It&#39;s so crowded in here

"It's Diana. You're from far-away, too? What's home like?" To the humans, it would be only so much chittering, but that was a sociable sound; very different from the cheep Zeran knew was a sign of distress.

"Thank you." Inside was... notably cooler than outside, so Clarence kept his coat on. As he passed by Trevor to make for the living room, Trevor would feel the chill that surrounded him; not anything awful, but a sphere of significantly colder air. "Lemonade or the like would be wonderful, please, if you have some or something similar?"

He paused to regard his shadow, his sheet ghost, his two floating Unovan friends. "Anything for you?"

From:

Zeran would jump to Trevor's rescue there. "I was just getting some lemonade for us, I'll pour another glass, or a few more glasses."

"We came from Unova. We live at an abandoned hospital. It's nice to get out, meet others without people immediately being afraid. My buddy here is shy, but was curious enough to join me." Noemi gave her little friend a light bump. Her sounds were more waver-y, not unlike one might think of ghost sounds, with coos, and other airy sounds. At least she hadn't let out a scream like Queenie was wont to do.

Edited Date: 2021-11-05 12:15 am (UTC)

From:

Trevor nodded and smiled to Zeran in thanks.

Then he followed Clarance into the living room. "I uh... I don't mean to be rude, but may I ask a question about the cooler temperature around you?" His tone was curious, back home it would have had him reaching for weapons, knowing it meant a demon was coming, but here... Trevor had no reason to believe it meant the same, but he wanted to know what it meant just the same. Even if it meant his question was rude.

From:

“Thank you very much.” Though he spoke to Zeran, Clarence looked---with some curiousity, and some amusement, but with more affection than anything---to Noemi and her buddy. It was, at times, easy to forget how old they weren't, and then the excitement of ice cream, or a new park to play in, or a line of dancers practicing for the public, or meeting a new and equally-foreign friend eclipsing a question (or: derailing a conversation completely) would remind him. “I'll ask again a little later.”

“Why would people be afraid?” Diana was honestly baffled. “Are they afraid of whatever it was that led to them abandoning the hospital? Does whatever it is just not bother you? She turned to climb entirely out of Zeran's pocket, watching the room through her simple eyes until she reached his shoulder and had a good spot to turn and face forward. “I came here because I was curious. It was a good choice. I hope you feel the same way, soon if not already.”

“Oh? Go ahead.” Tilting his head at Trevor, Clarence smiled and gave a little shrug. “Though, I think I might answer preemptively, if you would be asking about its origin. Part of it comes from my whyte, and part of it comes from my gengar, Moriarty, who is hiding in my shadow and doubtless put out over being unable to surprise anyone now.”

From:

"Oh, I think humans just tend to be afraid of ghost types, but to be fair many ghost types tend to be pretty shy of people too. I definitely have no regrets! I've gotten to do all kinds of things I've not done in forever! It feels good to get out again." Noemi turned to Clarence, realizing she'd missed entirely that he'd addressed her. "Oh, I'm sorry, I missed what you said."

Buddy murmured softly in answer. "He asked if we would like some lemonade too."

"Oh! Yes, that sounds nice!" And now, how to communicate that. Hm...

Zeran glanced down at Clarence's shadow with an amused grin and gave Trevor's shoulder a friendly clap. "It's too bad Jendayi isn't here. She likes to play with Moriarty, it's precious to watch. Anyway, I'll go get some lemonade for everyone, and meet you all in the dining room?"

From:

As the Pokemon communicated with each other, Trevor tracked them but didn't concern himself with the noises beyond paying attention to the tone. As long as their human companions seemed unbothered, he assumed that there was nothing to be concerned with. Finding out that he had totally missed a Pokemon though, one hiding in Clarence's shadow, surprised him.

"Oh uh..." He made a silly face at Clarence's shadow. "Sorry for ruining your surprise, Moriarty..."

