Saint
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Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Dec 2, 2023 9:02:35 GMT 9
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/1107895957519081622/1145884362253021254/200_casual~png The tattoo artist has no obligation towards him. Theyâre strangers to each other, and it would be all too easy to think of their encouragement as just another sales pitch.
But Angelo wants to believe. Heâs had enough of lifeâs cruelty and just wants to believe that some talented stranger wants whatâs best for himâeven if itâs only for the ink on his skin. He doesnât know if theyâll ever see each other again, but he wants to be grateful to him.
It wouldnât be so bad, having this guy give him his first tattoo.
âYouâre right,â he says, albeit quietly, not quite feeling it with his whole chest, but enough to push through the urge to run away. Enough not to let his fears of what Finn or anyone back at his college might think take hold.
âAhâ Iâm Angelo,â he said, smiling a little. âItâs nice to meet you, Oz.â
He nods, looking through the available designs. âDoesnât seem like thereâs any Primarinas, but⌠this Gyarados one.â He pointed at it. The PokĂŠmon was a common enough favorite that it had a few alternate designsâone being abstract enough to pass off as geometric.
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Saint
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Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Dec 2, 2023 9:00:55 GMT 9
#s://b~l3n~co/i/mfJyyK~png TO: đđŽđľđľâ¨đ¸
and i really really really wanted to go itâs like if you were offered custom balenciagas and a lifetime supply of avocado toast and an all-expenses paid trip through europe anyways itâs fine, i stayed with a friend (the friend finn was trying to hit on rip) i didnât want to disturb you, i know you have your hands full with rich yeah see? barely had time to chill at your own room free candy from the minibar though, maybe i should be an assistant ⌠wait, who are you an assistant for exactly?
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Saint
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Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Dec 2, 2023 8:55:00 GMT 9
âBut thatâs his family,â Saint says, anguished despite knowing The Captain was definitely in the right. Pokemon werenât like real life animals, they had consciousness frighteningly similar to those of people, and while Wishiwashi were innately capable of dismantling themselves and reforming, thereâs no confirmation that Whydah actually likes exploding into a billion tiny fish.
There is, however, confirmation that Roger likes to eat the souls of the innocent. Saint squints as Captain gives him a playful wink and smile, unable to determine if the man is a marine expert or the reason why CPS for virtual fish will eventually be established.
âWeâll table your fish-owning ethics for now,â Saint grumbles. âI think I know what weâre dealing with.â Itâs a quick enough recall, once he gets a good look at the massive thing and sees itâs nothing like the hundreds of PokĂŠmon in his nerdy data banks. âThatâs a Guzzlord!â
The Guzzlord in question roars with fury, being bitten this way and that. Its tendrils smack against Taiyaki and Whydah, trying simultaneously to dislodge Roger, whose chompers have latched onto its claw like a barnacle.
âItâs an Ultra Beast. Theyâre technically not PokĂŠmon, more likeâlike aliens in this reality! Theyâshit!â
The Guzzlord slams its massive body into the surf, causing a wave the size of Texas to come hurtling towards them.
Saint grabbed hold of the gunwale, for all the good that would do his frail little body. âCaptain! Weâre going to get thrown overboard!â
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Saint
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Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Dec 1, 2023 18:50:57 GMT 9
Itâs Sunday. Angelo sat at the edge of his bed, hair a crowâs nest after another sleepless night and hands clammy around his phone as he waits for it to ring. He barely lets it.
âAnak?â She sounded tired. He can imagine her dragging her feet through the door, kicking off her heels. They never land on the rack. Whoever came home next would have to pick them up. She would collapse on the dusty couch still in uniform, taking her phone from a purse creased with how tightly she clutched it while riding the LRT.
âHi, mom.â Itâs still Sunday. He finished half the work required for the week, the remaining half he spends an hour stressing over before recognizing the limits of his brain and calling a quits. Without schoolwork on the table, and without Finn to badger, he had the rest of the day to do whatever he wants.
He booted up the game.
The first thing that greets him once the world loads is the horn of a 16-wheeler.
HOOOONK! Gumball leaped off the ground into his arms, peppering him with his version of kisses: Smashing his little bike horn nose on his cheek and bombarding him with a flurry of honkhonkhonkhonkhonks.
