[closed] May Catch All

[nastyboy]

Who: Dimitri, Grant, Claude, Dedue, Eri, and Shrike
What: After lots of loss, Dimitri manages to sheepdog herd the people he cares about into getting back onto the road. First stop: hitting up the Kanto gyms
When: May
Where: Saffron, Vermillion, Cerulean

Comments

THE NEW KID (multiple prompts because... well because)

[fayblood]

[A. Introductions!]

When Dimitri had first mentioned the possibility of traveling together, Shrike wasn't really in a state of mind to think about it at the time. Later, though... well, Shrike still had mixed feelings on the idea, but ultimately, the prospect of being alone was worse. Sure, he'd spent years living by himself before arriving in Johto, and certainly hadn't lost his ability to fend for himself as needed, but it was different now somehow. He couldn't say how or why, but it was. The idea of being alone was suddenly a lot more intimidating than it ever had been before, which is what finally convinced him to take Dimitri up on the invitation.

Of course, now this means there's a whole bunch more people for him to meet. So, everyone, have a shy kid who looks just short of hitting puberty... assuming you can even tell, given that he insists on wearing a hood pulled up to hide as much of his face as possible.

"Uh, hello..."

It's really not that many new people, Shrike's just shy. He'll get over it. Probably. Maybe.


[B. Getting to know you]

Of course, knowing someone's name isn't really knowing them. Unfortunately, Shrike is still pretty shy and has a tendency to stick with the one person he does know when he's not by himself.

On the other hand, his default is to do things by himself, so it isn't all that hard to catch him alone, if anyone should want to strike up a conversation. Maybe he's reading a book, or tending to one of his Pokémon. Or maybe even doing chores/errands or training his team.

He's still wearing the hood though. He's probably even sleeping in it, really.


[C. Before I go...]

There is one little thing for Shrike to take care of before heading to Kanto, however. Specifically, a day or two prior to the scheduled departure, he makes his way to the Collegiate Gym outside of Ecruteak. Ryner's been a good mentor in both talking about magic and actually, you know, helping him learn basic things his (lack of) education had been missing, so clearly Shrike should at least go say goodbye for now.

And by 'goodbye', we mean showing off what he's learned about Pokémon battles by taking on the gym challenge.

Win or lose, one has to admit his battle is probably quite the spectacle to watch!


((Feel free to start up more than one thread if you want! I'll be scarce for a bit a week from now due to con, but will tag as able. And I'll always respond to PMs or discord for questions or plotting things, of course.))

C

[nastyboy]

Honestly, Dimitri has really only taken on one of the Aurora Gyms.... technically. (Unofficial brawls in a Dedenny's parking lot in the middle of the night not counting.) He would rather like to take on them all, at some point in the future, but, well, he's trying not to bite off more than he can chew.

That doesn't mean he can't go and cheer on a friend, however, or take in everything that happens for his own interests! So Dimitri tags along when Shrike brings up this last minute task of his.

In hindsight, he can't really remember ever seeing Shrike engage in a battle - not recently, at any rate. So when the battle finally concludes, Dimitri greets him with a bright smile. "That was excellent! You adapted to the unpredictability quite well."

[fayblood]

Believe it or not, Shrike actually does do battling with his Pokémon. He's already earned six of the Johto badges, in fact! Between that and having been in this world two whole years now, he's gotten a good grasp on things. At least, in theory.

Still, this one was definitely a few steps up from an ordinary gym match. Randomized, unfamiliar Pokémon, possibly with unfamiliar moves, and going up against an opponent who can't truly be predicted for the those same reasons. Even for someone with some natural skill when it comes to strategy, it was a lot, so Shrike's definitely a little mentally fatigued in the wake of it all.

"Oh. Um, that is, you think so?"

[nastyboy]

"I do!" Since Shrike obviously won't have some bold confidence in himself, store bought is fine Dimitri will carry that for him, and he smiles brightly.

