#but after her treasure hunt and her first trip into area zero she sees things in a different light and is able to reconcile with her

[relicsongmel]

Was doing some thinking today and realized that one of the reasons I'm really drawn to Kieran is because he's a rare example of a character that's shy (and usually good-hearted) but still has some rougher edges to him.

I feel like all too often shy characters are shoved into being portrayed as either "smol bean who would never hurt anyone and just wants friends uwu" or "brooding loner who snaps at people to cover up the fact they don't actually know how to socialize" with not a lot of wiggle room in between. While I can and do enjoy characters that (arguably) fall into those respective categories, they're a bit reductive in the sense that things are very rarely that black and white in reality. Even the kindest people have a limit to what they can tolerate. They have bad days or respond poorly to events around them that cause them stress. And the same can be said in reverse as well—point being, people are multifaceted and don't always behave as predictably as we'd like to think.

And I think Kieran reflects that dichotomy perfectly. When we first meet him, he's meek, timid, and relies heavily on his more brash and forceful older sister to help him navigate social situations where he would otherwise lose out on something valuable because he's too afraid to come forward and ask for what he wants (like how she has to ask the player to battle him on his behalf). He's often quick to cower whenever she starts to get heated, but he's also not afraid to point out when he thinks she's wrong and sometimes even gets sassy with her himself. He's undeniably sweet and gentle and shows eagerness to make friends with the player, but he becomes much more curt when he notices we're lying to him about Ogerpon. The rest of the Teal Mask storyline shows him fluctuating even further—yelling at Carmine and the player for keeping secrets from him, punching things in fits of anger...then backpedaling and apologizing for the trouble he caused a few scenes later. Spreading the truth about Ogerpon to everyone in the village to help make her happy...then selfishly demanding a battle to see who's worthy of being her Trainer when she has already clearly chosen the player.

After being lied to and suffering repeated losses at our hands (including the Pokemon he's idolized all his life choosing us over him), he leans even more heavily into his bitter side during the Indigo Disk—being cold and ruthless to pretty much everyone around him, but at the end of the day it's primarily overcompensation for what he perceives as his own personal weakness (because he's still just a kid trying to be taken seriously). He's shown to drop the act on multiple occasions—most notably when he's caught off guard by our appearance at Blueberry Academy and at a few points during the Area Zero expedition. He antagonizes the player up until the moment of his defeat and tries to catch and use Terapagos in a last-ditch moment of desperation that ends up going horribly wrong, but after everything resolves he's quick to admit his mistakes and asks the player for forgiveness and if they can still be friends. After the epilogue he's mostly back to his old self, but still seems to get worked up when provoked (e.g. when he yells at Drayton for refusing to stop calling him "ex-Champ" in one of their League Club Room interactions).

And I think this varied and sometimes contradictory behavior is precisely why Kieran is such a cohesive and believable character—because it shows how even kind, well-meaning people may have a hidden darker side that can show itself under the right circumstances. How they might let their insecurities get the better of them. How a shy, timid kid might not have the experience to know how to deal with sudden feelings of frustration and/or jealousy that are far too strong to keep to himself, so he lashes out as a result. How despite all this he remains kind, sensitive and loving at his core and shows willingness to learn from his mistakes. And that is what makes him so compelling to me.

[clvr-the-insect-enthusiast]

IT IS I! YA GIRL!

Hello, humans and Pokémon alike! I am Clover, a student from Naranja Academy, and Champion-Ranked Trainer! My pronouns are she/her and I'm the main person behind this blog.

And I'm Rotom! He/They pronounzzz for me! I'm Clover'zzz partner in crime and navigator!

Arceus was here too for a while. If it ever appears again you'll probably see text like this

(Made with https://picrew.me/ja/image_maker/1469769)

I joined Rotomblr so I can share my thoughts and experiences as I explore Paldea, but things kinda snowballed so now I'm just documenting every absurd event that happens in my day-to-day life.

If you have any questions, I'd love to answer them, just send an ask! This post may or may not be edited as time goes on to include more details.

If you wanna read about my party, here's a list of all the fellas I've caught!

And also here's a link to my Pokédex's Master Post.

(OOC/Tag information below)

Pelliper Mail is currently OPEN

Musharna Mail is currently OPEN

Mystery Gift is currently OPEN

TAGS:

Arc Tags (Current Arc: Intermission between arcs):

Treasure Hunt Chapter

#treasure hunt: General Paldea adventure shenanigans. From start of journey until the very end of the main story of Pokémon Scarlet.

#victory road: Treasure Hunt posts specific to the Pokémon League's gym circuit.

#path of legends: Treasure Hunt posts specific to the mission to save Arven's Mabosstiff + slay all Titans.

#operation starfall: Treasure Hunt posts specific to the quest to take down Team Star.

#the teal mask: Clover's field trip to Kitakami.

#the way home: Treasure Hunt posts specific to the voyage to Area Zero.

#blueberry exchange program: Posts about the BB League challenge and second voyage down Area Zero.

Hisui Chapter

#hisui arc: That one time Arceus sent Clover like 200 years to the past and asked her to write the first encyclopedia.

"Mystery Inc." Chapter

(crossover with @teamoracle)

#return to kitakami: Clover goes back to Kitakami and engages in shenanigans. Mostly catching the Bloodmoon Beast since Carmine and Kieran aren't there.

Character Tags:

#rotom shenanigans: When Rotom takes over and posts stuff, usually in orange-colored italic text.

#arcposting: The occasional Arceus cameo, much less frequent now that Clover isn't in the past. Usually accompanied by bolded italic blue text.

Other Tags:

#clover responds: Clover responds to asks

#magic anon weekends: Every month's last weekend, an event is hosted in which basically every Magic Anon ask has an actual impact in the story, even if the effects end after said weekend passes.

#pokédex register: Clover's entries for the Hisuian Pokédex.

#legendary pokémon entry: Pokédex entries covering Legendary Pokémon.

#mythical pokémon entry: Pokédex entries covering Mythical Pokémon.

OOC INFORMATION:

Any out-of-character notes/comments will be marked with a //

Sticking close to canon but not too close.

Anyone is welcome to interact, rp blog or not, sentient pokémon or human.

Let us avoid drama! DNI bigots and NSFW blogs.

Magic Anons are open!

During most months' last weekend, I'll be hosting Magic Anon Weekends, in which Magic Anons will be unrestricted until the month is over. Might extend if there's a holiday on friday or monday as well.

Mod @elpendrive is same age as character and uses he/him pronouns.

Previous arcs (Treasure Hunt/Hisui)

[grayfeather]

Tell us about pokemon OCs!

ooh my pokemon OCs okay

I've got a decent number of them for pokemon, but sadly some are less developed than others so I'll talk about the two that are more recent / more prevalent in my thoughts. my pokemon OCs usually tend to fall into the category of protag-insert mostly cuz when i feel more comfortable applying my own completely original character to the existing plot, especially when I wanna get a little sillier with it (read: expand upon) than the actual plot does.

Putting the rest under a read more to not clog up anyone's dash as this'll Absolutely get long

it's 2k words oh my god how did this happen

First one on the docket is my newest kiddo, my scarvi protag Harley. They're a little femme nonbinary kid from Galar (like the regular scarvi protag is implied to be). I named them Harley mostly as a motorcycle joke bcuz that's the game with the motorcycle pokemon friend lmao.

Harley grew up in Turffield (little grass-themed farming town) with their just their mom (as pokemon protags tend to) after their dad passed away due to illness. Growing up, they weren't shunned per say, but more like as their age group grew up and everyone fell into their own cliques, Harley ended up being left by the wayside. They were never bullied or anything like that, but while everyone was friendly with them, no one was ever really close to them. They developed some serious people-pleasing tendencies bcuz if they could be useful to people then maybe they'd eventually want to spend time with them. This also led to them becoming one of those "extremely cheery to hide the pain" types, very outgoing and happy on the surface, but kinda a mess internally.

Eventually, Harley's mom moved them to Paldea in order to get a fresh start where they enrolled in Uva Academy (cuz this is violet and not scarlet). I've got a vague timeline in my Google Docs to make the whole Treasure Hunt thing make sense from an actual schooling perspective and not just as a game mechanic, but to summarize, Harley transfers into Uva a little after winter break and then the Treasure Hunt happens for like a month before the second semester starts.

Harley gets asked by all the scarvi friends to do their specific questline and Harley (the people-pleaser) says "yeah, of course I can do all that!" and they complete the gym challenge, take down team star, and fight all the titan pokemon in the course of a month at the end of which is area zero where they get crazy trauma-bonded to the zero gang and thus become the zero gang. Harley learns to rely on people and not try to do everything themself, celestial by ed sheeran plays, credits roll.

So then for the scarvi dlc. I've got Teal Mask happening at the end of the second semester (cuz i cannot justify to myself the entire main game plot And the tm plot happening during the same time frame). Harley's a little hesitant to go on the school trip, especially cuz the Zero Gang has basically been Attached to each other following area zero, but their friends convince them to go.

In Kitakami, they meet Carmine and Kieran and I love Carmine and Kieran 💜💜💜

The plot here is pretty much just what happens in TM, but I really wanna play up the whirlwind situationship of Harley and Kieran bcuz It Is Funny To Me

Anyway, everyone congratulate Harley on the newly acquired legendary pokemon daughter who is unfathomably older than them. This is a comedy.

Indigo Disk is truly the part of this that makes my brain buzz the most. I'm extending its events to a whole semester bcuz that gives me so much more time to play with. Harley's a second-year now! Carmine convinces them over the summer to apply for the Blueberry-Uva exchange program (mostly cuz she's worried about Kieran, also cuz she'd like to see Harley again). Harley would've been much more apprehensive about applying and accepting but they've got friends there! They'll know people!!

uhhhh unfortunately for them, Carmine is an upperclassman (thus they don't see her much) and Kieran (who they share a homeroom with) is an asshole now! haha whoops!

Harley has a Pretty Shit Semester all things considered. They get roped into the League Club bcuz everyone's convinced that only they can beat Kieran (and make him go back to normal), which sends them into a bit of a spiral cuz they don't even Like competitive battling and in fact really struggle with double battles. They have serious doubts that beating Kieran will even Help the situation at all, but they press forward bcuz they are kinda lost without the zero gang support network and thus fall back into their people-pleasing tendencies bcuz Everyone around them is saying that This Is The Best Plan.

So after much, much stressing and studying and honestly kinda neglecting their health, they eventually do beat Kieran and become the League Club champion and surprise, surprise it Does Not Help! So now Harley's feeling extremely guilty on top of everything else. And then maybe two weeks after that battle we get the terapagos stuff and everyone gets to have a heart to heart and everyone's friends again and Harley's last few weeks at BB are much better than the past months have been.

