Mornings never felt so awful

[saxsongs]

Who: Ren Jinguji (saxsongs) & Lightning Farron (soggypastry)
Where: Olivine, the safe house
When: March 21st
Summary: Ren has a hangover... and most likely some explaining to do.
Rating: PG? I never know.
Log:

[Ren had never felt as awful as he felt when he woke up this morning. His head was pounding and every single sound made him grimace. He also felt like he had been run over by a herd of Tauros... or Jasmine's Steelix.

It took him quite a while to get up and find some clothes to wear. While he felt awful he needed to get some water to drink... which meant going to the kitchen. He hoped he wouldn't run into anyone loud on this trip.

On his way he was about to check his gear for new messages and such, but noticed it was off. Confused about this, he switched in on just as he walked into the kitchen.]

Comments

[soggypastry]

[By normal standards, Lightning was fairly quiet during her morning routine in the kitchen. By the standards of someone hungover, her quiet puttering while making coffee and a sandwich may as well have been the sounds of an off-key marching band. She looks up as Ren comes into the kitchen, then sighs and digs around in a cabinet before putting a bottle of aspirin on the island counter. Either he's terrible at holding his liquor or he had more than she thought he did.]

Morning.

[saxsongs]

[The noise wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it still made Ren grimace a bit more.]

Morning... and thanks.

[He walked over to the counter, taking an aspirin from the bottle.]

[soggypastry]

[She sees the grimace and sighs quietly. Yep. Definitely hungover. She shouldn't be surprised, given how he was acting the evening before, but she's not pleased about it and she turns back to preparing her sandwich.]

Want something to eat?

[saxsongs]

[Don't worry, Lightning. Ren's not pleased about this hangover either. At least it's a lesson learned.

He takes the aspirin with a glass of water and then shakes his head.]

I don't think it's safe for me to eat right now...

[soggypastry]

[So long as he remembers that lesson, at least. A lesson learned shouldn't become a lesson repeated.

She makes a soft 'hmm' sound at that, nodding faintly. Makes sense that he doesn't want anything.]

How much did you have to drink, anyway?

[Cause he'd managed the steps alright, but the look on his face speaks of more than a small hangover.]

[saxsongs]

I don't really remember much about the drinking part... but too much, apparently.

[At least he hasn't forgotten all about last night as he remembers texting people. He's just not too sure what or why. He'd have to read through all the messages on his gear at some point.]

Did I... say something embarrassing?

[soggypastry]

Clearly.

[Texting a few people, she's guessing. Still, she keeps her tone even as she speaks, either feigning or actually calm.]

I can't say what you might have done with others, but you texted me and said to "loosen up", among other things.

[And after the week they've had, that...well. She can get why it's needed but still.]

[saxsongs]

[... if he texted that, then he must have texted some other embarrassing messages as well. Great. Now he's not looking forward to reading what he's done.]

I'm sorry. If I'd known beforehand how badly drinking would affect me, I would have hidden my gear.

[soggypastry]

[He'll have to face the music at some point, though. Can't hide forever.]

Just don't do it again. [Or she'll sic Lucky and her Arcanine kisses on him. Not that she says that, nope....she's got something else to ask instead.] What made you drink that much, anyway? If you were that bored I could have put you to work.

[saxsongs]

[At least he has experience on dealing with Arcanine's...

He's silent for a long while after the question is asked. Clearly he has some serious reasons for his drinking.]

A personal issue. I was reminded of something, so I needed to empty my mind. Clearly I couldn't think of better ways to do it...

[soggypastry]

[True. And at least she's friendly, too.

She wonders at the silence, but when he says it's personal, she nods. Doesn't quite like it, but she understands.]

Next time that happens, let me know. There's plenty of deck that still needs sanding.

[It's an offer, at least. Mindless work to throw himself into may not help, but there's little else she can do in their current situation.]

[saxsongs]

I'll keep that in mind. I could also do some training next time - that usually helps.

[Even though he isn't usually the type to train a lot, but recently he's kept his Pokémon in good shape... just in case.]

