These guys are just awesome!! It's trumpet player Matt Doe, baritone saxophonist Leo P. and drummer David “King of Sludge” Parks. You may have caught their YouTube videos of them playing at union square if you haven't check them out :)
Let’s get ‘em rolling right away, then. Create a bug-type fakemon!
As both the title and challenge imply, today's feature is about Bug Types! In the last few months that I've been working on Tejos as a region, I've articulated three family lines that fall under that typing: Flightning, Mossquito, and Exocust. Each of these derives from something I've found in my backyard up until these last few weeks of gradually cooling weather.
Flightning's Line: Alright, so, I've always wanted to see a firefly line. They're definitely one of the coolest bugs (aside from Mantises, but Scyther has us covered), and almost everyone knows what they are. The only attempt we've seen at them are Hoenn's Volbeat and Illumise, which are somewhat of a let down imho; neither has a cool sub-typing based on this glowing trait of theirs (with Illumise not even being able to use Tail Glow despite females also using bioluminescene for mating signals), nor is it a strong point on their design (Volbeat's glow comes from a small knob from a tail, nothing brilliant or eye-catching). Flightning was my hope for fixing it, being an early line of Bug types with usable stats.
In theory, Flightning would take on much more characteristics of the stereotypical Firefly/Lightning Bug: long dark thorax and abdomen, reddish and black head, and a glowing rear-end. Of course, that end was to be stylized as something like a lightning bolt, with similar shapes for its antennae, and yellow trim down its wing covers. Shiny coloration wouldn't change it much, just a shift to a more vivid green rather than yellow. Larvolt and Chrysalamp are more basic in design, just being a segmented worm with the same bolt for a rump, and a harden exoskeletal version of larvolt, curled a little with new antennae and a more dull look to signify it being the soon-to-be ditched shell of a mid form.
Tejos #---: Larvolt, the Glow Grub Pokemon (larva, volt, bolt)
0'08" 4.9 lbs. Bug/Electric Illuminate/Static
They live in the rich topsoil of plains and forests. Their rhythmic glow is a by-product of them storing static energy for evolution.
Tejos #---: Chrysalamp, the Silk Lamp Pokemon (chrysalis, lamp)
1'08" 12.5 lbs. Bug/Electric Shed Skin/Shed Skin
Dex 1: Inside their carapace, their cells are shifting and rearranging to reach their peak. They occasionally quiver as they release a bright glow.
Dex 2: Because of their bright emission, some have taken to using Chrysalamp as portable lights. They are known as "The Lanturn of the Forest".
Tejos #---: Flightning, the Storm Bug Pokemon (flight, lightning)
3'03 40.2 lbs. Bug/Electric Lightning Rod/Volt Absorb
Dex 1: Its wings are coated with special scales that conduct electricity. A single Flightning is capable of fueling a small thunderstorm.
Dex 2: It can often be seen out in the middle of rains, shining brightly. The meadows they gather in can be seen from miles away.
Mossquito's Line: Seriously, these fuckers are everywhere. If you haven't found a giant swarm of mosquitoes down in the south during your life, you must be full of it. Such an omnipresent pest seemed like a great line to add, if only to annoy those that would explore the ponds, rivers, or swamps of Tejos.
I don't have much beyond the concept of typing and moves yet, but I figured Swiggler would be a dull or calm green and grey worm, with comically sized eyes and a proboscis already. Not entire accurate, but it gets the message across. Mossquito is a little more fleshed out, I had the idea for it to be a stylized mosquito with a green/grey body, moss gently worn along some of its wings. Not sure on shiny yet.
(As an aside, Mosquito was initially going to be a standalone, Mesquito)
Tejos #---: Swiggler, the Water Siphon Pokemon (swig, wiggler)
0'04" 1.8 lbs. Bug/Water Swift Swim/Hydration HA: Rain Dish
Exocust's Line: There's not a whole lot behind this line, I just figured grasshoppers or crickets would be cool too. I had to avoid the sound angle a little, else it be overshadowed by Mr. DELELELELELELELEWOOOOOOP, so I shifted a little to their negative cousins: Locust. Rather than using things like Sing or Bug Buzz, these guys become a plague, using moves like Bug Bite, Punishment, Crunch, etc, devouring whatever they encounter.
