Send "I DARE YOU TO--" And An Action, And My Muse Will Respond By Either Doing It Or Not--

"Wonder how the final round's gonna go..."

There's a thud on the other side of the door. Archie raises an eyebrow, but decides not to inquire.

Crisis somewhat averted, though? Not that he lied about anything, just-- He always feels so guilty whenever people recognize him. Fair enough, though. He did some awful things. "That's jus' how I was born. I'm a merfolk. An' I'm no' the only one either, not from the merfolk nor from whatcha call supernatural people."

"…I know, I--"

A groan, and he let himself fall down, his back pressed on the door. Being worried about a guy who almost ended the world and regretted his action was quite hypocritical for someone working for Guzma, huh…? Especially if he was dragged in there like most of the Skulls.

"…and, uhm.

The… tail, then?"

"Whatevs, hmm? Heh."

"Gotcha, scamp. I won't splash everywhere. Just a li'l bit."

Ah. What's this sinking feeling? It's a good thing PJ can't see him right now, 'cause he looks like he wants to cry.

He hates people seeing him less tough than he acts. He's supposed to be the strong one here.

But he's been hiding the severity of his injuries pretty well. Or maybe he's just used to it with his many visits to the depths? This is not his first rodeo, but it doesn't get easier as he gets older.

"Ya know where t' find me if ya need me, yeah? I'll be here. See ya-- Or well, talk t'ya later, maybe."

A quiet, yet very emotional groan later: "yea no duh. Of course I gotta."

...he'll probably involve Plumeria too. For some reason he doesn't think the Boss would go nuclear right there and then, but at least she could calm him down? Or... at least they could discuss about this whole situation????? Fuck's sake.

"I mean. Skulls have no issues with Aqua." just he does "If you were a Rocket or one of the Kalosians I'd understand but--"

...but it's still scary, right? It's still scary.

"...whatevs."

WHAAATEVS!!!

"Don't... splash everywhere???"

THIS IS FUCKING WEIRD.

@gnzma i think i deserve a little respect. [ bc i had to hold him back from sending the ass one ]

"...I ne'er said I didn't respect ya?" Huh. Confusing. He did actually have some respect for the other at least. "But fine. What do ya want me t'do t'prove it?"

@aelirus liked for a starter:

Okay the aura of this dude is kinda off. Archie for once doesn't really know where to start. "...Nice uh. Crobat. Got me one o' those too."

He coughs nervously.

"Ya wanna know 'bout merfolk?"

Well, colour him surprised. This was the first person besides Plumeria who'd asked besides just pointing out the fish tail.

"Heh, that's a lo' o' questions. But I don't mind sharin' 's long as ya keep it on the down low."

He leans back a bit, grinning. "I think ya have t'be born one, yeah. Unless ya find a sea witch maybe? But that's really hard for a human anyway. There's more 'round Alola, yeah. And I do have pretty cool powers, but I can't do most o' 'em righ' now 'cause it takes energy I don' have."

-✖

Really? Not many people questioned him? Apparently, certain people don't share Cataleya's adventurous curiosity in the face of such things.

"Well... Can you tell me about merfolk? Do you have to be born one? Do more live around Alola? My mom used to tell me stories that my gramma told her, but they were pretty vague. Do you have any cool powers?" she asks, words coming out quite fast in her excitement.

"Yeah, with like, what phone? Pretty sure I lost mine down in the ocean somewhere."

Wouldn't be the first time. He'll just get a new one. Gonna have to go through the pain of upgrading it to be depth proof again, though... Will have to tinker with that later.

"I'm mostly stuck in 'fish' mode righ' now." Why was he going along with that term. "... 's a lot of energy t' stay shifted when injured. I'd rather use it to heal, which already takes for-fucking-ever. Who the fuck nerfed us like tha'."

"Yeah? And it's a copyrighted name for Skulls only."

The fuck kinda question is that. That's his sis. And Admin. And bestie. Of course he's going around calling her nicknames and nothing else. Is he fucking stupid or something?

"...and I don't feel like explainin'. Just google it." a beat "...fish google it. The fandom wiki is surprisingly very well made, actually--

Dunno man are you stuck in fish mode or not?!"

"I'd say hi to them, I s'pose."

If they wanted to see him, sure. In the end, this talk's just making him dizzy. And kinda warm? He's sweating bullets-- Ah. Fever's back. Yippie. No wonder he's being so vulnerable with this other Team Leader.

"...I want t'be a better guy. An' I think I am, if even jus' a li'l bit, but..." He leans back against the backboard of the bed. Whew. Dizziness isn't going away.

"If they're thriving withou' me... Who am I to interfere 'gain? They deserve t'move on from me, and all the shit I did."

…shiiit, fuck you, man. Don't get relatable. Frowning, Guzma lifted an eyebrow as the other kept on rambling about needing a good beating and and past adventures with his Team.

"Well fuck. Ya ain't even gonna tell 'em hi, now?

I dunno. Nobody's forcin' ya apart, right."

Oh, how hypocritical of you, Guzma.

will try to get to some drafts here later!! ))

"It's my month!!!"