David
Stepping smoothly into the garden, Hinoki was quite glad to see no one else visiting at this time of night. It would be the worst to be caught by some random villager— at their little shrine, even. Whatever it had been built for likely didn't appreciate this sort of thing, but even a halfway decent priest had methods to mitigate that. She peered around suspiciously at the flowers, making her way through towards the darkest corner. No movement, no sounds other than her own near-silent footsteps. There was an unusual stillness in the very air, and she tucked her wings tighter against herself.

That jostled the small bag hanging from her weapon strap, making something clink dully. Contraband, by Fey law, and the Order was none too approving of it either. But she'd been told it had great value to certain other individuals, and whatever happened after that was none of Hinoki's concern. If he didn't show, though...

"I hear you're a crafty little thing. You won't leave your middleman waiting, no?" Hinoki murmured out into the empty garden.
Javier
"Hm." *And there he was, caught dead in the middle of the... Day? Night? Night, right, it was the dead of night. It was times like these that left Reaper wanting for the natural camoflauge of his alolan bretherin, but sadly fine attire will have to do at this time.* "... *Please just be talking to yourself... Frick...*"

*He was standing there, only halfway concelaled by a bush and having absolutely no idea as to whether or not Hinoki had a clear line of sight to him (hint- she probably did). For a scoundrel such as him, he had absolutely no reservations sneaking into holy places and taking from- well, donation boxes, offerings at the base of shrines, the quarters of whoever lived there... That last one less so, since the lower-ranked members of religious orders tended not to have as much on them. You know, abstaining from mortal wants and whatnot.*

*But alas, he didn't make it that far today. Not in this place, and not in front of this bird. Instead he slowly lurched back and behind the bush, a line of sweat running down his forehead.* "... ..." You see nothing, *He thought to himself.* I will suddenly develop latent psychic powers and you will ignore me. ... Now. ... Now. *No, not happening...*
David
Unfurling her fanfeathers, she tried to get a better look at the interloper. It would have to be a very needy villager to pray so late in the night, especially with the thefts and mysterious happenings. Perhaps she'd been interrupted by an entirely unrelated scoundrel. *What is the Order even good for?* She couldn't help but wonder. Not wanting to step too close, but eager to get a sense of what she was up against, Hinoki cooed into the darkness.

"Hello...? You're not who I was expecting." She tilted a fan sarcastically, "Are you here for a blessing?"
Javier
"Hmmm." *The rat sighed, lurching over and moving enough to be fully seen under the light of the moonlight. Adorned in the upper part of a tuxedo and bearing a clothes needle as a blade, he right himself up- walking on his hind two legs- and stepped forth with his weapon haphazardly moving between a threatening point towards Hinoki, and swinging at the side as a dramatic gesture.* "Oh, you caught me, I'm just a poor little street urchin. I've contracted tinnitus at the age of seven... Had my arm cut off and regrown... That sort of thing. As happens with all Fey orphans."

*He lunged forth with the blade, for a moment, before rescinding the movement and stepping back- mimicking a fencer's feint in a sort of half-apt mockery of the art.* "I'd take all the love and blessings of the gods, but for someone as wretched as me, thats a bit much... No, no, I am fair and humble. That bag of yours will do instead." *He gave a smug smile, prancing side to side with a pointless enthusiasm.*
David
To her delight, a very dapper little mouse emerged from the bush. Recognizable from the wanted poster board taking up way too much space in the Order's base meeting, this would be... No, Hinoki didn't pay enough attention to those posters to remember his name. She was too entertained to worry. "Oh, you poor soul," She gasped as he detailed his history, holding a fan up to cover her beak in mock sympathy. What a farce!

She flicked the fan back away from her face as he hopped about, sending a slice of wind through the air a good ways above the rat's head. The bush's silhouette was a little crooked now. "Not even someone as pathetic as you is exempt from blessings, you know." But this was certainly an opportunity. That Honchkrow wouldn't be pleased with her if she tried returning the contraband to him. Hinoki would have had to dispose of it somehow anyway, and with the rate that stones seemed to get overturned in Wisterwood, getting robbed might be her best bet.

"Well... I'm afraid this bag doesn't contain anything a poor little urchin like you should have to deal with," She said, waiting for the denial.
Javier
"Very cute." *He dropped the act for a moment, frowning, and tilting his head.* "A little cynical, don't you think? I'm robbing you here! And you're calling me *Pathetic*? Why, I'm not just any petty rouge... I'm a bonafide robber... A criminal... Not that you'd understand the difference." *He chuckled and dusted off his tuxedo a bit, snickering as his blade tapped the ground a few times.*

*The slice of wind above his head didn't go unnoticed, but it did cause him to shutter a bit. Wow. Sounds like she could cut pretty hard.* Getting cut is less preferable than getting struck, and it seems like everyone prefers cutting nowadays. *He twirled the needle in his hand.* Hypocrite. Haha.

