ohmyarceus | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER TEST DRIVE MEME

JW leans forward to get a better look at Wimpod. He's never seen that kind of Pokemon before but it did not look...very formitable.

"Oh, man, they screwed you over good. At least my duck could shoot water."

Instead of assaulting Jack with his team, JW decides to flex a little. He unclips Psyduck's ball from his hip and calls her out. She appears in a flash of brilliant red light and blinks around before noticing Jack and his partner.

"Psyduck?" She gently places a paw on the side of her head.

"She shoots ice now though." JW brags.

"They both got spacey eyes, though! Well...I dunno, I guess mine more has really sad eyes. Geeze. Is this normal? Is it depressed? Maybe it just knows how pitiful it is..." Jack looks between his Wimpod and the other guy's duck...yeah, the duck does look tougher. And a little brain-dead but maybe that's just normal, too. He doesn't know.

"I don't even know what the hell it can do. How do you find out? Besides pitting it against something else, I mean." He just can't imagine this depressed looking little crab-bug fighting anything. Unless it spits acid or something, but he hasn't seen any evidence it can do anything cool like that.

"Okay that I can tell you." JW fishes his Poke'Gear out of his pocket and closes the gap between the two of them, holding the device out for Jack to see.

He steadies the lens over Psyduck and the 'Gear chimes and brings up her stats. Psyduck blushes a little at the attention. She's never been shown off before!

"It's hard if they don't hold still, but this can tell you most stuff."

"Holy shit, it's like an ECHOeye!"

Jack laughs a little, tipsy and honestly a little delighted to see some tech that makes sense to him. Okay, so his little personal computer thing can tell him.

"Alright, let's take a look at this sad little mother trucker." He sets his Wimpod down and pulls out his own Gear, aiming it at the bug. And just as promised, a whole bunch of info pops up.

"Look at that! Okay...wow. Wow. So it's super scared of everything, it leaks poison when it gets really scared, and the poison reeks super bad! Apparently it also eats rotten things so yeah, real winner here. Holy shit, okay, I'd be depressed as hell, too!"

"Oh...wow." JW echoes Jack and rubs the back of his neck in second-hand embarrassment. That was. A stinker of a starter. Woof. "Hey, look on the bright side. It'll be easy to feed?"

Psyduck, meanwhile, has waddled up to the Wimpod and leaned down to give it a pat. She's also been the object of disappointment before. There there, little dude.

"You can train the things, right? Maybe I can toughen it up. Just cuz he's a sad, pathetic little nothing now doesn't mean he's always gotta be. You can do better, little buddy!"

Jack knows all about that.

The Wimpod trembles at the attention, antennae waving nervously as the pat is cautiously endured.

"Maybe I outta battle him a little. I mean he's got poison, he's not defenseless. Plus we need the cash!"

"Yeah. You just have to find weaker Poke'mon. He'll probably turn into something bigger once he's got enough experience."

What the actual HELL is this feeling? He's never explained the world of Pokemon to anyone before. He thinks of his poke'gear buddy, the one who taught him about Yungoos. Was this what paying it forward felt like? Gross.

"Looks like he's Bug and Water. If he knows how to shoot water, try to beat up a Fire Pokemon, it'll be easier."

A thought comes to him. He does have Hot Stuff, but she's pretty beefy and he doesn't want to hurt her pride by calling her out and then commanding her to sit still while this baby bug squirts her for an hour. He shakes his head to dismiss the thought.

"Or go nibble on a Grass type."

They're not in a room, Akane wants to protest, but she knows that Mr Jack's Long-Lost Cousin or Something doesn't mean it literally. She's pretty sure he is related to Mr Jack, even if he says he's not. They're just too similar not to be family.

"I guess you would if you just got here," she admits. "Especially if you had to deal with the Fake Mom. She's pretty much the worst."

(Look, when your real mom has been dead since you were little, having some random lady claim to be your mom is super distressing.)

That's a secret.

[He doesn't want to reveal how old he is, specially considering he's... older than most of his peers.]

I do go to a specialty school called Night Raven College.

[ ... well, she's a little more relaxed now that she knows he's not put out by the whole thing. She has to admit, he has a nice smile. ]

Preferences... I'm not too picky, but I do like seafood.

Seafood, huh? [A voice in the back of his mind whispers something about oysters. He pushes the thought down for the time being.]

Think I could manage that. From what I hear, we're close enough to a coastal city that it might actually be decent.