"Thanks, Zeran." Trevor said to his friend in sincere appreciation. Then, not knowing if Clarence had been at Jae's before, or if he knew where the dining room was, Trevor pointed his chin towards it. "Can I offer you anything else?" He asked Clarence and the Pokemon.

Edited Date: 2021-11-07 06:08 am (UTC)

From:

“Really? Huh. I wouldn't've guessed that... The humans I've been around don't react to ghost types any more than they react to me. But! It's good that you're having a good time.” Content, Diana settled a little more comfortably, attached as securely as a strip of velcro thanks to her peculiar little paws.

“It's not much of a surprise,” Clarence assured Trevor. “He just likes to sneak around. I've got a champion skulker, though he's aware---and often laments---I'll notice if he slips away. He's my primary heatsink, you see; about a ten-degree drop. But then there's Marley, and the others, and altogether they keep me in my coat.”

Through this explanation, a pair of red eyes (and a telltale crescent of gengar grin) opened in Clarence's shadow... but Moriarty didn't emerge just yet. Clarence paid it no mind, answering Zeran, then Trevor again: “Sounds good. If you've got any apples, I'll beg one off you, but otherwise we ought to be alright. Unless...?” This was directed to Marley, Noemi, and Buddy, in case any of the little ghosts hadn't had the opportunity to catch his attention for whatever it was they wanted.

Edited Date: 2021-11-07 05:55 pm (UTC)

From:

Noemi seemed to give a shrug. "Maybe it's just because of the hospital and that it's abandoned except for the ghost types who've moved in? I don't know, people can be weird though." Says one who used to be human and remembers being human, even if she's not entirely sure how long ago that really was.

Zeran headed off to get those drinks, missing the chance to see Moriarty be his ornery and playful self. Noemi on the other hand turned and laughed at him. "You're just trying to get a reaction from him, aren't you?" Moriarty didn't really need to answer.

She then turned to Clarence and gave him a sound of confirmation: lemonade sounded good!

From:

"That doesn't sound entirely bad," Trevor said to Clarence with amusement, but also a touch of envy. He still hadn't fully adjusted to the heat here and while he was loathed to admit it, he missed the cold from back home. Not that he wanted it cold necessarily, but why couldn't there be a comfortable balance!?

As Trevor noticed the red eyes appear in the darkness, he paled and took a step back. His right hand moved slowly and stealthily to where his whip normally sat on his hip. It was only when his hand came up empty, the whip currently away in the closet with the rest of his belongings, that he realized what he was doing.

If You Lot had been on him, they would have heard the mantra that Trevor had repeated to himself when the first met. Swallowing he forced himself to school his facial features and look away from the Pokemon hiding in Clarence's shadow. "Apples," he said in a mumble and a nod. "I'm sure we have apples. I'll uh... I'll just get those."

It wasn't fear that caused Trevor to ~~flee~~ leave the room. He actually wasn't able to describe what he was feeling, but he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that if he'd have had his whip, he would have struck out before he'd even realized the action was taking place. How many times had that quick reaction to red eyes appearing in the dark had save his life. Now he would have caused injury to a playful but otherwise innocent creature. This realization is what caused him to leave the room. Part of him berating himself for the automatic reaction, while another part worried what would happen when he returned home and hesitated.

From:

“Why is it abandoned?” Even as she rode away on her human's shoulder, Diana called back, chirping as loudly as any cricket on Earth.

“Three glasses for my party, please? Do you want a hand?” Being a nice young man, Clarence had to at least offer to help Zeran, and listened for the answer though he answered Trevor in turn. “It really isn't, especially in Alola. I'm from Timero, which is a much cooler region; evergreen trees are as common as the palm trees here, if that helps to give an idea of it. Frequent fogs, though our one coast is very pleasant; warm enough for wading.”

The paling did not go unnoticed; the step back did not go unnoticed; the mumble did not go unnoticed; all went without remark, because Clarence had been travelling with ghost-types too long to do anyone the discourtesy. What he did instead was turn, to look at what it was Moriarty was doing, and offer Trevor a sincere “Thank you. Just one or two, please, he'll take all you have otherwise.”

