open log - 004

[nastyboy]

Who: Dimitri and you
Where: Goldenrod
When: Throughout the week of Jan 10 - 11
Summary: Dimitri has decided that he's not totally into such huge cities as Goldenrod... What, with the random fangirls, and the Pokemon Rights Activists. That doesn't mean Dimitri isn't going to take advantage of the city for what it's worth.
Rating: T, mostly for Option B at Fight Club
Notes: Feel free to hit up any of his options with prose or action tags, I'm game for either.



A - Video Network Post, Jan 13

[As is often the case with Dimitri, he starts up the video maybe a little clumsily, with the camera shaking a little bit and focusing... on what looks like a grooming station of some sort? Three, as a matter of fact, and each station has crowds of groomers in uniform cooing over three different Raticate.]

[Seriously. They seem to love what should be a common pokemon. But that makes sense for those who spot the Superatte sign in the back hanging on the wall. Yes, there are stores and groomers dedicated purely to Rattata and Raticate, and, boy, do they sure seem to love their job! Cofgodas, the first of Dimitri's Raticate, is somehow even fluffier, which is a direct contrast to Hob, who looks... a lot more slick than most Raticate! Sometimes fur obeys gravity, who knew.]

[Once he's certain that the the camera is functioning, Dimitri speaks up.]

My companions and I finally arrived in Goldenrod, and I must admit... This is indeed an extremely large and dense city, with more things and places than I ever could have imagined. One of - [He audibly fumbles a bit.] - of the people I travel with showed me this place when they discovered it while daring to venture out, and they treat Rattata and Raticate extremely well...

Yet, despite its conveniences, our arrival has been... difficult. Is it... normal to be mistaken for different people of some fame, and be stalked by young women and men? Mostly women... And, has anyone else had paint thrown on them...?

[Dimitri, are you doing okay?]

[The answer is no, but that's why he's not showing his face on camera to reveal the dark circles which have started to become prominent under his eyes again.]

[Anyway.]

Also, I was hoping that I could receive some advice on the use of... TMs? I understand they allow knowledge of an attack that a Palien might not otherwise know, but I was hoping to hear of people's experiences with them, recommendations, and perhaps what their first TM was?

[Some of the Raticate groomers are starting to whisper, and it's just barely audible over the sound of brushing, and Cofgodas getting a pretty set of bows in her fur. Something like... "I'm telling you, I'm positive! That's definitely a member of TEXO! Look, I'll pull it up on my Gear, but anyone would recognize that eyepatch-"]

[Dimitri lets out what sounds like a death rattle, and just.... shuts off the video.]

[For anyone wandering around, they'll likely be able to find Dimitri at Superatte for a while... or, you know, the ever shifting but definitely present hoard of young adults (indeed, mostly women, but some men and other people too) that are definitely hanging near him. They're not yet swarming him.... but Dimitri's tired expression says that he's expecting this to happen eventually.]

B - Fight Club, tw violence

With Sylvain gone, and things really awkward as the rest of them adjust to a very new relationship, Dimitri and Felix... have some too much energy. And they're finding it difficult to let it all out when they're being hounded by fans of a band they aren't a part of.

Perhaps Claude sees that, and, fortunately, has something that they could all do to get out that energy. Certainly Felix, if no one else, and Dimitri... They can figure it out for Dimitri.

That is how a trio of men end up in the Fight Club, a place for actual fighting instead fo just drinking and "admiring the noble type of Fighting". You can find Dimitri at a couple of points during his first visit:

The first is when he, Claude, and Felix all step down for the first time. Dimitri doesn't jump in for a fight right away. Instead, he just kind of... lingers around near the pit where the fights take place, watching as matches occur. This whole thing isn't entirely new to him, considering the kinds of things he had to do when living on his own for five years, but... it's certainly different enough for him to be uncertain. Anyone who approaches him will have him incline his head towards them and get a question: "Do you attend this place often?"

The second is, well... when he goes down for his fight. Him and Felix opt to not fight one another, for obvious reasons, so Dimitri waits until Felix's fight is done with. When Dimitri slips in himself, it's against some random local he doesn't know much about, and also his shirt off, because he was told that was tradition. (It isn't.)

