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 Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:14 pm
> Roleplay #7 < Link: Seashells and Stone Teeth
Participants: Fluffernutter, Julie, & Endymion
Stages: Child (Both)
Status: DeadPremise: Well, that cave on the beach looks an awful lot like the jaws of an anglerfish...
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Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:17 pm
> Forward Momentum <
It would be so much easier with wheels Two weeks into their stay near one of the largest towns yet, and Margarita was already getting antsy to start moving again. It was strange, she had never really been one who was much for travel, spending most of her life stuck in the same dank sewer system of the city that she was born in, but once she tasted freedom and got a notion of how big the world really was, she couldn't seem to get enough of it! It didn't help that she was a rather hyperactive individual to begin with, but this turn of lifestyle only fed on that trait, intensified it, and she rolled with it in a surprisingly adaptive manner. Sometimes she even wondered how she was able to stay happy in the underground half of the city all this time, for she sure couldn't hold still now!
However, Nix was planning on staying put for another two weeks, at the very least. The grimer supposed she could venture into town and see what else she could discover before they had to leave, but everyone seemed so against her doing that. Something about accidentally setting something on fire? Bah, it wasn't her fault! Why did the term 'inflammable' consist of the exact same meaning as the term 'flammable'!? Really, if humans were going to construct a language system, the least they could do is play by their own rules!
So it had been decided that if Margarita was going to go into town, she would have to do so accompanied by someone. At least, in the daytime she'd have to; she didn't have to tell anyone when she snuck out at night. A sly smile appeared on her violet features; she was becoming such a ninja! Paprika really knew her stuff, and Rita was eager to learn all she could! Of course, that's what she took out of all of this.
So, Nix was in town, having some sort of meeting with the scientists he worked for. That was the main reason they all had to stay put in this place as it was, but since he was already gone for the evening, that meant she couldn't use the man to get her into town -- at least not without angry repercussions. Terpsichore was already sick of the grimer for now -- Margarita apparently asked one too many confusing and illogical questions over the span of their last conversation, and it really drained the other girl. The shroomish was currently taking a nap. That just left Endymion...
Hands folded at her back, she strode over to the scyther boy as she attempted to display an air on nonchalance, as though she wasn't here for anything in particular, and especially as though she weren't here about Endymion himself. Coming to stand beside the other, seated poké-human, she exhaled before trying to strike up unsuspicious conversation, "So... Endy, how--" She stopped abruptly, blinking as another thought came to mind, knocking a skeptical look out of the scyther, "Uh... wait, you're not still mad at me, are you?"
Endymion looked puzzled, "No, why?"
She leaned forward, as though she were trying to rock back and forth on her feet, "I meant because of earlier this week, when I ran off with Paprika after you tried to stop me. Since I hit you with a move and everything..."
"Papri-?" he started asking, until he ceased and shook his head. Couldn't she have come up with a less confusing name than that for her imaginary friend? Despite that, he was actually kind of glad that she was taking that particular stance on using her new-found Disable attack on him. She had used it out of self-defense! If anyone should be apologizing over that whole fiasco, it should be Endymion instead -- he was the one that actually hit her with a damaging attack! He wasn't sure how he was supposed to convey all this to the girl, though, and seemed to shrink back at it. "No, of course not," he stated again, with a wince.
Margarita frowned, despite being able to comprehend what he meant to a surprising degree. There was little that actually went over her head when she concentrated hard enough. "Something wrong?" she asked, hastily plopping herself down on the ground next to the boy. The grin that was suddenly plastered on her face was just a bit unnerving.
He flinched in reaction, pulling the closest arm from the grimer towards his own person in the off-chance she managed to pitch straight into it. Not that she was anywhere near it, and was rarely clumsy, that was beside the point. She sputtered at that, rocking back and giggling to such an extent that she almost fell on her back in the grass. As annoying as she could be, it was definitely difficult to remain self-conscious around her, something Endymion noted as he flashed her a mild (if surprised) glare in her direction. "No, nothing's the matter. I've just been thinking, that's all," he stated with a hint of a growl.
Margarita was still snickering, but she wasn't above being a bit nosy, "About what?"
Endymion's irritation was only increasing, "Wasn't there something you came over here for? What do you want."
"Oh yeah!" she piped, almost forgetting about her antsiness in the wake of fleeting concern. Not that she was going to be playing into the scyther's hand, at least not yet. Resituating her posture, she sat comfortably up on her knees before asking, "Nix's staying for another couple'a weeks, isn't he?"
"That's what you wanted to ask?"
She huffed, "No, it wasn't. Just answer already, Endy!" She couldn't help but find this situation comical; wasn't it he who was speaking to her in such a way just days prior?
If he was, he was also certainly more obedient in that respect as well. Perhaps she'd leave him alone if he went along with this little whim of her's. "Yes, that's correct. Why?" he affirmed.
