ohmyarceus | January - February Test drive

I'm not the one who turned coat to fight for Edelgard's bloodbath against his own people. After everything Claude did for all of you.

[Huh, since when does Felix have opinions about Claude...?]

[Gregory is not the first person to be forcefully taken from their home and thrown into whatever situation this is. As an adult in their mid-30’s isn’t exactly excited to have been told by ‘Mom’ that she needed to take a journey and was literally forced outside within minutes. Neat. At least it’s early enough in the morning to start walking, though her companion is far from calm, rather joyful Rotom buzzes overhead. Someone is more excited about this new journey than their new trainer is.

She’s looking over the Poke’gear map at first, not noticing that other people are hanging around the exit as well. Visibly upset at the cold weather and the fact that walking in snow is the only way to get to the next town, she shakes her head and pockets the device into her suit jacket.]

A 3 day walk, huh? Looks like we’ve got our work cut out. Come on. We better cover as much ground as we can before nightfall.

[She’s about to take the first brave steps onto Route 29, but Rotom has other plans. The Ghost Pokemon is the one who happens to spot Gregory and, lacking any sort of personal space, starts zooming over to the young boy. There’s a moment of confusion at the boy’s sudden retreat behind a tree, but that doesn’t stop Rotom from trying. He’s a chirpy little thing, making excited buzzing noises, which is enough to get the attention of his trainer.]

Rotom, stop messing around. We need to go…

[She stops walking upon seeing Gregory hiding behind the tree and a very tough-looking Teddiursa standing guard. Instead of moving closer, she takes a step backward to assess the situation. The poor kid looks scared and cold.]

Oh. That's why you were getting excited. [Helping children is not her area of expertise, but leaving Gregory here to suffer in the elements is worse. She extends one hand forward, trying not to look intimidating.]

I'm sorry if we scared you. Do you need any help?

It's nice to meet you.

( saki can't help but smile, relieved. quickly, she drops the backpack onto the ground to dig through it- there it is, she knew she saw one- jeeze, 'mom', is this all they get...? ah well. she'll gently hand it to gregory, but otherwise get no closer. still... oil, bandages? what happened to the poor kid...? no, she can't get distracted, they have to get into a building or something! concern is replaced with an encouraging smile, and she stays where she's crouched. )

And you're welcome! I hope it helps. I was poking around on that device we got- it looks like it's kinda like a phone, but it connects to some page I've never heard of before. I was thinking about asking for help on it. Do you want to stick with me for a little while?

[Celadon clasps her hands back, smiling happily. She is, as always, genuinely just happy to be here.]

It doesn't feel hungry... or angry... or sad. [She tilts her head, looking thoughtfully at the Gastly. Well, in the Gastly's general direction, at least.] I think it might be... curious?

Maybe it liked the glitter...

Divine? [Duke takes the Nidoran in both hands, right under its forelegs, clearly squinting at the thing behind his shades while he mumbles to himself.]

I don't know if you can call a purple bastard spawn of a hedgehog and a rabbit divine...

[He scrunches his face up, at least thankfully putting actual effort into discerning a suitable name for his new partner. It's a strenuous process, but The Duke doesn't back down from any challenge...!

Finally, he speaks up.]

How about...Petunia?

[He has no idea why Felix is suddenly "defending" Claude but he's not about to stand for this. Or rather, he absolutely is. Fast enough to knock his chair over and slosh his tea over the table, furious.]

If you think for a moment I would stand against Claude you're more fool than I thought. I did everything in my power to undermine my Father's plans and keep what powers I could out of the hands of those monsters.

[He had died to ensure they would never be able to abuse his blood again, had pulled the Count's focus from Claude and Derdriu to the Southern borders of their territory by putting himself in harms way. Don't lecture him about how he didn't do enough.]

[Lucille watches in an absolute reverent silence that contains an intensity rightfully comparable to all of her dramatics as Duke mulls over the name. Having put down dear Artemis et cetera so she can pose without flinging the Cleffa around, he's got her fists balled in front of her and there is a fire in her eyes like nothing else. This brilliant moment of quiet lasts right up until the name is spoken, at which point Lucille throws her arms up and whoops.]

Petunia! [Artemis also throws up her stupid nubby little limbs and makes a cheerful noise.] A glorious name for a creature most deserving! A name to be hallowed across this earth forevermore, for today marks the first of a sprawling legend of unmatched splendor!

[i hate her, i really do]

[Felix doesn't flinch or move at all when Lorenz abruptly stands, though he does lift a brow.]

Tch. Isn't spilling your tea in a fit of passion some kind of etiquette violation?

[He has more words at the ready, but he pauses when Lorenz mentions monsters. Could he mean the people Lysithea told them about? His head tilts slightly.]

