2024-03-18: Matcha (Almost) Gotcha

• Log: Matcha (Almost) Gotcha
• Cast: Chase, Damian Tamaoka
• Where: Pokemon Mansion
• Date: March 18, 2024
• Summary: Chase invites Damian out for tea, which Damian happily accepts. There's just one problem: a ghost is involved. Some tea will be spilled.

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=============================<* Pokemon Mansion *>==============================

The Pokemon Mansion is an abandoned building on the edge of Harbortown. At first glance, and according to most local youth, it is the mansion of a wealthy family that partially burned down five years ago. Portions of it are burnt out, but there are also parts that remain stable. The floor is broken in places, though, and shattered walls make the interior mazelike. Smoke damage has made it darker inside, but some of the violet and royal blue decor is apparent. Damaged furniture and finery is scattered throughout. There are rumors of a basement once used as a laboratory, but no one has found an entrance to a basement area.

BGM: Pokemon Let's Go Eevee & Pikachu! - Pokemon Mansion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rYjEds3W1A

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

While willing to work on being more verbose while making text based communication in person, Chase can still be laconic in his online life. Why use words when an emote or a picture will do? And Poke Live has plenty of emotes to feed and encourage the habit. Which may mean it's something of a surprise when Chase sends Damian a wordier private message:

<tracking rare pkmn for puff ingredients>
<gonna have tea n make snacks>
<you want in?>

He's attached a picture of himself outside in some of the debris and ruins of Pokemon Mansion, giving a peace sign to offset his impassive face. Pikachu sits on his shoulder and leans into the frame with a giant smile. She is holding a chipped teacup.

She is still holding it when Damian arrives to the given location. Chase found a spot where the mansion's gardens must have once been, nothing but withered, burnt remnants now. A choice space has been swept clean of ash and dust to make space for the most basic of tea ceremonies. His supplies are old and worn, if barely functional: a cracked kettle and a set of cups, most chipped but a couple entirely broken. There's a small (cracked) plate of poffins along with some mochi candy that actually look intended with human consumption in mind.

Chase sits cross-legged before the set up, giving Damian a typical slight wave on arrival. He is wearing his usual clothing, and if Damian knows anything about tea ceremony, it's clear Chase isn't adhering very strictly to tradition here. This promises to be an informal affair. But that is also part of... the plan.

<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.

Damian, honestly, doesn't really seem to mind the less wordier forms of communication. He just... kind of gets it. Communicating your thoughts and feelings can be pretty hard sometimes.

Plus a lot of the Pokemon Stickers and images are super cute, so he can't fault Chase on that, either.

<sure!!>
<can i bring anything?>

He didn't even think to ask what pokemon Chase was tracking. It's fine. (It won't be fine.)

(He does appreciate the picture, though! After seeing Chase's reaction to that first Selfie, he doesn't really bug Chase about that kind of thing, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. But seeing that he took one willingly... he's happy to receive it.)

He arrives, dressed in his own usual clothes as well, hoodie, shorts, and sneakers. Purri is riding on his shoulder, as per usual, and in his hands he is carrying a small box. Chase left it up to him, so he brought something to go with the tea.

He has done fancy tea ceremonies before--coming from wealth tends to mean that happens on a semiregular basis--but he doesn't seem to mind one bit as he moves to sit down, also cross-legged. Purri jumps down to the ground and waves her tail with a cheerful, "Purr!" to Phwee.

And Damian sets the box down and opens it to reveal a small cake!

He then offers his own wave and pulls his phone out.

<hi!>
<its strawberry>

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

When you make words happen, it makes an idea happen, and if that idea doesn't match who you are and what you're trying to say, what good is it even!! Chase feels Pikachu emoji and that's the end of it, most days.

But Chase does remember Damian mention something about cooking, which makes Damian ideal for the invitation. Also Chase it's a hundred percent sure who else counts as his friend right now. Seems to be a tricky subject. Damian though. He's pretty sure about that one.

