is what he would say, if he was in any other mood but exhausted. Somehow, he's managed to find a quiet corner in one of the sleeping dens at the Spire, but this is completely ruining the vibe. ]
Rrrghh...
[ Also, texts. What are those. He's too 80s for these annoying notifications. ]
No. Cancel. Cancel.
[ He's just. Slamming his pearl down multiple times against his beanbag chair, trying to hang it up. ]
Oh I'd like to see you cancel me you little furball-
[The vulpix growls when the yelling starts. Oh he can match that just fine, if his time in the Baratie is any indication.] NO you dipshit!! There's food here for you specifically that you need to eat! If you don't that means you're not eating and that's FUCKING UNACCEPTABLE y'hear me!?
[There's a heavy sigh after a bit. ] ...You're a big help around here. But if you can't then call out I guess, I don't give a damn. [Says the guy who is having this call because he does, in fact, give a damn.] But I'm not wasting this food. So where are you so I can shove it down your damn throat myself?!
[ But just as abruptly as being rudely woken up, his growling turns into a confused huff. There's a long stretch of silence now that he's actually registering what's being said.
So this isn't actually about him missing shifts? Huh. ]
... I'm not hungry.
[ Red flag. Anyway, he's going back to sleep...... ]
Yeah? Not in the mood?! Too bad furball, because this bullshit is breaking down your damn door!! [Boy is sniff snurfin for Bigby. He hasn't quite gotten a handle on his observation haki in this form, but he'll find him sooner or later!!
He does freeze at that last part. His fur raises at the implications. Now he's not known Bigby long but the guy is always hungry on some level. Alot like Luffy actually, but way less annoying about it. To hear this claim is outlandish, and his tails swish in agitation.]
We'll see about that.
[There's a bit of a fumbling sound as Sanji works to turn off the pearl connection, kinda failing his dramatic exit. Entrance?
It may take like half an hour at most, but eventually, the sound of bounding paws is quickly, ominously approaching, accompanied by the harmony of muttered swears.
So much for going back to sleep...]
voice --> action; never has bigby taken that chance so quickly
[ Yeah, he's not going to respond to any of that. He rolls onto his side, huffing a sigh of relief once Sanji finally stops talking. Fucking finally. Except...
He can't seem to settle with that threat now lodged in his rodent brain. After a while, his ears start to twitch. The padding of paws in the distance. A cacophony of swears bouncing off the tunnel walls. There's no way. Bigby immediately shoots up in a cold sweat. He's being hunted. ]
This fucker...
[ Whether he likes it or not, instinct has now set his mode onto run and hide. Just as Sanji might turn a corner into the sleeping den, he makes a break for it. Surely there has to be a mouse hole in one of these walls somewhere. ]
HOWLINGGGG as a DM I'm restraining myself so hard from asking for initiative rolls-
[Sanji rounds the corner, catching the blur of fur at the very last second. He bares his teeth in what might eerily look like a grin.] Gotcha!! Get BACK here you tiny bastard!!
[It's almost loony-toonz esque this sort of chase. Sanji's legs may be stubby but not as bad as the literal hamster. It does take him hastily dropping his bags to pick up speed however; this guy was going. Some predator instinct, faint but there, locks his eyes on the critter.
He's not getting away dammit.] I didn't take ya for a COWARD, wolf rat!!! [He's close enough. Right before Bigby scurries into a crack in the wall, vulpine teeth snap down. (Up to you if he succeeds in this go, but he's definitely aiming for the scruff. He could miss though and get a foot instead, which would hurt...Sanji doesn't have full bite control down yet, oops.)]
don't worry bigby never has a chance when i play him
[ Admittedly, it's a bit surprising just how fast Bigby's little legs can run. Even as Sanji yells after him, the only thing on his mind is to keep running. But there's only so much energy he has left before he really starts to feel it; if only he had the willingness to learn Aura Wheel to boost that speed stat of his. ]
Fuck off! I am not doing this. [ He looks back with a glare, eyes now a full on red. Sanji is starting to catch up, but his escape is right there. He swerves just in time to keep his scruff intact. ] Heh. That's right! Keep trying, you ba—ah! Hey!
[ Too cocky. The bite yoinks his foot instead, which he is immediately going to try to kick off. ]
Let go, asshole! What do you even want from me?
