ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Psyche shrugs. ~Yeah, I'm still lost about that. No idea.~

Excess express, past

Cass:<I wouldn't know.>

-Shrug-

Sootopolis

-Deziree pulls over as stool before planting her foot on it and striking a heroic stance.-

Deziree: That's for me to explain! At least in a scientific manner. Maybe a metaphysical manner, too. We'll see.

Sootopolis Center

Sarah: Right... all we know is, there's mind stuff, and then it becomes real stuff because my head does Elsewhere-y things. We think.

Sootopolis

Daydre comes flying in, hanging off the legs of a togetic. She looks exhausted as she drops down next to Iggy. ...Aaand she lands on her face.

Sootopolis

-Iggy nearly drops her eggle is surprise. She doesn't-

Iggy:Ms. Daydre! D=

-She pokepokes the girl-

Thanks to Moon for spagging this with me.

Sootopolis City

Duke is currently sitting near one of the craters in Sootopolis, just relaxing when a certain dark-haired individual who has finally managed to aquire some suitable clothing - including his signature scarf - sits down nearby.

Lucius: ...Nice view, huh?

Duke: Hey Lucius. Yeah, it's pretty cool. Were you looking for me?

Lucius pulls down his scarf, revealing a contemplative frown.

Lucius: ...Kinda, yeah. The last few days have been... kinda stressful, to say the least, so it's nice to have someone friendly to talk to. That, and there's a couple of questions that I need answering, but I'm still not sure if you're the person I ought to go to for help.

Duke smiles at Lucius.

Duke: Well, I can try.

Lucius scratches the back of his neck.

Lucius: Well, you and I both know that I haven't been able to use Aura since I came back. What I don't know is whether or not that's permanent. Seeing as my new body's made of Obscura, it interfering with my powers would make sense... but is there a way around it? I haven't been able to find one on my own. So I came to you, even though... well, I dunno if you're someone that can help me.

Duke stops to think for a moment, looking at the ground as he does so.

Duke: You're made of Obscura so... Aura is basically the essence of every living creature, but thanks to your rather unique state... It's hard to tell if you're "living". Maybe it's just sealed off since I can still sense your presence.

Lucius: Maybe? I just don't know how I'd "unlock" it if it is. But I'm pretty sure I'm technically undead. After all, I know Ghost-types don't have Auras, but what you're sensing is probably the Dark Obscura, right?

Duke: Hmm... Maybe...

Duke looks up for a bit.

Duke: If you still can use Aura, maybe if we brought you to an area that has a strong Aura field it could maybe unlock your powers. We did go to an area like that once, right?

Lucius: Yeah, I remember. What I don't remember is exactly where it was. And I'm pretty sure Tagg didn't want us finding out in the first place.

Duke: We could ask him. It's not like we're trying to do anything bad. Though I wonder if going there could be harmful to you.

He looks directly at Lucius.

Duke: You're a being made of Obscura, being in a place overflowing with Aura... I wonder if it's possible your body would react badly to it.

Lucius grimaces.

Lucius: I had the same concern. I'd rather not have an allergic reaction. Or explode.

Duke chuckles a bit.

Duke: Well, we could try. We shouldn't go straight there, but if you start feeling strange or in pain or whatever, we'd return. It's a concern but as long as we don't drop straight into the center of the field you should be fine.

Lucius: Okay, but that doesn't solve problem number one: how do we get there? Neither one of us remembers where it is, and I'm pretty sure they don't run flights in and out of ancient Auric monuments. That, and I'm not eager to talk to Tagg again any time soon.

Duke: Getting there might be a problem, yeah. We're probably not going to get there very quickly. Having a map and knowing the general location would help though, even if it's not just teleporting from place to place like you're used to.

He chuckles again.

Duke: And don't worry, I can ask Tagg myself or ask Lyuri to do so if she can.

Lucius: Right...

He looks back over the water, his expression pensive.

Duke: If nothing else, if we go there and everything turns out well, then we can take advantage of the fact that we're there and I can actually train you there. Last time we couldn't because of what happened back in Orre, but I guess that would be a good way for me to make up for it.

Lucius: ...I just hope that's not still holding me back.

Duke: If it is... Well, it's all on you. In that case you would probably be better looking for another teacher.

