🐺🚬 spring catch-all (closed for now)

[wolfcut]

Who: bigby & dolly, kinger, maya, oko, parvati, umemiya
What: quests and other situations
Where: around town, the cliffs
When: april-june
Warnings: battling and related injuries


QUEST RESULTS
BITS AND BOBS (KINGER) | DITTO TO THAT (DOLLY) | 'MON MAKEOVER (PARVATI)

Comments

—AT THE GARDENS (UMEMIYA)

[wolfcut]

[ With the head chef at Oran now out of commission, Bigby felt obligated to throw in most of his free time to keep the ship sailing. He's still not much of a cook, but he knows his way around, and that's something at least. Anything to help ease the transition over to someone who really knows what they're doing eventually.

But while minding a kitchen is one thing, putting together actual meals are another. Despite all the notes he's compiled so far, Bigby's diet is not varied enough to keep it nutritionally balanced for the rest of the guild. So off to the gardens he goes, not to help plant and harvest as he normally does, but in search of advice from an expert. ]

Hey, Ume.

[ Bigby approaches, paws in his pockets, seed dangling from the corner of his mouth. He looks tired as always, but not entirely exhausted. ]

Got a minute to show me around? Could use some help.

[fromsprouts]

For you, I've always got time.

[He tries to play the chill mature one, the peer to all the adults of the bay, but there's definitely a little bit of a tail wag under his green gakuran coat as Bigby approaches.]

What's up?

[wolfcut]

[ Maybe he notices that little movement. Maybe he doesn't. Either way, his face does seem to brighten. ]

Good. Might be using a lot of it today.

[ He huffs a small laugh. ]

Need some advice on, uh. Vegetables. Trying to figure out a meal plan for the guild.

[fromsprouts]

Ooh! Okay, yes, you came to the right guy. I'm actually working on planning out spring planting. We've got a lot of preserved brassicas right now. Pickled brussel sprouts and something between a white kimchi and sauerkraut and stuff like that, but we'll start having asparagus as early as this summer, and we can also get some bean sprouts before we go for a full planting.

And if we can get some crates or something, I was thinking of doing potato towers instead of beds? Because starchy vegetables are important. And we could also get zucchini growing--with those, we could do, like, fried cheese-stuffed squash blossoms, in order to help ensure we don't end up buried under zucchini mountain.

Oh! And that's before we think about lettuces and herbs!

[He could go on like this for a while.]

[wolfcut]

[ Bigby's eyes go wide once the onslaught starts. Umemiya might be more than the right guy for this. ]

O-okay. Okay. That's— ... it's good stuff. Let me just—

[ He probably should've gotten his little journal and pencil out for notes first thing. His brows furrow as he tries to quickly catch up. ]

Beans. Starch crates. Cheese-stuffed... herbs... [ That's plenty for him to scratch his chin over. ] Huh. Zucchini. You said we can grow a lot of those?

[ He glances up at Ume. ]

Might be good to start with the stuff we can get in big bulks. Lot of mouths to feed.

—RUNNING ERRANDS (MAYA)

[wolfcut]

[ Bigby has plenty enough on his plate to not get wrapped into something completely different. But in the middle of running his usual errands around town, he spots a suspicious flash of pink sneaking around. Looking for something, maybe even someone, and that's not really any of his business, except he also likes sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. After picking up some tools, he starts to follow the Clefairy, mindful of his distance, but still close enough to stay on her trail.

A part of him feels like he knows her, though he can't recall them ever having a conversation. Likely she's just part of the same guild; Oran Berries have always been plentiful. ]

You know— [ He finally chimes once they hit a dead end in a quiet part of town. ] —if there's something you can't find, it might not be here.

[ Bigby steps closer, sounding cautious despite her adorable appearance. He knows looks can be deceiving. ]

[positivestars]

[By the time she gets this far, she's half-convinced she's chasing a dream. More than a few Pokemon seem to have seen one like the one she remembers, but the description of how they behaved doesn't match up. Besides, they seem to be from a while ago, and that doesn't feel right.

The voice startles her, and she whirls around. This Pokemon- he seems faintly familiar, but he's- different from who she's looking for. A Morpeko, not a Litten. Still, if he's come after her… She has to wonder why. There is something familiar about him- from seeing him about the Bay, perhaps? From hearing him over the pearls? She tilts her head, observing him. He's seemed… friendly enough, she thinks. Helpful. So- stirring up memories of Sudou is probably an accident- she hasn't had any intention of talking about that, so there's no reason he'd know. Still, she stays alert as he takes a step closer, ears twitching lightly.]

Maybe not, but I'm sure there are still places to check. What brings you to say that?

[wolfcut]

[ Her voice stirs a faint memory he didn't know he had. If they had met, he would have at least some recollection, he thinks. Instead, he's drawing a complete blank. ]

Could be somewhere completely different for all you know. Spinning your wheels over every nook and cranny won't change that.

