005 ⟡ SEPTEMBER TEST DRIVE

[bayhelpers]

⋆✩ test drive 05 ✩⋆

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

HIDDEN IN THE TALL GRASS

All around you now, is the scent of loam and plantlife. It is just slightly damp - the morning dew has not yet dried, and the sun’s light visible even while the sun still crawls up from the horizon. The grass around you is somehow ridiculously tall however.

Or perhaps you’re just small?

It’s difficult to see much of anything in the fields you’ve arrived in, but at the very least you can see yourself. Your limbs, no longer what they should have been. Your very skin, covered perhaps with fur, scales, or something else entirely. There is much about this situation that bears no answer, but maybe that will change as you wander through the sea of grass.

The sounds of other Pokemon soon become clear to your new ears. Other confused wanderers, fumbling with their new bodies. One by one, you make your way through the grass to each other - or maybe, someone finds you. Pokemon who didn’t wake up dazed in the grass also begin to appear, and they bring with them offers of help and explanation. All of them point toward the same place, eagerly indicating a series of gleaming lights through the blades.

Don’t worry friends - Malamar is here to help!

YOUR FRIEND, HERE TO HELP

⟡ Severity of dysphoria and disorientation symptoms are entirely up to the player, as is the duration of time these symptoms last.

⟡ The grass fields stretch for a long distance, but grass becomes shorter the closer one comes to the ends of the fields. Forests, as well as the bank of a river can be found, as can the new Outpost constructed here. Malamar, being a good friend, always aims to bring everyone to town. Though the route may be a bit long - they’re avoiding danger!

⟡ Upon arrival at the Outpost of Skull Town (though ‘Death Blood Murder’ seems to have been added above the word Skull on the sign), Pokemon will be ushered into a communal housing structure while news is ferried to Bottlecap Bay.

⟡ While TDM events specifically will occur here, Players are welcome to have their Top Levels involve other locations as well.

ii. The Town of Death Blood Murder Skull

AN OMEN OF THE SEASONS

Shortly after the sun sets, on the very same day that new arrivals began to wake in the grass, eerie lights and music drift down from one of the distant mountains. They wind their way into the valley, bringing with them an unseasonable chill. Something is coming.

Something is Froslass, queen of those dead by frost and in lonely spaces, and she is on her traditional visit down from the mountains. Does this happen yearly? Every few years? It's hard to tell - Ghosts aren't always the best at keeping track of living time - but however often it is, she is delighted to see that the Ghosts of the forest and valley have built an entire town this time, just for her!

What? Malamar wants her to know it's not just for her? Of course it is, silly! It has Death and Murder and Skulls in the name, doesn't it? She'll even magnanimously accept all these living participants, since they so graciously showed up to pay her tribute.

Quibbles over the town aside, Froslass's presence heralds the beginning of an undead ritual. Ghostly flames make delicate, flickering paths through the valley, visible only at night but felt even during the day. Trip through one of them and you will find yourself shivering, maybe even feeling slightly disconnected from your body.

Froslass herself holds court in town, expecting attention and entertainment, particularly near dawn and dusk. While she's not outright hostile, she is rather volatile: she's easily delighted by anyone who puts in a genuine effort, no matter how unskilled, but she's very quick to anger if she thinks someone isn't sufficiently motivated - or worse, avoiding her! Be ready to either participate or stay far, far away to keep unnoticed. Even that might not save you, as her presence seems to have a very odd effect on Ghosts and even other Pokemon in town. You may be subject to encouragement... and some of it might not be gentle.

HAIL TO THE QUEEN

⟡ Ghost types and those who have ever experienced dying are susceptible to Froslass's presence.

⟡ This may be mild: maybe characters just find Froslass charming or stately, or are a little more tolerant of participating in the festivities, even if they’d normally be annoyed. Or it can be more severe, with characters having an inexplicable urge to act more spooky or ghostly.

⟡ In the worst cases, characters can get really caught up in it and feel an outright compulsion to not only do things for Froslass, but to make sure that other people are doing their part too. This can even escalate to Pokemon battles!

⟡ Your friend Malamar is very concerned about this, and will be encouraging people to try and snap their other friends out of it! (Is this perhaps also contributing to battles? No, it couldn’t be, your friend Malamar wouldn’t do something like that…)

SOIREES AND SERVICE

Fortunately, the festivities required aren't particularly deadly or horrifying! Froslass expects to be well fed and entertained as recompense for her very important role, but she is very happy to share with everyone as long as she's getting her dues.

Pokemon can choose to help make and serve elaborate dishes for Froslass, and attend on her needs - she'll require them to be well-decorated if so, to match her brilliance! Those who are less skilled with food can choose to sing, tell stories, make music, or dance for her - she particularly enjoys performances with fans or ribbons - or offer her little Ghost Pokemon figures made out of harvest fruits and vegetables. Barring that, Pokemon can decorate Skull Town and their less crafty townmates, making sure everyone is adequately adorned for the occasion (or crafting necessary props like those fans and ribbons)!

Pokemon who aren't particularly artistic have at least one other option: help maintain the ghostly flames throughout the valley. These lights were originally made by Froslass, and while they're currently placed to guide other Ghosts into town, they're being saved for another purpose later. She'll be very put out if any of them are snuffed! Fortunately, the lights are easy to keep flickering. It takes days for one to die, and the judicious application of a Ghost, Fire, or Ice move - or, lacking any of those, the addition of some completely normal kindling - brightens it right up again. There are, however, rather a lot of them...

Froslass outright expects any Pokemon who has taken a turn contributing to the festivities to have some time to enjoy them, too. Come, sit down, have some good food served to you by Pokemon in elaborate outfits, and enjoy a fun diversion! Or at least take a relaxed stroll through town with her and her retinue and take in the atmosphere!

LIGHT UP THE TOWN

⟡ Yes. Yes it's a maid cafe. (Maid outfits are optional, but Froslass does think they're suitable attire.) If not interacting with another character currently taking a shift, players may assume that NPC Ghosts are acting as staff!

⟡ Froslass rewards or curses those who catch her attention by participating or abstaining from the festivities. Particularly unlucky curmudgeons will just get a mild case of frostbite, but mostly her rewards and curses are themed around what she thinks would be helpful or harmful... based on her conception of the world, which is a tad Ghost-centric.

⟡ All of these curses or blessings are temporary and will not last past the end of Froslass's visit.

⟡ Some possible blessings: Characters are able to detect a single emotion of player choice. Characters' voices have become melodic enough to slowly lull people to sleep, whether they intended it or not. Characters are struck by constant inspiration for ghostly pranks. Characters become less sensitive to sunlight (wait, you already weren't sensitive to sunlight? What do you mean, of course you were).

⟡ Some possible curses: Characters feel emptier and hungrier than usual, like their stomachs have become a black hole. Characters feel drained of energy unless they're around someone feeling a specific emotion (of player choice). Characters find it nearly impossible to enter inhabited buildings, which are suddenly unnervingly uncomfortable to be in. Characters are lonely and can't bear not being around people, desperately seeking others out when by themselves.

iii. Fête of the Forgotten

VESSELS SAILING AWAY

As the festivities welcoming the immaculate Froslass settle down, the end of the month gradually brings the true meaning of the occasion to light. When she first arrived, it was easy to lose the facts among the fanaticism - not to mention, Malamar’s frustrations. It’s always difficult when friends fight. However, as the leaves slowly turn to the color of flame and the air begins to crisp for harvest, Skull Town gathers more and more Ghost Pokemon ready to bring forth their core traditions.

A tradition of remembrance. Of connection. A celebration of ‘ghosts’ who no longer walk the mortal realm.

During the final week of September, Pokemon such as Spiritomb and Oricorio begin to reach out to the Outpost citizens to collaborate for their final tradition. Having spent some time among the Pokemon of Bottlecap Bay, they feel confident that the communities of Spectrunk and Bottlecap can harmonize with its meaning. They spin tales of boats sailing across distant seas, and of faint lights floating through the blackest skies to guide spirits to their new home. Here and now, as the summer season officially greets the autumnal one, Pokemon may be granted a chance to reconnect with those who sailed ever further.

Those who sailed beyond, to their final place of rest.

Where the weeks prior were filled with festivities and excitement, the final week of September is a somber time as small boats to carry spirit flames are prepared for the final day. They will sail them down the river and out to the sea as the sun sets in those last moments - a tribute to the departed, as well as a message to those who still reside in the places they came from.

To the quiet surprise of Pokemon beyond this world, it seems there is something to this ritual. As their boat sails outward, spirits of those they left behind in their homes - whether deceased or otherwise - appear before their very eyes! It is a chance perhaps, to get some closure.

Or to simply say hello, as the Ghosts would say.

LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE

⟡ The final week of the festival in fact runs from September 22nd to September 30th - Approximately 8, rather than 7 days.

⟡ Players may be creative with the stories shared from the Ghost Pokemon during this time: the only key points to remember are that it seems many either sailed here themselves, or had ancestors that did so.

⟡ Pokemon do not have to make a boat in order to participate within the festival - if your character would not do so, you are free to assume a well-meaning Ghost Pokemon crafted and launched one for them!

⟡ Spirits of otherworldly characters will remain from sunset to sunrise, September 30th to October 1st. They may not necessarily be fully present - perhaps unable to speak, or hear clearly. They may also appear to come from a time different from the character’s own. Strangely, while many will recognize who they are speaking to despite appearances, some spirits claim to have never met.

⟡ Spirits may also appear as players wish - Perhaps they are fully human (or inhuman, in some cases). Perhaps, they take the form of a Pokemon as well, one characters associate with them.

✩ OOC NOTES.

⟡ TDM CWS: Disorientation, Grieving/Death (as a topic of conversation), Hypnosis/Mental Influence

⟡ 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, they may assume themselves to share rooms within any one of them during the course of the TDM.

⟡ 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 a reminder, reserves and applications are permanently opened. Please see their respective pages for details on processing time.

⟡ 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

QUESTIONS

[bayhelpers]

[loopsiedaisy]

Okay so............. does everyone get to keep the maid outfits afterward, y/n

NEWBIE DIRECTORY

[bayhelpers]

If you have posted a top level with a new character, please feel free to link it here!

[pyrodulia]

So much - power and fire and rage inside of her, enough to burn the world and leave it nothing but desert.

Emporio Alniño | Current Character | Cubone (no helmet) | JJBA: Stone Ocean

[seacub]

[SEPTEMBER GRASS]

[While Pokemon of varying sorts are slowly waking up in the grassy fields surrounding Skull Town (or as Emporio occasionally, jokingly calls it when feeling a particular mood- Dbms Town, sounding almost like a drum riff), Emporio has been settling into his new home with Anasui. It's not a bad little place- larger than the townhome certainly, but nothing obscenely so. There's a large bedroom. There's two entrances, one at the back and one at the front, and the latter is definitely meant for someone the Espartha's size. The interior, he's intruiged to find, is unmistakably Japanese.

