APRIL CATCH-ALL

[dunchies]

Who: Laios, his fellow questers, and you!
What: Exploring the market and collecting some shrooms
Where: Bottlecap Bay, the Forest
When: Throughout April
Warnings: Will be added as needed

Comments

A DAY AT THE MARKET (Open)

[dunchies]

[ On a particularly sunny spring day, Laios finds himself exploring what the city has to offer outside of the Cheri Berry base. Not that he doesn’t enjoy spending some free time in the Canopy (mishaps aside), but his curiosity draws him out easily enough. There was still so much for him to see since first arriving, and he does just that, watching the hustle and bustle of Pokémon going about their lives around him.

How wonderful, he thinks, to know everyone has their own place here. ]

a. [ Later that afternoon, he walks through a row of pop-up stalls, each with their own specialties to offer. What holds his attention, though, are the assortment of smells wafting through the open air. He's starting to get hungry. After a short while, he stops at one stall in particular, finally laying eyes on whatever his nose led him to. Curious, he glances at the other person also perusing besides him. ]

Have you tried this before?

[ This being whatever they may be looking at—a particular ingredient, a baked treat, maybe even a fried skewer of something. ]

b. [ As the day comes to a close, so too do the various stalls, save for one preparing a final hearty meal for a hungry Boltund. He had asked for all the fixings he could, enough to make anyone question whether his eyes are bigger than his stomach, but he watches with unwavering excitement as everything gets piled into a bowl. He licks his chops as the vendor finally stretches the food out to him, only to suddenly remember his lack of thumbs.

Nervously, Laios grabs the rim of the bowl before he takes off, careful not to bump into anyone on his way back to the base. He gets into a good rhythm for a bit, strolling along fairly easily while his tail wags behind him. Until, distracted by a group of passing bird Pokémon overhead, he stumbles, throwing his beautifully plated bowl all over the ground.

Too stunned to move, he stares sadly at what’s become of his meal, stomach growling pathetically. He should probably clean this up somehow, but instead his mind wanders, recalling all the dogs who happily ate up any scraps that fell on the floor, intentionally or not.

After all, why not? Why shouldn’t he just take one small bite? No one’s around to catch him, right? ]

A

[offtracks]

[The Typhlosion blinks as he turns to respond. It's not all that often that he meets another new arrival who isn't significantly smaller than him!]

Hm? Oh, yes, I've had Pecha berries many times. They cure poison!

[Which may be useful for Laios in particular, though of course Ingo doesn't know that.]

Even if it began as a matter of necessity, they have come to be my favorites. I especially enjoy them in baked goods!

[dunchies]

[ He looks up at Ingo curiously, staring probably a bit longer than what might be considered polite. ]

Really? All on its own? How potent... [ He taps his snout with his paw, looking back at the berry in question. ] Baking doesn't mess with its effects at all, does it? Might be useful to take on expeditions, as prepped food and medicine.

[offtracks]

Baking does not! Drying them does, though I do tend to carry some dry ones when I am home nonetheless. They are less potent that way, but they keep much better and will still do in a pinch!

[Here, he's not carrying much at all. No hands, no pockets, and the pack he bought is uncomfortable to wear at all times.]

There are other berries for other status effects, or just for healing! And some rarer ones that are extremely specific!

[dunchies]

That does make sense, but seems like a fair tradeoff for portability. [ The vendor offers him a small sample, which he happily obliges. ] Ah, s-sweet! Not at all like the herbs back home... I bet it'd make a nice compote.

[ He might need seconds, but he'll wait for now. ] I've noticed berries seem to be popular, but I didn't realize how different they all are! What others have you tried?

[offtracks]

A few! Oran is a very standard type of berry! It is small, round, and blue, and it will heal a small amount. Sitrus berries are better for healing, but quite tart! Not precisely to my taste, though they can be good when combined with other ingredients! I have had those both as a human and a Pokemon, but my tastes seem to have remained the same...that's a bit curious, isn't it? In any case, Cheri berries are also quite useful! They can cure paralysis!

[He can and will just keep talking about berries.]

