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[When Lusamine answers the knock on her door, she won't immediately see who did it. But looking down will present her with... a body. The man is still alive, knocked out, and trussed up like a christmas ham. He's been cleaned and maybe even seasoned, if the parsley decorating his hair is any indication. There's also lovely little boxes of chocolates platformed up beside the man, and a note tucked neatly that says To Mom.
She might be able to recognize Beat's handwriting.
She might even be able to see two pairs of stupid eyes peeking around the corner from down the hall, as Beat and Junior peer... conspicuously to make sure she likes them. If he notices her noticing he will OH quickly and try to pull back to hide, but Junior will simply wave one big paw and break into a smile before being yanked back by Beat.]
[Lusamine isn't sure what she is expecting to find at her door, but, even with the explanatory letter provided, she is utterly taken aback. Her gaze takes in the unconscious stranger before searching down the hall and landing on the pairs of eyes watching her from its end. One of her observers darts away too quick for her to get a good look, and the other... It's a Werewolf, she thinks at first, but that muzzle and those hackles are unmistakably...
She's barely able to begin puzzling over it before the latter observer disappears from view, too, leaving her alone with her unexpected gifts. Soon, her attention drifts back to the unconscious human.
In the wake of her recent, month-long sleep, she had found herself weak and ravenous; despite the suspicious nature of this entire situation, she isn't able to hold herself back long. Fortunately for the other residents of 38-8, her feeding is fittingly artful and discreet. She simply kneels beside the man, combs her fingers through his (for some reason) parsley-dusted hair, and wills his energy to flow into her, to become hers. With him out cold, it's over quickly and quietly, the deathly pallor to his skin the only indication that it's finished.
She looks once more at the letter affixed to the chocolate boxes. To Mom. The handwriting isn't Niina's.
The belated realization draws a shudder of revulsion from her—and then, unexpectedly, a flicker of hope. How long has it been? What makes him think he can return to her now? (And why would he, after all that's...?)
Before she can rethink, she hears herself call out hesitantly:]
[Junior hears her name and while Beat hey waits! she darts out from around the corner of hallway, and trots down it towards Lusamine doors. There's now definitely another head peeking around the corner. That's a dog face x2, no Squirrel.
Junior wags her little stub of a tail while Beat panicking transforms to dog form and trots after her (listen he doesn't know if Lusamine can read Pokemon thoughts, Junior might spill!!), and tilts his head down for a pat to the sharp rock of her head. That Lycanroc is Goth, Mom. Gone are most of the pretty yellows, replaced with black fur to mimic Mukuros. Her eyes are tri-toned, mimicking Mukuros only a bit, the rest are definitely Beats color.
And so are the eyes on the dog that is now milling around her, sniffing at the body and trying to look inconspicuous.]
[When Junior steps out into full view, Lusamine thinks for a moment that she was mistaken—but it undoubtedly is a Lycanroc answering to the name. She's so startled and oddly proud at the sight that, for this moment at least, all the hatred she's been stewing in for the past several months is forgotten, and she remarks aloud in a pleased sort of awe:]
Why... you've evolved! I wasn't sure such a thing was even possible... And what an unusual color you are... [She frowns a little.] I certainly hope this isn't dye...
[Though a part of her wants to, she doesn't yet dare reach out to touch Junior. Instead, her eyes wander to the other canine, busy sniffing at the body lying at her feet.
The similarities to Beat aren't entirely lost on her (he's already on her mind, after all), but it's been so long since she's seen him in any non-Pooka form—or seen him at all, really—that she isn't quite sure what to think.
Apparently to Junior, she asks,] And... your friend here is...?
[Junior will fucking preen over the evolve comment, then make a pantomime with her mitts to indicate coin. Mana helped her. She shakes her head to the dye comment and pulls on her own fur a little. See? Natural!
As to the question of the dog, she HUFFS A SIGH, and makes a raaa... noise, making a face at Beat before kicking at the dog lightly. Beat looks back, offendedly, and sits. He's NOT SPEAKING. Not until he's sure he knows Lusamine's okay with him.
So Junior rolls her eyes so hard, and tries to pantomime "Beat" standing so her rock hides one eye and posturing like Beat would while making soft barking and raa'ing noises to try and explain how it's Beat being a giant fucking child and not coming out of travel form. Coward! COWARD COWARD!!
