bottlecaplogs | APRIL CATCH-ALL

[ 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? ]

[ 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?

[ While he could be taking his first month a little easier, getting his bearings could wait. There are quests to be done, and Laios isn't going to miss an opportunity to explore with some purpose, especially with another seasoned adventurer. It was quite lucky that he wound up in the same guild as Firoza, giving them plenty of time to get to know each other more. Now, they can finally work together too, which is an exciting prospect all on its own. Knowing her expertise with sword fighting, he can't help but be interested in how that might translate to her new form.

Despite hearing the warnings before heading out, Laios forgoes any actual facial coverings, instead sporting a bandana around his neck for a potential emergency. It doesn’t fit his snout quite right, but it’ll be better than an actual mask that feels more like a muzzle. As bad as the spores could be, hindering his main mode of defense seems like a nonstarter. ]

Firoza, have you been in this part of the forest before? Maybe I shouldn’t be taking the lead…

[ He may be bigger but getting them lost would be no help. ]

[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!

[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.

[ 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.

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. ]

This part? Hm...

[She does a quick scan of the area. That particular moss-covered rock looks familiar...ah, yep, the somewhat lewd rock, there it is.

Not that Pokemon would consider it lewd, probably. But it is unfortunate.]

I have, yes. But you can take point if you like - I can keep us on track.

[Firoza herself has a bandana around her snoot which, oddly enough, Laios has probably seen her wear a lot around the Cheri Berry base and in town? Only at night does she take it off, and he may have seen the scarring on the right side (her right, Laios's left) of her face, lines twisting like wisps of energy...it's healing well, but she's self conscious. Better to just keep it protected for now.]

If you go, hm...if your back is to the mossiest part of that rock and you turn left for half a malm, there's some fallen over logs that are hollow inside, and there's usually some good edible mushrooms in there. Similar to something called "Dodo of the Woods", actually. Same texture. [A pause.] So I know where we are.

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!

[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?

[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 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?

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.]

[ 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. ]

[ 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?

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.

[ He nods, affirmative. ] Sure. I'll stay on the lookout for anything suspicious ahead. [ Collected as he sounds, he's completely eager to go deeper into the forest with her. It's been far too long since he's had the freedom to explore new territory, to go on an adventure, and the feeling was just as exhilarating as he remembers. ]

Ah. Got it. [ Briefly, he tilts his head at the rock, eyes narrowing before he shakes his head and moves along. Now wasn't the time! They had a quest to complete, even if the destination wasn't quite obvious just yet. Despite not knowing how long a malm might be, he heads left, scanning the forest floor for anything that might stick out.

He glances at Firoza every once in a while, less concerned about her ability to keep up given her experience, but curious now knowing her face covering wasn't just for the spores. Laios had seen her scars by chance one night, but didn't dare bring it up since, unsure if he'd be poking at an open wound—literally and figuratively. Whether those came from here or back home, he'd likely have to wait until she brings it up. ]

Oh! That's good to know. We should pick some of those up, too. [ Then, he realizes: ] Dodo... that's another creature where you're from?

Edited (silly typo whoops) 2025-04-15 03:54 (UTC)

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.

[ 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.

[It sucks when that's the first distinctive mossy rock that comes up in a search. Can't tell what sort of lewd it even is.

Firoza does notice the glancing, but doesn't think anything of it. You're supposed to keep an eye on your party members no matter the situation - healers, of course, are much more tapped into everyone's state, but when you're the one taking the enmity of oncoming enemies, you want to know where everyone is to keep the danger ends away from them and onto you. So checking on someone else like that is pretty normal.]

We could if we happen to find some. And yes - they mostly live in La Noscea. They're very round, and have these thin spindly legs. Wild ones are kind of a nuisance out there. And, well, there's other species of them all around the star, and even on its reflections. Usually they're colored differently, depending on where you find them.

[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?

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...

[ 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. ]

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!

[ 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.

APRIL CATCH-ALL

A DAY AT THE MARKET (Open)

MUSH TO BE DONE (Conrad)

LESS IS SPORE (Firoza)

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