#int: world of stones and colors | larry

[haunted-memorial]

"You need a passcode to call the lift." Spoken from seemingly nowhere, Larry most assuredly not having been there before, at least noticeably, he goes about casually lighting up a cigarette just a few feet behind Morty. "Biometrics too, to shut off the sensors. I'm sure you can guess what happens when you trip them." A puff of smoke briefly obscures the Everyman's face, his expression and tone never shifting from the usual monotone, and yet...it almost seems threatening, in a way.

"Trust me when I say you don't want to go down there, especially not alone." 'Down there' being Area Zero, of course, a place he knew all too well by now.

Gengar’s eyes appear in his shadow glaring a bit at the sudden appearance of Larry, though he goes back when he realizes who it is and due to Morty not looking alarmed at all. The seer could only really guess how bad it could be if he tried to break it and get down there, just to satisfy his own curiosity. 

“I see, quite a bit of security… I should think of getting something like this for the burned tower…” One would think it would be common sense to not want to go down into an abandoned, half burned tower that people have died in, but the promise of meeting legendary pokemon was just too much for quite a few people, his best friend included, but Eusine was more careful than most. 

“Would you be willing to show me what is down there, then… or is it completely out of the question?” Morty had a feeling that Larry would rather do anything else aside from go down there, but he had to ask at the very least. 

[haunted-memorial]

Morty gave Casper a wave goodbye in return, looking forward to seeing the ghost type again, though he is a little surprised to see that Larry is getting that far along in it. “I see, I understand.” He chuckles a little. “If you want, I can give you a few pointers on how to train the ability a bit… it’s a little tricky, but once you get it down…” He smiles a the thought. He’s been able to talk to pokemon for as long as he can remember, but it was Valerie that he managed to actually teach to do it when he was a kid. He could almost hear the questions she was going to ask when he recounted some of the day to her, and he almost has to hold back a groan. 

“Well, I’ll show you around Ecruteak, if you have the time. There are so many places I believe you would find interesting,” Morty replies in Johtonian, just for some fun, though he does really find it impressive that Larry can do that. “Hm… I’ll have to read up more on languages at some point. I’ve been meaning to study the ghost types of those regions as well more…” Though was it really for that or did he want to impress the salary man as much as he impressed Morty? Well, a bit of both, but the Johto league really did need someone that could translate for them, and while he was sure that the elite four were more than capable, and maybe had more time, to do so, it was likely going to be left to him and the other gym leaders, and given his penchant for training to the extreme… 

After calling Staraptor back into its ball, Larry took a moment to crouch to Cas's level, not a word having to be said between them before the Pumpkaboo gave Morty a wave as it faded out of sight. It had said goodbye as it went, something Morty no doubt understood, but perhaps would be surprised to learn Larry understood as well. "No different than when we were kids, don't even have to say a word to each other." A bittersweet laugh at that. "Took me a while, but I'm starting to understand when he 'talks' to me. All goes on in our heads most of the time, can't exactly have a conversation with him in public without turning heads. Not exactly normal." Don't stand out, don't give them a reason to remember, fade into the background, it was safer that way.

"Deal, though if we don't get around to it while you're in town, I'm sure I'll find myself in Johto sometime soon. Also Galar, Kanto, Shinoh, Alola, Kalos..." Each said in their own respective languages...Larry could show off, just a little bit.

[haunted-memorial]

@world-of-stones-and-colors continued from here (x)

With how close that Morty was with death, he could recognize sickness well in most people… though, if he were being honest, it was incredibly hard to tell with Larry until the Everyman showed his hand by accident. As much attention as he paid to Larry, which was more than he was going to admit aloud, the way that Larry just was made him half think the business man was always sick, though it was slightly worse today, enough that he was a little worried…

Though seeing it confirmed after a few questions… well, it only made him even more so. “Yes, you did. It was quite an impressive change, though I’m rather glad that you’re not going to fight me on this.” He was half convinced with how much of a workaholic Larry was that he was going to have to get one of his old friends out of his pc to teleport the guy back home or something, though he was glad that it didn’t have to go that far. 

“Smart choice, I think you could do with the rest, just to make sure that you’re all right. I would hate to hear that something happened to you while at work to ruin your usual performance.” He’s mostly teasing, though he knows that Larry would hate it, too, if only due to the dock in his pay. He wasn’t aware of how much Larry made or had, though he did know that it was a bother no matter the circumstances. Either way, he goes to tell the receptionist what Larry told him to tell them as he waits for his fellow gym leader. 

