asmywitness | IC Inbox

[There's a lot of things wrong with this scenario, and being suddenly fifty feet above the beast he's supposed to be on is not the least of it. While he's capable of forcibly teleporting others, there's not a being alive that can do the same. So, the fact Isis just did it to him?

It infuriates him.

Most might panic, but being a man drive by fury, he's able to quell what panic there may be in this situation in order to grab hold of Isis with deft and pinpoint accuracy. As if the way of teleportation magic, should the concentration be off, or the caster otherwise bound, it's exceedingly difficult to teleport. He doesn't know if that's the case for Pokémon, but right now he doesn't care.

It's unlikely Tyler will allow Isis to plummet to her possible demise, and so if he might not aim to save Solus from this tumbling through the air, he might if it means Isis would survive. At the same time, Solus is rather curious what the results of this would be--apparently people can't kill each other, but has anyone fallen from their height?

He doubts it, but worst case scenario, this mortal form dies. Not the first time he's dealt with that and he if it does, he may very well be able to find the means to escape that his flesh prison holds him back from.

...Optmism?]

[Isis can only peep in loud surprise as the Ascian suddenly grabs her - this was not part of the plan - and the shrill psychic wail of her sudden panic slams into both men's heads at an intense volume.

It's enough to jerk Tyler out of his frozen state, swing around to see a lack of partner and bastard, just in time to see them plummet like a stone in the distance.]

Aah--!!

[He doesn't realise the noise escapes him - he just stares, for a moment, shocked, before Ox swings around (he, at least, noticed the sudden lack of weight on his back) and dives after the falling subjects like a terrifyingly huge bird of prey, a shadow streaking down after Solus with full intent to grab the man in his sharp-taloned feet.]

[How unfortunate that what purchase Ox makes in his hold of Solus is his leg—with the momentum of his fall, it certainly puts a lot of strain on his hip joint, and it'd be surprising if it wasn't at the very least sprained from the force. Not to mention the dig of those talons into his leg as they grip him. The saving grace of this all, though not for Solus, is the fact that the full body jerk of being grabbed makes him drop Isis.

Fortunately, he doesn't drop his bag, though he very narrowly loses it, but has enough focus to snatch it before it slips off of him completely. He will admit, the pain is a bit excruciating being caught and held like this, but he supposes it's less than what it'd be hitting the ground. He'd be very dead, or if what he's been told about this world is true, he'd be very not dead, and perhaps that'd be worse. A theory to test another time, perhaps.

Now that he's been caught, however, the view of the fiasco is...comical. There Aerodactyl is, holding Solus by his leg, upside down like some rag doll, the skirts of his outfit flipped over him so that...basically none of him is visible from the waist up. It doesn't matter if he's saying anything at all, who could really hear him? Certainly not Tyler. Hearing impairment notwithstanding, between the layers and layers of his outfit, and the rush of the wind, any bitching or complaint is utterly lost.]

[Isis gives another loud peep of surprise when she's suddenly released, and floats for a moment on sheer momentum. Before she can fall, though, she instinctively teleports, and gets tossed into Tyler's chest.

Oh thank fuck.

He holds the little bird as tightly as he can against himself, feeling her trembling form and jackhammer little heart as she grips his jacket in her claws, hiding her little beak in the collar of his jacket. He's more than happy to stay cuddling his tiny companion like this for... who knows how long. Until both of their hearts slow down to something more reasonable.

Eventually, Isis stops shaking enough that she can, through beak and claw, pull herself inside Tyler's peacoat again, and nestle against his sternum with exhausted relief. Tyler lets her, instead looking over the edge of Ox at his fucking bastard of a companion. He's rather tempted to leave him like that for the entire trip. He's pretty sure you can't die from blood rushing to your head. Pretty sure.

Ugh. He taps Ox's shoulder, making the giant beast look at him, and Tyler gives him a gesture - they haven't trained through many of these, but Ox is apparently smart enough to get the hint.