It makes him miss Akari. He hopes, beyond anything, that she and the others will eventually recover. It's a hard call, when there's still a banette there in the clinic from that winter.

But, settling in, Emporio manages to enjoy himself a good deal. He's gotten his hammock set up in the bedroom, and he's slowly making the place feel like home between what he does outside of it. He's just checking in at the Archives and Questboard, when news from the Outpost drops.

And. Leaves him pausing.]

A...A malamar started a cult?

[This may warrant further investigation.]

[COLD AS ICE]

[It turns out, it was a Froslass starting the cult. Not that he can bring himself to quite call it that (though he'll be a bit mortified later either way). And for all that the Malamar hanging around is increasingly alarmed by it all, he can't help but enjoy the frosty Queen's presence. Likewise, it seems to others that she's got a soft spot for the little baby 'who hasn't even yet died' (which is yet another thing he'll be mortified about later). Suffice it to say, after he arrives at the Outpost and runs into her for the first time, he quickly ends up just staying most of the month.

Helping with decorations. Helping to tend to the flames, even if he can only do so with gentle offerings of tinder.

And of course-] So...should I wear this then?

[Emporio doesn't typically show any interest in clothing as a Pokemon. It's one of the things that's helped him stand out- or rather, to fit in among the populace enough that aside from his displaced helmet he's often mistaken for a local child. But if Froslass wants them to dress for the occasion of a walk together, who is he to argue, right?

The boy looks to others with him for advice.] H-honestly I've never really dressed up before...

[BIRDLAND - THREADS WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS]

[It is beautiful, watching the flames sail down the water. Watching as they're eased onto boats cradled by Pokemon paws and snouts, carried to the water and set adrift. It is relaxing, and strangely...cathartic, as well. The boats sail farther and farther away, and Emporio spots his own amid the gleaming 'flock'. It feels like it carries his sadness, somehow. It brings forth a feeling he didn't expect to experience, least of all while looking toward the distant sea.

There is a shift, however. Something makes him pause, and Emporio ultimately turns.

It's...] Oh. Uh...

[An...Altaria? He thinks that's the Pokemon. Except something seems familiar about it somehow. Something resonating in his chest as he looks to this Pokemon who, now that he thinks about it, is somewhat translucent. This is a ghost, he realizes.

But also...]

...Weather? [He says with a small, fragile voice, and he hopes he's imagining it when the Altaria steps back somewhat at the sound.]

September Grass

[truthdecided]

[Fluttering onto the quest board, Akechi makes a sound somewhere between a scoff and a chuckle.]

A cult. At this point, why not?

[They've certainly experienced stranger here. Perhaps it was just a matter of time.]

Firepaw | Warrior Cats | Returning Character

[firealone]

i. Arrival...?

(a) [Firepaw doesn't remember any of the last month - he spent it deep in a coma, dreaming alternately of the Spectrunk Forest or the White Hart Woods at home. He also doesn't remember much of the last few hours. He knows vaguely that he's awake - he thinks he's awake? - and that he's no longer in the Clinic. But he doesn't realize how far he's traveled, and that he's somehow managed to wander from the Clinic in Bottlecap Bay all the way to the outskirts of Skull Town.

For the first few hours, he stays in town, huddling under the shadow of buildings while he tries to get his bearings. Everything hurts, and his mind feels foggy, but he certainly can't manage the walk back to Bottlecap Bay. So even though he looks like a stiff breeze could knock him over, he's trying his best to pull himself together and be present.]

(b) [The disorientation isn't going to stop him from being Firepaw, though. And that means helping out with new arrivals, every single time they come in. Once he's gotten enough rest to think straight (not enough to stop the aches, but he can deal with those later), he stalks through the tall grass, looking for anyone who looks disoriented or lost. This still seems to be a lower-stakes rescue than some of the earlier waves - which is good, he isn't sure he'd be able to help much if anyone was stuck in a riptide again.

So here comes an undersized Litten to the rescue, wearing a blue bandana. And whenever he runs across someone he calls out:]

Hello - can you stand? We should really get you into town, before something else finds you.

ii. Death Blood Murder Skull Town (cw: mentions of cat/Pokemon death)

[Firepaw doesn't have much experience with death, before coming to Bottlecap Bay - he has seen exactly one dead body, not counting the daily occurrence of freshly killed prey animals. As far as he knows, the forest cats never celebrated death, because it was a somber and necessary part of their lives that they didn't want to encourage. This is very different - decorations, fancy food, dancing, it feels like a festival and that sits oddly with the apparent theming, to him.

It sits much worse, that Froslass appeared out of nowhere and expected to be showered with praise. Like a conquering force, demanding tribute instead of earning respect like (he assumes) the guild leaders had. But snubbing her openly feels, similarly, like an act of war. Something Bluestar would be deeply disappointed in him for doing, and he's sure Ribombee would as well.

Unfortunately, it seems he was "too gloomy" while bringing Froslass a freshly-caught Wattrel, and didn't put any effort into "dressing up" what was clearly just a dead sentient creature. So Firepaw has been cursed with loneliness for his transgression - stuck between the cat instincts to hide because he isn't feeling well and the overwhelming need to be with someone else, he'll likely be caught following behind others rather than actually striking up a conversation, and looking a little like a deer in headlights when he's called out for it.]

iii. Vessels Sailing Away (cw: mentions of cat death)

[Firepaw doesn't have any dead to remember - even Redtail, the only dead cat he's seen, was someone he never got a chance to speak to before. But he thinks about death often. He did back home, as a constant and tangible fear, and he does now as a constant moral quandary. Worse, though, he thinks of every forest cat as dead in a sense - they're in another world, far away from him with little chance of seeing them again, and that's just as hard to wrap his head around as them going to StarClan.

He isn't sure what he's expecting when he sends out a boat, but... he does see something. A flickering image of a Glameow with a scar over her shoulders and a star-shaped white marking on her chest. Bluestar. But she's not dead, is she? At least... not yet.

She does seem to be aware of herself, and as soon as their gazes meet she moves forward to touch their noses together. But as soon as someone else approaches, she startles visibly and moves behind Firepaw - despite being a few inches taller than him, and much more muscular.]

iv. Wildcard!

[Toss whatever at me, or come plot with me at necromantica! Feel free to assume Firepaw always looks distinctly like he just got out of bed and needs assistance, even if he's in the middle of trying to rescue your character.]

i(a)

[fromsprouts]

You look like shit.

[That comment is fond, despite the rough choice of words. Umemiya jogs over the moment he sees Firepaw, his tail doing a sweeping swish-swish wag that he's hardly aware of.]

But it's good to see you up and about. Have you eaten? Do you wanna find some place to rest?

Agnes Montague | The Magnus Archives | Ninetails

[pyrodulia]

1. Arrival
Some say the world will end by fire, some say by ice. Agnes arrived here after dying via neither of these methods, but the fire that branded her destiny seems to have lingered enough to determine what form she takes here. A little on the small side for a Ninetails, she holds her tails tight against her back, as if afraid that them brushing against the grass, tall or short, will cause a grass fire.

When did starting a blaze become something she worried about? Was it J̵̨̣̣̓̕a̴͖̩͗̂̋c̶̞̲̑k̷̼̦͋ ̴̟̙̔̊̕B̶̝̊ḁ̸̆r̴̫̟̋̆̈́n̵̟̈́̈́a̵̭͒b̴̖͈͈̂â̸̤s̵̫͋̍ or some nebulous time before meeting him?

Still, those out looking for arrivals, or our friend Malamar, might find the Ninetails lost and wandering.


2. The Court of the Crimson King Queen
Arriving fresh from her death, Agnes easily falls under Froslass's spell, which leads her to lounge at her feet like a loyal dog when she's in town, letting her fears and confusion about her new state of being fall away like ash from a burning log.

Anyone who tries to fight back against Froslass's control of the town might be met by this fierce guardian--she'll attempt to Roar to get the more belligerent Pokemon around to back down, and might event initiate a battle if anyone gets too up in arms.


3. The Lightless Flame
In addition to playing guard dog fox, Agnes seems to cherish the duty to stoke the ghostly flames. The moment she becomes aware that any have begun to wane, she's off on her long legs to rekindle them, using Ember to keep them as healthy as possible. One might even find her sleeping curled up beside one of the fires, her amber eyes opening if anyone approaches.


4. Wildcard
Throw anything at me that you'd like! I am cool to flip to brackets if you have a strong preference. Agnes is being taken fresh from her canonical death in 2006, though she's not planning to talk about it. Are you?

3.

[holidaygirl1225]

Noelle doubts.

It's still there, like a dead bulb on a string of Christmas lights. And once she notices it, she can't stop noticing it. Everything would be perfect if it would just go away, if she could just shut her eyes-- but every time she tries, she sees someone else staring back at her.

During a night when she's sneaked off from Froslass's side, she approaches the Ninetails who she sat next to all day. They didn't exchange a word before, content to just be in Froslass's presence.

But now...

"... I didn't even ask your name."

The flame casts a dim glow over the Deerling's face. Hallucinations play in the shadows just beyond.

Aichi Sendou/Shiny Charcadet | Cardfight!! Vanguard (2011)

[believeinmyexistence]

Aichi Sendou...

The voice enveloped Aichi's thoughts, as suddenly he's thrust into the dark depths of... honestly, he's not sure what. His thoughts are scattered and lost as he feels the sharp and harsh pain rushing through his body, an unbelievable and unimaginable sensation he could have never pictured.

Where is he? Where are his friends? He tries to call out, but there's nothing, no one...

And soon enough it all fades away again, the nothingness. It's almost calm in comparison to what he just felt, and yet...

The voice returns, gently easing him towards consciousness, the light at the end of the tunnel, and... he awakens.

--

A. Arrival At first, Aichi has no idea where he is. He only has just awakened, finding himself surrounded by grass, and... actually, he feels rather tiny.

"Eh...? Where am I...? I feel strange..."

He raises a hand to his head, only to finding it to be a nub rather than a proper hand. His eyes widen, and he jumps woozily to his feet as he exclaims.

"Ehhhhhh?! W-What is this...?! I'm... I'm not...!"

He tries to process it, he tries to understand, to picture it, but nothing's coming to mind. He pats himself down, he tries and tries, and he looks around for his dear friends, but there's no one.

B. Light the Fire Up in the Night When Aichi finds himself in town, he sees the countless ghostly lights. It's such a strangely pretty sight, but also there's the fact that they're keeping the town lit.

