002 ⟡ MARCH TEST DRIVE

[baymods]

⋆✩ test drive 02 ✩⋆

The day begins like any other.

Routines, eventful scenes, and boring errands — no matter what you were in the middle of, there's a moment where everything begins to feel wrong. A searing pain tears through your body, so intense that it feels like every nerve has been struck at once. Muscles spasm, joints scream in protest, and as you double over, you find yourself clawing or clinging at anything within your reach. As your attempts to maintain composure fail you, your bones begin to twist with an agonizing force, the pain rising in a crescendo until it becomes unbearable to even breathe. Then, as quickly as it began, everything stops.

For a single, terrifying moment, there's nothing. No sight, no sound, no touch, no taste, no smell — just the weight of nothingness swallowing you whole. The absence of sensation might even be worse than the pain, leaving you adrift in a void you can't escape. Hopelessness threatens every fiber of your existence, and try as you might to fight it, your darkest thoughts begin to surface, flooding your mind in an onslaught of suffocating feelings and ideas.

In the darkness, you hear a voice.

It's faint, a gentle flashing of something warm along the edges of your mind, like sunlight itself. It's a voice, but you can't identify who or what it comes from, how it sounds, or what it means — still, you know it's directed at you. Something tugs at your heart, a powerful ache that throbs once and ripples outwards. You can feel the aches again, like fresh sores throughout your body. You feel off, like something isn't quite right, like you're not where you should be, or who you should be. But the voice continues, whispered just beyond your understanding. The sound is warm like hope, and it wraps around you, distant yet intent, before you wake up.

i. arrivals

OUT OF THE WOODS

A branch cracks, loud and deafening in an otherwise eerily silent forest. Thick fog coils through the trees and around your new form, twisting into unnatural shapes in your peripherals, and returning to nothing when your head whips around in an attempt to catch it. Though your memories are still solidly your own, they're gathered and pressed oddly into the back of your skull, out of reach in a way that's difficult to explain. Something rustles between leaves and underbrush, and the unmistakable sound of claws against bark follow shortly afterwards. Though the fog is thick and difficult to see through, you're suddenly aware of one thing: you're not alone.

The fog that surrounds you and your fellow new arrivals is maddening, and something foreign wraps around not just your mind, but your body as a whole. A strange illness has long been spoken of and witnessed within and around Bottlecap Bay, and you're the unlucky bunch to arrive with it slithering its way in now.

The fog is heavily related to this mystery illness that has plagued Pokemon, both inside the city and wild, for some time now. Though the connection isn't easy to fully grasp, it becomes incredibly clear as time passes that the fog worsens the symptoms of the illness. Some Pokemon who traverse the fog come out just fine, but others fall ill with varying levels of severity.

As soon as the first reports come from the Cheri Berry guild indicating that a large amount of confused Pokemon have been spotted approaching Bottlecap Bay from the forest, the three guilds send their members out in forces. Rescue these newcomers and discover that they're just like you, and not just confused wild Pokemon. Dr. Denne firmly insists on bringing everyone they can to the Pokeclinic, so please hurry!

AND INTO THE FIRE

⟡ Whether you fall ill or not, the fog is not safe to stay inside of for extended periods of time. Time within the fog leads to hallucinations, aggression, temporary memory loss, and overall confusion, so Pokemon should be careful, and try to get out as soon as possible!

⟡ While all new characters will arrive infected with this mystery illness, it is not contagious in any traditional fashion, and the severity of the symptoms is up to the players. Some barely exhibit any symptoms at all beyond the initial foggy memory and may even wind up cured out of nowhere! Existing characters may become infected during the rescue, if you so desire.

⟡ The illness can cause Pokemon to have the fog symptoms listed above in any area, and it can come and go erratically. It also creates symptoms much like a normal illness, varying by the person. Some examples are: coughing, fatigue, fever, chills, sneezing, nausea, and the accidental discharge of Pokemon moves. NPC characters who have had this illness have died from it, and some characters are warned the same.

⟡ Symptoms may improve or worsen for characters as the players desire, at this time.

