orendalogs | Pokémon is GANGSTA

Pokémon is GANGSTA

Who: Nicolas Brown, Worick Arcangelo, OTA
What: Two rough and tumble mob sweepers end up in a world populated by cute animals and kids...
When: Ruby/Sapphire era?
Where: Littleroot Town
Warnings: TBD

Lots of chosen were appearing in their new worlds with a lot of action and fanfare. Some were running, some were fighting, some were flying. Nic was following along behind Worick after hitting up Granny's store, sipping from his bottle of Perrier, stuffing his change in his pocket and oblivious to anything. One minute he was strolling down a city back-alley and closed his eyes to enjoy the cool drink sliding down his throat, the next minute he was crunching gravel under his feet and surrounded by trees.

For a moment he just stood and stared, heavy-lidded eyes drooped and slow-blinking. He turned away to look around himself in bland lack of understanding, completely missing the first part of The Guide's spiel. When he saw the man and focused directly, he started to follow the words. Regardless of what the video-thing said, Nic wasn't one to believe in fairytales and futuristic stuff like teleporting or whatever. Better to see it with his own eyes, he felt. Of course...those weird blinking caterpillar-looking things staring at him from where they were eating leaves in the trees sure were convincing...

Maybe if he cut one open he'd better understand, he mused, pressing a thumb against his sword and beginning to slide it from its sheath, the soft click and familiar whisper of the metal creeping out sure to draw attention from the observant.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Worick, too, had just been minding his own business like the model citizen he is when ~~the fire nation attacked~~ he was so rudely lifted from the lovely streets of Ergastulum and dumped, uh... Wherever the hell they put him.

Mumble mumble chosen, mumble mumble do some things, there are others find them or don't, blah blah 'I'm Really High'-- okay, maybe he'd listened a little better than that, but really none of it had really stuck until the guy'd left. Being here by himself now is...

Well, alright then. Maybe there is something to what he'd said. Like Nic (who's as yet out of sight), he can't help but notice the things in the trees watching him with their beady little bug eyes... Yikes. Dude couldn't have left him with a newspaper or something to fight them off? Gun seems like overkill, really...

In any case, he figures he'd better ignore them for now- if the way they shuffle away when he starts walking is any indication they're not much of an immediate threat- and try to find his partner. They'd been together before, so... Maybe he'd shown up here too.

Wherever 'here' is, anyway. He eyes the trees a bit warily as he walks, more and more convinced that no, this absolutely is not Ergastulum... If anything, it reminds him a bit of his father's place. Not as well kept, of course, but all the leafy green crap everywhere... Talk about bringing up great childhood memories! Yup, that's totally what he needed today...

He lifts his hand to rub at his bad eye just as he turns a corner and spots Nic from around a tree, poised to strike at.... A bug. He can't help it- he lets out a soft, relieved laugh at the sight. Whatever else is going on... Nic is still Nic. Shaking his head, he stomps his boot against the ground a few times to get his partner's attention, waiting until he's sure he has it before addressing him.

"Sword's probably overkill, don't you think?"

Dark eyes narrowed (a feat in itself with the slack-eyed looks Nic usually wore) as the Twilight squared his feet on the ground and prepared for a concentrated, direct strike at one of the fat grub things. He would have done it, too, if they didn't keep blinking at him and looking disgustingly innocent. Fortunately for the little beasties, the ground vibrating just slightly drew Nicolas' attention away long enough to see familiar hair and a scruffy face.

Sighing long and loud, Nic clicked his sword back into its sheath and frowned, raising a hand to gesture roughly in the direction of the grub-things, then out at the rest of the forest. The forest was filled with those things, and other crap he'd never seen before. Raising an eyebrow, he challenged Worick to suggest they shouldn't at least know what they were dealing with. Of course he wouldn't attack anything without the man's express direction now that he was there. No point causing trouble Worick didn't want.

Still, what were they supposed to do and where were they supposed to go, he asked, pointing up and drawing a circle in the air before gesturing two thumbs up, then opening palms flat parallel to each other and gesturing forward. Which way?

So their charm isn't lost on Nic either, huh? Yeah, Worick feels that- fat little guys don't seem to be hurting anything just chowing down on those leaves... Now, when they sprout fangs or spew poison at them, then that'll be another story, but for now he's willing to give them the benefit of, you know, not shooting them out of the trees for a quick anatomy lesson.

What he does instead is hum at Nic's question and take another good look around, much more willing to give his surroundings his full attention now that he knows he can do so without getting his head knocked off of his shoulders. ...Not that his concentration is really coming up with much. Nothing but unfamiliar trees, more of those bugs, and a handful of equally strange looking birds...

Huh, and what looks like a path, albeit one that's seen better days as far as upkeep is concerned. Kneeling to get a better look seems to help the decision making process along, though:

"Well... I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly in the mood for a wilderness hike..." Or dressed for one, but like hell he's gonna give Nic the opening to call him out on that at the moment, "so why don't we see where this goes? We can always double back if it dies out or gets us nowhere, right?"

Wilderness hikes didn't exactly interest Nic all that much either and his dispassionate expression said as much, dark eyes roaming the trees and up and down the path. Sighing long and loud before grunting his agreement (honestly, what else was he going to do?), Nic rolled his shoulders in a shrug and thumbed over in one direction, suggesting they go that way first. There were no indicator suggestion which route was the best to take, so either one was as good as the other.

