farawayplace | 🌼 intro post

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🌼 intro post

turnbloom city

[Ulsai, Ultern natives and drifters alike! It's a rather lovely day today, and it seems you're being joined by a boy with a surprisingly faded blue coat and his vivid pink partner. The two of them look around almost confused, really, as they just seem to appear near the Gateway Port and look...well, deeply confused, for both of their parts.]

...Oh, dear. Gorebyss, this doesn't look anything like we were told about Paldea, does it?

Gore... [The pink fish seems to shake her head, eyes drooping a bit before Calem reaches out to pet her on the head.]

Hey, don't worry about it. Why don't we see what this island has to offer? Maybe we'll find some inspiration to strike us up here, too! And a few snacks for you?

[The Gorebyss seems to perk up at that--mostly at the mention of snacks. That'll bring the two of them further into town at least, if you want to talk to them there.

Of course, you can also find Calem doing a couple things here and there--you can find him at the Turnbloom Market where he seems to be checking out any stalls that might have good clothing materials for sale. Threads, fabrics, tools, he's looking at everything, and if you happen to be around, he might look to you and smile.]

Excuse me. I'm just having the hardest time trying to decide on what I should get...might I ask for your assistance in picking out some fabrics for me? I'm always in the market for a second opinion, especially when I'm so unfamiliar with the fashions in this place!

[He's definitely friendly and animated enough, at least, and the Gorebyss beside him seems to regard you too. Feel free to throw something at him!

Otherwise, you might just find him in the Battle Park where he's...doing anything other than battling--Gorebyss seems to be over picking on some of the bug types for fun, but he seems to be looking at anyone around and sketching into a sketchbook? Huh. If you wanna see what that's about, feel free.]

route 4 (wildflower cape)

[Once Calem gets settled in, though, he--and a fair few of the rest of his team, from the looks of it, decide to set out for Gilterrace, but seem to decide to take a more inspiring scenic route first.

And inspiring it is. Calem seems more than apt to be distracted by the beautiful flowers growing along the path here than anything else, trusty sketchpad out and putting ideas to paper in an instant.]

Ah, flowers like these...it almost reminds me of home.

[Of course, if you happen to spot him in the evening, it seems he's set up camp for the time and is making a few things for himself and his Pokemon; if he happens to see you, though, he'll wave over to you.]

Hello! ...Excuse me, the proper greeting here is Ulsai, isn't it? [Calem laughs a bit at that, though.] Hopefully your travels have been treating you well here?

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[Ah--Gorebyss's eyes droop in dejection, but Calem does whistle for her to come back at that with a sigh.]

Come now, give the guy some personal space, Gorebyss. My apologies for her, she tends to be a touch...overly familiar with others.

[...He did have to stop himself from using boy, dear god no need to make him sound like an old man. At least, though, he seems to understand the implications.]

Ultern, huh...now that's a region I've never heard of before. [Calem looks around a bit in intrigue.] How long have you been here, if you don't mind my asking? Not that I would mind staying here for a little while, but I am wondering just how I can get back on the boat I was on...

When Gorebyss slinks back, Gold smiles - and can't help the childish impulse to stick his tongue out at her. Take that, bleh.

"It's fine, mister," Gold responds to Calem, then pauses with a slight, thoughtful frown. Is Calem old enough to be called mister? Eh, whatever, he's got the vibes for it.

"Like two days," Gold says simply when asked how long he's been here. "I dunno if you can get back though. A guy I know says when he tried to get back, he just ended up right back here. So unless you got some magic teleporting powers that can take you back, you're stuck here." He pauses, eying Calem critically. "If you got magic teleporting powers, you gotta tell me, okay?"

[...Calem is so glad he has a good poker face, if nothing else; his expression doesn't shift any, but he does chuckle while feeling part of his soul expire at being called 'mister'. No, don't tell him he looks that old to the kid??]

Just Calem is will suffice; it's very nice to meet you.

[...Still, that information is...well, a little worrying, to say the least. Calem idly pets his beautiful hellfish while he contemplates.]

Oh, worry not, you'll be the first to know if I do. I can promise that much. [He's not gonna leave anyone high and dry!!] But I suppose that is good to know...so this place is pretty cut off from the rest of the world, I take it? Are the locals simply fine with us on their island?

