ecliidse

[ecliidse]

examine! / @skullkxd examine: guzma.

It's that absolute buffoon of Guzma. How does he make himself called again…? Ah, right. Big Bad Wolf. Alright. Since you arrived in Alola you headbutted with him. Technically, you didn't have to - you had your job with Interpol, being a policeman of Alola was mostly a cover story -, but you were never good at just doing your work. He kept going against you, you kept being the adult he hated, and that was life.

You can’t really recall when that mutual hate became the most absurd of… you don't know what it is. Friendship? Can you two be considered friends?... bah, regardless. When you two stopped hating each other. Maybe it was when you stopped feeling anything.

You sip your coffee while you look at him about to jump down his roof right into the pool. You can try to stop him, tell him that with the rain he might slip and crash his head on the tiles. But you won’t. You know he wouldn't listen, and if he wants to die, who are you to stop him?

… still, you have the number for emergencies ready at hand. You'd rather have him around a little longer. Even if he'll make you regret saving his life.

[ecliidse]

examine! / @infernalpursuit WAIT EVEN MORE EVIL examine: your gun.

It's… not something you want to do. But you're doing it anyway. Because you heard a sound from outside, one that reminded you too much of a Guzzlord chewing with satisfaction on its latest prey, and your hand reached for it instinctually. It's after… you can't understand how long, that your muscles start to relax, the sound slowly starting to become the wind of an incoming storm through the trees near your house. Your senses wearily realising that you're holding your gun like it's your only defence against the world.

But what good would it do, really? What good did it ever do? You stare at it for what feels like an eternity, the metal uncared for, barely reflecting your exhausted eyes. Would it stop a Guzzlord? Of course not. It can't stop even Nihilegos. It can't stop anything in your hand.

You shiver as you attempt with all of yourself to not formulate the thought that comes regardless. It did stop Guzma though, didn't it?

You force your hand to lower, to put the gun back in the drawer, then to close it. As soon as you do, you sigh with relief. It doesn't matter that since the invasion, the magazine is in another drawer, and your gun is empty of bullets. You still took it out. And you hate having that instinct.

[ecliidse]

examine! / @infernalpursuit examine: your scars.

You look at yourself in the mirror, a fleeting moment before the shower. Your scars? Which ones, exactly? Your entire body is full of scars, at this point, all of them telling a different story you’d rather forget. Were you younger, less experienced, still emotional, you think you would have cried at some of them.

Now, you just look at them. And you don't feel a thing.

Not even at the Guzzlord's one, not at the new ones on your arms and their memory so fresh in your mind. Nothing awakens anything, if not the will to just do something else. You look away, and stare at the shower. Might as well do something useful, than staring at your useless reflection.

[ecliidse]

examine! / @tapuhauko examine: hau.

It's Hau. He's preparing the lunch for your Meowths, letting you rest on your couch for a few minutes. You look at him through barely hatched eyes, lines so thin that one might think that you're sleeping. He's so careful in his movements - in taking the right amount of every ingredient, in cutting them in pieces small enough to not risk the Meowths choking on a bite, in doing everything silently so to not disturb you.

You like having him around. But you can't understand how he likes being around you.

You remember him a few years prior, during his Trial, always cheery and happy, a ray of sunshine. How can he be so comfortable around you? An old, apathetic, self-isolating man who's not even particularly fun to deal with? Bah. Kids, you suppose. Always lacking a better judgement. You're pretty glad Hau is one of them, though.

[ecliidse]

@vitrumbra " your cats are nice. that doesn't mean you are. " they were staring at him with beady eyes, emotionless and robotic behind the almost black irises. they didn't like this. it wasn't correct. it might end with them back in a box. " i'm not going to stop watching you. " ( >:))) )

He lets them talk, their eyes glued on him, Nanu's wearily reading the nutrients of the new treats for Meowths he bought randomly and now wondering if he actually did a good thing. He's not ignoring them - but he's way too used to stray Meowths and kids alike's mistrust to really give a damn about it. He's not the foster parent who will really try to get their trust and tranquillity. He has other things to do. Like sleeping, for once.

Eventually, the last phrase makes him sigh. « Do what you want. » he mutters, still more interested in reading the ingredients than to look at them. « I brought you here just because there was a downpour out there. I'm not forcing you to stay here, you know? The door's there. » He vaguely points at it, then both hands open the sachet. Oh, who cares. They seem good treats. Trying new things never killed anyone. … well, almost never.

