maskormenacelogs | OTA + Guzma's CR

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OTA + Guzma's CR

WHO: Nanu & You + Nanu & The Unfortunates Who Know Guzma
WHERE: Maurtia Falls Youth Center & Around Town
WHEN: Late January
WHAT: Come have some cocoa with Uncle Nanu for a Community Mental Health Day after visiting the nightmare realm! We have group therapy, activities, and getting-to-know-you.
WARNINGS: None so far

Youth Center

[The youth center was not as active as the organizers had hoped. Not by a long shot. It was advertised as an outreach to the imPorts with all the disappearances going on, but the involved parties were coming back at different times... And the youth center didn't have a great way to reach its audience. Nevertheless, they want you to know that All are welcome here today.

And it was a shitshow that Nanu had been completely pulled into. People who entered for the advertisements of free snacks, pizza, and hot cocoa were ushered towards the group therapy circle. Nanu looked none too pleased about this situation, but he masked his displeasure under a mask of slightly less displeasure. He sipped his cocoa, watching people file in and sit or collect around.]

Good afternoon. My name is Nanu. I am not a licensed therapist, but I'm about as good as you're going to get here. Who wants to talk about their problems first?

Totally not stalking Guzma's friends

[Do you know Guzma? Are you... Friends/Enemies/Frenemies with Guzma? Then Nanu's got his eyes on you. Guzma hasn't reappeared yet and it's got him worried. Nanu's good at staying undercover, but you might start to notice the same old man anywhere you are out in public. You may not recognize him, depending on how you've seen him before. He's dressed fairly respectably; he looks like he probably got off work a while ago from an office job. Except that... Even in this chilly weather, he's wearing sandals. Weird.

Whatever, that's not the weirdest thing you've seen, right? Sometimes people just go to the same places. He walks past you, but he stumbles a bit, dropping his suitcase on the floor. It pops open, and his papers go everywhere. It's sheets of garbage paper from the recycling bin at work, but they have printing on them, so they seem important. There's totally stuff like 20 flyers for an event from three months ago, outdated blank forms, and bad photocopies of books like Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul]

Ah, Damn! My papers!

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[a boot comes down on a clump of the papers. archie watches nanu, head cocked.]

Crobat knows you've been following me. So does Mightyena. [becuase... obviously the tracker pokémon noticed and not their trainer. he doesn't have the senses for it! mightyena is standing next to him, eyes locked on nanu. though it doesn't look as annoyed as archie, just watching him in that way dogs do, like it's expecting a treat, or something.] If you want another go, you'll have to wait. I'm not in the mood.

[...gross. okay. and you started so well, archie.]

Seriously, what are you doing?

[Oh this... This is much worse. Getting found out by Archie. He didn't even mean to tail him as long as he had been, but at some point he hadn't stopped. He would have gone down to pick up the papers to busy his hands... But he doesn't fancy prying Archie's boot up just for some photocopies.]

If I wanted another go, I'd just call you.

[He crosses his arms without answering Archie.] But why aren't you in the mood? [He had his deductions, but figured as long as he had a blabbermouth like Archie around, it was free info.]

Okay. Point.

[he steps off the papers with a shrug. mightyena pads close to nanu, sticking his nose at his hand.]

Just not. What're you doing? Were you at the, uh... thing? [god, he hopes nanu didn't go there and die. that would suck.]

Way to make a guy feel rejected without even asking.

[Nanu narrows his eyes. This might be what he was trying to figure out more about. He'd gathered bits of it from the network, but his understanding of it was incomplete.]

Were you at the thing?

You'll find true love. Don't give up. You got a nice butt.

[said completely monotone, with a sigh.]

Yeah. Right up until I got gutted like a damn fish then woke up back here. Dunno if that's the only way back. I mean... sorry? If it is. Dyin' sucks.

[Nanu isn't the only one worried, and it's probably why she doesn't notice having such a strange, second shadow when she visits the shady factory or Guzma's rented house, checking for sign of him. there's really not a whole lot else a sword-wielding princess can do in this case; she doesn't have the science smarts to suss out a solution!

she's turned heel and briskly started away from the house, inadvertently becoming the reason that case pops open and scatters its contents by bumping him roughly on the shoulder.]

Ah-! Oh! Gods!

[she's momentarily startled, but not so much that she can't quickly stamp down on a packet of papers that threatens to fly away with the wind kicked up by a passing car.]

Forgive me, I! I didn't hear you behind me...! [an extremely rookie mistake, and she'll be embarrassed about it right away.]

[Ah, hook, line, and sinker. He doesn't have to try very hard to play a tepid old man, either. Nanu kneels down to pick up some of the papers himself to lean into the act.]

Oh, it'll be alright... Thank you, young lady. [He holds out his hand so that she can hand him the papers she's currently got planted under her foot. Good thing these weren't anything important. He briefly imagined them from a bygone era when he did have to carry papers... A boot print in the middle of his documents would have been just great. And now his chance to pounce.]

Oh, you're familiar... I see you in this neighborhood from time to time with those Team Skull fellows.