Tejos #---: Crickeat, the Hopper Pokemon (cricket, eat)
1'09" 17.6 lbs. Bug/Dark Swarm/Quick Feet HA: Strong Jaw
Renown as pests, they can devour their own weight in vegetation in a single day. They scatter quickly when predators appear.
Tejos #---: Exocust, the Plague Pokemon (locust, exodus - where the plagues of Egypt are written)
3'06 33.8 lbs. Bug/Dark Swarm/Quick Feet HA: Strong Jaw
Dex 1: Responsible for the destruction of entire crops. It is said that a great famine was caused long ago by huge gathering of Exocust.
Dex 2: It is not uncommon to see huge swarms in search of a new meal. Many farmers keep Fire-types on hand in order to defend their work from these voracious Pokemon.
Title: Coffee in Bodhum
Pairing: Fang x Lightning/Flight
Chapter: 6/?
[Fanfiction Link]
Lightning works at a small coffee shop in Bodhum, but there's a new girl at work and she's definitely a handful. Juggling work, racing, and certain feelings, how will everything fall into place at Bodhum's local coffee shop? Fang x Lightning/FLight story.
"I was in love with you. I still am in love with you, Claire Farron."
His voice resonated in Lightning's head as she replayed the scene in her mind over and over again, reliving the moment that Cloud looked at her, his eyes radiating an emotion that felt strange and alien to her. After her escape from the scene, she wandered aimlessly until she found herself sinking onto the floor of an upstairs bathroom in Hope's house.
"In high school, I only joined the track team to spend more time with you and I wanted to join the Guardian Corps because that's what you wanted to do. I wanted to spend my life with you, Claire. Thinking about life without you sounded terrible and I can say that the years we spent apart were the worst of my life. I wanted to make you happy and make you smile real genuine smiles, to grow old and gray together."
"Dammit," Lightning sighed, running her hands through her hair as she leaned her head against her knees and as she pulled them up to her chest, her thoughts chaotic and confused. There was a faint knock on the door.
"Lightning, are you in there?" It was Fang, her voice soft against the door as she knocked.
Her thoughts calming a little at the sound of Fang's voice, she let Fang in, sliding over for her to sit on the bathroom floor next to her.
Fang looked at Lightning, her green eyes filled with an array of emotions, "So, who do I get to shove in the pool?" Fang smirked, making a shoving motion with her hands, chuckling a little.
Shaking her hand, Lightning pushed hands down feeling her soft, warm skin against her own. "It's okay, Fang, you don't have to push him in the pool. I didn't handle that very well, did I?"
Fang shook her head. "For someone so graceful as yourself, that was the least graceful escapade I have ever seen. You okay, Light?"
"Yes, no. I don't know. Cloud said he was in love with me," Light said, her crystalline blue eyes clouded with thought.
Fang faltered, sadness creeping into her, almost like a disappointment after a big hype. "And… do you love him back?"
"No… No, I don't. He's been a friend, no, more like a brother to me for so long. I just… it doesn't feel right being with him." Lightning hesitated, trying to describe how she felt and describe how wrong everything felt.
"Tell him that, Light. Tell him how you really feel. It's the kindest thing you can do for him is to not let him dwell on it."
"You're right," Lightning said, standing up, a sudden determination in her eyes. "Thanks, Fang. You're a great friend."
Fang gave a half-hearted smile to Lightning, watching as she left her sitting on the cold floor of the bathroom. Friend. The word resonated in her chest in a turbulent way. Why did it feel so wrong for Lightning to call her that? Running her hands through her tangled locks, Fang stood up and wandered back outside. She could see Lightning and Cloud sitting at the patio table quietly talking. Cloud's face was crestfallen. Lightning was neither gentle nor did she beat around the bush.
Fang actually felt a wave of pity for the guy to have his heart be broken by such a beautiful woman. She could easily see how Cloud had fallen for Light. She was cool and in control, kind at heart, even if her tough outer shell disguised it at first, and was most definitely one of the most beautiful women Fang had ever seen. Fang found herself blushing as she thought about her.