« They're not mine, by the way. They just stay here when they want. » he adds after a moment, as all the Meowths crowd at his feet and stare with wide eyes at his hand sinking into the sachet. « But I'm glad you find them nice. They are. »

[ecliidse]

Nanu stares at the scene from the couch, arms crossed on the chest. His body appears wearily relaxed, but where Lusamine has a gentle gaze and the Meowths an adoring one, the policeman's is attentive, tense. A contrast to the scene. He'd rather have the cats everywhere else than there, but he knows that you can't force a Meowth to act differently than they desire. At least, he also knows that they are perfectly able to defend themselves, if the need rises. And with her? The need might very well be always there.

« How could anyone harm any creature. I wonder. ». A dry tone, a clear accusation without really saying anything. Kids aren't included in her definition of innocent creatures, he supposes. Especially her own. « Three, actually. The third one is always sleeping. Now, pleasantries done, what do you want? »

@ecliidse / sc.

a slender finger lazily scratches the chin of one of the many alolan meowths who have turned nanu's police station into their new home. " how could anyone ever bring themselves to harm such an innocent creature... ? " lusamine muses, her affectionate gesture does not go unnoticed as a few more pokémon seem to drawn to her with both curiosity and the promise of attention, a low chuckle escaping her lips at the adorable sight.

" i see two more joined the ranks since my last visit to ula'ula. "

[ecliidse]

Pieces of Nihilego's tentacles stuck on his skin. Ultra Radiations he expected to hear, but that… it makes him shiver unwillingly. He barely remembers anything that happened during the attack, and especially after - the beginning is a blur, and then just pitch black. He recalls a lot of pain - strongly -, a lot of voices - vaguely -... Nihilego's tentacles being ripped off of him by force? Did that really happen…? Considering Guzma was there, he wouldn't be surprised he was the one tearing him free of the Ultrabeast's grip, but… it’s just a blur. A worse blur than usual.

Colress continues being obnoxious, says with a smile that he can tell him things but also can’t, but Nanu is surprisingly grateful for that, for once. He's not sure he really wants to know this time. Not for now. At least, this means he can focus on the last part of the discourse - on the excuse, making him rise an eyebrow in a ‘really?’ expression.

« Everyone knows about the attack, and you want me to lie? » he shrugs dismissively. « Interpol decided that what happens in Po Town stays in Po Town? »

Ah, he took a bait, after all. This is where he's wrong: work or not, Colress is still not the type to randomly talk about much more important matters, especially if those little tests turned out to be interesting for his own, personal, little secret own test...

But, well. Who was he, to say no to an explaination when for once it's met with (aggressive) curiosity, and not with an annoyed groan and the drop of the subject, for once? Smiling widely, Colress went through the pages of his personal notebook, talking almost absent-mindedly.

"And here I thought you were used to this!"

...of course, always making sure to sound as obnoxious as always, first.

"Ultra Radiations, mostly. And small pieces of the Nihilego's tentacles that remained stuck on your skin. I assume they were ripped off with force, this time, and that's why some piece of skin was still there when you were brought here. I can only assume that's the reason why you got out of it that badly." a delighted giggle "Well, one of the few. The doctors suggest a bit more Vitamin D and medicines for your Iron level.

And to slow down with the coffee."

...he's changing the subject.

"Still. Got the necessary to study why, exactly, so many appeared - and, of course, I can tell you, but I also can't! I don't think you'd be very interested in that, anyway-- and found an excuse. If anyone ask, you were attacked by a school of particularly angry Mareanies. I'll leave the reason why to you."

[ecliidse]

« Taught? Those pests have learnt it by themselves. One day they'll lock me out of the house and all I will be able to do will be to thank the gods they'd let me live. »

Honestly? Half a joke. His Meowths are absurdly smart, worryingly so sometimes. They could take on Team Skull and defeat the Ultrabeasts by barely lifting a finger, and if they don't it's just because laziness is their way of life. It’s much easier to be served food and scratched behind the ears by some old fool like Nanu, than do those things by themselves.

