[center][abbr=Ace Cadet][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190924/544c85ab5c75bc61a4bb5ce40dc0caa6.png[/img][/abbr]
[color=salmon]Word Count: 561 (+1 exp)[/color]
[color=salmon][u]Level[/u]: [b]9[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 448/90
[sub][i]Wednesday Night[/i][/sub]
[b]Location:[/b] the Frozen Highlands[/color][/center]
Following the make-shift dinner that Ace and Edward had thrown together, there wasn't much left to be done that evening. Extra ingredients joined the raw materials in the coach (the cold would keep them just fine outside), those who could spare the manpower established a loose perimeter to keep watch, the spider hairs used as bio-samples were stored... wherever they were stored, and at some point a few of the Seekers who'd apparently been sucked into some sort of game enabled by Tenna returned. That had been a strange thing to hear had happened. 

Though Ace had joked with Geralt earlier about getting first pick of rooms, the hunter didn't actually need one all to himself. Sure, it would be nice, but he wasn't shy and didn't need more than a mattress (or a couch, or a sleeping mat really). Once people got around to actually retiring, he gladly offered Mokou, Sectonia, and even Blazermate (who was a robot but also a girl) the chance to have a space to themselves. Sandalphon had already made herself scarce, or else she would have been included. He'd have to ask her about the space video tomorrow.

As the night wore on Ace covered his mouth to stifle a yawn. He had some things he could take care of now, and probably should, but a few could be pushed off until the morning. Anything he could make in the Alchemy Barrel could be done during the next leg of the trip, for example. Speaking of, he sort of wanted to see if could make a Pal Sphere with it - but, that too could be an experiment for tomorrow. After shedding his coat and resigning to sleep in the rest of his clothes once they were dry in case the group needed to move out quickly, the Cadet flopped down onto one of the sleeping mats he'd bought earlier in an unclaimed space in the living room. He did indulge in making a sphere the way it was intended with a few small tools (that he'd ultimately leave shoved to one side close to his sleeping spot overnight) and found that it was actually as easy as it sounded. Definitely reproducible. Pleased with the result, he dropped the sphere into his bag. 

One other item of house keeping, that didn't actually involve the house they were staying in, was making use of the last couple of spirits before they expired. Ace's preference was, predictability, to itemize them - and he had a few that hadn't yet been crushed including the one he'd just brought back. Without bothering to mess around with the chest-shaped helmet again (which would have involved going to bother someone connected to the Avenger's armory), he crushed the two somnacanth spirits and one giant wooly spider spirit between his hands. 

Once everything was more or less done, the Cadet crossed his arms behind his head and laid down properly. The mysterious pup had wandered over once more, but it didn't bunk with him - heading off toward someone else after a few scratches behind the ear. Though thoughts of the trek ahead of them and how the other contingent of Seekers were doing circled his head, it wasn't enough to keep the monster hunter from sleep. It wasn't much longer until he drifted off, more or less comfortable and snoring softly.

[indent][/indent]

[center][abbr=Octopath Travelers][img]https://i.imgur.com/vqBbCJL.png[/img][/abbr]
[sup]____________________________________________________[/sup]
[color=D34C25][u]Level[/u]: [b]11[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 305/110[/color] [color=2e2c2c]------[/color] [color=BC8DBF][u]Level[/u]: [b]10[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 355/100[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color] [color=2e2c2c]----------------------------[/color] [color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color]
[color=lightgray][sub][i]Thursday Afternoon[/i][/sub]
Word Count: 1518 (+3 exp)
[b]Location[/b]: Esaka's Low Tier, the Forbidden Kingdom[/color][/center]
Primrose ended up missing the end of Ms. Fortune's first match, which wasn't all that surprising - they only lasted so long after all. Though it definitely contributed to missing the match, she didn't regret taking the time to chat with Yayama whatsoever. She'd gotten to know a little about the diminutive woman, which was a worthwhile endeavor even over seeing the end of a battle she knew that her friend would win. Though the dancer still wanted to get a chance to talk with Nadia properly following last night, since it appeared that Nadia wasn't intending to drop out of the tournament series... well, it would be easy enough to know where to find her later. All Primrose had to do was look at one of the bracket boards. 

She did just that, confirming that Nadia had won her first match up. She noted that Pit had won his as well, and she'd seen the tail end of Yayama's victory for herself. Mortal Kombat was going well for the Seekers so far.

The bracket postings between sections shifted between the four different tournaments, and Primrose noted the standing of the rest of the Seekers while she was there. She'd continued on her leisurely stroll, but didn't particularly want to pace the length of the Pools to look out for her teammates. There was another place and another person she intended to meet up with.

On her way she passed a rather eye catching woman in a short robe with a huge purple braid that rivaled Primrose's own. She turned heads as she walked on the water's edge, including Primrose's, the Seeker watching her go by as they passed each other. Her gaze lingered not just because of the other woman's features. She didn't look like a fighter... but then again, the variety of people Primrose had seen around town and in the Pools might beg to differ. 

Eventually she made her way down a level, inadvertently missing a few of the others running around the Low Tier. The dancer sauntered into a nondescript establishment, drawing a few eyes herself. There was a small handful of yokai floating around, watching mounted screens and hanging over the shoulders of other guests, arguing with each other and half-whispering recommendations, but for the most part there were humans and humanoids ordering rudimentary food fare and passing zenny and slips of stamped paper between each other. It was far from the classy backrooms of Mesón De Las Flores, but it served the same purpose. 