<anything you want>
<no pressure though, got enough>

Chase, unfortunately, didn't think to specify the Pokemon either. He lives in a world where a Pokemon sighting would never be an unwelcome event. After all, he's elated enough just to see Purri greet Phwee, while Phwee waves her entire Pikachu arm in excitement in return. (Even if 'elated' by Chase standards is a subdued smile.) "Pika!!" She immediately shows Purri the chipped teacup. It's empty. It seems she just thinks it's neat.

With the box, Chase's eyes go a fraction wider, mouth a little open. It seems he considers cake to be quite a step above. (Or maybe he really like strawberry?) (It can be two things.)

He gets to pouring steaming water from a thermos (again, informal) into the kettle, but before going for a tea whisk, stops for his phone.

<thanks>
<keep the lid on for now>
<it's too nice to sacrifice>

...Ominous.

<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.

Damian is no stranger to a Purri emoji, to be completely fair.

Damian really likes Chase as a friend, too! He's never felt uncomfortable speaking around Joy or Peace, and even though he's okay with Joy reading his heart... there's something nice, about communicating in the same medium as someone else.

Purri offers a encouraging "Purr, purrloin!" as Phwee shows her the empty cup. It's very neat, she agrees! (She likes seeing a pokemon who is genuinely excited by a thing.)

But the trainer sees Chase's reaction, subdued as it is, and instantly starts fretting a bit, looking down at what he brought. Was it too much? He felt like trying to make something he doesn't normally make (he makes a lot of poffins and poke puffs, as it turns out), but maybe he went overboard...

<welcome!!>
<you sure its not too much...?>

A beat, and then.

<sacrifice??>

But he does reach out to close the lid, for the moment.

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

Chase shakes his head when Damian asks if it's too much and smiles again, hoping it's encouraging. It's mostly kinda weak, but, well, again: Chase. It's a nice thing to have brought. But definitely too nice to sacrifice.

Yes. Sacrifice.

Chase brings a finger to his mouth, which is a token gesture given neither one of them are talking right now. He makes a gesture that gets Phwee's attention, and her ears shoot up as she holds out the cup and whispers: "Piii pikachu?" Chase nods, and she turns to Purri, her tail wagging rapidly as she tries so hard not to make noise.

Phwee begins to literally vibrate with the effort. The pikas and the chus that cannot be released are building up in her body. She watches as Chase prepares the tea, then goes to pour into her cup. Phwee vibrates further, barely contained, holding a hot cup of tea.

Chase sets the kettle down and scoots closer to Damian, looking around the old garden carefully, then gives a start. He points to Phwee's teacup while she blows on the surface of her hot drink. The little white cup is glowing...

And the chipped damage on it has been sealed like kintsugi, except in a deep rich green in place of gold. While Chase is expecting this, he can't see why it's happening. Damian, unfortunately, can: a little ghost Pokemon -- a haunted tea caddy known as Poltchageist -- has materialized into the space, waving its tea scoop to command swirls of matcha powder into Phwee's cup to repair it.

<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.

Damian smiles back. He's used to peoplewho aren't as expressive as others might be. Chase is doing alright in his book.

He blinks as Chase makes the shushing gesture but nods, though he and Purri share a glance for a moment. He's getting a bad feeling about this... and his mind is slowly starting to spin into gear as he starts searching through his memory.

Sadly, it's not going to be fast enough to forestall what's coming.

Purri, meanwhile, is perfectly fine being silent. She's a cat, after all. She is watching Phwee curiously, noting the difficulty she's having in containing her natural exuberance. But she's also keeping an eye on Damian as well, and she can see the moment when he stiffens, when he sucks in a sharp little breath and his eyes go wide.

Damian can feel it before it evidences itself, but a moment later Purri can see it, herself, and she has a difficult decision. Normally, she would become agressive, to ward off the ghost and protect her owner.

But this is for Damian's friend, and he is clearly trying to do something specific, that both Chase and Phwee are excited for...

And in the flash of moment it takes to make her decision, like a flash (and tremendously silently, still!) she is in Damian's lap, nuzzlnig up at his cheek. Damian wraps his arms around her and hugs her tight, closing his eyes to try and block out the sight of the ghost.

