MARCH UPDATE

POSTED ON May 5, 2023 16:56:15 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","arties"]

Barnacles bloom from the body’s mouth like a bouquet of flowers. They tear out of his throat, spewing flesh across the sand beneath his feet. Terror dwells in his eyes long after his death. They ask the same question in the eyes of so many bodies Navy has seen: why? Why do they have to die here? Why like this? It’s the look he saw in one of Gabe’s eyes, the one he had left, when he was laying on that morgue slab in Sootopolis.[break][break]

Dewford’s beach has been cleared out and cordoned off. Looking at the officers on the case, he understands why. This is a small community. Many of its officers are home grown – boys who reached adulthood, went to the academy, and came back home. There’s something admirable in the way they chose to defend their town, even if they don’t see it that way. Navy remembers them from the days just after the battle for the Seal Stone. They were all in over their heads.[break][break]

Just like now. They look at Navy like deerlings caught in his headlights. They have no idea whatsoever how to deal with a corpse like this, caught out on the beach. They’re terrified it’s going to be the first of many. Granite Cave hosts a horror not meant for mankind. Terrors lurk beneath the waves, waiting to come up and grab them.[break][break]

“You ask me, it’s pretty obvious what killed this guy.” Navy says while he sips on some coffee. “Same thing that got into you, but way more of it. Question is…” He quirks an eyebrow at Tsubaki, “you think one of your friends came out to play, or you think this was done by human hands?”[break][break]

Humans are far, far easier animals to deal with than what sifts beneath these dark waters.[break][break]

“No eyewitnesses, murder on the beach, gotta wait for the coroner report and autopsy for exact time of death, but I’m gonna guess it happened in the early hours of the morning.” Navy looks through a wallet found in the guy’s pocket, finds his ID and trainer card.[break][break]

“Jay Hern. 29. Date of birth – hey, same as mine. No badges. From what the guys at the local PD tell me, no criminal record. Lots of friends around town. Still lives with his parents. We’ll go talk to them, see if he’s got any friends.” The salty breeze of the sea rushes over his face, making the detective shiver. There’s a difference between buddies you hang out with and someone who would help lead you…[break][break]

To whatever this is.[break][break]

“Let’s do a quick check of the beach, make sure PD didn’t miss any evidence, then we’ll head back to town. Get ourselves some trashy burgers, hit up the family.”

[break][break]

+ Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

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played by

Nagato

Baki

She/Her

December 21

Saffron City

Gym Leader

Officer

156 cm // 5'1" height

oceans of angels, oceans of stars, down by the sea is where you drown your scars

awards

1,089 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @2baki

POSTED ON May 5, 2023 18:09:12 GMT

Navy likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","petalbasetsu"]

[attr="class","star1tsu"]

[attr="class","circleoutline1tsu"]

[attr="class","starimgtsu"]

[attr="class","star2tsu"]You stare straight into dead eyes. Eyes that have seen the abyss, have see the faces of the angels. .[break][break]

There is a pang in your heart as you stare at them. Quietly, you contemplate why. Why it is, when you've seen bodies and death before, that it makes you so sad. So much sorrow wells in your heart that you question if your empty heart has suddenly found its humanity.[break][break]

And then it dawns on you. You silently touch the back of your neck as you gaze at the body nearly unrecognizable from barnacle growths all over it, the pieces all falling into place. [break][break]

"The angels loved him dearly..."[break][break]

Jealousy. Why did they love him more? They have kissed him more than once, kissed him to death with their mouthless smiles, tentacles that fade into ghostly appendages. So why? Were you not enough? [break][break]

You bite the inside of your cheek as you finally break your eyes away. Suppress that burning humiliation in your heart, bury it, bury it. Smother it. Submerge it so deep that even the abyss will never find it at the bottom of the void-sea.[break][break]

"No humans can do that. Maybe they're involved, but they didn't do it alone. Just... my expert opinion, though." [break][break]

You try to smile back at Navy with that last bit, hoping to leave that all in the past. But even as you do, you realize you're still rubbing the back of your neck, and quickly withdraw your hand.[break][break]