Moving to set off that way, Nicolas stopped and turned, reaching down to the Perrier he'd crammed into his coat pocket. Twisting the cap off, he held the drink out to his friend, wiggling the bottle slightly in passive offering of the first sip. He knew it wasn't Worick's preferred fare, but he couldn't let the man get dehydrated out of stubbornness.

Worick looks the other way, then down in the direction Nic's suggesting. ...Yeah. No use standing here agonizing over it; he nods his own agreement and sets off that way as well, falling into step as naturally as ever. He's still glancing around and trying to get his bearings when the slosh of the drink catches his attention:

"Huh? Oh-- thanks, partner," and he swipes it without a second thought, "don't mind if I do..."

There's a pause and a gulp, and then he hands it back with a long sigh.

"So... That sketchy dude give you the welcome speech too, or am I just lucky?" Or crazy, he doesn't say. It's implied, he's sure.

Shrugging off the thanks, Nic glanced around, sucking his teeth briefly in a simple sound of irritation. Turning dark eyes back on Worick, the Twilight nodded once, then stuck a finger in his ear and twisted idly. He hadn't exactly paid much attention to what the guy had said, but he got the gist of it, even if he didn't really understand. As far as he got it, they were supposedly on another world entirely. Why, he didn't know. How, he wasn't sure. He expected Worick would have better details on that note, and would rely on the taller man's fount of knowledge for answers. Nic wasn't stupid, by any means, but he wasn't about to assume he was the brains of the operation. He was definitely the brawn, and until Worick pointed him in a direction and let him go, he was off duty.

Snorting quietly, Nic took a sip of his drink and turned his gaze back up onto the bizarre (albeit somewhat cute, he had to admit) creatures shuffling about. Though he had no desire to get anyone else wrapped up in some kind of space alien teleporting weirdo bullshit, he was pretty sure Nina and Alex would have liked a big forest with fat, happy-looking grub...caterpillar...things.

Maybe he should take one home somehow...

The girls would love the little things, wouldn't they? With their cutesy faces and wiggly chubbiness... Nic's got like eight hundred pockets, right? They could totally cram one of them in there.

"Guessing he didn't exactly sign it out for you, huh?" Worick shakes his head. "The gist of it is this--" and he'll go on to explain exactly what the guy'd said, more or less word for word and with a few signs tossed in for the weirder shit that he feels needs more emphasis.

"So completely insane," he concludes, "...Except that I guess we can't argue with what's right in front of us." A small and speedy rat-like critter scurries across the path in front of them as if to prove his point. Thanks, buddy. Thanks a lot.

"Looks like some kinda kid's book, doesn't it? Maybe we'll run into a witch or a fairy next..." Cue the most theatrical of dreamy looks. "...Hope she's hot."

Worick's comment was met with a flat-eyed, unamused expression from his companion, followed by a stuck out tongue. Nic couldn't see the other man's fascination with troublesome women. Granted both of them had their interest in Alex for their own reasons, but past that, Nic thought a good man at your back (and in your bed, really) was always preferable to a girl that always needed saving. Or a girl that didn't, for that matter.

In fact, girls were just trouble. Forget it.

Rolling over everything Worick explained, Nic clucked his tongue and nodded, looking mollified. some part of him had bore a lot of tension, thinking about the people left back home in the turbulence between the gangs. With everything going on, it didn't leave a good taste in his mouth when he considered how endangered everyone was without he and Worick there. Knowing they could - potentially - go back to exactly when and where they came from was a bit of a relief. At least they wouldn't have to go home to absolute chaos and missing friends.

Fingers snapped loudly, drawing Worick's attention before Nic pointed down the path. Houses. People milling about. A village, evidently, with civilized people who might have answers, or at least directions. Or food. Or a shower.

Why does Worick like troublesome women? Might as well ask why he likes anything. Attention, the challenge, the satisfaction of knowing he's played his cards right... Take your pick. It's all the same to him. And if they're paying him? He'll be fascinated with anything.

Nic responds predictably enough to Worick's 'positive thinking'... And Worick returns the favor with an equally familiar gesture, rolling his eyes and sliding his hands into his pockets with a snort as he casts his eyes around the forest once again... Though this time he's not so much scanning the area as he is mulling things over now that repeating them has made everything all the more real. But yeah, as ridiculous as this whole mess is, there is at least the fact that things will be... Stalled, or whatever the hell. Knowing that their world won't be missing them- and that their people won't find themselves in an even more precarious situation because of their absence- is at least a little bit of a relief.

...Provided, of course, that that part of the story wasn't complete shit. There's no way of really knowing, after all, and Worick isn't exactly the most optimistic person around...

Man, what a drag.

He tries his best to keep from being too miserable about it as they walk, though- they don't know where they are and so this isn't the time to be distracted by what-ifs especially when they've been explicitly told otherwise. Still, Nic's snap brings a welcome return to physical reality, and the sight of the village banishes the last of the melancholy for the time being. Time to get his shit together.

Grinning, he shoots Nic a thumbs up and quickens his pace as the path changes from woodland trail to dirt road, peering at the buildings with apparent curiosity. Sure as hell doesn't look like anywhere he's been since he hit puberty, if ever.