"Well, you know, now that I think about it, you geriatric folk are kind of hard of hearing, and are pretty creaky on the bones, and I'll tell you what. I'm not that good with ghost types, but, I can see you're really a fan of that battle banter. So, I'll make it fair, I'll make it even, just for you. Honor among thieves and all that, you know the saying?" *He approached and tapped the tip of his needle to her fanblades, if she'd allow it.* "We'll do it on the count of three. On three, we'll do our thing. A silly little duel. How about that?"
David
Aww. Hinoki hadn't been called cute in years. Tempting to call him out on the joke, but the other line caught her attention. "Cynical? Maybe. I'd call you all too cheerful, though," She chuckled at him from behind a fan. He had more panache than any other criminal she'd ever encountered. The Honchkrow flock had tried, of course, but Hinoki could tell their hearts weren't in it. This mouse was a breath of fresh air.

"You've got big ears, for such a little thing. If you need help with that 'tinnitus,' I have a few prayers that are good for it..." But it was more than a fair offer— it was about what she'd been hoping for. Let the rat think he won, think he got something good. She kept her face calm. It wouldn't do to give away the game.

The sewing needle brushed against the edge of her feathers. Really, if those knights had half the sense of humor... She wouldn't be doing things like running errands for criminals in her free time. Hinoki's fans splayed out as she took a few steps back. "Of course, poor soul, but if I could just give you one blessing..." It wouldn't hit him, but no one liked the look of her Revelation Dance. Might spook him a bit if she had time to try it.
Javier
"Ah, no, no, no, I don't think we will be doing that. No prayers." *He attempted to push her fans to the side, but even if she let him, he lacked the upper body strength to do so.* "That's what they always say before... They blow you off the face of the planet. With some move. No, we're doing this the I-win way." *Heh. Cheerful. He smiled and showed his teeth- he was estatic at the moment.*

"Okay, on the count of three. One two!" *He paused, smiling, hoping to have caught her off guard. He tapped the needle against her fan, eager, then giving a big dramatic pause before...*

*Before...*

... Before...!

"... Three." *And like that, he used `Quick Attack`! Instead of lunging forth and using it to attack, though, he stepped back, moving behind the bush- steps slightly ethereal thanks to his Float Stone- and strafing side to side. He darted behind bushes, pausing randomly, waiting for short periods before moving again with Quick Attack- attempting to remain quiet and to find a place where her eyes would stop tracking him.* She's strong looking, but she can't be *That* Attentive.
David
No prayers? What a pity! Hinoki kept down a laugh as the mouse shoved at her, letting her wings fall. And he didn't trust her a bit, either. "I wouldn't do something like that. Not to an urchin! Never." The horror was maybe a bit overacted. She wondered if he'd heard of her, somehow. There was no way she'd built up a reputation that quickly, right? It was such a pain not to match the mouse's open grin, and she couldn't help a gleeful twist of a fan. She watched as he tapped it with the needle, frozen in place, and then...

Wow, and she'd thought she was good at being quiet. Even though she knew what his aim was, it was hard to follow, and soon enough the mouse was out of her sight. The garden was as silent and empty-seeming as it'd been when Hinoki arrived. Just her... But he couldn't have left for real. She had an audience. The thought brought another quick twist of her fanfeathers, and then she launched into fast steps against the garden ground, wings shaking rapidly as she used Quiver Dance.

"In the name of our lord, in bright and blinding light, watch over and guide this poor, poor soul," She spoke, the hum from her trembling feathers adding an unusual cadence to her words. With her wings busy, the bag dangling against her front was, deliberately, in plain view.
Javier
*The rat, of course, managed to fully revel in this newfound silence. ... Wow. Haha. Right. It's nice knowing that he can be stealthy like this. There was something odd about her... Yes... Yes, he knew what it was, she absolutely did NOT believe in the gods. That had to be her thing. That's for sure.*

*He has no clue who she was, of course...*

*He managed to dart behind a vine growing upon a lattice- a plant-fixture-in-progress- and eyed over her bag. ... Hm. He could just ditch her, but that was antithetical to the Villain's Game. Oh.* Oh. *Quiver Dance. One of* Those *Moves. He cringed. Goodness, someone who just gets stronger and stronger... What a headache. Stealth and patience are always untrustworthy against those sorts.*

*That probably made her faster, right? Dancing moves seemed like the quick kind. He'd probably only have the speed advantage for a bit.* Make it count. *Attempting to dart his way behind her as the Quick Attack from before lost its gusto, he eyed her over.* Ghost type. Fuck. *He prepared his needle in hand and attempted a quiet sprint forth, looking to lash out at her legs with a `Wide Slash`- a blade of wind extending from his needle and expanding across the ground!*

*He wasn't particularly focused on her bag at the moment...*
David
The dance left her wings twinging, but with power rather than exhaustion. Speed was one thing— the boost to her Air Slash was another. With how affronted he'd seemed by her earlier offer of a Revelation Dance to get things started, Hinoki was surprised the mouse had allowed her to complete it. *Not expecting a battle to begin with?* She thought. Well, they *Were* Even in that respect. What sort of priest cared for playing cops and robbers? With any luck she could be done with this without serious indignities, and return to her lodging minus one very suspect bag.

