fragments of the past. [capture/tagged.]

The Espurr found himself staring at a wall adorned with markings that looked surprisingly new and fresh, considering the location. In fact, closer inspection revealed said ‘markings’ to actually be some sort of graffiti strewn over actual, historical prints. For a heartbeat, he could only squint, finding it very, very difficult to actually find any meaning to the strange scrawlings. And then he became aware of the strange, snickering creature responsible for the desecration – a craggy creature whose hands also seemed to be its primary method of sight. Grasped firmly within one of those hands was a surprisingly-durable permanent marker, which was still scribbling away at the wall, uncaring of the Espurr’s intrusion.

Demetri realized, a little too late, just what the illustrations seemed to be detailing, and an outraged caterwaul escaped the little psychic cat. +Wait a second, are those….? You’re not drawing—you can’t be—that’s so LEWD! Lewdness! Over history!+ he wailed, face rapidly darkening to a fierce, burning crimson. The Binacle ceased its graffitiing, turning to eye the Espurr through narrowed handeyes. And then, equally slowly and deliberately, it lifted its hands towards the Espurr, forcing all but two very offensive middle claws down.

+… R-rudeness!+ Demetri yelped, stumbling back with his eyes covered before turning to hurriedly leave the area. Clearly, he wasn’t wanted here, and the Binacle had absolutely no qualms about desecrating history with filthy lewdness. With a startled squeak, he stumbled right into Blaire, who glanced down at the furiously-blushing, flustered cat with unveiled confusion.

“… What did you find back there? Anything import—“

+NOTHING!+ he shrieked, causing Blaire to take a startled step back. +Nothing at all! L-let’s just keep moving, okay?! Okay!+ Paws nudged the tall man away from the offensive building, and it was hard for Blaire to protest against the Psychic-type’s strange insistence.

All he could do was wonder about what had elicited such a reaction as he was led away from the mysterious building, and deeper into the ruins.

NOTES ; this is apparently what i come up with at 3 am, apologies. blaire wants to PASS this filthy graffiti artist please.

also, current team:
zenzi -- fennekin, 8, hypnosis/scratch/leer/ember
detrevni -- inkay, 5, constrict/peck/reflect/tackle
demetri -- espurr, 9, leer/covet/tackle/confusion
(he also has a level 5 gastly, who technically wasn't captured yet)

Demetri only relaxed once they were far, far away from the Binacle and its lewd, nasty-ass drawings. He stopped insistently pushing Blaire in a particular direction, exhaling a sigh of relief and leaving the researcher rather confused. Zenzi snorted disdainfully as she caught up to the pair, shooting an unimpressed look the flustered feline’s way. Detrevni, perhaps unsurprisingly, remained quiet, only shifting occasionally atop Blaire’s head to make himself more comfortable.

“… Right. I’m just not going to ask, I suppose. I’m fairly certain I don’t want to know whatever caused that reaction as it stands,” Blaire decided, rubbing gingerly at his face. He paused, feeling the strangest sort of sensation, as though something were watching him. A part of him wanted to ignore that rather creepy sensation as well, though curiosity won out, and he found himself turning and staring into a pair of vivid red eyes.

Any other trainer would have probably been ridiculously excited at the sight of the little Axew – Dragon-types were in high demand, after all, and there weren’t really any ‘weak’ Dragon-types as far as Blaire knew. Some dragons started off rather weak, but their final forms tended to be intimidating and imposing. The little dragon before him was clearly trying to channel the future ferocity of a Haxorus, from the way she stood tall and opened her mouth to let out a less-than-impressive ‘roar’ that sounded more like a squeak that anything else.

Blaire wasn’t particularly impressed, and, though dragons were curious creatures, it was hard for him to find too much interest in the little Pokemon. There was nothing inherently wrong with her – she seemed to be doing her best to intimidate Blaire and company, though none of them really seemed all that impressed. After a moment, her resolve seemed to falter; as Zenzi stepped forward and gnashed sharp, dangerous-looking teeth at the Axew, she found it difficult to muster the courage to continue the intimidating façade.

