Sinnoh Adventure Time

[shiro2hero]

Who: Shiro (shiro2hero) | Shadowmaru (sassymaru) | Runaan (tokenelfcharacter) | & YOU!
Where: Sinnoh
When: The entire vacation!
Rating: PG for now? Maybe PG13


Summary: Open catch all log for all three of the above characters. Each one with their own thread, open to everyone! The links will take you to the specific character thread.


SHIRO | SHADOWMARU | RUNAAN

( hit me up at redfirelight if you want to plot out any specific threads! )

Comments

SHIRO | OTA

[shiro2hero]

1) HOSTEL
[It seemed like a good idea at first. Just grab a bed and some storage. That's really all he needed, right? Nothing more than that. How bad could it be? He's already used to sleeping in close quarters.]

[Except this day. This particular day, he's laying down for a moment, just to rest his eyes. To stave off a slight headache he can feel building behind his eyes. Probably just needed a nap. Except someone - somewhere - has their music blaring. It may not even be in this shared room. Or maybe it's you. Either way, there's an irritated noise from the bunk Shiro's chosen, and a series of flopping sounds as he pulls his pillow over his head.]

[Followed by a muffled:] Maybe this was a bad idea...


2) INN / HOT SPRING
[Thankfully, later on, he's been convinced to switch to the Inn. This is... so much better. He has to admit. Even if he has to constantly keep an eye on his Gallade, Blue (who may or may not be wandering the halls occasionally, trying to "fingergun" his way up to lady pokemon). So... you may end up running into said Gallade, followed quickly by Shiro dragging him away with a lot of apologies.]

[But, also?]

[The hot springs exist.]

[And Shiro is going to take advantage of them. It's been a long time since he felt this kind of relaxation. He just sinks into them. And likely can be found there almost every evening.]


3) IN THE CITY
[Shopping doesn't really interest Shiro all that much. But the museum and the statues sure do. You can find Shiro at either location, reading the plaques, looking through books at the museum, just being the nerd he rarely gets to be. Feel free to chat him up, or go browsing a bit longer.]

[Heck, he'll even listen to the nice old ladies on the hill, politely. But maybe you want to save him.]


4) THE UNDERGROUND
[Okay, someone probably dragged him down here. Generally speaking, Shiro's not that interested in acquiring more pokemon, but he'll do a lot if someone asked him to. But as the trip down drags on, he seems to think of something.]

[And then grins.]

[Oh no.]

Let's hope there's something down here... otherwise this whole trip might be a fossil-arm.

[Literally the entire Mudsdale cart just stares.]

Oh come on, that wasn't that bad!

[Aren't you glad you brought him on this adventure?]


5) THE MOUNTAIN
[Very early morning dawns over Sinnoh, as someone stands proudly at the start of a trail toward Mt. Coronet. Now this is more Shiro's speed. Hauling on a backpack, plenty of snacks and water, ready to explore. He's actually smiling at the head of the trail.]

Ready to hike? I've been looking forward to this.

[Nothing like a nice adventure into the unknown to bring your spirits back up.]

hot spring, obviously

[lostintransmission]

[ Look. Look. It's not like Matt was intentionally trying to be in the hot spring at the same time as Shiro to show off the six-pack he didn't have as a nerdy teenager. It's dark enough that he doesn't actually even notice Shiro's there until he's halfway down in the water, and dangit, he's committed at this point. He's on the opposite side, at least.

He wishes things weren't so awkward between them. He really does. He's been here a few weeks now and it just seems like all they do is dance around each other, or walk on eggshells trying to avoid saying or doing anything to make the other feel weird. It's a hell of a balancing act, aside from all of those things being kind of odd metaphors on their own.

All things considered, Matt decides to be cool about it, quietly slipping into the water so Shiro can chill in peace. Blobert, on the other hand, decides to splash right on in, bobbing back up to the surface with a content gurgle. Matt can only sigh. ]

[shiro2hero]

[Other people crashing the hot spring isn't anything new. It's not a private bath attached to his room or anything. Hearing someone quietly step into the water is fine. It's hard to really be upset about anyone in the same space right now. They're quiet. There's no splashing or loud conversation.]

[He could actually take a nap like this.]

[... Until Blobert cannonballs in.]

[Then Shiro's sitting bolt upright in the water, startled, to lay his eyes on the culprit. On - oh no. He'd been hoping it was someone he didn't know. Someone's pokemon maybe. Not this. Not someone he's still not sure how to face.]

