Cause and consequence

[Tinair]

[googlefont="Candal"]

it's not betrayal if i was never loyal in the first place

The kanga room was an interesting place, really. Loud at day, and worse at night. Dusk, actually, when Pokemon started crowding in for dinner and rest. No one to notice a little dratini, but if she was discovered, she would not be able to get away quickly. People in her line of work always feared discovery, but she should be fine. She was just a dratini, and a cute one too. She had stepped into the kanga room once or twice before, but was not familiar enough with everyone yet for them to notice her. If anyone asked why she was standing around, she was here for a dinner with friends, who had not yet arrived. She was not actually here for dinner of any sort, of course. She was here on a far more interesting mission. Recruiting members. She had already spread the rumours around, where they won't be discovered by the law, but telling as many people as she could would be helpful. And she had pinned something up on the bulletin board, only containing the basic information, the time, and the place. Not her name, never her name, in case some nosy eavesdropper heard something they shouldn't have. It wasn't as easy, creating an outlaw group. They were hunted by the law, and they couldn't just yell out to everyone that they needed other outlaws, of course not. Her messages had been sent by whispers passing in the street, but she hoped it would have reached enough ears by now. Now, she had to wait. @team malus, 258 words, no notes!

[Wylie]

❝

Because falling's not the problem. When I'm falling, I'm at peace. It's only when I hit the ground that causes all the grief.

❞

Wylie was beginning to regret coming in the first place.

At first, the idea of a team had been appealing. Lately, as his reputation as a local trickster and thief grew, he'd been having a harder time escaping from his missions. There had been far too many close calls. While he was successful every time, the increasingly dangerous outings begged the question. What would he do if he got caught? Wylie was crafty enough, but his stature was far weaker than most Pokémon out there, and he was hardly old or strong enough to defend himself. He would be a lot better off if he had someone to back him up, when those sticky situations arose. Someone far more capable of real combat.

And with that, Wylie had set out. It had taken a few weeks, but word had reached his ears about an Outlaw conspiring for a team. A rare occasion, in his business; he wouldn't have been surprised if it was already full by the time he arrived. He had discovered it by word of mouth, which led him to a small flyer posted on the bulletin board. It was hardly detailed, giving the barest amount of information possible. A necessary precaution, but worrying nonetheless. After all, Wylie hadn't a clue what kind of criminal was hosting this team. He could only hope they would be the more laid-back type, rather than the occasional hardened murderer.

Here he was, at the Kanga Room. Places like this, he didn't visit too often. Not only was it entirely too crowded (it was unlikely anyone would recognize him, but the risk was always there), but the close quarters made Wylie nervous. And now, he was surrounded by a bunch of strangers looking for the leader of an Outlaw team, who, pertaining to the sparse details provided on the flyer, he knew nothing about.

Suffice it to say, Wylie was a little on edge.

With nothing else to do, Wylie shuffled over to a corner. Luckily, this portion of the room was clearer than the rest, and he breathed in a grateful gulp of air. Crowds had never been his thing. He glanced around, doe brown eyes scanning each individual figure carefully. How am I going to tell who it is? They hadn't provided any descriptive information, after all. Outlaws hardly strode around toting "Outlaw" badges; he could be standing right next to them and he wouldn't have a clue.

This is going to be more difficult than I thought.

418 words ● @team Malus ● Hope this is okay!

deltra of gangnam style

[vivien]

CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCE

The place was bustling with the heat of various Pokemon, too many bodies packed in one small bar. Her trained eyes flickered over various patrons, looking at them briefly before moving to the next. The Kecleon had been in the business long enough to know who was an outlaw and who wasn't; unfortunately for the innocent civilians and explorers, most of those that drank and ate at the Kanga Inn were ones outside of the law, looking for more of their kind to bet, contest, and chat with, albeit not always in a friendly manner. Vivian let a sigh out, shutting the door behind her with a roll of her eyes. This would be fun.

Vivien had heard of the making of a new outlaw team by the name of Malus on the whispers of those in the alleyways, their voices hushed as they spread rumors about a new team. Perhaps she had grown intrigued, eager to learn how such a mechanic would work, but she never thought she would actually be where they were supposed to meet. She had not been interested with working with other; too many liabilities, attachment was a problem (not for people like her though), some could mess up a plan, and yet, here she stood. Ah, she didn't know what she was doing there, but maybe, she figured that more people might raise the success rate, despite the problems that came along with other people in the equation.

