9813/Sara is a Skullgirl

Sara is a Skullgirl
Date of Scene:	28 October 2019
Location:	Central Park, Manhattan
Synopsis:	The Four Corners of the World event is doing a bit of PR when Sara Pezzini makes an appearance. She brings candy, and Katsumi brings questions about the Witchblade. Additionally, that jet-lag is really hitting the Punk Princess hard.
Cast of Characters:	Bakeneko, Witchblade

---

Bakeneko has posed:
'Tis a bright and sunny day in Central Park, and maybe if everyone is lucky, there won't be any incidents of superpowered people clashing. How do the citizens deal with so much of that? Regardless, the birds are singing, the weather is warmer than it has been without giving up the grudging march towards colder climes, and there's a small crowd gathered around a grassy field.

A few stands have been set up, propping posterboards advertising an upcoming professional wrestling event, billed as a clash of the "Four Corners of the World." Tables are arranged in a convenient funneling pattern to give visitors a chance to see and meet with participants, but the lines for the latter are considerably longer; especially where the American 'delegation' is seated. Another table offers refreshments and information, and a few floating representatives are making the rounds to answer questions and lure in the unwary.

Team Japan has been at this for hours, and at last they've been given time to take a break. Three of the four shuffle off together to chill. Katsumi, however, has wandered off on her own.

She found a tree that's nice and out of the way, and sunk down to sit in the grass, propping her back against its trunk, knees tucked up against her chest and arms hugging around her shins. Thankfully, a skirt isn't her wardrobe choice of the day. Rather, a cut-off tanktop bearing stylish 'slashes' across the chest (never fear, there's material benenath it to maintain her decency) make up the top, with a pair of hip-hugging short-shorts on the lower half. Naturally, punky boots are worn, along with fingerless leather gloves, and her typical black choker centered with golden coin. Go figure.

Witchblade has posed:
"Hey, Pez"

The words are heard as Sara Pezini, NYPD detective, and, accidental scary, scary bish is in the park. She's got in fo about the event, and pocketed it. Looking over it Sara's looking around the park. Finally she spies Katsumi, well, the tree firs then Katsumi. She's got no reason to go all cop on her, so she doesn't. Instead she's moseying over. Even the Witchblade is quiet, as if in awe of what was being planned.

"Hey" Sara says and glances to Katsumi. "I'm starting to get into the event. I'll need to get tickets" Sara adds and flops down, a little theatrically, a little like she's jumped off the middle rope to slam into the grass, but she's settled back on it, propped up on her elbows.

Bakeneko has posed:
She couldn't be more normal. More pedestrian. More human. And yet, when Sara draws attention to herself, Katsumi lets out a sound somewhere between a startled squeal and yelp, but gets caught in her throat. She's tilting back from the sudden movement, and winds up in an awkward reverse crabwalk, eyes expressively wide and briefly panicked.

But no, Sara isn't attacking her with demon metal or whatever-the-actual-Hell she had going on last she saw her. But that's definitely the first and foremost thing on Katsumi's mind upon seeing her again.

"What was that?," she asks quickly, almost stumbling over her enunciation. "That- that thing you did. Were doing. Earlier. When the psychos were burning her. You were doing something." She manages to tuck her knees beneath herself in the interim, achieving at least a better and more dignified balance. But she still looks ready to bolt.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara raises her palms. "What was what?" she asks. Well aware she's the Witchblade's host, but she's just normal, regular old Sara Pezini. Not the wWitchblade, no. Not swords and armor and sharp stabby pointy things, no. She does though manage to raise her palms while propping up on her elbows with a peer over to Katsumi. She's genuinely unsure what 'thing' Katsumi's on about.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro all but sputters at the refusal to acknowledge the validity of the question. "You! When that woman was being attacked by the mob! Not- not /the/ mob, but- dammit, you know what I mean!," the Japanese girl fusses. "You had a f***ing snake or dragon head or some s*** breathing fire on people! It was like Silent God**** Hill!"

Note: Not the actual name of the franchise.