Mochi Mayhem stuff happens over the summer, it's very cute, Harley and Kieran get to be a battle couple for it. Zero Gang gets to meet the Kitakami siblings and I love it, super cute and self-indulgent.

For post-game stuff, i've got some vague ideas, but uhhh Harley and Kieran get together in their fourth-year (planning a oneshot about this one if i ever get the motivation back). Eventually, as an adult, Harley becomes a teacher and eventually takes over as headmaster of Uva bcuz they realize at some point that what they really enjoyed about being a pokemon trainer was helping their team reach their fullest potential and after tutoring Team Star they realize that that extends to people to. Nemona's champion in this, she deserves it, Arven spends some time working in the school cafeteria before opening his own restaurant, and Penny uhhhh i think she's still committing some cyber crimes, she deserves it.

GODDDDD THAT WAS SO MUCH AND I'VE STILL GOT ONE MORE

My beloved Alick, the oldest and most self-indulgent of my pokemon kids. They are Easily the closest thing i've got to a self-insert, but i like to think that the character development they get makes them different enough from me. They are you see....... a gamer...... 😞

We got another they/them user here, bcuz if i'm gonna be self-indulgent i'm gonna go all out. Alick is my protagonist for my favorite pokemon games, black and white. and also black 2 and white 2. and also legends arceus. They're a multi-game protag bcuz i thought it was super fun this way, and you know what? it totally is.

Their backstory is pretty similar to the regular bw protags'. They grew up in Nuvema with their two friends, Cheren and Bianca, they live with just their mom. In this case, their parents are divorced and their dad works a lot and also travels a lot for work, so he's mostly a vague presence in their life, the most interaction between the two being when he sends expensive birthday gifts.

I will admit that I aged up the Nuvema kids a bit to recent high school graduates, mostly cuz I was using Alick as a way to channel my angst at not knowing what the fuck i'm doing with my life, cuz they only go on the pokemon journey bcuz their friends are going and they don't wanna be left behind.

This does of course put them in the path of team plasma and N and i loooooove N, but you probably could tell that. One more thing I gotta tell you about Alick, and I need you to stick with me here, is that they can understand pokemon (like N). This doesn't exactly...... help things with regards to N, but I've included it bcuz i'm fucking obsessed with characters that foil each other and i'm also using as a kinda allegory. Cuz all Alick's life, they've hidden this part of themself from basically everyone, so to meet someone who is like them for the first time in their life is kinda freeing? Except then surprise! N is king of team plasma, the guys that have been harassing them and their friends this whole time so now things are pretty tense.

A lot of Alick's angst throughout bw is fear at what they've been roped into, feeling disconnected from their friends, and begging the universe to please not make them be the protagonist here please!!! unfortunately for them, N has decided that only they can be the one to summon Reshiram and beat him bcuz obviously this is how ideological disputes get settled, that is after all, what all of his fantasy stories have taught him. Alick, meanwhile, is like "life is not an rpg!!!! why do i have the pretty boy antagonist insisting we're rivals????"

BW ends with Ghetsis and his Hydreigon killing one of Alick's pokemon, sending Reshiram back into stone hibernation, and traumatizing Alick so badly that they give up pokemon battling for two years. They say goodbye to N on the roof of the Pokemon League Hospital bcuz he stuck around a little after everything to make sure things settled down before he left. They aren't really ready to be friends yet, Alick's still hurting from everything that N dragged them into and N needs to spend some time figuring things out for himself. They part ways, hoping that maybe in the future they can start over.

Alick moves with their remaining team to Aspertia City, becomes friends with the family down the hall, and spends some time as a pokemon handler for pokestar studios (even staring in one movie). They stay in contact with Cheren and Bianca as well as some of the remnants of team plasma (specifically those from driftveil).

Due to some shenanigans, they get a pokemon egg from the driftveil plasmas, so they decide to give a pokemon journey one more shot in order to raise this egg right, which is good call after it hatches into a baby Deino (pre-evo of Hydreigon for those unaware).

Team Plasma comes back! Alick Is So Fucking Mad! Their new friend Hugh from down the hall Is So Fucking Mad!

Alick doesn't angst much in this one, mostly they seethe. The depression and anger have overridden much of the anxiety that plagued them two years ago.

At the Giant Chasm, N saves Alick, and then Alick fights Ghetsis and his Hydreigon again, but this time they have their own, well-raised, and very much loved Hydreigon and their team manages to beat the half-mad Ghetsis.

Alick makes it to the Pokemon League and finally officially enters the Hall of Fame as a Champion, and their original team from BW even gets added to honor them.

I've got actually a whole bunch of post-game stuff for Alick before they get shunted off to legends arceus. Immediately after b2w2, they go with N back to the remains of his castle to dig the light stone outta the rubble, cuz Reshiram is Still asleep from the end of BW lmaooooo

Alick and N then go on a cute little backwards journey from there to Nuvema Town so they can fulfill that promise of starting over.

In another stroke of sheer self-indulgence, these two are in a queerplatonic relationship bcuz it's My Story and I Do What I Want

They end up traveling around the world together for like 5 years before disaster strikes and Pokemon God Themself decides that they need Alick to do a favor for them.

Legends Arceus happens. Alick still has their memories. They Do Not Want To Be Here.

They're so focused on completing the pokedex and getting home that they alienate themself from the village as a whole, and they aren't pretending that they can't understand pokemon anymore, so to a village of people who are afraid of pokemon, Alick is a Bit unnerving.

They form an odd camaraderie with Volo as two individuals on the peripheral of society. Also I like drama.

Alick gets banished from the village and I hope that in my version of events the justification for that makes a little more sense, cuz Alick hasn't really given these people any reason to trust them. Part of their team is a Hisuian Zoroark, so in this moment, instead of being escorted out of the village, they death glare at Kamado, say some ominous shit, and then disappear into the fog that their Zoroark conjures.

LA continues pretty normally from this point. The rift closes and Alick almost panics at that, but convinces themself that once they complete the pokedex, arceus will send them home.

Volo fight happens. I love the Volo fight. Alick has a slight ptsd flashback at yet another scary dragon-type that wants to Kill Them.

Alick finally meets Arceus, Arceus basically refuses to send them home. Alick Hates God Now.

Alick's best bet for getting home ends up being Giratina and the Distortion World. They spend...... who can even say how long, in the DW (a place with no time or space). Essentially, in my mind, while in the DW, a person does not age or hunger or tire or experience anything to indicate time is passing. They can even encounter other people in the DW regardless of when or where they entered. The DW has many different portals to reality that can take a person to different times and places in the world. Alick is looking for a very specific portal that can take them to or near to their time period.

The funny thing is they don't even make it back thru the DW. No, instead, one of the portals takes them to the far future, where one of their pokemon gets captured by a mysterious pokeball, they grab it, but uh oh! this was actually from the area zero time machine! Alick gets pulled through time that way and ends up in area zero about a week before Harley begins school. No! I did not mention any of this in Harley's section!

Eventually, thru Harley's adventure, Alick is freed from area zero and reunites with N and then gets to go home. It's been about two years since Alick disappeared. They move in with N (especially since their bw and b2w2 teams are there already). They become the official replacement elite four for Grimsley (sticking with dark-types). And sometimes they are a guest instructor at Blueberry Academy and give bad advice to emotionally fraught high schoolers. 💜💜💜

And if you've gotten this far.... first of all i love you!!! second of all a special little treat for you.....

Their character playlists: Harley and Alick

[pokemondarkpathau]

A Dark Path Walked Chapter 1: The Meeting

It has been three months ever since Juliana moved from Galar to Paldea. She barely made herself at home in Cabo Poco when she decided to enroll in Naranja Academy. Not only that, Director Clavell made a visit to her house to tell her that her enrollment has been accepted. Along the journey to her new school, she met her neighbor and classmate, Nemona, who loves to battle and the two became rivals when Juliana picked Fuecoco and Nemona chose Quaxly. The newly-moved girl then met a mysterious creature called Koraidon/Miraidon after she fell off Poco Path and survived thanks to her Rotom Phone being used as a parachute, they escaped a pack of Houndour and Houndoom and met their Houndoom leader, who proved to be way too strong to Juliana and Fuecoco and Koraidon/Miraidon rescued her.

On her way to the Poco Lighthouse, she and Nemona met a young man named Arven, who is not only also a student of the same Academy she enrolled, he is also the son of the esteemed Professor Sada. After a beautiful view from the Lighthouse and an extremely long trip through Los Platos and South Province due to her not having a Cyclizar, Juliana finally arrives in Mesagoza. Before she could enter Naranja Academy, she saved a girl with an Eevee bag named Penny from some trouble making students who call themselves Team Star and she also received a Tera Orb from Nemona during the confrontation.

Upon entering the esteemed Naranja Academy, not only could she see how big and marvelous the place is, she also met Jacq, her homeroom teacher and the creator of the Paldean Pokédex, got some requests to defeat the eight gym leaders and Pokémon League from Nemona, find Five mysterious herbs called Herba Mystica from Arven and put an end to Team Star’s trouble making behavior from a mysterious entity called Cassiopeia for her Treasure Hunt. Juliana also learned that Koraidon can help her by being a ride Pokémon like Cyclizar and that made it easier for her to travel. During her Treasure Hunt, not only did she grow stronger, she also helped Nemona complete her goal of finding the perfect rival for her which turned out to be Juliana herself, used the Herba Mystica to not only restore Koraidons ability to travel better like climbing, gliding and swimming, but also cure Arven’s partner Mabostiff, who got badly injured during an expedition in Area Zero, and proved to Team Star and their leader, Cassopeia, aka Penny, that there is no need to be afraid in going back to school and that hurting others is not the right thing to do. Juliana also learned of Team Star’s tragic backstory of them being bullied by other students and retaliating against them.

After that ordeal is done, Juliana was about to rest back at Naranja Academy when she got a call from Arven to meet him at Zero Gate at the Great Crater of Paldea, which is forbidden entry due to how dangerous it is since the Quaking Earth Titan was a Great Tusk that escaped from the even dangerous Area Zero. She met him, Nemona and Penny at the entrance and they got the elevator to the lift to Area Zero working thanks to Penny’s hacking skills.

It took them a bit longer to enter since Koraidon did not want to go there due to some trauma, but the four students helped out. As soon as they entered, Koraidon returned to its Pokéball because of fear, which led the four of them to find Professor Sada, who is trapped in the Zero Lab, by foot. Along the way, they unlocked all four locks in the research stations blocking the entrance to Zero Lab, fighting a Glimmora outside the first station, which Nemona recognizes as a Pokémon Geeta, La Primera, owns, a Scream Tail, which Penny confused for a Jigglypuff, and another Great Tusk. At the same time, the behavior of Professor Sada is acting stranger and stranger.