"You fought at quite a disadvantage. Even if they were like those you have in your oft-used team, they are still unknown individuals, with their own temperaments and perhaps unknown TMs. That you were able to recover from the uncertainty so quickly is admirable. Not many would have done so well."

A; sorry for the late tag-in!

[woofdad]

Grant had heard that Dimitri was bringing in another kid needing somewhere to stay - and, upon meeting him, he honestly doesn't really question to hood pulled up around his face. Sometimes he wanted to hide as much of himself as he could around this kid's age, he's sure not gonna make an issue of it now.

So he just smiles gently when the time comes to actually meet the newbie. "Hey; you'd be Shrike, right? I'm Grant. It's nice to meet you."

It's fine! I've technically been on hiatus most the month anyway XD

[fayblood]

"Um, yeah."

Shrike's aware that he's supposed to say more to be polite--Sandalphon got on his case about manners plenty--but it's hard to go through with it when there's so much to adjust to. He is trying to make an effort, though.

"You're coming too?"

For Grant

[nastyboy]

Considering the massive land that they consider home - in thanks to Dimitri deciding to go big in his saving - there is a lot to take care of before they can leave it be for weeks on end. A lot of their Pokemon will still be here, after all, both to help take care of the estate (Silkie seems to be carrying it as a source of pride that she can be responsible for so much) and also because some of them do far better with all this land to relax on. The water types, especially, now that winter is passing and thus the ponds are in the perfect state for swimming in.

And it is just so large that it needs taking care of anyway, in making sure that everything is cleaned up, and will not be a mess upon their return. (Probably.)

Then there is all the packing that they have to do...

In many ways, it almost feels like busy work. Dimitri doesn't mind that. He thinks... the busyness helps keep their minds distracted, and what more could he ask for?

....Well.

He is in the midst of helping Grant with all of the many eggs that are under his watch, when the idea occurs to him, and he glances over to him. After Claude had scolded him just a bit, even with the conversation afterwards, Dimitri had thought it best to hold back on continuing the talk with his last lover, but... "Grant, something just occurred to me, but, may I ask how proposals and weddings are done, in your homeland?"

[woofdad]

Grant only halfway registers the question, at first, distracted with getting those eggs organized - so, while he answers, he's not fully paying attention. "Aah... well, people handle it a lot of different ways, depending... but, where I'm from, usually one person will offer the other a ring and ask them to get married. A lotta people like to set it up as part of a date night, or--"

He pauses.

"...Anything... bring this to mind?"

There's no way, right? There's only one reason he can think of that Dimitri would be asking him this, but-- okay, look, he's not getting his hopes up.

[nastyboy]

A ring.

When Grant looks up at Dimitri, he is staring down with Worrying Intensity at an egg. It was the same with Dedue as well - intent to marry represented by jewelry. And he's seen a few references to it in Johto, and Kanto, as well.

Did Faerghus just... miss something? Even though a knife seems so perfectly serviceable and can be as fancy as you like? Although knives don't work so well here, so he can understand, that, but - Dammit, Sylvain and Felix exchanged rings too. Is he old fashioned?

Give him a second, Grant.

...Or maybe have him just answer immediately, absent minded as he tries to rework some plans in his head. "Oh, well, I was thinking that I would like to propose to you, Claude, and Dedue, so I wished to know the customs. Why is it always jewelry..."

Dimitri and Eri Taking Pictures

[nastyboy]

The Train to Saffron

[nastyboy]

It is fortunate, honestly, that this is not the first time that Dimitri or many of the others have visited Saffron. Far from it, considering their home in Vermillion that they are still renting. Despite that, it is a stroke of luck that Dimitri was able to scrounge out from somewhere a pamphlet going into the city. And it is always easy to find books in this place, a fact which delights him, even if he would never call himself an academic sort.

So, on the way to Saffron City, Dimitri makes sure to get Eri nicely settled on his lap, and spreads out a book before them both. For the re-start of their journey through the country, he's made sure that their group got the really nice train cars, where people can nap, if they like. Napping may prove useful to Eri later... but right now, it mostly means that they have plenty of room for this children's educational book on Saffron.

