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Post by rain on Sept 9, 2010 22:06:53 GMT -5
What in the world was he doing here?
He had no reason to be here, to be standing amidst the large and energized crowd, hearing the buzz of voices but not really listening, and feeling the strength of the drumbeat pounding through his entire body. He knew he ought to get out there, to speak to somebody, to make his presence known amongst the cluster of people that choked the dance floor. They were everywhere, swarming in different directions, chattering, laughing, and generally enjoying themselves in the jaunty festival atmosphere under the inky sky.
What was he doing here, when he could be out there joining them? There was nothing to be afraid of. After all, he was hardly any different from the rest of them... he was one of them.
And yet, at the same time, he felt completely alone.
"Ah - I'm sorry!"
The two voices rang out at the same time, with Kay's being slightly more breathless from gasping in surprise. The reason why became apparent almost at once - a dark red stain was spreading slowly down the bottom half of his shirt front, approaching dangerously close to his pants. Unwilling to lift anything up or take anything off in such a public place, especially in front of the female stranger who had just accidentally spilled her drink on him, he mumbled another quick apology before hurrying away. Of course, it was beyond rude to abruptly leave someone hanging like that, but he really did not want to see anybody at the moment, and he definitely did not want anybody to see him. Not until he cleaned up.
No such luck, unfortunately. "Oh-!"
He collided with somebody for the second time in a row that night and stumbled backwards a little, one hand desperately grasping around the air for something to steady himself with, and the other arm still protectively shielding his middle, but not nearly enough to cover up the messy spill. In his flailing, Kay briefly caught sight of the cold, wet stain again, splashed a vivid crimson against the white fabric, and it suddenly occurred to him just how much it resembled blood.
(WC: 358)
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Post by wingzoftruth on Sept 9, 2010 22:33:19 GMT -5
Despite the prizes he had won and the new companion he had gained on this jaunt to the Star Festival, Salazar couldn't hep but feel... enclosed somehow. His golden eyes glinted in frustration as he heard the cacophony of human activity around him. Sure, he was near the edges of the crowd, but that didn't stop him from being seriously uncomfortable. There was just way too many people for his tastes.
"Tsk. Perhaps I should just-?!" The white haired teenager with the facial tattoos suddenly stumbled a bit, and it was only his skill in martial arts that saved him from falling down on his butt like some loser.
Once he had steadied himself properly, he turned around and gave a piercing glare at the idiot who dared to bump into him. "You trying to start something up, kind sir?" Salazar intoned in consternation, arrogance, and sarcasm as he crossed his arms and waited for an answer. His irritation was so high that he didn't even pity the poor fool, who had red wine stains on his shirt from what was likely another collision from earlier. This only confirmed his thoughts that the guy was probably a terrible klutz.
Words: 204. Sorry for the shortness.
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Post by rain on Sept 9, 2010 23:29:57 GMT -5
Kay flinched at the sound of an irritated voice above him, no doubt belonging to the clearly irritated stranger he had just bumped into. It would not make his night any more pleasant if a conflict arose; to say that Kay disliked hostility was a huge understatement.
"I - I'm sorry - sir," he spluttered rather stupidly, managing to regain his balance with some difficulty, as well as some grasping at the other man's clothes. Instead of looking up straight into his eyes, a gesture which, as he had been taught, was a sign of aggression, Kay kept his head down and gave a small, polite bow as per his usual way of expressing apologies. He couldn't help but notice that the man's hair was unusually long (by normal social standards, not his own) and a beautiful, clean snowy-white. Under normal circumstances, Kay would have been extremely pleased to see another male with a similar hairstyle as him, and he supposed that was part of the reason why the stranger immediately referred to him by the correct gender - or perhaps he simply had good intuition.
However, any faint hope of befriending the man was immediately quashed at the sight of his crossed arms and annoyed expression. It seemed to Kay almost as if he was offended at being bumped into, as if even the mere idea of someone missing his superiority was akin to a cardinal sin. He had a vague feeling that he wasn't going to like this person very much.
