#Roshi Arcanine

[lustrous-dawn]

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

The Arcanine roused from his resting position, his golden gaze a glow in the night. There was not much else to illuminate the scene, save the moon’s waxen glow hanging above. Reflexively, his ears pinned to his skull at the sound of water, a surge of memories threatening to arise. His brain struggled to suppress them, a fierce shake of the great beast’s head. 

A droplet of water landed on his snout giving rise to a sudden snort. 

“I hate the rain,” came Roshi’s voice, a growl as a steady tickle from the skies landed on his pelt. 

[ Night has fallen and Roshi has become temporarily available for inquiries~ ]

[inaris-pokemon-world]

Roshi@Inaris: The Arcanine took a single look at the small babies, a double take at his claws. He could fit the both of them in a single paw. "They're small." He looked at Inaris, eyes assessing. "You're small. Can you protect them from what's out here?"

Inari’s smile was gentle, but her words promised a fate worse than death for those that threatened her babies. While it wasn’t directed at anyone in particular, you could still feel the heat of it, as though Inari was daring whatever forces out there to try her. And in that instant…

[lustrous-tales]

Tea Time

Roshi Schooled His Expression, His Gaze Returning To Inari. His Brows Furrowed At The Mention Of A Friend. Then He Recalled. He Never Stated A Name To Be Addressed By. "The Name's Roshi," He grunted. He Blinked To See The Scenery Had Changed. He Shook His Head In Disbelief As They Went On Tenderly. Inari Reminded Him Very Much Of Her. She Would Patter And Fuss As Much As A Mother Would In His Ear.  

He Could Hear Her Melodic Notes In His Ears As He Quietly Reminisced. 

"Have You Eaten Yet? Your Strong Physique Demands You Eat! Come, Come! Please Sit! I Cannot Be Accused Of Mistreating My Guardian!" 

"I'm Not Bothered. This Is Something I'm Used To," He Said, Coming Out Of His Memories. The Beads Emitted A Soft Glow. The Arcanine Form Began To Shift, Becoming That Of A Lumbering Man. "I Haven't Used This Form In A Long While But It'll Be More Appropriate." The thought of food made his stomach rumble. 

Fresh leaves. The faintest trace of oranges. A taste of spring. 

Suddenly tea and treats sounded appealing. "If you don't mind…"

"The spirit realm, eh?" He lost access to that realm since his patron had passed. The beads around his neck only granted him so much. "I hope it hasn't been too much of a mess." He folded his arms across his chest, crossing his legs to sit more comfortably on one of the pillows. "But I couldn't imagine a god keeping up with that many followers but more power to you." It was faint but there was a note of admiration in his tone. 

"So what? Is it like a bunch of voices in your head?" He made a small motion, tapping his temple. "Or do you get small prayer papers from your messages?" The latter he was more familiar with. He has often seen his companion carrying them from time to time. 

@askoinari

[askdeoxys]

"I AM JUST SITTING. I AM GLAD TO HAVE FED YOU. I CARRY A PERSONAL FIVE GUYS ON ME AT ALL TIMES, BUT DO NOT WORRY. I HAVE NOT KIDNAPPED ANYONE TO COOK THE FOOD AND MAINTAIN THE BUILDING. I ACTUALLY DO IT ALL MYSELF, WITH LITTLE ME'S. CAN YOU IMAGINE LITTLE ME'S RUNNING AROUND? TEEHEE. ANYWAYS, THANKS FOR SITTING WITH ME. IT'S WEIRD, YOU KNOW? YOU'RE JUST SOME WEIRD ALIEN, I'M JUST SOME HANDSOME BEEFCAKE. BUT, WE'RE JUST KINDRED SPIRITS. CRAZY."

[ @lustrous-dawn ]

[symphonies-of-silver]

(( Previously ))

The Zoroark snapped, standing tall as to appear larger in the face of the bigger Arcanine. His mane like ghostly tendrils whipped around his figure. Even so the canine still towered over him, though Genji showed no fear.

After a solid moment of staring him down, the Zoroark without warning disappeared into the ground. Blades of grass before Hikori’s feet seemed to sway unnaturally not a moment later as the ghostly fox rose to separate the two canines from one another.

To not only disrespect their patrons, but mistreat one of them so callously. The Zoroark was just about ready to snap back and fight if he had to.

"Who do you think you are?!Speaking to Hikori like that! Leave him alone!"

