[It's not often he bothers going out and taking up one of the quests that go up on the board every couple months. But lately, something's been starting to gnaw at him. Something almost like restlessness, finally starting to set in after the long, frankly enjoyable months of relaxation. Something that makes him think maybe he should finally start trying to actually help out more than his lazy ass has been since arrival.]
[And that's why he's here now, with Krookodile and Persian, fighting these massive, shambling things that look like particularly vicious Tangrowth. They're even doing well for a time, between the two Pokemons' coordination and Nanu's own bursts of magic.]
[Too bad he seems to have bitten off more than he can chew here. Too bad these stupid vines have the audacity to breathe on them. Persian and Krookodile at least avoid the attack, but Nanu? Nanu gets hit with the full force of it, coughing and sputtering at the cloying sweetness. And suddenly, he can't move, every muscle freezing in place. And those vines look very hungry.]
[Xiao cared little for the questboards. There were swaths of monsters and beasts that needed to be kept in check, and he wasn't about to limit himself to the mortal's narrow idea of what needed to be dealt with.
Nearly nonstop he'd been out slaying beasts. He did not require sleep, nor food, so such concerns did not give him pause. As he was accustomed to, he sensed a disturbance and followed it to the source.
Ah. That human again. Curious how he seemed to haphazardly fall into trouble- but he had the charm. He would be able to dispatch the threat without having to fret about harming him.
So he donned his mask, and leapt from his perch only to summon his spear and plummet himself down into one of he beasts. Upon impact there was a gust of wind followed by the ground erupting with ghostly spears and weapons, utterly skewering his first target, and injuring the others. When retaliation came his movements were swift and carried and air of weightlessness about them, dodging incoming attacks as though his enemies were standing still. And in another swift blow, the delicate image of his was shattered for another brutal assault of ethereal weapons left the second beast dead.
All that was left was one now, and this one had grown wise that it was far outclassed. Xiao simply started walking towards it, knowing it would fight or flee. Either way it made little difference to him. Predictably it chose to fight and lunged at the Yaksha after the moment of hesitation. All it took was a swift push of his spear and the third and final beast was felled.
Xiao took a moment to observe the scene for any more potential threats, ignoring the human for now, and the ghostly weapons started to dissipate into a green and black mist. Nanu's charm would certainly be working overtime, and might even show signs of taking on that black color like it was being singed.
all seemed well, and honestly Xiao was heavily debating just teleporting away to avoid having to deal with actually having to try and have a conversation.]
[Just casually swooping in and destroying the plants like it's the easiest thing in the world. Because of course some weird brat from Tapu only knew where would be used to fighting things like this, apparently.]
[It only stings a little bit, needing any sort of assistance at all, but Nanu can't deny the sense of relief that washes through him as he watches Xiao dispatch every single shambling vine in sight. And his Pokemon are clearly grateful for the save, as well, as Krookodile is quick to rush to his trainer's side, gently pawing at Nanu in distress, and Persian...]
[Well. Persian apparently remembers the kid, too, because while she glues herself to Nanu's side as she always does, she bristles and hisses at the young man, and if Nanu could roll his eyes right now, he certainly would be.]
[But it's a few moments before he starts to recover enough to move again. Little twitches first, and then finally almost collapsing outright, wheezing as he doubles over, hands bracing on his knees. It he notices the strange state of the charm on his necklace, he doesn't show it, a bit too distracted by the fact that he's free from the damned paralysis inflicted on him.]
Good timing. Definitely wouldn't have been my preferred way to die.
I am not speaking of your beasts, I am speaking of you. You carry no weapon, so your beasts must choose between protecting themselves, or taking a direct attack in your stead.
[He lets his spear vanish, freeing up his arms so he can cross them judgmentally. Still, he did not come out completely unscathed himself. While it wasn't serious, he had a gash on his arm- it could be left alone, however any open wounds of his leak that black and teal mist. In short: it looks horrific.
There is a little "hmph" over that thanks.]
I have no need for your thanks, I am merely doing my duty.
Got more of a weapon here than I ever had back home.
[And there's no point in trying to explain how little difference there is in what he's doing right now to what he'd be doing back home, in any similar situation. He's too familiar with this sort of stubborn, abrasive attitude, and too tired right now to properly deal with it, so...he doesn't, looking at the strange, misty wound on Xiao's arm and raising a brow.]
Looks to me like you should've just let the vines eat me.
[And with a sigh, he straightens up, carefully dislodging the clingy Krookodile from his arm so he can shrug off his backpack.]
Alright, c'mere. I don't know what the hell that means, but I have some bandages. Gotta be better than nothing.
It is my duty to protect your kind. In any case you should at least carry a weapon on you.
