&&. ᵛᶦʳᶦᵈᶦᵃᶰ

.WRITTEN BY JAUNTY.   ||   this is an independent, selective, and private roleplay blog of green oak from the pokemon series. this blog is MAINLY headcanon-based and follows directly from the MAIN VERSE GAMES -- as such, there will be no interactions with characters / portrayals from the anime and manga, though there will be possible influence from the manga please be aware while the series in itself is to be kid-friendly, there will be more of a focus on darker themes and plots around here. this blog itself WILL NOT BE TAGGED of such, so please hardblock me if you do not wish to view me on your dashboard at all or i happen to follow you and you are uncomfortable with this knowledge and / or the themes at hand you might actually notice that i enjoy and am very liberal with all sorts of dark themes and plots -- PLEASE READ THESE if you wish to understand my views. if this troubles you or you have a problem with it, hardblock me.

Would he even live if it fired at him?

It's only when Apollo stepped forward did Green realize to breathe. His heart pounded loudly in his ears, almost making him miss what was being said between the men. Honey brown eyes saw his companion RATHER SMUGLY called the gunman's bluff -- he may be good on threats, but it appears as though he had SECOND THOUGHTS on actually firing. Quickly did Green's mind ran with thoughts, many seemed too risky to initiate. It's still the two of them in this place with trainers apparently ARMED that they could ( and even then, Green wouldn't want to endanger Apollo either ).

However, it appears that Green was a little too late on making a decision.

All hell broke loose the moment one of Apollo's Pokemon sprang forth from its ball and attacked the gunman. The gun had went off, and all Green could see was Apollo falling to the ground. "Apollo!" the boy cried out in a panic, RACING TOWARDS HIM without much of a thought for himself. Eve herself let out an alarmed cry when more shots rang out. Arcanine roared as he charged forward to protect his trainer -- Alakazam suddenly appeared from his Pokeball, using his power in an attempt to stop any bullets flying towards them.

"You guys! Be careful! Eve, get over here!" Green barked out orders for his Pokemon with Arcanine hunkering down behind Alakazam and Eve swift to where the trainers were -- a sheen of sweat formed at on Green's face from the STRESS AND CHAOS that nearly overtook all of his senses. The repugnant smell of blood and gunpowder filled the air, causing agitation in all of the Pokemon present. Green took hold of Apollo, though his hands shook the minute his eyes landed on the sight of the blood cascading down the man's arm.

Archer frowned softly at the admission that Green and Professor Oak weren’t seeing eye-to-eye. He feigned concern, canting his head to one side as though to offer the other space to speak more on it. He chose not to, much to the Executive’s disappointment, but he didn’t press. It was sensitive information, a privilege to peer that deeply into another’s life and he didn’t have that pass yet. Perhaps with time or when whatever Green wanted to discuss wasn’t so immediately pressing. He stored what information was given away for another time, something to look into when he had a moment to himself.

His frown deepened, though, when Green spoke of being in contact with ‘it.’ Whatever the people were supposedly seeing flying over the city, Green knew more than just the rumors themselves? His curiosity was piqued further still as he tried to sort the puzzle out himself but given his time away, he didn’t have enough information to suss it out. So instead he nodded slowly to answer Green’s question.

“Certainly, Green. Whatever you feel you need to do, I’m here. Is it safe to do it here or would you rather go somewhere private?”

     A heated battle raged within Green; a DEBATE on whether he should actually go through with this and truly trust Apollo with this knowledge. He had NEVER spoken up about this to anyone – not even climbing the treacherous Mt. Silver to greet Red would have Green gather up the courage to talk about it.      For the first time in a while, the spiky haired man realized how utterly ALONE he is. When was the last time he’s ever confided in ANYONE? Not even poor Daisy, who would always want to know what her little brother was up to when he wasn’t working at the gym or visiting Red. The RESULTING GUILT that bubbled at the pit of his stomach caused Green to swallow in apprehension. Never had he felt such an UNPLEASANT feeling; this certainly doesn’t happen quite often.

