June Catch All! [Open and Closed Prompts]

[dripdrive]

Who: Anasui, Emporio, Firepaw, Flamebringer, Sanji, Ring-Spirit, Laios... AND MAYBE YOU!
What: Quests and a Non-Quest Prompt!
Where: Southern Forest, Ocean, Around Town! Check the prompts!
When: Throughout June.
Warnings: Check the individual threads. Likely hallucinations in the quest-related threads.

Comments

New Hat! Old Habits... | Open

[dripdrive]

[On the first of June, as a little 'thank you' for participating in the team-building activities, Anasui has been given a new hat. Well, more specifically, a hat that resembles his old one. The tailor that presented it to him told him they consulted Emporio to get the style just right and Anasui can't see any flaws in it.

He's so pleased by it, despite his stoic disposition, that he subconsciously tries to show it off, which manifests as him coming out of his (really Emporio's) apartment more often into town. You may see him out and about, whether working at the clinic or trading for food or yeast.

However, you may witness him compulsively dismantling something. He's been scolded more times than he cares to admit regarding the paved roads so he's turned his eyes on other things. If you've built something interesting in the last few days, you may see Anasui pecking away at it, regardless of where you've hidden it. Otherwise, you're likely to find Anasui with a vat of what smells like vinegar holding his... Grumperl over it?

Regardless of where you see him, he'll notice you looking at him. He'll stare at you with his bright, blue eyes and grunts.]

What do you want?

[technusrulez]

HEY!!!

[Technus had begun working on what was supposed to be a Leyden jar. He'd left for a moment... and come back to a weird bird dismantling his creation.]

GET YOUR BEAK OFF OF MY CREATION, YOU BRAT!

[dripdrive]

[Anasui is more than four times Technus' size. He hardly sees himself as a brat - if anything, he sees Technus as one. But the Espathra does look up and frowns.]

Hmph... I didn't expect it would be you who made this. [Anasui, you haven't even met Technus or even heard of him. All the same, after a long moment of staring, he goes back to pecking at the metal spike on the leyden jar, as if Technus is not worth his time.]

[technusrulez]

[You may be large, Anasui, but you're still a brat in the eyes of this little old man.

...Plus, seeing Anasui so mindlessly wreck Technus's creation makes Technus assume Anasui is some sort of troublemaking teenager. Technus is used to teenagers causing problems for him.]

WELL, IT WAS!! SO GET AWAY!

[Technus buzzes towards Anasui, getting up in his face and trying to shoo him away.]

LEAVE MY BEAUTIFUL TECHNOLOGICAL MARVELS ALONE, CHILD!

[dripdrive]

[Little old man.

And excuse you, he isn't mindlessly wrecking it! He's being incredibly meticulous in its deconstruction! The outer coating is neatly folded on the floor and now he's trying to get the jar's spike loose enough so he can carefully put it aside. Or was trying to, since Technus is suddenly in his face. Anasui shakes his head, trying to use his hair to shoo Technus away like a bothersome fly.]

If this is a technological marvel, you must be from a primitive place. This is a barely a functioning capacitor. [WOW Anasui.]

[technusrulez]

[That upsets Technus. It's not his fault he has limited materials!]

IT IS A TECHNOLOGICAL MARVEL BECAUSE I, TECHNUS, MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY, HAVE CREATED IT! I AM WORKING WITH LIMITED MATERIALS HERE!

[dripdrive]

[Hells, this thing is loud. Anasui rolls his eyes at the ghost.]

So it stands on virtue of you rather than being anything of actual use. A marvel would be able to excel in spite of limited materials.

[Anasui tries to push his head past the Rotom to go back to looking at the machine.] What are you even using for the covering? I didn't know they had foil here.

BOUNTY: Mystery Ghosts | Firepaw and Emporio

[dripdrive]

[Anasui's never been to the Southern Forest though but he's been to the other two. The bright, morning sky disappears, replaced with the long shadows cast by twisted tree, and a fog that Anasui's really fucking sick of by now.

