[mingle post] Extreme summer weather

[kenfrompokemon]

A. HEAT WAVE

It's a hot day in Ultern. The kind of day where you just can't muster the energy for anything. The kind of day where you feel like you could fry an egg on a car hood. On the radio, the usual DJ's voice reminds you to drink plenty of water, wear a hat and use sun screen, and to make sure your Pokemon are protected from the heat as well.

How are you spending a day like this? Eating ice cream or shaved ice? Resting in the shade? Taking advantage of the Pokemon Center's cooling system? Are you the type who trains outside no matter the weather? Or are you one of those poor souls who have to work outside in the blazing sun?

B. NATURE POWER

On another day, there's a sudden rainstorm. Water droplets attack the roofs in a loud barrage, wind howls, and you can hear the distant roars of thunder. It was hot just earlier, what happened? On this day, even the local radio station broadcasts nothing but static.

What are you doing on this stormy day? Caught by surprise while travelling? Staying inside and shutting all windows tightly? Listening to the rain with a cup of hot chocolate, or going out to enjoy the blasts of rain and wind on your skin? Taking shelter in the Pokemon Center, or knocking on the door of the closest house you can find to escape the rain? Exploring caves? Helping wild Pokemon deal with the weather?

Or maybe something completely different?

Comments

[lovelycharming]

S-so cruel!! You didn't have to say it so bluntly!!

[Once more, James burst into tears! He seemed to cry at the drop of a hat! A shame he didn't seem to utilize it much...]

[Gold: *aggressively takes care of your health*]

[gold_drum]

[Gold bristles. He wants to snap "You don't know him. Only I know him," but he holds it in, teeth gritted. James doesn't mean it like that. He means it reminds him of his friends. Gold's overreacting... but that doesn't help the instinctive defensive aggressiveness he feels.]

Yeah. I hope so too. Obviously.

[And then James bursts into tears, and Gold groans in annoyance. How does this wimp even survive?]

Quit crying! You gotta keep your water and salt inside in this kinda heat or you'll faint!

[Gold grabs his water bottle and shoves it at James. Get hydrated, idiot!]

[James: -quite fond of being taken care of, so it works out!!!-]

[lovelycharming]

[James blinked in surprise at the bottle, initially shielding himself from it, as if expecting a blow instead! Oh, just water...?]

You really are a dear! You're a lot like Jessie. [Went to nursing school, but you wouldn't take her for a nurse with her abrasive attitude!]

Really? I wasn't aware it was the loss of water or, salt, was it? I just thought it was my delicate constitution!

[Impressively ignorant, but therefore, easily impressed!]

[gold_drum]

[Ugh, and now he's flinching like he expects to get hit. James, quit hitting Gold's protective instincts.]

Oh, shove your delicate constitution up your nose and drink water, you dumbass! And take this!

[Gold whips out a plastic-wrapped seaweed rice cracker from his bag and shoves it at James too, annoyed that he's even sharing his salty snacks now. He'll grab another one for himself and unwraps it, crunching on it while watching to make sure James eats and drinks. Silver had a sheltered side to him too, but he was never this bad, was he? No, he definitely wasn't.]

[lovelycharming]

[James blinked in surprise, but did as told, soon feeling... a lot better!]

You were right! I've got my energy back! Thank you, how could I ever repay you?

[There must be something he can do for Gold!]

I'm James, by the way. It's easier and shorter than what you called me earlier, at any rate.

[He's smiling sweetly now, quite grateful. He's used to getting by on a cracker or biscuit (often split into thirds...)]

[gold_drum]

I'll take cash. Pay back whenever you have some.

[Not that Gold really needs to be paid back, but since James asked...]

I'm Gold. Easier and shorter than what, "dumbass" or "idiot?"

[He knows what James meant by that, but he's playing dumb. Good to see James is feeling better now though.]

1/2

[lovelycharming]

[James cringed a little, but then forced a smile.]
Shrewd little businessman, aren't you...? But alright, you deserve it.

Gold! A pleasure to—

[lovelycharming]

[Ah, did he have to repeat it?! It's still a shock the second time!]

The streets have done a number on your language, haven't they...?

[gold_drum]

Hell yeah I deserve it.

[The streets? Gold blinks for a moment, then cracks up laughing. Not just at the idea that the streets are where he picked up that language, but also the idea that "dumbass" and "idiot" are that bad. Sorry for your PG language sensibilities, James!]

Man, you're funny! Nice to meet you too, James!

[lovelycharming]

[He was very sheltered growing up, okay...! Proper manners and etiquette were drilled into him!!]

Oh, um, I wasn't... trying to be, just now... but, thank you!

I like to think I'm very funny! [He dusted himself off and puffed with pride regardless!]

So, what were you up to?

