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[myriadeclipse]

Hugo Inbox

Home of Mockingbird and the voice in his head

Mockingbird

Please forgive me for missing your message. I'll be right with you.

The Other Me

He isn't that sorry.

Mockingbird

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[myriadeclipse]

[ Lycaon was right. He could hear the question even as he was approaching the other. Elf ears were good for that sort of hearing. At least this time, the overhearing was intentional. The answer was kept to himself until he came to a stop before the wolf, his hands stuffed in his pocket. ]

Of course, it did. It's not like I'm a novice at this. Besides, I didn't take anything. They should be happy as can be that nothing happened.

[ His shoulder rose and fell, sliding his weight from one hip to the other as he looked upon Lycaon. ]

How did Kanto go?

[paraselenic]

[Lycaon waits until the man is standing in front of him before he smiles.]

I should know better than to doubt your expertise. Though I'm a bit disappointed they gave up so quickly. The work ethic of security is not what it used to be in Europe.

[But yes, onto the matter at hand.]

Successful. Mr. Koski was able to take me to the place I was curious about with little to no issue. It's a rather peaceful realm aside from the wildlife--we should take an excursion there ourselves at a future date.

As for what I was searching for...

[He pulls out a Luxury ball from his pocket, holding it in front of Hugo to get a good look at it before flicking it up between them. The capsule wastes no time in opening, revealing a young purple Noibat, who upon seeing there's a stranger here, flutters to Lycaon's shoulder to perch.]

What do you think?

[myriadeclipse]

While I do agree, America has a love of guns, and I am not looking forward to the moment they remember they're carrying firearms. Hiding in shadows and going invisible is going to do me a lot less good if they start wildly shooting.

[ It's something he's wondered about, but has been lucky to not have to deal with that side of American justice.

Anything else he may have been thinking about faded away when he realized Lycaon went on his trip with Sampo Koski. Hugo was not a jealous person, and that seemed to remain true in the case of Sampo(20). Perhaps whatever romantic getaway he had with Hugo's rival will have brought him to understand why the vampire's feelings were so scattered and chaotic when it came to This One Man.

Also with the offer to go with Hugo, what was there to be mad over?

His attention moves to the little bat at flutters and perches on the wolf, Hugo raising his brows. ]

A bat pokemon? I guess if I'm being replaced, it's a cute understudy.

[paraselenic]

Hm. [Even Lycaon can admit the effectiveness of bullets.] They seem to show restraint compared to what I've been told. Maybe Kaisou's unique situation with its gates and instability of the Spirit Vein have them humbled.

[Not that it's an issue. Lycaon simply won't let a bullet touch either of them. Simple as that.

There's a snort at Hugo's comment as he looks over at the Noibat, who seems to be completely hyperfocused on the man before her.]

I saw one at Sir Gilgamesh's party and wanted to take a closer look, and Mr. Koski said he knew their location. She's quite bright, and seemed to really take to the idea of coming home with me.

Veronika, this is Hugo. He's my partner, and--

[No sooner had he said Hugo's name than she leaps from Lycaon's shoulder, diving straight for Hugo himself and clasping those little hands onto his shirt not unlike a koala to its parent. She emits a chittering sound, nuzzling her face against him.

Lycaon's eye widens, watching as she all but buries into his chest. Amazing. He's shown her to Hugo for two seconds and she's already chosen him as the favourite.]

Ah. Do not tell me I've lost you to him already. [He scratches the side of his cheek, looking back up at Hugo to translate for him.] She has...referred to you as 'My dear Lord Hugo'.

1/2

[myriadeclipse]

[ Excuse his French, but what the fuck?

Did Vivian come back as a pokemon and get confused over who her 'lord' was? ]

2/2

[myriadeclipse]

[ Briefly, he forgot about his animal affinity abilities that had come to him recently. His hands come up around her as if to guard her, yet stall, as if he really wasn't sure what to do with this attention. She was clinging to him, and the only way he truly knew something weird was going on was through Lycaon's translation. ]

It's nice to meet you as well, Veronika Dear.

[ A single finger came down to pet her back. Well, he guesses this is just going to be their lives from now on. The humor wasn't lost on him how Lycaon spoke about not having children and yet was committing to what the people liked to call 'fur babies'. ]

It's safe to say she'll also get along with me, so the arrangement should be fine. The bangboo aren't going to be an issue.

[paraselenic]

[Lycaon had a feeling that Veronika would take to Hugo, though just how much had surprised him. He watches a bit amused at just how quickly her heart was won over by the vampire (he swears, vampires ALWAYS do this!) and chitters away.

The humor wasn't lost on him either, realizing just how easily he took this little one home. Then again...who was he kidding when he had welcomed Corin and Ellen without hesitation?]

'Do not worry, Lord Hugo may be the star in my sky, but you are still my partner'. Well. I'm glad I'm not forgotten, at least.

[But onto the other topic at hand.]

As much as it warms my heart to know she is welcomed with open arms, there is something else we discovered that I need to report.

[Lycaon looks around for a moment, before reaching into the label of his shirt and pulling out a small sprig of a dried herb, red leaves adorning the ends of each branching part.]

Take a look at this. It is an herb we found while searching Veronika's cave. When we happened upon it, it was sparkling as if flecked with dew and glitter, emitting a strange energy. It has lost its luster now, and also it's magical aura.

Veronika informed me it's not something native to her cave, either.

[myriadeclipse]

[It was too easy to idly pet Veronika while examining the plan Lycaon presented. That was odd to say the least. Plants didn't do that normally. What would such a special plant be used for. The fact it had a magical aura means it's far from normal and lost a property...

Hugo looked up to Lycaon, away from the plant with an openly perplexed expression, one brow slightly more raised than the other. ]

What did she say about the plant? When did it lose its aura?

[ If it lost it upon being plucked, that wouldn't be useful to anyone. With the thought in his head, he looked down at the creature clinging to him. ]

Miss Veronika, do you know what the plant is usually used for?

[ He could ask Lycaon, but it would feel rude not to direct the question at her directly and then let Lycaon do the talking. ]

[paraselenic]

[Lycaon watches how that hand gently strokes Veronika's head. For someone who seemed so eager sell himself a loner, Hugo took to ones who flocked to him quite quickly. He won't put words to it--but it did make him smile.

Veronika's head tilts up when she's addressed, eyes all but starry as she turns her head to her translator, chittering away her response. Lycaon's ears flick to and fro as he listens, nodding and closing his eye.]

She more or less confirms what Miss Rika from POKEGO concluded when we reported our findings. Veronika says she's only seen a Pokemon eat it once, when it was suffering from...'a tummyache'--in her words. Apparently the plant has the power to alleviate ailments when it's in its freshest state.

[Veronika chirps one more time, and Lycaon's ears fold down, a look of frustration now on his face. Now comes the difficult part of the conversation. Veronika certainly had words about it, at least.]

This would be a remarkable discovery. However...other than the dried sprigs I gave to Miss Rika and this one I was able to walk away with, the remainder of the plant is gone, along with any chance of transporting it.

Had I known, I would've stopped him.

[Him.]

[myriadeclipse]

[ A plant that can heal can be used for many things, but if it had a magical aura, it probably could heal a lot more than just a tummyache. Hugo was contemplative, wondering if something like that would have been strong enough to help Harumasa. It might have been a pipe dream to think some random plant they found while away could be the answer to their prayers.

And as much as Hugo wasn't the praying type, the way Lycaon's ears folded didn't leave him feeling good about what was coming next.

Him. The person Lycaon went out on his little date with. Sampo rears his goofy head again. The way the last statement was put did not leave him with a good impression of what he was going to hear next. ]

What did he do?

1/3

[paraselenic]

[Veronica lets out a trill of exhaustion, burrowing back into the vampire's shirt. She'll let Lycaon sum it up. It hurts her tiny head thinking about it.

The wolf, on the other hand, seems to be looking for the best possible way to phrase this, as if that would save himself from any secondhand embarrassment.]

He wanted to stop for lunch just outside of Veronika's cave. I had brought my own, naturally, but Mr. Koski assembled his while we were resting.

To put it simply, he...

2/3

[paraselenic]

[Just say it, Lycaon.

Get it over with.]

3/3

[paraselenic]

Ate it.

1/2

[myriadeclipse]

He...

[ Give him a moment.

At best, he had hope maybe someone weirdly touching happened, and they had to give it away to a hurt pokemon. Or maybe they were stampeded. Or a group of bats from the cave made them lose it.

Maybe Sampo stepped on it or used magic. He doesn't know. There were a million different scenarios that he hoped were going to be the case. In the end? No. What he was met with was .... this?

This??? ]

2/2

[myriadeclipse]

That boudin did what?

[ Did it suddenly get darker? It might have gotten darker. ]

If something happens to Harumasa because of that vapid Aubergine I'm going to--

[ It's best that the rest of his hostile flood of unsavory words through gritted teeth remain in French. ]

1/2

[paraselenic]

[At least they were on the same wavelength regarding the plant's usage. Lycaon had only snuck away with a sprig of it to show Hugo for precisely that reason. If this could heal 'tummyaches', then at the very least, there was a good chance it could alleviate pain, or reduce fatigue.

A cure-all would be too much to hope for, as much as he wanted it to be. But something that could relieve symptoms would be remarkable.

You know, if the plant was still around.

His eye closes in confirmation, looking all too ashamed at the outcome.]

It was Veronika's curiosity at us that alerted me of the herb's significance. I preserved what I could, as you can no doubt see.

POKEGO is looking into it now. [And of course, they likely will too.]

2/2

[paraselenic]

[Hugo's rant was expected. In fact, it was why he was so hesitant to mention it.

What he doesn't expect, though, is the names that leave Hugo's mouth, dripping with venom.

It's like a puzzle piece was just put into place.]

Boudin? Aubergine? That is the name of the one who--

[A pause.]

Mr. Koski is your Boudin? [SINCE WHEN?]

[myriadeclipse]

[ When his rage subsides, and he remembers himself, he looks up at Lycaon.

