#traumamonkeystorytag

[hostile-heros]

PUMPKIN: "What?"

CONNOR: "So you manipulated her using the threat of public prejudice."

PUMPKIN: "...Yeah!"

PUMPKIN: "You could say I have my own way of biting back~"

Pumpkin begins to wander away as they spot Barracouda arrive back with the trial kit in his arms.

Connor is left thinking for a moment before he gently shakes himself out of it and wanders over as well.

[hostile-heros]

The silence echos. Only spaced by the sounds of the embers floating away from the Guild-master's mane.

PUMPKIN: "Answer me. You're either a bigot. Or. You hate me. Or... You will let me and Connor take the entrance trial."

. . .

PUMPKIN: "Which is it?"

The Skeledirge lowers her head for a moment before bringing it back up to a confident stance, slight sweat dripping almost un-noticeably from her scales.

GUILD-MASTER: "Fine. You can take the entrance trial. Don't complain if you get hurt. Barracouda. Go get the trial kit and bring it to them."

BARRACOUDA: "Yes guild-master."

The odd looking Jolteon moves with haste as they lightly jog further into the guild, presumably going to fetch what was asked. All while the Guild-master and Pumpkin silently stare at each other.

Pumpkin smiles.

GUILDMASTER: "... You're welcome."

She walks off, first slowly but after a few steps quickening her pace until she is outside of the guild building. Connor walks up to Pumpkin who is just standing still, with a now arguably less sinister smile.

CONNOR: "...What the hell was that."

PUMPKIN: "Oh... Uh... Y'know."

Xeir tail flicks as they end the sentence.

[hostile-heros]

Fuela retaliates by slamming her tail back down and throwing Pumpkin's force back at them.

The Shinx ends up slamming against the floor, gagging as the air is thrown out of their lungs from the impact.

The Guildmaster took a step towards the raging teen, looming over them as she shouts.

Pumpkin sits back up, sputtering back in air in order to defend xemself.

PUMPKIN: "I HAVE TRAINED ENDLESSLY EVER SINCE I DISCOVERED THE LOVE FOR ADVENTURE AND SAVING PEOPLE. ALL I HAVE EVER WANTED TO DO WAS TO JOIN TO HELP PEOPLE. YET YOU DENY ME OVER AND OVER AGAIN. YOU LET IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD NO EXPERIENCE AND BARELY EVEN KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THEIR OWN MOVES, THAT HAVEN'T EVEN FINISHED MIDDLE SCHOOL AND LET THEM TIRED MINDLESSLY THROUGH DANGEROUS DUNGEONS. YET ME, SOMEONE WHO HAS STUDIED ENDLESSLY GETS REJECTED MANY TIMES."

GUILDMASTER: "It's for your safety-"

PUMPKIN: "SAFETY MY FUCKING ASS! YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS?"

. . .

PUMPKIN: "You're just a Bigot. And you call yourself a guild-leader."

Silence resonates throughout the guild as Pumpkin stares up at Fuela, the guild-master. Their aura is... unsettling to say the least. Seeming as if they wouldn't move or back down no matter what.

[hostile-heros]

Teeth clenched, huffing out xeir own closed teeth, they spun around on the spot and started bolting it towards the guild-master. Leaving Connor struck with surprise to simply stare at his friend, in shock. What the hell were they doing!?

The thud resonated loudly through the surrounding floorboards as Pumpkin uses the force to launch xemself into the air.

However, this sign wasn't even needed for the Skeledirge to know that the Shinx was heading at her. She was able to tell the moment Pumpkin even started running. They weren't exactly quiet about it. So as the kid started soaring towards her, she swung up her bulky tail- FUELA used ENDURE!

PUMPKIN used W̵I̷L̴D̴ ̴C̵H̷A̵R̴G̵E̶!

...

PUMPKIN'S RAGE was unleashed.

FUELA loses 20% of her HP.

[hostile-heros]

The Skeledirge and Joltmie halt before the teen monkey. Looking down at his smaller stature with a small sense of judgement due to how casually and lack of respect the two were addressed with.

GUILDMASTER: "We were just going to get a snack so we are not particularly busy. Present."

The second the word left her mouth Pumpkin had already pulled out their papers and offered it towards the Guildmaster. Connor quickly following suit.

The usually cheery Pumpkin seems eerily stiff, barely moving or fidgeting like they usually do, still as a statue before them. Connor too feels a vague aura of discomfort and can't help but feel uncomfortable and rigid himself.

The papers are gently passed over and appear to float above the guildmaster's flame-forged hands. The hot air released off of them to float the papers above the hand to avoid the materials from being burnt, it's clear that this being a simple thing to her shows her mastery in fire.

She looks over it each paper, handing once by one to her right-hand man as she's done with them. She has quickly read through them before all the pages are in the Joltmie's hands being sorted back into their original order.

