006 [introspection/text]

[firstnothing]

Xemnas sat beneath a tree outside Violet City, frowning at the three pokemon before him. Only one was officially part of his team, the bright-eyed and alert riolu a welcome addition and so far living up to expectation. The other two, a deino and a quilava, had been found in his box after he'd received an alert that spaces had actually been taken up there. They watched him expectantly. Well, the quilava did, the deino seemed mostly content to sniff in his direction and make occasional bites at its surroundings. It had taken some work to find out where they'd come from, leaving Xemnas with mixed .... feelings. He's certain they are feelings.

Vanitas had been a rough boy but potentially useful. Xehanort had seen him as a failure and useless, but Xemnas had seen much useful potential there. He hadn't had the time to put it to use. He knew the sensation of regret, and it lingered uncomfortably as he studied the boy's left-behind creatures.

"Your master is gone," he says eventually. The riolu's brief puzzlement is ended by a slight beckon; he didn't mean the little fighter's. But the other two seemed to understand, and didn't look happy. "He has through accident or design, chosen to leave you in my care. I had ... great expectations for him and what he would be capable of if given a push in the right direction. I expect the both of you to meet those same standards. I will do the best I can for you. You must do the same. If you cannot, now is the time to leave. The forests here are full of things I'm sure you'll find edible, until another master finds you."

As if homing in on the sound of his voice, the deino creeps closer before settling gingerly at his side, turning to rest its hairy head on his knee with a gusty, unhappy sigh. A few moments later the burning weasel followed, tucking against the other side as if using the once-Nobody as shelter from the faint crisp early autumn breeze and light drizzle.

Xemnas ... didn't have time for two more. That put his team to eight, two too many. More than he'd planned. He could use a dragon and fire type.. but there were no places open. He'd need to think.

---

[Text]

I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone leaving this world left behind one or two of their creatures with me. I have been intending to find a fire-type for some time now, it seems I will not have to. Likewise the small blind and very bite-happy dragon it came with.

For those who knew the boy, Vanitas is no longer present. Perhaps he will return one day.

It seems that soon there will be a .. 'haunted house' opening. I suggest everyone visit. After all, it isn't every day of the year that one may run around in costume and terrify people without being arrested for disturbing the peace. It should be exciting. Do you suppose they can truly induce fear in anyone who visits?

Comments

[mayushiii]

Will you be coming to the haunted house too mister ( ・ω・)? I might dress up this year too, if I can afford a costume.

[firstnothing]

If it can guarantee that it will cause fear then absolutely I intend to be there. It is an opportunity that shall not be missed.

text;

[capax_infiniti]

Should I say I'm surprised?

As for horror, it depends on the curator, of course. If it truly is the Pumpkin King, then it will be quite the spectacle indeed.

[letters and such]

[firstnothing]

No, I imagine not.

I have much anticipation riding on the idea that it may in fact actually be him. If not, I may be in for a disappointing evening. Bitter disappointment would be something new as well but I would prefer to save it for something more than a haunted house.

Will you attend?

text;

[eagletalons]

[Very pointedly ignoring that Halloween talk. It's a good thing he's using text, so his aversion wont be obvious.]

Then you have Vanitas' Pokémon? I don't know how many in total he has, but I do know he has a number of them. Has anyone come forward with the rest?

[He's mostly wondering where that Absol he'd sold Vanitas went, honestly.]

[text]

[firstnothing]

Just two of them. A deino and a quilava, both fairly young. They'll be well cared for but it does throw my numbers off quite a bit. If anyone has any of his other pokemon, I would not know.

If you wish to find out perhaps you could post a question to the general populace.

[text]

[eagletalons]

Perhaps I will. [Meaning not.]

I'm unfamiliar with Deino, but I have Typhlosion, the evolution of Quilava. If you need assistance with it, feel free to approach me.

Re: [text]

[firstnothing]

It is the earliest evolution of hydregion, I believe. Completely blind until its final evolution and fond of exploring its surroundings with its teeth. I expect figuring out how to raise it properly will be diverting. As for the quilava, I appreciate the offer. It's always good to know someone familiar with the breed; I may take you up on it.

[Probably not.]

[text]

[eagletalons]

Dark types tend to be tricky to have, and dragons moreso, depending on the species. A half-dark half-dragon Pokémon would be a challenge even for an experienced trainer to raise, I think.

[And he really doesn't envy the man there.]

[mayushiii]

I'm looking forward to it! Are you wearing a costume too?

[firstnothing]

If I find one I like, then yes. It does seem to be a requirement. Thankfully there's some time to locate something. Have you found one?

[It's so strange. Ordinary discussion about ordinary things. Xemnas finds it amazingly weird.]

[text]

[firstnothing]

I am sure I will figure it out in time.

If not, I will offer it to someone who can care for it better. I have little concern.

[mayushiii]

I think there's a couple of costume stores in Goldenrod. It'll be just what you need! If I had a sewing machine and materials, I'd make you one （＾ｖ＾）

[firstnothing]

Only in Goldenrod? Disappointing. So much seems focused on this one city. I will take a look regardless, my own sewing skills are unremarkable. Would you make your own, with resources available?

[mayushiii]

Yup, but I'm gonna need the funds to make everything, what you want, and your sizes.