One of them seems to be going a bit dim though, and he can't help but frown. They're all supposed to be helping with the festivities, aren't they? But what can he do? He's never worked with fire like this before...

But he finds himself reaching up to the fire, and a small burst of Ember escapes his hand without much effort, thus revitalizing the flame... although Aichi himself can't help but recoil.

"Ehhhhh?! W-What was that...?! Was that... me...?"

He looks down at his own hand in shock.

C. Wild Card! Aichi can be just about anywhere, so please don't hesitate to come up with an idea and post!

B

[fromsprouts]

"That was absolutely you. Whatever type of Pokemon you are, you've got fire type moves. Looking at you, I guess that makes sense. You look like a fire type."

The comment comes from a Lucario, who's watching from a polite distance. He hasn't been stoking the flames himself, curiously paying attention to who has.

"Don't throw that move my way unless we're in training, by the way. I'm weak to fire."

Cecil Gershwin Palmer | Welcome to Night Vale | Scream Tail

[lasthumanvoice]

1. Arrival
Cecil's used to weird shit. Like livestock being rained down on the town by an angry cloud. And government agencies sending undercover personnel to his sister's wedding. And five-headed dragons running for mayor. He's used to weird shit.

But when he wakes up to find himself a four-foot tall orb with cat ears, that's a little beyond the usual. So he does what a Scream Tail is known for: he screams. Which probably makes him easier to find than some of the new arrivals the game has seen. Someone ought to come give him the low-down before he wakes up wild Pokemon who might attack a vulnerable newcomer. Or manages to burst the eardrums of our friend Malamar.


2. Cafe Remix
The new resident of Skull Town is eager to be helpful to Froslass, so very eager. He immediately started doing everything she suggested. Fortunately, Cecil is gregarious enough to stick in the cafe in a little round butler uniform to play host.

"Welcome, welcome! Table for two?" His voice is velvety and warm, so very comforting. "Might I recommend the chai?"


3. Just Desserts
For being a good little busy beaver Bibarel, Cecil is rewarded with the ability to sense sorrow. This means that newcomers who are feeling homesick (or old hands who have their own reasons to be sad) might have a pink friend bouncing up to them with a look of concern on his face.

"Hey, there. Are you...do you want to talk?"

He's not easily discouraged, either. If shooed away, he may well pop up later to see if now is a better time.


4. Parliment
While Cecil had been hoping to get a visitation from Carlos in some form, instead what had happened as his boat sailed away was a whole flock of Noctowl appearing in a tree nearby, their eyes glowing. They blinked in unison, and then took off into the night sky without saying anything.

Cecil is still staring at the tree when the sun rises on October 1st, tears streaming down his cheeks.


5. Wildcard
Cecil is coming from mid-episode 70B, after Violet has used Lot 37. That is, the last thing he remembers from his canon before the sensations all new characters here feel was his will being taken over as he was mind controlled. He's sure having a time with things! I am familiar with certain parts of later/current WTNV canon, and his ghostly visitor in the last prompt is something of a spoiler for things that come up later in canon. But you're curious anyway, aren't you? Cecil's final Pokemon form may change, if I app him.

Feel free to flip me to brackets, as always.

1!

[gimmeeyeballs]

Catrina has had an interesting time as her flame flickers a bit watching this weird pink orb creature screaming out. Ah yes, the fine vacant amphibian stare managed to come through in her unfortunate Litwick form watching the scene.

"...Yeah you definitely got the end of the shit stick there..Upside, you got fangs at least."

Catrina that's not comforting at all...

parvati holcomb | the outer worlds (2019) | new character - tinkaton

[edgewater]

i. arrival - hidden in the tall grass

[ parvati isn't someone wholly unused to aches -- she can't be, with a job like hers. between actual bodily aches a quick puff of adreno can't fix or the headaches she sometimes got listening to ellie and the vicar bicker incessantly over habits nobody in the crew cared to drop. so waking up with a slightly throbbing head isn't unusual by any means, even if such an occurence had grown rarer in her time aboard the unreliable. what is unusual, however, is the damp feeling beneath her. she bolts up quite violently, letting out a bird-like shriek at the sensation. there is no possible way for that to be, if she'd been on her bunk on the ship it would have been as dry and hard as any other standard bunk aboard cargo vessels. but this? oh law, what is this.

she tries to reach back in her mind for what could have happened, remembering a sudden bolt of pain and the prompt sound of her head hitting the metal grating in the cargo hold. ouch. maybe this is some kind of afterlife the osi couldn't have planned for, but man, she would have liked to have been able to bring junlei with her. she takes a moment to finally orient herself, looking around at the tall grass while trying not to cringe at the slimy and damp feeling beneath her. her gaze then flickers downwards towards herself, and she makes another noise. ]

Oh Law! What the--?!

[ parvati, last she checked, is not a little pink... creature. she feels as spry as a sprat after stealing someone's lunch, though, and that's in spite of her disorientation. she just has to think, think really hard at the-- is that a hammer. at first she doesn't believe it, but she blinks again and feels a wave of relief wash over her like a warm shower. oh, thank the law, she has some means of self defense until she can find a way to contact the ship -- if such a feat is possible, that is. she pushes herself onto her feet and swings it over her shoulder as though it were nothing, giggling. she's never had a weapon so big or well made before, and her now-small stature makes it all the more amusing. she feels like a little kid again.

with that out of the way, she looks around once more, still trying to push past the grossness of the damp beneath her. normally, she'd have boots, but whatever body she seems to have now seems to have no need for it. still. damp stuff is gross. ]

Hello? Anyone out there? Hello?

[ apologies now to anyone who may run into this stray tinkaton while searching for either dear malamar or the new arrivals. ]

ii. who the heck names these towns...? - soirees and service

[ it hasn't been very long in this town and parvati has already firmly decided that it's weird, but not in a bad way. halcyon, of course, does not have holidays. heck, nyoka had to be the one to explain the concept of weekends to her not that long ago. still, she's taken to putting up decorations -- balanced on a ladder with her giant hammer propped up against the wall of the building she is nailing bunting to with a significantly smaller hammer.

the heavy lifting and handywork stuff comes naturally to her, of course, so she doesn't mind sitting on the sidelines to make the town look all pretty-like if it means everyone else can have fun. and people can have fun? they're not burdened by work or corporate malfeasance? wow. she's unsure if she could get used to this, but it seems like there'll be plenty for her to stay occupied with. hopefully it'll distract her from the weird feeling of being bound to earth for the first time in a while, and the even weirder feeling of being bound to earth while not also having to deal with her boss or the cannery or anything like that. the added bonus is that she's one of the few pokemon that she's seen around with opposable thumbs (or a close enough approximation to them) so it means she can contribute plenty! ]

Hey, can you pass me that box of nails there?

[ she gestures to a passing pokemon, and then to the nails at the foot of her stepladder. she's awkwardly holding up the string of bunting with her right hand, with an even more awkward smile plastered on her face almost apologetically. ]

iii. wildcard! let me know anything else you can come up with for your guy to do with this dorky engineer over here! or just make something up here if you do not want to pm me. totally cool.

// a few ooc disclaimers i need to get out of the way
- hi! i'm seventeen, and have been given permission to participate and apply this round because i am eighteen at the end of the month (tysm kururu for asking on my behalf <3), but will be applying pretty late because my birthday is the 25th.
- this is my very first dwrp that isn't a dressing room because of the above fact! i totally get having an 18+ restriction, since most of you are twice my age, but i am very excited.
- i have a decade of rp experience across various platforms and styles but i have missed forums/journals so much waaaa
- i will try not to be this verbose in the future (unless you want to match) i just like to have prose act like an inner monologue :] that being said my replies to tend to get shorter as threads go on -- it's a habit i'm hoping to get out of/lean into depending on what everyone wants/needs!
let's have fun together!!

Tall Grass

[fromsprouts]

[The creature that approaches when she calls out is much taller than her, but he doesn't move in so close as to loom over her or anything. Umemiya's a Lucario, the aura-sensing tendrils on the back of his head tied back loosely with a scrap of green cloth.]

Whoa, hammer. Promise you're not going to hit me with that?

[Not that, like, he's as afraid of it as some, given that Steel types resist Steel attacks. Hammers are steel type attacks, right? Right. Probably.]

Mr. (Ant) Tenna | Deltarune | Volbeat

[its_tv_time]

The pain is sudden, violent, and most of all, terrifying. Tenna wasn't prepared, just like he hadn't been back in TV World, and doubled over, a spike of fear shooting through him. This was it- his damage and age were finally catching up to him, because what else could it be?

He doesn't even have time to cry out proper, a loud, static-y beep screeching through his head, just like-

A voice calls to him. The world goes dark, darker, yet darker.

1. Hidden in the Tall Grass

Tenna wakes up in a place that is wholly unfamiliar to him.

There's disorientation, but most of all, there's relief that he woke up at all. This time, he was so sure that this time, he wasn't waking up again, but Susie, Kris, and his (former) crew must've found him, must've further repaired him. Why, he's so relieved that, if he could, despite the lingering fog in his mind, he'd be crying tears of joy!

... Uh. Hey. What's that wetness on his face?

Actually, what's with the dampness around him? Don't they know that that's super bad for a TV like him?! Are they trying to kill hi-

Ok no seriously why is there wetness on his hands when he reaches up instead of the expected static also where is his nose HOLY WHAT THE HECK WHAT ARE THOSE-

"WHAT THE MAMA WHAT THE HECK THE WOH MAMA WOAH MAMMA MA WHAT'S WOAH MAMA MIA WHAT'S WHAT'S WHAT THE MAMA MIA WHAT'S WOH MAMA MIA MAMA MIA WHOA HECK WHAT THE MAMA-"

He continues freaking out like that for a little while, until someone comes across him, at least.

2. An Omen of the Seasons

Okay! So he is... not in TV World anymore!

Or Castle Town! Or a new place for him to bring joy to Lightners in! He is no longer a TV, and in fact, the creatures here don't even know what a TV is! Tragedy! Horror! How in the world could they not know the glory of the silver screen?! How could they possibly LIVE?!

Clearly it is up to Tenna to enlighten them to the beautiful world of TV! ... Even if he appears to now be a weird bug, or if his funny TV-tastic text doesn't work anymore. No Matter! He can still do his job! He can still be useful! He can still bring joy!

It appears his chosen avenue for this is putting on a show for Froslass, since clearly she'll appreciate it! Although, if you get a little too close, or show a little too much interest...

"You there! Yes, you, you weird little creature! Get up on stage, we're going to do a Physical Challenge! Or would you rather do a quiz? I've got quizzes up the wazoo! Don't worry, just enjoy TV!"

... At least Froslass seems amused?

