—𝐉𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫

He would chuckle, looking to Copper with a closed-eyed smile.

“Thanks. That means more than you probably think. You wanna set a time and place, or are you free now?”

“I need to shake off the rust.”

Holding a Pokeball in hand, tossing it up, catching on the way down. He'd been repeating this for a few minutes now.

“...that, and I feel more... awake, recently? Sharper. I wanna see if those instincts carry into battle.”

“...I wanna battle someone.”

Oh? How surprisingly unlike him. If nobody was around to hear that, maybe he'll ask around, or sub in at the gym this week...

“Oh, uh- hope that ain't an assumption I'm makin' there. Don't wanna push for anythin' if you're not feelin' up to it, heheh...”

“O- oh, shoot, I'm sorry if that was a surprise, I didn't exactly... expect it either, heheh.”

His hand had, however unconsciously drifted to grab Lu's hand again.

It was definitely thanks to Lu he wasn't so shaky right now.

“...y'know, I always dreamed of havin' friends all over the world.”

》

@shadequeen.bsky.social

jamcat
Jammy missed some words. Like, the crook of her neck.

It's still shoulder region.

Boy has respect, I have brain fog. 🙏

Jasper would swallow his anticipation, and slip up behind the woman Lillium pointed out prior, wrapping one arm around her waist, using the other to grab her shoulder...

Before hesitantly, though almost... excitedly bit into her neck.

Why did blood have to taste so good, now..?

He would raise a finger in protest, but opt against saying anything again. Seems as though this was the norm, now. He'd best get used to it...

At the very least, he knows how to be quiet. And his body felt lighter. So, slipping up behind someone shouldn't be too hard.

“Okay. Okay, I'll try...”

》

“...uh-”

He stammers a moment, face heating up at the mere suggestion.

“I- I mean, I can. I know I can. It's just a matter of whether or not I'm gonna be able to uh... to bring myself to.”

Tugging at his collar once again, he would gulp, before looking at Lillium.

“You sure this is... okay?”

He would gulp, tugging at his shirt collar.

Would that have been him if he hadn't gotten curious? ...now that he thinks about it, it doesn't sound that bad.

“I mean, that ain't all that surprisin'. It is gonna take some gettin' used to, though, not bein' human anymore...”

“I resent that as a Gym Leader, sir. I'll be facin' you once my team's in tip-top condition. And me. I also gotta be in tip-top shape...”

“When it doesn't hurt to look outside, absolutely..!”

“Uh... no. Not really. But I prefer knowin' how to fend for myself. Mean, fishin's easy. Can't be much different, right?”

Oh, sweet summer child...

He would squint, looking up slowly before taking the glasses, with a muffled ‘thank you.’

After slipping them on, and blinking a few times, the world was back to tolerable levels of crystal-clear. Thank goodness...

“Thank ya, darlin'...”

He squeezes his eyes shut, covering his face with a sleeve.

“...that offer for huntin' lessons still on the table..?”

Muffled, but loud enough to hear beneath his little cocoon.

jamcat
That feel when Jasper used to wear contacts.

He doesn't need them anymore.

“I can see very, very far...”

Disoriented by his keen senses.

“Naw, naw. It's annoyin', sorta? But it's more like... an allergy. I don't got that. It's actually not that much different. Just feels like my senses were open, or never really workin' at full steam.”

“...head hurts.”

Jasper doesn't drink...

jamcat
Ohhhh? That would help him immensely, I think.

He is a soft boy. The thought of drinking from people even if they're willing is an iffy prospect for him. ;v;

Noooo no no, this was a thing happening behind the scenes. XD

Twitch.

“Ehh... well, I'm not an obligate blood feeder. But I'd be lyin' if it ain't a tantalizin' thought.”

I announce this as if it changes nothing, merely because Jasper will probably be the kindest vampire in existence.

jamcat
Ogey.

Pretty boy is a vampire now. Tada!

Above the two, now, was an Aerodactyl, towing the cab much faster than the Corviknight before.

Now normally, Jasper would be horrified at what just happened. But...

“That... was amazin'! And it's an Aerodactyl! I didn't know they registered other Pokémon for the flying shuttle service..!”

It takes all of a second, leaving the two feeling lighter than air as the cab hangs suspended by... well, nothing, for a brief moment.

But as soon as it was let go, allowing the pair to see the Corviknight and its pilot fly off back to Galar, it became apparent what their original pilot meant.

》

“Bingo.”

Not much else to say on the matter. But he's still not saying it outright, at least until he has those urges more under control.

“I like it. The taste of iron stuck with me, I guess.”

the horizon, with another pilot perched on its back.

“You remember that? What'd he mean by that..?”