[gold_drum]

Me? [Shrugs.] Not much, just people-watching. You were pretty interesting to watch. What are you gonna do now that you got fired?

[Speaking of manners and etiquette, Gold's got none!]

[lovelycharming]

[James doesn't mind!! Gold's a lot like his team mates. It's warm and familiar!

Weeeell, he couldn't really tell Gold his next course of action was to look for fallen coins and loose change and checking vending machines for forgotten food, so...]

I was thinking of finding a nice place to stay out of the sun! It's bound to get hotter, right? So let's go somewhere cool where we don't have to pay, like the library!

... it would be easy to stay with one of the Ulternians, but I really can't impose for long...

[It might be better than scraping coins or stealing food, though, James...]

Maybe I'll get another job by nightfall!

[gold_drum]

[Gold would approve of that course of action!]

Hmmm...

[Gold visibly ponders something as he listens to James, then nods, looking like he's made up his mind.]

Alright, let's go to the Pokemon Center. I know a guy that can give you a job. But if I'm gonna recommend you to him, you gotta promise not to steal from him. He's nice.

[Happens to us all!]

[lovelycharming]

Weeeell... I'll try my best! I wouldn't want to harm the friend of a friend.

[James looked guilty only a moment, as he considered, before looking quite sincere! He gave Gold a little pat on the shoulder.]

You've been kind to me, so... it'd be despicable for me to fail to return that kindness, wouldn't it? Your friend's off-limits. [There's other pockets to pick, if he must!]

[gold_drum]

Good! Once you meet Mr. Larson, you won't even wanna steal from him!

[Shoulder pat? Sure, okay. Not something Gold's used to, but not a big deal either.]

Let's go! Pokemon Center, ahoy!

[Gold points ahead with a flourish and starts marching. And just for funsies, he starts going the wrong way to see if James notices. He's lived here for long enough he doesn't get lost on accident anymore, even with his bad sense of direction, but it's funny to pretend he does anyway.]

[lovelycharming]

[James—trusting and naive, not to mention, not the most perceptive or observant—followed unquestioningly.

He vaguely recalled seeing the Pokemon Center somewhere else, but, surely Gold knows better. A shortcut, perhaps? He won't voice any of his theories.]

[gold_drum]

[Haha, this rules. Gold hums cheerfully as he heads confidently through the city and takes a turn north to head blatantly out of the city and towards Route 2. How long will it take until James says something? Can he take another turn to head towards the Shrouded Woods first? Gold can easily keep walking to find out!]

[Gold......]

[lovelycharming]

[Naive though James may be, he was spoiled and pampered as a child, so he's always been quick to complain.]

Why are we going this way?

My feet hurt!

If we're going to see this Mr. Larson and not sneak up on him, I can't see why we have to go trekking out like this...

[Gold :3]

[gold_drum]

Huh? Is this the wrong way? Whoops!

[Gold takes a U-turn, smile unwavering, and keeps walking.]

My bad! I get lost super easily. Let's see if this is the right way!

[He does go the right way this time. He'll go for a direct route to the Pokemon Center, but though a series of small, obscure alleyways.]

[lovelycharming]

Are you sure—eek!—you know... what you're doing?!

[For all his whining, grumbling, and shrieking at near accidents and Pokemon rummaging through bins, James kept dutifully following.]

[gold_drum]

Yeah, don't worry about it! I always get there eventually. Don't mind the wild Pokemon, they're just eating, they won't bother us if we don't bother them. They're just like us! Eating trash other people throw away!

[lovelycharming]

[James winced a little at that comparison, but when he really looked at the Pokemon rummaging in trash... he did feel an odd sort of kinship. Especially if he imagined it as Meowth, who they practically saw as human!
He started to tear up.]

Oh, no...

[His vision blurred and he started shedding tears.]

[gold_drum]

[...Okay. Gold pauses to wait for James. He doesn't judge, doesn't say anything, just waits until James is done.

He doesn't know how to feel about James' reaction. It is sad, huh? But it's been Gold's state of existence since forever, and he doesn't remember if he ever cried about it. It's a bit refreshing, in a way. Even if Gold can't find it in himself to cry over it, it's worth crying over.]

[lovelycharming]

[James appreciates it! He's only gotten more open about his feelings again after being with Jessie and Meowth... even he had learned to repress a lot of his feelings before.

He sighed, aftwe crying for some time. He felt relieved and soothed. He could handle things better now.

He appreciated that no mean comments came from Gold. He esteemed him more and more! He certainly felt safer around him than that other Rocket with his name...]

I'm sorry I complained. We'll be there soon, won't we? [His tone is softer, gentler, now.]

[gold_drum]

Yeah, it's basically right around the corner.

[Right back to leading James around like that never happened! And the Pokemon Center really is right around a corner and across a street. Gold proudly gestures at it as it comes into view.]

See? Found it.