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Scooping up the orb that freshly retained the mask pokemon, Aloe looked around at the halloween decorum and smiled. Would wearing a Yamask on his face cause a breakout, or would it provide a full-on golden mask fantasy? But these decorations seemed to be packed with little pokemon for the taking, as a wild Zubat shot out from behind a clown mask of its own and flew toward him, flapping around eccentrically as it clearly did not have vision like most ornate beasts.[break][break]

"Silly guy, got no eyes." He chimed at the poisonous bat, to which it continued to waft around the skies, casting plentiful amounts of violet haze. Flying up to meet the fellow cave-dweller, Morrigan, his Noibat, was quick to grab onto the wild pokemon's back in an attempt to allow it to fly much more stable than before. They seemed to be having a spooky bat-centric conversation, probably her chastising for reckless behavior, but he had no idea. Pokemon were pokemon, after all. Throwing a pokeball at the Zubat, he hoped the thing with no eyes would be lacking just enough brain cells to accept the capture attempt.[break][break]

After all, it did seem like a youngling.

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Aloe smiled when he listened to Kazimir speak, leaning against his biceps to indulge in the stories that he had so graciously provided, but closer. "A nosy little puppy turned into an Arcanine, I can dig that." He chuckled, nuzzling against the side of the Galarian with his cheek and clinging golden earrings. For someone to be deemed a lil' canine like that who also happened to be so buff.. the tattoo artist wondered just how jacked out the men from his hometown had to be, because he was anything but little. Galarian customs were quite different in comparison to the ones he was used to back in Unova, or at least he assumed.[break][break]

"Been getting a couple of returning customers, it's been great, much better than back at home. Sure isn't what I'd expect for having a studio near the mountains rather than in the bigger cities, but I've enjoyed being able to take breathers every now and then." Looking up at the sky while resting on the beautiful man's side, Aloe figured it would be best to come off as humble when questioned about his business antics- he didn't want to come off as the man that he truly was in the tattoo business, cutthroat. Ever since he had arrived in Hoenn he'd been practicing in a bit of shadiness when it came to promoting his studio, including but not limited to stealing customers from aspiring artists. Leaving negative reviews on other shops to make his look better, while lies, were proving to be fruitful.[break][break]

Spotting a wild Glimmet that looked to be wafting in its toxins as it was on its way, he was quick to throw a pokeball at it while it was still unable to perceive the two that resided on the rocks. He was sure that Jewel, his partner Glimmora, would be quite appreciative of bringing home a new floral friend to dance with up until the sun rose once again. "You're single, yeah?" He asked curiously, his wiry hands moving to gently waver across the warmth emanating from Kazimir's arms. He was always the type to misread innocent chit-chat as reciprocated flirting when it came to acquainting with those he found attractive, so there was no harm in asking, especially as he wanted to indulge even further than he already was. And the wine wasn't helping in the slightest, only reinforcing his desires.

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In the glimmering dreamscape, Aloe in his newfound position of lycoris gang leader was able to do what the previous one cowered in fear in the idea of- standing at the tip of the largest skyscraper of Castelia City, the largest government building, looking the horizon was met by a sea of red and black flags. Around him rested the leaders of the Castelia Police Department in their filth, pleading for their lives, but he did not care- he was not going to kill them, but instead show them how things could truly exist under the leadership of those who wished for the best of the world around them with their ideals.[break][break]

Castelia City was now a pseudo-autonomous zone, with the lycoris gang having taken over the city and negotiated with the Unovan government that they would be able to act as the law in the inhabited area. But the thing about it was that all the citizens were truly happy, having not to deal with the corrupt and relentless force that had once enforced the 'law' with their selfish motives. Sure, the lycoris gang was all about money and their prosperity; but they had a message, to become rich and defy the government with anarchy. Since they had already been able to accomplish that, a feeling of peace that was desperately needed would be able to occur with Aloe at the forefront, truly making everyone that resided within the city walls equal.[break][break]

"The thirty of you will be able to make a choice- to leave this city and never come back, or to live prosperously alongside all of the residents. Unlike the Castelia Police Department, the Lycoris Gang will truly protect those who call Castelia their home. No abuse or indulgence in dynamics that you have previously proven to the populous; the power we have as a gang is limitless, but above all else what we desire is humility in our actions, to do what you weak fucks have never been able to do. To make change in the name of equality. You never sought equality, only selfish righteousness and the feeling of power- and now that we have taken that from you and made it our own, things will never return to how you had it."[break][break]

And so each one made the choice to leave and never return, and that was okay; just as that choice of theirs was by the Castelia dwellers, the lycoris gang was beloved. Able to find the power they so desperately sought and earned, delicately interwoven in humility and the wish to give real protection to the streets. Those who struggled with impoverished lives were given the treatment they deserved, no lashings for their last resort of occupations- and it felt free, with so many new possibilities. Aloe basked in the power like a combee in honey.

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Following the bends in the Halloween-decorated path, Aloe saw a sign depicting a mega-evolved Charizard- though when he got a bit closer, he realized that instead, it was a standee, and within the hole was a golden mask. Reaching out in an attempt to grab at the gold and pocket it for himself, it shot upwards. A part of a pokemon, huh? Though it seemed pretty spooked by the attempt at the grab, the wild Yamask floated into the above and launched a will-o-wisp toward the tattoo artist, but the chiming bell was quick to jump in the way to take the burn instead.[break][break]

It was quite the hostile run-in, though Aloe wanted to see the potential in the species rather than getting its revenge; once the Chingling was to be ignited at the tips, the bat pokemon accompanying the group was quick to release an AIR SLASH toward the Yamask. An updraft that was more than capable of carrying a pokeball with it, he felt like at least trying to tame such a relentless spirit would be useful down the line. As the safari ball ticked in pending, he weighed his options if it were to fail, or more so his flight or fight response.