“Lead the way back to your place… I’ll have Mismagius mother you while I prepare some soup for you.” There were times in the past when that had been necessary. Caring for the family that his own worked alongside for centuries was expected of him, so he was pretty used to making okayu and making workaholics rest… and Mismagius, thanks to him, had more than enough experience in making workaholics rest.

[haunted-memorial]

"I guess we're doing this the old fashioned way..."

"Really, it's fine. you don't have to go through the trouble."

The intense training that Morty willingly put himself through in his vain attempt to be worthy of the legendary pokemon he long since revered often came with quite a few injuries. The ghost type expert was used to pains in his head, though with the blood that was running down his face this time, it was less from over using his powers this time and more from his other training getting him into a different kind of trouble, namely getting his head cut open on top of the headache he was starting to get.

Though, this happened enough times that even his closest companions tended to just give him some water and leave him be... well, all of them were used to it aside from Larry. It was a risk to do this today when the everyman was visiting Johto, which he knew thanks to Lance giving them all the heads up that they were going to be assessed in front of other league officials, though... this had to be the worst timing ever on his part... something he felt but ignored, his own fault, really.

[haunted-memorial]

That was more than worrying to the ghost expert, even if he managed to keep a mostly calm demeanor. “Let’s start from the beginning. What led to your… friend discovering that they might have a kid?” Going to sit across from him to keep gauging his expression, Morty couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. If it was a niece or a nephew, Morty feels Larry would have just said so even if it would have resulted in this state. “And do you intend to tell the child of the unknown relationship or not?” 

Questions were scary, but all around a good thing to Larry. Questions meant Morty had yet to leave, that there was still a chance he wouldn't decide all of this wasn't worth it. "Ask them, I'll tell you whatever it is you want to know." And if the furrow of a brow was enough to worry Morty, the way Larry all but collapsed into the nearest possible seat, body hunched over with his head now in his hands, might just be enough for both of them to find themselves on the brink of a meltdown.

[haunted-memorial]

Half keeping an eye on his partner pokemon and half watching the Everyman, Morty has taken some notice of personal effects around the office. When he visited the offices in the league, there was a sense of… warmth that came with the amount of things that people kept there to show off who they were. It wasn’t like that here, but he didn’t particularly mind… given that he was taking it to mean this was just what it was: a job and not something Larry particularly wanted to reflect him. 

Morty can’t help but laugh a bit at that. He sort of figured that would be the case, as much of a sacrifice for Larry, he imagined it to be. “I can’t blame you for that. I think I would have ended up falling asleep by now if were in your position.” Though… seeing him smile was certainly quite nice to see on the everyman’s face. “Perhaps you can get a caffeine fix while we’re having lunch. While not the same, it should help a bit.” Given he doubted that Larry would take another break, he figured this was needed, though even in his worry for him, he can’t really keep the smile off his face at the sight of Larry carrying the kid. It was… quite a nice sight, admittedly. 

He nods as he goes to open the door for Larry, given that he was carrying Ava. “All right, lead the way.” 

Standing from his desk, Larry was meticulous before he stepped away; shutting off monitors, neatly stacking papers, clicking pens closed before putting them back into their holder, and finally pushing in his chair before he packed away his briefcase. It was one of the few things he could have control over at work, the state of his desk, and really his office as a whole. There may not be a single personal item in it, but it was neat and orderly, everything in its place. It was a nice contrast to the hidden chaos of his life, especially since this was where he spent the most time dealing with it.

"I'm going to be honest, I really regret it." The click of clasps as they snapped shut went along with a laugh, Larry then reaching for Ava's 'baby bag' and slinging it over his shoulder before scooping up the little lady herself. "I could have asked Janet out there or one of the interns to get it for me, or just taken her along afterwards to grab it, but I'd rather keep her being here as quiet as I can. I don't need anyone distracting me coming to see her." Or asking questions. "Forgot about it after a while, but I don't think I'd do it again. I feel like crap." And he looked it too, the bags under his eyes even darker than usual, and yet he still managed a real smile that reached those heavy eyes when he looked at both Morty and Ava.

"Come on then, best leave now while everyone's still on their lunch break." He'd let Morty think he was paying for the time being, that was an 'argument' for after he had a cup of coffee.

