[center][h2]Geralt of Rivia & [color=BFBFBF]Zenkichi Hasegawa[/color][/h2]
The Avenger
Lvl 15 Geralt (198/140) -> (200/140) 170% OL Charged (Lvl 1)
Lvl 9 [color=BFBFBF]Zenkichi[/color] (48/90) +4 Collab XP -> Lvl 9 (54/90) 
Word count: 1,211 words [/center]


With his Pokemon battling practice out of the way, Geralt made his way to the Armory before retiring for the night. There, he stored a few of his unused items, such as the Steel Diver, Monsoon’s sais, and that hilt for the beam sword that he’d been stowing in one of his many pouches. He didn’t take anything with him other than a pair of great balls and a wing ball, finding most of the items there either unsuited for his use, or better used in the hands of others. 

With that out of the way, he made his way to the Spirit Chamber to use the item smelter, fusing the stoneskin ring and voidborn gemstone into himself, thus providing him a permanent boost to his stagger/breka potential, as well as critical hit damage. 

With that business taken care of, though, he retired for the night as he had suggested the young Royals do as well.

Zenkichi’s own night, after his date with Sandalphon finished, was simpler. He returned to his shared room with Akane, morosity tempering his giddiness from what had happened, and bid his daughter goodnight. After the day he’d had, the man was exhausted once he let himself feel it, and could not think of a way to break the news to Akane. Not just yet. 

[hr]

The alarm to wake the Seekers was loud and high-pitched, but Geralt paid the distraction little mind. It was silenced simply, and from there he armed himself for the day. He was fairly early to the morning assembly, though his breakfast had been as greedy as he could get without being scolded by Bracket. Zenkichi and Akane were much more respectful of the Avengers’ dwindling stores, with the latter getting an idea of how she might be able to help out on board the Avenger. 

At the morning gathering, Geralt was sizing up the newest recruits. Band’s return was welcome, and he gave each of the newcomers a quick once-over. Harry was a drunkard barely clinging to himself through withdrawals, the stench alone off him betrayed. Still, he’d been brought along by Band, and Geralt knew the man had his reasons. Heismay’s chosen profession fit the bat-like man’s size and stature, though he wouldn’t ever mention it to the man: he’d surely been stereotyped enough as it was. Celica didn’t quite seem like much in person, but he knew that she’s been rescued with a monstrosity of a machine that would likely give even the Ordnance Platform a run for its money, and she was carrying a pair of weapons vaguely resembling Zenkichi’s. 

Kit was easily categorized: he was a knight. The undead’s fighting style would be fairly easy to glean once seen in action, and the familiarity was welcome, in form if not in origin. And finally, there was ‘Snowball’, who [i]visibly[/i] bristled at the name. Geralt frowned but said nothing. As the groups were dismissed, he approached the wolf and gave her a small nod. “She means well.” Was all he said, making room for Pit to converse with the goddess. 

Zenkichi gave the White Team members a wave once they were sent on their way, before being jump-scared by Primrose immediately latching onto him to question him about his night. He took a deep breath, focusing on hope even though it was hard. [color=BFBFBF]”It was fine.”[/color] He lied. It was wonderful, fantastic, amazing, and horrible, gut-wrenching, heart-wrenching all at once. [color=BFBFBF]”You get up to anything saucy?~”[/color] He teased back, putting every ounce of ‘Embarrassing Dad’ energy that he had to use. Hopefully it would get the scent off him. He had no qualms about people knowing about him and Sandalphon. 

But he didn’t want them taking what little time they had left away in some well-meaning ‘counseling’ or ‘helping.’ He knew how meddlesome people could be, and the last thing he wanted was to be blatantly reminded of it at every step. Speaking of getting every last second out, Zenkichi waited to make sure nobody needed Sandalphon for a few moments before approaching her. [color=BFBFBF]”You’ll do great out there, all of you.”[/color] He reassured her, before quickly stepping in to give the archangel a hug and a kiss on the cheek. [color=BFBFBF]”I’ll miss you, Sands. See you soon.”[/color] Knowing the need for haste, however, he stepped back, gave her a nod and a moment to respond, then made his way to the Hellpods. 

As White Team began boarding the ship, Geralt let Ace say his piece, responding with an appreciative nod. “Had a feeling something was bothering you. Good to know. If you’re ever running low on your potions, could probably use one of mine, as well. Just yell if you need it.” He wasn’t going to mock or judge the man for that feeling. Magic was so utterly foreign to his world, and even in Geralt’s own there were plenty of people who had valid concerns about magic being used on them without their consent. 

As they boarded the Pelican, Geralt looked around at the newcomers joining them. Heismay, Celica, and Kit. “Name’s Geralt. I’m a Witcher. In my world, Witchers are alchemically modified humans who can use limited magic, and train to hunt monsters. I’ve become a bit of a mess of things here, fusing with so many Spirits, but first and foremost, my job is to know things, and to kill them. I can track better than any unmodified human, though Ace’s scoutflies will be doing most of that, I hope. I have some more powerful magic I can use after a few seconds of channeling energy, as well as some healing magic.

“I can also transform into a few other forms to better address challenges, and I have one warning. If you see me start to act erratically, stay back. I’ve likely lost control of myself. The influence of one of the Spirits I consumed makes me prone to uncontrollable rage, but its power and mutating influence were too great for others to be willing to risk. My nature makes me somewhat resistant to the effects, but the risk is still there. I nearly killed one of our own a few days ago in such a rage, so [i]do not[/i] take this warning lightly.” Leaning back, his face lost some of the heavy weight, though the fact that Goldlewis was gone, regardless of his efforts, still stung. 

[hr]

Zenkichi stepped out of the Hellpod after taking a few moments to recollect himself, hand on his head. That wasn’t very fun. As Gold Team gathered, Sakura took the lead to reveal what she knew about Esaka. The name was blatantly Japanese, and Zenkichi knew they’d heard of it before from Meridi-At-Han, but he still paid close attention. But when Primrose threw the spotlight onto him about Consul J, Zenkichi clammed up a little. [color=BFBFBF]”Uh, yeah. Me and the Phantom Thieves took out Consul J. She’s, uh…gone.”[/color] He informed the others. 

When plans about whether or not to partake in the tournaments were being thrown around, Zenkichi nodded. [color=BFBFBF]”I’ll be fighting. It’ll be nice not having to worry about accidentally killing somebody.”[/color] He [i]could[/i] put his hand-to-hand skills to the test, but that would probably be…unwise, given the things he’d seen Sakura do. Seriously, friggin [i]fireballs?![/i]