Once upon a time, Dimitri used to be a proper young lord who mostly practiced using his lance. Then five years happened where he was living on his own, regularly breaking lances from constant skirmishes, and having to all in all fend for himself with only his armor, spite, and considerable strength at his disposal. Dimitri doesn't have most of those anymore... but he does have a lot of experience thanks to it, now, and is eager to adjust to now be able to properly fling his all into a fight, especially so that he can put it to proper use in the future.

The end result is his opponent with a bloody nose and enough bruises starting to form that definitely warranted calling 'uncle' - Dimitri is used to fighting for his life, after all. That's the kind of thing that lends to a slight... difference in how one fights, even when they're purposefully making sure not to accidentally kill someone. (And the lack of Complete Off The Wall Feral is something his two companions will be relieved to see.)

Dimitri himself takes a seat at a bench, some of his opponent's nose blood smeared on his forehead and dripping down the bridge of his own nose. He seems to be in a... bit of a daze as he recuperates from all the adrenaline in him. Besides the bit of evidence clearly showing that he headbutted someone hard, his face is rather clear of any damage, with most of that being at his arms or body.

Hey, he's already missing one eye. Of course he's learned his lesson in keeping his face from being damaged again.

....Someone should probably snap him out of it so that he cleans up and, you know, puts on a shirt again.

C - Music Stores

So. Dimitri knows that this was possibly a really terrible idea. He's sort of caught on that this "ToxapEXO" is a band of performers, and very well liked, and has a member who looks very similar to him. That's... already kind of made a lot happen since they arrived in town the other day, to Felix's frustration.

But Dimitri has things that he wants to do, especially with the conversations that have happened lately. He needs some sort of relief. And so he's gotten a change of clothes - yes, bought for himself, against all odds since he normally doesn't bother - and he's done his absolute best to just go around in a relatively plain blue hoodie pulled up.

Unfortunately, a tall blond with an eyepatch is still pretty noticeable. And that's why, if you're in any music store (CDs or actual instruments), you might find your browsing interrupted as a very harried Dimitri tries to duck into the aisle alongside you with an egg pack slung over one shoulder and a Rattata poking its head out of his hoodie pocket.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry - please do not act as though you saw me."

Comments

A [Video]

[cyan_maid]

[See, when he's not being super fucking tall and right in front of her taking down a grown adult, Jane's not...

...

Okay no she's still kind of intimidated by Dimitri's everything, being a ridiculous heterosexual is not nearly as much in play as it might've been before, and perhaps that's for the best for everyone. Besides, the sight of a grown man taking his giant rats to the groomer is kind of sweet, and then...

Oh, yikes.]

Being followed and hounded by lots of people is not normal. Your group is in Goldenrod, right? As long as no one follows you, I've got room at my house if you would all like to lay low for a couple of days.

[And she is sincerely offering it out of the kindness of her heart! Really! Not because she's getting a little nervous living alone when every night more and more Zigzagoon seem to congregate on her front porch! It's why she's in her kitchen right now, taking a baking break.

Look, they're expecting treats, she can't not give them out.]

TMs, though? Hm...I don't really recall my first, but my favorite is definitely Power-Up Punch. I got a lot of use from that one, since it's reusable and a lot of my team could learn it. I do have a couple of those I'd be willing to share, and HMs too.

[nastyboy]

[When Dimitri starts up the video again, he's relocated to... it looks like it's just a corner? Listen, he's doing his best to hide, here.]

I appreciate the offer. However, my traveling group is by no means small - there are five of us who are grown adults, and two young children... Although I suppose one of them often wanders off.

[Karako just has to live that independent clown life, and that's fine, that's understandable]

[Still, Dimitri has resigned himself to suffering this fate, so he focuses on the more interesting parts about TMs.]

Power Up Punch... That is quite a descriptive name. [Like... everything here, really.] Is it truly fine to share those, however? We must still give thanks for all the cookies you sent...

[cyan_maid]

Trust me, I do have the room for you all. There used to be a lot of people living here!

[Now it's just...one human girl and her horde of Pokemon. Hahahah...a...h a]

Of course it's fine! The HMs are reusable, and I've got three reusable TMs and a spare Venoshock and Fire Blast that can be used once...as well as a spare Power-Up Punch that can only be used once. And you don't need to thank me for the cookies, I like baking.

[nastyboy]

Well.... I will ask them, then. It would be good if we could save on our funds...

[They kind of need it, after the dry cleaning needed for his cloak. It's still not back... Dimitri hopes they are working magic on it. He really does. That cloak lasted him five years.]