"Whaddaya think that big ball thing means?" His grin turns a little more lewd, just to push Nic's buttons for the familiarity of it. "I mean, I can guess--"

Another flat-eyed look was shot Worick's way, more for effect than anything else. He was used to the man's behavior, and much though a louse he might act, Nic knew he was made of better quality than he wanted people to know. Fortunately, Nic didn't have a lot to say on the matter, which meant no one knew Worick's dirty little secrets, but for the few people in their lives that got that close.

Once they were in the village proper Nic was able to get a better grasp of where they were: a soft land full of soft people, harmless as far as he could see. Farmers, children. Even the creatures really didn't look all that threatening. Granted there were ones as big as Earth pachyderms but they - much like elephants - probably weren't aggressive on their own. No trouble from he and Worick and he doubted there would be any issues, which meant all they really had to do was ask for directions and get a head on the land. Provided Worick didn't screw it up being Worick.

Look, he can't go around giving people expectations he'll need to live up to, okay? It's a good thing Nic's good at keeping secrets, otherwise those days off they enjoy from time to time? G O N E. ~~Bad enough a handful of his clients have figured it out, he doesn't need the whole town putting him on lost pet duty.~~

This place sort of feels like a day off, if they can ignore the whole kidnapping thing. That, and the vaguely off-putting calmness. It looks so cheery and relaxed that Worick can't help but wonder what kind of shady crap is lurking around the corner of one of these quaint little buildings, just how seedy the underbelly of a place like this could be. The weird animals he's not all that worried about- even the most seemingly vicious seldom attack for no reason and he's with Nic in that he sure as hell isn't looking to give them a reason- but he's not quite sure what to make of the people. All joking aside, it's kind of unsettling, the contrast to this and what they're both used to.

Regardless, he's doing a lot of smiling and nodding during this initial stroll, expression relaxed and betraying none of his skepticism to the outside world. Nic can probably tell... But there's that whole secret keeping perk again. You won't rat him out there, right buddy...? He pauses every so often in front of this building or that, nudging Nic occasionally to direct his attention to a particularly odd sign or phrase: they'd be easily pegged as tourists, in other words, nothing more and certainly nothing to be worried about.

He even leans down to pet a creature or two... Though that's not so much put on as it is the result of genuine curiosity. Probably helps sell the whole image a bit, though, so... Win-win.

He's in the middle of scratching the ears of one such animal when he finally supplies something other than inane chatter:

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but... I haven't seen any other tags around, have you?" Something quietly strained passes over his face for a moment before he tucks it away where it belongs, giving the critter an extra pat to compensate, like it knows the turn his thoughts have taken and he's trying to convince it otherwise. "...Pretty lucky about that deterioration thing, huh?"

Knowing Nic, he'd blow through whatever he's got on him (if anything) in under a week, and then where would they be? Pretty friggin' screwed, probably.

He shrugged, running his tongue along the inside of his cheek and glancing off across the dirt road - where did you even find dirt roads anymore? - to watch a small group of children chatting. Worick was being as sunshiney as possible, as usual, while Nic was too busy squinting in focus on mouths as they moved. Seemed like they all spoke similar to Worick, so that was a relief.

Maybe they're just all dead around these parts, Nic signed distractedly as he read lips on conversations too far away for Worick to overhear.

Po-kay-mon? Trainers...that was a familiar enough word. Children were rainers for the animals? What did the parents do, he wondered, looking around and observing. Many basic tasks seemed to be relegated to the adults, while the children were running around with their own pets. Companions? Nic paused, turning around to gesture at his hip and draw a circle, indicating the red and white balls a lot of people seemed to have. He expected Worick to investigate that, being more subtle than Nic himself. Were they containers for medicine? Were there's Twilights like him all over the place or was it something else? All the smiling faces didn't bother Nic as much as it id Worick, but mostly because Nic didn't trust any expression. Every emotion on the face was hiding something else; few people were open and honest enough for him to take at their word, so to speak.

"Dead, huh? What, you think we got shanked on the way to Granny's and just don't remember it?" He makes a face like he's considering it, mouth twitching up at the corners a bit. "I dunno, something tells me this isn't the kinda place we'd end up."

Not a pitchfork or flaming rack in sight... No way that's right.

"Oh, hey--" he flaps a hand to get Nic's attention, then points down a short but hilarious well manicured dirt driveway and the movement at the end that'd caught his eye: a tired-looking but pretty woman with a long dark ponytail hanging over her shoulder and a child that Worick assumes is her daughter, tugging at her skirt and waving one of those red and white balls enthusiastically with a gap-toothed grin so wide he can see it even from so far away. Cute...

"Check it out, looks like we're lucking out again- nothing like a demonstration." TALK ABOUT CONVENIENT...! The conversation itself escapes Worick from this distance (have at it, partner), but the actions don't and at this point that may be for the best as far as information overload goes. As Worick straightens and brushes some of the dust from the front of his slacks the kid takes a step away, winds her arm back... And tosses the ball with a shout that he's pretty sure is not English. Normal enough child behavior, the tossing and yelling, but the flash of light and the mouse... thing it solidifies into are just about the furthest things from normal he's seen yet. The critter squeaks and is off in a second, bounding circles around the kid and her mother while Worick turns to give Nic an incredulous sort of look. That's interesting...

