farawayplace | In midst of a Summer Festival, yet again!

Entry tags:

In midst of a Summer Festival, yet again!

In the coastal city of Turnbloom yet again, the sun is bright and warm--but of course it's not the only place. All over Ultern everyone is enjoying the summer weather. Little by little, Ulternians and long-time Drifters alike have started to put out summer decorations throughout the start of August, which replaced the ones from Tanabata (if any had been left out to begin with).

There's a distinct sound of waves, and bustling of people nearby. Followed with the cool gentle breeze that carried the salty scent of the sea. Things seem to be at peace, as usual--or is it?

After all, there were always new Drifters popping in. Maybe today there just might be some new faces wandering through looking confused. Now's the time to step up and lend a helping hand. Icharibachoude, we're all brothers, as they say in Ultern!

Or heck, just feel free to enjoy the fun festivities filled with food and music.

That is, if you can--as behind the walls of houses in Ultern that day the familiar friendly faces all wake up with a surprise no one's expecting.

(🌺Ulsai! Happy anniversary everyone, and thank you so much for a whole year of time in Ultern! Please note NPCs will be popping up here and there! But for some reason they’re all different…? For any comments, concerns and questions head on over to the OOC post! Plot with your fellow players there as well!🌺)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Buson didn’t need the cover for long, that moment was enough to aim and fire! As the smoke cleared, the robotic arms were already fired at Manzana to grasp different parts of him.]

Got’cha!

[If Cyclizar’s likely to keep fighting…]

Muk, Sludge Bomb! Skarmory, follow up with Fury Attack!

[The rapid firing of poisonous sludge will go first, Skarmory holding off the pecking until after.]

[It seemed the man really did have a plan in mind. Not one X had expected as he saw the Team Flare member being snatched up. But this was for the best as he hadn't wanted to prolong a nasty battle like this on Ultern of all places.

In fact, despite Cyclizar's Rapid Spin, X will persist as well.]

Marisso you can slow it down too!

[He'll be helping by sending more of it's Pin Missiles at Cyclizar.]

[Manzana on the other hand, has no time to react as he found himself being snatched up by robotic arms--and away from his Pokemon. Despite this he's naturally attempting to struggle from his captivity.]

Vivillon! Klawf!

[He's calling out to his remaining Pokemon, but they're unfortunately entangled found themselves entangled in Marisso's vines. At the sight of the state his Pokemon are in he's drawing his lips tight. This wasn't how he had hoped for things to go down.]

Unhand me this instant! How dare you get in my way!

How dare yourself, buddy. You got some nerve! Didn’t I tell you not to make trouble?

Well. Here’s the inconvenience I promised you.

[He carries Manzana up high, high enough to be close to eye level with him, but too far away for Manzana to reach the glass windshield. For emphasis, he gives the robot hands a little shake, rattling Manzana around a little. Not hard or fast enough to do real danage to him, but definitely disorienting and likely to make him dizzy.]

You’ve been bad, Manzana, so no festival for you.

[He starts grinning and even laughing a little. Sorry, he’s having fun using this thing again.]

So for failing the test, you get a booby prize. You’re coming with me, where I can watch over you so you stay out of trouble.

[.....wait is this guy just casually abducting that Team Flare agent? X is considering his options for a moment. He either steps in and stop whatever is going on between the two, or he allows that man to carry off the Team Flare agent that targeted him.]

.......

[X will recall Rute, while remaining on top of Marisso. He might as well stay back and keep these Pokemon from running amok. Even if they belonged to that Team Flare member.

...

That man seemed awfully familiar with that Team Flare member. Maybe it was a good thing to let them go?]

[Whatever biting remark Manzana had it was temporarily stopped as he's jiggled around causing the world around him to spin. This was enough to finally knock off his shades, revealing the rest of his face as clear as day. It was most definitely that of Manzana's but younger, and much softer than what it was.

Realizing despite his dizziness his shades as dropped a look of panic rose to his face, causing Manzana to squirm further.]

Let go, let go, let go, let go! It's not over! I have to...I have to stop that boy-!

[Wait, his Pokemon they were still down there on the ground. No, no no no this was a mess! An absolute mess! He couldn't even reach down to his remaining Pokeballs to do anything about his current situation.]

An’ I have to stop you before you do something you regret, buddy.

[He whistles and his Pokemon follow as he walks the mecha away. At one point, he stops, climbs with one boot planted over the windshield, turns around, and winks at X.]

Thanks for the help, kid!! Sorry for the trouble, I’ll keep him outta your hair.

[X lifted his gaze not only was he getting a good look of Buson, but of Team Flare as well--or rather, Manzana's face. He heard Buson say his name multiple times by now. That guy knew him by name, somehow and was trying to keep him from starting a mess.
Maybe, he was like Emma...?

His expression remained stoic in comparison to Buson's as he turned away. He'll wait before giving Marisso the order to release Manzana's Pokemon. Unlike their trainer, his Pokemon didn't seem to be hostile towards him.]

[Manzana meanwhile is sending the most spiteful look he could at Buson. Even if he's biting back and trying to hide how vulnerable he felt now that his shades have been knocked off from his face.

