Hide bumps into Swedreza totally on accident whilst the singer is delivering vibe pastries for her brother.
Setting: A cafe on Lightning street, just before Halloween X111.
Setting: A cafe on Lightning street, just before Halloween X111.
A cool breeze blew through the early morning air, foot traffic scarce as many shops were only just gearing up to open. Down this road a certain black-clad young woman could be seen riding a bike with a wagon full of boxes in tow, stopping every so often to take some of said boxes inside. At first glance, Swedreza was a little less remarkable than usual, as she wore more stylized sportswear as opposed to her preferred fashions. Upon closer inspection you’d notice the heeled sneakers, the moon-shaped transparent patches on the knees of her leggings, and (most apparently) the cleavage window between her strappy crop top and super-cropped gray windbreaker.
With a swift movement, Swedreza clamped on the brake and slid to a stop in front of her final delivery destination with a slight turn so the wagon in tow wouldn't crash into her back wheel. In that wagon were boxes of various empanadas, danishes, and croissants Soemer had danced into existence with his vibe even earlier that morning. Swedreza had the unfortunate responsibility of delivering a payload like this once a week to various eateries along Lightning Street while her brothers took care of the places actually in RD. The Songstress took solace in the fact that this netted her some cred for her effortsand opted not to think about how that essentially meant she was being paid by her younger brother.
It didn't take long to drop off the last of the boxes at this cafe just in time for it to open. Swedreza opted not to take a coffee with her as she didn't intend to rest long before heading home to drop off the bike and hopefully make it to the warehouse in time for Neeva’s morning snooze to be over with. Stepping out into the open, she clicked her Stepify radio back on to the violin heavy playlist she'd found and paused to double-checked her list of deliveries just to be sure she was actually done. The song that played caught her ear, though. It was catchy and a bit familiar but she couldn't place the artist. Tabbing over to the app to answer her curiosity caused her to squint a bit- Hide Miyagawa.
With a swift movement, Swedreza clamped on the brake and slid to a stop in front of her final delivery destination with a slight turn so the wagon in tow wouldn't crash into her back wheel. In that wagon were boxes of various empanadas, danishes, and croissants Soemer had danced into existence with his vibe even earlier that morning. Swedreza had the unfortunate responsibility of delivering a payload like this once a week to various eateries along Lightning Street while her brothers took care of the places actually in RD. The Songstress took solace in the fact that this netted her some cred for her efforts
It didn't take long to drop off the last of the boxes at this cafe just in time for it to open. Swedreza opted not to take a coffee with her as she didn't intend to rest long before heading home to drop off the bike and hopefully make it to the warehouse in time for Neeva’s morning snooze to be over with. Stepping out into the open, she clicked her Stepify radio back on to the violin heavy playlist she'd found and paused to double-checked her list of deliveries just to be sure she was actually done. The song that played caught her ear, though. It was catchy and a bit familiar but she couldn't place the artist. Tabbing over to the app to answer her curiosity caused her to squint a bit- Hide Miyagawa.
Quinne’s intensive research had proven to be just as useful to Hide as he expected it would. He had a significant amount of information tucked away in his back pocket for later thanks to him, and he’d paid quite handsomely for it. Information is valuable, and Hide wasn’t stingy.
And so, on this early morning, he decided to knock out two tasks simultaneously– going on his usual run, and doing a bit of metaphorical “legwork” of his own (a mental pun he found much funnier than it was). He took a different route than usual, carefully planned, out of Center Purple and down a sizable chunk of Lightning Street. His shorts were mid-thigh and his running tights were mid-calf, and both were dark gray or black— but he left no mystery to his faction loyalty with a pair of fancy fluorescent purple running shoes that had the Funk Mafia disco ball logo on the sides. Comparatively plain black sunglasses to what he might normally wear covered his eyes.
As he rounded a corner (right on schedule), Swedreza was immediately in front of him (right on schedule), having just finished her pastry delivery run (right on schedule). And, right on schedule of course, Hide, very accidentally and not planned at all, runs into her from behind.
