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

[seacub]

[The tears are flowing now.]

It happened so fast...

[They're flowing and they can't stop. He shakes, and the tears won't stop, can't stop, he thought he was getting better he's supposed to be getting better, he wasn't screaming himself awake anymore, he was getting better, it was getting better-]

She tied me to a dolphin...S...she tied me to a dolphin and I told her...I told her to come with me, I k...I kept telling her to just come with, she...

[This isn't fair, he wants to think.

It's Anasui. Anasui's not going to tell him it'll be okay. Anasui's not going to come down to his level and reassure him, tell him that he at least finished it for them all. It's not fair. Anasui's going to just be upset about Jolyne, and it isn't fair because Emporio wants his Hermana here just as badly.

It's not fair, and he can't speak anymore, nor can he look up anymore either.

He hasn't been able to look upward since the moment Anasui asked about Jolyne.]

[dripdrive]

... She wouldn't have gone with you no matter what you said. It's Jolyne. She would have looked forward with those eyes and faced the priest.

[That's what he adored about her. She would have faced Pucci with pride to the end if she believed that was the best way forward: if Emporio was the best way forward. But Anasui's stomach ties in knots as he realises that she's not-

Anasui doesn't have hands to ball a fist with but something bubbles in him. An ancient rage. Anger he hadn't felt in a long time. Anasui stamps the ground angrily with his foot, his feathers bristling.]

Damn it. Fuck! [He stamps the ground again.] I was supposed to save her and her father. I was supposed to protect her. She should have been there with you. She should at least be here!

[seacub]

He cheated it anyway... ...she didn't want him to follow her, and all he did was...

[That loop of time. Those replaced...Husks, those cardboard cut outs of stand ins, those horrible-

Emporio goes quiet. Emporio goes still. Anasui is seething mad that much is clear but none of it has yet to be directed at him.

And it's not like it ever...was, is the thing. True to Weather's promise from day one, the worst that Anasui has ever done is perhaps say something grim, or cruel in his direction, something he would say to anyone else (because really when had Anasui ever dealt with kids and when had Anasui ever expected to see a kid in a prison). But there had been that fear, all the same.

This was someone who was convicted for murder. This was someone whose sentence was only light because it was in question how. Surely, his terrified mind had always thought, if anything were to truly upset such a man...

....

Emporio is still staring at the ground, as he says- with a voice that is low, that is quiet, that is dull-]

I used Weather Report to suffocate him.

[dripdrive]

[There's a sizable dent in the earth as Anasui stomps out a shallow grave for the priest he wishes he could have slaughtered. A part of him now wants nothing more than to disassemble Pucci into pieces so small that he would be unrecognisable. Anasui was indeed as angry as Emporio was thinking but Anasui never was violent to anyone who didn't deserve it. And even if he did, at least Emporio...

Hold on a minute.

Mid-stomp, Anasui looks up at Emporio and frowns.]

You killed him how? What do you mean? Did Weather come back?

CW: description of murder via suffocation

[seacub]

[There is something...broken there, when he looks up.

When he forces himself to look Anasui in the eyes and repeat what he said.]

I mean I used Weather Report, [the boy states again, a bare tremble in his tone,] To turn the air in my room to pure oxygen, so that he would suffocate as painfully as possible until I could have my Stand kill him.

[He is saying he had the disk. He is saying the disk accepted him, who already had a Stand. He is saying,

He felt,

Under his own hands,]

[dripdrive]

[Anasui puts his foot down and stares at Emporio with wide, unblinking eyes. He knew that Emporio had the stand disc but he didn't think he could use it. The weight of what Emporio says weighs on Anasui, and he chooses his next words as carefully as he possibly can.]

...Smart thinking.

Glad he suffered. If anyone deserved it, it was him.

[seacub]

[He keeps looking up, like he thinks if he looks away, everything will disappear, and it'll be as if nothing...happened. As if...as if...

...It's not like he hadn't told anyone...some of what happened. He had to, to get rid of those nightmares after all. But this is different.

It's not the same. It...]

...Does it matter?

[?]

Th...that it wasn't thinking? ...I didn't know what else to do, [he admits, trembling now.] H...he turned my room into a trap...he made it impossible to run, and I just thought, all I had left was Weather...

[Anasui might know for himself- Manifested Stands aren't always a conscious act.

Emporio reads a lot. Sometimes, it's just a matter of instinct, and peril.]

[dripdrive]

[Anasui opens his beak to interrupt but closes it as Emporio continues. Ugh, he doesn't know what to say. Weather was the one who dealt with Emporio when he was upset, and Jolyne was Emporio's "big sister".]

... Yeah. Guess it doesn't matter then.

[Instinct or not, the deed is done. That's the important thing. And also-]

What does matter was that he suffered, intentionally or not. He deserved it for everything he did. A guy like that doesn't deserve a swift death.

[Anasui, no.]

Figures though... Weather always looked after you.

[seacub]

[He sniffs.

He could say a lot here. Part of him wants to.

To talk about how it felt slower and faster all at once.

About the feeling of blood and worse under his nails, when he was nowhere near the body, watching his Stand rip it apart.

He's trying very hard not to cry.

Very, very hard. Very...]

....h...

...he loved you too. H...

[nope. he's done. he's out of words.]

[dripdrive]

[If he did say it, Anasui would tell him that's normal. That's how Diver Down feels a lot of the time, especially when he's rearranging someone's body.

And Anasui wishes Emporio said something like that because the boy is now crying and oh shit what does he do now? Weather usually dealt with Emporio when he was upset! Not him!

Anasui's Espathra instincts kick in immediately. Without thinking, the ostrich-like Pokemon is moving his entire body over the Cubone, as if to shield him protectively, letting Emporio have a moment to sob. Anasui doesn't know immediately what's happening and it takes him a long moment to register what Emporio said AND the fact he's over the boy now.

It takes him a while to figure out what to say in response because he has to sort out his own thoughts. Really... It doesn't feel like Weather loved him, especially considering how he acted just before he died. But, he must have to some degree, right? At very least, Weather (Wes?) certainly trusted Anasui enough to ask Anasui to kill him. Trusted him almost as much as he-]

... Yeah. And you too, Emporio. But you knew that already...

[Fuck...What would Jolyne say in this situation?]

You carried both Weather's and Jolyne's will in that fight. Instinct or not, you did well.

[seacub]

[It is more care, he thinks, than Anasui has ever thought to give.

It speaks to the severity of the situation, perhaps. These kinds of careful words only came forward, to his memory, when they were standing at the side of Weather's body, as Anasui all but admitted-

These were the people who he'd kill, and die for. Jolyne most of all, but the others with him as well, perhaps.

At this scale, the espartha is terrifying- he's over six times Emporio's size, looming ahead and just...standing there, over him. As if to be some kind of umbrella, or shield, and it hits him then that even with Jolyne, the only person Anasui cared to openly show any affection toward, he was careful about touch.

(Anasui could kill someone with the slightest motion after all. Just a brush of a hand and someone's insides would be twisting into some kind of machination, impossible to undo.)

Anasui would have stood right by Jolyne's side until the end if he could.

He did, really.

Emporio brings his arms carefully around one of the pokemon's legs, hoping quietly that Anasui doesn't jerk it away, or shout, or move.

Just let him have this, and then he can collect his bearings and lead the other to the town, he thinks.

Just let him have this, because there's no one else here who truly Knows.]

[dripdrive]

[Anasui is quiet and still. He lets Emporio hug his legs quietly, looking ahead and just... letting Emporio do what he needed. The old him would have never let Emporio get away with this, even after four years of knowing him, but he's changed...

Jolyne made him want to be a better man. He wanted to care for what she cared for. Her family and friends... and of course that meant Emporio.

But even outside Jolyne, the person who made him feel alive, Anasui feels like he... owes it to Weather to look after the boy. Weather was the one who kept him out of trouble in jail and entrusted him to kill him. Despite never asking for his help or company, Anasui never managed to repay him.

Maybe looking after the kid is how he'll make it up to both of them. For not fulfilling his promises to both kill and protect.]

[seacub]

[A minute or two passes. Shaking quiet from muffled tears becomes a stillness. Breathing in, and breathing out, as he reaches some form of calm.

Weather is not here to keep Anasui in line.

Before, that would have been terrifying, in all honesty. But maybe if he's lucky, in the absence of Weather, and in the absence of Jolyne, he can manage that in their place. Maybe if they're even luckier one of the two will appear themselves, but he dares not dream of such a thing.

Instead, he breathes in, and steps back.

...and remembers they're in the forest.] ....

[Right. Well. He should probably change that before he sees what it takes to undo the tiny, miniscule progress that Jolyne and Foo Fighters and Weather made on Anasui being slightly less of a misanthrope.]

I should get you to the town, [he starts, not daring to mention that the longer they're in this fog, the worse things might well get for them.] I've been there for a while, so I know the way from this point in the woods at least...

[define a 'while']

[dripdrive]

[Anasui waits patiently, even in spite of his headache. He's not sure why he's so patient but Anasui's not looking a gift horse (bird?) in the mouth (beak?). Hopefully he can keep calm until someone else more qualified turns up. Anasui hopes with every fiber of his being for Jolyne to show up.

He finally bends his head and looks at Emporio once the boy lets go. There's a long pause before the man nods.]

Where is this, anyway? The woods, yes, but where actually? And why are we like this? [The 'how long?' is implicit.]

[seacub]

We can walk while we talk, [Emporio answers, already waddling off. He flips his helmet back on and takes uncharacteristic charge, an aura practically radiating as he Focuses.

It may occur to Anasui that cubone are very slow compared to him, however. Whether that Matters or not is a whole other thing, but hey.] Where we are is...another world, of some kind. There's humans, but they aren't here- just Pokemon.

But the forest is dangerous- I came in with others to look for people after there were reports of others out here- so we need to get to town, and to the clinic.

[dripdrive]

[Emporio taking charge is pretty impressive and Anasui wonders just how long he's been here to change like this. It's hard to believe this is Emporio and yet... it makes sense.

It's... a very funny contrast: Emporio taking charge and being so, so very slow. And by funny, he means annoying. Anasui can take one step to match ten of Emporio's, and after about a minute of crawling after the boy, Anasui sighs.]

Other world or not, we're not getting anywhere while you're like this. Especially if it's dangerous.

[He leans over and grabs Emporio's bag up with his beak. Assuming Emporio will hold on, Anasui lifts the Cubone up and puts the boy on his back.]

Drive.

[seacub]

[Astoundingly the answer is 'about an hour after arriving'.

Killing a man really changes you, or something.

There is an awkward squawk as he's grabbed by the straps, plopped easily upon the large bird's back. After a brief moment to shake himself, he realizez what Anasui said.

D.

Drive??

Oh! Drive, yes-] U-uh- Right...

Keep, uh. Keep going forward, it should be a straight shot...

[He'll keep an eye out for his trail markers (read: strands of hisuian zoroark fur, thanks Emmet) to be safe though.]

[dripdrive]

[As someone who is called (and is actually) a murderer, Anasui would completely agree.

Anasui clicks his tongue, as if exasperated that Emporio is confused ('Drive' is not a hard instruction!), but says nothing. Instead, he follows orders, moving forward. Despite wanting to test his body and new limits out, he keeps walking forward, almost strutting as he goes.]

... So if we're in another world, why are we not human? Is it just because they don't have humans here? [Why are they here?]

[seacub]

We're not sure.

[And unfortunately, that is going to be a Very consistent answer.] The pokemon in town don't know either- or even how we got here, for that matter.

It's something the guilds have been investigating pretty heavily, but we don't have a lot to go on- especially when we don't know a lot about the land surrounding us in the first place.

[Mmmm, speaking of town...]

You should see the canopy limits through the trees soon. The fog will clear up around there.

[dripdrive]

Have the Pokemon always been here? Or have they also been recently uprooted too?

[It's a fair question. Even if Pokemon seem to be the natives here, it would explain why they don't know about the land around them.

Anasui nods slightly. He looks up, taking in their surroundings quietly]

[seacub]

[It's easy, falling into pattern here. Emporio likes to talk about what he knows, and what he's learned. Arguably, so did Weather, even if quietly.

Absolutely, so too does Anasui, though perhaps the question of who started what is more of a looping cycle than the straight line they walk right now.]

Polteageist told me that they came here to escape the humans of this world, from somewhere else. Where that is...would probably be somewhere across the sea, but I doubt it'd do any good going in that direction, [he continues, shaking his head. There's more to it than that for him of course, but that's hardly important.

What matters is-] It's recent enough for first person accounts...but it's been long enough to establish themselves here. You'll see what I mean when we're actually in town.

[Not just because it's a town, but because of how it's constructed. The Canopy might show proof of civilization once they're there, yes, but it's not the same as the stone paths and constructed houses farther in.]

[dripdrive]

[Autism family, let's go. Anasui doesn't remember who started what either but he figures it is unlikely he's the one who would have started though.]

... So there are humans here. There goes that theory. [Anasui has no interest in finding other people who wouldn't know what the hell was going on. They can probably figure out what's happening with the aid of these... Pokemon.]

... Anyone we should be aware of? Or need to take care of?

[Anasui, ready to kill as per normal. Somethings never change.]

[seacub]

Somewhere far away, yep.

[He'd say they didn't sound great anyway, but like, they were both in Green Dolphin until 'recently'. So.

.....uh.] Uh....

[Give him...a second.] ...Not...like that?

[anasui he knows you're real good at one thing but please do not do the thing-]

W- We really need to focus on getting you situated here first I think, there's no way there's room where I'm staying..!

[dripdrive]

[Anasui gives an apathetic nod to Emporio. Noted! Despite what people (including Emporio!) think, Anasui doesn't enjoy killing people... it's just he does what needs to be done with extreme levels of violence.

And to be fair for him, recently a lot of their problems have been solved with murdering defeating the people responsible for X happening to them]

I'm sure I can fit wherever you are staying.

[Because he already thinks he's staying with you, kid. If they can sleep in the piano, he can squeeze in wherever.]

[seacub]

Uhhhhh....

[bro he is a Foot Tall-]

W...we can check after we get to the clinic, [he stammers, just in time for the fog to begin clearing.] Right-

Here's the Canopy...we just have to get through here, and we'll be in town!

[It's still forested, where they are of course. But the fog being gone allows sunlight to stream through the leaves above, and here and there, Anasui might- Might, given how well made they are- spot some of the leafy platforms used by the Cheri Berry guild.

Emporio doesn't really bother pointing that out. He just gives further instruction for navigation now that they're clear of the danger zone.]