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bottlecaplogs2025-06-05 02:13 pm
hundredeyesoni) wrote in bottlecaplogs2025-06-05 02:13 pm
Entry tags:
June Catch-All
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.
What: Quests, more to be added over the month
When: Throughout June
Warnings: Fog effects and Pokemon battles likely. Will add as needed.
Mad Moonlighter Pt. 1 - Closed to Flamebringer and Bigby
Mad Moonlighter Pt. 2 - Closed to Emporio, Guilmon and Lusamine
---
[Despite having done what he could with his new form, Akira's just not satisfied.
Winning, losing, rewards.. when he'd taken up that mystery bounty, it hadn't been about any of that. With everyone's speculation having piqued his natural curiosity, he'd only wanted to learn! About the threat, about the fog, about those bones... What might studying the remains further tell him? The creature's dietary habits? A hint towards the rest of the local fauna? And what about their types? More importantly, were there enough scattered about to piece back together and discover a species he hasn't seen yet? He'd so desperately wanted to stay longer and bring whatever he could carry back with him.
Yet in the end, left to carry a wounded pokemon back to safety, it just wasn't an option.
Now in the city once again, he knows he needs to check in on those two at the clinic. But unable to hold back such overwhelming thoughts of what he'd missed out on, it's the quest board that he's returned to instead. If he can just find a group that seems capable on their own, and follow along as they do their own thing, then surely he can find the opportunity to continue his studies!
... Or, that would be the plan. But as various Pokemon come and go, the sight of one far too small showing interest in the same bounty catches Akira off guard. How interesting! Would that Pokemon count as a bear's natural prey as well? ... No, he doesn't have the tools necessary for that level of reconstruction, here. Perhaps aiming to scare them off, the Slowking heads over to approach the little one's group.]
Is your party all set? That bounty's really quite the terrifying one, you know. It'll eat you right up if you're not careful!
[Well, maybe. But with the selfish need to get back there steadily beginning to win out, he can't very well care to dissuade them that much. Then playing the role of someone concerned, he offers a gentle smile.]
I can guide you, if you'd like. It never hurts to have extra numbers.
no subject
Oh—hello, Dr. Takahashi! It's lovely to see you again.
[Even if he's... staggeringly tall in person. Even while standing on her hind legs, she still has to crane her neck back to look him in the eye.
Having already completed one bounty quest of her own, she's well aware of the dangers—which is precisely why she's been hovering around the Cubone and Charmeleon at her side now. Truthfully, they have more experience than her in this world, but they're still only children (she thinks, judging by the limited interactions she's had with them thus far). If they're going to insist on tackling the bounty themselves, she must insist on going along with them to provide adult supervision. They need her.
Still, Akira's warning earns him a disapproving frown.]
Now, no one's going to get eaten. Gracious...
[She agrees that it would be unwise for them to go alone, but he doesn't have to be so grisly about it! He'll scare the poor things!
Though he says that... he seems to change his tune a moment later, offering to join them instead.]
Hmm... I wouldn't be opposed. Having a medical professional present certainly can't hurt. [Her smile returns, bright and full of sharp teeth.] And we need to look out for these young ones, don't we?
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[With his helmet on, Emporio is practically unrecognizable as himself. The town very much knows him as 'that weird cubone who won't wear his helmet' after all. But for a mission, it's vitally important, and so on the helmet goes.
Originally, it was just him and Guilmon. Very quickly though, they gained Lusamine- which, honestly Emporio was rather pleased about. Just him and Guilmon definitely wouldn't have been enough, and he'd rather someone who knows about Pokemon. He doesn't completely know what to think of the mustelid-like Pokemon here but...
She seems nice enough, right?
Emporio turns just as Lusamine does, blinking at the Slowking. Tall...but not too tall, not when you live with Anasui the Espartha at least. But boy, that's...]
Oh- ...yeah, that's more than fine with me. Like you said, it doesn't hurt to have extra numbers, [Emporio agrees with a nod.] We just need to be careful to look out for each other. The fog is the worst in this branch of the forest, and we also need to be sure to toss stones ahead in case of a sudden drop. We can listen for the sound!
[Well, if nothing else, Emporio at least knows Something about where they're going.] I actually do volunteering at the clinic to learn some first aid, so having two Pokemon who can manage that will be really helpful I bet...
...Uh. Dr. Takahashi, that's your name? [Since Lusamine's the one who said it...] I'm Emporio Alniño.
[And if nothing else, he definitely sounds like a kid.]
no subject
So, it was just his luck that Flamebringer happened to mention the Middle Forest in passing. Despite being recent recruits to the same guild, they hadn’t spoken much outside of formalities during training. Not that Bigby could really complain — sometimes the less said, the better — but it does make it harder to know what to expect when they finally decide to head out together. It's still early when they arrive at the quest board, the hope being that they could catch a stray third member to round out their team before anyone else did. Of course, one figure in particular catches his attention in the midst of the morning crowd.
