Way of Life [PRE-PLOT/OPEN]

[Lifa]

WE COULD LIVE LIKE LEGENDS

Lifa had only been here for a few days, and she had to admit.. life here was surprisingly pleasant. No parents or brothers to bother you or needing you to covor your tracks, no running or moving to a different town..
This was.. paradise.

The Zorua sighed, watching the pokémon walk around, smiling, talking to each other. However, it was kind of sad knowing that Lifa had no family to share that kind of contact with.
These pokémon all knew each other. Lifa? Knew nobody. And usually she'd walk up to others to greet them. But that was the old Lifa. the 'outlaw' Lifa.

Now she was trying to reform. To get on the right track again and become an explorer.
Here, nobody knew her family of outlaws. Which was a great start.

The Zorua stretched before looking around to see if anyone noticed her. So far, nobody acknowledged the Shiny Zorua. Which was nice.
Lifa proced her Illusion ability, taking up the form of a Marill who she managed to see passing in the Town Square a few minutes back.
Hoping nobody would recognize her, Lifa 'accidentally' bumped into another pokémon. Who happened to have a big apple in her bag. Lifa swiftly swiped the apple, and apologized to the other pokémon.
She then made her way back into her hiding spot, taking out the apple to take a bite out of it. Man, she was hungry.. and- old habits died hard.

MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS & GANGNAM STYLE

[Domino]

// For Peace was no more//

Ha! Caught you in the act!

 Lifa

In the wake of the afternoon, Domino was still incredibly thrilled from the previous night’s little chat with a certain swine. She remembered how the little pig cried and squealed in pain as she smacked him with her Iron Tail. One would think that after all of that pain that she caused that she would be incapable of sleep, but on the contrary she didn’t remember sleeping that well before. It didn’t diminish her victory knowing that the Swinub was a friend of someone she hated, but just seeing the swine in pain was enough to send her on a high of sorts.

It was… a rather strange feeling to be honest. But this was one good feeling that she felt comfortable about having. Domino would allow herself to be happy when others were miserable, which meant that she needed to find as many Pokemon to make suffer as she possibly could. Unfortunately, with as many weak Pokemon out there, there were also Pokemon that were much too strong for her to handle.

Domino knew full well that she couldn’t handle a group of Pokemon if they all decided to gang up on her. For that reason, she decided that for now she would put a pause on that search. Perhaps for now she could take the time to figure out her next step. Looking around the town square, Domino didn’t remember a time when it wasn’t busy, and now was no exception. If someone were to bump into one another in this crowd, it would be no surprise to her.

Domino hated crowds. Too many Pokemon in one area always made her feel small and vulnerable. She remembered not too long ago back at the Inn when she had felt especially vulnerable. The crowd never stopped making her uncomfortable, but it was certainly something she had to get over. She would be living in this general area, and if she wanted to bring Andalusst, and all of Parai for that matter, to its knees than she would have to get use to the massive amounts of Pokemon and fast!

Just as she thought, Domino paused when she saw what a looked like a Marill bumping into a Pokemon. Domino didn’t pay attention to who that Pokemon was, only that an apple had fallen out of the pouch and fallen right into the Marill’s hand. She waited for the “good-natured” Pokemon to return the item, but it never happened. The Marill said something and walked away from the Pokemon. Perhaps it forgot to give the apple back.

Domino’s interest peaked the farther the Marill went with the prize. It didn’t as much as look back to see if it should give the apple back. That Marill was no good Pokemon, Domino thought. No, it had to have some kind of bad intentions... This Pokemon didn’t look like it was from around these parts… Perhaps it would help to get to know someone. Or not. That was up to Domino.

But this encounter could only truly start in one way: starting a conversation. Domino wasn’t much of a talker, though. Hadn’t been for a long time, so she almost backed out of her plan to keep walking instead. However, she was curious to see how this would go, so she decided to keep her distance and try to follow the sneaky Marill into its hiding spot. Heh. It thought that simply hiding would keep it out of trouble. If Domino chose to be a problem for it, this hiding spot wouldn’t be enough to protect it. “So, you’re that kind of Pokemon, huh?” she stated bluntly waiting for a response from the theif.

