006 ⟡ NOVEMBER TEST DRIVE

[bayhelpers]

⋆✩ test drive 06 ✩⋆

The day begins like any other.

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

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

In the darkness, you hear a voice.

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

i. arrivals

OUT OF THE FRYING TUBES…

The first thing you notice is the heat. It’s dry and sweltering, a pressuring thing that surrounds you in darkness. Opening your eyes reveals that it’s not just the temperature doing this however - no, all around you is a near total darkness, broken only by the soft glow of red gold that creeps in from distant cracks.

And perhaps, in some circumstances, yourself.

The tunnels here appear to be lava tubes, long faded from primary use by the caldera nearby. While the occasional pool of hot molten rock can be spotted throughout this impressive maze, it never seems difficult to avoid. In fact, the deeper you go, the more evidence you find that someone - or at least, something - even lived here!

Staying here is probably not going to feel comfortable however. Not unless you’re Fire or Ground type. Escaping the tunnels is only half the battle, too, as the exits lead to a desolate plain of ash and dust. The caldera of Furnace Mountain is hot indeed, and it seems that’s precisely where you wound up! But perhaps, another kind Pokemon will appear to help lead you to somewhere safer?

AND INTO THE FIRE

⟡ Furnace Mountain’s regions all return to the settlement of (Death Blood Murder) Skull Town easily, but it’s not impossible for Pokemon to get lost and wander from the tunnels to other locations:

The Caldera Crater is a maze of molten lava and narrow walkways, where one can eventually find a crooked Obsidian Spire - making contact with this will cause a chorus of shouts to echo through one’s mind.

The Plateau in the meantime is covered with numerous geysers, with safe paths marked by what appear to be skeletal remains. They lead to a valley filled with even more such skeletons, many of them partially melted.

⟡ Worry not dear Pokemon, for Lurantis, the Mayor of Skull Town, will be sending rescue crews to your location; in addition to current Players, various Ghost Pokemon will likely answer the call to guide others out.

⟡ For those who remain in Skull Town for a time, they will find the village primarily focused on either rescuing newcomers or preparing for winter: Characters may find themselves swiftly recruited to help dry foods, or gather wood.

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

ii. BRISK BREEZES

KNOCK ON SUDOWOODO

For the most part Pokemon are encouraged to return to Bottlecap Bay as quickly as possible - rather, to be brought there for the first time. The Guilds are all located there after all, and it will be far easier to settle Pokemon into their new homes if the Leaders are able to meet them in person. With the winter season right around the corner, everyone is trying to avoid travelling unnecessarily; they held that mayoral vote for a reason after all!

While much of the food stores have been prepared, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do either. In addition to putting together warm materials for beds, or cutting and preserving the last of the autumn harvest, a good number of Pokemon have started their own efforts to prepare the guilds, and gladly accept extra help from these newcomers! In Cheri Guild, everyone gathers to build stronger, more weather resistant rooftops for the otherwise open tree houses, with some even gathering large leaves to make curtain walls - the more that the wind can be kept out, the warmer they will be, and starting a fire in these buildings is ill advised.

In Oran in the meantime, an enterprising Tinkaton has started work on a bilge pump system - an incredibly relieved Mightyena is happily telling everyone who will listen that if they’re lucky, they won’t have to worry about flooding until the seasons warm up again.

Even the Lum Berry Guild has their hands on something, even if it isn’t anything quite as impressive; given the weather preparations they haven’t had time to put together any special escape rooms this time, but they’re at least willing to send out less busy members to give tours of the town.

Though of course, the quality of the tours vary, and it’s hardly as if the new Pokemon can offer to help tour themselves!

…Right?

YOU JYNXED IT!

⟡ Pokemon who assist in any of the three projects - including the tours, which they can indeed attempt for themselves, will find themselves granted an article of warm clothing. Stay warm everyone!

⟡ For current players, Player Quests as referenced can be found here, along with many other wonderful submissions!

⟡ As Guild Leaders will be taking their time to decide on who fits best in each group, housing is at the moment an open bag. Players are free to assume anyone from Oran, to Cheri, to even Lum opened their room to other Pokemon to be shared - they can even assume residence at Skull Town for the time being if they wish!

iii. FREEZE THE DAY

WINTER HAS COME

It happens without warning. A sudden chilled wind from the coast - a darkening of the skies that would normally entail thunder, and rainshowers. Rather than the anticipated storm however, weather experts at Lum are quick to sound the alarm: a blizzard is here!

With just moments to spare, all Pokemon residents - and even some visiting wild Pokemon, who are confused but grateful all the same - are herded into the nearest shelter. Houses, Guilds, even storefronts become temporary homes as the snow blasts through the streets, freezing anything in its path. While some Pokemon might find the conditions tolerable, the leaders of each region are enacting a No Exceptions policy to the rule, even making use of Pokemon abilities to locate anyone who might be in danger.

With the snow storm in full force, it’s on the various guilds to find methods to pass the time. The winter storm can’t last forever, but if it does they’ve fortunately prepared. At this point in the year, there was very little food that would need to be sourced from outside each building - each and every location has at least a small connection to the storage tunnels below, and the Oran berries even have access to sheltered portions of the ocean. Even the newly planted Winter Gardens are well protected, with one of Lurantis’ first orders of business being to put enough fencework up that they could roof things in if need be.

Entertainment will be the true struggle, and each Guild Leader has their own method at the problem - as does Lurantis, back in Skull Town. And fortunately for those with Grumpig Pearls, it’s possible to make your own fun as well!

Unless you actually enjoy the ice breakers, of course.

HOW ABOUT SOME ICE BREAKERS?

⟡ There are a variety of ways Pokemon will be catching others outside, including methods such as ‘Future Sight’. Players are free to get creative with how other Pokemon might find their characters (and vice versa, with Player permission).

⟡ Each Guild has their own unique set of ‘Ice Breakers’:

The Oran Guild involves various races, as well as seek-and-find games through their more sheltered tunnels, capitalizing on their ability to remain active. They also host a number of slumber parties to help keep everyone as warm as possible.

The Cheri Guild also hosts sleep overs, as well as various crafting circles within their huts - that way, they can do something useful! As the buildings are connected via bridges, Teleporting Pokemon within the guild have offered to graciously lend their power to get everyone between the necessary buildings.

The Lum Guild has access to the archives, so a similar Teleport use is offered on a case-by-case basis to get Pokemon into the Archives; try not to abuse this, everyone! Once in the Archives they’ll find plenty to read and study, and some Pokemon are even hosting ‘board game’ parties! Though they seem somewhat confused about how these board games work.

Last but not least, those in Skull Town will have found themselves herded into the primary housing facility to sleep together. Lurantis, despite her anxiety with crowds, has actually arranged a variety of simple ‘Get to Know Each Other’ activities such as word games in the hopes of keeping everyone entertained. She seems stressed, but she’s clearly trying to keep the peace.

⟡ It’s more than possible for members of one Guild to end up sheltering within another. Due to the distance between them however, someone stuck in Cheri won’t be able to simply teleport to the Lum Archives, and vice versa. Long Distance Teleporters are too focused on the clinic!

⟡ Grumpig Pearls will be working perfectly despite the blizzard, due to their use of Psychic energy rather than anything that relies on a signal - because of this, characters may feel free to get creative about how to use their Pearls to entertain themselves and others.

IT’S SNOW MUCH FUN!

When the winds and snows of the blizzard settle down, Bottlecap Bay and Skull Town wake to a beautifully sunny landscape covered in white. It’s just warm enough during the day that snows start to melt, and trees drip water and handfuls of snow onto everyone’s heads. (Sometimes entire heaps come sliding off at once - if you’re a smaller Pokemon, careful you don’t get buried!) The ground cover is far too deep to disappear completely, though, so the first order of business everywhere is digging walkways through the snow.

Once that’s done and everyone’s had a breath of fresh air, though, Pokemon find ways to take out all the pent up energy of being snowed in! It’s very easy to find a snowball fight, or join in on building a fort - or both! Or if all that’s a bit too frivolous for you… there’s rumors going around of a giant snowbeast that’s been glimpsed around the borders of Bottlecap Bay, ducking in and out of forest. Descriptions aren’t consistent, so it might just be gossip that’s been blown out of proportion, but maybe it’s worth investigating?

Over in Skull Town, Lurantis flits to and fro frantically, visibly stressed. The harvest was practically done, so very little has actually gone wrong. However, it’s very early in the year for such a bad snowstorm, and she has terrible feelings about what it might mean for this winter. Pokemon who don’t seem busy with something else might get pointed toward collecting more firewood, or better insulating Skull Town buildings, or other winter preparation tasks.

On one particular day, one of the mountains around Crowncork Valley experiences an avalanche - snow shears off near the top and tumbles down in a giant sheet, piling up at the bottom and invading the very edge of the valley. It’s an impressive sight - nearly all Pokemon in town pause and watch in awe before returning to their tasks. Good thing that wasn’t closer! Hopefully no one was out there…

EVERY DAY I’M SHOVELIN’

⟡ There are numerous ways to get rid of snow, with some Pokemon moves more effective than others. While Fire is strong against Ice, it results in a lot of snowmelt that gets everything wet - Pokemon will find that as long as they can push the snow elsewhere, it’s a lot more effective than trying to just vaporize it.

⟡ Pokemon who investigate particularly deep into these ‘Snowbeast’ tales will find themselves incredibly confused - at least until the end of the month, where one such ‘beast’ finally slips up. It appears a group of Solosis were inspired by scary tales of something their Uncle Reuniclus saw just at the end of October. A big, tall monster, with frozen clouds at its feet, and horns of ice…what could that be?

⟡ Those who help Lurantis won’t receive any points for their guild, but she’ll be incredibly grateful for the assistance given how new she is to her position! She’ll speak to any such volunteers individually, and while she admits she can’t give them anything now she tells each one to come visit once spring is here.

✩ OOC NOTES.

⟡ TDM CWS: Skeletal Remains, Hard Wintering conditions, Pokemon Typical Violence

⟡ 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.

⟡ Rough Timing on the prompts are as follows: the Blizzard will begin on November 20th, and lasts until the 23rd for a full three days. The avalanche in Crowncork occurs on November 27th. Thank goodness it didn’t happen to the town somehow right?

⟡ 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]

[edgewater]

Psst, just so you know, the player quests link is dead

NEWBIE DIRECTORY

[bayhelpers]

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

Keith | Voltron: Legendary Defender | Litten | New player & character

[tempredmental]

Thread!!

Agnes Montague - The Magnus Archives - Ninetales

[pyrodulia]

1. Dance of the Mountain King's Daughter [Rescuing Arrivals]
When word gets out that new arrivals are showing up in the volcano's heat, Agnes hardly says a word to anyone before heading out to go find them and lead them to Skull Town. A fluffy-furred Ninetales, the tips of her tail have an ashy tone, and an odd smell of incense and struck matches heralds her approach to a newcomer.

"This area isn't exactly safe. Follow me, there's an outpost we can reach through the tunnels."


2. Solveig Sings in the Hut [Cheri Berry Housing during Blizzard]
Those stuck in the Canopy during the worst of the Blizzard, particularly species vulnerable to the cold (Flying, Ground, Grass and Dragon types), may be directed to the hut where Agnes lives. A firefox makes a great space heater, and between her ambient warmth and the layers of fur her winter coat has, Agnes seems to have been voluntold to look out for those who are struggling.

If she minds, it's hard to tell. Quiet and broody like a hen rather than like the guy in the corner of a tavern in a D&D game, she is taking her responsibility quite seriously.