Well, either way, Kay wasn't going to dare say any of these thoughts out loud; he was always the type to insist on politeness, and besides, the man looked more than capable of snapping his limbs in half like twigs. When Kay next opened his mouth, he spoke a great deal more slowly and chose his words with care. "I am not," he replied quietly to the stranger's demand of "starting something up." "It was - simply an accident. I really - I really didn't mean... um..."
Oh lord, he didn't sound convincing at all, did he? At least he had thought to bring Golem along...
(WC: 354)
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Post by wingzoftruth on Sept 10, 2010 4:18:19 GMT -5
While the feminine-looking guy was trying his very best to explain, Salazar simply watched in amusement as he surreptitiously adjusted his hakama sleeves in order to hide the tattoo on his right arm better. Unfortunately, that didn't work so well with his arms crossed and his hands gloved. Thus, the white haired trainer stopped trying and waited for the poor guy to finish. He would have told him that he wasn't really angry at him or anything, but his father told him to keep up the appearance of an arrogant jerk. However, it was hard to keep up the facade when this black haired guy looked so pathetic that it was actually tugging at his conscience.
Once the guy was finished with his terrible attempt to explain himself, Salazar slowly uncrossed his arms. After that, he eased up on his glare and settled for his normal expression. Darn it, the guy looked too pitiful to be angry at. It was like kicking a Growlithe puppy with steel-toed boots. While he was ruthless, he wasn't heartless. After all, if he was heartless then he would have not killed his own foster father but embraced his ways. Thinking about that still gave him shivers.
"Tch. If it's an accident, then it's fine." Salazar intoned coolly, sounding slightly disappointed as he took his bag and searched for something the guy could wear while forcing his earlier irritation down. Finding a red polo shirt, he took that one out of his bag.
"You look like you need a change. Here, catch." The trainer pointed out dryly as he tossed the fellow long haired guy the polo shirt. Words: 284
Comments: Still short. Sorry. |
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Post by rain on Sept 10, 2010 20:21:37 GMT -5
Two seconds... three... four... when was it going to come?
Kay chanced a quick glance up once more, and to his immense surprise, the stranger's expression seemed to have changed slightly. He looked... almost like he was trying to restrain himself, which was unexpected; he didn't really seem like the type of person who would withhold his opinions just for the sake of consideration. A nagging curiosity crept up in the back of Kay's mind, wondering what the other man thought of him and what exactly was going through his mind at the very moment.
He suddenly snapped back to attention at his next words. "You look like you need a change."
Somehow, saying "thank you for pointing out the obvious" hardly seemed appropriate, not least because Kay wasn't by nature a sarcastic person. He decided against making a comment as he reflexively caught the thrown shirt, and then, after a few seconds of confused hesitation, quietly thanked the stranger. However, still quite unwilling to undress right there and then on the dance floor, he hastily made his way to the far less populated sidelines and from the safety behind a particularly large tree, changed as quickly and as discreetly as he possibly could. It wasn't an easy feat, much to his dismay.
"Never again," Kay mumbled as he emerged, one hand loosely holding the soiled top and the other busy releasing Vibrava from his Pokéball. As soon as the dragon Pokémon materialised on the ground, he felt something soft and slightly wet being draped around his neck, and the familiar gentleness of his trainer's voice saying, "Get this back to mum please... it needs to be washed. You know the way."
Vibrava hummed a little in reassurance before his diamond-shaped wings began quivering violently, gathering enough wind under them to levitate him... and then, with remarkable speed, he swept forward right over Salazar's head - the soles of his feet just barely grazing the top of his white hair - up and away into the endless night sky.
A silent pause, then: "That's his way of playing. Saying hello." Kay's quiet words were directed at the man, but his eyes remained fixed on Vibrava's disappearing tail and the long fluttering shape of his partially-white shirt against the darkness. "And - um..." His gaze dropped uncertainly to Salazar, but still not quite looking him in the eyes. "Thank you again for the clothing... Mr...?"
