:// 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

[yallstupid]

[To be perfectly fair, all Ignis has to do is ask, and Guzma may offer up a trade - or even give the man a free bundle for his first instance. Talking so openly and honestly about his pokemon is...quite liberating, actually. He doesn't often get to talk about the realities of him keeping some rather terrifying looking beasts on his person at all times. In Alola, it's just a mediocre fear and general dislike of bugs - obnoxious, but common enough that he can roll his eyes and shrug off most of it.

Here? It's a whole other thing entirely. People will not hesitate to eradicate them, and he's experienced it firsthand, thrice already. It's a sobering thought, just how outside of his comfort zone he is...how beyond the norm or everyday life in Alola he is. Never thought he'd miss the dull life of the islands...

Murder. The word makes him stab his fish a little more, ah, vigorously than he would naturally. That's exactly what it is. He, or anyone else, never said it aloud, but that's what it is. Murder. Killing someone he loves and trusts - his invaluable partners who have been with him his whole life. Because they're not what others would view as "desirable". They're pests. Scary. Dirty. Gross. But it's hard to get mad when the one pointing a gun at them is a small child, who's seen horrors well beyond anything Guzma could imagine...or a timid little Mouse, just trying to do right.

Still--]

You the first person to say it, but yeah...s'what it'd be. [He's quiet for a few minutes, picking at the food on his leaf, wondering if he should eat more. He's lost his appetite.] 'Fraid not many share the sentiment though, my man; if it's a bug, then it's gotta be killed, yeah? Tch! Barely anyone here knows what a pokemon is, neither, so all they see is a monster.

I can't let 'em wander too far outta sight, or let 'em out of their balls for too long no more...just cuz'a that. Cuz'a the stigma they got surrounding 'em, and how they look. [But neither of 'em would hurt a soul, unless they were protecting their trainer from harm. Truly, Guzma has with him his most friendly and agreeable pokemon out of the five he has. Ariados is more like a cat or a playful dog, and Golisopod is slow and calm, a gentle giant who prefers to meditate and float in the shallows, blowing bubbles than gobble up people.]

[shatteredlenses]

There must be a way to change that view without putting them in danger. It's not fair that they have to live in fear or be restricted just because they look different.

[Ignis has no idea how large these balls they live in are, but they can't be that large if Guzma keeps them with him. The pokemon, on the other hand, sound as if they are quite large which means it can't be very pleasant spending so much time in them. Something has to change; it's just figuring out the how that is the hard part. Fortunately, Ignis has a few ideas. Will they work? He's not sure, but he has a feeling that as long as there is a chance, Guzma will likely try.]

Stigmas are hard to break, but it can be done. Just because an animal may be scary to look at doesn't mean they can't be helpful too. We just need to let people see how helpful they can be. Instead of hiding them so much, it may be better to keep them out--only when you are around to keep them safe, of course. Let people see them doing helpful things or even playing. Let them see Ariados making silk to help you with projects. Golisopod...

[Shoot, without a description it's hard to think of something the other pokemon can do and Ignis finds himself falling silent for a few moments as he thinks.]

...can he carry things? Help move things that a human can't maybe? We just need to replace 'scary' as the first thing people think of when they see them. If they think 'helpful' instead, then they will be less prone to foolish violent reactions.

[yallstupid]

[In all fairness, most pokemon enjoy being in their pokeballs - the contraptions are designed with comfort in mind for the critters, on top of being nearly indestructible to keep them safe. While Guzma's homeworld isn't necessarily dangerous, accidents happen...and wild pokeon can and will harm people who aren't careful. A weak or untrained pokemon is best kept inside its pokeball.

But yes, it's also restricting. When he can, Guzma really prefers to let them out to enjoy the air and the sunshine and get in some exercise. He still needs to train them, too, and training isn't simply battling and practicing moves. It's about staying fit as well, and just general care.]

Oh yeah, he can carry loads more'n even me. Golisopod's real strong - probably good at woodcutting, too, considering his claws. Actually, one hard whack with 'em could smash a few rocks I'd think. Nothing too big, but yeah...he's got a lotta muscle. [Guzma hums thoughtfully, scratching his chin.] Does wonders with fishing, too. Helped me catch this load here, actually...and he big 'nuff to ferry one adult and maybe a kid 'round in the water.

[shatteredlenses]

Oh goodness, he's just as useful as Ariados is then! Perhaps this will sound harsh, but they are probably more useful when it comes to survival than many of us are.

[When it comes to physical labor, they are certainly more useful than Ignis is at the very least. Fortunately, being blind hasn't taken away his ability to plan and so he continues to do so, melding previous thoughts with new information.]

Would you mind if I spread word that you and they would be willing to help with building projects? Even if you don't get many takers, it will help get word of their usefulness out to others. Perhaps I could even have them do a few things for me so I can give examples of their skill?

[yallstupid]

Haha! Well, pokemon are wild 'fore they caught, yeah? Y'can't shake out that sorta instinct from 'em, no matter how hard y'all try. Suppose that'd be why a heap of 'em won't listen to a weak trainer, unless they prove themselves.

[Really, pokemon are very difficult to train sometimes - they're living creatures with wills and minds of their own. Each one has its own personality and does what it wants - they can feel abandonment, sadness, everything a human feels. They can also resent those that treat them unfairly or unkindly. A pokemon is only as good as its trainer - that's a lesson he learned when he was a child, from the island kahuna, and he took that lesson to heart.]

Man, I'd love for you to do that - saves me a heap of trouble getting people to feel comfortable near 'em. Won't let my partners work for free though, 'course. [He shrugs. Sorry, but give and take is still as normal here as it is in every world. Nothing is free, though he may do a few small jobs without compensation, especially for those he likes. Speaking of--] But a job for you is on the house, homie, I think y'all earned it after what you doing for me and my pokemon.

Just gimme a heads up on what y'all need, and when, and I'll shoot over, yeah?