This may be an opportunity to get to know someone who's been around a couple of months, too.


3. Anitra's Dance [Wildcard]
Hit me up on plurk or discord at darkersolstice to plot other things. I am very open to other things. Flip me to brackets if you strongly prefer them, I can do either!

2.

[notyourbloodymessiah]

While not vulnerable to the cold in either sense, Eleanor too has found herself in Agnes' accomodation. It's a warmth she hasn't really felt anywhere -- Rapture was always much too drafty, even at the best of times or in the most leak-proof buildings. At the moment, she is full belly-flopped in the Ninetail's presence, simply enjoying it for what it is. She wishes she had perhaps ended up somewhere closer to home for this blizzard, but this is just as nice. And what is the point of freedom if not to do something different?

She murmurs a quiet "thank you" in Agnes' direction, rolling over.

Goro Akechi | Persona 5 Royal | Rookidee | Current Character

[truthdecided]

A. Into the Fire

[Akechi is well acquainted with Furnace Mountain, having ventured there twice in recent memory. He wanted to return, anyway, to further investigate the terrain and especially the skeletal remains. With his Safety Goggles to shield his eyes, Akechi soars overhead, seeking out new faces. It's right on time, after all, just like clockwork, and for Furnace Mountain of all places to serve as the destination this time...

It's equal parts intriguing and foreboding.

So beware. There is a volleyball sized bird nearby, eyes peeled for any new faces.

When he spots a new face, he swoops down.]

How long have you been here? Were there others?

[It's pivotal to get to the bottom of things.]

B. Knock on Sudowoodo

[Rescue and sleuthing aside, winter is coming, and Akechi's not one to stay idle for too long. He can be spotted gathering leaves, branches, and berries in the Canopy, both to aid in the construction of rooftops and for the sake of stocking up for the coming winter.

And, while he's not a Lum Berry, he will occasionally gaze down at new faces from rooftops and awnings, offering tours.]

I've been here for more than half a year. Suffice it to say, I know this place rather well.

C. Winter Has Come

[Akechi hates this.

First of all, he's got no choice now but to remain in his sweater, which looks quite ridiculous on such a round body. But, more than that, he's stuck in the Spire, unable to fully spread his wings.

Sure, he'll partake in races. And, certainly, he'll make conversation when approached, but from time to time, he can be spotted carrying spools of yarn to his and Ren's room. For what purpose?

...Perhaps it has something to do with the conspiracy wall he's creating. Yes, really. There are many points of note, such as...

Missing Pokémon Inconsistencies with etchings of a Phantump and Zweilous.

Cognitive Distortions, with an Orthworm and Persian among the examples, alongside larger bounties like Ursaluna and Dondozo.

Cycle of Destruction? This section covers Flowey's findings about the ruined archives, some scrawlings about the ruins and Oricorio, the skeletons in Furnace Mountain...

Why Us? This section includes some notes on the patterns between when new people arrive, the areas each wave of newcomers have appeared in, and many questions regarding those who disappeared.

Suffice it to say, he's a bit stir crazy. Perhaps a distraction is warranted...]

D. Snow Much Fun

[There's a problem with being a corvid. They rather like playing in the snow.

So, when he's not working on beating away snow on the paths with strong Air Slash and Drill Peck attacks, he can be seen... sliding down rooftops, when he thinks no one is looking, or rolling in the big, fluffy piles.

But that's not to say there isn't work to be done. Rumors of a Snowbeast have him eager to investigate, preferably with company on account of his ice weakness. He can be spotted around Death Blood Murder Skull town, questioning passersby for further information.

When the Solosis finally explain what they saw, he can later be found ruminating on the matter.]

Horns of ice, clouds at its feet... whatever could it be?

D

[edgewater]

[ parvarti's trying her best to play in the snow. she's bundled up all cosy and has taken to attempting to build a snowman. which is pretty sound, considering her complete and utter lack of experience with such. she wishes she was a kid again just so she could enjoy it more. she's startled a little when she glances the snow being roughed up close by to her, bounding over. ] Oh, hi Akechi! Watcha doing?

Flowey | Undertale | Current Character, OTA

[friendlyflower]

1. Can't Beat The Heat!

[As a Sunkern, Flowey is NOT suited to go traipsing into the caldera... especially after only just recovering from the Icefall Lake disaster and the subsequent fallout!

Instead, other rescue teams (whether current players or resident Ghost-type NPCs) hand newcomers off to Flowey at the very base of the volcano. There, Flowey leads them the rest of the way back to Skull Town while the rescue teams get back to work!]

Howdy! I'm Flowey! Flowey the Sunkern! Don't worry, you're in good hands... in a manner of speaking! Hee hee.

[His cheer is a little forced, but he seems harmless. The Sunkern hops along the ground. Soon, a rather ordinary little outpost- despite the edgy name- comes into view.]

This is Death Blood Murder Skull Town! You caught us in the middle of Winter preparation. Hmm... maybe you want to help to get your mind of all the confusion? Looking to warm up from the chill, or still need to cool off after all that volcano business? Just tell your new pal what you need!

2. Your Best Roommate

[As much as Flowey loves making a good first impression on impressionable new idiots friends, he can only help out newcomers for so long. He has to keep an eye on the Canopy Winter preparation project, after all (even if that means bossing around and/or pranking people). Whether it's hitching a ride with others or abusing teleport systems, he finds his way back soon enough.

And for one reason or another, you've found yourself rooming with Flowey back in the Canopy. His newly-installed roof is pretty sturdy, and he's amassed a collection of shed wools and furs to form not just one, but two bedding piles. Said piles also include thick leaves and at least a little dirt, but he is still a plant.]

Pretty cozy, huh? Those suckers in the Lum Berries wish they had this kind of view. [Sure enough, despite the fact that this is a glorified treehouse with barely any furniture to speak of, there is a nice view of the Bay.

Feel free to hang out with your best friend and temporary roommate, Flowey. Or, maybe you want to help him with further Winter-proofing the canopy? He has a collection of winter caps that seem to be growing, but you might want some warm clothing for yourself! (If he catches you staring at his hat, he'll assume you're jealous and laugh.)]

3. Not This Kid Again

[Bundled up, Flowey has decided to make himself useful and help clear the snow--

Just kidding. He's sitting on tree branches and waiting for Pokemon to pass underneath. Then, he jumps on the branch and shakes loose a bunch of snow that falls on their heads. He laughs hysterically each time.

... At least he's having fun...???]

4. Uwa! So Wildcard!

[Feel free to throw something else at me or hit me up on plurk at friendlyflower.]

2!

[gimmeeyeballs]

Well yeah, Lum sounds like a fucking snore fest! [Catrina goes to enjoying the view from the canopy, munching on a pinecone like its an apple.] You know of anything fun to do?

[Sorry Flowey, you get a terrible Litwick for a roommate. Upside, Cat has flame for hair! That's a plus..maybe? Okay maybe not given everything is flammable.]

Noelle Holiday | Deltarune | Current Character, OTA

[holidaygirl1225]

1. Fire and Ice

[As a Deerling- and someone still in recovery- Noelle was strongly discouraged from going to rescue newcomers in the caldera.

Still, there are rumors. Some people claim to have spotted a deer-like Pokemon lurking from the sidelines. When newcomers find themselves injured and unable to go on, a Heal Pulse move comes seemingly out of nowhere to rejuvenate them.

In other cases, igneous rock miraculously gives way to grass and flowers. The smoke clears, just a bit. The subtle undercurrent of healing might help give the boost you need to find your way out.

Maybe even once or twice, if a wild Ground-type is harassing a newcomer too much, an Ice-type Hidden Power move suddenly strikes them from behind and knocks them unconscious. For a non-STAB move, it sure is powerful for some reason...]

2. Tour de Force

[Noelle doesn't know the first thing about construction, and crafting is difficult with no hands or opposable thumbs.

Instead, fond of the cold, she finds herself giving tours. While she's still on the new side, she's studious and memorizes scripts quickly. She's pleasant and only stutters a little bit from time to time.

There are some people though where, if she makes eye contact with them, she quickly looks away and speeds up her pace. How odd...]

3. Snow Day

[Noelle happily participates in the Oran Berries' reindeer games-- she loves to run, after all, though she's better at endurance than speed.

It's when the slumber parties begin that she truly starts to shine though.]

How about some Christmas carols? I can teach you if you don't know any! Oh, or decorations! We need to deck the halls now more than ever! Or... or maybe even we could make some cookies?! [She's getting more giddy by the moment.]

4. Walking in a Winter Wonderland

[When it's safe to go out in the snow, Noelle prances out with a joy she hasn't shown in weeks.

She immediately starts by making a snowman. It's rather difficult to get a good snowball going with her hooves, but once she has one- either through sheer effort or someone finally helping her- she pushes it with her head until it's large enough to serve as a base.] Off to a good start, fahaha! Um, do you want to help, or maybe make your own...?

5. Wildcard

[Feel free to throw something else at me or hit me up on plurk at friendlyflower.]

3

[fromsprouts]

Paper snowflakes and stuff like that?

[He is so very much up for decorations. Though he might be wondering a little how she's going to do most of the typical crafts with hooves...]

Parvati Holcomb | The Outer Worlds | Tinkaton | Current Character

[edgewater]

1] Another Day Older and Deeper In Debt

[ that enterprising tinkaton would be her! parvati's been helming the project pretty much since she showed up, and is more than happy to aid newcomers with this specific busywork to help them get used to their new bodies. there's still plenty of room for anyone already in the guilds to lend a hand, too! please come help her out, she needs all hands on deck to get this bilge pump done in good time. ]

2] Yearning and Earning

[ parvati's found herself holed up in the archives for the duration of the snowstorm, in no small part thanks to her rather unorthodox choice of a roommate in courier six. she's been plenty social, though -- mostly by getting into arguments about whether or not lingo specific to her star systen should count in scrabble, or by getting extremely competitive at monopoly. scarily competitive. good luck.

when she's not playing board games, she can be found cosied up somewhere in the archives with a hot chocolate and something to read. ]

3] The Undiscovered Axiom

[ now here's one fun thing about parvati: she's never seen snow before, ever. didn't even know what it was until she came to the bay. umemiya's been hyping her up to what a snow day entails, but generally speaking, she has very little idea what to expect -- but she's heeding umemiya's other advice to take a fucking break. feel free to toss a snowball at her or invite her to build a snowman -- or some other snow day activities! she doesn't know anything! she can otherwise be found resisting the urge to help shovel the snow, mostly because she knows she will likely drown if she tries. but she wants to. ]

4] The Unplanned Variable

not jiving with any of these, but still want to throw yourself at this dorky engineer? shoot me a message over at lesbiankrile! or just send a wildcard

3

[dunchies]

Parvati!

[ Here comes a dog bounding straight for her. It's been an interesting few days all cooped up, and he is more than relieved to finally be running around again. He slows on approach, resisting the urge to shake all that snow off himself now. ]

Are you looking for something?

