Dolly's December and January Catchall!

[autumnrainrunaway]

Who: Dolly, you, and the whole Yule season...

What: An in general Catchall with a side of quests should they come up :'3c

When: Throughout all of December!

Where: Bottlecap Bay and some mild wilderness (we're off to get a tree~)

Warnings: None at the moment, but will update if something crops up.

Comments

Oh Abomasnow, Oh Abomasnow~ (Closed to Anasui)

[autumnrainrunaway]

It was exciting for sure, going out to get a Christmas Tree to bring back to decorate as Dolly hopped along in the snow. It was making some clear tiny Sylveon shaped holes as Dolly followed along with Anasui. The ribbon feelers on Dolly's neck are wrapped around like a scarf to keep herself a little warmer even in the little Poke-capelet as Dolly went to look up at Anasui.

"How big of a tree do you think we should go for?" Dolly tilted her head a bit to the side looking up from the snow crater.

The only upside right now for Dolly about having Impressionist painting vision, it made the wintery landscape looking like something from a picture book. This was something she was at the moment grateful for.

Don't maul us before we have to go~

[dripdrive]

For every few body-sized prints Dolly leaves in the snow, a single, avian footprint is pressed into the ground. Anasui isn't walking too slowly but he is mindful that he is much bigger than Dolly, so it looks like Anasui is casually strutting through the forest. He cocks his long neck over as he hears Dolly speak and frowns as he mills over the question.

"Depends. If we're being generous and this is for the Archives, we'll want a very, very big tree. If it's for your apartment or my house, we don't need it that big. Maybe something 7'2" at most. Sizable but still able to fit inside."

Your fangs are frightful and filled with dread~

[autumnrainrunaway]

Oh do they want to be generous to the Archives and give it a Christmas tree? Would they have enough strength to haul it back? Dolly debates it from her little snow crater. It would be nice to the Archives to have something festive to look at while doing research in...Oh Dolly now has the big deciding factor in mind!

The treats...

"Let's do your house then, I think Emporio would enjoy a Christmas tree for it. I think we were going to decorate it with treats? I think he'd get a good kick out of that one."

Please don't us per-manently put us to bed~

[dripdrive]

Anasui rarely feels charitable but he's very much feeling the spirit of the season. That being said, he's pleased to hear that Dolly is as interested in decorating his home as he is. While they could find the tree and get others to help if Anasui's psychic powers couldn't lift it by himself, it's just... nicer to have one for themselves.

"We can decorate it with whatever we like. And whatever we fine. Treats will be good though - and they'll last longer in our house without strangers munching on them. But you better make sure the treats look adequate, alright?"

Anasui glances over at Dolly and frowns. "Are you not cold down there?"

We swear to Arceus, we don't taste good, we're really kinda gamey!~

[autumnrainrunaway]

It really is nicer to just have one to themselves as well as giving life to the holiday season in the house. Curses and rats there are no oranges to cut up and dry, those would've been perfect in the tree. Upside, there are alternatives to the orange dilemma and it is a historically try n' true classic.

"Sure, I've always enjoyed decorating gingerbread cookies, they'll be adequate to view and a good complimentary fragrance to the pine. I think in town, there should be candy canes we can gather for it."

Before she could mention the gilded walnuts, Dolly pauses when asked....it was indeed cold down there...curse those Fae Rules kicking in. "I am a little bit.."

[dripdrive]

If Dolly had voiced her strange expressions or the orange issue, Anasui... wouldn't be sure how to react. However, since she didn't, he simply nods in response to her more traditional suggestions for tasty decorations.

"I can get the candy canes. And we can always just put regular decorations if there's not enough sugar to go around."

Anasui stops walking and sighs. He shakes his head, like an exasperated parent, before he leans over to pick up Dolly by the scruff. Without any warning, he picks her up and puts the tiny Sylveon onto his back.

"There. Now you won't be as cold and we can move faster without you holding us back."

[autumnrainrunaway]

"That's true, there should be some fun regular decorations we can get if there isn't any sugar to go.."

Up goes a Dolly in mid sentence with no complaints as she gets picked up by the scruff and placed on Anasui's back. Okay...Dolly is rather liking this much better and it's warmer than jumping in the snow for movement...tiny legs be damned.