Still in the shadow and unabashed, Mori answered Noemi with a wink.

“You're terrible,” Clarence told him, tone adding 'not that I'd expect anything else,'

From:

Zeran couldn't help the little flinch at Diana's amazingly loud chirp by his ear, but all he did was give her an amused glance. "It's alright, I've got it," he answered Clarence, already getting out a tray to carry glasses on.

"I don't remember. I know I was a patient there, when I was human, and I know I died there, but the time between that and returning as a yamask is fuzzy. By the time I returned though the place was empty and starting to rot, full of all kinds of other ghost types." Noemi followed the group into the house. She definitely noticed Trevor's reaction to Moriarty, and glanced back at the gengar. "I think you really scared him there." Not just startled, but... truly frightened. The man looked ready to lash out, to defend himself. She went after Trevor, coming up beside him at shoulder level with a soft, comforting sound. If he didn't shy away she'd reach out a hand to softly touch his arm as though trying to comfort him, or reassure him that all was well.

The phantump followed Noemi closely, but remained quiet.

From:

"That sounds closer to my home," Trevor had said to Clarence before he reacted to Moriarty.

"Uh, hullo?" Trevor said to Noemi as she came up to him not unkindly. He didn't shy away from her, but he didn't release the tension he held either, even when she reached out. The comforting sound informed him as to what she wanted though and he shook his head and looked away. "I'm fine. Uh... Thank you."

She deserved an explanation, even though he'd rather just find something to drink and disappear. "Some of you look very similar to things from my world that..." he let his words fade off, hoping she'd understand without him accidentally insulting her. "I know you're not but..." He shrugged. "It's fine. I'm fine."

Looking back, he tilted his head at the phantump and forced what he hoped was a friendly smile at the shy Pokemon and then turned to Noemi. "Can I get either of you an apple as well? Or anything else?"

From:

That flinch prompted a small squeak, Diana turning to plant both front feet against the side of Zeran's neck. One was for stability's sake, but the other rubbed small circles against his skin in an apologetic, comforting gesture. Earnestly contrite despite Zeran only looking amused, the little joltik chose to convey her regret by climbing up Zeran's neck---little grippy feet a go---to his ear, so she could gently scratch at his tragus with the pointed mouthparts her fluff hid, to 'kiss it better' if she could. She froze there at Noemi's answer, and muttered softly to herself; a what? You what? her human couldn't comprehend, even if he caught the tone.

To Noemi (and Clarence, and anyone watching) Moriarty offered a shrug, performing the sort of shadow puppetry gengar were so fond of. Still in the shadow, he was effectively towed along as Clarence meandered towards the living room, hesistant to actually settle before anyone else.

From:

Zeran snickered softly, reaching up to give his fluff bug a light scritch at her "kiss". "Thank you, I'm good. You just startled me." He'd already had drinks pretty close to ready to go, so he just grabbed some more glasses to put on the tray and headed in to join Clarence. Since Trevor has followed, he left the fruit to him.

Noemi still gave Trevor something as close to a smile as she could, giving his arm a little rub. He wasn't fine, Moriarty has scared him, and that was okay. He'd handled the scare well as far as she was concerned. Not that she knew how badly he could have reacted, but still, he didn't just panic or something. She made an affirmative sound when he asked about apples, but it's hard to say if he'll know that's what she means or not. She did finally turn to put an arm around her phantump buddy, comforting him now.

From:

Retrieving two apples for Clarence, although he suspected they were for Moriarty, he held up a third as he looked to Noemi. "I take that as a yes but..." He shrugged. While he knew it wasn't his fault, he truly felt bad that he couldn't understand her better. "Is this what you'd like? And if so, how many would you like? Or if not, can you point or... Actually, if you'd like to help yourself, that might be easier."

He looked over to the phantump and nodded. "That goes for you too."