However, as she stood at the doorway, the Kecleon couldn't help but wonder how this team was supposed to meet with such minimal information. Perhaps if she had learned some info about the owner of the new team she could pick the face out of a milling crowd of rowdy outlaws and unknowing explorers, but instead, she was thrusted into a bar where she knew no-one, moo thing, and had nowhere to go. She let a sneer over take her red face, long tongue curling in her mouth in distaste. Small eyes narrowed, Vivien disappeared, blending into the crowd as she began to weave through them with her skin shifting from color to color.

As she got closer to the bar of rugged Pokemon on red-cushioned seats, she found her sense beginning to intermingle with the delectable smell of ripe cake, fresh from the oven. Ah, how could she compare with that. A sly smile suddenly coming on her face, the once red-stripe turned into a fully-fledged Kecleon, taking up a seat at the bar with a wide grin on her face. She stared at an employee with anticipation flickering in her eyes, coins jingling in pouch she had made from simply swiping the belongings off of absent-minded civilians. "Two cakes, please." she stated, feigning politeness in order to grab herself some nice treat. She slid over the coins on the table and watched as the Krokodile swiped them into his palms, counting for a while before mumbling something and disappearing in the back. Vivien shifted then put her eyes back on the crowd, looking for any potential team-mates. Her eyes caught on a Meowth's that stood in a dark corner, locking her eyes with him and raiding a brow.

WORDS: 448 TAGS: @team Malus NOTES: Meep

SHIN OF GS + ADOX

[Pascal]

Your local person-who-also-plays-Judy runs in with a quick OoC note about the Kanga Room!
Judy's policy is that everyone who sets foot through the door is safe so long as they don't cause any trouble. So basically, as long as you're not actively starting battles in the Room, she'll protect you physically from the law herself if need be. This is a bit of extra insurance for those who take her son's Odd Jobs.

Also Scamp will pass any and all rumors such as Tinair's wanted adds around free of charge. Good for business.

Pascal the Swablu As always, the Kanga Room was a bustling place. As clients jostled around one another, Pascal simply flew overhead, the Swablu soaring over (and dodging around) the heads of larger pokemon before perching at a small metal rod attached to the edge of the bar, recently set in place for flying types like himself. "Heya buddy." he chirped cheerfully to the employee at the other end of the counter, a young Kangaskhan who more commonly stood by the bulletin board. "Plate 'o berries would be nice if you could whip that up." The Swablu reached into the fluff that was his wings and then dropped a few shiny gold coins on the counter. Scamp gave a noncommital shrug and a thumbs up. "Bring it over in a sec" and shuffled off. Pascal cheeped something in cheerful response before taking off again, circling around the patrons as he searched out for another perch in the form of a pokemon that wouldn't knock him off if he landed on them. ...which so happened to be a dratini's white horn. Landing delicatly on Tinair 's head, the swablu let out a loud. "Hiya!" peeking down to give a friendly blink. Nothing in his demeanor betrayed malice or anything more than...well, than an innocent little pokemon searching for the first perch he could spot in a crowded bar. (Also how could a dratini swat him off without any arms? Score!) "How's the world treating you as of late, miss...?" As he straightened up again, the swablu cast a quick glance around the crowd, trying to catch glimpse of any other wandering eyes. Most pokemon here wouldn't be seeking something out, unless of course they had heard the same rumors he had...

special thanks to Sammy and Vel @ Adox 2.0

[Tinair]

[googlefont="Candal"]

it's not betrayal if i was never loyal in the first place

People, people everywhere. But were they here on innocent business, or were they summoned, by whispers and a certain note? Tinair, for one, could only guess. She had no idea who did answer her summons, and she supposed they wouldn't know who summoned them either. Perfect. At least she could guess who may be here to answer her call. If she couldn't, a few coins exchanging ownership would buy her some information without giving away her identity. She wasn't poor, and stingy, like some. Perhaps it was time for some action. At least, it would have been time for action, if a blue flying object hadn't landed of her head. No, not a blue object, just a swablu. Tinair considered speaking sharply, but she had nothing to threaten the perching bird with. He seemed friendly, at least, greeting Tinair with a loud 'heya!' that made Tinair wince momentarily. Too friendly. She did not enjoy being sat on, and she couldn't exactly force the swablu to leave. Perhaps she could actually continue the conversation, at least until she had something better to no. 'Not bad sir, no, 'm jus' waiting for a friend.' Her tone because more wheedling. 'I'va bin here for a day an' a half, but I haven't seen hide or hair of her, jus' that's troubling me.' If she was annoying enough, would he depart? Her head was not made to support such weights, and his presence meant that she could not search the bar properly. 'If ya gonna sit there long, sir, jus watch out for my fins, will ya? They're mighty delicate.' All the while, while her mouth uttered words to keep Pascal unaware of any shady business, her eyes scanned the bar for anyone that might have heard about a certain outlaw team, those that didn't seem to quite fit in, like they were not meant to be here. Her eyes flitted from face to face, wanting an answer, but asking no question. @team malus, 336 words, no notes!

