It&#39;s so crowded in here

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.

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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."

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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.”

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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."

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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.

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“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)

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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)

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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."

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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.)

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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)

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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.

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“Given some of our conversations, I'm not surprised to hear that... though it wasn't so much of a risk as it seems. Really! I see that look, but it's the truth.” This assurance was aimed at both Zeran and Trevor; Clarence wasn't unsmiling, or defensive---mostly matter-of-fact, but aware how his admission might sound, and so still slightly sheepish. He was younger than Trevor; young enough to be boyish yet as he explained, “Ghost-types are especially vulnerable to ghost-types, and to dark-types, too. If I've ever got an... an unwelcome occupant, my team could force it away. I'd be uncomfortable, but alright. Once I knew I was dealing with a yamask, I knew there was likely little to no risk; every one is an individual, of course, but they aren't predatory, or prone to cursing people, or otherwise ominous.”

They were known to look at their masks and weep... but Clarence wouldn't do Noemi the unkindness of saying such a thing, let alone that bluntly. He would answer her tug at his bag with “Oh, of course,” and produce the notebook and pen she wanted. There was no hesitation or fishing for the items, since they had a well-established place to always be in his bag. He hadn't even got to the 'Oh,' before Noemi's apple was gone. Moriarty had caught the fruit, as Noemi expected, but he had caught it with his tongue, which was the width of a teatowel but longer. Hovering over Clarence's shoulder, still, Marley narrowed his eye(hole)s at this, and softly scolded the gengar. There weren't words, exactly; it translated to tsk!

On being more bluntly booed, Diana decided she would overreact. She squeaked out an exclaimation, tucked her legs, and allowed herself to roll partway down Zeran's arm before stopping herself by splaying all four legs, feet attaching to whatever skin they struck.

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Noemi had expected her apple to disappear, she'd not have tossed it at Moriarty if she had wanted it back, but him catching it with that massive tongue of his did make her pause a moment. She made a grateful sound as she accepted the notepad and pen and settled it on the table to write.

Zeran laughed as Diana "tumbled" down his arm, reflexively reaching with his other hand to catch her, though she caught herself first so he just ended up cupping her against his arm for a moment. "Sneaky." His tone and expression were fond.

Zeran looked over at Trevor, though, feeling at least a little explanation was necessary. "It's... not uncommon for researchers and scientists to be a bit reckless. I know in my world some of our greatest discoveries came from people doing... rather inadvisable things. It's dangerous, sure, but you may never really learn anything important if you don't take a risk.

"That said, I very much like being alive, and in control of my body, so what risks I do take are always measured. I try to make sure, as best I can, that I'll come out of things all right. In Clarence's place, with his team, I'd not hesitate to follow some random spook and would probably only hesitate a little to let it possess me.

"You remember Seren? He sweats a toxin that is absorbed through the skin. I actually asked him to poison me, in a safe and controlled environment, just to see how well I could handle myself, and to know what to expect if some wild pokemon ever managed to get the drop on me. So..." Zeran shrugged. "We're a bit crazy, but usually there's a calculated decision being made when we take risks, or at least a good reason, to us, behind every choice."

Noemi had finished writing and waited patiently for Zeran to finish his explanation to Trevor. When done she offered the pad to let Zeran read out loud for everyone. "I wanted to go for a walk. I used to walk around the gardens a lot a long time ago, but as a yamask I don't have legs anymore, so I needed to borrow some else's legs. Clarence was kind enough to let me borrow his."

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Trevor couldn't help but to let out a soft snort of amusement at Moriarty getting 'tsked' for snatching the apple the way he did.

Considering what he heard, Trevor moved his head in a nod. "It sounds like you both mitigate the risks with training, experience, and relying on a trusted team for back-up. I suppose it's not all that different from what I do in some respects." Then he shrugged. "I still think it's crazy that either of you would allow yourselves to be possessed by a unknown - regardless of how many precautions were in place... But that might just be me." He gave them a touch of a smile and shrugged again.

At the mention of Seren and what he could do perked Trevor's interest and his eyes raised at the notion of experimenting with the poison. "How did that go? Being poisoned?" That would be something Trevor would also consider... The possession just seemed so very different to him and he wasn't able to relate the two.

