Pretti Meets Akina

Pretty is sure to bring Akina’s preferred beverage, be it tea or coffee or stronger.

There’s the usual bow, hi, how ya been—in Western or Desian, depending on Akina’s preference. She sits on a bench or pushes the wheelchair, whatever Akina wants.

And while Pretti’s 99% sure “I want something” is stamped on her forehead in a way Akina can read from a mile away, she doesn’t cut to the chase. This is not out of some kind of pretense, but simply a case of Pretti being comfortable around Akina that she can just be herself.

“So… I met a runner. She’s got this friend who I called Tampon Sam, ’cause he made a tampon run for her while she was on a job. We were drinking, the name was meant to be silly, but really, also meant in respect.

“Turns out this Sam’s a runner himself, and he’s on this job that I really respect. Like, I almost regret not being on the same job, but I’m still kinda green around the gills. Anyway, it turns out he’s Gamer Sam. The guy who won that tournament after I foiled the cheat!”

Pretty gives a his-loss/you’re-quite-a-catch sort of response, which is her genuine feeling. If she weren’t with MK, she’d have asked if Akina’s into girls. She won’t go there now, but it’s clear from the conversation she admires Akina.

((Been busy, despite not getting out much. In the interest of not slowing the team,,do you mind if I fast-forward past small talk?))

When it’s time for a change of subject, Pretti tells of her next job. “I’m helping out an urban brawler whose legs were blown off. She’s a good friend of the girl who got me in the group in case you’re wondering why on Gilon anyone would jump into a game like this.

“I don’t think my girlfriend will ever need a team of runners to save her butt, but… y’know. Can’t hurt to say, don’t forget how I did that Urban Brawl thing.

“Still… it’s a crazier sport than I first thought. Check out the casualty list—all from this year! Is that normal?”

Pretti replies, “Yeah… I wasn’t too squeamish about seeing those videos of myself, but that’s ’cause I know how I ended up. And y’know… I lost my legs, but I gained better friends. Meeting you really helped keep my spirits up.

“So anyway… the outlier comes as a relief that the sport isn’t so suicidal. On the other hand, are you saying this is a deadly season? Or is it only deadly for one team? …that being the one I’m on.

“Not that I’m saying I’d feel better if even more people died, but if it’s 5 deaths and 2 legs on one team and no deaths on others, I’d think it’s either a fix or… maybe something more personal.”

Pretti says to that, “So this is a deadly season and a stupidly dangerous game. Still, the outlier’s weird, right?

“Was there any correlation between this year and last? I mean, if the Dragons are being deliberately killed off, did they wrong someone? Either cause a death or just win so often someone’s forcing a change? I mean, if it was a fixed game, why would the oni-troll team go out of their way to lose and cause so much carnage? A fix wouldn’t draw this much attention, or be so self-defeating, right?”

Pretti says, “Well… it seemed suspicious to me and one of the other experienced runners, but anyway, I appreciate you brainstorming this with me. We don’t have to keep talking shop, if you’d rather not. But I’m glad to have you in my life if this is a career I’m sticking to—the running—Urban Brawl’s a one-time thing… hopefully not for the same reason as five ex-teammates.

“I certainly can’t talk to MK about this run. It would break her little heart.

“I don’t suppose you happen to know who I could talk to…”

That last bit’s in response to Akina just being a deck jockey. If there is something to investigate, Pretti wonders if Akina might introduce her to a friend that might be a better judge of whether there is any foul play or vendetta to investigate.

“Good point… and I’ll wanna meet the new teammates anyway. Thanks!”

Pretti is content to change the subject, and if there’s any good ‘street food,’ she’s happy to treat Akina to a snack. ((That might be more of a Hong Kong term. I was in rural Japan, aside from Sapporo… I think “street food” is still a thing in Japan, and desirable even to those who avoid hot dog carts.

IC, Pretti would chat. OoC, I’m fine RP’ing that, but don’t wanna keep other players waiting.))

Pretti and Akina spend some time eating and chatting, having a good time.

((alrighty, I'll continue the main thread with ya'll training in the morning, sometime tomorrow))