Everything falls into a quiet pause, filled by him with slow sips of his coffee and not even trying to break it. He's too old to start small talk just to let some words out of his mouth. Eventually, it's Guzma to talk, with the most simple and expected words. Because as much as they might always insult each other - and react too much from the Skull's leader side, and too little from the Kahuna’s -, they always know they can count on each other. Apart from a small period of time, but. It's in the past.

« Mh-mh. » he nods, finding unnecessary to look at him. « Same for you kids. »

Guzma blows a raspberry at that, shrugging.

"Tell me somethin' I don't know! I'm quite sure I've seen your Meowth collect your bills at one point. Dunno how ya taught 'em that, but that's kinda impressive."

The silence lingers, and it's heavy. He should ask... more, right? Wonder how he's doing, if everything is alright now, if every wound has been dealt with to begin with, if if if if if. He doesn't. He won't. They're exactly the same, no matter how much the thought could make them gag: two men full of thoughts and guilt, way too used to hide them behind aggressivity, be it passive or direct.

"...wwwwwwwwwwwelp."

Welp.

"Y'know where to find mr. irresponsable and his baby gang in case ya need anything, eh?"

[ecliidse]

Ah, damn. Homemade cookies are not something you can really say no to, even when your sense of taste is very unlikely to return from the war. Nanu glances at the basket as it is placed on the table, and then sighs as the Meowths immediately climb it to surround the gifts.

« Alright, alright, move those butts away - you too, Whiskers. I saw the treats for you. Be patient. » he admonishes the cats, waving them away to take one of the sachets for them. He opens it with a slow gesture, internally smiling at the sight of the Meowths completely hypnotized by his movements - externally showing not much.

« Mhh. » he replies at first, an answer that doesn't mean much. He sighs, taking out a few treats and throwing them at the Meowths at his feet. « Been better. Been worse. » He shrugs, unwilling to really say more unprompted. « You? »

"Maybe not, but... I want you to feel better soon." A beat. "That, and mom made some homemade cookies for you. They always cheer me up, so I figured I'd bring them to you."

Hau enters the home, taking a seat on the nearby couch after placing the gift basket (there were a ton of homegrown berries in there, along with the cookies, and some treats for the meowth) on the table.

"How are you feeling?"

[ecliidse]

... shhh. Tell no one.

your faaaaavorite one.

[ecliidse]

⁕ — ghost's pokémon blogroll!

@ecliidse / canon divergent nanu from pokémon sun&moon @tapumana / canon divergent tapus from pokémon sun&moon @lovingbeast / canon divergent lusamine from pokémon sun&moon @heldcosmos / canon divergent rose from pokémon sword&shield @codedparaiso / canon divergent turo from pokémon violet @backstatiion / canon divergent ingo from pokémon legends: arceus @truebeginnings / canon divergent battle legend red

[ecliidse]

Send “Examine!” and an item or person and I’ll write an RPG description of it/them.

For example, a stormtrooper mask: “A white mask with a black visor on the front. Putting it on, you realize that the visor isn’t even transparent. How are you expected to do anything competently like this?”

[ecliidse]

do you have any idea how long it has been since the last time i replied to everything on a blog.

[ecliidse]

Nanu doesn't really react at the eevee growling at him, if not giving her a look, and half a smirk. Pokémon can definitely hurt human beings if they want, especially to protect those they care about - but he can't find the small one much threatening. Not when he's used to a bunch of meowths being way worse than her when they're hungry.

Ree smiles - tries to, anyway -, and Nanu smiles back - tries to, anyway -.

« Thanks. » he replies. He eyes at the food, at the big bag on the floor, and if he wasn't so weary he probably could have laughed a short laugh. They haven't only fed them, they've been treating the cats very good. Look at them all, now a pack of spoiled meowths - as if they weren't already. « Appreciated it. They become intractable when they're hungry. »

He gets up from the doorframe - a slow movement, much slower than the ones Ree might be used to see him make -, and moves inside the room, heading directly to the coffee machine. « Nah... don't worry. You can stay. If you want, of course. » he says flatly, while the machines emits a series of beep and be-beep as he sets it up for the stronger blend he can get from it. « I came back a few days ago. Not many know yet. »

it doesn’t take long, thankfully. Ree’s eevee is the one to spot him first — her ears flatten, and she growls, lowering her body into an attacking position. That’s what draws Ree’s attention — eyes draw to the pokemon first, and then up to Nanu.

