bottlecaplogs | [Closed] Rising Temperatures

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[Closed] Rising Temperatures

Who: Flamebringer and Sanji
What: EXPLORATION: Red
Where: North of the new outpost
Warnings: Extreme lack of emotional intelligence (tagged as needed)

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"Wouldya slow down?! I'm supposed to be the one in front here, dammit," Sanji growls, again having to trot to be in the lead. It's hot. His legs are too short. And he still has to wear this stupid brace on his back leg for another week. He refuses to be carried when he doesn't have to, but he's almost starting to regret that.

The heat of the area isn't awful (all sweat on Sanji is from the exertion of being Short) with this body's particular properties, but it's still annoying. The sun in his eyes in particular. What he wouldn't give for a set of clothing like what he wore in Alabasta...But that'd be too much of a hazard if it actually caught fire...

Tis place reminds him of the desert kingdom, but here there's ash. And soot. And. A volcano probably. And a tall bastard who says he'll stay back and then proceeds to stroll ahead like this is a casual walk on a sunny day. How is Flamebringer even handling this so well? He's not immune to fire and heat like Sanji is. Wouldn't he be freaking melting under all that fur? And the gear he's carrying?? Damn.

"If you get deep fried in a lava pit you didn't see, I'm just gonna laugh, just so ya know." Sanji can't carry much like he is. And he can't keep up very well. And his leg is starting to ache. So pardon him for being a bit cranky. But...that's total whaleshit too. If Flamebringer starts stumbling into something he shouldn't, Sanji will be there. It won't happen. He'll be close enough to stop it. Unlike...

He sighs, nose burning on the smoky air. "You must be used to this sort of environment, huh." He'd say it's a hunch, but...no. Jumbled memories stir when he says that....odd. He's used to the ocean as his constant companion, not. This.

He does actually stop for the vulpix. Sighing to himself. Sanji actually does have right to be annoyed with him, he had agreed to allowing him to take the lead... although he was starting to question that choice every second of this venture. It was hard not to try to scout ahead when he was familiar with such tumultuous environments, and when staying behind the small pokemon was much, much slower.

But they had an entire conversation about why Sanji taking the lead was a smart choice, and he had agreed. It wasn't like he was blocking much of the path anyways, it was comical how much Flamebringer towered over him- which might be one of the reasons he'd allowed himself to take the rear in the first place. He couldn't keep an eye on Sanji if he was behind him after all.

The heat is more uncomfortable than normal for him. Even though it doesn't show to Sanji. He'll have to mind his own limits more than normal... he frowns. His usual choices of outfit keep him from overheating in warmer environments- but he had little choice when it came to his fur. Not unless he wanted to seriously shave some patches off... which he wasn't inclined to do when it wouldn't grow back immediately. As it is its more than bearable. He'd been caught in firestorms before after all, it could always be much worse.

He rolls his eyes at the idle threat. Knowing it is as such because- the thought sours his mood.

He hopes they never encounter such mind muddling fog again, but given the streak of luck they'd been dealing with so far, he wouldn't put LMD down on it. He watches Sanji shimmy ahead of him before his eyes drift to the falling ash... It was nostalgic. It reminded him of-

Sanji's comment causes him to tense slightly and his eyes narrow at him. Yes. That. "Something like that." He answers noncommittally. Sanji needn't ask. He knew. Flamebringer knew he knew. He looks away, eyeing their environment. "The ash isn't so thick here. But it could get worse. If it does we'll have to turn back." Kazdel's furnace was never so dangerous- but he'd been in situations very different and somehow even more hostile than even the dark streets of Kazdel.

He hadn't been home in many years...

The tall gangly absol actually does slow down, and Sanji trots forward with a haughty huff, tails flared in indignation. Heat this heavy would normally sap his energy, but it seems to be feeding his energy reserves. Most energy expended is just...shouting. And that's normal. He keeps going in a light trot to not be as slow. He hates slowing them down being small like this.

