ohmyarceus | Test Drive Meme

Eh...?

[Cats everywhere. She glances around as if expecting another to pop out at them at the mere mention.]

Oh. That... is unfortunate.

[She swallows, then turns to Yuzu.]

If it's not too much trouble, do you mind accompanying me to the neighboring town? I suppose I should try and get used to this battling thing in the process, but... eugh. Cats.

If you're not in a hurry to be anywhere. I would hate to keep you from more important things. Otherwise, I'd be happy to accompany you.

[That begs the question of "who would be most likely to throw out a carpet?" She pauses to consider.]

I suppose a carpeting or home goods store might have something fairly cheap, if there are none on the curbside. It doesn't need to be extravagant... but thicker is probably better.

[Wait, what? He thinks--?

Ignoring the grinding protest of the bones in her wrist, Rio is unafraid to glare right back at him, leaning forward just a little.]

Of course I'm me, you dolt! I wasn't going to stay in the hospital forever, you know. Though you did set the whole area on fire...

[She yanks her wrist free and crosses her arms, making a face at IV.]

What do I have to do to prove it to you? Spill all of Ryouga's deep, dark secrets? Or my own? But knowing you, you'd be much more interested in his, I'm sure...

[ Yuzu raises an eyebrow before giggling at her reaction. The idea of running into another cat is clearly one of the worst things that could ever happen to her, and can you really blame Yuzu for seeing the comedy in that? She'll put off the picnic for another time, then. ]

Of course! Cherrygrove isn't too far at this point, and I promise you won't have to worry about any cats while I'm around! I'm a pretty seasoned trainer at this point, after all!

[ She says with a wink. ]

Actually, if you don't mind, we could get there even faster if we ride on one of my Pokemon.

[He refuses to back down, even though part of him wants. Instead, IV keeps holding her glare with a heated one of his own. He lets her tear herself free without trying to further grab her, though.]

Hmmmph!

[Everybody could claim they knew what she just said to him. He knows there are crazy fan theories out there claiming he secretly murdered her. The fact that she's in hospital is also not all that hard to stumble upon. So what's the game this one's playing... ?

Standing back, he crosses his arms in front of his chest. Next to him, Attila gives a concerned but alert look. Like any good hound, it's good at picking up on its trainers' mood.]

Like I would care about either of you. You're virtually strangers, how the hell would I be even able to tell whether what you're saying is the pure truth or just a bunch of fancy made-up lies you're pulling out of your ass the very moment you're speaking of them? [He scoffs. There's only one way to really make sure it is her, even though that means talking about the things he least wants to.]

Tell me about what happened that day. Why were we there? Where exactly were we? What happened to cause that fire, and how did you get out?

Not at all. I do things at my own pace, even if it's tedious chores.

[He folds his hands behind his back.]

I will admit, I would rather not dumpster dive but that may be the best place to look... Unless the carpet stores sell segmented pieces at a discount.

Or if you'd like to report such an eyesore to the police and see what they do instead?

[The Rocket grunt slowly looks back at him. Really, dude?]

There are most likely inns or convenience stores in Violet if you have the money for them. If you don't, you will have to scavenge.

I'm Nashira.

[She does bow in return, but it's a slightly different style...and she's still kind of wobbly without her tail. ;A;]

I haven't...strictly decided what I'm doing yet, but I suppose they'd call me a trainer.

The technology here is fascinating, isn't it? But you'll be able to appreciate it much longer if you step back.

*yes, he noted that remark about a shrine; no, he's not going to comment until that little safety thing is addressed*

i've been beating the shit out of people with other... i guess they're called pokemon?

[Whether she means beating them up and taking their money or just beating them in battle is kind of unknown.]

anyway i think i've got money for food at least. don't know how much the inns cost.

i'll just be glad to get out of this shithole.

Edited 2023-04-02 15:13 (UTC)

They are. That can't have gotten you much, though. The pay for winning here is abysmal. Are you familiar with Japanese currency? The conversion rate is about the same.

[It's the main reason why he doesn't just earn his living with beating the desire to live out of others.]

Much luck with that. If you find a way out, let me know.

[It was the presence of a pretty woman (with an awesome hairstyle to boot) that caught Kristen's attention at first. But when the that woman lashes out at her Pokemon, admiration is replaced with concern for the creature.]

Woah, uh, okay. I get being pissed, but what did this guy do that was so bad? It seems like they just want to be friends with you. That's pretty good, right?

[Kristen is certainly glad to have instant friendship in this situation, even if in her case, it's with a floating question mark who looks very bored.]

Oh! You have one that's big enough to ride? That'd be great!

[And it'll probably scare away all the Espurr in the process. She's sold.]

What is it? I want to see!

[Rio inhales in, then exhales after a pause. She doesn't want to talk about it either, but as long as he's going to go there...]

...It was before that one tournament Ryouga got disqualified from. You challenged me, and I accepted. We ended up in some alley between buildings, where not a lot of light filtered through. Then you played... something, and the whole alley caught fire. The rest is a blur, but... I do remember someone carrying me out.

[By process of elimination, she's already figured out it had to be him, but she doesn't say that just yet. She grimaces, staring him down in a way that indicates she's wondering why he's jumping straight into the trauma talk. But perhaps that's part of his "fanservice," too...]

Is that enough detail for you?

[She glances over her shoulder, considering that option... then turns back and smiles.]

Why not both?

[At least it'll be getting one fool off the street, and protect the street until whoever's using the cable picks it up again.]

As for the carpet, maybe two or three of those cheap rubber bath mats laid across? Surely those can't cost that much, and it'll spare us both the indignity of digging around in the trash.

