The Famed Blade of Hardened Steel

"Well met, young challenger! Verily am I the Elite Four's famed blade of hardened Steel, Wikstrom!" Affiliated with Cherrygrove City Image credit [x] [x]

[monkeymastermind]

Bruised Ego || Maris and Wikstrom

[monkeymastermind]

“Uh… Well… Usually when I get in a fight it’s cuz I started it….” He began to explain. He wasn’t proud of the fight especially since not only did he start it but he also lost. 

“But he went to far! Ya see he was bad mouthin’ Team Aqua! Sure we did some sketchy stuff in the past but we are tryin’ t’ make up for it! But uh… y’know… old habits die hard?” As if that was an excuse for trying to steal scuba equipment. He was lucky the cops weren’t called. 

Feeling the weight of the man’s hand on his shoulder caused Maris to look down bowing his head. 

“Ya don’t gotta avenge me… Yer too good a’ guy t’ back up a crook anyway.”

[thusdoisoar-blog]

His expression began to harden around the edges as he observed. It was a small barb in his heart, watching the man crumple and cringe so under his gaze, but he felt a strong need to press on. He had the bones of this story, a fleeting glimpse of a wholly larger situation.

“'Tis galling indeed for a fellow to impugn your honor, much less the honor of your brothers in arms,” said Wikstrom with a small, sensible nod, “but one must go about righting injustice in the proper way. A duel would be the right and honorable thing. Fiend though he may be, one mustn't catch their opponent unawares.”

The corners of his mouth tapered into a frown, and his shoulders heaved in a sigh. It was duty that made him feel a need to chide Maris a bit... though from the slump to his shoulders and the shame in his eye, perhaps rebuke wasn't entirely needful just now. He squeezed the shoulder, gently. “You need not turn from me, friend. You are a man blinded momentarily by his passions-- I see no criminal here.”

[monkeymastermind]

Bruised Ego || Maris and Wikstrom

Continued from here

thusdoisoar

“Uh… Nah man it’s fine I am just… uh… jumpy.” Maris had expected the guy who decked him to be the one creeping up on him not the good bro after all. “Sorry t’ have snapped at ya…”

Maris trailed off when he noticed Wikstrom inspecting his face. Oh great. He saw it. Tugging at the bandanna some more the grunt glanced away too the side and down. 

“N-nah man! It’s, uh…  just the reflection of the water!” At this point in addition to the purple of his eye Maris’ face was going a shade of red. He didn’t want to admit he had had his ass handed to him! Not to Wikstrom anyway! After all Maris tried hard to impress the guy, not look like a dork in front of him. 

[thusdoisoar-blog]

Wikstrom's frown softened into gentle concern. “All is well, my friend. Surely there is no shame in a battle wound... lest it is ill-gotten and well-earned.” His gaze lingered, curious and perhaps a little questioning, as if an explanation could be gleamed from the young man's face. Failing that, Wikstrom shrugged with a soft clank of metal. “But even still, all men stumble now and again. 'Tis a better thing by far to be forthcoming, is it not?”

He clasped a hand firmly on his shoulder, offering up a wide, indelicate smile. “And I cannot avenge you, besides, not knowing the shape of your story!”

[maalasada-deactivated20180922]

Bonsoir, it’s been a while hasn’t it? A long trip does that to one. I must say, you haven’t changed a bit sice we’ve last seen eachother. I’m just fine, better than ever I could say. And how are you mon amie?

[thusdoisoar-blog]

Haven't I?! Ye gods-- I would have sorely hoped that mine travels would leave a more lasting impression! Some small, well-traveled glint in the eye, mayhaps? Ah, to be cursed with such burdensome stability...!

Ah, but I take it you've been abroad yourself, as of late? A trifling, minor thing to a woman of such celebrity, no doubt, but it does old Wikstrom a world of good to hear tell of your many adventures~!

[thusdoisoar-blog]

flametxt started following you

Zounds! Do mine eyes deceive me, or has humble WIkstrom glimpsed upon the lovely lady Malva?! Ah, I daren't look away, lest this rare vision vanish before me, like a flame to the wind~!

Haha! Which is all to say, how fare thee, my friend? Surely it has been an age since our paths last crossed, work though we may in such close quarters!

[monkeymastermind]

💥!!

There was a low whine in the grunt’s throat as he looked into the water. He was trying to see the extent of his injury and from what he could see in the water it was pretty bad. His eye was swollen shut and it hurt to touch his face. 

“Ow ow ow!” He yelped as he tried to touch the bruised eye gently. Stomping his foot he began waving his hands and hissing. He regretted touching it. “Stupid!” He yelled at himself. 

Turning to leave the water he nearly fell in when he jumped seeing Wikstrom suddenly behind him. 