GUILDMASTER: "No."

GUILDMASTER: "It does not matter how many times you submit your application we are not going to accept hazards like you into this guild Stephanie. I hope you understand. Have a nice day."

The Joltmie silently returns the paper to the two before following the Guildmaster who has wandered further down the hall to continue doing what they were originally.

Connor can't help but just stare after them as they walk away, amazed in the bad way about how bluntly they denied them.

Pumpkin stands still whilst staring at the floor.

[hostile-heros]

CONNOR: "Not even giving you a chance. They haven't even seen what you're capable of. Judgemental bastards." He mutters under his breath. Seething with unseen rage.

Meanwhile.

Pumpkin stares at the dust and dirt between the small cracks in the weathered down floorboards of the cafeteria. They are not here right now.

They're somewhere else. Why wouldn't xey be. What's the point. This is the best application xey've made yet and they even have a partner this time. Why did she say no? She read through it all and thought of it but it's because xey're like this so she said no.

Why is it my fault.

Xeir claws sink into their own palm as they clench their fist.

I'M SICK OF BEING TOLD 'NO' FOR BEING ALIVE.

. . . . .

Pumpkin's emotions rose to a fever-pitch.

[hostile-heros]

Pumpkin eagerly sits down beside Connor and puts the papers between both of them on the desk, giving the chimchar the pencil. They eagerly begin explaining what each box is meant to have written in there and why it's on the paper, sometimes giving their own opinion on it here and there.

Connor eagerly fills out the paper. It feels like Pumpkin's excitement cannot be contained and is almost infectious, so he cannot help but smile as he scribes out the necessary requirements.

Meanwhile, Pumpkin's excited blabbering has managed to get the attention of someone.

???: . . .

The figures collar shifts and rubs against their wet-suit as they turn away and begin to walk down the halls.

???: "I better inform Madam Guildmaster that she's applying again. With the fallen too... This 'ought to be interesting."

[hostile-heros]

PUMPKIN: "Though don't worry! That was way in the past and is the reason we have this paperwork now!"

CONNOR: "I guess??? I just feel basically exhausted now."

PUMPKIN: "Yeah... Documents feel like that."

CONNOR: "So now that we have it filled out, what now?"

PUMPKIN: "We go hand it in to the Guildmaster or Vice-Guildmaster! It only goes to the Vice if the main Guildmaster isn't currently here."

While they're talking the other people inside the cafeteria begin to whisper and talk to each other, not because of them, but because of who has entered the room.

Pumpkin looks over and notices, quickly pointing towards them and shaking Connor by the shoulder.

CONNOR: "Oh! We can go give her our application right now!"

PUMPKIN: "R-Right now?"

CONNOR: "I mean yeah! The faster the better right?"

PUMPKIN: "I- I guess so!"

And with that the two of them get out of their chairs and approach the flaming guildmaster and their gem-cut vice-master.

[hostile-heros]

Pond (mudkip) @ Pumpkin : Hm, if they turn you down so much do you think it might be because you're alone? When I started up a team, I did it with my best friend! Maybe you and Connor could try to do it together, if that's a decent suggestion at all?

Pumpkin begins to rapidly shake xeir arms, taps their paws on the floor speedily, ears flick back and forth, tail star clenches and un-clenches, tail swooshes and hyperventilates. Absolute excitement overload!!!!!

Connor simply sits and watches them stim happily as they begin to mouth off.

PUMPKIN: "Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod- Okay okay okay okay okay- Um um um- I can help!!! I can go get some of the the the the- what are they- the- fffffff- the application forms! Just wait here I can get them I know where they are!"

Before xey even finish their last sentence, they're already out of the cafeteria seat they were sitting at and almost running through the guild with a skip in their step.

Connor can't help but watch with a smile. A warm feeling blossoms inside of his chest, he can't help but deny that he's made a good choice.

[hostile-heros]

I wanted to ask, so, Conchar has used bite but I don't remember him using fire moves. Can he try?

CONNOR: "I've tried and I don't know how to get it to work... That's not normal isn't it?"

Rosie takes a step back before crossing her arms in front of her.

ROSIE: "No... That isn't normal."

ROSIE: "But you're producing fire just fine as we can see from your tail. So I don't believe your sick. You don't show any bruising or bone fractures, no cold or flu symptoms. You seem really fine. So the only thing I could guess is that maybe your amnesia somehow has affected it. But that hasn't been seen before."

CONNOR: "Huh... Weird."

ROSIE: "Other than that you seem free to go play with Pumpkin."

CONNOR: "Oh sweet!"

[hostile-heros]

The excitement expressed by the Shinx makes Kenina’s smile grow, reminding her of herself in a lot of ways. “Don’t worry. I completely understand the feeling. Becoming an Explorer was always my dream, and I still wouldn’t give it up for anything,” she tells xem. “That’s why I don’t mind doing what I can to help you reach yours. The offer’s open if you ever change your mind.”

