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Lieutenant Serpentine did not miss school. Had his father not gone back to India--or even cared at all--he would have been disappointed that his oldest son didn't go into university for something useful like engineering or computer programming or some other degree that would prepare him for a technical career. Had his mother not been dead, she would have been proud of him for pursuing his dreams and contributing to the joy of the world by nurturing the plants he loved. If his little brother knew he was thinking these things, he'd have made fun of him for thinking too much and tell him to get back to the dirt where he belonged. That thought made him grimace ever so slightly, and as much as the florist had not liked school, he was glad Brahma was there. Less distractions that way.

He was still getting used to this whole... lieutenant endeavor. The rubber snake flopped in his hand as he practiced jumping across rooftops. He was still not pleased, at all, that he was expected to fight with a children's toy. He was too old for such foolishness--he could have easily handled a true weapon. He was a grown man, afterall. Clearly he would have to remind the officers (he refused to call them superiors) of his talents, as they couldn't see the good thing they had in front of them. He was willing to put the time and effort into doing so, of course, as shown by his solo training.

A rainbow brow arched he took note of a girl in orange and white joining him on the roof tops; if her outfit hadn't been garish enough, her pink hair stood out like a beacon of neon cotton candy. He closed the distance between them, resting the hand holding his "weapon" at his hip as he looked her over. Fairly bright for one of his crew. One of the enemies, then? One way to find out, although it meant having to speak, "And you are?"

A page--not a rank in the Negaverse, that he knew at least. The declaration of Venus, however, clinched it. One of the enemies, one of the people who had dared to damage his shop. He ran his golden eyes over the girl and huffed. He was clearly not impressed by what he saw, an overly dressed up girl who lit up the evening like a light-brite.

The hand holding his "weapon" moved ever so slightly. Now he had to fight with a rubber snake against... whatever weapon she had. Hitting her with it would not hurt much. He could do other things at a closer distance--wrap it wround her throat to choke her, or... otherwise use it as a tie? If he hit hard enough with it it might... sting. A scowl formed on his face. Useless weapon. Even a broom would have been better.

Distraction, then. The florist flung the toy snake directly at the girl's face, finally answering her question as he moved in with a punch, "Your enemy."

The solid connection of his fist to his opponent's shoulder made Serpentine grunt in satisfaction. So far, so good. Her screaming at being hit with what was (to his eye) an obvious toy made him seek out the rubber snake once again instead of delivering a follow-up blow. He wasn't sure what had made her scream as fiercely and shrilly as she had, but if he could use it to his advantage...

Her shouted question immediately commanded his attention, however. In preparation for a blow, he locked his arms together and placed his fists to his forehead. This position allowed his forearms to shield his face and chest. He always had to protect the face first, lest it get damaged. It just wouldn't do to show up for work with a black eye or, heaven forbid, and even worse injury.

"Yes," was his simple, perhaps muffled reply given his defensive position. If he could see why that mattered then being on the receiving end of the blow might be worth it.

She was stronger than he had thought she would be. The evidence came from the hiss that fell, almost begrudgingly, from his lips when she made contact, and the way his boots scraped backwards across the roof top. His arms would definitely have bruises, but at least it hadn't been his face! Next time he would steel himself more.

Serpentine lowered his defensive stance just enough to gauge her reaction, but he could not see why she had shrieked as she had. A scowl, a rustle of skirt, and she seemed ready to dive back into the fight. Perhaps it had only been a startle reflex. Or perhaps something more. Only way to find out would be to find the rubbery trinket... wherever it had gone!

Her hesitation gave him a moment to look about, and a scowl appeared on his own face when he could not not immediately find it. No matter. As long as he could move, he could fight. Serpentine did not say a word before swinging a fist towards the girl.

Serpentine looked at the ornament levelled before him, which had only moments before been stuck in that sea of cotton candy hair. Repulsive. He may have fought with a rubber toy, but at least it was clean. And moderately effective. He scoffed at such an instrument. Was she serious? She certainly appeared to be, but... no, surely not. No one could be that foolish.

"You look ridiculous." He was not below a truthful insult, and he actually turned his attention away from her to go back to searching for his own weapon. He saw a gleam of something towards the edge of the roof and dashed for it. Surely that was his snake! He would show his lite-bright enemy a true threat.

Poor innocent animals, had she said? Hn. Apparently she could not tell the difference between a toy and a real snake... but perhaps that, too, was to his advantage. Judging from her reaction earlier it bothered her for some reason. When his opponent gave chase, Serpentine ducked down and stuck out his leg to trip her.

If she dodged, then he would have the chance to jump her from behind. If she went down that should give him enough time to grab his weapon. Either way, the fight could continue in more earnest. How much damage could she truly do with a hair pin, after all?

Pathetic. Truly, utterly pathetic. He did not say the words aloud, but he did not need to do so. It reflected in his eyes, the firm set line of his lips. It reflected in the way he snatched up his snake while trying to avoid the hair pin. His motions were not entirely successful - he secured the snake but was rewarded by the hair pink grazing his ribs. Not enough to break the skin, but irritating nevertheless.

Rubber weapon in hand he tried to wrap it around his opponent's neck... or leg, or arm - anything he could get a grip on. A strangle hold was ideal, but even getting her arm to keep the annoying hair ornmanet from him would be a good start.