Y-yeah, that's true... [Blue quirks a nervous grin.] Everyone kept talking like it should be easy, so I guess if you tell them you're an Otherworlder they're supposed to let you lease just fine.
[Blue fidgets, plucking at a leaf that had dropped on his shoulder from the trees overhead. The sound of rushing streams is getting louder as they near the lake and the streams that feed from it.] Um, you thinking of living alone, then...?
[there's a pause. Killua's eyes are downcast, a moment. there's something he's been putting off confronting, but...]
I guess.
To be honest, I don't like living alone.
[it's embarrassing to admit, but he lived with Gon for years. then Alluka. despite being what he interprets as such a cold, broken person, he's so reliant on social bonds.]
[Blue's eyes widen a little, taken aback by Killua's change in demeanor. His mouth twists and he looks away, not wanting to make him even more self conscious, so for a moment.]
[Was he lonely? ...More than anything else, that makes Blue's heart ache. He hated being alone too, no matter how long he'd had to get 'used' to it, forced it even. Then again, maybe this was an opportunity, right?]
Well....... Everyone keeps bugging me to get someplace, too.... But I didn't like the idea, since my Pokémon need so much space to move around...
[He hesitates, and his face pinks a little, so he stays with his face turned away slightly.] But, I dunno. Maybe the places on the edge of town are cheaper to rent and a better spot, r-right? If you don't mind a spot like that, maybe you and I could...
[Killua watches Blue through the corner of his eye as he wanders through his sentiments...
then lifts his head, blinking his wide eyes. his heart thuds heavily, face reddening in turn, just a bit. it’s flustering enough so many people have been so forward about wanting to be his friend, but to offer to room with Killua? he knows it’s partially to Blue’s own benefit, but he can’t help but be a little touched.
it’s wild. people actually, really, truthfully like him.]
Yeah, [Killua answers after a beat.] That... that sounds good.
[Blue, flustered, didn't actually expect him to accept, and glances back over with his face still red. There's an awkward moment where they both just stare at each other wide-eyed and embarrassed before he breaks it and looks down, the grass suddenly much more interesting.]
....Ah, I still haven't figured out what kind of work I can do around here, though... [Quick, make the subject less awkward.] What were you thinking of?
[For a moment Blue frowns, and thinks about that. It was true Pokémon were used to help in all kinds of jobs back home, but usually a Pokémon adapted to their trainer's employment... Or someone caught a Pokémon because there was a kind of camaraderie in their skills, like a construction worker with a Rock type. Blue's team was all over the place; he had caught them for the wide range of uses they would have on his team and in the field, but 'in the field' he'd never had anything more than survivalist and camping in mind.]
[Not to mention, he didn't even know what his own interests were... Everything he'd ever done, he'd done because he was expected to...]
[Blue jolts out of his own thinking with a slightly horrified expression that he can't really hide.] H-hunting..!? You mean with that awful Beastmaster Guild!? [Blue stops, and clamps both hands on Killua's shoulders.] --Why!? They're the worst!
[Blue frowns, and he jerks his arms back again, suddenly very self aware of his grabbiness. He rubs his own arm instead, glancing away.]
That Guild or whatever.... They put tasks up— bounties, to hunt certain monsters... When I first arrived I didn’t realize they were to kill the monsters, I thought it was just catching and relocating or catching live specimens for study, something like that, you know?
But it’s— they want them dead... why would anyone kill a creature that’s just tryna’ live in its own territory!? It’s not right! So don’t.... don’t help those weirdos out, okay...?
[the corner of Killua's mouth twitches. in his opinion, all Pokémon trainers are wimps. Guzma couldn't even fight Killua using his own body, but talked about how tough he was, taking credit for the strength of his creatures. makes sense someone like Blue, then, would cry about the lives of animals... someone tender hearted, possibly unlike Guzma.
it's annoying, but a point of view he can't discount, even if he doesn't personally agree. murder is so trivial to him, but Killua of course realizes that isn't normal. and lots of kind, normal people here legitimately like him... Blue just offered to live with him!]
Sheesh, okay. [he'll ask Blue more about this on a day he's a little less...already super upset, but, maybe that guild has their reasons?] Only because I'm gonna be living with you...
Like I said, I'm talented enough for other jobs.
[Killua gently bats at one of the fluffy spikes of Blue's bangs, momentarily flopping it.]
In exchange, though, you better figure out what kinda work you can do. What're you good at?
[Normally, Blue gets a little annoyed when people touched his hair, but... Something about the little bat that Killua delivers...]
