(Mingle Log/Open Prompts) found

[holidaygirl1225]

WHO: Noelle, clinic staff, and you!
WHAT: Mingle logs after the rescue & opportunities to visit Noelle while she's recovering
WHEN: After the conclusion of the 'Flight and Freeze' quest, through late October
WHERE: Bottlecap Bay Clinic
WARNINGS: Hospitalization/emergency departments, recovery from severe injury, comas, themes of depression & disassociation. Any spoilers for Deltarune will be marked.

After being found, Noelle was thawed by resident Fire-types and teleported by a helpful Abra to the clinic in Bottlecap Bay. An expert in emergency medicine- an Audino referred to as Dr. Dino- and her team immediately took Noelle into the back of the clinic and didn't come out for what seemed to be hours.

and your future lost its rights

When Dr. Dino finally emerges into the general waiting room, she announces tiredly that Noelle is likely to make a full recovery. Unfortunately, the Deerling in question is comatose doesn't seem likely to wake up for a while. She might be ready to visit soon, but for now, she needs careful monitoring.

1. Shortly Thereafter (Open; Mingle Log)

A. A nurse Chansey prepares some hot drinks for anyone who was waiting to hear if Noelle would be okay-- especially those who were in Icefall Lake. Feel free to rest here and decompress a bit before returning home.

B. Dr. Dino offers to take a look at any characters who were injured during the rescue operation. If your character works at the Clinic, maybe you're the one treating the injured instead to give Dr. Dino a break.

[ooc; Feel free to interact with each other in either prompt. The only limitation is that Dr. Dino requests you avoid Noelle's room for now.]

2. A Few Weeks Later (Open)

Noelle remains asleep, but Dr. Dino has declared her able to receive visitors. If you enter the room where she's resting, you'll find her curled up on a little cot and heavily bandaged. It seems she sustained several injuries from her rampage, both from being attacked and using high-power moves to attack others without training properly first. Every so often, Chansey will check her vitals and/or change her bandages.

In the corner, some gifts and 'get well soon' notes have piled up for her. If you want, you may leave something for her as well. You can also sit by her bedside and keep her company. If you talk to her, maybe she'll hear you?

At the moment you're visiting, Noelle looks...

A. Serene. Angelic, even. If it weren't for the bandaging, you might think she's just having an afternoon nap. She emits a faint peppermint scent, as always-- is that from the flower on her head, or is it just her?

B. Troubled. Her ears are down, pressed flat against her head. The flower on her head looks like it's trying to close up. Every so often, she makes a whimper or gives a faint kick to her leg as if she's trying to run. If you listen closely- very, very closely- you might hear her mutter something in her sleep. Maybe it's 'Dess'... maybe it's 'Kris'... maybe it's your name, if you were very close.

[ooc; Noelle will not wake up during threads responding to this prompt. If your character talks to her, she may or may not remember what's said to her. You can also leave a gift or a letter for Noelle if you'd like. Two or more people can visit Noelle in the same thread if you'd like this to be a mingle log as well.]

3. Approaching All Hallows' Eve (set in late October; Open unless marked)

Noelle awakened on her own. It's almost as if she waited for everyone to leave before opening her eyes. The rumor is that she sat straight up, staring intently at something nobody else could see.

Soon, word gets out that Noelle is awake. Dr. Dino wants to keep her in the clinic a bit longer to keep an eye on her, and as it turns out, Noelle struggles to walk on her own. When Dr. Dino isn't helping other patients, she helps Noelle walk around her room so she can stretch, sometimes. Chansey guards her room, both to protect her from anyone who would wish her harm (there are quite a few she fought with, after all) and to stop her from running away again.

Despite the fact that Noelle is awake, she's less accessible than before. Apparently, she doesn't want to see anyone. She seems deeply ashamed of her outburst, and aside from that, there's a fog of melancholy that weighs her down.

A. Whether you sneak in, muscle your way past Chansey, or find some other method, you get into Noelle's room without permission. She's visibly shocked to see you, but doesn't try to call for help or kick you out-- just blithely accepting whatever you plan to do.

