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[ Nanoha tilts her head at this. What would she like to know more about Cinder. She didn't even know her well enough to figure out a good place to start. Would a generic question do? ]
Hm... I guess the best way to find out about someone is by asking what they do? For work, for a hobby, and whatever it was they were up to back before... Cerealia?
Hm... I guess the best way to find out about someone is by asking what they do? For work, for a hobby, and whatever it was they were up to back before... Cerealia?
Sometimes I opt not to answer at all.
[ which is a true enough statement. answering with a "question" is rather generous for cinder. nonon should be happy that she replied with subtle worldplay. but cinder knows she has a habit of not... sharing information and she has no reason to change that aspect of herself. cinder is rarely ever incentivized to divulge information about herself, especially during a first encounter.
having said that, she doesn't expect that same level of cautiousness from nonon. at least, not in the framework of casual conversation. with a relatively amused expression, she prepares to parrot the same question that was just asked of her. ]
And what about you? I'd imagine it takes a certain level of skill to know how to lead during a ballroom dance. Following, on the other hand, isn't all that difficult.
[ says a leader to a henchman. ]
[ which is a true enough statement. answering with a "question" is rather generous for cinder. nonon should be happy that she replied with subtle worldplay. but cinder knows she has a habit of not... sharing information and she has no reason to change that aspect of herself. cinder is rarely ever incentivized to divulge information about herself, especially during a first encounter.
having said that, she doesn't expect that same level of cautiousness from nonon. at least, not in the framework of casual conversation. with a relatively amused expression, she prepares to parrot the same question that was just asked of her. ]
And what about you? I'd imagine it takes a certain level of skill to know how to lead during a ballroom dance. Following, on the other hand, isn't all that difficult.
[ says a leader to a henchman. ]
I suppose.
[ again, cinder is rather confused as to why mooching of his daughter's work ethic is something he seems to be happy about. though she can understand what it's like to be impressed by the talents of those younger than yourself (#pedothoughts). it's just not great when you rely on a fifteen year old for money when it should be the other way around. ]
But I'd imagine it'd be easier on her if you picked up the slack, no?
[ again, cinder is rather confused as to why mooching of his daughter's work ethic is something he seems to be happy about. though she can understand what it's like to be impressed by the talents of those younger than yourself (#pedothoughts). it's just not great when you rely on a fifteen year old for money when it should be the other way around. ]
But I'd imagine it'd be easier on her if you picked up the slack, no?
[ Each and every performance should be memorable, Nonon thinks. Resting on her laurels, and not leaving an impression on people is for second rate conductors. And right now she's pretty sure with that display Cinder will certainly remember it.. and her. Not that she has reason for Cinder to remember her or anything!
Landing with a soft touch to the ground, Nonon doesn't even need to watch her destruction, she knows she won, and plans to gloat, not watch any status screens. Except her attention is taken by Cinder first, seeing the other girl leaning in to her and... kissing her hat? It's not that weird though, only a little... exciting we'll say.
Her arms cross over her chest, and she grins, leaning back a little. ]
It's my pleasure. I don't usually bother helping other people, but for you I can make a special case.
Landing with a soft touch to the ground, Nonon doesn't even need to watch her destruction, she knows she won, and plans to gloat, not watch any status screens. Except her attention is taken by Cinder first, seeing the other girl leaning in to her and... kissing her hat? It's not that weird though, only a little... exciting we'll say.
Her arms cross over her chest, and she grins, leaning back a little. ]
It's my pleasure. I don't usually bother helping other people, but for you I can make a special case.
[ Which is basically what she's doing right now! She should be mad, she'd never allow anyone to get away with speaking to her like this, save for one person. And... well, Cinder and Satsuki are not the same person. But for the sake of a new friendship, Nonon is allowing her to be this coy. That's what she wants to think anyway, and it's definitely not because Nonon can't bring out her full wit against this girl, at least her biting remarks are reserved, instead she's just... being coy herself. ]
Unlike you I don't see the need to hide. My family owns the largest transportation company in the world, and I was expected to learn how to dance back when I was in Elementary school. For the occasional gala where my father tried to make me dance with his business rival's sons. [ She grins as they find themselves a little closer... ] But I always refused.
