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The scan wouldn't find any trace of a youma in the surrounding few blocks. What it would display, however, was the glowing dot of a second senshi almost on top of Serpentarius' own signal. 'Birhan Isat', said the identifying tag.

If the Senshi of Serpents looked around, she wouldn't be able to find a senshi. She would only locate her stalker by looking... up.

Birhan sat on the roof of the flower shop, cross-legged on the edge. Narrowed violet eyes had been studying Serpentarius as the other senshi fought. There was something about this girl, some raw primal energy and dedication to her task that Birhan could just tell Ares would like.

... Of course, Birhan's last attempt at recruiting had been a major flop. She was a little hesitant to try it again. Ah well. If the girl noticed her, Birhan would just be more thorough about sounding this one out before making an offer (or insulting any princesses).

"Spotted after all," Birhan said with a rueful smile. Rather than stand, she simply uncrossed her legs and let them swing off the side of the shop. She continued to regard the senshi below her, clearly judging Serpentarius against some unknown criteria.

After a few moments, Birhan leapt down to the ground. This would work better, she thought, if they were on the same level. Even ground, and all that. (Literally and figuratively, Birhan smirked to herself.)

"And you're Serpentarius, right?" It seemed strange that it was posed as a question, when Birhan clearly knew the answer was yes. The redhead gave a small grin, seemingly friendly enough despite the spying act. "I may not have seen much of you in action, but I gotta say... I like what I see. Kickass chick who likes to get things done. Bet some senshi group has snapped you up already, right?"

Birhan waited, still smiling, hoping that the answer to the last question was a 'no'.

Birhan gave a soft chuckle at the blonde girl's confusion. Serpentarius must be fairly new, to not have noticed the various senshi groups that patrolled together and clumped together at their giant meetings. (Or just solitary, which worked just as well for Birhan's purposes.) It made Birhan all the more glad that she'd spotted Serpentarius before any of the other factions. She'd poach all the best talent from under their noses.

"Yeah, there are quite a few groups out there," she said, smiling to show she hadn't meant any offense by the laugh. "Not many of them actually do much beside sticking together for safety in numbers."

She rolled her eyes, indicating what she thought of sticking together for safety in numbers, not to actually do anything as a group.

"Oh, I should ask," Birhan realised. She didn't want a repeat of last time. "What are your thoughts on the little moon princess? Or on senshi leadership, or lack thereof?"

The tiny smirk curling the corner of her lips promised there was a purpose to all this.

The grin on Birhan's face widened at Serpentarius' answer. How very promising. Someone after the BMC's own heart, indeed.

"Glad to hear it," she said. "I forgot to check that last time and ended up insulting a member of the baby moon princess' own Court."

It was actually funny, now that enough time had passed. Of course, Serpentarius might not get the joke, seeing as how Birhan still had yet to explain why she was asking any of this. Birhan belatedly realised this, coughed, and launched into a proper spiel.

"I'm a member of a particular senshi group, the Blood Moon Court." She gestured to the brand on her upper left thigh, visible through the semi-transparents material of her skirt. "We also couldn't care less about the moon princess or following anyone just because they were born to a royal family. We follow those with strength, not those with blue blood. And we're all about taking the fight to the Negaverse, not waiting around to be attacked first like those other weak senshi groups."

One corner of Birhan's mouth curled up and she looked the blonde over again. "I think you're exactly the kind of senshi we're looking for. If you like the sound of us, I can arrange to bring you along to a meeting to see more for yourself."

There was no way Ares wouldn't be able to convince her to join, if Serpentarius did agree. Of course, it was entirely possible she'd have more questions before agreeing...

Birhan was impressed that Serpentarius had caught the brand and made the connection. Most of those unfamiliar with the BMC assumed tattoo, scar, or something personal - not that it was a mark of devotion and loyalty to a warrior faction.

"No, not everyone gets branded," she said, with a smile. "There are three basic ranks in the Court. Cadets are our new recruits, or those who haven't completely made up their minds yet. They aren't branded, so they can easily leave if they change their minds. They usually have a mentor from the ranks above them. Next up are the Mercs - Mercenaries - who've proven themselves strong and loyal. They get branded. So it's best to be sure you like what we're doing before you move to that stage. Above them is the Inner Sanctum - kind of like advisors to the Captain, and leaders of the specialist teams."

It was a lot of info to take in at once. "It's easier to see it, than to hear about it, really," Birhan said self-depriciatingly while tugging at her bangs. "If you're interested, you can come along to a meeting, meet Ares, our Captain, and see if you like the sound of what you hear."

Though from the sounds of things, Serpentarius wasn't getting that far unless Birhan did some decent convincing right now. The blonde wanted reasons to join the Court. Tangible rewards for her hypothetical loyalty. Honestly, Birhan wasn't sure what to say about that - it wasn't like she joined for much other reason than because Ares had asked. (Such a persuasive speaker, their Captain.)

Birhan shrugged. "The Negaverse is working in teams these days. It's pretty dangerous for a senshi to try and work alone when it's so easy to get ambushed. And we're definitely cooler than those other prissy senshi groups out there. We'll reward you for your strength and abilities, not on your senshi rank or how long you've been with us... We won't get all moral on you for hurting or killing a Nega." She laughed a bit. "Ares can explain it much better than I can, of course. You should at least meet her."

People had a hard time saying no to Ares. And not for the bad reasons all the time - she was charismatic woman with a big plan who took no s**t. It was hard not to be impressed, and to want to impress her back.

"You can always think on it and let me know," Birhan offered. She whipped out her cell phone, ready to scan Serpentarius and add her to Birhan's call list if the other senshi didn't object.

Birhan nodded. Serpentarius' decision to wait to meet Ares was both understandable and smart. Only someone very gullible or very in love with the violent outlook the BMC promoted would agree to sign up without knowing who exactly was in charge of it all. Birhan had no worries that Ares would impress. She allowed her smile to widen into a grin, now certain that Serpentarius was theirs.

And the blonde confirmed it, asking after how to get the higher Merc status. "It depends," she said. "Sometimes new recruits go straight to Merc - mostly if Ares has brought them in, and they're sure they aren't going anywhere. If you know you're up for it after meeting Ares, I'll put your case forward personally and see if we can speed it along for you."

"Otherwise," she continued, "it's usually a matter of performing all your scheduled BMC patrols, attendence at meetings, and working out in our safehouse's gym several times a week - how many depends on your rank. You prove you can handle all that, you move up from Cadet to Merc." Birhan smirked and threw Serpentarius a wink. "But knowing someone in the Inner Sanctum can speed up the process."

Birhan smiled. "Yes, I'm on the Inner Sanctum."

She rather regretted the tiny spot of bragging when Serpentarius asked if she could meet Ares right now. Birhan wasn't sure if that was possible - Ares was hard to track down sometimes. After a moment of consideration, Birhan shrugged. It couldn't hurt to try.

"Hold on, I'll see if I can reach her." Birhan moved a short distance away, just barely out of earshot as she whipped out her senshi cellphone. There was the usual quiet wait, Birhan clearly listening to the faint ringing on the other end. Her eyebrows rose, then there was quiet murmuring, no full words would have made it back to Serpentarius. And then Birhan was snapping the phone closed and walking back.

Birhan didn't have to say how it went. The cat-got-the-cream expression was enough.

"Follow me," she said, before leaping back up to the roof and taking off across the city.