Lucius: Yeah... that's the other reason why I was uncertain about coming to you.

He sighs.

Lucius: I don't want that to hold me back, though. I don't know where I'd find another teacher... not one as good as you, anyway.

Duke: Guess we'll find out when we get there. I won't blame you if you still don't feel comfortable fighting with me, but hey, I'll still be around if you're looking around for help.

He smiles slightly

Duke: Thanks for the compliment by the way.

Lucius: Well, it's true. Even if I have only ever had the one teacher.

Duke: To be honest I don't know anyone other than Tagg that could be a teacher for you.

Lucius grimaces.

Lucius: ...I'm a lot more comfortable around you than I am around him, that's for sure.

Duke pats Lucius on the shoulder and snickers a bit.

Duke: Guess it's a "lesser of two evils" situation then.

Lucius: Nah, I could hardly call either of you an "evil" under even the most generous definition of the term. Besides, there won't be a choice to make if it turns out I really can't use Aura after all.

He rubs the back of his neck again.

Lucius: Still, thanks for offering to help. I know I haven't always been the easiest of students.

Duke: People have their problems and you just happened to have a lot of emotional baggage that I ended up only adding to. Don't worry about that. I'll see if I can get the information from Tagg and then I'll tell you.

He stops, looking rather a bit pensive.

Duke: This is unrelated, but since you're here, can I ask you something?

Lucius gives a small smirk.

Lucius: Given that I came over here to ask you a question, I can hardly say no.

Duke: This is a bit awkward but...

He scratches his head a bit.

Duke: Do you think I would be a good father?

Lucius blinks.

Lucius: ...Were you guys really that careless?

Duke: ...Eh?

Lucius: ...Never mind. I'm not going to be the one to give you The Talk. That'd be awkward on so many levels.

He looks back over the water.

Lucius: To answer your question... I know I've never really accepted the idea of you and Lyuri together. But you've been through a lot together, and you clearly care about each other even after all of that. I've always seen you as more of a brother than a father, but... I think you could manage the transition from one to the other. With practice, of course.

Duke: I figured that since me and Lyuri have been together for so long now, we probably will... Um... develop our relationship further and it got me thinking about that. Raising a human kid... That will be a challenge.

He chuckles.

Duke: I've heard a lot about dysfunctional families and well... You're part of one yourself. So I guess I'm just worried about whether I'd be able to have a stable family or not. Me and Lyuri are already from different species so that's already going against that.

Lucius gives a rather wry smile.

Lucius: Trust me, there's no way you can do a worse job than Titan did. Honestly, what concerns me more is the idea of Lyuri as a mother. Kids are one problem you can't solve just by yelling at them.

Duke can't help but laugh a bit at the comment, noticeably more than he usually does.

Duke: That's true. I'll probably have to keep Lyuri from blowing up like that. For her sake and also of the poor kid.

He then looks back at Lucius.

Duke: Have you ever put much thought into that, though? Having a family and all that?

The smile slips from Lucius's face.

Lucius: ...Not really, no. Even if I do find someone willing to tolerate me for the rest of their lives... I wouldn't make a good dad. I've been screwed up too badly, both by my own father and all the crap I've found myself in since I left home. If there's one thing to be learnt from Cain family history, it's that screwed-up parents lead to screwed-up kids. I don't want to put a child through that.

Duke: I see...

Duke looked sympathetic, but he soon smile and gives Lucius a playful nudge.

Duke: If nothing else in the future you could be a... honorary uncle, I think? Whenever that happens.

Lucius: ...I guess I could live with being the cool uncle.

He smiles slightly.

Duke: It would probably take a while before we would be able to tell him or her about your uh... Undeath. Unless you want to blow their mind early.

Lucius: That's a good point, actually. I mean, even if I wanted kids, I dunno if I'd be... well, capable.

He goes a faint shade of red.

Lucius: Still, how awesome would it be to have a phantom uncle?

Duke: Very, I'd think. It's hard to believe myself, even though you're right next to me.

Lucius: I'm not sure how I'd show it off, though. I can't float or walk through walls or anything. I'm kind of a crappy ghost, really.

Duke: Good point. You don't really have a way of proving it, so I guess while the kid is still in the age they'd believe anything they'd believe us, but when they get older they'll remember you as the storyteller uncle.