Unlike you I don't see the need to hide. My family owns the largest transportation company in the world, and I was expected to learn how to dance back when I was in Elementary school. For the occasional gala where my father tried to make me dance with his business rival's sons. [ She grins as they find themselves a little closer... ] But I always refused.
Trust me, I have! Ever since I got my badge back, I've definitely been doing my fair share of bringing home the bacon!
[ at cinder's question, hawke is just going to give her a very flat look before looking over at the monster then back to cinder. really. this is what you ask. ]
I tend to be wary of people who have control over beasts with big teeth. Good survival instinct, maybe?
[ hawke's not underestimating that thing at all. she doesn't know cinder, she doesn't know how cinder thinks but when faced with a very, er, questionable woman she's not going to be stupid about it. philosophical chats in an eternal forest with someone who may or may not want to... kill her...? this she can do. this she has done. you're old hat now, cinder. ]
I find that if you spend too long thinking about death, you forget to do anything else. I have a healthy dose of fear for it, like most, but I also have a healthy dose of fear for spiders. Personally, I could do without spiders for a very, very long time. All those limbs and eyes and... eurgh, no thanks.
[ wait, weren't they talking about death -- ]
I tend to be wary of people who have control over beasts with big teeth. Good survival instinct, maybe?
[ hawke's not underestimating that thing at all. she doesn't know cinder, she doesn't know how cinder thinks but when faced with a very, er, questionable woman she's not going to be stupid about it. philosophical chats in an eternal forest with someone who may or may not want to... kill her...? this she can do. this she has done. you're old hat now, cinder. ]
I find that if you spend too long thinking about death, you forget to do anything else. I have a healthy dose of fear for it, like most, but I also have a healthy dose of fear for spiders. Personally, I could do without spiders for a very, very long time. All those limbs and eyes and... eurgh, no thanks.
[ wait, weren't they talking about death -- ]
[ cinder just assumes she's being sarcastic and simply ignores her statement. she's more attentive to yang's stamina. even for cinder, there would be slightly more fatigue in her step after having emerged from an ocean full of eels. so she observes, relatively closely, the necessary steps it might take to subdue her in future. it's not as if cinder hasn't heard of that one (two?) club incident(s).
her eyes follow yang as the blonde briskly goes off ahead of her. since cinder has no intentions to assist, she'll just chill. here. ]
Seems like you've lost a strand of hair. [ cinder's lying... but if yang didn't feel up to it now, hopefully, that incentivizes her... ]
her eyes follow yang as the blonde briskly goes off ahead of her. since cinder has no intentions to assist, she'll just chill. here. ]
Seems like you've lost a strand of hair. [ cinder's lying... but if yang didn't feel up to it now, hopefully, that incentivizes her... ]
[ cinder doesn't edge back when nonon breaches more personal space. they're already dancing together, this closely, so cinder has no qualms. her expression seems content like nonon's words are lyrical, especially partnered alongside this music. wealthy. strong. these are all attributes cinder might find useful in the future even if the former might not hold much value here. cinder ignores the quip at her expense and nonon should be glad that she did. ]
Boys who hail from families of affluence hold no interest for you? How.... [ starts with a "g"... and ends with an "ay"... ] selective of you. So tell me, what kind of person did you always end up dancing with? Or was no one ever interesting enough for you?
[ how many hot black-haired girls do you know... oh wait... ]
Boys who hail from families of affluence hold no interest for you? How.... [ starts with a "g"... and ends with an "ay"... ] selective of you. So tell me, what kind of person did you always end up dancing with? Or was no one ever interesting enough for you?
[ how many hot black-haired girls do you know... oh wait... ]
Well... Here I do. I meant at home. But this casino does pay pretty good, especially when I gamble.
[She doesn't know about all those presents I was able to buy for Christmas.]
[She doesn't know about all those presents I was able to buy for Christmas.]