[ Because that look of confusion on her face must mean something. ]

Eleanor Lamb | Bioshock 2 | Brionne | current player, new character

[notyourbloodymessiah]

ARRIVAL (bioshock 2 ending spoilers)

[ the last thing eleanor remembers is the sea. the lighthouse. her little sisters huddled close against the atlantic cold, while her father's still-warm body sunk back to the depths of rapture. the city could be behind her now, for better or worse while the adam still flowed through her veins. for the first time in a very long time, she felt hope. hope for whatever life she would find for herself on the surface, away from that damnable city and all of the people who tried to force her into something she was not. and while those memories still flowed through her, now newly jumbled with her own father's, she knew now what to do. she could forge her own path with the wisdom of everyone who had paved the way for her.

she was not the people's daughter. she was subject delta's. ]

1] Somewhere Beyond The Sea

[ now, eleanor has quite literally boiled water using her own body before. but generally speaking, rapture erred on the colder side -- what, with all of the leaks of sub-zero atlantic ocean bursting through the tin city that threatened to collapse under its own weight at any time. the little sisters have experienced similar, too, albeit dulled -- a trait she shares, likely explaining her tolerance for the unbearable temperatures she finds herself in. tolerance can only extend so far, though.

she's found herself in a foreign body; a fact that wouldn't shock her were it one of her little sisters. well, all right, it would shock her a fair bit regardless -- she just got away from rapture with them all, it would be a cruel joke to find that her daring escape had been yet another fleeting dream to comfort her through her isolation. she's small, blue, and frilly in a way that reminds her of how the little sisters often saw her through their eyes: a princess. she takes a moment to orient herself after the initial shock of her new, animalistic form. she begins to wander, shuffling awkwardly along the floor. ]

Hello? Is anyone out there?

2] I Cover The Waterfront (cw mentions of corpses, allusions to bloody violence, kidnapping, and all of bioshock's other fun stuff)

[ upon arrival into the bay, eleanor's found herself swept up in the busyness of it all. cities are of course not foreign to her, but she only ever saw rapture in its decline through the eyes of her time as a little sister in subject delta's care. she hasn't quite gotten used to the idea of not having to step over corpses every few steps, never knowing when a big daddy would come along with a young girl in tow to treat the sleeping angel. a city that is not only alive, but thriving, really makes the idea of the magical otherworld set in.

bottlecap bay feels almost idyllic, by her standards. granted, her standards are approximately 600-6000 feet below the atlantic ocean and covered in a thick layer of splicer blood, so what does she know? she's particularly entranced by the view of the ocean; so this is what the little sisters experienced in their day to day before the rapture family snatched them up to continue harvesting adam after jack's exodus of the city. in a way, though they are worlds apart, she feels closer to them. she pipes up towards her tour guide: ] Are we allowed on the beaches?

3] Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (cw for mentions of kidnapping/human trafficking. i love bioshock.)

[ for the duration of the blizzard, eleanor has found herself holed up in the cheri berries. she felt more naturally drawn to them than the other two guilds, but not for any ideaological reasons -- it was the canopy itself. she'd never known that trees could be so bountiful, her only previous exposures being the parks she had clambered through in bare feet to recover more adam, or the one stanley poole had so graciously sold her to fontaine's orphanage over when she got in the way of his mad revelry. dionysus park in particular, though, wasn't much of a park as the surfacers seemed to acknowledge them. she's been getting herself involved as best she can, although her general social ineptness is probably most obvious here. ]

4] Ten Cents A Dance

[ eleanor had heard of snow from the people around her -- adults from the surface getting cabin fever, and the rapture family little sisters alike. but rapture itself never did get snow, being deep beneath the ocean and all. so she's been letting herself be a little girl again, gleefully chucking snowballs with her tail like a catapult, more used to the mobility of her newfound form now. delighted giggles can be heard from any unfortunate victims of this girl's eager declarations of battle, although one should be mindful not to underestimate her. ]

5] Sea Of Dreams

not jiving with these prompts, but still wanting to throw yourself at eleanor? feel free to contact me at lesbiankrile or to just send a wildcard!

3

[friendlyflower]

[Flowey is NOT equipped to handle this. Especially not after such a horrible month! Still, Bigby's words echo in his mind. "Life's easier with friends."

...] Hey, cheer up! I can make you some tea. [He would actually have to find his way down to the main hall to get the hot water, but it would at least give him a moment's break.

Right now, the two are in Flowey's housing. Flowey doesn't have much in the way of crafting to work on, but he's something of a hoarder when it comes to flowers, leaves, anything he might find useful. Naturally, that means he has a few tea leaves as well, and he picked up something about how to make a good cup of tea from Asgore during his time in the Underground.]

It's not so bad here. [He blindly assumes she's upset because she got sent to the world of Pokemon.] Right?

Dolly Mancer | OC | Sylveon/Current Player, OTA

[autumnrainrunaway]

(OOC: While I do write in primarily prose, I can definitely type to match brackets if needed!)

1. Deja Vu! Its a Campus Tour!

To make up for not going to the partially melted skeleton trail lands of Furnace Mountain, Dolly is off to help give a tour around the Lum Berry low tier housing as well as offering a place to stay in her room before heading towards the Archives.

It felt very much like Cheddarburg to a degree back when Dolly would volunteer to give campus tours to college freshmen. It brought back some rather fond memories to the Eevee-sized Sylveon as she goes to looks over the newcomer she's helping out.

"Hey there, welcome to the Lum Berry Guild! Would you like to start the tour at the low tier housing or Archives first?"

2. Boardgames, Sewing, and Little Shop of Horrors, OH MY~!

a. Dolly goes to checking out the boardgames parties being offered in the Archive on the first day after the blizzard attacks arrives. PokeClue is out for anyone interested in playing! Downside, Miss Scarlet has been banished to the cupboard after sparking a nerd fight last time. You may find Dolly there helping out with the rules and how the game works to others new to it...no don't eat Professor Plum! He's made of unknown materials!

b. Needing a cool down after the first day of the blizzard in the Archives, Dolly is back at the Lum Berry low tier housing on the second day to work on a sewing project: Mini plush sugar mice as gifts to hand out next month. Dolly's room is opened to others to come in to hang out or sew along with her...she would appreciate the help with the scissors...the ribbon feelers can only do so much.

c. Later on the second night, Dolly re-attempts with the grumpearl trying to give it another chance to not be a nightmare fuel creature in her room. Maybe..just maybe if Dolly uses her memories right, she could remember the whole musical film of 'Little Shop of Horrors' to broadcast over on the pearl. It's not perfect per se as Seymour is replaced with a Marill for some weird reason, but it's the thought that counts!

3. Ghost Stories in the Archives

On the third night after returning to the Archives, Dolly decides what a wonderfully good idea it would be to share ghost stories! Winter time is for ghost stories, it was a tradition back in the ye olde days of yore.

Though, the big question is as Dolly looks to whoever is joining in on the activity. "So, who wants to go first or would you like me to begin the ghost stories?"

4. Wanna Build a Snowman~?(Wildcard!) (Please feel free to slide something else in, do a combination of the mentioned prompts, or PM on my character journal/ PP me on Dolly_Mancer to CR something else to thread :'> )

3

[edgewater]

"Ghost stories ain't exactly a thing where I'm from, Miss, er... Dolly, was it?" It's begun to occur to her that she's not really spoken with many of the Lum Berries. She's sat with her hands in her lap, drumming on her knees absentmindedly. "Unless you're a renegade pirate or somethin'. Ghost vessels seem to be a bit a dozen for those folk."

Would that even be interesting to anyone not from space? Ugh, way to go Parvati.

Catrina Calavera | OC | Litwick, OTA

[gimmeeyeballs]

1. I FELL INTO A BURNING RING OF FIRE!~

Somehow...SOMEHOW...this miserable little Litwick monster survived out in the wilderness after Dearest Froslass left, eating pinecones most certainly. The wilderness clearly wasn't all too bad for the candle based life form known as Catrina! Upside, looks like nature is about to attempt to fix its mistake with Furnace Mountain after Catrina finds herself there.

If one were to run into the partially melting Catrina, they'll find her trying to raid one of the partially melted skeletons before her....yeah good luck with whoever finds Catrina and convincing her to leave the bones alone.

"ITS MINE! I'LL NAME YOU GOOPY JOE AND WE'LL BE THE BEST OF FRIENDS FOREVER!"

2. So We're Going to the Party Guild, Right? RIGHT?

Nature's attempt to rid itself of Catrina has been foiled, sulking there in the clinic after getting her merry little butt rescued from Furnace Mountain. There's a bit of a sneer over having to get a check up, she was only a little partially melted! Nothing wrong to be had there! Clearly a model of good health this one is after a diet of unknown materials out in the wild.

Moments later, Catrina can be found attempting to break free from the Clinic. There was one thing in mind and damn it, she was going to go for it after hearing about this party cave back at Skull Town.

Whoever is unlucky enough, a small awful Litwick is scurrying up with a bit of a feral energy in her eyes. "So, you part of that Party Guild I heard about?"


3. Whose Lost Snarky Gremlin does this Belong to?

The fates seem to have a morbid sense of humor when the blizzard arrived and Catrina..oh hell's bells, Catrina ended up sheltering at the Cheri Berries' canopy for the duration of it. If anyone has the misfortune, they'll see the little Litwick scrambling around to see which hut to invite herself into. Who knows, maybe someone will invite Catrina (hahahahahaha right) inside to do a craft?

...She's back to eating a pinecone again...where did Catrina managed to find one?

4. WILDCARD!! (Please feel free to slide something else in, do a combination of the mentioned prompts if you're in the mood for CHAOS, or PM on my character journal/ PP me on Dolly_Mancer to CR something else :'> )

Keith | Voltron: Legendary Defender | Litten | New player & character

[tempredmental]

[Will match format if you prefer brackets to prose]

Tubular

The awakening was startling enough, especially after what he went through that caused him to pass out in the first place, in addition to what followed in between. But being inside a volcano, and then not feeling affected by the heat, was pretty disorienting. Walking on all fours was disorienting, too.

He was wandering about, not really lost, but also no knowing where he was at the same time. Ears back against his skull, tail lowered, the Little made his way through the tunnels and tubes looking for any clue as to where he was and what the heck had happened.

"Uh... hello?" He thought he saw someone up ahead. "Someone there?"

=====

Winter Is Here

The snow was cold, definitely, but Keith found it actually didn't bother him as much as he thought it might. Someone said that Fire types were resistant to Ice and cold. He just had to watch out for water if things melted fast. So, he had to be careful how much heat he gave off. He could handle that, right?

So, he decided that he could use that benefit of his typing to help anyone else stuck in the snow get to shelter.

"Hey! You need help?" he called out. He could help keep someone warm or something else like that. It was easier to help someone else and focus on that than trying to figure out what was going on right now. He'd get there, but he was kind of just focusing on getting himself settled.

Winter Is Here

[friendlyflower]

"Huh? What are you doing out here, Firehea--"

Wait, this Litten seems different. Even though they're the same species and both introduced themselves to him by asking to help, Flowey can tell this is a different Pokemon.

The Sunkern shakes his head. "Whoops! Excuse me. I mistook you for someone else. Are you new?"

Aegiomon | Digimon Story: Time Stranger | Shiny Skiddo | Current Player, New Character

[timeexistseverywhere]

A. Out of the Frying Tubes

[The heat is what gets to him first. After that...searing pain, the warm temperature actually starts off as kind of pleasant. Like a warm blanket soothing an ache. But then it gets hotter. And hotter. And hotter. Comfort quickly becomes unpleasantness, and consciousness is soon to follow. The warm glow that starts to grace his vision reminds him a lot of the Factorial Area, but then...why would he be there? The ground below him doesn't feel like metal, either...

Aegiomon shoots up with a gasp, then proceeds to look around frantically. Yeah, this isn't the Factorial Area, in fact, this isn't a place he recognizes at all. He gets up on all four legs and spins around.]

Inori...? Inori?!

[The name comes out his mouth almost by reflex at this point, and Aegiomon's stomach drops when he begins to wonder if she'd even be in a place like this to begin with. It's...definitely not the human world, but...somehow...it doesn't feel like the Digital World, either? Weird.

