Meet the (Impersonated) Family!

[improvking]

Who: the Ring-Spirit, YOU??, and """Kul Elna"""
What: RS catching up with the Spiritomb he thinks is his missing village
Where: the Clinic
When: late June - early July (yea, backdated slightly)
Warnings: possible discussion of Kul Elna backstory (mass murder, human sacrifice, metaphysical injury)


[ After all the missions to the South Forest, eventually the Spiritomb responsible was dealt with. The team responsible for concluding the incident brought their keystone back to the clinic so they could recoup, determined to recruit rather than do in the troublesome spirit.

And while the Spiritomb recovers, anyone visiting the clinic might or might not be surprised to find a certain Mimikyu has been spending most of his free time there visiting with the other spirit.

The suspicious might note that the Ring-Spirit's "family" seems to be suffering from memory issues that just magically clear right up if he hands them the information. The Ring-Spirit himself is unwilling to entertain doubts about the Spiritomb's identity. After all, they're already "doing so much better" in Bottlecap Bay than he'd "ever thought he'd see". He's excited to "finally" be able to "talk with them, instead of just at them". ...What kind of condition had the real Kul Elna been in, exactly...? ]


[A]
[ The Ring-Spirit can often be overheard chatting with the Spiritomb by anyone at the clinic. Right now you've caught: ]

- wasn't expecting you to be. But you've got a point, now that you mention it; pretending to be sorry is probably better optics.


[B]
[ Or maybe you've bumped into the Ring-Spirit as he leaves or arrives for a visit. Curious as to why he's at the clinic? Or do you already know and want to ask about the Spiritomb (and perhaps even the Ring-Spirit's unusual credulity)? ]

Comments

A

[dripdrive]

[Anasui wishes he never brought RS for the expedition.

Because if he didn't, they would have probably killed (dissipated?) the spirit for good and he wouldn't have to see it again (RS didn't even help with the fight!). As far as Anasui's concerned, the Spiritomb is a threat and he's seen it use its tricks twice in the forest. Plus, Anasui was almost certain that this Spiritomb was not RS' relative and just a lying prick.

However, he did allow Sanji and RS to make the decision to recruit the Spiritomb or not. Regardless of how he felt about it, Anasui respected their choice. That didn't mean that Anasui had to play nice though. Since the Spiritomb's admission to the PokeClinic, Anasui's taken it upon himself to play nurse and keep an eye on the patient's care (which roughly translates to 'I'm volunteering to help you but I'm ready to maul you if you try anything') .

He's just bringing up the Spiritomb's berry medicine when he overhears the conversation. The Espathra's eye twitches slightly but he barges into the room undeterred, not bothering with eavesdropping further.]

Which part of being sorry are you two faking now?

[improvking]

Ugghhh...

[ The Ring-Spirit makes a big show of rolling the glowing eyes hidden in his costume's "torso" as he drags out the groan to buy some time. What does he say that won't make anything (important) worse... ]

They just think I should apologize for being such dead weight in the fight... and they're right, but... I mean, I already know you'd never believe that. Not that I meant it.

[ Which is why he's pretty sure this is safer than admitting the fact he'd just now guessed about the Spiritomb: that they don't regret any of the trouble they caused in the forest. The Ring-Spirit is fine with this, "try to kill trespassers" is just. Evil Spirit 101?? Of course Kul Elna would default to that??? But he doesn't expect Anasui to be so easygoing about it. Better he get mad at the Ring-Spirit than at Kul Elna.

The Spiritomb mostly looks confused. They were trying very hard to follow the conversation, and then it got abruptly interrupted and derailed... ]

[dripdrive]

[Anasui puts down the medicine on the side table and leers at the Mimikyu. On one hand, that does seem like something that someone should apologise for... but on the other, Anasui absolutely doesn't completely believe RS. After a long stare at RS, he turns his attention to the poor Spiritomb.]

Maybe you should be more apologetic about the trouble you caused, and not be so concerned about the nuisance this one is. [He indicates RS dismissively as he says that.] Now, take your damn medicine.

[improvking]

[ The Spiritomb finally puts together what just happened, a look of comprehension washing across their face very briefly before they turn their attention to Anasui... with a much more ingratiating expression. They are ever so sorry, they insist, just a little too sweetly.

The Ring-Spirit is just glad his real face, whatever it might look like, is hidden under his disguise, because he doubts he would have been able to hide his pained grimace. (Although... the expression may have translated into a very slight but full-body wince.) He really needs to tell the Spiritomb to dial it back, that they're laying it on too think, but he can't very well do that while Anasui is right there, it'd defeat the whole purpose.

