It&#39;s so crowded in here

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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Now that Noemi was possessing Zeran, answering Diana in a separate conversation wasn't going to happen, and she figured it would be rude to answer a question no one else could hear. And so Noemi translated. "Diana was asking me if I get dizzy, now that I'm a yamask. If I do, I've not done anything else that would cause me to be, so... I don't think I get dizzy?"

Buddy was relaxing a bit. He'd drifted out from under the table a little, just a little more into view. He's staying unobtrusive, not looking for attention, just wanting to quietly observe without notice.

Noemi turned inward to Zeran. (Diana wants you to know she's glad you're fine, and she's just here, on your shoulder.)

Zeran couldn't laugh, though the mental impression was there, and his amusement could be felt. (I'm glad she's not worried. I probably should have said something to her before making this offer.)

Out loud, Noemi once again shared Diana's questions with the others. "She asked if I'm only as ticklish as Zeran is when I'm in control. I... think less, actually? I feel what his body feels, but the connection to it is different than if it were my own body. They're just as... strong, I guess you could say, but they register differently? I don't know how to describe it. She also asked if I wasn't balancing if Zeran would remember the experiences as Clarence explained. No, because if I wasn't trying to balance with him, he would be completely unaware until I released him. I don't like just taking over, though, I want to talk to people, so even when I wasn't very good at it I was still trying to balance my hold so Clarence wasn't completely gone. I also didn't want his team worried, and so needed to be able to communicate with him as much as possible."

Noemi’s amusement at Clarence's clear delight at the thought of sharing more about ghost types carried easily to Zeran and Zeran's back to her. It was a pleasant feels loop.

(If you guys want to stay for supper, I'd be more than happy to cook. I do love making good food for people.)

Noemi smiled, not that anyone would be able to see the grin on Zeran's face from behind the mask. "Zeran says if we want to stay for supper, he'd be happy to cook. He loves making good food for people."

Edited Date: 2022-01-13 04:10 am (UTC)

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The way different Pokemon could interact with humans, or those they possessed, intrigued Trevor, and while he didn't take part in the conversation himself, he was listening intently to the discussion. Just because he didn't have in interest in being possessed, didn't mean that he didn't want to know as much as possible about it.

At the suggestion of them staying for supper, caused Trevor to pause. This wasn't his house, although he supposed he was the host at the moment, but more importantly, he really didn't know how to cook. At hearing Zeran offer through Noemi, Trevor nodded and grinned. "Yes. Excellent. You definitely don't want me to do the cooking, but I would be happy to help if I can."

He didn't think Jae would mind, and he'd figure out a way to pay her back for what they used. In his old life, Trevor was happy to take what he needed, but here, with how kind Jae and her friends had been to him he did not want to take advantage. Or worse, become a burden.

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“If you were more ticklish, I would walk more carefully,” Diana explained. It was why she'd asked. Now that she knew, she'd settle where she was for a while... though, since where she was offered her a good view of the room, she'd wave to Buddy as he emerged, wanting the shyer pokemon to feel welcome---but not crowded in on. She'd slowly grown accustomed to the amount of attention she got from Zeran and Jendayi and Darnell and Mitham, but remembered how it had been overwhelming at times.

“I'll need input,” Clarence began, pointedly, tone still fond. He looked to Moriarty, who nodded; Marley, who offered an audible flap of shrug; Noemi, and Buddy. “Marlow will want to stay, unquestionably. Morticia won't care. Methuselah... won't be able to weigh in until he's arrived. He doesn't overheat as easily as Marlow, so he's out for a flight. He knows the way here, though.”

“He's very quiet, I think. I didn't hear him much on the trip that brought me here. I couldn't try talking to him myself 'cause I was being sneaky.” Knowing Noemi would translate, Diana offered her opinion---and admission---to the Unovans, and Trevor.

“You did a good job sneaking.” Moriarty's grin was an approving one. “I didn't notice you. Marley didn't notice you. Our boy didn't notice you. But you weren't cold in that bag?”

“No? I mean, we weren't ever anywhere very cold, and the side on Clarence was warmer, and he's got socks and stuff in there. It wasn't bad at all.”

Throughout this exchange, Clarence waited patiently, drank his drink, observed Noemi's body language, and glanced, now and then, to Trevor. When the pokemon had quieted, he admitted, “It's one idea, of several, but Timeran legend maintains the ghost-type pokemon who were once human, are chosen to become such by an entity that guards the underworld, or afterlife, or whatever you'd like to call it. Timero is a peaceful place--if you'll overlook noisy ghosts and Aaron Kelly---but it was once the nomansland of small, warring kingdoms, full of bloodshed and beleaguered native Timerans. It's... rich in resources, but these forces and those forces would be bottlenecked in waves. Drakogen, in legend, saw all that death as a waste when there's a good world to know, and determined the dead should remain long enough to know it for themselves. Some would have new forms for it, some more like life, but at the cost of being... shades? It wouldn't or couldn't grant life, but...” He motioned with one hand, frowning slightly and looking at nothing in particular on the floor.

“It's---vague enough to be difficult to articulate. If there is a river of passage, it is more like a marsh in Timero. Drakogen won't, or can't, grant life, but it is a patron of presence. That's one idea, and the one that has hold in my homeland. Others are more academic, or anecdotal, and, maybe, more widely applicable.”

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Buddy let out a soft "ooh" at being noticed... but gave Diana a tentative wave back, even as he sank down a bit again. Noemi was just glad to see her friend out, but wouldn't stress him further by drawing more attention to him.

