victory_road | Surf's up!

Entry tags:

Surf's up!

Who: Everybody!
Where: Fuchsia City Beach
When: July 15th
Summary: Get yo beach fun on

As far as perfect summer days are concerned, this one is as perfect as they get. The sun is warm, the breeze brings just the right amount of needed refreshment, and the ocean waves are totally gnarly. Because that is what you say when a wave is good.

Seeing as this party has been 'organised' by a group of beach bums, their surfing buddies, and a group of very relaxed Pikachu, it's best not to expect anything too structured out of the day. That would totally harsh the vibe. No, this is very much a 'show up whenever, do whatever, be chill' sort of meet-up.

There's a little stand where visitors can rent all manner of surfboards, wakeboards, and floats. Not for rent, but definitely for fun, is a giant, blow-up Cresselia float. Anyone wanting to join the party need only climb on board to be towed across the water by the surf-stand owner's Blastoise, which is having just as much fun as you are.

Always able to Detect an opportunity, several smaller stands of local merchants can be found selling everything you could ever want in the name of hydration and refreshment. Ice-cream, sodas, fresh water! You name it, and someone is bound to have it.

And while there really are no organised events, ever so often the surfers (human and Pikachu alike) will hold impromptu surfing contests. Feel free to join them. Or feel just as free to tap someone on the arm for some surfing lessons. You might even snag a small, electric instructor.

Speaking of snagging an electric buddy -- that, unfortunately, is the one rule this party does have: No battling and catching the Pikachu!. If you happen to hit it off with one and have a defining character moment after which it decides to stay with you? That's fine. But seriously. No battle. Not even mock-battles between friends. Vibes. Harshed. Let's not.

As evening begins to creep down on the shore and a beautiful sunset bathes the beach in golden light, a bonfire is lit, and food starts appearing everywhere.... though it is all, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you swing), strictly vegetarian. Anyone craving a good, meaty burger (or an old-fashioned marshmallow) better have brought their own, because here you will find only vegetarian substitutes.

So feel free to drop by, catch some waves, share some food, and who knows, maybe you might even make some new friends. As they say --

Surfs up~!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

My kitchen is not a lab, Hythlodaeus.

[He says that rather deadpan, completely unmoved by that cute wink nor giggle. Especially not with that second part! He scoffs, clearly annoyed.]

I need not your doting protection. I can handle myself just fine. If Steven attempts any such barbaric behavior with me again, he will certainly regret it. And little do I need you interrupting my work, besides.

Did I not tell you? I have a sponsor for my chemistry. The space should be ready this week...

[He sips his beer, letting Emet-Selch bristle.]

If I've done it right, he shouldn't so much as be able to lift his hands towards you. [But, he had him there. Sort of.]

Oh come now. Surely someone with my expertise could only be a boon for... Whatever it is you're doing, precisely.

...Such sponsor is not Steven?

[He eyes him incredulously.]

Is that why—has all of this been your means to control him?

[Pointedly, he is ignoring the comment about Hythlodaeus being of any help on his projects.]

Of course not! He seems to be of modest means, as far as I can tell. No, my investor is a champion who lives out on the islands. That is where Weed, that Gloom came from. I merely had to furnish her with a list of items that I need her to requisition.

[ Hythlodaeus lowers his head, his smug smirk reappearing on his face. ]

Why would you say such a thing? We are friends. I’ll even be teaching him to make the perfect chocolate for his husband.

Oh.

[He's not sure who that is, but...if they want to help Hythlodaeus out in such a way, well. That's their problem.

But to that grin, his eyebrows raise and he smirks right back.]

I see, I see...little did I know they were wed. I cannot believe I was not invited to the wedding, what a pity.

[He tsks with a playful shrug and sigh.]

But honestly, you could have told me you were going to be dealing with him so...directly. I had hardly wanted to find him at our home, and even less did I wish to expose so much of myself to him.

[He could be meaning his state of near total undress, or...well...]

You're a fair actor, of course, but you had plenty to worry about without thinking about what I'm up to. Besides, it almost went all according to plan.

But of course... it is a little premature, but Steven does have his goals, as humble as they are.

[There is that elephant left in the room with them, however. Hythlodaeus is quick to ascertain which exposure he means. He didn't close his robe, after all.]

... Do you think you'll want children again?

[He's hardly surprised that Steven has such humble goals. He cannot imagine the man to dream truly big or in any way that would have lasting significance. He was a simple man. Emphasis on simple.

He merely shrugs at that, though, taking a drink of his beer that's getting warmer the longer he's let it sit. Not that it bothers him—but then Hythlodaeus asks that, and he has to stop himself from choking on it. Painfully, he swallows the gulp down, and looks away from Hythlodaeus, out at the ocean.]

...Why do you ask?

Why else? I would be remiss if I had missed my chance... Not that I am in a particular hurry. But we were so busy those days so long ago. Or so we thought. Looking back, it would have been simple to manage.

[He takes another sip before glancing back to Hades.]

I would have like to see you as a father, at least.

