PEFE HQ

Vi: "Those are, in fact, generally important things."

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

Hotel Richissime Cafe

Shutter: What other information do you have? Anything of vital importance that I'd need to take account?

PEFE HQ, Kai's Module

Brie: You should. Don't worry, we'll hold down the fort.

-she hugs Kai-

PEFE HQ, Path

PEFE!Every: Right. I can't grow those back. Yet. Someday I will, though. The pale horseman can suck it.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Kai: With you on the job, I've got nothing to worry about.

-They smile, hugging her back.-

Kai: Love you~

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Sep 1st 2018 at 8:50:01 AM

Lumiose Pokemon Center

-In his room in the Center, Shun is looking over blueprints of the National History Museum of Kalos, occasionally glancing out of the window at some of the damage inflicted by Mobius's attempted invasion. Judging by the massive pile of mugs next to him and the bags under his eyes, he hasn't slept for a while.-

Shun: Okay, looking over the floor plan one last time... if we have plainclothes officers here and here, we might be able to cut off their exits, but that'd leave any civilians in this exhibit bottlenecked... and we know they've taken hostages before, so we can't risk that. Let's move this guard patrol over to this wing and see how-

-His half-focused ramblings are interrupted by an undignified yelp as his door is kicked open.-

Dani: SHUUUUUUUUUN!

-Shun wheels around irritably to face the blonde girl standing in his doorway screeching like a violin.-

Shun: What?!

Dani: We need to taaaaaaaaaalk!

Shun: Do we now?

-The taller girl with darker skin and hair just behind Dani sighs.-

Tara: Yes, we do.

Shun: And why is that?

Tara: Because it's your birthday.

Shun: ...Oh.

-He blinks several times in confusion.-

Shun: It's my birthday?

Dani: Of course, doofus! You should know that! I had to find that out from your LitwickdIn profile!

Shun: ...I have a LitwickdIn profile?

-Tara shakes her head before grabbing Shun from behind and hauling him to his feet.-

Tara: Listen to me. As your friends, we have a moral responsibility not to let you spend your eighteen birthday rotting in your room. Also it is grim in here. So, seeing as we're currently in a region with a sensible drinking age, the three of us are going out on the town for the night.

Shun: Where to?

Dani: Oh, you'll see~

-The two girls take Shun by his arms and all but drag him out of the room.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 1st 2018 at 2:03:00 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

PEFE HQ, Kai's module

Brie: O-oh. You said that. And you're not, uh...totally drunk.

-...-

Brie: ...Love you too.

Whirlygig: <I'm going to go see if I can find any of those traps Every had.>

Brie: Oh, shoo.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Lumiose City

-Tara and Dani are all but dragging Shun through the streets of Lumiose. The night is dark and rainy, with the streetlamps casting reflections in the oily puddles, but the weather seems to be the least of Shun's concerns.-

Shun: I'm going to be honest, I still don't grasp why any of this is necessary. I have a very important duty that involves preparing to defend this city against a danger that could strike at any time. I fail to see why we should jeopardise that safety just for the sake of acknowledging a purely arbitrary milest-

Tara: Would you please try to relax for once in your life? The city's survived one invasion already, I'm sure it won't collapse into anarchy if you take just one day off.

Shun: ...You still haven't told me where we're going.

Dani: Shush, we're almost there~

-They pull Shun down a nearby side street and keep going until they stop at a small stairwell leading into a basement. A faded neon sign bearing the words "JAZZ & FUNK" hangs overhead.-

Shun: ...This looks highly suspicious.

Tara: Don't judge it until you've seen it.

-They step down the stairs until they reach a battered but no less solid oak door, flanked by a bouncer and his Scrafty. After a brief moment spent checking the group's IDs, he nods and lets them through,

Shun: Listen, I am quite uncomfortable right now, and I would very much appreciate it if we could-

-...His words die in his throat as he takes in the scene in front of him.-

-The whole place is done up in the style of an old-school speakeasy, only bathed in bright neon lights of all colours. A bar sits on one side of the venue, while the other half is taken up entirely by a dance floor packed with awfully-dressed revellers and topped off with a flashing disco ball. Overlooking the floor is a stage, where a man in skintight vinyl that cuts down to his midriff is crooning into his mic alongside a chorus of Ludicolo.-

Singer: I'm your boogie man, boogie man, turn me on,
I'm your boogie man, boogie man, do what you want~
I'm your boogie man, boogie man, turn me on,
I'm your boogie man, boogie man, do what you want~

-Tara and Dani turn back to Shun with ear-to-ear grins.-

Dani: So, what do you think~?

Shun: I... it's...

-One can almost see the stars glimmering in his eyes as he stammers out a response.-

Shun: ...It's perfect.

Tara: I knew you'd like it.

Dani: Thank Tara. This was all her idea~

Tara: Anyway, let's quit gawping and grab some drinks, shall we?

