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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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May 15, 2024 21:00:37 GMT
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Post by Robot on Apr 16, 2023 18:22:15 GMT
"Normal is really overrated." Falkner smiled and looked over the eyrie with flyers of every shape and color going about their business, with their own traits and quirks. "Normal isn't adventurous, it isn't free, or inquisitive. Normal doesn't push itself to be out of the ordinary. It just is. It's comfortable, familiar, safe." He gestured towards his myriad feathered friends with a sweep of his arm.
"For them, just getting out of bed is a risk, but they soar! Any misstep is a fall that could cost a wing or a beak, but that's life! We're frail, and short lived... but... if I'm only going to be here for a little while, why confine myself to a little box and call it normal? They don't have to fight for food here... can come and go as they please. Sometimes I go with them... just to know what it feels like."
Falkner's face heated, and he took bashful. "Thanks... and uh... sorry for the ramble."
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Post by birdy51 on Apr 19, 2023 21:11:29 GMT
"No need to apologize." Muku smiles, her fingers absently tracing the poffin bag. "It sounds like a good philosophy. Not sure if it works for me but... I wouldn't mind trying it sometime. Life is if nothing else, an adventure right?"
Muku holds up her free arm, producing a small, cutely feather shaped treat before popping it into her mouth. The taste is... Not great. But it wasn't bad! She could eat another. Probably. She reaches down and pulls out another to offer it to Falkner, holding it high as she crosses it before her falconing arm.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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May 15, 2024 21:00:37 GMT
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Post by Robot on Apr 22, 2023 11:35:18 GMT
"Not what I meant when I suggested a meal, but alright." Falkner smiled, a little warmth spreading across his cheeks as he gripped her falconer arm in both hands and leaned in to take the Poffin by mouth, grimacing lightly at the taste. His eyes twinkled. When he was done chewing and swallowed, he shrugged and managed a laugh. "A little tart for my tastes but I made them myself, so I can't complain too much. So, how does this Starly want to spend the rest of its day? I'm free."
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Post by birdy51 on Apr 26, 2023 20:46:06 GMT
"Well, I can think of a few ways." Muku replies with entirely too much confidence in spite of the horrified Starly beeping inside of her with a vengeance. She's able to linger on that for a good several seconds, her eyes searching Falkner's for some inexplicable something. But alas. Her countenance breaks suddenly, her body jerking somewhat suddenly. "I uh... Right. Right. I do need to use your phone. I've gotten so caught up in things that I had nearly forgotten but Mentor, one of my Pokémon, they started acting weird today."
Her lips purse into a frown. "He's ah... He died. Recently. But he got better. But also, he got worse? Mentor is a moochbird, Xatu, and apparently that doesn't mix well with the whole being dead thing."
She shakes off the falconer's glove for the moment, crossing into the other room. Now reawakened to the important things she ought to be doing besides talking to this horrifying, yet interesting human, she moves with a purpose to her Pokeball holster. "I was going to ask Morty about it since he seems really keyed into the whole death thing in a way that I'm just not. But also maybe... Maybe you'd like to take a look first?"
Her head tilts slightly, looking back in her casual inconsistent way. "Those poffins are better than you think. I'm sure that at least he'd like to try one too."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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May 15, 2024 21:00:37 GMT
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Post by Robot on Apr 26, 2023 23:11:57 GMT
"Hang on died? Falkner asks with a sense of disbelief. "Sure, I can have a look, and Mentor is welcome to a poffin if he's hungry, but... how does a Pokemon un-die?" Falkner, unlike Muku, acknowledged the existence of ghosts. Like Muku, things outside the normal were... sometimes difficult to parse. This was definitely one of those.
"You're absolutely welcome to call Morty. The Leaders keep each other's contact information handy, in the event we ever need to muster for emergencies, or discuss regional events."
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Post by birdy51 on Apr 27, 2023 1:34:32 GMT
"Right. It's weird. If it makes it easier to understand, I also died." Muku says as if what she was saying made any sense in the slightest. "It might be easier to just introduce you to him."
Reaching for Mentor, she holds him up, though doesn't release him just yet. "He wasn't doing great last time we spoke so... Just give me a moment."