+ Navy

[attr="class","star3tsu"]

[attr="class","petalpoketsu"] sumire ♀ - intimidate - crunch / gunk shot / wrap / coil / glare / haze

sakura ♀ - corrosion - heat wave / venoshock / venom drench / knock off / endeavor / toxic

sagisou ♂ - cursed body - hex / dark pulse / dream eater / nightmare / curse / hypnosis

ayame ♀ - chlorophyll - solar beam / frenzy plant / sludge wave / growth / synthesis / sunny day

tsutsuji ♀ - infiltrator / telepathy - draco meteor / hurricane / boomburst / roost / defog / whirlwind

shion ♀ - poison touch - sludge wave / outrage / hydro cannon / toxic / smokescreen / camouflage

[attr="class","rouxcredittsu"]♠

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[newclass=.rouxcredittsu]align:right; color:#AB4646; font-size:10px; text-align:right; padding:10px; [/newclass]

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played by

Teddie

Michael Navidson

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

awards

4,008 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @teddie

POSTED ON May 5, 2023 23:33:53 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","arties"]

Her expert opinion is noted. Navy hates this about her – her connection to the dark place lurking beneath an unassuming town. Its scent is on her. She will never be free, not unless he can carve a path to freedom for her. Yet, despite all of Navy’s power as a Pokemon trainer, his capacity to somehow survive any situation life throws at him, he still can’t stop her from diving down into the fathomless sea.[break][break]
She’s made for that beast. He can’t deny that. It scares him. So, he keeps her close. Better for her to be with him than down there by herself.[break][break]
While he reflects on this, he walks along the beach. Above, wingulls sing him a dirge. Waves gently drift against the edge of the water. Up and then down again. A low tide. The body wasn’t washed up. Mr. Hern died on shore.[break][break]
It didn’t stop some Krabbies from finding him and feasting on his innards. Hern, like many in April, has been destroyed by this place. His body left in a near unrecognizable state.[break][break]
Voyager, brave dog that he is, sniffs up and down the beach. There is no trace of Hern’s scent anywhere. A clean scene – or as clean as it can be given the grisly circumstances of the man’s death. Navy is perplexed. Hern’s older than him, but everything about the man screams kid.[break][break]
According to the local PD, he’s just a programmer. Works from home. Trades in trendy stuff to try and make money. Navy supposes a trip to his house is in order.[break][break]
Dewford’s a sleepy little town. The young people are trendy, but the old are set in their ways. It creates an exercise in duality. Old cafes beloved by the elderly keep the doors open. New trendy shops pop up selling venti pumpkin spice and Unova hot chicken. This beautiful little town with its small population has a lot of character.[break][break]
They pass through the town in Navy’s new truck. It’s bigger than the old one. Brand new, with enough space for Voyager to lounge in the bed while they drive. Navy keeps tossing glances over at Tsubaki.[break][break]
“Do you like this town?” He finally asks.

[break][break]

+ Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki

[attr="class","pokeclass"]
Vortigern Rest/Sleep talk/Earthquake/Stone Edge/Sword's Dance/Outrage/Poison Jab/Stealth Rock”

Roland Electric Terrain/Psycho Cut/Moon Blast/Focus Blast/Thunderbolt/Knock Off

Thin Lizzy Shed Tail/Dragon Rush/Shift Gear/Quick Attack/Dragon Pulse/Rapid Spin

[attr="class","credit"]milky

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played by

Nagato

Baki

She/Her

December 21

Saffron City

Gym Leader

Officer

156 cm // 5'1" height

oceans of angels, oceans of stars, down by the sea is where you drown your scars

awards

1,089 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @2baki

POSTED ON May 6, 2023 1:28:40 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","petalbasetsu"]

[attr="class","star1tsu"]

[attr="class","circleoutline1tsu"]

[attr="class","starimgtsu"]

[attr="class","star2tsu"]It's a quiet ride. There isn't much else to say about the body. You both know what this entails, and the fact that it's happened here can only mean one thing, regardless of any of the other circumstances. [break][break]

This world's bleeding into the next.[break][break]