He can still feel it, though.

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

The way both Chase and Phwee are glancing to each other and around the room, then fixate on the cup itself continues to indicate they can't see the Pokemon responsible. They can only see what Poltchageist is up to. Phwee is still a quiver with the fact that this plan, such as it is, seems to be working. And the way her nose is wriggling...

...Phwee really, really likes the flavor of matcha and green tea, it turns out.

When Phwee goes to sip the cup, Chase makes a short, sharp whistle. She stops with a, "Pika!" that seems very much like oh yeah! Instead, she holds the cup out for Chase, head tilted when he gingerly accepts it and its now glowing contents from her. Still unseen, Poltchageist is sprinkling a ton of matcha into that cup.

And Chase... seems to be stealing himself for something with a deep breath. Is he going to drink the ghost tea?! Poltchageist is waiting for him to drink the ghost tea, practically vibrating itself. Most ghost type Pokemon feed by draining energy and life force force one way or another, and this is Poltchageist's method of getting it.

But before Chase can make this questionable decision, Phwee gives a worried, "Pika?" to Purri and Damian, and Chase halts to look to his friend with his own look of clear concern. He lowers the teacup, head falling into a questioning tilt.

His face wilts further. Damian doesn't look like he's in the condition for silent questions, let alone responding.

Poltchageist brandishes its tea scoop in frustration. Oh come on! Drink the tea!!

<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.

Damian is trembling a little where he sits, and even though he has his eyes screwed shut, he can still tell what it's doing--both in general and in specific, sitting this close to it. His breathing is shaky and inconsistent, coming out with a steady stream of hitches and stops.

Really he's hugging for pure life, arms wrapped tightly around her. She seems fine with this state of affairs, and even though she's doing her best not to purr, she is still pressing herself against him, whiskers and fur tickling against his face to help center him, to drown out some of the sensation of the ghost that he feels.

But the brief, quick whistle and pika exchange gets him to open his eyes again to see what happened. (He can't tell what the non-ghosts are up to, after all.) He looks between all three, sees Phwee hand the cup over, and Chase--

"W-w-w-wai--!" He can't even get himself to finish that single word in his current state.

One hand leaves Purri to feel blindly around him for his phone. His hands are shaking as he picks it up, and he's texting around Purri as he tries to type something out.

<tnbersapoiklchageissst>

He takes a long, deep breath, and marshalls all of his reserves to type just one word.

<poltchageist>

Then he all but drops his phone so he can wrap both arms around Purri again, petting through her fur for comfort.

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

When all of this began, Chase had a plan. Whether or not it was a good idea is debatable, but it was a good plan for getting a Poltchageist to show up, and getting that Poltchageist to stick around. Step One, get the roaming fire Pokemon out of the area. Step Two, host a tea ceremony in the spirit of friendship. The tricky part would be Step Three, earning its trust enough to get the kind of matcha that doesn't have vampiric qualities. But Chase had a plan for that, too. In short: give a little, get a little.

Looking at Damian, that plan evaporates. Chase stares while Damian trembles. He startles when Damian fumbles for a phone and can barely type out the words. Or word. Chase, for all his social ignorance, can see the terror gripping Damian, and how desperately Purri is trying to protect her trainer. But Chase doesn't understand it. Poltchageist's presence, obviously. But why? How? For what reason?

Thing is, none of those answers actually matter.

Chase drops the teacup in favor of reaching for a Poke Ball. Warmth embraces the area as Ponyta explodes into being. It rears up and slams its hooves down in an unworldly neigh.

The part grass ghost shrieks back and withdraws into its caddy before fleeing the scene and vanishing.

Chase scoots toward Damian hesitantly. He looks to his own phone, then to Damian, who is trying not to look at anything. Tentative and unsure, he reaches to set his hand on Damian's shoulder.

<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.

Damian will feel really bad for ruining Chase's plan, later. Really, really bad.

It's not even, necessarily, a bad plan. If you're willing to make that first little overture to a ghost, maybe you really can get it to cooperate in kind. But sadly, the plan came crashing into a wall of unresolved, parentally-induced trauma.