Because without warning he throws Solus into the air, getting him to do a full 180 flip before the claws snap back down and - with the man's dress still wrapped around his upper half - clamp around his torso. At least this way he's upright for the next five hours of this cursed trip.]

[Well this is. Not entirely favorable.

It's fortunate that all the spinning and falling didn't make him nauseous enough to lose his breakfast (even though that was...basically just an Irish Coffee), but being righted and grabbed while the skirts of his dress are still wrapped around him doesn't help matters much. Well, it's certainly better than the head rush he was getting with how he was posed before, and it gives his poor joint a much needed break.

While his ass might be a bit cold, what with wearing practically nothing but tights on his lower half, he can't complain too much about the shade his predicament is proving. In fact, after a few moments to get used to the hold, he's finding it pretty damn easy to just...doze off. He hates this situation, hates the chill to his lower regions, but ultimately what the fuck can he do?

And so, he indeed just falls asleep for the next few hours. Not particularly worried about being dropped, seeing as such an opportunity was already decided against earlier, and even if he was dropped...well, what could he honestly do? Not much! So this is just how it is, even as they begin to descend, he doesn't seem to stir, nor notice they're getting closer to the ground.]

[Tyler is still learning Ox's limits just as much as the Aerodactyl is, so when he feels the giant dinosaur's rhythm begin to slow, he gives his Pokemon a pat on the shoulder and points out a clearing near a small lake for them to land in.

But he also gets Ox to stop and hover, about four metres off the ground, so Ox can unceremoniously drop Solus the remaining distance onto his face.

Then Tyler lands, and dismounts himself so Ox can go and get a drink. Tyler is very pointedly following him, and not looking at Solus.]

[Such disrespect! Fortunately for Solus, as Ox moved to a hover, he stirred awake, just in time to feel the drop. Granted, he's still wrapped up in his skirts, and even if he could have landed a bit better without his vision blocked, his hurt leg makes such a feat impossible. He does manage to twist himself before hitting the ground, almost landing on his feet, but with his injury that doesn't happen. Instead, he lands solidly on his back (better than his face), with a groan and grimace.

For a long moment, he just lays there, staring up at the sky while both his hip and back radiate pain. This is far from the trip he imagined, but he honestly should have known better. Just like mortals to be needlessly cruel like this. Ah well.

With another grunt, he pushes himself up to a sitting position, glancing over at Tyler and Ox with a solemn expression, before attempting to get to his feet. A task he does most gingerly. Besides the wince, and the strange gait, he otherwise doesn't attempt to bring attention to it as he approaches. He does nothing to hide his annoyance, crossing his arms over his chest, not caring at the moment to deal with his wind-tossed hair. The white of it peppering through the rich brown in messy waves.]

You've ought to keep that bird of yours under control—all of that was really unacceptable.

[He sounds more like a teacher scolding a child, than someone who almost got dropped to their death. Well, would-be death, if this world wasn't so...fucked.]

[Tyler makes no motion in the remote area of 'has heard Solus'. He's just staying with his back to the man, one hand on Ox while the Aerodactyl takes long draughts from the lake - Ox, on the other hand, is watching Solus out of the corner of his eye, thick tail swishing gently on the hard dirt.

Tyler isn't shaking or stiff himself anymore, but he's curling his free hand in and out of a tight fist at his side.]

[Solus lets the silence hang in the air for a moment, wondering if Isis isn't translating him. It's...likely, considering that whole thing. No reaction, beyond the clenching and unclenching of his fist. His golden eyes look over him, then they turn to Ox.

With a sigh, he unfolds his arms, shrugging.]

Ooh, very well, be that way.

[Walking closer to the lake, he peers down at himself in its waters, scowling at the absolute mess he looks. Shaking his head, he sets to fixing his hair as best he can. If Tyler wishes to ignore him, so be it, he will take this time to himself and figure out some sort of strategy here.]

[Ox shifts slightly, changing his footing so one of his giant wings stands a bit more between Tyler and Solus, before he keeps drinking. He's a big boy.