He chuckled and gave Lucius a pat on the back.

Lucius: I don't think they'd like a lot of the stories I have to tell, honestly.

Duke: To be honest I think the same applies to me. We both went through some very traumatic experiences.

He stops for a bit then gets up and dusts himself.

Duke: Anyway, thanks for coming by, Lucius. It was really nice to talk to you. I'm gonna go ask Lyuri to see if she could talk to Tagg since she has his number and I'll get back to you later, all right?

Lucius: Gotcha. See you later, Duke.

Duke nods and waves as he walks away.

Later

Tagg might get a text.

Sootopolis City

Jacob: -Is sitting around, not doing much of anything-

Veronica: -Is sitting just outside the Pokemon center, her Aegislash, Bisharp, and Aggron all training with each other-

Sootoplois, Near Jacob

Gong: ~So, are we just following the J-Team around now?~

Blue: Honestly, yeah. Best way to get PEFE's attention.

She stops when she sees Jacob.

Blue: Hey! You're Hikari's boytoy, aren't you? The one she talks about on her Tumblr.

Sootopolis

"... Aaaaaagh...."

Daydre rolls onto her back. The Punisher (the Togetic) floats in the air above her, looking down.

"... That's the last time I do that."

She gets into a sitting position.

(To Iggy) "Oh, hello again."

Sootopolis

-Dune might stumble upon Jacob.-

Excess Express, 2 nights prior

Conductor: <Well... thanks for bringing it back, then. Sounds like he wasn't the culprit either.>

<Well, good night to you, then.>

Honchcrow: <Yeah, night...>

-He starts heading off-

Sootopolis City

Jacob: -Turns towards Blue, his mouth hanging open- "..."

-He gestures vaguely with his arms as he tries to speak and no words come out for a little while-

"..."

"Okay, first off, rude, second not a boytoy, THIRD, what can I do for you?"

-Waves idly at Dune- "Heya Dune."

Sootopolis

Gong facepalms behind Blue as she sputters.

Blue: Huh? Oh. OH! Awh, jeeze, yeah, sorry. Sometimes the mouth moves faster than the brain. Sorry.

Excess Express. Past

Cass:<Hm...sometin's weird here...—>

-He flies off to his room too-

Sootopolis

Iggy:Are you alright? D=

Sootopolis

-Dune waves to Jacob, but is slightly confused toward Blue, her initial greeting he happened to catch a snippet of, and her backpedaling response.-

Sootopolis Center, Earlier

Deziree: And I will figure out how that happens! At least find out a replicable method. THEN we can actually start using the Scientific Method.

edited 8th Aug '15 5:43:33 PM by DuneTheWanderer

Sootopolis

Jacob: -Raises an eyebrow but nods- "Yeah I get that. I'll do that on occasion. Apology accepted, but you didn't answer my last question."

-Waves Dune over-

Sootopolis

Blue: Oh. Uhm. Right.

Gong: ~Smooooooth.~

Blue: Shut up. That's for him, not you. Uhm. RIGHT! Do you, ah, work for PEFE, too?

Sootopolis

-Dune walks over, not meaning to interrupt unless prompted.-

Sootopolis

"... Yeah, I'm good." She stretches her neck and it makes an odd cracking noise. "I flew around for hours trying to find this place.. Wait, this is Sootopolis, right?"

Sootopolis

Jacob: -Rests his head on hands and regards her coldly- "I am. I haven't done too much. I'm tempted to ask what my new duties are but as I understand it I'm simply Hikari's assistant. Why?"

Sootopolis

Blue: ... oh. So, not that high up the chain?

Gong: ~Jeeze, insult him again, why don't you?~

Blue: Huh? What are you saying? Honest question.

Sootopolis

Jacob: -Shrugs- "Well as I understand it there are the department heads and everyone else. I need to check back in again to clarify but I've been rather busy as of late. I guess I'm not so high on the chain, yes, but when there are only two, three tiers, that isn't saying much."

Sootopolis

Iggy:Yuh-huh!

Sootopolis

Blue: Oh. Okay. Uhm... do you know Tagg? Or, uh, Tangent? Or even Tracer? Any of the big heads?