anyone who lives on mount chimney sounds like they're looking for trouble. but niko keeps his thoughts to himself.[break][break]

feeling sleepy, he hops onto the bed and crosses over her before landing on his side, plopping down unceremoniously. his head tilts to look at her as she asks her question.[break][break]

"of course, jessie. what's up?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

"some man on mount chimney. very trustworthy. does he live there?"[break][break]

his words are merely meant in jest to help break whatever tension that may exist between them. he isn't actually mad that she went on this mission without him or that she even went on it to begin with.[break][break]

if anything, he knows there are far more qualified people out there than him.[break][break]

"i guess i gotta thank killy boy for keeping you safe."

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

"oh shit. yeah, of course."[break][break]

with the wound now closed and cleaned, he quickly and quietly moves around the space, even leaving the room briefly to grab an ice pack from the fridge. how baby niko stays asleep through all this is lost on him.[break][break]

walking back over with the ice pack, pills, and water, he offers them to her as he sits back down.[break][break]

"what is the drum, by the way? i think i might have asked before."

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

slowly, he begins dressing her wound, hands moving almost meticulously as though he's done this a thousand times before (which isn't too far from the truth).[break][break]

"fuck this other niko, man. dude sounds like a dick."[break][break]

he sighs, half-jesting but also frustrated that he can't do anything about it. he'd kill the other niko if he could.[break][break]

"maybe we should come up with a safe word. something i'd say to confirm that it's the real me."

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

"exactly!"[break][break]

his hand slaps against the bar, not loud enough to cause a scene, but definitely loud enough to emphasize his point.[break][break]

"it's like i'm reaping the rewards of their sorrow and misery. hence the name of the bar."[break][break]

drown your misery. quite a catchy name! or at least he thinks so.[break][break]

"well, all...re...ari, yeah, i'm gonna call you ari. well, ari! since you've settled down in my town, you lookin' for a job? something more permanent?"

[attr="class","ooc"]@ari[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mightyena"]

"huh? oh! nah that's just what i named it."[break][break]

bird brain caws in recognition, somewhat proud of its name.[break][break]

but as RAIN pours down all around them, niko can see the battle coming to a close. so he doesn't even bother with attacking the shaymin even if it might be warranted.[break][break]

"i think...we're done?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

thankfully, only a small part of her wound reopened and not the entirety of it. it saves them a trip to the hospital at three in the morning.[break][break]

"stop saying sorry."[break][break]

as he presses a towel against her wound, he reaches for her hands and places them atop the towel.[break][break]

"put pressure on this for a moment. i can stitch it close again just gimme a sec."[break][break]

he pushes off the bed once again before heading into the bathroom. a moment later, and he returns with a first aid kit, setting it down beside her.[break][break]

"wanna tell me what happened in your dream?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

niko cannot believe jessie is trying to burn down this whole island with her FLAMETHROWER. so fiery. so powerful.[break][break]

"SLOW IT DOWN, BIRD BRAIN!"[break][break]

corviknight screeches and caws before looking at the shaymin with a really SCARY FACE. it freezes as a response only to turn and fire a SEED FLARE at delphox.[break][break]

mSIDeicj

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

it takes him a few blinks to finally drift into the direness of the situation. his eyes narrow — even in the darkness, he can see the blood dripping from her leg, staining the sheets beneath them.[break][break]

"shit, you're bleeding."[break][break]

somehow, his voice remains soft, perhaps not wanting to wake baby niko up.[break][break]

he hops out of bed to grab some towels out of the drawer before sitting down beside her. he flicks the lamp beside their bed on, then properly looks at her wound.[break][break]

"d'you have a nightmare?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

with the noise quieting down, niko lowers the volume of the battle music as well, not wanting to be too obnoxious.[break][break]

dirt bag hops left and right as it tries to avoid the SURF. too bad its legs are short, making it not very agile. it's swept away, swallowing water as it tries to gather its composure.[break][break]

"burp it out!"[break][break]

suddenly, dirt bag belches, loud and gross as a SLUDGE BOMB flies mudkip's way.

[attr="class","ooc"]nina larson[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

niko's usually a light sleeper. he's had to be given his upbringing. even now, in the comfort and safety of his own home, there's a part of him that remains vigilant, worried that everything he's built could come crumbling down.[break][break]

it's why he wakes when she does. he tosses, turns, and opens his eyes to see her demeanor.[break][break]

"jessie..."[break][break]

slowly, he sits up, still sleepy.[break][break]

"what's wrong?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

oh, shit! a battle. niko pulls out his phone before putting on the same battle music he had once played when battling nina larson.[break][break]

"alright, give it your best shot, little binch!"[break][break]

his corviknight screeches as it emerges from its pokeball. it flies around the shaymin, TAUNTING it.[break][break]

"bird brain and i got your back, jessie."[break][break]

PfO4kUQ|

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]