Flowey (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
friendlyflower) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
bottlebay2025-10-29 12:36 pm
friendlyflower) wrote in bottlebay2025-10-29 12:36 pm
video, at the end of october
[A weird, half-dead sunflower seed with dilated eyes and sweat rolling down its shell appears, shouting at you from the clinic.]
THE VOTE IS CLOSE!!!!!!! VOTE FOR UMBREON NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[He grabs the Grumpearl with a vine.]
DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT VOTING FOR LURANTIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Nurse Chansey from the clinic visibly tries to wrestle the Grumpearl away from him. He shouts various curses that Emporio taught him. You may or may not have a headache now.]
THE VOTE IS CLOSE!!!!!!! VOTE FOR UMBREON NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[He grabs the Grumpearl with a vine.]
DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT VOTING FOR LURANTIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Nurse Chansey from the clinic visibly tries to wrestle the Grumpearl away from him. He shouts various curses that Emporio taught him. You may or may not have a headache now.]
no subject
Being called a 'mouse-brained jerk' only stings a little bit. He's been called much worse, and Fireheart clearly regretted it. Fireheart is right that he should stop calling them stupid if he wants to prove a point, but it's hard when they're being so... stupid.
And then the split personality hamster decides to chime in. He's right, to an extent. Nobody else has the capacity to replace Ribombee. Despite the fact that Flowey thought about running for mayor of Skull Town, he's more of a 'watch from the sidelines and occasionally throw fuel on the fire' type of guy. And once or twice, Flowey did see that Ribombee seems to genuinely care about Bottlecap Bay. ... He's just really shady, too.
And finally, Chara echoes one of Bigby's points: Flowey is not above consequences. He can't keep doing this. He's going to die eventually if he keeps doing this, and he's going to die without having beaten Ribombee. That's the worst part of it all. Flowey knows they're right.
(And that same quiet, rational part of his mind thinks maybe the way to beat Ribombee is through talking with other guild members like this. His attempts to unionize the Cheri Berry guild members didn't go so well, he had settled on his fate to deal with it alone-- maybe pushing him to go to Icefall Lake. But now, here they are.)
All this goes rapidly through his mind as he sits there, still half-tangled in blankets and exhausted. The rational part of his mind makes sense. But he's still mad. And there's one point he HAS to contest.]
I was NOT crying. I was trying to leave this miserable town and avoid all this. Since I can't care about anyone, I'm always going to make things worse. You've made this very clear, so thank you, my attempted murderer.
[He still thinks he should've left. ... But then he wouldn't have reunited with Chara, would he? Has he made things worse with them, too?
... He's too tired to think about this.]
In case you haven't noticed, I'm a damn seed. I don't mind the sunlight or the rain that came from the lack of roof. It's the principle of the thing. Being treated as lesser on a whim. [It's karma, really. He deserves this. He treated everyone around him as nonsentient beings for longer than he could count. He should've just put up with it.] I noticed the minute I got recruited to the Cheri Berries, before I started trying to 'pin something' on Ribombee like a mouse-brained jerk.
... But you know what? I don't care anymore. I don't even like Umbreon. I just hate Lurantis more. Vote for whoever you want. Kiss Ribombee's boots all you want. I'll be more careful. Just leave me alone. I'm sick of this. I wish I never got brought here.
no subject
Fireheart was silent while Bigby was chewing into Flowey, but he bristles a little more when that anger is turned on him. Which... Bigby has a point about the Cheri roof situation, it should have been fixed years ago, but he can at least cling to the easier thing to argue against.]
You were attacking one of my guild-mates, was I supposed to just let you?
[He doesn't really engage in tribalism very often, but... it's not like it's been discouraged. He takes quests with everyone, but he shares his meals with Cheri and sleeps next to them at night, so he still considers himself a Cheri Berry before anything else.
