A walk in the industrial park (private w/Mica)

[Eiji]

It was a bright day today. Classes had been let out hours ago so Eiji had some time to kill, and what better way to do so than explore his surroundings. Right after classes had concluded he went back to his dorm and changed into his kilt. Forgoing his shirt as he thought he might practice flying today after his walk. He needed more experience using his.


But before that he had to explore the area, and boy was it busy. People walking and talking, carts being pushed down the street and factories bellowing out smoke. The smell was disgusting to say the least. Now more than ever he wished he was back on the plains. It was much more quieter and the air much more tolerable. Though it was interesting to see the sights. Atlas also had an area like this, eiji wondered if all cities were the same, probably.

[Mica Lecent]

Another study day, another visiting day into Vale city. Once arriving back to her dorm room, the gurl neatly laid out her belongings and set up her study desk for the evening. Feeling satisfied to review her notes later, Mica left her colorfully tabbed school books at her desk and changed out of the uniform dress to pull on her usual jeans and hoodie before heading off campus to catch the bus.

Arriving off the nearest bus stop, Mica hopped down and reviewed her map once more. Small notes and circles around points of interest when it came to what could be seen as the heart of Vale commerce. Businesses and the downtown liveliness to experience for a short time now without being an laundry employee. Hopefully these places are within affordable means of student costs.

She held the strap of her backpack and strolled the sidewalk with the flow of afternoon foot traffic. Dyes checking the streets and reviewing her folded map like any tourist. Vale’s layout seems to have the local industry facilities close by in district layout. Probably from how things were situated post the great war and into the revolutionary age of inventions that the city layout added on future districts as needed rather plan as planned beforehand. “If I follow this road further, it should lead out into those very same areas. Similar to Atlas before fully dedicating a residential area. Wonder what else is down this way,” she pondered aloud.

[Eiji]

Eiji's ears twitched as he could hear the rumbling of engines. Taking a shortcut through a nearby alley he could see that he wasn't too far from the street. Watching a bus drop off a few people before continuing its route. Though everyone walking off of the bus looked like they all dressed the same. Workers with overalls or just people going shopping with colourful clothes. Taking a look down at himself Eiji made the realization that he stuck out like a sore thumb between all of these people who had others make their clothes compared to him who just repaired the same pair of shirts and kilts until they were almost unrecognizable from their first inception.

Well, there was nothing to be done about that now. For now, Eiji would continue to walk by shops and peer through the windows, walking by side streets and watching the rats scurry away from the light and watch him from the shadows. Eiji always found great humor in those street rats. Always watching him from the shadows like he couldn't see their eyes staring at him. Finding himself spending too much time staring down side streets Eiji picked up the pace again down the street being mindful of the other pedestrians.

[Mica Lecent]

“So this way would be industry trade and dust companies. Mostly workers around here so probably should be careful standing out among the adults. I’ll make note of a few.” Mica stopped and shuffled to the side to write in her map of notes when an oddly shirtless person walked past her view above the map. “Who would even,” she began as she looked up and narrowed her eyes at the familiar shape. “You!” The girl hissed with her map crumpling a bit.

Pulling up her hoodie and ticking away her maps and pen, she reached for her gloves and tugged them on as she crossed the street after them. An accusing glare while tailing after him a few shops down. There’s hardly much for someone like him to be roaming around here for to go shopping, unless, he’s out shifting through business scraps. Less people from the residential areas to bother him so this would be an opportunity to.

Figuring that were the reasons to go skulking around, Mica trailed this reluctant-to- acknowledge Beacon classmate as he drifted down the side streets. She tried to keep her pace slower and distracted by the shop windows to seem less inconspicuous when making strange prolong halts to stare off at something. Weird. Unable to get a read just yet, she picked up her pace as he did.

[Eiji]

So many things in these windows. Eiji thought about all the different things people made to sell. The question he had on his mind was why? He did alright getting by with what he could find. Well to be fair you couldn't find.... Purple sweaters with drawings of animals on them. Seeing that on display on the window made Eiji sigh. The things people make. Eiji moved forward. The people all seemed like they had places to be. That was apparent from the haste they used while they walked. The same thing seemed to be true of those in their vehicles driving by. One of these days Eiji was gonna have to tear the hood off of one and see what made it run. If he had to guess now they were magic like his wings.

