bottlecaplogs | APRIL CATCH-ALL

[ Laios had noticed a lot of the Pokémon around here were some sort of analogue to the monsters and animals back home, but this one was certainly unique. A cat-like creature, but much too round and much too pink, and not to mention the floaty movement... Needless to say, the Jigglypuff caught his eye almost immediately, and despite not being the same guild, Laios somehow managed to convince the poor guy to come along with him on a foraging trip. He had to know what such a form could be capable of.

Laios trots ahead of the pair, adorned with saddlebags and a basket in his mouth. As the bigger of the two, he’s much more suited to be the pack mule. ]

Mm. [ He plops his basket down with a soft thud. ] This looks like a good spot. [ Glancing back at Conrad, his eyes practically light up with curiosity. ] What do you think? Smell anything?

[With his ridiculous, puffy appearance Conrad kind of likes that he's small and generally inconspicuous. It means he sometimes gets kicked around by larger Pokémon who don't watch where they're going, but he still doesn't like to draw attention to himself. When he does catch someone's interest he's not even sure how to respond. Mostly he agreed to go on this foraging escapade to appease Laios, but then he doesn't generally mind helping out.

He does appreciate that Laios is the one who will be doing most of the heavy lifting. His body isn't exactly equipped to carry much, having such stubby arms. As they stop in a clearing he looks around, trying to spot a mushroom or a root they could take back with them. He sort of makes an odd face at Laios's questioning, though.]

Do I smell anything? [He raises a brow, not quite sure how to respond to that.] Should I be smelling something...? Uh. I mean- I guess this place is as good as we're gonna get.

No scents, huh? [ He sounds a bit disappointed, as if crossing off a line on some mental checklist he's keeping. ] I guess, if you are supposed to be some kind of feline, then maybe. Could be the cat ears are just throwing me off. Or you haven't been practicing enough.

[ He says that matter-of-factly, not realizing that it might come off as rude. Instead, he makes a motion equivalent to a shrug. ] But that's okay. I'll try to track some down! [ With that, he plants his nose on the ground, happily moving along. ]

I don't know how good my nose really is, but back home there were dogs that could find some high quality ingredients this way. I bet there's some tasty stuff to try here. Besides the mushrooms we need, of course. [ Not that he'd be adverse to trying those too, if Dr. Denne said they were edible. ]

[Conrad does his best to inspect their surroundings, but even though his eyes are absurdly large, he doesn't have the best eyesight. He just walks looking down, squinting a bit.]

Wha-? I'm supposed to practice smelling? [There's a pause as one of his ears twitches involuntarily.] Yeah, okay. I'll be honest with you, I don't feel very cat-like.

[He's not sleek or agile or anything like a cat. He just sort of hobbles around and getting puffed up makes it even harder for him to move. But, whatever... He knows he's a weird thing. He watches Laios for a moment with his nose in the dirt and can be glad he's not the one who has to be doing that, at least.]

Hm. I guess if you smell something weird that could be what we're after? I'm sure there are Berries around, too...

[ That does give him pause. Supposed to? He didn't even consider that other people might not be that invested in their new forms.]

Well... I think so. It's been pretty useful so far. For me, at least. [ So maybe Jigglypuffs aren't adapted for that, but there must be something beyond just being cute. ] Hmm. I think you're right. They probably smell mostly earthy, maybe a little unpleasant...

[ He sniffs around a bit more, but the mention of berries gets him as excited as a regular dog hearing the word treat. ] We should definitely try to find those, too! Do you have a favorite? Apparently there's a huge variety around here.

[Wait till he finds out Conrad has the ability to float into the air, but chooses not to. He's really not into testing his abilities.]

Well, you are a dog... But, yeah, mushrooms do have a rather distinct smell, right? Uh-

[It's really not hard to get Laios worked up, is it? Conrad pokes at his cheek a moment, considering his question.]

I think I prefer Pecha Berries. I'm also quite partial to the Sitrus.

[Conrad wouldn't want to admit this to anyone, but he is a bit of a glutton for Berries. He's eaten many and certainly wouldn't object to looking for some while they're out here.]

Berries should be easier to find, since it's not hard to spot some. Unlike- Oh!

[Speak of the devil... There's a pause as he waddles over to a nearby tree trunk and plucks up a mushroom. He then offers it to Laios to look at or smell or whatever.]