3. Lights along the Shoreline.

The somber mood leaves Tenna... well, he doesn't like it! He understands that certain, ahem, rituals call for a level of somberness, but he's not very good with that. Oh, he can put on a tear-jerker of a production, play sad movies, but this is... it reminds him a little too much of-

That doesn't mean he can't be quiet, or respectful, or anything like that. He can read the room- er, well, town. It's just all... so sad, isn't it?

He doesn't like the idea of death. Not one bit.

So, for once, he's quiet, watching the boats depart alongside the ghostly flames. He'd made one of his own- of course he had! Mr. Ant Tenna doesn't say no to a fun new activity! But has mixed feeling about watching it drift away.

He also has mixed feelings about the weird spirit flickering in the corner of his eye.

Visually, it doesn't really resemble anyone he knows. There's not one recognizable speck about it- it's just a weird, puppet-like thing, but strangely, he has the feeling that this thing... is someone he knows. Someone he used to know very, very well. He doesn't know what to do with it. The idea alone makes him seethe with anger, with despair, envy, and a desperation he thought he'd moved past.

The little mailman. It's him, Tenna knows it is, but clearly he doesn't know it's Tenna. Or who Tenna even is! That little- how dare he pretend not to know Tenna, even if he is a weirdly large bug now!

So, Tenna has elected to ignore it! He is! Not! Going to! Engage! There's no way he's going to let that little freak mess with him, no sirree! Mr. Tenna does not need a mailman, and he does not need to expend energy on forcing the other to acknowledge the way he ripped Tenna off! Mr. Tenna does not NEED that, he is FINE on his own, Thank you very much! This is a new start and he is NOT dwelling on past mistakes anymore!!!

... From the outside, though, it mostly looks like Tenna is rapidly oscillating between a somber quiet and seething anger. Do you even dare approach him to ask what's up?

4. Wildcard!

Don't vibe with any prompt here? Hit me up in Tenna's OOC inbox or cha0136 on discord for a personalized thread idea!

An Omen of the Seasons

[lasthumanvoice]

"I'm more of a radio guy, myself!" But as enchanted as he is with Froslass, Cecil's glad to go along with a show meant to entertain her. So he (now a lovely pink orb of Scream Tail) waddles his way over to Tenna.

"Let's go for a quiz! I have all kinds of answers."

Noelle Holiday | Deltarune | Current Character (Deltarune spoilers up to Chapter 2)

[holidaygirl1225]

i. The Empress

[It was just too overwhelming.

A new body. Scattered memories. The prospect of never going home. Getting bitten and burned and, most importantly, getting stronger. Meeting new people made it easier, and she put on a smile like always... but Noelle never stopped being scared. She never stopped seeing faces in the dark. She never stopped dreaming about a blizzard she couldn't escape from.

When Froslass descended from the mountain, Noelle was terrified. She wanted to run away, go right back to Bottlecap Bay and hide under the covers. It was like something out of her nightmares-- a chill to her very core, ghosts flickering in the corners of her vision, a haze descending over her mind.

Noelle couldn't look away. And as much as she likes a friend... spending time with Froslass just feels right. A calm blankets her fear like snow. People who know Noelle might find all her awkwardness and anxiety has been replaced with a sense of serenity and strength.

The Deerling marches up to Froslass and shows a taste of her Hidden Power. The Pokemon who had been presenting a gift to Froslass before her now sits half-frozen in ice. Noelle does a little bow, never taking her eyes off Froslass.

From then on, she spends her days by Froslass, serving however she sees fit. If Froslass wants to see a battle, she shows no mercy. If Froslass wants to hear a song, she'll sing a haunting hymn. And if someone displeases her... Angel forbid.]

ii. The Devil

[Noelle does look cute in a maid headdress complementing her flower, along with a little black ribbon tied around her neck. Her glossy eyes, though, break the illusion.

Being quadrupedal, it's hard for Noelle to carry trays, but she can still bring baskets of bread rolls by balancing them on her head. She makes sure the lanterns stay lit as well, working through the night. Sleep is no respite for her, anyway.

One day, Froslass summons her to offer her a reward: Noelle can now sense fear. It radiates off of others like a stench-- rotten fruit, burning sugar. For once, she isn't afraid at all.

Noelle has been attending to all who visit Froslass's court, but she's more likely to approach someone who she senses is afraid.]

What's wrong? Aren't you enjoying the festivities?

iii. Death

[Nobody notices Noelle until she's sprinted into the water.

She tried to use her Hidden Power to create a bridge and chase after something that only she was seeing, but it shattered and submerged her in freezing water. After the strange and sadistic way she's been acting around Froslass, others might be hesitant to rescue her...

... especially because she fiercely resists if anyone tries. She screams wildly:] Dess! DESS!!!!

iv. The Fool

[Noelle spends most of this event in a trance and isn't much help to newcomers. Feel free to toss something else at me or message me on Plurk: friendlyflower.]

ii

[fromsprouts]

[The way Noelle is acting confuses Umemiya, but it also reminds him of the training room, and the first time he saw her use Hidden Power. It wasn't...he still worried...just what...

Something was wrong.]

I...no, I am, but. Are you okay, Noelle? You're acting real weird.

[Understatement.]

Dolly Mancer | OC | Sylveon (New Player)

[autumnrainrunaway]

A. Arrival

This…this made no sense…normally Dolly would be in the dreamscape of the museum after doing something stupid. Not this time though as an Eevee sized Sylveon with fluffy bangs darts a bit in the tall grass trying to figure things out, albeit rather clumsily due to her glasses no longer being there.

Unfamiliar place? CHECK! The landscape feeling like an impressionist’s painting due to no glasses? CHECK! Oh and the cherry on top, she was now some tiny cute creature with flesh ribbons! DOUBLE CHECK!

What Dolly can see though was vague silhouettes at best as the rather tiny Sylveon goes to make contact with the figure up ahead,

“Hey, don’t mean to sound Grass about it, but do you know where in the Stellar Sea I’m at!?”

Good going Dolly…puns as the first introduction, bound to make a good impression there.

B. Soirees and Services

Welp, one thing really does lead to another! The first moment, Dolly managed to get out of the grass and into what would be the weirdest name of a town ever…who let an edgelord name this town?! Dolly, you lived in a town called Cheddarburg…you have no right to criticize the name.

Not long after, Dolly finds herself helping out with the festivities, likely to keep her mind off of the rather unfortunate situation as well as free clothing. It’s cute this maid outfit, made to look like some cute little teacup of some kind in seafoam green and white with teal details that makes it look like a face. Not sure why the sleeves for it are purple with a yellow swirl, but it is what it is.

You may see Dolly attempting to reach things with little to no success due to her short height..please help her..she’s trying her best..

Other times, you might find Dolly taking a break to join in on the festivities, more specifically, ghost stories…wanna trade some ghost stories?

(or both…both are good.)

C. Wildcard! (Want to do something else or fuse some of the prompts together in a Frankenstein’s monster fashion? Please feel free to slide something in or PM me to my Character Journal to brainstorm X3c)

A. (ooc sidenote- flowey named the outpost canonically. LOL)

[friendlyflower]

Oh, great, another 'funny' one. Flowey reins in the urge to groan, the Sunkern's smile becoming a little more forced. "Another newbie, huh? Howdy and welcome to Death Blood Murder Skull Town!"

It's important he says it with as much edginess as possible.

Firoza Istus | Final Fantasy XIV (OC) | OTA (ShB and Endwalker Spoilers)

[bladeofnymeia]

A - A Seneschal Princess

[Ostensibly, yes, Malamar is her friend. Technically. (They insisted on it, and Firoza was too bemused and too inclined to make new friends anyway to say no.) But Froslass comes down from the mountains and brings the cold with her. Firoza knows the cold, has never been bothered by it, thrived in it as a child. Ergo, she is intrigued enough by Froslass that, even having held the dead and dealt death and having danced with death so very close herself, she wouldn't have needed the extra goading to find this Ghost Pokemon agreeable, and to want to participate in a festival that more and more so reminded her of All Saint's Wake.

But the little sprinkle of compulsion is certainly advantageous for Froslass. This funny little Nidoran comes to her at dusk, after all, offering a few berries she picked herself, and a new tale every night, if the Pokemon will hear it. Firoza isn't the best storyteller, but she is earnest and sincere, and tells it loud enough that you too can sit and listen, if so inclined. What's on the schedule for tonight...]

...The traveler didn't think of the risks involved, to take in the light of such a beast. And it didn't hurt, not one bit - all they knew was that with the light inside, that which remained in the sky was theirs to command, and they split the very heavens in twain to reveal the sea of stars itself! And so was night returned to this first humble corner of the realm.

[Is. Is she going to retell Shadowbringers to everybody? For Froslass??

It seems fitting then, that afterwards, Firoza seems to be blessed with Pumpkaboo's Gift - more alert and awake and prone to be out and about in the dark, and seemingly keen on looking for those lost souls who seem to shun Froslass's whims to lead them back into the fold. What? It's better than being covered in frost and miserable, right?]

B - Lights in the Sunless Sea

[Of course Firoza makes herself a little boat. Of course.

It's not the prettiest, but it is remarkably sea-worthy, probably likely to hold on all the way down the river...but not much longer than that. She took the time to etch the names of those she'd lost on the boat itself, either with some ink or with her little claws (if possible). All in Eorzean script, of course, so she's the only one who can read it. But everyone's there.

Everyone the Warrior of Light knew, who was no more.

It's much like the floating lanterns from Doma, she thinks, remembering the tradition she had been allowed to participate in...gods, how long ago was it? It felt like another age. But the boats, yes, they are a similar premise, and she is humbled to allow one of the little ghostly flames to rest in hers, to see it set off down the winding river, to watch the flickering light until it was merely a speck in the encroaching darkness...

And the instant it is gone, a figure begins to appear as if from mist. Silent, graceful, held with poise and...a warmth, that cannot be conveyed through words alone.

Firoza gasps, stumbling back, falling on her behind, eyes so wide you could drown in them.]

V...Venat...?

[The figure - the woman, perhaps taller than average but not larger than life, focuses on Firoza. Looks at her with a moment of curiosity and wonder...and smiles. Steps forward, crouches, rests a hand on the head of her transformed champion. Her mouth moves, but there are no words. Just an incredible fondness in those bright and brilliant eyes, brighter than any mortal ever had.

Firoza weeps. Silently, with a smile.]

B

[shotinhead]

[ There is a silent respect from Courier Six, as he's been watching this celebration. As he's been seeing ghosts of the past. Not just his own, for once.

