username:Arganineo
link to partner's form:Bullserk - Arioloname:Ika
pronouns:He/Him or They/Them
relation to keldine 162: Frenemies/Rivals
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prompt:It seems like Ika’s entire existence is Ariolo's problem.
As an undercover Cryptid Hunter, Ariolo’s job is to expose the real monsters, not some shortstack playing pretend. So when he realized who the “Undead Diver” of Relikin lake was, he was determined to undermine this deviant.
Ika’s pranks started off innocent. Moving items from other Kels houses towards the lake, grabbing at paws when they were out for a swim, or making terrifying noises in the night to scare the town. However, once the lake dweller noticed that Ariolo rolled into town to catch him, he grew spiteful. This was his town, after all.
Ika began walking the line between harmless and dangerous. Instead of paw grabbing, he’d pull kels down into the lake, long enough for them to be unharmed, but frightened. Noises in the night escalated to him scaring children through the windows, leaving cryptic letters on doorsteps, and overall being a terror to the others.
Ariolo observed Ika’s nightly routine and jotted down patterns he noticed. While the Kel switched it up every now and then as to whose doorstep he visited, Ariolo was confident in taking a risk.
Ariolo needed to stop Ika, and so he devised a convoluted plan to catch him at night and call the town for a meeting. It would be at that moment, where Ariolo also planned to give Ika a taste of his own medicine: humiliation.
When night came, Ariolo went straight into action. He watched from afar, knowing the smaller kel was smart and came at the dead of night. He sees Ika, donned in that gaudy costume. Just as planned, the diver peers into Ariolo’s window, only to step back in utter confusion. Where could the Kel have gone? It was unlikely that a guest would go against the town's curfew.
Just as Ika turns, he realized that he’s not alone.
“So, you’ve been the thorn in my side,” Ika spits, knowing he couldn’t run away fast enough with the heavy helmet on his head.
Ariolo stands tall, mentally taking note of just how ugly Ika’s costume was in person. “That’s funny, I’m not the one going around terrorizing little children and making others fear for their lives.”
Ika huffs in annoyance, fogging up his helmet slightly. “Just because you’re a guest in this town and everyone adores you doesn’t mean you can meddle in our business.”
“Is that what this is? You jealous? Want attention?” Ariolo knows he’s struck a nerve by the way fur stands on the other kel. “It’s because they don’t know you, is that it?”
“Don’t you dare tell me how I’m feeling.” Anxious and a little too hot in his costume, Ika lowers his head and the helmet falls off, landing on the dirt with a ‘thump.’
Ariolo had to admit, he wasn’t expecting the lake monster to be such a small and almost cutesy little thing. He wonders for a moment why this kel was having trouble connecting with this town. It almost saddens him some, seeing someone so lonesome and angry at the world. For a moment, he drops his guard, voice coming out less hostile. “It might be harder to make friends than to push them away, but you can’t take that easy route. It’s not too late to start over here. They don't know who's behind that mask.”
Something about Ariolo’s words gives Ika whiplash. Start over? Can it really be that easy with this town hating every fiber of his persona? If he stopped, they’ll stop talking about the monster in the lake -- They’ll stop talking about him. He’s not sure about taking that step and losing all the attention he’s worked so hard for.
“Doesn’t have to be right away,” Ariolo says, as if reading Ika’s mind. “But, you could at least take it easy on these guys. They’re on the verge of shutting themselves indoors forever.” He takes a step toward Ika, trying not to seem too intimidating. “If they do that, you might not have anyone paying attention to you anyways.”
Ika’s not one to back down, nor is he one to accept mistakes. He averts his gaze, embarrassed and just happy that everyone else was sound asleep.
“Shoot, I might even help you pull a stunt if you really need it. A harmless one, of course,” Ariolo laughs. “You can go out with one last ‘bang,’ and after? You stop being the Undead Diver and you start being…”
“Ika…” the smaller kel answers, sheepishly locking his gaze with Ariolo. “My name’s Ika.”
“Ika,” Ariolo repeats, the innocent name making him smirk in amusement. “What say you and I work together? I’ll let you pull a few pranks, but in return you’ve got to come introduce yourself to the town. Tomorrow.”
“That’s it?” Ika mutters, a little frustrated about being bound by a deal, but realizing maybe a change wouldn’t be awful.
“Well….” Ariolo chuckles. “You see I promised the inn that I’d shoo the Diver away from the town in exchange for food and a place to stay -- and I ate a lot. Plus, it would look great on me to say that I ran a monster out. So when you’re done doing your little ghost thing, I’d like for it to be staged where it looks like I defeated you. Sound good?”
“You want me to inflate your ego?” It’s Ika’s turn to smirk in amusement now. They’re similar in a way, he supposed. Both just wanted to be a somebody in the eyes of other people.
He couldn’t be completely mad about someone foiling his schemes. He was given an out, after all.
Looking from his helmet to Ariolo, he sighs in resignation.
“You’ve got yourself a deal.”
[957/1000]
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If my form does not win, winner may keep art (I just can't edit them). Top is by bullserk and bottom is by me c:
- [url=url]ART PIECE 2[/url] - 346 WORDS
