It's Late So Imma Hop To Bed! But I'll Try To Reply To What I Owe Tomorrow! C: ))

He clears his throat nervously, before plapping his cheeks.

"Ne'ermind. Err..." Just say it. C'mon, this is so unlike you. "Jus' noticed the device you're tinkerin' with. Was curious 'bout it. I do some tinkerin' myself, too. Always down t'learn more techniques, tho'." He pulls out his phone. It looks highly modified, pretty professionally done, too.

"Been wonderin' how to improve this thing further."

"Uh... yeah, sure."

Weirdo. Sonia glances over her shoulder at the device she's been tinkering with, then back down to her device. Then... sheesh, he's not going away, is he? "...Can I help you with something?"

@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?"

pondering...

"Why are ya so tense?"

Jeez dude. Calm it with the bouncing. It's making him nervous too at this rate. "Fiiiiine. But yer not gettin' my Aqua lore either."

Doubt he wants it, but still. Archie's quiet for a bit, just staring at Guzma. The fin wiggles slowly stop.

"...Though, I guess. If ya have any questions, this is your time to shoot 'em. I'll be honest."

Oh, fuck's sake. This whole bullshit is getting more and more tense every second, isn't it? Archie falls quiet for a few seconds, and those were enough for Guzma to return to get as annoyed as possible, a leg bouncing with clear nervousness.

What do you know? What the fuck does he wanna know?!

"I know what I know." he grumbled, dismissingly waving a hand "Oi, ya said to be nice, not to be besties. You're like, level -4 when it comes to friendship, ya ain't gettin' any hint of Skull lore dude."

Well, he's seated now. Ugh, he hates this. He's supposed to be the tough one here.

"Thanks... I'll b' alri' from here."

"H-here, lemme help ya up," he rushes over to help the merman up and to a seat.

He's just sleeping peacefully, despite being a little cramped in this bathtub, when suddenly-- Thonk!

"..." He slowly opens his eyes, squinting at the figure in the doorway. This was not the nice(?) lady who helped him out, but instead... some dude, staring down at him.

The piece of paper is floating in the water, getting soggy... He grabs it, and without a word throws it, aiming at Guzma's face.

@nolongeraqualeader

Plumeria has told you there is a fish guy in her private bathtub. When you go look, there IS actually a fish guy in there. He's currently asleep, snoozing half submerged in water with a pained expression on his face. Plumes had attempted to patch him up with bandages, her knowledge of medicine coming in handy, but was it enough? He briefly stirs, shark-like tail twitching slightly and splashing some water out of the tub. Seems like he's out for a bit more, unless someone wakes him up?

Well fuck me running there sure is a fish guy in the bathtub. At this point, would anything surprise him? Anything at all? He saw enough whacky shit in his life-- nah, fuck it, in the past decade alone, to not even make him particularly surprised.

He's kind of. Just staring at this point. An eyebrow up, a rolled piece of paper thrown up and down, his head tilted slightly on the side as he leans on the side of the door.

...and then throws it at his head.

"Wakey wakey."

Whatever. Let's deal with the umpteenth bullshit, too.

@gnzma vc yea of course the sharpedo would like to get bitten

"...That's no' how tha' works. I usually do the bitin'."

"Po Town's Hero? That's where we are now, I guessin'?"

He forgot to ask Plumeria where she had taken him town wise, he just realized. Oh well.

"Gotta say, yer real' strong. A real powerhouse from what I've seen." Archie slowly sits up a little more, leaning against the backboard of the bed.

“I got another bottle of painkillers somewhere. I ain’t worried. I wouldn’t give it to ya if I didn’t want to.”

Ree scratches the inside of their wrist, keeping their eyes down and away. They’re awkward and anxious, and it… sucks.

“Yeah. I’m Reese. Everybody calls me Ree. I’m Po Town’s Hero.”

"The stripes were pretty nice, yeah!"

A grin. He's still proud of that design choice of his. Or maybe he just liked stripes? Who knew.

"BWAHAHA!! Ya know it!!" He slaps a hand against his scarred chest for emphasis, grinning an even toothier grin at the other.

"Nah, really, I jus' get hot easily. Ya want me t' close m'shirt?" Because he'll do it if asked. He's not that unreasonable (most of the time, anyway.)

"An' yer still rockin' the 'dana, huh? Gotta love the dedication."

His old boss really was the last fucking person on the planet he thought he'd be having a casual conversation with, but, life's full of surprise now, isn't it? Guess it also helped the guy probably had no clue about his stunt to steal Kyogre way back in the days.

Eh, even if he did know, who cared at this point? That was all so long ago...

That said, being complimented on his outfit of all things was a turn Lorenz didn't expect the conversation to take, given he literally dressed himself in the dark. But then again, with all the leather and shades of purple in his closet, his personal style had been nothing but consistent over the years.

"It's definitely not the same as when I worked for you, yeah." A brief chuckle. "But, y'know, I didn't hate the stripes. Kinda felt nice feeling like part of a club for a bit. At least I'm still carrying a lil' bit of us with me."

He pulled on his bandana, it was slightly faded but it still sported the emblem of the long gone organization. Really, it was a mark of some sick attachment to the bridges he burned and the friends he betrayed, but also a reminder that not everything in his years in Aqua was terrible. Not that Archie needed to know the specifics.

"Wish I could compliment your fit as well, but. Well." Jazz hands at his unfocused gaze. "Y'still making sure the world can ogle at your pecs at all times?"

80% of the ocean is unexplored by YOU GUYS. i've seen the whole thing