"Yeah, I'll put it on a shelf." he said wit ha lopsided grin. Beach combing in it of itself was fun after all. Regardless of what he found. Or well, what Pepino found. Which now seemed to be a piece of a pearl deposited promptly at Onyx's feet, proudly. [break][break]

His eyes run over the lunchbox. The red corners, Onyx's gashes. Realization hits. "Did you fist fight a fucking shark?" he blurted out, eyes wide with shock before he frowned in concern. Sure, he'd offered Pepino as bait but he wasn't about to stick his hands in the mouth of a predator. "Holy shit dude-"

[break][break]

+ onyx straub | mission prompt: to sink one's teeth [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

There's a reason this particular party was so popular. It's all thanks to the multiple sets of bathrooms. Multiple sets on multiple floors with multiple entry points as well as etiquette. Some fancier than others. All plastered with paper signs that explicitly said 'only one person per stall'. Half of those signs torn or missing. [break][break]

At least in this particular bathroom, where clubbers were up to more unsavory activities. Because what was Halloween without a little bit of anonymous fucking? For someone as noncommittal as Andres, Halloween is the best day of the year. Kind of hard to have hook ups during Christmas. The themes just didn't fit. [break][break]

Whatever the case, Andres is more than content to follow his current date into the bathrooms, into a stall. Casually, and quietly making out in privacy as they tried to set the mood. Or as much as one could in a club bathroom. [break][break]

The place is mostly deserted, save for the two carousers taking their business to the stall furthest from the door. There's a bit of murmuring, some whispering, but mostly laughing at stupid puns and dirty euphemisms thrown about. It's nothing innovative, but it works for half drunk, horny bastards. Of course, all merry making stops. "Wazzat?" comes slurred, out before replaced with a quiet moan. Then a snicker and 'shh' sound followed by Andres going, "Don't shush me." and then another quick, "Get your hand out of there, be serious." Obviously all parties involved are not the most secretive.

[break][break]

+ onyx straub [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

He leaned on the wall taking off the other heel and letting it fall unceremoniously onto the ground. "Barely, they're cheap and not well made." he grumbled. "I told him sneakers cause at least it'd be more comfortable, and on theme." he said a hand quickly gesturing at his outfit. [break][break]

"What'd you bring?" he asked, now that his feet are free and moving to flop onto his own couch next to Onyx. He's quick to clean up empty take out, shoving it all in a bag and tying it off to the side. Chuchi followed, her nose detecting the sweets near instantly. She's on the hunt for it. But she's also wary of Onyx. He cannot know her weakness. [break][break]

So she waited for Andres to distract, as he always did. Scurryiong clsoer and clsoer to them every time Onyx looked away.


[break][break]

+ onyx straub [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Churro is polite, accepting the soft pet. His tongue poked out to give a small lick of thanks before red eyes moved up to the ghost floating around Onyx's head. There's a constant wag of his tail and slow blink in greeting. Andres' approach is slow, pasting on an easy smile. He's not as energetic as usual, if only because Onyx is so...calm. [break][break]

But it's not- it doesn't bode well. Something feels heavy. Even his greeting is strange, but Andres doesn't press. He doesn't know Onyx as well as he'd like to. Almost everything he does know...he learned from Jett. Simple things he could've asked Onyx himself but didn't. [break][break]

But he knows well enough when the guy's a little off. Cause he knows how he is when he's not. Irritable, sarcastic. Now he's just downright gloomy. Another glance at the statues and then back at Onyx. He tried to hide the immediate frown Galar pulled out of him. He focused on Chuchi, on his sisters. "Yeah. Some aunts and uncles on my dad's side live there still." he said idly kicking away a rock. [break][break]

"I don't really visit." he added wit ha shrug. He doesn't let the conversation linger too long before looking back at Onyx. "You? Parent's retired there right?"

[break][break]

+ onyx straub [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Andres laughed easily, expecting a small reaction. It's a silly old song- rhyme? It brought him comfort, it helped his pokemon. It's meaningless but it soothed something and so he kept using it. Didn't matter how old he was or how old Onyx might've been. It probably wasn't the first time he'd tried to say it to Onyx. [break][break]

"Well, more Pepino than me but..." he stuck his hand into his bucket, in no rush. Pepino, eager to show off however, has darted away and began digging a little hole in the sand. Just for Onyx. A little treat. "He picked up these cause they're colorful." he said gesturing at the empty soda cans. "And he found some cool shells." a point at the Pinurchin skeleton. "And then- a single tooth. Just happened to wash onto the shore." he said, pulling out a singular Sharpedo tooth. It's not exactly old. It looked like there was a bit of flesh still hanging onto the inside. Pink where once was bloody red. [break][break]

"I think I'll keep it. Supposed to be a good luck charm right." he added glancing down at Onyx's own handiwork. "How 'bout you?"

