maskormenacelogs | poetry with amber imagery or something [OPEN]

Entry tags:

poetry with amber imagery or something [OPEN]

WHO: Lucina, various
WHERE: Maurtia Falls, De Chima, misc
WHEN: Early/mid-October
WHAT: assorted happenings
WARNINGS: labeled in subject headers

Maurtia Falls
Lucina's main haunts are still in this city of conflict -- same as it has been, those two and a half years ago. Gods, has it been so long already? So much else has changed...her, too.

She resides on a residential block in a rental house, and might be encountered in the wee hours of the morning on her way out to work, or perhaps on the rare day off, tearing up the sad excuse for a garden she'd tried (sort of) to maintain (and failed to) in preparation for winter.

Downtown, she frequents a cafe and pastry shop where she's made many a friend and good memory. Catching her before she hustles off on patrol or another duty is a great chance for a free treat and a chat...or perhaps a means of teaming up for a bit of crime busting?

At Helix, the base of operations for Aegis Force, practically her second home, she is constantly either at work or training for work. It's not as frantic and despairing as the month before, so she can be a cheerful spotter or sparring partner, or she can help with some kitchen chores or monitor duty! She also likes to take her breaks on the rooftop helipad, enjoying the cooler air as the weather starts to behave more like autumn.

De Chima
It's not a place she visits too often, but at least once a week, Lucina tries to make time to volunteer at the O'Malley Clinic. She's not much of a nurse, but if you ever wanted to know what it feels like to be bandaged up nearly immobile as a mummy for a simple scrape? She's your girl. Also don't you dare try to escape until treatment is over! She can double as a bouncer.

There's always a chance to catch her in the skies, as flying is her favorite pastime -- and it beats traffic. Hopefully she's not spying any trouble from on high, but if you're in a pinch, she can swoop down and lend a hand (or sword)!

Misc
You're welcome to put in a starter or come bug me @

whyellewhy to brainstorm

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ha...

[she winces a little even as she breathes that out, her mouth drawn in a pained kind of smile.]

Well, I...I don't know about deserving or otherwise. [matters of deserving anything is what seemed to kick all of this they've got off, right? she won't forget those lines in a hurry.] But that's kind of you to say. [whether he wants it to be or not. honestly, she's not sure how he wants to be seen anymore: big, bad Guzma has more than a few softer edges than she'd realized before.]

Were I to be able to dictate much of anything about fate or this world? I'd say it could all stay connected. So if I were to ever go back... I could still remember it all.

[she fixes her gaze back on him -- easier to do, now with him looking elsewhere. she takes account of his expression, trying to cement it in mind next to those words he'd said.

going back...forgetting. she actually dreads it. she knows she wouldn't shirk her responsibilities, of course, because...she'd have had nothing like this to recall to make her want to. the Lucina she is now...will never be the one to go back and take arms against the fell dragon. would she have the resolve to? maybe. but in doing so...she'd still remember all the things of this world. she'd miss it.

she briefly wonders if she'd miss him, too.]

In any case, [she looks back to the full, lazy lumps splaying out all over the place.] I hope you weren't expecting them to do much at all. I seem to have knocked them all out...

Ain't kind, just true.

[He offers with a huff. As if that somehow makes it...less kind? It's still a kind thing to say, regardless of how he tries to frame it after the fact. However, that likely answers her question about how he wants to be viewed still, stubbornly holding onto the idea that he's not kind, that he's hard not soft.

Though, the idea of leaving this world open in a way is...interesting. Not a thought he considered before, not a possibility he even entertained as possible. Being able to remember it all, that'd be...difficult.

Lucina bringing attention to the sleepy Pokémon snaps him out of his conflicted thoughts, his gaze focusing on them once more, rather than the unfocused distance stare that it was.]

Nah, I wasn't expectin' much today. Kinda a lazy day as it is, so ain't no problem.

[But his mind can't let go of the earlier topic so easily. He looks as conflicted as he feels, his eyes drifting to her again for a moment.]

...Does what happens here matter so much to you, that you really want to keep this and your world connected so you can remember it all?

[His voice is steady and carries a tone fitting the conflict of his features. If anything, it just goes to show how genuine the question is.]

Even all the crappy shit that flies? Y'think it's worth it?

There will always be struggles, you know. Some bigger than others. [y'know. like an apocalypse!

Lucina shifts and moves over, guiding Salandit to settle in her hands before lifting him up to climb back onto Guzma, her expression still soft and her eyes somber.] I would be doing an unkindness to those who struggle...if I were to decide to forget my own. And I can't truly value the wonderful things I've known here if I didn't realize how much they shined compared to the dark times.

[she chances another glance up at him, her expression searching. there's an echo of past talk they'd had -- the more one-sided sort in the park. but he's the one asking and listening.]

