OPEN - am I blue? you'd be too

[halloflamer]

Who: Blue Oak and yoooou
Where: Mt. Silver's peak, Heavenly Blanc, and Mortis Lake (maybe Merlaut Apartments later)
When: throughout voidcember!
What: Between Red and Lance vanishing, Ren and Akechi seemingly vanishing, and Mementos, Blue has been having a real Bad Time.
Content Warnings: alcohol abuse, depression


A. Mortis Lake Forest

[When Blue is stressed out, he has a few ways of dealing with it. The healthiest one, thankfully, comes first.]

[Although they may not having all their usual abilities, having his full team of Pokémon back meant that Blue could get back into the swing of a training routine, and that was at least the first step in keeping his mind straight. Mortis Lake was a great place for this- Gyarados chills in the lake waters for a happy soak while Exeggutor sits amongst the other trees next to a meditating Alakazam, watching as Blue directs Arcanine and Pidgeot in Agility training. Eevee is trying to follow along, although even quick as he is, he can't make such powerful single bounds and dashes as the powerful 'windy' Pokémon can.]

Come on, Arcanine! A little quicker! This time, try to make it to that notched tree over there and back before Pidgeot makes it to that treetop and back! [Blue calls, absorbed in his training. He looks... exhausted, almost like he himself has been pushing at this for hours without a break. You'll have to forgive him and his Pokémon if they don't see you directly in the path of their makeshift training arena.]


B. Heavenly Blanc

[Whether it's before the disappearance of his coworker or after, patrons of Heavenly Blanc might find the bar.... less regularly manned than it usually is. At first, maybe one could chalk it up to the strange sleep cycles everyone has found themselves beholden to, but those that catch the bar's usual tender might realize that's not the only reason.]

[Those that knew him well probably knew Blue was a fan of the bottle to begin with, but the way he's slumped over the bar, or in of the booths, or laying spread eagle on the floor probably makes it obvious this isn't just his usual casual, raucous overdrinking. If a patron enters while he's miserably laying about, he'll blink up slowly, squint, and try to roll himself up. Gotta... get back to work...]

Ah, customer... jus' gimme a second...


C. Mt. Silver's Peak

[And when he just can't bring himself to face the outside world anymore, he goes to where's most familiar to him.]

[...It's sort of laughable that it's this place. It hurts, more than it helps; huddled up on the cavern at the peak, Blue looks out over the world of the void that he can see in glimpses between the veils of snow that fall, below the misty cloudcover that swirls this high up. He wonders if Red always looked down over Kanto like this, wanting to return, but unable to bear it. That was probably how it felt, right? ...Who can know what that guy was ever feeling, or thinking...]

[Blue tucks his face into his knees and sniffles, hard and gross, shivering against the warmth of his Arcanine, who whines and nuzzles against him. That idiot.... there was no way of knowing what had happened to him- if he had slipped and fallen down the mountain, if he'd gotten eaten in those terrible corridors full of monsters and mouths- or if he'd simply ...gotten tired of people again, and vanished somewhere. Gotten tired of him again.]

[Well, in the end, as Blue had always supposed back then- he wouldn't blame him.]

Comments

[halloflamer]

Really? [There's a blink of surprise. He didn't really have a great grasp of what was considered 'normal' for other people's worlds, but...] Don't you guys have those 'animal' things everyone else seems to talk about all the time?

--Oh, but that's right... You're pals with Aerith and blondie, right? [Blue glances around the interior. Ren has given him sort of a breakdown of which parts were 'his', and which were Tifa's, so to speak- so he's got sort of an idea. A café in Ren's world and a bar in theirs, huh?]

[He thinks of the way he felt when he started to see Mt. Silver suddenly so strangely populated- not that he'd ever been as precious about the mountain as Red had, but... nature should stay nature, he thought.]

Can't see you as much of a barfly- oh, are you the bouncer? [He jokes, pushing around at his glass idly.] Now that, I can see...

[halloflamer]

Look, kid, it's not my rule...

[How exhausting. He really wasn't in the mood for such overwhelming pep- he knows exactly how you're trying to bowl him over, mister- but maybe if he was lucky, Tifa or Ren would show up and toss this guy out for him....]

[Blue gives a skeptical squint at his claim of inventing alcohol- are you a caveman, dude?- but he chooses not to reply to that; instead, he throws himself against the bar counter and irritably watches Venti flit about.]

