ohmyarceus | Test Drive Meme - January & February edition

[Joey just stares for a moment, unsure what to say or do. For him it had been some time since the two last talked, so seeing her here out of the blue was quite a shock. What was she doing here?

Was she a beta tester like she'd been for Kaiba's world? Had she been selected in the same way Joey had been for Duel Links? So many questions ran through his head and, all the while, he was just standing there blankly.

Realizing what he was doing, and not wanting to have their first interaction after so long being him making a fool of himself, Joey shook the questions out of his mind and approached.]

Mai... is dat really you?

Edited (Grammatical error) 2023-03-01 20:45 (UTC)

[ it's been a minute for her, too. the last time she saw joey, she was telling him that she had to own up to her life decisions and left him to do so.

she glances off as he approaches, spotting him doing so from the corners of her eyes, as though she hasn't quite reached the point in her life where she was ready to see him again. she clears her throat lightly before he's close enough to hear and when he is, mai places a palm to her hip to try and push herself to be as confident as she always has been. ]

In the flesh, did you miss me?

[Brimming emotions clash with the overwhelming desire to keep-it-cool within Joey's head, and upon her greeting him just like old times, he has to fight hard to keep tears back.]

A'course I did!

[He takes a few steps towards her.]

Things were pretty wild da last time I saw ya... so I've been wonderin' how you've been doin' ever since den.

[Realizing he's voiced a little more than intended on the emotional side of things he decides, screw it, and just leans into it.]

I'm missed da hell outta ya!

[Drawing close to her as he finishes the sentence he would then, if she allowed it, give her a hug.]

Edited 2023-03-01 23:47 (UTC)

Wild, huh...

[ that's an understatement. things were pretty up in the air the last time that she had seen joey. there was no promise of a specific time to see him again when she left — even though she wanted to give him a time or at least let him know she wanted to see him again. ]

I guess that's definitely one word for it...

[ mai is caught completely off guard when he proclaims how much he missed her and when he reaches for a hug, her instinct is to shove him away just to see his reaction but she doesn't. instead, she leans into it and throws her arms around him in turn, letting herself feel something for once. ]

...I missed you too.

[ it's quiet but it's certainly loud enough for him to hear given their closeness. ]

Edited (grammar.) 2023-03-02 00:09 (UTC)

[Joey had half been expecting to get pushed-away or otherwise get met with a quip or barb, so being able to actually hug her was a surprise. The way things had gone during the Oricalchos affair had left Joey with the terrifying feeling that he might never see her again, and he'd done his best to put on a brave face about that ever since then, so seeing her here so suddenly was both terrifying and wonderful. Hearing her say she'd missed him too was the last straw for his ability to play it cool.

Despite his best efforts to hold them back, tears begin to well in Joey's eyes and he can feel his voice begin to quiver.]

How'dya end up here of all places.

[His voice is wavy and quiet, but he still does his best to put a touch of playfulness into what he says. His actions betray his uncertainty however, as he hugs her tighter as he speaks; half hoping that she won't notice he's on the verge of crying and half out of a fear that if he lets go she'll somehow disappear.]

Ya couldn't couldn't call ahead?

[ there's a big part of her that thinks it was better to just shove him off and make a joke about it but given how they parted and this being the reunion, she's not able to help but hug him in turn. after all, she had at least told him before that she cares about him. why not prove it at least a little? ]

Oh, you know. I have to make an appearance in style.

[ she can hear the quiver in his tone and her brow twitches. she's not the emotional type ~~at least not in this manner~~ so mai isn't really sure how to handle it other than to close her fingers against the back of his signature coat to keep him against herself— for now. ]

Besides, I lost your number, Doofus.

[ it's her turn to push some joviality into their meeting to break through the tension. ]

[After a minute Joey lifts himself from the embrace, doing his best to keep his face turned down so it's not as obvious that he'd been welling-up. As he does so he inevitably ends up sniffing and curses himself internally for being so obvious.]

I, uh, think I got something in my eye... or allergies or sumthin'.

[Dammit. Way to make it obvious Joey.]

I guess I'll need ta make sure you've da new numbah now dat you're in here eh?