Though as he was brought out of thought his ears twitched. He could hear the pitter patter of feet hitting the ground, everyone around him was walking, that was natural. He started to walk again and heard the sound of walking continue with him.
He stopped again and one less pair of feet in the orchestra of marches stopped in tune with him. Eiji turned around to look behind him but he couldn't make out anyone in particular, but it was clear he was being followed. He strode forward with a slightly quicker pace trying to make out a plan to see who was following him.

[Mica Lecent]

So wildly inconsistent. He must be getting cautious but Mica couldn’t just walk with the flow and possibly pass him by. He’d know right away! And there’s no chance of ducking into a shop without missing him for a second. The girl puzzled over what to do which, thankfully, the guy was on the tall side to stick out above the crowd.

There wasn’t many meal vendors outside but, maybe getting close to one would throw him off a little. Briefly she stuck by a hotdog stand to line up as but his pace was quickening the second she tried to plan. Argh! In that case!

She took her map and made notes as she walked in a hastened step after him. Where was he going in such a rush anyway? Mica hoped to find out soon.

[Eiji]

Again after starting, then stopping, then starting Eiji confirmed yes, he was most certainly being followed. Thoughts raced around about what to do about it, but most of all it was... exciting! The prospect of the hunter becoming the hunted filled Eiji with anticipation. It was a shame he didn't have his spear and shield with him. If he did, he would simply challenge the stalker right here on the spot. Quickly with no warning he took the next left down into an alley. It seemed like it was a one way trip as there was just one path to take. Going left then right then left again, leading to a door left ajar, Eiji opened it and left it ajar for his tail to come through. Seemed like this dark and dank Wherehouse was a point for someone or some company to dump trash in.
Besides some of the dim lights that hung too low for their own good it was almost pitch black, as the windows where so old very little light shined through.
Eiji focused his aura, and out from his back six spider appendages shot out of his back, using them he quickly scurried up the wall and into the darkness of the corners of the high ceiling, waiting for his stalker to come in.

[Mica Lecent]

There he went! Not too fast now. Mica stepped up and followed the fleeing shadow into the side alley roads. His steps echoing down the path with hers not too far off. She put her map away in a pocket and checked a side pouch to have it opened slightly for use while on the run.

Left, right, then left again to the side of some warehouse facility. The door left ajar. Mica headed inside and kept the door open as a better light source. Some old left over wooden pallet, bottles and paper scraps littered around with a musty smell that the place hasn’t been aired out in awhile. Some sort of warehouse either not in use or left to some squatters to make their home in. Was this where he went?

Mica looked around and tried to hear where that Faunus had gone but noting so far. Must be hiding in wait somewhere. The girl couldn’t see much but reached for her bag to take a canister with her as she approached to see where he had gone to hide. Better than shouting some cheesy one liners. Just have to catch him in the act.

[Eiji]

Eiji's heartbeat was the only thing he was focused on as it beat in rhythm with his silent breaths. He could make out a figure clear as day, thanks to his low light vision. The figure's glance did dart around a bit, couldn't see him, not a Faunus. Milling over what to do, attacking someone even if they did chase you seemed against school policy so he couldn't just drop down and attack them just for following him in here as much as his instincts wanted him to. No for now he would watch for an opportunity. Though between his breathing and the stranger's steps echoing around the warehouse another noise was made. A large clattering, on the other side of the space there was a dumpster so large you could climb into. Eiji saw movement in the trash, a family of rodents knocking things over from the looks of it. Well it was nothing so Eiji kept his attention on his stalker

[Mica Lecent]

Very spacious, was all Mica could think as she checked the area. She thought about using the flashlight function on her scroll to make it easier but no sense to it when some noises came from the dumpster across the way. Ah. He must have dove in there!

Mica felt sure of herself as she went to investigate the noise. That large rat can’t be going around causing trouble like that and now she’ll have proof of his actions. She as got near the dumpster, she listened close to the shuffling around inside before kicking the side of it as hard as she could to startle the hidden Faunus. Climbing in after him was not an option as she beat on the metal sidings. The noise had to have made him stop to cone out, or so she thought would happen.

