It's ya boy GUZMA (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
golisolation) wrote2010-07-17 11:01 am
golisolation) wrote2010-07-17 11:01 am
[A little of column A, a little of column B. There was certainly a selfish aspect to Team Skull, but there was also a genuine care for his grunts. For those who had suffered similarly to him, unfortunately he also repeated some of the cycle with them. It's what's bound to happen when a maladjusted man takes on rowdy and impressionable teens under his wing, when he's barely able to reign in his own anger issues.
Plumeria is truly the one who kept everything together. Without her the whole concept would have likely fallen apart. She was Guzma's leash and conscience most the time—not that Guzma doesn't have a conscience, but rather she kept him in check when he couldn't. Which was pretty often.
Hala and Guzma has always been a bit of a turbulent relationship, first a person of security, guidance, and comfort. Eventually becoming a point of soreness and contention, and ultimately a misplaced idea of betrayal. But hence he has resumed being his mentor and master, and slowly their relationship has been mended, and Guzma's view of him has begun to restore to its former glory. Which also means that Hala's mention will always be an in with him, it will pacify and remind him of what he's working towards, what he's fixing, even when he's being stubborn and bullheaded as usual.]
I—you know what I mean, old man!
[There's frustration there, but less so with Nanu, and more so with himself. Of course he didn't mean something so dramatic as that, the weak can still train, they can still become strong, But until then, they're fated to be pummeled again and again. With a pout, though Guzma would argue it's a scowl, he crosses his arms over his chest and looks away from Nanu. It's all very childish looking, but Guzma again would argue the legitimacy of that claim.
As Nanu continues to pick apart Guzma's poorly constructed and greatly fallible view point, he remains silent. Stewing over what he's saying. Before, he might get angry and yell at the other over it. Asking about whether or not they're looking for a beat down! He wasn't about people challenging his view point, nor the terrible shit he's learned. Even being told it was learned would have set him off, because it's absolutely true.
But he's changed. Small and subtle, but enough. His hackles lower even more as Nanu points out how weak they both have been here. How Guzma has let down his guards, how he's contradicted himself and it leaves Guzma feeling... lost.
He feels foolish, but also defiant, but at the same time what would that defiance do? They've already talked, they've already come to this point, so running away now wouldn't help anything. Even if he attempted to save face, it'd make him seem weaker for it, make him seem like a cowward. Not to mention, with the recent mention of Hala, he can't help but think about the shit they've discussed. The help he's sought in his old mentor.
Maybe, just maybe, weak needs to be redefined in his lexicon.]
Shit, I don't know. It don't—I guess.
[Guzma's voice is quieter than it usually is, it's lacking that certain edge he emphasizes his words with. It's a little painfully obvious how stumped he is, and that's a good thing. Nanu's certainly given him something to think about, an endeavor that a couple months ago would have been entirely wasted on him. It's painfully awkward and he feels more vulnerable now, than he did when approaching Hala about seeking mentoring once more. Guzma had a history with Hala, and while he's known Nanu for a fair amount of time, it's different.
Yet, here they are. Two sad broken men confiding in one another, despite everything.]
Plumeria is truly the one who kept everything together. Without her the whole concept would have likely fallen apart. She was Guzma's leash and conscience most the time—not that Guzma doesn't have a conscience, but rather she kept him in check when he couldn't. Which was pretty often.
Hala and Guzma has always been a bit of a turbulent relationship, first a person of security, guidance, and comfort. Eventually becoming a point of soreness and contention, and ultimately a misplaced idea of betrayal. But hence he has resumed being his mentor and master, and slowly their relationship has been mended, and Guzma's view of him has begun to restore to its former glory. Which also means that Hala's mention will always be an in with him, it will pacify and remind him of what he's working towards, what he's fixing, even when he's being stubborn and bullheaded as usual.]
I—you know what I mean, old man!
[There's frustration there, but less so with Nanu, and more so with himself. Of course he didn't mean something so dramatic as that, the weak can still train, they can still become strong, But until then, they're fated to be pummeled again and again. With a pout, though Guzma would argue it's a scowl, he crosses his arms over his chest and looks away from Nanu. It's all very childish looking, but Guzma again would argue the legitimacy of that claim.
As Nanu continues to pick apart Guzma's poorly constructed and greatly fallible view point, he remains silent. Stewing over what he's saying. Before, he might get angry and yell at the other over it. Asking about whether or not they're looking for a beat down! He wasn't about people challenging his view point, nor the terrible shit he's learned. Even being told it was learned would have set him off, because it's absolutely true.
But he's changed. Small and subtle, but enough. His hackles lower even more as Nanu points out how weak they both have been here. How Guzma has let down his guards, how he's contradicted himself and it leaves Guzma feeling... lost.