-x-x-
Lightning moved her feet back and forth through the crystalline water, looking into the deep water with glassy eyes. She had a deep-sinking feeling of guilt for telling Cloud that she couldn't be with him. After their brief meeting, Cloud had decided to retire early from the party which relieved a small amount of stress from Lightning's chest. Suddenly, a small tidal wave of shockingly cold water assaulted her.
"Fang," Lightning growled, her eyes lightning up with a playful fire. With a powerful kick from her toned legs, Lightning splashed water in Fang's direction where she was treading water a few feet away.
Fang spluttered as a little bit of water spilled into her mouth. "C'mon, Light. Scared of a little water? Get off the sidelines and fight me like a real warrior!" Fang challenged, smirking as she brushed her damp hair out of her face.
Lightning pulled her legs out of the water, walking off the concrete area that surrounded the pool. Fang called out jests of Lightning being scared, but suddenly, the pink-haired girl turned around and took off a sprint, flinging her body gracefully into the pool, directly at Fang. Despite her best efforts, she could not swim away fast enough before Lightning's lean body collided with hers, pushing her under the water.
Fang felt the water pressure increased as her body sunk under the water, feeling Light's body pressing her body down as she scrambled off. Fang slid out of from under her and resurfaced to see a smiling Lightning treading water. "Alright, if that's how you want to play it," Fang said, pushing her body forcefully out of the water, throwing her arms around Light's shoulder and dunked her under the water, Lightning's arm flailing about. Fang grunted as she felt a strong kick in her side as Lightning fought her.
The struggle continued for a few minutes before both girls found themselves sitting on the concrete with their feet in the water, breathing deeply.
"You fight well, Light," Fang said, lightly shoving Lightning on the shoulder, smiling warmly. Her green eyes were alight with a tender kindness.
"I used to want to join the Guardian Corps, well, I still want to. I used to train with my dad. He was a sergeant in the Corps." Lightning smiled as she reminisced on her childhood where her father used to spar with her after school. It had initially been for self-defense, but Lightning fell in love with the art of fighting.
She remembered her constant begging for her father to teach her new things and to let her train with the sparring swords they kept in the attic. Lightning's father finally gave in to her constant pleas. Lightning had been a relatively talkative, lively child that constantly got into mischief.
"Please, Serah! I know you'll love it as much as I do. Sparring with Dad is the best thing ever. He knows everything about fighting!" Claire said excitedly, bouncing with excitement in anticipation of her sparring practice with her father.
Serah shook her head, her pigtails bundling her pale pink hair twirling along with her head. "No, I want to go to the hospital with Mommy and be a doctor like her!"
"They don't let 8-year-olds be doctors, Serah." Claire said, trying to convince Serah to participate with her and her father. Serah just responded by sticking out her tongue and running off.
"Claire!" Mr. Farron called, poking his head inside the back door. Claire jumped up, and raced to her father, throwing her small arms around his much larger frame. Mr. Farron wrapped her strong, warm arms around his eldest daughter and smiled. "Ready to train?"
Claire just grinned, grabbing her father's large hand and dragging him out into the backyard. The autumn afternoon was warm and comfortable, the perfect weather for a good outdoor practice. Mr. Farron walked over to a stand where he kept his wooden sparring swords. They were made out of a light wood that was durable, but they most definitely seen better day. He picked two up and tossed one to his daughter who caught it with ease, brandishing the sword with practiced skill.
"Alright, Claire. I've been teaching you for a year. Today we have no lessons, just come at me with everything you've got," Mr. Farron said calmly, readjusting his sword to hold it backhand. He raised his hand in front of his face, raising the sword to be parallel with the ground. Claire smirked, raising her sword in the regular position in two hands and charged at her father.
At the last moment as Mr. Farron put up the blade to parry her blow, Claire nimbly danced to the side, aiming for her father's side, good for a quick, agile blow. But, Mr. Farron was ready for her fast side strike, quickly spinning around to match her sword. Claire let out a growl, lifting her sword away, bringing it into a defensive position as Mr. Farron went in for an offensive strike. Their blades met with the sound of wood on wood. They fought for dominance in the stance, but Mr. Farron quickly overtook her, pushing her back into an unstable stance.