Still... If we do visit, I would like to do something. [What.... skills does he actually have tho-] I can show you more cooking for on the road? It is easier in person...

[cyan_maid]

[You'd be surprised at what dry cleaning can do, Dimitri.]

Well gosh, I would appreciate that a lot, thank you. But I want to be perfectly clear that it's no trouble if you all do visit, okay? Not even a speck of it.

B FIGHT CLUB FIGHT CLUB

[lovelybottom]

When Geralt set out that night, he hadn't actually intended to wind up at the Goldenrod Fight Club. His sense of direction has been... muddled, as of late, and when he walked into the door of what he had thought was the inn that he was staying at with Jaskier, he instead found himself here. He's heard of this particular brand of underground recreation, of course, and there's reason for him to be interested in it-- if only for the potential coin.

He's a witcher, after all. He's only good for a few things.

Geralt loiters near the pits to observe the fights and get the lay of the land, so to speak. There are stratifications of fighters-- your average townfolk who barely know how to throw a punch without breaking a finger all the way up to men who move like they've been taught. Dimitri's one of them, one of the ones that knows what to do when another man's swinging at him. That really makes him the only interesting part of that fight, because his opponent is a clear amateur. It isn't a surprise when the man taps out, his nose gushing.

Dimitri takes a seat on the bench not far from him. He's a bit bloodied, but they're at a fighting match-- if anyone's squeamish about a little blood, they're in the wrong fucking place. Geralt watches the next pair of fighters enter the pit, then inclines his head slightly towards the blond.

"Good headbutt."

It's a tricky skill, headbutting someone so that you don't bloody your own nose or give yourself a concussion. Credit where credit's due.

FIGHT CLUB!!!

[nastyboy]

It takes a moment for Dimitri to register he's the one being spoken to, and that those words aren't just existing, randomly, in the air around him. Blinking, he grimaces slightly as he starts feeling at the blood along his head. Right, that... is probably gross. At least, Claude and Felix will boss him around if he doesn't get that cleaned up.

"Thanks," he says simply, before his brain catches up a little more and realizes he knows the man near him. They've spoken twice, now, after all. "Not often my first choice..." But it had seemed best for the situation. Swiping the blood off of his forehead with the heel of his hand, Dimitri glances over to him. "Going to fight?"

[lovelybottom]

There's an odd sort of expression that passes briefly across Dimitri's face, like he is only now coming back to awareness of his surroundings. It's not that uncommon-- adrenaline does that to a man, to say nothing of perhaps being a bit punch-drunk. He did slam his head into another man's, after all. A bit of mental haziness afterwards is to be expected.

"In a little while," he replies. Geralt takes little joy in fighting for fighting's sake, but coin is coin and it's what he's good at. It'll be good exercise for him, and he might as well leverage his talents to make some money. "Want to see what the competition looks like."

He might have considered going a round with Dimitri, since he seems to have the skill for it, but the younger man doesn't look up for it yet. He hasn't even gotten the chance to wipe the blood off of his face, dragging him back out into the ring when Geralt's fresh would be... unsporting. Perhaps one of the others of their little group would be-- Claude? No, likely not, Jaskier would be insufferable if Geralt bruises up his bedpartner, even if it's a consensual beating.

"If you want to make some coin, bet on me."

[nastyboy]

"Confident." It's not an accusation, or a question. Just a simple observation, the vocal equivalent of a nod while Dimitri is busy wiping the blood from his face. There'll likely be some stickiness if he doesn't wash it properly, but, well, it'll flake off eventually if it's left that long.

It'll be fine.

With it mostly cleared, even if the smears of red are visible, Dimitri glances over at Geralt again. There's no particular eagerness, no tension, that he can see. Dimitri has seen some who are eager for battle, and that often shows in some way: a thrum of eager energy, a ready-to-pounce tension, a look in the eye. Geralt is... down to earth, he supposes.

"Claude is more interested in that sort of thing," he says simply, after a moment of thought. "But I will take your advice, so long as it is not against Felix."

A - [video]

[paladinlost]

Ah, looking to strengthen your Pokémon's movesets, are you?

[Good news for Dimitri: Cecil knows a lot about TMs, and is willing to share. Bad news for Dimitri: Cecil knows a lot about TMs, and he is going to share all the details.]

