bottlecaplogs | October Catch-All

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October Catch-All

Who: Flowey & Kinger, Tenna, Cedric, Kris, Impmon, and maybe more!
What: Quests, quests, quests! He's a busy boy!
Where: The Woods surrounding and beyond Death Blood Murder Skull Town, Umemiya's future garden
When: Throughout October
Warnings: Pokemon battling (violence/injury), Flowey's trauma (mentions of/themes of depression, depersonalization, guilt, child death, murder), others TBA

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[Well, Tenna's not exactly used to doing the bulk of physical labor- not if it didn't involve one of his Physical Challenges, at least! That said, he is trying to do better, and pull his weight (somewhat, at least). Ribombee is a nice guy, and Tenna doesn't mind doing something for him!

... That, and he might be able to take some of the wood for his new studio. Hey, he needs materials, too! He's sure Ribombee will understand. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like his partner today is in much... shape to be carrying large pieces of wood. Unfortunate, but Tenna can work with this. He bends down- unitentionally towering over Flowey.]

Well hello! [He grins, trying to project as much friendliness as he can.] I'm sure you've heard about me already, but just in case: you can call me Tenna! I'm truly thrilled to be working with you, Flowey! Thank you for showing me the ropes.

[He turns to the forest, then to Flowey, still smiling.]

So! Lead the way, so I may learn!

Golly, it's no problem at all! And of course I've heard of Mr. Tenna! I oughta consider myself lucky to get to work with such a star! [Is he laying it on a little thick? Very likely. But this guy seems like the type to drink it all up.

With no arms and little strength, it wouldn't be easy for Flowey to pull the cart that they're meant to store their materials in. Fortunately, a friendly local Mudbray helps them. Flowey rides in the cart all the while.

Once they reach a suitable section of forest, Mudbray lets the cart go and waits nearby for their return trip. A few other Pokemon are gathering wood and would be happy to explain how to gather, treat, and store the wood properly.

Except Flowey doesn't let them. He actually got here early to learn how to do it, himself, so he could be the one to teach Tenna. That way, Tenna would be a little more indebted to him than before.]

Alright! Listen closely, here's how you're going to do it!

[Flowey explains the process to Tenna in such a way that most of the physical labor will be Tenna's responsibility.]

[Boy, does Tenna ever drink it up. Any misgivings he has about Flowey's stature for the task at hand vanish in an instant, completely distracted by the praise.]

Wow! You must really love TV! [he titters, practically radiating joy.] You should, then, because I am more than happy to be working with you, my dear little seed!

[The entire way there, he prattles on about TV, how glad he is to have found a TV lover, and how great this is going to be. It's probably a little grating, but at least it means he's... very energetic, about the whole deal. He briefly notices the other Pokemon working there giving them a weird look, but is quickly distracted when Flowey starts to explain how to do everything. He nods along, fidgeting for a notecard he doesn't have, but trying his very best to memorize what he's told.]

I see. So that's how it's done...

[... Hey, wait a second-]

So, forgive me for asking, [he says, finally seeming to somewhat snap out of his excited stupor,] but... doesn't this mean I'll be doing most of the work?

[... Maybe he still can get away with this if he's clever.] Why, Mr. Tenna, I saved the best parts for you! You're the STAR, after all. Everyone here is looking to you for inspiration like always!

[Several of the Pokemon look at each other in confusion. Flowey gives them a death glare when Tenna isn't looking. A few of them clap or let out a halfhearted cheer.]

Yeah! See? I wouldn't steal that from you. I'll just be your assistant. I'll just do the boring parts, like count how much wood we've gathered.

[Flowey doesn't know this, but this is actually backwards compared to how Mr. Ant "Bad Boss" Tenna used to run his TV World. Will Tenna still fall for it...?]

[Tenna's antennae curl around one another at the praise- he can't help but soak it up. It's so nice, and he enjoys it a lot, but... doesn't something about this... feel off? He can't quite put his finger on it. Flowey's words are honey, and so is his expression, and oh, is Tenna ever weak for it!

