victory_road | [text + action]

Entry tags:

[text + action]

Who: Loop + You
What: Evolution, psychic Pokemon, the perils of snomstorms! ~~Half of everyone Loop knows in One Single Building!~~
Where: Goldenrod City
When: Early December for text post; December 14-16 storm for action
Warnings: Nothing specific, just the usual chance of Loop's warnings coming up in threads!

[Text, early December]

I got told about evolution, so I was expecting one of my Pokemon to change shape eventually, but.

Did I just miss hearing the part where they start beaming images into your head?

[Orrery has discovered telepathy! Let's not talk about how long it took Orrery to get Loop to realize it was her.]

[Snomstorm! Goldenrod, between Dec 14th-16th]

[A]

[So it's a good thing Loop went and caught a fire Pokemon recently, because the vending machines at their inn (motel?) are both de-powered and emptied to the last dregs. Loop's had to emerge from the depths of their room to get groceries. And in the fifteen minutes they've been outside, slogging through the snow and trying to find a place that's open despite the power outage...]

[Their Metang has somehow managed to get herself frozen to a fence. Loop is currently trying to coax their new Cyndaquil - who is draped over their bag - to wake up and melt her free.]

[They like naps as much as anyone else, but:] Come on, you've barely been awake for five minutes since yesterday...

[Orrery, meanwhile, is letting out a baffled whirring sound. She's not used to having arms or being so big, and apparently she generates JUST enough heat to slowly melt snow, then get stuck when she touches something colder and it refreezes. Like someone licking a metal pole. But she only has one arm stuck, and surely she can use the other one to lever herself free?]

[- whoops, no, now she has both of them stuck.]

[B]

[Or maybe it's a bit later, and Loop is ducking under the eaves of the Game Corner next to you. Why? To avoid a sudden shower of falling Snoms from the roof! The surprisingly heavy bugs thump into the snow like little icy missiles, whizzing by terrifyingly close.]

[C]

[Or, as the snow has intensified and REALLY started to pile up, you've found yourself completely turned around! (Unless you know exactly where you are, and you're actually looking for someone or something else? Did one of your Pokemon run out into the storm, maybe?)]

[Whatever the reason you're out, it seems like there's a fire flickering in the distance - if you approach, you'll find Loop, shivering and holding their Cyndaquil to their chest. Burnoît, fortunately, seems to have woken up and figured out what Loop wants! The lil guy is flaming a path through the snow.]

[(For once in their life, Loop has returned Orrery to her ball.)]

[Wildcard!]

As usual, happy to figure something else out, just DM or Plurk me!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Loop has indeed had time to actually fall asleep! As have their Pokemon - Burnoît, of course, isn't a surprise, but even Orrery is napping. Just a perfectly normal spiky metal plate next to the couch, buzzing soft white noise in a Metang snore...]

[All three are worn out enough that not a single one notices anything amiss until Loop is very abruptly yanked awake by a tug on their eyepatch. They're still half asleep, but they flail, alarmed, making a "hwuagh??" sort of sound.]

[Before the eyepatch snaps back into place, Wrath will get to see their eye! It's milky, and while this close up there's a faint scar across the pupil from something sharp... there's no Ouroboros. Nothing particularly fancy or special-looking in general, really.]

[But now Orrery is also Awake. She rises into the air, letting out concerned beeps, and the glow of her eyes illuminates the living room with an eerie red light.]

_{[That split-second glimpse of the scarred eye, at the VERY least, is enough for Wrath to confirm that Pride did not somehow undergo plastic surgery, shrink several feet, get really into fantasy LARPing, and show up to crash on their couch. This is simply Another Person With an Eyepatch]

[It is not, however, enough to stop Wrath from startling, letting go of the eyepatch, and leaping backwards away from Loop with a low, hoarse growl of alarm. UH OH! BUSTED.]