B. (Closed except for Bigby, Kinger, Tenna, Umemiya, and Ren. NOT mandatory-- just the approved list.) If you wish to visit her and Noelle considered you a friend, she'll let you in. Sorry, Shoka and Kris, neither of you are on the list for some reason...?

With that said, she's quiet when you enter, almost giving the vibe of a broken doll. The curtains are drawn and she's still curled in on herself, only glancing at you furitively from the corner of her eye.

C. (Closed except for medical staff/helpers at the clinic.) Chansey allows you in, but you're being watched, just in case. Noelle doesn't regard you, allowing you to do whatever you came here to do.

4. Wildcard

[Feel free to discuss another prompt with me at friendlyflower, ask me for my Discord, or inbox me here. Additionally, feel free to flip me to brackets style for any of these and I'll match you.]

Comments

3B

[fromsprouts]

Umemiya lingers in the doorway with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a jar of preserved Pecha berries in the other. Yes, he's allowed in, but he's not sure how to approach her with all that she's been through. It's not like he hasn't gone to see friends at the hospital before, but this is different. Right?

"Um, hi. I brought you..." Holding up the gifts, his ears perking slightly. "...these."

The flowers are white and yellow, the last blossoms remaining before winter. It looks like he might have picked them himself.

[holidaygirl1225]

For a second, the way she looks at him is almost as if she doesn't recognize him. Everything since the start of September feels like it's been one long dream. Even before that, she felt only half-awake.

But, it all comes back like a gust of icy wind. The desire to save her. The fight. Walking away.

Even now, the first thing she thinks about is possible escape routes. The second thing she thinks about is how she would try to win this time.

Nurse Chansey- standing in the doorway still- speaks up in her stead. "She's very grateful. Right, Noelle?"

She just nods. Chansey replaces the flowers beginning to wilt by her bedside with the white and yellow ones. Noelle doesn't look at them.

Chansey whispers to Umemiya: "She's been having a hard time. As her friend, I trust you, but try not to stress her out."

[fromsprouts]

"Wasn't planning on it." He murmurs that to the Chansey, lingering at a polite distance. Not sure what to say, if he should say anything.

"I just...wanted to apologize. For everything. Pushing you into a fight like that. Not being able to get you free for good. Um. If you don't want to talk now, it's okay. It's fine. I just... I'm so sorry."

open.....

[heartonachain]

[♥︎ 2A or B]

Kris visits as soon as they're able to, and every day thereafter. They don't always make it all the way to her room, but they'll at least stop by the clinic and linger in the entryway, checking if anything's changed. Leave, when they learn it hasn't. On the days they do make it all the way through, though, they don't have much to say. Check a few random spots around the room, check on Noelle, stare at her with a weird expression, then leave.

But if others are around to chat, they'll linger. Strangely, they seem annoyed every time it happens, even when they're the one striking up a conversation. Maybe it's just because they're worried...?

They do bring her a get-well gift, eventually. On a random day in the middle of the month, they come bearing... a single red apple. They don't have hands, so it already has teeth marks on it. She probably doesn't want a pre-bitten apple, but they leave it with the pile of gifts all the same.

[♥︎ 3...?]

The news spreads quickly. Of course, Kris heads to the clinic as soon as they hear about Noelle, and...

stands in front of the building, heels dug in like they were being dragged against their will. They don't even make it far enough to be told if they're wanted or not. They already know what the answer would be. Already know there's nothing they could say. And there they stay, refusing to move an inch, to explain themselves, to even speak at all, their face taut as if deep in concentration.

... until something seems to finally give. Like a puppet whose strings have been cut, the Deino suddenly slouches low, sways... then, on unsteady feet, slowly begins to turn and skulk away.

They stay away from the clinic, after that.

[dripdrive]

As a regular volunteer at the clinic, Anasui is there almost as Kris is. While Anasui does recognise them as the person who organised Noelle's search party, he has no idea who they are personally and the first time he notices them around, he pays them no mind. However, after a few days, he keeps seeing the Deino over and over again, curiosity gets the better of him. Who's this person?

On one of the days that Kris does manage to get into the room, Anasui follows them in. He stands in the doorframe and stares down at Kris.