Unsurprisingly Therion had a seat on the far wall, a few slips of his own in his hand and his ears twitching on top of his head as he took in the myriad of conversations going on. He was not surprised to see Primrose, as the two of them had spoken briefly again over the linkpearl on her way over. He nodded to the only other chair at his small table, which Primrose claimed without a second thought. She rested her elbow on the wooden top, dropping her chin into her waiting hand as she surveyed the room for the second time.

[color=D34C25]"Do you want a nicer venue? I could introduce you to that members only club..."[/color] she murmured, glancing at Therion from the corner of her eye. He shook his head lightly.

[color=BC8DBF]"Starting small. Moving up to higher minimums will be after these first rounds."[/color]

Because after so many weekly tournaments run, there weren't many people betting on Pools matches. The screens in this parlor didn't even show live fights, just the same bracket boards that could be found throughout Esaka and a few highlights from standout fighters or long time fan favorites. Those betting now were chronic gamblers, desperate losers, or Esaka newbies throwing peanuts into the pool for fun. Therion was part of the last group. He wasn't about to show up to a higher tier parlor just to embarrass himself. 

[color=BC8DBF]"Besides, there's a lot of loose lips around here,"[/color] he added. 

He'd learned some interesting things so far, like which fighters were 'sure winners,' which were currently considered dark horses, and which were 'fool's bets.' For example, that buff blonde the Seekers had recently seen join their ranks? Fool's bet, a fallen star with a fan base but fallen all the same. There was also a returning champion making a surprise appearance in World Warrior which apparently killed the chances of every other fighter in it making it to Bison. And, not really important but talked about all the same, Mortal Kombat had a few highly appealing partnerships that were sure to draw in donations from yokai if they went far enough: two tiny terrors with big swords, two feline fighters with a penchant for splitting up and getting back together, and two siblings with a vicious streak in complimentary colors. Female fighters unsurprisingly drew in a lot of attention.

Therion let Primrose in a little on the gossip, and afterward she pointedly looked at his betting slips. He spread them out on the table so she could see. He'd been attempting a joke earlier when he said he was planning to bet against the Seekers, but in the end he actually did have several slips in favor of their competition. That wasn't to say he hadn't put money on his comrades either, and in a couple of matches he had bets on both. He hadn't lost much money, but he also hadn't gained much - not that he minded. It was a way to pass the time, learn some things, and ingratiate himself to Esaka's technical outlaws. 

Of course he couldn't spend all day there. Well, he could, but after the day's pools matches were finished there was little reason to stick around. Now that he had his slips he could leave at any point in fact, and just return later to settle the bets. He knew that inquiring about his plans would be Primrose's next question, so he cut her off before she could ask.

[color=BC8DBF]"I figure after this, finding a good spot to lay low should be our next move. Maybe spread out this time,"[/color] he said, not that he thought there would be another attack on par with the bombing now that the perpetrators had a bounty. An amused little smile crossed Primrose's face. Then it smoothed out, and she replied. 

[color=D34C25]"Not a bad idea. I imagine that's not a high priority for many of the others today."[/color] She lightly tapped the fingers of her free hand on the table. [color=D34C25]"I know it's early still, but I think I'd like to look into finding a way for more than one of us to confront the kings when the time comes. Though with a few days to go, I suppose we can take our time."[/color]

All the signs so far pointed to just a one on one, but who knew - maybe it would be as simple as catching the rulers on a good day and requesting an entourage.

[color=BC8DBF]"...and there is the Consul to deal with too,"[/color] Therion murmured. Though she hadn't expected him to bring it up, Primrose agreed. Not long ago Therion had said he was fine, and she had to believe him until he showed otherwise.

[color=D34C25]"Let's see if the others think a preemptive strike is in the cards,"[/color] she said. [color=D34C25]"It would certainly make things easier later on if we got rid of her ahead of time."[/color]

And if she was honest, she sort of wanted to face down the woman herself even if the thought of vengeance over the events of a past life -one that wasn't even her own- sounded a bit silly. Therion seemed to pick up on some of her thoughts, an expression that was half exasperation and half fondness coming over him. 

[color=BC8DBF]"The sooner the better,"[/color] he said. Maybe then his antsy-ness would disappear. 

They both knew it was easier said then done. They fell into soft chatter after that, filling each other in on what little the other didn't already know. There was still plenty of time left in today's Pools matches, let alone the day itself, but the two of them were content to sit around for now. After some time, a voice filtered through the linkshell network - Rika's voice, requesting a meeting to go after G-Corp's bounty.

Right, there was that too. The Orsterrans looked at each other.

[color=D34C25]"Could be a good distraction, get the mind off of some things,"[/color] Primrose suggested innocently. Therion was on to her though, his one visible eye narrowing slightly.

[color=BC8DBF]"Does it look like I need a distraction?"[/color]

[color=D34C25]"Do you want me to be honest?"[/color]

Therion's tail thumped once against the chair he sat in, propping his head up on his elbow to mimic the dancer's earlier pose. No, he supposed he didn't want her to spell it out. He let out a puff of a sigh, and Primrose turned to check the clock on wall. She glanced back at the thief, raising her eyebrows slightly. 

[color=D34C25]"Come on, I'll accompany you part way there. I have another match to catch soon anyway."[/color]