strideways | > Dave: Be the pied piper.

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> Dave: Be the pied piper.

[ Oh, look! A blurry thumb! The 'Gear is fumbled for a moment — looks like someone's having trouble holding onto it, or aiming it the right direction, at any rate.

When the camera steadies, the cameraman finally comes into view.

It's a bird! No, it's a... bunch of birds! It's... a really bad scarecrow?

Actually, it's Dave Strider. Guess who left his bird swag on?

Dave is almost literally covered in Murkrows. They're clinging to his clothes, perched all over his arms and his head and shoulders, sitting on his feet.... One of them, nestled in beneath his jaw on the right side, as cloooose as she can get, is wearing an orange ribbon around her neck. She looks like she's sulking. ]

Caught one of those dog Pokémon lurking around — Houndour, I guess. They're Fire- and Dark-type.

[ He's apparently determined to pretend the crows aren't even fucking there, because when one of them pecks at the 'Gear, he just moves it aside slightly and continues in the same tone of voice. ]

Was battling with my Gyarados, but I actually had to break out Tock to knock out a couple of them before I found one that wasn't level Fuck You, Strider. We're probably lucky they're not aggressive.

[ The ribboned Murkrow on his shoulder suddenly puffs herself up and lashes out at her neighbour, scattering a few crows for all of twenty seconds. They settle back down, with Dave's Murkrow looking unhappier than ever.

A few crows are lifted in front of the camera as he raises his left arm. If you're watching closely, he reaches up to scratch lightly at his Murkrow's talon. ]

And I'm pretty sure I saw a Gengar earlier. Those weren't around here before.

[ This is effectively a query: anyone know what's going on?

Before he can actually ask, though (if he was even going to), a bird on his left shoulder makes a grab for his shades. Dave jerks his head away, and his own Murkrow snatches at the sunglasses from the opposite side.

The 'Gear clatters to the ground, landing faceup and with an excellent, if fleeting, view of a crow flying off, an orange ribbon around her neck and a pair of sunglasses in one claw. A moment later, a hand covers the camera completely, and the feed shuts off. ]

[ Feel free to approach; he's near the north edge of Goldenrod. Just don't expect him to be very friendly — or look you in the eye. ]

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[ Dave considers this. Does he? Yes. There's a first-aid kit in the room; he used it to clean John up after his Umbreon encounter. But what the fuck did he do with it after that?

... ]

Uh, no, probably not my room. I've got no fucking clue where the first-aid kit is.

[[Pause.]]

...Why do you not know where the first aid kit is?

[[Facepalm.]]

Well, in that case, I'm also capable of purchasing you another one. It might be good for you to have a back up. But it's your choice, whichever is more comfortable for you.

I don't remember where I put it.

[ Shrug. He's not even sure why she's surprised by this. ]

Guess another first-aid kit wouldn't hurt. It'll give me something else to lose, anyway.

[[...of course. She isn't surprised now. Returning Prick to his Pokeball and picking up her bag, she lets the Noctowl and Glameow situate themselves on her head and shoulders before motioning Dave to follow.]]

To the Department Store then, I suppose. Is there anything else you've lost that needs replacing, while we're here?

[ Dave spares a glance over his shoulder at the murder in the sky before he follows behind his sister. The bird will come back. ]

Hah. Besides my shades? Not really. I'll get those back later, anyway.

Thinking about buying something for Captain Ampora, though. [ His voice gets deliberately breathy on the troll's name, and he feigns a little swoon. ] Any ideas?

Oh, those aren't simply a new fashion statement of yours? Those are temporary sha--Ugh.

[[If her disdain for him wasn't obvious in her voice, the heavy set glower should be enough evidence of that.]]

And just why would you want to purchase anything for that...vainglorious pompous buffoon?

[ He snorts. Yeah, he'd known she didn't like him, but she really doesn't like him, does she? ]

Trolling 101, sis. I took him on a date the other day; got the kid hooked on the Striderismo. Now it's time to reel him in nice and slow.

[[No, no she doesn't. Sometimes she wishes she could string him up by his cape, gather up all the little kids in Johto, and convince them that he's a pinata full of candy.

She'd even dump candy out a window every time they whacked him with a stick to keep the magic alive.

The mention of trolling, however, brings a smirk to her face.]]

That's no surprise, with how desperate he is. You didn't even have to try, did you? Hmm, what to get for the floundering ignoramus...

[ If Dave knew the extent of your devotion to this hatred, Rose, he'd think it cute. He already looks amused at the one-eighty her expression has taken. ]

Accessories, I think. The kid likes his fashion. Blew all my money at this boutique the other day.

...all of it?

[[She offers Dave a momentary questioning look. Luckily for you, Dave, she has no idea that Soul gave you money. If she knew you were working with more than what you might have been able to make while in Cherrygrove and Violet, she'd probably throttle you.]]

Well, if we're going to purchase accessories for him, surely something gaudy would suit his tastes. I'm thinking sequins or rhinestones.

[ A sidelong glance from behind his shades. ]

Rhinestones. And I bought us drinks after shopping. He had an iced tea and a cappuccino.