 

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♥ Chou

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[Lifa]

WE COULD LIVE LIKE LEGENDS

Stiffling a yawn, she held the apple in her stubby.. arm? Where did Marill's even hold their tiems? Lifa frowned, but still took a bit out of the apple. It tasted amazing, which made her wonder if this was one of the good quality apples.. perhaps it was a big apple? Oh that poor, poor soul who was now without an apple.

The Zorua shrugged in her illusion form, peacefully enjoying the good meal.
Up until.. an Emolga simply hovered over to her and decided to point out that she was 'that' kind of pokémon.
"I'm.. what kind of pokémon?" Lifa asked with a hint of confusion in her voice. She didn't know what the Emolga meant with 'that'. Since she grew up in an outlaw family, she was never taught the ways of a real explorer.

She looked down at the apple, and then took another bite out of it like the Emolga's presence didn't bother her. Actually, ever since she was freed of her family- nothing seemed to bother her. Which could be a good or a bad thing, considering Lifa sometimes enjoyed a little company.

MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS tag: @domino GANGNAM STYLE

[Domino]

// For Peace was no more//

Are you a big case of stupid or somethin'?

 Lifa

Domino rolled her eyes at the Marill’s dumb question. The Emolga eyed that apple, knowing very well that the object didn’t belong the water mouse, and nodded toward it in a gesture to prove that she knew where it came from. However, being quite the mysterious Pokemon, Domino wasn’t very good at being clear about what she meant. Again, she didn’t like saying a whole bunch. She would rather let her actions speak for her. Domino was also very impatient, so when they didn’t understand, she often became irritated and a lot less nice.

At the Marill’s cluelessness, Domino could here herself growl. Fine, she would explain. “I saw you steal that apple” Domino pointed over at the direction where the crime had taken place. “Don’t worry, I’m not here to turn you in or nothing. It just occurred to me that I’ve never seen you around before.” Once again, Domino fell silent. Domino didn’t like talking unless she was demeaning someone else. However, her confrontation with Kaslin proved that demeaning someone would hardly give one any answers. For that reason, Domino decided to be civil for once. For curiosity’s sake.

 

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♥ Chou

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[Lifa]

WE COULD LIVE LIKE LEGENDS

Lifa raised her eyebrows when the Emolga growled in annoyance. Well, the pokémon had to be a lot clearer if she wanted Lifa to understand what she meant.
However the pokémon finally pointed at Lifa's apple, stating that she saw Lifa steal it. She frowned at it, Lifa grew up with stealing. She simply thought it was a way of life. "Well, I was hungry. That pokémon didn't need that apple." She promptly told the Emolga, feeling like she hadn't done anything wrong. She was simply raised that way, and never experienced anything different.

As the Emolga said that she wasn't here to turn Lifa in, but instead to say that she'd never seen the Zorua before- Lifa grinned. In a very uncharacteristic way- at least for a Marill.
"Oh but I've been wandering around a lot. My family lives here." She lied, assuming the Marill that she copied had a family here. It was only lucky for Lifa that this Emolga didn't know the Marill she took the form of.

Lifa then took a good look at the electric pokémon, before breaking off a piece of the apple she had just stolen. "Here. Have a bite." She offered with a sweet smile.

MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS tag: Domino GANGNAM STYLE

[Domino]

// For Peace was no more//

To run or not to run? That is the question.

 Lifa

“Well, whatever the case,” Domino shrugged. “You took something that doesn’t belong to you. I’d keep my eye out a little better. Imagine what would have happened if an Explorer caught you instead of me.” She paused for a moment allowing the thought to sink in. Even she believed that she should elaborate a little more this time. “Let’s just say they wouldn’t care if that Pokemon “needed” that apple or not.” And Domino knew that too well. Being chased relentlessly and almost crushed by a tree over a few candied berries and coins was never a good experience.