Lifting up the ball, she holds it to her lips, whispering, "Hey. Mentor. You up? I think Falkner would like to speak to you. Maybe Morty too, if you're up for it. You doing ok?"
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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May 15, 2024 21:00:37 GMT
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Post by Robot on Apr 29, 2023 22:20:43 GMT
"My needs have been met." Mentor offered in a tone laden with fatigue and sobriety. Melancholy. His brow settled low, and he searched Muku's face. "Muku... something else is starting to slip in where the Sight was." He leaned in against her leg, head resting against her hip. Falkner takes a knee to look over Mentor.
"Very pale, distant but clearly distressed." Falkner eased a hand under one of Mentor's wings to lift it up and to the side. "No physical injuries, no bone trauma, no bad molts... does... he eat anymore?"
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Post by birdy51 on May 1, 2023 14:31:29 GMT
"Pretty sure he eats of either my essence or of some other source." Muku says plainly, thankful for her experience with Talon. "Since passing on and coming back, he's lost the ability to see the future like other Xatu. It's actually a little beyond me if I'm being blunt... But I get it. It's not easy to feel like you lost a part of yourself."
She places her hand on the back of Xatu's head, stroking it quietly. "He thinks that where he had the 'sight' something else is slipping in. Like, he has memories of things that he shouldn't. That he was a part of battles that he wasn't there for."
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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May 15, 2024 21:00:37 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 1, 2023 22:35:14 GMT
The gym leader shakes his head slowly, searching Mentor's eyes. "This is most definitely a Morty problem... and probably better one for him to see to in person. I don't imagine there's much he could do for Mentor over the phone." Sitting back, he looks genuinely upset for Muku's partner. "I wish there was something I could do, but I know my limits. This problem isn't physical, or emotional... while birds are my specialty... I don't..."
Falkner hesitated, emitting two shrill whistles, being joined by Scarlet and Lavender, and the odd balloon from earlier with its beady staring red eyes.
"Lavender?" He gestured to Mentor, and the pair of dancebirds approached him with measured steps, conversing between themselves. Mentor's eyes gained some focus, watching the other two ghost types.
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Post by birdy51 on May 3, 2023 1:01:44 GMT
Muku followed along with everything up until the appearance of the two birds and a balloon. While she was glad that Mentor was perking up a bit, she couldn't help but wonder why.
"...Is there something I'm missing here?" Muku asks, glancing between Lavender, Mentor, the Ballon, and Scarlet's ruby red salacious beak. Wait. No. She was the only one looking at the beak. Probably because it was shiny and... Never mind. Except- Oh!
Her mind catches on something important, something critical. The lightness of her feathers. The haughty 'huff' when she tried to present her with a poffin. The truth was clear. "I get it know." She says sagely. "All of these Pokémon are dead."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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May 15, 2024 21:00:37 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 6, 2023 21:43:27 GMT
"Yes... and no Muku. Lavender, and Bellephone are both Ghost types. They are... very different from Normals, which embody the rules and characteristics of our world. Ghost Type Pokemon embody the traits of a place called the Distortion World, which uses very different rules from our own. Many can fly, despite not being the Flying type, for example. Morty could... probably tell you more. I just figured they might offer Mentor some semblance of comfort." Falkner watches his three Pokemon settle equidistant from Mentor, with Scarlet hanging back to give Lavender room to work. If Mentor is answering them, it is in a way Muku can't seem to register, but his eyes hold such clarity to them, as if things are falling into place.
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Post by birdy51 on May 9, 2023 22:22:41 GMT
Muku remains sitting, gently rubbing Mentor's shoulders as he processed the weight of his own existence. On some level, she hoped that she did understand what he was going through. The Distortion World was straight up backwards in so many ways. Your spirit could be sundered from you and made to fight you, your beloved Talon may attempt to murder you and presumably eat your soul for good, there are angelic horror beings with many eyes and even more wings than eyes; it is bad. Everything about the Distortion World runs against logic and sense. Muku wasn't particularly inclined to comment upon to judge the logic of her own decisions, she at least understood that gravity means things go down and that not having gravity was a bad sign. Even birds flap their wings to fly, she thinks, side-eying the strange floating balloon and daring it to look back.