[He wipes his eyes and sniffs again. Time to get some semblance of composure back before he loses it again.]

Didja just get here? If ya did, I've been here a while so I can show ya around n' stuff. Ya know, if dat's ok with you of course.

[ when he pulls back from her arms, she lowers hers and arches a brow lightly. his attempts to misguide her from what's going on really doesn't work but she's willing to let it slide— this time. ]

Probably dust.

[ there's a light teasing tone in her words. ]

That'll definitely help me with trying to contact you when I need you.

[ erp. did she say she might need him. as he wipes his eyes, she shifts and clears her throat, looking away from him. ]

I mean, uh— if I want to talk to you.

[ she attempts to get back into the conversation about being here and what it all entails, nodding. ]

Yeah, just showed up and spoke to "mom." That was a trip.

[ that woman is still definitely not her mom. mai nods, a smile tugging her lips. ]

Actually, you know, I'd appreciate that. This isn't quite Duel Monsters, after all. I hate to admit it, especially to you, but I'm very lost with this stuff.

[OOC: I accidentally hit submit before I was done with the comment, so I apologize if there's duplicate notifications.]

[Joey nods in agreement. Boy oh boy does he know what she means. Learning duel monsters was hard enough but having to learn a whole new combat system, let alone the intricacies necessary to go for the proverbial gold, was an undertaking singularly not up the alley of Joey's skillbook.]

Ah'course! Getting whisked into a whole otha world is one heckuva turn. I'm pretty sure dis place is anotha virtual world like da one we got pulled-into by da Big 5 all dat time ago, and it's got a lot in common with dis game called "Duel Links" dat I've been playin' in for Kaiba Corp's lab guys. Der's all dese different monstahs you can get in here, and some'a dem are real close to some Duel Monstahs. Pretty much everything in dis place comes down to trainin' or breedin' dose' little guys, much like how so much of da stuff back home comes back ta duelin', but that's all stuff to tackle down da road.

[Joey hopes he isn't rambling. God he's bad at this kind of thing. Does she hate him for rambling yet? He'd hate him for rambling. Get the lead out Joey!]

Ya can't drive cars n' stuff in dis place by da way. I don't know why, but it's just bikes or ridin' on da back of a Pokémon. I've got a couple'a boys you can use ta get around if you want or, if ya prefer, I've got a bike I can throw a back seat on and I can take ya wherever ya wanna go.

[He scratches at the back of his head awkwardly.]

Dis time'a year is real cold so it can be a doozy ta get around, but der's a few different ways to get from place-ta-place dat ain't too bad. I just got done gettin' da fast travel points for everything here so I'm totally free ta go with ya wherever you wanna go if ya want.

[Without realizing it, Joey is absolutely beaming at the prospect. Outside of his Pokémon team and the short gettogether with people at Christmas he's been largely by himself here. Having someone to travel with, let alone someone he feels as strongly about as Mai, was a complete about face for how he'd been living the past six months.]

[ ooc; no big! ]

duel monsters is so ingrained into her now that it's incredibly difficult to even think of trying a whole new, different sort of battling system. she's going to try though. she'll be damned if she doesn't conquer it, too.

she raises her brows because, wow, he sure is talking, isn't he? as he rambles, she shifts from one foot to the other, setting palms to her hips. ]

Boy, Joey, you know you haven't changed much at all. Still a bit of a mess when it comes to keeping things brief, hm?

[ it's a friendly jape, really. ]

No cars, huh? That's the real bummer.

[ she does like her swag car, after all. that isn't all she takes from the information he's laid out for her though. she taps her finger against her hip before glancing away. ]

Hmm, ride with you? You trying to be my date for all traveling occasions, Wheeler? How very bold of you.

[ she can help herself but to get that in there. c'mon, we all know the gal likes to flirt! ]

[Joey awkdwardly scratches at the back of his head again at being called-out. He really is bad at explaining technical stuff, especially when so much is running through his head. He's sure he can make it sensible in time, provided he gets the chance, but for now it's just a deluge.]