Domino arched an eyebrow at the Marill’s strange, not-so-cute smile. Domino ignored her suspicion for this fact since she wasn’t one to act like other Emolga. Why should this Marill act like other Marill? She was probably an outcast of her own kind, just like Domino. The Emolga wasn’t quite sure if she was allowed to take comfort in that fact, but she liked it somehow. Knowing that somewhere out there may be more Pokemon in her situation. But then she thought really hard about it…

No.

No one could possibly understand what she went through. Or what she did… She was meant to be an outcast, an all-around bad Pokemon forever. This Marill couldn’t have possibly known what it was like to be like Domino. She couldn’t possibly be that bad.

Domino’s attention was brought to the Marill again as she was being given the piece of apple. Domino looked up as the water mouse retained her somewhat friendly smile, leaving Domino in a fix about what to do. She wasn’t used to Pokemon being nice to her, so this was new territory for her. Domino decided to try her hand at “politely” turning the offer down. “Nah” she said a bit awkwardly, waving her paw at the sweet. “I don’t really like apples.” She lied. Emolga have a thing for apples, but Domino didn’t trust this Pokemon.

Allowing a few moments of silence to reign over them, Domino forced a large, rather unsettling grin on her face before her face heated up and the smile was dropped. Domino turned away, completely embarrassed by her attempt at trying to be friendly. And she didn’t run away from the awkward situation? What was wrong with her?!
 

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♥ Chou

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[Lifa]

WE COULD LIVE LIKE LEGENDS

Lifa shrugged as Domino said that she took something that didn't belong to her. Wasn't that the normal way of interacting? She judged a pokémon's wealth and then checked whether or not items would be of use to that pokémon. Exactly how her parents taught her.
Looking at the apple, she thought about what the Emolga told her. Yeah, Explorers would probably follow her track but eventually lose her. Like they all did.
"I've never really had any trouble with Explorers." She said, with a bit of a teasing smile. "I just love playing around with them, it's really amusing to see them chasing their own tails." Lifa added, before taking another bite out of the apple. She didn't want it to go to waste even if the Emolga didn't want a piece. She didn't really believe that the Emolga didn't like apples. Mouse pokémon always liked apples. In fact, they would drop everything to get one.

However, at the hesitating look the Emolga gave her- Lifa had to chuckle. "It's not poisonous. I took it from another pokémon, and judging how fast you followed me, you saw that I started eating it immediately." Stating that Lifa wouldn't have enough time to poison the apple in such short time.

Once again, Lifa offered the same piece of apple. Hoping the pokémon would take it this time, despite them being complete strangers. Which reminded her. "My name is Lifa," she said, with a the same cheeky smile that just didn't fit her appearance. "You don't have to share your name, but- you look like you need a pal."

MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS tag: Domino GANGNAM STYLE

[Domino]

// For Peace was no more//

You don't want to know me.

 Lifa

Domino glanced back at the Marill with a smirk. So she knew how to make Explorers look like idiots? Domino would love to see that! But most of all she wanted to know her secret. Still, Domino thought that it could be learned another time. After all, why would this stranger share this bit of information to her right now? The Emolga wouldn’t even dream of it, not with any chance of being backstabbed. The Emolga certainly didn’t looked like the paranoid sort, but she guessed this could be borderline paranoia.

Domino knew it was just a cynical attitude though. Domino wasn’t being stupid, anyway. She was trusting her instincts! Well, the apple piece was an exception. Her instincts were screaming at her to take it, and the more it was being offered to her the harder it was to refuse. Domino’s back was still turned on the Marill as she tried to put herself together while resisting the urge to take the apple piece. Unfortunately the urge was two strong now and she took the piece as politely as she knew how, which was not at all.

Domino looked at the piece and back at the Marill, who still didn’t have the right smile for one. It was becoming more clear that there was more to her than met the eye, but once again Domino didn’t try to pry that bit of information out of her. For whatever reason, even though it seemed fake, Lifa’s smile caused her shoulders to relax. Domino took a deep breath, and nodded, taking in all of this new information. “Domino,” she stated her name almost as if she was being friendly. Her demeanor seemed to sadden at the thought of friendship before turning away again. “But, you wouldn’t want to be friends with me. Not if you knew the real me. No one should.”