He hates being small.

Whatever, that's not new. He doesn't have to look back to check if Flamebringer is behind him; he can hear the clicking of claws on the barren ground.

....Flamebringer should mention the shaving idea. Surely an absol with a buzzcut would turn some heads and be MUCH cooler. Ha.

Sanji hums in reply, thinking. "I mean we could look in places with less fallin' ash. Those caves over there might be more habitable." He snorts, clearing some smoke and ash from his airways. Where was a good cigarette when ya needed one...he's aware of his companion's narrowing eyes and deliberately does not meet that glare. "Just because you're kinda used to it, don't forget to drink water regularly. It's too hot for much to survive here looks like...damn. What did ya even eat back at home then, if it was worse than this? Kazdel, right?" He's been looking for any sorts of ingredients to bring back and work with but all he's seeing is alot of DIRT. Sand. Ash. Good for a firepit maybe but not for eating...

At least not unless you were desperate. They ain't there yet.

Sanji's too focused on chef thoughts and making sure he doesn't trip on his fact to catch how he probably shouldn't be throwing someone's personal info around quite so liberally...

He watches the vulpix walk ahead of him indifferently. They're not in any kind of hurry. They don't intend to stay out here more than a few hours- So its not like rationing will be an issue. He takes that time to continue to survey the area, eyes cast to the darkened sky- the ash, the formation of the mountains around them... its certainly not a friendly atmosphere, and in a way that makes it almost nostalgic. If it wasn't for the fur on his back and the little beast Pokemon in front of him- he could almost believe this was still Terra.

As it is he very quietly sighs to himself. He's not used to being so... sentimental. Why...? Its been bothering him. Not that he'll ever express it to more than himself, and even then- he has more important things to dwell on...

He follows after Sanji after a moment longer.

He is a long hair enjoyer thank you very much.

He smirks a little darkly at Sanji's sneeze. Karma for prying. But he makes a good point. The Furnace of Kazdel didn't output a lethal or even harmful amount of ash. Else they wouldn't have formed their society around it. ~~That was a lie. It was important to them, and they had so few other choices, the danger wouldn't have changed a thing...~~ "We'll start with the caves." He agrees, watching Sanji walk ahead as he squinted through the light smog in that direction, trying to gauge the area.

He growls audibly this time, "I know very well how to handle myself, pirate." He doesn't add that Sanji should know why he can. "And the ways of my homeland are irrelevant here." His tone is icy, dangerous, giving Sanji a clear sign that he's pushing into territory he shouldn't be. The name of his homeland on this stranger's tongue making him feeling something- he cannot define it, only that his fur stands on end from the casual mention.

"Focus on being here and now," He has half a mind to push ahead again just to irritate his teammate again, but it won't really settle the simmering emotions in his chest. "Dwelling on the past won't help us. Anything you need to know to survive will be shared when it needs to be shared." He tries to emphasize finality in his tone, glaring at the back of the insolent cook.

Few hours or a few days, rations are always on Sanji's mind, thank you. Never know when you'll get stranded on a rock with only one bag of food- not that he's communicating that in such words. So Flamebringer just gets a little stressed puffball.

Sanji's lip raises at the smirk. Freaking tall-ass beast of a guy (Sanji you're just short...). But he agrees about the caves, so at least they can work with that.

....until he starts snapping back. Alright bastard sarkaz guy- "Do you now, Mr. Merc? I wouldn't have guessed with how much of a mess you were when we met. So pardonne MOI for being proactive!" Sanji you can't just call a guy's moment of weakness out like that. Sanji.

He reaches the entrance of the tunnel and turns, sitting down to stare up at the absol unflinchingly. He gets he struck a nerve, he should back off, but this back and forth was so familiar to him, he can't help but push to see how far he can go... "Seemed pretty similar to me. Not great to live in, but you did." He holds a bit of admiration for that, actually. "So you must know something, and it'd be helful to be told now rather than be surprised later."

