2nd Act

[pipers_son]

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.

Comments

[pipers_son]

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."

[konpeitoqueen]

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.

[pipers_son]

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."

[konpeitoqueen]

"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."

[pipers_son]

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'."

[konpeitoqueen]

"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?"

[pipers_son]

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.

[konpeitoqueen]

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.

[pipers_son]

Farron, Ruby only wishes she could explain what's going on here. She even tries, bless her little Rapidash heart. Joker's never seemed to care for too much conflict, so maybe this is just his way of dealing? Or he's purposefully waiting to poke at a waiting bomb... It's hard to tell. Well, so long as no one is brandishing a broom anymore... Sigh.

Joker gives her a scratch behind the ears for her trouble, still looking at Saionji with no small bit of amusement. The sudden switches of mood remind him just a little bit of Peter and Wendy. "So, is Miss Hiyo tryin' ta tell me that she came all this way just ta get back at me? Should I feel honored that ya took all that time ta travel and come up with those traps?"

[konpeitoqueen]

"Don't feel special! It's a normal tradition to get back at who offends you, right?" Saionji has skewed perceptions of tradition and normalcy, but it's all normal to her, so there's little to no point arguing. "And no, you shouldn't be honored, Mr Stooge. You should just watch out."

Her eyes always take on some sort of intensity when she's being a prick, but in all relativity, as terrifying as she may look, she's also 130cm tall. Farron sighs as well, just reluctantly sticking by her trainer. "And I didn't come all the way here just for you, dumbass! I'm also going to Violet for the Gym."

[pipers_son]

"I don't think I will." So that's that. Joker's gotten out of messes before- and just did- so he'll remain as relaxed about this as usual. Ruby gives another sigh. Trainer, you hurt her head so much.

"Aww, what a shame. Although it's a bit funny that yer goin' from Goldenrod ta Violet." He quirks his eyebrows up, openly teasing in his expression. "Isn't that a bit backwards?"

[konpeitoqueen]

Damn you.

In any case, Saionji has an easy answer for that. "I was brought to Goldenrod for Christmas! It was snowing and all, so Big Bro Oowada offered to bring me there first." She seems to hold whoever Oowada is in high regard. She doesn't... exactly enjoy Christmas, though, so she's gonna drop that topic quickly.

"And anyway, it's good training! My starter's already at Level 30!" Starter being her Mawile, who is knocked out in her Pokéball from taking a Flame Wheel. Strong, maybe, but not one of the more quick-thinking variety.

[pipers_son]

It seems like it'd be rather chilly to make a journey all that way... but considering how she was dealing with the snow from earlier, Joker supposes she's one of those types who cares for it.

"Well someone's been busy, then! Still a bit behind, 'tho." He winks at her. "My gal is just about 50, and a couple are past that." Oops, he's right back to poking her and the Rapidash gives a sigh around the broom handle in her mouth.

[konpeitoqueen]

She's fine with snow! Unless everywhere is snow. Snow in the trees, snow in her clothes, snow everywhere. Then snow isn't all that sweet.

"No fair! You were probably here earlier," she reasons. Farron doesn't look to comfortable. Saionji's been pushing Ayani non-stop, don't encourage her to be even worse...

"Anyway, when my team is allll ready, we'll easily decimate anything."

[pipers_son]

"Alright, alright." Joker gives a shake of his head. With the kind of determination she's shown (as one way of putting it), he doesn't doubt she'll be one unholy little terror once she gets rolling. Which is probably a sign he should get his Pokemon all up to speed pretty quickly, actually... Maybe no more eggs for a while.

"You'll have ta tell me how your little battle goes, then."

[konpeitoqueen]

"Once Farron and Ayani get a bit stronger, the Gym Leader will give us a badge in no time!"

She's going to challenge the Gym Leader with two Pokémon? Well... yes. She hatched everyone else from eggs; it'll take far too long.

"And if we get to the same level, battle me too! I'll sweep your Pokémon under the mat in an instant!"

[pipers_son]

That's some confidence. Still, Farron's the Ampharos, right? Joker's gaze flickers to her. That should give her a decent edge in things. He keeps it all in mind as he goes through his pockets again.

"That's some confidence ya got there. Not that I have anythin' against it..." He gives a whistle to Farron and tosses her a treat. "Sure, then. When there's a few more badgers on yer belt, I won't mind battlin' ya. It'll be good practice for my troupe anyway."

[konpeitoqueen]

Farron grabs the treat greedily and almost pigs out on it. Saionji, though, doesn't seem as happy. "Good practice? I'll be much better than just practice!" She seems adamant; just need to... keep track of her Pokémon's progress. And maybe actually catch a 6th one.

In any case, Violet was the first place to go. "I need to get the first badge. There's someone in Violet I've been meaning to meet, too..."

[pipers_son]

"We'll see when that comes up, eh?" So long as he has Angel with him next time, he thinks he'll be a little more set. She's not his highest Pokemon, but psychic types are just so handy. Good for confusing others and running away, actually...

"Well, by the time ya get that first, I'll probably have my third!" Ruby makes a small whinny. TRAINER, NO, STOP ENCOURAGING THE SCARY BLONDE.

[konpeitoqueen]

"Excuse me? I bet that you'll be so slow, I'll be the first one to get 8 anyway!"

Oh, shit. Farron looks concerned, and Saionji seems to be meaning it. Or does she? There's really no telling with this one girl- she's either bark and no bite, or just bite all the way through.

Psychic-types are nice and all, but her Mawile has bite and her Snorunt is gonna be a Froslass. "I'll be ready to beat you in no time flat! I'm an SHSL, after all."

[pipers_son]

That's the second time she's said that... Just to soothe that poor Ampharos' worries, Joker gets another treat to toss her. Good thing he's been keeping a bunch on hand for training his own Pokemon. (Admittedly more in circus tricks than fighting.)

"If that's meant ta impress, ya might want ta use it on someone who knows what SHSL even means, Hiyo."

[konpeitoqueen]

"SHSL means Super High School Level! The biggest rising talent in a specific field!" In any case, Farron really misses her old trainer right now. "Though, I guess I can't expect a poor fool like you to know it, Mr Stooge. Just bear in mind I was selected as the best Classical Japanese Dancer in my world."

Which means more than just dancing! She's talented, damn you! And she'll beat you!

[pipers_son]

"...Is this a future thing? Or just a foreigner thing?" Super High School... What even. Joker doesn't even know what a high school is. This is all sounding sort of silly to him. Granted, a lot of things these days sound pretty silly to him, but still.

[konpeitoqueen]

"...Wait, what year are you from?"

Because that could explain a lot.

[pipers_son]

"1888."

He accentuates that little bit of knowledge by wiggling his fingers in a wave.