Upon reaching the Zero Lab, they confront another Koraidon that sent Juliana’s Koraidon away after a turf war and an army of ancient looking Pokémon similar to Misdreavus and Amoongus. Nemona, Penny and Arven stayed behind to hold the reinforcements while Juliana entered the Zero Lab.

As she explores the Zero Lab, she sees Professor Sada, but it is an AI made to look and act like Professor Sada because the real Professor Sada passed away protecting Juliana’s Koraidon from the aggressive Koraidon. The AI takes Juliana to the time machine and begs for her to stop the original Professor’s wishes to continue the Time Machine. As she tries to fulfill the AI’s wish, it challenges her to a battle with a team of ancient looking Pokémon.When Nemona, Arven and Penny arrive to help Juliana, the AI activates the Time Machine’s Paradise Protection Protocol to lock all Pokémon except those on the ownership of Professor.

Just when all hope is lost when the AI sends out the aggressive Koraidon, Juliana uses the Koraidon she has been taking care of. Her kindness and devotion helped Koraidon regain its true strength and with everyone’s cheers, Koraidon defeated its aggressive counterpart.

Victory was bittersweet. Paldea was saved, but Arven learned the truth of his mother from an AI who was replicating her appearance and behavior. And not only that, AI Sada decided to use the time machine to go to the ancient past to discover her dream and freedom.

It has been three months ever since the start of the Treasure Hunt. Juliana had a long schedule, doing the Gym Inspections in Geeta’s stead, participating in the Academy Ace tournament founded by Nemona, completing her Pokédex and helping Professor Jacq on his research with Tera Raids.

Her Rotom Phone Rang when she had caught a mysterious ancient Suicune called Walking Wake.

“Hello?” She answered the call.

“Hello, Juliana, my girl!” Professor Jacq said with his useful cheerful tone.

“Hello, Professor Jacq.” The brown haired girl smiled. “Did you need something for your research?” “Actually, I called you for something else.” Professor Jacq answered. “Remember when you signed up for a lottery for an upcoming school trip?” “Yes. I did.” Juliana nodded, playing with her braid. “What happened?” “We just got the results in just a day and you are one of four students to be chosen for the trip!” The Professor said with a happier tone. “Really?!” Juliana beamed in joy. “I’m chosen! I’m so happy!” “No need to worry about asking permission.” Jacq said. “Your mother gave us the good to go. Why don’t you meet me and a special someone at the Academy’s Entrance?”

“I will.” Juliana smiled. “See you there.”

As she hung up the call, she couldn’t help herself when she jumped in joy. It was the first time she had a trip ever since moving out from Galar. She ran towards Skeledirge, Koraidon and the rest of her Pokémon. “Koraidon, Skeledirge, Tinkaton, Kilowatrel, Arboliva, Armarouge, Annihalape!” She cheered. “We are chosen for the trip! We’re going to make so many friends! People and Pokémon alike!” Her Pokémon made a variety of noises in celebration, the loudest being Skeledirge and Koraidon. “Let’s go back to Naranja Academy! Professor Jacq is waiting for us!” She said as she recalled her Pokémon except for Koraidon.

After she made some preparations, Juliana entered Naranja Academy, where at the entrance hall, a woman with dark blond hair was waiting for her. The woman turned around as Juliana approached her.

“Ah. Hello, you must be Juliana, right?” The woman greeted the girl. “One of four students in Naranja Academy chosen by lottery?” “Yes, ma’am.” Juliana nodded. “I am Juliana.” “Nice to meet you, sweet Juliana.” The woman smiled. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Briar, and I will be your guide for our field trip to Kitakami. I am also a teacher at Blueberry Academy, which is located in Unova.” “Blueberry Academy, such a cool name!” Juliana got more excited to hear of Blueberry Academy. “I’m happy to hear that you love the small details I gave to our school.” Briar said with joy in her voice. “I am also here for another reason… Have you heard of Area Zero?” “Yes.” Juliana nodded. “I went there as part of my Treasure Hunt.” “I see.” Briar hummed. “Apparently, I am here to request access to Area Zero after hearing of a mysterious Pokémon called Terapagos. I even got the original note about Terapagos from Heath, the founder of the Scarlet Book, who is my ancestor. Anyway, let us change the topic back to the field trip. Did you make some preparations for our trip to Kitakami?” “Of course, ma’am.” Juliana nodded. Jacq and three other students, a small boy wearing a red cap, a taller boy and a girl, arrive. “Apologies for my lateness, Miss Briar.” Jacq said. “I was making some updates on the Pokédex app since Kitakami will have different Pokémon.” “My, you are very well-prepared, Mister Jacq.” Briar mused. “Juliana, would you allow me to update the Pokédex App on your Rotom Phone?” Jacq turned to Juliana.

“Of course, Professor Jacq!” Juliana agreed.

After Jacq upgraded Juliana’s Pokédex to add the Kitakami Pokédex, Briar, Juliana and the other three students headed off for a long plane flight and bus ride to Kitakami Road in the Kitakami region. As they took a rest at the bus stop, the red cap student started feeling motion sick and Briar requested Juliana to find some help at the nearby town’s community center. Juliana agreed out of kindness and selflessness, and headed off to the nearby Mossui Town.

Juliana was intrigued by the variety of Pokémon not seen in Paldea, Yanma, Poochyena, Volbeat, Johtoian Wooper, Corphish and Sewaddle. She stopped herself from being distracted as she arrived at Mossui Town and saw a pair of siblings, an older sister and a younger brother, talking to each other in front of the community center.

“Are those two kids residents of Mossui Town?” Juliana thought to herself. “Maybe they can help tend to Josue.”

The younger brother saw Juliana and turned to his sister. “Sis! Look!” He said. “There’s another one!”

The Older sister smiled to herself and ran off towards Juliana with her younger brother following her and hiding behind her back.

“Hello.” The Older sister greeted Juliana by waving. “I see that you do not belong here in Kitakami. Who might you be?” “Hello.” Juliana smiled, unaware that the kindness the older sister has is a facade. “I’m Juliana. I study at Naranja Academy in Paldea and I need your help.”

The younger brother leaned sideways a bit from behind his sister and looked at Juliana in awe.

“No way…” He muttered. “So cool…”

“Hush, Kieran.” The older sister turned to her younger brother, Kieran, before facing Juliana. “Anyway, Juliana, my name is Carmine and I am afraid I cannot let you pass to Mossui Town. Not unless you battle me.”

“Hold on.” Juliana raised her hands. “I actually need help.” “She’s right, Sis.” Kieran said. “We can’t just battle strangers out of nowhere.”

“Kiki… I said-” Carmine growled before she was interrupted by Juliana. “One of my classmates fell ill after a long flight and bus ride and I need to find someone who can help me out by tending to him.” Juliana said. “N-no way!” Kieran shook his head. “Th-this is a very serious matter! I’ll go get the caretaker so he can help!”

As Kieran runs off to get some help, Carmine turns to him. “Kiki, what are you-?!” Carmine tried to call out to her brother, but he was far off, so she turned to Juliana. “Well, it seems that you managed to speak some sense to my younger brother, but unfortunately, you will not fool me.” “This isn’t a joke!” Juliana tried to calm Carmine down.

“I don’t care what you say. We are going to battle.” Carmine growled as she took a Pokéball and sent out Poochyena.

Juliana sighed as she had no choice as she sent out Annihalape.

It didn’t take some effort for Juliana since she just used Annihalape to defeat Carmine’s Poochyena, Vulpix and Poltchageist.

“I cannot believe it!” Carmine growled as she grabbed the strands on her hair. “There is no way you should have been able to beat me!” She takes a deep breath and calms down. “Alright… I guess you pass… barely. I’ll let you into town. But only if you become one of my grunts and do every little thing I-”

Just as Carmine was about to make Juliana into her “grunt”, Kieran and an old man come out of the community center. “Oi!” The man called out to Carmine. “What are you doing, causing a ruckus out here?!”

“Tch… here comes trouble.” Carmine hissed before running off.

“Sis! Wait up!” Kieran called out to her to no avail. He let out a sigh. “I am so sorry… Sis can be… stubborn.”

“It’s ok.” Juliana smiled. “I dealt with worse.” “I see that you are a student of Naranja Academy” The old man turned to Juliana and smiled. “I will be the caretaker for your trip. I apologize for Carmine’s behavior. She has been rowdy as of last week. Also, I got word from Kieran that you need help on a classmate of yours who fell ill. Is that correct?” “Y-yes, sir.” Kieran nodded.

“Very Well.” The Caretaker said. “I will help out.” “Thank you.” Juliana said. “They’re still at the bus stop.”

“Thank you, young lady.” The Caretaker smiled. “You are such a kind girl.”

The Caretaker left to tend to the sick student.

“Th-thank you for the w-warning.” Kieran said, playing with his hair. “And… I’m sorry for Sis’ behavior…”

“Don’t worry about it.” Juliana smiled. “You made the right choice to tell someone. Oh, she did challenge me to a battle and I defeated her.” “Wowzers!” Kieran gasped. “You actually beat my sis?! No people could defeat Sis when they arrived at Kitakami.”

“You have a lot of knowledge on this, Kieran.” Juliana shook her head.

“I actually live here.” Kieran smiles shily. “And… I look forward to studying with you for this Field Trip.”

Kieran ran back home as Briar, the caretaker and the students arrived, the red cap the student feeling better. After that, everyone had a feast at the community center and had a goodnight sleep.

“What an interesting Field Trip we’re gonna have.” Juliana thought to herself. “Kieran’s such a nice kid… but Carmine… I feel like I might have trouble trying to get to know her if she has some issues with me trying to enter Mossui…”

The Paldean girl went to bed, trying to get a good night's sleep for the next day.

[sage-nebula]

I've now finished all available story content for Pokémon Scarlet in my replay, and with everything fresh in my mind again, I want to share some Thoughts™. Note that these are only thoughts on the storytelling, and not on any other elements (gameplay etc).

First, on the original scenario:

While I don't think that this is the greatest story in a Pokémon game yet like some others do (I still think that honor goes to BW), I can definitely see why SV's story appeals to those that it does appeal to. Arven's story is heartwrenching, and Penny's / Team Star's is relatable to anyone who has had to suffer bullying, only to be labeled the bully themselves when they try to do something about it. Nemona's story unfortunately suffers the most; you don't really get any insight into who she is or what her struggles are until post-game, and even then you have to seek her out to discover any of that. It makes sense, in a way; Nemona is mostly just there to give the player incentive to tackle the Gym challenge. Still, it's unfortunate because I think that her character (an Ace in every way who is therefore isolated from her peers as a result) is one that would have been really interesting to explore in more depth.

