lifeaftr | [open mingle] the return of the champion.

Entry tags:

[open mingle] the return of the champion.

Who: Luna! And! You!
What: She's been gone for a whole month! And! Now she's back in action!!! Come and meet Incineroar and Ribombee!
When: Around the end of April/beginning of May.
Where: Enso.
Warnings: C FOR Y'ALL ARE A BUNCHA CUTIES (I'll update this with warnings as needed!)

(A / outside, on the beach.)

[ those who may know Luna, might notice that she has... a new, large friend, who is sitting with her a good distance away from the water. Atop her red cap, rests another smaller pokemon, who's wings flutter occasionally.

She hasn't quite found the energy to get up and explore yet. The small bug atop her head occasionally retrieves shells, and a small pile is sitting in front of her for inspection...which she has decided to tackle first.

One thing at a time, Luna. One shell at a time, one island at a time. ]

These are all really pretty, Reebo! [ she holds up a sand dollar-- which...is that even a real shell? Is it Jormun currency? She smiles fondly at the memories. Hopes they're doing well. ] Kitten, what do you think?

[ the large fire cat yawns in response. Bored eyes watch the shell for a moment, and then glance back toward the mainland. Luna grins at him. ] You wanna go look around, huh? [ that gives Kitten a more interested look, and Luna laughs. ] We'll go a little later. There's a whole new island, buddy! Lots of people to meet and places to go!!

[ Luna has to withhold her snort when Incineroar gets fired up for exploration. The heat radiates off of him in a familiarly pleasant way, and she can't keep the smile off her face.

She missed this excitable idiot. ♥ ]

(B / private to housemate.)

[ she's been back since this morning. A back ache informs her that..she didn't wake up in her bed this time. The crashing of the tide, while similar, is...not what she was expecting. An initial glance around reminds her of something she feels like she forgot for a long time. A little room-- a slumbering giant; their once happy little shack...and it looks like it's been blown through by a hurricane. Dread courses through her veins-- what happened while she was gone? Their last get together refreshingly cycles through her mind. Fireflies...and a sleep over? They danced. She laughed...they all did. Even Guzma.

She bites her lip. Guzma.

With a little work, she rises and moves some debris from her hammock-side with a slow movement of her arm. It's a mess, but...that guy over there? Sleeping awkwardly in his little hammock? Has been sleeping in this mess...for who knows how long. Luna watches her friend's back-- the rise and fall of his shoulder, and wonders if she should wake him. ]

Guzma?

[ Luna pulls herself to her knees, her palm pressing into the floor and-- and into a small shard from a broken glass. She makes a small, distressed noise and brings her hand to her side-- no damage to her, but surprise, for sure. ]

Hey...wake up.

(C / wild card?)

[ Luna will be everywhere in the next couple of days. She'll be exploring the island idly with her companions and visiting other places and JUST ABOUT ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF MAN, so if you have anything or anywhere you want to meet this little tyke and/or her pokemon, just drop it here. ♥ ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Guzma doesn't wake right away. He's not a heavy sleeper - that's been present in him since childhood - but he's been so very tired the last few weeks. The state of their once cozy home is perhaps indication of that...he's not been eating well, or sleeping well, or doing much of anything to keep himself occupied and healthy. There's clothes and debris everywhere, dirty and piled up from misuse. Dishes lay stacked atop one another, some broken, like what Luna palmed just a moment ago. There's definitely a bit of an odor as well - probably from bits of uneaten food still in those dishes, and the closed space still holding the faint whiff of those unwashed clothes.

It really is a mess, and reminiscent of an old room in a shady mansion, in a dark and waterlogged town...long ago, and yet not so long ago. The only thing missing are the smears of paint along the floor and walls. It's not as bad as it could have been, but left unchecked for even a little while longer...

Guzma hears a voice, and rolls over in his own hammock, the only one still standing from when she first left, and he - in his anger - tore hers down, and scattered anything left behind across the whole of their little shack. It's a wonder the hammock itself isn't in tatters. His eyes flutter open, but he's still half asleep when he turns to look at her. Even in the dim light filtering in from outside, Luna can see his skin has lost a lot of its color - his slightly tanned skin looks more grey than anything, and the area around his eyes is dark and puffy, despite how often and how long he sleeps. Guzma hasn't been taking care of himself, not well enough, and it shows.]

