[Figuring out the identity of his mysterious benefactor would have been much harder... if said benefactor hadn't also been kind enough to include the tools necessary to keep his newly repaired sweetheart in tiptop shape. The discovery is made early in the morning, leaving Karamatsu to quickly plan out his thanks in the only way he knows how.
Stylishly.]
This one's for you, my Karamatsu girl!
[Which is way Guzma and Luna's neighbors can all thank her for the hollering twenty-something standing outside her shack, guitar in hand. He strums his guitar, blinking away the heat in his eyes as the perfect chord rings out into the morning light-
Guzma's not a heavy sleeper - he never really has been and is easily roused. He's also not a morning person in the slightest sense of the word. For these reasons, most sane people would tiptoe about the mansion when the Boss was sleeping, for fear of invoking his wrath. It's well known by now Guzma is merciless, and picks his battles...poorly, and rather frequently.
Were it any other time than TWO IN THE FUCKING MORNING, he may have commended Karamatsu on his playing - never assumed the weasel-nosed shittalker could actually play well - but...well. His eyes snap open after the first few chords, teeth grinding together as he rolls out of his hammock and grabs fr a pokeball. Whose is it? He doesn't care at this point, and chucks the little metal object out what once was a window with a grunt of 'leave 'im for dead'.
It's Ariados - the colorful spider pops out of her ball and raises up on her legs. She blinks, then goes from zero to sixty in a split second, her eyes glowing in the dim, morning light as she hisses and jumps at the poor NEET like a jaguar, snapping her deadly fangs at him...which glisten just so with fresh venom.
Do try not to get that on you (or in any open scratches or cuts) - you won't make it back home.]
[ Luna is a pretty heavy sleeper, but the mixture of a faint, lovely song on a guitar and Guzma's shuffling-- and the sound of a pokeball springing to life pull her out of sleep. She sits up and rubs an eye with a yawn. What time is it? Is it morning? ]
...mmnnh. What're...? [ she tries to speak past a yawn, but the yawn is victorious and she sits up with her eyes shut.
And then her eyes snap open. A guitar? That was a guitar, right??
She rushes past Guzma to the door and opens it-- Ariados is in full form, and Luna calls out it the beautiful, deadly arachnid with a tired skip in her voice. ]
W-wait!! Wait...Ariados, don't hurt him, please. [ her shirt's a bit rumpled, and she's without her signature hat, but she's still coming out at the early hours of the morning to save this poor, defenseless NEET. With a smile, she looks at his guitar. ]
She got fixed...great! I'm so glad! Are you okay?
[ an awkward smile. he came at 2am? of course guzma would pound him into the ground-- Guzma's terrible in the mornings...or maybe, right after he wakes up. At 2am.
But his guitar is fixed! So that's good. One thing at a time.
[It's not 2am it's like, 7! He's a NEET, not a night owl. And he fully intended to start yet another tune, just for Luna-- until he's assailed by a giant fuck off spider.
A giant fuck off spider who isn't Muffet, and therefore, isn't going to cook for him.
As Luna steps out the door, her words are partially drowned out by a high pitched shriek as Karamatsu, guitar and spider go toppling to the ground. The giant fuck off spider snaps at him with it's giant, fuck off fangs-- this is it! This is the end for him!
[Seven in the morning is literally the same thing to Guzma, who rolls out of bed most days well past noon if he doesn't have things to do. He's grumbling, looking over his shoulder as Luna zips past him, He barely processes it, running his hand over his face and through his awful bedhead (which makes it worse, not better) with a sniff. He lumbers after her, scratching his stomach with a massive yawn. Right, better go clean up the dead body before she gets too traumatized...
Ariados, meanwhile, is a little conflicted. She knows and likes Luna, but she's not her Trainer. She hesitates, uncertain of what to do and makes a screechy keening noises as she keeps herself on the NEET's chest, but doesn't aggravate him further. It's only when Guzma emerges from the house does she lift up a bit and hope for an actual order.
Which you can guess what it might be. Guzma strolls over, looks from Luna, to Ariados, then to Karamatsu. His tired, groggy expression shifts into a horrific, manic grin, and he drags a finger across his neck slowly.
[ Luna frowns and while keeping close to Karamatsu, whistles loudly-- and wouldn't you know it, Lycanroc bounds out of the house, wide awake, romping to Luna's side and in front of the NEET. The dog lets out a soft yawn. Tail wagging. This is either a pokemon battle, or potential for pets, and both options are liable for a good start to a day.
Regardless, Luna is staring at Guzma. Our eyes have met. Do we do battle? ]
Stop being a bully...it's too early to be a bully! [ she looks sleepy. Getting used to sleeping in a hammock means that she's been sleeping in past her normal sleep-in time. So getting up at 7am is still something of a chore. But even sleepy Luna won't let anything happen to her friends!!! Hopefully!!! ]
Why're you trying to hurt him? It was a cool song! [ Maybe Guzma just wanted a dedicated song. That's cool...but this is not the way to get an encore. ]
I'M HERE TO BE UPSET THAT I HAVE THIS TRACKED AND YET IT STILL DIDN'T GIVE ME A NOTIF
[He'd say something snide now that he's being protected by a ten year old except the huge fuck off spider? Still on top of him. That is still a thing, and really, he's pretty sure his actual plight is now getting ignored in favor of defending his musical prowess.
Which is sweet but really not the most important thing here, Luna.]
[When the eyes of two Trainer's meet...well. What other choice is there? This isn't Alola, but the rules still apply as far as the older man is concerned. Guzma lifts his head, and though his odds are a bit slim against the rock type, who has an advantage over his bug, Guzma never says no to a challenge. Especially not against his known rival.
He leans forward, looming over the two, eyes narrowed and voice a lilting coo.]
I'm always a bully. [He snaps his fingers, and Ariados makes the first move, taking a flying leap at Chiffon with a high-pitched screech. Her fangs glisten with poison, and she attempts to take a snap at the wolf-like pokemon: Cross Poison. Careful not to get inflicted too badly. While their pokemon duke it out, Guzma strides forward and nudges Karamatsu with his foot.] Homeboy here can play, and I'm ding-dang stunned by that, but...boy, my boy--
Y'all picked the worst time to serenade anyone, my man. [He looks up and out toward the sun, which has barely peaked in the sky since it first rose...maybe an hour or two ago? Holy shit, it's way too early for him to be awake.] I mean--I can 'preciate a good tune, but when y'wake me up to do it...I 'preciate breaking your arm a whole lot more.
[And now your life hangs in the balance, Karamatsu - AREN'T YOU A LUCKY MAN. Guzma's already made the mental bargain. If he wins, he gets to do with you what he will. If Luna wins...you walk away safe and sound. Place your bets, dude.]
[ Chiffon snaps to attention, howling and lowering her head to watch Ariados with a stern gaze. Luna's eyes seem to look around for her options-- if they're gonna last, she can't do anything super... impactful. She swings her arm off to her side. ]
It's time! Accelerock, let's go!
[ Chiffon vanishes out of thin air-- moving quickly to avoid those horrible, poison fangs and try an attack from Ari's side, with a few rocks at Chiffon's side for added impact. Sorry, Karamatsu, now would be a great time to crawl away.
[Hey Luna, small, tiny suggestion for you. When attempting to defend someone's honor, you should also defend their life as well?
Because Karamatsu has no idea what's happening. Guzma spits out some arm breaking bullshit, the kind he'd be totally up for retorting against, except that spider is springing away from him and lunging at Luna's dog. It's about the most fucked up thing he's seen- she gave him some backchat, so he's gonna kill her dog!?!?]
Hold up a second-
[Is all he manages to get out, with every intention of stopping some dog slaughter, except Luna yells out a word that makes zero sense, and suddenly the dog is slinging rocks everywhere.]
OI! O-oi, oi! [HE'S RIGHT HERE?! AND SO IS HIS GUITAR?!] Time out!
[Oof, that is going to hurt, and it does, but Guzma raises his brow when his bug pokemon takes the brunt of the attack and keeps on kicking. That...should have done a lot more damage than it did. Sure, Accelerock is a weaker move, but the brat's Lycanroc was strong - and with the type advantage...Ariados should be in a lot more pain than she is. He narrows his eyes, assessing the battle very carefully. Did...did the mutt move slower, too? He was sure--no, he knows it was faster when they fought before, on Hau'Oli's beachfront.
...Something's not right.]
Shut it. [He hisses to Karamatsu.] Unless you cheering for one of us, I don't want that tongue flapping. Sucker Punch!
[That fleabag's speed is going to be its downfall. If it's readying another attack, or makes even the slightest twitch or lunge, Ariados will spring forward like a loosed coil, jabbing the poor canine hard with her sharp horn. Not...really a punch, but hey. If it works, it works. All the while, though, he's watching the battle, his expression dark and calculating.]
[ Chiffon is hit from the side, and lands somewhat lopsidedly. After a somewhat aggravated sounding howl, the wolf pokemon huffs out a small bout of air, ready to continue...though she seems a little off kilter.
Luna stops for just a moment to catch it as well-- Guzma...got tougher? He's probably been training, which is normal and fine! But...that's. That sucker punch? Woah...woah.
Woah. ]
Chiffon, Rock Tomb!
[ it's a bigger move, this time. It's stronger, and somewhat fast, and the rocks seem to just continue toward their intended target with ease. Luna's gaze falls away from the battle to catch a very spooked Karamatsu. Her expression softens just a little, bed head and all, but she can't afford to focus on him solely. Her eyes lock on the battlefield that they've made and she calls out to him. ]
Hey! It's okay! [ ...to....to her. And Guzma. Very normal stuff going on here. She's trying to be comforting. Trying as best she can. ]
Keep going, Chiffon! Just a little more!
[ >:C Chiffon looks somewhat tired but doesn't look ready to throw in the towel yet! ]
[He would have preferred this entire thing was just over, really, but now that he's out of the way...and Guzma is being his usual asshole self, he's not about to say it. It's kind of- wild, watching these two throw animals at each other, like some kind of dog-fighting ring without the cash bets and blood.
What kind of world lets kids do this? But more importantly-]
[Ariados is certainly nearing the limits of her own energy, but she's determined to steal a victory for her trainer - it'd be the first ever against this particular opponent, and she wants it almost as much as her trainer does. It's that drive, that desire, that feeds her weary limbs the fuel they needs to keep going. To push past how tired this battle is making her feel.
Ariados is struck with the Rock Tomb, those boulders smashing into her like cannonballs. She slows, her own speed dropping under the barrage that hurts so, so much. And yet...she's still conscious. Her health is perhaps a sliver above the danger zone, and her legs are shaking, but she's conscious.
And Guzma is furious.]
Ariados...return.
[The spider barely gets a chance to lift her head and blink, questioningly at her trainer, before the beam of light shoots from the center of her pokeball, and she's summed back into it with a soft click. Guzma shoves her ball into his pocket, and stomps his way toward Luna, looking about ready to chew her apart. That should have ended it. That one move, that one Rock Tomb. It should have been his loss...her win. Again. Ariados should have fainted and he damn well knows it. But she didn't. She didn't. Why?
He stops before Luna and reaches to grab her roughly by the arm. It'll probably bruise if he gets a good hold, but he doesn't care. Guzma is an inch away from losing it entirely, foresight and care is not in the agenda right now.]
Get inside. [He hisses, shoulders shaking with his restrained fury. Karamatsu has all but been forgotten.] You and I need to talk.
[ it was timed well enough that as Ariados was called back, Lycanroc swiftly slides to her stomach in exhaustion. It's a lot of work, for some reason, to deliver the blows. But...
