codeforhope | Voicemail

[Despite the tone of his text, Murasaki can't help but give that adorable trademark Drifblim smile when he sees everyone run out. Although whether he's happy Chihiro's come to help his trainer or that he's smiling for some weird...Murasaki reason is up for debate.

...But a part of him is kinda sad Chihiro answered, because he was ready to bust a window open.

Komajiro stops spinning around for five seconds when he sees a familiar face and some fluffy Pokemon run his way. The puppy's tail wags rapidly, ready to play whatever game they must have in store, only to tilt his head when he notices that-- hey! This isn't playtime apparently.

It looks like Murasaki was right, though, Komajiro is much more eager to listen to Chihiro than he is his teammate. Sticking his nose in the air, the puppy begins to sniff out a trail, which really isn't that hard since the bandana he wears is just covered in Komasan's scent. Now that he knows what to look for, he takes off.

Since he still has the 'gear and it's his only way to communicate, Murasaki makes sure to throw in a comment before he follows the Growlithe.]

Who wants to bet he got himself stuck in a trashcan? I bet he got stuck in a trashcan.

[...Again, despite his text, he still manages to give the cutest Drifblim smile as he punches away at the 'gear.

If Chihiro and his Pokemon manage to keep up with Komajiro (which isn't very hard, he's fast but he's still just a puppy), they'll find him eventually turning into one of Goldenrod's many alleys. Incidentally, it's the same alley Komasan ran into when he first arrived to Johto on that bizarre weekend he showed up. Old habits die hard. Or...start over...? I don't know, the timeline is all messed up right now.

It's definitely not a quiet alley, though, because Komajiro stops and points at a very wiggly...trashcan. Oh my god, he's actually in the trashcan, and he's not doing a very good job at hiding with the way his legs stick out and flail like crazy. Good job, Komasan.]

Zurazurazurazurazurazurazurazurazurazurazurazura--

[Noko and Shiro are nearby as they watch their trainer struggle, both very concerned for obvious reasons. Noko sits by the can, unsure how she can help in a situation like this while Shiro attempts to grab one of Komasan's tiny feet with his stubby ice hands. But if anyone needs help, it's probably him, because that foot kicks him right in the face and causes him to fly into the wall. Noko can only jump back helplessly, someone halp.]

[By the time they make it to the scene, Henko's running with Komajiro, and poor Isamu is waddling at the rear, wondering why he even bothered coming in the first place. Unfortunately, Shiro gets kicked before Chihiro can actually make it over there, dropping his bag quickly against the wall for the time being so he'll be able to help him out a bit more easily. Afterwards, he carefully approaches the trashcan that Komasan's tried to stuff himself into, wondering...how best to go about this.]

H-hang on, Komasan-chan! Let me help you out!

[Please don't kick him-]

[Shiro's much too dazed, but Noko seems thrilled to see Chihiro show up. Finally, someone who can possibly do something! Her little drill tail waves back and forth as she gives a snakey smile, please help her smol trainer.

Komasan doesn't kick, but he definitely doesn't calm down. In fact, hearing Chihiro's voice startles him enough to rock back and forth, causing the trash can to fall over. Out rolls out a tiny Komasan, dressed in something way differently than he normally wears. Why shouldn't he? His normal outfit would be way too large, but it's definitely not the style the kids are wearing these days. ...Which he is now, he's tiny. Maybe not as tiny as he is as a youkai, about the size of your average seven year old, but it's definitely noticeable. If his hair was massive before, his head is pretty much consumed by curls now, which swallow up his hands as he tries to make himself appear even smaller. The trash can was his only shelter and now he's exposed.]

I-I'm not here, z-zura...

[Komasan's voice was already pretty young sounding to begin with, somehow he manages to sound even younger. ...Although how he sounds probably isn't the biggest problem right now, how he acts causes his Pokemon worry more. Komasan doesn't act like anything's familiar, even Chihiro is perceived as a threat. There's nothing he can do now but curl up into a ball and hope his terrible lie will actually work because running away and hiding didn't do anything.

He's lost and alone and surrounded by unfamiliar youkai in an unfamiliar world and human. He never would've considered this his worst nightmare, but now that he's experiencing it, this definitely beats "didn't get dessert."]

[Chihiro was hoping this wasn't going to be the case, but after seeing all of those posts on the network...he didn't really have his hopes up too high. He jumps back out of reflex when the trash can knocks over, Henko moving to stand next to Noko so she doesn't unintentionally scare Komasan even further.

Now, Chihiro hasn't ever really dealt with children before, but...if there was anyone suited for this job, it's Chihiro. He couldn't hurt a fly (literally), and hopefully some of that gentleness will translate as he very carefully kneels to the alley floor in front of Komasan.]

It...it's okay. I won't hurt you.

[Okay...this can't be a Friday thing, because it's not even Friday. So what is it, then? Just some...unexplained occurrence? Probably so.

As Chihiro tries to get Komasan to look at him, Isamu peers around him from behind, having pretty much collapsed on the ground due to all that running.]

