MARCH UPDATE

102 height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

460 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @rubygarcia

POSTED ON Aug 23, 2022 1:55:13 GMT

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[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr="class","rubyw"]

Ruby scowled. "Piece of shit, breeding it like that," she muttered. She didn't really care if Jade heard that; some people just deserved to be called that.

[break][break]If not for their conversation in the sub, Ruby would have easily been able to write off Isaac's flippant attitude about almost dying. He seemed like the optimistic, carefree type, after all, but she knew he ran deeper than that. But he seemed serious about this... or at least serious in his own Isaac-like way. She let herself smile.

[break][break]"Y'know, you're right. I shouldn't be surprised."

[break][break]Ruby's smile, too, twisted into something cocky. "You talk big game for someone who got fished up. I'll take you on anytime! ... Where it's safe and we won't get arrested for fighting or something," she added quickly with a glance in Jade's direction.

[break][break]Jade smiled. Did she look like she was trying not to laugh? "Of course," she said. "It would just be martial arts demonstrations, right?"

[break][break]And this wasn't the place for martial arts demonstrations. This was fishing! And Ruby had something on her hook.

[break][break]

0|Jn1npt

[break]Oh, look, a perfectly average Magikarp. How thrilling.

[attr="class","rubytag"]Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","rubynotes"]

notes.

8/15: Extra-small Huntail (6)
8/16: Average Wishiwashi (44)
8/17: Extra-large Lanturn (87)
8/18: Extra-small Mantine (3)
8/19: Average Goldeen (52)
8/20: Average Horsea (29)
8/21: Dynamax Huntail (94)
8/22: Average Magikarp (40)

[attr="class","rubypokes"]
♀ water bubble / liquidation, infestation, leech life, crunch, lunge, mirror coat

♂ flash fire / beat up, foul play, flamethrower, smog, taunt, roar

♂ battle armor / toxic spikes, toxic, venoshock, x-scissor, fell stinger, crunch

♀ technician / swords dance, fury cutter, wing attack, quick attack, double team, double hit

♀ sand veil / sandstorm, dragon claw, dragon rush, dragon breath, bulldoze, crunch

♀ blaze / thrash, scratch, lick, leer, fire fang, --

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played by

Wanderer

The Liberator

he/him/his

April 10

Lavaridge Town

Figuring it Out

Penitent

Renegade

Short King height

Turned on my friends and brought them pain. I have no right to show I can change. But I gotta try!

awards

4,402 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @isaacmerlo

POSTED ON Aug 23, 2022 12:59:55 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","skullhover"]

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skulloverlap"]BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH, GUESS WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?

[attr="class","skullbody"]"You got that right," Isaac muttered back, voice low and dark. "Let's just say if any freelancing involves hitting orgs like that where it hurts, well, I'm sure as hell never gonna complain." Sure, Rocket only wanted them out of the way to corner markets like that for themselves. But it didn't change that fucking up a bad breeding shop was always so satisfying.[break][break]

Ruby smiled at Isaac's flippancy. For all he teased her about customer service smiles, she actually had a really nice one. Y'know, on those rare occasions where she actually allowed herself to be happy. However, he had to admit the cocky grin it warped into was a lot more her style. "What, are you telling me we're not allowed to beat the crap out of each other in the middle of the beach these days?" he joked. "I'm sorry, is this 2022? Or is it 1984?"[break][break]

Still, he could get it. Be a good example in front of the little sister. Even if fighting was fun. "Yeah, no, don't worry about Ruby and I joking around," he assured her. "It'd just be some demos between friends. All in the name of fun." At least, it would be until one of these two knuckleheads inevitably overescalated. But, hell, that was always fun in its own right.[break][break]

The ocean agreed, rewarding Isaac with another fish for his integrity. All that training went to good use as he spun that reel, excited to see which fish he'd end up nabbing today.[break][break]

Zjvui4Vp[break][break]

Gorebyss - 85 (Large)[break]
Bruxish - 71 (Average)[break]
Horsea - 48 (Average)[break]
Horsea - 4 (Extra Small!)[break]
Gorebyss - 93 (DYNAMAX!)[break]
Remoraid - 3 (Extra Small!)[break]
Lanturn - 6 (Extra Small!)[break]
Bruixish - 74 (Average)[break]
Mantine - 92 (DYNAMAX!)[break]

[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","skullinfo"]MOBILE POST / Ruby Garcia

[attr="class","skullcredits"]TAIKO!

