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Post by birdy51 on Sept 29, 2021 11:43:04 GMT
"I've had a good few days." Muku says truthfully, masking her emotions with a vague smile. But though the answer was truthful, it deliberately hid the much more complicated truth. The familiar mental block emerges. Everything became much more complicated the moment she became a human. Thoughts that flew in like water bursting forth from a geyser, wild mood swings. Well. She already experienced wild mood swings as a Starly, but now they felt much more frequent. Her 'mood' was now something she was aware of. A frightening thing, another weird, inexplicable thing that came with being human.
And then, what has she lost? A connection to the flock, to everything everything she had known?
But, maybe she had gained a few new things too. A plock of friends she would never have met otherwise. The chance to go up against a titan of the ocean depths and live to the tell the tale. If she ever had time to make a nest and start a new family line, she would have such knowledge to pass on now.
Tears well up in her eyes inexplicably quickly. Ooh. Now, that was a thought. That was a bad thought. Cause if she ever did raise children, they really wouldn't be Starly would they? They'd be human. Like her.
No. No, no, no, no. Not thinking about that horrible no-good thought right now. She makes a motion as if to wipe errant sea water from her eyes and tries to change the track of thoughts before they led her off that cliff. With a sharp sniff, she tugs on the back of her hat and pulls her body up straight as she resumes control of herself. "Hey. So. Maybe let's just leave that one where it is, alright? I understand where you're coming from. There are things about my whole thing that I would change if I could change the thing too. So. Yeah. Don't worry about all of this. As long as it is fun right?"
She pauses. An epiphany of sorts. "Maybe... Rest and recover. Be ready. Because even if there isn't a path forward yet, if you keep marching, then... Maybe. Just maybe something opens up. A perspective, a thought, an opportunity. I don't know. I was literally a bird for what felt like a long time. But I do know that as a human... There's gotta be some kind of light at the end of the tunnel, you know?"
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Sept 29, 2021 18:23:47 GMT
"You're thinking too confined, narrow, small.". Archie waved Muku's notion off and pulled himself to his feet up the railing. "It's not a tunnel to hunt light in the dark.". He waved a thick, calloused hand out across the endless sparkling blue around the vessel, then upwards at the expanding hole in the clouds that bathed the ship in afternoon sunlight.
"Freedom is an important thing Muku. To people, and Pokemon. Go where you want, find the places that best suit you, the people that best suit you. Eat your fill, feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. Laugh loud, and often. Be bold, take risks, make friends, make enemies. Never give consideration to words like 'cant' or 'shouldnt'."
Archie firmly clapped one of her hands in his, and gripped her wrist. "When you've explored this, and gotten bored of it, maybe Maxie can set you right. I'll beat the idea into him."
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Post by birdy51 on Sept 29, 2021 21:18:46 GMT
Muku stares down at the pair of hands holding hers. Behind closed lips, her teeth tighten. While her eyes meet his, her thoughts are elsewhere pondering what he had said.
Freedom. When did she ever have ‘freedom’? All her life, she had constrained herself to the ties of her flock. After that, she tied herself to others. Made a new flock. A ‘plock’. And then she lost them too. Then the apocalypse happened. And lo’ and behold, guess who had to fight it? Say goodbye to Terra, it’s time to go punch gods.
…Even if she was a Starly, whose to say she wouldn’t have ended with some trainer. Maybe treated well. Maybe not.
But choice wasn’t a factor. It wouldn’t be then. It isn’t now. There was probably going to be some other threat. Watching. Waiting. Her hands pull back, as if retreating from any angry fire. What’s to say Archie wouldn’t end up going back on his words anyways? Muku couldn’t trust him. He could act all chummy, but the fact is, he tried to kill her and Terra once before and was prepared to drown the world. This wasn’t a man worth taking advice from.
“I’ll keep it in mind.” She says coldly. “I’ve got to get going. I’m going to… Yeah. I’m going to…”
She hesitates, words on repeat as she stares off into the bright, sunny distance. Head empty, words failing. What came next? That. That’s the question, right?
…Just what was she going to do now?
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Sept 29, 2021 22:13:22 GMT
Archie seemed disappointed with the sudden downward shift in Muku's behavior and tucked his thumb behind his belt. "Suit yourself then." He answered gruffly, took a few shallow breaths and limped off towards his cabin without another word. Shelly and the large, darkly tanned man who had hardly spoken a word watched him leave.