"Such a sourpuss," she grumbled before brightening up immediately after, "Those dinner plans are pretty soon, aren't they?" The way Endymion sunk further at the thought immediately told her about what exactly he had been thinking of this afternoon, making her feel even giddier about how much being a spy was rubbing off on her. She didn't need people to tell her anything outright, did she? She was feeling rather impish, "You pretty excited, aren't you?"
He averted his attention from her and took a moment to answer, "I'm... not sure. It's supposed to be kind of busy..." Endymion hated crowds, and although he was getting better at handling going into town during the busy hours, he still could not handle it well. Wouldn't putting so many people into a single house, even if it was temporary, be even worse?
It didn't take a mind-reader, nor a genius, to figure that he was still as antisocial as they came. "Psh, but you talk with people all the time, Endy!" she asserted, "Look, you're even talking with me right now!"
"It's not out of choice," he muttered.
Margarita seemed to ignore how pointedly that was directed at her, "But it was this time, wasn't it? You weren't just told to go." She giggled as another thought entered her head, and her fingers started toying with the metal head of the salt shaker in her hands, "See, you can make friends, too!"
He flushed at that; he hadn't really... thought about pinning the term 'friend' to anyone, not without very good justification. That indicated a sense of attachment to a person, and that tended to also give someone yet another weakness. It hurt when something like that was taken away by force, after all. Distracting himself by tapping a bladed arm to the grassy floor, idly making notches in the dirt, he thought about it a bit longer. As much as it was a risk, it could also play as a strength... right? Maybe it wasn't so bad after all.
Seeing that her words were getting through made her a happy clam. "It's exciting, see? I can't wait! Hee hee, I don't care if I don't even know anybody there, since they invited me, too! Heh, it's like I'm already their friend, and have never even met 'em!" she snickered; it was silly, but in a way she liked it. Sort of a bizarre type of pen pal! She wasn't worried that her typical behavior might rub others the wrong way, but then again, she never really noticed when they told or showed her outright, either. Her mind went on another tangent with this, and before she knew it, the next words that were uttered out of her mouth was a content, "So many noodles..."
She seemed to have forgotten all about her main objective in this little meeting. Offering a frown at the situation, coming up empty when trying to discern why she came out here. After a bit, she decided it had to have been because she didn't know what the menu was for the dinner event. She stood up as though she had already received the information she was looking for, satisfied. "Okay, that was it. I think. Thanks, Endy!" she perked, bounding off toward camp. Paprika sure made an awesome mentor, teaching the grimer how to investigate and question a situation without letting on to it!
Endymion smirked as he watched her bounce off, shaking his head after a moment, "Terp sure is rubbing off on you!"
"D'oh!" She staggered; so not true!
[[ Word Count: 1,594 ]]
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Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:10 pm
> Avoidance <
Strength isn't everything
It was about smack-dab in the middle of a month-long stay stationed on the field surrounding the city. While Nix was gone from day to day in the laboratory where he reported findings, gathered information, and helped with smaller assignments around the city before they were to head off again, the pokémon under his tutelage were stuck waiting. Most of them hadn't much authority to just wander into town, either: Margarita was a hazard, Endymion was highly reluctant, and Terpsichore didn't really feel like going it alone. Without any direction, the days were apt to plow on at a snail's pace. There were no real plans until the end of the week rolled around, and that was still a ways off. Finding what to do with all the free time was both aggravating and difficult, especially when there was constant pestering when one was trying to get some free time with which to think.
There had been a number of ideas thrown around on what to accomplish, but none seemed to really stick. Margarita was feeling particularly rambunctious and couldn't sit still long enough to fully form any useful conversation, bounding off to go pretend she was a secret agent and stationing herself next to the trail that led into town. It was still potentially dangerous to have her doing that by herself, but she hadn't exactly rubbed her teammates right and was fairly adamant about going. She wasn't far enough away not to be able to keep an eye on, at least, so if anything were to happen, Endymion and Terpsichore were only a hop, skip, and a jump away.
Meanwhile, Endymion had grown frustrated with something else entirely and decided to do something about it himself. He was gathering a number of objects around the encampment and tossing them into a pile with a few well-placed blade taps and kicks. Terpsichore watched the unexpected chore with a frown, expecting the scyther to explain himself before she had to ask. Alas, he was too preoccupied to notice her severe look, so she tapped a foot on the grass and indicated, "That isn't the right way to clean a mess..."
It seemed Endymion hadn't realized the brunette was taking note of what he was doing. Terpsichore hadn't really been one to really stick around with Endymion alone before, so he had been expecting her to either chew out Margarita for being destructive or go about and do her own thing. In fact, he wasn't really sure how to talk to her. Seeing this hesitation, the shroomish-girl sighed a bit and nodded with a slight smile, trying to indicate that she was just kidding and that he should just explain himself. "Um..." Endymion started, still a bit unsure as he glanced over to the pile he was assembling, "I'm... gathering things."
"Yes, yes I see that," Terpsichore agreed. She was much less patient with Endymion's stuttering than Nix tended to be, but she was trying, "What for?"
