farawayplace | You heard of April Fools, get ready for-

Attila, in his kimono, straw hat, and geta sandals civilian disguise, was roaming the streets of Turnbloom City as 'Akira.'

"Kind of a stupid name to pick, barely one letter off," he said off-handedly to himself, then his eyes snapped wide open.

"H-hey!"

He looked around to see if anyone else heard that. What's gotten into him?!

"Stupid...!"

Someone did hear it. A tall guy who looks like he's been crawling in the bushes for a week at least, with leaves and twigs sticking out of his messy hair, is just staring at Attila blankly.

He's keeping his mouth shut for now, showing absolutely no sign of what he's thinking on the outside.

Stiff as a board. Won't move a muscle. But desperation and fear of repercussion was building up inside him.

"... I could beat you up, scare you into silence, or kill you."

In a low, threatening voice, but Attila's wide, shocked eyes did not suggest that threat was meant to be voiced.

Red opens his mouth.

"Yeah you could, that's funny, I'm already silent, did I hear something I should be silent about? My Pokemon would stop you, who even are you though? I don't really care, you're kind of cute, don't like the threats though so that's a pass."

Red closes his mouth, internally slightly confused. Why did he say all of that out loud? Something strange is going on. Not to mention Attila's surprised expression... Did he say things he didn't intend to say out loud too?

Insecurities flaring up, Attila looked taken aback at the comments.

"E-excuse me?! First it was that Gold kid thinkin' I was into him, now this random guy I'm threatenin' callin' me cute? What am I doing wrong to send all these mixed signals?! Hun ain't even around—shutupshutupSHUTUP!"

He clamped his hands over his mouth, fuming, then, looked at Red, now with a more tired, then angry expression.

Don't think about Rocket don'thinkaboutRocketdon'tthinkaboutRocket—fortunately, the latter part is all muffled (Red just might be able to guess from the repetition, though.)

Slowly lowering his hands now.

"... right. Don't think you'd say this stuff normally, so something's gone wrong with both of us. Glad you don't know me, I don't want you to, and I'd bet good money you don't want to know me either. So. Truce, let's just fix this. How long have we been like this? What did we do wrong? Maybe we just gotta back out of this spot, retrace our steps a little..."

"You don't want to be cute, alright my bad, you're not that cute, Giovanni's hotter anyway, you know Gold? Why would Gold think you're into him, what did you do, you're dead if you did something. Why are you saying rocket, whatever, don't care."

All of that is stated with absolutely flat inflection and no expression on his face. He closes his mouth. Hm, yeah, he's talking way more than he usually would, something is seriously off here. He's going to have to remember that thing about Gold though, even if it's not the biggest of his worries at this moment.

"That's true something's wrong, I'm talking too much. Truce, were we enemies? Whatever, let's figure it out, some kind of magic affecting us, over this area maybe, caused by someone or something, don't know any Pokemon that would do it, don't see any around. Maybe if we leave it'll stop. I want to stop talking it's tiring."

"What the hell—seriously, the b—DON'T. Don't talk about him."

Attila turned around sharply, covering his ears, trying to block this out a second.

Another moment to calm down again.

"... yeah. Let's stop. Didn't touch the kid, for the record. Thought my paying him extra to talk meant somethin' else. Mistook him for another kid from back home, s'all. Geez..."

Slowly walking out of this area.

"What kinda Pokemon... maybe one that'd make itself invisible or... use Psychic or something..."

"Oh, you know Giovanni. Don't get along? None of my business though. I want to marry Giovanni but I know he's out of my league so I just make jokes about it. That's too much information, I should stop talking but it's really hard to stop."

Hmm. This is kind of annoying.

"Good to know. Your life is safe for now, not that I would've killed you, that would've been somebody else. A lot of people would kill for Gold, he's lucky that way, I wonder if anyone would do that for me."

And then Red follows after Attila while talking under his breath, sounding like he's making a list of people he knows that might kill somebody for hurting him and talking out his reasoning for why they might or might not do that, while also interrupting himself occasionally with something he notices about the environment or ideas about what might be causing this talkativeness effect. He looks like he might not even be noticing he's talking out loud anymore. It might be incredibly annoying, or it might turn into unnoticable background noise quickly.

"It's worse—" than just not getting along, change the topic— "you're making it worse, I said stop bringing him up, quit talking to me!"