Having said all that, I think the biggest detriment to SV's storytelling is that it keeps the three rivals completely separate until the trip into Area Zero, with the exception of a bit of bickering between Nemona and Arven in the beginning (and a tiny bit of Penny's added in when you're about to leave on the Treasure Hunt). I think most in the fandom agree that the trip into Area Zero is SV's strongest point; unfortunately, none of the Area Zero stuff is truly relevant until that point, and the rivals don't get to talk to (and therefore befriend) each other before that point, either. As a result, it makes their friendship in the end feel forced / weak. They have a few conversations in Area Zero and now they're besties? I don't really buy it. Especially since they spent the first few conversations antagonizing each other.

Instead, I think it would have made everything a lot more cohesive to have the three of them interact with each other at different points throughout the main story. Either they could happenstance cross paths whenever one of them is talking to the player, or the game could have taken a truly original track and have the school send players out on the Treasure Hunt in groups of four, grouping Arven, Penny, Nemona, and the player together in one group to travel across Paldea together. Of course, it would seem a bit busy to have all three rivals constantly running alongside you, but there could have been a base camp that all four would return to at the end of the day, and we could have had interactions between them there. Showing the three rivals befriending each other over the course of the entire Treasure Hunt would have made them cementing their friendship in Area Zero (and things like Penny calling Nemona and Arven treasured friends on par with the Team Star bosses) make a whole lot more sense.

A quick aside on Team Star — I think Game Freak fumbled this storyline pretty badly. Penny's Not Reveal aside (who didn't know she was Cassiopeia, like . . . really), it seems that what Game Freak wanted with Team Star was to make the whole team, grunts included, victims of rumor mongering. This is made apparent at the end of the Caph Squad segment, when Clavell brings up that there are rumors of Team Star bullying other students, and Carmen is like, "After hearing what we all have to say, do you really think that's the case?" And that's fine, except . . .

We are shown that Team Star grunts bully students at the start of the game.

Granted, it is only one scene. But our introduction to Penny is her being harassed by Team Star grunts to join up, and then them turning that aggression onto the player. It's contradictory to show us that some Team Star grunts do bully other students, only to then backpedal completely and say they don't. And I think that this could have been used as Penny's motivation; that, instead of being worried about her friends being expelled, Penny realized that the organization was way too big and that bullies were using it as a shield to bully other students, and that that's why it had to be brought down. Bringing this to the attention of the other bosses could have also been used as their motivation to step down, which would have made a lot more sense than the "well the rules say so." It would have further cemented the fact that they were victims of bullying themselves who would never want to see anyone else bullied again, either.

But back to the main story — aside from thinking that it is a waste that we don't get to see the rivals interact with each other and build their friendship up over the main story, I also think it is a waste that the absolute coolest part of SV's story (the Area Zero lore) is completely packed into the final segment of the game, bearing almost no relevance otherwise. I mean, true, Arven is searching for the Herba Mystica to heal Mabosstiff, and that comes from Area Zero. But we don't learn why he has that book, what relevance that book has, or what the professor was up to until the final segment of the game. We're told Area Zero is off-limits because it's dangerous, but aside from the fourth Titan battle (or was it the third?) we don't see any paradox pokémon on the surface or learn anything about the professor other than that they are Arven's parent and they invented the Tera Orb. And I think that is a waste; there is so much cool lore in SV, and the professors themselves are fascinating characters because they're not exactly good but they also aren't evil, but we just don't really get to engage with that until the very end of the story (and now the DLC). I'm not entirely sure how this could be fixed without completely reworking the story (though I'm sure I could come up with ideas if I found the time to think on it), but it's just disappointing that the best part of the story is at the very end.

All in all, I don't think SV has the worst story in the series. That dishonor still goes to XY. But I think that it's a shame that its strongest points (the rivals + the lore) are things that just didn't have the right amount of investment into them. I think that having the rivals at bare minimum get to interact in scenes throughout the three campaigns would have helped their characters and relationships and would have better sold the "they are besties now" ending to the Area Zero segment. An even better solution, imo, would be to have them all accompanying the player on the journey even if they aren't always on-screen together, with designated camping scenes at different points in the game, more little micro conversations (albeit ones better worked in; something like skits in the Tales series would work better than what we got in Area Zero), and perhaps continued arguing over which way the player should go next, since they all have their own agendas, too. And as for the lore, just being able to see more of an effect Area Zero had on Paldea would have helped with that a great deal. Have more paradox pokémon escaping and people freaking out about it, have the A.I. professor guiding an unwitting player into making the situation worse somehow. Something, so that we're given reason to really want to go into Area Zero at the end, versus just "well the professor said to, so I gotta."

Anyway, those are my thoughts on the storytelling in SV. There are a lot of weaknesses, but those weaknesses mostly stem from the potential that is there that was not realized. I will say that so far the story DLC has been a step in the right direction, especially where the Mossui siblings are concerned; the two of them knowing each other so well and having a pre-existing relationship does a lot of their characters, both individually and together. Now we just have to wait and see if the Indigo Disk DLC sticks the landing. I really hope it does.

But for now, I sleep.

[auramage111]

A Dark Path Walked Chapter 1: The Meeting

It has been three months ever since Juliana moved from Galar to Paldea. She barely made herself at home in Cabo Poco when she decided to enroll in Naranja Academy. Not only that, Director Clavell made a visit to her house to tell her that her enrollment has been accepted. Along the journey to her new school, she met her neighbor and classmate, Nemona, who loves to battle and the two became rivals when Juliana picked Fuecoco and Nemona chose Quaxly. The newly-moved girl then met a mysterious creature called Koraidon/Miraidon after she fell off Poco Path and survived thanks to her Rotom Phone being used as a parachute, they escaped a pack of Houndour and Houndoom and met their Houndoom leader, who proved to be way too strong to Juliana and Fuecoco and Koraidon/Miraidon rescued her.

On her way to the Poco Lighthouse, she and Nemona met a young man named Arven, who is not only also a student of the same Academy she enrolled, he is also the son of the esteemed Professor Sada. After a beautiful view from the Lighthouse and an extremely long trip through Los Platos and South Province due to her not having a Cyclizar, Juliana finally arrives in Mesagoza. Before she could enter Naranja Academy, she saved a girl with an Eevee bag named Penny from some trouble making students who call themselves Team Star and she also received a Tera Orb from Nemona during the confrontation.

Upon entering the esteemed Naranja Academy, not only could she see how big and marvelous the place is, she also met Jacq, her homeroom teacher and the creator of the Paldean Pokédex, got some requests to defeat the eight gym leaders and Pokémon League from Nemona, find Five mysterious herbs called Herba Mystica from Arven and put an end to Team Star’s trouble making behavior from a mysterious entity called Cassiopeia for her Treasure Hunt. Juliana also learned that Koraidon can help her by being a ride Pokémon like Cyclizar and that made it easier for her to travel. During her Treasure Hunt, not only did she grow stronger, she also helped Nemona complete her goal of finding the perfect rival for her which turned out to be Juliana herself, used the Herba Mystica to not only restore Koraidons ability to travel better like climbing, gliding and swimming, but also cure Arven’s partner Mabostiff, who got badly injured during an expedition in Area Zero, and proved to Team Star and their leader, Cassopeia, aka Penny, that there is no need to be afraid in going back to school and that hurting others is not the right thing to do. Juliana also learned of Team Star’s tragic backstory of them being bullied by other students and retaliating against them.

After that ordeal is done, Juliana was about to rest back at Naranja Academy when she got a call from Arven to meet him at Zero Gate at the Great Crater of Paldea, which is forbidden entry due to how dangerous it is since the Quaking Earth Titan was a Great Tusk that escaped from the even dangerous Area Zero. She met him, Nemona and Penny at the entrance and they got the elevator to the lift to Area Zero working thanks to Penny’s hacking skills.

It took them a bit longer to enter since Koraidon did not want to go there due to some trauma, but the four students helped out. As soon as they entered, Koraidon returned to its Pokéball because of fear, which led the four of them to find Professor Sada, who is trapped in the Zero Lab, by foot. Along the way, they unlocked all four locks in the research stations blocking the entrance to Zero Lab, fighting a Glimmora outside the first station, which Nemona recognizes as a Pokémon Geeta, La Primera, owns, a Scream Tail, which Penny confused for a Jigglypuff, and another Great Tusk. At the same time, the behavior of Professor Sada is acting stranger and stranger.

Upon reaching the Zero Lab, they confront another Koraidon that sent Juliana’s Koraidon away after a turf war and an army of ancient looking Pokémon similar to Misdreavus and Amoongus. Nemona, Penny and Arven stayed behind to hold the reinforcements while Juliana entered the Zero Lab.

As she explores the Zero Lab, she sees Professor Sada, but it is an AI made to look and act like Professor Sada because the real Professor Sada passed away protecting Juliana’s Koraidon from the aggressive Koraidon. The AI takes Juliana to the time machine and begs for her to stop the original Professor’s wishes to continue the Time Machine. As she tries to fulfill the AI’s wish, it challenges her to a battle with a team of ancient looking Pokémon.When Nemona, Arven and Penny arrive to help Juliana, the AI activates the Time Machine’s Paradise Protection Protocol to lock all Pokémon except those on the ownership of Professor.

Just when all hope is lost when the AI sends out the aggressive Koraidon, Juliana uses the Koraidon she has been taking care of. Her kindness and devotion helped Koraidon regain its true strength and with everyone’s cheers, Koraidon defeated its aggressive counterpart.

Victory was bittersweet. Paldea was saved, but Arven learned the truth of his mother from an AI who was replicating her appearance and behavior. And not only that, AI Sada decided to use the time machine to go to the ancient past to discover her dream and freedom.

It has been three months ever since the start of the Treasure Hunt. Juliana had a long schedule, doing the Gym Inspections in Geeta’s stead, participating in the Academy Ace tournament founded by Nemona, completing her Pokédex and helping Professor Jacq on his research with Tera Raids.

Her Rotom Phone Rang when she had caught a mysterious ancient Suicune called Walking Wake.

“Hello?” She answered the call.

“Hello, Juliana, my girl!” Professor Jacq said with his useful cheerful tone.

“Hello, Professor Jacq.” The brown haired girl smiled. “Did you need something for your research?” “Actually, I called you for something else.” Professor Jacq answered. “Remember when you signed up for a lottery for an upcoming school trip?” “Yes. I did.” Juliana nodded, playing with her braid. “What happened?” “We just got the results in just a day and you are one of four students to be chosen for the trip!” The Professor said with a happier tone. “Really?!” Juliana beamed in joy. “I’m chosen! I’m so happy!” “No need to worry about asking permission.” Jacq said. “Your mother gave us the good to go. Why don’t you meet me and a special someone at the Academy’s Entrance?”

“I will.” Juliana smiled. “See you there.”

