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bottlecaplogs2025-10-15 10:01 am
bayhelpers) wrote in bottlecaplogs2025-10-15 10:01 am
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OCTOBER 2025 EVENT LOG
⋆✩ AUTUMN SKIES & PUMPKIN PIES ✩⋆
Where the summer heat seemed like it would never leave, autumn’s embrace is eager to prove minds wrong. Brisk and frigid, second only to the now absent Froslass, the winds bring a chill that cuts right to the bone. It is a signal to the world that it’s time to wind down - for the leaves to turn their colors and fall below, and for the spoils of harvest to ripen with what little time they have left. By the time the middle of the month has arrived, there’s no questioning it.
Fall is here.
DEAR GOURD
With society as it is, it can be easy to forget that Pokemon are still animals in the sense of what they resemble. Since becoming these strange creatures, all manner of instincts have taken hold - some have learned to hunt, catching their meals and sharing the spoils so others don’t have to. Others of course have found themselves more protective, more social, more skittish, so on and so forth. Many of those who have been here long enough have come to master these new habits through practice, either commanding them through great willpower or simply accepting things as the new normal.
The encroaching winter, however, brings this back to the forefront. Winter is a season that looms like a shroud over many Pokemon in the region, and as the leaves begin to turn, so too do the bodies of such Pokemon turn against themselves. Pokemon with seasonal fur coats find themselves quickly growing thicker, fluffier fur while needing to shed and brush out the shorter summer hairs. Those who would typically migrate region to region in order to avoid such hassle are struck with wanderlust - which is unfortunate, given how difficult it is to get anywhere around here.
As for anyone who would typically hibernate? It’s probably a good thing so much food has been successfully harvested this year.
The encroaching winter, however, brings this back to the forefront. Winter is a season that looms like a shroud over many Pokemon in the region, and as the leaves begin to turn, so too do the bodies of such Pokemon turn against themselves. Pokemon with seasonal fur coats find themselves quickly growing thicker, fluffier fur while needing to shed and brush out the shorter summer hairs. Those who would typically migrate region to region in order to avoid such hassle are struck with wanderlust - which is unfortunate, given how difficult it is to get anywhere around here.
As for anyone who would typically hibernate? It’s probably a good thing so much food has been successfully harvested this year.
ii. THE HARVEST SEASON
APPLES TO APPLES
The harvest season has kicked into full gear! It's time for squash, and berries, and grains, and a bounty of practically anything you can think of. This month is busy, busy, busy, but after a few slow days where Pokemon recover from last month's escapades, everyone seems to be in high spirits. The harvest is much larger than anyone anticipated, and it feels like a good omen!
There's not a lot of time to relax this month, but Pokemon find ways to insert fun into the work wherever they can. Mudsdale and other larger Pokemon pull carts to and from the fields around Skull Town, and they make each trip into a fun hayride whenever there are passengers. Much of the harvest needs to be processed, such as turning excess berries into preserves, or pickling vegetables, or slicing up produce and setting it out to dry in the sun (or via fire moves). Very often this becomes a race or competition, with small prizes for the winners, and the same is true of harvesting in the first place!
There's so much food that not all of it is getting preserved. In town - both Bottlecap Bay and Skull Town - the smell of baked goods permeates the air. Fruits are pressed into ciders and juices. As activities slow down towards the end of the month, Pokemon have time to get a little silly. Someone suggests apple-bobbing rather than drawing lots over unwanted chores, and the novelty spreads like wildfire through all the guilds.
Also throughout the month, Pokemon set baskets outside their doors. Each basket contains various excess treats from their baking or preserving or other activities, seemingly up for grabs. The rule is: you're allowed to freely take whatever strikes your fancy, just as long as you swap something that you've made and leave it behind in the basket. It's a tradition that originated with the Bottlecap Bay villagers from overseas, but it's quickly adopted by the locals that have joined them since!
