pokebox | LOCKED TO destage

LOCKED TO destage

[Winding up in a world full of animal people who wanted nothing more than to decorate their houses and make friends was kind of surreal at first. Okay, maybe "kind of" isn't really the best way to describe it. It was really surreal. Mondo hadn't handled it very well at first and he'd been stuck working for a raccoon named Tom Nook for more time than he really cares to recall. In fact, he should still be working for the raccoon, since he showed up in town without a single Bell to his name and Tom Nook not only gave him a (really cramped) house, he also taught Mondo how to work to earn Bells. This didn't answer any of Mondo's questions, like why Bells were currency or how he'd gotten here, but he'd settled in as best he could.

Mondo's not the sort of person to handle being in one place for too long, and after awhile the friendly villagers just started to piss him off. So he hopped on the last train of the night and didn't look back. He's spent some time chatting with a cat, but when the train pulls into the next station, Mondo gets off. He doesn't look any different than he did in Prayer's Pass, with his pompadour still perfectly maintained and long dark coat thrown over loose-fitting clothes. His hands are shoved in his pockets and when he steps out of the station and gets a look around, he balls his fists.]

Shit, it looks exactly the same...

[Well, to the town's credit it does have different fruit in the trees and the houses are in different places, but it looks almost identical to the town he just left. Part of him is tempted just to hop back on the train, but he spent the last of his Bells getting that ticket, so it looks like he's stuck here for now. With a groan, Mondo begins to walk, looking for the town hall or whatever (he never bothered learning what it was called), so that he can hopefully find a way to get out of here quickly.]

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[Sayaka had gotten used to life in this little town. Sure, it wasn't anything she knew of to begin with; there were weird animals only a little shorter than she was, a raccoon running most of the town (say what you will, Nook totally had his hands in every single pie and there was no doubt in Sayaka's mind that he had the potential to go full Monobear in the future), and animals with very poor sense of aesthetic, but Sayaka prided herself in attempting to make good of the situation. It helped that the citizens were friendly and recognized her efforts easily, and Sayaka couldn't have been happier.

Still, she worried all the same; what had happened to make her get here? And most importantly, where was Mondo? She didn't like to think about it for too long, but she simply hoped he was safe, where ever he was. She couldn't help but miss him, though, since they had been set to go together...

Life here in town was lovely, though, for what it was worth. She had a routine in place to make the most of the day, usually, though there really wasn't much to do outside of taking care of chores and talking to the animals.

Sayaka's in the middle of her routine by the he manages to come to the hall; she'd planted several kinds of flowers around it, in edition to the various gardens she and her snooty friend Kitty maintained. She looks up when she hears steps coming over, raising up a hand to say hello to whomever the newcomer was--

...She recognized that pompadour anywhere. Any words she might've been able to say are nonexistent. She practically drops the watering can and falls to her knees in shock.]

...this...this must be a dream...Oowada-kun, is that really you?!

M-Maizono!?

[He had been expecting anything but this. Hell, he would have expected the raccoon to chase him down before this. When he first woke up here he had been angry that he'd been separated from her and he'd hoped that she'd ended up somewhere safe. If he'd known that she was just a couple of towns away, he could have left long ago. Of course there's no way he could have known that, but the revelation is shocking.]

Holy shit, are you-- Are you alright?

[It's a stupid thing to ask given the sort of world they've found themselves in, but he can't help but wonder. He immediately moves to offer her a hand, still looking startled.]

[Welcome to the damn club, Mondo. She thought he might have forgotten her, gotten hurt, or worse...

She'll take that hand though, practically launching herself up--well, before noticing how close she got and backing away, still...kinda holding on tightly to that hand. She's afraid he'll go if she does otherwise.]

Well, I--I wouldn't say I wasn't since I have a roof over my head, b-but... [...You're gonna need to give her some time, words are not gonna be happening right now.]

[Mondo doesn't mind the proximity, he doesn't move even when Sayaka pulls back and he doesn't let go of her hand either. He's stunned to see her again, but he seems to be taking this better than she is.]

H-Hey, it's alright, Maizono. I'm here and you're here and we're both alright so...

[He's really not good at this comforting thing.]

It's alright - there's nothing to worry about! So... you don't have to panic?