....Ariados was still standing and able to fight. Her eyes brighten immensely, watching the place where Ariados once stood. Guzma'd been training! Probably? She considers his schedule and...decides that she doesn't know enough about it to say for certain if he can spend some of his time training. She lifts her gaze up to him and--
He's angry? She stands exactly where she is while he storms to her, each of his footsteps a small thunderbolt in the ground, and his hand encircles her arm easily, and squeezes tightly. She gasps and puts her hand on his, fingers trying to grasp around his palm, trying to release some of the pressure. ]
G-guzma, what's-- [ she winces and her brows cross angrily. What the heck? ] What's gotten-- let go!
[ from the ground, growling. A tired pokemon who stands with rocky hair lifted from her body. Her own legs are shaking-- Chiffon's strength is basically gone, and she looks like she's about to topple sideways from exhaustion. Nothing about that tone of voice, about the way that he's gripping her arm or about the way that Karamatsu has been all but ignored screams 'Yes, Let's Go Inside The Enclosed Space With Guzma.'
If he pulls, she'll come along. But she's certainly not happy about how south this situation has gone. For whatever reason. ]
[He gets that he's being ignored, here. He also gets that, probably, there's something happening here that's a little beyond him, all in all.
But it doesn't stop the loud stomp of feet from Guzma's left, a hand gripping his shoulder to yank him round in Karamatsu's direction, with another fist hooking right into his smug jaw.]
Speaking of Luna, Karamatsu is quick to check on her- quick to take a hold of Guzma's wrist and squeeze it real hard- whatever it takes to make him let go. What, did he think someone was just gonna stand there and ignore this? Did he think Karamatsu was going to crawl on back home- let the little girl take the brunt of it?
[Well, the punch certainly did come as a surprise, and Guzma is knocked hard in the face, enough to make him stagger a little bit in the shifting sand, and loosen his grip on Luna, but...well, now that he knows an actual brawl is about to happen - one fought with fists and not pokemon - he steels his nerves and remains planted firmly on the ground. His free hand reaches up to touch his lip with a few fingers, and he spots a bit of red there.
Huh...not bad. He didn't think the little guy had it in him, really. But this is far from a battle Guzma wants to partake in. He has more pressing matters to attend to, other than shifting his focus on someone that doesn't matter. He licks over his bleeding lip, purses them, then spits the blood out into the sand.]
This ain't 'bout you no more... It's between me n' the girl - she n' I need to have a nice lil chat. [He snaps his gaze to Luna, his eyes a cold, steely color. Yeah, he hasn't forgotten about you, either.] Now get lost, little man.
[ her free hand braces over her face!! What!! in the world!!! She can hear the impact of skin against skin, and the clear distaste in Karamatsu's tone as he speaks to Guzma, emphasis on her earlier request.
In some part of her mind, there is fear. A man twice her size with a grip like solid rock has made his personal, physical strength known. With effort, she tries to tug her hand out of his. ]
Guzma-- [ it's almost like her voice draws his well fortified gaze on her. Luna freezes for a second. It's hard to focus. She even stops pulling on her hand for a second to take it in.
He's...being a jerk. She frowns at him, obviously off-put by his tone, and by the harsh stare. And she's not the only one. Behind her, Chiffon slowly approaches, growling lowly, corners of her mouth lifting into a snarl that certainly isn't befitting of her normally lackadaisical nature. And the likelihood of lashing out like the wolf-pokemon's body language is suggesting is softened only by the fact that he's still holding onto Luna, and he hasn't tried to attack Karamatsu.
Luna looks around-- despite his burliness, she's learned that he's somewhat fast-- and while she could out last him in terms of energy, her shorter legs will only take her so far. She sucks in a breath, swallows hard, and takes a step closer to Guzma. ]
What do we need to ch-chat about?
[ is she spooked? Oh Arceus, yes, stepping closer to the towering mass has reminded her that he is tall and oh boy, he looks really mad. Her jaw tightens to try and keep the adrenaline fueled chittering of her teeth to herself. ]
I don't give a shit who it's about. [Karamatsu isn't standing down- pausing, he let's Luna talk, taking a half step in her direction when she nervously approaches the guy, again.
And the look on his face is outright cold as he continues to stare Guzma down. What are you going to do, huh? Beat him down and down, and never let up? Idiot. He has a brother. A whole island to call on. And between them all-]
You manhandle her again and I won't be your only problem, got it?
[Guzma better not think about touching any kid like that again.]
[For a moment, Guzma's mind races, when Chiffon snarls and stalks toward him, about how, if she really did lunge, he could easily kick the stupid mutt in the face. It'd be pretty easy, he's quick, and he has a lot of power built up in his legs, unseen by the dark and baggy pants he always wears.
But it's Luna who catches his attention first, when she steps near. He absolutely dwarfs her, being well over a foot her height. She probably reaches just above his naval, and Karamatsu just at his shoulder, perhaps. And does he use his towering height and hulking mass to his advantage? Oh, absolutely. Guzma hisses, through grit teeth, voice soft and still dripping with every bit of contained rage he has boiling over right now. It's gotten only slightly better, but still toeing the line where he may very well snap.]
Our battle just now. You n'me need to go over just what happened.
[He snorts, flipping his head back to Karamatsu. If one thing got through to him just now, it's that he was manhandling Luna. For a moment, he hesitates, and glances her way again, but there's uncertainty there. His grip loosens considerably, but he doesn't let go. Doesn't relinquish control. And especially not when he's threatened at the end there. His face darkens and sours all over again, brows knit together and muscles tensing. Is that a threat? Is he being threatened, right now? Tch...what a simple little punk.
Finally does Guzma release the girl, only long enough to ram a tightened fist hard and fast into the poor NEET's gut. He doesn't wait for Karamatsu to fall, or even to falter, after having the wind forcibly expelled from his person. He turns around and motions for Luna to head toward their home again, and his expression is one that is not to be challenged, this time. This little man won't be his only problem, huh? Well then--]
[It seems like forever, since he left the island on Enso and journeyed to the newest one. It seems like forever, since he told Luna to stay behind, to look after everything at their shared home, and make certain no one takes any of their accumulated goods. He gave her a task - look after things, take care of the house. He left her some easy to make food - eggs, some smoked fish, plenty of fruits, and a few "borrowed" vegetables and herbs.
Even so, he still is a little on edge when he's drags his feet back from the mana pool on the island of Enso, carries himself tiredly towards his shared little shack. Will she be there? Will she be in good health? Will she have had enough food? Enough water? Some people stayed behind, right? Will they have checked on her in his stead?
Guzma is tired - so much has happened in such a short time on that new, stupid island, and his pack is filled with goods he collected from the forest just prior to returning. Just prior...meaning he endured the effects of the forest for as long as he could, greedily thrust anything and everything he could find into his pack, nearly destroying them in his haste to uproot them. Who knows what's even salvageable... He'll have to check later. For now though, he's so, so tired. Coming down from a sudden, emotional high like that has left him drained and exhausted. It's not easy to just be that...that furious. Over nothing.
When he explodes like that, coming down leaves him empty. The feeling is always the same, it always is, but it doesn't make it any less tiring. Guzma knows he's in desperate need of a wash, and to change his clothes (they're probably covered in dirt and dust from the desert side), but...tomorrow. Right now, he just wants to unpack, unwind, find his girl, and rest. He wants to fall into his hammock and just rest.
He only gives their pitiful door a quick rap with his knuckles before pushing it ajar and shuffling through the doorway. His voice sounds dry, cracked--]
[ it's been a pretty exhausting day for Luna, as well, but for different reasons.
She'd searched-- god she'd looked high and low. Pulled every stone, crossed every bridge, and using the power of her friends (and that beautiful, white puppy, who... hates water, for some reason), she had come back with a small fortune.
A...small fortune. Nothing big. Her hands are chipped at, fingertips cut up a little. Her typical shirt has been stained in some brown and green, like grass stains. The only part that's pristine about her? Her hat, which is lopsided on her sleeping head.
She's dropped everything-- all the supplies she took with her, anything that she had to carry to stay warm at night and be protected from the elements, to the lid of their pot, which has scratches against the bottom. The items in question lead up to where Luna is half strewn across her hammock tiredly. her shoe is half on. Worn down quite a bit, but still functioning properly at covering her feet.
On Guzma's blanket is a somewhat familiar blue stone-- sky blue and somewhat quartz-ish in appearance. It isn't a dawn stone. It isn't smooth, and it isn't necessarily incredibly shiny...but a larger one in the middle and a few smaller ones that surround it are the fruits of her well meant labor. It's a stark contrast to the tigerskin colors, and obviously was meant to be seen upon him coming home.
The plan? Come home, drop off some stuff, and take a quick walk around the shores. Almost everyone went to the other island, including Guzma. When he wasn't back, and a thin layer of dust coated their usually well used surfaces, she wondered if maybe he wouldn't come back at all. He was upset. She broke a promise of some kind...one that she doesn't even remember, but Guzma wouldn't get upset over something if it wasn't a big deal to him.
And yes, there's a difference between upset and angry, however subtle it may be.
Regardless, his voice stirs her to some consciousness, and she flops awkwardly off the side of the hammock and onto the ground. Her body aches-- endurance pressed to it's absolute peak over the course of a week and a half of travelling. But she told herself it'd be worth it to see his reaction to the stones.
She can't help but stare at his giant, lumbaring frame as he enters the house. ]
...mm! [ it's a pretty excited little noise, though her face looks surprised.
He came back. ]
Edited 2017-12-10 02:00 (UTC)
/approves it, makes it, sells it at Barnes & Noble, squish becomes a millionaire
[The girl herself catches Guzma's attention first. Or really, the disarray with which she carries herself. At first, he thinks she may have been hurt, or attacked - the house was pretty messy, and even though his side was never the cleanest, Guzma at least kept things on his side of their shared abode. His heart leaps to his throat, and he makes a sudden jerk of motion to go to her, but--]
Whoa there! [She falls, and he's not quick enough to catch her between the obstacle course of strewn items. The thud makes Guzma wince, but he's there to at least help her up. Squatting, he offers the kid a hand in picking herself up.] Jeez, kid, what was that all about?! You okay?
[Only after he's made certain she's not harmed, either from outside means or the sudden spill she took, Guzma frowns and looks around at the mess. He hasn't noticed the stones on his side of the room yet, preoccupied more with everything else. He's seen so much, experienced so much, in so little time. He isn't expecting anything to be out of place.
Or a surprised gift given to him so nicely. When was the last time he was gifted anything? Over a decade ago?]
What even happened here, kid? Did y'all get attacked again by them Primeapes? Did they steal anything? Wh--... [He scrunches up his nose with a snort, actually looking her in the face when he sees the shock and surprise glimmering in the young girl's eyes.] What the heck's with that face? Yo, you forget what I look like or something?
[ he's there, and she's forced into a more surprised expression. What? What? ]
No-- I? [ she's trying to answer his questions, but he's shooting them off pretty quick. With a little bit of grasping she re positions her red hat back in it's natural state, and she just stares at him. ]
Wel... [ she swallows. Nervous? No. Why should she be? He's here, and he's talking like he did before and he doesn't look mad-- certainly isn't looking upset, but she's just waiting for that to...to change. Not really sure what to expect, but part of her travelling around has made her come to realize that...she doesn't have to always know what's coming. Sometimes the surprise is worth the work. ]
...welcome back! [ she hasn't remembered to smile yet. Just kind of hanging in there. ] no, I didn't...there were those weird puffy plants, but they're not-- I was looking for!! Uh, and then me and Cloudy and Chiffon and Nina went all over the island, and it was really hot! But we found them! And!