Witchblade has posed:
"If it was that Mob" Sara says and speaks calmly, "Oh, that. It scared me too" she admits with a sigh, "It terrifeid me. I just....I...lost control" sara admits more as she looks over to Katsumi. "I don't have a snake or a dragon or something, no" she says gently. She's not sure how to explain about the Witchblade. "it's like....like...you know people who go all crazy when they get angry and punch through walls, right? That's like me and getting angry and losing control. Only...I...get angry and such" Sara says. She's not explaining exactly /what/ the Witchblade is, and trying toi deflect suspicion too.

Bakeneko has posed:
"I know what I saw!," Katsumi snaps. "You didn't get angry and punch someone out! There was something not normal happening! Are you-"

She suddenly gasps, eyes widening. Her hands lift quickly to her lips.

"Are you a mutant?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara's not sure how to anser that question. She's thinking in the back of her mind how the tabloids would love it, if the Japanese wrestler turned out to be a mutant hating FoH sympathizer. "Why are you asking?" Sara asks, an eyebrow raised. "I'm not a mutant, if you're looking to kill mutants" she says sternly, as if warning that hurting (or worse) mutants is wrong. She's not ready to brand Katsumi as a mutant hating jerk just yet. Instead, she's willing to give Katsumi a small, small amount of doubt. Still the suddenness of that question has Sara's haackles up. Why would Katsumi care if somebody's a mutant, anyway?    
Sara shakes her head. "It's not a mutant, no. It's.....I don't know how to explain it." Sara offers, watching Katsumi with that same steady gaze.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro is likely pretty clearly not on the warmest and fuzziest of feelings towards mutants, given the shock and apprehension at the sudden though. But she's also not shy about answering the question. "Because what the Hell else would it be!?," she counters, flabbergasted. "I'm not looking to /kill/ anyone! Are you crazy?!" What an odd thing to ask! Katsumi's a lot of things, but a killer? No matter how mean or antagonizing she can be in the ring or out, the thought of actually killing someone is both foreign and repugnant to her. She has no idea what to make of being asked such a thing.

"Just- are you gonna f***ing kill me or something? Can you at least tell me /that/?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara's tone grows a tiny bit more steely, "In case you weren't aware, that mob setting that poor woman on fire" Sara says, "Are mutant haters who want to kill every single mutant" she says and then gives Katsumi an oddly sympathetic look. She gets it. "I get it. You're this, this....mean, violent person on camera, right. You go to wrestle, it's like, you put a mask on, you are that wrestlr. But here, and now, you're not. you're the real Katsumi" Sara says. "I'm like that. When I get really angry, it's like...I lose control. And I just go crazy" Sara adds. She gets it. The Witchblade isn't to different from being a wrestler. If wrestlers had symbiotes that were crazy about swords and killing and violence...

"I'm not going to kill you" Sara says, her tone soft, gentle. "I promise. As long as there's no reason for me to lose control, but. But. I don't have good control, it goes off my reflexes and emotions" Sara admits quietly.

Bakeneko has posed:
"Okay, that's f***ed up. Alright? Don't talk to me like I'm someone who'd do that. I don't like terrorists, but I'm not gonna do.. /that/. That was just..." Evil? It's so confusing. So alien. So foreign. But yes, she equates mutants with terrorists. Thanks, mainstream media!

But then she's leaning forward a bit, her expression pinched. "What you see is what you get! I'm not a fake!" Why is she arguing that? Why did that rub her the wrong way? Heck, it'd be better for her if she actually was faking it. But the thing that nets her popularity and success as an entertainer is the thing that keeps her isolated and miserable off-camera.

"Ugh.." Katsumi places a palm to her face, rubbing over it. "So you need some constant anti-depressants or something. Whatever they sell here for it."

Witchblade has posed:
Sara shakes her headd. "I'm not equating you with any terrorists. I never said that, I said the people who set that woman on fire are mutant hating freaks. I absolutely did not put you in with them" she says. Her voice is soft and quiet. If anything she's listening. "No I just need to keep calm, but being a cop it's not easy" she says...then tries in vain to imagine keeping the Witchblade in line as a wrestler. No. She doesn't suit trunks and boots and a bra. No way!

Sara sits up more. "I'm not saying you want to kill mutants, no. I'm saying people here do and I don't think for a moment you are like those people" she adds with a look.

