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Post by Greenwolfkate on Jun 14, 2020 5:56:07 GMT
"Thank you Snips," Terra told her pokemon before returning him to his ball with a beam of red light. The threat of battle passing, she calms slightly. "Well Muku, we caught your 'Egg Thief' and fought them. Now what?" she asks seriously. As she waits for the other's answer, the trainer walks up, closing the distance between the two of them. To keep a closer eye on the cat and other human.
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 14, 2020 9:36:01 GMT
With a flick, Muku wordlessly returns Hornise to her Pokéball. The young Starly girl stands upright, and pushes her sword into the ground in front of her. She looks intimidating. Not on purpose. Talon was tired and Muku couldn't keep waving them around like an imbecile if they were embedded in the ground. Sword logic. Bird logic was a little less sound. Muku casts her eyes skyward and for once, seriously considers a question posed to her.
"Starly fight because Starly have to protect what they have. Starly have little, and eggs are gifts because unlike Pidgeys, Starly don't get to lay that many. This place here, is dangerous for Starly. This is home, but isn't home, and that makes it hard." She glares down at the cat with malicious, clutching Talon as tightly as Talon clutched her. "That's why this cat is bad. Bad cats makes things harder to Starly. Steal eggs, ruin nest! Ruin life! Bad! Bad egg, thief, bad!"
She stares at her once foe, the downed big cat in front of her. Bird logic would dictate it's destruction. But something about bird logic didn't really make sense to her right now. Was it because she wasn't really a bird?
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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 17, 2020 2:18:12 GMT
"Close, but not too close. Individuality is very important to them, as is a sense of belonging. They form groups of similar opinions and thoughts, and get close to those that are most like them. Humans are... they're the potential to be anything, but their evolution doesn't come from strength the way ours does." Em parsed quietly as she fetched a shallow tub, a small kettle and a coaster to place it on from a little kitchinette, and a carton of something marked as salts. "You'll want to have a seat on one of the pillows for this, and take your shoes and socks off."
With the question about her nesting habits, her smile fell a little. "Small family units, usually no more than five if both parents stay together. Dad looked after me, and it was just the two of us. Ralts normally nest where there aren't many people or Pokemon, or where the emotions are soothing, calming, or otherwise mild. We startle easily, and get along best with grass and water types. He drove off anything that might have caused me distress but... it left me very sheltered and naive."
The Torracat mewled mournfully and continued to lick at its mother's wounds. Gunshow arrives on scene and considers the battlefield for a moment before folding his arms and settling into a stern expression, but says nothing.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 17, 2020 2:50:38 GMT
Thel dutifully follows her instructions, interested to see where this will all lead. She said soaking in water would help?
But he immediately tells that he screwed up mentioning the past. "I'm sorry, Em… I shouldn't have brought up your past. I know that's been much, much harder for you. I've... I've been glad to let mine fall away, because all of it's been tainted with the knowledge of misery. But... that's not the same for everyone. I should have remembered. I didn't mean to cause you pain..."
He takes a breath. "For what it's worth, though... I wouldn't change anything about you. You see the world with such an optimism, with care... you say that you were sheltered, but you taught me that there were things outside my own world. That there was love, and that life was... more than duty. That there was happiness. I don't know where I would be today without your guidance. Probably cowering, hiding off in a corner somewhere. Perhaps captured again. It's only been a few days, but I've had my eyes opened so much over them. And it's all thanks to your life coming into mine. If you were more like the Lady... I don't think that would have happened. I don't think I could have changed."
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Post by Greenwolfkate on Jun 18, 2020 2:09:34 GMT
Terra remains silent as she lets Muku talk it out as she waited to hear her decision. "Starly eat bugs, right? Even 'egg thieves' need to eat." she asks, not too certain if that was right. Birds ate bugs yeah? That sounded right. Looking away from the mewling Torracat. "Would Starly be bad birds for that?" Its not what she's used to seeing, however there's something about the sound that makes her frown.
"I followed and helped fight was to make sure we didn't get separated more," she added looking to Muku. "But I'm not going to fight this one," she states in a calm voice pointing to the pokemon.
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 18, 2020 10:58:59 GMT
Muku doesn't turn, her eyes fixed on the scene before her as she considered this. Her answer came quick, and with conviction. "That's a stupid question. Yes, bugs think Starly are bad. And if bugs have to defend themselves from Starly, then that makes sense. If Starly are preying on them, then they are bad to them. So, if Starly are getting attacked by egg thieves, then egg thieves are bad to Starly and need to be punished, because they are bad. Because, otherwise, how are Starly going to survive."
She turned on her heels, eyes blazing. "And because I'm a Starly, that means egg thieves are bad. I needed to do this to send a message. Don't mess with Starly or Starly will chase you through the woods and beat up your mom!"