Immediately he was trying to formulate an escape plan in mind, even if he was further away from his own Pokemon. Of course, due to his lack of shades it's clear just where he was looking as he shot his gaze back to where his team was. His expression was still hardened, not from anger (but it would be easy to mistake it as such) but of worry.]

Stop referring to me like that! I'm no friend of yours!

[He finally barked back, anger flaring again despite being dangled.]

Sorry, sorry. You aren’t right now, but we’re like brothers when you’re older.

[He does look awfully vulnerable like that… he sighs and takes his own sunglasses off for the moment.

He tries to look over the windshield, then back. Did Manzana’s shades make it or break during the admittedly very long drop?]

[At the mention of "brothers" there's an incredulous look from him. Him??? Brothers with this guy who's basically abducting him from the scene of admittedly his own crime?!]

That's hilarious.

[Did he sound sulky?? Nooo, it's Buson's imagination. Even if Manzana was now clearly averting his gaze from him. Sadly, those ~~ridiculously huge~~ shades have shattered from falling. It's fine, Manzana wasn't going to need those, probably.]

I'd rather you drop me from here so you can shorten whatever torment you have in store for me.

I know it’s hard to believe right now, but… it’s true.

I ain’t gonna hurt ya. I know you’re just scared.

But you’ve proven you can’t be left alone, so we’re gonna have to keep you from hurting yourself or others.

[He calls over Skarmory, gives it his sunglasses, and it flies them over to Manzana.]

Here. You can borrow those, just don’t break ‘em, alright? Yours broke by accident.

Edited 2023-08-24 07:43 (UTC)

[When Skarmory came close, Manzana as much as he wanted to keep it from being obvious flinched. No matter what Buson said, there was no guarantee it was the truth. Everyone before Lysandre never shown him any ounce of kindness before. Why should he lower his guard around this man?

However what he didn't expect was to see Buson's shades being offered to him. Just what was going on through his mind? He couldn't understand in the least. His brows knitted together as he frowned. Immediately he turned his face away yet again.]

....don't. Come near me. I don't want anything from you! Or your Pokemon! Or from anyone! Stop acting like we're close! Stop calling me by that name! I'm not him! That isn't my name any longer!

[Whoopsies, back to struggling!]

[No dice, huh? He looks disappointed, but slightly relieved Manzana didn’t break them out of spite. There’s improvement.]

Alright, Skarmory, thanks, but bring those back to me.

[Skarmory makes a small, concerned squawk, but flies the sunglasses back to Buson, who wears them.]

Alright… no Pokemon. Skarmory! Muk! Return.

[He returns both his Pokemon and lowers the mechanical arms, so Manzana isn’t eye level with him anymore, but still too high to touch ground.]

… whaddaya want me to call you?

Edited (Tenses…) 2023-08-24 07:50 (UTC)

[What is with this man? Why won't he just let up already? In fact, stop talking to him altogether. That would be nice, but its his luck that he can't have nice things.

...wait, was he really returning his Pokemon, and not forcing him to wear his shades? There's a wary look from Manzana.]

Just don't call me by anything. I don't want to hear you calling me by any name!

[How difficult was Manzana being? Very. He's even shifting his gaze back to Buson now that they weren't exactly at eye level.]

I threw that away a long time ago!

Alright, no names.

Can I ask why? Your older self uses the name just fine, but I’ll hear you out.

We’re only heading back to the flower shop, by the way in case ya think I’m taking you somewhere scary. It’s just so I can keep an eye on ya.

It's because I-!

[Manzana stopped, before realizing he was about to spill the pokebeans on Buson. Why should he? He had no reasons to trust him. This man already knew his name, for some reason and worse of all has a clear look of his face now. It was all too late.

His gaze lowered, with his head hanging. No one else from Team Flare had contacted him. Was this his punishment? Had he been cut off? That had to be it. He was too different, no matter how hard he had tried to fit.]

.....it doesn't matter. Why should it?

... because it's part of you, your roots, your past. Even if it's full'a bad stuff, there's always parts that ain't so bad, right?

I thought I'd like to never go back home, 'cause there's nothin' there for me but Team Rocket. Aside from my partner... my heart's not in it anymore, after livin' here... I thought I'd rather live here for the rest'a my life. Die here, even. I wanted to forget about it, I thought 'this time, I'll bury the past for good, dress like 'em, eat like 'em, drink like 'em, and... okay, I sure can't talk like 'em, but all that other stuff, y'know?! I ain't never going back to Johto if I can help it!! But, in that cave...

[His voice is lower now, so maybe Manzana can't make out everything he's saying, in between the hissing sounds of the hydraulic pumps of the legs on his mecha.]

Let's say I got close. Real close.

[Even if he has no idea if the older Manzana will remember any of this, he'd rather not tell him he died.]

I started thinkin' of my hometown... and how I'd never see it again. I made a lot of bad choices, but all'a Johto's not a bad place. Even told my friend that's where I'd want my ashes scattered, if there's anything left'a me.

Ain't that funny?

