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[ The library seems the best place to meet overall if not a preferred meeting spot for many, but she opts instead to have Nanu meet her somewhere a little more quiet. It had taken a very strange task for the her to vocalize the suggestion she'd had since day one and been honestly surprised that he'd agreed to. Nanu did like his privacy, after all.

She's chosen a restaurant they both didn't dislike despite the exterior leaving much to desire to meet at. Hardly bustling or in the more active areas, it allowed them to have some privacy before heading out. There were a few promising places nearer the outskirts of the city -- and some a little beyond that -- which seemed like they may be adequate. The problem, of course, was finding a place that had an open enough concept that Krookodile and Raikou in particular would be able to get around (Salamence, she knew, would be a bit difficult in general) and preferably with a large yard. It didn't matter if it was fenced off, just so long as the property belonged to them. She'd made the suggest for a fenced-in yard based on the fact that some stranger might assume they're actual monsters and attack even if their pokemon were plenty friendly.

They could build it with ease, of course. She didn't expect that Nanu would be very pleased about that, though.

Renting wouldn't be an issue if not for the likelihood that claws and large tails and wings might leave marks and leave them in an awkward (and expensive) situation, so after much discussion it was settled on rent-to-own. It's an odd thing to be discussing with Nanu but in some ways it feels exihilirating and absolutely wonderful, things around her just a little brighter when he makes a suggestion or they discuss something they like or dislike.

It's been mostly uneventful, but some landlords simply aren't ideal. Too high-strung even if they would be contractually obligated to carry on and own the place. Then there was the current one, an elderly woman who had run a farm with her husband who had more recently passed and addressed the two of them as Mr. and Mrs. Nanu and seemed to want the tradition to carry on.

And really, who was she to deny it when she hasn't confirmed it, either? They've finally been left alone to explore the place and the plentiful property -- which included a large shed and an attractive sunroom for gardening during the colder months. Anabel is the first to lead him away from the potential landlord with a practiced smile, gently pushing at his elbow with a hand and curving her fingers around it to have him come into the kitchen with her. There's laughter in her voice that threatens to spill over is all too clear even as she keeps her volume low. ]

Well, Deerling, I think this one certainly is better than the last we looked at.

[ That one would take a lot of work. It could be interesting, but they've obviously other things to focus on than rebuilding a home from the ground-up. ]

[ It's Absol that has her knock herself out of the place she's wedged herself into. The misery and hurt and uncertainty of it all is buried and gone, replaced with concern for Nanu (and naturally, his pokemon, as well). If things were going well, Absol wouldn't have tracked her all the way to the other side of Verens in a small apartment. Nothing about it is home in any sense and she tries not to stay there most of the time she's awake because there's hardly enough room for even her smaller pokemon to be let loose -- and the larger ones needed space to run.

She wasn't happy for the past few weeks, but she needed time to sort through her feelings and not let it rise to anger. Some nights she was unbelievably unhappy to an extent she trekked out for a drink or two, -- something that was reserved for too much paperwork or a difficult and harrowing case. It still felt empty if not hollow, weak and lost without Nanu. She'd always felt strongly about him and it was true to an extent that she'd settled in with him with such ease... but she'd never really thought about it or how her feelings ran through her deep and strong and he'd so very often cross her mind. Over ten years without cards or gifts or the feeling of warmth that came when someone stood close to you. Without that almost-sly chuckle of his, without a sidelong glance or knowing smirk.

It all still fell into place.

She'd thanked Absol, offered a few berries while she packed the little clothing she had and awkwardly and almost shyly (as if Absol might judge) decided on what to wear. She was dressed perfectly fine, but it felt like she needed the armor or familiarity of a blazer to confront him again. Too eager to wait, she opts to go as-is in a light, white sleeveless blouse with a bit of a tie-like embellishment, black slacks, and another pair of plain black heels. She looks at herself, still, in the mirror, smoothing out her shirt and pants and quietly asking his pokemon if she looks alright.

No red rims around her eyes, there's a certain glow to her that doesn't go unnoticed by her. Hopefulness, maybe? Room checked over, she makes her way back with Absol at her side even as her nerves fray at the edges when she can't decide whether she should knock on the door or not. Ultimately, she just enters through the back door and allows herself the upper-hand, looking for both his pokemon and him. When she tries to call out and at least give him a warning, she finds that anxiety prevents it.

She lets Absol lead the way. ]

We are out of milk again. I believe you should, perhaps, indulge in it less...

Ah, Nanu! Did you hear?

[ It's much later in the evening than expected when she finally manages to spot Nanu in the distance. It's not so far or crowded that she needs to run to catch him, but she certainly picks up the pace. By now, some of her hair has loosened, but it still remains mostly intact aside from a length spilling over the side against her cheek. She smiles warmly when she catches his eyes and stops just short of where he's settled.

...what... what happened to him? This might be the last time he'll agree to an event like this from the looks of it, but she hopes it wasn't too terrible... ]

There you are! You make it difficult to find you, you know. [ He must have gotten sidetracked just as well as she had, in this case. Her cheeks are flushed from some wine she's shared, but it was only a respectable amount and she's certain that though it might have affected her positively it really didn't seem to make her anything different than usual while content and with a friend. But she's already taking his hand in hers without much of a second thought -- clearly not the alcohol. But if not the alcohol, then one very important thing should be addressed, shouldn't it? ] I hope everything is alright... ah. Did... did you get into a fight, Nanu?

[ She's managed to only bump into him a few times, but sooner or later her avoidance will get noticed. Likely, it already has. Her internal voice comes in exhausted and quiet; like she's struggling to remain awake. Weak. ]

I'm... I'm not feeling terribly well, so I will be sequestering myself to my room for now. Please do not worry about me, I'll just be keeping to myself for the foreseeable future.

[ She really hopes it does. She isn't put together at all, wearing a pair of shorts and a much too large t-shirt in an attempt to stave off the heat and the pain. Her hair is a little frizzy between the heat and sweat and lack of care and she feels like she must look gaunt and unpleasant. ]

It should pass soon enough.

Meowth... k--cat? Cat followed me home, help? What do I do? What do I feed it??

[ Again, they were separated for some time, but Anabel hopes that his evening went better than the last event. This time, he had Persian at his side so hopefully she was able to distract and catch some slack for him with anyone more interested in causing him strife too busy cooing over her to bother with him. Hopefully, at least.

When Anabel spots him from a distance, she picks up her pace so she doesn't lose him in the crowd and carefully falls to a light jog when approaching. Sidling up beside him, she gently scoops his arm up. ]

There you are.

[ Hey look it's the friend who doesn't want you to be a shaman! It's just a box of macarons; decently sized and clearly store bought. Fresh, at the very least. It's wrapped in silver foil gift wrap with a red and green striped ribbon tied around it with an accompanying card.

I had no idea what to get you, sorry. I figured this would do at least? If you don't like them I'll send a pie or something your way.

Have a good one. It's just signed "Jill">. ]

[it's quite late. or is it early? archie's not sure. he doesn't have a digital watch, and he doesn't have the energy to lift his head and look up and the nearby clocktower. it's also cold, but he doesn't care. crobat is sitting near him on the ground, grunting and chittering, likely lecturing its trainer on being stupid. he just stays where he is, laying on his back on a bench near the side of the street. maybe he'll luck out and a meteor will strike him.

archie cares about what crobat has to say, but he's too tired to do anything about it. his fifth wind faded about half an hour ago and now he's back to wishing he was in the fuckin' ground. what day is it? when did he last sleep longer than an hour? he truly doesn't remember.

while archie is ruminating on the meaning of life, crobat has spotted a friend and started hopping towards him.]

Crobat! [it twitters. hello!]

Edited 2019-01-16 23:43 (UTC)

[ She's as prepared as she can be for this, now. It's been a thought for months now in passing and a more intensely intrusive one for the past weeks. It's something she can't shake, something she has a sincere need to bring to light. Today alone, she has waited. From first light -- as she often wakes -- and through simple daily tasks, the average tending to of the berries outside, feeding pokemon, and showering them with attention before showering and doing a bit of cleaning. It's still early when she finishes -- before noon -- and she gathers herself up and tells herself she's being silly.

Anabel takes her time outside his bedroom door. Hand curled like the knots in her stomach before she raises it higher and knocks at the door frame. She waits a moment and opens the door, peeking in slightly. ]

Good afternoon. May I have some of your time?

[ That... probably isn't how she should've started this. ]

[ It's just an image of Krookodile rolling in sand. That's it. ]

[ Anabel has a large, cotton bag attached to her shoulder as she shuffles ahead of Nanu with a hum. She's lured by the sweet smell of ripe fruit, nearly all unfamiliar to her. The shapes are similar to berries in some cases, but often the colors are different and the interior flesh will have a different texture and taste. She can never gauge if she's meant to eat the outside, whether it is thick or thin. She's stopped before guava; small, green spheres that remind her of Lum berries. Anabel has had them before, having bought a few when she saw them on sale previously. The exterior doesn't seem edible, but it is. It's a little more sour than the interior, which has an almost custard-texture and hard but edible tiny seeds. She likes it a lot (and so did Weavile, which was why she hadn't returned home with any) and they're fragrantly ripe without bordering rotten.