[ that logic is sound enough. generic questions are all they're going to possibly get from this encounter lest another hellhound respawns for her. cinder shrugs before pointing towards her attire. ]
A model. [ despite her default battle outfit pertaining glass heels and an off-the-shoulder cut dress, what's she's wearing now is even less suited for combat that. her cleavage is hinted at unsubtly and her shoes threaten to have her sink three inches to the ground with every step. but cinder is professional and too experienced to let that deter her. ] This isn't an outfit I would wear on a normal day, let alone into ViViD. I was working before I ended up here. [ and she has other... pastimes of note but they aren't wroth mentioning right now. ]
What about you? What is your job here and is fighting a hobby of yours?
[ manages to get straight to the point in spite of herself. ]
A model. [ despite her default battle outfit pertaining glass heels and an off-the-shoulder cut dress, what's she's wearing now is even less suited for combat that. her cleavage is hinted at unsubtly and her shoes threaten to have her sink three inches to the ground with every step. but cinder is professional and too experienced to let that deter her. ] This isn't an outfit I would wear on a normal day, let alone into ViViD. I was working before I ended up here. [ and she has other... pastimes of note but they aren't wroth mentioning right now. ]
What about you? What is your job here and is fighting a hobby of yours?
[ manages to get straight to the point in spite of herself. ]
[ there's something about hawke's glibness that causes cinder's eyes to narrow. tilting her head as judgement seethes out of every pore. cinder is not unused to being talked to like this— like she's allowing insults to be directed her because she offers no drastic facial indicators in response. just because she doesn't look all that angry, that doesn't necessarily mean that she isn't.
hawke's tirade against spiders something cinder takes as a sign that, in this moment, cinder isn't taken encounter seriously at all. maybe it's due to hawke's previous experiences with this but it's rare for cinder to give anyone the time to day. and when she does, she wants to talk to another ruby not... another roman posing as a ruby which is an odd image but here we are. ]
Unprovoked, spiders won't do anything to harm you. Walk into its web and it just might. [ meaning don't poke the bear, or the spider, in this case. and in this case further, cinder is the spider. ] For someone who must make something of a habit of it, I imagine you must get trapped often.
[ and the unasked question being how are you still alive, then? hopefully, unlike roman, it's not because she relies on the good timing of others. cinder rests her gaze on the sword like she might already know the answer to her unspoken riddle. ]
hawke's tirade against spiders something cinder takes as a sign that, in this moment, cinder isn't taken encounter seriously at all. maybe it's due to hawke's previous experiences with this but it's rare for cinder to give anyone the time to day. and when she does, she wants to talk to another ruby not... another roman posing as a ruby which is an odd image but here we are. ]
Unprovoked, spiders won't do anything to harm you. Walk into its web and it just might. [ meaning don't poke the bear, or the spider, in this case. and in this case further, cinder is the spider. ] For someone who must make something of a habit of it, I imagine you must get trapped often.
[ and the unasked question being how are you still alive, then? hopefully, unlike roman, it's not because she relies on the good timing of others. cinder rests her gaze on the sword like she might already know the answer to her unspoken riddle. ]
[ his lack of a success is unsurprising to her. were this a different kind of virtual swamp, his brute strength would have been enough of an opposing force but as it stands it succeeds at... doing nothing. cinder notices the water encroaching his shoes and she pulls her arm away before it decides to take a hold of him too. being rescued by him is one matter she can endure being stuck with him is even less desirable. ]
There may be a vine somewhere. I believe this swamp is meant to test brain power not... [ she holds back her tongue. despite her anger, he is not necessarily the source and her tone simmers to its usual cool. ]
You should be able to do it. Find one and I should be able to get out that way. [ or at least, that's what previous experience has taught her. ]
There may be a vine somewhere. I believe this swamp is meant to test brain power not... [ she holds back her tongue. despite her anger, he is not necessarily the source and her tone simmers to its usual cool. ]
You should be able to do it. Find one and I should be able to get out that way. [ or at least, that's what previous experience has taught her. ]
I don't usually let myself be saved but when I do know that I can be very... rewarding.