[It makes his stomach flip a little.]
Uh-- [Blue stammers for a second as he stares, but quickly he recovers and tries to think on that question. What he's good at... Other than Pokémon...] Well... I'm used to helping my gramps with his research, so... I guess I could help out someone in an office or a lab, like that. But usually you have to be an adult for that kinda thing- it was just cuz I was his family that I could help with that.
[Blue's mouth twists. What else? Well...] ...I'm okay at cooking...?
[Killua looks annoyed, popping his hands on his hips as they walk, fixing Blue a stern, nagging scowl.]
Stop giving yourself so little credit cuz you're a kid! We're exceptional kids from different worlds, you know! The kids here are probably all weak and stupid.
Administrative stuff is a real skill. You could probably help with local fauna or something. Maybe help rehab wild animals, or train them for whatever local people want 'em for.
I can beat up men three times my size, and I can't even cook.
[Blue feels his face heat up a little more, and he still isn't sure why. It felt... nice to be praised and believed in like this. For as much as he bragged and fluffed himself up, it wasn't like people didn't jab at his real lack of self confidence most of the time, rather than tell him the opposite.]
[He finally breaks into a little grin and a chuckle as Killua rags on the natives. He wasn't really sure what the kids were like around here- other than that they went to school past age 10, for some reason??- but it just cheered him up a little to hear Killua's confidence come out so boldly.]
[Confidence was really something that drew him in, even though he wasn't used to it in such a ...vocal way....]
Someone else said that I should try helping at the university, too. [Blue breathes in a deep sigh and glances up at the sky filtering through the treetops.] I ...I guess I might as well look into it. People train a lot of wyverns and stuff too, it's the closest to Pokémon training they have. But I wonder if they'd let a kid work for them...
--Are you really that strong? [Blue glances over to him, as an afterthought, a little apprehensively curious.]
....I guess you're right. [Blue glances away again, taking a little breath. Well, if Killua thought he could do it, then... maybe?]
[It makes him uneasy to hear Killua say that, and he can't lie about that- so instead he decides to ask about what doesn't scare him.] Um, like what? I know you said you know stuff about chemistry...
--That reminds me, they have books in the library about that stuff, I looked for you after we last talked! Let's go to the library together and I can show you.
[See! He can be.... useful. It's working out already.]
Toxicity, [Killua gently corrects, glancing away with a pert scowl. he knows only a little about chemistry...]
—Ah! Sure. I mean... I don't know a lot about the local poisons and stuff. I'm sure this world has all kinds of stuff I'm not used to. [other worlds was kind of a lost cause...]
Besides that, I know how to pick locks, track and tail people, I can create illusions with the way I move... I don't make sound when I walk... I'm also really strong. I could probably do something like help people move, [he laughs.]
Oh!
[he lifts a finger.]
And I can manipulate—[is it weird to say his aura??? people know what those are, right]—my aura...
[he holds his hand ahead of himself, finger and thumb with about an inch between them—and a little spark emanates there. it's brief, but flashy.]
I can't really do it much on my own, though; I do better with a charge.
[Blue shrugs. What's the difference? He sure as Shellder don't know!]
[That list of talents sure is... suspicious, though... Blue's mouth twists with a slightly awkward smile as it dawns on him that Killua definitely sound like a thief, or something like that, but... But he's so nice.........]
Eh?
[Blue stares at Killua as he explains his power, then down to his fingers, then back up again. He looks... amazed? Perplexed? It's hard to tell.]
Like.... 'Aura Sphere'? [He can use Pokémon's moves...?]
...Hm, I dunno. Basically, life essence that all creatures have. Humans can learn how to specifically manipulate that aura, which is called Nen. It's kind of through like—martial arts, I guess. When you do stuff like the little electricity spark I did, that's a form of Nen called "Hatsu"!
[Killua is sure that sounds insane. Hunters aren't allowed to explain Nen to ordinary people in his own world, so he understands from the jump how crazy that might sound...]
It sorta... sounds like what some Pokémon can do... [Blue concedes, to helpfully not make Killua sound totally crazy (although- humans that can do it?? Maybe it was related to Psychic's powers...?)]
[As they near the lakeshore, its waters spreading out on the horizon in front of them, Blue wonders how to explain that. None of his Pokémon could really use those sorts of powers, but...]
[Reaching back towards his belt thoughtfully, he turns to Killua again.]
Pick an element. [Blue grins, as his hand hovers behind him.] Like-- mmm... Wind, Water, Fire, Grass...
