MARCH UPDATE

POSTED ON Jul 13, 2022 13:07:44 GMT

The fish market of Lilycove City drew bustling crowds of people every day: fishermen bringing in the morning's fresh catches, restaurant owners purchasing the day's stock, adults shopping for dinner, tourists taking selfies and trying different samples from all the food stalls. And the day Marshall had chosen for his lunch date with Tam Fawley was not any different. In fact, he could consider it perfect. The sky was clear and blue, the noontide sun warming the asphalt. Seafood and vegetables sizzled in the open air, causing Marshall's stomach to grumble in protest of waiting.

The blonde man stood near the entrance of the fish market, phone in hand, wearing a lightweight motorcycle jacket over a graphic tee from last year's championship race in Unova. Jeans and sneakers completed his ensemble. Occasionally, he looked up from his phone's screen to scan the crowd of passersby, searching for Tam's familiar face.

Finally, he spotted the other man's approach and waved enthusiastically to get his attention. "Heeeeey! Tam!" Marshall called out, smiling widely. "Over here!"

In all honesty, Marshall had been surprised when Tam agreed to get lunch with him. Marshall knew his extroversion tended to overwhelm some people, especially those who preferred not to talk very much. When they first met, Tam struck Marshall as the sort of person who liked to be alone and do lonely person things, like read books and watch the clouds. So when Tam had responded positively to his text earlier that week, Marshall had been very pleased indeed.

Mission: Don't Feed the Gulls[break]Tam Fawley

close tab

played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

awards

518 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Jul 13, 2022 22:03:35 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

Say what you will about @marshall, but he’s a pretty damn good judge of character.
[break][break]
Tam is indeed the sort of guy who likes doing “lonely person things”, and watching the clouds has always been one of his favourite activities. Reading not so much, but he has been known to listen to audiobooks from time to time (and to never be interested enough in any of them to actually get to the end). Does he like going out for lunch dates with guys he barely knows? Not particularly, he sure doesn’t make a habit out of it, but when Marshall had asked, a single thought had crossed Tam’s mind: "Why not?"
[break][break]
And, that’s that.
[break][break]
Clad in a simple white t-shirt and light blue jeans that he sure wishes were shorts because Hoennian summer is too damn hot, Tam walks through the Lilycove fish market. It’s not a place he frequents, mostly because of how crowded it usually is, but if he had thought finding Marshall would be difficult with all these people everywhere, the other manages to prove him wrong immediately.
[break][break]

“Heeeeey! Tam! Over here!"

[break]
Marshall reminds Tam of something like an Arcanine. Tall, eager, loud, full of energy, difficult to ignore, and impossible to go unnoticed. Admittedly, the ranger finds he doesn’t dislike that, and although he sighs, when he approaches, there’s a faint smile for a second there.
[break][break]
”Hey.” His tone is as neutral as always, his sheer lack of enthusiasm definitely not being something reserved for his work hours. ”I almost missed you there.”
[break][break]
Yes, that’s sarcasm.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]@marshall

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
Mission - Don't Feed The Gulls 🌟

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[newclass=.twt2] --accent: #688592; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2] width: 420px; margin: 0 auto; font-family: calibri; color: #aaa; font-size: 11.5px; letter-spacing: .5px; text-align:justify; padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px; line-height: 15px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 .main] padding: 40px; background: #272727;[/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 b] color: var(--accent); font-size: 11.5px; font-family: trebuchet ms; letter-spacing: .5px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 a] text-decoration: none; font-size: 11px; font-weight: lighter; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 h1, h2, h3] display: inline-block; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 h1] font-size: 13px; font-weight: lighter; color: var(--accent); letter-spacing: .5px; line-height: 0px; font-family: monospace; text-transform: uppercase; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 u] text-decoration: none;border-bottom: solid 1px var(--accent); [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 .tag] text-align: right; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 20px; font: 11px monospace; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 .tag a] font: 12px Montserrat; font-weight: 800!important; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0px; color: var(--accent)!important; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 .notes] text-align: justify; padding: 20px 20px 10px 20px; font: 10px monospace; letter-spacing: .3px; border-top: solid 1.5px #323232; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 .notes h1] font: 16px Montserrat; font-weight: 800!important; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--accent); text-shadow: 2px 2px 0px #1e1e1e; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align:center;[/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 .notes a] font: 10px Montserrat; color: var(--accent); [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 span] display: inline-block; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 .pkmn] text-align: center; margin: 0 auto; background: var(--accent); padding: 5px; width: 410px; margin-left: -40px; margin-bottom: -40px; margin-top: 10px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twt2 .pkmn img] margin-top: -10px; padding-bottom: 5px; [/newclass]

close tab

played by

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

0 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @Deleted

POSTED ON Jul 13, 2022 22:35:17 GMT

"It is pretty crowded, isn't it? I thought it'd help if I stood somewhere obvious."