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The man that sat next to him on the rocks was quite intriguing by the sound of it, a perfect one to speak with on a quiet, previously dull night like this one- someone that seemed to have plenty to speak of, which was alluring. "Kaz the Champion has quite the ring to it, doesn't it? So you've been a member of Hoenn's Elite Four, then? That's fun." Aloe chuckled, taking a sip from the golden chalice. To once be a member of something that large in scale, well, that was certainly something. Hopefully, he'd be a more empathetic fit than the ones he developed a hate for back in Unova, but then again who was capable of doing that in such a flawed, seemingly universal system? He kept most of the cards of the beliefs close to his chest, so he figured keeping his strong opinions in the back of all the questions he was tempted to ask- and he didn't want to ruin this genuine conversation.[break][break]

Aloe also felt like sharing the depth of his past with what seemed to be a now-ranger would be wise, even if he'd have to stretch the truth a bit and put on a slight facade. "Grew up on the streets of Castelia in Unova, had a little bit of friends here and there that'd help me make money before I got into ink. I came to Hoenn to expand my tattoo business, business was getting slow over there, so." Aloe smiled, stretching his arm to hold himself up as he looked at the surroundings and briefly brushed up against Kazimir's back. Being a little flirt here and there proved fruitful in distracting from lies every now and then, so there was no harm in at least trying. And it didn't help that he was aligned with Aloe's taste in guys, he reminded him a bit of someone special back home.[break][break]

Releasing a Smeargle from a crimson pokeball and handing it a little sheet of paper, bumping a rage candy bar in his bag, it began to draw the landscape, something that could be a little gift for the ex-elite four. Though, spotting a wild Carbink launch a MOONBLAST, it watched in awe and began doodling the feat with its tail in inspiration. "I bet our stories are similar when you look at them from a broad perspective." He said, curious for more. The rock type seemed to float away, preoccupied with its own nightly activities.

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Delving into the deep, darkest pits of his vivid dreamscapes, they were painted to depict his existence at a funeral held by the lycoris gang; the gang leader, the man that had ascended to the throne, was dead. Aloe had loved him just like most of his brothers and sisters, but there was just something about him that caused him to feel disdain more than any other; he previously had his hands tied with Elias, as he was forced to never bring all of his hidden, wretched secrets to the light in the name of loyalty. But now he was gone, dust to the wind, and he felt a sense of relief and happiness, which would soon evolve into much more.[break][break]

Aloe's boyfriend tapped on his shoulder as he looked over the casket, spitting in his face like he always wished to do. "Everyone's talking about voting for you to ascend Elias' throne, Aloe. I- I'm so excited for you, I couldn't wish for anyone more.. even if I'm a bit biased, you're the one that everyone wishes for. You have to." He pleaded, fluffing up the golden adornments on his shoulders. A wish for him to be the one to ascend; it was something he always dreamed of because he felt he could do it better than anyone else, and to hear that his dream, his ideals, were reciprocated by everyone else? It was a feeling like any other.[break][break]

The vision of the casket and the corpse moved to face the throne, the coins of wealth continuously raining down from above. Raising his hand up to the mega-evolved Charizard that stood beside him, molten flames tore through the room and began to melt the throne until there was nothing left but hardened pools of brimstone. Aloe felt there was no need in all of the refineries that came with a special chair; when he ascended, he sat upon the pool of cooled stone and rock and overlooked the gang with a gleam in his eyes. Their cheers were infectious, seeping into his dreamy soul.[break][break]

"It's an honor. Things are going to be different from here on out- please, everyone come sit with me." He guided everyone in the room to sit on the geometrical steps leading up to where the throne once sat, a wish for them to receive the comfort that they had always wished for. To belong, to work as a collective, and fit everyone's needs to a t.

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Aloe wasn't one to typically go to parties, especially now that his gang had wisped into the wind to never return- but he felt like breaking out of his newfound reclusive lifestyle was important enough, and when he heard of the party of artists, he felt a certain feeling of pressure that made him unable to refuse. There was little to no chance that he'd know anyone else attending, which was quite telling as to how he felt the night would play out. Sticking to the sidelines of the crowds that were turning it up, he kept making his way to the refreshments as he felt he needed to get way drunk to even think about shamelessly hitting the dance floor, refilling his chalice over and over and going to town on the slowpoke tail skewers.[break][break]

Half of him was telling him that he was underdressed at this costume party, and the other half was telling him that he was way too overdressed. Wearing transparent creme-colored robes draped over his tattooed body, adorning a rather skimpy pair of shorts of gold and quite the collection of dazzling jewelry lining his chest, arms, and legs, his outfit was a take on his version of a goddess; but damn was the nighttime wind giving him quite a chill, most of his pale skin exposed. Heading away from the table once his lustrous chalice was filled yet again with the cheap wine, he tried to take a sip when a brute force collided with his stomach, painting some of the light-colored fabric and his skin in crimson and charcuterie.[break][break]

The stranger's pleads of apologies and introductions were met by a light chuckle, removing some of the afflicted fabric and using it to soak up the wine and pieces of snack upon his chest. "Don't worry about it, it's fine." He smiled, amused at the fact that without the robes he now looked like more of an exotic dancer than a divine figure when he looked down at himself- some of the best friendships came from mishaps like these, and, well, he felt he could afford a whole silk factory, so they could always be replaced. If this girl was a member of his gang though, he would have certainly given her way more shit for it out of love. "Do you make a habit of spilling your refreshments on strangers, or did I just get lucky?" Aloe grinned, raising the glass to his lips to take a few gulps.[break][break]

"Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with tonight? Haven't really had the gall to talk to anyone else here just yet, felt I should get a little drunk before I tried."

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