Even you letting me be here right now...means a bit more because of where we started.

[it means both of them decided to look past the things about each other that rankle and take a chance with...very little idea of what to expect. even now, she doesn't, and it's why she holds her breath for a beat.]

Well, yeah...

[Guzma takes Salandit easily enough, even if the little guy seems less inclined to go, since Lucina's so nice!! and attentive!! and gave him nose boops..!! he acquiesces and slinks up Guzma's arms to curl around his broad shoulders once again. Not without staring lovingly at Lucina, maybe giving a little flirty curl of his tail at her.

Guzma's own eyes meet Lucina's as she looks him over, saying what she does...and maybe there's a weird warmth to his cheeks. Quickly he looks away once he realizes that.]

—Yeah, I guess so.

[Deflection, dodge, hide... it's just what he feels he has to do when he starts to feel a little too vulnerable. Something that seems to be happening a lot around Lucina, he finds. Yet, he doesn't always hate it. Not like he normally does.]

Don't it seem like it'd make things back home a little complicated, though? Well, maybe not for you.

[But for him...]

[her eyebrows raised a little, seeing him redden enough to be noticed. though her mouth quirks on one side because of the little lizard's flirting, her heart thumps because of the color on Guzma's face. it got her rocking up her toes to peer before she realizes it, and she has to set herself back down flat when she does, a bit embarrassed.

but he'd chucked the ball back in her court, so...]

...I suppose in a way. Maybe. [her brow furrows, thinking about it.] But...it would be something to hang onto. I wouldn't be the only Lucina of House Ylisse there, after all. And that little girl growing up there? She's the one who actually belongs there.

[she shrugs her shoulders, looking away, rocking back on her heels, hands folded behind her back.]

It'll be heartening to recall a place where my friends and I weren't the only ones displaced, I think. And know that there's many people out there who remember me fondly.

[Belonging, now that's certainly a theme to provoke thought. After all, wasn't part of why he followed Lusamine and her schemes to destroy the place he was a pariah of? To beat it down for always beating him down, to break it down and build anew? To make a place where he and his belonged?

While Lucina's not an outcast because of societal reasons like him and his team, she's an outcast by...her circumstance, he guesses is the best way to put it. But even in this world, she didn't really belong, did she? None of them did, OTO was a direct response to the fact they shouldn't be here. An extreme response, but not far from his own in the face of everything back home.

Being pushed aside, failed, forgotten...and the encroaching of outsiders, changing what Alola refused to change, to make it easier for them to be part of their world, yet turning their backs on the ones already there. The ones they left behind...

The thought pisses him off, and it's made apparent by the fact that—well...Saladit disappears suddenly. Guzma doesn't react, not surprised by it, merely knowing he'll have to contact Tupp to get the Salandit back. A small inconvenience, really.]

I can see the appeal. [He finally answers.] Even if this ain't a world where any of us belong, what's the point of goin' to your own home when you ain't nothin' but a stranger there, right?

[His eyes flick to her, his brow knitting tightly together. Golisopod lets out a worried rumble as he looks at Guzma, sensing the tension from him.]

Maybe staying here wouldn't be so bad, in that case.

[It's either go back and make a place for himself, or stay here and make a place for himself. It didn't matter where he went, because like Lucina, in his own way, he didn't belong.]

[Lucina's eyes widen with alarm as the Salandit just...vanishes, without any pomp or circumstance. just...in the midst of Guzma speaking, his expression darkening, it...vanished.

he says staying wouldn't be so bad, but the lizard just disappeared.]

Um. Guzma-- [her eyes wince, flickering from his shoulder to his face before pointing.]

It...the, um. Little wyvern...?

[Guzma stares at her for a moment, before he looks down, almost like he either forgot or didn't realize.]

...Oh. That happens when I—[Well, guess that solidifies what makes his nullifying powers work, huh?]—when I get pissed off, my nullifying powers happen.

For Pokémon it sends them back to their trainer. He's fine. I'll just pick him up when I visit the base.

...Oh...

[still. what a surprising and unpleasant echo of past events, right? if it activates when he's angry, then...]

I had no idea. [that explains why she could barely pick him up off the floor at Helix, too. huh.] But if that's the case-- [then he's angry now, right? why? what'd she do? besides...be kind of a mood-killer...]

Forgive me, I--I actually...didn't mean to bring up grim things from my home. It's not that I mind you knowing or not, only... [engh.] It's not...very enjoyable to hear about, is it?

[Guzma's doing his best to make peace with the fact he's the living embodiment of the very thing that hurt him so badly. It's almost like a cruel mockery of his general state, isn't it? Not that he's so self-aware to realize it.

He shakes her head when she starts to apologize. After all, it's better that he knows, right?]

It ain't you that's got me pissed, don't worry. You ain't done me no wrong here.

I'm glad y'told me.