The frustration seemed to pique at that and become more visible, the scyther taking on a sharply indignant nature, "Why do you care? I'm passing the time; go do something with your's."
"Oh no, no. Endy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that," she tried to apologize before he completely shut her out. "I think all this free time and nothing to do with it is getting to me."
"Nothing's stopping you from checking out the town. I know you like it, and you've gone by yourself before."
"Yeah, as an actual shroomish," Terpsichore retorted haughtily. This wasn't working. She paused a moment and ran a frilled hand through her spiraled hair, watching as Endymion resumed his search for more random items. She wasn't sure if he'd still be willing to listen to her, but attempted to speak on a more relatable level, "Sure, it can be fun, but I don't know if it will always be. People are used to seeing regular pokémon wandering through town, but I dunno how they'd react to me now. If you haven't noticed, I haven't exactly been into town since I grew." She waved a hand in front of her, as though she were showcasing herself as an example. Endymion wavered in what he was doing enough to give Terpsichore a heads-up that he was listening and acknowledging her comments as truth. She was careful with the tone of her voice, "It can get lonely, you know?"
After a moment, Endymion resumed in flipping a book over to the growing pile of oddities, and Terpsichore was sure that she had just been blown off. However, once the item was with the rest, the pale-haired boy turned back to face her, "I just got tired of waiting..." He frowned, trying to figure out how to say what he wanted to say amidst irritation, "Nix said... before, he said he was going to try to help me learn something that wouldn't... hurt an opponent." Before Terpsichore could come to the researcher's defense, the boy prematurely dismissed the statements, "I know he's been busy, I just didn't think it would take so long. And... I've got nothing better to do, so why not try doing it on my own?"
Terpsichore looked mildly perplexed, "And what, perchance, were you thinking of doing with that pile of rubbish?"
"Well, I was going to have Margarita..." he began before he thought better of it, "Actually, I've got a better idea. You can throw things, can't you?"
Terpsichore frowned, folding her arms and stating rigidly matter-of-fact, "Of course I can! I'm just not as prolific at it as she is. Nor do I really have much upper body strength to speak of..." She thought about it and then picked up a wadded piece of paper. The girl studied it momentarily before spinning to her side and launching it... half a yard away from where she stood. "Yeesh, I suck at this!"
Endymion seemed a bit surprised, "Well, it's not like I want you to try to kill me with any of it! Besides, that's pretty decent for a piece of paper. Those things aren't very aerodynamic anyway."
Terpsichore glanced at the palm of the hand she used to throw the lightweight object with, "You think I'll be of any use, then?"
"Sure! All you have to do is throw things in my general direction. The fact that you aren't as eager to hit me with them as Margarita would be is probably a good thing," he explained, walking off past the pile of assorted objects a few yards before turning around. "I don't think it will really take all that long. This is something I should be good at, and I've already practiced some without a target. This is basically just to, ah..."
Terpsichore picked up a dirty tennis ball, most likely used by a pet poochyena and then misplaced out here. Tossing it into the air before catching it again, she smiled, "Just so you've got something to focus it on and actually use it for what it was meant to be used, got it. You won't know if you have it down if you don't actually use it in a scenario." Endymion grinned back and nodded, causing the girl to think on another matter, "So what are you suppose to do with these once I throw them at you?" With a smirk she launched the ball, only to have her face freeze and melt into worry a second later. "You're not planning on trying to hit that back at me, are you!?" she screeched. Was she going to have to dive for cover?
"What?" Endymion was caught off-guard, and the tennis ball ended up falling a few inches short of his left shoulder. He flinched at the near proximity of the fall, glancing at the object before returning attention where it was needed. "Terp, didn't I just get done saying that I was trying to learn something that wouldn't hurt someone else?" he huffed, though there was a lilt of a snicker on his voice.
She stared wide-eyed at the boy across the field from her before she giggled at the realization, "Hehe, oh yeah! Sorry about that!" she apologized.
He shrugged it off, "Do you really think that low of me?"
Okay, she could tell he was just playing now. Snatching up the book he rolled over, end-over-end to the pile, she moved it around in a weak pendulum-like movement, "Alright, wise-guy, see if you can't do something about this one!" At least she felt more into her role as the coach now, or rather her role as proxy, as she tried to get the book some air.
As Endymion had stated before, it didn't take him long before the move he was attempting to learn surfaced. The delay had mostly been in the lack of aiming capabilities the shroomish-child retained, something she attributed to her lack of arms in her previous form. However, once another object started falling into the scyther-boy's personal bubble and his wings started fluttering to gather the energy required, the amount of swiftness he exhibited to dodge the attack was enough to answer the girl's previous queries on the subject. Gaping, she pointed, "Agility!"
Peering back at the roll of tape he'd left in his tracks, he turned back to face his faux opponent, "Did it work?"
The green-freckled girl laughed a sarcastic, "No, I was just throwing you off. That's what you were trying to learn! Good work, let's see if you can do it again!" With a puckish smile on her face, she pulled an item up to occupy either hand.
