[ even if classes at Mitakihara Middle School are cancelled due to inclement weather, witch hunting can't be put off because of a snowstorm. once Mami gets word of the school board calling a snow day, she makes certain to head out early in the day before the snow becomes too unbearable. people that are still outside in these conditions are bound to be society's most vulnerable, meaning that they're most susceptible to falling victim to a witch's curse.
the fight is tough, but she manages on her own. ever since she and Kyouko went their separate ways, she's had to relearn her old solo fighting tactics - though she seems to be thinking about it, Sayaka has yet to make her contract, leaving Mami more or less alone once again. she wouldn't dare ask the girls to accompany her in this kind of weather - she had told a small lie to keep them from worrying about her, but it's in the interest of keeping them safe.
it's blissful to have feeling return to her extremities when she opens her front door, even if it's eerily quiet inside. she had managed to track down both a witch and its today - it's a job well done, and she's exhausted. tea sounds like a good idea... maybe it'll take away the chill she's still feeling in her core. ]
[ Kyouko is also aware of the opportunities awful weather can bring when it comes to hunting witches. Her motivation is as low as she can recently remember, though. Unfortunately, the prospect spending another lonely night in a hotel room she's magically sneaked into isn't appealing, either.
She could use a grief seed – not desperately, but it would clearly be irresponsible if she didn't make an effort. An issue is that she starts later than Mami, and the snow is coming down full blast almost right from the start. Simply searching for a witch is miserable, and her heart definitely isn't in it. Once she does come across a labyrinth, the fight doesn't go well. After getting battered around, she chooses to run with nothing to show for the effort.
It's only after she's escaped that she realizes how close the search had taken her to Mami's apartment. In a lot of ways, Kyouko knows it wouldn't be fair for her to show up out of the blue; it gives her a nervous, tingly feeling. But her feet almost seem to move themselves. She's hungry, cold, tired, and hurt, so she can't think of anywhere else she'd rather go.
Her hair and her jacket are covered in snow by the time she gets there. There's one last moment of hesitation, then Kyouko knocks softly on the door. More difficult even than knocking on the door is sending a telepathic message to Mami. She keeps it simple. ]
[ the voice that speaks into her mind is unmistakable, and it almost makes her drop the bowl of sugar cubes in her hand. she hasn't spoken to Kyouko since their separation and subsequent fight - she was under the impression that the other girl had relocated to Kazamino permanently. if she's here now... what could she possibly want?
she wants to be hesitant in opening the door, but she finds herself moving without thinking. the condition she sees the other girl in is jarring, to say the least. ]
What are you doing here?
[ she doesn't look like she's here for a fight, which is a good thing. as a matter of fat, it looks like Kyouko is in quite the opposite of fighting shape. ]
[ That's a basic question that Kyouko doesn't have much of an answer for. She really wasn't sure how Mami was going to react, and now that she's opened the door, another flood of doubts starts to give her cold feet. Her eyes avert from Mami's, and she tries to swallow down the hard lump in her throat. ]
I don't really know. But I'm not picking a fight.
[ As Mami has already conjectured. Kyouko sighs, and her breath mists the air. ]
[ her reaction at the moment is one of uncertainty more than anything else. there are a rush of emotions flowing through her, but notably none of them are disgust or outright rejection. on the contrary, she's desperate to have Kyouko at her side again... but are they even compatible anymore?
she doesn't want to have regrets. if she leaves Kyouko in the cold, that would certainly be one. ]
I'm not going to let you freeze to death out there.
[ she opens her door wider, allowing her room to enter. ]
[ Even as Mami opens the door wider for her, Kyouko hesitates. Mostly because she's trying to read Mami's expression, wondering if this is really okay. But the reasons Kyouko pushed her away in the first place feel increasingly blurred and… stupid. What's the point in being so stubborn when Mami is willing to let her in, in spite of everything?
Yet the stubbornness doesn't dissipate completely. Once she's made her mind up, Kyouko brushes past her to get inside with a quiet "hmph", attempting to hide the extent of her injuries by moving brusquely. ]
Jeez, like a little snow would kill me. Don't be dumb.