[Komasan doesn't say anything right away, to be honest he's not sure how much he trusts a human. He's never...interacted with one before, and humans had a tendency to group all youkai with the bad ones. The threat of getting sealed away was always very real, and--

Would you look at how fat that thing is?

Although still silent, Komasan gets a glimpse of Isamu from out of the corner of his eye and peeks between his arms. Even in his fear, he can't deny how cute that...thingy is. As he continues to wish himself invisible, he can really only sit there in his thoughts. These other youkai -- as unfamiliar as they are -- didn't look like they were scared of this person. This...weird person in their strange clothes in their strange city.

The more he starts to put things together, the more Komasan begins to think a little more clearly. There was something about this person, something that's been bothering him...he said his name. He knows him...somehow. Possibly desperate for some sort of reassurance, Komasan finally speaks up. If this person knew him, then maybe he knew his mother.]

.....I can't find my Ma, zura...

[And a part of him worries it's because he's suddenly human now and she's become invisible to him. ...But then that wouldn't explain why he could see all these other strange creatures. Why is everything so confusing?!]

[Isamu is perfectly content to be the comic relief for now, because he's waaay too tired to do anything else. Meanwhile, Henko is sitting and watching Komajiro to make sure he doesn't rush up on Komasan and scar him for life, or something. Even though puppies are probably the best trauma therapy you could ever have.

Chihiro remains knelt there on his knees, not moving any closer just yet, but not moving away or anything either.][He can't find his mother, no...and he really hopes Komasan doesn't ask more about her, because he doesn't want to try to explain and end up scaring him even more. Instead, he softly asks Isamu to bring his bag, who lets out a chittering sound of distress before dragging his way over to it.

Two full minutes pass before he brings it back, Chihiro starting to rummage inside for something. It takes him a moment, but soon he produces a little...something wrapped in plastic. It's some taiyaki shaped like a Remoraid that he carefully opens before offering it to Komasan.]

Here. This might help you feel better.

[Luckily for Henko, Komajiro's short attention span means he's much more focused on trying to catch his fluffy tail than causing his trainer any emotional distress. Every one of his Pokemon have so far been good about keeping their distance, mostly due to none of them knowing how to handle such a situation. It's not everyday your trainer shrinks and runs for a trash can. Murasaki is probably a different case, the only reason why he isn't trying to mentally scar his bitty trainer is because he can't fit into the alley. If everyone thinks Isamu is fat, try being a large balloon.

Komasan isn't sure how to handle being offered food from strangers, if his mother were here she'd probably throw a fit. Still, his curiosity gets the better of him, and although he doesn't take it right away, he does slowly begin to sit up so he can just keep an eye on it. One of his arms slowly moves itself back to his side as he keeps one on his head for...safety, who knows. A part of him still hopes he can make himself invisible at any second now.

Still unused to these changes, Komasan tries -- and fails -- to sniff out the treat from where he is. This nose is useless, how do people survive? All he can smell is the trash he managed to spill, something he grows to regret as every second goes by.

It looks like a fish...but it doesn't look like it's made out of fish. If only he could smell it to be sure, he wouldn't be so tempted to grab it. Timidly, to the point where his arm visibly shakes, Komasan attempts to reach out for it. Every now and again he begins to second guess himself and draw his arm back, but it isn't long before he tries again.

He's torn between satisfying his curiosity and obeying the rules of stranger danger.]

It's okay. You can have it.

[Chihiro says softly. He was hoping Komasan would understand that it's at least safe because it still had plastic on it, but he's patient regardless. He knows he's scared...and very young, all of a sudden. So he won't rush him or even make him take the pastry if he doesn't want to.

But he clearly wants to. Very much.]

[Wrapping food in plastic just isn't an idea where he comes from, and it shows when he finally does take it and starts to...try to eat the wrapper. The crinkly texture in his mouth and lack of taste makes him recoil instantly.]

M-MONGE!!

[Well, that's apparently still a thing. Komasan doesn't want to throw it because that would be rude, but at the same time he's not sure what do with this...thing.]

No thank you, zura...

[He'll just try to hand it back now.]

[Ah. Oh. ...um.

What does Chihiro do? He...well, he actually takes it back from Komasan before pulling the plastic all the way off, placing it aside for the time being before trying to offer it to Komasan again.]

This part is good to eat. I promise.

[...This human is seriously trying to test him, but Komasan's usual trusting nature eventually begins to crack at those walls and he takes it with little hesitation this time around.

What happens next he can only describe as wonderful. Flavor fills his mouth as he finally takes a bite of actual food, and Komasan expresses his joy in the only way he knows how.]

Monge~

[After getting over that first bite, he then proceeds to scarf down the thing like he hasn't eaten in ages.]

[Oh, good. That's more like the Komasan he knows.]

It's good, isn't it?

[There's a few more in his bag where that came from, if he asks for them. He just figured that would be a good way to calm him down...maybe help him to be less scared, too.]

[On one hand, Komasan would love to calm down. Being scared is no fun and he apparently gets food if he behaves. On the other, he's more than aware that everything is wrong right now and he has every reason to be concerned.