[Eiji]

Eiji watched from the ceiling as the stranger moved to investigate the noise. He took the time to move onto the ceiling, following the stranger bringing him directly above them. Did they work here? He watched them kick the dumpster making a very loud reverberating boom. Nothing but more rats scurried out of the pile of refuse. Eiji contorted himself to have his feet level with the ground and not the ceiling and dropped from the darkness. Landing silently his stalker was shorter than him, He wondered just who could have followed him in here. He gently laid two of the appendages onto the stranger's shoulders. Curling one back toward the stranger to undo the hood from their hoodie so he could get an idea of their face....

Black hair, and now being this close to them he could use his nose. . . Snow lilies.
Eiji didn't know why she followed him here, but he found it very humorous. First, she finds him playing in the trash and now here she is herself playing among the trash piles. He took a moment to chuckle to himself out loud while he tried to find the words to even start breaking this situation down.

[Mica Lecent]

After a few kicks the vermin that came out wasn’t the six foot something miscreant but a variety of rat feeling the scene. At first Mica looked bewildered to see nothing but rats. Actual rats this time. He can’t have been hiding himself in there like a sleeper pulling the blankets overhead to avoid the alarm. That won’t work today!

Although neither was she willing to climb into the dumpster after him. So if he’s not there, or possibly hiding still, where could he have gone? Maybe he slipped out the door just as she was checking the trash. Angered to have not watched the one exit out of here better, her hoodie was suddenly pulled down.

Her heart leaped as she turned to face a large figure in the backlight of the door to the warehouse. Their shadowy tall frame and several spider limbs had her quickly grow pale. S-spiders?! A huge spider?! Limbs and! Ah god! It even touched her! Her breathing quickened to a earpiecing scream of terror as she took the pepper spray can and held the button firmly at the target. It wasn’t exactly bug spray but it was the quiet thing on hand as she sprayed down lily evil and poisonous spider demon.

[Eiji]

Eiji jumped himself when she let out that ear piercing scream. He was going to ask why she was screaming, that was until It felt like Eiji's eyes were on fire. His spider legs pulled away from her and back to him to try to shield him from the pain that was already in his face. It was hard to describe, like a thousand needles in his eyes. Letting out some yelps himself he scrambled to the door. As Eiji headed to the door Mica would be able to make out his figure, as well as see the legs where in fact white.
As he headed out the door he stumbled onto the ground. His spider legs now curled up onto his back much like that of a dead spider. Crawling around outside there were numerous puddles of still water filled up from the rain storm the other day.
Desperate to get the pain out of his eyes Eiji began to take handfuls of the puddle water and shoved them into his face, trying to get the majority of the water into his eyes. His eyes were now overflowing with tears as the pepper spray stung.
He could hardly focus on anything else but shovelling water into his eyes.

[Mica Lecent]

Scared that the spider was around still, she saw and heard it scramble out of the doorway with the puff of peppery smoke after them. She waved the air and coughed a bit as the draft blew back some her way and tried to follow after the giant spider. Forget the stupid rat Faunus! A terrible giant spider was in the city!

Mica followed out of the warehouse and thought she had to chase after it more till finding the creature crawling on the ground trying to drown its face in the puddles. The white legs all curled upwards on their back. Mica thought the white coloring meant that this was a Grimm spider, all the more to get rid of it once and for all till noting the more flesh colored tones. That trash digger Faunus!

So it wasn’t a Grimm nor a monster, if not only slightly less on the monster side. Ah, this would be bad, since he’s a student and—oh nevermind that. Why the hell is he using ground water?! Mica shook her head and went to a water faucet on the side of the building and turned it on. Letting the water running for a bit, she went to grab one of his arms to pull him over.

“Stop throwing that stuff in your eyes and get over here.” She demanded with knowledge he wasn't a Grimm or spider monster. Using her semblance, she took some of the water and had it become a portable whirlpool to bring over to him where the water can fit around his head like a doughnut.

“Lean your head forward in his and try to keep your eyes open to flush it out.” The girl instructed.

[Eiji]

Eiji did what she told him to do and dragged himself along with her pulling him. Putting his head in the whirlpool and shaking his head about violently trying to get the pain out of his head, no doubt splashing Mica in the process. After about twenty minutes of rubbing at his eyes he finally raised his head up. Not feeling as terrible he took the time to take a drink from the whirlpool, getting even more water on himself. After getting some water he flopped over to his side. Taking some deep breaths in the spider legs fell off of his back next to him allowing him to put his back up against the side of the alley. He took his time to catch his breath. He really wanted to know why she was following him, even worse he wanted to know what in the name of all that is holy she shot him with. He had never experienced pain quite like that before.
Taking his hand and wiping away the stray tears that came out of his eyes he could only muster up one question.
"Why????"

