"Nice to meet you two, Nikola and Fluffy."

Himiko jumped alongside everyone else at Fluffy's sudden "borf!" to happily announce its elation at meeting her. She continued showing her love for the Arcanine, envying the poor sod who had just up and abandoned their pokemon for a good home such as Nikola to take. They asked about where she was from as her usual tried and true answer came out in full swing.

"I'm from Kanto, before the borders closed anyway. I was actually trying to go back there before news of the Rocket takeover had gotten to us. For now, anyway, I'm just a florist without a place to call home."

NIKOLA CATELLUS

☉

Himiko had gotten quiet at his question. She pursed her lips together and began thinking about how to really answer what Cian was curious about.

"I don't think I ever will be, to be honest. I never left her side when I was younger, and the one time I do, I wasn't there when she needed me the most."

The Kanton woman turned back around to Cian, giving him a meager, small smile at the man.

"But such is life. We have our regrets and we have to live with them. I'm sure she'd never want me to show my face there again for never returning, even if it wasn't my fault."

CIAN MAHER

☉

"My grandparents, mainly. When I was young, my grandmother would show me how to work in her garden while watching me. My parents were often busy so she took care of me." Himiko answered with a faint smile on her face. One that was happy but did show that she missed the older woman.

"I never really got to say goodbye to her since I was so little when she passed. I made trips out to visit every week since. As you may have guessed, we're the embodiment traditionalism. I often wonder if I should have been a miko rather than a florist."

Himiko laughed softly at Cian. It was rare of her to open up about her feelings, especially to a stranger. But he didn't know anything about her on a grander scale. Just two souls passing by in the wind. So she did feel a little more safe about opening up to him.

"Have you said all of your peace? Or would you like a little more time to yourself while I clean up a bit?"

CIAN MAHER

☉

She was expecting something less official, but Himiko should have known better. There was very little in the way of possibilities that she could have done back home with that Druddigon. Now matter how much she tried to push it out of her mind, it would never leave.

A permanent mark on an otherwise spotless record.

Elisabeth's answer made her reconsider her decision that day. There was a lot that happened, and she could have been the first person to realize what had happened on her watch. She would never know at this point, and yet, she couldn't help but apply Elisabeth's answer to herself.

A million different scenarios played in her head, but only one would be there to face her when she stepped outside of her head.

It had been a few seconds since the underboss's answer as Himiko sat in silence. She didn't move or speak at all. A total focus inside of the maelstrom that was her mind attempting to put logic and reason together. She scoffed to herself.

"Nothing. Just some question that popped into my mind." Himiko deflected. "Do we need more fuel for the fire or something? You went last time, so I can go this round."

Elisabeth Fiorelli

☉

"Work, mainly. I'm a florist by trade. It's been in my family for a couple of generations now."

It was jumping the gun a bit, but she was more focused on the Arcanine more than anything. They always had a tendency to be little bundles of fireworks, ready to explode into a full speed sprint at a moment's notice. At least the story of how they met was pretty standard. A real "fated meeting" between trainer and pokemon.

Predictable as a birthday card, but she kept up the appearance of a sweet woman, laughing softly to herself.

"I can't imagine anybody would abandon such a sweet pooch like that here. I've always wanted one of my own before I left home. Maybe one of these days I'll find the time to search for one."

Himiko smiled at Nikola and their pet, walking towards the coffee cart that was on the other side of the small park. Her gait was slow to match the other person's, sometimes idly clacking against her own pokemon belt. None of her team would make for a good play partner for the Arcanine. All of which were either battle focused or adverse to emotion.

"I'm Himiko, by the way." she said, nodding her head to the stranger. "It's nice to have met the both of you."

NIKOLA CATELLUS

☉

"You can, if it helps you focus." Himiko answered him back, "Or if you want your privacy, you may think them as well. As long as you can envision yourself letting them know."

She gave him a moment to get ready and waited for him to finish saying what he wanted. It could have been peace, forgiveness or a wellness check. She had heard it all before. Said it all before. Even just doing this made her feel a tad more homesick.

"I haven't done this since leaving home, actually. It's made me worry about who I used to visit myself."

CIAN MAHER

☉

Her heart ached but she couldn't curl up into a ball right now. Why did she have to let herself bawl right here and now? In front of her boss no less?

Himiko blinked and looked up at the roof of the building once Elisabeth had given her an out. Yeah, the roof was leaking. This was in a pretty shady looking warehouse anyway. Stupid roof was going to get them killed.

"Right..." she said through grit teeth hidden behind ruby lips locked in a pout. "The snow's just gotten through all of it somehow. The League can't even weatherproof their own storage areas." She gently nudged her Salandit up as the reptile slowly came to. Himiko pointed at the ceiling and gave the direct order. It was confused, but carefully scurried across the wall and used controlled bursts of FLAMETHROWER to fill the holes.

Yeah, that made her feel better. Even if just a little bit.

Thank you for letting me out with my dignity intact. Himiko thought to herself glancing back at Elisabeth as their gazes mnet for a moment. Things will be better here, maybe. I miss home, but I've meet so many people that leaving here for Kanto almost feels like pain all over again.

She exhaled and closed her eyes, smirking to herself.

For an underboss, you're okay, Elisabeth. I'll gladly serve under you...just don't tell anybody this.

She nodded along with the woman's words and whistled for her Salandit to return. It happily returned by the fire. This time, it found itself lying next to Elisabeth as it stretched itself out to absorb the heat. Like a lazy little Purrloin.