[He turns and heads over to the couch, scooping Masquerain's sleeping lump of a form up into his arms as he takes a seat. Holding the snoozing bug in his lap as he looks to her.]

Just got me thinkin' about shit from home. I'm fine.

...

[he has ample advantage to dismiss her, but he just absolves her and settles in. she's left standing in a state of mixed feelings, her hands squeezing behind her back while she chews on the inside of her lip. she can sense eyes on her and can stand it only for so long before having to move, moving around tables or lumps of Pokemon in her way to sit down as well, her expression searching out sign that maybe she'd have been better off leaving.

but...if that were so, he'd say so, right? he's quite vocal about the things he dislikes, after all. unless their arrangement somehow stifled him. gods -- she hopes not, she has no idea how to discern nuances like that outside of a fight!

she fidgets, having to accommodate for Falchion still being at her hip a bit after-the-fact of sitting down, but it's something to do while she talks, so she'll take it.]

If you could remember this place in returning there, would you, then? Or would it be troublesome, like you said...

[It's weird how better he feels when she sits besides him. Some weird sort of relief that she chooses to stay, instead of leaving when she could. Especially when she's been made aware that he's mad. Even if not at her, he knows his anger's scary.

Even his grunts don't want to be around him when he's mad. It's chaotic and threatening, and even if his anger isn't at something in particularly, it strikes like a blind Arbok at anything within range.

Fortunately this isn't an extreme case of it, rather agitation than rage, but still.]

...I don't know.

[The answer is breathed out, a little strained. It's hard to answer that, because he knows it'll hurt her to tell her he'd rather forget, but he also isn't so certain that's true anymore.]

The gravity of this place has changed. [Mainly because of her, but others too.] But, at the same time, I ain't too sure how well my existence here would mix with my existence back home, y'know?

[How his relationship with Lusamine and his relationship with Lucina would be at odds. How his goals back home might repulse Lucina, might make her resent him...and maybe he feels guilty keeping that from her.

His expression darkens, tinged with what looks like guilt behind his dark eyes.]

I just ain't sure how good of a thing it'd be for me to remember.

[It'd be painful, he thinks.]

[she makes a soft, thoughtful sound. she can't expect everyone to be as eager as she is to hold onto memories -- especially when someone causes so much friction the way Guzma does. it might sting a little in hindsight later to think he'd be fine in forgetting, but seeing him up-close like this adds merit to his words that she'd have lacked otherwise.]

Well, so far...no one seems to really have a say in it. It'll be out of our hands until that changes. Which means that the life you have there...and the one you can make here? They can be as different or alike as you strive for, I think. Either way, I think...it's worth pursuing, regardless of outcome.

[Another pulse of relief when she doesn't take what he says as badly as he thought she might. It's not easy to be told in some manner that you're better off forgotten than remembered. But what she says leaves him silent for a few moments. Clearly he agrees, or he wouldn't be pursuing this with her, but it's different when you hear someone say it.

Quietly he nods.]

...Yeah. After all, who knows how long we got here, and even if all we get is a blip of something in the grand scheme of things...it's better than nothin', huh?

[He's looking at her, somewhat pointedly, as he says that.]

Yes. [she does manage to pull a small, but honest smile from that.] You wind up...learning things you didn't expect. Finding those things are just as important as having them, I think.

[after all, nothing is promised to stay. not the future, not even day to day! it's a mindset carefully taught by war and torment, but nurtured by the promise of better things -- especially when things can change so readily in a world like this.

sitting right there and then makes that more obvious to her. and, quietly, she thinks...well, rather hopes that she can see this man find something that does better for him, can get him to see himself something other than baddest of the bad, lowest of the low. mindset changes so much, after all.

she glances at the sleeping bug in Guzma's arms, her expression warming a bit.]

It can be worthwhile for them, too. A new and fascinating world...

[His gaze lingers on her as she speaks. Her words resonate with him a little oddly, and there's a weird pull of defiance in him, but that's likely just his natural need to be contrary. So, instead he nods.

It seems like it's getting a little easier to curb it around Lucina, but maybe it's because the things she present aren't so inflammatory to his beliefs and values...at least as of late. There's a lot of changes that seem to be getting swung into motion, even if he abhors the idea of changing. The world needs to change, not him. Yet, it feels like things are starting to shift within him. Even if subtle and seemingly negligible. But even an avalanche can start from a single pebble being displaced.

Like Lucina, his gaze falls to Masquerain in his arms, the bug totally passed out at this point. There's a weird flutter in his chest as she talks about his Pokémon. It's one thing to consider something worthwhile for him, but she always has room for them too, in her considerations. It's something that really resonates with him, something he appreciates about her...]

...They don't hate it here, but the lack of Pokémon can't be great for them. I bet it gets pretty lonely.

[He worries that it is, anyway.]