......wait, four legs?

Aegiomon looks down to see unfamiliar hooves. The hooves don't really bother him that much, but they aren't...his.]

Wait... When did I...?

[Normally when he evolves or...he supposes de-evolves in this case (???), he sorta just knows what he is. He knows his name, his power, but this... He can't put a name to these hooves, his neck his surrounded by bright green leaves but he can't think of any attack names, and he still...feels like Aegiomon? That isn't right, something is very wrong.]

H-Hello...?

[He finally just starts calling out in hopes maybe there's someone who can help him. ...And hopefully not attack him. Although he'll fight if he has to, Aegiomon isn't sure just how well he can fight in a body like this. So if you happen to be in the area, you might be able to see a very pale-furred Skiddo wandering the area. His horns and nose are bright yellow, and his head appears extra fluffy. He's got newbie written all over him.]

B. Knock on Sudowoodo (minor Time Stranger spoilers)

[Due to his age, it's probably no surprise Aegiomon was ushered to Bottlecap Bay as soon as possible. It's...a lot. To find out there's another world, to be transformed in a weird way, and then moved around so quickly makes his head spin, but then again...he didn't exactly stay put in the Digital World that much either. The difference this time is that people aren't expecting so much out of him. Sure, there's the occasional ask for help, but it's usually things like someone wanting his shed fur (He can't blame him, this fur has been keeping him extra toasty in the cold weather) or maybe reaching for something with the vines he's discovered he has now. It's....nice? He doesn't hate it?

...he does hate being alone, though.

If you happen to be out, he may approach you cautiously. So far, Pokémon don't seem that different from Digimon, but you never know. He's just not very good when it comes to handling rejection.]

H-Hey, excuse me? Could you help me? I...I don't know where to go from here...

[A part of him wants to ask about Inori, too, but...is even wanting to see her here selfish? Is he a selfish person?]

C. Winter has Come

[Somehow, Aegiomon has found himself in The Spire, and although it may have not been his first pick, the Oran Berries quickly reveal themselves to be the superior guild to stay at.]

Really...? We can all just...play, and that's okay?

[These are all adults, for the most part anyway, and they really just want to play? That's...amazing. It's like if someone like Mercurymon told everyone in Central Town to start playing a game of tag. Or Junomon. Or...well, Baccusmon might. Either way, the mental images delight him.

So of course, there's no question that he takes part in the games, running down tunnels and peeking into rooms. If you happen to be in one of said rooms, his little leaf tail will wag excitedly as he smiles.]

Hey, I found you!

[You are playing, right?]

D. It's Snow Much Fun!

[Did you know, despite being a grass-type, Skiddo and Gogoat can handle winter conditions just fine? If Z-A is to be believed, anyway. With the blizzard over, Aegiomon wastes no time to play in the snow, never having really a chance to do so before. His hooves bound in it quite easily, his movements fluid. His beige fur is so light, it almost blends in. Almost. The neon green leaves make him stick out like a sore thumb. It's a lot of fun until he thinks about how much more fun it'd be if Inori was here, and he soon frowns mid-prance and stops, looking around.]

Um...hey! [His little hoof kicks at the snow awkwardly.] Are you alone, too?

[Making friends by himself is so hard, please be a nice Pokémon.]

E. Wildcard

[Have something else in mind? Let's do it. We can also plot over at Gesomon! Also, if you're someone who wants me to be extra careful with spoilers, hit me up here.]

B

[wovensecrets]

[ Oh it's this time again, the time of "strangers" being drawn in to the "new world". It's been difficult to be as busy as she would have liked to be, in part to the shifting emotions around the bay for varied reasons.

... Honestly an obviously lost looking Pokémon would be an ideal candidate for a distraction if they didn't seem to be too complicated emotionally... so don't mind the Hatenna that speaks up from on top of a nearby crate. Hi. ]

That depends on where you're trying to go. No guild yet, I take it...?

III | Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal | New player, OTA

[swordarc]

i. Out of the Frying Tubes

[III was already not having a great day, between his massive breakdown and then (extremely painfully) going into a coma, so subsequently waking up in a volcano, in a strange little body, alone?

...Yeah, he's not handling it well.]

IV? V? [A pause, then when no one answers III lets out a frantic little whine and seems to be focusing very hard on doing...something. Of course it's not working because his crest based powers are gone and he has yet to learn Teleport, but uh.

Maybe someone should find this tiny little Ralts before he gives himself an aneurysm trying to warp home?]

ii. Knock on Sudowoodo

[His family isn't here. No one III knows is here. He's completely alone, in a strange body that isn't his, with no way to return home for now. For someone who cares so much about his family and desperately wants friends, this is rather devastating.

That said, III is also good at the 'this is fine' act, so he's doing his best to distract himself from the situation by helping the Cheri Guild weatherproof their buildings as best he can. Key word being 'as best he can', as he hasn't figured out his Psychic powers yet and is just manually carrying the leaves for the curtains around. He fumbles his grip on the leaves, sending them scattering as he scrambles to gather them up again.]

Ah! Get back here! [He might need some help with this...]

iii. Winter has Come

[III finds himself with the Lum Guild when the storm comes, which turns out to be a dream come true for him when he finds out they have archives to explore!

(Little history nerd.)

Unfortunately, he's still new enough that he's struggling to convince one of the teleporting Pokémon within the guild to let him into the archives.]

Really? Not even a little look? I promise I won't damage anything! [This is the most excited III's been about anything since he arrived here! Do you try to distract him? Or help him get in?]

ii.

[friendlyflower]

Need a hand? [Too bad. He doesn't have any. Still, the Sunkern does his best to catch the leaves that threaten to blow away in the chilly wind by hopping on top of them.]

It sure is nice of you to help out! I may have started this project, but I never would've been able to do it without folks like you! [A little humblebrag to introduce himself. He only really posted the player quest and bossed everyone around. There's not much he can do to help build, after all. But still!] I'm Flowey! Nice to meet you, new pal!

Umemiya Hajime - Wind Breaker - Lucario

[fromsprouts]

1. You're Halfway Up and You're Halfway Down [New Arrivals; Skull Town]
Umemiya knows better than to try and brave Furnace Mountain on a whim. He's weak to Ground and Fire, and what is a volcano but the combination of those two things under pressure? But he's still looking to assist fresh arrivals. So as rescue parties arrive, he's one of those sweeping new characters off to get a meal and help debrief them. A pretty standard-looking Lucario, he has a scar above one eye and a scrap of green cloth tied around his aura-sensing tendrils, keeping them out of his face.

"Hey, glad you made it to the outpost. We've got vegetable soup and fresh-baked bread, if you're hungry." His voice is kind, if perhaps a little young.


2. Out of the Night and Out of the Dark [Snowed in with the Orans]
a.)
Those who get caught at the Spire are, of course, welcome to share Umemiya's low-tier housing, but he seems to have a radar for those who are feeling particularly restless with the slumber parties and games. (He absolutely does have a radar, it's called Aura Sense.)

"Hey, if you want, we can claim one of the training rooms. I know you're still getting used to your body, but one of the best ways to do that is to use it."

He got the same lessons shortly after he arrived--this is just him paying it forward.

b.)
There's a message one evening during the height of the blizzards over the Grumpearl network, audio only:

"Just checking in on everyone. And if there's anyone out at Skull Town who's seen how the winter garden is doing...I was hoping we wouldn't get a frost this early. The broccoli's probably going to be fine, but I'm worried about the kale and cabbages. We might need to harvest what we can and preserve it, when the storm breaks."


3. The Edge of this Hill is the Edge of the World [Skull Town Tasks]
Once free to visit the outpost, Umemiya does go to look in on his cabbages, finding most of them fine to leave in the ground for a bit. So instead, he turns his attention to the snow. Ice being weak to Fighting and Steel, he's happy to use his moves like Rock Smash and Aura Sphere to carve paths to make traversing the area more easy.

But his big innovation comes when someone attempts to melt a lot of snow at once, leading to what is first a small pond and then a frozen pond. He knows exactly what he's looking at, now.

"Hey, I think this is thick enough to ice skate on. Or something like it...c'mon, let's test it out!"

Don't tell anyone in the Skull Town kitchens why two of their good knives went missing. They might be strapped to Umemiya's feet now.


4. Let the Dance Begin [Wildcard]
Hit me up on plurk or discord at darkersolstice to plot other things. I am very open to other things. Flip me to brackets if you strongly prefer them, I can do either!

3

[edgewater]

Parvati's really not sure how she got roped into this please Ume she was here to check on the plants, but she's here now. With some equally awkwardly fashioned ice skates made out of some Corviknight scraps she had on-hand.

"So, uh. How does this work?" She's tilting her head to the side.

Firoza Istus | Final Fantasy XIV (OC) | Current Player, OTA

[bladeofnymeia]

A - Winter is Coming

[The nip of frost in the air is an old friend to Firoza. She relishes its return, welcomes it, her every breath an easy little puff as she works with her fellows in the Cheri Berry Guild to weatherproof the residences. She's gotten a better feel for the flora in the area, and seems to be of the idea that large, thick leaves strung together might make good insulation. Layer those, get something like a skeleton assembled with branches...you might have the start of an actual roof going on.

But if they expect heavy snowfall, they're going to need something sturdier. Something she can't make on her own...

Anyone, new arrival or old friend, can find her insulating the guild's residences with leaves and remnants of brushed out fur or fleece, whatever she hasn't taken to process into a fabric yet, stuffing it in the cracks, trying to make this a place that can hold warmth. Even if they all need to cuddle.

Well. Even if everyone else needs to cuddle. She'll just...be off to the side, so her barbs don't poke anyone. It's fine, she's used to the cold. Seriously.]

B - Snow Day

[Hey, come on, she can go out, this doesn't bother - hey - oh - ugh, fine, if you insist Firoza stay inside she shall! But if you need assistance, don't hesitate to call on her.

That being said, finding ways to spend time when you can't go out is a skill she's honed throughout her childhood. Crafts are easily helped with, if you need some help - if you want to knit, perhaps, then she's the best person to ask how to do it - but most of the time if she's not needed Firoza is doing some embroidery. A hoop fashioned out of bent bark and determination holds a nice sized square of red fabric; she's giving it a simple border and stitching on some letters that only she can read. There's a couple more squares of colored fabric she has on hand, as if she wants to work on decorating some more...but for now, this one is her priority.

Wonder if she has another hoop someone else can use...]

C - All Work and No Play...

[...Well, no, Firoza works. When it's deemed safe to emerge into the town, she's breathless with awe at the beauty that Bottlecap Bay has been graced with. All these years, all her travels, and a snowfall is always a thing of magic. Never gets old.

And so she works, brute forcing and digging her way through the snow to begin some paths. She's small after all, and giving a quick, clear cut through the white stuff lets bigger Pokemon know where to go to really throw their weight around. And when she needs a moment to rest, she clamors up out and onto the snowpack and sits, unbothered by the cold, taking in that crisp, sharp air...]

We should make snow creatures.

[She says it aloud more for herself, but anyone nearby is absolutely her target audience, too, as she rambles a bit.]

I'm sure Pokemon can make some impressive sculptures, but nothing need be so fancy. A general shape is fine...or maybe igloos? Little igloos would be nice. When it gets colder, you can have a fire on the inside and they shouldn't melt, I've seen them in Coerthas...

[She really is in her element, looking forward to playing in all this snow. You live for thirty winters, but you're always still a child at heart.]