It's a wonder he ever managed to function at home around any kind of ghosts, even just around the family's Houndstone, who is friendly to a fault.

Damian will also be sorry to the Poltchageist, who had to be scared away on his behalf. No matter his issues, he still doesn't wish harm to Ghost-type pokemon.

The trembling lessons, some, when the ghost pokemon flees. Purri even starts to let out a little purr, then, once it's clear that whatever is going on has been scrapped, and the noise and vibration seems to help Damian further.

His breathing is starting to calm down some, as he shares a moment more with Purri... and then Chase puts a hand on his shoulder. He starts, a bit, looking up to Chase in clear surprise... and then he drops his gaze down to his lap, a mixture of shame and embarrassment on his face.

After a moment more he goes for his phone again, and it takes much less effort to type his next message.

<sorry>
<i just>

That thought stays unfinished for a moment as he tries to figure out how to sum everything up concisely. But all he can think of to say for the moment is

<sorry>

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

As luck would have it, Chase's own feelings on the current situation are now guilt plagued and unsure. There's a hierarchy of things that are important in Chase's heart. Looking at Damian right now, this plan isn't near the top of it. Phwee, too, scoots up to Damian with a sad, "Pika...?" and everything about matcha and tea forgotten.

A low whistle, and Ponyta stands vigil. It may not be particularly strong against ghosts as a whole -- not that Chase has quite grasped that much -- but its presence brings warmth and light, whatever judgments cast in its gaze. But those judgments are not cast at the trainers present. Instead, this Ponyta turns its hellfire eyes to the perimeter, deterring potential threats.

With Damian's start, Chase flinches too, hand withdrawn a fraction. The breathing was good, he thinks. Did he ruin it? Slowly, uncertainly, Chase takes a seat next to Damian, as close as they were on the Pokemon Center sofas before. That feels like a safe bet, and makes it easier to see their phones.

<why?>
<you didn't do anything wrong>

Phwee decides to mirror Purri by crawling up into Chase's lap to nuzzle him. Now everyone is doing the Behavior, so everything is okay! Maybe! Her mind is a simple one...

<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.

Damian gives Phwee a small, fragile smile that does nothing to hide how shaken he's feeling. "H-- H--" Deep breath. "Hi" he finally manages, and then falls silent again.

Purri looks down to Phwee, and with all of the confidence of someone who is an old, old hand at this, who is, perhaps, also now trying to reassure Phwee herself, says simple, "Purrloin." He'll be okay. He just needs some time.

Damian appreciates Fuu's vigilance. He doesn't know exactly what has happened to it to make it so intense, but he appreciates the extra protection, all the same. (Though Damian already knows there are no more Ghosts for him to fear, at this moment.)

It is a safe bet, honestly, and even though the breathing was partly interrupted by Chase's touch, it only takes him a moment, now, for him to get back into that rhythm.

<you planned all this>
<and i messed it up>
<because of my stupid problem>

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

Phwee bounces in place when Damian finally musters the strength to greet her. "Piii pika!" This is praise! Encouragement! Progress! ...Phwee may not be helping as much as she hopes. But with Purri giving Phwee the signal things are fine, Phwee settles a bit herself, content and trusting the situation will improve.

What did make Fuu so intense? That Pokemon has an unusual amount of animosity and hostility. Even Chase does not know the full story. He's not sure he ever will. But he thinks about that woman's Clefairy... For now, there's safety and comfort in Fuu's aggression. That's a thought for Chase to tuck away for later.

In this moment, Chase focuses on Damian. He watches, then forces himself to look at his phone instead of staring, which might not feel good right now. He doesn't like being stared at when he's about to cry. His thumbs hover over letters.

There might be a combination of words that's good here. Chase doesn't really know what they are. Words are hard on a good day. Damian isn't having a good day.

A 'stupid problem'... Chase frowns. He's quiet for a long time. Slowly, he begins to put something together.

