Into the void~

Since Abyss' introduction to this entirely new reality, she had found comfort and solace in darkness. The comforting void that opposed the very light she had been exposed to for the entirety of her childhood. In the shadows, she found the company herself. And it was pleasant. She often idly sat in silence under a conifer, eyes gazing out into a void, while her body, used to physical activity, itched to get up, get out and explore this new world. Perhaps she would even find a way to get back.
But there rested the choice, whether she would or would not.

The Absol sighed, and lay down for a long rest.

"He's like a touch of evil
Like the devil in disguise
I crave his poisonous touch
His lethal mouth pressed against mine
But like a fairytale gone bad
That kiss would be the death of me," Luca recited with perfect meter, not seeing the Absol. The poem was by a human author, but she wasn't one that was incredibly popular.

His talons scratched the words he would normally describe as lyrics onto a slab of wood despite the darkness.

Had he noticed the canine Pokemon nearby, he would've put on a much more swaggering act. Most Pokemon did not approve of the fact that he would rather be with a male than a female, and the fact that he hadn't altered the lyrics of the poem called his secret out loudly.

"I wonder..." he mused. "Maybe I could find a human piece or two. Maybe I could get back and find some. I'll run out of good stuff to read at this rate..."

(Hello, Dove! We haven't officially met~)

If Abyss had an external ear, she would have twitched it, mostly out of annoyance. As it stood, she simply raised her head to piercingly stare at the Murkrow above her. If wasn't as though she had come in contact with other pokemon often, but she did know as much as to conceal her brooch involuntarily; it might be a bit too shiny for the Murkrow's fancy - so she flattered herself flatly. This particular one seemed to be wearing some of his own - a sort of ring on his foot.

By the looks - or sounds - of it, he seemed to be a poet; a literary Pokemon, Abyss mused bemusedly (see what I did there?) but it was the tone that put her off. Was he simply reciting it? It came too readily to be composed, unless it sourced from his own experiences. Which led to he question of where he had heard it, and the reason to cite it out loud - it surely wasn't as though he meant it, right? Her tail idly twitched, the sharp end tapping the grass twice, quietly. Placing her head back between her paws, muzzle covered by the scarf, she was content to quietly lie on the grass, wondering if she should initiate conversation - she wasn't one to do so usually, or ever, but the avian was clearly unconscious to her presence there. As long as he didn't continue thinking out loud, she was grudgingly fine with sharing the quiet space with a fellow Dark type.

((Oops, I'm sorry Dx And hello~!))

He accidentally clawed over some of the words and held back a swear, fluttering his wings angrily. "For the love of Arceus, can I do anything right?!" he declared, still not seeing her.

Then, he turned around out of anger, and his eyes landed on the Absol. His feathers all stood on end, and his eyes were wide.

"Uh..."

(No need to apologize~ ^^ ...What are you apologizing for? ._.' Derp)

So the Darkness pokemon had finally noticed her, it seemed. Or more like her glaring up at him with glowing crimson eyes. She sat up and helpfully added, "Evidently you can recite well." She was, of course, referring to his poetry, while she mildly reveled in the air of one who had been watching an unsuspecting, innocent bystander for a while. Smug. Yes, that was it. She felt tempted to speak out this new sentiment she felt, but shook off her distraction to stare piercingly at the Murkrow. Yes, she enjoyed his surprise at the new epiphany.

He fluffed his wings and raised his head, trying to put on a picture of someone prideful. "Thanks," he said in a standoffish manor. Of course, he knew that this Dark type had heard him reciting the poem. "An' just how much didja hear, doll?" Luca was obviously rather scared. He wasn't sure if he had reason to be, but she was still nervous.

"All of it...I suppose." Abyss brushed a wood chip off her shoulder, giving a non-committal answer. Despite her apparent lack of enthusiasm in conversing with the Murkrow, she was interested in this queer bird. While he did appear hesitant to continue furthur - was he really that anxious to know how much he had revealed? - he didn't react the usual way; eyes dilated, body fluffed up, backing away in inherent fear revolving around the legend that Absol could bring misfortune upon another. While she wasn't sure how she felt being referred to as 'doll', the avian certainly had some measure of self-confidence.