     Grinning ( to ward off the intruding doubts ), Green took a minute to glance around themselves. The road they occupied is BARE OF ALL LIFE, save for the two of them; around this time of day, everybody would have been busy with work and the gym is locked for the day. Perfect – ! “I think we’re good for now!” he eagerly replied as he now turned, wondering if this specific spot is where THEY are able to visit. “See, about...what, a year ago, I’ve came across something spectacular. A wonder, that no one would ever believe me even if I was red in the face!       They aren’t something that can be seen in public... Or even in this time of day. But...since it’s quiet and all...” Green took a few steps forward, craning his neck around as though he is SEARCHING. “Maybe if I...” he mutters to himself, allowing himself to RELAX where unbeknownst to Apollo, Green’s aura had extended out. A beacon of light, if you will.      ...Silence. Nothing to note of except for the breeze rustling at the trees. Green’s shoulders slumped at the thought that he had concluded WRONG, and perhaps made a fool out of himself... He went to turn back to Apollo until honey brown eyes caught something amidst some trees. Instead of exclaiming his surprise, Green pointed over to it – a SHIMMERING, CURIOUS BLUE gaze observed the two, a pink head now popped out from the leaves.

Archer had forgotten how much he enjoyed conversing with Green. The brunet had a penchant for spilling his guts whenever the Executive was around, telling him everything he wanted to know without much more than a casual question. He was genuine when he said he didn’t know what to expect from the public– he’d been gone longer than perhaps was wise and was thus out of the loop as far as how much trouble Rocket had stirred up in his absence. He’d been assured by Ariana that things would go smoothly but it was difficult to tell when someone or other would screw things up. So, when Green assured him there’s been no gang activity to speak of– or at least, none that’s reached his ears– Archer nodded firmly, doing nothing to hide the soft exhale of relief.

“I’m glad to hear things have been going well in my absence. After all our hard work those months ago, I’d hate to hear that it had been for nothing. I know the people of Johto are happy to see a young man like you still roaming the streets so openly. It means they are safe and warns off any ne’er-do-wells who might get the wrong idea about whether or not these streets are protected.”

He frowned slightly as Green continued, though. He couldn’t help but wonder how or why this new information was relevant to a man believed to be Interpol. Rumors of a mythical Pokemon, no matter how easily chalked up to tricks of the light or some such, were hardly worth mentioning to the police, after all. And yet… He smiled softly, placed a warm hand on Green’s shoulder.

“Green, I should hope you’d know by now you can trust me with anything. You did me more than a favor and I hope to some day return more than my share. If there’s anything I can help you with– even something as small as an earnest, honest ear to listen– I’m here.”

     Green knew that it is particularly an UNWISE DECISION to mention sensitive information towards the police -- towards Interpol, no less -- but at this point, the gym leader didn’t consider Apollo as a mere officer of the law. After all, Green had accompanied him in DANGEROUS TERRITORY. A test of sheer skill and cooperation that could have had the next person SELFISH of their own life and desires. Not to say he thought of Apollo as A FRIEND, but...something of an acquaintance. Casual ones, at best.      Furthermore, the gym leader didn’t have ANYONE ELSE to speak of this information -- no one that would CARE, anyway.

He grinned at Green’s admission and nodded. “Siblings always have a habit of saying precisely what you don’t want to hear, even when telling you something you do.” Or so he’s heard anyway. He wouldn’t know himself, being an only child. It wasn’t an experience he’d ever found himself longing for ever but it might have come in handy when dealing with others who’d had it. Ah, well. It was unlikely he’d have come out any better for it anyway and that was enough for him.

“Well, Johto happens to be where I’m stationed for the time being, but I was in Galar on personal business for a time. I was granted a leave of absence from the force for a little while and I wanted to take advantage of it by exploring the new region.”

He paused somewhat at the sound of Green taking over Viridian Gym. That place brought memories he wanted nothing to do with and a slight frown creased his brows before he smoothed it over with a tight-lipped smile.

“I’m so glad to hear you’re doing well after everything we went through! You haven’t heard any rumors about Rocket or other gangs in the area in my absence have you? The department hasn’t had any intel since my return but I’m curious what the public impression is.”