That's definitely a mushroom... So I assume it's the kind we're after?

[ Another ability he's not taking advantage of? Conrad... ]

Hmm. I like Pecha Berries, too. Heh, they're really easy to snack on... [ Laios will partially admit to his own vices, but sheepishly because he knows better. ]

Ah! Good find. [ He takes Conrad up on sniffing it, though his nose crinkles up soon after. ] Yeah, that does smell off. Here. [ He turns slightly, offering easier access to drop it in a saddlebag. ] Some of the mushrooms here are edible, but that one definitely isn't. I think I'd rather try a new berry if we're out here, though. There's some with interesting effects.

[ He pauses as a thought occurs to him. Then, he smiles. ] Maybe we could even test them out with a little sparring. You'll get some sort of practice that way.

[With a slightly disgusted look he deposits the mushroom and wipes his arms off on his pink fur. Yeah, he'd definitely prefer Berries to possibly poisonous mushrooms, even if that's not what they're supposed to be looking for.]

Sure, why not? [Conrad's not too thrilled about the sparring part, but finding useful Berries would be a good thing, right? Plus he is a little hungry.] Do you think you can sniff some out? They have to smell a lot better than the mushrooms...

[He tries to help out and examines some of the trees and bushes around them, too. He has foraged for Berries before, so at least he knows a thing or two about locating some.]

Maybe we could find something like Figy Berries? They have restorative effects. But, ah, supposedly they can also disagree with you and cause confusion. You have to be careful about what sort of Berry you eat, I guess.

[ His smile gets a bit wider at that response, even without the shared level of enthusiasm. Sparring is always a good learning opportunity. ]

It shouldn't be hard to pick up a trail. Berries do smell pretty distinct. [ With mushroom hunting put aside for now, Laios lifts his head up to try to find another scent. Something a little more enticing, he thinks. ] I haven't tried Figy berries yet, actually, so that's a smart idea. Better to test now while we're not in danger. [ Spore effects notwithstanding, of course. ]

[ He puts his nose back onto the ground, walking forward just a bit. ] What do they taste like? I'll try to hone in on that.

[Conrad follows along at his side, keeping his eyes on the bushes and trees around them, now. Though he still scans the ground. He finds a few more mushrooms as they plod along and he quikly- or as quickly as he can- puts them in the convenient saddlebags.]

Hm. Well, they're supposed to have a nice fig flavor, I guess, with a bit of heat. They go down nice and smooth, though, even if they're a little spicy.

[Obviously he's done his Berry research. There's a pause then as he ruminates for a second.]

I don't know if those specific Berries are around... So just whatever you can find will work, I'm sure.

[ Laios keeps his nose low to the ground, pushing up any conspicuous mushrooms along the way. Any that smell like the first one, he stops for, carefully pulling them up with his front teeth before tossing them back into a saddlebag. The pungent flavor is still enough to make him shake his head every time. ]

Spicy, huh? Usually I'm okay with that, but I wonder if my taste has changed at all. [ Much to think about, but he looks over at Conrad with eagerness regardless. ] Hopefully I'll get to try it, but you're right! Any berries would do. [ He focuses a bit more now until he catches the right hint of sweetness, nodding to himself once he does. ]

Alright. Let's head this way. [ He trots along, keeping a decent pace for Conrad to keep up with. But of course, he can't help but ask, as innocently as he possibly can: ] Have you... tried rolling? You're so round; it feels like the perfect sort of movement for your body type.

Hm. Yeah, it's possible. I know my palate has changed quite a bit since I arrived here...

[He won't say that what he can eat has been drastically altered, as well. In any case, he can't seem to get enough Berries now.

He does his best to hustle as they move along, but it is a little difficult for him, especially since he has to do things besides just walk. Obviously Laios has noticed this, but Conrad still makes quite a face as Laios makes his suggestion that he try rolling over walking. Does he think he's a tumble weed or something?]

Wha-? I'm not about to roll around on the ground. You know that's unsanitary, right?

[Seriously, there are many things wrong with that suggestion, but that's the main reason Conrad wouldn't stoop to rolling along, no matter his shape. He grumbles a bit, maybe a little rattled by the very idea, but then he's suddenly distracted as they stumble upon a big Berry patch. Here there are quite a few varieties, in fact.