Bakeneko has posed:
"Okay," says Katsumi stiffly. "Good. 'Cuz I'm not." She'd rather be far, far away from mutants. Was that woman she sent the well-wishes to a mutant? Did she send well-wishes to someone who's trying to overthrow humanity? The mind boggles.

Her hand lowers from her face again, and Katsumi fidgets in the grass in an effort to find a more comfortable, less tense posture. She isn't really sure she's achieving it. "So it's, what, like a parasite? A.. a metal dragon parasite or something?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara pauses. Oh Katsumi's way closer to the truth than she thinks. Great, that's not scary at all, is it? Go figure. Sara's quiet, quietly watching with a quith a shrug. "You're not like tose freakks. See. I'm not saying you're like them. You're better than that" she points out.

Bakeneko has posed:
"I know I'm not," says Katsumi plainly. "I'm.. glad you know? But we're talking about /you/." She leans forward a bit more. "If it's like a parasite or something - that basically makes you a Skullgirl." She leans back again and purses her lips. Wheels are turning behind those eyes. She's not sure how she feels about that. She likes Skullgirls. Seeing something like that in person is freaky a-f, though.

Speaking of the eyes, however, it's possible to notice the typical sparkling radiance that was once her green eyes has faded considerably - as if the color had almost completely drained from them. At this point, they can only charitably be called 'jade'; pale, near-gray.

"When did that.. um.. when did you get that? Was it always something? Is it a robot?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara watches and looks quiet, listening as she settles back. If anything she's quiet, thinking about what Katsumi's said, then looks thoughtful. "It was a shootout at the docks. I crashed into a container, and clattered into that thing" Sara says looking quiet. "It's....tough, you know? Trying to balancing it" Sara admits, shaking her head. "It's one of those things" she says, her own eyes are dark and expressive.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro is quiet for a moment now, as well. Her lips twist a bit, pensive and uncertain. Finally, she leans a little closer. "You like a berserker superhero then?," is her very blunt question afterwards. "Does /everyone/ know you got that thing going on?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara shakes her head. "It's....like...well.....like it takes over and I got no control. You know how people talk about out of body experiences?" she asks. "It's that, but watching through my own eyes" she says. Not sure she's explaining it well, but she truthfully can't figure out a way to explain it without showing her. And that'd be bad, it'd scare Katsumi and then some.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro looks no more comforted by the explanation she's given, though. "S***," is her eloquent response. "So it's like a handicap. Like.. something you'd rather be rid of. That's..." Her hand lifts again, drawing a section of silky black hair behind her ear as she tries to come up with better phrasing. It doesn't work. "..that's scary."

Witchblade has posed:
"Oh no, I'd rather not be rid of it. It's useful. I just..." Sara says raising her palms, "Have to be really careful, that's all. Like if you were wielding it..and you knew it went off your emotions" Sara says sitting up more, hands in her lap, "You'd be careful too, right?" she asks.

Bakeneko has posed:
"I guess..." Katsumi sinks back and tilts her head slightly to the side. "But how do you do that? Do you meditate? I never had the patience for that. Do you just hum happy songs to yourself?"

She's still struggling on how to feel about all this. The idea that this woman, this /cop/, has some kind of alien weapon or whatever attached to her, firing off based on her emotions - it's freaky. And the more she thinks about it, the more worrying it becomes. Katsumi has a long and storied history of making people angry; often without even meaning to.

Witchblade has posed:
The idea of Sara humming happy songs gets her to snort that turns into giggles. "Do I hum happy songs? Only when I'm alone in my car" she says with a serious tone to her voice. "No. Seriously. It's a struggle and a battle for control, you know? Some days I'm in control. Other times...not so much" she shrugs looking to Katsumi with a shake of her head. But the idea of her going around humming happy songs is amusing to her. Which is good, she's laughing at least.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro isn't. Sara's freaking her out! It sounds like she could snap at any moment and kill her with a dragon head thing! She swallows heavily.

"Sounds really dangerous. Why wouldn't you want rid of something that could make you do really bad things? What I saw earlier was extreme." Her hands come to fold over her lap, a small frown setting to her lips.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara's calm. She's not about to go Witchblade on Katsumi. She unwraps a candy bar and chews on it, looking calm and relaxed. "Put it this way. I'm slowly getting control." she points out. "It only happens when I'm majorly stressed out or my life's in danger. If you're not doing that, you're safe" Sara says reassuringly.