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close tab

played by

Alicia Jewel

she/her

October 18

Pyrite Town, Orre

bisexual

"Freelancer" (Rocket)

Elite

102 height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

460 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @rubygarcia

POSTED ON Aug 23, 2022 17:24:39 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr="class","rubyw"]

"Heh, yeah," Ruby whispered back. There was that vigilante side of Isaac again. Then again, it wasn't like she was going to complain if such an operation came up. She knew just as well as Isaac that Rocket wouldn't do it out of the goodness of their shriveled-up hearts, but at least it'd feel good to beat down a scumbag like that. Not that Ruby could claim to be much better; it'd be like scum fighting slightly worse scum.

[break][break]Jade laughed at Isaac's 1984 joke. "Truly Orwellian," she quipped. "Next you'll be telling me that 2 + 2 = 5." Ruby barely knew what Jade was talking about, but she chuckled along, glad that Jade was having a good time, at least.

[break][break]"Yep, all for fun," Ruby agreed, nudging Isaac with an elbow. It'd definitely be fun to knock Isaac on his butt, yeah. Though she had to admit she was legitimately curious to see what he was capable of.

[break][break]"I'm really glad Ruby's making friends at work," Jade said.

[break][break]Her little sister's innocent statement made her grip go slack, meaning she had to fumble for the fishing rod when she got another bite.

[break][break]

K2ukPU33

[break]It didn't help that her catch was a freakishly huge Magikarp!

[attr="class","rubytag"]Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","rubynotes"]

notes.

8/15: Extra-small Huntail (6)
8/16: Average Wishiwashi (44)
8/17: Extra-large Lanturn (87)
8/18: Extra-small Mantine (3)
8/19: Average Goldeen (52)
8/20: Average Horsea (29)
8/21: Dynamax Huntail (94)
8/22: Average Magikarp (40)
8/23: Dynamax Magikarp (98)

[attr="class","rubypokes"]
♀ water bubble / liquidation, infestation, leech life, crunch, lunge, mirror coat

close tab

played by

Wanderer

The Liberator

he/him/his

April 10

Lavaridge Town

Figuring it Out

Penitent

Renegade

Short King height

Turned on my friends and brought them pain. I have no right to show I can change. But I gotta try!

awards

4,402 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @isaacmerlo

POSTED ON Aug 24, 2022 13:02:29 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","skullhover"]

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skulloverlap"]BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH, GUESS WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?

[attr="class","skullbody"]Friends? Was that really the best word to describe them? Up until today, Isaac was pretty sure Ruby at least semi-hated him. At best, she found him a tiresome yet amusing presence. This was the longest she'd gone without metaphorically, or literally, backhanding him, and Isaac was sure it was because her sister was here.[break][break]

Yet, was that really true? She pulled him back from the edge when he was at his lowest and gave him a new means of coping and protecting himself. He reminded her that dreams only died if you let them, and that there were far more hopes in her future than she may have believed. And now they were here, sitting, chatting, and joking around like a pair of old friends.[break][break]

"Yeah," he finally said, the smile on his face small and warm. "So am I. Besides, someone's gotta keep my head on my shoulders, right?"[break][break]

Teases aside, he let the conversation roll into a nice, natural lull. After all the shit he'd been through, he needed a chance to sit back, relax, and decompress. He could tell Ruby needed the same, too. It was amazing how far they'd both come since that charged, desperate conversation in the sub.[break][break]

He'd like to see more of that, maybe. Even in the face of the inevitable, the people of Hoenn could still fight for a better tomorrow.

