ohmyarceus | Test drive meme

[Time to suppress again! Livio's real good at that. His eyes follow Vash's gesture and he focuses on the gentle waves to dull the throb in his temple.]

Yeah... Almost makes ya forget what things were like on No Man's Land. Can hardly believe what we've been missin' the whole time, 'n how it's just taken fer granted here. [His tone isn't accusatory at all, just awestruck.]

[At that, Vash can only make a face.]

The people of No Man's Land deserved better than what they ended up getting. The home they wanted, all those years ago.

[It's been awhile since he's been able to say that out loud. But he's pretty sure Livio understands where he's coming from. Otherwise this conversation is about to be real awkward.]

Most towns have boutiques in them, luckily. You'll find the most variety at the department stores in Goldenrod City and Celadon City though, I've found. So really, it depends on what you're looking for.

A kidnapper god who gives captives presents on the holiday? Well now I know I'm not dreaming, at least, ya can't make this stuff up! What a twisted kind of Santy Claus.

Kinda cool, really. Plus, it's hard to beat health care coverage, I know how pricey that can be, if you're paying. Everybody here get that?

Thanks! Harley's... Kind of something I picked, too. It's a long story. What's the name you picked for yourself?

And listen, any name can work if you know how to spin it. Your blue buddy ended up orange? Well maybe the story is you did know that, and the mismatched name is the joke.

Look, I can believe you about Ivy not coming into an office. She's definitely more of a greenhouse kinda gal... But I ain't got a clue about the rest of it, Bane.

Thanks! Ya know, that's a good question, what am I looking for...? It's definitely gotta be cute and colorful, but this seems like a place for function, too.

And rollerskates. Definitely a place for rollerskates.

I'll do you one better- Santa's real too! Gets everyone going in a Secret Santa every year and actually helps deliver the stuff, really wild.

But we sure do! Kinda wish I knew that before my first job here but eh... [What was that?? It was a bit muffled by the ice coffee.] Honestly, the place runs like a kid's game; so relative utopia is the name of the game, and it's not too shabby~!

Yeah?

[Well, 'long story' tends to be code for 'I don't want to talk about it', so he'll skip around that, but...Oh!] Emporio Alniño!

[And if Harley knows a Lick of Spanish-]

Heh! I guess I can go with that, but she'll definitely know no matter what!

The two of you live at the old mall.

[He's barged in a couple of times. It's no big deal, he left when they yelled at him and told him to go. This is what he gets for being social, gosh!]

That is... disappointing. I need someone to go with me on heists.

Emporio Alniño-- Sounds kinda big and fancy. Although I think "niño" is anything but, right? Just means boy?

[In other words, she knows Spanish, but not quite well enough to fully understand!]

But it's got a good sound to it, really! I like it.

[She sighs.]

Look, it's like I told you, I'm not looking to go on some kinda crime spree in this place. I'm takin' a little break.

No kiddin'? Well hey, can't say I blame the guy for outsourcing by having people pick the gifts for each other. Just doing the deliveries must take a load off the job! Maybe if Santa didn't have to do all'a the work, the whole thing could be real back home too!

But you know, a utopia doesn't sound bad or anything, but... Does it get boring?

Haha..! Y...yeah...technically it'd be 'El Niño', but it was all I could really remember hearing my mom say...so, that seemed as close to a name as I could get, right?

...Thanks though! It really grew on me after all!

None at all! Really threw me when I first got here, lemme tell yah!

[Santa might need more delibird to pull something like that off too. But eh!]

Heheheheeee....ooooh, it would if it was a boring Utopia sure, but health benefits and good pay just means we can focus on the shenanigans, y'know~?

Like having your party crashed by three giant birds demanding contests~

[A pause, and.]

We were on an airship at the time.

Why?

[Not wanting to commit crimes? Does not compute!]

Are you trying to be [he scrunches up his face like he just ate something gross] a hero?

The More Things Change

[Angel has been here before. Several times, in fact. She doesn't even startle as she emerges from blissful black to bustling brightness. Mom isn't her Mom, but she's grown familiar enough that she even throws a hug around those shoulders before heading out.

Yes, her legs are weak. Yes, her mind still feels a little foggy. But for all intents and purposes, she is home.

A little tree is found before she hunkers down. She fishes around in her bag a few times before alighting on the Pokeball she's been offered.]

Okay, let's see what we have!

[She presses the button, and, well... Suffice to say, she doesn't expect quite as many teeth to pop out. She startles immediately, shrinking behind the tree before gradually easing out.]

Alright. This is... fine.

[Angel's tamed a raging Alpha Braviary once before. Surely she can manage a Mawile!]

The More They Stay the Same

[Once she and her new companion are settled, Angel doesn't hesitate to pull out her PokeGear. This, like much everything else, is a familiar enough motion. It's probably why she's practically beaming as she opens up her Gear and fixes it on her face.]

It has been awhile, hasn't it? [A hand lifts in a delicate wave.] I expect there has been a lot that I've missed. Anyone willing to give me a rundown?

[She pans around her current surroundings.]

Maybe a ride to the nearest warp?

[Louie can't recall a time he ever spoke to Angel before... But he knows who this is. And given his recent employee/housemate/friend situation with Armin - which is of course how he knows - he's happy to see she's back.]