Worry once again sets in as he grabs his head, trying to straighten his thoughts. It was hard to explain in words just how messed up every little detail liked to throw him off. To having too many fingers on his hands, or the way his hair felt different than fur. Even if he could find his mother again, how would she even recognize him?! Where is she?]

Yeah, it's...it's good, zura... [And yet his manners won't allow him to leave Chihiro's questioning hanging.] ....Thank you, zura...

[He doesn't even know this person's name, let alone who they are. How do you explain you're a dog?]

...I need to find my Ma, zura.

[Might as well try again, it's the only thing he knows how to do.]

[Chihiro frowns a little, looking over at the small group of Pokemon nearby. What does he even say?]

K- ...um...

[He fidgets a little, putting his hands in his lap.]

...what do you remember? Maybe I can help you.

[Don't look at them, they don't know what to do. Noko and Shiro especially wave back and forth, shaking their heads. They got this kid stuck in a trash can, remember?]

...I was at my house, zura. In the--

[--Youkai World, but once again he can't help but feel like outing himself may lead to trouble. Chihiro's been nothing but kind so far, so maybe he can test the waters.]

W-What if I wasn't supposed to be human, zura...?

[Great, subtle. Even if Komasan wasn't a small child, let's be honest with ourselves, that's still how he'd ask that question.]

[...oh no. Komasan's memories only go that far? That means...

...he doesn't know anything.]

Ah...it's okay. I know about you already, Komasan-chan. But I'm not going to tell anyone.

M-MONGE!!

[Komasan falls backwards onto his bottom...more so than he was before. Questions begin to fill his head.

Is this good?

...Is this bad?!]

You know, zura?! [There's a bewildered look on his face. Komasan wasn't sure if it was possible to even explain it, but to have someone know?! Unheard of.] H-How do you know, zura?! Eh... D-Do I--

[A part of him wonders if perhaps he might've missed some dog traits still on his person, and he immediately begins to pat at the top of his head for any sign of ears. To be honest, he only managed to catch a glimpse of himself before he bolted, it'd make sense that he didn't catch something.]

It's a long story.

[He knows that's not the most satisfactory answer he could give, but he doesn't think trying to explain while they're sitting surrounded by garbage would be very fun, either.

Maybe he just needs to be straight with him.]

You're a Youkai normally, but in this world, everyone who was once non-human becomes human.

[Okay, he has to stop Chihiro right there for a second, because that is a lie. Confused and concerned, he glances over at Noko of all things, then back at Chihiro.]

...That's a tsuchinoko, zura!

[Explain?!]

Eh?

[Chihiro looks over at Noko himself before shaking his head, reaching in his bag again for his Gear.]

N-no, she's a Pokemon. A Dunsparce. Pokemon are different from Youkai, though some have similar powers.

[He holds his dex up to Noko, and a second later a voice says:]

Dunsparce, the Land Snake Pokemon. Dunsparce has a drill for its tail. It uses this tail to burrow into the ground backward. This Pokémon is known to make its nest in complex shapes deep under the ground.

MONGE!!

[Komasan isn't sure what scares him more, that the youkai aren't youkai, or that this person just got...whatever that thing is to talk. He jumps back again, looking at the 'gear like it's some kind of horrible witchcraft device from hell.]

H-How is it doing that, zura?! I-It doesn't have a mouth, zura!!

[Granted, a lot of youkai can speak without mouths, but he did say there are no youkai here. Only these fake...pokeymons.]

Everything here is so weird ...or scary... [It's getting to be too much to handle, Komasan can't help but wonder if he was better off in the trash can. He looks down, pulling his legs up and wrapping his arms around them for some sort of comfort, his posture tense.] I just wanna go home, zura...

[Oops. Maybe that was a little...too much too fast.

Chihiro falls silent for a moment, watching Komasan with concern as he curls up on himself again.]

Mm...

[Chihiro quickly puts his Gear away again, deciding then that trying to really...explain anything is doing more harm than good.]

I...it's going to be okay. I'll help you.

[Komasan looks up at him with those big dumb round eyes, tears finally making an appearance in their corners. Honestly it's impressive that he went this long without a single sign of crying.

But as far as he's concerned, help meant finding his mom, and anything would be better than sticking around here. He can only nod his head this time, putting his trust in a stranger who apparently knows everything about him. Who else can he trust?]

Come on. We shouldn't sit here...

[Chihiro says softly, slowly standing up and holding a hand out for Komasan to take, if he wants. There's still garbage everywhere, and he thinks he'd feel better if he was somewhere more secluded, but...nicer.]

Hhm...

[Hand...

Maybe it's because he's all alone in a "new" world that he forces himself to trust Chihiro so easily, or maybe Chihiro himself is just a calming person to be around, but he takes his hand without much inner conflict. His grip is soft though, all anyone needs to know how unsure he is despite not saying a single word.

His Pokemon perk up when they see it, even Komajiro stops spinning around if it means they can get outta here. Shiro and Noko especially seem relieved, because they really had no idea if they would ever be able to convince him to go on their own. Thank you, Chihiro, you are a miracle worker.]

...Hands are weird, zura...

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