ohmyarceus | January - February Test drive

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test drive

January - February Test drive

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[That last sentence hits Gregory strangely, and for a moment he doesn't know how to answer. If he should answer. Every adult in his life has failed him, or has been someone he had reason to fear and stay away from. They've never just wanted to help or take care of him. If they had, he wouldn't...

He really doesn't know. And before he realizes he's done it, he's already walked over to pick up the jacket.]

...I don't understand. You don't know me.

[Gregory will be honest, he's still a little hesitant...not that he doubts this is Freddy- like, who else could look like that, and talk like that- but just because it's...so strange. It doesn't seem possible, right? Sure, they've advanced far enough in technology that animatronics and things have reached a level of sentience never before imagined in machines. But it's still...

He decides to just not think about that right now, instead hurrying out from his hiding place so he can make his way over to Freddy. His shoes crunch through the snow burdening down the tall grass as he stumbles carefully through it, just barely tall enough to wrap his arms around Freddy's much softer waist. If Gregory wasn't almost certain this was Freddy, he wouldn't be daring to get this close.]

This...is really weird.

[It sure does help, that's for sure. Nobody else would know of that nickname other than those present that night at the Pizzaplex, and Gregory is pretty sure he'd recognize the other animatronics in human form too...at the very least they wouldn't look this much like Freddy. Vanny and Vanessa he hasn't seen at all, and he very much hopes things stay that way.

Gregory picks his way carefully through snow-laden tall grass to get to where Freddy is waiting for him with the two Teddiursa, still having to crane his neck to look up at him even though he's definitely not an animatronic bear currently. Gregory still looks bewildered as he tentatively reaches out to take hold of the edge of Freddy's shirt (vest, jacket, whatever this world has chosen to dress him in), tugging on it a little just to confirm to himself that it's real.]

You really are Freddy...just...WAY different.

[Too human. Which he can't actually say if he likes that or not? Animatronics are better than people, etc.]

(( ooc: let me try this again since I completely fumbled my last TDM attempt here lol ))

New Bark Town | Action - Real Bug Hours

[Haga isn't known for liking people, but one thing's for sure: he likes his parents. And this lady talking to him? That's not his mom. Not even in a million years. As if it wasn't enough of a shock to wake up in a room that wasn't his, now this lady is spouting a bunch of nonsense about Pocket Monsters and how he has to so on a journey?

Before he can really argue with her - and believe it, he would argue for hours if given the chance - he's out the door. He bangs on the door, demanding an explanation, but it's clear the lady inside is pretending not to hear him. Typical adult behavior.

Haga let's out a loud "hmph!" and turns to look at the small town he's found himself in. This place is such a stark contrast to Domino it's not even funny. Not that Haga dislikes rural places and the outdoors. That's where the bugs are after all. But it's grating to only see a few houses here and there and not a single skyscraper in sight. He would be surprised if this place has running water and electricity.

With a sigh, he plops himself down on the ground and spills the contents of the bag given to him in front of him. At least the hag gave him some essentials to not die out here. He picks up the book labelled "manual" and begins to read it, before the shiny, white and red ball next to his foot catches his attention.

He picks it up and following the manual's instructions manages to get the Pokemon out of it. Out of it emerges a Foomantis.

Haga's eyes widen the moment they see the small bug Pokemon staring back at him. He reaches out a hand and touches its head as if to confirm that it is there.]

You... You are real!! [Haga opens the biggest smile and scoops the small bug on his arms.] You are just like a Duel Monster but I can touch you!!! This is so awesome! [He rubs his cheek against Foomantis', who just has a confused look on her face.

You could either tell him he's making a scene or you can just watch this nerd freak out over a bug.]

Route 30 | Network/Video - In His Element

[You wouldn't expect a nerdy and scrawny looking boy like Haga to be able to fend for himself in the great outdoors, but he's actually doing pretty good for himself, and is actually having a blast catching and training his bug team, if the dumb smile on his face is any indication.

Also, the fact that there are many random bug catchers around is a pleasant surprise. Specially because the extra outfit Haga got in his bag was just like the ones worn by the catchers in the routes. It... kinda made him feel like he belonged.