[ The more he struggles to get free, the more his fur is starting to turn a nice shade of purple. ]
[He feels like this is somewhat late, but... warriors handle their business head-on. And even if he feels less like a warrior and less like a cat every day, the best he can do is keep striving to be someone Bluestar would be proud of.]
I'm sorry for how I acted two weeks ago. You... were right, and I didn't want to hear it.
[He hasn't apologized to Flowey and he isn't sure yet if he's going to. He might just... keep letting his actions speak for themselves, since talking to Flowey never seems to go well for him.]
I didn't live in the wild for very long before coming here. Two months, almost a year ago. It's against the warrior code to go against a leader's ruling, but the Cheri guild isn't ThunderClan. So I shouldn't have gotten my hackles up that much about everyone questioning Ribombee.
[He pauses.]
No one told me to do this. I just... don't feel good about what I said to you. I'm not used to questioning myself.
[ The other end is quiet but not absent. He gives it a moment longer to let Fireheart's words fully sink in and settle. ]
Not easy an easy thing to hear from three people at once. I get it. [ There's still some pent-up frustration in his voice, diluted now with a hint of understanding. Fireheart may be an adult by cat standards, but he's still young in his book. ] But knowing how much you stick your neck out for others? I was surprised you went that far just to defend the guy. Sucks to say, but Flowey had the point back there.
[ He has to wonder what the hell kind of code is that. Cats really are something else. ]
... If it makes you feel better, I've heard worse. Don't beat yourself up about that part.
[There's a small bubble of frustration rising up when Bigby points out that Flowey was right. But he swallows it. Because it is true.]
I don't know why the roof thing took so long to get handled. I just don't want to believe I'm following a leader who doesn't care about his guild mates. And he deserves someone standing up for him as much as everyone else.
[Fireheart hasn't entirely realized what makes this different from helping others out of danger. He's protecting Ribombee, the same way he protects everyone. He's keeping the peace.]
[ He's really trying hard not to fault Fireheart for just wanting to defend someone, but there are only so many excuses he can take. ]
Fireheart, you can care about people and still have selfish reasons for the things you do. [ He takes in a deep breath to collect his thoughts on the matter. There's a pang of guilt lingering in the back of his mind, one he can't fully suppress when he knows he's been part of the problem before. ] No leader is perfect. That's why we have to hold them accountable when things go wrong.
[ He pauses before his next point, not exactly willing to give the bug the benefit of the doubt, but finding a way to phrase it as a question at the very least. ]
... And if Ribombee does have a good reason for not taking care of the roofs, don't you think it's fair that he talk to everyone about it himself?
[This hamster has the need for speed fr. And the instinct to not get eaten. Sufficient motivation. Except Bigby's not really BEEN eating so it's no wonder he starts to flag pretty quick.]
THE HELL I AM!! Get over here you little shit- [Sanji does cheat a little, using quick attack here and there to give him a little boost, especially around corners. His teeth close around a morpeko paw, and a victory is snatched!! He grins, immediately lifting the grown ass hamster man into the air. The kicks do little at this range and vantage; the little paw beans a nuisance at best.
Sanji snarls back, dicidedly not putting Bigby down. Instead he swings around, proudly toting his catch back whence they came.] I want yeh ta ea' shome damb food, idioh. An' den ta tell me why ya shulkin' sho mush. Preferrably in tha' or'er. [Hard to talk with a literal foot in the mouth. The purpeling is not lost on him, only encouraging his choices here really.]
[Fireheart doesn't feel great about that answer, but Bigby does have a point. And he does have to admit, begrudgingly, that he doesn't have that much experience with leaders other than Ribombee. He loved living under Bluestar, but for all he knows she might have had her own selfish habits. It's not like he knew her very well.]
...I guess you're right. I should... ask him, the next time I get a chance.
[If nothing else, he's pretty confident that Ribombee will listen to him. And maybe, at the same time, he can broach the subject of why Flowey is getting ignored.
He really hopes it doesn't mean Ribombee was taking his side when he and Flowey were fighting.]
Can I ask you something? You had a leader where you're from, right?
[ It's something at least. Not like Bigby can do much himself when he's not even in Cheri to begin with. He'll just have to ask how that eventually goes. ]
... Mm. [ He's not entirely opposed to talking about Fabletown politics at a high level, but he's not exactly comfortable with it either. ] Yeah, I do. A mayor, technically. What about him?
