Goldenrod ex, 5/8 undersized (closed)

[amaure]

Who: Emet-Selch, Hythlodaeus, Estinien, Ziva, Urianger (maybe Dirk)
Where: Goldenrod city, mainly Emet-Selch's small apartment, but also elsewhere in the city.
When: 22nd-25th
Summary: The party has now reached Goldenrod, and they have decided to make Emet's life hell. You know, how most of his relationships do. He ain't single and he ain't ready to mingle and yet...
Rating: Will update as needed, gen for now.


When he had sent Estinien to retrieve Hythlodaeus, he had not expected there to be others among their traveling group! Let alone others from their own star—one of which he is familiar with, the other...well, in a way he is, but he hasn't fully gotten the confirmation she may yet be who Hythlodaeus suspects she is. The hero of the source he knows is not a small blond woman, but an average height brunet man, and as such he's left a little conflicted with the possibility of such differences.

Regardless of all of that, he did not expect the group to arrive at his rather quaint apartment. Barely is it suited for Hythlodaeus alone, but especially not five people in total! The knock on his door was expected, but not the slew of faces that assaulted his gaze upon opening it. His exasperated and dramatic flourish of his discontent was likely more amusing than scathing, and while he had little choice but to let them in, it did result in him locking himself in the bathroom for a time.

Glad as he is to see Hythlodaeus at long last, there's something ruinous about the unexpected company! Particularly when a certain dragoon looks both smug and amused, with that small grin of his, at the vexation brought on by these ill-turn of events, and Solus' clear surprise. Finally with some coaxing, he finds himself among them once more, looking none too pleased about it, but what can he do? Sure, he could tell them to leave, but he knows what a fool's endeavor that will be.

If this were to become the usual among their group, if his dwelling would be their landing whenever they arrive at Goldenrod, a home base if you will, then something will have to change. For now, this is his lot, terrible though it is.

Comments

[amaure]

I'm sure...

[He does not sound particularly flattered that Estinien was entertained by his reaction, but at the same time he's actually not horrifically bothered by Estinien's teasing. It's...refreshing in a way, than the otherwise cold way the man regarded him before.

Could this be? Does this mean that Estinien...might...like him? How very interesting.

Either way, the box is open and Estinien and Iceheart both are now the proud owners of an Ice Stone, and the latter seems rather excited by it. His gaze moves to the little fox, his eyebrows lifting with amusement.]

Well! Certainly seems someone is appreciative of my gift. Seems rather eager for it, even. What'll you do, dragoon?

[...Hopefully not evolve her right here and now. There is...not enough room, as they have stated about other things, but not quite about a Pokémon evolving.]

[stardiving]

[He's getting there.

Iceheart is, indeed, very excited and very eager--and very determined. She hops up as Estinien is going to put the box in his pocket, knocks it out of his hand and pokes the stone with her nose before he can grab it again.

Oops.

There's a flash of light--he's not unfamiliar, Temple and Ratatoskr have already evolved twice by now--and she starts growing. Not too much taller, but her body lengthens and legs thin.

It's her tails that might end up being a problem--there's nine of them, longer, and while she sort of holds them curved up and down, there's...a lot of fluff.

She gives a happy trill and hops up again, this time her paws hit his shoulders. Then she hops down and jumps up on Solus to try to plant a cold but enthusiastic doggy kiss on him.]

[amaure]

[Well, this is a lot happening. Not even just now, but this day has been an exciting and exhausting one, and little was he expecting to deal with a Pokémon evolving in his goddamn apartment.

Even less was he expecting her to get excited and jump on him, to give him slobbery kisses. He's barely had the chance to adjust from the flash of light, and now he's got her in his face. The undignified squawk of surprise is a nice touch for anyone watching, less so for Solus himself, but he doesn't...quite push her off. He does like her, despite himself, and while he looks less than pleased by the kisses—chilly though they are—he focuses more on staying up right, than toppling over. Patting at her neck.]

Yes, yes. You are very grateful for my gesture—that is quite enough of that, I think.

[Of course he's had to turn his face away, cuz it's not like he wants doggy slobber in his mouth, thanks.]

[stardiving]

[She's a lot smaller than some of the others out at this point. You should be lucky he hasn't let Ratatoskr or Temple out, each of them are taller than he is.

(And Ratatoskr would probably be smacking him with her tail every chance she got.)

Iceheart does back off after a moment and goes to sit on Estinien's feet and press her head back up against his stomach to look up at him, looking very pleased with herself indeed. He just shakes his head.]

Well, she certainly thanks you.

[She's not too heavy at least, otherwise he'd be pulling his feet out from under her butt.]

[amaure]

And you certainly have yet to.

[He says back with a pointed stare as he...wipes some of the wetness from the kisses off of his face. He'll have to shower, that much is certain.]

