June Catch-All

[hundredeyesoni]

Who: Akira and quest partners
What: Quests, more to be added over the month
When: Throughout June
Warnings: Fog effects and Pokemon battles likely. Will add as needed.

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[hundredeyesoni]

Akira lets out a thoughtful hum as he presses a fist into his other hand, a familiar enough motion to crack his knuckles in either of his old forms, made fairly pointless with the claws he has now. Can he actually fight? It's as good a time as any to find out!

"I'm not too bad at it. But how about as a Slowking? I can tell I'm not as strong as most oni, anymore, so it sure would be helpful if the others were right that our patient's something weaker like a bear!"

There can't be any denying that he sounds confident, even if his words might not be the most reassuring. Even if he starts to appear sidetracked as well, and can't help making an attempt to pick Bigby up as he speaks. Of course on the surface he wants to learn more about Electric types just as he wants to learn everything about their bounty. But he's not so lacking in perception to miss that forcibly making himself some sort of package deal with the smaller Pokemon should increase his chances of being brought along further.

Whether successful or not, though,

"Any information we don't have, I'll find out for us as soon as we get there. Nobody can hide anything from me for long."

[wolfcut]

While not directed at him, Bigby still tilts his head in thought at Flamebringer’s question. It's good to ask outright, even if he doesn’t exactly agree with the Absol's approach as a starting point; at least Akira hardly seems phased by it, if at all. They each would have to hold their own out of necessity, there was no doubt about that, but information – that was a valuable thing to have against a foe that so few knew much about. Akira’s access to the Archives remains in the back of Bigby’s mind, knowing full well that the doctor has been wasting no time studying Pokémon to satiate his curiosity.

Suddenly, however, Bigby finds himself pulled out of his own head, his ears flicking at the mention of oni. He might not know any personally, but he's definitely familiar enough to shoot Akira curious look now. If he says a bear would be no match against his strength back home, the Morpeko can't help but believe it. “... I didn’t realize you were a yokai,” he starts, quieter this time, before turning back to Flamebringer. "Can't say much about Slowkings, but if he really is an oni, then we have nothing to worry about."

Other than the obvious, of which Bigby becomes the prime example when his attention is fully on Flamebringer. Guard down, he doesn't notice when Akira moves forward a little too closely, reacting only when he's abruptly lifted up from the ground. Hoisted by his arms, he's only able to kick his feet in protest. Bigby growls up at Akira, doing everything in his power not to cause a complete scene at the quest board.

"H-hey! What the hell are you thinking?" he huffs through his teeth, still trying to pull himself away. After a moment, though, he stops himself, ears lowering as he glances between the two others in defeat. No shot in hell would Flamebringer willingly offer him a ride to their bounty; this is going to be as good as it gets. He scowls, any semblance of niceties completely gone based on his tone. "Alright. Can we just get on with this already?"

Barring any last objections, it's off to the middle forest for the three of them, where the light of dawn will be quickly swallowed up by the dense foliage. For what it's worth, Bigby will eventually settle into Akira's arms, channeling all of his focus on the sounds and scents of their location instead of how fucking embarrassing it feels to be carried around like a child.

[indifferentinferno]

He glances at Bigby. He knew what an Oni was- or more, he new what an Oni was to him, but he sees the way Bigby's expression changes and that word 'yokai'... it seemed to be of more significance to him than it was to Flamebringer. Oni were strong of course- they had a natural genetic disposition towards strength and height compared to some other races- but not to the extent where he'd be easily impressed.

Still- If Bigby was so sure... Akira's own words were humble if nothing else, he wasn't looking to prove anymore than he had to. Which had its benefits and deficits, but he would take someone honest about their abilities any day over a boaster. But before he could express his final verdict, the Slowpoke is picking up his teammate without warning. Flamebringer blinks- completely caught off guard by the display of a lack of personal boundaries- Bigby obviously isn't happy, not that Flamebringer makes any move to help. He knows the musbeast can defend himself if need be-

And Bigby is right, Flamebringer remains, watching the display- Maybe even having the gall to look slightly amused by the whole ordeal.

"... Fine. This is acceptable." They would make better ground with Akira handling Bigby, and they needed to get moving. Akira was satisfactory enough. "Let's hope you can put those investigation skills to good use." Even if he might still harbor his own doubts about the other's combat skill, and personality, he was interested in seeing if he could, in fact, provide useful information.

... In his own way he'd already proven that he could, with the way he had observed and categorized Flamebringer upon their first meeting. He wouldn't mind pointing that at a common foe.

His expression grows even more amused. Ha, at least Bigby had his priorities enough in order not to cause a fuss. He's sympathetic to the manhandling, but not enough to intercede. "If we're prepared to depart, then lets not waste anymore time."

Flamebringer is taking point in their party. He's the most maneuverable at the moment, since Bigby is indisposed and Akira's general bulk, well, there's a reason he supposes his beast form is called 'slowking'. While Bigby might not like being carried, it does allow him to focus on sensations in a way Flamebringer physically can't. His own senses have changed slightly since arriving- smells are certainly sharper to him than they were normally, but Bigby was clearly in tune with his senses already. Better to leave him too it then.

He doesn't like anything about this already. The forest felt claustrophobic in a way that it shouldn't, the fog clinging to his fur once again, just like it did when he first arrived. So far there's no signs of their quarry, but he stays alert all the same.

[hundredeyesoni]

Already in full agreement that there's no need to worry, getting on with their quest is simple enough to do as Akira happily follows the Absol's lead.

