give you my world | closed | mallory

[Giuseppe Esposito]

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Pinks and purples. Yellow and oranges. A cascade of colors hung in the sky before him, streaks of white clouds painted across it, creating a pattern much like the scratches that his father had proudly bore across his chest and arms, given to him by pokemon that they were rehabilitating. His father had told him that the scars meant that a fearful pokemon had finally allowed him in it's presence without using a distance attack; that it had allowed him close enough to use a physical attack instead. The scratches signified progress. They signified change.

So too did the pastels on display in the morning sky before him, he considered as he sat on the rim of his rooftop. The gentle hues could be found as a result of change beyond a rising sun in the early morning sky. During the spring, colorful flowers blossomed to announce the changing of the seasons. Bruises erupted across skin in pinks, purples, and yellows. Even babies newly brought into this world were almost immediately swaddled in pastel pinks and blues after their birth.

[break][break]For Giuseppe, change had come about through sleepless nights and an extra pack of cigarettes a day; through a pit in his stomach that tugged at his heart, desperate to swallow it up so that perhaps he'd stop feeling such strong emotions; through an aversion to alcohol, but an attraction to cocaine that hadn't previously existed. He had thrown himself into his work, committing himself to something bigger than him, with the idea that if he allowed himself to rest - to put his guard down for even one moment - he would be forced to consider what he had done, and wonder if it had been the right choice.

[break][break]Deep down, he knew it was. The truth of the matter was that he had changed all of those years ago - they both had. When Dax had come back to him, the Giuseppe that Dax had known was gone, drank away in a river of liquor and replaced with different goals, different dreams. Fundamentally he was the same person, but he no longer possessed the same aspirations or coping methods. Even his sources of enjoyment were different from the man he had been.

[break][break]Not to mention, his love for Dax had changed, even though he hadn't been able to admit it. Emotions ranging from fear, to relief, to hope, to false happiness combined with the desire to feel normal again had masked the discomfort he had felt. 'Things will go back to normal,' he had told himself, and maybe Dax had been telling himself that as well, although he'd never know for sure. The simple truth was that the person who he had become, and the person who Dax had turned into from his time spent in the camp were incompatible. It was a shame that Dax hadn't been able to see that yet, and it certainly didn't make it easier to watch as his apartment went from the home of a couple to that of a bachelor.

[break][break]Well, a bachelor and Mallory.

[break][break]Giuseppe's hand pulled a cigarette to his mouth as his eyes dropped from the pastel palette above him to the canals twisting and swirling below his feet. People in outfts ranging from business casual to professional dotted the pavement that shaped the canals, moving from one location to another to begin whatever monotonous task they were on their way to complete. He hated all of them, without a question or a doubt - the way they crawled from point A to point B without a single ackowledgent of the thoughts threatening to swallow him up. People, people, people - that was all this city could offer him.

[break][break]---

[break][break]His bag barely took up a third of the room in the trunk of the cab, all of what he could possibly need either fitting inside or hanging off of one of the straps. He was thankful that his house was near the city limits and that he hadn't needed to drag his things entirely too far to reach a real road. With a reassuring thud, Giuseppe closed the trunk and then paused to take a drag from his cigarette, taking one last moment to ensure that he hadn't missed anything. Sure that he had everything that he needed, he gave the cab's trunk a few taps before walking to the open door.

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[attr="class","vagrantNotes"]

this is so overdue[break]
happened last mid-late summer![break]
+1 to AFD (31 > 32)

Mallory Greyson

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[Mallory Greyson]

MALLORY ELIZABITH GREYSON

THE REBELLIOUS POKEMON

==============-------==============

The dark corners of the world had always been Mallory's safe zone. Where no light reached, not many dared tread. In the darkness it was wild, it was filthy, and everyone else was exactly as broken as she was. No one who told her to smile was unpunchable. No one who commented on her attire was asking her to change. No one who saw her drink or smoke was going to tell her how bad for her it was. In the dark she found dark people, lawless and crude, and she knew how to deal with each and every one of them.

At least that was what she had thought.

Running fingers over thin lines in her palm where glass had shattered, she wonders if she ever really had the grasp on her situation that she thought she did. If her life in the corners of the world was comforting because she knew how to navigate it- or if it was comforting simply for being an absence of a bright, clean, sterile world she certainly didn't. Where everyone smiled and said nice things and looked proper but felt dead inside and hoped the next day, or the next, or the next would be better.

The apartment looked like those places. Tidy and polite. But out of every corner in the world, despite everything that had happened, it was still the only place that felt like it made sense to her. A shady exterior but a warm, safe underbelly. Where she didn't have to pretend to smile, or listen, or care, or be happy, and yet she was able to let her guard down.

And where the one person she had ever found who made sense resides.

Her boss had started as a welcome enigma- only familiar on the surface but still readable nonetheless. He was both safe in his familiar danger, and a challenge. But now, after months and months and months watching his comings and goings, picking his actions apart with clever eyes, she finally found what made Gui tick. It wasn't anything extraordinary- he was a simple man after all, but he was no longer the mystery he was when she thought him as cold and cruel.

Underneath everything he was just as sentimental as she was unpredictable.

It made him foolish, and impossible to fully sympathize with, but it at least made him, finally, make sense to Mallory. So when her nemesis finally packed up and left their territory with his tail between his legs, Mal knew that her boss would not be as happy to see him go as she was, despite it clearly being the best option for the household, and frankly for Dax too. No, sentimental as he was she knew her boss would take it hard. So she had walked on eggshells, waiting for the other shoe to drop like it had before. And when it didn't she did what she did best, and watched her boss and kept tabs on the slow churn of thoughts and motions he betrayed more and more easily each passing day.

When she saw the cab, saw him packing it full, her mind was already made up. Where ever Giuseppe went, where ever he dragged his stupid turmoil addled mind, she wouldn't be far behind. After all, out of the two of them there only ever seemed to be one who functioned at a time. He'd be lost with his own stewing thoughts without her help, just like last time. He'd ruin himself. And she simply couldn't abide that.

So with a large duffel bag slung over her shoulder she snuck out to the cab while he packed, slipping in the back seat when he was occupied with the trunk. She set her bag on the floor when she saw Boss standing at the open door. "I can't beleive you're making me do this." She sighed, loud and dramatic.

+1 to Miagi

[Giuseppe Esposito]

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Giuseppe hadn't expected Mallory to be sitting in the back of the cab when he arrived at the open door, however that didn't necessarily mean that he was surprised. He hadn't given her much of a warning that he was leaving, or any explanation (at least on purpose). A note had been left casually on the desk, the majority of it hastily detailing the various tasks she'd need to complete while he was gone in order to ensure that his business was still running smoothly when he returned. Otherwise, the morning had been normal - he had avoided small talk (like always), left her to her morning routine (like always), and did whatever the hell he wanted (like always). Only today, whatever the hell he wanted had turned into moping on the rooftop before making the decision to call a cab.

[break][break]Still, he wasn't surprised at Mallory's insistence on making his life difficult... If anything he was concerned, as where he was going was not a typical vacation destination, so much so that he probably should have written much more in his note just in case he never came back at all. "Mallory," he muttered, his tone suggesting both a warning that she was overstepping as well as an awfully tired acknowledgement that he knew she wouldn't care or listen to him in the slightest.

[break][break]Before he could continue, he was interrupted by the taxi driver who, quite aggressively, reminded him that they all had places to be and if he wanted his ride, he needed to get into the car. Begrudgingly, Giuseppe slid in to the backseat, pulling the door shut behind him and signaling to the driver that they could proceed.

[break][break]He remained facing forward in his seat, his arm resting on the door as he stared out the window at the passing scenery. He wasn't concerned about the business - the note would be just as decipherable by Donati as it would have been Mallory. Rather, he was trying to figure out if he was truly concerned for Mallory, or if he was just annoyed that he wouldn't be alone. He wasn't sure what type of life Mallory lived before she came into his life, but he was certain she wasn't fully equipped to spend a long weekend on Casulari Island. Of course, if she got eaten by a pidgeot, she might learn a lesson, but...

[break][break]But what? But he wasn't annoyed that he'd be alone? That he was actually concerned for this piece of trash's safety?

[break][break]Eventually, he turned to look her direction, reaching over to snap his fingers near her face to get her attention. "I am not going on vacation," he muttered, obviously attempting to keep the conversation between the two of them. "I am not going on some sort of fun holiday get-away. I am going to an island in the middle of a jungle to be alone. The jungle is full of pokemon that are both powerful and pissed. There's no plumbing, no shelter, and I will have to forage - probably hunt - to eat." He paused, attempting to read through her expression if she was understanding, but knowing damn well that it was a futile attempt. Her pokerface was unbeatable. "You are not coming with me. We will drop you at a bus station in Kain City."

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[attr="class","vagrantNotes"]

hello yes still overdue

Mallory Greyson

[attr="class","vagrantCredit"]SELKIE

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[Mallory Greyson]

MALLORY ELIZABITH GREYSON

THE REBELLIOUS POKEMON

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The exasperated warning was expected, and Mallory was relived to hear both the admonishing tone and the resignation. One without the other would upset the balance after all. If her boss didn't fight her she would have reason to be worried, but if he didn't know that his fighting was basically useless then she'd have to be a bigger pain in his side to compensate. She smirked as the driver reminded him of their time and settled in, getting exaggeratedly cozy as Gui sighed and slid into the car.

Mallory crossed her legs and leaned deep into the seat while she watched the scenery go by and kept tabs on her boss whenever she felt she could steal a glance. It was going to be of the upmost importance to keep a gauge on Gui's mood, and try and piece together his thoughts as best she could. Otherwise she was liable to be booted from the trip and Gui would be alone to spiral. She didn't know where they were headed but the unknown was a state of being that she felt more comfortable in than most. It was a thrill either way to be in a veritable blank slate of unexpected adventure, even if it was essentially a damage control mission.

Mallory blinked at the snap in front of her eyes, looking first to the fingers then to the face connected to them, shoving the hand out of her face as she knit her brows at Gui. But, as he spoke, the annoyance melted back down to her glazed neutrality. Of course this was some type of bizarre, macho man, 'try and feel anything', all-but-suicide stunt. It was just insane enough to be almost something her boss would call logical.

Closing her eyes, Mal crossed her arms and sunk back into her seat. "Cool, now I know where you're going. You're getting there so it is possible for me to get my own transit and if it's an island that
means that Flo can definitely track you with Odor Sleuth once I get there." She opened one eye and smirked, "Thanks for letting me know."

There was some trepidation about her team perhaps being underleveled, but as far as Mallory was concerned this was a big, bright neon sign of New, Interesting Experiences. Not having a damn clue what she was doing, and the danger associated, were just the icing on the cake.

[Giuseppe Esposito]

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Giuseppe continued to watch her as she settled back into her seat, comfier than ever and not a care written across her face. He huffed just slightly at her response before leaning back into his own seat, his stare promptly making its way back to the passing scenery.

[break][break]He was silent for a few moments as he mulled over the situation. He didn’t want to admit it, but he knew that she wasn’t lying or over-exaggerating. Transport could get her to the edge of the jungle, at which point it would only be a matter of time before Flo caught their scent; she was so used to him that she wouldn’t even need an item of his to track him properly. Unfortunately, in his attempt to intimidate the girl, he had done nothing but pique her interest.

[break][break]He really should have learned by now.

