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Post by birdy51 on May 13, 2021 0:37:43 GMT
Muku stares at Xatu, then at Rat, then back to Xatu. She smirks. "I think you're just a lil' jealous. I don't think it's because they're stupid or something. I think it's just because the ways that their brains work don't work with the ways your brain works. Like, like just imagine. A world of Pokémon, without Dark-Type Pokémon. Psychics would just like, dominate everything because you're like bookoo strong."
Her smile softens just a little bit as she shifts her weight. "I will concede though. Blackbirds are bad. Rat is good, but blackbirds are rude and they peck Starly for no reason but to be rude. And they take things. Shiny things. And you know what? I don't like that. Why can't they leave good things for Starlys? Why do THEY have to have all the glittery pieces of human detritus?"
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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 15, 2021 22:15:56 GMT
"There is a story long ago, of a time and place where it was true, Psychic Types were unchallenged even by the mightiest of dragons." Xatu commented thoughtfully, and offered Rat a small bow. "I am sure Muku could not ask for a more loyal or steadfast companion."
Rat looked about shiftily, and stuffed his face. It seemed he would rather not discuss things like that. They were gross.
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Post by birdy51 on May 16, 2021 23:30:07 GMT
"Yeah. I agree." Muku replies.
She rises to shake the water pooling against her body. Her weird finger appendages were all white and weird now from being out here just chatting. The rain, the rain wasn't going to let up. But at the very least, she could get ready.
"How far are we from sunset?" Muku asks.
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Post by Robot on May 18, 2021 19:11:37 GMT
"A half hour from dusk, an hour from night.". Xatu answered quietly, hopping to one side to stare across the boundless sea. "When you see Natu again, tell them... teach them to be more like you? Anchor them in the present if you can find a way. That is what I would want for my child."
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Post by birdy51 on May 19, 2021 18:29:43 GMT
Muku follows after Xatu, tracking their gaze as they looked across the sea. She responds stoically, nodding. "I will. Me and Kursz both... Whenever I see him again."
Her arms stretch up, cradling behind her neck. "Yeah. Between the both of us, I think- know Natu is going to be in good hands. Kursz is a big person. That means he has a big heart. There's nobody better looking after Natu."
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Post by Robot on May 24, 2021 12:38:46 GMT
"Why did you want to know how long until the sun set?". Xatu asked curiously, cocking its head to one side. Those infinitely distant eyes looked through Muku, but it could not truly comprehend what it was looking at.
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Post by birdy51 on May 24, 2021 13:36:17 GMT
"Just counting the time I guess." There's a short pause where she considers this. Quickly, then slowly, she continues, "No. That's not it. It's like... Reaching that point of finality. Tomorrow I go fight Zapdos. After that, maybe, maybe I can rest while they take care of things, but who is gonna say that they won't just turn on each other when they finally DO meet up? Moltres is weakened. Articuno wanted to watch the world burn. By which I mean freeze. And Zapdos? I haven't met them yet, but I'm sure they're gonna be a dick too. All birds are dicks."
Even me. She thinks quietly. A soft smile peeks out from behind her lips, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "So. That's kinda where my head's at. Between that and like... Well. I'm gonna be honest, this coat works real well, but I'm just about soaked through. I think taking my hat off might have been a bad idea." She finishes.
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Post by Robot on May 27, 2021 0:10:22 GMT
"Zapdos is a mirror of how you yourself behave.". Xatu cautioned. "Fast, aggressive, leaving little time to think or plan, only rejoicing in the glory of combat, wild, pure, and forever free. They will yield if you prove yourself superior, with no regrets. These three are pillars of the world. Unique. Please do not judge them too harshly. Their paths have been long, and lonely."
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Post by birdy51 on May 29, 2021 12:38:08 GMT
"I'll judge who I want to judge." Muku replies with a smirk. "If they are like me, then they are like me. And we'll fight. And... I suppose that would be good enough then. It's nice knowing that I can skip the part where I talk to them as long they know exactly why I need to fight them. Fighting; fighting is it's own way of reconciling differences. My favorite way, now that it's not always to the death."
She pauses a moment. "Then again. This is a big bird we're talking about. I should probably assume we're going to be fighting deathwise until Zapdos yields."
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Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 16:26:10 GMT
"It would be a mistake to assume survival is a given when trifling with ancient birds of prey. Zapdos has few equals in the flying world, and this is something it knows. Until you force it to know its limits it will not respect you. It is getting late, and you have given me many gifts tonight. May I join you indoors? I find myself wanting company."
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 7, 2021 17:30:01 GMT
Muku bites her tongue, just a little bit. Of course she understood this was to the death. And if not actually death there on the field, then death by rain, by drowning. She didn't know what that was like, but she didn't have any interest in finding out. Being electrocuted in that way would be a kind of mercy. "I'll give it a challenge. Zapdos will learn to respect me, you can count on that." She replies.
"Anyways. Of course you can join us inside. I don't think Chuck has anything against birds or psychics. Which is weird, because he probably should. But he doesn't."
Good on him. She thinks quietly.
