Locke rolled his eyes as the blond on the other line finally had some emotion to his voice. Funny how it took him being shot to get such results. “I did nothing wrong! I was defending myself and…and then some undercover cop pulled his gun on me!” Well that wasn’t the entire story, but he did feel he was the victim in the situation. 

"If you want to fly over you can," His lips quirked upwards at the corners— then again maybe Nathan would just chew him out. "But uh…if you are too busy I understand. Uh, I am fine though now. I reluctantly called my parents afterwards and had them help me with it.” He nearly choked on the words. His parents had been every sort of harsh there was. “They kept me there for hours and I am pretty sure someone is sitting outside the building right now to keep an eye on me.” 

Oh he did nothing wrong?  Highly doubtful, unless it was an enemy of his family or his family themselves.  Though Nathan didn't think the Cabrera's would shoot their heir unless it was an extreme case.  The blond paused in shock as Locke explained what happened.  He tried to insert a word in but he continued to stop as the other continued to talk.  At least he'd gotten help, but still!

"Wait, wait, back up the conversation Maurice.  You got shot by a cop?!  How did that happen?  If they shot you for no reason why isn't my family persecuting them?"  Nathan questioned, squinting as he tried to figure out what'd happened, "How did you defend yourself?"

Locke pushed his bottom lip out as his friend mocked him, not that he could see it. Nathan could disregard his feelings so easily sometimes. The heir held his phone between his ear and his shoulder while his right hand rubbed at his wound gently. “Actually bad…”

He cleared his throat and tried to figure out how to even explain the situation. After he’d been shot he’d phoned his parents in a panic and had been picked up. Their family doctor was as unpleasant as ever, but at least the bullet had been dug free from his bone and he was somewhat on the road to recovery. Well…here went nothing. “I got shot.”

Nathan hummed slightly at the small pause before Locke actually spoke up to reveal that there was an actual bad problem.  The blond let out a sigh through his nose and sat back up, petting Javert, who has relocated to his lap.  

Another pause.  What could be so bad?  Did he get tossed into police custody?  Did his parents get a stick further up their asses about their son's choices?  Nathan's scarred eyes shot open as he heard the short reason.  "You got WHAT?  Maurice, who did you piss off to get shot?  Are you okay?  Do I need to fly over there?"  Nathan asked in a flurry, heavy worry tinting his voice.

"Nathhaannnn!" 

The usual whine that Locke’s tone held when he spoke his friend had kicked up a few notches as he rocked back and forth from his seat on the couch. His body trembled and even with the pill cocktail he’d downed he was still in a lot of pain. 

"Nathan something bad happened…" The heir tried to keep his guilt out of his voice. He didn’t feel guilty that he’d stabbed a cop twice but he did feel preemptive guilt for the lecture he was sure to receive. He’d waited how long to even text the blond, he hoped his nerves wouldn’t fry out on him now more than they already had.

Nathan slowly blinked at the whine he recieved, it was worse than normal.  What had he done now?  "Yes, hello Maurice." The blond said flatly as he waited for the other to go on with his story, apology, or rant about someone who had wronged him.

He let a sigh out, something bad had happened.  How bad was never clear until Locke told his stories, bad meant a lot of different things.  Though he did swear he heard a pinch of guilt in those whiny words.  "What sort of bad?  Did someone ruin your coffee order or is it something actually bad?"  Nathan asked as he paused his show and laid his head back on the couch.

Lost in Incognito [Francis/Nathan]

blossomingattourney:

Francis grit her teeth, pressing her forehead into the crook of her elbow. She didn’t want to scare Tilly again. Last time she went to stay with her family for a week and a half and Fran nearly lost her mind.

[txt] not that. she knows about that. [/txt]

[txt] tilly’s about to leave for work, i dont want to be here alone [/txt]

Fran turned her light off (tricking Tilly into thinking she was asleep) and waited until the front door clicked shut. The blonde rose from the dark room to unlock the door before retreating to the living room, Caster gripped tightly in her bony fingers.

[txt] jacques, i watched those last few vines you made, they were really funny! your friend alphonse does great impressions :D if the school ever does a play, you two should definitely go to the auditions. we should do another call sometime, its been a while!! anyway, how have you been? [/txt]

A watched pot never boils just like a watched phone never rings. Francis placed her Caster on the green ottoman and stared at it. In her somewhat uncomfortable stomach down position on the couch she waited patiently for her brother’s reply. Some twenty or more minutes later, her Caster finally buzzed.