He paused. Of course, Luca knew the sterotypes, but he also knew the sterotypes surrounding his kind. "... You're not-" he started, but cut himself off. Did he want to use the proper manor of speaking his sisters had been taught with this female, or the crude one the males typically used?

"You're not acting like most would," he observed, deciding on the proper words. "Seeing as I am a male who recited a love poem directed at a male."

Abyss tilted her head; so he had meant it, after all! But his statement puzzled her. Did he mean to imply that others knew, and had reacted differently? Or merely how he thought others would react? And if so, how was she different? To be frank, she wasn't sure how she felt towards the Murkrow - a part of her begged to continue believing that he merely recited the poem without any personal sentiment. But she did not feel any form of...revulsion? Would that be the proper term? The Absol internally mused, staying silent for several seconds. Forcefully squeezing her eyes shut, she eliminated the myriad of thoughts arising - it would keep her preoccupied, perhaps some other time. She raised her look upwards to neutrally gaze at the Murkrow, vocalizing a small 'oh'. Yet another non-committal response. This male was intriguing indeed - not something everybody could claim, in Abyss' eyes.

((Your responses and her manner of thinking are so poetic, it's lovely! ^_^))

Luca was silent for a moment. This female... He debated making a joke, but wasn't sure of how this neutral being would react. Still, humor was typically light-hearted. Finally, the Murkrow decided on a few lines of poetry. "In the darkness
One may find
An unconventional creature
Friend or foe
One cannot know
Until they decide to reveal
This so-important feature." His red eyes watched for her reaction. The poem was original, so he wasn't worrying about being accused of plagiarism.

(Thank you!~ Due to your level of writing, I'm trying to improve just to be on the same level x3)

Abyss listened to the Murkrow's recitation - yes, for that moment, she really listened. She was attentive. She was silent. Even as the words washed over her, she idly observed that he really had a knack for what he did. Clever; he recited perfectly - to mirror his own uncertainty in the form of poetry. How poetic, she dryly mused, with an equally dry smile. The facial expression was entirely unconscious; her thoughts merely led to an external feature. But it was, nonetheless, a smile. With a touch of unintentional, laconic, sarcastic humor, but a smile, all said and done.

While she displayed external signs of amusement, internally she wondered whether to respond - and if so, in which form. This was quickly turning into a literate showdown, but it was so rare that she met one to follow up a nice conversation with. While, to most, it was rather questionable regarding Abyss' taste in 'nice conversations', one must do with what they have. And interaction was something Abyss did not have; neither the skills, nor the incentive, nor the stimulation.
"In the darkness
Of midnight's shadow
One must look further
For a certain degree of darkness
Is required
To see the stars"

Even as she spoke, Abyss cringed, but the words had escaped her mouth; too late! The irony amused her; was she, she, really talking about darkness? In hindsight, the poem didn't sound original either - she had an inkling it wasn't. The last three lines of the practical impromptu...haiku? Was that what it was? In any case, it stirred up old memories; she had heard that phrase somewhere. Where? A niggling doubt, a persistent question. While she stewed in her embarrassment over the obvious failure of her... - well, if one were gracious, they could call it a poem - she decided to take matters in her paws.

"Er, look. As you can tell, I'm not too good at poetry, or at least evidently at composing it. I just know a few of the cliched, well-known phrases. 'I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the dark' kind of thing." There. Another familiar phrase; where was she getting them, when every time she attempted to remember further about them, they just bubbled back beneath the surface, just out of her grasp? "But I do know good poetry when I hear it," She hoped, "And you, Murkrow, seem to be in a perfectly lucid state and in complete control of, well, words, if you will. What are you socially known as?"

(Arceus, I just rambled on. Pardon me, I beg for forgiveness >w<)

((You're fine ^_^))

The way she responded caused a strange contortion of his facial muscles that was most definitely a smile, under any circumstances. "Actually," he began, "that was pretty good. My name's Luca. You're poetic just in the way you speak, and there's nothing wrong with reciting poetry written by others; the popular ones are some of my favorites."

He knew it to be a fact that Dark-types usually wrote the best poetry, simply because anything that was living was naturally intrigued by things with dark or evil themes. He noticed this behavior in himself as he realized he was forming a friendship with this Absol. "And what's your name, if I can ask?"

(Thank ye~)

While Abyss felt inclined to thank the Murkrow, to thank Luca for his appreciation, she contended with silence. After all, appreciation - such a foreign term - was something of a rare privilege. Instead, she merely tilted her head, looking questioningly, openly curious towards the being she almost felt familial with. Disregarding the friendly advances - which weren't solely the males, she thought with a proud puff of her chest - they were not only fellow Dark types, they were kith bound by superstition. Disaster and Darkness.

When Luca asked for her name, Abyss almost flinched. Almost. But she had known this was coming, had she not? While she had brusquely demanded, he had the integrity, the virtue, if you will, to politely ask. Breathe. He had only asked for her name; no particular reason to mindlessly...panic? Was she panicking? Why was she panicking? (That k in there irks me :P)

Regardless, she took a breath, yet another sizeable pause before speaking. "...Abyss. My name is Abyss."

In all honesty, it was the truth. Yet to most, with good reason, it would appear facetious, and cause Abyss to mentally kick herself. Why had she done that? She arrested her thought process. Her movements, her speech - they had gradually become more animated, more lively. So this was what interaction was. Her anxiety had only grown to stick to the social norms, as she stumbled and fell at each step.

She took the moment to fluff up her ruff, and sink her face into it, lapsing into a sullen silence. Of course, it was yet another thing of interest and misinterpretation, but if she did not know herself, what would she present to others? Since when had she cared for a social image? Her eyes shut, her claws sank deep into the earth. No good. She did care.

"Abyss..." he repeated, noticing her nervous body language. "Abyss. A poetic name in itself, truly. You seem nervous. Let me reassure you, I've met many Pokemon. Some were cruel, some were kind. Above all, I've learned that judging by stereotypes or appearances is never a good idea. You've been civil towards me so far, and that is more than most can say." The Murkrow was being honest, which was obvious from the way his feathers had flattened and how he was holding himself. He absentmindedly twirled the ring on his foot. It had no real value, not even sentimental -- he had always worn his family's seal in the same place before he was banished, and it threw him off balance to fly without it.

The Absol blinked. So her observation that solitude let to heightened senses and keener observation was correct? She, as a solitary being, would have known by experience, right? Though she wondered; was it a voluntary solitude. Even as her mind roved, the Murkrow took yet another surprising turn.

Appreciation. Again. For many a day she had gone without a word spoken, nearly forgetting the sound of her own voice; but behold, she was immensely enjoying this conversation. No, perhaps not enjoying. Did this conversation contain any traces of humor? Was this contentment? She cocked her head, her paw rising to curl around the claw she wore around her neck. It likely was not visible under her thick ruff of fur, but the involuntary action might have given away it's location. Yet, concealing it was not on the Absol's mind.

Instead, she found herself floundering, searching for words. At a loss. So this was the undertone of the phrase. "...I- Thank you...Luca. I have enjoyed your company." The words and the tone sounded foreign...ethereal, even, put together. For once, Abyss did not so much as know what she herself thought.

That was something he didn't often hear. Most were more than willing to get rid of him. "I believe I can say the same about yours." The small bit of light let in by the thick trees reflected off of a small sliver of the item. Being a Murkrow, he of course noticed, but didn't move towards it. Anyone else he would have tried to steal it, but this female was kind enough for him to consider her... a friend?

I don't know about that, but... this is a potential friendship, yes.