-She leads her two companions over to the bar.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 1st 2018 at 2:40:31 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

-What was already a slight pink tint to Kai's cheeks immediately becomes a full-faced flush.-

Kai: ...D-did I already say it when I was drunk? I knew I really really wanted to say it but still

PEFE HQ, Kai's Module

-Brie blushes-

Brie: Uh, yeah, at Ren and Cambria's wedding.

-she leans on Kai's shoulder-

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Kai: O-oh. Well, um. Yeah. I love you. A lot. Aaaaaaaaaaa.

Lumiose Disco Bar

-Having now seated himself at the bar and helped himself to a couple of rounds of drinks, Shun seems to be much lighter spirits, to the point where he is in the middle of reciting some long-winded joke.-

Shun: ...and then the coroner said, "Rectum? It damn well killed him!"

-He, Tara and Dani all burst into peals of drunken laughter, which take several seconds to fade before his smile fades and he clears his throat.-

Shun: Seriously, though... I need to thank the two of you. I didn't realise I needed this until tonight.

Dani: Again, all Tara's idea~

Tara: As like I said, we're your friends. Someone's got to look out for you, considering that you refuse to.

Shun: Right...

-He glances down.-

Shun: ...I am aware that I struggle to put this into words, and I tend to be quite an isolated individual regardless, but I want you both to know that you are two of my best friends. I really do enjoy your company, in whatever capacity it may take.

Dani: Oh, stop it. You're making a girl blush~

Tara: Thanks, man, but you really don't have to lay it on so thick. It's not like we didn't have an ulterior motive for taking you out tonight anyway.

-Shun blinks.-

Shun: Huh?

Dani: Whoops, cat's out the bag now~

Tara: We do actually need to talk. Because seriously, dude, you spend so much time alone that I don't think it's good for you. You say we're your best friends - and hell, you're one of my best friends too - but how many friends do you have other than us?

Shun: There's Sholto.

Tara: Co-worker. Doesn't count.

Shun: What about Sakura? She-

Tara: When was the last time you even messaged her?

Shun: ...Two years ago, I think.

Tara: Case in point. Anyone else?

Shun: ...Volpe. He's-

Tara: Once again, co-worker, kinda. Even so, surrogate father figures don't count anyway.

-Shun doesn't have any reply to that, and simply looks away as Tara throws an arm over his shoulder.-

Tara: We can only do so much for you, dude. You need to meet new people. You need a boyfriend.

Shun: I suppose you're-

-His slightly inebriated brain picks up on the last part of her sentence.-

Shun: Boyfriend?

Tara: Yup.

Shun: ...How did you know I was gay?

-There is a long, long moment where the music fades into the background and Dani and Tara simply stare at Shun.-

Dani: Dude.

Tara: Dude.

Shun: Okay, okay, I-

Dani: Seriously, though.

Tara: All jokes about lesbians and our terrible gaydar aside, dude.

Shun: Right, yes, I get it.

-He sighs.-

Shun: ...I can understand where you're coming from, but I have absolutely no experience in this area whatsoever.

Dani: C'mon, Shun, these are your people! They're just as embarrassing and lame as you are~

Tara: If you're going to find someone who won't dump you the moment you put on those awful plaid flared trousers of yours, they'll be here.

Shun: Point conceded, but at this moment in time, I think my professional commitments would be too much of an obstacle to entering a relationship. I'm simply not ready.

-Tara and Dani exchange glances before looking back at Shun.-

Tara: Right. Work before pleasure and all that.

Dani: Don't worry, we get it~

Tara: Well, with that said, we should probably get out of here. It's getting late.

-She slaps some money down on the bar, and with her arm still wrapped around Shun, turns to walk away as he continues to mumble.-

Shun: Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm not interested. I simply don't think-

Dani: Again, we understand, you're nervous~

Tara: You just need a little encouragement.

-She stops, and in that moment Shun realises that he's not stood in front of the exit, but rather in front of the dance floor.-

Shun: Wait, wha-

Dani: Break a leg~

-And she pushes him out onto the floor.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 1st 2018 at 3:24:03 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

PEFE HQ

“Well, the enthusiasm’s good..?”

off the shits

PEFE HQ, Kai's Module

Brie: I love you too.

-she snuggles in happily. Whirlygig makes a gagging noise and recalls herself-

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

PEFE HQ

Vi: "I can agree with that."

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

-Kai cuddles with Brie, giggling slightly.-

Kai: So, um. Yeah. I was gonna see about heading back today, since we are just outside of Hoenn now, but now I sorta don't wanna leave yet. I like your company too much.

PEFE HQ, Path

-PEFE!Every beams-

PEFE!Every: You two seem excellent.

-she brings them to a door-

You'll want to go through here to get back to the J-team module. If you feel like wandering around the interesting parts again, let me know! ^_^

PEFE HQ, Kai's Module

Brie: Well, from a professional perspective, I can't advocate you shirking your duties over personal attachments.