The tiniest puff of fire – and the unspoken threat of a sharp-eyed glare – was enough to send the Axew scurrying away, squeaking in mild panic as she tried to put as much distance between herself and the threatening fire fox as possible. Blaire squinted after the retreating dragon before frowning down at Zenzi, brows furrowing.

“… That was kind of rude, you know. She wasn’t doing anyone any harm.”

Zenzi snorted derisively at the psychic; a part of Blaire thought she looked a little too satisfied at having chased off a Pokemon who was clearly less combative than herself. Blaire could only suppress a sigh, hoping that the dragon had a better time with whoever she came across next.

NOTES ; PASSING the axew (as tempted as i oocly was, alas)

+Wy…?+

Blaire hesitated for a moment, casting an uncertain glance down towards the Espurr and Fennekin traveling at his side. “… ‘Why’ what?” he echoed, brows furrowing as he glanced over the pair. He was met with two looks of equal confusion – and, in Zenzi’s case, a fair bit of judgment as well, as though she thought he was losing his mind.

“… You’re telling me neither of you said anything just now.” Golden eyes narrowed dubiously as the psychic cat offered a shrug and the fire fox a dismissive snort. Deciding he most likely was losing his mind, Zenzi was quick to turn and continue trotting along on her way, ears pricked and nose occasionally scenting the air for anything peculiar. She hesitated, one paw lifted into the air, as an unfamiliar, strange scent got her attention, and she turned towards the source, hackles raising.

+Wy…..+

At least her trainer wasn’t going mad. On the other hand, Zenzi found it very, very hard to trust the strange, blue-and-black figure that had suddenly happened upon their group. The thing seemed to wear an unmovable smile that seemed too wide for its features, and the way it kept repeating that same, single syllable seemed to indicate that it wasn’t the brightest Pokemon to ever happen across them.

“… A Wynaut. That… makes far more sense, good. … Come along, Zenzi, you don’t need to bother it.”

The little Pokemon wilted a bit at that, falling silent for a moment as the man retreated without a second look. He was the third trainer that’d day who’d passed the curious little Pokemon up without even a considerate thought for the poor fellow’s self-esteem. Was there something about him people didn’t like? The Wynaut couldn’t see what it was, but it certainly didn’t help as he attempted to miserably shadow Blaire and his team.

A voice, low and sharp and menacing, sounded in his head, rooting the little Pokemon in his tracks.

+Take one more step and I’ll burn your legs off. Not interested, moron.+ The Fennekin didn’t so much as glance back, but the Wynaut was certain she was the one who’d projected the idea into his head, and he was equally certain that she meant every single word.

He was lonely – terribly so – but he wasn’t an idiot, despite what so many seemed to think. He shrank back, lower lip wibbling softly as he carefully crept back towards his little makeshift nest.

… Perhaps the fourth trainer that came along that day would see him in a different light.

NOTES. PASSING the wynaut, taking whatever the fourth spawn is ofc!

As the group dragged on, Blaire had to admit that coming here had been less fruitful than he’d hoped. Though he’d taken notes upon the runes and etchings on some of the walls, deciphering just what they meant was beyond his knowledge level at the moment. Further research would clearly need to be conducted, and he wasn’t even sure if these Ruins held anything relevant to his specific interests. Aside from running into a couple of rather odd, eccentric Pokemon – and somehow scarring Demetri for life – nothing of great importance seemed to have transpired.

A part of him was almost relieved to have a relaxing, albeit disappointing, day. That same part of him was about to be disappointed itself when the day became anything but relaxing, however.

+’Ey, you! Chumps!+ a loud, belligerent female voice suddenly cut through his thoughts, startling him back into the present. Blaire had to resist the urge to facepalm – from that Pokemon’s tone, it was clear that he wasn’t going to get out of the Ruins without running into at least a bit of trouble.

Never a dull day in Stellara. Figures.

The trainer paused alongside his Pokemon, turning his gaze to locate the source of the yelling. A hulking, black-and-blue shape stood in one of the crumbling doorways, faced in their general direction despite her lack of eyes. Blaire tensed in surprise as he recognized the Pokemon for what it was – a Deino.