He feels foolish, but also defiant, but at the same time what would that defiance do? They've already talked, they've already come to this point, so running away now wouldn't help anything. Even if he attempted to save face, it'd make him seem weaker for it, make him seem like a cowward. Not to mention, with the recent mention of Hala, he can't help but think about the shit they've discussed. The help he's sought in his old mentor.
Maybe, just maybe, weak needs to be redefined in his lexicon.]
Shit, I don't know. It don't—I guess.
[Guzma's voice is quieter than it usually is, it's lacking that certain edge he emphasizes his words with. It's a little painfully obvious how stumped he is, and that's a good thing. Nanu's certainly given him something to think about, an endeavor that a couple months ago would have been entirely wasted on him. It's painfully awkward and he feels more vulnerable now, than he did when approaching Hala about seeking mentoring once more. Guzma had a history with Hala, and while he's known Nanu for a fair amount of time, it's different.
Yet, here they are. Two sad broken men confiding in one another, despite everything.]
[There's a fine line between sympathy for his upbringing and contempt for how it's taken its toll on others through him. Nanu cares more for the grunts because he sees them as able to be taken care of. Plumeria always had their best interests in mind, despite her permanent glower. But Guzma, he knew, he could never have broken through to.]
[Cripes, what is with this world and getting him to appreciate they're all stuck in it? First Anabel, now this? He doesn't want to like being stuck here, yet all of these changes were made possible because of it.]
[And he really doesn't envy Hala, when they go back home.]
[Nanu snorts, almost amused, at Guzma's reaction, like a watered-down toddler's tantrum; he just needs to hold his breath to complete the metaphor. Yet, he remains quiet, and most importantly listening, which is the most Nanu could ask for at this point. The almost casual tone of the conversation is no doubt helping in his favor, instead of stoking the flames; which, in truth, have already been dampened to begin with.]
[He can tell his words are sinking in. The way they're both sitting outside on the ground in the middle of a path like a couple of children, talking about their feelings in an impromptu therapy session... Well, how could he word it any differently?]
[After Guzma's quiet admission, Nanu lets silence rule the pause. It's another rarity for Guzma to agree with him, and an even bigger one to admit he's wrong. Letting it stand without interruption for a moment or two is the least he can do, instead of jumping right back into it and making the other man feel like his words are unappreciated.]
...I'd say that's progress right there.
[Though he's incapable of reading Guzma's mind (thank god), Nanu's next words seem to go hand-in-hand with what he's mulling over.]
It's hard, to be vulnerable. I get that—I do. [An inkling of experience creeps into his tone again; a reassurement that Nanu's not just saying it for the sake of saying it. ...Of course, that might be undercut, because for a moment, Nanu chuckles.] Heh. What was it you said to me, just last month? "I ask, but don't seem so invested", I think it was? "Just because I have a job, doesn't mean I give a shit"?
[The humor doesn't last, and the last chuckle dies down with a breathless scoff.]
Hell, it's easy to stay locked up in that mindset. Locked up in the station, shutting the world out. Just like being locked in Po Town, shutting out everyone else. ...Locked in the mindset that weakness needs to be beaten. Even when it's yourself.
[Another pause. This time, instead of just today's event, it's the years worth of hardened depression and exhaustion that comes through his voice.]
The façade needs to come down, sometimes.
[Cripes, what is with this world and getting him to appreciate they're all stuck in it? First Anabel, now this? He doesn't want to like being stuck here, yet all of these changes were made possible because of it.]
[And he really doesn't envy Hala, when they go back home.]
[Nanu snorts, almost amused, at Guzma's reaction, like a watered-down toddler's tantrum; he just needs to hold his breath to complete the metaphor. Yet, he remains quiet, and most importantly listening, which is the most Nanu could ask for at this point. The almost casual tone of the conversation is no doubt helping in his favor, instead of stoking the flames; which, in truth, have already been dampened to begin with.]
[He can tell his words are sinking in. The way they're both sitting outside on the ground in the middle of a path like a couple of children, talking about their feelings in an impromptu therapy session... Well, how could he word it any differently?]
[After Guzma's quiet admission, Nanu lets silence rule the pause. It's another rarity for Guzma to agree with him, and an even bigger one to admit he's wrong. Letting it stand without interruption for a moment or two is the least he can do, instead of jumping right back into it and making the other man feel like his words are unappreciated.]
...I'd say that's progress right there.
[Though he's incapable of reading Guzma's mind (thank god), Nanu's next words seem to go hand-in-hand with what he's mulling over.]
It's hard, to be vulnerable. I get that—I do. [An inkling of experience creeps into his tone again; a reassurement that Nanu's not just saying it for the sake of saying it. ...Of course, that might be undercut, because for a moment, Nanu chuckles.] Heh. What was it you said to me, just last month? "I ask, but don't seem so invested", I think it was? "Just because I have a job, doesn't mean I give a shit"?
[The humor doesn't last, and the last chuckle dies down with a breathless scoff.]