W-welcome back! [ Guzma, the one person who she never expects. The one person she was never close to, or had any desire to get to really know...is here, and it's strange to say that she missed him. Missed the familiarity of someone knowing what a Primeape is. Missed someone who has been working his butt off from day one. Someone who tried to catch her when she just fell off the hammock or when she was too high up a tree.
But nothing she rationalizes in her head changes the fact that he's here. And...while the memories of thrown, breakable objects rests uncertainly in her mind, nothing can move the feeling of comfort knowing he's back, and he's okay. ]
[She's going a mile a minute with that mouth of hers, and Guzma is too tired to comprehend it all. He doesn't get everything - the clipped and bizarre responses flicker through his head like an angry swarm. He squeezes his eyes shut, removes his sunglasses and thumbs them a little bit. Who the heck is Cloudy? Did she...find another of her pokemon? No, that's--...no. He knows that's not possible. Must be some person on the island with a weird name, or nickname, or something.]
Girl...jeez. [Guzma stands up, shaking his head and kicking things lightly out of his way as he moves towards his hammock.] Use your words. I'm tired, and none'a what y'all is saying is making sense. Try going a bit slo--
[Finally, he spots them. Guzma spots the stones resting on his tigershark skin blanket - where he folded the fur nicely over his hammock (perhaps the only thing he keeps relatively tidy). He's stunned, and silent, eyes wide as he goes to pick up the largest one. It's...not quite a dawn stone he's familiar with, but the resemblance is uncanny. In fact, it very well could be, just not refined to the store quality. It's more that it was harvested right from the earth itself - still cloudy and a bit jagged, not smooth, shiny, rounded out, or polished. But it's so close to the real thing that Guzma turns it around in his hands, lets his fingers roam over the stone, feel the weight, the texture, the grain where it was extracted from stone.
He bows his head once he's finished examining it, looking at the color instead - the inner spectrum of color against the sea-green hue. It's lovely, and he recalls so clearly the battle he won, the reward he was given, and the time he gave it away.
A promise on a beach, when the sun and moon cast their glow upon the shimmering water.]
...Wh-- [Guzma feels his throat close up, his voice crack. Where did she find these? How did she get them? Why? Because...because of what he said? What he did? He had assumed none of it stuck past when he got angry, threw something - he forgot what - against the ground so hard it smashed to pieces. Why would Luna do something like this? Why would she give him a gift like this? Or...even welcome him back?]
We can make new promises. [ Luna sits up enough to pull a very small, similar stone out of her pocket. It's held protectively in her smaller, cut up hands. Her voice is loud at first, and then softens. He did a lot of talking, and not a lot of listening. A lot of yelling, and...Luna couldn't say much of anything. Let her emotions fly away with her and retort something back with confusion and anger. ]
You said...I forgot a promise. And I'm, um, I'm sorry. [ she looks down at the little stone. Not the same, but the one he gave her seemed to be precious to him. Even if she can't remember. ] I went out and looked for them in the mountains. We did, together. They're not the same-- there's a lot of points on 'em, but they're a pretty color. I've never seen a dawn stone up close...only pictures. [ she turns the little stone around. It has a pretty color. No wonder Guzma liked his so much. ]
So we can, um, make new p-promises. Y'know? [ she seems a little pressed for words, and has so much to say, but not enough brain to say it.
Hurt feelings. Storming away. Things left unspoken, and overly spoken. Luna's not familiar with all this-- she's a kid. But she does know what hurt feelings look like. ]
Guzma feels as if he'd been punched right in the chest. A wave of nausea slams into him so suddenly he wobbles on his feet until he steadies himself against the opposite wall. So she...she went out while he was away on that new island, for who knows how long, to get these for him? She put herself and her pokemon in danger, climbing up the mountain in that blaze, with those awful flowers...all to get these for him.
His head bows, shoulders falling with the weight of those word, the weight of these little stones, and the significance they hold. He wants to say a thousand things, but doesn't know where to start. Guzma has no idea what he could possibly say first, or how to form the words that are slamming against his skull, aching to get out. His throat feels dry and tight, his eyes burn, his ears are ringing and he just...just--
Guzma breathes out, a shuddering, raspy breath. She's still talking by the time he turns and closes the distance between himself and the small girl, wrapping her up in his strong arms and lifting her from the ground. His grip is strong, and firm, but not painfully so. Not like all he other times. He has Luna securely in his arms and pressed up against his chest. She can't probably feel his heart drumming away, and the soft shake of his shoulders. She can probably hear how labored his breathing is, as he takes in quick and shuddering breaths. She's become just as important as that stone - far more so. He's realized that when people were dying in those caves, when she came to comfort him on the beach, when he saw her cry for the first time. When...when he realized she's just a little girl, far from home, in a world of strangers. He's the only one she can relate to, the only one who know her better than anyone else.
She needs him, and he needs her just as much. His little Luna, his rival, his friend, and so much more.
It's quiet, for a long, long time...Guzma can't find the words to say amongst all the ones flying across his tightly shut eyes, but eventually things seem to slow down, and clarity begins to ebb back in. Slowly, slowly...he begins to feel like he's coming back. He can talk, and it's not very elegant, but he picks a word. The first word.]
[ she is lifted somewhat easy, the light child, and while his arms tighten around her, the thudding sound of his heart feels like the beat of a drum she had heard once. Raspy breaths make her look at his face as much as she can. He's...what is this? Is this happiness? Is he spooked? Does he like the stone?
With some effort, she brings her arms around and towards his back, patting it softly. ]
I promise to not climb really tall trees anymore. [ with a smile, she continues talking. Guzma's just trying to collect himself. And he's done a lot of talking already, it is definitely Luna's turn. >:C ] And I promise to take care of my team, and train them as best as I can and even better! That way we can keep battling as equals!
[ she's got a determined glint in her eye!! No backing out! Tell us your promises!
But also, she's still patting his back a little. He seems a little shook. There, there, Guzma. There, there. ]
[Guzma's face is mostly hidden when Luna turns to look at him - with the quickly dimming light from the setting sun, and his position holding her, his expression can't easily be seen, but it'd be one of a mixture of different emotions. Guzma doesn't quite know how or what he feels. It's not frustration, but it's not sorrow or guilt or anything. Is he happy? Happy she cared enough to do this? That's not entirely it, either.
He's confused, mostly, but as Luna lists off all her promises, all the memories they've shared together - he was so worried she'd fall when she was in that tree, he was so angry she didn't think enough to realize how dangerous that was, he was upset when he thought she didn't think he was strong enough to take a loss, he was sad when she forgot--no, when she didn't even experience what he had. Not yet. Their stories didn't converge yet... She was still a few chapters behind.
He jumps a little when she first touches his back - it's a bit of a sore spot for him for varying reasons - but Guzma relaxes when her little palm rubs gently. He remembers vaguely a time long ago, when things were better. It's such a distant thought, when he was small. Very small, before he even had a pokemon at all, and someone rubbed his back nicely like that. When did that happen? Was it his mom? He can't remember enough, all those good times seem so...distant. So faded, left behind, with everything else in that house.
We can make new promises.
Guzma grits his teeth, sucking in a breath as he breathes in and out and sets Luna down at last when he bends at the knees and sits on the floor with his arms leaning on his bent knees. He said he'd never change, but that was pretty stupid, wasn't it? He has to. He has to change - get stronger, learn to be better not as a trainer, but as a person.]
I--... [He what? He doesn't know what to say, what sort of promise he could make. He doesn't know where to go or what to do now. Looking up, he spots her hands, and how beat up they are. Reaching out, he extends his hand, palm up, to take her hand.] ...I don't want you getting beat up cuz'a me. I don't want you going to that new place, either.
Please. [He can't protect her there, when the dangers on one side are far beyond their limits, and the danger on the other side is...is himself. Which would be better? Neither. She needs to stay away.] I can't...do nothing there to--...t-to take care'a you. [A deep breath - in, and out again.] But if, and only if we gotta...you have stay away from me. Far, far away, no matter what. No matter what.
[ he's talking now, finally, and...it's more somber than she was expecting. A bigger hand touches her smaller ones, and she wiggles her fingers around a bit, as if trying to show him that she's okay. Cuts wouldn't slow her down. Losing a leg wouldn't slow her down. There's just no way to go but forward.
But these warnings he's giving are somewhat concerning. He's-- well, would he ever admit to being afraid? He just seems...afraid. It's hard to see this lumbering giant as anything but his normal self. She puts her other hand on his head and tones down her own eager expression to a concerned one. ]
If I promise you that, then you have to come home. Whenever you go, you have to come back...promise me.
[ But he's asking something amazing of her, in a situation that she doesn't completely understand. That 'new place' is...unexplored. Her pokemon could be there. His pokemon could be there-- and she hasn't gotten to look around yet, or explore.
She inhales sharply. She doesn't break promises. And she would follow through on his request. But clearly, this is not enticing to her. And even more than that, she wants to know that he'd come back safe, too. From an unknown danger in a place she's never seen. ]
[Guzma turns Luna's hands over, observing them quietly and carefully as he had done with the stone. It's not bad, just a few regular scrapes and scratches, but he will urge her to at least clean them when she can, and...well. It's not just about a few scratches. The kid is reckless, it's a quality they both share. Guzma is a little more mindful now, considering what he's been through, and his age and experience, but he still goes head first into things. That ought to be how it is - him, not her. She climbed the mountain on her own with her pokemon... He remembers the trek, it was awful, and she did it alone? Idiot girl, he should be strangling her, not hugging her.
But the fact is, he is afraid. He's been afraid since the episode with those caves. He was so, so afraid - the recollection of Ultra Space, turning tail and running, learning what exactly happened, what could have happened, if he or...or Luna, especially Luna, got trapped in there. The very thought makes Guzma want to puke. And then that other island, that new place...where you can't control your body, your mind, you're your own worst enemy on one side, and something else's snack on the other.
He had to watch someone be just that, in fact. Guzma is indeed quite scared. He couldn't bear it. He couldn't even imagine what it'd be like to lose her in such a gruesome way. This isn't Alola, this isn't their world. He can't handle everything here like he could back home. It's too much sometimes, and he's become so aware of his and his pokemon's mortality. He's realized just how important this little girl is to him.
And yet--]
Promise...to do my best. [And yet, he can't make a full promise to her, because he knows. He knows there will be things he can't do. But damned if he's not determined enough to try. If he doesn't kill himself first, trying to get back to her, then those other things have got it coming to them. Guzma is nothing if not as tenacious as a roach.] No one else is fool 'nuff to babysit a brat like you.
[There's affection in his words, and Guzma releases Luna's hands to drop a large hand on the top of her head.]
[ she doesn't seem satisfied by his answer, but finds herself nodding anyway. That's when his hand falls on her head, and she nearly bites her tongue in her mouth. A brat? Rude!!! How rude is that!!! ]
I'm not a brat! [ she huffs, but...it's affectionate on her end, too, because she's smiling and she definitely might hate it, but she can't help it. It's nice to have him back, and despite the warnings he's listed (in full, a long list of warnings) she's eager to hear about this island and why she shouldshouldn't go there. Her hands come up and pat his hand about as aggressively as a small puppy. ]
And besides, you're not babysitting!! I took care of myself out there, for a whole week and a half! [ she sticks her tongue out. In a small move of her feet, the pot lid clatters against the ground, and she looks down at it. ]
I didn't use the lid like I wanted to, though. I was gonna-- like!! [ with her small arms she makes a movement like she's swinging a baseball bat.
Like she'd swing the pot lid if anything came too close.
