[open mingle] the return of the champion.

[holdmyhand]

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. ♥ ]

Comments

[holdmyhand]

[ 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. ]

[yallstupid]

[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.]

[holdmyhand]

[ 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. ]

[yallstupid]

[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.

[holdmyhand]

[ 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. ]

[yallstupid]

[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.]

[holdmyhand]

[ 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. ]

[yallstupid]

[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.]

[holdmyhand]

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. ]

[yallstupid]

[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.]

[holdmyhand]

[ 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. ]

[yallstupid]

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.]