He heard from the bug catchers about a Pokemon called Spinarak that only showed up at night, so when the feed starts Haga is kind of in the dark and it's hard to see him, but his voice is hard to miss, even if he's whispering.]

It's been a while now and I can't seem to spot any Spinarak around here. Anyone has any tricks on how to lure out Pokemon? [He quickly learned that bug Pokemon don't exactly behave or act like regular bugs, so most of his knowledge from back home is a bit moot.]

That, and it's probably best to take it easy at first, rather than risk pushing yourself beyond your limits.

*there is great irony in Sion of all people saying that...*

Typically, once each in the late spring and the late autumn. The precise timing can vary, but it seems to nearly always occur over the course of a weekend.

Of course, any number of other strange things may happen during that time, as well.

[There was something indescribable about feeling Gregory hug him. He wrapped his arms around the child and held him quite close.]

It is weird... I never even thought about what it would be like to be human.

But I am glad I can be here with you. I did not want to be separated from you.

[He felt just how cold Gregory was, and worry started to form.]

I feel you are cold, this environment is not good for your health. We should find somewhere warmer to be.

[Caesar nods, finally steadying the camera a bit as Allegra seems to settle down. He smiles faintly, shifting his Gear to one hand so he can pet the Popplio.]

Both are good options, I think. They'd both be easy to remember.

[Ah...Teach. Of course it'd be Teach.

Claude...tries to stuff down the mix of feelings that comes with hearing that Lorenz had turned from the Empire at Byleth's offer. The same dull ache he'd felt when the last Byleth - and Lysithea - had told him that Lorenz had never left his side in a universe where Teach had chosen their house. That feeling that the one who really held sway over Lorenz and his willingness to openly defy his father isn't him and has never been him, but actually lies with Byleth. Even outsider to outsider, he still comes up lacking.

This Lorenz had been defying his father, in his own way - so even if this isn't the same Lorenz Claude knew in his world, that's probably true of both of them. And even Teach had needed to defeat Lorenz, had needed to narrow his choices to defection or death, before he'd turned; probably he'd have done the same for anyone in that position, especially if his loyalty had never really laid with the Empire. Maybe the only difference between their timelines was that a Golden Deer Teach had kept Lorenz from going home, maybe on a total whim. It doesn't have to mean anything, and probably shouldn't.

It aches all the same.]

Duke Aegir's position was pretty uncomfortable under Edelgard, wasn't it? I wonder if Ferdinand felt like he couldn't abandon his father, either...

As for politics being set aside here, why wouldn't it be that simple? We're not in Fodlan. We're not even in our own world anymore. None of those considerations have any meaning here. As for the politics of this world...honestly, they barely seem to exist. Don't ask me how, but this place doesn't seem to have much in the way of authority outside of presidents of companies, or mayors of each town. And this world is more peaceful than any I've ever dreamed of. Outside of gangs of criminals, who are relatively petty thieves in the grand scheme of things, there's hardly any conflict at all as we're used to. Not even poverty seems to be a concern in this place - some of the creatures they have here, pokémon, can functionally generate infinite money, and it doesn't seem to de-stabilize the economy at all when they do. I don't understand it, but at the same time...after what we've come from, I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth too closely. Not that answers are particularly easy to find here no matter how hard you look. Some things in this world just don't make sense, and I've had to learn to live with that.

[Which has not been easy, for someone of Claude's endless curiosity.]

But yeah, the Kingdom came to help us right when we needed it. I lured the Imperial army into a mostly evacuated Derdriu, using myself as bait, and banked on Dimitri and Teach responding to my call for aid...and they swept in behind the Imperials to close the jaws of the trap. [He winks at Lorenz.] They were caught between our forces and the ocean on one side, and the Kingdom army on the other.

You didn't get to see it, but...Dimitri came back to his senses not long before the battle at Derdriu. The Dimitri that's here in this world was brought here from before regaining them, but...with plenty of support, he's recovered a lot in his own way.

[The professor was merely a means to an end, a way to get back to where he belonged, back to Derdriu. He's quiet, listening to Claude explaining things, trying to wrap his head around the whole thing. It's a lot to take in but the shift in focus from home to these pokémon helps him process a little bit. Not that he's not paying attention but just... a little distance from all of the mess from home is nice.