Y-yeah. I'm no good at explainin' it, but I swear I've gotten da hang of da actual battles! I've even gone and read different strategies n' such! Yugi's Gramps taught me better'n ta slack-off when coming-ta-grips with somethin' new.

[God he hopes he isn't coming off as too much of mess. He really has put a lot of work into getting good at this whole Pokemon thing, but he can't really say that without fear of coming off pompous.

Lost trying to sort out the jumbled knot that is his thoughts, Mai's quip about a date catches Joey completely off-guard. As it dawns on him what he'd walked himkself into his face goes beet red.]

I, uh ah, I wasn't tryin' to say a date or nuthin!

[Joey turns his face away from Mai, hoping to conceal the red-hot condition of his face.]

I just, y'know... I don't wantcha to have to go it alone.

[Realizing that might also have been too on-the-nose he quickly continues.]

Dis is a big place n' all, and der's all kinds'a hazahds n' such too. I've pretty much a solo act since comin' here, and dat was six months ago. I don't want ya to have ta do the same thing I did.

[Joey knows all-too-well how long Mai has had to be alone, and having to go it largely alone himself coming in here has him dead-set on making sure she doesn't have to do the same. Though he's not just going to come out and say it, he wants to make sure she's got someone to lean on in this crazy new world they've been sucked into.]

Actually, any information you can give me will be a real help. I'm definitely a queen when it comes to my harpies and dueling but this is a whole new bag of tricks to learn. I know I'm supposed to basically duel with her but I don't even know her attack, you know? No card with details on it.

[ she taps her chin. ]

Think you can at least lead me in the right direction for learning her attacks?

[ he's coming off as a bit of a mess however that's how she's always seen him, well, in his personal life at least. which is endearing, really. as a duelist, though, even mai has to admit that joey has become a pretty formidable opponent. of course, she wouldn't tell him that.

aaand now she's giving him a faux look of being hurt. she sets her palm over her heart and turns her head from him. ]

You don't want to go on a date with me? Man, I've been turned down by worse, I suppose.

[ she gives him a smile, though. it's really sweet of him to want to be there for her. mai's had... a tough time being on her own and the offer is kind of him. she buries her hands into the pockets of her skirt and half-shrugs to him. ]

Nice blush, honey.

[ alright, she can't let that one go unnoticed. sorry joey! ]

But that's sweet of you and I suppose I'll accept. It's better than being lost on my own without at least a friend around to help out.

Edited (subject line jdklfsjdls.) 2023-03-02 15:27 (UTC)

[As Joey gets ready to exclaim his willingness to help with the moves and such Mai teases him about not going a date with her and he gets even redder. Seeing her smile, Joey turns around, even more emberassed now only for her to reveal she noticed him blushing all along.]

It's not blush! It's... just cold out, so I musta gotten windburn or somethin'!

[Joey half-mumbles the last part, knowing his protestation isn't convincing anyone but still feeling the ned to do so regardless.

As his emberrasment subsides a bit Joey turns around, coming to face her in-time to be facing her when she accepts his offer to travel together.]

Dat's great! I've got some cash saved-up from workin' deliveries and hittin' da game centers so I'm happy ta put us up in places until ya got a bettah idea whatcha wanna do.

[He smiles and gives a reassuring thumbs-up.]

I've actually just stahted a run through of fightin' da different champions of dis place too, so whenever I beat one'a dem der's a decent cash prize.

[Joey reaches into his pocket and produces a little case. Opening it reveals two small badges and spaces for quite a few more.]

I just got da first two dis week, so you actually came in here right as things got real for ol' Joey. Means I'll have a lot more stuff soon, so I get'ta actually be helpful for once.

[Joey's voice trails off a bit as he says the last part, not meaning to have burnt himself as hard as he did. He bounces back quickly though, and a big smile spreads across his face.]

I'm even more excited about hitting deez Gyms den' I'd been before doe, cuz now I get'ta share da experience with you! It's gonna be awesome!

Windburn... Is that even really a thing?

[ honestly, it's amusing. but it's always fun to watch joey squirm whenever she speaks with him. true, she has used her wiles on other men before but there's always been something about joey that she's been too afraid to admit out loud. traveling together can act as a start, maybe? ]

Delivery boy? Is that right? There's something kinky in there, I think.