[...He considers just telling his straight out that the booze is free, but since he's annoyed, maybe he'll let the guy think he owes him. For now. That's fine, right?]

Sure, tab. What're you paying in, exactly?

[halloflamer]

[With a confident shake of his mane, the mighty dog gives a deep ARK in reply to Haru, and a firm nod. No worries; he's got this!]

[Blue scrubs his fingers into Arcanine's fur and sheepishly grins towards her.]

Yeah.... Hope the next time we can hang out will be less, um, troublesome.

[halloflamer]

They're gone.

[Blue bites down the bubble of bitterness at the back of his throat and glowers at his water instead, irritably refusing to look at the other boy. Sure, he can listen... and what good would that do?]

So there. Now you know what you wanted to know so badly.

[kimihiros]

(if there's something kimihiro knows is loss, so he just frowns as he processes what the other man is telling him. mugetsu too feels for blue, snuggling against his cheek as to cheer him up.)

... I thought we couldn't die here.

[halloflamer]

I mean, you keep bringing that junk up. I can make fun of that hunk of plastic on your arm instead, if you want?

[Blue flicks a finger in the direction of the duel disk. Whatever the Shellder that thing even was... He could see it had slots that looked like it was for cards, but as far as he was concerned, it was a toy.] But, you know, I guess you're right. Respect is really important between Pokémon and trainer, after all.

[He glances at the squat, bird-like creature. What moves would a Pokémon like this know, beyond a simple Tackle? Well, it has a beak....]

...So, you gonna show me your best Peck attack, then? C'mon, I'm waiting.

[halloflamer]

Oh, thanks, [Blue replies sullenly, putting on a (mostly faked) pout. Man, this girl was something.... Then again, she wasn't totally wrong, either. Blue wasn't sure how much he believed this supposed nature god stuff- she sure as Shuckle wasn't no Celebi or Shaymin!]

[But, of course, she's not wrong. He turns his glance away huffily and decides to glare at the snow, instead of acknowledging that yes, he was in fact squatting at the peak of Mt. Silver for reasons more specific than existential angst.]

[Why Viridi- that's almost even... motherly of you. Like some kind of mother nature....] Yeah, you're right, I could use another drink. [Too bad he's gonna be an obtuse sulky baby, instead.]

[halloflamer]

Haha, yeah... it is, right?

[Blue gives a bit of a pained grin, softening as he glances over at Turing. What a good kid... Blue reaches over and pats a hand stop Turing's head, like he might have ruffled one of his juniors back home, and it makes him feel nostalgic for a moment- even a little better.]

So when I see that idiot again, I'm gonna flip that stupid hat off his head so hard it's gonna give him whiplash. Help me out and doubleteam 'im with a wedgie, alright?

[He's using his senpai powers for good, okay]

[halloflamer]

[Sweet, good Mugetsu... Blue can huff at Watanuki all he likes, but he's still gonna snuggle his cute dragon fox snake thing!!]

...I don't know, [He admits raggedly, and bites down on the emotion that wells up. Were they? He really doesn't...] I don't know if-- something happened to them, or if they got lost somewhere, or just vanished. There's no way to tell.

I just know no one's seen them for a long time. And... yeah, Red, that's normal for him, [Blue bites out bitterly,] But not Lance.... He wouldn't just....

[Blue sighs, resting his weight against the counter.] I just don't know.

[kimihiros]

(none of them ring any bells, unfortunately, and kimihiro has no way of looking. if he had his powers, this would be fairly easy -- he could locate them with practically most of his tools. not with how he is now, though.)

... I see. Listen, I know how that is, even if not in this context.

(and even if he knows what happened. she dematerialized, little by little, right before his eyes.)

All we can do is look for answers, but not like this, hm?

Closed to Turing - December "gift" exchange

[halloflamer]

[The snowfall that the apartments wake up to this Non-Denominational Festive Morning™ is not the only surprise the void has brought with it. Indeed, perhaps Turing, new to the concept of sleep in general, doesn't notice anything amiss in their room at first--]

[No, no, that rumbling is probably just a rowdy neighbor. Or the snow blowing against the windows. There definitely isn't a tough, rocky-skinned lizard slowly and woozily unfurling from unconsciousness at the side of the bed or anything.]

[rumble.... CRUNCH. CRASH. RRRRRRAAAARRR!]