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Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 18:07:37 GMT
Returning to the comforts of Chuck and Miranda's home, the gym leader has done away with his shirt, and scratches at his belly on the couch. He gives Xatu a queer look. "You uh... You caught a new Pokemon, that's great. Why's it staring like that?"
"Chuck don't be rude.". Miranda poked him in the middle and sat up. "I'm sure it's a very nice Pokemon."
"-but the staring." "Is fine." "Miranda that is the look of someone who has seen things!" "Chuck, we've all seen things. Leave the poor bird alone."
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 8, 2021 12:47:47 GMT
"Yep. We've all seen things. And this bird has a seen a lot of things. Too many things. That's why he's so still." Muku replies with a patient nod. She understood the enigma that was mooch birds. "He's not one of mine though. He's his own bird, and despite not having a formal partnership, has really helped me out these last few days."
The young girl reaches out and preens a feather atop Xatu's cheek tenderly. "I think Xatu vibes though. As long as we're happy and include him in on that, then he'll be happy too."
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Post by Robot on Jun 8, 2021 17:12:15 GMT
"Chuck makes enough of a mess of the place when he gets on a tear, what is one wild Pokemon?". Miranda teased, patting her husband's stomach before slipping away with a giggle as he made a grab for them. The two share a mix of playfulness and pleased consternation.
"The bedroom we'd set out for you should be big enough for you and Xatu if you wanted some privacy dear.". Miranda added as Chuck excused himself into the kitchen.
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 11, 2021 19:45:26 GMT
"That will be fine. I'm sure Xatu will appreciate a firm roof over his head." Muku says with a nod. If there was one thing that she could say about humans, it's that they built their homes well. Nary' a drop of water nor a stern breeze to bother her here, here in the house that Chuck built.
She leans up on to the table in front of her. "Hey. You both look a little less tired today. Have things let up a bit? You know. The whole water thing?"
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Post by Robot on Jun 14, 2021 18:07:59 GMT
"More hands are making things a lot easier on us.". Chuck answers slowly. "And it's good to have you home... er... Here. In our home.". He stretches. "The exercise did me some good, but taking a break now and then is important, even if you are in peak condition."
Miranda rolled her eyes at her husband. "Muku, dear... Would you like me to... um... Preen you? Before you head back out? Get your hair just the way you like it, and help you clean up?"
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 14, 2021 22:00:40 GMT
Muku cocks her head in confusion as she reaches up and touches her hair. Completely flat. Crestless. A great shame upon both her and her family. "Oooh. Yeah. I see what you mean now. It's a mess. A real, real big mess."
Gah. How could she have allowed this to happen?! Did the rain do this or the hat? No. Wait. Back that up. Was she blaming the hat on this? No, no, no, no. No. Hat was blameless. The captain's hat just made it look like her head hair thing was even bigger than it was, and that could only be good for her self esteem, even if the hat was old and smelled vaguely of dying pirate.
"It's the rain's fault. Everything is the rain's fault." Muku ejects, coming to the defense of her haberdashery apparel. She begins to mutter angrily beneath her breath, kneading her hands together angrily. "The sooner I can get that whole the mess sorted out, the sooner I can get to stop worrying about it. Just need to beat up one more bird."
But that wasn't now. She looks up and gives Miranda a heavy nod. "Yeah. Ok. I can't see my head that easy and mirrors still kinda weird me out a bit. If you want to try preening my hair, go ahead."
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Post by Robot on Jun 14, 2021 22:08:13 GMT
In Muku's bedroom, Miranda got her comfortable and used a tube that screamed hot air to kill all the water in Muku's hair. As one might preen feathers, some of the hair was removed with a brush, sorting the strands more neatly for placement. Chuck brought Xatu in, set it down, and awkwardly shut the door behind himself some time during all of this.
"Would you like it curled, Muku? If you wanted to spike it instead we could wait until morning.". The bonding was near it's end, and her hair did at least look better then it did. Maybe. Without encountering a mirror.
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 14, 2021 22:42:53 GMT
Throughout the experience, Muku kept her eyes closed and allowed the hot air to dry out the kinks caused by rain and disaster. This was a new experience. Sort of. She understood preening, the setting right of feathers and plumage. It wasn't just an appearance thing; having everything right in the place where they needed it to be allowed them to fly, soar. Hair was different. It was thin. Weak. Decorative really. But even decorations could make a Pokémon feel good. Make a human feel good? A person.
A smirk emerges across her face. "Yeah. I think it's probably looking good. But let's spike it hard tomorrow. Spiked hair lets people know that I'm a threat. Big crests are intimidating; and I'm going to have to send a pretty big message tomorrow."
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Post by Robot on Jun 14, 2021 23:47:42 GMT
"I'll help you with it after breakfast then. There's a gel that can make your hair stiff even if it gets a little wet, it should keep the shape you want it to." Miranda took a few moments to put her things away, then hesitated in the doorway.
"Was there anything your family used to do before bed that you miss? Something that would make you more comfortable, or help you sleep better?". She asked tentatively. "I know you are... resolved to go deal with the rains, but if there is anything I can do to send you in more at peace... Emotionally stronger... Tell me?"
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