It had been a wonderful day. For the first time in a long time, Truffles hadn’t worried about the underground mob. She wasn’t worried (as much) about Aatami. She wasn’t thinking about where she could get a better job, or where she was going to get her next meal, or where she would sleep that night. It was all thanks to Mitsuru. That stubbornly cheerful teen had managed to pull Truffles from the depths little by little, and while by no means a chipper little optimist, Truffles found it easier to smile. Dare she, even laugh a little! Oh, those thoughts still clutched to her with vice grips, but, for today, they were gripping the back of her mind and out of the way, and she could be herself.
The small eevee child had woken up feeling excited for the day. Mitsuru had made plans for just the two of them to take a break from tending the shelter they lived in. A day out... for fun. And she did have fun. They found berries to pick, she got to climb one of those really tall trees and laughed as Mitsuru yelled at her to get down, found a small pond filled with brightly colored fish, and had a picnic in a bright, sunny clearing.
Once they headed back to the shrine, Truffles felt like she wanted to keep her day going. So, cloak and hat in hand, she risked a trip into town.
The longer she went without sign of those thugs, the better off she felt. Maybe they’d really forgotten about her by now. After all, she didn’t know anything they wanted! She felt better about walking through town, aided by the cloak and wide-brimmed hat, feeling invisible in a good way. Window shopping wasn’t the best thing, but walking through town without feeling like she was being watched every second was wonderful.
Suddenly, the clasp on Truffles’ necklace broke, and the tiny container dropped, the glass breaking open when it hit the sidewalk. Though surprised, Truffles didn’t feel upset. Honestly, she couldn’t even remember why she had that necklace. Groaning at the mess, she knelt to pick up the little stones that had been kept inside. The moment she touched one of them though, a wave of warmth flashed over her, and she yelped as a bright light flashed in her eyes. She could hear the people around her shouting with surprise as well. What had happened?!
She groaned as she rubbed her eyes with her hands a moment later, and halted as they were dropping back down. They... they were purple?! She wiggled her fingers. They were longer, and looked stronger than before. Slowly, she looked back at the rest of herself, gasping as dark purple hair fell across her face. What?! Her lovely fluffy tail was now lean and covered in fine, short hair, and forked at the end. It was purple, too. And her clothes! Her oversized pants had turned into tight Capri’s, and her shirt was.. well, just barely holding on over a couple things she definitely hadn’t had before! What had happened?! Wait... she knew what this was.. She yelled excitedly, spinning about to look at herself in the reflection of the nearest shop window. Her legs wobbled as she spun, still adjusting to being lengthened, making her fall back on her butt. Pulling herself back up to her reflection, she laughed and her smile grew while those on the sidewalk with her gawked at the evolution that had happened before their eyes.
Thinking on it... this wasn’t so bad. It was, actually... pretty darned cool! ...Mitsuru would freak!!
~~~~~~~~
As the day passed, and Truffles was finally lying down for the night, she started chewing on a finger nail. She loved that she was an espeon now. Stoked! She was taller, stronger... but... she looked so different... It was fine to have a new look, but how would Aatami be able to find her now? How would he recognize her if... when he returned?
And, what if he had evolved as well? Would she be able to recognize him?! They might walk right by each other and not know it!
Despite her joy at the change, she fell asleep crying that night as one more cloud abruptly blocked her dream of finding her brother again.
Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 10:26 pm
~Teen Stage; AIM RP: Truffles and Aatami Reunion!~
It had been thrilling to think about, really. She had completely changed. Evolved. She was free! Truffles had felt like she could finally walk around without having to look over her shoulder all the time. She had felt like she could finally enjoy the sun like she wanted to.
That was what she had felt like.
Now, she knew she was in an even deeper hole than she’d been in before.
Waking up in a hospital room, to took a minute for her to remember why she was there. They had found her. One of the mob grunts had seen her that day she’d been in town as an eevee still. She’d been too lax in watching her surroundings. The grunt had started after her, but she’d evolved and drawn attention to herself before he could reach her. So, he went back to tell the big boss, the raichu pokehuman...
Feeling as free as a bird, she’d gone back to town more than once, just enjoying that she wasn’t covered by a giant hat and cloak anymore. The sun was going down, she was heading back to the sanctuary, and they caught her on the edge of town. The raichu wasn’t there, but she knew the shadows surrounding her worked for him...
In the hospital bed, Truffles looked down at herself and groaned. One leg was in a cast, one arm in a splint, an IV drip stuck in her other arm, bandages all over... She couldn’t remember how she’d gotten out of that mess. She tried to sit up, but everything was sore, and she laid back with a growl of irritation. She hated being stuck... but, better here than in front of that raichu...
Sometimes when Aatami rolled the aches out of his shoulders he remembered why the other med students didn't want to take clinical shifts with Doctor Evergreen. She was a very goal oriented woman well into her late forties, who spent as much time drinking caffeine as she did volunteering for double shifts. As her shadow, Aatami was forced to do the same. Most of the time he didn't mind. Tonight was not one of those nights.
Evergreen had been assigned to the E.R. since it was currently short staffed so the little Leafeon was surrounded in a mass of pained groaning, barely concealed panic, and the overwhelming scent of antiseptic. He pulled his mask over his face, sprinkling a few pinches of dried lilac as well to mask it all. Steeling himself, Aatami had worked a few hours in relative silence. Since the area was short staffed he had been treated as a licensed medical worker in his own right; some patients were even assigned to him and so long as he obtained clearance before administering medicine Aatami was left to his own devices.
Moving to his next patient, Aatami couldn't help but to quirk his brow. A poke'human, an Espeon at that, and she didn't look very good at all. He had shown up just in time to see the slight movement and hear the growl. Aatami clucked his tongue, the action causing his glasses to slide down his nose. "You'll be out of here sooner if you just sit back and let me take care of you." He reached for the clipboard at the end of the bed, and was interrupted when Evergreen made an appearance.
"...there was nothing anyone could do," she murmured. "...You did your best. The morgue is sending up their people to get her..."
Aatami nodded and took a moment to collect himself before going back to the girl. "Do you need anything for the pain?...Or do you want to explain how you ended up like this?"
Her eyes flashed over to the leafeon, brow knitting. “Yeah, right,” she muttered sourly. She’d always heard mixed reviews about hospitals, and this was her first time in one. She wasn’t too optimistic about the experience. “This bed is too hard. How can I sit back comfortably in this?”
When the other doctor walked in, Truffles’ ears instantly perked to attention, even though that little motion ached as well. What she heard made her gawk at the leafeon for a moment. “Morgue? Did she say morgue?” she snapped angrily. “Oh, hell no! I’m not having you work on me. No way! I ain’t going to a morgue ‘cause of you! All I need is to go home! Don’t gotta and ain’t gonna explain anything!”
"Would you just calm down!" Aatami hissed. He put his hands on the railing at the end of her bed, and looked around, noting the noticeable quirked brow of his supervisor. Clearing his throat, he lowered his voice, "The patient came in with massive blood loss and she hemorrhaged before surgery personnel could get to her." It was against all codes to divulge that sort of information, but if this girl kept going on as she was the entire floor would be in a tizzy. "We thought we had her, but she died on the surgery table."
Taking the clipboard from her bed, he moved fluidly to her side. "Miss, I am going to remind you that your cases are completely different. You'll be fine, but if you want to request a change in physician I can arrange that for you once you've told me some information." Flipping over to the important information, Aatami clicked his pen into working order and looked back at her, "Is there a name I can put you under, Miss?"
Truffles growled back as the other teen leaned in, eyes narrow as she listened to his tale. Slowly, her lips fell back into place over her teeth... Died on the surgery table... So close to being saved... Her eyes lowered a moment in thought before they raised back to meet the other’s gaze. She listened to him talk, but the request for a name made her clam up again. It would be bad enough if anyone asked about an espeon coming to the hospital. If they asked for a name, that would confirm where she was...
“I’m sorry she couldn’t be saved,” she murmured slowly. It must be a hard job, working to help people and someone comes in who can’t be helped... It made her calm down enough to at least be tolerant of her situation. After all, she was still alive; for now.. “It’s better if you don’t know my name. ..It’d be better for everyone here if you just send me on my way. I don’t have a way to pay for treatment anyway.” That would have them booting her out the door!
"I am too," he murmured in response. His attention was absorbed in her own records, and seemingly far away from his lost patient. In truth every time one passed on Aatami's watch they took a piece of his soul with them.
Quirking a brow, Aatami looked up from the charts and frowned. "I'll make up a name for you, but I can't let you leave yet. At least, not until I'm sure you've been properly treated, and won't show up again tomorrow." He scribbled in a name, and showed it to her, "How about Lyonii? It's a type of truffle, and you remind me of my sister. Seemed pretty fitting to me." Taking the chart back into his arms he went to the end of the bed and replaced them.
