bottlecaplogs | Flowey's April Showers/May Flowers Catch-all

[Flowey's irritation at being paired up with Cedric quickly turns to confusion as the teleportation specialists begin to panic. It seems like those idiots lost the teams that already went out-- who could have thought that suddenly adopting mass use of a barely-tested system could go so wrong?

He doesn't have time for sarcasm and slinging blame, though; Shoka was one of the people who went ahead of him. (With Siffrin, not like he cares or anything. Whatever.) Flowey turns his attention from glaring at Cedric towards actual solutions; he tries to reach out to every missing person through Grumpearl and does the little he can to help troubleshoot the teleportation systems.

For the most part, though, he's resigned to pacing around and waiting. Flowey turns his attention to meticulously planning, using one of his leaves to write shorthand messages on a tablet. He might be over-preparing, but it's some way he can regain control in this situation.

If Cedric looks at what Flowey is writing, it seems like it's a list of his own and Cedric's strengths. Flowey has noted that he has moves like Grasswhistle, Sunny Day, and Light Screen, while Cedric has the ability to fly as well as moves like Gust. (Cedric may feel like Flowey has been watching or even stalking him, but to be fair, Flowey does that to everyone-- though that may not make it any better.)]

Listen, Cedric. [There's no derogatory title this time.] I don't like you and you don't like me, but they need our help out there.

[What follows is a very logical strategy: to search past the cliffs methodically, utilizing each of their strengths. Cedric can take to the sky while Flowey stays closer to the ground, both specialists in their respective domain. He suggests synergies between their battle abilities like he's an old pro in combat, despite his voice sounding like he can't be more than 12 years old.]

What do you think?

[The feeling was quite mutual when Cedric found out he was assigned to Flowey, of all people. The Seedot wasn't very nice to him last time they chatted on the Grumpearl, prompting him to block the guy shortly after, and now he's begrudgingly unblocked him since they're forced to communicate again. He hates it. Flowey can definitely tell he hates it.

But what he hates more is Pokémon disappearing through the new teleportation, especially when he hears one of them was Siffrin, the Shinx who literally threw themself under boulders to save Cedric during their last major quest. They spared him great pain, and now he needs to return the favour... oh, and to Shoka, he supposes. She wasn't nice on the Grumpearl either, but Noelle seems quite upset for her sake, so he will include Shoka if it will make her happy.

Initially expecting Flowey to be much more annoying about this, he is surprised to see the note-taking, so yes he does steal a glance over. He... doesn't like how many details this guy knows about him that are from after he was blocked, but uh, at least this seems to be real strategizing?

It's when he's snooping that Flowey suddenly speaks and he straightens up, as if he was just caught stealing from the cookie jar. Then his eyes widen when the words are direct, not patronizing. And the plan is well thought out, admittedly better than what he would have conceived on his own; it would remind him of Roland if Flowey's voice wasn't significantly higher than his royal friend.

So after some thought, he frowns, but nevertheless delivers a nod.] As much as I dislike this arrangement, I agree that your idea is the best option we have. Very well. I'll keep you in sight from above in case the Pearls continue to malfunction.

Alright. Glad you can be logical. [He's still remembering Cedric's reaction to knowledge of the comas.

He restrains himself from further slights, at least for the moment. They have a job to do. He sets about reviewing the map. It ends at the cliffs, so once they go past, they'll be in uncharted territory.]

[He is this close to insisting he's always logical but doesn't. Even though he knows it's true. Little does Flowey know that Cedric is aware now that he was right about the comas and just refuses to say so out loud. What's the point?

He examines the map before flapping into the air, and that's when it registers where the cliffs are. He can handle them, he thinks, but what about the Seedot? What about Siffrin and Shoka, who also have no wings? No, can't dwell on that. Donning his robe and wand brooch, he's at least more likely to show up through fog as he keeps a viewable distance above Flowey.]

[The platforms that were built up the cliffside make the trip easier. Notably, he refuses to let Cedric fly him up, even though it takes them longer to actually get to the peak.

There are a few other rescue teams getting their bearings near the top, but Flowey doesn't bother to stop and talk to them. He's obstinate as ever, but much less vocal about it.

