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Hey big guy!

You up for a barbecue?

Walter enjoyed Ecruteak. It was less busy than Goldenrod, had various interesting Pokemon in the two Towers and he knew it wasn't where Henry lived, so there was a far lesser chance of running into him here. His Pokemon seemed to enjoy it too, as Assumption happily skipped alongside him until he couldn't keep up, giving a loud cry and holding up his arms to be picked up.

Now with a Cubone tucked in his arm, Walter intended to head towards the dance studio to watch one of the performances from the back, when he thought he saw a familiar figure in the distance. Not many people he knew just went around topless, but he approached quietly just to make sure before he spoke up to Krieg.

[It's kind of been a busy couple of weeks for Thida. Working part-time in a theater gets really demanding around the holidays, she's learned; everyone wants to go out and see a performance, everyone decides that leaving their garbage (or their Pokemon leaving "surprises") between the aisles and seats is a grand idea. Between that and squeezing in training and mushroom Pokemon-searching, Thida hasn't had much time to catch up with her ally in wreaking utter havoc.

But today? Today is the day.

The message she sends starts with a close-up of her narrowed eyes as she makes sure she's sending this to the right person. Then, it pulls out, and she has a hand cupped to her mouth.]

Pssssst!

[She smiles and waves, then shifts the view to a big freakin' squid, especially compared to the shortness that is Thida.]

Maika 'volved!

Krieg I don't know if you're sleeping or not.

[A rapping of an Oricorio’s beak at a nearby door, window, tree or rock might alert Krieg to the fact that he had a visitor. Clutched in the beak of the creature is a pink, heart-shaped piece of paper. Opening it up would reveal a handwritten note and adorned with a Charizard sticker.]

You're on Fire, Valentine -- Angel ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭*

[But wait! There's more. The Oricorio will quickly lead Krieg out to the hall, where a rather large cooler waits. Inside he'll find a very fine selection of meats, all raw and waiting to be hand salted and cooked in whatever way the psycho might find necessary.]

[At the top, there's another note.]

To my best and dearest friend,

This is the hardest letter I have had to write, simply because I do not know how to convey how much you mean to me. Just as Janey and Athena are part of my newfound family, so too are you. I have never felt more safe than when I am with you.

You've helped me through countless trials, things I would have never made it through if not for you. Not only that, but you make me feel strong on my own. There will never be enough words to describe how important that is to me.

Or how important you are to me.

I have ended a lot of these letters with things like "I hope we can continue to be good friends" but... I don't need to with you. I know we will be the best of friends, for a long time to come. Again, there are no words for something like that.

With all the love in the six galaxies,
Angel

[After finally having Valentine's Day explained to him, a Spearow finds Krieg a couple of days after the holiday and offers him a folded up piece of white paper. When unfolded, it reveals a carefully rendered drawing of Krieg and Murder Chicken, drawn in a style that would be reminiscent of old super hero comics, had the artist come from a world where those were a thing. It's been colored in with bright, cheerful colors and has lots of fire in the background.]

[Underneath, there's a handwritten note.]

You're a good friend. Thanks.

Blitz still wants a rematch.

[Valentine's Day: nailed it.]

[Following this.

Armin had not intended to upset Angel --and on her birthday of all days-- but that doesn't mean he isn't willing to take responsibility here. Had this happened in person, he undoubtedly would've offered Angel a slightly awkward, uncertain, but deeply meant shoulder touch, but there are several cities separating them.

He doesn't just want to leave her alone without making sure she is okay either though. It's fine if she doesn't want to talk to him for a while --how thoughtless had he been, having her bring up memories like that--, it'd even be fine if she wants to just be alone for a bit, but he'd rather someone check on her first. And well, Krieg is not only her best friend, but he is also the only other person Armin knows in their little travel group.]

Krieg.

I know this is sudden but this is important. I was talking to Angel and-- And our conversation ended up upsetting her. It's my fault and I'll take full responsibility for it, but could you please make sure she is all right.

[Armin isn't entirely certain what this will do for the tentative peace that exists between him and Krieg, but it doesn't matter. This was his fault and it is his responsibility to fix it. Making sure that Angel is fine is paramount. He can worry about what Krieg may or may not do to his balls later.]

[If anyone who knew Athena still thought she cope with bad things in an even somewhat healthy manner, then they really underestimated her.

It's been a while since she'd needed to vent like this. The last time it had been when Tim had returned to them, when she'd left for Goldenrod and beaten Jack so badly that whatever being it was that watched over all of them had just. Plucked him away from her before she could end him. More recently she'd almost needed to take her frustrations out when Angel had finally filled her in on just what Jack had done to her, but the girl managed to talk her down. So she'd been good. She'd been calm.