[haunted-memorial]

He raises an eyebrow at the sudden change, chuckling a little at the suddenly sly smile on Larry. It was certainly surprising, though Morty could agree. “Indeed, it would make it so much easier to build relations… though it seems I’m the only one that could be bothered with it… aside from Whitney:” The normal type gym leader back home happily spoke Unovan to whoever would listen to her, though they were all taught Kantonian at the very least. Given the relationship between the Kanto and the Johto leagues, miscommunication could be disastrous.

Nodding at the instruction, he leans further down, getting a better aim. Closing an eye, he gets ready to make the shot as he thinks of how to describe it. “Hm… you know how a dowsing machine can find items people dropped? Imagine that, though it’s in my head, and I can only find things that that person dropped or lost… could be anything, really. They just need to remember it and it is important enough for them to have an attachment to.” He could find little things that meant nothing, sure, but it was too much of a headache, literally, for him to be thrilled about it or be able to do it very often.

Choosing to simply move past not being remembered, it always less awkward that way whenever this sort of thing happened, Larry instead gave a short laugh of understanding as he looked over the table for the best shot. "I think anyone who works with other regions like that should have mandatory language classes, what do you think?" Spoken in Kalosian with a sly sort of smile, Larry pointing out another solid colored ball Morty might be able to sink.

"You got a ball in, so you go again. You're solids, so try that one there....Oh, and lean further down so you can look down the stick, helps make a better shot." A pause, then: "What do you mean by dowsing machine?"

[haunted-memorial]

A small part of Morty was tempted to scold Gengar for alerting his partner of his presence, however, he was mostly just glad he didn’t have to attempt to snap Larry out of the haze on his own. The mischievous ghost type was eager to return to his shadow, though as he stepped inside the office, the two coffees in his hands as he goes to set one on Larry’s desk. 

“Surprisingly no, though they did make sure that the drink was to your tastes.” Thankfully for him. Admittedly, Morty wasn’t sure at all how Larry preferred to have a dose of caffeine, and he made sure to make a mental note of it when he was told. Though, at the mention of him becoming a local ghost story in a way, Morty can’t help but chuckle at the thought. “Really now? Heh, I probably shouldn’t be flattered by that, but it is rather fitting.” 

Morty didn’t imagine there were many like him in Paldea, after all. Even if he wasn’t even referring to just the cultural differences of Johto and Paldea, even in his home there were only a few that would subject themself to the training of spirit mediums or seers. The intensity of the training tended to drive most away, but it has served him well over the years. 

“Think you’ve earned a quick break? It’s been quite some time since the two of us could talk face to face, like this.” The video calls were more than great, but it was really nothing in comparison to being able to spend time with him in person.

☕️ from Morty to Larry. ^_^

(X)

It was...different to have Morty in his life now, after so long of being alone. It wasn't that it always made the day easier to get through, but that there was a light at the end of the tunnel, even if the sun had long since set before he could leave. Sometimes, Morty even took the time to surprise him, his fellow gym leader always seeming to know when he needed it the most (and really, who was to say that wasn't the case? It wouldn't be the weirdest thing if he knew when Larry had reached a low and could use a pick-me-up). More often than not, it was an out of the blue call that gave Larry a much needed break, and other times, the best times, were when the man himself walked through his office door.

Morty didn't even need to wait to be let into Larry's office anymore, not unless someone higher than both their positions combined was meeting with the Everyman, but most of the time it was just Larry wasting away at his desk, hours having gone by without him even noticing.

Now was one of those times, it taking the chill of Gengar to snap him out of his number induced haze, he'd been buried so deep. Some might be annoyed by such an interruption, but Larry always had a smile springing to his lips at the familiar shudder, knowing by now it meant Morty was soon to step through his door.

"Intern's didn't give you trouble, did they?" Was asked in place of a greeting as his door clicked open, a final shudder along his spine telling him Gengar had left and presumably went back to Morty's shadow. "They're not used to seeing someone like you in a town like this. Pretty sure there's even a ghost story or two floating around."

[haunted-memorial]

While his main focus while visiting Paldea had been to study the legends and ghost pokemon there, there was something even better about the night life that was there. The closest thing to a good bar that he could get back home in Johto was from Goldenrod or Olivine with sake being the only fair in Ecruteak, but there was a charm to this that put him at ease, more so than he would have thought he would feel in a region so far from home. Though, at the offer of a challenge... maybe it was the drink in him, but he thought it sounded rather fun.