[ Yuzu smiles. ]

Hehe... not just one! Here, I'll introduce you to my team.

[ She starts to pull out six Pokeballs of varying colors before turning and tossing them into the air. Appearing in front of them are a Sylveon, Dusk Lycanroc, Gallade, Altaria, Togekiss, and finally... a Garchomp. The latter three are, of course, the ones who are big enough to ride. Her Lycanroc is another option, of course, but they're only big enough for one person.

Still, Garchomp aside, Togekiss and Altaria are far from intimidating. ]

[Of all the things for Rio to be intimidated by, a shark is absolutely not one of them. Past experience. In fact... she claps her hands together and grins at all of them, even the Garchomp.]

Ahhh, they're adorable! Look at all of you, you're so cute!

[After taking a hot minute to dote over all of them, she turns to Yuzu again.]

So, I'm guessing we'd be riding the flying ones, right? That's so exciting! To think there's creatures like these that are strong enough to ferry people...

[ Part of Yuzu wants to immediately question how she's able to find all of them cute but not a little Espurr... but it's a sentiment that's immediately overshadowed by... mutual agreement on the matter. ]

Right!? Look at them! Cuties, all of them!

[ She says, reaching her arms up to hug her Garchomp around their neck, a motion that they recognize and respond with by lowering themselves so that Yuzu can better reach them. If Rio looks closely, she may be able to tell that this landshark looks a little embarrassed by the girls' shared sentiment.

Still, after the doting is done—her Pokemon take to Rio very well. Fang (Lycanroc) is a very calm and good boy who appreciates any and all pets... and Aria (Sylveon) is quick to become affectionate—Yuzu moves over to her flying Pokemon, Soprano the Altaria and Pianissimo the Togekiss. ]

Yep! Though Schubert might be a bit much for your first time riding a Pokemon. [ She says, gesturing at her Garchomp and indicating who Schubert is. ] Still, each of them can carry both of us at once, so I'll leave it up to you! Who do you wanna ride?

[ The very fluffy cloud bird, or the large—almost egg-shaped—bird with a friendly little face. ]

[So she knows that too. IV's lips press into a thin line as his thoughts race. Could it really be? But that's impossible! Rio was critically injured during that fire, yet the one in front of him doesn't show any signs of having been harmed at all! He needs something more, a detail that only those directly involved could know.

So he shakes his head, eyes troubles yet still hard.]

Not quite. Tell me one last thing. [The tip of his tongue darts out to wet his suddenly parched lips. Those are all things he's been trying to forget so hard for so long, yet which he knows he'll never be able to forget.] The card that I played - was it a Spell Card or did I activate a Monster Effect?

[It had been a Spell. Flaming Hell Blessing had been a Spell card, played in the misguided assumption that it had been a token of familial love and faith from his father. Ha! What a joke! Looking back on it, IV can only ask himself how he could have ever allowed himself to be so blue-eyed.

But for now it's good enough.

The card can be a trap again, helping him to tell the real from the fake, because for all that it'd been a simple Spell card, it had also been hellishly easy to mistake for a Trap or even a Field Spell for anybody who might have been just watching. Not to mention that questions like that usually omit the right option for an answer, so if she's just guessing, she'd also be wrong.]

A fair point.

[With his hands behind his back, he signs something to the grunt, knowing he heard the suggestion of getting the police involved. By the time they return with a carpet, he and the wires will be long gone.

He glances back to check if the message has been received. The grunt gives him an exaggerated finger wiggle as if he's deciding what button to press. He got it.

Good. Monsoon returns his attention to Rio.]

Rubber is typically more expensive unless you're speaking of those extremely cheap ones that are more plastic than rubber?

never used it so i have no idea

[Ugh... great. What should she do? Beat the crap out of more of those little monster things?]

you looking to get out of here as well? everyone here is just a little too friendly it kind of freaks me the hell out

... Because I don't need anyone. And he shouldn't either. He doesn't need to follow me around.

[Her temper tapers off a bit, and she huffs and tucks some of her hair behind her ear. The Hisuian Zorua cautiously trots up to her, trying to rub against her leg, and it takes all her effort not to growl at him. Instead, she distracts herself with the floating question mark.]

Soooo... why do you have a question mark following you around?

[Rio can't help but smile fondly at the Garchomp's reaction. It reminds her of her brother, just a little.]

Hmm... I like the one with the spots and the cute little face! The shape almost reminds me of a jet plane. Not that I wouldn't love to pet the cloud cotton ball bird too, of course.

[But if she's gotta choose only one, might as well go with that.]

What'd you name it?

[Rio hesitates, then bites her lip.]

I did say it was a blur, didn't I?

[Huff.]

But if you must have an answer... it couldn't have been a Monster or Trap because you had just played it our of your hand when the fire swept over us. So it had to have been a Spell card.

[She glances at the ground, then back up at IV, expression softening a little.]

...I'm just lucky medical technology in Heartland has advanced as far as it has. If not for the hospital treatment, I'd be covered in burns still.

Yes, that's what I meant. I simply defaulted to rubber because that's what the material sort of feels like. It doesn't have to be actual rubber...

[Rio grimaces suddenly, recalling the state of her money.]

But thinking of it, I may have to just leave it for right now. I can't afford to spend much more at the moment until I can get some more training in. I'd forgotten about that... I'm sorry.

[She brushes her hair back self-consciously. So maybe she isn't that great with money, so what? She'll learn the hard way if need be.]

Test Drive Meme - March & April

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Network

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Goldenrod

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Route 29

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