⟡ As some of you have already discovered during your quests, the forest is filled with Pokemon exhibiting these same symptoms, as well as dangerous pitfalls, plants with minds of their own, and poisonous berries, leaves or thorns! Be careful!

ii. nightmares over

LINGERING SHADOWS

The nightmares had ended weeks ago, or so everyone had thought. Now, some Pokemon may experience them again, a more extreme version that causes a number of Pokemon to wake up in the middle of the night in a panicked sweat, screaming, writhing or scrambling quickly out of their nests. Upon waking, these Pokemon plagued by resurfacing nightmares notice something is wrong. Physical scars or injury over a spot of insecurity, phantom pains over limbs that are no longer there, or constant shadows in the corners of their vision...

How does it feel, when the Pokemon beside you wakes up with a calm stretch and a healthy, well-rested and rejuvenated smile? They feel great, they say, looking at you with worry and concern. What's wrong? You didn't feel that warm and wonderful sensation during the night, like being wrapped in a blanket of lullabies? How odd...

What could this possibly mean?

THE FOLLOW UP

⟡ From our survey, 8 characters talked things out, and 6 timed out, meaning we took this as a fairly even match of sharing versus holding it in. Because of that, only those who held it in have "consequences" to bear, and only those who talked it out have "blessings" to hold.

⟡ Characters who did not talk through their nightmares in the previous TDM experience one more horrible nightmare, accompanied by the feeling of a foreign presence. They may optionally feel someone eating their happier dreams, leaving only nightmares in their wake. These characters may now experience physical manifestations of their suffering upon waking from this last dream-eater's nightmare: scars, phantom pains, continuing nightmares with the sensation of being eaten, strange injuries, weakened abilities, etc. We encourage creativity! While you may choose the punishment and its severity, everyone who did not talk it out should have a lasting scar or effect of some sort. It should be at least mildly unsettling and upsetting, but not a heavy block for playing your character.

⟡ Characters who talked out their own problems, especially if they also helped others, will sleep amazingly, especially with the company of others. They'll tend to feel more refreshed after a night's rest in company, and will notice that they feel great in the mornings after sleeping alongside friends or companions. Their presence will also, from now on, seem to create a soothing aura that calms those around them during the night, meaning that those Pokemon experiencing suffering may seek them out for better rest.

⟡ New characters this round enter with a similar sort of presence. Characters who see their sleeping forms will feel the urge to cuddle up next to them and keep them safe from these nightmares. Any characters who sleep in the same room as them will feel more refreshed the morning after. New characters who do not find sleeping partners or roommates may find themselves plagued with similar creeping nightmares.

iii. pokeclinic

PRESSED FOR SPACE

Though the number of mystery-illness cases has been steadily rising for months now, this is the first time that the Pokeclinic has seen so many patients at once. Existing characters receive updates constantly over their Grumpearls, indicating the Pokeclinic at max capacity, but still insisting that all new Pokemon be brought to the clinic, and that all previous "newcomers" come in for a quick checkup, as well.

Anyone who steps foot or paw into the Pokeclinic can tell immediately that it's overbooked. The main ward of rooms is packed, cots spilling out into the hallways, and even the lobby is beginning to look like an impromptu campsite. Pokemon staff shuffle, flutter and scramble around the bodies of ill Pokemon, performing checkups wherever they can find the space, applying medication and herbal treatments where necessary, and reassuring worrying family and friends.

In the midst of this chaos, it's not hard to see how mixups are occurring. It gets bad enough that even Polteageist themselves joins in on treatments, causing a shocked ripple of whispers and gasps any time they float by in a hurry. They can be heard, at times, firmly scolding those who make the mistakes, insisting that there's no excuse for poor health care, and that even in times of urgency, care and attention to detail is needed. But for the time being, this isn't enough to help.

So they put out a plea to the other guild leaders. The Pokeclinic needs everyone who can help to check up on patients, deliver meals and medications, and check records for mixups. Lum Berries are fewer in number, so it makes sense that they're being overwhelmed right now! Polteageist promises to make it worth everyone's while, of course. Any Pokemon who works within the clinic during this time will be awarded with points.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO?

⟡ Characters, old and new alike, are encouraged to help where they can. Obviously those more serious cases should focus on resting, but anyone capable is allowed the chance to help out!

⟡ Caretaking is one of the most important roles in the Pokeclinic. While Pokemon like Chansey, Lilligant, Gardevoir and others move around using their moves to help with ailments, many of the patients need more personal care and assistance. Whether it's feeding them their recommended diet, helping locate and deliver their medication, or just snapping Pokemon out of hallucinations, it all helps!