Mm? Wha... [He rubs his face with one hand, sighing tiredly.] Ren?

[Who else would it be? No one really comes to visit him.]

[ he sounds tired. She wants to let him sleep, but she needs answers-- and to make sure he's somewhat okay. She's 11, and emotional injuries are beyond her expertise, but...maybe she could help with physical ones? There's some bandage around here in a first aid kit...somewhere. Right?

Luna looks around. There's no way to even tell what used to be here. The space between their hammocks is cluttered by debris. Her grey eyes shift to him when he rolls over and suddenly it's evident that..he isn't doing okay. Even to her. Some tan has been lost from his skin, his under-eyes are swollen...he even seems a little thinner. Where's Goli? Where's Ariados?

What happened?

He calls out for Ren, and she looks around-- is Ren here, too? No, no...nowhere to be seen. But he's not a great morning person, from what memories she has of him here. He blearily watches her, but...man, come on Guzma, wake up!

She removes her red cap and throws it at his face. It smells like coconuts and flowers. ]

Luna. [ she says simply, fighting back some irritation. Their shack is a dump-- they were so proud of it. And...she doesn't really know how long she's been gone. It only feels like it was a day. Maybe two or three to train, and then the League-- but not long enough to trash the shack.

But this is Guzma we're talking about, so some breathing is in order. He really does look awful. The irritation is replaced by some concern. But hopefully the hat will help him wake up.

Hopefully. ]

[It works. Perhaps it's the only thing that would have worked, because just hearing the name isn't enough - not when he's had dreams where she'd come back, where he'd be stuck in Ultra Space again, and she'd...she'd never come. He'd hope, he'd wait, but she'd never come back for him. 'Luna' she says, and his response would have been a calm and defeated 'no'. Because he's not going to be fooled again.

But this? This is tactile. This is real. It takes Guzma another few seconds to react, but when he does, he grunts, tugging the garment from his face and sitting up with a frown. He's still bleary-eyed and sleepy but as he peers through the gloom, Guzma blinks a few times as stares at her. The dawning od realization is at a snail's pace, but his eyes widen slightly. He looks at her, then down at the hat in his hands, running the fabric between his fingers. It's soft, slightly coarse at the same time, but...

Real. It's real. This is real.

She's here. She's back.

And yet, Guzma's voice is shaky, hesitant, like he's not sure just yet. He can't trust this place, this person, just yet. Please...please--]

Luna?

[ he's so unsure-- that hesitation in his eyes would be comical if it weren't laced up and down with fear. She stands to her feet slowly, clearing debris at her feet with her classic red sneakers, taking one step-- no, two steps forward. Treasured memories exist here, among the assortment of wreckage. Memories that have created a friend Luna would have never expected, or...even wanted.

Yet, the day they bumped into each other here changed everything. Sharing meals, battling together, growing stronger, becoming a team. She...she missed it. She didn't even understand how much it was missed until it slaps her in the face when Guzma echoes her name like he hasn't heard it in a hundred years.

Why is he so upset? What's gotten into him-- is it just the shade of their hut that makes him look so lackluster? Luna paves a path to his side from hers until she's able to sit in front of him. ]

Luna. [ god his eyes are swollen. He looks worse up close. She offers him the most reassuring smile she can and scolds herself for being unable to cook. >:C This man looks like he needs a good meal and sleep. ] You look like you got spooked by a Gengar...are you okay?

[ she reaches for the hat, but might find his hand instead. And if she does, she'll settle for that. ]

Edited (huehuehue) 2018-04-30 00:40 (UTC)

[She confirms, and it's all over from there. Guzma's mind becomes a haze, and the sound of anything else Luna says is awash is a sea of whit noise - his ears are ringing, his throat feels tight, and there's a rough sting to the corners of his eyes that feels hot. Jaw tightening, Guzma isn't quite sure what to make of this - she's here. She came back, she's real. She's really come back for him.

Again.

He barely feels himself move as he nearly falls out of his hammock in the rush to get out of it. Guzma's legs are still tired and weak - he's barely awake himself, and his body is trying to cop with everything he's feeling and not feeling. Garbage and clutter get knocked away, his feet tangle into one discarded garment - a shirt, maybe? In moments he's closed the gap between himself and Luna and...hesitates. He wants to badly to embrace her, to make sure she's not just another dream - a figment that will vanish when he wakes up. So often his mind plays tricks on him, and he doesn't want to commit to anything anymore. He doesn't want to end up hurting and wanting to hurt himself in the morning that follows. He's...tired. Tired of it all. Tired of feeling this way.

So he holds up his hands, shaking like a leaf, but doesn't move them forward, stuck in an awkward situation where he doesn't know what to do, or what he even really wants. He knows what he needs - he needs to be sure this is real - but...but--

He's scared. Guzma is actually scared. It's not a new feeling, no, but it's new enough to where he finds it greatly unpleasant.]

[ she wobbles backwards when he practically falls out of his hammock trying to get over to her, and-- and suddenly he's right there. Looking frantic, and confused, and lost. Like...he's lost his way.

Or like he's been lost. For who knows how long. This sort of transformation doesn't happen overnight, does it? She reaches out and takes his shaking hand between both of her own smaller hands. Guzma's supposed to be a big, bad boss. Who makes a mean omelet-- even with the mushrooms in it-- and...and... ]

H-hey...hey, easy... [ she's befriended a Mudsdale in this way-- small circular motions against the back of his hand, trying to be soft and quiet so she doesn't scare him further. ] It's okay. I got'cha.

[ which is...r-really only half true, because she would ab-so-lutely be crushed by him if he happened to fall on her. Straightening up onto the tops of her knees, she gives his hand a small squeeze. Her mind foggily recollects the last few days. A dance party...and then waking up back home. Fighting the league. Like it was all a dream she'd had last night. ]

Edited 2018-05-02 01:04 (UTC)

[The touch startles him, and while his skin seems to jolt like a spooked horse, Guzma doesn't pull away. In fact, he seems to suck in a breath and exhale slowly, realizing that the contact is there and...again, it's real. Luna's really back and he's not dreaming or seeing things, or being fooled somehow. It's a bit pathetic, just how tense and stiff he is right now. Him, the so-called big, bad boss of Team Skull - destruction in human form, shivering like a Bayleef in a Blizzard...

But he's never had to really rely on someone like he has Luna in months, and she's been a constant presence for that long. He's grown, being close to her - both as a trainer, and as a person as well. To lose someone like her, so suddenly and without warning... It devastated him. He didn't know what to do, other than beat himself up over it. That did nothing, of course, and he didn't...he didn't know if she really went back or went missing and--

His exhale sounds like a choked out croak, and Guzma tugs Luna into his arms, nearly crushing her in a tight, desperate hug. Little brat...he was so worried about you. He didn't think he'd see you again, either.]

[ he tugs her into his giant arms and she squeaks softly!! W-woah!! Woah!! Woah!

Woah?

Luna can count on one hand the number of times this has ever happened. The way his arms tighten around her reminds her of holding onto something slippery, like soap, and holding it tightly to keep it from jumping out of your hands. Her lids droop just a little bit, and with little effort she remembers those days-- trying to remember something that just fell out of her hands. She'd-- she'd see someone, or touch something...even voices, sounds, words...and her mind would try to remember something.

It bothered her. She fought through the League, to the top, sat on the throne, let her legs dangle off and looked outside at the view, and...there was something missing from it. Her whole team was there. Lillie and Hau were there. Even her mom was there, but...

...another life she had left behind hid behind a thick veil. She stood in her own life, stared at the veil, and couldn't even begin to understand what could lay behind. What was pulling her in. What she had forgotten.

Her arms reach up and she hugs him back. How long had she been gone? How long had he been alone? And when did she start caring so deeply about something like that?

Her method of calming earlier seems so unsatisfactory now.

She wants to cry, but doesn't. ]

[When the hug is returned, Guzma exhales the breath he'd been holding. He loosens his grip only a little as his tense muscles relax. She's really here, she's really back, and she's...his. His friend, his rival, his adopted sister of sorts. Closing his eyes, Guzma leans his chin on the top of her head and just stays there a while longer, in silence. He can't be sure she won disappear again, sucked away to heaven knows, if he let her go even an instant.

He can't lose this little girl again, he just can't. He's tough, but not that tough. There's a certain kind of strength that he just doesn't possess, despite all his boasting and constant training.

Eventually, the silence is broken, however, though Guzma doesn't let go yet. This is definitely the longest he's ever been close to anyone that isn't his pokemon partner, Golisopod, but...well. Luna is a very special kid. She means just as much to him, if not a tiny bit more, than Ren does. She's become family - the only ones he has left in this and his own world. So he's not as repulsed by the idea of holding on to her so tightly like this, and for so long. There's something comforting about being able to just...stay here, with her. To be reminded that she is here, and that he has her back again. That he has her period.

However. What he says might...sting. He's not angry, he's not - not anymore, and not at her - but Guzma does still hurt, and he is still a bit bitter.]

You broke your promise.

[ it stings-- but not because he's right or wrong, but...because she's not entirely sure how she broke her promise in the first place. First human instinct is to protect herself. It's not my fault. ...whatever happened. Whatever made Guzma like this-- it isn't her fault. He's got legs. And hands. A brain in there, somewhere. He could have just gone outside and trained and eaten and...

She can't say any of that, for some reason. He just sounds and looks so miserable, like he's been holding his breath too long and just now remembered how to breathe.

It'd be an understatement to say that Luna's worried about him.

But the promise that she broke... ]

What happened? How...why? How long?

[ Lots of questions, but...starting with what happened. apologize for what happened later. Th-that seems like a good place to start. a responsible place to start. Right? Maybe? She just wants him to crack a grin somewhere. Be happy to see her. Be happy to see anything. His misery is upsetting, and...and Luna just wants it to stop. Attachment and complicated emotions are over her head, though. She's peered into his memories only once, and only once was enough-- they never talked about it after that. The tight hold he has on her suggests he won't let go unless she starts to struggle, and even then, she thinks he'd probably still hang on.

She's not sure what to do, or how to comfort him when he's this way. Luna's just not used to it-- she doesn't know what he needs. But she's trying. ]

[A million questions, and Guzma is willing to answer them, but there's a quiet, resigned tone in his voice. He's not necessarily upset at her just the circumstances that forced her to break her promise - they said they'd never leave one another, but...that's how it is. Their promise was one that could be broken at any time, any place, in this world, where control is not something they can easily grasp onto. Even so, he is upset, and that bitterness translates into what he says.]

You left. [Clipped, curt, stern.] Disappeared...for months now. Don't ask me how or why, I don't got no clue - take it up with the Storyteller, but I doubt they'll tell ya nothing but fluff y'all don't wanna hear.

[He was tempted to wring that rabbit's neck for taking Luna away, came close to marching down to the temple to do just that, but...something stopped him, back then. Common sense? Knowledge that it wasn't their fault? Lack of energy? Or maybe he just got too exhausted after his initial rage to do anything but lay in the mess he made of everything around him. Guzma feels it now - the fatigue. The fatigue after gasping for breath so long and finally gulping in something that he needed at long last.]

What...where'd you go? Did'ja really go back? To Alola? [He has to know. He has to know that there's something good about all this. That she got to see her pokemon, her friends, her...family. That if and when they all do ever return, everything and everyone will be waiting for them.]

[ Months.

The word echoes around in her mind and her fingers search for something to hold on to. This place has-- it's because she's been gone for that long? Luna searches his face for the truth-- searches for something that would give away such a bold...

But finds nothing. His whole body seems more slumped and hunched than normal.

His questions make her slump a little. When she went back, it just felt like normal. She should have said more-- should have visited more people. Her eyes well up with regrets. No one is too young for them, after all, and now Luna has her share, small as it is. Her hands come up when the water threatens to spill and fingers roughly rub the tears right out. Now isn't a good time to cry. She needs to-- need to fix what happened. Help repair the shack, go and find her friends here.