"I'm going to have a nurse come by with a round of antibiotics and I'll have my supervisor switch out with me on your case. Don't worry about payment," Aatami smiled, "It's covered." Patting the bed railing, Aatami moved to walk away...
She cocked her head slightly, watching the teen look over the chart. Gotta be a special kind of guy for that kind of work... Being told she had to sit tight a bit longer made her snort and lean back though, glaring off to the side. At this stage, she would definitely not be back here. She would either be off to find another town to live in, would hermit herself away in the shrine, or would be in the clutches of the underground. Now, there was no way for her to evolve further...
She snorted again at the name, and was about to make some snarky remark when she paused. “Huh?” She stared at the teen a moment before she laughed. Nope. It had to be coincidence. “Hey, you can’t leave it at that! Why the heck does your sister make you think of a truffle?” She smirked sharply, a hint of play finally in her tone. “She dark and lumpy? I know I’m a bit bruised, but isn’t that a stretch?”
Aatami snorted. He held up a finger, "Wait a minute," before going around to the side where a blanket warmer was stationed. After plucking out, he moved back to her bed to spread the warmer cloth out onto her lap. "It's colder in here than people think, and if I'm cold then I know you have to be."
Still, Aatami gave a little laugh and smirked, "She's bitter, for one. With a tongue as sharp as a Scyther's blade." Looking at her, Aatami shook his head. "You're a lot...brighter than she is, so yeah, I'd say it's a stretch." Shifting from foot to foot, almost as if he had a nervous twitch, Aatami thought about it. There were a lot of qualities this girl shared with his sister, but not enough to raise alarm bells.
"Besides, that's her name; Truffles. Not very original, but our breeder was young, so I'll cut her some slack." Aatami shrugged his shoulders.
Truffles looked down at her lap and ran a hand over the warm cloth. That did feel nice. But, soon enough, the blanket felt cold as her body heated up, pulse starting to race. Her heart felt like it was in her throat when her purple and white eyes flicked up to the teen. He was talking in the present tense... Her eyes darted around for a name tag while her voice squeaked out, “So.. in that case.. what should I call you?” It was almost scary to hope, but she had to be sure. There were little hints that he might be... but so much was also different... Her arm in the splint started to shift to get closer to the needle in her other arm, preparing to rip it free. If it wasn’t him, she was ready to leave just on principle. If it was him... “Like... Aatami. You.. you look like you might be an Aatami...”
More often than not, Aatami's name tag was hidden beneath over sized lab coats and the cardigan he wore beneath them. It was a flash of yellow over top drab scrubs, but the cloth was enough to keep his little body warm.
"A-" He was so ready to say his name that the shifts caught him off guard. Her shift in movement, the changes in her voice, the conversation...The teen's brow furrowed against his warm skin. There was a beating in his ears that he attributed to the machines around him, but it was the rapid beating of his heart that caused him to practically collapse into the bedside chair. "...How do you know my name..?" ...this couldn't be happening.
And there it was... the shock on his face upon hearing his name, and the confirming question. For a few seconds, Truffles could only stare at him, frozen in place, feeling like her blood had turned into a gel. He.. was.. Aatami... He was alive!
Her whole posture shifted, and she lit up like she’d won the lottery. Injured or not, she wasn’t going to let them be apart for another second! With a shriek of delight, she tore the IV out of her arm, swung her good over the edge of the railing, and launched herself at him. “Aatami! Aatami!” Oh, falling against him had hurt like hell, but she didn’t care at the moment. Aatami was alive, and right here... She was so happy, she could barely form words outside of his name.
The hospital alarms weren't nearly as loud as the ones going on inside of his heart. He scrambled to catch her, and when he did Aatami clutched Truffle's so close to him that he forgot she was injured.
His eyes had already started to mist up, but now Aatami was full on crying. "Truffles!" Aatami's breathing hitched. Holding onto her kept him from full on hyperventilating; barely. The teen pulled her away just long enough to push hair away from her face. "You're...y-you're alive..." Aatami was aware that Dr. Evergreen and her team had shown up, but he didn't care. He clutched onto Truffles as a gambit of heart wrenching sobs poured out of him. He was never letting her go again!
Once the hospital staff had figured out what was going on, they stopped the alarms and fussed for a few minutes trying to get Truffles back onto the bed. She wouldn’t let go of Aatami’s hand though. She’d already done that once... not again. So, working around the pair, they got her back on the bed, pushed the chair over for Aatami to sit in, and sent for a pitcher of water.
Through it all, as her mind calmed and more fully absorbed that she had Aatami back, Truffles looked the leafeon over with a big smile. He looked healthy, and taken care of. If he was working here, he’d gone to school. That was a requirement, right? He looked like he was doing so well... “Looks like you didn’t need me around after all,” she said with a chuckle, pride and a hint of melancholy in her tone. She wished she’d been there to watch him grow up... but he looked like he’d done just fine.
Aatami had cried himself dry. It took him a while for his rattled brain to process the pitcher of water and while not letting go of Truffles' hand he poured each of them a glass. His hand shook so much he had to balance the plastic cup on his leg to avoid an accident.
While looking at Truffles, Aatami could only see how different she was from the Eevee he'd been separated from. It took a while for him to process her words, especially since they were coming from an older pair of lips. "Hmm?" Aatami blinked, and took a sip from his cup. "Truffles..." He squeezed her hand. "...if you think that's true for a second then you don't know me as well as you used to." The teen stretched out in his chair, releasing some of the tension in his tired muscles. "Are you...why are you here, Truffles? Why are you in the hospital? What kind of trouble are you in?"
His statement made her smile brighter. “Well, duh. You’ve clearly changed a lot, and I don’t just mean by evolving.” She squeezed his hand back warmly. She couldn’t begin to list the ways he’d changed...
When asked about her current situation, Truffles clenched her jaw. Could she really tell him? Her eyes shifted away slightly. But, if she found Aatami, then maybe the underground would find out about him somehow... He could be in danger now. She took a deep breath. “After we were separated, I got a job at a general store in, well, not the best part of town. He was the only one who would hire me at the time though. Anyway... one day, I went to work, and he was talking to three guys. As far as I can tell, he’d gone to them for money for debts, and he couldn’t pay them back. They... I saw them kill him. Then they tried to get me...” She shook her head to keep the memory from hurting. “Been hiding from them ever since. But, then I evolved, so I thought I was okay, but apparently someone from the group saw me when I evolved... and caught up with me...” Her brow knit. “Do you know who brought me in?”
The more she spoke, the more terrified Aatami became for his sister. He broke out in a cold sweat and his eyes were almost as wide as his slack jawed expression. "You saw them kill a man?!" His voice rose to a squeaked pitch, and Aatami had to hold it together just so he didn't shriek. "Truffles, this isn't something that you can just hide from. These men could kill you too." Aatami sat his glass aside and took her hand in both of his.
For a moment he was that same vulnerable child that had been pulled away from her all those months ago. "Your chart said a few men brought you in and then left you..." Aatami groaned and covered his face with his hand. "We need to go to the police. This has to get reported so that you can go into protective custody."
Truffles hissed sharply as Aatami’s voice rose, wincing when her splinted arm tried to wave and shush him. “I know that! I’ve been hiding just fine up until now. Just got lazy. I know better now.” she whispered, squeezing his hand. Seeing him look so afraid for her tore at her insides. But.. she couldn’t hide this from him. “Besides, they seem to think I know something they want. They wouldn’t kill me right away at least.”
Her brow knit when he said some men had brought her in. Had they found her? Had she found them? Had they been part of the group? She could remember just barely being able to use her Run Away ability during a brief window during the attack... but not much more after she’d darted into the woods. The mention of the police made her eyes widen, and she shook her head vehemently. “No! Aatami, these guys are dangerous. They don’t care about the law. The police won’t be able to do anything about it. Besides, they killed a sleazy general store owner in a bad part of town long ago, and I- ..I’m nobody. Why would the police care? I only told you because if they find out about you...” The words hung in her throat. How could she do this to her brother...?
Her eyes dropped down to their joined hands. “We sure found different paths, didn’t we,” she observed with a sad smirk. “You know... Maybe it’d be better if we stuck to our own paths. If I hang around, it’ll just put you right in their line of sight if they ever even got a hint that you mean anything to me.” Her eyes watered ever so slightly, and she blinked the dampness away. “I’m.. just really happy to know you’re alive... I’ll be fine now, knowing you’re okay.” That... was a lie. Now that she’d found Aatami, she didn’t want to let him go, but how could she put him at such risk? “I can’t drag you into this mess with me.”
