route_1065 | 2nd Act

Entry tags:

2nd Act

Who: Joker and Saionji Hiyoko
Where: Azalea
When: January 24
Summary: He really shouldn't have called her 'Princess'.
Rating: PG for possible violence
Log:

It was actually a fairly good week, so far. Certainly Joker couldn't be happier. Facing off against Bugsy had gone rather well. He had to say, Ruby was pulling her weight in more ways than one. The warmer weather didn't stop her from being one of his best members.

It was just the two of them today, his Mime Jr. back in the hotel room keeping their latest egg additions warm. He wasn't expecting much on his one day off as he strolled through the town, the Rapidash at his side. "Now now, they'll be just fine on their own, don't you worry." Since everything had been so peaceful, he really wasn't expecting anything to really happen...

Especially not running into a certain blonde dancer he had offended (to put it lightly) some days ago.

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To be honest, when her travel-mates decided to take the Sudowoodo path instead, Saionji gave a long pause before deciding to split up. It was easy to make up a reason for going to Azalea, and not much of it was a lie- slow-moving town, nice to relax in, nostalgic and reminiscent of her home life... but really, Saionji doesn't normally take the extra effort for just something like that.

She went to Azalea to see if she could get back a feeling she missed. The feeling of knowing that Saionji was an equal- no, elevated player in a worldwide game!

...And that feeling has to come from revenge, of course, because no one here is stupid enough to currently be Saionji's convenient go-to ego booster. When she suddenly sees someone she does recognize, though, she immediately backs the corner and into an alley.

"Nako," she hissed. Then, she just grabbed her Petilil and pointed at Joker. "Get him here." The Pokémon hopped out of Saionji's hands, and started hopping towards her target's general direction. What was she planning? To be honest, Saionji didn't know much herself, but the alley always has useful stuff. A bit funny, how it's supposed to be the little girl that's always backed into the corner, huh?

It was Ruby who noticed the little green Pokemon approach the two of them first, and her ears flicked back in uncertainty. Once Joker noticed who she was looking at, he just gave her a reassuring pat along her neck. "Now now, don't worry. Just lost on her own, eh?"

If only he knew how wrong he was.

Fishing out a small Pokemon treat from his pocket, Joker knelt down as the Petilil came closer and held it out to her. "Don't think we've seen much a yer type out here. Where yer trainer?"

To be honest, Nako's first instinct is to lunge straight for the treat, but Saionji's order resurfaces in her head. Jerking forward and then backing off, the Petilil gave the huge Rapidash a glance and a terrified squeak before rushing into the alley.

In which, Saionji is making herself rather comfortable in.

"Uh?" The reaction has him surprised for a moment before he straightens up and hands the treat to Ruby for her to nibble at. "Guess it must be one a those... type differences things. Ah, won't hurt much ta check on it." With that, he gestures for Ruby to follow in the direction that the little Petilil rushed off in.

That sure is two heads poking in now, Joker and Ruby peering into the alleyway.

There's whimpering sounds down the alley- that can be identified as the Petilil's. Really, it's just Saionji pinching Nako in the body far too hard, and making sure Ayani is prepared. She doesn't have much luck with Fire-types, but if the time is right...

...If Joker goes down the alleyway, Ayani will Stone Edge his Rapidash before Saionji smacks him in the face with a broom.

That's never a good sign. His brow furrows a bit and he decides to press forward a bit. He's down some shitty things, but he likes to think he's not that much of a jerk. He gives a low whistle, calling out. "Hey-"

And then he earns a broom for his troubles.

After having her fair share of battles, Ruby the Rapidash is a bit more ready for a sneak attack. Flames erupt over her body as she sees the rocks coming forward before charging right towards them with Flame Wheel in full effect. The rocks hit her and there's a cry of pain, but it doesn't seem like she's going to stop.

In contrast... Joker is far from 'cool'. (Or on fire charging an enemy.) The broom makes direct contact, earning a surprised squawk. There's a kick to where he thinks his unknown assailant's knees might be, but then he's scrambling back. When he actually sees who it is..

A point and a surprised noise. "It's Princess!" Whoops, he probably really should stop saying that especially as he JUST got hit in the face... But it's the first thing out of his mouth before he can stop himself.

"Are you serious?!" Saionji's frustration hits a peak, and while her knee hurts, she's obviously been through worse. Ayani isn't doing so good, and just got a Flame Wheel to the face, but the dancer has sent out a more reluctant Farron the Ampharos to Electro Ball her face.

She's going to try to take advantage of his weakness- that being, his missing arm. "Didn't I tell you? Don't call me Princess, or I'll crush your bones and string you up to die!" The anger goes to her head again, and any semblance of a good, well thought-up plan might as well fly out of the window. In any case, she's going to whack his face with that broom again.

It's a direct hit, and Ruby does look pretty bad... But then a flash of red light covers her. Back to her Pokeball she goes, right as Joker ducks to the side to avoid that broom swing. He spins the Pokeball in his hand, giving a low whistle. Now that he knows what's going on, he doesn't plan on getting smacked in the face again, no thank you.