âI missed you too.â Saint smiled, giving his starter an affectionate squeeze. The world was meant to freeze for their PokĂŠmon when they logged out, but Gumball always acts as if itâs some grand reunion whenever he sees his trainer, even if theyâve only been separated for a second.
Saint paused in his attempt to peel Gumball off him, seeing a message pop into the corner of his sight. âKumusta? Kumain ka na ba? Hindi ka natulog, no?â The barrage of questions was expected. He moved through the motions, reading the script:
âI slept. Iâll cook breakfast after this call. Iâm fine.â
âGelo...â
âMa, Iâm fine. Promise. How are you? How is everyone?â
Sheâs his mother. When she sighed into the phone, he knows she didnât buy it, but she recognized the eagerness in his voice; how badly he wants his own questions answered.
âMarami na ang nangyari, anak.â
His stomach dropped as he thought of what could have transpired for his mother to say a lot has happened. They followed the map marker. He had Gumballâs flipper in his hand, the popplio waddling on his backflippers like a toddler. It had worried Saint at first; surely that couldnât be comfortable, but he was made to eat his words after Gumball spent several whole sessions just walking around like this. Many unfortunate wildlife were T-posed into submission.
He squeezed the flipper in his hand, Gumball skidding over the sand as they stopped at the threshold of the barren desert. Gumball gave a curious honk?, looking up to see his trainer eyeing the dunes warily. Papers and textbooks spilled off the bed as he bolts to his feet.
âHEâS SICK?â
âGeloââ
âWhy didnât anyone tell me?! Not even a textâ Iâ how bad is it? Whatâs the diagnosis? Are you guysâ!â
âGELO!â
He froze in the middle of hastily pulling out his luggage bag from the closet like someone fleeing to Montana after catching their spouse cheating.
âDiyos ko, huminga ka muna.â Which was rich, because sheâs acting as if flying into panic mode isnât warranted despite it being her husband in the hospital.
But Angelo took a moment to breathe, as instructed. âOkay⌠okay.â
Once he composed himself, his mother began to explain. âAre you sure youâre alright with this?â Even here, he could feel his hairs stand. A crawling atmosphere reminiscent of what he experienced around Mistra, except it was so much quieter. He didnât feel watched. It didnât feel like there was a soul around. He bent down to pick up Gumball, only to receive a gentle smack on his cheek.
Gumball shook his head and wiggled in place. While he enjoyed being carried, he wasnât wet behind the ears when it comes to danger. He fought Duraludons! He rode wings of lightning and faced off a giant flaming turkey! If he was going to be battle-ready, he had to be on the field.
Saint frowned. âCome on, this isnât the time for this. Weâre in a desert.â
Gumball shook his head, pulling out a water balloon and smashing it on his own face. He waved his flippers as if to say Tadah! as he dripped on the sand.
It only made Saint scowl harder. âNo. We donât know whatâs out there. I have to carry you.â He reached for him again.
Gumball honked his nose defiantly, trying to slap away his trainerâs handsâbut the little popplio was easily bundled and plucked off the ground, still soundlessly whining and smacking his trainer with a squeaking toy hammer.
âJustâholdâstillâGumball!â Saint winced as he stepped into the desert, keeping a firm grip on his thrashing starter as they ventured under the darkened sky. âSo Mia and AJ are working?â
âOo.â
âAnd between the three of you, and the money Iâve been sending back, youâve been able to cover dadâs bills?â
âOo.â
Angelo collapsed back down on the floor, running his hand through the tangles in his hair. âWhat about the house? Electric, water, groceries⌠Louie is still in elementary, isnât he? The tuitionââ
âGelo, kaya namin ito. We will be okay.â
He rubbed his eyes under his glasses, fear still thrumming in his chest. The urge to doubt, even as his mother continues, her voice bright with hope.
âAnd! And anak, you know, Mia will study medicine soon!â
Wait, what? âShe will?â
âYes, she was accepted. With scholarship! So tuitionâokay.â He could hear the smile in her voice. âGelo, your sister will become a doctor too.â
Mia. His little sister, second eldestâthe Mia who was always at his heels in every game, who cleared the prizes at Timezone, who was quick to take charge after their dad got sick.
âThatâs great. Tell her congrats for me.â
âI will, anak. She will be very happy to hear that from her idol.â
Angelo willed himself not to die right thenâor perhaps to die faster, as his mother continued to speak.