[And in his own gruff way his attitude and advice was part of that duty. The human now knew how to better protect himself. At least that was what he was aiming for. He's not so good at all this.
The comment about his injury has him stalling, and it takes him a moment to see what the human is speaking of.]
I am fine. The talisman I gave you is barely holding up as it is.
[Granted that was more because of the fight itself, less so the injury. He's just awkward and is trying to get out of it.]
[...oh. Oh, wait. He looks down at his necklace, and...welp. Sure enough, that weird charm he received a while back is looking pretty haggard, the once vibrant feather nearly as black as the Darkinium Z crystal hanging beside it.]
[And finally, it clicks.]
This was from you? [Makes sense. He was wondering who had left the damn thing on his doorstep...] ...and is the reason I don't feel so queasy around you this time, huh?
It is one of my feathers yes, it is capable of burning away corruption as I do.
[Which is to say it was also as capable at getting overwhelmed as he was, but in time the talisman should clear up again. Even now it remained holding strong. It would be fine so long as there were no more monsters for him to deal with.]
I told you before. I make humans ill the longer I am around them. It was better to just leave it and return to my duty.
[Also he’s bad at people and didn’t know how you go about giving these things.]
Kid, most people throw shit away when they don't know where or who it came from.
Next time at least leave a name or something.
[Part of him is wondering if he should be a little offended that Xiao even went through the trouble of leaving a gift that implies making it easier to meet again and then proceeded to...do the exact opposite of that, but. Then again, he already had the impression the kid is absolutely terrible at dealing with people.]
[This just confirms that.]
That said—
[Don't mind him, he's just using the brief distraction to grab Xiao's arm now, so he can start wrapping that up to stop the...misting......]
[Armin likes to get out and about at least once a day if he can. He felt the same back home - never one to stay indoors too long. Photography is a good excuse to explore every corner of Ellipsa (barring the Segments, which he tends to avoid if he lacks a good reason to be there). He's out, innocently snapping photos. He tries to keep it to scenery, working to avoid capturing any unwilling participants. He's angling upward to snap an up close shot of the leaves on a tree when he notices something lingering behind them.
[The flash has already gone off...]
Ah! Sorry about that! [He calls up to the mystery tree-dweller.]
[It was rare for him to break from his relentless pursuits in monster slaying, but there were times even he would need to retreat to tend to his injuries.
And by tend, I mean he’s not actively fighting but otherwise ignoring them.
Then there’s a curious sound and… some human saying words that make no sense. He cocks his head to the side as he focuses on the human.]
[Okay, well! That startles Armin a little bit! Warrants a nervous laugh at the very least!]
Hi there.
[Straight to business, this one. Armin steps a little closer to show him the screen on his camera, which is indeed recording whatever he points it at (currently the ground). He lifts the camera to direct it toward the tree, then snaps a couple of pictures. He shows Xiao the frames.]
See?
[He flips back through a few other stills, showing him the one that captured Xiao in the tree.]
[Ever seen a cat see themselves in the mirror for the first time? Well, that’s what’s happening now.
The moment the picture scrolls to him he looks back up at the tree. Back to the camera. Then under the camera. Behind the camera. Back to the tree. Back to the camera. Down to him.
It's not magic. It's science. Though, I'm...not sure I'd be able to explain to you exactly how a camera like this works. It's a little advanced for me.
I could take another picture of you if you'd like to see how it looks up close.
[He was far from the most educated of the Adepti, seeing himself as more of a weapon he felt such knowledge was useless to him. However, he has been stuck in the company of Cloud Retainer enough times to get several earfuls about this and that creation of hers. Brilliant inventions made from a combination of technology and magic…
which she usually used for cooking.
Anyway, this little box seemed like something she would create. In truth It interested him as well. The faces of those lost had been all but forgotten by the world. There would come a time when they would fade from his memory as well.]
…Very well.
[And he’s doing the old man squint at it. Still trying to puzzle this thing out.]
Well, this is a digital camera, so it takes the pictures with advanced technology that I don't fully understand yet. [Still not magic though.] I also have film cameras. Those sort collect light through a lens and then burn the image into a special type of paper called film. You have to develop it yourself in something called a dark room.
[Ope. He's rambling.]
Ah...anyway.
[Armin takes a step back and holds the camera up for Xiao, snapping a couple of up close pictures. He then steps back to show Xiao the preview on his camera.]
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chiming
action. | INCOMING REUNION with Plant of Nightmares shenanigans
Date: 2024-03-06 10:42 pm (UTC)From:[And that's why he's here now, with Krookodile and Persian, fighting these massive, shambling things that look like particularly vicious Tangrowth. They're even doing well for a time, between the two Pokemons' coordination and Nanu's own bursts of magic.]
[Too bad he seems to have bitten off more than he can chew here. Too bad these stupid vines have the audacity to breathe on them. Persian and Krookodile at least avoid the attack, but Nanu? Nanu gets hit with the full force of it, coughing and sputtering at the cloying sweetness. And suddenly, he can't move, every muscle freezing in place. And those vines look very hungry.]
[Welp.]
[This is how he dies, then.]
[Shit.]
/handrubs!
Date: 2024-03-06 11:43 pm (UTC)From:Nearly nonstop he'd been out slaying beasts. He did not require sleep, nor food, so such concerns did not give him pause. As he was accustomed to, he sensed a disturbance and followed it to the source.
Ah. That human again. Curious how he seemed to haphazardly fall into trouble- but he had the charm. He would be able to dispatch the threat without having to fret about harming him.
So he donned his mask, and leapt from his perch only to summon his spear and plummet himself down into one of he beasts. Upon impact there was a gust of wind followed by the ground erupting with ghostly spears and weapons, utterly skewering his first target, and injuring the others. When retaliation came his movements were swift and carried and air of weightlessness about them, dodging incoming attacks as though his enemies were standing still. And in another swift blow, the delicate image of his was shattered for another brutal assault of ethereal weapons left the second beast dead.
All that was left was one now, and this one had grown wise that it was far outclassed. Xiao simply started walking towards it, knowing it would fight or flee. Either way it made little difference to him. Predictably it chose to fight and lunged at the Yaksha after the moment of hesitation. All it took was a swift push of his spear and the third and final beast was felled.
Xiao took a moment to observe the scene for any more potential threats, ignoring the human for now, and the ghostly weapons started to dissipate into a green and black mist. Nanu's charm would certainly be working overtime, and might even show signs of taking on that black color like it was being singed.
all seemed well, and honestly Xiao was heavily debating just teleporting away to avoid having to deal with actually having to try and have a conversation.]
no subject
Date: 2024-03-08 02:41 am (UTC)From:[Just casually swooping in and destroying the plants like it's the easiest thing in the world. Because of course some weird brat from Tapu only knew where would be used to fighting things like this, apparently.]
[It only stings a little bit, needing any sort of assistance at all, but Nanu can't deny the sense of relief that washes through him as he watches Xiao dispatch every single shambling vine in sight. And his Pokemon are clearly grateful for the save, as well, as Krookodile is quick to rush to his trainer's side, gently pawing at Nanu in distress, and Persian...]
[Well. Persian apparently remembers the kid, too, because while she glues herself to Nanu's side as she always does, she bristles and hisses at the young man, and if Nanu could roll his eyes right now, he certainly would be.]
[But it's a few moments before he starts to recover enough to move again. Little twitches first, and then finally almost collapsing outright, wheezing as he doubles over, hands bracing on his knees. It he notices the strange state of the charm on his necklace, he doesn't show it, a bit too distracted by the fact that he's free from the damned paralysis inflicted on him.]
Good timing. Definitely wouldn't have been my preferred way to die.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-08 07:59 am (UTC)From:Not one to mince words, Xiao just looks Nanu right in the eye, forgoing any and all pleasantries.]
Why have you come out here if you cannot fight?
no subject
Date: 2024-03-19 07:10 pm (UTC)From:[Really just gonna dig right into him, huh Xiao? Not even a hi? Not a how you been? Not a you're welcome??]
[Honestly, kids these days...]
We can fight just fine. [Which isn't necessarily a lie, but—] But I also didn't think so many would show up at once.
So, y'know. Thanks for the assist.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-21 04:31 am (UTC)From:[He lets his spear vanish, freeing up his arms so he can cross them judgmentally. Still, he did not come out completely unscathed himself. While it wasn't serious, he had a gash on his arm- it could be left alone, however any open wounds of his leak that black and teal mist. In short: it looks horrific.
There is a little "hmph" over that thanks.]
I have no need for your thanks, I am merely doing my duty.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-21 06:28 pm (UTC)From:Got more of a weapon here than I ever had back home.
[And there's no point in trying to explain how little difference there is in what he's doing right now to what he'd be doing back home, in any similar situation. He's too familiar with this sort of stubborn, abrasive attitude, and too tired right now to properly deal with it, so...he doesn't, looking at the strange, misty wound on Xiao's arm and raising a brow.]
Looks to me like you should've just let the vines eat me.
[And with a sigh, he straightens up, carefully dislodging the clingy Krookodile from his arm so he can shrug off his backpack.]
Alright, c'mere. I don't know what the hell that means, but I have some bandages. Gotta be better than nothing.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-22 01:40 am (UTC)From:[And in his own gruff way his attitude and advice was part of that duty. The human now knew how to better protect himself. At least that was what he was aiming for. He's not so good at all this.
The comment about his injury has him stalling, and it takes him a moment to see what the human is speaking of.]
I am fine. The talisman I gave you is barely holding up as it is.
[Granted that was more because of the fight itself, less so the injury. He's just awkward and is trying to get out of it.]
no subject
Date: 2024-03-22 03:32 pm (UTC)From:[...oh. Oh, wait. He looks down at his necklace, and...welp. Sure enough, that weird charm he received a while back is looking pretty haggard, the once vibrant feather nearly as black as the Darkinium Z crystal hanging beside it.]
[And finally, it clicks.]
This was from you? [Makes sense. He was wondering who had left the damn thing on his doorstep...] ...and is the reason I don't feel so queasy around you this time, huh?
Why the secrecy, though?
no subject
Date: 2024-03-22 09:20 pm (UTC)From:[Which is to say it was also as capable at getting overwhelmed as he was, but in time the talisman should clear up again. Even now it remained holding strong. It would be fine so long as there were no more monsters for him to deal with.]
I told you before. I make humans ill the longer I am around them. It was better to just leave it and return to my duty.
[Also he’s bad at people and didn’t know how you go about giving these things.]
no subject
Date: 2024-03-28 04:48 pm (UTC)From:Next time at least leave a name or something.
[Part of him is wondering if he should be a little offended that Xiao even went through the trouble of leaving a gift that implies making it easier to meet again and then proceeded to...do the exact opposite of that, but. Then again, he already had the impression the kid is absolutely terrible at dealing with people.]
[This just confirms that.]
That said—
[Don't mind him, he's just using the brief distraction to grab Xiao's arm now, so he can start wrapping that up to stop the...misting......]
action
Date: 2024-03-07 11:14 am (UTC)From:[The flash has already gone off...]
Ah! Sorry about that! [He calls up to the mystery tree-dweller.]
I'll just delete that - okay?
no subject
Date: 2024-03-07 11:22 am (UTC)From:And by tend, I mean he’s not actively fighting but otherwise ignoring them.
Then there’s a curious sound and… some human saying words that make no sense. He cocks his head to the side as he focuses on the human.]
Delete what?
no subject
Date: 2024-03-07 11:23 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2024-03-07 11:28 am (UTC)From:[Guess who hasn’t touched a single piece of technology since he got here?
He looks himself over briefly and… No he’s still got all his belongings.]
You have taken nothing of mine.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-07 11:31 am (UTC)From:[He holds his up, smiling.]
This is a camera. [A digital one, so:] Basically, when I click this button, it copies an image of you. I can show you if you'd like.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-07 11:41 am (UTC)From:So he vanished from the branch and reappeared in a quick flash of smoke by Armin’s side. Because he’s incapable of being normal.
Anyway he’s leaning over to look at the device expectantly.]
Well?
no subject
Date: 2024-03-08 12:50 am (UTC)From:Hi there.
[Straight to business, this one. Armin steps a little closer to show him the screen on his camera, which is indeed recording whatever he points it at (currently the ground). He lifts the camera to direct it toward the tree, then snaps a couple of pictures. He shows Xiao the frames.]
See?
[He flips back through a few other stills, showing him the one that captured Xiao in the tree.]
And...there you are.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-08 06:55 am (UTC)From:The moment the picture scrolls to him he looks back up at the tree. Back to the camera. Then under the camera. Behind the camera. Back to the tree. Back to the camera. Down to him.
And finally back to Armin.]
Is it some type of spell?
[It’s… its gotta be spell.]
no subject
Date: 2024-03-08 07:01 am (UTC)From:It's not magic. It's science. Though, I'm...not sure I'd be able to explain to you exactly how a camera like this works. It's a little advanced for me.
I could take another picture of you if you'd like to see how it looks up close.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-08 08:33 am (UTC)From:[He was far from the most educated of the Adepti, seeing himself as more of a weapon he felt such knowledge was useless to him. However, he has been stuck in the company of Cloud Retainer enough times to get several earfuls about this and that creation of hers. Brilliant inventions made from a combination of technology and magic…
which she usually used for cooking.
Anyway, this little box seemed like something she would create. In truth It interested him as well. The faces of those lost had been all but forgotten by the world. There would come a time when they would fade from his memory as well.]
…Very well.
[And he’s doing the old man squint at it. Still trying to puzzle this thing out.]
no subject
Date: 2024-03-08 10:40 pm (UTC)From:Well, this is a digital camera, so it takes the pictures with advanced technology that I don't fully understand yet. [Still not magic though.] I also have film cameras. Those sort collect light through a lens and then burn the image into a special type of paper called film. You have to develop it yourself in something called a dark room.
[Ope. He's rambling.]
Ah...anyway.
[Armin takes a step back and holds the camera up for Xiao, snapping a couple of up close pictures. He then steps back to show Xiao the preview on his camera.]