Ah, really?

[ ... There's something about the way her eyes light up... Truthfully, she's always lived by the ocean, so it's a comfort to know she's not far from it.

Count her in, then. ]

Then... lead the way?

Suuuure thing. [He hesitates just a moment, flipping out his Pokegear as he does. Truth told, he isn't entirely familiar with the area. He can fumble about, he's sure, but... He might have talked himself into a hole here.]

Just need directions -- still not totally used to this place.

[He finds what he's looking for rather quickly, or at least he thinks he does. The summary of the restaurant says it mentions seafood, at least. It'll probably work.]

Alright, right this way, then.

[At least he doesn't try to reach for her hand, or wrap an arm around her waist. Small miracles.]

[ ... She might not have her empathy (that is pretty damn weird, but not entirely unwelcome) but she is still somewhat observant. So she notes the hesitation, but mercifully, she's not going to bring it up. No use risking the possibility of embarrassing the guy, especially after he'd gotten blasted in the face.

She nods, then looks to the fountain. ]

Oh-- ... That's your fish, isn't it?

[ Is he just going to leave the little fella there? It's a fountain, so maybe it'd be fine, but.... ]

[Oh. Right. That thing.

Sylvain turns around, scratching at the back of his neck sheepishly. He does his best to feign some crippling embarrassment, pointedly avoiding the woman's eyes as he backtracks toward the fountain and holds his ball out for the Feebas.

An accident, nothing more. Look at how charming and endearing he is!]

It looks like I just keep getting embarrassed, huh?

[Claude looks amused and intrigued.] I don't know why something like that would be a secret...unless how old you are is a lot different from how old you look.

So what kinds of things do they teach at this special school of yours?

[A snort gets stuck in Jaskier's throat as he forces it to stay there, not allowing his face to show how much Claude's words are hitting him too close to home. Or at least he tries - there's still the worrying of his lower lip and blue eyes staring off-camera, as if they could see the memories of the Pankratz household among the trees.

He brings his smile back, though, when Claude (thank the gods) brings back the topic of the freedom to travel around this land.] It sounds to me, my new friend, like you are free of them "even now". Ironic, I know, because I've noticed many a traveler resenting being brought here, away from home... and I can understand where they're coming from, I promise, but I've found this opportunity to be nothing but a blessing.

[Because it's a whole new world to explore, but also because it's much safer than his own, and because it's brought him and Geralt together again, with no Path or insane but sexy witches to drag them into awful hunts. Sure, the loss of his lute and his reputation sting, but both are things he can acquire again.

And now it's his turn to laugh back, incredibly pleased by that wink and what that question implies.] Couldn't agree more, it's a machine of wonders! Writing is also what we would've done in my world - I do believe mages have spells that are capable of sending messages the same way this contraption does, but that would require to, you know- [He waves a hand as he huffs.] --having to ask a mage for something and accepting their terms. [Ugh, the tone of his voice says, nose wrinkled. The mere idea is terrifying! His expression of disgust doesn't last long though, because there's a question he needs to answer. There's no denying it now, Claude is flirting back. Thank the gods he doesn't need to dance around the subject anymore, it can be so difficult when it comes to fellow guys. He puts his chin on his hand again, charming mode turned back on.] A terrible loss indeed. After a prolonged afternoon of naked trees and dirt clinging to my clothes, it's delightful to have a snack for the eyes~!

[Jaskier yells at him, his face the exact opposite of the quiet hurt on the mountain. Geralt thinks that he prefers this-- he is used to curses being lobbed in his direction, and the bard's anger is far better than the swift gutting of if life could give me one blessing.]

[The moment is quite ruined when Jaskier stands and dumps everything off of his lap, including his little creature-- it bounces right into the water and he's forced to fish it out, wrapping it up in a towel like an infant. Cradling it all gentle and sweet and it makes something in Geralt's gut twist strangely. It was nothing, probably-- just indigestion.]

[Blessings, blessings. Geralt's tired of hearing about his fucking blessing, of having his mistakes thrown back in his face.]

It wasn't a fucking blessing! [Now they can both yell, this is fine.] I've told you to fuck off a hundred times since you started following me, and this is when you finally listen?

[In the two decades of their acquaintance, Geralt had told Jaskier to fuck off or go home or stop following me, bard at least a hundred times, if not more. It had never dissuaded him before, not to any significant amount-- when he did leave, it would be at most for weeks or maybe a few months. Their longest partings were in winter, and Jaskier would spout some bullshit about missing him-- as though he wouldn't immediately forget Geralt in the first sweet pair of tits he came across-- and Geralt would reply with something like try not to get the clap, bard.]