[firstnothing]

You misunderstand. I wasn't asking if you'd make one for me.

I asked if you intended to make your own. For you.

[mayushiii]

Sorry mister.

Hehehe, maybe? I haven't decided what to wear for this kinda thing. We usually don't dress up in costumes where I live.

[firstnothing]

You could dress up as one of your pokemon, perhaps.

Re: [letters and such]

[capax_infiniti]

It has been quite a few years since I have taken the particular hospitality of the Pumpkin King. It would be be amiss to not reaffirm his dominion over terror, I feel. Even limited by the rules that govern this world, I am certain he will put on quite a show.

[text]

[firstnothing]

I wonder if perhaps he might recall you, even through the passage of time.

I greatly anticipate the emotions to come, if his mastery is all I have heard and seen! If his power has dimmed perhaps the use of local creatures would assist.

[mayushiii]

That would be fun!! But which one?

[firstnothing]

[Unseen, Xemnas stares at his pokegear silently for a long several minutes before carefully responding.]

That depends on which you have, or which you like? Do you have a favored type of pokemon?

[mayushiii]

Nope, just cute looking ones!! But I've noticed a bunch of them are normal types like Eevee and Togekiss (♡∀♡)

Re: [text]

[capax_infiniti]

Perhaps, though I was in the guise of one of his world the last I met him, and that was a very long time ago. I do not have the trappings of that creature here... and it is difficult to say if this version is from a time where he would have encountered me.

I am certain it will provide you with ample experiences, regardless. He will make do with all of the resources available... there is little doubt in my mind that there are nightmare pokemon that would serve his purposes.

[Text] I'm a mite late to this party mm? Also, forgive me. Sparkles within.

[itsjustdust]

[Someone forgot to turn their text settings back to their normal default. Whoops.]

I think with haunted houses it's not about being afraid so much as getting a thrill. If they were really meant to frighten people like that they wouldn't be anywhere near so popular I bet.

[text] better late than never!!

[firstnothing]

The level of glitter in your text makes it difficult to read. Would you like to try again, with less sparkle?

[text] Please forgive my Obito, he's made of sparkletext.

[itsjustdust]

[What was he? Oh crap he was on the brighter one. Wait. He was good with the color? WIN. Okay, he just had to turn off the sparkles then...]

Sorry! I had it on from a couple months ago and didn't even think to check.

About the Haunted house thing though, I was just saying if it really scared people they probably wouldn't go. They only do because they expect it to be safe. Harmless.

[text] it's not ooc annoyance~ fear not.

[firstnothing]

[Xemnas regards all this orange evenly. At least it's legible and not sparkling...

Sometimes communicating with others is just taking what you can get.]

I would disagree. If it didn't really scare them they wouldn't go. If it wasn't frightening, then there wouldn't be the adrenaline rush that they seek. The delicate balance between terror and safety; one might not throw themselves into the mouth of a dragon, but one might still be frightened of an illusory one in a funhouse. Instinct.

[text] excellent~

[itsjustdust]

That really depends on the person though. Like, me? Someone would have to work to scare me, and if they managed to startle me they would probably get punched or something because of my training. I guess I can see it being a bigger deal to want to be scared for people who live in peaceful times.

[He nodded to himself, happy he didn't have to fuss at the text anymore.]

[text]

[firstnothing]

If the person running it is indeed Jack Skellington, then he should be able to conjure fear in even a war-hardened veteran. If that's not your sort of idea of entertainment then it should be easy for you to simply not go.

It would be bad form to punch the Pumpkin King.

[text]

[itsjustdust]

I'm forever curious... but I might not go, you're right.

Pumpkin King? Not a title I've seen used before.

[firstnothing]

[There's another one of those weird font things. Xemnas frowns at it.]

Is that odd bit of font supposed to be a representation of an eevee or togekiss? If you like them perhaps they would be a good costume?

Re: [text]

[firstnothing]

There is that. The passage of time and disguises do hide much. I have never encountered him personally but those I sent to that world inevitably returned with very detailed reports. A fascinating place.

Yes. Do you suppose bringing Malice along may influence things towards a less interesting experience? The flyer I spotted suggests bringing one's pokemon is good, but a psychic or ghost type of my own may interfere.

Re: [text]

[capax_infiniti]

It was quite amusing, and good to keep the blood flowing. A shame you never managed it, but then again you had your hands full... I know in my twilight years I had little time for such pleasantries.

So long as your pokemon do not interfere I do not imagine that they would impact the experience. A properly trained pokemon would not simply attack senselessly if its master cried out in fear.

[text]

[firstnothing]

Perhaps when I return to my proper place, there will be a moment or two I could spare to visit personally. It seems it might be worth making a little time for.

I have less concern of them attacking the Pumpkin King or his servants than some accidental or otherwise negating of external influences. An illusion is ineffective if one can see through it, and so on.

Re: [text]

[capax_infiniti]

If time presents itself, it is well recommended.

Such as a pyschic pokemon using its ability. Again, something that could easily be mitigated by ensuring the pokemon brought are well-mannered and properly trained. I've little doubt if you explained the situation that they would act appropriately.

[text]

[firstnothing]

I certainly hope so. It is one of the only things I can actively recall looking forward to. To see a master of terror at his work alone will be gratifying, I imagine.

I will see if perhaps you are there, when I arrive myself.