There's not a lot of time to relax this month, but Pokemon find ways to insert fun into the work wherever they can. Mudsdale and other larger Pokemon pull carts to and from the fields around Skull Town, and they make each trip into a fun hayride whenever there are passengers. Much of the harvest needs to be processed, such as turning excess berries into preserves, or pickling vegetables, or slicing up produce and setting it out to dry in the sun (or via fire moves). Very often this becomes a race or competition, with small prizes for the winners, and the same is true of harvesting in the first place!
There's so much food that not all of it is getting preserved. In town - both Bottlecap Bay and Skull Town - the smell of baked goods permeates the air. Fruits are pressed into ciders and juices. As activities slow down towards the end of the month, Pokemon have time to get a little silly. Someone suggests apple-bobbing rather than drawing lots over unwanted chores, and the novelty spreads like wildfire through all the guilds.
Also throughout the month, Pokemon set baskets outside their doors. Each basket contains various excess treats from their baking or preserving or other activities, seemingly up for grabs. The rule is: you're allowed to freely take whatever strikes your fancy, just as long as you swap something that you've made and leave it behind in the basket. It's a tradition that originated with the Bottlecap Bay villagers from overseas, but it's quickly adopted by the locals that have joined them since!
THE CACTURNE WALKS AT MIDNIGHT
As the fields are harvested and the food stores dug, keen-eyed Pokemon begin to notice something odd. The fields, for starters, are not being harvested in straight lines. Instead it is as if each one cutting the stalks is an Applin within an apple, carving spirals and paths without rhyme or reason. The storage burrows located beyond the Canopy and set in part within the Gravebone Woods of the Middle Forest do similar - this time with the added confusion of moving up or down. And just what are those things being constructed within Skull Town?
It seems in the excitement of the Harvest, the Ghost population has begun to add their own flair to the fun and games. Corn mazes hide cackling Cacturne and Nuzleaf, while tunnel mazes contain the ground dwelling Durant and Pawmi. The ‘Haunted Houses’ that pop-up are far more variable than their natural counterparts, but the trade off is the limitation of construction - it doesn’t take long to find out just how many of these things are using the same template!
It seems in the excitement of the Harvest, the Ghost population has begun to add their own flair to the fun and games. Corn mazes hide cackling Cacturne and Nuzleaf, while tunnel mazes contain the ground dwelling Durant and Pawmi. The ‘Haunted Houses’ that pop-up are far more variable than their natural counterparts, but the trade off is the limitation of construction - it doesn’t take long to find out just how many of these things are using the same template!
iii. CITIZEN’S ELECT
I CHOOSE YOU!
Amidst all the bustle of harvesting, small poll boxes go up on street corners in Skull Town - and even a few in Bottlecap Bay! After all the complications of last month, the guild leaders agree that there needs to be an authority figure in Skull Town, able to make decisions without being a day's travel away. They can't have Mightyena (or any other leader) stationed there permanently, they're all needed in Bottlecap!
As such, five primary candidates for the title of (Death Blood Murder) Skull Town Mayor have emerged.
The first candidate is Grimpig, the older Grumpig brother. He's busy enough with the network that he isn't actually campaigning for himself, but the Grumpig brothers are well-respected enough that plenty of others have put forth their names. Realistically, electing one means electing both, but as the older brother is more outgoing, he's the official candidate. Regardless, though, considering how busy the Grumpigs already are... they're probably the most hands-off option. They'll only be there to make decisions in times of crisis!
The candidate from the Lum Berries is... hang on, that's our friend Malamar again! Out of the guild candidates, he's the only one who has a speech, and it's hard to claim that he doesn't care about Skull Town or the residents. But it's clear he values his own opinion most of all, and can he be trusted to respect peoples' boundaries? Regardless, in the short term he wants to prioritize getting more infrastructure set up in Skull Town: getting a secondary clinic built, and guild administrative buildings, and perhaps a research HQ.