[Mica Lecent]

“I don’t trust you to keep clean as you said.” The girl responded forwardly to why she was following him. The self appointed task to clean up calmed down the adrenaline from earlier. Thankfully he didn’t scream or fuss about the water this time to avoid extensive measures. No apology following that up either as she went on to answer why she didn’t leave him as a blind mess either. “You were using dirty water to flush your eyes. That’s adding more foreign particles to further damage them. You need clean water to do that and it needs to be in a motion to wash and carry the particles away.” Mica replied as she adjusted the cycle of water to a fanned spray to push the water containing pepper spray away from them to drain down the road.

Wicking away the stray droplets that got on her hoodie and pants, Mica did a quick mental check list before what happened just now that lead to him rolling in the muck to get the spray out. “I hate bugs.” She answered simply which is an understatement to have been screaming bloody murder just a moment ago.

“Need to flush your eyes out more? Your face is still looking red.”

[Eiji]

"I thought i was being humorous when i said that." Eiji clarified. "When your eyes are on fire you don't tend to think what kind of water you are throwing into your face." He was still a bit, flabbergasted she would follow him down the street, then on top of it spray that crap in his face when she caught him, and people had the nerve to call him a savage when people were doing this to each other. Well she helped at least, thats more that can be said for most people. "You hate bugs.. ill keep that in mind next time."
Though in her defence this is far from the first time something like this had happened. Something about spiders really irked people. Not that Eiji would understand, he shared the ground with them, It was far from an uncommon sight to wake up to spiders or other insects crawling on you, at least back home that was the case anyway.

"No the pain is gone now." Eiji stared at the whirlpool she had made. He didn't think about it while his eyes were on fire.
"You control water. I was wondering what your semblance was." Eiji said as he finished up wiping his face clean.

[Mica Lecent]

“Nothing humorous in scaring people.” Or however worse to attack him if the situation called for it after that jump scare. She went over to turn off the faucet and tried to air out some of her clothes. Attempting to use her semblance to tug water out of her clothes to toss away, Mica continued her attempts as a few clear items were pointed out.

“Yes. That’s generally the ability.” The general summary anyway. “So what brought you out to this side of the country. Thought all these buildings weren’t your taste to be interested.”

[Eiji]

"I thought you were stalking me. Which you were in a way, how would you deal with someone following you?" Eiji asked her back as he stood up. Unlike her he didn't take the time to sweep the dust and grime off of his kilt.
"They are not, but i thought it would be best to explore my surroundings, with me attending the school i might need to use one of these alleys or rooftops one day. It would be better to have knowledge of them. Thinking ahead as you put it."
Eiji said as he looked over to her in her hoodie. "So i only heard you start to follow me when i started looking through the vendors. Is that true? Or have you been following me this entire time?"

[Mica Lecent]

How? Mica folded her arms for the stalking. How was she supposed to follow him otherwise? “With that spray. It’s handy to disable attackers and even bears. Or so the product says.” It certainly took down a mutant spider today. Speaking of spiders, she casted a wary eye on the spider limbs.

“You honestly leave those laying around….people will think a giant spider did find itself into the city,” the girl sighed before moving on. So he was out scouting the city as well. Though their reasons were different so why think it would be a surprise he’s be off trying to gain an understanding on city topography.

“The whole time? Certainly not.” She took her map and showed it to him. “I had my own notes. Going through a city like this is impressive. Since there isn’t much of a campus store that I thought to see where can I put my student funds to use out here. I only started tracking you because I recognized you snooping around as well.”

[Eiji]

"Good to know." Eiji looked down at the stream of used water running down the alley. Used to hurt bears, and she chose to spray him. Looking down at the limbs he discarded Eiji picked them up, stacking them on top of each other then walked over to the warehouse they had just had that scuffle in. He simply tossed the legs inside and closed the door. Looking back at Mica he dusted off his hands. "All cleaned up, problem solved. He said before walking up and taking a look at her map. "I see, good to know my ears haven't failed me." Eiji said as he twitched his ears in pride. "I could hear you walking behind me. Though speaking of walking would you like company to your next destination? It would seem we both have the same goal in mind of exploring our surroundings, and this way i do not have to worry about you stalking me again, because you'll be walking with be you see."