"That doesn't make not dying any better." Aatami knew what gangs did to one another; he had seen the end result more times than he wanted to count, and the ones that hadn't received a quick death..."The police can at least keep you protected while they figure this out. Truffles, if you're being chased, then they'll end up finding you...I just don't want you to be alone when they do." His voice was quieter, but pleading. Aatami had not come this far to have Truffles taken from him again. "You're not a nobody to me." He squeezed her hand, and sighed. Why couldn't he have been stronger, and held on during the flood? If he had then he could have helped, he could have made sure this never happened and she...Truffles wouldn't have to feel like she had to run just to save her life. Sudden anger took hold in him and Aatami's ire rose. He reacted without thinking; Aatami leaned over and smacked Truffles on the face. "So you only told me about this because you think they'll come after me? You didn't think that I should know anyway?!" Looking down at his hand, he felt the guilt consume him and he fisted it before turning his gaze elsewhere. "Every moment we were separated I wanted to die. I worked and I worked just so that I do for others what I couldn't do for you."Aatami bit his lower lip, and shook. "You're not going to be okay, Truffles, not with leaving now. Don't insult me like that." Turning his eyes back to her, Aatami saw the hesitating tears. Her pride wouldn't allow them to fall, but she didn't need to stop them anymore. "From the moment we were born whatever one did, so did the other, and that hasn't stopped now. If you leave me here I'm not going to stop hunting you, so you might as well save your damn breath and get some rest. If those guys come for me then I'll fight. Simple as that."
Maybe Aatami was right. Besides, she had a new face... maybe she could give herself a new history. They wouldn’t know she was the same delinquent they’d chased after so many times. Besides, if the situation was flipped... The sudden smack made time freeze for a moment. Aatami was talking, but she could just barely register what he was saying. He’d.. really hit her? She blinked over at her brother, and further saw the changes he’d gone through. After that flood, at least she’d still been near home. He’d woken up to a new place entirely. He must have been terrified; so much more than she had... Yet, here he was, being a respectable worker, holding himself high, and smacking her around. Their paths really had shifted. He would hunt her? Save her ‘damn’ breath? He would fight?! She gawked another second, and then threw her head back to laugh. Oh, laughing was painful... but she couldn’t stop herself. “Owowowowowowow...” She stuttered to stop finally, looking to Aatami with a grin. “Aatami... I’m sorry I couldn’t hold on during the storm. I’m sorry I didn’t look further to find you. I’m sorry... for a lot of things. ...But I’m more sorry that I missed seeing you grow up so much...” She reached out to grab the front of his coat to yank him close, good arm wrapping around his neck to hold him as close as she could again. “Slap me again, and you’re getting socked in return~” she murmured with a small chuckle.
At first Aatami expected Truffles to fight him on it. He had another round prepared for it, but the laughter threw him off. The petite leafeon was stunned into shocked silence, then concern as her laughing became over ridden with pain. "Don't do that. You know you're not well enough for it." Aatami chided. "You're sorry? Truffles, I'm the one who couldn't hold on...I mean, think about it, if one of us was going to be weak enough to let go it wouldn't be you." He tried to smile, but it was forced. Aatami chuckled a little at himself. "I'm just glad you're okay. One minute I'm thinking of a little scruffy sister and the next...I'm seeing a grown scruffy sister." Aatami moved into her hold, shifting himself around so that he could sit on the edge of the bed. He wrapped his arms around her as gently as he could. "Wouldn't be the first time," he grinned. His voice was trailing off into a tired murmur. The events of the day, both before seeing Truffles and after had taken their toll on the young student.
She took a few deep breaths to calm down further, and shook her head. “We... both messed up,” she conceded. She should have held on longer, tighter... but she hadn’t. Despite the mistakes... here he was, back in her arms. She couldn’t believe it... “Yeah? I may be scruffy, but you’re still scrawny.” She hugged him a little tighter and pressed a kiss to Aatami’s cheek. “I love you, brother,” she murmured.
"Scrawny and proud of it," Aatami yawned. He smoothed down the bed tousled sections of her hair with a smile. In the long run nothing mattered that day so long as she was back in his arms. There was going to be a fight ahead of him to keep his sister safe, but Truffles was well worth the effort. "I love you too, sister. Forever and always." Despite himself, Aatami in his comfortable state, fell asleep sitting on the edge of the bed. His arms had become lax around Truffles, and were it not for his head on her shoulder he may have fallen off completely.
A small smile settled contently on her lips, and a soft sigh was exhaled. She was overwhelmed by the feeling of having her brother back. So happy. Overjoyed. Her eyes wanted to water again, but when she felt Aatami start to lean so heavily against her, she winced and leaned back to let the bed support the both of them. Her good arm shifted to keep him close, her hand now petting his brunette locks. They would take care of each other again... and she would do better this time.
Cornetified
Precious Loiterer
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Cornetified
Precious Loiterer
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Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 10:46 pm
~Teen Stage; AIM RP: Truffles and Mitsuru~
Walking back through the woods, Truffles found herself panting softly by the time she got to the shrine. She was using a cane to walk while her leg remained in a cast for a little bit longer. A simple brace on her arm and a few bandages dotted about were covered by a thick cloak that was far too warm for the weather. It had stunk something terrible to put the cloak and hat back on. Going back into hiding... But.. it was the only way she could get out and see Mitsuru. She new Mitsuru didn't like going into town, so she wouldn't make the shaymin do it.
She couldn't help a smile as the shrine came into site. ..It wasn't until now that she realized this had been home for so long. It felt good after being away for what felt like ages, even if it had only been a few days. "Mitsuru?" she called out, looking among the inhabitants of the sanctuary for her friend.
The sanctuary would have been noticeably quieter than it had been. Many of the residents had traveled on after the coming of warmer weather, with the exception of the Infernape caretaker. He smiled to Truffles, giving a small polite wave as if he didn't know her, and kept on with his sweeping. Meanwhile Mitsuru was buried knee deep in fresh dirt. She and Masahiko had been working on the vegetable garden nonstop for the past three days. Both looked three shades darker because of the mud, but it was a good feeling. This way the shrine could support itself without having to rely on humans. Hearing her name, Mitsuru perked up. She stood, brushing her hands off on her torn skirt and after telling Masa where she was off to she came around to the front. At first she didn't know what to think of their new friend; she was certainly a rough looking customer! Which just made her think...Eevees changed...and sometimes they were purple! "Truffles?"
She flipped her hat off and tapped it against her cast to fan it subtly. Dang, her leg was hot. Her ears perked at that familiar voice, and a bright smile lifted. “Well, I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised you guessed it was me,” she replied with a chuckle. Hobbling over to the other teen, she found herself laughing a little more. “You shrank on me!”
Mitsuru squealed and rushed up to Truffles. If it hadn't been for the sudden intervention of the Infernape, who placed himself between them, the smaller teen would have glomped Truffles. "Wha-? Oh, oh yes, you're hurt!" Her excitement fanned to concern as Mitsuru stepped around the firey poke'mon to take in the Espeon’s injuries. Mitsuru clucked her tongue. "Nothing for it, huh? Let's go around back to the shade and I'll get you a glass of water. You're burning me up dressed like that. Not to mention you have to be tired." The shaymin hustled Truffles around the shrine as fast she could while still being considerate. "I didn't shrink, you grew! And so pretty too. You're going to get a nice boyfriend now and maybe he'll keep you out of trouble."
Truffles smirked and shook her head. “Would you expect anything less? Some water would be great.” Once she was taken to the more secluded area, she yanked the cloak off and sighed with relief. Mitsuru’s compliment made her blush slightly, though even more effective was the mention of getting a boyfriend, and the fact that a certain umbreon popped into her head right then. Cheeks bright, she shook her head roughly with a snort. “Ah, come on. I don’t think there’s anyone qualified for that job. You busy right now?”
"Not really. Masahiko is finishing up in the garden, so I've got time." Once Mitsuru was sure that Truffles was comfortable she moved to the little well behind the shrine. Pushing the roped bucket to the bottom was easy; turning the crank to bring it back up once full was harder. She huffed and puffed, leaning forward a good ways with each crank, and once it was back to the top Mitsuru almost dropped it back into the well. The shaymin dipped two wooden glasses full and brought them over to the shade, offering one to Truffles. "What's on your mind?"
Her lean tail twitched with repressed amusement as well as disappointment while she watched Mitsuru fight with the well. She wished she could do it for the petite gal, but going at it with one arm wouldn’t be any better. Taking the cup, she drank the full amount back in a few quick gulps. “Did.. did I ever tell you about what happened? Why I first came here?” She’d been so tight-lipped when she’d first arrived at the shrine as a child, lost and scared... Then, as she’d grown comfortable, she’d been reluctant to bring up the bad memories. Now though... She wanted Mitsuru to be able to share in her happiness.
Mitsuru leaned back against the shrine with her legs crossed beneath her, regardless of the short skirt she wore. Looking up at Truffles with wide, innocent eyes she shook her head. It had been something the shaymin had always wondered about, but had never been brave enough to question. "It never seemed like a good time to ask," she answered, burying her face behind the cup.
Truffles nodded slightly. “There never would have been,” she admitted. She fiddled with the cup a little before setting it down on the ground. “I won’t bore you with all the details, but I figure it’s about time you knew, being my sister and all.” She smiled warmly before she went into the shortened story. “I don’t know it affected you, but I bet it did. There was a big storm a while before I first showed up here. I was living with my brother at the time. Aatami. We had a ratty old shack that we lived in, and it was wiped out by a flood from the storm. ..My brother was taken with it while I got stuck on some tree. By morning, he was long gone. I had no idea where he was or if he was even okay..” She glanced down at her hands. The memory still stung, but she had a happy ending this time.
Then, with light in her eyes, she smiled brighter than ever. “Mitsuru... I found him. I found Aatami. He’s okay. In fact, he’s doing just fine! He’s got a job and is going to school and..” Her eyes welled up slightly as the realization hit her once again. She’d found Aatami! “I found him..”
As Truffles spoke Mitsuru drank her water. Occasionally she would brush strands of hair away from her face, and leave muddy streaks in their place. She beamed with pride when Truffles openly called her sister. It had been such a hard journey to get to this point, and Mitsuru couldn't have been happier, though she wasn't expecting a good turnout for the story. Even before she realized it Mitsuru was looking to Masahiko as he finished tilling the field. "It shook us all up pretty bad here, but Masahiko was one of the three Kami that caused it. We aren't sure about the other two, but Masa...he's working really really hard to fix what he did." Mitsuru just hoped that Truffles wouldn't hold it against him. "They destroyed his shrine, you know, everything he had...it wasn't right, but we do bad things when we're hurting." Mitsuru reached across the space between them to grip Truffle's hand. She was prepared to console the girl, but the happy news caught her off guard. At first her glass began to slip out of her hands and all in a rush she screamed, bouncing up on her heels. "Oh, OH! Truffles!" Laughing, Mitsuru threw her arms around the other girl and hugged her tight. "That's great news! Where is he? Are you going to bring him over? I am so happy for you!" She pulled back enough to rub her nose against Truffles and laugh once more. "I was worried you were going to say they found his body or something gruesome like that...this is so, soooo much better!"
The news that one of the Kami that had started the storms was right here at the shrine made Truffles blanch a little. Someone like that was here?! She was more than ready to jump up and demand to see the rat, but she managed to hear Mitsuru’s words. Trying to fix what had happened? ...Well, since Aatami was okay, she might be able to let it slide... for the moment. She winced as Mitsuru jumped at her, all irritation vanishing as she laughed. Her eyes widened as Misturu admitted the assumptions. “Don’t say things like that!” she scolded, flicking the shaymin’s nose playfully. “I’d like ta bring him by some time ta meet you. I.. don’t know when I’ll be able to, but, hopefully soon.”
Her eyes slid away again slightly, looking around that the place she’d been living at for so long. “Look, Mitsuru... There’s been a bit of trouble, too. I don’t want you ta worry about it, but I probably won’t be back for a while.” She looked back to Mitsuru and reached out to pass a strip of paper over to her. “This is where I’ll be staying.. so that I can be closer to Aatami for a while. If you need anything, you send someone or come yourself, and I’ll be there.”
Mitsuru rocked back on her heels, but kept her hands on Truffles’ shoulders. She scrunched her nose with a little pout that easily broke into a smile. "He's welcome to come anytime he wants, you know that." She giggled a little. Hopefully Truffles would bring him soon! She wanted to see if twin Eevees evolved the same, and if he was as stubborn as she was. Then the smile seemed to fade from her face. "You...you're not living here anymore?" Mitsuru's voice was small as she took the paper. There were only a few words she could make out, but the teen held it close. "I suppose if the trouble is that bad...is there anything I can do to help? I'm tough." Sitting on her rump in the dirt she flexed her 'guns'. "See?...but I'm sure you want to be closer to your brother, after everything that happened." Mitsuru toyed with the paper. "I have something to tell you too. I'm leaving soon to see the flowers bloom...but you come here anytime you need. Everyone knows you, so it's okay."
Truffles’ expression fell a little more. She hated to see Mitsuru looking sad... but it was better this way. “For a while, at least. I want to come back once things calm down a little.” She really did. “Just keep on being yourself. That’s help enough,” she replied with a smile. She felt like she’d been smiling so much over the past few days... The idea that Mitsuru would be gone for a while was a surprise. She cocked her head. “This place might fall apart without you. Guess I really will have to come back then,” she said playfully. “At the least, you better tell them I evolved. ..Though, make sure they don’t go talking about it all over the place.” She tried to say it lightly, as if joking, but there was weight hidden behind the words. She didn’t want this place, this shrine, these pokemon, this sanctuary, this home... she didn’t want it to be in danger either. “Let me know before you leave, so that I can see you off. ..I’ve had enough of people leaving me without saying goodbye.”
"Impy's probably told them all by now," Mitsuru teased, "I'll tell him to keep it shut and I'll tell everyone to keep things quiet too. They don't want trouble here anymore than we do." The infernape might have been a terrible gossip in his old age, but he was smart about it. "We've been getting a lot of...humans though in the warmer months so maybe stay away during the day time? There aren't as many in the evenings." The way she said 'humans' was full of disgust and fear. Mitsuru knew them to be terrible creatures, and every time she had extended her hand to them it had come away burned. "I will!" The shaymin chirped. "I'll come see you before I go, and you can let me see your brother."
Truffles nodded. This was a fairly close community, so she knew word would spread quickly. However, that could be as harmful as it was helpful. Her ears perked when Mitsuru mentioned humans coming through, and she glared off to the side. “Don’t know why they should feel like they need to come here,” she grumped.
She perked back up when Mitsuru did and grinned. “You better. I’m gonna tell Aatami that he’ll meet you soon. And don’t go stealing him away either to go look at them flowers. He probably would think that would be fun.”
"This is a place for healing for all. Even if I want too, I can't really stop them from coming," Mitsuru sighed. The little shaymin was so confused on how she felt about humans, but some were nice enough that she didn't see them as a threat. She sat back against the side of the shrine once more, snuggling up to Truffles with her arm looping in the Espeon's. "Don't worry, if I steal him away I'll take you too. Twins should be together, you know?" She patted Truffles arm. "Now, let's get you inside so I can take care of you." Mitsuru stood up, and pulled Truffles along with her, keen on going in through the back door. It was good to see her friend again, but something in all of this just seemed...temporary. Almost as if it wouldn't last and it made her sad.
Truffles snorted and shrugged. Since she wouldn't be living here anymore, it wouldn't be as big of a deal to have humans coming around. Still, she felt like they were invading... Probably not the most fair point of view, but it was her view. As Mitsuru snuggled up against her, she relaxed a little more and smiled. "Good to know. A trip wouldn't be such a bad thing anyway~"
Being pulled back upright, she gave a mock groan of irritation. "Aww, Mitsuru! I already got taken care of!" Though her lips gave only a playful half-smile, she was glowing on the inside. Life.. was turning back around in her favor. She'd grown stronger, Aatami was back, Mitsuru was still her best friend- no- her sister... She wanted to enjoy it as much as she could, for however long it would last; after all, nothing good in her life seemed to last for very long...
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 10:38 am
~Teen Stage; AIM RP: Truffles and Tryce; Something’s Different About You~ Part 1
Though she didn’t need the cast anymore, Truffles still had a bandage around her leg, and gimped along slightly. It was well into the evening, and Truffles was back under a hat and cloak to hide her image. It was a little harder to blend in with purple skin, but she thought it could still be done! After hunkering down in the tiny apartment that her brother was renting for her, she was going a bit stir crazy. It was bad enough when she couldn’t do too much walking. Now that she could move mostly freely, it was extra difficult to stay put.
It was a risk, but, in her mind, better than going nuts indoors. Besides, she couldn’t keep letting Aatami spend his hard earned money on her like this! So, out she was like so long ago, looking for a job. She hoped that being older would make things easier, but, honestly, who wanted to hire a girl afraid to show her face outside?
She was so tired of being worried... Yet, of course, the night showed that she would never be able to relax. All it took was a misstep... bumping into a person hard enough to get knocked back onto her butt, hat flopping to the ground... She growled at them to watch where they were going, only to look up at leering faces.