From:

Diana stopped and stood still to accept the touch, though she gave the side of Zeran's head another pat of acknowledgement before climbing up and up, perching atop his head. She didn't say anything more just... yet, unsure how she would ask her human what she wanted to know, or even articulate the questions Noemi's remark created. 'What???' without some specifics couldn't clear much of anything up.

Not wanting Zeran to feel rushed or crowded, Clarence waited for him to get the tray of drinks situated before moving to take a glass with a sincere “Thank you.” He drank a good third of it, sat---ignoring his shadow, which was now on the wrong side---and gave Zeran an appreciative smile. “I'm starting to think this trip is doing us all some good. It's been some time since I had a wholly social visit to someone's house, and I've missed it more than I really realized.”

From:

Noemi made an amused sound at Trevor and moved in to pick up an apple for herself, turning questioningly to her phantump friend. Buddy tentatively accepted the offered apple, still looking uncertain... but he did give a little smile as he took a bite of the fruit. If Trevor didn't head to join the others first, Noemi would lead the way with a cheery sound that is likely her proclaiming "C'mon!"

Zeran settled, picking up a glass for himself. "I'm glad you could come to just hang out. Heh, I know I'm one to talk, but it's good to get away from work sometimes."

From:

At Noemi's amused sound, Trevor returned with a one-shoulder shrugged and waved his hand at the room in general as he stepped out of the way. When Buddy took his apple, Trevor offered him a friendly smile and nod. He waited until Noemi moved back towards the living room, and followed in the rear.

As they came back into the living room, Trevor couldn't help his eyes darting to Clarence's shadow. He realized it wasn't in the proper location but didn't respond or react to it. Instead he moved his eyes to Clarence and smiled as he put the apples on the table. Taking one of the glasses he moved back and out of the way, mostly just away from the shadow, not away from the group. His reaction was still fresh and he wanted to make sure that he wasn't too close to be startled again.

From:

“It really is, and there's been no better time than the present. My uncle's assisting a colleague in Unova, so he'll have no need of me for some time, and Victor can manage both his gym battles and current projects without me... at least, for a while.” The small smile remained on Clarence's face, though he shook his head a little. “I'm not saying that out of egotism, but because one of those projects may have him playing host to an ecological research team. He can't really monitor an apparatus or receive challengers if he's in the middle of Webwood.”

When Trevor and the two ghosts returned, he lit a little, pleasantly surprised to see Buddy was comfortable enough to accept a snack. (To accept what was offered was a small step towards actually engaging, as he hoped the phantump would.) Trevor's smile got another in return, and the apples a sincere “Thank you,” before Clarence set his drink aside to pick up both apples, and turn to his shadow.

The young man said nothing for a moment, debating, and then dropped one apple above his shadow. It fell into like it had fallen into fog, or through one of Queenie's illusions, and no sound of impact came. “Now that you can't claim that I'm cruel, I'm telling you, if you want the other one, you'll have to show yourself and be civil.” His tone was, at worst, mildly exasperating, but it was fond, too. He retained an air of fond regard as his shadow made a melodramatic sighing motion, and a... rotund aberration (at least, in the eyes of someone who had never seen a gengar before) rose so as to stand in the room. It was very purple, and furry—the hair on its front and limbs short, but lengthening and clumping to form soft spikes along its back---and graceless, plopping onto its bottom to block the 'aisle' between couch and coffee table,s stubby little legs stuck out in front, stubby little tail stuck out in back.

“Now you've seen it, Trevor; the face of naughtiness.” Clarence gestured to his gengar with the hand what held the remaining apple. “Like most of his kind, Moriarty likes to scare people and play pranks, but he's not dangerous, or mean. Just naughty.”

[ooc: here is a decent size reference, featuring Johto's ghost-type gym leader]

Edited Date: 2021-11-25 02:46 am (UTC)

From:

Noemi settled just above one corner of the table watching as Moriarty emerged. She nodded clearly and emphatically when Clarence declared his gengar not dangerous or mean, just naughty. "You are very naughty, Moriarty." Her tone was also fond; even if only the pokemon would know the words, the people might pick up on the tone.