[He turns to make a speedy escape, only to encounter Orrery at roughly waist-height and trip himself onto the floor with a loud WHUNK.]}

[Breakings news! New research by local Wraths confirms that eyepatches can belong to people other than undead fuhrers. The implications of this knowledge are still under debate.]

[Loop nearly rolls off the couch in their effort to scramble to an upright position. They manage to end up on their knees instead, with an angry expression, though the effect is somewhat ruined by their legs sinking halfway into the couch.]

[Fortunately for everyone involved, once they catch sight of Wrath they realize that this is a child. It short-circuits their reaction; instead of exploding, they close their eye, press a hand to their chest, and very deliberately force themself to breathe in and out slowly.]

[Okay. Okay, they're fine.]

Don't... don't do that.

If someone's not used to it, they might react badly and hurt you on accident, [says Loop, oblivious to the fact that Wrath's probably fully aware... and has reasons to doubt the "on accident" part.]

[...hang on. Loop squints, trying to pick out Wrath's features in more detail in the dark. Are they imagining a shiny arm and leg?]

[Orrery's concerned beeps, meanwhile, have only intensified. She's not actually hovering over Wrath, but she is nearby, reaching out to gently poke him.]

_{[Likewise, Wrath is also scrambling to get back upright, but doesn't make it further than a sitting position thanks to the many cushions scattered on the floor from earlier attempts at cozying the place up. His automail foot comes down on one and it just kind of makes said foot go flying out from under him as the pillow slides across the floor.]

[This is ultimately okay, though, because the facts don't lie: Eyepatch Stranger is not an undead fuhrer.]

[Still, Wrath twists around and hunches his shoulders defensively when he realizes he's lost the advantage of a speedy escape... but the stranger is speaking, and not... instantly aggressive. It admittedly takes a moment for Wrath's internal alarm system to remember that he, in fact, the one who lives here, and therefore not necessarily the one who has to explain himself here.]

[He is quiet for a second-- just a shaggy, shadowy gargoyle on the floor staring up at Loop warily... but when he speaks, it's the same voice that mumbled about little Charmander dolls in that alley however-many weeks ago.]}

You took that blue cat's hat.

Why?

_{[He was going for confident and threatening, but the soft gasp and startled twitch he does at Orrery's poke right after probably don't lend themselves much to the facade.]}

Blue cat...?

["Blue" is one of those color things, isn't it...? Ugh. They've seen a lot of cats, but how are they supposed to be able to tell which one was "blue?" And nevermind that, this voice is definitely familiar...]

[Orrery backs off a bit. Trying to be helpful, she projects images of Espurr, Glameow, and Shinx. She's intending to send them just to Loop, but telepathy is new to her too, so it might leak to Wrath.]

[You can practically see the "!" on Loop's face as something finally clicks through the static of their already-bad memory and the extra fuzzy memories of when they were a Pokemon. This is that kid from last month! They are immediately re-evaluating the people they've met in this house, trying to fit this new puzzle piece in and worrying about what Son told them.]

[..oh! Loop looks around, trying to find something in the glow of Orrery's eyes. (By now they've completely forgotten the hat question.)] Orrery, have you seen -

[Orrery floats off further, reaching around the back of the couch for Loop's fallen bag and handing it over to them. Loop thanks her with a pat before digging in a pocket. It only takes them a few seconds to be holding something out to Wrath.]

[It's a Charmander doll! It's very bedraggled - clearly it's been sitting out in the elements for a while. Some of the yarn has unraveled, the whole thing is extra fuzzy, and it's both partially bleached by the sun and stained by mud and dirt. It's clean to the touch, Loop probably tried to wash it at some point, but some stains just persist no matter how much soap you throw at them.]

[It's still recognizable, though.]

Edited 2025-02-19 05:03 (UTC)

_{[Wrath's brows furrow and his nose wrinkles as faint feline images spring unbidden into his mind. He doesn't have very much experience with psychic-types, and he really doesn't know where that just came from, so he gives his head a vigorous shake, shaggy hair flapping.]