Hell, it's easy to stay locked up in that mindset. Locked up in the station, shutting the world out. Just like being locked in Po Town, shutting out everyone else. ...Locked in the mindset that weakness needs to be beaten. Even when it's yourself.
[Another pause. This time, instead of just today's event, it's the years worth of hardened depression and exhaustion that comes through his voice.]
The façade needs to come down, sometimes.
[It's crucial that the fine line is upheld, that Guzma is held accountable for what he's done, and what he does. An explanation is no justification, and for too long he believed contrary. He's learning, slowly, but progress is happening. Hala's patience is godly, to say the least, and Guzma could not be any luckier to have him as a mentor.
Of course, being here, one might think progress could reverse, that without someone to keep Guzma in line he'd go back to his old ways unabated. If anything, this confrontation between them has proven quite the opposite. It's certainly sped up the process, and saved both of them from endless spats and misunderstandings, and let us not forget Guzma being inanely stubborn. This world certainly offered some useful tools, especially when dealing with someone as thick-skulled as Guzma.
The silence is heavy, but it helps everything sink in. Really sink in. It's a little difficult, all of this has been so much information, and Guzma's not a man with a mind made for vast amounts of information under even normal circumstances. It's exhausting emotionally, but that in itself is a good thing. It's well been past the time for Guzma to exercise his empathy and understanding.
He looks to Nanu when he mentions the thoughtless nonsense he had said to him before. When he said it, it felt and sounded true, but also inconsequential. It's clearly anything but, and perhaps it was a little cruel of him to say about the other man. Especially knowing what he does now. His expression is rather subtle, he's clearly attempting to stay neutral, but there's the obvious tinge of guilt behind it. The way his brow creases, how his mouth is pulled into a slight frown., how his eyes seem to oscillate over Nanu's face.]
...I shouldn't have said that. I didn't know what the fuck I was talkin' about.
[For Nanu's point, though. That's... harder. That requires him to open up in ways he never thought he could. To drop the façade—to let down the total tough guy act. There's a strange anxiety twisting in the pit of his stomach, and he's not quite sure what to do, or even say at this point.
After a moment that feels longer than it actually is, he does speak up. His gaze falling to the grass in front of him as his face scrunches a little. It's not a look of anger. Maybe disappointment? It's hard to tell.]
I don't know if I know how.
[It's honest and earnest. With a knowing behind it that isn't usual for him. It's not that he disagrees with Nanu, in fact they have been doing it quite a bit here. However, the circumstance has greatly lent itself to facilitate that in Guzma. But to do that without such an aid? He's not sure he can.]
It's not that I'm—I ain't scared. Nothin' scares me—
[A lie, and he knows it. His eyes narrow as his brow further creases with growing self-aimed irritation.]
—Not a lot scares me, [A much needed correction,] but this ain't a turf I'm familiar with. I don't—I don't wanna go gettin' comfortable showin' weakness, and then showin' it to the wrong asshole.
[Which paints a pretty good picture of Guzma and some of his trust issues. Very few have been able to break past his tough exterior, but even then it's taken time and nudging for him to talk. But even then he keeps some shit locked up tight, unable to truly delve into the depths. This reflects his behavior as a whole, because he's afraid and he doesn't even know it.]
Of course, being here, one might think progress could reverse, that without someone to keep Guzma in line he'd go back to his old ways unabated. If anything, this confrontation between them has proven quite the opposite. It's certainly sped up the process, and saved both of them from endless spats and misunderstandings, and let us not forget Guzma being inanely stubborn. This world certainly offered some useful tools, especially when dealing with someone as thick-skulled as Guzma.
The silence is heavy, but it helps everything sink in. Really sink in. It's a little difficult, all of this has been so much information, and Guzma's not a man with a mind made for vast amounts of information under even normal circumstances. It's exhausting emotionally, but that in itself is a good thing. It's well been past the time for Guzma to exercise his empathy and understanding.
He looks to Nanu when he mentions the thoughtless nonsense he had said to him before. When he said it, it felt and sounded true, but also inconsequential. It's clearly anything but, and perhaps it was a little cruel of him to say about the other man. Especially knowing what he does now. His expression is rather subtle, he's clearly attempting to stay neutral, but there's the obvious tinge of guilt behind it. The way his brow creases, how his mouth is pulled into a slight frown., how his eyes seem to oscillate over Nanu's face.]
...I shouldn't have said that. I didn't know what the fuck I was talkin' about.
[For Nanu's point, though. That's... harder. That requires him to open up in ways he never thought he could. To drop the façade—to let down the total tough guy act. There's a strange anxiety twisting in the pit of his stomach, and he's not quite sure what to do, or even say at this point.
After a moment that feels longer than it actually is, he does speak up. His gaze falling to the grass in front of him as his face scrunches a little. It's not a look of anger. Maybe disappointment? It's hard to tell.]
I don't know if I know how.
