Sept Catch-All for Sharkhouse [Closed]

[no_ufo_ending]

Who: SHARK HOUSE

Where: SHARK HOUSE

When: September Misc.

Summary: HOLY SHIT

Rating: PG-PG13 for language and horror mentions

Log:






ITS TIME FOR SERIAL KILLERS, CONFESSIONS, AND TRAITORS!!!

Comments

HOLY SHIT A BIRD

[11121_assumption]

Around the house, a Murkrow has been lurking. Under Walter's instructions, Darkness had been visiting at least once a week to oversee the Receiver. His orders were the same each time. Watch over the Receiver. Do not flaunt yourself. Interfere only if he is approaching death. Any others at the house were not important. Ensure the Receiver's safety.

To aid in this, Darkness had learned a few new words, but was forbidden from uttering certain words near him. He wasn't to call Henry 'Receiver', after Henry had gotten upset with Walter. Perhaps they could make up, as Walter seemed so fond of him.

It didn't stop Darkness from seeing the other Pokemon at the house. And talking to them. Walter had failed to order him to keep to himself after all.

[exeggutorhead]

An interloper.

One of the resident Murkrows has spotted Darkness, and she isn't so sure about him being there. At least not without them being investigated first. Lyra lets out a loud caw from the eaves of the house and flaps down, perching nearby. This Murkrow is not even a little bit subtle; she's got a fine dusting of (Pokemon-safe) glitter all over her feathers, along with several shiny bangles hanging loosely around her legs and neck.

She draws herself up, turning her head from side to side to look Darkness over.

Who are you? You keep coming around here!

I'm so sorry about this bird

[11121_assumption]

Despite his duty, Darkness can't help admiring Lyra; she is one sparkly Murkrow, immediately catching his gaze with how the glitter and bangles caught in the sun. If he wasn't here on Walter's orders, he would have attempted to make a better first impression with his appearance.

"I am Darkness. I was sent to look after a person living here who is held in high regard by my trainer." He explained, matching her posture and swaying his tail feathers from side to side. "Who are you, who shines like stars in the night sky?"

[foolishwren]

Lyra isn't the only kleptomaniac bird to notice a stranger hanging around the house.

Kind of what happens when a house is full of bird Pokemon-- it's impossible to sneak up on.

But unlike Lyra, this watchful eye is neither glittery or bejeweled. This is because she prefers to hoard things rather than wear them, and also half the things she steals are for her shiny pink girlfriend compadre.

She makes up for not being visually striking in other ways, though.

As Darkness is about to find out.

There is little to no warning of what's about to happen aside from a gentle flutter-- something that could just as easily be a breeze in the turning leaves as another crow's wings. And then, in the branches directly behind the interloper, a car alarm starts blaring at top volume. The car alarm is coming from the throat of a scrappy-looking football-sized Murkrow, her yellow beak wide open.

The neighbors love Shark House.

[11121_assumption]

The sound of a car alarm would startle any Pokemon, especially when it came from right behind them. Darkness shrieked and took off to get away from the source of the noise, gaining height and circling the property before fluttering down again. He had spotted Wren from the sky, narrowing his eyes. A guard? The sound it had made seemed like a warning, loud enough to draw plenty of attention.

This could be a problem in his mission.

He swooped down again, landing slightly above the other Murkow for a height advantage. He couldn't hide his unimpressed attitude from slipping into his speech. "That was quite the sound you produced. Do you greet all visitors who perch upon your doorstep with such a welcoming greeting or am I merely the lucky guest on whom you decided to test this?"

[armoredsoul]

The house that the Receiver lives at is definitely an odd one. Raising a racket at any given hour, Pokemon and small humans that might as well BE Pokemon running amok, and definitely some odd choices of decor, including a very fat life-size statue of Pidgeot that Darkness just so happened to choose as a perch.

...no, wait. That's not a statue.

It takes almost ten minutes for Clara to even notice the Murkrow on her head, and when she does finally move it's only a slow turn of her head left, then right, and then tilting very slightly up.

"It would be good to gain some weight. You could be blow away if you don't."

[11121_assumption]

Upon realising he had perched upon a Pokemon, Darkness leaned over to see Clara in the eye. "My most sincere apologises for roosting upon you. But, isn't it good that I am light enough to perch upon you without disturbing your ruminating, let alone injuring you in my folly?"

He hopped from her head with a flap of his wings, landing beside her. While much bigger than him (a possible threat should she be territorial), she seemed the easy-going sort, given her apparent relaxed attitude to finding him upon her head.