She took a tiny bite out of the apple piece, and sighed a bit.

 

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♥ Chou

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[Lifa]

WE COULD LIVE LIKE LEGENDS

Lifa chuckled as the Emolga finally took half of the apple. She didn't know much of Domino yet, but what she did speculate was that this pokémon went through a lot. Which explains the rather hostile behavior. It was true that pokémon needed a lot of time to bond with Lifa, as she could pull a lot of pranks. But there was also a bit of maturity in her to know some pokémon were not to be messed with, Domino being one of those pokémon.

When the Emolga stated her name, the Zorua felt a little proud for actually pulling that out of her. She wasn't sure if that was usual for the electric pokémon.
Lifa did notice that Domino's posture somewhat changed, like she was upset. Then Domino said that Lifa wouldn't want to be friends with her, not if unless she knew the real her.
"I wouldn't mind seeing the real you." Lifa said, now feeling a little guilty for taking up the form of a Marill. The Zorua wasn't being truthful with Domino. "I mean, it can't be worse than those feral pokémon out there." She joked, knowing that nothing beat feral pokémon when it came to nasty attitude.

Lifa got up and smiled nervously. "And I wouldn't like to be the one to make things awkward, but.. I'm not who you think I am." It was an odd thing to say, but still the truth. "I'm not a Marill, and don't get me wrong, I'm not a Ditto either. I just take random forms of pokémon I see to get by." The Zorua said, before slowly dropping her Illusion ability- to reveal a Zorua. "You see.. that's why Explorers don't catch me. I change forms and they lose track." A toothy grin appeared on her face, much more fitting to her demeanor this time. "I just felt like you had the right to know."

MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS tag: Domino GANGNAM STYLE

[Domino]

// For Peace was no more//

I don't know if I believe you.

 Lifa

Domino turned herself a bit to see the Marill speak, saying that she might want to meet the real Domino. The Emolga arched an eyebrow, almost warning Lifa that she really didn’t without really saying to. Domino gave out a bit of a huff, one that could almost be the slightest bit of a laugh. However, it was so course that there wouldn’t be a soul in the whole planet who could possibly make such an assumption. Especially with a Pokemon like Domino. The little Emolga could never even get herself to feel the tiniest bit of joy, much less smile or laugh. She could fake it enough through smirks, but that was it. In all honesty, Domino didn’t believe the Marill’s statement, or just thought that Lifa was truly naïve.

But there was something in her that wished it was true while at the same time hoping it wasn’t.

Who would the real Domino be anyway? She’d been running away from herself for so long, the Emolga didn’t even know what she was like anymore. It was frustrating. Domino only wanted to forget one thing, and it turned out that she was forgetting everything but that. Was that all she was now? Had it consumed her so much that it turned her into the event she tried to escape?

Why was Domino considering this?

Certainly she couldn’t be as bad as feral Pokemon? Maybe, but at least feral Pokemon have the excuse of not truly knowing what it is they are doing. Domino knew full well what she was doing was hurting the Swinub, and even now she is still proud of it. The Emolga felt no guilt about what she did to the Swinub, nor did she regret her path of life. However, she did regret the loneliness of the path she would have to take.

Domino’s thoughts were interrupted as Lifa spoke about not being who she thought she was. The Emolga’s eyebrows arched as her head tilted to the side before her breath being caught in her throat as the Marill suddenly became a black, fox like Pokemon. Suddenly everything started to click. So this was how she was able to make Explorers “chase their tails” as she had told her earlier. Domino’s formed a smirk on her muzzle, crossing her arms over her chest. She was clearly impressed. The Zorua even had her fooled, which wasn’t easy thanks to Domino’s realism slash borderline pessimism.