-she giggles-

Personally speaking though, I'm always happy to spend more time with you.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

-Kai grins-

Kai: Professionally speaking, I'm notorious for procrastinating like there's no tomorrow anyway. Or, I guess, like there's always tomorrow. Personally speaking, you give me a better excuse to do so than "executive dysfunction's hell."

PEFE HQ

Vi: "Thanks for this, it was an... experience."

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

Lumiose Disco Bar

-Shun stumbles out onto the dance floor, still slightly disoriented by the flashing lights, the blaring music, and his sudden change of circumstances.-

-He still has his keen detective's instincts, however, and they tell him that he needs to do one thing in order to survive: dance.-

-And so he does just that, trying to fit in amongst the crowd. Unfortunately, his idea of dancing looks more like awkwardly hanging on the edge of a conversation than anything else.-

-At least until he catches sight of Tara and Dani on the edge of the dance floor, gesturing frantically and shouting advice he can only make through lip-reading.-

Tara: No, you idiot! Don't try to blend in, stand out!

Dani: Cut loose! Cut loose!

-For a moment, he hesitates, doubts flooding through his ever-so-slightly tipsy mind.-

Shun: Should I? What about my career? My reputation? Why would I want to stand out when I know people are going to judge me like they always do? What if they laugh at me, or tell me I can't pass, or something even...

-After a moment of watching the people cheering him on from the sidelines, though, they're all eventually drowned out by a single chain of thought.-

Shun: One night. One night to relax. One night to make the most of.

-And so he cuts loose.-

-His feet tap and spin in time with the beat. His arms point and gesticulate with enthusiasm worthy of Phoenix Wright. He closes his eyes and falls into the music, and as the chorus reaches its peak, he grabs the brim of his hat and looks down dramatically, tearing off his tie and tossing it aside...-

-...only to hear an "ow!" from two feet away from him over the music.-

Shun: ...Oh jeez, I... sorry!

-He opens his eyes and tries to locate the source of the voice, who luckily enough happens to be a young man right in front of him, clutching his tie and rubbing his nose.-

Shun: I'm so very sorry, I didn't mean to do that, I just wasn't looking and I thought-

Guy: Hey, calm down, it's okay. It's a tie, man, I was more surprised than anything. Though you do have quite an arm on you, I gotta say.

Shun: Oh, er... thank you, I think? I just hope I didn't do any real damage, since I... it'd be...

-The guy chuckles and looks Shun up and down.-

Guy: Oh? Go on.

Shun: ...It'd be a shame to ruin a face like that? Not that you could ruin it with a tie, of course, but I still think a prosecutor could make the case for attempted assault, which obviously was not my intention but if any damage was inflicted then intent is rarely-

-The guy cuts him off with another chuckle.-

Guy: Okay, you should've stopped after the first line.

-To Shun's surprise, he grabs him by the chin and places a kiss on his lips, before pulling away and smiling.-

Guy: The name's Beauremont, by the way. I'll be around if you need more practice.

Shun: I... uh, Shun. That's my name.

-Beauremont smiles.-

Beauremont: Nice to meet you, Shun.

-He goes back to mingling amongst the floor as Shun slightly dazedly staggers back to Tara and Dani, smiling stupidly.-

Shun: ...You both saw that, right?

Dani: Yeeeeeesss! Oh my gods, I'm so proud of you~

Tara: Did you get his number?

-Shun blinks for a moment, then smacks himself on the forehead.-

Shun: I knew there was something I forgot...

Tara: Ah well. Baby steps. Let's just get you home and sober, and then we can go over Dating 101 in class tomorrow.

-She slaps Shun on the back as they make their way out of the bar and back to the Center.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 1st 2018 at 4:11:17 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

PEFE HQ

Kaiiseii: "That sucks."

"At least she's...alive?"

-He shrugs.-

---

Downtown [LA], Gym

Mafia Soldier 17: "Hey, yuh got a problem, or what?"

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

PEFE HQ

I really would hope so! D:

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

"Don't mind him," Was all Harold said.

Snakeye blanched and dodged, rolling out of the way before raising his arms and firing pin missiles, <Well don't that just beat all! Not even a proper howdy first!>

<We get it you're a western cliche!> Stylus responded.

Edited by EchoingSilence on Sep 1st 2018 at 10:35:58 AM

PEFE HQ

-Kaiiseii just inhales a whole pancake like he's mothefuckin' Kirby.-

Kaiiseii: "Wanna borrow my phone?"

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

PEFE HQ, Kai's module

Brie: I'm always happy to be a good excuse.

PEFE HQ, Path

PEFE!Every: Good! Experiences are important!

Guillaume's Apartment

Guillaume: You should eat something.

Ever: I'm fine. I don't want to impose.

Guillaume: You've been bleeding on my mattress for several days. We're past imposition at that point; eat some food.

Ever: Mmh.

Guillaume: You're so weird.

Ever: Have you seen my phone?

Guillaume: You haven't moved in days. Where could it have gone?

Ever: That is my question.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

PEFE HQ

I don't know if it'd work if I called now, it's probably like pretty late over in Orre?

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.