pokespe | *propane nightmares synth in the BG because I don't want to think of a title*

Who: Akira and YOU
Where: Places around Mango City
When: After October 16, but before the event
What: Various prompts, mostly involving bodyswaps or the return of Raoul! Literally this is just a post-regain pre-Halloween toplevel, that I put on a new entry because the Part 2 log is all spooky and the Part 1 log is fucking huge.

I. EARTH WITHOUT ART…

[On display now, says the poster. Regionally renowned artist Ken Sugimori’s latest exhibit, CHALLENGER!! Celebrating the trials and tribulations of Cassava’s Gym Challenge! Prominently featured on the advertising plastered all over the Mango City Art Museum is Sugimori’s lovingly rendered painting of Gym Leader Mari, standing alone on a mountain peak with her arms spread wide, Skarmory feathers falling all around her.]

[Akira frowns at the poster, and shakes his head. ‘There’s no point,’ he thinks.]

[’Think for a moment,’ someone else thinks. ’How many of the relics in this building were stolen from the desert, I wonder?’]

[‘You’re just bored.’]

[’And so are you.’]

[‘I’d rather just go beat Mari myself.’]

[’Which you haven’t done yet. I would have thought you’d have taken her down by now!’]

[Akira scoffs out loud, well aware of why he hasn’t tried to face Mari yet.]

It’s not happening.

[To any normal observer, he’s having an unusually strong negative reaction to this poster. To anyone with an ability to read minds or see souls, something much stranger is happening — he’s having an internal conversation with another entity, a peculiar and not-quite-human thing named Raoul.]

II. …IS JUST AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[There is literally no reason for anyone to be at the graveyard this late at night. In a world where ghosts are not only a real thing but also a common phenomenon, basic sense tells you to maybe stay away from anywhere the veil between life and death is weakest.]

[Unless you’re looking for Pokémon. Which Akira is. This time though, he’s not alone! A strange… man? is sitting cross-legged on top of a mausoleum, kicking his spiked stiletto heel uncomfortably widely. This man looks like he’s ten feet tall, because he is, and looks like he has mechanical wings and no face, because he does. He’s also smoking a cigar, in a graveyard, like an asshole.]

’I should like to see what these Pokémon of yours can do. The ones you have right now, they’re… how do I put this? They’re young.’

[Akira pops his head up out of the grass.]

There are more Pokémon here than just mine, obviously. You haven’t met Gyarados.

[They go on like this for a while, Akira abruptly shutting up whenever he hears a noise. Maybe that noise is a Pokémon, maybe it's not.]

III. BAD BODY DOUBLE/WILDCARD

[One of Akira’s bonuses this month is to swap bodies with another person for a week! If you’d like that person to be your character for shenanigans, or you want to do something specific with Akira and/or Raoul and/or the Pokémon, let me know on Plurk at skysplitter or via Discord!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[One soul, or two? Both? Neither? Strange. Strange.]

'Just so. They have returned to me now, mercy of mercies — but upon further consideration, Akira and I have decided that it is simply unfair to the Pokémon to pit them against me directly. After all, they have done nothing wrong!'

[The implication being, of course, that Raoul would wipe the floor with all of them. Whether he is actually this strong or he's just blowing hot air remains to be seen. ~~Spoilers, he is actually this strong.~~]

[Hythlo chuckles, a hand raised to his lips in a contemplative gesture.]

Indeed... Not to mention, the creatures of this world are quite loveable, in appearance if not always in behaviour. I do not enjoy seeing them hurt... But should a worthy opponent for you ever appear, I would quite like to see your powers in action, Master d'Avenac.

[He glances at Akira.]

Am I correct to assume, then, that you have come here to look for possible companions to fight by your side? I am not a warrior myself, but I can understand the intent.

That's correct. I want to beat Mari.

[The ghosts are spooky and all that, but Akira feels drawn to them. Raoul, quite pleased, nods at this assertion.]

'If not for new companions, then why are you here, monsieur? With all respect, you seem too high-spirited for someone mourning the departed.'

[Ah, right. The mysterious 'gym' Hythlo has heard so much about... and never decided to try, not after Atsushi's breakdown at the Contest Hall.

Raoul's question, though, makes him laugh in a rather pleased way.]

'Tis true, I do pride myself on my disposition. I am here... out of habit, one might say. Such places are not unfamiliar to me, nor is the changing of the cycle of life. And I am quite curious to see how many souls of this world remain behind in the form of these creatures. Should you wish it so, I could introduce you to some of them.