(WC: 415)
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Post by wingzoftruth on Sept 11, 2010 1:14:01 GMT -5
Watching the black haired pretty boy scuttle off to the trees, presumably to change in private, Salazar couldn't help but think that he'd made the right choice to help the guy. Of course, this was mostly because it was so entertaining to watch the guy's embarrassment. A good deed plus a free -if concealed and only mental- laugh was always enough to brighten his day, despite those annoying crowds trying their best to ruin his good cheer.
Suddenly a Vibrava holding the guy's stained shirt sped quickly by, with its feet grazing his hair. Salazar made no motion at all as it passed, not even one indicating panic or anything of the sort. He was far too used to surprises like that, what with his Duskull's pranking tendencies despite the pokemon's serious demeanor. While he hadn't expected that, it would have been embarrassing to show even a hint of surprise. His father would berate him if he lost his poise and his mask of arrogance, after all. That was the last thing he needed.
Hearing the guy's explanation of what was apparently his pokemon's behavior, Salazar let his face show the smallest of smirks before replying. "That's an interesting greeting." He remarked dryly as he spared a glance at the departing pokemon.
Then he saw that the guy wouldn't look him in the eyes. Maybe it was his facial tattoos? Or the fact that his eyes always held a cold edge to them no matter his mood? It would be best not to ask.
Seeing that the guy asked him a question, Salazar snapped out of his reverie and replied with a formal bow. "Salazar. Salazar Sparda."
Words: 289
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Post by rain on Sept 13, 2010 16:27:51 GMT -5
(ooc: Sorry for the wait! We all know what wonders school does for us, yes? xP)
Salazar? That was a rather odd name. He had never met anyone, not in Hoenn or in Haven City or anywhere in between, with that specific name before, though he had heard a few unique, regal-sounding ones similar. Perhaps his parents preferred traditionalism, or perhaps they were under the belief that an aristocratic person needed an aristocratic name. It certainly suited his personality.
Kay promptly mirrored Salazar's bow. "Kay Maeda." Should he add the usual "It's a pleasure to meet you," or would he see right through the empty politeness? Even a less perceptive person could probably tell that it barely had any meaning beyond that. Should he say that he was a gym leader? No, that might come across as too arrogant... unless Salazar was a trainer, in which case it may interest him? Would having met the leader beforehand be an advantage of any sort? Was he planning on challenging Haven's gym sometime soon? Why was he even thinking about this?
There was a very solid reason Kay disliked making small talk - he was hardly any good at it. An awkward silence had settled between them after introductions, all he'd done was since was stand, hands folded neatly in front of him, the sole of his shoe scuffing the ground in uncertainty. The spill, the failed explanation... how much more idiotic could he look tonight?
"Um... are - are you a trainer?" Now that was a relatively safe question, and it would give Kay an idea of when, or even if, he would see this man again after tonight. He dearly hoped that the answer was no, seeing as the impression he had made so far was pretty much in the dirt by this point... but then again, some oddity up in the clouds really seemed to enjoy messing with his life.
(WC: 305)
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Post by wingzoftruth on Sept 14, 2010 10:47:02 GMT -5
Salazar tried to watch the other person to see if he had any reaction to his name at all. Who knows, he may actually have heard his name somewhere. If he had, then it was most likely associated with something bad, like his luck tended to be in these sorts of things. However, after observing him for a few seconds, it seemed very apparent that he didn't know him or his reputation at all. Thank goodness for that. Perhaps this Star Region place really was the best place for him to start over after all of those... wince-worthy events back in Sinnoh.
So, the guy was named Kay Maeda, huh? Interesting name. Salazar could have sworn that he had heard that black haired guy's name somewhere around Star Region somewhere. He wasn't quite sure where exactly, but he was pretty sure that it was mentioned at least three times while he hastily journeyed towards Lunar City for the Star Festival. Oh well. It probably wasn't that important. He really shouldn't make a fuss about these things. It only fueled his already-evident and rather powerful paranoia.