"Okay, mister Calem!" Gold says with a bright smile, because he's kind of a little shit. "I'm Gold! Nice to meet you too!"

"Thanks! I hope you learn to teleport," Gold says, because from the way Calem's talking it sounds like it's an actual possibility. "Yeah, they seem like they're used to people showing up out of nowhere. I guess they gotta be fine with it." He shrugs noncommittally.

[he can feel bits of his soul dying at this. xerneas may have made this boy's body undying but his soul is going to be nothing but a withered husk by the end of this.

...Gorebyss, if nothing else, is positively snickering in her own way, even if the distress isn't apparent on Calem's face at all--if anything, he's got a bright, if awkward smile as he laughs it off.]

Gold, then; I'll be sure to remember it.

[Calem looks around a little...]

Kind of weird that they're so used to this kind of stuff happening, huh? I bet that if the Professor was here, he'd be really curious about it... [Still, Calem smiles.] Hmm. Is there anything interesting around this town that you've found? I may as well get to know this place a little better, since it doesn't seem like we'll have a way out for a bit.

Calem's got a pretty good poker face, but Gold can sense a fellow fake smiler. (It would be a lot more difficult without Gorebyss' snickering to tip him off, and Gold's honestly pretty impressed by Calem's skills. Clearly, he needs to practice more himself.)

Gold just smiles and nods in response to Calem's first line, his smile widening a bit.

"I guess you get used to anything if it happens enough," Gold says with a shrug. "Oh, yeah, there were some interesting-looking places. There was like, an amusement park somewhere? With a big wheel for riding on, and stuff like that. And a big house full of shops, and some other weird-looking big houses. One of them was the Gym, but the Gym Leader was off somewhere to sing or something? So there wasn't really anybody there. And there was a park somewhere too."

Very descriptive, Gold.

[Huh. Calem listens pretty intently, at least; it makes about as much sense to him as everything else going on here, as he looks around and gets a better sense of the environment here.]

Huh...interesting. I wonder if this is the biggest city on this island...

[It has a gym, so clearly it's important!!]

I'll have to go take a look around and get familiar with this place; thank you very much, Gold. I don't suppose you could point me in the direction of the shops? I do kind of want to see what they have for clothing materials...

"I dunno if I can, I get lost pretty easily. I don't remember where the shops were at all," Gold says, then turns around to look at the city. "Oh, wait, it's right there."

He points at the large, red-roofed building with great pinwheels turning on the roof, clearly visible from the port. Gold could've sworn it was deeper into the city, but he did take a lot of turns while exploring the city.

"Clothing materials? You can make clothes?" Gold asks, suddenly looking over what Calem's wearing with new eyes. "Did you make those too?"

[Calem and Gorebyss both look over, and Calem smiles when he sees it. Oh, he is absolutely going to have to make a stop there once he's done...

At the question, though, Calem looks over and chuckles a bit--if Gold gets a good look, he'll notice that in particular, Calem's blue coat looks...very worn. The color looks very faded from it's vibrant blue, though it's been mended with rather expert level care. The jeans he wears are much the same way, but Calem chuckles a bit, almost nostalgic.]

These ones, no. They were actually gifts from my mother, before I set off on my journey. [He grins, though.] But I do make clothing, yes! I've been helping Miss Valerie of Laverre City for a little bit, and I like to think that I've gotten pretty good at it!

[note he does not mention the years, but that's fine! clearly so.

nevertheless, calem starts to reach into his bag--]

Would you like to see an example of my work? I do have a few things I've made in here.

Gold does notice the clothes are worn. He's no stranger to having to mend clothes himself, but Calem's stitching is clearly better than anything Gold could do. Why would anyone wear the same clothes for that long if they can make their own clothes, Gold muses. Because they're an important present from someone, he decides.

"You've got a good mom," Gold states matter-of-factly out of nowhere. Then, without letting that sink in, he goes "Yeah I wanna see what you made! Being able to make clothes sounds really cool!" He fidgets excitedly, eyes locked onto the bag.

[Calem smiles; he can ignore the brief pang of pain that hearing that causes, and gladly reaches into his bag to pull out something impressive.

It's a yukata; a rather impressive one that looks incredibly well maintained. It's a deep blue, with some nice white details all about it. It's surprisingly simple looking on the surface, but...]