[ Awkwardly, she faces away from Mami once inside, taking in the familiar comfort and warmth of the cozy apartment. ]
[ her expression, should Kuouko be able to read it, is equally as hesitant. this is, by all accounts, a horrible idea - she wants to take the younger girl's word as it is, but doing so makes herself open to attack. has Kyouko come here to finish the job she had left unfinished?
she doesn't let her guard down for that reason, but she'd rather be reactionary than outright aggressive. maybe in this moment they can pretend like nothing has changed... or at least try to. ]
I'm not... [ she pauses, choosing her words carefully. ] It's still dangerous to be out there.
[ things are already tense, and she doesn't like it. maybe she can do something to make it better... ]
I'll make us some tea.
[ she still remembers which blend was Kyouko's favourite, along with snacks to serve with it. moving to the kitchen also gives her an opportunity to make distance between them while still giving her a way to keep an eye on her. ]
[ Like she's one to talk. The tension is palpable, and it's not one-sided. Thing is, tea does sound amazing. She can't quite bring herself to sit down and settle in while Mami is in the kitchen, though.
Going after Mami in her own home would be a very, very low blow; but then again, she has every right to be wary. Kyouko ought to be thanking her for letting her in and making her a warm drink, but the words stick in her throat. It's hard for her to think of anything else to say.
After a little while, she realizes that the snow on her is melting and dripping to the floor. ]
[It's rare when Guzma finds himself in Verens during the day. He usually visits at night to enjoy the nightlife with Archie or Jill, sometimes both! But this day finds the ex-gang leader by himself during the bustling day. There's no real agenda—that's really not how Guzma rolls, so he's doing his usual useless loitering. Maybe he just needed to step away from the cabin and interact with general society, even a guy like him needs to do that every once in a while! Either way, he's guaranteed to be up to no good.
Whatever the drive was behind getting him to come out doesn't matter, because the moment a certain steel-blue haired man catches his eye, everything changes. Just the sight of him is enough to make those long harbored and confusing feelings well up inside him—a twisted beast of both hatred and attraction. There was just something about how he held himself, how he talked, the way he dressed... all of it riled Guzma in ways that made him want to smash the smaller man—with his fists, and otherwise. Too long has his mind tormented him with this demented crush, without any satisfaction coming from it.
For longer than he'd care to admit, he stopped in his tracks staring at the back of Steven's head from across the way, with an almost predator's fixation. It's not till the other trainer starts to walk off from whatever he was doing, nearly disappearing into the crowd, that Guzma snaps back to reality and begins to trail him. He attempts to stay back, allowing others to block the view of him should Steven look back, or turn around for any reason. A possibly futile endeavor, when Guzma is as large of a man as he is. However, he doesn't want him to know he's stalking him, not until he finds a good opening to approach the Hoenn Champion and make something of this perplexing feeling he has.
He's not even sure what he plans to do, or what might come of this, he just knows it can't wait any longer.]
Edited 2019-04-22 06:36 (UTC)
i promise the rest of my tagbacks won't take four months to do
[ Steven, on the other hand, usually has his day planned out meticulously with plenty to do. today is no different, though he's ahead of schedule - he's done his biweekly gemstone appraisals with the local gemwrights, planned an excursion into the Ferril mountains for next month, and finished some grocery shopping. it's been a productive day; he's feeling pretty accomplished, and rewards himself accordingly with a coffee from Steambucks.
he's people watching and nursing his cup when Guzma catches sight of him, though Steven remains oblivious to the attention. it's only when he finishes his drink and leaves that he feels like he's being watched somehow, but a cursory glance to his left and right doesn't reveal anything. all the same, he stays attentive as he makes his way through the market district on his way home. ]
[How fortuitous for Guzma that Steven doesn't catch on to the thug tailing him. Even more so when there's enough of a break in the crowd as they pass an alleyway, an opportunity that Guzma doesn't let slip—his gait speeds up, and with a ruthless snatch, he catches the back of Steven's clothes. Pulling him towards the alley with a rough jerk of his arm.