Endymion faltered, taking an uneasy step back, "H-Hey, now. Let's not get carried away!"
* * * * *
Level: 15 --> 20
ENDYMION forgot FOCUS ENERGY
and learned AGILITY
[[ Word Count: 1,622 ]]
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:05 am
> Roleplay #8 < Link: Everything Plus the Kitchen Sink
Participants: Cascade, Meadow, Alexis, Sasha, Lilly, Honey, Myrrh, Margarita, Terpsichore, & Endymion
Stages: Teen (Cascade, Meadow, Alexis, Sasha, Lilly, & Honey) & Child (Myrrh, Margarita, Terpsichore, & Endymion)
Status: OngoingPremise: Large social gatherings have never really been Endy's cup of tea, but he supposes he can make an exception in this ca-- WTF why are they here!? D8
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:05 pm
> Walk the Blade <
Show don't tell, this isn't the right answer "End?" the tanned child requested for attention, scuffing a foot into the permafrost of the morning, "Um... could I talk with you a moment?" Terpsichore seemed uncharacteristically melancholy for her usual chipper demeanor, changing her social behavior to one quite withdrawn.
Endymion half wondered if it was because of who she was speaking with and his own shy nature, or if it was actually related to what she had to say; her downcast eyes told him that it must have been the latter. He motioned for her to take a seat next to him in the grass as he observed the surroundings of their current campsite, but she quickly shook her head. She was much too nervous to sit down, something that had her teammate a bit concerned -- not that he'd actually say that, of course. The scyther boy shrugged, turning away so she didn't have to feel like he was scrutinizing every action she chose to make, "Not sure how talkative I'd be, but... go ahead, I'm listening."
She fidgeted in place, unsure of how to begin. She really wasn't very good at a lot of what she wanted to do at the moment: talking about a fear, dealing with all these negative emotions, or heck, even talking to Endymion. However, he was more familiar with this field of inner turmoil... he was always so scared, and had such a temper. Who else could she really talk to about such a thing anyway? Oh, what am I suppose to do..? she fretted, almost pacing where she stood.
Luckily, there was no real rush to be observed from either party. Despite the shorter fuse, Endymion had plenty of patience to spare. He could recognize hesitation well enough when it radiated so heavily off of another, knowing what it was like to be locked in a battle with oneself in such a way. He didn't need to add to the churning indecisiveness. Besides, the silence was actually quite soothing, and even had the potential to help one gather their thoughts.
The weather had long since turned south over the course of the past month. The wind was stagnant, but a rustle through the fields was enough to bring with it an icy lick. The sun had not yet broken fully through the thick bank of clouds, but had already risen above the horizon to give the world a haunting feel. Despite the frosty weather excelling in its ability to lock up the boy's exoskeletal limbs, he really enjoyed being witness to such an uncommon occurrence; it was so different from the norm. Terpsichore seemed oblivious to the sight, however, having dived much too inward to appreciate it through all her anxiety.
The shroomish heaved a sigh, causing Endymion to flinch at the sudden appearance of sound. "Well... ah, not to be rude, but you have kind of a, hmm... you seem to get angry easier than the rest of us," she started, trying to put it delicately.
The scyther-child quirked an eyebrow, wondering if this conversation was going to be about him or Terpsichore; was that why she was nervous? Because she wanted to try to change that about him somehow? If that was the case, she should have kept her mouth shut... Regardless, he wasn't about to assume the worst of her unless it was made clear, but he was cautious, and his tone of voice was curt to indicate that he was not liking where this conversation was headed, "You could put it that way, I suppose." Funny how that same short temper that the girl had mentioned was already beginning to surface.
Terpsichore took a small step back, hands clasped behind her back. While not so much worried that she was upsetting the scyther, she knew she couldn't gather any useful information about the subject that was really bothering her if he got too wound up. Endymion took note of the reaction and tried to let go of the frustration while she stalled. "Well, I wanted to ask..." she tried, words spoken more slowly out of ginger tiptoeing, "...well, do you have any advice?"
To say the boy was confused was an understatement; that question seemed to come out of nowhere, "Advice? What are you talking about?" What, advice on gaining a bad temper?
"Advice on dealing with anger," she quickly added, as though she was trying to dump a bucket of water on a fire that was riling to get out of control.
Endymion wasn't getting angry at the moment, however, so merely reacted with a bewildered stare for a second or two. He looked quizzical, feeling as though he were receiving more questions when he petitioned for answers, "Um... well, I could, but... Terp, you don't really get angry..." Impatient and irritated, sure, but she already knew how to deal with those.
"I'm going to be honest with you, Endy, and I am going to tell you right now that this isn't easy for me to admit," the shroomish declared, trying to get hold of her normally strong personality; she may have been putting a bit too much effort into the endeavor, "I sort of flipped my lid the other day and actually ended up... attacking Rita."