It is a wonder that this girl did not die. ]
Cloudy and Nina and Chiffon had it covered, though. All I had to do was dig! ...and I may have used the lid for that! A little! It, uh, should be washed before you cook with it again. [ she looks a little sorry-- it's still a perfectly functioning lid, just...with more scratches than before. ]
[Guzma yawns, stretching out his back with a very loud and satisfying crack, doing the same with a roll of his neck and shoulders. He really did do a lot today, and he's exhausted. He's just about to pick up and move his backpack, start unloading the goods he brought back from the forested area (the shovel he left outside), but Luna stop him half way.]
You...what?! You were out there that long?! [Was he really gone that long? Is felt like no time at all, but with everything happening, and how his mind and body were flip-flopping by which side of the island he was on...time seemed to escape him after a while.] Girl, you're luck you're even alive, what the heck is wrong with you?! Can't you sit still and stay 'round the safer areas for a blasted day or two?!
And who the heck are you gonna beat down with that, huh? Tch, 'least you can do is learn to throw a punch. [He grumbles, snatches the pot lid from her, and drops a big handful of blackberries into it. A few of them are a bit squished from the journey, dying Guzma's hands a blue-black color, but he carelessly wipes them clean on his much darker pants. He hands the upturned lid back to Luna, using it more as a plate than anything else.] Here, eat. I ain't got time to cook nothing right now, and I'm bushed.
[But not enough so as to check on their stores of food he left for her in the ice box. It's pretty empty...they'll need to stock up again, especially on fish and meat. He, uh...he really needs to also learn to slaughter and butcher some animals, too, without getting sick to his stomach. They need a good, steady supply of meat.]
Tch...did you really use up everything? [He pouts, then eyes her very carefully, scowling.] ...Didn't touch my Tapu Cocoa, did'ja?
Anything that came close! [ she may not have had to swing at it, but you best believe she was hanging onto it the whole damn time. Despite Cloudy being a lovely aide, and Nina and Chiffon being as reassuring as ever, Luna was pretty cautious. And it paid off in that she came back alive. So. >:C So there. His scowl makes her straighten up just a bit. ]
N-no, I just took some carrots and the bags of food! Chiffon helped me catch some fish. I'm-- [ her stomach gurgles loudly!! Why!! Are!! You!! This!! Way!! ] ...e-er, I'm okay. I'll eat some berries though, thank you!
[ she mmmmmunches away, very satisfied. With rosy cheeks she chews on the delicious little fruit beans. They're so good. She didn't get to take anything sweet with her-- it's like a reward for doing well and making it back! ]
I didn't use up everything! Just...well. Some of the stuff I found on the way there and back. You...have cocoa here?
[ she watches him with big, glowing eyes. Cocoa? He has Tapu Cocoa? Nectar of his god? Fruits of a hard days labor? Hot and fresh and pure in every satisfying way?
With a quick motion, she shakes her head, eating another berry and looking down at the pot. Delicious berries. ]
[He shakes his head, sighing at the girl as she explains her little adventure out in the wilderness with her pokemon and this...Cloudy person, whoever the hell that is. He'll have to ask about it later, but is far too preoccupied with taking inventory of their food stock. There's still some smoked fish, but it may need to be tossed, considering the length of time they were both away and the ice box was left without a constant chill. Yeah...actually, he may just toss the entirety of what's inside, clean it, and get new, fresh food. The water they have, thankfully, should still be usable. He'll have to ask for bigger jugs to carry more, though, one day. ]
You're hungry. [Guzma rubs his face, tossing his pack on his hammock and beginning to fish through it. There's still a bit of jerky in there she can chew on, he doesn't trust any of the veggies, but there is something in there he can probably toss into a pan and fry real quick - laetiporus mushrooms. The huge cluster of fungi doesn't really look appetizing, but when cooked, it has a flavor reminiscent of chicken.]
I do, yeah, and I can make some if you can boil water. You can do that, right? [He raises a brow at her. Guzma is...very, very tired, but if the kid is hungry, he should at least give her more than a handful of berries to fill her up. She went to great lengths to give him such a meaningful treasure...it's the least he can do.]
Oh, right, and uh...also got a pokedex, too. S'in my bag, if you wanna look. Thought I told'ja, but I...guess I forgot, 'fore I left. Ain't nothing fancy, and it goes on the fritz a heckin' lot, but it works. Used it a lot t'show people 'bout my pokemon - yours, too.
[He grins, proudly. It was such a great thing to ask for - incredibly useful and helpful, even as busted up an irritating as it was now, Guzma is very fond of the tool. In fact, he may very well use up a favor here and there to fix or upgrade it, if possible.]
Oh, n-no, you don't have to make me anything! These berries are--
[ she absolutely drops a berry or two when he says 'Pokedex', and-- can you see the sparkles in her eyes? He's got a pokedex?? She just WANTS TO TOSS THE BERRIES IN THE AIR LIKE CONFETTI!!!!
...but she doesn't, and instead picks up the ones she's dropped, brushing them off on her shirt and taking a step closer. ]
C-can I?! You really have one?!
[ a step closer to finding their friends is being able to show people what they actually look like...she inches toward his bag eagerly. Hands full of berries. How is she going to pull anything out of the bag without spilling?
Carefully. Very, very carefully. She waits for his official blessing before dropping the berries into her shirt and pulling the edge up, serving as a...berry hammock, of sorts. The pokedex is pulled out and-- it's a lot smaller than she's used to. Beat up thumbs smooth over the scratched surface of what could have once helped a young kid from a small town become a pokemon master.
She looks delighted. Absolutely beyond thrilled. Tunes out the fact that it's beat up-- doesn't even want to open it. This is literally the best thing that's happened to her since she stepped on shore. Attention goes to Guzma!! ]
Guzma!! [ she cries out excitedly, keeping the berries locked away in her shirt, but there's a certain hop in her step that wasn't there before. ] It's really a pokedex! It's really here!
[Too late, Luna, Guzma is already sifting through the huge clump of mushroom, breaking them apart with his hands and going to wash them before going out back to their wood stove (and where they keep their pots and pants inside). He halts, only when the young girl nearly makes a mess of herself and their space, frowning - girl, please, he went to great lengths to get those goddamn berries. Pick up what you dropped, dust it off, and eat it. He's not soon to ever go back to that wooded island again, for what it does to his head, but the bounties found inside are...are nuts. It's insane how much food they could get, if only for the poor effects the forest has on anyone that steps within.
He does wonder, idly, what negative traits little Luna has. If...if it were just her, just her...maybe--no. No, he can't let her go. Even if he didn't go himself, anyone else inside that forest, effected by its mind games, may very well do worse things to her than he could, even if he were flying into a rage.]
Yeah, I do...in my bag. [He watches her carefully, tilting his head with a screwed up expression. She's so excited about it, but why? Didn't the kid already have a much fancier pokedex from that idiot professor? It was a Rotomdex, the newest model of pokedex and worth a small fortune, considering how rare they were, and how few were produced at the time.
His, on the other hand, has definitely seen better days. The metallic case is scratched, dented, and rusted. Guzma heads back over, showing Luna how and where the power it on, and how to tug it up so the glass (which has a very large, ugly crack going right through the middle of the screen) pulls up to show more.]
It's also mine, brat, so if you wanna use it, you ask me. If I ain't around? Too dang bad. [Unlike when he asked to use her wood saw but, uh...yeah.] Now you do what you gotta while I cook - if it act up, just restart it...but fair warning, it acts up a lot. Be right back.
[And with a huge yawn, and a satisfying stretch and crack of his back, Guzma gathers a few things he needs to cook, and heads out towards their stove to fry up those mushies.]
[ he's talking and she's nodding, but...not really listening. Can you blame her? It's not the Rotomdex, for sure, but...maybe it's better, right now. It's been a long time since she'd gotten to see another pokemon besides their own on the island. She chatters off some names of pokemon from Alola, and nothing shows up, but...some of them do. The screen flickers, and she just restarts it like he said. The pokemon flash across the screen, and she reads every blurb as best she can, patiently working with the little piece of machinery to...do what, exactly? Give her some peace of mind? Remind her that that world is out of reach, but not out of mind?
Suddenly, she seems a little sad. Homesick, maybe. She'd been so excited to play with it, and eager to see those familiar faces again, and!! It's a rush, to hold a pokedex in her hands again, even if it doesn't feel the same. Even if it doesn't want to work.
She sits in front of her hammock, looking somewhat glum. Each scratch is rubbed with a thoughtful thumb. Now isn't the time to be sad. But...when is a good time? Is it allowed? She was sad before, but that made Guzma sad. She was worried, and that makes people anxious...
She watches the screen. Wailord, the Float Whale Pokémon. Wailord is the largest Pokémon yet discovered. When diving out of the water in pursuit of its prey, it makes quite an impressive sight.
[When Guzma returns, he's holding both a pan and a coconut shell, which is steaming and filled with fresh tapu cocoa. The pan still sizzles a fair bit, and the smell of a smoky, savory food begins to fill the air of their small shack. It's the mushrooms, and they're still very hot, but Guzma managed to cave a pair of decent chopsticks from a pair of twigs - it's just a matter of if the kid can use them.
One day, he'll make a request for a set of table ware, they desperately need it. Maybe even a collapsible table to boot, and a floor. But for now, Guzma is satisfied to just have a place to sleep after such a long few days.
He shoos Luna off his hammock and crawls inside, sitting there with his legs hanging off the side. Taking the chopsticks int his hands - he's an old hat, Malie City has a huge influence from places like Johto - he picks up a cooked mushroom, blows a few times, and tests the taste. Not bad at all, and his thoughtful hum shows as much, but it definitely needs some seasoning - salt, pepper, maybe something spicy.]
C'mere... [He pats his lap tiredly - the bags under his eyes dark and prominent. Guzma barely notes the pokemon she's looking at, on the 'dex.] S'hot as heck, so y'gotta blow on it. Same with the cocoa, but don't eat these with that, it'll ruin the taste of the cocoa. And--uh...and I had t'use coconut milk, so the taste is gonna be diff'rent anyway...
[ he beckons her, and she comes to sit.....next to him. He wouldn't actually offer her his lap as a chair, right? She remembers doing stuff like that playfully with her friends, and when she was younger, with her mother. He's being nice enough to share his pokedex with her.
Despite that, even if she doesn't sit in his lap, she leans against his shoulder a little. Being tired and a little emotionally compromised makes her body tired. The cocoa smells good, though....and the food looks really good, too. She reaches for the cocoa first, blowing on it sleepily and lopsided. Coconut milk? She thinks...this tastes really good, too.
His arm is warm. ]
'S good... [ she trades him the cocoa for his pokedex. It isn't the last time she'd see it-- he said she'd have to ask permission, but she figures she could get away with looking at it if he's not home, or maybe use her adventure as a valued reason why she would get to look at it at all!
She looks at the mushrooms skeptically-- they're not her favorite, but...Guzma made 'em, and she could at least eat one. That's what her mom would say, anyway. ]
How long until I can eat those?
[ he said not to eat them at the same time. >:C she's just trying to follow the rules. ]
[In his right mind? No, he would certainly not, but Guzma is tired, it's later than he intended to be awake, and he is starting to lose a bit of his coherency. It's been...very eventful, even in the last few minutes. Too many emotions, too many thoughts, too much energy put into things he didn't want to experience tonight, after everything he's been put through.
He's not put off, leaning a bit into the girl for support himself. The pan is still hot, so he holds it up and out a little, so as not to touch their clothes or skin, lest it burn either of them. The pokedex she gives back to him is set under his pillow, for safe keeping. He can't bend over to set it down, otherwise their food will spill everywhere - his coordination right now is too poor.
Yawning, he offers Luna the makeshift chopsticks, rubbing his face with his palm once she takes them. He nods to her compliment about the cocoa, not really hearing it, otherwise he'd preen and go on about his favored hot beverage and the best way and place that prepares it. Instead, he just blinks, lifting his head when he begins to nod a bit.]
Huh? Oh...uh. Y'can eat now, I guess. Just don't eat n'drink that together...it don't go good t'gether. [His words slur together, a sign of his fatigue, and Guzma hums a bit before stretching.] Blow on 'em a bit first though...
[Did he tell her that already? Maybe. He forgets.]
[ she half hears him and half doesn't-- everything is moving slowly in her mind. Exhausted, the little trainer sips on her cocoa, which only serves to bring out a great yawn and a small eyerub. Did he say to blow on the mushrooms? She does, and she even does it twice, since she's pretty sure he asked her to do it two times, and then eats it.
It's...good, but she doesn't like mushrooms. She bites down on the chopsticks a little to keep them from falling, but her arms are tired. The two tastes really don't go well together, but the cocoa is still good, so she pulls the chopsticks out of her mouth and sets them in her lap to hang out while she gets more cocoa...
she frowns at the mushrooms, but really she's just tired, and doesn't like mushrooms in general. Not being able to hide her distaste, she buries her face in the cocoa a bit until she coughs from drinking too much at once. >:C it's so good. This is so good. ]
Thanks, Guzma... [ Luna is grateful. Her hands hold the mug and she presses her forehead into the warm cup. It's good...and hot. ]
[Yawns are contagious, and Guzma echos the little champion, rolling his shoulders to straighten his back with a small pop. His posture is so poor he has to do this often, just to settle the stiffness... Eventually, when the pan isn't searing hot, Guzma takes a few pieces of the mushroom from the pan itself, scrunching up his nose as his skin cries out painfully - it's hot, you idiot - and pops a bite or two into his mouth. Unlike the child, he chews and swallows easily, not minding that rubbery texture and the earthy flavor. Were he privy to Luna's tastes, he may have attempted cooking something different for her to fill her stomach.
He does, however, note that she's getting tired, and he is, too. Guzma allows for just a few more bites before he begins to pick off the meal himself, so it doesn't go to waste. He'll fix up something tomorrow for breakfast - something filling...hopefully.]
Slowly, numskull. Y'all is worse'n my grunts... [He huffs, knocking on her back gently with his palm, to help with the coughing. When the pan is emptied, he puts the chopsticks into the middle and sets the pan down on the floor, far enough away so they won't trip on it the next morning, and falls backwards into his hammock, tucking his legs up and into the tigershark skin blanket that is folded nicely inside.] Tell me when you're done...I'll put it down.
[His arms can reach the ground better than hers, and it won't break if he tosses it gently to the floor once emptied. GUzma yawns, taking out the pokedex to fiddle around with it again, looking up pokemon as well. Masquerain...Pinsir...Scizor.
[ she's eating through her exhaustion. And drinking. The rubbery texture of the mushrooms is made up by the fact they taste very similar to chicken...bearable at best. He holds the bowl and fiddles with his pokedex, and she watches the screen from her place next to him. These...are all his pokemon. His happy place. ]
We'll.. [ she yawns, setting the empty mug on the ground after hunching over and straining against her legs to set it on the ground. ] ...we'll find 'em. You'll see them again...hopefully really soon.
[ it hurts to give up hope. It's easy to hurt. Luna won't let herself down easy...and that's more and more embedded in her each passing day. Her head falls against his shoulder and lidded eyes try to watch the plate in front of her. It's so far away. And bleary. It keeps moving...and multiplying.
She's falling asleep. One eye watches the plate. Trying to stay with you, Guzma. Trying so hard. ]
[Guzma, as tired as he is, still hears Luna's words with perfect clarity, and they drive a hot, painful arrow right through his chest. The hurt sears, digs itself further through his chest and bleeds right into his heart. He can't tell her how wrong she is - he won't find them, because they're not here. They never were here. The rest of his pokemon are still back in Alola, waiting for him to return. It's why he's done his damnedest to keep himself alive and safe all this time.
So he can get back to them, one day.
Guzma exhales softly - a slow sigh - and takes her empty bowl of cocoa and sets it down when he notices she's falling asleep. His own vision is getting fuzzy too; he has to squint to see the information on the screen, and decides it's time to get some goddamn sleep. Unthinking, Guzma powers off the pokedex, tucks it back under his pillow, and pulls Luna down against him as he leans back into his hammock with her against his side.]
[ there is no protest, no flailing of arms or pushing. Luna falls into his side with some discomfort, but she's honestly too tired to truly notice anything spectacularly uncomfortable. It's warm here. With the promise of clarity on her lips, she curls into the giant.
Obviously, with a spot picked out, she has to protest to bedtime at least a little. When was the last time she hadn't felt too tired to argue over bed? When was the last time someone actually made her sleep? It's been a while, certainly...and it feels nice. A nice round of good feelings. ]
...nnno. [ she mumbles half into his shirt. Ugh. It's late, probably, and she's tired, definitely. She doesn't even open her eyes to respond, or check the response she'll get. Her hat half falls off.
She's out like a light, no blanket required. +1 sleep. ]
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holdmyhand) wrote2017-09-27 09:20 pm
THE MORNING AFTER LUNA WISHES HIS GUITAR BETTER
Stylishly.]
This one's for you, my Karamatsu girl!
[Which is way Guzma and Luna's neighbors can all thank her for the hollering twenty-something standing outside her shack, guitar in hand. He strums his guitar, blinking away the heat in his eyes as the perfect chord rings out into the morning light-
And then, he fucking shatters the fourth wall.
It's gone.
Goodbye.]
I'm here to ruin your day.
Guzma's not a heavy sleeper - he never really has been and is easily roused. He's also not a morning person in the slightest sense of the word. For these reasons, most sane people would tiptoe about the mansion when the Boss was sleeping, for fear of invoking his wrath. It's well known by now Guzma is merciless, and picks his battles...poorly, and rather frequently.
Were it any other time than TWO IN THE FUCKING MORNING, he may have commended Karamatsu on his playing - never assumed the weasel-nosed shittalker could actually play well - but...well. His eyes snap open after the first few chords, teeth grinding together as he rolls out of his hammock and grabs fr a pokeball. Whose is it? He doesn't care at this point, and chucks the little metal object out what once was a window with a grunt of 'leave 'im for dead'.
It's Ariados - the colorful spider pops out of her ball and raises up on her legs. She blinks, then goes from zero to sixty in a split second, her eyes glowing in the dim, morning light as she hisses and jumps at the poor NEET like a jaguar, snapping her deadly fangs at him...which glisten just so with fresh venom.
Do try not to get that on you (or in any open scratches or cuts) - you won't make it back home.]
I'M HERE TO PUT KISSES ON IT
...mmnnh. What're...? [ she tries to speak past a yawn, but the yawn is victorious and she sits up with her eyes shut.
And then her eyes snap open. A guitar? That was a guitar, right??
She rushes past Guzma to the door and opens it-- Ariados is in full form, and Luna calls out it the beautiful, deadly arachnid with a tired skip in her voice. ]
W-wait!! Wait...Ariados, don't hurt him, please. [ her shirt's a bit rumpled, and she's without her signature hat, but she's still coming out at the early hours of the morning to save this poor, defenseless NEET. With a smile, she looks at his guitar. ]
She got fixed...great! I'm so glad! Are you okay?
[ an awkward smile. he came at 2am? of course guzma would pound him into the ground-- Guzma's terrible in the mornings...or maybe, right after he wakes up. At 2am.
But his guitar is fixed! So that's good. One thing at a time.
But....but quietly. Hopefully quietly. ]
I'M HERE TO REMEMBER TO TRACH THIS THREAD
A giant fuck off spider who isn't Muffet, and therefore, isn't going to cook for him.
As Luna steps out the door, her words are partially drowned out by a high pitched shriek as Karamatsu, guitar and spider go toppling to the ground. The giant fuck off spider snaps at him with it's giant, fuck off fangs-- this is it! This is the end for him!
Give my guitar to my younger brother!
I'm here to immortalize bird's typo. uwu
Ariados, meanwhile, is a little conflicted. She knows and likes Luna, but she's not her Trainer. She hesitates, uncertain of what to do and makes a screechy keening noises as she keeps herself on the NEET's chest, but doesn't aggravate him further. It's only when Guzma emerges from the house does she lift up a bit and hope for an actual order.
Which you can guess what it might be. Guzma strolls over, looks from Luna, to Ariados, then to Karamatsu. His tired, groggy expression shifts into a horrific, manic grin, and he drags a finger across his neck slowly.
Say your prayers, shithead.]
I'M HERE TO EXIST AND BE HERE!!!
Regardless, Luna is staring at Guzma. Our eyes have met. Do we do battle? ]
Stop being a bully...it's too early to be a bully! [ she looks sleepy. Getting used to sleeping in a hammock means that she's been sleeping in past her normal sleep-in time. So getting up at 7am is still something of a chore. But even sleepy Luna won't let anything happen to her friends!!! Hopefully!!! ]
Why're you trying to hurt him? It was a cool song! [ Maybe Guzma just wanted a dedicated song. That's cool...but this is not the way to get an encore. ]
I'M HERE TO BE UPSET THAT I HAVE THIS TRACKED AND YET IT STILL DIDN'T GIVE ME A NOTIF
now that he's being protected by a ten year oldexcept the huge fuck off spider? Still on top of him. That is still a thing, and really, he's pretty sure his actual plight is now getting ignored in favor of defending his musical prowess.Which is sweet but really not the most important thing here, Luna.]
Call off the spider! Call it off!!!
I'M HERE TO PUNCH YOUR NOTIFS. >8C
He leans forward, looming over the two, eyes narrowed and voice a lilting coo.]
I'm always a bully. [He snaps his fingers, and Ariados makes the first move, taking a flying leap at Chiffon with a high-pitched screech. Her fangs glisten with poison, and she attempts to take a snap at the wolf-like pokemon: Cross Poison. Careful not to get inflicted too badly. While their pokemon duke it out, Guzma strides forward and nudges Karamatsu with his foot.] Homeboy here can play, and I'm ding-dang stunned by that, but...boy, my boy--
Y'all picked the worst time to serenade anyone, my man. [He looks up and out toward the sun, which has barely peaked in the sky since it first rose...maybe an hour or two ago? Holy shit, it's way too early for him to be awake.] I mean--I can 'preciate a good tune, but when y'wake me up to do it...I 'preciate breaking your arm a whole lot more.
[And now your life hangs in the balance, Karamatsu - AREN'T YOU A LUCKY MAN. Guzma's already made the mental bargain. If he wins, he gets to do with you what he will. If Luna wins...you walk away safe and sound. Place your bets, dude.]
>8C PUNCHES NOTIFS IN GENERAL!!!
[ Chiffon snaps to attention, howling and lowering her head to watch Ariados with a stern gaze. Luna's eyes seem to look around for her options-- if they're gonna last, she can't do anything super... impactful. She swings her arm off to her side. ]
It's time! Accelerock, let's go!
[ Chiffon vanishes out of thin air-- moving quickly to avoid those horrible, poison fangs and try an attack from Ari's side, with a few rocks at Chiffon's side for added impact. Sorry, Karamatsu, now would be a great time to crawl away.