"This is a far better solution, thank you Anasui." Dolly goes to let Anasui carry her on his back as they continue on with their Christmas Tree hunt.

The snow definitely made the trees look thicker than normal, but at least they're pretty to look at. Dolly was curious which tree Anasui would pick out for the Christmas tree...the smell of pine was very welcoming to the tiny Sylveon.

I imagine their attempts at hacking the tree down will end up bonking the abomasnow + getting it mad

[dripdrive]

"It's fine. You barely weigh anything and this is far more efficient," Anasui isn't fussed and is just glad that Dolly isn't upset with him picking her up. So many people got upset with him doing that without asking (not that he cared. He will absolutely continue to do it).

Anasui takes the time to walk through the woods, analysing the tree carefully. He knows how big his house is and what they could manage decorating, so in no time he's scanned through a good part of the forest. Eventually, he pauses when he sees a large tree. It's not towering like the ones around it, but it looks plenty sturdy and healthy.

"This one. I think this one will be good."

Abomasnow minding its own business when these goobers come in to chop it down...

[autumnrainrunaway]

Dolly didn't mind at all, her younger batch sister would tackle hug her without warning growing up. Curling up in a comfortable position, Dolly goes to enjoy the ride on Anasui. It truly was a lot more efficient as he said, no having to hop along to keep up or sinking into the snow.

It truly did feel like a winter wonderland out in this area, passing by the trees, looking them over carefully for what'll work best for the house. Soon enough, when Anasui saw that tree, Dolly was looking it over too. It had a good girth, sturdy, and just an overall gorgeous tree to work with. Simply put, it was the Venus de Milo of trees, pure perfection.

"I think so too, look how beautiful it is and I bet you anything it'll be perfectly fragrant as well."

[dripdrive]

Good. Then let's get to getting it down. [Anasui makes a full lap around the tree, inspecting the base, blind to the whole world around him. Then he begins marking lines in the tree with his talons.]

Got any moves you want to practice? We just need to cut out this bit of tree here so the tree will fall away from other trees.

[Anasui could do it himself with a series of Aerial Aces but it'll be much faster if they work together.]

[autumnrainrunaway]

[Anasui had brought up something Dolly hadn't done just yet...she only had Dazzling Gleam for an offensive attack, she hadn't learn much others on the field..]

Would it be alright if I watch you how you cut down the tree? I only have the weaponized iridescence that might work, but I'm worried about it blowing up the tree. Maybe if I watch how you do it, maybe I'll figure out a new move.

[She still remembers what happened with Kaiba back in Skull Town...that was a magical thing to have had happen.]

[dripdrive]

Weaponised iridescence? [Anasui frowns as he racks his brain, trying to see if he's ever come across such a move.] Do you mean Lumina Crash? You know that move too?

[Regardless, he's fine doing the work himself (he can be more precise, this way). Anasui picks Dolly up by the scruff again and puts her in the snow, so she's not thrown off when he's attacking. Then, Anasui readies up and charges for the tree. With a kick from sharp talons, Anasui begins using Aerial Ace and slashes at the indicated marks. It may take a bit for him since he's a better special attacker than a physical one but Anasui will indeed show off his elegant but fierce physical moves: Aerial Ace, Pluck and even Drill Peck!]

[autumnrainrunaway]

[ Dolly wasn't sure what Lumina Crash is, but it sounded pretty. Maybe that was it? ] Maybe? All I know is that it was shimmering before erupting from my body back in Skull Town after getting thrown into a battle with the dragon type, Seto I think his name was?

[ Oh, time to go down as Dolly gets picked up by the scruff again and back into the snow she goes to watch. This was pretty amazing to watch as Dolly wondered if she had a move like that or could learn something close to it...was that a growl coming from the tree? Sweet Mac Lir that tree is giving off a vicious growl! ]

Dashing Through the Halls~ (Closed to Mayaka)

[autumnrainrunaway]

Repetition was a ritual Dolly was accustomed to back in Cheddarburg when she went to university. It had been something she had missed after landing in Doriene six months back, words couldn't described how Dolly felt upon getting this chance to give someone a tour. Yes, the comfort of volunteering to do a tour around the lower tier housing of Lum Berry reminded Dolly of those calmer times back on campus.

