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Muldoon gave Noble a weird look. How could anyone not know what they wanted to eat? He shook his chocolate head, closing his purple eyes, and was about to say something when a large rock was held out by Aggro.

The Pupinaw was eager to help, and when the Keldeo child had mentioned foraging, he had begun to do so himself. The only thing within reaching distance (without him having to get up), however was a slightly dirty rock. Better than nothing, he thrust his hand into the middle of the group of the three boys and looked at Noble. His eyes were filled with a look that made one feel he needed to be praised, even if what he was doing seemed a little silly.

Taken aback a bit by Aggro's movement, Muldoon lost his train of thought and focused on the rock at hand. "Uh... Aggro, I don' think he eats rocks like you do." And as an after thought, the little Axew gave a questioning look at Noble. "Do you?"

A very confused look crossed Aggro's face at the request of watching him eat. He retracted his arm that held the rock and looked to Muldoon, who just shrugged. To both of the them, it was perfectly normal to eat rocks, even though the Axew himself didn't. They both grew up around Aggro eating rocks, so it didn't seem weird to them.

Cautiously, he took the rock and bit a chunk out of it, like one would an apple. The rock crumbled like a huge cracker to the power of Aggro's jaws and teeth. He then tentatively chewed and swallowed, giving a weak half smile to Noble.

Muldoon shrugged again, "I dunno, guess he likes to watch people eat?" He stretched out a bit before continuing. "Whatever, takes all kinds, I guess."

Aggro set the rock down and arose with a slight groan. Without a word he headed into the house, returning minutes later with a small tray of crackers, cheeses, berries, and some water. He set the tray in the middle of the group and motioned for Noble to have his fair share.

Now Aggro really felt uncomfortable. The last thing he wanted to do was make Noble feel self conscious, which he obviously felt at this point. The Pupinaw was all to familiar with that sensation. When the statement was given, Aggro shook his hands and frowned, trying to show Noble that it was no big deal. Luckily, he had a translator.

"Oh, no, it's nothing like that," Muldoon spoke up. "I mean, it's just..." he trailed off, trying to think of how to word it; Noble definitely seemed to be of a more delicate nature than most. "...the best way I guess I can explain it, is if someone took a fancy to wanting to see how you ate?" He shrugged, hoping that that would help Noble realize how silly the question had seemed. He decided to continue, however, "A Tauros eats grass, because that's the natural food for them to eat. A Larvitar eats rocks for the same reason. My cousin was born a Larvitar."

Aggro nodded at this and picked up his rock once again, nibbling at various areas. After a few here and there, he would hold it out and turn it over in his hands, looking at its shape and color pattern. Muldoon rolled his eyes, he knew exactly what Aggro was doing, and thought it a bit silly whenever the muse would seize him. So, the chocolate Axew took a few berries for himself and began munching on the them while Aggro sculpted. Once, he looked to Noble and gave him a slight motion of his head to watch what the Pupinaw was doing. Surely he'd find it interesting at least.

After several minutes, Aggro had crafted a star, similar in size and shape to one he'd found when he was still just a Pokemon. He held it out to Noble so the Keldeo could see it. He measured from the ground about how small he'd been when he was a Larvitar, illustrating his story. Then, he motioned like he swallowed the star, only to set it aside and then motion to the way he looked now. After his little pantomime, he motioned to Noble with his hand and cocked his head to the side, wondering if something similar had happened to him as well.

While the other two talked about the changes they'd gone through, Muldoon picked up the rock his cousin had carved and looked at it longingly. he wished he could change, for so many different reasons. Aggro noticed Muldoon looking at the rock and smiled a little at him, gesturing to it.

"Oh, sorry," the little Axew muttered, placing the stone next to the teen's leg.

Aggro shook his head and handed it back to him.

"Ya mean I can keep it?" Muldoon actually sounded cheerful for once. Aggro nodded. "Thanks!" A smile lighted the shiny Axew's face as he held the stone.

The expression on Aggro's face soften, one could tell that he felt like he'd done something truly special for his cousin. That look quickly faded, however, when Muldoon asked his next question. "You think I'll be able to change too?" Aggro's smile faded and he looked Noble, pleading for some assistance.

Aggro nodded at Noble's explanation, thoroughly relieved that he was there to help field that question. He looked back to his cousin, whose cheeriness seemed to change with the wind.

"S'pose yer right..." Muldoon sighed, setting the rock as his feet. There was a long, awkward silence that befell the group.

The Pupinaw looked around, seemingly trying to find something, but ending up just looking a bit flustered. "Muldoon," his deep voice cut the silence, "Sometimes you have to work for what you want, it is not always handed to you. Even if you do not get your wish, you can always fulfill your dreams another way. It may not seem like it, but there is always more than one path."

The Axew's eyes went wide. His cousin didn't speak very often, so when he did, everyone listened, and he was no exception (even if he wasn't sure what he was talking about). "'Kay," was all Muldoon managed. He didn't see how he'd get the loves of his life without changing first.

"Um..." the question from Noble caught Muldoon off guard. His knee-jerk reaction was to shout, "None of you damn business!" but he, luckily, caught himself and mulled over how/what to tell. "I.... uh...." he was starting to look nervous. "Well, ya see..." he mumbled something while not looking at either Poke-human. He really didn't like being on the spot.

"It is okay, you do not have to tell us, if you do not want to, Muldoon." Aggro gave a reassuring look, speaking once again. "If it helps, I wanted to change to take better care of Miss Zoey." He took a long glance towards the house, but it seemed he was not needed, so he brought his attention back to the little group.

"Nah, i's..." Muldoon sighed, "I want to show up my father, 'kay?" This sentence was said hastily and he felt a little angry about the whole thing. It wasn't a lie, but it definitely wasn't the whole truth, nor the main reason why he wanted to change.

Aggro nodded and left it at that. He accepted the fact that his cousin wasn't telling the whole truth, but was also not surprised by his answer. Aggro wasn't fond of his uncle by any means; where his mother was kind and loving, her brother was belittling and hateful. He was constantly calling Aggro names behind her back, mostly about his sexuality. It was actually his fault that the Pupinaw rarely talked. Years of verbal abuse would cause anyone not to want to interact with people. Good thing Zoey and the rest of his family was there for him, he probably wouldn't have made it otherwise.

As if by some conjuring spell, the backdoor to the house slid open and a young, sickly girl in a motorized wheelchair emerged. Despite her physical appearance, she had the most brilliant smile that was beaming on the boys. "Hello," she chimed in a weak, but still chipper voice. "Don't mind me, I was just coming say hi." Aggro had immediately jumped up and rushed over to her aid, pushing the chair over to the group. She chuckled, "Thank you, Aggro, but I was quite alright." Her eyes fell on the newcomer. "Oh, hello.... I don't think we've met. I'm Zoey." She raised a hand from its resting place on her lap for brief moment before it faltered and fell again. This did not escape Aggro's notice and he grimaced a bit before taking a seat directly to her side.

Muldoon remained silent. He didn't mind Zoey, but he always felt very awkward around her.