As she hung up the call, she couldn’t help herself when she jumped in joy. It was the first time she had a trip ever since moving out from Galar. She ran towards Skeledirge, Koraidon and the rest of her Pokémon. “Koraidon, Skeledirge, Tinkaton, Kilowatrel, Arboliva, Armarouge, Annihalape!” She cheered. “We are chosen for the trip! We’re going to make so many friends! People and Pokémon alike!” Her Pokémon made a variety of noises in celebration, the loudest being Skeledirge and Koraidon. “Let’s go back to Naranja Academy! Professor Jacq is waiting for us!” She said as she recalled her Pokémon except for Koraidon.

After she made some preparations, Juliana entered Naranja Academy, where at the entrance hall, a woman with dark blond hair was waiting for her. The woman turned around as Juliana approached her.

“Ah. Hello, you must be Juliana, right?” The woman greeted the girl. “One of four students in Naranja Academy chosen by lottery?” “Yes, ma’am.” Juliana nodded. “I am Juliana.” “Nice to meet you, sweet Juliana.” The woman smiled. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Briar, and I will be your guide for our field trip to Kitakami. I am also a teacher at Blueberry Academy, which is located in Unova.” “Blueberry Academy, such a cool name!” Juliana got more excited to hear of Blueberry Academy. “I’m happy to hear that you love the small details I gave to our school.” Briar said with joy in her voice. “I am also here for another reason… Have you heard of Area Zero?” “Yes.” Juliana nodded. “I went there as part of my Treasure Hunt.” “I see.” Briar hummed. “Apparently, I am here to request access to Area Zero after hearing of a mysterious Pokémon called Terapagos. I even got the original note about Terapagos from Heath, the founder of the Scarlet Book, who is my ancestor. Anyway, let us change the topic back to the field trip. Did you make some preparations for our trip to Kitakami?” “Of course, ma’am.” Juliana nodded. Jacq and three other students, a small boy wearing a red cap, a taller boy and a girl, arrive. “Apologies for my lateness, Miss Briar.” Jacq said. “I was making some updates on the Pokédex app since Kitakami will have different Pokémon.” “My, you are very well-prepared, Mister Jacq.” Briar mused. “Juliana, would you allow me to update the Pokédex App on your Rotom Phone?” Jacq turned to Juliana.

“Of course, Professor Jacq!” Juliana agreed.

After Jacq upgraded Juliana’s Pokédex to add the Kitakami Pokédex, Briar, Juliana and the other three students headed off for a long plane flight and bus ride to Kitakami Road in the Kitakami region. As they took a rest at the bus stop, the red cap student started feeling motion sick and Briar requested Juliana to find some help at the nearby town’s community center. Juliana agreed out of kindness and selflessness, and headed off to the nearby Mossui Town.

Juliana was intrigued by the variety of Pokémon not seen in Paldea, Yanma, Poochyena, Volbeat, Johtoian Wooper, Corphish and Sewaddle. She stopped herself from being distracted as she arrived at Mossui Town and saw a pair of siblings, an older sister and a younger brother, talking to each other in front of the community center.

“Are those two kids residents of Mossui Town?” Juliana thought to herself. “Maybe they can help tend to Josue.”

The younger brother saw Juliana and turned to his sister. “Sis! Look!” He said. “There’s another one!”

The Older sister smiled to herself and ran off towards Juliana with her younger brother following her and hiding behind her back.

“Hello.” The Older sister greeted Juliana by waving. ��I see that you do not belong here in Kitakami. Who might you be?” “Hello.” Juliana smiled, unaware that the kindness the older sister has is a facade. “I’m Juliana. I study at Naranja Academy in Paldea and I need your help.”

The younger brother leaned sideways a bit from behind his sister and looked at Juliana in awe.

“No way…” He muttered. “So cool…”

“Hush, Kieran.” The older sister turned to her younger brother, Kieran, before facing Juliana. “Anyway, Juliana, my name is Carmine and I am afraid I cannot let you pass to Mossui Town. Not unless you battle me.”

“Hold on.” Juliana raised her hands. “I actually need help.” “She’s right, Sis.” Kieran said. “We can’t just battle strangers out of nowhere.”

“Kiki… I said-” Carmine growled before she was interrupted by Juliana. “One of my classmates fell ill after a long flight and bus ride and I need to find someone who can help me out by tending to him.” Juliana said. “N-no way!” Kieran shook his head. “Th-this is a very serious matter! I’ll go get the caretaker so he can help!”

As Kieran runs off to get some help, Carmine turns to him. “Kiki, what are you-?!” Carmine tried to call out to her brother, but he was far off, so she turned to Juliana. “Well, it seems that you managed to speak some sense to my younger brother, but unfortunately, you will not fool me.” “This isn’t a joke!” Juliana tried to calm Carmine down.

“I don’t care what you say. We are going to battle.” Carmine growled as she took a Pokéball and sent out Poochyena.

Juliana sighed as she had no choice as she sent out Annihalape.

It didn’t take some effort for Juliana since she just used Annihalape to defeat Carmine’s Poochyena, Vulpix and Poltchageist.

“I cannot believe it!” Carmine growled as she grabbed the strands on her hair. “There is no way you should have been able to beat me!” She takes a deep breath and calms down. “Alright… I guess you pass… barely. I’ll let you into town. But only if you become one of my grunts and do every little thing I-”

Just as Carmine was about to make Juliana into her “grunt”, Kieran and an old man come out of the community center. “Oi!” The man called out to Carmine. “What are you doing, causing a ruckus out here?!”

“Tch… here comes trouble.” Carmine hissed before running off.

“Sis! Wait up!” Kieran called out to her to no avail. He let out a sigh. “I am so sorry… Sis can be… stubborn.”

“It’s ok.” Juliana smiled. “I dealt with worse.” “I see that you are a student of Naranja Academy” The old man turned to Juliana and smiled. “I will be the caretaker for your trip. I apologize for Carmine’s behavior. She has been rowdy as of last week. Also, I got word from Kieran that you need help on a classmate of yours who fell ill. Is that correct?” “Y-yes, sir.” Kieran nodded.

“Very Well.” The Caretaker said. “I will help out.” “Thank you.” Juliana said. “They’re still at the bus stop.”

“Thank you, young lady.” The Caretaker smiled. “You are such a kind girl.”

The Caretaker left to tend to the sick student.

“Th-thank you for the w-warning.” Kieran said, playing with his hair. “And… I’m sorry for Sis’ behavior…”

“Don’t worry about it.” Juliana smiled. “You made the right choice to tell someone. Oh, she did challenge me to a battle and I defeated her.” “Wowzers!” Kieran gasped. “You actually beat my sis?! No people could defeat Sis when they arrived at Kitakami.”

“You have a lot of knowledge on this, Kieran.” Juliana shook her head.

“I actually live here.” Kieran smiles shily. “And… I look forward to studying with you for this Field Trip.”

Kieran ran back home as Briar, the caretaker and the students arrived, the red cap the student feeling better. After that, everyone had a feast at the community center and had a goodnight sleep.

“What an interesting Field Trip we’re gonna have.” Juliana thought to herself. “Kieran’s such a nice kid… but Carmine… I feel like I might have trouble trying to get to know her if she has some issues with me trying to enter Mossui…”

The Paldean girl went to bed, trying to get a good night's sleep for the next day.

[chromemist]

A Chance Encounter

4/16/20

Series: Miraculous Ladybug

Pairing: Lukanette

Warnings: Fantasy AU, minor character death by dragon fire, mentioned poaching/kidnapping.

My birthday fic for @quickspinner ! Happy early birthday! I hope you enjoy my take on happy dragons and mermaids! This is influenced by Quick's fic 'The Sky and the Sea'. Set when they first meet. At least a, my interpretation of it. If you enjoyed this, please go give Quicks fic some loving too!

This was supposed to be an easy trip to the Golden Kingdom. With their reinforced cargo hold laden with piles of gold, paintings, jewels, and other such treasures, they had expected pirates. Pirates were everywhere nowadays. It had become a real nuisance trying to get their little kingdom’s bribe for military aide to the large empire. Multiple attempts with scouting ships had found one way around the continent to be easier. It seemed that many ships steered clear of a dormant volcanic island. At first it was thought to be used by the pirates as a place to maroon others.

Oh, how the captain wished that was true now, as he watched his men scramble for weapons. swords, bayonets, and pistols... Anything to try and scare off their unwanted guest. The large unwanted guest that was currently making their ship dip dangerously low with the extra weight of a dragon. A dragon that was currently completely ignoring his frightened men and was staring at their prized acquisition, laying with her hands chained together in her tank while the sun bounced off golden scales.

'Take the sea devil and leave, please!' the captain pleaded to the dragon in his mind, not daring to speak and gain its attention. The mermaid had been more trouble than worth it when she'd been caught and given to him as a last minute addition to the bribe. Unfortunately, at that moment, a stray bullet bounced off a scale and grazed the sensitive membrane of a wing. With a loud roar, the dragon turned its head and opened its massive jaw. The last thing the captain saw was blazing red shooting from its mouth.

***

It was shaping up to be just another lazy day for Luka on his isolated mountain island. He lay sprawled on an outcropping of rocks, letting the sunshine warm his dark scales. He yawned wide, his forked tongue flopping out as he scrunched up his eyes. He really should go hunting though. It was about time for his next big meal. Although, the local mer clans (pods or schools, they're called pods or schools and he should remember that so his mother doesn't thwack him over his head again) were scheduled for their hunting later today. He could just wait and drop in for his tribute of the hunt; an exchange, plus any gold they found sunk, they offered for his protection of this area.

Not many boats came this way anymore, which was both a blessing and a curse. On the one claw, it meant he was keeping his word and doing a good job. On the other claw, no new treasures for his hoard.

Luka grumbled as he flipped over, letting the sun warm his other side. His poor hoard was lacking. He already had his prized piece; a blue gem his sister had recognized from pictures she'd seen while traipsing around in human form. Apparently, it was cursed, she'd told him. And that's why she should have it, according to Juleka, since she already had bad luck. He had chased her out of his den after that, and she was lucky she was kin or she wouldn't even be allowed back on his island.

Luka tilted his large head and squinted up at the position of the sun. Yes, just about hunting time. He gave a great sigh as he rose up, stretching his wings and tail first, before rolling his rear up to stretch out all four legs. Luka flapped his wings a few times before squatting. Preparing to jump off and begin making his way down to the hunting grounds, he came to a complete halt. A scent wafted by his nose on the breeze as it fluttered through his mane.

He knew that smell. Loved it, coveted it, his very being sang for it. Gold. Luka tilted his head again in the direction of the wind, flaring his nostrils in order to get more of that rich scent. A lot of gold by the smell of it. Luka rumbled deep in his chest as he took off from his perch, following the scent on the wind. He rose up to cloud level, letting his light underbelly and wing membranes camouflage his aerial approach.