"Ya made it all the way ta Azalea just fer little ol' me? I'm flattered!" He beams a bit too wide (and a lot too fake) and raises a hand. "'Fraid we'll have ta cut this meetin' short. Sorry, Princess, but a broom in the face doesn't make ya too cute!" Aaaaaand with that-

Yeah, he's bolting right out the alley like a bat out of Hell.

"Nako! Stun Spore!"

Do Pokémon moves even work on humans? Saionji's running after him, and hoping that whatever she scrapped up on impulse is enough to subdue him. Did you know the Saionji clan is good at making booby traps?

She tosses Yuki as far as possible, hoping the Snorunt remembers its commands- Powder Snow on the ground so whoever's bolting would slip. In any case, an Eevee is suddenly rushing about the alley, and pulling on some rope- which may just cause a huge trash can to topple over right at the entrance of the alley. Saionji's making a bet that Joker isn't too good at climbing.

Again, Victorian Era Englishman! He unfortunately doesn't know this glorious reputation. He's... starting to get an idea of it, however.

Joker doesn't know if something like that works on humans, either, but he's not going to let himself find out. He jerks the scarf he got for Christmas over his mouth and nose, still going as fast as he can. It's actually a pretty decent speed... Until there's Powder Snow all over the ground and a large trash can blocking the way. That'd be a bit easier to surmount if- yeah, snow. He goes sliding, ending up on his back and his legs crashing into the can. As if to add insult to injury, that sure is poor little Yuki landing right on his chest.

Well... this sure is a position. Joker doesn't seem to quite know what to make of it himself, although he does stretch his legs up along the trash can and rolls his head back so that he can look at Saionji upside down. He pats the Snorun reassuringly. "Hello there, doll... And this certainly is impressive. Are ya sure ya wouldn't want ta go back inta the circus business?" Maybe the reason he's a bit more relaxed is because the Powder Snow is in Saionji's way, too, so he... probably has time to react. Maybe.

Whoops.

Yuki is pretty content with being petted, but Saionji seems to traverse the snow with... relative ease. She can balance herself well, and her home does snow every year, so she knows how to just kick it away. "Better than Princess, but I'll still crack your face open," she snaps bluntly, trying to hold the broom at threateningly as a girl who barely reached 130cm could.

"I might actually consider your offer, except I have more dignity than just showcasing my talent to crowds of greasy strangers that barely laid more than a few dollars." She's still walking towards Joker, and tries to think of what she'll do in her head- maybe just shut him in the trash can? Or knock him out and put him somewhere he doesn't recognize? The possibilities...

Well, damn.

"I was talkin' ta the Pokemon, don't ya worry none." Joker shrugs as best he can, still keeping an eye on how close she's getting. Maybe a little closer, then... "Does she have a name?"

Okay, he thinks he has something in mind, but she just needs to be a little closer. He doesn't trust himself in such an awkward position. "Now now! We'd be professionals about it. Seems like ya can get a lot more than pocket change here."

She doesn't catch on that he has something planned, because she's just walking closer. "Her name's Yuki. Kanji meaning, 'Valuable Reason'." Naoryuu, her Eevee, proudly struts by Saionji- Farron's still pretty reluctant about this whole ordeal, but the SHSL is set on one goal.

"If I wanted money, I'd rob a bank. Nah, you're just the start of a bunch of lessons I'm about to teach." And with that, she begins to get within striking distance.

"'Fraid I'm not much one for lessons!" he replies rather cheerily, still petting poor poor Yuki. "Schoolin' never was somethin' I liked." He feels maybe sort of bad for what he's about to do, but oh well. He values his own skin a bit more than anything.

With Saionji so close, Joker suddenly pushes himself up into a sitting position and takes a firm hold of the Snorunt. With a twist, he looks back at the blonde and flings Yuki with all the strength he can right at Saionji's face. That's only meant as a distraction- he releases Ruby again and doesn't pretend he can get on her properly. He just latches onto the Rapidash's leg and yells out a command.

"Bounce!"

Was Saionji planning for a Rapidash launching herself high into the air? Because that's definitely a thing that's happening. Joker himself is kind of up there too, in midair after letting go of her and trying to flail for a decent grab onto Ruby.

OW.

FUCK.

Saionji lets out a high-pitched screech of surprise and pain as Yuki makes contact with her nose, forcing her right on top of her Eevee. She tries to scramble up- but surprise, surprise, falls over from the slippery snow and the sudden blast of air that comes with the Rapidash close by leaping up rather impressive heights.

"GET BACK HERE!" She rubs her sore face, finally getting back. Hell, she'd laugh pretty hard if Joker ended up falling off, but she's also even more pissed than before. "Farron! Toss an Electro Ball!"

However, the SHSL Dancer is about to realize that Bounce is a move that moves a Pokémon- and in this case- their trainer as well- out of range of almost any attack.