[break][break]

+ onyx straub | mission prompt: to sink one's teeth [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

His attention moves from Pepino who he has calmed down and brought back to his side, to Onyx again. He tilted his head, confused for a moment as he noted the raging sunburn the guy was starting to get. He'd been out here for a while hadn't he? "Uhhh, it's like this magic spell to help your wounds heal faster." he explained with a grin. [break][break]

"Parents used to do it to me and my sisters all the time." He doesn't seen a double meaning in Onyx's words. Doesn't even notice that there might be a double meaning in Onyx's own mind about the whole thing. He does not- cannot see it. Such positivity had been, quite literally, beat out of him years ago. And while he was friendly, he wanted to stay around Onyx...this would only last as long as Onyx would allow it to. Before things got angry, scary. [break][break]

Maybe it's his own fault for chasing something so fleeting but he can't help it. emotions long buried and forgotten seemed to seep to the surface like Springwater. At least now- now he could take a punch better. Maybe now he could outlast Onyx. He'd seem him be brutal. He'd witnessed a crime that he would take to his grave and yet, despite the underlying nerves and the slight shake to his hands at times he wanted to stay right there. He wanted to understand still, why Onyx had detested him so much. He just wanted to be his friend again. Or whatever Onyx had thought of him all those years ago those few weeks before their first gym challenges. He would settle for that too.

[break][break]

+ onyx straub | mission prompt: to sink one's teeth [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Crows and parties were Andres' bread and butter. His college years particularly rowdy. But even before that, the many festivities and celebrations to congratulate Galar challengers and champions. Parties were fun. And after years of being excluded form them, he was eager to accept any invite that came his way. That's how he'd found himself inside this particular one. Amongst throngs of similarly minded individuals, scantily clad for Halloween. [break][break]

His friend, Fletcher, matching angel to his devil had gotten them invites. They'd met up with more friends. They'd drank weird cocktails served to them by undead nurses or curated in plastic test tubes by evil scientists. He's beyond buzzed, but the bumping music and throngs of people don't seem to put him down. He moves easily, following the flow of people and every so often playfully smacking away a frisky hand as he knocked back another drink. At some point in time he'd spotted another- friend? familiarity amongst the crowd. "Onyx! onyx straub !! Heeey!" he had shouted probably once or twice over an hour and a half ago. [break][break]

He could recognize that sour puss stare anywhere. But he didn't stop further than that assuming Onyx had friends to play with and the like. Because Onyx, in his drunken mind, would always have more friends than him. Over the course of the night inevitabilities happen. He gets a little sweaty, his make up smudges. He tongues strangers. Perfectly styled and mused hair gets pulled and messy. Fringes of hair falling over his face as he laughs and sings with the rest of his group. [break][break]

At some point in the night he tries to retouch it with his friend. [break][break]

And then, immediately after, ends up on the dance floor shamelessly flirting, and laughing as a stranger clings to him. And even in the gloom, he catches Onyx's eyes and waves, as he's drunkenly done and forgotten already twice now. But before he can say much his stranger- a stereotypical vampire- leans into say something into his ear that gives him a start, but there's a nod. He forgets of his greeting instead turning to follow them, only for a hand to sneak its way up his backside, revealing a stupidly simple but well hidden bat motif on Andres ass. "Ta da! You found it." he snorted.

[break][break]

+ onyx straub [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"Treat~" The voice that comes out the other side of the door is not Andres'. The face that welcomes Onyx into the nerd's home is not Andres'. The clothing they wear underneath a zip up hoodie that's clearly 2 sizes to big for them is not appropriate for strangers. But the brunette doesn't care, smiling with mischief twinkling in deep green eyes. Further inside, Andres would call out, "Is it DoorDash?!" as he stumbled into one of his bedroom walls.
[break][break]

Chuchi would be turned towards the door, perched on the very top of the sofa. Beady black brown eyes locking onto to familiar face and scent. She does not growl, does not bare her teeth, does not even move. But she doesn't blink either. The fluffiest hell spawn this side of Hoenn. It doesn't go unnoticed by the stranger who sees the typically languid Eevee alert and menacing desptie her small size. "What'd a handsome boy like you even do to Andres?" he asked, his thoguhts more salaciosu than the sad truth.
[break][break]

But he lets the question linger as he zipped up his hoodie and grabbed a bag. "I'm heading out! Try not to ruin your costume before the party!" the brunette shouted before waving at Chuchi who gave a small, cute yip before going back to glaring at Onyx. An unfamiliar hand slides down Onyx's ass and gives a light smack to propel the criminal further in. "Same goes you you, stranger." Then he's gone.
[break][break]

And for a brief moment Onyx is left with only the rat before the sound of heels makes itself heard. "Hey- Hey Fletcher these heels are NOT good-" he began holding onto the wall wearing nothing but a matching red and black cheerleader costume. Though larger in size, still tight, still barely covering the vitals. Make up swatches, mainly glitters and highlighters, dotter one of his forearms. Undeniable fresh hickeys dotted his collarbone. There's music going in the background, a couple of SPIRIT HALLOWEEN shopping bags on the floor.
[break][break]

Chuchi barks to draw her trainer's attention to the guest as he's taking off said heels. The shoe flops to the ground in mild surprise. "Oh- Uh- Hi Onyx!" he greeted, light blush rising to his cheeks despite a quick grin that manifests on his features. Hazel eyes dart to the mess that was the whirlwind of errands and take out containers, and receipts from today. "Sorry- it's messy. Uh- how've you been? How's Jules?" he asked as he gestured at Chuchi to come closer to him. She begrudgingly obliged.

