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[Saionji returns from her first day at work- amazing, she survived, wow- and decides she's a bit hot from being cooped up inside for too long, and takes a walk in the park.

Of course, Ayani forces herself out of her Pokéball and tails her. Again. By now, Saionji's getting used to it.

When she arrives, she hears sounds of life, that someone else is in the area. She's still suffering from illusions of grandeur about her Ayani being able to tear everyone apart- perhaps Celes could slap a bit of sense into her. Not-so-kindly.]

Eh? Who's there?

[Purchasing a Fire Stone had been a fantastic decision - Celes has been admiring her Ninetales all week. At present, she's got her practicing her more deadly Fire attacks; Fire Blast is the current technique of choice.]

Again, Beatrice.

[Her Pokemon obeys instantly, and one of the uglier bushes in the garden promptly explodes in a mess of flames, Celes' lips drawing into a cruel smile as she watches it burn. She's always found fire so beautiful, after all....]

[The sound of Saionji's voice breaks her out of her revelry, however, and she turns, looking curiously over at her. Her expression doesn't change upon recognition, but her inner monologue certainly does.

Another one of those.

Celes isn't sure how she feels about the new batch of Hope's Peak students arriving - she still doesn't trust any of them, and despite the fact that she feels no love towards her actual classmates (and now, housemates), something in her resents the intrusion into their little world. Hmm. It's something she'll have to analyse, but at the moment she's content to feel apathetic towards such feelings. There are better things to do.

She'd seen this girl at Christmas but hadn't spoken to her, and hadn't really intended to start - now, however, it seems she doesn't have a choice.]

Are you lost?

[...although. Perhaps she could be of use...]

Edited 2013-12-27 12:39 (UTC)

[Whoa. Fire.

It's not ringing in her head negatively. The sudden warmth in the melting snow gives her a bit of a shock, but it comes as welcome and pretty sweet, in the end; too bad Ayani couldn't do anything like that.

...Yet, anyway. Ayani jumps out and looks at the Ninetales excitedly, probably registering the type disadvantage and their haughty demeanor just as much as their trainer- which is to say, not at all. She doesn't like the look of Celes, though, she seems... like one of the people back home. Hiding something. Skin too pale and ridiculous hair too, huh. Big Bro Oowada said she was SHSL what...?] No, I'm not! I'm new, but I'm not clueless.

...What Pokémon is that? Isn't that a Kyuubi no Kitsune? [She's indulged herself in every possible Japanese fairytale and folklore. She instantly recognizes what Beatrice is based off.] Huh.

[Celes remains quiet as Beatrice walks over to her, dramatically swirling her tail around her trainer's legs and seating herself in the snow, steam coming out of her nostrils. She looks at Ayani with haughty, disinterested eyes, and soon busies herself with cleaning nonexistant marks off her paws.

Something about Saionji's question makes Celes smile slightly, one neatly manicured hand coming up to rest over her lips.]

Oh yes. It's said that Ninetales can live for a thousand years...which, coincidently is the amount of time you'll be cursed if you grab one of their tails.

[...is it becoming obvious as to why she likes this Pokemon so much...]

Rather terrifying, wouldn't you agree?

It's not that scary. Especially if all you need to do is just keep your grubby hands away from it. [Of course, there's going to be the foolhardy idiot every now and then who goes up and sees if it's true. Really, people like that are just asking to be cursed for the rest of their mortal and post-mortem lives.] Does their power really match up with those of deities?

[Ayani doesn't really get the signal, and starting running towards Beatrice before Saionji grabs her by the root between her two heads. She yelps, but there's no way Ayani is getting the chance to annoy this Pokémon, a contrast from normal.

Saionji has a surprising amount of respect for this Ninetales, mostly because of the myths surrounding the youkai at home- but her attitude towards the human might be a bit on the lacking side.] If you're trying to scare me, it won't work.

[The Mawile's sudden approach makes Beatrice raise her hackles, a snarl coming across her face and small flames shooting out from between her teeth. However...]

Now now, Beatrice, there's no need to be so rude...you know how I despise rudeness...

[At that remark, the Ninetales looks up at Celes in shock, before cowering slightly, shooting Ayani a death glare but making no more aggressive moves. However powerful she may be, it's obvious that her trainer has her on a tight leash.

Said trainer promptly links her fingers together and smiles.]

After all, our new friend is merely curious about you. Perhaps a demonstration is in order. Would you like that, Saionji-san?

[As reluctant as Celes had been to engage Saionji at Christmas, she did manage to pick up her name.]

[Saionji's curious of what she means by demonstration, but hell, why not?] Demonstration? Well, okay then!

What's your name? [Her outwardly pleasant demeanor is ringing off all the alarm bells in Saionji's head. It's not like that of Oowada, or Nanami's, even. But at the same time, with what Koizumi's taught her, she's not so keen on fleeing right now.