[This is entirely too much vulnerability with a Manzana that doesn't even like him, but maybe if he cracks a joke or two, it won't be so bad... he'll try and keep his temper in check, because this Manzana seems to really like lashing out...]

Edited 2023-08-24 08:49 (UTC)

{He just. Keeps talking, doesn't he? He didn't want to hear it. Any of it, and yet Manzana really doesn't have much choice in the matter as Buson continued. At the mention of "Team Rocket" did his gaze immediately move back to Buson, his eyes wide. He only vaguely knew of them. They were a group of people that dealt with the underworld--a disgusting part of the world he wanted no part of.

That was even more of a reason for him to snap out of it and try to escape. Or so he tells himself, because despite his anger and distrust he found himself staring up at the man. He didn't know what to make of his story--he didn't know a thing about this place, or about drifting, or of the people.]

Is that all?

[His tone is bitter, and lacking in compassion Manzana would normally have had for Buson. Instead he's gazing at Buson with eyes clouded with a mixture of anger, and despair.]

I still don't know how you managed to find out so much about me, and assuming that story of yours is true, do you really think I would tell you everything? You're no different from the others. ...besides that, would you have even batted an eye, or noticed me if I hadn't been with Team Flare? I highly doubt someone with your background would even care.

This world has nothing for me anymore. That includes that name.

... yeah, that's all. [Chipper! He's already braced himself for worse, so that wasn't quite so bad! He'd like to think he's getting through to the brat a little.]

You're not gonna believe me, are you? That's alright, we'll just wait this out 'til you get back to normal. I really am your friend, when you're older. And you definitely weren't wearin' that uniforom when we first met! [... but would Buson have trusted him if he weren't also a criminal, formerly or not...? He won't think too hard about that.]

Nah, I don't expect you to tell me everythin'... or anythin' at all!

[Geez, depressed even at this age, huh? Some things haven't changed. He just frowns, but won't say anything.]

... I could tell you about how you at least have a wedding to look forward to, but it's like talkin' to a wall when you don't even believe me, so I'm throwin' in the towel. Wanna listen to the radio 'til we get there? Y'got any preferences?

[It's very obvious this man is not taking him seriously. Fine, whatever. Have it your way. He too won't take Buson seriously (what a child-oh wait). Not that his mood is any better as he's back to leering.]

I am normal! There's nothing to go back to! Get it through that head of yours!

[Was he not listening? At all? He's made himself clear, hasn't he? Instead he's tugging again, trying to get his hands free.]

Just drop me already! I'd rather die then continue this charade!

[Totally ignoring you now, Manzana, sorry, and turning the music up!! It's not heavy metal or anything, in fact, it's... very old-fashioned music typical of the region.
Mostly vocals, nothing louder than a sanshin or shamisen.

Enjoy the ride, Manzana!]

[heY EXCUSE YOU he's having a moment here! ~~Manzana please stop.~~ The music while completely foreign to his ears isn't what he was expecting, in all honesty. He was certain Buson was about to blare some overly loud music to spite him.

Ughh, is he really going to throw him back at that place he woke up in? With that....girl Buson was so sure he's in love with, and going to marry? That makes him grimace at the thought.]

Why are you determined to take me back to that flower shop? Do you really think I'd just sit still?

Oh, you'll sit nice an' still, alright. I have my ways.

I picked the flower shop 'cause it's convenient. Easier to watch you both at the same time. Keep you outta trouble.

Oh, it's comin' into view!

[The bipedal mecha hunkers down, tucking its legs in, like a settling bird.] Hey, Anemone!!

[Buson will get the rope out of the compartment, considers gagging Manzana too, but figures he shouldn't terrorize him too much... but if he'll be a nuisance, well, he can stick a sock in it (literally.)]

Edited (New phone, auto-correct is a menace, I have to turn it off.) 2023-08-24 11:00 (UTC)

What is that supposed to mean?

[There's a wary look. Wait, watch both? Even that girl? What was this man's deal? He's trying to make sense of Buson still. He moved his gaze over to the flower shop that he had been tossed out of however many hours ago.

That girl, the one known as Anemone at the sound of Buson's voice is sticking her head out from the window. Along with the Ulternian Sunflora, which Manzana found himself staring at in surprise.]

Oh, you're back! Huh, wait what's happenin' here?

[She's cupping her eyes and looking over to the strange mech and over to the held captive that's Manzana.]

Ya really went and wrangled up your friend?!

[-yoink!-]

[1/2]

[2/2] Buson wins a prize--and it's not even the right Manzana so is it really a prize-

[oh, boy, a hostage! … as long as he doesn’t wreck his machinery, it’s cool]

[1/2] Dang X has become an accomplice

[2/2]

no subject

[1/2] X, X-its the scene

[2/2]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[character death mention]

no subject

[yes...... he's serious about this.]

BUSON BLS-- lemme just slap CW for brief death mention why is he like this

[I wonder how Anemone will react to the music drifting over, Buson's mecha has an open top...]

she'd probably think it's the neighbors UNTIL SHE LOOKS OUTSIDE

[I have no idea what warnings this needs, canon typical villainy???]

I guess that would work???