The Espathra frowns as he traverses through the forest, eyes looking out for any traps. Thankfully, he doesn't have to worry about moving slowly since he's just put Emporio on his back and Firepaw on his head to sniff out danger.

The walk is mostly uneventful until they see something in the gloom. Anasui stops immediately as he sees the swirling mists and frowns.]

Do you see those buildings? Or am I hallucinating?

[firealone]

[It took some getting used to, riding around on Anasui's head, but at least birds seem to be able to keep their heads surprisingly still. And it is a great position to sniff for danger, or at least keep an eye on the shifting landscape.

This time, though, they don't need to scent-track anything. He follows Anasui's gaze and studies the ruins, trying to make sense of them - it's hard to tell what this place was even shaped like before, although it might be easier for the others. Firepaw's experience is mostly new buildings, and the dens constructed by his Clanmates.]

I see them too... but that doesn't really mean they're real.

[He pauses.]

We should probably check it out, right?

[seacub]

[Sometimes you just get a free ride. Anasui moves pretty quick, and ultimately, he's probably the best for navigation here. He just won't bother with path markers, distractions...

Per-] Huh?

[Oh.]

That's...weird. ...I can see it too, which...I think it means it's probably real? I don't think anyone's really shared hallucinations...

[dripdrive]

[Anasui really is like a chicken in the sense that his head is remarkably stable. The Espathra squints at the dark shadows and clicks his tongue disapprovingly, as if the ruins in the fog have caused a personal offense.]

... There's nothing else to do, unless you fancy walking around in the fog some more.

[And that involves getting off of Anasui because he starts walking towards the ruins regardless.]

Eyes up. We're probably walking into a trap. [And he'll keep walking forward... even as the whispers start.]

[firealone]

[Better to stay on Anasui's head, then - he's keenly aware that any trap that would be dangerous to Anasui would be several times as dangerous for Firepaw himself.

His claws start kneading nervously, which might be uncomfortable.]

...Do you hear that?

[His sharp ears are swiveling, trying to figure out exactly what he's hearing, and where it's coming from. It sounds like someone is nearby... although he's having trouble telling where.]

[seacub]

I...

[He wants to say no. He wants to, but he definitely...]

....If it sounds like Pokemon talking...

[The answer is a hard 'yes'.] ...definitely a trap...but I can't see or smell anyone...

...n...not that my senses are that great though...

[The other two have him beat there.]

BOUNTY: Mystery Ghosts 2: The Sequel | Ring-Spirit and Sanji

[dripdrive]

[Anasui doesn't know how he knows but he's almost certain that the encounter with the Spiritomb wasn't the last of it. Whether he's actually right in that assessment or not is irrelevant. What matters is that he knows it.

Anasui does not believe in letting someone get away. ESPECIALLY, if they don't deserve it. So a few days later, he sets off with a Vulpix and a Mimikyu that is not shiny into the Southern Forest. The fog swirls ominously around them, making it hard to see any landmarks. All they can do is move carefully and not think about how that it'll be almost impossible to find the cavern from before.

However, Anasui's not focused on that now. He been feeling a prickle on the back of his neck and has been glancing around for something. Anything. But he sees nothing. He just feels the eyes.

Sanji is ahead of him providing light so there doesn't seem to be threats around... So Anasui jumps to what he assumes is the logical conclusion.]

It's dangerous here. You should be focusing on our surroundings. Not me, you simpleton. [That's clearly directed at RS, even if he isn't looking at him.]

[improvking]

That'd be easier if you weren't one of the dangers~ h-heheh...

[ The Ring-Spirit isn't actually paying all that much attention to Anasui though, instead peering around as if looking for something specific. ]

But no, something's watching me too... something besides you. I know what your obnoxious stare feels like, this is different.