That revelation alone, though it goes unspoken, makes this procession far more solemn than it has any right to be.[break][break]

"The sky's so open out here I feel like I'm gonna fall straight up into it."[break][break]

You give him that cryptic response, something mildly poetic, something mildly concerning. That's probably exactly what he's afraid of, and you are, too. This town has a gigantic secret lurking just underneath the surface, a leviathan who slumbers down there. And you're just sitting there in the car all relaxed, with your feet on the dash.[break][break]

What'll he do if you fall sideways, straight into the deep again?[break][break]

Just being here is tempting fate. But Navy's gotta earn that paycheck. He can't be selective about which bodies wash up on which beaches, after all.[break][break]

"I dunno. It's not bad, but it's not good, either. It's mid, I guess. I've only really lived in the city. Here it's not loud or crowded. You gotta spend a lot of time by yourself, can hear yourself think. Not sure I'm a fan of that."[break][break]

It takes some getting used to. Usually you could drown it out by becoming just a face in the crowd for a while, wandering the city streets. Now you've gotta confront everything like you're somebody. It makes it hard to breathe.[break][break]

+ Navy

[attr="class","star3tsu"]

[attr="class","petalpoketsu"] sumire ♀ - intimidate - crunch / gunk shot / wrap / coil / glare / haze

[attr="class","rouxcredittsu"]♠

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played by

Teddie

Michael Navidson

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

awards

4,008 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @teddie

POSTED ON May 6, 2023 2:41:32 GMT

Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","arties"]

“Is that really so bad? Having to sit down and think?” Navy asks as they pass by a burger joint that’s likely looked the same for the past forty years. Gas stations adorned with fancy new snacks and trinkets bear prices written in styles prevalent 20 years ago. This town is a crossroad of past and future. A living paradox. Fitting, then, that those monsters first made their appearance here.[break][break]
“Would it be so bad? Waking up in a new life, down by the seaside? You could clean out all the rooms upstairs you don’t care about. Let something new in.” Lyrics from an old song, one he listened to night after night after night for months before he met her. A ballad for lost souls.[break][break]
It’s fascinating to the detective how they move through this town with such speed. Every mile is a journey in Slateport. Here, they pass before he’s even noticed. Without all the League traffic that showed up during the incident last month, there’s hardly anyone on the road. They pass some kids Tsubaki’s age chatting away. They’re dressed in hip clothes, wearing thick-rimmed glasses. Kids like them must take lots of trips up to Slateport. It’s just a ferry ride away.[break][break]
Eventually, reality sets in. They have to face the music. They arrive at Hern’s house. There’s five cars outside of distinctly different styles. Most of them are newer models. Kids the victim’s own age.[break][break]
“Alright, let’s get this over with.” Talking with the family of a victim is always hard. Stepping out, he walks the long stairway up to their house and knocks on the door. A crying twenty-something answers.[break][break]
“Detective Navidson, assisting Dewford PD. Detective Hyak- Hyakary- Detective Tsubaki here’s with me, too.” The guy looks past Navy and right at Tsubaki. Even through his grief, Navy can see the guy’s eyes scan her in ways they didn’t scan him.[break][break]
“Junior Detective Tsubaki.” The guy recoils like he’s been bit by a snake.[break][break]
Stepping in, a collection of young, well-dressed people around Navy’s age orbit the victim’s parents like a collection of planets. Their whole solar system has been consumed by the supermassive black hole known as grief. Everyone is sucked in, there is no escape from its maw.[break][break]
They look to Navy and all he can say is…[break][break]
“I’m sorry for your loss. My assistant and I will do everything we can to find the culprit.”

[break][break]

+ Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki

[attr="class","pokeclass"]
Vortigern Rest/Sleep talk/Earthquake/Stone Edge/Sword's Dance/Outrage/Poison Jab/Stealth Rock”

[attr="class","credit"]milky

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[newclass=.arties .pokeclass img:hover]background:var(--accent); transition:1s all; box-shadow:2px 2px #232323 [/newclass]
[newclass=.arties]position:relative;[/newclass]
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close tab

played by

Nagato

Baki

She/Her

December 21

Saffron City

Gym Leader

Officer

156 cm // 5'1" height

oceans of angels, oceans of stars, down by the sea is where you drown your scars

awards

1,089 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @2baki

POSTED ON May 7, 2023 1:53:18 GMT

Navy likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","petalbasetsu"]

[attr="class","star1tsu"]

[attr="class","circleoutline1tsu"]

[attr="class","starimgtsu"]

[attr="class","star2tsu"]You give him a look that tells him all he needs to know.[break][break]

Thinking's the one thing you've been trying to avoid these last couple months. The nightmares you see in your waking life, your tenure in the underground, they've made it all but certain that stopping to think about what you've seen is a bad idea. All the atrocious things you've seen and done, the horrors you've glimpsed... you dread giving them a chance to breathe.[break][break]

So act, act like your life depends on it. Keep yourself busy enough never to stop and thing, and you won't confront them.[break][break]

You start frantically scribbling in a sketchbook to keep yourself preoccupied til the vehicle stops. Only then do you look up, and take note of your surroundings. [break][break]

Navy gets out of the vehicle, so you follow. Leaning casually on the side of the house as he waits patiently for whoever lives there to open the door. As you stand there with a carefully cultivated gloomy expression you glance out at the lawn, envisioning the shapes of angels who come to frolic there in the moonlight. [break][break]

They must've loved him, you think. Really, really loved him. [break][break]

"Hyakkaryouran. Like blooming flowers."[break][break]

You give the man a passive explanation, but your eyes remain fixated on the lawn. You wonder... whether this man was ambushed while he was already on the beach, drawn out of his home by something he saw, or if he'd been taken and dumped there. [break][break]

The ethereal quality of those ghosts would make any evidence hard to find all the way out here.[break][break]

So, you step in. Unaffected by all this grief that fills the room. You've seen it one too many times to really be affected by it, tou just wanna get down to business, figure out the relationship this guy had with those same figures who court you in your dreams. But you know how this works. You can't just toss their grief aside and pry them open with a crowbar.[break][break]

"I'm sorry for your loss. It must be terrible losing a son."[break][break]

You've lost someone too. Someone who was variably like a mother, like a daughter, like a best friend. Someone who taught you how to love again.[break][break]

You can only imagine what they're going through, but thinking of it too hard won't bring him back.[break][break]

+ Navy

[attr="class","star3tsu"]

[attr="class","petalpoketsu"] sumire ♀ - intimidate - crunch / gunk shot / wrap / coil / glare / haze

[attr="class","rouxcredittsu"]♠

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played by

Teddie

Michael Navidson

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

awards

4,008 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @teddie

POSTED ON May 7, 2023 2:09:22 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","arties"]

“Thank you, young lady.” The old woman says in a trembling voice. No parent should have to bury their own child. That’s not how nature works. It’s supposed to be the other way around. Grow old, get seen off with a smile and an ‘I love you’.[break][break]
It’s a hell of a thing, killing a man. Just like the old cowboy said. You take away all he ever was, and all he’s ever gonna have.[break][break]
Deserve’s got nothing to do with it. Everybody has it coming. You have to face the music sooner or later, whether it’s really these angels singing or not.[break][break]
“I don’t wanna keep you all for two long, but I’ve got some questions I gotta ask.” Navy says, keeping his tone respectful. “I know this is hard, but please, bear with me.”[break][break]
His parents are blind to any wrongdoing on the part of their son. According to them, he’s a blameless angel. Jay Hern is a programmer who works from home. He’s apparently some IT guy in Silph Co. Every now and then, he has to go into their main office, but he spends most of his time out here in the boonies solving whatever problems they have. Sounds like a pretty kushy job.[break][break]
No enemies. Lots of friends. The whole time, one of the younger guys is giving them weird looks. Navy eventually asks to be let into the victim’s room after a few rounds of questions. The parents comply, letting him walk up. Navy leads the way, letting Tsubaki follow.[break][break]
The room is a mess. It’s a mess in the way only a 20-something man’s room can be. Memorabilia’s spread everywhere. There’s a poster of kyle lopez, Top Champ of Hoenn, grinning down at him. Even out here in the boonies, he can always find traces of Lopez.[break][break]
His computer isn’t locked. Some IT guy, huh?[break][break]
Squatting down, Navy gets to having a look around. Snooping about.[break][break]
“He’s been weird.” A voice says from the door. Navy turns to look back. A girl, a few years older than Tsubaki. She looks like the sort of girl you’d enjoy chatting up in a library. Pushing her thick-rimmed glasses up, she speaks again.[break][break]
“Ever since the stuff with Rocket. He…he said he’s been having weird dreams.”[break][break]
Navy looks for Tsubaki’s reaction to that information. She’s not the only one touched by these angels, or so it seems.