According to Claude, you abandoned him. You're saying you were, what, spying for the Alliance? Sabotaging the Empire?

[He doesn't sound impressed, but then he asks,]

By monsters, do you mean those strange mages?

It's recommended you gather some pokéballs from the pokémart, and catch more Pokémon outside of the one you received in the beginning. Be prepared for a lot of walking, as well.

[ no, he doesn't realize he's speaking to lucilius, give him a moment. ]

[...well.

At least she likes it. Duke is absolutely terrified to find out how Lucille would react if she hated it. All this fervor, turned in the other direction...? He'll take his chances with more aliens.

That said, Petunia also seems to be pleased with it, to a much lesser degree. The only other chill being around, it seems. Maybe Artemis, but she seems like an enabler...]

Don't jump the gun, there, Lucy. Legends are made, not born. I don't doubt Petunia's got potential if he was drawn to me, but it's still gotta be put to the test.

Edited (i'm smart and know how to close html) 2022-01-02 23:12 (UTC)

It's not my fault I was built better than you.

[nuh-uh it's highly unfair that one of her bandmates is on a team with some kid who got stuck in the Pizzaplex after hours. it's not like she's getting any help. whoever gets to Gregory first is the winner, right? she's competing against Monty and Chica.

it's 100% his fault. if he had gone home like the rest, he wouldn't have messed up her beauty recharge. it's probably his fault that she's here too!! in this fleshy, horrible-feeling human body.

what does she plan on doing with him when he's caught?? hm...good question...

...she can't remember.]

Why ruin a surprise?

Exactly that. Long story, so I'm not gonna bore you with details.

[ but he does spare a glance at his right arm. what was that about? ]

I was human-passing, but now I'm just human again... and I find it weird.

[He knew it. She doesn't have an answer...which means she's following someone else's programming. She's being commanded to get him...to bring him to the Security Guard, or Vanny, or god knows who else wants their hands on him.

Why him? He didn't do anything but...well. Stay after hours. Surely he's not the first child to have done this? Surely...

Gregory huffs, leaning back a little against the tree he feels pretty confident is hiding him from the main route. Even if Roxy came down the same way he went (which is very likely, she's probably not even that far from him since they both arrived almost in tandem), she wouldn't be able to spot him. Now, hearing is a different story...

But it's fine. If she's having to use the Gear, she's not in physical earshot. It's fine.]

A surprise, right. You mean how you're probably gonna make me "disappear", just like how all those other kids went missing...

[ there was a yelp and snow in his hair, but the torrent of snow raining down on him made him laugh rather than get angry about the whole situation. he looks at the reason behind the snowfall, and only smiled.

winter was by far his favorite season, there was no reason for him to be mad. ]

I'm fine, I'm fine! I have Candelaria here to warm me up if anything.

[ the litwick in his arms had a very different opinion towards the snow, but she'll deal if it means seeing her trainer's happy smile. ]

Well, I'm not sure there's much advice I can give you, other than perhaps keep in mind what needs and limits you had before you were changed the first time. Some people arrive here who were never human in the first place, so if you can recall that much you'll probably be in a better position than they find themselves.

Other than that, if it's any consolation, there's usually two periods of a few days each year in which peoples' original powers and forms are temporarily restored.

[Man, he still feels like he has to be cautious of her. The only other person he's seen in a full 24 hour day has been the security guard, and Vanny he supposes, but he's not sure if she's even human, or real, or whatever else...and both of them were just out to get him all night.

Saki, though...she does seem nice. And so far, all she's done is offer kindness. A jacket to bundle up with, which Gregory does so immediately, his Teddiursa still close to his neck to try to help facilitate staying warm.]

Well...I guesso. Just for now. But-

[He takes a step closer. Cautious.]

If...if you see someone asking for me named Vanny, or Vanessa- you gotta pretend you don't know who or where I am, okay? Same goes for... [He counts off on his fingers.] Chica, Roxanne, Montgomery...but Freddy is okay.

Got it?

[For one fleeting, irrational moment he's tempted to throw the damnable teacup at Felix, just for his sass. But of course he goes and slaps Lorenz in the face with another assumption and Lorenz... genuinely looks like he's been struck, sucking in a breath, expression crumpling into hurt surprise.]

Abandon...ed...

[He shakes his head a little but he knows precisely why Claude would feel that way, no matter how much he tried-

Lorenz turns to fix his chair, giving Felix his back for a moment and some part of him expects to feel a blade between his ribs any second. If he takes the moment to blink away the threat of tears on his lashes surely Felix will never notice. Not when he turns back to retake his seat with only the faintest dampness to his lashes.]

If you want information, fine.

[He finally lifts his cup to take a sip of his tea, hating the fact that his hands are shaking ever so slightly.]