[When he opens his eyes again, he's ready to get right back to demanding an answer from the Hat Thief... only for it to die in his throat at the sight of the fuzzy, sun-faded Charmander.]

[For a second he just looks at it, mouth slightly agape.]

[Then, he hesitantly reaches out to take the plush with his automail hand.]}

... I... was looking for that...

_{[It's a mumble, half under his breath. Are the dots connecting in his head? They will in a second, but he just. Wasn't expecting that.]}

[Oh good! They were pretty sure they remembered what the little doll looked like, and that this one was similar.]

I found it wedged on top of one of those light-up signs a couple days ago. Fleuirk had to fetch it for me.

[Fleuirk is, unfortunately, not here to be praised (or to explain who Loop's talking about) - she's back at the inn room with Alfinse and the last of Loop's old food supplies.]

I don't think I would've seen it if I weren't leaning out a window... [It definitely wasn't visible from ground level, and it's just luck they were staying at the exact inn it was hidden at. Convenient timing, all things considered!]

[Loop pulls their hands back now that Wrath has the Charmander, adjusting their sitting position to a more normal one so they're not just... kneeling awkwardly, sinking into the couch.]

_{[Wrath says nothing more for a second, just looking down at the toy in his mismatched hands.]

[In the dark (and... behind all that hair), the fact that he's got a tear or two welling up is-- fortunately for whatever of his Homunculus ego is left-- more or less safe from detection. At least visually.]}

... So you were the blue cat.

_{[... he says at last.]

[HE HAS CONNECTED THE DOTS.]}

I have no idea what you mean, [says Loop.]

[While giving Wrath an exaggerated wink and holding a finger up to their mouth.]

[Nobody else gets to know, but this kid? This kid is allowed. Surely this cannot backfire in any way. (Orrery looks in between Wrath and Loop, making a confused buzz.)]

[Speaking of Pokemon partners... Loop glances around, squinting at the dark. A nearly-darkless skull would probably show up, even in this lighting, right?]

Is Son here too?

_{[OKAY, we are not acknowledging the issue of the blue cat. Wrath cocks his head a little bit, but knows a 'shhh wink wonk' when he sees one (mostly from being around Envy).

[Seemingly relaxing a little, settles slowly back into a crosslegged seat on the floor. He reaches out with one arm to grab the pillow he'd slipped on and tugs it into his lap, still gently squeezing the Charmander with his other hand.]}

He's upstairs.

We made a little building out of blankets in our room.

He fell asleep, but I was hungry so I came down to get some peanut butter crackers.

Then I saw you on the couch.

_{[And had to investigate.]}

I'll have to say hi to him when he wakes up!

[Now... is there a way they can probe, subtly?]

I didn't realize how many people lived in this house. It looks a lot smaller from outside. Or... you do live here, right?

[It's technically totally possible that Scar also happened to drag in a child and Cubone from the snow in the last couple days, and since then Wrath adopted a room. Technically.]

Oh - but don't let me stop you from getting crackers.

_{[The boy nods, the probing nature of Loop's question flying over his head entirely.]}

Mhm. It's a lot of people.

Used to be more.

_{[Alphonse had lived here. So had Greed.]

[It had taken awhile for Wrath to work his way around to asking if they had come back, ever, at all, in the time he'd been gone. The answer had been 'no', and he can't decide if that's better or worse than if they had. At least Scar had come back. Lust was so sad without him.]

[He starts to get up, knee clanking quietly.]}

I left too, for awhile. But then I came back.

Do you like crackers?

_{[Unless Envy got to them already, there's definitely enough to share. And Loop had shared first, back in their blue cat era. EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE. Or something.]}

...how many were there before?

[They are still probing, but they're also legitimately taken aback - the stream of people has felt unending as is!]

[Hm. They sure do end up getting to know children who try to feed them... well, not a lot, but something something two nickels and it's weird that it happened twice!]

[They're not sure they're actually hungry again yet, but in the interest of keeping the conversation going -] I've never had peanut butter crackers.