“It was Truffles, ain’t it? So, Danny was right about you. We heard you’d grown a bit~” The thugs grinned stepped toward her. “The boss been waitin’ a long time fer you. He been really patient, too. Especially after you got away that last time..”
Truffles spun with a yelp, instantly calling to her Run Away ability, but they’d learned from their previous encounter with her. A Vine Whip grabbed around her waist and yanked her back, slamming her into the ground.
“Aw, come on, girl. Don’t make a fuss again. He’s really a nice guy when you get to know ‘im! He’s... electrifying~” The thugs both laughed.
Though she was fighting with the vine around her, she couldn’t help aiming a stupefied look at the pair. “Really? That’s your joke? Good grief, at least let send for someone with a better sense of humor to bring me in if you manage to actually catch me.”
The skies were going to be beautiful tonight. From the way the wind blew through the clouds the poke-human could already feel that it was going to be crystal clear. A perfect moonlit evening. Smirking, the young man leaned over the edge of the high building to stare at the streets below him. Everyone seemed so tiny from up here...not like it was his first time up so high, but the feeling of being elevated would not leave him lately. His vision, originally sharp in the dark already, was sharper than ever and the rest of his senses had followed. He truly felt stronger than before. This new feeling was something much more powerful than having evolved. It was like two halves of one whole had finally fused together. I am still Tryce, but more like a Tryce 2.0 I guess.
The chill of the wind didn't even bother him. Rather the cold felt like a gentle caress against his skin now. So when the air brushed through his feathers he only smiled. Truly he made an interesting figure against the night sky with his flowing hair and glowing blue wings. Thankfully though his glow was faint so that no one really noticed it when they did happen to glance up. However, he did pay attention to things when he looked down. What was going on down there? It looked like some poor girl had stumbled and now was getting wrapped up into some trouble.
Slipping forward Tryce opened his wings and leaped forward a bit to get closer from behind.
Time to see what was happening here.
Gritting her teeth as the vine lifted her into the air, Truffles felt another wrap around her bandaged leg, yelping as the one around her waist let go.
“See what happens when ye’re a smart mouth?” the bulbasaur man said with a sneer. “Come on. It’s a bit of a walk back, and I want boss ta know we caught her ourselves. Bet we get a promotion!”
“You’re just gonna be stuck with melted eyes like all the others who disappoint that overgrown rat!” she snarled. Wincing as she twisted around, she grabbed a knife from her pant leg and sliced through the vine. Dropping to the ground with a thud, she spun back onto her feet as quickly as she could, and used Tackle to surprise the pair of thugs. She was only able to spring from the ground with one leg though, her move a little less effective. It worked well enough on the stick-like nincada, but other set of vine whipped out, slapping her legs sharply. The vines wrapped more firmly around her, slamming her against the ground until the blade dropped from her hand.
“You, little s**t, are gonna get me in good with the boss. Don’t think I’m lettin’ you get away easy.” With Truffles suspended in the air, the bulbasaur walked over to his pal and gave the guy a kick. “Get movin’, man. Boss is gonna want Miss Mushroom here soon as possible.”
Looks like this fight is getting a bit intense. He wondered what the Espeon had done to get involved with such thugs. Was she running away from loan sharks maybe? His ears twitched thoughtfully. She didn't seem like the gangster, mafia type herself. An innocent bystander then? And there's a knife. Okay so maybe she had a bit more spunk than expected. Tryce smirked at the thought as he floated quietly above the scene. To jump in or not to jump in...that is the question.
Still it was painful to watch. Was he really going to let the poor girl get beaten up by these guys? That didn't sound like fun. I suppose I needed to stretch my limbs anyway. Pulling his wings close to his body the hybrid shot down from the sky. Landing he smiled as the crystal shards of dust shattered around him from the sudden cold, "Sorry boys. I can't help but to notice that you're havin' a bit too much fun here."
His golden gaze quickly switched from warm to violent and a heavy feeling filled the air. A hand rose to freeze the sharp leaves headed his way and he couldn't help but to smirk in satisfaction as the pieces shattered on the ground. They never learn, do they? Shaking his head the young male just sighed, "Alright...1...2...3..." Before they could protest he snapped his fingers and all the hail from the heavy air let loose.
The Espeon though wouldn't feel but a tiny shiver of cold as Tryce reached up to snap her from the vines, "See you next thaw boys." His trademark smirk was aimed at the frozen trio before he shot up into the air with Truffle's in his arms. It was an interesting sight to see with the hybrid's long blue wings lighting up the night sky for a split second before disappearing into the dark.
Tryce wasn't afraid of anyone chasing them, but really he hoped this kid would be okay.
Whoever she is she should count herself lucky I was nearby.
Pinned by the vines wrapped around her, she could only squirm uselessly. She tried to bite at the vines, kicked, clawed, and snarled, but she was caught. A weight settled in her chest, wondering how she’d get out of this mess. A cut on her face was bleeding into her eye, forcing her to squeeze it shut while the other darted around for some sort of plan. Some sort of inspiration. Something...
A voice was the last thing she’d expected. A voice that seemed familiar, and tugged at her gut. It couldn’t be... She tried to twist around, but the vines held her tight with her back to the new arrival. The air... Cold?
She yelped when she was yanked down, and curled up in the protecting arms. The scent wasn’t right... The voice was a little deeper... She peeked out when she realized they hadn’t landed after the jump... Tryce wasn’t a flying type! Her face snapped up around to see who was saving her, and her chest clenched. Her white and purple gaze slid around, watching the powerful wings. He looked like... an older Tryce... but with wings. ...That made no sense!! Besides... Tryce would have let her know he was back, right?
Irritated with herself for letting herself get her hopes up, she huffed and poked her savior’s chest. “Hey! You can land now!” Everything was sore from being smacked against the ground, especially the wrapped leg, and she wanted to clear the blood from her eye. And.. she wanted a better look at the guy carrying her. He looked so much like... but how could it be?!
Tryce was enjoying the night air in silence when the Espeon's protest broke through. Raising an eyebrow the young male twisted in the air once more before flying low over some trees towards the forest. This seemed like a good area to land in with less eyes to watch them. Tucking his wings against his body Tryce fell quickly towards the ground and only raised his wings one last time to soften the landing.
"This good enough for you?" He questioned looking around the small meadow that he had managed to get into, "Unless you would rather me take you back to the city streets where those guys were?" Seriously what type of girl had such luck to attract such trash? His golden gaze skimmed over her quietly. There's just no way.
Still she was injured and that was more important than any small details, "Can you even walk on your own with that leg of yours?" He paused and gently laid her on the ground. While he did though he noticed the blood around her face and slowly took a finger to gently wipe it clear from her face. She was super close to him and he was certain that if he let out a breath it would chill her face. Yet in less than a moment later he was away from her again and wiping the blood on the wet grass nearby.
Now that she wasn’t under threat of being pounded to a pulp, she was ducking her head to hide a tiny smile. This made her think of another time she’d been carried away... And, really, flying was pretty fun~ When they landed, she snorted and started to turn to try to get herself down, though it was a futile motion. “Yeah, I suppose this will have to do,” she muttered sarcastically. The guy’s own snarky question earned him a hard stare. “..Take me back there, and I’ll bite your face off,” she threatened. Honestly...
“Of course I can walk! Was walking fine before those bozos showed up,” she announced firmly, lifting her chin slightly as she was set down. Really, she was a little concerned about trying to stand back up after being thrown around, but there was no way she’d show that much weakness. She flinched back in surprise when the hand came up to her face, though she calmed down when all it did was wipe the blood away. “..thanks, Try-” Stopping herself short, she turned her gaze away with irritation. The guy really did look like Tryce... “So, what are you, anyway? Umbreons don’t usually have wings.”
Tryce just quirked an eyebrow at the threat. Bite his face off? Kids really were getting more original today, "Wouldn't you have to be able to reach it first?" He mused quietly measuring her height to his own tall, lanky body. At least she had plenty of spunk that was for certain. It would probably take a lot to get the kid down. Almost reminded him of another one...
The hybrid only shook his head lightly at her protests. If she was walking so fine how did they catch up to her so easily? What a stubborn kid. She probably would be six feet under and still refusing help even then. His thoughts stumbled to a halt at the familiar syllable of his name. Try what? Tryce frowned thoughtfully, "Try what? Skipping over you next time cause you can handle it or try some restaurant? I do like new foods."
His teasing jokes died down at her questions, "What am I?" The hybrid smirked, "Alive I suppose. I'm not really a umbreon either." At least not fully. He tucked a stray strand of hair back, "But I'm not fully a legendary either. It's a strange life."
Lips pressing as her height, or lack thereof, was teased, Truffles huffed and started to push herself upright. Her wrapped leg stuck out while she balanced on her hands and one knee, and shoved up with a small jump of sorts to get her foot under. She experimentally put a little weight on her wrapped leg and winced. Those jerks had made her leg sore again.
Her ears perked at the questions, looking at the adult a moment before snorting and turning away. He really... “Try buggering off,” she grumbled. He reminded her too much of Tryce, and that was irritating. He even acted like Tryce! She shook her head. "Well, since you seem to enjoy being so helpful, how about you flutter us closer to town?” She glanced back, eyes narrowed slightly. She wouldn’t admit to wanting the help, but she couldn’t deny that she’d prefer to get to cover sooner rather than later; and with a sore leg, it would be much later if she tried it on her own.
His keen gaze caught everything as a thief should so the wince did not escape notice. Was this kid really going to make it back on her own? Don't tell me I'll have to house another one for the night. A phantom of a smile crossed his features at the thoughts. The more he lingered here the more this kid reminded him of her. Surely he hadn't been gone that long though, right?
There was no way.
"I don't know if you want that." He chuckled quietly, "Unless you like stumbling around in the dark like a drunk on your own?" Knowing her that was a definite possibility. Ah, there was the request. But why would she want to get back to town? Was it truly safe there for her?
"Town might not be the best idea. Unless you have a home nearby?" Tryce frowned, "I don't mind going far if you need or even offering some sanctuary for the night. Last thing I need is some kid's death on my conscious." He shrugged lightly as if to brush off the thought, "But just tell me what you want since I'm not your parent after all."
Lips pressing, she frowned and looked away. “Home is a relative term, I guess,” she muttered. A break from looking at the same walls day in and day out would be nice. Aatami might worry, but as long as he didn’t stop by the apartment until later... “Oy, I ain’t just some kid!” She huffed, crossing her arms tightly. She grumbled a little under her breath, and sighed heavily. “Fine. I guess someplace different ta sleep tonight wouldn’t be a bad idea.” She limped a couple steps closer to the adult. “Where we going?”
"Isn't it always?" The hybrid smirked, "Some have many homes, it just depends on where they're at currently." What was that weird saying? Home was where the heart was...that was it, right? Such an odd idea. For him a home was just a place where he could store his few belongings and sleep at night.
Raising an eyebrow he looked at her in disbelief, "You agreed so easily?" Wow. What if he had ulterior motives? "You really shouldn't be so easily trusting, but you're fortunate. I'm no bad guy." For her at least.
"You'll find out." Suddenly he was moving and she was up in his arms again, "Either way let's get out of here before we find ourselves with more company than we can handle." No telling when those goons would be back for this kid. His powerful wings stretched out and with a loud whoosh the two were back into the night air.
The only problem was where to fly. Tryce had a penthouse that he had just bought in the city, but the place wasn't set up yet....none of the others would take too kindly to him flying in with some random girl either. Might have to go to that place then. It would be a long flight, but at least the girl would have a place to rest her head for a bit.
Many homes... She didn’t see herself as having many homes. She had the sanctuary. The apartment... wasn’t truly home.
Truffles sighed heavily at the hybrids’ voiced surprise. “Good grief! Help me or don’t, make up your mind!” she growled irritably. Man, this guy! He did have a point though. Perhaps it was because he reminded her so much of... well, whatever. Didn’t matter. It didn’t look like the umbreon she knew was ever coming back...
She held tight as they flew up into the air, and she looked around to enjoy the view and watch where they were going. She didn’t even notice how heavy her eyelids were though. Between the cool breeze soothing her skin and the comforting hold, she fell asleep to recharge after the knocking around she’d taken.
Cornetified
Precious Loiterer
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Cornetified
Precious Loiterer
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 10:39 am
~Teen Stage; AIM RP: Truffles and Tryce; Something’s Different About You~ Part 2
There were three islands located across from the great island. Each had a unique quality of its own, but the furthest one had a swirling mist concealing its mountain top. The air around this mountain was cold, almost as if they had just flown into a winter’s snow. Here though was where Tryce felt a warm tingle in his body almost as if the place was anchoring him. Home. A weird place for him, but the safest one that they had for now.
Swooping low he made his way through the mist. Normally the cold mist would deter any stranger from trying to get through, but the hybrid was no stranger. Instead it seemingly parted for him as he cut through the chill tendrils with his powerful wings. There below a tangle of silver vines and evergreens was an entrance and Tryce dove right towards it.
Immediately the cold dispersed into a steamy warmth as he landed on the ground. Flickering lights from candles resting in stained glass orbs revealed the underground shrine. Overhead the entrance, that had been impossible to spot from the outside, revealed an open gap in the natural cavern ceiling inside. Through it the shimmering outline of the moon and stars could easily be seen helping to light even more of the ice cavern.
While the cavern seemed to stretch on through dark tunnels coated in ice Tryce had landed them in the middle of an island. What surrounded the island was a series of steaming pools of hot springs creating a natural warmth in an otherwise frozen world. A single bridge, ancient with white set stones and crystals, stretched over the waters to connect with the cavern. Standing tall on either side of the bridge were crystal pillars coated in a perma-ice that shimmered like crystals in the light. On the island rested the shrine itself. Once forgotten it had fallen into shambles around the statue of Articuno which rested there, but now it seemingly had life again. For the past few weeks Tryce had worked to repair the older stones of the temple and shrine back to their former, if not a more modern, glory.
Walking up the steps Tryce shifted his ‘load’ in his arms. Let’s see if I can get away with this before she wakes up. It was late and it had taken them at least an hour if not more to get to the shrine. Even his wings were feeling the strain of the flight now and he wondered if he could even manage this last part, “Be thankful I’m nice.” He commented softly as he walked along the island and behind the old shrine.
A smaller bridge rested here to allow on passage over the smaller, and last of the pools. There built into the cavern itself was the remnant of the lower temple that had once rested here. It was here that others connected to the temple had once lived. Now after being deserted for centuries the temple walls had been fixed up on the inside and the long hallways held flickering flames of lights once more.
Spiraling down the stairway Tryce made his way through to one of the renovated rooms. The entrance was through an arch of stone that blended into the natural alcove of the cave ceiling and candlelight flickered from candles lining up the natural shelves that went along the wall. A simple room it held nothing other than the natural decor of the rocks and crystals themselves. A platform was built above the older floor to hold a large, round bed that was freshly made. Along the other side of the wall away from the bed rested only a few chests and trunks. It was as it had been once, a simple place for a traveler to rest. A well-deserved sleep for managing to make it through the ice caverns to this sanctuary beneath the ground.
It was on the bed that Tryce put down the sleeping girl, “I’ll let you rest then.” He whispered softly before pulling the blankets up around her body. Thankfully for her the hot springs that ran throughout this part of the cavern kept the home a livable temperature. Just in case though Tryce placed another blanket from the trunk on the bed along with a jacket.
He may not feel the cold anymore, but that didn’t stop others from shivering.
Still as he turned to leave Tryce had to hesitate once more. There really was something familiar about the espeon. Her necklace for one….but who knew how many others had such a piece? A small smile crossed his features as he turned to leave. Now that he had seen her in the light a faint recognition haunted him. Only time would tell him, but for now he would let her sleep.
And then just like the thief he was Tryce slipped outside of the room back into the shadowed halls of the temple once more.
Truffles only briefly stirred as the temperature made such changes; curling slightly against the cold mist, opening back up at the warmth, an eye cracking open when the wind ceased... but she wasn’t conscious to anything. The warmth of the steam and the blankets only made her that much more comfortable. It was probably another hour before her white eyes blinked open again.
When they did, they took in the sight of the unique and impressive home. It looked more like a cave. ...Was it a cave? Her ears twitched to listen for sounds. Just the gentle running of the waters... The air was on the thin side, and incredibly silent. It took her a moment to sit up, shivering once as the cocoon of warmth dropped with the blankets. She looked herself over, and frowned at her leg. She’d expected to wake up to fresh bruises, but her leg was aching again, and that was annoying. It would take so long to walk home now...
Muffling a groan, Truffles pushed herself up to start walking around, stretching her limbs as she investigated her surroundings. Where the heck was she? ...It was beautiful. Like she was in another world.
Shaking her head, she looked around with a sigh. She felt like she might wander for ages through this place. Where was that bugger? “Hey! Flyboy!” she called out loudly, looking back and forth down the hall. “I wanna go now!” The guy better hear her!
Tryce let out a content sigh as he rested in the waters. One of the things he enjoyed about the temple was the sense of peace and healing he found here. While the other ruins each had their own special traits the hot springs of the ice mountain helped him to relax best. The spring here in the oldest part of the temple was especially relaxing with the hot waters spilling down from the wall into the pool. Not that he was biased or anything being half articuno now....sudden noise interrupted his thoughts. “Hmm?” Frowning the hybrid pulled himself from the waters and stretched his wings out to shake the extra droplets away.
He was so used to being alone in the temple that Tryce didn’t think to bring clothing down with him. Without much thought the male wrapped a short towel around his waist before walking up towards the upper hall. As her words registered Tryce just shook his head. Flyboy really? Out of all the names she could call him…”Yes, gimpy?” He crossed his arms and rested his long lithe, mostly naked frame against the wall as he studied her. That leg probably wasn’t faring any better…she truly needed to rest it.
“I know you want to go now, but rest up a bit more. I’m not carrying any hobbly passengers just yet.” He flexed his damp wings as an afterthought, “Plus I need time to dry.” Honestly he wished he had stayed in the springs just a bit longer to help relax his tired muscles. He really was not completely used to flying just yet.
Speaking of healing….
“Since you’re stuck here for a while you should go to the springs and rest up while you’re here. It’ll do wonders for your leg.” Tryce motioned towards the hallway he had just left, “The best ones are towards the older part of the temple in the back. They’re pretty much untouched so be careful. Might be a loose stone or two…” Or a few hundred.
Ears perking as she heard the splash of water, Truffles decided to wait where she was. Flyboy was in one of the pools? It made her wonder what kinds of wings he had. Did they soak in the water, or repel it like a psyduck?
“‘Gimpy’ is only temporary!” she huffed, turning to face the voice coming up. Her eyes first darted to the wings; wet. Any other thoughts were thrown to the winds when she realized he was only wearing an immodest towel. Cheeks flaring up, she gawked at his fine figure before her face sharply angled away, eyes locking onto where the floor met the walls. “You coulda just said ‘hold a minute’ and dried yourself off!” she scolded, digging her hands into her pockets in a pouting motion.
She was ready to argue that she would walk out of there herself, but ‘springs’ caught her attention. Slowly, she peeked up at the hybrid. “Springs... Like, hot springs?” She could have a hot bath? She adored hot baths....... “Well, fine. Just long enough for a soak.. but that’s it! Then you take me out of here.” Looking behind her, she snorted and headed as directed. “Of course they’re in the back.”
Tilting his head in confusion Tryce watched as her face lit up like a firework, "What?" Blinking he looked down and noticed the towel, "Oh well you want me to dry myself off now then?" He couldn't help teasing, "I didn't realize getting the floors wet by dripping would bother you."
Not to torment her, the hybrid lowered his wings to try to conceal more of his body, "Yeah, you slept through everything last night but there are springs here. The whole place is built around them." Without hesitation Tryce followed her, "Well that's where the water source is so I would say of course they are."
Despite his teasing he was watching her move, "Should you be walking at all after last night?" He smiled, "I can carry you again if you want." As they moved the hallway opened up to reveal a wide steaming cavern. Inside pools of hot water circled around one larger stream where a slender waterfall ran down the walls. Stone pillars had been build around it and even some had the shape of the legendary birds on them.
"It may be hard for you with a bad leg out here...would you need help?" Not to be teasing for once Tryce asked sincerely, "I can uh..." He looked around, "Grab some robes or something if that makes you feel better. More towels are over there by the stone steps leading into the water."
Truffles pressed her lips together with flustered irritation. If that towel dropped while she was facing him at all... Nope!
Ears twitching again, she glanced back as he followed after her. Was it supposed to feel this awkward? “You carried me enough, buddy,” she grumped, trying to walk smoother; though only managed to emphasis the limp. “Walkin’ just fine.”
She caught his change in tone, and glanced back at him again. She looked at the gorgeous pool of water. She looked back at the guy. Cheeks a dark purple, she looked longingly at the pool again before finally looking at her leg. “Just.. need the bandages off,” she murmured, balancing on one leg and sticking the wrapped one out toward the hybrid.
Tryce just shook his head as he watched her limping. She had plenty of spunk like the other, but that bad leg was worrisome. "The bandages?" Nodding Tryce began to move to help. Gently he touched her leg and began to work on the bandages, "You really got yourself banged up this time." He commented softly, "Did you...happen to fall in the woods?" How did he find out more about her? Hmm..."I hear there's a shrine there you know. Why not ask for the lady's help there?" As he finished Tryce frowned and looked around the chamber.
"Hold on for a moment and make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back." Disappearing from sight the male returned only a few minutes later in a pair of shorts with something else tucked under his arm. "This might help you as well." Setting the left behind pieces of Raxka's swimsuits on the ground Tryce took a few steps backwards, "I'll go somewhere else if you want to change."
He smiled teasingly, "Since I'm guessing you won't want my help with that."
Truffles clenched her hands into fists as the old bandage was removed. Sweat and grime made it stick and pull, but at least she didn’t see any bleeding. The worst part.. was simply needing the help. She hated needing help, but she certainly got it often enough. “I didn’t fall,” she huffed, lifting her chin slightly. As if it were anything so simple as a fall... If only.
While the hybrid was gone, Truffles inspected her leg more. It was thoroughly bruised again, and hurt all over. ...Stupid vine moves. Relieved to see the guy return in a pair of shorts, she inspected the swimsuit... pieces. “Course I don’t need ya!” she barked, turning her back to him once more. Of course, she’d never put on such a thing. The thin straps tool a moment to untangle, and another moment to be put and tied to the right spots. ....This was underwear for swimming!!!
Growling under her breath, she found the steps that led into the pool and carefully walked in. Didn’t need help for walking. Of course not! As the heat hit her legs, she felt the wave of relief. A warm bath... She hadn’t had one in... in ages... “I’m in the water! Go do whatever it is you need to do so we can get goin’ when I’m done!” Settling into the water up to her neck, she sighed heavily with delight.
Pacing the hallway Tryce tapped his fingers thoughtfully against his legs. After getting a good look at her leg the hybrid worried. If he let her go what if she ran into more trouble? I shouldn't be bothered... Yet the missing pieces, the tell tale attitude and that necklace....if he had changed why couldn't she?
That was the aggravating thing about eevees. You never knew who would become what when the time came. Sighing Tryce ran a hand through his damp hair before pausing at her call. Do whatever he needed so they can get going? "I don't know about that one, kiddo."
A few moments later Tryce was walking back with a box in hand, "Hey. When you get out let me look at that leg of yours. I have bandages to rewrap it for ya." He paused before moving in to set the box down by the water. "So if it wasn't a fall how did you get hurt, kiddo?" He sat by the pool's edge and reached down to flick some water, "It doesn't look like a mere scuffle or any little accident caused that one."
When the hybrid walked back in, Truffles ducked down to her nose and glared. The suit was a little too big for her, making his presence.. well, not the most welcome. Still, she was covered, and in the water, and she was too relieved by the heat to risk mouthing off enough to get booted. She gave a short little nod, turned her back to him, and started pulling the ties from her thick hair to let it down. “Not really your business,” she replied shortly, peeking back over her shoulder. Man, he looked so much like Tryce... but that was silly, and she wasn’t about to settle in here for long. He could forget about her the moment he dropped her off after.
Still, he had bothered... Sighing, she ran her fingers through her hair and tugged at the knots. “Listen, I’m glad ya saved me and all. Appreciate it. I got the bandage before those goons you saw, and I ain’t gonna talk about it. Don’t wanna, and ain’t gonna.” She paused, and shook her head. “And ain’t goin’ to the shrine. Been there, done that, ya know?”
"Ouch." Tryce raised an eyebrow, "Not like I helped you out or anything." The hybrid stretched with a sigh, "But I guess I've been a rather nosey host." He felt a mix of emotions at her reactions to him. Happy to see she still had sass, but at the same time...it felt weird to be a stranger. Perhaps he was wrong and this wasn't her?
"Oh thanks?" He laughed quietly, "Could have surprised me." Tryce pushed himself up from the poolside, "So be it. It just doesn't feel right letting an injured pup go back out there to more goons." He frowned at her refusal, "Seems like leaving the shrine gave you a nasty memento..." What was he her father? It really shouldn't bother him this much seeing her injured.
It was just...if she was Truffles....then perhaps he did have a few fond memories of the kid, "You should consider taking a bit to rest here. The temple here is empty save for me right now so you could feel free to use it as you please. If not just let me know and I'll fly you back out..."
Standing Tryce started to move away from the falls, "I actually have a few things to take care of as it is so feel free to stay here or explore if you want. The place is yours to roam, but if I were you I wouldn't go beyond the bridge."
Truffles snorted. “So I’m a pup now? Well, don’t stress yourself too much about me. Give yourself wrinkles with your advanced age.” Sticking out her lower lip, she turned away from him again and looked at her leg through the water. What a bugger this guy was!