[ His face scrunches. That could be an unintended pun considering how he looks, but he's not going to dwell on it. ]

What have you found so far to lead you here?

[positivestars]

That's… well, I suppose you're not wrong, but… I feel better trying to do something.

[Stopping the search just like that feels a little too much like giving up, but… if Tatsuya- if any of them were here- they'd let her know, she's sure.]

Mm… Not much that's recent, unfortunately! But it seemed the sort of quiet spot he might like. Then again… [Maybe he'd want to find somewhere that'd be easy to get out of, too. She cranes her head to look upwards.] Maybe it'd help to have a look for up there? It's a nice view, either way!

—QUEST: 'MON MAKEOVER (PARVATI)

[wolfcut]

[ Before anything else, Parvati will feel the tug of her Grumpearl connecting to someone else. Then, a muffled voice asks a very important question. ]

Can you open the door?

[ Normally, Bigby would hold up his pearl like an actual phone, but he's managed to go completely handsfree with it still in one of his pockets. A consequence of having his paws completely full of materials he's just picked up from town. Unfortunately, his usual method of getting access to places using the network of holes in the walls won't accommodate all of that. With a slight grumble, he tries tapping at the aforementioned door with his foot.

Maybe it'd be easier if he just put everything down for a bit to let himself in, but that doesn't cross his mind. ]

they moved two weeks ago and he's already put holes in their damn walls

[edgewater]

[ the one problem parvati has encountered in her time living with perrin is the fact that nothing is her size. not even close. and this does, unfortauntely, include the door. that she has to jump and pull back with her full body weight to open. it's a solution, if not a graceful one. ]

You were quick.

[ she lands with a thud and pokes her head around the doorway. ]

he needs those or he'll die

[wolfcut]

[ All the more reason for his holes into the place. If Parvati's having a time at her size, one can only imagine the torment it puts him through anytime he decides to visit. Bigby steps back when he hears some rustling on the other side, shifting the weight of everything he's carrying so he can peek at her from behind it all. ]

Turns out making nice with the locals has its uses. Lot of 'em knew exactly what we needed.

[ Stuff he didn't know they needed. Helping Noelle out is all good, but fashion is far out of his comfort zone. He steps in, eyeing around for where to put everything. ]

Looks like the new place is coming along, huh?

[edgewater]

I'd hope so.

[ she pulls aside the door fully to let him in. there's a box with a few things left in it here and there -- a mix of both tenants' belongings. parvati's plants have made their way out of her room and into the shared space. ]

You're a life saver, though. My stuff just ain't gonna be enough and I don't know the first thing about fashion. Let alone the stuff Noelle wants. [ she owns a nice suit back home but that's literally it. ]

—QUEST: DITTO TO THAT (DOLLY)

[wolfcut]

[ When Bigby agreed to take on this quest, he prepared himself for the worst. There was no strategizing when the hoards seemed to vary by the day. Instead, they had to rely on a general plan of attack, one that would hopefully do the job with few injuries to show for it.

Of course, what else was there to greet them at the cliffs than a bunch of bugs. Bigby should've known with his luck. While he keeps his distance at the start, the use of Psychic moves does catch his attention, enough for him to go right in to nab one Rabsca with a Crunch. A super effective move by all rights, except it lands as normally as it could. ]

These damn things— [ He growls through grit teeth, still clamped onto one of their legs. After some back and forth, he finally lets go. ] —how?

[ He stands back up, cheeks sparking to unleash a Thunder Shock while he's at it. ]

They're really not Psychic-types?

[autumnrainrunaway]

[ What were these things indeed...Dolly was stumped a bit at this scenario. Sure they look like a combination of Psychic and Bug type, but they weren't taking the same kind of damage that Bigby was using with Crunch. ]

[ Whatever these Pokemon are....they're unnerving as they come...]

I don't think they are... [ Crimes, clearly these abominations are made of crimes against nature in Dolly's mind. ] But whatever these are, something isn't right...

[ Dolly goes to thinking carefully on what the next move should be on her end. On one paw, there's Light Screen while on the other, there was also the weaponized iridescence of Dazzling Gleam. ]

[ What in the Stellar Sea were Bigby and Dolly dealing with..? ]

[wolfcut]

Has to be something— [ His ears flick, and he quickly pivots toward another incoming Rabsca. A Thunder Punch sends it back. ] —an ability or a move.

[ He growls out of frustration, hopping back onto all fours. The Rabsca is back on the move. ]

Something.

[ Enough is enough. He charges forward with a Take Down, knowing it'll hurt, but eager to knock it out somehow. When the two Pokémon collide, they tumble into a scuffle, with Bigby trying to get the Rabsca into the right spot for Dolly to make a hit. ]

C'mon. Stay down.