If he's honest just seeing Claude is nice, hearing him talk about things that make no sense, the reminder of all the clever ways his mind works. Things Lorenz would not have thought to even question, at least not for a good long while.

By the time he gets back to talking about Derdriu some of the weight has lifted from Lorenz' expression, lips tilted up in a soft smile, appreciative of the explanation and the fact that Claude is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.]

I wish I'd been there to see it... and it's good to know that in another version of events the Professor kept his word. I'd have been none too thrilled if he hadn't returned to Derdriu with me.

You know... I didn't realize it until I'd returned to the Estate, after Father summoned me back to Gloucester, how much Derdriu had come to feel like home.

[And for a fleeting moment he's afraid he might cry, the weight of how much he'd missed Claude and their friends and being somewhere that he didn't have to be afraid of what might come at every turn, what threats were slinking through the halls. He sighs softly, blinks rapidly before shaking his head as if to dismiss the sudden swell of emotion.]

I admit I did not see much of His Majesty at Myrddin but I... had heard rumors. It is good to hear that he is improved.

Lost boy over hereeeeee...

( Hiding behind... whatever structure Gregory seems intent on hiding behind seems like the right idea, especially when Chica seems to be looking right at him. The Piplup by her side tilts its head while Chica moves towards him.

She's hardly had time to come to terms with her new form — smooth, flesh, human — before what she considers to be her prime directive overrides her ~~programming~~ thoughts. She stands tall, shapely, with blonde hair and a style that would seem to mimic Madonna. Lots of bright colors with bracelets jingling around her wrists. )

Gregory? Why are you hiding?

How are we supposed to get you home like this?

— Freddy!

( The high cry that would be a squawk sounds more like a cheer of joy as arms suddenly envelope Freddy and the full weight of this new, human Chica is upon. He was strong enough to hold her back home — let's hope this human form can hold the weight of her bear [hehe] hug. Here, she isn't limited by the range of her joints, meaning she can hug her friend more fully than ever before. )

Isn't this place magical?

And look what I found!

( And, for once, the object of her attention isn't pizza. It's the small, blue Piplup that bumps its head against Freddy's leg in a facsimile of a hug. It might not know who this man is, but if its owner is happy to see him, its happy too. )

I'm sure you were happier with us than you were at House Gloucester, though I don't know if that's got anything to do with Derdriu. [Unsurprisingly, Claude is pretty canny about it not having been anything in regards to geography that made Lorenz happy...or miserable.]

Unfortunately, as far as 'us' goes, I'm the only one of our former Deer classmates here...Lysithea was around for awhile, but then she got sent back home. Everyone else from our world here is from the Blue Lions...including Teach, technically. So you'll have to make do with me, I guess!

This place has been good for a lot of us, really. Hopefully it can be for you, too. Although even for us, it didn't take much to improve on coming from a place wrapped up in a bloody war...I guess for you, the bar is set even lower.

Are you in New Bark Town, Lorenz? I can bring you to where the rest of us are, if you want, although the travel time will be a little rough. Still, I can be there...within the next 24 hours, definitely. As far as I'm concerned, I'd invite you to stay with us, but I'm living with a lot of other people and they all would have a say, too. And I don't know what you'd want to do.

[Human or not, Gregory recognizes that voice. That style. The sinister intent behind those words that have been haunting him for hours as he's made his way through an increasingly sprawling facility.

Ice drops into the pit of his stomach, and suddenly he realizes he's more or less backed himself into a corner here. This tree is hiding him well enough, but there's nowhere else for him to immediately run to. If he fled into the tall grass, not only would she see him, but the wild Pokemon would overwhelm him before he could get away.

Maybe...if he stays quiet, and hidden, she won't be able to find him? Unlike Roxanne she can see which is a problem, but they're also not in the Pizzaplex anymore. He could be anywhere, in theory.

At least...that would have worked, if it weren't for the fact that when he shifts just slightly to pull himself further behind that tree, a flock of Pidgey suddenly fly out of the treetops in a flurry of activity and snow being shaken from the branches.

Great.]

