#❄ — 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽 𝗈𝖿 𝗐𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋. / articuno ic.

[zephyricd]

"What in the seven feathers is wrong with this bird."

This is why the Galarian cousins are disowned.

[zephyricd]

@electrivolt said: “...” where's arti / send me a “…” and one of my muse’s pokemon will talk to you. | accepting.

The legendary gazes quietly at Zapdos' herald, piercing crimson not unlike those of it's sibling—it lends itself into being perhaps... less aggressive than the other, but with the knowledge of tradition at hand, it is no more than a ruse. Although the most sociable, Articuno does not appear to just anyone, as a legendary does.

However, this one. Volkner, his name was. Articuno had come to know Zapdos' herald through their bond, quietly observing him during his crash course in training to handle the burden of lightning incarnate with Hayato, seldom in his lonesome when he was forced to rest. Now, it's quite convenient that he had brought another 'mon that was capable of translating to human language. Articuno gazes at Rotom for some time, the little ghost bouncing around in the air for some time in idle excitement.

Somehow, it seemed like every team member Volkner possessed was a reflection of his personality.

Articuno ruffles it's wings, stirring up a chill in idle movement. It appears to be almost pleased.

'You've grown, Volkner. From the day my brother brought you here. There's less pain in your eyes.' Articuno's verbal cues are closer to soft warbles, gentle shifting in soft feathers. It's cry is ear piercing when needed, but otherwise, Articuno could be mistaken for a local pheasant. 'You remain resilient, and that is why I allowed you to learn with Yukihane—I am not the only experience that has pushed you to your limits, and I expect such things will not be worn in shame.'

The lord of ice stalks over before simply just.. resting his chin on Volkner's head as a gesture of trust as it is gratitude, before stepping back. After all, this one was not a fan of the cold.

'You've also taught Hayato much in your time here in Johto. For that, I am grateful. You have a comrade in him as well as I. You need only make the call.'

[zephyricd]

@electrivolt​​ said: The idea of researching the titans was a spur of the moment, more of a necessity, now that there was some semblance of peace and a moment to breathe. Volkner was aware of it already— no matter how much faith he had in the legendary, there was only so much Zapdos could do, only so much it could control. He couldn't afford this suicidal recklessness anymore. Not now that people needed him, that he was wanted. ( and what a realization had that been ) The legendary itself was reluctant, at first, despite how much it may long for what once was also a home to it— and Volkner couldn't blame it, not after all that must've transpired there, enough to force it to flee in such a condition, but... he needed the answers Zapdos couldn't give him. They both did. With a quick goodbye and a promise to return soon ( because by Arceus he refused to leave them again, especially Roark— ), taking flight was like a storm, harsh and swift, just as the lightning Zapdos itself carried. Johto was close enough, he would just have to find his answers, know of the titan that had chosen him and return home. He expected no more than that, however long it may take, even with his own reluctance to leave home for too long. ( he wouldn't admit how it lingered, that dread settled deep within, the fear of having everything he held dear ripped from him once again ) He did not expect another bird to find them mid-flight amidst the fleeing flocks. Another one of the legendaries, wasn't it? Even with his own unfamiliarity of mythos outside of Sinnoh ( and Hisui, regretfully— ) he felt it. Zapdos felt it— recognized it even. Had Articuno felt their arrival? Was it safe to continue? He could already feel the icy cold creeping in, hid himself just a little more in Zapdos' feathers for the warmth he was lacking. Whatever exchange the two birds may be holding was lost on him, yet selfish as it may be, he couldn't bring himself to care when he felt like he was right back in the middle of the snowy highlands— "Zapdos— t-tell it w-we need to land—" / he’s not going back to hisui but he’s certainly going to get a history lesson. | closed.

The synergy of the parted trio of birds would be eternally present, for they were the very aspects of weather itself—siblings connected by purpose and kin, to foil one another lest they become danger to the land they were to protect. To say Articuno didn’t miss their siblings would be a bold-faced lie, but in all of the centuries of conflict among humans, those of recent history may have been the most invasive for all of them. For their siblings to flee from the region entirely... well, it would be inherently selfish and hypocritical to hold a grudge when the titan of snow and ice had a welcome refuge at all times.

To be able to remain autonomous and yet still be cared for.. revered like ancients’ past... such things were a luxury. Humans were fickle creatures and the only way to truly understand them required blood to be spilled, in the end. Still. Articuno would consider themselves lucky, in all regards. So, perched in Violet City, they would remain patient with their siblings. They will reunite, inevitably. They do not control each other, after all, for they temper one another. As long as they all still exist, the equilibrium remains.

It’s a simple way to justify the loneliness that would come of only faintly sensing their siblings, some thousand miles apart.

Perhaps that was why Articuno had launched itself with such a gust of chilly air, sensitive to the presence of a titan within the geographical boundaries of Johto, leaving a flurry of flakes behind, only for them to melt away seconds upon gently pressing into the grounds of the Yukihane estate.

Thunder itself—yes, this was most assuredly Zapdos ( what a relief, actually, to know they, too, were okay ). And despite the gracefulness of the titan of snow, the effects of these birds being in such close proximity in their excitement was near instantaneous—the darkening of clouds, spreading in their general vicinity like misty claws, the air temperature at their altitude dropping still as Articuno approached in haste the moment keen ruby eyes at spotted the golden flash on the horizon. ( ah... does he have a herald, now? yes... yes, they have the bond... )

When only feet apart, it felt as if thundersnow could break out at any moment, between the trill of ambient static and the bite of chilly air, but the birds themselves would be unfazed, ecstatic even, to the point of Articuno circling the two multiple times, acknowledging the dissemination of information with the soft caws of response—they wanted to learn how to preserve their bond. Understandable logic, given such practices were all but lost outside of the Yukihane’s duty to preserve whatever was left. It was only practical to seek out Hayato... which must have been the meaning behind his mentions of a temporary resident. Of course he wouldn’t have mentioned the arrival of his brethren. How unkind.

The birds’ exchange would be halted at the shivered words of Zapdos’ herald, looking rightfully chilled to the bone being trapped between two legendaries, both of whom did not truly care much for the extremities of temperature, considering they embodied each spectrum. Ruby peers towards the gym leader, assessing him, it seemed like. The brief recollection of the events that eventually lead this herald to the decision of coming to Johto by himself... he was intelligent, Articuno could tell. Selfless, perhaps, given the sacrifice of the self was such a pertinent aspect of Articuno’s own trials. Their gaze shifts back to Zapdos, soon gently nodding and turning tail southward—back to Violet City. The weather would follow until the siblings had grown used to the proximity, hopefully.

‘We must catch up on these long departed moons, brother.’ Words unspoken and unheard to Volkner, but at the very least, Articuno seemed content at their arrival, even as it lead the thunderous titan with the glimmer of tailfeathers, coasting with such grace that was nowhere to be found on Zapdos. Even in the speed these titans could manifest, communication was as easy as if they were simply perched on the same rocks next to one another. Legendaries had it easy, didn’t they?

‘Hayato did not mention it would be you who would come. You have chosen that human, did you not? He’s troubled for such a young man. Will he be okay undertaking such strain...?’

[zephyricd]

tag dump.