golisolation | 💀 MoM IC INBOX 💀

[That catches him entirely off guard, and it's apparent with how he's gawking at her a little. He's...not used to being apologized to like this. From his grunts is one thing, this is quite another. It's like it'll never get easier to deal with, for some reason. Probably because he always expects the worst of people. So when something genuine like this happens, he's left a little besides himself.

Once he regains himself, he shrugs his shoulders, casual and unbothered.]

Nah, it's cool. I know we got our history of buttin' heads. Booze can kinda loosen your lips on shit y'been bottlin' up, and to be real with you, it's been a li'l obvious y'been doin' that a lot 'round me.

[His eyes falls to her glass and the small amount of rum in it, before looking at her again.]

But I don't think everything you do ain't worthwhile.

[it's weird how something can be both unnerving and comforting. like being so easily absolved of a wrongdoing. Lucina frowns, finishing the pouring she was doing, her ears burning a bit with his remarks. being aware she's being looked at has that same two-sided effect, and it's not something she's sure how to react to.

not thinking...not everything...'ain't' worthwhile? she squints a little, dragging the mixer over toward her side of the table.]

I'm...not sure I know what you mean.

[is she just going to pour some of this strawberry stuff in? yes. the mug-thing looked like a lot of work that she can forego if it's all going down the same way.]

[As Guzma starts to explain, he's definitely watching her as she's pouring in the mix. It's... fine, but it just means she's going to have the srawberry flavoring at the bottom. It'll be...something.]

...Just 'cos I don't agree with your whole hero shtick, don't mean I can't see its merits.

[He crosses his arms over his chest as he leans against the door frame.]

Helping people out, protectin' those who ain't capable of protecting themselves, fighting for those who can't...yeah, I get it.

[After all, it's what he does for Team Skull. The difference being that Team Skull is his community. His family. But doing all of that for random strangers? People who haven't proven their loyalty? It doesn't really make sense to him, but he can see why someone would do it, theoretically.]

'Sides, you've kinda proved to be different than the others, so there's that too.

[she peers over his way while bringing the glass to her lips, watching his face. it's probably telling that even here and now, she still expects him to reveal he's been just stringing her along to better hurt her, that here'll be some hint of cruelty in his features.

it's just as telling that there isn't any, and that...she's relieved for it.

she makes a faint, acknowledging sound before taking a drink and almost immediately regretting it, one eye squeezing shut as her expression pinches against the taste. she'll own her mistake regardless, gulping and setting the glass down rather quickly. the merit of the shaking-part...she understands it much better now, thank you.

she coughs a little to clear her throat, embarrassed, shaking her head.]

We-well. I...I'm relieved to hear it. To not...be a complete joke in your eyes.

[Okay, it's really hard not to laugh at her blunder, but he's trying. His mouth twists as he tries to keep back that smirk that's threatening to appear. Laughing is probably not the best thing he can do when she just said what she did, so he's really trying to keep back that bubble of laughter in his throat.

Really, really trying.]

I ain't ever thought you were a joke. [The waver in his voice might be betraying his actual sincerity here.] Just wasn't sure how real you were with this shit.

A lot of folks on your side of things put up a good front. When they're really no better than a reject like me. All they do is hide it.

[she side-eyes him, squinting at that look of effort not to laugh. she could accuse him of lying, but to be fair...she's sure she looks very ridiculous right now. it's probably warranted. she's more convinced of that as her own mouth twitches, trying to quirk in a similar fashion.]

It would seem to me...to be a lot of work, in that case. More than I could care to put up.

[that lack of front...maybe that's why she can take him at his word? even when she has doubts, they don't seem to last very long or hold up much at all. it's harder to really imagine the benefit of lying to her in this case, anyway.

but that makes hearing things like reject like me a more troubling thing. something else to ruminate over in her troubled heart.]

Well... [she sighs, looking back down at her glass.] I am also really bad at preparing a drink properly. There is that, too.

[He shrugs, finally letting that smirk settle into his face.]

Egotists will do anything to maintain their image, yo. It's kinda incredible the lengths they'll go to convince people they're somethin' they ain't.