"I'd be willing to give it a try... if you explain how to play." Morty never really had a chance to learn something like this. Go and hanafuda were the only games that he had played back home. Sitting around with the dancers and playing as he listened to gossip was a past time for him, and different as this was, he was sure that they would find the story amusing enough that he would tell them even after he was sure to lose.

Open RP - Larry

It was one of the few times Larry seemed genuinely content in life, the vastly overworked man managing to find a moments reprieve from the stress of the day so long as there was a poolstick in his hand. It had been a while, but with one of the local bars having recently installed a pool table, and his fellow employees heading to said bar to relax on a friday night, he figured why the heck not? He could play a few rounds, maybe have a drink, and then head home for the night. Hell, maybe he'd actually be able to get some sleep.

Cleaning up another round at the table, Larry almost looked smug where he leaned against his poolstick (but surely it was just a trick of the light). "Anyone else?"

[haunted-memorial]

Likewise, Morty was quite unused to spending this much time with someone. Sure the dancers at the Ecruteak theater often visited him and spoke with him about the statuses of the legendary pokemon, but like this? Just spending time with him and talking with him in a casual way? Morty hasn’t had that since he was much younger and still thought he could take on the Johto league himself, with his father still the leader of the Ecruteak Gym. 

With the view of the stars in Paldea, it made him a little remorseful that he didn’t think to bring some sort of themed bento lunch. The simple meal of rice balls, rolled omelets, stir fried veggies, and some teriyaki over some more rice in the bottom along with kasib berry mochi wasn’t that fancy, but he had all the ingredients and it was something he made for himself countless amount of times that he was confident it was going to be good. 

A chuckle leaves him at the admission. That was…actually a little cute, though he also completely understood. He could almost hear Whitney berating him for not doing everything he could to make this more memorable, but in his defense, he was never going to be as cutesy as the other normal type specialist that he knew. “I don’t mind either… admittedly, I had never really been on a date before, but this is rather nice.”  Morty certainly had an idea of how much Larry had to plan things. He, himself, was the kind of person that kept the details ambiguous, there was only so much planning one could do when training the ability to see the future funnily enough, but… there was something flattering about being someone the everyman could relax around for a change of pace. “Perhaps we should do this again, then. It will certainly be better for you to get a few more chances to unwind. Besides, I have yet to wow you with recipes I have from Kalos.” That was more of a tease… though, he wouldn’t mind going all out for him if it meant he could talk with him more.

💫 - for our muses to go stargazing bc that goes well with a picnic :3

Dating Symbols (X) @haunted-memorial

By this point in his life, one would imagine Larry had some idea of what he was doing, and for the longest time he had, even if that was only because he ran through his day on a dissociative autopilot. He'd get up, go to work, come home, rinse and repeat. For years that had been his sole routine, and then one self indulgent night at a bar, Larry having stayed far longer than his coworkers, made a curve in an otherwise straight road.

So he went down this new scenic route; played some pool, talked about his past, broke some rules that left yet another dress shirt destined for the garbage, and somehow that ended up with him at a late night picnic with Morty. He hadn't realized it until laying on his back under the stars, pointing out constellations and making up a few with his fellow gym leader, that this was exactly what he needed. Something he had maybe wanted for a while now. He could have asked anyone to 'help get rika off his back and out of his office', but the first person he thought of, that he felt comfortable enough to ask was Morty.

"I still don't know what I'm doing, by the way." After all, the whole picnic idea had been Poppy's when Larry had not so jokingly asked her what people did for a date. There was also 'holding hands', 'getting ice cream', and 'hugging reeeaaaallllly tight!' left on the mental 'list' she'd given him, but he figured the idea of a picnic would work fine for now. The stargazing had just been a bonus, Larry not having a free moment during his day, so a picnic under the stars it had been.

"I...don't really think I mind, though." Which was something to be said by the man who had to plan out damn near everything during his workday (if he didn't, then he wouldn't get everything done, and if he didn't get everything done, he got his pay docked). "I haven't been able to relax this much in...in a really long time..."

[haunted-memorial]

If asked, Morty wouldn’t know how to describe it to Larry. A part of it was just training his pokemon, but that was the easy part. No, the hard part was the the training that came with the training involving his clairvoyance. That usually came with… all sorts of side effects ranging from mild headaches to passing out to blood loss. Getting an injury wasn’t unheard of, but he wasn’t fully aware of what he was doing when possessed all the time, not that getting fully possessed was even common for him when reaching out to the past. 