The candidate from the Oran Berries is Umbreon, who isn't enthused about this situation! It sounds like not a lot of the high rank Oran Berries were interested in managing a new town, and in the end he got volunteered. When asked about his policies, Umbreon sticks to saying, "My record should speak for itself." Honestly, he seems to be hoping that the lack of transparency will keep him from getting elected. He just wants to go home to his cave…
The candidate from the Cheri Berries is Lurantis, who avoids crowds and speeches but makes a point of talking to many Pokemon one-on-one or in small groups. She seems to be the most consistently interested in hearing what people have to say, but she's very cautious about actually making wide, sweeping promises. The Cheri Berry gossip is that while she likes having a reputation for compromise, deep down she's actually Contrary; if something ever truly crosses her principles she digs her heels in hard. Regardless, in the short term she wants to prioritize the relationships between the Skull townies and the local Pokemon, as well as stocking up and hunkering down for winter.
The last candidate is Oricorio, campaigning on behalf of the Pokemon native to the forest and valley. His argument is that, while (many of) the local Pokemon have willingly joined up with Skull Town now, they were here first, and they should get the most say over what the town becomes! Which certainly seems convincing even to many guild members. However... he refuses to talk about what his actual priorities will be, and is openly uninterested in the opinions of anyone who isn't a Ghost Pokemon, local or otherwise. The local Ghosts respect him, but the other local Pokemon roll their eyes and talk about how they wish it were anyone else. (Still, none of them seem to be volunteering...)
There are, of course, more candidates who have put their names forth - a shiny Teddiursa who keeps heckling the others, a nervous Arcanine, a laid-back Mandibuzz, and perhaps even some of the transformed Pokemon from other worlds? However, the guild leaders have been up front: at least when it comes to candidates from the guilds, they're only considering Pokemon who have been high in rank for a while already. It's a lot of responsibility. So in practice, these five are the ones in the running!
As such, five primary candidates for the title of (Death Blood Murder) Skull Town Mayor have emerged.
The first candidate is Grimpig, the older Grumpig brother. He's busy enough with the network that he isn't actually campaigning for himself, but the Grumpig brothers are well-respected enough that plenty of others have put forth their names. Realistically, electing one means electing both, but as the older brother is more outgoing, he's the official candidate. Regardless, though, considering how busy the Grumpigs already are... they're probably the most hands-off option. They'll only be there to make decisions in times of crisis!
The candidate from the Lum Berries is... hang on, that's our friend Malamar again! Out of the guild candidates, he's the only one who has a speech, and it's hard to claim that he doesn't care about Skull Town or the residents. But it's clear he values his own opinion most of all, and can he be trusted to respect peoples' boundaries? Regardless, in the short term he wants to prioritize getting more infrastructure set up in Skull Town: getting a secondary clinic built, and guild administrative buildings, and perhaps a research HQ.
The candidate from the Oran Berries is Umbreon, who isn't enthused about this situation! It sounds like not a lot of the high rank Oran Berries were interested in managing a new town, and in the end he got volunteered. When asked about his policies, Umbreon sticks to saying, "My record should speak for itself." Honestly, he seems to be hoping that the lack of transparency will keep him from getting elected. He just wants to go home to his cave…
The candidate from the Cheri Berries is Lurantis, who avoids crowds and speeches but makes a point of talking to many Pokemon one-on-one or in small groups. She seems to be the most consistently interested in hearing what people have to say, but she's very cautious about actually making wide, sweeping promises. The Cheri Berry gossip is that while she likes having a reputation for compromise, deep down she's actually Contrary; if something ever truly crosses her principles she digs her heels in hard. Regardless, in the short term she wants to prioritize the relationships between the Skull townies and the local Pokemon, as well as stocking up and hunkering down for winter.
The last candidate is Oricorio, campaigning on behalf of the Pokemon native to the forest and valley. His argument is that, while (many of) the local Pokemon have willingly joined up with Skull Town now, they were here first, and they should get the most say over what the town becomes! Which certainly seems convincing even to many guild members. However... he refuses to talk about what his actual priorities will be, and is openly uninterested in the opinions of anyone who isn't a Ghost Pokemon, local or otherwise. The local Ghosts respect him, but the other local Pokemon roll their eyes and talk about how they wish it were anyone else. (Still, none of them seem to be volunteering...)