IdE|BLSb[break][break]

Gorebyss - 85 (Large)[break]
Bruxish - 71 (Average)[break]
Horsea - 48 (Average)[break]
Horsea - 4 (Extra Small!)[break]
Gorebyss - 93 (DYNAMAX!)[break]
Remoraid - 3 (Extra Small!)[break]
Lanturn - 6 (Extra Small!)[break]
Bruixish - 74 (Average)[break]
Mantine - 92 (DYNAMAX!)[break]

[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","skullinfo"]MOBILE POST / Ruby Garcia

[attr="class","skullcredits"]TAIKO!

close tab

played by

Alicia Jewel

she/her

October 18

Pyrite Town, Orre

bisexual

"Freelancer" (Rocket)

Elite

102 height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

460 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @rubygarcia

POSTED ON Aug 24, 2022 16:58:40 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr="class","rubyw"]

When Ruby joined Team Rocket, she didn't intend to make friends. In her eyes, letting herself be that vulnerable with someone in a criminal organization was a one-way ticket to being stabbed in the back. But as she hauled in the giant Magikarp to add to her temporary collection, she thought over her interactions with her fellow Rockets so far. Two in particular stuck out:

[break][break]The first, of course, was Isaac himself. Before their "ghost-hunting" mission together, she'd only heard about him and his dramaticism and antics through the grapevine. But he'd quickly proven himself to be resilient and surprisingly compassionate for someone in Rocket. Ruby was half-convinced that the latter trait was going to bite him in the ass one of these days. But at the same time, it was like a breath of fresh air in the fetid depths of the criminal underworld.

[break][break]The second was Aurelie Lefevre. When they'd first met in the desert, the blacksmith had been woefully unprepared for its harsh environs yet equipped with multiple handmade tools for catching and skinning snakes, which she had done with brutal effectiveness. Ruby's initial misgivings had been quashed even more when Aurelie effectively planned a warehouse heist and helped execute it in ways that Ruby would have never thought of (except for knocking out the guard; that was pretty standard in Ruby's playbook). Ruby found herself wanting to work with Aurelie more. Especially since the smith was so easy on the eyes.

[break][break]Were these just surprisingly deep interactions with coworkers? Or could she really call these two her friends?

[break][break]"And someone's gotta keep things from getting too boring, I guess," Ruby said with lighthearted reluctance.

[break][break]Next to her, Jade smiled.

[break][break]

S014sNpu

[attr="class","rubytag"]Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","rubynotes"]

notes.

8/15: Extra-small Huntail (6)
8/16: Average Wishiwashi (44)
8/17: Extra-large Lanturn (87)
8/18: Extra-small Mantine (3)
8/19: Average Goldeen (52)
8/20: Average Horsea (29)
8/21: Dynamax Huntail (94)
8/22: Average Magikarp (40)
8/23: Dynamax Magikarp (98)
8/24: Average Lumineon (75)

[attr="class","rubypokes"]
♀ water bubble / liquidation, infestation, leech life, crunch, lunge, mirror coat

close tab

played by

Wanderer

The Liberator

he/him/his

April 10

Lavaridge Town

Figuring it Out

Penitent

Renegade

Short King height

Turned on my friends and brought them pain. I have no right to show I can change. But I gotta try!

awards

4,402 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @isaacmerlo

POSTED ON Aug 25, 2022 4:39:32 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","skullhover"]

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skulloverlap"]BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH, GUESS WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?

[attr="class","skullbody"]See? Having friends wasn't so bad. They brought out the best in each other. They dampened the worst in each other. Together, their joys were doubled and their sorrows were halved. Even in the deepest pits of an organization like Rocket, such a force was real, and strong, and frankly impossible not to notice.[break][break]

Maybe that was why Isaac had so much trouble all this time. He was a livewire in an empty room. Without a proper conduit, how was zll of that energy supposed to show? Without a source, how was he supposed to recharge? Instead he was simply left to his own devices, his sparks growing feebler and feebler until soon he had run dry.[break][break]

Yet, no matter how broken he thought he was, he'd never crossed that last threshold. He simply lied dormant beneath 4 years worth of rust until a twist of fate recharged him. Since then, he didn't even know the meaning of the word off.[break][break]

It was tragic in a sense. How much of his life did he let just pass him by in a fugue state? How much potential did he squander because he was told he had none? With how much he'd accomplished in four months, could he have taken the region by storm if he'd been doing this all along? Or was he only able to reach such heights because of how much he lacked?[break][break]

All he knew was that he couldn't do it alone. He could never have a day like this alone, even. "Hey," he said, voice contemplative and quiet as he looked towards the waters. "Thanks for letting me join you guys today. It's a nice change of pace."[break][break]

