(( The purpose of this post is to provide links to other characters' solos that Trace had a part of or was mentioned in, but took place before he officially existed in the shop. Due to this, they do not count toward growth. ))
☾Twenty Questions D i c t a t i o n o f c o n d u c t
The young houndour pup rubbed at the natural helm at his head, visibly moping as he waited for someone to take notice of his irritable temperament. He didn't have very extensive patience where the act was concerned, however, eager for the attention that may otherwise not come. After a couple of moments, the remains of such a lack of action dwindled and the fire-type found himself cautiously strolling over to a rather distracted poochyena, currently engaged in rifling through a small pile of odds and ends for anything that could be useful later on. The pup plopped down on his haunches and continued with the pale pout. It seemed relatively ineffective, though...
Just as he was about to open his mouth, Trace sighed and responded with what the pup had been digging for, though the poochyena never turned his eyes to view the pathetic display, <<What is it, Havoc?>>
While displeased that he was not even graced with an attentive eye, the houndour huffed out a disgruntled answer nonetheless, <<Why does Arashi like to pick on me so much?>>
<<You make it kind of easy,>> Trace stated bluntly, realizing almost immediately that the statement may not be taken as the joke it was meant to be, especially upon analyzing Havoc's current grumpiness. The pepper-pelted pokémon slid his little project aside to put more attention forth to the conversation, shaking his head, <<Arashi doesn't give you any special treatment, as far as that's concerned. He picks on everyone. Heh, you mean you haven't noticed that?>>
<<Sure I have!>> the young one quickly piped up before scuffing a foot into the ground, <<He just... he seems to do it less to you, and more to me.>> The houndour's ears drooped back a bit.
<<No, I just aim it right back at him. It's gotten to the point it's more like a game. Teasing. You know?>> the poochyena attempted to explain. He wasn't sure that Havoc could so easily grasp Arashi's more relaxed conversation tactics. It hadn't been very long ago that the eevee had warmed up to the pup as being a regular member of the gang, but once he had, such practices were put into place, and it was obviously making the houndour a bit nervous. Tilting his head slightly, Trace frowned, <<You... haven't really been into contact with many others, have you?>>
The dark pokémon thought it over, but after a moment, he merely ended up shaking his head, <<Not since my trainer, and I couldn't even really understand all of that, either. He... 'pretended' a lot of things, but never like Arashi.>>
So that's where Havoc gets such off-the-wall ideas... the poochyena noted. It was a bit disappointing that things had ended up in such a manner for the littly guy, but he seemed relatively happy with where he was at in life at the moment. This was only a setback.
Havoc continued with a start, quickly appending to the conversation, <<Can you show me how to 'aim it back,' too?>> He seemed eager to learn, at least, leaning a bit forward in anticipation.
However, mediation and manipulation of a situation were not things so easily taught. As Trace was about to decline, a different idea came to mind, <<Maybe it would help to know why it is Arashi acts that way. If you start there, maybe you can loosen up a little.>> Havoc looked skeptical, but offered a tentative nod, if only for curiosity's sake. <<Alright, it's not that difficult to comprehend, so don't try to overthink anything. You know how people act differently depending on how comfortable they are with another person, like friends and family as opposed to strangers and acquaintances? It's like that. When Arashi gets comfortable around someone, he tends to poke fun at them, but in a good-natured way. It's like he believes they will know he's just kidding around, and won't get mad. Or join in on it, even!>> the scruffy poochyena snickered, though a bit unsure if his explanation was simplified enough.
Of course, the face that Havoc offered in return was not very promising in that endeavor, <<He teases the ones he likes?>> Trace shrugged before he nodded, as though to insinuate that that was more or less correct. The puppy frowned, <<That's just messed up. Why doesn't he act more like you? You're more friendly either way. And you don't practice new moves on me.>> A paw was lifted once more to the skull-like protrusion over his brow in indication.
<<Aww come on, I make jokes all the time, too!>> Trace insisted.
<<Not ones that really hurt someone's feelings,>> Havoc retorted, sticking his tongue out. A thought seemed to pass his mind just then, his expression sinking into that of worry, <<You... consider me a friend, right?>>
<<Hmm? Oh!>> that was a strange question, <<Of course I do. Arashi and I may be friends, but we don't go about things the same way.>> It was kind of an amusing difference, now that he thought about it.
<<Then you are friendly to... both friends and strangers?>>
Trace didn't even really need to think about that one before he thrust a correction into the mix, <<I'm friendly to those that don't pose an immediate threat. I suppose you're right, in a way, but the difference between the two groups is who I would put more trust in. I'm not going to talk about more personal things with some random stranger, but that doesn't mean I have to put up a wall against eventually becoming someone's friend.>> Subtle differences, but striking in the long run nevertheless.
<<More personal things? You don't talk about more personal things with me,>> the puppy pointed out.
He was being a little too narrow-minded, though, <<We're having one of those conversations right now...>>
<<I meant about you! I don't really know much about you, except that you know Arashi better than I do. That and you know a lot more than I do about most things.>>
Well... he couldn't argue there. Trace didn't really make it a habit to talk about himself very often. So then why was it that it was so much easier talking about other people? The bite pokémon wasn't apt to gossip or anything, but being informative about the goings-on within the gang usually didn't seem to include Trace as anything more than the informant. The strategist. He worked behind-the-scenes, and much of the time, it didn't really matter what he thought about a situation personally. If it needed to be done, then that was that. <<Well then...>> he pondered, finding this train of thought to be a bit unusual, <<I suppose you're correct there. Was there something you wanted to ask about me?>>
Havoc blinked, as though he had been trying to get to this point in the conversation for a while now, only to discover he had no idea what he wanted to say once he got there. <<Umm... well, could I ask you later? Like, is it okay to bring something like that up?>> Trace seemed a bit unapproachable at times to the young houndour, but that feeling seemed to stem from the gap in knowledge recesses -- it was intimidating to try not to sound stupid!
<<Of course, you can ask me any time,>> came the quick reply, a grin on his face. Trace wanted to banish such insecurity; this was his gang, his family, and no 'stupid question' was going to spoil that. With a snort, he added, <<I deal with Arashi's questions and bad-mouthing, I'm sure anything you ask would be better than that.>>
The puppy smiled at that, optimism restored with a wave of his tiny tail, <<Ha, that's for sure! Alright, then that's what I'll do.>>
Havoc made a motion, as though he were about to bound off -- no doubt to get into a different flavor of mischief -- but halted mid-step. He remained in place, as though he were considering something or was at a loss of what to do next. Trace had gone back to work by this point, but mused at the idea that the houndour seemed to have taken on the trait of not thinking ahead, or otherwise planning his next step. Appeared to be rampant around these parts, as a matter of fact... <<Was there something else you wanted to ask?>> he queried, just in case.
<<No, not really,>> the pup replied slowly, pausing briefly in order to shake his head and right his thoughts, <<Well actually... what's the next course of action? What are the plans now?>> He was referring to the gang as a whole, still unsure of how drastically things were to change now that Arashi looked more like some strange poké-fanatic rather than a full-blooded pokémon. Quite the damper, if he did say so.
<<I don't think anything's really changed. We're still protecting our home, keeping the other gangs away from thinking they can waltz in and take over... They'll probably try to weasel their way in, say something about Arashi not being Arashi anymore, but I don't see much difference from how things were before,>> Trace concluded. He sighed; it was a bit difficult to try to convince everyone else that nothing had truly changed, outside of their leader's physical appearance... even Arashi himself was a bit hard to persuade to the same effect. He had to be truthful about it, though, and after considering the effects of this development, he frowned, <<Things are likely to get a bit messy. Be on your guard, okay? I think Arashi's been heading out of town more often to keep our rivals from trying to do anything more drastic than usual, but it could just as easily backfire. They might think the place would be easier to conquer if he weren't here at the time. Just... be on your toes?>>
Havoc gave a solemn nod, a mite perturbed at the thought. Rocking a bit in place, he inched a quiet question onto the table, <<Is it cool if I stay close by, until Arashi gets back?>>
Trace felt a little guilty about making the houndour so nervous, but it was honestly better to be safe than sorry; he didn't want the little guy to get into anything he couldn't easily make it out of on his own. <<It doesn't bother me at all, Havoc.>>
<<Thanks,>> the fire-type perked.
[[ Word Count: 1,731 ]]
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 2:01 am
☾Roleplay #1
Title: In the Nick of Thyme (messenger RP) Participants: Chayyim & Trace Stage: Pokémon (Both) Status:Complete!
Premise: With the right mindset, predator and prey are all interchangeable concepts, but is it going to ruin a friendship that barely got off the ground?
- - -
Roleplay: Under spoiler
Lirilei The park was an interesting place to live since by day it tended to be full of children running all over and causing mayhem even when they weren't trying. It was safer for him to stay deep in his bushes and avoid being chased. Again. It was quiet now though so Chayyim peeped out through the bushes and looked up at the rising moon. Yes it was dark. Good.
The city was quite noisy even at night so despite how quiet the park it was there was always noise. Cars, and sirens and such. Not like the forest. He missed the quiet forest! Still he was hungry and there was no people so off he scurried looking for food that might be about.
Watchful eyes were on him as he foraged and Chayyim yelped as he heard a Noctowl in the trees causing him to take off running without paying attention and before long he was rolling down a slight grassy embankment and coming out onto a sidewalk. So much for the park...it was too steep to climb up easily!
Here though was too exposed. Another hoot. Closer! Chayyim was a bundle of nerves not wanting to be eaten by the bird and so off he ran again as quickly as he could, dodging behind a car tire a moment and along a dark alley where he crashed into...something. He didn't know what this big silver thing was. Just that it clanged.
It was also precariously perched on a stack of trash and it went toppling down with a few more loud clangs spooking Chayy and causing him to yelp in shock. Moreso as it came to a rest on top of him trapping him under it and some garbage. This...was not good!
One little hand banged against the metal can with a sigh. Great...stuck...well maybe he could eat...something. Though something smelled a lot like Ursaring droppings....maybe he'd pass.
MoogerMint It was no wonder that Arashi tended to take a breather and sneak out of the city limits so frequently lately, the sheer amount of stress in the air around downtown's back alleys where 'home' was precariously situated was enough to drive anyone batty. Trace had spent most of the day preoccupying a very chatty Havoc in an attempt to get his poké-kid friend to reconsider running off again so soon for the banks of solitude, but yeesh, did he have a headache now! It seemed the one good thing about the hyperactive pups was that they tired out so much more hastily than their young adult comrades. Trace silently wondered if Havoc had passed out from a lack of oxygen, honestly...
His ears flicked to the greater spans of silence that were offered with the falling of darkness. When one's coat matched the shadows that enveloped their surroundings, it was much like he could pretend he was in his own little world. While it wasn't completely mute, in a city so bustling, it was much more akin to silence on the whole. Especially in the backyard that was the alleyways, where bricked walls buffered the more overt noises.
Well, MOST noises. A sudder coursed through the poochyena's body at the sharp clatter of metal on asphalt as he cringed. After the initial cringing, and cursing that something of such volume were to attack the quiet atmosphere, worry quickly drove the other emotions away. Was this a raid? Was someone attempting to cause damage under the cover of night? The dread of a sneak attack drove him to investigate the sound that seemed to come from a single alleyway over. He couldn't rule anything out.
Upon arrival, however, he couldn't spot anything amiss but for the trash being scattered about an overturned garbage can. Was it just that someone overfilled the container? Skeptically, the small pokémon inched closer and, cautiously... kicked at the can.
Lirilei Chayyim didn't like it under here. It smelled horrible, worse by the passing moment really! The little bug was trying to push the trash on and around him as far from him as he could manage but it felt like he was out of breathable air. He couldn't even see light from under the bottom of this thing and it was much too big or him to move.
"Questa puzza peggio del tempo l'Ursaring andato cacca nei miei cespugli! C'è odore di un intero branco di loro hanno!" yes the smell was so bad it smelled like a whole Sleuth of the bears had done their business in that tiny spot and he was going to suffocate from the stench! He just hoped none was on him!
He'd been just about to start banging again to see if maybe by sheer luck it wouldn't move when it was kicked and he yelped toppling backwards into the refuse and gagging noise heard from inside the upturned can.
"Aiuto! Fatemi uscire!"
In his panic, he didn't realize he was calling for help to be let out in something others wouldn't easily understand. He had found a human book some time ago and had for lack of anything else do to at times had studied it, and learned how to speak another language. Which was not a bad thing....usually.
He banged on the can again as he got to his feet and landed against it legs tangling in...something and making him fall into the can with another clang.
MoogerMint While Trace hadn't expected anything specifically to come from his attempt at determining whether anything was hiding beneath the shell of a garbage can, it would be a safe bet to say he wasn't expecting THAT. Quickly reacting to the sound, he hopped back a pace or two, on guard for anything to pop out once more sound welled up from within the can. Something was in there, and he had to be sure they didn't cause any MORE damage; he was sick of all the futile power struggles.
However, the sound that emerged was not one of a predator. It was not one of one who deemed themselves prey. Heck, it wasn't anything the poochyena could make out! His head rose again, immediately disarmed in his defense as he gave the can a puzzled look. Well... it was safe to say that whoever was in there was not anybody involved in the gang wars so rampant through these parts. None of those pokémon, throwing their status around, would have been intelligent enough to pick up on a foreign language so fluently!
He hopped back over, <> It wouldn't do any good to explain the situation to one outside of the problem, so he shook his head and hopped on a stack of newspapers to the side of the can, likely the cause for the metallic container to trip and fall, in a sense. <> he directed, blinking once he realized that the one trapped beneath probably wasn't getting any of this. <> he tried once more, placing his front paws on the side of the can and shoving it over. Hopefully it wouldn't take the opportunity to smack the prisoner within with the outer rim, but it was all he could do, considering he was not of very tall stature himself!
Lirilei Chayyim could understand perfectly what was being said to him of course. He might have even laughed at the reaction he and his ranting in Italian had brought about but no he wanted out of this Arceus forsaken prison and to breath fresh air again not Ursaring cacca. It was a wholly disgusting smell being trapped with what was more likely a human childs dirty diaper and not Ursaring poop. Not that he knew of such human contrivances.
There was a huff of extreme displeasure from Chayyim given his current state, but it couldn't be helped at this point he knew. "Fare in modo di che cosa?" making sure of what indeed! That he wasn't some wild Ratticate bent on attacking when set free? As if! "Lato opposto? Che parte è? Sembra che tu sei tutto!" Of course the voice on the outside sounded like it was all over this metal trap had the voice on the outside echoing and making it hard to tell what side was the opposite.
He ducked however curling up into a quivering mass of green and black looking like a trembling leafy ball. He finally looked up cautiously and sprung to his feet quickly eyes darting around as he let out an excited "L'aria fresca! Libertà!" Fresh air and freedom were good. Though looking down at himself he made a face and looked not to mention sounded ready to gag. "Ugh! Sono coperto di cacca!" not so much covered as one of his leaves did have some smeared on it. The offending leaf was quickly tugged off and dropped and then he paused, suddenly still.
Who had let him out?
"Ciao? Hello?"
MoogerMint Before his paws had fully collided with the outside of the garbage can's husk, Trace did worry that all the ranting done in a language he was not familiar with was attempting to warn him of something. He didn't understand a lick of it, couldn't pinpoint any known words within the sentences, and with a grazing thought, wondered if it was code. There wasn't a bomb in here or something, right? No matter, he'd deal with it when he dealt with it. Everything had happened quite suddenly, with the toppling can, so it was near impossible that it was anything dangerous. Was the pokémon within, perhaps, hiding from something? The noise wasn't going to help.
In fact, it would help considerably less now, shoved off from its station over the cowering burmy and rolling into the car parked next to the sidewalk. Trace winced as the collision occurred, but a relieved sigh escaped once he realized the car hadn't an alarm activated. <> he grumbled with a shake of his head.
His attention quickly turned back to the one trapped under the can, now set free. Didn't look like the little guy was carrying anything dangerous... well, except for a terrible smell. His ears were fully upright, but only caught more Italian spilling forth from the burmy's mouth. <> the poochyena said, still fully convinced his words would go misunderstood in return as he hopped to the ground again. Well this was... awkward. Usually individuals exchanged some words after stunts like this, but Trace wasn't sure what he would have preferred more: awkward silence, or for the burmy to continue speaking as though the poochyena could fully comprehend it all. At least it was a beautiful language... but listening and responding were two different things.
Wait... did he just say something Trace could understand? <> he barked softly, noticing he was still not within proper light and moved to correct this fact.
Lirilei Chayyim watched as the can went bouncing off and into the car and he winced a little. That was bound to leave a mark on the car parked there but it seemed like a completely foolish place to park as it was. He finished removing a few offending leaves...he'd have to get several new ones at this rate. All for the better. These ones all stank as did he. He'd have to find somewhere to wash up a little before long or the smell was liable to follow him and that wouldn't be good.
Realizing that his rescuer wasn't understanding him Chayyim forced his brain to shift gears and into a more "proper" language. Or at least a better understood one. Seemed when panicked the learned language decided to take over a little. <> a slight accent lingered to his words even as he switched about into a more common tongue. He was still looking around for who it was that saved him hearing him but not seeing him. It was when the movement in the light caught his attention.
Of course Chayyim backed up a few steps, he couldn't see well. The other now had the light more behind him and it made Chayy blink a moment before he was smiling. <> the little bug gave a thankful smile to the other and gave a funny little bow. <> he seemed genuinely embarrassed and he was indeed very sheepish over it!
MoogerMint Trace was certainly surprised to hear the startled little burmy begin to speak a language more familiar, all but convinced the conversation was going to be a bit more lacking in the coherence department. His bandaged tail found itself wagging slightly in relief, and a toothy smile was offered, <> The poochyena hadn't heard of a pokémon learning the human tongue first before, but it wasn't impossible an aspect to consider.
His ears tilted back once he realized he had frightened the bug type even further with his sudden appearance, but it wasn't anything that Trace could help. He lightly shook his head in response, <> There was a bit of a shrug, as though to indicate that it wasn't a big deal; there was no need for the burmy to get so frazzled, and the poochyena was unused to so much formality!
...Or was there a reason for him to get so worked up? <> he asked, wondering if he had been chased by those Trace thought were hiding in the can in the first place. Noticing as the burmy kept picking on his leafy coccoon, he tilted his head and snickered, <> Well, it was best to head in that direction as a group, if that's where the burmy wanted to go, anyway. Trace had nothing he needed to get done, so it wouldn't be much of a detour.
Lirilei <> he sounded just a little shy about it all. No one had really ever taken any sort of an interest. Though he did tend to keep to himself back in the forest. He gave a grateful smile to the Poochyena and looked to relax for a moment.
<> he looked back towards it curiously as it glinted dully in the light. <> oh was it ever! He took a deep breath though and finally seemed to calm down even further feeling as if he wasn't in any danger from this one. Who went through the trouble of rescuing someone to turn around and attack them? He didn't know many...or any off the top of his head!
<> His eyes widened and he nodded his head. "Ah sì! Il parco!...Oh..." <> a wry look given. <>
MoogerMint If it wasn't apparent by now, it was clear that the burmy was definitely a wild pokémon. While he couldn't pinpoint why, Trace felt more comfortable knowing that fact. He was surprised at the intellect the burmy exibited in his declaration of knowing how to read a Gaian book, and smiled at that, <> Either way, the ability to pick something up to such a degree as the little insect had was intriguing, and Trace was ever the type to learn all he could when such interest arose.
Peering at the garbage can that had since shuddered to silence, Trace considered where to start; the object amounted to something different depending on who you spoke to. <> he stated, indicating the scattered remnants of the contents around them, <> He was obviously speaking from experience here. Barking a laugh at the burmy's disgust with the current can load, he nodded, <>
Trace looked the little burmy over, seeing that he was no worse for wear despite everything he had recounted that he had endured. Well, other than the smell. <> he quietly exclaimed, <> That didn't bode too well... While concerned, he still managed to flash a smile, <>
Lirilei <> he picked up on Trace's interest and gave a smile. <> he shrugged a little trying to recall and truly failing. <>
<> he looked at the pile of garbage there and shook his head now that he could get a good look at it all. <> he kicked one leg loose and happily walked away from the mess. This was so gross!
He gave a light laugh as the other commented on the night he'd had. <> he had no reason to hide this fact. He'd been terrified for his life! <> he didn't want Trace to be annoyed by his slowness. <> oh how hopeful he sounded at this idea. Oh he did hope it was gone he didn't want to be dinner! <> he gave a smile to the other and waited to see which way to go to follow along.
MoogerMint While Trace was eager to learn about all this scholarly knowledge, a sponge for information, he thought better of it and restrained himself from too much excitement. He wasn't Havoc, and while he felt eager enough to be likened to the pup, he did not want to give off that impression. He was more mature than his teammate was! However, it wasn't every day that he ran into an individual who wasn't just a ruffian off the streets in need of entertainment; it was truly a rare sight around these parts. <> he snorted thoughtfully, as it was really quite sad, <> Of course, at the mention of it being an easy obstacle to overcome, Trace had to bite his tongue before asking if Chayyim could teach him sometime. He didn't want to pull the burmy into the back alley's constant power struggles, and hanging out with the poochyena for any extended time like that would only manage to put the insect in harm's way. It seemed he had enough of that going on merely fending off the birds!
<> Trace laughed, <> Wow, he could only imagine how unrefined he sounded, talking about digging through trash for a meal... why had THAT popped up in conversation!? Clearing his throat as though to change the topic, he nodded an affirmative, <> Maybe the poochyena would have to give the burmy a few extra pointers after all.
Trace bounded forward without a second thought, <> He didn't mind the midnight stroll, it was quite nice! <> Ooh, this was going to take a LOT of explaining, wasn't it? He kept his eyes peeled for any of the nocturnal birds as he progressed across the empty street, <> Seemed Chayyim wasn't the only one being optimistic; noctowls had quite a few levels on the poochyena at their weakest!
( Continued in next post )
Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 2:04 am
In the Nick of Thyme part 2
Lirilei Chayyim thought that Trace seemed excited by the idea even if he was keeping himself from showing it, and wondered a little about that but decided at this point not to ask it felt like it would be rude. <> which was just deplorable really. <> he gave a quietly amused laugh as he followed behind the other. <> well why not offer? What else did he have to do with his time anyhow? Not a whole lot, so this would be a fun way to spend time if the other wanted!
<> there was a gentle laugh from Chayy then. He wasn't about to judge Trace on how he found enough food to eat, he knew that even in the forest it could be hard to find food and at times animals were reduced to foraging from other places they normally wouldn't Survival of the fittest was called that for a reason, whatever it took to survive. <> he saw no reason to deny this fact. He didn't have much opportunity to fight and when he did, well bug bite and tackle only got a bug so far really <>
Maybe he was mistaken and they were wary of the interloper. It was entirely possible now that he thought about it. He scurried after Trace as quickly as he could though it was the curbing that caused a light problem and he went toppling over the edge and landed into a puddle of rancid ice cream and soggy cone. <> the words muttered as he got to his feet a few more leaves coming off in the process, and left behind in the muck he'd gotten caught in. <> the falling off the curb, or being trapped under the can really. He needed to slow down apparently!