⟡ The rooming situation is a complete mess! Hospital cots are stacked multiples to a room, lined up in hallways, or even spilling into the lobby. New characters may end up staying together, and existing characters may end up temporarily checked in while awaiting their screening, or listed as an actual patient after showing signs of the illness. Or maybe there was some kind of a mixup? Whatever the case, you're in rooms together, now!

⟡ Clinic visits may lead to violence on occasion. In some cases, Pokemon moves are set off on accident (like a thunderbolt going off after a reflex check), and in other, the illness-related agitation flares up, leading to straight up brawling in the clinic. With newcomers and ill wild Pokemon mixed together during the chaos, some may resist treatment and lash out at staff, other patients, or any passerby. Try to keep order if you can!

LEARNING YOUR BODY

Polteageist has worked with Dr. Denne to encourage an assortment of activities and classes to help characters better adjust into their new forms. Not only is this helpful in every day matters like movement and balance, but Dr. Denne also believes that this could help reduce symptoms of the mystery illness that's still being looked into! Because of this, characters are encouraged to pair off for activities or visit various classes together, hosted in various places around the city.

BODY SPECIFIC

⟡ Various body type angled classes are being held throughout Bottlecap Bay! On the beach, aquatic Pokemon hold classes on swimming, and an underwater obstacle course has been set up beneath the waves of the ocean and through the various underwater cave systems!

⟡ Pokemon with wings or other methods of flying are encouraged to meet in the Canopy for some careful flying classes. The natural clutter of the trees and branches makes for a great agility course, too, and this has been marked off with bright painted colors.

⟡ For those with more or less legs than they're used to, various activities have been set up around the city and outskirts to promote paired encouragement of movement! Just be aware, sometimes these new forms of yours come with a large tail, or bulky wings, and you might just smack into someone next to you while trying to get your bearings.

⟡ Mightyena is holding sparring tournaments and matches on the beach just before the cliffs. Try your bodies out in battle with one another!

TYPE SPECIFIC

⟡ Each type (fire, water, grass, etc) has its own collection of activities to try to better become accustomed to the movesets. Often, opposing types will be matched up and told to fire attacks at one another, with the aim of practicing brushing off super-effective moves, or powering through weaker type moves. First aid kits are scattered throughout the city for this purpose.

⟡ Sometimes, it can be difficult adjusting to a type. Fire types, while comfortable in high heat, may find themselves overheating or unable to control their temperatures. Water types may forget how to breathe on land temporarily, requiring assistance in meditation. Grass types may feel oddly slow, or tied to the ground beneath them, though it's purely in their mind. Maybe your dragon type can't stop roaring. Feel free to be creative with your character's struggles!

⟡ In an attempt to encourage special Pokemon moves (rather than physical), one of the local bakeries has developed Type Muffins for characters to try out! Just be warned, sometimes it makes it so easy to use your moves that you might send them off on accident. It's suggested you try these with a friend to spot you.

CHALLENGE YOUR MIND

⟡ More dangerous (but not lethal!) challenges await those who wish to sign up for them. Polteageist insists that with the dangers on the horizon and at their door, it's important now more than ever to become prepared. So, they have suggested an escape room of sorts. These come in three flavors, and even ill Pokemon are welcomed to try them, as experienced rescue Pokemon will be on call the entire time. Anyone who takes longer than the allotted time will be rescued.

⟡ Ocean room. Two Pokemon are put to sleep and wake up in a small cave beneath the water, with pockets of oxygen for those who need them. Upon waking, they must work together to escape the labyrinth of caves beneath the water and make it back to Bottlecap Bay. Some obstacles along the way may include: a maze-like cave system with misleading routes, paths with less or no sunlight, strange plants that may inflict status effects, agitated or disoriented wild Pokemon, and varying water temperatures/underwater geysers. It has an hour time limit, so good luck!

⟡ Forest room. Two Pokemon are put to sleep and wake up in the center of a dense forest, with tree covering blocking most sunlight. Upon waking, they must work together to find their directions, navigate through thick brush and forest, and make it back to Bottlecap Bay. Some obstacles along the way may include: the fog, collapsed floors into cave systems, sudden steep drops, aggressive Pokemon and plants, vines, thorns, poisons and toxins. It has a two hour time limit, so good luck!