[ Once Gregory reaches him, he kneels down so they are more eye level, and he can get a better look at the boy. He's not able to do a scan, but he can at least check to make sure that Gregory is not suffering any kind of injuries. ]

Yes. When I awoke, I was...this way.

[ Is this what it feels like to be human?

(it's not right it's not right ~~this isn't the way he's supposed to be~~)

Once he was sure that Gregory is all right, he leans back a little, getting another look at their surroundings. ]

In my current state, I do not know if I can protect you as well as before.

[ Looking back at Gregory, he then removes his red leather jacket. He had realized that one of the sensations he now experienced was "cold", and while he is still trying to understand what happened to him, he knows enough to realize that this kind of weather is not good for a child without the proper outerwear.

So he drapes the jacket over Gregory's shoulders. It is much too big, but it will have to do. ]

But I will still do my best to keep you safe.

( Object permeance is not Chica's strong suit, so Gregory had the right idea with that one. She knows he went in... that direction... but as for what tree he's hiding behind, it's a total guessing game. He could be anywhere. Behind the tree, up the tree, in the grasses behind the tree. That'd probably be her guess, the grass, and she begins making her way there before the flock of Pidgey darting from the trees alert her to his presence. )

There you are! ( She sounds so joyous! Gregory, it's a little rude not to share in her excitement.

These human legs aren't quite as sturdy as her last ones. They're thinner, faster, but somehow flimsier. As she sprints towards the trees, she can't help but to totter with her balance. ) I'll help you find your way home!

( With a leap, she jumps onto Gregory's hiding spot, whether he's there or not, in an attempt to tackle him. )

Wha-?

[He reflexively reached out to catch a hold of the person who had just flung herself at him.

It took a moment of looking down at her before he realized just who it was, but as soon as he did he held her close tightly.]

Chika! It's good to see you, and hear you.

[Oh, she's talking about this place, yes, that is the best thing to focus on... not that he had her voice upgrade before coming here.]

Ah, yes, it does seem quite magical. I am very surprised to find myself human. It has been... informative.

[Mimikyu, who'd been knocked from Freddy when Chika had jumped him, gave a small sound of curiosity, before approaching as well, the fake head looking up toward Chika even as it looked at the Piplup. Would Piplup be friendly?]

I have found something as well, though I haven't taken much time to read through the information provided.

( It's good to hear herself as well. She isn't sure what it is about this place that healed her, how being compacted, destroyed, twisted beyond all belief didn't leave any lasting scars on her new body. Maybe this is a second chance at life? Thoughts like that are a little deep for her, but she can't help considering. )

That boy, Gregory, did he hurt you, too?

( Piplup is just as friendly as its trainer is, meaning its bright eyed at the prospect of a new friend. It eagerly begins chattering away at Mimikyu and even attempts to replicate its owner's bear hug by hugging Mimikyu in the same way. )

Oh! What is yours named?

[There's a moment, brief and enough to make his heart catch in his throat, where he worries what else Claude might think. Who he might guess feels like home to him. Color rises to his cheeks but, thank the Goddess, Claude carries on talking before he's able to stammer out some foolish excuse or insistence that it was the city itself.]

Only Lions? Hmm... It is a pity that Lysithea is no longer here. It would do my heart good to see that she is safe.

[Too many moments in the past months that have reminded him of what those people are capable of, of how much damage they could do. Things that made him worry that The Count might have made a play at Ordelia or at least was planning to. Territory that would make him even more of a force to be reckoned with. ]

Ah... no I- had rather a lot to think about and no idea others were here so I... took the advice of some townsfolk. I believe this place is Cherrygrove? A bit misleading when one is on a beach but there are certainly worse things to call a place.

I'd hate to impose, Claude, really. I'm sure I can find my way well enough. You needn't trouble yourself over me.

[Polite as ever no matter how much he wants to beg Claude to come find him just so he can assure himself this isn't some far fetched fantasy or hallucination after what surely must have been a fatal wound.]

[He holds her closer for another moment before giving space for her to have room, if she wants it.]

Gregory? No, he never hurt me. What do you mean by 'too'? He told me there was an accident... I don't think he could be capable of hurting people. He's just a scared boy.