From the sound of things, it was going to be one Pokemon Dolly would be giving the tour to. Maybe this was normal in the Pokemon world? The Eevee-sized Sylveon picks up pace upon spotting the new face.

"Hello there, Welcome to the Lum Berry Guild Low Tier Housing."

<3

[sharpjustice]

Mayaka is standing outside what she thinks should be the right place. She'd diligently followed the directions from Polteageist to find the Lum Berry housing area, still surprised yet pleased about joining the Guild that managed the library of all places! This has left her in pretty good spirits after the turmoil of being turned into a Pokemon and dropped into a volcano.

From the corner of her eye, she spots someone approaching. She's immediately drawn to the soft shade of pink that is Dolly's fur, and the gentle sway of her ribbon feelers.

"Thanks!" Mayaka presses her mouth into a polite smile in response to the Sylveon's greeting, doing her best not to jump in excitement. She hadn't known Pokemon could look so pretty. She's only met cute ones (Emporio), odd ones (Goro Akechi) and scary ones (Red Velvet) so far.

Keep it together Mayaka, act normal. She has to direct her attention elsewhere, and quickly remembers the burning question she had the moment she walked up this line of townhouses.

"Do I get this whole place to myself?" she asks incredulously.

[autumnrainrunaway]

Oh this new comer looks similar to the kind of Pokemon Odile is, maybe a related species? Dolly will have to ask at a later point as that's really awesome and holy moly the purple coloration is pretty.

Yep, definitely, introducing Odile to Mayaka later on.

"One of them is, we get roommates for the townhouses here in the Lower Tier, but we do have our own private rooms to do our own things like study or leisure hobbies."

Carefully Dolly gets to her hind legs, doing the cat stand to point out the either a porch or balcony with her little front paw, they fabled toe jellybeans visible. "We do get our own porch or balcony to decorate or lounge at when needing some fresh air."

aaaaa the JELLYBEANs...

[sharpjustice]

Mayaka's ears perk up when Dolly mentions the private quarters. It means she'll be able to draw without other Pokemon looking. That is, if she gets the hang of drawing with this new body. There's still a little seed of doubt in Mayaka, but she pushes past it, determined to at least try.

"Aww..." she coos to herself as Dolly stands and points. She's like a cat, but bigger and prettier! And able to hold conversation.

The Sneasel walks up to her front porch as Dolly describes it, examining the furnishings with curiosity. The houses in her Japanese hometown look nothing like this. She's only seen these sorts of townhouses online. It's intriguing, even though there's nothing much out here now.

"What does your house look like?" Mayaka blurts out with curiosity, before catching herself.

"Wait, wait, I shouldn't have asked that when I haven't even introduced myself!" she hops off the porch, resuming her space next to the Sylveon.

"I'm Mayaka. Nice to meet you!" she gives a quick bow, out of habit.

The fabled jellybeans :'>

[autumnrainrunaway]

That was too adorable for words as Dolly watches Mayaka's reaction and follow ups. If it had been Cheddarburg, Dolly would've been fully onboard taking her under her wings during the college experience and hope Mayaka would join the mystery solving club. Alas, this wasn't the university, this was the Lum Berry Guild. Upside, they had boardgames now!

That was a bonus, especially with Clue.

"It's wonderful to meet you too Mayaka, people back where I came from called my Dolly." Dolly smiled warmly as she went in to reassure, matching the bow Mayaka gave.

"And it's very much alright to ask. It's looks like a little craft room at the moment with some projects like the plush sugar mice I'm making for the winter season as well as research into this world." Dolly explained cheerily to ease Mayaka. "I'm hoping once things settle a bit more, I could give it a constellations or autumn theme."

Likewise, Dolly was used to the old turn of the century houses that Cheddarburg had with the gingerbread trims as well as the colorful buildings of Doriene. Townhouses were new to Dolly as well, but it was very nice, especially since option two was the dread no roofs of the canopies.

Dolly thinks for a moment and figured it'd be a good time to give Mayaka an idea of what to expect once the snow has melted for springtime.

"I have a feeling once spring comes around, the lower tier is going to look lovely with the plant life they have here. I'm pretty much looking forward to see the first blossoms will look like once they arrive."

