[center] [color=f49ac2]Sakura Level 11: 039/110[/color] Location: Frame Advantage Word Count: 3188 Points Gained: 4 New EXP Balance--- [color=f49ac2]Level 11: 043/110 [/color] [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]Pit[/b] - [u]Level[/u]: [b]8[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 332/80 [/color] [/center] It’d been clear skies all day, and it didn’t look like that was going to change anytime soon as the sun gradually started its descent. It wasn’t quite evening yet; there was still plenty of light left while the angel and demon duo continued their lap around. Ashrah didn’t seem to grow tired of answering any of Pit’s lingering questions about Esaka while they checked out a few of the last matches of the day. She pointed out certain places or things they could see from the tier’s edge, and in return Pit continued to fill her in on the Seekers’ campaign little by little. Pit was honestly feeling grateful that his chosen tournament happened to be one that allowed for partners, and that the person he’d agreed to team up with on a whim had turned out to be as pleasant as she was. Having been wrapped up in the tournament until recently and with no clue where the Seekers going after G-Corp had actually ended up, if he’d been left to wander Esaka alone he’d have been feeling pretty lonely right about now. Ashrah tipped the edge of her kasa (which she’d redonned) up as she scanned the people around. It was an informative walk, but learning was not technically their current goal. She’d gotten a glimpse of many of the Seekers that morning, and Pit had provided a description of the few they had volunteered delivery for so she could keep an eye out for them. It would only be a matter of time before Pit resorted to just calling a couple of them to find out where they were instead, though. [color=f49ac2]”Pit-kun?”[/color] Sakura responded over the ‘phone’. [color=f49ac2]”Hi! Yeah I’m done with my matches for the day. So I’m looking at cameras over at Frame Advantage if you want to join me.”[/color] Sakura said. She wanted to buy a cool, durable camera that wasn’t just some sci-fi smart phone that probably still had evil Midgar technology inside or whatever. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Alright! That's..."[/color] "A level above us, I believe." [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"...not too far, I guess! We'll be right there!"[/color] One lift ride later and the kombatants were touring the Mid Tier once more. Specialty shops like Frame Advantage were not places that Ashrah typically visited, but even without knowing the exact location it didn't take too long to find. Pit pressed his face up to the storefront windows, and a moment after spotting Sakura inside, the bell above the door rang to announce the partners' entrance. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Sakura!"[/color] Pit started in greeting, offering the street fighter a high-five as he continued with, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"I was looking at everybody's tournament stats - you're doing awesome!"[/color] Their hands smacked together. Sakura went off to the side so she wasn’t in the way of any other potential customers. She grinned wide, setting her fist against her hips and rubbing her nose. [color=f49ac2]”Hehe, thanks, Captain.”[/color] Sakura said. [color=f49ac2]”Either I win all my matches, or lose the tournament, so, I really only have the one option when you think about it.”[/color] She said. [color=f49ac2]”How have you been doing? And whose your new friend?”[/color] Sakura asked Ashrah, hoping they hadn’t already met and Sakura had just forgotten. She meets so many new people these days… If they had met before, the woman in white gave no indication that she was offended by a lack of recollection. Besides, Pit was all too happy to introduce her whether again or for the first time. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"This is Ashrah! You know how I'm fighting in Mortal Kombat? She's my kameo partner! And she's an MK vet!"[/color] Ashrah tipped her head in greeting, the veil on the back of her hat swaying as she did. "We met by chance, but I believe we've made a good team so far. And Pit has told me about all of you. It is nice to meet you." Polite, Sakura bowed. [color=f49ac2]”Thanks for helping my friend, then, Ashrah-san!”[/color] Sakura said. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"And we’ve been doing good! Three fights, three wins!"[/color] the angel then chirped proudly. Ashrah paused for a moment, a flicker of mild confusion in her black eyes, though it passed when Pit went on. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Once day one's officially over I wanna check in with everybody, but I'm feeling pretty good about us making it to the bosses."