As they approached the hill he started trying to make his way up it only to topple and roll back down little legs kicking a moment before he righted himself. <> he sounded cheerful all things considered which had to be something. Though he looked perplexed then. <> he looked at the direction they'd come from not realizing he could have been in bigger danger there than if he'd stayed put here! <>
MoogerMint Trace could easily hear the truth in the observations Chayyim relayed, all too familiar with the way scavengers could litter an area like the best of them. It was less common with those that had to live in the streets where others thought it may be more likely to run in to, but only if the one who was making a mess of the area was unaccustomed to the fact they'd have to be living in it. In the back alleys, they were a surprisingly clean bunch... at least as far as the streets themselves were concerned. <> he decided with a light snort. He glanced back as he was leading the way back to the park, pausing briefly, <> Eh, best not to worry the little guy right now; what could it hurt? He bobbed his head sharply, <>
Wrinkling his nose as he remembered the smell, he started back on his trek to lead the burmy back home, <> While the poochyena wouldn't have jumped to calling the burmy judgmental, he was not going to assume that he wasn't. However, Trace wasn't going to lie about anything as it came up... the world just wasn't as pretty a place as some made it out to be. <> Trace formally greeted with a wag of his tail, <> He wasn't going to point out his bandaged tail in indication of that, but there was a reason it wasn't in the best of conditions. There was nothing to be embarrassed about as a combatless pokémon, as far as Trace was concerned! But it was worrisome, it didn't sound like Chayyim had anyone to turn to for guideance, no family for support. <> he snickered; it was so empty in the park during this time of night!
He hadn't moved too far, keeping the pace fairly slow until he was able to gauge how swiftly Chayyim was capable of following. He hadn't long to determine before the burmy caught the curb, and flinched at the sound of messed up leaves hitting the street. Trace wasted little time in hopping back over, <> At least his acquaintance didn't look injured, and upon reflection, couldn't help but snicker at the reaction, <> It was more a cheer than a command, but one that didn't get the opportunity for much heed before the hill triumphed over the burmy's attempted ascent. He smiled as Chayyim asked about how others might not be so nice, <> No, he didn't realize how awkward that sounded. It also wasn't until Trace grabbed the nape of Chayyim's neck and started hauling him off did he realize... he probably could have offered for the burmy to ride on his back or something. Oops. Blame instinct, but he was careful!
Lirilei <> he sounded thoughtful as he recalled those times in the forest. Vandilism? Naaah. Hunger, and curiosity though...more than likely. <> he was quick to clarify his question realizing he sounded sort of redundant in the original asking. Chayyim beamed as the other accepted his offer. <> he had faith in his new acquaintance who was in his mind already edging into the borders of being a friend. That was nice!
<> well he'd smelled it first hand he had no need to guess! <> sirens and helicopters. Noisy things! <> logical thinking as far as he was concerned. Too much unknown, too many variables. He didn't want to be caught unawares and find himself in hot water because of it unable to defend himself better! <> he gave a smile though as the other said he'd help him. <>
<> he laughed sheepishly then, a slight shrug given, rustling his leaves as he did so. Though he took Trace's words into consideration his whole body tipping sideways a little in a contemplative look. <> his tone was light and he gave a low laugh of amusement at the situation. At least he didn't seem to be bothered by constructive criticisms! <> he didn't really pay attention to how awkward that sounded, though he could tell it was in a way. He merely let the comment glide by without commenting on it. Chayyim didn't wiggle about as he was carried, and instead kept his eyes peeled for any birds or other things that might cause them trouble. So far, so good he imagined. <> he waved a hand towards the big sign that had the word lake with a representation of one below it.
MoogerMint <> Trace quickly agreed, <> Realizing the slip-up, he hastily added, <> Glancing around the back alleys, he took note of just how quiet things were, noting that Chayyim probably didn't realize how busy even these back streets could be during the day, <> He seemed to roll his eyes at the thought of being so closely alluded to in reference to the rival gangs, but he really didn't want to give the wrong impression. Chayyim had been through enough worrying tonight, he didn't need to potentially add on to it. He had some faith in the poochyena it seemed, though! <> he razzed. The burmy really was a sweet guy, Trace just hoped he didn't always stake so much on an individual! Or did he just make that good of an impression? It was hard to say from his own standpoint.
Trace snorted, amused at the direction this conversation about 'safe and unsafe garbage' had taken, <> Calloused paw pads touching a scalding metal can was one thing, but he couldn't be sure if it would be the same for the little bagworm. He took another glance around the place, as though observing as indicated by the burmy before him, <> He didn't mean to be insensitive, but his curiosity left him blind to such attachment being burned, a flaw adaptability caused; heck, he even wanted to scope it out! <> he laughed, <> It sounded a little funny, and he made that point by stating the idea flatly, but he really did think it would be fun!
<> Trace mused as the burmy accepted the poochyena's terms, <> Once they were on their way, the trek to the lake hadn't taken too much time, considering Chayyim had managed to speed his way to the alley while equipped with such a small body. The idea that any noctowls spotting him with the burmy in his teeth, even if it was a false play, was one of the things he had been striving for with the action. If the noctowl that had chased Chayyim as prey were watching, maybe it would think it lost it's meal and fly the coop. It was worth a shot, but careful strategy wasn't something that Trace normally stated out loud. Glancing at the sign that was indicated, Trace blinked his eyes and took in the strange characters that were scrawled on the sign, taking swifter steps toward the water's edge before placing Chayyim down, <> Lesson one.
Lirilei <> the thought behind keeping the streets clean since it was their home after all. He gave a light chuckle a little self conscious a grateful smile to Trace for quickly smoothing that over. <> he couldn't help a warm laugh then. Trace was so easy to talk to!
<> he listened intently, looking around. <> not the same but he had a vague idea at least!
<> he smiled again a sort of shrug given. He had high hopes for others it seemed, especially when given a reason to think they could do something.
<>
<> he spoke of the forest fondly, a little sadness to his voice yes, but that was to be expected after losing his home...but there was hope that the forest would survive and thrive despite the disaster.
<> that was one way to look at it, bartering abilities and all.
<> why not?
A snicker came from Chayy then that shook his leaves in mirth. <> he beamed at the other as he was called funny. It was nice to have a friend to talk with, he didn't feel so lonely now.
Chayy hung there in Trace's mouth unmoving, not that he was in on the thought process going on but he figured a lack of movement on his part would draw less attention. Over head a Noctowl could be heard, a disgusted sortt of figures out of it, before it flew off. Chayy was shaking...with laughter. It was gone!
<> Once down Chayy went to the shallow edge and into the water splashing about a bit in it. A few more leaves went floating away but he wasn't concerned. After a bit the smell seemed to be gone and he shook himself a bit and scrambled out of the water.
<> and there he went sort of burrowing into a nearby bush to get some leaves. Shaking of the bush happened and some thoughtful noises. <> and before long the shaking and noises stopped as he finished plucking leaves working them all back into a proper covering.
Better! <> his voice was happy as he popped out of the bushes looking around as he did so.
MoogerMint He may have been more self-conscious about living off the streets, much like eating the pickings out of a garbage tin, if Trace had known much of what it was like outside of this particular realm of comfort in the city. If anything, he thought the humans had a MUCH stranger way of living; the feral pokémon life felt less synthetic. <> Trace barked, unconcerned of Chayyim missing a beat, <> His tapered ears twitched then, on that note, beginning to feel the silence may have been a bit deafening around them. How strange.
The poochyena laughed at the correlation that Chayyim remarked, <> Smelly piles indeed!
That seemed like a logical way to go about the mentor-student mentality, and Trace was all for using it, <> Coming from two different backgrounds, it was easy to see where missteps could occur, but they also seemed to be two very patient and easygoing pokémon, so that was bound to help. He grinned at the determination, <>
Trace beamed at the threads of knowledge the burmy was able to bind together and follow to understand the concepts better; he really was a natural! <>
If he had been more receptive to emotion that could be tied to someone's home, he may have thought twice about mentioning the state of the forest. However, with Chayyim's explanation of the workings of a forest's life cycle, Trace's tail began waving slowly once more, <> His ears stood upright at the invitation, briefly wondering if the leafy insect was capable of reading his mind, <> Not so subtle about it, either.
<> he laughed; it didn't seem much like an equal trade that way, but maybe Trace could figure out some other way to pay the kind burmy back at a later date. The dark-furred pokémon attempted to brush Chayyim's worry about his predator off with a worriless shrug, especially after a mention of honing battle skills, <> He was feeling a bit mischievous, it seemed, but hey, he was in a good mood. He was quick to give a nod in agreement about being shown Chayyim's current home, <> The gang didn't tend to stay too long in any one alley, but they preferred the same set of them along those few blocks. He stuck his tongue out playfully at that, <> Chayyim was definitely very easy to get along with; it was very rare to find someone so flexible with adapting to others as the burmy seemed to be!
Trace stiffened briefly at the sound of wings overhead as he carried the limp little bug in his teeth carefully. The tightening of muscles was invisible under his coarse fur as he moved, eyes unflinching to his friend's predator above. His ears were strained to hear, held sharply upright and tilting to the slightest ruffle of feathers. QUITE ruffled, as a matter of fact; he didn't have to wait long to hear the large bird slide off through the air, and Trace had to hold back a smirk that threatened to tighten his hold on the burmy.
After Chayyim was placed lakeside, Trace took a few steps back to stand back in front of the sign. He read the letters on the weathered board in unison to the explanation, and repeating them some more once they were conveyed to drill it in. After a moment, eyes still on the script, the poochyena piped up, <> How many was he going to have to memorize to such extent?
In his concentration, he didn't notice the quiet skulking of an intruder amongst the bushes near the lake, orange pelt a flash in the dark until obscured, observing. Trace snapped back to attention after the hidden pokémon was already in place, curious to how the burmy fastened those leaves so carefully to his person and, from the mutterings he picked up on, how he picked the right ones. He smiled, <> Habit could create quick skill.
A toothy, menacing grin in the shade of the bush beheld a flame-colored canine, leaping from its confines to tackle the burmy where it stood in an attempt to hold it hostage. The setup was just too perfect, too exposed, to let opportunity go. The growlithe's pride had been injured, and now he could have this rival gang's lackey underneath his paw. It was so simple that it almost seemed preposterous. Trace was a good few yards away, he wouldn't be able to make it over in time, even with the taunting, <> The poochyena was quick to his feet, already bounding towards the all-too-familiar inflections with teeth bared.
Lirilei Fortunately, Chayyim wasn't about to judge Trace or any other city dwelling pokemon for how, or where they lived. They all had to live somewhere after all, so the city was as good as anywhere. Especially if one knew the ins and outs of the place. <> he nodded though with a smile. <>
<>
<> he was glad Trace seemed so willing, he didn't know many that would be honestly. Most back in the forest had been content to let life go as is it did day by day with no want to broaden their horizons. Talk about boring.
Chayyim kept the knowledge that shiny things tended to be hot and burning in a compartment of his mind that he knew would retain the information for quick use. It was a useful tidbit of information he'd been given just then, and it wouldn't do to forget!
<> which was possible.
<> he laughed then. That was the biggest thing he missed, the greenery but really it wasn't so bad around here.
<> it was a good arrangement in his mind. <> there was no harm to honesty!
<> he could see Trace moved faster than him so this probably was the ideal arrangement really. <> he'd known some real bullies back in the forest. Nothing as elaborate as the gangs here, but similar none the less. Not that he mentioned them, it wasn't necessary he didn't think.
<>
Chayy was so busy washing and then getting his leaves picked and refastened he hadn't noticed anyone else either. Though even if he had, wouldn't have thought anything of it. <>
Chayyim had almost no sooner emerged from the bushes and taken a few steps towards Trace when he found himself suddenly flat on the ground tumbling and skidding a little, a heavy paw holding him down and making him grunt a little even as he writhed under it.
He was more than a little startled to be in such a predicament, and as he lay there staring up at the Growlithe, he could see Trace running towards them and he felt a sudden worry for his friend. It seemed the two were not friends.
Chayy also recalled how confused Trace had been back in the alley so he thought quick and began to yell in Italian again. "Ti dispiace? Scendere me scemo!" It was probably a good thing the Growlithe wouldn't understand...most didn't like being called a jerk. Though being gotten off of would be nice!
He wished he could communicate with Trace without the Growlithe understanding. Still...what could be done? Probably not much. <> he tried to bite at the Growlithes paw, but he was being pinned in such a way he couldn't reach him, and his feet flailed a little trying to kick himself free. He was just too small in comparison!
MoogerMint Trace considered the differences in activity where it related to the weather, and could easily remember the differences well enough, <> Arashi, on the other hand, often had problems with it as a pokémon... The poochyena really didn't see it being too difficult for the little burmy to adjust to city life at this rate, so open to the knowledge that it took to live comfortably within, which was quite a relief!
He laughed as Chayyim relayed his wishes of what would happen with problematic neighbors, and the canine couldn't have agreed more on the idea, <> He let the snickering subside before adding, <>
Interest was exibited in the perked stance Trace took as he listened to Chayyim's knowledge on the life cycles of the forest, a land that the young poochyena hadn't seen but on the horizon. <> he agreed. Trace had heard of celebi in passing, but didn't know the specifics other than it was some sort of rare type of pokémon. There was some excitement cropping up when he heard that Chayy would be happy about showing him the forest to experience first hand the wonders he was explaining, his tail dusting the ground once more, <>
The bite pokémon couldn't agree more whole-heartedly with the assertion of progression via help, <> Snickering, he relayed that Chayyim hadn't the need to really answer it, it was just a bit of a joke; he knew they both could handle it. <>
Trace was listening to Chayyim as he described the alphabet and the need to learn of it first, mulling over the number twenty-six. Big number... but he didn't seem to react further as he watched the letters on the sign. He was fairly certain he could remember 'lake,' at least. It sounded like a good plan! He was about to say as much, but there was little time to convey it, and little time to react.
<> the growlithe practically sighed, a sideways glance aimed at Chayyim while his posture was still directed at Trace, an attempt to keep an eye on them both. Trace was already on his way, but the fire-type didn't want him getting an uncomfortable-amount of close, and growled low to make that point clear, dulled claws aiding to keep the burmy pinned down, <>
If the growlithe were going to say anything else in an effort to taunt, or somehow exploit the situation, it was all but forgotten when his attention was ripped back to his prisoner with a language most alien. <> he barked, certain that he had heard the burmy speaking his own native tongue before he had been tackled to the ground, <> The unknown was enough to spark further irritation, and he nudged the insect with the paw that pinned him.
Trace was at a loss for words, even when he was questioned about why the situation was happening. What was he suppose to do? He'd never encountered a hostage situation, and bartering with the enemy was not something that could be done so easily when the one who he was dealing with lacked the mindset for mediation. <> he was quick to cut himself off; oh crap. The growlithe didn't like that sneak attack, despite it being no worse than that the canine had offered to the bug in greeting. He released Chayyim from his grasp, pulling his paw free from biting range, and bristled, growling. Run run run, the chase was fun. He pulled back before launching himself to attack. The poochyena wouldn't have the speed to reach either of them in time outside a quickly-coughed, <>
Lirilei <> he didn't like the cold so much. For one it killed the bushes he lived in and took away the green leaves he hid in. So it wasn't something he looked forward to, even if snow was interesting. <>
<> he gave a pleased smile to the bite pokemon, looking thrilled to be helping honestly.
<> cycles, chains, circles..it was all much the same really. <> which was unfortunate in his mind. <> the rise of the sun over a building, the way the early morning haze filtered through trees...the city did hold a certain sort of beauty of its own.
Chayy realized that Trace was teasing and gave a laugh and a nod in way of an answer to the questions he didn't expect a response to. <> pester? Nope not the word he'd use at all!
For his part Chayyim realized that the Growlithe above him was bad news, even if he didn't know why. He admitted to himself he was a little scared but he wasn't about to let that fear deter him, or stop him from wriggling and trying to get free, even if the pokemon above him was quite big and heavy in comparison.
Though he couldn't help a smirk at confusing the puppy pokemon and continued on for a few moments longer, yelling utter nonesense as it were to keep him off guard. The nudge though, it made him squeak a little, a wheeze coming from him. He was seriously of classed in terms of weight, and was afraid being squashed like a...well...bug.
Chayyim's failed biting though worked to his advantage and he got to his feet and ran not towards the bushes...they were blocked and would take him too close to the Growlithe as was. Nope, he started off towards Trace as quickly as he could run wishing he knew string shot, or something else useful!
He ran as hard as he could, which still was nothing compared to how fast the irked Growlithe would likely be following, and so he turned suddenly and shook himself, a sort of shudder running through him as he worked up the nerve...then launched himself at the Growlithe in an attempt to tackle. He hoped to at least startle the puppy pokemon and give him pause for thought.
<> he wasn't worried about himself, he could dive into the bushes if he went a little further. He could see that the Growlithe had done this to get to his new friend, so if his friend ran, well then there'd be no point right? So he hoped!
MoogerMint <> Trace laughed. It felt like they were acting a bit spoiled to him, but... he shrugged, <> He couldn't deny that! Mildly frowning, the poochyena asked, <> Maybe he could find a scarf or something that Chayyim could use... Trace at least had fur! It was another piece of knowledge that others could stand to learn, really, but it all came down to a matter of whether they were open to such suggestion, as Chayyim was quick to point out, <>
The canine nodded in agreement. While he hadn't been fully aware of how resilient the world had been, having had more pressing matters to focus on over his short life, he could definitely see it now that he had the time to reflect! <> he mused, taking the moment to think a little on that until he realized he was going to get himself lost -- maybe later. <> the poochyena snickered. There weren't many bug-types in town, that was for sure! It seemed Chayy was really adjusting to the thought of living here, though, and that somehow made Trace glad to know. It was his home, after all, and he was more than willing to share!
Trace grinned at the affirmative laugh, feeling as though they were on the same wavelength there. It wasn't very often he found himself under such impression so quickly; it was quite refreshing! <> he tried to explain carefully, <>
There was a hint of a sadistically pleased smirk on the growlithe's face as he successfully cut the nonsensical babbling off with the burmy's own wheeze, paw to his ribs. He wasn't suppose to get distracted from his goal, though, and had to shove the thought back to the forefront of his mind before he continued to torment Chayyim without probable cause, even after the bagworm had attempted to bite and flee.
Trace's confusion about how to deal with a hostage situation, born of an inexperience with the concept on a first-hand basis, left his own mind blank. He froze in his steps when the growlithe had threatened with Chayyim's well-being, but the burmy wasn't going to be mistaken for a pokémon in distress -- he was fighting back with what little he knew of battling. That frightened Trace. The growlithe knew a thing or two about out-of-the-blue brawls, but Chayyim? Well he could think much more logically than his attacker, but cleverness is where his advantage ended. He didn't want to see anything bad happen to the little guy, all because he merely spoke with the poochyena!
The growlithe gave chase, irritatedly trying to catch the burmy again before he reached his destination. He was pretty fast for a grounded insect! Focused and driven, he couldn't have reacted in time to avoid the sudden turn and tackle that came back at him from the shrub of a caterpillar, even when Chayyim hesitated before initiating the counterattack, hitting the fire-type's head as he charged. The most he could have hoped for was to knock the wind out of the bug, maybe bruise something with the collision, but he was edging on furious at this point. This was going all wrong! He had the advantage! He hissed, grappling with a mild case of vertigo, <>
With his mind still scrambling for comprehension, Trace ignored the instruction given to him by his new acquaintance. Chayyim and the streetwise growlithe were only a couple of yards away because of the manner to which the burmy had confused his pursuer, and this gave ample capability to the poochyena to launch his own unpredictable attack. At such a close proximity, Trace feared that Chayy would ony get himself battered -- or worse -- as the one he was grappling with was an unpredictably angry force. He didn't give any warning to the growlithe nor the burmy before he charged. The puppy pokémon's eyes grew wide once he realized this, and in an attempt to keep hold of his trump card, he attempted to grab Chayyim directly before impact... with his teeth.
MoogerMint <> Trace laughed. When comforts were a convenience, an established way of life, as opposed to something one would have to fight to earn... well, it was almost like comparing it to a third world country. <> he suggested. He would have mentioned staying with his little gang, but there wasn't always a stable -- or warm -- place for all of them, either. The canine was almost beginning to feel like a sponsor at this rate, but it felt good to offer the support.
Burmy? Huh, he'd never heard of that kind of pokémon, especially the more Chayyim described his kind. <> the poochyena queried; he'd never heard of a pokémon needing the use of clothing before, either! He snickered as the bug-type reevaluated what Trace had complained about with the gossiping and could only nod an affirmative, <> He just didn't want to worry the little guy by going into further detail...
The most nerve-wracking part of Chayyim attempting to fight back against the more battle-experienced growlithe was the fact that the burmy had mentioned needing the practice. He had wanted Trace to teach him basics... but this was much too advanced a course for a novice! Sure, the growlithe wasn't the sharpest tack in the box... but he was still a danger, and anything that had potential to inflict harm shouldn't be taken lightly. One of the rules of Trace's gang was never to underestimate an opponent: overestimation wasn't as deadly.
Chayyim's cry of pain only made Trace grow more focused, more sure of his own decision. Chayyim was in danger of taking more than a bite of damage, and if the poochyena could help it, that wouldn't come to pass. The fire-puppy seemed content with his effort, trying to pull the burmy closer to shield himself if he needed. Trace may not have been the most spry, but he was calculative. <> he growled, careful to miss Chayy upon impact with his rival. If all went according to plan, it would knock off the growlithe's grip on the burmy's leg without too much more damage, but on the fly, he couldn't be absolutely sure. All he had at his disposal was a Tackle and his own wits. He grabbed the orange pup at the ruff of his neck to pull him further away from Chayy, in the hopes that he would refrain from pulling the innocent party into this scuffle any further than he had. However, the taste of blood in the fire-type's mouth was enough to spark the adrenaline for combat, it seemed -- he wasn't going down without a fight!
Lirilei <> Chayy was chuckling softly though. He'd make due, he always did. Even if he did end up a bug-cicle once in awhile. It was just how it was really. <> well he didn't want to put the poochyena out after all.
<> and a fairly effective one. Usually.
Of course he needed the practice. Chayy was a run-and-hide sort of bug. Not a fight for whatever sort of bug. Flight over fight was the usual answer to his survival. So why had he fought back this time? He wasn't entirely sure, other than he felt guilty about Trace being dragged into something, and all because it involved him! If he hadn't been here, well Trace couldn't have been suckered into this mess.
That was only part of the reason. Chayy hadn't thought before he acted. He wanted to help the other, and this was the only way he knew of despite the considerable size difference. Chayy was thinking with his heart and not with his head.
Which was why he was now hanging from the puppy pokemon's teeth, and sort of drooped over upside down in a daze watching Trace run towards then looking like he was upside down...how weird. If he'd known he was being turned into a living shield he might have laughed. What good would a bug his size do for the growlithe?
He felt the growlithe's body shift with the impact of Trace's hit, heard the growls, and suddenly he was falling and bouncing on the ground. He looked up with blurred eyes and saw Trace pulling the growlithe away and he couldn't help but admire his new friends strength and bravery. He wished he could be strong!