Bakeneko has posed:
"What if I do? What if I do stress you out?," Katsumi asks. Her voice is small now, cautious. Because that's the crux of it. She's not an effective goosefrabba-guru. She tends to do the opposite with others. Heck, that's why she was alone when Sara first approached.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara shakes her head. "I'm...not sure" she says looking concerned, shaking her head. "I can get a handle on this. I got a handle on this,, so" Sara says. "Have I tried to kill you while talking to you?" she asks softly. She's a hard nosed, no nonsense detective. Who has a lot of strange things going on.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro cants her head forward, that previously-tucked hair falling loose. "No, but you haven't talked to me much. This might be the most. I tend to p*** people off. Like, even if I don't really /mean/ to. Whatever part of the brain makes people nice, I don't have it. Mine's broken."

She breathes a soft sigh, her pale gaze falling to the grass. "I'm not trying to bum you out. I just don't wanna get shanked by aggro-cop."

Witchblade has posed:
Sara shakes her head. "I'm not angry at you" she says gently offering a candy bar. It's a start, really. "I just...I just keep the world at arm's length for my own safety, honestly" Sarah says, watching Katsumi. Her heart went out to the Japanese woman. Sara wants to reach out, wants to get through to her but Sara doesn't trust herself yet. She doesn't know Katsumi that well. She's willing to get to know Katsumi, though.

"What can I do not be afraid of me?" Sara asks. it's blunt. To the point.

Bakeneko has posed:
The candybar is zeroed in on like a cat with a toy. It's almost immediately snatched without a second thought, and a piece bitten off. Most normal thing in the world, even with how clearly she's still concerned with Sara and her Real Ultimate Power. After swallowing, she crinkles her nose at her. "S***, I dunno. Seeing what you did, how you did it, and knowing it could happen if I say the wrong thing... that's always gonna be there. Just, maybe say so if you're getting upset? So I can have a headstart?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara nods, "I'll try" she says and sets a bag of candy down to share. Because, candy's good. "I'll try, and I'll tell you" Sara says....with conviction in her voice as she lays back down, a hand reaching for the candy bag. She looks amused by the candy. It's nearly Halloween, so...

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro isn't entirely assuaged by this. But she nods a little; a curt, but uncertain motion.

"So you're.. actually gonna watch the show? You said you need a ticket?," she asks. "There are still a few, I think. Unless they already sold'em. I don't think they did. I think those people have'em already." She glances aside to the crowd, then back to Sara. "I didn't know you were into professional wrestling."

Witchblade has posed:
Sara nods, "Oh yeah, I'm coming to the show. I'm into it, you know there's been a ton of wrestling in and around the three states. It's always good to sit back and watch the lesser known wrestlers. Plus, it's right here in my city. Of course I'm coming" Sara nods enthusiastically.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro turns her head slightly, skeptical. "Lesser known? Oh, this ticket might be too expensive for ya," she teases. "They got the best America has to offer! Allegedly. I mean, they don't look like /s***/ to me, but that's not even fair to compare, is it?," she taunts. Her chin uptilts, eyes haughtily shutting. "Just try not to rage too hard when I beat up the best you got!"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara snorts. "Would I rage too hard, huh? You think I'd rage when the American wrestlers get their butt handed to them? Nah" Sara says as she looks amused, taking another candy bar from the bag and chewing on it.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro refocuses on her, slender eyebrows raises and eyes widening. "Mmnn?," she inquires. "No homegrown allegiance? Which ones do ya like? The Russians? You into the big hairy dudes?," she teases. Her mouth is then almost immediately occupied by the candybar again.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara mimes shaving for a moment. "Nah, I don't root for anyone. I just expect a good, entertaining show and whoever wins keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. I learned a long time ago no allegiances. Sure I swore an oath to serve and protect, but I've no allegience beyond my friends. Tell me how I can swear allegience to a department that doesn't have a perfect solve rate?" she asks, chewing on a handful of mini cookies.