[/color] Of course that would mean that eventually the Seekers would be pitted against each other, but they'd just cross that bridge when they got to it. As usual so far in Esaka there were many thoughts in Pit's head fighting to be the next out of his mouth, and though he had a few things he wanted to talk with Sakura about what he ended up saying next was, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Guess you're first on my list, but I kinda figured you'd be training or something - what're you doing here?"[/color] He glanced around the shop interior, the lens and tripods on display. As gung-ho about fighting as she was, he'd expected Sakura to keep at it even after hours to make sure she was ready for the days ahead. Though maybe even an enthusiastic fighter like her wanted a break after so many matches? Sakura shrugged. [color=f49ac2]”I love training, but,”[/color] Sakura shrugged. [color=f49ac2]”At this point either I’m ready or I’m not. Training would just wear me down at this point. Of course, I plan on staying warmed up.”[/color] She said. She turned away from Pit and Ashrah and looked down an aisle of different cameras. [color=f49ac2]”I kinda like photography. My first camera broke a while ago while I was still, uh,”[/color] She glanced at Ashrah again, to make sure she wasn’t under Galeem’s influence. She wasn’t, so she continued. [color=f49ac2]”...All Galeemed up. Now that I’m back in town with a good photography store I want to get a new one.”[/color] She said. [color=f49ac2]”I might use a disposable camera, but it’s not easy to get them developed. Especially with all the crazy places we go too.”[/color] She spoke casually, running her hand over some cameras. [color=f49ac2]”And, well, when I saw that photo wall…”[/color] Sakura trailed off. Once again, she looked at Ashrah. Self conscious of the second glance, she winced out a giggle and waved at her. [color=f49ac2]”Um, sorry. It’s just- are you a part of-”[/color] She looked to Pit. [color=f49ac2]”Is she a part of You-Know-What?”[/color] She concealed the side of her mouth from Ashrah, though her voice was still easily audible. Pit had been absorbing Sakura's camera talk, interested in the hobby if only because his friend was. He knew what a camera was of course, but some of the terms she used escaped him. Like what made one disposable and others not, and why did they need developing? But she'd distracted herself, and thus distracted Pit, and he tilted his head in confusion when she not-so-subtly whispered to him. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"What?"[/color] he half-whispered back, not picking up on what she was talking about at first. Ashrah let this play out, displaying the patience of, well, a trained martial artist. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Like one of us? I gave her a crash course on everything Seeker-y I could think of."[/color] "You need not worry about me, though I can give you space if you prefer to speak more privately," Ashrah added softly. [color=f49ac2]”No, no, it’s good.”[/color] Sakura reassured her. [color=f49ac2]”I was just wanted to make sure. I just saw that picture wall and I wanted to take more pictures of people.”[/color] Sakura said. [color=f49ac2]”Unfortunately, I’m strapped for cash like always. My last gig was great, but it mostly paid in lettuce.”[/color] Sakura said with a sigh and a smile. [color=f49ac2]”So I hope I get some cash after this big tourney. And, y’know, we don’t get run out of town after the big battle.”[/color] [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Getting paid in lettuce doesn't sound half bad to me. Guess I'd prefer payment in pizza or something though,"[/color] the angel commented off hand. He also knew that the barter system had fallen far out of fashion in most places, so a bounty of crops was really only useful as actual food. Which was pretty useful to be fair, just not for shopping. Pit looked over the same photo wall. He hadn't really thought about it before, but it might be nice to have some photos as keepsakes from the Seekers' adventures. At the same time, Ashrah tilted her head up slightly in thought. "Are you native to Esaka, Sakura? Your appearance -and your performance- make you seem like you fit right in. If so, I wouldn't be surprised if you started receiving donations once the Pools matches conclude." [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Oh yeah, from the yokai right? Someone mentioned that before."[/color] "And not only them. It's not that unusual for fighters that start developing fan bases to get gifts sent to them, monetary or otherwise." Pit looked back at Sakura with wide eyes and a wider smile. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"So it'll only be a matter of time 'til you can get a new camera! Then you can take a ton of pictures."[/color] Sakura nodded. [color=f49ac2]”I’m sure.”[/color] PIt trailed off, wondering aloud when his own fan club would start forming and what they'd call themselves, when he was suddenly reminded of one of the reasons he'd been looking for Sakura in the first place. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Speaking of gifts, I have one for you! Okay, well, we ran into his giant jolly red guy from my dojo who said he had presents to pass out to people, but he was really busy and asked if I could give you yours. So, uh, here you go!"