Earning her keep

[arceusstansme]

Who: Akari and any poor sod who crosses her path.
What: Akari is here to prove her worth to Bottlecap Bay. Whether you like it or not.
Where: Bottlecap Bay
When: Sometime during April (all of it)
Warnings: Swearing, the traumas:tm:



Some people (or, well, Pokémon) would take a day or two to adjust to having their bodies shaped into something new and thrown into a new location. Maybe take a moment to adjust to any weird dysmorphia about suddenly having no fingers or being a sentient bag of garbage (which, let's be real, isn't a change for some people.)

Akari on the other hand started to work. Someone needed a berry delivered from point A to point B without being eaten somewhere in the middle? Akari was on it. Needed someone to go tell their kid who was playing dangerously close to a ledge to stop it? Akari was already there. It didn't matter; it seemed like the moment someone looked mildly uncomfortable, the Cyndaquil was already there trying to fix an ill or find something.

It would be impressive if it seemed like she took a break. Or if she didn't seem like she was just sitting in traffic waiting for a light to turn as she listened to whatever someone needed. It was also obvious she was also trying to make sure the task was done 100 percent, even if she checked back in with the person like she was throwing a cigarette butt at them when she was done.

That was just the nature of her. Sometimes you might see her resting her feet for a second or two; other times you might see her waiting for someone or something to appear to give a message or deliver something. Or sometimes, she might stop and stare at you for a moment before asking if you needed help.

Comments

[bladeofnymeia]

[Firoza had just been taking some sun, really. Taking a breather, letting the wind hit her face for once...let's say Akari approaches from the left, because after a moment, Firoza notices her presence, eyes prickling on her, and she hastily pulls a blue bandana from around her neck over her snout.]

Erm, help? No...I'm well, thank you. Did you need some help?

[Just turn the question around on ya there.]

[arceusstansme]

Not at all!

[She said, trying to place her nubby little nub arms on her waist.]

I figured since I just came here, I should really work on everyone's quality of life. Like, have you seen the buildings here?

[You know, Akari isn't going to take offense to the sudden bandana over snout with Firoza.]

Like, you know, people get comfortable and let everything get gross. So I am fixing that.

[The Cyndaquil sounds like a teenager, shouldn't she be hanging out in front of clothiers talking about who is the hottest gladiator on the bloodsands?]

[bladeofnymeia]

[...Looks over to the buildings.]

I think they're very quaint. Realistically built, considering the limitations of the residents. What is wrong with them?

[She's more confused by the idea that the buildings are lacking. Look, just because you get to stay in all sorts of inns and places to rest your head does not mean you look down on what would essentially be a tribe's well-established settlement back home.]

[arceusstansme]

What if a bad storm comes through? Or someone decides to go crazy and start burning everything?

[Just because it hasn't happened, doesn't mean it won't.]

Or like, someone who doesn't know how their abilities work do something stupid.

[bladeofnymeia]

Oh! Well, when I arrived here with some of the others, there was a terrible storm. We helped pitch in with the rebuilding efforts. [So forces of nature can be dealt with, if people are willing.] And I think the natives here who use fire are smart enough and cautious enough not to let that happen as often as you'd think.

[Thinks a little bit about that last point.]

The only people who wouldn't know how their abilities worked would be those who came from other worlds. And in that case, I would recommend that they seek out the council of Doctor Denne. He explained my situation very well. [The whole, uh. Poison situation.] Though I understand he's still exhausted from running the clinic while so many fell ill...so, maybe, seeking out one's guild leader would be another good thing to do? Either they could point you in the right direction of who could explain things, or they'd explain it themselves.

[Mostly she's just trying to be helpful in case this is one of those hypothetical situations that's not so hypothetical.]

[seacub]

And you know what?? Who can blame Akari for assuming a tiny cubone needs help, if the cubone isn't wearing the skull. Peeled. Peeled cubone, that's what this is, and sure the skull is hanging on his back like a morbid backpack but that isn't where cubone helmets go.

They go on heads.

Clearly, something is wrong, even as the little scarred up cubone says- "Oh. Uh...not really? I'm just looking for someone who does hat orders, I should be fine."

[arceusstansme]

A Cubone without its skull on? That is weird and creepy. Stop being peeled.

"You thought of wearing your natural hat?" She questioned, gesturing vaguely at the skull.

"Like, I am looking for a hat or a bandana or something. I don't like having a breeze on my everything."

[seacub]

"Huh?"

Give him a second.

"Oh- no, it's not for me...I'm scoping out the options so I can recommend a place to my roommate." Anasui cannot be trusted to socialize, he simply cannot.

Anyway. "...And...the helmet is kind of heavy? And honestly really vision limiting, so I try not to wear it if I'm in town..."

Ahh, but that aside, he does gesture to the place he was considering walking in on just now. "If you're looking for stufd though, we could go together? I at least know where most of the stores are..."