“Well, if it isn’t the good doctor,” Bigby starts, well-aware that there’d be no point in avoiding a conversation between familiar faces. Mightyena did say he was the first Morpeko she’d seen around here; no doubt he’d be easy to spot outside of a Grumpearl, too. “Out taking house calls this morning?”
His tone is cheeky, if only to distract from the fact that he hasn’t been anywhere near the clinic since their last talk. While his lips curl into a hesitant half-smile at first, he can sense an odd sort of tension fill the dead air, one that surprisingly has very little to do with him at all. He glances up at Flamebringer, his nose scrunching up with consideration before he asks the obvious: “... I take it you two have met already?”
Go figure, he thinks, but maybe this isn't so much of an unlucky coincidence as it is an opportunity. A medic on the team could be useful, especially one where no introductions are necessary.
Sounds of Chair scooting up
This was a good enough activity as any to start with. The team requirement had him rolling his eyes. Not so much for his own sake- as grating as it was to admit, he was in no shape to hold his own. Having others to supplement his gaps in knowledge would be smart. That's when he happened to run into Bigby. Having perused the available quests for their level he briefed the smaller musbeast on what he'd found- and they'd made a choice.
Bigby was tolerable. Which was plenty to Flamebringer's standards. He reminded him somewhat of Hoederer, if Hoederer was shrunk into a tiny musbeast body. Between them a sentence could have all of four words, but he liked it that way. No superficial musings and time wasted on superficial idlings.
Whether or not Bigby was trustworthy in combat was another thing, but he was no stranger with working beside backstabbers and cowards. It'd be like home.
The thought gets a sardonic huff out of him.
As they approach the bounty board the next day, he hears Bigby call out to someone else and he turns- a doctor? That would be a smart call- And his expression immediately flattens.
Why oh why did the little musbeast have to grab his attention of all people. He'd been hoping that their third member would be someone else he could tolerate- he was surprised already how many individuals didn't piss him off, even if he found several of them lacking in their own ways. But this one in particular... His lack of enthusiasm is evident in his voice when he answers Bigby's question, "He's a nosy fool."
no subject
"My grades were pretty high, though..."
Despite fitting the appearance of a team prepared for combat, a bounty was never the sort of first mission Akira had had in mind. But just as some youkai still caused trouble that could only be solved through violence, it was understandable for the same to be true of Pokemon. If one needed to be punished for misbehaving, then who better to do it than a doctor capable of treating every injury dealt?
In truth, all he'd wanted was a cover to explore the forest without appearing to neglect his other roles. To reach that end with the quests available... Well, fighting would just have to be the trade-off. And so being greeted by two who seem unlikely to be startled by whatever they find, he's already chosen his teammates whether they like it or not.
He turns his attention to the Morpeko instead, now beaming with enthusiasm.
"That's right! I'm going to visit that mystery Ground type, since I haven't seen them as a patient yet. I heard this one's pretty big, so you two should come along in case I need help holding them down!"
no subject
Casually, he folds his arms over each other, ears flicking at the mention of the ground-type in question. Bigby doesn't quite match the other's enthusiasm, but he responds with a light enough tone: "How noble. It does sounds in need of something, alright."
Though, a medical consultation isn't exactly what he has in mind. He looks up at Flamebringer again, tilting his head with an unsaid question, before going back to Akira. Of all the people to play mediator, Bigby never thought it'd have to be him. "Might be your lucky day, Doc. We were planning to take on that bounty today," he starts, before adding, "What do you think, Flamebringer? Would be nice to have another big Pokémon on our side, considering what we're up against."
He's not happy saying it, given the furrow visible in his brow now, but he's also not stupid enough to ignore the obvious height disadvantage he brings to the table.
no subject
His claws flex, and his head tips down.]
Guilmon can dig and break rocks... If I could evolve to Growmon, it'd be easier because Growmon's really big. We don't have cards, either, so we can't get stronger that way...
But maybe Guilmon can make smoke for us to hide in? And you can tell us where to go!
no subject
It's soon the other two that draw his attention, though, in their novelty. Two creatures that with their body structures could almost be of related species if it weren't for the fire. A divergence based on element, then? Or does something about this world promote convergence when becoming bipedal? ... Examining them to find out can come later. For now,]
Ohh, it's even more dangerous for children! It's a good thing you've already planned ahead. Hearing and smell will be suuuper useful once we can't see what's around us. [... Well, not that it smelled like anything other than a forest, last time. Clearly his senses haven't improved with this form.]