See the Storyteller.

Her shoulder shakes just once, and she nods, waiting to speak until she can uncrumple her face enough to not start crying upon the first word.

When is a good time to cry, if not now?

She doesn't know. Won't know any time soon. ]

I went home...and didn't ever know I was gone in the first place. [ her eyes are focused on places where happy memories occurred. A sleepover with Ren. Playing with a broken pokedex until they passed out. ] Lillie left on her own adventure. I...p-promised I'd meet her there and test her when she came back. That we'd write letters...

And...I became the champion. Of the Pokemon League.

[ it sounds harder than she wants it to, but next to her friends, next to Guzma and Ren, and everyone here...it feels so unimportant. She feels so unimportant.

That urge to cry grows, and Luna hushes it again. Not now. ]

Edited 2018-05-16 12:12 (UTC)

[Guzma loosens his grip, but only a little, when Luna shifts her position in his arms. Their eyes meet, and he he can see the regret shimmering in the tears she holds back - the guilt... He feels sick, and also somewhat relieved. Is it bad? Is it bad that Guzma feels glad that Luna feels guilty about all this? And upset to the point of tears? It feels like his own anger and grief is justified somehow, but at the same time...

She's just a little girl. A little girl who's been held to a higher standard than a little girl ever should. It's not fair. It's not fair to blame her for something she couldn't control, and for her to have to try and act older than she is.]

Dang you sure do make a lotta promises. S'bout time you caught up yo me, though...Champ. [Guzma sighs, stands up, and helps Luna to her feet as well - so they're not kneeling on the hard floor.] C'mere...

[He pats the girl's head and smooths back her bangs before looking around their home and rubbing the back of his neck, fingers scraping through his stubby, black hair.] I, uh...I made a real mess of the place, huh? If you don't say nothing and help me fix all'a this, then I won't say nothing 'bout you up and spilling your guts. Can't say I have in a whole long time, so I may not be the best person 'round to do that near, but...

Y'don't wanna be like me, kid. [So go on and cry. If you need to, if it'll help, it's okay. Guzma hasn't had tears to shed in over a decade, so you can cry for him, too.]

It's not my fault... [ she huffs, standing to her feet, the tears slowly trickling down her face. she swabs them away messily. ] N-not my fault she left on her own amazing ad-adventure...

[ and not her fault that she ended up here in the first place at all. He tries to smooth over the actual problem by commenting on a smaller problem-- the room they were standing in. She laughs softly, her head falling against his chest. So stupid, this guy. What a dummy.

And yet, it's comforting. Just what she needed. Another oddity of Guzma's. He'd probably have a word to say when she sneaks out to go on adventures but...same old Guzma. She shuts her eyes tightly-- Luna can be comforting too. Guzma's been alone this whole time. Without restraint (but some hesitation), she throws her arms around his midsection in an awkward and short little hug. A comfort circle-- that's what this is. Guzma comforts, Luna comforts. ]

I-it's a wreck... [ muffled through his shirt a bit, but still talking, and even loosing a chuckle. ] ...you're d-dramatic...

[ a mistake has been made-- she's crying now, the whole eyeballs sweating business, but...she doesn't want to show that to Guzma? It's weakness? What if he comforts her more? She's not entirely sure how to be comforted. Normally it's Luna that does the comforting. And she was basically on vacation-- is she even allowed to cry? She's been gone for months, he said.

But this spot is safe. A safe place. With a guy who is...safe. A friend. ]

[She laughs, and Guzma counts it as a small victory. He's not the best at this in any sense - in the past he'd never let a soul this close to him, but Luna is...well, she's become something important to him. He's not as bad a person as he says he is when she's around. Maybe that's why he regressed as badly as he did when she left? Luna always was tougher than him, and she could easily keep him in line. One of the few, actually.

He inhales a bit when those little arms close around his middle, but doesn't push her off. He hugged her first, had to make sure she was really there, and now she needs him to be there for her, too. Breathing out the breath he took, Guzma runs his fingers through his hair before reaching over and tugging a handful of his blanket over, for her to wipe her face. No nose-blowing, please.]