[Okay, that wasn't snow.]

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

Ehehe, well... [... even if it was legal tender here, he has no Mora to speak of, so. he has no choice but to resort to the Usual Method.

He plucks at his lyre and, whether Blue likes it or not, begins to rhyme.]

A tab means I can pay it later, is that not right?
Surely you must understand my plight!
But if it's a payment your wares do demand,
I could pay you a ballad of adventures most grand.
Of dragons and knights, beasts and gods,
Heroes victorious against all the odds.
Tales of thrills, jest, romance and woe!
Is that not a fair price, a drink for a show?

[to his credit, he does sing pretty damn well.]

[bazooker]

You're not any trouble at all! I think you're already a great friend!

[She said with a smile. She was taking a leap of faith by calling him a friend. They had just met but she sure hoped this would be the start of something new!]

Just take care, okay? If you need anything, let me know!

[begetblue]

[ Turing's pout was immediately interrupted by that pat on the head. Honestly, they weren't sure how to take it at first. It didn't really feel like an expression of praise, or like they were being teased. Instead it was like...a feeling of belonging. They smiled a bit--mostly to themselves, but that smile was plainly visible to all who cared to look. ]

I...don't know what a "wedgie" is, but I would be happy to lend you my aid!

[ Too bad the poor kouhai over here doesn't know what they're agreeing to ]

[begetblue]

[ Turing was still getting the hang of regular sleep cycles, so they had their work cut out for them. They were all curled up in the blankets--the apartment had mysteriously changed enough to be jarring, but at least the blankets were still the same--but the crunching and crashing was more than enough to jolt them awake. Was Add doing dangerous experiments again, like with the lightning rod? Were they going to have to give him a talking-to, again?

One look at their new guest told them this was not the case. They were indeed in some trouble. Tyranitrouble, even. ]

What--?!

[ They immediately thought better of shouting out of surprise, and then hid under the blankets again. M-maybe Tyranitar would just leave on his own...? ]

[halloflamer]

[--Hm? Was that a voice that Tyranitar just heard? The huge creature stands to his full height and glances around the room with a wary look- but he doesn't sense anything... living....]

[What a strange place he seems to have found himself in! ...But it also doesn't seem like the kind of place his trainer wouldn't be found in, so he slowly lumbers his body towards the doorway of the bedroom, and frowns at the doorway. It's a bit... small.]

Taaarrrr.... [Stupid human doorways!! He tries to fit himself through with a clumsy shuffle, but mostly just starts to get stuck. He gives it another try or two, but all he's really succeeding at doing is scratching up the doorframe.... For now.]

[forceofnature]

What? No, I didn't mean physically. I guess if you want hot cocoa, you can have some.

[hot cocoa cures all ills]

I meant mentally!

Like me. I exist solely to spite everyone who ever crosses me! And I plan to make whatever's in charge of this world pay for its insubordination and really terrible management.

[so... not so... motherly....]

But until I figure that out, I'm just spiting all of you instead.

[rotomphone]

I don't disappoint.

[ it comes out softer; less poignant than he would normally convey, thanks to the situation. he gets it, and the only thing he'll be insistent on is not leaving Blue alone unless he really wants to be. ] You don't want that. I'm rubbish at baking.

[ it gets a small chuckle out of him, but it doesn't last long. he's a little more concerned with what Blue says after the fact. ]

You think that's where they went? Back home?

[ it's not that Raihan doesn't agree, but there is the possibility of them having gone... elsewhere. he really isn't sure what to think, because there aren't any concrete answers. that much is frustrating. ]

[begetblue]

[ Turing peeked out from under the blankets at the sound of all the rustling and crunching. He had gotten in somehow, but couldn't get out? That was...odd. Had someone else brought him here? How mysterious.

Also, pour one out for their poor door frame. It never had a chance. Better the dastardly counterfeit door than anything more notable, though!

Okay, plan B: secure an escape, but also help send Tyranitar on his way! From a distance. They descended to the floor with a blanket still over their head, but there were two major issues in Turing's way. First of all, they had to avoid being seen. Secondly, they also had to avoid being heard as they climbed up to the desk to reach the window, but the chances of actually succeeding at that were...not in their favour. ]

[anciently]

Oh, we've got animals, sure. Monsters, too. But neither of them seem quite like your Pokémon. It's kinda hard to describe...