[break][break]

+ Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

[newclass=.arties]font:11px roboto;--accent:#9efffe;[/newclass]

[newclass=.arties b]color:var(--accent);[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties i]color:var(--accent);[/newclass]
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[newclass=.arties .pkspr:hover]background:rgba(0,0,0,0.2); filter:none; transition:0.5s all;[/newclass]
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[newclass=.arties .pokeclass img:hover]background:var(--accent); transition:1s all; box-shadow:2px 2px #232323 [/newclass]
[newclass=.arties]position:relative;[/newclass]
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played by

Nagato

Baki

She/Her

December 21

Saffron City

Gym Leader

Officer

156 cm // 5'1" height

oceans of angels, oceans of stars, down by the sea is where you drown your scars

awards

1,089 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @2baki

POSTED ON May 7, 2023 2:27:58 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","petalbasetsu"]

[attr="class","star1tsu"]

[attr="class","circleoutline1tsu"]

[attr="class","starimgtsu"]

[attr="class","star2tsu"]You watch, a wallflower. [break][break]

To stand there in the prime of your life, still breathing while he does not. It must be an affront to them, so you think, and you act accordingly. Refrain from saying more. Merely watch, as Navy takes charge of the investigation and guides the interrogation. [break][break]

This is, of course, still being treated as a murder. Everyone who knew the victim is a potential suspect. That's so unfair, you think. On top of needing to grieve their son, they are being probed for involvement in his death. [break][break]

You remain silent, following Navy as he moves from room to room. Taking notes, silently, in your sketchbook on occasion. Names. Places. Piecing together a picture of this man who was seemingly swallowed by the void. You see yourself in him. If nothing else, if you can relate to nothing, it is that l'appel du vide that seems to hang over every mention of his life, that he would eventually submit to it.[break][break]

You've heard it too, the voice calling you name from the abyss...[break][break]

It isn't until Navy's playing around on the computer and the girl near your age speaks that you feel you have permission to say anything at all. She is grieving, she's sad like the rest, but she is not burying her own child. She does not look at you and ask why you're still alive, while her son is not. You can talk to her, because you don't feel tremendous guilt looking in those judgemental eyes. [break][break]

"What kind of dreams?"[break][break]

You voice the question, but you already know the answer. Of course you know. The question itself is just a formality, a precursor for an admission of what you already know. Until she says it, though, you have to pretend that you're clueless, that you know nothing.[break][break]

Because if they knew you had touched the void as well, they'd ask why you're the one who's still here.[break][break]

+ Navy

[attr="class","star3tsu"]

[attr="class","petalpoketsu"] sumire ♀ - intimidate - crunch / gunk shot / wrap / coil / glare / haze

[attr="class","rouxcredittsu"]♠

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played by

Teddie

Michael Navidson

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

awards

4,008 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @teddie

POSTED ON May 7, 2023 2:36:52 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","arties"]

“He said he saw...” She tries to find the right word. People have very peculiar ways of describing things. Navy, not even looking away from the computer, answers for her. His voice seems distanct.[break][break]
“Angels.”[break][break]
“Yeah, angels. That’s what Jay called them. And he kept dreaming about something’s heart, too. The heart’s huge, and pink. The angels sing from the sea, he said.”[break][break]
If Tsubaki even cares enough to look at Navy, she can see that he looks like a bloodhound who’s caught a scent. He’s tumbling down an email chain. Perhaps life out in the boonies made him grow arrogant. None of the people with ready access to his computer would even know how to do any of this. What he finds…[break][break]
He certainly wasn’t just singing to the angels.[break][break]

