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

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?

[ It's an easy answer: ] Work, mostly. [ But his ears flatten either way. ]

Too many late nights running into early mornings. Now I think my typing just makes sleep rough.

[ Nocturnal, but with too much energy to sleep in the day. It's rough. ]

You experience anything like that?

Oh, so it's that kind of thing! Really? May I ask what your typing is?

[She doesn't see the direct link, but she's sure she'll understand if he explains.]

Ahah, kind of! [She smiles, a little sheepishly. …Not very much, though.] The words just seem to come more easily in the evening, you know?

Electric and Dark. It's not a common pairing.

[ The only Morpeko in town with a dual-typing that's apparently limited to this species only. He sighs. ]

So you're a bit more nocturnal yourself then? Wouldn't have expected that.

[ Something cute and pink doesn't strike him that way at all, but some Pokémon are misleading. Case in point: a cute rodent with an anger management problem. ]

I see… They do seem like different sets of power! The combination seems like it would stand out.

[She offers him a smile, hands clasped together.]

It just takes me a bit longer to get going, I suppose! But it's a trait Clefairies seem to share, too.

Funny how much instinct seems to change things. Maybe your friend's off hunting mice. [ Bigby is not going to think about how he'd make good bait. He's already dealt with one hungry Litten before. It's not long before the server comes back with their order, which he takes a grateful sip out of. ] At least we still have some familiar pleasures.

[ He sets down his cup to pick up a piece of jerky. Oddly familiar indeed. ]

Sorry this was a dead-end. We can still ask around when we're done though. Someone has to have seen him.

So it does! It's… strange, but it's still us here, isn't it? [She chuckles.] Maybe! But if he is, I doubt he'll want to say anything about it. [Sounds much too embarrassing for him to admit to.]

Well, we got to meet, after all! [She nods, although she can't help wondering… Still, there's no harm trying, and if he hears about it later he'll know they're looking.] You're right. We've just got to think positive!

🐺🚬 spring catch-all (closed for now)

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good to wrap for new things soon? ;u;

yeah, sounds good!