IC Contact + Overflow

[gunslingerqueen]

Wanna continue a TFLN thread? Wanna text or call Nariko, or just play in general?

Here's the place to do it!

Comments

[gunslingerqueen]

It could be worse!

[And complaining won't do any good! Though, too long and her resolve would break, given her disdain for this kind of weather.]

Besides, once we see the Pokemon buddies, I can try out my hot chocolate making skills! Oh, and there's this soup my cousin taught me to make that's super spicy, it's perfect after dealing with cold weather!

[She will be guzzling two pounds of it and probably cuss a lot when Gladion is out of earshot.]

[hairrowing]

Super spicy? Hmm. I've heard of hot chocolate with spicy stuff. You ever tried that?

[wouldn't say he's a fan, but. he's heard things. things, like this conversation, which is thankfully distracting enough to ignore the stares and glares they're getting as they exit the main barricade to the Team Skull 'hideout'.

tall grass as far as the eye can see]

[gunslingerqueen]

The only hot chocolate I've ever had came from a packet, and it definitely wasn't spicy.

[It's better for those weirdoes that they left, their opinions were as unnecessary as the eyes in their head but she doubts he'd appreciate that level of violence.]

Make sure you warm up when we're done here, okay?

[Normal people get colds from this kind of weather, after all.] Although, I wouldn't turn down the chance to play big sister nurse again.

[hairrowing]

[he ducks his head, embarrassed once again]

You don't have to do that, you're busy. And spicy hot chocolate would warm someone up.

[gunslingerqueen]

What in the world am I supposedly busy with?

[Seriously, please tell her! It's nice to be in a place with real water and grass and stuff but everyone, like, sleeps and he's her only friend in this place!]

So, it sounds like I should learn to make the hot chocolate for you!

[hairrowing]

Working stuff, of course. [like, adult life???]

Only if you want, you really don't have to.

[gunslingerqueen]

[Is this - ... Should she maybe tell him??]

I always want to, so it's fine!

[Let's just conveniently ignore that she's been unemployed with nothing to do all this time, and keep moving through the grass.]

[hairrowing]

Mmm...okay...if you say so.

[she does say so

as they move further into the grass, he ducks down just a little, green eyes flickering around]

[gunslingerqueen]

Oh, hey, now you're getting it!

[A very lazy callback to something he's probably always known about her! But more importantly ... Should she be fucking down, too? Nariko looks around but she doesn't quite see whatever he is looking for!]

[hairrowing]

[he does gently tug at her jacket to get her down here-- she doesn't have to roll around in the dirt, but he can hear something ahead, something cute...and tiny.]

[gunslingerqueen]

[Alrighty then! She takes the hint, squatting down with her arms around her knees. Okay, the cold is beginning to seep in but she doesn't complain, he's obviously concentrating!

Something cute ... and tiny? That didn't mind the weather they were in, somehow. Nariko looks over at him and he is really concentrating here! Maybe he should be a Pokemon researcher when he's older, or something!]

[hairrowing]

[thankfully it's a little drier out here than inside Po Town, and the dew on the grass has long since died. making it easy to hear nearby Pokemon.

just ahead, he sees something a little panda shaped-- it's rooting around, but it stops, possibly having heard the duo]

the horrors persist but so do i (hello)

[gunslingerqueen]

[Every time it seems like she's used to Pokemon and all the incredible shapes and sizes they come in, another one pops up and blows her mind because --

What is that adorable little thing?!]

Oh my gosh!

[at least she's self-aware enough to whisper, but wiggling in place might not help the cause.]

hey you!! <333

[hairrowing]

[he smiles a little-- she seems glad, delighted, actually. his own voice low, he says]

What do you think?

<33!!

[gunslingerqueen]

It’s so cute!

[Do Pokemon have genders? They probably … do? She’s in need of a crash course here, but the little buddy is cute regardless!]

I’ve never seen them in the wild like this, though.

[A natural side effect of trying to hide within crowds as much as possible.]

[hairrowing]

They hang out here in the tall grass...hidden. But they like competition too, I think.

[of course, like genders, all Pokemon natures are different too]

[gunslingerqueen]

What's its name?

[Whoever runs around classifying all these wild critters deserves an award, and unless someone is closer to her situation she can't imagine being able to see every last one!]

Do you think it likes being hugged? I don't want to scare it, but ...

[Look at that Pancham! How dare it be so small and lovable, and not receive her attention!]

[hairrowing]

Pancham.

[some professor out there probably feels warm and fuzzy out of nowhere]

I think it might, once it gets used to you. They all like to eat-- you could try with a snack. I've got some, if you want.

[gunslingerqueen]

Panbaby.

[Perhaps that same professor now shudders with regret. The idea of interacting with the sassy Pokemon makes her eyes widen and it is minute, the way she brightens and immediately dims when a fear makes itself very known, but obvious. She’s too earnest to hide anything right now.]

Maybe you should do it , just to be safe, and I’ll come out when it seems comfortable!

[hairrowing]

[he smiles bemusedly. she's nervous, huh. Gladion understands the feeling. he was during his first Pokemon encounter too.

he moves just a little, just enough to make get the Pokemon's attention-- the little one is alert, but stays very, very still as well. Watching Gladion. The teen slides one of the little treats forward, then scoots back, still facing Pancham.]

[gunslingerqueen]

[... It would just be sad if the poor thing ended up scared of her. Not many living things were self-aware enough to realize what was off, but it had happened before.]

Even if you don't want to hang out, don't turn down a free snack!

[She mutters, perpetually incapable of restraint! Also bold-faced lying because that Pokemon is just doomed to get a hug and if it runs away, Gladion will have to receive it instead!!!]

[hairrowing]

[the little guy or girl creeps closer, sniffling, sniffling-- and then darts over to eat it. but they don't leave-- just look at Gladion and his buddy, still eating. a little comfy]

They might be comfortable enough to be friends.

[gunslingerqueen]

[Pancham isn't exactly hissing or bristling or whatever it is creatures with fur do, so! Nothing to do now but try.]

Can I have one of those, please?

[A treat, a palm remains open and she's patient, but when they've finished Nariko sits her ass right on the ground, and strains to offer it with a smile.

.... Let's hope this buddy doesn't clock her nerves.]

[hairrowing]

[his eyes still on the Pokemon, he hands a snack over. The Pokemon appears curious! a good sign]

Just be slow, and quiet, and it'll be fine.

[gunslingerqueen]

[First comes hesitation, the internal fear of being seen as terrifying is frustratingly present, yet another problem she doesn't know how to solve. But she can trust Gladion, and just take it one step at a time.

Slowly, Nariko offers the treat with an open palm, no noise, just eye contact with the Pancham and a careful smile. Maybe that doesn't help or hurt, but it's kind of a reflex.]