bottlecaplogs | 🐺🚬 spring catch-all (closed for now)

I see… I hope they'll recover.

[She hasn't had much reason to worry about those in comas yet, but… it's a strange thing, isn't it? To happen just like that.]

It's nice to find a friend of a friend! She seems very fond of you.

[She reaches out to take his paw and shake it.]

No, not that I can recall, but… there is something… You don't happen to have mysterious dreams about ten years ago, do you? [Not that there's any way it's that exact- but it feels a little similar to almost-not-quite remembering Lisa, Eikichi and Tatsuya. So it's not a particularly serious suggestion.]

[ His expression is a mix of an emotions in that moment. Concern for those in the clinic. Happy that Noelle seems to be making friends. Eventually, he lands on a soft smile before taking his paw back to casually slide into his pocket. ]

Ten years ago? [ He laughs a little before playing along. ] Honestly, the seventies were a blur. Most memorable thing was buying myself some new furniture for once.

[ Surely he can't be serious. He shrugs. ]

I did have some weird dreams a while ago, but so did everyone else. You around for that?

Ah, but furniture is a big purchase! It can really set the tone of the room- and they've got to last, right?

[It seems strange! Not entirely impossible, but- it was a busy decade, wasn't it?]

The dreams? I… was, yes! [Maybe that's why she keeps thinking he must have a loud shirt, somewhere?] That was an unusual start to the new year…

[Does she think it means much for how the year will continue to go? …well, it didn't seem the best omen for it.]

[ When you live a long time, most decades don’t register much. ]

Huh. Maybe that’s how... [ He pauses to think, rubbing one of cheeks as if that’ll help jog his memory. There was a lot happening that month, some that stuck and some that didn’t, but somehow he does vaguely remember a trendy young from the city. Was that right? ] It’ll come to me. Probably.

[ His head tilts at her one more time before he motions for her to follow him toward one of the shops to hopefully find a ladder. ]

Honestly, just when I think this place can’t get weirder, it still surprises me. I’m sure there’ll be something else right around the corner.

Right! If it doesn't… we can get to know each other again, can't we?

[Maybe it'll end up knocked loose that way, if nothing else. She nods, and follows him, looking after for the owner. They'll know where one is, right?]

It's definitely interesting! But hopefully we should get a good view, at least for now.

[ Her enthusiasm definitely doesn't go unnoticed, though aside from a pair of raised eyebrows, his own reaction is mild at best. At least, after another second or two, he does concede with a small smile and a nod. That sort of demeanor is bound to stir up some memories soon. ]

So what did you say your friend looked like again? Hopefully he's not too common of a species around here.

[ Easier to spot that way, after all. When he notices a ladder already outside of one shop, he heads toward that direction. Surely whoever owns this place won't mind them taking a trip to the roof for a bit. ]

[Memories are odd thing- but meeting him wasn't bad. She's pretty sure- she imagines she'd be having a different reaction to him otherwise.]

It doesn't seem like it. He looked like a cat- though red and black instead of the colours of most cats back home. One of the other Pokemon I talked to said that that kind of Pokemon is called a Litten.

[Fitting enough, she supposes!

She'll just stick her head inside, to let them know.] Excuse us! We'll be on the roof for a little bit.

[ His ears perk straight up at that. ]

—a Litten? [ Immediately he's thinking of a different one that's gone missing, but she peeks into the shop before he can clarify. The owner doesn't seem to be bothered by it, going by their nonchalant shrug in response. ] Uh. Thanks for letting 'em know.

[ Bigby's too used to doing things without asking, it seems. Up he goes to the roof. ]

Anyway, your friend... they weren't a cat before too, were they?

Probably others go up there sometimes… But you feel easier knowing who it is, right?

[She follows him up, taking a quick scan before his works catch her attention again.]

A cat… before coming here? That's… well, no, nekomata do exist! So it must be possible- ah, assuming you don't mean a nekomata! But- [She shakes her head- she's getting distracted.] No- Tatsuya-kun could seem cat-like at times, but he's human.

Nekomata?

[ Every question between the two just seems to make another one pop up. He has to laugh a bit. ]

No, sorry. An actual cat. The kind you might find in cities. [ He almost says a housecat, just to be more descriptive, but that's a loaded term when it comes to Fireheart. Either way, he simply shakes his head. ] I see. Almost thought we could be talking about the same guy. Another Litten went missing a bit ago. [ Though Bigby personally sees it less as going missing and more just returning to the wild, where he might feel more comfortable. ]

So this Tatsuya-kun is just prickly then?

Cats who live long enough to gain power and become a kind of demon. Although… most of the ones we spoke to sounded like teenage girls…

[They’re pretty concerned with fashion and trends, after all.]

He is? That’s incredible! What kind of world did he come from, do you know? [Ah… so that’s it. She hums, letting her energy settle and quieten somewhat.] I think a few of the others mentioned him…. It’s hard, isn’t it?