It was a gentle collision, only enough to lightly jostle her (and very convincing, excellent liar he’d always been). Just enough to make it clear he caught himself right in time to not fully knock this ”stranger” over, and could begin spewing polite, overzealous apologies her way.
But in the first unplanned moment of the day, her phone slips right out of her hand, plunging toward the sidewalk until he manages to swiftly catch it. Nice.
“Oh shit— I am so sorry. I wasn’t expecting someone to be— nevermind, doesn’t matter. So, so sorry.” The apologies were unexpectedly necessary and real, a bit breathless from running, and it only made the entire chance encounter all the more convincing. “I should’ve been paying more attention.”
As he turns her phone over in his hand quickly to hold it out to her, the screen lights up, revealing one of his album covers on the front.
…The second unplanned moment of the day.
“Oh—! Ha, excellent taste in music, by the way.” Hide pushes his sunglasses up to sit atop his head in front of a messy blond bun, revealing his face in full. He offers Dreza a charming, apologetic smile, passing it off like he was feeling a bit silly for trying to make a coy brag out of the moment.
And so, on this early morning, he decided to knock out two tasks simultaneously– going on his usual run, and doing a bit of metaphorical “legwork” of his own (a mental pun he found much funnier than it was). He took a different route than usual, carefully planned, out of Center Purple and down a sizable chunk of Lightning Street. His shorts were mid-thigh and his running tights were mid-calf, and both were dark gray or black— but he left no mystery to his faction loyalty with a pair of fancy fluorescent purple running shoes that had the Funk Mafia disco ball logo on the sides. Comparatively plain black sunglasses to what he might normally wear covered his eyes.
As he rounded a corner (right on schedule), Swedreza was immediately in front of him (right on schedule), having just finished her pastry delivery run (right on schedule). And, right on schedule of course, Hide, very accidentally and not planned at all, runs into her from behind.
It was a gentle collision, only enough to lightly jostle her (and very convincing, excellent liar he’d always been). Just enough to make it clear he caught himself right in time to not fully knock this ”stranger” over, and could begin spewing polite, overzealous apologies her way.
But in the first unplanned moment of the day, her phone slips right out of her hand, plunging toward the sidewalk until he manages to swiftly catch it. Nice.
“Oh shit— I am so sorry. I wasn’t expecting someone to be— nevermind, doesn’t matter. So, so sorry.” The apologies were unexpectedly necessary and real, a bit breathless from running, and it only made the entire chance encounter all the more convincing. “I should’ve been paying more attention.”
As he turns her phone over in his hand quickly to hold it out to her, the screen lights up, revealing one of his album covers on the front.
…The second unplanned moment of the day.
“Oh—! Ha, excellent taste in music, by the way.” Hide pushes his sunglasses up to sit atop his head in front of a messy blond bun, revealing his face in full. He offers Dreza a charming, apologetic smile, passing it off like he was feeling a bit silly for trying to make a coy brag out of the moment.
Swedreza knew the phrase ‘Speak of the devil and he will appear’ but she hadn’t uttered a word. To be honest, she’d imagined meeting this particular stepper in a number of different contexts, but none of those scenarios were so… casual. This isn’t to say that she’d looked forward to meeting Hide, necessarily. She was still trying to decide how she felt about him personally, but his vibe being opposite of her’s and Takeo talking about him so frequently certainly brought him to mind more than other faction bosses.
Frankly, Swedreza’s gut reaction was anger at the collision, even as the blonde man apologized and saved her phone. Upon locking eyes on him and identifying who it was, however, she was a little dumbfounded. This lasted but a moment before she reflexively threw her facade back up and steeled her gaze for more of a cold expression.
“Thank you.” Swedreza accepted her phone back, purposefully unclear about whether that was directed at the compliment or him saving her phone. “With so few people about at this hour, one would think others could be easily avoided… nonetheless, I am unharmed so I suppose all is well. Besides, it’s not every day one such as myself would get to meet Funk Mafia’s Scion of Light himself.”
Finally catching her stride, Swedreza dipped her head in a bit of a bow then held out a hand to Hide. “Swedreza, Songstress of Shadow.”