Yeah, yeah...that'd be me - your boy, Guzma. [He shifts, leaning down to pick Luna up and carry her out of the dark and messy shack.] C'mon, let's get you outta this dump. We can fix it up later, yeah? And heck knows I probably need a good scrub, too.

[It's true. Guzma's definitely looking very haggard. He also needs a shave, too, his stubble is pretty bad around his face and chin.]

[ she takes it with both hands, pressing it into her face to try and absorb the tears. A soft cough escapes her; a desperate attempt on her body's behalf for air, and she laughs again between muffled coughs. ]

'Kay... [ give her a second, Guzma, she's just trying to figure out how to be a tough kid again, He lifts her up effortlessly, and she takes in a deep breath, loosing the blanket to the ground as he steps out into the hot sun. He takes a crack at himself and she can't help but grin awkwardly, rubbing her eye areas with her forearm. ]

Yeah...can't tell if that's you or our dump. [ she pets his head a bit. ] No worries. We'll fix it!

[ not that he seemed particularly worried about the shack being in shambles. But whatever, man, one step at a time. ]

Eh... Prob'ly me.

[He mumbles absently, though the tone of his voice has shifted with her laughter. It's clear there's a small smile growing on Guzma's face as they walk out into the midday sun. He sets Luna down onto gather up their supplies quickly - he really wasn't kidding about going to clean off. Guzma comes back with their towels and seems to hastily shove their travel size bottles of shampoo and conditioner into his pockets. Once that's out of the way, he offers the girl his hand to hold.]

Yeah, not...now though. [He desperately needs some restful sleep, and a good meal, and a whole lot more than that, but. It helps. Getting out, being there with Luna...it helps a whole lot.]

[The absence of this bubbly, warm hearted girl hadn't gone unnoticed. It had been a pressing weight against her chest for weeks-she was here and then, in a blink of an eye, she was gone. Many people had left in such a manner, coming and going in a way that was impossible to ignore and even harder to accept. But prior to Luna, she would push those thoughts to the back of her mind-some people wanted to return to their homes, their worlds, their families. Many people remained who still desired this and Ren can't comprehend it at all. Doesn't want to think about all the potential loss to come and somehow-

It had been difficult to accept Luna's departure. The loss of a friend that knew how to dance and laugh, who could smile in the face of any kind of adversity, had been too much to bear and while she tried to push it aside, accept it as another fact of island life, it was a futile effort. Luna wasn't gone. She was lost. She was stuck in a tree, looking for plates, and Ren would glance up whenever she heard a rustle of leaves that would sometimes trick her mind into thinking it was a young girl's quiet laugh.

She was lost. She was on the new island. She was searching for wrestle cats and she was bravely trekking forward to lands they didn't know about yet, because that's how Luna is.

And then she hears it, a voice. One that feels like an illusion she's had to shake off many times before and yet-

She can spot the source, in the distance, a familiar shape surrounded by unfamiliar creatures that lovingly wait by her side.]

You found us-you came back.

[ Luna looks over and stands up-- her movement causing the two creatures to either side of her to rise also. Her eyes are hot-- a friend that she had been trying to remember the whole time she was gone. Despite herself, she's smiling from ear to ear and waving, moving through the sand to meet Ren at least half-way, if not the whole way, because...

...gosh, she missed this girl. Undeniably one of her closest friends on the island, and closer still in her heart. ]

Yep! [ it sounds more confident than she actually feels. She's still trying to come to terms with what happened at all. She was here, then home, then here...it's just a lot to wrap her brain around. ] Alola, Ren!

[Luna's steps make everything real. She's not an illusion on the beach. She's here. Coming towards her like she was never gone to begin with and while Ren tries to whisper alola and greetings or any other kind of hello she knows is supposed to occur when people meet again, it's too hard. She can't do it. Too difficult to muster anything resembling a hello when their goodbye was painfully unspoken all those weeks ago.

She shouldn't cry because this is good, but even as she strides forward to meet her friend, it's-]

Alola, Luna.