There are, of course, more candidates who have put their names forth - a shiny Teddiursa who keeps heckling the others, a nervous Arcanine, a laid-back Mandibuzz, and perhaps even some of the transformed Pokemon from other worlds? However, the guild leaders have been up front: at least when it comes to candidates from the guilds, they're only considering Pokemon who have been high in rank for a while already. It's a lot of responsibility. So in practice, these five are the ones in the running!
✩ OOC NOTES.
⟡ CWS: None expected this time!
⟡ A huge thanks to the players who have made Player Quests a rousing success. After some internal discussion, we’ve added a ‘Quest Complete’ form for Players who wish to make use of the format as well. We hope you continue to enjoy full use of the Player Quest Board!
⟡ While all Heavy Quests will ICly have completed by October 25th, sign-ups for these quests will remain open all month.
⟡ For those who participated in Heavy Quests this month, don't forget to submit your quest completion forms before the 30th!
⟡ Have any questions related to the event? Ask them 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!
⟡ A huge thanks to the players who have made Player Quests a rousing success. After some internal discussion, we’ve added a ‘Quest Complete’ form for Players who wish to make use of the format as well. We hope you continue to enjoy full use of the Player Quest Board!
⟡ While all Heavy Quests will ICly have completed by October 25th, sign-ups for these quests will remain open all month.
⟡ For those who participated in Heavy Quests this month, don't forget to submit your quest completion forms before the 30th!
⟡ Have any questions related to the event? Ask them 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!
GUILD LEADER THREADS
While Guild Leaders can be assumed to be in their Guild Base, or performing normal guild duties, they may also be found participating in any of the above prompts.
ORAN BERRIES
she's been ever so diligent with getting this together so fast. ]
Hi! I've finished a rough draft of that thing you wanted me to do; I think I've worked out how to fix the flooding problem on the lower levels, anyway. [ she unrolls the schematic of a water pump system, used to filter water from mines back where she's from. it's not exactly a machine she's worked with directly, but she's worked with enough that she's pretty confident in her ability to get this all together. ]
Hopefully this should fix the problem long-term, anyway. The only issue is that it'd probably take a while to put together. But! If it works as intended it could also mean that we could desalinate the seawater for drinking further down the line. [ despite how pleased with herself she is, it is very abundantly clear that she is very nervous. sorry mightyena, she knows you don't bite, she just has anxiety. ]
no subject
This looks perfect! Especially if we can repurpose the water for drinking, I'm sure that would be an Arceus-send if we ever had a drought. And you got it done so quickly, too!
[She's trying very hard not to do tippy-taps - mostly because it calls attention to her claws, which does not help with anxiety - but her tail is wagging furiously.]
I can show this to Polteageist, too, and they'll be able to tell me if I'm missing anything... but if they say it's good, I can gather some Pokemon together to help you build it.
no subject
That's great! And thank you, I got a little too into it. [ she's sure most of the people who've seen her around have seen her doing something towards this plan, anyway. ] But it seemed pretty urgent when I got down there to assess everything, sooo.
[ she rubs the back of her head bashfully. ] And that'd be great. Never hurts to have someone else double check your plans. Just let me know.
no subject
[She'll just be taking those schematics and carefully placing them in her satchel - they'll be returned to Parvati as soon as Polteageist has taken a look at them, probably within the next week or so.]
In the meantime- how are you settling in? Are you making friends? And sleeping okay?
[She's like this with everyone to some extent, but especially with the newer recruits. Team-building is important, after all, and so is taking care of yourself between quests!]
no subject
[ she offers a small shrug. ] Been keeping myself busy, I get all antsy if I'm not. Talking to people where I can. Sleeping pretty fine.
[ parvati isn't exactly sure if it's been long enough to call anyone she's been spending time with her friends, but she's still pretty new to the whole friends thing, all things considered. she's also not going to mention that she's actually been staying with courier six. a couch is more firm and to her liking than the soggy beds, even if she feels weird for fixing up the spire's problem with a place she isn't even staying in. ]
It's pretty weird, being grounded. I've gotten so used to that not being the case that being down on solid earth again's got me feeling funny. I'll be fine though. I appreciate you thinking about it.