"Done scurrying around?" She asked, watching blithely as he closed the distance, needle slashing forth. It had to be pretty sharp, and yet the oncoming slash made it no less comical. The thought of actually taking a hit from such a ridiculous fairy-tale weapon made Hinoki's feathers ruffle. With that reflex, she swept her wings out and caught enough air under them to avoid the attack, dodging away from the wind blade. Triumphant, she made a mocking coo, before flapping again to try and soar far out of range. She could just drop the bag on him from above and fly away... Right?
Javier
*Oh. Oh frick.* Nevermind. *She was fast enough.* I'll need to use Quick Attack to get the better of her senses. *The rat stared, watching as she pirouetted from the blow. That was... Fanciful, for sure. He gawked for a moment, needle out at his side as he lurched back in an overconfident stature.* "Hm." *His eyes traced her over, deciding to rescind the idea that he's figured her out. He wasn't in the business of stealing things,* He admitted to himself. *He's in the business of- or, a less professional relationship with- the ordeal of bringing something out in others.*

And he couldn't figure her out. *Not like this, at least, not with so few blows. A mocking coo.* She's pretty. Maybe I should ask her out after I rob her blind... *She's flying.* She's *Trying* To fly. And... She's fleeing. *To somewhere with money?* To somewhere important. I can feel it in my gut.

*Smirking, the mouse spun his needle in his hand, flickering in place as he used `Quick Attack` again. This time, he darted around and beneath her, performing a few quick confusing movements before-*

*He was gone. But, not really- he jumped up behind her, managing to just barely make an arc where he'd grab at her tail.* Not optimal. But it's what I've got. *Normally, such an angle of landing would be easy to feel, due to the momentum downwards he'd accrue, and the risk of missing and slippage; however, his Float Stone was oh so useful again, (hopefully) making his weight far less noticeable and hoping to himself that he could grab on and skitter up without her noticing.* Hopefully. *Not likely. She's way too small to brush off your weight.*
David
Taking stock of herself now that she was in the air, feathers smoothed, wait... *He's moving, follow it...* Oh, where on earth did he go? It was dark, yes, but he'd been right there! She scanned the garden and found it entirely empty yet again. Not even a glimpse of his needle to be seen on the ground! Muttering a prayer, she adjusted the bag attached to her weapon strap, and— "You ridiculous little rat!"

Hinoki wanted to laugh. She couldn't help it. The mouse, tuxedo and all, had climbed up onto her back; this probably worked better on larger targets, but he was still quite light even for her. Circling in the air, she debated what to do. No hope of attacking him, this was why she *Avoided* Being grappled, thank you very much. There was nothing to do but find some place to land. Somehow, the mouse kept surpassing her expectations. She made a mental note to take down his wanted posters. With any luck, she might be helping him out next. Flexing her wings, she flew back down towards the top of the shrine.

No apologies if she was desecrating anything by doing this. It was funny having him clinging to her like this, but she wasn't any closer to passing on the bag. The weight of it was almost heavier than him. ...Not really, thankfully, Hinoki would've been mortified if she'd dropped it on him and he couldn't even lift it. Small mercies. Perched on the shrine's roof, she reached back with an alarmingly flexible wing and felt around for his scruff.

"Sorry about that flight! You must've been scared out of your little mind!"
Javier
"Mm." *Weird level of slyness. She's, perhaps, not using her full power? Or, more likely, she just isn't used to fighting seriously. He tilted his head down to the ground and grabbed her back tight as soon as the jig was up. He had a much different relationship with terminal velocity than most Pokemon had, and flight didn't quite scare him so much.*

"So rude." *As they made their way to the top of the shrine, he stood up upon her and leapt forth, doing a fanciful flip before gracefully landing on two lined-up feet- tail swiriling around as he turned for a bow.* Getting grabbed is not something you want during a fight. She'd probably find some way to slice you in half. "You... Underestimate me so! You're breaking my heart."

