pokebox | LOCKED TO preybeforemeals

LOCKED TO preybeforemeals

[Today was supposed to be just another, normal day in which Naki terrorizes some poor waiter with his awful manners and rude demeanor while Tsukiyama attempts to place nice, all the while probably being disgusted by the sheer amount of sweets Naki will undoubtedly consume.

But no. Not today, apparently. Not today, because Naki's been sitting here at this café, waiting for over an hour for Tsukiyama to show up.

Eventually he calls out five of his Pokémon. It should be of no surprise to anyone who knows this man that they're all Inkays. Naki gives one order "Search party: go!" and points in a random direction and the five squids immediately start floating away as quickly as they can go. Naki leans back in his seat and messes with his 'Gear, waiting for them to return. Apparently they've been trained to respond to that stupid command and they know that it means "find Tsukiyama". Somehow. Naki also releases his last Pokémon, a Malamar, who is presumably one of the two responsible for this set of Inkays (unless Naki kept a third Malamar, which honestly wouldn't be surprising).

It doesn't take long for the Malamar to catch Naki's attention with her frantic tentacle-waving. After relaying her message to Naki, the ghoul goes stiff.]

What-- Are you... You're sure!?

[The Malamar bobs up and down as best she can in a nod. Naki takes off immediately, only pausing to return the Malamar. Unsurprisingly, he forgot - or didn't bother - to pay for the coffee he was drinking.

The forest closest to the northern end of town is still too far away, in Naki's opinion. It takes him much longer to get there than he would have liked, and he seriously misses the speed and stamina being a ghoul had offered. Sure, eating tons of cake probably hasn't helped him with this, but by the time he arrives to where the Inkays have gathered, he's holding his side and wincing.]

Move-- Get out of the goddamn way!

[The Inkays part and let Naki through. He drops to his knees, ignoring the fact that his pants are going to be grass-stained horribly. All that matters right now is Tsukiyama.]

Shit, fuck, are you alright!?

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[GEAR ID NOT FOUND.

It's those words that get Naki to respond faster than anything else. He figured Tsukiyama was just being difficult when he woke up to no new messages. He couldn't imagine why Tsukiyama would be difficult after something like that, but it was the only explanation that made sense. Seeing that message terrifies him because it's all too familiar.

It's the same message that displayed when he tried to contact Henry, after all.

He rushes to the Pokémon Center to try to get information from the nurses, but as always, the people here can never answer the questions he needs them to. Naki is unceremoniously thrown out of the Center by security after shrieking at the nurses for longer than anyone really should. It isn't their fault, but like hell if he can acknowledge that right now.

Naki continues to try to call Tsukiyama's 'Gear for the rest of the night and well into the next day.

GEAR ID NOT FOUND.
GEAR ID NOT FOUND.
GEAR ID NOT FOUND.
GEAR ID NOT FOUND.

The message keeps repeating every time he tries, but maybe, maybe things will change the hundredth time he calls, or maybe even the thousandth.

It doesn't matter how long it takes. Surely something will change and he can talk to Tsukiyama again. He's not sure what he's going to do if Tsukiyama really is gone, so he simply refuses to allow himself to think about it.]

[He can call as much as he likes, for the duration; the message remains consistent. The fact that it's not a mechanical malfunction is made plain by the broadcast that comes the next day, made by that odd wispy blonde girl that Tsukiyama had been staying with; she has no idea what's going on and it's obvious, but she's trying to remain composed about it - she wants to know what's wrong with his device, why it isn't answering when she calls.

GEAR ID NOT FOUND.

The response doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.]

[Somehow Naki doesn't snap when he sees that post to the network. Somehow he manages to keep it together (well, not really, he's only barely hanging on) and he doesn't destroy the 'Gear. He doesn't even attack anyone, he just sits on the bed with his head pressed to his knees and doesn't move. He stays like that for a long time before finally deciding that he has to move.

When Yamori died he had to do what Aogiri told him. He doesn't want to end up weird and sad like Tsukiyama, so he has to do something.

Naki doesn't do anything productive, however. He spends most of his time picking fights so that he can hurt people, and when he's not hurting people he picks fights so he can scream at people. This continues for a long time. Getting angry and lashing out is far easier than dealing with whatever emotions come from losing his best friend here. Naki withdraws completely, scarcely appearing on the network (only to antagonize people, of course) and refusing to talk to anyone for very long. He doesn't want to make any more friends because they'll just leave. He doesn't want to deal with anyone unless he's yelling at them.

The only thing he can hope for is that Tsukiyama's at least gone back home to something good and that maybe someday he'll return here. Naki's hopes aren't very high.]

["I'm sorry, Tsukiyama-san, I can't trust you. But...it wasn't bad, having a comrade like you.