But waking up alone, waking up to no trace of Janey anywhere in the rooms of the inn their ragtag little group had claimed for their own... it brought back that white-hot burning inside of her, and using a tree as a punching bag just wasn't doing the trick. So, bright and early one day, there will be a short, firm knock on Krieg's door, and without even waiting for a response, Athena barges in.]

Hey. You finally tired of only fighting your Pokemon?

[They've talked about it before, but nothing ever came of it. Now? Well. Now seems like the perfect time to take up that sparring offer.]

[When the message starts, the communicator is clearly being held by someone else, since it's showing Jean and his entire body is visible. He has a Torchic on his shoulder and Spark Ball the enormous Electrode by his side. Seriously, that is one huge ass Electrode, it almost comes up to his waist.]

Is it on?

[Whoever is holding the communicator (it's Blume the Ivysaur) must nod, because Jean smiles and continues.]

Hi, Krieg! I went to go visit the warp pads today, but I found out I couldn't warp to where you are to drop off this guy.

[Jean starts to drop a hand to Spark Ball's head, but the Electrode crackles menacingly and he snatches his hand back. Gods, that's one touchy ball!]

But don't worry, because I've got another plan. This feathery guy [Jean gestures off-screen, and Amadeus pokes his head into view] volunteered his time to fly everyone over, so...

[Jean pulls a Pokeball off his belt and offers it to Spark Ball. The Electrode looks at it suspiciously for a moment before there's a flash of light and he disappears into it.]

And...

[Another Pokeball, this time offered to Death Chicken, who is much more enthusiastic about going inside.]

The little guy wants to visit his dad, so he's coming along. Sorry I can't make it myself, but have fun with Spark Ball and we'll see you on the badge trail!

Hey big guy!

How's it going? Just thought I'd give you a call, it's kinda been a while...had a busy summer!

[ Walter's sitting outside in Blackthorn City, on one of the many rocky ledges surrounding the town. His beautiful Ninetales, the shiny Claudia, is resting with her front paws on his lap. ]

Krieg. You know a lot about fighting. May I ask you some questions about that?

[ The text came unprompted, after weeks of silence. It was a simple message, but only because she couldn't figure out what to say. Not after what she'd been doing to him. ]

Can I see you?

Edited 2017-12-30 05:08 (UTC)

KRIEG <3 BUDDY I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING

KRIEG!

[This is another easy one to make. Neither Krieg nor Fiddleford required any agonizing or drama today; Jean just called them up and let fly. Barfed emotions all over the place, if you will.]

You are the greatest guy. You're strong and like explosions and you listen when I talk to you and you wear a cool mask and Angel loves you too and you have sweet monsters and... [pause for breath] ... AND you're like a big brother or an uncle or something! And I don't have any of those in my own shitty world so I got one here!

AND IT'S YOU!

[Valentine's Day: nailed it.]

 Krieg?
I got your poem.
It was very sweet. 
I promise I will have something for you soon.

[ On the one hand, it's probably not a good sign that she's only texting Krieg. On the other, at least she's talking at all? ]

[Armin hadn't need Jack's post to know the score. He had known what was going on the moment Bailey had landed on his windowsill, looking far more down than he had ever seen the feisty little pokemon. A quick glance at his gear had confirmed the worst.

Or perhaps, not the worst yet. Over time, Armin had grown to like Krieg well enough, even trust him to a certain degree, but it had always been with that niggling itch at the back of his mind that could not help but wonder what Krieg would be like without Angel there. With her there, he was erratic, yes. He yelled about poop transport and nipples and never wore a shirt, but he was, for the most part, harmless. Even supportive in his own way. He took good care of his pokemon, and despite what Jack had said, he hadn't eaten any babies.

But that had been with Angel there, Angel who could always talk Krieg down from any rage, whose very presence calmed Krieg down.

And now she wasn't here anymore.

If Armin knew, then Krieg undoubtedly knew too. Krieg always knew about the things related to Angel first. But how was he taking it? Armin's mind couldn't help but race to the worst possible scenarios, ones of Krieg out of control, enraged, dangerous. And perhaps he was wrong, perhaps he was underestimating Krieg as he had underestimated him before, but Armin couldn't take that gamble.]

Krieg?

[Armin was uncertain what the right tone for this was. Angel, he knew, had always talked to Krieg with sweetness in her voice, soft and kind. But Armin wasn't any good at approaching people like that. He had never been the best at comforting people. It was not that he didn't care, he was just... awkward. In any case, if Krieg was doing what Armin feared he was doing, he was going to need his wits, not his emotions. In the end, his voice comes out mostly neutral, though, with a slight edge, both anxious and grief mixed together.]