Bakeneko has posed:
"Okay, a little hard'n heavy, but sure," giggles Katsumi, amused. "See, we call people like you free floaters. You float around. You like the spectacle. You're undecided." She leans forward, suddenly on hands and knees with eyes narrowing. A smile edges across her lips, somehow taking a predatory note. "The kind we hunt after. To turn into fans."

Witchblade has posed:
Sara laughs, actually...laughs. "So what is it, the wrestling Mob with steel chairs that hunt us free floaters down after shows, corner us in the parking and be all I got a spectacle you can't refuse, then kneecap us with chair shots?" she jokes. Oh she got jokes alright and now she's more at ease with Katsumo, she's lightening up. "See, that's both impressive and terrifying if true. I mean, mobster wrestlers. How would you even do the moves in suits?" she asks, genuinely amazed at her humor showing through as she eyes Katsumi and smiles. Genuinely smiles. "I'm a fan of shows. You know why I like wrestling?" she asks. "Because the good guys and girls win. I am a cop cause I hate bullies and want to help people. You wrestlers. You're the same. Good guys come out on top. So what if the bad guys kick you in the head in the ring, the good guys will always win" Sara nods convincingly. Oh she's a fan alright. "You knoww, I might just be rooting for you at ringside when the event's on. Hey, you think you could sneak me backstage to hang out?" Sara asks. It's a crazy idea. But she's got a serious reason for it. Getting autographs!

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro scoffs and props upright on her knees. "In a suit? No, that's why we strip down to gladiator-stuff. It's not just so people can check out," she sweeps her hands indicatively over her svelte figure, "the hotness."

Leaning forward again, Katsumi shakes her head. The action causes her hair to scatter a little about her face, but she hardly seems to care. "You know I'm not one of the 'good guys', right? I'm basically a complete b****. People like me 'cuz I do the things they wish they could, or because I totally own it. Girls love to hate me, guys secretly wish their girls were just a little more /like/ me."

Wink!

"If you're gonna be rooting for me, you're gonna be pushing for the villain. Probably. Unless the opponent's a complete monster. You sure you can handle that, cop~?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara meets Katsumi's eyes. "I've dealt with monsters. You've seen what I can do. I'm a monster but I'm sat here sharing candy with you aren't I?" she asks with a nod, a knowing nod. Being a cop means she's dealt with monsters. So, Katsumi's not all bad. Can't be worse than most of the criminals Sara deals with on a shift by shift basis. "Meantime, I dress smart, carry a gun and get told I'm the scariest bee in the room when I get angry" Sara says. "You know, we could learn a lot from each other" she says and taps her nose. As if, well, she's willing to stick her neck out and be friends with Katsumi.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro looks somewhat slighted at the denegration of her monster status! She sets back and cants her head to her. "Not all monsters have pointy teeth and claws," she notes, voice a little more sedate - but laced with something subtle. She takes some pride in her ability to tear others apart without throwing a punch. That's her superpower. And also her curse. She's like a verbal werewolf.

"And what're you thinking you'd learn from me, hrm~?," she asks as she leans back. The candybar is popped back into her mouth.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara looks amused. She doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. If Katsui's a verbal werewolf...Sara is aiming to corral her, and pet and scratch the wolf behind its ears. She looks serious for just a moment. "You ever worked homicide, Katsumi?" she asks. "Monsters are all around us, it's just they ain't been caught yet. See, that's the thing. Monsters who aren't caught are the real threat. They're everywhere. You're not that bad compared to some cases I worked" Pez says. "Though you're not all sweetness and light, either" she admits with a smirk. She can just verbally joust with anyone. Ask half of her detective colleagues. Pez is no nonsense. She twirls a candy bar in her fingers, before opening it and devouring half of it in a bite. "See, you're a monster in the ring. But, the world's bigger than a wrestling ring. I work the streets, catch the monsters. You're a ray of sunshine compared to the worst this city's got to offer" she nods gesturing around. Realist, Pez, she's a realist. She's just wishing she could escape into the spectacle and the cheering for her friend. Okay, so what if it'll look odd cheering on Katsumi, an American woman cheering on a Japanese wrestler, yeah, so what?

