plasticasshole | IC Inbox

No, the Stoutland reminds me of you.

[He smiles to himself, squeezing Hank’s hand.]

It’s also referred to as the big-hearted pokemon.

[He grunts at first at the similarity callout, but Connor can probably feel him smile, cheek rounding up beside his ear and pricking his face with his beard as he indirectly almost calls him big-hearted.]

Fair enough. Just don't tell anybody.

[Not that he's been much of an asshole here. No one's given him a reason. He rubs his thumb along the back of Connor's hand, feeling tranquil now that he's warming up.]

I'll go get us something decent to eat in a few minutes when we've warmed up some. You can stay here under the covers. I'll wade through the Slowpokes.

I won't. But I think anyone who knows you will think the same thing.

[He sighs contentedly, glad to be in a warm bed with Hank cuddled up behind him.]

Okay. I'll let out the pokemon while you're gone.

[The dogs will want to lounge too, he thinks.]

I'll take Dame and put her back while I'm out. Su- [he does the thing of almost calling a child by the wrong name] Tubbs is on my belt and my other Pokeballs are in the bag...

[Then he opens his eyes.]

...Do they do costumes here? For Halloween?

[Because Connor's never had a Halloween. He's done fuck all. Never dressed up or anything.]

I'm not sure. I'd imagine so.

[Halloween seems to be a big deal here, so he supposes there would be a lot of places selling costumes and such. He smiles to himself.]

I bet there are Slowpoke costumes. Can I dress my pokemon up as Slowpoke?

[Okay, dressing up his Pokemon is just as good. And further reinforces that occasional glimmer of a thought in the back of his mind, one he gets irritated with, that Connor would have been a great mom.]

Probably. It would be the best place to do it.

I'll look when I'm out and tell you when I come back, all right?

[He props himself up on his arm and looks down at him.]

[Connor rolls onto his back to look up at him, pleased with the idea of dressing up his pokemon.]

Don't be too long. We need to leave after we rest.

[But he wants his pokemon to be dressed as Slowpoke immediately, so they're not leaving until at least Crockett has a costume on.]

[Hank snorts lightly.] Okay. Which ones do you want me to pick them up for?

[Surely they have options for all types.]

It's a few days early but you need at least one day of an actual Halloween. It's important. Even if you were still an android I'd make you do something.

But since you're a human, you're going to get some treats, too.

Crockett and Buntz, at least.

[Who wouldn't want to see a Pikachu dressed as a Slowpoke?]

We can celebrate on the road. I'm not sure how, though. I don't know what people do for Halloween.

We can't do all of the things you'd normally do, but uh....

You know what? Get out your Pumkaboo for this. [He pats Connor's hip.] I'll make sure Woody comes along. They'll set the mood.

I don't think scary stories would be as scary for you, but we could try anyway.

[And finally Hank reluctantly gets up, bunching the blankets around Connor so the warmth doesn't leave him.] You nap in the meantime. [They should get some real rest before they hit the road again.]

I’ll get her out before we leave, then.

[It’s true that scary stories might not work well on Connor, but it’s not like he’s incapable of being spooked. He just might be prone to picking the stories apart.]

I’ll try to wait for you to come back.

[But predictably, he’s out like a light within minutes of Hank actually leaving.]

[Hank spends plenty of time out asking about costumes. He picks out costumes for his dogs as well, also Slowpokes to match. He picks up a variety of cheap candy, everything from candy bars to those powdery little discs and some candy corn. He figures what Connor doesn't eat, the Pokemon will like. He even gets a couple of caramel apples, the sort covered in crushed nuts.]

[He goes all out. He even gets Connor a better cushion.]

[Though he gets back and finds Connor fast asleep, and remains quiet as he moves around the room putting down his recent purchases. He can't bear to wake him up. Not after all that travelling.]

[Connor sleeps for a little while longer, before shifting awake with a grumble and sitting up, looking for Hank as he rubs his eye. He sees Hank’s new belongings and goes over to investigate them, but not before finally letting out his pokemon (with the exception of Rocky). Crockett beeps as Connor pulls out the Slowpoke outfit for it, and he smiles as he puts it on.]