[txt] Good. With friends, busy. [/txt]

Fran couldn’t handle it anymore. The tears came in hordes. Was her project really for Jacques anymore? It certainly wasn’t for her. Maybe her victims could make some use of it. What was even the point of it anymore. All she had done was hurt many and helped no one.

Nathan let out a worried sigh as he got her text, but within a minute he was up and getting ready to trek to Santalune.  It wasn't too far, but he didn't want to take the time to walk there, Francis didn't need that wait time.  He was more than concerned about his friend and was also confused by her behavior.  She had bite, that was for sure, but she was a smart woman, Nathan knew she was.  Why act like she has on the dash before?  He hummed to himself a little, there was no point in asking himself when he could talk to her if he got his ass moving.  

The blond got his jacket on and gave the mewostic watching his every move a pat on the head, "Watch the place, okay Bijou?  No wild parties."  She rolled her eyes slightly but her voice echoed in his head, agreeing to the terms.  Nathan would take Locke's charizard for transport, but he was likely chilling on the roof of their apartment.  He needed a couple other companions.  He paused as he felt his weavile scratching as his pant leg.  The blond gave a apologetic smile to his baby, "Sorry Elsa, you should stay back too, I don't need an entourage this time."

He did feel a little bad, but he didn't need everyone to come with and crowd Francis.  However a couple would be helpful.  He turned his eyes to the two eeveelutions watching from the distance.  "Alright you two, you're with me on this one."  He called out to the sylveon and vaporeon before he returned them to their balls to travel.  Lotus was a sweet heart on her own and could be very comforting and Javert had those soother ribbons of his that had helped Nathan calm down many times.

With that he was off.  The blond made his way to the roof and awkwardly climbed onto the charizard that waited there.  He didn't do the flying thing often, it was a still a bit odd to Nathan but at least Brute wasn't a crazy travel partner.  Nathan clung to the dragon as he took off and went where he was directed to.  It didn't take long and the man arrived at the address he'd gotten from Francis before.  Nathan returned Brute to his ball and gave a soft knock on the door.

[txt] no this is hahaha this is .. [/txt]

[txt] hahahaha [/txt]

[txt] yeah but she doesnt know about.. no one knows [/txt]

[txt] About...?

[txt] ...Are you talking about what I think you are?

[txt] Francis, do you want me to come over or anything?  I'll keep talking with you no matter what though.

[txt] hahahhahahaaaa oh arceus i have no idea. i… i dont know who i am anymore. [/txt]

[txt] no one will take me seriously [/txt]

[txt] maybe i should just quit work its not worth it i cant show my face in there again they all have those FUCKING holofeed accounts [/txt]

[txt] Woah woah, slow down hun, you don't need to quit your job over something on the holofeed. If anyone goes after you, I'll be there, no one's going to harass you under my watch 

[txt] I... why have you acted as you have on the holofeed?  I've seen it pop up and it doesn't seem like it's you

[txt] Is there anyone there with you?  Is Tilly?

You think prostitutes have resumes? “Accomplishments: - 3 dicks in my mouth”

-Extensive knowledge about safer sex practices, human sexuality+ sexual fetishism

-Secretarial skills, including typing, answering emails, phones, scheduling appointments

-Knows how to successfully run a small business

-Can write effective ad copy

-Probably knows basic web design

-Extraordinary customer services skills, including ability to deescalate potentially volatile situations

-Skilled aesthetician, including knowledge of make-up artistry, hair-styling, nail art

Pretending that sucking dick is the only thing sex workers know how to do is the exact attitude that makes it so hard for so many to transition to other work— because the rest of our skills are dismissed and devalued. But, like, hilarious and very original joke, I guess.

Departure [fic]

This was it. 

Locke cleared his throat quietly as he stood on the fine line of what he considered safety and damnation. Kalos was just a step to the left while the airport with his plane headed back to Hoenn was a step to the right. A frown pulled the corners of his still bruised mouth as his knuckles turned white from how hard he gripped the handle of his luggage.