And then... Chara is coming in, who Fireheart doesn't actually know but he feels like he'd be derailing things a lot more by asking. They seem to know Flowey, that's the important part. That, and... another Pokemon is calling him naive.]
I'm not naive, I'm...
[...
.........
He doesn't know what he is. Something better and cooler than a naive kitten, he's an adult Litten who's always been a friendly and lovable hero. No one dislikes him except for the Pokemon in this room, so he must be doing something right.]
I've been here longer than all of you. I've known Ribombee the longest out of everyone here, too. If something was up with him I would have noticed, because I'm not stupid, he's just busy. That's why I've been trying to help him out whenever I can, and it's why Flowey should be happy to take on the extra work getting the roofs sorted out. He can't be everywhere at once.
no subject
[ His fur is bristling all over as he's talking, only for his eyes to suddenly go wide at... someone else. ]
Who the fuck—?
[ He's suddenly glancing between Fireheart and Flowey before eventually turning to Chansey. She simply wobbles her hand back, focused on tea of another kind. All Bigby can do is growl under his breath as this ghost pulls out the entire dictionary to get their point across.
He still doesn't know who this is, but they sure know who Flowey is by the sound of it. Cautiously, Bigby watches them as they float downward, annoyed ear flicks slowly giving way to a curious head tilt. Wordy, but accurate. It captures all the things he'd been thinking anyway.
He continues to stay silent, even when Flowey finally starts to call him out. Briefly, his expression wavers, ears drooping in betrayal of his own emotions. Always going to make things worse. A line he's heard time and time again. ]
Flowey, that's not...
[ The Sunkern talks over him. He doesn't try to stop it. The kid has his points too. A frustrated sigh escapes him as he rubs his face. This is quickly spiraling, only for Fireheart to add that revelation on top of it. ]
You can't be fucking serious pulling that shit. I knew it. I was fucking right about you. Trying to play king of the jungle when you don't know shit about living out in the wild. At least Flowey has an excuse. You're not a damn kitten anymore.
no subject
Still...
He's lying to himself, they think, simultaneously noting down the apparent history with the hamster here. Not being able to care. He cares enough to be upset, if nothing else. But calling him out on it here seems counterproductive, so they will not. Instead. ]
... if knowing someone for long enough is the measure of wisdom we're using, then in some ways Flowey must be quite wise indeed. [ This is not exactly a compliment. But they won't elaborate, Flowey's secrets not theirs to share, so whatever conclusions the others might come to from that are not their problem. ]
I am not Flowey. I did not actually ascribe any malice to Ribombee. [ Even if the uneven handling of the Cheri Berries is pretty suspicious, and Flowey has a point. ] He may very well just be busy. That said ... being too busy to attend to matters of health, like the example I gave?
One does not have to be malicious to have been negligent.
no subject
And as for you, Bigby. [He spits out the name with much more actual venom than he called him 'grandpa' or other pejoratives.] If you're going to try to kill me, at least have the spine to own it. Were you 'just scaring me' when you had a death grip on me, chewing on my leaves? But sure, keep whining about a kick.
'Kill or be killed'. My friend here would phrase it more eloquently like: "all they who live by the sword will die by the sword." It takes a killer to know one, and trust me-- [He levels him with a piercing- but almost pitying- stare.] -- I know you.
[He just gives Chara a side-eye at the backhanded compliment about him being wise. He doesn't feel like elaborating anymore. Not to this group. Not now.]
They have a point. This will be rich coming from me, but lately, I haven't gotten the feeling that Ribombee is actively malicious. Just VERY negligent of anyone he doesn't choose as a favorite.
no subject
His tail is lashing, but he bites his tongue on whatever regrettable thing he was about to say and listens. It is easier to accept Ribombee being negligent, or at least terribly overstretched. Fireheart likes to think he's helping, and that Flowey is helping, but that doesn't erase the fact that yes, the Canopy housing was nowhere near winter-ready for years before they all showed up.