Which Beat can kinda understands and fluffs himself up until he looks like a stupid fluff ball and goes:]
[Well... There's no doubt in her mind now. Lusamine observes Junior's clever, amusing pantomime with a benign smile—a smile which disappears when the inkling she'd already had is confirmed by the other dog speaking in a painfully familiar voice.
For a long, tense moment, she stares at him in silence, and then:]
... Beat. [Her tone is as inscrutable as her expression; there's no happiness in it, but nor is there anger.] You've become a Werewolf again...
[And he has so many scars now—more than she can count, his body a tapestry of them that makes her heart twinge.]
[Junior puts her arms into the air when Lusamine says Beat. YEAH! Then kicks at the dog a few more times for good measure, Beat taking the blows with an expression that can only be a long suffering pout.
And his ears go to the side and he takes on an incredible expression that can only be called "dog caught doing something naughty and is trying to appease the catcher" with a scrunched face and a little wag of his tail. No don't be mad at him see he is adorable an adorable dog he's so fluffy and cute and he is not eating the trash see see?]
Yeah uh... s'much easier to be a dog than a pooka. Less bein' a shit over things. More stickin' my head out windows an' stuff.
[She said it before and she has to think it again now: the form suits him. As she stands there studying him, there's a quick flash of emotion across her eyes that resembles pain. In spite of his transgressions, she's missed him.
[He eyes the guy, sniffing him. She ate, good. She could probably go for another, but he'll worry about that in a bit.]
I made a lot of careless decisions that hurt a lot of people. I hurt you. I can make excuses fer bein' influenced all I want, but I know it was my fault in the end. It was my doin'.
[He shifts back to normal and at least he's clothed (though he's also now Tall), and rubs a hand through his hair, pushing it back into place and out of his eyes.]
An' I know you ain't got to forgive me, but I want to say it, an' words jus' didn't seem 'nuff. I'm sorry, fer everythin' I said an' did. Fer the decisions I made that hurt you. An' I miss you, an' love you.
[Apologize, that is—and she hadn't wanted to hear it. Even then, his excuses had wormed their way past her defenses eventually, and yet... Just when she thought herself ready to accept the apology, he'd gone silent. He'd grown sick of her, she thought, and decided to abandon her, just the same as everyone else. And so she'd decided that she was through with him, too.
Don't you care what happens to him? You always do that... Only thinking of yourself and what you want...
We're not made for you to just discard when you get bored with us...
He drops his travel form, and something about the sight of his face paired with those last words makes her throat feel tight.]
Why... Why now? After all this time... [Her voice is small.] I thought... you wanted nothing to do with me. I thought...
[That does get him to shake his head a little, because she's not wrong. He had thought the same thing.]
I was angry... I ain't gonna pretend an' say yer words didn't hurt me, so I did the thing I knew how to do best when it came to bein' hurt. I lashed out in return, then gave up an' ran. I didn't wanna deal wid it, didn't wanna think 'bout it.
[He lowers his head, studies his hands, frowning at them.]
But someone I talked to not too long ago made me realize doin' that isn't right, an' that when I stopped and did think 'bout it, I wasn't angry anymore an' that I hurt you more than I originally thought, an' how can I pretend to want to fix anythin' if I won't even face up to the hurt I caused an'... an' apologize fer it, an' really try to be better. An' that I wanted to show you Junior, and that I perm changed, an' I wanted to talk about things widchu... an' I hope I ain't cut that off forever...
[Lusamine listens to him in silence, her eyes wide and disbelieving. Uncharacteristically, it seems that she has no idea how to respond to that.
She ought to be furious, one part of her thinks. What is there to talk about? Another part, caught in memories that aren't her own, still can't fathom his kindness. How is it that he always comes back to her? Not for the first time since awakening from her month-long sleep, she thinks: she doesn't deserve this, does she?
Perhaps it's the same for her, and she's just now realized that she isn't angry anymore either. Or, more likely, she is angry still, yet another emotion has proven itself stronger.
In lieu of responding directly to any of those unspoken questions in his words, she lifts a hand up toward his face, to smooth it over his cheek.]
The soft touch to his cheek makes tears well up in his eyes unbidden. He always was a bit of an easy crier, sure, but this was different. The touch and the words. Acceptance.
He leans into her hand, a dog putting the full weight of his love into the lean.]
I missed you too, yo. I know it's gonna take some time, but I wanna be yer son again. I love you.
[He's never been one to shy away from telling those around him how much they mean to him, and Lusamine will be no exception.]