As the scent became stronger, Luka spotted a ship. It looked large enough for him to land on. The only problem was a large ship meant more men to run it. He thought to himself, 'Well, that's fine I suppose. As long as-'

He cut off his own thoughts as the ship grew closer, and the inhabitants on the deck grew clearer. Men were milling about, doing whatever it was they did. That's not what caught his attention though, and set his blood boiling. Sunlight was bouncing off a large glass container set on the ship. And inside that container was a bound mermaid.

'Capturing one in MY territory?' He thought angrily. Steam rolled out of his nostrils as his anger rose. 'These men think they can steal from me and get away with it?' Nevermind that merfolk were not a part of his hoard, but they were still his to protect. These men would never live to see the sun again.

Luka tucked his wings and let gravity take him down. Pointing his head towards the boat and letting out a great roar, he came screaming out of the cloud bank. He couldn't hear past the wind whistling in he ears, but he could see the men scrambling around deck. As he got closer, Luka opened his wings, letting them buffer his decent. He couldn't sink the ship, nor could he pick it up. So, he settled for rapidly flapping his wings until he alighted on the deck. He could feel the ship toss and dip with his sudden weight

All around him men screamed and ran. 'Useless fools.' He thought, paying them and their weapons no mind for the moment. He swung his head around, trying to find the glass container. Gold and red flashes caught his attention and he turned, and immediately froze on the spot. His vision zeroed down to only her. He couldn't feel anything hitting his tough scales. Luka rumbled curiously as he looked at her in her container.

The most beautiful mermaid he'd ever seen. Bright reds and golds in the shades of some of his most precious treasures. Extra fins, spines on her tail, back, and arms. Hair as dark as the sky on a moonless night, and eyes as blue as the sea itself. She was exotic, not like the colorful merfolk inhabiting the reefs in his area. More like his mother, beautiful and dangerous. She stared back at him with wide, pleading eyes, raising her bound hands to the glass.

It was at that moment he felt a sharp pain in his wings between the bones. Luka let out a roar, turning his head to where the majority of the men were gathered. Without hesitation, he opened his muzzle wide. He felt the burning rising up his throat from his belly right before the fire exploded from his mouth. Normally he didn't care to kill. A dead human couldn't warn others to stay away from him. But these men, who had stolen and chained a mermaid. These men he relished in burning.

Shutting his mouth and swallowing the remaining fire back down, Luka turned back to the mermaid. He could hear the remaining men screaming and scrambling, but he once again paid them no mind. The mermaid was now huddled at the bottom of her container, wide eyes staring up at him. Thinking she was afraid of him, he lowered his body and tucked his wings, making himself as non-threatening to her as possible. He cooed and rumbled lightly in his throat as he inched closer to her.

'I won't hurt you. I promise, I want to help.' He vocalized, even knowing merfolk didn't really understand his language, and vice versa. He hoped he could portray that in his body language enough. He brought his nose right up against the glass and stared at her. She hesitated a moment, before she uncurled herself and floated closer. She put her chained hands back on the glass, right on the other side of his nose.

Luka looked at her a moment more, just admiring her. Up closer he could see red flecks splattered across her nose and cheeks. The sun brought out the lighter streaks of blue in her midnight dark hair. And her eyes... Still the richest blue he'd ever seen. Not even his most precious gem could compare.

'You're so beautiful. Breathtaking. I could sit and look at you for hours and never tire.' He cooed at her. She tilted her head curiously, feeling the rumbling vibrate into her water, but not understanding. Luka pushed out a wistful sigh. For once, he wished he could use his energy to shift into his human form to talk to her. But that form was useless to him on a burning ship filled with gold, angry men, and a very pretty mermaid.

He shifted his eyes from her, to the open ocean, and back to her. She followed his gaze before looking back at him, confusion written on her face. Luka tried a different approach. He rose up to his full height and pried off the top of her container. The men began screaming again, not about the fire now but him setting the mermaid free. Luka stretched his wings out on either side of him and brought them forward, hiding his head and the mermaid from view. He watched through the rolling water as she huddled down at the bottom, her spines flaring. He simply stuck his nose into the container, hovering just above the water. He jerked his head in the direction of the ocean while still looking directly at her.

The mermaid regarded him for a moment, before slowly lifting herself off the bottom. She clicked and chittered at him, pointing to herself and then to the ocean beyond his wing. He had no idea what she was saying, but her motions made her message clear. Taking a deep breath, Luka plunged his nose into the water, just far enough for her to reach and get a good grip on the ridges of his snout. Retracting his snout, he brought the mermaid up with his head. Water rushed off them and to the deck, but he paid it and the men no mind when the beautiful blue eyes he'd started to fall in love with were staring right back at him even closer now.

Luka's eyes closed halfway as he rumbled at her. 'I wish I could keep you, but I can't. Please be safe my beautiful one.' Her eyes widened and her claws tightened on the edge of the scale she was clinging to. As quickly as he could, he lowered his wings and flipped his head, tossing the mermaid as far into the ocean as he could. He watched as she flew, shrieking and clicking tail-over-head until she hit the water and sank.

Luka looked longingly at the point where she submerged, before turning his attention back to the boat. Now... About his gold...

***

Hours later found Luka slowly making his way back to his island, a corner of a large sheet clutched tightly in each claw. All the treasure from the ship had been laid on the sheet by the remaining men. When the fires had been put out, the last of them had gathered all the gold and jewels from below deck and offered it to him, in hopes that he would leave them in peace. Luka had pondered, briefly, about letting them go. But seeing the now empty container out of the corner of his eye sealed their fate.

After carefully taking off and flying a few feet from the boat, Luka had circled back around and let loose the fire within him. He made sure, this time, to cover the entire ship. He watched as some of them jumped into the water, snorting as he knew that would be hopeless. They were too far from any land. They'd be picked off by exhaustion or sharks.

Luka breathed a sigh of relief when his mountain island came into view. He picked up his pace, just a little, very eager to get his newest treasures settled. As he reached the opening to his den, a flash of gold caught his eye from far below near the edge of his island. Had he dropped some into the water in his haste? Luka would have to go down later and check. If he could smell the gold still, maybe he could fish it out somehow.

Landing carefully on the ledge, Luka began dragging his newest additions in. All of a sudden though, a noise rose up from over the clattering of treasure. He rose to his full height and tilted his head, trying to discern the sound.

Splashing and shrill crying, not uncommon sounds of the merfolk above water. That's what he heard, and hope flared up in his chest, smoke flowing out his nostrils. The flash of gold, was it her? Did she follow him? Excited and hopeful, he dropped his treasures, not caring that they were now scattered all over. Luka took great leaps, making his way back to the outcropping. He skittered to a halt, his wings spreading to buffer him and he gripped the edge with his claws. Dust and pebbles rained down the edge Luka peered down into the water through the dust and, yes! There she was!

The beautiful mermaid he'd saved was in the shallows of his island, slapping her tail, screeching, making all kinds of ruckus to get his attention. Pure joy flooded through him as he rumbled down at her.

'Beautiful one, you're here!' He emitted a small plume of fire and smoke, before launching himself off the ledge. She looked up, her actions and vocalizations quieting. Those clear blue eyes he'd fallen for watched him as he landed in the shallows in front of her. Luka folded his wings, then lowered his body into a laying position and stared at her.

The mermaid regarded him a moment before inching her body forward. She clicked and chittered at him as she moved. Luka raised a brow, before shaking his head and rumbling deep in his chest. The mermaid peered up at him a moment again before opening her mouth once more.

"Can you understand me now?" She asked in the Common Tongue. Luka smiled the best he could and nodded his head. The mermaid sighed in relief, then raised her still bound hands up to him. "Do you know how difficult it is to swim with your hands bound?" She demanded, eyes slightly glaring up at him.

Luka bowed his head, cooing sadly at her to show her he was sorry. He really should have thought of that. He had just been so distracted by her pretty eyes...and dark hair...and colorful scales...okay... He was distracted by all of her.

The mermaid regarded him a moment with scrutinizing eyes before nudging on a lip ridge. "Open up please?" Curiosity piqued his interest, so he did as she asked. She lifted her hands up to a large front tooth and wedged the sharp tip between the cuff and her flesh. "Bite down please?" She asked, closing her eyes and turning her head away.

Luka did as she asked, gently biting down, his sharp teeth cutting through the metal easily. He made quick work of the other, cooing sadly as the cuffs fell into the shallows, revealing the reddened skin underneath. She turned her head back, watching him as he poked his forked tongue out, lapping gently at the wounds.

She giggled, pushing on his snout gently. "It's okay. They'll heal soon. So." She said, sitting up straight, her voice taking on a firm tone. "Can you shift forms? It's a little hard to talk like this. And I'd really like to know the name of my rescue dragon."

Luka nodded and closed his eyes, gathering his energy. He'd honestly been hoping for this. As much as he hated the human form, it would allow him to communicate better with her. A tingling sensation flowed over him as his magic seeped into his limbs and scales, morphing them into skin much like hers. Luka shuddered as the tingling faded, signaling his transformation was complete. When he opened his eyes, he was sitting in the water, knees almost touching her tail.

"Hello beautiful one. My name is Luka." He raised his hand up, holding it open and vertical. The mermaid looked at it, a blush rising on her dappled cheeks. She slid her hand up and pressed it against his.

"I'm Marinette. It's nice to meet you."

Both smiled at each other as their fingers twined, linking them together.

[yaoiurl]

file #2.1

                                          name: yeo jin-hwan                                        DOB: 21 sept 25XX                                            SECTION: 2.1                                      APPROX. WORD COUNT: 3.3K

Start from the beginning. A film reel fade to white, then to black again. The transition card: Day Zero. I am born.

Jin-hwan’s mother is on her toes trying desperately to adjust the curtains, too high for her short stature. “Oh, if only your father were here,” she complains to herself, the curtain just a couple centimeters shy of her dainty fingertips.

“Nuh uh, no he doesn’t,” Jin-hwan, four and self assured, shoves aside his book and stands on the couch arm, hands stretched out in front of him. “You have me!”

“I do! My favorite problem solver.” She takes Jin-hwan in her arms and lifts him high, higher than he’s ever been before. “Now reach and pull towards mommy.” He does as instructed--let there be light! Sun filters through the room and makes Jin-hwan squint but he smiles when his mother kisses him on the cheek, praise without words lest his father hear. “Now let’s go see how dinner is doing, okay?”

“I want the sweet fish.”

“Only for dessert, okay? I’ll have them make something special for us. We have to wake up to see appa tomorrow.”

“Why can’t grandfather come see us? He lives a long way away.” Jin-hwan mumbles around his fingers before his mother pulls them out again.

“He doesn’t much care for the city, but he has a big yard for you to explore. Will you find me the prettiest flower in the garden and show me when we leave?”

“Promise! Super promise!” Once more she kisses his cheek, the smile still in place.

No more days, only years. Year Four: I make a discovery.