Once they reach the fog, they have no choice but to rely fully on each other. Once or twice, Flowey has to call out to help Cedric find his way back to him from the sky when the fog gets too dense. On one such occasion, there's yet another cliff, but without any platforms.

So far, Flowey has been able to use vines or other creative methods to get around. But this time, he's going to have to get help.]

Carry me. And don't drop me.

[This might go easier- and thus, be over faster- if he would say 'please'. But he already feels humiliated enough.]

[He's initially fine with such a refusal, since he imagines carrying him would be a pain for both of them anyway. He gives other teams a nod if they look in his direction but otherwise doesn't interact either - partly so Flowey doesn't have a reason to chastise him for it, but also because this is serious business.

He spots the Sunkern using the vegetation along the way, so once they reach the bare cliff he's already lowering himself to see what will be done. Oh... well, he should have expected the command eventually, but it still would have been nice if he asked...

No, he's not going to complain, he's doing this for Siffrin.]

I assure you I won't.

[As if he would consider such a thing- all right, he may have done so under different circumstances, but this is too important. Carefully, Cedric grabs the two most protruding appendages on Flowey's ~~person~~ Pokémon and lifts them both above the cliff.]

[And he doesn't. It sucks, to feel powerless, to have to rely on being flown around by someone who thinks he's just some stupid kid. Fortunately, solid and even ground isn't too far away. Flowey lets himself be set down.]

... thanks. [That's as much as he can bring himself to say without getting ill.] If you're hungry, I packed extra provisions. It might be a long trip. [A slight peace offering, perhaps-- but also, if Cedric isn't in top form, he's going to slow them down.]

[He's gentle when setting Flowey down - not that it's hard, he's extremely light. But he- wait, is that a thank you? And then he offers food?]

[...Wait, did he assume he didn't pack anything?]

I know, I got myself several days' worth of trail mix.

[...Oh fine, he'll reward the peace offering.]

But, I do appreciate a variety. We can share, if you want.

[...]

And you're welcome.

Did you have to practice being this annoying, or is it just a natural talent? [Ugh. That's the last time he offers to do something nice for Cedric the Irate. He tosses a few seeds Cedric's way and then stops to drink water droplets off of some grass-- as Sunkerns do.

All has been going according to plan so far, despite their personalities clashing. Now that they're at the top of this cliff, he pulls a ribbon to unroll a map and starts sketching away using a vine. He's wary of the fog rolling in, growing more dense.]

[It's been a while since Flowey was in fog like this. Long enough, in fact, that he's not prepared for the tricks it plays on the mind.

He stops ignoring Cedric again and turns around to him, more genuinely offended than Cedric has ever seen him.]

I don't know where you heard that name, but I'm not him anymore. That kid is dead. Did Siffrin put you up to this? Is this all some kind of sick joke?

[He fluffs up his feathers at the insult until they almost completely cover his face. This effort is likely the only reason he doesn't snap back and just begrudgingly pecks up the seeds like one of those dipping birds.

He loses his composure at that outburst, however, and opens his beak wide.]

What are you talking about, you miserable seedling?

[Wait a minute, he did not just-]

Oh, we're on that again, are we? Well go ahead, turn my name into another joke, I've heard all of them before!

[The words distort before they reach him. Flowey is the joke here. Other voices seem to join the heckling, calling him by a name that nobody else should know, closing in from the fog.

Fog-- That's it. He manages to summon his energy and call forward a Sunny Day. They find themselves in a pocket without any fog surrounding them. For a moment, it's blissfully quiet.]

... Joke or not, I'm not laughing. [And Cedric only knows him as the 'miserable seedling'.] The fog is tricking us. We CAN'T fall for it.

[He realizes that he's quivering. He thought he was stronger than this. He's experienced the fog before-- but it's been some time, now.]

Flowey's April Showers/May Flowers Catch-all

Over the Brink (Cedric)

no subject

no subject

no subject

(he's a sunkern btw XD)

(OHMYGOD I KEEP MIXING UP THOSE DAMN POKE NAMES)

no subject

1/4 I think

2/4

3/4

4/4

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject