while i’m not sure if i’ll be switching around my muses when the hiatus ends, i’m definitely staying around for the long haul! i’m much more invested in the community that’s been created rather than the characters i have ( though they do mean a lot to me too )
i’m still down for threading with you wonderful people, though it’ll probably be on discord and the IC server as it’s more convenient
again, i’m sorry this has all been thrust on you guys, but i do think a break is the best for all of us given the situation of most all of us being busy
i still am invested in my pokemuses, though, and want you guys to be able to be too! i’m still down for interactions that help your muses grow stronger and grow forward!
Zinnia bellows out another laugh-snort as she witnesses Powder – brave, naive Powder – touch her Keystone. She had been trying to seem… intimidating all the while, yet the phanpy had not been deterred. The Lorekeeper decides at this moment, that she likes this phanpy. He has guts – moxie.
His partner, on the other hand…
She eyes him up and down.
“Nah, don’t worry your sweet little boy head about your… Powder. He ain’t botherin’ no one. He’s just a curious little baby. But you, on the other hand…”
Zinnia strokes her chin. Well, he offered. And it would be rude to refuse him, but she doesn’t know what she’d want from him…
Until a few seconds later.
Her grin alights, and she snaps her fingers.
“Since you seem to be so-o-o-o-o-o lost and so unknowledgeable about Hoenn… I bet you’re pretty ignorant about this city too! In that case, you’ve got yourself the best tour guide on this side of the region. Yup, they call me Tour Guide Zinnia. Uh-huh. No doubt about that. I’d be happy to show you and your adorable lil’ buddy around!”
… Hey, maybe she can make a few bucks off of him if she shows him some good hospitality?
Had Curtis not been a polite young man, he might have found her assumption rude; after all, Curtis had been to Hoenn plenty of times, but seeing as how he was not a trainer, nor did he favor himself to be one, oftentimes, he didn’t meet fully-evolved Pokemon that would usually be held by strong trainers.
He was well aware of all of the cities and what they had to offer, but... he could easily see where she could help him out. Despite not being a trainer, Curtis did enjoy catching Pokemon and making friends along the way, and such things were difficult since some of his Pokemon weren’t all that strong. Powder here was a great example of that. He squeezed him in his arms.
“I... I actually know a bit about the cities,” he admitted, laughing nervously, “it’s more along the lines of the wild Pokemon routes that I don’t know a lot about! I haven’t... been to places like Meteor Falls all that much, as much as I’ve heard I should! I-If it’s not too much to ask, maybe you could help me explore around some wild areas with your Salamence!” And as soon as he asked that, he very well regretted it. Curse his kindness; he hardly wanted anything to do with this lady.
a shortform thread i did with @scintillameme! after becoming boyfriends officially, curtis decided to offer spark a front-row spot in his christoph concert coming up in humilau city. however, the day before at the beach house, the two had an incident where curtis became distressed about a traumatic moment in his life that he tries very hard to avoid for this very reason.
since the concert was scheduled to be the day after this awkward, unfortunate encounter, curtis and spark both worried how the other would feel after the concert, and were both convinced that the other was upset.
however, a reason for curtis’s behavior might be closer than they both realize.
TW: assault, abuse ( physical / sexual ); pedophilia.
CHRISTOPH: -he feels a little less excited today than he thought he would, seeing as how today's the concert but... he isn't entirely sure Spark's happy with him. in fact, he's quite sure he's not. after the way things went yesterday, it would be hard to convince him that spark was happy to be here anymore. he didn't even want to come to practice, and considering all curtis cried about and yelled about. still yet, despite that this was the furthest he'd ever gotten about his feeling about... the matters of the past... he only felt regret for having let it slip in the first place, seeing as how no good conclusion came about it, and all he seemed to do was make spark more and more upset.-
CHRISTOPH: -but the day came nonetheless, and all the while during the concert, he could see spark there in the front row. it made his already-anxious heart palpitate that much more.-
SPARK: -there was definitely a lot of background tension. spark couldn't get rid of the knot in his stomach at what curtis had said--but he had no idea what to do about it. neither of them seemed to have a clue about how he could help. but what did remain was the fact that he adored curtis, and wanted to support him in any way he could.-
SPARK: -and, well, he'd gotten good at acting. so he had a wide grin on his face throughout the concert--he was close enough to the stage that he knew curtis could see, and he wanted to limit worry as much as he could.-
SPARK: -because, hey. he was anxious as shit, too. but the last thing he wanted was to make matters worse for curtis.-
CHRISTOPH: -by the time he's done with the concert, he could swear he feels close to a heart attack, but he holds it in with a smile and a lower-than-normal voice to distinguish himself from curtis. so the two will never seem enough the same to make a conclusion-
CHRISTOPH: -by the time everyone else files out for the concessions and merchandise, he walks down the stairs to find spark there. he offers a small smile- Hey...