The first Berries he spies are Rawst and he immediately goes to pick one, holding it up. It's an almost perfectly ripe Berry, giving off a hint of bitterness.]

Ah. Have you tried these? Their flavor is just like strawberries... They're rather tart, though. I believe these are the ones that heal burns.

[He looks around some more, examining all the other bushes and trees heavily laden with Berries.]

Um. So do you see any that sort of look like figs...? Or does something else catch your eye?

You really think so? You just seem like the perfect shape... [ Laios deflates, ears flattening at his idea being rejected. Would it really be that unsanitary, when they were already out here foraging in the outskirts of town? Maybe he was right to think of him as cat-like. But there's not much else for him to add; Conrad didn't seem the type to be easily convinced.

Luckily, his moment of defeat passes once the berry bush comes into view. He watches eagerly as Conrad plucks one off the vine, shaking his head. ] No, I don't think so! [ He moves a little closer to the bush, chomping down on one directly. After a second, his chewing starts to slow, and he swallows with a slightly disgusted look. ]

That was... really bitter. [ Another disappointment, but maybe the Figy berries would be better. He looks around for a bit, until he spots a few berries up in a small tree. ] Oh! Up in that one! Do you see it? [ He runs up to it, jumping up on the trunk, but coming up just a little too short. ] Hm. Want to try climbing up?

I'm aware of my appearance, thanks... [He mutters his words as he tries to shrug off that sad doggie expression. He doesn't mean to disappoint him.

Anyway, he would much rather focus on the Berries. He just pops the whole Rawst Berry into his mouth and makes a puckered face right after. Even though they are pretty bitter, the strawberry flavor comes through, at least.]

Ah, well... Yeah, I guess they're an acquired taste. Sorry. Um.

[He follows Laios as he leads him to the Berry tree that, sure enough, has the Figy Berries. He squints, staring up at them a moment, then sighs.]

I don't climb, but- Just wait a minute.

[With a big breath he puffs up and becomes lighter, flailing his feet a bit as he rises up to the Berries. He quickly nabs some, picking as many as he can, and also dropping a few before he lets his breath out and comes drifting back down to the ground.]

There. These should be better, I think.

Oh, that's okay. Maybe I can... lift you... up. [ He stares, completely taken off guard when Conrad rises up and toward the berries. ]

Conrad! [ After the string of disappointments, that might come across as him being upset. But one look at him, and his excitement is obvious. ] You didn't tell me you can float! [ He moves to about where Conrad might land, just in case, but the Jigglypuff manages to make it down on his own. The berries can wait for just a bit. ]

No wonder! Now your appearance is starting to make sense... [ Because he really can't just let it go. ]

[The only reason he's able to demonstrate his floating ability is because the Berries aren't too far from the ground. He has a fear of heights and so going up too high would trigger his phobia, but getting to these Berries was tolerable.]

Yeah, I guess... I, uh, don't really like doing it. [He mumbles his words, looking a little embarrassed now since Laios seems rather taken with his floaty-ness. He hadn't expected him to really react to it much.]

Here... Try some if you want...

[And he'll hold one of the Figy Berries out for him while doing his best to not drop the rest of the Berries he has cradled in his stubby arms.]

[ Laios, for better or worse, doesn’t seem to catch Conrad’s embarrassment. ]

What? Why? Is it hard? [ His head tilts, genuinely curious. ] It must feel so cool...

[ His ears perk up at the offer, a momentary distraction. Carefully, he grabs the berry from Conrad’s hand, though he doesn’t eat it quite yet. Instead, he turns again, giving Conrad access to the saddlebag with the least amount of mushrooms. No sense mixing them if they could help it.

While the other stashes their loot away, Laios finally eats the berry as intended. ] O-oh! Ah, it’s.. it’s... really good... [ He’s not exactly lying, but the spice definitely hit harder than he expected, if the water in his eyes means anything. ]

[Conrad makes an exasperated face. He can't blame Laios for being curious, though, he knows his body is unusual.]

Hmmm. It's not hard. It's just- Weird, I guess? It's an odd experience when you get puffed up and suddenly become lighter than air.

[Conrad huffs a bit, then, as he goes about putting the Berries into the saddlebag. He even picks up the ones that fell to the ground, as they can be washed properly later. He then takes one of the clean Berries and pops it in his mouth. The expression he makes is mixed. The Berry is indeed spicy, but in a tasty way and it goes down nice and smooth.]