I just want to know what he's like. Akechi mentioned politicians can be... two-faced. Saying whatever they need to say to keep their voters happy.
[He's still a little shaken by the mental image of Akechi's human form. Fireheart doesn't quite have the context to understand an empty smile, but he knows he found Akechi's face very unsettling, and he doesn't think that's just because he's a human.]
[ Bigby is quickly forgetting his words as he simply growls in at first. He's tired and hungry, but he's not getting dragged around without putting up a fight. Every sway is met with even more squirming, just to make Sanji's life a little more annoying. ]
I'll eat when I fucking want to eat. [ He's still trying to kick at Sanji while he's at it. ] Why the hell do you even care?
[ The lack of nuance there gets a small, amused huff. Unsurprising, given Akechi's take on electing Umbreon. ]
A lot of them can be. Power does things to people. [ And in ways he won't speak on, he gets it. ] But the mayor is a good man. A smart man too, but most people know him for his kindness. Always cared about everyone, no matter who they were or what they did.
[ He'd leave it there, but the contrast between King Cole and Ribombee is one he can't gloss over. ]
Story goes, he made sure everyone else stayed fed during a rough patch a long time ago. Almost starved to death for it. Been the mayor ever since. [ Then, a pang of resentment. ] Doesn't mean he's perfect either though.
[Fireheart pauses, flexing his claws in the ground while he's thinking this over.]
Bluestar was like that, too. She seemed like it, at least, I didn't know her for very long. Warriors always feed the Clan before they feed themselves, and Bluestar, um... got very angry at me when we met, for hunting in their territory when I was still a housecat.
[Bluestar also allowed one of her warriors to interrupt Fireheart's apprentice ceremony and attack him, but... Fireheart doesn't know that was unusual. Surely, that's just part of it, because it's still hard to imagine that Bluestar could make mistakes.]
He’s a good person. Whether or not he's a good mayor is debatable. A lot of things happened under his not-so-careful watch that left people... [ Forgotten. Struggling. Dead. ] Anyway, when I say he isn't perfect, I have my reasons. [ He sighs, clearly not wanting to get into it. ]
Maybe things are different with cats. Maybe you just never got to see another side of her. I don't know. But if there's one takeaway I can give you, just... don't blindly follow the leaders around here without asking questions first.
[The note was pretty clear, Bigby said he would do this whenever Aegiomon wanted, and Aegiomon had always been squirmy when it came to play. The moment he has free time is the moment he hustles to the Spire, kite wrapped securely in the vines on his back. He holds it like a treasure, those shakily drawn thunderbolts mean everything to him.
When he eventually finds himself within the Spire's many tunnels, you can bet he's stopping just about every Pokémon he comes across. He pants slightly, attempting to catch his breath, but makes no effort to slow down.]
Hey, have you seen Bigby around here? It's important!
[ He's mid-bite on a poffin when he hears the sound of familiar hooves running about, followed by his name. Immediately Bigby springs into a scurry, dashing around a few corners before spotting the kid in question. Before he approaches, he stands back on two feet, pulling the poffin back out from his teeth. ]
Aegiomon. Hey. Over here.
[ He glances at the kite before looking at the Skiddo with some concern. If it's important enough to run around looking for him, then it must be an emergency. ]
[His ears perk up when he hears the familiar deep voice, and it hits Aegiomon a little too late that he could've....probably used this as an excuse to practice his tracking. Once the scent of electric hamster hits his nose, he pivots instantly in Bigby's direction. Hehe, oops, but that's okay. He was just excited is all. His little tail wags happily as he trots over to Bigby, the biggest smile on his face. Definitely the face of a kid experiencing an emergency.]
Oh yeah, everything's great! Or, well, everything's great if you have time to... That is...uh...well...
[It also just hits him that it's possible Bigby might've been in the middle of something, like maaaaaaybe guild work. Or eating. Or both. Which means if he doesn't get straight to the point, then he's just wasting his time. Aegiomon clears his throat and tries again.]
...Did you really mean what you said in your note? That you'd teach me whenever I wanted? Cuz I'm willing to learn right now, I've never seen anything like this before!
