Surprisingly, his questions seemed to make Elliott uneasy. Or perhaps, tired? Regardless, he got the answer anyway. He looked up from his food, both him and Garbage Baby’s cheek pouches absolutely full of nuggies and fries as they stuffed themselves but listened. Red eyes widened in surprise. Out of all the jobs the gruff guy that had almost beat his face in could have, he hadn’t expected model of all things. He swallowed hard, drinking some of his fountain drinking as Garbage Baby slurped more fries for himself. “Like- Like a-an underwear m-model on the- the- the billboards in the middle of t-the city?!” Lana asked, tilting his head and staring intently at the blonde. [break][break]

There’s a pause and a small snicker as it kind of settled in. Then again what else would make all those people go that crazy about one guy. He’d would’ve gotten trampled if they’d been caught on the street together. “I-I would’ve guessed…mmm…bouncer.” he said. Garbage Baby nodded in agreement before licking the blonde’s face as his trainer continued. “T-Too gruff for a- a model…I think.” He added as he realized the explanation had Elliott a little sheepish. “I-It’s nice r-right…?” he asked nervously looking down at his food as he added, “T-To be so well l-liked, I mean.” [break][break]

He’d give anything to be like that. But some things just weren’t meant to me. As he reached for another chicken nugget, his hand met the soft, but greasy fur of his Linoone’s head as the badger pokemon pivoted off their patron and back onto the table to bump his trainer for comfort. He flashed a small smile at the dark type, scratching him just behind the ear before shoving another nuggie into his mouth. “H-How long have y-you b-been a model then?”


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+ @elliott u saved garbage baby uwu [break][break]

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Lana nodded along happy to listen. He preferred it when someone else steered the conversation for him. “R-Right…” he said quietly. The Pokemon Center around here was closer to the center of town where there were always billboards. Most of the time, the clothing was underwear. He wondered if he’d see his companion up there. After all, the fans he had were dedicated. Surely, the guy had shown off skin if they were that crazy for him. The thought of Lana doing the same made his cheeks rosy. [break][break]

“I-I thought…the draw w-was to fight p-people?” he asked, shrugging as he briefly looked up at Elliott before back down at his food. He reached over for his drink, sipping in silence as Garbage Baby whipped his head around, panting wildly as Elliott held out the French fry. It’s only one fry, but he liked the game of it too. [break][break]

Garbage Baby is quick to stand on his hind legs raising his front paws up to the sky towards the fry and clapping a couple of times as if asking Elliott to feed him. Of course the only trick the Linoone knew was Beg. Ruslan doesn’t know what to make of Elliott. “Y-Your parents…did?” he asked. He sipped again, eyes moving to his partner as his thick tail slapped the seat energetically. “S-Sorry…that m-must have been t-tough.” He could barely take care of himself at that age, much less work. Then again, could he say he was doing that great of a job now? “D-Do you like i-it n-now at l-least?”


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+ @elliott i love garbage baby waah [break][break]

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Ruslan immediate shook his head hoping to not offend his generous patron. “N-No.” he said quickly before shoving another fry into his mouth. After a couple of thoughtful chews, he couldn’t help but remind him, “A-Aside from t-threatening t-to cave m-my face i-in earlier…I think y-you’re nice.” Red eyes move look at Garbage Baby who liked the blonde well enough. “G-Garbage Baby trusts you s-so…” he trialed off with a shrug. [break][break]

He couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at the explanation. “Y-You’re actually kind of l-l-lazy aren’t you?” he asked noting a similarity between them as Garbage Baby inhaled the offered fries. The less hassle for Lana the better the option. Unfortunately, ever since leaving his parent’s house almost everything had become a hassle. It almost made him nostalgic for childhood, even if it hadn't been the best. He tried to get decent work, but his chances suffered the more time that he went without taking care of his appearance. But he didn’t want to overwhelm the nurses at the Pokemon Center, even if the facilities were more or less free. Maybe he should ask for work at the Pokemon Center. At least there he’d have free housing included. [break][break]

“You…y-you left y-your parents w-when you s-s-started modeling?” Lana prodded, not quite understanding it. Though he felt a little awed by Elliot. He’d been too scared to leave his home, but once he turned 18 it was only a matter of time until his father found some reason to kick him out. Better beat him to the punch. At the comment about his work Lana nodded like he understood. “S-Sounds bothersome.”


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+ @elliott i love garbage baby waah [break][break]

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“W-Well…” Lana really didn’t have a defense for that honestly. He looked away embarrassed. Garbage Baby took the opportunity to walk himself into Elliot’s lap in an attempt to hold onto whatever good will Elliott had for them, if only to protect his trainer. I needed it. didn’t exactly excuse it, not when he was speaking to his own victim. He would discuss this further with his ghosts later. Grab the money, not the person. “I-I’ll pay y-you b-b-back…” he offered, once again his eyes wandering onto anything but Elliott. This was probably the longest conversation he’d had with someone his age in years. The excitement of it all had worn off and he was starting to shake again from exhaustion. Or maybe that was just his excitement turning into nerves. He plucked out his cellphone, something beat up but functional and waited for the correct number to be input. [break][break]

He tried to sympathize with Elliott, but he couldn’t’ really understand caring enough about his family to bother doing anything for them. The thought just made him look even more tired. Any joy the meal had brought him, siphoned out slowly by memories he’d rather forget. Garbage Baby whined. “C-Can’t relate.” He set a couple of fries on the table, close enough his partner could reach them with his overgrown claws. Lana frowned as he looked at them, beginning to plan a trip for the routes again. It was getting chillier, but he’d do it for Garbage Baby. [break][break]

A white flash drew his attention, and his eyes locked with green ones through the windowpane. Straggler fans, or perhaps ones who hadn’t managed to get to Elliott with the initial barrage. Either way, despite seeing her the phone continued to be aimed at him. Lana felt a hot flash of shame that he often did when he made eye contact with others in this state. “G-Garbage B-Baby!” he blurted out, swiftly bagging up his food in a motion faster than one would’ve thought possible for such an uncoordinated loser. “T-T-Thanks f-for t-t-the f-food. Bye.” He tried to get out as the Linoone dropped to all fours and flopped out of the blonde’s lap. Without a word, the pair are off, scurrying out of the fast food joint, and flinching away form the straggler model fans waiting outside for Elliott to come out.


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+ @elliott i love garbage baby waah [break][break]

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