Whether a surprise or not, it was always rather nice to see Larry again, even during circumstances like this. Under different ones, he would be eagerly showing Larry around Ecruteak, something he had planned on doing when the Everyman could get a break, though that wouldn’t be an option until this was dealt with. 

“You won’t accept my yes to that, will you…” He chuckles a bit, knowing that Larry wouldn’t… Though, he does blush a bit when Larry starts to examine him. Even if Morty knew it was just to assess his injury… well, it was a little embarrassing, too. 

A chuckle leaves him at the thought as he shakes his head. “I might need to lean on you, but I can walk, I’m sure. Besides, I’ve dragged myself to the pokemon center before, it’s nothing the nurse there won’t be used to.” 

Everyone was a little too used to their gym leader doing that, though, given his family’s history there, it was probably nothing particularly new for any of them. Besides, they knew what Morty was doing. Getting stronger to protect Ecruteak was his job. 

“Though, once this is bandaged up… remind me, I’ll show you some of the better places to relax in Ecruteak… if you have the time, that is.” 

@haunted-memorial cont. from (X)

While Larry wasn't exactly sure the sort of training Morty often put himslef through, he had become accustomed to hearing about the aftermath of injuries whenever they found a spare moment to talk over the phone. This was one of those rare moments where Larry was able to visit Morty as opposed to the other way around, and while he was technically there for work, he had plans to stick around a day or so after the other officials had left to 'follow up' with members of the Johto league, or in other words, spend more time with Morty while he could.

It was meant to be a surprise, one that had been dashed by Geeta, no doubt, with her needing to give Johto a 'heads up' on everyone that was going to be flying over, despite the group being the same one that traveled to every region's leagues. Or maybe he was just being bitter, assigning blame where there was none to be found. It didn't matter in the end, so long as he got the chance to see Morty.

Finding him bleeding wasn't exactly how he was expecting this visit to go, but that was the very state he'd found his...Morty in.

"What am I supposed to do, leave you here?" He had a feeling the answer would have been yes, should he be someone else. "Besides, I owe you one from the crater, remember?" Taking Morty's face in his hands, Larry tilted his head to the side to better assess the wound with a stony gaze, his expression so unmoving, it would perhpas be obvious to the other man just how forced it was.

"Doesn't look too bad...can you walk? Or do I have to carry you like a princess from this tower?"

[haunted-memorial]

There’s a bit of relief that Morty can’t bring himself to hide as the two of them get into the elevator. He wouldn’t be able to imagine that there would be many that would end up there aside from just on purpose. Still, he is glad that they’re able to escape without either of them getting hurt… well, Larry getting hurt again. 

Looking over at the shirt and the injury, he takes a moment to assess it as well, sighing a bit as he sees that the blood only made it worse. “I’ll get you a new one when we get you patched up.” Though, even if it wasn’t as bad as he feared, he still wanted to make sure that Larry was all right. It was the least he could do, given that Larry put himself in that line of fire for him. 

“Of course, understood.” Given that it was Larry’s job to keep an eye on things there, this would be… a pretty bad thing for people to know. He wasn’t sure about how harsh the league in Paldea could be, though given how dangerous it was, he could imagine that the consequences for bringing someone here would be quite a harsh reduction of pay. 

A humorless chuckle leaves him as he nods. “You don’t have to worry about that… I think my curiosity will be satisfied for quite some time. I’ll stick to just looking for good bars and restaurants from here on.” That was partially true, though he didn’t have much desire to go to a place that had such a risk to the person taking him… though if he could find a way to get there alone, he wouldn’t mind the challenge for training, but that was too much of a risk for his pokemon to allow it. 

Blinking in surprise, he hesitates for a second before taking it. “I’m surprised you would even think about that… though I appreciate it quite a bit.” He wasn’t even sure if he did have the original one or not with everything that happened, but he wasn’t going to check as he merely puts it away where it would be safe. “Perhaps once you’re back in an intact shirt, I can take you for a drink? I think I owe you one after the stress from this.” 

Lucky for them, they met no roadblocks on their short walk to the elevator, Larry not having to enter a code this time around to open the lift's doors, it being a safty precaution incase anyone managed to find their way down there or if someone needed to make a fast exit for whatever reason...