Oh. Right. ]

Yes. That is the man I have been going on and on about. And I see you witnessed him in top form.

And now the herb is gone, and we won't know if it could have helped Harumasa in any way. A magical herb like that can't be common.

[ His eyes roll closed, sighing a long, suffering sigh. Even when he isn't around Sampo, Sampo finds a way to make his life harder. ]

Are you going to be keeping contact with POKEGO?

[paraselenic]

[So many things snap into place at that confirmation. Hugo's silence every time he mentioned Sampo in conversation with regards to Gilgamesh's party, for one.

He can't help but heave out an exasperated sigh. His frustrations were given words by Hugo quite sufficiently.] So I have... I don't think he meant harm, but it certainly had ramifications.

[Because as Hugo said, the herb was gone, and any chance of helping Harumasa along with it.]

I will as much as they'll allow me. Miss Rika seemed familiar with it, shocked as she was seeing that we found it. From the sounds of it, it's not common in Kanto, but may be elsewhere.

[That being said...]

We should still see if there's any we can find in Kanto. I can't imagine this was the only seed that was dropped in the whole region. And I'm sure Veronika would assist us.

[The little bat in question looks up at Hugo, nodding her little head. If it's to make her Lord smile, she'll fly across the whole region!]

[myriadeclipse]

[ The wheels were turning, his head without anywhere to go. Instead, he looks to Veronika. ]

Someone important to us is very sick, and having that might help him feel a little better. I would be endlessly grateful for whatever help you give us.

[ ... She is Lycaon's partner pokemon now. She was already their best bet for finding things in Kanto that they would miss on their own. All they could do at the moment is wait to see what the results of the research were, but he was already feeling antsy. ]

There is nothing that can be done at the moment, then...

[paraselenic]

[Veronika's wide eyed stare turns to one of determination at his request. She was already prepared to find it just to make them happy, but if they needed it for their friend...then her mind's made up. Fluttering over to Lycaon to nuzzle his cheek, and then back to Hugo to do the same, she settles on his shoulder and chirps confidently.

Lycaon can't help but smile, tilting his head.]

I don't believe her answer needs translation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart as well, Veronika.

[All that was left was to see what POKEGO came up with. Waiting was truly a torturous affair, wasn't it...]

Do you have any avenues that could research such a thing? I suppose we could hand it to Arsene to look into...

[myriadeclipse]

You are lucky to have found her, given what your other help ended up being.

[ Veronika would be a welcomed addition to the small group accumulating at Lycaon's house. Given her familiarity with things in the gate, it was also helpful. It also did help that she was bat-shaped. Hugo liked what he liked. ]

Handing it to Arsene to see what he can come up with in a search is all I can think of. I don't have a lot of experience with the world of that gate. Lia and I have plans to explore all the gates, but nothing like this has ever come up.

But ... I guess instead of searching for the plant itself, I could investigate herbal cures among the supernatural and their credibility. That could take longer, and the potential results possible wider, but that's not a particularly bad result.

[paraselenic]

An understatement. [He appreciates you, Sampo, but that was an L if he ever saw one.]

I have not done full research on her species, but I noticed she uses echolocation to find the freshest berries to eat. It seems they're picky eaters by nature, so she'll likely be essential in finding those herbs.

[Veronika chirps happily in confirmation, ears wiggling for emphasis. Lycaon smiles and reaches over to pet her little head, to which she leans into with a trill. If there's one thing she's learned listening to these two, its that they are both her new life now.]

That...would be helpful. Even something that can help with chronic pain and fatigue would be a boon. I can see if I can get a list of symptoms from him or one of his siblings, and we can go from there.

[myriadeclipse]

I can get started on that soon. Probably after Samhain. ... No, it might be better to start after November's full moon.

[ He looked up towards the sky for a moment, thinking about the way October was going to go. With the beginning of November also being harrowing, it might be best to wait a month and then go into it once everyone is getting into the holiday spirit. Shopping around for information would be less strange by that point.

Maybe he was thinking too deeply about something that might end up completely inconsequential. ]

That opens up October to be online searching, at least.

And yes, her skills will also be invaluable in actual searching. I don't believe I am that effective in my bat form. Trying to get around those hurdles are pointless when we have someone willing to put her skills to the test and already knows so much about what is being searched for.

[paraselenic]

[Veronika coos at the praise, yawning as she starts to fall asleep clinging to Hugo's shirt. She'd definitely put forward any effort she could to helping Lycaon...once she has her sleepies.

Lycaon walks up to him, and gently pats the little bat's head between her ears, watching as her breaths turn into quiet snores.]

You're better at finding the nooks and crannies online, anyway. Thank you.

[Finally, a direction where they could actually do something instead of waiting for drips of information from the network. It wasn't much. It could amount to nothing but fumes, but it was a direction. His tone is warm as he brushes his tail lightly against Hugo's legs.]

...So back to your Aubergine, why didn't you tell me it was Mr. Koski? You knew I was interacting with him, and yet you never said anything.

[His tone isn't upset by any means. If anything he's amused. The one who caused Hugo so much chaos was the man he fed pistachios one night and landed a high paying side job?]