[When he leans into her touch, she takes the opportunity to brush his hair away from his eyes and smooth it back between his ears, just like she used to. She's about to say that she loves him, too, before a thought catches in her throat.]
"Take some time"...? [A trace of fear flickers across her eyes.] Whatever do you mean? You've come back, and now... Now everything can go back to the way it was.
[The way it was—when he was still her son and this world had yet to unveil any of its ugliness to her.]
[Oh. She's okay with just picking right back up. Beat's tail begins to wag, soft and steadily. Junior, tired of being ignored, butts her head up against Lusamine's shoulder, pet her too!]
I di'nt know if you wanted to jus' go right back, yo. I wasn't sure if you'd be aight wid it. But ye... yea if you aight wid it, then we can go right back to how it was. 'Fore I upset you. I promise I ain't gonna again, I ain't goin' no where.
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timeasmymeasure
action
Date: 2023-06-02 07:50 pm (UTC)She might be able to recognize Beat's handwriting.
She might even be able to see two pairs of stupid eyes peeking around the corner from down the hall, as Beat and Junior peer... conspicuously to make sure she likes them. If he notices her noticing he will OH quickly and try to pull back to hide, but Junior will simply wave one big paw and break into a smile before being yanked back by Beat.]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-04 01:47 am (UTC)She's barely able to begin puzzling over it before the latter observer disappears from view, too, leaving her alone with her unexpected gifts. Soon, her attention drifts back to the unconscious human.
In the wake of her recent, month-long sleep, she had found herself weak and ravenous; despite the suspicious nature of this entire situation, she isn't able to hold herself back long. Fortunately for the other residents of 38-8, her feeding is fittingly artful and discreet. She simply kneels beside the man, combs her fingers through his (for some reason) parsley-dusted hair, and wills his energy to flow into her, to become hers. With him out cold, it's over quickly and quietly, the deathly pallor to his skin the only indication that it's finished.
She looks once more at the letter affixed to the chocolate boxes. To Mom. The handwriting isn't Niina's.
The belated realization draws a shudder of revulsion from her—and then, unexpectedly, a flicker of hope. How long has it been? What makes him think he can return to her now? (And why would he, after all that's...?)
Before she can rethink, she hears herself call out hesitantly:]
Junior...? Is that you?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-04 07:16 pm (UTC)Junior wags her little stub of a tail while Beat panicking transforms to dog form and trots after her (listen he doesn't know if Lusamine can read Pokemon thoughts, Junior might spill!!), and tilts his head down for a pat to the sharp rock of her head. That Lycanroc is Goth, Mom. Gone are most of the pretty yellows, replaced with black fur to mimic Mukuros. Her eyes are tri-toned, mimicking Mukuros only a bit, the rest are definitely Beats color.
And so are the eyes on the dog that is now milling around her, sniffing at the body and trying to look inconspicuous.]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-13 11:43 pm (UTC)Why... you've evolved! I wasn't sure such a thing was even possible... And what an unusual color you are... [She frowns a little.] I certainly hope this isn't dye...
[Though a part of her wants to, she doesn't yet dare reach out to touch Junior. Instead, her eyes wander to the other canine, busy sniffing at the body lying at her feet.
The similarities to Beat aren't entirely lost on her (he's already on her mind, after all), but it's been so long since she's seen him in any non-Pooka form—or seen him at all, really—that she isn't quite sure what to think.
Apparently to Junior, she asks,] And... your friend here is...?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-13 11:55 pm (UTC)As to the question of the dog, she HUFFS A SIGH, and makes a raaa... noise, making a face at Beat before kicking at the dog lightly. Beat looks back, offendedly, and sits. He's NOT SPEAKING. Not until he's sure he knows Lusamine's okay with him.
So Junior rolls her eyes so hard, and tries to pantomime "Beat" standing so her rock hides one eye and posturing like Beat would while making soft barking and raa'ing noises to try and explain how it's Beat being a giant fucking child and not coming out of travel form. Coward! COWARD COWARD!!
Which Beat can kinda understands and fluffs himself up until he looks like a stupid fluff ball and goes:]
I am not!! I mean! WOOF!
no subject
Date: 2023-06-14 01:13 am (UTC)For a long, tense moment, she stares at him in silence, and then:]
... Beat. [Her tone is as inscrutable as her expression; there's no happiness in it, but nor is there anger.] You've become a Werewolf again...