While there may be varying expectations surrounding his own capabilities, they're not what he's most looking forward to testing out, himself. Two of them are youkai in these forms, and he can't help but hope that a certain ability to foretell danger will make an appearance while he can observe. Of course it means that such danger will need to be present, but what's wrong with that? He's already made it this far, after all.


As they travel deeper, Akira's focus constantly shifts between every sight the forest has to offer, the challenge of having to take a more active approach to such basic observation seeming to leave him far more excited than frustrated. Not even the fog deters him, instead providing encouragement that they're closer to their goal.

But if that's the case, it may pose the same risks he'd encountered and largely ignored upon his arrival. It won't just be a matter of losing their way. Rather,

"While we're in range of the forest's effects, don't hesitate to tell me if either of you start feeling ill or confused." There's an eagerness to the warning, despite its sincerity. A suggestion that he'd sure enjoy more patients to treat. "Since you're both feisty as it is, watching for heightened aggression may be beyond even my abilities. As curious as I am about the unique conditions here, I can't have anyone-- dying..?"

For a moment, he manages to settle down, looking almost mournful as he catches sight of a few bones already littering the ground. He'd been prepared for them, the signs of those who'd lost to this creature earlier. Surely they all had. But...

As quickly as that calmness began, it passes, with an enthusiastic effort to pick up his pace instead.

"Wow, so even this far in is dangerous! I wonder if we'll be next?"

[wolfcut]

Feisty. He scoffs at the Slowking's choice of words, glancing at Flamebringer with a flat expression. Bigby definitely caught that amused look earlier, but he can't really blame him, never mind mention it when there are other priorities at hand. Focused on honing in on the right scent, his ears start to perk up when something finally catches his attention, quickly followed by Akira's shift in tone. He glances at the ground, brows furrowing at the morbid remnants before taking in a deep breath.

"Let me down for a second," he mutters. Not bothering to wait for a response, the Morpeko pushes against the other’s hold, just enough to slip back onto the ground. Freed at last but with no time to revel, he scurries over to the closest piece small enough for him to pick up. The scent of dried blood immediately fills his senses, but the creature it once belonged to is indiscernible, masked by the smell of bear and soil somehow mixed together into one. He tosses it back onto the ground with the rest, noting the jagged breaks that seems to be present in most. Silently at first, he begins to survey the surrounding area for any other signs. "Well, now we know this was the right direction after all."

There's a flippant undertone to his words, more at himself than anyone else, if only because he couldn't help but mistrust his own capabilities in this body. At least their bounty is becoming more tangible beyond a written description in his mind. The doctor's comment immediately makes him look back though, exasperated at first, until his eyes slowly start to widen. There's no sudden movements from him, but he seems transfixed, unable to look away from something that doesn't seem to be there.

Through the fog, he sees Akira and Flamebringer not as they are, but laying motionless beneath a figure still shrouded in shadow. He takes a step back, ears flattening as his cheeks start to spark, only for him to hear a voice — a voice he knows isn't here — call out to him. Suddenly, the gaping maw of the beast seems to disappear entirely, but his body can't seem to release the tension it built up.

"... Speaking of not dying, let's not waste too much time around here. The trail leads that way." He motions with his head, but his gaze remains somewhere off in the distance. It'll take him another moment to fully let it go, but he doesn't speak on it, not yet.

[indifferentinferno]

Its for the best that Flamebringer is in front so that Akira can't see how flat and annoyed his expression is. Then again, its not like he was hiding it in front of him before either. He catches Bigby's equally unimpressed look and can't help but smirk slightly in solidarity. Misery loved company after all. Akira wasn't even trying to take this seriously, was he? Then again, it wasn't like he wasn't already used to dealing with someone with that personality. Same old, same old; even on the surface of a different planet entirely... the thought sobers him more than he would expect, a cold, empty feeling curling in his stomach.

He had a rather severe and up close and personal experience with the fog earlier- one he wasn't eager to repeat, if he wanted to he could very easily just give Akira information from that occasion before anything happened... he'd consider it. He wasn't eager to share, but if it kept them in one piece-

His train of thought is halted by the skeleton. Even Akira quieted down... he wouldn't have expected that from his overall lack of reading the room so far... he eyed the remains... but it didn't tell him much of anything. He was used to corpses. It came with his line of work, and the home he came from... all the same, his expression was somber, and grim.

"Its not out of the realm of possibility." he says to Akira... although it lacks his normal acidic sarcasm.

There was a sense growing in his chest... his fur standing slightly more on end. A caution, a wariness. But nothing had happened yet- Besides stumbling upon this rather obvious clue- and it wasn't the same as his normal sense of paranoia... no... He glances nervously at the trees, the fog, but there's nothing... he's loath to let go of his instincts though... he doesn't bury the feeling, keeping it in mind as he returns his eyes to look at Bigby-

Who looks like he's just seen a ghost.

Flamebringer blinks- bewildered, then remembers- Right, the fog. Illusions of the past, or just nightmares, haunted the people lost in it. They were no exception. Experienced or no. Bigby brushes it off and moves ahead before he can comment. He follows after him quickly, eager to get this over with and get out of this cloying place. He's also not enthusiastic about the idea of losing the musbeast to the fog. Not that he thinks Bigby would recklessly charge ahead. Its the fog he doesn't trust.

When he gets closer he mutters, "You saw something." He doesn't want to pry. Its not like he wants to know. But he'd rather confirm his suspicious so he knows what all of them will be facing as their excursion progresses.