gilded ginger

how are you still alive? Chu-e Choi.

He wasn't quite sure of what he was expecting as he personally made his way to the camp's entrance.

He had a guest. A rare thing nowadays, given that he no longer entertained challengers in his installations, but not the reason the youth was so apprehensive.

No, the reason for that was that the gatekeepers had claimed the visitor was one Ji-hoon Ki in their report. Problem with that was... Ji-hoon Ki was dead, last he heard.

And yet, as the gates opened and he stood at Winstrate's entrance, he found himself faced with, indeed, Ji-hoon Ki.

He couldn't help himself. He made a show of looking around, mouth opening and closing as his arms gestured erratically, before they settled on his hips as he huffed at the man.

"Are the dead crawling out of their graves or somethin'? Nothing too weird for Hoenn, I guess." He cracked out, shifting his weight as he looked Ki and his basket up and down.

If he was a zombie, he was a remarkable well preserved one. Maybe he was a ghost instead? The supernatural was terribly common in this goddamn region.

"Well. Zombie or ghost or whatever, 'suppose I can't turn you away now." He pointed to himself as he scratched at his chin, before grinning. "Follow me. I know where to picnic."

Chu-e gives a delighted gasp when he sees the other. He, of course, quickly pushes the basket into John Sullivan's arms.
Intending to make the other carry it; it was only fair! He cooked it!

"you've gotten so big!" A small laugh and Chu-e grabbed the other's arm to give a squeeze. "You could break a log in two!
What have you been eating?" He happily followed after, letting the other lead the way.

When they were far enough away from unfamiliar ears, Chu-e spoke again.

"You're not as wrong about that 'Zombie' bit as you thing." Sighing, Chu-e shook his head. "I wish this was just a social visit to catch up. I need your help. And... I want to talk about Eris Halla."

gilded ginger

how are you still alive? Chu-e Choi.

Doug only puffed his chest up a little at the attractive older man's compliment, before oofing as a basket was immediately shoved into his arms next.

He snorted; figures.

"Thanks for noticing~! You know how it goes... push-ups, sit ups and plenty o'juice!" Doug said with a chuckle. "A lifetime subscription to noah faber's gymnasium don't hurt either."

The man knew his irons and his protein shakes, and Doug was only too happy to syphon the knowledge on his ever advancing quest to becoming shredded as hell.

Doug led Ki to the Camp's gardens; the largest part of the compounds, mostly occupied by plant life and the soldiers' pokemon; mostly Doug's. Once they stood at the peak of the small hill overlooking the flowery poppy fields, Doug set down the basket before dropping on his bum, considering the earlier words he taken in silence.

Not as wrong as he thought? ominous. Was the supernatural actually involved again...?

"Eris? Something wrong?" He asked, brows knitting together with worry briefly before shook his head. Couldn't be too bad if Ki was this calm. Last time Eris had been missing, the man had looked sick. "Nevermind. Ask away, Ki. I'll do whatever I can."

John Sullivan better be patient, because Chu-e leaves him hanging for a bit. Spot chosen by Doug's ass, Chu-e opens the basket and takes out a blanket to lay out. Then food for them is placed neatly; at some point Doug might be able to tell that Chu-e is stalling.

A bottle of grape juice is plucked from the basket and opened. He takes a long, long drink...

"My name isn't Ji-Hoon Ki."

May as well rip the bandage off fast.

"It's Chu-e Choi. Eris is in Rocket. I am, too." He squeezes the bottle. It crinkles under his fingers. "I don't want either of us to be in Rocket anymore."

gilded ginger

What—

There was comfortable silence between them. He had found out that one his friends was still alive, the weather was great, and they were spending time together for the first time in over a year.

Lying down on the blanket underneath them, the youth dragged his cap over his face before gathering his hands underneath his head, breathing in deeply the grassy air and blowing winds.

Oct 31, 2022 2:25:43 GMT Chu-e Choi said:

"My name isn't Ji-Hoon Ki."

He twitched ever so slightly, one eye slowly prying open to side eye Ki lazily.

"It's not?" He asked lazily, yawning and not looking too surprised.

Ki was Eris Halla' 'father'. That alone revealed much, if you knew as much as him.

And yet.

SPOILER: Click to show

Whatever relaxation he had felt until then vanishes completely as a familiar name is spoken.

"... Who would?" He says slowly from where he still lays, frozen in place.

What... should he do...?

"Why are you telling me?" He mutters after a moment, hands clamped around locks of hair underneath his head.

"I trust you." It usually came down to that, didn't it? He can't bring himself to look at John Sullivan. So he doesn't. He just starts to peel the wrapper from the outside of the bottle as he keeps talking.

"I know if something happens to me, you'll still look out for Eris." Is what he finally continues. A sigh and he drops the bottle, tucking long strands of hair behind his ear.

"I joined Rocket when I was her age. I was stupid and angry and dumb. They trapped me, Doug. For years and years."

A frown.

"I don't want that for her. I'll die again if it means getting her out."