“Halabeojinim,” Jin-hwan greets his grandfather with a bow. His mother simply giggles and leans down beside him.

“Jin-hwan, he’s your grandfather, you don’t have to be so polite!” It’s too bad for him, Jin-hwan bites his lip. His grandfather is short, shorter than his mother, but has all the sternness of two of his fathers and he can’t help but step behind his mother’s leg. “Appa, I’m so glad to see you.” She hugs him before stepping back and placing a palm atop Jin-hwan’s head. “Is it okay if Jin-hwan looks around? He’s going treasure hunting today.”

If Jin-hwan had been looking at his mother he would have seen her look at his grandfather, a bit of a plea in her eyes. Instead his eyes are locked on his grandfather, who simply shrugs and nods. With a final stroke of her fingers through his hair, Jin-hwan’s mother leaves him behind with a silent sliding of the door behind her, seeing him off. When the latch clicks Jin-hwan toes off his shoes and starts his investigation.

I don’t know much about flowers. A four year old doesn’t either. My mother probably didn’t want a flower in the first place.

“It’s gotta be the prettiest!” Jin-hwan hollers and scares away a frog on the lily pad in front of him. “Not some dumb frog flower.” He kicks at a stone by the pond. Girls at his school always liked white plain flowers like lilies but his mother is prettier than any of them so the flower has to be colorful, it has to be.

Around one corner of the temple is another door, half open and dusty. It stings his eyes when he climbs back up on the porch and steps inside. Canvases blanket whatever is kept inside with only a narrow, smooth cement path weaving a maze between covered chairs and old artifacts. Jin-hwan remembers his mother telling him on the way that his grandfather has lots of very important stuff, so don’t touch very much, alright?

Rebelliousness is a gift sometimes.

One tiny foot catches and slips on one cover and it falls, revealing a piano splintered and yellowing with age. Even the bench comes up over Jin-hwan’s shoulders. Curious, he hoists himself up with flailing legs until he’s standing and can reach the keys with tiny hands, each old ivory block as wide as two of his fingers.

It makes a horrible noise when he pokes the key, hard. Like a dying grandfather clock. He tries again, this time softer and two steps higher. The bass vibrations stir something deep within Jin-hwan’s chest; fascinated, he plays the next key. And the next. The next. This time with both hands. He presses down random keys, a personal experimentation, the pretty notes tinkling like raindrops on wind chimes. Breathless, Jin-hwan doesn’t know how long he’s played until he notices his breath catching and his knuckles hurting.

“Jin-hwan!” He jumps, it’s his mother, peeking out from the door, his grandfather nowhere to be seen. Immediately he turns to bow in a hurried apology only to stop halfway when he notices the sparkle in his mother’s eyes and the smile on her lips.

“Jin-hwan,” she says again, “did you know your father has a piano as well?”

It wasn’t his. He bought it for my mother. She gave it to me. Year Nine: my hands and mind have grown.

A tap dance on an ivory stage. Yeo Jin-hwan participates in piano nationals in front of a crowd of thousands, some sitting on the floor and in the aisles. Chopin’s Raindrops flow from the piano like a steady tremulous storm, sweat beading on his forehead with the pace of the crescendo. Sweat beads on his hairline, his leg cramps, and with the final note resting, the thunderous rise of applause, Jin hwan finally releases a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

The light burns his vision when he turns to bow, exhilarated. His hair is a bit too long, a bowl cut that tickles his ears, and it sticks to his forehead when his eyebrows raise in recognition of his mother, front row seats, clapping the most animatedly out of the crowd of hundreds. He bows once more, just for her, and gathers his things before exiting stage left.

His father is waiting by the exit, umbrella in hand. “Jin-hwan.” He gestures toward the exit and Jin-hwan nods.

“Father.” Jin-hwan acknowledges and steps under the umbrella. “Mother was happy.” “She always is. I think you could have done better.” Jin-hwan doesn’t flinch.

“I only missed a couple of notes. My piano teacher was absent last month, but I p--”

“There are no excuses for missteps.” His father cuts in. “A trip is the first step to a fall. I will call your teacher tonight and have him over after school tomorrow.”

Jin-hwan doesn’t look at his father or the chauffeur when he scoots into the backseat of the car, clutching his books and the note his mother had given him beforehand. “He has a new baby.”

“An hour is nothing in the world,” his father brushes off the concern, “be ready at four tomorrow. Hyo-jeong,” he barks, “pull to the front and wait for Eun-jae.”

The chauffeur nods without answer. Once his mother arrives she sits next to his father, filling the silence with gentle reproach about the piano teacher. She passes him his award from over the seat, first place, and Jin-hwan clutches it so hard the letters leave imprints in his palm.

The first prize I won. Not the last one I’d ever receive. Year Ten: the world grows as well.

“First place--Yeo Jin-hwan, of Seoul, Korea!” Thunderous applause causes the auditorium to vibrate under Jin-hwan’s shoes, pristine and polished for the occasion. The runner ups, representatives from Europe and China, turn their running noses away when Jin-hwan receives his prize--gold on oak wood, his name engraved with precision that even he is impressed by. The ten year old prodigal son to the Yeo family, Jin-hwan doesn’t stay long; he weaves his way around frothing reporters and music fans alike to find his mother.

“Mother? Excuse me, eomma? Mother?” He cups a hand around his mouth and calls around the backstage area. Much like at his first competition, he finds his father instead, waiting with an umbrella in hand again.

“Who raised you to yell indoors?” His father remarks as he opens the umbrella. Jin-hwan steps closer, wary of his father’s terse mood.

“I’m sorry. Where’s Mother?” The rain and humidity makes his hands stick to the gold plating. Something in the blankness of his father’s face, more stony than usual, sets his stomach in a whirl of nausea.

“Eun-jae’s at home. Hyo-jeong took her there halfway through your performance.”

“Is she sick again?” Jin-hwan pries carefully. His father doesn’t answer until Hyo-jeong pulls up at the curb.

“Yes. The doctor came to the house this time.”

Jin-hwan bites his lip and answers as shortly as he can without his voice wavering, “Oh.”

My mother had no history of illness except for lovesickness, in love with a man with power instead of heart. Even a child could see the sickness killing her.

“Eomma,” Jin-hwan knocks on the door to his parents’ room. Nobody answers; the house help is working on dinner. “Eomma,” he starts again, this time pushing it open with both hands, the ornate design heavy weight against him, “I’m coming in.”

At his mother’s right is the doctor; his father is nowhere to be seen. Doctor Hye-bin is a nice lady, fresh faced and with easy hands but the white of her uniform washes out his mother to a sickly pallor. No flush is evident on her cheek, so Jin-hwan steps in closer and places one warm, damp palm against her cheek.

“Hi eomma,” he whispers, “I did really well today.” The doctor places two fingers against Eun-jae’s wrist while scribbling on a clipboard with the other. “I won a prize. Do you want to see?”

Eun-jae’s eyelashes flutter but she smiles nonetheless, thin-lipped without the usual wash of color to her face. “Jin-hwan, come up on the bed and tell me. I’m very sleepy. Doctor, please help me scoot.”

Polite as ever, even in ailing health. My mother was, is, a holy Madonna.

Hye-bin helps Eun-jae situate herself enough so that Jin-hwan can settle himself in the empty space beside her; for the first time ever he considers his short stature a blessing. He can sit cross legged beside his mother as the doctor works, one of her hands held in both of his and the award placed in his lap.

“Such a pretty award, Jin-hwan,” Hye-bin comments. “Is it real gold?”

“Uh-huh, I mean, yes ma’am,” he replies, squeezing his mother’s hand when she flinches at a needle in her arm. “Hey, why does she need a shot?”

“This is to keep her hydrated,” the doctor hangs the bag of fluids on its silver stand. “Your mother is going to be weak for a while, but she’s doing fine now.” The false assurance is lost on Jin-hwan, he knows his mother. The mother who brought him up on one arm while the other toiled away online to people she would rather not talk to, the mother who stood as prettily as a statue but as solid as iron by his father’s side. Even now she looks more like porcelain than a statue. “Okay,” Jin-hwan breathes. “I mean, yes ma’am.”

The obvious tension melts out of Hye-bin’s shoulders at his verbal acquiescence. Jin-hwan is ten years old and not stupid; he knows when to and to not to ask questions with answers that he doesn’t want. Instead he lies down and curls up by her side, unstirring until far after Hye-bin has left and the sky bleeds dawn at the horizon.

Year Fifteen. A fade to black. Cue card reads: I am Numb. I am numb, I feel nothing, a son of novacaine and no affection. To hold me is to hate me.

                     Yeo Jin-hwan is so hot.

Bathroom graffiti takes place of gossip. Underneath Jin-hwan’s desk girls from previous classes and lunch periods tape notes and cellophane wrapped candies and proclaim their undying affection amidst the wads of chewed gum and pencil marks. He has the hairstyle of the biggest popstars of the day, fringe swept aside and his dark hair layered nicely down to his ears, and he doesn’t know it. They mention big name record deals and he furrows his eyebrows in confusion.

Jin-hwan is fifteen and a zombie.

“Will mother be able to make it?” Jin-hwan slides over the form for the school’s Sports Day roster to his father with the cold grace of a business deal.

“I can’t see into the future,” is the reply and the signature is given with a flourish. No stimulation, no acknowledgement. Sometimes Jin-hwan wishes his father would yell at him or something.

There hasn’t been a sound in his house in five years save for the shuffle of housekeepers and paperwork. Like clockwork Jin-hwan goes home and does his homework in bed beside his mother, still as frail as the day of his competition. He hangs all his awards around her bed; there are fifteen now. She only smiles in her sleep when he bids her quiet hello and doesn’t leave until his eyes start to burn from the sun and lack of sleep. Girls always comment on his sleepy eyes.

Jin-hwan has empty zombie eyes.

The days before the competitions move in the same manner as him: slow, without trepidation, but aimless. Hours after school are spent on the track or hunched over a desk. He’s only grown by inches since he was ten, eleven, twelve but he dubs it a property of being aerodynamic. He’s going to win with his eyes closed, he promises his father.

The problem with closed eyes is that eventually they must open.

On the morning of Sports Day Jin-hwan receives a note from the girl sitting beside him. Ji-yeon is a nice girl, pretty. Movie star pretty, her mother is a local news reporter and fashion columnist. The way she writes his name is so cute, too, manuscript curling like dancing stars and her punctuation is hearts and smiles. It makes him queasy just to think about it too long. She’s the perfect girl for him, the kind he should bring home to his father.

He politely bows his head when he gives her a negative response, scathing with the lack of real sorrow. Ji-yeon cries on cue and calls him a bastard.

“I know.”

“Jin-hwan is so cold.”

“I know.”

“Why can’t you say anything different! I want to be mad at you!” She cries and wipes at her face with the backs of her wrists.