"What!?" the boy exclaimed. Terpsichore was afraid he may write her off as being something other than who she really was, maybe even bipolar, and attempted to remedy that outcome with anything she could think of to say in repentance, but her flustered mind was coming up empty. Despite what she feared, the shocked silence was broken by... laughter, "So you're telling me that she's so annoying, she can make even the most adamantly pacifist people go on a rampage? This is too much..!"
The girl glowered furiously through the amusement that was currently afflicting Endymion, "That may be funny to you, but I'm serious! Endy, I'm scared! I've never just gone and attacked someone else before, not like that! What am I turning into? ...Endy, I've turned into a monster..!"
Terpsichore's despair cut the scyther-child's chuckling short, and he quickly shook his head to counteract it, "No you're not, Terp. How many other people did you encounter, in all your life, that acted half as bad as Margarita?"
"Um... oh..." she thought about it, but wasn't coming up with anyone even remotely obnoxious. The closest was maybe Kaida the mutated eevee, but she was more 'excitedly hyper' than annoying, and they got along great! What made the grimer girl so much different? "She's just so... thick-headed. Nothing I say gets through to her," she tried to reason out aloud, biting at her fingernails. Endymion closed his eyes and flicked a wrist, as though saying, 'Well there you go.' The girl heaved a sigh before she asked, "But then my question still stands, how do you deal with the anger?"
Endymion seemed confused, "Deal with it? Not very well, it seems..." When had he ever been in control of his emotions? Terpsichore's eyebrows knit together in contemplation as she tried to think of how to explain where she was going with all of this. The boy was about to continue when long, elfin ears picked up on the nearly obscured noise of shuffling through foliage behind them. It sounded much too large to be any sort of bug-type forest-dweller, let alone any other pokémon that could normally be found in such thick greenery in the area. Flinching, he kept his voice low, "Terpsichore, I-I just heard something out there. Do you hear it?" His icy blue eyes didn't leave their post at scanning the trees for indication of company, and he moved with cautious uncertainty. Blinking, Terpsichore noted that he had also probably activated his Agility ability while he waited for confirmation, he was so on edge.
The shroomish glanced about the trees, squinting in an effort to cut through the masking of shade. "I didn't, but... I wasn't paying attention," she whispered, startled, "You sure it's not just another traveler? M-Maybe--"
"I told you there were some out here!" a voice quietly exclaimed from the shadows. The two poké-children jumped.
"Well then what are you waiting for?" a second scolded, "It looks like they already know we're here!" Two Gaians clad in matching black uniforms stepped from the outcropping of trees toward the two children, though one seemed to stumble a bit on a root. The one that held onto their balance grumbled to the other, "You sure they're not just in some pokémaniac getup?"
The other spat, more anxious than exasperated, "No those are real mutations!" He pointed toward the two bizarrely-evolved children just a handful of yards away.
And that was when Endymion spotted the giant 'R' on each of their shirts. The scyther shoved at the dazed Terpsichore to get her moving, but she just shot him a befuddled frown. "It's Team Rocket," he hissed at her, as though it were instruction, "we need to get out of here!"
"What the heck is a Team Rocket?" she retorted haughtily, though the tenseness in her voice was mostly out of aimless fear. Was she suppose to be panicking? Why?
Endymion cut a sharp breath at the realization that Terpsichore was much too stubborn and lacked a proper flight response to a crisis situation. The scyther may have been a coward on his own, but he wasn't going to let the foolhardy shroomish be made into an example. This is the exact reason why friendship is so hazardous! he growled to himself; he had to momentarily let go of his self-preservation instinct.
"Hey, so you know who we are!" one of the young men exclaimed, "So we don't gotta bother with the introductions, do we?" Seemed the less work he had to do, the better.
The girl was tempted to ask regardless, even if it was just to ask what they wanted with a couple of kids, but she was cut short. She could feel a familiar combination of strong emotions radiating off of her teammate, but she hadn't really experienced the sensation so strongly before. Maybe she should be worried... if Endymion was going above and beyond his normal rage-fueled panic attack like that. Terpsichore's own guard shot up, ready to launch the same fateful Leech Seed she had been so terrified of using earlier as Endymion braced himself, attempting to divert attention to himself instead of the mossy-freckled brunette, "I'm not going to warn you again: leave now!"
The more calm Team Rocket grunt flicked a hand to indicate the two poké-children, but turned to his partner instead, "So what should we do about this? Think regular pokémon would be very effective against them, or are we suppose to take them down ourselves? Because I don't know about you, but I was never very good at wrestling in high school."
The eager grunt pulled a pokéball from their belt with a mischievous grin, "We can always try both, you know." Chucking the ball to the space between both parties, out popped a very disoriented venomoth.
The first Rocket member smacked a hand to the lower part of his forehead, "You brought a bug pokémon to fight another bug?"