SPARK: -he's got a huge grin on his face. it's only slightly exaggerated.- You did amazing.
SPARK: -the sentiment is genuine, even if he's using it to cover up some other thoughts and feelings. even acting requires some truth.-
SPARK: I can't believe how lucky I am.
CHRISTOPH: -laughs... very nervously?- You... You think so?
CHRISTOPH: Even after... yesterday?
SPARK: Yeah, of course.
SPARK: -looks. around. nobody else is here. bless-
SPARK: -quick forehead kiss.-
SPARK: You wanna head back to your dressing room...?
CHRISTOPH: -flushes, more out of shock- H-Hey... keep that stuff away from the cameras.
SPARK: ... sorry. Got excited.
SPARK: -messes. with his hair.-
SPARK: Sorry.
CHRISTOPH: -it doesn't move an inch, it's sprayed and gelled so much- So you're not... -he feels a bit calmer now, with his forced extraversion. fake it till you make it real, y'know? he feels a little bit of his loud, active voice and bubbly personality still leaching off of the concert- You're not... upset about... everything I talked about.
CHRISTOPH: Or, well, started talking about and then... bit my tongue like it's chewing gum a million times over.
SPARK: -he pauses for. just a second- I'm... not upset with you, no. -because he's not! he's... upset about the situation. he's upset that he doesn't know what to do about it. he's upset that (he feels like) he hurt him enough to accidentally drag that out of him. but he's not upset with curtis.-
SPARK: 'Course I'm not. I couldn't be.
SPARK: I wouldn't be.
SPARK: -offers a grin. albeit a little bit manufactured.-
CHRISTOPH: ... -and he's quiet for a long time-
CHRISTOPH: I never meant to say anything that I did. This is what I'm all about, y'know? As Christoph, being... happy and cheery and... someone the kids can look up to.
CHRISTOPH: I can't be tragic. What would that say about me? What... would that mean to everyone else, y'know?
SPARK: -he's quiet for a moment, too--but a shorter moment-
SPARK: I... get what you mean.
SPARK: I kinda do the same thing--it's my job to be someone for all the young trainers to lean on, but....
SPARK: If you're happy all the time, it doesn't really feel real. And it's good to know that it's okay to hurt and be sad.
SPARK: Not that that's what you have to do. But... you don't have to put on a show all the time, either. -says the man who does basically exactly that-
SPARK: ... but we don't have to talk about that right now. Or ever, if you don't want to.
CHRISTOPH: -laughs. kinda pathetically- Well, that's what Christoph is for, isn't it? For him to be temporary and live this unreal fantasy life.
CHRISTOPH: It's okay for things to have to be perfect... cuz it's only for a few days... a few hours in those days.
CHRISTOPH: -then he looks over to him with a sad smile- The only problem is... the memories on each side carry over to the other.
CHRISTOPH: Curtis remembers what it's like to be a star, and... Christoph remembers what it's like to be just... a normal boy.
CHRISTOPH: And both of them long for that life the other has.
CHRISTOPH: Because they don't know... they don't know the bad side of it. They only see this sunny-eyed ideal. Until the bad side happens.
SPARK: I... if that's... how you want to see it.
SPARK: But, I mean.... -then curtis can be real and genuine, right? if christoph is allowed to be perfect and unreal because he's not around. ... but spark isn't gonna say that. the last thing he wants is to pressure him.-
SPARK: -long pause.- Do you... do you want to talk about it?
CHRISTOPH: ...What's there to talk about, y'know?
CHRISTOPH: I should just... try to take the best I have of both worlds and... not focus so much on the negative. -he hates even... hearing himself parrot back the same behavior as yesterday, but he can't help it. what good would it be, seeing christoph break down? christoph, the always-smiling, unshakable idol?-
CHRISTOPH: I just... don't see a point, y'know? I got hurt in the past, yeah, but...
CHRISTOPH: It doesn't change anything for the future. Besides make you upset over something nobody can fix.
SPARK: ... yeah, I guess. That makes sense.