Claire bounced back, giving herself some space between her father. She sidestepped around her father in a wide circle. He mimicked her spiraling motion. Hopping back and darting to the side, she rolled as her father gave a sweeping side-arc to draw her in. Claire was fast, though, much faster than her brawny father. She went in for an agile strike against the back of Mr. Farron's knees, bringing him into a kneeling position. Claire laid her sword to rest on his shoulder, close to his neck. She smirked, her blue eyes shining with the light of victory.
"You've done well, Claire. Showing your old man up. But, next time, I won't go easy on you." Mr. Farron winked at his daughter, ruffling the top of her hair, smiling warmly.
"Supper is ready, soldiers," Mrs. Farron called from the back porch, imitating a saluting soldier in a deep voice. She broke character, giving a gentle grin. Claire and Mr. Farron filed in, faux-saluting the woman trying not to laugh.
"Lightning. Earth to Light!" A hand waved in front of Lightning's face, snapping out of her reminiscing.
Lightning blinked, grabbing Fang's hand and pushed it away from her face. "Sorry. I was thinking about my dad." She had a glint of happiness in her eye as she thought back to the great times she had had with her parents.
"Oh," Fang said sheepishly. She knew that the Lightning and Serah's parents had been dead for several years and that they missed them greatly. "Was it good memory?" Fang questioned, seeing the smile in Lightning's blue eyes.
"Yeah," Lightning said, a small smile upon her lips, leaning back on her hands, pressing them into the damp concrete.
"You're beautiful when you smile," Fang said quietly, her face slightly flushed under her tanned skin.
Fang's statement took Lightning by surprise, causing her to blush and smile gently at Fang. "Thanks."
Fang nudged Lightning's shoulder, pointing to the buffet table. "Looks like Mrs. Estheim is putting out the 'good' punch." Lightning smirked, hopping up and shaking the water off of her legs. She extended a hand to Fang who gripped it tightly and pulled herself up.
-x-x-
Several, several cups of the exotic punch that Mrs. Estheim had concocted, Fang, Lightning, and Snow were all laughing very amiably together, their faces slightly flushed from the alcohol.
"And then I was all like 'Will you marry me?' and she was all like "Yeah!" Snow garbled, slurring his words.
Fang laughed heartily, fist-bumping Snow. Lightning had a confused expression on her face, trying to process Snow's story, standing up angrily, but fell back in a dizzy stumble. A warm pair of arms stopped her, but they were wobbly as well. "Hey, Light. You should marry me like Snow is getting married."
"Okayy," Lightning said, dragging out her words, smiling unnaturally wide for her typically stoic composure. Her brain was fuzzy and suddenly she felt herself being pulled into a darkness, blacking out in Fang's arms.
-x-x-
Light filtered into Lightning's room, her red curtains illuminating the white walls. Her head pounded and and everything was blurry.
"Argh, what the hell?" Lightning said, sitting up groggily in her bed, rubbing her arching head.
A blurry figure walked into Lightning's room. "Ah, good, you're up." It was Serah.
"What happened?" Lightning asked, massaging her temples in a slow motion.
"You, Fang, and Snow literally drank all of the alcohol at the party. You three were quite the handful last night. You're the only that blacked out, though. Tsk, tsk. I thought you can handle your drinks better than that," Serah chuckled a little, setting a glass of water and a few tylenol on her nightstand. "Snow had to carry you up here. I bet you would have thrown a fit, but you were out stone cold. It was cute actually."
Lightning groaned, waving Serah off. After Serah had gone, she reached for her phone, flipping through her unread messages. Her closed her phone back to the home screen noticing her background had been changed to a baby chocobo. Lightning opened up the gallery to change it back to its usual cloudy theme, but stopped when her eyes caught an album that had been made yesterday. She certainly did not remember taking any pictures.
Tapping the gallery with her finger, her stomach dropped when she saw the thumbnails. There were several pictures of her and Snow running around with towels like capes. She mentally berated herself for letting herself get that drunk. Thumbing through the rest of the pictures, Lightning gasped at the last picture that was taken.
It was a picture of her planting a kiss on Fang's cheek.
"Oh shit," Lightning said, quickly scrambling to lock her phone before Serah came back. She didn't hardly remember anything about last night, especially not that.