Quickly, preferably. ]
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Because Karamatsu has no idea what's happening. Guzma spits out some arm breaking bullshit, the kind he'd be totally up for retorting against, except that spider is springing away from him and lunging at Luna's dog. It's about the most fucked up thing he's seen- she gave him some backchat, so he's gonna kill her dog!?!?]
Hold up a second-
[Is all he manages to get out, with every intention of stopping some dog slaughter, except Luna yells out a word that makes zero sense, and suddenly the dog is slinging rocks everywhere.]
OI! O-oi, oi! [HE'S RIGHT HERE?! AND SO IS HIS GUITAR?!] Time out!
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...Something's not right.]
Shut it. [He hisses to Karamatsu.] Unless you cheering for one of us, I don't want that tongue flapping. Sucker Punch!
[That fleabag's speed is going to be its downfall. If it's readying another attack, or makes even the slightest twitch or lunge, Ariados will spring forward like a loosed coil, jabbing the poor canine hard with her sharp horn. Not...really a punch, but hey. If it works, it works. All the while, though, he's watching the battle, his expression dark and calculating.]
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Luna stops for just a moment to catch it as well-- Guzma...got tougher? He's probably been training, which is normal and fine! But...that's. That sucker punch? Woah...woah.
Woah. ]
Chiffon, Rock Tomb!
[ it's a bigger move, this time. It's stronger, and somewhat fast, and the rocks seem to just continue toward their intended target with ease. Luna's gaze falls away from the battle to catch a very spooked Karamatsu. Her expression softens just a little, bed head and all, but she can't afford to focus on him solely. Her eyes lock on the battlefield that they've made and she calls out to him. ]
Hey! It's okay! [ ...to....to her. And Guzma. Very normal stuff going on here. She's trying to be comforting. Trying as best she can. ]
Keep going, Chiffon! Just a little more!
[ >:C Chiffon looks somewhat tired but doesn't look ready to throw in the towel yet! ]
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What kind of world lets kids do this? But more importantly-]
Kick his ass, my Karamatsu girl!
[HE'S SAFE NOW SO JUST BEAT GUZMA DOWN KTHX.]
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Ariados is struck with the Rock Tomb, those boulders smashing into her like cannonballs. She slows, her own speed dropping under the barrage that hurts so, so much. And yet...she's still conscious. Her health is perhaps a sliver above the danger zone, and her legs are shaking, but she's conscious.
And Guzma is furious.]
Ariados...return.
[The spider barely gets a chance to lift her head and blink, questioningly at her trainer, before the beam of light shoots from the center of her pokeball, and she's summed back into it with a soft click. Guzma shoves her ball into his pocket, and stomps his way toward Luna, looking about ready to chew her apart. That should have ended it. That one move, that one Rock Tomb. It should have been his loss...her win. Again. Ariados should have fainted and he damn well knows it. But she didn't. She didn't. Why?
He stops before Luna and reaches to grab her roughly by the arm. It'll probably bruise if he gets a good hold, but he doesn't care. Guzma is an inch away from losing it entirely, foresight and care is not in the agenda right now.]
Get inside. [He hisses, shoulders shaking with his restrained fury. Karamatsu has all but been forgotten.] You and I need to talk.
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....Ariados was still standing and able to fight. Her eyes brighten immensely, watching the place where Ariados once stood. Guzma'd been training! Probably? She considers his schedule and...decides that she doesn't know enough about it to say for certain if he can spend some of his time training. She lifts her gaze up to him and--
He's angry? She stands exactly where she is while he storms to her, each of his footsteps a small thunderbolt in the ground, and his hand encircles her arm easily, and squeezes tightly. She gasps and puts her hand on his, fingers trying to grasp around his palm, trying to release some of the pressure. ]
G-guzma, what's-- [ she winces and her brows cross angrily. What the heck? ] What's gotten-- let go!
[ from the ground, growling. A tired pokemon who stands with rocky hair lifted from her body. Her own legs are shaking-- Chiffon's strength is basically gone, and she looks like she's about to topple sideways from exhaustion. Nothing about that tone of voice, about the way that he's gripping her arm or about the way that Karamatsu has been all but ignored screams 'Yes, Let's Go Inside The Enclosed Space With Guzma.'
If he pulls, she'll come along. But she's certainly not happy about how south this situation has gone. For whatever reason. ]
1/2
But it doesn't stop the loud stomp of feet from Guzma's left, a hand gripping his shoulder to yank him round in Karamatsu's direction, with another fist hooking right into his smug jaw.]
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[Sorry, Luna.
Speaking of Luna, Karamatsu is quick to check on her- quick to take a hold of Guzma's wrist and squeeze it real hard- whatever it takes to make him let go. What, did he think someone was just gonna stand there and ignore this? Did he think Karamatsu was going to crawl on back home- let the little girl take the brunt of it?
Hell no.]
She said let go, pal.
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Huh...not bad. He didn't think the little guy had it in him, really. But this is far from a battle Guzma wants to partake in. He has more pressing matters to attend to, other than shifting his focus on someone that doesn't matter. He licks over his bleeding lip, purses them, then spits the blood out into the sand.]
This ain't 'bout you no more... It's between me n' the girl - she n' I need to have a nice lil chat. [He snaps his gaze to Luna, his eyes a cold, steely color. Yeah, he hasn't forgotten about you, either.] Now get lost, little man.
This your final warning.
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In some part of her mind, there is fear. A man twice her size with a grip like solid rock has made his personal, physical strength known. With effort, she tries to tug her hand out of his. ]
Guzma-- [ it's almost like her voice draws his well fortified gaze on her. Luna freezes for a second. It's hard to focus. She even stops pulling on her hand for a second to take it in.
He's...being a jerk. She frowns at him, obviously off-put by his tone, and by the harsh stare. And she's not the only one. Behind her, Chiffon slowly approaches, growling lowly, corners of her mouth lifting into a snarl that certainly isn't befitting of her normally lackadaisical nature. And the likelihood of lashing out like the wolf-pokemon's body language is suggesting is softened only by the fact that he's still holding onto Luna, and he hasn't tried to attack Karamatsu.
Luna looks around-- despite his burliness, she's learned that he's somewhat fast-- and while she could out last him in terms of energy, her shorter legs will only take her so far. She sucks in a breath, swallows hard, and takes a step closer to Guzma. ]
What do we need to ch-chat about?
[ is she spooked? Oh Arceus, yes, stepping closer to the towering mass has reminded her that he is tall and oh boy, he looks really mad. Her jaw tightens to try and keep the adrenaline fueled chittering of her teeth to herself. ]
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And the look on his face is outright cold as he continues to stare Guzma down. What are you going to do, huh? Beat him down and down, and never let up? Idiot. He has a brother. A whole island to call on. And between them all-]
You manhandle her again and I won't be your only problem, got it?
[Guzma better not think about touching any kid like that again.]
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But it's Luna who catches his attention first, when she steps near. He absolutely dwarfs her, being well over a foot her height. She probably reaches just above his naval, and Karamatsu just at his shoulder, perhaps. And does he use his towering height and hulking mass to his advantage? Oh, absolutely. Guzma hisses, through grit teeth, voice soft and still dripping with every bit of contained rage he has boiling over right now. It's gotten only slightly better, but still toeing the line where he may very well snap.]
Our battle just now. You n'me need to go over just what happened.
[He snorts, flipping his head back to Karamatsu. If one thing got through to him just now, it's that he was manhandling Luna. For a moment, he hesitates, and glances her way again, but there's uncertainty there. His grip loosens considerably, but he doesn't let go. Doesn't relinquish control. And especially not when he's threatened at the end there. His face darkens and sours all over again, brows knit together and muscles tensing. Is that a threat? Is he being threatened, right now? Tch...what a simple little punk.
Finally does Guzma release the girl, only long enough to ram a tightened fist hard and fast into the poor NEET's gut. He doesn't wait for Karamatsu to fall, or even to falter, after having the wind forcibly expelled from his person. He turns around and motions for Luna to head toward their home again, and his expression is one that is not to be challenged, this time. This little man won't be his only problem, huh? Well then--]
Y'all know where to find me.
Enso - Dec. 6, evening
Even so, he still is a little on edge when he's drags his feet back from the mana pool on the island of Enso, carries himself tiredly towards his shared little shack. Will she be there? Will she be in good health? Will she have had enough food? Enough water? Some people stayed behind, right? Will they have checked on her in his stead?
Guzma is tired - so much has happened in such a short time on that new, stupid island, and his pack is filled with goods he collected from the forest just prior to returning. Just prior...meaning he endured the effects of the forest for as long as he could, greedily thrust anything and everything he could find into his pack, nearly destroying them in his haste to uproot them. Who knows what's even salvageable... He'll have to check later. For now though, he's so, so tired. Coming down from a sudden, emotional high like that has left him drained and exhausted. It's not easy to just be that...that furious. Over nothing.
When he explodes like that, coming down leaves him empty. The feeling is always the same, it always is, but it doesn't make it any less tiring. Guzma knows he's in desperate need of a wash, and to change his clothes (they're probably covered in dirt and dust from the desert side), but...tomorrow. Right now, he just wants to unpack, unwind, find his girl, and rest. He wants to fall into his hammock and just rest.
He only gives their pitiful door a quick rap with his knuckles before pushing it ajar and shuffling through the doorway. His voice sounds dry, cracked--]
Yo, m'back for a while... Luna, you here?
sends a novel off for publishing
She'd searched-- god she'd looked high and low. Pulled every stone, crossed every bridge, and using the power of her friends (and that beautiful, white puppy, who... hates water, for some reason), she had come back with a small fortune.
A...small fortune. Nothing big. Her hands are chipped at, fingertips cut up a little. Her typical shirt has been stained in some brown and green, like grass stains. The only part that's pristine about her? Her hat, which is lopsided on her sleeping head.
She's dropped everything-- all the supplies she took with her, anything that she had to carry to stay warm at night and be protected from the elements, to the lid of their pot, which has scratches against the bottom. The items in question lead up to where Luna is half strewn across her hammock tiredly. her shoe is half on. Worn down quite a bit, but still functioning properly at covering her feet.
On Guzma's blanket is a somewhat familiar blue stone-- sky blue and somewhat quartz-ish in appearance. It isn't a dawn stone. It isn't smooth, and it isn't necessarily incredibly shiny...but a larger one in the middle and a few smaller ones that surround it are the fruits of her well meant labor. It's a stark contrast to the tigerskin colors, and obviously was meant to be seen upon him coming home.
The plan? Come home, drop off some stuff, and take a quick walk around the shores. Almost everyone went to the other island, including Guzma. When he wasn't back, and a thin layer of dust coated their usually well used surfaces, she wondered if maybe he wouldn't come back at all. He was upset. She broke a promise of some kind...one that she doesn't even remember, but Guzma wouldn't get upset over something if it wasn't a big deal to him.
And yes, there's a difference between upset and angry, however subtle it may be.
Regardless, his voice stirs her to some consciousness, and she flops awkwardly off the side of the hammock and onto the ground. Her body aches-- endurance pressed to it's absolute peak over the course of a week and a half of travelling. But she told herself it'd be worth it to see his reaction to the stones.
She can't help but stare at his giant, lumbaring frame as he enters the house. ]
...mm! [ it's a pretty excited little noise, though her face looks surprised.
He came back. ]
/approves it, makes it, sells it at Barnes & Noble, squish becomes a millionaire
Whoa there! [She falls, and he's not quick enough to catch her between the obstacle course of strewn items. The thud makes Guzma wince, but he's there to at least help her up. Squatting, he offers the kid a hand in picking herself up.] Jeez, kid, what was that all about?! You okay?