I've yet to regret purchasing a TM, and I've purchased plenty. They can help your team gain greater type coverage or have access to improved defensive option, and they are often passed down to offspring, should you try your hand at breeding! My first was... Water Pulse, I believe, for Rosie, but if I could recommend one in particular it would be Return. It necessitates a certain... emotional investment, but I've no doubt you could use it efficiently.

[nastyboy]

[Unaware of the mistake he's made, Dimitri listens carefully.]

Yes... Gremlin has apparently learned all he can on his own as a Rattata, but I do not want him to feel limited.

[Dimitri is 100% the kind of person who believes strongly in fighting with his favorite Pokemon team instead of the strategically best one. So, yes, his rat is scheduled to learn new moves.]

I have not yet heard of Return.. May I ask how it works?

[paladinlost]

It derives its strength from the bond between trainer and Pokémon!

[Thankfully for everyone involved (but mostly Dimitri), Cecil does not get the impression that a speech exalting the importance of friendship will be necessary this time, so he skips it.]

Somehow, it becomes stronger as your friendship with your Pokémon grows. When used by a newly-caught Pokémon, it barely does any damage, but after months or years spent together it can fell any foe. The majority of species can learn it, though those who cannot have become more common as of late. As a bonus, since Gremlin is a Normal-type, the move's power will be doubled if he uses it.

[nastyboy]

An interesting ability...

[If that could have been a kind of magic back home, Dimitri wonders... Well, that's all theoretical, and he's never been much good at magic anyway. He leaves that alone for the time being, and instead nods.]

I will have to look into it, then. So it has an affinity with Normal types?

c is for cookie

[zukeini]

[Zuke has kept on his promise. To be honest, that alone would've made him stay this long in Goldenrod. But since arriving, and learning that his video went viral (someone took a video?), people have wanted to see him play.

He wanted to play. He loved to play his drums.

It was the best experience he could ever ask for despite being so far away from his friends and family. No matter where he was, he was Zuke. A drummer. Born to play. People...like to hear him play. It felt like home, just a little. Like his spirit came alive.

He was over the moon now, looking through each music store to find the old and the new. To get inspired. His team was hanging around too. People actually paid him MONEY...he can afford to spoil his team. Down the halls were his mons, looking at what their father drummer was into. His little girl pink Toxel was so invested, and in her baby strap across Zuke's chest. When she wasn't grabbing his beard like a trouble maker, she was looking at the records and gadgets he was picking up.

Just killing time, he knew his friend (!) was going to be here soon.

He didn't think it was going to be this soon.

Zuke practically bumped into Dimitri.]

Whoa, sorry man, I-

[The figure spoke. Ah, he-hm.]

...Dimitri?

[nastyboy]

[Dimitri practically leaps out of his skin when he realizes who he's bumped into, eye wide when he looks at Zuke before he raises a finger to his lip. His other hand tugs at his hood, as though that is going to help.]

Not - please do not say I am here! [His voice is a harried hush.] I am having some difficulties!

[If Zuke looks around, he might see a small gaggle of young women looking around with clear purpose, opposite of where Dimitri ducked away from.]

[zukeini]

Oof, sorry sorry, man, I-

[Uh oh. Now this was a scene that he knew very well. Those women were here for one thing and one thing only, pretty boy blood.

Being in the industry, Zuke has seen it. Not on HIM, persay...well.

Zuke made a cringing face with wide eyes, too much to think in too short a time. The why had to come later. For now, his buddy was under attack. He made a whisper.]

Get behind me, hurry. Duck for cover. Terbangan, hey. You know what to do.

[He sure did. Now that he was a Bigger Monkey that looked tougher, he knew he could play the dominant bodyguard when he had to. The Thwackey went to guard the isle they were in. He got out his stick and blocked the path.

In order to protect Dimitri, he had to play his role out.

Thanks to his Great Fortune of being an overnight viral drumming star, perhaps maybe, just maybe...we can cancel Dimitri's icky luck???]

[nastyboy]

[It's not as though Dimitri has to be told twice. Dimitri is a... decently tall and broad shouldered kind of guy, so hiding behind Zuke isn't really something he's great at, but he tries his best to just... not look conspicuous.]