*He held his needle forth, but them smiled and shook his head, letting it down to his side again.* "You're a silly goose, I'll give you that. You're not going to fight me?" *He frowned, then, pointing the needle forth.* "What if I just said I like hurting pretty ladies, hm? What if I said I was here to cut your eyes out and make them into necklaces? You don't..." *Almost playfully, he feigned a swordfight in front of her.* "You're not gonna fight?"
David
He'd leapt off of her very quickly. *Can't have liked that, then,* She thought pleasantly to herself. It was to be expected, most ground-dwelling pokemon had a fear of heights— though from his voice he wasn't shaken at all. What an elegant bow! "Well, I've never met a rat quite like you," Hinoki replied. "Usually they just run away when they see my shadow. Making those little squeaks. Mhm." For a bird who solely subsided off of nectar, she looked awfully earnest about her words.

It was nice to see him giving her space. Her fanfeathers might have the dexterity to grip, but up close they were rather soft. If he knew Bite or something, she wouldn't have many counters. She watched as he waved the needle around, flaunting it. "No, I truly *Haven't* Met a rat of your kind. How bold! How brash!" Hinoki hid a laugh behind her fan. "I am, of course, a priest. Is it my job to fight scoundrels? With naught but my bare feathers? Who says? Why, *Ask* Me to pray for them and I will do that! But to fight?" She swayed on her perch, made what looked like a misstep.

"Do you know, they say this shrine used to heal the afflicted? Back when the medical wing was in even worse a state, of course; now they just take everyone there. But before, in the old days, this was it. When they were poisoned, paralyzed, put to slumber— I've been wondering about it since I arrived." Still swaying, Hinoki raised her wings in an odd manner.
Javier
"Ugh." *The rat's eyes rolled up as he turned to the side, utterly letting his guard down as he stared out at the moon.* "Don't get me started on all of that. Medicine... Healing... Bah. That's all Pokemon want nowadays. They don't want to... Fight! They don't want to tussle!" *He feigned boxing in the air with a free paw, hopping from foot to foot.* 

"No one knows how to rough 'em up nowadays. It's all... Kings and princes and violence. Gah. How unreasonable. It's like they want to subdue the very nature of Pokemon itself." *He calmed himself down and put a fist to his hip. He seemed to be ignoring the rat remarks.* I don't get why they're like that. "It's what makes us strong. It's what make us... Pokemon. Violence.

"But alas!" *He dramatically moved a wrist to his forehead.* "I don't think I quite see it. That... Spark of righteous goodness inside of you. Too centered on... Power. Being the domineering spirit."

*He continued to stare out to the moonlit sky before raising his needle; then, with a sudden motion, brought it down towards Hinoki, attemting to use a `Wide Slash` to cut at her bag's strap- a cyan arc trailing the wide sweeping motion.* "What now, then?"
David
"What a vicious little mouse you are," Hinoki cooed. She really didn't run into pokemon like this often, back in Helios. Maybe there was something to be said for the backwoods. "You'd like that? The natural order of things? I suppose I can see it." For someone like him, certainly. It was really a pity he lacked the physical presence to go along with that. Well. If she'd had a choice, she wouldn't have been such a diminutive bird either. Bitter dissatisfaction with the way things were— yes, she could see it.

Mirroring him to tilt a fan theatrically against her head, she sighed. "I'm not *Domineering.*" Not 'righteously good' either, but she knew there was no arguing that by this point. He seemed to understand her easily— it would be discomforting if it wasn't so interesting. When was the last time she'd thought like this? Back with Hakobi, before things went rocky?

That was a cue to stop. Back to business. He cut the bag away quite cleanly, though she stepped back to avoid the brunt of the slash. "We go our separate ways, with tearful goodbyes and trinkets for the road. I wonder, will we meet again?" She flicked a fan through the air derisively. Standing as tall as she could, Hinoki stepped into another dance, this one far more uneven than the last. If the Teeter Dance hit, she had every intention of simply leaving him there in the shrine.
Javier
She's going to flee, *Were the first thoughts that crossed his mind, watching her move out of the way.* She's not here for a fight. *But she doesn't understand the key tennants of villainy.*

"Oh, I'd say so. That need to push the *Authority* Of... Thy... Self." *Cringe.* "But I can assure you, I'm not about the natural order. Very different..."

*He stepped back and watched her movements; hoping to see whatever attack she had next, he instead got a gawk of a supernaturally confusing attack- probably would have helped to* Not *Try and be super observant at that moment. But whatever, it was too late- he was dizzy, confused, and everything felt like it was falling to the right. Vertigo.*

*He frowned and snapped his fingers by his face, attempting to snap himself back into focus- and, for a bit, it worked. Lurching back on all fours, he held the needle against his back, hissing before lurching forth and darting forth- following with a red-black upwards slash, a rather malicious `Pursuit`, a hefty blow against a potentially fleeing foe- should it have landed.* "The misfortune of parting lines..." *He turned on the return of the strike to try and grab her for an attack as she fled; however, in his confusion, he vastly underestimated just how far he was, and ended up heartily missing her and tumbling down her side instead.* "!!!"