Probably something to talk to Ribombee about. Although he has no idea when they'll both have time for that.]
Still... we shouldn't be talking about our leader behind his back.
[It's a weak argument, and he knows it. And combined with his frustration at having his attempt to pull rank be fully deflected, he's starting to realize he's doing no one any favors by continuing to be here.]
Ugh... Flowey, you're welcome for saving you. And Bigby, I'm not sorry for kicking you. Eat dirt.
[He pauses for a moment, glancing at Chara and flicking an ear in a gesture that roughly translates to I don't know what to say to you. They've given him a lot to think about, but... also, introductions feel out of place at the moment.
He's just going to storm off.]
no subject
[ Just nips, he thought, like how his mother would whenever her cubs got so bold. How the hell was he supposed to know an overgrown seed could be that weak and defenseless. His scowl deepens, turning his attention to the easier target for him instead.
Bigby can feel his anger fully start to boil over the longer he stares the Litten down. His nose scrunches, lips curling back into a snarl. There’s plenty of words swirling in his mind, all of them derogatory, but what manages to come out is a low hiss in response. He knows what Fireheart must be thinking with all that tail whipping, and honestly, a part of him wants the other to go through with it. Despite his promise to Shoka to stop fighting, he can't fucking take this anymore from a house cat.
Electricity begins to build in his cheeks, only for Fireheart to storm off altogether. Immediately, he lets out a growl in frustration, rubbing his face as he stomps the ground. It's not quite a Stomping Tantrum, but there's definitely some unfocused power behind it.
Finally, he drops his paws, immediately turning to Flowey with eyes blood red all over again. ]
Fine, you want me to own it? If I wanted to eat you, you would’ve been gone before any of these people bothered to show up. [ His voice runs cold. There’s no threat, merely a statement of fact. ] Every time, there’s always someone out to get you. Ribombee. Fireheart. Me.
[ His eyes narrow down at Flowey’s stare. There’s something else behind them now, something entirely inhuman.
Then, he smiles, voice starting off in a sing-song mockery of Flowey's own. It's not as good as the Sunkern's impression of him, but it doesn't have to be. ]
But you asked me to kill you, remember? Make it hurt, you said. You deserve it. But my, weren't you just so scared, when you thought I finally came to collect.
[ Wise beyond his years. The boy who couldn’t grow up. It’s not hard to pick up on. The grin drops. He shakes his head in scorn. ]
That’d make things a whole lot easier, wouldn’t it? I mean, there’s plenty of other quests to prove your point. And still, you keep throwing yourself off cliffs hoping one day you might not make it back up. Because whatever you deserve, it’s not this second chance, is it?
[ No way this kid killed anyone, he thought once. Even a crybaby has their day. He can't help but laugh. ]
No, the worst thing I could do is let you face your fears for once, instead of being coddled by everyone else in this fucking place. So go ahead. Keep talking up your points all you want. I know you too. But at least I’m not the one always trying to run away.
[ His head slowly turns toward the ghost. How long have they been hovering around actually? ]
As for matters of health, maybe a friend ought to attend to a friend more often. Wouldn’t want to be negligent. How long were you going to wait, until finally speaking up for your pal Flowey?
no subject
(There's a lot there that they take note of. A lot of what he says about and sees in Flowey—
but this is hardly the time to address any of it.) ]
Do you suggest that I am his keeper? Or that I would be automatically inclined to take his side in all confrontations, including the one he instigated himself?
[ Who is this Morpeko, anyway? ]
I believe in consequences appropriate for the circumstances, and it is not as if Flowey cannot speak for himself. You are correct,
though. Perhaps I should have stepped in sooner, especially had you truly been intending to eat him. Were you, in a place like this?
no subject
Are you really going to call me 'coddled' and then mock them for not showing up sooner to save me? You're mad because you're alone and it shows. You growl and snarl like a feral animal who's never been loved and would bite off the hand of anyone who tried.