“AH! Good bro! Don’t sneak up on a guy, huh!?” Grabbing his bandanna he pulled it down over his eye. “What- uh whatcha doin?” Maybe the other hadn’t noticed. 

[thusdoisoar-blog]

Wikstrom, for his part, looked reasonably surprised as well. It was a small wonder and great relief he did not have to fish the poor fellow out from the side of the dock, flailing about as he did. “Oho!” he exclaimed, eyebrows raised in a high arc.

“I must offer my most earnest apologies, my young friend!” He bowed a hasty greeting, hand clasping at his steel-clad chest. “So certain I was I'd happened upon you at some inopportune moment, gazing upon the ocean in melancholic reverie... it seemed a terrible shame to interrupt! Henceforth, before I am within ten paces of you, I shall announce my presence in a loud, clear voice...”

Voice trailing off now, Wkstrom’s brow furrowed in a near cartoonish picture of concentration. Deception! One did not get earn the title of Elite Four member without a sharp eye for this sort of thing! “Sir Maris,” he began a mite slower, voice heavy with noble indignation. “Is that a bloom of purple mine eye has caught, adorning the healthy tan of your face?”

[monkeymastermind]

And holding hands! || Maris and Wikstrom

[monkeymastermind]

Maris had to admit that Wikstrom had quite the grip! In fact it hurt and he didn’t much care for it but he’d endure it if it meant free food. Besides this was nothing compared to the time he got his hand caught in the rope of an anchor that had been thrown overboard. But that was a story for another day. 

The Aqua grunt wasn’t at all disappointed in the other man’s grip. It made sense a knight had strong hands for carrying swords and whatnot. 

“Wait yer rich n’ yer playing a game for food? What are ya some cheap skate?” why else would a rich guy want to make wagers over food? Then again who didn’t like free food?

“Hah!? Really!? Yer givin’ up!?” Loosening his grip he released Wikstroms hand. The praise he got caused the grunt to smirk shyly. 

“Uh well I wouldn’t say all that.. but uh… thanks.” it did seem a little odd though. He hadn’t expected Wikstrom to give in so fast. Was this some kind of trick? But what in the world did Wikstrom have to gain from losing? Very very strange…

[thusdoisoar-blog]

Wikstrom bristled suddenly, brow furrowing slightly with indignation. A cheapskate? “Sir,” he said in cultured, huffy tones, “I am no pinch-penny, I assure you! The value of a wager is nary in gold-- 'tis only needed to add stakes to the game! To sweeten the victory! ” Then, remembering himself to be properly disappointed, he made a valiant attempt at letting his expression crumple. The relief with which he shook out his aching hand, however, was a great deal more convincing.

“Ahum...! Yes, well! In any event, the day is yours, my mighty friend! T'was a battle well fought, and a prize well-earned~” Wikstrom said with an encouraging wink. “Though the meal is yours to choose... might I suggest a restaurant at which a colleague of mine shall be cooking? T'was the very place I was traveling mere moments ago, in fact!”

[monkeymastermind]

And holding hands! || Maris and Wikstrom

[thusdoisoar-blog]

team-aqua-grunt-maris:

Maris grinned up at the taller man as he continued to squeeze the good bro’s hand. Dead fish hand his ass!

“A wager huh?” Feeling Wikstrom tighten his grip Maris only grinned wider. Though he was small it was all muscle and now the muscles were starting to tense as he braced himself. 

“Ah man! You are gonna regret that! I might not be as tall as ya but I can eat a lot! Yer gonna be broke pal!” The aqua grunt leaned in following Wikstrom’s example. “Yeah, I think I can beat ya! Hope ya like vegetarian food.”

The pair's clasped hands began to resemble an arm wrestling match as Wikstrom's muscles strained. Marvelous! His hand, his fingers, were most definitely enveloped in exquisite pain in the vice-grip of Maris's grasp-- indeed, the young man was giving it his all! The fire in his eyes, the smirking pride of it all was utterly invigorating, even in a challenge so small. T'was this sort of thing, Wikstrom was sure, that kept a fellow vibrant beyond his years!

“Aha! But the joke is on you, my friend-- I am exorbitantly rich!” Wikstrom bellowed cheerfully-- his most earnest attempt at a counter. And vegetarian, was it? Perhaps this was yet more banter... or did Maris truly take him for some sort of Lumiose City dandy, eating delicate, mutton-less meals at some cornerside cafe?

The exquisite pain was beginning to wear into just plain, regular pain by now. All in all, he supposed he'd rather gotten what he was looking for out of the exercise-- Maris's heart laid most plain and a truer sense of his friend's strength and drive. With that, smilingly, he was more than pleased to bow out. Wikstrom cleared his throat.

“O, agony...! What torture hath fallen upon mine flesh and bone? Unwittingly I hath challenged a demigod, surely, a specter of strength given form! For pity's sake, Sir Maris, I yield! I yield!” he lamented dramatically, half-falling to his knees.