The phantump, for his part, finally (kind of) separated from Noemi, disappearing under the table directly below Noemi. He felt safe there, sheltered, but... he didn't want to be rude, so he emerged again about halfway, still feeling safe, but not hiding completely. He glanced at Noemi and she gave him an approving and encouraging nod, earning a little smile from him that ended up half hidden behind another shy bite of apple.

Zeran set the drinks on the table, taking a glass for himself and his fluff bug as he stepped back and took a seat. "So you've got two new spooks with you, mind if I ask how you met?"

Edited Date: 2021-11-29 04:32 pm (UTC)

From:

Trevor watched with interest as Clarence dealt with the apples in the gengar. Part of him wasn't all that surprised the apple disappeared into what could have been a fog. He had figured that the shadow was an illusion of some sort. It still impressed him though, what these Pokemon could do and honestly how the humans just accepted it without concern. Then again, he also realized that they didn't have his background or knowledge.

When the Gengar came up and out of the shadow, Trevor raised an eyebrow at it and was once again thankful that he did not have any weapons on him. The creature in front of him had many similarities to the beasts he'd fight back home and he found it unnerving, regardless that he knew this creature wasn't evil or malicious. Trevor was aware enough to know that the issue here resided completely with him, and not out of fear but out of experience. An experience that did not line up with the world he was in now.

Trevor nodded at Clarence and took a drink from the glass in his hand. His eyes moved around the room, taking note of who was present and they came to rest momentarily on Buddy. Clearly a Pokemon out of his element but still attempting to take part and engage. He should at least be able to do so as well, after all, he knew he was among friends - although that too was a concept he was still wrapping his head around as well.

"Uh, my apologies to you and Moriarty. It's not him." He shrugged. "He shares some traits with creatures in my world who come from hell and are very evil. It was my purpose to send these creatures back to where they came from. I know Moriarty, as a Pokemon, is not dangerous and shouldn't be a concern, but the similarities... It's unsettling."

From:

In response to being branded 'naughty' left and right, Moriarty shrugged with an exaggerated air of indifference... but perked immediately when Clarence plopped the apple he'd held into a stubby purple hand. He ate it in two bites (which could've been considered nibbles, given the size of his teeth---there was nothing on earth like a gengar's grin) and seemed pleased to stay sitting where he was ~~hoping another apple might appear.~~

“Not at all. I'd be a little surprise if you didn't ask, sooner rather than later.” Expecting the question to the extent he had didn't stop Clarence from looking a bit sheepish as he realized how the story might sound, though he was still smiling. “I was exploring an abadoned hospital by Black City, since I had some time to myself on a trip to Unova. Because the distribution of Unova's pokemon population changes more rapidly, and more radically, than one will see in any other region, I was wondering what I might find---especially since I was sure to find some sort of ghost-type, at such a site. We weren't there long before we started to hear strange noises, which we followed.”

Diana began to creep down from the top of Zeran's head, somehow having the bodily attitude of someone slinking towards the concession stand at a show. As she went, she was listening to Clarence, but looking at Zeran's lemonade.

“I know it's not the course of action one would generally recommend, but at the time? I thought it was likely to be an individual wanting help, or to communicate, to play a prank, or to arrange an ambush. An ambush wouldn't've been the best thing, but I'd rather not leave one for a less-prepared person to walk into. I had more than my immediately-apparent company, and my team is very capable, so I wasn't worried. If it were any of the other things, fine, good; I like to help, and I like to talk, and I have a sense of humour.” Clarence glanced to Noemi and Buddy, shrugging a little; still sitting on the floor, Moriarty nodded almost solemly to confirm his trainer did like to help, and did like to talk, and did have a sense of humour. “It wasn't exactly any of those things I thought likely, but I didn't learn that until a little later. We followed the sounds until we found a room with a mask---Noemi's mask---on the bed within. I was a little surprised to find that we were dealing with a yamask, but learning that... well, finding her mask in a place to be picked up was an indication that she wanted to say or do something. I wanted to know what, so I... both invited, and enabled, possession, by giving Marley my glasses and putting her mask on. As you do.”