He's not even thinking about how Steven might release one of his Pokémon, or that he might even call for help. He's running fully on impulse at the moment, which isn't far from the norm for him. Regardless of what Steven might do, Guzma will be aiming to push him further into the alley, releasing his hold to slide his hands back into his pockets as he stares him down with disgust.
...He doesn't say anything, he's just glowering at him.]
[ there's a certain tinge of anxiety he feels as he passes by the alleyway for reasons unknown, but they become glaringly clear in the next moment. his collar is yanked into the darkness as a surprised noise catches in his throat, falling into a wince as he's pushed somewhat forcefully against the stone wall. ]
What in the-
[ his hand instinctively goes to the Poké Balls at his belt, but he hesitates when he sees who it is that pulled him from the crowd. Guzma... it seems natural for a thug to want to shake him down for reasons unknown, but from the way he's being stared at, maybe that isn't the whole story. he hopes that isn't the case, anyway - for all of the other man's repulsive habits and brutish looks, there's something about him that intrigues Steven. he's yet to put his finger on it exactly, but it's enough to extinguish any immediate anger into annoyance and bemusement. ]
Can I help you with something?
[ polite as always, but his tone sounds irritated; struggling to parse what this is about. ]
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kyoumami!
the fight is tough, but she manages on her own. ever since she and Kyouko went their separate ways, she's had to relearn her old solo fighting tactics - though she seems to be thinking about it, Sayaka has yet to make her contract, leaving Mami more or less alone once again. she wouldn't dare ask the girls to accompany her in this kind of weather - she had told a small lie to keep them from worrying about her, but it's in the interest of keeping them safe.
it's blissful to have feeling return to her extremities when she opens her front door, even if it's eerily quiet inside. she had managed to track down both a witch and its today - it's a job well done, and she's exhausted. tea sounds like a good idea... maybe it'll take away the chill she's still feeling in her core. ]
no subject
She could use a grief seed – not desperately, but it would clearly be irresponsible if she didn't make an effort. An issue is that she starts later than Mami, and the snow is coming down full blast almost right from the start. Simply searching for a witch is miserable, and her heart definitely isn't in it. Once she does come across a labyrinth, the fight doesn't go well. After getting battered around, she chooses to run with nothing to show for the effort.
It's only after she's escaped that she realizes how close the search had taken her to Mami's apartment. In a lot of ways, Kyouko knows it wouldn't be fair for her to show up out of the blue; it gives her a nervous, tingly feeling. But her feet almost seem to move themselves. She's hungry, cold, tired, and hurt, so she can't think of anywhere else she'd rather go.
Her hair and her jacket are covered in snow by the time she gets there. There's one last moment of hesitation, then Kyouko knocks softly on the door. More difficult even than knocking on the door is sending a telepathic message to Mami. She keeps it simple. ]
It's me. A big jerk.
no subject
[ the voice that speaks into her mind is unmistakable, and it almost makes her drop the bowl of sugar cubes in her hand. she hasn't spoken to Kyouko since their separation and subsequent fight - she was under the impression that the other girl had relocated to Kazamino permanently. if she's here now... what could she possibly want?
she wants to be hesitant in opening the door, but she finds herself moving without thinking. the condition she sees the other girl in is jarring, to say the least. ]
What are you doing here?
[ she doesn't look like she's here for a fight, which is a good thing. as a matter of fat, it looks like Kyouko is in quite the opposite of fighting shape. ]
no subject
I don't really know. But I'm not picking a fight.
[ As Mami has already conjectured. Kyouko sighs, and her breath mists the air. ]
You don't have to let me in.
*fact, not fat... come on proofreading
she doesn't want to have regrets. if she leaves Kyouko in the cold, that would certainly be one. ]
I'm not going to let you freeze to death out there.
[ she opens her door wider, allowing her room to enter. ]
it's all good!