He shook his head a moment to clear away the fog and got to his feet, favoring one leg due to the bite and looking down with a wince. Oh that hurt! He wanted to help Trace, but maybe he'd be more help if he wasn't so easily gotten to. Maybe hiding in the bushes? But...that was cowardly and he didn't want to be seen as a coward. So he took a step forward...and promptly fell due to his leg refusing to hold his weight.
There was a low grumble from him, and he pulled himself back up, and sucked in a deep breath, lips pressing together tightly as he made towards the pair. He really only wanted to help!
MoogerMint While trees didn't sound like the warmest of places to stay, Trace supposed the burmy was used to using the knotholes as a hideaway for the Winter while out in the forest. Something similar, huh? <> he thought aloud, glancing around at the clutter of a city street. Turning back to Chayyim, he gave a smile in reassurance, <> Of course he was going to go out and search if nothing presented itself in a timely manner... he didn't want the little guy to freeze!
Ahh, camouflage... funny, that's what Arashi had called his clothing. He supposed it was a fitting description, on both accounts! <> he offered a sheepish grin. All he and his gang had to worry about was other gangs kicking them out, or trainers... not being a potential meal for another pokémon! <> he mused. It was an interesting idea to consider!
It was almost funny to think how the night had originally begun. It had been mellow for Trace, but Chayyim found himself out of the frying pan and into the fryer, so to speak. Nobody was going to turn that burner on if Trace could help it, and he was momentarily relieved to note that his plan of knocking the burmy loose of the growlithe's maw went off without a hitch. Sure, he was worried that the bug type might hit his head on the ground, but that seemed to be a minor issue than the situation at hand, if only because it wasn't too far down from the fire-puppy's height.
Trace continued to try to drag his thrashing opponent away, but there were no great strides made in the effort. He wasn't the strongest of streetside pokémon, and the lack of the growlithe's sitting still was beginning to wear on his jaw. If only he'd had learned his species' trademark attack, then biting would have been so much easier... He saw Chayyim stumble but, although worried to the burmy's intentions of continuing with his relentless aid despite no proper training in the field, the poochyena kept his focus on holding the growlithe at bay. Hey, maybe tag-teaming wasn't so bad of an idea... but then, Chayyim was also injured, and Trace didn't want to risk furthering it.
However, the squirming became too much in a sudden twisting action, and before he could react proper, Trace had dropped his hold on the attacker. The growlithe was quick to his feet, though unsure of who his target should be in such close quarters. He even briefly considered high-tailing it... but in that moment of hesitation, Trace took initiative, for fear of who the fire-type may choose. Unfortunately, because of the attack being driven by counterreaction, a reflex, he hadn't considered the direction. The dark-type canine tackled the fire-type, but in grappling with him, sent the both of them nearer to Chayyim than he would have otherwise planned to do. <> he hissed through exertion. The growlithe was swinging blindly, and Trace was frightened those dulled claws may rake the burmy before he could get the limbs pinned.
Lirilei <> he should have been working on storing food for winter at this point, but he wasn't about to bring that up. One issue at a time. First a place to store the food, then the food that would need laid by for the cold season. He gave a bright smile to his new friend and a little bob of his body. <>
<> though he was wondering the merits of the plant coverage compared to a more urban one. Still, he was staying here in the park so it was probably best to stick to the greenery for the time being.>> he nodded his head and grinned. He'd seen a few various bugs, but then he knew what to look for. <> small helped at times!
If the worse thing to come of this entire situation was Chayyim hitting his head on the ground upon falling loose from the Growlithes mouth, then it would have been a wonderful night indeed. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately there was no head hitting happening, and he landed unharmed save for where he'd been bitten more than anything.
Chayyim watched with a mixture of awe and horror really watching Trace fighting with the puppy pokemon. He didn't want to see his friend hurt...and he almost listened. Almost started to run off...but they tumbled to a stop a little too close to him for him to run. He swore the Growlithe's tail swiped over him at one point! He reacted the only way he could with another bug bite, aiming for anywhere on his friends opponent. Anything to help. If only he could be sure he was going to be a help, not a hinderance!
MoogerMint Trace could identify the issues and recognized the urgency to find a fitting place for the Winter. He could tell that Chayyim was downplaying it as well, knowing full well how unpleasant, even deadly, the bite of the cold season could be. However, if the burmy was going to play it off that way, Trace could as well... at least in public. There was no way he was going to beat around the bush if things looked bleak in that respect, once time drew shorter, but for now it seemed relatively safe, locked in the heat of the Summer. A grin was offered; he was deceivingly good at making light of a situation himself, <>
It was a bit amusing, to consider how apt the term 'camouflage' was to both the leafy coat as well as human clothing on a pokémon. Both were made to masquerade as something other than what they were, were they not? Trace laughed at that, but nodded to indicate that he agreed, <> The nose was another thing, but it wasn't so well trained on the scent of an insect -- Chayyim's own scent felt very unfamiliar, masked by the foliage that surrounded his body, but he took note of it.
The squirming and wiggling the growlithe managed to accomplish, flailing his tensed paws every which way, was a difficult one to hold down. Trace kept trying to snag one of the fire-type's legs to keep it from moving so much, least of all in Chayy's direction, but he was moving too frequently, driven by too much adrenaline and panicked anger. Trace's attention was having a difficult time splitting between the burmy's current position and keeping the growlithe's limbs from hitting anything damaging. He swatted and dodged, keeping most of the upper hand to himself, but in his insistence that Chayyim find some place more secure, his attention left the burmy's stead. He didn't see when Chayy took a dive at the growlithe's tail in heightened reaction.
Neither did the growlithe, but he sure FELT it! With a yelp as the burmy's beak-like mouth bit down on his tail, he thrashed upward, as though to sit upright and swat the burmy off. He managed a few swings at Chayyim with his back legs once he realized his normal route to his tail was blocked, rather completely, as soon as his claws hit Trace and found themselves impeded. The poochyena yelped, but muffled it with a grab at the growlithe's flailing limb, latching on so no further damage could be done. He growled instead, wrenching the paw in its rightful direction. Unfortunately, with how he was standing, Trace couldn't pull his captive further away from Chayy, so tried to swat at the burmy himself with his own tail, as though reminding him that he needed to get away from their attacker.
It was about that time that the growlithe truly looked fearful, pinned on both sides and staring at the harm he had caused -- that he had never intended to cause -- to both parties. <> he yelped, rigid. He wasn't entirely sure he was going to make it out of this, as there was a lot to answer for and precious little he could offer in compensation. Pride squandered most of the valuables anyway.
Lirilei If Chayyim were to realize how clever his new friend was, he would have laughed. Most he'd met weren't well versed on subtlty and didn't tend to pick up on downplayed issues. Though for his part he'd also never met anyone who could down play an issue as well as Trace was. Well enough to have the bagworm thinking that it was good Trace wasn't making a huge deal over it. It was something that could be worried about later, not this exact second. In time they would probably come to learn to be a little more open and a little less aloof with concerns like this. <> very! He was smiling broadly at this, definitely pleased by this turn of events.
Chayy had never seen a poke-human even while here in the city but then he wasn't paying close attention. However if he'd met Arashi and they'd gotten to talking he would have been amused at the whole camoflauge thing. <> and very, very easy to hurt. Or worse.
The concern for him would have been called nice, if he was aware of the depth of it, though at the moment he felt that out of the two of them, the poochyena had the more dangerous position, and so was just as worried about him getting hurt, as Trace was about him getting hurt.
A surge of satisfaction welled up as he managed to clamp down on that tail, and he held on for all he was worth which while not much, was still fierce. His grip loosened a bit without his consent as he heard Trace's muffled yelp, worry washing over him and causing him to want to ask if he was okay. His friends tail brushing over him along with a well timed surrender had him letting go and dropping back to the ground....and then decided to get away from the situation while it was mellow.
So Chayy began to make his way to the bushes then, aiming for the safety of the greens while the Growlithe turned tail and ran. He wasn't moving as fast as he normally would have though with his leg injury. No...he was moving much too slow.
MoogerMint Trace was almost a stark contrast to Arashi's own conversation tactics, the 'leader' of the troupe being that much less eloquent to subtleties. Due to this, Trace was actually a bit glad the eevee wasn't here at the moment, all things considered. Would he have been able to strike up this friendship if he had not been alone? Well it didn't seem like the burmy was quite as skitterish as he may have seemed at first, so such nitpicking didn't seem up to par. <> the poochyena snickered, not seeing any difficulty in such an endeavor in Chayyim's future if he kept it up.
The burmy made good points as to why camouflage was necessary. Although Trace didn't doubt the severity of the need, as it seemed to be something ingrained into the burmy's instincts by habit, it was still an interesting prospect to consider, to ponder about. It was interesting to see things from a perspective not so easily inherited, for the poochyena could only gather second-hand knowledge of what it was like to be a bug-type in this unpredictable world. <> he noted, <>
While Trace was aware that Chayyim was worried, he was also unaware of the extent of it, or what direction such caution was leading. For all the poochyena knew it could have been territorial instinct, which for all intents and purposes could have actually aided. Even if it wasn't, the burmy's actions were fierce enough to have easily been grouped together with such counterattacks, for even when a pokémon was not considerably leveled, desperation could work as a supercharge. However, attempting to protect someone could work in such a favor as well, something that Trace had grown quite familiar with, even if it didn't tend to be with newly-met acquaintances. Then again, friendship was not a term that tended to be used lightly.
As the growlithe released his hold on relentless attack, Trace cautiously released his bite, making sure to determine where Chayyim was before he had. Good, he was retreating a distance... He opened his jaw, and the fire-type carefully pulled away, tail between his legs as though to prevent it from getting bitten again and scooting further back. He cringed slightly as Chayyim hobbled on his bitten leg. Glancing briefly down, the growlithe noticed the blood, not all of it his own; he would have paled if his fur was not so thickly masking it. <> he apologized, nearly chanting it as he made his own retreat. He could already tell that negative repercussions were assured, and feared for the extent of them.
Of course, Trace found the reaction a bit baffling. Why apologize? Turf wars always had the chance of escalating into a scuffle, but... was it because of the hostage thing? That was a rarity... maybe that was it, bringing innocents into a confrontation that had nothing to do with them. The damage caused didn't seem to be the first option on his mind, nor was it fully registering. <> the poochyena observed, <> Woah... woozy, must have been the excitement, so he sat himself down, <>
Lirilei It was probably a good thing Trace was alone, because if Arashi had been there as well, the two might not have stuck around for Trace and Chayyim to strike up their conversation as they had. It could have changed the entire course of events for the night if there'd been three of them back in that alley. <> he was laughing at himself, at the luck. It had started off as bad luck but progressed into good luck as far as he was concerned. He'd met Trace after all! <> if any of that made sense!
<> there was a rueful grin, but a grin none the less. <>
Might not have been good, but a pinch of instinct, a dash of desperation and a healthy dose of sheer dumb luck had aided him in his attack on the puppy pokemon, and he didn't know who was more surprised, the Growlithe, or himself really! Or maybe it was Trace. He couldn't see him very well from where he was. Though if he could he'd see it was surprise mingling freely with worry, and perhaps a smidgen of panic.
The apology was lost on Chayy who was watching the canine bolt off, and he made his way to Trace as he saw the other sit down, and merely leaned against him lightly as he too sat, legs splayed and he resting. <> or so he hoped it would be better sooon, anyhow! <> genuine concern for the other was in his voice as he looked up at him with wide, worried eyes ignoring his own aches. His leg had a bite mark, but not a terribly deep one. He'd be fine in a matter of days, really.
<> which he was...but Chayy wasn't complaining about it. He was more relieved neither of them were hurt any worse!
MoogerMint <> the canine laughed sheepishly; what a way for a city to make an impression on a pokémon... Shaking his head, Trace could grasp what the little burmy was trying to explain without too much effort, <> It was a joking jab, though; he knew when to cut to the chase, and when actions spoke louder. Arashi didn't like long conversations, so he quickly got used to dealing with individuals like that.
The poochyena gave a nod, fully agreeing with the explanation of what was meant by the use of the term 'tactical.' <> he explained, grinning near the end. There was nothing wrong about using your brain more in an encounter!
However, it wasn't lost on the poochyena as to what Chayyim had meant when he referenced that logistics weren't always enough to avoid a bad confrontation. It was difficult to reason with an individual who blocked out rational thought, blinded by his own desires, as the growlithe had been moments before his escape. It was disheartening, to be proven so wrong before he had a chance to show the truthfulness... but he had the suspicions that the burmy would be able to see that things weren't always this bad. Well, he hoped so, at least.
The electricity still coursing through Trace's veins attributed to a lot of his misunderstanding to the extent of the aftermath. His dizziness was correlated with the fact that he was pretty much physically numb, but thought progress down that path did not extend any further. His concerns were more focused to the burmy he had been trying to -- and failed -- to protect from the nonsensical onslaught of violence. He peered down at Chayy, now resting against the poochyena, to get a better look at the indicated leg marked by teeth scores. Trace could smell blood... and when the burmy had noted that it hurt worse in the back of the leg, he nudged the bug, <>
He flinched slightly at the burmy's question as to Trace's condition, and his thoughts started redirecting themselves to respond. He didn't like what he was discovering. His furthest forepaw from Chayyim's position began prodding about in examination, but he was fairly sure he had found the worst of the injuries merely by being asked to clarify. <> the poochyena hissed under his breath, by this time only half-listening to what the burmy moved the conversation to; he was going to have to get out of here before the adrenaline wore off and pain receptors were back in full force... and before Chayyim caught on. <> the words fell quickly, and were almost difficult to comprehend as he scrambled for an explanation, <> Ugh, he really hoped he wasn't sounding as fake as he felt. He liked Chayyim! He just... didn't want him to see Trace in this sort of condition, not now.
Lirilei It was true, he'd managed to make a new friend within days of showing up in the city, so that was a good thing as far as he was concerned really. It had happened quicker and better than he could have hoped at this point. <> well good until this point, but he had no reason to think the night would end any other way than the way it was headed at this point. <> it was sort of weird, but nice!
<> it was as far as he was concerned and it left him smiling broadly at the idea that a sneaky advantage was better than a show of force. It was sort of a relief to know he wasn't somehow odd for his preferred method of things in the end.
The nudge had Chayy looking up at Trace and he shook his head. <> not from what he could see. <> better than going to his little home all bloody.
He wondered how much blood on the ground belonged to each of them. It was pretty bad and he wasn't going to delude himself into thinking they'd all gotten off without an injury. There was too much red splashed around for that!
The hiss from the bite pokemon had him looking up in concern. What was wrong!? Then the explanation hit him, and he got up so he wasn't leaning on the other, chagrin washing through him. Oh, he was keeping Trace from things...that wasn't good. He felt bad about his friend getting drawn into this whole situation and he in part was starting to blame himself. If he hadn't gotten caught, the fight wouldn't have happened, and now he wouldn't be late for this politics thing.
<> he wasn't detecting any fakeness to Trace's words though he did sound odd, though he was going to attribute this to the other being worried about being late..and any injuries.
<> a sheepish sort of note to his words as he finally moved a few steps away from Trace and gave a little wave. <> words soft, and a bit worried. It was a good thing the poochyena's fur was so dark and that the shadows hid the damage or Chayy might have panicked. Instead he was feeling guilt. Hopefully this politics thing wasn't terribly important!
MoogerMint Trace had no reason not to agree with the enthusiastic burmy, and displayed that agreement with a sharp nod. It wasn't very often that the poochyena was able to gather the right circumstances to meet someone else like this, even rarer when it was someone who began and ended both on good terms. He may not have been as quick to show it, but he was immensely relieved and excited both that it had turned out this way! <> he snickered. Chayyim really was an interesting fellow, and his reactions seemed to be difficult to gauge, but that may have been solely because the burmy had since warmed up from whence they first met -- that was sure to be a bit of a change of demeanor for such a shy little bug!
The poochyena was normally quite level-headed in a situation that some may panic in. This situation may have been no different, but he was beginning to wonder if he was losing his grasp on such collectedness when he thought of the repercussions down the line. No, no, he needed to stay focused on now... not then. He half-hoped all that blood was from the growlithe, or heck even Trace... though the former would have been much preferred, in all honesty. <> he instructed. The canine was only now realizing how impaired his night vision had gotten, likely through the scuffle, probably caused by the dizziness... and the blood. At least on the left. He hadn't even noticed the blood at all until it was pointed out! That was... severely disconcerting, to say the least; it couldn't have meant anything good.
It was out of an effort to keep Chayyim from blaming himself for anything that had occurred tonight that Trace found himself lying about the situation, about the gravity of it. While it was backfiring to a degree that could not be countered, it was all Trace could do to keep the least amount of it felt through the burmy as possible and mask what he could for the time being. He could explain it better when he was more coherent, but for now, the urgency called for more drastic and quick-cut conversation tactics. If he knew what it was that Chayy was most concerned about at the moment, he may have been able to offer some quick comfort, but he was more preoccupied not to hint at damage. Chayy just seemed the type to take things more personal, in that respect... and that was the last thing Trace wanted.
Taking note of the bush that was pointed out, the canine managed a sincere grin, <> And preferrably NOT bring company along... <> the grey-coated pokémon laughed, an attempt to lighten the mood. Don't leave it on a sour note... He bounded back up, focusing on keeping his paces straight, <> A play on words, but it seemed fitting enough.
Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 2:12 am
☾Sleight of Death Defiance W i t h a t a c t i c a l s t u m b l e
He hadn't been far from the campsite, but time and space measurements were horrendously distorted, more so with the difficulty Trace was experiencing merely putting one foot in front of the other. Paces were quickened to reduce the risks, but the faster he moved, the swifter blood was circulated... and spilled. As long as he made it back home before the numbness wore off, he wouldn't have to worry about being precluded from continuing on from the pain alone. However, the inflicted shock was another worrisome point, but that was going to have to wait until he was sure he was safe.
While on one hand the poochyena was plenty distracted into consciousness, enough not to agonize over the length of his trek, the point of focus he chose was similarly hazardous to an alternate extent. Much like a bur latching on and digging deeper into the flesh with each wrong move, the fact that Trace couldn't stop this problematic evening from tumbling down that steep hill ate at him. No, he was not much of a fighter -- that much he already knew -- but even when it really mattered, he could do little to prevent the collateral damage. It wasn't so much himself that he was concerned about, but the unknown status of the other target to the attack. Chayyim had said that he was fine, but Trace had done the same, and it was obvious by now that that had been more than a little embellishment on his part. Had the burmy done the same, then? And all because he was forced into the role of the hostage?
Trace staggered, the familiar alleyways looming up at him before he realized how close he was to home. There was a bit of confusion mixed in with the relief, but now that it was apparent he was in a safe zone, the dizziness returned with a vengeance.
<<Trace!>> the recognizable, hyperactive voice barked at him. He could hear the houndour's stubby feet scampering up to him before halting, unsure, <<Uhh... I think you dropped...>> The puppy's eyes went wide, running the rest of the distance and tugging at Trace's ear to direct him against the nearest wall. Fumbling backwards, he hopped in place once, <<Y-You stay right there, I'll be right back!>>
It's not like I have much of a choice... There was some difficulty in locating his own voice to say as much, but it seemed like more of a hassle to respond as it was, and he really didn't want to hear the scolding about preserving his energy anyway. He'd get enough scolding as it was... this was just embarrassing. What kind of gang member couldn't hold his own against a single attacker!?
It was then that Trace questioned if anyone else in this place was very adept at the basics of first aid, aside from Trace himself -- it had normally been his job as the mediator to stay out of the fray and preserve what little peace they could manage, even if that only meant keeping bite wounds from festering, at times. Ears twitching to the air, the poochyena could hear Havoc calling for Arashi in a panicked manner, instilling the query further.
And why did his ear feel stiff? Oh right, it was how he got over here...
* * *
"--need it tighter, to stop the bleeding. N-No, no, not too tight, though."
He felt his body moving outside of his own accord, and flinched when he realized this. The poochyena was utterly disoriented and more confused than ever. Where was he?
Trace caught the sound of a quick, brief rustling, as though in reaction to trying to move, "Wait Hold on, Havoc." The poochyena blinked slightly, attempting to decipher what it was he was missing. What just happened? Arashi waved to him, and it appeared he was more than a little shaken, "Trace, hey, you hear me?"
The bite pokémon groaned, <<'f course I do. What's going on..?>>
"Don't you dare move!" the eevee-boy growled, his otherwise demanding request marred by terror, "What the hell happened!?"
The monochrome pokémon had to think on that answer for a little longer than he had intended to. His head was still very fuzzy, and he felt like he was shivering despite it not appearing he was. Taking these observations into consideration, he made a groggy realization, <<Did I faint?>>
Arashi bristled, "Answer the damn question!"
Trace hesitated. He didn't know how to explain all this without his friend feeling obligated to go out and solve this problem on his own, even though it was more or less solved as it was. Maybe the negotiating wouldn't be so difficult to figure out if his head would just stop spinning.
The boy didn't seem to need an answer. He sighed, visibly aggravated beyond anything Trace had ever witnessed out of him before, "Growlithe." Who else would have done so much damage, if not for someone with a figment of a score to settle? He wasn't just merely seething, he was bordering on bloodthirsty, "They're dead."
<<Arashi, no. It was a mess...>> Trace tried to explain. The more he spoke, it seemed the dizzier he got. <<I just... no... I need to lie down,>> he tried, quickly realizing it was a futile endeavor to try to get the cogs working. All he wanted was to feel better.
"Tighter, Havoc!" Arashi instructed quickly, "I'll go try to find a blanket or something. You stay with him!"
He was off before he got a response back from the young houndour. The pup didn't need to be told twice for, while panicked himself, he was still capable of doing what menial tasks were required of him. Gripping one end of the makeshift bandage with his teeth and pinning down the other with a paw to the back of Trace's head, Havoc yanked in an effort to curb the bleeding. Once he tugged a few times, the pup scurried into Trace's line of sight with a quick pant, <<That's not too tight, is it?>>
<<I can't feel it, Havoc,>> he responded, still unsure of what was going on but beginning to scrounge up an inkling. He scratched a little at his head, where he remembered getting struck by the younger growlithe sibling, <<What's going on?>> Maybe he could get some information out of the younger member of the group.
<<Ahh, Trace, don't touch it!>> Havoc nearly whined, tilting his head to make sure the bandage hadn't been misplaced before redirecting his train of thought. He poked at his own eye to indicate the damage, <<You came back, all scratched up and bloody. You're really beat up, and your eye, it...>> Interrupting himself with a sigh, his little body jittered with the excessive amount of adrenaline coursing through it, <<We can't stop the bleeding. Trace, what am I supposed to do?>> There had to be something he could do!
That was... indeed a predicament. That would explain the hazy -- and sporadic lack of -- consciousness. It would only get worse if something couldn't be done, but for the life of him Trace couldn't think of some other method to go about it outside of an actual doctor... and that was out of the question. There was pressure, then maybe... <<Something cold? I'm not... exactly sure...>> There was a severe lack of options.