Filling a beat for reactions by drinking more of his lemonade, Clarence lifted a hand, and, once he'd finished drinking, turned to address Trevor's admission. “Moriarty, as a socialized pokemon, is not dangerous. Wild gengar can be---and their evolutionary relatives, too. Some are fine, and friendly; others just want to laugh at the living, scaring whoever they're able; others will actively prey on people. Beyond the gengar line, some wild ghost-types are reliably harmless, while some are reliably hostile, but any you see with a human companion won't bother you... unless they're inquisitive, or trying to get a reaction through mild misbehaviour. You've met Queenie, I hear, so you've surely seen what I mean.”

(Clarence had no knowledge of the little pumpkaboo that had been mystified by something strange it sensed, but that pokemon---which had studied Trevor intently, tilting its head further and further until it just tipped over onto its side---would've been another excellent example.)

From:

Noemi made a soft, sympathetic sound at Trevor. She knew he'd not understand, but said it anyway, patting his hand reassuringly. "Moriarty can be naughty, but he really is a good sort."

Zeran listened to the explanation, an amused little grin on his face. "You know, I'm starting to think 'researcher' is just another word for 'crazy person.' Because as much as part of me wants to call you crazy for taking such a risk, I know it's something I would have done too if ghost-types were my research." Or... you know, even if they weren't and he just had the assurances Clarence had that he'd come out of any trap unscathed... mostly. That said, he looked to Noemi, asking her even knowing he'd not likely understand her answer without an interpreter. "So what did you want him to follow you for? What was your end goal with this?"

Noemi had taken a bite of her apple, but with a question presented to her she... well, she took a quick second bite and then turned to toss the rest of the mostly whole fruit at Moriarty. She figured he'd likely catch it... right? With her hands free she floated to Clarence to tug at the strap of his should bag with one hand and made a writing motion with the other. She'd like to write her answer please, thank you.

While all of this was going on, Zeran was also highly aware of a certain, bright yellow spider-bug "sneaking" down the side of his head. He didn't move, and had a guess for what she might be up to. Though as she reached his shoulder he'd turn his head to softly "boo" at her.

The little phantump was content to rest halfway under the table, peeking over the furniture at everyone as he nibbled at his apple.

Edited Date: 2021-12-10 12:10 am (UTC)

From:

At Noemi's reassurance, Trevor gave her a small smile. He didn't understand what she was trying to convey, but he did understand that she was offering some sort of reassurance.

Still in the same room as the group, but as far away from Moriarty as he could be, Trevor lowered himself to the floor near an open stretch of wall. He pulled up his left leg and wrapped his arm around it loosely and rested his head on his knee. His drink placed on the floor just to the right side of him.

He listened to Clarence answer Zeran's question, at first he raised an eyebrow and then did a slow blink at the end. Truth be told, he didn't mingle with a lot of scholars, or researchers. In fact, he'd be hard-pressed to name any that he even knew that were still living. Then there was his whole issues with trust and possession... Well it made it completely unfathomable to him, how someone would welcome a possession from an unknown entity. Where Trevor was from, it was actions like that that got a person killed - or worse!

Hearing that Zeran would have likely done the same, made Trevor include him in the look of disbelief he'd just been showing Clarence.

That being said, he was also very curious about Noemi's answer, and he turned to watch her with curiosity. He wondered what she was up to now as well.

As Clarence spoke to Trevor's admission, he simply nodded acknowledging that yes he'd met Queenie and that he understood. Jae had told him much similar - that there were some, unsocialized Pokemon that he needed to be leery of. And, Trevor was leery, especially considering that he couldn't understand them or their motivations - which was why his weapons were generally put away. He didn't have a problem being made fun of, but he would defend himself if attacked.

From: