Buson (Attila) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
buson) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
farawayplace2023-06-19 12:45 am
buson) wrote in farawayplace2023-06-19 12:45 am
Entry tags:
No place like home
Reflection - Stardust Beach
To those in Ultern, Buson might be gone for about nine days, give or take. He didn’t show up for work on the cargo ship, without excuse, but as one of the drifted, suddenly leaving was as expected as suddenly arriving, and life went on…
To Buson, he’d been gone months (or was it nearly a year?), returned to complete the ill-fated Raikou mission, as well as many more successful ventures, even capturing another Legendary Pokemon for Team Rocket. He watched the seasons change and lost the deeper tan he’d gained in the rice terraces and on the sea. His more relaxed and friendly expression had regained a sharper, crueler edge, but to his credit, he never lost his sense of humour! Alright, so, maybe he'd started cracking even more jokes than usual as a coping mechanism, but—
He had kept the souvenir bottle of sand he'd bought the last time he was in Ohritori and taken it with him to Johto, and back again. It was the only thing that convinced he hadn't dreamed it all. There were a number of times he thought of casting it out into the sea or otherwise disposing of it, and he often kept it out of sight, since it seemed to taunt or shame him for how easily he returned to old ways, but he still found it impossible to abandon.
The hope he might return also had him catch another Pokemon to keep with him, so his Bandolier now has two more pokeballs clipped to it.
He now found himself once more, on Stardust Beach, in Ohritori, at night, and stayed watching the dark sea in silence. He felt nostalgic, jaded, apprehensive, and relieved. He felt so many conflicting emotions, that he could only sit and wait to see which would be the victor, as he regained his bearings and fully accepted he had truly returned.
He might search for familiar faces after that...
Hiding in Plain Sight - Turnbloom City
—But first, a place to purchase a change of clothes, as he'd arrived in his silver Team Rocket uniform once again, as his appearance was known to at least one officer in Ohritori. He considered traditional Ulternian clothes, this time. The brighter, bolder colours, particularly the reds and oranges, caught his eye and they weren't as restrictive as kimono, even worn properly... but all the colours he liked seemed to be more restricted to women's clothes!
So, with some disappointment, he opted for kariyushi instead. Picking the loudest, reddest kariyushi shirt with the busiest, boldest pattern and swapping his sunglasses for... another pair of sunglasses (but tackier, star-shaped, even), he also grabbed a pair of shorts, and even a fisherman's bucket hat.
He took one look in the changing room mirror, all decked out, flashed a grin, and said, "They won't know what hit 'em!"
He paid and left, whistling a tune, hanging onto his bundled-up uniform, at least long enough to find a good place to hide it. Part of him wanted to burn it, but he knew it could come in handy. You could never have too many disguises!
Touching Base - Chura Island
He wasn't sure if they would still have that place in Gukuru House. Was Bashou paying for the inn? Would he have moved away? How long had it been for him? Perhaps... Bashou might have even returned to his own world? Buson would search for him all the same, just in case.
If there's anyone he can't find, he could always ask around and follow their trail to track them down... that's a skill he never lost.
To those in Ultern, Buson might be gone for about nine days, give or take. He didn’t show up for work on the cargo ship, without excuse, but as one of the drifted, suddenly leaving was as expected as suddenly arriving, and life went on…
To Buson, he’d been gone months (or was it nearly a year?), returned to complete the ill-fated Raikou mission, as well as many more successful ventures, even capturing another Legendary Pokemon for Team Rocket. He watched the seasons change and lost the deeper tan he’d gained in the rice terraces and on the sea. His more relaxed and friendly expression had regained a sharper, crueler edge, but to his credit, he never lost his sense of humour! Alright, so, maybe he'd started cracking even more jokes than usual as a coping mechanism, but—
He had kept the souvenir bottle of sand he'd bought the last time he was in Ohritori and taken it with him to Johto, and back again. It was the only thing that convinced he hadn't dreamed it all. There were a number of times he thought of casting it out into the sea or otherwise disposing of it, and he often kept it out of sight, since it seemed to taunt or shame him for how easily he returned to old ways, but he still found it impossible to abandon.