Why in the world would you mix iced tea and a cappuccino? That honestly sounds about as appetizing as drinking orange juice directly after brushing one's teeth.

[[Bluh!]]

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. He likely mixes his food as well as he mixes his wardrobe.

Apparently, he'd never had a cappuccino. I got him the iced tea in case he didn't like it.

[ Shrug. Personally, he doesn't like cappuccinos, so the whole idea was unappetizing from the start, as far as Dave was concerned. ]

Fair enough, but he still enjoyed them both, correct? So it still leaves his tastes in question.

[[Neither does she, but that's neither here nor there. As they near the Department Store, she crosses her arms and snorts.]]

So was this a date then? It sounds awfully close to one to me. All that seems to be missing would be a candle lit dinner and a bouquet of flowers.

Oh, it was totally a date. Held open doors for him, paid for all his clothes and drinks, walked him back to the hotel.

[ He smirks, then, after a second or two of fighting the expression. ]

He even gave me a kiss on the cheek before I left his room.

[[There's a mild look of disgust on her face at the mention of a kiss.]]

I do hope you remembered to wash your face once you returned home.

[[She shakes her head and chuckles, however.]]

The lengths in which you will go for trolling. You amaze me sometimes, Dave.

And scrubbed my mouth, too, since I kissed him back. This is what makes me a better troll than the trolls.

And let's face it, I amaze you all the time.

[ Smug. He is so smug. ]

Oh yes, Dave. There is not a moment in time where I am not amazed by you. Simply your presence has me swooning, my heart a-flutter with nothing but the utmost exciting feelings knowing you are so near. Surely you can hear it now, can't you?

[[Watch as she performs a perfect, dramatic swoon. Oh Dave, look at what you do to your sister. You should be ashamed.]]

However, until I see disinfectant used on those lips, kisses will not be given. I refuse to indirectly kiss Ampora.

[ Dave takes in his sister's theatrics, obviously vastly amused and equally as pleased with himself. No shame here.

At her last remark, he actually laughs. ]

Implying that you'd kiss me if I disinfected my lips right now? I don't even believe you.

Oh really? Have I ever spoken an word of untruth to you before, dear brother?

[[Casting him a smirk as she enters the Department Store, she shrugs.]]

The first aid kit will surely include disinfectant.

[ He snorts. ]

I carry mouthwash in my bag, but I'm not sure if you think we'll need industrial-grade bleach or what.

You said you've already scrubbed your mouth prior to this, correct? Mouthwash will surely do at this point. Though using industrial-grade bleach as well surely wouldn't hurt.

[[She's trying to gauge where she should stop, before this becomes a challenge. Challenges were easier online, because there's very little probability they'd ever have the chance to carry it out, after all.]]

[ Oh, that time has passed, dear sister.

Dave glances around, pauses, and crooks a finger at Rose as he digs in his bag with the other. He produces a travel-sized bottle of mouthwash, which he takes a swig from with flourish, and leads her toward the nearby bathroom as he rinses his mouth with it.

After nearly a full minute — can't be too careful with those Ampora germs — he excuses himself with a gesture and disappears into the bathroom. He emerges moments later, minty fresh and smug all over again. ]

Sufficient?

[[Oh lord. She watches him as he uses the mouthwash and disappears into the bathroom. Okay, keep your cool Lalonde. This is nothing.

When he reappears, she's smirking, arms folded across her chest.]]

Enough.

[[Okay, how to do this. Can't hesitate too long. Sauntering over to him, she leans against him, wraps her arms around his shoulders, and brings her face to hover just inches away from Dave's.]]

Ready, Strider?

[[She doesn't wait for an answer though, closing the gap...

For just a quick familial peck on the lips.

Yup.

Though she's not removing herself from his person, even though she seems to be done with the kiss. You are apparently comfortable to lean against, Dave.]]

[ It's not that he's expecting her to back out — no, he knows her better than that — but really, he hasn't fully grasped the reality of the situation by the time it's happening.

The reality of the situation is that he, Dave Fucking Strider, His Imperial Ironic Fucking Majesty, is being kissed by a very pretty girl. That's half the reality, anyway, and that's the half that hit him first. His heart does a little thing, like some Olympic-level gymnast butterflies are practicing on the pommel horse inside his chest.

And then one of those butterflies sprains its wrist or some shit, because his heart crashes against his ribcage the next second and the rest of it catches up with him.

Jesus jumpfucking Christ, Strider, she's your sister.

And she's not kissing him anymore, so he breathes (slowly, subtly, do not look at me Lalonde I've been breathing this whole time) and glances down at her. She's still way too close, but it's far beneath his considerable pride to admit he's at all uncomfortable. ]

It's cute how you say 'ready,' like that was some worldshaking millennial fucking syzygy of a kiss I should've prepared myself for. I've totally had better.

[ That, or this was his first kiss. Your call, Lalonde. ]

> Dave: Be the pied piper.

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Action; I regret nothing.

Action; no apologies. ♥

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