[ she taps her chin, smirking. ]

But it's nice of you to offer to house me for a while. I suppose I'll have to accept since I don't have any money on me that works here.

[ mai peers at the small but nice looking case and eyes the decorative badges within them. ]

So these are kind of like the star chips from way back in Duelist Kingdom, then? I'm somehow not surprised that you're working your way through the champs. Seems like you're doing pretty decently.

[ when he digs at himself, she raises her brows and there's a hint of a frown that displays on her face. mai takes a step closer to him and lifts a bold hand to pat him on the chest, once, over the material of his shirt. ]

Come on, even I can admit you've always been pretty decent at being there for people in a bind...

[ ...especially herself. ]

Someone's excited.

[ she sets her palm to her hip again. ]

I guess there are worse people to for me to figure things out with. I suppose I'll owe you thanks. How about... When I manage to make myself some money around here, I'll buy you a nice dinner?

Oh geez!

[Joey makes an embarrassed face at the delivery inuendo.]

Nothin' like dat I swear! Just like bike messenger stuff ta pay da bills. I put aside a decent amount doin' it doe, since I ain't much in da way of expenses in dis place. I've got some stuff for my Pokémon dat's gonna cost some'a da cash, but I can definitely get some nice hotels for travelin' from place ta place. Each gym dat I beat's gonna pay out a bunch cash too, so I should have no problem stayin' afloat.

[Upon talking of Gyms again, he turns his attention back to the badges.]

Dey're kinda like da Stah Chips for sure, but der's specific people ya gotta fight in orda ta get 'em. I guess it's like if ya needed to fight dose' Playah-Eliminatah people like dat guy Pain except, y'know, not creepy. Each one comes with cool prizes when ya beat it doe', n' ya even get da chance to run ya own Gym if ya beat all'a dem.

[Mai giving him a consoling pat surprises him in a good way. It's a touching gesture, and her subsequent reassurance goes a long way in walking back the hit he'd given himself. For as much as he gets torn down, knowing he's done right by someone he cares for is a good grounding to keep his doubts at bay, and he gives a warm and meaningful smile to her by way of reply.

Her subsequent proposition of dinner, though, hits him like a time-delayed bomb. The way she put it, the way she's standing... would that be... a date?! Joey's eyes widen momentarily, every part of his brain scrambling to process what's happening, but he recovers quickly and regains his composure.]

Dat would be real nice Mai. Grabbin dinnah would be great, but only if ya wanna. You know I've got ya back, so I hope ya won't feel like ya owe me for real or nothin'. I know you'd do da same for me if things were flipped, so I just hope I'm able ta make things nice for ya.

[Joey gives a playful wink, full-well believing he nailed the reply. He's about as inexperienced with this kind of thing as it's possible to be, though, so who's to say.]

[ mai gives a laugh of sheer amusement. ]

You're adorable. I was just kidding, Joseph, relax.

[ she waves her hand somewhat flippantly but smiles to him more genuinely than she usually does. ]

I'm glad that you seem to be doing so well here, it's a breath of fresh air, hm? So, what kind of things can you get this little critters? Treats or... something?

[ she snerks. ]

At least they're not creepy. So the end goal is to run one of these gyms of your own? Is that what you want to do?

[ she lifts her hands into the air and spreads them as though showing off a sign as she speaks the next words: ]

"Joseph Wheeler, Gym Leader" — well, honey, you could have worse titles, you know? Besides, I'm sure it would be a great goal to achieve, right? I suppose the only downside is having to pay someone beaucoup bucks if they beat you. Still... Sounds pretty good to me. Nice to have stability, right?

[ stability is something mai's been lacking over the course of her life. so the idea of getting a place to (her)himself sounds pretty great to her. she's not sure that would be the path she would take, but, it's nice to have options.

no words are needed in the moment between them from her touch and his reactionary smile. however, if he had voiced concerns about whether or not he'd done right by people, mai could have provided several examples of his bravery and kindness.

the playful wink he gives just swells amusement in her chest all the more. she chuckles and shakes her head lightly, shrugging her shoulders to him. ]

Well, I'll owe you anyway, you dork. Especially if you end up my proverbial "teacher" on how to do things in this place. Ha! Imagine that, learning something from Joey Wheeler; who'd have thought?