[break][break]

+ onyx straub [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The park out here is familiar to him. The school bordered it allowing for a place to entertain scrimmages and spars with their pokemon. Demonstrations were easy to set up. Occasionally parents could see their kids as small, school centric tourneys were held. And of course, with Andres mcing them. [break][break]

But not only that the park was vast, with different areas and types of pokemon that liked to hang around. Parts of it had been quarantined due to an uptick in invasive crystal blooms but now all of it seemed back to open which was nice. Made his morning walks, the shorter ones that sometimes came after his sunrise runs, all the more pleasant.[break][break]

Churro the Furfrou paces after him in all his shaggy, but clean glory. He's a fairly calm dog. Churro stayed with Andres rather than running off like the other pups in his team. But when he catches smell of someone that's been in their home, he veered off. A possible contact of Andres' is always nice. That's how the blonde is subtly led to the statue of the pretty little girl and her partner. Andres stopped to contemplate, the mood around the statue is always a little calmer. A little more somber. [break][break]

Churro continues forward, padding up gently to onyx straub to sniff at him. "Hey-" he began, voice low in a warning as Churro was about to lick at the stranger. "Oh, mornin' Onyx." he said, words hesitant as he looked at the Rocket. It's awkward really. Sometime had passed between their beach meeting, and he'd once again left without a word. One second he was there the next just gone. It's unnerving, and a little sad. But then again, it made meetings like this all the better. Except- their expression is unfamiliar. He's not exactly angry or pouty. Or even frustrated. "S'good to see you."

[break][break]

+ onyx straub [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

For the most part, Onyx is a pretty good patient. Whether it's because the wound isn't that bad or Onyx is used to being bandaged, he doesn't know. But it looks bad. Even worse wet. White gauze stains pretty quickly, but thankfully doesn't fully soak through bandages. Not full anyway. He spares a glance at the lifeguard who had gone back to her perch, watching folks in the surf. "Yeah, Claire's got poke treats on her chair all the time. She gave one to Pepino by chance and now we always say hi when we see her." he said with a snort. Pepino barked, wagging his tail happily. He heard the word treat. [break][break]

As the men discuss using him as bait, the zigzgaoon yipped in protest, hopping backwards and growling up at the pair. Andres only laughed and Pepino huffed, turning away from them. Which is all for the best when Andres gives one last glance over the arm before light kissing dry knuckles and wiggling his fingers. "Sana sana, colita de rana and all that jazz." [break][break]

He then shared his own little haul with his bully. "Well if you're done wanna show and tell? this is everything we found so far." He said, casual as he tilted the contents of the brightly colored kid's bucket towards Onyx. He seemed to take the conversation in stride, unwilling to let it end so soon.

[break][break]

+ onyx straub | mission prompt: to sink one's teeth [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Andres does clock Onyx's sour mood and sour puss expression, but it doesn't dull his excitement. Despite his concern, he's quick to clean up Onyx. Having acquired a small hand towel, Andres pressed it into wet skin lightly drying off salt and blood in one fell swoop. He holds their arm tight before guiding Onyx to hold it himself.[break][break]

Wordlessly, Andres is already ripping up anti bacterial packets and dabbing at open wounds while simultaneously blowing on them. They're too big for the packet of neosporin the lifeguard had given him, but he still tries to use it on what he can. [break][break]

Eventually he moved onto the bandaging, tying gauze onto the arm. "That should stop it. And if we need more I can always go back. Claire's nice." He explained before nodding over at the water. "So, where these Sharpedos at?" He asked as he retrieved a pokeball and let out a Manectric who began stretching on the sand. "Pepino can be bait and Takis can fuck 'em up."



[break][break]

+ onyx straub | mission prompt: to sink one's teeth [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

While Pepino is trying to help lick Onyx's wounds, Andres' small smile dropped at Onyx's revelation. "O-Oh...I'm...I'm sorry?" he said eyes darting at the ground and around as he processed what exactly to say at him. "Well, at least you know how close you are to fainting right?" [break][break]

"C'mon, and after, if you want, I can help you hunt more sharks. Pepino sit." He said as the little raccoon sat by Onyx's feet to keep him company as Andres jogged over to the life guard. In the distance, Onyx can probably identify the bit of banter between him and the woman. She lightly shoves him and he ran a hand through his hair before taking the bandages and waving her off. As that happened Pepino shook, looking up at Onyx and whining as he continued bleeding, clearly worried about the stranger. [break][break]

"I got some antibacterial wipes to help clean it up." he added. Pepino barked happy Andres was back. He would help, he could help.

[break][break]

+ onyx straub | mission prompt: to sink one's teeth [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]