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TAG WITH @kyle

POSTED ON Sept 2, 2024 4:48:09 GMT

noah faber, annalise henderson, and 1 more like this

11:20 AM - kyle appears on one of slateport's biggest hospitals for an errand. he leaves with prescription drugs that are rarely found on just any other pharmacy. a mabosstiff awaits him outside, having not deemed to be trained enough to be trusted indoors with sick people.

11:45 AM - the route he takes brings him to a street of hobby stores. he stops to look at the windows of a few establishments with his mabosstiff, though he never goes inside any of them. shoulders weigh heavy with each instance of window shopping, suggesting that he cannot be indulgent with himself.

11:53 AM - he crosses the road and goes to another busy street, especially around this time. it's a well-known food street in slateport's upper district, home to multiple family-owned restaurants and cafes. none of them were big brands, but it's the sheer concentration of them in one spot that makes earns them their fame.

12:02 PM - kyle makes a quick stop to one of the cafes at the end of the road. it takes him a few minutes, but the bag of prescription medicine in his hands is now replaced with a bag of freshly made food. should the scent waft to someone else's direction, the smell of freshly steamed rice and deep-fried chicken could make one's mouth water.

12:06 PM - just a block away, he enters an apartment building. he enters the same door on the second floor as he always did, but a signage now graces what was once a residential homing. curiously, it says open.

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played by

shiv

the machampion

he/him

July 17

Kanto

pansexual

gym leader

5'7" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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TAG WITH @noah

POSTED ON Sept 2, 2024 6:10:16 GMT

Lulu Flint, Greyson Connors, and 4 more like this

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[attr="class","angel noah"]

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he had heard rumors. the offhand conversation about a lookalike. a wistful fantasy strung together by hearsay and syllables scattered by war winds. [break][break]

noah had no time to chase fairytales. he honoured Greyson Connors, honoured Navy as he dove deep into his training. the gym leader regards his defeat at petalburg as no failure. if he hadn't trained, perhaps Eduardo Hisakawa would have saved a dead man. [break][break]

but in the aftermath of petalburg's fall, the ink of rumor begins to dry into a comprehensive stroke. he sees kyle's shape. his visage so painfully faced away. compelled by the heart, he sneaks out in pursuit of him. it is a careful chase, one so delicate and observatorial so as to not embarrass himself. [break][break]

each stop is noted, curiously taken into account within the startled and stopping breath. he worries that he's being a weirdo. he probably is one already. [break][break]

eventually, noah finds himself at the door of kyle's slateport apartment. something is off—something more than the sign that bears mention of an "open" home. still, he braves the dive. [break][break]

"hello?" noah says. "kyle?"

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played by

aero

dog boy

he/him

october 24

verdanturf

asexual

private investigator

champion

2240 height

Join my dream it's just the right time, woah

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TAG WITH @kyle

POSTED ON Sept 3, 2024 5:15:06 GMT

noah faber likes this

12:08 PM - a knock on the door disturbs his first bite.

surprise spurs action to the person beyond the door. what welcomes the visitor is not the elaborate living room he was used to, but a makeshift office. the desk faces the door, with its owner lounging on a couch with his feet up one of its armrests.

he stumbles on his feet, taking the drink on the coffee table with his food and bringing it to his desk.

"ah, yes, that's me. right, right. welcome."

the first name basis catches him off-guard, but it wasn't like there were no people on hoenn this friendly to act familiar on first meeting. he closes the lid of his takeout and takes his seat on his desk.

"welcome to gold solutions. how can i help you?"

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played by

shiv

the machampion

he/him

July 17

Kanto

pansexual

gym leader

5'7" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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1,586 posts

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TAG WITH @noah

POSTED ON Sept 3, 2024 6:59:33 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angel noah"]

[attr="class","headerh"]

[attr="class","inner"]

[attr="class","sidebar"]

[attr="class","avatarimg"]

[attr="class","pkmnteam"]

[attr="class","chartag"]kyle lopez

[attr="class","symbol"][attr="class","icon-fighting"]

[attr="class","postbox"]

gold solutions? and the lack of recognition? like bronze bell plunging from its tall tower, noah's heart plummets through every swaying storey of his body. their reunion is not supposed to play out like this.[break][break]

the door chimes as it closes behind him.[break][break]

"help?" noah loses his cue and the lineless script the two had been able to improvise time and time again is lost. "what do you mean? it's noah... do you remember me?"

[attr="class","headerh"]

[attr="class","mcredits"][attr="class","fas fa-cookie-bite"]

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played by

aero

dog boy

he/him

october 24

verdanturf

asexual

private investigator

champion

2240 height

Join my dream it's just the right time, woah

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TAG WITH @kyle

POSTED ON Sept 4, 2024 6:02:11 GMT

he drops his gaze down to his table as he muses his thoughts for an answer. noah was indeed a familiar name, but the person connected to it doesn't appear in his memory.

the very same memory tampered to compromise the altered falsehood to the truth.