No need to get mushy. Pull rod, catch fish.[break][break]

Qzxwxr2e

[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","skullinfo"]MOBILE POST / Ruby Garcia

[attr="class","skullcredits"]TAIKO!

close tab

played by

Alicia Jewel

she/her

October 18

Pyrite Town, Orre

bisexual

"Freelancer" (Rocket)

Elite

102 height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

460 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @rubygarcia

POSTED ON Aug 25, 2022 19:03:24 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr="class","rubyw"]

Ruby was still unsure. Sure, she was having fun hanging out and shooting the shit. Jade seemed to be enjoying herself, too. But who was to say that even this wouldn't be taken from her? Even if Isaac or Aurelie or whoever else she got close to didn't stab her in the back or use her as a stepping stone or just outright leave her, what was stopping something from happening to them?

[break][break]Ruby had spent her whole life being strong. In Orre, it was the only way to survive. Later, it was the only way to protect Jade. And now? It was all she knew. Yet even the greatest strength couldn't stop a natural disaster or a sudden alien invasion. It couldn't stop someone from pouncing when Ruby's back was turned. And the more people she had to watch over, the harder it was to keep an eye on all of them.

[break][break]Argh, why did actually caring about people have to be so damn hard?!

[break][break]In the midst of her musings, Isaac spoke, his voice quiet and contemplative. Ruby joined him in staring out into the water, saying nothing at first. After a beat of silence, Jade chimed in with, "It's been a pleasure getting to know you." Ruby could tell she meant it.

[break][break]"Not like I could just throw you back," Ruby opted to say with a playful shrug.

[break][break]

UJ8ckoZv

[attr="class","rubytag"]Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","rubynotes"]

notes.

8/15: Extra-small Huntail (6)
8/16: Average Wishiwashi (44)
8/17: Extra-large Lanturn (87)
8/18: Extra-small Mantine (3)
8/19: Average Goldeen (52)
8/20: Average Horsea (29)
8/21: Dynamax Huntail (94)
8/22: Average Magikarp (40)
8/23: Dynamax Magikarp (98)
8/24: Average Lumineon (75)
8/25: Small Milotic (22)

[attr="class","rubypokes"]
♀ water bubble / liquidation, infestation, leech life, crunch, lunge, mirror coat

close tab

played by

Wanderer

The Liberator

he/him/his

April 10

Lavaridge Town

Figuring it Out

Penitent

Renegade

Short King height

Turned on my friends and brought them pain. I have no right to show I can change. But I gotta try!

awards

4,402 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @isaacmerlo

POSTED ON Aug 26, 2022 4:36:38 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","skullhover"]

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skulloverlap"]BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH, GUESS WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?

[attr="class","skullbody"]Awww! Look at Ruby caring! Sometimes it was a surprise to Isaac how quickly the two warmed up to each other. At other times, it was all too clear. Runaways from a bad situation. Survivalists until the bitter end. Doting older siblings. They were two sides of a coin. Their similar experiences helped them understand one another. Their differences helped them shore up each others' weaknesses.[break][break]

Now that they knew each other better, they'd probably make an unstoppable team.[break][break]

Nevertheless, Ruby's playful shrug was met by an equally playful smirk. "Aw, why not?" he asked, drawing out that O in a taunting fashion. "Can't toss me far enough without your Machamp backing you up?" The best part was, with her sister sitting right there, Ruby would never have the guts to kick him![break][break]

Once he got that out of his system, his smile softened. "It's been nice getting to know you, too," he said. "Both of you."[break][break]

Oh! That was a tug on the line. Better pull on up before it escaped![break][break]

YWVUEUEZ

[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","skullinfo"]MOBILE POST / Ruby Garcia

[attr="class","skullcredits"]TAIKO!

close tab

played by

Alicia Jewel

she/her

October 18

Pyrite Town, Orre

bisexual

"Freelancer" (Rocket)

Elite

102 height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

460 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @rubygarcia

POSTED ON Aug 26, 2022 17:45:52 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr="class","rubyw"]

Ruby never thought she'd be able to understand someone like Isaac Merlo, yet here they were. Of course, there was still plenty she didn't know about her fellow "freelancer," but that'd probably come with time. She could always try to dig up info on him. That wasn't really her style, though. She'd rather take the direct approach.