Noemi was grinning behind the mask as Diana and Clarence's crew chatted for a moment, and she did indeed translate for everyone. Though, once she had, she added in her input. "I'd not mind staying, if Trevor is happy to have us."

(Or Jae.) Zeran added. This is Jae's house, Trevor is a current housemate.)

"Or Jae," Noemi added for the group.

Noemi and Zeran (as much as he could focus to) listened to Clarence's explanation. When he finished Noemi commented, musing, "You would think we would remember undergoing such a change, it sounds like it should be dramatic, dying and then becoming something new... but I don't think I've met any ghost type, that's talked to me anyway, that remembers the actual transition between human and pokemon after death. Heh, so I guess I can't help to confirm or debunk your theory there." She shrugged. Confirming or debunking hadn't really been her purpose, it was just a thought she'd had as he explained.

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"That is an interesting theory," Trevor said with a nod and quiet contemplation for a moment as he processed it what he knew from his own world. "Some of those that have transitioned don't seem or sound... pleased for a lack of a better word, although they aren't necessarily malevolent. Still, makes me wonder if it was a choice on their part or something done to them. If we were back home I'd say the transition was against will and unsuccessful. Ghosts that were once human are all very angry and not usually sane."

He looked at those who fit the description here and shrugged apologetically, hoping he hadn't inadvertently insulted anyone.

As an after thought, Trevor added, "And, uh, who is Aaron Kelly?"

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“I suppose it's nearly settled, then. If those that know Jae better than I do, think she wouldn't much mind our staying for supper... I'd be happy to.” Clarence adjusted his glasses again, looking from Trevor to 'Zeran,' as he spoke, though it wasn't as if the possessed man could see; gesture was a hard habit to omit. “I'd also be happy to replace anything we use all up.”

Noemi's remark prompted a small shrug in turn. “I can't recall of any ghost-type on record admitting to a recollection, though... there are a handful of stories about unhappy ghosts denied a new form, on account of their misdeeds. I expect some skepticism, but there's at least once ghost Drakogen has pressed to public service. He's currently the gym leader off the coast of Lazuli.” Feeling that revelation deserved a little... space to land, Clarence finished his lemonade, and then turned back to Trevor.

“Aaron Kelly is a figure of some... notoriety, in Timeran folk stories. A thoroughly bothersome man who became more bothersome after he died, though he never was, or became, actually dangerous. The story goes that he died, was buried, and dug himself up the same day, going home to argue with his widow over where he ought to be. She said he was dead; he said he didn't feel dead, just cold, so he would set by the fire until he was warmed again. Unsurprisingly, he kept feeling cold... and while he didn't warm, he did dry out, so he creaked and cracked, complaining of the cold all the while. Eventually, a fiddler came to court Widow Kelly. He must have been a very charming fellow, as he was able to convince Aaron moving around would help him warm up again after all. Being jealous, Aaron declared the best way to move would be to dance with his wife, saying as much, and insisting the fiddler play. The fiddler acquiesced, and the Kellys danced, just as he had hoped; he played faster and faster as Aaron continued to crack, pop, and snap, and he stopped playing only when the Kellys fell. Widow Kelly fell down; Aaron Kelly fell apart. The fiddler helped the widow up, and they gathered Aaron's bones to bury, but in a jumble, so they'd have time to leave town together. To this day, you'll sometimes hear someone who's made a pest of his- or her-self told 'go ask Aaron,' instead of 'shush' or 'shoo.' It's so that the pest will be busied looking for his bones, and the bothered will know peace in the interim.”

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Noemi listened to all of that, processing, and realized she had two questions. "I have questions. What Aaron Kelly real, or is he just a story? And... are you saying there's a gym leader that is a ghost?"

Zeran would have laughed at her tone at the second question. She sounded every bit like a baffled teen who was sure she had to have heard something wrong. Honestly, though, he was wondering the last himself, and so listened for the answer, even as he considered what he might make for everyone to eat if Jae had what he needed...

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Trevor chuckled at the story of Aaron Kelly. He rather enjoyed stories and felt this was a good one!

Nodding to the questions, Trevor has one of his own... "And, who - or what, denies a ghost of a new form?" It's his understanding that there is no god here, something that he is deeply grateful for, but he can't help but wonder who would be powerful enough to stop a ghost transitioning if that's a possibility.

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Despite the company he kept, Clarence was not one to tease.

"I have some answers, but at least as many questions as you, and you, and you," this with a smile and one hand (palm up, rather than pointing impolitely) indicating Noemi/Zeran, then Trevor, then Noemi/Zeran, "put together. It seems Aaron Kelly was real, as a man by that name died and was buried eighty-two years ago, but the grave is empty. Where Aaron Kelly is, and how talkative he is at present, that's more of a mystery. Lazuli's gym leader is something of a mystery as well, though there's no denying his existence---the uncertainty is regarding who he was in life. It seems public service is only part of his punishment, and the other part is anonymity; the nickname 'Greybeard' has stuck since we have to call him something, and the name of his ship is also unknown... though that doesn't really disrupt conversation on account of its being the only regularly-appearing ghost ship at the site."

~~As opposed to the erratically-appearing ghost ships.~~

Clarence turned to Trevor with a little shrug. "According to the legends, Drakogen? Though, if a spirit's been partially consumed but something like a lampent, there may not be... enough to come back, but it's plausible a, ah, depleted shade---and I'm sorry, there's so little in the way of established language for this sort of subject---could become part of an aggregate like drifloon but there's still so much we just don't know."

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