Happy birthday, Mayday 🎉

[ateamrocket]

[I. Pippi post #1 (August 14th)]
MAYDAY (UN: proper-rocket) posted:
I think I’ve heard people who leave here and come back say it’s like no time passed at all back home.

So is there any point to tracking time here?
Does it matter?

Sorry for the lowkey existential crisis.
Just got a lot on my mind.

[II. Turnbloom City]
[August 14th. So it’s come again. Mayday sits outside in Turnbloom City, staring at the sky. She kind of already regrets posting that message but oh well. She’s not doing anything in particular, just loitering in her Rocket uniform as per usual. I figured I’d include this in case you wanted to accost her in person, lol.]

[III. Pippi post #2 (Later in the month)]
MAYDAY (UN: proper-rocket) posted:
Come by Grand Theater Hall in one hour if you want to watch an ass kicking

[There's a selfie attached, a young woman in a casual, punk-ish outfit with pinkish red hair sticking out her tongue and posing with an altogether unfamiliar looking Pokémon in front of Grand Theater Hall in Turnbloom. She’s holding up an entry slip for a Normal Rank contest.]

[IV. Wildcard]
[Want to do something else? Hit me up. I'm open for whatever and happy to brainstorm if you want to hit me up via PM or on plurk carrieface! Feel free to use prose instead of brackets - I’ll match you!]

Comments

let’s get DEEP up in here

[ateamrocket]

[Mayday stares at the comment for a while. Takes out a cigarette and lights it. Hoo boy.]

Damn. You’re really doubling down, huh?

I guess so. Never thought about it too much. Never really had to.

I just think about how I’m getting older here, but they’re all probably staying the same. There’s a disconnect. A divide that widens the longer I stay. If I left here today, would I go back to my body from 2 years ago, or would I just be perpetually out of place now?

Not knowing kinda fucks me up,

[lovelycharming]

𝓙. (capcollector) replied:
Gladly!

[Should he dress up? He's not competing, no, and he doesn't particularly like the fancy dress Pokemon Contests in Sinnoh favoured... it reminded him too much of his family's elaborate balls!

But, going in Team Rocket uniform or shorts felt inappropriate. The kariyushi seem to be acceptably formal, so maybe he should just don a pair of pants with them... there, that should do it! A nice hat might help keep the sun off, too.

James headed to the Grand Theater Hall! It shouldn't take him longer than a half hour or so!]

[yup... reference to religion]

[starinheaven]

Ai (windsong) replied:
I see... I understand, my body and my mind didn't match either. Many years go by, but I never look as old as I feel... in other ways, I don't feel any different. It's confusing, isn't it?

From what I've heard, you'll go back to the body you had then... I'm sorry it's hurting you so much.

[It wouldn't be like that for Ai, would it? She had no body to return to... perhaps she'd go to Heaven if she left Ultern.]

[serperiority]

[Is that like a smart-aleck? Well, at least she guessed his real age, even if he now wished she guessed higher!]

Trip (alderfan) replied:
Oh.

You don't seem like a very bad person to me... but okay.

[She seemed nice and a little lonely. Rude, yeah, but he figured a worse person wouldn't speak so nicely to a kid his age. That made her nice in his book.]

[I'm glad!!]

[buson]

What's it look like, Mayday? I was tryin' t'surprise ya!

[Buson snapped, before grinning again, picking up his hat and dusting it off.]

You were all spaced-out, I just wanted to keep you on your toes! What's eatin' you?

[ateamrocket]

[It’s a pretty nice day, so Mayday is sitting outside still, on a bench not far from where she took the selfie. She seems to be going over a small notebook.

If James approaches, the tall, dog-like pokemon with her will take half a step in front of her defensively. At this, she’ll look up from her studying and offer a half-interested raise of the eyebrows and a smirk.]

Oy. How’s it going?

[Her voice sounds vaguely Galarian.]

[radleyslittleevie]

I love to talk!

Can I help?

[lovelycharming]

[James raised his hands defensively, smiling nervously at thr unfamiliar Pokemon.

He's happy when Mayday addresses him! It's... definitely not Jessie, no, but... that's an accen6 he doesn't hear often!]

I'm alright, considering the situation! Are you, ah, Mayday? Proper-Rocket...? My name's James.

[He didn't really give his name on his account and the avatar was just a rose!]

It's really peaceful here... seems to bring in all types...

[He couldn't cut right to the chase, so he'll chat a little first!]

[ateamrocket]

Yup, that’s me. And this is Weenis, my Armourwoof. Sorry, he’s pretty protective.

[She waves a hand at the dog, who steps back in line but keeps a watchful eye on James.]

But yeah, it’s nice, innit? You been here long?

[ateamrocket]

Yeah I seem to get that a lot lately.

[Groan. Was she going soft?]

Anyway, your parents or whatever would probably be real upset about you hanging out with a stranger you met on social media.

[ateamrocket]

I can tell. But are you sure you want to help a big bad Team Rocket member?

[She leans down a little, holding up her hands like scary(?) claws in performative menace.]

[radleyslittleevie]

Yeah! ... Unless you want to do something mean....

[... he might've even heard the other redhead's name was Mayday, but maybe he forgot after months]

[lovelycharming]

W-why does his name sound so much like wee and, well... especially when his species name is so dignified? But also, I've never seen such a Pokemon! He's not Ulternian or from any region I know of, I don't think... [There's nothing quite like him in his Pokemon card collection!]