But he approaches quietly - seemingly alone. He then kneels - and carefully, he moves to pick Firoza up, to hold her face-to-face with... ]

So this is her, huh... [ He says quietly. Not wanting to ruin the moment, between these two. He remembers hearing of her, closer to when they first met. ]

Catrina Calavera | OC | Litwick (New Player)

[gimmeeyeballs]

((ooc: same player for Dolly, just tossing these two in for fun and to see which one sticks better in the game :’>))

A. FIRE HAZARD COMING THROUGH! (Arrival)

Well…maybe listening to a Lich King wasn’t the best choice in the world..clearly it had to have been the school assignment that caused it! The grass shouldn’t be this tall and what in the nine hells were those weird light flashes!?

A pause…what was that in the reflection from that puddle? A small white candle with a purplish blue flame on top? Wait…is that..

“I LOOK LIKE MY GRANDMA’S CREEPY CANDLE COLLECTION!”

Ah yes…here comes that panicked flailing in circles…good luck to those walking into this fire hazard..


B. SPOOKY CREEPY CANDLE THING! (Soiree and Services)

What a fine town this Death Blood Murder Skull Town is, truly a place a Litwick much like Catrina can thrive in easily. After meeting that absolutely charming and wonderful Froslass, Catrina felt much more compelled to do far more ghostly things than ever before. A totally normal reaction for Catrina, why would you ask a silly question like that one?

All dressed in a Pumpkaboo looking Maid outfit (Maria is rolling in her salty grave right now), Catrina was ready to do all she can for this absolutely charming Froslass. At the moment, Catrina is helping with tending to the flames…but ghostly mischief is a brewing as she looks over to who is closest to her,

“Hey, fur is flammable right? Can I clip some off yah to feed the flames?”


C. HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME (Wildcard) (Want to do a different Prompt, idea, or fuse some prompts together? Please feel free to slide something on in or PM me on my character journal for brainstorming)

A

[truthdecided]

Akechi was trying to scout the area for new arrivals, but that fire? That's a concerning sight.

When he swoops down and sees a panicked Litwick, it becomes all too clear how easily this could escalate.

"Do you want to start a wildfire?"

A.B.A | Guilty Gear | Silvally | Current Player

[quirkynote]

A. An Omen of the Seasons

[As A.B.A returns to beloved Skull Town after playing in the tall grass, something seems...off. There's a chill in the air, yet there's an abundance of flickering flames? And then there's the...ghosts. So...so many ghosts. The black fur on her body stands on end as she wanders through their new outpost, trying to find the source of this strangeness. With any luck, she'll destroy it.]

S...Scary...

[But she'll have to be brave, she'll have to be scarier. Yeah...! That's it! She's a big, scary dog, and what do big scary dogs do? If Laios is anything to go by, they growl, so growl she does. It'd make her stand out, if...only others weren't acting so spooky themselves. No one seems to be bothered by A.B.A's aggressive prowling, which only confuses her further.

And then she sees her. Froslass.]

Wha...What is the meaning of this?!

[As terrified as she is, A.B.A falls back on her usual coping mechanism: being angry and belligerent. She even wants to call the ghostly beauty a homewrecker for old time's sake, but Paracelsus isn't here. Still, she can't shake the feeling this glorified ball with arms would try to steal him anyway.]

All seduction, no substance! You grovel over a twisted woman, name one quality that even makes her so worthwhile! ...She isn't even a homunculus, you blithering fools.

[Seriously, what's so great about her? Not fair... A.B.A wants people to treat HER special...]

B. Soirees and Service

[Much to A.B.A's irritation, her outbursts don't seem to be getting her anywhere. Whenever she tries to purposely piss Froslass off, she only seems to find the weird chimera creature charming. Unbelievable!

To take her mind off it, she's settled somewhere to modify her maid outfit, an outfit she willingly accepted despite everything. A.B.A's always loved fashion, it's one of the few ways she can properly express herself. The only thing is, her idea of fashion has always been...questionable. Back home, she had modified a pair of pants into a shirt, so this is really no different. Her outfit was already pretty dubious with the blood themes, but A.B.A redesigned it so that it consisted of...two skirts. One that rests nicely around her neck, right under her mane, the other on her waist where it would've been regardless of any changes.

She's incredibly proud of herself, please say she looks nice.]

I'd like to see what that conceited beast thinks of this~ Mhmhmhmhnm~ Maybe she'll flee in pure, utter terror...

[Yes, because if there's one thing ghosts are known for, it's fleeing at the sight of blood. Good job, A.B.A.]

C. Vessels Sailing Away

[As things settle down, A.B.A is...conflicted. She's still wary of ghosts, but they seem to be doing something nice now??? Kind of suspicious, but all her attempts to chase them off have failed. She really can't think of anything else to do but participate.

Although participate might be generous. A boat had to be made for her, and she watches it float down the river with...confusion. Who's...spirit is she hoping it finds? She doesn't...know anyone who's passed on, she's pretty sure? Her creator disappeared, but she had no evidence of his death. She has no reason to believe her husband died, she refuses to even humor the idea. As spirits start to pop up for others, A.B.A may flinch at the sight of them if only because they're ghosts, but other than that, she finds herself...misplaced.

This...isn't a tradition for someone like her. This is for people who have things like loved ones, family, large amounts of friends. Progeny with ancestors. Not...unfinished lab experiments who barely fit in to begin with.

You might find A.B.A off to the side, shuffling her feet and feeling awkward. She hates this, she wants to go back at yelling at Froslass... At least that was kind of fun.]

D. Wildcard

[For anything else! As a note, A.B.A is known to be pretty resistant to mind altering abilities, so she won't be falling for anything. That said, she's a ridiculous character, so by rule of funny, all her attempts to foil anything come off as delightful to Froslass. Whoops.]

B

[truthdecided]

[Akechi... did not want to dress up like this, let alone play the part of a servant. His small, round body just looks ridiculous in anything more than head and neck accessories.

His feathers fluff up as he shuffles about... and then he stops, peering up at A.B.A and her... unique attire.]

Is there a particular reason you have two skirts?

Bigby Wolf | TWAU | Morpeko ✨ | Current Character

[wolfcut]

I. THE SNOW QUEEN

[ When the cold front rolls in, Bigby makes sure to keep his distance. He knows better than to stick around when the winds shift all too suddenly, and yet, when some time passes, he finds himself drawn to her court despite his initial resistance. The white rabbit in his mind runs ahead, all the way down, down, down, only for him to give chase until it's too late to turn back.

He's not one for dances and songs. He can't cook, can't decorate, can't do much at all — but who expects as much from a simple lapdog. She's fine with simply doting on him, dressing him up like a perfect porcelain doll. Maybe even you can help her pick the cutest of outfits to adorn him with. Because despite all his growling and snapping, he can't even manage to pull himself away. Even when he runs, and he does run, he'll always come back, the most loyal of pets.

If only he could realize just how adorably sweet he really is — he's so cute she could just eat him up. ]

( bigby has been afflicted with charm. interacting with him might leave you with the sudden urge to fawn over how cute he is, or maybe pick him up and give him a good squeeze. if you’re so lucky, he might even involuntarily lean into it, like a good pet would. however strong the impulse, i leave up to you and whatever dice you might roll. just know the stronger the cute aggression, the stronger the impulse will be to want to actually eat him up. )

II. THE DORMOUSE

[ Froslass has decided to let her darling pet out to play! She ushers him to the café, making sure he’s had his fill of sweet treats despite all manner of protest. Then, when he’s nice and full, it’s off to work he goes.

Here he comes now, dressed up in the frilliest of frills made up of blues and purples and gold. He'd look right at home attending a mad, mad Sinistea party. ]

Okay. What the fuck do you want?

[ Oh, that’s not cute enough. His face strains against the smile suddenly growing. ]

I’ll... I’ll... make sure it’s extra sweet, just for you!

III. THE WOLF AND HER SEVEN CUBS

[ Bigby launches his boat with little fanfare. There’s nothing but grief in remembering. The dead are dead, and so he moves on.

Through the mists emerges a she-beast, gaunt and weary. Her image flickers, a white wolf one moment, a fox made of snow the next. She’s looking for her sons, her seven cubs, but where could they have gone? And the littlest one most of all — he won’t survive the coming winter without her before too long. She’ll tell you about them, if you ask, but she’s quick to move on, just as well.

He trails behind her, a lost puppy following his mother. But the more he calls out to her, the more she rebukes him, teeth bared in a snarl. For what use does a wolf have for a rodent, too small to even eat.

He'll keep trying, again and again, even if you pull him back. ]

IV. THE GOLDEN GOOSE

( not feeling any of these? i’m open to playing out other ideas! feel free to throw anything at me, or message me at esnupi.

also, if you don’t want your character to be affected by bigby’s blessing (curse?), that’s totally fine; just let me know! )

II.

[holidaygirl1225]

Fahaha... remember, be nice. [Noelle, dressed in maid accessories, tsks at Bigby. The scared, shy girl he protected seems to be gone-- talking down to him, now, like he's just a pet. She pulls on the end of a ribbon, choking him just a liiiittle bit more.] There. Isn't that better? You look so cute!

Laios Touden | Dungeon Meshi | Boltund | Current Character

[dunchies]

I. HEADS WILL ROLL

[ One might suspect Laios of all people would want nothing to do with Froslass. But the moment she pays her visit, he's quick to fall at her side without even a second thought. He'll sing and howl the night away. He'll lead a merry band of torch bearers. He'll even go fetch anyone who may want nothing to do with the fun at all. Such a good boy, she thinks. He reminds her so much of all those sweet ghostly pups, eager to find a new friend of their own. ]

( laios has been granted greavard's gift. letting him talk too much might leave you drained, tired, worn out, as if your very life force is running on empty. the longer he goes on, the more erratic he'll become, far too excited by the sudden excess of energy from seemingly nowhere. )

II. LET THEM EAT CAKE

(a.) Fooound you!

[ Through the tall grass bounds one very enthusiastic good boy. He stops just shy of pouncing right on his target, dipping into a play bow instead. ] You can't hide from me that easy. I've gotten real good at tracking nowadays. I could even show you, if you want. It's not that bad, once you get some practice. [ Stranger or not, he speaks with a rapid over-familiarity that might come across as a bit too much. ]

Why are you all the way out here, anyway? You're missing everything. [ He starts to circle, round and round, eyes never leaving his newfound friend. ] You know we can't keep her waiting for too long. Don't you want to come see? [ Then, there's a glint in his eye, his voice lowering almost too suddenly. ] Or do you want to keep playing hide-and-seek?

(b.) [ Of course Laios wants to help out at the café. What better way to make new friends than over some delicious sweet treats? He dons his outfit with little fuss, his monochromatic ruffles eerily reminiscent of a Houndstone. His headpiece even has a little charm of a tomb on it, just how Froslass likes!

