LuckyBlackCat

Pokemon Spiral

Sophia Danvers and Amber Pine

En route to Mesalon Gym

@Zanavy @Typical @Noxx @ItMeGritty

When Aedre asked about Sophia, Amber leaned in and whispered back. "Well she seems like she wants people to watch, but let's give her some space." Every battle was a learning curve, and the more experience Sophia had, the better her chances were. Still, bearing in mind the cracks in the other trainer's porcelain doll facade, Amber stayed behind, letting her walk ahead. Too much encouragement could be misread as pressure.

Looking over as Nyxx approached the group, Amber smiled, her expression turning strained as she tried to shrug off the morbid joke. "Hey again." Her eyes widened at the gleam of a badge. "Congratulations! Let's think about it this way, the more challenges we get through by choice like this, the more prepared we'll be for any unexpected ones." She could only hope this would be the case.

Sophia, to say the least, was rather less impressed. She stopped in her tracks, open-mouthed, staring in utter shock at the badge. "Wha...? But..." she sputtered when she could bring herself to speak. "How? Just freaking how? What happened to having to work for success?!" All her efforts, and a total slacker had somehow managed to get a badge first? It was some kind of fluke, it had to be. "Hmph... Well you've had your moment to shine. Now watch as I take my turn." Despite Lacey placing her hand on her leg, presumably urging her to calm down, Sophia marched forward, ponytails swishing as she sped up her pace.

"Sophia!" Amber called, but there was no getting through to her. Hopefully she wouldn't be too rash about this. Shaking her head, Amber turned to the others, engrossed in conversation about their Pokemon. "I agree, training Pokemon seems to be the best way to learn about them, especially their battle techniques." She smiled over at Ty. "I'm Amber, and yes I'm a researcher too. The geography and technological progress of Kosei means a lot of fossils to find and revive. When you think about it, fossil Pokemon and Ghost types have a lot in common. They're both relics of the past, and can provide insight into it."

She gave Chalcedony and Larimar a fond glance before continuing. "Although it isn't just fossil Pokemon I'm studying. It's Pokemon in general, and the many forms of potential that can be brought out. Like the skill you're helping your Scyther build."

The gym came into view, a place to put said potential to the test. Amber's stomach tightened with nerves, not just at the thought of the league challenge, but at the greater, more dangerous ones she'd mentioned earlier. It would be reassuring, she reminded herself, to track progress. To be able to prove to her family that she could cope with any further bumps in the road. "Well, I'm sticking to my original plan," she replied to Aedre, "and Ty, I take it you're going to go for it too?"

In any case, it was clear who'd try first.

The monastery may have been a haven of calm and humility, but Sophia strutted in like a celebrity down a red carpet. She raised an eyebrow at a woman in front of her, a trenchcoat-clad, purple-haired trainer who tried - and in her opinion, failed - to put on a flair for the dramatic. Clearly only one person here could pull that off. Rolling her eyes as the woman yelled about glory, Sophia strode in front of her, tilting her head and putting her hands on her hips.

"And just who the hell are you?"

Notes (Sophia)

Pokemon Party: Gothita "Lacey" lv14, Purrloin "Grimalkin" lv13, Staryu "Arcturus" lv13, Darumaka "Lumas" lv11, Shuppet "Fantoccino" lv11, Bronzor "Clarus" lv11
Pokemon in PC:
Inventory: Pokeball x1, TM33 (Reflect), Oran Berry x3

Notes (Amber)

Pokemon Party: Kabuto "Chalcedony" lv11, Yanma "Aeshna" lv9, Rockruff "Kyra" lv13, Rowlet "Tacita" lv11, Anorith "Larimar" lv13, Sableye "Almandine" lv12
Pokemon in PC:
Inventory: Pokeball x1, Potion x2, Dusk Ball x1

Mahou Shoujo no Hex Night: A Magical Girl Battle RP

❅❄ Fuyuko Yamazaki ❄❅

---

@VitaVitaAR

Walking alongside Hikari, Fuyuko nodded back. Her parents would understand if they knew - especially if aware of her reason for becoming a magical girl - but it was better for most people to believe magic and monsters a myth. Noriko understood completely, although Fuyuko kept quiet. Newcomers were unlikely to take part in events as monumental as the Hex Night, and therefore unlikely to target other magical girls. Still, best not to mention more than she had to. For all she knew, others could be watching and listening.

"We've got to keep a look out," she whispered, peering from side to side down the streets. "I don't know if this watcher appears before the evening, but even so..." Her muscles tightened, her body primed to transform at any moment if she needed to. The nearer she and Hikari drew, the more the choice felt like the right thing. Not only did a creep like that have to be stopped, her carelessness yesterday could mean Noriko and Sophia were targets. She had to make sure they didn't suffer for her screw-up. Nonetheless, trepidation clawed its way up her spine with every step. What if she got Hikari into trouble too? She wasn't a natural leader, not like Shining Fist. Where was Shining Fist, anyway?