SPARK: -and it does! it seems like a good outlook on things. he just... isn't sure that curtis is... fully subscribing, maybe?-
SPARK: -he just gets this feeling that... despite his words, at least part of him is stuck in the past. but... he isn't gonna push it; it's not like he would even know what to say.-
SPARK: -he's quiet again. apparently he doesn't really know what to say either way.-
CHRISTOPH: ...Well? Lemme show you the backstage and all it has to offer, right?
SPARK: -grins again!-
SPARK: Absolutely. Do I get a full tour?
CHRISTOPH: -laughs quietly- Of course! -he... takes Spark's hand a bit nervously, going to lead him further inside-
Togepi sniffed the Pokémon in return – her little paws coming to squish her snout, and she chirped loudly in delight when she was flushed with warmth. It was almost as good as sleeping in her mommy’s jacket! Her eyes flicker up at her trainer for a moment, and Serena opens her jacket… showing that Togepi had a bow tied around her shell - body, light pink and puffed up behind her head!
❛ That’s quite cute. ❜ Serena replied with a soft smile, digging out a light green PokéPuff and giving it to Togepi to hand to the Pokémon. She does so, while Serena takes the sweetheart. ❛ Oh… Thank you! We both have a bit of a sweet tooth. ❜ She giggled, snapping the heart into multiple little pieces. She hands a smaller piece to Togepi, and eats one of the bigger parts herself.
❛ I’ve never seen this type of Pokémon before… but I can tell it’s a fire - type… Probably for the best, aha… ❜ A milky finger points at his shorts and thin t-shirt. ❛ You weren’t very prepared, were you? ❜ Togepi’s little arms pat Serena’s, and Serena feeds her another piece of chocolate.
❛ Don’t worry, there’s a store right around the corner, I think. Most boutiques are selling winter clothes and jewelry right now. ❜
Scarlet chirruped in delight over the small Togepi; her actions were adorable, after all, and to a mother like her, she couldn’t help but move closer to the Pokemon and sniff her more, giving her a protective and loving lick to her forehead. Curtis giggled, not scolding her quite yet as her actions were far too soft and cautionary to distress. And as the Togepi comes closer with the Pokepuff in hand, Scarlet gives a little trill, giving her yet another lick before taking the Pokepuff gratefully. What a darling little child she was!
“Oh, definitely, I have a sweet tooth myself! I can’t tell you how many cavities I had as a kid because I couldn’t give up chocolate. I still can’t.” He laughed, smiling as the little Pokemon got a gift of her own, popping it into her mouth.
“Oh...?” He was a little surprised to hear that the young woman didn’t know what a Flareon was; but then again, even in his own native region of Unova, Eevee was a rare Pokemon, indeed, and even less people knew about its method of evolution. “She’s a Flareon! You evolve her with a Fire Stone on an Eevee. Ehehe... but she’s been a Flareon as long as I can remember. She was my dad’s Pokemon before mine. She’d always keep him warm on boat rides — it can get chilly on the high seas!”
To her concern, he gives another little giggle. “I definitely wasn’t, no sir! I’m experienced with the kinda cold that comes up in Anville Town, for sure, but I didn’t expect a snowstorm! Gosh... I was so close to my hotel room, too... and I packed winter clothes in my suitcase! I’m so silly for not listening to the weather channel.” He sighed, but he didn’t seem all that upset. After all, he was making a great new acquaintance that only this snowstorm could’ve brought about. “It’s not like I had much to do, anyway, so I don’t really mind waiting it out.”
With a twiddle of his feet, he encouraged Scarlet to move closer to the girl, as she seemed a little bit chilly herself. Scarlet graciously did so, as it gave her more of an opportunity to play around with the little Togepi. “So... that would mean you’re a native around here? I-I don’t wanna assume! I just figured... since you know what’s in season around here...”
Norman hopes that his words are enough to assure the kid. He was worried that he’d work himself up to a frenzy, but with a shuddering exhale, his body relaxes, relief evident on his features. He smiles down at him, before it’s replaced by a momentary look of surprise when Curtis threw his arms around him. Norman automatically returns the hug, tilting his head slightly when he buries his head into his shoulder.
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Curtis nodded as the man spoke, fully in understanding, though, still nervous — and especially so, still watery-eyed and still sniffling. When he was met with the Ambipom, he tried his best to smile for him, though it was difficult to considering his current plight.