“Would that make you feel better? Then go ahead.”

Ji-yeon storms off, frustrated.

Women are so complicated.

                        Everyone knows Yeo Jin-hwan.                                                    Even his teeth are insured. 

Heads turn when the second year roster is announced. Jin-hwan stands shorter and younger, having skipped a grade and a growth spurt, yet more intimidating than all of the others. He has his father’s eyes.

Those eyes don’t blink even when the starting shot is fired.

Jin-hwan overtakes fourth, third, second place as if riding the breeze. He’s done this a thousand times before, much faster than this, but today he’s having a harder time breathing. Ji-yeon’s eyes are full of hurt, watching him come around the curve of the track. She whispers to another girl beside her and two other girls behind nod and agree. All eyes on him. He hasn’t felt this watched since he was born.

His heart rate is catching up to his pace, running side by side with the upperclassman in first. Now Jin-hwan is first. Now second. First again. His lungs burn with something unknown--all he does know is that he has to win, he absolutely has to win.

Why did I have to win?

Jin-hwan’s father is there.

Tucked snugly beside Hyo-jeong and one of his security, his father watches him race with all the cold calculation of a scientist laying out a dead experiment’s organs, wet with blood and residual fear. His suit is immaculate, hair combed with precision sharper than a knife, and the upperclassman whispers heatedly, “Your dad come to make sure you win? Brought his wallet too, I bet.” Jin-hwan doesn’t get a chance to answer before he’s cut off with a nasty, “Rich boy doesn’t like to play fair.”

Just like my father.

At the last syllable drop, Jin-hwan stops dead in his spot, watching the upperclassman’s back. He looks over his shoulder once with bewilderment but goes on to win. Class 3 gets an award for their display case. Jin-hwan catches his breath as the second, third, fourth place winners take their win. Somehow, he can’t feel much sorrow about his position.

Just like my father.

It’s not fair. Jin-hwan’s heart wells up for the first time, an aching stretch of his soul; his mother is the one who should be here, cheering him on from the stands and turning heads in awe. His mother is the one who should have bid him goodbye this morning, wishing him luck and telling him she’s proud. Instead Jin-hwan had kissed her forehead and said goodbye without receiving any response but a soft sigh against his chin. His mother in the cold sterile bedroom and his father looking for all the world like he’d rather be strangling something, Jin-hwan waits for the last runner to pass him and, looking pointedly at his father, begins to walk.

He finishes dead last, a whole two minutes behind the final participant. Jin-hwan is glad that there are no medals for participation.

Even the walk across the grass to meet his father feels like a weightless dream, empty-handed of any awards or accomplishment. Yeo Jin-hwan does not lose. He brings pride and future to the Yeo corporation.

The Yeo corporation now has one large hand on Jin-hwan’s shoulder, gripping so tightly that threads pop and five heavy points of pain bloom under his skin. Jin-hwan loves the flash of sensation.

Please, I begged him in my mind. Please hit me. Smack me. Jerk me up like a street rat and shake me around like a broken doll. To this day the thrill of my father’s anger lingers fresh in my mouth, like copper and excitement.

“What,” his father begins, low and dangerous lest a scene unfold, and Jin-hwan stares straight ahead, “is your explanation for this one, Jin-hwan?”

“I don’t have one.” His voice is surprising in its emptiness. The hand around his shoulder turns white knuckled.

“You will have one by the time we get home. Go to Hyo-jeong.” His tone is as warning as the final order before the execution.

So just gimme the gas, doc!

Hyo-jeong is quiet and reserved on the way home. “Jin-hwan,” he tries, “why did you do it?”

“Because I hate him.”

Hyo-jeong’s posture actually relaxes.

“I am glad--” Careful now. “I, ah. I am just very happy that Jin-hwan… has grown up so well to think for himself. I think you’re growing very strong.”

Momentarily, Jin-hwan thinks that Hyo-jeong would be a better father. His own father could be the chauffeur, listening intently without the chance of becoming part of their conversations. Jin-hwan wants to deprive him, cut off the circulation to his ego.

“But please… be careful. I would be sad if something happened to you.”

And what better area to start with than with himself, his father’s future, gutting his dreams at the core.

Commence phase one. Cue committing the ultimate rebellion of blood against blood. I am sixteen and angry beyond teenage angst. My first tattoo is done under inner city rafters using a lighter and a needle and shoe paint. Just those momentary actions bring enough long-term satisfaction to outweigh the sharp jabs and gross hands holding my arm still. It trembles only when I write.

It certainly didn’t tremble the first time my father and I fought.

I am sixteen, angry, and thrumming with self-satisfaction.

[paperplanesfromfinland-blog]

Eight Days in China

So – I visited mainland China during the semester break! Right at the start of 2019.

My way took me from Hong Kong through Shenzhen to Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Guangzhou and eventually back to Hong Kong.

I was terrified of the first train trip. Not because it was on the brand-new high-speed train but because I was traveling alone to this city in China, my sim card working-not-working and trusting to meet my friend at the end point station. I don’t really know why I was so stressed. I just was. Everything went fine. I found my friend and we found our hostel.

The man who sat next to me in the train during this first part of the journey made me feel uncomfortable at first. He was big, dressed as what I can only describe as street-posh, he wouldn’t stop moving on the seat and around the train and he was loud. He had one of those weird prepped meals you put some kind of liquid in and the resulting steam escaping the lid makes you weary of explosion. And he was clearly surprised to see me in the dominantly Chinese populated train. But, by the end of my journey I was actually pretty happy with my sitting companion lottery. As large as his persona seemed he was also very considerate towards the other occupants of our train carriage, me included, even if that showcased in a loud and restless manner. We hunted together for the electricity outlets of the train and when I got off at my stop, I was granted a friendly smile from behind a cigarette.

Guilin itself in early January was rainy and miserable. Even so my eyes were glued to the train window the moment Shenzhen was left behind and I was basically starstruck the moment the first mountains came to view. We visited amazing pagodas and reed flute caves. Guilin was the first step for freezing rain and dream-like sceneries as cliché as it sounds.

The real dream was Zhangjiajie. It was also the stage of my body’s betrayal since the humid zero degrees felt as biting as minus twenty at home. Hong Kong had grilled and melted me into thinking this was anything out of ordinary.

There was a bit of snow on the ground in the city. Going up the mountains in the forest park everything was covered by snow and most of all ice. We could pick out ice from the trees in the shape of the leaves, shake the branches to make them sing and I got to see my travel partner’s reaction to the snow. She was a lot more respectful and wearier towards it than I was. She is not used to that amount of snow and I haven’t felt the need for carefulness like that as long as I can remember. We both got to be excited like small children, she discovering something new and me getting an old play mate back.

We ended up buying snow grips for our shoes. I was reluctant at first not seeing them as necessary, too proud to bow to the ice. I still think I would have been okay without them but my goodness did they make the travel easier.

You would think that the frozen mountain sides were the most dangerous part of the trip to Zhangjiajie. Nope. It turned out to be walking on a tiny street between two buildings. Reconstruction of sorts was going on in the top floor of one of them and a thick log the length of my shin fell down from one of the construction workers, somehow only hitting my hip and leg. It doesn’t sound that dramatic, but less than ten centimeters to the right and it would have landed straight at the back of my head and probably done some real damage. Me and my friend both jumped in fright. I stared at the log for a moment not really understanding what just happened while my friend seemed a lot more shaken and worried. I don’t really know weather this makes me lucky or unlucky.

The mountains hid a lot of beautiful things and one of the treasures we stumbled upon on the frozen staircases on our way down the mountainside were two Germans. Of course it would be Germans, they are everywhere. In any case, we made friends in an unexpected place and ventured down the mountain together. We had dinner together later in the village and hiked the next day together. A few weeks later we met up again in Hong Kong. World seems small in precious moments like that.

Our hostel in Zhangjiajie looked great at first glance. It was freezing. There was a crack between the door and the frame and the heater could do very little to battle that. It was the first time I saw a heated mattress and it was our only salvation.

My friend’s parents took us for dinner several times for which I am very, very grateful. They made me feel welcomed and I probably weirded them out a bit on few instances. In a funny way, its fine. They took us to have duck and fish, I got exited over straw mushrooms (which is still one of the most amazing things I encountered in China). One of the restaurants had concrete walls, floors and ceilings. It was just as cold as outside so we got a pot with embers under our table to warm us up, the heat getting trapped under the table cloth. It’s probably common there, I wouldn’t know but it was so cool. My father would have liked it. Also, when my friend’s father saw my travel adapter, he looked at it like it was an unseen creature of some sort. The expression he directed at me when I explained what it is was pretty amazing. To be fair the adapter is ugly and huge.

The last night I got to spend at my friend’s relatives’ place. There was a bike in the kitchen, home-cooked breakfast, chickens and rats in the garden. We shared a mattress on the floor of the concrete house in the area littered by other concrete homes, fields of flowers and strawberries. We were in Guangzhou but not in the heart of the city. My friend took me for a walk around the area and the fields and it felt precious to be welcomed to some of her childhood memories there, no matter how few and conflicted they were. We walked on a sand road between two strawberry fields and a few scooters and bikes went by. I got stared at again but somehow it felt more surprised than curious. Like they acknowledged I had ended up at the place too but instead of intrusive curiosity it felt like a shrug.

Returning to Hong Kong was an exhausted delight I felt already at the border control. I loved the trip but I am to some extent a “home mouse” as it is said in Finnish. It means I enjoy spending time at home, need it to recharge. That’s what Hong Kong was, and in Hong Kong, Kowloon, the 12 square meters of a room in 17th floor of which half was mine. On many occasions I felt China was lovely, lively – I want to say comfortable and understandable but the meanings of those words do not quite catch the meanings I am after. It felt like I could be happy there. Yet while feeling that I felt more connected to Finland, like I could live happily in China for quite a while, if I knew I was to eventually return specifically to the dark and cold winter nights of my homeland.

When I returned to Hong Kong my new roommate had already moved in. There was surprise and…quite clear disappointment on her face when she stood in the doorway and looked at me. It was because I was not Chinese as she had hoped as I learned soon after. From the note I left saying I was in china she had made conclusions and was excited to get to practice her Putonghua. I got to practice my English instead.

China had been loud, large, stressful, mesmerizingly beautiful and interesting and friendly in ways I was not used to. It was spitting in trains, avoiding scooters left and right, getting a lot of attention just for existing there. It was cup noodles, language difficulties, runny noses, friendship and living in a moment. Out of all the places I visited and am yet to write about China became my favourite place even though it was easily the hardest one too as an experience for the language and culture differences.

Differences, never barriers.

For language is a tool like scooters and law systems. It can make life easier or harder. I have faced greater differences with English speakers than with the train dude in china. There’s more to connection than words and fluency, is one thing I have learned again and again. I still have to keep learning it.