"...You saw that, right?"

Nic nodded slowly, eyes widening briefly in confusion before relaxing again in acceptance. No point freaking out, no point worrying or wondering. they were stuck there, and when in Rome...

Ask them about it. Tell them we're foreigners or something and want to learn. We need to blend in. He signed briefly before waving Worick off to do his thing. Besides not really having a stellar means of speaking to people in the first place, Nic wasn't much of a people person and his skills at conversation left something to be desired whether a person knew how to sign or not. Best to let the chatty Cathy handle dialogue. Meanwhile Nic intended to start observing the children more closely, because evidently these animals were more than just cute, fat-looking stuffed animal pets.

It felt like he was in some kinda damned kids game like Nina talked about once in a while. If that was the case, he was going to need a really open mind. And some of those balls and one of those grub things...

Worick's with Nic there- never mind that it'd most certainly out them as Not From These Parts, the fact is that there's nothing they can do about any of the weird shit that goes on here other than roll with it.

Which frankly suits Worick just fine:

"Yeah, yeah, I'm on it--" he waves a hand as he heads off in the direction of the mother and her kid. Looks like hey've caught on to the staring... Time to get to work!! He flashes Nic a grin over his shoulder.

"Leavin' the kids to you, partner. Try not to scare 'em too much." ~~Because it's not like Nic is a million times better with them than Worick himself or anything...~~

A long-suffering sigh was all Worick got in turn, and while the taller of the pair worked over the mother, as he did back home, Nic leaned against a nearby fence and waited like bait. Realistically, Nic's job was much easier, since where a grown woman might be wary, children were inherently curious. Nic didn't have to do a thing except stand there looking like a storm cloud before he was surrounded.

"Hey mister, is that a reeeeeal sword?"

"Mister whatcher necklace for?"

"You're kinda short for a grown-up, aren't you?"

Dark eyes slid back and forth, reading the lips, scowling on occasion and frightening the kids off in a scatter of laughter before they came right back, chattering amongst themselves. He nodded occasionally or shook his head, waved them back and drew his katana to a chorus of cheers and awed sounds before putting it back as not to alarm any parents more than they already had. When one of the littlest girls complained that he was "being a meanie" because he wouldn't answer her more complicated question, Nic crouched down in front of her specifically, reaching out to tug her sleeve gently before reaching up and putting a finger to his ear, then gesturing to his mouth and shaking his head.

A few kids argued with each other over whether of not he was "playing the quiet game", until he tilted his head and spoke up in that garbled, low voice of his and explained very simply that he couldn't hear and barely spoke.

While some of the other children seemed to think it was pretty cool and a few of the boys started emulating Nic's stoic silence, the little girl wibbled briefly before breaking into sobs, feeling as though she'd done something wrong. A heavy pat on the head from the Twilight and that all evaporated. Moments later Nic was being dragged by his fingertips to a nearby open hay field and treated to a wild array of popping Pokemon balls and bizarre creatures. He didn't understand the science of it at all, but the facts were right there in front of him. Everyone seemed to have a pet in a ball, and anyone who didn't was eagerly anticipating gettign one. Not having one simply didn't happen.

"What's your Pokemon, mister? Are you a trainer? Oh, are you a gym leader?" one of the children asked, and Nic shook his head, raising his arms and opening his hands to show that he had no Pokemon, no balls and nothing to show for anything. Of course all of the children found that just awful, and before long Nic was being dragged off again, inundated with children who all believed they knew the best way to get the sad adult geared up like a normal person. Maybe he lost his Pokemon? Maybe they were stolen? Maybe Nic was a really big, really ugly kid and hadn't gotten one yet?

Maybe in Ergastulum the women were wary, but apparently this place is another story entirely. The little girl wastes no time being bored with the initial smalltalk (and of course hopping with her pokemon over to the commotion surrounding Nic because come on, clearly that's the more interesting situation here) but her mother seems perfectly content to just shoot the shit with some strange dude with the flimsiest cover story ever.

Frankly it's kind of hard for Worick not to give her (and all of the other adults around) the internal side-eye for being so apparently blase about her own safety and the safety of all these kids running around, but in the end it makes his life a hell of a lot easier... And in the interest of keeping it that way he doesn't allow even an ounce of his judgement to bleed into their pleasant conversation. All smiles here!!

And by the end of the exchange he's learned enough to keep him busy as far as investigating goes: the history of the town (mostly farming, aided by the cooperation of these critters that are all over the place); the location of their largest attraction (a 'pokemon gym', which he also learns a bit about as she gushes about how excited her kid is to challenge the "Elite Four" someday, whatever that means); the woman's name (Karla) her daughter's name (Rae); and finally... What's for dinner. It's nothing he's ever heard of, but like hell he's gonna turn down a home cooked meal.

"--and if you boys need anything, make sure you mark the address-- Oh, that's right; no Pokedex, huh?" she says in response to Worick's almost guilty smile. Pokedex: there's another something to look into. "Well, I'll just have to get the two of you set right up with that, too. After dinner," she clarifies with a motherly sort of authoritativeness that Worick isn't about to argue with.