By his side Nathan stood quietly. A solemn expression on his face as he was forced to say goodbye to his best friend for who knew how long. He would see him in December for the holidays, but it surely wasn’t the same. Next to the blond was the heir’s beast of a Chesnaught and at his feet was his small golden Meowstic. Bijou’s eyes shone with something other than disdain for once as she too was forced to say farewell to her trainer.

Read More

Change of Plans

The heir gave a tight lipped smile to keep the corners of his mouth from dipping into a miserable frown. Being seen off at the airport by what was now his preferred family was going to be the death of him, he could feel it. Then there was leaving Nathan to his own devices, that wouldn’t end well. The older man was depressed and stressed almost all the time and now he wouldn’t be around to help even a little. His father truly was stripping him of everything he held dear. A control mechanism, of course. Locke sighed and slumped in the chair, elbows to the table. “Well, it is definitively mutual…”

A more characteristic narrow of the brows quirked onto Locke’s face at the teasing sentiments. “Oh please, nothing is going to happen.” He was just going to be stuck at a desk doing work, shadowing his family for experience, or talking with people their family worked with…at least he assumed. Boring stuff. 

He nodded and snorted a small laugh, “You will be the first I call. I would rather work with you than your vulture family should something serious arise.” He cleared his throat. “Not that anything will." 

Of course it was mutual, that was putting it rather lightly.  He knew that was what Maurice needed however.  Nathan would do his best to not get too emotional and save his friend the stress, though he couldn't say it'd be the same story when he saw him off at the airport.  That was going to be the death of him, he swore.  Nathan would try his hardest for his friend though.  Even if he did his best to stay composed, he knew it was especially hard on him.

The blond chuckled softly as his friend got into one of his usual moods, but assured Nathan he wouldn't be getting in trouble.  "I know you Maurice, you have a bad habit of getting into trouble.  Or having trouble find you, where you then aggravate the situation to be worse than it was already." He spoke with a matter-of-factly tinge.  It was only a matter of time before the Cabrera got himself into trouble.

"Nonetheless, I'll always be there to help." His tone softened again, reaching his hands across the table to cup the other's hands, that were still wrapped around the coffee cup.  

Change of Plans

"Thank you." A rare apology left the heir’s mouth as he spun the coffee cup around again. It kept him from touching the bruise on his face or from trying to fix his disheveled hair. He mimicked the solemn smile Nathan gave him and nodded his gratitude. He heard Rudy shift and whine behind him as the situation became more apparent to the Chesnaught. He wasn’t going with, and either were the others. 

Locke did perk up a little at the mention of holidays. Right! Nathan’s family would want him around so things looked normal still. It was too bad the only holidays important enough were going to be over soon. “Please do, I want to see them when I can.” If his team stayed with Nathan it was just all the more incentive to either return to Kalos or to get Nathan to return to Hoenn so the friends didn’t need to be split, at least that was what Locke figured. 

"I will miss them as well…" He tried not to sound robotic, but Locke did what he could to keep his voice level. The last thing he wanted was watery words. "And you." 

"I don't think there's anyway I could get to the airport without them following me there.  They're going to miss you something fierce, Maurice." He said softly.  Too bad there wasn't much reason for Nathan to find a reason to crawl back to Hoenn other than family obligations.  The idea of going back to a home he was kicked out of left a bitter taste on his tongue.  Maybe Locke would be able to return to Kalos sometime, again out of the reach of his parents.  That wouldn't last long, they wouldn't let their heir go so easily.  Their claws were already dug deep into him with no sign of letting up.

He looked at his friend, doing a good job of keeping his voice even.  Nathan knew why and did try his best to match it.  "I'm... I'm going to miss you too." He said delicately, a somber smile remaining on his face.  He didn't know what he was going to do without him around.  Locke was one of the few things that helped him from spiraling into depression, him and his many jobs that kept his passive attention normally.

"You be careful in Hoenn, okay?  You won't have me to nip your behavior in the bud." Nate said with a slight chuckle before continuing, his voice remained soft but there was a serious tone to it, "If you run into problems call me.  I'll always be there to get you out of trouble, no matter what."

Change of Plans

He could see the thoughts flashing over Nathan’s face clear as day, his friend wasn’t exactly difficult to read. He felt terrible that he was going to be leaving behind his freedom. But even worse he was leaving behind his best friend and what had become his new family. His pokemon weren’t coming with him, his father had been quite adamant about that, despite how hard the heir fought it. 