Yet the stubbornness doesn't dissipate completely. Once she's made her mind up, Kyouko brushes past her to get inside with a quiet "hmph", attempting to hide the extent of her injuries by moving brusquely. ]
Jeez, like a little snow would kill me. Don't be dumb.
[ Awkwardly, she faces away from Mami once inside, taking in the familiar comfort and warmth of the cozy apartment. ]
no subject
she doesn't let her guard down for that reason, but she'd rather be reactionary than outright aggressive. maybe in this moment they can pretend like nothing has changed... or at least try to. ]
I'm not... [ she pauses, choosing her words carefully. ] It's still dangerous to be out there.
[ things are already tense, and she doesn't like it. maybe she can do something to make it better... ]
I'll make us some tea.
[ she still remembers which blend was Kyouko's favourite, along with snacks to serve with it. moving to the kitchen also gives her an opportunity to make distance between them while still giving her a way to keep an eye on her. ]
no subject
[ Like she's one to talk. The tension is palpable, and it's not one-sided. Thing is, tea does sound amazing. She can't quite bring herself to sit down and settle in while Mami is in the kitchen, though.
Going after Mami in her own home would be a very, very low blow; but then again, she has every right to be wary. Kyouko ought to be thanking her for letting her in and making her a warm drink, but the words stick in her throat. It's hard for her to think of anything else to say.
After a little while, she realizes that the snow on her is melting and dripping to the floor. ]
Can I borrow a towel?
[ Super smooth. ]
Steven Stoner!
Whatever the drive was behind getting him to come out doesn't matter, because the moment a certain steel-blue haired man catches his eye, everything changes. Just the sight of him is enough to make those long harbored and confusing feelings well up inside him—a twisted beast of both hatred and attraction. There was just something about how he held himself, how he talked, the way he dressed... all of it riled Guzma in ways that made him want to smash the smaller man—with his fists, and otherwise. Too long has his mind tormented him with this demented crush, without any satisfaction coming from it.
For longer than he'd care to admit, he stopped in his tracks staring at the back of Steven's head from across the way, with an almost predator's fixation. It's not till the other trainer starts to walk off from whatever he was doing, nearly disappearing into the crowd, that Guzma snaps back to reality and begins to trail him. He attempts to stay back, allowing others to block the view of him should Steven look back, or turn around for any reason. A possibly futile endeavor, when Guzma is as large of a man as he is. However, he doesn't want him to know he's stalking him, not until he finds a good opening to approach the Hoenn Champion and make something of this perplexing feeling he has.
He's not even sure what he plans to do, or what might come of this, he just knows it can't wait any longer.]
i promise the rest of my tagbacks won't take four months to do
he's people watching and nursing his cup when Guzma catches sight of him, though Steven remains oblivious to the attention. it's only when he finishes his drink and leaves that he feels like he's being watched somehow, but a cursory glance to his left and right doesn't reveal anything. all the same, he stays attentive as he makes his way through the market district on his way home. ]
HAHA its all good! I know how life be sometimes
He's not even thinking about how Steven might release one of his Pokémon, or that he might even call for help. He's running fully on impulse at the moment, which isn't far from the norm for him. Regardless of what Steven might do, Guzma will be aiming to push him further into the alley, releasing his hold to slide his hands back into his pockets as he stares him down with disgust.
...He doesn't say anything, he's just glowering at him.]
no subject
What in the-
[ his hand instinctively goes to the Poké Balls at his belt, but he hesitates when he sees who it is that pulled him from the crowd. Guzma... it seems natural for a thug to want to shake him down for reasons unknown, but from the way he's being stared at, maybe that isn't the whole story. he hopes that isn't the case, anyway - for all of the other man's repulsive habits and brutish looks, there's something about him that intrigues Steven. he's yet to put his finger on it exactly, but it's enough to extinguish any immediate anger into annoyance and bemusement. ]
Can I help you with something?
[ polite as always, but his tone sounds irritated; struggling to parse what this is about. ]