âSo! So⌠will you come home? For ChristmasâŚâ
He had pulled his knees to his chest, sitting on the floor of his dorm with his phone pressed to his ear. He thought of packing his luggage, of boarding a plane, of driving through familiar streets decked with lights and festival streamers, of his home with its blinking streams of colorful lights, the old but beautiful parol his mother always hung by their door.
âI canât. Not yet.â
He thought of opening the door and telling his family the truth.
âIâm sorry.â They walked until the blinking map marker disappeared under the player marker. Gumball lost steam for his tantrum a while ago, and was now sulking about it by burrowing his face in the crook of Saintâs arm and refusing conversationâstill adorable, unfortunately.
Saint stood, turning his head this way and that, and finding no one else. No new messages, either.
He turned his gaze skyward, observing the sea of stars twinkling like Christmas lights. He had all manner of excuses ready, he had braced himself for a fightâ
âOkay, anak.â
But that was all his mother said, as if she had already made her gamble and found her numbers coming up short once more. The resignation in her voice shattered his heart.
âThat is okay. We will wait. Do your best, study hard.â
And he would never get used to this part.
âWe love you.â
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Saint
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Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 29, 2023 13:36:36 GMT 9
âFirst, let me apply some buffs. If this will be a short battle, I want you to hit as hard as you possibly can.â It would be preferable to have the subject attack regularly, but Saint doubts Kazuki could differentiate between ânormalâ and âbeat the fuck out of itâ. The man already seemed antsy to begin.
âThe hell is that thing doing to my chicken?â Kazuki watched as Gumball bonked Combusken with a toy hammer. It squeaked as it bounced harmlessly over her knee.
GUMBALL used BUFF on COMBUSKEN!
âBuffing. Speaking of, hold this.â Saint placed his snom, Pichi-pichi, in Kazukiâs palm.
PICHI-PICHI used BUFF on KAZUKI!
âWhat.â
âBuffing. Just letâdonât squeeze!â Saint sputtered, grabbing Pichi out of the bruteâs hand and holding her to his chest. âAre you crazy!? Sheâs not a stress ball!â
âCouldâve fooled me,â Kazuki snorted, looking down at his palm. A faint green glow wrapped over his skin before disappearing entirely, and when he clenched his fist, he was invigorated.
Saint scrunched his nose in distaste before looking down at his pokemon. âAre you okay?â
<I hope he crushes his balls!> Pichi sniffed, crawling into the safety of Saintâs coat pocket.
Saint opted not to respond, knowing it would be a bad influence on her, and also that agreeing would probably get him killed while Kazuki was in earshot. He pulled up his journal, swallowing his nerves as the giant Glaceon finally spotted them, the force of the blizzard buffeting him and his team.
GLACEON used POWDER SNOW on GUMBALL and PICHI-PICHI! fpb2ieIK2d30 GLACEON is charging AOE BLIZZARD (1/3)!
Doubled over, and through chattering teeth, he declared: âF-first trial!â
Kazuki and his team shot past the sidelines, launching directly into the oncoming hail and heading straight for the Glaceon.
GLACEON: 800/800 2d30
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Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 23, 2023 15:44:31 GMT 9
Saint blinked, uncertain of what to feel. It was refreshing to return to the Tower, and the experience was novel now that his team had grown at least a little bit stronger, especially after the raid.
âGumball, I think you got it.â
Honk! Slap!
Gumball, his beloved popplio, was relentlessly assaulting a patrat who heâd bamboozled into a game of âcopy meâ. The patrat, ego inflated by its win against the cats, had agreed, and was promptly decimated by Gumball who managed to move twice as fast with less limbs.
Saint didnât even know where he picked up breakdancing.
The patrat staggered back to its feet, sniffling a little, its cheek swollen like a big red bouncy ball as it chittered for a rematch. Saint looked away, already knowing how this would play out.
One incredible airflare move to a swift HONK! SLAP!
GUMBALL USED POUND!
GUMBALL USED POUND! NEXT PROMPT (7): [Tower]dMkf15A51-50 1-50
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Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 18, 2023 6:16:13 GMT 9
#s://b~l3n~co/i/mfJyyK~png TO: đđŽđľđľâ¨đ¸
well it was mostly me doing the discourse rich people like to complain about our avocado toast while drinking avocado smoothies and my roommate is always a bitch actually i might have failed to mention, but i went to UNOVRCon with him (he was covering expenses, donât) already got my karma for it anyways. the guy kicked me out of our room because i wouldnât let him harass my internet friend.