... Maybe this would be less weird if he said something...]

[heartonachain]

They go up to Noelle first, checking on her. She seems peaceful today. If that brings Kris any relief, they don't show it—they only watch Noelle for a minute or so before continuing with the rest of their weird routine, which mostly involves checking random tables, drawers and other objects around the room, including Noelle's little pile of well-wishes and a card they obviously can't read. It's only after they've circled the room fully that they turn around and acknowledge Anasui.

It's hard to read Kris's expression, but they seem... tired, mainly. They stare vaguely in his direction, eyes shrouded in hair.

"Noelle," they say, their voice a touch too loud and forceful. They continue after an awkward pause, a hint of annoyance in their mumbled followup. "... still not awake."

3

[dunchies]

Completely removed from anything related to a missing Deerling, Laios is busy making his rounds throughout town delivering fresh milk from the local Miltanks. With the clinic as his next stop, he tugs along a small cart, the clinks of glass at every bump making him easy to hear coming before he finally arrives.

At first, he passes the Deino by the entrance, only glancing curiously before continuing onward. Then, he stops, dropping the cart's handle altogether. He looks back again, uncertain yet unwilling to let this go. Laios hasn't seen this little dragon before, but even he can tell that sway isn't natural. Maybe they were discharged earlier than they should have been from the clinic.

"Hey," he starts, trotting beside them as they stumble ahead. His voice is light but underlined with obvious concern. "Are you doing okay?"

[heartonachain]

They drag their feet with each step, slow and heavy as if moving through molasses. It's agonizing, but freeing in a familiar way. Even if they can't tear it out, they can still resist it if they're determined enough, and they are determined.

But the monster trotting up beside them is a distraction. They stop in place, legs wobbling as if they might collapse at any moment, face pointed down at the dirt. Slowly, slowly, they turn their head to him, a shimmer of red reflected off a single visible eye through the shade of their matted hair.

It would be a lot more intimidating if they didn't look so goofy. Anyway,

They don't say anything, but the irritated look should be enough. No, they are obviously not okay, is he stupid? But also, he should mind his business. They can make it home on their own, even if they have to shuffle like a zombie the whole way.

2B

[holidaygirl1225]

It's likely that, whatever information they receive by looking around, it's of little use. Answers may not come until she awakens-- maybe not even after that.

This time, Noelle really does seem to be trapped in a bad dream. This time, there's nothing they can do to save her.

"... Kris."

They might turn around. Is she awakening?

But a long silence follows. She remains asleep. If they look at her again, the information they receive likely is the same.

It's only once they try to leave that she whispers their name again.

"... Kris..."

3...? SORRY I MEANT TO TAG THIS WHEN IT WENT UP

[its_tv_time]

Unfortunately for Kris, a certain TV bug arrives just as they start skulking away. Even more unfortunately, he takes note of them, freezing for a moment, before shouting:

"Kris, my dear viewer! Did you just visit Noelle?" he starts waddling over on his stumpy little bug legs, smile plastered onto his face. "I heard she woke up, so I came as soon as I could!" Then, a little more subdued, "How... how is she?"

its never too late for tv time

[heartonachain]

They freeze, shoulders tense the moment they hear that cheerfully familiar voice. Maybe, if they stay very very still, he'll forget they're here.

...

Okay, no, that isn't going to work. They turn their head, looking away.

"She's... fine." Probably. Hopefully. No one in there was panicking, so. "You should go see her."

Has Noelle even met Tenna yet? They're not sure... but she'd probably be happier to see him than Kris.

3C

[pyrodulia]

Agnes was one of the fire types called to help thaw and warm Noelle, immediately after she was found. She didn't say anything then, just applied gentle bursts of Ember off to one side of Noelle to help melt the ice.

She doesn't say anything now either, slipping into Noelle's room after a quiet word with the Chanseys and Dr. Dino. No comment at all as she hops into the bed and curls herself against Noelle's back.

The sunlight turned harsh!