Hearing a ping from her blazer pocket, she pulled out her phone. The gauntlet-wielding magical girl still hadn't gotten back to her, but Noriko had. With a sigh, Fuyuko read the message.

"Sort of? Wait, what's this? What's going on? The girl you were talking to, who is she? I know you can deal with whatever happens, but please be careful. And please, please, don't get caught up in anything too major, no matter how much you want to help everyone."

Fuyuko stared. She hadn't expected such an undertone of cynicism from her sister. Yet another reminder of how dire the situation was. She clenched the phone as she thought how to word her reply, then started typing.

"It's alright, there are reasons why I doubt she means any harm. We're just searching for someone who might be causing a few too many issues for magical girls right now - that watcher in the rabbit mask from yesterday. We'll stop them as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please stay safe yourself, and keep Kiyoshi with you as often as you can."

Pocketing her phone once she'd sent the message, she looked up at the distant woodland. That sense of foreboding grew as the last part of Noriko's message played through her mind. Yes, she did want to help as much as possible, but was the Hex Night a time to do so?

She knew the answer even as she continued along the path.

After the Dawn (LuckyBlackCat and SimpleWriter)

~ Imamura, Seika ~

The patter of rain that had started outside grew to a heavy staccato. Putting her bag and jacket in her locker, Seika glanced at the drops streaming down the window. Good thing she'd avoided the downpour. If she hadn't, she'd make a terrible first impression on the newcomer - wherever she was. She looked towards the door to the hallway, hoping the new recruit had arrived in time to keep out of the bad weather too.

Footsteps sounded, not in front of her, but behind her. She turned to see a girl burst in, damp dark hair hanging in her face as she bowed with a frantic apology. Seika approached her, only to freeze in place when the other girl stood up. That familiar face bore the same look of surprise she probably did.

"Hito..." A flood of buried emotions welled up, choking off the name Seika tried to utter. Her formed friend hadn't changed much, but everything else had, turning all those happy memories too sour to savour. Just looking at her brought on the same stabs of anger and regret the fights had. "Ogasawara," she said instead, body stiff as she folded her arms and inclined her head. "Welcome." Glimpsing an odd look from the manager at her frosty greeting, Seika sighed and forced her muscles to relax. She couldn't let herself drop the act, no matter what.

"So I see you already know each other," their boss commented, an edge to his voice that didn't ease the tension any. "Imamura-san, I trust you to show Ogasawara-san around and help her learn the basics."

Face impassive once more, Seika nodded. She had to steel herself to meet Hitomi's gaze. "Well," she muttered, "once you're ready, we'd better make a start."

After the Dawn (LuckyBlackCat and SimpleWriter)

Imamura, Seika

19

Likes

• Dogs
• Movies
• Stylish clothes and accessories
• Casual socialisation (without letting anyone too close)

Dislikes

• Creepy guys
• Being cooped up inside for too long
• Showing vulnerability
• Pushy teachers/family

Studies

Seika's chosen university course is media studies, as she aims to go into journalism.

Work

Part time waitress/barista work in a small cafe on campus, to contribute towards rent and expenses of her studies.

Room

Rents an apartment in a student complex amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, in a convenient spot near transport and shopping areas. The main room, with an en-suite bathroom, is decently large, neat and filled with bright colours as she likes it. Part of it is a kitchen/lounge, complete with TV. In the bedroom part, where her desk is, she keeps handheld game consoles hidden away, her interest a memento of her time as Hitomi's friend. She has a few cityscape pictures, as well as photos of her mother's Shiba Inu named Aya, but none of her friends or family.

After the Dawn (LuckyBlackCat and SimpleWriter)

~ Imamura, Seika ~

Click. Click. Click. Kitten heels tapped against the path as Seika strode with her head high, shoulders back, face neutral. The pose felt as restrictive and uncomfortable as her starchy waitress uniform, but it played just as important a part in the code she stuck to. With morning classes over, and the midday sun starting to dip, she had to switch the mask of ideal student to that of ideal employee.

Stopping outside a building, a modern-styled cafe of cubes, glass and steel, she took a handheld mirror from her bag, smoothing her hair. Maintaining said mask wasn't easy, but she couldn't let any cracks show, not even as her teacher's snarky comments from earlier stuck in her mind. Sure, the professors were like that with most of the class, but she could just imagine what her parents would say... and what he'd say.

Watching herself shiver, she scowled at her reflection and shoved the mirror back into the handbag. Why the hell was she still dwelling on that? He was out of her life, and good riddance. Get a grip, she mentally chided herself as she marched forward, ponytail swishing. Get a fucking grip.

