Poppin' Arms ~ Dorms

[Dragonfree]

Dave gave a brief, irritated eyeroll. "Cool. If that's what he wanted to tell me, consider it received." He paused, glaring at the other Poochyena, daring him to disappear in a puff of smoke, echoing my job here is done. Predictably, he did not. Of course.

Shadow had been hugging Owen for far longer than ought to be normal for anyone, but the Charmeleon showed no sign of impatience. Dave almost told him to knock it off, but whatever. Warily, he lay back down and closed his eyes.

"You should see a doctor about your brain," Mia said. "If it's not working properly even when you aren't drinking you need to do something about it."

He let out a long sigh. "Yeah. Thanks, Mia. Love to be told my brain's not working properly. Really appreciate it."

 

[Namohysip]

Owen sighed, still rubbing Shadow's back. "Sometimes people don't like being told something bluntly like that," he explained to Mia. "Well, a lot of people. It's something about how a lot of people think. It's kind of like if someone told you that because you behaved differently, then your brain was like it was broken, too. It's, like, offensive to your brain." Did Ultra Stones have brains? "Uh, well, anyway... Have you ever tried going to therapy for this? There's no shame in it, I mean--I've gone to therapy a lot."

He supposed he was fighting a losing battle. He wouldn't press much further than that. "Well... anyway, I'll let you rest, Dave. Shadow, want to read a book with me?"

 

[Dragonfree]

Everything about this continued to be deeply infuriating. Dave gritted his teeth. "Look, the only reason we're even talking about this is sad magic puppy over there rambling and overdramatizing shit that doesn't even mean anything. I'm fucking fine."

Shadow looked back at him, timidly. He gave a frustrated sigh. "Well, I'm really hoping you disappear when I fall asleep, but until then, sure, read a goddamn book, so long as you can shut the fuck up while you do it."

 

[Namohysip]

Owen tried to smile, but it was hard with how Dave was acting. Still, if Shadow was anything to go by... Maybe in some way, Dave could get some help if Owen helped Shadow. At least, that's what he told himself. "Have a good rest, Dave. If you ever want to talk to me, I'm here to listen." And he'd leave it at that. "C'mon, Shadow. Let's read... I know, let's read a comic! And if that's boring, maybe we can check some nonfiction..."

<><><>​

 

[Adamhuarts]

"How much longer are you going to keep hugging me like this?" Cynthian asked, trying to push away Ivy who'd stuck to her side like glue. Cynthian found herself in that situation when she walked into a room and Ivy glomped her out of nowhere.

"Ivy felt it. Cynthian was sad, but now it's okay. Ivy will help Cynthian feel better," Ivy replied, stubbornly refusing to give Cynthian personal space.

"I'm already fine, Ivy," Cynthian said with a chuckle. "You can let go now."

"No. Ivy likes hugs. Ivy will stay like this."

 

[Fusion]

Frankly, Vix wanted to be alone for a while. If not, then spending time with Cynthian would have been fun. They could have properly caught up with each other, and, like... talked or something. For having spent several months with this team, Vix still didn't know what anyone did outside of talking and fighting, and she was getting real sick of fighting, honestly...

However, she'd be able to do none of that with Cynthian alone, as Ivy was currently attached to the plant, and... Puddle showed up too. And it wasn't in the same stoic mood as before, instead it looked like it wanted to tell Vix something. She would have asked what Puddle wanted, but could barely bring herself to look at it. And the feeling seemed to be mutual as well.

"You look kinda busy, Cynthian," Vix tittered. "If you want, I can probably come back another time? I wouldn't want to get in the way of... hugs? Yeah, hugs."

Puddle crossed its arms, frowning slightly, but didn't say anything. Yet.

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Who that?" Ivy asked, looking at Vix and Puddle.

"Oh, hey Vix. Don't worry, I'm not busy or anything." Cynthian scratched her head and gently pushed Ivy whose body only stretched before rebounding right back onto her. "It's just Ivy being Ivy. So, did you have anything to talk about?"

"Does Vix want hugs too? Hugs are nice. You should try hugging, Vix," Ivy chirped.

 

[Fusion]

"Hugs are nice, yeah," Vix muttered, floating into the room with Puddle just behind her. "But... I just wanted to talk. I don't... I don't know how to put it but..." she sighed, falling to the ground. "I don't really... feel all that needed here. That fight with Giovanni is still painful to think back on, and the tournament really didn't help..."

Puddle winced slightly, turning its head to the side. It knew this might've happened. It took a step towards the lamp, reaching for her and saying, "Vix I--"

"Everyone else is stronger than me, everyone else works better without me, and other than the one time I accidentally helped with that blacklight Charizard attack... I'm pretty much useless," Vix ignored her familiar, her flame slowly darkening. "I knew being a hero was tough but... I wasn't ready for any of this. Not at all..."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Oh, Vix..." Cynthian began. Her flowers gave off an apple scent. Recognizing what that meant, Ivy withdrew from her hug, allowing Cynthian to get off the bed and approach Vix.

