[open]

[topkong]

Who: Wukong and (insert your name here)!
When: Early April
Where: Capablanca
What: Someone's really enthusiastic about gathering up various food supplies... with mixed results, of course.
Rating: None for now, but will edit if needed...?



A. An apple a day keeps...

[ Juggling a few apples in his hands, Wukong at least looks the part of an entertainer as he tries to show off the few applicable personable skills that he has. In front of the farmers, however, it's more likely they're surprised by the fact a walking, talking monkey is a Hero rather than him trying to get information from them. Three apples, in perfect condition, looking like they'd never touch the ground if the monkey could keep his concentration...

And then, noticing you approach, he tosses one in your direction. Think fast, because the other ones will be coming too! He hopes you can juggle, otherwise there might be a few disappointed farmers and their children. ]


B. If you teach a monkey to fish...

[ But with his newly acquired information, he's told that fishing might be the better option when it comes to finding fresh and delicious food. The apples, safely stowed away in a basket he acquired from earlier, friendly folk, sit nearby as he swings a net around. It looks like that he would be using something that isn't a rod for some reason, though one sits next to the apples looking like it could picked up and used immediately.

Looking out at the river, the water sparkling as the sun hits it just right... Wukong's a little concerned that he might not be able to catch as many fish as one who may be skilled at the fine, patient art of fishing. Mostly because he's not exactly patient, practical, and a little too energetic for his own good. ]

You know, I've never gone fishing before. I have a much better idea.


C. Honey, I've made a terrible bee-stake...

[ The clouds are coming and soon, the sky is dark and threatening a terrible storm. The wind is picking up and the smell of ozone lingers on the senses. Then, suddenly, a horrible buzzing. It's nearly louder than the wind, and it's bearing down on you quickly because... ]

RUN! RUNRUNRUNRUN!

[ You're in the way of Wukong, who doesn't even try to be nice as he pushes past you roughly. Then again, there's probably a reason for his rudeness and it comes swiftly, on many irritated wings. A swarm of bees, hurtling toward you and the monkey, who is already past---

--- you better catch up because this is going to bee-come a huge problem for you. ]


D. Wildcard

[ When not being a dumb, Wukong is locating fruits for another purpose! He's even keeping them separated, because he has a taste for banana nut bread that only one can sate. Or, perhaps you see him resting in the shade of a tree--- either in the sun, or dodging the storm, being particularly thoughtful. Either way, come at me scrub lord. I'm ripped? Or, come fight me at aslyfox ]

Comments

[topkong]

[ Sorry, but Wukong can't hear that over the sound of how incredibly awesome his leap into the air and his crash landing is going to be... the kids will find it hilarious! No doubt if he wins their hearts, the parents would have to give some more of their abundant crop... or at least, give him a better idea of where the best quality food could be acquired?

Oh, Kaito is moving?

...

TARGET: ACQUIRED. Using his staff as a pole to vault up into the air, it elongates to its full, possible length. With an excited howl, Wukong is coming down... directly...!!!

... next to the guy who is probably expecting the worst. Nope, all is fine! ]

What? I just wanted to show off how high I could get off the ground. [ Huff! ]

[ Oh. But where is the staff going to fall... ]

[carptricks]

[he sure is expecting the worse, and he's totally prepared to bust out a little acrobatics of his own in order to backflip out of the way. but once it becomes clear that Wukong doesn't intend to land directly on top of him, he stands his ground]

[. . .]

[and gives his fellow hero a flat look]

You sure are a show off, aren't you-- [oh god the staff is falling on top of him. give him a moment while he scrambles to catch it so it doesn't bonk him on the head]

[topkong]

[ He'll let Kaito catch the weapon, which has shortened dramatically in length... now a reasonable size. Thank goodness that he can control it so easily, it wasn't always so simple as to reach out and imagine it be smaller. Now, it instinctively happens. ]

Well, yeah. Can't let natural ability and learned skill rust, right?

[ The kids are certainly happy with their antics, though the parents are probably a little more skeptical... still, better than having negative influences present as a source of amusement. One of the adult humans goes away, only to return with two full baskets of apples, leaving them near the two heroes with a near-silent thankful murmur.

Then, all of the farmers leave with their kids, the latter group still talking about the talking monkey and the guy who looked like he might get splatted. ]

Hey, at least it netted us some rewards!

[carptricks]

[. . .]

[and in an exaggerated motion, Kaito bops Wukong on the head with his own staff before he dutifully returns the weapon to its rightful owner]

[his surprise when the farmers bring them two whole baskets of apples is evident, what with the way his eyebrows shoot up and his eyes widen. and to think, earlier he had only been able to haggle two or three single pieces of fruit from these guys. such generosity]

Ha! I guess there's no point in complaining then, is there?

[they did make a pretty good comedy routine team, didn't they?]

[topkong]

[ Wow, rude. Maybe next time, he'll make sure to land on this guy? Wukong makes sure to re-acquire his weapon, just in case Kaito decides to bop him with his own weapon (the betrayal is real)... ]

Definitely not! [ There's more than enough apples to give to the chef, who'll find some reason to yell about a blemish or a bruise or an apple too ripe or too unripe or... something. SOMETHING. ]

But hey, I'll let you keep the ones in your hands and I'll just take these baskets myself...

