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

[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.]

[arceusstansme]

Thats all good for people who want to learn. But let's be real, there is always a jerk or two who isn't willing to listen.

[Akari points out.]

There is a reason for lowest common denominators and all that.

[bladeofnymeia]

Then they learn the hard way.

[They learn many things. Like, a crash course in "if you're an asshole no one will associate with you", for one.]

[arceusstansme]

I'd rather not have to clean up the mess. You know what it is like, obviously preventable mess and everyone runs around so you have to get the broom.

[bladeofnymeia]

But messes are part of life. They're inevitable - even if avoidable.

[arceusstansme]

They are, but I hate having to clean up other people's messes.

[She has done that a-plenty!]

Because then that is what everyone expects you to do. Its like, 'Oh, look the town has a bidoof attack, get Akari on it.'

[bladeofnymeia]

Ah. Hm.

[A genuine pause.]

I can't say I haven't felt that way before. At least a little bit. But it did help when others began to step up as well. No one thought to do that where you are from?

[arceusstansme]

In Hisui, you have to focus on surviving. It's a cold place.

[She says, thinking about it.]

If you don't help out or you hurt the town, why should they use resources on you?- kinda deal. As a member of the Survey Corps, I had to do everything I could to complete the Pokédex, which also meant if people had questions about Pokémon they would come to me to answer them.

[And lets also not think about her literal God-Given mission to catch 'em all.]

And as an outsider, I was held with more distrust than others.

[bladeofnymeia]

Oh - so you're from another place where Pokemon exist.

[Like Emmett and Ingo! Interesting.]

It sounds like a settlement still establishing itself, or under duress. I cannot say I haven't heard of such places either. But one town still ought not rely on just one person to fix all of their problems.

[arceusstansme]

Yup. Although it was nice to come here and see a familiar face, even if it was as a Pokémon.

[She bobs her little Cyndaquil head up and down.]

Jubilife really was a one Ponyta town until I showed up. And they thought I was a prodigy because I could catch a Bidoof, Starly and a Shinx. Like, a Bidoof? Really. You could pick one up and carry it around, and it would be okay with it.

[bladeofnymeia]

Mm...well...I don't think I would like to be picked up myself. But then again, I am not a Bidoof.

[arceusstansme]

Bidoofs are great, they have the stupidest faces and I love it.

[bladeofnymeia]

...Maybe you ought not say that to one you meet here? Especially a native. It might not go so well.

[arceusstansme]

You think I am going to tell a total stranger they look stupid?

[Because you would, Akari and we all know it.]

[bladeofnymeia]

No, I don't...

[It's more like she hopes not. Firoza's known Akari for like five minutes and already she's low key worried about this kid.]

It is merely a suggestion.

[arceusstansme]

But like Ingo. He looks like a Typhlosion right now. That was my starter-

['First partner Pokémon', Akari, use the Nintendo approved phrase!]

Well, Cyndaquil. He looks stupid and adorable.

[bladeofnymeia]

Would he want to be called that to his face?

[She really wouldn't say that about anybody, mostly because Pokemon are so very alien to what she knows - compared to actual aliens, too - so she really has no reference for what Pokemon look doofy or not.]

[arceusstansme]

If he didn't want me to say it, he could use his big boy words and told me. Hiding stuff gets nothing done.

[bladeofnymeia]

That is true. But I don't see...mm.

[If they were people, she would understand both sides to it - how it doesn't help to hide things, but sometimes it's better, for reasons of circumstance, to hide things. But being creatures as they are...]

...I think I don't have enough understanding of Pokemon to make a judgement on looks. Nor do I feel comfortable doing so if I did.

[arceusstansme]

You're thinking too hard on it.

[Akari said placing her nubs on her sides.]

Pokémon can look like anything, so it is really a 'beauty in the eye of the beholder' thing.

[bladeofnymeia]

Mm, maybe I am.

[She's now lost the thread of the conversation. Give her a second.]

...But...regardless. Perhaps it is just my opinion, but you look to need a rest from all your work. At least a brief one.

[arceusstansme]

[Akari will always follow her own line of thought, even if it leads her into a wall.]

And do what? Twiddle my thumbs? I don't have those anymore.

[bladeofnymeia]

But you do have a body, and a mind. And both work at their best when rested.

[Why does she feel so much like her own friends, herding her into her quarters for a nap or something after the day's latest overwhelming obstacle?]

You can't do anything for anyone when you're hungry and exhausted.

[arceusstansme]

I eat when hungry.

[She defends weakly.]