Her eyes glance back to the Torracat, her nose wrinkling. "Doesn't mean Starly is going to hurt this one though. Even Pidgey's don't deserve being attacked if they haven't left the nest."
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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 19, 2020 21:04:45 GMT
"Bad memories give context to the good ones. I can be happy now, because I know I wasn't happy then. You don't need to apologize for that." The girl offered with a smile as she began to slowly add steaming water to the small soaking tub where Thel's feet rested. It was definitely wet, but the heat kept it from being as unpleasant as water usually was. It even soothed the ache from the long walk, just a little. From there, she quietly added a powder to the water from a square container, mixing it in until it dissolved, listening to Thel speak. Her posture was deferential in its own right, kneeling as she was.
"I think you would have run yourself ragged trying to keep Muku safe." She teased slyly. "You seem more comfortable when you have a female around to keep after and take instruction from, so I imagine you would have found someone of similar attitude to myself, and done everything you could for them. I know it is just how you were raised, so I won't hold it against you. It's why I wanted to do this though, something to help you feel better... to show that we're equals."
Gunshow applauds the display of mercy with two hands, before stepping up behind the girl's and putting an arm around each, pecs dancing their approval.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 19, 2020 21:52:32 GMT
"Oh, weren't you happy?" Thel asks. "I... got the impression that you'd enjoyed your life before, my apologies."
"I guess you're probably right," he says, considering. "It is... comforting. To feel like what I'm doing is right." He flushes at the 'equals' comment, though. "Oh, you, uh... you don't have to do things for me to do that. You... I feel comfortable around you, Em. Things don't feel awkward in the same way as around others. I know that you care, that you'd be willing to do things. And... that is a weird feeling to have," he admits, "but... it's comforting, too. And I want to make sure that you're happy. Not... not because I'll be punished or anything otherwise, or because it's just what I'm used to, but... it makes me feel good to see you smile, and laugh. I hate to see you sad."
He looks down at the water tub thing. "This is... actually kind of nice," he comments. "This feels different to the water that I'm used to. ...thank you."
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 20, 2020 13:53:43 GMT
Muku endeavors to dodge both arms and pecs for both are abhorrent to her. Talons were better, and only birds have the biggest pecs. She didn't know what Gunshow was trying to prove with their wretched dance. Besides, despite what the Gunshow thought, not hurting the small cat didn't mean that she was done with it.
Leaving the sword where it lay embedded in the dirt, Muku half circles the cat, teeth biting lip in consideration. She crosses her arms and addressed the cat. "Just because you haven't fully left the nest doesn't mean we're done here. You attacked a Staravia, but ran from me. Ran back to mom. But you are strong enough to pick on Starly, right, right? So why didn't you want to fight me?"
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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 21, 2020 1:33:40 GMT
"We aren't even to the best part yet." Em states slyly, slipping her hands into the heated, salted water, gently working a thumb into the arch of Thel's foot, kneading out tensions he didn't even know he was carrying. "We are kindred spirits, Thel. We both want to see others happy, or at the very least, at ease. Having you be so open with your feelings helps me cope with not being emotionally in touch with others anymore. It's been the hardest thing to deal with, being cut off and blocked out."
"It's the biggest part of myself I've lost... was my sense of others."
The cat looks between Muku and Terra, ears flat against its head, and backwards. Gunshow gives Muku a skeptical look, planting a fist on his hip and folding his upper pair across his chest, the remaining one still settled firmly around Terra.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 21, 2020 2:31:43 GMT
"Oh!" Thel exclaims. "You're right, that is good. …Thank you."
"I can't even imagine what it's been like for you," he says. "Losing a part of you that I can't really even conceive of. I know that I'm missing my fire and poison, being able to taste the air... but those were things that I mostly just used. They weren't a state of being. ...though the smell thing is still a change I'm getting used to. The closest that I can be is that... vision-thing on top of the tower. And I know that doesn't compare to what you had."
"You're still wonderful, Em," he adds, smiling. "You seem to know just how to make people happy. I know it's hard... but I feel like you don't give yourself enough credit as more than the sum of your parts. But just let me know if there's any way I can help you. Because I'll do what I can. Always."
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Post by Greenwolfkate on Jun 24, 2020 2:14:34 GMT
Caught off guard by Gunshow, the girl looks mighty uncomfortable, tensing up when the arm brought her close. As Muku begins to approach the cat, Terra watches with a careful look in her eyes. The question as to why the cat ran, Terra would begin to squirm and press her arms against the pokemon's side until she managed to slip out of his hold.
"You aren't Starly. Not physically anyway," Terra states. "Even if we have the memories and act like them sometimes. We aren't Larvitar or Starly right now." Her words came off harder than she probably meant, but was she wrong in that statement? "They don't see us as pokemon."