This was the first project that Miss Valerie assigned to me; if I was going to serve as a gym trainer for Laverre City, I was going to need to look the part. And what better test than studying the style of the gym trainers and making something all my own to stand alongside them?

So I made this from scratch, and with her guidance, this became my first and most valued project.

[He takes a lot of pride in it, clearly.]

I tried to take inspiration from the world around me; Miss Valerie is from Johto, which influences her own style and those of the gym trainers. But I wanted to add some Kantonian flair as well, to represent my former home too!

[That much comes out in some of the detailing on the sleeves; it almost looks like little moons and stars, and mountains. The inspiration may not be entirely obvious, but it is meant to represent Mt. Moon.]

"Whoa..." Gold stares at it, awed. "I don't really get it, but it's really pretty. I like the little stars. You really made it yourself?" He's not doubting, he's just amazed. "And that's your first project? You gotta be like, a master of clothes-making by now!"

Johto and Kanto influence? Gold stares at the yukata again, but is unable to tell what's supposed to be which. Probably because Johto's clothes are too normal to him.

"I'm from Johto too!" he points out, just to have something to say. "And, umm, I don't know anything about clothes! I just wear whatever I can get! But this one kinda makes me think of festivals? Like the one they hold every summer in Ecruteak City! So that's Johto-like!"

I've certainly been able to hone my craft, with Miss Valerie's help. I wouldn't say that I'm a master, but I think one day I'll get there.

[Calem perks when Gold mentions being from Johto, though--looking over his clothes, it's definitely obvious. There's some rural Johto flair in it...]

You'll have to let me know what you like sometime; I'd be happy to make something for you, if you'd like. [But Calem grins and nods his head.] That's exactly it, though; Miss Valerie grew up in Ecruteak City, which...if I recall right, is there a lot of those festivals take place, correct? It's what influences her fashion sense, and the little piece of home she carries with her always.

It's good to see that it comes out in what I've made. But the stars...well, they're actually a reminder of something personal to me; my Mother and I used to live in Pewter City, and we'd always go to the Museum together whenever she wasn't busy. One of the displays was a Meteorite that fell into Mt. Moon...and it always, without fail, made me want to try and befriend a Clefairy. It's very nostalgic.

[There's a fondness to his tone that seems almost bittersweet, but the smile on Calem's face is genuine. Nostalgic, almost.]

Anyway, that was the inspiration for this piece.

Gold nods attentively. He doesn't know how Calem could get better, but Calem probably knows.

When Calem looks over Gold's clothes, he might notice his outfit is somewhat worn. It hasn't been in need of repairs yet, but it seems like Gold's been wearing the same outfit a while. It also doesn't seem like he's washed it in at least a week, but that's not too unusual for Pokemon Trainers on the road.

"What I like?" Gold tilts his head. "Like, in clothes? I dunno... I never really thought about it." He takes a moment, frowning in thought. "I guess I like it when clothes are soft? But I'll wear anything! As long as it fits me and isn't too dirty." Low standards, but that's all he can think of.

Oh, Miss Valerie was from Ecruteak City? Gold grins, happy that he knew at least something about clothes. He listens to Calem's story with a bit of a wistful smile. Happy stories featuring people's mothers always made him feel an odd way he couldn't really name.

"Pewter City, huh? Is that in Kanto? I should go there some day. I wanna see that Meteorite too," he says, with a somewhat absent-minded smile. There's something vaguely magical about the thought of Mt. Moon, and the details on Calem's yukata make him imagine a starry sky over a mountain.

"Oh yeah! Yukata!" he blurts out suddenly. "I wanna try and wear a yukata sometime! So I guess that's clothing I like!"

[Calem listens intently, despite an answer that might frustrate more picky fashion people; it makes sense to him, at least. Maybe he hasn't had the chance to properly explore it yet; he's probably got bigger things to worry about. Potions aren't cheap, Calem knows that for a fact, and he can only imagine what sort of journey this boy has been on...]

Something soft...I think I can do that. Perhaps something that can endure some harsher conditions as well might be good...

[It's the exclamation that draws Calem out of his own thoughts, and he winds up chuckling shortly after--that's genuinely cute, okay.]