It was the second dragon he’d come across today, but this dragon was of far greater interest than the previous Axew. As far as Dragon-types went, Axew was a bit of a standard sort of fare, boasting only a single type and the strengths and weaknesses that came along with it. Deino, on the other hand, had a Dark typing on top of the Dragon one, and Dark-types were infinitely more interesting to the Psychic than Dragon-types. They were a good foil and pairing with both Psychic- and Ghost-types, which Blaire was equally fond of. Many of them also had some sort of mystery or stigma attached to them, and that itself was a curiosity.

He'd heard how dangerous Deino was, and he believed it as he stared down the imposing figure before him. Though the creature was blind – Deino didn’t develop eyes until its final evolution, if Blaire recalled properly – she was directed at them, and she barked out more words as Blaire and his team remained silent.

+I know you’re there! These are my ruins, and you’re officially trespassin’, so you’d better watch out! You shoulda seen the last assholes that tried steppin’ on my turf – they ain’t steppin’ anywhere else again, ever!+ she jeered, lashing a powerful tail against the doorframe and causing a bit more rock to crumble away.

“… If this is your land, we can move on. It’s no trouble at all—“

A bark of laughter interrupted him as the Deino stepped forward again, snapping sharp teeth. +Hah! That’s what everyone says – but everyone’s a liar! You ain’t foolin’ me! You smell like a sneaky sort of guy, and I know that you’re just gonna try to walk right on past because you figure ‘oh, she can’t see nothin’, she’s blind!’ Well, I got news for you, buddy, I’m blind, but I ain’t stupid!+

“I’m… inclined to disagree with that,” he retorted, half to himself, before realizing that probably wasn’t the most tactful thing to say.

+Real smooth, Beckenbauer,+ Zenzi shot at him mentally, offering little more than a derisive snort out loud. Demetri had retreated behind Blaire, clearly not eager on testing the Deino, but Zenzi seemed anything but impressed or concerned.

“… Zen, I don’t think you realize just what you’re dealing with here.”

Another snort escaped the Fennekin as the Deino scowled Blaire’s way. +Who the fuck are you talkin’ to? Tryin’ to make me think you’re crazy or somethin’, guy? Ain’t gonna get you off the hook!+

Blaire frowned slightly, before seeming to get some semblance of an idea. “… I’m actually talking to a Pokemon far more powerful than you. If you don’t step aside, she’ll be forced to fight you.” He ignored the sharp, incredulous look Zenzi directed his way, and did his best to remain impassive at the string of expletives she suddenly offered in his head.

The bluff gave the Deino pause, before she straightened up, puffing out a black-furred chest. +More powerful?! You must be trippin’ on something. Have a run-in with a Foongus or somethin’ before you came here?+

“Not at all – she’s strong, and quite clever.”

The Deino snorted, pawing roughly at the earth as she took another couple of steps forward. Despite her aggressive nature – or perhaps because of it – she couldn’t help but feel a rush of determination at the man’s bluff. It wasn’t often that others defied her, rather than simply hurrying away without wanting to risk a fight, and some part of her wanted to see this powerful opponent in action. If this trainer really was carrying that level of strength with him… well, perhaps this interaction would be worth something after all.

+Really? Well, if that’s true, then I’ll just have to see for myself! You can have the first move, if you’re so powerful, oh mysterious Pokemon~+ she jeered, voice taking on a mocking tone. +Assumin’ you ain’t scared, ‘course,+

That was enough to rile Zenzi up, and the mute fox snipsnapped sharp teeth as she stepped forward, paws hardly making a noise as they grazed the earth. The Deino, to her satisfaction, looked more than a touch startled as the fox’s reply chimed in her head, rather than aloud, offering her no reference point as to the Fire-type’s location.

+Scared of some fake dragon? Please – I’ve seen Magikarp that frightened me more than you,+ she taunted sassily in return, earning an incredulous snarl from the Deino. The fire fox sounded so calm and matter-of-fact against the Deino’s aggressive, blunt growls that it seemed to unnerve the dual-type a bit.

+Tryin’ to psyche me out with mindspeak?! Quit dickin’ around and do something, y’sneak!+ she hissed, lashing her tail sharply.

