Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 384
Trainer Class: 
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
|
Post by Saint on Jun 2, 2023 22:34:51 GMT 9
“It’s nice to—” HOOONK “—to meet—” HOOONK “—you!”
Saint turns away from The Captain , frustrated. “Gumball!”
The popplio stops pressing his face against the window of the carriage. With his flippers still pressed on the glass, he turns to look at the two trainers.
“Gumball, please stop that. We’re having a conversation.” Saint gently pats his lap. “Come here. You shouldn’t stick so close to the window.” He doesn’t like the look of the view. The Surge Steppes are rife with storm clouds, an ever-present drizzle that threatens to downpour at any moment. He winces when a flash rips through the sky, everything turning white for a split second. The horses bray, but continue galloping down the road.
“What are you looking at?” Saint scoots closer to the window.
It seems they’re passing through the very edge of the route. The jutting stone tapers off to wine-dark seas, where waves crash against dry soil. The plain is barren, but he can see off the shore what looks to be a rickety wooden pier and an old fishing boat dancing in the water beside it, tied to safety with only a rope.
“Huh. There’s a boat.” Is it a feature of the route? Or the quest?
Gumball paws longingly at the boat beyond the glass, slowly smushing his nose against it again and letting out the world’s saddest HOOOoooonk…
|
|
|
The Captain
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 151
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Remy Andersen
OOC Username: Stells
Arena Points: 60
|
Post by The Captain on Jun 12, 2023 13:50:41 GMT 9
Ah, is there anything better than the scent of a coming storm? That sharp zing of ozone that's carried downwind ahead of the clouds, sweet and so very refreshing. The Captain knows the scent well, and while as a sailor he knows it to be a warning sign, he also knows it to be fuckin' exciting.It leaves him itching to jump out of this carriage that he finds himself riding for reasons he doesn't completely understand (literally, all he knows is that a little pop up message had urged him to get on and of course he wouldn't question that) and walk right into the storm. So, truly, when the little seal-dude keeps pressing his face against the window and honking, he finds it hella relatable."Yo, looks like your little friend wants to get out there. Can't say I blame 'em, carriages ain't really my thing." Are carriages anyone's "thing"? Maybe, maybe not, but The Captain speaks with all the nonchalance in the world — leaning back on his own seat while looking out the window nearest to him. This one shows a view of the plains, nothing but a sea of green and distant rising spires. It's the mention of a boat that causes him to turn his attention back to the stranger and his Pokémon, leaning forward to get a glimpse at the window's view from behind them both. "Look at that beauty." He wolf whistles despite the boat's obviously poor condition. Much better than a fancy carriage, in his opinion. "We should go check it out. This is perfect weather for an adventure! What do you say, friend? Sounds like your little seal bud's in already."With those words, he gives Saint and his Popplio the brightest of grins, dauntlessness and wonder shining in eyes as golden as a pirate's riches.
|
|
|
Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 384
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
|
Post by Saint on Jun 16, 2023 1:55:02 GMT 9
Regardless of how much Gumball wants to taste seasalt freedom or whether carriages can be someone’s thing, Saint frowns at the prospect of leaving the safety of their ride — not to mention, the quest had explicitly stated this is meant to take them to their destination.
Then his companion — The Captain — goes on to admire the boat, the boat that is currently being slapped so hard by the waves that Saint is certain it would crumble into seafoam should they observe it through the burgeoning storm. His head snaps to his companion, brows furrowed and eyes wide in a look of disbelief, in juxtaposition with Gumball, who faces The Captain with an open-mouthed smile.
Saint shakes his head violently. “I don’t— I’d say it isn’t—!” Oh God, he’s grinning. Saint squints in the light. “It isn’t safe, that thing is practically a death trap! There’s just no way, absolutely no way—“
They leave the carriage.
The scent of petrichor and ozone is so much stronger out here. Hair and fabric go whipping wildly in the wind. Saint has the hood of his coat pulled up to shield from the drizzle. He’s staring at the side of the boat, wondering if this is how he’ll die.