Well! Who am I to say no to someone who's enthusiastic about trying one? [Calem's already penning ideas in his mind--] Tell you what; if you can give me some ideas and some time to gather materials, when the time comes, I would be happy to make you the most delightful yukata of your dreams. How does that sound?

Gold's face just lights up.

"That sounds awesome!" he gushes, unable to stand still out of excitement. "Um, I dunno about ideas though!" He pauses. "Or, maybe you could base it on my Pokemon? I've got a Meganium and a Furret, aaand Togetic and Umbreon and Lugia. Is that okay for inspiration or ideas and stuff?"

"...Oh, but it probably costs a lot," Gold says, expression falling. He's trying to save up, so can he really buy clothes like this?

[Calem chuckles at that, shaking his head a bit and raising a hand.]

Don't even worry about that! It wouldn't be fair at all to charge someone who was uprooted here, you know? Consider it on the house, Gold. Truly, I'd be honored to try and incorporate some of your lovely partners into such a design--

[...And that's when, after a few seconds, it hits--while he's thinking of what sort of pattern to go for, floral or something moonlit or maybe a cute Togetic pattern, that Calem pauses.]

...Lugia? The guardian of the seas, Lugia?

[He's no stranger to catching a legendary Pokemon, so he doesn't sound. Entirely unbelieving?? But also: WHAT.]

"Really? Wow, you're so nice, Calem! Thanks!" Gold says, in awe. Congratulations, Calem, Gold now immediately considers you a Friend and a Good Person.

"Oh yeah, I hear that a lot," Gold says casually, then gives a little giggle. "It's funny. But yeah, he's my friend." Gold takes out a Lure Ball from his waist, and shows it to Calem. His world's Pokeballs are the translucent kind, where you can see the Pokemon inside, and the Pokemon can see you. A tiny little Lugia waves at Calem. "See? His name's Umbar. I fished him up by accident."

He can't help but add the last part, wanting to see if he can get some more reactions slip past Calem's poker face.

Think nothing of it; I'm glad to be of help.

[Calem does look over curiously when Gold brings out that Pokeball though; he's actually slightly less shocked than he could be, at least? He waves back at the little Lugia in politeness, smiling a bit.]

Ah, I see. You're pretty lucky to have made friends with such a Pokemon, but...I do get it. It's kind of surprising how these Pokemon seem attracted to people like us...

[...Wait a minute. Something clicks in Calem's head and, like clockwork, Gold will get that reaction--]

...You fished them up? As in...you simply just...fished this magnificent Pokemon up and it became your friend?

[EXCUSE??]

Gold keeps his eyes on Calem's face, waiting for it, and laughs when Calem realizes. Lugia laughs in his Pokeball as well, though he has the politeness to hide it behind one of his wings.

"Yeah!" Gold says, still laughing a little. "I put the Lure Ball in the hook and cast it, then when I reeled it in Umbar was inside, napping!" That's not how you'd usually fish, but... Gold looks at the Lure Ball and smiles fondly. "I think he could've gotten out and left if he wanted when he woke up, but he decided to stick around!"

Gold doesn't say it out loud, but he's very grateful to Lugia for staying, and it might be clear on his face. In fact, he seems to realize his feelings are showing, and, slightly embarrassed, masks them behind a fake smile again, and puts the Lure Ball away.

"Anyway! Um, you wanted to go to the shops? I guess I've been kinda keeping you!" He laughs fakely.

[Ah...that gets something of a softer expression, though more somber all the same. It reminds him of that decade and a half ago, when he allied with Xerneas; the Pokemon of life had wanted to stay with him, but after everything...

Calem realizes he's probably making a different kind of expression and fixes it quickly, though, managing a more normal smile.]

It sounds like the two of you have become incredible partners; you should cherish that bond you two have. It'll definitely keep you both safe for years to come.

[ah, but--Gorebyss makes a cheery noise, wanting to get a move on for sure, and Calem nods his head.]

But yeah! Let's get going; lead the way, yeah?

Gold chooses not to address Calem's first line, just nods with a laugh, still embarrassed. He does, however, take the advice to heart.

"Alright! To the shops!" Gold announces, pointing at the marketplace, and they head off to new adventures! Or an ordinary shopping trip.

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🌼 intro post

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i think we can end this off here if you're cool with it

yeah this is a good spot to end on! ^^