[Hank's already settled down by the time that Connor wakes up, with Woody at his side trying to read a book that Hank is turning pages for. Apparently he likes entertaining the Pokemon; more unfortunate residue from having been a dad.]

[He looks over at Connor.]

I got you a candied apple and some cheap Halloween candy to try. Don't eat too much at once.

[He's warned him before. He'll do it again. Man the Magneton looks damn strange in a costume. But not unhappy, really.]

[The Magneton even does a twirl after the costume has been successfully put on. Buntz seems excited for his own costume, so it looks like Connor is going to have to dress up all of the pokemon right now.]

I’ll try to remember. It made me feel unwell last time.

[Hank just watches fondly as Connor dresses them all up. His own press their doggish noses eagerly at Connor, wanting attention. Even Woody floats over.]

[It's kind of a bizarre scene. Connor surrounded by magical fucking creatures wanting to be dressed up.]

You're one song away from being a Disney princess.

Am I?

[He seems happy enough with his task, though he isn't sure what a Disney princess does exactly. That sort of thing was never programmed into him. Finally he has one costume left, for Rocky. It's only a snout and ears thankfully, there's no way Connor would have gotten a full outfit on the Onix.

He looks around at the pokemon all dressed up, and gives Hank a smile.]

I think I like Halloween so far.

[Connor can be grotesquely and disgustingly adorable sometimes, when he's not eating tylenol. Hank watches this whole scenario like its a show all on its own.]

Costumes and candy really are the important part. Then I gotta think up some scary stories- I guess we'll listen to that recording I did for the radio too.

[Connor will listen to that, right? He doesn't care that much about other people doing it, he just wants Connor too.]

I'd like to listen to it.

[Connor just likes any excuse to hear Hank's voice.]

Have you had any rest yet? You should sleep a little before we leave again.

And miss you going out and doing Halloween stuff? Not a chance. I'll bitch about being tired later and deal with it now.

[He gets up out of the chair he's sitting in, collecting his things.]

Come on. Let's go out. See if there's anything festive you wanna do in town. [And he'll try to grab a book of scary stories or something.]

If you’re certain.

[Connor gets up too, followed by the small army of pokemon dressed as Slowpoke.]

Are all of the pokemon coming?

[He knows Crockett is, and Buntz answers for himself by climbing up on Connor’s shoulder.]

I put Dame up for a while. And Cagney. But these three always get to go.

[Tubbs, Hunter, and Luann are up for their pokemon Slowpoke adventure. Woody, however, picks up one of the bags of candy and holds it up to Connor.]

I think he wants some.

[Hank says. And vaguely wonders if Woody remembers trick or treating.]

[Connor takes the bag and opens it for the pokemon, taking a piece and handing it to Buntz before trying some himself. He then feeds some to Woody, before petting him.]

I’ll just bring Crockett and Buntz, then. And I’ll swap Lacey out for Patches.

[He puts the Growlithe back in her pokeball so he can swap her out for the Pumpkaboo at the PokeCenter.]

Lead the way. [Hank says, following after. Woody is probably the most eager, rushing around like a kid and looking at everyone's Halloween decorations. He's no different at the Pokecenter, trying to steal pine cones and tiny pumpkins from displays. Hank's having to stop him over and over, before he sees the Pumpkaboo taken out.]

[It might as well be love at first sight.]

[He reaches his little arms for her, wanting to pick her up and carry her so badly.]

She'll kick your ass if you're not being polite. [Hank warns him.]

[The Pumpkaboo is a large lady, floating by Connor and making a curious “boo?” sound at Woody. She drifts over to him though, and repeats herself. She’s twice the size of the Phantump so when he reaches for her she floats a little as he carries her, making it easier for him.

Connor realises he needs to get a Slowpoke outfit for Patches as well.]

They seem to get on well already.

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sociallychallenged - 2018-11-02 06:28 (UTC) - Expand

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plasticasshole - 2018-11-02 06:33 (UTC) - Expand