⟡ Cave room. Two Pokemon are put to sleep and wake up far beneath the city, in one of the many tunnels belonging to the mines. Upon waking, they must work together to reorient themselves and find a way out to Bottlecap Bay. Some obstacles along the way may include: unstable sections of mines leading to collapses, a vast assortment of tunnel directions leading to disorientation, extreme temperatures, lava pits, and lessening oxygen levels. It has an hour time limit, so good luck!

✩ OOC NOTES.

⟡ TDM CWS: body horror, death, disorientation, hallucinations, illness, injury, scars

⟡ TDMs are game canon and act as events for the month they are posted.

⟡ New characters can link to their top level beneath the NEWBIE DIRECTORY!

⟡ All new arrivals are not assigned to any one guild. However, if they assist with any of the clinic prompts, they may gain points for their future guild!

⟡ The creepy forest fog can be done away with temporarily through Pokemon moves, but always seems to work its way back like it has a mind or will of its own.

⟡ Remember that at least one thread for your application must come from the TDM! There is no comment minimum, but we will be looking for engagement, as well as for players and characters who take the time to delve into things like character thoughts, emotions, morality, and other deep themes. Take this time to engage with the setting as you would in game!

⟡ As of today, reserves and applications are now permanently open, with apps processed every other month! See information on their respective pages for details!

⟡ Have any questions related to the TDM? Ask here! If your question is more general for the game, please make sure to direct it to the FAQ page instead. Thank you, and happy threading!

FULL NAVIGATION

Comments

Siffrin (Start Again) | In Stars And Time | New/OTA!

[loopsiedaisy]

[[OOC: Pre-emptively recommending peeping at Siffrin's warnings/permissions page, where you can opt out of specific subjects and also spoilers, if you're so inclined! If you've seen me use this account in Victory Road, no you haven't, shhhhh]]

Out of the Woods

[So what happens when you take someone who already has a spotty memory at the best of times, and then toss them into an amnesiac fog? You get -]

[Um. What was their name again...?]

[Well. You get a baffled Shinx trying repeatedly to walk on their back legs. Needless to say, they're not having much success! There's a lot of tripping over roots and branches going on. It doesn't help that they're already shaky even on solid stretches of ground - there's some shivering and sneezing going on. It also doesn't help that only one of their eyes is any good. The fog's already making visibility bad!]

[This all culminates in the only possible outcome: they trip over another root, drop into a roll, tumble off a small ledge...]

[...and land directly on top of you. Oof!]

Pressed for Space

[Siffrin seems to be doing much better after a day or two in town! The Shinx still has intermittent bouts of chills (and rare moments where they stare fixedly at an empty corner, but refuse to admit to seeing anything), but they no longer look like someone who should be confined to a bed.]

[And also they've remembered their name! They're pretty sure! That's good, right? There are a lot of other memories that are still fuzzy, or just missing, or weirdly repetitive... but whenever Siffrin starts thinking too hard about that, they get the feeling that Something Terrible is going to happen. So. Uh. They're just not going to! They're sure this will work out just fine for them!]

[It does mean they've had to find a distraction, and volunteering to help with other sick patients seemed like an easy excuse. They don't have the expertise for nursing, but delivering things should be fine, right? So: here's a Shinx dragging around a sack of packed meals almost as big as they are, pausing in slightly less crowded hallway.]

Minior, Misdreavus, Buizel... no, was it Minior, Misdreavus, Growlithe...? Urgh, I forgot again...

[Seems like they might need some help. Fortunately, they're delivering meals, not medication - and if you're someone who is more familiar with Pokemon types by now, maybe you can figure out which meal goes to which Pokemon based on the contents?]

Pressed for Space

[truthdecided]

[Fortunately for Siffrin, they aren't the only one hustling around the clinic, though this one's favored movement is through flight, with a basket clutched in his talons.

He'd like to think he has a sharp memory, though he has his own clients to serve.

Still, given they're both following similar objectives, he might as well weigh in.]

Hmm... Buizel are water types, whereas Growlithe are fire. While both are mammals, their nutritional needs differ.

