sweetretribution

[sweetretribution]

A rather self-satisfied smile comes across Neo's face at the other's reaction. If she were feeling meaner she'd have probably made something scarier happen...honestly, there's still kind of a disconnect how those impulses have grown less and less common for her. She doesn't let it distract her too much, though.

A brisk shrug dismisses the apology from the other woman. She's dealt with that kind of response from someone she already had an unpleasant relationship with- it's no big deal coming from a total stranger.

And a little shock she is! Hanabi is speechless for just a second and then, she giggles a little. "That was pretty neat!" it definitely helped ease any awkwardness from her end, at least.

"I'm sorry about the little..." she gestures to the weirdness she had just exuded, "Earlier. I got a little too excited."

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Neo had met her fair share of people who had absolutely no idea how to interact with others in her time here, especially a certain other from her world. This woman, however...she was something else, for sure. Admittedly, the height similarity between them was nice, given how she was used to everyone around her having at least a couple inches on her.

The way she chose to point this out? Significantly less nice.

Still, she knew how to react to these sorts of awkward conversations. So she gave a polite smile, a nod of acknowledgement at the compliment...before a quick blink of her eyes caused her irises to take on an alarming red hue, which is blinked away just as quickly. Just something to give her a little shock.

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"...!" She's never seen another person at her height. They're just an inch apart from each other, but still. She had always--well, okay, maybe she won't keep staring. She knows how she can feel. Clearing her throat, Hanabi puts on her best smile and says,

"You're short like me!" Okay, so maybe that could have gone so much better. She can feel the heat rise on her face and ears. Fuck.

"hahaahah! I MEAAAAAN I like your eyes!" Even worse.

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She is perhaps...a bit too excited to be carving through the block of ice before her. There doesn't seem to be any rush she's in, but most people probably wouldn't want to see someone with a grin like the one she's sporting holding a chainsaw as she was...

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Every sip of cocoa left Neo content to simply stand still for a few moments, let the sensation of the hot beverage wash over her. No better way to enjoy something like this in this kind of weather than to savor it, really. (Unless it was at a party and the cocoa had some extra spice to it; then the faster it went down the better) The cookie provided a much more visceral satisfaction. She'd lightened up on her drive to harm others, sure, but there were still some things to be worked out. It didn't help that her feelings on Cinder had always been a bit complicated.

And of a whole other sort, there were her feelings on the girl now standing before her. Any hostility she once held for Ruby had been greatly tempered by both their actions in the Ever After and the consequences thereof, but she wasn't sure they should be friends. She was still mulling over a return to the sort of life that would put her at odds with Little Red, not to mention- by all accounts- she should hate her. She'd been awful to Ruby, driven to completely undo her existence by nothing but blind spite. And now here she was, offering a corgi-shaped cookie out of the blue. Nothing about this kid made sense.

From where she stood, though, neither did refusing the offer. With her own partially-eaten cookie pinched between her thumb and index, she reached forward to take the Zwei cookie between the index and middle finger, giving a tentative nod of appreciation as she did so.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀... Is this weird ?⠀ ❜⠀⠀A⠀question posed to no one in particular is also posed too late; after all, she's already stepped out of the bakery with several Zwei-shaped gingerbread and she can't just not eat them. It's... probably fine. After all, people make cute things out of food all the time and eat them all the same ! That's about all the justification she requires in her time of need, already unwrapping one with a single resolute nod. ⠀❛ ⠀I just won't eat them around Zwei— Mm... ?⠀ ❜⠀

⠀⠀⠀Neopolitan was standing mere feet away, hot cocoa in one hand and a... somehow familiar-looking headless cookie in the other. Maybe the real kindness would be to just pretend she never noticed her and keep walking — it's difficult to know just what a person knew or didn't know in this place, and with her especially, that's a big gamble. Ruby recalls an anonymous gift left on her doorstep during her last visit, though, and decides against her first instinct. Her second instinct is to edge closer, holding out one of the gingerbread Zweis still wrapped in cellophane.

 ⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Hey... Want one ? If you move it left and right, it makes it look like he's winkiiiing.⠀ ❜⠀Yeah, that'll sell it.

⤷⠀⠀@sweetretribution : s.c.

[sweetretribution]

This contact...! The people running this city do love messing around, don't they?

[sweetretribution]

Well, doesn't someone look happy! Neo's standing around outside the Build-a-Gingerbread Man with a cup of hot cocoa in one hand and her own custom cookie in the other...its head completely removed from atop the short black cloak it wore. And she looks really pleased to be chewing away...

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Constantly she was reminded of how her upbringing affected her in ways that mattered so little- the introduction put forth had her rushing slightly to finish her bite, even though her mouth being full didn't affect her ability to do the same at all. She settles for a half-shrug at the other woman's admittance, never having looked herself but finding her situation the same in light of that. Then her hands get to work, one snatching a mildly used napkin as the other procures a pen from her pocket. In neat cursive she quickly writes 'Neopolitan' and underlines it, then circles the 'Neo' twice before bringing her gaze up to lock with Eula's, hopeful she'll understand both her answer and how to proceed.

Ah, not much of a talker, it seemed. Either way, Eula's fine to sit in comfortable silence as either of them enjoy their treat. It doesn't last for long though, as the knight does her best to be good company. "Eula, by the way," Her name, that is. It's the least she could give. "A pleasure to meet someone with similar tastes. I hardly ever find anyone willing to look beyond initial appearances when it comes to foods."

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This would do nicely! The long, glittering dress with its deep-sea colors caught the light and flowed very comfortably, and the jewel-encrusted crown, while gaudy, tied the regal image together. Neo was quite pleased with her costume, even if it was missing a piece she had let go some time ago...

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Neo gives a firm nod and smile, finishing off her bite before taking another one. The other woman's comment about the holiday feeling causes her to repeat the gesture, though in a slower gesture of agreement rather than confirmation- the specific holidays here didn't exist back on Remnant, but she did quite enjoy the atmosphere they established.

"You like it too, then?" She takes a bite now, just as satisfied as her new acquaintance. "I'm much more partial to the seasonal flavors myself. It adds to the holiday feel."

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Neo was rarely one to let her sweet tooth go unsatisfied, and she was quite fond of the more "festive" varieties of treats that popped up around here. She took the piece of bread with a smile and tip of the hat, and began to munch with a very pleased look about her.

“Take it, I have no need for two.” Pumpkin peppermint bread was certainly for people with acquired tastes and as much as Eula would love to finish both, they had been eyeing her from the start.

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Whatever kind of person Neo wanted to be- a riddle she was still working out herself- she figured it shouldn't be the type to leave the sight of a bloody knife alone. Loath as she was to get involved, more of her power and arsenal had been returned to her recently. She was confident she could handle it if things went south with this girl.

That was an awfully quick leap to denying the worst. It may not have even been a lie, but without further elaboration neither had a lot to go off of. Parasol hanging idly from one wrist, her arms folded across her chest in time with an inquisitive cock of one eyebrow to relay her expectation of an explanation.

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🩸 Himiko had already put two and two together. This woman seemed to be mute, which was kind of a problem. She couldn't really tell what the stranger had approached her for. Had she seen the bloody knife that the girl had been washing off? That would probably draw anyone's attention.

"What? Are you here to ask about the knife? Aren't you probably assuming too much? I didn't kill anyone with it, honest!" You didn't have to kill someone with a knife for it to be wrong though.

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Something about the way this guy looks at her seems mildly, though noticeably, taken by surprise. She knows nothing of where he comes from, of course- she just takes it as him finding her particularly unique-looking, which had always been something she took pleasure in. She could blend in at any time she wanted to, after all- why NOT leave a striking impression every other moment?