Domino’s eyes widened at Lifa saying that she thought the Emolga should know. Was Lifa trying to help Domino feel better? The outlaw felt her face heat up again, her lips straining a bit as she avoided eye contact with the Zorua. Domino hummed a bit, no really knowing what to do with this new bit of awkwardness. Clearing her throat, the little squirrel decided that it was best for her to change the subject. “But facts are facts,” Domino said, coughing a bit. “You seem new. What brought you here anyway?” That seemed like a dumb question. “You know, besides the fog.” Better.

 

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♥ Chou

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[Ryleh]

Ryleh was trotting trough town. His bag was heavy with food, a juicy apple he got from a kindly old torkoal he carried groceries for. She was one of the many seniors in town the inkay semi-regularly mooched off. It wasn't even a bad thing in his mind. The oldies were lonely, and he might as well expect some compensation for going out of his way to keep them company.

Some might have called it karma that ryleh wzs the one to get his lunch stolen. It took him a while to realize, and just as he turned around, he saw a marill nervously disappearing into the crowd. Strange, ryleh new this marill. A good-natured kid from a well of family living by the river. Definitely not the type to steal. Still, he wasn't going to just stand for his lunch being stolen right out from under him. With a hop and a sjip, ryleh took after the marill trough the crowd.

It took the inkay quite some time to catch up with the pickpocket. He found his target, conversing with a familiar face from a past encounter. "Cavorting with pickpockets? I always thought you were no good. Guess that got confirmed with this." The inkay was tense, ready to run away and scream for help at the first sign of trouble.

[Lifa]

WE COULD LIVE LIKE LEGENDS

Lifa saw the cogwheels turn in the Emolga's head, and in a way, she felt sorry for the electric mouse. Life as an outlaw had never been easy. Well, for her it was. All she had to do was cover up her family's tracks.
She wondered though, how would her family be doing? After the fog hit they seemed to have unintentionally gone separate ways. Lifa had ended up here and she hadn't seen them around. Ah, big deal. They would be fine, they always were.

The Zorua noticed the rather impressed look that Domino had given her, causing her to smirk herself. She wasn't really a pokémon to beam about her skills, let alone feel like she was special. Though Domino's look did give her a little bit confidence, perhaps a bit too much for her liking.
When Domino asked what exactly had drawn her here, the Zorua shrugged, she didn't seem bothered by the question nor fazed with the fog. "I got separated from my family, just thought they would come here to regroup but so far haven't seen them." A smile sneaked up to her face. "I have to admit, it's a quiet town. I was actually thinking of settling, but with my background- that's gonna be a little bit diffi-" She was interrupted by an Inkay interrupting their conversation. Oh snap, it was the Inkay she stole from.
"Oh, uh. hi." She said, with a rather cheeky smile- she hoped that he hadn't seen her Illusion wear off. "I believe that Marill went.. that way." She pointed to the outskirts of the town. If this pokémon was stupid, Lifa would be lucky.

MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS tag: Domino GANGNAM STYLE

[Domino]

// For Peace was no more//

Not you again...

 Lifa , Ryleh

Separated from her family… Well it was lucky Lifa didn’t ask Domino that question because her relationship with her own family was much more… complicated than that. Domino’s eyes widened a bit at the Zorua’s seemingly lack of concern for her loved ones. It was normal for Domino, but then again she didn’t love anyone. It was either that this Zorua was a sociopath, like her, or that Lifa was unaware about the affects the fog seemed to have on other Pokemon. How they would disappear because of it. Had Lifa’s family also fallen victim to the fog?

That was certainly the only conclusion Domino could come up with without asking further questions. Either way, it didn’t seem like her family had a reputation for getting into a problem they couldn’t get out of. At least, that was the sense she was getting from this Zorua. The little Emolga became concerned. Should she inform Lifa about the fog and all of its effects on the victim that it is befallen to?

Perhaps not. After all, Domino didn’t know what it was the fog does to Pokemon. There haven’t ever been Pokemon that came out of the fog, so for all she knew they could have died. That was why no one ever dared to go anywhere near the fog. Did this Zorua know the danger? It would be hard for Domino to truly wrap her mind around the possibility that she wasn’t, so she would stay silent about it until she knew for certain.