B

[andloveyoushallfind]

[ now, there isn't actually much allie can do to help out firoza here. wooloos don't exactly have dexterous fingers to speak of, so she has instead tucked her legs into her wool to watch her do the embroidery. ] I'm a little disappointed. This would have been the perfect time for me to practice.

[ but it's okay. she will watch and learn instead, and maybe find something else to do with herself in the meantime. ]

Are you a seasoned embroiderer?

courier six | fallout | dragonite

[shotinhead]

[ snowed in ]

[ One thing that Courier Six had never truly experienced before was snow. He had felt the freezing cold of the deserts, of course, and the pains that it could bring. Sheltering in the Archives was not his idea of fun... yet, he seemed to be more then comfortable just spending his time resting.

Huh. He's sleeping a lot of this away, huh. Perhaps it's because he's basically a huge lizard. But if somebody approaches and is a little too close, he's gonna. Claw at them, a little. (Is it a threat? Is it an offer to come closer?) Who knew the cold would be what put Courier Six into a torpor. ]

[ card games ]

[ During one of those times where he's more lucid, though, Courier Six is looking around, at all the goods they have. And then, he gives a grunt. ]

...hey. You think they've got playin' cards here? Or somethin' we could use like that?

[ He is willing to gamble. Or teach people games. ]

[ not so snowed in ]

[ The first thing that Courier Six does, when they can go outside, is flop into the snow. He did not expect it to be this texture. Flapping backwards, for once, the guy-- Dragonite-- looks utterly out of it, a bit of fear in his eyes.

For a moment.

Later on, you might find him flying around, helping carry smaller Pokemon around, as others work on clearing the snow. He looks calm and collected, but is still slightly shivering. But it's not like the cold can stop him from doing his job - usually delivering mail or small packages. Currently, it seems he's delivering a lot of food, making sure it's delivered to Pokemon who can't fend for themselves. ]

card games

[positivestars]

I'd think so! Or some sort of equivalent, certainly.

What sort of games are you thinking of?

Akira Takahashi | Yohaji | Slowking | Current Character

[hundredeyesoni]

[1] - Brisk Breezes

[With newcomers urged to gather in the bay, the overwhelming curiosity to stay where he can observe them finally leads Akira to settle down and focus on the main clinic. It doesn't make him unreachable, but rather quite the opposite! No longer wasting days on travel to the outpost and back, the Slowking's left with all sorts of free time, and more than happy to spend it offering tours.]

(1a)
[Of course, he does have his own interests in mind along the way. While knowledgeable enough on most landmarks within the town, a bit too much time and enthusiasm may be allotted to the clinic.]

Since you're new here, and still adjusting to your body, I don't mind giving you an initial checkup. There won't be any wait at all!

(1b)
[For those willing to stay through it all, particularly those like himself who don't seem to know anyone from their own world, the tour only finally ends upon reaching the Lum housing, where he heads towards one of the low tier apartments.]

The guild leaders will sort everyone out in a few weeks' time, but if you don't feel like roughing it in a tree fort or cave, my door's always open! I'm not usually home, so it's really no trouble!


[2] - Wildcard

[Want something else? With ice resistance and no sense of danger, Akira's easy to run into pretty much anywhere, and will be spending the blizzard in either the clinic or his apartment-- wherever there's someone to look after!

Feel free to tag in with any scenario you'd like, or reach out on my plotting post, discord (goldbyakko), or numeiru for a custom starter!]

Emporio Alniño | JJBA: Stone Ocean | Cubone | Current Character

[seacub]

[KNOCKIN' ON SUDOWOODO('S DOOR)]

[Emporio, quiet overachiever that he is, is among those who are doing their absolute best to help around the Bay. He's already done his part to assist Parvati with her pump system, even if there was a moment of tension with Anasui for a hot minute- and, he's definitely done his best to try and help with Flowey's project for the Cheri Guild. Though, he's unsure as to the exact reason the Sunkern started it up.

But being in Lum, there's another task he gets to take part in now! So, standing near the Quest Board so handily located by the Clinic and Archives, the little cubone- helmet on his back, and a nice warm poncho on with matching booties- Emporio is here to offer tours!]

Hi! [He's trying to be positive.] So, uh...What kind of place would you like to start with? There's plenty to see here!

[Well not really, but to Emporio it's plenty!]

[WINTERLUDE]

Forever Winter - Cheri

[Anasui, Emporio thinks, is going to be so upset. It's really not his fault of course. It's not anyone's fault, that snow storm came practically out of nowhere after all.

But here he is, stuck in a tree room, and while Flowey's project certainly means the things are more sheltered than before that doesn't solve the issue that he's here and not somewhere else. Anasui is going to fret. He's going to fret a lot, he's sure, he's be quite strange all autumn.

But, there's not a whole lot he can do...about that?]

Bfffrrrrrr...

[Though, on that note.] It really is kind of cold up here huh...

[Maybe someone can take his mind off that. For just a little bit anyway.]

Hazy Shade of Winter - Oran

[Did you know? The food tunnels are connected to all the Guilds.

Granted, it's a hell of a trek. And honestly, Emporio is pretty sure the only reason the Cheri teleporters agreed to send him down there is because there are Pokemon that live in the tunnels, and well.

He's ground type. Assumptions were made.

But while he aimed to get to the general vicinity of Lum and crawl out somewhere near home, that hasn't happened. Instead he found himself in Oran!

...Which could be worse. He's a bit upset that he can't make full use of things like the hot springs here, but it could definitely be worse.

Still, he does collapse and sigh.] I just want to go home though...

[Aw, there's probably something someone can distract him with.]

Winterlong - Tunnels

[Eventually. Eventually! Eventually these tunnels need to get him back home. He's tried to do some rough triangulation. Some general mapping. He's sure that he's headed in the right direction now, and by golly he's getting to the archives!

It's not likely he's alone down here though. After all, these are the storage tunnels. The food is here, the supplies are here, it's why everyone in the Bay can even weather through this storm.]

Hupf...

[He might not necessarily know someone else is down here of course...

...But if that's the case, hopefully a sudden cubone isn't too much of a surprise.]

[WILDCARD]

[Got other ideas? Want to thread a quest? Hit me up!]

winterlong

[dunchies]

Emporio!

[ Guess who's also been busy exploring the tunnel network during the storm. A bit of a risk, considering his weakness to Ground, but there are certain things he needs to check up on, now that there seems to be an abundance of traffic underground.

Plus, he really needs to get back to the Canopy from the Spire eventually. ]

... What are you doing down here?

Red Velvet Cookie | Cookie Run Kingdom | New Player - Lycanroc Midnight

[crimson_general]

🐾 i. Arrival - Out of the Frying Tubes 🐾

[The started as it always does, Red Velvet would wake, freshen up and dress, then immediately tend to the hounds - Chiffon first, of course, then Cakeberus, and the many other baked pups in his army. As general, he had a duty to see to their utmost care. It was during their feeding that he first felt it, a strange ache deep in his dough, by his one arm...where Cookie met Cake. Such pains were common, so he paid them no mind at first, but them became encompassing, nauseating, and dropped the usually steadfast and sturdy Cookie to his knees during grooming of his dear hounds...his sweet Chiffon's concerned barking and licking at his face the only thing Red Velvet can recall before he's swallowed by the blinding pain and the agonizing blackness of unconsciousness. Or...no. It's not even unconsciousness. It's a void - blacker than pitch - and nothing seems to exist. No sound, no sight, no smell or touch. Does he even exist in this moment? Then how can he feel like he's still...alive?

It feels like he's being unmade, reduced to the rawest of ingredients piece by piece, returning to nothingness, and yet...a voice beckons. He doesn't know nor trust it, but it's the only chance he has of something. Anything, to escape beinf reduced to flour. Didn't Dark Enchantress Cookie say something about that? One of those Beasts she unleashed...that was their goal, wasn't it? But why would she allow that fate to befall him? Had he not always been loyal to her cause? Had he not followed her dutifully? Lended his aid, his strength, his wit, his precious cakes...

His eyes open.]

W-What is....where--? Ch-Chiffon?!

[Heat. Heat and fire and smoke. Red Velvet is still groggy, still sore, but he's a trainer fighter and soldier, he's up on his feet, though heavy and wobbly, unsteady. Is this the Oven? Had he accidentally shut himself in somehow? Stumbling forward in the darkness, panting and holding himself up with his large, clawed arm on the wall, Red Velvet gasps out as he chokes on...burnt crumbs? No, not quite. Ash, certainly, but the smell and even the taste is different. In fact, all the smells are so very different, and he can scent them so strongly, too.]

Where am...I? What's happening... Why does my dough feel so...strange? Chiffon?! Chiffon, answer me, boy!! [He tries to whistle to his dear pup, but it's impossible, like his mouth doesn't work right. It's only when he puts his usually Cookie hand to his mouth, and finds sharp claws and thick fur, does Velvet realize that he's not a Cookie at all, and nor is he a Cake. He's something completely foreign.]

🐾 ii. Knock on Sudowoodo 🐾

[Once rescued, and given the rundown on what exactly is going on - from where he is to what he is and everything in between - Red Velvet feels at a loss. The uncomfortable itch under his dough--er, right...skin is grating on him like crazy, knowing he's been seaprated from Chiffon and his othercakehounds, and also seems to be lost and adrift in a strange new...world? In an even stranger and newer body. He's at least a little relieved it's a canine of some sort, so he can understand a least basic needs, but the fact it's not any sort of dessert creature, and nothing on this world is, is...difficult to wrap his head around. Apparently he's now made of...r-rocks? That'd explain the heaviness of his body, and why his one arm, which still has the discoloration of red and white striped claws where his Cake arm would be, seems even more durable and lethal, but--]

None of this makes any lick of sense... What is it I'm expected to even do?!

[He doesn't even really want to be here, honestly...at least not without Chiffon. He's anxious as all hell not knowing how his pups are doing, and though normally a very lone wolf type of person, Red Velvet has to distract himself, lest he go properly insane with worry about his sweet little pupcakes. So he joins a tour group first and foremost, to at least get familiar with the lay of the land - maybe memorize some streets or landmarks, get used to the new body and all - but after maybe forty or so minutes, his tour guide just...disappears. And he's left with a group turning their attention to him. And while this would normally cause a bit of shock to others, Velvet immediately barks, his loud voice demanding full attention.]

ATTEN-TION! Rows of five, single file! Back straight, arms to the side!! I want all eyes forward!!! We begin march on my command, no stragglers! Do I make myself clear?! [The crowd blink and look to one another, but Velvet stomps his clawed foot and the ground seems to shake, teeth bared and eyes blazing red.] I said...DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!

[Sir, yes, sir!]

🐾 iii. Freeze the Day 🐾

[Normally, Red Velvet isn't all that cbothered by the cold. His constitution has always been pretty good, and with the heavy cream vest he's usually wear over his normal attire, it's keep his dough plenty warm. Likewise here, this, erm--what was it again...? Lycanroc? This Lycanroc body he's been bestowed isn't especially bothered by the intense chill and snow, and is incredibly durable as well. For that reason, he's attempted to help herd any stray Pokemon still out in the cold towards shelter, using those big and powerful paws to dig smaller Pokemon out of the snow, or carry them to safety if need be. He, erm...d-definitely has a bit of a bias, targetting mostly the canine-looking Pokemon, but anyone who calls for help will get a big, meaty paw reaching out toward them. He may be a scary-looking Pokemon, and a Cookie of Darkness, but underneath it all, Velvet's always been a good boy.