[Wylie]

❝

Because falling's not the problem. When I'm falling, I'm at peace. It's only when I hit the ground that causes all the grief.

❞

Wylie was getting tired of standing around and casting his eyes furtively about the café. He was unable to distinguish anyone from this crowd. Not only that, but the meowth was beginning to realize how suspicious his behavior must seem. Standing in a dark corner, in a café, doing nothing but watching the crowd. Clearly, his nerves had been affecting his ability. I'm gonna have to do something casual, at least. It's a café; I'll just order something.

Wylie wove his way through the crowd, shuffling away from the bodies he brushed against uncomfortably. His ears were lowered, nearly flat against his head. They had always been the most expressive part of him. Right now, Wylie cursed them. Breaking free of a particularly thick throng of Pokémon, Wylie approached the counter. It was then that he noticed a red Pokémon observing him, a kecleon. Wylie quickly averted his gaze, but he let his tail curl inward slightly. Such an action would be mistaken for shyness.

Avoiding looking back in the direction of the Pokémon watching him, Wylie perched on a chair by the counter. He waited, tail curled neatly by his paws, for the large café owner to pass by. When they did, Wylie requested a simple cup of milk. He had always liked the stuff, and it would likely to wonders to ease his nerves. His ears up, eyes wide and plaintive, Wylie drew a few coins from the pouch looped around his torso. He offered them to the owner, then set his paws on the edge of the counter.

While waiting for his drink to arrive, Wylie examined the building. Albeit in a far less suspicious way; Just a casual glance here and there. It looked exactly the way one would expect a popular café to look. Many Pokémon relaxed on chairs and stools, sipping drinks and enjoying meals. Pokémon of all shapes and sizes, from the pair of Mightyena talking over bowls of soup, to the bird Pokémon perched above, away from the suffocating thickness of the crowd. Wylie was envious. He could also see a group of teenagers chatting amiably, a Deerling, a Seedot, and a Golett. The variety was truly interesting.

Wylie entertained himself with watching the enthusiastic and quirky activities of those around him. Some Pokémon, being quite large, struggled to fit through the door. A cloudy-winged Pokémon had just landed on the head of a Dratini. The Golett had spilled his drink. Being made of stone makes things more difficult, I suppose.

419 WORDS ● @team Malus ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[vivien]

CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCE

The Red Kecleon watches as the Meowth taps his heels in the dark corner of the Inn & Bar, his eyes roving across the rowdy smiles of patrons warily. It looked as if he were looking for someone, just like her. Sure, Vivien could be springing to conclusions, but would it be too far off to speculate that the suspicious cat-like Pokemon was looking for the same person as her? She narrowed her eyes in suspicion as he began to move to the bar, unabashedly staring at him with her small eyes.

Her head angled towards a group of middle-evolutions as they paid a bill for their meal, leaving their alabaster plates on the table as they exited their seats, and, further, exited the bar. Her attention followed them for only a few moments before looking down the line of crimson-cushioned bar stools, noticing that there was now a clear line between her and the suspicious Meowth from before. How convenient. With a sly smile, she shifted seats until she was right beside him, a suffocating air of antagonism surrounding her. She waited for a moment to spot the plate of delectable cakes that had been thrusted in front of her, courtesy of the gruff Krokodile working the bar.

She didn't say anything, instead flicking out her long, rose-bud pink tongue to latch onto one of the cakes and pull the entire thing into her mouth. She chewed with gusto, not quite caring that she had business to attend to, rather more interested on the fact that the cakes were so cheap. After a few moments of chewing, she swallowed the remains of the cake and licked her lips, before letting a soft, yet quite rough voice slip from her pointed maw. "Kid," she addressed him, barely even averting her eyes so she could stare at his face. "Are you here from a wanted ad? Yes or no." she didn't leave any other answers up for grabs, instead swiveling around on her chair to observe the crowd of people that had been seated inside the bar.

Her eyes roved over a table that sat an elegantly groomed Aromatisse and Slurpuff, who spoke with refined postures and slight, pompous accents. Not much further was a dizzy Spinda and a Ursaring who was now wrestling a bottle of alcohol from the Spinda, interrupting many conversations around them. In the background, Vivien could briefly spot a Dratini, speaking in a loud accent akin to a Southern bumpkin, a Swablu atop her.