"Hm." Himiko looked into the fire for a moment. Hesitation gripped her throat as words felt pained to be squeezed out of it. The taste of suffocation was not a pleasant one, especially around such a topic. But after some time, her voice returned to her.

"I actually was wondering, you're somebody in a position to boss people around, so you might offer some perspective."

Himiko hunched over in her seat. Her insides felt like they were being squeezed out of a tube with how much she wanted to just explode. A pause came from her for a moment while picking away at the exterior of the crate with hinger index finger.

"If you made one mistake that led into a Rocket wide problem, what would you do?" she asked quietly.

"Try and hide it? Maybe you could escape blame or point it at somebody else? Or would you just come clean?"

Elisabeth Fiorelli

☉

Oh, that did make sense. Himiko had been told about the area beyond Hoenn, mostly from Rocket superiors. Once such location had contained a beauty beyond words, that Nihilego of hers. The perfect poisonous pokemon for any poisoner worth their money.

She obviously was going to go, regardless of what anybody said, but for now, she could use a friend in Hoenn. No need to get on his bad side.

"It does sound dangerous. I think I'll just stay in my shop for the time being."

Himiko teased and came to stop before the name of Cian's friend that rested here.

"Here, let me help you get into position."

She moved behind him, that lavender scent sticking to her able to waft around his form. Her arms guided his limbs into the correct praying position. Knees down, feet outward, and torso bent at the halfway. Himiko then scooted down beside him and smiled.

"This isn't exactly one of the shrines back at home, but we can make do. Close your eyes and quietly picture him in your mind. It can be a happy memory you shared when you were kids or a day that has some sort of significance to you."

"Once you have it pictured, think of what you wish to say to him. It will make sense once you're in the middle of it."

CIAN MAHER

☉

"I'm fine. Just a little...uneven." Himiko shook her head again in an effort to clean her hair of any small tidbits of unclean things or remnants of leaves. Anything that could dash her beauty. Looking at the Arcanine, her inner rage could be quelled for the moment. Despite just knocking her on her ass, they were pretty cute.

And that fur was cozy enough to fall asleep in.

The offer to buy her a replacement coffee had been a bit unspoken, but Himiko had been expecting much. She wasn't one to order the most expensive drink on the menu, but hey, she could spend money on better things that a fancy coffee.

"That's sweet. I'll make sure to keep it cheap." Himiko gave a sweet laugh that a florist would have. Brimming with pollen and honey, as sweet as could be. "It's just a latte with some of the usual things on it. And while we're waiting, you can tell me more about your Arcanine. I haven't seen one since leaving Kanto."

NIKOLA CATELLUS

☉

Himiko took Cian's lead while he led her in the direction of the final resting place of his friend. She did have to admit, talking to one of the people here was surprisingly relaxing. SHe had assumed he would be like a lot of the Hoenn natives. Cocky, maybe a bit arrogant, the works.

But then again, who was she to judge when not in character?

"The Border?" she asked the man, giving him a confused glance. "Of the region? I thought Hoenn was an island by itself, unconnected from any landmass."

CIAN MAHER

☉

The poison didn't do exactly what Zev had described to her, but it was entertaining regardless. This proper and rattled man devolved into a ferocious animal, foaming at the mouth to get his hands on her. She leaned back just enough to stay amused with a malicious grin.

"It seems our little friend's not in the mood to talk anymore." she said to Zev as he was more than willing just to cut their losses here. No new information for him but a nice display of neurotoxins for her. That was a pretty fair trade in her book. It wasn't like he was going to just spill the beans either.

Himiko flicked the antidote in her fingers for a bit, eyeing the violent man and now Zev as she tucked it away with a coy smirk.

"It would be too dangerous to administer the antidote note, so I'll just...save it for later. Regardless, thank you for the display. I might have to catch the next trip out to Ultra Space."

Zev Harcourt

☉

It was a beautiful day to be walking around in the park. Himiko was busy holding a warm cup of coffee as she strolled through the beaten path.

She was so ignorant of the incoming projective that was currently bounding straight for her. It was only a crook of her head that gave her a sight of the blurred shape of an Arcanine. Her body did a single flip and hit the ground with an audible thud. Her drink splashed on the ground beside her with a groan.

After regaining her balance, Himiko looked up to see a person with their pokemon looking down at them. Internally, she was furious. Wanting to shout and lash out at the two. But that civilian appearance took priority.

"I see you two are enjoying the weather as well~" she smiled at the Arcanine, reaching to shower the canine with affection. Sure, the hit did piss her off, but the pokemon was pretty cute. The woman managed to get back onto her feet and began to fix her long hair and comb it free of any bits and pieces.

"I might need another coffee though."

NIKOLA CATELLUS

☉

A perfect chance to test this little poison! Himiko gently applied the poison through a vein near the crook of the inner elbow. With a slight prick and slowly pressing the plunger in, the poison was injected into their little test subject here.

The wait began as the seconds passed. Himiko could only wait so long, but her impatience was pushed aside on account of the special new toy shown to her by Zev. Once the minutes had passed and she was able to really see the effects in action, the questioning began.

"Let's start small. Tell us who you interacted with while working with the council."

Once she got her answer, Himiko went onto the next. Small questions before increasing in severity. They could have been talking about the most interesting pile of garbage outside, all that she wanted to do was to push and push this poison to its limits.

Zev Harcourt

☉