Abyss was surprised at the happiness that bloomed within herself, opening itself petal by petal, a shy, capricious flower. Why did it please her so much to realize that her sentiment was mutual? Her paws slipped off her neck and fell to the ground again. The Absol sat as if frozen in place, blinking blankly. What was she to say now? Would she merely exchange words with this Murkrow...? While that proposition did not seem unpleasant - yet another surprising revelation - she wondered how much time had passed. How long had it been since she was unceremoniously disturbed in her tantivy 'slumber'? Or perhaps, a better question would be how long she had gone without a conversation such as this. How long had it been since she felt she could freely interact with a fellow being? She was unsure whether to treasure this time or be wary of it. After all, the moment would pass away, but the memory would be hers forever....

"Did I sc- frighten you?" he asked, not quite so sure of himself after she froze.

((Whoops one-liner but uh sorry xD))

(No worries~)

Abyss slid out of her thoughts smoothly, used to having them interrupted. Perhaps that was for the best; starting and appearing disoriented wasn't in appearance's best interests. "What? Frighten? Uh, no." She stumbled slightly but it was from more of surprise than hesitation. She, who portrayed so little, wondered how she came across to Luca. She breathed in lightly, "No. No, you did not," she asserted, "I was just thinking. But, uh, do you know what time it is?"

Well. That sounded lame, even to the Absol's ears. She winced again, this time perceptibly. Perhaps keeping quiet would have been better than babbling on. Her tail lashed, as her eyes scanned the sky for the answer to her own question.

"About 6:30 at night, I'd guess," he told her after observing his faint shadow for a moment. This was obviously something she wasn't used to. Perhaps she was in need of a friend. Of course, her question had been a bit odd, but it didn't seem like she spoke much.

Abyss wondered how he knew the time, seeing that the tall trees barely let any light through - so apparently observing shadows was how other nocturnal beings noted the time. She idly plucked a few grass blades, "Right. Thank you." she spoke quietly, perhaps retreating back within her protective shell, back to the comfort of the darkness and solitude.

"Have I offended you, Abyss?" Luca asked, genuinely concerned. He normally looked forward to making other Pokemon angry, but this Absol was one of the few who was kind to him. He felt no desire to scare her off, and this was proved by the way he was holding himself now -- his head was cocked to the side in a very birdlike manor and his tail was topped downwards as he was metaphorically standing on his 'tip toes'.

There. Another stumble. Would the misunderstanding never end? Abyss breathed in deeply this time. Normally, she wouldn't go to lengths to explain herself, but something compelled her forward - she did not want this bird to be puzzled about her. She got to her feet to allow herself to look upwards better. "No, Luca, you haven't." The next part pained her to admit, but it would, perhaps, clear things up better. "I-I don't do this much," She emphasized with a sweep of her paw, "this, um, meeting others. I don't know what to do." Perhaps to heighten her own awkwardness, she topped it off with a shy chuckle. Well, a laugh was a laugh. Or an attempt at one.

But no more figurative 'beating about the shrubbery' anymore.

(On a side note, Luca's so cute xD I can just imagine him standing on his toes, leaning forward slightly~ You portray him very well! Very descriptive and gripping~)

((Thank you <3))

"To be fair, neither do I," he said with his strange, birdlike smile. "You're really nice though. That's something I appreciate."

Abyss twitched slightly as she was complemented yet again. "Aha..." She smiled demurely. In all honesty, she knew not why, she was immensely embarrassed now. She did not remember the last time she had felt such an acute attack of anxiety; even acts in public did not gain her this queer, awkward feeling, though it stemmed from the most concentrated fear of being judged. A purr rumbling deep in her chest, she crouched, hiding her face in her collar fur - something she hadn't done since she was a child. Purely as a sentient action, her tail wagged in the signature style of canines.
It was as though her cold exterior had melted away, to expose her unprotected, fragile self. Quite delicate.

Abyss had been alone for as long as she remembered, and she wasn't always unsocial either. There had been a time when a cheerier pup was not to be found for miles around. It was not as though time had changed her. It had only taught her to live with pain. Perhaps it was for the best that Abyss was left alone so much. She had figured out the world for herself, but had she lived a false reality? Was the world she created greater than her own?