Trevor blinked at Noemi as her words were fully comprehended. "You were human... before?" He asked softly, genuinely surprised and concerned by that knowledge. Then he became self-conscious and rubbed the back of his neck and quickly looked to Zeran and then Clarence before looking back at her again. "Sorry. That uh... That was rude."

Edited Date: 2021-12-29 02:38 am (UTC)

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Diana squeaked at the mild tease, tapping out a 'yes' on Zeran's arm, and doing her level best to look unabashed, despite the blatant lie. After a beat, she just casually ambled the rest of the way to Zeran's glass.

Clarence nodded along with Zeran's explanation, speaking up when he was sure he wouldn't interrupt anyone. “It's the same in this world; a significant portion of our knowledge comes from the findings of people who risked much. I much prefer to risk little... maybe some of my time, maybe a fright. But most of my risks are at least as much investment, if ghost-types are involved, and they usually are. To seem like a good sport, to play along a little, is the best way to begin with many.” It had certainly been the best way to begin with his, but he wasn't speaking only on account of that anecdotal evidence; rotom liked to play, sableye liked to play, misdreavus liked to play, and others, yet, even if a great deal of their play involved startling humans if they had an opportunity.

When Noemi's answer was read aloud to the room, Clarence nodded once more (this time, to her) before smiling and shrugging at the other men. It was his turn to explain; “I didn't mind. I don't mind. Noemi is very agreeable company, and being borrowed by her isn't unpleasant. It's like being just awake enough to hold a conversation. Fortunate, since we both enjoy being able to talk more directly than we're ordinarily able.” He quieted to hear Zeran's answer regarding Seren's poisoned, interested. He'd heard about that experiment earlier, but hearing it described in person was different from---and better than---only reading an email about it.

But... then Trevor was reacting, and Diana was looking up from her lemonade in conspicuous interest. Noemi still had her pen, and the notebook within reach, so Clarence kept quiet. Even if Noemi had never been human, she deserved more courtesy than his 'talking over' her.

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Since Noemi has to write again to answer any questions, and she is certainly quick to turn back to her notepad when Zeran puts it down, Zeran will address Trevor's first question.

"It was terrible." He says this with a wry smile. "Could be worse, though. Makes you dizzy, a bit sick, very tired. Not too far off having your blood pressure drop suddenly. It's worse if you're trying to move around through it, and can definitely make you pass out pretty easily if you're not careful. It wears off completely in about half an hour, and wears off enough to move around okay in about half that. I'd not necessarily recommend it, but if it's for the purpose of knowing how you'd be if ever attacked and poisoned by a wild pokemon, and what best helps you recover, then it's worth the try."

Noemi was done writing now, so she slipped the pad to Zeran to read it for her. "You've not been rude at all, Trevor. Yes, I was human before I became a yamask. My memories are a bit fuzzy, but I know I was sick and a patient at the hospital Clarence found me in. It was a long time before I came back as a yamask, or at least remember anything. By the time I recall anything again the hospital was empty of humans and only occupied by pokemon, mostly ghost types."

Zeran found himself studying Noemi. Yes, it was interesting she had been human before, but his thoughts were more on her being able to communicate more directly when possessing someone... and he'd not miss anything by letting her use him... but should he?

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The conversation Clarence described with Noemi reminded Trevor of the conversation he had with You Lot under the tree after You Lot walked them back from the tavern. That part of it didn't sound so bad actually. The major difference, Trevor suspected, was with You Lot, Trevor could have shaken off his doze and had control, with Noemi he'd be trapped until she released him.

A shiver ran down his back at the thought.

You Lot had possessed him earlier that night and Trevor hadn't even known, let alone been able to shake it off... He wasn't sure why that still seemed the better option to him now but he still suspected it had to do with trust. It did make him wonder if he could trust other Pokemon enough to possess him at some point.

Trevor returned his attention to the group as Zeran spoke of experiencing the poison. "I trained similarly as a boy. Is the poison something that a tolerance can be built to with repeat exposures?" It already sounded like a good idea to Trevor, if it was something he could build tolerance to as well he would definitely want to pursue it.