Yeah. They are pretty good. They must have rejuvenating qualities, too. They're pretty refreshing despite the spiciness.

[And he'll even help himself to another one as he glances back to the trees.]

... See any other Berries you want to try?

Odd? Really? [ He squints, trying to imagine the feeling for himself. Quietly, he inhales, puffing out his cheeks slightly, before letting all out again in a sigh. ] It does sound different than flying with wings. There’s less control when you’re just weightless. That can be pretty scary.

[ He clears his throat, just a little. The aftertaste is still pretty strong, but he definitely doesn’t hate it. His tail wags regardless while he watches Conrad store away a few of the extras, before tasting one himself. ]

That’s a good way to put it! My head feels clearer. [ Or rather, his sinuses do. ] Mm. More? Let’s see... [ Looking up again, he starts to glance around, before spotting some peculiar looking ones on a different tree. There a bit further up than the Figy berries this time. ] ... How about those? The pink bananas?

[Conrad just watches him for a moment, as he supposes Laios is trying to figure out what it might feel like to blow up like a balloon.] Yeah, no kidding. It's a little difficult to get the hang of moving around when you're weightless.

[He shrugs and waits patiently as Laios scans the trees, but as he points out the Nanab Berries Conrad lets out a tired groan. To reach them he'll have to float up even higher than before. But, well, maybe it'd be worth it... The spiciness from the Figy Berries is lingering a bit and Conrad would quite like a palate cleanser.]

Alright. Sure. Why not? [He sighs, then with a sharp inhale he puffs up again, and with his little arms and feet wiggling he manages to get up to the Berries. Things don't go as smoothly as they did before, however, as he makes the mistake of looking down. He loses his concentration, just for a moment, and as he drifts a bit he finds himself lodged between two branches. Quite a few Berries rain down as he fumbles around, trying to get unstuck, and when he finally frees himself he quickly descends to the ground, landing on his face with a soft thud.]

Augh! Goddammit! [He utters a few other choice words as he rolls around on the ground before he rights himself again. That had been mildly terrifying, but at least he had a controlled descent and didn't just fall directly out of the sky.]

[ The Boltund's smile seems to grow the moment Conrad agrees, almost as if it isn't so much about the berries anymore as it is about the opportunity to watch him float again. Luckily, his appearance remains unassuming, tail wagging behind him as he sits and waits for the other to take off. While intrinsically he understands the Jigglypuff's apprehension, Laios can't help but want to encourage him, even if it's in his own way.

His excitement, however, quickly turns into worry once Conrad gets stuck between aa few branches. Immediately, Laios jumps up, bounding toward the general trajectory of his fall while berries rain down. Unfortunately, he just missed the mark, wincing when he hears the thud. ]

Conrad! [ He hovers over him now, brows furrowing with concern. ] A-are you okay? I can grab you another berry! There should at least be an Oran around somewhere...

[He lets out a few wheezy breaths, but he's mostly okay. He is pretty light, after all, and rubbery. He is a little shaken from falling so far, but he's definitely more embarrassed for screwing up so badly.]

Hng... I'm fine, more or less. A fall can't hurt me too much. I shouldn't have looked down, that's what messed me up. Thanks for, uh, trying to catch me...

[He's surprised he didn't bounce more, really. He sighs and picks up one of the Nanab Berries, then, eyeballing it.]

... These had better be worth it...

[After all that trouble, if they aren't downright scrumptious he's going to be disappointed.]

Edited 2025-06-27 06:34 (UTC)

[ Laios offers a sigh of relief, glad to hear that the fall didn't hurt Conrad too badly, if at all. Any signs of embarrassment easily go over his head too, likely to the Jigglypuff's own relief over the situation. ]

... Mm. I definitely could have positioned myself faster. At least, you did make it pretty high up. That was cool! [ It's a little unfortunate to hear that a fear of heights got to him, but Laios is still trying to remain encouraging, in his own way. When Conrad grabs a Nanab Berry, he does the same, his tail instantly wagging when he tastes the hint of sweetness. ]

I think I had a poffin with this before. It's good but... [ Should he really say this after the trouble Conrad went through. ] I think I might like it more baked into something. What do you think?

APRIL CATCH-ALL

MUSH TO BE DONE (Conrad)

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