[ And he walks over in between them, crossing his arms and smirking. He's not ACTUALLY planning on taking both... or is he... ooh, a mystery. ]

[carptricks]

[and Kaito's expression immediately shifts from triumphant to flat]

Oi oi. I worked just as hard for these baskets as you did. Don't be an apple hog.

[topkong]

... you mean 'monkey'.

[ He's happy to correct Kaito as he lifts one of the baskets up, carrying it over to his involuntary Assistant. ]

And of course you did, this is why you get half.

[ He would have paid in apples just to see that change of expression, too. ]

You know, the way you juggled was pretty amazing. Not many can just pick it up so quickly and improvise afterward!

[carptricks]

Apple monkey.

[he corrects himself with a snort as he gladly takes the apple basket Wukong handed him. success! he sure hoped he wouldn't get yelled at for bringing the chef the wrong kind of apple this time around]

Heh, well, you prob'ly know this already but a performer's gotta improvise, right? [and improvisation was one of Kaito's strengths] If an audience is watching, there's no way I'm gonna let 'em down.

[topkong]

Heroic apple monkey!

[ A final correction for the record books, really. With that many apples, the chef would be sure to at least accept one of them while rejecting the rest. He probably does it for show, just so he can make a point. ]

And if your audience is an entire country... I guess you have to do a good job of pleasing everyone.

[ He likes Kaito's attitude. Performing and fighting are basically one in the same, even though Wukong's got a little experience in both though more of the latter.

He reaches out with confidence. ]

I'm Wukong.

[carptricks]

[he is not calling you a heroic apple monkey, Wukong. no matter how many times you correct him]

[Kaito shifts the apple basket so he's holding it underneath one arm and extends a hand towards Wukong in return. a wide grin stretches across his features]

Kaito. Kuroba Kaito, but just Kaito's fine. Something tells me we should team up like this again sometime in the future, heh.

[topkong]

[ But it's such a great nickname. ]

Sounds like a deal to me! [ And he takes Kaito's hand, giving it a squeeze and a few hearty shakes. The monkey, clearly pleased by all that happened, finishing with a bow. ]

Can you fight, Kaito? I mean, I know you can juggle, but those don't normally go hand-in-hand.

[carptricks]

[ha ha. . .]

I don't like to fight. [he responds, making a face in the process] But I'm also capable of defending myself and others, if that's what you're asking. And s'not like I have any choice but to do just that, considering I've been consigned as a soldier in a war. Yeah?

[in other words: yes, he can, he just doesn't like it. it isn't that he's a lover over a fighter or anything, it's just! way easier to run circles around your enemies and put them to sleep than it is to actually engage them in melee combat]

[he's a trickster, not a warrior]

[topkong]

[ ... sobs quietly. ]

That's all that matters. Being reliable is just as important as being capable, too.

[ Briefly, Wukong forgot that he too had also been consigned to the same war, and that bothers him--- the friendly, congenial expression dropping to a more pensive one. True, true... not everyone is like him, and he couldn't see Kaito as one who spent years training in the fine art of 'beating some fools'.

Funny how the monkey is not the trickster in this situation... ]

But hey. I'll be happy to help you out whenever you need it. Shouldn't be hard to find a talking monkey that isn't me among the heroes, right?

[carptricks]

[Kaito, being the perceptive guy that he is, catches the way Wukong's expression suddenly falls. in response, he wipes the frown from his features and pulls up a smile. confident and friendly]

Heh! Good point. You are one of kind.

But the offer's extended to you too, pal. I'd hate to see you hurt to the point of where you can't monkey around, right?

[dear god Souji has been rubbing off on him. IMMEDIATELY, he makes a face]

[topkong]

[ Why did Kaito have to bring the puns? Whatever smile that he planned on returning to him is suddenly frozen before he looks at the ground, sniffing in... irritation? Confusion? Displeasure? Exasperation?

Why not all four? ]

True. I'd hate it if I couldn't... [ UGH HE CAN'T BRING HIMSELF TO SAY IT, it hurts him so badly on the inside. ] ... you know, what you said.

[ Lifting his basket up, he gives Kaito a wink and a nod. ]

See you around. Stay safe, okay?

[carptricks]

[it's okay. Kaito ashamed of himself too, Wukong. his expression turns flat]

Sorry. I just spent some time with a guy who kept making bee puns at me. Apparently, it's contagious.

[he says that like making puns is some kind of disease, gosh]

But hey! I'm sure we'll run into each other before long. You take care of yourself until then too, yeah?

[topkong]

Whoever it is, I can't believe they'd resort to puns.

[ They should be outlawed. With a final wave, he takes his apples to greener pastures... hopefully as part of a pie or something. ]

[carptricks]

You'll know him when you meet him, trust me!

[he calls out after Wukong with a final wave. and with that. . . he hoists his own basket of apples at his waist and turns on his heel to deliver his share of the goods to the picky chef as well. mission accomplished!]