[break][break]Of course, whether they'd make a good team would depend on trust. And that was something Ruby still struggled with, both in others and in herself.

[break][break]Ruby's playful grin grew into something just a bit more threatening. "Oh, now you're asking for it. You're lucky I don't wanna scare off the fish."

[break][break]Ruby will remember that.

[break][break]"Anyway, he's not mine," she continued. "He's Jade's."

[break][break]"He's really helpful around the house," Jade said. Atlas flexed his many arm muscles proudly.

[break][break]Ruby didn't know how to respond to Isaac's last sentiment without feeling sappy as hell. Instead, she focused on reeling in her latest catch.

[break][break]

my98PysA

[attr="class","rubytag"]Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","rubynotes"]

notes.

8/15: Extra-small Huntail (6)
8/16: Average Wishiwashi (44)
8/17: Extra-large Lanturn (87)
8/18: Extra-small Mantine (3)
8/19: Average Goldeen (52)
8/20: Average Horsea (29)
8/21: Dynamax Huntail (94)
8/22: Average Magikarp (40)
8/23: Dynamax Magikarp (98)
8/24: Average Lumineon (75)
8/25: Small Milotic (22)
8/26: Average Wishiwashi (42)

[attr="class","rubypokes"]
♀ water bubble / liquidation, infestation, leech life, crunch, lunge, mirror coat

close tab

played by

Wanderer

The Liberator

he/him/his

April 10

Lavaridge Town

Figuring it Out

Penitent

Renegade

Short King height

Turned on my friends and brought them pain. I have no right to show I can change. But I gotta try!

awards

4,402 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @isaacmerlo

POSTED ON Aug 27, 2022 4:36:50 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","skullhover"]

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skulloverlap"]BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH, GUESS WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?

[attr="class","skullbody"]"Darn right I'm asking for it! I can't be the only one flexing my stuff during those demos later, right?" Isaac asked. "What good's a proper spar if we're not both giving it out all, right?" Yeah, these two were totally going to get carried away. But just look at those big smiles! Could anyone really mind?[break][break]

With that kind of outlook, Isaac was surprised the Machamp was actually Jade's. It was such a Ruby Pokemon! Big? Check. Strong? Check. Lowkey a show-off? Oh, so check. Yet Jade's comment about helping around the house put a lot of this into perspective. In fact, it put a lot of things into perspective.[break][break]

Ruby never really gave up on her dream, did she?[break][break]

"A good Pokemon can really be such a huge help," Isaac said. "I've been realizing that a lot lately. At this point, I don't know what I'd do without my team backing me up." Harmony immediately came to mind, but pretty much every Pokemon on his team brought something unique to the table.[break][break]

It was all the more reason to keep doing his best for them. It was the least they deserved?[break][break]

And to think, today might be the day he meets another member. As his fishing rod started to bend and twitch, Isaac grabbed ahold of the reel and started pulling with all his might. Who was it gonna be today?[break][break]

UbdBMAp6[break][break]

Gorebyss - 85 (Large)[break]
Bruxish - 71 (Average)[break]
Horsea - 48 (Average)[break]
Horsea - 4 (Extra Small!)[break]
Gorebyss - 93 (DYNAMAX!)[break]
Remoraid - 3 (Extra Small!)[break]
Lanturn - 6 (Extra Small!)[break]
Bruixish - 74 (Average)[break]
Mantine - 92 (DYNAMAX!)[break]
Whiscash - 3 (Extra Small!)[break]
Remoraid - 90 (DYNAMAX!)[break]
Whiscash - 42 (Average)[break]

[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","skullinfo"]MOBILE POST / Ruby Garcia

[attr="class","skullcredits"]TAIKO!

close tab

played by

Alicia Jewel

she/her

October 18

Pyrite Town, Orre

bisexual

"Freelancer" (Rocket)

Elite

102 height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

460 posts

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TAG WITH @rubygarcia

POSTED ON Aug 28, 2022 1:59:39 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr="class","rubyw"]

"Heh, you got that right!" Ruby said, still grinning. "Hope you're ready to get knocked on your a—butt." Gah, that didn't sound nearly as threatening. It didn't help that Jade was trying not to giggle at her sister's attempts at self-censorship. Honestly, Ruby usually didn't watch her language this much around Jade. It helped that she also rarely had a reason to swear like a sailor in front of her. But Ruby wouldn't let Isaac be the better influence today, dammit—darn it!

