to click into place. It made sense that such a family would assign a lifelong protector to their only daughter. In some ways, it wasn't far off from being royalty.[break][break]
"So, you are trying to decide if I am a threat to her?"

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Mei was perfectly content to let Fern take care of this next part of their mission. She leaned against an adjacent case, folded her arms, and idly watched him work. Boreas fluttered around the perimeter, watching their backs even though the room was empty save for the two thieves and Fern's Sableye.[break][break]
Nothing he'd said about Marza was news to Mei. Marza was stupidly oblivious and stubbornly set in her ways. And yet, wasn't Mei the one being stubborn by continuing to pursue the other woman despite those flaws?[break][break]
"I'm wanting her to...to do something," Mei huffed. How could she explain? "I want her to grab me and throw me against a wall and ravish me!"[break][break]
Perhaps a different woman would be embarrassed to admit such things, but Mei was far from prudish. A lifetime of sex work did that to a person.[break][break]
"I know she wants to," Mei sighed. "But she doesn't think she deserves it, or some bullshit like that."[break][break]
She eyed Fern, seafoam eyes full of a curious scrutiny. "How'd you do it? Get her to accept your friendship?" Perhaps the Admin had learned some secret to cracking through Marza's dense shell of self-loathing.

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His boyish embarrassment does more to deescalate the threat of a conflict than any of their previous words or actions ever could have. Mei laughed out loud, amused by the contrast between Hitoshi's flustered blush and his otherwise severe appearance. He was so earnest in his denial that Mei believed him, however, she highly doubted he'd never been attracted to Yumi - if women were a preference of his, of course. Yumi was gorgeous and confident; it was hard to ignore her when she entered a room.[break][break]
His next question only further entertained her.[break][break]
"My intentions?" Mei grinned, relaxing into the back of the couch and crossing her legs. "I'm not trying to date her, if that's what you think. So if you change your mind about her, she's all yours." Mei winked, teasing him.[break][break]
She meant it, however. She wasn't the sort to seduce a roommate. Not unless said roommate initiated first, of course. Then all bets were off. But Yumi and Mei did not have that sort of chemistry - and it didn't seem like they would - which was just fine with Mei.[break][break]
What had he said about Johto?[break][break]
"I've never been to Johto," Mei mused. "Always wanted to go. Hoenn's the first place I've been besides Kanto." She paused. "So no, I don't know anyone from Johto who might be looking for Yumi. Why? Is she in some kind of trouble?"

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Hitoshi. Had Yumi ever mentioned that name? Not to Mei's knowledge, but they had only started living together a few weeks ago. Mei did recall that Yumi came from old crime family money but had been cut off from said money because she had refused to marry someone her parents had chosen for her. Did this young man have anything to do with that?[break][break]
Sensing that she was in no real danger - whether that would change seemed to depend entirely on the answers she gave during Hitoshi's impromptu interrogation - Mei took a seat opposite him in the small, cozy living room. She regarded him with a curious gaze. Light still danced off the sword, teasing her with its playful luminescence.[break][break]
"Yes, that is what a sword should do," she agreed finally. "Yumi did not mention a bodyguard when she applied to live with me. Or do I misunderstand?" Her eyes twinkled mischeviously. "An overly protective lover, perhaps?"[break][break]

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As soon as Mei entered the apartment, she knew there was someone else already inside.[break][break]
The door had been locked. Had Yumi returned early from her appointment? On guard, Mei slowly, silently deposited her purse by the coat rack, crept through the foyer, and peered into the living room. She carried herself with the effortless stealth of a trained assassin, ready for an attack from any direction.[break][break]

No attack came. She did notice a dark-haired man sitting calmly on her living room couch, however. He held a finely made sword in his hand, tilted ever so slightly so as to catch the natural light streaming in through the window on the edge of its sharp blade. Little pinpricks of light danced along the far wall, reflected off the sword’s metallic surface. It was rather mesmerizing; Mei could have stood there and watched the patterns of light all day if weren’t for the undeniable fact that there was an intruder in her home.[break][break]

“Hello,” she finally spoke, greeting him with a calm, measured tone. Perhaps a different sort of woman would have screamed, panicked, run for the front door. Mei had walked in on far worse scenes, however. This was hardly anything worth worrying about. Yet.[break][break]

Speaking to him would swiftly reveal whether he was a friend or a foe.[break][break]

“Is there a reason you’re sitting in my living room?” She casually inquired, painted red lips curling into one of her signature seductive smiles.[break][break]
She wondered if he could tell that she was a dangerous as he was; she could tell that he was a skilled fighter, regardless of the fact that he made no attempt at hiding his preference for blades. His movements were subtle, precise, and balanced. There was a grace to his figure that suggested strength but also speed - no, finesse. This one was no brute. He would slice keenly, his killing an artform. Everything about him screamed traditional. That, combined with his facial features, informed Mei that he was likely from Johto.[break][break]
Like Yumi.[break][break]