"The rules might've changed, we gotta check out all our options!" the second tried to redeem his oversight with a meek shrug, "Besides, what if this doesn't--"
It was pointless to allow the both of them to keep yammering the way they were, and Endymion was intent on illustrating this fact. He had already given them what terms he was working off of, and the two men either blatantly ignored the direction, or sending the venomoth out was a statement that they weren't going to be brushed off so easily. Either way, there was only the one result that the scyther boy was looking for, and he was locked onto reaching it in one way or the other. Completely bypassing the opponent the Rocket members sent out, Endymion aimed straight for the grunts themselves; his panic had nothing to do with the pokémon, after all, only what Team Rocket would end up doing if they got their hands on Terpsichore or himself. Maybe the two men weren't taking the encounter entirely seriously, but a threat to livelihood was a threat nonetheless. "I warned you," the boy growled, movements enhanced by the Agility he had activated earlier.
Terpsichore jolted, spurred into action by being witness to the start of the conflict. She hesitated with the Leech Seed, and after a moment of indecisiveness, shook her head as though to respond to a mentally-formed question to herself. She glanced at the venomoth, the insect unsure of what it was suppose to be accomplishing by being sent out against what appeared to be two very obsessed children. The shroomish smiled and gave a tiny wave with a wiggle of her fingers before diverting her attention to the bullies just past the offered combat zone. Inhaling and holding the breath, she followed her teammate's lead and readied a Tackle instead. She didn't really have the heart for it, though, so unsure of what she was suppose to be doing or how she was meant to feel in a time like this. Were they really all that dangerous? They were just people, after all...
Endymion didn't have so much hesitation, however. Self-preservation was one thing, but protecting something else was another. He wasn't used to using his fear in such a manner, and was unable to control it to the extent he may have been able to had he only been looking out for himself. Instead of perhaps luring the two men away, he dove in and used an attack that was sure to have them second guessing their choice in responses. The first Rocket member he reached, he shot a False Swipe at with no heed to any consequences it may incur. Terpsichore skid her body to a halt as she saw the blade move through the air with such precision, but was a little less adamant about such an outcome, and made that surprise indicative in a more vocal manner, "End!"
"Okay, okay, retreat!" the non-targeted grunt shouted, grabbing his partner before he did any further damage to himself as a result of the fall. Quickly, he dragged the shorter one a few more yards away, resisting any other attacks that may have been aimed at the two of them. While glaring, it was obvious that he was in no mood to continue this little affair, not at the moment, "We're leaving, already. Come on, Venomoth." The pokémon swiveled its body in midair, faltering a bit at the lack of reason for the insect's arrival; it didn't seem too attached to the dazed man that had tossed the pokéball, unconcerned with his current status.
Terpsichore watched as the small group fled, nearly as quickly as they had arrived onto the scene in the first place. She was frowning, a mixture of all kinds of confusion playing out across her mind as she approached Endymion at a snail's pace. After the two men and their pokémon had disappeared from sight -- and even for a bit longer after that -- she turned sharply to the scyther, her scowl deepening. "Endymion, what was up with all that? Why did you attack them!? They didn't--" she started bitterly, but quickly cut herself off from going any further.
He was completely terrified over what just happened, and he was doing a horrible job of masking it. The girl sighed and lifted a hand to place it softly at his shoulder, but he flinched and moved out of the line of its reach, shaking like a leaf. "I can't do this anymore," he breathed, "I have to leave."
"W-What!?" it was Terpsichore's turn to be utterly lost. She tried to read the boy, but he wasn't offering any hints, "Endy, that's not going to solve anything. Be reasonable..."
He shook his head, the fear running much too deep for words to cut through, "I have to leave!"
[[ Word Count: 2,676 ]]
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Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:03 pm
> Linkdrop #1 < (( The purpose of this post is to provide links to other characters' solos that Endymion had a part or was mentioned in, but is not very relevant to Endymion in general, and therefore is not reposted. ))
- [Star For a Star]- Terpsichore's growth (comes after "Breaking Foundation")
- [Baby Steps]- Terpsichore learns Tackle (comes after "Avoidance")
- [No Take-Backs]- Terpsichore learns Leech Seed (comes after "Roleplay #8," directly relevant to "Walk the Blade")
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Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:05 pm
> Anxiety Attack <
Some react to an overabundance of stress better than others... A detour from all the apprehension that had managed to stick around, hovering in the air, would have been a welcomed change of pace. At the very least, most of them had been looking into alleviating some of the tension that had only managed to keep building upon itself at an alarmingly steady rate. It was difficult to tell whether Margarita was truly trying to help in that endeavor, but her usually-obnoxious demeanor seemed to have toned down to a degree to attest to such an inkling.
In the days following Team Rocket's initial attack, Nix could feel that something was most assuredly off when he arrived back to camp. The pokémon-turned-children were a handful and a half to manage, however, and these strange mood swerves had come to be expected with the frequency they occurred. There was only so much the man could help with, to offer advice in a world he was only perhaps half-familiar, and he was not at all oblivious to this fact. He did not want to pry into a matter, though, and had learned early on that asking what was wrong was not always the smartest course of action to take. If he were to know what the problem was, if there was a chance he may be able to aid in solving whatever was weighing so heavily, then he would be alerted to the issue.