[ He's not sure what he expected, but that smile sure does give him enough reassurance that it's not as bad as he first thought. Taking another bite of his poffin, he sighs in relief while Aegiomon works on getting his words out. ]
... Mhm. [ Despite perpetually acting like he has places to be, Bigby doesn't actually sound like he's in that much of a hurry himself. With kitchen duty wrapped up and no quests to prep for, he's as free as can be. ] So that's why the rush.
[ He can't help the smile growing on his face. Aegiomon deciding to run all the way over here instead of reaching out over the pearls is too endearing to deny. ]
Sure did mean it. Good thing you caught me just in time. [ Not that he has anywhere else to be, but he's got to hype the kid up anyway. Again, he glances at the kite, laughing a little awkwardly this time. Those bolts definitely need some touch-ups. ] You really like it, huh? [ And without even seeing it up in the air, no less. ]
[Ah, good, he caught him just in time. Phew. Who knows what would have happened if Aegiomon was only a few minutes late. He takes the kite and holds it proud and center, like showing off a trophy.]
You bet! These lightning bolts...you drew 'em, right?
[They're shaky and not very professional, but that means nothing to him.]
That's way cooler than just buying something. I can't believe... I mean, I can, it's just...no one's ever made anything for me before. Not until this holiday stuff. But you...a-and so many other people... I have so much stuff now, I don't know what to do with it all—
[It's a little overwhelming, actually. But okay, alright, getting a little off topic here. Aegiomon takes a deep breath and straightens out his thoughts before he ends up rambling Bigby's head off.]
[ He's not sure why he feels so sheepish over admitting as much, especially given how excited Aegiomon is regardless of how it actually turned out. Maybe it's the thought that he could do better next time. Maybe it's the thought that there could even be a next time at all. At least Bigby can relate on feeling overwhelmed by the amount of gifts now in his posession. ] You and me both, kid. [ Bigby finishes up his poffin with a smile and a quiet huff of amusement at the Skiddo's rambling. ]
But, that's right. Just need a little wind and some open space. Beach might be a good spot, if you don't mind the cold.
[ He very much will mind it, but thankfully his scarf is stashed not too far away from here. ]
[So it's confirmed, a true Bigby original. The Morpeko's comment about not receiving any presents either catches Aegiomon off guard, though. It made sense to him that he never received a lot of stuff, simply due to time. And...he's positive Inori would've made him all sorts of things if they weren't so busy. He wishes she did, he would've kept it forever...
But Bigby? Bigby is, like...old. He's pretty sure, anyway. He's had tons of time to receive gifts, and he...hasn't? The math simply isn't mathing, but instead of assuming Bigby is some friendless loser, Aegiomon is now determined to regularly draw for Bigby to make up for lost time. Gifts are special!! Just like this kite!!]
I don't mind the cold at all! I'm super fluffy, remember?
[Shedding his winter coat is going to be hell come spring—]
Right, right. [ He laughs a little, though mostly at himself for even worrying in the first place. They’ve talked about this before, yet he still felt the need to ask, just to make sure. Can’t let the kid catch a cold on his account, even if said kid is currently musing over Bigby’s friendless existence back home. ] Let me just grab my scarf, then we can get a move on.
[ One pit stop later, and they’re on their way from the Spire to the beach. The thought did occur to him to ask for a ride, just to keep him from slowing them down, but a leisurely walk doesn’t turn out to be so bad after all. It gives him a chance to ask about Aegiomon about his other presents and how he’s been liking the season so far. You know, normal things a kid should be experiencing. ]
Alright, this is as good a spot as any. [ Given the time of year, there’s not a lot of other Pokémon crowding up the place, which is all the better for them to run around. ] Wind’s not too great today, but like I said. Shouldn’t be a problem. [ He has a surprise tool that can help them later, after all. ]
Want me to talk you through it, or do you wanna follow my lead this first time?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Quest setup. Kinda. (Intimidation Tactics) (1/??)
hey
wolf rat
where the hell are you
(2/??)
its your job to taste this stuff
dammit I set this aside specifically for him what if he starves we cant waste food
these potatoes aint gonna peel themselves
(3/??)
oi
wolf rat
hey
you slacking off or something
(4/5)
shit what if hes dying or somethin shit shit
bigby
seriously where the hell are ya
(5/5 DONE) (if Bigby doesn't answer lemme know generally where he is so Snooj can find he)
if you dont say anything im gonna hunt you down
youre not the only one with a decent sniffer around here
bigby
bigby
if youre starving to death somewhere Ill kill you
did i mention i LOVE SNOOJ (1/2)
is what he would say, if he was in any other mood but exhausted. Somehow, he's managed to find a quiet corner in one of the sleeping dens at the Spire, but this is completely ruining the vibe. ]
Rrrghh...