[They may or may not have had peanut butter in general!]

_{[THE QUANTITY OF CLOWNS THIS CAR IS CAPABLE OF CARRYING WILL CONFOUND YOU!]

[Wrath shuts one eye, seemingly in thought, his lips moving silently as he counts in his head. There was a time when he would have needed to see his fingers for that, but he is older and wiser now. He can do numbers without looking!]}

... Seven.

Um.

Maybe eight?

_{[Scar had... come and gone more, back then. And there had been other humans too, sometimes.]

[But he shrugs. That was then. This is now.]

[And the blue cat who is no longer blue or a cat has never had peanut butter crackers.]

[Wrath makes a noise-- a sort of incredulous, businesslike scoff, and beckons Loop to follow.]}

You have to try peanut butter crackers.

_{[TIME FOR KITCHEN 2.]}

Eight...

[Sure is a lot of people! It explains this house feeling so lived-in, even if it's utterly baffling... and now they've got an upper bound on how many people could be here right now! Less than seven? Six max?]

Have you known all of them for a while? I've only met...

[Hm. They actually also have to pause and count. Heather, Envy, Scar, Wrath... (and Lust and Henry, in fact, but they haven't seen them in the house yet!)]

...three so far. Four counting you!

[Loop snorts softly and gamely extracts themself from the couch, leaving The Hat behind. Sounds like they have no way out of it! Crackers forced upon them!]

[(Their hair is kind of a mess without the hat, but how does it compare to Wrath's? That's the real question...)]

_{[There is... actually a decent-ish chance that Loop's hair could be messier! This is, of course, due exclusively to the fact that Wrath has submitted to regular showering (and even brushing and drying) on Lust's request. The boy's hair will always have a... wild quality to it, but being too worn-down by life to object to a normal grooming regime has its silver lining.]

[In any case, Wrath is already digging into the cupboards as Loop trails after him into the kitchen.]}

Envy and Lust, yeah. And Scar too, I guess.

_{[Although he'd known about Scar, he'd never actually... talked to the man, before encountering him here.]}

Henry and Heather are from somewhere else. They were Envy's friends, first. He met them here. In this world.

_{[Withdrawing from the cabinet with a jar of peanut butter in one hand and a box of saltines in the other, he stands on one foot to bump the silverware drawer open with his knee. Because just putting his loot down to free up a hand like a normal person is just not the Wrath Way, apparently.]}

[It's a miracle... Wrath has neater hair than Loop... Loop's is clean, it's got that going for it, but an actual brush hasn't touched it since at least when they showed up here.]

[Envy's name they know, but Lust... they're picking up on a theme.]

Is... Scar also called Wrath, or something? [They hesitate a little over Scar's name - they're still not sure they should be calling him that, not unless he introduces himself that way, but saying Tall One right now would be much more confusing.]

[Little do they know they are about to be even more concerned about names!]

[Wrath kneeing over the silverware drawer, on the other hand, doesn't even make them blink. Seems entirely reasonable, carry on. (Though he still has no free hand - hold on, is Wrath about to pick up a knife with his foot??)]

_{[THEME SUCCESSFULLY DETECTED, but of course the guess is then a swing and a miss.]

[Wrath looks back over at Loop with a puzzled frown.]}

No, Scar is Scar.

I'm Wrath.

_{[BOOM. Name dropped, and the puzzle cube that is this bizarre little organization of weirdos clicks closer to solved.]

[Turning his attention back to the task at hand, Wrath realizes the dilemma he's created. Instead of going monkey-mode and using his feet, though, the solution he chooses is to shove the cardboard cracker-box into his jaws and pick up the knife with his now-free hand. Like a civilized person.]}

You're...?

[Who in the world names a kid Wrath??]

[Was it one of the others??]

[Is this a cult.]

...did the same person name all of you?

[This cracker solution also seems reasonable! On that Loop has no objections to raise.]