Bakeneko has posed:
The irony here is it's having the opposite effect. The efforts leave her feeling patronized, and it's plainly written on her face. Katsumi's candybar holding hand slowly lowers as her gaze half-lids. "Are all cops this boring?," she asks, her voice reaching a passionless monotone. "I'm not comparing myself to a mass-murderer, you psycho. And- are you serious? The world's bigger than a wrestling ring? No s***. Why would you say something so obvious? You think I'm stupid, or what?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara raises her palms, "Yeah, we're boring" she says taking the bait and leaving herself open for a verbal attack. "Comes with the job. Nah I was saying you're better than those types. Because you're able to at least do good things" Sara nods keenly, then chews on the other half of the candy bar. "Cause the world's more than a ring. But I'm not trying to put you down. Just saying. I know of people who got too caught up in performing, y'know, Broadway stars, actors, they don't think of the world as the world. THey think of it as this....thing" Sara shrugs. "You got your head on right. Monster or not. I've not decided if you're that monster yet. I've not seen ya in the ring, yet either" Pez admits.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro exhales a small sigh and shakes her head again. This time, the hair hanging in her face annoys her enough to brush it back out of her eyes. "Well, okay, but look. I'm trying to talk hype at you and s***. Leave your work at work, girl. Damn."

Unsure how to get things back on track, Katsumi just sticks the remainder of the candybar in her mouth and chews while staring contemplatively at Sara. Her hands pat against the grass as if to wipe them of any residual chocolate.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara cracks a smile. "Well, why should I cheer for you. WHat's making you so special, aside from the oh i know her type of hype. Tell you what" Sara offers, stretching her legs out a little. "You got a hype package ready to win me over, girl?" Sara asks with a look, her eyes fixed on Katsumi. "Because if you have. And f I like it..."

The rest doesn't need to be said. Sara's on board. But Sara's a free floater. It's up to Katsumi to win her over, that's Sara's point. "I'll hear it out. Promise I won't bring work up again"

Bakeneko has posed:
"Ohhh, no, that's not how it works!," Katsumi protests, suddenly finding her energy. She leans forward once more, back arched, and impish smile on her face. "I'm not cutting a promo just for you! I don't even know who I'm wrestling just yet! A lot've my work's done on the fly, and-," she leans back, placing a fist over her chest as she gazes into the distance, wistful, "-from the heart."

The eyes slant back to Sara, and she's suddenly, animatedly, back on all fours. "You have to come to the show and see. Besides, like you said, you don't know anything about me or my work! You've not even done your research! I'm on Youtube and junk!"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara nods. "Well, I know your name and that you're in the four corners match. So that's a starting point. Oh no, no. I didn't mean cut a promo. More win me over with reasons and charm. Which you ain't lacking" Sara says and raises her palms. "So, research, and try to put aside the hey. I know that woman aside" she adds, nudging the bag of candy over. Knowing Sara isn't easy. But, she'll go the extra mile for her friends.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro eyes the bag, then back up at Sara's face. "You want reasons? I'm the best. I'm the /fun/ one in the ring - and out! You want charm? B****, I'm oozing charm!" And not an ounce of self-awareness. But she takes up a sucker from the bag, quickly unwraps it, and pops it in her mouth. With the stick shifting around between her lips, she continues, "Without me, things would be boring! But I'm the total package. Skill, talent, looks, all of it! And that's why I could win the whole event on my own!" She gives a toothy, pleased grin.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara's eyes light up, "Okay, fine. You won me over" she admits...grudgingly. "Oh fine, you got me on your side. So now, what. Do I need to go make signs like you see on TV or something?" Sara asks watching Katsumi. She's willing to sit back and listen to Katsumi. Follow the more experienced woman, wrestler.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro giggles again, then nods. "You could do that. There'll be some out there, I bet! And you wanted backstage?" She turns her head slightly, studying her. "Lemme ask ya this. This.. thing.. that you do. Does everyone know about it? Am I the last to clue in? Or are you like a.. sort've superhero or whatever?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara folds her arms and sticks her chin out. "No, It's a secret thing" she says defiantly. "It's this secrett really. And...I...I think I can control it, y'know. Not go on a stabbing spree if you lose" she adds with a serious tone to her voice...like she's telling the Witchblade off and warning it not to mess with her or Katsumi.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro exhales a quick puff of a breath through her nose. "You better!" She pops the sucker out of her mouth to point it at Sara. "No going crazy on people! And I'm gonna win anyway! But..." She withdraws the sucker to pop back into her mouth, thoughtful. "You're wanting backstage? Why? Wanting to perv' on the guys?," she teases.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara cants her head, "Really. That's your first thought is I'm going to perv on the guys? Really?" Sara asks with a teasing tone. "You jealous I'm going to perv while you got to work?" she adds with a raised eyebrow, a small giggle from her lips. She srapwls out lazily, stretching herself on the grass and looks pleased and relaxed.