DRAMABOMB, 9/18

[foolishwren]

"Hey, nerd."

The butt of a cold soda can nudges the back of Envy's head. Heather has made her way back over from the vending machine with a pair of soda pops, because guess who had become the champion of predicting what she was about to say ever since she regrettably taught him the 'Jynx! You owe me a soda!' game?

Setting it down on the rock wall between them, she swings her legs up and hops up to take a seat herself, popping the tab on the other one.

It's late afternoon and they're hanging out in one of the many small parks scattered throughout Goldenrod, people-watching after a long day of whatever the hell it is they get up to. Usually battling or pissing off property-owners by parkouring all over the place, although admittedly these days, their recreational activities have tended more towards murderer-proofing the house to Henry's satisfaction.

Although the brimming tension back there had evaporated remarkably now that Henry and Lust both knew about their... well, situation, it's still nice to get away a little.

[exeggutorhead]

Envy's shoulders hunch up slightly at the surprise chill on the back of his head, but then he just laughs, reaching up over his head to grab his Winnings.

It's true that with them not having to sneak around, things have gotten a lot easier. But the house is still a tense place to be, and the candles all over every available surface don't let anybody forget what's going on for more than a minute. Getting out into the city once in a while means they can have a bit of normalcy...or what passes for it in Johto.

Taking a sip of his own soda, Envy reaches with his free hand to give Heather an affectionate punch-nudge on the shoulder.

"I'd say that someday you'll beat me, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to win every time forever."

[foolishwren]

She retaliates with a pinch to his arm. Sore loser? MAYBE.

"Ehhh, I let you win. I could choose to stop being nice any time."

Then she leans against him a little, because she's not so dedicated to maintaining her shitty playground meme superiority that she's not going to take advantage of their actual newfound freedom. Because while they'd certainly had room to stretch their legs as a couple in Kanto, there had still been that secrecy by omission they'd had to maintain.

And that still subtly influenced things, even when there were no cameras on.

"It's nice out. I'm glad we're getting some fresh air."

Evening, 9/18

[foolishwren]

Everyone in the house pretty much had their own specific spots they'd go to for the express purpose of sulking.

Lust usually retreated to her room. Envy, without fail, could be located on the roof. Wrath either disappeared under the furniture or, lately, the next-door neighbor's porch. And Heather, well, she liked to vary it up a little, but she tended to favor either one of the city's many non-battling gyms or the downtown junkyard, which was full of smashable objects you wouldn't get arrested for breaking. Henry had the Ogre Hut (tm).

As for Al, she didn't know him as well as the rest.

But she had known him long enough to have a hunch at where she'd find him later that evening.

And sure enough, there he was.

Sitting down by the creek on Route 34.

Honestly, it's not a bad choice for a Sulk Spot. It's far enough off the path that there aren't yelling trainers stomping around in the grass, and the sound of rushing water is soothing. Even in the evening, the distant city lights reflect nicely on the surface of the river.

She can see why he comes here.

He'd hear soft wingbeats, the sound of a Pokemon landing somewhere up the bank behind him, and then the electric noise of it being returned to its Pokeball. Followed by footsteps.

"Hey."

LESS ANGRY THAN SHE'D BEEN SEVERAL HOURS EARLIER, it's Heather.

She wouldn't say she's here to make amends, because even if she'd probably overreacted... well, she still considers herself justified. But someone has to reach back out to Al and it's sure as hell not gonna be Envy.

Besides... there are matters she has to set the record straight on, and it's not Al's fault he hadn't known about them ahead of time.

[armoredsoul]

He's been out here for quite a while now. He hadn't bothered to put Clara back into her Pokeball, and the overlarge Pidgeot sits contently in a fat bird ball just a few feet away, blocking most of the setting sun's rays from reaching him. Curled up with his knees drawn to his chest, he doesn't react to Heather's arrival beyond a stiffening of his shoulders and a turn of his head away from her.

He was an asshole. He can admit that, now that the hot anger has simmered away into a low boil like it always does with him. He'd not even considered Heather's choices at all, nor the fact that even if she hadn't seen his worst for a long, long time, she was definitely aware of it. She's known Envy much longer than he has, and it's not like she's stupid.

But he still couldn't help worrying. Al knows the type of person Dante was, the sort of things he probably must have done, in a very vague sense. Even if Envy never really meant to hurt Heather consciously, it's still a risk. France had been calm and soothing, but Envy and Heather just keep egging each other on, and a dynamic like that...