"oh! verdanturf's gym leader!" he says, whipping his head back upright. "you have my parent's house as per contract, right?"

technically the truth, the contract of marriage was technically similar to that of business in this sense. definitions are blurred, but one that comes true for both versions of history is simple.

the lopez have left the house to their town's gym leader at that time as goodwill for the safety their town has under his care.

"are you here for something?"

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played by

shiv

the machampion

he/him

July 17

Kanto

pansexual

gym leader

5'7" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

1,586 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @noah

POSTED ON Sept 4, 2024 6:33:26 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angel noah"]

[attr="class","headerh"]

[attr="class","inner"]

[attr="class","sidebar"]

[attr="class","avatarimg"]

[attr="class","pkmnteam"]

[attr="class","chartag"]kyle lopez

[attr="class","symbol"][attr="class","icon-fighting"]

[attr="class","postbox"]

briefly, noah wonders if kyle is pulling a prank. wonders if the four walls of this apartment will unpeel themselves like tropius fruit to reveal stagehands and lighting rigs.[break][break]

yet, the gym leader—who is promptly identified as such—is quick to deflate. what memory is left has been deformed and charred by sacred flame.[break][break]

"we own the house... we-" he stops. collects himself as he clenches his fists, though a pitiful smile budges on his face. "yeah... gold solutions. what do you guys do?"

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played by

aero

dog boy

he/him

october 24

verdanturf

asexual

private investigator

champion

2240 height

Join my dream it's just the right time, woah

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TAG WITH @kyle

POSTED ON Sept 5, 2024 6:28:32 GMT

Melody Miro likes this

the smile on his face turns forced, but more so from the advent of talking about himself. he looks to his side, then to the ceiling, then to the door just behind noah to dodge direct eye contact.

"w-w-well, we o-offer private investigative s-services," he answers, voice wavering. "anything outside the scope of the police and the rangers, you can come to me."

nervously, he shifts his sights again to the walls. what was once a gallery of polaroid films was now a wall of framed certificates. it may look impressive at a glance, but it can be noticed that the display was diluted with awards from local competitions and such.

"people mostly ask me to look up to the weird happenings in the region-" he attempts to fix his composure, and finally look up to his customer in the eye. "-but don't limit yourself with those requests. we can take anything that fits the broad spectrum of the our services."

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played by

shiv

the machampion

he/him

July 17

Kanto

pansexual

gym leader

5'7" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

1,586 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @noah

POSTED ON Sept 5, 2024 6:42:07 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angel noah"]

[attr="class","headerh"]

[attr="class","inner"]

[attr="class","sidebar"]

[attr="class","avatarimg"]

[attr="class","pkmnteam"]

[attr="class","chartag"]kyle lopez

[attr="class","symbol"][attr="class","icon-fighting"]

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noah notices the pruning of polaroids. as if they had developed in reverse, their shared memories seem to be blocked out in black squares. only at their fringes can they be seen; peeking colors of a life they once had.[break][break]

"well, i'm looking for someone." noah is surprised by the shakiness of his own voice. he rubs the back of his neck, struggling to get through this charade, this conversation of business and unrequited romance. "the top champion. not Melody Miro, the previous one."[break][break]

he locks his eyes with kyle's. a steady gaze prays for something supernatural to happen indeed. perhaps, this is simply a zoroark playing tricks.[break][break]

or a dream to be shaken from.[break][break]

"he was my husband and... you look similar to him." he says. "people say he's dead, but he told me to trust him. i took that as him saying he'd be back."

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played by

aero

dog boy

he/him

october 24

verdanturf

asexual

private investigator

champion

2240 height

Join my dream it's just the right time, woah

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TAG WITH @kyle

POSTED ON Sept 12, 2024 6:13:51 GMT

one fear overcomes the other. his full attention whips back to the client while a sweat drop rolls from the side of his head.

"er, that's a tall order..."

a missing person was always considered an easy job for the likes of him once upon a time, but circumstances mentioned may subtly shoot the difficulty upwards. implications were taken, but...

"i... i'll see what i can do."

he would be the type to disregard a case that was deemed unsolvable, which the description lends itself to.

"but before i take it, can i ask a few questions?"

a pause.

kyle tries to word his inquiry in his head as carefully as possible, but no combination of words deemed respectful enough. the time he gave himself to hold on to silence ticks down, and once the last second goes, he decides to just blurt it out.

"do you honestly think we'll be able to find him?"

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played by

shiv

the machampion

he/him

July 17

Kanto

pansexual

gym leader

5'7" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

1,586 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @noah

POSTED ON Sept 14, 2024 7:30:22 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angel noah"]

[attr="class","headerh"]

[attr="class","inner"]

[attr="class","sidebar"]

[attr="class","avatarimg"]

[attr="class","pkmnteam"]

[attr="class","chartag"]kyle lopez

[attr="class","symbol"][attr="class","icon-fighting"]

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"i think so."[break][break]

words bubble up his throat and play at the tip of his tongue as salt. he wonders how long this script can last. how long he will be able to play along before the emotion overtakes him.[break][break]

"because he promised me." noah says, unaware of the tear rolling down his cheek.