(( @lustrous-dawn ))

[ask-the-royal-absol]

Roshi@Destino: The Arcanine didn't bother to stare the Absol eye to eye. They were hardly worth it. "You act a whole lot like other royalty. You aren't much different. Using words and hiding behind them instead of facing the problem. A coward. You're only proving that Blaziken is right and you know it. Better shape up. You won't be ready for the shit coming at this rate."

[askoinari]

Roshi@Yako: The Arcanine felt his fur stand on the ends so he approached the fox with caution. His instincts told him what this cunning beast was. Trouble. "Resorting to stealing and petty tricks to get attention, huh? Pathetic. Go back to whatever hole you came from."

Yako

…

Is that it, then?

All bark and no bite?

What’s the matter, bitch? Too dickless to use those fangs? Or are they as broken as your spirit?

I eat bitches like you for a snack. Go find some lonely gods’ teat to suck on, welp; or are you a failure at the one job you bastards have, too? Oh, what a proper shame you must be.

( @lustrous-dawn )

[lightofunova]

Roshi@Tornadus: The Arcanine's gaze raked over the Tornadus, seemingly not impressed. "You're very loud for how small you are. I surely hope the other Natures aren't as like this. It begs to question how this happened."

“Perhaps after I have aided my lady I can teach you some manners!!!” Tor scoffs a bit, the wind picking up slightly. “My utmost priority is to encourage her to go outside right now. If you find my tone too proud for your ears then you may leave.”

[askmoonwhispers]

Roshi@Liana: "All this talk about protection." The Arcanine grouse. "And all I see is a witch flapping her muzzle off. Cowards the lot of ya. I bet there isn't anything dangerous at the top of this Tower."

Seagram: If a tower full of angry, vengeful ghosts doesn't sound dangerous to you, I don't know what to tell you.

Liana: Seagram..! The ghosts won't tell us what's at the top of the tower, but from the way they talk about it, it sounds like its something they don't want to see the dark of night ever again.

[ @lustrous-dawn ]

[nixnjix]

"And that's why I'm here asking you." Zhen never thought he would be in this situation. He folded his arms, impatient as he watched the Arcanine size him up. Roshi wasn't the easiest character to approach but the Ho-oh felt no fear, having regained his powers. 

"You want me to watch the runt?" 

"I want you to be my guardian." 

Silence between the both of them. "You're fucking joking, aren't you?" Roshi growled in the air. 

Watching Zhen raise an eyebrow, his expression unchanging, Roshi rose from his perch, the beast towering over him. "No."

As the beast began to walk away, Zhen called out, "What if I told you I can get you a way to fight the Jet Black Dragon?!" 

Roshi froze in place. 

Gottem. Zhen, smirking, continued, "Say I knew 'em. Would that be enough for you to stay?" 

"What the hell do you want? I know it's not being your guardian." 

"I'm not lying. I don't have one. Hikori's my messenger, not a fighter. I need muscle. Your muscles." 

"What for?" Roshi made his way back, scrutinizing the Ho-oh. "You legendaries can look after yourself." 

"I'm going to sleep soon. I need someone to look after the shrine." 

"You won't be sleeping there?" 

"No… I have a place in mind. I will tell you both when I plan to do so. And… Hikori might get kinda lonely-" 

"I just want to fight the Dragon," Roshi interrupted, rolling his eyes. "I'll watch your damn shrine. Don't get any other ideas." 

[teamsunfluff]

Roshi@the pair: Towering over the both of them, the Arcanine groused. "You two. How did you meet." A statement more than anything.

Avin flinched back a little at the Arcanine's towering presence. "O-Oh um... h-how did we meet? Well... um..."

"I can take this one," Kaji interjected, placing his paw on Avin's in a comforting gesture. He looked up at Roshi. "Forgive them. Your appearance and presence are very intimidating for someone who is only about eight inches tall," he said with a chuckle.

"To answer your question, we're childhood friends. According to our seniors on Sky Peak, supposedly the flowers we bloomed from were right next to each other and we've been inseparable since then." Kaji smiled at the memory. "While I can't say I completely believe them, it's true that Avin and I have been dear friends for as long as I can remember. You'd be hard pressed to find a tighter set of Shaymin on Sky Peak!"

[lustrous-dawn]

Inari approached, a bubble of psychic energy protecting them from the rain. "Roshi! I see you've reunited with Hikori. You must be so relieved." They smiled gently. "How ar you holding up?"

Thick eyebrows drew together over his eyes as he took in the small figure of Inari hovering overhead. Again he was greeted with a smile, the Arcanine averting his gaze as he chuffed, “...Hey.” 