[It's honest and earnest. With a knowing behind it that isn't usual for him. It's not that he disagrees with Nanu, in fact they have been doing it quite a bit here. However, the circumstance has greatly lent itself to facilitate that in Guzma. But to do that without such an aid? He's not sure he can.]
It's not that I'm—I ain't scared. Nothin' scares me—
[A lie, and he knows it. His eyes narrow as his brow further creases with growing self-aimed irritation.]
—Not a lot scares me, [A much needed correction,] but this ain't a turf I'm familiar with. I don't—I don't wanna go gettin' comfortable showin' weakness, and then showin' it to the wrong asshole.
[Which paints a pretty good picture of Guzma and some of his trust issues. Very few have been able to break past his tough exterior, but even then it's taken time and nudging for him to talk. But even then he keeps some shit locked up tight, unable to truly delve into the depths. This reflects his behavior as a whole, because he's afraid and he doesn't even know it.]
Yeah, you sure don't. Interestin' direction.
[But honestly it paints Archie is an even more ridiculous light. But that's fine.
They've been standing here not getting booze for far too long.]
Anyway, we ain't any closer to hittin' the bars standin' here talkin' about your failings.
[But honestly it paints Archie is an even more ridiculous light. But that's fine.
They've been standing here not getting booze for far too long.]
Anyway, we ain't any closer to hittin' the bars standin' here talkin' about your failings.
[Even Nanu doesn't think Guzma's going to regress after this. There's no changing who he is at his core, his "true" personality, so to speak. He'll be rude and vulgar and argumentative and always prone to anger. But after today, there will be a sort of...modifier, Nanu thinks. Something that has grown in the back of his mind that will, at the very least, make Guzma think. Think, in the midst of his gut reaction, that maybe he should modify how he's handling the situation.]
[Well... Nanu can hope.]
[The long silences help the older man, too. No constant talking or feeling the need to throw quips and jabs. The aforementioned listening that Guzma's finally doing is refreshing. Nanu can finally enjoy their time together.]
[When Guzma shifts to look at Nanu, he turns his head in kind and quickly studies the other man's expression. Tally another mark in the surprise column; so far, Nanu's heard the guilt in Guzma's voice. Now he's seeing it on his face. But, once he speaks and pseudo-apologizes, he'll find that Nanu actually grins again.]
You're right—you didn't know. But look at me. Of course that's what people think. [He shrugs half-heartedly; a casual reassurement for Guzma's guilt.] I like to do things on the down-low. Even back in Po Town. You didn't see everything I did, and that was the point. It's easier if folks don't know. Low expectations...and people don't get attached.
[It isn't lost on Nanu that his last point will most likely resonate just as much with Guzma. Don't get close to people, and you don't get hurt, right? Or in Nanu's case, the other person doesn't get hurt. Either way, they each have their own form of isolation. And Nanu's still working on his.]
[He watches Guzma as a cavalcade of emotions brew in his thoughts. Again, he stays silent to let the other man speak uninterrupted; get his thoughts in order. He can tell it's especially hard right now, as Guzma stops and starts again like he's a record that's skipping as it plays.]
[During the next pause, Nanu nods. Partially to signal to Guzma that he understands, and partially to himself. A thought has been brewing since they've sat down to talk, and now it's come to a head. The catalyst was Guzma finally admitting that he's capable of, and has been, being scared.]
It won't be easy. I'm not telling you to try and change who you are cold-Stantler. It takes time. [And boy, doesn't he know it.] And you would never let someone walk all over you. But letting down your guard to let someone else in... it's a gamble, I won't lie.
But it's worth it to try.
[Good thing Guzma's not in the mood to tease about him and Anabel... But it might be obvious that it's what he's thinking of.]
[And finally, the idea stewing in Nanu's mind decides to come out. After a brief pause, he takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.]
...I'm no Hala. Can't expect the same dynamic. ...But if you think that gamble is worth the risk, and you actually want to try... I don't see any harm in helping you figure it out.
[He's not going to say the word "mentor" outright, but the fact that he name-dropped Hala again—well. It's obvious what he's offering.]
[Well... Nanu can hope.]
[The long silences help the older man, too. No constant talking or feeling the need to throw quips and jabs. The aforementioned listening that Guzma's finally doing is refreshing. Nanu can finally enjoy their time together.]
[When Guzma shifts to look at Nanu, he turns his head in kind and quickly studies the other man's expression. Tally another mark in the surprise column; so far, Nanu's heard the guilt in Guzma's voice. Now he's seeing it on his face. But, once he speaks and pseudo-apologizes, he'll find that Nanu actually grins again.]
You're right—you didn't know. But look at me. Of course that's what people think. [He shrugs half-heartedly; a casual reassurement for Guzma's guilt.] I like to do things on the down-low. Even back in Po Town. You didn't see everything I did, and that was the point. It's easier if folks don't know. Low expectations...and people don't get attached.