Except maybe not. For a balloon, it was kind of creepy. Better to have nothing to do with ghosts at all except Mentor and Talon. However, if their weird nature was helpful then... By all means. She doesn't say it. But her eyes shine gratitude as she gives Falkner a small nod. Birds of a feather and all that. Mentor needed to know he had a flock right now. His own little moment that Muku didn't need to be a part of; just to be witness to.
"You think it's still early enough to fly out?" Muku responds after a pause. "I can't say I've been watching the sun. Today was so eventful. I feel like I haven't had much time to catch my breath."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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May 15, 2024 21:00:37 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 15, 2023 16:48:06 GMT
"To... Ecruteak?" Falkner gently sucked on the end of his pointer finger and held it skyward, head cocked to one side. He turned so his back was to the wind. "You could make it by nightfall with Monolith. There's a warm tailwind coming off the ocean today. If it had been a headwind off of the mountains near Blackthorn, I'd have said no." The gym leader turned his eyes up and away. "You'll want to keep him to gliding as much as possible for the next little while, or I could offer you one of my partners."
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Post by birdy51 on May 19, 2023 23:04:14 GMT
"Well... Shoot. Guess I'll to get to wing quickly then." Muku says remorsefully. It would have been nice to stick around a little bit. Maybe meet some more birds, feed Falkner more poffins, hold hands with Falkner, and-
Wait. These thoughts. These were deviant thoughts. Perish thoughts! Fly away! Away to the heavens!
Her hands twitching with small spasms, voice crackling, "Uh, yeah. I've taken Monolith over large oceans before I'm sure he could probably get me to Ecruteak but he also did take a bit painful bonk to the head by another head and while I'm certain he probably could and would want to, it probably is better maybe not to push him so far, so often, and frankly while we are speaking about him while he's not here, I think maybe that a little socialization from someone other than just me could be good for him because he doesn't know THAT many humans and you are a good human who I enjoy being around and he doesn't bite your arm off and that's usually like a good sign if he isn't taking limbs so if you're up for maybe perhaps maybe letting me borrow one of your partners for a day or two I'm sure I'll probably be back cause' this was nice and I kind of enjoyed my brief stay aside from the whole falling from the sky thing and hey, maybe that might make things easier when I DO come back because I'll be riding a bird that isn't my dinosaur and that might not make the other birds panic so much like they like to like to panic so much like I am right... Now."
Breath.
She rolls her shoulders, composing herself as she slicks her hair. "Sorry. O-old habit."
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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 May 29, 2023 21:17:12 GMT
"Hey, hey..." A light touch on her shoulder, a gentle smile, indirect eye contact because staring into the eyes of an apex predator was inviting to be dived on or worse. "If you have to beep, you have to beep. I wouldn't ask any of the other birds here to stop singing. Be worried if they weren't, cause it means they're scared or uncomfortable. You can take Airrazor with you, if you'd like. She's practically family to you if I understand right. Monolith is in good hands, and you'll have to come back again soon, right? We can take some more time then." He turned and whistled for the Starraptor and waited, long shadows cast behind him.
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 1, 2023 16:02:55 GMT
"But I am scared and uncomfortable and why aren't you making eye contact with me?!" Beeps a Starly. Quash that thought, let it perish. Birds away, until there is but feather and rock shattering muscle beneath. Like Airrazor.
Oh joy. Airrazor. Muku casts a small glance to the imperious bird up in the tree. Falkner was most definitely correct; they were probably just about as quick as a bird can get and sure enough, they did kind of have a conceptual rapport. But a Staraptor was supposed to be distant and away from others. Distant guardian and all that. It was probably going to be alright to fly with them again. But was it really? Was it really going to be alright?
A stupid thought. Of course it was. Muku, you just need to ground yourself. Talons deep, dig in. Project some confidence darn it! Quick breath, even breath. Chin up. Eyes forward. Lock those eyes with his, those deep interesting eyes that- Nope too far, too far. Stare at the corner. Yes. The corner that's beter and, "Yeah. I will have to be back soon for Monolith. He'll probably be mad about getting left behind for a bit, but as long as you don't make him do any 'square' battles... He'll probably behave." Muku says with a confident smirk.