The golden eyed trainer resisted the temptation to let the emotions he had been feeling inside from his mental monologue out into the open with the use of sheer control and will power. Instead, he made himself look absolutely neutral while listening to this person talk. It wasn't that he wasn't interested, it was because he was probably even worse than this guy at making small talk despite his family's great efforts to teach him otherwise. It was probably because if he talked to people for too long, Salazar honestly believed that he would somehow insult them with his massive ego, whether it was intentional or not.
Upon hearing the guy ask if he was a trainer, Salazar actually blinked. Then he remembered that that kind of question was apparently standard fare in small talk. "Yes. Why do you ask?" Salazar inquired, tilting his head ever so slightly as he kept his face's expression neutral.
Words: 351
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Post by rain on Sept 14, 2010 18:24:19 GMT -5
Did this man react to anything at all? Not batting an eye at Vibrava's sudden dynamic greeting was remarkable enough, but now it was beginning to look like his reactions to his surroundings were comparable to a rock. Kay was vaguely reminded of Quagsire, who was also impassive to most things - even a little slow at times - but was by no means unintelligent. In fact, he could do with taking a leaf out of Quagsire and Salazar's books... learning to hold back his solicitude would probably help him avoid these kinds of embarrassing situations.
Salazar responding with a question of his own caught him off-guard. Immediately after, Kay felt kind of stupid for being surprised; it was a perfectly normal and generally accepted social routine to exchange light, insignificant questions after introductions. He should have known this. He seriously needed to get out more.
"Uh... aschlymmagymleader."
Oops. He was willing to bet that Salazar couldn't make a head or tail of that nigh-inaudible mumble. After a cough and an equally quiet apology, another attempt was made: "I mean... um, actually, I'm a gym leader. So if you're - uh, taking the gym challenge... we are going to battle someday. Perhaps soon." It really depended on how far in his journey he was, and how strong his Pokémon were.
Out of habit, Kay began mentally analysing the words he just said. Did he sound alright? Was the choice of words okay? He wanted to project a better image this time around, especially for someone of his status... evidently, confidence wasn't his strong suit, but it would hopefully improve after some time and some long-overdue practice.
(WC: 285)
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Post by wingzoftruth on Sept 15, 2010 15:50:56 GMT -5
"Uh... aschlymmagymleader."
Hearing the mumbled reply, Salazar could not help but raise an eyebrow after blinking his gold eyes in confusion. He didn't have superhuman hearing or super translating powers, so that went right over his head. After all, Salazar wasn't fluent in gibberish.. Heck, he could barely understand his pokemon whenever they made 'conversation' as it was, to the point that it usually degenerated to an impromptu game of charades. He was tempted to scratch the back of his head and ask just what in Arceus he just mumbled to himself, but he resisted that temptation too.
It was a good thing he did, as a few moments later the guy - Kay- gave a perfectly coherent reply. This said reply took Salazar completely by surprise. In fact, he was so surprised that his jaw actually dropped and his eyes widened, which only emphasized the markings on the side of his face. After all, the white haired trainer had every right to be surprised. This... this... slim, clumsy and effeminate-looking guy was a gym leader?! That was something completely out of the left field! Although... that might explain the Vibrava... but still! He had expected the Gym Leaders of this region to be... well, actually, now that he thought about it, he didn't really expect anything about those Gym Leaders aside from what types they use.
It took a few seconds for Salazar to collect himself and return back to his previous state of indifference, this time with less arrogance. That was seriously disorienting and shocking, but still the Sparda was berating himself mentally over his loss in control, justified though it may be. If Kay had been aiming to shock this guy, that was just the thing to use.
"Of course." Salazar said with a smirk. Then something came to him. "So... which Gym do you handle?" It was a perfectly fine question.