[He had thought that there was nothing that he could say that would ever make him leave. Not truly, not for long. Just long enough for tempers to cool, for Jaskier to burn through his anger or for Geralt to stew in his own misery until he got tired of it.]

[He had thought when he went down the mountain, that Jaskier would be standing there next to Roach like nothing had happened, ready for the next adventure while still spinning a song out of the last.]

[ Hmm. ... She hadn't expected him to be embarrassed, and she tilts her head slightly. ]

Maybe... or maybe it's just a "forgetting something that's brand new" type of thing?

[ ... Nevermind that it would be pretty sus if someone forgot their pet but like. It's fine. Besides, he got blasted in the face, she's not gonna drag him any more. ]

[Sylvain snaps his fingers, nodding perhaps too enthusiastically.]

Yeah, yeah, that's exactly it! I don't think I have ever had a pet. Not used to having to keep up with thme.

I'm sure if it wasn't a fish, it would definitely remind you.

[ Unless there are fish that have sprouted legs here-- oh, that's a horrifying image. No, thank you! Anyway-- ]

Now that you've got your fish secured, shall we?

Yeah, off we go.

[He glances at his 'Gear again to make sure he has the right way marked, and then heads off again.]

So. Given your nervousness, I would say you haven't been here long, right?

[Jaskier's not the hardest man to read that Claude's met. (Claude would like to believe that man is himself.) He sees that momentary abstraction, the hints of more sobering thoughts crossing the bard's mind. Hmm...interesting. There's a story there, unless Claude's very much mistaken...and he wouldn't be surprised to find that it's a story that involves Jaskier being able to empathize with the things Claude is talking about somewhat.

No need to go fishing for the details of that just yet, though. Having some idea for the general shape of the secret at hands means that Claude's curiosity is more of a low simmer than a roiling boil; far easier to leave on the back burner. He can take a more leisurely approach in nailing down the fine details.]

Well, by 'even now', I more meant my current position in my own world, as opposed to here in this one. [He chuckles, folding his arms behind his head for a moment.] In that even though I'm no longer a duke back home, I haven't shed as many responsibilities or gained as much freedom as you might think. That's why being here is such a welcome change! This is freedom and a lack of responsibilities, like I still don't have and might never have back home. If all I needed to do to have something like this back there was to stop being a duke, which I'd already done...then being here would be more of a sidegrade than an upgrade, y'know?

I might worry about not being home, but someone told me that when we get returned home - which isn't at our discretion, apparently - we go back to the same moment we left, as though we were never gone. So it really is a vacation, free of consequences for setting any duties aside! I guess people might complain if they're homesick, or they miss friends and family who didn't come here, but otherwise...this is definitely an opportunity.

[The clear disdain of mages catches his interest.] We have mages back home, but honestly, none of the ones I know could pull off something like this. It's mostly just healers and your standard battle mages...sounds like they're a pretty different bunch in your world, though, if that reaction's any indication.

[And then Jaskier leans into that flirtation, and Claude rocks back in his chair with laughter.] A snack? [He rights himself, eyes glittering with lively amusement, pressing a hand to his chest and offering his sauciest wink.] Please, Jaskier - I am, at bare minimum, a feast. Credit where it's due.

[Having Geralt yelling at him is nothing new, really; but this time the words hit differently. It's like a bucket of freezing water had been dumped on him: he squeezes Dahlia a little too much, making her whimper, and his shocked eyes can only stare at the witcher in front of him without really seeing him as he feels his heart being destroyed once again - because apparently that can still happen after the destruction Geralt has already caused on the mountain.]

Y-you... [He gulps as he tries to kick his brain back into functioning, away from this numbness that he's sure is about to hurt like hell when the shock passes.] ...you thought I would still stay? After that?

[So he hadn't been a squire, after all...

He had been a training dummy.

His whole body trembling now, Jaskier moves in order to stand up, but Dahlia whimpers again. Worry takes over and Jaskier puts her down to check on her more thoroughly. She seems fine, only scared - so scared in fact that she leaves the towel cocoon to peek into Jaskier's bag and press the button of her Pokeball.

She's gone with a flash of light and Jaskier wants to scream.

He isn't sure how he manages not to. After whispering sorry, dear to the Pokéball and making sure to move his things out of the way, he stands up and looks at Geralt with raw pain in his blue eyes.

If I were a man of more merit, if I were a man of resolve, I’d leave you behind, get my fair peace of mind from a bottle of grain alcohol. Maybe he should've stuck to that version of Her Sweeet Kiss after all...]

YOU FUCKING ARSEHOLE! [He finally explodes with open arms, because even when he's angry he's gotta be dramatic. Hands point at Geralt and are waved around during the whole rant.] How DARE you compare what happened to twenty years of you mumbling performative shit while still waiting for me to catch up with you! NEVER had you looked or talked to me with such vitriol! NEVER had you blamed me for your own bloody stupid decisions! NEVER had you called getting rid of me life's blessing! A SHIT SHOVELER you called me! Or shall we go farther back, mmh? At your implying that I wasn't a worthy traveler companion, no matter how many wounds I stitched and baths I got ready for you? At how you left me on that rock with a bloody grunt after I opened up to you, tried to do something to improve your fucking life that kept getting worse and worse thanks to your fucking moronic choices!

[He pauses then, because his mind thinks and you went to *her* tent instead but he doesn't want to say that aloud. He swallows, determined not to bring her up in this discussion. It would only derail things, and besides, to be fair? No matter how much Jaskier hates her and how much it hurts to admit, this time it isn't her fault.]

So that's it, isn't it?! You thought you could yell at me, insult me and degrade me with no limits, because Jaskier the fool would still stick around! That's all I was, a fool at your service! Working part-time as your maid, part-time as your squire, full time as your training dummy for you to take all your frustrations out on! [Jaskier drops his arms then, and when he talks, he sounds defeated.] I know you aren't the best at understanding social interaction and people's feelings, but not understanding how much you hurt me this time? That's a new low even for you.

[It's true, Jaskier isn't hard to read at all - in fact, he wears his heart on his sleeve. Some topics he's been avoiding since he was a teenager, though, his childhood being one of them. So he's a little better at hiding it - emphasis just a little bit. Claude is right to notice a shift in Jaskier's expression. And hey, who knows, considering how well he seems to understand this delicate topic... Jaskier may share those memories with him someday.

Jaskier's eyebrows go up very high and quickly at that bit of story.] You renounced to your title -which would include a state and hefty coin, I presume- yet you kept the responsibilities? That's a preposterous arrangement if I've ever heard one! You should've told them it's all or nothing!

[He's getting quite offended in Claude's name, and honestly, Jaskier getting extra offended about things is pretty normal. But this time is hitting close to home again, because he can't even start to imagine such a poor deal. He accepted to be disowned because that meant no more responsibilities, no more family expectations, no more behaving like a little good noble boy (that he never was anyway). If for some random reason he was to be given back his responsibilities, they better paid him damn well for it. Want him to work as a noble? Then treat him like as one.

His rant gets stuck in his throat, however, when Claude explains what happens at home while they are here. Fuck. For real? All the progress he's achieved with Geralt... poof. It wouldn't exist anymore. It would be going back to being alone at the base of the mountain and hoping nobody would ask for the songs of the White Wolf at the next tavern.

The mere thought makes his stomach turn.

Thankfully Claude asks about mages then and Jaskier can direct all of his negative feelings towards them. Nothing else to see here, no sir!] We have healers, of course, but battle mages? They do use offensive magic in my world as well, but your term is incredibly specific. Sounds like knights that cast spells instead of bearing weapons. [And honestly, he isn't sure if that's better or worse than what he has. Speaking of-] Where I come from, there's usually only one mage per court, serving as advisor to the king. Those who work independently, well-- [Here comes the wrinkling of his nose again.] There are happy stories of mages helping a community by selling spells, potions and amulets... but the most prevalent lesson is not to make a deal with a mage or a witch. They can be very devious, tricking you into things that don't come out exactly as you requested them.

[While Claude has been slowly bringing him into a flirty, teasing comfort, it's been all quite subtle. So this sudden comment takes Jaskier by surprise. He blinks a couple of times before laughing as well, definitely feeling charmed by this handsome young man.]

What a sin you accuse this bard of committing! Never would I lessen the beauty of a subject shining in front of my very own eyes! What can I say in my defense? [He pauses and lets out a thoughtful hum before grinning and reciting as singsong-] His eyes were green like pine, and well I guess, you could say I got lost in the woods.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER TEST DRIVE MEME

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject