:// 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

[catpiper]

[When the term best friend is thrown out, she becomes more receptive to idea. New people are scary. She would prefer her meetings to be with a bit of distance between her and whoever is about to show up. Or maybe they have shown up and that thought alone makes her twist, turning slightly to see if the aforementioned 'bro' is behind her.

Nothing's there, which is for the best. If anyone had been able to quietly sneak up on her, that would've sent her running and would've immediately dashed any chance of friendship between them. At least for a few days.]

Best friend.

[This guy fed her. Offered her more to eat in the future, which is a comfort in itself. Not only for her, but for the extra mouths back at camp. They could need it someday. Someone like that, who has treasure he shares and good stories about family, probably has like-minded, kind-hearted friends.

Probably.

So while she's nervous, there's a tentative nod on her end that shows she's willing enough. Yeah, bring him out. Might as well. There's some veggies left-let's share.]

Where's your-[pause]-bro now?

[ARE WE GOING ON AN ADVENTURE?? Can she pack up the food now??]

[yallstupid]

[Probably...though, to his credit, Guzma's pokemon are actually a lot more amiable than the majority of people he knew - human people, that is. Sadly, his so-called 'family' were a bunch of brutes and hoodlums, always getting into trouble and causing havoc where they went. He even had to remind a few of them to keep a low profile in certain areas, especially when they needed to go into town for supplies. It's never a fun time when the groceries forcibly close to keep you out, and the pantry is totally empty.

Golisopod and Ariados are among the two more calm, openly friendly of his pokemon to boot. Pinsir, despite its fierce looks, was actually very timid and shy, and Scizor - his newest - was rather serious most times. In all honesty, it's Masquerain who was the sassy, hot-headed, aggressive type. She loved to fight and to pick fights. He'd always have to pluck her out of danger before she got in over her head... Gosh, he really misses the lot of them...]

He's tucked up nice in his pokeball - prob'ly sleeping. He worked real hard to help me catch these fishies, yeah? But I think it's tme to wake the guy up, yeah? Can't have 'im sleeping all day. [Guzma reaches into an inner pocket of his hoodie and produces an Ultra Ball. The metallic sphere shines in the low sunlight, and Guzma tosses the ball up and down in his palm.] Mmh...listen, sweetheart--

[He can tell she's a bit nervous. It's not hard to see, she seized up at their first meeting too, and he's almost certain the sight of Golisopod will terrify her. So a bit of mental prep is probably in order.] Goli looks real scary - he's pretty big, too, bigger'n me even, but he's real nice. Actually likes kids like you a whole lot, so long as y'all are nice to 'im. ...Even if not a lotta girls like bugs. [He frowns, despite himself. Girls like the frou-frou insects like Butterfrees, Ledybas, and Cutieflys. The girly types, that don't look as scary or...gross. He scoffs, squeezing the ball a bit.]

If y'all get real spooked, you can hide behind me, yeah? Lemme know when you're ready and I'll let 'im out of his ball.

[catpiper]

[Another treasure?

For a moment, she thinks that glint is from the medal he had shown her all those weeks ago. That some kind of secret friend was somehow hidden in it all along and maybe they only showed themselves when you touched it. Maybe it was like back in her world, where items would sometimes hold memories strong enough to overtake the person holding them, making them feel like the person was there. Like they were speaking to you. Like they were by your side, shoving fish into a net, when in reality they're just an echo of who they once were stuck in an old shoe.

That thought, as weird as it would sound to another person, calms her, but the explanation he offers sends her back to square one. It's a bug? A big bug? A big bug that likes kids, stuck in a weird metal container?

And he's going to let him out of the ball?

She doesn't answer right away and stands in front of him, one hand hovering over the ball in his hand like she's trying to find the edges of something out of her sight. It has to be bigger than it looks, right? Maybe the sun is blocking out what's underneath. She waves another hand below his. Nothing. Then to the sides it.

Nothing.]

He's in there?

[She's already getting nervous because what the heck? Let's just skip the middle man here and hide behind this weird white haired guy who's trying to convince her a giant is about to come out of something the size of a building block.]

Okay, you can show me. I won't be afraid of your 'bro'.

[She says, already hiding behind him and cautiously watching the ball.]

[yallstupid]

[Guzma snorts, hiding his laughter with a clearing of his throat and bits his lip to try not to grin too much. He simply can't help it, she's really cute, and this is the first time anyone ever tried to make sense of how a tiny little thing like a pokebll can contain an immense creature like, say...a Wailord or an Onix. Even Guzma only knows the basic of what happens in there - a pokemon's physical form is translated into data and compressed down enough to fit inside. It's...a lot of technical mumbo jumbo he doesn't get, but the gist is the same.]

Yeah, he's inside here. If I press the button on the front, or give it a toss like this--

[Guzma hurls the ball into the air, and it snaps open. He looks with a smile as Ren scuttles behind him - ah, he likes this this kid...and he knows Golisopod will adore her, too. He's always been good with kids playing on him, even when he meditates and they crawl all over him like the little hobgoblins they are. The ball snaps open after a moment, and a beam of red light shoots out of it, growing and shifting until it forms the shape of a the large insect. While not a giant, the pokemon is indeed bigger than Guzma by a good five or six inches, and Guzma wasn't kidding...he looks plenty scary, with all those legs and claws and pointy bits of his shell.

Golisopod, however, rumbles softly, his head nodding forward and back as he struggles to keep himself upright. Those huge, clawed hands balance him a little, but...not much. He's still asleep.]

Yo, Goli, c'mon!! Wake up, man, where are y'all's manners?! We got company! [The pokemon jerks to attention with a start, then shakes its head to try and rouse itself. Uttering a huge yawn, the pokemon looks around curiously for its master, and the 'guest' he spoke about, leaning forward to peer around the man, antennae twitching.]

1/2

[catpiper]

[WHOA THERE!!!! GUY!!! YA BOI IS BIG!!!

Nothing is there and then something is there and while her eyes are trained onto that giant creature, her mind wanders back to the ball. That ball? Held this bug? A glowing light is all it took for it come into existence and it's not entirely dissimilar to the way malicious thoughts appear. They come from nothing too. So it makes sense and she's able to sorta wrap her mind around the logic and accept sometimes things just appear. This bug just appears and-

That's fine.

Even with prep, its appearance startles her in every sense of the word-the manner and actual creatre. She can't say he didn't warn her, but it's unexpected. She's never seen anything like this before.

Taking the opportunity to hide behind him earlier was a wise move, it seems, and she takes another step back for good measure. This is what we call stunned silence, friend.]

2/2

[catpiper]

[But she promised to be brave because this is his 'bro'. He caught food for them. She said she wouldn't be scared and she can muster up some tiny bits of courage to make that possible.

Maybe if she pictures it as a cat-

And she can't. There's no part of it that looks like one and as it tries to find her, she cautiously pokes her head around this guy as well.

He's not making any jerky movements. There's no indication that he's going to attack. She listens close for any growls or cries and none hit her ears. All good signs, but she remains wary. New animals can be finicky. Even cats would sometimes puff up at strangers. While she assesses how this is gonna go down, she doesn't step out from behind him. Not fully. Not yet.

After a few tense, silent moments on her end, she makes one very important remark.]

Your bro has 'shades' like you. Purple ones.

[In case you didn't .......notice.........here u go.]

[yallstupid]

[Oh dear, that is quite the reaction indeed. Guzma was readying for it, but to suddenly have a little girl ducking behind him and clinging like a Komala is a bit much. He almost feels tempted to recall his pokemon, give the timid child some peace, but instead peers down at her over his shoulder puts a hand on her back - to keep her grounded, and to ascertain the fact that he's right here. Nothing's gonna happen.

In fact, Golisopod notices just how frightened the child is of him and takes a few steps back himself, folding his large and heavy arms as he sits down slowly and calmly and waits instead for the little one to come to him. He's patient - worlds more so than his companion, Ariados. Arceus knows the child would race to the top of the mountain if she was out, in all her energetic, overly friendly glory. No, Golisopod shifts himself into a crouching position and waits, cleaning his face and his antennae with thinner, more noodly arms.]

He won't hurt you, darlin', see? He's probably gonna go right back to sleep if I let 'im, and--[Wait what? Shades? Like--oh...ohm that's precious. What a precious child. Guzma snorts, barking out a brief laugh before he shakes his head.] Yeah, I guess they look like that, don't they? But that's just part'a his face - Golisopod's got feelers what help 'em pry open shellfish like Shellder n' Clamperl to eat...and the, uh...rims, I guess - they help keep salt-water outta his eyes when he swims, yeah?

[He, uh...he won't go into detail about the second eyelid. That'd be a bit much for her to comprehend.]

[catpiper]

[The hand on her back startles her, but the distraction of a giant bug in her line of sight eases her reaction to only a shudder and that's it. She doesn't mind in the moments after, when Goli sits down and starts moving his little arms(???) in a way that's almost cute. It reminds her of a cat washing its face and that makes it better. Way better. And the steady hand behind her is something she's grateful for, and thinks Seto might like it too, because it feels like nothing can sneak up on her, for once.

And she listens to that explanation, soaking in every bit of information about his family.]

It's like that? He's a good fish too.

[A fish or a bug?? Por que no lost dos-hello fishbug Goli. After another second of watching, she gets an idea for this interaction. Instead of approaching outright, she leans over her bag and shoves her hand inside, though she eyes the leftover food like she's contemplating shoving it in there while it's open. Maybe after this.

Instead, she takes something out of it and heads over to Goli. It takes her a moment to to settle on a spot where she can stand, and run from easily if anything goes wrong, and she holds a flower above her head.

And waves it. Like a toy?? A cat toy?? Maybe he'll bat at it?? Here, goligoli?? Who's a good bean??]

[yallstupid]

[It really isn't dissimilar to a cat. Golisopod cleans his antennae slowly and carefully - they're what help him smell and sense sound vibrations, after all - and only stops when the small girl approaches him. Guzma snorts again, trying not to laugh. Holy smokes, this is perhaps the most entertaining person he had to explain a pokemon to, and he's actually not at all irritated or exasperated by it. Ren's innocence and childlike wonder makes her incorrect assumptions endearing and funny.]

Golisopod's not a fish, sweetheart, he's a bug. A bug what can swim real good, yeah? In the wild, pokemon like 'im don't live in the water, just close to it.

[Golisopod watches Ren and tilts his head with a curious rumble, leaning forward a bit to see what she's looking for in her bag. Usually, Guzma keeps treats and tasty food in his, so he's a little excited, the feelers on his face wriggling as his mouth hangs open a bit.

It's not a treat, but a flower, and he blinks slowly as she wriggles the flower in front of him. He looks at Guzma, who snickers into his fist, and then reaches out with his large, clawed arm slowly and takes the flower gently from Ren to hold the stem carefully between his long and pointed claws. It's insane, just how gentle he's being, handling the delicate bloom with the utmost care. It has been said that Golisopod are really just gentle giants, unless threatened, and Guzma's is a true ambassador of his species' calm and placid temperament.

The huge insect looks at the flower a moment or two before tucking it into Ren's hair, close to her ear. It's not right there - human anatomy is peculiar to a pokemon - but he's seen his Trainer do something similar a few times, in his life, for girls and such. It's quite a popular thing to do, actually, in Alola.]

Heh, see that? He likes you.

[catpiper]

[This is how it was, maybe, before everyone died.