Domino certainly didn’t know how to feel about this Zorua…

Just as Lifa talked about settling in, like she really had a choice, she was RUDELY interrupted by a way too familiar face. As soon as Domino met eyes with the Inkay, she felt herself groan. Not this guy again… She remembered meeting him in Judy’s Inn, and boy was he annoying. Domino glared at him as he claimed that he had known she wasn’t any good. The Emolga shrugged with a mean little smirk. She wasn’t hiding anything. It certainly didn’t bother her that a buffoon like this would know that she’s a trouble maker.

“She isn’t a pickpocket,” Domino covered for Lifa anyway. “But you have a lot of nerve coming here and judging me, when it seems like you aren’t any better.”

Then it took her a moment before she realized and she snickered quite a bit. “Wait, wait, wait, don’t tell me,” she huffed. “You’re the one that Marill stole from, aren’t you?! Now how did they manage to do that?” Domino shrugged, waving her paw at him as if he wasn’t worth their time. “Don’t worry about HIM, Lifa. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. That Marill was probably taking back stolen property.” Domino knew full well that the Inkay wasn’t stupid, but hopefully Domino’s covering would be enough to fool the Inkay.

 

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♥ Chou

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[Ryleh]

It seemed old habits died hard. Ryleh hadn't given the emolga much thought since their earlier confrontation. To him, the rodent seemed like just another young tough guy with little in the way of actual threats to back up their claim to power. The only blip in the rumor mill ryleh had heard about were tellings of a swinub being pointlessly assaulted. "I would have you know, that apple was given to me by old lady torkoal for carrying her groceries home, but shut it. This does not concern you." The inkay dismissively turned away from the emolga, keeping nothing more than the corner of his eye on it.

And about you zorua, tell me something. Why would that marill steal from me, or anyone for that matter. I know her in passing and she honestly seems like the type that has no need to steal to survive. On the other hand, I have never seen you around before. For all I know you are a dirty vagrant trying to pass off their crime to an innocent bystander." There was no softness in ryleh's cold stare as he spewed his accusation. "After all, zorua... is your kind not infamous for its ability to assume the form of other pokemon at will?"

Ryleh left little time to let the implication of his words sink in. "I can call for help right now and see you beaten up mike the brigand you are. After all, this town is full of vigilantes that would love nothing more than beating up a thief for fame and profit." The ryleh stood ready to spring away and start running at the first sign of trouble. "Alternatively, I could call you up for a favor later and call us even afterward."

Finally, he turned back to the emolga one last time. "You see, being an effective outlaw takes more finesse than just randomly beating people up like you seem to think. Maybe I'll respect you if you manage to worm out of this" The inkay stared at both of the fledgling criminals, as if daring them to lash out.

[Lifa]

WE COULD LIVE LIKE LEGENDS

Lifa was surprised that Domino was actually covering for her. She surely did appreciate the gesture, but apparently, this Inkay wasn't as dumb as he looked. He saw right through their act.
However, when the Inkay spoke about her in such a degrading manner, the Zorua got to her paws and approached him. "I won't let you talk to me like I'm some crook." She told him in a sneer. "So I suggest you tone down the hostility, it's 2 against 1. And I'm pretty sure we're faster than you." She told the little Inkay. "So, scream like the little Spoink you are. You won't get that apple back." To which she finished up the last bit of apple, chewing loudly in front of Ryleh to show she didn't care about his threats.

When Ryleh introduced himself to be an outlaw, the Zorua snickered. "For real? This awfully sounds like the 'pokémon who cried mightyena' story. Why would they believe you?"
This pathetic pokémon had some guts, coming up to them and trying to get his way. However, it was a 2 versus 1 situation. In which the Inkay would possibly lose. "Maybe I'll respect you less once you get your butt wooped by us."

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MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS tag: Domino , Ryleh GANGNAM STYLE

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