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"Nonsense," Mei purred, downing her whiskey in one decisive gulp. It burned down her throat in the best way. "This place could use some class." It was affectionately stated; in truth, the bar was nicer than a dive. Not exactly refined, but the sleeping dragons gave it a feeling of...regality, somehow. Freya had that effect on people. Made them feel like they were about to join in on some important quest ripe with opportunity to reap rare rewards.[break][break]
"You'll get your wish, though. I might not be around as much, for a bit," Mei lamented. "Being called in to help with something near Granite Cave. There's a rift there, like the one at Mt. Pyre...only different. More important, apparently." Mei shrugged.[break][break]
The Border hadn't exactly been kind to her; going somewhere like it sounded like a pain in the ass. Entertaining lonely folks with cash to pay wasn't her only job, however. Protecting a bunch of scientists looking for some fancy artifact was apparently the sort of thing a trained assassin might be asked to do for Hoenn Rocket, now that she worked for them instead of Kanto's brand of dictators.[break][break]
"You know anything about all that?" Mei asked Freya, tone casual, light. Playful, like a Skitty batting at a toy. In truth, Mei was hoping for something useful, a tidbit about the League's plans. Never hurt to pry - she knew Freya didn't resent her for it. She was just curious, that's all.

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Mei crossed the expanse of dry, broken earth to where a gimmighoul ferryman stood silently - creepily - by the edge of the dark river she'd initially spotted. A boat was docked there - a very small one. Would they all be able to fit? Well, it seemed to be their only option so it would have to do.[break][break]
Mei fished around for something to offer the ferryman; all she had in her jacket pocket were a couple of spare coins and a pack of gum. She held out the coins, only to realize that she couldn't see the ferryman anymore. The mist had thickened to a dangerously opaque degree. It was several inches thick and swirled around in aggressive, chaotic patterns.[break][break]
"What's this?" Mei asked aloud, annoyed. Where were her companions, anyway? She whirled around, and found that she and Boreas were alone. She could still hear the sound of water rippling as it touched upon the riverbank, but beyond that, she could not see or sense anything else about her surroundings.[break][break]
"Do something about this, won't you?" Mei sighed at the Frosmoth. He chirped, then began to violently flap his wings. A TAILWIND picked up, blowing the mist away from the two of them. Ahead, she could just make out a figure ahead...[break][break]
"Aidan, is that you?" She called out, hoping it actually was Aidan Hereford, and not the vengeful Pokémon rick newton had been talking about. What a nuisance that would be.

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The Kalosian was cute.[break][break]
"I'm Mei Liu," she answered, an equally flirtatious grin gracing her lips. "And who might you be?"[break][break]
As she really drank him in - like a fine wine, savoring every angle of his face and those brilliant sapphire eyes - she realized that she recognized him. There was something familiar about their exchange...not just his demeanor, but his physical appearance. His voice most of all. As if she had seen - heard - him before. Is he...a celebrity? Perhaps I saw him on tv...[break][break]
Something caught her eye, and she glanced to the side. It was the glimmer of a Cryogonal floating past. They were lovely creatures - like living snowflakes. She'd always wanted to own one. It seemed the mysterious handsome stranger had brought a bit of luck along with him. Mei threw a Pokeball.[break][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

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Well. Remiel Calcifet was smooth. Mei supposed it was befitting of a prince: the chivalrous kiss to the back of her hand. Luckily, she did not need to conjure a blush - the reddening of her cheeks was genuine. It was nice to be properly wooed. She might as well indulge.[break][break]
"Are you staying nearby?" she asked, eyes smoldering. "I'm sure someone of your station has an impressive suite."[break][break]
The restaurant they were dining at was only a block from Lilycove's entertainment district. Plenty of hotels with gorgeous seaside views lined the streets around the area. A part of her was excited for the opportunity to enjoy the luxuries of a five star hotel, far too expensive for a woman like her to normally afford. She'd have to tell her roomate, Yumi Hasegawa, all about it later. I wonder if it will have a jacuzzi? She could take a bubble bath after her business was done. She could almost smell the sweet perfume of her victory, feel the hot water running over her skin.[break][break]
The way Remiel seemed to buzz with desire, as if an electric current was running through him as he drank in her figure, lips, eyes...be careful, she remembered. This one was an Avatar. Push him too far, and she could be the one who ended up dead. Luckily for Mei, the SPECTRA division existed to prepare assassins such as herself to tackle the seemingly insurmountable task of killing an Avatar. Zekrom would not show up on this night, not if she could help it.[break][break]
She stood, taking Remiel's hand. "Let's have some fun," she winked.

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MADE BY GUNSMILE

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"Bad for business?" Mei laughed. "Give yourself some credit, dear. You'd attract your fair share of suitors, if not for your man. He's the problem." Amused, she twirled her barstool around so she was facing said man behind the bar. Ares growled softly in protest, but Mei scratched behind his ears to placate him. The Alolan Vulpix soon settled back into her lap, eyes closed once more in a light slumber.[break][break]
"No need to die tonight, I know I look fabulous," the escort asserted, smiling deviously at King. Finishing the last of her wine with a decisive sip, she slid the empty glass towards him as he reached below the counter. "Yes please."[break][break]
Scotch reminded her of Marza Volchitsa, so it had skyrocketed to the top of Mei's list of favorite drinks. She'd never been much of a whiskey drinker before meeting the other woman, but now she found herself craving it, if only because she was sure that Marza tasted similarly - of bitter smoke and raw power.[break][break]
"So, what's on your mind tonight, Freya?" Mei asked, turning her attention back to the lady of dragons.

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