Did you not want her to evolve? Wanted to keep her small and cute—something like that? Or, is showing a bit of gratitude truly so difficult?

[stardiving]

[You're being particularly sour, he's not quite sure if it's genuinely because he's angry or if it's just his usual spikey nature. But the small, genuine smile stays on his face as he scratches under the Ninetales' chin.]

Thank you.

I had thought she would make it known when she thought she was ready--twould seem that she did. It concerns me not.

Is our presence truly so unwelcome? We could certainly leave.

[He's apparently carried Ziva off before, and he's sure he could repeat the feat. She's tiny.]

[amaure]

[Look, a lot has happened he wasn't expecting and that kinda makes someone salty. Especially when they're already naturally kinda high in sodium content. Either way, Solus huffs with a roll of his eyes at Estinien finally thanking him, almost seeming...annoyed by him actually giving it.

Look, he just has grouchy bitch disease. It's terminal, no cure.

He doesn't comment on anything to do with Iceheart's evolution, or Estinien's lack of concern over the matter, but with the question and the offer to leave, he glances to the others, before looking to Estinien once more. His mouth purses into a thin line, but then he shrugs with his palms upward, hands out at his sides.]

Well, the surprise was unwelcomed. [But he doesn't confirm that they are.] But I suppose with all your traveling, it would be remiss of me to throw you out so soon.

[stardiving]

[Where should we send the flowers?

See, for all the grumpy assholishness, you actually like people. Funny how that happens isn't it? If you really wanted them to leave he's pretty sure you'd say so.]

Worry not, I know that you have been...

[Excited, seems like the wrong word choice.]

...waiting to see your friend. We shall leave afore long.

[amaure]

[Directly to hell.

Also shut up, don't call him out on being tsundere, it'll ruin his grumpy old man image he's labored long and hard to achieve!]

Waiting is a word for it, isn't it?

[Anticipating would be better, but it's fine. He shrugs, and waves Estinien off.]

'Tis no matter. It does my heart good to see him hale and whole, even if with unexpected company. You too, for that matter. We might not be able to die here, but I know these beasts can certain do their fair share of damage, not to mention any ruffians you may have come across in your travels.

[He doubts Steven is the only psychopath here, after all.]

[stardiving]

[How tragic.]

You speak as if I am incapable of handling myself against a few ruffians.

[Anyone who tries to mug him on the road is going to get an incredibly unpleasant surprise. Oops.

He shakes his head, looking sidelong at Ziva across the room.]

I certainly did not expect them either.

[Well, aside from Hythlodaeus obviously, you told him about that guy.]

I know not what to make of her.

[amaure]

Not all ruffians are unskilled in brawling, and I say this without a doubt in my mind that you can more than handle yourself.

[There's nothing wrong with confidence, but don't be arrogant!

He follows Estinien's eyes to Ziva, his expression becoming something more...distant and uncertain. So, Estinien's in the same boat as him, then. Being robbed of his sight, he's really not sure what to make of her, he can't confirm much beyond speaking to her about such suspicions that Hythlodaeus has raised, but...it's contradictory to what he knows.]

You too, hm? Hythlodaeus has some theories, but I cannot confirm nor deny them. Tell me your thoughts, dragoon.

[stardiving]

Cowards like that tend to not take risks.

[He has his walking stick for a reason, though. It's not actually to help him walk.

Estinien is very thoughtful--he'd wanted to discuss this with Solus for a while, but on the road seemed to be a terrible place to do it, mostly for the fact that she would overhear.]

She knows me, knows what happened, even that which is only possible for the Warrior of Light to know.

But there are other things she does not. I had met him some time afore he was allowed into Ishgard, he trained in the art of the Dragoon with my mentor. She does not recall that.

[Estinien isn't sure whether he's glad of that or not. He had behaved shamefully, had succumbed to weakness and the fury of Nidhogg. Yes, he'd clawed his way back, but...]

Tis passing strange, I know not how it is possible.

[amaure]

[He just shrugs at that first comment, having little left to say on that topic, favoring the other. As Estinien explains, he listens, letting his gaze settle on the man as he goes on. It's...strange, that she would know these things, yet like him, Estinien remembers another.

And while he cannot say for certain the Warrior of Light he's dealt with was practiced in the ways of the dragoon, he also doesn't know wnough to say that he doesn't. So, instead...]

A hyuran man, brown of hair, eyes blue, yes? [He raises a hand to roughly a half fulm from his own height.] Yea high?

[stardiving]

[Oh good, he doesn't know what to do with your concern over him. Despite being alive for less than a blink of your life, he's an adult thanks, he can take care of himself.

Estinien nods, looking away from Ziva and turning towards Solus.]

Aye, just so.

[So the two of them remember the same thing--what that means, he has no idea.]

Urianger also knows her, rather than the man we do.