Scooping one up, she can't help but breathe it in before filling her hands and putting them in the bag. She leaves one out, which she holds out to Nanu. ]

I think you'll like this. It's a bit sour and sweet -- a little like you, come to think of it. [ Her face is dusted the faintest pink as she laughs at her tease with pursed lips. ] I wish it was easier to decide what to buy. I do like strawberries, at least... hm.

[Nanu just receives the same phrase echoing from Blue's memory over and over for about 10 seconds]

Room full of blood Room full of blood Room full of blood ROOM FULL OF BLOOD

The oxbow lake, which is the most common type of fluvial lake, is a crescent-shaped lake that derives its name from its distinctive curved shape. Oxbow lakes are also known as cutoff lakes. Such lakes form regularly in undisturbed floodplains as a result of the normal process of fluvial meandering. Either a river or stream forms a sinuous channel as the outer side of its bends are eroded away and sediments accumulate on the inner side, which forms a meandering horseshoe-shaped bend. Eventually as the result of its meandering, the fluvial channel cuts through the narrow neck of the meander and forms a cutoff meander.

[someone's reading, and it's being broadcast into nanu's brain.]

I already know this... Unidirectional water flow is the key factor in lotic systems influencing their ecology. Stream flow can be continuous or intermittent, though. Stream flow is the result of the summative inputs from groundwater, precipitation, and overland flow. Water flow can vary between systems, ranging from torrential rapids to slow backwaters that almost seem like lentic systems--

[he's gonna keep reading this book, unaware he's broadcasting. better say something.]

[ She stands near the entrance of her room now that she's found herself in her pajamas, her hair braided and over her shoulder to keep it twisting in the night and she's quick to remove some of the decorative pillows to the other side of the room so they might be more comfortable.

Persian seems ready to hop on up and pass out but she looks over to Nanu. ]

Ah... which side would you prefer? I do not move around much in my sleep or on a particular side of the bed. I do often side-sleep, though.

[ So she'll be snuggling up before either of them know it. ]

Nanu! [someone's calling from outside. nanu might recognise the voice immediately, but also might be grateful it's not some stupid time in the morning. no, it's mid-afternoon. there's an awkward knocking at the door as archie kicks it lightly with his foot.] You in there? I got somethin' for you! Two things, actually!

Yo Nanu—how much you know about that whole memory transferin' business?

[He knows Nanu knows how to do it, but it's not like he really paid attention to anything that's ever been explained to him about these amulets beyond the very basic of functions.]

[one day after nanu comes back from a walk or an outing or whatever, he'll come into the kitchen to see archie sitting on the counter eating an orange.

the right way, this time. he just waves at the kahuna. says nothing. like this is... normal?]

[So, basically Guzma's been pretty quiet and to himself for the past week or so, or so it seems. Kind of odd for the ex-gang leader, because usually he's getting up to some shit, and maybe he'd have bothered Nanu about it or something! But he hasn't. In fact, he's been pretty MIA for a bit now, and he certainly hasn't answered anyone who might have tried to contact him.

During the evening one night, however, he finds himself at Nanu's doorstep. He's got a half drank bottle of liquor in one hand, with his hood pulled up over his head—looking every bit suspicious. Fortunately, and unlike Archie, he doesn't try to bust in. Instead, he just rests his back against the door and settles on finishing his bottle silently.

He doesn't knock, he doesn't even ring Nanu up. Instead, he just decides to sit there and wait. Whether for Nanu to come by (if he isn't home already), or for him to open the door. But considering it's the middle of the night, chances are neither will happen, and so he'll end up likely falling asleep there until Nanu stumbles across his sorry ass snoozing on his door. Hunched forward with his head hanging, arms crossed over his chest in a futile effort to keep himself warm during the chill of the night, while the empty bottle of booze is on its side not too far from him.]

[All of a sudden, one day a young girl's voice calls into his head.]

Yoo-hoo! Is this Mister Nanu?

[What Nanu receives is the image of what is very clearly and unmistakable a Pokémon egg in Guzma's lap, while Golisopod joyfully inspects it. It's notably Guzma's lap, because his hands are resting on the egg, and there's his stupid gaudy gold watch on one wrist, and his black and white bracelets on the other. The image is clearly from Guzma's Point of view, too.

Also by now Nanu's probably pretty damn familiar with what it's like linking minds with the idiot ex-skull boss.

But that's it. Guzma doesn't say anything, no explanation, no nothing. There's just a feeling of... bafflement, really. He figures the image says enough, anyway.]

[there's a gift, one day. it's a bunch of new sandals. you're welcome.

...okay, no there's also a note:] catch you back home, old man. don't expire until then.

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action, backdated to mid-may.

action, idk about two weeks ago?

mental text i guess!!

wait here's another one!!

since you did event starter, i owe you this.