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played by

aero

dog boy

he/him

october 24

verdanturf

asexual

private investigator

champion

2240 height

Join my dream it's just the right time, woah

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TAG WITH @kyle

POSTED ON Sept 16, 2024 16:43:53 GMT

the answer is no. kyle thinks he definitely isn't coming back.

he smiles awkwardly as he sees non-verbal language suggest red flags. regardless, he couldn't bring himself to deny the request. it wasn't out of principle, no. it was because he couldn't think of a cordial way to do so given the circumstances.

"a-alright, we'll try to look for a-answers."

kyle isn't sure what he was talking about. he starts saying words for the sake of talking and filling in the silence. there is no direct path to a favorable resolution for this situation.

a hand inches for the food he brought earlier but decides against it.

"h-how about we take a step outside?" he finally suggests. "i wasn't expecting visitors so i didn't clean, hehe."

it was just an excuse to change scenes, hoping that the transition resets the mood to something more manageable.

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played by

shiv

the machampion

he/him

July 17

Kanto

pansexual

gym leader

5'7" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

1,586 posts

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TAG WITH @noah

POSTED ON Sept 17, 2024 4:13:43 GMT

ollie morales and annalise henderson like this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angel noah"]

[attr="class","headerh"]

[attr="class","inner"]

[attr="class","sidebar"]

[attr="class","avatarimg"]

[attr="class","pkmnteam"]

[attr="class","chartag"]kyle lopez

[attr="class","symbol"][attr="class","icon-fighting"]

[attr="class","postbox"]

the hand inches for food, but even the slightest movement is enough for the hunting heart to pound. noah leans forth and trespasses inhibitions. the boundary is crossed: a dagger plunged into his chest as he sacrifices public face for a known man who does not know him.[break][break]

he grabs kyle's hand, savouring its warmth. how it warms his cold ring. in a desperate darting, he pulls himself to the investigator and rests his head on his shoulder. arms thick with yearning, wrap around what they once held every morning. every night.[break][break]

"no, we can... stay right here."

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played by

aero

dog boy

he/him

october 24

verdanturf

asexual

private investigator

champion

2240 height

Join my dream it's just the right time, woah

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TAG WITH @kyle

POSTED ON Sept 17, 2024 5:54:20 GMT

ollie morales likes this

he doesn't deny the advances. he cannot.

a man who has no inclinations for relationships finds himself sensitive against affection. noah would feel kyle's muscles tensing, his palms sweating and his heart beating faster.

still, he doesn't let go.

"p-people did say things about the late champion," he opens up, whispering softly on noah's ear from their precarious position. "it is possible that we are the same."

he may not return the gesture out of good faith, but intuition tells him that feelings were genuine.

"i don't think i'm capable of things they say i did but..." kyle mentally prepares himself, unsure if he'll regret the coming words. "do you want to prove me wrong?"

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played by

shiv

the machampion

he/him

July 17

Kanto

pansexual

gym leader

5'7" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

1,586 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @noah

POSTED ON Sept 17, 2024 6:29:42 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angel noah"]

[attr="class","headerh"]

[attr="class","inner"]

[attr="class","sidebar"]

[attr="class","avatarimg"]

[attr="class","pkmnteam"]

[attr="class","chartag"]kyle lopez

[attr="class","symbol"][attr="class","icon-fighting"]

[attr="class","postbox"]

when kyle does not withdraw, noah tightens his embrace. he holds on to his nervous shape. letting go would cause the corporeal to give way. to fade into forlorn phantasm. to let go means to surrender to kyle's notion of "possibility"—and their togetherness affirms that this is just, that this is true, that this is real.[break][break]

"i do. i will." noah's lifts himself. hands still holding his found husband. face so close, doubt taunting his steady gaze. he reads the other's expression like a doomed fairytale.[break][break]

he kisses him to break a spell that can not be undone.

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played by

aero

dog boy

he/him

october 24

verdanturf

asexual

private investigator

champion

2240 height

Join my dream it's just the right time, woah

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6,601 posts

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part of

TAG WITH @kyle

POSTED ON Sept 17, 2024 6:50:11 GMT

like an inexperienced author who cringes at his own work, knowing that he couldn't bear with what he wrote, he braces for the impact of the consequences of proofreading his work.

he shuts his eyes close when noah goes for the kiss.

warmth comes to his lips. the unusual feeling triggers an unexplained nostalgia, but with no memory to connect it to, the spark dissipates in the air.

slowly, he opens his eyes to the gym leader bridging the distance between them.

"heh, y-y-you should've taken me out on a date first," he comments as his tongue instinctively sweeps his lips clean.

the comment comes as a taunt-- challenging as he always does when he teases. it's one of those blunders that he does when he's overwhelmed, releasing cliched lines one after the other to fill in the gap in his incompetence.

"i-i-if you said we got married, t-t-then you'd have no problems doing it again."

it doesn't break the spell. it never will. reality drags them to the least expected ending, but given the other options, replication is the next best thing if the favored closure of this predicament involved the impossible.