(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

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."

[dripdrive]

Anasui watches silently, not interrupting whatever ritual Kris seems to be doing. He doesn't quite understand nor does he try to, merely waiting for Kris to initiate dialogue.

Thankfully for Anasui, he's long used to reading the expressions of people who struggled with emotions. And though for a split second he's taken aback how similar Kris is to their best friend, Anasui focuses on the topic at hand.

Noelle.

"... No. She isn't. We're not sure what the issue is though. It's not like the comas some people fall into. It's something else entirely."

[heartonachain]

They nod, still staring blankly ahead. None of this is new information. They've seen for themselves, asked anyone who would listen, come back again and again like the answer might change if they just kept checking...

But Noelle won't get better just because they keep asking. All they're doing is getting in everyone's way.

The silence drags on, long enough that it might seem like they're already done with this conversation... but then they look down, mumbling their words at their feet.

"... can't do anything. Sucks."

[dripdrive]

Anasui stares blankly back at him. The teen is a little strange but nothing Anasui hasn't seen before. All he can do is nod, really.

"Yeah... sure does suck. At most, all you can do is help out in the clinic like Noelle did, and give the docs more time to focus on her. Not that it's any more helpful than doing quests, but it's an idea, especially if you're going to be here more more than anyone else."

Anasui lets Kris sit with that idea first before he asks a question he wants to know.

"...Did you know Noelle from before? She your sister or something?"

[heartonachain]

Kris, helping at the clinic.

... no. It helping out at the clinic. He can't see their face like this, but they're scowling at the floor. They'd rather do nothing than let something else make the effort, again, because Kris is such an awful friend they can't even do the bare minimum on their own. If they can't make that choice then it should be nothing.

But they don't say anything to that. Their opinion doesn't matter, anyway. They'll find out later what their Soul decides to do, and they'll seethe in silence until the feeling passes.

The question only further agitates those feelings, though. Who is she to them, really? Just a neighbour? Something else?

"... friends." Their voice is quiet, strained, but... they don't try to stifle the words, even if it feels wrong in their mouth. It's more than they deserve to say. "Neighbours. Used to hang out."

[dripdrive]

Anasui stares at Kris. Without being able to see their expression or sense their mind and/or emotions, he's struggling to get any read on the Deino. But he doesn't mind the short sentences or the long periods of silence... it's almost nostalgic to Anasui.

He nearly misses Kris' words, only able to catch it with how silent the room is. Anasui nods.

"Ah, makes sense. Someone you knew, even before this whole mess. Makes sense..." Someone Kris knew before becoming a Pokemon. He's getting the vibe that they're childhood friends but he's not sure. Anasui doesn't have any childhood friends to compare to...

"... You know why she ran off like she did?"

deltarune ch.2 spoilers here onwards probably

[heartonachain]

They tense, shoulders stiff. In truth, they don't know why. All they can do is guess. But if they have to guess, then...

♥︎  Weird dream
	Froslass			Dess
My fault

"Mentioned a weird dream," they say with a hint of confusion. Not the answer they were braced for... they do seem to relax a little, after that. "Something about... getting stronger. Freezing people. Telling her what to do."

... which does describe some of what's been happening recently, but... that was just a dream. Nothing like that happened back in Cyber World. Wouldn't the reason have to be something else?

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.

[dunchies]

Unfortunately for Kris, Laios is nothing if not determined himself. He pauses mid-step, ears falling back at the obvious glare in his direction. The red eye is enough of an indicator that he may have overstepped, but the shape of it leads him to another conclusion. His ears slowly perk up at the realization.

"Oh. You can’t see." He frowns a bit, no longer looking at them directly, instead focusing on their legs as they tremble in place. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you."

Laios hasn't realized that they have yet to say a word. Instead, he keeps going, earnest if not completely unaware that it's unwanted.

"You can lean against me, if you want. To help get steady?"

[heartonachain]

They continue to stare pointlessly, annoyance gradually ebbing away into blank neutrality. He means well, they think. Probably. They... must look pretty bad right now, too.

The Deino lowers their head again, making a small effort to adjust their stance. They manage to stand a little more firmly on their own, but...

"Sure." They're muttering an answer before they have a chance to think about it. The shaking has stopped, but they seem to wilt despite it. Damn. So much for their break.

It's completely pointless now, but they lean against him anyway. It's fuzzy, not quite fluffy, but still warm. Also a little tingly.

...

After a few seconds of relative normalcy, they cave to their innermost desires and bury their whole face in his side. Smells strongly of dog. Hell yeah.

[dunchies]

He smiles, unable to help himself even if Kris can't actually see it. Instead, they might feel the soft movement of a tail wagging. Of all the people who could understand that impulse with dogs, it's Laios most definitely.

"Feels nice, right? The tingling is from the electricity in my fur!" Said so excitedly, one must wonder how long he's been waiting to tell someone that fun fact. As Kris continues to bury their face into him, he noses the fur on top of their head now with a sniff and a huff.

Mossy. So very mossy. Almost reminds him of how the dungeon smelled sometimes.

"What guild are you in? I can help get you there." He pauses, looking back at the cart of milk at the clinic entrance. Someone... someone will come grab it, surely. But, first. "Actually, do you want some milk before we go? It's fresh. Maybe that'll help you get some strength back."

[heartonachain]

They breathe a muffled noise into his fur. Yeah, it's pretty nice. They don't even mind the nose in their hair. In this brief moment of respite, they are filled with the power of canine companionship.