“Oh… hello there, mister…! My name’s Curtis…!” He greeted with a still-shaky voice, taking one of the Ambipom’s two tails and shaking it up and down. “Y-You see, I lost my Phanpy in the forest, so I was hoping you’d be able to help me…! He… He smells like me, y’know? Maybe that might… help…”
As the trio made their way to the forest — Curtis still hovering rather close to the Gym Leader — he was met once again with the still-dark form of the looming woods, now growing even darker as the clouds began to roll in overhead, blocking out the sun that might help shine over the dark Luxury Ball. “He… He’s gonna be in here somewhere… I know it. Oh goodness… I hope nobody stole him…” And the moment that thought creeped into his head, he found himself shaking again, crying a few more tears before reeling himself in. “No… N-No, it’s okay… we’re gonna find him…!”
Harley expertly picks up a gyoza, dipping it in the soy sauce before eating it in a single bite. He still periodically send glances at Curtis, but so long as the kid was eating something, he’s not going to push the offer anymore. He’s not bad company for a stranger he invited on a whim, though he does evoke intrigue that might seem out of place. He’s easily a decade older than him, so he tries not to come off as too– intimidating. Or creepy. Hopefully he didn’t give off that air.
Keep reading
Curtis listened along very respectfully, nodding as Harley spoke, and as he did, it sort of answered Curtis’s question that he had to begin with. So the man was able to pick out Powder’s coloration because he’s an expert on Pokemon care; it wouldn’t be too far of a stretch to assume the man would know about different Pokemon variations as well, such as coloring.
Curtis looked to his soup, which was now gone faster than he was full, but he immediately decided mentally that he wouldn’t ask for more. After all, he must have been bothering the man enough just by being there.
Still, as Harley spoke, Curtis’s mind continued to gravitate towards his initial observation of Powder, and that coloring. With a bite of his lip, and against his better judgment, he decided to ask about it anyway. “So… you knew Powder was shiny because of your specialty, right? In your teaching. And you’d know all about… um… the other stuff involving what happens with… shinies… cuz of that too?” He didn’t mean for it to come across like he was asking; frankly, he didn’t want to be proven wrong. He just wanted to nicely assume the man was nothing more than a plain schoolteacher. Nothing more.
Nothing more.
“Does that mean shiny Pokemon have different dietary habits too? Or is it all the same as their species?”
Zinnia fixes the phanpy with a quiet stare as he approaches her party. The whismur tucked by her side also says nothing, but the salamance – without warning, Gemino rears his large head forward.
He opens his mighty jaws, briefly displaying his large set of polished whites. A low noise rumbles from deep with the dragon’s throat, a mix between a hum and a purr.
A few more passerby stop to stare.
Zinnia grins at ALL of them.
❝ Aww – lookit. Gemino’s smiling… he thinks you’re the bee’s knees, little pachyderm! Hey, relax guy! Gemino wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s a gentle giant. He may look scary, but I promise he isn’t gonna disembowel you and your precious little phanpy. ❞
Gemino lowers his head so that his eyes may meet Powder’s. A pause, and then his coarse tongue snakes out of his maw, drenching the phanpy in a well-intended lick of greeting.
❝ See… he’s just sayin’ hi! But are you serious, you’ve never ever ever seen a Salamance before? C’mo-o-o-o-n… you’re in the Hoenn region. Get with the program. They’re probably one of the STRONGEST Pokemon out here in this great — ❞
And she spreads her arms wide, ❝ — great region of ours! You better get used to seeing ‘em, I’m telling you! ❞
Curtis was, for lack of a better word, horrified that the Salamence and Powder were acting so jovial towards one-another. Powder seemed to only enjoy the other Pokemon’s company, his ears fluttering upon being licked, taking the large dragon’s growling and purrs as signs of happiness as well. He moved to kiss the Salamence on the cheek, tooting at him.
However, the lick the Salamence gave, the purrs and growls, the gnash of its teeth only sent shivers up Curtis’s spine. Normally, he would encourage such behaviors of his Phanpy, further reinforcing the little guy to get along with others, and teach him politeness and good manners; but there was something about this woman that kept him on-edge.
Her words were curled with a slightly-cryptic smile, and her tone grated against him in discomfort. He feared that, at any moment, any sort of switch could flip and things could change drastically for the worst. Despite her reassurances, he still trembled in his step at the sight of the Salamence alone, and her smile did nothing to comfort him.
That smile, on the other hand, was all Powder needed to indicate that she must be a great person, and as such, he decided to approach her further, as well as to meet that Whismur in her lap that was in similar size to him! But as he tugged on the strap of the girl’s sandal to get her attention, he couldn’t help but notice the snakelike charm around her ankle, with a beautiful stone inlaid within. With a quiet ‘ooo’ tooting out of his snout, his nose went to inspect the keystone, booping it gently.