<i don't like hospitals>

For better or worse, Chase doesn't see a need to elaborate much more. Maybe it's not quite the same, but it's a stupid problem in exchange for another. Chase isn't sure he was supposed to know this one. Now, maybe it's more fair. And maybe Damian doesn't have to feel as stupid for having one.

<you ok?>
<we can go somewhere else>
<have tea n cake there instead>

<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.

Phwee might not have a complete grasp of the situation, but... her encouragement is helping, just a little. There is another, slightly steadier smile for her from Damian.

There is so much wrapped up in Damian's head right now. It's not the first time any of his new... friends? acquaintances? (he knows Peace and Joy are his friends, but it's been quite a while since he made any besides them, so he's not always entirely clear on how all that goes.) have seen him having this issue, and there's even a Visitor who knows about it now, but...

Those were all chance encounters. This was planned, and he ruined a thing Chase wanted to do. (He is also upset with himself, a little bit, for not catching on to the plan sooner; what was he training for, if not this? If nothing else, he should be able to protect himself from these situations better.)

aThere's a soft blink as Chase shares a 'stupid problem' of his own. Damian looks at Chase's phone screen for a good long few moments, looks up to the other boy, and then slowly nods.

He gets it. It's not his problem but... he understands what Chase is trying to do.

<thank you>

He considers the suggestion of moving, looking around the ruins.

<maybe>
<theres no more ghosts rn>

He seems awfully certain of that.

He looks down at this phone, thumbs hovering over the keys as he contemplates the start of another sentence...

<have you heard of Spiritsight?>

Chase would have been far more likely to hear about it in Lavender Town, especially if he was involved with the Pokemon Tower in some way, but... it's not impossible otherwise, depending on how esoteric Chase's knowledge is.

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

Phwee squishes her own cheeks in her paws when she gets a smiles. Phwee likes smiles and happy! Sad things will go away and there will be happy again soon. This, Phwee knows. Chase is cursed with more thoughts than that and is trying to consider all the angles.

(Fuu just has to stand around looking angry. Fuu excels.)

No ghosts, though. Chase looks, too. But he doesn't see anything. He hadn't seen anything in the first place. Part of the plan was to also get Poltchageist to show itself willingly. But Damian hadn't needed any of that before he was struck with fear...

Chase isn't even strictly sure it is Ghost Pokemon. Who would be so afraid of Pokemon? Well, he's heard some people don't like Bug Pokemon, and he doesn't get that either... If there's a type of Pokemon worth being afraid of, it's Fairy. But Chase likes those too much to be scared, too.

But one thing Chase is sure of is that he can wait as long as Damian needs to find the right words.

Spiritsight. Chase's brow furrows. Unfortunately, while he has some esoteric knowledge of Pokemon, Chase has been, to put it mildly, slightly negligent when it concerns his knowledge of people. But this new concept, at least, has a telling name.

<no but i can guess>
<you can see them?>

Maybe even more than 'see', based on the reactions...

<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.

Damian is calm enough, eventually, that he lets Purri go. And Purri lowers herself to sit in Damian's lap. Her trainer switches to petting her gently rather than hugging, which for him is a definite sign of progress.

Purri has a quiet, "Purr" for Phwee. Damian's doing a lot better now.

Who indeed would be so afraid of Ghost pokemon?

There's nothing to be ashamed of not knowing about it! It tends to come up far more in some very specific circumstances and professions. (Such as, multiple others in Damian's family tree, spanning back quite a ways.)

Damain nods as Chase makes a very good guess.

<yeah>
<see, hear, feel>
<i know when theyre hiding>
<and>
<i can talk to them too>
<pokemon ghosts, people ghosts, spirits>

Damian lets that sink in for a moment.

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

Chase cannot hold back his own impulsive reactions in that moment given to let it sink in. Damian can talk to Ghost Pokemon. His whole face lights up with wonder as he straightens and turns wholly to face Damian. Phwee senses something exciting has just happened, so she wags her tail. "Piiikachu!"

But the moment continues, and 'that' sinks further in.