[since he has a less nuanced concept of elements, Killua doesn't go for his own. but because his player is a nerd ass who's into astrology, he goes with the following:]
Water.
[it could also be a simple, uninspired pick because of their environment. it's fun indulging this; Killua does genuinely like to learn, so...]
[Blue grins widely, unclipping a ball from his belt and throwing it forwards towards the lake. It sails against the backdrop of the sky, nearly dropping into the lake before it bursts open on its hinge, a spiral of glowing energy releasing from within and forming a huge, huge shape.]
[As the ball snaps back towards Blue's hand, the energy solidifies into a huge sea serpent, which awaken with a mighty, hissing roar, its body half-wound in the lakewater. Its mouth hangs open with sharp teeth, head lowering closer to their level to blink at its trainer and inspect the new human alongside him. His breath smells very fishy.] RRRRRRHHHH?
Afternoon, Gyarados! [Blue beams cheerfully up at his Pokémon.] This is my new pal Killua! We're gonna live with him from now on!
[Killua's eyes are. insanely wide. he already knew about Pokémon, so this would almost seem like a really weird flex were it not for the fact that............ holy shit this thing is like 340693 times bigger than Guzma's bug Pokémon. and dragons are a strong motif in his family; curling around the walls of the Zoldyck estate, and framing the fearsome name of his grandfather's own Hatsu.
also, if you're a 14 year old boy, no matter what: dragons are top tier fucking cool shit. Killua doesn't give a shit about most animals, to be honest, but—]
Whoa!!
[Killua's too hesitant to physically interact with such a beast; he's no Gon. animals tend to be pretty indifferent towards Killua at best.]
"Gyarados"...
So much cooler than that guy's bugs...
[has he already forgotten Guzma's name.......... maybe]
You got that frolickin' right! [Blue huffs, holding a hand out to rub the huge fins crowning Gyarados' face without a shred of fear. Gyarados rumbles happily at the contact, although... maybe it's a little hard to tell when he's happy or not, with how ferocious he looks...]
He's actually really good with people. I raised him from just a tiny fish! [Blue holds his hands out- a space no bigger than three feet between them.] It's okay if you wanna pet him! Right, Gyara? [The dragon rumbles again, then brings his face a little closer to them- both to inspect Killua more closely and let him give pats. A good big fish boy!]
[Killua's hesitance is quite palpable as Gyarados comes closer. his heart thuds heavily. he's a little scared, but he isn't terrified—still, it's an interesting juxtaposition for a boy who just bragged about assassin related feats, taking down strong, grown men. because again, animals just aren't something he's comfortable with. this something he isn't confident or familiar with. the Zoldyck estate had beastly dogs to guard it, and Killua got along with them okay... but they'd been socialized with them since they were puppies as big as Killua.
but... Blue seems like a good person. way better than Killua.
so it's probably fine. but still, there's some hesitation as he reaches a hand out, firmly pressing his palm against Gyarados's snout. he doesn't feel any malice from the creature, and Killua's heart still races. specifically because it's a dragon, probably, there's a lot of weird emotions that well with this interaction... which might explain why Killua appears to be...faintly glowing?
[Blue notices how nervous Killua seems to be, but he just chalks it up to the fact that he's facing a giant, ferocious dragon. Even back home, Gyarados was a Pokémon that plenty of people feared (and for somewhat good reason), but Blue knows the temperament of his Gyarados, and he knows that this will be fine.]
[Encouragingly, he reaches out to pet him too, the dragon happily rumbling again with both boys patting him, his wide-finned tail waving in the air behind him.]
Heh heh, you like that huh, boy? [He turns to Killua again.] Pokémon can understand humans, by the way, so you can talk to him if you want.
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[Blue fidgets, plucking at a leaf that had dropped on his shoulder from the trees overhead. The sound of rushing streams is getting louder as they near the lake and the streams that feed from it.] Um, you thinking of living alone, then...?
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I guess.
To be honest, I don't like living alone.
[it's embarrassing to admit, but he lived with Gon for years. then Alluka. despite being what he interprets as such a cold, broken person, he's so reliant on social bonds.]
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[Was he lonely? ...More than anything else, that makes Blue's heart ache. He hated being alone too, no matter how long he'd had to get 'used' to it, forced it even. Then again, maybe this was an opportunity, right?]
Well....... Everyone keeps bugging me to get someplace, too.... But I didn't like the idea, since my Pokémon need so much space to move around...