[break][break]

+ Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki

[attr="class","pokeclass"]
Vortigern Rest/Sleep talk/Earthquake/Stone Edge/Sword's Dance/Outrage/Poison Jab/Stealth Rock

[attr="class","credit"]milky

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[newclass=.arties b]color:var(--accent);[/newclass]
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[newclass=.arties .pkspr:hover]background:rgba(0,0,0,0.2); filter:none; transition:0.5s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokeclass]text-align:right; width:520px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokeclass img]background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100px; border:1px solid #solid 1px #232323; border:1px solid #232323; margin-top:-30px; padding-bottom:12px; transition:1.5s; margin-left:8px; box-shadow:2px 2px transparent;[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokeclass img:hover]background:var(--accent); transition:1s all; box-shadow:2px 2px #232323 [/newclass]
[newclass=.arties]position:relative;[/newclass]
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played by

Nagato

Baki

She/Her

December 21

Saffron City

Gym Leader

Officer

156 cm // 5'1" height

oceans of angels, oceans of stars, down by the sea is where you drown your scars

awards

1,089 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @2baki

POSTED ON May 7, 2023 2:56:32 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","petalbasetsu"]

[attr="class","star1tsu"]

[attr="class","circleoutline1tsu"]

[attr="class","starimgtsu"]

[attr="class","star2tsu"]Your eyes linger on Navy as he answers. [break][break]

He knows as well as you do the meaning in that explanation. The sorts of things that lie underneath this sleepy island town are the things you've been running away from this whole time. Your dreams and your waking world constantly overlap, blur into one another seamlessly as if it all doesn't make sense. [break][break]

Places aren't what they are meant to be, time rearranges itself like a series of novels read out of order, jumping between chapters. You look at people and the person who's standing right in front of you is replaced with an image of one of the faceless, smiling angels, watching over you because they love you so.[break][break]

And through it all, even if you try not to think of it, call it a series of hallucinations... [break][break]

That Navy remembers, that this woman acknowledges it too, you can't run from it anymore. You can't pretend it's all a figment of your imagination. It's impossible to accept, impossible to reconcile, but you can at least probe further.[break][break]

"And... when did he first start talking about these dreams?"[break][break]

You think you know the answer. You're just playing coy at this point. But you don't want to poison the well. You can't lead the questions and get what you want from them, you have to let her speak.[break][break]

The only thing you're wondering is, why now? If a hole to the void opened up and swallowed someone, you would expect them to disappear in that moment. But he was here on the beach when he died. [break][break]

What does that say about your chances?[break][break]

+ Navy

[attr="class","star3tsu"]

[attr="class","petalpoketsu"] sumire ♀ - intimidate - crunch / gunk shot / wrap / coil / glare / haze

[attr="class","rouxcredittsu"]♠

close tab

played by

Teddie

Michael Navidson

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

awards

4,008 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @teddie

POSTED ON May 7, 2023 3:26:28 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","arties"]

“It wasn’t very long after that day. He…” Her voice catches in her throat. She tosses a glance to Navy, perhaps wondering what he’ll say. Perhaps she knows the reputation he built around here by fighting so hard down in the rift when he wasn’t connected at all to anything going on.[break][break]
“The day of the battle, Jay disappeared. No one knew where he was, where he’d gone. He washed up on the shore a few days later. There were…there were…there…” And she breaks down crying. Navy looks up, looks back. Barnacles. He knows she will say Barnacles. They’re angel kisses. Remnants of neurotoxin.[break][break]
Navy uses the distraction as an opportunity to text the local PD. He’s going to have to confiscate the computer.[break][break]
“Baki.” Navy stands up, looks to her. “We have to go.” He looks to the girl again, the one sobbing under her thick glasses. “I’m sorry for your loss. Really, I am.” Some sympathy has drained out of his voice, like someone poked a hole in the bottom of the cup holding it all.[break][break]
They pass in a funeral march pass the mourners. Out of their house, out of their lives. Navy doubts he will ever see these people again. He has everything he needs. Voyager looks up from his post in the back of Navy’s truck and barks happily. Voyager’s always happy to see them. Forgetting he isn’t a Growlithe anymore, he jumps out and moves to Tsubaki, giving her the sort of overwhelming affection that only a dog can give someone.[break][break]
Soon enough, they’re back in the truck. He looks to her and asks a heavy question.[break][break]
“You brought your Pokemon, yeah?”