Once evryone is safe indoors, however, the...boredom starts to sink in a little, as does the anxiousness. try as he might, he can't easily keep still, or take his mind off how Chiffon and the rest of his Cakehounds and soldiers are faring without him. Are they alright? Are they being fed? Brushed?? Walked??? Ugh!! Not knowing is driving him crazy, and as he paces back and forth, he finally agrees to a Seek and Find game hosted by the Oran Guild. And thank god for it, because it not only is a fun distraction, but a good way to further hone his new senses, that being his very keen sense of sight, smell, and hearing.

Huffing the air with his big ol' sniffer, the large rock wolf hunkers down onto all fours and sneefsneefs the ground, that stumpy tail wagging behind him, despite the serious tone he speaks with when addressing any team mates.]

I've caught a scent, though faint. If we follow from here, due north, I believe we may find our intended target.

🐾 iv. Wildcard 🐾

[You know the drill! If none of these prompts suit your fancy, write your own prompt below or PM this journal to hash out some plotting details!!]

II (military background hello)

[sanktawithashotgun]

[As one who is also lacking direction in this strange world, the clear, concise orders make Federico snap to attention. A large togekiss (more realistic looking for my sanity) straightens up, avian neck lurching upward while his wings fold in.

It's a natural stance to take, one he's known since he was very young-

Except he wobbles, this strange, fowlbeast body unable to keep up with the muscle memory. He even nearly falls, but catches himself at the last moment.

Sky blue eyes blink, staring down at himself for a moment before looking up at his current, stand-in commander. He doesn't look embarrassed, but it's hard to say. He's never been very emotive.]

I apologize. I am not yet fully operational in this form. [His beaked face tilts very slightly, eyes alert and focused despite his seemingly drunken stumbling.] Your direction is welcome. What is the rank I should address you with, Sir? Cardinal? Doctor? [.....again, it's hard to tell. He's not aware that those are bizarre titles to propose.

He's completely serious.]

The Flesh Weaver | Original Character | Current Player

[fleshweaver]

[[OOC: this is Andrea, just having fun voice testing a strange OC as a Ditto. She's a bit of a menace, so she wouldn't come to town even if I could app her. CWs: eating Pokemon, likely discussion of eating humans (in the past).]]

I. Arrival

[Being formless isn't strange for the monster.

Being formless and pink is strange. She doesn't waste time with "where am I" or "how did this happen" like humans would, though. The first priority, as always: food.

She feels too weak to transform. Instead, she uses her amorphous mass to consume an unlucky slumbering Geodude. Far tougher than she likes, but it will do. Her body mass distorts with each punch it throws from inside her, but soon, it goes still. The placid smile does not fade.

The pink mass melts and reforms into a rocky shell. Two arms sprout from either side. Her eyes close, then reopen again in an entirely different shape. Now having become the Geodude, she begins her trip out of the caldera on her own.

New attacks come to her instinctively, as if she's also consumed the Geodude's memory; by slamming her new fists on the ground, she can knock out most of the Fire-types with a Magnitude attack. The Fire-types are less pleasant to eat, even if sometimes meatier, but she isn't one to waste food. She consumes them before moving on.

It's only once a Pokemon starts talking to her that she hesitates. So these creatures can speak like people. The Ghost-type rescue teams had passed her by, assuming her just a normal resident of the volcano (and she allowed them to pass-- they looked like they could not be eaten). But perhaps you recognize that something is a bit odd about her, even though her transformation is spot-on-- or maybe you only spoke to her once she had already escaped from the caldera.

Either way, she simply stares at you for a while, unblinking, potentially wondering how you taste.]

... what was it you said? [The words come out a croak. She hasn't spoken in months.]

II. Winter

[The Ditto abandons her Geodude form after it proves bad at thermal regulation. She winds up as a Slugma instead, one of the Pokemon she consumed back in the caldera.

As a being made out of lava, the blizzard is no longer a problem for her. Not only does she melt any snow she passes through, but it evaporates before the water can give her trouble. It's only when she's dragged (metaphorically speaking) into the Oran Berry tunnels because of the 'No Exceptions' policy that she winds up indoors.

They're hosting some type of entertainment in here. As a slug-type being, she doubts she can win any races. But one activity intrigues her.]

Seek and find. 'And eat', yes? [What's the point otherwise?]

III. Unmasked

[The monster grows tired of being a slug by the time they actually want her to melt snow. She does not care; she does not transform to please others.

Perhaps you catch her as she returns to her 'true' form as a Ditto. Or perhaps she spies you and decides to transform into you, instead. How unique, to turn into something she hasn't eaten.

If she does turn into you- who, presumably, she has not consumed- her transformation is imperfect. The color is off, or the shape isn't quite right, or she even maintains the signature 'Ditto' face. Her earlier disguises as Geodude and Slugma were indistinguishable from the real things, however.]

IV. Transform

[Obligatory wildcard option. Hit me up on plurk @ friendlyflower.]

Stardust Cookie | Cookie Run: Kingdom | Altaria | new player

[galaxyfarer]

1) arrival
[he was on the Dream Express when it happened. Stardust Cookie fell out of his seat in absolute pain. he saw familiar faces above him before he closed his eyes, faces wondering if he was okay, wondering how they can help him. then there is nothing. nothing, he's drifting in space again, just like before...

his eyes blink open again, and he glances around. why is it so warm now? whose voice echoes on the edge of his mind? he sits up, sore and disoriented, and realizes, at first, that he seems very high up? higher than normal, perhaps. his neck is wiggly, too, longer? and what of his arms?

those who notice him will see a beautiful creature that does not look like it belongs in this area. he doesn't even know he can fly yet. he's just sitting on the heated ground, confused, trying to figure out what is happening to his body]

I... I'm not...

2) bleak midwinter
[it's been a little while, and Stardust is slowly getting used to his new form. it's strange, but he doesn't hate it. for now, he's stuck inside of a building waiting for a sleepover to begin. this sounds fun, he's never had a sleepover with other beings before! his dark eyes seem to be smiling as he tilts his head]

Where do you come from?

[he'll ask anyone who is nearby, trying to break the ice, so to speak. his fluffy wings cover most of his body while he is perched on a starry-sky patterned blanket. being cooped up inside for days is difficult, but if he can make some new pals, it'll be worth it]

3) stantler games
[after what seems like forever, everyone is free to run around outside again. the melting snow is quite beautiful! Stardust stretches his wings and floats around, watching other pokémon frolic. he'll offer some commentary as he hovers a few feet above the ground, not wanting to get his feet wet, until he finds someone working or playing alone]

Do you require assistance?

4) wildcard
[for all your other ideas, or prompts! feel free to reach out here, or plot with me at ogerpon ! Stardust Cookie is... well, a sentient Cookie, but that doesn't really matter here. i am happy to match formats, if you'd rather use prose]

[truthdecided]

[He may not realize he can fly, but another winged creature descends. He's small, round, and wearing a pair of Safety Goggles. Judging by the ease of his movements, he seems to know the area as well.]

It's not often you see a grounded Altaria. I take it you just arrived?

Black Leg Sanji 🌊 Shiny Vulpix 🌊 One Piece🌊 Current player and character🌊 OTA

[undeux_allblue]

I. Get OUTTA the frying tubes if you know what’s good for ya!!!!

(Note! I can adapt to whatever text style you're most comfy with! Prose just tends to be my go to :) )

Sanji practically leapt at the chance to help with finding people in the tunnels. He’d explored those with Flamebringer, and…already made the stupid mistake of leaving a comrade behind there. And now the guy’s in a coma. Dammit. Dammit!! Yes he's aware there are more factors, but he's still kicking himself for it.

So of course, he’s thrilled to join in on helping Lady Lurantis with this!! But, as with most things with Sanji, massive guilt spurs his paws onward at near-concerning speeds.

It’s fine. This body is immune to fire and heat. It makes him stronger, even. He’ll find whoever he can before the heat gets to them. Before a freaking tunnel collapse. Anything. He’s not screwing this one up, thank you.

“Oi. See those skeletons? Those are warnings. Steer clear if ya don't want to become one, compris?” he calls out, coming closer. He’s keeping a calm demeanor to appear as non-threatening as possible. He knows how disorienting this shit can be.

When close enough, his head pivots and pokes into a tiny… saddlebag-looking thing strapped to him. He pulls out…what looks like a little bag of small…biscuits? Scones? They have some sort of blue fruit cooked into them. “Ea’ ih. Ih’ll helph.” Everyone likes snacks, right?

II. Knocking on Sudowoodo

A.) Sanji will help with weatherproofing and roofs and the like. However, he’s eventually kindly ushered to help elsewhere after sneezing once and embers scattering and catching some of the dried leaves on fire. Oops. That’s not. Uh. Normal. Anyway.

So instead, he just walks up to someone with a brush between his teeth. Once you take it (please take it, it’s so hard to talk while holding stuff), he’ll stand up straight, look you in the eye with a strange intensity, then say: “Brush me.”

……the new lighter-colored winter fur growing in does look itchy. And thick. Wouldn’t kill him to say please, though?? Or would it…

B.) Sanji can also be seen muttering to himself and poring over texts and notes. He seems to be prepping for something, and even automatically scrambles to cover it all up when you come nearer. If you’re not involved though, he’ll deflate a little.

“Hey, you new? This is the kitchen; if you’re lost, head right on out that way.” He stubs a paw in a general direction. There’s a pause. “Unless you want a tour or somethin’? Shit, I’m not the best at those, but I can help ya get your head on straight. The pie needs some time to bake anyway.” It did smell pretty good in here…

III. Winter is freaking HERE

A.) There is a vulpix running all over the place, shoving anyone he finds to safety. It’s like freaking Drum Island out here, he’s not taking any chances!! If anyone’s stuck, he’s diving in, no questions asked. Maybe swearing at you, though. He’s a sailor, so it’s fine (sorry).

It might take someone else to herd him inside, though. He seems really bent out of shape about the possibility of leaving someone behind…

B.) Within warmer walls, he’s never still either, constantly puttering around and trying to shove blankets at other pokémon from where they’re piled on his back.

Periodically, he can be caught scurrying down the storage tunnels, seemingly VERY high-strung as he checks on. Something. He’s very bad at relaxing at ANY slumber parties he’s dragged to, even if he’s looking quite ragged and weary. It’s like he’s allergic to sitting down…so while it’s hard to flag him down for games, you’re more than welcome to snacks!!

In fact, you’re likely to get a vulpix trotting toward you, the handle of a steaming mug clamped awkwardly in his teeth.

”Tahke eh.” Take the hot cocoa dammit.

IV. Snow Much Fun (and COLD) (cw: likely incorrect google translated French)

A.)He’s out collecting firewood (anything to help ease their lovely new mayor’s mind!!!!) when it happens. The wind blows fiercely, nearly blinding him with how it makes his eyes water.



Unfortunately for Sanji, a nearby tree sways in the wind, and all the snow piled on one of its branches slips…

Landing in a pile right on top of him.

“MERDE!!!!!!” He feels it right down to his bones, the chill shocking him into inaction immediately. It’s not the first time he’d nearly died buried in the snow. But at least then he had a good reason before. Going like this!!? That’s freaking idiotic!!

Having no one to throw his life away for, he thrashes. Any passerby might see a wiggling, furious snowbank.

(Feel free to step in at any time; here's what happens if no one immediately appears/gets his attention:)

He then remembers he can handle this now. Duh. He didn’t know Mouton Shot on Drum Island. (Hey Sanji remember you kinda broke your back then too actually-) Now…

Sanji turns his head, trying to make some room in front of his snout and exhales fire. Snow melts, shifts. He does it again, again- and the months of practice culminate into—

Sanji uses flamethrower! It’s super effective!