[He hesitates, and his face pinks a little, so he stays with his face turned away slightly.] But, I dunno. Maybe the places on the edge of town are cheaper to rent and a better spot, r-right? If you don't mind a spot like that, maybe you and I could...
[He trails off, peeking back towards Killua.]
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then lifts his head, blinking his wide eyes. his heart thuds heavily, face reddening in turn, just a bit. it’s flustering enough so many people have been so forward about wanting to be his friend, but to offer to room with Killua? he knows it’s partially to Blue’s own benefit, but he can’t help but be a little touched.
it’s wild. people actually, really, truthfully like him.]
Yeah, [Killua answers after a beat.] That... that sounds good.
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[Blue, flustered, didn't actually expect him to accept, and glances back over with his face still red. There's an awkward moment where they both just stare at each other wide-eyed and embarrassed before he breaks it and looks down, the grass suddenly much more interesting.]
....Ah, I still haven't figured out what kind of work I can do around here, though... [Quick, make the subject less awkward.] What were you thinking of?
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Really? With your monsters, I think you could do lots of stuff...
I dunno, I have a pretty versatile skill set. I could do most stuff... I just gotta stop being so picky. The easiest would be hunting.
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[Not to mention, he didn't even know what his own interests were... Everything he'd ever done, he'd done because he was expected to...]
[Blue jolts out of his own thinking with a slightly horrified expression that he can't really hide.] H-hunting..!? You mean with that awful Beastmaster Guild!? [Blue stops, and clamps both hands on Killua's shoulders.] --Why!? They're the worst!
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[Killua turns with a confused expression, then jumps, startled when Blue grasps his shoulders.]
B-Blue? What? What's the problem!?
[it's really easy money..............]
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That Guild or whatever.... They put tasks up— bounties, to hunt certain monsters... When I first arrived I didn’t realize they were to kill the monsters, I thought it was just catching and relocating or catching live specimens for study, something like that, you know?
But it’s— they want them dead... why would anyone kill a creature that’s just tryna’ live in its own territory!? It’s not right! So don’t.... don’t help those weirdos out, okay...?
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[the corner of Killua's mouth twitches. in his opinion, all Pokémon trainers are wimps. Guzma couldn't even fight Killua using his own body, but talked about how tough he was, taking credit for the strength of his creatures. makes sense someone like Blue, then, would cry about the lives of animals... someone tender hearted, possibly unlike Guzma.
it's annoying, but a point of view he can't discount, even if he doesn't personally agree. murder is so trivial to him, but Killua of course realizes that isn't normal. and lots of kind, normal people here legitimately like him... Blue just offered to live with him!]
Sheesh, okay. [he'll ask Blue more about this on a day he's a little less...already super upset, but, maybe that guild has their reasons?] Only because I'm gonna be living with you...
Like I said, I'm talented enough for other jobs.
[Killua gently bats at one of the fluffy spikes of Blue's bangs, momentarily flopping it.]
In exchange, though, you better figure out what kinda work you can do. What're you good at?
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[It makes his stomach flip a little.]
Uh-- [Blue stammers for a second as he stares, but quickly he recovers and tries to think on that question. What he's good at... Other than Pokémon...] Well... I'm used to helping my gramps with his research, so... I guess I could help out someone in an office or a lab, like that. But usually you have to be an adult for that kinda thing- it was just cuz I was his family that I could help with that.
[Blue's mouth twists. What else? Well...] ...I'm okay at cooking...?
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[Killua looks annoyed, popping his hands on his hips as they walk, fixing Blue a stern, nagging scowl.]
Stop giving yourself so little credit cuz you're a kid! We're exceptional kids from different worlds, you know! The kids here are probably all weak and stupid.
Administrative stuff is a real skill. You could probably help with local fauna or something. Maybe help rehab wild animals, or train them for whatever local people want 'em for.
I can beat up men three times my size, and I can't even cook.
You should have more confidence.
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[He finally breaks into a little grin and a chuckle as Killua rags on the natives. He wasn't really sure what the kids were like around here- other than that they went to school past age 10, for some reason??- but it just cheered him up a little to hear Killua's confidence come out so boldly.]
[Confidence was really something that drew him in, even though he wasn't used to it in such a ...vocal way....]
Someone else said that I should try helping at the university, too. [Blue breathes in a deep sigh and glances up at the sky filtering through the treetops.] I ...I guess I might as well look into it. People train a lot of wyverns and stuff too, it's the closest to Pokémon training they have. But I wonder if they'd let a kid work for them...
--Are you really that strong? [Blue glances over to him, as an afterthought, a little apprehensively curious.]
