#savageorchids

MS PAINTBUNAGA

She nods, expression still intense. “They’re all signed as well...”

“So, this is Chrysalia?” Graham mumbled to himself, glancing around at the so-called nation of bug types. His own Masquerain was buzzing around him curiously, keeping an eye out for any delicious flowers to get sweet nector from. Unfortunately, it would have to wait as Graham had an appointment to make.

The man met with those who would guide him to meet with the warlord, a Miss Diao Ruolan. He’d heard much about her from gossip in Dragnor, but he had no idea how much of it was salacious and how much of it was true. Either way, he’d be sure to keep any judgements to himself.

Upon entering the meeting room, Graham bowed to her before going to take his seat. His Masquerain slowly lowered to rest on the ground next to him, wings lowering in its own semblence of a bow.

Hanbei was on the cusp of slumber when the faint sound of rustling papers permeated his sleepy brain. His brows furrowed in annoyance at the disturbance, but it was only when the rustling started again that he realised that someone uninvited was in his quarters.

He froze where he lay beneath the sheets, keeping his eyes shut as naturally as he could. Whoever it was, they were pretty skilled- moving papers around without making any noise was near impossible. The rustling was so minimal it was a miracle he’d even heard it in the first place. He concentrated on the source for a few moments; it sounded like they were looking for something amongst his strategic documents that were strewn across his writing desk.

This was certainly not a run-of-the-mill thief. They were looking for something of tactical value, not monetary.

Either way, Hanbei had no intention of simply lying there and letting his work get stolen. That’d mean writing it out all over again, and he was absolutely not in the mood for that.

He suddenly sat bolt upright in his bed, his eyes fixed on the intruder.

“You know, if you wanted to admire my genius so badly, you could’ve at least asked first.” He called out casually, a smirk spreading on his lips.

New faces weren’t much of a common sight in Spikemuth-- people seemed to either forget it exists or passed by entirely-- something Piers was setting out to fix, but... It sure didn’t seem like he was picking up much traction. Awful. But that’s how life was sometimes. He just needed to put his head in his music a little more. But this was besides the point.

It was a quiet moment for once, team Yell was off, out and about on the streets, his own form sitting on his stage, papers spread out, his Toxtricity lifting his head slowly when approached. For a new face, he couldn’t help but find her almost familiar. But where had he seen this stranger? Maybe it was at the bar last night? He remembers it vaguely, a few other musicians had gathered there for a small show. Maybe that was it.

   A year of being a warlord wasn’t much experience at all, and Ruolan was still getting used to being treated with reverence. Being referred to with a proper title still flustered her, being bowed to even more so, but this-

   “O-oh, hey. Thank…you?” Her ears reddened as her hand was taken, the man sweeping down to press his lips to the back of it. It didn’t hurt that he was good-looking, but her hand shook a little in his grasp, her other hand lifting to shield her face.

   “Nice to meet you too…?”