Unlike Tam and his avoidance of crowds, Marshall thrived in them, like he passively absorbed all of the frenetic energy of moving bodies and turned it into fuel for his own. It made sense he was a racer. His life revolved around speed and chaos and thrill. There in the open air, among the crush and clamor of people, Marshall witnessed his own life reflecting back at him.

"So I heard about this tiny ass food stall right around here, I think it's this way?" he pointed with one hand while thumbing through his phone to find the information. "It's got a ton of four- and five-star reviews online, and the pics look so good. But it's not ever super crowded, you know? So you don't have to stand in line for hours. I wanna try their spicy, fried fish with cold noodles. Sounds perfect for a hot day if you ask me."

He started walking, not considering whether Tam would follow or not. The hawker's stall was not far — just a few yards down the side street. From what Marshall could see, there were some empty seats at it, too. Looking over at Tam, Marshall's face broke out into an excited grin.

"And right around the corner, we can get these mini seafood pancakes where you can bring the fish you purchased yourself to the chef and he'll make a meal for you out of 'em. Should we get some fish? What's local to Hoenn? Oh — I wanted to get ice cream, too! One of the ladies I was talking with the other day suggested getting the black sesame ice cream from this one stall. You ever have it? What kinda ice cream do you like?"

Tam Fawley

close tab

played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

awards

518 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Jul 14, 2022 0:58:05 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

Tam is a hundred percent sure he wouldn’t be able to get a single word in even if he were to try. Which, truth be told, he has no intention of doing, because there just doesn’t seem to be a need for that. Marshall goes on and on and on, and Tam simply lets him do so. He doesn’t nod along, he doesn’t even give any ’Mhm’s and ’Aha’s. He just listens and walks by his side.
[break][break]
There are a few things he hadn’t expected, like the fact that Marshall had actually put a lot of thought into all of this. Or, well, enough thought to have looked at reviews online and to know what he wants to try, which sure is more than what Tam himself had done. He has no idea what he wants to eat, he’ll decide that when they get there. Though cold noodles do sound pretty damn good right about now…
[break][break]
Just as he thinks that, Marshall turns to look at him, giving him the brightest grin there is – as if sunshine made into a smile.
[break][break]
In return, Tam stares back at him, his expression deadpan. Unfazed, unemotional, unimpressed.
[break][break]
Perfect opposites.
[break][break]
On the surface, at least.
[break][break]
”Peanut butter.” Most people would probably expect him to say something like ‘vanilla’, or the kind of flavour that is perceived as more sophisticated, like pistachio or something, but no, sometimes Tam can have a palate akin to that of a little kid. ”Cold noodles would be good today. We should get fish, though, that sounds fun.”
[break][break]
It does, even if his tone may not make it sound like he thinks as much.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]@marshall

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
Mission - Don't Feed The Gulls 🌟

[attr="class","pkmn"]

close tab

played by

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

0 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @Deleted

POSTED ON Jul 14, 2022 11:42:25 GMT

Tam's agreement is all Marshall needed to hear. Still smiling, he led them to the aforementioned food stall and ordered two bowls of the cold noodles with fish. The elderly women behind the counter, still amazingly spry for their age, prepared the dishes in no time at all. Marshall dug into his lunch with gusto, savoring the complex flavors of the salty broth, savory vegetables, and spicy sauce on the fish. Chunks of ice floated among the noodles. The meal hit the spot, perfectly refreshing for such a hot day.

While they ate, Marshall did most of the talking. He covered the widest range of topics fathomable, from the Dragon-type training he recently did with Rangers in Lilycove City to stupid memes he found on the Internet. As they finished their meal, with only scraps left in their bowls, he meandered to the subject of an upcoming appointment.

"Anyway, I have to go down to Slateport tomorrow for a shoot," Marshall said casually to Tam. "Gotta get that paycheck, you know? They said they're gonna give me some decals to put on my bike for the next race, too."

Above the two men, a flock of Wingulls gathered on a powerline, calling to each other.

Watching. Waiting.