Oh, right. On April 1st... I promised to go perform in the benefit concert held here. Under a false name and disguise.

[soggypastry]

[She 'hmm's softly, knowing what he means. Besides, training kills two birds with one stone if it helps him and makes his team stronger. They need that...especially when he mentions the concert. Whoo boy.]

How sturdy is that disguise?

[It's been five days. By April 1st it'll be seventeen days. She hasn't seen hide nor hair of Bowser or anyone from Rocket coming after them yet, but if that disguise can't hide who he really is...this could get ugly.]

[saxsongs]

I'm working on it. I might need some help at some point.

[Though the disguise might only fool the NPC rockets because of who he performed with and what.]

Though they might have ended the hunt for me by now. At least mostly.

[soggypastry]

[She turns, leaning back against the counter behind her. Sewing or making things isn't her strong point, but she'll see who she can ask or maybe find something Minnie left behind. Maybe.]

Can you confirm that? We've taken enough risks this month already.

[Not that she'll stop him--he's not under house arrest like the ninja because she trusts he's got a good head on his shoulders most of the time, but she'd like to have her psyducks in a row before she gets another rescue call.]

[saxsongs]

[He shakes his head slightly.]

I can't. Which is why I need to succeed with my disguise. Just in case.

[He could try asking Utau or Hijirikawa if they've heard anything... but they might be as clueless as he is.]

[soggypastry]

[Nod. No intel. They're running blind, but that's nothing new. She's used to that, and so:]

Go with subtle. Something too noticeable will just get more attention drawn to you. Blend in.

[Hair dye, easily changed clothes...can't disguise the voice but it's a concert. He won't be the only one singing, right? ...she can hope.]

[saxsongs]

I have some thoughts. All which are rather normal in the terms of clothes and such.

[He's used to flashy clothes on stage, but this is a special performance.]

I'm not sure if there's anything else I can do in this situation. Except maybe keep my strongest Pokémon with me.

[soggypastry]

Good. [Normal is good. Blending into the crowd is good. Keep the attention off his back and maybe they'll get through this without needing a second rescue this month.]

Keep your gear on hand. [A glance up towards the stairs, or more specifically, towards the rooms where the ninja kids are staying.] I wouldn't put it past Team Rocket to attack something like a concert.

[saxsongs]

I wouldn't either. Especially now that Bowser knows where the kids are... he might try to lure them out by attacking something like a concert.

[That would be the worst case scenario, but hopefully it wouldn't come to that.]

[soggypastry]

[She snorts at that.] He can try. If they try to leave the house, Lucky will take care of them.

[By that she means the firedog will sit on anybody who tries to leave. Even a ninja kid with a still kind of busted arm.]

[saxsongs]

Lucky really needs to meet Ittoki sometime. Sounds like they would get along.

[soggypastry]

That wouldn't surprise me. Lucky gets along with practically everyone she meets. [Minus any threats to her "pack" or overly aggressive water types, of course. But she's always been like that, even when she was still Leon's. ...She misses him.] She's like a puppy sometimes. Always has been.

[saxsongs]

Sounds familiar. I guess it's a common trait for Arcanines.

[Though somehow it feels like a change of topic would be a good thing.]

Well, I think I should... go see what I did wrong last night.

[soggypastry]

[A nod, both at the trait comment and the change of topic. She appreciates that more than she lets on.]

Try not to get someone else after you, alright? Team Rocket's enough trouble.

[saxsongs]

I'll try my best. [Though if he's going to be chased by someone like Hijirikawa, that would just be your regular day in the life of Jinguji.

He gets up and starts walking.]

Though if you don't see me around, I've buried myself somewhere deep, never to return again.

[soggypastry]

[In his life, perhaps. In hers? Hijirikawa would end up with a guard dog in his face.]

There's plenty of sand out back. Just watch for the traps. I haven't pulled them up yet.

[If he turns back to see if she serious about that or just joking in a flat tone? Her back will be turned as she prepares for the day. No telling with her.]

[saxsongs]

[He does turn around to see her expression... but since he doesn't see it, he'll just shrug amusedly and continue his walk towards his room.]