[it may be as he says... but Lucina doesn't know the right of it, not really. she's not from his world; she may befriend as many of the Pokemon as she's able here, but being a stranger to their world and way of life leaves her rather blind to the nuances that could be at play -- things Guzma can be keenly aware of.

they're practically people in their own right, after all...

making a thougtful sound, her hands fidget a little in her lap, holding off the want to reach over and pet at one of those wings at rest; she's really no good being idle.]

I hope that being around Archie's companions can help. But if there are other ways...I'd like to help.

[her expression crinkles a little, feeling a touch sheepish.]

You'd just have to translate for me, since...well...

[Guzma's spent some time thinking about how well his Pokémon's needs are being met here. And while they act fine, happy to be with him and interact with the humans here, he can't help that niggling worry in his chest every so often.

That fidgeting doesn't go unnoticed, but it might as well be for all he doesn't comment on it.]

It does. They get on well enough. [He breathes out a huff.] Tupp's Salandit, too.

[But then he pauses for a moment. Translate for...

He offers her a glance, before gently lifting up Masquerain (who is not even remotely bothered by this) and offering him to Princess Fidget over here.]

Well, I figure you'll be around 'em enough that probably won't be needed, huh?

A--oh-- [she startles a little, not immediately sure what was going on, but when one is offered things, it's a compulsion to reach out, so...

so now she has a snoozing bug in her arms...and subsequently in her lap. she looks a bit baffled, but also a bit endeared. he's so cute and content...!

still. she's got to have a nervous flutter in her belly for a reason, right? she peers over toward Guzma, head tilting slightly as she studies him.]

You...really mean that. Don't you?

[should she be pleased about that? she kind of thinks she is, but...]

[There's a slight upward pull at the corner of his mouth as he looks at her. Masquerain asleep in her lap like that...what a warming sight.

Her question, however, gets a raised eyebrow.]

...Well, yeah. Why wouldn't I?

[He settles back against the couch, crossing his arms over his chest. Not quite pouting, but to the untrained eye it might seem as such. At the very least, sulking.]

You've been over often 'nough already, it only makes sense you'd pick up communicatin' with 'em, huh? They understand you fine, it's just a matter of you gettin' them, now.

[she has to bite her lip to stifle more of a smile at the way he slumps back like that. it's not quite what she meant -- the matter of time to understand them. rather...that he's resigned to letting her have that time. with them. with him.

a delighted feeling brings a fresh flush to her face and has her fidget and sit up forward just enough as to not disturb the sleeper on her lap, her knees raised up when her feet are on tip-toe on the floor.

it's not posture she holds for very long, and she, too lets herself settle back against the cushion behind her, shoulders relaxing and feet back flat on the floor.]

It might be silly, but...I'm excited. [she smiles at him before she can catch herself and look back down, letting her hair obscure her expression.] To get to know all of you. That you'll let me...

I can't really understand why, but...it feels very important to me.

[Guzma watches her for a long moment, between that change in posture, the excitement within her, and what she says...he's filled with a strange and frightening tingle of emotion that he's not sure what to do with.

I can't really understand why, but...it feels very important to me.

That strikes him particularly hard, and he huffs, looking away from her. Heat to his face as he tries to figure out how to react, what to even say. What a fucking thing to say to him! Someone who has craved importance ever since childhood...that those he views as powerful, whether through skill, importance, age, or some other factor, would recognize him or see him as being important.

Worthy.]

Tch, you should be, yo! Not everyone gets the chance to get up close and personal with Big Bad Guzma like this!

[There he goes, looping into that almost defensive and deflective way of speaking. As if he's trying to make light of the sincerity of the situation. Maybe he is, if only because he doesn't know how to navigate feelings like this.]

...but maybe your boy's a little excited too.

[This is important to him too, but it's harder to admit that.]

[there it is again -- that little wave of delight. Lucina's shoulders draw up a bit as she braces against it, pressing her mouth into a thin line until she's tempered herself. it wouldn't do to be so taken by a feeling as to accidentally squeeze poor Masquerain near to death, would it? yet what is she supposed to do with this excess energy he's given her?!]

I'm not calling you that.

[her mouth twitches with the fight to stifle the laugh that peppers her voice.]

"Big Bad Guzma" sounds more like...something from a children's fable. [she squints over at him through her bangs.] Wolves and such, terrorizing children and small animals.

[There's a few things he could suggest to do with that energy he's giving her, but maybe such suggestions are a little uncouth, and a little awkward when there's a gaggle of Pokémon hanging around. Particularly when Pinsir's watching them as he is...]

Tch...

[A children's fable, huh?]

With my rep back home, that ain't entirely inaccurate...

Really.

[she squints at him.]

With your affinity for your Pokemon, I can't actually see you picking on other, littler ones, but is that actually how you spent your time?

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