[Hilarious coming from Guzma, but look he's selectively self-aware. His calling himself a reject wasn't even meant to inspire some deeper thought in Lucina, he just knows it's what he is. He embraces it, wears it like some sort of badge of honor.]

Gimme that. [He pushes off the frame and crosses over to her, offering to take her glass with one hand, while he grabs the mug he used earlier.]

There's a reason I did it the way I did earlier. Otherwise it settles at the bottom.

[her nose crinkles just a little bit.] For all the technological wonders of this age, food and drink still takes such work sometimes. [she shakes her head.] For example -- you know that the things that are advertised as able to be re-heated in a microwave can come packaged in materials that blow up in the microwave? [just the most ridiculous thing!]

[He's listening as he mixes her drink, nodding along, less so because he's agreeing but more so because he's just listening—and then she gets to her point. He stops shaking her drink and just...kinda stares at her.

Then he snorts.]

You—you're supposed to take 'em out. You ain't readin' the direction first?

[He's utterly charmed right now. But man, at the same time, who's to say a drunk or high Guzma hasn't tried to make hot cocoa through microwaving his world's version of a can of Yoo-hoo? he really doesn't have room to talk.]

Edited 2019-09-30 22:17 (UTC)

[she flushes, scoffing.]

I'd not have assumed there would need to be direction in such a case! It's not very intuitive, is it? Especially when other materials manage just fine...!

[it wasn't her proudest moment, but at least the foil wrapping on that sandwich was only on fire for a little bit before she noticed. it's not like she could've asked Owain for guidance, either; he tended to just...blow his food up with magic. a lot.

she's only slightly offended by the mirth on his expression, because it's honestly a boon even if it comes at the expense of her pride. still, she pulls a stern face, swiping the glass back when he's done shaking it up and takes another hearty sip. it's much better now, and not being as apprehensive about it helps.

she turns on her heel, moving back toward the living room of her own accord, her eyes trailing around and at-last taking note of the absence of takeout and other things that'd been littered about in days prior. gods. she really needs to pick up her own place...]

Where are your friends, by-the-by? [she glances over before sitting back down.] Your Pokemon, I mean. Do they often prefer being housed in their balls, rather than roam about?

Of course there'd be directions... Not all microwavable food even microwaves for the same amount of time, yo. I ain't no chef, but I'm pretty sure even food that cooks on the stove ain't all the same, neither.

[The fact Guzma's not sure says a lot about his experience with having a working stove. Look, Shady House didn't even have a working fridge, and when you spend most of your teenage life homeless...

Of course he's following after her, shaking his head. She's so ridiculous, but he kinda digs that. After all, he's every bit ridiculous himself. To be fair, some of the clutter being picked up was more his Pokémon (Scizor) doing it, than him.]

Hm? [He's sitting down when she asks, sparing her a glance as he grabs his drink.] Oh, they're around. Golisopod was in the back before I went to the store, Masquerain and Ariados were upstairs in my room, Scizor was in here, but clearly ain't, and Pinsir's in his ball.

[Pinsir does not go unattended. Depowered or not, he's a fucking menace.]

Scizor's probably chillin' with Golisopod.

[in an exhale:] I would like to see them again. They're very cute...

[she blinks after-the-fact, then fidgets awkwardly. thoughts are more easily coming out as statements, and she's not got a trained tongue for drink.]

But, ah. May-maybe later, of course. If you don't mind...of...course.

[her eyes wince, hearing her cadence. maybe she'll just...put the glass down for a bit...]

[He takes a drink of his rum, keeping his eyes on her, that smirk still on his lips as he does. For all her dislike of insects, she's certainly taken with his bugs. He can't deny the differences, but they're still fundamentally bugs!]

I don't mind. They'll probably wanna see ya too. Golisopod and Masquerain especially. Them dudes've really taken to ya.

[He eyes her again, goes to take a drink--and notices a reflection in his glass. He looks up and--]

Heh, s'up Ariados.

[Yep, after hearing some noise down here, Ariados did what spiders do best: snuck along the ceiling, quiet and undetectable. He lets out a soft trill, before his big purple eyes fixate on Lucina.]