[ it's a joke. honestly, mai's learned the most about friendship and caring about others, and letting said others inside her guarded walls from the guy. he always seemed to be around to help her work through problems, even if she didn't always show her gratitude. it was time to change that. her tone shifts to being more "real" with him and becomes softer. ]

Seriously, though. Let me do something to repay you. I want to, alright?

[When most people call Joey by his full name it bugs the dickens out of him, but somehow it doesn't sound bad when Mai says it. He remembers having his skin crawl when Pegasus insisted on calling him Joseph, yet the energy couldn't be more different when it comes from her. He wonders why that is, but enjoys the warmth of her familiar mannerisms as they wash over him. He'd missed this... he'd missed her.]

Dang it Mai, you always know how to get da better'a me.

[He smiles again, laughing as he does so. He's been smiling so much, in fact, that his face is starting to hurt a little from smiling so much. It's a good pain to be sure, and reminds him of when he was last hanging with the gang. Good times.]

In regahds to da critters, most'a da Pokemon are alright. I gotta warn you dat dere's definitely some funky ones out der doe. Da good thing is dat der's no reason ta catch one you don't know ya want since you can look dem all up on da little phone thing ya got comin' in here. Let's you put all your eggs in a row before ya go hikin' off into da wilderness, and helps ya put togetha a butt-kickin' team like da one I got.

[He beams talking about the team he put together. He'll be proud-as-can-be to show her what he's put together, but that'll come later. The stage needs to be set for that, and the first time laying eyes on her in who knows how long isn't that. Besides, there's questions she's asked that need answering.]

For da Gym Leadah position it's pretty cool. Seems dat, once you got da application in, dey'll build you a whole buidling to ya exact wants once ya get approved. You get'ta design da badge you give out, get'ta recruit people ta be da junior trainahs in ya gym, and even get'ta put togetha challenges folks gotta go through before dey can challenge ya. Da Pokémon League pays da reward for if anyone beats ya, too, so it sounds like a win-win!

[Joey tempers his excitement and gives Mai a meaningful look as he continues.]

Dat's only one'a da things ya can do in dis place doe, so don't let me make ya feel like dat's what ya gotta do. Whatevah you end up wantin' ta do here I've got ya back 100%. Even if ya do end up goin' dat route and I do end up ya "teacher"- [He smirks at how ridiculous that sounds] -you know I'm gonna do everythin' I can ta do right by ya.

[Provided she let him, Joey would place a hand reassuringly on her shoulder.]

So whetha you end up as Mai Valentine da Gym Leadah or decide you just wanna be just-plain Mai Valentine don't let nobody or nuthin' make you feel bad about dat. Der's nowhere we gotta be and nobody we gotta impress here. It's weird and scary to be in dis kinda pickle, but it's definitely got its upsides too y'know?

[Assuming he'd been allowed to put his hand on her shoulder, he'd give it a light squeeze before returning it to his side.]

And, once we getcha comfortable, I'd be happy ta grab dat dinnah.

[ she's not really certain why she insists on using his name in this manner. maybe it's just because it feels like she's teasing him on some level that only she can do. maybe it's because she likes the guy and seeing him squirm at its usage is amusing to her. although, let's be honest— most things that come out of pegasus's mouth make people's skin crawl.

she can admit ( to herself ) that she's also missed this sort of banter with him. he was always pretty easy to be like this with. ]

It's just a talent from a beautiful lady, you know?

[ ~~he can smile all he wants because it's truly very adorable.~~ cough, who said that? ]

Oh wait, this old thing?

[ she lifts the pokedex and turns it over in her hand somewhat. ]

Well, that'll be handy in the future, I suppose. Thanks for the heads up.

[ mai crosses her arms to focus on listening to him as he discusses the gym leader position. he sounds really excited about it so she can tell that this is a goal of his— or at least it seems like one. she's always seen him be passionate about his duel monsters team and being one of the very best duelists out there so she's not surprised at how much pride he's giving off about his team here. she smiles at him. ]

You know, Joey, I think you'd be a great leader and trainer to anyone who wants to learn from you at a gym. You certainly have the "go get 'em" attitude that you'd need for it.