Warm light streams from nowhere in particular, and Agnes's body radiates heat. She still smells incredibly odd, all struck matches and incense and distant warning spices. But she is a beacon of body heat that demands nothing at all of Noelle in this moment.

[holidaygirl1225]

The lack of comment is welcomed. She winces at the touch, but doesn't make any move to push Agnes away.

The freezing cold she's been feeling- ("All psychological, I believe," Dr. Dino had whispered to Chansey, "there's no lingering signs of hypothermia or illness,")- begins to wane. But it's still there, just on the edge of her consciousness, like darkness at the edge of a campfire's light.

After a long time without a single word exchanged:

"I did what was in my nature."

Her voice is hoarse. She doesn't look at Agnes as she speaks.

[pyrodulia]

"Mmm."

There is a complete lack of judgement in her tone. It's something felt, a whuff of air at the back of Noelle's neck as much as a sound.

Is this her fault? For nudging Noelle to act as is her nature? Did she make this mess?

"Tell me something. Do you still think they're maybe not worth protecting, after they worked so hard to find and rescue you?"

3C

[dripdrive]

[Anasui wouldn't consider himself as one of Noelle's friends but he saw the girl quite regularly, especially when she worked at the Clinic. It's why her disappearance disturbed him, and also why he went out searching for her with everyone else. The Espathra didn't come in every day but every shift he took he would go in and check on her. Sometimes Chansey would shoo him off but today Anasui legitimately got permission to bring her some food and medicine.

And so, here he is now, with a tray of warm, baked berries and medicine in the satchel around his neck. Anasui places the plate down next to the girl and looks at Noelle.]

You took your last batch of meds, right?

[holidaygirl1225]

[The previous food tray has been left untouched. If Anasui looks to Chansey, she shrugs as if to say, "Look, I tried, okay?". She has her hands full with guarding the door, after all, and Dr. Dino has other emergencies to attend to!

Noelle, meanwhile, casts a glance at Anasui-- regarding him, but somehow not really acknowledging him. She nods weakly.

... Maybe it's just Anasui's medical training, or Psychic power, or bullshit detector, but he very likely can tell she didn't take her meds, either. Chansey would get in trouble if she didn't give Noelle those, so it was likely that Noelle only pretended to take them or something along such lines.]

[dripdrive]

[Anasui rolls his eyes towards Chansey, as if to say it's a skill issue on Chansey's part that she can't guard and force her patient to eat at the same time, but doesn't say much on the matter. Instead, he starts to tidy up. He doesn't take the old food away but he places it further away from Noelle, figuring she should eat the new food first and then the old food if she somehow gains an appetite.

Anasui picks up Noelle's lie quickly with a combination of all three methods and frowns deeply. She needs to take her medicine and it's probably best to take it now if she's missed her last dose. But Anasui doesn't want to get kicked out nor does he want Noelle to panic or retaliate, which may happen if he confronts her directly. He'll need a different approach...]

...Good, and that was a few hours ago, right? [He continues without waiting for an answer.] So I'll need you to take this batch right away. And with the food, if it makes it easier. [Maybe having an audience will ensure Noelle doesn't skip taking what she needs?]

[wolfcut]

2A or B

[ While Noelle is still asleep, he makes it a point to check in on her periodically, even if only briefly. Lingering too long at the clinic already makes him antsy enough as it is. Not like he has anything comforting to say either, even if another visitor tries to start some small talk as a distraction.

(It does beg the question as to why he's bothering to show up as much as he is. Wasn't he acting like he barely knew her during the search?)

At some point too, he manages to leave a gift: a small batch of gingerbread cookies. One quick look is enough to tell that they're all various degrees of misshapen and burnt, the work of someone who's maybe only touched a mixing bowl once or twice before. Probably for the best that Noelle might not have much of an appetite to eat those, whenever she does wake up, but maybe you might be tempted during a long visit. ]

3B

[ When news spreads that she's finally awake, Bigby is one of the last to see her, even after finding out he's somehow made the list of approved visitors. Eventually, he does come with another box of treats in hand, this time an assortment of freshly picked berries and fruits, along with a few seeds.