[loopsiedaisy]

[Siffrin jumps at being addressed. Though their new ears are far more sensitive, they're still nowhere close to hearing wingbeats - rather than footsteps - and expecting that to be a someone.]

[It's embarassing to be caught struggling, but they'd like even less to screw this up, so they manage to force a smile in Akechi's direction.] I'm not used to types mattering to what you eat!

Would it be, uh, something fishy for the Buizel, then? And... charcoal, or wood or something, for the Growlithe...?

[Water mammal seems logical enough, but what in the stars would a fire mammal eat? Siffrin noses around some of the packed meals in their sack, sniffing speculatively.]

[truthdecided]

Growlithes are canines, so if there's a biscuit, I'd start there.

[Perhaps he should have led with the animal type, but ah well. The fishy guess is reasonable enough that he raises no objections.

Akechi could bring up other factors, like flavor and how different Pokémon seem to have their particular preferences, but best not to over complicate.

No, he'll keep watching Siffrin. Perhaps now they'll have a decent starting point.]

[loopsiedaisy]

[Biscuits, biscuits... okay, there's a box at about the right spot in the stack that smells a little bit like grain and a little bit savory. That's gotta be it. The savory part is making Siffrin's mouth water. And the one above does smell faintly like the coastline, whatever's in it. So it must be Minior, Misdreavus, Buizel, Growlithe. Got it. (And then a good ten more underneath...)]

[They keep sniffing, distracted by the next package up.]

What do Misdreavus eat? That one smells weird.

[The Minior one just smells like rocks and salt and stuff, too - but Siffrin happens to have actually seen the Minior earlier. It's a floating rock. Fair enough.]

out of the woods

[firealone]

[The repeated attempts to stand up are the tell-tale sign Firepaw is learning for a new arrival. He'd already been watching through the fog, checking each Pokemon he saw for signs that he should be bringing them to the city - but he missed the fact that Siffrin is tumbling directly toward him.]

Oof!

[He gets flattened by the Shinx's weight, and it takes some work to push him back off. He's much smaller, as an undersized Litten, and much lighter. But he does manage to get free, shakes himself off and sniffs the Shinx's face as a polite greeting.]

Hey... are you okay?

[loopsiedaisy]

[Siffrin is honestly on the small side for a Shinx themself... but small for a lion cub doesn't mean much when compared to a kitten! Maybe it's a bit of comfort to Firepaw's spine, though.]

[Loop, meanwhile, has ended up upside down, still muzzily trying to figure out what's going on. They tense up for a fraction of a second when the Litten's nose is suddenly right up in their vision, sniffing their face - then they reflexively smack Firepaw. Or that's what they start to do, anyway; what actually happens is they see their paw, finally register that that's what they're moving, and freeze in astonishment. The momentum carries it through, but instead of a smack it ends up being a very gentle bap.]

[This is also the moment that their brain informs them that the giant(??) cat is talking. What is happening.]

[There is only one answer Siffrin could possible give to this question:] Um. Yes, I'm okay!

[Are they, though?]

[firealone]

[He barely registers the bap, but he does back up to give Siffrin space. No one likes being crowded.]

Well, first thing's first - try keeping all four paws on the ground. We should get you out of the fog as soon as we can, but that will be much easier if you can walk.

[He pauses.]

Oh, I'm Firepaw, by the way.

[loopsiedaisy]

[Siffrin rolls themself upright, hesitantly trying to balance on all four legs this time. It does feel more stable, but they can't get rid of the nagging feeling that they're on their hands and knees.]

[Oh!] I'm - I'm...

[Uh oh. They know they're forgetful, they have a faint recollection of yelling something about it recently, but...]

I can't remember my name...? [What kind of person can't remember their own name?]

[They give Firepaw a slightly desperate look, deciding they have bigger problems than the whole talking cat thing. Apparently they're also a talking cat now. It's fine!!]

[But, of course, there's no reason for a stranger to know their name. Maybe Firepaw can answer:] Did you see anyone else nearby?

[There should be some other people. The Shinx doesn't remember their names either, but they're important -]

[... except immediately after that question they sneeze. And sneeze again. There were a couple minutes there that they weren't shivering, but looks like that's over now!]