He of course graciously accepts, turning to scan the horizon for Nic's telltale stumpy silhouette.

"My friend there's a little hard of hearing, so I might have to go get him if I can't flag him down--" If he manages to catch Nic's eye, he'll do a bit of flailing; if not, it'll become a rescue operation...

A rescue mission was certainly in order, judging by the small swarm of children taking Nic further out into the field where the grass started going above some of the smallest children's heads. everyone was willing to give up a ball but no one was willing to give up one of their own precious Pokemon, so of course the only answer - without a well-meaning Professor to intervene - was for the children to emulate the professors they had seen and gift Nic with a Pokemon of his own.

Being as none of the children were technically trainers yet and few of them had any formal training at all, the entire ordeal was quite chaotic, balls being thrown at everything that moved, wold Pokemon scattering in all directions, hoots and howls coming up from the fields. When all was said and done, through the efforts of most of the villages children Nic walked back out of the grass with one full Pokeball and a bunch of screaming, cheering children, every one of them claiming to have played some part in the work and none of them knowing exactly whose ball caught the poor unconscious Pokemon.

"Okay but before you start training him you have to take him to the hospital so he can be all patched up! And then you should to to the next city, and you should train him the whole way!" several of the youngsters chimed, guiding Nic around and explaining that only by beating a Pokemon with another Pokemon could you capture an additional Pokemon. He didn't know if that was just a rule or not, because it seemed like it would make a lot more sense if he just beat the Pokemon himself.

He'd have to test that later, because of course...how else did the first ever Pokemon trainer get their first ever Pokemon?

But now the kids were dragging him around and trying to teach him the best throwing techniques and Nic was puzzling over how to throw as gently as possible because he could probably kill a Pokemon with a casual toss...

Worick catches sight of the group just as Nic all but disappears into the green with a handful of kids close behind. Wasn't there a movie like that...? Wasn't it super messed up...? He's pretty sure at least three people in that movie got stabbed out in a cornfield, now that he thinks about it.

Yeah, he probably should go after them.

He excuses himself to go "haul him in by the ear if I have to", before hustling over to the field himself, frowning into the grass once he reaches the edge. He's a city boy, dammit, he's so not here for crawling through the bushes unless he absolutely has to...

"Ugh--" Fortunately for Worick (and his fucking mane of hair that's pretty much begging for sticks and bugs to make their home there), Nic pops out a few feet away with his gaggle of kids and spares him the suffering. Free dinner and a reprieve from picking his way through the brush...? This had better not be all the luck he's got in this place...

He gives Nic a quick once-over and a nod before addressing the children:

"Looks like you guys took pretty good care of my buddy here, huh?"

The children all took one look at Worick then shrieked and scattered like cockroaches when the light turned on. One minute there were kids everywhere, so thick you couldn't move, the next it was like a ghost town. Nic looks up slowly, blinking at Worick before grinning and signing Big Bad Pirate and sticking his tongue out. Of course it was all just playful bullying, since all the kids were easily spied peeking from various areas and snickering or whispering among themselves.

Holding up the Pokeball, Nic signed for hospital and shrugged, not sure where to go or how to get there, though he supposed Worick knew more than he did about the land at that point. Split the work, find out where they were and how to get around as well as what to do. Now Nic knew about capturing the little creatures and Worick knew the rest.

RUDE, KIDDIES. SO RUDE. ~~And also kinda cute- let them play their games, Worick's not all that bothered.~~

He can't just let it go without saying anything, though:

Oh come on, your face is way scarier than mine! he signs back with a rather exaggerated pout.

Honor thusly defended, though, he turns his attention to what really matters here: finding a hospital. Or "Pokemon Center", as he's learned they're called. He says as much to Nic- both out loud and with his hands to cement the association- before pointing back toward the house.

"That nice lady over there's invited us to dinner, too, so let's stop back first and fill her in, get you two properly acquainted. Center's past there anyway so it's on the way," he adds before Nic can argue. "Makin' nice with the locals is gonna go a long way around here..."

Nice lady? Nic signed, arching a brow slowly before shaking his head with a sigh. He just hoped he wasn't going to have to be in the house if Worick had offered anything in return for the meals. Finding out the Pokemon Center was along the way was good, and he figured he could drop his ball thing off before going to dinner, then pick it back up when they were done. Seemed sensible. Seemed...the way to do things? Ugh.

Hanging his head and scraping his fingers back and forth through his hair in a clear expression of confused frustration, Nic shook it off and stood up, dusting his coat off and eyeing Worick. Fine, they could go about things the way this world dictated. So far it wasn't the worst place they could have ended up, though the weird animal abuse schtick was kind of off-putting. that and he wasn't sure how long either of them could handle the saccharine sweet lifestyle all these people seemed to lead.

When in Rome...

Apparently they were getting dinner and a run-down on the local how-to. Better than winging it, which is what he thought they'd end up having to do.

~~If the pokéhouse is a-rockin'...~~

Worick's gotta laugh at that brow raise- he knows exactly what it's for (and he knows he totally deserves it) but at least this time it's not necessary:

"Don't worry, you're in the clear- she seems more interested in mothering us than anything else. ...Not that it'd be the first time if she decided to change her mind." He waggles his own eyebrows. "But you can relax- I'll give you a heads up if anything changes."