Prickly? That’s… not really the image I have of him. [But then, she has the bond they formed that summer. When they’re talking to Tatsuya’s brother…] With some people, I suppose- but I’d say it’s more than he’s kind of aloof until he decides to get closer.

Edited 2026-04-28 03:45 (UTC)

[ That definitely sounds like the kind of creature he'd know, weird idiosycrancies and all, which suddenly brings up a whole other slew of questions.

But first: ] You know, I'm not really sure. Didn't sound all that different.

[ Fireheart only ever mentioned the forest back home, and Bigby only ever knew about his start as a house cat by accident. He rubs his cheek in thought. ]

If your friend keeps to himself, you think he might've wandered out of town on his own then?

Hm… I wonder what makes the difference, then. Although- that is assuming we're all three from somewhere Earth-like! Are you? [Shoka made a good point to her, after all- even if they're from Earth, is it the same one? That's still odd to think about.

She moves to respond, immediately thinking no- but, he's quieter than he used to be. And with new people, and a new place…]

…it's possible. I think… it'd be best to make sure he isn't in town, first- if he had, that makes it more challenging. Right?

The New York I came from is pretty standard, so I'd say so.

[ Barring the hidden community of fairytales, the fantastical simply doesn't exist in the mundane world they've found refuge in. He gives a glance toward her, suddenly remembering the museums there of all places, before ultimately going back to the matter at hand. ]

Sure. Let's stick to scanning the town first then. I just... [ He trails off. As much as Bigby doesn't want to get her hopes up, he also doesn't want to bring them down either. ] What kind of spots does he like back home?

Edited 2026-05-01 22:09 (UTC)

New York… You're from America, then?

[…maybe that makes the shirt she keeps thinking of make sense?]

Hm… Back then, we played at the Alaya Shrine, but… [Well. Then there was the incident, for one thing, although she thinks their fond memories of it are stronger now.] I don't think there's a place quite like that here. Maybe somewhere like Club Zodiac, or Peace Diner…?

[ Maybe it's a good thing he doesn't remember the outfit. ]

A shrine... no, I don't think so. At least not in town.

[ But he does look around before motioning toward a few buildings. ]

Not exactly a diner, but there's a café. Think that'd be close enough?

[It was outstanding! Bright! Then again, he does seem quite bright already.]

Mm… No, I didn't think I'd seen one. Have you seen one outside town, though?

[That's probably a longer shot if it's outside town, but maybe it'll still be worth figuring out a visit.]

It's worth trying! [She coots on over back towards the ladder, ready to head down.]

I don't know if you'd call 'em shrines, but plenty of interesting finds out past Skull Town. [ Ruins. Monuments. That sort of thing. ] That'd be a bit of a hike alone though. Doubt someone new would even know to go that way.

[ He looks over at her, then back towards the café's direction before nodding in agreement. ]

If nothing else, we can get a cup of coffee out of it. Not a bad plan, right?

[ Time to head back down and start the walk over. Despite his size, the one good thing about the Bay is how close things seem to be to each other. ]

That sounds as though it would be interesting to check out in any case! [She hums thoughtfully.] So it would be more of a group thing… Mm, I think that's less likely.

Exactly! How do you like yours-? Though- well, you can tell me there!

[Or, well, the people serving there, really! It is quick to get down, and she pokes her head in again to let the shopkeep know they're done.

She keeps an eye out on the way, but- it doesn't look as though there's a Litten outside the cafe. She slumps a little, but- inside, perhaps…?]

[ So groups aren't this guy's style. He makes a mental note of that with a curt nod to himself. When they finally enter the place in question, he motions toward an empty table for them to sit just as a server wanders by. ]

But to answer your question— [ Bigby does a quick scan of the place, nose twitching slightly. No sight or scent of any Littens it seems. ] —black, with just a pinch of sugar. [ He glances at the server, who is more than familiar with his simple order by now. They instead focus expectantly on Maya. ] How about you?

[Well- there's their group, at least. So- small groups?

She can't help glancing about as she takes a seat, drooping a little when it turns up nothing.] Oh- milk and sugar for me, please!

So you like it a bit sweeter then.

[ He laughs a little, shaking his head. ]

Probably for the best. It's strong.

[ The server lingers. Bigby looks up. ] If you have any of that jerky left, I'll take some. [ Then, he pauses, turning to Maya. ]

Anything else you'd want?

It makes starting the day a little nicer, right?

Are you the type who has difficulty getting up in the mornings too, then?

[Ah! Well, they are at the cafe, so…]

A tart to go with it, please!

Hm.

[ The server nods and goes on their way. She's so cheery. It's hard for him not to brighten up too. ]

More just helps keep me awake after a long night. Never been a good sleeper, even before here.

Ah… So it's the other kind of problem, then? I guess those patterns did stick with us, even here… Was it due to anything in particular?

🐺🚬 spring catch-all (closed for now)

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good to wrap for new things soon? ;u;

yeah, sounds good!