[He clears his throat.]

[Sinks back down in the water.]

... Hey.

[Nailed it.]

[lostintransmission]

[ Dangit, Blobert, why you gotta be like that? Matt freezes when Shiro looks over, but this isn't Jurassic Park: Shiro isn't going to lose sight of him if he just doesn't move. So, he gives a jaunty little wave. Unfortunately, his skin is flushed with the heat from the spring, water dripping in beads off his arm. ]

Oh, hey, Shiro. Sorry about Blobert. I guess he's never been in a hot spring before...? I can... go. If you'd prefer.

[shiro2hero]

It's okay. I'm sure Blue did the same thing at one point.

[He holds up his hands in a sort of "easy" motion. The last thing he wants to do is make Matt uncomfortable... more reasons why he'd tried to avoid him for a while. It was just safer. For his friend's sake.]

[And then shakes his head. Totally not looking at all that exposed skin.]

No, no. I - it's fine. I've been here a while, I can... I should probably...

[Stand up.]

4

[fearinahandfulof]

[Cassandra blinks.]

"Fossil arm"?

[shiro2hero]

... Fossil-arm.

False alarm.

It's a pun.

[fearinahandfulof]

...Oh.

[Now she feels stupid.]

Do you... do those a lot?

[shiro2hero]

Sometimes?

People tell me they're not actually that funny.

[But Shiro likes them. Shiro likes them a lot.]

Hostel

[schachmeister]

[In all honesty, Armin had expected Shiro to choose the inn to stay in during their little Sinnoh holiday. He knows Shiro must be able to afford it; and while he could also probably afford the fancy hotel, that doesn't really seem like the sort of place that is Shiro's jam, so to speak. So it's a little surprising to learn that he isn't staying there.

Which is something Armin might have let go if it wasn't for the appearance of one (1) round purple ghost. After making sure that Shiro is all right (or, at least, as all right as Shiro gets to be these days), it doesn't take long for Armin to suss out that Haunter seems to be rather displeased by its trainer's choice of accommodation.

And well, Armin can't force Shiro to do anything. He wouldn't want to. They are friends. But maybe Shiro will listen to a few good arguments? It's worth a shot, right?

Which is how Armin ends up in the hostel, trailing behind Haunter the Gengar as it bobs and weaves in and out of walls and floors, leading Armin to where Shiro is bedded down. Armin wrinkles his nose a bit at the loud music that is thumping from... somewhere, before he peers around the door into the shared room Shiro is staying in.]

Shiro?

[His voice is a little soft, just in case there are people who are able to sleep through the racket.]

[shiro2hero]

[Haunter absolutely is here to make sure its trainer actually has a GOOD vacation. And looks after himself. At least a little. Armin was the "lucky" soul to wander across Haunter's path first. And thankfully, willing to follow Haunter along.]

[To where it gestures, irritably, at where Shiro has a pillow yanked over his head.]

[At first, there's no response from Shiro. Maybe he's asleep. But no, that would make no sense. Shiro? Napping? Impossible. Eventually, he peeks out from under the pillow.]

... Hi Armin.

[schachmeister]

[Shiro? Asleep? Never.

Now that he has located Shiro, Armin steps into the room. It's... somewhat nostalgic. Not that he's ever slept in a hostel like this before, but it reminds him of the training barracks. Not that those had looked this futuristic, but just the sensation of many people crammed into a very tiny space. Smelling everybody's teenage boy smell (ugh). Trying to sleep while someone keeps farting three beds away, and you are hoping you can fall asleep before someone tries to wrangle the ol' pants weasel.

It had sucked so royally. It had been fun too, at times. Pillow fights (forbidden but still occasionally carried out) and late-night talks and games during the evening, but it had also royally sucked.

And Shiro barely even fit in the dang bed.

So please have Armin behold Shiro and all his choices, his inner mother hen ready to rear to the surface.]

Shiro. What are you doing here?

[shiro2hero]

[Look, he can feel that judgment there. And thus pulls the pillow a little more firmly down over his head. So there. If Armin can't see him, he is not there. Surely, that will work. Surely, this is the adult thing to do.]

[No - it is not.]

[Armin is not going anywhere, and neither is the music pounding into his skull.]

Saving money. [With the unspoken "in case someone needs it". Because that is exactly why he's saving up. In case one of the others runs short.] What are you doing here?