He excitedly greets you at your table, tail wagging as he carefully sets down the plate between his teeth. You may not have asked for it, but he brought you an extra special treat, and he can't wait to tell you all about it. ] There you go! Cheesecake, on the house. It's my favorite. Froslass made sure it was on the menu just for me. [ His eyes go a little wide as he leans in, waiting for you to take your first bite. Once you do, he'll smile, big and wide. ]

Isn't it great? They made with the freshest Miltank milk around. Have you seen any around? The ones that look like pink cows? Yup, it's all from them alright. They're real sweet. They let me talk to them while they work. It's too bad I don't have hands to help, but I'm fine just watching, too.

[ Still have an appetite? Good, because he'll keep going and bringing you more food. ]

III. ALL THE KING'S MEN (manga spoiler warning)

[ Perhaps he went a little overboard, sending out as many boats as he did. They weren't meant to be for him, after all. He was just trying to help all his friends, new and old, remember their dearly departed. Instead, he's somehow roused the spirits of the Golden Country, all however many of them.

Despite all their groans and moans — and not to mention, ghastly appearance — they're all happily following their king as loyal subjects are wont to do. Laios, meanwhile, is desperately trying to lose them and failing every time. Maybe if he just pretends they're not there, they'll go back to wherever they came from.

If he runs into you, he's quick to start a conversation, blatantly ignoring the ghosts behind him. ] N-nice night, huh?

IV. ALAS, POOR YORICK

( not feeling any of these? i’m open to playing out other ideas! feel free to throw anything at me, or message me at esnupi.

also, if you don’t want your character to be affected by laios’s blessing, that’s totally fine; just let me know! )

III

[quirkynote]

Yes, I suppose it's EEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!

[Laios, what?! WHAT?! Why are there so many?! Why do they look like THAT?! That's it, she's done, she hates this tradition. She hates this celebration. Ghosts are SCARY and need to GO AWAY.]

pickles ≫ reverse:1999 ≫ new character

[philosopuppy]

A Lycanroc with deep, melancholic eyes

≫ i. an indigo pup

( While others rise from the tall grass in disoriented stumbles and confused cries, Pickles is far more focused on the confusion of his mind. His paws, though they appear different, still push him to a standing position. And his fur, though more firm in texture in various locations, still feels the brush of the grass and wind around him. His ears flick as he flexes both front legs, and then his back, shaking out sore paws with a lift of his muzzle to sniff the air around him.

Uncertainty permeates, and the flickering lights that are meant to offer a comfort only seek to bring new questions to mind. Where am I? What is this place? Questions shared by those surrounding him, for the most part, from what he can tell. In a daze, he wanders forward, one paw at a time. What is a puppy to do, other than move forward like this? He won't let nihilism take him again.

And so, Pickles navigates through the scents of his own nose and guidance from the others being urged and comforted along with Malamar. He seems to prefer the quiet, himself, sticking further to the back of any group and hugging the sidelines. But if approached, he will give a little bow of his head. )

Though our bodies have changed, our souls have remained the same. But what, then, would it take for the soul to be altered?

≫ ii. the world is an ever-living fire

( Sat alongside one of the various ghostly flames trailing back towards the town is a midday Lycanroc, seemingly entranced with the flicker of the flame before him. For those in the area for any lengthy amount of time, they may pick up on the fact that he's been here for quite some time now, staring away. But whether the stranger who approaches him is meant to check on him or just passing by, he speaks up with a few quiet barks, contemplative in tone. )

Kindling in measures and being extinguished in measures... It is through this that the flame resembles the dynamic, ever-changing nature of reality itself.

( With a lifted paw, he waves at the flame ahead of him with precision— after all, though his body has changed, Pickles has been gifted a familiar form. His eyes seem to sparkle with the light of the fire as he turns them on his company, paw settling back into the dirt, head tilting inquisitively. )

Does the flickering of the fire remind you of life, too?

≫ iii. ball... is life?

( feel free to hit me up with anything! Pickles is a philosophy focused little doggy who will contemplate everything, so feel free to find him sitting around, staring at anything, reading whatever he can find... he tends to prefer alone time, so anyone is welcome to come ruin that. )

i

[truthdecided]

[Truthfully, Akechi had flown over to investigate, once he'd gotten word of new arrivals. He was not expecting such a deeply philosophical question, but far be it from him to deny such an interesting thought experiment.

He settles on the ground, tapping below his chin with a wing. It's a very human gesture at odds with his round, avian appearance.]

By all accounts, I have seen the 'soul' of a person altered. Histories rewritten or distorted desires stolen, such a power would require one to comb the very depths of one's inner world, or the cognition of the masses.

Siffrin (Start Again) | In Stars And Time | Shinx | Current Character

[loopsiedaisy]

[[Pre-emptive recommendation to check Siffrin's warnings before interacting and opt out of anything you'd like to avoid!]]

I. In the Spirit of Things

[It's not that Siffrin doesn't usually at least look like they're in a good mood, but they're especially energetic as soon as they fall into Froslass's sphere of influence. You could almost describe them as manic, actually! For the middle weeks of September, they're rushing around nonstop:]

A. [Are you working on something for Froslass, and needed someone to fetch something for you? Siffrin is back with your fetch quest! Did you want company on a long trek around the valley, feeding ghostly flames? Siffrin is bouncing along! Or someone to help you craft decorations? Siffrin is sitting next to you, determinedly working with their claws, muttering something like, "Please actually look like a Shedinja... please actually look like a Shedinja..." under their breath. Or maybe you've found them actually near Froslass, trying to entertain her with terrible frosty and undead-themed puns: it's an ice evening, isn't it? Was she bone this lovely, or did she have to work at it?]

B. [Or maybe you've been reluctant to participate, or you're a bit too worried about your friend Malamar to really get into the festivities. If Siffrin sees someone unadorned or looking like they're trying to avoid Froslass's retinue, they'll trot up with the tip of their tail twitching. At least initially, they try to defuse tension with a pun:] Is everything okay? Aren't you freezed about Froslass being here?

C. [Or perhaps you're someone else enthralled, struggling with an outpost resident who's more reluctant, and it's escalated to a Pokemon battle! Siffrin is jumping in to help, no questions asked!]

[Whatever the option: after the first day or two, they can be found decorated in a little Banette-themed frilly outfit.]

[They've also been gifted the blessing of a Discarded Shell's Mind Reader, and they can hear people's thoughts - but only when someone is looking into their blind eye! Or just at their face, sometimes that's close enough.]

II. A Haunting Task

A. [Despite being enthralled by Froslass, when the time finally comes to get to the point of the occasion, Siffrin is unusually reluctant to go along with the final steps. It's not that they doubt the results; the ice queen's presence is making them fully believe! But... they don't want to craft a boat. They don't have the right to try and reconnect with anyone. Even if they did, they'd be hated, they know it - and that's only what they deserve, but can they bear to be faced with that?]

[Or worse: what if they talk themself into making a boat, and then... and then they're so unwanted, or so forgettable, that nobody even shows up?]

[But the urge to participate is still overwhelming, so what they end up doing is creeping along through the throngs of people busily making little boats, looking for anyone who seems to be struggling. Maybe they're approaching you, or maybe you're doing fine and it's someone next to you, but they hesitantly insert themself with a,] Um. Would you like any help...?

[It's accompanied with a wide smile. Whether they can provide that help is still to be determined!]

B. [Despite Siffrin's efforts to avoid it, it seems like some well-meaning Ghost has crafted them a boat anyway. Or maybe they helped just a little too much with someone else's boat. Whoops!]

[Whatever the reason, there's four glimmering Pokemon-shaped ghosts hovering near the river, chatting amongst themselves inaudibly. They don't seem to have noticed the Shinx yet. (Or maybe, maybe they are just forgotten -)]

[Siffrin can't seem to bring themself to approach, but they also can't make themself take a step away. They are (ironically enough for their type) paralyzed.]

[They're also     shaking.]

III. Wildcard!

[[Hit me up at stocke or by PM, I'm happy to brainstorm other ideas!]]

II.B., part 1/2 (i know.)

[friendlyflower]

[Ha ha... look at them, shaking like a leaf. Pathetic. Are they seeing their stupid little friends? The ones they left behind... the ones they'll never see again! Oh, it's just rich. Flowey wants more than anything to go over there and torment them...

... but some stupid, holier-than-thou ghost has made him a boat as well, since he has no arms.

In the past, he would have seen Chara. He knows he would have. But with them back, instead, he sees white fur, long ears, a smile across a fuzzy snout.

She's not dead. Not in the timeline he left, at least. But nothing ruins fun like having some old lady who thinks she's still your mom watching over you.]

Ranma Saotome | Ranma ½ | Buneary (New Player!)

[catsgothistongue]

I. Arrival!
[Ranma is no stranger to odd circumstances happening to him. But this is new even for him. One minute, he's performing katas in the dojo, the next his body's locking up. It gave him deja vu to that stupid Full-Body Cat's Tongue pressure point the old crone used on him. His muscles seized up like he touched an exposed electrical wire, his nerves and senses scream, consciousness threatening to slip through his grasp... Try his damnedest he did, eventually even his ironclad will succumbs to the pain...

He isn't sure how long he's conked out. Minutes, hours, days? Really hope that last one isn't the case. Nevertheless, the teenage martial artist comes to and finds himself in a swathe of dry grass. In the midst of wondering who or what could've dragged him out in the middle of who knows where, Ranma groggily rises up and rubs his aching noggin with his... paw? Against his furry, fluffy face?

Freeze. Ranma halts all thoughts to stare bug-eyed at what should be his hand. He swallows with a gulp and braves looking down... No clothes, no muscles forged from a lifetime of training, just a small cuddly body covered in brown fur and creamy fluff.

Most would panic, McFreaking lose it over their changed anatomy. Or assume they're still fast asleep, caught in a dream they'll awake from any minute now.

Ranma doesn't react in either of those ways. Instead, he throws his paws up to his face, dragging them down with an exasperated:]

Dammit, not another one!

[Clearly he got himself another curse. One that turned him into a bunny, if his paws brushing up the curled ear is any indication...]

II. Soirees & Service!!
[Once he's gotten his bearings and finished grousing over being stuck as some rabbit, Ranma'll make his way to Skull Town. Oop, wait. Death Blood Murder Skull Town. How welcoming. The dreary atmosphere nor the sign don't scare him. Nor that Frolass chick. He was more focused on figuring out what the heck's going on, how to get back home... or find a way to change back to human. Never thought he'd miss having hands and opposable thumbs. So this is what it's like for the others. It almost makes him appreciate the curse he did get saddled with.

SPLASH!

... Almost.

'Was focused on assessing the sitch' is the keyword here. Because here he- she was, dressed to the nine in a frilly maid outfit, playing waitress. All cause another sap roped into this tripped and spilled water all over him. S'not enough she's stuck as a cute animal that looks like it'd sell like hotcakes in a toy store as a plush toy, but her original curse stacked on top of it? Just her luck...

