:// makin' bacon pancakes, that's what we're gonna make

[holdmyhand]

Who: Luna, Guzma, and whoever wants to stop by Islet 2!
What: THERE IS SOME COOKING GOING ON AND IT PROBABLY IS DELICIOUS
When: Around the 21st of September!
Where: ISLET 2, THE ONLY ISLET WITH A WOOD STOVE
Warnings: DELICIOUS FOOD AHEAD, PLEASE USE YOUR OWN DISCRETION

If you happen to be in the area of the second Islet, where a make-shift hut has become the home of two local pokemon trainers, you may find yourself smelling something amazing. Well, amazing if you enjoy fish. With their new wood-burning stove, Luna and Guzma's cooking game has upped itself tremendously. Rather, Guzma's cooking game has upped itself. Luna has gained a rank in firestarting and firekeeping. It's amazing, living together with a guy like Guzma-- mainly because Luna would never have thought it could happen. But here he is, standing around and cooking fish like he's been doing it for years...probably. Not that Luna knows. Guzma's a pretty outstanding mystery to her in the first place. Weird, kind of spooky. Pretty negative. But everyone knows him, so he's not shy. His pokemon adore him, so he can't be all bad.

It doesn't stop both her pups from being on high guard. Luna'd be lying if she said that there weren't times she was on guard herself-- but having someone who knows where you come from is something that she's decided to not take for granted. Someone with enough knowledge and history to ground her and remind her that home exists...

....somewhere.

Islet #2's hut is...pretty organized, but definitely split into two sides. With the addition of the wood burning stove, the two have tried to insulate their abode with a large tarp, though they still lack a proper roof. There are two strangely hung hammocks on opposite sides-- one of them has a very impressive looking tigershark-skin blanket draped across it invitingly. They seem to be hung by an insect's silken threads, and are very secured to what little they could be fastened to on the worn-down parts of the hut.

On a side of the hut, seashells hang of all types and sizes. They're pretty to look at. There's a small pile of them on the floor, along with a bag that says 'L U N A' in worn letters. There's fur on it-- perhaps someone sleeps here?

For now, this temporary home is fine.

Comments

[hyperlit]

[They were not under the impression of this being a steadfastly social event. But then, they have very little experience with social events in general. They are not often invited, nor would they fault anyone for not bothering.]

[But then, what else will they do? Where else will they go? A small hesitation marks their uncertainty, but eventually, they nod.]

ok
did not know you knew her

["Her" being, in this case, Luna.]

[yallstupid]

[Guzma sits on the ground - sorry, no logs just yet, he'll be hauling those around the stove at some point, though - bidding Drifter to do the same. When the food is ready, he'll even invite them to take whatever they see fit to consume, if wanted (though he's quick to store two fish for Luna, and some of those veggies). It came out pretty well, and he's proud to say his hard work paid off! They'll also be able to cook up some better, tastier meals from here on...if he figures out how to actually cook.]

Who--oh, uh...y'mean Luna. [Guzma's body language shifts very quickly, and he rubs the back of his neck. How does he describe their, mm...'relationship', anyway? They're not really friends (as far as he's concerned), closer than acquaintances, but not...enemies anymore, either. He sees her more like a rival - someone he has to beat, to prove to himself he's strong. He's capable. That his efforts actually mean something.] Yeah, I...I know 'er. Kid's from my world, from Alola.

It don't surprise me y'all met though, she's...uh. She's pretty spunky.

[hyperlit]

she has a dog

[This is, clearly, the most important thing they know about her and also one they cannot help but relay with some pride. They have a fondness for dogs, for a variety of reasons, and Luna's dog-like pokemon is no exception. So plainly, this warrants mentioning.]

you + her
friends?

[yallstupid]

[A dog? Guzma furrows his brows, canting his head to one side, then blinks. Ah! They must be talking about the brat's Lycanroc - what the heck'd she end up calling it? Some weirdass name he can't pronounce...sounded almost Kalosian. Chief fun? No, that's not it. Whatever, he doesn't care. Not his pokemon, not his problem.

It's the second half of that that has Guzma going a bit rigid. Ah, of course they'd assume that, all things considered, but that's not really the whole truth, is it? Guzma screws up his face as he rubs the back of his neck with a sigh. He certainly doesn't consider himself friends with the brat, but...they're not really enemies, either. Rivals? Perhaps, but he still seems a bit soured by the past to consider that an option. And yes he can't help caring what happens to her.]

Not really... I, uh--...can't say what we are right now, s'complicated. But I'm keeping her from getting in over her head. [Which she has a marvelous knack for doing, actually.]

[hyperlit]

guardian then

[Were they someone with a voice, perhaps the word would have been tinged with a quiet, painful nostalgia. As it is, they can simply incline their head. They had someone like that, once. The only person who had devoted that sort of quiet care, that undue effort, to a ragged, dying, tainted thing like them.]

[Perhaps they had recognized that kindred spirit. But others were dying, and had not stopped to help the feeble stranger with the corrupted lungs.]

[They simply... had.]

[Out of kindness.]

you are kind

[yallstupid]

[Guardian. Even that seems...not quite wrong, but definitely not right, either. It's complicated indeed, his relationship with Luna, but Guzma doesn't contest what the Drifter says. It's better than a lot of other things they could have said, after all. Things that would have set Guzma off into a true, blind fury.

It's the next set of words that makes him prickle a bit, but not explode. There's something to hearing something than to reading it, seeing it on a screen. Something less...volatile? He's not sure of the word, but what Guzma feels isn't anger, just irritation. They're wrong. They're wrong about him - he's not kind, he's not good, he's none of those things people should look up to. he only thing he is, is human.

And humans are flawed.]

No...I'm really not. [He sighs.] Not as much as you think.

[hyperlit]

helped me
help luna

[There, you see? Helped a drifter that did not deserve or earn such kindness, that was sick and blue-skinned and detestable by appearance alone. And a child who could not fight back as easily as an adult...]

[Good people are the sorts that help. That, in and of itself, is a kindness.]

[yallstupid]

[Guzma sighs. He...really can't get into and argument over why he's not a good person without explaining himself, and that's not really a conversation he wants to have. He'd really rather keep all that bad stuff under wraps, if he can. Or at least as vague as possible. It's nice that the Drifter think he's decent enough to be around, but Guzma doesn't want them to expect him to be a good guy. He's not, never will be. He can't change who and what he was, is, that's just not possible.

He can do good things, be kind to people he actually cares about, but that doesn't make him any less of a thug deep down.]

That don't change the things I done, homie. ...But thanks, I guess. For seeing me different than everyone else. [He appreciates it, even if he doesn't seem to act like it.]

[hyperlit]

past is past
concern yourself with the future

[That's...really the long and short of it, as far as they're concerned. The past cannot save them. Old broken histories pieced together over long periods of arduous searching, those are useful only in fragmenting a solution to better face the future. Determining what atrocity nearly wiped away the world, and seeking to amend it.]

[yallstupid]

[Past is past. Concern yourself with the future.

That's some damn good advice - among the best Guzma's ever gotten from anyone that he actually thought to pay attention to, even old Hala. He turns his head away a moment, mulling over those words for a quiet few seconds. It's the truth, isn't it? Not much he can do to change what he already did, it's half the reason he refused to change back then, back on that beach in Hau'Oli...there's really no point. He can't change himself, only better himself.]

Heh... You're really something, y'know that?

[If they can inspire someone like him, that is. Guzma holds out a hand to them, to clasp, if they so choose. A sign of solidarity, trust, and respect. Also--

Friendship.]

[hyperlit]

[A small, startled blink of the dark pits of their eyes is the only indication of their quiet surprise. The things you have done do not define what you are - it is what you choose to do with it, that makes you worthwhile. It is not the tint of their skin and the bloodiness of their past that marks them so, not here; not when others have made it plain that such things leave no bearing on an island where no one recognizes their species, let alone their name.]

[Piece together the history you can find. If it does not lead you to a solution, it can at least point to recognition of a problem.]

[A hand is offered. This time, it is without hesitation when they take it in turn.]

as are you