The bright grin and way he spoke to her makes it clear he's returning fire, as it were. She always appreciated that- someone who would try to banter with her even without a word from herself.

Neo gives an exuberant nod, reflecting the exaggerated enthusiasm in his expression and tone. A quick jerk of her head back toward the door extends a silent offer, after which she raises the hand not currently occupied to signal some numbers- first with three fingers, then five, then the shape of an "O." 350- presumably the price in dust.

Man, he is still not used to seeing women out and about every day. Especially not such striking-looking ones. Heterochromia? Half her hair is pink? Dressed like she's about to go on a Broadway stage or perhaps pull a rabbit out of her hat? Utterly tiny?

He barely even registers the drink until she pointedly sips it. It is then that he realizes she's sassing him. (That, and it smells distinctly of nutmeg.)

Well, he's always believed in an eye for an eye.

"Are you enjoying your hot, liquefied pie, miss?"

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It's around the time he first starts expressing such public bewilderment that Neo walks out of the very cafe he's standing in front of. She stops just a meter or two from him, looking a bit annoyed from some perceived slight. Her eyes glance down at the drink she's holding, then back up at him, before she raises the cup to her lips to take a barely audible yet incredibly pointed sip.

It's what he deserves for knocking such a treat before trying it. Silent judgement is as dangerous a weapon of hers as Hush or her semblance, and, oh, how she enjoys being petty with it.

"Pumpkin pie flavored coffee…?"

He's baffled with the concept. He can't imagine the flavors on that working together properly. Little does he know it's a cultural phenomenon.

"…Whatever, coffee barely does anything for me anyway."

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Neo's expression just became one of further incredulity at being told so plainly she looked confused by seeing a boy do something that seemed impossible. Sure, she was, and she probably did look that way, but she really didn't like being taken off-guard- that was more the kind of thing she did to others than the reverse. She simply shook her head and put a hand up close to her body. Her body language attempted to convey that, whatever was going on with how he was doing that, she neither need to nor cared to know.

"Hello~!!" He's in such a mischievous mood that he's not even reverting back to his formal self! "You look real confused. " probably because there's really nothing around to support him from hanging upside down. Yet, his tail is wrapped around something.

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Perfect- the thrust struck home right where she intended it to. In a normal fight she'd go right for a follow-up, but there was no need here. It was all for practice, likely following standard dueling rules based on the other woman's immediate commendation. She hazarded a guess that the other didn't care to take points, which suited her well enough.

As she walked back to her previous position, Neo removed her hat and took a bow- a dramatic yet sincere expression of gratitidue. Once she straightened back up and donned her headwear once again, she held her parasol out in front of her and aimed toward the ground. Her raised brow and titled head gave a silent offering for her partner to take the first move this time.

It was a different fighting style than she was accustomed to; not by the thorns of dark magic nor the blunt charging of a sword. Naturally did Edelgard find herself paused at the sudden change of direction as the umbrella came in contact with her side.

"Excellent work," she commended. In truth, it had been a while since she had a proper spar. Raising the axe slightly upwards, the emperor took a step back to create space between them. It was short, only long enough to allot herself proper momentum to aim nearest the umbrella itself.

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SIXTH ANNIVERSARY CHANGES

finally getting around to these, yeebus I'm slow

LIMITATION CHANGES

can change own physical appearance 5x a day 10 minutes at a time

LUMINOUS STATUS

Aura protects from minor any injuries 5x a day until depleted

WEAPON UNLOCK

Hush (no enhanced durability or floating ability)

[sweetretribution]

While not so intolerant of others' mirth as she once may have been, Neo is a bit thrown by the upside-down baby-face. She'd not just had fun in a while that didn't involve larceny at least...

Her eyes trail up a bit further. Just what surface was he hanging from anyway...?

Sun is hanging upside down and swinging back and forth. HUH, he is looking a lot shorter and more baby-faced.

"Whee~."