[Mica Lecent]

Watching him collect the spider limbs and tossing them into the warehouse felt so…simple. Mica contemplated if that would work but people should be a little bit smart. Grimm disappear after they’re killed so…they’ll probably just worry about huge monsters anyway. Must be troublesome to have these limbs falling after use.

“I should have expected something simple. You look nonchalant to have animal parts dropping.” The girl shrugged at his prideful remarks to have heard her the whole time. Guess nothing gets past him. He did look capable to read maps. Yes, they both had similar ideas indeed.

“Pardon?” Mica reeled back for a moment. His simple thinking proving once more again by suggesting to join her. She folded her arms and exhaled before stating a minor complication to that simple thought. What was she to call him? Trash Faunus or Garbage Rat wasn’t…polite in social outings.

“Sounds fine enough. I’ll go first then. I’m Mica. Now your turn or would you prefer being called Faunus or classmate?”

[Eiji]

"Thats because it happens often. you get used to it. Like when you trim your fingernails really." Eiji said as he watched Mica.
'Well you can call me whatever you want. But my name is Eiji. I would say its a pleasure to meet you but you know, you sprayed me."
Eiji said as he started making his way out of the alley. "So Mica, how long have you been attending classes here? I think this makes my fourth day here." Eiji said as he eyed her scroll in her hand. "Did you get the.. what did you call it, photo, you were looking for the other day? if not i can help you find it. "Eiji offered as they came back to the main street. "So Mica, why leave that flying city? seemed pretty safe up there."

[Mica Lecent]

“Garbage rat it is.” She shook her head. “Only get hurt if you jump scare people like that” She walked the path out. Straight forward road between buildings much narrower than home. Easier to get back to the main street but a wonder they even found that warehouse at all. Something gave her the feeling it wasn’t simply a warehouse but the questions kept coming so the answers must be given.

“Roughly two days, I believe.” Fresh off the ship to the academy directly. That short amount of time leading her to meet what was supposed to be the last person to expect. Mica could have lived just fine without knowing his name at all yet there he was offering to help her find a picture. It earned a brief chuckle.

“Here. A photo.” Swiftly the scroll expanding in her hand as she held the button to take a candid shot of Eiji. The picture of his split second motions hogging up the majority of the screen. She kept the scroll held out for him to view his picture as she replied about leaving Atlas.

“I’d be there. Enroll, retire, and take up the shop till my dying days. Not a bad life. It’d spare me of sudden spider limbs and wings . Won’t change too much and no telling when the shop will sell short. Hmm…” She looked at the now spider limb-less Faunus and had her own question.

“So you just bury those limbs. Not do anything with them? Not even some tribal war assessories.”

[Eiji]

"Garbage rat? And my intention was not to scare. i just wanted to know who was following me and why." Eiji explained. He was naive to think that someone wouldn't freak out if they turned around and saw a huge spider person standing right behind them.
Though he got a chuckle out of her! A chance to make up for the scaring earlier, and with a simple task, or so he thought. She held out her scroll and turned it around, and even Eiji could recognize himself. He reached out to try to touch it, but thats when he noticed not only was it him, but the background was of the street they were standing on.
"How in the good name of the desert plains did you do that? Was that me? from a second ago?"
Eiji asked as he looked at his hair in the photo, He had a bang out of place, he quickly licked his hand and ran it over his hair to ''fix'' the stray bang. He didn't understand how a scroll could do that.
"Retire? A bit early for you to be thinking about giving up the hunt dont you think? As for the limbs i just leave em. No sense in carrying them around, well the wings i use as a... bed of sorts. My feathers are quite soft."

[Mica Lecent]

How amusing. The second she noted the young Faunus fixing his hair gave pause that maybe, on the fraction of a percent of a maybe, basic grooming isn’t lost to him if he felt that self conscious enough to fix his hair from the photo alone. Mica kept this small discovery in mind as she progressed past the photo and kept her thumb on the button to start a loose recording. The camera moving about as she moved her hand to catch Eiji and parts of herself while replying to him.