The hope he might return also had him catch another Pokemon to keep with him, so his Bandolier now has two more pokeballs clipped to it.
He now found himself once more, on Stardust Beach, in Ohritori, at night, and stayed watching the dark sea in silence. He felt nostalgic, jaded, apprehensive, and relieved. He felt so many conflicting emotions, that he could only sit and wait to see which would be the victor, as he regained his bearings and fully accepted he had truly returned.
He might search for familiar faces after that...
Hiding in Plain Sight - Turnbloom City
—But first, a place to purchase a change of clothes, as he'd arrived in his silver Team Rocket uniform once again, as his appearance was known to at least one officer in Ohritori. He considered traditional Ulternian clothes, this time. The brighter, bolder colours, particularly the reds and oranges, caught his eye and they weren't as restrictive as kimono, even worn properly... but all the colours he liked seemed to be more restricted to women's clothes!
So, with some disappointment, he opted for kariyushi instead. Picking the loudest, reddest kariyushi shirt with the busiest, boldest pattern and swapping his sunglasses for... another pair of sunglasses (but tackier, star-shaped, even), he also grabbed a pair of shorts, and even a fisherman's bucket hat.
He took one look in the changing room mirror, all decked out, flashed a grin, and said, "They won't know what hit 'em!"
He paid and left, whistling a tune, hanging onto his bundled-up uniform, at least long enough to find a good place to hide it. Part of him wanted to burn it, but he knew it could come in handy. You could never have too many disguises!
Touching Base - Chura Island
He wasn't sure if they would still have that place in Gukuru House. Was Bashou paying for the inn? Would he have moved away? How long had it been for him? Perhaps... Bashou might have even returned to his own world? Buson would search for him all the same, just in case.
If there's anyone he can't find, he could always ask around and follow their trail to track them down... that's a skill he never lost.
no subject
He grinned.]
Yeah, you could say that! You're a sight for sore eyes.
... I got drifted back a while. I didn't miss anythin' good, did I?
no subject
Oh, you drifted back? That's good, I was worried something had... happened.
[It occurs to Ken that Buson must've gone back to Team Rocket, then... No, he doesn't know that for sure! Anyway, more importantly, he's back now! Ken forces his smile back up.]
In that case, ulsai and welcome back! I've been doing the same as ever. But I've been meaning to tell you, I'm heading to Ohritori Island in a few days! My vacation's coming up!
1/2
Ulsai!
I got these too. Which do you think completes the look?
[A pair of bright yellow and green pineapple-shaped sunglasses, bamboo-framed sunglasses, and neon sunglasses with zig-zag arms. Naturally.]
no subject
[Yes, in that order.]
You could also ask around Turnbloom City's Pokemon Center's cafe, too, that's where the kid used to work. I used to eat there. First received Ulternian hospitality there too...
[Sounding nostalgic! But he has another reason to say it that way, he's couching Gold's location there to sound a bit less suspicious.]
When you get there, drop by Professor Banyan's lab. He seems to take in a lot of the kids who show up with nowhere to go. Y'might find Gold there.
The Miltank dairy farm we both used to work at, until I quit and moved here, was [
insert rancch name here.]1/2
L-let me try one of those on too!
2/2
Ken nods at the information, mentally storing all of them.]
I see... I'll check all of those out! Thanks, now I don't have to just go around asking people if they've seen him... I feel like that wouldn't go over well, haha!
[Of course, knocking on the door of the house Gold actually lives in would probably be even creepier than that... Not that Ken knows he lives in Banyan's lab!]
no subject
[Buson held them out for him to try.
As always, what Ken doesn't know can't hurt him... besides, Buson even gave him a good excuse, lots of kids could pass through there, it isn't a Gold-specific situation! Let Ken feel like he's putting in the legwork to find Gold when he already fed him the answer with a distractor or two.]
no subject
How's this? Do they suit me?
no subject
no subject
[He hands them back! Then hesitates for a moment, and laughs awkwardly.]
...I'm a little nervous about going to Ohritori, to be honest! I mean, the journey's going to be awful. I'm probably going to be sick the whole way there...