Frankly, Swedreza’s gut reaction was anger at the collision, even as the blonde man apologized and saved her phone. Upon locking eyes on him and identifying who it was, however, she was a little dumbfounded. This lasted but a moment before she reflexively threw her facade back up and steeled her gaze for more of a cold expression.
“Thank you.” Swedreza accepted her phone back, purposefully unclear about whether that was directed at the compliment or him saving her phone. “With so few people about at this hour, one would think others could be easily avoided… nonetheless, I am unharmed so I suppose all is well. Besides, it’s not every day one such as myself would get to meet Funk Mafia’s Scion of Light himself.”
Finally catching her stride, Swedreza dipped her head in a bit of a bow then held out a hand to Hide. “Swedreza, Songstress of Shadow.”
“Scion of Light?” Hide repeats with a quirked eyebrow, opting to breeze right by her subtle dig at his carelessness. If only she knew. “I haven’t heard that one before… I can’t say it’s inaccurate.”
He does a casual leg stretch while he stands in place, feeling a buzzing in his muscles at having stopped moving.
“A flowery title bestowed by Swedreza De Elegia seems like an honor,” he continues, his voice smooth now that his breathing has slowed. Her name seems to roll off his tongue. “I’ve heard of The Songstress of Shadow. From the shadows, maybe…? You can call yourself anything you like, but a title like that would never stick unless you’ve commanded respect. Your voice must be something to behold.” His words are very pointedly complimentary, and he offers an airy laugh at the end.
After a pause, he tilts his head and smiles. Sunny, handsome, genuine. For the most part.
“Can I offer The Songstress a tea or coffee? A pastry for breakfast? It’s the least I can do.”
He does a casual leg stretch while he stands in place, feeling a buzzing in his muscles at having stopped moving.
“A flowery title bestowed by Swedreza De Elegia seems like an honor,” he continues, his voice smooth now that his breathing has slowed. Her name seems to roll off his tongue. “I’ve heard of The Songstress of Shadow. From the shadows, maybe…? You can call yourself anything you like, but a title like that would never stick unless you’ve commanded respect. Your voice must be something to behold.” His words are very pointedly complimentary, and he offers an airy laugh at the end.
After a pause, he tilts his head and smiles. Sunny, handsome, genuine. For the most part.
“Can I offer The Songstress a tea or coffee? A pastry for breakfast? It’s the least I can do.”
The smirk Swedreza adopted upon catching Hide off guard with the title she’d come up with was quickly replaced with an expression of intrigue upon hearing him use her last name. So she’d achieved what she’d set out to, at least in part: one of the bosses had heard of her. And well enough to recall her last name, which she rarely used outside of personal matters. He was even adding on compliments, which she had to raise an eyebrow at. It was certainly too good to be true, she just had to find the catch.
“The shadows whisper many things, Hide Miyagawa, but it is one thing for them to utter sweet rumors and another to witness something first hand.” She smiled a bit at this and put a hand on her hip. “Which is exactly why I accept. Your reputation precedes you, but I would relish the opportunity to form my own opinions.”
“The shadows whisper many things, Hide Miyagawa, but it is one thing for them to utter sweet rumors and another to witness something first hand.” She smiled a bit at this and put a hand on her hip. “Which is exactly why I accept. Your reputation precedes you, but I would relish the opportunity to form my own opinions.”
“Forming our own opinions is the only way to do it,” Hide agrees, motioning for Dreza to enter the café first. “It would be a shame if everyone only listened to others— no one would ever feel truly known. But I suppose some people prefer it that way.”
He enters into the café behind Dreza, and a few heads turn their way. If he was correct, she’d just been in here minutes ago, delivering their stock in bulk. But now, she was back inside with someone very recognizable, who honestly didn’t frequent cafés on Lightning Street often. He wasn’t a fan of being in his running gear while clearly not running, but he still looked good, and he knew it.
“Please, order anything you like. It’s my treat, of course.” He offers her a friendly wink, no seduction implied, and looks up at the menu board. “You assist with supply runs, I assume? Based on the wagon out front. That means you know what’s good. Any suggestions?”