But... is it... sincere...?

After seemingly warring internally for a bit, he seems to have made up his mind, and he turns to Flowey.]

Oh! I get it! [he says with a nod.] You're too small to really do any work here, huh? [One,] And without limbs, I can't really expect you to carry any wood. [Two,] Don't worry! I'll just do the work, and tell Ribombee not to send you on these missions anymore! He'll surely understand why you didn't do much of anything if it's me! [He proudly puffs out his chest.] Your pall Tenna is on the case!

[Punchout.]

H-hey, hold on there, buddy! [He screams internally. It's all gone wrong. Tenna, being the favorite, could get Ribombee to fire him easily.] I was just, um... testing you! To see how much of a gracious host you are! And you passed! So now let's just split the work 50/50, okay? Aw, shucks. 40/60, your favor. Ribombee doesn't need to know about this, right? RIGHT?

[Tenna, seemingly oblivious as ever, merely smiles at Flowey.]

Oh, but it's no problem at all! Really, I get it! You don't have to force yourself if you can't. I am a very gracious host, so I wouldn't want a nice person like yourself to overdo it.

[He taps his chin.]

But, I suppose if you really don't want me to tell Ribombee... why don't you show me what you're capable of? Now I'm horribly curious how you'd do it, little friend!

[Flowey fantasizes about all the ways he would murder this guy if he could get away with it. In the meantime, he hops around and gathers as many branches as he can using his vines. If Tenna were to start commentating his actions like it was a TV show, there's nothing he could do about it.

Soon, he's gathered up about half the amount of wood they need and he's half-conscious on the ground. A Sunkern was not made for this type of labor. Tenna wasn't entirely wrong. But damn if he didn't try.]

[Tenna does his own share of the work, watching Flowey try very, very hard. The poor thing clearly wasn't made for this kind of labor, but Tenna's impressed by his tenacity, and he can't help but comment on his every move, amazement in his voice! It's like watching a Physical Challenge! When they've both gathered a good amount of wood (and he's put some aside for his own use- his studio won't build itself without materials, after all!), he moves towards Flowey, excited.]

Wow! You sure showed me what a determined little thing you are! Color me impressed! [He bends down towards Flowey, his face falling a little with concern.] Hey- are you still with us? You don't look so good.

Just peachy! I can do more! I'm raring to go! [He makes no attempt to move. This has been a complete humiliation. Maybe he should just die here now.]

... look, sorry if I was trying to split the work up badly or whatever. I just wanted to see how good Ribombee's new star recruit is. And you did good! Great, even! [The worst part is that he's genuine with this.] What's it like being the favorite?

[... well, Tenna doesn't really believe, considering the whole not even trying to move thing, but okay. This pokemon clearly has its pride, and he can respect that!

Hehe... is he Ribombee's favorite? His antennae twirl together happily.]

Well! I'm just glad that Ribombee has seen some potential in me! Ah, I'm so happy~! [Is he... aware that that he's genuinly one of the favorites?] But don't sell yourself short, my friend! You've really shown your mettle here for such a small guy! You know, I once knew-

[He cuts himself off, face going blank. Just as quickly though, he's back to grinning, as if nothing ever happened.]

Anyway! [He holds out one of his appendages.] You're not so bad. What say you? Shall we return to town?

[What the heck was that all about?]

Anyway. [He's too worn out to open that can of Wurmples right now! He files it away for later.] Gee, thanks, Mr. Tenna! It really does mean a lot coming from you. [This is once again suck-up behavior. He can't exactly shake hands, but he does tap Tenna's outstretched appendage with his stem. The two of them make their way back to town.]

You know, I used to watch TV all the time! Everyone used to crowd around the TV to watch Mettaton's latest special. [One last desperate attempt to endear himself after this blunder of a mission. Tenna's bullshit detector may or may not pick up that he's being honest with this one. Flowey did everything, after all, and that included watching every single episode of Mettaton's shows.] I bet you two would've gotten along great!

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October Catch-All

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