[ Also, texts. What are those. He's too 80s for these annoying notifications. ]
No. Cancel. Cancel.
[ He's just. Slamming his pearl down multiple times against his beanbag chair, trying to hang it up. ]
(2/2)
[ Immediately, he sits up. The pearl has rolled off the beanbag and onto the floor, but it's still picking up his voice. He forgot kitchen duty again.
But... ] Sanji, can't you find anyone else for once? [ He's yelling that out even though the pearl can hear him just fine. ]
kicks work down the stairs. I LIVE (swaps to voice)
[The vulpix growls when the yelling starts. Oh he can match that just fine, if his time in the Baratie is any indication.] NO you dipshit!! There's food here for you specifically that you need to eat! If you don't that means you're not eating and that's FUCKING UNACCEPTABLE y'hear me!?
[There's a heavy sigh after a bit. ] ...You're a big help around here. But if you can't then call out I guess, I don't give a damn. [Says the guy who is having this call because he does, in fact, give a damn.] But I'm not wasting this food. So where are you so I can shove it down your damn throat myself?!
[....this is out of concern, prommy.]
HANDSHAKES IN COMING BACK TO LIFE (1/2)
Unaccept— ... oh, fuck right off. I'm not in the mood for your bullshit.
[ Immediately on the defensive, Bigby is only half-listening at this point. ]
(2/2)
So this isn't actually about him missing shifts? Huh. ]
... I'm not hungry.
[ Red flag. Anyway, he's going back to sleep...... ]
I will give Bigby exactly one (1) chance to run
He does freeze at that last part. His fur raises at the implications. Now he's not known Bigby long but the guy is always hungry on some level. Alot like Luffy actually, but way less annoying about it. To hear this claim is outlandish, and his tails swish in agitation.]
We'll see about that.
[There's a bit of a fumbling sound as Sanji works to turn off the pearl connection, kinda failing his dramatic exit. Entrance?
It may take like half an hour at most, but eventually, the sound of bounding paws is quickly, ominously approaching, accompanied by the harmony of muttered swears.
So much for going back to sleep...]
voice --> action; never has bigby taken that chance so quickly
He can't seem to settle with that threat now lodged in his rodent brain. After a while, his ears start to twitch. The padding of paws in the distance. A cacophony of swears bouncing off the tunnel walls. There's no way. Bigby immediately shoots up in a cold sweat. He's being hunted. ]
This fucker...
[ Whether he likes it or not, instinct has now set his mode onto run and hide. Just as Sanji might turn a corner into the sleeping den, he makes a break for it. Surely there has to be a mouse hole in one of these walls somewhere. ]
HOWLINGGGG as a DM I'm restraining myself so hard from asking for initiative rolls-
[It's almost loony-toonz esque this sort of chase. Sanji's legs may be stubby but not as bad as the literal hamster. It does take him hastily dropping his bags to pick up speed however; this guy was going. Some predator instinct, faint but there, locks his eyes on the critter.
He's not getting away dammit.] I didn't take ya for a COWARD, wolf rat!!! [He's close enough. Right before Bigby scurries into a crack in the wall, vulpine teeth snap down. (Up to you if he succeeds in this go, but he's definitely aiming for the scruff. He could miss though and get a foot instead, which would hurt...Sanji doesn't have full bite control down yet, oops.)]
don't worry bigby never has a chance when i play him
Fuck off! I am not doing this. [ He looks back with a glare, eyes now a full on red. Sanji is starting to catch up, but his escape is right there. He swerves just in time to keep his scruff intact. ] Heh. That's right! Keep trying, you ba—ah! Hey!
[ Too cocky. The bite yoinks his foot instead, which he is immediately going to try to kick off. ]
Let go, asshole! What do you even want from me?
[ The more he struggles to get free, the more his fur is starting to turn a nice shade of purple. ]
audio;
I'm sorry for how I acted two weeks ago. You... were right, and I didn't want to hear it.