[ the smirk that he gives her makes her chuckle. shaking her head, mai gives him a wink and grins. ]

You know, there's a fair bit of naughtiness between a teacher and their pupil too, Joseph.

[ ...sorry, she really can't help but to tease the poor guy. getting more sincere, she nods. his words dig deep into the walls she builds up whenever someone wants to talk about feelings or remind her that she's always felt alone. there's some emotions that cause her chest to tighten but— not in a bad way. it's more frightening to her than bad, per se. she's just never really had someone be so candid about wanting to help her— apart from joey, really. sure, other people have been her "friends" and shown they care but it's just never felt quite as deeply truthful as it has with him.

she allows him to touch her shoulder and curses the tears that well up. not a woman to let her emotions show that much, she wills them back and smiles to him. ]

Thank you, though. I've... never had a lot of people on my side for... much. So it's nice to know you'll be there for me. It... means a lot.

[Joey has a hard time processing compliments, with them either going straight to his ego or just turning him into a puddle of "d'aawww shucks", and Mai's endorsement of his quest to become a Gym Leader solidly hits him in the second category. Crossing his arms to prevent from fidgeting, Joey makes an embarrassed happy face.]

Ya really think so? I've sure been bustin' my butt so I hoped I was making headway, but it seems dat every time I hit somethin' hard like dis it turns out otha people've just been waitin' in da wings ta show me just how far behind I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm aimin' straight for da top, but I'm still worried. It don't seem right bein' someplace like dis without some giant bad guy waitin' ta jump out from behind da bushes and make everythin' about ending da world again.

[Just as Joey is shaking-off the embarrassment from the compliment Mai's flirtatious remark about teacher and pupil hits him, and he proceeds to go beet red once again.]

Y-y-ya don't say!

[Steam practically wafts off of him from how hot his face is. Though Joey is someone you could realistically call a straight arrow, Mai is very good at flirting and Joey was very unprepared for that kind of mental image.]

Gaaah!

[He shakes his head and tries to recover, eventually letting the combination of the cool air and the breeze he's kicked-up help to cool the burning forge that his cheeks had become. By the time the conversation moved back towards more somber and heartfelt topics he'd bounced-back to his usual self.]

You don't gotta thank me Mai. A'course I'm der for ya Mai. Ride-or-die, I got ya back. We been through too many crooks and bad eggs ta let people like dat take any more'a our lives den dey already have. Here on out, it's gonna be good times. Dat. Dat I can promise ya.

[Joey's nowhere near as good at reading emotions or social cues as folks like Yugi or Tea, but he could've sworn she tensed-up when he had his hand on her shoulder. God he hopes he didn't overstep or anything. Why is this kind of thing so hard? Distraction conversational topic, go!]

Speakin'a da future, doe, you got a place ta stay or anythin' yet? I'm guessin' ya just got in seein' as how you're in front of "Mom's"- [Joey throws-up air quotes as he says the word.] -house, but have ya gotten ya bearing's or have ya sights set on someplace in pahticulah yet?

[ it's always amusing to see the "d'aww shucks" look on his face so she takes it in while she can. as he speaks, she notices that he's trying not to fidget and wonders if that's because of her — or because he's worried that people will cut down his goal? ]

Come on, Joey.

[ she shifts her footing, sticking her hip out slightly as her palms come to rest on them. ]

Don't let anyone take away the dream you've built up, hmm? And if anything or anyone is waiting in the wings to ruin what you've accomplished so far then I'll just have to step in and take them down a notch or two. You deserve to have things go right.

[ she chuckles when he realizes the "depth" of her remark about teachers and pupils. mai is really just too good at flirting which had been a defense mechanism for a rather long time and a means to get money, among other things. she just ends up laughing at his blushing response to her teasing but simmers down when they fall onto a more serious topic once again. ]

Joey...