"I know how you feel, and I'm pretty much the same. Arceus knows I had no experience in being a fighter, or a hero, or anything before coming here. I even freaked out after that tournament earlier." Cynthian sighed and gazed into Vix's eyes.

"I got scared I wouldn't be able to keep up with the others, that I wasn't good enough to be a part of this... But a good friend told me that we're all needed just like everyone else. It's not about being the most useful." Cynthian frowned a bit and her eyes flared up. "Besides, didn't I talk to you before about how amazing your Hex attack was against Deoxys back then? I don't know what anyone else believes, Vix, but I'd fight anyone who calls you weak."

Meanwhile, Ivy slowly approached Puddle and stared at him. "Would you like a hug?"

 

[Fusion]

Vix shifted her gaze slightly, her flame reddening slightly. "Even if I did hurt Deoxys, I hurt Starr too. Because I forgot about that... stupid joke..." Where did she even hear updog from? Castiss? Probably Castiss... His recklessness tended to show up in Vix at the worst times...

"And it's not like anyone else couldn't have hit Deoxys harder, anyway," she sighed, her flame dimming more. "The tournament was a pretty good show of that, really."

Meanwhile, Ivy slowly approached Puddle and stared at him. "Would you like a hug?"

Puddle rubbed its arm, sighing. "I... wouldn't mind, no." It turned to Vix, flinching when both of their eyes met. "Vix, you not doing great in the tournament is more... my fault. For not telling you about it sooner."

"Then why did you sign me up at all?" Vix asked, crossing her arms.

"Because... I... I thought you'd feel better if you fought. You got so happy fighting Luz, so..." Puddle muttered.

"And look at how well that went..." Vix hissed.

 

[Adamhuarts]

"You made a mistake, but I already told you yesterday to stop being yourself up over it. I've made mistakes too in the past, time and time again. What matters is what you choose to do, afterwards. Besides, if Starr was really upset about what happened, she'd have said something already," Cynthian said with a sigh.

"Sorry, I know it's hard. Honestly speaking, I'm plagued by similar sentiments as you and—" Cynthian paused when Ivy glued to her again. "Ivy..."

"You started getting upset."

 

[Fusion]

"You..." Vix looked to Cynthian, staring for a moment. She then squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath. The strangest sense of deja vu washed over her, like this had already happened. The only difference then was Puddle was gone and she was sad over that, yet she said the same things here... But now Puddle was fine. For the most part. Oh and Ivy was there too.

So why was she so... down? It didn't make any sense, which only confused her more. "I-I'm sorry..." she muttered. Vix was about to turn to leave, when Puddle stopped her, wrapping its noodle-arms around her. It was cold, but surprisingly comfy. Like being held by jello. "What're you..?"

"You... started to get upset?" Puddle tittered, then sighed. "Look, Vix, I'm sorry. Honestly. I thought the tourney would help, and I thought giving you space would have helped so I didn't... I just, really wasn't thinking. So, I'm sorry. I wanted to make it up to you, but you left the Colosseum, and I thought to ask Cynthian for help, and now we're all here and..." There was another sigh. "Turns out I'm not good at lighting people up. Even when they're literally a lit lantern."

Vix blinked a couple times, then scoffed and brightened up a bit"...Really? I thought you hated puns?"

Puddle's tail wagged, and it held Vix tighter. "Oh I fucking despise puns, but I know you like them, so I had to throw out my dignity for it. You're welcome, by the way."

"Should you be saying that after all this?" Vix raised a ghostly brow. Don't ask. "Leaving me alone, throwing me into a fight, having the love and care of a burning cactus... And that pun wasn't even that good, either."

"Ok, you don't gotta rub it in," Puddle pouted, letting go of her. "But... you're better right?"

"A little bit," Vix said. If she had a mouth, it'd have a smug grin plastered on it. "But you're making it up to me, still. Maybe after we're doing with Joule. You gotta do what I say for a whole week," she snickered. Puddle choked, partially melting before giving a nod and falling into its back.

With that, Vix looked to Cynthian and Ivy again. "And... thanks, again. I'm sorry I was so... stubbornly sad. And honestly, I still am, but that's what Puddle's gonna work on fixing!" she chuckled, then floated over to Cynthian and Ivy to join the hug. "You're just as sweet as the first day we bumped into each other."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"It doesn't have to be just Puddle. We can both work to better ourselves and pull through this ridiculous world saving thing together." Cynthian consciously embraced Vix and her flowers released a tangy aroma.

"I am your friend, Vix. So, we should count on each other," Cynthian said, smiling warmly.