Hot Spring

[insidegalra]

[Thace has observed that this is meant to be a place for communal bathing. Grooming his Pokemon counts, right? He intends to wash up himself, but first he's going to tend to his Diggersby, Espurr, and Whismur.

His Whismur who wants to play in the water!]

One tick, little one. That's too deep for you.

[But attending to three Pokemon while trying to set up a portable tiny-Pokemon-safe bath while also juggling a bunch of grooming supplies means something is going to slip through. In this case, it's the Whismur who ignores him entirely, trundles towards the water with a 'mur~mur~', and just steps right in.

And sinks like a stone. She has enough time for a surprised 'whii' before there's a heavy thump, a splash, and she's back out of the water. Thace had thrown himself across the floor and gotten an arm around her just in time. Of course it means he's now flat on the floor with his head and shoulders hanging over the edge and soaking wet. He sighs in obvious relief as the Whismur clings to his wet shirt.

And then he notices the company.]

Apologies for--

[Give him a second, he just got water up his nose and is coughing it back out.]

[shiro2hero]

[That all happens extremely fast. One moment there's the sound of pokemon approaching, human footsteps. Nothing he can't really tune out in the name of relaxation. People come and go here all the time - it's not a private by room situation.]

[But then there's all the splashing.]

[He sits bolt upright where he'd been lounging in the hot water, his eyes widening. A lot happens very, very fast, but he does his best to wade across the spring, trying to lend a hand. Before he gets there, Thace already has the wayward critter. It doesn't do much to deter Shiro from slogging the rest of the way, to try and help him sit back up.]

Easy. Just catch your breath - you okay?

[While he glances around - checking to see where his pokemon are. A Gengar peers around a rock, then drifts over, ready to corral the Whismur again, should the need arise.]

[insidegalra]

[Thace leans against Shiro gratefully as he rights himself, coughing twice more and wincing. He slammed on the floor pretty hard in his rush but isn't really acknowledging it. He's distracted, checking over the Whismur with more than a little worry.]

I'm not injured. Vruli--

[She's fine. Wet and very startled, but didn't even inhale any water. Thace presses his forehead to hers with obvious relief.]

Oh thank the stars. And thank you as well, Shiro.

[Thace's other two Pokemon are coming closer now, with the Espurr daintily stepping around the puddles.]

[shiro2hero]

Hey, it's no problem. Glad I was here.

[Another glance toward his ghost, just to be sure - ] Haunter's around. It'll help keep an eye on them if you want.

[Shiro, that's a Gengar.]

[But the purple ghost bounces in place, grinning. Yes, hello! It is here to help these small friends! No drowning on Lifeguard Haunter's watch.]

Looks like you've got a troublemaker on your hands.

Shadowmaru | ota

[sassymaru]

1) THE INN
[Ah, finally, a bit of home. Something familiar. Of course Shadowmaru reserves a room at the inn, with all its quiet comforts. He can be found lounging any common spaces in a purple (of course) yukata, or luxuriating in the hot springs.]

[Anyone in his visual range will earn a sweeping bow, regardless of whether or not he's seated.]

Quite the comfortable little place they've built here, no? I will admit, it is the closest I have come to my world since stumbling upon Ecruteak.



2) OUT ON THE TOWN | Shopping
[Oh this is great.]

[Almost every day of the trip, Shadowmaru is exploring the shops. Small secondhand places, picking up swathes of glittering fabric that may or may not be clothing, cafes for iced coffee and pokemon treats, you name it. He is living for this. Sunglasses on, one of his pokemon at his heels at all times - either Growlithe, Rockruff or ... well. Venipede.]

[And then there's the Herb Shop]

[If you stumble on him here, you'll find him engaged in a very lively conversation about bath salts and teas with the owner. While Venipede seems to be crawling subtly toward a jar sitting on the floor...]

[Surely no one will notice if Venipede samples the contents...]


3) JUST A HIKE... | Eterna Forest
[Shadowmaru and nature have not mixed very well, lately. He rarely travels, rarely leaves Olivine, and for good reason. Without his navigation systems, he never truly managed to make his way through Johto without getting lost. All the more reason not to leave Eterna City proper.]

[But the promise of more space to allow his pokemon to roam was something he could not pass by. They'd been so good this trip, he felt it was only right. So, to the forest it was. If only for some relaxation and bonding.]

[And then... he got lost.]

[It's been days (no, it's been maybe a few hours)! Surely! And Shadowmaru has flopped on a fallen tree. Dramatically. Even though there isn't anyone in sight. No one but his Frogadier and Oricorio.]

I fear... we are done for.

[Please help this overly dramatic idiot.]

3

[notyourgoddess]

[There is no one in sight. At least until a woman with a Lunatone and a Blaziken pass by. Out for a walk and not lost. Maya's attention will be drawn by the pokemon pointing out the dude flopped on a tree.]

Uh. Hey there....are you okay?

[sassymaru]

[Both of his pokemon look immensely relieved someone else showed up. Someone who hopefully has more common sense than Shadowmaru typically does.]

[But speaking of Shadowmaru... he sits bolt upright, elated.]

Have you come to the rescue?

[notyourgoddess]

....I guess I have now. What seems to be the problem? Are you injured?

[The Lunatone is just going to float over to make sure the pokemon are okay. Hey guys..]

Runaan | ota

[tokenelfcharacter]

1) THE FOREST
[Finally.]

[Most of the trip here had been spent in the most irritable mood possible. Rowlet's pleading was the only way to get him to come out on this absurd trek. Somehow, he'd been convinced it would be good for the others. The rest of his little team. And so, here he was.]

[Leaving the city as soon as possible. Thankfully, they hadn't taken his false horns for the trip, so they're firmly in place, woven into his braids.]

They say this place is cursed. [Said with as much disdain as possible.] A perfect place to keep our distance.

[Unless, of course, you're passing by this particular clearing and overhearing the conversation between a man and his Rowlet.]


2) THE OLD CHATEAU
[Foul weather has chased him and his pokemon into the Old Chateau. He would have normally avoided it, avoided anything human-made out here. But the wind is too strong, and his pokemon are too small yet.]

[This house looks as if it's ready to fall apart. Fine by him. He turns to his birds - Honedge is clinging to his back like a proper sword.]

Come, nothing to fear from old human structures.

[Maybe you're seeking shelter, too. Or you're already in there hunting pokemon...]


3) THE MOUNTAIN
[Yet another place to explore and distance himself from people. It's a perfect place to brood and get the lay of the land. Or at least, look like he's brooding. He's definitely standing on a high rock, looking out over the vistas of the mountain.]

[It's a precarious perch. Don't startle him.]

[Or maybe do that, and then you'll get an earful.]

1

[insidegalra]

[Thace might not be able to hear, with all his senses reduced to human, but his Noibat can and takes off towards the voice with cackling glee.

Thace is swift to follow, moving with the grace and silence of a trained soldier. So while the Noibat is angling higher for a dive and screech, he manages to step out from behind the underbrush just in time to say:]

Brodar, must you try to cause mischief so often?

[The Noibat makes an unhappy noise like a deflating balloon and then settles on Thace's head with all his weight in revenge. Thace doesn't even flinch.]

Apologies for the intru--an Altean?

[The man standing before Runaan is unusually tall, and his irises are a shade of gold no human's would naturally attain, but is otherwise indistinguishable from a native. On the other hand, he has a Honedge on his back like an actual sword, and a Whismur in the sling across his chest. And an Espurr trailing more sedately behind him.]

[tokenelfcharacter]

[Pokemon, as a rule, don't bother him. They're only animals, after all - no reason to be angry with them for following their natures. And, honestly, Runaan has found he prefers their company over that of anyone else's here.]

[Since... you know. Most are human.]

[Like the creature who stumbles into his clearing appears to be, for the moment. His eyes narrow, and Runaan straightens up, gearing up for some sort of confrontation, it appears. At his side, a Rookidee and a Honedge of his own also bristle.]

... Not any more than you are human.

[Thank goodness Thace still has those weird eyes and tall stature. He's seen enough of humanity here and in his home world to pick up on that. Though the wariness in his stance doesn't change.]

[insidegalra]

[Thace notes the bristling, and with carefully telegraphed movements shifts so he's in a stance that is only good for defense, and has his hands spread to show he means no harm. Then his eyebrow raises at the stranger's venom. He would have expected such responses to Galra, not humans, but he doesn't know humans all that well, does he?]

I see. The more I meet here that have been changed, the more I wonder if what changes us has a true understanding of what a human is. Apologies for the mistake; your ears and markings bear resemblance to a species from my home. I am Thace, a Blade of Marmora.

[And with that, he bows politely. The other Pokemon with him also at least dip their heads (or wave tassels in the case of the Honedge), but the bat follows it up with a grumpy raspberry. Thace just rolls his eyes.]