Ferris Surprise! + ISLAND EXPANSION!

[beautifulsparks]

[Without her gym, her amusement park, the sports arenas, the Musical Hall, or even the Battle Subway to put a lull in her boredom, Kamitsure had taken to wandering around the island looking for something fun to do. Today her trekking has brought her somewhere near the southeastern edge of the Aurora Forest. Up ahead through the trees she

Comments

[oceansbane]

[Dammit, it's cold; Maxie has always hated cold, and winter in this place is proving, as he'd thought it would, to be complete hell. However. If this place is going to start yelling at them now, he might as well see what it's problem i -

...wonderful. So that's what it wanted to tell everyone. Great. Ferris wheels.

He actually would have been content to ignore the thing altogether and go back to curling up in that cave with Camerupt (as long as Archie will let him, that is, because Archie is insane and trains Walreins and how can he stand the cold) when he notices someone that's a bit. Well. Distinct.

The last time they had spoken, it hadn't gone well between them; after a few more moments of playing the approach-or-ignore debate game, he ends up going with the former option, though he's not very pleased about it.]

You. We need to talk.

[proudofsparkles]

[ ... In the back of his head, he can't help but wonder why Maxie always seems to show up every damn time he's somewhere.

But Maxie's words actually make Norman think before completely ignoring him. A civil conversation? Them? Somehow he expects that to not happen or work out in the end. ]

... Why?

[oceansbane]

[Yes, well, Maxie has to wonder why Norman always happens to be wherever he's going.

...wow, this is off to a great start already, isn't it. Don't get your hopes up too high for that civil discourse.]

Because I would imagine it's a bit easier to talk when we're not tied together by mood-altering red string, Norman.

[proudofsparkles]

[ Ugh, must you remind him of that red string? He was perfectly fine not thinking about it at all, and then... ugh. ]

What do we have to even talk about?

[oceansbane]

[...you are the most difficult person, Norman.]

Consider it a peace negotiation.

[proudofsparkles]

[ Why thank yo-- wait what. ]

Really?

[oceansbane]

You heard me. I don't offer these things very often, so are we going to discuss terms or not?

Your call.

[proudofsparkles]

[ ... He'd be a fool to ignore this opportunity. And, worst case, he could just bail. He nods slightly. ]

Where?

[oceansbane]

[Does he have to think of everything, Norman? He'll just be tipping his head in the general direction of that ferris wheel, good sir.]

That works. Solitary enough, anyway; no chance of being overheard or walked in on, if that's what you're concerned about.

[proudofsparkles]

[ Well, Maxie was the one who proposed it, so he naturally though he had a place in mind.

... It'd be hard to get out of if the need to do so arose, but at least it was isolated. ]

That works.

[oceansbane]

[Yes, well! ...yes, well. He's the leader of Team Magma, for one thing; punched in the brain by Groudon, for another. Do you really think his logic is all that intact?

As for the ferris wheel itself...ugh, this thing is a bit claustrophobic, but it'll work. It's not like it's going to be entirely sealed off, as ventilation clearly exists in here; Maxie'll survive.

That said, you had best be getting on this goddamn thing, Norman.]

[proudofsparkles]

[ Don't worry, Maxie. He's getting on the damn ferris wheel.

As soon has he sits down, it starts moving slowly, beginning its rotation.

Norman waits around five seconds before speaking. ]

... If there's nothing about no harm coming to my son, then I have nothing more to say.

[oceansbane]

[Maxie's gaze is focused out that window at first, folding one of his legs up close to his body, bracing it against the seat and linking his fingers loosely around his knee; when Norman speaks however, his attention is returned there.]

We'll get there, Norman. Right now I have more pressing matters to deal with than hunting down that boy.

[He shakes his head a bit, though it's more to clear his thoughts than to assert a negative.]

This place seems determined to do our heads in, you and I. So many unpleasant situations. Usually dealing with each other. And working with you? Is like pulling teeth.

Neither of us are in any sort of position to strike at each other. Not really. If you were, you would have done it already, and believe me, I'd return the favor. But I don't like the idea of being out of my right mind for whatever reason in this place and unable to trust the people it likes to send me at. I'd imagine that's not too comfortable for you, either.

[proudofsparkles]

[ He forces himself to keep his hands unclenched and by his side, though he's visibly tense. Maxie has a point; Norman could easily get by without seeing Maxie, and he's positive that the opposite is true as well. And it was really uncomfortable, having to think along the lines of "what hideous thing is going to happen next" instead of the simple "oh it's Maxie gtfo Maxie before I punch you" he would have thought otherwise. ]

I agree with you there. [ But it's an island for goodness sake. ]

[oceansbane]

As content as I would be to ignore you, this place doesn't seem to want to let that happen. Some sort of truce is obviously in order, given how easy it is for this place to screw with our minds. Unless you like the idea of this place deciding to do something stupid to you. It could very easily do something like...I don't know, make you completely subservient to the next person you see, for example.

If we're not on good terms, I think you can see why that might end badly for you.

[proudofsparkles]

[ ... Yeah, um. He doesn't like that example. ]

What are your terms?