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[to Blue's question, Killua glances at him cautiously.]
—Yeah, I am. There's a reason why I said hunting would be easy work for me. But I know lots of other useful things.
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[It makes him uneasy to hear Killua say that, and he can't lie about that- so instead he decides to ask about what doesn't scare him.] Um, like what? I know you said you know stuff about chemistry...
--That reminds me, they have books in the library about that stuff, I looked for you after we last talked! Let's go to the library together and I can show you.
[See! He can be.... useful. It's working out already.]
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—Ah! Sure. I mean... I don't know a lot about the local poisons and stuff. I'm sure this world has all kinds of stuff I'm not used to. [other worlds was kind of a lost cause...]
Besides that, I know how to pick locks, track and tail people, I can create illusions with the way I move... I don't make sound when I walk... I'm also really strong. I could probably do something like help people move, [he laughs.]
Oh!
[he lifts a finger.]
And I can manipulate—[is it weird to say his aura??? people know what those are, right]—my aura...
[he holds his hand ahead of himself, finger and thumb with about an inch between them—and a little spark emanates there. it's brief, but flashy.]
I can't really do it much on my own, though; I do better with a charge.
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[That list of talents sure is... suspicious, though... Blue's mouth twists with a slightly awkward smile as it dawns on him that Killua definitely sound like a thief, or something like that, but... But he's so nice.........]
Eh?
[Blue stares at Killua as he explains his power, then down to his fingers, then back up again. He looks... amazed? Perplexed? It's hard to tell.]
Like.... 'Aura Sphere'? [He can use Pokémon's moves...?]
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[Killua is sure that sounds insane. Hunters aren't allowed to explain Nen to ordinary people in his own world, so he understands from the jump how crazy that might sound...]
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[As they near the lakeshore, its waters spreading out on the horizon in front of them, Blue wonders how to explain that. None of his Pokémon could really use those sorts of powers, but...]
[Reaching back towards his belt thoughtfully, he turns to Killua again.]
Pick an element. [Blue grins, as his hand hovers behind him.] Like-- mmm... Wind, Water, Fire, Grass...
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[since he has a less nuanced concept of elements, Killua doesn't go for his own. but because his player is a nerd ass who's into astrology, he goes with the following:]
Water.
[it could also be a simple, uninspired pick because of their environment. it's fun indulging this; Killua does genuinely like to learn, so...]
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[Blue grins widely, unclipping a ball from his belt and throwing it forwards towards the lake. It sails against the backdrop of the sky, nearly dropping into the lake before it bursts open on its hinge, a spiral of glowing energy releasing from within and forming a huge, huge shape.]
[As the ball snaps back towards Blue's hand, the energy solidifies into a huge sea serpent, which awaken with a mighty, hissing roar, its body half-wound in the lakewater. Its mouth hangs open with sharp teeth, head lowering closer to their level to blink at its trainer and inspect the new human alongside him. His breath smells very fishy.] RRRRRRHHHH?
Afternoon, Gyarados! [Blue beams cheerfully up at his Pokémon.] This is my new pal Killua! We're gonna live with him from now on!
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also, if you're a 14 year old boy, no matter what: dragons are top tier fucking cool shit. Killua doesn't give a shit about most animals, to be honest, but—]
Whoa!!
[Killua's too hesitant to physically interact with such a beast; he's no Gon. animals tend to be pretty indifferent towards Killua at best.]
"Gyarados"...
So much cooler than that guy's bugs...
[has he already forgotten Guzma's name.......... maybe]
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He's actually really good with people. I raised him from just a tiny fish! [Blue holds his hands out- a space no bigger than three feet between them.] It's okay if you wanna pet him! Right, Gyara? [The dragon rumbles again, then brings his face a little closer to them- both to inspect Killua more closely and let him give pats. A good big fish boy!]
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but... Blue seems like a good person. way better than Killua.
so it's probably fine. but still, there's some hesitation as he reaches a hand out, firmly pressing his palm against Gyarados's snout. he doesn't feel any malice from the creature, and Killua's heart still races. specifically because it's a dragon, probably, there's a lot of weird emotions that well with this interaction... which might explain why Killua appears to be...faintly glowing?
he blinks, and swallows hard.]
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[Encouragingly, he reaches out to pet him too, the dragon happily rumbling again with both boys patting him, his wide-finned tail waving in the air behind him.]
Heh heh, you like that huh, boy? [He turns to Killua again.] Pokémon can understand humans, by the way, so you can talk to him if you want.
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