His sparkling, admiring expression loses its luster and with the subtlest changes becomes one of blank shock instead. Slowly, Chase reverts back down to his hesitant sitting from before.

Damian is afraid. Not excited. Pokemon ghosts. People ghosts. All manner of spirits. Unusual occurrences most people can't see. A whole world Damian experiences -- a whole new host of noises and sights and sensations to endure -- that no one else around affirms. Growing up with that would be... very difficult, to say in the least.

Chase frowns at his own phone again, and Phwee settles back to looking concerned with a soft, "Pika?" It takes a minute.

<once they realize you can see>
<they must give you a lot of attention>

Mischievous Pokemon all too gleeful to have an audience...

<does it still feel bad?>
<it might be good to have something warm>
<and something sugary>

Replace bad sensation with good, and get quick energy after your body spends them all on unwanted emotions. It's not a perfect solution. It's just what Chase knows.

<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.

Damian alternates between looking at Purri and looking at Chase as the other trainer lets that sink in. He cringes a little from Chase's initial excitement, but it's very brief, and it goes away as Chase becomes more subdued and really realizes what that means.

All sorts of things. All of the time. Things nobody else can see or hear or feel.

Damian dosen't have to explain that part. It makes it easier.

Damian nods silently to Chase's question. There is a Misdreavus, in particular... but maybe now isn't the time to get into that.

<i feel okay>
<mostly>
<Purri helps a LOT>
<its why i got her>
<to protect me and to help me>

A Dark type pokemon... not completely immune, but still with a favorable typing.

But something warm and sugar... Damian nods.

<that would be nice>
<i made the cake i hope you like it>

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

Much as Chase thinks he'd like to talk to Pokemon, there's a lot more going on here. And he's not exactly great when too many people talk at once. So he gets it -- in theory. Because he also understands that he doesn't really know what Damian has to deal with. Only Damian knows that. And... that might be lonely, too.

At least there's Purri. Chase smiles at her, and though he does not often like to sign... he gives a quick gesture for 'thank you' to the dark Pokemon. Phwee happily, "Chaaaa~"s to emphasize appreciation for Purri's companionship toward Damian.

Chase scoots back toward the tea set, getting Damian the least broken cup. With Fuu standing fiery guard, no tea ghost is going to come try and fix it, at least. The tea might be slightly over steeped and stronger than intended, but at least there is cake and candy to offset it. Chase ponders the mochi treats a moment before selecting the brightly colored pink and yellow ones for Damian. Not ghost-like, he assumes.

While Chase serves Damian the plate of snacks and tea, Phwee wriggles out of his lap to get the Cursed Tea and dump it out, just before Chase absently grabs it for himself. She sings to herself while she does it, leaving Chase to pour a new cup without thinking.

The help and protection Chase needs is sometimes a little different.

He is not shy about digging into his own slice of cake, and with his fork still in his mouth, his eyes return to sparkling wonder with the very first bite.

Chase is lost in the strawberry.

<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.

Chase might not know, but... it feels a little less lonely to at least share what he can, to at least impart a little bit of the idea even if it's not the full picture. Even so...

There's a little bit more he hasn't shared, yet, but... maybe save that for later. It's a heavy topic all on its own.

Purri sits up a little and purrs proudly as Chase expresses his thanks. Damian takes excellent care of her (look at the sheen on her coat!) but... it's nice when other people recognize her efforts, too. "Purr, purr."

With food and tea incoming, Purri slips out of Damian's lap to curl up beside him, leaving his lap open for a plate to sit. He smiles at Chase getting things ready, making an offer to help, but whether or not its accepted, he does do one curious thing...

He takes his glasses off, hanging them from the collar of his shirt, under his hoodie. This let's Chase see those pale, silver eyes... which he might now have an explanation for. (Damian hasn't said it yet, but if Chase were to guess... it'd be a really good guess.)

It's Purri's turn to take notice of Phwee's efforts. "Purrloin," she says quietly, to the Pikachu. Good catch!

Whether he helped or not, Damian eagerly digs into his own cake, mochi, and tea, savoring them all with a soft "Mmmm."