There's some more cookies too, this time clearly made by someone else who knows what they're doing. Something about the season is making him even more food oriented than usual, which is now transferring into whatever this is supposed to be. A part of him is still wondering if he should even be here at all. ]

Noelle... [ His brows furrow. Too many questions spring to mind at once. (What were you thinking? Do you know how worried everyone was? What if we didn't find you in time?) The nurse gives him an apprehensive look, already knowing what to expect from him. It takes another moment before he turns his head, ears drooping. ] ... I hope you didn't try eating that last batch. These are better.

[ His voice is quiet, clearly still bothered by what he left unsaid than he wants to admit. While the Chansey tries to take the box from him, he moves past her in the doorway to try to take them to Noelle himself. ]

3B (others can tag in to 2A/B!!)

[holidaygirl1225]

[Two weird things Bigby might notice:

1. Chansey almost doesn't let him in-- but then double-checks the list and seems to spot his name. It almost seems like Noelle only added him to the 'approved' list last-minute.

2. The burnt/misshapen cookies are uneaten, but in the container by her side. It almost seems like they're some kind of safety blanket.]

No, I... don't have much of an appetite, fahaha. But they're nostalgic. I really like them. When I was little, Kris and I--

[The mention makes the smile drop right from her face. She looks like she just bit something sour.]

-- would make gingerbread monsters and humans. Anyway.

[She lets him place the box nearby. The new cookies are much prettier, but less personal, somehow.]

... Th-thanks, Mr. Bigby. [He didn't like being called 'Mister', did he? But it feels too personal to refer to him without the title, especially after what she did.] I hope you're, um, doing okay.

[wolfcut]

[ Even while focused on Noelle, he can feel Chansey’s eyes on him. Nothing he’s not used to, but it’s a reminder, nonetheless. With so many check-ups under his belt, his reputation already precedes him around here. Reckless, borderline dangerous — the nurse was right to question how his name wound up on the list to begin with.

New box set aside, he can't help but glance at the old one close by her. The cookies look even more pitiable than he remembered. Good thing they can't come to life around here. ]

Tired, but fine. [ Stilted. He doesn't correct her on the formalities this time. ] We're all glad you're doing better.

[ His ears flick as silence follows. At some point, Chansey clears her throat quietly behind him before he awkwardly rubs his cheek. He still has too much to say, but none of it manages to come out. Again, he looks at the cookies. ]

I, uh. I've never made those before, if you can believe it. Didn't have a lot of holiday traditions to practice...

[ He's assuming that's what her story was about, and why her expression soured so quickly at bringing it up. Kris, that weird little dragon helping lead the search... Someone from home, then. A reminder, maybe, of an easier time. Before someone else got sick. Before somone else went missing. He speaks on none of it. ]

But why gingerbread monsters?

OTA

[telewarped]

1A

[When Chansey comes around with an offer of hot drinks, Shoka declines. It's partly because the way Mimikyu drink is almost comically strange (and she is trying not to draw attention to herself right now), but also because she doubts she'd be able to stomach it.

To keep her mind and hands occupied, she turns instead to crocheting in the waiting area. It works maybe a bit too well. Not long after removing the implements and barely-started project from the hollow of her disguise-head, she seems to fall into a trance. Nothing breaks her focus as she works away with uncharacteristic diligence; even trying to speak to her directly will earn nothing more than the barely coherent mumblings of someone half-asleep.

Several hours pass—for her—in the blink of an eye, and eventually she's left sitting in her corner, disoriented and more exhausted than ever, with her completed creation sat cheerfully in her hands. It's a small, yarn snowman—or, rather, a snow Pikachu, judging by the ears—complete with a small scarf of red-dyed yarn.

Glaring down at it, Shoka heaves a weary, frustrated sigh.]

Ugh...

[Noelle was found out in the cold, frozen solid. Snow might be one of the last things she wants to see right now (next to, of course, Shoka herself). What was she even thinking?]

2B

[Weeks later, when she finally has a chance to visit, she finds Noelle in a deep, tormented sleep, occasionally whimpering and kicking her legs as if trying to flee an unseen predator.