     “In Galar? Wow, that far, huh?” Well, they aren’t known as INTERPOL for nothing, but the fact that there would be trouble even in the most ADVANCED region is nothing short of concerning. However, if Apollo himself had been visiting it himself for a thorough, personal investigation, Green believed that he shouldn’t be that troubled about it -- after all, he himself had been busy with his own affairs that grew BEYOND simple exploration and a brief course of history.      Green is brought out of his thoughts by the question, quickly shaking his head. “Nope! Everything’s all good around here,” he declared with his fingers locking together behind his head, a seemingly RELAXED posture for the usually stressed gym leader. “In fact, everyone here feel safer than ever! Yeah, they hadn’t realized Team Rocket has been hiding out here, but they’re just glad that the roads are safer than ever.”

He turned at the sound of his surname, wondering how he’d missed anyone familiar as he’d walked through the city mere moments ago. When he laid eyes on the source of the sound, he stopped nearly dead in his tracks. Not simply because he wanted to talk to the younger male but because… my, how he’d grown! Had he really been gone long enough for the teen to sprout like a weed in his absence? He hummed into a small smile of greeting as the brunette approached and he offered a short wave.

“Well, well, if isn’t one of Kanto’s best and brightest? It’s been too long, Green! Why, you look like you’ve shot up an entire foot since last I saw you!”

Palmer’s playful expression faded in an instant when the other man didn’t respond in a joking manner - and he breathed a sigh of relief when the other dropped his act, then he grimaced at the man’s coughing fit.

Once he had caught a break from the coughs, and had begun to speak about how he was new to the region, a look of confusion made itself visible on Palmer’s face.

( Something about this seemed odd. Few trainers came to the Battle Zone, fewer ventured into the wilderness to the north of it, and only a fraction of those ever touched the northern entrances to the Underground… yet here this man was, a supposed newcomer to the region, with barely anything to protect himself from the cold… )

With a silent nod of acknowledgement, Palmer turned to face deeper into the cave, his flashlight now flicked on and illuminating the otherwise dim tunnel. “C’mon, it gets warmer a few hundred feet in… and I can lend you my jacket if you need,” he spoke over his shoulder back to the young man, motioning for him to follow as he continued his descent into the tunnels.

“I gotta say, though… you’re new to this region and you’ve found yourself…” Palmer looked behind him, before shining his light in the younger man’s face. “In some cave, in the middle of nowhere?” He quirked an eyebrow in apparent suspicion. “Having entered said cave suspiciously close behind me, too?” His focus returned to the path in front of him, the light no longer blinding the newcomer’s eyes. “Seems serial killer-y, no matter how you spin it.”

“…But I gotta ask, what brings you down here, anyways? You’re woefully unprepared.” He made occasional glances back to the mysterious fellow as he spoke.

“There are better ways to get into the tunnels that don’t involve risking frostbite, you know.”

     Great, the last thing Green needed is to combat an illness thanks to the weather, but it isn’t as though he had MUCH OF A CHOICE when traveling through the storms. In fact, he’s still GRATEFUL in even finding these clothes that, while not as insulated as it should, helped give him some warmth for the chilly nights. “Thanks... I’d appreciate that!” Green cleared his throat upon his reply, following after the man in quickened steps.      Maintaining his distance for his sake, the young man brought a hand up when the light flashed across his face. A brief look of MILD IRRITATION flickered along his youthful features before his brows eased from the reasonably CONFUSED and HESITANT statements. “...Yeah? I mean, where else am I gonna go?” he answered as he lowered his hand when the flashlight focused on the path ahead.      “If it’s shelter, it’s shelter! I don’t really take the time to see who’s in here -- being they’re caves and all -- unless it’s like...a house or something.”