[And more than that, he's nervous about meeting Gold... but it's difficult to admit that out loud.]
[cw emesis / vomit mention]
Thanks! Yeah, figured red's more your colour. Maybe y'can get a pair in red?
[He listens to Ken's concerns for a moment, briefly thinking he should avoid getting too tangled up in other people's business this time... especially if it concerns family.]
You'll do alright.
[A pat on the shoulder.]
... 'sides, if you get seasick, can't hurt to throw up into the sea! Plenty'a people get seasick, it's not a big deal.
... hm, actually, was there a pharmacy around here? If you don't wanna grin and bear it 'til you find your sea legs, y'could probably ask for something that'll make you less likely to throw up, even if you'll probably still feel crappy.
no subject
[It's enough to just listen to Ken's concerns, this time. He appreciates the support.]
Medicines don't really do much for my seasickness... Believe me, I've tried a few brands. [Though that was back home... Maybe Ultern's got some miracle seasickness cure Ken hasn't found yet. ...Wishful thinking.
Ken pauses for a moment, opens his mouth, then closes it again, looking away. It looks like he really wants to ask something, but is trying to hold back.]
no subject
Putting on a smile.]
... want me to take you myself? I can go slow.
Or is it somethin' else?
no subject
[He's a bit embarrassed Buson noticed.]
Truth is, the closer the day I set off is, the more nervous I get... I'm worried we won't get along, or I won't find him, or... Well, point is, I keep wanting to ask more about him! But that won't help... I bet we'd just get along worse if I show up knowing too much about him. [He sighs.]
[cw casual death / murder mention, black humour, #JustBusonThings]
But he did miss being at sea, honestly. It always reminded him of being in Ultern. Being in Hoenn felt close, really close... maybe he didn't mind sailing. But he might demand compensation!]
Take it easy. One step at a time. I got bent out of shape seein' Bashou again too, but there's more important stuff than if you two know everythin' about each other or not. Just let things happen naturally. Whatever kinda first meeting you two have here, I guarantee there's no goddamned way it can outdo ours.
[It was a very tense interrogation in a locked room and both were prepared to attack the other if they were a "fake" or somehow perceived as a threat.]
I'll even wait for ya outside if you need it. Y'know, backup. If everything goes okay and you haven't died in like, fifteen minutes or so when I check in, I'm headin' back, okay?
[More off-colour humour courtesy of Buson.
You'd better get used to it.]Alright, you got everything you need or do you want to head back for anything?
[In the meanwhile, he's readying the boat, making sure it's in working order.]
no subject
[He knew it, but it makes him feel more confident in himself, hearing it from someone else.]
...Wait, what kind of a meeting did you two have?
[
Questions Ken might not want an answer to, if he knew...]Ah, you don't need to do that! [Ken laughs.] I think just... knowing you're on the same island would bring me courage.
...Head back? For what? Are you in a hurry somewhere? Ah, sorry if I'm keeping you.
[1/2; CW violence, what do I even say about literally any of this...]
Just the confidence part, not so much the keeping everything under control and under a time limit part.
[At the question, Buson smiled unpleasantly.]
Caught him by chance in the Pokemon Center when he arrived... felt like a dream, after so long, but we're careful, y'know?
An interrogation in a locked room, after searching for bugs and taps. He didn't trust me none, so he checked the place again, but that's fair, since I wasn't giving him the keys to get out 'til he answered satisfactorily.
I was already feeling angry, thinkin' he might be some damned illusion or an impostor, so if the answers were wrong, I would'a mauled him just for gettin' my hopes up. Know he would'a done the same if he thought I was a threat.
[Is that what you wanted to hear, Ken? Maybe Buson's intentionally trying to scare Ken right now and this was some demented sort of cautionary tale, but the unpleasantly harsh smile was replaced with a lighter one as he moved to the next topic.]
[2/2]
I'll come, I just mean to get back to Chura, but I can come back and take you home if you want. How long do you plan to stay?
1/2 [ken, what is that reaction...]
[Ken turns pale at Buson's unpleasant smile and descriptions. He listens, wide-eyed, and swallows. For some reason, a faint blush rises on his cheeks.]
I... I see. I'm, uh, I'm glad you could trust each other after that. You must be really close.
2/2
Ah, I see! Sorry, I guess I am keeping you from something important.
I'm leaving in a few days, and I'll stay about a week, at least... But I'm planning on extending that if things come up. Like, if I can't find Gold, or he wants me to stay a bit longer... But I can probably take a ferry back, don't worry.
1/2; well, I guess that's one way for Buson to learn not say stuff like that......
Alas, that ship has passed by the time the misunderstanding clicked for Buson, and there's no opportunity for Buson to clear that up, the topic has changed.
Right. Never bring up anything like that around Ken ever again. Got it. Easily miscontrued and now he knows way more than he'd ever care to know about Ken.
He needs a drink. His head's swimming.]
Oh! I thought you wanted to leave today. Must'a gotten that confused... your vacation, when was that? [He's usually got such good memory, too... he's so flustered, he can't keep his thoughts in order.]
2/2 [passing mention of alcohol]
He pushes up his sunglasses to rub the bridge of his nose.]
... since he was fine with the idea of comin' out to eat zenzai with us—he agreed! Didn't think he would, but he did—please don't even bring up any kinda relationship stuff around Bashou, please. You're polite and respectable, so I figure Bashou'd like you well enough compared to, uh, rowdier folks, but yeah. No relationship stuff, no alcohol, and give him space. He doesn't talk or smile much, but if he didn't want to spend time with you, he wouldn't, so don't worry about it.
no subject
It's in a few days, starting on [insert date here]! I'm going to leave on the same day, after my shift at the radio station is over... Ah, maybe we should exchange phone numbers so we can agree on when and where to meet up?
[Ken's been thinking about getting Buson's phone number for a while now, and this is as good of a time to ask as any!
...Oh no, we're returning to the topic. Ken blushes again.]
Right! Right, I get it, I wasn't thinking anything like that! [He really wasn't! It was just... Well, Ken would rather not think closer about what he was even thinking about! It's just... a hot day, that's all!
...Let's push that aside and never think about it again. Again.]
Oh, he did? That's great! [Ken smiles, and nods at Buson's requests.] Okay... I can do that. No alcohol, no talk about relationships, give him space... No problem! I'll remember that! Ah, is it just romantic relationships, or is talk about family or friendships also no good? Just checking!
[CW organized crime, intimidation tactics]
You could talk about friends and family. Rockets don't, as a general rule, back home, but...
[A slightly concerned look.]
You know... I guess I should just be frank with you: don't talk about family or home or details like that when you're dealing with Rockets or folks you don't trust a hundred percent, okay? It's dangerous. Not every one is gonna have your back. Just knowing those details about you is part'a how groups like that threaten and control people... and even if a Rocket had no grudge against you personally, if another one did, they could hurt or threaten your friend who does know to get that information... it's just dangerous for all involved.
You can trust us if you want to—[Buson already keeps tabs on the people he knows and knows where Ken and Gold live anyway, but he doesn't want Ken to think that's normal or be alright with it!]—but keep your guard up for other folks and definitely don't do this back home.
[Seriously, Ken, how do you survive like that...]
no subject
Buson's talk makes Ken go quiet, and he listens very seriously. That... makes sense. He supposes he might've forgotten a little bit of his caution after getting to know Buson, but he knows fully well that Team Rocket as a whole is dangerous. He wouldn't talk to a Team Rocket member back home, not after what they did. But Buson's different, isn't he? He said he was ex-Team Rocket... But he also said he can't officially resign. And he went back home...
Is that why he's talking about this all of a sudden? Because something happened when he went back home? Ken tried not to think about it, but... Buson's still in Team Rocket back home. That must be why it's fresh in his mind. ...Still, it's not like Ken can do anything about that. He won't change his mind about Buson.]
Yeah, I know... It's not like I talk about family with everybody I come across, you know? I'm a radio personality, I know to keep things private. I trust you, Buson. I wouldn't have told you my brother's name if I didn't.
[
So maybe Ken told Buson what town he was from moments after hearing his name, so what. It's not like his hometown exists in the world of anybody he's ever met. That doesn't count.](no subject)