… they try to smile, but it’s hard.

“Hi. Uh… I heard you were in th’hospital for a while. So I was … comin’ here to take care of them.”

Them referring to the Meowth, obviously. And judging from the looks of the big bag on the floor, Ree’s been feeding them some high end Pokémon food.

“I’ll be outta here soon. Sorry. I didn’ know you were home.”

[ecliidse]

Nanu exhales sharply as soon as the other replies - starts replying -, irritation bubbling in his throat left out invisible in the air. He closes his eyes again, and just lets the other talk. There isn't much he can do anyway to stop him. Colress rattles off facts and connections Nanu didn't ask for, Alola being quite the tourist attraction (what a childish way to put it), points out how out of the norm was the attack he and Guzma suffered through. All wasted words, nagging at the Kahuna but finding his door closed shut. He won't deal with these things, he... can't. He can't do this again.

He doesn't speak a single word, almost doesn't move, until Colress finally returns on track. For how long, the Tapus know, but it's enough for Nanu to hatch his eyes once more, staring at him wearily. Bitterly, too, when he hears about hiding a test or two.

« Suspicious of what, exactly? ». He knows he's just feeding even more the lycanroc with his question, but he has the vague impression that Colress will keep the game up regardless of him being silent or not. Might as well push his unending babbling in the direction that interests him most - assuming the other will follow him, of course, and won't jump instead on another occasion to torment him. Regardless, he has a vague idea of what he means. « Which tests did you so kindly hide? »

@ecliidse

[ x ]

Bright eyes meet the Kahuna's, his smile so wide and charming one could almost mistake it as genuine.

"Should I imply something?" he chirps, dangling lazily his mechanical leg "I wasn't. What I was saying is that it's odd that a terrorist could walk around doing… well, Arceus knows what, really. You can't enter in an alien's mind, I can't enter in his. Just the thought gives me nausea, in fact."

Oh, Nanu hates him! Nothing new. Colress reacts to his disdain in the same way he reacts to anyone else's: by ignoring it, if not whenever he could poke the Bewear a little bit more.

"But no, no. Alola's always been quite the… tourist attraction, after all. I'd argue the only Region as haunted as this one is Sinnoh." he keeps musing, mostly thinking outloud "But you can't deny that such an attack is out of the norm. We've caught the presence of several Ultra Wormholes in the past months, and while some went for the, uhm. Usual suspects. Others seemed random.

…but here I am, babbling!"

He's not used to have an audience forced to listen to him anymore.

"Yeah, we" he "had to hide a test or two to not make the doctors too suspicious, but you're healthy as a Rapidash."

[ecliidse]

He snorts at that answer, just a brief sound while shaking gently his head. Guzma, always the same. Not even an Ultrabeasts invasion can really change him. And maybe it's better this way. His smirk is quickly gone as he stares back at the cup of coffee, still stirring at the gentle movement of his hand. He stops to drink a long, much needed sip of it.

Truth be told, he could be questioning pretty much everything that Guzma just told him. The temptation is strong - to make him sit, and start interrogating him -, not as an accusation but as... someone really wanting to know. Old habits are hard to lose, sometimes. If he doesn't, to be fair, it's because he's simply too exhausted. By... everything. Staying so long in the hospital, sleeping so much to befuddle him during most days, and now a list too long for comfort.

Would it surprise anyone, if he told them he feels responsible for everything that has happened? He's good at the "feeling guilty" game. So good, in fact, to feel apathetic about it all.

It's an art. To feel so much, that you eventually become detached.

« Not at all. The lot of you is already giving me a headache. » Yes, I missed all of this very much. But he'll never say it out loud. « My meowths are more responsible than all of you. »

@ecliidse

[ x ]

"What can I say? I'm charming and irresponsible."

Does he mean irresistiable? No. No he doesn't. He's glad Nanu isn't questioning much, tho. Especially the whole probably killed an alien part. That was still… odd.

…why even did he tell him that? It's not like Nanu would want to know anything about that crap, still.

"Tell the truth, ya missed dealin' with this crap!"

[ecliidse]

Make a Cupcake!

tagged by: @gnzma, thank you honey! <3 tagging: honestly i'm late to the party sjfgk, i'm pretty sure everyone already did it; so if you haven't, consider yourself tagged by me! <3