Words: 318
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Post by rain on Sept 17, 2010 21:30:15 GMT -5
Even though Kay was relieved to see that Salazar was, in fact, not an emotional rock after all, his reaction did concern him slightly. Perhaps admitting that he was a gym leader was a bad move... what if he thought he was a liar? Although Kay wasn't sure how it would seem like he was lying when he was plainly and honestly telling the truth, but sometimes peoples' inferences could be way off... it was perfectly plausible.
"Which gym? Ah, Haven City... my hometown."
... Why did he randomly add that last part? Chances were that Salazar wouldn't care about all the irrelevant details of his life - his fatherless yet still happy childhood, his journey throughout Hoenn, how half of his present team had been part of that adventure, how were still with him even now, the years of training, the nerve-wracking gym test, the official appointment... vivid flashes of these memories replayed in his mind like an old, nostalgic movie, and Kay visibly spaced out for a few moments to enjoy them.
When he snapped back to attention with another cough, he shuffled his feet around in embarrassment. "Have you, um... been there before? I mean, ah, where - where do you come from?" No no no, pushy pushy pushy! What on earth was he thinking?
(WC: 218 | apologies for shortness x.o)
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Post by wingzoftruth on Sept 17, 2010 23:38:04 GMT -5
The black haired trainer replied, causing Salazar to raise an eyebrow. Haven City? Why did that sound familiar...? Oh! It was the town that had the fifth Gym in this place! How could he forget? It was going to be his next stop after he beat the Gyms in first four towns. That was still a far away goal- Salazar had a lot of catching and training on his hands before he can even consider going to that City and challenging Kay here. Sure, he was probably physically stronger than this guy, but his pokemon were probably no match for his right now. Of course he planned to remedy that sooner or later, but that took time. A lot of time. So it was his hometown, huh? Well, it was something to take in for future reference, even if it sounded useless. His true dad taught him to store every piece of information in his mind, even if it seemed irrelevant. It might come useful one day... even though Salazar had honestly no idea how. He asked all of a sudden, causing the white haired trainer to turn golden eyes to him, surprised once again. Salazar debated answering that for a few moments, thinking if he should answer that. While he was indeed proud of his heritage, he was shamed at his reputation and that of his tribe, as well as that of his origins. After all, he did not want to tell anyone of his pitiful story, and how pathetic his life was before... before he took it upon his own hands to change it forcibly, dirtying it in the process and scarring his mind forever. Alas... it was the price he paid for freedom against his oppression at the hands of that wretched Jack. A price he never, ever wished to speak about; not even to his psychiatrists did he speak about that incident. 'Would it be really so bad?' A treacherous part of his mind whispered. The white haired trainer quickly squashed that idea before it could taint his thoughts. No, there was no way in hell he was ever going to speak of that. However, that did not mean that he couldn't just give a vague answer and leave it at that. "Sinnoh. Mt. Coronet." Salazar answered curtly, hoping that the guy got the hint and not discuss it further. It was still a very sore point for him, even though he had ascended from a slave to a master thanks to his true heritage and his true father's kindness. Words: 455
Comments: It's alright.  |
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Post by rain on Sept 19, 2010 17:46:03 GMT -5
(ooc: Bella said to finish up any RPs in the Star Festival, sooo... yeah. I'm not really sure how to end this though xD;;)
Apparently, something about that question made Salazar uneasy. Or... slightly less composed, at least. Something was going through his mind in any case... though considering the amount of emotion he had shown for the past few minutes, it may very well have been something happy. This man was giving even Kay's sharp perception a fair challenge.
Salazar's eventual answer only succeeded in confusing him further. Mt. Coronet? Weren't most people born in cities or towns, or perhaps sparsely populated villages - certainly not cold, desolate mountains? Kay couldn't recall off the top of his head any major settlements on the actual mountain itself, but maybe - judging by Salazar's odd name and rather... unique appearance - there were people living there... natives? A tribe of some sort? People who, for the most part, didn't care to venture down into the modern world? He had no idea. How intriguing.