About that, at least. It's true that neither of them are well-suited for this environment and that the both of them will probably be pulling their hair out before too long; Worick's gonna milk the good will of everyone who's willing to dish it out, of course, but it'll get tiring eventually, trying to keep the cutesy act up for too long. ...Also yeah, the animal thing is totally bizarre and more awkward the more he thinks about it. Still, that's what passes for normal around here and he's not about to go off on a poké-rights crusade the first damn day.

Or ever, let's be real. That's not his bag and he knows it.

"So what'd you get, anyway? One of those bug things?" He peers at the ball. "...Is it in there?"

Another roll of the eyes and disgusted noise and Nic clocked out of that line of thought. It wasn't that he judged Worick, or was in any way jealous. It just didn't interest him and only further served to lower his general opinion of women on the whole. It was almost as low as his general opinion on men.

When Worick eyed the Pokeball in Nic's hands, the Twilight turned slightly and puffed his lips, playing at jealously guarding his precious Pokemon. Maybe a little bit true, honestly - Nic had a weakness for small animals.

It's in here, sure, but you can't have it. Get your own, lazy. Nic signed, sniffing in Worick's general direction before waving him off with one hand in a shoo-shoo gesture. Move along, Worick. Nic's a very serious trainer. So hardcore now. Gotta get to the center, y'know.

Worick snickers a little at Nic's response. It never disappoints, which is half the reason Worick has kept up with the TMI for as long as he has.

He tsks exaggeratedly at the shooing, though. RUDE, YOU PRICK.

"Chill, dude, I'm not gonna steal your slug." How's he gonna pick clients up with a worm...? Cute though those guys had been, Worick's already decided that when he goes looking for one- and he totally is because there's no way he's letting Nic have all the dubious fun here- it'll be of the softer and squishier variety.

"Did you even catch it yourself? I thought you were supposed to have 'em fight each other first." He makes a face. "...Man, tell me you didn't run in there and whack it with your sword in front of those kids."

Jokes on you, Worick, it's no slug.

Black eyes widened slowly, blinking several times before the Twilight scowled. What did Worick take him for? Of course he didn't! He knew better than to go swinging his weapon around little kids, and he was pretty sure the weird animals weren't really build for standing against live steel.

They used theirs to help capture it and gave me the ball as a gift. We should ask if there's work around here. Try to earn money for more balls and for travel, he signed, pausing a moment to yawn widely and stretch his sore back. Man...what he wouldn't do for a hot soak.

Where are we going to stay?Outside? Think you can get a couch crash?

Speaking of priceless reactions... Worick's face when whatever it is comes out of that ball is gonna be great. You know what they say about assuming...!

For now though he offers Nic a nod in response to the explanation. Not a bad start, that's for sure. And as for the working/sleeping prospects:

"These centers are usually the first stop for people traveling, so I'd bet the locals hang around there if they're looking for the kinda work their pets can't handle. I'll ask around while you get your little friend there looked at." He shrugs as they approach the woman's house, however:

"Weather's not too bad if we gotta rough it for a few nights, though." They've certainly had worse than a quaint little farm town with its cloudless skies and sunshine... "We can worry about that after dinner."

They reach the edge of the woman's lawn and just like that, the charming smile is plastered right back on Worick's face.

"Back again-- looks like your girl and her friends took care of Nic, here. Nic--" and he waves a hand from Nic to Karla, "this is Karla. Karla, this is my buddy Nic."

This is your moment, pal. Time to dazzle with those social graces...!!

Social graces? Son what are you, high?

"H-...He..llo..." Nic manages to grind out, flicking his gaze to Worick then back to the woman. Without really knowing what else to do, Nic ducked his head in a traditional bow. He figured it was more polite of him to speak up properly, but even he knew that his voice could be shocking or even unpleasant. Still, he followed Worick's lead in social exchanges.

Far from seeming put out by Nic's voice, Karla seems delighted to make his acquaintance; Worick hasn't seen a guy around or any sign that one's been around for a while and suspects that that may have something to do with her apparent altruism... But maybe he's just jaded, who knows? Either way, it works for them.

"It's so nice to meet you," Karla says a bit louder than is necessary but without the slightest falter to her wide smile, and though Worick is pretty sure Nic's caught the greeting he signs a quick apology anyway- sorry for putting you on the spot, man- which will hopefully pass as a 'translation' before bringing their hostess up to speed on their next stop.

By the end of the exchange, they will have acquired both specific directions to the pokémon center and what looks like your standard potted plant- their very first delivery gig for a Nurse Joy, whoever that is. YIPPEE...

"Well that was easy," he says once they're out of earshot and on their way. "It's like it just goes without saying that we're gonna do exactly what we said we'd do." He reaches up to scratch at the back of his neck, clearly perplexed by the notion, and then frowns at the pot. "We could totally just make off with this plant right now."

Sure it's just a plant, but come on. Shit's weird. Still:

"If the rest of this place's jobs are this simple we'll have enough hot food to keep us going for a while."

Shrugging it off casually, Nic didn't feel particularly bothered by the act of speaking under the circumstances. People obviously weren't all that fraught with trouble in this world and he wasn't going to fault them their innocence. if anything he felt like his presence might be a bad thing, upsetting some sort of sunshine/rainbows cosmic balance.