(no subject)
(no subject)
Mightyena
You're looking pretty fluffy today, boss.
no subject
Thank you, I think that's what I'm aiming for.
[It isn't, but she hasn't had time to get brushed often enough to deal with shedding her summer coat. It's making her look compacted in places, and when she stands up to try and shake it out it creates a cloud of fur. Without actually fixing the patchiness.]
no subject
Then you're killing it.
Anyway, this election has me a little...concerned, if I'm honest. I don't understand why Skull Town can't have a council of leaders, instead of us trying to elect one person to shape the future of the whole town. And I have a lot of qualms about everyone who's on the ballot.
[He moves to sit, setting her mug down and cupping his own in both forepaws.]
Like. Grimpig feels like throwing away my vote, because he's so busy you know he's not going to actively take stewardship over the outpost. I don't dislike the guy, but I dislike the idea of stretching him so thin across areas of responsibility.
Malamar's got a good plan, but he really did damage trust in himself last month. The psychic intrusion is something we can't be sure won't happen again.
Umbreon seems uncomfortable with campaigning, and I get that. He might be a good guild member with a lot of respect, but if he can't communicate his vision for the future...well, he's hard to put faith in as a leader.
Lurantis seems reasonable, and her plans to build bridges between "us" and "them" is admirable. But word is she's got a stubborn streak, and that can be trouble as a leader. [He knows that from experience. Hell, that's part of why when he started his climb to the top, one of his lieutenants was picked specifically because he didn't hero-worship Umemiya and would kick his ass if he was being an idiot.]
And then there's Oricorio. I've...long had a thought in the back of my head that the Pokemon in the wild ought to be represented. But the ones I've met don't want to be represented by him. Which is messy.
I just think we're setting ourselves up for trouble with any one of these individuals leading with unchecked power, rather than as part of a structure that allows them to help cover for where another might be less competent or confident.
no subject
Whoever runs Skull Town will still be reporting to us, even if communication will be sort of slow. But we need someone to make a final decision in emergencies, and those sorts of things can't wait for a committee to reach a conclusion. I don't mind the idea of the other candidates having a say in what happens, though, they just can't have equal power.
[She pauses, and her ears slide down a bit.]
You've probably noticed how often the other guild leaders and I disagree on things. That sort of in-fighting can kill a new settlement if we aren't careful.
no subject
[There's a wry tone to his voice. As he sips his own cider, he considers her for a moment.]
How much of a fight did you get in with Polteageist over who got dibs on Pavarti? 'Cause that girl seems like she could have been a shoe-in for the Lum Berries. I'm glad we got her instead, don't get me wrong. I like her.
I like a lot of our guild, honestly. I just don't know if there's more I can be doing to help them, or you.
(no subject)
(no subject)
Oran
But Mightyena is trustworthy, so when he approaches her, he remains calm and cordial.]
Good day, Mightyena-san. I hope I'm not taking up too much of your time. I was simply curious about Umbreon-san's accomplishments, as I'm much too new to know of his spectacular legacy within the guild.
[Knowing that may put his mind at ease. The other candidates are... sketchier, in his eyes. Some pros, some cons, and it's hard to choose this early.]
no subject
[Mightyena greets him with a wag of her tail, although the question gives her pause. The leadership position would be good for Umbreon, but... she's still not sure if she's pushing him too far out of his comfort zone.]
...Well, he's been a high-ranking member for a year now. He's mapped out a good portions of the cave system under the Spire for us, he's trained some of our best mid-rank members, and he's saved us from a few of the wild Pokemon swarms. He also helped out against Spiritomb and Dondozo, rescuing the teams that needed it. And... um.... well, I don't know if he ever spoke to you about trapping you and Shoka in a sweater, but, you know. He takes team-building very seriously.