Yeah. Thanks for that... enlightening, completely unnecessary detail, Gold, exactly what Attila needed to hear about his boss.

Attila felt like he really needed a drink, but that also wouldn't help this disastrous situation any. Maybe he could go home, drink himself into a stupor, and all of this would simply go away tomorrow. He no longer felt like investigating anything, least of all with this nuisance tagging along!

This guy just goes on and on...!

It got on Attila's last nerve—which wasn't very impressive, really, given Attila's very short temper.

"Oi. Quit following me," he said, glaring over his shoulder, taking out a pokeball. "I was only keeping you around in case it was like that Heart Swap thing."

"Oh, my bad, I usually don't talk, don't know how to stop, it's kind of relieving to get all my words out like this like I'm normal, I'm not normal I'm just creepy and everybody thinks I'm weird if I talk or if I don't talk but I want to be able to talk, I want people to understand me, it's too difficult. Ah, talking to a random stranger like this is weird too, don't even know his name, what's your name I'm Red."

...Red's starting to think maybe he's not welcome here. However, when Attila brings out the Pokeball Red's eyes zero in on it with a sudden an intense look, and he tunes out everything Attila's saying.

"You want to battle? My Pokemon want to battle, your Pokeball looks weird, there hasn't been any strong opponents, they're bored, especially Nickie. Fight. Fight fight fiiight."

The last part is spoken like a somewhat tuneless song, as Red takes out a translucent Pokeball you can just barely see a Nidoqueen inside.

"Then, find somebody to talk to and get all'a this noise out of your head, 'cause I'm not it! I'm Akira and I'd like to be left alone. Skarmory, come on out!"

Attila sent out his Skarmory, honestly feeling a little creeped out by Red's intense look.
"Scary..."

Yeah, really wishing he hadn't said that outloud.

Yeah, that intense look isn't disappearing.

"Akira," Red acknowledges with a nod, then throws the Pokeball. "Nickie."

A Nidoqueen pops out, roaring cheerfully while punching her fists together, ready to fight.

Red's got an instinctual knowledge of most Pokemon types, but the more recently discovered ones - steel, dark, and fairy - still give him pause. So when he sees Skarmory, he starts muttering to himself.

"Flying, something else maybe, glittering wings, fairy or steel. Poison strong against fairy, not effective on steel, let's test it."

Unfortunately, this moment of uncertainty leads to Red's loss in the end, as Nidoqueen can't quite make the difference against Skarmory with her two type disadvantages. Red recalls her.

"Nickie. Sorry. You wanted to fight but I should've sent out somebody who'd be strong against it, my mistake, we'll win next one."

And without a moment's pause, takes out another Pokeball.

"Pika," he says, sending out his Pikachu.

Edited 2023-04-03 10:24 (UTC)

"Electric... the Crystal—"

Attila clamped down, trying to shut himself up, biting the inside of his cheek this time.

Don't talk about the Crystal System, stupid!

At least swearing under his breath won't give him away, he can't talk much if he's in pain, besides—he really would like to escape, he only had two Pokemon on hand... he stared at Red, but really, he was checking the other end of the alley, heading out to the street. He could flee that way—no, there's some Electric types he messed with earlier prowling around and it looks like they either scented him or recognized his voice when he stupidly mentioned the crystal. GREAT. Can't go that way!

Looking to the side—alright, beggars can't be choosers, he kicked a trash-can Red's way, letting it barrel down the incline, as he ran off out the back, and some very angry Electric types come running up from behind Red, weaving around his legs and shoving past him to chase after Attila.

[exit, pursued by Electric-types]

red_berry - 2023-04-03 11:49 (UTC) - Expand

Unfortunately he's been heard, loud and clear by this Paldean man. He stared looking Attila over, with a clear frown.

"Did you runaway too?" His tone was clear that he wasn't judging Attila in the least for what he's saying.

"U-uh, wha..." Attila fumbled, but then laughed it off and rubbed the back of his head. "You could say that. Ain't even the first time."

Keep the stories close. That's always hte key to not messing up.

"Gone by so many fake names already..."

Too close!

"Got experience?"

"Huh," Manzana chuckled rather dryly at that. He hadn't meant to question the man, and was ready to mind his business. For whatever reason it seemed the man couldn't help but overshare too. "Yes. Ending up in Ultern has been the best thing to happen to me."