[Just a normal guy hanging out in the cemetery with ghost buddies, nothing to see here.]

[Raoul and Akira look briefly at each other. The mental conversation that goes on is something along the lines of, "Should we?" "Yeah, what the hell." Might find some cool new Poképals out of it, and if not, at least it's a fun new experience.]

'We would love that. Thank you very much.'

[Hythlo smiles and gives the both of them a bow, a little more theatric than necessary.]

Do follow me, then. And mayhaps I could locate my companion, as well... We meant to leave, but he finds the company here agreeable. Hades!

[Hythlo straightens up and looks around to call for his ghost buddy. He's nowhere to be seen... and then Hythlo spots the familiar little red eyes near the mausoleum. It looks like the Duskull has been hiding behind a column, staring at Raoul suspiciously. Who this. They don't make humans that big.]

Ah, there you are.

[Hythlo heads over to the Pokemon and makes a gesture for Raoul and Akira to follow him.]

The tower has many inhabitants, and I am certain you shall be able to find some companions there. 'Tis where I met another of my Pokemon, after all... A most adorable young lady. She tried to scare me, and was offended it would not work. She is resting now, though, and I would not disturb her needlessly.

[He makes an effort to halfway scoop up Hades, or at least as much as you can scoop up a ghost, but the Duskull just backs away and halfway hides behind Hythlo, still squinting at Raoul. He does not like the big red poke...man?]

[Akira and Raoul casually toddle along behind Hythlodaeus, and stand back as he attempts to reason with Hades. Akira notes the name with some surprise; surely no relation to the Greek deity or underworld, right?]

'Of course, of course.'

[Raoul says this in response to waking up Hythlo's resting friend, though his attention is on the Duskull. Oh my. It seems he is unnerved? The Persona bows politely, tipping his hat. Akira looks between Hythlo and Hades.]

...I can have him dissipate, if you want.

Oh, I think someone is simply jealous, 'tis all. He acts like this every time we've an addition to our team.

[He sighs, lightly petting Hades's skullmask.]

Hades, master Akira and master d'Avenac are my friends, not Pokemon. Play nice.

[Hades still gives the two a tiny glare, turns away demonstratively, "hmph" written all over his body language, then floats ahead towards the tower. If they're coming along, they might as well make it quick. >:T.]

I do apologize for him. I've no idea what it is that drives him to like or dislike others. He made quick friends with the Pokemon of a man who, on our first meeting, was definitely quite ready to fight me. But let us not tarry overlong! I would not wish to keep you from your beds unduly.

[As he leads the way to the tower, he decides to explain a little more about what they are likely to find inside.]

Is there a particular Pokemon you wish to find, master Akira? I fear I do not know all the names, but... There are those that look akin to candles, Litwick, I believe. One of my friends met one that appears to be a sword. There are quite a few like Hades, and some like Hekata, as well. A Misdreavus, I believe someone called her?

'It's quite alright. There is no accounting for taste, and I daresay we can both suffer with the ignominy of having one spirit dislike us.'

[Many spirits dislike them! Most of them are contained within living bodies, but they still dislike them!]

Litwick, right. Rhel has one.

[Rather than look at Hades and make the Ghost-type even more uncomfortable, Akira's attention is captured by the tower itself. He's craning his neck backwards to see if he can find the top.]

I was looking for someone who might help with defeating Mari.

[Hythlo looks genuinely happy at the mention of that name.]

Ah, you know lady Rhel? You should have said so sooner! She is of my world, as well. But... I fear I am not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to these battles. A lot of people among us appear to be more informed, however.

Oh, really?

[Immediately one thing comes to mind, because he knows very little else about Rhel's world.]

Do you have giant killer moths, too?

Oh goodness, that sounds unpleasant. We have only the regular kind. Although some of the creations of Lahabrea could fit the description...

[Regular for a people 20ft tall. So... giant killer moths for everyone else, yeah.]

Good.

[Akira doesn't know about the size of the Amaurotines so he assumes they are normal sized moths for humans.]

Rhel apparently thinks moths half the size of people are normal.

[Hythlo pauses to give Akira an incredulous look.]

I must admit I am seized by fear each time lady Rhel or master Joscelaint share the facts of their world. First rampant morbols, now half-man height moths... I know not how they even survive.

Joss, too?

[Oh, god.]

There are all sorts of worlds out there. I guess.

propane nightmares synth in the BG because I don't want to think of a title

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