ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Hey, I'm flattered that ya like me and all, but, doesn't sittin' outside my door while I'm takin' a nap and waitin' for me to wake up doesn't sound just a little bit odd for ya? Sounds like somethin' Cyk might do. (Marsha says.) And honestly, I still don't think you're the type of guy that I'm lookin' for anyway.

edited 1st Sep '17 6:13:34 PM by kablammin45

It was like 20 seconds, I wasn't waiting for days or anything. And, you can't say I'm not your type if we haven't had a true conversation.

Ok, fine. I'm sorry. (Marsha concedes.) I didn't know ya just got there...I feel like ya would have stayed there had I not woken up a few minutes later, but whatever. Just don't do that again, okay? Where do ya wanna go to talk about if we're really into each other?

(I think for some seconds and then start speaking again to Jani.)

Is there anything else you'd want to talk about?

I was hoping to buy you lunch but that didn't turn out clearly. There's a singing pub called Mel's where you can watch people sing and grab a drink. It's cool.

I think I might swing by the inn real quick to see how Marsha and Benji are doing real quick. (I tell Marlon and Jani.) I'll be right back. See you guys in a bit!

(Delilah and I turn to go out of the dojo.)

Eh, whatever, let's go. (Marsha says.)

(She leaves her room and knocks on Benji's door.)

Hey, I'm goin' somewhere with Buggy, Benji. (Marsha says.)

Oh, you are? (an unfamiliar voice responds. It is, of course, Benji speaking in Ripley's voice.) Are you sure about this, Marsha?

I just kinda want him to leave me alone, honestly. Hopefully this shouldn't take long, bro. (Marsha says, turning back to Andy.) Ok, Buggy, you lead the way.

edited 1st Sep '17 6:38:17 PM by kablammin45

Andy heads onward to Mel's. You know, if this were a story told by old folks, I'd appear charming.

"...well...thanks...f-for tellin' me, I guess..."

[I sit back down, in the same spot I was at before, staring at the opposite wall...until I hear another voice.]

"Eh?" [I look over: it's that Noivern, the government lady. I roll my eyes and go back to sulking.]

See ya soon!

(I call to Goobert.)

Well, it ain't, bub. (Marsha says.)

(As they approach the pub, Marsha looks it over.)

Kinda seedy looking, ain't it? (Marsha says.)

Where's the atmosphere in a hoity toity joint? Andy asks.

edited 1st Sep '17 6:46:10 PM by TacoBadger

Not really. *Jani answers, and takes a cue from Goobert* Come to think of it, I didn't have breakfast. I better loot the buffet before everything good is taken. *Jani follows Goobert as the duo leave*

Right. See you soon!

(I say.)

Whatever... (Marsha passes the Shiny Dragonite guard and walks inside.)

(Meanwhile, Delilah and I pass by the party talking as we enter the inn. They seem deep in conversation, so I wave to them and pass them by, but not before recognizing the Noivern sitting with them as the same one I saw with the others at the Silversand hospital. Ripley, right? I keep going toward our rooms.)

(Delilah knocks on the door to her and Benji's room.)

Yes? (an unfamiliar voice says in response, startling us.)

Erm...is this the wrong room? (Delilah says, confused.) I thought...

Delilah, it's me! Benji! (Benji says in his normal voice, opening the door. I'm startled to see Ripley answering the door, although I know it's Benji.) I'm just trying out this form. I think I really like this one, actually. I might make this my secondary form. Now, what brings you guys here?

I was just wondering what you guys were up to. (I say.) You guys want to do something before we have to head back to the arena?

I'd gladly join you, but I wanted to speak to the boss here, and Marsha might be late, too. (Benji says.) Andy's dragged her off somewhere. I think he's still convinced that she can fall in love with him.

Oh no, really? (I say.)

Yeah, really. (Benji says.) I'm sure she'll put him in his place, though. Now you two go have fun, okay? We'll catch up.

Whatever you say, Benji. (I say.)

(Deliliah and I head back out of the inn, passing by Jani as we do.)

edited 1st Sep '17 7:03:30 PM by kablammin45

(With everyone else suddenly leaving in different directions I sigh and sit on a bench.)

Andy walks in and orders a table for two from the barkeep. Say, Marsha, would you like something to drink?