[break][break]

+ Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki

[attr="class","pokeclass"]
Vortigern Rest/Sleep talk/Earthquake/Stone Edge/Sword's Dance/Outrage/Poison Jab/Stealth Rock

[attr="class","credit"]milky

[newclass=.arties]font:11px roboto;--accent:#9efffe;[/newclass]

[newclass=.arties b]color:var(--accent);[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties i]color:var(--accent);[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties a]text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokesprite]color:#32a852; background:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.2); margin-right:10px; margin-top:5px; padding:5px; filter:grayscale(90%); transition:0.5s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pkspr:hover]background:rgba(0,0,0,0.2); filter:none; transition:0.5s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokeclass]text-align:right; width:520px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokeclass img]background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100px; border:1px solid #solid 1px #232323; border:1px solid #232323; margin-top:-30px; padding-bottom:12px; transition:1.5s; margin-left:8px; box-shadow:2px 2px transparent;[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokeclass img:hover]background:var(--accent); transition:1s all; box-shadow:2px 2px #232323 [/newclass]
[newclass=.arties]position:relative;[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .credit]font:bold 15px poppins; transform:rotate(90deg); position:absolute; bottom:55px; right:45px; color:rgb(65,65,65); text-shadow: -1px -1px 0 #232323, 1px -1px 0 #232323, -1px 1px 0 #232323, 1px 1px 0 #232323;[/newclass]

close tab

played by

Nagato

Baki

She/Her

December 21

Saffron City

Gym Leader

Officer

156 cm // 5'1" height

oceans of angels, oceans of stars, down by the sea is where you drown your scars

awards

1,089 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @2baki

POSTED ON May 7, 2023 4:17:03 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","petalbasetsu"]

[attr="class","star1tsu"]

[attr="class","circleoutline1tsu"]

[attr="class","starimgtsu"]

[attr="class","star2tsu"]"... kisses, from the angels."[break][break]

You say it without any hesitation, finishing her thought even when she herself is unable. You all are on the same page. The barnacle that Navy found on the back of your neck, the reason you fell to your worst impulses deep at the bottom of the void-sea... you know exactly what happened to this man now. What fate befell him, as it had you.[break][break]

But where you had kept enough of yourself not to plunge deep into that abyss and lose yourself to it, to become one with the voices that will never die, you wonder... did he simply succumb to the song of the sea, or was there more to it?[break][break]

As Navy gets up and leaves abruptly, you share a glance with that weeping woman. She weeps for a man who will never return home. A man who lost himself in the void, hollowed out and empty, his husk washed up along the shore of this damned island. He will never die. He is with the angels now, forever, and he is dancing. And he will never die.[break][break]

She must read it on your face before you leave. She grows more hysterical, breaks down as you walk out the door straight past her, hurrying to catch up to Navy. Your consolation won't do anything to bring her brother back to her. You're hopeless when it comes to consoling others. Their tears just make you want to break down too. So, you refuse contact. Refuse that connecting from the very beginning. Harden your heart, and leave them alone. [break][break]

Just like everyone left you.[break][break]

A hot tongue and even hotter breath break you from the morose mood that's come over you. Your glasses are painted over in saliva and fogged up, and you're nearly knocked over by Voyager's tremendous weight.[break][break]

"H-h-hey!! Voy-voy, what're you-?"[break][break]

You push back, gently. But he's stronger than you, barely registers it. As he licks your cheeks and messes up your hair, there's nothing you can do but let it happen, and imagine that this is what that woman in the bedroom needed in that moment. It's impossible not to smile at the completely overwhelming, innocent affection he shows for you. [break][break]