As the Spiritomb dutifully takes their medicine, the Ring-Spirit struggles to think of something harmless to change the subject to... ]

So... how's Emporio lately? I haven't been around the housing very much recently...

[dripdrive]

[Anasui's expression hardens, as if physically repelling the 'earnest' apology. Even if Anasui didn't irrationally have a vendetta against the Spiritomb, he would be suspicious of it even more now. If he hadn't already conceded in leaving the consequences to the rest of the Bay, he would kick the Spiritomb's Odd Keystone into the ocean. The only saving grace is that Anasui is so intent on glowering at his patient that he misses RS stiffening completely.

The Espathra doesn't respond until the medicine is fully consumed. However, once the bowl is consumed, the bird gives a low grunt.]

Hmph. I've noticed.

...The kid is fine. Busy with quests as always and trying to figure out his moves. Nothing out of the ordinary. ... He's made a breakthrough with one of his moves lately though.

[improvking]

[ The Ring-Spirit is just glad the subject change worked... he tries not to sound too relieved as he keeps the small talk going. ]

Oh? Is this another move his typing shouldn't have?

[ The Spiritomb seems to be going to sleep.

...Close observation will reveal they are not asleep, and instead paying close attention to the conversation. ]

[dripdrive]

No, he's experimenting with the couple moves he has. Emmet told him about Secret Power last month, a move that has different effects depending on the terrain. It just looks different but it's the same move. It's interesting.

[Thankfully, while Anasui is watching the Spiritomb with his dead-eye stare, he can't actually tell whether or not the Spiritomb is asleep. How are you supposed to know what 108 souls sleeping looks like?]

Hmph... You should see him. It's not like the hospital staff will mistreat him. [Anasui fails to see the irony in his statement.]

[improvking]

[ The Ring-Spirit perks up a bit, becoming more genuinely interested in their conversation. ]

Oh? So all this time what we thought was a bunch of different moves was actually all just one that changes? ...That is interesting.

[ Anasui then changes the topic to spending less time at the clinic. ]

H-heh.

[ The Ring-Spirit can see where Anasui's coming from, to be honest. But... ]

I don't doubt they're in good hands here. But if you had someone very important to you suddenly ripped away, and you thought you'd never see them again - and then you ever did refind them, wouldn't you want to stay by their side as much as you could? I hate to think of them sitting here, feeling alone for any longer than they have already.

Emporio's closer to you than me anyway. He'll be fine for a little longer.

[dripdrive]

[Anasui nods in agreement. He's more than happy to talk about Emporio and finish their conversation about the kid's moveset as soon as they're done with talking about the clinic. His eyes narrow slightly as the Ring-Spirit explains himself but his gaze isn't quite as hard when he explains himself.

And all he can think is 'Fuck you'. RS exactly right. In fact, Anasui knows he would be worse if he knew his beloved was here. He already wanted to always be by her side... to be given a chance to be next to her once more... The fact RS wants to be here so much strikes a cord with Anasui.]

... Emporio doesn't get a choice to being close with me. I'm still staying in his room. [Never mind he has his own apartment he could live in.] Just because he'll be fine, doesn't mean he won't appreciate seeing you again. But whatever. Do what you want.

[improvking]

[ Luckily, the Ring-Spirit is fluent in Prickly Bastard, being one himself. He huffs a slight chuckle under his breath. ]

...Complaint noted. I'll say more than just a "hi" in passing the next time I see him.

[dripdrive]

Whatever. [Anasui rolls his eyes, somewhat annoyed at the laugh. However, he's not annoyed enough to do anything about it. Instead, the bird moves over to Spiritomb's chart, reads it again, and looks over the spirit once more.]

You lot should be able to leave by the end of the month. The cracks in the keystone are repairing at a steady pace. Make sure these bastards keep taking their medicine though, especially the bitter berry mix.

[improvking]

[ The Ring-Spirit's false head bobs in agreement. ]

Will do!

...I'll keep an eye on them.

[ He's not just talking about their medicines. ]

I think this is a good place to wrap! Unless there's anything else?

[dripdrive]

You'd better. Family or not, if they cause trouble, I'm personally throwing them back into the pit where we found them. And you can join them.

[Anasui turns his head, using his psychic abilities to get some new medicines for Spiritomb from the hallway (nearly tripping over a startled Buneary as he does so). He all but throws it on the side table, somehow not spilling it, before he begins to pack the bag. With that, he begins to leave, just as another Pokemon enters the room.

Seems like this new Pokemon is a doctor, here to do Spiritomb's checkup! Oh, how nice of that volunteer to update that chart for them!]