Before the angry emotions of the dead became sentient in a way Ren never understood. Maybe before they were corrupted, if they were even there to begin with, they were like this creature. A weird fish bug that places flowers in the hair of whoever stands in front of them. Maybe people were like the guy behind her, urging others to conquer their fears with a steady hand and kind words.

Maybe it was like that and while she'll never know for sure, it offers a glimpse into a world she never thought she would get to see. Lup called her pretty and put flowers in her hair. Goli likes her and did the same. There's a special meaning his actions and it's one she appreciates more than any other gesture. She doesn't move the flower and only reaches up to keep it in place. It'll be there until it dries out and falls to the ground.]

I like-[Goli...sopud? Golispord? Eh.]-your bro too.

[And if this is what Goli does to those he likes, then she's got a few more for him to play with for someone he cares about more than her. She hobbles back to her open bag and pulls out a colorful flower, holding it up to him and shaking it again. Then she adds-]

This is for your family. You can put this one in his hair.

[Does Goli understand?? Will he do it?? Only time will tell and Ren hopes he gets it. Guzma deserves to have hair flowers.]

[yallstupid]

[Golisopod seems rather proud of himself, rumbling softly, almost like a purr, and folds his more spindly, thin arms together as he leans down over Ren to look more closely at her and inspect his handiwork. It's hard to tell with all his hard, rough features, but he seems happy she's kept the flower. He even leans far down enough to nudge her shoulder gently with his head, the feelers around his mouth tickling her skin affectionately. Guzma can't help but smile warmly at the two. Never would have thought a sweet thing like this kid would take so fast to his big, brawny pokemon... But, then again, Golisopod was a marshmallow - big guy is terrifying only when he has to be.

But he blinks, face blanching as Guzma looks at Golisopod when he takes the second flower and looks his way with a devilish glint in his eyes, lumbering over towards him with purpose.]

Goli, no. Don't you dare-- [Guzma all but dances away from his pokemon, who gurgles a sound like a laugh, chasing his trainer around their stove, mouth hanging open in a playful grin.] C'mon, man, bug o--hgrk!

[Grabbing at the man's hood, Golisopod yanks Guzma to him with his claws and sticks the flower right into the cloud that is Guzma's hair, like it was growing there all along, and throws his head back to bellow a horrendous laugh, waving his arms wildly as Guzma glowers at him.

BRUH.]

[catpiper]

[It's funny.

And Ren can't remember the last time she thought of anything as being funny. She remembers having fun-letting herself get caught up in a dream's baseball game and playing with cats. She doesn't remember ever looking at something and feeling the corners of her lips tug up without any other thought behind it. She definitely can't remember having every worry and fear lift away and feeling light as air. The closet she ever came was meeting Seto and having a companion to hold onto, but there was always the ever present worry of being attacked and dying to a disease that should have taken her years ago. And yet, there's nothing for once. A blissful, blank moment where all she can see are the two in front of her and it makes her so happy.

Slapstick comedy is the way to go, apparently. Loonytoons had it right. Because it's too hard to think about anything else when her vision is crowded with flashes of a giant bug chasing someone around a stove with a flower. He seems afraid of it. Like it's going to burn if it touches him and yet, she doesn't worry. It probably won't hurt him. Goli wants to make him prettier. To make him happy, despite how miserable it seems to make this white haired man and-

She laughs. It's quiet and soft and probably unable to be heard over all the other noises occuring during this high speed chase, but it comes out all the same. Golisopod is doing the lord's work, making Guzma into this beautiful island model.

She isn't discouraged by his obvious distaste over this turn of events. It's hard to be, with the creature so happy off to the side. It's almost like a game and recalls one fondly, in that moment.]

That's how you say 'you're it'. Your bro did a good job.

[And just like that, this has shifted from a gift giving session to an afternoon game. Since he's 'it' that means one thing and one thing only-it's his turn to join in on this flower fiesta. There's another flower in her hand, indicating there may be no end and there's a strong chance the area by the manapool is going to need time to recover from all her environmental destruction. Oh well. She wanders over to the newly crowned flower boy and gives him one.]