Please continue to lend me your sword."

It takes him a moment to wake up fully; the first thing that strikes him is that the weather is wrong.

The thought has no sooner hit him than he realizes that he isn't sure why he thinks that; it's bright outside, the sun is out in full force, and that isn't unusual for July - just the same, it's wrong, and it takes him a while to understand why. The building is wrong but the weight of the snake draped across his abdomen is familiar, and the last time he was here it'd been getting warmer but everyone had yet to shed their winter coats, and Alessia's acting like she hasn't seen him in ages but it seems so recent to him even though back home it's been a little while...

And he finds that he's very, very confused, and he has no idea what the date even is; it could have been a matter of weeks, he could have been gone over a year, he has no way of really knowing, does he -

First things first; he gets the snake off of him. Goes downstairs and is promptly ushered out by Mom, who doesn't seem to recognize him. (Not like that's much of a surprise, since Mom seems to start a new day every five minutes.) It seems New Bark hasn't changed much; it's both welcome and a bit unsettling.

He can't say he minds.

Afternoon finds him settled on that low wall that he'd first been sitting on when he'd made that first broadcast to the network all that time ago; this time, he's not broadcasting to everyone.

He's using video, however, because it's important that he lets Naki see him.]

Ah, I have no idea if you're still here, monsieur - but if you are, call me back, s'il vous plait? I'd like to hear from you, if you would.

[They say that time heals all wounds. Naki would really like to have a few words with "them" because there's no way in hell time is going to be healing these wounds.

He's actually not near the 'Gear when Tsukiyama calls, but by now that's not unusual. Naki rarely keeps the 'Gear on him unless he's going to post something or he's fighting with someone over the network. So it goes straight to voicemail (the same voicemail he's had since he first showed up here, he never bothered to change it).

He might not be around to answer it, but some familiar faces are.

The video opens to too many Inkays. No really, there are a lot of them. It looks like Naki must have ditched the base at some point because a fully-furnished room comes into view (though it is about as plain as it can get, since Naki clearly has no idea what to do with decorating). Since it belongs to him, he can keep more than six Pokémon out at a time in and... well... it looks like Naki might have gone a little overboard on the Inkay breeding. There are way too many Inkays in this room. Someone should call this cops, this should be illegal.

The few Inkays directly in front of the camera are waving their tentacles happily in a greeting that only another Pokémon would understand. They're very happy to see you again, Tsukiyama! They're sending a message to their trainer right now and he'll be back soon!

If you're content to look at the Inkay party over there for another twenty minutes or so, you'll be greeted by the sight of Naki practically breaking down the door, tripping over half the Inkays and landing on top of the rest of them.]

Son of a fucking bitch-- Get the fuck out of my way, fucking hell--!!

[He reaches out and... gets an Inkay for his troubles. Naki makes a face at it and sets it down beside him, which is at least better than him throwing it over his shoulder like he probably would have awhile ago. He finally manages to grab the 'Gear and pull himself upright. He absently straightens his suit - at least that much hasn't changed. Though the color is a bit... brighter than normal. It's red. Not a painfully bright red or anything, but it's definitely not white.]

Is that really you, Americano? Fuck, I thought you'd never show your face around here again.

[His voice is much more controlled than it was mere moments ago, though Naki is very obviously not looking at the camera. He's kind of afraid that if he gets a good look at Tsukiyama he'll start crying.]

[...Some things never change, do they.

That said, apparently some things do - he's well aware of the suit color, and honestly it strikes him a bit strangely; he isn't sure what to do with it, but he imagines he'll ask once he's verified that it's...actually him and all.]

Didn't I always tell you that you can't rush a gentleman?

[And while there's a light laugh behind his words it isn't a cruel one; he doesn't seem inclined to correct the usage of 'Americano', either -

Tsukiyama! Tsukiyama, don't you fucking dare -

...because while the memory seems more like a hallucination than anything that really happened, he can vaguely remember hearing his name the last time he was here, and he doesn't like it.]

It's good to see you again, Naki.

Yeah.

[There's a moment where his shoulders shake violently, though it's not clear if it's because he's suppressing a laugh or the urge to start sobbing. Naki isn't even sure what it is, but after a moment he forces himself to look up. He's grinning, but it's obvious that he's already tearing up.]

You sure took your sweet fucking time getting back here! But I'm... I'm really glad you're back!

[For the first time in a long time, everything hurts but in a confusingly good way. He kind of wants to cry forever, but he's trying very hard not to get started on that so soon.]

...So it would seem. Tell me, then - how long have I been gone?

[However long it's been here, it hasn't been nearly as much so back home, he knows that much already.]