[He hasn't apologized to Flowey and he isn't sure yet if he's going to. He might just... keep letting his actions speak for themselves, since talking to Flowey never seems to go well for him.]
I didn't live in the wild for very long before coming here. Two months, almost a year ago. It's against the warrior code to go against a leader's ruling, but the Cheri guild isn't ThunderClan. So I shouldn't have gotten my hackles up that much about everyone questioning Ribombee.
[He pauses.]
No one told me to do this. I just... don't feel good about what I said to you. I'm not used to questioning myself.
no subject
Not easy an easy thing to hear from three people at once. I get it. [ There's still some pent-up frustration in his voice, diluted now with a hint of understanding. Fireheart may be an adult by cat standards, but he's still young in his book. ] But knowing how much you stick your neck out for others? I was surprised you went that far just to defend the guy. Sucks to say, but Flowey had the point back there.
[ He has to wonder what the hell kind of code is that. Cats really are something else. ]
... If it makes you feel better, I've heard worse. Don't beat yourself up about that part.
no subject
I don't know why the roof thing took so long to get handled. I just don't want to believe I'm following a leader who doesn't care about his guild mates. And he deserves someone standing up for him as much as everyone else.
[Fireheart hasn't entirely realized what makes this different from helping others out of danger. He's protecting Ribombee, the same way he protects everyone. He's keeping the peace.]
no subject
Fireheart, you can care about people and still have selfish reasons for the things you do. [ He takes in a deep breath to collect his thoughts on the matter. There's a pang of guilt lingering in the back of his mind, one he can't fully suppress when he knows he's been part of the problem before. ] No leader is perfect. That's why we have to hold them accountable when things go wrong.
[ He pauses before his next point, not exactly willing to give the bug the benefit of the doubt, but finding a way to phrase it as a question at the very least. ]
... And if Ribombee does have a good reason for not taking care of the roofs, don't you think it's fair that he talk to everyone about it himself?
Eggcellent. get got hampter
THE HELL I AM!! Get over here you little shit- [Sanji does cheat a little, using quick attack here and there to give him a little boost, especially around corners. His teeth close around a morpeko paw, and a victory is snatched!! He grins, immediately lifting the grown ass hamster man into the air. The kicks do little at this range and vantage; the little paw beans a nuisance at best.
Sanji snarls back, dicidedly not putting Bigby down. Instead he swings around, proudly toting his catch back whence they came.] I want yeh ta ea' shome damb food, idioh. An' den ta tell me why ya shulkin' sho mush. Preferrably in tha' or'er. [Hard to talk with a literal foot in the mouth. The purpeling is not lost on him, only encouraging his choices here really.]
no subject
...I guess you're right. I should... ask him, the next time I get a chance.
[If nothing else, he's pretty confident that Ribombee will listen to him. And maybe, at the same time, he can broach the subject of why Flowey is getting ignored.
He really hopes it doesn't mean Ribombee was taking his side when he and Flowey were fighting.]
Can I ask you something? You had a leader where you're from, right?
no subject
... Mm. [ He's not entirely opposed to talking about Fabletown politics at a high level, but he's not exactly comfortable with it either. ] Yeah, I do. A mayor, technically. What about him?
no subject
[He's still a little shaken by the mental image of Akechi's human form. Fireheart doesn't quite have the context to understand an empty smile, but he knows he found Akechi's face very unsettling, and he doesn't think that's just because he's a human.]
no subject
I'll eat when I fucking want to eat. [ He's still trying to kick at Sanji while he's at it. ] Why the hell do you even care?
no subject
A lot of them can be. Power does things to people. [ And in ways he won't speak on, he gets it. ] But the mayor is a good man. A smart man too, but most people know him for his kindness. Always cared about everyone, no matter who they were or what they did.
[ He'd leave it there, but the contrast between King Cole and Ribombee is one he can't gloss over. ]
Story goes, he made sure everyone else stayed fed during a rough patch a long time ago. Almost starved to death for it. Been the mayor ever since. [ Then, a pang of resentment. ] Doesn't mean he's perfect either though.
no subject
[Fireheart pauses, flexing his claws in the ground while he's thinking this over.]
Bluestar was like that, too. She seemed like it, at least, I didn't know her for very long. Warriors always feed the Clan before they feed themselves, and Bluestar, um... got very angry at me when we met, for hunting in their territory when I was still a housecat.