"It's a lot like Goldenrod, in a way," he tells her, as pictures of the massive city spread there in the book. "Although it is not open to the sea. But there are so very many shops there. That is also where we went to go pick up our Nulls, many months ago! Felix, too. He thought they made interesting partners."

[candyapplechild]

[ Eri is happy to sit in Dimitri’s lap. Though she’s finallu started to show some proper growth, she’s still small enough to comfortably sit in Dimitri’s lap. Plus, well… she’s evidently a big daddy’s girl, as it turns out.

She listens intently to him as he reads the book out for her, telling her all about it. She may not remember everything, but she’ll certainly try! Though when the topic of the Nulls comes up… ]

Nulls…

[ It’s not like Eri doesn’t get along with the Nulls… far from it, even! She loves the Nulls! That said, though she’s still young… she’s sharper than other kids her age… and while their situations are different, the circumstances of a creature created in a lab and Eri, a girl blessed/cursed with power too great for her to control and thus confined to make use of it… ]

They… they treat Nulls nicely there, right?

Claude Steers Dimitri From A Bad Life Choice

[nastyboy]

In all truths, gym battles are not things which take a great deal of time, in Dimitri's opinion. They are things that could be done in a day. Truthfully, if they liked, they could go through all of Kanto in a month, if they hurried things.

But traveling is not all about the destination, Dimitri has come to learn. The time lingered in cities, taking in the different places, savoring one another's company...

There is worth in that.

Worth that Dimitri doesn't think could be bought with all the money and riches in the world.

This is far from the first time that he and Claude have been in Saffron, of course. Still, Dimitri is glad for it. Glad to hold his hand as they browse through the many shops. He doesn't say it, but he is glancing at things he can save for Felix, and Sylvain, and others - people who may return one day, and who he'd like to surprise with gifts.

Yet what catches his gaze isn't something that he can gift. Rather, it is the reverse, and Claude may notice Dimitri slowing his long gait. "Oh!" he exclaims. "I should get my ears pierced."

If Claude follows his gaze, he will find him looking straight at a worryingly pink store offering ear piercings. A store dedicated, arguably, to young teenage girls.

Claude, as a man who regularly wears jewelry, probably has ended up acquainted one way or another with the reputation of this store.

Dimitri clearly has not been.

Someone needs to save him from himself. Again.

[vrdantwind]

As someone who regularly wears quality jewelry, this store has never before even pinged on Claude's radar. The unfamiliarity is the same sort a five-star chef might have with the culinary expertise of a self-styled local tailgate "grillmaster" who thinks burgers are best served when they resemble charcoal briquettes. Some things are beneath the notice of people with taste.

And yet...he doesn't need to know the reputation. He looks at the store. He looks at the first earrings he sees on display on the nearest rack, which look like something an incontinent Sableye might get yelled at for leaving on the new rug. He looks at the bored teenage girl with the nametag leaning on the counter, who looks about the same age as Hilda was during their first year at Garreg Mach but with none of the passion for work.

And every instinct he has ever honed over the years of his life throws up red flags like a seasick clown.

"Here?" Claude asks. Only a suggestion of setting up a snowcone stand in Ailell could be greeted with more disbelief.

[nastyboy]

Sometimes, Dimitri must marvel at the expressions his lovers are capable of. That quiet serenity which smooths Dedue's brow as his sweet hands work patiently at a bit of dough. How shining and joyous it is when Grant smiles, all unreserved to the very inch of himself.

The absolute bewilderment which pinches Claude's brow and makes his eyes go wide beneath it.

"Well, they are offering, and I should remember to do such things before I forget," Dimitri says mildly, because this is true, and also because he wants to see what other expressions Claude will make this afternoon. "I am sure that if they offer, they must be capable of it, yes?"

This is not necessarily true, but, well. Surely Johto has laws about this sort of thing, right? It has so many laws about other things.