[It's quiet. There's a definite attempt to stifle the overwhelming happiness she's feeling because it's coming out as tears and that's not right. She wants to comment on the cat behind her, the other creature she doesn't recognize, but all she can say is-]

Did you find Guzma?

[ Ren replies, and Luna's lower lip wavers with uncontrolled movements. She opens her mouth to reply and chokes a little instead. She's been gone a month. That's-- that's a long time. That's a long time to not see people who you saw daily, before.

She brings a hand up to her cheek and smears the tears that start falling away from her eyes. The tip of her nose reddens. S-stop crying, Ren, it's contagious... ]

Y-yeah...I did. I'm, ehn.. I'm sorry...

[ worrying people was not her intention. That cheerful expression from earlier is replaced by shaking shoulders, a sadder smile, and arms pressed together tightly in front of her. ] D-don't cry, Ren...everything's okay.

[ says the kettle to the pot. She continues to smudge the tears off of her cheeks. While she does, her lips tighten into a fine line. N-no need to be glum...she's back and everyone's here and...everything is fine. Everything's okay. ]

[Any chance of Ren being able to shake off her tears-to push back the overwhelming happiness at seeing her friend again and force down the wave of sadness she had hidden in her heart when she vanished is gone the second Luna breaks down. It's impossible to look at her shaking friend, who's trying to smile through her own tears, and keep her composure. Because Luna's the strong one. If she can't, then-]

I won't cry-I'm very happy.

[Is what she says and yet, her face tells an entirely different story. She can't stop, okay? It's too hard and there's nowhere to hide her own sorry state, so Luna doesn't have to see her like this. Nope, she gets to enjoy the waterworks.]

So you can't-you don't have to cry either. It's okay.

[This is fine. It's all Fine. Everything's good and wonderful and happy and she holds out both her hands, so Luna can grab them if she needs it.]

M-me neither... [ she huffs, reaching out with both her hands to grab onto Ren's. Best friend. She's happy to just be here, and be with her best friend on the island. If feels like a long time ago, and just yesterday that she saw Ren. Or Guzma. Or anyone from here. ]

Okay...I won't, hic, cry. [ she hiccups casually. eyes shining with unshed tears that she's trying to absorb back into her face. She looks really determined!!

They're not absorbing back into her eyeballs as fast as she wants, and she squeezes her eyes shut and sucks in a deep breath. ] In...just a second. [ just gotta wink out these little drip droops of H20 and we'll be jet, set, gemini. ]

[Luna's doing her best and Ren follows suit, squeezing her friend's hands tight whenever she feels her eyes sting. It's an attempt. Some make it through, no matter how hard she tries to hold them back, because looking at Luna's face makes her so happy and sad and all things in between.

So she turns away from her face, content with the tight grip she has on her-one that'll ensure she can't vanish again and looks to her-

Pokemon? Friends? She sees a cat. ]

Your cat found you? Did you leave so you could look for him?

[Yuka was gone herself for three weeks out of the month that Luna was gone, so the absence wasn't as strongly felt for for as it was for some people. What WAS strongly felt, though, was the feeling of seeing Icineroar for the first time.]

Is... Is that Kitten?!

[She remembered Luna saying that Kitten got bigger, but this is WAY bigger than she was imagining. Could that really be the same cute kitten that bonded with Luna in that memory...?]

[ that voice makes her turn, and Kitten's eyes narrow on the small and imposing Yuka. Luna stands up with a smile and brushes the sand off her legs! ]

Yep! The one and only! He's-- [ she glances up at him and pats his giant, muscular arm. ] ...he's really nice-- but he's a little nervous...he wasn't with me before. We're gonna go on an adventure later to show him around!!

[ Kitten pumps a fist into the air!! Adventure!! Fuck yeah!! ]

[ Yuka takes a step back at Kitten's glare, trying to make herself look as nonthreatening as possible. ]

Ah, would it be better if I him alone? I wouldn't want to make him nervous or anything...

[ Especially not with claws like those. ]

[ the large cat-pokemon squares up the smaller Yuka, then crosses his arms and looks away. H-hhharumph!! What a thoughtful little human!!! ]

Nope, I think it's okay! Kitten's actually pretty shy. He's really nice, though!