...Also, what kind of dress was that? Ew, goth lolita? Not all new trends were bad, but she absolutely despised such Western tastes- too flashy, not any sense of taste or shame.]

Ah, and here I am speaking of rudeness, without introducing myself...I am Celestia Ludenberg. Delighted to meet you.

[Saionji's acquiescence makes Celes' smile sharpen slightly as she makes her introduction, although as usual, it doesn't quite make it to her eyes. Raising a hand, she delicately indicates for Beatrice to move forward - she does so, eyes focused furiously on Ayani.]

To make up for my poor manners, I shall allow you to make the first move.

[Surprise! Here is her 'demonstration'...we're going to play a little game, and the odds are rather in her favour. As usual~]

I do hope you know how to battle, Saionji-san.

[OH WOW ALRIGHT that caught her off-guard, for sure. But hell, Saionji is super sure she's prepared, she made a trip to the department store and all, and there was a shitton of TMs! And- well her wallet is bled dry again but who cares! Oowada did tell her about level differences, but Ayani is strong so there can't be too much, right? 100 isn't even that big of a number.

...Celestia Ludenberg, though... an SHSL from a foreign country, perhaps? Eeeurgh. Stupid immigrants, taking up all their jobs and tainting culture. She might be a Japanophile, but also could be a Western-loving freak...]

A battle? Alright then! Let's do this, Ayani!

Ayani! Stone Edge! [It's not every day you see a Level 7 Mawile attempting to use Stone Edge, lifting fragments of the Earth gingerly and attempting to aim. Of course, with such a low level, it's nowhere near as devastating as how the move was described by the sales clerk, with Rock-types levitating huge boulders and hurling them upwards from under the enemy and all that fancy lyrical description. It probably just barely chips the Ninetales, 3% damage at most.]

Edited (okAY SCREW THIS AND THE IMAGE LAST EDIT GOMEN) 2013-12-29 07:22 (UTC)

[Celes knows Saionji is very new, and as such she wasn't expecting anything overly impressive (that was the point of manipulating her into a battle, after all~); however, that pitiful attempt at Stone Edge was...something else, wasn't it. Her Ninetales blinks as the earth hits her, angrily shaking out clumps that stick in her fur. Ugh, she just bathed herself, and look what you've done to her coat!

...

...in a way, the attack is super effective....

Ignoring Beatrice's behaviour, Celes smiles. This will not take long.]

As usual, my gamble pays off. Beatrice - Flamethrower.

[Beatrice is more than happy to obey, the flames furiously exploding from her mouth as she channels all her vengeful rage (HER. COAT.) into the attack, sending it flying towards Ayani.]

[As the flames rush towards Ayani, it doesn't even occur to her that she should dodge.

The awe of the amazing heat and the force of the attack causing the cold wind rushing to feel like an exploding heater- Saionji backs away a bit, almost falling over in surprise, and there's a brief expression of horror as she realizes that Ayani isn't completely made of flesh, and that steel can melt.]

Ayani! [It's real, actual distress that Ayani just barely hears before being knocked out flat. There's a moment of extreme fear, her mood falling and heart dropping to her feet and shattering like the stone cold rock it was- she acted like she didn't care, but if Ayani was gone she'd really be helplessly alone here even more so, won't she?

She clicks the Pokéball, and Ayani returns fainted before the Flamethrower even ends. The floor beneath her is a bloody disgusting and wet mess of mixed water and ice.] You... I- you didn't tell me your Ninetales was that strong!

That's... that's cheating!

Cheating?

[Celes actually seems surprised at the accusation, snapping her fingers to summon Beatrice back to her side. Her Ninetales seems unconcerned with how aggressively she dispatched her opponent; Celestia-sama insists on victory, after all, and she knew the consequences for failure. She couldn't afford to lose, even to a Lvl 7 Pokemon. She couldn't.]

On the contrary, Saionji-san; this was a legitimate game that you agreed to. It is not my fault that you did not consider that your odds of victory were astronomically low. You witnessed Beatrice practicing her attacks on that bush, after all.

Edited 2013-12-29 22:06 (UTC)

What did you think was going to happen?

[That's... that's right. Oh god, that was right, you just jumped in trusting that she'd play on equal grounds, didn't you? This is- Saionji knows Celes isn't in the wrong (at least, according to her philosophy), and decides to retract her statement, for once.]

...Fine... that was smart of you. [Oh, she really didn't want to say that. How long has it been, since she's had to play it cool and remember she was at the bottom of the pack? She hates the feeling. She hates Celes,, but Saionji can't deny that she would've done the same, given the chance.] But when I get stronger, I want a rematch!

[She digs through her pockets.] Do I give you half of my money, or...? [She's fumbling and can't even remember post-battle etiquette, but she will- one day, she'll oh-so-easily triumph against Celes.]