[It isn't lost on Nanu that his last point will most likely resonate just as much with Guzma. Don't get close to people, and you don't get hurt, right? Or in Nanu's case, the other person doesn't get hurt. Either way, they each have their own form of isolation. And Nanu's still working on his.]
[He watches Guzma as a cavalcade of emotions brew in his thoughts. Again, he stays silent to let the other man speak uninterrupted; get his thoughts in order. He can tell it's especially hard right now, as Guzma stops and starts again like he's a record that's skipping as it plays.]
[During the next pause, Nanu nods. Partially to signal to Guzma that he understands, and partially to himself. A thought has been brewing since they've sat down to talk, and now it's come to a head. The catalyst was Guzma finally admitting that he's capable of, and has been, being scared.]
It won't be easy. I'm not telling you to try and change who you are cold-Stantler. It takes time. [And boy, doesn't he know it.] And you would never let someone walk all over you. But letting down your guard to let someone else in... it's a gamble, I won't lie.
But it's worth it to try.
[Good thing Guzma's not in the mood to tease about him and Anabel... But it might be obvious that it's what he's thinking of.]
[And finally, the idea stewing in Nanu's mind decides to come out. After a brief pause, he takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.]
...I'm no Hala. Can't expect the same dynamic. ...But if you think that gamble is worth the risk, and you actually want to try... I don't see any harm in helping you figure it out.
[He's not going to say the word "mentor" outright, but the fact that he name-dropped Hala again—well. It's obvious what he's offering.]
[He will definitely think twice before running his mouth—at least with someone he knows, or something he cares about knows. It'll take time for him to learn proper restraint with people he's unfamiliar with, that's for certain, but this is progress.
It won't be perfect, Guzma is far from that, but even if he does it half the time, that's still better than before.
The guilt doesn't wholly leave Guzma, even when Nanu downplays the statement. Maybe it'd be more of a reassurance if Guzma didn't feel like such a fool for not realizing it. If it didn't take this to make him realize that Nanu actually gave a fuck about anything. In fact, he wears a mask, not unlike Guzma's own, to conceal how much he cares, yet despite that Guzma truly believed his indifference.]
Yeah. I ain't ever gonna fully change.
[It's not a statement of defiance, just a matter of fact. Who he is, is just who he is. What he wants to change is how he reacts to things, how he proceeds forward, and how he navigates his social interactions. It's hard, so damn hard to break away from these self-destructive tendencies... but Nanu's right, he's right and he knows it.
Had this been under less serious circumstances, he most certainly would have taken the low hanging fruit of a tease about Nanu and Anabel—but that's what got him into this mess to begin with. Perhaps not that general vein of joking, but their relationship in general was the kindling for the fire he lit under his own ass.
As he goes to reply, he hears the breath Nanu takes and releases, and decides to let the man finish. It's certainly not something he expected to hear from Nanu, and it leaves him quiet once more. His expression hides nothing that goes on between his ears. Twisting into a mixture of bafflement and uncertainty. Less so because of the idea of having Nanu as a mentor, but more so because Nanu would offer it at all.
He's touched, honestly, and he leans his elbows on his knees once more as he thinks about it, his face falling to something more contemplative in nature. An expression rarely seen on Guzma, but it's there all the same.
Hala is his master, but also Hala is not here. Nor will he be for the foreseeable future. Maybe tomorrow Hala will show up, maybe he will never show up. It's not exactly a betrayal to Hala to take Nanu on as his stand in, and if anything he owes it to Hala to keep up with his progress, even if he's not here, right? This seems like an opportunity that even Guzma isn't stupid enough to spit in the face of.
A shallow nod at first, and then he speaks.]
Yeah... Alright, yeah. I'd like that. You ain't Hala, but—
[He pauses a moment, thinking his words over carefully before continuing.]
I trust you, and I respect you. I could use your help.
[It feels weird to say it, especially to Nanu. They do not have the history he does with Hala, but now there's been something so intimately shared with him, he'd feel like an idiot to not show Nanu the same sort of trust.]
It won't be perfect, Guzma is far from that, but even if he does it half the time, that's still better than before.
The guilt doesn't wholly leave Guzma, even when Nanu downplays the statement. Maybe it'd be more of a reassurance if Guzma didn't feel like such a fool for not realizing it. If it didn't take this to make him realize that Nanu actually gave a fuck about anything. In fact, he wears a mask, not unlike Guzma's own, to conceal how much he cares, yet despite that Guzma truly believed his indifference.]
Yeah. I ain't ever gonna fully change.
[It's not a statement of defiance, just a matter of fact. Who he is, is just who he is. What he wants to change is how he reacts to things, how he proceeds forward, and how he navigates his social interactions. It's hard, so damn hard to break away from these self-destructive tendencies... but Nanu's right, he's right and he knows it.
Had this been under less serious circumstances, he most certainly would have taken the low hanging fruit of a tease about Nanu and Anabel—but that's what got him into this mess to begin with. Perhaps not that general vein of joking, but their relationship in general was the kindling for the fire he lit under his own ass.