Some new Pokemon have been showing up. Some of them were worms that caused a lot of trouble, and that wound up getting the Legendary Seekers started on their stuff again. Oh! And prom didn't go horribly wrong last time.

I'm Louie, by the way. Welcome back. I went back and ended up here again, too, but that was months ago.

[They might not have ever spoken directly, but Angel had at least seen Louie around from time to time. And any familiar face is a welcome one at this point!]

Worms? Is everyone okay? [And then - laughter, outright.] You're joking about Prom, right?

[Has Prom ever gone right for her? Probably once, but that was about it.]

It's great to meet you, Louie. I'm Angel. I used to spend a lot of time out at the Pelagic gym with Armin.

[It's a tentative feeler. Is Armin still there? Or has he gone home after all this time. Even the thought makes her uneasy.]

Uh, well, it got pretty bad with them. They were making messes of buildings, and they were tunneling everywhere, but I didn't hear about anyone getting badly hurt.

[Her laughing disbelief about prom makes him laugh, too.]

No, really! Nothing went wrong. But I can't blame you for not trusting it, I definitely didn't. There was a vote during prom, for a new elite four member. I think that Will guy left? He ended up being replaced by a kid named Bede, who trains fairy pokemon.

[His smile grows when she mentions Armin and the gym, and he shrugs a little.]

I'll be honest, I know about that. I've been living there since Armin offered me a job with the gym. He's going to be really happy you're back.

[The picture in Angel's head of innocent little worms is rapidly replaced with the ones endemic to her home. The grimace she offers likely reveals just how troubling that thought seems to be.]

I'm glad everyone fared well enough physically but... I'll have to see if there is anywhere I can help in the meanwhile.

[Aaand once again she's perking right back up. She's never been the type to be interested in challenging the league but Fairy Pokemon? That's a different story.]

What's he like? And what about his team?

[At the mention of Armin, particularly the fact that he's still there, a lingering tension in Angel's shoulders seems to ease.]

I'm glad he's still here. That he's okay. [And moving right along.] How have you liked working at the gym?

Oh, well, I know a lot of the buildings have been looked after and fixed up. [He's not sure what button got pressed there, but the change in Angel's expression is clear. Maybe she's one of those super-nice people who just needs to help out whenever there's trouble?] The Legendary Seekers might need help soon, though? They've found something in the tunnels, I guess, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's another adventure they rope all of us into.

Bede? He's... I don't know, some people didn't like him, and I get it, he's a rude guy. But I actually think it's really cool someone younger is the new Elite Four member, you know? Although, I haven't done any looking into his team or battles yet. [He gives a thoughtful hum under his breath. Louie's been focused on Pokemon breeding, and even now that he wants to get back into battling, he's still putting breeding first... But it couldn't hurt to know. Maybe he'll pick up something useful to know.] I guess I ought to. The fact that he actually seemed interested in using strategies was part of why I voted for him...

[Louie's smile returns as Angel relaxes, but he's not at all bothered by her continuing right on. Armin and Angel may not qualify for an "old people romance," something Louie is always quick to express distaste for, but relationship talk in general is still sappy for him.]

Oh, the work's actually great! And I am not big on doing work! [A snicker.] I run the gym's social media accounts, so it's a lot of posting pictures and information to get more people interested in challenging Armin, or help with the Laprases, or just to visit the aquarium.

Never a dull summer, I suppose. [At least she can breathe an internal sigh of relief. The damage might have been extensive, but at least the repairs seemed to have happened quick enough. Probably, definitely not worms in the way she was thinking.]

I can understand being put off by an... abrasive personality. [But listen. Listen. Fairy Pokemon. Very important topic.] I'll have to take a look at it myself. Not that I was ever much of a battler. Or in possession of a team capable of battling that hard.

[Maybe if she made her way to the ranch? But that would take some time.]

The Laprases are well, then? I'm glad they're getting more attention. [And not just because she helped take care of them.] And I'm glad you're able to give them the love they deserve. It seems like delightful work!

[Listen. Normally Angel would be apprehensive of a much larger man. But this guy is... kinda Krieg shaped, right? And in any case, anyone hangs out and takes pleasure in wiggling their toes in the grass has to be nice enough, right?

If nothing else, she can relate. And besides, no one can hurt her here, not really. Especially not when she has a particularly chompy Mawile following behind her.]

It's pretty amazing, isn't it? I wasn't sure what to do the first time I saw it myself. [Then she motions backward with her head.]

Did you check out the waterway behind us? It isn't much but... if you're like me and hadn't seen water in person before, it's enough to tide you over for the time being.

[Yes, she's laughing at her own joke. Time has turned her into a dweeb.]

[Although he doesn't notice the approach, he does jump a little when the stranger speaks. And thankfully, his whirling around to look at her is more comical than threatening -- he's got good enough senses when it comes to folks with malicious intent.]

Ah -- sorry 'bout that. Was a bit distracted...

[He blinks a couple of times at the woman he honestly dwarfs, then glances past her to the distant water, and finally back again.]

Yer from No Man's Land, too? It's wild, right? All this green 'n blue.

Test drive meme - July & August

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The More They Stay the Same (video)

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