[Piplup's easy acceptance is all that Mimikyu needs, manipulating it's costume to return the hug, and even slipping one ghostly arm out from underneath to complete it, when the costume arms don't extend far. Yes, it likes Piplup, Piplup is friend.]

I heard it was called a Mimickyou, or something like that, but I feel like it would do well with a name like... Mike, or Michael. I don't know why though, it just sounds like a good name.

[Fortunately for Lorenz, Claude isn't singling himself out as feeling like home to Lorenz - and, even if he was told that was how Lorenz thinks of it, he'd still make the argument that their fellow Deer played a part, too. Whoever Lorenz might be pining for romantically, having people who feel like family (and it'd be easy for any of them to count towards that far more than Count Gloucester) is important, too.]

You're not imposing; I'm coming whether you like it or not, actually. [Claude grins.] So I might be the one overstepping here. You think I'd just leave you to have to fend for yourself in a world you barely know yet? Especially when you had such a rough time before you got here? Whether or not you stick with us, I'm at least going to look after you until you're more settled in.

I'm glad you're in Cherrygrove, though. That cuts down on the distance a bit. Just stay there, okay? I should be there in...a little over six hours. [It'd be shorter, thanks to the warps in the pokécenters, but the train ride between Kanto and Johto can't be sped up any.]

Y-yeah, it's about as cold as it could be right now...

[It's so cold, in fact, that Gregory is loath to let Freddy go...in this form at least, he's not a cold, hard metal casing around an endoskeleton.]

But we can't go back to that town! That lady isn't gonna let us back in.

[Though, he's not sure he really wants to go back to that house. Something about that whole situation just felt too...weird. He didn't like it.]

Maybe...there's another town somewhere? There's gotta be, right?

Ah, of course. You've gone far too long without disregarding my suggestions. Only natural that should be your first inclination.

[Lorenz makes a show of sighing heavily, closing his eyes lest he give in to the temptation to roll them and bringing a hand up to smooth over his hair as though Claude's very existence might literally have ruffled him.]

At the very least wait until morning. It will be late by the time you get here at that rate. I've managed to acquire a room for the evening if nothing else.

[Yes, sassing him is much easier than considering the implications of Claude deciding he's going to be "looking after him". ]

[The jacket is definitely huge, so much so that it more than swallows Gregory, but he doesn't mind. He knows that Freddy is probably going to realize very quickly that he's going to be cold now without his jacket, though...

Because of that, while Freddy is still kneeling down in front of him, Gregory moves closer so he can wrap his arms around the now-human's neck, unprompted.]

It's okay, Freddy. We're not in the pizzaplex anymore, which means...we got out, somehow! Anywhere's gotta be safer than there.

[Even outside of her animatronic form, Chica is fast. It's hard to say whether she's faster than Gregory is at a full sprint, but it doesn't matter. He has no room to get out of her path quickly enough, and thus...]

Aah!!

[Both boy and former animatronic-chicken go tumbling into the snow-laden grass, no doubt disturbing whatever smaller bug and flying type Pokemon might have been hiding there. The pounce ends up dislodging Gregory's Teddiursa too, who growls furiously as he tumbles over into a nearby snowdrift.

That leaves Gregory with Chica having actively gotten him trapped, though...as terrifying as it is to get caught by any of the animatronics, something about this isn't...as scary, he's realizing? Like yeah, it's not FUN, but she's far less capable of doing him a lot of harm this way.

He thinks. Maybe.

But Gregory...he is not above doing harm himself and immediately starts to thrash, trying to push Chica off him.]

Let go of me! Get off!!

[Freddy isn't fond of the idea of letting Gregory go either. Not only is it cold, but he had been fighting the worry that he'd let his friend down, that he'd failed to protect him.]

It seems unlikely that it was the only town. Perhaps we should see if we have a map... at least here there are unlikely to be mapbots to startle you with their offers.

[Rather than letting Gregory go, he swings the bag he'd been given around to where he could set it down and dig into it.]

Will you help me look for one?

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Page 7 of 63

January - February Test drive

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Insector Haga / YuGiOh

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new bark town ♥

I!

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SCREAMS

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YEEESSSS!!!!

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