Is he worrying too much, or not enough? It's hard to reason past the memories of Envy's arm going through his brother's chest, or the vicious hatred that neither of them had ever earned.

He tosses the stick he had been using to draw alchemical circles in the moist earth out into the water, and pauses for a long few moments before he responds.

"...hey."

[foolishwren]

Yeah... it was mainly when they'd gotten home (after a lot of bitching and probably a trip to the aforementioned junkyard to hurl old televisions at the ground and watch them shatter) only to find no sign of the young ex-alchemist whatsoever that she'd even thought about the inevitable fact that she'd have to go find him.

A noise that's half chuckle and half sigh rises in her throat when she sees his crouched silhouette turn its head away.

Because oh, boy. Well, it's not as though she hasn't come mentally prepared for what might be a difficult conversation.

She doesn't approach until he actually gives a verbal response, and even then, she sits down a couple feet away from him rather than just flopping right down and flinging an arm across his shoulders like she might normally.

"I thought you might be down here. It's a good place to cool off."

She'll take a moment there to just let the rushing water fill the silence, but assume he doesn't speak up first, it's only a couple of minutes before she continues.

"I shouldn't have yelled at you, earlier. You were out of line but I know you were just trying to look out for me. So, I'm sorry for going into scary bitch mode."

Late Afternoon, 9/20, Envy Meets Lust's New Friend

[a_sin_for_him]

[It's been rather nice, setting everything aside and working on the Story Hour again. Life has been surprisingly hectic of late, it seemed like there was just one thing after another. Not all of them bad, but there's been a great deal to dwell on. The turmoil in the house, the trials and pains of her close friends, Envy and Heather's recent revelation...there was simply a great deal.]

[An afternoon of showing off the wonders of the standard typewriter and philosophizing on how magic might work in relation to Pokemon had been a very welcome distraction. Though, if she were honest, anything involving 'Jack' often was. He's simply one of those people that's easy to talk to.]

[Now they were in the kitchen, because really it's only polite to offer snacks and drinks after 'working'. And the house is quiet, at the moment, beyond the usual low level chaos of the Pokemon.]

I'd offer you something homemade, but I actually like you.

[That's what store made snack platters were for.]

Wine?

[secondhandsome]

[Well, this sure isn't something he thought would happen when he first talked to Lust on the network. But here he is, hanging out in her place. Really, it's just... nice, hanging out with a friend. A welcome distraction from all of Jack's bullshit and far more effective than most other distractions.

He snorts a little at that comment.]

Wow, that's one hell of a self burn there.

[A pretty amusing one too.]

Uh... yeah, sure.

[a_sin_for_him]

I have tasted my own cooking. Regrettably.

[She doesn't feel badly about it. So she can't cook. She's sure she could if she put more effort into learning, but she's grasped the basics and that's all that's needed. Besides, she fills the kitchen with gadgets that practically make food for her!]

[She sets out a small platter of cheeses and crackers and fruit on the table and pops open a bottle of red wine - one of the sweet ones she prefers.]

They say a glass of red wine a day is good for your heart. I say it's good for your sanity.

Midday 27th Sept / A NOT WILD CUBONE APPEARS

[11121_assumption]

Assumption was very much like his trainer in certain ways. He loved hearing about the Order. He loved his Mom and missed her very much. He trained very hard so he would be strong and make his trainer proud.

And, just like his trainer as a boy, he was prone to sneaking off to see things. Darkness had told them about the house the Receiver of Wisdom lived at. Naturally, Assumption wanted to see it. He was still a little scared of the Receiver of Wisdom...but maybe it was a mistake? He wanted to see more of him, since he was so important to Walter.

So, after tailing after Darkness to find the house, he tried to sneak in. By knocking on the door with his club and then hiding to the side, waiting for someone to open the door so he could slip in. Although, Assumption wasn't sure how he'd get out after. One thing at a time.

[a_sin_for_him]

Lust was watching television, munching on popcorn and critically picking apart the movie she'd settled on. Afternoon movies were always bottom of the barrel offerings. Guttle was at her feet and one of the Flareon was draped over the back of the couch.

At the knock on the door, she groaned. Was anyone else downstairs? She didn't think so. But if someone was expecting company, they ought to be downstairs to greet them. She wasn't expecting company. She supposed it could be 'Jack', dropping by to visit....

With a small groan, she left the couch to see who was at the door.