"Maudite neige des mers et sa STUPIDIE- ugh-" he escaped. But at what cost…

A waterlogged vulpix stands in a ring of melted snow, looking for all the world like a miserable wet rat, his thick winter coat heavy and freezing on him.

He glares at you. “And what are YOU laughing at?!” No one’s laughing, Sanji… (Unless you are?)

B.) Sanji will also be found later in one of the more crowded housings in Skull Town, huddled under a pile of blankets. His strength was drained by the water that drenched him, even if he’s dry now, and he’s so cold. He can’t even leave the blanket cocoon to make more warm snacks for everyone!! He hates it!!

He sneezes, violently. That little cold he’d been nursing found the perfect time to strike in full. But it’s perhaps better to take aches and lethargy over a possible onset of hypothermia…but he can’t risk setting his notes on fire with one of his low control fire sneezes.

So he’s bored. Sick. On time out. And extremely cranky about it. He growls if anyone approaches, but not at them really. More at the idea of being seen like this. But he had to pick a populated shelter for the warmth…

He huffs if the growls don’t send you away. Then: “Alright, fine. Got a game ya wanna play or somethin’? I didn’t usually play with the crew, but it beats sittin’ here doing nothing.” Being useless, he doesn’t say. Being a burden, he doesn’t dare voice.

….resting is not a talent of his.

V. Wildcard!

[Have something else in mind? Wanna do a quest? Happy to do so! If you wanna hash out some details, PMs work great! The brushing prompt was kind of a spin off of the fur/shed collection quest (Woolly Activity), and the notes mentioned that Sanji's fussing over are for a certain friend’s birthday coming up…feel free to check out the player quest, it’s gonna be fun!!]

i

[swordarc]

[Look. III has been having A Day so far. He had a catastrophic envy induced breakdown that involved trying to hurt his maybe friend as much as possible before snapping out of it in time to stop a Final Prophecy induced apocalypse. He went home to slip into a coma afterwards, because his soul stealing crest finally took his soul. He suffered the worst pain of his life while slipping into that coma (even worse than the pain he suffered during the ritual for extra power right before the catastrophic breakdown).

And now? Now he's in a volcanic cave, transformed into something else (a Ralts, not that he knows what he is just yet), staring at a talking fox that is offering him food.

...Honestly, III is wondering if he's still allowed to put money on this being a weird coma dream.]

Er... okay? [He takes the offered snack, because at this point what else can he do?] ...Who are you?

Mayaka | Hyouka | Hisuian Sneasel | New Player & Character

[sharpjustice]

[hiya ! can switch to brackets if you prefer!]

1 ➜ Arrival: Out of the Frying Tubes

One moment, she’s slouched over her desk, redrawing the final page she’s been struggling to draft, concluding that nothing is worse than having the image clear in one’s mind, yet lacking the skills to ink it to paper.

The next moment, this conclusion is upended completely. When the immense pain shoots through her body, she feels it most keenly in her hands first. A pencil clatters on the table, and the scene she’s been trying to capture over the last week—a scenic beachside where the heroine would reunite with her childhood friend by chance—takes less than a second to vanish from her mind, out of her reach.

Before she can scream in protest, everything goes silent.

…

When Mayaka comes to, the first thing she notices is the drastic change in temperature. It isn’t summer in Japan now. Why is it so hot? She slowly sits up, eyes adjusting to the dark cave, dimly lit by strange, glowing cracks. A heavy sense of unease settles over her as she realises she’s no longer at her desk, and her throat is parched.

Before her thoughts can spiral, she senses someone moving in the darkness behind her. She reacts first, not quite noticing that her hearing is far more sensitive than usual.

“St-stay away!” Mayaka shrieks, jolting up onto her feet to back away from the source of the noise. In her haste, she trips over unfamiliar claws and limbs that… seem to have taken the place of her hands and legs?

This purple ball of panic yelps as she unceremoniously tumbles towards the approaching pokemon.

Landing at the stranger’s feet is a smaller-than-average sneasel, dazed by the heat and confusing situation she’s found herself in.

2 ➜ Knock on Sudowoodo

Two days wandering around Bottlecap Bay is all it takes for Mayaka to decide on her next course of action.

One thing that always helps is people—wait, no—pokemon-watching around the markets and intersections of town, to pluck out nuggets of information from between sips of tea and bouts of gossip. With her heightened hearing, and how loud some of the denizens of the bay can be, it hasn't been difficult. She’s figured out where she’ll need to go to learn more about the history of this world, and hopefully, a lead on how to get back home.

Now that she’s given up believing that this is all a very, very long dream, she has to find someone from Lum Berry Guild and gain access to that impressive-sounding library. They’re supposed to be doing tours now, right? Might as well kill two birds with one stone and learn more about this quaint town. Try not to get too attached, though.

As Mayaka climbs up the stone steps to the quest board, she spots a pokemon standing by it unoccupied. They’re alone, and seem rather relaxed, like they know the going ons around town.

“Excuse me, is this where we meet for the tour?” She doesn’t hesitate to approach them with this question. She’s still adjusting to her sneasel form, and hopes that the firm smile she gives in greeting doesn’t look too weird or intimidating. (Why would it be? She’s half the size of a normal sneasel!)

3 ➜ It’s Snow Much Fun

When the call comes from Lurantis to gather more firefood, Mayaka immediately raises her claw and volunteers herself for the task. Though she’s never done something like this before, it sounds easy enough, and isn’t too far off from Skull Town that she’ll get lost.

Nevermind that there are bigger pokemon who can carry thrice her weight in firewood. It’s the least she can do in return for the roof over her head and the rations. That, and she really needed an excuse to get out for some alone time. So she tells the town helpers that she’ll be fine, hoists the makeshift bag she’s made out of net and wood onto her tiny shoulders, and sets off.

The days have started to blend together, and with each passing sunset, Mayaka thinks about her family, her friends, and… her manga. The one she’d left unfinished at her desk. This hardly seems like the right time to think about frivolous things like that, when all the pokemon huddled here are just doing their best to survive, to live. But she’s scared she’ll forget what it feels like to draw. Can she even do that with this new body?

Mayaka exhales as she sets a half-full bag down underneath the shelter of a large tree, catching her breath. When she turns to observe the trail of cookie-cutter shapes her feet have left in the snow behind her, something clicks.

Using her right claw, she begins carving out a line in the snow. A stroke here, a curve there. Don’t make it too complicated. She tries drawing Akko-chan’s oval hand mirror. It’s from one of her favourite manga, and it’s the item that Akko-chan uses to transform into whatever she wants.

Who’s in the mirror now?

She follows her gut and begins to draw the picture that comes clearly in her mind: the first time she saw her new self, quivering ever so slightly in a shallow puddle of water. A small, scared sneasel.

Mayaka steps back to consider the self portrait, grimacing at how shaky and crooked the lines turned out. It's a crap drawing, but there’s something oddly comforting about this. Here she is, after numerous manuscript rejections, in a different body, a different world, and yet—the urge to draw persists. She doesn’t know if this makes her an idiot or a fool. Probably both.

She’s so preoccupied critiquing her snow art, she doesn’t register the sound of another pokemon approaching.

3.

[holidaygirl1225]

"Um, hi!"

A Winter-form Deerling has approached. She smiles sheepishly, hoping she didn't startle Mayaka. The Deerling seems to have somewhat pronounced buck teeth, but otherwise, looks rather unassuming.

"Sorry, I wasn't trying to sneak up on you. Are you an artist? I like your snow drawings!"

She subconsciously glances at her own hooves. If only she could still do fun creative stuff like write in her blog... oh, well. At least she can still play in the snow. It's made her feel a bit more normal after things that have happened as of late. "I'm Noelle, by the way. Nice to meetcha!"

Bigby Wolf | TWAU | Morpeko ✨ | Current Character

[wolfcut]

i. winter has come (archives)

[ Bigby wasn't exactly planning on getting snowed in at the Archives — they really need to deal with the rat problem here, by the way — but of the three possibilities, this would have been his pick anyway. Too bad he can't even get comfortable with the amount of Pokémon squashed in here. While his senses are nowhere near what they should be, he's still somehow sensitive to all the sounds and smells hitting him all at once. Fun.

He won't be joining any board games willingly. Instead, you might spot him rummaging through some of the holes in the wall (don't ask) or stationed at a corner the furthest away possible from other people. There's some failed attempts at a sewing project around him, along with a pile of tablets and a half-empty glass bottle. He might be looking into those whispers about a giant snowbeast.

If only there was a better system for records here. He tosses one tablet ontop of the rest with a frustrated growl. ]

How do people find anything in this place?

ii. snow much fun

(a) [ His relief to finally be outside again quickly vanishes once he remembers just how cold it actually is. This body will be the death of him, or at the very least, put him in a state of torpor until spring. Bundled up in a scarf nearly as big as he is, he can't keep himself from shivering, but he'll be damned if he goes back indoors this soon already.

Instead, Bigby takes a small stroll on his own, not bothering with any games beyond passing them by. He only stops when he feels his nose start to twitch with a sneeze, unable to hold it back when it comes out as a small squeak.

And a large burst of wind that knocks over whatever man or fort of snow you might be building. Hopefully it didn't completely pile on top of you? ]

Shit. [ He blinks, not so much confused as he is surprised. For a brief second, he almost cracks a small smile in disbelief, only to quickly reign it back once he sees the mess he's made. ] Shit. Sorry!

(b) [ Against all odds, Bigby has managed to find his fun in the snow after all: manual labor. Seems all those weird dreams about his days blowing houses down might've had a purpose. Despite his small size, he somehow takes in a deep enough breath to unleash a steady gust of wind, strong enough to completely clear out another pile of snow. Who needs shovels when you have Defog?

He's mighty pleased with himelf, if the smile on his face means anything. This would probably be the best time to sneak up on him while he's distracted. ]

iii. wildcard

( 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. )

3b

[friendlyflower]

[Hee hee hee. Oh, this is too perfect. The stupid sucker is standing directly underneath one of the snow-loaded tree branches. Look at him, sitting there with that dopey little smile!

Flowey hops on the branch with all his (meager) weight and sends a large clump of snow falling directly towards Bigby. If he doesn't move out of the way, it will be like getting hit with a huge snowball!]

Flamebringer || Arknights || Current Player & Character

[indifferentinferno]

[Feel free to respond to me in brackets, I can match!]

[1]. 🔥 Confronted by Stasis [after the first week of November in the Skull town Clinic] (CW for Panic Attacks & aftermath of a Coma)

Consciousness comes back to him slowly. He’s blinking awake for the first time in over a month- squinting in confusion. He feels simultaneously like he’s been sleeping a long time, and yet like he hasn’t slept enough. Like whatever sleep he had was fitful and restless.

His immediate surroundings don’t clue him into whats going on, not that it helps that his vision is struggling to focus. He blinks hard to try to get the sleep out of his eyes.

What was he doing last…?

He remembered that accursed Froslass which had enchanted everyone- grinding all those who were unwilling under her heel, making them subservient to her whims. But he also vaguely recalled that she was… leaving. That there was some finale to her tyranny that ended with a ceremony for the dead…

And that's… it. He can’t remember exactly what he’d been doing last- What he’d been doing yesterday, what his recent goals were. Everything was… foggy.

That immediately put him on high alert. The only times he felt that way were when he’d been very unwell, or when he’d been drugged. Two options he very much doesn’t like the sound of at the moment.

He grunts, its hard to sit up- but he manages, finally forcing himself to focus enough to parse his surroundings.