Tam Fawley

close tab

played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

awards

518 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Jul 14, 2022 16:36:15 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

Isn’t it tiring to smile like that all the time? Tam can’t help but wonder about it while they chat and enjoy their meal (although Marshall does most of the chatting), because it’s just so different from the way he is. All of his life, people have told Tam to smile more, and he has always found it difficult to fake things like those – even more to smile at any moment and for any reason. It may seem silly, but it’s because of these experiences that he finds @marshall’s apparently-endlessly-cheery disposition to be kind of admirable.
[break][break]
He doesn’t say this out loud, of course.
[break][break]
What he does say is short comments here and there on every topic chosen by the racer, allowing him to do most of the talking but still clearly paying close attention to what is said – the fact that the topics change so damn often actually helps. So, when Marshall mentions dragon-type training, Tam asks what kind of dragon he has and how the training went. When he talks about memes, Tam tells him about how one of the ranger cadets made a ”Do it for her.” poster with pictures of Clover (omitting the fact that Noah Camus had actually had to explain the meme to him when doing this). And when Marshall talks about having a shoot at Slateport the next day, Tam is actually reminded of something he wanted to say to him:
[break][break]
”Oh. Right… You never told me you’re a pro racer, I saw you on TV the other day.” He had meant to text him about it, but then he had forgotten. ”And here I thought you were just some careless tourist wanting to have fun at the track.”
[break][break]
At that, there’s actually a slight smirk. It’s funny to him.
[break][break]
”If you go to Slateport, you should stop by the harbor... Wanna go buy some fish now? I’m still kinda hungry.”
[break][break]
Given how much time Tam spends near said harbour, the sound of Wingull nearby is as if expected background noise to him – nothing to concern himself with.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]@marshall

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
Mission - Don't Feed The Gulls 🌟

[attr="class","pkmn"]

close tab

played by

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

0 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @Deleted

POSTED ON Jul 14, 2022 18:24:14 GMT

Marshall looked up at Tam's comment about seeing him on TV. Right! He had totally forgotten to mention his profession at all to the other man. The last time they'd seen each other, they'd been too busy running away from a rampaging Snorlax. Then Tam had swiftly retreated to… well, wherever Rangers went after accomplishing a job. It hadn't crossed Marshall's mind that he should have told Tam.

"Yeah, well, I'm not famous or anything," Marshall said with a somewhat self-deprecating laugh.

And it was true. Professional motocross racers only made as much money as a mid-range lawyer or doctor — nowhere near as much as professional athletes in other, more popular sports. Or ace Pokémon trainers, for that matter. No one stopped Marshall in the street for an autograph, and no paparazzi stalked him whenever he left his hotel. He could walk around unnoticed. For that, he supposed he should be grateful.

"You probably saw me in a commercial or interview. Sometimes I make more money from wearing some brand's jacket than actually winning races. Not that I race for money, of course."

He and Tam headed into a narrow street flanked on each side by vendor stalls. Baskets and buckets of fish and shellfish covered almost every flat surface and even clustered together on the ground. Young, buff men and old, stooping women alike wielded knives and cleavers to prepare their customers' purchases for later dining.

Marshall strolled as he perused the offerings, trying to decide what would make a good meal. He pointed at some crayfish and nudged Tam with an elbow. "We could get 'em steamed or boiled or fried up, yeah? Maybe cooked into little pancakes? Half a pound of these, miss!" he said to the girl behind the counter who looked no older than eighteen. Wordlessly, she shoveled the exact amount of crayfish into a plastic bag and exchanged it for some of Marshall's money.

As he held aloft the bag in triumph, a feathered mass swooped down upon his outstretched arm and attacked. Shouting with alarm, Marshall instinctively dropped the bag. One of the dozen Wingulls who'd descended upon him plucked the bag of crayfish out of thin air and attempted to follow the rest of its flock as they flew away. Fortunately, the weight of its prize was enough to slow it down considerably. Still, it was getting away with their snack.

Marshall stared slack-jawed after the Wingull. Then he launched into action, giving chase.

"GET BACK HERE YOU FUCKER!!!"

Tam Fawley

close tab

played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

awards

518 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Jul 15, 2022 15:16:03 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