Dimitri, Dedue, and ear piercing

[nastyboy]

So. As it turns out, PokeClaire's is a terrible place to get ear piercings. Dimitri never knew. Apparently, ear piercing is a far more complicated and delicate thing than he had initially thought it to be. Who knew?

There will apparently need to be far more research done than, well, none at all, and he's fine with that. It just turns out that, in the end, he doesn't need to look far at all.

Dedue, apparently, is perfectly adept at piercing ears.

"You are, as always, a man of many talents," he says admiringly, making himself comfortable on the hotel seat. "How incredible!"

[donoteattheweeds]

Piercings of many kinds were common in Duscur, and Dedue had learned how to do it from his grandmother, many years ago. The techniques used in this modern world are a little different, but the basic concept is much the same; there are merely better tools available for cleanliness and to improve healing.

PokeClaire's is an exception to this rule.

"It is a common skill to have in Duscur," he says as he sets up his materials. Sterile needle, sterilizing solution, medical gloves. "Most had at least their ears pierced by the time they reached adolescence."

So to be piercing the ears of a grown man is a little odd, but Dimitri is Faerghan, and Faerghan culture had decided that only women would be allowed to wear earrings. It had always seemed like a bizarre restriction-- why should half the population be discouraged from wearing a kind of jewelry, when there is no such restriction on necklaces or rings?

[nastyboy]

"Before adolescence! How interesting - although I suppose that helps take care of it rather early on. I know some girls in Faerghus could pierce their ears young, but it was never necessary for me to know much about that subject..." Not that he would have cared anyway, back then. All he cared about for a very long time was training, and getting better.

But then, he supposes if this is strange to him, then those of Duscur must no doubt have found it curious for Faerghans to learn how to wield weapons from so young an age, too.

Well, it is what it is, and Dimitri tilts his head back to smile. "I am rather glad that it is you who will pierce my ears, Dedue."

May 19th, FOURTH WALL BABEY, at the house

[woofdad]

These days, Grant is... about as used as he can be to the jarring experience of waking up, once in a long while, with his senses immediately overwhelming him. It didn't used to be quite so jarring just to go out into the world, just because he'd grown up with a werewolf's senses; it could be overwhelming at times, yes, in a world not made for him. But it was simply how he experienced his surroundings.

Now, with his senses being dulled to those of a non-magical human the vast majority of the time, these rare weekends where they return in full force can be a lot. In some ways, it's nice to have his senses intact for a bit, to be able to appreciate the scents around him in a way that he usually can't these days.

In other ways, he kind of wants to bury his face in a pillow and not go outside until he can be sure he won't be bowled over by Sounds And Smells.

Today, though, he's got another concern. He hasn't had reason to track the phases of the moon in some time, but it's still a habit that's been stamped into his head over the decades - and, suddenly, it's relevant again.

Grant paces back and forth in the living room, talking aloud to himself, ticking off factors to keep into account on his fingers. "Okay-- so, I need to make sure I'm in the safe room by nightfall, which means I've got to be careful going through doorways to reduce my chances of getting-- just getting dropped on the other side of the country. I-- okay, right, if all else fails I've got Herald on me, so I can... can warp and Fly back as needed. So, that's-- should be fine!"

He's fine, he's doing great.

FINALLY

[nastyboy]

Grant's concern has been nearly palpable, honestly, from the moment he's woken up, and Dimitri is at least faintly aware of why. After all, he and Grant spoke once, a long time ago, about trying to make up a room and situation the could contain a "bear" of sorts. Since then, Dimitri has learned more about Grant's particular situation, and it had put a lot of things into place. The constant checking of the calendar made sense then, after all.

So with Grant in the living room, anxious, well - of course Dimitri is nearby. Just, he's invested for another reason.

"Grant - do you want me to prepare rations, for the night? What food would be most enjoyable? I can have it ready for us when we go down there."

Yes he's just invited himself. Don't worry about it.

[woofdad]

"Ah--" Grant pauses in his pacing, rubbing at the back of his neck. "It's... y'don't have to do that, but-- uh, if you want to, I'm not, uh, exactly picky. Honestly, if anything, I've usually just got, uh... meat and a few vegetables in a bin."