She hides any seething behind a mastered smile while going around serving patrons alike. Moving around with all the poise and grace (as much as she can maneuvering around with new paws) of someone experienced with working at cafés before. All things considered, this wasn't the worst situation she could've gotten herself into. Don't mean she's a fan though.

Taking a moment to be beside herself, she pouts and lightly glowers at her paws.]

Y'know, this'd be a lot easier with hands...

[Grumble grumble.]

III. WILD CARD
((Neither of the two tickle your fancy, or have a different idea in mind? Lay it on me, I'm flexible! Ranma's from the end of his manga's original run, and while not mentioned in the text, has tuffs of fluff on his head styled like his hair and pigtail (albeit not braided, just balls of fluff) that's a little longer as a girl. Also small disclaimer, Ranma's deathly afraid of cats, so any characters who look like housecat will experience fear and aggression from him. Only housecats though, he won't be afraid of any that look like lions or tigers or other big cats))

II. ((im excited to see ranma!!))

[holidaygirl1225]

Haha... at least you're bipedal. [As a Deerling, Noelle has been getting along trying to balance things on top of her head. She went a bit far trying to carry a tray on her head this time and wound up accidentally spilling water on the bunny boy--

Girl? Noelle blinks. She doesn't have the best sense for genders of Pokemon, but the Buneary sounds and feels more like a girl now. Noelle softens a little bit.] I'm really sorry. Miss Froslass will be really mad at me... here, let me get you some napkins.

[In lieu of a towel or anything, Noelle offers a cloth napkin to Ranma to dry herself off with.]

You must be new to Skull Town. Did you come from the forest?

Guilmon | Digimon Tamers | Current Character | Charmeleon

[guilmon]

Tall Grass:

[Guilmon came to Death Blood Murder Skull Town (which is a very long name) to see how things are going, but so many new smells catch his interest, and before long, he's shuffling through the grass, eager to find out what all the new scents are.

So, please pardon the dopey Charmeleon and his flaming tail. He's trying not to set anything ablaze, but with him skittering around and so focused on the smells, it's easy to lose track of what's behind him.

When he spots a new face, he'll giggle and grin.]

Hi! Are you new here? Guilmon's never seen you before...

Soirees and Service:

[Somehow, Guilmon got dressed up as a maid. Astonishingly, he doesn't seem to care. With a bright, cheery smile, he shuffles around, sometimes doing his best handstand, other times dancing to his best ability. He's not a professional. In fact, it's a very childish sort of dance, but he's still giggling anyway. The skirt gets all swishy when he spins!

It does seem like Froslass is working him especially hard though, likely because she finds him so entertaining.

Thankfully, Froslass eventually dismisses him so he can enjoy the festivities. By the time he's off shift, he can be found snarfing down a big plate of food.]

Vessels Sailing Away:

[Death is one of those concepts that's both easy to understand and extremely complex. He's seen many Digimon die, even absorbing some himself, but none of it fully sank in until Leomon died at Beelzebumon's hands.

That was a painful memory, but this... It's pretty. All the boats sailing away, carrying tiny flames.

When Guilmon places one of the boats in the water, however, something curious transpires. The form of a Pyroar materializes before him, and he shuffles back in surprise.]

Wah!

[It seems he did not expect that.]

Vessels

[my_style]

[ Renamon, in the form of an alternate-colored Zoroark variation wanders by at that exact moment; she's not come across Guilmon yet, nor does she recognize him in this form, but she knows the somberness of death. She knows about the lives she's taken, and the friend she lost.

And when she sees this Pyroar materialize...her own spiritual power as a Ghost type makes her sense something that causes her to feel a trace of recognition. ]

...Leomon?

[ How? How is this possible? ]

Umemiya Hajime - Wind Breaker - Lucario

[fromsprouts]

1. Arrival Season
Word gets out in Bottlecap Bay that the new arrivals are showing up near Death Blood Murder Skull Town, and so of course Ume's going to head out there to help collect the newbies. He had, as much as anyone can, a pretty soft landing thanks to those who helped him find his footing (literally, in at least one case) a couple months ago.

So, fresh faces might find a bipedal blue fox-thing (jackal? Dog? Hell, one could make the argument for a Set animal...) standing over them with a concerned look on his face. His aura-sensing tendrils make it easy for him to find sources of fear and confusion.

"Hey, you alright there?"


2. Defiance
Froslass's command over the outpost and everyone there doesn't manage to tangle up Umemiya, and unfortunately for everyone (Umemiya included), he's a defiant teenager. As he notices people falling under the ghostly spell, he's going to try to shake them free of it.

He will absolutely go as far as open battles with those who are lost, without holding back. That's kind of his thing, knocking sense into everyone.


3. Consequences
Of course, Umemiya's actions don't amuse Froslass, and eventually she corners him to curse him with Gastly Presence. During daylight hours, he is insubstantial, unable to interact physically with objects or other Pokemon. It means battling to try and convince people to be more sensible is a harder task, because he cannot use Physical moves.

Perhaps you see him try to pick something up and fail, or catch him eating a huge-ass meal once the sun sets, because he hasn't been able to get anything into his stomach all day.


4. Obon
September creeps to an end, and the ghostly ritual to honor the dead gives Umemiya a chance to honor his parents. He sets his boat to float a bit aways from the others, not wanting anyone to catch him crying. Because he absolutely is crying--all the more when he sees the silhouettes of a Family of Three Maushold manifest from the fog over the water.


5. Wildcard
Hit me for anything else you'd like! Flip me to brackets if you have a strong preference. I love you all.

Defiance

[its_tv_time]

Suddenly there's a weird... dog-thing attacking him?! What? Why?! What'd he do?!

"Whoa- what the-?! Careful with that!" He holds up his arms in surrender! "He-hehe, you're an energetic one, aren't you? Why don't we just play a game! A quiz for Lady Froslass' amusement?"

Henry Townshend | Silent Hill 4: The Room | New Character - Flygon

[no_ufo_ending]

((OOC: I'm good with prose or brackets, I'll match you!))

Waking Up

Henry comes to with a start. He pushes himself upright and raises an arm to defend himself. The memory of the searing pain ripping through him is fresh, but he can no longer feel the sensation. Panting, he blinks around at the tall grass. Everything is rose-tinted. No revving chainsaws, no squealing metal. No screams. There is only the wind and distant birdsong.

Well, this sure doesn't look like a grimy hell dimension created by a serial killer's subconscious...

He lowers his arm and lets out a breath. It's quickly sucked back in when he gets a glimpse of his arm.

"What...the hell...?" Henry rasps as he holds his three-fingered, clawed hands out before him. He pats himself and no longer finds the texture of his shirt. Now, there are only scales. In a flash he's standing and turning in a circle. Instantly, he's face-down in the grass. His legs no longer work the way they used to.

Heart pounding, the Flygon tries to understand what's happened. He feels of his face and finds the bulbous lenses covering his eyes. He winces on contact but quickly finds that they protect his eyes perfectly like a pair of sturdy goggles.

For a moment he thinks--he hopes this is all a dream. As nice as the meadow is, he was kind of in the middle of saving the world. Or at least, his apartment building. But he can feel the wind on his scales. He can smell the grass, the earth, the dew.

Henry can't fret about it for very long because a sound catches his attention. Footsteps. A voice? His antennae, ears, whatever they are, stand up tall and he pushes himself upright again, using his new tail for balance.

"Hello?"


Out of One Ritual and Into Another

It's been a couple of days and now, Henry has officially been a Pokémon longer than he's been a survival horror protagonist. He feels a sort of way about it, but he keeps it to himself.

He's not thrilled about this haughty ghost imposing herself on these colorful monsters who have been nothing but kind to him. It's easy to tell that they don't do all this decorating and baking and dancing because they like her. Ghosts are just like this, he supposes.

Henry does not like ghosts.

He hasn't been the best at celebrating--he's preoccupied with the fate of his world, of his dear neighbor Eileen, of himself. It has been...a very unusual week for Henry Townshend. He often drifts at the edges of gatherings or even ducks away between the buildings in search of holes in the wall--the way home. The holes have been the only constant since his descent into other worlds. There must be a hole here. He has a job to finish and he's the only one who can do it!

You may find him skulking around in search of these holes or helping put up decorations.


4x Weakness Baybeeee

"Aa--choo!" The Flygon shivers as he walks along one of the flickering paths. He doesn't know where he's going. Away. Somewhere away. His mind feels fuzzy, like it's drifting ahead of him on the path.

Tiny icicles dangle from Henry's antennae and frost clouds the edges of his lenses. He tries to generate a little warmth by rubbing his arms, but it's no good.

"Eileen..." Henry says quietly to himself. "I'm sorry, Eileen..."

Out of One Ritual And Into Another!

[autumnrainrunaway]

Dolly was appreciative of both the help and someone that was well, normal, in this entire situation as the tiny Sylveon goes to hand some Pumpkaboo based decorations to be hung to Henry.

Here comes the squinting in trying to see Henry's face, but alas, it's like blurry as can be, "Thanks again, it's been such a challenge in hanging these decorations up. It was a bit short sighted on my end. though I think we have a few more to go before we can move to the next spot."

Shoka Sakurane | The World Ends with You | Mimikyu | Current Player

[telewarped]

0. black cat dreams

[In her dreams, Shoka finds herself back on the streets of Shibuya, wandering in search of something forgotten. She should know those streets like the back of her hand, having explored them tirelessly throughout her afterlife, but dreaming renders them strange—foreign and labyrinthine, cobbled together from mismatched memories. Turns lead her in directions they shouldn't; she hears the crashing of waves over the din of the crowds. Jagged cliffs loom impossibly where she remembers buildings being present; Tadbulb lights drift and flicker through the glow of neon.

She can't seem to remember what it is she's searching for, but eventually, just when the strangeness starts to unnerve her, she finds it: the storefront of Gatto Nero, where she found her Mr. Mew hoodie—where she first started to figure out who she was. It's there waiting for her inside, familiar and reliable as ever—but when she reaches for it, running her fingers over the fabric, she watches her hands change before her eyes, the flesh stripping away to reveal bright red muscle, then bone, then inky blackness, skittering over the vague, clawed shape of a hand. Intellectually, she knows she should be scared, or at least startled, but instead she feels—perfectly calm. Right, somehow.

Then she blinks and finds herself being thrashed by some rando in Tin Pin Slammer. When she looks up to find the cheating jerk who just sent her pin hurtling off the board, she sees none other than Mr. Mew himself sitting across from her, amicably waving one arm at her like a person.

The dream can't seem to decide on a tone, but it gets the message across to her well enough. When she wakes up with a start (at some ungodly hour, probably to the annoyance of everyone else in the lower dens of the Spire), she knows exactly what to do.

In the days that follow, the Pokémon of Bottlecap Bay will find her toiling away on a new sewing project in between quests and the like. Maybe they even lend a hand, either by helping provide fabric or thread, or just by offering her a little encouragement or company. She appreciates it if they do, even if it seems that she doesn't really need it. For once completely in tune with her Mimikyu instincts, she works with a level of speed and finesse that should be beyond her actual skill level. For some reason, she never explains what it is she's making.]

i. soirees and service

[When Shoka arrives at the festivities, even those who know her may not recognize her at all. Save for her tail, she looks completely different, shrouded in an entirely new disguise rag designed in the likeness of a certain black cat. As a dead-girl-turned-Ghost-type who died lonely to boot, she can't help being instantly swayed by Froslass' charms, so of course she's also dressed up in an elaborate dress—black and red with gold accents, evoking a powerful Ghost-type she doesn't know the name of.

It's obviously custom-fitted for a Mimikyu, complete with neatly-cut openings for her real eyes to peer through and a headdress adorned with a golden crescent for her disguise-head. Did she make it herself?

Either way, she seems to be having the time of her (after)life, and she's made it her mission to make sure everyone else does, too.

(a) Anyone who looks like they aren't having enough fun to satisfy her may find her Shadow Sneak-ing behind them, appearing without warning and as if from nowhere to adorn them with an accessory or two—a frilly headdress, maybe, or a bow for their tail, or a loop of red beads to decorate their neck. No accessory seems to be off the table. Where is she even getting all of this stuff?!]

Uh, you do know that this is a party, right? Lighten up! I'm getting depressed just looking at you.

(b) [Alternatively, party-goers might catch her in some quiet corner, busying herself with crafting props and various accessories. She knows little about cooking and she isn't much of a singer or a dancer, but she can certainly craft and decorate.

If approached, she pipes up cheerfully:] Any requests?

ii. vessels sailing away

[Shoka isn't really expecting anything to come from sending off a boat of her own. There are plenty of people she'd like to see, of course, even if only for a moment, but most of them are a literal world away now (and probably better off without her, too), and the others are erased, even deader than dead. But she still has some crafting energy left in her, and something about watching those little lights bobbing away on the water compels her, makes her want to take part even if she knows nothing will happen.

So she makes a boat (with a little help from her fellow Ghost-types) and sends it off, bidding it a soft, Later.

She'd be content just to watch it sail away and sit alone with her thoughts for a moment—to remember the things she never said and imagine the things she would say, and to marvel over the reminder that she's still here herself, alive in some form. But when a shape materializes to her anyway, somehow, even changed, she immediately knows who it is.

On the banks of the river, Shoka sits with a Pokémon well over twice her size: a Sceptile with shimmering turquoise scales. They're talking softly, just out of earshot, seeming wholly absorbed in each other—but the moment anyone approaches, the Sceptile's posture immediately turns defensive. She stands at her full, daunting height with a low hiss of warning. When Shoka turns, her eyes are wet, and her voice wavers.]

Hey— [It's said to the Sceptile, in an attempt to soothe her.] Hey, it's okay! They're a friend.

[She says it regardless of whether she really knows the Pokémon or not (she can barely see who it is through her tears anyway). The Sceptile seems doubtful, eyes narrowed to piercing, dark orange slits.]

iii. wildcard

((Obligatory wild card option! If you'd like to plot out something specific, feel free to hit me up at kibikon or via PM!))

i (b)

[bladeofnymeia]

Requests? Oh, no, I came to help!

[Though Firoza hasn't dipped into any fun finery just yet...nothing seems to suit her, nothing feels quite right just yet. But she's lugged a basket of crafting supplies over in her mouth, talking muffledly around the handle like it's the most natural thing in the world. When she puts the basket down and sits by Shoka, there's a wonderful and joyful sort of pride in her eyes.

Her, uh. Weirdly blue eyes.]

Your new outfit came out so well...I'm so glad.

Kinger | The Amazing Digital Circus | New Player | Morelull

[0dchess]

(I was invited from outside the world of Dreamwidth RP so hopefully I'm doing this right)

1. In The Tall Grass

It didn't take long for Kinger to get used to moving in his new Morelull body: after all, this wasn't the first of Caine's adventures that gave him a new one. He was a little confused as to where everyone else went, though. He starts calling to them as he walks through the grass.

"Gangle? Ragatha? Jax? Pomni? Zooble? Kinger?" He narrows his eyes in thought. "I'm pretty sure I can handle myself out here, but I'm worried about the others. Especially Kinger, he'll have no idea what's going on!"

2. Soirees and Services

Kinger knew a thing or two about being decorated from his friends back home. He confidently strolled into the center of town wearing a maid dress, cat ears, and cat tail. "Normally I don't think one monarch would perform for another, but right now I'm not Kinger- I'm Singer!"

Kinger takes in a deep breath to start crooning, but notices that one of the flickering flames is floating by, and he lets out a yelp and ducks down away from it.. Unintentionally, that yelp lets out a wave of spectral energy that strengthens the flame.

Kinger peeks back up nervously. "Are they voice activated?"

1.

[friendlyflower]

Flowey is hiding from the Froslass takeover (and Malamar) when he comes across a new arrival out in the field. Ugh-- the last thing he needs right now is to help some newbie.

But then again, he will need help if he wants to stop Froslass... and he'd prefer to avoid sending more people into the cult. So, the Sunkern hops up with a big smile on his face.

"Howdy! I'm Flowey! Flowey the... Sunkern!" he says. It doesn't flow as well, but he's still not going to change his name to 'Sunny'. He's stubborn that way. "Sorry, pal, but your friends aren't here. You're a Pokemon now in a whole new world!"

Narciso Anasui | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean | Existing player/character

[dripdrive]

1) Frozen and Damned

[Anasui had hoped that the ominous cloud above the mountain was natural; hell, he had even told Flamebringer that was a natural phenomena. But no, it was some chilly ghost that seemed to be queen of the local area. Why was it always weather changers that were absolute bastards? When Anasui hears from the bay that Froslass is in town, he heads over to the outpost assuming there would be a fight. But what follows is a far worse.

Ordinarily, Anasui would walk away or decide not to be part of such drivel. However, there's something in the Froslass' eyes that seems to seep into Anasui. It makes his heart feel like it's been ripped out again and leaves a hollowness in him. It's... uncomfortable, to say the least. It's not enough to force Anasui into playing along but it is enough to prompt Anasui into talking into others (mostly so he can force them to perform for Froslass).

Out of the darkened shadows, whether you're willing to do your part or not, Anasui will appear next to you like a spirit himself. His glassy white eyes will stare at you for a while before he'll grunt at you.]

"Get moving already."

[It's bizarre how a 6'03" bird with bright orange feathers can be so stealthy.

Alternatively, at any given moment, you may find Anasui in a battle, blasting his opponent with a rather Disarming Voice. It would be almost cute if Anasui wasn't harassing Pokemon who aren't agreeing to pay their 'tribute'.]

"Just do the damn thing, you idiot!"

------------------------------------

2) F*** you, ANASUI PANTY SHOT BLAST

"This is stupid," [Anasui huffs loudly. Whether you're a patron at a table or a fellow Pokemon who's working shift, you likely will hear Anasui annoyedly grumbling or catch him looking at himself in the ornamental mirror. Anasui's not on shift yet, so they're taking the time to do their... makeup? Yes! Somehow the bird has managed to procure fake lashes and mascara(??? Where did that come from-) and is now applying it to their eyes using their psychic powers.

And that's probably the least noticeable part of Anasui's outfit. Anasui has somehow managed to get an outfit together and it doesn't actually look that bad. While the nature of having a bird-like body does mean he's flashing everyone at all times, Anasui's natural ruffles serve as a petticoat while ribbons are braided in his hair and hat. In the reflection of the mirror, Anasui catches your gaze and turns around.]

"Can you believe this? Honestly, do you know how hard it is to make makeup when you don't have hands? Or apply it? Come over here. Give me a hand."

[Alternatively, have a chat while Anasui is on shift. The Espathra will be in the maid outfit for the most part, serving Froslass in that way (or literally with food). He may glower at you but he'll hang around once he serves you your food; which is unusual for Anasui since usually he would just walk off. It's almost like he... feels the need to hang around others (not that he realises it).]

"Did you want something else, or what?" [Hey, aren't some people into maids being mean to them-]

------------------------------------

3a) Everybody loves Foo Fighting [CW: Stone Ocean Spoilers]

[At the last event requiring boats, Anasui was told by everyone in the Bay that he can absolutely not dismantle the boats (or at least it felt like he was told by everyone). However, Anasui needs no such reminding here. The occasion is somber enough, and Anasui will even help make the boats. A part of him doesn't like sending things out of the ocean but that part is quietly snuffed out in favour of doing his part.

As Anasui sends out a boat with a ghostly flame, he says a quiet prayer of solace. However, when he turns around, he jumps as he sees a slightly smaller spirit. Standing at 5'5" is the impression of a woman, though she doesn't seem quite human. She grins at Anasui cheekily though the Espathra scowls.]

"Seriously! Why the fuck does it have to be you? I didn't send that out for you, you damned plankton!"

[The 'plankton' scowls back and sticks her tongue out at Anasui. Anasui scowls even harder.] "Am I hallucinating? Does anyone else fucking see this?"

------------------------------------

3b) Jolyne, Jolyne, Jolyne, JOLYYYYYNNNEEE~ [CW: HEAVY Stone Ocean Spoilers]

[Of course, Anasui truly can't get any closure until he sees her.

Not that he's expecting it; Anasui assumed that after F.F., he wouldn't see any more spirits. But there she was. The ghostly impression of Jolyne Cujoh looking remarkably human and contrasting starkly against her avian companion. She seems just as surprised to be here as he does but she gives a smile.

Anasui stares.

And stares.

And stares.

Anasui.exe has stopped working.

Jolyne blinks after a pure 30 seconds of dead silence, utterly bewildered by the lack of response from Anasui of all people. She looks around and then she gestures you over. Hey, can someone help a ghost girl out? The guy needs a reboot.]

2! makeup time

[loopsiedaisy]

[Siffrin starts, looks doubtfully down at their paws, then back up at Anasui and his... wings and legs.]

[.........okay yeah they can see where even having paws would be more helpful than that.]

[Anasui does seem to be getting somewhere with his psychic powers, but if he thinks Siffrin can help, who are they to argue? They don't really have any experience with makeup (that they remember), but they can? Probably? Manage something??]

[They bound up, tip of their tail twitching.] What should I do?