The sides of the boat have been decorated with loving, chipping paint strokes, forming the name:
YEAH BUOY
Gumball has already shimmied his way onto the boat. He pokes his head over to stare at his trainer, who remains landlocked, and flaps his flipper around to usher him aboard.
Saint’s small voice finally returns, directed at The Captain. “Do you… actually know how to… drive… one of these things?”
|
|
|
The Captain
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 151
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Remy Andersen
OOC Username: Stells
Arena Points: 60
|
Post by The Captain on Aug 26, 2023 14:12:39 GMT 9
With a splash of mud, unpolished black boots step off the carriage, loudly squelching when rising out of the puddle The Captain had carelessly stepped into while distracted by the sight of the nearby ocean. It's out here, on the damp grass of the stormy Surging Steppes, that the truth about the man is revealed: he must be at least 6'0" (6'3" to be exact), he's clad in a long coat out of the back of which pokes what looks like a dog's tail, and beneath the seashell-adorned tricorn that he hastily takes off before the raging winds blow it away, there are the unmistakable ears of a canid — now perking up with cheer and confidence. "Oh. Well... shit. I hope I can get that back later..." The Captain mumbles, his nice "pirate hat" having disappeared into thin air. No, he doesn't know how to access his inventory; the tricorn is lost until further notice. After all, he has much more important things to think about than his virtual clothes. Waves roar, and just like that, the matter is forgotten, his smile only seeming to grow more and more excited with every step he takes towards the sorry excuse for a pier that looks like many other sorry excuses for piers that Remy has seen all over the world before. This game is so realistic! Down to boat names and everything... "Ha!" He exclaims when reading the words clearly written by hand with now-chipped paint. "Typical 'midlife crisis boat' name. I like that. Whoever owns—...wait, no, made this boat clearly has a sense of humour."He declares this as if it were an undeniably truth, turning towards Saint and grinning once more. A boat's name says a lot about whoever named it, everybody knows that! Just like everybody should be aware of the very much obvious answer to his new friend's question: "Kid, they don't call me The Captain for nothing!" The response is given proudly and with a laugh, and although it could be argued that he was the one who gave himself that name in this game, there's no time for that, since The Captain proceeds to board the boat without any hesitation or second thoughts. Truly, it almost could be called an impressive feat: he doesn't stumble or worry about losing balance despite the fact even while tied to the pier their dilapidated vessel is at the mercy of the seas. One assured step and then another. Hell, he even gives the little seal-dude a couple of friendly pats on the head before taking his rightful place at the stern, offering a hand to Saint if he wishes to take it. The worst part is that he smiles through it all. "Hop on! Careful, though, it's slippery."You don't say, Capt. It's not as if the boat is getting slapped around by the waves or anything...
|
|
|
Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 384
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
|
Post by Saint on Oct 5, 2023 9:17:55 GMT 9
Saint flinches, not having realized just how– huge this guy was. He knew he was tall, but it’s not until he sees him climb out of the carriage, legs-first, as if it’s only a clown car and not a full-sized vehicle, and has him standing so close that the reality of it hits. With the billowing coat and the tricorn hat (even after being blown away; it mostly just added dramatic effect), it really did feel like he was in the presence of a captain. A breathtaking storybook hero – with dog ears and tail.
“Midlife crisis boat?” he repeats, confused. “Is that what people do when they’re middle aged? Buy– er, make boats?” He’d been under the impression most would have settled down, but it wasn’t as if he could judge.
At least it appears The Captain knew more about this seafaring business than he did. He frets a little as the man just jumps straight into the waterborne deathtrap, high-fiving Gumball who has basically pledged undying allegiance to the man if the glitter in his eyes is any indication. (If Saint is a little jealous, he doesn’t not show it. Gumball deserves friends.)