As he goes to reply, he hears the breath Nanu takes and releases, and decides to let the man finish. It's certainly not something he expected to hear from Nanu, and it leaves him quiet once more. His expression hides nothing that goes on between his ears. Twisting into a mixture of bafflement and uncertainty. Less so because of the idea of having Nanu as a mentor, but more so because Nanu would offer it at all.
He's touched, honestly, and he leans his elbows on his knees once more as he thinks about it, his face falling to something more contemplative in nature. An expression rarely seen on Guzma, but it's there all the same.
Hala is his master, but also Hala is not here. Nor will he be for the foreseeable future. Maybe tomorrow Hala will show up, maybe he will never show up. It's not exactly a betrayal to Hala to take Nanu on as his stand in, and if anything he owes it to Hala to keep up with his progress, even if he's not here, right? This seems like an opportunity that even Guzma isn't stupid enough to spit in the face of.
A shallow nod at first, and then he speaks.]
Yeah... Alright, yeah. I'd like that. You ain't Hala, but—
[He pauses a moment, thinking his words over carefully before continuing.]
I trust you, and I respect you. I could use your help.
[It feels weird to say it, especially to Nanu. They do not have the history he does with Hala, but now there's been something so intimately shared with him, he'd feel like an idiot to not show Nanu the same sort of trust.]
My lore? Archie I think that might be the lamest shit you've ever said to me.
[He does indeed start walking with that shove, shrugging it off well enough. Golisopod is following none too far behind. Looking over his shoulder back at Archie, he grins.]
What? You tryin' to pry into my deepest darkest secrets or something?
[He does indeed start walking with that shove, shrugging it off well enough. Golisopod is following none too far behind. Looking over his shoulder back at Archie, he grins.]
What? You tryin' to pry into my deepest darkest secrets or something?
You're outta luck, 'cos I'm fresh outta those.
[With the question, Guzma looks away, his grin falling to something more neutral.]
What, don't think you know me well enough as it is?
[With the question, Guzma looks away, his grin falling to something more neutral.]
What, don't think you know me well enough as it is?
Oh yeah?
[Good on Archie, because that seems to bring him right back.]
Can't say we ever had the type of cash that allowed us to indulge in martinis—always went for the cheap, hard stuff.
[The stuff that burns like fire on the way down, and leaves you feeling like death the next morning. Shit that barely doesn't count as rubbing alcohol.]
[Good on Archie, because that seems to bring him right back.]
Can't say we ever had the type of cash that allowed us to indulge in martinis—always went for the cheap, hard stuff.
[The stuff that burns like fire on the way down, and leaves you feeling like death the next morning. Shit that barely doesn't count as rubbing alcohol.]
Yeah, can't say our expenditures had much to do with science.
[More like... they were all squatters whose only real way of making money was through thieving and Pokèmon battles, and they tended to spend it on junk food. Y'know, like functioning people do.]
Shit sounds good, d'ya know how to make it?
[More like... they were all squatters whose only real way of making money was through thieving and Pokèmon battles, and they tended to spend it on junk food. Y'know, like functioning people do.]
Shit sounds good, d'ya know how to make it?
Ain't that the truth, never got them gangs who don't.
[For all Guzma was feared by his grunts, they also unconditionally loved him. Part of that was because he actually knew them and interacted with them. He related with each.]
Big spender, huh? Well, I ain't one to turn down free drinks, yo.
[By now, they're certainly not far from the bars, and Guzma's definitely thirsting for some booze. He wants to get fucking trashed, and doing so on someone else's dollar is 100% fine by him.]
[For all Guzma was feared by his grunts, they also unconditionally loved him. Part of that was because he actually knew them and interacted with them. He related with each.]
Big spender, huh? Well, I ain't one to turn down free drinks, yo.
[By now, they're certainly not far from the bars, and Guzma's definitely thirsting for some booze. He wants to get fucking trashed, and doing so on someone else's dollar is 100% fine by him.]
Rockets failed for a reason, huh?
[because... what other gangs?? HE'S FROM THE PAST...]
Good. Consider it bonding, and mutual liver-destroying. [he pushes the door open to the first bar they come across, not really being picky.] This steam punk shit is killin' me...
[to guzma:] You wanna get started right in or pre-game?
[because... what other gangs?? HE'S FROM THE PAST...]
Good. Consider it bonding, and mutual liver-destroying. [he pushes the door open to the first bar they come across, not really being picky.] This steam punk shit is killin' me...
[to guzma:] You wanna get started right in or pre-game?
True that! Idiots don't know what makes a team great.
[And they failed again as "Rainbow Rocket". Some dudes never learn!]
That's my favorite kind of bondin'! Well, one of 'em.
[The others being left ambiguous, but considering who Guzma is they should be obvious. Guzma follows him in, and makes a sound of agreement on the Steam Punk front. Never got the appeal, and being forced to live in a city drowning in it only furthered his inability to get it.]