May 19th PART 2, after sunset

[woofdad]

As sunset approaches, Grant makes sure to get himself back to the house and sequestered in the safe room Dimitri had thoughtfully had built in - but not before giving the rest of the household some quick advice. If they want to visit him after sunset, they're free to, but he'd advise them to be careful. No, he's never really hurt anyone on a full moon - it's really just him, in the end.

But, well - you know how some large Pokemon don't quite seem to know their own strength? Yeah. He may still be basically a person in there, but werewolf brain fog is a hell of a drug.

He also advises them to wait until the sun has been set for a bit, because... uh. He hasn't changed without access to prescription painkillers in quite some time; while he's planning to have Bean, his Butterfree, Sleep Powder him before he goes into the safe room... he'd rather be safe than sorry. The last thing he wants is to lash out if he wakes up.

He's relieved, for a lot of reasons, that he doesn't end up waking mid-change. By the time the Sleep Powder wears off, he's fully transformed - a massive, shaggy beast close to the size of a large bear, though with a body plan somewhere between humanoid and canine. He shakes himself, sending his soft ears flopping back and forth, and paws briefly at his face, where his dark fur is interrupted by tan patches under his eyes and where his eyebrows would be.

Outside the secret room, anyone else at the house may be able to hear him starting to bump around inside, reacquainting himself with his surroundings after the change. He doesn't seem too agitated, so... maybe checking in now would be alright?

[nastyboy]

Honestly, Dimitri had pondered going in there to wait with Grant - just so that he would have someone familiar to help soothe him in case anything were to happen. But apparently the process of changing from a normal man shape to a very large dog shape can be gruesome, along with all of Grant's other concerns.

So, obligingly, Dimitri waits outside when Grant deems it time, carefully keeping various things on his person so that he can make it back home in case, well, he gets all muddled up again because... it's that kind of weekend.

Yet nothing happens, while he waits. It is just him, doing his best to keep his hands off of the many bags that he got prepared just for Grant. When there's finally the sounds of something moving down in the safe room, he perks up, and delicately picks up the various bags. "Grant?" he says, not daring to knock in case he ruins the entrance into the saferoom. "I will enter now. Excuse me."

And he does just that, slipping in without hesitation so that he can close the door behind him.

lmk if this is okay!

[fayblood]

Even after a whole two years here in Johto, Shrike still tends to struggle a fair bit when it comes to relating to people. A fact that definitely wasn't helped at all when the person he trusted the most suddenly disappeared back to his own world. He is, however, at least trying. Even if only because after having spent so much time in someone else's company, the idea of being more or less alone all the time is no longer as tolerable as he'd once found it.

Which is to say, all the commotion of this latest weird weekend has definitely piqued his curiosity to want to know more. Enough that, after hearing about what the big deal was and why, and being assured that no, he's not imposing or anything if he does so, come evening he's taking some time to see this for himself. Even if he can't quite put words to why this intrigues him so much.

"Uh, hello? Is it okay to come in...?"

He's wearing a hood as usual, and given that it's a weird weekend, that means that the crude enchantment on it is actually working, casting his face under it into perpetual shadow. That said, for all his uncertainty about the situation, one thing he's decided not right now is afraid. His own powers, such as they are, are back, which includes his unnatural strength. Which means that if anything, he's more worried about accidentally hurting someone else than the other way around.

[vrdantwind]

There was never any doubt Claude would visit. None. Grant's most curious boyfriend, missing the chance to see him in a transformed state he's heard about but never seen? Seeing something that simply doesn't exist on the world Claude comes from? Grant would have had to lock himself in some kind of puzzle room(which would only have attracted Claude more), or perhaps seal himself inside a cube of sheer concrete. Nothing else could keep Claude away.

So after he knocks on the door of the safe room, the sound of Claude's voice is really only to be expected. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that he showed enough restraint to give time for the transformation to be over. (Possibly someone less curious and more respectful sat on him.) "Grant? Am I good to come in?"