Now you tag someone. That's how you play.

[Since Goli and this guy started it, she's more than happy to explain the rules of a game she knows nothing about. Surely there were flowers in the original version of tag?? Whatever, it's close enough. He should've just accepted his flower fate and none of this would've happened.]

[yallstupid]

[It's true they don't hear it, because after a moment or two of Guzma sizing up his pokemon, they begin to immediately roughhouse - exactly like siblings would. Guzma catches his pokemon in a headlock and Golisopod immediately begins to push at his trainer with the curved edges of his shell, to jab him hard enough to shake him loose. It's obviously they've wrestled like this before, and it's all fun and games, because the two have huge, stupid grins on their faces, even as Guzma spits threats at his pokemon between the massive pokemon's growls and bellows.

They pause, however, when Ren comes over, careful not to let her get caught up in their horsing around. These two are rough and rowdy and they know it, especially when paired together, and a delicate thing like Ren should be handled with grace and gentleness. They can both agree on that, absolutely.]

Huh? It--oh! [Oh, wow... He hasn't played tag in how many years now? Lord, it's probably over a decade - probably ever since he ran away, maybe before that... He simply had so many more things to worry about than actually being a child. Tournaments, training, studying moves and damage calculations... Worrying about his loss, disgrace, and how hard he'd be struck for the former two. Then after, into adulthood, he simply lost the carefree whimsy of a child entirely. He hardened himself, became cold, cruel, and bitter - "fun" wasn't a term he used unless he was causing mayhem and destruction somehow.

It seems weird now, to play tag, but Golisopod pushes past him to wobble over towards his newest friend like he didn't have a care in the world. Like no one'd judge this big, terrifying-looking creature for playing and enjoying himself with a dear little friend. Like he didn't waste his youth entirely.]

Tch...y'all are killing my image. I can't believe what you making me do. [Guzma huffs, shaking his head.] ...Y'got 'til I count to ten.

[And on 'ten' (or maybe nine, we didn't say he wouldn't cheat), he'll race after Ren to try and catch her first.]

[catpiper]

[It's unexpected to have him go along so willingly with the game. This guy drops everything in the same way the two elves had immediately packed up their belongings to go play hide and seek in the jungle. She thinks it's-

Because they're nice. Because it's fun. Because things are different here and running and hiding can be games instead of ways to survive. She doesn't need to sit behind rocks and hold her breath so crying apparitions can't hear her. She doesn't need to speedrun through the sewer to avoid being burned by creatures who managed to create fire from all the hatred in their hearts. All she has to do is avoid a kind man who makes fish and help her new friend win. There's nothing dangerous about it.

With Goli by her side, she whispers her childish plan to him. 'You have to run very fast-' is what she says, excitement pouring out of every word '-so he can't catch you. That's how you play'

five

And she reaches out for Goli's little claw paw hand, as if he doesn't have a clue about how to manage, and points in the direction he should run. She has to prime him on the tips and tricks of the game in the few seconds remaining.

'You should run this way-I'll run that way.'

eight

Which is what they used to say, she thinks. Did she play tag with the other children? Or was it a memory from a book she couldn't remember the title to?

nine

Regardless, it's a chance for her now and she knows there's one last number that's supposed to follow, but this guy is already running towards her. Elated would be the best way to describe her reaction. It's not cheating if the fun starts sooner-he must be looking forward to it, in the same way she is.

And the best part about living in a post-apocalyptic world where everything is out to kill you, you get pretty good at running. If there was an island track team, she would be recruited in a heartbeat. She gives Goli a light pat on his claw paw and bolts to the left, like there's a ghost on her tail.

Her eyes remain focused on whatever Goli's doing, to see if he needs more tag advice, but she's listening for Guzma as she runs. The sound of his pounding feet and whatever other noises he's making to figure out which direction to turn, twist and head towards.

Good luck Guzma.]