Locke avoided the first question, “They have to stay here…Rudy needs medicine anyway and I doubt I would be able to find someone as reliable as you to watch them…” His expression fell, he hadn’t even asked, he’d just assumed. “If it is no trouble anyway, I prefer they not rot in a box.”

They weren't even letting him take his Pokemon?  They really were stripping him down to nothing.  Just another way of controlling him and his life, the way it'd always been for him.  Nathan looked to the other and tried to smile, though it came across as pathetic and forced.  It was hard to smile in this situation, but he did speak as steadily as he could, "It's no problem, don't worry about them, I'll keep here with me."

While they had all been living in the apartment, it would be a tad crowded with all six of them out and about.  He'd have to find something to do with them, keep them active and not stretch himself too much.  He would do it for Locke though.  "I'll bring them with me over the holidays, my father already told me I'd be expected to keep up appearances for parties and the like.  So no one knows something's wrong with his family." He paused when he realized he'd trailed off a little, "Anyways, I'm sure they'll all be missing you."

Change of Plans

"…In about a week." 

Locke shifted the coffee cup back and forth in the little plate it sat on. He hadn’t drank more than two sips of it before the taste on his tongue had turned sour. His dark eyes shifted back up to the blond and a small sigh escaped him. 

"He was here for business since I failed to complete my tasks." He groaned the words. "Figured he may as well drop by unannounced. I should have known better than to open the door but he already knew I was here, I believe."

Locke folded his fingers together and leaned back in the chair. “They want me somewhere where they can watch me. This is all my own fault..” 

"A week?" Nathan choked out under his breath.  Barely any time at all, leave it to his father to make his goodbye to the region quick and harsh.  How like him.  Those Cabrera's dug their claws in fast and deep and they didn't let up for anything.  

His normally graceful face only sank down more into a somber frown.  Locke didn't do his job so he was getting collected where they could watch him and make sure he did it.  Where they could curb him if he wasn't the spitting image of the heir they wanted.  Nathan let out a shaky sigh and tried to keep tears from his eyes the best he could.  He knew Locke would get reprehended for not doing what his family wanted, he'd warned him many times.  To pull his leash so hard that he was choking wasn't what Nate expected to happen.

"How long are you going to be tied there?" He asked softly before he looked up to Rudy and frowned a little more, "What about your Pokemon?"  He choked down asking 'what about me?', it wasn't right to somehow guilt Locke about his family's choices.  If it was up to the other he wouldn't be the heir they wanted at all, but he has little say in it.  Especially when he was met with a backhand or worse for any form of defiance.  

Change of Plans

Rudy scooted his way, carefully, back through the nook of a kitchen and sat himself behind the heir’s chair. Locke dropped his hands from his face and glanced over his shoulder at the big sad eyes. As Nathan slid down into the chair across from him he turned his head back and studied his friend’s worried expression.

"Purple is not my color, is it?" His tone was completely deadpanned, despite his attempt at lifting the mood. He really needed to feel something other than fear at the moment. But Nathan needed to know what had happened.

"My father stopped by…." He paused and allowed the words to sink in for both of them. He pressed his lips into a tight line to try and stop himself from speaking again. Inevitably he gave in. "I have to go back home, Nathan." 

"It's really not.." Nathan practically murmured as he looked the other over.  He wasn't himself, he looked shaken up.  Something really did happen.  There wasn't too many times he'd seen the heir so out of it, and when he was it was over something that was never good.  

Nathan tensed up and his eyes widened at the words that came from the other.  His father?  Why would Mr. Cabrera fly all the way from Hoenn to Kalos?  Oh wait, Locke had been avoiding his calls endlessly, but  Nathan had imagined that he'd just send someone else to snap his son into shape, not show up in the flesh.  He was glad he didn't pass him on the street or anything

Then Locke shared the reason after a small pause.  Nathan looked at the other, almost dumbfounded at everything, it felt like it was happening so fast.  The blond slumped down in the chair, eyes fixed on the table for a short while before he looked back to Locke.  He felt like he was being crushed with the reality of the situation.  His closest friend was leaving, the one person who know all the things that happened to him and who was there to snap him out of stupid ideas or depression.

"When?" his voice was barely above a whisper.