But he does finally entertain the notion of boarding. “Okay,” he says quietly, taking the offered hand. For as flippant as he may seem, The Captain has a firm grip, and Saint feels steady until his feet land inside the boat. The moment he’s released, he white-knuckles the railing.
As if detecting all passengers were aboard, the ship sets off as if it hadn’t just been tied to the crumbling dock.
He freaks out. Of course he does. Saint frets quietly as Gumball bounces excitedly all over the deck, being a disruption to every attempt at manning the fishing boat and making it rock even harder than it already does. The storm rages on, waves slapping the vehicle as if attempting to tilt it– but it never does.
He’s forced to relax eventually. “It’s a lot more stable than I thought.”
The open waters welcome them, the waves lapping their path like tall grass in a windy meadow, the sky thick with storm.
As they drift ever closer to the border, the thrashing waves stir.
And shatter.
And part.
“Uh. Cap… tain…?” Saint’s eyes follow the pillar of water as it rises, far, far above their heads.
 THE KALEKEN
God help thee, Old ManYer Aboatta Go Kelput!
A massive red eye stares at them from behind thick tendrils of fern. Moss and seaweed have layered so thickly on its surface that its body has become an ashen green, the color of tile grout. It emits no sound, and all around them, the storm becomes chillingly silent.
“Meep,” Saint squeaks, having fully receded into his collar, holding onto Gumball in his arms – the popplio flapping desperately to be freed of the man’s death grip. |
|
|
The Captain
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 151
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Remy Andersen
OOC Username: Stells
Arena Points: 60
|
Post by The Captain on Nov 6, 2023 11:19:11 GMT 9
Seas the day.Ah, is there anything better than the open sea? The way a boat rocks with the (violent) kiss of every wave, the (intense) scent of brine in the air, the wild (and dangerous) winds that now tousle The Captain's soft white hair, the sound of the (roaring) currents, the way water rises and rises revealing mountains-worth of seaweed and an eye of ominous red... Wait a fucking minute.Until that last one, our captain had found everything about this little boating adventure to be normal and expected, fine and great, but there's nothing normal and expected about a rising and apparently sentient mountain of seaweed. Is it fine and great, though? Eh... That's to be determined. So, what's the seasoned sailor's reaction? Hands at his hips, he wolf whistles — quite appropriately so, considering his canine features. "Boooy, that's a big one." He exclaims then, and in his amber eyes there's something akin to awe and fascination — like a kid running downstairs on Christmas morning and seeing all the gifts under the tree. This is the look Saint would see when The Captain turns to look at him. "Yo, you know a bunch about Pokémon, right? What the hell is that thing?"Whatever it is, it's not friendly, because an enormous seaweed-covered limb rises from the depths almost immediately after these words are spoken, smacking through the surface right by their sorry excuse for a boat and almost causing it to capsize. "WOAH! HOLD ON TIGHT!"Even The Captain holds onto the gunwale now, but he does reach back to call out one of his Pokémon: a tiny tiny Wishiwashi that jumps into the water, as if not even wanting to look at the massive creature. "Whydah, grab your buddies! We're gonna need the whole school for this one!"And so it is that the waters begin to darken beneath the boat, but will they even have time to gather a school...
|
|
|
Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 384
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
|
Post by Saint on Nov 6, 2023 12:08:50 GMT 9
All the blood has been drained out of Saint’s face, his mind filled with his last will and testament, but when The Captain turns to him, the man is beaming—as if he’s been served top quality calamari, instead of the other way around.
“A monster,” is all Saint can squeak out before a massive tendril rises to seas their souls. It hits the ocean— the creature rumbling with displeasure as the resulting wave swallows the side of the ship.
The wave sends a screaming Saint colliding into the opposing gunwale, Gumball honking up a storm as he slips out of Saint’s arms and joins the battle with water guns (where did he get those?) ablazing.