+You asked for it,+ came the instant reply, and Zenzi sprang forward. She was careful of her footing, not wanting to offer the Deino any real indication of where exactly she was coming from. The larger creature was definitely more physically powerful than she was, and she knew that getting hit by any sort of attack would likely have some fairly nasty consequences. Speed and evasion would be far more important – and, perhaps, she could use her opponent’s strength against her.

She lunged past the Deino in a flash of orange-and-cream fur, claws glowing as they swiped a trail of scratchmarks along the Deino’s flank. The Dragon-type’s head whirled around and snapped sharp teeth so quickly in retaliation that she felt warm breath ruffle her tail fur, and she bristled as she surged forward to put a bit more distance between herself and the Dark-type.

+Fast – not nearly fast enough, though. This is a joke,+ she taunted again, shifting to take up a rather precarious spot in front of a nearby wall. The commentary seemed to elicit the anger she was looking for from the Deino.

+I’m plenty fast! When I get a hold of you--+ she cut off rather abruptly as she heard the Fennekin disturb rocks and rubble near the wall, a dangerous grin spreading onto her features. This time, she could hear just where her strange opponent was, and she lunged forward with surprising speed, heavy steps thundering over the earth.

A smirk played upon Zenzi’s maw – clearly, she’d been expecting such a reaction. She sprang nimbly out of the way as the Deino thundered where she’d been, crashing headfirst into the rock wall with enough force to fracture the stone and leave the ground trembling. Large pieces of rock and stone crashed down upon the Deino, burying her for a couple of moments beneath a pile of rubble.

A part of Zenzi quaked at the idea of that Tackle making contact – she had very little desire to become a pancake Fennekin – but she was still quite satisfied with the result, which had been even more successful than she’d anticipated.

“… Well, shit.” Blaire could only hope that his Fennekin hadn’t literally killed another Pokemon.

Things were still for a long moment, before the pile of rocks trembled and were pushed aside as the Deino pushed herself up. Her body was bruised and battered and her sides heaved from the exertion that had been required to break through the self-made rockslide. A part of Blaire had to admire the dual-type’s obvious tenacity. It was hard to imagine any other Pokemon trying to continue fighting after such an attack.

+M-makin’ a fool outta me – I oughta smash you into the walls ‘til you’re nothin’ but pulp,+ she managed to gasp out, taking an unsteady step forward. Every muscle in her body seemed to ache – more her own fault than the Fennekin’s, she realized. Her recklessness had finally had some actual consequence, and she fought back the rush of embarrassment at being so easily manipulated.

At the same time, she had to respect the Pokemon she’d been facing, if only because she clearly knew how to use an enemy’s shortcomings and weaknesses to her own advantage. It was a begrudging, spiteful sort of respect, but a respect nevertheless, and she relaxed after a couple of moments. Fighting on in this state would only lead to unpleasant consequences, and, though fiercely combative, she wasn’t an idiot.

+… That trick ain’t gonna work a second time, but you ain’t bad – for a chump, I mean,+ she growled out – Blaire resisted the urge to facepalm at the smirk that spread over the Fennekin’s features at the compliment.

+At least we agreed on something. You’re… fairly strong yourself, though. If you can stand the idea of traveling with my shitty trainer, I think we’d make a pretty decent team.+ The Fennekin wasn’t one to offer kind words to others, but she saw an opportunity here that was too good to pass up. The Deino was clearly quite strong, even at such an early level, and Blaire’s team was severely lacking in strength as far as she could tell. If she wanted to make any progress in her own mission – a mission independent of Blaire’s shitty ‘research’ goals – she’d have to get more creative.

Despite the aggressiveness between the pair, the idea gave the Deino some pause, and she turned her head towards where the trainer and the rest of his Pokemon were located, clearly thoughtful. She hadn’t ever considered accompanying a trainer, but she knew that growing stronger was one of the few benefits dealing with humans offered.

She wouldn’t listen to him – unlike his Fennekin, he’d done nothing to earn her respect – but she had to admit, the idea of tagging along and experiencing something different was a tempting one. And the Fennekin had earned her respect, albeit in a sneaky, manipulative way. Having another strong, capable Pokemon that seemed to share her tenacity and combative nature? That in and of itself was a benefit, if only so she could eventually prove just how much stronger she was.

NOTES ; attempting to catch the deino!