It's been uh... Shit, what's today's date?

[One of the Inkays informs him; Naki glances off to the side and thanks it before returning his attention to the device.]

It's been a year, two months, and three days.

[He doesn't appear to be bothered by the fact that he knows the exact amount of time without thinking about it.]

...Really.

[Honestly, it's the length of time rather than the preciseness of it that gets his attention first, and understandably so; it...actually takes the rest a second to sink in, but.]

You've been keeping track that closely?

Well yeah. Who wouldn't?

[Naki, that's not normal...]

Most people, I'm fairly sure - ah, but that hardly matters now, does it?

[SIR, THIS IS SORT OF WEIRD BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, HE'S GOING TO ACCEPT IT FOR NOW.]

I don't suppose you're still in Goldenrod, are you?

I am, yeah. Oh, you're back in New Bark Town, right? I traveled to Violet not too long ago, so I should be able to use Fly to pick you up from there.

[Because clearly you're coming to Goldenrod as soon as possible.]

[...Ah.]

Shall I just...wait for you, then?

Well, we can probably meet on that route between Cherrygrove and Violet, right? It shouldn't take me too long to get back there.

[Unless he gets horribly lost.]

...You don't happen to have anything that teleports, do you?

Well, no, you can't breed Teleport onto these guys, but I can go catch an Abra and send it to you! That'd take a lot less time!

[GOOD IDEA TSUKIYAMA]

Just remember to heal it and then fly it over, don't use the PC or it'll be useless to me.

[HE HAS CHEATED A FEW PEOPLE TO GOLDENROD IN HIS TIME

HE STILL KNOWS HOW TO DO IT]

Oh okay! I'll take care of that then! I can get it sent to you in like, a day or something, right?

Right, and then I should be there shortly after. We can catch up in person then, if you'd like.

Yeah! That'd be great! I'll go catch an Abra right now, so hopefully it'll get to you soon!!

[AND THERE GOES THE FEED apparently he is really pumped.

It takes a little bit longer than expected, but eventually a Honchkrow shows up with a Pokéball. Well, actually it's an Ultra Ball, because apparently Naki was tired of the Abras just Teleporting away from him, so he went all out. Either way, congratulations! You're now in possession of one (1) Abra capable of Teleporting back to Goldenrod!]

[...You know, the last time he did this it ended in the Abra being made of rage and more or less thriving off of blood and screaming, because he used an overpowered snake to suplex it into submission before forcing Banjou to capture it. At the very least the Ultra Ball means he can take some comfort from the notion that this one probably won't hate him.

...He's apprehensive as hell about letting it out of the ball, though.

That said, he'll be putting it to good use eventually, once he's recalled Alessia; it's going to take him a moment to get his bearings - here's hoping Naki isn't, you know, standing around waiting at the damn Center.]

[Do you really think he won't be waiting in front of the Center? Admittedly he looks sort of out of place pacing around not too far from the Center's entrance and glancing over there far more frequently than anyone really should. It looks less like he's waiting for someone and more like he's trying to find a way to blow up the Center or something.

Naki's dressed differently today; it seems the white suit has made a reappearance, but the shirt underneath is a dark purple which isn't quite as different as the red suit. He also doesn't have any of the Inkays out, probably because that would be at least five of them floating around uselessly after him in the middle of town.

Tsukiyama finally appears though and Naki's irritated look immediately changes to pure joy. He approaches quickly, but he stops short and immediately begins fidgeting.

Somehow he didn't think about what he'd say when he came face-to-face with Tsukiyama.]

You're here in one piece, good!

[He thinks about what he just said and remembering the last time Tsukiyama was supposed to show up in a Pokémon Center, he winces. That... came out wrong. Oops.]

[...Ah. He ought to have expected that the guy would be pacing around looking like some sort of walking bomb threat, shouldn't he; somehow, he finds that he was expecting the awkwardness, however - he would have been more surprised if Naki had actually considered what he was going to say rather than just showing up without a second thought toward it.

Although if Tsukiyama is at all bothered by what does eventually shoot out of Naki's mouth, he doesn't seem it; actually, he laughs a bit, the sound light as he rakes a hand through the front of his hair.]

As tactful as ever, I see.

[And the words are as gentle as the laugh, as opposed to anything chiding or backhanded; it's fine, Naki, don't stress about it.

He hadn't missed this at all back home, simply because he hadn't remembered that there was anything to miss; here, though...this is comfortable, and he's pleased by it, whatever "this" may happen to be.]

Where are we going today, monsieur?

[Tsukiyama's words go a long way to helping him relax, and Naki grins after a moment.]

Wherever you want to go! It's been a long time since you were last here, after all!

LOCKED TO preybeforemeals

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