[ promises she probably made to emerald, hence why she stuck around so long. but cinder is pleased to know that her... preview of a reward is satisfying in and of it self. the awkward part now, however, is that in spite of nonon's heroics, they're still stuck here. moving on to the next stage will obviously being achieved by cinder's demise but it seems nonon's yet to draw that conclusion. another thing advantage from that one single hat-kissing gesture cinder can be thankful for. ]
It seems like it's just you and me. [ alone... in the forest... but cinder walks past her so the idea of that won't sink it. ] We should try finding an exit.
[ promises she probably made to emerald, hence why she stuck around so long. but cinder is pleased to know that her... preview of a reward is satisfying in and of it self. the awkward part now, however, is that in spite of nonon's heroics, they're still stuck here. moving on to the next stage will obviously being achieved by cinder's demise but it seems nonon's yet to draw that conclusion. another thing advantage from that one single hat-kissing gesture cinder can be thankful for. ]
It seems like it's just you and me. [ alone... in the forest... but cinder walks past her so the idea of that won't sink it. ] We should try finding an exit.
[He gasps in surprise as she saves him from getting pulled under, and he nods.]
Ah... Thank you very much! That is a very clever idea. I will do that... Right away!!
[Quickly,. he runs over towards the nearest vine and drags it over towards her to hand it to her!]
Ah... Thank you very much! That is a very clever idea. I will do that... Right away!!
[Quickly,. he runs over towards the nearest vine and drags it over towards her to hand it to her!]
[ A model. Nanoha could see that, she definitely had the looks for it. Although those looks weren't going to do much in this swamp stage. ]
Photoshoots are hard work, aren't they? I'm not a model, but I had to do a few promotional ones. [ For the movies made about her childhood. They were fun, but Nanoha probably wasn't going to make a living off them. ]
I'm a bodyguard here, and I'd say training is definitely a big hobby of mine! I've been told I'm a workaholic, so I have to just keep getting stronger for work, too, yeah?
[ Nanoha doesn't really find the question that strange, because she really does like sparring. Not so much all out brawls, although her training sessions still turned into that every now and again. ]
Photoshoots are hard work, aren't they? I'm not a model, but I had to do a few promotional ones. [ For the movies made about her childhood. They were fun, but Nanoha probably wasn't going to make a living off them. ]
I'm a bodyguard here, and I'd say training is definitely a big hobby of mine! I've been told I'm a workaholic, so I have to just keep getting stronger for work, too, yeah?
[ Nanoha doesn't really find the question that strange, because she really does like sparring. Not so much all out brawls, although her training sessions still turned into that every now and again. ]
[ Short as she is, Nonon is all too comfortable with this, especially given the music being something she can actually enjoy. None of that rap or rock music, but a proper waltz. She makes sure to look up at Cinder though, so that the other girl doesn't have to just stare at her hat the whole time. No other reason! ]
I won't dance with someone I don't choose myself, that's one thing. Otherwise, I wouldn't say I have a type... [ She's lying, and playing coy just like Cinder, because hey... she's still deciding if she's gay or not. But yeah, she does very much prefer dancing with girls. ]
I just refuse to dance with boorish oafs who would rather just put their hands on me than dance.
I won't dance with someone I don't choose myself, that's one thing. Otherwise, I wouldn't say I have a type... [ She's lying, and playing coy just like Cinder, because hey... she's still deciding if she's gay or not. But yeah, she does very much prefer dancing with girls. ]
I just refuse to dance with boorish oafs who would rather just put their hands on me than dance.
[ Why would someone like Cinder be a boss?! That just would be too strange to even think about. Of course, Nonon also happens to be on Cinder's side, for one reason or another (girl's got getaway sticks) and hey, she really hates video games, she's not about to be looking too closely at that stuff. ]
I don't need a reward, just call me magnanimous in my attentions. [ She's trying to flirt.. a little awkwardly, given how much she talks so grandly of herself, just to have Cinder walk away from her, making Nonon double time to catch up to walk beside the other girl. ]
Shouldn't this shitty game be over? The boss is dead.
I don't need a reward, just call me magnanimous in my attentions. [ She's trying to flirt.. a little awkwardly, given how much she talks so grandly of herself, just to have Cinder walk away from her, making Nonon double time to catch up to walk beside the other girl. ]
Shouldn't this shitty game be over? The boss is dead.