In accordance with Archie's wishes, she was left alone. Truly alone. The crew didn't speak to her unless spoken to. Cordial if not necessarily helpful. Aside from not being permitted into personal quarters or the engine room/bridge/storage areas, she is given the run of the ship.
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Post by birdy51 on Sept 29, 2021 23:25:30 GMT
Well and truly lost for words, Muku remains out on the deck of the ship for a long time trying to piece together the next step. She quietly appreciated the distance she was given; because from here on, she didn’t have a clue.
This was probably freedom. She didn’t like it.
She was used to the idea of having a goal. Getting stronger, beating up strong people to get there. Now, she was strong, and there were no strong people left. Figuratively anyways. Strong and had to be stopped. There was the ticket.
But, maybe. Maybe she didn’t have to answer yet.
First, she needed to find Terra and bring her back to Thel. That’s why she started this right? Finding Monolith, she mounts up and does a great think. Cianwood. If things go wrong, that’s probably where she could find her. If nothing, she needed to settle up with Chuck and Miranda.
“Alright. Take us home Monolith.” She says. Homeward bound… Whichever direction that was.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Sept 30, 2021 22:09:06 GMT
Monolith enjoys warm thermal highs and a favorable tailwind, gliding along half asleep with minimal effort and energy expended, letting out a screech of triumph when Cianwood comes into view. A hand beaten seawall now swaddles the beach houses protectively away from the ocean, though several on the outer edges of town were lost.
The veritable army of Pokemon that had piled in to construct the barricade were nowhere in sight, nor was the disturbing thing that floated in the dark on wings of biceps. People were outside, chattering animatedly about the sun. Overjoyed at the break in their nightmares at last. Monolith landed.
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Post by birdy51 on Oct 5, 2021 11:57:28 GMT
Landing, Muku slips off onto the ground with a hollow thud and squelch. Sun hot, dirt and sand? Still a bit wet. Well. Give it a day maybe. She claps a hand to the warm side of her vaguely draconic friend and says, "Easy now Monolith. Rest up, alright?" , before returning the venerable titan to their Pokéball. She looks around. A faint mote of contentment fills her heart as Muku begins to walk the dirt roads and streets that lined Cianwood proper. Yes, there was quite a bit of damage here, but it was good to see all these people be so happy about the rain finally stopping. It made her happy to know that her efforts weren't in vain.
She and her partners saved this town. And would they even know it? Probably not. Muku preferred it that way really. Any credit probably went to Xatu. Without him then, well. It's doubtful that she would have done any of this. For now at least, she could be content to rest on her laurels. Maybe take a break? Well. Maybe. Maybe after she found Terra.
For now at least...
Her feet take her first to the Pokemon Center out of reflex. This was no longer a human thing; but a trainer thing. Ostensibly, she was there because she needed to drop off Rat. But maybe... Just maybe...
...Did they have muffins?
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Oct 5, 2021 18:42:43 GMT
On entering the center, Muku immediately registers that there are muffins and eggs. Potatoes, bacon. Many delicious breakfast wonders that never ran out while she was here before. She notes that Joy is not at her desk. Three heavy, rapid footfalls give her enough warning to turn and attempt to defend herself, Joy managing to bearhug the girl's arms to her side in the initial rush. (Joy controls the grapple).
"If it isn't my favorite muffin thief. Chuck wouldn't shut up about you after the sky cleared.". She smiles brilliantly, but doesn't loosen her hold. (24 to pin!)
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Post by birdy51 on Oct 5, 2021 21:30:38 GMT
“Oh. I am beyond you now, Nurse Joy.” Muku mutters ominously. She kicks off her shoes to the side and smirks. The pressure of the danger hug is relieved in an instant as Muku becomes intangible, coat swooshing, floating through the air as she lands ever so softly on the other side of the Nurse’s workstation.
T-posing unironically for dominance, she holds her hands out wide and with a powerful voice, says, “I have fought three powerful birds, and one more powerful still. I’ve stopped the rain whale and have come back alive. I am here, because I must heal my Rat and eat my single allotment of chia seed muffin.”
Her head cocks to the side ominously, one shadowed eye peaking beneath her hat, daring. “Is that going to be a problem?”
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Oct 5, 2021 22:17:22 GMT
There is a soft thud as Joy hits the mat without her prisoner. There is a brief moment of confusion, then a good natured laugh as she takes her seat behind her counter. "Not sure how you slipped that hold, but alright, leave your critters with me and help yourself. You at least earned your muffins this time."
She sets about warming up the healing machine and doesn't seem to pay Muku any further mind.
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Post by birdy51 on Oct 6, 2021 0:39:20 GMT
It takes longer than she would have thought for Muku to return to herself. Hyped up and ready for battle, she was let down by the sudden lack of challenge. Perhaps that's not the right word. Put off? Or maybe, set ill at ease, for in her haste, she was so ready to throw down with the local nurse that she had not yet considered whether or not that was the situation at all. It occurs to her a few minutes after t-posing that there was in fact no threat at all here and that her grandstanding was a fruitless charade that only served to inform her that she had completely misread the situation.
She was the person who responded to figures leaping out in from the dark proffering cake and joy by lashing out in a violent tempest. But that wasn't her metaphor. It was someone else's metaphor. Her metaphor probably involved birds, and moreover, she didn't even have the slightest clue about what a birthday party was. So instead, we find her sitting at a nearby table. A chia seed muffin sits in front of her, as she shakes her head. The young trainer doesn't know how she got to the table. She does not know where the muffin came from, but assumed it came from the open buffet nearby. It was a healthy logical leap to make.
Rubbing her tempestuous temples tempestuously, she draws her gaze upon Cianwood's Nurse Joy and pipes up. "Hey. Uh. Sorry. About that whole... Thing. I think I'm just a bit on edge yet. Lot a flying. Not a whole lot of sleeping. Too much... Beeping." She frowns and picks up the muffin. Out of politeness, she nibbles a little bit of it. Strange. A delicious muffin lay before her, and yet she had no real desire to eat it. Off. She just felt a bit... Off, maybe.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Oct 6, 2021 18:26:43 GMT
The apology seemed to temper Joy's boisterous demeanor. She leaned on a well muscled arm and looked up into Muku's eyes as she took her partners into her care. The bird girl, rider of birds, slayer of birds, the Word of Bird. She could not be sure how long she stared off into space.
Something warm and furry leaned against her side. Rat pilfered her mostly untouched muffin and consumed it with much joyous chewing and cheek stuffing. He also considered Muku with his sharp eyes.
"I should probably look after your Duoblade too, if you'll tuck him away?". Joy probed from her flank. "We have beds if you want to lie down for a bit."
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Post by birdy51 on Oct 6, 2021 21:30:48 GMT
"Oh! Right. They had a few injuries as well. Nothing serious; and I think they actually recovered when they took out this eel thing, but they could still use a once over. I think." Muku replies in a daze. As her hand passes on to Talon's Pokeball, there was a slight twitch. A scratching against the container. Odd. It takes a few more tries until she's successfully able to disconnect the Pokeball from the holster, and then a few more seconds before she finds herself willing to actually give Talon to Nurse Joy. The whole incident causes her to frown. Usually that motion came pretty easy to her; natural. So why was this time so... Weird?
She tried not to give it a second thought. What she did give a second thought, was Rat. Rat was a very good creature who deserved attention. This, in spite of their thieving ways. Turning her attention to the best of friends, she gives him a loving scratch with both hands, cupping the loveable creature and getting in deep past the fat. "Yeah. Yeah! You eat that muffin. You EAT it! You did really, really good you know? I know it can't be easy doing such a really, really tough thing like that but it really helped. That Double-Edge was fantastic! Just like a danger bird would, just like one!"
Mid scratch, it dawns on her that most her team didn't know that they had won. So, for now, she released also the more 'friendly' members of her team, Hornise, Whoopie Goldsire, and of course, Mmip. Her smile said everything as she chose to grip them tightly in turn. They had won. They deserved to know it too.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Oct 7, 2021 21:04:35 GMT
Mmip immediately made for the window, excitedly squealing with glee at the sight of the sun, her expression turns to one of pure wonderment as she starts to explore the air currents of the center's ventilation system.
Rat seems very much to appreciate the affection, puffing up his body big and strong and proud. The time with Muku was much better then scrounging for dried rations and the odd but of fish. This was new, and nice, how she worked her fingers deep into his paunch and praised him. He must earn more of this.
Hornise looks about curiously, testing random pieces of furniture with THE HORN. Hornise must be called to heel to be praised for Victory.
Whoopie slowly considers the room, her attention settling on Muku's face, before she wisely sets a hand on the girl's shoulder as if to say 'its going to be okay'.