As Zeran read Noemi's note, Trevor first offered her a small, thankful smile at being told he wasn't being rude. Then the smile faded. "I'm sorry." He gave her a funny look, also studying her when he shook his head and cleared his throat. "Sorry," this time it was more of an apology than expressing sympathy. "Those who don't move on in my world often are driven mad and become evil. It's very different here. I don't necessarily understand why, but am thankful it's not."

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“You may be better off ensuring you've always got pecha berries on-hand,” Clarence offered. “They're as effective as manufactured antidotes, and for all varieties of pokemon poison, not that they vary very much. I realize this is butting-in, to an extent, but you,” he gestured to Zeran, “have scads and scads to read for work, so I can't begin to guess what you have, or haven't, read regarding the peculiarities of poisonous pokemon, and you,” he gestured to Trevor, “I expect, haven't had much time to read up on what you would, yet, and you” he turned, finally, to Moriarty, who grinned up at him with some anticipation, “are part poison-type yourself, so you get to sit there and be smug.”

Sitting back (with his gengar now very smug,) Clarence explained, a little more. “Gastly, haunter, and gengar are all dual-typed pokemon, ghost and poison. Poison-types typically cannot be poisoned themselves, and ghost-types resist poisoning, so he isn't smug without real reason.”

“What... what is it like, being human? Before or now.” Diana had a great many questions, but that was the only one she could articulate, and so she asked it, unapologetic... but tone gentle, since she realized it might not be the easiest question to answer, and for more than one reason.

Still not wanting to talk over Noemi, Clarence waited---with some difficulty---until he wouldn't, before turning to Trevor as if he meant to say something, and then abandoned his intention. There'd be time enough to discuss Timero's old bones when he wasn't pulling the course of a conversation away from Noemi, and waiting for that time was... the right thing to do. He knew she didn't get to talk to people very often; he ought to have the presence of mind to act on that knowledge.

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Zeran nodded. "I've read a bit, especially since meeting Diana, and can definitely say I agree with Clarence. I'm in the middle of testing out if having a few of the petcha berries every day will help at all when poisoned. Going to give it about a month before I ask Seren to help me out again. Besides, I need to butter the guy up. He's so sweet and gets really distressed when I ask him to help with these poison experiments, so I try to do something really special for him to make it up to him."

Noemi was writing again to respond to Trevor, but she could also talk to Diana as she wrote, it just meant she'd write a little slower. "I... can't completely remember. I know when I'm holding Clarence it's... similar to being human again, but not quite right, mostly because I know it's not my body, and I'm not alone in my head, if that makes sense. I guess in some ways it's not so different from being a yamask, I can just do different things like this than I could as a human."

Noemi slid the notebook back to Zeran, but instead of just picking it up and reading it, he pulled a deep breath, gazing at Noemi. "Might... be easier for you to talk if you possessed someone, yeah? How's that work?"

Noemi perked... and held out her mask to Zeran. Zeran glanced at Clarence, then gave Noemi a smile and a nod. He was a bit nervous, always was when trusting someone to this extent for the first time, but she was young, and Clarence trusted her. So he accepted her mask and... put it on.

It wasn't too unlike being possessed by Queenie, feeling himself mentally fall into a muzzy fog before he was aware again of what was going on. (Hello?)

(Hello. You're okay with this? I'll let go if you want.) Noemi was a little nervous herself, never sure how someone would react to her.

Zeran couldn't smile, but he would be if he could. (I'm good. Just keep me in the loop?)

(Of course, you'll be able to hear everything anyway.)

(Good.) Zeran let himself settle, awake but "on the edge", aware, but not alert.

Noemi, now in Zeran's body, turned a bit towards Trevor. "I'm sorry to hear that spirits have it so bad where you're from. I don't know what makes it different here, and I'm not so sure some pokemon that were once humans aren't mad, though I'd not necessarily call any of them evil either. I know my buddy was also human once, but he doesn't remember much about that time." Noemi leaned a bit to peek under the table a little, enough to get a better look at her friend. "He doesn't remember his name, so he's... my buddy."