[Only after he's made certain she's not harmed, either from outside means or the sudden spill she took, Guzma frowns and looks around at the mess. He hasn't noticed the stones on his side of the room yet, preoccupied more with everything else. He's seen so much, experienced so much, in so little time. He isn't expecting anything to be out of place.
Or a surprised gift given to him so nicely. When was the last time he was gifted anything? Over a decade ago?]
What even happened here, kid? Did y'all get attacked again by them Primeapes? Did they steal anything? Wh--... [He scrunches up his nose with a snort, actually looking her in the face when he sees the shock and surprise glimmering in the young girl's eyes.] What the heck's with that face? Yo, you forget what I look like or something?
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No-- I? [ she's trying to answer his questions, but he's shooting them off pretty quick. With a little bit of grasping she re positions her red hat back in it's natural state, and she just stares at him. ]
Wel... [ she swallows. Nervous? No. Why should she be? He's here, and he's talking like he did before and he doesn't look mad-- certainly isn't looking upset, but she's just waiting for that to...to change. Not really sure what to expect, but part of her travelling around has made her come to realize that...she doesn't have to always know what's coming. Sometimes the surprise is worth the work. ]
...welcome back! [ she hasn't remembered to smile yet. Just kind of hanging in there. ] no, I didn't...there were those weird puffy plants, but they're not-- I was looking for!! Uh, and then me and Cloudy and Chiffon and Nina went all over the island, and it was really hot! But we found them! And!
W-welcome back! [ Guzma, the one person who she never expects. The one person she was never close to, or had any desire to get to really know...is here, and it's strange to say that she missed him. Missed the familiarity of someone knowing what a Primeape is. Missed someone who has been working his butt off from day one. Someone who tried to catch her when she just fell off the hammock or when she was too high up a tree.
But nothing she rationalizes in her head changes the fact that he's here. And...while the memories of thrown, breakable objects rests uncertainly in her mind, nothing can move the feeling of comfort knowing he's back, and he's okay. ]
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Girl...jeez. [Guzma stands up, shaking his head and kicking things lightly out of his way as he moves towards his hammock.] Use your words. I'm tired, and none'a what y'all is saying is making sense. Try going a bit slo--
[Finally, he spots them. Guzma spots the stones resting on his tigershark skin blanket - where he folded the fur nicely over his hammock (perhaps the only thing he keeps relatively tidy). He's stunned, and silent, eyes wide as he goes to pick up the largest one. It's...not quite a dawn stone he's familiar with, but the resemblance is uncanny. In fact, it very well could be, just not refined to the store quality. It's more that it was harvested right from the earth itself - still cloudy and a bit jagged, not smooth, shiny, rounded out, or polished. But it's so close to the real thing that Guzma turns it around in his hands, lets his fingers roam over the stone, feel the weight, the texture, the grain where it was extracted from stone.
He bows his head once he's finished examining it, looking at the color instead - the inner spectrum of color against the sea-green hue. It's lovely, and he recalls so clearly the battle he won, the reward he was given, and the time he gave it away.
A promise on a beach, when the sun and moon cast their glow upon the shimmering water.]
...Wh-- [Guzma feels his throat close up, his voice crack. Where did she find these? How did she get them? Why? Because...because of what he said? What he did? He had assumed none of it stuck past when he got angry, threw something - he forgot what - against the ground so hard it smashed to pieces. Why would Luna do something like this? Why would she give him a gift like this? Or...even welcome him back?]
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You said...I forgot a promise. And I'm, um, I'm sorry. [ she looks down at the little stone. Not the same, but the one he gave her seemed to be precious to him. Even if she can't remember. ] I went out and looked for them in the mountains. We did, together. They're not the same-- there's a lot of points on 'em, but they're a pretty color. I've never seen a dawn stone up close...only pictures. [ she turns the little stone around. It has a pretty color. No wonder Guzma liked his so much. ]
So we can, um, make new p-promises. Y'know? [ she seems a little pressed for words, and has so much to say, but not enough brain to say it.
Hurt feelings. Storming away. Things left unspoken, and overly spoken. Luna's not familiar with all this-- she's a kid. But she does know what hurt feelings look like. ]
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Guzma feels as if he'd been punched right in the chest. A wave of nausea slams into him so suddenly he wobbles on his feet until he steadies himself against the opposite wall. So she...she went out while he was away on that new island, for who knows how long, to get these for him? She put herself and her pokemon in danger, climbing up the mountain in that blaze, with those awful flowers...all to get these for him.
His head bows, shoulders falling with the weight of those word, the weight of these little stones, and the significance they hold. He wants to say a thousand things, but doesn't know where to start. Guzma has no idea what he could possibly say first, or how to form the words that are slamming against his skull, aching to get out. His throat feels dry and tight, his eyes burn, his ears are ringing and he just...just--
Guzma breathes out, a shuddering, raspy breath. She's still talking by the time he turns and closes the distance between himself and the small girl, wrapping her up in his strong arms and lifting her from the ground. His grip is strong, and firm, but not painfully so. Not like all he other times. He has Luna securely in his arms and pressed up against his chest. She can't probably feel his heart drumming away, and the soft shake of his shoulders. She can probably hear how labored his breathing is, as he takes in quick and shuddering breaths. She's become just as important as that stone - far more so. He's realized that when people were dying in those caves, when she came to comfort him on the beach, when he saw her cry for the first time. When...when he realized she's just a little girl, far from home, in a world of strangers. He's the only one she can relate to, the only one who know her better than anyone else.
She needs him, and he needs her just as much. His little Luna, his rival, his friend, and so much more.
It's quiet, for a long, long time...Guzma can't find the words to say amongst all the ones flying across his tightly shut eyes, but eventually things seem to slow down, and clarity begins to ebb back in. Slowly, slowly...he begins to feel like he's coming back. He can talk, and it's not very elegant, but he picks a word. The first word.]
Ye...y-yeah.
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With some effort, she brings her arms around and towards his back, patting it softly. ]
I promise to not climb really tall trees anymore. [ with a smile, she continues talking. Guzma's just trying to collect himself. And he's done a lot of talking already, it is definitely Luna's turn. >:C ] And I promise to take care of my team, and train them as best as I can and even better! That way we can keep battling as equals!
[ she's got a determined glint in her eye!! No backing out! Tell us your promises!
But also, she's still patting his back a little. He seems a little shook. There, there, Guzma. There, there. ]
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He's confused, mostly, but as Luna lists off all her promises, all the memories they've shared together - he was so worried she'd fall when she was in that tree, he was so angry she didn't think enough to realize how dangerous that was, he was upset when he thought she didn't think he was strong enough to take a loss, he was sad when she forgot--no, when she didn't even experience what he had. Not yet. Their stories didn't converge yet... She was still a few chapters behind.
He jumps a little when she first touches his back - it's a bit of a sore spot for him for varying reasons - but Guzma relaxes when her little palm rubs gently. He remembers vaguely a time long ago, when things were better. It's such a distant thought, when he was small. Very small, before he even had a pokemon at all, and someone rubbed his back nicely like that. When did that happen? Was it his mom? He can't remember enough, all those good times seem so...distant. So faded, left behind, with everything else in that house.
We can make new promises.
Guzma grits his teeth, sucking in a breath as he breathes in and out and sets Luna down at last when he bends at the knees and sits on the floor with his arms leaning on his bent knees. He said he'd never change, but that was pretty stupid, wasn't it? He has to. He has to change - get stronger, learn to be better not as a trainer, but as a person.]
I--... [He what? He doesn't know what to say, what sort of promise he could make. He doesn't know where to go or what to do now. Looking up, he spots her hands, and how beat up they are. Reaching out, he extends his hand, palm up, to take her hand.] ...I don't want you getting beat up cuz'a me. I don't want you going to that new place, either.
Please. [He can't protect her there, when the dangers on one side are far beyond their limits, and the danger on the other side is...is himself. Which would be better? Neither. She needs to stay away.] I can't...do nothing there to--...t-to take care'a you. [A deep breath - in, and out again.] But if, and only if we gotta...you have stay away from me. Far, far away, no matter what. No matter what.
Promise.
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But these warnings he's giving are somewhat concerning. He's-- well, would he ever admit to being afraid? He just seems...afraid. It's hard to see this lumbering giant as anything but his normal self. She puts her other hand on his head and tones down her own eager expression to a concerned one. ]
If I promise you that, then you have to come home. Whenever you go, you have to come back...promise me.
[ But he's asking something amazing of her, in a situation that she doesn't completely understand. That 'new place' is...unexplored. Her pokemon could be there. His pokemon could be there-- and she hasn't gotten to look around yet, or explore.
She inhales sharply. She doesn't break promises. And she would follow through on his request. But clearly, this is not enticing to her. And even more than that, she wants to know that he'd come back safe, too. From an unknown danger in a place she's never seen. ]
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But the fact is, he is afraid. He's been afraid since the episode with those caves. He was so, so afraid - the recollection of Ultra Space, turning tail and running, learning what exactly happened, what could have happened, if he or...or Luna, especially Luna, got trapped in there. The very thought makes Guzma want to puke. And then that other island, that new place...where you can't control your body, your mind, you're your own worst enemy on one side, and something else's snack on the other.
He had to watch someone be just that, in fact. Guzma is indeed quite scared. He couldn't bear it. He couldn't even imagine what it'd be like to lose her in such a gruesome way. This isn't Alola, this isn't their world. He can't handle everything here like he could back home. It's too much sometimes, and he's become so aware of his and his pokemon's mortality. He's realized just how important this little girl is to him.
And yet--]
Promise...to do my best. [And yet, he can't make a full promise to her, because he knows. He knows there will be things he can't do. But damned if he's not determined enough to try. If he doesn't kill himself first, trying to get back to her, then those other things have got it coming to them. Guzma is nothing if not as tenacious as a roach.] No one else is fool 'nuff to babysit a brat like you.
[There's affection in his words, and Guzma releases Luna's hands to drop a large hand on the top of her head.]
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I'm not a brat! [ she huffs, but...it's affectionate on her end, too, because she's smiling and she definitely might hate it, but she can't help it. It's nice to have him back, and despite the warnings he's listed (in full, a long list of warnings) she's eager to hear about this island and why she
shouldshouldn't go there. Her hands come up and pat his hand about as aggressively as a small puppy. ]And besides, you're not babysitting!! I took care of myself out there, for a whole week and a half! [ she sticks her tongue out. In a small move of her feet, the pot lid clatters against the ground, and she looks down at it. ]
I didn't use the lid like I wanted to, though. I was gonna-- like!! [ with her small arms she makes a movement like she's swinging a baseball bat.
Like she'd swing the pot lid if anything came too close.
It is a wonder that this girl did not die. ]
Cloudy and Nina and Chiffon had it covered, though. All I had to do was dig! ...and I may have used the lid for that! A little! It, uh, should be washed before you cook with it again. [ she looks a little sorry-- it's still a perfectly functioning lid, just...with more scratches than before. ]
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[Guzma yawns, stretching out his back with a very loud and satisfying crack, doing the same with a roll of his neck and shoulders. He really did do a lot today, and he's exhausted. He's just about to pick up and move his backpack, start unloading the goods he brought back from the forested area (the shovel he left outside), but Luna stop him half way.]
You...what?! You were out there that long?! [Was he really gone that long? Is felt like no time at all, but with everything happening, and how his mind and body were flip-flopping by which side of the island he was on...time seemed to escape him after a while.] Girl, you're luck you're even alive, what the heck is wrong with you?! Can't you sit still and stay 'round the safer areas for a blasted day or two?!