Though still on edge, Larry allowed himself to take a moment to further inspect the gash the Anomaly had left him with; it really wasn't all that bad, it looking as if he perhaps walked into a sharp table corner or something similar. It only looked to be worse thanks to the white shirt now stained red in a wide span around it, that seeming to bother Larry more than the wound itself. "That's the third shirt this month..." Muttered to himself perhaps just a bit too loud for such a small space, he failed to see how such a thing might be concerning to overhear.

"Don't tell anyone about this." Something that perhaps didn't need to even be said, but his anxiety demanded he say it. "If it comes up, Scout got me by accident while we were training." Not that anyone would know, not with how good he'd gotten at hiding such things.

Stepping out of the lift, Larry punched in another code before fully locking the place behind him, it being one that would wipe the security footage with the reasoning of a 'breach', something that was normally used when something got out to avoid having video evidence after it was taken care of, but in this case it would hide the fact that Morty had been with him at all during what would become a 'routine check' after a 'passerby tripped the sensors' when he wrote up a report later on.

"Hope you enjoyed the field trip...please don't make me come out here again." His tone dry as he buttoned his jacket to hide the wound once more before recalling Staraptor back into its ball. And while it was a legitimate request, the sentiment was just as sincere, not that anyone could ever tell. He didn't exactly make it easy.

Though, perhaps Morty would realize he had meant what he said all around after pulling a Terra crystal from his pocket. "Here, just in case you lost the other one in all that." Meaning he'd grabbed it somewhere in between getting hurt and making it back to the lift.

[haunted-memorial]

Larry was right in that Morty didn’t understand a word of that, though, he wouldn’t understand even more of the idea of leaving Larry there when it was his fault the two of them were down there to begin with. In Morty’s mind it would make far more sense to leave him there given everything, but hopefully, it wouldn’t have to come to any quick decisions. 

“As you say… though it’s not going to stop me from keeping an eye on you.” As much as he wants to help, he’s not going to make Larry accept his help, not wanting to risk attracting attention from whatever that had attacked them. Besides, keeping quiet and keeping a little distance… that would help in case that something else did happen. Morty was used to getting attacked or hurt during the brutal training he put himself through. The last thing he was going to allow, if he could help it, was letting Larry get hurt on his behalf again.

Sending out his Staraptor to soar above them along with Gengar watching behind them, the bird gave him a sort of look before it took to wing, like it was judging him. "Don't give me that look, Scout. Had to be done. Now go on, you know the drill." And indeed the bird did: circle above them to warn of any oncoming threats, and should the worst come to pass, fly to Mesagoza and find Geeta, and she'll take it from there.

"Wait-" Said quick, an afterthought just as the bird was about to take off. It took the beat of a moment, a rapid thought called upon faster due to the circumstances. He was so fucking stupid. "Make sure they get out of here." Spoken in Galarian, it being the first language that came to mind that Morty might not know. Might not understand that should something go wrong, Staraptor would be carrying Morty out and leaving him.

"I'm fine, this is nothing." Nothing, he says, like his nice white shirt wasn't steadily soaking with blood that had to be hidden with the buttoning of his suit jacket. "Come on, let's get moving." A walk that he stayed silent for, every breath stinging at his side.

[haunted-memorial]

Morty could understand both feelings, given that he had someone similar. It was Eusine that had gotten him to go on a journey so many years ago, and while he could still look back on those memories fondly, he did miss being able to chase for a dream so freely instead of being bound to Ecruteak far sooner than he had anticipated. 

“I see, perhaps it is for the best then,” he says as he finishes the smoke and stamps out the butt. A shiver goes up his spine as Gengar cools him even further from the shadows making him glance over at it but not say anything for now. It was the first one in a very long time, it wasn’t going to kill him anytime soon… maybe. 

He does take note of the bitterness in his voice at the mention of the Paldea champion. He hasn’t heard anything particularly bad about Greeta before… nor has he had much experience with someone hating the champion of a region. He can’t help but wonder what the history is between them, though he has a feeling that it is a longer story than the one that Larry just told him and one that Larry wouldn’t be too keen on telling him. 

The offer of dinner does surprise him a bit, though he has no reason to turn it down. “It’s fine, I like listening to you. Dinner would be nice, though you’ll have to let me treat you to one before I go back to Johto… or let me cook for you if you end up there.” Surprisingly for some, Morty was pretty good at cooking both for himself and his pokemon, though there were very few that he got to show off to, Eusine being the only one whenever the researcher found himself chasing Suicune back home. 