“Ah, but nature herself doth will it! It would appear I am to take you out to dinner after all~!”

[thusdoisoar-blog]

[Apologies for being scarce today! I’m in the process of gathering pictures and catching up on the HG/SS chapters of the manga in preparation for this Petrel blorg. Wikstrom replies are comin’ right up!]

[monkeymastermind]

And holding hands! || Maris and Wikstrom

[thusdoisoar-blog]

team-aqua-grunt-maris:

Bro

“I guess that makes sense since we both tend t’ wear glove things…” Maris never really thought anything of it though in fact it never even crossed his mind. 

Once what Wikstrom was wearing sunk in Maris did a double take. He had never seen the good bro out of armor. This was… weird. But hey, the good bro looked good. Rock on Wikstrom. 

As his hand was taken Maris blinked. He hadn’t expected it and for some reason it didn’t register to shake the man’s hand. 

‘What do I do with this? Why is he holding my hand? What am I supposed to do?’

Then as Wikstrom commented on his lack of Grip Maris suddenly squeezed the larger man’s hand and pouted his lip. Yer in for it now buddy.

“Ah yeah!? Well how is this grip? ‘M a sea man after all! When I want t’ I can grip real tight!” That sounded weird out loud. 

“Ha-HA! Just so!” Wikstrom exclaimed, eyes dancing with delight as a sort of discomfort blossomed across his hand, edging slightly into pain. This was more along the lines of what Wikstrom had expected-- muscles trained from hoisting masts and swashbuckling and so forth! He was proud, in a way... and in that, an idea occurred to him.

“...A wager, then, my man of the sea!” The man just couldn't pull off 'sly' very well or for very long, but the smirk on his face came close. His own grip tightened as he leaned in just a bit closer. “I propose a meal is owed to the last man to yield! What say you, friend? Do you think you can best the mighty Wikstrom in a contest of strength~?”

[thusdoisoar-blog]

I am mobile but I require the hand holding.

“Aha! There you are, my good man! It occurs to me that I have not shared a proper handshake with you! Well, not one unobstructed by neither glove nor gauntlet!” It was true-- Wikstrom would only be caught out of armor VERY sparingly, though now he seemed to be wearing a finely made button-up and trousers as he jogged over to meet his friend. With a characteristic resoluteness and glaring lack of explanation, he took Maris's hand in his own firm grasp.

“Hoh!” he said with a start. “'Tis a loose grip you have, Sir Maris! Like a-- haha!-- a dead fish, as they say? ♥”

[thusdoisoar-blog]

Nonsexual acts of Intimacy - Select from the following for my muse to respond to...

♔ : Finding your muse wearing their clothes

♕: Holding hands

♖: Having their hair washed by your muse

♗: Your muse falling asleep with their head in my muse's lap.

♘: Cuddling in a blanket fort

♙: Sharing a bed

♚: Head scratches

♛: Sharing a dessert

♜: Shoulder rubs

♝: Reading a book together

♞: Caring for each other while ill (specify which party is which)

♟: Patching up a wound

♤: Taking a bath together

♧: Your muse playing with their hair

♡: Accidentally falling asleep together

♢: Forehead or cheek kisses

♠: Your muse adjusting their jewelry/neck tie/ etc.

♣: Back scratches

♥: Your muse crying about something

♦: Slow dancing

[monkeymastermind]

Ask continued! Wikstrom the sinker.

[thusdoisoar-blog]

team-aqua-grunt-maris:

“Aw c’mon man loosen up. It’s alright. Ya don’t need t’ be embarrassed especially around me! I’m the most embarrassin’ guy I know!” Taking a proud stance Maris placed his hands on his hips. As if being a spaz was something to be proud about. If it would make his friend feel better he didn’t mind admitting to being silly. 

“I’m up t’ the challenge, good bro! Don’t worry! We’ll get ya swimmin’ like a fish in no time!” And again Maris made a little scene by pumping his fists into the air. “Haha! Ya got that right!” 

Maris hadn’t expected anything in return but learning how to fight with a sword sounded like a more than fair trade! He had always thought knights were cool so it would be super awesome to learn to fight like the heros he used to read about. 

“Wow ya mean it!? That’d be sweet! I could duel wit’ the best of ‘em! Put the round table dudes t’ shame!”

“'Tis some comfort then, knowing I am not a lone fool, at least,” Wikstrom said sunnily, chuckling at Maris's bravado. “Bah! 'Tis a foolhardy thing indeed, fretting over such small matters! Forgive silly Wikstrom of his vanity-- 'tis a crack in mine armor I'd rather sought to hide. An imperfection I've been unable to polish away through perseverance and training.”