"A-alright! Alright, I get it! Voy-voy! P-please, lemme-"[break][break]

You finally manage to push past him, make your way to the truck and get inside where he can't lick you anymore. He stares at you through the window and whines a little, and you sigh, taking off your glasses to clean them with a small huff.[break][break]

"... obviously."[break][break]

You respond to his question like it's one of the dumbest things you've ever heard. You wouldn't be caught dead without them. You even bring your pokeballs into the shower. If living among Rockets taught you anything, it's never, ever go unarmed, no matter what.[break][break]

"Why? What's the matter? You see something on the computer? ... Navy?"[break][break]

+ Navy

[attr="class","star3tsu"]

[attr="class","petalpoketsu"] sumire ♀ - intimidate - crunch / gunk shot / wrap / coil / glare / haze

[attr="class","rouxcredittsu"]♠

close tab

played by

Teddie

Michael Navidson

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

awards

4,008 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @teddie

POSTED ON May 7, 2023 6:29:52 GMT

Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","arties"]

“’Cause the more I learn about what’s going on in this town, the crazier it gets.” Navy says grimly, pulling out of the driveway with no real destination in mind. For now, it’s the drive that matters. In here, they’re alone. No one can overhear what they’re saying without very specialized equipment. Considering Mana has stayed silent inside of her Pokeball, the detective deduces that no one has tried to spy on them yet.[break][break]
He keeps his eyes on the road, his hands upon the wheel. They’re in for a real good time tonight.[break][break]
“So, this is one half of what I do. Talking to people. Sounding sad. Collecting info. Gathering evidence. Turns out we’ll need to show you the other half of my job reeeaaal quick.” A fight’s coming. Off the shore, a storm is gathering. It’s a storm of the banal variety. The weather trio isn’t about to start fighting off shore. No, they don’t have the luxuries of living within such fantasies.[break][break]
“The guy’s emails, he was uh, shall we say, not the most upright guy. He did go down there, into the caves. After the battle, not during. At some point, he got stung by one of your angels. Afterwards, he started going back. He’d get stung, and he’d milk it out of ‘em. He’s been selling the neurotoxins to some guys at Silph Co. He’s been getting hooked into the black market. I bet the upper staff at the company don’t know. You know what they say. When the cats are away…”[break][break]
He catches his breath, looks at the upcoming stop.[break][break]
“We’ll rest up. Get some grub. There’s a deal tonight between some of his other contacts in the town and a buyer. Our guy’s one of them. We’ll take the whole crew down. Bag ‘em. Let Dewford PD sort ‘em out.” He look sat the girl with weary eyes, although they hide excitement.[break][break]
“Can’t wait to see you in action.”

[break][break]

+ Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

[newclass=.arties]font:11px roboto;--accent:#9efffe;[/newclass]

[newclass=.arties b]color:var(--accent);[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties i]color:var(--accent);[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties a]text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokesprite]color:#32a852; background:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.2); margin-right:10px; margin-top:5px; padding:5px; filter:grayscale(90%); transition:0.5s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pkspr:hover]background:rgba(0,0,0,0.2); filter:none; transition:0.5s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokeclass]text-align:right; width:520px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokeclass img]background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100px; border:1px solid #solid 1px #232323; border:1px solid #232323; margin-top:-30px; padding-bottom:12px; transition:1.5s; margin-left:8px; box-shadow:2px 2px transparent;[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .pokeclass img:hover]background:var(--accent); transition:1s all; box-shadow:2px 2px #232323 [/newclass]
[newclass=.arties]position:relative;[/newclass]
[newclass=.arties .credit]font:bold 15px poppins; transform:rotate(90deg); position:absolute; bottom:55px; right:45px; color:rgb(65,65,65); text-shadow: -1px -1px 0 #232323, 1px -1px 0 #232323, -1px 1px 0 #232323, 1px 1px 0 #232323;[/newclass]

close tab

played by

Nagato

Baki

She/Her

December 21

Saffron City

Gym Leader

Officer

156 cm // 5'1" height

oceans of angels, oceans of stars, down by the sea is where you drown your scars

awards

1,089 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @2baki