[ she's touched, really. no one has ever called her their "ride or die," she's pretty used to being abandoned and retreating into herself rather than let herself have a glimmer of hope for things to go right. she had tensed up but he hadn't done anything wrong. she was just having a moment to herself and it passed as swiftly as it had came to her.

mai shakes her head when he asks her about whether or not she has somewhere to lay her head down at night. ]

Am I that transparent?

[ she jokes. ]

I haven't found anywhere yet, no. I was just gathering myself from having appeared in a room that isn't mine and talking to a "mom" that also isn't mine. Got any tips?

[Mai's reassurance is exactly what Joey needed to hear. He loves the gang to death, but it would be lying to say that they don't tear him down more than a little. Between that and seemingly always coming up just short when it counts Joey's developed quite a voice of doubt in the back of his mind. Having someone put the voice in-check, let alone someone who's gone through the same kind of doubts, was just the ticket. Joey purses his lips in determination and nods in agreement with her.]

Ya know what, you're absolutely right. I don't know how or why I got pulled inta dis funky world but I'm gonna become da best Gym Leader dis place has evah seen, and I'll fight-off anyone who tries keep me down! Doubly so now dat you're here too. Da kind a baddies you n' me have seen? What da heck does dis place have dat stands a chance eh?

[Joey thumps his chest triumphantly in an effort to show he's feeling better, but then turns his attention towards the topic of travel. The Pokégear has a map in it, sure, but it's tiny so Joey's got a proper one of those laminated fold-out maps on-hand as well. Reaching into one of his backpack's side pockets he produces the map and unfolds it for both of them to see.]

Depends on what kinda place you wanna hit up. Der's some real nice smaller towns with things ta do n' such, but der's a couple'a real big cities we could go to as well. I gotta warn ya doe, there's some travel time ta most'a deez places.

[ mai definitely knows what it's like to be the underdog just as he does. she's always felt beneath other people and has constantly had to fight to make her way to the top just to have it stripped away from herself. joey and mai are more similar than they think, really. so she's quick to reassure him because honestly, he has made something of himself from what he's telling her.

as he talks himself up, instead, mai isn't able to help but smile at it. it's better to see him feeling confident than beat down. ]

There you go, don't sweat the small stuff, as they say.

[ she shrugs lightly as she uses the idiom. ]

We've been put through the wringer, you and I. If anyone has the guts and the strength to become something special here, then, it's you.

[ alright. that's more than enough being nice. mai is more often sassy and aloof, so, it might be time to return to that in order to maintain her own defensive walls being on alert. she watches as he retrieves a map from his bag and moves slightly closer to the young man to peer over his shoulder at it. ]

Travel time, huh? Without a swanky car, at that. Talk about a drag... Well, you know this place better than I do but keep in mind that a beautiful lady such as myself definitely needs somewhere as equally stunning to lay my pretty head. Hm?

[As hard as it would doubtless be to get either of them to admit, both of them really had been through so many of the same trials and tribulations. The idea of being beaten-down and stepped-on by those with more power, privilege, or abilities was something virtually baked-in to them by this point so the notion of landing someplace where all bets were off and it was just a straight-up race to the top seemed to Joey to be just what the doctor ordered. Whether he'd ever be admit it to even himself or not, Mai was just the person that Joey would want along on this kind of romp too, but he certainly wasn't going to let the situation be just his glow-up.]

Boy you can say dat again Mai. I think between just da crap we've been through since meetin' we've got enough trouble undah our belts ta last two lifetimes. Heck, near as I can tell dis might be da first time we've got a shot at doin' something like this without having some big bad come outta da shadows to try n' keep us under his boot. If da playin' field's actually even, den I almost sorry for anyone dat gets in Joey Wheeler's way!

[Like he'd done earlier, Joey thumps his chest in emphasis of the bravado. Realizing what was was saying might sound a bit exclusionary though, he quickly adds an ammendment.]

Dat's not sayin' you wouldn't go straight to da top too of course Mai. You know I wasn't sayin' you wouldn't. Just you watch. In da time it takes ya ta blink you'll be a mastah of dis system and kickin' butt all over da place!

[Speaking of all over the place, Joey still hasn't actually told her what's within reasonable distance. Scatterbrain that he is, he should probably get on that.]