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Post by birdy51 on Oct 7, 2021 23:08:54 GMT
“Yeah, I know. You’ll miss the rain. But it’ll come back. Just in more reasonable amounts!” Muku says, entirely missing the point of Whoopie’s worry. Outwardly, her mood seems to have softened somewhat, though undoubtedly her wild mood swings yet still lurked behind those brown eyes.
Leaving Mmip to enjoy the joy of the sun, she does turn amused eyes over atop Hornise, who seemed intent upon great harm upon a nearby chair. “Hornise! Hey! That’s a chair. Don’t break the chair. Otherwise, the nurse might put you in a horn lock and toss you onto the mat.”
Releasing a small, agitated breath, she rises and pulls a plate for the strange, egg thing with plants suspended in the yellow goodness and a bowl, which she tops nearly to the brim with some kind of syrup before proffering the plate to her powerful friend. “I… I think we have a break. We have a break, for now. I think. Once Talon is all healed up, then we’ll see Chuck. Then…”
Her smile falters. Right. After that, a parting. Oof. That wasn’t fun to think about either.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Oct 8, 2021 19:13:11 GMT
Joy watches Mmip careen around the room, propelled by the air conditioning, the electronic doors opening at every pass. She shakes her head with a smile and leans in to do paperwork. The healing machine softly and periodically behind her.
Hornise sets upon the bowl of syrup awkwardly. Used to chewing through bark to lick at things, she tries to fit her face directly into the bowl. It isn't working particularly well as she rolls it side to side, threatening to spill it. There is the odd lapping noise or slurp as she manages. Hornise tries so hard.
Woopie opens her mouth very wide and thumps her face down over egg plate, and chews in a half prone position over the table. She seems satisfied with the offering. Consumption was important to be a big shot. When the hot eggs were very chewed and mostly swallowed from the plate, the salamander made for the water cooler and helped herself.
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Post by birdy51 on Oct 9, 2021 2:02:22 GMT
”This is fine.” Muku thinks to herself, watching sadly as yet another one of her Pokémon decides to eat her meal. But the sadness didn’t last too long. The room was loud now. Hornise’s quiet buzzing. Rat’s gentle chirping. Whoopie moistly rubbing their broad maw across the plate. Mmip’s joyful experience with the air conditioner, even if that one did leave her with the faint feeling like she needed to either lay down and sleep or walk over and punch the nurse.
But she wouldn’t do any such thing of course.
Instead, she got a third plate and this time jealously guard it’s as she eats her egg. No second muffin though. She knew better this time.
“So. Hey. Chuck is at home, right? Did you see him around? How is holding up?” She asks the nurse.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Oct 11, 2021 21:57:22 GMT
"He's been bedridden a couple days. We had some weird Pokemon arrive the day after you left. Wouldn't leave the Pokemon alone that were assisting us. Lot of them ended up scattering in the woods. Chuck pulled a few things overdoing it, but the wall is done. Other then that, things are about back to normal. Miranda is glad to have him home."
"Hey uh... You been struggling to make sense of the world? Not enjoying things the way you used to, including food and sleep?". Joy probed gently.
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Post by birdy51 on Oct 12, 2021 2:14:46 GMT
All about Nurse Joy's story, Muku's ears were prickling, intense. So. Was there perhaps some unknown threat? Maybe it was the strange, muscled, not bird, floating through the air by the power of strength alone. A horrifying wretched creature. One to be destroyed by all means necessary.
Her throat clenches, swallows hard. She knew this to be the case. Deep in her heart. Just about as Muku was about to leave however, the questions reach her ears. "I think I'm getting the hang of it. Bad things get perpetrated by bad things. I have to to take care of them before the people I care about get hurt. Not sure if I really taste food. I sleep ok? Maybe. I'm usually exhausted, so I sleep good. That's good enough right?"
She cocks her head, staring at the nurse quizzically. "Was it a thing that flew on muscle power? Like, no wings, just big muscles? Because I think I saw that thing once and if it's causing trouble, I'm not afraid of killing it because it looks like an abomination. Pidgeys aren't the only things that need to be punished for existence."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Oct 12, 2021 19:01:02 GMT
"I... What?". Joy seemed confused by the statement. "It has wings, but it was certainly... strange. Like a tremendously muscular insect. Four stubby legs... A physique that makes Gunshow look fat... Tiny eyes, clear wings... A small head on a bulky body. It's mostly a deep, dark red. The color of blood."
There was a moment of hesitation. "Could I keep Talon for further observation?"
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