Whatcha got in mind?
[And they failed again as "Rainbow Rocket". Some dudes never learn!]
That's my favorite kind of bondin'! Well, one of 'em.
[The others being left ambiguous, but considering who Guzma is they should be obvious. Guzma follows him in, and makes a sound of agreement on the Steam Punk front. Never got the appeal, and being forced to live in a city drowning in it only furthered his inability to get it.]
Whatcha got in mind?
[ Continued from here since idk if they have notifs on and I'm being polite!! ]
[ She waits expectantly, wondering what might be going on in his head. She gets that he's a bit more crass and sour to most other people (although she'd be surprised to see to what extent that is), but she thinks that she's a good judge of character. When no real answer comes, her frown is plenty obvious. ]
Listen. I don't know what's up, but you can't be going around like that. Nothing good will come from it. [ She might as well throw in a trust me for how she says it. But she's pretty sure he knows that she ran on anger until she burned through it all. ] If you want to talk about it, I'll listen and offer advice where I can but you also shouldn't feel like you have to.
[ She swerves around her chair as she gets to her feet, knocking it beneath the table with a push of her foot. Jill gathers up her handgun and takes a few steps forward before she leans with her hip against the tabletop. ]
You ever done any shooting? [ Almost casually. Like it's a full subject change. ] Great stress relief, let me tell you.
[ She waits expectantly, wondering what might be going on in his head. She gets that he's a bit more crass and sour to most other people (although she'd be surprised to see to what extent that is), but she thinks that she's a good judge of character. When no real answer comes, her frown is plenty obvious. ]
Listen. I don't know what's up, but you can't be going around like that. Nothing good will come from it. [ She might as well throw in a trust me for how she says it. But she's pretty sure he knows that she ran on anger until she burned through it all. ] If you want to talk about it, I'll listen and offer advice where I can but you also shouldn't feel like you have to.
[ She swerves around her chair as she gets to her feet, knocking it beneath the table with a push of her foot. Jill gathers up her handgun and takes a few steps forward before she leans with her hip against the tabletop. ]
You ever done any shooting? [ Almost casually. Like it's a full subject change. ] Great stress relief, let me tell you.
[It's tough to be forthright and honest about this shit. It's territory he's not used to, and like the Wimpod he referenced earlier, he too can be a bit of a coward even if he pretends otherwise.
Her scolding him, soft though it is, makes him look away from, eyes falling to his beer as his mouth presses into a thin line. He chooses to remain silent, not in an effort to shut her own, but rather because he's stuck contemplating talking to her about the feelings swirling in that empty head of his—]
Huh?
[But she distracts from it, and gives him the perfect chance to bury it again.]
Nah, never have.
[Guns aren't hugely common in a world where you have super powered monsters instead. It's not that they don't exist in some capacity, but the Pokèmon world ain't America.]
You offerin'?
Her scolding him, soft though it is, makes him look away from, eyes falling to his beer as his mouth presses into a thin line. He chooses to remain silent, not in an effort to shut her own, but rather because he's stuck contemplating talking to her about the feelings swirling in that empty head of his—]
Huh?
[But she distracts from it, and gives him the perfect chance to bury it again.]
Nah, never have.
[Guns aren't hugely common in a world where you have super powered monsters instead. It's not that they don't exist in some capacity, but the Pokèmon world ain't America.]
You offerin'?
[ On the other hand? Wimpod are cute and charming. It definitely makes up for being a chicken (Combusken?).
It's out of a place of kindness, at least. Because she cares. It's something that she can relate to and it's the very least she can offer someone she considers a friend. She can save him the stress and strain and everything else, or at least she hopes that she can.
Jill comfortably hoists up a SIG 556 AR and nudges her custom M92F handgun toward him. ]
That's specifically modified for me. The creator called it Samurai Edge. [ The handle's blue, her favored color. ] C'mon, let's get a move on. If you play nice I'll let you use the AR... though I'm not sure if you can handle the recoil.
[ She's already headed outside. This is Happening Now. ]
It's out of a place of kindness, at least. Because she cares. It's something that she can relate to and it's the very least she can offer someone she considers a friend. She can save him the stress and strain and everything else, or at least she hopes that she can.
Jill comfortably hoists up a SIG 556 AR and nudges her custom M92F handgun toward him. ]
That's specifically modified for me. The creator called it Samurai Edge. [ The handle's blue, her favored color. ] C'mon, let's get a move on. If you play nice I'll let you use the AR... though I'm not sure if you can handle the recoil.
[ She's already headed outside. This is Happening Now. ]
[Guzma stares a little blankly at the gun offered to him, before he takes it, looking it over with clear admiration. Like a kid just handed a cool ass toy he could only dream about, this might not be a good idea...