However, Havoc seemed more than happy to oblige, <<Alright, maybe there's something around here that we can use for that. I'll still be here, so don't worry. Tell me if there's anything you need, alright?>>
Trace gave a slight nod before the houndour quickly bounded out of sight, making a ruckus in an attempt to dig through the trash bins and litter that could be located along the alleyway walls. It was easy enough to tune out for the fuzzy-headed poochyena, both a relief and a worrisome side-effect of the injuries; he found himself closing his eye, searching for the pain that should have been there but wasn't evident. If something couldn't be done soon...
He didn't know how long his attention had been turned inward, but by the time his vision opened back to the world around him, there was a faintly glowing ornament set right at his nose. He hadn't heard anyone put it there... and with a twitch of his ears, he could tell that Havoc was still searching for some sort of cool object to stem the flow of bleeding. The pale silver, more luminous in the moonlight... this was one of those stars that some of the pokémon spoke of, wasn't it? Or was he imagining some 'light at the end of the tunnel' sort of deal here?
It doesn't really matter what it is, does it? Trace mused to himself, Either it may be able to help, or I'm dead anyway... The bleeding wouldn't stop, and his body couldn't handle much more of a loss of what was left.
<<Alright then... you'll help me, either way,>> the poochyena concluded, reaching a paw out to touch the star, <<Thanks, Jirachi...>>
[[ Word Count: 1,513 ]]
MoogerMint Crew
Sparkly Pants
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MoogerMint Crew
Sparkly Pants
Offline
Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 9:55 pm
☾Icon of the Marked W e l c o m e t o t h e f r y e r
If there had been anything that felt more surreal, Trace certainly had not been privy to it. The blood loss, the pain, the masks he had swapped around to obscure how he really felt... the fear, the panic, the instructions that had taken longer than usual to fully comprehend... He blinked the one working eye against the rays of the sun, his head like a wad of cotton balls held together with a rubber band. He was almost afraid to raise a paw, to examine the collateral damage via application of touch; he was afraid to move at all, lest something else shriek pain where it was currently numb.
Instead of testing out his limits, he turned to observe the area. The place looked familiar enough, but something about his perception felt off. Of course, that was nowhere near surprising in and of itself, so it wasn't something he really thought to bat a figurative eye at. Hopefully he hadn't scared the others too badly... but something told him that that was a chance estimate closer to nil. Where had they gone, anyway? How long had he been out?
The height was getting to him, so he closed his eye again to steady the dizziness. What was he sitting on anyway? It must have been Arashi's doing, for he didn't think Havoc could have easily helped out this high up. Maybe the pup panicked too much, and priorities had to be shuffled. He honestly couldn't recall after a certain point of scant clarity what had happened. It wasn't like fainting had never happened before -- he wasn't the most battle-ready poochyena -- but that had hardly been the problem the other night.
Trace leaned over, wondering if lying on his side might help him out better. Problem was, he wasn't lying down to begin with, but with everything as numb and weightless as it felt, he hadn't had the forethought to pinpoint where exactly things didn't match up. Before he knew it, the world was turning as much as his head had persisted in its dizziness, and his body took that idea and ran with it. Hitting his head on a crate to his side, he was immediately scrambling to right himself and make sense of what the heck just happened.
<<Traaaace!!>> a familiar voice came careening down the alley toward him, delighted, <<Trace, you're awake! Finally! Do you know how worried we were!?>>
The poochyena blinked, surprised and all but a little confused. His own voice seemed to be stuck in that bewildered web as well. It only took him a moment to remember his final thoughts of the night before, but he had the visual aid by that point, with a hand that attempted to have steadied his fall on the brickwork behind him. He hadn't been on a higher platform at all... he was the higher platform.
It took extra effort, but he started pushing himself back upright with the help of the asphalt beneath him and a little from the crate that uncomfortably- yet partially-blocked his descent. Once he was sure he had rooted himself firmly in place, he realized that Havoc had yet to stop talking. Instead of listening in an attempt to decipher what it was that the pup was still going on about, he cut in with his own observation upon glancing back to Havoc, "Okay... this is going to take some getting used to..." He rubbed at his head some, as though it could help clear his vision, "You were supposed to grow taller than me, not the other way around."
Havoc puffed at that remark, seeming to amass enough excess energy for the both of them, <<Hey! Just you wait, I'll find a pointy rock with gamma radiation and grow just like you and Arashi, you'll see!>>
Still struggling with his daze, Trace looked at the young pup, but once he locked eyes he couldn't help but sputter out a laugh. The stubborn dedication was honestly rather endearing, but the delivery could use a lot of work. Trace might not have recognized the references, but that didn't hold back the amusement factor -- it was ridiculous either way, and Havoc was well-versed in this bit of insight.
The houndour popped his head to the side, down the alleyway, after a flash caught the corner of his eyesight. Arashi must have seen the pup talking to someone, and he wasn't the type for imaginary friends. Havoc took a few steps back to make room, for he sure didn't want to be bowled over.
At the rate the eevee had been going, it was a wonder he didn't skid further in his abrupt halt, just past the crate. Trace righted himself a little more stiffly as Arashi's gaze locked on him; the poochyena had scarcely see so many conflicting emotions vying for control. Surprise, relief, frustration... was that--?
Arashi clamped a hand on the edge of the crate, "I don't know whether to hug you or punch you right now."
Ahh. Anger. He knew he was forgetting something prominent. Trace held his hands up, as though keeping the other boy at bay, "Quite honestly, both of those options frighten me, coming from you." He lowered his hands again, his smile returning, "No offense."
<<Yeah!>> Havoc concurred, hooking part of Arashi's pants in his teeth and tugging slightly, <<Don't put him back in the ground. He ain't dead yet!>>
The eevee-boy seemed almost to sink in place at Havoc's heedless quotes, his hand opposite the crate balling into a fist as though to take a swing at something. "Dammit Trace!" he hissed, only held together as patchwork would allow, "I... I thought you-- I don't know what I would have done if you..."
Trace relaxed his composure more, his canine ears tilting down slightly; he wasn't honestly quite sure what to say, especially when his mind still felt scrambled by some wicked whisk called happenstance. And a ton of bricks.
Arashi seemed to bristle a little as Trace tipped more melancholy, and it brought back with it more of his usual spark, "Don't you ever try to take them on alone like that! You're a moron for not coming to get us sooner, and if you couldn't, you're a moron for wandering out by yourself that far!"
The bewildered stare he received seemed response enough, and he smacked the crate in emphasis before storming off again, his large ears almost stuck at their backward, enraged position. "I'm going to go find you some clothes. Don't go anywhere this time!" he made a sharp motion to indicate but refused to look back.
Trace sighed as he watched his friend retreat back to his usual hunting grounds, slouching back against the wall. He knew he had already screwed everything up long-term, but that wasn't all that unusual when day-by-day action was determined by the chances offered. Despite that, it didn't take Trace long to recall the reason for ending up like this. If things were this bad for him now, what had happened to Chayyim, who had fewer he could rely on? Regardless of his current mental state, that increasingly-familiar blossom of panic gripped hold of his chest. Snagging the rag currently covering him in his fingers, his vision swayed, and he tried to calm the internal tempest by cutting out light and leaning his head back. He hated this... hated being so torn between what he felt he needed to do and what his body would allow him to do.
<<Don't let Arashi get you down,>> Havoc nudged at Trace's knee, <<He's just worried about you. He doesn't hate you, that's just how he shows that he cares!>> The pup stated his words so matter-of-factly that it almost seemed rehearsed...
Trace couldn't hold back the laugh that sprung out, against all turmoil otherwise suffocating the place. "Hey now," he scolded, giving Havoc a playful shove, "No reversing the roles on me here!"
[[ Word Count: 1,328 ]]
Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 10:05 pm
☾Roleplay #2
Title: Like the Changing of the Leaves (messenger RP) Participants: Chayyim, Arashi, & Trace Stage: Child (All) Status:Complete!
Premise: Not the most graceful of tumbles into childhood, but the hardship is not your personal cross to bear.
- - -
Roleplay: Under spoiler
Lirilei Things were so strange lately. Chayyim recalled running away from that alley and those loud noises from things and people he couldn't see well, scared out of his wits. Of finding another, quieter alley several streets away....and fumbling blindly through the bags to find something, anything he could find that would be useful.
Several bags and alleys later and he'd managed to find some stained up pants that he tied to his waist with a bit of frayed clothes line, a shirt he'd likely misbuttoned...and that was it. He was blind as could be at that point, fuzzy shapes abounded...and it scared him to no end.
How he located the glasses he now wore was a mystery. He had come across them one day and by the shape could tell what they were and put them on. Things were still slightly blurry but not as bad as they'd been. He could see so much better but not perfectly, and that due to a crack in a lens. Still, he could make sense of things.
His first few days were spent sleeping in the alleys, burrowing into the squishier bags of trash though before long the noisy machines and people came and took those away too. The nights were getting colder and some of those bags had been kind of warm through the night. He didn't know what made them warm but he missed it.
Without a doubt it was getting to the time of year he needed to find someplace to stay that was warm and secure. His feet were cold on the bare ground, and the wind ripping down the alleys was chilling. He was at that moment rummaging through a trash can looking for something. Be it to eat to quell the rumbling in his stomach, to wrap up in to warm himself up, or to put onto cold feet.
A sigh came from him as he trudged onto the next can and began to dig again. He found shoe...too big. Still he put it on. The wrong foot of course. One was better than nothing. A few shuffling steps had him falling out of it, and landing in a heap at the mouth of the alley he'd been in. Picking himself up he darted across the relatively empty street and into the alley on the other side where he began picking through a larger dumpster.
"Ah! Qualcosa da mangiare!" (Ah! Something to eat!)
He took a few bites of the food, before he spat it out, it having obviously gone bad. A sigh given as he kept digging and finally moved on deeper. Today was going to be another hungry day, and cold night. Maybe he'd be better off looking for somewhere to sleep tonight at this point.
MoogerMint To say it was difficult to get used to life as a poké-human would have been the understatement of the century, though upon reflection, Trace could have said that any number of things may have been more difficult. With a more humanoid physique, it seemed some possibilities opened up to him that were impossible to breach before, whereas others would up in the opposite direction. Truthfully, there were many more positives than there were negatives, and he barely batted an eye at the negatives as it was; it was kind of exciting, as much as it was nerve-wracking at first!
The poochyena hadn't been so hesitant on finding clothing right away as much as Arashi had been when he first changed, but maybe that was merely due to the tactical advantages at the time. Before, they had been a bit rushed to get things cleared up, gang-politic-speaking; for Trace, it was a matter of worry whether he'd, well... wake up. For a chilly night, clothes would have come in handy towards such an endeavor, and that seemed to be the general concensus. He'd have to try to locate something more fitting to his tastes soon, though.
The newly-grown child sighed, partly out of distracted thought as he rubbed at his head. Arashi grabbed roughly at the poochyena's wrist and tossed it with a growl, "Stop picking at the bandages!"
Trace offered a mild smirk at that, but still seemed a bit distracted, "But they itch!" Honestly, he didn't really need the bandages any longer, at least past aesthetics; when the star changed his appearance, it seemed to seal the wound as well. It didn't seem the translation worked too accurately when replacing one part for the other, so such injuries could have gotten worse to cover the same percentage of surface... but really, he was only guessing to the mechanics. What was gone was gone, even with the transformation. It wasn't exactly pulling everything from thin air... but perhaps it didn't merely work on the DNA alone. It was an interesting thing to note.
They were suppose to be keeping a look out for anything out of the ordinary, mostly to get Trace used to the new form than anything else, but his friend's behavior was starting to worry Arashi. Trace was always a thinker, but the past few weeks' happenings had the eevee-boy more on edge, and more worried about things that didn't use to worry him. He was about to mention as much, ask if everything was alright -- they could even head back to the hideout, if they needed to! -- but something stole such attentions away. Long ears perked out with the sound of a trash can being slid across concrete, kicking Arashi into full alert, "What was that!?" He was immediately to his feet, bristling.
However, Trace caught something else in that instance... something familiar. He wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but there was a recognizable scent on the air. It was slightly different, but there was a chance... "Wait, Arashi," he insisted, hopping to his feet and running off towards the sound. Of course this startled the eevee, who was quick to follow closely behind, adamant about not letting Trace do anything else that may be considered stupid. Funny, it was suppose to be the other way around...
Luckily, Trace didn't have the time to second-guess such a choice, for his suspicions were confirmed with a little investigation. It didn't even matter that outward appearances had changed, for so much had stayed the same -- even in actions; in fact, it was kind of a relief! "Chayyim!" he barked, an insistent prod that hoped he wasn't just being hopeful.
Lirilei Chayy had come to appreciate the size increase he'd gained upon this odd change. He was considerably taller than he'd been as a pokemon and this was fantastic as far as he was concerned. The added benefit of longer legs and arms, and hands that grasped better...the only down side was his suddenly bad vision which was strange in and of it's self. Well that, and no longer being able to sleep in bushes. That did make things more difficult anymore.
His own scars on his leg from the Growlithes bites were superficial, and barely noticeable but if one ran a hand or fingers over his leg they could be somewhat felt. Still they were covered and that whole out of sight, out of mind thing filled him. He had bigger things to worry about. Like food, and shelter.
And trying to find the one person he knew in this crazy city!
He'd tried hanging around the park, but to no avail. Trace hadn't shown up so back into the city he went each evening trying to find the things he needed to survive, all the while beginning to think he'd either imagined Trace, or had been blown off, and really after all the rest he'd been through it wouldn't have been much of a stretch to him!
His balance was lost as his name was called and he fell into the dumpster he was picking through though it was at least a clean fall having landed on fresh bags! Pulling himself up he carefully climbed out and straightened up a bit, looking around for the source of the call and his eyes went wide at the sight. Who..was that? Was it really...?
"Trace! Sei davvero tu?" he realized his slip up and blushed a litle and tried that again. "Is...that you Trace?" honest surprise colored his voice as he looked between the two poke-kids curiously. The one who'd called to him did seem very familiar even if different. "It is you!" he grinned brightly then, and of all things, was hugging the other, a surprisingly tight hug, and could probably be likened to one clinging to a life preserver. "I was starting to think I dreamed you!"
MoogerMint It wasn't that the thought never crossed his mind, but everything that had happened, all the stress that it likely caused, all the harm... there had been many reasons Trace had come up with that kept him from seeking the burmy out. No, he never thought that Chayyim would hate him. Be angry, maybe, but not outright hate. It was difficult to face someone when you were the cause of most of the insanity that occurred! Chayy had gotten injured, Trace had gotten injured... and who knows what else had been destroyed! Not only that, but he had quickly disappeared under the guise that he was perfectly fine... it was obvious that was a lie, too.
All outward signs pointed directly toward something that just wasn't true, that maybe Trace was a habitual liar. That's what he feared, at least. As much as he didn't like to be fussed over, maybe it had been a bad idea not to say anything? Or would that have only made things worse? Not to mention, he had no idea the extent of Chayy's own injuries...
He flinched when his call had caused the burmy-boy topple into the nearest trash bin, intent on rushing over and yanking him out if it hadn't been for the quick recovery time. "Hey, you couldn't do that before!" he laughed, noting the height difference between Chayyim's two forms. Not only that, but this confirmed it -- it really was Chayy!
The blush wasn't very evident on the burmy-boy's dark skin, nor would it have been pointed out considering the Italian response was a sure-fire give away as to who he was speaking to. At that note, his tail began waving happily, "The one and only!" It was funny, he couldn't wipe the grin off his face. He had been so worried!
The hug was definitely unexpected, especially with the worry that had been plaguing the poochyena's mind moments prior. His joints locked up for a second in surprise, but his tail quickly remedied that issue as it started waving once more. He was more than happy to return the hug, especially considering it looked like the caterpillar pokémon had been through a rough few days! There was no use prying with the overabundance of concern, though, so he brought it up more casually, "Hey, how have you been?"
Arashi jolted at the sudden hug, his fur once again on end at the sudden movement originating from an unknown source. If it wasn't for the fact that Trace seemed so jovial about the encounter, his guard evidently missing, the eevee might have been a bit more trigger-happy with a Quick Attack. Instead, he backed off a bit, taking a few steps back so he wasn't tempted to do anything else rashly. Chayyim, that name sounded familiar... Blinking, the eevee held up a finger to indicate the other boy, "You... you're the one that was there during the growlithe attack, weren't you?" Of course he had gotten the low-down on what happened, but he hadn't actually met the burmy yet!
Lirilei If he'd known Trace had been worried about him being mad at the other he might've laughed. He didn't really tend to get mad at others, and really things had ended on such an odd note, he wasn't sure what to make of it all in the end.
It felt nice to hug the other, but he pulled away after a few moments, and he frowned a little fingers hovering over bandages eyes wide behind broken glasses. "Sei ferito! Che cosa è successo Trace!?" it took physical effort to take a deep breath and try that again. "You're hurt! What happened!?"
Of course he didn't think it had anything to do with what had happened before, no he thought it might be more recent than that. The question posed to him was almost impatiently brushed aside. "I am attempting to adapt...its difficult since I'm not used to cities...but you Trace.....?" his eyes darted back and forth across the others face concern overly evident in his actions.
Arashi caught his attention then and his hand dropped suddenly, he inhaling sharply in surprise and turning to the Eevee boy, a surprised nod of his head given. "Si....er...yes. I was there then." he looked between the pair, hand coming up again this time to push up the glasses that had started to slip down his nose. They were a bit too large for him, as was the shirt he wore, the cuffs of the shirtsleeve trailing past his fingers, and rather filthy...as was the rest of him really.
There was a sort of shy smile given to Arashi then, fidgeting nervously with the sleeves of his shirt as his eyes slid back to Trace, waiting for one of them to talk then. But he was happy....so very happy really! "I was afraid I wouldn't ever find you again. I've been looking...just didn't know where to start...."
MoogerMint Trace's smile was quick to evaporate once the bandage around his head was pointed out. While he was a mite self-conscious about it, he was pulling away more from the fact that Chayy cared about it. He didn't want that sort of attention, and for some reason, that sort of concern really frightened him. He jerked his head away from Chayyim's reach reflexively, tugging slightly at his bangs as though it might hide the question from having occurred. "It's okay, it's all better now," he quickly attempted a response. His attention darted away; he couldn't stand lying to his friend!
The eevee-child, however, wasn't so privy to such conflict. Arashi's expression conveyed his confusion quite aptly, "What, you mean you don't remember? Did you get hit on the head that night you were both attacked or what?" It didn't help that he didn't see it as a point to get bashful about... just something to get angry about, considering that's how he'd been dealing with it himself.
"Arashi!" the poochyena hissed quietly. Attention turned back to Chayy abruptly, another attempt at clumsily covering that detail up, "I'm fine, seriously! I, uh... I just got used to wearing it is all." In a way that was true, but it was stretching it. He didn't really need the bandages anymore, but most people didn't like seeing someone with a missing eye without something like this in place...
However, that was beside the point -- and he'd push that fact to the side as much as he possibly could. Trace tried to replace the smile when Chayy recounted his difficulty at fitting in in these surroundings, "Don't worry, I promised you I'd help out with that! Sounds like we should get started on those lessons sooner than later, though. I'll help you out as much as you need me to, it's really not a problem." In his insistence to stay on a subject like this, he may have come off as being a little pushy about it, almost like he was pleading if he could help. Awkward conversation was not his forte, but this he was good at.
At the confirmation of Chayyim's prescence at the fight with the growlithe, Arashi perked a bit. To be honest, he was actually kind of surprised the burmy decided to stay in the city at all, if that is what happened the first week he was here. "You've got a lot of nerve, I'll give you that!" he stated, arms crossed before he realized that may have sounded... kind of threatening, "and I mean that in the nicest way possible. Heh, sorry." The tension in the air around here was really just making him want to slap a palm to his face; it really wasn't necessary!
Trace was more oblivious to Arashi's slight irritation, too preoccupied on the state that he had found Chayyim in. His ears tilted back a bit, wincing as the burmy conveyed his worry about not seeing the poochyena again. "I'm sorry about that. I would have stopped by sooner, but..." he cut himself off, biting at his lip, "I was being selfish. I should have checked up on you. How's the leg doing?"
Lirilei Chayy saw the smile on Trace's face vanish, and he wondered at that. It was so odd to not see the other smiling...he'd done so through most of their first encounter and now... well now he'd just gone and messed that up apparently! It sent a shock of uncertainty through him, and he was stunned at this new emotion, and how strong it was! It got worse when Trace jerked away from him, and he found himself the hug had been tolerated. Still, his arms fell flatly to his sides a moment before he was crossing them over his chest in a semi protective movement. He wasn't sure what was going on but what he did know is he wasn't liking it very much!
His gaze drifted to Arashi at his exclamation at Trace's evasiveness, wondering what had the other boy so upset but he didn't ask. It was becoming readily apparent it wasn't something Trace wanted to discuss....so he would leave it be so he didn't risk further alienating the one person he had thought he could call a friend. Now, he was doubting if that was still the case. Had that changed along with the two of them?
Trace's reaction was further proof of his assumption and he gave a wane smile at the pair and gave a slight nod at the flimsy excuse he was given for the bandage, momentarily unsure of what to say to that. Why did he need to get used to wearing them? It didn't make sense, but it rounded back up to the topic that was obviously taboo.
He wasn't sure what to do or even say at this point feeling all kinds of awkward at the situation when Trace began to talk again and he felt some of his worries melting away. He did want to be friends still! There was an audible sigh of relief from the boy and the stance he'd taken as a defensive position against futher emotional turmoil and uncertainty was relaxed. "I'm glad...I was worried for a moment that our friendship had changed as well." and that he was now nothing more than a pesky child when the other had more important things to see to! "I hope I am not a lost cause really." to being helped with adapting further to the city, in general...it was hard to say which he meant given his current uncertainty about everything. He felt off balance in a way.
Though oh how his eyes widened in surprise and there was even a half step back at Arashi's sudden outburst feeling suddenly startled and worried. Should he not have been there? Oh that was worrisome! His mouth opened to stutter out some sort of apology both for being there...and for suddenly deciding to leave when the situation was clarified causing him to give a sudden laugh from the nervousness he was feeling. Why did things feel so strange today? Maybe it was just due to the last while being so dificult, and this reunion with Trace not going how he'd thought it would. Not that it was bad just not as smooth as it could have been.
"Well...I don't have anywhere else I could go, honestly. I was sleeping in a bush in the park but I'm a bit too big for that now. So I've been doing what I can to get by." he gave Arashi a warmer smile, relaxing a little. He didn't seem so bad after all, maybe he was just over reacting to everything.
His attention shifted to Trace again and he lifted his pant leg carefully. "Healed, and scarred but you can't see it. But if you touched you would. It's okay though since it stopped bothering me after the change." he shook his head at the other. "No don't be sorry. You have things to do, a life that does not involve me. It sounded like you were busy a lot, so I did not expect you to be able to visit right away. You have responsibilities, that isn't selfishness Trace." it was obvious he thought highly of the Poochyena boy even after everything, or maybe because of.
"I understand if you're honestly too busy to help me better adapt. I've done okay till now, I'm sure with more practice things will go even better. I don't want you to feel like you're trying to do too much at once really." it was obvious that the Burmy didn't feel like he was an important situation to be dealt with, and truly he did feel that way. He was hungry yes, but not starving. Cold yes but he wasn't freezing. He would survive just fine with some more time under his belt. Or so he was leading himself to try and believe. Trace seemed the same...but different. There but a bit distant...he was afraid to push and see what was on the other side of the veil that seemed to be there between them, marring the ease of their prior meeting.
