IC CONTACT

[blueser]

"Hello... Whatever... Don't worry about me. I'm doing peachy over here! I was just looking for something to do! Wanna battle me again?"

[telepathy | Pidgeot-mail]

Comments

[blueser]

[And here Blue was already thinking--] Nice try, nerd [--But okay, he'll accept the change of subject. Smugly.]

Kinda short notice for a demand like that, isn't it...? Why can't you just tell me now?

[blitzcheer]

[ The mild static feeling in the background begins to build, making itself more apparent: a restlessness close to irritation or impatience. Not really directed at Blue, but it might be hard to tell that when Tidus's answer is hurried. ]

Because — I don't like talking like this, and it'll be easier in person. [ He doesn't sigh, but there's a feeling like an impatient sigh. ] Look, how far are you from where the Welcome Centre is? I can come to you.

[blueser]

I don't think the crystals are that bad....

[Blue sulks a little, but relents. That little buzz of annoyance is sort of annoying him, too!]

Ask them to direct you to the library. You can't miss it.

...I'm in the sciences section, but I'm supposed to be working, so don't make a big show of it.

[blitzcheer]

[ The buzzing relents a little for a feeling of relief of a hopeful sort. ]

Alright, sure—

[ But then both dull in place of: ]

Wait, working? School work?

Are you with a teacher?

[ ??? blue are you in class currently ]

[blueser]

Huh!? Why would I be doing that?

[Implying WHOLE ASS ADULT 14 YEAR OLD Blue Oak needs to go to school! Scoff!!]

I work here. Part time! It's convenient, since It gives me plenty of time to get to books I'm looking into on my own.

I told you I was interested in researching monsters here, right?

Anyway, come meet me at the returns desk. Whatever this is better be good!

[blitzcheer]

[ ?????????? WHY WOULD MONSTER BOY BE IN A LIBRARY AND NOT BE ... AT A MONSTER FARM OR SOMETHING. Whatever, Tidus isn't going to think about that too much now. ]

Oh, sure! It will — see ya in a sec!

[ And with that the connection will fall, Tidus grabbing directions from the Welcome staff (also a mini-map!) before heading for the library. He doesn't get lost luckily, but the walk and climb up the steps into the district still takes around five or ten minutes. But once he's in through the double doors, Tidus searches immediately for the most obvious part of Blue to look for.

His spiky head of hair. It sure helps Tidus know where the returns desk is in the first place, and it's big enough presence for Tidus to spot him easy (that is, the hair). So he strolls on over, remembering what Blue said about him meant to be working, that when he reaches him, he gives him a light and friendly slap on the back on a shoulder. ]

Hey there, staff! I need a book in the [ uhhh ] science section. Help me out!

[ VERY UN-SUBTLY NODDING HIS HEAD TOWARDS ALL THE BOOKS, HINT HINT, PRIVACY. Also don't worry, he used his ... kinda indoors voice there!

(he still got looks) ]

[blueser]

[Because he is a NERDDD!!! Not that a jock like you would get it, Tidus!]

[Blue sighs to himself once the connection is dropped, and tidies up the pile of books he was working through processing; somehow, he has a feeling he isn't going to have a chance once this guy shows up...]

[Spiky he may be, bobbing orange-headed at the returns desk, and serves Tidus with a withering look when he oh-so-casually tries to cajole him into the back of the stacks for some.... science.]

[Sheesh....] If you're gonna be so obvious about it, you might as well not bother trying to act. [He snickers to himself, brushing Tidus' hand away from his shoulder.] I bet you suck at lying.

[But he gets up from the desk with a stack of books in his arms to return, and waves Tidus along to follow him.]

What'd you wanna bug me about, anyway?

[blitzcheer]

[ Accusing him of being bad at lying? Please! ]

You didn't even try. [ Which is even worse! How is it going to work if Blue doesn't join in? But Tidus will follow him all the same, in all his casual ol' Jock Stride. Not really paying any interest to any of these so-called Books. ]

I found a job to help some kind of special animal that's gotten itself stuck around a village. Apparently it's crafty and hard to catch, but it's also rare. They call it a strivina. Sound familiar?