He enters into the café behind Dreza, and a few heads turn their way. If he was correct, she’d just been in here minutes ago, delivering their stock in bulk. But now, she was back inside with someone very recognizable, who honestly didn’t frequent cafés on Lightning Street often. He wasn’t a fan of being in his running gear while clearly not running, but he still looked good, and he knew it.
“Please, order anything you like. It’s my treat, of course.” He offers her a friendly wink, no seduction implied, and looks up at the menu board. “You assist with supply runs, I assume? Based on the wagon out front. That means you know what’s good. Any suggestions?”
When Swedreza entered the establishment this time, she carried herself more proudly. More like she walked when putting on a show. This time she was here to make an impression, not make a mere delivery, and she was dead set on leaving the right mark.
“My ‘supply runs’ are to deliver product from my enterprising young brother, who sells his vibe pastries to cafes like this one once a week as he’s too young to run a storefront on his own. Todays batch consist of the empanadas, danishes, and croissants you see Miss Eliza putting in the display case now.” Swedreza gestured over to the woman behind the counter and met her gaze very briefly to give a nod of acknowledgement before looking back at Hide, “Naturally I’d recommend any of them but I am partial to the chocolate croissants, as the chocolate is a bit darker than what most normal bakeries use.”
It was at this point that Eliza reached a stopping point in her work to look up at her customers.
(Swedreza, dear, back so soon? And with company! Can I get you two anything?)
“The usual cold brew for me with one of the chocolate croissants. Plus, of course, whatever Hide here would like,” Swedreza smiled and nodded towards the stepper to indicate exactly who she was talking about, even though she was sure the woman already knew.
“My ‘supply runs’ are to deliver product from my enterprising young brother, who sells his vibe pastries to cafes like this one once a week as he’s too young to run a storefront on his own. Todays batch consist of the empanadas, danishes, and croissants you see Miss Eliza putting in the display case now.” Swedreza gestured over to the woman behind the counter and met her gaze very briefly to give a nod of acknowledgement before looking back at Hide, “Naturally I’d recommend any of them but I am partial to the chocolate croissants, as the chocolate is a bit darker than what most normal bakeries use.”
It was at this point that Eliza reached a stopping point in her work to look up at her customers.
(Swedreza, dear, back so soon? And with company! Can I get you two anything?)
“The usual cold brew for me with one of the chocolate croissants. Plus, of course, whatever Hide here would like,” Swedreza smiled and nodded towards the stepper to indicate exactly who she was talking about, even though she was sure the woman already knew.
When the woman behind the counter looks up and utters a surprised 'with company!', Hide smiles and gives her a small wink. "Hello, good morning~! Hide Miyagawa. Pleased to meet you, Eliza."
It's a simple but cheerful greeting, embellished with the charming use of her name, picked right from the tag pinned on the front of her apron.
He turns back to Dreza, with a hand rested casually on his hip. "Your brother makes those? All those ones Dear Eliza is handling right now? With Vibe..?" He raises his eyebrows, letting out a little sound of wonder. "...Huh! And so young too, sounds like. I get the feeling such drive and talent runs in the family. Well, I have to try one now."
He orders one of the chocolate croissants as recommended and some tea to his liking, and the two of them are told to have a seat and they'll have the pastries and beverages brought over to them.
"Pick a table, any table," Hide says casually. His tone is light, like he's already known Dreza for quite some time. "Unless of course you're needing to get a move on, which I understand. Not everyone has time for chitchat-- I might be overeager about a good sit down outside of work these days."
It's a simple but cheerful greeting, embellished with the charming use of her name, picked right from the tag pinned on the front of her apron.
He turns back to Dreza, with a hand rested casually on his hip. "Your brother makes those? All those ones Dear Eliza is handling right now? With Vibe..?" He raises his eyebrows, letting out a little sound of wonder. "...Huh! And so young too, sounds like. I get the feeling such drive and talent runs in the family. Well, I have to try one now."