[ The question earns a quirk of her brow, and she nods. ] Cloud and Tifa are from Midgar, too. We all got here at the same time. Pretty funny how timing works here, isn't it? Well...when there is time, anyway...

[ His remark about her acting as a bouncer earns a laugh, and then she adopts her most intimidating face, punching one fist into the other palm in a theatrically menacing gesture. ]

Yup, that's me! I'm security, and nobody's getting past me! [ She won't demonstrate beyond that, but she does make a "I'm watching you" gesture at an imaginary figure by the doorway. ] Ya got that?

[halloflamer]

[...Hot cocoa wouldn't be a bad idea, right now. Blue squints and glances Viridi up and down- but she doesn't look like she's got any cocoa on her.]

[False advertising.]

Mentally.... [Blue snorts, a bit self-deprecating. He had something fueling him- but rivalries weren't worth much when the other half had disappeared, were they? ...Motivating himself without Red around had always been a bit of an issue, but now Lance wasn't even around to spite.]

That's not a bad one, [He shrugs,] Although good luck getting payback, I don't think anyone's managed to figure out if there's someone or something behind all us being here. If someone like you can't even figure it out, it doesn't look like the prospects are great.

I mean, have you... tried? Figuring out what we're here for, I mean.

[halloflamer]

[He really hopes so. Since Raihan seems to be getting the hint and chilling out, Blue doesn't acknowledge it again, letting there be a bit of quiet, until Raihan asks.]

Better than any of the other options, right? [Let him have just that one hope; in a place like this where nothing made sense, maybe the most logical explanation wasn't likely to be the right one, but the other logical explanations felt far worse. And anyway, he doesn't think both of them could have met such fates....]

I mean, they're not answering their phones, even if they worked- we can't find 'em anywhere, and there's no trace of them.... So even if they just wandered off or got eaten by a wild Pokémon or something, you'd think there'd be a scrap of cape leftover, huh?

[Blue flashes a grim grin.] Doubt those're tasty.

[halloflamer]

Animals and monsters. Huh.....

[Blue blinks in wide surprise, then tilts his head back to resting his chin over crossed arms.] Pokémon are definitely smarter than a lot of people around here seem to expect, if that's whatcha mean. To me, it's really weird that monsters wouldn't be as smart as people. I mean, how else would the natural world keep order?

[Important questions, weren't they? Well, Blue had accepted that nothing much in this world made sense to him, including, even, some of the people around him.]

[But some folks made more sense than others. That was for sure.]

[He chuckles and lifts his head as Aerith makes her most menacing bodyguard face, raising his hands defensively.] Yikes, alright, you've got the job! ...'sides, I've seen the whacking you can do with that staff, so I never had any doubts.

You know, that might be a good idea. You've seen how rowdy some of the folks around here can get, huh...? Although, I don't think I've met anyone that really has any crappy intentions. That much, I'm glad of. For sure.

[halloflamer]

[For a few seconds, Tyranitar is making enough of a scraping racket in the doorway that he doesn't hear or notice the small, blanketed shape inching out of the bed and across the room. Things are looking a little dodgy with the plaster falling from around the cheaply-installed doorframe, his spikes scraping and jabbing into them repeatedly as he tries to force his stubby arms through. Come on...! Just a little more!!]

[It's as Turing attempts their daring escape towards the window that there's a rattle- newly placed on their desk was a small red and white ball that certainly wasn't there before they slept, and it teeters and starts to roll towards the edge of the desk, only to drop to the floor with a loud, bouncing clatter!!]

[Tyranitar makes a startled sound and tries to whip around to look, but now, he's wedged himself well into the doorframe. Oh, what a struggle- and a terrible, even more concerning creak and crash as he now tries to wedge himself back out, resulting in a great CRACK.] TYRAAAAAAN!

[...Well, the doorframe is now stuck on Tyranitar's spikes, but at least he can turn around to wildly look about the room for the source of that sound, only to notice his Pokéball rolling, wobbling on the floor. Who did that!?] Trrrrr....

[halloflamer]

Look where!?

[Blue raggedly lashes out, glaring at Watanuki. His glower only lasts a moment; he's perfectly self-aware of how petulant he's being, and has enough of a sense of shame to look a little guilty for it.]

....I looked already. Everywhere, tons of times, from the air an' on foot... We didn't find anything.

[He slumps back over the counter.] They're gone.