“Gumball!” Saint chokes, wiping saltwater from his face as he scrambles up to his feet. His starter has thrown himself into the water, gently being lifted up by a—a platform of fish? “C-Captain!” Fuck, it’s cold. Fuck, what is that thing? “We need to turn back!”
TOO TOO TOO TOOO! comes the toy trumpet of war. Another massive seaweed tendril stretches above the combined forces of the emerging Whydah barge and the foolhardy clown dog. Gumball aims the water gun in his other flipper at the tendril and shoots.
“Jesus Christ!” Saint slippy-slides over the soaked deck as he makes for the helm. |
|
|
The Captain
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 151
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Remy Andersen
OOC Username: Stells
Arena Points: 60
|
Post by The Captain on Nov 21, 2023 11:57:13 GMT 9
9994/9999 HP Well... shit.Our intrepid Captain may not be the most knowledgeable when it comes to videogames, but even he can tell that those numbers don't look nice and fun and lovely and like no cause for concern. Is that supposed to represent how much damage Saint's little seal buddy had done to the kelp monster? Its... health? Aha! Health Points! HP! That totally has to be what it means! God, he's so good at this. But, yeah, if those numbers represent the monster's remaining health, then this definitely isn't nice and fun and lovely and no cause for concern. In fact... "Saint. Bud. You're so right about that one." See? The Captain is such a reasonable man! He even takes a seat finally, holding onto the gunwale as he leans over starboard to address his now enormous school of fish. "WHYDAH! Let's take the boat to shore!"Beneath them, the vessel begins to rise off the water, lifted by the hundreds upon hundreds of fish. No longer at the mercy of the forceful waves and the violent slaps of seaweed limbs, the boat appears more stable for a moment, and the Captain breaths a sigh of relief. It's a shame that that relief really does last only for that moment. As they are carried away, the monster chases, and with its movement the water rises. A singular approaching wave, larger and larger... "Holy shit. Saint, hold on tight. Looks like we're gonna ride a wave! Hope you can swim!" Even if they could manoeuvre, the chances that their boat won't flip are slim, and if it does flip, what awaits them underwater? Despite his concern over their current precarious situation, The Captain can't help but smirk — a white dog's tail wagging slightly. Even if it's a game, it's all very dangerous, yeah, but it's also fucking exciting.
|
|
|
Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 384
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
|
Post by Saint on Dec 17, 2023 7:02:23 GMT 9
While Saint is relieved The Captain is finally seeing sense, the indentured first mate would much prefer some assisting of his own.
“I can’t move the wheel!” he hissed as seafoam grazed his skin as the boat was sent sloshing and careening by the roaring waves. His hands are clammy as they grip the seaweed-tangled handles, the old rickety ship resisting his pathetic attempts at making it kowtow.
That left their fate entirely to the thousand tiny capable fins of Captain’s fish.
“Whoa!” Saint smacks against the helm as the boat is hefted off the sea — a moment of peace experienced by one teetering off the edge of a cliff.
The Captain breathes a sigh, and Saint’s hands twitch around the helm’s spokes, wondering if he can let go.
A screech from the waves says otherwise.
The monster’s imposing silhouette tails them across the sea, Saint yelping again as gravity escapes his heels — they’re being airlifted!
“You think I can swim like this?!” he sputters, not having had the foresight to switch into a little sailor outfit before boarding Charon’s waterslide to the underworld. The heavy coat around him would either be his life vest or his anchor into the briny deep.
The massive wave carries them through the storm, far and away from the shores of the Steppes.
Saint flinches as something lands next to his feet. Gumball honks as he flops back upright, being swiftly pulled into his trainer’s arms and bombarded with love.
He smacks the man with his flippers, because there is no time for this! He HONKS as loud as possible, like an air raid siren, as he points to the sea the wave is about to crash them on.
A sea that was parting to a shadow the size of a tectonic plate.
Saint screams as the water shatters, revealing the darkest cavern bordered by mossy gums, a path straight to the belly of the beast: the Kaleken’s maw. |
|
|