MoogerMint If he hadn't felt so panicked at the time, Trace likely would have dropped the act in favor of keeping Chayy's mind from wandering so far on the pessimistic scale. The poochyena merely did not want to upset the burmy, for he was under the impression that the both of them may have similar reactions to something of this degree. He didn't want Chayy to start blaming himself for not being able to do more than he had, or for not seeing the injury sooner, despite everything pointing towards the fact that both feats would have been impossible to carry out -- or predict -- at the time. Chayy even said he wasn't much of a fighter, so his efforts that night were unexpected, and quite valiant!
However, it also didn't help that the attention was outside something more akin to academia... it was on his own well-being. As a feral pokémon, a stray on the streets, most didn't pay him much heed outside of avoidance. Pokémon gangs were a problem around here as it was, so he was lucky more attention hadn't been given to him! Despite all that, Chayyim's hug really did feel very comforting, as much as it was unexpected. He hated to pull away, but fear kick-started reactionary impulses; he was having a hard enough time not tugging at the bandages as well, considering he didn't want to be reprimanded for it on top of everything else.
The stifling atmosphere was more than Arashi tended to handle willingly. While his question had been directed at the both of them, he could tell that it was probably not wise for him to press his luck any further. An irritated sigh escaped, "Fine, whatever. I guess we can talk about that later. More important things to worry about and yadda yadda yadda..." Alright, he could recognize this was suppose to be a happier time, just as long as they actually were happy about it!
Trace's ears stood upright, catching the sigh that Chayyim offered at the quick change in demeanor, and despite his twitchy nerves, he laughed at it. "Sorry. Yeah, just... later for that," he agreed with Arashi, thinking his friend may feel the same at this point. Wide-eyed, he quickly shook his head, "No no! Nothing's changed there! You know how it is... it's still pretty awkward, isn't it? Being human like this... but that doesn't mean we're anything less than friends!" His quickly-excitable behavior hinted at his nervousness, but the longer the conversation continued, the more Trace found himself falling back into his familiar pace. Sticking his tongue out playfully, he jabbed, "You're only going to be a lost cause if you keep thinking that you are. You'll do just great, you just need some nudging in the right directions!" It was then that he gave a light, literal nudge.
Another frown appeared at Chayyim's explanation of his current predicament, more out of concern now than previous fear-avoidance. Trace glanced at Arashi as the eevee's statement was responded to, that same look evident and likely saying more than vocally needling the gang leader could have done. They had to do something; they had the capabilities to! Turning back to Chayy, he repeated for confirmation, "Nowhere at all? Can you even return to the park, at this point?"
Arashi understood and, all protectiveness aside, agreed that this was likely a problem. Quite honestly, the eevee felt he owed Chayyim a lot more than he could possibly offer, but this would at least be a start, "Don't worry about the bush, we can take care of that issue no problem." He wrote it off, as though he'd explain later. Instead, he leaned in to get a better look at the burmy's leg, "Wooow, you really got that healed up good, I'm impressed!" Giving Trace a sideways look, he shrugged, "Sorry, Trace, you're fired. I think he's better suited to be the medic. You can go back to being the scapegoat now." Of course he was teasing, but until the smirk appeared, it may have been difficult to tell.
Without even glancing at Arashi, Trace gave the boy a shove to the shoulder, his attention still on the burmy before him. In fact, he winced, the faith Chayyim put on him clawing at him considering... he didn't deserve it. "But that's the thing... I wasn't too busy," he stated meekly, "I didn't think something like this had happened to you, too, so I thought I could just push back the meeting and, um... blame it on recovery time." The blonde-haired eevee shot him a slightly confused look, considering he thought that was the cause, but walked it off. "So I can help you, for as long as you need me to help you. It's been pretty quiet around here anyway, so I doubt anything like last time will happen again. You've noticed the weather; everyone's busy trying to secure things for the winter. You need to be able to do that, too, and that's more important than anything else at the moment," he affirmed, "The only problem is choosing where to start..." He really hoped he didn't just dig himself a grave with that... but there was only so long he could go on telling white -- or complete -- lies. He'd fix that later, when it was less horrifyingly uncomfortable a subject to discuss.
Lirilei Chayy's mind was certainly straying down the dark and dreary path at that point, uncertainty abounding in more ways than one and leaving him so very, very confused and veering towards upset. At this point he was just somewhat feeling as if he'd somehow said or done the wrong thing and he wasn't liking this feeling. It defied all reason as he knew it at this point!
If he'd known he was the cause of the others discomfort, or rather his concern for the others well being and current state...well he'd have probably kicked himself mentally for upsetting the other in any way since it wasn't the point of the attention and inquiries. No, he was wanting to know how his friend was from genuine concern and wanting to know, not to upset.
A part of him was left trying to decipher Arashi...did the other boy not like him about? It was hard for him to read the stranger...then again Trace was better known and he was having a hard time there too!
Further easing of his self protecting posture happened as Trace assured him that nothing had changed as far as their friendship was concerned, and he felt the strange, tight aching in his chest ease a little. Humans certainly felt a wide variety of emotions, and sharper than they did as pokemon on the ones that were similar! How strange.
"Very awkward, I was just thinking that...but I'm very relieved...and happy to hear we're still friends! I was trying to think of something I could say to leave if that wasn't the case." he saw no reason to not be honest with the other.
The nudge made him give a laugh and he bobbed his head slightly, almost losing his glasses as he did so, fumbling to keep them on his face. "You're right. No negative attitude!" at least he could see the futility in that! The question though, was met with a shake of his head. "No...I tried. There is nowhere for me. The bushes are too small and close to the ground. There is no where in trees...and men in uniforms chased me away when I tried to sleep on a bench or grass." he didn't know about the police and all. "Maybe I should try making my way back to the forest...bigger bushes...maybe a tree with a split in it I can sleep in." he sounded and looked thoughtful as he pondered the feasibility of this.
Arashi's comment though chased away any thoughts he had about returning, and he blinked in surprise. "Oh...okay sure if you say so." the others reaction to his healed leg made him blush again and he ducked his head a moment. "It wasn't anything I did except a few dips in the lake before to clean up..I found that thing and was injured...woke up healed but marked up."
Chayyim blinked at Trace's behavior, the meek voice and his head tipped. "Not busy? It sounded like you were busy when you told me a little of your life and your friends and all. That sounds busy to me...and I know you were hurt when you left...but to what extent I don't know. There was too much blood to have been mine alone, though I'm sure some belonged to the pokemon that attacked as well...hopefully mostly to it." he did hope that!
He nodded however at the question of where to start. That was easy. "First step, would be somewhere for me to live, so I can forage and prepare and store food. I cannot keep dodging those loud, stinky metal things with humans riding on them. They scare me almost daily." he had no idea what trash trucks were, but he was more than a little tired of them!
"Once I have a place to call home, I can focus better on searching for what I need. But I don't want the two of you to make things difficult on yourself worrying about me. Just point me in the right direction, I'll find somewhere. You've done so much already Trace." and here he did reach out fingers on the others arm. "I mean after all, you're my friend, and you rescued me from the big dog that grabbed me. What more can I ask for from you? Nothing in my opinion. You did more than so many would have for someone they had just met." What? Him having gone out of his way to help Trace? Nope. Not him. Not that he was mentioning. Trace had done more in his way of thinking.
MoogerMint As soon as he was alerted to Chayyim's unsure disposition as to the standing of their friendship, Trace's attention was fully focused outside his own insecurities once more. "Hey now, nothing like a change in how you look, or whatever happened last time, is going to get in the way of a partnership like that. Heh, you know how weird it is, getting used to things like this, this body... you're probably still getting used to it yourself, right?" he pointed out, a smile creeping back onto his face, "It makes things all different degrees of awkward that we're just not used to! But it's okay, it's something else we can work out together, right?" He held his hand out, as though he were sealing a deal with the burmy, "So... partners?"
While it was worrisome that Chayy had felt that Trace was giving that adversely a reply to the other, to the point of conjuring up a reason to leave, he could appreciate the honesty in the mention. "Ah, sorry about that. There's no reason why I wouldn't want you here, you don't have to worry about that," he tried to assure, not sure whether it would come out quite as sincere as he meant it!
The poochyena-boy moved to catch the glasses were they to fall, not expecting the severe reaction, "Sorry! Heheh, I didn't mean to nudge you so hard, my bad! Where'd you get those things, anyway?" He hadn't often been so close to a pair of glasses before; they seemed to be some unobtainable item, but here Chayyim found some in remarkably good condition! Maybe he was better at locating things that Trace had initially pinned him for. "Men in uniforms..?" Trace asked. That could have been any number of people to avoid, from the police, to child care services, to the rare pokémon-catcher... "It's good that you avoided them, wherever they were going to take you isn't the best place for us, or so I've heard," he noted with a nod, glancing down the street despite the main part being a ways off from where he stood, "No no, you don't have to do that. Really, I'll help. We both will."
"Neh?" Arashi blinked, tuning the majority of the conversation out; he never had been much for talking, "Oh right, right. Yeah you just tell me when." Hearing how Chayy fixed his own would, the eevee snapped his fingers, "Ah, that must be it! Trace, it was clean water all along! How silly of us." Right, sarcasm probably wasn't the best method at the moment... but really, it wasn't an option they often explored, being too distant from many reservoirs of the like. However, the other portion to the anecdote made more sense, "Oh, the star! Ha, that was just how it went down for Trace, t--" Oh right, death glare, "-nnh, never mind. I should be more serious. So the stars really heal you up pretty good, don't they?"
It was hard to explain his own actions when he was simultaneously trying to dodge some subjects while still being truthful, as Trace was finding more and more, "Well, in general, it can be pretty busy around here, but it's not constantly busy. I mean, I'm sure there were times I could have come visit that I ended up deciding against. You... sure you're not angry..?" It was partially an attempt at redirecting conversation, but mostly out of concern. He wasn't sure if telling the burmy this was such a good idea, or if it would make the other boy more meek about the meeting again in return. He wanted to tell him what actually happened, he really did, but not so soon, not when they had only been reunited with a shaky friendship status! He didn't want to set the blame on anyone else's shoulders but his own; he knew that he could handle it, but he didn't want Chayyim thinking he had to as well...
He shook his head at that thought. It wasn't right, and he couldn't stand the fibbing any longer. Maybe he could set the conversation on the right road before admitting to anything, "Alright, here's how it is... I want you to agree with me on this one thing before I tell you anything about what happened, okay? We all make our own decisions for ourselves, and we alone bear the burden of those choices we make, for good or bad. That something we can agree on?" Chayyim probably knew where this was headed, but Trace wanted to be absolutely sure he could lay down these ground rules first. No taking blame for anything that happened! He wasn't satisfied until he got that promise.
Arashi piped up when Chayyim's first priority was verbalized as finding a place to stay, "Alright, well your first step is done, so onto the second step. This... this here..." he pointed around to the trash cans, "this is a terrible place to forage. If you want the good stuff, you need the cans that sideline the restaurant and grocery departments. There are a lot of them, because humans tend to like to eat out, for some reason." Once again, the eevee's expertise on explaining himself was astounding.
Trace snickered and shook his head before grabbing at Chayyim's arm in reaction to the gentle touch, like a child eagerly wanting to show their parent something interesting in the next aisle over, "Here, we can show you. This is more the residential and working areas, so you don't really find anything in these cans. You can sometimes find some interesting nick-knacks, but not usually anything very edible." His tail was wagging, "It's no trouble at all, really! I was going to show you how it worked downtown anyways. I could go for a bite as well!" He laughed a bit at Chayyim's sentiments, but more out of the fact that he could feel the same in return, "You saved me from some of those swings as well, you know, so I'd say we're about even. If you hold up your end of the bargain to teach me to read, I'd say we're... well, still even! How about that!" He wasn't requesting for agreement on the matter this time, it was a firm statement.
Lirilei Something in Chayy came uncoiled as Trace sought to assure him that the status of their friendship hadn't changed, a still present worry finally snuffed out fully as he took a deep breath and let it out in a whuff of ease. It was easy to see those words had taken some invisible weight off the bagworm boys shoulders and mind! "I am still getting used to it...for one I am not so small anymore. I am about as tall as you!" any height difference now was pretty negligible compared to as pokemon! He stared at the hand a brief moment and stuck his own into it to shake, fingers curling tightly. "Partners!"
"It's okay, I'm still small compared to you in some ways, so I don't mind." he couldn't help a soft laugh of amusement really! "These? Oh, I was looking through some of the metal containers for things to wear and I found them, and when I brought them close to my face to see what they were, suddenly I could see better! Without them well..." he pulled them off a moment and his eyes slightly unfocused. "I know where you both were but I don't see you, as you. I see blurry shapes and smudges of colors." the glasses went back on and he blinked. "They are not perfect, you're still both sort of fuzzy but not as bad as without." so he would happily deal with slightly fuzzy as opposed to entirely!
"Yeah...I don't know what they were, but they had uniforms, and they looked pretty mad that I was there. Something about taking me to the place for runaway kids. I don't know, I ran before they got too close and could get me. I haven't been back to the park since." it just didn't seem safe going back there!
Chayyim couldn't figure Arashi out. He couldn't tell what the other boy thought about him in any way...he seemed nice...but maybe impatient? At times maybe slightly mocking? He didn't know...and he didn't think he liked not knowing. It was one of those things that would quietly nag at him for awhile as he studied the eevee boy in his own way, to get to the bottom of him as it were. "Thank you Trace, really." of course thanking him for saying he'd help it was only natural.
"Why would I be angry? You have a life that doesn't involve me, and that has been around long before I was dropped in that park away from the fire. I was worried about you, but I see you're here, you're okay. I have no reason to be mad at you Trace." he wasn't understanding why Trace thought he would be mad he hadn't come to visit. He himself had been injured and getting better, and he was sure Trace hadn't come through entirely unscathed, and then it looked like he'd gotten hurt again, so no anger to be had. Just relief the other was here and okay!
It took him a long moment after Trace spoke, of thinking through the words that were spoken and trying to discern any hidden meaning for him to rather slowly nod his head in agreement. "Alright...I can agree with that yes..."
His attention snapped back to Arashi as he began to talk again. Step one was done? When? How? Where? he paid attention though, looking puzzled. "There is a difference in the metal cans?" he hadn't realized that. Still at least he'd found things he'd needed. Just not enough of it...or all of it. "Okay...and you will show me where those places are then yes?" he smiled brightly at Arashi then. Learning new things was good!
Back to Trace, that grab at his arm and he moved a little closer to the other, and listened intently to what was being explained to him, eyes wide behind busted glasses as he nodded slowly. "Ah okay yes...yes...this makes more sense yes...so there will be less stinky diapers and things. I still remember those." and here he made a face. Of course he remembered the mess he'd stepped in upon their first meeting.
Chayy grinned and nodded enthusiastically again, almost losing his glasses. "A promise is a promise and I am happy to teach you to read still." and there he went, spontaneously hugging the other again. He was in better spirits now than he was just a few short minutes ago!
MoogerMint "Hey, you're right! There's a lot less height difference between us now!" Trace commented, ducking his head down to get a feel for how tall Chayyim now was in comparison, "You might still get some height on me yet!" It was obvious that the young burmy felt much more at ease after Trace had assured him of their friendship status, and feeling that sort of emotion made it easier for the poochyena to bring his more comfortable personality quirks back into the open. It seemed when others were at ease, it was easier to be that way as well! He shook Chayy's hand twice when the offered one was gripped, patting the top of Chayy's with his other hand before releasing it, "Okay, good, you had me worried there for a moment!" The comment was only a bit of a tease, and with it came a snicker.
He still hadn't meant to jostle the burmy-boy so hard, though, and made a mental note to be a bit more careful about that sort of thing. Despite how he expected others to react around him, Trace felt more inclined to disallow any sort of harm befall the bug-boy. Chayyim wasn't frail, but he couldn't get it out of his head to feel a little guilty about what had happened to him the last time they met. In a way, it was Trace's fault, for it was only out of contact with the poochyena at the time that the burmy found himself under fire. He was expecting others to feel the same way he did about the situation, despite the obvious glaring faults in his stubborn logic.
Taking a better look at the glasses, the boy took a moment to respond, "Mm, yeah, these bins are better for clothing and items that may be worth something, though they often need a bit of work for complete functionality. It's great you were able to find those before they were gone for good! Especially considering it sounds like you really needed them." He blinked in thought before he continued, "Was your eyesight like that before, when we first met, too?"
Trace offered a visibly grave acknowledgement of what it was that Chayyim was referring to. He didn't know specifically what titles those men in the uniforms went by, but they were all collectively bad news. "Yeah, it's because they seem to think that we're human more than we are pokémon. Silly, isn't it?" he sighed, actually finding it more annoying than anything else, "Glad you got away, otherwise it would have been a lot harder to bust you outta there!" Still, losing two separate homes in such a short span of time, it had to be rough!
Arashi probably found everything a bit more amusing than he should have, even while lacking proper attention towards the majority of the conversation. Chayyim seemed like a fairly timid guy, and he appeared to be very unsure around the eevee. While he wasn't positive if it was the fact he just didn't know Arashi, he was leaning towards assuming it was because of his lack of tact. It had happened before, and the fact that it kept cropping up like this tickled him more than it led him to consider changing his tactics. However, he was making the atmosphere uncomfortable, he could tell, so continued to wander. He wasn't about to respond unless specifically spoken to, so as not to overstep his bounds. While he was normally considered the 'leader' of the area, he didn't tend to acknowledge it himself, and never forcibly pushed the matter. Even pushing it away didn't seem to ever really work.
It was difficult to remain still when he was having difficulty attempting to explain himself, and even more difficult in knowing Trace was about to admit to something that could cause converation to head down a very unwanted path. He didn't know how Chayy would take it, but he was able to nod in acceptance of the fact that the burmy was not, indeed, angry at him for not visiting. "Sorry, I should have known better," he apologized with a sheepish smile. Chayyim always seemed difficult to anger, why had he thought otherwise? Maybe it was his own flavor of panic, but he sure wasn't used to fearing what others had thought. Friends could be rare and precious things indeed.
He pressed on in his questioning, "So then you can also agree that everything both of us did the night we first met... that was all conscious decisions we both made, right? So that leg injury you got... that wasn't really the blame of anyone but your own, for sticking around." He realized that was a pretty harsh example, but he was starting to get tense about admitting anything. Sighing, he let it lead in to what he was originally getting at, tugging at the bandages around his head again in emphasis, "It's the same reason why this was my fault, because it was due to my own decisions." He didn't consider them stupid decisions, though; it had led to a second encounter, as it was, and Chayyim wasn't limping on his leg! That was good enough for him.
Arashi wasn't in so much agreement with Trace's sentiments on the matter, and he had to focus on allowing his tail to bristle in reaction to their conversation. He'd set things right, in due time... but for now, he had to stay in the present, especially now that he was being addressed. The eevee-boy hadn't noticed the confusion on Chayy's face when step one had been confirmed complete, instead diving into step two, possibly with more haste than was considered normal with his insistence on changing the subject to something less enraging. "Sure thing! Next stop, take-out, three blocks down that-a-way," Arashi responded, jabbing a finger down the street and bounding along, leading the way.
Trace laughed at Chayy's observations onto the trash can predicament, "That's right, no more stinky diapers. The sheer amount of those is baffling, isn't it?" He was still trying to tug the burmy along when he was pulled into another hug, more relieved than he was surprised at the act. When Trace had pulled away the last time, he was concerned he had inadvertently discouraged the behavior from occuring again. It was strange how comforting a simple hug could be, and to make sure it was still seen as acceptable, Trace returned the hug with a tight squeeze. "Come on now, you need some food. The reading can always wait until later," he concurred, nearly attempting to pick the burmy up again to carry him off. That wasn't so easy to do anymore!
Lirilei "There really is! It's easier to see you when talking to you." he was smiling, a teasing look really! It hadn't bothered him to talk to Trace when he was so much smaller, but this was certainly easier! There was a laugh then and he shook his head. "I don't know Trace, you're still bigger than me. I think you'll always be that way!" it wouldn't surprise him if this was the case honestly.
Chayy straightened himself back up quickly...or as straightened as one could get with much too large second hand goods and all. Still he was back in some sembalance of order and all in a few heart beats, even after righting himself from the slight jostling. Trace was obviously a lot stronger than him he realized!
The question though made him shake his head. "No, I could see you and everything else just fine before...but after I woke up like this, I couldn't see anything. Just blurs and smudges of colors. I don't really like not being able to see." of course not!
"That is silly...I don't see humans going around with tails...or ears...or even leaves!" he shook his head in some disbelief of their ignorance though he couldn't help but smile. "You wouldn't have known where I was to break me out of anywhere, anyhow." which would have been bad!
"It's okay Trace, no need to be sorry. You didn't know how I felt and asked, and now you know! Only thing that would have been foolish was not asking." Chayy gave the other a warm smile as he said that, patting his arm lightly as he spoke. He really was quite mild mannered!
His brows furrowed in confusion at Trace's next words, trying to make some sense of them. "I think technically it is the fault of that fire dog that attacked us, but if you wish it to be my fault then alright." there was a slight nod, he still looking puzzled, but shouldering the blame for his injury, still wondering what Trace was getting at. How was this all related to those bandages?
Arashi's insistence of changing the subject was met with an impatient noise, and he turned to the eevee boy and his hand came down in a sharp chopping motion. "Ferma! Basta essere tranquillo un momento!" The Italian was sharp and full of authority the buggy boy usually didn't attempt to exhibit. But telling Arashi to stop, and be quiet for a moment, well he was distracting Chayyim, and he felt he needed to concentrate on what Trace was trying to tell him. "Ragazzo impaziente...." the words were muttered to himself a moment, and he turned away from said impatient boy, to look to Trace once more.
He did feel guilty though for talking to Arashi that way! "Mi dispiace.. err I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you that way. You're just trying to be helpful, I shouldn't have spoken like that." oh of course not! He scuffed his foot a little on the ground in sheepishness.
"Ah..si...yes...lots of stinky diapers. Human children as smelly creatures." His tone was rather contrite now after apologizing to Arashi. Still he looked to Trace when he was hugged back and momentarily rested his forehead on the others shoulder. "You do not have to tell me why you have the bandage. You're hurt I can tell. Or were and are healing...but I can see it bothers you to talk of it, and I don't want you uncomfortable around me okay? Its done, it happened...you are here, and I am here, and your friend is here and it is all good now."
He pulled away and looked up the short distance to Trace and smiled. "You both say something about food being that way yes? Lets find food, I haven't eaten much in a few days, and I could use some food." blatantly changing the subject...but it seemed best for his friend.