[it's very heartening to hear she's being held in good esteem by some of those cute creatures, and it does much to ease some of the tension her worry of oversharing was starting to build up.

but she only gets a moment to look content before Guzma's sudden greeting leaves her confused. she looks around toward the door, toward the stairs, and then--]

YEEP-!

[the sound catches her off-guard, and doubly-so seeing the giant spider above her. she jerks to the side, her instinct to grab for a weapon or something for security -- it just happens to be Guzma's arm.

her grip is...a bit too extreme, too.]

Wh--

[That's about all Guzma gets out before his arm is being grabbed and crushed by that grip. He nearly doesn't activate his carapace in time to fend it off, and there's a stratled and pained grunt in the mix.

Meanwhile, Ariados starles. Letting out an apologetic cry as he scurries back towards the stairs. And in an instant, he's gone. Guzma's left confused and a little annoyed from himself and Ariados being startled, looking to Lucina with a bewildered stare.]

What the fuck was that?

Shit, now Ariados probably thinks he did somethin' wrong.

[Guzma sighs.]

I-I, I-!! [she flusters, trapped between pained sounds and sad-bug sounds. ashamed, she releases Guzma right away and rises just as quickly to her feet -- bad, very bad, her head swims--]

Ouff!! [she flops back down on the couch with a grunt, grimacing.] Gods...damnit! [that just irritates her! she grits her teeth and hops back up, swerving around the coffee table and toward the stairs.]

Wait! Come back! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you-!!

[Guzma considers following her, but decides to let her apologize on her own. Taking more of an interest in the state his arm's in after that, good god! It's already bruising from what he can see. Man, he's really gonna have to be on his toes around Lucina and her ridiculous strength, isn't he?

However, as Lucina starts to head up the stairs she'll...be greeted with the sight of some holes in the wall, even the hand rail for the stairs looks a little dented and nearly pulled loose from the wall. Maybe it's from having giant bug monsters in the house? Or maybe it's indicative of something else.

Another thing of note is the webbing along the ceiling. It's certainly not that of your typical spider! But it's something to follow, and if she does, she'll find Ariados in the corner of the upstairs hallway between the bedroom and the bathroom, huddled up and brooding.

He goes rigid when he sees her, looking as if he might scurry if she gets too much closer. He doesn't want to upset her again, after all!]

Edited 2019-10-01 02:49 (UTC)

There you are--oh! No, please-- [she holds up her hands, her eyes wincing.] Please don't flee. I mean only to apologize for my disgraceful behavior! I've brought shame upon my name and my family for such an offense, all for simply being caught unawares...

[she gulps. oh, no! why is this more intense and emotional than it needs to be?! yet clearly it must be so, because it is how she feels in the moment, and that can't be wrong. right?? that's why she braved creepy webs and such to get up here, after all!

she bows low at the waist, wobbling a little with the way it makes her head feel all floaty.]

I...I humbly apologize, but I cannot beg your forgiveness for the slight, as I have not earned such an honor. Please accept my contrition and will to make amends, however!

[all of this is needlessly loud because she is not aware she is mostly shouting it. as you do.]

[As Lucina begins apologizing, Ariados visibly relaxes. Waiting for her to finish before making his move. Once she does, he lowers himself down...with a thread of his webbing, you know, like spiders do...before dropping entirely and landing on the ground. He approaches her, staring up at her with those large eyes of his, before letting out a churring low rumble of his name.

Seems he's forgiven her! Especially with how he's stalking forward to...climb onto her. Nothing says forgiveness like arachnid hugs...]

[thank goodness she was staring at the floor during that bit! but she does lift her head a bit to peer back at Ariados, uncertain what to make of the noise. she needn't wonder long, however, as she finds herself becoming a sort-of tree in which to climb. it is a bit startling at first, uncertain how to interpret this move until she straightens back up and finds she's just. being more or less embraced without harm?]

...Oh, you're...you're very sweet. [she's so moved! absolutely nothing about this exchange was ridiculous at all obviously, and she's well within her rights to give the little guy a squeeze -- without any of that crushing force poor Guzma got -- while letting out a weak laugh of relief.]