[ Kitten's arms fly out to either side and he stares at Luna accusingly!!! HOW DARE YOU!!! BETRAYAL!!!!!

And Luna just grins at him, happy as can be. ]

How've you been, Yuka? Have things been okay?

[ no more monkey compounds? No more shadowy horror-monsters?? ]

[HOLY FUCK ITS A GIANT FURRY WHERES LUP WHERES A CAMERA THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF THEIR LIFE???]

[Shepard only met Luna once, awhile back when the islands were busy putting everyone's business out for everyone to see. But she made an impression- such unbridled happiness, swaying to the music; it all reminded her of the galaxy she was fighting to save. Her absence, her lack of seeing her around, was chalked up to her perhaps going home. So many people she's known have left and never returned. It's a bitter pill to swallow all in all.

But as she makes her rounds and sees Luna sitting on the beach with some... odd creatures she quickens her pace to approach. After all, it's not every day you get a second chance to get to know someone.]

Well hey there. Welcome back.

[ Ribombee floats out to greet this-- this mysterious new stranger!! Who!! Who is this!!! Do they enjoy little fairy kisses!!! Do they like her scarf!!! Endless questions!!

If Shepard happens to have a place for her to perch, then Reebo will do just as such. Luna stands up in the background, and Incineroar with her, towering over her by a good couple feet at least. The large, red pokemon sizes Shepard up and down, and Luna pats his arm comfortingly. ]

Alola!! Thanks for having me back! [ it's meant to be sincere, but the mixed feeling behind it is pretty obvious. ] Anything fun happen while I was gone?

[Her smile is a familiar one. She still remembers how it shined when she saw Shepard's memory all those months ago. Her shoulder is a good place to perch, all and all, and she takes the sudden animal in her space with grace, only looking surprised for a moment before settling herself down.

The giant, ah, cat is another story and she eyes it warily, even as Luna seems to be silently calming down. Shepard hasn't dealt with Pokemon all that often while here, but she's determined to keep her cool.]

That depends on how long you were gone and what your definition of "fun" is.

[She quirks a small grin.]

[Chip is out wandering themself, a lead tied to their little kitten Snowball and Sunny the phoenix perched on their backpack taking half a snooze. It's a sort of daily ritual, to wander along the coast and pick up what shells or bits and pieces catch their eye. Anything that might make a good charm...just in case.]

[Luna laughing up ahead startles them a bit, raising their gaze from the sand in front of them--and they stop in their tracks, staring in utter confusion at the giant...man-cat? What in--]

Is that a furry?

[ Luna perks up at Chip and gives them a grin from the sandy shore. ] A...what? No, this is Kitten!

[ a furry? What? Even is a furry? Question mark? ] He is pretty furry though... [ Incineroar snaps his jaws shut and turns away, and Luna laughs. ] But...he's not really fond of being furry.

[Muffet is intially drawn by the noise, approaching cautiously as she wonders whether there's been an unexpected new arrival or if a threat of some kind has turned up.]

[She catches a brief glimpse of a rather stylish looking insect, and wonders for a second if they're similar to her own people, from home... and then that abruptly becomes unimportant, as she sees the young girl on the beach.]

Luna!

[ it's just amazing, the kind of friends you make and meet in a place like this. Humans, wolves...and even a beautiful spider queen. Pigtails high on her head, multiple eyes blinking in her direction...

A good heart. She jumps to her feet and waves widely. ]

Alola, Muffet!! [ these moments are good and okay. She can be happy here-- people who she missed, who also missed her...what a good feeling. Ribombee twirls toward Muffet and floats around the proper lady with curiosity. Look-- look at those arms! So many! And eyes! So many!

Reebo seems very excited by the new friend. Another bug type. A +. ]

[Muffet laughs aloud with relief and delight, greeting the little Bug type with a polite little curtsy before turning back to Luna.]

Hello, dearie. I'm so happy to see you well, it's been a while- and I see you've returned with new friends, too.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[open mingle] the return of the champion.

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1/2 (2 to come a lil later after work <3)

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oh my gggggod.

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