[And he has so many scars now—more than she can count, his body a tapestry of them that makes her heart twinge.]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-14 01:28 am (UTC)And his ears go to the side and he takes on an incredible expression that can only be called "dog caught doing something naughty and is trying to appease the catcher" with a scrunched face and a little wag of his tail. No don't be mad at him see he is adorable an adorable dog he's so fluffy and cute and he is not eating the trash see see?]
Yeah uh... s'much easier to be a dog than a pooka. Less bein' a shit over things. More stickin' my head out windows an' stuff.
[He is a good dog he is a good boy wag wag wag.]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-14 01:38 am (UTC)Her gaze wanders to the gifts he brought her.]
What is... the meaning of all this?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-14 02:03 am (UTC)[He eyes the guy, sniffing him. She ate, good. She could probably go for another, but he'll worry about that in a bit.]
I made a lot of careless decisions that hurt a lot of people. I hurt you. I can make excuses fer bein' influenced all I want, but I know it was my fault in the end. It was my doin'.
[He shifts back to normal and at least he's clothed (though he's also now Tall), and rubs a hand through his hair, pushing it back into place and out of his eyes.]
An' I know you ain't got to forgive me, but I want to say it, an' words jus' didn't seem 'nuff. I'm sorry, fer everythin' I said an' did. Fer the decisions I made that hurt you. An' I miss you, an' love you.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-14 11:12 pm (UTC)[Apologize, that is—and she hadn't wanted to hear it. Even then, his excuses had wormed their way past her defenses eventually, and yet... Just when she thought herself ready to accept the apology, he'd gone silent. He'd grown sick of her, she thought, and decided to abandon her, just the same as everyone else. And so she'd decided that she was through with him, too.
Don't you care what happens to him? You always do that... Only thinking of yourself and what you want...
We're not made for you to just discard when you get bored with us...
He drops his travel form, and something about the sight of his face paired with those last words makes her throat feel tight.]
Why... Why now? After all this time... [Her voice is small.] I thought... you wanted nothing to do with me. I thought...
[She thought she'd never see him again.]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-14 11:42 pm (UTC)I was angry... I ain't gonna pretend an' say yer words didn't hurt me, so I did the thing I knew how to do best when it came to bein' hurt. I lashed out in return, then gave up an' ran. I didn't wanna deal wid it, didn't wanna think 'bout it.
[He lowers his head, studies his hands, frowning at them.]
But someone I talked to not too long ago made me realize doin' that isn't right, an' that when I stopped and did think 'bout it, I wasn't angry anymore an' that I hurt you more than I originally thought, an' how can I pretend to want to fix anythin' if I won't even face up to the hurt I caused an'... an' apologize fer it, an' really try to be better. An' that I wanted to show you Junior, and that I perm changed, an' I wanted to talk about things widchu... an' I hope I ain't cut that off forever...
no subject
Date: 2023-07-17 01:45 am (UTC)She ought to be furious, one part of her thinks. What is there to talk about? Another part, caught in memories that aren't her own, still can't fathom his kindness. How is it that he always comes back to her? Not for the first time since awakening from her month-long sleep, she thinks: she doesn't deserve this, does she?
Perhaps it's the same for her, and she's just now realized that she isn't angry anymore either. Or, more likely, she is angry still, yet another emotion has proven itself stronger.
In lieu of responding directly to any of those unspoken questions in his words, she lifts a hand up toward his face, to smooth it over his cheek.]
I missed you...
[Maybe that's answer enough.]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-20 01:10 am (UTC)The soft touch to his cheek makes tears well up in his eyes unbidden. He always was a bit of an easy crier, sure, but this was different. The touch and the words. Acceptance.
He leans into her hand, a dog putting the full weight of his love into the lean.]
I missed you too, yo. I know it's gonna take some time, but I wanna be yer son again. I love you.
[He's never been one to shy away from telling those around him how much they mean to him, and Lusamine will be no exception.]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-23 11:28 pm (UTC)"Take some time"...? [A trace of fear flickers across her eyes.] Whatever do you mean? You've come back, and now... Now everything can go back to the way it was.
[The way it was—when he was still her son and this world had yet to unveil any of its ugliness to her.]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-27 07:31 pm (UTC)I di'nt know if you wanted to jus' go right back, yo. I wasn't sure if you'd be aight wid it. But ye... yea if you aight wid it, then we can go right back to how it was. 'Fore I upset you. I promise I ain't gonna again, I ain't goin' no where.