”You’re famous enough to be on TV though.” Tam himself would hate that: the fame and the attention. He’s not made for it. Enjoying something to the point of wanting to be the best at it, though? Thriving in competition? The thrill of winning? Those things he can understand. He had been like that once.
[break][break]
”I think it’s cool… Not so much the commercials part, that sounds kinda boring.” As per usual, he’s direct, blunt, not even considering if his words would be hurtful or not, but it’s not like Tam has any ill-intentions. He just… doesn’t really put much thought into all of that. Sorry Marshall.
[break][break]
The market is lively, and the scent of seafood paired with the loud voices of vendors promoting their wares makes for a distracting environment. There’s so much to see that it’s only when Marshall nudges him that Tam notices the crayfish. ”Oh. Not gonna lie… Pancakes sound pretty great.”
[break][break]
They do. Mouthwateringly so. So much so that Tam even smiles just so slightly…
[break][break]
Until the Wingull attack.
[break][break]
”Holy shit.” When the gulls swoop down with cries and wails, he pulls Marshall back a step so he won’t get all scratched up. Sadly, it’s too late… The bag of crayfish falls, being grabbed by one of the birds, and a second later, Marshall runs after it, truly as if he were some kind of dog chasing after the gulls at the beach.
[break][break]
At first, Tam just stands there, watching the scene before his eyes in silent disbelief, and then, he sighs.
[break][break]
He could run too, he has always been a fast runner, but Tam is a ranger, and as ranger, he does what they do best: call their pokémon to help.
[break][break]
Clipped to his belt, there’s three green pokéballs, and it’s quickly that he reaches for the one that rests further back. There’s a red beam of light. ”Togekiss! Get that bag!”
[break][break]
With a determined squeal, the Jubilee Pokémon makes use of its EXTREME SPEED, leaving the little Wingull with no chance to outfly it. A gust tousles the ranger’s blonde hair, sky blue eyes watching as his pokémon gracefully swoops down upon the smaller bird…
[break][break]
But… The Wingull has friends, and everyone knows there’s strength in numbers.
[break][break]
Wails mark the return of the rest of the birds.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]@marshall

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
Mission - Don't Feed The Gulls 🌟

[attr="class","pkmn"][break]

close tab

played by

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

0 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @Deleted

POSTED ON Jul 15, 2022 22:55:19 GMT

Oh. Duh! Pokémon!

As the flock of Wingulls descended upon Tam's Togekiss, Marshall pulled a Pokéball off his own belt and released its denizen. His Luxio appeared in a flash of light. "Use ROAR, Turbine!" Marshall called out, pointing at the Wingulls.

The feline did as he commanded, unleashing a throaty roar that contradicted his small size. The flock scattered, confused, leaving the crayfish thief to lag behind thanks to the heavy bag.

"Don't let it get away, Turbine!" Marshall yelled, still running after the culprit. The Luxio leaped ahead and tossed a THUNDERWAVE from his tail, hoping to paralyze the escaping Wingull.

Tam Fawley

close tab

played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

awards

518 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Jul 16, 2022 22:38:50 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

Just as Tam is about to give his Togekiss instructions on how to deal with the flock of Wingull that suddenly overwhelm it, the Luxio’s unexpectedly-deep ROAR breaks through the air, to be followed by a whole second of pure silence – as is every living being in the fish market’s proximity were surprised or in awe. It’s only a second though, and soon enough the Wingull cry out in dismay as they fly away.
[break][break]
Only one remains. The one with their bag.
[break][break]
Seeing that Turbine begins to charge up electricity in his tail, Tam acts, running closer and calling for his own pokémon:
[break][break]
”Togekiss, up!”
[break][break]
Flying upwards, the larger avian pokémon is able to avoid the THUNDER WAVE. The Wingull is not so fast, however, and electricity brings upon PARALYSIS, causing its whole body to stiffen in the middle of its desperate flapping of wings. In the literal shock of being paralysed, it lets go of the bag, causing it to begin to fall just as the Wingull itself also does...
[break][break]
It's a good thing that the Togekiss is indeed fast, though! It’s quickly that it swoops down once again, grabbing the crayfish-filled prize by the handles. ”Toge!” It cries out, victorious.
[break][break]
Tam pauses in his steps then and only two words are spoken:
[break][break]
”...Fuckin’ Wingull.”
[break][break]
That right about sums up his thoughts on the matter. Still… Is it bad that he finds it kind of funny?

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]@marshall

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
Mission - Don't Feed The Gulls 🌟

[attr="class","pkmn"][break]

close tab

played by

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

0 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @Deleted

POSTED ON Jul 17, 2022 21:13:06 GMT

Tam Fawley likes this

Upon seeing Tam's Togekiss save the bag of crayfish from becoming a scattered mess across the ground, Marshall leaped into the air and whooped, filling that entire area of the market with his victorious yelling.

"Take that!" he crowed at the paralyzed Wingull that lay still upon the ground nearby. "That'll teach you to steal food again!"

He rushed over to where Togekiss hovered and took the bag from its little hands. "Thank you so much!!"

Next to him, Turbine yowled insistently, prompting Marshall to laugh and bend down to pat the Luxio on the head. "You were awesome too, bud," he reassured his Pokémon. Then he turned to Tam and grinned widely, waving the bag of crayfish. "Tam! I think we oughta get those pancakes cooked now! We better hurry before those Wingull return!"

Tam Fawley