Bakeneko has posed:
"Sara! Come on. Look at me."

Katsumi lifts a little further on her knees and arches her back, pushing her modestly-curved chest more prominent. Her left fist sets to her hip, the right whisking through her long, silky black hair. The chin is uptilted, gaze hooded in what is best known as 'bedroom eyes'. With a smile both confident and impish, she purrs, "I get /plenty/ of looks."

She settles back into a relaxed position and pops the sucker out of her mouth again. "'Sides, I have a rule about guys. I never date anyone I can't beat up."

Witchblade has posed:
Sara watches and smirks. "You're not a bad looker really" she says with a nod then looks Katsumi up and down with a nod. "Not a bad looker at all. See. I'd date, but....you know...." she says, fiddling with her bracelet as Sara looks amused. "I got that same rule, but it's sort of cheating when I got access to police gear?" she asks.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro shakes her head quickly. "Nono, the rule is that I have to be able to beat'em up in a straight fight. No ropes to run, no turnbuckles to leap off. Just me and the other person. If I can't beat'em, I won't date'em." After a beat, she says, "I know I'm like a walking fetish. A girl has to protect herself."

Her gaze flits to the bracelet, then back up to Sara's face. "Is that the thing? The.. weapon.. parasite.. Skullgirl thing?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara nods, Yeah, So you need a hand with pummelling people...let me know" she offers with a smile. "I can help you out with new ways to beat people up...I can hook you up with that" Sara offers. "Yeah the whole armor and swords thing" she sighs. She'll explain the Witchblade like that, sure, why not.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro scoffs and shakes her head at the proposal. Help with pummeling people. She has a reputation to maintain! And she's always fought her own battles! Plus, there's a matter of pride to consider. But the matter of the thing, the.. 'device'? Parasite? Whatever it is, is intriguing. From how it sounds, it was maybe an alien technology. Are aliens a thing? The mind boggles - and then promptly shuts down.

As the sun dips over the horizon and the skies darken, the lights seem to just flicker out behind Katsumi's eyes. Her expression blanks, and she topples forward, faceplanting into the grass.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara shakes her head with a look. Sure, she was offering help. Pride, egos, and...all that. Sara springs forwrd as Katsumi thuds to grass. "Are you okay?" she asks. Sara's not going to explain the Witchblade. Nope. Not if this is what happens...still it's better than Katsumi gettting stabbbed or sliced really.

Bakeneko has posed:
No response! Just one limp, dangly Katsumi to be supported or plopped onto the grass. Dealer's choice.

Her breathing is normal; mellow, even. Her eyes have at some point fluttered shut. Her hair hangs about her face, acting as a convenient veil. And insofar, only a few individuals from the gathering seem to have noticed.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara's not bout to move Katsumi. One, she's not dead. Two. That'd just be rude. And Sara's not in the mood to have questions askd. So Sara just sits next to Katsumi and is trying to hold her hair back. Sara's pretty sure this is normal. For New York standards, almost cuddle with a wrestler...yeah sure. Why not. So that's what she's doing, sort of half leaning against Katsumi and relaxing. Hey, if Katsumie needs sleep....Sara's not bout to wake her up yet. Poor girl seemed worried and out of it. Though she does wave the bag of candy. Smelling salts are one thing. Smelling candy? Whole other idea

Bakeneko has posed:
It probably isn't the sweet smell of confectionary goodness that does it, given how jarring the experience is when Katsumi comes to. It's with a start, the world rushing back into focus. Then the sensation of pressure, or being crowded. Then the rapid onset of confusion and panic on how she wound up in this slumpy, pressed, dazed state. Katsumi pushes at the ground, at Sara, at everything and anything to try to get a little distance and sort out her bearings. Eyes are wide, darting here and there, taking it all in.