[Yeah, they should probably get out of the fog.]

out of the woods

[caughtademon]

[ This Pokémon absorbs others' life-force through its branches... Watch your step when wandering... What looks like a stone could be this Pokémon, and it will curse you if you kick it. ]

[or if you fall off a cliff and land on top of it.

At least it's less painful to land on the smooth rock-like surface of a Galarian corsola than it would be to land on a properly living one, though those spiked ghostly branches do go straight through Siffrin for what might be a terrifyingly confusing second or two of paralysis and sudden exhaustion before Itsuhito manages to wiggle out from underneath, stopping the drain.]

Watch where you're going! [The corsola snaps, but doesn't back off more than the initial few inches of retreat. He doesn't trust his body to do much movement at all right now, with how strange everything is and feels.]

[loopsiedaisy]

[Truthfully? Sudden exhaustion and paralysis is familiar, almost comfortingly so in a horrible kind of way. They've probably just ended up in a Tear.]

[Wait, what's a Tear again?]

[Either way, Siffrin immediately goes resignedly limp - which may or may not help with Itsuhito squirming out from underneath them. When the Shinx realizes that they aren't frozen anymore, and they're still in the same place, they scramble to their... hands and knees? (Feet, Siffrin, those are your feet now.)]

[Siffrin hasn't gotten any less confused, but now they're on edge and defensive. For a Shinx, that means their fur is bristling and starting to glow. Their head rotates from side to side, their good eye scanning for whoever it was talking. It finally settles on the Corsola, whose ghostly limbs are practically imperceptible in the fog - to Siffrin, Itsuhito looks like a large round rock. With a grumpy expression carved on it.]

Maybe you should watch where you're leaving your Crafted talking boulders!

[Clearly, that has to be someone speaking through it.]

[caughtademon]

[The corsola doesn't spark, but he does start floating a bit, eyes glowing ominously through the fog.

It usually takes more than this for his temper to flare up, but he's still dazed, the fog seeping into him, and he doesn't notice the oddity (and he's choosing to ignore things he doesn't understand, like that last sentence).]

Maybe you should stop falling off of cliffs onto peoples heads!

[And his own words manage to cut through the wave of irritation-frustration-confusion, because it's a reminder that he does have reason for professional concern here, regardless of his own emotional state.]

Are you all right? [It's not necessarily a friendly question, but it is an actual one.]

[loopsiedaisy]

[The boulder suddenly heaving itself into the air and starting to glow is even more alarming. Siffrin's body crouches further down with almost no input from their brain, their ears folding back. Little sparks are flying off their fur, and their tail is lashing.]

[Whatever they're about to snap back, Itsuhito's question cuts it off. Their tail slows.]

I'm. ...fine? [Their tone is... dubious. They weren't expecting the question, halfway through gearing up for a fight.]

[Well. The side they landed on hurts, but they're not sure they want to admit that? What they can't help but do, though, is abruptly sneeze - several times in a row.]

[Urgh. They raise a hand(...? paw) to rub at their nose.]

...why are you talking through a rock?

Pressed for space

[quirkynote]

[A.B.A isn't new by any means, but she had a pretty intense experience with the fog last month, so it makes sense she'd be pushed into a check up. Thankfully she's healthy, but now it means she's in a very busy clinic that expects her help.

Well...if it's for points, she doesn't see why not, but she has no idea where to begin.

At least, not until she sees what looks like yet another elemental kitten, hauling a sack that's far too large for them. Upsetting, no wonder this clinic is flailing and so disorganized, how can they overwork the help like that?]

Who assigned this task to you? This load is far too taxing for your body...

[Being a Silvally, A.B.A is obviously a lot bigger than both a Shinx and a Shinx-sized sack. She wastes no time grabbing it in her beak and flipping it onto her back. With any luck, hopefully nothing got smashed in the process...]

There... I'll take on the burden of carrying these goods. You can focus on remembering.

[loopsiedaisy]

[There's a moment where Siffrin is entirely ready to be annoyed, but then they have to look up... and up and up. Alright, fine, this is one of those larger Pokemon that has a reason to think everyone else is too tiny.]

[Still -] It's fine, I can still drag -

[Whoops. There it goes. Fortunately, all the food in the bag is the kind that can be contained in light packages or little wrapped kerchiefs - so at worst some of it's gotten tossed around or a tad squished. On the other hand, it's even more jumbled now.]

[Siffrin resignedly sits and tries to remember. They really do. Unfortunately, they've never had much luck with that.]

[There's two options here: the one where they circle back to whoever gave them the instructions, or the one where they bumble along and pretend that they know what they're doing anyway. Clearly only one of these is a reasonable choice.]

...let's check that room next. [They lead the way, determinedly keeping their tail in a cheerful, upright position.]

[quirkynote]

[Ah, it just so happens A.B.A's specialty is pretending that she knows exactly what she's doing when she absolutely doesn't. It's on full display as she holds her head high and follows behind them, keeping the bag balanced as best she can. It's not like a saddle bag, unfortunately, and she may have been a little too hasty in taking up this task...

...but then, she wouldn't be the master of pretending if she didn't.]

Yes, I believe there's a good number of Pokémon in this room.

[loopsiedaisy]

[Uh oh. That means there's now Two Of Them.]

[This can only go swimmingly!]

[Siffrin sidles through the door, scanning the room for anyone who looks hungry. And for anyone who maybe reminds them of a name on that list they were trying to recall. There's a Pokemon with jaggedy, high-contrast stripes - that might be Zigzagoon? (Correct!) Alright, what about that little blob with a plant on its head, that's gotta be a Weedle, right? (Nope, that's an Oddish.)]

[They turn to A.B.A, suddenly realizing another bonus of having the bag taken from them - they don't have to worry about figuring out this part anymore.] Is there a package in there for a Zigzagoon? And a Weedle?

[Sorry, A.B.A - none of them are labelled...]

out of the woods

[favorforafavor]

[Scouting the new arrivals is a task that Dark Heart takes up all too eagerly. In part because, well, he wants to distract himself from the exhaustion of his nightmares. The rest is due to his desire to see them first. It's always good to get your first impression in, even if--

Something falls on him from above. Dark Heart yowls, thrashing his pathetic little Nickit limbs.]

Get ooooff!!

[loopsiedaisy]

[They have landed on something furry and very large. It's like their size! What wildlife out here is even that big??]

[Siffrin yelps, flails off, and scrambles away on all fours, kicking Dark Heart with their back legs as they go - not particularly violently, just, an "oh stars get away from me" shove. They try to stand again, lose their balance and land with their front paws on a tree -]

[And before they know it, they are halfway up the trunk, claws digging in to hold on.]

[From there they stare down at the... weirdly shaped wolf? That's way too big to be a fox.]

[Very suddenly, their brain catches up to what their ears have been trying to tell them for several seconds.] You can talk??

[favorforafavor]

[Stumbling to his paws, shaking the feeling out of his fur.]

And so can you!

[loopsiedaisy]

[??]

Of course I can?

[They squint down at the Nickit dubiously.]

out of the woods

[telewarped]

[Whatever it is they just landed on is mercifully soft and cloth-covered, almost like a pillow... But it's also a bit lumpy and hisses like a cat.]

Uh, do you mind?

[And then it's flattening itself down, sinking into the ground until it's suddenly gone, leaving the Shinx lying on the cold forest floor. It—or she, rather—hasn't actually disappeared; she's just used her Shadow Sneak to retreat into her shadow, which is now winding along the ground like a snake.]

[loopsiedaisy]

[The Shinx thumps to the ground, and is immediately hit with two strong and opposing urges: get away from the spooky fabric thing, and chase the little wiggly ground snake. Siffrin freezes in place, one dilated kitty eye watching Shoka zip along.]

What are you?

[A Sadness...? Sadnesses don't generally talk.]

[telewarped]

Not a floor cushion.

[The shadow comes to a halt a short distance away, spreading itself out into one large, dark splotch—and from it reappears the Mimikyu, hopping back up onto Siffrin's level with practiced ease. Her real eyes, peering out from the holes in her cloth disguise, look them up and down while her false head tilts jerkily, curiously toward one side.]

What are you?

[Whatever they are... they're unfairly cute.]

[loopsiedaisy]

[Siffrin's eye darts up to the false head, then back down to Shoka's real eyes, and settles there.

[At this point, they've probably run into at least one other person, so:]

A cat. Apparently. As of today...

...why are you wearing a costume?

[It's less weird than whatever they were imagining upon landing on her and having her just poof into the ground, but it's still kind of spooky-looking...]