He lowered his gaze, with his eyes clouding despite the smile.

"I had to use fake names too, and even change how I looked to fit in but I felt so alien. So disgusting...I'm sorry, I am sure you don't want to tell me what you've been saying. Neither do I."

"Hey..."

Attila felt a little bad about this guy. Still, he didn't want to get him in trouble by talking too much to him...

"Whatever you've done, can't be as a bad as anything I've done. I promise. I've done some heinous stuff—look, what I'm trying to say is, you aren't disgusting."

"I... should really go. I don't wanna ruin what good you got here by telling you too much. Don't wanna hurt ya."

"I don't want to compare notes, because then I'll be made even more aware that I'm truly unfit to be here." He frowned realizing it came out harsher than what he would have liked to say. It almost reminded Manzana too much of how he used to be.

"...I understand I mean. To not want to hurt others, despite having to do it, or have done it." Instead of withdrawing he stepped forward. "Thank you for considering me, but I came to you first didn't I? ...I know I am being an idiota right now but I wouldn't have changed if I walked away now."

This was hard, being this truthful to someone.

"But I would have turned tail and ran if you had been Calem-" he froze realizing just what he said to Attila.

"I'm not him," Attila said firmly. "Don't know what your deal is with him. It's still a good idea to go."

He didn't like the slighter man approaching him. Attila had his heart set on leaving without divulging anything more, but this man kept talking.

"What've you done? Don't talk like you want to save me. You're still assuming things. I don't want a new life the same way you do."

He held his head, feeling more than a bit frustrated, dragging his fingers through his spiky blonde hair, knocking his hat askew. He should've worn his sunglasses, there was too much light now, and his eyes always betrayed him, even with the cold and harsh expression he wore.

"... you look weak. I could toss you aside if you won't get out of my way, you know. If I wanted to."

But he didn't.

"My part—"

They're both saying too much. He bit his tongue, hard, to try and stop himself from saying another word. The truth was that Manzana reminded him a little of Hun. Slight, unassuming appearance, possibly more dangerous than he looked. Even the hair framing his face felt too familiar... he needed to get out of here.

"I am aware you aren't him. He is what people are surely to call a hero, while I am scum of the world." His gaze darkened. He doesn't bulk. Not from the way Attila spoke or the look he wore. "You are correct I assumed perhaps, we were in a similar standing but was I wrong?"

He doesn't hesitate, perhaps because of how angry he felt made him this way or from the looseness of his own lips. Or his damned compassion that made him act to stubborn.

"Your threat doesn't scare me in the least. Only one person in the world terrifies me, but he isn't here. ...but your words are upsetting." He's reaching over, slowly but making it very clear for his hands to be both visible to Attila. He will finally touch the brim of Attila's hat to readjust it, neatly. "Sorry, this too is a habit of mine. To look the best, no matter what the situation."

At the question, Attila only made a small, curt sound of disgust around gritted teeth, dashed with his own blood. He's quiet. The man's quiet and the darkness seeping into the man's gaze genuinely has Attila's hair standing on edge. He is like Hun, isn't he? He shouldn't cross this man. He's playing with fire, isn't he? Why weren't any of Attila's threats not working?! He froze at the hands reaching out, confused, instinct preparing to take over, catch him by the wrists, overpower him, bowl him over, break his spine, anything—but all he did was simply watch, baffled and shocked as to why a perfect stranger, much less one he'd threatened, would approach him so fearlessly.

He... adjusted his hat.

That's all.

He could've harmed him and it'd be justified, after all of Attila's threats and his insistently unrepentant behaviour, but... he just fixed his hat. It was almost ridiculous, but he felt the steadily mounting fear break into relief.

He flashed a bloody little grin, turned his head aside over his shoulder and spat blood to the side, on the ground.

"... you're a troublesome guy. Like—"
The pain in his mouth reminded him not to betray.
"... someone I knew. I can't answer your question. Not right now. It's the only way I know to live. I don't know. I'm half-sayin' this because you scare the hell outta me and I don't want you to go after me—"
Thanks, stupid curse or whatever that's making him talk like this.
"... but it ain't a lie. I don't really wanna make any trouble for the locals. They're good people. I don't wanna hurt anyone for no reason. If I make a different kinda life here, what am I gonna do if I have to go back home? Just go back, knowin' I could'a done things different? Or what if the ones I answer to come here? What's the point in any'a that? I'm in way too deep, I'm not like the bottom-rung guys who can come and go. I don't... know what to do."

