[center][img]https://s33.postimg.cc/amkvj2gkf/image.png[/img][/center] [hr] [h1][center][color=darkgray]Narcissists wi[/color][color=springgreen]th Sharks[/color][/center][/h1] Things were going about as smooth as Touka expected. With Hikari being a no-show, Alex had opted to leave home early. That would mean the team called Knightfall would have no opponents to face. So much for a fair and balanced tournament, and the prospect of all this left an annoyed grimace upon the president's features. The expression only deepened when she felt someone dare to intrude in their space. Having set up a watchful perimeter around the entire park, it would be easy to find magical properties that were foolish enough to come close to their games. Surpringly enough, this sensation was neither a Nightmare or one of their light counterparts. Trusting she could leave the others to their own devices, she crunched through the park's snow before getting dangerously close to a very familiar presence. [color=springgreen]"You've got to be kidding me,"[/color] she grumbled to herself, hot breath sprayed and condensed into the icy air. [color=darkgray]"Ah, the good winter cold...Makes you feel a little nostalgic, ya know?"[/color] A certain red-haired girl said, though with a distinctly different tone in speaking compared to most Japanese girls. In fact, in comparison to most Japanese people in general. With a rub of her black mittened hands, as if trying to warm herself more when she didn't really need to, Alannah gave a simple cheeky smile and a grin to the ever familiar green-haired lass. Though, afterwards, she gave a more quizzical look in the air. [color=darkgray]"Wait...You've never been to Ireland, so I guess the nostalgia ain't quite the same is it?"[/color] She said, then giving a little laugh at her little bit of forgetfulness. Can't blame a girl for trying to liven the mood up a bit, can you? In her case, you probably could. Despite her being well adjusted to cold, Alannah still decided to dress fairly comfortably, having on a pair of thick black stockings under her skirt and a blue snow jacket that was lined with white fur on the hood. With her ever-present smirk still on her face, she shoved her hands into her jacket pockets as she looked past Touka for a moment. [color=darkgray]"Seems I got here a bit later than I would've preferred."[/color] She said with a shrug as she looked back towards Touka. [color=darkgray]"What I missed and how much of it do I need to absolutely know?"[/color] [color=springgreen]"No. I haven't,"[/color] Touka said. Indeed, she had never been to Ireland; at least, as far as anyone none the wiser knew. She didn't bother trying to stop Alannah from looking over her, partly because it'd be a waste of time and the fact that she was shorter than the other girl. [color=springgreen]"What are you even doing here. It's not like you take time to show up to the meetings,"[/color] she said in a frown. Suddenly showing up with her would mean introductions to the girls who didn't know her, especially those who weren't aware the president even had a partner. Aside from Yuno of course, but she was irrelevant at the moment. [color=springgreen]"A tournament to decide who hosts a Christmas Party,"[/color] Touka eventually answered, still grumbling. Alannah's presence was bad news, specifically because now the others might rope them into actually joining their tourney. To think, Touka was this close to remaining a spectator... Alannah gave a slight frown and a pout as her expression soured. [color=darkgray]"Hey, it's not like I don't want to go to them...Usually. I'm a busy girl just like you."[/color] While the others had their own dilemmas, so did she after all! It wasn't her fault that life gave her so much stuff to do...Okay it was slightly, possibly mostly, her fault, but would she ever admit it? Nope. However, Touka spoke the golden words that sparked curiosity. A grin came back on her face, but it was a bit more cat-like curious. [color=darkgray]"Ohhh...? A tournament you say?"[/color] She said in a somewhat singsong voice as she cocked her head to the right to take another glance at what was going on. From the looks of it, it was most certainly magical in nature. And, considering the group, it more than likely meant a battle. With a giggle, she looked back at her partner in magical not-so-much-crime with a raised eyebrow. [color=darkgray]"Now Touka, not inviting me to a competition that you [i]know[/i] we would steamroll? Tsk, tsk. For shame, for shame..."