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Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 18, 2023 5:32:13 GMT 9
Something grabbed him. Saint winced, being lifted off the ground, his head being jostled like a box of trinkets. He slumped heavily against a sturdy pillar, feet slipping over the grass as he starts being dragged elsewhere.
âMmâfineâŚâ he mumbled, face tucked against his captorâs shoulder. Who was this? Lacrimosa? But the voice was different, and he doesnât recall him smelling this pleasant. He thought he heard the sound of footsteps behind him.
The golden leaves of Noonlight Shrine are a beacon in the gloom. The closer they approach Moltresâ rays, the more smoke seeps out from Saintâs clothesâthe faster they dissipate.
The twist of agony on his face unwound, leaving only exhaustion.
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Saint
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Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 18, 2023 5:31:44 GMT 9
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/1107895957519081622/1145884362253021254/200_casual~png You deserve peace.
The words were so simple, yet they sank into himârendered him to mush. It feels like he hasnât heard them in so long.
Have they ever been said to him at all?
His hand fell to clutch the hem of his shirt, and he found himself wishing he still wore the giant coat he did in the game. His hands felt like they needed to hold something soft.
He chuckled softly as Kasey finished. âThatâs... That would be nice. I think I need that right now.â
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Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 18, 2023 5:30:55 GMT 9
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/1107895957519081622/1145884362253021254/200_casual~png Angelo did his best to keep calm as he followed after Sarthor. An effort that goes to waste, as he breaks open at the mention of his education. âI⌠technically amâŚâ His voice grew quiet.
When Sarthor asks for his school, he canât maintain eye contact. He knew this question was coming; it always does when people find out heâs pursuing medicine. âCleveland State. I used toâI transferred there a few years ago.â
What good would it be to mention his old school? It would be the same pitying smile, the same âOh, thatâs just as good!â, and heâd accept it all to spare their feelings, like swallowing a box of nails.
Or maybe the doctor would be honest with him, and heâd taste a sword instead.
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Saint
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Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 18, 2023 5:30:11 GMT 9
Saintâs brows knit together. While his experience in UNOVR hadnât been purely smooth sailing thus far â strange glitches, shitty roommate â he still didnât believe the game would be capable of anything truly harmful.
And yet, when Silvermoon continuesâ it sounds as if their journey has been littered with nothing but danger. He didnât interject, but is unable to help how his expressions morph at the descriptions of Silvermoonâs near-death, the terrifying experiences theyâve had that extends even to their team.
Heâs silent for a long time as Kintsugi stares him down, Silvermoon pressed up against them. It should be touching to see.
It isnât.
âIt isnât all there is,â Saint agrees. âThis worldâ in any world, reallyââ though he would be lying if he wasnât hoping the virtual one had better chances ââitâs capable of showing us some truly wonderful things.â
He pets Gumball, the popplioâs mouth stained with melted marshmallow. Heâs pretending to joust with Phoenix using the sticks.
Saintâs eyes move back to Silvermoon, eyes soft with worry. âHas it not done that for you? It honestly sounds like youâve beenâ like you havenât been able to feel that good, being here.â
Everyone, without exceptionâ everyone in this game is here for escape in some form. But it doesnât seem as if Silvermoon has been able to escape any horrorâ rather, theyâve been thrown back into it, time and time again. His eyes drift back to their bandaged calf.
âIâm sorry, I know I have no right to talk. Weâve only just met, butâ Iâm worried. You shouldnât have to push yourself so hard. You should be having fun.â
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Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 18, 2023 5:29:11 GMT 9
âOf course,â Saint rolled his eyes. He should have known better. Unless the other room contained a lifetime supply of Budweiser and bitches, it was unlikely of Finn to have the answer.
But the man was still moving, shoving a desk and jigging the bedframe. âFinn, I donât think thatâs meant toââ
It moved.
Well, shit. Taking the little Mimikyu doll in his hands, Saint walked over to inspect. The bed had indeed movedâbut not far enough. It screeched across the floor for a few feet before locking down, too far to reach the window.
The floor under the bed was littered with VHS tapes.
Saintâs face scrunched up as SAW went back on the drawing board. He knelt, sifting through the tapes. Each one was labelled, though there didnât appear to be a pattern.