Attila needed directions. Attila was a follower by nature, all the bravado aside, he needed someone to guide him. Back home, Hun was that person.

Maybe he should have just let Attila be. Especially given the recognizable sight of fear in the bulkier man but true to his words, Manzana didn't feel intimidated.

"I don't mean to scare you," he reached down to pull out an equally tropical looking handkerchief--from his own pocket. He'll hold it out to Attila, mostly so he could wipe off any remaining blood (even if he had spat it out, really). "...and I know it is hard not to be so loose with our lips, at the moment."

He lowered his gaze to his own hands, with a soft sigh. Manzana couldn't help but empathize with Attila.

"I doubt I would even know who you are trying to compare me with." He lightly commented, but continued. "...maybe you are a little better than how I had been. When I woke up here I just wanted them to feel the same way I did. I wanted to hurt them all, before they did it to me. I could not trust any of them." There's a sad smile on his face. "I still remember their sad faces, even now...but even still they had reached out to me and loved me despite how I look, or spoke. I simply want to protect those who are kind to me, and love me. Even now I am afraid, that they will find out how sullied my hands are."

Yet what ate at his mind more made Manzana grip his hands into a fist.

"I have even considered what I would do, if I were to one day...wake up back home. I would simply throw myself into the sea to find the paradise Ulternian speaks of. Not that it's true, it's just a nice way to say that I would rather--...no, that's not the important part. Rather...I...it's silly now, but tell me your name. I will tell you mine, as a sign of trust. Do you think perhaps you can do the same for me? Or would you prefer I refer to you by your fake one?"

Edited (rewording my sentence to flow a bit better) 2023-04-03 05:40 (UTC)

He scowled at Manzana pointing out his fear—it's obvious, but he didn't need to say it. He accepted the handkerchief, but didn't use it. Stupid, dainty thing.

"... you really are—well, were— like him. See, it doesn't give me any pleasure, not like—it's just work. I'm not getting a power trip from it or anythin'. It just gets the job done and it's somethin' I'm good at it. People cooperate more when they're scared."

He... wanted to kill himself?

Attila's eyes widened and he looked visibly upset, despite having only just met this man.

He caught his wrists in his, holding a bit too tightly, the handkerchief still in one of his hands.

"It's Attila!" he shouted, without regard to who else could possibly hear, emotion spilling into his words, but the rest is hushed and he loosened his grip. "Attila. It's who I am, it's what everyone there calls me, it's what I call myself...don't talk about that. I bet y'could do anything. You got a strength to you, you talk, people'll listen. You don't have to end it."

Maybe he's naive, maybe it's a trap, Manzana could be clever enough to manipulate him even while only saying the truth...

"Your name...?"

Manzana didn't need to point out the obvious to what Attila was telling him. Fear really was a good motivator. He's seen it time, and time again.

"I reacted too in the past, out of fear...but I was weak. I wanted them to stop, so I made them." He gave pause before noticing the look Attila gave him in reaction to what he just implied in front of the other. Manzana stared, and doesn't even think to pull away from Attila's grip. Instead he's speechless from the way Attila bellowed out his name to what followed after.

"Ma...Manzana." He spoke, when finally finding his voice again. "I am Manzana. I misspoke, I don't want to think of that place as my home anymore. Ultern will always be my home. So the thought of leaving it unwillingly is truly..."

He trailed.

"I don't want any recognition back there, where I was no different than dirt. The people here are the ones who found me at my worst and treated me like an actual person. So, Attila...if...you are willing..." he hesitated for a moment. It doesn't but a second, as he spoke quietly. "Icha...icharibachoude. That's what they told me, and what I wanted to say to you, actually. It's a saying here, in Ultern. Once we meet, we're brothers. No matter what you have done...please consider what you can do now, here. In this place."

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[Red + no brain-to-mouth filter = ???]

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1/2?

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[past coming back to bite him in the behind!]

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[well, that's extreme.]

oops two dangerous men meet(?)

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CW just in case: this apple man implying he wants to off himself

CW suicidal ideation, GOD, well, he's got Atilla's trust

just two guys getting too raw nbd