[Bluestar also allowed one of her warriors to interrupt Fireheart's apprentice ceremony and attack him, but... Fireheart doesn't know that was unusual. Surely, that's just part of it, because it's still hard to imagine that Bluestar could make mistakes.]
no subject
Maybe things are different with cats. Maybe you just never got to see another side of her. I don't know. But if there's one takeaway I can give you, just... don't blindly follow the leaders around here without asking questions first.
Forward dated to after Christmas
When he eventually finds himself within the Spire's many tunnels, you can bet he's stopping just about every Pokémon he comes across. He pants slightly, attempting to catch his breath, but makes no effort to slow down.]
Hey, have you seen Bigby around here? It's important!
[So important!]
no subject
Aegiomon. Hey. Over here.
[ He glances at the kite before looking at the Skiddo with some concern. If it's important enough to run around looking for him, then it must be an emergency. ]
What's wrong? Everything okay?
no subject
Oh yeah, everything's great! Or, well, everything's great if you have time to... That is...uh...well...
[It also just hits him that it's possible Bigby might've been in the middle of something, like maaaaaaybe guild work. Or eating. Or both. Which means if he doesn't get straight to the point, then he's just wasting his time. Aegiomon clears his throat and tries again.]
...Did you really mean what you said in your note? That you'd teach me whenever I wanted? Cuz I'm willing to learn right now, I've never seen anything like this before!
no subject
... Mhm. [ Despite perpetually acting like he has places to be, Bigby doesn't actually sound like he's in that much of a hurry himself. With kitchen duty wrapped up and no quests to prep for, he's as free as can be. ] So that's why the rush.
[ He can't help the smile growing on his face. Aegiomon deciding to run all the way over here instead of reaching out over the pearls is too endearing to deny. ]
Sure did mean it. Good thing you caught me just in time. [ Not that he has anywhere else to be, but he's got to hype the kid up anyway. Again, he glances at the kite, laughing a little awkwardly this time. Those bolts definitely need some touch-ups. ] You really like it, huh? [ And without even seeing it up in the air, no less. ]
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You bet! These lightning bolts...you drew 'em, right?
[They're shaky and not very professional, but that means nothing to him.]
That's way cooler than just buying something. I can't believe... I mean, I can, it's just...no one's ever made anything for me before. Not until this holiday stuff. But you...a-and so many other people... I have so much stuff now, I don't know what to do with it all—
[It's a little overwhelming, actually. But okay, alright, getting a little off topic here. Aegiomon takes a deep breath and straightens out his thoughts before he ends up rambling Bigby's head off.]
Is it true something like this can really fly?
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[ He's not sure why he feels so sheepish over admitting as much, especially given how excited Aegiomon is regardless of how it actually turned out. Maybe it's the thought that he could do better next time. Maybe it's the thought that there could even be a next time at all. At least Bigby can relate on feeling overwhelmed by the amount of gifts now in his posession. ] You and me both, kid. [ Bigby finishes up his poffin with a smile and a quiet huff of amusement at the Skiddo's rambling. ]
But, that's right. Just need a little wind and some open space. Beach might be a good spot, if you don't mind the cold.
[ He very much will mind it, but thankfully his scarf is stashed not too far away from here. ]
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But Bigby? Bigby is, like...old. He's pretty sure, anyway. He's had tons of time to receive gifts, and he...hasn't? The math simply isn't mathing, but instead of assuming Bigby is some friendless loser, Aegiomon is now determined to regularly draw for Bigby to make up for lost time. Gifts are special!! Just like this kite!!]
I don't mind the cold at all! I'm super fluffy, remember?
[Shedding his winter coat is going to be hell come spring—]
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[ One pit stop later, and they’re on their way from the Spire to the beach. The thought did occur to him to ask for a ride, just to keep him from slowing them down, but a leisurely walk doesn’t turn out to be so bad after all. It gives him a chance to ask about Aegiomon about his other presents and how he’s been liking the season so far. You know, normal things a kid should be experiencing. ]
Alright, this is as good a spot as any. [ Given the time of year, there’s not a lot of other Pokémon crowding up the place, which is all the better for them to run around. ] Wind’s not too great today, but like I said. Shouldn’t be a problem. [ He has a surprise tool that can help them later, after all. ]
Want me to talk you through it, or do you wanna follow my lead this first time?