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 24, 2020 12:36:37 GMT
“I’m still a Starly.” Muku replies with an indignant huff. “Just because I’ve evolved into something else doesn’t mean that I’m not who I am. I’m just a Starly with more brainpower. And a sword.”
She rolls her head back skyward and lets out a series of discordant sighs. “This is getting away from the point. Muku is Starly, and I am Starly. What IS the point is this isn’t a baby.”
Pointing at the cat, she adds, “If you’re strong enough to steal eggs, you’re strong enough to fight your own battles. So why are you acting like such a cowardly Pidgey?! Are you a Pidgey-brained Pidgey coward Pidgey!? Huh? Huh!?!”
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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 24, 2020 18:13:45 GMT
"It would be like losing your hearing. Knowing that there is sound, but only having the vaguest of context clues to guide you to an idea of what is happening. Losing out on something like music, a colorful, wonderful, moving thing. It wasn't knowing emotions, so much as it was... living them." Gently drying Thel's feet, she eased them to the side, lightly dipping her own feet in the water bath. "Would you mind doing the same for me?"
The Torracat looks between its downed mother and Muku again, before perching over the downed Pokemon, hackles raised. Gunshow settles for being nearby, glad for the moment of comraderie.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 24, 2020 19:28:49 GMT
Thel nods. "Okay... yes, that helps put it in perspective. I'm sorry, I wish I could help with that. Make it all better..."
"Sure, I'll try. You, uh, may have to guide me a bit, since I've never done this before, but I'll do my best." He attempts to copy what he remembers of what she'd done, trying to replicate what'd been nice.
"I wonder how humans came up with this? It seems peculiar, to put things in water and then put your feet in it..."
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 25, 2020 0:41:40 GMT
"Damn right! You're not a cowardly Pidgey!" Muku spits. Her feet shift underneath her as she begins bouncing on the toes of her feet. Her eyes grow wild and her teeth reveal themselves in a mad, snarling grin. "Now I want to see it! I want to see you fight! Show some pride! Show some backbone! Hit me with your best shot! Fight like I'm the Staravia, and you stole my eggs! Fight, fight, fight!"
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Post by Greenwolfkate on Jun 25, 2020 3:46:57 GMT
At the reaction that she was still a Starly Terra sighed some as well in slight exasperation. That wasn't the point she was making, but it didn't matter now in the moment.
With the two before her preparing for a scuffle, the girl wouldn't try to intervene now. Instead moving to lean against one of the trees. Crossing her arms some as she settled in to watch this battle between them.
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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 26, 2020 2:05:24 GMT
"Mixing different techniques that felt good, probably some accidental discovery too... The curve at the bottom of the foot is called the arch, that's where all the important things are in the human foot. There, and the ankle are what hold your weight... A lot of this I learned while picking up dancing with the girls." Em smiled shyly. "The ankle is the round thing that pokes out just above the heel... using your thumb, you want to slowly knead at those areas with a firm pressure."
The Torracat inhaled, inhaled, inhaled. It's small chest puffing out impressively, before it emitted a boneshaking roar, driving the Starly into the woods in sheer terror. (Intimidate Triggered, Muku loses 1 Attack CS. Roar triggers, Muku flees at her highest speed from the Torracat.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 26, 2020 2:22:37 GMT
"I guess if there is one thing that I've noticed about humans, it's that they're all so... different from one another. It's disorienting at times, I don't know what to expect. But," he laughs softly, "I can very much believe that they'd discover things like this by accident. Or even just to try things. They seem to do things for no reason at all at times. Like fight, when there's nothing to be gained from it. So I guess I can accept that one day they just decided to put random things in water to see what felt good." He giggles, as he tries to follow her instructions.
"What is dancing, by the way?" he asks Em. "I remember that the place that we were directed to was the 'Dance Theater', but... I have no idea what that means. Either of those words, even."
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 26, 2020 23:58:51 GMT
Muku leaps back. Then back again, then back more till she was at a safe distance. Her limbs quaked of their own accord, fear, or at least a natural intimidation. This wasn't an unfamiliar sensation. Staravia could do this too. The roar though? That was spooky. But a good kind of spooky. She shakes her limbs out and walks back towards the small cat, this time giving it a respectful distance.
"S-see? See?! You've got this. If you would have led with that earlier, then maybe this wouldn't have happened."
Spreading her arms wide, she dips forward and looks her once foe in the eyes. "Now that you get it, so don't be a scaredy cat. I saw you fight Staravia, you could have fought Muku too. And, and your mom would be proud of a roar like that."
She offers the unconscious wrassle cat a passing glance before continuing, "I'd ask if you wanted to battle proper now, but you ought to keep an eye on her and wrestling arm-bar bird. But, if I do see you bullying Starly again, it's on egg thief. And then, then you won't escape me. I won't let that happen."
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