[ Tidus has some deets, but might as well see if Blue doesn't already know about it himself. bug me if you want a fake bio or make one up, idc ]

[blueser]

It wasn't worth it! [He waves a dismissive and, pushing a book-heavy cart through the area as he decides to get some put-back work done while entertaining Tidus' request.]

[Maybe blondie here should consider picking one of these up... Blue rolls his eyes to himself, but pauses to listen when 'special animal' comes outta his face.]

'Strivina'? [Blue raises a hand to his chin in thought, then waves for Tidus to follow him as he strolls into the zoology books.] I saw some books about them, I think..... They're skittish, not really threatening, but got what people around here consider 'strange powers'. I wonder what Type they are....

Ah, here.

[He pulls a book out and flips it open between himself and Tidus.]

[blitzcheer]

[ When they find the page...

Strivina
A quadruped mammal, herbivore. They live in the deepest parts of Empatheias's forests, protected by their nimble physique and ability to conjure copies of themselves that appear to have a will of their own. Their pelt is highly prized by the higher class and hunters for clothing, while their antlers go for an even higher price on the black market due to the flowers that will always bloom from them if properly cared for.

There's a drawing beside the text, and Tidus taps a forefinger against it while digging into a pocket. ]

Yeah, this is the thing. This sounds like the job. [ Which he has a copy of the details for, bringing the crumbled paper up, if Blue wants to check it out. ]

They think it might be young and got separated from its parents, so it doesn't know what to do or how to get back. [ Maybe that the parents got killed, but there's no reason to throw that out. ] It could also be injured. But there's already other jobs asking for a higher price than these guys for it, and reading this? It doesn't sound like the thing's safe.

[blueser]

[Blue frowns to himself in increasing consternation as he reads the article, particularly the part about poaching for their horns. The creature sounded very similar to a Stantler, or better yet a Sawsbuck. And as Tidus pulls the crumpled paper from his pocket, he turns the baleful look on the other boy.]

'Job' you said.... But, what kind of job is it, huh? Are you sure the one you got there is any more noble than what the hunters or whatever are offering?

Not that I'd honor it, anyway. [He huffs, leaning against the bookshelves.] I don't care about the reward, in that case, but what about you? If you're asking my help, you know I might sabotage it if they want to harm it, and you won't get paid in that case- you're okay with that?

[blitzcheer]

[ He should be a little offended, but... ]

If you knew what you were doing? Sure. [ He tilts his head in a shrug. ] The money isn't more important to me. But it read like these guys have an idea of what to do with it once they get it. Read it. [ A nod to the sheet. Come on, Blue, open his crumbled paper!! ]

It sounds like a kind of wildlife help group. They even have an address for people to go over and see them if they're planning on helping. You know, to coordinate.

[ Tidus gives a small shrug with his shoulders this time, but looks at Blue encouragingly. ]

Can't hurt to check them out, right?

[blueser]

Wildlife help...?

[Blue's attention catches, his posture noticeably pausing with its attention held on Tidus for a moment before adjusting his lean to turn towards him more. After his initial surprise, his look turns thoughtful, then slightly skeptical.]

I've never heard of a group like that, around here...

[He takes the paper, uncrumpling and smoothing it out to read it on his own. At the very least, his attention seems much more genuine, now.] Are they like Pokémon Rangers...? I mean, are they licensed? Like the Enforcers?

...I guess it wouldn't hurt to investigate this, but even if I decide not to help them, I can still help the Strivina out. Or try, anyway.

[blitzcheer]

[ It's something, isn't it? Tidus is surprised the guy doesn't know about something like that, but with how defensive he got about the legitimacy of the job, maybe he shouldn't be. Blue's a wary guy when it comes to creatures. Maybe it became easier to stick to a library than to look and see the kind of things you don't want to see.

Nonetheless, Tidus nods his head. ]

Let's see how it turns out. [ An echo of what he already said, but giving encouragement. Though Tidus does pause, looking around them. ]

...You're not gonna need an excuse to get out of work, are you? [ He gestures out to the library. ]

Just tell them there's an emergency!