[It sounds more like a question than anything else, but boy is he trying.]

[She doesn't exactly have a good track record with taking things well, lbr here...]

Y-yes. We're both alright...and...

[...Look, you know what, she was really, really damn worried he got himself killed or hurt here, or that she'd never see him again. She practically throws herself at him and wraps her free arm around him.]

I was so worried that I'd never see you again, I...I didn't think you'd...

[...She's at least quick to stop babbling and start breathing again, letting go and going back a little bit. ...She's still gonna hold his hand, though.]

I'm so glad you're here, Oowada-kun. It's been a while, hasn't it?

[For a moment he isn't sure what to do. The hugging is perfectly fine, that's not the issue. The problem is whether or not he should hug her back. Height differences aside, Mondo's never been sure what to do with girls. He eventually settles for kind of awkwardly embracing her, though his touch is very light in case she wants to break loose.]

Hey, hey, it's alright. You really think I'd manage to get myself in some sort of trouble here?

[...Well, there was that one time he punched Apollo, but that's not the point!]

It has been awhile! I guess you've managed to settle in here?

[He nods towards the watering can on the ground. He never even bothered to get one, so she's a few steps ahead of him.]

[...She'd...beg to differ on that end, but hey, it's a world of weird, human sized animals. How much could he have gotten into?]

Quite well, actually! I've been doing a lot to make this town a nice place for peop--others to visit. Well, that and trying to live a nice life...

[...which would help if, y'know, she wasn't in deep with the raccoon mafia, but you can't win everything.]

I'd say I'm completely settled here. For this place and all of the weird things that come with it, it's surprisingly easy!

What about you? Have you settled at all?

[He must've, in her mind; he's got enough bells to travel, after all!]

Sounds like you're fitting in quite well.

[That's good to hear! This sort of lifestyle isn't his first choice and it's not surprising that he got bored, but Sayaka's settling in and he's really glad to hear that.]

Oh uh... Not really. I mean I had a place for a little while, but I got bored so I decided to ditch town. I don't think that raccoon'll be too pleased with me if I ever go back, but I wasn't planning on going back anyway.

...Wait, you ditched?

[...]

And he's in your town too?

[NOT HELPING THE MONOBEAR PARALLELS THERE, NOOK.]

...I'm starting to wonder just what kind of mess we've gotten into now...

[...Okay, let's just. Switch the subject up here.]

But wait, what were you hoping to do by leaving your town? Did you have any sort of plan in place?

[See, this is why she was concerned. He needs to use that brain up in your noggin more, dammit.]

Shit, he's here too? What the hell, are there just a bunch of raccoons like that?

[Sayaka switches gears, so Mondo lets that question go, though it's something he'll be wondering about later.]

Uh... not really, no. I figured I'd find somewhere more interesting or something. I just thought the town I was in was super boring, but your town looks a lot like it.

[...wait.]

Ah, shit, I'm not trying to say your town's super boring! I mean, I haven't even seen it yet!

...You wouldn't be wrong on it being boring, actually...

[Look, her town is probably 1001% more prettier than his, but it's basically the same exact damn thing every day. It is boring as fuck.]

But you shouldn't have just ditched without knowing what you were going to do! You've just set yourself back to square one!

[SERIOUSLY, DUDE.]

Do you have any way to get back on the train, or do you need somewhere to stay for a bit?

Uh, well, that's why I went looking for the town hall. I didn't figure for the ticket being one way, so...

[Yeah he didn't plan this out at all, oops.]

[...Mondo you really did not try at all did you. He's gonna be the death of her, she swears. She tries not to show it on her face, but there is a bit of frustration sneaking by.]

...I recently got an upstairs room put in--you can stay there for the time being, if you'd like.

[She's not sure if they'll have to put this down on any paperwork or if she can just hide him for a little bit, but with the way these animals can't keep a secret...

She sighs, putting a smile on.]

It's...not much, but unless there's a way we can get somewhere else...

Ah, well, if it's the same raccoon maybe he's got another spare house lying around here that he can let me work for? I can ask him first at least.

[He certainly doesn't mind staying with Sayaka, but that might be a bit awkward and he certainly doesn't want to impose on her, not after he was so rash in the first place.]