I'll have to ask all about these cards and what a Growmon's like once we're finished. Until then, Emporio, this might be your lucky day. Whether it's us or that bear, I'm sure we'll have lots to practice on.
[That all out of the way, it's Lusamine he looks back to, almost as if for approval.]
Then I take it we're all in agreement~?
[There's no harm in starting to head off, all things considered. Surely anyone at all can keep up.]
no subject
(She is a bit confused by Guilmon's words, wondering what exactly a Growmon is—but, like Akira, she'll save those questions for another time.)
In any case, they are all in agreement.]
It seems that we are indeed. [Her grin broadens.] I look forward to working with you all.
* * *
[It's straight off to the middle section of the forest then, while they still have the brilliant light of dawn on their side. Lusamine automatically scurries to the front of their troop, side by side with their guide, Akira. She is very mongoose-like indeed in this moment, occasionally standing on her hind legs to survey the area before moving on (it isn't that she doesn't trust Akira as a guide, really; she just trusts herself more, and the behavior seems at least partially instinctual).
The light doesn't stay on their side for long, however. Soon, darkness descends upon them, the sunlight swallowed under dense foliage and creeping fog. Though Lusamine tries to look ahead, ears and nose twitching, soon she can hardly see a few feet before her, even with the aid of Guilmon's tail-flame. The scent of soil and rot hangs heavy in the air, overpowering any other scents that may have reached her otherwise. She frowns.]
Hm. I see now that you weren't exaggerating about this fog... [Her steps slow.] Sweet Emporio... Perhaps your idea with the stones is in order...?
[She didn't bring any with her herself, having focused more on bringing healing items instead, and she can't see clearly enough to find any on the ground.
There's that issue... But it seems that isn't the only thing amiss. Lusamine trails off at the end of that sentence and comes to an abrupt halt, her gaze turning distant. She seems... confused suddenly, as tendrils of fog coil around her limbs and throat, embracing her like the arms of something alive.
She says nothing more, only staring silently, blearily into the mists.]
no subject
Although this was the first time he heard of him being a doctor. That explained some things. He seemed to have a disposition for running into those. It also explained his earlier curiosity, to some extent. It made Flamebringer like him even less for his nosiness. He wanted nothing to do with being a toy for a medical researcher.
He follows Bigby's comment with a growl, "I am no one's henchman. And this isn't some leisurely stroll. It's a bounty. A mission." And a threat to eliminate. He wasn't interested in bringing along liabilities.
But all the same- his look is still one of disdain as he thinks, but he considers Bigby's argument. Whatever this fool was, he was large. Larger than both of them at the moment. And their foe was likely even larger than he was. The size advantage couldn't be understated. And if he was a researcher to boot, that might prove to their advantage on the field. He didn't like him. He would rather leave him out. But beggars couldn't be choosers. There was no promising they would find a better option amongst the throng. He could leave the social niceties to Bigby since the musbeast already seemed buddy enough with him. As long as he was left be, he could put up with it.
"Can you hold your own in a fight?" He asks Akira. "If you prove to be a problem, I won't be covering for you." His eyes narrow, "Our lack of information is a disadvantage already. If you can't help, we will be sending you back home and handling it ourselves." It wouldn't be ideal. But it would be safer than keeping a third eye out.
no subject
From there however, it's just a matter of taking in what the others are talking about. ...He still doesn't really see it as an age matter so much as an experience matter, but it's not really anything worth arguing over.
So, he just nods- and even smiles when Akira remarks on the potentially incoming learning exercise. They're all in agreement- the very gesture says it all!
So off they go, into the fog...
....which, while pressuring, is at least not getting to him at the moment.] Right, [he answers Lusamine, glancing around briefly before finding a stone.
It's tossed ahead to skip, and from there they can give a listen for any long pauses on the sound.] ...I can't hear anything that indicates a fall, but you guys might have better hearing than I do, so-
[...Hold on, did Lusamine just stop mid-sentence actually? From where he had moved to get the stone in the first place, he turns.]
Lusamine..?
...AH-
[Oh! That's new!]
no subject
"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."
no subject
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.
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[Guilmon's eyes widen, and he tries to adjust his tail flame to better illuminate the area.]
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Careful, now. We can't have anyone taken out this early. Steady breaths.
[It's pointless to worry about breathing the fog in, after all. Whatever it's going to do, contact's more than enough. He'll move Lusamine back a few feet if uninterrupted, to see what happens. Either way, to the rest of the party,]
Last time, the forest started showing us premonitions about this far in. If it's different now, it might be that it's playing with our own capabilities. I wonder if that means we'll experience it, too?
no subject
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.