Tell her I said thank you and it's nice to meet her as well, the Twilight signed, leaving the rest of the conversing up to Worick.

When at last they were off to do a small task and get his Pokemon treated, Nic wondered about the trust and benevolence as well. How were such things alright or possible in any world? Clearly there was crime somewhere, since the children had mentioned various criminal aspects that evidently abducted other people's Pokemon, but was that really as bad as it got? It was hard enough believing that they were in another world, but another world where people never had struggle or strife?

I don't even think our usual work will come up, he mused, looking at the plant thoughtfully before shrugging it off and rolling his fingertips over the ball in his pocket. Should he name it, he wondered? How was he going to command an animal without words? Were they so intelligent that they could learn sign language? How intelligent did something have to be before owning it was slavery?

Why was he having some internal existential crisis over walking stuffed animals?

It is a little weird, isn't it? Keeping them locked away in those ball things, only letting them out to force them to fight each other... They hadn't even seemed particularly wary of people, which seems completely at odds with the concept of self-preservation that most living things have... Were they bred to behave that way, maybe?

...Eh. It's definitely a Concern, but it's also a later problem; priority one is setting up shop in some capacity.

"Not the usual, but repairs and deliveries are probably enough for now. Unless all these kids running from place to place already have that part mostly covered." Ugh, he's hot and all but he knows he can't compete with that- the only thing women love more than an attractive man is a cute kid. Sob.

Shifting the pot into the crook of his arm, he digs around in his pocket for his lighter and a cigarette.

"Guess we're gonna have to wait 'til we get to this center place to see what's up," he says as he lights up, scanning the tree-lined dirt path for any sign of the place. "You get anything else outta the kids?"

Better ration those, the Twilight signed pointedly, arching a brow at Worick before gesturing around them, the meaning obvious enough. So far he hadn't seen anyone smoking, so there very well may not be anything similar to cigarettes in the world they had fallen into. It wouldn't cause any trouble for the uncommonly health-conscious Tag, but Nicolas didn't expect Worick would be too pleased by the revelation. Fortunately he didn't have to concern himself with that for very long.

The Pokemon Center loomed ahead of them, gaudy and to the point, a giant red adn white Pokeball sign indication enough that they were headed the right way. When they go to the building and the front doors hissed open, it was a good sign. There wasn't a lot in the little town to indicate a level of technology, but automatic doors? That put a reasonable mark on the tech timeline.

"Welcome!" a pretty young woman called across the open lobby. Of course Nic didn't hear it and was too distracted by the surroundings to note the girl immediately. She didn't seem perturbed, however, simply smiling and waiting, almost plastic for how universally pleasant she was being. When Nic finally turned and saw the girl staring at him, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the Pokeball, holding it up with a blank expression.

If he held it up long enough, someone was bound to direct him, right?

Nic's totally right- he should be rationing them...

But that doesn't mean he's gonna acknowledge it.

"Ugh, give me a break, this is the first one." Grumble grumble he needs his fix... "There's gotta be something similar enough around here anyway."

Whether that's the stubbornness talking or the fact that Worick can't imagine a world without tobacco is anybody's guess. They'll find out eventually, he supposes.

He does take his time with this one as they walk, though, and even manages to make it last until the building comes into view at which point he drops the butt and grinds it into the dirt with his boot as he takes a second just to be impressed. It's more advanced than he'd been expecting, though really he should be all that surprised; trapping these pokemon things in those balls suggests that someone somewhere has the capability to develop the containers in the first place, which means this world can't be all assfuck nowhere. Still, it's pretty sick, and nicer than most everything in Ergastulum by a mile.

"This place just keeps getting more and more interesting," he says to Nic's back as he follows him inside, head swiveling in an attempt to asses the area and its inhabitants as quickly as possible. He spots a computer looking thing in one corner, couches, a smattering of variously aged people hanging around, a pokemon or two... Place is hoppin', that's for sure, and while you'd think that'd be a bad thing considering this place is supposed to be a hospital, most everyone appears to be as calm and peaceful as the rest of this strange world. Even the design of the place is smooth and neat, neutrally colored save for the bright red of those balls... Clean, too, cleaner than he'd expected while walking the dirt road to get here.

And the woman behind the counter? Just as placidly friendly as the rest, smiling with what Worick's reading as an almost disturbing vacancy. She's cute, but... He'll leave her up to Nic as he slides into the stool in front of one of the computer terminals to poke around, cracking his knuckles and pushing what he hopes is that Start Button. ACCESS THE PC...?

"Oh! A Pokeball! Are you here to treat a recently captured Pokemon?" the girled asked cheerily and Nic just stared. She smiled, he stared, she smiled, he finally nodded.

"Oh, wonderful! Right this way! I'm Nurse Joy! What's your--" Nic blinked, tilted his head then turned around, grunting in Worick's direction before pointing at the plant, then the woman behind the counter.

"...name..." she murmured, finally looking a little bit confused as Nic turned back to her and gestured vaguely to his ear, shaking his head. Another few gestures for his name and he left it up to Worick to clarify, closing the distance between the entrance and the counter and holding the Pokeball out with another grunt and arched eyebrow. He didn't know what the hell he was supposed to do. Everyone just kept telling him random things and he assumed they'd work out on their own. The kids seemed to know what was really going on and he trusted their advice.

