[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HCi8r3c.png[/img]
[b]Interactions:[/b] Yasashi Hanabi ([@Fading Memory])[hr][/center]

Suddenly, hooves could be heard clopping towards the west gate, and in response to this, both the guards had changed their tunes completely. Shaakira could only guess that someone important was coming this way. Perhaps the Shogun himself? Or perhaps his right-hand man, or lady if that was the gender they had. In any case, now that she wasn't under so much pressure, Shaakira took the chance to calm herself down. She'd likely needed to not be so nervous when this Shogun/right-hand man or lady arrived at the scene.

"Just perfumes, ma'am?" the first guard asked for clarification.

[color=91ffc6]"Yes, [i]that's[/i] right,"[/color] Shaakira replied, opting not to question the sudden change of tone.

"Apologies, but Shogun's orders," the guard stated, "Every cart searched for contraband, you understand."

But Shaakira still [i]didn't[/i] understand; the subconscious shaking of her head made that perfectly clear. This was the guard that just accused her of trying to smuggle in something dangerous and harmful. And Shaakira was supposed to ignore that in its entirety, just because he may have had to answer to the person who was on their way here? And furthermore, was that search really necessary? Why could they not just trust a simple merchant who meant no harm to anyone? Was it honestly too much to ask of these guards?

...

Sure enough, what seemed to be the Shogun's right-hand lady arrived. After a brief exchange between her and both the guards, who reported what had transpired to her (bias included), the lady approached Shaakira.

[color=888888]"Your companion. It is protective of you, it seems,"[/color] the lady noted, [color=888888]"I can understand that, I'm quite protective of Ajairu here myself- though he is hardly my own champion. You should cherish a Pokemon willing to protect you and your possessions like that. I apologize for any disturbance you faced, if you will please permit this man to finish the search, I would gladly escort you into the town myself. I am the Lady Hanabi, Lord under the Shogun. Times of war stress us all, and we should always do our best to handle ourselves with civility and politeness."[/color]

[color=91ffc6]"Uh, please, there's no need for you to apologize,"[/color] Shaakira assured Lady Hanabi, [color=91ffc6]"If either of us should have to apologize, it should be me. Had I realized it'd acted so hastily sooner, then..."[/color]

Furious by the accusation, Akeeta slashed at thin air, bringing its claws towards its claws towards itself each time. Just from the snatching motions it'd been making, Shaakira could tell what it was trying to convey, but still...

[color=91ffc6]"Not everyone's a burglar, Akeeta. Well, I [i]hope[/i] not, at least..."[/color] Shaakira bent down to make proper eye contact with the smaller Parasect, [color=91ffc6]"The point is, humans are much more complicated creatures than you guys are, and in truth, more than a handful of us are actually well-intentioned. I get that you need to make a rapid decision sometimes, and you [i]have[/i] good instincts; I should know, you saved me more times than I'd care to count. But this is one of those situations where you need to take your time."[/color]

Akeeta glowered a little, but it [i]looked[/i] as though it came to a silent understanding.

Meanwhile, the guards had taken the opportunity to search Shaakira's caravan. They did prioritize speed with this next attempt, but it still had an acceptable level of thoroughness to it. With that, the guard that'd originally halted Shaakira reported to Lady Hanabi, the second one bowing alongside him.

"She's clear to enter, Lady Hanabi," the first guard reported, his long bow still in conduct, "Please, forgive any transgressions we may have made."