Edited 2014-01-26 06:23 (UTC)

From very very high up comes an answering reply-

"NAH!"

That Electro Ball does come dangerously close to Joker, if it's any consolation to her poor wounded pride, but then he's finally flailing onto the back of his Rapidash right as she starts to head downwards. On the other side of the trash can, the sound of hooves slamming into pavement can be heard... along with a slight curse of Joker because oooow that landing didn't treat him kindly. Still better than if he'd landed on his own, of course, but still.

He calls over the top of it, feeling a bit better now that there's not a broom threatening to hit him in the face. "So how are ya, Princess?"

...No he still hasn't learned.

Not consolation enough, apparently, because from the other side of the trash can the sound of frustrated yelling can be heard. Saionji tosses the broom over in a vain attempt at making some noise, and it plops rather unceremoniously on the ground before Joker.

There's a bit more noise (and incoherent ramblings of 'DON'T CALL ME PRINCESS') before she suddenly commands- "Farron! Wild Charge!"

And the trashcan starts tipping over dangerously. Even if Joker isn't hit by it, Saionji scrambles onto its side as trash spills out onto the pavement. Farron looks dazed from slamming right into the object, but eh.

"Don't! Call me! Princess!"

To add insult to injury, Joker has Ruby pick the broom up in her mouth. What? Brooms are very useful, he'll have you know. Also... Okay, yeah, he wants to look back on this moment because wow this sure is a thing.

He nudges Ruby a bit with his feet to get her moving, which turns out to be a good thing a few seconds later. Pokemon and trainer alike jerk in startled surprise before looking behind them. Well that's a sight you don't see any day.

"Y'know, I've never seen someone hate a nickname so bloody much before."

Saionji hops onto the ground, with an umph but she lands on her two feet, still. She looks like she's about to start seething, but instead, she just- coughs and clenches her fist angrily.

"I knew a princess! And I hated her, that stupid hog! I just wanted her to pay!" Of course, she doesn't hate her as much as a certain SHSL Nurse... but the whole notion of her just gives Saionji a cloud of negativity and hangs over her head. "She was a filthy Westerner who liked serial killers! I don't want to be a princess! I don't want to be anything like her!"

And suddenly, she starts bawling her eyes out.

The fact that she's even out of the alley and still looking plenty angry is honestly enough to have Joker on the ready to just get out while that little spark-maker of hers is still looking dizzy. Ruby is looking a bit rough for the wear, after all, and he's not interested in letting Saionji hit him with anything else.

So... the sudden waterworks makes him pause, and actually look around as if he's expecting someone to tell him just what the heck is going on here.

When it's obvious no one is pulling his leg, he finally turns Ruby around proper so he can face Saionji while leaning on his Rapidash' neck. "Ya know, ya could have just said that from the start instead a tossin' death threats at me. Lot easier, too, I reckon."

"Shut up." It was a feat in itself that Saionji could willingly spill about her own past vexations to someone who was somewhat of a complete stranger. This was supposed to be a trip to prove to herself that she was still strong and in charge, like before she went to Hope's Peak- before she ended up on the Island of Mutual Killing, and things just went downhill.

But instead, here she is, frustrated to the point that she ended up having to be completely honest. She was always honest, but evasive- as if she was see-through enough to give the whole truth at one go! But... "It would've been a lot easier for you to stop calling me princess, too, stupid pig."

Just this once he'll forgive the weak comeback, since she is a very upset teenage girl in front of him right now. Her own answer just has him shrugging. "Anyone'll poke and prod at ya if ya always raise a fuss like that. Just thought it was a name ya got angry at." Maybe this was a sign he needed more Psychic-type Pokemon, then... Or maybe that he just needed to keep Angel on him at all times. Probably the latter.

"So what do ya want? As a nickname, I mean, since I'm definitely gonna keep callin' ya somethin'."

"Just call me Saionji!" She half-hisses, before turning away and successfully stemming the flow of tears. "...Or Hiyoko."

There's a bit of a pause, before she just decides to force a cute face and talk in an excited tone. "Well, if you're going to give me a nickname, then I will too! You're Joker, right? Hm... how about Mr Stooge?"

Oh, so that's how this game is going to be played, is it? Joker can keep up ridiculous excitement for absurd amounts of time and isn't about to stop now. "Hiyo it is~. As fer me, I'll take Mr. Stooge!" It makes him laugh because... it really is more accurate than she probably knows.

Ruby is just sighing here. Trainer, she loves you, please stop pestering the girl who tried to kill you with a broom.

Always stick with the person who tries to systematically murder you in the back alley with a questionable and probably painful method. That is a great choice and unmistakable sign of friendship about to bloom.

Hiyo isn't too bad- even the meaning behind it could substitute for a name, so... "Good that you don't have any objections! Mr Stooge, Mr Stooge... it has such a nice sound!" And just like that, her mood is lifted instantly.

Farron just looks at Ruby, equally confused.

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