{ @twinleaf-royalty​ }

he’s actually modest about that! as much as green favors sex, he doesn’t rlly make a huge show out of it. he might make a comment or a mention, but he isn’t gonna be like “i got some good dick last night!” or “yeah, and i give head left and right!” lmao. i don’t think he’d even talk much about it with someone who’s alright with that sort of stuff

Out of all the places one would expect to find the Tycoon, Sinnoh’s Underground was probably the last place that would come to mind. A maze of subterranean tunnels and caverns, a labyrinth which one could easily get lost in, with nothing but flickering lights strung along the walls to illuminate certain stretches…

But this close to the surface - and with this entrance to the tunnels being so far north, so rarely trafficked - there were no lights along the walls. Not for another few hundred metres. Any soul taking this entrance into the caves had to pack in their own light source.

Through the first few drops and bends of the tunnel, the ambient light that reflected from the cave’s mouth gave just enough light for Palmer to see without his flashlight. It doesn’t hurt to save batteries where he can.

( The air is humid, getting more dank the further in one goes. One could easily say that that the earth is alive, and that beneath the surface, it breathes. ) 

What had brought Palmer to the tunnels - who knew? Something had brought him down here, though. The fingertips of his left hand dragged against the wall to help steady himself, lest he slip on wet rock beneath his feet…

The poor guy nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the shadow of a man in the corner of his vision, nearly stumbling over, but managing to keep his balance as he braced against the wall. Wide eyes peered back up to the individual silhouetted against the brighter ambient light. His voice told Palmer that this man was certainly more youthful than himself, and that he was indeed friendly, prompting a sigh of relief from the Frontier Brain.

“Nearly gave me a heart attack there!” Palmer replied. “I didn’t expect to run into anyone else in here either…”

Though, part of him did wonder why this person was here, and what he was doing in the caves. This entrance was so out of the way, that most people who wanted to explore the tunnels casually would have found another entrance. He couldn’t think of a reason why someone else would be here, let alone so close behind him. “Not sure what you’re doing down here, but…”

Well, he could think of one reason.

“Two-hundred bucks says that this is the part where you turn out to be a serial killer and I’m about to be horrifically murdered, yeah?” Palmer laughed - he couldn’t help but try and joke about the situation he had found himself in, no?

( … Er, he was only half-joking about that. )

     The casual initiation made Green somewhat SPEECHLESS. How long had it been since he’s partaken in a normal conversation with the apparent AVERAGE CITIZEN? For too long has his sight been nothing but insignias plastered upon uniforms and frigid stares. Years of being kept within confined spaces and only having high windows to MOCK and TAUNT him of an outside world that is just out of his reach. Before his senses are to REMIND HIM of a particular incident, Green jolts out of his thoughts as his eyes adapt within the darkness; he only went upon the PRICKLING along his skin to measure the distance between him and the man.      Wrapping his arms around himself to gather warmth to combat the chills traveling up his spine from the weather outside, the young man STRUGGLED to think of a reply. He’s clueless on what has happened among the social crowd over these last few years. Had things changed dramatically? What was acceptable or frowned upon?       Despite himself, Green felt a tugging at his lips, allowing it to be a lazy grin yet his tone is INDESCRIBABLE. “Drop it down to free, and I’ll say it is~.” Silence fell between the men before that grin dropped and the man IMMEDIATELY brought his hands up in a surrendering motion.

     He barely made it to the mouth of the cave before the clouds POURED the frigid rain. A deep sigh came from the young man as he watched water collecting at the ground, the sky DARKENING to where it seemed as though the mid afternoon had suddenly transitioned to the late evening hours. A storm that definitely won’t let up until an hour or so. Green lowered his gaze to the sight of himself wearing the baggy ( stolen ) clothing that hid at his injuries, newly fresh and the faded.      Better to wait it out and NOT RISK the bandages getting wet and soiled...      Of course, that allowed Green to explore what little he could see of this region. He’s traveled far enough from Kanto to AVOID DETECTION...and rather become paranoid of who may be on his trail, he decided to indulge in his curiosity as he ventured further into the cave.      Just as he decided to simply hang around at the entrance, he noticed a presence. Something that gave off life and an aura that felt...human. Green blinked as he took a few steps then froze in surprise. What first captured his attention was the MASS OF BLOND HAIR that particularly stood out, then realization hit Green upon landing honey brown eyes with the other’s.