And because of the current situation, she brought both Pokemon with her - it was the middle of the day, but it never hurt to be cautious.

[11121_assumption]

The moment the door opened, Assumption tried to slip by the human's feet - right into two Pokemon that were bigger than him.

Assumption's eyes widened and he squeaked, quickly holding his club as Walter had shown him. "L-let me in please! I'm here to see the Receiver of Wisdom! I don't want to hurt him though, I-I promise!" He stammered, forgetting Lust standing right behind him.

Someone has a lot to learn before they can be truly stealthy.

[foolishwren]

Human noses are weak, but Pokemon noses, as a general rule, are very strong.

Any given Pokemon belonging to the human residents of Shark House is bound to notice a stranger in their midst than any of said human residents.

In this case, Assumption is a little easier to pick out than Darkness was.

There are several Murkrows among the gang's collective roster-- but no Cubones. Cubones have an earthy, marrowy smell.

As the little interloper tapped on the door, a pair of dark brown eyes was watching him from the shadows of a nearby hedge. After a moment or so, a quiet, feminine voice speaks.

"Who are you?"

[11121_assumption]

Assumption jumped, turning to try and find who had spoken to him. He was nervous; not just about Henry but about the other Pokemon living here. According to Darkness they were friendly once they got to know you and he had been hoping to see the pretty Pokemon who had helped Walter, but he couldn't help thinking that not every Pokemon was going to be welcoming or happy to have him in their territory.

"My name's Assumption. I don't want to hurt anyone! I just wanted to see the Receiver of Wisdom and where he lived. Who are you...?" He held his club the way Walter had taught him to; not too tight, in one hand. 'You can't use it if you're hugging it to your body', he had said.

Lust and Heather, After Lust 'Knows'

[a_sin_for_him]

[Lust's in the kitchen, making an attempt at baking. It's supposed to be simple. Cupcakes aren't even full fledged cakes! But why in the world does she have to whisk the eggs and mix all the wet ingredients separately? It seems like more work than is necessary.]

[But the house could use something nice, and there's little thought or meaning in a box from the store.]

[Even if it's far easier. She probably looks ridiculous, with her hair pinned up messily and an apron on over her dress.]

[Guttle is rolling back and forth, hoping to catch scraps, and her shiny Altaria is helping as best she can.]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Ridiculous? Maybe a little. But you know what, it's sweet.]

[Heather's always felt that way about seeing the Homunculi attempting and slowly getting better at doing 'people things'.]

[She slips into the kitchen with Scarlet under one arm, the cub's legs 'swimming' at the air as she's carried.]</sub>

Hey, what's cookin'?

_{[Her usual devil-may-care tone, albeit a little wearier than normal. The situation with Henry and the mysterious serial killer has been wearing on all of them.]}

Night, 9/18

[armoredsoul]

Alphonse and Heather had arrived home a few hours earlier (she'd won the race), and the whole house had descended upon their offerings like the hungry pack of wolves they were. For a while all that anyone was occupying themselves with was burgers, fries, and whatever drinks came to hand.

He doesn't drink too often outside of certain game nights, but Al can't deny that those ciders he and Lust had discovered on one shopping trip are freaking delicious.

But once food had been consumed Al knew he...has some amount of a responsibility to see through to the end. It leaves a sour feeling, and he still isn't completely happy about the whole thing, but...if he'd owed Heather an apology, then he owes one to Envy too.

(Blech.)

It takes a while before Al finds where Envy's taken himself off to, and he knocks on the door frame twice to catch his attention before shoving his hands into his pockets and looking away in as little of a sulk as he can manage to keep it.

[exeggutorhead]

By now, even Envy has calmed down somewhat from the pure outrage of earlier. Partially because it's been a whole afternoon since the Incident, and partially because there were burgers. Still, he's never been one to just calmly let things simmer away.

Envy stews when he's pissed off. Especially when it comes to his half-brother.

He sure wasn't expecting a visit from said half-brother, though. He'd known that Heather went to talk to him earlier, and that was how the burgers had come to be in the house, but he still doesn't know how that conversation went other than "probably they made up because they brought back food together and nobody looked pissed". Which brings up a whole lot of sulky curiosity on Envy's part, but there hasn't been a chance to ask Heather how it went yet. He was expecting the knock on his door to be her, and once he's opened it and found Al not-looking back at him instead of his girlfriend, his face goes from curious to full on frown REAL fast.

"What? Here to yell at me about being a mustache twirling cradle robber some more?"