“I do aim to retire to do other things. But first is to acquire enough money for the store to close. Didn’t plan on always being a Hunter after getting a license to. Other people eventually settle down or just do something else all together with their training as an improved self defense measure. Besides, I’ve never heard of Hunters going out and trying to ‘hunt’ every Grimm out there. Usually they’re off protecting some place, thing, or someone from Grimm. No one knows where they truly come from anyway to hunt the source properly. Or else all of the Four Kingdoms would do something about it ages ago.”

Very brief and loose history lesson aside, Mica pondered to put the question and camera back on him. Anything to keep her thoughts not settled on knowing just how well Eiji here can make his own feather down bed.

“You insisting to do just that? Roaming around to hunt the fear of men’s hearts and so forth?”

[Eiji]

Money money money, seems like thats what everyone is after. Though it is depressing to hear you claim that no one knows where they come from. I was hoping some time here would reveal that to me, ah, no matter. I shall find out for my self in due time. Eiji said as he watched a large, motorized carriage fly down the street. Wherever they needed to be they sure were in a hurry. Though you do bring up a good argument, i suppose that the leaders would make a connected effort to kill all Grimm. If they were not chasing money that is. Eiji nodded to himself, Now he had a clear goal in mind, find the source of the Grimm, then kill it. Then all there is to do is mop up the remaining Grimm. Easy enough on paper.
So once you get enough money from being a hunter then you will close your Fuller workshop. Not a bad idea. after all you do have to work around those nasty liquids all day when you wash fabrics. I think i would do the same if i was.. how you say, in your shoes. Eiji said. Which was a funny statement, considering he wasn't wearing any shoes.

[Mica Lecent]

“Depressing? Odd word coming from you.” She shrugged at him. Oddly the opposite thing to say for someone so eager to hunt. He did say he’s only here to learn how to better hunt these Grimm. “That’s all your here for? Once you learn all you want about Grimm then you leave to go hunt them all?” Sounded to be simple kind of mindset he’d do.

Her arm flinched a bit as she turned to try catching sight of that car. Oddly fast to be hitting the road. Weren’t they in some building district though? Mica sighed at some drivers. Probably someone irresponsible. She returned her attention to Eiji and then noted how his dress code really was minimal effort. The shock of his spider limbs ebbing away.

“How do you protect your feet from glass or heat?” The girl sighed in preparation for his latest reason.

[Eiji]

"It would make for a grand story if i were to do it don't you think? Alas if four kingdoms couldn't then i probably couldn't though that will not stop me from trying at least. And yes, once i have the knowledge and experience i need then ill leave and go were ever they are. Kill them and move on. Eiji said with a nod. It wasn't much of a plan but that's all he really had at the moment. When she brought up his feet Eiji looked down at his feet with a confused expression. Why would i step on glass? As for heat a leaf wrap will remedy that. Then discard them when im done. As for plain old walking around the skin on your feet is tough for a reason. He nodded again. Then again some of the shoes in the stores he walked past did seem... shiny. Something a troll or a dragon would hoard. He felt the same way to an extent. how long have you been at the school?

[Mica Lecent]

Mica’s brow began to twitch at the ill thought. No direction. Follow Grimm? They’re creatures that fed on emotion and god knows what to keep those gross appearances. She stomped her foot down as if trying to smear it out from under her shoe. “Roaming the land killing Grimm at every turn. That’s about as random as following your shadow.” Her arm shot out to the city scape around them at the mere thought of wraps for his feet. Wraps?! Mica was certain on some measure of geography here but her exasperations with his feral ways easily spiked. “There isn’t a single tree in this part of Vale or this section of the country that would be large enough to wrap your shoe size!”

“Ridiculous.” The girl cut in before Eiji could suddenly drop in the source of some magical tree to fit that…what is he? A size 9? 10? Her eyes glared at his dirt ridden nail cracked bare feet then back at him. “The point isn’t about avoiding glass but what about floor hazards? Needles? The very environment! It’s a measure of protection to have.”

Her shoulders then slumped as she brought her scroll closer to her face. Fingers tapping the screen and browsing a search for some reasonable footwear stores around. Something reasonable.

“Hmm….of bit of a walk… not a high end retail so it should do. I’ll show you what I mean if you don’t go scaring the staff. That clear?” Setting a route, she beckoned for Eiji to follow.”We’re going shopping.”