[dunchies]

[ He's back to staring, mesmerized yet trying desperately to keep it all to memory. If only he could write this all down! ]

Sitrus, oran... Oh, like the guild! I think I had a few at the clinic, too. Reminded me of blueberries, but the flavor was pretty unique. [ Definitely not as sweet as a Pecha berry, but not exactly bad, either. Another note for his mental journal. ] I'll have to be on the lookout for Cheri berries next. Just in case.

[ He smiles sheepishly. Luckily, no one's been paralyzed by him yet. ] I've been trying to see if I can taste any differences myself. But, you've tried these before, as a human? So that means, where you come from... [ His eyes go a little wide. ] Is it a lot like here? With Pokémon, too?

[offtracks]

It is! Pokemon simply live in the wild there, not in their own villages like this! Unless we simply do not know about the villages, but probably not.

[Someone would notice, right? Certainly at least Emmet ought to know; his world's had more time to discover things.]

I am what is called a Pokemon trainer! It means I have Pokemon as companions, and I train and command them in sporting battle! And serious battle, as necessary.

[dunchies]

Huh. Then even to you, this place is unique. I wonder... [ Laios doesn't get too deep into that thought, though. ]

Wait, really? You raise them—to fight for you? [ He had known some Pokemon were domesticated as pets and working animals, but this was a bit more than expected. ] I've seen some humans control monsters where I'm from, but it's still hard for me to imagine. Wouldn't battling be dangerous? I mean, here it's one thing, but when there's humans around...

[offtracks]

Well, one does not do it in the middle of the town streets! At least, not ideally. In Jubilife Village - the largest settlement near where I live - there is land set aside and fenced off for a dojo. That is where I do my battle challenges!

[dunchies]

Jubilife Village... [ He's aware of Alola and Galar at this point, but he has to wonder how big this other world of Pokémon could be. ]

I still can't believe it. A whole area just for Pokémon battles! It must be amazing to see how strong they are after training. [ He pauses, beaming up at Ingo. ] I bet being one can give you an even better appreciation of them, too.

[offtracks]

I hope so! I have never trained with a Typhlosion in particular - that is what I am now - but there is still plenty to learn! Though I would not call myself an especially skilled battler just yet! I am still learning to use all of my moves!

[And also like. Move at speed.]

[dunchies]

Oh! [ Typhlosion. Interesting name for a badger-like creature. He huffs lightheartedly. ] I guess this place wouldn't make it that easy for you, but learning is the best part anyway.

At least you have the advantage of familiarity. I'm still trying to distinguish what types Pokémon can be. Funny how some of them are a lot more obvious than others. I'm sure that'll come with more battling experience too, though.

b

[telewarped]

[Unfortunately for Laios, someone is there to witness the tragic display in its entirety, but he can't be blamed for not noticing her. Still as a statue and shrouded in darkness, she looks more like a decoration than something alive. When Laios dips his muzzle down to take a bite of his fallen meal, however, her false head tilts jerkily to one side and she pipes up:]

Just because you look like a dog now doesn't mean you have to act like one, y'know.

[There's a pause as she recalls a time Firepaw offered her some of his leftovers from off the floor.]

... Unless you are one for real?

[dunchies]

[ Oh, that just makes his fur stand up on end. Already mid-bite, his head hangs low, savoring the flavor but now too embarrassed to swallow. Shoka might as well have used Astonish on him. ]

I... [ He finally manages to finish his bite, looking over at her with his tail between his legs. At least he doesn't recognize her, but as far as first impressions go, this probably wasn't it. Then, somehow, she gives him an out: ] That... y-yes! Yes. I am one. For real.

[ Terrible poker face in full force, he starts by laughing awkwardly (wrong!), but quickly shifts to a few barks. Real, genuine barks.] It's obvious, right? [ Please clap. ]

[telewarped]

Uh-huh.

[That reply isn't convincing in the slightest. What is convincing, however, is the string of barks he gives. They actually startle her a little, to the point that her false ears pop briefly upright in surprise... Not that it really changes anything.]

... Well, I'm convinced! Feel free to keep eating off the ground where literally everyone's been walking and slurp up all the Pokébacteria you want.

[dunchies]

[ His face droops. Critical failure. ] ... what gave it away? Is my impression that rusty?