This kindness… from her and Kyogre. He didn't understand it. While the old hound appeared to be standoffish, his expression opened up for those two. They made it difficult to remain ornery.

“Relieved is one thing,” he replied dryly. 

Hikori gave Roshi the run for his life. How the hell was he so fast? However while Hikori had speed, Roshi had endurance. The chase only lasted so long before Hikori had tuckered himself out trying to outrun the older Arcanine. Since then, Hikori had stubbornly ignored Roshi, looking out for the egg while fending him off whenever he got too close. 

“I don't know a thing about looking after a pup,” Roshi admitted quietly. Their needs. Their wants. He didn't know what Hikori needed. He was a Guardian, a protector. Not some babysitter. The moment the pup was reunited with his stupid Ho-oh, he would be out of his fur and his freedom would finally be within his paws. 

His brows drew even closer. “Managing…” Was he fine? His gaze drew inward, his face falling. “Fine. I'm fine.” Like the darkened clouds hovering above, his mind was the same. Turmoil. 

With his freedom approaching… he found himself for the first time unsure of the future. His future. 

A single look of envy towards Hikori. Him? Jealous? He nearly gritted his fangs. But the pup had someone as his pillar. A god to answer to.

While I have no one.

Then his eyes shifted towards Inari. “Tell me something. Do you know anything about… looking out for a kid?” He struggled with uttering the words, his expression twisting to that of embarrassment. He hadn't missed the rapid shakes of the egg. That thing was going to hatch soon and he was the least bit prepared for it. 

@inaris-pokemon-world

[inaris-pokemon-world]

💌

I'm thinking Roshi and Inari cause they have interacted a little bit xD

Inari can tell Roshi is currently going through a time of inner conflict and that absolutely unlocks Inari’s Mothering Mode™. There’s no turning back now! Roshi may be an old man, but Inari tends to see even older mortals as young. And she wants to do what she can to help Roshi in his time of need.

[nixnwrites]

Present Day -

Just where the hell is that kid?! 

"HIKORI!" 

Roshi bellowed, only for his voice to be drowned out by the rain thundering to the earth. Was this that damn Kyogre doing?! That couldn't be right. The god seemed too gentle, with not an ounce of meanness in their bones. Lightning cracked across the sky, its brilliant light setting the forest ablaze with white fire surrounding him. 

Wild Pokémon scurried toward their burrows, others again narrowly avoided the Arcanine plowing through the bush, his paw crushing debris in his path. This wasn't natural, the hackles along his back raising sharply, his gaze frantic. 

Another force was at play and it felt all too familiar to him.

That day was like this, rain pelting against his fur, the dampness seeping in, weighing him down. It was a cold he felt twice in his life. His sense of smell was useless to him, the elements washing the scents away; the torrent of rain, and the clap of thunder deafened his ears. He dared a look towards the sky. The clouds roiled above, black and ominous, and the wind whipped around him, a gust so fierce it would knock over the smallest 'mons with ease.

For once in his life, he hated his huge frame, the twigs, and branches lodging in his fur, getting in his damn way. With one long gait, the Arcanine was there then a flash of crimson, his beads emitting a strange light and the hound was no more, the lumbering human form he was accustomed to plowing through the foliage.

Rain running rivulets  

[askdeoxys]

[ # Just Stream Things ]

@harmonia-university @lustrous-dawn @lightofunova @symphonies-of-silver 

[lustrous-dawn]

And the Mew left Roshi to stew upon the words she imparted to him. Her smile lingered in his mind as the hound chuffed under his breath, shuffled his paws beneath him. 

For a moment there, he felt he was coddled like a child. Compared to her lifespan, he had only lived a mere fiction. Centuries compared to eons. But he was sure it wasn't intentional. It simply came naturally for a being like herself to mother those younger and who appeared to need help.

A furrowed brow. The same as Kyogre. 

Why? 

“Why spare an ounce of kindness on me?” Surprising words, worn and heavy. For a brief moment, his eyes appeared old. A wounded soul left to wander. 

Arcanine held a place amongst the people. 

A beacon of strength, a pillar nearly insurmountable to surpass.

Yet he had all but crumbled at the seams, barely maintaining his status. Whatever that may be now.

No, he was simply a nobody with his God no longer present.

Roshi gnashed his fangs. The hound gave a shake of his great mane, sending water everything. 

He looked towards the skies. The rain would not relent anytime soon, the clouds gathering ominously. 

I am afraid. A small voice, recalling Hikori quivering at the idea of thunder. Roshi sighed, leaving his post to check on him.