He orders one of the chocolate croissants as recommended and some tea to his liking, and the two of them are told to have a seat and they'll have the pastries and beverages brought over to them.
"Pick a table, any table," Hide says casually. His tone is light, like he's already known Dreza for quite some time. "Unless of course you're needing to get a move on, which I understand. Not everyone has time for chitchat-- I might be overeager about a good sit down outside of work these days."
Swedreza allowed herself to puff up ever so slightly when Hide complimented her brother. While the overall sentiment was a bit on the nose, like a compliment that was trying a touch too hard, it was harmless and not incorrect. Hell, his words could be genuine and she was just being overly critical. She was unwilling to relent on that critical ear, though. After all, she considered words her dance floor and she wasn’t going to let herself miss a thing.
Upon being given the decision making power regarding where to sit, Swedreza marched over to one of the small tables near the window. The morning light always cast good shadows, and it felt like a nice subtle way to show off this new acquaintance.
“Come now, I’ve not had a chance to make any progress toward building my own opinion, even if you can learn a little about a man based on what he orders.” Swedreza pulled a chair out and sat, then gestured towards the chair opposite of her as if to indicate Hide should follow suit. “Besides, I find that ‘chitchat’ makes for excellent networking. More people could stand to make time for it.”
Upon being given the decision making power regarding where to sit, Swedreza marched over to one of the small tables near the window. The morning light always cast good shadows, and it felt like a nice subtle way to show off this new acquaintance.
“Come now, I’ve not had a chance to make any progress toward building my own opinion, even if you can learn a little about a man based on what he orders.” Swedreza pulled a chair out and sat, then gestured towards the chair opposite of her as if to indicate Hide should follow suit. “Besides, I find that ‘chitchat’ makes for excellent networking. More people could stand to make time for it.”
Hide follows Swedreza to the selected table, and the corner of his mouth ticks upward in a smile as he sits. A sunny window... smart choice.
"Chances to sit and have conversations unrelated to work are hard to come by as we get older in general, not to mention those who also get busier," he laments. He takes a look up at the sunny sky from his seat. "Keep making time for it-- it fills a space many people don't realize exists."
He smiles over at his new acquaintance, redirecting his attention back to her.
"So you're looking to build an opinion of me that isn't based on the opinions of others you know... Respectable, like I've already said. So what can I tell you to help you out?" He taps a finger on his chin. "I've sort of already shot down work-related discussion, haven't I... but I won't ban it. I'm an open book this morning, within reason. If you're wondering whether I'd help a stray cat out of a tree, the answer is an overwhelming yes."
"Chances to sit and have conversations unrelated to work are hard to come by as we get older in general, not to mention those who also get busier," he laments. He takes a look up at the sunny sky from his seat. "Keep making time for it-- it fills a space many people don't realize exists."
He smiles over at his new acquaintance, redirecting his attention back to her.
"So you're looking to build an opinion of me that isn't based on the opinions of others you know... Respectable, like I've already said. So what can I tell you to help you out?" He taps a finger on his chin. "I've sort of already shot down work-related discussion, haven't I... but I won't ban it. I'm an open book this morning, within reason. If you're wondering whether I'd help a stray cat out of a tree, the answer is an overwhelming yes."
“I wasn’t wondering but if you are truly being honest, then I can believe some things a certain renegade vibe-stealer says about you.” The corner of Swedreza’s mouth quirked upward in a smirk. “It’s all good, I promise. He’s the main reason I’m putting so much thought into this, because I’ve seen streams and they don’t all color you in a good light.”
Swedreza shrugs playfully, then makes a grand gesture of putting a manicured finger to her bottom lip with a hum as she thought. The small moment of musical tone from her caused the shadows cast on the table to flicker like a candle’s flame caught in a breeze.
“Hmm, what are your opinions of RD? Of Squares?” Despite her nonchalant tone and demeanor, the Songstress looked at Hide with a rather intent gaze. “Leaving your allegiances aside, of course.”
Swedreza shrugs playfully, then makes a grand gesture of putting a manicured finger to her bottom lip with a hum as she thought. The small moment of musical tone from her caused the shadows cast on the table to flicker like a candle’s flame caught in a breeze.