âShould we play this?â Saint said, staring at a tape labelled MICHAEL.
The little antenna TV did appear to have a VCR, but no clear sign of where it plugged into a power source.
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Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 18, 2023 5:28:15 GMT 9
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/1107895957519081622/1145884362253021254/200_casual~png âThatâs not âuncleâ!â
All at once, Moltres threw Finn down, a sound in the air like a bell calling for the end of a match as the mascot turned, jumpedâand sat on the hapless bastard.
Angelo stepped out to the Plaza, making way for the Arcade. There was a new selection of games available, and he really wanted to try his luck that day. But the place was huge, he was often wandering in circles or into strange nooks and crannies, but he should beâclose...
â⌠Um.â
Instead of the arcade, he found Moltres. The mascot was sitting on the ground. On a person.
âYo,â came a deep voice from inside Moltresâ beak.
âHi,â Angelo said. âYouâre sitting on someone.â He recognized the Air Jordans sticking out from under the giant bird butt. âYouâre sitting on my roommate.â
âIs that what he is?â Moltres said, eerily calm. âThought he was an egg.â
Angelo was taken aback by the Mickey Mouse voice. It was ten times more threatening than the adult manâs. âIs he⌠ready to hatch?â
A beat, as Moltres thought. âCanât really hatch something thatâs been cracked. But if you want scrambled eggs that badâŚâ The mascot got up, revealing a very scrambled-looking Finn indeed.
Angelo immediately stooped down, only to be caught by a wing on his shoulder.
âRemember, kid: snitches get ditches,â Moltres hissed in his ear.
âGot it,â Angelo said, voice pitched high. Moltres patted him on the shoulderâgood ladâand left the hidden nook. Angelo knelt down beside Finn, hands moving to cradle his battered face.
âFinn! Shit, Finn, come on, say something. Are you awake?â
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Saint
•
Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 18, 2023 5:25:16 GMT 9
#s://a~l3n~co/i/mtecjr~png Saint was in the middle of trying to activate autocorrectâa process he was failing tremendously despite it being the most rock bottom-basic player maneuver in existenceâand was taking out his frustration in an age-appropriate manner by slapping the player keyboard with the sippy cup when she arrived.
Like the thundering clap of steel horseshoes, the crushing might of a wildebeest stampede, or a donkey performing a handstandâBergamot Gristleborg makes herself known, and the dread in Saintâs heart reared from the stables.
âGoo!â You! he said, pointing the sippy cup. âHonse!â Horse girl! He could remember, still, the sound of her clicking heels, the boom of her princess laugh, and her threatening for him to hand over his PokĂŠmon or risk becoming a miner.
Which was toughâ because he already was! A minor, that is. He canât lift a pickaxe with baby hands, however.
She advanced on him in a billowing cloud of blue fabric, loudly pondering his current dilemma of being Polly Pocket-sized despite him vigorously shaking the milky drink in his handsâand then THWAP!
When he opened his eyes, he was sitting on the floor, with a net having swallowed him like a carnivorous blanket.
He would not cry. He may be a baby now, but he had the tear ducts of a man. âSâdop!â he squeaked in outrage, flailing in the net. âDis is! Chiâd aboos!â Where was the UNOVR equivalent of CPS?
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Saint
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Weekend Warrior
Round 2
Posts: 386
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Angelo Alvarez
OOC Username: Sleepy
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Saint on Nov 18, 2023 5:23:30 GMT 9
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/1107895957519081622/1145884362253021254/200_casual~png Listening to the small talk, Angelo adds âCanadianâ to the increasingly long list of attributes substituting his name. When Mr. Canadian-tattoo-artist-makes-manbuns-work-chainsmoker-voice tells him to check out a different set of designs, he does so, and his eyes brighten at the sight of clean lines, intricate patterns, and the juxtaposition between an organic canvas and inorganic shapes.
âPokĂŠmon?â Thatâs not too surprising, considering this event. A lot of the tattoos here were of the theme, but Angelo fidgets a little. âI guess my favorite would be⌠Primarina.â He already liked it from the games, but after playing UNOVR and getting his silly starter, heâd grown to love the Popplio line all the more.
He frowned, looking at the geometric designs on the wall. âBut that mightâ not be such a good idea.â His face grew sour. âIf I get a mermaid dog tattooed on me, my roommate will never let me hear the end of it.â
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