It isn't spoken. But there's a definite 'holy crap' message written on her face.

What she /does/ say, however, is a very quiet, "W-what just..?"

A couple others have taken notice and glanced their way.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara scoots a pace away giving her space. "You zoned out. I was listening to you ask about my bracelet then you fainted. You okay?" Sara asks. Then she plays with the bracelet, since, that was the topic of discussion before Katsumi thudded to the ground.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro listens, soaks it in, and looks more distressed for it. "Ahh-.." Her hands raise to paw through her hair. First, that excessive jet-lag. Now she's conking out at random. She doesn't feel tired. No more stressed than usual. The Hell is going on with her?

A glance spared to the side catches the onlookers, and she shoots them a weak smile. More panic sets in. She looks back to Sara, and there's a hard swallow. "Ch-cheap shot!," she scolds, just loud enough to be heard by those quizzically staring. "If we, um, were in the ring! That wouldn't have," swallow, "gone that way!"

It's a cover, and one most casual onlookers will probably roll with. Katsumi's a fireball, so the odds of her picking fights with random people is well within her portfolio of shenanigans.

More quietly, Katsumi says, "I'm /fine/." Beat. "Don't tell anyone? Please?"

Witchblade has posed:
Sara's following along. "Yeah, cheap shot" she mutters. "Whatcha gonna do?" she asks, then drops her voice to a whisper. "I'm doing the right, fine, keeping your cover?" she whispers. Sara's more used todealing with undercover cops. Not being one herself, but....she listens and is willing to follow Katsumi's lead....as she listens. Sara's following Katsumi's lead.

Bakeneko has posed:
Some people are still watching, but Katsumi is content that the excuse has been presented and no one is coming over to question anything. It'll have to do. Horrible if anyoen got it on camera, but odds are they didn't. Hopefully. Unless she was out a while. Crap.

Katsumi quickly rubs her palms over her face. "Ghh.."

When her palms lower again, she refocuses on Sara. "It's cool, don't worry." She clears her throat and leans back, rocking to her feet and, ultimately, to her full height. "I should get back to'em."

Witchblade has posed:
Sara nods. "You need anything" Sara says and slides over a scribbled bit of paper, "Get a hold of me. That's my number, you need anything, get a hold of me" she nods. She's willing to just...let Katsumi stroll somewhere. Back to the hotel, yeah...Sara's staying put. "Kep the candy if you'd like" Sara offers. "There's a place over by Bushwick that sells it by the dollar"

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro glances surreptitiously aside once more, then back to Sara. "Nono!," she quickly refuses. She can't have just had a spat, then accept a bag of candy from her! The image is all wrong! She pops an eyebrow a couple times, hoping to silently indicate the reason for refusal. Regardless, she does take the paper. But she looks at it, tilts her chin, and wads it up only to toss it away. Again, she can't be accepting things from a known local cop! She's the Punk Princess!

Nevermind that she already knows how to get in contact if she needs anything. And that she's determined she /won't/ need anything. Because she can't afford for there to be anything wrong. So nothing is wrong. Period. Okay? Is everyone clear on that?

"I'll, uh.. I'll see you around," she says. There's still an underlying current of worry in her voice. But she doesn't give long enough for a rebutt or redirection. Katsumi turns to hurry back to the gathering.

Witchblade has posed:
Sara is. She does though look to Katsumi and nods. "Be careful" she whispers and looks thoughtful. If the image is all wrong, then....maybe she ought to, ya know....hit her with the candy or throw it at her or or...something? Sara's out of ideas. She's not a wrestler, after all. She's a /cop/

Bakeneko has posed:
It's probably just as well that Sara didn't go with that instinct and create mass confusion with the federations and the event coordinator. And by now, Katsumi is weaving through the crowd to resume her position at the table, ready to field more interested individuals and their questions, fandoms, and on occasion, fanfics. God help.

Everything seems to be getting back into swing, and Katsumi has buried the incident deep down in the back of her mind.

But on the opposite end of the United States, a cargo ship has pulled into a harbor in California. Burly dockhands are unloading crates with such a dutiful efficiency that they fail to notice an excessively woolly calico stowaway dart through the labyrinth of legs and escape into the city beyond.