“P-Powder, hey...! It’s not nice to touch other peoples’ stuff!” Curtis cried, finally mustering enough adrenaline to break from his frozen stance and move to collect him. He gathered the Phanpy in his arms, only freezing then to notice he was mere inches away from both the Salamence’s jaws, and the girl’s foot for a good kick. He swallowed hard. “I-I’m sorry. I’ve only come here since... y-yesterday. But I should’ve read up and... known that Salamences were strong here... ahaha... where I’m from, we don’t see them very often.” Or at all, for that matter.
He slowly tried to scooch his way away from the girl. “Is... there... anything I can help you with?”
The present is meticulously wrapped in blue-and-silver striped wrapping paper. Inside is a pair of Flareon-themed earmuffs and a note that reads, “For any cold weather or loud noises.” - your Secret Santa
Curtis unwraps his present and a sincere, high little gasp escapes his throat. Oh, look at them! The coloring, the fluff the little ears on each! They look so cute, and complement his usually-green attire just so, so well!
Words can’t describe how grateful he is that they’re noise cancelling as well as just cozy overall. The world can be very loud for him, sometimes. He puts them on, brandishing them to his own Flareon. “Look, Scarlet! They’re just like you! I don’t think they’re made out of your fur, though, don’t worry!” He giggles. He looks to the box, to the note, as if speaking to its author, “Aww, thank you. This is... really sweet.”
• living situation: lives alone | lives with parent(s) / guardian | lives with significant other | lives with a friend | drifter | homeless | lives with children | other
• parents/guardian: mother | father | adoptive | foster | grandmother | grandfather
• sibling(s): sister(s) | brother(s) | none | other
• relationship: single | crushing | dating | engaged | married | separated | it’s complicated
• things i’ve done before: had alcohol | smoked | stolen | done drugs | self-harmed | starved | had sex | had a threesome | had a one-night stand | gotten into a fist fight | gone to hospital | gone to jail | used a fake ID | played hooky | gone to a rave | killed someone | had someone try to kill them
Cold weather doesn’t agree well with Serena. Her joints ache as if she’s older than her time, and sweaters were more often than not itchy against her delicate skin. Even within the Pokémon Center, Serena kept her long jacket on, and within it, Togepi nestles against her dress. While she waits, she takes a seat close to a fire-type Pokémon she had never seen before.
Serena slides her bag off of her shoulders and sets it down next to her, while Togepi’s face appears between the buttons – seemingly feeling the warmth emanating from the strange Pokémon. Smiling, Serena unbuttons her jacket, then pulls a wicker basket lined with a pink floral cloth from her bag. Togepi chirrups as Serena opens it to reveal multiple homemade PokéPuffs. She lets the little one pick out her favorite, always one of the bright pink pastries. While Togepi nibbles, Serena turns to the other trainer nearby.
❛ Would your Pokémon like one as well? What kind of taste do they have? ❜
He hadn’t exactly expected a snowstorm this side of Kalos. His performance was in a few days, certainly, and with it... an outdoor stage. He was starting to dread the idea of it. But it was a matter for later. For Christoph; for right now, he was free to be his dinky little self, boater jacket and all.
...It was a rather... inappropriate set of attire, not doing much to protect his arms besides his thin long shirt, and cargo shorts... were a bad idea. But it was half-as-more bearable with his Flareon beside him, the darling Scarlet, fluffy and warm, her yellow mane and yellow tail emitting a comfortable heat that Curtis could brush his hand against and feel the warmth flush through his arm down to his core. It made his toes twiddle.
Scarlet was the first to notice the company setting beside them, especially interested in the Togepi in the young woman’s jacket. She loved babies. In a way, the Togepi’s small size and cute, curious face reminded her of her own son — and yes, he was hers, even if he was a Phanpy. She went to sniff the little baby Pokemon, curious if they were curious back at her. She wanted them to be. She wanted to get the chance to lick them and coddle them, if only for a while.
It was only when the woman spoke up that Curtis seemed to notice her presence beside her. He flushed. How rude of him to not see her until now. “Oh...! She’s a fan of mint, herself. She’s hot spicy and she likes the cold spicy, y’know? Ahaha! That’s really sweet of you; thank you... could I offer you a Castelia Sweetheart in exchange?” And it was then that he finally noticed the small Pokemon tucked into her jacket. “For you, or for your Togepi — if either of you like chocolate!”