Buddy made a soft little "ooo" sound, just an acknowledgment that she was talking about him.

Edited Date: 2022-01-05 01:29 am (UTC)

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"Hmmm," Trevor wordless acknowledged both the idea of pecha berries and the distress Seren experienced when being asked to help with poison experiments. He didn't like the idea of distressing his new cuddly friend and started contemplating finding an outside source to be poisoned by. Somewhat distracted by his own thoughts he minutely shook his head. "No, I can't say I've read much at all here." Or really anywhere for that matter.

Then Zeran captured his attention by offering to allow Noemi to possess him. He watched with a fair amount of disbelief as Zeran accepted the mask. Holy Shit!

While he knew there was really no threat, he suddenly wished he had his whip with him. Not that he would interfere. No, he understood that Noemi was a friend and Zeran was offering of his own free will. Wanting the whip was completely for his own comfort, not defence. Oddly enough he'd come to realize his whip was his security blanket.

As Noemi turned Zeran's body towards him, Trevor's surprise settled into acceptance as his focus turned to her answer. As she referenced Buddy, Trevor looked at him as well and gave the shy Pokemon a soft smile - there was something about the little Pokemon that made Trevor instinctively protective of him and made him want to offer reassurance.

Eyes returning back to Noemi/Zeran, Trevor nodded. "There's a lot of evil where I'm from that simply isn't present here. It's... shocking at how different it is to be honest. Not that I'm complaining." Shrugging, he paused a moment and frowned slightly. "I know You Lot also was a group of humans at one time... Are there many other Pokemon who started off as human? Any idea as to why?" He really hoped that it wasn't the same general reason human spirits didn't move on his world.

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“I'm very glad Seren has such considerate friends here. He deserves nothing less.” Clarence nodded to Zeran, both approving and appreciative, though Diana drew his attention as she chirped and chittered. He didn't understand any of it, but he wasn't meant to; the joltik was speaking to Noemi, still curious, and now seizing on an inoffensive, if interesting, question.

“'In some ways, it's not so different...'” she echoed, “Is that why you're always upright? I've noticed humans really don't like looking at things upside down, and I never see any upside down, unless they're rolling sideways with their arms and legs stretched out, and even then, that's only in moving. You float; you could be upside down as easily as anything. Do you not like it for the same reason they do, or is it a habit?” It had seemed a strange constant to Diana, when she was as comfortable running along the underside of a table or branch as she was atop the thing. Whatever the answer was, or would've been---it wasn't 'about to be ignored,' since she was still listening,---she turned to regard Zeran, mildly distracted and mildly surprised by what he asked.

Clarence had perked when Noemi had, and smiled (encouragingly!) when Zeran looked his way, privately thrilled for Noemi. She had the company of other pokemon in the haunted hospital, but had admitted, on the night they met, to being lonely; she'd also admitted that all the people she'd previously tried to interact with were, at best, wary of her. That someone else was willing to trust her, and pleased to engage with her as an equal, was very good---and sure to be very good for her.

The Timeran waited for a few moments, aware that both Noemi and Zeran would likely need a little time to get their bearings, and be surer of their situation. (Even accustomed, now, to Noemi's taking hold, he always did.) When Noemi moved to speak to Trevor, he took it as a sign all was well, but didn't settle; instead, he followed Noemi's lead in leaning down to look at the phantump, and asked, quietly, “You're still doing alright down there? You can come sit with me if you want a better view, now or later.” He gave Buddy a little smile before straightening.

“A modest handful.” Clarence was answering even before he'd settled back into his seat. “Phantump, yamask, drifloon and their evolutions; honedge, and soulleret, and, if you believe the legends, froslass. Sandygast, palossand, and arguably even dhelmise are in a strange sort of nomansland of nature, as they may come to be from an... aggregrate of emotional energies---dying grudges and regrets, that sort of thing, stone tape adjacent stuff---or even fragments of damaged souls. There's more evidence for the former than the latter, but.. pokemon are mysterious creatures; there's a lot we've yet to understand about them, and ghost-type pokemon especially. I chose to focus on ghost-type pokemon because there's... ample opportunity to contribute to the literature. And they're fascinating! To the same extent that they are charming.” He nudged Moriarty with a foot, expression fond; the gengar heaved a sigh, and rolled his eyes, and smiled, clearly fond himself.