Larry remains silent save for a hum of acknowledgment at how lucky he was. He was lucky, and he knew that, but he was sure no one would blame him if he said he just wanted his brother back as he was instead of what he is now.

It's the mention of how strong he was that had him speaking again, it...not something he knew how to feel about. No one had ever called him strong before, save for his battle prowess. Not over this or any other part of his life. "Yeah well, Cas always had a way of kicking me in the ass. Felt like I owed him too. I know he wouldn't have wanted me to give in to our parents, but it was just easier that way, after everything happened. I'd been so deep in my own head, years went by and I didn't even notice." He still had days like that, where it was Monday one minute and then Friday the next, it had just become...normal.

"Even if I wanted to talk to the people from back then, I couldn't. Someone took my phone that night, and when I got out of the hospital, I was shipped off to work for one of my dad's friends in Kanto that night. I'm sure I could track a few down, but save for a couple good ones here and there, it's...probably better they think I'm dead." It wasn't really wrong either, that Larry was dead, and...this one wasn't doing much better.

"Doesn't matter now, I'm stuck here until Geeta decides she's done with me." There was a bitterness in his voice around her name, there clearly being more to the story than her just being his boss. "That, or me and Cas finally do get to run away together." An innocent comment on the surface, but there was the thinly veild implication that he would be dead before his time in Paldea was through.

"...Sorry, I...don't usually talk this much. Throat sort of hurts." Though it's said with a chuckle, Larry pausing a moment to whistle with his fingers to call Staraptor and Cas back. "Treat you to dinner? I don't know when you have to head out, but it's the least I can do since you let me prattle on like this."

[haunted-memorial]

Given his curiosity… Morty had been wanting a chance to have a battle with his personal team rather than the league regulated one for quite some time. It would be nice to see his pokemon go all out for once instead of having to hold back so much. Mismagius especially was just waiting for the moment that she could act like the partner pokemon of an elite trainer again rather than just a stepping stone for promising young trainers once more. “I see… perhaps I should give them a challenge. It’s been sometime since my team has had a chance to really show off…” Gengar chuckles in his shadow, excited at the idea as well. 

With how relaxing the walk was and how beautiful the crystals were, he, too, had forgotten to keep on his guard, enough so that two things shocked him. First, it was the jolt he felt when Gengar reacted to something and the second was Larry pushing him behind him as Gengar came out of his shadow, ready to fight if need be.  

Though, seeing it gone, both Morty and the ghost type, quickly looked over to see what the damage to Larry was. While the ghost type specialist grimaced at the sight, he nodded in agreement for now. Besides, the pokemon center would have what they needed. 

“Right, Gengar, keep behind us, all right…” He didn’t want the two of them caught off guard again, though he had a feeling Larry could handle himself. “Do you need help walking? I think I can support your weight.” Morty was a little stronger than most would think given how lean he was. Though, even if Larry was a bit too heavy for him, it was fine. Training was training, even in dangerous circumstances. 

Larry couldn't help but smile when it became clear Morty didn't know of his status as a member of the Elite Four on top of being a gym leader, it always being fun should other leaders challenge them, only to meet him halfway through. It gave him an advantage, plus it was a entertaining to see people's faces once he stepped out into the arena. "Yeah, we can call it that if you want." Trust was the last thing Geeta had in him, though by now she should know just how far he'd go to keep his word, to keep people safe.

Something that he'd forgotten while watching Morty take in the beauty of the crater...

They'd almost wandered as far as the first research center by now, Larry letting himself simply enjoy the moment for once. He'd been down there so many times, he forgot what it had felt like that first time, something he could now experience again through Morty. "Well, if he does get it, I'll just send you another one. Got plenty to choose from."

Turning towards a larger crystal, one taller than both him and Morty combined, his smile fell as he caught the distorted movement of an Anomaly behind them.

Moving by pure instinct alone, a skill painstakingly honed from years of living on the streets as well as guarding Geeta's secrets, Larry was able to get a free ball out of his pocket before even a warning could be shouted, Morty being pushed behind him as the Anomaly swung to strike, the first point of contact catching at the Everyman's side just as the ball trapped its source.