[she's quick in gathering those captured pages and offering them to him, and not at all guarded for such a blunt remark. she blinks, eyes going big for a moment.]

Eh-? You? [gods, with how often she breaks a phone in frustration at her portrayal in the media, one would think she'd be ready for recognition when it happens organically!

her mouth twitches into a bashful, pained smile.] Ah...y-yes, well... Are they giving you trouble? I could try to speak to them, if that's the case. I wouldn't stand for them to be doing anyone harm if I saw it...

[Huh, not exactly what he expected out of her mouth. Not by a long shot. He was half ready for her to throw down.]

Oh, no more trouble than anyone else, I suppose... But that little one, with the blue hair? Cut my shopping bag open the other day! All my catfood fell out, too, and now I need to go get more. [Lie. This is a Lie.]

...If you're with them, maybe you could help me carry a bag of it back to my house. I don't live far away, and I've been worried about it since.

[And then finally takes his papers once he's said his guilt tripping diatribe]

[her eyes wince. blue-haired one, huh...? she'll have to lecture him about inconveniencing the elderly later.

sympathetic and utterly believing him:] I'd have no issue helping you at all! Why, I could help you pick up double what you lost -- I have more than enough strength to carry it.

[His face doesn't betray it, but a reel plays in his head of Guzma gloating, was it? About their indiscretion... He knows she's strong. He shakes that frankly, entirely too much info out of his mind.]

[Maybe this is a good opportunity to actually cart some kibble home. The local strays annihilated his stock fairly quickly.]

Would you? That would be too kind.

[Now for some proper information gathering...] That would be too kind. You look about my grandaughter's age... You're fifteen, perhaps? [Please, god, don't be fifteen.]

Of course! Any Aegis member would. [she makes a point of adding that out of pride. and necessity: Aegis! good guys! not bag-cutting goons that are going to get a lecture from Aegis!

as his remarks stray into old man territory, she smiles politely, then laughs a little, shaking her head.] Oh, no. I'm eighteen, sir. I just look young because I'm short! [...probably. but having bulked out with her super strength kind of ruins that illusion.] Come, now. Where did you pick up those goods before? I can go with you.

[Aegis. Another one?]

Oh? That's not so far off. Well, to an old man like me! [And then he chuckles, relieved, because he doesn't have to go kill Guzma]

The grocery down the way will have it. You're such a nice girl! Maybe I mistook you hanging around that Team Skull for something else... Oh, I didn't introduce myself. My name is Nanu. [He looks at her face to spot any hint of recognition.]

Well met, Nanu. [a name she's never heard before, attached to an old man she's never met! but she kindly smiles, nodding respectfully.] I'm Lucina, and I'll be pleased to accompany you.

[she turns to let him dictate the way to go before falling into step, folding her hands behind her.]

I-if you don't mind my asking...what you mistook my interactions for? I hope it's nothing to do with those smear campaigns on the internet against me... [because she might be able to smile right now, but she might want to rip a street sign out in frustration if she hears of a new chapter of it!!!]

[Dear sweet tapu, she really is a literal princess, huh.]

Oh, don't worry. I don't use the internet or anything like that... I was just wondering what a nice girl like you was doing with a group like them. You aren't in... trouble, are you? [Guzma was untrustworthy, but not that kind of untrustworthy, at least. He hoped.]

They aren't blackmailing you, are they?

[He was certain he could have her undivided attention for at least the trip to his apartment. She definitely wasn't going to strand him with more cat food than he could carry just from being nosy, right?]

...Or, maybe you're trying to reform them?

[Now he'd have to go google up his boy Guzma. What did they have to say about those two?]

Eh? Ah...ahaha...! [right. that. the...the very sort of optics she worried about at the onset. the very sort she...rapidly forgot about as she fell harder for their big, bad boss.

she is trying to laugh it off, but man. it's awkward!]

No, no! No blackmail. I'm in no danger, I assure you. [even if they wanted to, most of those grumpy teenagers wouldn't be able to do her much harm, but that's beside the point.

as for reforming...?]

I...don't think I could get away with that. I mean, I will certainly always offer advice where I can to do better by themselves! But...I can't force anyone to live the way I want them to. [a lesson she's been very humbled to learn again and again, and probably will, for as often as her pride makes it so.

quickly, as her face takes on an embarrassed pink:] That doesn't mean I won't lecture any one of them for cutting people's grocery bags!

[This was so totally not his business at all as a stranger, and sort of even less so as Guzma's friend. Would she be mad when she found out the truth? He didn't really care.]

Well, as long as you're alright... But I struggle to see the appeal. You seem pretty... refined for their group.

[Hmm.. How to turn the conversation towards Guzma. He had her on the back foot, so it shouldn't be too hard, huh?]

I've seen you talking to their leader, the tall fellow. What do you think of him?

[she laughs a little, sheepish. refined? she doesn't get that a lot -- at least, not from anyone who really knows her. from an outsider, she can seem...refined?]

Eh-? You mean Guzma? [her face colors a little, mouth twitching in its polite smile. after a heart-fluttery beat:] Think of him...? In, in what way do you mean? There's...a lot to think.

Hah! That's what ya get for carryin' all that crap around old man.

[Tupp lets out a snort of amusement seeing the mess of papers strewn about, though he makes no movement to help Nanu pick them up. It was a gut reaction, one without much thought which is why he nearly walked past the whole orchestrated encounter. He had been out of sorts since he returned after all, but fortunately one last quick glance to Nanu proper got his brain working again. If this whole thing was a test of his perception then Tupp certainly failed.

Pausing, he raised an eyebrow to the other.]

Yo... Whaddaya want, Nanu?

[Nanu just lets all the papers go. It'd been a minute since he talked to Tupp, he almost forgot what a little sack of turds he was.]

From you? Nothing. You never know anything.

[He'd thought he might find out something useful about Guzma from him, but... Well, maybe. He did at least usually know where he was. But riling up Tupp was the surest way to make him tell the truth, so.]

You're not important enough for Guzma to tell anything to.

Don't tell me you really haulin' all this junk around.

[He may of been too preoccupied and stupid to notice you, but even he knows you're a suspicious sort Nanu!! Dropping the papers was clearly for some sorta reason, info, if the comment about him never knowing anything was to go off of.

Tupp bristles at the last part though, his face immediately twisting into a scowl. It's not his usual brand of anger that's for sure.

He's hurt.]

You don't know shit, yo!

It's just a brief case. Not too weird for an adult with a job to carry.

[Would it work? He hoped it would. Less time spent around Tupp, the better]

What don't I "know shit" about, then?

Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.

[Said both rude and dismissive. He doesn't believe Nanu for a second, but that's not what's important.]

About anything with me and the Boss! Yo, is that what this is? You tryin' to get me to spill somethin' about Guzma?

Wow, you get smarter or something?

[Nanu says deadpan. He doubts it.]

So there's something to spill, huh? Should've figured since he's been gone for so long.

Fuck off, I've always been smart!

[No he hasn't and no he hasn't gotten smarter. He turns away though, clearly getting frustrated on top of his already pissy attitude. He grumbles.]

Yo, why you always gotta go pryin'?! There ain't nothin' to spill!

[Tina's lost two weeks of her life without anything to show for it, and coming back to find out that a lot of her close friends are or have been gone under mysterious circumstances... well, that's put her right back into "pissy teen" mode, but she's stayed far away from any Skull activities.

Instead, she's out walking Magnus' dogs, taking a loooong walk to try and clear her head. By this time, Alf the chihuahua is exhausted so Tina is carrying her in one arm, holding the leash of Uncle Jesse the Bernese as best she can.

Then Nanu bumps into her, and she stops, looking at him and the strewn papers strangely.]

... Nanu?

[Well, she's got her hands full anyway, doesn't she? He could always get more photocopies from the recycling bin. And man.]

Yep, that's me. It's been a minute since I've seen you around, kid.

[Oof ouch his soft spot for troubled teens] You look like you've had a rough week. Wanna talk to old Nanu?

Yeah, I've been... busy. ... and by "busy" I mean I disappeared for two weeks and came back to this. Jesse, sit.

[And the Bernese does, tongue lolling happily. Tina sets the Chihuahua down to rest, which she does gratefully. Tina sighs, looking away.]

Some of... some of my closest friends have gone missing. People come and go in this world all the time, but never this many at once. And if they really are gone, and I'm still stuck here, I'm not sure... I don't know if I'll be able to handle it.

[He feels some genuine empathy for her and her situation. And he knows the heartbreak and loss keenly. He's not an optimistic guy, exactly, but he's pretty soft. And he does want these kids to be okay.]

You will. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but... you will. And I'll be there for you. For the tough parts.

[He glances down at the dogs before saying the next part.]

You still in Team Skull?

Thank you.

[She means that sincerely, and hopes it comes through in her voice.]

I guess if it does happen I have no choice BUT to find some way to cope.

[She nods at that, shamefaced.]

I don't know why I still am, to be honest with you. I guess I keep waiting for it to just... click and for me to be okay with being a bad guy. But my conscience is still there, bugging me every time I do something bad.

You have outlets, that's good. Worst thing you can do to yourself is be completely idle.

[He crosses his arms and lets out a slow breath.]

I don't know kid, I don't think it's meant to be. I was in a gang when I was your age and a little older. It didn't go well for me...

Do you need some help escaping them? You can lay low at my place, I can talk to Guzma for you. He respects me well enough.

Yeah, I'm not used to being idle. I've been working for my parents all my life, so it's just... weird to not have stuff to do.

[She considers that.]

See, the weird thing is, I don't think he'd care too much if I up and left. I get the impression that he knows I'm torn about it, and so he's waiting for me to decide one way or the other. He lets me do what I want and doesn't try to push me. And I'm not too worried about the grunts- they're not shy about telling me I'm too much of a chicken for it. I think they'd be glad if I walked away.

Edited 2020-02-01 01:15 (UTC)

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OTA + Guzma's CR

totally not stalking

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what's stalking

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stalking

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Stalking

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