"...From An Old Friend." (Mitsuki)

[Mitsuki Park]

His action of pulling the coat over both their heads was cue for her to start crouching, his hands that pressed down against her shoulders merely a confirmation. Now low on the ground with his coat shielding any potential light from escaping this make-shift fortress, did he finally turn on the light. Naturally, her pupils dilated to adjust to the sudden brightness, 180* (contacts) merely helping her quicken the process.

At his words, her face remained still. The lack of expression this time around could have easily been mistaken as Mitsuki not paying attention, compared to her high school years when she at least showed herself alert to her surroundings. The cold exterior coupled with what seemed almost like a glaze over her eyes would be more than enough to hide her discontent when he spoke of both organizations offering a job. It wasn't that she was opposed to the idea of being an extra pair of helping hands, it's just that Mitsuki was no longer confident in her ability to hold her own ground, and would much rather stay off the scene than be a liability. That, and she would not consider herself a Crow nor a Dragon.

There would be more people to meet, then. She set her course of action first to meet David Blaze of the Dragons, then southward to meet Delilah Black of the Crows first, then "Unfettered". Ms. Black held a hefty title: Future of the allied forces. Her last name made Mitsuki wonder if there was any connection between her, and Mr. Andrew Black, with whom she had been more than well-acquainted with in the past.

The light was turned off, allowing the darkness to fill in the gaps the light left behind. But even so, she felt his gaze upon her and she would match it directly.

Then came the troublesome answer she was sure he would ask: What was Mitsuki doing in California? To be quite honest, the young Asian didn't quite know herself, and through the empty silence after he had asked the question would perhaps be the first clue that she may not be where she was supposed to have been.

"I was supposed to have landed in Japan, but fate would have me to believe I was needed elsewhere."

Did she even believe in fate…?

She had family there, and Reita could not reach them through dreamwalking. To him, he figured they were most likely dead, but Mitsuki wanted to confirm for herself unable to come to that conclusion without physical proof.

But instead, she was taken here.

Perhaps…for a greater reason.

She continued.

"I don't know my purpose for being in California...yet."

Silence would ensue and she would wait for "Teal"'s next move. If he would rise, so would she.

["Unfettered"]

In Time

The German didn't appear to be bothered by Mitsuki's potentially perceived inattentiveness, but continued to prattle on until he was finished... allowing her to finally answer him. To which of course, "Teal" raised a brow. Mitsuki's answer was enigmatic in sentiment, but the German thought then, at the very least he had an inkling---Mitsuki's priority and goal was to go to Japan. That is of course, unless being transported to here, to California, had any significant impact. Or so he mused to himself.

He watched Mitsuki for a moment... and then switched off the light. A pause, as though he were thinking in the darkness. Then the man stood, sliding the jacket off of the both of them and hung it back on his shoulders, hugging his still exposed chest.

"Ich see," he muttered at last, his face hardening.

"Vell, Ich have no doubt zat das Mitsuki Park will find her purpose here.

"Und at das very least, du could probably procure a ship from das Crows if du were to make it vorth their while, if du still intend to travel to Japan."

"Teal" began to walk around her, but stopped before he even finished taking a half-step. He looked down to Skye, over his left shoulder and then over to Mitsuki. He pivoted about and reached down, crouching, picking up Skye who... jumped into his arms. He turned over to Mitsuki and took a step towards her... handing over Skye, who was busy wriggling, trying to look around, panting rather happily. The German was busy adjusting his neck so he wouldn't get licked so often.

"Here. Du should have him back. 'Unfettered' can discover your return for himself, ja?"

He would back up soon to watch the official happy reuinion with Skye and Mitsuki nothing more than a grimace, allowing them to have a moment, while he fitted his arms back in his coat.

"Ich cannot come with du. If du have any last questions, now ist das time."

[Mitsuki Park]

She hadn't realized how much heat the coat had insulated until it slid off. She took in his words of the Crows having ships, but was seen to be unsurprised; it depended on the state of these ships and how they ran, but seeing as though California was on the coast, she kind of expected some of the boats to retain their engines. With the right kind of tinkering, it would no doubt be an invaluable resource. She appreciated the sharing of information, but she was not expecting to receive any kind of aid from the Crows.

He stepped away, and Mitsuki would slowly set Skye down onto the ground, to which he began to whine. Sometimes, animals were more aware of situations than they led on. And although Mitsuki had been the one to raise him since PetsMart, "Teal" and "Unfettered" had been the ones to raise him since she had left. Regardless of how he was treated, there was no doubt that Skye was expressing his sadness through the quiet whimpers escaping his throat.

Mitsuki and Skye would eventually catch up to "Teal", to which then she would muse, "I suppose if I needed to find you, I would." Her eyes looked down at Skye- not for herself, but for the little rascal. Besides, even if she found him, they would be under different circumstances.

She nodded her head. She wondered how "Unfettered" would react to seeing her back in California, but with how consistent she was in her inconsistencies, maybe he wouldn't react at all. But seeing as how she planned on meeting those within Dragon territory before Crow, she wouldn't be surprised if he had heard of her being in the area by the time she reached him. But yes- let him discover of her return himself.

Did she have any questions...? She thought for a moment, then shook her head. She had many questions, but they weren't for "Teal".

"Thank you."

She looked down at Skye, and smiled. Finally reunited with her beloved companion.

["Unfettered"]

For Now

"Teal" did not seem to pay any attention to Skye's whimpering, as he continued to stare out towards the front of the store. In fact, he was completely silent, until Mitsuki began to muse on finding "Teal." That would have made the German smile... if he didn't mind destroying his cheek muscles.

"Ich really doubt zat," he began to sneer, "...Not vithout knowing how."

...Especially if she actively sought him out, the man would think darkly to himself. The only man who might actually know where he was was also probably the only outside person not at risk of getting killed on sight. No, rather the only time they would meet would be if it became necessary for "Teal" to do so... which wasn't completely impossible.

...Unless...

The German would walk back, making an obligatory lean down to pat Skye on his head, behind Mitsuki. She would feel, pressed in her hand a small, square piece of paper.

"Auf Wiedersehen."

Just a whisper, distant and far-sounding. If Mitsuki turned around she would find nothing.

...As the man disappeared, back into the shadows.

[Mitsuki Park]

At his words of her improbability of finding him, a small smile would etch across her lips...but there was something different. This smile was not of happiness nor of malicious intent. Was this a challenge?

A tiny piece of paper placed into her hand. She slipped it into her wrist guards; didn't know what it was, but she wouldn't lose it...especially since it was from someone who didn't exist. He was putting himself out there by giving her the paper...so she was resolved to burning it after tucking his words on the page into memory.

Mitsuki would not watch him go; pride was perhaps one of her greatest vices, because it was generally unseen, covered with a blanket of humbleness and humility. At his fading words, her body would twitch, moving- eyes, not really searching. In one swift action, she turned--

And then silence.

After his leave, she would look at Skye, crouching down to his level and scratching his ears. He was still sad, but Mitsuki knew he would adjust quickly back into step beside his old leader. She was thankful. Because although he had left her, he did not leave her completely alone.