[ As hungry as he is, the mood has definitely soured his appetite. ]

If I didn't eat it someone else would've. Probably. [ Is he... resource guarding? He sighs. ] We're not even human, anyway. This should be more normal than eating at a table. [ Well, for him, that is. He's not sure what to make of her yet. ]

[telewarped]

Oh, rest assured, that part was on point. Like, scarily so. I might've even fallen for it... If your words were convincing at all.

[And if he didn't just doubly confirm it himself just now, too.]

You sure about that? Human or not, Pokémon are pretty civilized... Sure as hell haven't seen anyone who's actually from here eat off the ground, at least. [Yet?]

[dunchies]

So I do still have it. What a relief. [ He'll take that as a compliment, but the good feelings don't last for long. ]

Yeah, but... [ He can't really disagree with her, not having seen it either, but he sure can make a face of disapproval. ] Being civilized doesn't change instinct. Maybe us being here is influencing them to act differently.

[ Just think of poor Firepaw getting judged for hunting. Humans are ridiculous, even when they're not human. Let him eat off the floor. ]

[telewarped]

[Her false head twitches, then flops over toward one side, questioningly.]

What would you know about Pokémon instinct? You're not even from here.

[Unless he's like Emmet and Ingo...?]

[dunchies]

N-neither are you.

[ His brows furrow at her false head before his gaze lowers to her real (?) eyes. What a strange creature. ]

Pokémon are monsters. The ones in the wilds are proof enough that they're more animal than human.

[telewarped]

[Truthfully, Shoka doesn't care all that much about this debate herself. She's mostly just using it as an excuse to study and mess with him a little. In any case, she seems to come to some conclusion about him then, because she starts to snicker.]

Oh, wow. You're actually that torn up about not eating off the ground, aren't you?

Hey, I said you could go for it, didn't I? Or, I dunno... you could just order the same thing again and not spill it everywhere this time?

[dunchies]

[ He is twenty or thirty years old and does not need this. ]

It's not just about the food. [ At least, not anymore. Laios grimaces slightly at the snickering, as if feeling an old wound resurface. ] Besides, the vendor already went through the trouble of making this the first time. I don't want to seem wasteful.

[ Just to prove his point, he takes another mouthful, judgement notwithstanding. But, when the realization hits, he finishes the bite with a small whine. ] It's already getting cold...

[telewarped]

This is kind of taking mottainai to an extreme, don't you think?

[Apparently not, because he's already dipping his head down to take another bite. Shoka snorts, then giggles, recoiling in theatrical disgust.]

Gross... [And then he remarks that it's getting cold. So much for animal instinct, she thinks to herself. A real dog wouldn't complain about that!] Okay, I can't watch this.

[So she leaves, swiveling around and shuffling off the way Laios came, surprisingly quick for a legless creature. If he watches her, however, he might notice that she doesn't go too far. Her destination is the same food stall he ordered from so she can put in an order of her own. It's late, but fortunately he picked a stall that caters to more nocturnal Pokémon as well (and her relatively high reputation in the Oran guild definitely doesn't hurt her chances of getting a quick order in either).

Eventually, she'll return to Laios with a new bowl in hand. It might not be exactly the same as his order (and the serving size is definitely smaller), but it's pretty close—and it's still hot. Hopefully he's still there and saved some room.]

[dunchies]

Mohtai... huh? [ That's the best he's got, horrible accent and all. Not that he really has the willingness to ask for a repeat to get it right after he hears the laughing.

At this point, he's resigned to take it all on the nose, but what else should he have expected. He isn't human anymore, but she isn't exactly wrong, either. It's not like he's scavenging out in the wilds, but then what was the difference, really? Why uphold the pretense, just because he's in town, surrounded by other used-to-be-humans? He huffs, turning away after watching her sneak back toward the market.

On his own again, he finishes what's left of the salvageable scraps, disappointed, but not exactly dissatisfied by the flavor. The rest, he scrapes up into a small mound, unsure of what to do with his mess. Bury it, maybe, or—but he doesn't have a chance to finish the thought. ]

You—you're back? [ His eyes land on the bowl, apprehensive. ] You wanted to try it too?