There was something wistful in his expression, seeping  into his normally unbroken joviality. Like a glint of light off polished steel, it was gone a moment later, and he was quickly back to slapping a heavy hand onto Maris's shoulder. What had he to fear, after all, with a genuine man of the sea at his side?

“Ha-HA! You, my friend, shall stand among the finest knights of our age!” he assured him, always one for overstatements. He spread his free hand out expansively in front of the two of them. “Men will fear where you tread! We shall train you 'til moving your blade is as easy as thought, easy as breath! I rather think you have the frame for it, besides. You're a sturdy fellow-- strong, with a low center of gravity!” He gave him another hearty pat as if to demonstrate. “There, you see? Hard for a man to strike down!”

[thusdoisoar-blog]

[Heyo. I think I'm gonna have to drop ol' Wikstrom. I might come back with a side account or somethin' later on down the line, but for now you can find me at Cherrygrove City. Love y’all!!]

[monkeymastermind]

Ask continued! Wikstrom the sinker.

[thusdoisoar-blog]

team-aqua-grunt-maris:

“I was kiddin’ I don’t actually think ya are like that, good bro.” He tried to explain but the sight of the man going red-faced was pretty funny. It became less funny when the big guy deflated though.  “R-really? Ya can’t swim?” Looking the man over he thought about it for a moment. Well he did look like a sinker. But those muscles could be trained to swim. Maris was sure of it.  “I could teach ya t’ swim! I mean if ya wanna. I don’t wanna force ya but if you’d like t’ I’ll teach ya t’ swim. We could go find a pool t’ start with.”

Wikstrom cleared his throat with a minor flush to his cheeks. Though it was hardly the first time Wikstrom had not caught onto a joke, he was still rather aghast at himself for taking the young man's teasing at face value. “Ah! Mm, yes, quite so...!” he said with a nod-- a clumsy attempt at being smooth.

“'Tis a monumental thing you offer, Sir Maris. Though I must warn you-- many great men and women have made tried before you.” He smiled down sheepishly at the grunt... though he was not entirely joking. “Ah, but I must think if anyone is capable of shaping poor Wikstrom into a man of the sea, t'would be you, Sir Maris-- the shining star of the Team Aqua elite!”

Starting off in a pool certainly didn't hurt matters either; though it was true that Wikstrom was fully incapable of swimming, the thought of the open ocean also set his stomach in knots. One problem at a time, he supposed.

“It would be an honor to work with you, my good man, of course! Mayhaps I could teach you a spot of swordplay in the bargain~?”

[monkeymastermind]

I... presume honorary Team Aqua members are excluded from any maritime events? Being plucked off the firm certainty of land, for instance, to be haplessly thrust into the cold, immeasurable depths of the open ocean? ( ･ั﹏･ั)

“Wha- oh! Nah, good bro, if ya wanna join in on the fun ya can! Um unless ya don’t wanna.” Scooting closer to his armor clad friend the grunt grinned. “Ya afraid a’ gettin’ yer hair wet? Or is that armor gonna rust?”

[thusdoisoar-blog]

“Good sir!” Wikstrom gasped, his deep voice awash in offense and surprise. “To think I would concern myself with petty frivolities like the state of mine hair! To imply that my mighty armor would take so easily to rusting…!” He gathered himself up, huge and red-faced, like a puffed out silvery bird. Then, with a moment’s hesitation, he seemed to utterly deflate.

“Honesty for honesty, my young friend… I cannot swim a stroke, ‘tis all. My sturdy frame is inclined to sink like an exquisitely muscled stone!”

[thusdoisoar-blog]

thoughts on the current champ?

Aha! If you are referring to our Lady Diantha, grand duchess of the Pokemon League, I should hope I’ve made my feelings abundantly clear in previous inquiries, sir or madam! No tongue, no language can properly describe the pride I feel in working beside the woman! She is the pride of Kalos– through facing her, trainers are honed and shaped into true masters of the craft!

Or mayhaps you speak of the young trainer who most recently surmounted the League challenge, besting not only myself but my comrades in glorious combat? Ahh, thoughts of our battle still make my pulse quicken…! T'was as if trainer and Pokemon moved with one mind– nay, one divine purpose!Sir Calem was the young trainer’s name, and ‘tis no small disappointment that the lad has not taken the mantle of Champion on a more permanent basis. A shame, for I fear his very desire to move doggedly forward hath made him ill suited for training with us. Ah! Such is the nature of the human heart, one supposes!

[thusdoisoar-blog]

"Wow really!? That's the first yes I got! I gotcha though, good bro. It can be honorary."

“The first of ‘yes’ of many, I assure you! Perseverance is a man’s strongest armor in the face of rejection– so long as you press on, success will one day find you! Ask with fire in thine eyes and passion in thine heart, my lad, and you shall not leave a single soul unmoved!“