He huffs, heavy, a growl in the back of his throat. "I am. I use the here and now to make sure you don't pass out on your face sweating under all that fluff." He gestures with a paw, blackened with soot. "Look, we got some shade. Fine a time as ever. Drink something dammit!"

....his motives are well meaning, but Sanji should know by now that his crankiness can hit people the wrong way...

There's a flicker in Flamebringer's eyes, almost like real fire was burning behind them, as he leers over Sanji, "Oh? Well I certainly don't mind giving you a demonstration if you're so concerned about it." Flamebringer didn't harbor any reservations about using his lethality to prove a point. He wouldn't kill Sanji, that wasn't his style. But maybe he had already forgotten the memories he snooped in on, maybe he needed a reminder of how capable Flamebringer could be.

Its almost impressive that the small little creature could meet him eye to eye unflinchingly. Almost. If he didn't know the skin and bone that this man once had. If there was one thing those memories didn't warn him for- it was how foolish this cook would be. "You think you know everything from a small intrusion? That my whole life and understanding is yours to play games with just because of a cosmic coincidence?" There's a full blown sneer now, his hackles raised as he bears down over Sanji.

"You know nothing of me, pirate." Sanji's caustic caring falls on deaf ears. Flamebringer hadn't survived decades without a home to be condescended to by a stranger. To be treated like a child who didn't know how to manage themselves. Knowing or not knowing his memories did not change who he was, what he was.

The locations where scars should be on his body- and where his oripathy should lay itched.

"Don't give me a reason to make you know me better." Its a clear threat, and his focus is no longer on their task, but entirely on Sanji, waiting to see if this interloper will continue to dig his own grave.

He refuses to leave anyone with the impression that he's someone to be toyed with.

Something very brief flickers across Sanji's face when Flamebringer leans into his face with that particular expression. Blink and you miss it. But it has him rising to his paws, meeting that glare with fury of his own, fire roiling just behind his teeth.

He's rising to the challenge, baring his little fox teeth. "In case you forgot, we're s'posed to be workin' together, dipshit. Or is Mr. Merc too good for teamwork now?!" ....okay so he's maybe a little pissed. Sue a guy for keeping an eye out?? "Never said I knew your whole life. Just that right here and now you might need a little help. Is that so damn hard to accept? Or can your precious sarkaz pride not take it?!" Hey. Easy there. Also wow, hypocritical much? Not that he's thinking about that.

Flamebringer snaps something volatile and charged, and Sanji, never one to back down, reacts without thinking. He lashes out, instinctively, his paw swiping across Flamebringer's too close face with a dull thwup. It's like roundhouse kicking Luffy out of the kitchen, without real, true bite to it. His claws aren't even out. Not that Flamebringer understands the Sanji nuance.

But it's taking everything he has to not lunge at the guy right this freaking second. "I know you just fine, thanks! You're the type to STARVE before asking for anyone to help out. Who'd eat his own leg before admitting that maybe, just maybe, you're in a little over your head." The words make his throat tight. There's a reason he carried a quiet respect for the absol. That recognition and respect... only fans the flames of his anger.

He huffs, turning a bit to the side as if to head down one of the many tunnels in this place, glaring out of the corner of his eye. "If that's how ya want it, then FINE!! You can handle yourself. Melt under that pile of fluff for all I care!! I'll be over here. Follow me or don't; I don't fucking care." Bald faced lies; but in his anger, it feels true.

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[Closed] Rising Temperatures

Vulpix so aggressive I'm doing the TL here

He's already bitin ankles

Chomps ankles. HYDRATE OR DIEDRATE

Mans has nostalgia and doesn't know what to do with the emotion except be Flamebringer about it.

I'm so sorry this is NOT the hill he should be dying on

Brennan hecking behavior.

I WILL DIE ON ANY HILL legend, truly