( Continued in next post )
MoogerMint Crew
Sparkly Pants
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MoogerMint Crew
Sparkly Pants
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Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 10:18 pm
Like the Changing of the Leaves part 2
MoogerMint "I know, I know... had my head up in the clouds before, didn't I?" the poochyena laughed, more than happy to see Chayyim begin playing his hand at a more taunting role. He actually kind of preferred the lesser distance between the both of them, whichever way it ended up falling. While he wasn't the best at measurement, he could see that the height difference was probably similar to that that was apparent when they were both fully pokémon, "It's possible, yeah... I'm not exactly sure how growth works, to be perfectly honest. Do we grow more like the humans now, or like we always have?" Arashi hadn't seemed to have grown at all since he had changed, but then he was probably a poor example.
Trace held back the urge to fiddle with the glasses in his curiosity, uncertain as to why the fundamentals of Chayyim's eyesight altered so much. "That's really weird... I'm not sure why transforming did that to your eyesight! Maybe it had to compensate for something else, and took the energy from where it didn't think it was as necessary? I'm not sure why it would have chosen sight, if that were the case, though..." he studied the different angles aloud, but was not satisfied with the reasoning he had come up with. He did, however, find it a little amusing that sight had been affected by both of them, even if they were severely different manners altogether.
There was only one thing that Trace could perhaps consider as to why the mix-up between their kind and the humans even happened, and it was not a very satisfying one. "Umm... fashion statement, maybe? I don't know, I don't really get it, either. Maybe it's just because we're more unlike pokémon now than we are unlike humans?" he was, again, merely grasping at straws, "Well... for the most part. I really don't know. Maybe we just disturb them or something." He offered a shrug, content enough in his lack of a proper answer for now. Maybe one day, they would be able to figure it out. Thinking on the idea of breaking Chayy out of their equivalency to prison, he had to admit the burmy made a good point, "That's... true. Or know that you were even captured in the first place." Well, back to the main point: it was good that the burmy had eluded capture!
"It's true, I wouldn't have known otherwise without asking, but Chayy... you're not exactly the type to get angry, not easily. At least that is what I've been able to gather so far," he pointed out with a nervous chuckle. Ugh, this was all so aggravating. There was no reason to be, but the more this went on, the more nervous Trace was becoming. There was no way to put this delicately, but what exactly was it that he was so afraid of? Chayy wouldn't get mad, but... maybe he was fearing the comfort. That was it, he just needed to play it off more nonchalantly. The reactions he was already receiving, though... "N-No, no, that's not what I meant. It was his fault too, sure, but... the reason it happened was partly because you had stayed behind, you see?" his words were strained in his effort to attempt explaining with a more calm mind, but it seemed such efforts were widely in vain.
Arashi couldn't keep the bristling tail at bay any further. The atmosphere alone was making him unbearably cranky, but the tone that Chayyim used was enough to ignite his checked temperament, irregardless of the fact that he had no idea what the heck he was just told. "It was the same night! Nothing else happened after that, you dolt!" he snapped. His seething words were contracted from numerous sources, but in the heat of the moment it was difficult to tell. He barely caught the offered apology, if only because he wanted the burmy-boy to understand.
Trace's ears flattened against his head, "Arashi, we'll meet you down the street, okay? I can handle this." The poochyena's voice was more controlled, but the sharp gaze he offered to the eevee pinpointed much more negative energy. Arashi growled, waving a hand in harsh dismissal before he took off. Attention turning back to Chayy, his expression quickly dissolved into something more apologetic. That sort of argument... he wished that hadn't happened, so soon and with Chayyim around to play a part in it. This was supposed to be a happy time...
His ears were still folded back, but their posture had shifted reactions. No longer was it out of rage, but remorse. "I'm fine, really," he insisted, "I already told myself I was going to tell you, so it might as well be now. Get that block out of the road sooner than later, right?" His speech patterns were attempting to brighten Chayyim's mood, but he was unsure if it was a lost cause at this point. Trace's own hands were shaking slightly, so he removed them from Chayyim's immediate person but hovered them close by; he was not pulling away this time. "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, or put on the spot with the comment about the leg. It's how I view getting injuries, or making decisions that might result in things like that happening, at least to myself," he began. His gaze averted temporarily, for he didn't truly believe any of it was Chayyim's fault at all. Not the leg injury, not the scuffle, not the eye injury...
Again he tugged at the bandages with a single hand, more a nervous habit than truly indicating it, "Injuries like this, they're common for the way I live life. It was my fault I got that close, and didn't have as good of a grip on his leg to prevent it from happening..." He was paling a bit, but he didn't let it break his concentration. "Just need to make sure I don't lose the other eye while I'm at it, huh?" his laugh was convincing, but Trace was scared. Very, very scared.
Once Chayy pulled away, Trace was quick to pull his hands into his pockets. He hated this sort of emotion, and he didn't want it to get the better of him, especially when it was so irritatingly obvious for humans. "If you're sure. We'll get some food once we're done. We've got the time alone at the moment..." the boy assured, intent to make sure everything was okay first. As an afterthought, he quickly piped up, "And... I'm sure Arashi doesn't feel any ill will towards you. He's had it a bit rough, and these sorts of situations kind of rub him wrong." It wasn't a secret that he hated long conversations, but Trace knew there was more to it.
Lirilei "Compared to me, yes you did." there was a laugh from Chayy as he said that, amusement clear on his face. "Well..it's odd...we look like people with pokemon features on them. So I don't know about how we grow. I'm so much bigger now than I would have ever been."
Chayy gave a shrug then when it came to his eyesight, or more like the lack of it. "I don't know why it happened either. Maybe I didn't see as clearly as I thought I did before and it's just worse now. Or eye sight could be different. It's strange but at least something can be done about it for me."
"It could be we disturb them, I couldn't say I'm not used to dealing with people after all. I think you two are more experienced there yeah?" he nodded his head emphatically. "Exactly! You and I might not have ever found one another again if I'd been caught so best I was not."
Chayyim was beyond confused at this whole line of things, and it was written clear as day. Why did Trace keep giving generalities? Why wasn't he just getting to the point? It was Arashi's tone that made him back up a few steps as if he'd been physically struck and he flinched even, unable to help himself. The other boy seemed so angry at him and it was his own fault he knew, he'd snapped first. If he had some appendage that could droop it would have at that moment.
Instead in the moment Trace was talking to Arashi he'd turned away from the other one arm crossed over his chest and wrapped over the upper portion of the opposite arm, the other arm hanging limply the sleeves of both covering his fingers. He was staring off down the alley unseeingly for a few moments, letting the pair talk while he opted to tune them out. He'd really stuck his foot into the caca this time hadn't he?
Trace was talking to him his mind supplied and he half turned back towards the other, though he didn't close the distance between them at this point. "My leg is unimportant Trace its okay, both physically and in the metaphorical sense. Don't feel you need to apologize for bringing it up." of course not. He was scarred but okay. "I'm sorry I made your friend mad by being impatient. I didn't mean to be, I was just trying to focus on what you were saying and couldn't because he was distracting me."
Maybe it was a bad idea to go with them. It was what he'd been preparing to say, after all how could he go with two people one of which seemingly really didn't like him, when Trace's words hit home causing his hand to fall from his arm and he to take a step forward. He didn't know what to say...what to do. His eyes were wide behind broken lenses though.
Being told Arashi didn't feel badly towards him was a relief, and it did bring a smile to his face. "I'm glad...means I don't have to figure out an excuse as to why I can't go with you...because well I'm not about to make a pest of myself to someone who didn't like me." well it made sense!
Finally he couldn't avoid responding to the cause of Trace's discomfort and he merely smiled. "One eye or two, you're still you, and still amazing as far as I'm concerned. But yes, need to make sure you don't lose the other one too. How healed is it? I wish I had read books on medicine and stuff so I could be more helpful." and here he frowned. "I wonder if I could find some..." how thoughtful the boy sounded! "The bandages make you look dashing and daring just so you know." and here he beamed at his friend. "Thank you for telling me Trace!" and here he went hugging again with a sheepish laugh. "Sorry...I'm just really happy to see you again!"
MoogerMint It was such a relief to see Chayy having enough of a good time to be joking around in the manner that he was, just as it would have likely been the same relief to see Trace acting similarly. Growing into such an unnatural form certainly came with more than its fair share of limitations and stresses in such a short period of time, but reuniting with a friend under comparative circumstances eased the weight of it all. That spark of familiar personality traits was evident once more, "Oh well, only time is going to tell. No use worrying about it now. Besides, we've got quite the view now. It's nice to be able to see so much further in any direction now! It's kind of weird, how much of a change that is, with only a few feet added to height." Weird indeed, he was even still getting used to balancing on a mere two feet, as opposed to four!
While not altogether worried about the regressed sight that Chayy had experienced upon transformation, it was nonetheless an irritating turn of events. It was really lucky he had discovered a working pair of glasses so soon after! "I wonder if finding the glasses was the plan of the one that left the star? That would be some foresight on it, though," he offered, finding it... probably even more far-fetched than any other idea he'd had thus far. Really weird, but lucky nonetheless! Trace snickered at that, "All things considered, you're a pretty lucky guy, I think!" Despite the bad that had happened, everything seemed to be turning out all right, all things considered.
The poochyena-boy shrugged at the thought of what ran through the heads of the humans, but he couldn't deny the fact that he probably still knew a little more about them than the average wild pokémon. "I suppose, but I don't think it's too much more than you know. Guess we'll have to learn about that part together. That doesn't seem so bad, maybe it'll actually be easy!" he grinned. "But I think I would have noticed you had gone missing sooner or later. Maybe I could have pieced everything together... though that would still likely have been a while! I'm glad you're safe. You should be able to stay that way now," the finality in the statement showed his assurance of the fact; he didn't think he, nor Arashi, would let anything bad happen to one of their own, if they could help it!
Throughout the argument Arashi and Trace had, the distraction of the discussion left a lot of what went on around them out of mind. Trace knew that Chayy had receded during it and felt badly for it, but outside of a general suspicion, didn't know the extent. It was only because they knew one another so well that the arguments never went further than a bit of irrationality and irritation; it wasn't exactly a rare occurrence, but it was by no means common, either. Expressions of emotion tended to stay checked, behind civil debate, but this was spurred by more than the norm: severe anger and fear. Gang wars were part of life, sure, but this time it had gone too far by trying to snuff out opposition and an innocent bystander. Arashi was more than enraged by it, and speaking of it was not lessening that rage's hold on him. He should have been there! What sort of leader was he!?
Trace's ears were still pressed back as Chayy spoke. His eyes watched the leg as it was spoken of, taking note that it didn't seem to be bothering the burmy-boy as much as it could have if it was still injured, and he seemed to be able to put his weight on it well enough... so there was no sense in arguing the truth in Chayy's assurance. Trace have a swift nod to indicate that much, but shook his head when Arashi was brought up, "He can be impatient, too. He doesn't let something that small get him too worked up, he's just got too many things on his mind. He just... didn't like what happened, that's all. Arashi's more the 'take charge' sort of person, not the... 'let's talk about it' sort of person." The poochyena snickered slightly at that, considering both Chayy and Trace both seemed to be the polar opposite of Arashi, in that sense.
He hesitated momentarily at Chayyim's initial reaction to the words that left his mouth in his attempt to nonchalantly explain what had happened to him. His laugh was stifled and tapered off, but he tried to play it off as best he could anyway. The concern in the burmy's eyes was enough to cause Trace's sight to drift to the side, nearly taking a step back to counter Chayy's step forward. There was an expectation that the conversation was going to be headed exactly towards the direction Trace had been avoiding, and his mind scrambled for a way to prevent it from happening. What could he say, that wouldn't end up possibly being misconstrued as an effort to push the burmy away altogether? He didn't want that, he just couldn't handle the concern!
Luckily, he had no need to grapple for words that didn't seem to want to cooperate. His attention quickly flicked back to Chayy, "Excuse to leave? No no, Chayy, there'd never be a time you'd have to do something like that. I don't think there's any good reason someone could have for disliking you!" He shook his head in emphasis, "Look, I'm sure any concerns you might still have can be cleared up once we catch up with him. Arashi argues, it's just what he's good at. You'll get the hang of dealing with him easily enough in time, I'm sure of it."
He flinched slightly when conversation wrapped its way back around to the point he feared... only it was not what he had been expecting. Trace blinked at Chayy's take on the missing eye, stunned for a moment before a dusting of red found its way across his face, "Heh... thanks, Chayy, I'm glad to hear that!" He was also at a loss for words on the compliment; it was something so far outside of his expectations that he hadn't planned for it at all! His grin was no longer tentative to the situation, coming much easier, "You're really great, you know that?" He rubbed at the bandage again without really thinking about it, a reactionary move, "No, unfortunately I don't think much can be done... The star that I found, that changed me, it pretty much healed it up. Apparently it can't really bring back what was already missing beforehand. It's actually... kind of interesting, if you think about it. I can help you try to get some books on medicine, though; maybe we could both read it and make sure this sort of thing doesn't happen again, to anyone." He was being very serious about it, but his smile could have fooled.
He caught Chayy's hug, comforted by the fact that that seemed to mean that there was less tenseness in the air. "Of course I would have told you, I just wasn't sure if it would ruin the mood if I told you now or not..." he admitted meekly. Trace offered a squeeze in return, "You don't have to apologize. Heh, I'll get used to it!" This sort of comfort... it was actually pretty nice.
Lirilei “Well you see better now…me not so much but it’s okay.” He chuckled softly and shrugged a little at his poor joke. He was merely trying to keep the situation from growing too tense at this point.
“Maybe, but if they wanted me to find them they shouldn’t have been half buried like they were. I’m just lucky I found them at all or I’d still be wandering blindly.” Which would have been very, very bad really.
That Trace was adamant about the fact that he would have noticed his disappearance…eventually…and that he would be safe from here on out was reassuring honestly. He knew his friend knew the streets and so much better than he himself did. So it was no wonder he felt as safe as he did at the idea of relying on the other. It was only smart thinking!
He was more than a little glad that Trace chose not to argue about his leg in any way it wouldn’t do either of them any good. It was done and past and healed up remarkably well he knew. Chayy grew more relaxed at the further assurances that it was okay between the bug and Eevee and he let the tense hold of his shoulders relax. That was good. Trace wouldn’t be put into a tough spot due to him then! “Good! I’m very glad to hear. Still, I will apologize again, and hope in time we don’t argue. Sounds like I might lose often if I do.”
Chayy reached out and of all things he brushed a lock of Trace’s hair that seemed determined to go under the bandages. Was one loose? He studied it closely a moment. “I think it might be a little loose…want me to tighten it a little so your hair doesn’t try slipping under it again or something?” simple concern about that. “Maybe we can find you something less than bandages for your eye…a patch…like what pirates wear.” He smiled warmly at the other nodding. “I would like to help if I’m going to be around. I want to do something in thanks.” And learning medicine seemed the best bet with this motly crew!
“You’re my friend, and I’d like to think nothing will change this. I can’t begin to put words to how angry I am at the fire dog for doing this to you but I’m very glad you’re healed up. We should catch up to your friend and let him know everything is in the open and I know about the eye loss. I think it will make things so much easier for everyone when no one is dancing around it.” It made plenty of sense to him!
MoogerMint It was true, Trace had a difficult time imagining what it would be like to suddenly be able to see nothing but a blur of the world around him, and took a brief glance around the alley in order to gauge the imagination toward the matter. He didn't understand why fate decided to deal Chayyim such a cruel hand when there had been no problem before, but he also knew there was no use dwelling on it -- especially since it seemed the problem was solved for now. "Yeah, we should try to figure out how we can get you a better pair of those," the poochyena-boy commented, noting the split in one of the lenses. He was oblivious to prescriptions and price tags of the instruments, however, so such idealism was further out of his reach at the moment than he had any current idea of. Regardless, the one pair of glasses that Trace had ever seen up close before, and Chayy happened to stumble across them after he had grown, it was luck no matter how he looked at it!
Trace's own tenseness over the initial aspects of this encounter were quickly washed away the more he observed the burmy-boy's own reactions. He found it kind of silly, in fact, that the both of them reacted in such a way at all. For one, they hardly really knew one another, so why put so much weight into what the other thought? Of course, that in itself was a silly thought as well, for he knew the answer... it was difficult, in this world, to find someone that struck the chord of 'friend' with such little effort, and in so short a time, but that was also why it shouldn't have been an issue. The gradual ease he was seeing, that knowledge was verified quite completely. "I'll help you out with Arashi, but seriously, I don't see it being a problem. I don't think you lost in that argument, in any case; you held your own," he assured. In fact, he was fairly certain that Arashi actually liked Chayyim already, but he didn't want to assume that was the case.
There was a brief moment when Chayy reached toward Trace's bandages where he nearly retreated quickly away. He didn't want them removed, and he didn't want to be comforted, but he held his ground out of curiosity for what the burmy was trying to do. The lock of hair tickled his jaw a bit when it was moved, alerting the boy to what his friend was attempting to do. His ears flicked upward in response, "Loose? Well... that wouldn't be surprising. I keep messing with them because they're a little itchy." Blinking, he ducked a little further down, "You think you can fix them? Heh, I doubt I did a very good job, so that would be really helpful. Kind of hard to wrap something up when you can't see it." He liked the idea of an actual patch over the eye -- it would be immensely easier to keep care for, and probably easier to put on as well! "That would probably work a lot better, but I have no idea where we could even find something like that," he laughed. Maybe if there was some costume shop around here or something, but would those eyepatches even be functional?
"Hey, Chayy, you're already helpful. Heck, even moral support is helpful, but you seem the type to go out of your way to try to help anyway," Trace insisted, recalling when the burmy wouldn't let go of the growlithe until he was sure things were taken care of, despite the lack of battle experience. "You've done more than enough already. We treat one another like family around here, when you're part of the gang. You won't have to repay anything!" he snickered. They were all just working toward the same goals, and could help one another along the way, but it wasn't a competition -- everyone benefitted on the whole, and everyone seemed to be set back just as easily. As long as they had some place, it was home, and that was the mindset that Trace had been equipped with his whole time living here. To him, it was the only way to survive. Idly, he began trying to devise where they could get their hands on any medical books. Did they have them at the library? Would they even let them, these street kids, in through the door if they were there? "Maybe a doctor's office or the library would have some decent books, but we'll probably have to be careful," he said finally.
At Chayy's affirmation of how he felt on the matter, and what he intended to do about it -- at least for the moment -- Trace offered a nod in the way of agreement. "I can't think of anything that would break such tight friendship... unless you went to the dark side?" he teased with a snicker. There was that downward dip in the tone, but Trace was trying to avoid it, if only for now. He was fairly certain the growlithe hadn't even wanted to do damage, only to scare... but he wasn't the brightest of street-dwelling pokémon out here, and Trace nearly winced at the anger that Chayy spoke of. The poochyena didn't like it any better, but he still believed it to be mostly his own doing, for not paying as much attention. "Alright, well he's just down the street a ways. I'm sure you've been starving long enough now anyways, am I right?" he offered a sheepish grin; that was entirely unintentional, to have Chayy wait so long for some food! As soon as he was able to, he hopped to the end of the alley and paused to make sure Chayy was following.
Lirilei "Probably but I don't even know how to go about getting better ones. I'm sure there's a place to find them other than trashcans though I don't know how I could get some. Still I'm happy to have these!" he was very happy to be able to see even if they were broken.
"Not that it was much of an argument." Chayy gave a soft chuckle and shrugged a little. Not much argument at all just the two of them snapping at the other in a case of frayed nerves. Chayyim wasn't sure why he was reacting so strongly to the tension in the air and he could only reason it was due to Trace being his only friend. That would do it he reasoned.
"Shouldn't mess with them so much Trace." the chiding was gentle, amused really. "I'll sure try. Here stand still." Chayy moved around behind the other and undid the knot there and unwound the bandages without even trying to catch a look of the others eye, and instead began to rewrap them, snugger than they'd been, and he reaching every so often to brush hair away before the ends were secured and he came around again with a smile. "Perfetto!" perfect indeed!
"I don't know either..." he admitted thoughtfully. "...but that doesn't mean I won't be on the look out for one for you!" a pleased flush crossed the dark skinned bug childs face at Trace's praising words, and he couldn't help but smile. "Of course. You're my friend, so I'll do all I can to help you out."
'When you're part of the gang!' those words rang in his ears and while he was smiling a small rock formed in his stomach, because there was no denying that he wasn't part of the gang. Still, he'd take what he could be taught by the others on how the survive life on the streets, and go his own way. He wouldn't burden them trying to help him further than they would be.
"Maybe. Plenty of time to figure this out though." oh yes plenty. They'd find a way for him to get medical books. "No dark side for me thanks. Seems scary over there." very! At the reminder of being hungry his stomach growled loud enough he could hear it and his head ducked sheepishly a nod given. "I think you're right Trace yes."
MoogerMint Chayyim's current pair of glasses were most assuredly something good to have happen in what felt like a downhill tumble, that much was certain. They worked well enough as it was anyway, so as long as they held up, there was no sense worrying about replacement at all. While the statement of 'don't fix what isn't broke' didn't exactly fit here, it was... close enough. Trace looked thoughtful over the subject, as though taking mental note. "Well..." he said finally, "... we're just going to have to make ourselves a shopping list, to keep on the lookout for. Let's see... unbroken glasses, an eyepatch, and some medical books. Well... any books that could be of use, really." He tallied them off on his fingers, blinking once before tilting his head, "Did I miss anything?" It wasn't a long list, but they weren't exactly the easiest pieces to scavenge, so they were sure to have their work cut out for them! However, it also seemed like fun, a treasure hunt of sorts; they could do it!
"Eh?" the bite pokémon was a mite confused at the statement that Chayy's and Arashi's argument wasn't exactly an argument, until he caught on, "Oh, yeah, I suppose you're right. Poor choice of words... but what I said still stands. Can't fault you for having an opinion, or for being concerned. It's... probably why he lost his temper, too, anyway." They really needed to move past all of this, that much concern for things that couldn't be helped, that would have nothing to gain from it, seemed almost toxic. Trace just wanted things to be back to normal, for everyone to just speak to one another in the manner they could before the stars, before the incident...
He was trying to sit still while the burmy fixed his bandages, he really was, but it was difficult to when the mock scolding was causing him to have to try to hold back the laughter. Trace tried to twist the reaction into a mock whine to parry, but it was even less sincere-sounding because of it, "But they're itchyyyy, Thyme!" He stuck his tongue out as a tease then, "I'll try to be good, promise." However, as the bandages unwound from his head, the looser the cloth got, the more vulnerable he felt. There was rarely a time anymore where they weren't there, and it caused a chill to run up his spine, flinching slightly. The child still tried to sit still, but he also tried to hide the injury as much as possible. Attention was redirected when he felt Chayy slide his uncooperative hair away, and Trace was quick to try to help keep it out of the work space. "Ah, that was quick!" he exclaimed, surprised. Wiggling his ears a little, a broad grin found its way back onto his face, "It feels great, and a lot less itchy! Thank you!"
Trace found it amusing, noting the reddening of Chayyim's face as he had attempted to convince the burmy of his already-evident usefulness. He wasn't the best at taking a compliment, was he? But he wasn't going to tease him about it, that might only prove to make things more awkward for him, so Trace let him off with an agreeable nod, "I'd do the same for you. You're right, that's what friends do." He hadn't yet realized the dilemma Chayy was facing, yet to have been given the knowledge that they wanted him to stay as part of the gang. Chayy needed the help, and there wasn't a downside to having extra hands to help out. Trace already had it at the forefront of his mind that the burmy-boy was an integrated member, but forgot to explicitly state such!