[ something airy like a laugh (but not really) escapes her. cinder can relate. ]
That makes two of us.
[ but unlike nonon, boorish oaf and tiny girls often have difficulty retaining cinder's interest. let alone, allow them to touch her. cinder is not the kind of person one gets to touch so easily, especially in as casual an encounter as this but this has been a very... elucidating exception. eventually the classical music slows to a stop and is replaced by... dubstep? cinder doesn't really know the term but she knows she doesn't appreciate it all that much. she looks back down to nonon. ]
Care to let go?
[ obviously, cinder could easily leave now. even though she's implying nonon is what's preventing her from walking out the door, she's... testing. testing whether or not nonon... wants anything else from this interaction, shall we say. ]
That makes two of us.
[ but unlike nonon, boorish oaf and tiny girls often have difficulty retaining cinder's interest. let alone, allow them to touch her. cinder is not the kind of person one gets to touch so easily, especially in as casual an encounter as this but this has been a very... elucidating exception. eventually the classical music slows to a stop and is replaced by... dubstep? cinder doesn't really know the term but she knows she doesn't appreciate it all that much. she looks back down to nonon. ]
Care to let go?
[ obviously, cinder could easily leave now. even though she's implying nonon is what's preventing her from walking out the door, she's... testing. testing whether or not nonon... wants anything else from this interaction, shall we say. ]
I happen to play a pretty mean game of poker!
[Dumb luck probably does play a part in addition to building his talent for reading people, his sense of bluffing and occasional cheating.
Can't ready my, can't read my...]
[Dumb luck probably does play a part in addition to building his talent for reading people, his sense of bluffing and occasional cheating.
Can't ready my, can't read my...]
[ technically, she's a "fashion diva" but as a job that hardly makes any sense. whatever tasks she is made to do, however, cinder doesn't find the work to be all that tiring. she wears clothes and is paid. things like photoshoots and runaway walks are rarer occurrences than most would assume models were inclined to. so with yet another loll of her head, she makes a superfluous gesture. ]
It pays.
[ proficient as she in acting, cinder can't help but be quite bored over the roles ceres has given her. she has so many talents. all of which could be used on something much more meaningful than... posing. but that's what she was resigned to. at least, out of the two of them, one sound enthusiastic about her role here. ]
... A bodyguard? For who?
[ you know, who could use a bodyguard?
this gal. ]
It pays.
[ proficient as she in acting, cinder can't help but be quite bored over the roles ceres has given her. she has so many talents. all of which could be used on something much more meaningful than... posing. but that's what she was resigned to. at least, out of the two of them, one sound enthusiastic about her role here. ]
... A bodyguard? For who?
[ you know, who could use a bodyguard?
this gal. ]
[ if there was one thing cinder had to like about rock lee, its his ability to be obedient. she observes him as he retrieves her a vine. his actions are vigorous and fervent despite the fact that cinder made him seek it out of her. initially, she had no appreciation for his upbeat attitude but she's... since been convinced he might be more useful than she gave him credit for.
as her grip tightens around the vine, pulling it taut so that its steady. something bubbles in the swamp. and. out comes a... huge sludge monster... ]
Deal with that.
[ she'll dock you points if any of that gets into her hair. ]
as her grip tightens around the vine, pulling it taut so that its steady. something bubbles in the swamp. and. out comes a... huge sludge monster... ]
Deal with that.
[ she'll dock you points if any of that gets into her hair. ]
[It's definitely one thing that's likeable about him; but really, he did it for the vine.
Lee looks over as the sludge monster emerges with a startled gasp, but then a look of determination.]
Ossu! I promise to do my absolute best - I will protect you with my life!!
[He then... throws himself right at the sludge monster, to see how good that will do him.]
Lee looks over as the sludge monster emerges with a startled gasp, but then a look of determination.]
Ossu! I promise to do my absolute best - I will protect you with my life!!
[He then... throws himself right at the sludge monster, to see how good that will do him.]
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