:// 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]

[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.]