“How far into 'ideas why,' would you like to go? While you consider,” Clarence turned now to Noemi and Zeran, interested but unworried. “How are you, the both of you? Noemi, is finding a good balance much the same as it is with me, or different with different people? And, Zeran, how are you finding the experience?”

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Noemi gave Diana a smile. "I think so? I've never really thought of it before, but I do tend to mostly stay upright. Maybe it's just habit."

She wasn't entirely sure Diana had heard her, as Zeran made his offer just then, but she figured Diana would ask again if she didn't hear the answer. "I am well." (Zeran?)

(Mn, awake... aware... groggy.) Zeran answered easily enough. (As for the experience, I guess it's not too unlike the times Queenie has borrowed my body.)

"Zeran says he's awake, aware, and groggy, which is about what you are when we do this. It's about the same effort. I think I'm getting better at balancing with my host. Zeran also says the experience is pretty similar to when Queenie has borrowed him." There is a slight question to her tone, as she's not sure who or what Queenie is.

(Queenie?) Noemi asked Zeran.

(A mismagius I live with. She's partnered to a housemate. When she possesses someone she can completely knock them out or balance with them like this leaving the host foggy but aware.) Zeran was amused, not only by the innocent curiosity he was getting from the yamask, but also by thoughts of Queenie in general. Queenie was trouble, but she was good.

(Ah, okay.) With that cleared up she felt she could give a better answer. "Zeran says when Queenie possesses someone she can balance with them too like I do, but it still leaves him feeling groggy and foggy."

Edited Date: 2022-01-07 12:06 am (UTC)

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When Trevor realized he would not be able to make sense of the noises the Pokemon made when communicating with each other he'd taken to allowing it to become background noise. He paid enough attention to note it was happening and if there was any distress involved but otherwise unless they were trying to get his attention he let it wash over him without reaction.

While that modest handful was a small amount in the numerous types of Pokemon Trevor was aware of, it was more than he had been hoping to hear. He had to remind himself that things were different here, that possibly a soul that failed to move on wasn't due to a traumatic death where the spirit was left tortured and trapped. At least that was why he believed spirits remained back home.

As far as how much he'd like to know... Trevor was far from a scholar or a researcher, but he took his profession seriously enough... Or well, had at one time, but that instinct to know as much as he possibly could was still there. This didn't quite relate to being a monster hunter back home, but maybe it could offer some insights he'd not been able to get otherwise.

Still, he'd learned the hard way not to let people see what mattered to him or who he really was, and that had become part of his personality so he offered a partial shrug in response. "As much as you're interested to share."

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Content with that answer, Diana carried on in the same vein: “Do you get dizzy? The spiritomb we know doesn't, unless in a borrowed body. What about you?” This last, she directed to the phantump.

Clarence set his lemonade aside, crossing his arms. There was nothing combative about the action; he was just making himself comfortable as he observed Noemi, intrigued as he'd never before seen the mannerisms she had in a human form. “You're definitely getting better at balancing. The difference between our conversations now, and the first few we had is a dramatic one.” He gave Trevor a sort of one-shouldered shrug (so as to avoid jostling Marley) Zeran couldn't see, and explained; “I sort of remember those, but they way you'd remember a conversation from a dream; the emotional tone, and the gist of what was said, but I couldn't repeat any of it verbatim---now, or immediately after.”

“It sounds like he's fine? Tell him I'm glad, and just here.” Diana made her way back to Zeran's shoulder as she spoke, not concerned, but not disinterested, either. “Are you only as ticklish as he is, like this? If you weren't balancing, it would be like Clarence said?”

What was said to Clarence, meanwhile, made the young man start and grin; he was pleased, but still looked at Trevor curiously. “Well---we could stay to supper. Should we? I'm asking all assembled,” his hosts, his pokemon, his friends.

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