Terpsichore was not so well-versed to the workings of the researcher's mind, or these simple contrivances -- she wanted Nix to know every little thing that could be seen as potentially problematic, as long as she did not think it would merely place added pressure on the problem or the one she had come to idolize. If she felt that something could be done -- even if she was not fully aware of exactly what -- she didn't want to hesitate on the matter. After all, hesitation oftentimes led to worsening over the passage of time, and she wanted to help where possible.
Things were not so simple, especially when the opposing sides were not as receptive to advice. There was little hope that members of Team Rocket would see the light, having so long lived in their dark business, and it was much too simple to flip Endymion's switch to anger. Nix was better at smoothing a rough situation, but would it be enough? What would happen if it wasn't? What would happen if it was?
In any respect, Nix was not eager to hop into the middle of this mess. It wasn't that he didn't care -- quite the contrary! -- he just didn't think he could do anything of benefit. "I'd probably just exacerbate the situation," he concluded with a sigh. His thought processes on the matter weren't faulted: he was a human as well, and as corrupt as Team Rocket was considering they could be labeled as 'researchers' in their own right. To a certain degree, at least. He shook his head to the concerned shroomish, "No, I think it's best to let this whole thing run its course, and deal with it when he wants to." The slender girl was disappointed, but she would comply and respect the decision.
However, when circumstances hinge on one obnoxiously shy kid, things don't always go according to how they otherwise would have. The scyther was never one to adapt well to the unknown, less so in the event of a dangerous unknown, triggering a mental backlash. He should have been proud of how deftly he could handle the situation in the heat of the crisis, his head remaining fairly coherent despite the torrent of internal conflict, but all he managed to dwell on was how bad things could have gone. What if he had run away, like his initial instincts had screamed at him to do? What would Team Rocket have done, had they been successful in their attempt to capture them? Things could have gone down a much darker path... what if they had been killed?
Sharp direction to oneself may have proved proficient when it was direly needed, but it wore down tattered nerves swiftly. It was a wonder they held out so long. The boy simply could not handle the weight of the event after tension levels had waned and the implications started to sink in. Instead, dwelling on it cause focus to flee as repercussions and what-if scenarios began to take the wheel once more. It was more than he felt he could handle.
Circumstance was not through throwing complications, however. The poké-human form was a very unstable catalyst, and as such grew at a rate more familiar to the pokémon world than the human. While Jirachi's stars were only strong enough to transform a full-grown pokémon into a child's form as a human, that didn't mean the body stayed in such stasis for long.
Like End had needed more of a chance to stand out... As a child, he held onto his initial height from when he had been a full-fledged scyther, but now he was even taller. That alone was change enough to toss him into a mild panic, for he never remembered experiencing a growth spurt so sudden and drastic, at least not since he had first found the star in the field. It seemed so long ago now, and yet simultaneously like a fresh wound.
As it turned out, Nix was never one to keep calm about a new and unexpected discovery. The amount of attention he was suddenly exuding on the teenage form of his first pokémon was not something the scyther had been anticipating, or wanting at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. "I had no idea transition from one stage of life to the next would be so abrupt!" he exclaimed, examining the fidgeting teen, "Though, after some deliberation, it would make sense... that's how evolution works for pokémon-kind." He mused over his own thoughts, reaching out to poke and prod at the boy.
Endymion snapped his arm away from the researcher's grasp, abruptly scooting back a distance. He didn't want to be touched, did not want to be touched, especially by a human. His unrestrained panic was clutching tightly once more, and an almost inaudible breath escaped in a hiss, "You're all the same."
Before Nix had the chance to counteract any little bit he could overhear, the newly-grown teen spun on a heel and stormed off.
[[ Word Count: 1,073 ]]
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Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:26 pm
> Fray <
No quick fix will heal this tattered mess There was very little time given to anticipate such a drastic move. Never in the past had something careened off the deep end into such a spectacular mess; things always seemed to have a way of righting themselves when they were turned on their heads, and by extent tended to be made better in the learning process, individuals and situations both. Of course, time was needed in order to be able to see that silver lining, but it was almost always there, if one were bold enough to take a chance on the optimistic side of life.
Unfortunately, time is what they seemed short on, and the precious little they had been left with was quickly dwindling. Terpsichore kept her distance from her now-teenaged teammate and their so-dubbed trainer, restraining Margarita from thinking it wise to launch herself headlong into the conflict. It took surprisingly little effort, the grimer noticeably more solemn on the matter, perhaps even concerned.
Had it even been twenty-four hours since the scyther had found himself grown? With everything that had happened in these short days, it was difficult to determine, to find a time where life wasn't chucking another curve ball. Terpsichore may have seemed outwardly adamant, keeping her cool under the trials, but she was scared of what the circumstance might lead to. Margarita was more outwardly rattled, clutching Paprika tightly to her chest with both violet-tinted hands. "I haven't seen them argue so much before..." the grimer murmured, quickly silenced when the shroomish placed an index finger to her lips; she didn't want either of them to invoke any sort of wrath.
Whether it was determined to be an act of rash behavior marked by dread, a flipped switch, or any number of other things, Endymion seemed dead-set on leaving. No amount of Nix telling the scyther that he was acting foolish was going to change his mind -- it only cemented the action, as the researcher feared it might. He persisted an interim longer, but could identify a lost cause when he saw it... as much as Nix didn't want to see it.
The argument was much too one-sided. While panic was a strong contender, it also made negotiation a blunt and ineffective weapon. Nix soon discovered this, and the logic he was attempting to insert into the conversation was quickly silenced because of it. His mind may not have shut up with the retorts, hasty as they were on the uptake, but he didn't want to risk the backlash of voicing them. As comments were met without resistance, Nix noticed they became more desperate, anger being replaced by fear. It was difficult... but this wasn't something that could be reasoned out.
"You're all the same, and I want nothing to do with you any longer." I wish you wouldn't generalize... everyone's different.
"I can't risk being turned into some demented science experiment. I'm a living being, too; I have a life." I never considered you anything less than that.
"I just don't think I can handle things right now. I-It's almost claustrophobic, and staying here is only making it worse." Nobody is going to make you do anything you don't want. You just need to calm down... There's no need to take such a drastic route!
Endymion was no blood relation, and wasn't a child; Nix had no right to keep the teen here any longer than what the scyther wanted. As much as the man feared that End wasn't equipped well enough to handle it out on his own as he now was, he had to consider that the poké-teen had done so for who-knows-how-long before he had ever come across the field researcher. He was a wild pokémon, and apparently not so easily tamed.
"You're just going to let him leave!?" Terpsichore verbally cut into Nix's thoughts as she reached to tug on his sleeve. Her stern expression belied her deep concern, as Endymion was already on his way from the campsite carrying the bare essentials, "Aren't you going to stop him?"
"I can't, Terp," Nix sighed. The shroomish girl would have grown in exasperation if she couldn't hear the hurt in the man's voice, but such notes only inflamed a greater sense of urgent concern. "There's nothing I can say that will succeed in changing his mind. He seems dead set on it, and making him stay would only cause the hatred to multiply. I'm not... I don't know how to deal with situations like this..." he admitted, brushing a hand through his short hair.
The green-freckled child watched her teammate as he continued to put forth the distance. If there was going to be any salvaging this utter wreck of a situation, assure some semblance of control, she was going to have to act drastically herself. Her firm stance was illuminated in her fierce gaze, "I was there when this all came crashing down. Right now, he's afraid of all of humankind, and probably most pokémon. I don't know what will happen to him if he goes out there, all alone. He's got nowhere to go except to come back here, and who knows when that will be." Her gaze drifted momentarily, as though determining whether her next words were going to be the best, but the girl was backed into a corner herself. She was the responsible one... and she would rather make sure everyone was safe than heed her own preferences. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to Nix, "I'll go with him, to make sure he doesn't do something stupid."
"Terp, you don't have to..." he began, cutting himself off as he released a breath; her stance, her expression, told him what he already knew, "...You do, don't you? I'm sorry, Terpsichore..."
"Don't be," she swatted at his upper arm as she went about to gather her things. She was putting on a brave face, but it bothered her nonetheless. "We'll be back. I'm just with him until he comes to his senses about that, and then I'll drag him back here by the collar, if I need to," she stated.
The researcher watched the shroomish-girl weave an arm through her backpack, "How are you going to find us?" He was nomadic, so it wasn't like one could merely stop by and knock on the front door...
"Doctor Willows," Terpsichore replied simply, resituating her materials and ready to get going. Her smile was forced, but she didn't want to leave on a frown, "I went with you the last time we were in town, so I can find the place again. If he doesn't know where you are, then we'll wait for you to stop back in again. I gotta go before Endy gets too much of a lead on me, sorry. See you again before you know it!" She gave a brief wave, tilted slightly to a frightened Margarita as well, before she dashed off.
The brunette would not have been able to last a longer farewell. It was enough to tear at her with the notion, but she had more important things to attend to... such as a block-headed and irrational teammate. First things first.
[[ Word Count: 1,194 ]]
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Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:28 pm
> Roleplay #9 < Link: Walking through the woods one day
Participants: Jayme & Endymion
Stages: Teen (Both)
Status: Complete!Premise: As alone as one might feel, you're never really as unique a case to such mental recessions.
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:09 am
> Roleplay #10 < Link: Frigid Bridges
Participants: Carwyn & Endymion
Stages: Teen (Both)
Status: OngoingPremise: Time may change a person, but that doesn't mean it has to break those connections with the past.
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:10 am
> Roleplay #11 < Link: Flimsy Laws of Fear
Participants: Chloe & Endymion
Stages: Child (Chloe) & Teen (Endymion)
Status: OngoingPremise: Kinship can be found in the most out-of-the-way places.
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