Oh yeah. Almost forgot. Pulled da map out, but nevah told'ja what was actually around.

[He brings it back up and points to the town immediately west of them.]

Dis is da place closest to us. It's pretty small, but it's real pretty. It's called Cherrygrove and it's got cherry blossom trees all ovah da place. Dey got a nice hotel der and even a spa, but it's all mud n' stuff so I don't know if that'd be up ya alley. Da hotel should be right cushy doe, so if dat sounds like a good first stop we can hit dat in prolly a couple of hours if we take da Dragons.

[He gives Mai a grin.]

Gotta keep ya comfy in style after all right?

[ as much as she tries to give the image of a cool, confident woman who laughs in the face of said trials and tribulations, even mai feels that wave of relief that it might be a little easier to make something of herself here in this world. she sighs lightly as though letting a heaviness go for both herself and him. joey's always sort of seen as the sidekick and it's about time that he get to be the star of the show — and it's about high time that she get to be the lead of her own as well. ]

Three lifetimes. [ she scoffs as she folds arms beneath her chest. ] So, the world here seems to be our oyster, is that it? I'll take it. If I don't have to claw my way up from the bottom to the top for once in my life, it can't happen fast enough. I've got enough moxie to drag myself up the ladder but, boy, I could do with a manicure that won't get chipped on the way up, hm?

[ at least he realizes that he needs to give her a bit of a picture of where she can go and how she can get there. there's a soft snicker at him attempting to quickly recover himself. mai eyes the map from leaning just over/against his shoulder to do so. ]

Cherrygrove, that sounds as though it might match my beauty, just barely. [ she winks. ] A hotel and spa sounds pretty great to me. Even the mud baths. Have you never heard of those, Joseph? You're missing out.

Dragons? You got Red-Eyes on a leash now or something?

[ although he isn't wrong. mai does like to go in style. ]

Alright, style it is. Show me the way, Wheeler.

Edited 2023-03-08 16:24 (UTC)

[Joey makes an uncertain face. He'd be the first to admit that he doesn't exactly know what the finer things actually are, but the idea of covering himself in mud can't be right... right? Still, he's been living like a backpacker for the past half-year so maybe having something that could counteract the months of sleeping on a camping pad and clocking miles a day would be just what the doctor ordered. Eh... that's a bridge he'll cross when he comes to it.]

I passed through der' like... way back and it looked pretty nice. Da trees der seem ta be in bloom all year so dat's really cool, but it seemed pretty old-fashioned too so dat might not be whatcha lookin' for. Anythin' dat's got a real bed n' some big plates'a foods got my vote doe'!

[Joey pulls a Pokéball off his belt and holds it up for Mai to see.]

I dunno how you wanna do it, but one'a da Dragons oughta be big enough for us ta both ride on. Cherrygrove's like a day away on-foot, so dat should only be a couple'a hours flyin'.

[Not realizing that doing so would mean them being in close-quarters for the duration of the ride, Joey just keeps smiling obliviously.]

Dat sound like a plan?

Test Drive Meme - January & February edition

Re: Mai Valentine | Yu-Gi-Oh!

oh em gee! joey!

Look at these two awkward dorks xD

the best kind of awkward, honestly.

Having a Mai show up has been such an unexpected pleasure!

it's always nice to run into joey! ♡

Re:

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I'm having so much fun with this. Please tell me you're considering apping. ^v^

i miiight be. :3c

Re: Oooooh!

seems i have an app to write up!

Re: Sorry for any spelling errors. Using mobile atm, so the keyboard's iffy.

no problem, i know how it be.

Re: Got the next three days off, so I'm looking forward to tagging :)

oh, heck yeah! i'm excited. :)

Re: Saw you got on the reserves! Congrats!

thanks! had to make sure that no one took my spot for my lady, here.

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sorry for delay.

Re: No worries! Hope everything is ok! :)

all is good. just had a busy weekend/start to the week!

Sorry for the delay. Had a busy past couple of days.

all good! hope all is well.

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Sorry for any grammatical/spelling errors. Stuck with mobile atm.

all good!

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