...Hopefully he just doesn't go and make you pay for the house back in your town along with it, but...

Come on, let's see what we can do.

[...It's just then that she's kinda thankful she's been hanging onto him this whole time, and she'll tug him in the direction of the hall.]

[Tom Nook isn't too pleased to see Mondo. He was a little stunned that it was the same raccoon as the one in his old town, but with a little convincing, Tom Nook allowed Mondo to "purchase" a house and work off the debt. Of course he wouldn't be forgiving of the old debt, so it looks like Mondo will be working for Nook for the foreseeable future. Still, now that he's found Sayaka again, things won't be so bad.

Things aren't bad. Sure it's a little boring, but Mondo's got chores to do for Nook, so that at least keeps him busy. It doesn't take him long to settle, and by the end of the second week here, things have fallen into a pattern. Today is no different - Mondo stops on by Sayaka's house before heading on over to Nook's. He knocks on the door and waits for her.]

Coming!

[It was a little surreal to think that this had gone on for so long without anything going to hell. Sayaka was almost expecting it with the way she'd heard those two talk, that a straw had finally broke the camel's back and animals were gonna come knocking on her door, looking for payment off the horrifying sort.

It didn't happen, thankfully, and life went back to a lovely monotony. Mondo had work to do for Nook, Sayaka chatted around the town and helped him however she could. It was amazing; she hadn't really had any sort of monotony in her life with being an idol, so she was used to doing anything and everything. Time was in her control, and hers to spend as she pleased.

Sayaka gets the door, smiling brightly.]

Good morning~ Looks like it'll be another busy day, huh?

[Well, busy as it could get around here, at least.]

[Mondo grins when she opens the door.]

Yeah, I guess so. Though I could really do without planting flowers again. Gardening's not my sort of thing.

[He's prefer something more exciting, but living a peaceful life is nice. It's a relief that they don't have to worry about anything.]

Hee hee! And here I figured you'd enjoy all the shovel work!

[She says that with a bit of a teasing tone to it. He can say what he likes, but he was actually doing a lovely job with it from what she could tell!]

You know if you need help with that, Kitty and I would be happy to assist.

[Because hey, what Nook doesn't know won't hurt him, right? ...Even if Kitty would probably tease a bit.

She's gonna step out, and lock her door there while making sure she's got everything in her bag...]

Still, I'm surprised at how much work he's got for you. I guess he must have really been slacking!

I'm pretty sure he's just making shit up at this point. He told me to deliver something to one of the rabbits, but when I handed it off, the rabbit said she'd never ordered it! So then I had to go back to Nook and straighten everything out. It was a pain.

[Mondo pulls a face and folds his arms behind his head with a sigh. He's not very good at remembering the villager's names, unfortunately.]

I mean it could be worse, so I'm not gonna complain.

Well, that's just irresponsible.

[She crosses her arms over her chest.]

Still...you're right, it could be worse. How much has he been letting you work off every day? Have you had a chance to get anything for your house?

Eh, it's not much. I mean I've got a bed and a wardrobe, but not much else. It doesn't really matter since I only sleep there. I mean, when I'm not working I spend a lot of time fishing to make money.

[...She kinda expected that, honestly, shaking her head at the first bit. Then again, she practically decorates with anything cute she can find, so she really can't say much...

Still, when he brings up fishing, she perks up.]

...Have you had any luck fishing in the ocean, by any chance? I fish sometimes too, but all I seem to get is these weird green fish to come up--Nook doesn't even buy them for that much.

[Teach her your ways if you have better luck than her. Seriously, she's not willing to resort to getting a net and going after those gross, gross bugs.]

Oh yeah, Sea Bass, I think they're called? They're pretty common if you're fishing in the ocean. But sometimes you can catch the red ones and they go for a lot, so it's definitely worth it!

The red ones must not like me very much, then--I've never even seen one!

[...She might be slightly jealous. Slightly.]

If I knew how to cook, maybe I could make those bass a little less annoying to come across. Or I could go back to the river--it seems like there's much more variety there!

[Like guppies, goldfish; cute, tiny fishies~ ...And piranhas. Sayaka can't help but wonder how anything survives with those things in the rivers...]

LOCKED TO destage

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