Shoka hadn't planned on saying anything, but Noelle also occasionally talks in her sleep, and at one point, Shoka swears she hears her name. At that point, startled and concerned, she can't help but shuffle closer and try reaching out a hand.]

H-hey... I'm here...

[Her claws ghost over the flower on Noelle's head, coaxing the petals to relax—but they only close up more tightly in response, and Noelle's legs kick only more fiercely, nearly thrashing.

Whether you accompanied Shoka into the room or just happen to be the visitor allowed in right after her, you might witness her draw her hand back and flinch away before she disappears into her shadow and exits under the door.

Afterward, Noelle falls still and seems to calm, her sleep turned more sound and peaceful than it was before. Shoka doesn't stay long enough to see it.

(She did, however, manage to leave her gift for Noelle, for better or for worse: the crocheted snow-Pikachu. A snowman may be a bad choice, but she's also remembered something Noelle told her when they were venturing through the snow together on a quest: You can't let one bad dream distract you from what really matters.

It will still be there when Noelle wakes up, holding vigil over her letters and other get-well gifts.)]

3

[An attempt to visit Noelle again once she's awake confirms what Shoka already expected: Noelle doesn't want to see her. If she were to use her Shadow Sneak, she's sure that she could easily get past Chansey and into Noelle's room... But ultimately, she decides not to. If Noelle isn't ready to see her—or never wants to see her again, just like she said back at the river—that's her choice.

Onlookers may see Shoka approach Chansey, then shrink back after exchanging a few words, before she turns and leaves, Shadow Sneaking under the feet of other visitors to find the quickest way out the door.]

3

[heartonachain]

[Kris is standing outside the clinic when she enters, stone-faced and unresponsive. They don't pay the Mimikyu any mind, and they expect she does the same in return. There's nothing strange about one of Noelle's friends wanting to visit. She's allowed to see her, unlike a fake-friend like Kris.

... or so they thought, until they feel the shadow slinking under their feet far too soon after her arrival.

They turn their head, the pressure from their Soul lifting as its attention starts to shift.]

Where are you going? [confused, mainly, with a tiny speck of anger. She's not even going to see her, after she made such a fuss about finding her?]

1A (surely they'll have a non-angst related thread again one day)

[wolfcut]

[ Bigby's never been good with waiting around. The lack of updates immediately puts him on edge, and the more time passes, the antsier he becomes, until he has to leave altogether. He doesn't even manage to stick around long enough to be offered a drink, not that he would have even accepted it to begin with.

Eventually, he does come back, unable to help himself after pacing around town for what felt like hours. Again, there’s no news, but his frustration turns into confusion when he spots Shoka in the same corner as earlier. Quietly, he walks over to sit by her. ]

Shoka, are you... [ He trails off, grimacing slightly at the little toy sitting in her hands. Passing resemblance to them both aside — well, less so to her now thanks to the outfit change — he's more concerned about the fact that she seems to be exactly where he saw her before he left. ] ... Did you make that?

2A

[offtracks]

[ Ingo was one of the ones who brought Noelle in, of course. He'd carried her on his back, the whole way home, trying his best to moderate his heat for her. Thawing too quickly can be just as dangerous as getting frozen. He's continued to check in every so often since. They were not especially close, but he still feels responsible.

He'll leave things occasionally: perhaps unusually, it's mostly packages of dried seaweed and fruit? In Hisui, it's important to have a good stock for winter! ]

It is quite a lovely day today! Everyone has been talking a great deal about the mayoral election, even here. I must say, I am not sure I can vote for Umbreon no matter what Mightyena says -

[ Yeah he just sort of rambles like this every single time sorry ]

we can leave this here if you'd like, thank you for tagging :>

[holidaygirl1225]

[Noelle continues resting. Maybe it's his imagination, but it seems at certain points like her ear is twitching. Or maybe she's listening?

As a Warden, it's doubtlessly not his first time caring for an injured Pokemon, but maybe it's different when it's someone he spoke to. The two of them both had lost certain memories. While nobody is sure yet what exactly caused Noelle to run away, a rumor had gone around that she had mentioned 'remembering' something. Maybe she hadn't been happy with what she had found.]