[She's choosing her words carefully, because she doesn't think Umbreon needs to apologize for that necessarily, but clearing the air probably would have been a good idea. Even if she sort of doubts he was tactful enough to.]
no subject
Akechi briefly averts his gaze, partially out of embarrassment. So it's the same Umbreon, then...
Still, when Mightyena lists those accomplishments, they are impressive enough. Before long, his attention returns to her.]
He does sound qualified... I believe my only concern is whether or not he wishes to be there. He seems worthy of the vote, but is this a case where you feel the position may bring out the best in him?
no subject
To be honest, no one else volunteered, and I think that made Umbreon nervous that we'd lose our standing if we didn't have a candidate... but I do think it would be good for him. It's hard to find Pokemon who don't want to lead, but are still willing to step up out of a sense of duty - but I do think that's the best sort of Pokemon for this job.
[Not that she isn't worried Umbreon will struggle, but she thinks it will be good for him. With how well he's handled everything else as an Oran Berry, it's hard to find ways to truly challenge him, but the way he handled his candidacy is already making her feel like this was a good move toward encouraging further growth.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Cheri/Ribombee
For example: a few months ago, Flowey started a fight with Fireheart during his birthday. Flowey accidentally threw a tantrum on the Grumpearl network after Lusamine fell into a coma. And recently, Ribombee may or may not have heard that Flowey has been spreading made-up rumors about Lurantis!
It would be easy to think he's more trouble than he's worth, but... Flowey does work hard. And he even suggested building roofs for the low-tier Cheri Berry members who need them (although this may have been mostly out of self-interest). He's put his own neck on the line more than once for a guildmate. And during their conversation during the Summer, Ribombee may or may not have clocked that Flowey genuinely wants to help Bottlecap Bay.
Maybe it's while he's weighing these things in mind that Flowey approaches him.]
Howdy, Guildmaster! Heh... um, enjoying the weather? I've never seen the leaves so colorful!
[He did grow up Underground, after all. The Ruins had a few trees with red leaves, but these are orange and yellow and all sorts of other colors.]
I... well... came to say sorry.
[He doesn't even know if Ribombee has heard the most damning thing about him: he's been asking other Cheri Berry members if they're unsatisfied with his leadership!
As it turns out, though, most people either said 'no' or didn't care. So that whole plan fizzled out quickly.
He'll never be Ribombee's favorite. And that's fine-- he's used to not being anyone's favorite, anymore. But he at least wants to be good.]
... I promise I'll try doing better. ... Please don't kick me out.
no subject
Especially with how helpful Flowey has been lately. Helping with roofs, helping during quests, and generally trying which is all Ribombee really wants from his members.]
Sorry? You should be apologizing to Lurantis, shouldn't you...?
[He pauses for a moment - there's something a little practiced about how long he thinks, almost as though he's playing innocent about it.]
...Oh, is this about asking the other Cheri Berries if they like my leadership? Don't worry about it, that's water under the bridge - certainly, criticism is nothing to kick someone out over! Especially not a valuable member like you!
[His tone is bright, but there's something in his eyes. Something that says 'you're not on thin ice yet, but I don't want to repeat this conversation'.]
no subject
As for the "do not let me hear about your antics again" look, message received loud and clear. Flowey feels like a weight is lifted off his metaphorical shoulders-- for now.] And... thank you. I'll keep working hard for Bottlecap Bay and Skull Town.
[Normally, this is the part where he'd slink away... but he hesitates.]
... Say, Guildmaster.
I know you work hard, too. I've seen it. [This wasn't in question-- more like he was salty about the blatant favoritism. Not worth talking about that with Ribombee, though.] It must be hard to be you. After all, the other Guildmasters are always butting heads with you while you're clearly above petty disputes.
Like, with Death Blood Murder Skull Town and Froslass. You were just as concerned as I was! And you saw what happened to Noelle afterward. [As far as Flowey understands it, Noelle had severe personal issues already, and the Froslass situation only played a very small part in her disappearance. But still, it makes for good ammunition for his argument.] But instead, a friend told me Polteageist really pushed to just do nothing. It sure is good we're having this Skull Town election to prevent this type of issue again!