They have to pull away eventually, though. The fur on their face and neck is puffed out from all the static, but they don't particularly mind it. They already have something far more important to focus on.

Free milk...

Their tail wags. Please. Please, let them have the free milk... they deserve a treat. Come on.

Yes please

♥︎

I'm good

They clamp their jaws shut, nodding aggressively despite the words still trying to force their way out. Yes they WOULD like the free milk actually! They very much want the free milk!!!

[dunchies]

In that moment, his heart fills with the kind of adoration reserved for only the cutest of creatures. Look at the way they wag their little nub of a tail. Look at how their fur puffs this way and that. He is trying so hard to be normal about this, but the inevitable sound of tippy taps betray him. They need milk. They need milk now.

"O-okay! Just... just wait here. I'll be right back!" A fairly accurate assesment, given how fast he turns around to make a dash toward the milk cart that's literally right there.

Actually, while he's at it, let him take it inside like he's supposed to.

A few moments later, he emerges from the clinic, holding a small crate with four whole glass bottles of fresh milk, just for Kris. He sets it down in front of them, tail wagging expectantly. "There you go! Have as much as you want. It's one of the tastiest things you can get around here."

In his excitement, he's forgotten that neither of them have hands to lift the bottles up to drink. It's fine. They'll figure it out.

[heartonachain]

Kris doesn't even realize how adorable they are, they're just thrilled to have confirmation of free milk. They sit and stay like an obedient little dragonpuppy while Laios finishes his delivery, and they're still in the exact same spot when he returns, staring blankly forward and wilfully oblivious to all the traffic they're blocking. Fuck everyone else, this is possibly the most important mission of their life.

They perk up when they hear the familiar paw pads and the clink of glass on wood. The Deino stands, just as excited as Laios, tail wagging as they nose the tops of the bottles. Four milks... this is the goddamn jackpot. There is no way they are going to let this opportunity pass.

Kris immediately latches onto one of the bottlecaps and starts gnawing like a living can opener. If they have to eat the lid to figure it out so help them, they will do it.

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.

[its_tv_time]

"That's just what I was about to do! I'm so excited she's feeling better!"

Still... that doesn't sound very convincing. Is she... really fine?

Well, she has to be, right?! She's awake! What else could it mean! So... why does Kris sound so...

... glooby?

Is it because of him? It- it can't be, right? Even after everything, Kris said they were fine! They're friends now, right? Right?!

His smile doesn't waver, but something about this bothers him.

"Kris... did you not go yet? I-I'm not holding you up, am I? Or maybe..." They're blind now! He remembers! "Oh! Were you trying to get inside? Don't worry, we can go together! I'm sure Noelle would love that!"

[heartonachain]

No No No No No No No No No No No No

♥︎

Okay

They hiss the word out through clenched teeth, but it's not enough to stop them from saying it. Sure. Why not. They'll just pop in and say hi and be extremely normal about all of this.

Why did they even try? Once again, their body starts to move on its own. They turn back towards the clinic, dragging their feet with every step like a little kid throwing a tantrum.

... but they can't even do that, can they? Because Tenna knows them. He won't see this as a funny quirk of theirs like everyone else. He knows what they're like, and he'll figure out something is wrong with them if they keep trying to fight it.

They try to relax, feeling all the more nauseous for it. Glooby would be an understatement. They look like they might throw up just from the stress.

[its_tv_time]

...Okay, they say, but...

Something is definitely wrong. They look like they're going to be sick. Tenna's first instinct is to keep smiling, and pretend like nothing's wrong, but... that's not going to work anymore. No, he can't just keep pretending everything is hunky-doody, can he? That'll just end up the same as last time. He... he has to act!

"Whoa there, wait up," he says, before they're able to enter, his appendage landing on Kris' shoulder. "You look like you're marching to the gallows! What's wrong?" He gives them a smile, trying to project kindness. "You can tell your old pal Tenna! We... we're friends, right? Friends can tell each other when they're feeling glooby!"

The please say we're actually friends is unsaid, but Kris probably knows Tenna well enough to know it's implied. He doesn't mean for it to be, but it still is, sort of.

[heartonachain]

They flinch at the touch, stopping in place. For a long, long moment, they say nothing at all.

... it feels like, if they wanted to, they could get away with staying silent. But their mouth moves anyway, voice quiet and hoarse and exhausted beyond measure.

"I'm a bad friend."

To Noelle, or Tenna? It might as well be both. They're a bad friend just in general. And Tenna should know, having seen a glimpse of what Kris is really like. They threatened him, used him, lied to everyone the entire time...

"Doesn't wanna see me. I'd make her upset."

mfw tenna tries to comfort you and makes it about himself

[its_tv_time]

There were a few reactions Tenna expected, maybe. The flinch, he realizes he should've known from the moment he laid his, er, appendage on their shoulder, and he immediately feels guilty. The silence, that, too, feels expected, now.

Their words, however, are not what he expected, and he gawks in surprise.

"K-Kris! What makes you say that?" he stutters, unmoored. "You're not a bad friend! Far from it! You can be a bit, er, quirky sometimes-" to put it lightly! Kris has been acting really weird lately, and honestly, they're kind of scary sometimes, "-but who isn't! Right?" He forces a grin. "I mean, look at me! I was the worst! I attacked you all, and I went back on our promise, but you all still helped me and wanted to be my friend!" Probably. Maybe. He isn't sure, most days. "I... I can't believe Susie was so kind to me, after everything, haha!"

There's a pause, before he continues.

"I wouldn't know what you could've done to make Noelle- sweet, kind Noelle not want to see you!"