Guzma scoffs at the recoil comment, but she's probably not wrong. Not because he doesn't have the strength, but rather because he doesn't have the experience. He hasn't a clue how to brace for it, how to feel and react to the recoil, so unless she wants to see him break his nose, it might be better to keep that away from him.]
I always play nice, and I can handle the recoil just fine! How bad can it be, huh?
[He's certainly following her, the handgun in one hand, his beer in the other. His attitude has shifted, what was once that brooding shit attitude is now replaced with something a bit more excited.]
Guzma scoffs at the recoil comment, but she's probably not wrong. Not because he doesn't have the strength, but rather because he doesn't have the experience. He hasn't a clue how to brace for it, how to feel and react to the recoil, so unless she wants to see him break his nose, it might be better to keep that away from him.]
I always play nice, and I can handle the recoil just fine! How bad can it be, huh?
[He's certainly following her, the handgun in one hand, his beer in the other. His attitude has shifted, what was once that brooding shit attitude is now replaced with something a bit more excited.]
[ She's glad she left the safety on for the moment, but she'll show him shortly at the homemade range she has out back. Far enough away from the little pond-lake she'd dug for Sharpedo, there's a little set up of hard metal plates and body outlines that seem to be hand drawn and not filled in. The wooden fence is short there and there's some small haystacks for comfort. ]
You're full of shit, Guzma. [ Jill laughs when she says it, bordering teasing but not quite enough to get him to react. ] I dunno. Chris still has a pretty hard recoil with a grenade launcher and I don't and he's a huge guy. Just depends on how you can deal with it.
[ There's a visible difference in his attitude even if it means that he'll avoid talking about what's up, it might be better. Jill is quick to aim and shoot, hitting right in the middle of the forehead of the drawn figure. ]
First remove the safety. You'll want to use both hands and your arm to help you aim.
You're full of shit, Guzma. [ Jill laughs when she says it, bordering teasing but not quite enough to get him to react. ] I dunno. Chris still has a pretty hard recoil with a grenade launcher and I don't and he's a huge guy. Just depends on how you can deal with it.
[ There's a visible difference in his attitude even if it means that he'll avoid talking about what's up, it might be better. Jill is quick to aim and shoot, hitting right in the middle of the forehead of the drawn figure. ]
First remove the safety. You'll want to use both hands and your arm to help you aim.
[Had she not left the safety on, that could have been a potential disaster, but at least one of the two has some foresight. Even if that same person finds it acceptable to hand Guzma a gun in any capacity, but it'll be fine. Probably.
He only offers her a smirk when she calls him out, the teasing not bothering him in the slightest. The next part he gives a half-shrug to.] I'm sure I can figure it out.
[When Jill aims and fires, it catches Guzma's attention. So much so, that he visibly jumps, and drops his beer in the process.]
Shit!
[He doesn't get much time to think about the mess, before she's telling him to remove the safety. Good thing he just freed up his other hand, huh? Looking the gun over, there's clear uncertainty on how to remove the safety. However, he seems to figure it out after a few minutes, he wasn't kidding about his inexperience here.
Following her instructions, he holds the gun up with both hands, however his hand placement is not the most stable. His right hand being his dominant hand holds the gun itself, while he uses his left to cup the butt of the grip, and the bottom of his other hand's palm.
Not an entirely bad guess, but certainly not right either. Unfortunately Guzma's quick to jump the gun, so to speak, and he fires off a shot at the target. He hits the edge of the plate, but its far from the drawn figures on it. However, that hold didn't help him brace the recoil of the handgun as much as it should have been. It smarts and gets an annoyed hiss from him. He lowers the gun, pointing it at the ground as he shakes his left hand, which took the brunt of the recoil's force.
Good job, idiot.]
He only offers her a smirk when she calls him out, the teasing not bothering him in the slightest. The next part he gives a half-shrug to.] I'm sure I can figure it out.
[When Jill aims and fires, it catches Guzma's attention. So much so, that he visibly jumps, and drops his beer in the process.]
Shit!
[He doesn't get much time to think about the mess, before she's telling him to remove the safety. Good thing he just freed up his other hand, huh? Looking the gun over, there's clear uncertainty on how to remove the safety. However, he seems to figure it out after a few minutes, he wasn't kidding about his inexperience here.
Following her instructions, he holds the gun up with both hands, however his hand placement is not the most stable. His right hand being his dominant hand holds the gun itself, while he uses his left to cup the butt of the grip, and the bottom of his other hand's palm.
Not an entirely bad guess, but certainly not right either. Unfortunately Guzma's quick to jump the gun, so to speak, and he fires off a shot at the target. He hits the edge of the plate, but its far from the drawn figures on it. However, that hold didn't help him brace the recoil of the handgun as much as it should have been. It smarts and gets an annoyed hiss from him. He lowers the gun, pointing it at the ground as he shakes his left hand, which took the brunt of the recoil's force.
Good job, idiot.]
Edited 2019-04-22 01:45 (UTC)
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