Just a matter of if they can tailor a weird hat, in his case.

[arceusstansme]

"Yeah, but it's kinda weird to see a Cubone with that off. Not going to lie." Unnatural!

"Thanks, I should take a moment and get dressed, look at me, I look stupid. But cute. Separate categories, not same." Like Ingo, who looked like her starter first partner Pokémon now, which only made her want to call him stupid cute.

"We can go together, shopping trip. We can look fresh."

[offtracks]

[Ingo, quite frankly, spends a lot of his days doing something similar. He's got a more relaxed pace about it, but he also knows the value of proving your worth early on. Not everyone in the Pearl Clan was as willing to accept him without question as Irida.

Presumably he's someone she wouldn't approach for help - that's not really something he's ever needed from her, unless battling in an attempt to regain memories counts - but he does wander over at some point when neither of them is on a job.]

You seem to be keeping busy already! I have seen you all over town today!

[arceusstansme]

[It is obvious though she is happy to see Ingo approach as she happily scurries around him like an excited child.]

Yeah. You know me, total 'A' type personality. Got to get the folks here to know who they can call on when they need help.

[offtracks]

Yes, I've been doing much the same! Though I fear a great deal of the problems here have been caused by our own arrival...

[At least, the stuff with the illness spreading around certainly is a lot worse due to the crowding.]

But they have been very kind about it.

[arceusstansme]

[Akari goes still about the mention that the Pokemon's problems were somehow everyone's fault.]

Well, I guess that means we got to fix it. That's just how it goes.

[dripdrive]

Much like Akari, Anasui is new and also quick to adapt to the situation at hand. However, very much unlike her, he is far less willing to help out. Yes, he's been volunteering at the medical center, but he's been just doing his fair share, not bustling for yet another task.

Thankfully, he's done for the day. Good. His headache is getting worse. The Espathra stops outside the clinic, and closes his eyes, as if that will settle his throbbing headache.

No such luck. However, when he opens them, he will notice Akari. The long-necked Pokemon turns to Akari and scowls.

"... Help? Do I look like I need help?" Someone is cranky~

[arceusstansme]

And she isn't scared to call him out on it.

"Grouchy, do you like- need me to go get you a berry because you're not yourself when hungry?"

She doesn't back down at the scowl, either, there are people she respects more with more intense resting bitch faces and Anasui isn't on the list.

But also, Akari, you're a foot and a half tall, the Espathra could probably punt you over a house (she dares you).

"Need me to find a blanket so you can take a nap?"

[dripdrive]

"What?" Anasui stares down at Akari, confused and slightly irritated. Hello??? What???

The thought of kicking the Cyndaquil does occur to Anasui but he holds it back. Instead, he grunts.

"It's none of your business... Leave me alone." Anasui closes his eyes again.

[arceusstansme]

"Going to be the edgy cool boy? You're not cute enough for that. So either find a CD player and turn on some 'My Potion Romance' in your bedroom if you don't want people to bother you in the streets."

She explained easily-

"Or don't act like a bitch when people try and help. Your choice, I'm not your mom."

[truthdecided]

Akari may have noticed a shadow flying over her while running around doing busywork. Perhaps she may even spot a certain bird perched on rooftops watching her.

Eventually, he'll break his watchful silence, head cocked to the side.

"Not one for breaks, I take it."

[arceusstansme]

When the borb speaks, she turns around and looks at him.

"Nope, I can rest when I am tired, or dead, whichever comes first." she said easily.

"Besides, we all know that in villages like this, you got to earn your keep. So insurance."

Insurance that will still not work if something goes wrong and everyone has it in their heads somehow she is to blame. But hey, over it! She doesn't dwell (she dwells).

[truthdecided]

"There's a difference between earning your keep and overexertion." His voice is sharp, clipped. "Extend yourself too far now, and you won't be able to help later, especially if you end up in the clinic again."

[arceusstansme]

"I am always quick to bounce back."

She points out, not so helpfully.

[shotinhead]

There were many people who knew how to not stop working around. But as the Cyndaquil was moving to grab a small package of berries and other gifts from one Pokemon to take to another, quite suddenly, a Dragonite leaned down, grabbing the package with his claws.

A Dragonite with many scars, and a bit of a frown. "I believe they deserve a proper Courier."

[arceusstansme]

"Proper? I can handle delivering a package."

She said, trying to jump up to grab the package once more. But she was very small, and the Dragonite to her was very tall.

"Take it to point A to point B without opening, dropping or losing it somewhere in the middle."

[shotinhead]

And the Dragonite was putting it in his bag. It's a... quite nice satchel.

"I've been doin' it for... how old are you? Probably longer then you've been alive."

[arceusstansme]

Hey, hey, how dare you use age and experience against her.

"Around 15. An, um, this is thievery. Like, I'll get like the Post Office on you."

You don't want to mess with the Pokémon Post Master General, do you? (if they have one)