[/color] She said, shaking her head, still keeping that infectious smile. It was written all over her face whether she liked it or not. Lil Miss Ink wanted in. [color=springgreen]"You're going to make us join, aren't you."[/color] It wasn't even a question and Touka was already sighing. She really, [i]really[/i] didn't want to get involved tonight. But she knew there was little stopping Alannah when she wanted something unless it was the equivalent of a bulldozer. And then some. [color=springgreen]"Better idea. You don't need my help to beat them right? I'll hang back and watch you strut your stuff,"[/color] said Touka. This time she was the one flashing a grin, sharp, almost shark-like teeth gleaming in the winter snow. [color=springgreen]"If you need any help, just holler. Surely the almighty Scatha needs no backup when dealing with kittens throwing around claws too big for their paws, right~?"[/color] The once perky girl opened her mouth, eyes closed like she was about to drop either encouragement or wise words to their vict-What did she say? Words caught in her throat and her eyes now jolted back open, her mouth hung open but couldn't find a single word to actually say in response, instead just staring as she stammered for a second. [color=darkgray]"What-But you-We should-I just...Ehem."[/color] She let out a throat clear to try and find proper, [i]actual[/i] sentences to say. She decided to pump her chest out and give a smirk back, though it wasn't quite as happy as it once was. [color=darkgray]"Well, of course I can take them! Why are you even asking something that dumb?"[/color] There really wasn't a single doubt in her mind that she could win against those girls, but a team match just sounded so much more...Interesting? Fun? Not as humiliating for the two inevitable losers? Something around those lines. Her eyes went left to right quickly, like they were looking for a sign that had what she should say next conveniently written on it. Then the figurative light bulb went off as she regained her smirk. Stepping over to Touka and putting her right arm around the girls shoulder, she pointed up high with the other hand. [color=darkgray]"Of course, but what partner would the mighty Stained Scatha be if she let you stay on the sidelines? I mean, still pretty mighty, no duh, but noooowhere near as good a buddy as she should be, mhm?"[/color] She said...Before looking right back at Touka and deciding to break reality to her. [color=darkgray]"We both know that I'll go all day with this otherwise."[/color] She narrowed her eyes as she gave a slighter bigger smirk. [color=darkgray]"Then all week."[/color] Figures. The moment Alannah's arm wrapped around her was the moment Touka decided it wasn't worth wasting more warm breath debating her. Especially when the other Magical Girl felt it was fine to spell it out for her. [color=springgreen]"Yes, I'm well aware,"[/color] Touka said, shark's grin quickly flashing into a shark's grimace, quite alright with taking this verbal loss for now. [color=springgreen]"Ugh, fine. But I'm not going through the effort of setting up a Christmas party."[/color] The implication in those words should have been obvious for anyone; the president did not feel too prone to losing in a fight. The message was given with Touka's own stare back to her partner's gaze before leading them back to the group with a sigh. [color=springgreen]"Let's just get this over with,"[/color] she grumbled lowly for only the two of them to hear before approaching the laundering Ami and Maiko. [color=springgreen]"H-Hey guys, we have a n-new team joining,"[/color] she said, once they had reached the waiting team. With a delighted little clap for both the fact she got her way and that they're gonna be kicking some ass, she gave two quick nods to Touka's assertion. Dare she say, it was like her own little Christmas present, being able to make her, the future best magical girl, more known. With a content smile on her face, Alannah followed her back to the group, trailing behind her. As she announced that there was a new team, it seemed the best time to make an entrance. [color=darkgray]"And that team is the one to watch out for."[/color] She said, her smile now filled with far more confidence than previously as she looked at the rest of the group. [color=darkgray]"I really hope none of you were expecting any easy wins tonight, cause, well. I always do love proving a person wrong and myself right."[/color] She folded her arms, not completely realizing how too-appropriate it was after her declaration.