"Fuck!" Yelled out of reflex, both from pain and how stupid he was letting his guard down like that, a hand pressed to his side, only to come away slick with blood. "Suppose that's what I get, earned and learned..." Muttered with a bitter scoff of a laugh, Larry went about asseessing the wound through the tear in his dress shirt like he hadn't just taken a hit from who-knows-what for Morty.

"Hm...not as bad as last time, at least." Mused with a shrug as he bent down with a hiss to pick up the ball, it being thrown as far as he could manage over the ledge so that wherever it would land, its contents would pop out far away from them. "We should go." No shit.

[haunted-memorial]

Morty listens with a passive look on his face. He didn’t hear stories like this from the living very often, though the dead often had such ones to tell him. The only time that stoic expression changes is at the offer of a smoke that he takes with a smile, lighting it with the offered lighter before handing it back, and inhaling deeply. He didn’t normally smoke casually like this, though he could appreciate it. 

His eyes do widen a little at how Larry had almost died like that… and that his brother had to die in such a way. Morty doesn’t even have to ask, he just nods in understanding as his eyes go to the Pumpkaboo playing with Staraptor. 

“...seems he still wants to look out for his younger brother. You’re lucky, in a way, to have a brother that cares that much about you, to watch over you in both life and unlife.” Though, he did wonder a bit what Larry’s parents thought of the man now. There had to be some sadness… right? Then again, there were parents that just never cared no matter what happened. 

“You’re a good man for working hard to change after that sort of tragedy. There are quite a few that would drag themselves further into the dark. You're stronger than most can claim to be... though, out of curiosity, do you still speak to the others that were in a similar situation to you from back then?" If that was a strange question or not, he wouldn't be able to say. It was the only one that felt... neutral enough to ask without it bringing the man next to him more pain.

His past wasn't something Larry spoke of often, not because he didn't want to, but because he hardly got the chance to. Even when he did, no one believed that his life had really been as wild as it was. It was like they all thought he was born in a suit, briefcase in hand. A man doesn't become this beat down without a past.

"'s fine," Mumbled around another drag before blowing the smoke out in rings, simply because he could. "You don't have to share, I don't mind talking about it. I don't think I've ever had anyone around to listen, now that I think about it." Something that should make him sad, but it only felt all too normal.

"We had rich parents, Dad started a Poke-tech company back when they first were popping up. Cas was planned, I wasn't, and even then they only had him because you're 'supposed to' have kids at that age. I didn't like their stuffy lifestyle, so I did what any teenager does and ran off, took up living in the gutter with other kids like me who either couldn't or wouldn't go home. Cas was off at college then, if he'd been home, maybe I would have stayed, or Hell, he might have come with me. He didn't want the life our parents lived just as much as me."

As he talks, he makes an offer of a cigarette, the lighter being offered if taken, or tucked away with the pack if not. "By the time Cas came back home, it had been well over three years, and my parents hadn't seen me since the day I left. Didn't even try to find me. Cas was mad, and he never got mad. Would always give you one of those looks instead. I think I'd have rather had him mad." A laugh, another drag, another throw of the ball at him, but in play this time.

"I couldn't even tell you what I was into back then, just...everything. I took whatever I was handed from anyone willing to share. That time is sort of blurry, as you can imagine, but I know for a fact it was better than living with my parents." And didn't that just tell it all...

"After Cas found out I'd been MIA near the entire time he was gone, he went looking for me, managed to find a couple of my old friends who pointed him to another friend, and then another, until he evetually found me at some party who-knows-where. I'd been strung up, I...don't think I actually believed it was him, just another hallucination. That's...all they'd ever been, so I tried to get him to party with me, didn't think it would matter if it wasn't really him, it had never mattered before..."

His voice grows a bit rough now, though his face remained that stony exterior as he snuffed his smoke out underfoot. "I don't know what happened next, or how long we were out, but whatever we took had been laced with something harder, I don't remember what it was, but it wasn't good. I was told by the nurses that a car had sped into the lot of the ER, pushed us out, and then took off. I was in and out after that, and when I finally came too enough to talk, I asked about Cas, and..."

It remained unsaid, Larry now looking sadly towards the Pumpkaboo as it threw the ball for Staraptor. "All he had in his pocket was Staraptor's ball, was going to give it to me after he came back home. He...managed to tell the nurses before he...

"...That's another story in of itself, but...yeah. After that, I did whatever my parents wanted me to do, felt like I owed them for what I'd done to Cas. It's been over a decade now, and yet Cas managed to find me somehow..."