"It'll be just a moment!" Joy remarked cheerily, the pep completely lost on Nic, who continued to stare blandly while the young woman took his bizarre little container and loaded it into a large machine. Like some...great big Pez dispenser for pets. What the hell was this world?

YEAH YEAH HE'S GETTING THERE....

Abandoning the computer once he's given it enough prodding to get the gist of its use, he shoves away from the seat and over to Nic, exchanging the requisite pleasantries before handing the plant over to the perpetually smiley nurse. Seeya later, little buddy. FLOURISH...

So this computer system's pretty weird, he signs while Joy heads over to the ball machine thing. Looks like you can store a bunch of Pokemon in there. Fucking bizarre, if you ask him, but no one is and so he lets the statement speak for itself.

I went ahead and signed you up for a box or two, he adds with a rather impish grin. Since you're already on your way. Could Nic have signed himself up? Probably, but that'd have robbed Worick of the chance to give him an incredibly stupid username: wormbeater

Thank fuck for the edit function, amirite??

"Oh--" He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small inhaler-like bottle. "This came out too-- I think it's for your little friend in there."

Maybe they figured out how to convert everything to particles or data or something. Like when they turned the kid into a TV-size person in that Willy Wonka movie? Nic gestured, glancing over at the computer then back at Worick with a long-suffering sigh.

It was a nice world. They both knew that meant they didn't belong there. Still, what was the harm in poking around more? A little travel, at least until fate pulled them towards another fancy space hole. They should probably leave as soon as they found one, but they weren't exactly causing any real trouble. Even so, Nic's expression said clearly how uncomfortable he was. Too much sunshine and rainbows.

Show me how it works in a minute, the Tag signed, distracted and ignoring Joy's questions as he turned away and paced over to look down on a couple of pre-teens hovering over a handheld computer device.

"Huh?" one of them mumbled, noting the shadow over their screen before looking up at....not the prettiest of faces. At least he wasn't growling or grimacing. He just looked mildly confused.

"Uh...can...can I help you...mister?" one of the children asked, the young girl. The boy tried to puff up and look tougher than a cotton ball, but Nic wasn't there for trouble. He just pointed at the device and arched a brow.

"What, the Pokedex?" the girl asked, glancing at the boy and shrugging before tilting it for all of them to see. "You don't have one?" she observed and Nic shook his head, pulling open the sides of his coat to show that he had virtually nothing.

"Whaaaaaat? What kinda trainer ain't got a Pokedex? You ain't even got Pokemon?"

"Be nice, Devon! His Pokemon could be in the hospital right now! what if they're hurt?" the girl chided, the boy deflating visibly. Nic just shrugged and nodded, going along with whatever they said.

"But no Pokedex, huh?" the girl mused, tucking hers away. Everyone had them in the hospital, Nic had noticed, and that meant he and Worick probably ought to as well. "What happened to yours?" Nic shook his head and gestured vaguely. Nothing in particular, he just found that if you made a gesture with no meaning, people tended to assign it whatever meaning they were most attuned to.

"Someone stole it?!" the girl gasped, and Nic glanced over at Worick. Apparently stealing was a problem in this world. More common than average, anyway. For the girl he nodded slowly.

"Oh goodness, that's awful!"

"Yeah. Tough luck man, geez. Well, see you lat--OW. GEEZ PENELOPE!" the boy cried out when the girl slapped the back of his head.

"Stop being so rude Devon! Gosh!" the girl and the boy argued briefly, but in the end, Nic got the most important info - head a little further down the path and the Professor was in town. He would have Pokedexs and maybe even Pokemon, if you didn't have any already. Worick didn't, so maybe Pokedexs and Pokemon were a good idea? Nic couldn't really say, but he managed to grate out some verbal gratitude before retreating to Worick's side, finally socially exhausted. He didn't want to talk anymore, he didn't want to communicate with anyone other than the one-eyed blonde. He wanted his stupid ball, a drink and some sleep, but the day was still young, it seemed.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Pokémon is GANGSTA

SORRY FOR THE WALL OF RAMBLING TEXT BRO

NO APOLOGIES I AM SO HAPPY THIS IS A THING NAO K

fuck yeeeeeah!!!! \o/

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I (mostly) return from the depths of mucus hell... apologies!!

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/just captured Audino in Pokemon shuffle.

I don't think I've ever played the gen its from but hnnngh such a cute little buddy.....

Most Pokemon crap is XD

I feel personally victimized by how cute it is tbqh

STOP. KIDDIE TIME! /dance moves

CAN'T TOUCH THIS (also that tag gave me fucking cavities UGH NICO AND KIDDIES SOS)

Can't stop. Won't stop. Too Gangsta.

they been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise.....

DAMN it feels good to be a Gangsta.

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T_T Sorry this took so long to get to. I wasn't paying attention and thought it was your turn.

dude don't even worry about it!!!

I worry. BT I cannot lose my Worick.

BRO I like playing off of your Nic too much hahaha

8'D <3

Re: 8'D <3

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fave icon omfg

Lbr, I love them all.

nic seriously makes the best faces

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CASH MONEY jfc I love nic's stupid face..........

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