[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]

Yes...? Did you expect me to be so spineless as to not survive alone a month or two? [He sounded half-hurt, but mostly offended. He might have been playing up the hurt!]

I've been on my own since I was 8, I'll have you know.

[... he was never very good at surviving on his own and that was why he fell in with gangs more than once, but...]

[aggrocket]

[James simply shrugs, giving his counterpart an annoying little smirk.]

It was sort of a toss up. Pleased to be wrong for once.

[Was that his tsundere-ass way of saying “it’s good to see you again”? His eyebrows raise slightly at the mention of the 8 years old thing. ]

So you’re a runaway, then? Guess that tracks.

1/2

[lovelycharming]

Oh~? [So, he does care! A mischievous, teasing smile quickly spread across James' face! Yes, he can understand this type very well.] At least, someone's happy to see me! I knew there was more to you than that tough, devil-may-care exterior!

[Maybe he shouldn't be teasing the other James so much, they've only met twice, but...!]

[lovelycharming]

Yes... I suppose that's rather common for a member of Team Rocket, isn't it?

[He's not even offended! He seems to tolerate James' comments more, despite his generally sensitive nature.]

[aggrocket]

[This freakin guy!! Annoying! (A pot calling the kettle black if ever there was one.) James grits his teeth, feeling his cheeks flushing a touch in spite of himself.]

Tch. Don’t let it go to your head. Keeping an eye on the lower members of your organization is just what a good boss does. Can’t have you acting a proper tosser around here and giving all us Rockets a bad name.

[He took being the heir seriously, after all.]

That said, you look like shit. Have you just been sitting out here in the heat?

[lovelycharming]

[He's turning red!!! He is like Jessie!

James is so terribly amused.]

Right, right, whatever you say~

[In an irritatingly sing-song way.]

Oh, well, I was working earlier... [James ducked down, suddenly fascinated with the sand at his feet and drawing aimlessly with the top of his shoe.]

[aggrocket]

[Noooo don’t perceive him!!!!! Betrayed by his own body, the worst…!

He runs a hand across his face to try and sober up, grunting with disapproval at the flippant treatment he was receiving.]

“Earlier”? What, did you fuck it up? [He lowers his hand to reveal a lopsided grin, the schadenfreude palpable in his voice.] You fucked it up, didn’t you?

[lovelycharming]

[James visibly flinches, just as easily betrayed by his own reactions.]

Well, I—I certainly wouldn't put it quite so crassly, but...
[He crossed his arms with a frown, then, relented with a sigh.]

Yes, yes, you got me. Unfortunately, I have a knack for messing things up...

[aggrocket]

[He really was exceedingly crass, wasn’t he? James barks a loud laugh.]

That’s a riot! So? What’d you do? Let’s hear it then.

[lovelycharming]

Oh, why should I tell you? You'll just tease me—

[His stomach rumbled treacherously.]

... I might as well have taken a cone, too. It'd be more filling.

[aggrocket]

Because misery loves company and I love other people’s misery. We both win.

[That logic is kind of sus but sure alright. He tilts his head to the side, trying to piece together what had happened. James (positive) was clearly hungry and had talked about taking things, so…]

… did you steal food from your job? And you got caught?

[their CR is delightful, ffff]

[lovelycharming]

... have you ever considered an alternative career path as, oh, I don't know, a detective?

[Right on the money, James (derogatory)!]

it truly is lol! …I’M SORRY YOU PUSHED ONE OF HIS BUTTONS HERE THO (ʘ‿ʘ;;)

[aggrocket]

[The delight at other James’ misfortune drains from James face. First he looks stunned, then he bristles. What! What!! Was he … being made fun of?! This utter lack of respect!!! You show a person a shred of weakness one time and they turn around and start clowning on you! This is why kindness was such bullshit! He puts on a smile, thin and tight.]

Haaa. So now you’ve got jokes?

[He abruptly lunges forward, grabbing at James’ shirt and pulling him close, his voice growing more severe.]

Well listen up, you chucklefuck: keep talking to me like that and you’ll be looking into an alternative career as worm food.

[He lets the other go and straightens back up, flexing his fingers at his side in restless irritation. Eventually, his posture slackens and he gives an annoyed little sigh.]

What a disgrace, though. Can’t even steal right… Just what are they teaching recruits in your world…? Do I gotta fucking do everything myself??

[—What was that last part? Don’t worry about it.]

[CW vague allusions to abuse and trauma because *the fiancée*...]

[lovelycharming]

[James definitely hadn't expected violence at what he only intended as a light joke and even a compliment—perhaps comparing the heir of a mafia boss to some manner of police officer was a bad move?

James' eyes went wide and any sign of mirth was wiped clean from his face.

Heart pounding. He hoped it wasn't palpable.

James went silent, more limp than rigid, until he was let go. He didn't adjust his clothes. He feared retribution for the disrespect. Show no reaction. If you act hurt, they'll only get mad and hurt you worse.

He said nothing, gaze glassy and distant, until that final line snapped him back to the present moment. Voice cold and low, in the detached tone he hadn't used since his training days:]

There's no need.

I can handle it myself.

sorry for the delay, also JAMMESSS (/ ;A; )/ im sorry my guys rotten maybe he’ll learn from this

[aggrocket]

[One thing you’ll unfortunately find out hard and fast about James (derogatory) is that he has a short temper and a hair trigger for violence. He also has a pretty fragile self-esteem despite all his grandstanding, but he’d really rather no one found that out ever, thanks.

The way the other reacted to his aggression wasn’t particularly satisfying to him. It had cowed him, sure, but it was kind of meek and sad. Were he a more empathetic person he might consider that perhaps he’d overreacted or even that that James (positive)’s behavior was indicative of something… but alas, he is not (yet?) that emotionally intelligent, so he doesn’t read much into it. No apology is forthcoming.

He sniffs the air thoughtfully, staring at the other Rocket.]

That so?

… … Well, good. Saves me the trouble. I’ll expect a full report of your success next time.

[No problem! CW hc scars from said physical abuse]

[lovelycharming]

You won't be disappointed.

[He probably will be, but James is just saying whatever he thinks he wants to hear. Whatever will get him out of this situation fastest.

He turns to leave, expression and voice calm and detached, not betraying the cacophony of his racing heart. As he does so, his small (oversized, on his underfed frame) kariyushi shows a few, old, thin, white scars running along the back of his neck and shoulders, with presumanly more riddling his back, as if he'd been lashed several times. Easily missed and easily obscured with clothes or makeup for a disguise, but he neither has the funds nor the motivation for that here!]

((Given how they dressed in Alola, I figured he'd dress similarly in Ultern. ^^ The scars are a headcanon I liked since seeing it in fics and an old, old KojiMusa doujinshi.))