With a nod, Trace reached back to grab hold of one of Chayyim's oversized sleeves, "Yup, we'll figure it out together. No use running it alone, if it can be done otherwise! Besides, the dark side only has us to fear, if we're both refusing to join it, eh?" He tugged a bit at the raggedy cloth, "Now that doesn't sound good! Heh, we'll straighten things out with Arashi real quick and get you some dinner. Sound good?"
They only had a couple of blocks to travel to catch up to the eevee, who already seemed to have pulled a few things aside to organize what he perceived as 'good' and what was 'bad.' Or... at least, that's what it looked like. He was pacing a bit, contemplating on how best to teach Chayyim, a pokémon he was fairly sure had never done something like this before. It would have been more helpful if there was more of a variety, more of a range... but it was adequate. His dark eyes caught as the both of them emerged from the street-side, and he waved them over, "I think it's a decent enough haul, but... hey, c'mere a second." He was no teacher, but maybe his bluntness in this instance would help the knowledge sink in faster. Or he could just turn it over to Trace to teach Chayyim; that worked, too.
Lirilei "I think thats about it and easy enough to remember too honestly." or so he was thinking. It was only a few items after all, but they would probably be hard to locate. "I'll just make sure I'm really careful so my glasses don't get even worse." that wouldn't do them any good, putting them into a desperate situation like that!
"Well I'm sure we'll figure it out Trace I mean we're both your friend, so we'll have to learn to get along so that it doesn't become a problem regardless." it was just a passing thought but it was true! His attention was caught by a car passing by, some noise coming from it. Music. Not that he was aware of such things, but it intrigued him a little. Still, he pushed that sudden distraction away and refocused on Trace utterly as he worked on the bandages.
He could tell his friend was uncomfortable with the bandages being off, and he didn't want to make him regret letting him help. So he was more than a little pleased to hear that he'd done such a good job with rewrapping, especially for it being a first! It brought a pleased smile to his face, another slight blush but oh how bright his eyes were! "Very welcome Trace, just let me know if they get loose and I'll fix them again." he really didn't mind!
The tug on his sleeve was surprising but certainly attention grabbing and he looked at Trace again with another smile. "I think they'd be smart to be more afraid of you than me, or you and Arashi...but I can try to be scary!" he grimaced suddenly in an attempt to look menacing a growl of sorts, mimicking the noises he heard Trace making that night really rumbling up from his throat. It...wasn't the scariest of sounds or effects since he looked more grossed out than mean but at least he was trying to look fierce even if he was falling short of the mark!
"Food does sound really good...be nice to have something to eat." he flushed again head ducking as his stomach rumbled again a bit mortified at that point. The praises before had been nothing compared to the embarrassment he felt now. That had been a pleased sort of blushing, but this? Nope. His stomach sounded more menacing than he had!
Following behind Trace was easy enough and coming up behind him he was able to peer over his shoulder with ease at what Arashi had set up on the ground there, eying it curiously. At Arashi's beckoning words he did step around his friend and approached the other child almost cautiously. "What's all this?" simple curiosity really. He couldn't make heads or tails of it.
MoogerMint Trace grinned at the proofread list, "And with us both on the lookout, we can be twice as effective in our search, too!" It was definitely a nice, short list, even if it was a tad on the difficult-to-find end of the procurements spectrum. Eh, they had time; none of it was something they needed right away, at least at the moment. He studied Chayyim after his comment about being careful, finding the thought amusing, "I don't know what you might be up to that would break them any further." He knew that the burmy was likely nervous about any other run-in with the growlithe from before, or anyone similar, but Trace wasn't all that worried himself. They'd look out for one another! Besides, while Chayy may have been clumsy at times, he was still a careful klutz!
It was still lost on the poochyena that Chayy didn't consider himself a part of the gang, at least not yet. The burmy's comments, therefore, were more entertaining than they would have been had Trace the necessary information as to his friend's views on the matter! "You're not supposed to get along for my sake!" he laughed, "Really, I don't see it a problem, once you recognize and work around the quirks. I did it, so I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be possible for you to!" Trace saw no reason to give him any less credit than that; Chayy was a very intelligent pokémon! His ears twitched lightly as the bandages were tightened a bit further, but the passing car with the blaring music fazed the poochyena-child considerably less.
He poked at the adjusted bandages a little to test them, but didn't tug quite so much as he had been doing before. "Definitely working better. Heh, I'd be happy to request your assistance again, if you weren't too busy at the time! Don't think anyone else could have done it better!" he chirped happily.
Trace scoffed as Chayy insisted that he was more intimidating of an enemy than the burmy was, "What are you talking about? I thought we made a great team! Tag-team 'em! Besides, there's power in numbers, especially if it's with friends all working together." It would have also helped if either one of them had more battle experience under their metaphorical belts, but they could always work on that. Hearing Chayy's growl attempt cracked a smile across Trace's expression, "Hey, that was a good start! But we can work on that, too." There was a snicker of laughter, but he tried not to make it sound to pointedly attached to the situation... especially since that growling stomach actually had him more worried than amused! When was the last time Chayy had even eaten anything? That had to be remedied, stat!
The poochyena-child stepped to the side a bit as they caught up, giving Chayy better access to taking the lead in the alleyway. He seemed to be... just as confused, to be perfectly honest. Arashi barely gave the questioning looks a second thought; he knew he wasn't the best to be showing the ropes, but it was better than explaining it anyway. "I thought it might be helpful to teach you how to pick out the good food, but I kind of... revised my idea partway through, so this is a rough setup. Very rough..." he admitted, scratching the back of his head, "Maybe we can make a game of it." Obviously, he had no idea how much the burmy was starving, to be offering a suggestion like that! Trace busied himself in the background, in an attempt to grab something for Chayy to eat if he was going to be forced to do something like that... no use doing so on an empty stomach!
After a moment or two of silent deliberation, Arashi sighed, "Hey, um... sorry for acting that way back there. I should have been more patient, and..." And he was terrible with words; he couldn't find the ones that adequately explained what it was he was feeling at that time. He hoped it didn't need to be said, and dropped the attempt at that. Instead, he picked it up from another starting point, "No hard feelings?"
Lirilei "This is true, especially since we both know what it is we're looking for. Hopefully some of it is easier to find than I'm thinking it will be." he mentally crossed his fingers at the idea of it being easier. Oh if only! Though he had a feeling it wouldn't. Still they'd do their best he knew! "Hopefully nothing that breaks them honestly. I'm doing a bit better now that I'm bigger actually....and have these things. I can see where I'm going in more ways than one." he chuckled some then. It was true the height made it easier to see further, and the glasses just in general.
Chayy was wondering just how much time he'd be spending around Arashi, especially at the comment of them not having to get along for his sake. He was now assuming now much so just gave a nod of his head. "Well alright. Hopefully you're right about that." he sure hoped so! "Good, don't hesitate to ask, or let me know even if I'm doing something, so I can hurry up and help you." while he was around the other anyhow. "Maybe Arashi can help with that too when I'm not able to help." well, why not?
There was a serious look on his face as he listened to Trace and he gave a nod of his head a smile on his face then. "You're right it's probably better with more people to deal with someone causing troubles." and thus why he needed to get better at such things so when he was turned loose again he'd stand a better chance. "How long will it take, you think? ....to get it so I can protect myself I mean since I'll be on my own. I'm going to work as hard as I can at it, so it's not an issue, I'm just wondering how long you think it might take me to become as strong, and tough as you." nothing like simultaneously praising the other, while putting himself down, and putting forth the thoughts he had about not being a part of the gang. Just a friend to one of them after all, and a new one at that.
"Okay...what sort of game did you have in mind?" he could wait to eat. He knew learning the good from the bad was important, and he was seeing more in front of him in the short time they'd been apart, than he'd seen in the last few days put together. It brought another loud rumble from his stomach but he ignored it, and paid attention to Arashi waiting for him to continue...only to blink in surprise, straightening some.
"Oh, no it's okay. We were both worried. Trace told me what happened with his eye, and I understand you were worried and confused and I was worried and confused and I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm normally not like that." maybe it had to do with how hungry he was a part of him mused. "No, no hard feelings. Now, lets teach me about this so I have more luck from now on."
His eyes shone behind those glasses as he waited for this impromptu lesson to continue, eager to learn more, and to learn how to fit into life here in the city. He was sure between Trace and Arashi, he'd be able to better survive on his own after this!
MoogerMint Trace most assuredly agreed with the sentiments Chayyim spoke of. He'd never exactly run across any of those items in his searches in the past, even if he hadn't been looking for them back then. That wasn't to say they couldn't be found at all, but it might prove tricky! With a grin, he shook his head, "I think we can get those glasses of yours to stand up to the test of time, should be fine." It was true, though, being able to actually see where he was going should help cut down on any accidental trips.
"I'm positive!" Trace insisted; if things weren't looking to be too congenial between Chayy and Arashi, he'd be more than eager to set things straight. He was happy to know that he could get some help with the bandages, as touchy as a subject as it seemed to be at the present, especially from someone he could trust. "Well I don't want to be a nuisance about it!" he laughed, "I have tried to get Arashi to help before. Let's just say he's, eh... not the best at this sort of thing." He made a face at that; the eevee definitely wasn't the most careful of individuals when it came to doing something he wasn't used to doing...
The critical direction the conversation was taking, or at least masquerading as to the poochyena, made him more perceptive to the conversation as a whole. He was anxious to turn it towards a more uplifting subject, if only because the amount of stress preceding it had felt like more than enough for the entire week. So while he was content on nodding as response to astute observation, he was more quick on the uptake when Chayy admitted to not understanding the implications Trace had been trying -- or had he forgotten? -- to make. His expression betrayed his shock, now fully understanding where the burmy was coming from. "Oh, no no no! We're not going to let you go out there on your own like that, it's too dangerous!" Trace exclaimed, "Out here, if at all possible, it's best to stay as a group. More eyes on the lookout that way, and means to living more comfortably. Heck, at times I think the more pokémon in a gang, the better." Well, unless they were opposition... However, he realized he may have been too hasty to assume, and he lowered the tone of his voice from one so tensed from surprise, "Well, um... unless you'd prefer it on your own. I suppose I forgot to ask that, huh?" The sheepish smile he offered then wasn't enough to completely mask his concern.
Arashi observed the mess he'd made in the alley way a bit further, discerning how he was supposed to go about explaining a half-baked idea for a game if he was still unsure of how it worked. "Well..." he mulled aloud, "I was thinking we could go through them and see how often you were able to pick up on what was actually good for consumption and what wasn't. We could give some pointers beforehand, maybe, and explain more as we went along or something. Of course we wouldn't let you actually eat something bad, so you don't have to worry there." His tail flicked and a slight frown deepened; that was a horrible explanation. What sort of a game was that?
The eevee-boy winced slightly at the suggestion that he had been worried, not because it was false but because it was something he didn't like to admit he ever felt. Arashi was a proud pokémon, stemming from the belief that he had to be early on to survive, and the thought of his emotions being able to be picked apart so easily grated on him. There was no irritation aimed at Chayyim for it, though, since he was fairly certain Trace was the one to say so. Regardless, if the burmy-boy was going to be part of the gang... he supposed it didn't really hurt for him to know of it. He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair, "Yeah, you're right. You'd think if two people were feeling the same way like that there'd be more understanding at the time, though." He liked how eager Chayyim was to get to the point of this whole excursion, though, and gratefully occupied his attention with the same, picking up a few items to test how well this 'game' held water.
Once Arashi turned away, Trace came back to Chayy's side and nudged him with a breadstick, "Here, eat this. No use going through all this on a completely empty stomach when you're so hungry. It should be good, just maybe a little stale." Fitting it was made to be an appetizer, too!
Lirilei To say Chayy was relieved about...well everything was an understatement honestly. His shoulders relaxed, his stance relaxed and he let out a puff of air that was most definitely a sigh of relief. "Well then since I'll be sticking around with you guys, I'll be able to help you with the bandages with absolutely no issues, and no need to pester Arashi then. Not with me around."
That settled that in his mind. He had absolutely no desire to be out here on his own! He could see the look of concern on Trace's face and did the one thing he could think of that would help that. He hugged him. Again. "I'm glad you guys don't mind me being around! Makes me feel a lot better about things too, thanks!" he beamed then.
Chayy listened to Arashi and gave a nod of his head. It made sense to him. Though he was dubious on how well he'd do. Right now all of it looked edible. So it was with an extremely grateful look to Trace he took the breadstick and began to eat it uncaring if it was stale. Food,was food at this point and it tasted wonderful in his mind!
Chewing thoughtfully on the last of the breadstick he stepped forward to begin his lessons, a rather important one at that...and now that he wasn't so hungry, he knew it would be easier to concentrate on this task, and properly.
Premise: Either side of the societal coin sometimes needs a little mediation to coexist.
- - -
Roleplay: Under spoiler
Thaliawen Brenny was wandering through the woods with a basket of cookies and a thermos of hot chocolate. It was probably warm, more than it was hot at this point, but the celebi was sure the person it was for wouldn't mind! He had ventured out here in hopes of finding a certain eevee boy. He hadn't even gotten his name, though he had asked for it. Some of the more friendly folk near where Brenny had met the boy directed him out here. He wondered if he would catch sight of Arashi. Or convince the eevee boy to take the cookies. He'd said he didn't want things to change, didn't he? He hadn't wanted to come home with Brenny: so Brenny had brought home to him! Well, at least some of the comforts of home. Warm food and drink would cheer him up, maybe! Oh, Brenny hoped so. He had wanted to make the boy smile: but their first meeting had ended badly.
MoogerMint “So... tell me again why we're out here?" Arashi asked skeptically from his seat on a raised tree root. It was not unusual to find the eevee outside his domain of the back streets of the city, but Trace on the other hand... If it wasn't for the fact Arashi had been more on his toes about everything, more overly concerned about the well-being of his gang, he might not have played the question off with so serious an air.
Trace, on the other hand, was more or less back to acting his usual self, despite the damage. "I never get to come out here!" he exclaimed, as though it should have been obvious, "I was always curious what it was like. Concrete and brick can't really compare. I know you've told me a bit about it, but there's a difference between being told and actually experiencing things like this, you know." His grin was carefree and happy, a stark contrast to the needling, almost glowering stare Arashi was offering in return.
However, despite all protests he could offer in return, it was an easy enough battle for Arashi to lose. He doubted many of the other gang members outside their own circle really ever thought of venturing past their turf, content to guard it like it could be stolen at any moment. It was silly, to be honest, for Arashi was never looking to expand the places he frequented. That was beside the point, though; truth be told, Trace and Arashi both were probably safer out here than if they were in their own current living spaces. Or rather, that's what he had been thinking before Trace made an observation, "Hey, there's someone headed over here. You know him?"
Curiously, Arashi peered back, only to nearly fall off the root he was perched upon, "Oh not him..." He didn't want his arm to be grabbed again! What did Brenny want to make him do THIS time? Seeing the eevee-boy's exasperation caused the poochyena to attempt to stifle the quiet cackle that hopped forth, waving to the celebi-child instead.
Thaliawen Brenny spotted the wave, beaming. He hurried over to Trace and Arashi, holding up the basket he'd so carefully packed. "Hey! I brought cookies!" He exclaimed, looking to Arashi. "You didn't want to come to my place for cookies, but everyone likes cookies so I brought them to you instead!" He grinned. He was clearly pleased with himself for finding Arashi. "I was looking for you," he added, "it was hard work and it took a while so the hot chocolate might just be warm chocolate, but it'll taste just as good! Anyway its your fault. You could've avoided this by just giving me your name, you know. Like anyone else. And the cookies are still warm! Maybe still gooey too! Chocolate chip cookies!" He glanced at Trace, studying the other boy before smiling. "Hi! I'm Brenny! Are you his friend? Oooh, do you like cookies? I brought enough for him to share with his friends! Twenty! There were twenty four but I saved four for Daddy, Mei and Eliot. ...Do you have more than twenty friends?"
MoogerMint Both boys seemed to be quite taken aback by Brenny's ecstatic generosity, seeming to come out of the blue. After a brief pause, Trace's eyes slowly moved to take a glance at Arashi's silent surprise, a sly smirk on his face at that. "Afraid of the cookie delivery boy?" he jabbed, causing the eevee's expression to twist more into aggravation, a solid defiance that he was intimidated by anything, thankyouverymuch. However, it was apparent that Arashi wasn't going to be taking what was offered so kindly, so Trace held his arms out instead and flashed Brenny a grin, "Well thanks a lot, that was really nice of you! You went so far out of your way, though. Was there any particular reason why?" He still appreciated the gesture, that couldn't be argued, but it was just so... unusual.
Arashi's ears were pulled back, as though he were irritated by the generosity. "You didn't need to, nobody made you do it. You did it because you had nothing better to do with your time," he growled, "I can still give you my name, if that's all it takes to get you to leave me alone!"
"Arashi, manners..." Trace warned flatly. It was enough to get the blonde to attempt to redirect some of that unmarked and uncalled-for hostility, displayed with a nod and the sidestep of his eyes. Trace decided to steer the conversation back towards a more positive atmosphere while his friend chilled out some, "Hi Brenny, my name's Trace, and I am his friend! W-Wow, twenty? Umm..." He glanced briefly at Arashi before a grin split across his face; he couldn't stop the laugh this time, "I think you're giving Arashi too much credit! Ehh, he's got maybe three, if you count the gang and myself. Unless you've got more friends you're in touch with that I'm not familiar with, Arashi?" The eevee stared daggers, but Trace seemed to hardly flinch, tapering off his laughter instead.
Thaliawen Brenny handed Trace the basket with a bright smile. "Well," he began, "I met him and I thought he must be cold and hungry but he didn't want to come to my house for hot chocolate and cookies to warm up, and since its been colder lately I brought the cookies here. I thought they might make him smile." That didn't seem to be the case, though, the celebi realized. He frowned slightly, looking at Arashi in concern. "Of course no one made me make it! I wanted to. I wanted to show you that I'm nice. Like you said to, instead of just saying I'm nice." He crossed his arms. "That's not very nice," he said, frowning. "I thought you'd be happy. I learned something from our meeting. Hi Trace! Nice to meet you!" Brenny's frown disappeared and he beamed at the other boy. "Ooh, then they might last a while!"
MoogerMint Ahh, that would explain things a bit... Brenny seemed like a fairly generous fellow whose hobbies included helping people out, that much Trace could decipher from their brief meeting time already -- especially considering he had homed in on Arashi, despite the eevee's abrasive attitude. However, he also knew some things about Arashi that the eevee wasn't apt to share with a total stranger as well. "Well, you're on the right track, I think..." he concluded with a sheepish grin. His next comment, however, came much quieter, "It's hard to make him smile, even when he's actually happy." It was difficult to explain, though, since both Brenny and Arashi had... completely contrasting personalities, to put it lightly.
Arashi was already put on his guard, and as such was about to launch a verbal counterattack at the celebi -- at least, if he hadn't pointed out that he had actually been listening to the eevee last they met. His mouth snapped shut as he considered this, ears still pulled back as he glanced up from his seat, "Well I'm glad you actually heard me through all the arguing, I suppose." It was as close to a thank you as Brenny was going to get, at least at the moment. He still didn't think someone would just give a gift like this unless they expected something in return, even if it was merely an I.O.U. for the time being.
Trace snickered at Brenny's response, giving a nod, "They should last a while indeed, thanks so much! So you made these yourself?" He picked one up and turned it over: he'd never had one so fresh before! He was tempted to let Brenny know about Arashi's sour demeanor, to look for the smaller cues in the eevee that would offer more indication than his words might, but he didn't think now was the right time to do so.
Thaliawen "Really?" Brenny asked, perplexed. It was hard to get Arashi to smile, even when he was happy? But then, how would anyone know if he was happy or not? Was that the way the eevee boy preferred it? He seemed to like being left alone--but if no one could tell if he was happy, what if that was all an act? "I told you I was listening," he said, attention veering back to Arashi. "If you really don't like peoply things, I won't make you come to my house. See? I'll bring you stuff. Its just going to get colder. And it'll be harder to find food." Brenny knew from experience. "I don't want you or your friends to starve or freeze. So I'll keep bringing stuff, even though you didn't ask! Or won't ask. I imagine you won't, because you didn't. But even though you don't! You'll still have something warm to drink whenever I can find you." He paused, glancing back at Trace. "Good," he smiled, "I hoped they would. I don't like thinking about people going hungry. It reminds me of how hungry I was last winter, before my Daddy, Connie found me. Yup, I made them myself! I can get you the recipe! Oooh, maybe you could come over and I'll teach you to bake! Its fun!"
MoogerMint Trace responded to Brenny's baffled query with a nod. He wasn't sure how much he should explain that wouldn't fall short of understanding. Brenny seemed fairly friendly, so it was likely he'd never run into someone that had Arashi's style of personality. They existed out in the world, and weren't rare, but the boy could see how it might be difficult to locate one when a person wasn't actively looking. He thought he'd give a stab at it anyway, "You kind of play it by ear, so to speak. I tried explaining this sort of thing recently, heh, it's not easy." Especially when the person you were talking about was right there... Trace was trying to be sneaky about it!
Arashi shrugged at Brenny's defiance, "Well it was hard to tell when you seemed so dead-set on making me do things. You weren't acknowledging that maybe those were things I didn't like doing. It's not my fault." He blinked at what seemed like sudden knowledge of what it was like on one's own and offered a quizzical glance in return, but nothing beyond that line of doubt. "Well we've done it before. We always manage, and we'll do it again, so of course I won't ask for hand-outs. Like I said, I'm not a bum," he scoffed, tail flicking in mild agitation. He knew what he was doing, and he didn't need the charity!
"Aww look, he's thanking you," Trace snickered; he knew that even if Arashi didn't need it, and was much too proud for his own good, he still appreciated it. Even so, he figured he'd try to get his friend to loosen up a bit more, "Heck, even if you won't touch this stuff, I will. All the more for me if you don't, and you can't tell me not to." To make a point, he took a bite of one of the cookies before Arashi had the chance to argue, "Oh wow these are good. Recipe or not, you make one mean cookie." He flashed a grin before it melted down, making way for the curiosity that ensued as he took another bite, "You were on your own, too, huh? It's not so bad, necessarily, but this was really thoughtful. Heh, I wouldn't mind learning to bake. Always up for a bit of a challenge! Though..." His attention wandered; he didn't really want to undermine Arashi. Even though the eevee never established himself as the leader, there was no mistaking that he was looked up to as such. Trace's expression turned more apologetic, "Maybe at some point..."
Thaliawen "Well, if you'd been nicer I wouldn't have thought you were so sad!" Brenny blurted out, frowning at Arashi. "You go around looking angry all the time and saying you're happy the way things are. But if you were happy, you wouldn't be upset. So I figured you must be sad. And that you must've been hungry and cold and lonely like I've been before. I pretended to be happy. I pretended to be happy whenever I met anyone. But I wasn't. I assumed you were the same way, but pretending to be angry. You're not a bum, but that doesn't mean you don't get cold and you don't get hungry!" He glanced at Trace, blinking. Arashi had thanked him? Huh. That didn't sound like a thank you. "You like them?" He asked with a smile. It seemed to dim slightly at the question. "For a few months," he said. "I had a sister when I hatched. But she left me after a little while. I was still to-- everything. It was cold and snowy. There wasn't anything to eat. Or anywhere warm. I didn't know enough to know there was a world outside the forest. But Daddy brought me to the city! He helped me when I needed it. That's why I like helping people when they need it. Even if they don't want it."