The pieces of conversation were growing uncomfortably sporadic, and atmosphere steadily tenser. What next? Kay remembered how he met Jericho - how their first encounter had started off very awkwardly, but soon became friendly... heck, he even randomly gave him a hug, and it all went over smoothly. (He still couldn't believe his own audacity; adrenaline made people do weird things.)
Somehow, Kay had a feeling that if he attempted a hug now, right then and there, he would only get a fist to the face in return, or something similiar. So much for practicing his social skills.
He sighed softly and glanced up at the sky, desperate for some kind of distraction. When was Vibrava going to come back?
(WC: 271)
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Post by wingzoftruth on Sept 22, 2010 8:34:59 GMT -5
It took a few seconds for the Sparda to realize what exactly he had said or rather how he phrased it. Or to be more precise, how he had not phrased it. He made himself sound like he was from some backwater place! Of course he really was from some backwater place- at least before his true father managed to track him down- but that didn't mean he had to go out and say it. Sure, he lived in a mansion back in Sinnoh after his father found him, but his past as one of his tribe still remained strong in his heart. In fact, he doubted that he could ever let that go. That meant that the memories were still as fresh as the day he had gotten them despite having gotten them many years ago.
The white haired trainer's mood grew worse as he spared a brief glance at his hands. Hands that always seemed to be stained with blood after that one day. Hands that have been forever covered in sin and in shame. It took a nearly god-like amount of effort to stop himself from reacting with what he felt inside. It would only lead to questions- questions that he wouldn't be able to answer without some sort of overemotional outburst. It would be simply best to move on to another topic before he became... emotionally unstable.
"What kind of Gym?" Salazar asked out of the blue after a few moments of desperate groping for ideas in his mind. "I mean... what type of pokemon do you use in your Gym? I know it's still a bit far away for me to think about for a while, but it's always good to know in advance." The white haired trainer remarked offhandedly as he fully shifted his focus into this topic and not about thoughts of home.
Words: 320
Comments: I dunno either. DX
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Post by rain on Sept 23, 2010 21:39:48 GMT -5
In all honesty, if Kay knew the whole truth, he wouldn't really have minded Salazar's history being... somewhat less than civil. Surprised, yes... unnerved, certainly... but not repulsed. Acceptance was something he granted generously and longed for in return... sometimes to the point of desperation.
But as it was, Kay knew next to nothing, and the most he could envision about Salazar's roots was a large mountain, shrouded in snow and howling wind, with crudely constructed huts clinging to its side. That was probably completely wrong, but Kay wasn't going to press any further; Salazar's abrupt change in topic indicated that this wasn't a very happy subject for discussion.
"What type of Pokémon do you use in your Gym?"
Insecurity suddenly overtook him once again, and Kay found himself staring down, shuffling his feet and fidgeting with Vibrava's empty Pokéball. "Er - Ground and Rock." Would Salazar find this preference silly? Most people laughed when he admitted his type specialty to them... clearly, they didn't think that those two particular types could stand up to much, at least compared to something like Dragon or Ghost - and in a way, they were right. But nearly every one of them seemed to forget that a truly adept specialist would think to prepare and cover for their weaknesses. He wasn't sure why that extremely obvious fact was passed over so often, but it did make his job a bit easier when dealing with an unprepared challenger.
Thankfully, a distraction arrived at that very moment in the shape of Vibrava, now sans the dirty shirt. When the dragon Pokémon landed next to them, Kay patted his head in thanks and made to return him to his Pokéball. Vibrava glanced sideways at his trainer, his large, round eyes darting uncertainly over the unfamiliar red shirt that his trainer seemed to have forgotten about returning, but before he could point this out or ask about it, the red light of the Pokéball caught him and sucked him back into the spherical contraption.
There was an awkward pause. "So, um... I suppose I'll be... going now?" He dearly hoped that didn't come across as too rude. "Um... I'll see you again then - sometime..." And before he could wait for a reaction, before his hesitation could betray him, Kay turned around and hurried away, quite relieved to finally escape from the uncomfortable night.
(WC: 411)
(ooc: Pfft, fail exit. x3;;)
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