[James keeping it polite because he does not want to offend the very scary Pokemon he's apparently already on very thin ice with!]

Oh, about five months now, I believe! I've adjusted, even gotten a steady job, I just... still really miss my friends. [He sighs.]

... are you a Pokemon Coordinator? Or is this a side gig? [Maybe he could find out if she is that other Team Rocket member this way!]

[... baby Trip's going from shy to sassy, is it the anonymity or Gold...]

[serperiority]

Probably because it's true. [What cheek!]

I'm around strangers all the time, even back home, but okay.

((No sign of Trip's parents in either of his childhood flashbacks, just. Eight year old Trip at a festival, gone to meet Alder, seemingly unaccompanied. ^^;; And Alder being the only person Trip wants his strength to be acknowledged by... lilely absent parents, whoops.))

[ateamrocket]

Hahaha! The name just came to me in a vision. [In truth, Weenis was named by the viewers of my stream!] He was sort of a long and little weenie dog back when I first got him, so it fits. You’ve grown up quite a bit since then, haven’tcha, Ween?

[The Pokémon’s demeanor shifts completely, eagerly barking and wagging his tail at extreme speeds.]

He’s from Topaz, like me. Haven’t met a soul here who’s heard of it, though. We’re kind of an oddity.

…

[Missing your friends, huh? Mayday barely had any friends, so she couldn’t really relate. If she went back home, she’d lose more than she gained. …Man, that sucked. She tries to put those thoughts out of her mind and put on a sympathetic expression. It’s… mostly convincing.]

… yeah, I bet that’s tough. [She closes the book in her hand and pulls the contest ticket from it, waving it in the air.] I am a Coordinator, but it’s just a hobby.

❤️

[ateamrocket]

Oh is that what that was? Well, it was definitely a surprisingly bad throw.

[Mayday smirks, stretching her arms back behind her head. She seems to ruminate on his question for a bit before replying.]

… Just been thinkin’ about a lot of stuff, I guess.

[lovelycharming]

[Aww, he's cuter like this... James' expression softens as he watches them.

His eyes widen at the mention of Topaz, he remembers that name!

He brightens even more hearing it's a hobby.]

Then, might you possibly be...?!

I have met someone from Topaz... in fact, he has the same name as I do! Is he someone you know? Caustic fellow, very abrasive, but... bark's worse than his bite. Mostly. Do you know this James?

♡

[buson]

Shut up, Mayday. [No bite to it! He takes a seat besides her.]

Like what...? I got time.

[He seemed curious and eager enough to listen!]

.. but if you don't wanna say, it's cool. No pressure.

[There's tons of stuff to talk about!]

[ateamrocket]

[The curious smile that had lit Mayday’s face when James said he’d met someone from Topaz drops out instantly when their identity is revealed. She squeezes her eyes shut and tilts her head back like she she’d suddenly gotten a very bad headache.]

Oh fuck me.

[How’s that for an answer?]

[ateamrocket]

Eh it’s alright
It’ll pass

[Hopefully.]

So you’ve experienced this kind of thing before?
How do you deal with it?

Do you still have all your memories?
Do you know if people who leave here keep theirs?

a little of both, perhaps lol

[ateamrocket]

More like because the people here are soft in the head and have no sense of self-preservation.

You got someone looking out for you here, though, at least?

[UghhHHH why did she even CARE.]

[vague references to religion and afterlife, standard Ai!]

[starinheaven]

I see... I hope so.

I remember every life I lived... this and the first were the only ones where I was this free, though.

I didn't have much choice, so I could only try to convince the one responsible for bringing me back to move on... I liked to think of what comes after, like going to Heaven... I also tried to make the most of it! Find something nice that makes life worthwhile, you know? Like being a mama to a cute baby...

[... she's talking about Mewtwo, who she tried to teach about the world! She liked to think of herself as his mama, because he was so new to the world and knew nothing of the outside.]

I never left Ultern since coming here, so I don't know... I'm sorry, but I hope something I said could still be useful.

[lovelycharming]

So, you've met...

[James, rather than acting scandalized again, just laughed awkwardly. That did seem an understandable reaction to James (derogatory.)]

Not too loud, he might hear you... he seemed to think awfully highly of himself, but I suppose it comes with the territory of his position in the family...

[Nice and vague emough in case she isn't a Rocket!]

[ateamrocket]

Yeah we’re well proper acquainted.

[Mayday pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs.]

Of course he’d find a way to find me here.

[She opens her eyes and glances back down at James (positive) with a look of irate calm.]

That tracks. That nepo baby wanker acts like he’s Arceus’ gift to mankind.

He hasn’t caused you too much trouble, has he?

[lovelycharming]

[Was this man stalking Mayday somehow...? James looked concerned.]

Ah... does he make a habit of bothering you? I won't tell him I've seen you around if he asks. I'll keep your secret.

[Mayday asking if James (derogatory) caused him any trouble makes James' jaw set, a thin, tight frown pressing his lips. He drew back his shoulders.]

It's fine.

[A harsher, more guarded tone, all of a sudden, quite unlike his mannerisms up until now.

Even if Mayday's description was funny, he really didn't like how weak he made him feel and Mayday's concern had him wary.]

So... are you from the Topaz branch too?

[This question, he offers with a smal, strained smile. If she knew the other James and who his father was, surely...?]