[Don't worry, Saionji - everyone hates Celes. It's basically a rite of passage at this point!

Regardless, she watches the way Saionji digs through her pockets, and inwardly turns up her nose - outwardly, there's still a smile on her face.]

I don't want your spare change. However, since this was a battle, it's good etiquette to reward me in some manner, and I know exactly how you can.

[With Beatrice at her heels, Celes walks over to Saionji, until they're close enough to talk properly. Her hands are clasped neatly in front of her as she leans forward.]

You do want to become a better trainer, don't you, Saionji-san? Don't worry - I promise I won't be asking for much.

[There's a ton of scenarios rushing through her head.

None of them are good.]

...Yes, I do. What is it? [Saionji doesn't believe it's 'not much', but she is still curious about what Celes would want. She's towering over her, not just in height- Saionji's used to that.

She's got a bad feeling about this...]

I just want a bit of information. I'm curious, you see.

[Celes doesn't beat around the bush.]

I want you to tell me about yourself, your little friend Nanami-san and that Hinata-kun that posted on the network before. Also what you know of Hope's Peak Academy, the last thing you remember before arriving here in Johto, and whether or not you know of Junko Enoshima.

[Pausing for a moment, Celes flicks her eyes to the side, before returning her unblinking gaze to Saionji.]

Those are all my questions. Please do not bother trying to lie to me...but I am hoping you would not be so foolish.

[...Well, she has minimal problem with that. Especially about those two, she doesn't really care for them too much...?]

I'm SHSL Buyo Dancer. Big Sis Nanami is SHSL Gamer and, as far as I know, a sleepy blockhead. But during trials she's suspiciously good at concentrating... like during her video games. She's mysterious, and probably the most dangerous one.

No one knows what Big Bro Hinata's talent is! Not even himself, or so he says! He's such a bleeding heart and looks so lame, like a cardboard cutout stock character... during crisis, thinks he's 'all that' and tries to be the de facto leader. He probably doesn't even have a talent, and ended up with us because of a mix-up or something, and he doesn't wanna admit it.

Hope's Peak Academy was just 'Hope's Peak Academy', no big despair incident or whatever Big Bro Oowada told me about. The last thing I rem-

[...okay okay OKAYOKAYOKAY oh gently caress it everyone's gonna know sooner or later anyway-] I got murdered.

[There's a sour undertone in her voice.] Junko Enoshima? Never heard of them!

Myself, myself... what do I tell you about myself?

Edited 2013-12-30 05:45 (UTC)

You were murdered? I can't imagine why.

[After that...charming comment, Celes grows silent, analysing the information Saionji has given her. She does not believe she is lying - there's something genuine in her voice, annoying as it is. So Nanami-san is more dangerous than she looks...Celes can't say she's surprised. Another reason to ensure she avoids her. As for that Hinata-kun...hmm. He sounds like an idiot. But then again, sometimes idiots tended to have the best luck of all...

The facts about Hope's Peak surprise her (not that she shows it); the only answer that would make sense would be that these others came from a previous class...but how could that work...? Hmm. She has a lot to think about.

Storing the information away, Celes looks back at Saionji and smiles her familiar smile, Beatrice happily curled around her legs. What is most interesting to her are those mentions of murder and trials. That, of course, could only mean one thing.]

You can tell me anything you want, Saionji-san, but I would love to know more about those trials. How many did you have to endure?

[-before you were killed. Don't worry, she'll hold her tongue this time...]

[Excuse me-]

I don't like your sarcasm. [She says that, and doesn't regret it, not really. Saionji doubts it'll help, but eh.] Our memory about Hope's Peak probably got wiped, like you guys, according to our second trial.

That's the last one I went to. [She's not going to tell Celes about how she pathetically walked straight into the murder and got her neck slit.] First trial involved our SHSL Good Luck- who is a greasy insane creep- trying to instigate a murder out of nothing but 'for hope' and actually succeeded in getting this freak, Teruteru Hanamura, to do it. Should've spat on his corpse for killing Mr Porkfeet. Second trial-

[Ugh.] -basically had photos and dredging up the past as 'motives'.

[Her sarcasm, you say?]

Few do.

[...thanks, Celes.]

[Alright, now she'll actually focus on the matter at hand.]

You have a SHSL Good Luck? How very curious.

[That's obviously surprised her; she didn't know more than one person could hold the same SHSL title. Could there be another SHSL Gambler out there? Hmph. There had better not be. She can't really comment on the first trial (how...very special...), but the second one...]

The past, and the secrets it holds, is always a wonderful motive. I am not surprised you were subjected to it.

[...actually....]

...so do you know who killed you, then? Are they here?

[Wouldn't that be hilarious....]

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b) 26th December READY TO GET SWEEPED

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2/2 BIGASS CHAP 3 SPOILERS

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