_{[Carrying the peanut-butter payload over to the kitchen island, Wrath dumps it all onto the counter with a clatter, and catches the jar just in time when it lands on its side and starts to roll towards the edge.]}

Yeah, our Master.

_{[The 'm' word has a faint, bitter note when he says it... it would have been stronger had he not been preoccupied with getting a new sleeve of crackers open. His automail fingers aren't the best at gripping the plastic-- but then it rips, sending crumbs flying all over the place. He does not remark on them, and instead just dumps some saltines out onto one of the leftover grilled-cheese plates from earlier.]}

We didn't have any names before her.

_{[Said matter-of-factly as he starts to wrestle with the jar of peanut butter.]

[It doesn't occur to him that Loop may still be lumping 'Scar' in with the Homunculi-- if it had, he might have found it sort of funny. Ah yes, the eighth sin... post-injury blemishes of the flesh.]}

[OH THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A CULT.]

[Is everyone in this house in the cult?? Heather and Envy seemed pretty normal, but aren't cults supposed to be pretty good at seeming normal? Scar seemed... hmm. They are reserving judgement on whether Scar seemed like he was a cult member or not.]

[Stars. What are you even supposed to do if you discover a child in a cult?? Tell someone? Kidnap the child and worry about it later??]

Is she... around here too?

[They absently hold out a hand, offering to try opening the jar.]

_{[IT'S ABSOLUTELY A CULT!!!]

[... Well, a... former cult, at this point. But Wrath has never known how to be reassuring. Only ominous.]

[Speaking of, he noticeably stills at the question. It's a brief pause, and with all the lights out (and his hair spilling over a lot of his face...), it doesn't necessarily give away much of Wrath's internal thoughts on the matter... but it's a pause. As though a chill went through the room.]}

... No. She's dead.

_{[Said quietly but emphatically.]

[And then, with a quiet puff, he plops the jar into Loop's proffered hand and proceeds to just stand there.]}

[Loop's immediate impulse is "Good," but they stop themself right before it comes out of their mouth. They can feel that the atmosphere's changed, but they don't know whether that's because Wrath is glad she's dead or... the opposite.]

[...]

[They take the jar.]

[It's a lot easier for an adult with no automail hands to open. They pass back the jar.]

[...so! Dead cult leader. They think they're understanding what Son might have meant a little more now. The question is... is this a "half of us are recovering from a cult" situation, or is this a "still a cult" situation? They're not really sure how to ask.]

[...]

Then, is someone else in charge now...?

_{[FORCHUNETLY for Loop... they are speaking to Wrath now and not... er. Two-to-six years ago.]

[Because while the boy is certainly not "all better" from his little lifetime of servitude to Dante (and neither are Envy or Lust for that matter), one thing he isn't anymore is "brainwashed".]

[So as he takes the jar back, his answer is fast and firm.]}

No.

We're free.

_{[NO MASTERS! NEVER AGAIN!]

[Picking up the knife, he plops a generous blob of the peanut butter onto one of the crackers and holds it out solemnly.]}

Here.

Peanut butter cracker.

_{[EAT IT.]}

Edited 2025-03-25 03:31 (UTC)

[Loop doesn't realize how tense all this was making them until they feel their shoulders relax. They take a deep breath in, then out.]

[This time they feel a lot safer saying, also emphatically,] Good.

[They're still not entirely reassured by... whatever it is that's going on with Wrath, but it sounds like it could be much worse. Maybe Envy and Heather and Scar really are normal. (Ish.)]

[Peanut butter cracker!]

[Loop accepts it, which means Wrath now gets to bear witness to the spectacle of someone discovering peanut butter for the first time! After some very determined chewing, they joke,] If you wanted to glue my mouth shut, you could've just said.

[But now they can finally answer!] I do. [...] Like peanut butter crackers.

MORE OF THEM

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me, triumphantly typing Wrath's name in dialogue,

HEHEHE

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circus music in the background begins to slowly get louder

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