She watches them pull out the sizable stack of papers, looking over the meticulous way Pumpkin has filled out the forms. They’re really doing everything they can to appease the ones in charge. It’s their loss to turn away someone with such enthusiasm. “I hope you get accepted soon.”

PUMPKIN: "Ah!!! Thank you!!! I hope your adventures go well!"

Pumpkin neatly tidies xeir papers into a clean pile before reforming them into a smaller form via the reused fold lines and shoving it back into their zippered pockets on xeir pants.

[hostile-heros]

"So, you want to be an Explorer?" Kenina inquires of the orange Shinx, something nostalgic in her gaze. It doesn't feel like all that long ago that she chased that dream herself, despite it being nearly a decade since she first began her career proper. Her passion for it all hasn't faded one bit. She smiles encouragingly. "You can do it. Just keep on training, and I know you'll get there one day."

PUMPKIN: "YOU SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF ME-"

CONNOR: "I'M SORRY OH MY GOD- I thought I walked up loudly enough for you to notice. That's entirely my bad I am so sorry."

PUMPKIN: "It's all good... Aug my throat..."

@askteamsunshine

Would you like to push further about the subject? :)

[hostile-heros]

Pumpkin stares at the two Pokemon bickering between each other, Kicks insisting that Connor is lying while Connor insists he hasn't seen this man ever in his life.

Pumpkin gets pulled out of xeir trance as their mother taps them on the shoulder.

ROSIE: "Sweetie, is this true?"

Connor internally celebrates over Pumpkin covering him and his made up on the spot lie as Kicks has a further tantrum in the background.

ROSIE: "I see."

She turns towards where Kicks is lying down.

Kicks, afraid of the threat from Pumpkin's mother, shuts up and sinks back into his infirmary bed.

KICKS: "Yes ma'am."

ROSIE: "Good. Now that fuss is over with. Are you ready for your check up Connor?"

CONNOR: "Yep."

ROSIE: "Good. Now if you can make your way over here and take a sit."

[hostile-heros]

"I see." Kenina's frown deepens. Clearly there's a reason that the young Shinx is being refused time and time again, but whatever it is, it's not being made very clear. It makes her want to march up to the Pokemon in charge herself and demand answers, but if Pumpkin's own mother couldn't do anything about, she doubts she'll fare much better.

So, instead, she smiles again gently. "Well, if you'd like, maybe I could help you train sometime. I did a lot of training on my own before I became an apprentice at Wigglytuff's Guild." At the very least, she wants to encourage them not to give up on their dream in any way she can.

PUMPKIN: "You must be a really good explorer to be able to go all the way out here!!! Ah. Sorry for getting excited. I'm a bit of a nerd about explorers stuff... And thank you for the offer!!!!! But I'd have to decline your offer, I wouldn't want to waste your time..."

Pumpkin shrinks backwards slightly, raising their own shoulders a little to rub his own chin against.

PUMPKIN: "Besides, there isn't a limit on how many times I can apply. So maybe they'll accept If I keep nagging them about it!"

You swear you can hear xem mutter under xeir own breath "I'm sick of the excuses they keep giving me." Before they reach into one of their pockets and pull out several sheets of paper that have been neatly, almost perfectly folded together.

PUMPKIN: "See! I wrote down everything in a very neat font this time!"

They unfold the papers and its almost completely filled up with words. Connor reaches over and softly takes one paper to inspect.

CONNOR: "Oh that is super neat. You must have great dexterity!"

PUMPKIN: "Thank you friend!"

CONNOR: "No problem dude."

Connor returns the paper to Pumpkin.

@askteamsunshine

[hostile-heros]

Angel quietly observes Rosie working for some moments, a look of interest on their face. Finally, they speak up, a bright smile on their face, "So, you heal Pokemon for a living? That's really cool!!" Every Explorer knows at least a bit of first aid - you have to, in this kind of career - but specializing in it like the Luxray does is on a different level entirely. The Eevee can't help but be impressed. (Hope this is okay!!)

ROSIE: "Not many people give that much credit to the healers that stay at the guild compared to the ones that go on missions so it's nice to get some compliments from time to time."

@askteamsunshine

[hostile-heros]

so, Pumpkin, how long has your mother been a nurse?

ROSIE: "Connor, please follow my finger without the light with your eyes and not moving your head."

PUMPKIN: "Hey Mum, people are wondering how long you've been a nurse for."

ROSIE: "I have been a nurse for about two decades now! Ever since I injured my knee's it's been a bit too hard to do work as an explorer or rescuer. But I still wanted to help people so I went further about learning first aid and information about healing so I could still help people and keep my own health in check at the same time. So I now work as a nurse at the guild because it means I don't have to walk as far as adventuring would so my knees are not in danger of getting worse."

@novatheartist16