[autumnrainrunaway]

[ Bigby is right on top of the Rabsca...it rules out using Dazzling Gleam and Disarming Voice, he'd get hit by it too should Dolly use it. ]

I'm not sure either, both options are likely...

[ Dolly seriously wished she had more moves as she has to break out her least favorite move imaginable as she gets closer: Draining Kiss. In comes Dolly to give the 'Rabsca' a boop to the face with the muzzle and starts to drain some HP out of it. ]

This should do the trick..I hope.

—QUEST: BITS AND BOBS (KINGER)

[wolfcut]

[ Bigby's not particular good about getting to know most of the newer arrivals until long after they're new. Kinger is no different in that regard, but after raising an eyebrow at hearing that name, he was more than fine with them getting paired up at Raichu's suggestion. They're the same size and both adults at that, so sorting through a few rocks together should go off without a hitch.

After tossing a few duds into their own separate pile, he sighs. Maybe it is a little tedious. ]

You know, I'm starting to wonder what all these rocks are actually for.

[ He pauses as the next stone his paws start to light up, cheeks sparking just a bit. ]

Not exactly the materials I thought we'd be working with.

[0dchess]

No, I was hoping this would be a chance to flex some human skills, not just... glowing.

[Kinger tries to be a bit more optimistic about it, tedious work is important work too.]

This kind of thing is important to science too! Sometimes the smallest thing is what's needed to spark a new discovery. [Kinger takes a beat.] And short of finding silicon, my skills aren't going to come in handy anyway.

[wolfcut]

Spark. [ The electricity from his cheeks short out. Then, flatly: ] Nice one.

[ Sometimes he can let a pun slide without too much of a groan. He tosses the rock into the good pile. ]

Guess Pokémon just have their own way of doing things. [ His head tilts, curious. ] ... Silicon?

[0dchess]

[Kinger didn't even mean to make the pun, but it at least gets Bigby to open up.]

Oh, I worked with computers, mostly. A few centuries ahead of technology here.

[Kinger glows his mushrooms at some rocks, and sorts them accordingly.]

What did you do before all this?

Finding Shuckle (CW for alcohol mentions)

[autumnrainrunaway]

The weather is better, nice breeze from the sea coming inland, and most importantly, a good excuse to escape from the teleportation tests. A perfect day to look for a Shuckle that's willing to help with brewing some alcohol!

The past month has been for lack of a better term, had been something else, they both deserve a fun way of making alcohol. Dolly's flopped over ear bounced a bit as she looks over to Bigby.

"Thanks Bigby for helping me out with this. I'm hoping Shuckle will be able to help out with this project, maybe even be a good quick way of making whiskey."

[wolfcut]

Despite offering to tag along on this adventure, Bigby isn't quite sure what to expect. Drinking alcohol isn't the same as making it, after all. At least he took it upon himself to research what he could about the Pokémon they're hunting for today.

Shuckles. Dual-types. Prone to hiding under rocks with a vase-like shell. Easy enough.

"Hm?" Lost in his own thoughts, he glances over at her before it hits him. "Oh. Sure, Dolly. Least I can do."

One paw slides into his pocket. As much as he can sniff one out no problem, he's probably not going to be the one that has to convince them.

"They sound pretty harmless enough. I'm sure there's a friendly enough one around but..." He scratches his cheek casually. "You think they ever tried fermenting anything other than berries before?"

[autumnrainrunaway]

Neither did Dolly, but that was the exciting part of this adventure. Anything really could happen and the most exciting part...Shuckle.

"I'm not sure, but I think it's worth asking Shuckle once we find one. Maybe one of them is growing tired of berries and wants to try something more hoppy?"

Whether it was Dolly's doing or simply Sylveon instincts kicking in, but one of the neck ribbon feelers goes to extend to Bigby in offering to hold while they walked.

There was another reason for going out to find a Shuckle, something Dolly had been thinking about for a while now. Better ask now before it escapes entirely, Dolly.

"Bigby, what do you think of the idea of turning the upstairs into a bar at the new place I'll be moving to?"

[wolfcut]

"That's true. Gives 'em an excuse to experiment."

He starts to dig into his pocket a bit before pulling out a dried berry of his own to chew on. They won't have to go too deep into the woods for this, he thinks. So long as there's a rocky hiding spot and a decent amount of berries around, they'll find what they're looking for.

With a flick of his ears, he glances at the ribbon feeler coming closer, startling slightly out of instinct. Those things are used to catch prey like him, but he appreciates the gesture nonetheless, smiling over at her.

"I'm fine. Just thinking. Maybe a little too much." It's hard for him not to get into this mindset, even for something as relaxed as this. He sighs, finishing his snack, then putting both paws in his pockets. "Huh. You know, Kinger and I were talking about something like that around here. Think you'll have enough space for it?"