“Hmm, what are your opinions of RD? Of Squares?” Despite her nonchalant tone and demeanor, the Songstress looked at Hide with a rather intent gaze. “Leaving your allegiances aside, of course.”
Hide tries very hard not to let any negative feelings show through on his face regarding Takeo. It was a mess of a situation, and one that was incredibly difficult for him to navigate, especially given his current position. His mouth twitches, ever so slightly, at one corner, but he shifts it into a soft smile.
"Oh, trust me," he goes on, opting to avoid mentioning Takeo in any capacity. For as long as he could. "I'm keenly aware of the... angle at which I'm viewed as of late. It's frustrating, but what can you do aside from move forward and prove people wrong, right?"
His eyes drift to the slight movement of shadows across the table. Passively, the most he was able to do while sitting completely still was make the light reflecting off the napkin holder on the table in front of the window glint brighter a few times, like a metal wind chime might when moving in the breeze on a sunny day. It wasn't particularly showy, but it was noticeably unnatural.
He didn't want to draw too much attention anyway.
Meeting her intense gaze with a matching one of his own, he speaks. "You're not messing around with the easy questions first, are you?" He laughs, shifting into a more casual position in his seat as he thinks. "I'll be honest with you-- my allegiances can never truly be left behind. But the way you worded your question makes it sound like the opinion you have of the Funk Mafia is that they look down on Squares and the Research District as a whole, so you're asking me, who might possibly be different."
He pauses when their tea, coffee and croissants arrive, and thanks Eliza genuinely before she walks off again.
"Negative opinions on both Factions are formed for a reason. In this case, you're right-- historically, the Purple District has seemed to think of itself as 'better than.' That's the sort of environment I grew up in." He pauses to take a sip of the hot tea, but it still needed a moment to cool. "It's also the sort of environment I'd like to change.
So, as for me, myself, and I: I'm of the opinion that the Research District, and subsequently the Squares and Jamdeaf living within it, have been denied resources by those who have more than enough to give. I think they deserve more opportunities, they deserve a district that is properly maintained and upkept, with cred and resources put into making it equal to rather than the other district. All this to say, help has historically been withheld... and I want to give it. Not as a charity project, but as a reparation-- and an opportunity to move in the exact opposite direction from where things stand at present."
"Oh, trust me," he goes on, opting to avoid mentioning Takeo in any capacity. For as long as he could. "I'm keenly aware of the... angle at which I'm viewed as of late. It's frustrating, but what can you do aside from move forward and prove people wrong, right?"
His eyes drift to the slight movement of shadows across the table. Passively, the most he was able to do while sitting completely still was make the light reflecting off the napkin holder on the table in front of the window glint brighter a few times, like a metal wind chime might when moving in the breeze on a sunny day. It wasn't particularly showy, but it was noticeably unnatural.
He didn't want to draw too much attention anyway.
Meeting her intense gaze with a matching one of his own, he speaks. "You're not messing around with the easy questions first, are you?" He laughs, shifting into a more casual position in his seat as he thinks. "I'll be honest with you-- my allegiances can never truly be left behind. But the way you worded your question makes it sound like the opinion you have of the Funk Mafia is that they look down on Squares and the Research District as a whole, so you're asking me, who might possibly be different."
He pauses when their tea, coffee and croissants arrive, and thanks Eliza genuinely before she walks off again.
"Negative opinions on both Factions are formed for a reason. In this case, you're right-- historically, the Purple District has seemed to think of itself as 'better than.' That's the sort of environment I grew up in." He pauses to take a sip of the hot tea, but it still needed a moment to cool. "It's also the sort of environment I'd like to change.
So, as for me, myself, and I: I'm of the opinion that the Research District, and subsequently the Squares and Jamdeaf living within it, have been denied resources by those who have more than enough to give. I think they deserve more opportunities, they deserve a district that is properly maintained and upkept, with cred and resources put into making it equal to rather than the other district. All this to say, help has historically been withheld... and I want to give it. Not as a charity project, but as a reparation-- and an opportunity to move in the exact opposite direction from where things stand at present."