The mention of the shrine made her body slump slightly. “It’s a bit more complicated than that,” she murmured, uncertain of whether or not he could actually hear her. She did miss Mitsuru. It was the good memories that weighed her down. She missed those days, but she couldn’t have them back.
She listened to the step receding, brow knitting with each echo. Turning, she propped herself up against the ledge. “Hey, Tryce?” Whoops. Wow. Saying it stung more than it should have. “I mean- whatever your name is. I should probably know it so I know who to yell for if monsters come after me or something from this cave you’re living in~”
Tryce laughed at the girl's retort, "I'm not that much older!" He commented with a grin, "Not like I've always been this way..." The extra sentence trailed off softly as he turned away once more. Then again it seemed that a lot of time had passed since he first left. I should have realized that she would have forgotten me. Of course he was unrecognizable now. Who in the world changed this dramatically when they grew? Even most pokemon just evolved...they didn't do this. His wings dropped lower at the thought.
Was something the matter? He froze as he caught a faint murmuer, but the words missed their meaning over the sound of the falling water. She did tell him to mind his own business so he was prepared to ignore it when she spoke again.
Tryce? His gaze widened in surprise as he hesitated before taking a few steps backwards, "You want my name to yell?" Finally. So it wasn't a lost hope. He blinked at her before smiling faintly, "For a second I thought you had remembered me, but to be asking that I guess I've really slipped your mind Truffles." The hybrid waved a hand, "Just yell and I'll hear you. There's no monsters here to cause you trouble, so just relax."
It was almost like he was just brushing off their reunion as he turned away. Secretly though the boy was curious. How would she react? Had she truly recognized him just then or had it just been a slip up? As if my answer didn't make it obvious for her. Tryce almost rolled his eyes at his stupidity. So much for playing it off like a cool hero and just letting her go safely on her way later.
Too many surprises made her reaction slow. First, was him knowing her. Second, the realization that.. that umbreon with the wings... really was Tryce. Third, that he was turning away like it was no big deal. The sudden burning behind her eyes made her angry. She hadn’t seen him in ages. He’d recognized her after so much change, and she’d let a longer frame and fancy wings fool her. ..Had he even bothered trying to find her when he’d come back? He’d promised to come back, but she hadn’t expected it to take this long! She should go sock him right on the nose for being such a tease! ...Honestly, what she wanted to do right then was get a hug.
Grabbing the stones of the steps she was on, she went to push herself out of the pool. To her horror, she found herself going down instead of up, slipping toward the center and deeper part of the pool. Those loose stones she’d been warned about had caught her, vanishing out from underneath her hands. Afraid of water outside of a small pool, Truffles wasn’t a strong swimmer to begin with. When she went to kick though, a hand breaking the surface of the water, her injured leg went into a spasm that seemed to make her whole body curl tight in pain.
Panic started to itch along her skin as she sank, fighting to not choke on the water in her mouth. She was going to drown. The flood was catching up to her. Water was trying to hurt her nearly as much as that Raichu!
The image of Tryce walking away suddenly popped into her panic filled mind. ‘They’ll all be better off if I just disappear...’ Thankfully, that thought infuriated her. Now she really needed to sock Tryce on the nose! Pushing through the pain, she uncurled enough to reach her arms for the surface again, weakly trying to swim up.
Any second now he was going to get an earful. Tryce was just waiting on it when the splashing caught his attention, "Coming to smack me now?" He mused quietly before his gaze went back towards the pool. Instantly his teasing eyes widened in concern as he saw the weak movement in the waters. Where was she?
"Truffles!" Dammit, dammit! He had warned her himself about the loose stones and to leave her in there with a bad leg? Did she even really know how to swim in the first place? He had never thought to ask...oh gods.
Without hesitation Tryce bolted back the way he came. Wings pulled tightly against his back the hybrid dove into the warm waters. The steam made it hard to see, but eventually his hands connected with Truffles. Bubbles of relief escaped from his mouth as he kicked forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Truffle's waist. It'll be okay. I've got you.
Breaking free of the water Tryce dragged Truffles with him to the surface. Eventually his free hand found the stone steps and he pulled the girl up carefully after him to solid ground. This was all his fault for being such an idiot, "I'm so sorry Truffles." Letting go he moved to brush hair away from her face and leaned forward to hover an ear over her mouth. She was breathing, right?
Should he sit her up? Knock water out of her? Tryce basically was holding his breath as he looked for some sign of life from the girl. Everything seemed frozen in time as he waited to see what would happen next.
Lungs burning, Truffles felt like she was under the water for hours. She couldn’t see anymore, and could barely focus on moving her arms. She didn’t even feel the arms wrap around her.
All at once, the world returned in a shock of sensations. She felt the warm stone under clammy skin, and the weight of the water was gone. Her muscles kicked in, contracting around her lungs and belly to expel the water she’d taken in. As air finally reached her system again, her vision began to clear, and feeling returned to her limbs. Blurry vision cleared into the glorious sight of a concerned Tryce hovering over her. Tryce! Tryce? ...Tryce.
Clenching her hand into a fist, she swung up as hard as she could straight at his nose. She might have still been weak, but she had to try~
Following the momentum of her hand though, she pushed up and rolled to wrap her arms around him, resting her head against his stomach and leg. “You a**..” She panted out. “Can’t catch.. a damned break. Ye’re bad luck.. Tryce.” Still, she continued to cling to him, trying to calm her body, trembling despite the warmth around her.
Tryce relaxed as he saw Truffles cough out water. Good, she's alive. All of the visible tension in his body and wings just collapsed in that moment. Even when he was surprised by her punch the hybrid just accepted the blow. Though he was thankful that he moved his head just a fraction to have the blow on the side of his nose and his cheek rather than straight on. She was definitely alright then. He suppressed the chuckle as he rubbed his nose, "Okay then...I might have deserved that one."
His surprise though made him freeze as she wrapped her arms around him, "Truffles..." Tryce trailed off softly as he sat there with her, "I guess, but gotta keep life interesting somehow." He tried teasing lightly. Sincerely though he had to worry about the girl's luck. I should have came home sooner. If he had known that she was gone away from the shrine....out there with those bastards ruining her life...he would have flown like a bullet.
Shifting on the ground Tryce carefully reached out to rub her head, "Sorry it took so long, kiddo." He commented softly as he allowed her to cling to him. Ever so gently his damp wings stretched out to enclose around them both.
When the science facility collapsed, Truffles couldn’t help gawking. From the safety of the trees, she watched more humans, pokehumans, and pokemon escaping. She felt a great relief when she noticed a particular dewgong being carried out before the huge building caved in; the pokehuman who‘d sparked her fire to go help in the first place. It was a surreal sight, seeing something so big come down, and also a great delight. Good! That pit deserved to break into the smallest possible pieces! Many had suffered in there.
Speaking of…
Looking down to one side, she saw the Charmander, Tyr, had collapsed. Truffles glanced around for the other girl they’d escaped with, but she’d gone already. Truffles squatted to check on the little guy, frowning slightly. How old was this kid? She could tell that he was younger physically than mentally. And what had those horrid people put him through? His body showed evidence of all the testing…
Carefully, she picked the boy up and carried him herself rather than depending on someone else to find him. It wasn’t that she cared about what happened to him, of course. They’d only just met! It was simple decency to see someone in need get help. Despite the risk of being out in the open and in a busy place, she took the boy the entire way to the hospital to get checked. Many others from the incident were there as well, waiting for their turns to be helped. When asked for a name by the nurse, she smirked lightly, emphasizing that his name was ‘Tyr.’ It was a name she’d thought up in the facility when they’d met, and he’d been none too happy with it. She’d already forgotten his given name. Something complicated…
Once Tyr was admitted, Truffles bolted. She wasn’t going to stick around in a public place anymore than she had to. She’d done her part.
Her part? What was her part? She’d seen the news beforehand; the stories of pokemon and pokehumans disappearing. She’d felt the urge to help, but had remained hidden for her own reasons. When she’d seen that dewgong kidnapped, she’d taken that opportunity and followed to the facility. She’d seen the dewgong’s fear, and reacted. She’d wanted to help. Having been under the thumbs of unsavory fellows herself, she knew the fear and the worry and the hopelessness one could feel when trapped.
From a fair distance away, she looked back toward the hospital and sighed. At least one had been helped because of her… Who knew; perhaps someone else would have grabbed him on their way out if she hadn’t gone? For now, she entertained the idea that she’d been Tyr’s only hope. That she’d made a difference. It felt.. Good. Most of her life had been looking out for herself and her brother. Then it was herself and Mitsuru. With her brother back, she’d felt more complete. She didn’t realize she’d been missing more…
She smiled before heading back to her hideout. She’d gotten to kick some butt, and raise a little hell for those causing so much pain. It wasn’t much, but she was content. For now.
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