[break][break]Jade wasn't worried about Ruby's threats. Not just because they were amusingly self-censored, but because she couldn't hear any actual malice behind them. Ruby would definitely give it her all in their spar and get in a bit of revenge, but she wouldn't try to seriously hurt Isaac. No, Jade knew what Ruby sounded like when she truly despised someone.

[break][break]Isaac's mention of how helpful Pokémon could be made Jade smile. "They've helped me so much, ever since I was little. Atlas is a fairly new addition, but my first Pokémon was actually a Zubat, Camazotz. I'm sure you know that Zubat are born without eyes, so they have to navigate using sonar and echolocation. I learned a lot from him." She paused for a moment, then decided it was worth adding, "Ruby actually caught him for me."

[break][break]"Yeah, well, you know," Ruby started, embarrassed again, "I figured you could use a partner who'd understand you. We were both still kids then." Oh, look, another tug on the line! Ruby focused on reeling it in.

[break][break]

h1BOAw8U

[attr="class","rubytag"]Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","rubynotes"]

notes.

8/15: Extra-small Huntail (6)
8/16: Average Wishiwashi (44)
8/17: Extra-large Lanturn (87)
8/18: Extra-small Mantine (3)
8/19: Average Goldeen (52)
8/20: Average Horsea (29)
8/21: Dynamax Huntail (94)
8/22: Average Magikarp (40)
8/23: Dynamax Magikarp (98)
8/24: Average Lumineon (75)
8/25: Small Milotic (22)
8/26: Average Wishiwashi (42)
8/27: Small Lumineon (24)

[attr="class","rubypokes"]
♀ water bubble / liquidation, infestation, leech life, crunch, lunge, mirror coat

close tab

played by

Wanderer

The Liberator

he/him/his

April 10

Lavaridge Town

Figuring it Out

Penitent

Renegade

Short King height

Turned on my friends and brought them pain. I have no right to show I can change. But I gotta try!

awards

4,402 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @isaacmerlo

POSTED ON Aug 28, 2022 5:23:08 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","skullhover"]

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skulloverlap"]BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH, GUESS WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?

[attr="class","skullbody"]"Oh, please. It's your butt you're gonna need to watch out for," Isaac said, giving Ruby a teasing, shoulder-to-shoulder nudge. And to think, if Isaac had mentioned anyone's butts getting knocked down in any past situation, he would've been thrown through a window by now. So this was the power of healthy, competitive bonding![break][break]

It sounded like Ruby had been catching Pokemon for Jade for a while. It sounded like those Pokemon had been tailored to Jade's needs for a while, too. That made her momentary loss of passion all the more painful to see. Clearly, this wasn't just some ambition that Ruby had toyed around with before coming to Rocket. This was something deep and personal and closer to home than Isaac could have ever known.[break][break]

He wasn't about to let that chance pass her by.[break][break]

"She's really got a knack for knowing how to pick them, huh?" Isaac said, the smile on his face gentle yet oh so knowing. "I should totally ask her for pointers sometime. Bet most trainers would kill to have that level of understanding." Seriously, Ruby! Your talents are as useful as they are valid! It's okay to explore them![break][break]

But, hey. That was up to her to decide. Right now, Isaac's job was catching fish. And he proceeded to do just that.[break][break]

R8k9|lkW[break][break]

Gorebyss - 85 (Large)[break]
Bruxish - 71 (Average)[break]
Horsea - 48 (Average)[break]
Horsea - 4 (Extra Small!)[break]
Gorebyss - 93 (DYNAMAX!)[break]
Remoraid - 3 (Extra Small!)[break]
Lanturn - 6 (Extra Small!)[break]
Bruixish - 74 (Average)[break]
Mantine - 92 (DYNAMAX!)[break]
Whiscash - 3 (Extra Small!)[break]
Remoraid - 90 (DYNAMAX!)[break]
Whiscash - 42 (Average)[break]
Lumineon - 88 (Extra Larg- wait, this is rarer than Dynamax!?)[break]
Barraskewda - 32 (Average)[break]

[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","skullinfo"]MOBILE POST / Ruby Garcia

[attr="class","skullcredits"]TAIKO!

close tab

played by

Alicia Jewel

she/her

October 18

Pyrite Town, Orre

bisexual

"Freelancer" (Rocket)

Elite

102 height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

460 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @rubygarcia

POSTED ON Aug 28, 2022 17:22:36 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr="class","rubyw"]

Ruby nudged Isaac right back, trying to smoke out these mushy feelings with the embers of her competitive spirit. "Yeah, yeah, put your money where your mouth is when we get to it."