Tyler does start, just a little, when the man enters his line of sight - he genuinely hadn't known he was approaching - but doesn't acknowledge him in any other way, instead taking his phone out.

A minute later, Solus gets a text.]

Touch me again and I'm leaving you here.

[The buzz of his gear gets his attention, and he fishes it out of his bag, glancing at the text, then to Tyler.]

...Oh for the love of—

[More said under his breath than to anyone, not that it matters with Tyler's translator taking a break. Rolling his eyes, he texts back.]

That'll be hardly necessary, for I've no intention to. But truly, there are better ways in telling a man you need space than for your bird to pull the mummery it did.

[He is absolutely not about to tell the fucker that he made Tyler shut down.]

Isis acts in my best interests. She made that decision on her own and I'm not about to denounce it.

Would it have truly been in your best interest if that stunt ended in her possible demise? Mayhap you should better teach her the true parameters of your best interests.

[He doesn't have to say much, he's catching on to some degree. The man is clearly shaken.]

[fuck you solus you don't know shit]

She could hardly have known you'd fucking grab her. She's never encountered anyone who's been so blatantly disrespectful to my personal space.

What was a man to do in such a moment? You will have to forgive me, for I had little reason to believe you would save me, and I merely reacted. As for the matter of your personal space, need I remind you that I was nary touching you at all when she decided to make an attempt on my life.

Though, I confess the possible resulting impact and whether or not I would die had been a momentary point of interest, but glad am I you chose to spare me the answer to such a query.

[Yes, because that's the normal thing people do when they're faced with possibly dying.]

[Tyler stiffens at the call out, but his text remains civil enough.]

I did warn you previously that I don't trust you for personal reasons. Isis couldn't know that you weren't going to try anything more.

[Taking a moment, he slowly lowers himself to take a seat by the water, no longer wanting to put weight on his leg if he can help it. He's used to pain, but that does not mean he necessarily wants to endure it needlessly.]

Indeed you had, and whilst I can not fault her for wishing to protect her master, I would advise you to curb her behavior. If for naught else than her own safety, and quite possibly yours. Such impulsive behavior will be ruinous for the both of you, let alone any she arbitrarily assigns as a threat.

Edited 2020-05-14 05:14 (UTC)

I'll keep that in mind.

[By which he mostly means: fuck you Solus. Because he's very pointedly putting his phone back in his pocket and sitting down next to the water. Ox is finally pulling his head out, and backs up so he can lie down and take a proper break too. His head is massive, as long as Tyler's legs and tall enough that he can see Solus over them and continue watching him.]

[Watching as Tyler puts his device away, he sighs once more with a shake of his head. He was the one who could have died, yet Tyler is the one acting the victim. Typical mortals, only thinking about how they are effected in any given situation. Unable and unwilling to see the broader picture, and should such bite Tyler in the ass later, Solus will smugly bask in it.

Putting his own device away, he then chooses to dig out a Poké Ball of his own: his Yamask's. He has no designs for it to possess anyone, nor for it to even battle. But he supposes if he's to be ignored by Tyler and his pettiness, then he might as well make his own company. Releasing it, the Yamask clings to its mask as it surveys the surrounding, looking first to Solus, but then noticing Tyler and Ox. The small ghost letting out a wary whine of its name, before floating towards Solus, as if seeking some measure of reassurance or comfort.

With a gloved hand, he beckons to the Yamask, not looking particularly affectionate about it, but the Yamask doesn't seem to care. It looks delighted at all to be acknowledged, resting its little ghost body on Solus' shoulder, its mask hanging by its tail down the other.]

What ever am I to do with this boy, hm? [He says it quietly to his Pokémon, even though he knows there's little point in whispering, considering...but then again, who knows if that Natu is listening.]

[Tyler is under the impression that Solus cares far more about being slighted by Isis than he does about the whole 'being dropped into thin air at a thousand feet up'. Certainly it's the point he keeps coming back to. Plus, since they both know that such a death would have no lasting effects, while Tyler just got forced to relive his trauma somewhat, Tyler does indeed feel like more of the victim here.