[He's quiet for a long moment, mulling over the sentiment. Well, all of that, really. The idea of raising a child with Hythlodaeus, the...thought that he would want that. Had wanted that, but it was merely one more thing robbed from them both. It makes his chest tighten, twist with that painful pressure he's become all too familiar with.

And that he would potentially wish to pursue this with him still...As if such a fantasy could truly happen in this world. As if he didn't plan to leave the first change he gets.

As if...Hythlodaeus would be alive once they left this world together...]

Such dreams were stolen from us, long, long ago. I do not think this world appropriate to pursue such dreams. Little can we do so once we leave, either. I fear our time...our chance to indulge in such a partnership has faded away with the home we lost.

[Oh how he hates the look that crosses his face. Perhaps it was time to share a few thoughts.]

Perhaps. Yet... Perhaps not. You have your objectives and I have mine. They may intersect at some point, but I have a few rudimentary calculations as my modest start.

If I'm right, and I usually am, I should be able to turn this pocket dimension into a nexus. Rather, it already is a nexus, but I have designs to harness it. Such a thing would be useful to all of us, would it not?

[Emet-Selch stares at him for a moment, then shakes his head. Even if that does sound...tempting, in a way, he cannot deny his duty, and...should his scheme be successful, he would not have use of this dimension.]

You have high aspirations, but I do not think this plan will work. While I do agree that this dimension is most certainly a nexus of sorts, I would sooner use whatever means we might ascertain to free ourselves, than to stay and utilize this world.

[His expression grows grim and despondent.]

I cannot abandon our people. Even if that means I must abandon you.

I am hardly asking for you to choose me above all of our people, but my designs are hardly so short-sighted.

[There is more to say, more he wants to say, but it is too soon to reveal. He has something smaller to tell him, but. It can wait just a little longer.]

You would turn down the opportunity for me to help you? For me to be able to source teams of brilliant minds from within what can clearly hold us stable and give bodies to those without them? I think we should ask the rest of The Convocation before you make such a choice by yourself.

After all, we stand inside a time machine. Does that not excite you?

Edited 2020-07-21 06:54 (UTC)

[If so much was not on the line, he might look more excited, might be more excited. But, there is so much they do not know of this world. What it truly is, how it operates. What it will take to leave. Let alone harness it.]

...Hythlodaeus...

[He closes his eyes as he brings his hand up to run through his hair as he thinks it over.]

Yours has ever been a brilliant mind, ripe with ideas, quick to conjure schemes, ever steady with solutions. But.

[Opening his eyes, he looks to Hythlodaeus once more, letting his hand and arm settle at his side once more.]

I fear your designs are overly optimistic, and not as near realistic as you may think. Even if you could utilize this world like that, what we aim to do back in our reality would make such unnecessary. Once we restore everything how it should be, a pocket dimension such as this would be redundant.

That aside, I find this dimension less a time machine, and rather a dimension outside of time's flow. That is a distinct difference.

The difference is only in how you utilize it. I see this space as a merely a tool. Even if you see this as unnecessary, the surest way to accomplish your own goal is to move forward as if it should be preserved. Intent ever does color method, and I'm not so eager to die twice.

[He grins, his mind working over Emet-Selch's words]

This distinct difference means that we should not act with haste. If anything, my solution safe guards you. We have yet to explore all that this place might offer, let alone understand how it works. I understand that you are anxious to return and restore reality... But...

Hmm, how do I say such a thing without offending you again?

[He does not wait nearly enough time to come up with the answer.]

You look as if you could use a long holiday. Perhaps allow another to toil while you recuperate?

Edited 2020-07-21 07:16 (UTC)

[He listens, watching Hythlodaeus as he speaks. Taking a drink of his beer, and another. But at the end of it, he cannot help but laugh a little. It's not nearly as mirthful as one might hope, but there is some humor there.]

And have you continue to criticize me while I continue to age unabated? I think not.

[With a limp-wristed wave, he dismisses him.]

You know as well as I, never have I been wont to sit idle when there is work to be done. [Well, important work, anyway.] Did you truly think this would convince me to abandon my course? Even if I did as you suggest—take a long holiday—what if your scheme takes fifty years? Sixty years—one hundred! You are so worried about my body and its condition, there is a fair chance it would not survive the necessary time for its completion.

And I do not think the 'centers can heal mortal expiration.

And you work to your detriment. Forget fifty years, in ten you'll be doubled over like a shrimp!

[He lets out a breath, throws his head back with his can of beer, and then clears his throat.]

I think there is no mortal expiration here for non-natives. Of course I was worried at first, but this dimension gives us physical forms— neither of us had one ere we arrived. I doubt that they have anywhere to place our souls or aether. I think they would merely reset us, not that I intend to take so long!

As I understand it, even those that are murdered reappear ultimately unharmed. The process of aging is merely slow injury, so I believe that there would be a threshold for those brought into the pocket dimension— The intended players, if you will.

As I said, I believe that we will one day inevitably intersect with our goals. As it is, you have asked Dirk to assist you with this instead of me and you seem to believe that I would only be a hindrance. Therefore, I have no reason to change my course.

[And it is frustrating, because while he has been imparted with some knowledge through the ages, it is piecemeal in comparison to what he might collect by himself. For instance, he is sure that breaking out of here would fling Emet-Selch into the void, but it would surely be a distraction to bring up.]

Edited 2020-07-21 08:23 (UTC)

If in ten years I can force my way out of this world, it will be worth it. The moment I am free, is the moment that I am no longer held within this form like a prison made of flesh and bone.

However, seeing as there has not been any otherworlders that have expired of old age—at least as far as I am aware—does not mean it cannot happen. Have you noticed a great deal of them are fairly young? Or, if they are like us, they bear a youthful form? I have met merely two possessed of a body further along in age than I.

As for my asking Dirk of his assistance—you must understand the situation is far more complex than what you are taking it for. He and I had started our courtship ere your arrival, and little did I plan to abandon it when he is a wellspring of information on this world. Likewise of its limitations...we are also coworkers, as you were made aware of yesterday. Which complicated matters, seeing as you are decidedly not.

Edited 2020-07-21 08:39 (UTC)

Broder is lucky his wing isn't getting crushed. As it is, his captor is still crouched down, holding him and staring in a kind of blank alarm at the pokemon he's just caught. He hasn't even unlocked and let go by the time Trace makes it over.

The words do it, though. ~~The Soldier~~ Winter lets go immediately and straightens, backing up until he bumps right into the Mudbray who'd been nosing worriedly at him.

Even after a month and a half, she still forgets her hair doesn't move on its own. "Entrapta, your hair," he reminds her, catching at one pig-tail again, but there's something that's almost a smile to go with it. "That sounds exciting. And maybe scary. Though I'm not sure you're afraid of anything."

[It could be crawling with two-headed murderers. Maybe there's a very angry aquatic-adapted Zweilous or fifty down there.]

As long as no one decides to bring the ocean up here, that sounds great.

Even amidst the riot of colour that comprises the crowd on the beach, Entrapta stands out. It could be the mask, or the large purple ponytails, or the fact that Catra can't imagine anyone else ever sitting down amidst this chaos to pull apart a PokeGear and do something to its insides. Whatever it is, Catra recognizes her immediately upon spotting her, a couple of hours after her own arrival.

Recognizes, but doesn't approach immediately, because there's a large man with a metal arm hovering over Entrapta nigh-obsessively, and the few days that have passed since her arrival haven't been enough to allay her host of suspicions. And so she observes from a distance, waiting until the man - minder? bodyguard? - departs on some errand. Only then does she push herself up from her beach towel, giving her Galarian Ponyta an absent order to stay and watch her spot before strolling over, continuing a few paces past the Princess of Dryl, then stopping and turning as though in surprise.

"Entrapta?" Her voice, at least, should be familiar, though the absence of her usual feline ears and tail and fine coat of fur, and the more human shape and shade of her mismatched eyes might make matching face to voice take a moment.

Entrapta doesn't look up whatsoever on Catra's first feint past her, hyperfocused on her work as usual. Even when she stops and actually says her name, she doesn't immediately look up because she's right in the middle of something delicate. The Impidimp sitting on her head does, on the other hand, and watches Catra with a curious head-tilt.

"Yes?" She does look up eventually - and frowns, polite but confused. "You sound familiar. Have we met before?"

[That's a terrible mental image thank you. Shadowmaru would love to never think of that.]

Let us hope, then, that no pokemon takes it upon themselves to do just that.

[He lifts a hand to his chest, inclining his upper body toward her in a seated sort of bow. We're sorry - he's just Like This.]

A pleasure - I am Shadowmaru.

[If Maru is only here for the tan, then he's doing it wrong. That mesh shirt is going to leave the weirdest tan lines and that umbrella is just a hater. Lance, the resident beach baby, knows how to tan (or in his case, get tanner) like a pro and he's coming up to Maru with a disapproved frown on his face and a bottle of sunscreen in the other. He's also shirtless, with his skin dewy from both sun and tanning oil, with a pair of palm tree printed swimming shorts.

Indeed, this is Lance's safe place and it shows. He's going to make sure everybody else knows the beauty of the beach.]

Please don't talk about my ex-girlfriend that way. It's rude.

[Not that he's ever had an ex.]

[But Lance, all the dignified people back home used parasols! It's just what you do! Though, as his friend approaches, despite the disapproval on Lance's face, Shadowmaru beams. It's always good to see him. And it never fails to boost his spirit.]

[Though that look falls flatter than a Stunfisk in a moment. His Growlithe has no such compunctions, and wags her tail so hard the sand flicks up.]

Your... girlfriend?

[Please excuse him while he looks around. Clearly expecting an actual human person to appear out of the sand. Or the ocean.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 4 of 17

Surf's up!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

2

no subject

no subject

1 -- YOU CAN'T AVOID IT FOREVER, MARU

WATCH HIM