[break][break]It felt so weird having to save this energy for a later time. Usually by now, hands and/or Poké Balls were already being thrown. There was usually genuine malice behind it, too. This zone between combative and cordial was new. Though Ruby couldn't read her sister's mind, Jade was right: She didn't really want to hurt Isaac. She totally wanted to kick his butt, yeah, but that was different from actually hurting him.

[break][break]Ruby had never realized just how deep-seated her previous career goal had been. At the time, it had just been something good she could do with her life that happened to relate to her sister. But when one of the first Pokémon she'd caught had helped Jade so much, she couldn't really say that anymore, could she? The realization felt like a thorn nestling into her heart.

[break][break]"You already asked me." Ruby's voice became more tense, more defensive, as she tried to dislodge that thorn. "Or what, did you forget already?"

[break][break]Her grip on her rod was tight as she reeled in her latest catch.

[break][break]

KF6N5RgM

[attr="class","rubytag"]Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","rubynotes"]

notes.

8/15: Extra-small Huntail (6)
8/16: Average Wishiwashi (44)
8/17: Extra-large Lanturn (87)
8/18: Extra-small Mantine (3)
8/19: Average Goldeen (52)
8/20: Average Horsea (29)
8/21: Dynamax Huntail (94)
8/22: Average Magikarp (40)
8/23: Dynamax Magikarp (98)
8/24: Average Lumineon (75)
8/25: Small Milotic (22)
8/26: Average Wishiwashi (42)
8/27: Small Lumineon (24)
8/28: Average Whiscash (72)

[attr="class","rubypokes"]
♀ water bubble / liquidation, infestation, leech life, crunch, lunge, mirror coat

close tab

played by

Wanderer

The Liberator

he/him/his

April 10

Lavaridge Town

Figuring it Out

Penitent

Renegade

Short King height

Turned on my friends and brought them pain. I have no right to show I can change. But I gotta try!

awards

4,402 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @isaacmerlo

POSTED ON Aug 29, 2022 13:42:23 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","skullhover"]

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skulloverlap"]BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH, GUESS WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?

[attr="class","skullbody"]"Did I?" Isaac asked, tone innocent and face angelic. Yet there was a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Oh! Oh, right, I totally did! Man, I can't believe I forgot all about it."[break][break]

Luckily, Isaac knew better than to bring up topics better left unsaid. And if there was anything he was good at, it was spinning up stories. "See, even cool guys like me get nightmares sometimes," he started. "I know, I know. It's hard to believe. But I've got a total weakness to horror movies, and let's just say it made sleeping a real pain in the butt lately."[break][break]

"So in comes your sister with a great idea. If my Musharna's watching over me in my sleep, I don't even have to worry about those nightmares. They'd all just get gobbled up before they even rear their ugly heads. So she and I worked together for a bit on training it up, sniffing out the bad dreams and pulling 'em out of my head. It all came pretty naturally; Musharna are already pros at this, so it was really just a matter of asking it to do what already comes natural. But, boom. Few days or this and I'm sleeping like a baby every night."[break][break]

In Isaac's defense, Ruby did just ask him if he remembered.[break][break]

The grin on his face was pure, unadulterated tease as he cast his line back into the water. Or, at least, it started that way. By the end, however, he could barely keep the facade up. For all of his cheekiness, he was well and truly grateful, to a degree where it was literally written on his face.[break][break]

Euq342UO

[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","skullinfo"]MOBILE POST / Ruby Garcia

[attr="class","skullcredits"]TAIKO!

close tab

played by

Alicia Jewel

she/her

October 18

Pyrite Town, Orre

bisexual

"Freelancer" (Rocket)

Elite

102 height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

460 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @rubygarcia