Fuck you Solus.

The flash of a Pokeball gets his attention, and he eyes off the Yamask, briefly but intensely wary, until he looks away and decides to be much more steadfast in ignoring him.

An hour passes eventually, and Ox gets back to his feet with a long stretch, flexing his wings as wide as he can and shaking off like a dog, sending the tip of his tail whipping about dangerously, before he kneels down again, and Tyler climbs up and pulls his phone out.]

Hurry up and get on.

[Granted, he does not know the details of Tyler's trauma, so he's not fully aware of what he put Tyler through there. To him, he was being far more an annoyance and latent threat, than forcing an unsavory memory. If he did know, well...there's no telling if he'd allow himself to care. He might, for a fleeting moment, before pressing such empathy to the wayside.

It's easier that way, to not get attached, to not care for the misery you cause. Because then you're less likely to get hurt yourself.

With the hour come and gone, Solus had spent the time lost in his own thoughts, reviewing their interactions, replaying them in his head, and with his photographic memory, it's pretty much like experiencing it in real time. Settling on a different approach by the time Ox has had his fill of rest.

Getting the text to confirm he's not being left behind, he chooses not to respond via text, but rather bows graciously to Tyler. Though, he admittedly struggles to climb onto Ox, understandable with the strain to his leg, but he does indeed saddle up. His Yamask still clinging to his shoulders, watching everything with wide, curious eyes. And, to Solus' credit, he holds onto the horn he should, makes no effort to crowd Tyler's space, nor provoke him.]

Edited 2020-05-14 06:30 (UTC)

[He's not sure that he likes Solus having his Yamask out, knowing what he does about what Solus himself knows, but given everything else so far he's not going to push the situation further by asking him to put it back. It's another few hours of travel yet; easier to just make it as painless as possible.

He pats his chest, getting a gentle peep and a comforting psychic nudge out of Isis, before he pats Ox and gets them all thrust back into the sky at the same rocketing speed as before.]

[A simple precaution, truly, but he has no ill intent behind such a decision. Should he need to have his Yamask possess Tyler, he'll certainly do it, but until such a moment the little guy is merely there to enjoy the ride.

Even with the rocketing speed, Solus remains a comfortable distance from Tyler, never encroaching nor pushing any such boundaries. Seemingly respecting what he was so keen to not earlier. Not even attempting to push conversation, either, considering he's certain it wouldn't be welcome, on top of the fact that Isis likely would be petty for the foreseeable future.

Should Tyler choose not to speak up, or address him, he will likewise remain silent as the grave.]

[Not once does Tyler try and make conversation with Solus, not even turning around to look at him. Likewise, Isis does not pop up from her nest inside his jacket to do checks. She's staying safe.

The silhouette of the Bell Tower appears in the distance after they gain some height, but it's still another three hours before they finally reach the outskirts of the city of Ecruteak itself. (He's pretty sure he can see Lydia's house from up here.)

However, it's the Pokemon Center he sets down in front of, rather than his fuck-buddy's house. Better to get Solus the warp, so they never have to do this again.

He jumps off first, as soon as Ox lands, and gives the Aerodactyl some well-deserved snout pats.]

[Surprising as it may be, when necessary, Solus can indeed stay quiet and behaved. Only when there's something to gain, but it's still a testament to his willingness to do so. The flight is long and boring, and sitting straddled like that for so long does nothing for his stupid leg--thus he's further reminded of the frailty of humans.

Once they finally make their destination, Ox landing and Tyler disembarked, Solus follows suit. Wincing despite himself as he lands on his feet. Looking at Tyler briefly, before he stiffly walks into the center to register himself at the warp. It doesn't take long, but he assumes that Tyler may very well have left him upon his return, but perhaps not since their true destination is with Lydia.]

Edited (wording) 2020-05-14 07:50 (UTC)

WEEE

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