Nailed it. Now for the rest of the business. Calling the bird. Establishing a chain of command.
Muku brings her fingers to her pursed lips just as Falkner had done. Easy. Now to just blow. Loudly and confidently! Stridently! A bird call for the ages!
"Pfffft-twEe." A tragic attempt. Ugh. She lets her hand drop in frustration, before instead raising it in front of her in universal come hither position. Mustering the scattered remnants of her tattered dignity, she calls out with force, vigor, "Airrazor, to me! Fore' dusk, we fly!"
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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 Jun 4, 2023 17:55:39 GMT
"You'll need to pinch your throat more than that, and push air from all of your lungs." Airrazor answered in a bored tone as she settles on the ground and moves a wing aside for Muku to mount up. Falkner stroked her crest, and she closed her eyes, leaning her head into the touch in a dignified manner. "Take good care of her, Airrazor. She's on a mission to tend her Flock." "Yes Falkner. You are, are you?" She offered Muku a gauging side-eye before taking wing with the girl astride her back, out of one of the open windows in the Eyrie, and northward at speed wind at her back. The setting sun in the west cast long shadows along the landscape.
Goldenrod off in the distance as the world sprawled below, it wasn't a few hours before Ecruteak came into view, the Burned Tower standing tall on the northwest side of town, Morty's gym dead center.
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 5, 2023 13:38:32 GMT
"I am." Muku answered.
Perhaps she might have said more. But to her alarm, Airrazor was VERY quick on the uptake and before she could force out any strained goodbyes, they were off in the sky. All the better really; best to be away before she managed to embarrass herself once more by saying weird things. No, course not. It was much better to be flying away from one's potential problems rather than towards them. Except, no, that was a stupid statement. It was clearly better to fly towards one's problems like she was now. Mentor needs help. That was the big problem she needs to resolve. Everything else was just fluff and noise.
So she hangs on tight, Airrazor moving as quickly as any bird might as they crest the top of the woods towards Ecruteak. Acting on instinct, her body leans in close to the downy feathers of Airrazor's back, indicating her desire to dive down towards the ground, towards the gym that was their destination. Being one of those weird Ghost people, she hopes that Morty would still be awake. Perhaps expecting her even?
...Probably should have called ahead. Too late now. Whoops.
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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 Jun 8, 2023 15:21:20 GMT
In the dusk, Muku saw a humanoid shadow move as though to glance in her direction, before disappearing behind a building. It was clearly in the middle of the road, with no one to create it. Then it simply wasn't. The door to Morty's gym opened, and the blonde stepped out with a placid expression on his face as Muku and Airrazor landed.
"Falkner called ahead, he explained most of what you told him." Morty's unflapped expression was somehow inviting and unnerving at the same time. "Come with me Muku, we have much to discuss about the Occult."
"I will wait in the trees nearby, before sunrise, whistle and I will come. Otherwise, I will be watching, and will come if you have need, Starly. This place is not one for our kind."
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 9, 2023 11:41:40 GMT
"Good, I'll be inside in just a moment." Muku replies to Morty, her eyes flicking back with annoyance to Airrazor. As soon as Morty had turned to walk back into the building, Muku slowly wheeled to face the alpha but not alpha of her plock with a darkened expression.
"I've flown to stranger places than here." Muku notes irritably. She bites her tongue. No, that wasn't appropriate at all. She takes a moment, untensing her shoulders and shaking her head. This wasn't a time to be needlessly proud. "It's late. Some of the shadows around here aren't really shadows, so if you're going to keep an eye out, keep an eye out for that. I just saw something funny move down the road. If we're lucky, it's just one of Morty's companion Pokémon, but if we're not well... I think we both know how we're going to handle that."
The girl adjusts her cap, turning to leave. "I won't be far if you need me either. So, if I hear fighting, know that I'll be coming on swift wings as well. Alright? We'll keep each other safe if we need to."
And with that, Muku strides up to the open door, closing it behind her.
She ain't afraid of no ghosts.
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