[break][break]He turned back to her, speaking without worrying about whether or not she could hear him. He knew she could. ”Do not expect me to waste my resources on you,” he warned. ”If you cannot find food, or if you get carried off by a giant pokemon, you are on your own.”

[break][break]And with that, he scooched himself down into the seat, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.

[break][break]

---

[break]It was several hours before they arrived at their destination. As they drove along the backroad that wound along the very edge of the Casulari Jungle, Giuseppe kept his eyes peeled for the mark he was looking for. As soon as he saw it - a road sign warning of potential crossing pokemon, but with a small X in the bottom corner - he instructed the cab driver to stop the car. Without hesitation, he paid the driver, exited the vehicle, and moved to the trunk.

[break][break]”This is your last opportunity to go back to Verona,” he said to Mallory as he pulled his bag out and swung it onto his back. His hand on the trunk’s lid, he held it up as he waited for her response for only a moment before pushing it closed - he knew what her answer would be, and as the taxi drove away, he led her into the jungle.

[break][break]His eye and ears remained peeled as they traveled down the nearly imperceptible path. He pulled two pokeballs from his pockets as soon as they were out of sight of the road, releasing Bond and Autorità. They both assessed their soundings before Autorità made her way up the nearest tree, while Bond pushed passed Giuseppe to get to Mallory, greeting her with a touch of his nose to her hand. Giuseppe rolled his eyes at the sight.

[break][break]”At least someone is happy that you invited yourself along,” he grumbled as he continued moving down the path.

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[attr="class","vagrantNotes"]

not overdue!

Mallory Greyson

[attr="class","vagrantCredit"]SELKIE

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[Mallory Greyson]

MALLORY ELIZABITH GREYSON

THE REBELLIOUS POKEMON

==============-------==============

Closing her eyes once more, Mallory puffed an amused exhale when Giuseppe huffed in disbelief, or maybe acceptance. She cracked a small smile as his silence gave way to a warning, but did not reply or acknowledge him. A man who apparently weeps when he thinks you died is one Mallory would bet money on not letting her perish on his watch. That being said, she knew for sure he would not be above letting her struggle and suffer while laughing and saying that he told her so. So it's not like absolutely nothing was at stake, just not her life unless she fucked up enough for something instantaneous to happen. Which was fine by her. Mal didn't need a safety net- but she did need to be ready to rub her bosses face in the fact that he lied if he ever saved her from a certain demise.

And this thought was amusing for all of 30 seconds before Mallory was quite nearly bored to death by the impossibly long, silent car ride. Watching out the window only helped for 20 minutes tops before Mal was ready to claw her way out of the car and slipped into a nap in order to preserve her own sanity.

The car skirted to an abrupt stop and shook her awake after what was likely far too long. She watched her boss exit the car like he was in a hurry and blinked the sleep from her eyes as she unbuckled her seatbelt. She opened her door and grabbed her bag, eyes rolling as she listened to Gui. "You wish." She snarked as she stepped out of the car and slammed it shut, punctuating the close of the trunk. Two sharp, stubborn sounds in the relative quiet of the jungle environment. She followed close behind, not about to give him the chance to try and give her the slip- though if she was even halfway as good at reading people as she thought she was that was not even a possibility. All she saw when she looked at Gui was resignation to a fight he lost hours, if not months, ago.

Mallory watched as Autorita and Bond were released and smiled wide as the hellhound greeted her. "Hey." She smiled, rubbing his head between his horns. She rolled her eyes at the comment shrugging her shoulders as she pulled out 2 Pokeballs. "Of course, Bond actually likes me." Two flashes of light flickered from her hands, materializing as the small forms of Flo and Morganna. The fox quickly scaled her trainer like a jungle gym, sitting proudly on her shoulder, while Flo hopped at her side, already scenting the air as she tried to puzzle the situation out. "Just keep an eye out." Mal assured, which earned a nod from each of them.

(very overdue lmao)