I was afraid I'd have made myself a terrible nuisance, reacting so childishly as I did and--

[and...crunching Guzma's arm? oh, dear. hopefully Ariados is cool with the ride back downstairs, otherwise she'll bare the weird kinda-icky feeling of being climbed off of while she half-floats, half trots down the stairs, catching her momentum by the railing.]

Guzma, your arm--did I hurt you? I'm so sorry!

[Ariados seems to enjoy the compliments and the hug back. Likewise, he is also enjoying the ride back down the stairs. Settled and comfortable on her torso as he is, he's content to just watch her. Maybe it's a little unnerving to have him staring at her like this, but he's a curious sort, and he's less familiar with her than Masquerain and Golisopod is.

With her and Ariados returning--little surprise there, since he could hear the whole thing--Guzma's chilling in the same spot, looking at them as he's finishing off his second glass. He puts it down, and waves her off.]

S'fine. Ain't nothin' I can't deal with.

[Just some deep ass bruising, nothing big.]

I see you 'n Ariados made up, huh?

Ah--

[she blinks, looking back down at her passenger before letting out a small, sheepish giggle.]

It seems so...!

[she walks back into the room proper at a more mindful pace, though she stops shy of sitting down for the sake of the creature still hanging on.]

That is...that's how you interpret it? I'm afraid I don't know Pokemon mannerisms as well as I wish I did. [Mightyena is an exception because she's familiar with dogs and Crobat's an exception because he has humanoid-enough expressions to convey his exasperation with.]

[There's something soft in how he's looking at them. He doesn't even realize it himself, thinking he's looking more smug and self-assured than...warm. He can't help it. Not when she dashed off like she did, needing to make it up to Ariados like that. Even if she was scared or bothered, she was determined to make Ariados feel better.

That means a lot to him. After all, his Pokémon are his family, too.

He nods, gesturing with his hand at his own torso, where Ariados is attached on hers.]

Ariados ain't the type to be so out in the open--not one to approach head on or nothin'. They're pokémon who keep to the shadows, waitin' to strike. It's in their very nature to hide.

He only clings to someone like that if he's comfortable with 'em. It's a favorite thing of his, but he ain't one to just do it to anyone.

[Guzma being the main one he does it to, naturally.

Ariados does shift on her, realizing she wants to sit. So, he adjusts to her back, settles for a moment--and then hops off of her to the back of the couch. Perching himself in the middle of it so he's between both her and Guzma.]

Edited 2019-10-01 11:20 (UTC)

[she catches that expression a bit late, but maybe that’s for the best, because even just a little glimpse of that fondness in her direction makes her face warm up and her chest feel rather fluttery. she is grateful to Ariados being able to provide some buffer, letting her collect a bit of herself before plopping back down on the couch. it’s either that expression or the drink that makes her feel so floaty, she figures; it’s not clear to her that it could be both.

her eyes stay on the Pokémon for now, her hands folding in her lap.]

Then I’ll...consider it an honor. To be accepted that way. [she looks up at Guzma without thinking, holding a breath for a beat before self-awareness can get her to look away and let out a little exhale.]

How long have you known your creature-friends...?

[The color to her cheeks don't go unnoticed, nor unappreciated. However, instead of just staring at her, he looks to Ariados, petting the bug as she speaks up--yet pausing when she asks her question. He glances at her, then looks to Ariados.]

A long time. Over a decade. [He continues petting Ariados, who lets out a soft little trill of contentment.]

Caught 'em all during my island trial, except Golisopod. Had him before then. He's my starter.

[Of course the alcohol is starting to affect him now, so he's not thinking about how she has no idea the context of any of this. How she doesn't know what an island trial even is, or what a starter exactly means.]

They've been with me through thick and thin--stayed by my side, even when I ran away. They're good Pokémon, they don't judge, they don't look down on me. They ain't like that--they get your boy like no one else.

[If Lucina wants to see soft looks, the one he's giving Ariados now is king. Utter adoration in his eyes, even his tone is soft and loving. Like how someone might speak of a very close family member, someone they have an inseparable bond with.]

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