... but, I guess I should come right out and say it. When I was, um... speaking to a bunch of other Pokemon across the guilds... [About Ribombee's leadership, mostly.] ... lots of us were concerned about future conflict between the guilds.
I'm not saying Mightyena and Polteageist aren't great! Golly, I'd never say that. [Not where they could hear, at least.] But even good people can make choices that aren't great. Even good people can hurt others. What if you all disagree severely on how to handle a crisis and can't reach a compromise? Something in Bottlecap Bay itself, where the future Skull Town mayor can't be the deciding vote?
All us small Pokemon are pretty worried, especially since we'd be the first ones to go in a crisis. And with reports of past guilds having fallen, like the ruins in Heavy Downmoor suggest...
[He trails off there. He hopes he crafted this delicately enough that Ribombee won't change his mind and kick him to the curb. He is concerned, that much is true, and others are as well.
Even if Ribombee just tells him "don't worry about it," which he expects, he looks closely to gauge his reaction at different parts in his speech. Is there visible annoyance with Mightyena and/or Polteageist? Does Ribombee also seem afraid of escalating conflict or even the guilds falling to ruin themselves?]
no subject
And he does sit back and listen to the rest of what Flowey has to say, although Ribombee's smile starts to get tight. A little more forced, but never waning. Yes, he disagrees frequently with Mightyena and Polteageist. The way that Froslass was handled especially - honestly, everything about how Skull Town has been handled so far - had made him much angrier than he'd allowed the guild members to see. But getting his way wasn't the point.
His smile finally does wane a bit when Flowey mentions the fallen guilds. They're a somber affair, after all, and it's exactly what the current guilds are trying to prevent.]
Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about that. We have disagreements, yes, but our top priority is always the city as a whole. Yes, I would have liked to deal with Froslass more directly, but compromises are how you keep the city from collapsing. It wouldn't be good for anyone if we were all at each others' throats over every little thing.
[It's why the guild leaders patch things up so quickly after fighting over recruits, and why they don't get too deep into each others' business when it comes to how they're running their guilds. None of them particularly subscribe to the way the other two handle leadership, but no one can argue with the results. The city is thriving, despite everything.]
Anyway, there's no need to worry about a crisis happening. If something happened that we weren't able to handle, it would be over my dead body.
[He seems... concerningly genuine about that.]
(no subject)
Ribombee
This world is very different from mine. And here, I'm a very different type of being than I was before. It's...been a lot to adjust to.
I feel like I don't know why I'm here. Before, I had a shining golden purpose, a reason to exist, since the day I was born. Here...nothing.
no subject
That does seem like a lot to deal with. And I'm sure you're not alone with that feeling, but... well, the best we can do here is find you a new purpose. Maybe something close to what you were doing back home, if it was worth living for.
[He's choosing his words somewhat carefully. Because he can't relate exactly, but he knows this sort of thing is important. Pokemon have to feel like they're moving toward a goal or else it starts to feel like they're falling behind, and Ribombee is no different in that sense.]
no subject
[She hesitates, looking past Ribombee at the trees that are turning dry and colorful, losing their leaves.]
I was born to end the world. I don't think you want me trying to find a purpose close to that, do you?
no subject
Ribombee freezes, and that perpetual chipper smile on his face becomes very strained. Only for a moment, before he manages to pull himself back together.]
No, probably not. But! But. Maybe we can find you something that puts that conviction to good use. Like...
[Let him think for a moment.]
...Oh! What if I put you in charge of a project making room to expand the city? A controlled fire through the forest would be much faster than cutting all of those trees down, and the ash will enrich the soil for any ground we don't immediately build on. Even life has a need for destruction, right?
(no subject)
Lum
Hello, Guild Leader. May I ask why you're endorsing Malamar for this election?
[ no she will not be leading into it delicately, she has a problem with this and has not been quiet about it! ]
Cheri
He sets the small bag in his mouth down before speaking. ]
Ah, Ribombee? [ There's a slight tremble in his voice. He's clearly pushing through some nerves. ] I, um. I got you something!