Golly! Do you feel better now that you have all that out of your system? You sure taught me a lesson. You're completely right! I'm nothing but a pathetic, sad child who died a horrible death and wishes he never came back. You got me. A pitiful coward who cries and whines and tries running away when it gets too scary. [Unlike when they first met, he's not speaking from barely-restrained misery and parasuicidality. He maintains this strange calmness as he speaks.] You've just figured it all out. Well done.
no subject
I already said I wasn’t going to eat him. I’m not a fucking moron. [ Briefly, he glances back at Flowey. ] But thanks for proving my point that he wasn’t in any danger to begin with. Maybe you should be his keeper.
[ If ever there was a time he missed his smokes this badly. Every other word he says seems to be halfway to a growl, anger tempered but not gone. ]
... Gee, kid. Really punching low, huh? Like I haven't heard that one a hundred times over. [ His tone takes a somber turn. It hits right where Flowey wanted, but just like Bigby said, that spot's been hardened and scarred over for centuries at this point.
It helps too, knowing he's not so alone anymore. There was a reason he came over to quiet Flowey down. ] Stop deflecting. Stop trying to make everyone pity you just because you had it hard. Everyone's got shit to deal with and own up to, consequences and all. That's the lesson.
[ He huffs, stern, unimpressed. Always going to make things worse — honestly, he felt that one much harder than the reminder that he bites. ]
Deny it all you want, but you wouldn't be so caught up on Ribombee playing favorites if some part of you didn't care. Those roofs made things better, didn't they? [ He sighs. The joke of it all, repeating this line to someone other than himself: ] Life's easier with friends, Flowey. You keep acting up the way you do, and you won't have anyone to bail you out when I do decide to finally eat you.
[ Something something the seed who cried hamster. ]
no subject
[ And treat it with as much consideration as it is owed.
They are too busy, frankly, noting down the apparent extensive history here between these two, and slotting the things said now together with what was just said the moment before. You've given them a lot to consider, Bigby, even if it isn't exactly the part they said they would be. ]
oops! all introspection
And now he's here.
He glances at Chara. They've heard far more than he intended them to-- not that he has any control over them. He never did. Are they still friends? They aren't fighting, at least, but it's clear to him that they see him as a nuisance. They know him for what he is: another soulless shell who shouldn't be here. Maybe they have solidarity on some level in that. But solidarity only goes so far when they're mopping up after all his mistakes.
What right does he have to feel sorry for himself? This is exactly what Bigby was talking about. But the idea of going on like this- picking up the pieces and trying again- is so exhausting and miserable and humiliating that it's hard to even think about it. At least when he's ruining everything, it's easy.]
... Don't you have anything better to do?
[This is directed at them both. Nurse Chansey gently places a small hand on Bigby's shoulder.]
silence remains a valid option!
Briefly, he lets his gaze linger, waiting for something, anything, but there's nothing. All he gets for his trouble is a blank smile forcing him into a corner at the back of his own mind. His anger finally finished boiling over, and now there's nowhere else for that mess to go.
Maybe Snow was right. Maybe there'll always be a part of him that likes it when things go wrong. It's so much easier to stop pretending. Who is this kid to him anyway, besides a reminder of the young wolf he used to be? So full of rage at the world, fed on the fear and torment of anyone who crossed his path. He never had a problem being the monster, until suddenly he found a purpose beyond his own destruction. Someone else to care for. A fresh start.
Flowey should be grateful. He got his second chance handed to him on a silver platter, while Bigby is still busy begging for scraps back home. The fact that the kid would rather wallow in the past and ruin things for himself pisses him off beyond belief. Nothing worse than a villain who'd rather blame it on their nature, their lack of soul, than accept the choices they made.
He pulls his shoulder away from Chansey. As much as he wants to have the last word, there's nothing left for him to say. He turns to leave in silence.
There are better things for him to do. ]