[Lust looks tired. Very tired. And she's currently wearing a very familiar yellow Hyperion jersey.]

I hate to bring more bad news, but...I felt you should know.

Timothy is no longer with us.

[There's two pictures that are sent to Krieg, about five minutes apart. The first is a picture of a shiny new Mineral Badge in a badge case, a tired Poko the Tepig holding the case in his mouth to show it off.

The second is of...something green? Curled up in Thida's lap. It looks like an Espeon, but that green color is absolutely crazy.]

krieeeeg
people keep leavin
wanted to show noctis i got the badge but hes gone
karp squads gone
n he left carbuncle in my box
whys everyone goin away
not fair
wanna keep everybody

[Doesn't matter where Krieg is. He's getting a text too. Maybe he didn't know the guy, but... Krieg shared these things with Shiro. So it's probably only natural to send him one, too.]

i lost someone one of ours went home

Edited 2018-07-27 04:01 (UTC)

[What comes Krieg's way today is a series of pictures. While the light is dim, there are still things that can be made out - namely, rocks and mountain stuff. Caverns. Caves. A Tepig blowing bits of Ember out to light his path, trotting happily. A Salazzle snatching the 'gear for a bit, accidentally taking pictures of her running through the caves, a familiar set of blue twintails following after. There are shots of camps made, sometimes with just Pokemon, other times with Hikers. There's also a minute long video clip of Thida and a Hiker jamming out, him on a harmonica and she following along on her guitar. It's not bad to listen to.

There are also pictures of the Tepig from before, cuddling up with other Tepig, kissing his snoot against an Emboar, being doted on by a Pignite. The Salazzle comes back being surrounded by Salandit, unimpressed by how easily cowtowed they are to her whims.

And then, there's pictures of an exit. Of a dirt-smudged Thida grinning broadly in front of the sign for Mahogany Town. Of the Pokemon Center, of Joys looking on with sheepish grins as they patch up Thida's team. And then there's one last picture of a plate of roasted mushrooms local to the area, a bowl of rice, and a giant glass of iced green tea.]

I MADE IT
I BEAT THE MOUNTAIN

[She's so tired. But it was so worth it.]

[ She's been considering things as she gets a sense for the laws and lay of the land. It's always funny what becomes a barrier: age, usually, but here it manifests in strange ways. No full time work until she's twenty. No alcohol until eighteen. The one she finds more troubling than the other, but who enforces what, and under what understanding... but then again, how had her age and birthdate already been there on her pokegear when she arrived?

All these little needles for a world that liked its games, and here she is, texting someone who looked like he understood alcohol, a judgement made in his acknowledgement of brawling, and the look of his hands in a smattering of photographs he'd shared.

She could have asked that other fellow too, and might still: he'd said he visited bars. Hm.

May as well test these waters first. ]

Are you of the opinion anyone under the age of eighteen shouldn't be involved with the business of fermenting alcohol?

[First, there's a picture of a Glacier Badge resting atop the shiny head of an Octillery. What can be seen of her face is bashful, but proud.]

OKU IS SO STRONG
WE GOT THE ICY PLACE BADGE

[The same text is going out to Noctis, because these two are the ones Thida likes to update the most.]

Someone's been a good boy, if the size of the box underneath the tree is anything to go by.

To Krieg

I hope these gifts will help make your next fight a more exciting one. I'm certain you'll find the best way to use these.

Yours sincerely,
Armin

In that pretty big box, Krieg will find a Rocky Helmet and an Assault Vest tucked together. Just in case, Armin has included two cards with what each item does. There is also about a 98.3% chance that there will already be an Incineroar trying to sit in the box while Krieg is still unwrapping it. That is just how it goes here.

Wrapped present! But there is also a card on top. It's a handmade card with Merry Christmas on it. Also a lot of fire. There's bonfire and some fire pokemon and even the letters are written in orange, black and red. Also just some random fire like the person who made the card started to have a lot of fun with the fire bits. That's probably true as the page may be 75% fire drawings.

Anyway, inside is some treats for his pokemon and also a fire stone.

[What's that coming in on Pidgey post??

A BOX!

OF CUPCAKES.

PINK CUPCAKES.

And a basket?? Yes, a basket of STUFF for Krieg! A MEAT BOOK, a MEAT BRAND with a whole set of letters to shift around, a MEAT GRILLING SET, a pair of MEAT PULVERIZERS, and a pair of MEAT RIPPING CLAWS.

With a pink bow on the basket.]

Krieg,

Merry Christmas! Have fun!

With love,
Botan ❤

Audio

[14th - Action in Ecruteak!

1/9, Video, Afternoon

1/3

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Video; (backdated to 03/03)

[action; date ???? idk after Janey's drop but before the beach trip]

video;

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