(As Delilah and I walk out of the inn, I can't help but think about what Marsha and Andy might be up to.)

Should we try to find Marsha and Andy? (I ask Delilah.)

I'm not sure... (says Delilah.) Benji may be right, though. Marsha can probably handle this herself. She handled him hitting on her before, of course.

(I nod.) I guess you're right...so...where do you want to go, Delilah?

I don't know...let's just walk through the Bazaar until we find something interesting or we need to go back to the arena...whichever comes first.

(So that's what we do.)

(At Mel's...)

Eh, just an R-Soda for me. I don't drink those kinds of drinks. (Marsha says, looking as though she really doesn't want to be there.)

(Meanwhile, Benji gets the munchies and leaves to go to the dining area to get some food. He is still in the form of Ripley as he passes the table she is sitting at with the rest of the group.)

An R-Soda and a virgin Rum and R-Soda, please.

Andy returns to Marsha and sits down as their table. Please, take a seat.

*Jani enters the buffet area, noticing Eliot, Yalta, and Mila* Oh hey! *flashing them a smile, before setting her sights on a plate of Poke Puffs, out of reach as always, but luckily overhanging just a little*

*Jani concentrates a bit, so she can do her little trick...lifting herself a couple feet by making a dirt pillar beneath her, she just manages to grab the plate with her teeth, rotate it, and set it to a more manageable level*

*munching on a puff, Jani mutters under her breath* They really need to install a ramp here...but you get what you pay for. *she realizes she's probably a third wheel, and continues eating while listening to the trio*

"Hmm..." Ripley went, noticing that the residents of the table seemed somewhat less-than-enthusiastic to be seeing her. Perhaps not entirely without justification. After all, she was the one who dragged them all into this mess in the first place...

"I suppose I should apologise to you all once again, as monotonous as that is likely getting by now..." she said. "Well, those of you that already know me. I am only important in some circles, not all of them. ...I sound so arrogant..." she lamented, shaking her head. "I always have done. I have always been arrogant, thinking I could put a leash on the Chairgon. He always was too proud and headstrong for his own good. Perhaps Lars was right to call it quits after... and there I go, now he's driving me crazy..." her voice descended to a mutter. "Ahem... you never asked to be dragged to this city and tangled up in our issues. This much I know. For that, I have to say sorry."

As she was in the middle of saying this, her apparent tiredness made her gaze go off-track, and she caught sight of her doppelganger from the front room. Not Fan, she presumed. Some other Ditto.

"Please... don't do that," she said to the Ditto, somewhat cryptically. "You really don't want to be me right now. Be someone else."

(Benji turns and hears Ripley tell him this.)

Oh yeah? Sorry about that. (Benji says.) Kinda like bein' a Noivern, though...

(Benji makes himself slightly shorter, a tad bit fatter, alters the shape of his nose, and makes one of his ears have a split tip. He flashes Ripley a thumbs up.)

Better? (He asks in a new voice that doesn't sound very much like Ripley's.)

(Marsha sits down.)

All right, ya got me here, Buggy. Now what do ya want to talk about? (Marsha asks.)

What the Noivern saw was, perhaps begrudgingly, enough to make her smile, if only for a second. "I see my mid-life crisis flashing before my eyes..." she joked, nodding.

(Benji chuckles as he nods at Ripley, grabs a few poffins, and returns to his room.)

Andy shrugged. I want to know what make sure you you. What are your interests? What makes life life for you?

(Marsha finds the questions pretty deep, but she answers Andy as best as she can.) Hmm...well, bein' a lifeguard is my passion. Has been since I was a Mudkip. I trained to be one until I finally got my position there on the beach in Silversand. Bein' able to do that is good enough for me. I know I seem like a loud-mouth who doesn't want to take crap from anyone, but I do care for my community and helpin' people out where I can. For me that's makin' sure people on the beach stay safe.

Heck, I'm so passionate about what I do that I was jealous when Delilah was hired as a co-lifeguard, so to speak. I couldn't stand her until we learned how to cooperate. That happened when we swapped bodies the other day. So...yeah, bein' able to do what I love and have people benefit from it is what life's all about for me.

edited 1st Sep '17 8:36:04 PM by kablammin45