Time Undefined [Nozomi, Hana]

She'd been getting a number of dirty looks for a while, this lady in uniform. Anyone here could tell it was not the coats of the Iron Banner, as there were plenty of examples to the contrary, but something utterly foreign to them. So, it was but an understatement to say she stuck out like a sore thumb; dressed like a foreigner, behaved like a foreigner, and probably even smelled like one too. Ah, was she not really in the mood for imitating the typical Vastimian standard. Though she may not be ignorant of their ideals, she was choosing to play dumb for the time being.

To be exact, she was hardly doing much besides sight-seeing, and relaxing in the same spot for quite a while. It must have been hours already, just sitting there, watching the cogs of the machine move about. For Vastime was a well-oiled machine indeed. There was nary a rusty bit or piece here—to say a man or woman who didn't seem motivated, actively achieving something with their time—and it made the uniformed woman want to study the machinations. Break the system to pieces so that she may find the secrets underneath that made it tick. How was so great a percentage of the population this proactive? With the advent of technology? Laziness was a trend that increased with the age of humanity, typically, and yet Vastime stood as a counter-example.

Perhaps part of it was its Leader, and perhaps part of it was Africa's historical context. Either way, it was a curious matter warranting further investigation. She just was in no rush to unveil everything just yet. Time was a commodity she had plenty of, so it was nice to just sit on a bench and watch the old-fashioned way; the tourist's way. The only problem was likely going to be that she might be reported to authorities. An obvious outsider sitting in the same place for an ungodly amount of time, something no other Vastimian came close to doing. Nozomi could understand if someone thought her to be trouble.

The truth was, she wasn't actually here to start trouble. Even if she possessed powers sufficient enough to label her as a dangerous weapon of war, even gods wished to relax every once in a while. She didn't have to have meaning behind every action she took like many of these Vastimians required. She literally was just 'taking an off day'. Even the human observation was just in the meantime, as a matter of course while she was curled up on this bench. Oh, that was probably another reason she was getting those looks... What with her knees scrunched up against her chest, she wasn't even sitting properly. Nozomi was nothing if not eccentric.

Well, there was one reason she waited here, in this specific spot within the heart of Vastime. There was a special someone she was waiting for, one that had caught her eye not too long ago and caused her to reorient her priorities. Though Nozomi hinted nothing to that girl about visiting the nation, even less about inviting her to this spot... there was no doubt that Hana indeed would pass through the area. Sure, she cheated in order to come to know this—using all that power of hers just to figure out where Hana might be wandering—but it was certainly worth the effort. It had been some time since they last spoke... she wondered if her feelings would even remain the same.

It would be a talking point, for sure.

HANA CHIKARA
花 力

It probably was a little bit insulting, yes, to pretend that she didn't realize that Hana was approaching. To bear such piercing eyes and immaculate awareness, yet profess such a comical obliviousness. Her gaze was conveniently turned away, as though distracted by some arbitrary trifle. Not even a hint of acknowledgement to her presence through spirit or footstep. Probably insulting, or maybe exactly appropriate? It was like the game a parent played with their baby, where by covering their face with their hands they managed to elude the toddler's perception. Not the best of comparisons but it fulfilled enough similarities. The point here was that Nozomi was still treating the girl somewhat like an adolescent, which she technically was

But once that girl spoke and gave away her position, all bets were off. The Quincy didn't quite turn around as much as she gave a quiet chuckle in acknowledgement. Hana would be able to see hints of a grin and closed eyes even from the side, before Nozomi eventually shifted to face her, a benevolent air and all. Nozomi drew her hands out of her lap and placed them on either side of her, straightening up in her seat as opposed to maintaining such a lazy character about her. She honestly went for a more flattering, yet very cheap shot at Hana; a beaming smile and glittering ruby eyes, gazing at the Vizard with a more-than-affable warmth.

"Me? Stalking?" she challenged in her chime-like voice, like an oasis amongst the desert after hearing so many others speak in such dull, normal tones. An otherworldly quality transformed each and every aspect of the First Quincy that set her apart, which gave it that 'water to the parched' aspect. "Now how long have we known each other that you're confident to make that assumption? This would be only our second meeting and after a long lapse..."

Surely, there was truth to Nozomi's words—why she had yet to receive an answer from Hana to conclude their last conversation, about Hakai's stance. Still, the Quincy ruined any tension in the air by letting her smile grow even wider. To a degree at which there was no mistake she was teasing the girl. Yes, absolutely, Nozomi wanted to see Hana again; but also yes, Nozomi had given herself a responsibility to fulfill regarding the Vizard, and had come to do so. "You may be happy for now, but I'm not so sure about how long that'll last once you realize what I'm here for~"

She leaned forward, her eyelids lulling into a suspicious look. What words she uttered then came in almost-sultry whispers. "Can you guess what is...?"