And who the heck are you gonna beat down with that, huh? Tch, 'least you can do is learn to throw a punch. [He grumbles, snatches the pot lid from her, and drops a big handful of blackberries into it. A few of them are a bit squished from the journey, dying Guzma's hands a blue-black color, but he carelessly wipes them clean on his much darker pants. He hands the upturned lid back to Luna, using it more as a plate than anything else.] Here, eat. I ain't got time to cook nothing right now, and I'm bushed.
[But not enough so as to check on their stores of food he left for her in the ice box. It's pretty empty...they'll need to stock up again, especially on fish and meat. He, uh...he really needs to also learn to slaughter and butcher some animals, too, without getting sick to his stomach. They need a good, steady supply of meat.]
Tch...did you really use up everything? [He pouts, then eyes her very carefully, scowling.] ...Didn't touch my Tapu Cocoa, did'ja?
[Nothing will save you if you did. >8C]
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N-no, I just took some carrots and the bags of food! Chiffon helped me catch some fish. I'm-- [ her stomach gurgles loudly!! Why!! Are!! You!! This!! Way!! ] ...e-er, I'm okay. I'll eat some berries though, thank you!
[ she mmmmmunches away, very satisfied. With rosy cheeks she chews on the delicious little fruit beans. They're so good. She didn't get to take anything sweet with her-- it's like a reward for doing well and making it back! ]
I didn't use up everything! Just...well. Some of the stuff I found on the way there and back. You...have cocoa here?
[ she watches him with big, glowing eyes. Cocoa? He has Tapu Cocoa? Nectar of his god? Fruits of a hard days labor? Hot and fresh and pure in every satisfying way?
With a quick motion, she shakes her head, eating another berry and looking down at the pot. Delicious berries. ]
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You're hungry. [Guzma rubs his face, tossing his pack on his hammock and beginning to fish through it. There's still a bit of jerky in there she can chew on, he doesn't trust any of the veggies, but there is something in there he can probably toss into a pan and fry real quick - laetiporus mushrooms. The huge cluster of fungi doesn't really look appetizing, but when cooked, it has a flavor reminiscent of chicken.]
I do, yeah, and I can make some if you can boil water. You can do that, right? [He raises a brow at her. Guzma is...very, very tired, but if the kid is hungry, he should at least give her more than a handful of berries to fill her up. She went to great lengths to give him such a meaningful treasure...it's the least he can do.]
Oh, right, and uh...also got a pokedex, too. S'in my bag, if you wanna look. Thought I told'ja, but I...guess I forgot, 'fore I left. Ain't nothing fancy, and it goes on the fritz a heckin' lot, but it works. Used it a lot t'show people 'bout my pokemon - yours, too.
[He grins, proudly. It was such a great thing to ask for - incredibly useful and helpful, even as busted up an irritating as it was now, Guzma is very fond of the tool. In fact, he may very well use up a favor here and there to fix or upgrade it, if possible.]
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[ she absolutely drops a berry or two when he says 'Pokedex', and-- can you see the sparkles in her eyes? He's got a pokedex?? She just WANTS TO TOSS THE BERRIES IN THE AIR LIKE CONFETTI!!!!
...but she doesn't, and instead picks up the ones she's dropped, brushing them off on her shirt and taking a step closer. ]
C-can I?! You really have one?!
[ a step closer to finding their friends is being able to show people what they actually look like...she inches toward his bag eagerly. Hands full of berries. How is she going to pull anything out of the bag without spilling?
Carefully. Very, very carefully. She waits for his official blessing before dropping the berries into her shirt and pulling the edge up, serving as a...berry hammock, of sorts. The pokedex is pulled out and-- it's a lot smaller than she's used to. Beat up thumbs smooth over the scratched surface of what could have once helped a young kid from a small town become a pokemon master.
She looks delighted. Absolutely beyond thrilled. Tunes out the fact that it's beat up-- doesn't even want to open it. This is literally the best thing that's happened to her since she stepped on shore. Attention goes to Guzma!! ]
Guzma!! [ she cries out excitedly, keeping the berries locked away in her shirt, but there's a certain hop in her step that wasn't there before. ] It's really a pokedex! It's really here!
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He does wonder, idly, what negative traits little Luna has. If...if it were just her, just her...maybe--no. No, he can't let her go. Even if he didn't go himself, anyone else inside that forest, effected by its mind games, may very well do worse things to her than he could, even if he were flying into a rage.]
Yeah, I do...in my bag. [He watches her carefully, tilting his head with a screwed up expression. She's so excited about it, but why? Didn't the kid already have a much fancier pokedex from that idiot professor? It was a Rotomdex, the newest model of pokedex and worth a small fortune, considering how rare they were, and how few were produced at the time.
His, on the other hand, has definitely seen better days. The metallic case is scratched, dented, and rusted. Guzma heads back over, showing Luna how and where the power it on, and how to tug it up so the glass (which has a very large, ugly crack going right through the middle of the screen) pulls up to show more.]
It's also mine, brat, so if you wanna use it, you ask me. If I ain't around? Too dang bad. [Unlike when he asked to use her wood saw but, uh...yeah.] Now you do what you gotta while I cook - if it act up, just restart it...but fair warning, it acts up a lot. Be right back.
[And with a huge yawn, and a satisfying stretch and crack of his back, Guzma gathers a few things he needs to cook, and heads out towards their stove to fry up those mushies.]
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Suddenly, she seems a little sad. Homesick, maybe. She'd been so excited to play with it, and eager to see those familiar faces again, and!! It's a rush, to hold a pokedex in her hands again, even if it doesn't feel the same. Even if it doesn't want to work.
She sits in front of her hammock, looking somewhat glum. Each scratch is rubbed with a thoughtful thumb. Now isn't the time to be sad. But...when is a good time? Is it allowed? She was sad before, but that made Guzma sad. She was worried, and that makes people anxious...
She watches the screen. Wailord, the Float Whale Pokémon. Wailord is the largest Pokémon yet discovered. When diving out of the water in pursuit of its prey, it makes quite an impressive sight.
She misses them. ]
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One day, he'll make a request for a set of table ware, they desperately need it. Maybe even a collapsible table to boot, and a floor. But for now, Guzma is satisfied to just have a place to sleep after such a long few days.
He shoos Luna off his hammock and crawls inside, sitting there with his legs hanging off the side. Taking the chopsticks int his hands - he's an old hat, Malie City has a huge influence from places like Johto - he picks up a cooked mushroom, blows a few times, and tests the taste. Not bad at all, and his thoughtful hum shows as much, but it definitely needs some seasoning - salt, pepper, maybe something spicy.]
C'mere... [He pats his lap tiredly - the bags under his eyes dark and prominent. Guzma barely notes the pokemon she's looking at, on the 'dex.] S'hot as heck, so y'gotta blow on it. Same with the cocoa, but don't eat these with that, it'll ruin the taste of the cocoa. And--uh...and I had t'use coconut milk, so the taste is gonna be diff'rent anyway...
If y'don't like it, I'll finish it off.
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Despite that, even if she doesn't sit in his lap, she leans against his shoulder a little. Being tired and a little emotionally compromised makes her body tired. The cocoa smells good, though....and the food looks really good, too. She reaches for the cocoa first, blowing on it sleepily and lopsided. Coconut milk? She thinks...this tastes really good, too.
His arm is warm. ]
'S good... [ she trades him the cocoa for his pokedex. It isn't the last time she'd see it-- he said she'd have to ask permission, but she figures she could get away with looking at it if he's not home, or maybe use her adventure as a valued reason why she would get to look at it at all!
She looks at the mushrooms skeptically-- they're not her favorite, but...Guzma made 'em, and she could at least eat one. That's what her mom would say, anyway. ]
How long until I can eat those?
[ he said not to eat them at the same time. >:C she's just trying to follow the rules. ]
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He's not put off, leaning a bit into the girl for support himself. The pan is still hot, so he holds it up and out a little, so as not to touch their clothes or skin, lest it burn either of them. The pokedex she gives back to him is set under his pillow, for safe keeping. He can't bend over to set it down, otherwise their food will spill everywhere - his coordination right now is too poor.
Yawning, he offers Luna the makeshift chopsticks, rubbing his face with his palm once she takes them. He nods to her compliment about the cocoa, not really hearing it, otherwise he'd preen and go on about his favored hot beverage and the best way and place that prepares it. Instead, he just blinks, lifting his head when he begins to nod a bit.]
Huh? Oh...uh. Y'can eat now, I guess. Just don't eat n'drink that together...it don't go good t'gether. [His words slur together, a sign of his fatigue, and Guzma hums a bit before stretching.] Blow on 'em a bit first though...
[Did he tell her that already? Maybe. He forgets.]
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It's...good, but she doesn't like mushrooms. She bites down on the chopsticks a little to keep them from falling, but her arms are tired. The two tastes really don't go well together, but the cocoa is still good, so she pulls the chopsticks out of her mouth and sets them in her lap to hang out while she gets more cocoa...
she frowns at the mushrooms, but really she's just tired, and doesn't like mushrooms in general. Not being able to hide her distaste, she buries her face in the cocoa a bit until she coughs from drinking too much at once. >:C it's so good. This is so good. ]
Thanks, Guzma... [ Luna is grateful. Her hands hold the mug and she presses her forehead into the warm cup. It's good...and hot. ]
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He does, however, note that she's getting tired, and he is, too. Guzma allows for just a few more bites before he begins to pick off the meal himself, so it doesn't go to waste. He'll fix up something tomorrow for breakfast - something filling...hopefully.]
Slowly, numskull. Y'all is worse'n my grunts... [He huffs, knocking on her back gently with his palm, to help with the coughing. When the pan is emptied, he puts the chopsticks into the middle and sets the pan down on the floor, far enough away so they won't trip on it the next morning, and falls backwards into his hammock, tucking his legs up and into the tigershark skin blanket that is folded nicely inside.] Tell me when you're done...I'll put it down.
[His arms can reach the ground better than hers, and it won't break if he tosses it gently to the floor once emptied. GUzma yawns, taking out the pokedex to fiddle around with it again, looking up pokemon as well. Masquerain...Pinsir...Scizor.
...Damn, he misses them.]
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We'll.. [ she yawns, setting the empty mug on the ground after hunching over and straining against her legs to set it on the ground. ] ...we'll find 'em. You'll see them again...hopefully really soon.
[ it hurts to give up hope. It's easy to hurt. Luna won't let herself down easy...and that's more and more embedded in her each passing day. Her head falls against his shoulder and lidded eyes try to watch the plate in front of her. It's so far away. And bleary. It keeps moving...and multiplying.
She's falling asleep. One eye watches the plate. Trying to stay with you, Guzma. Trying so hard. ]
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So he can get back to them, one day.
Guzma exhales softly - a slow sigh - and takes her empty bowl of cocoa and sets it down when he notices she's falling asleep. His own vision is getting fuzzy too; he has to squint to see the information on the screen, and decides it's time to get some goddamn sleep. Unthinking, Guzma powers off the pokedex, tucks it back under his pillow, and pulls Luna down against him as he leans back into his hammock with her against his side.]
Mmhm... Time for bed, pipsqueak.
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Obviously, with a spot picked out, she has to protest to bedtime at least a little. When was the last time she hadn't felt too tired to argue over bed? When was the last time someone actually made her sleep? It's been a while, certainly...and it feels nice. A nice round of good feelings. ]
...nnno. [ she mumbles half into his shirt. Ugh. It's late, probably, and she's tired, definitely. She doesn't even open her eyes to respond, or check the response she'll get. Her hat half falls off.
She's out like a light, no blanket required. +1 sleep. ]