"Double hugs..." Ivy chirruped. Her face snapped to Puddle and her eyes glinted. "Join us."

 

[Fusion]

"Right, we're friends," Vix gave Cynthian and Ivy a snug squeeze, then detecting that tangy scent. "...Wait, I thought you gave off mint and vanilla? Lucky, all I have is lavender. I'd love to change aromas like that!" she chuckled.

Her face snapped to Puddle and her eyes glinted. "Join us."

"Ok but only if don't kill me, please..." Puddle bubbled nervously, then reformed and waddled over to the group hug. It threw its arms around the others, wrapping around them a couple times. "Does this triple hug help with my amends?"

Vix rolled her eyes and snickered. "Of course."

"Really?"

"--Not."

"I made a pun for you..."

Vix giggled and shrugged. "And that simply wasn't enough~"

 

[Adamhuarts]

"...Wait, I thought you gave off mint and vanilla? Lucky, all I have is lavender. I'd love to change aromas like that!" she chuckled.

"Oh, that?" Her flowers gave off vanilla as her cheeks flushed. "My flowers smell differently depending on how I'm feeling... only when I'm in good health though. Why, you won't catch a whiff of anything from a Roselia that's sick."

Cynthian watched the banter between Vix and Puddle, and couldn't help but laugh a bit.

"I'm glad to see you and Puddle are back on good terms again." Cynthian withdrew from the group hug and tilted her head. "Whoa, Puddle even has limbs now. Not so much a puddle now, huh?"

 

[Fusion]

"Yeah, it happened when Diyem brought me back. With all the tender-love and care of a hammer against glass," Puddle rolled its eyes, then chuckled and shrugged. "Even got a tail outta it. I dunno how, the only Pokemon Vix knows with a tail is Marowak, and I look nothing like him."

"My flowers smell differently depending on how I'm feeling... only when I'm in good health though. Why, you won't catch a whiff of anything from a Roselia that's sick."

Vix put tapped what would have been her chin, humming. "I wonder how many different aromas you have, then... Like, what if someone called you awesome? Would you smell, like... I dunno what's an awesome smell," she shrugged. "But I really like the vanilla one, it's so calming and relaxing..."

"What would happen if Vix admitted she thought you were cute?" Puddle snickered. "Would you make a lavender smell like she has?"

 

[Adamhuarts]

Cynthian's face went beet red and her flowers gave off a mix of honey and even stronger vanilla.

"Eeeeeh?! What are you two going on about?!" she asked, jerking back.

"This is very nice. Can Ivy have this, Cynthian?" Ivy asked, holding up a plushie towards Cynthian. It appeared to be a handcrafted litwick doll.

"Don't just take things out of my bag on your own, Ivy!" Cynthian quickly snatched away the plushie and flung it into her flower pot at the back of the room.

 

[Fusion]

"Y-Yeah, Puddle, what the hell?!" Vix sputtered, her flame crackling wildly for a moment.

"What? I was asking a question," Puddle blinked. "Was it something I said?"

Cynthian quickly snatched away the plushie and flung it into her flower pot at the back of the room.

Puddle and Vix both noticed Cynthian toss something to her pot, but didn't quite see what it was. So, curious, Puddle walked over to it. "Why'd you throw that thing? Kinda rude to just yank it outta someone's hands."

"It is also rude to get all nosy in someone else's room!" Vix said. However, that didn't really stop Puddle.

"I'm just... curious. A little." Puddle stopped just before Cynthian's pot, glancing back at the plant. "If, you know, it's alright for me to find out."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"No, it's... I guess it doesn't hurt for you to know, so long as you don't go around telling anyone," Cynthian walked over to her pot, giving Puddle a sideward glance before pulling out the litwick doll. She dusted it off lightly and groaned at the dirt stains that already got on it. Great, she'd have to clean it up before showing it to Leg later...

"Outside of all the fighting we've been doing here, I've come to pick up a new hobby since I got here." Cynthian held up the doll, her cheeks still reddened and flowers still vanilla. "It started out as a little thing I was doing to get closer to Leg, from the God Squad. You've seen her right? The one who kinda hisses sometimes and likes the dark. Don't let that fool you though, because she's actually quite a joy to be around with." Cynthian noticed she was getting sidetracked and cleared her throat. "Anyway, yeah, this is what I do now most of the time when we're not piling over a foe: making dolls in my free time."

 

[Fusion]

"Yeah, I know Leg. I've been wanting to hang out with her sometime but... things happened," Vix chuckled, then actually took a second to look at the doll. "Wow that looks..." She found herself staring at it, the metaphorical gears in her mind working overtime. All the while, her flame turned redder and redder, and a deep purple blush rose onto her face. "Is that..."

"That's a really nice Litwick doll," Puddle hummed. "But, uh... why a Litwick? Why not like, a Budew or something?"