She took a deep breath, then pushed the door open, her customer service persona in place even before she reached the staff room. "Good afternoon," she greeted the manager, bowing her head, her tone as falsely bright as a mechanical recording.

"Afternoon, Imamura-san," the man before her said, returning the bow. "If you wouldn't mind, I have a favour to ask of you. We have a new member of staff starting today, would you be able to show her the ropes?"

Seika hid the jolt of panic with a smile. Would she be able to, as a fairly new employee herself? In any case, she had to act capable, more than capable. "That'll be no problem," she chirped. She could only hope that would be the case.

Be my Sanctuary

Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey

"Uh, well..." Jess blurted, panic rising. Some of the questions, given the situation, were bound to turn out awkward. Although the presence of two anchors muted surrounding emotions, it was obvious just from Roxy's face that she thought the same. Yet neither could explain why. The display of uncertainty had already prompted Laura to write down notes, and Jess couldn't risk letting on anything more.

"Yeah. Sounds like a good idea," she continued, trying to keep her tone sounding calm. "We're not exactly used to asking each other things, but... Well, that's the point of the exercise." She forced a laugh before turning to Roxy. "Speaking of exercise... Physical exercise. How about that as an activity?"

She took a deep breath. There was no shame in asking for help. It wouldn't inconvenience Roxy. On the contrary, if they connected better, it would benefit both of them.

"Would you be ok helping me train?"

She didn't specify what kind of training. Best to avoid mentioning anything that could bring on suspicion, but the fact was, learning self defense could be more than just a way to bond. It could become a necessity.

Mahou Shoujo no Hex Night: A Magical Girl Battle RP

@VitaVitaAR Finally got my reply up, sorry for the wait, work hasn't let up lately.

Mahou Shoujo no Hex Night: A Magical Girl Battle RP

❅❄ Fuyuko Yamazaki ❄❅

---

@VitaVitaAR

A few seconds of silence passed. "Uh..." Fuyuko considered her options. On the one hand, it seemed wisest to wait for Shining Fist to respond and take the lead. On the other, Hoshino and waiting didn't exactly go well together - and what if someone else got hurt in the meantime?

"We could do," she finally replied, "as long as we're both careful, since it's just the two of us. I can stay out, I'll just quickly tell..."

Right on cue, a hand clapped onto her shoulder, a cry of "GRAAAHHHHH!" making her whirl around. Seeing Noriko and the exaggerated scary face she pulled, Fuyuko accompanied her sister's guffaws with a much softer laugh.

"Hey, how could I resist?" Noriko chirped, that grin spreading across her face - although it wasn't her usual one. Too wide, failing to reach her normally warm brown eyes, which seemed empty. She gave off the air of an actress in a comedy play. "C'mon sis, Mom's waiting for us."

Once more, Fuyuko fell quiet. "Well, uh..." Her eyes darted between Noriko and Hikari. "I'm actually planning on staying out and about, if that's ok with everyone."

With a look she knew, one that said she didn't blame her, Noriko nodded. "All good, I'll let Mom know." Again, her voice sounded a little too chipper. "Just tell us when you're heading back, ok? Well, see ya!"

Fuyuko returned the nod. "Later," she murmured, noting the unusually heavy steps as Noriko left. The thought of the responsibility she'd burdened her sister with made Fuyuko's heart ache. Head drooping, she faced Hoshino.

"L-Look, on second thoughts, maybe..." She glanced over her shoulder, staring into space. Shouldn't she spend the afternoon supporting Noriko with the home situation? Wouldn't be be best to wait for nightfall and Shining Fist's reply after all? If she did, though, and Hoshino investigated on her own, were problems to arise, she'd be responsible for having abandoned her. Magical girls tended to work in teams for a reason. "Uh, never mind."

She lifted up her phone, wondering whether to invite her sister along. Hoshino surely wanted to meet a magical girl she could trust. Then again, if they got caught up in this mission past evening, there'd be nobody to protect the home. Sighing, Fuyuko lowered the device. Beep. Right then, a text notification blinked onto the screen.

"Hey, if this is Hex Night stuff and you won't be back until much, much later, I'll tell Mom you're staying with a friend. I mean it's not like she won't understand. Again, best of luck! Sweep through 'em like the snowstorm you are!"

Giving a twitch of a smile despite the pang of guilt, Fuyuko typed a reply. "It is, sort of... Sorry I can't be around, but thanks." The instant she sent the message, she wished she hadn't written "sort of". Someone as perceptive and protective as Noriko would worry, want to know more.

Trying to focus on the task at hand, Fuyuko raised her eyes from the phone. "S-Sorry. Just a quick message," she muttered. "Uh, anyway... If you're ready, let's go." She started on her way to the school gates, towards the path to the woods.

Pokemon Spiral

@ItMeGritty Approved, mayhem making can now begin.