[/color] He held a small, colorfully wrapped box out to Sakura. It was very clearly a Christmas present, and a little sticker near the bow read "To: Sakura, From: Your Friends on the White Team." Inside of it was a strange looking [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/587f55f1f591.png]plush keychain[/url], which had been totally unfamiliar to the Seekers who'd made it (via using a mass produced pre-set pattern while they were still getting used to toy making), but they must have figured she'd get a kick out of the so-ugly-it-was-cute item. Or maybe it was mere coincidence. Sakura furrowed her brow. [color=f49ac2]”A gift? A jolly red guy? Santa Claus??”[/color] [color=f49ac2]”What is this?”[/color] Sakura asked. She took the gift and looked at Pit, holding the box between her hands. She read over the sticker. [color=f49ac2]”White Team…got me a Christmas present?”[/color] Sakura said. Her eyes shimmered. [color=f49ac2]”I didn’t get them anything!”[/color] She cried. Still, she tore the present open with abandon in the middle of the photography shop, though she was mindful enough to shove all the debris into her pockets. [color=f49ac2]”It’s..! Blanka-chan!”[/color] Sakura said, eyes wide, shoving the doll into the faces of Pit and Ashrah. [color=f49ac2]”They got me a Blanka-chan! That’s so funny! How did they even-?! ”[/color] With a laugh, she attacked Pit with a hug, spinning him around and setting him back down. Pit had admittedly been a little put out that this "Santa Claus" guy didn't have a gift for him too, but Sakura's joyful reaction completely wiped that feeling away. He laughed when she picked him up and spun, a broad grin set on his face once he was released. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"I'm glad you like it! No clue how they picked it out or got it over here though!"[/color] [color=f49ac2]”It only makes sense that there could be someone like Santa Claus in the World of Light. This has really made my day. Thank you, Pit-kun. I’ll have to tell White Team in person when I see them again.”[/color] Sakura said, looking over the plushie. The scene brought a smile to Ashrah's face as well. It was this sort of thing that she was fighting so hard for - if she could cleanse her soul and liberate Netherrealm, then its people could experience this. Cheerfulness, generosity, friendship... all of the things that normally seemed so foreign to demons. She'd also initially blinked when the doll was pressed so close to her, but once it'd been pulled back she seemed to connect the name to the vague resemblance of the plush. "That's a fighter in World Warrior, is it not?" she asked. She didn't know him well, but recalled that she'd once thought that he was a demon himself upon crossing paths with him once in the city, so the meeting had stuck in her memory. [color=f49ac2]”Yep! It’s Jimmy-san’s toy franchise. Blanka-chan is a jungle spirit who protects nature. And he’s adorable, naturally.”[/color] Sakura said with a chuckle. [color=f49ac2]”I’ve been a little shy to meet up with my old friends since I got here, I admit.”[/color] Sakura said. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Really? But I bet they'd love to see you,"[/color] Pit said with a confident nod of his head. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Even if they're all gleaming, we can work together to free them too!"[/color] All things considered, it wasn't that long ago that Pit had been really missing the people from his world. Well, one specifically, but he would have taken Pittoo or even Viridi too. He found it hard to imagine not wanting to run right over to meet with friends he hadn't seen in a long time. Being able to reunite with Lady Palutena had alleviated so much of the angel's anxiety, so wouldn't it be similar for everyone else? On that note, a sparkle of excitement formed in Pit's eyes. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Did you check your bracket, Sakura? He's here in Esaka! And fighting in the tournament!"[/color] [color=f49ac2]”Jimmy-san? I don’t doubt it.”[/color] Sakura said with a nod. He would probably do good, too. [color=f49ac2]”I mean, I can’t deny your point. There’s really no good reason for me not to see them.”[/color] [color=f49ac2]”It’s just…”[/color] She shook her head. [color=f49ac2]”I don’t know. Maybe I just don’t like to see them Gleaming, or something. I ran into Asuka and Lili earlier. They’re so…themselves. But at the same time, Galeem’s influence is so obvious.”[/color] She frowns. [color=f49ac2]”Normally I’d probably try fighting them right away, but I need to conserve my strength for the tournament. So it’s like I’m sitting there with, what’s the saying. An elephant in the room?”[/color] Sakura shrugged with a wince. The turn of phrase had Ashrah pausing to consider that image, while some of Pit's enthusiasm turned to wondering how they could solve that issue. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"I guess I get that..."[/color] he said, folding his arms over his chest as he thought more about it. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Plus it's like you wanna free them yourself, but with everything else going on the timing can get weird."[/color] Such as when he'd run into a familiar face the first time passing through the Paved Wilderness, but hadn't quite had the opportunity to de-story them at the time. Even if he had, he honestly wasn't sure if it would have changed anything. "Ah. Yes, I know that feeling well, especially as recently liberated as I am," Ashrah said after she caught up to what the two of them meant. She gave Sakura a sympathetic look. The disorienting feeling of staring into a comrade's eyes and knowing they lived under some spell was not a pleasant one at all. It was why the demoness had gone out of her way to work through her dojo with those little pink hearts. There was another reason too, the Consuls' ability to assume control of those still under Galeem's thrall. When taking that into account, Pit was in favor of freeing friends sooner rather than later. But Sakura had a good point about conserving energy. And if she felt awkward about being around red eyed pals, then... maybe he shouldn't tell her about Ryu? Wait, hadn't she mentioned that Ryu was the one that freed her? Was he already destoried, or not? Well, either way, there was something he knew for sure. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"We're just gonna have to win and kick the Four Kings' butts as soon as possible, so everyone in the area will get back to normal all at once!"[/color] Sakura nodded vigorously. [color=f49ac2]”That’s the plan. It’ll be much easier that way. If we lose,”[/color] And here she waves her hand around and mutters the words: “Kuwabara, Kuwabara”. [color=f49ac2]”Then, y’know, we’ll have to stay in town longer and-...”[/color] Sakura rubbed her chin. [color=f49ac2]”I guess if you ever want to get together and…ambush someone? We can.”[/color] Sakura said. [color=f49ac2]”If I was being generous to myself, my odds of beating the world warriors are 50/50. And what if I won, but missed my match in the tournament or something because of it? But with three or even two of us and the element of surprise, we could probably do it.”[/color] "A sound plan," Ashrah replied, a beat before Pit said, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"that's a good idea! We can still help people out one at a time until the whole city's brainwashing breaks."[/color] Clearly Pit did not consider failure to be an option, but in the mean time the more free the merrier, and stronger the team, after all. And it wasn't like the Seekers hadn't been doing that already, just more more spontaneously. So should they put together a hit list of people to keep an eye out for? ...maybe with a different term? Go out at night like vigilantes or meet up during whatever free time the tournaments allotted for them? All details that could be discussed later if they followed through with it. At the moment the three huddled by one of the shop's walls swapping between excited chatter and half-whispering to each other had drawn some curious looks from the few other photo hobbyists. Eventually the clerk cleared their throat rather loudly, giving the group a polite but pointed look. [color=f49ac2]”Haha, um, thanks!”[/color] Sakura waved at the clerk, feeling foolish. [color=f49ac2]”I just, uh, really like photography. I’m gonna go fight in the tournament, and, uh, get some cash.”[/color] Sakura looked between Ashrah and Pit and hurried out of the establishment. An awkward chuckle and a considerate tilt of the head later and the other two followed her out. They certainly hadn't meant to make the atmosphere in the store uncomfortable, though if the street fighter returned to make up for it with her patronage later then all was well. Outside they could chat a little more before splitting up again. The people in the shop were content to get back to browsing, save for one girl who'd been on the other side of the store checking out the heavy duty lens. She hadn't been trying to be sneaky exactly (it wasn't normally her style), but she couldn't help but peek out from behind a display shelf when she heard a somewhat familiar voice joined by other, less familiar ones. When the Seekers left, the [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/d668d2711488.png]school girl[/url] stepped out from her impromptu hiding place. "Wasn't that Kasugano-chan? But what was all that? Gifts, ambushes, cash, elephants..." she murmured aloud. There was no way that she'd just stumbled upon some fight rigging, right? A bribe? A secret plan to jump fighters?! She hadn't thought that Sakura was that kind of girl, but maybe she'd been roped into some elaborate secret society plot! That did tend to happen a lot around here, surprisingly. The girl hiked her hefty camera up, a smile forming on her face and a glint in her eye. "Whatever it is... sounds like it might be a big scoop!"