Swedreza took in the response, carefully noting everything from the slight twitch at Takeo's mention to his observations regarding her possible reasoning for this inquiry. Throughout all this she tried very hard to keep her body language casual, as if this was no big deal. After all, this was just conversation and not some sort of interrogation. Still, she needed to know whether he truly meant what he said about reparations- words were just words and you could say anything if you spoke with enough conviction.
Still, if Hide was lying Swedreza could find no obvious tells. She wanted to know what he'd gain by helping improve the district but why question it when she wanted the exact same thing? The Songstress raised an eyebrow at the mafioso and took a sip of her coffee before speaking.
"I would be interested to know just how many of your colleagues feel the same way, however we aren't here to discuss them." The Songstress crossed her legs and gave Hide a subtle look of approval. "Now, after such a relentless question I feel it is only fair to offer you the same opportunity. A bit of back and forth makes for more interesting conversation, does it not? So,ask me anything; unless of course you already know all you need to."
Still, if Hide was lying Swedreza could find no obvious tells. She wanted to know what he'd gain by helping improve the district but why question it when she wanted the exact same thing? The Songstress raised an eyebrow at the mafioso and took a sip of her coffee before speaking.
"I would be interested to know just how many of your colleagues feel the same way, however we aren't here to discuss them." The Songstress crossed her legs and gave Hide a subtle look of approval. "Now, after such a relentless question I feel it is only fair to offer you the same opportunity. A bit of back and forth makes for more interesting conversation, does it not? So,ask me anything; unless of course you already know all you need to."
"You and me both," Hide says in response to her comment about his other colleagues. "There's change on the wind, though. Things have been shifting away from... old opinions... for quite some time now. That is why we should never stop trying to influence the direction in which our changes move-- it's proven to be successful."
With his tea cooled enough to sip from, he brings it to his lips and sets it back down gently.
"My turn, then." He smiles. "...Why is it that despite being of age and having a Vibe that clearly has much to offer, you've elected to remain unaffiliated? Is it the lack of trust? Uncertainty on the validity of your concerns and opinions? Wishing to remain neutral? Family, perhaps?"
With his tea cooled enough to sip from, he brings it to his lips and sets it back down gently.
"My turn, then." He smiles. "...Why is it that despite being of age and having a Vibe that clearly has much to offer, you've elected to remain unaffiliated? Is it the lack of trust? Uncertainty on the validity of your concerns and opinions? Wishing to remain neutral? Family, perhaps?"
"There are many reasons," Swedreza sipped her coffee then set it down in favor of having her hands free as she spoke. "Family is part of it, yes. My mother has been firm on the family's neutral stance since the factions came to be, not that it has succeeded in keeping us wholly out of conflict.
But her efforts are only a minor salve on a much larger wound. As you have just stated, action is needed if the Research District is ever to see the conditions it deserves- if we are to heal."
Swedreza gestured slightly as she spoke before placing them politely on the table. "You see, I never intended to stay neutral. I realized long ago that i would never be heard as a Square so, I have been honing my skills and building a reputation so I can find the place that is most fitting- both for mine and the RD's benefit."
Swedreza spouted all this without batting an eye. It was all true of course, but left out a fair bit of detail. She had other goals, but there was no need to divulge them all up front.
But her efforts are only a minor salve on a much larger wound. As you have just stated, action is needed if the Research District is ever to see the conditions it deserves- if we are to heal."
Swedreza gestured slightly as she spoke before placing them politely on the table. "You see, I never intended to stay neutral. I realized long ago that i would never be heard as a Square so, I have been honing my skills and building a reputation so I can find the place that is most fitting- both for mine and the RD's benefit."
Swedreza spouted all this without batting an eye. It was all true of course, but left out a fair bit of detail. She had other goals, but there was no need to divulge them all up front.
Moderators: AJ_89 Steven (played by Robo-Craig) QnQ Hide Miyagawa (played by Monoclejack) Chroma (played by lewsey)