But if all you want is to stand there and insult me.... [A shaky breath, the faintest sniff, and when he finishes speaking he simply sounds tired.] ... just go.

Why would I do that? That's no fun...

[the missing kids...she's heard about it. she may be stuck on the grounds of the Pizzaplex, but outside information comes through well enough. not that it's her concern to listen or care, because it doesn't have anything to do with her.

but...by the sound of his voice. he's being accusatory. it makes her feel angry, offended, and:]

You don't think that low of me-- [her voice goes whiny, like a kicked puppy.] You can't think that! You don't...you don't...

[ at the sight of the clearly non-human girl, naoto did in fact feel cheated. but hey, she was being kind enough to answer, so he can't be too mad. for what it was worth, he could have been ignored! it's better than nothing!! ]

Nice to meet you, Allura. I'm Naoto. [ a sheepish smile. ] I understand that-- my abilities are gone too, but if we can depend on Pokémon, then I guess I can't be too angry about losing them. Powers or not, this place is pretty calm. I like it, actually!

[ when asked about his final comment, he laughs weakly. ] Well, I went through a lot back home. It's something I don't want to talk about... publicly, at least.

[It's arguably worse that Rotom is closer to synthetic than any of the other Pokemon Gregory has encountered so far, which means he trusts it the least. And he's about ready to get his Teddiursa to attack (which he's discovered by now is a thing he can do, though the attacks are minimal and rather weak) when he hears the sound of an adult calling out to him.

Worse. It's worse now.

His jaw works silently for a moment as he shifts his grip on the tree bark, his fingers already becoming numb from the cold as he watches the woman tersely. He isn't about to step into view, nor does he make any attempts to come closer. If anything, his expression sours with visible distrust, especially when her hand is offered.]

I'm...f-fine.

[He mutters even though he's visibly shivering, prompting his Teddiursa partner to huddle closer.]

[Truthfully...he doesn't hate the animatronics. If they'd been helpful or kind to him like Freddy, he might have even been in a position to befriend them the exact same way. But they've all already shown him how aggressive they can be, and it's only gotten worse as the night progressed. They don't care about his safety, or about getting him to his "family". Roxanne herself taunted him for hours, telling him he was worth nothing...and that nobody would miss him if something happened to him.

He feels a rush of anger as she whines at him, glad that- at the very least- he doesn't have to look at her mangled form.]

I wouldn't if you gave me any reason not to. Do you think I like being chased around and threatened? It might be a game to you, but it's not to me. I just...

[His expression softens a bit as he sighs, glancing sideways at his Teddiursa.]

You could have helped me, you know. She's just using you, all of you!

There are ways to keep things like that safe, even when travelling.

[ sandalphon couldn't help but overhear the girl's worries. hell, he went through the same predicament with his coffee paraphernalia. but he managed, and now he is a walking coffee master. ~~at least, until he can get his hands on a good place to build his café on.~~ ]

What exactly do you have your eye on?

Using me? Nobody uses me for anything.

[and with a flip of a switch she's back to her usual overconfident self. oozing certainty and assuredness. whatever was happening with her and her friends at the Pizzaplex doesn't seem to be registering with her, either from selective memory or the fact that the way things went that night...were purely the fault of this kid.

as for the taunts? well, that's just him being a sore loser. kid needs to grow tougher skin if he's so upset about it.]

Why would I waste my time helping a kid who snuck in after closing hours? It's not my job. With you gone, things would've gone back to normal.

We could have all had a nice night if it weren't for you.

[There is a gasp on the other end of the line.]

Gregory?

[Freddy feels an odd sensation in his eyes, as tears build in them. There is a horse quality to his voice, even before the emotions.]

It is me, Freddy. I am not in the Pizzaplex either. I do not know where I am but... Some things have changed. I do not know how but, I am human now.

I am sorry this means I don't have somewhere for you to hide.

[He genuinely sounded upset at the idea of not having his hatch.]

Where are you Superstar? I will find you, and keep you safe.

[From what he can understand of what Freddy has told him, it's absolutely outside of their programming to hurt anyone, but especially children. Sure, they might not be designed to be caretakers like Sun and Moon are, but their primary directives dictate that they entertain, oversee, and ensure that the kids that enter the facility have a good time and are safe while doing so. The fact that any one of them is going after a child with the level of aggression that they are indicates something is wrong...that someone has been tampering with them.

Even Freddy, to an extent.

In a way, Roxy has a point. Nothing probably would have happened like this that night if Gregory hadn't been there...but how do you explain to a machine that he had nowhere to go? How do you even begin to explain that?]

I didn't sneak in. I was...already there.

January - February Test drive

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

network | un: ecliptica

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

ilex forest

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

goldenrod city

no subject

[Voice] papa bear mode go!

no subject