Its then that he freezes, eyes widening as he stares at the room. He recognized this place. This was the clinic.

“Oh! You’re awake! What a relief!” He startles at the sound of a voice- a Raticate that he can only assume is part of the clinic staff makes its way over to his bed, managing to look genuinely relieved and thankful despite its giant teeth, “We were afraid you might become another permanent clinic patient!”

He stars at this individual, a tense silence growing as he articulates the many, many thoughts in his head, very few of them good. “H-” he coughs, voice rough with disuse. Not good- “How long have I been out? Why am I here?” His tone is desperate- something he doesn’t recognize himself.

The Raticate grimaces, “You collapsed.” It avoids the second question, chittering its teeth together nervously. It picks up a clipboard from the crude table next to Flamebringer’s bed. Cot, he now recognizes. It pours over the papers in silence for a second, nervously glancing up at Flamebringer- but his intense gaze doesn’t waver, even as alarm bells ring in his head, accompanied by a growing sense of tightness and dread.

“How long. Have I been out.” He insists as the Raticate hesitates even longer.

It Looks away, before guiltily looking at him. Eyes full of pity and sympathy.

Don’t look at him like that.

“Over a month. You collapsed near the end of September- just when the festivities were wrapping up.” There was ringing in Flamebringer’s ears. “Its now in the early days of November. You’re ah- you’re going to need to take a little while to recover. But I promise you, you will be alright-”

Flamebringer doesn’t hear the rest of the platitudes. Over a month- Even the worst flare ups he’d experienced from his Oripathy never took him out for more than a day. And that was extremely rare. But he’d passed out. For a month. Vulnerable to a world he barely understood- What was wrong with him would it happen again-

Raticate is very flusteredly trying to get his attention and calm his panicked breathing. This Absol is not okay- But the moment he’s touched Flamebringer lurches away, almost stumbling back off the bed, eyes wide and teeth bared- but for once he doesn’t look fierce. He looks like a terrified and cornered animal. And he looks like he might bolt.

Passerbys in the clinic for other reasons, or other medical staff or clinic frequenters could try to help- Flamebringer is clearly having a panic attack and close to snapping.

[Feel free to share control of Raticate in any threads!]

[2]. 🔥 Confronted by Weakness [Skull Town]

Flamebringer lasted about three days in the clinic before he made his escape. It was suffocating being in there. His earlier display- his shameful breakdown- it left the air heavy and thick with pity. He couldn’t stand it. It felt like he was choking on it. The moment he could stand for more than a few minutes he used the lax security (its not like they expected Pokemon to actively try to leave!) to sneak out when things were quieter.

He almost regretted it when the chilly air connected with his body- despite all the fur this form carried, he’d been colder than normal- well, normal for this non-Sarkaz body- since he had awoken, and the weather would be actively exploiting that it seemed.

He’s missed a chunk of Autumn. Winter was on the horizon.

He grit his teeth. Stepping out onto the frostbitten ground and not looking back.

Unfortunately word got around fast that he’d disappeared. Heattempted to sign up for some duties out of the town so he could clear his head- and also to prove that he was fine (to the world, to himself), but the first person he walked up to immediately recognized him and denied him access with a sympathetic but unyielding smile.

It made him sick to his stomach.

Word gets around about the Absol escaped from the clinic- more its just a general statement to keep an eye out for him and make sure he doesn’t push himself- Raticate recognized he was too restless to truly recover well by sitting around doing nothing.

But Flamebringer doesn’t know this. Anyone who tries to approach him, he avoids, anyone who calls out his name, he slips away from.

Until midday the second day since he’d escaped the clinic- you run into him. He swears in Kazedelian underneath his breath- he’s too exhausted to make an efficient escape, maybe he’ll get lucky, and you’re one of the few outside of the loop.

“What do you want.” He says lowly and curtly. Trying to do his best not to shiver as he sits in a corner under the eaves of one of the Skull Town houses. Flaming eyes boring into you. For all his defenses- maybe you only want to lend a helping hand! Or maybe you have no clue why he looks so hostile.

[3]. 🔥 And into the Fire [Skull town]

He’s finally able to escape the confines of the town. But only under some. Conditions.

Conditions he begrudgingly accepts.

Very. Begrudgingly.

Thus he finds himself wandering the lava tubes with a constant companion. He’s only allowed to go help search efforts as long as he’s accompanied by a partner. And he gets the sense they are only allowing him to go this far since he’d explored Furnace mountain before with Sanji. For as well as that went.

Maybe you’re the one accompanying him- keeping an eye out that he doesn’t push himself too far. He’s definitely not trying to be a team player at the moment. Frequently running ahead or turning corners when his companions least expect it (unless you’re one of the few in his good graces). Its almost like he’s trying to lose you!

If he stumbles upon any newbies- its alone. And looking decidedly unfriendly in all his four foot tall Absol glory. “Found you.” He says, tone sounding less than friendly. Uh, is he here to help? Or maybe he’s trying to hunt you down for less friendly reasons… It definitely looks more like the latter.

[4]. 🔥 Winter Has come [Bottlecap Bay – Blizzard Day 1]

He ends up traveling back to the Bay. Under heavy urging. i.e. being stonewalled from helping out in Skull town until he’d recovered more.

He’d grit his teeth and had to accept it.

He’d been apologetically informed that there would be plenty of local (read: less strenuous and dangerous) work to do back at the Bay, but it didn’t change his mood at all.

Even more so now that he was snowed in.

The Absol is lying in one of the Oran berry rooms, curled up as tightly as he can be underneath a singular blanket, staring at the storm outside like it’d personally drowned his goldfish.

Despite being indoors- and despite all efforts to keep the guild well heated, he was still shivering and miserable (most likely due to the condition his body was in, not that he would admit that to himself). He should get up and go find another blanket, there were probably spares. But his pride wouldn’t allow it. He’d rather sit here and suffer at the moment, rather than admit to himself another weakness.

Like it wasn’t just a blanket.

[5]. 🔥 Icebreaker Games [Bottlecap Bay – Blizzard Days 2-3]

He finds himself at the Oran sleepovers despite himself.

Maybe he’d just suffered enough, maybe someone pushed him the right direction. Regardless, he’d caved. He was here now. He could only wish in vain that no-one would find it odd when everyone was trying to avoid being bored and cold and miserable.

That being said.

He looks. Awkward. Sitting on the outside of every activity and every group, looking exhausted, ruffled, and grouchy. At least he’s not snapping at people- but he’s not really actively engaging either, it looks like its going to take some real effort to drag him into anything…

[6]. 🔥 its Snow much fun! [Road back to Skull Town]

He hates to admit it- but the days of rest and less intense activity seem to have done well for his body. While he’s still tiring faster than he would before, he’s able to start making his way back to Skull Town with a caravan carrying some supplies. Of course, its more difficult with the snow, the larger Pokemon have a hand in clearing it out- including himself when he can manage.

Not that everyone is as on task as him. Some of the younger, or just more lackadaisical Pokemon keep starting snowball fights. The caravan head does break it up every now and again- but it seems they’re not all that concerned, because they keep starting back up again, and going on for far longer than they should.

He’s mid-eyeroll when abruptly- he gets smacked in the head with a snowball.

Slowly, with terrifying control, he turns to look at the perpetrator. Expression dangerously blank. Eyes burning. Snow dripping off his head and horn and down onto the ground.

Do you apologize? Say your prayers? Or maybe you’re willing to test your luck today.

[7]. 🔥 For want of a messenger [Back in Skull Town after the Avalanche]

The sounds of the avalanche- the cracking of ice and tumbling of snow- echo throughout the town as everyone freezes to stare at the sight.

Flamebringer had been uneasy ever since.

He couldn’t say for certain if it was his seemingly supernatural senses as an Absol- or just the gut instincts of a Terran who’d spent his life traversing around Catastrophes, but he was unsettled. His eyes kept wandering back out to stare at the epicenter of the phenomenon, remembering how when he got here- he’d felt disquieted by the clouds that had hung over the mountains surrounding this valley.

He didn’t like it. He didn’t like the picture it painted to him.

He forwards his concerns to Lurantis and the other supervisors there. He wants to investigate that- or have it investigated by others. But there’s not much to do in the meantime as Pokemon organize and make decisions. So he finds himself wandering around town, asking people if they’d been in the area, was there anything strange going on, were they prepared to deal with the worst possible outcomes-

He’s unusually social and active, volunteering to help any scouting quests or other activities that go near that area. He will sort out what happened. And he hopes it doesn’t confirm any of his worst fears.

[8]. 🔥 Wildcard!!!

[Don't mention how many prompts this has or how long it is help Hit me up with whatever!! Or feel free to PM me to plan out something specific!! I'm coming ripe off of Hiatus so if you want to figure out some handwaving for the end of Semptember or anything else feel free to let me know!]

1 (we got A++ panic management riiiight here)

[sanktawithashotgun]

Federico had been dozing in the clinic, recovering his energy that the icy weather mercilessly sapped from him. Something about this body reacted poorly to the cold. He'd tried to get involved with the care of others, of records, finding out who was here, but then couldn't keep his eyes open...it was foolish to push through something like that. So he was allowing himself some rest.

Except something pulled at his attention. Sky blue eyes open, bleary. His heart rate kicks up, and his feathers fluff up without his understanding of the cause. What is...

There is conflict, something tells him, not so much in word but in feeling. This grows into a strange need to run out the door.

It's absurd. He may be new to this body, but he's perfectly capable of neutralizing conflict. He doesn't need his patron firearm for it. So he huffs, getting up from his corner (when did this nest of blankets get here...) and forces himself towards whatever signal that blares such an absurd alarm in his mind.

So a couple seconds later, a togekiss flutters over into the entryway- a private room for a long-term patient. His feathers are fluffed up to the max, which does him no favors in looking less intimidating. He's already a rather massive fowlbeast. That's not his first thought, however.

No, instead he's immediately assessing the situation, questions bubbling up far faster than answers. The round gnawbeast is too agitated to answer him, this he knows, and the clawbeast...

Executor knows a cornered beast when he sees one. He knows at least ten ways to neutrilize it...if he had his normal body, his customary tools.

But he is now in a world where beasts speak, where the Law is-

Well.

Federico steps into the room, wings slightly aloft, thinking quickly of calming tactics for a clear panic attack. His eyes flick over to the clipboard the gnawbeast is holding; he's not overly fond of pulling medical records without the proper release forms but--

Oh.

The name. Clear recognition actually ends up smoothing out his feathers slightly. Why here? Of all the people from Terra, how did...

It does not matter. What matters now is there is a person before him in clear distress. He must do everything in his power to keep him from absconding, and worsening his condition. It does not matter what Flamebringer was before. His criminal records in the Notarial Hall have no bearing on what's happening here, now.

A faint memory surfaces in his mind of sitting with a little vulpo girl, who had seemingly forgotten how to breathe. How her metal hand clutched his own so tightly his bones creaked. How he made quiet conversation with her, what was essentially small talk, to remind her where she was. It was behavior he'd observed from a certain young Executor...Recalling the number of fingers in his own. The number of bolts in her quiver. The texture of the ground. The color of the sky.

Here and now. Grounding. Of course.

"Operator Flamebringer, correct? This is fellow Rhodes Island Operative Executor Federico Giallo." He pauses, putting alot of attention into his tone of voice. Things that do not come naturally to him, he puts conscious effort into softening his words slightly. Tactics he'd been taught by Ezell, not official training. "You are not in danger. You are safe. Do you know where you are at this current moment?"