[ Here's Tidus to help with very original excuses. It's kinda true! ]

[blueser]

[One near-death bee slaughter experience was enough ;_;]

[In any case he sure is a lot less cold-shoulder than he was when Tidus arrived, and he's still scanning the paper and the book he had opened up, trying to absorb some more information about the Strivina that might be helpful in safely capturing it.]

It uses illusions and stuff... A Dark or Ghost-type Pokémon might be the best way to handle it, but I don't have any with me. Hopefully a Psychic-type will be enough.

[With an air of confidence, and a decisive snap shut of the book, he puffs up his chest and tidies away the books he was handling.] I'm sure I can come up with something less lame than your excuses. [He grins, digging a Pokéball up from his belt and motioning for Tidus to follow him towards the big front desk and the exit.]

[Indeed, with a serious tone, he leans across the desk and explains to an authoritative-looking woman that one of his fellow Otherworlders had an emergency with their creatures, and it was imperative that Blue assisted. Blue must not play hooky often- goody-twoshoes- because it's accepted without question.]

[It was kinda true!!] I wasn't totally lying. [He comments as they exit the library, tossing his Pokéball forward to release... a giant eagle.] Pidgeot, we're going.

[blitzcheer]

[ Geez, he's either going to install a permanent eye-roller with this kid, or something else. A good or bad something else to be determined. But it's funny to listen to him put on his Grown Up voice for what's essentially a simple excuse, so hey. Tidus waits around until they're going out the door, his tone lackadaisical when he responds to Blue: ]

Uh huh. Sounds totally different from what I suggested. [ But oh, can't keep up that sass when a giant....bird comes onto the scene? What the-- ]

What-- wait, we're flying that? [ ...WAIT A MINUTE. ] Why didn't we use them to get around the desert?!

[ WHY DID YOU MAKE HIM (them) WALK AROUND, BLUE!! ]

[blueser]

More detail is better, loser. Just making something up on the spot is for amateurs- I already had a strategy in mind by the time I got to the counter!

[Blue turns to him with a big, cheeky grin, hands on his hips.] Try thinking ahead once in a while, you'll probably get in less trouble that way.

[He watches the expected sputtering and eye-boggling at Pidgeot's appearance with his own private amusement, but Pidgeot himself seems utterly unimpressed, leveling a sharp stare in Tidus' direction as he complains. Blue's mouth twists in a thoughtful frown, and he looks from Tidus, to Pidgeot, and back.]

Oh. I didn't want him to get sand in his eyes. [Blue drawls casually, evidently pleased with Tidus' unexpected annoyance.] If it's a problem, you can probably find a Chocobo to adopt...?

[Teasing this guy is way too fun.]

[blitzcheer]

[ He hadn't even been that incensed about the pidgeot thing (it just seemed ridiculous--they were trying to save those salamizards!), but the constant insulting and attitude kills the slide Tidus was allowing these comments to go down.

Pidgeot can glare at him as much as the bird likes. Tidus levels his own glare on Blue, frowning--and he reaches for the paper with the job, snatching it back. ]

Are you seriously this much of an asshole to anyone who tries to work with you about the things you care about? [ He throws a dismissive hand out, voice sharp, and stuffs the job away into his pocket. ] Do whatever you want. I'll make my own way there.

[ With that, he's going to start heading for the stairs leading down from this district. ]

[blueser]

What the Furret...?

[Blue mutters, genuinely taken off-guard by Tidus' outburst so that he forgets to drop his hand for a moment. Once he shakes it off however, his eyes narrow defiantly, and face darkening into a frown. What was this guy's problem...!?] So sensitive. [He'd just been joking around, sheesh!]

[With a huff, he turns back to Pidgeot and swings up onto his back, watching the other boy stomp away.] Whatever! You're the one who demanded to talk to me! [He calls back, before Pidgeot's wings flap, launching them into the air. He'd still head to that spot- rescuing and studying a rare monster was still way more interesting than boring library work, but he didn't need this guy's permission to do it!]

[blitzcheer]

[ YOU NEED THE SOCIETY'S DETAILS FIRST YOU DWEEB. GO THERE. ]