MoogerMint Arashi hissed at Brenny's outburst, gritting his teeth and taking a few breaths before saying anything in return. It helped to cut back on reactionary comments, and to hear the celebi-boy all the way through, before bringing forth any sort of retort on the matter. "I didn't want to talk with you. I just wanted to be left alone, so of course I wasn't going to act happy about seeing you. That only invites conversation!" he tried to explain without adding flames to the fire, but seemed to be sorely lacking in the ability to do so, "Feh, obviously I'd have had the same conclusion no matter how I responded to you. I already told you, back then, that I wasn't a liar if I could help it. That includes my actions."
Trace's eye swiveled its attention away at Arashi's comment, noting that it seemed to be difficult for Arashi to express when he was happy... so that wasn't exactly entirely true, he was just bad at it. Why was it, whenever he met someone while he was with Arashi, they always, invariably, got into the argument? It didn't matter who knew who first... it was the same way with Chayyim, too. Once he realized Brenny's attention was back on the poochyena, he offered back as much of a smile as he could muster. No, Arashi hadn't really thanked Brenny per se, but he wasn't outright denying the help, either. "I do like them! They're really sweet and crumbly and..." he insisted with a wag of his tail, taking another bite and indicating them to Arashi, "You should really have one, I'm serious. I've never had any that weren't already half-rotten before. This far exceeds that." It was meant to be a compliment! His ears slowly lowered as Brenny recounted his days as an abandoned pokémon, disliking seeing the other child so upset in the face of recollection. He knew life was hard, but Trace was similar in that putting on a brave face seemed second-nature. "Well I'm glad you were able to find some help so soon after that happened," he offered a smile, more easily this time. To be honest, Trace didn't think he could make it in the wild on his own, either, so he completely understood that pack mentality!
And in a way, it seemed Arashi understood it to an extent as well. After a brief moment, the eevee-boy sighed and stood up from his perch on the tree root. He honestly hadn't thought Brenny had a lick of sense when it came to surviving in the wild without the aid of human contact, but he was kind of glad he was mistaken, at least to a certain extent. That still wasn't a very long time to be on one's own, but it was long enough to not be COMPLETELY ignorant of survival on one's own. "Makes sense to me," he stated, albeit still had a lingering taste of irritation on his voice. At least he wasn't looking for anything in return for the things he offered; Brenny's quest seemed more about self-fulfillment than anything else. That still didn't change the fact that he tried to force it on the eevee, but at least Arashi was able to see things better from the celebi's perspective now.
Thaliawen “Well, still. Its nicer to act nice. That way you'll get more friends! And if you'd just said you wanted to be left alone, I would've! But you were all unfriendly and lonely looking and sad like. Do you pretend to be angry all the time so people leave you alone?" Didn't Arashi ever feel the need for companionship? Brenny wondered at that. He studied Trace, listening to the poochyena's words with a slight frown. "Half rotten?" He asked with concern. They ate half rotten foods? Yuck! "I can bring berries and things," he offered. "They'd be fresh. I can travel through time and get the ripest, juiciest berries from Summer. I can bring them here for you, any time!" No one should be forced to eat rotten food! Especially not when fresh food could be provided! "I was lucky!" He agreed. "Finding Daddy helped me find my star. And if I hadn't been lost in the first place, I never would have found either of them." He offered a cookie to Arashi. "Try it, okay? If you don't like it, you don't have to eat it. But I think you will like it."
MoogerMint Arashi frowned at Brenny's response, his nose wrinkling in confused irritation, "It's nicer to act nice and happy? Wasn't it you who said people shouldn't lie? I was being true to myself is all, and I am pretty sure I did tell you to leave me alone." He sighed, but he was merely annoyed by this point. What was past was past, so there wasn't really any point on dwelling over it. Was it so strange for him to always be on his guard? Brenny really had no idea how much of a terrible place the world could be...
The strained atmosphere was working its way to wearing on Trace, but he maintained his characteristic carefree appearances; it was just more tiring to do so. "You don't need to bring anything to us, it's okay. We're careful about the things we eat. Like... we don't eat the rotten parts, no. You'd be surprised, the things some people throw out... a lot of it is still perfectly good! Though I suppose it helps to be so close to restaurants. They can't very well re-serve something, even if it wasn't touched," he explained with a touch of a snicker. As long as one wasn't a germophobe, it was all good! "Besides," he continued, "you'd be going obnoxiously out of your way to do that. I'm sure there are plenty of others that need the help more than we do, but thank you for the offer; it was really thoughtful!" Trace flinched slightly at the mention of the found star, a few memories he would have rather stayed in the past, "Well... hn, I'm glad that worked out so well, then!"
The eevee-boy had comfortably crossed his arms through the conversation as he stood stationary. He leaned back a little as Brenny neared, a partially held back reactionary response to avoiding being grabbed again. However, the celebi's movements didn't hint that that was what he had been planning to do, which allowed Arashi to merely displace his own weight a bit. He studied the offered cookie for a moment before actually looking at Brenny, holding his hand out to take it, "Alright, but only because you came all this way to do so." Quite honestly, Arashi didn't think he was worth such random favors to begin with, but if Brenny wanted to waste his time on someone who didn't deserve it then who was he to say 'no?'
Thaliawen “But I don't want you getting sick," Brenny protested, focused on Trace. "I can bring you food. It won't take any time at all. I can go back and forth through time so I can come back the same minute I left. Berries are much better for you, really!" He wanted to help. Eating something someone had thrown away didn't seem very safe. What if they caught something bad? The flu or worse? "I don't know anyone who needs my help more than you guys. But you can do something for me in return, if it bothers you too much! Um. If you meet a girl who looks kind of like me--" he assumed his sister had found a star by now, "and she needs help, help her? Don't tell her you saw me or that you're my friends or anything. Just help her. See? That way I can get you berries and you can help someone else! Yay!" He handed Arashi the proffered cookie with a smile. "Okay. Just because I brought it."
MoogerMint Trace offered a toothy grin at Brenny's concern for their health in the event they ate bad food, smacking his own chest for emphasis on his case, "Naw, haven't you heard the saying 'Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger'?" He snorted, indicating it was just a joke, before reiterating what he had wanted to say instead, "It builds up the immune system against getting sick from the common things like that. Really, rarely is any of us sick with that stuff, it's okay!" Of course, that only held water if there were enough nutrients gathered to be able to combat said illnesses, but that was how it was with normal people, too, right?
It wasn't just Trace that had paid attention when Brennen had mentioned a favor that they could possibly accomplish in return for the celebi's generosity. At first, Arashi mentally scoffed -- of course there was a catch! -- but the thought was short-lived, and he felt a bit badly about the assumption once he had heard the request fully through. "Of course, we'd be happy to do that for you," Trace cut in, "You don't want us to tell her that we know you, but do you want us to let you know if we do run into her at all?" He was tempted to ask why Brenny didn't want the association attached, but felt it was probably none of his business to ask, and would likely be a little painful to tell, from the way the green-haired child was acting about it. Arashi gave a stiff nod to accept the terms as well, despite the fact he remained seemingly perpetually perturbed.
Reeling the cookie back in, Arashi half-studied it for a moment. Didn't things like this cost money? He didn't get why someone would spend something so valuable on someone they didn't even really know, considering currency was so hard to come by. Unless Brenny stole it, too... but he seemed so adverse to the thought that it hardly crossed the eevee's head. He took a bite idly, still in thought before he noticed that Brenny was still there. "Um... thanks, by the way," he managed. Arashi still wasn't sure how much he liked Brenny at all, but it was still a nice gesture, in the end.
Thaliawen "But you need food and vitamins to keep you from getting sick," Brenny protested, not at all reassured by Trace's explanation. "And if you do get sick you'll need water and vitamins and soup and medicine." He fretted, handing Trace another cookie. Cookies didn't have vitamins or calcium like the body needed, but they had to be better for them than someone else's throwaways. "That'd be nice. Just don't tell her you know me or anything. I think she's scared of me. Last time I saw her..." he hesitated, and then shook his head, smile in place. "Well, that doesn't matter. I just want to know if she's safe and happy, where ever she is." He watched Arashi take a bite and smiled. "You're welcome!"
MoogerMint Trace fully agreed with Brenny there, of course, but just because they had to scrounge for their nutrients didn't mean they weren't getting any of them! "Well the non-rotting parts still have all that. Those vitamins are still there, they've just grown a little stale is all!" he assured with a small laugh, "We're surprisingly resourceful. Even if we don't do things in the same manner as the humans, we can still accomplish the same things in different ways." Hey, he wasn't ashamed of the way he lived; they'd gotten by just fine so far, for the most part! Regardless, he wasn't going to pass up another cookie -- those things were too good to! He wagged his tail, "Oh, thanks! I should bring some back for Chayy and Havoc..." Instead of biting into it, he pocketed the treat to share later.
The poochyena nodded in understanding, whereas the eevee took the information without any visible confirmation on the matter. Regardless, because Brenny offered a hint at more information on the matter, Trace's curiosity inevitability got the better of him, "Scared of you? Why?" If they looked the same, were siblings and all, what would be scaring her? His head tilted marginally to the side, but he didn't press the issue further than that, "Well, you don't have to tell me. I'll let you know if I ever run into her, but I won't tell her about you. You've got my word. And Arashi's..."
Trace's statement was tentative, but Arashi wasn't denying it, "Least we could do. It doesn't sound like it'd be a chore to do or anything." As long as said sister didn't live with the humans, he really hadn't a whole lot to gripe about. He'd tried to help Trace's friend when he was in a similar situation, after all, and that hadn't been... ENTIRELY unsuccessful. Arashi thought it over a bit longer, taking another bite of the cookie as he considered something, "You know, as long as you don't try to force me to go anywhere, and don't touch me... I don't think I'd have a problem with you." Blunt, of course, but truthful.
Thaliawen “Still. I want to help, okay?" Brenny said, studying Trace. "If not with food, I can do other things for you. Bring you hot chocolate, anything you want. Blankets and anything!" He hesitated, "I guess because I looked human. She was always afraid of them. But I told her I was me, and I told her I could introduce her to my friends and family and that she could live with us, but I'm kind of glad she didn't come now. It hurt how she reacted towards me. But that doesn't mean I don't want to help her. So maybe if she--if she comes to you or you see her, you can help her." He paused, glancing gratefully at Arashi. "Thank you!" He said. "Really, you think we can be friends?"
MoogerMint “Well you could..." Trace considered, rocking a little uneasily, "I mean, if you really want to. Just don't go out of your way with it. You said you could time travel, right? But doesn't time kind of keep moving for you? You're a living being, too, you gotta have your own limits! Fatigue and all that, you know?" Really, they weren't helpless at all, and the gang members helped one another out! He didn't want Brenny to feel like he had to do something, and he knew that Arashi didn't like accepting things like that anyway. Heck, he barely accepted a hiding place offered by someone when he needed it...
Trace's ears reeled back at Brenny's explanation. He could tell it was difficult for him to talk about... "Well, maybe she thought your friends and family would also be too human, and that scared her. Either way, we'll help out if we can. There's no need to worry about that," the poochyena assured.
And was thusly cut off, "What, so then she's scared of herself, too, or something? You're no more human than she. Hell, I hate the humans, too, but I'm far from calling another one of us out on being a human. Maybe too FRIENDLY with the humans, but that's a different matter." Well it seemed that was enough to get the eevee talking, though he was hardly any amiable with it, "And wouldn't she just react the same to us, if that were the case? I mean, sure, we can help as much as we are able, but that might not be much if she's just going to run." Arashi merely wanted all the facts straight, and for Brenny to understand where he was getting at, despite already taking on the responsibility. He blinked at the mention of 'friends,' a term he never used lightly, "Um... I suppose eventually, maybe?" He really couldn't say, so early on, but as long as Brenny continued to listen instead of assume, he could see the possibility...
Thaliawen Brenny wasn't sure how to answer Trace's question. "I don't know. I think time stops for me while I travel, and starts again when I come back. I've never felt like it was a very long time... but maybe I just don't notice the passage of time. Sometimes when I'm playing, it seems like its only been a few minutes but really its been hours!" He paused, hesitating slightly, before shaking his head. "If she was so scared of humans, I could've just reassured her that Daddy isn't human. He's a Pokemon just like you and me and Arashi. I did tell her that. I'm still me, even after finding my star. I'm still her brother! I looked for her for months, you know. And then I saw her at the beach. I thought she'd be happy to come be with me again. We could be a family again! And I don't know if she's changed or not I'm just guessing. I assume she has... Its been a long time. I think she must have." He looked over to Arashi. "I suppose she must be. She was scared of anything related to humans. And that meant me, too. I don't know if she would. I hope not. I hope she's learned to be more accepting and welcome friends into her heart. I don't know if she'll freeze or starve, or if she's better equipped to living on her own than me, but I worry about her."
MoogerMint While the subject matter confused him, Trace wasn't about to pretend he knew about time travel any more than the one that had done it so oft before. "I just figured since it takes energy to accomplish tasks and all... that it would get tiring. And time traveling itself, I thought it was used kind of like most regular pokémon would use a move. Heh, got me curious how that would really work, then!" he laughed. He was always more the studious type, so it really was interesting to hypothesize! Either way, it was still going out of his way, even if it didn't necessarily tire the celebi out like it might anyone else...
Trace side-stepped slightly, for it seemed Arashi had more to say about this particular subject than the poochyena did. Nevertheless, the scruffy dark-type canine kept an eye on things, making sure they didn't get out of control. "Well if she thought even you were still 'too human,' despite actually knowing you for longer than anyone else, then of course I wouldn't think reassuring her that the others you stay with were the same way would have really helped any," he grumbled, but then shrugged it off, "City life isn't for everyone, though. It'd probably have been pretty claustrophobic for her, to be surrounded by what she feared the most. You've got fears, too, don't you? What if you were surrounded by them, day-in and day-out? It doesn't sound very appealing... but I don't think it means she was necessarily unhappy to see you."
It was surprising, to see both Brenny and Arashi being so talkative about such a touchy subject manner. Trace agreed with a nod, "And either way, we'll find out for you if we run across her and let you know, it's a sure bet." Hopefully she had found some place, and some friends, as well. The world could be a fairly unforgiving place...
Thaliawen “I don't know, I don't think its a move. Its something I don't have to think too hard about. Like... like breathing! Only different, because I have to want to, to do it. Er... Like playing! Oooh, I could take you sometime and you can see!" He froze, feeling himself stiffen at Arashi's words. He heard the truth in them, but at the time he hadn't understood that. He'd been upset. He'd struggled to find her for months, and when he had, she'd cowered from him. "You're right," he said. "City life isn't for everyone. I didn't understand then. I thought we should be together because we're siblings. But I think now that its better we're apart."
MoogerMint Trace snickered at the correlations Brenny was trying to make between time travel and something more relatable, but it seemed they still fell into the same section of requiring energy reserves to perform the task. In the end, though, it didn't really matter too much -- it didn't seem like Brenny took so long with the time traveling for fatigue to really set in, which was the main source of worry in the first place. As long as that reassurance was there, Trace couldn't really argue! "You don't have to take me, I believe you! I was just curious how it worked is all. Not every day you meet someone who can travel forwards and backwards through time as easily as it were a game, you know," he pointed out with a grin; it WAS pretty interesting! However, he wasn't sure how eager he really should be traveling through it himself... it seemed dangerous, to a differing extent than living in a gang on the streets.
Brennen's visible reactions and soft admittance caused Arashi to reel in his temperament a bit, especially considering how melancholy it seemed to make the other kid. He honestly hadn't meant to hurt his feelings, at least this time... even if it was more the accepting of his words by extention that was causing the reaction. "Maybe someday you can check up on her yourself," he suggested after a moment, "Even if you are more comfortable in two separate worlds, that doesn't mean that people can't visit every once in a while. I've met plenty of others that prefer it in the wild, after all!" Maybe it was optimism, but he didn't see why the siblings had to stay separate for the rest of time if they themselves didn't want it that way.
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Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 10:31 pm
☾Roleplay #4
Title:Thyme Out Participants: Chayyim & Trace Stage: Child (Both) Status:Complete!
Premise: Simple mistakes can oft entail much more drastic consequences.
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Level: 11 --> 15 TRACE has learned BITE
Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 10:32 pm
☾Refraction S h a k e n a n d s t i r r e d
In the days that followed what could have vied for top position as Trace's most erroneous mishap to date, the young poochyena sought ways to avoid exacerbating the ramifications. Effectively, he attempted to remove himself from the picture and escape from potentially stirring the pot of unrest within the group. Lately, it felt like that was all that he had been doing, but knew from experience that this was likely due to what unfamiliar ground they all were now treading. Between knowing and the unknown, however, it didn't make too much of a difference -- he'd have felt just as miserable about it either way.
How was one to avoid without seeming like he was shunning, though? It didn't matter how many times Trace might say that the bite had been all his own fault, that Chayyim had done nothing wrong, for actions always spoke louder than words, even when they were adverse to the feelings truly felt. Mixed messages, they always tripped over one another and came out all wrong...
This did not, however, change the fact that the poochyena didn't trust himself to act accordingly when around the others. The guilt was overpowering. Rarely had Trace ever been put into a situation where he had been boxed into physically attacking; he was better with words than he ever was or would be in combat. So why now?
Trace felt the brickwork against his shoulders, supporting the back of his head as he allowed himself to get lost in thought under the vastness of the endless, starry sky above. The air brought with it a frosty touch, but he was all but numb to his surroundings. There had been a lot of time he had found to think about things, and about the mess he currently found himself in. Too much time... but it affected everyone, regardless of action or inaction undertaken.
He could not recall a time where any of the gang members had ever attacked one of their own. In play and in crisis, there was always a strong line between the two. Rarely did one even break the skin in play, regardless of whether it was rough or not. It had been days, but Trace could still swear he tasted the burmy's blood on his teeth. It wasn't right; Chayy was probably the most gentle of the entire gang, so why did he have to keep falling prey to such injury? If he couldn't even trust those that considered him family, then who could he..?
The boy sighed, slowly cutting sight to the one functional eye. It wasn't the gang wars, it wasn't the snap decision-making... it felt like he was the one causing things to fall apart at the seams. Maybe he just wasn't adapting as well to everything that was going on? But what could he honestly do to fix that? How could he feel like things weren't just running away from him? How could he keep up? The threads were spinning tighter and tighter, it felt like it was only a matter of time before they frayed, and snapped... He couldn't unknot them fast enough!
Breathe. Slow down, ease up on the acceleration...
"It'll be alright," it was like he'd always tell anyone else that needed the consultation, that needed a shoulder, "Everything will work out, all in due time. You'll see!" He knew it was hard to see, when looking up from the bottom of the pit, especially when you were the one that dug your own grave. There were few plunges one could take that resulted in an inability to go back, and he wasn't prone to doing something so drastic. Still, optimism... Trace would have to work on getting up to that point again.
[[ Word Count: 624 ]]
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Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 10:35 pm
☾Roleplay #5
Title:Streets of Rage Participants: Mitja & Trace Stage: Teen (Mitja) & Child (Trace) Status:Ongoing
Premise: Random encounters down backside alleyways do not set the playing field for the most optimistic of convergences.
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 1:23 pm
☾Dissecting the Fraudulent U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e w o r l d o f h y p o c r a c y
While the city below twinkled with the multi-colored lights of the season, loudly protesting the arrival of winter, the sky had long been overcome with a thick, bleak overcast of clouds. It was enough to blot out the sun and moon both, creating a haze of hours that were difficult to estimate. Despite the festive decor against the backdrop, it was difficult to shake the dreary feeling of staleness in the air.
Trace's ears flicked at the bitter air, as though to fruitlessly shake the cold off. Perhaps it was the fact that everyone milling about was always in a hurry to be somewhere that added to the displeasure of wandering about, but then that didn't really seem so out-of-the-ordinary in most parts of the city -- the rough downtown was no real exception to that rule. Maybe it was the stark contrast, outwardly attempting to appear cheerful in color without the action to back it up. The fakeness did always leave a bitter taste in one's mouth, growing in retrospect... Why couldn't people just let such things happen naturally, instead of having to force it?
He pulled the collar of his jacket up closer to his neck, the shivers not solely left blamed on the frosty wind. He shouldn't be such a hypocrite... wasn't that what he was doing right now, after all? The only reason why he had the time to pick apart societal facades was because he needed the break from pretending he was alright, No, he was not alright; nothing was alright.
Breath turned cloudy in the lowering temperatures, the air forced out from a body leaning heavily backward. Trace knew he couldn't have been the only one thinking like this, he was just the only one to appear to shake the bad off faster. Well, sure he did... but he just swept the mess under the rug to deal with later, when nobody was around to fuss with it. That became a little more difficult to do when it entangled others in its trappings, and Trace was the perpetrator...
It was difficult to let missteps slide past, at least when it was his own fault. Too many times, it was far too often that he was the guilty party, and he couldn't help but wonder if he was doing something wrong, to keep avoiding the subject, helping others move on, instead of allowing himself to do the same. What kind of person was he honestly turning into? It seemed inconceivable that even those closest to him wouldn't harbor some resentment for him, he who would laugh off the most dire of situations... even when it was obvious that it hurt him just as much.
Despite himself -- despite it all -- Trace's face twisted into a wry smile. Stop kidding yourself, his mind scolded him as he stood, turning back toward home, you're such a lost cause, and they already know it.
* * *
Within the throes of misery, Trace could scarcely recall a time where he had ever been more misguided by his own depression. To be honest, Chayy's selfless act was met voiceless with the sheer surprise, and regrettably so. It almost pained the poochyena, a sharpness he hadn't expected. Chayy... Chayy should never have felt he had done anything wrong!
Trace's fingers ran over the eyepatch that he had been given. The injury... the Bite... none of it had been the burmy's fault, not in the slightest. And yet, Trace's actions -- or lack of action -- had they prompted Chayyim to do this? Was it supposed to be a peace offering? There was no way it could have been a facade of the season, not from him.
He gripped it tighter, ears folding back further and further. He couldn't say a thing: he couldn't thank Chayy, couldn't ask about his well-being, couldn't apologize... Wrapped in his own self-loathing, he couldn't help but think how utterly terrible he was acting, with how he was treating his own friends.
No, his own family.
He couldn't let things continue this way; it was tearing everyone else apart as much as it was tearing himself apart. He couldn't let the burmy just walk away like that! "Chayy? Ah..." he hesitated momentarily, uncertainty creating a lag in his judgment. All he really wanted to do was to hug him, say it was okay, everything was going to be fine, to... Oh, the hell with it. He reached for his friend as hesitation melted away, wrapping his arms tightly around the boy, as though to say what he couldn't seem to find the words for. In light of this, Trace decided to reiterate himself a little more organically, "T-Thyme, could you... help me put this on?"