WORDS: xxx TAGS: @tag NOTES: Meep

SHIN OF GS + ADOX

[Pascal]

Pascal the Swablu The dratini was complaining about his presence, but as Pascal had predicted, he hadn't been swiped off. And it seemed like his perch was also looking around for something, which meant that Pascal had not only the perfect vantage point, but a ]roving one at that, giving him a perfect view of those at the inn. There was a poochyena eyeing the bulletin board, and Pascal glanced over with sharp interest - maybe? But as the Swablu watched, the pokemon carefully tore off a slip of paper with its teeth and padded off- hmm, not quite. "I wouldn't dream of disturbing your earfins, my dear." Pascal finally replied to the dratini absentmindedly, trying to hide his disappointment. What kind of team offer was this, where the leader hadn't even posted some sort of identifying mark or means to find one another? There was a kecleon and a meowth looking like they were having some sort of discussion, Pascal eyed them with interest for a few moments. But there was nothing to say that this wasn't just one of the many shady deals that went on at the inn, so Pascal let his gaze roam elsewhere, settling on a shinx in the far corner. "Your friend wouldn't happen to be named Malus, would they?" Pascal asked his perch-dratini absentmindedly, phrasing the question innocently. He had heard the word mentioned in the rumors - as a team name, not an individual's - but could easily pass it off as a weird or mispronounced name if this dratini got too suspicious. Still, it didn't hurt to ask - maybe this perch of his had heard the same rumors he had.

special thanks to Sammy and Vel @ Adox 2.0

Tinair

[Tinair]

[googlefont="Candal"]

it's not betrayal if i was never loyal in the first place

A little disappointed that the swablu perched on top of her did not move, Tinair ducked her head just a little, hiding her frown. Some people were tactless, but it wasn't time for a row. And what Pascal said next interested her far to much for her to let him go.  "Malus, sir?" She piped, eyes wide. So her request had passed through enough pokemon's ears for a few to show up. The fact that some people like this swablu seemed happy to blurt the name out to anyone worried her, but it shouldn't be too much of a deal. No one in her business tangled with the Law more than they had to. "'Pends on who you're talkin' to. Ya lookin' for them too?" She ave a small jerk of her head, not enough to shake her passenger off, but enough to indicate the bulletin board, where her ad could be found. Her eyes still strayed from the swablu, briefly pausing on each and every other customer. It was probably stupid to give them no sign of who she was, but it would be stupid to do so as well. The kanga room was safe enough for her sort, but once she stepped out... She didn't want to be tracked, or worse.  Three mightyena, striding into the inn, silent and imposing. Were they summoned by her? Two yellow pokemon, glancing furtively around. But the inn was a hub for plenty of illegal business anyway, and anyone could be here for anything. A meowth and a lizard-like pokemon, both which had glanced in her direction once. Should she risk it? Not until her passenger gave his answer. She didn't want a nosy swablu to notice her possible future team members. It would be bad for business. @team malus, 296 words, no notes!

[Wylie]

❝

Because falling's not the problem. When I'm falling, I'm at peace. It's only when I hit the ground that causes all the grief.

❞

Wylie was painfully aware that he had not shaken the gaze of the Kecleon. He had to fight the urge to lean away when the slid to the seat beside him. What does she want? His tail curled tightly around his paws, his muscles tense. This wouldn't be the first time he was so blatantly approached by another Pokémon. He would just have to be ready in case they made a move towards him.

The glass hit the counter with a soft tap. Wylie reached forward, drawing the cool drink closer to himself. He sipped it casually, though for once was too distracted to enjoy the creamy taste. The Kecleon had received a cake, which she promtly snatched with her tongue and swallowed whole. Wylie fought the urge to stare.

At her words, the Meowth stiffened. A wanted ad. That confirmed it. This Kecleon was an officer, tracking down the hints of a forming outlaw team. That, or she was a member. Wylie hardly thought an officer would act so subtly, but he had been fooled before. Still, this was the only way he would ever find out who his new team members were. Not only that, but Wylie was confident in his ability to escape through the crowd. He'd done it many times before.

No point in lying. "Yes." He didn't look as he replied, though he was focused on any movement. He could tell she wasn't looking at him, either. Not exactly the behavior of someone hunting down outlaws. Only one way to find out. "What about you?"

260 WORDS ● @team Malus ● Sorry it's short

deltra of gangnam style