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[All things considered, this day could've been a lot worse. Riz had seen people having to deal with the phantoms of their past, tormented by the guilt of a death they couldn't prevent or had caused.

Having Goldenhoard around though was an annoyance at worse. Riz absolutely felt no guilt over the dragon's death --why should he? the guy had been trying to take over Solace, had kidnapped Penny and the other girls, and had even killed his father-- but admittedly, after several hours, listening to him occasionally yell something utterly stupid and Libertarian (no, wait, those are just the same thing) his patience was starting to grow a little thin.

So when Goldenhoard finally goes quiet, Riz breathes a soft sigh of relief. Maybe now he'll actually be able to get some-- okay, not sleep, but at least some work done, later.]

Thank fuck, I don't have to listen to you anymore.

[Riz turns, with a dramatic gesture of his hands, and comes face to face with Pok Gukgak.

Pok gives an amused smile, cocking his head a little, looking like he is holding back a laugh. If he is confused by Riz looking like a human, or the fact that he now has to look up at his son, it doesn't show on his face.]

Ah, is this the teenage rebellion I was warned about?

[Today, we find our heroes (?) in a small hostel room in Saffron city. It's nothing impressive -- just a bunkbed, a closet and a desk with a chair -- but it's not part of the Pokemon Centre and its freaky nurses, which already makes it leagues better than the alternative.

Riz is seated on the top bunk, busily scribbling in his notebook. His gear is on the bed besides him, where he can occasionally check it as he works. One might be fooled into thinking he's cracking some important case in his head, but a glance at the page in front of him would only reveal a long list of 'names' starting with 'Hang-', many of which have been viciously crossed out. Only one (Hangdog) has been underlined (though with a question mark).

Listen, naming new Pokemon is hard, especially when you want to fit in with your boys.

The whole scene is peaceful and calm.

Until It happens.

What Riz hasn't noticed yet is that earlier today, a sneaky little Rotom (not his) had flitted into his device, nestling inside, waiting for an opportune moment. The Rotom's owner, one Emet-Selch, had send the creature off to exact revenge for that little creamed corn stunt about two weeks back. And revenge shall indeed be exacted. What makes this the opportune moment? Who knows. It might very well have something to do with the sound of heavy boots coming down the hall and towards the door.

But again, Riz has not yet noticed this, meaning he's completely engrossed in scribbling in his notebook, considering another option (Hangmon) before scratching it off the list (makes him sound too much like he's doing some sort of racist accent) until his gear suddenly lights up and starts playing the most godawful noise -- high, exaggerated moaning, squeals, the slap of skin on skin, some dude groaning, stilted, over the top dirty talk.

It's porn. His gear is playing porn.

(and not even the good kind either.)

Riz reacts like a cat confronted with a cucumber, his head nearly hitting the ceiling as he jumps in surprise, before he dives for his gear, trying to do anything, everything to shut off the noise before the people next door (or even worse, Mando!) hears, sweat pouring down his face, his cheeks flaming red.]

Shut up, shut up, shut up.

I'm assuming that by virtue of being able to send this message... you're still with us?

Mando! I did I! I have your egg!

[The door to the apartment bangs open, nearly catching Riz on the backswing as he dodges it with a wince. He... hadn't meant to do that. But it is a little difficult shimmying open the door with the back of your shoulder because your arms are full of bags and extra difficult to judge just how much strength you gotta use.

Could he have set the bags down? Of course. But that is like losing.

Well, at least Mando will know he is here. Boober isn't here. Boober is at the Christmas Market selling his soup, which is why this is the perfect time to do this.]

Mando? Come here, I need your help.

[It turns out that when you are forced to spend a month on your ass with your leg in a cast, you really do lose the muscles in your leg fast. Even though the bone might be healed, Riz still can't walk for too long without either an ache building up, or his calf seizing up and buckling underneath him. And that's just walking! Forget about all the climbing and hiding and dashing and scurrying he normally does. If he'd get into battle now, he'd be a sitting duck.

So Riz has been taking walks. Too many walks. He's overdoing it, because Riz knows no other way of doing anything. And now he has decided that he is definitely ready to spar with Mando. Walking is all good and well, but it is nothing like dashing or dodging. He needs to be doing more.

(He really doesn't)

Riz waits for Mando to get back home from work, accosting him when he's barely through the door.]

Mando, spar with me!

Can I ask something of you? It may be uncomfortable. So if you'd rather not discuss it, I understand.

When I die, please set my body on fire and toss it at the jennies. Allow me one final joy.

[This is in no way a concerning message to get out of nowhere.]

[Its late one evening while Bo is alone on the road. Resting inside her tent, curled up in her sleeping bag. Certain thoughts coming to mind and making it difficult to sleep. So she tries to reach out.

He might be asleep himself and not respond, but she tries anyway. Just in case.]

Din? Are you awake?

[After finally waking up sometime during the night, and telling Boober... not everything, but a lot, Riz had had no interest in going back to bed, as Boober had done. After a week of sleep, his body was brimming with energy, even if his head was almost filled to bursting with all these fresh experiences that he still, honestly, hadn't even started to process. It had made sleep illusive and in the end Riz had settled for just existing for a while, as his brain slowly turned over each and everything he experienced while in the forest and during the final battle.

Which is how Mando is going to find him once he wakes up -- Riz sitting at the kitchen table in his pyjamas, with a cooled mug of coffee in front of him, and one hand shoved under his cheek. His eyes are a little unfocused as he just stares at the window, not even really seeing what was going on outside. His brain was on everything that had happened in the forest -- on Baron and the unicorn, on the terrifying experience of taking a rest while all his friends needed him so badly.

God, he was lame. One of his worst fears couldn't seriously be taking a nap, right?]

[Sometime this month Mando will receive a package from Johto. Inside he will find a Uj'alayi cake wrapped in red cloth along with a small jar containing Nevermeltice. There's a note tucked into the folds of the red cloth with elegant handwriting on it.]

Su cuy'gar Din Djarin,

I don't know if you celebrate this holiday, though it seems appropriate for the life you have carved out here, but here is a gift regardless. I will be continuing my journey across Johto all this month and I don't expect our paths to cross. So if I don't see you; may you, your cyare, and your ade find joy and contentment this season.

I've enclosed a uj'alayi cake for you and your loved ones to enjoy, and as a reminder of who you are and where you come from. Also, there is a Nevermeltice that would work well for your Lapras.

Ret'urcye mhi,
Bo-Katan

Edited 2023-12-06 15:49 (UTC)

[Mando will get an odd private message from Bo-Katan today. It might have been better to text but texting one handed isn't exactly... efficient. So have a brief video of a very concerned looking Bo who is stopped on the side of Cycling Road.]

I ran over a Pokemon.

[That's it.]

Forgive the intrusion. But... I meant what I said when I felt uncomfortable having this discussion behind your back.

[He still kind of feels weird about sending the conversation, but... still. Transcription.txt]

I don't like speaking about you as if you are incapable of making decisions.

[If he is entirely honest, Riz already knows the answer to his question. It's a stupid thing to ask. But here he is, asking it anyway.]

Bo is not with you, is she?

Letting you know Boober is asleep and not waking up. I'm keeping watch. Riz out.

Edited 2024-04-18 18:23 (UTC)

Backdated to the ghosts.

no subject

text;

text, 09/10 (un: falcogrice)

somewhere in December

Sparring