[Being it's Dimitri it's sort of a toss up, honestly, but the good news is that Zuke's fantastic luck isn't going up equally terrible luck... just some very confusing luck, passed on by a friend. While Dimitri tries to make it seem as though he's Definitely not hiding behind Zuke and is instead Totally engrossed in these.... small... plastic cases of whatever... The small group of fans happens to look over. There's not that immediate starstruck reaction like Felix has been getting constantly, but a couple of faces light up, and there's some friendly waves.]

[Running into a minor internet celebrity is apparently enough to make them glaze over Dimitri's existence, and there's the sound of excited chatter as the group slowly moves on.]

[Good thing, because Dimitri looks as though he's going to keel over, and only partially from the fans, if the bags under his eyes are any indication.]

Oh, thank the Goddess.

B-1

[fingersandteeth]

The middle-aged man who just approached him—tall, dark, and bespectacled, with a pleasant air to him—laughs at his question. "I would hope so," he says. "It's my establishment." He holds out a hand for Dimitri to shake.

"Steven Durante, owner and manager. My partner's in the ring—he's the taller one. That's why the betting's changed for this match to how long his opponent will last against him. Because with a few exceptions, myself included, the question is not if he'll win, but when."

Steven sounds absurdly proud of said partner, who is indeed quite tall. Probably something like seven foot, although it's hard to tell while he and his opponent are constantly moving.

[nastyboy]

....Oh. That would certainly explain things.

Dimitri accepts the outstretched hand, squeezing down in a way that's notably careful - like he thinks he's going to break Steven's hand if he goes any further. Definitely a difference from the guy who had been throwing rats and threatening to gut people sometime near Christmas.

"Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd," he says, before glancing back down into the pit. "I had wondered about the change in betting, and thought perhaps there was some rule that I had failed to learn." He likes to think he'd learned all the important ones in terms of fighting, thanks to Claude, but....

Well, regardless. "He's very skilled," Dimitri says, and not just out of politeness. "Was he in an army before?"

[fingersandteeth]

Also the guy who started to do an inadvertent on-screen striptease in a cave. There's a reason that Steven suggested Claude bring him here, where Steven could see him shirtless in the most innocent of contexts.

His own handshake is firm, but not crushing. "Pleased to meet you, Dimitri," he says. "And yeah. There's a few regulars here like Thace who're so good at what they do that just betting on who wins or loses would be boring."

He glances back at the pit himself, a fond look on his face. "And yes, of a sort. I'm not sure if you wouldn't call it more of a navy? His people can travel between the stars. He was part of their fleet, but also fought on the ground, I believe. I know he was promoted a few times."

[nastyboy]

"I hope I can put on a good enough show myself, then." If nothing else, Dimitri just hopes he can get out some of this errant energy, win or lose. And, well... He has experience of his own. He supposes he'll just have to see how it turns out.

Either way, he listens attentively, and can't help but stare at the knowledge of a navy for the stars. He knows this place is fantastical, but... "Incredible," he says softly. "His fighting ability and career both. Judging by the way you are looking at him, I imagine he must have a wonderful personality as well."

B

[insidegalra]

Thace had noticed Steven talking to this man earlier when he'd been in the ring. Old habits of searching crowds for someone with a mind to do some backstabbing on a distracted rival are hard to get over. Now that he's also seen the man fight, he understands Steven's interest. So he walks over with a tray of cloth and other supplies for cleaning up after.

"That was a solid match. Would you care to clean up some?"

[nastyboy]

By the time Thace comes to check on Dimitri, he seems to have snapped out of it a little more and is just beginning to notice how gross it is to have blood that isn't yours on your own skin.

So really, the older man comes just in time, and Dimitri is already passing up an appreciative look. "Ah, thank you... Oh." He blinks, accepting the supplies. "You are... Steven's partner, are you not?"

It's hard to miss a guy this distinctive.

[insidegalra]

"I am," Thace might be smiling a little bit goofily for a minute, but it quickly passes into a more polite one. "I saw him talking to you during my match tonight. First visit, I'm guessing? If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer."

Thace doesn't really have to guess, but it's a more polite way to phrase it.

[nastyboy]

After talking with Steven, and now seeing how Thace's expression changes... Dimitri can't help but admire it, and desperately hope he can reach that point with his own loves. In due time, hopefully.

For now... He starts to clean up, first his face and taking care to not nudge his eyepatch out of place too much. "I... may have a question, but I do not want to be too intrusive," he admits. "However, Steven said that you were... in a navy, of sorts, before ending up in this place?"