[sharpjustice]

A smile touches the corner of Mayaka's lips as the Sylveon paints a quaint picture of spring. It almost makes her look forward to staying here just so she can see what it'd look like in person. But she doesn't have the luxury of sitting and waiting for spring.

"Spring sounds nice and all, but it'd be nicer if we all managed to find our way home before that," the Sneasel says plainly.

Perhaps she is being too ambitious and ignorant. She's aware that a number of Pokemon have been here for months -- almost a year! But doesn't that also mean they've spent all this time gathering information into what brought them all here unwillingly?

"You mentioned research about this world -- did you find anything useful?" she asks Dolly.

[autumnrainrunaway]

Dolly had forgotten, humans tend to view time a lot more slowly than she would. An entire winter would be long, that was something Dolly was realizing. At least Dolly got a smile from Mayaka, perhaps it wasn't too bad of a mention.

"Yes, from what I understood, some of the ruins may have given some valuable information about what's going on from quests going out there. The details I'm not entirely sure about, but, it is a promising direction." Dolly explains to her best knowledge.

"If it helps, we're all in this one together, so you're not alone during this experience. We have each others back."

Dolly goes to offer Mayaka to walk along a bit to check out the townhouses of the Lower Tier, perhaps walking will help with the mood a little bit?

[sharpjustice]

Mayaka can tell that Dolly is trying to lift her spirits, so she doesn't scrutinize her words too closely, or declare that she thinks the Sylveon is being just a tad bit too optimistic about their circumstances. With so many involved, aren't they all bound to butt heads at some point, even with a common goal?

As the two of them move at a casual pace down the row of townhouses, Mayaka decides to nudge Dolly with a question.

"Are there any Pokemon like us who are content just staying here for the rest of their lives, you think?"

[autumnrainrunaway]

"I'm not sure to be honest, but, I won't judge others if they do want to stay here instead of heading home." Dolly looked up at Mayaka as she went to answer that question. Maybe life for them wasn't so great back home? That was a similar case with Dolly, her birthplace, and Earth.

With that said, Dolly wanted to get home, to her familiars, her found family, and the access she had to her batch siblings. How were they...were they holding up alright after Dolly disappeared? Were they alright after the last broad...Dolly drags herself back to focusing on Mayaka. The question didn't come unprompted, maybe there was a reason for it?

"Are you worried about someone preventing everyone from going home?"

[sharpjustice]

"I sure hope not. That would suck," Mayaka declares.

"I just thought that this place seems pretty peaceful and easy to live in. I wouldn't blame them." The Sneasel shrugs, reflecting on how the pace of life has certainly slowed down for her since she came here. No more rushing for school in the morning or stressing about deadlines and homework.

"Then again, there are dormant volcanos, so I'm not too sure about that."

Worst place to arrive in Bottlecap Bay, ever. Except maybe getting dropped into the sea. She remembers Akechi telling her at length about his arrival.

Wanting to focus on nicer things, and on the tour, Mayaka decides to ask: "What's your favourite part of town?"

[autumnrainrunaway]

That was one thing Dolly was reassured of, Mayaka wasn't worried about something like that happening. "It really is, it's pretty peaceful and comfortable here with only one hiccup back in September when I arrived. I wouldn't be surprised if others decide to live here instead."

Dolly looked a bit surprised as she hears about the volcano. Some of the new arrivals from what Dolly heard came from Furnace Mountain this time around unlike the tall grass she had awaken at.

Definitely not the most ideal place to wake up at no arguments to be had about it.

Oh! Now that was a question Dolly was more than happy to answer as Dolly smiles a bit. "Goodness, I have a bit of a list, but I think its a tie between the Archives, the cafe, and especially the shops, typically gives me an idea of what craft supplies we have to work with as well as what would have to be made. What's your favorite place so far in town?"

[sharpjustice]

"The Archives. It's so much grander than any library I've ever been to. I could spend days there!" Mayaka says this, even though she has in fact already spent a number of days holed up in there going through the materials and tablets. She suspects that Polteagiest only let her join the Guild because he found her reading in a corner, and didn't really know what to do with her.

"What kind of craft stuff do you make, Dolly-chan?"