[undeux_allblue]

[Sanji huffs, blowing out more fire in the process. It's as close to smoking as he's gonna get in this world, probably, and if it provides light for this excursion? All the better. As for these two...]

Him being a "danger" is to our benefit here, as long as you don't get distractin' about it.

[He's calling that over to Ring Spirit. Do they have a name? Sanji hasn't really bothered to ask. Huh. Anyway. The way these two bicker gives him some new appreciation for Nami having to deal with him and Moss. Not that he needs more reasons to appreciate her. Siiiigh...

As for being watched, his eyes narrow. Sanji turns his nose up to the air, sniffing, and spitting fire higher.] Can you get a feel for where that's coming from? And you see anything weird up there, tall guy? [Anasui, the 6 foot tall bird, is the tall guy in question.]

[dripdrive]

[Anasui gives an derisive snort. The urge to kick RS hits him again but he holds himself back - he's trying to be better for Jolyne and Emporio told him that getting into random fights wasn't the way to do that. Instead, he stops walking altogether, and starts looking around.]

... I can't. It feels like they're just behind me... But they're clearly not. [He tilts his head back.] Not above us in the trees either.

But someone is here...

[improvking]

[ The Ring-Spirit turns his attention to the direction they've just come from, trying to see if he can make out anything behind them. He goes back a few paces, waving his tail-stick through the air to check for obstructions. ]

Do you think they're invisible? Is that something pokemon can do, turn invisible...?

[undeux_allblue]

Dunno. People in my world could go invisible, just because. [Absalom, the lucky bastard. ] And wouldn't you know? Seems like a ghost-spirit thing, being able to disappear and reappear all spooky-like.

[If he had fingers, he'd wiggle them for special effect. As it is, he just flicks his tails and throws out more embers- and stumbles a bit over some uneven ground.] Shit. Like there aren't enough hazards out here... [He's still thinking about ghosts and fog specifically, but if anyone looks down, they'll see that the ground does look considerably...odd.]

BOUNTY: Mob-y Dondozo | Firebringer, Laios, Sanji

[dripdrive]

[Anasui is no stranger to large, watery monstrosities like F.F. so he would have joined the fight regardless. However, despite what he said to A.B.A when she asked him if he felt any connection to being an Espathra, when Anasui hears that the Dondozo is targeting bird Pokemon from the Paldea region he takes the initiative to gather a team to go whaling.

This feels personal.

Anasui looks from his team down to the various rafts around them and frowns. He had expected the fight to be on the beach, not on the open waters.]

This is stupid. [Anasui grumbles as they sail out to the open, nearly empty sea.] We're sailing out to god knows where, all for a chance of finding this damn fish. How do we even know we're going the right direction?

[dunchies]

[ Lost in thought, Laios sits at one edge of the raft, eyes scanning the waters below. The threat the Dondozo poses, especially out in open waters, remains at the front of his mind, but even so, he'd be lying if the opportunity to be out in the ocean wasn't enticing all on its own. It was like peering into a whole other world for Pokémon, one he had yet to fully experience until now. He lowers himself, letting his paws dangle off just slightly as the scent of saltwater tickles his nose.

Eventually, he lifts his head at Anasui's question, looking over his shoulder at him. He's no seasoned boatman — Sanji would likely be the most experienced one out here — but he's read enough both back home and in the Archives to be somewhat familiar. ]

It's hard to say. [ He understands being antsy to see something soon, though he tries to answer with an even-temper. ] We'll need to watch out for what the other wild Pokémon are doing. Schools of fish and the like. If they're acting strangely, that'll be a good sign we're getting close.

back from work hell, thank you for patience!!!

[undeux_allblue]

[Sanji had opted to sail on the raft with Laios, since his vulpix body is. Rather. Small, and something about the Boltund's "type advantage" that would make Sanji less of a liability out on the water. Also it's kinda hard to steer a raft with these stubby legs okay!! Plus, out of all these weirdoes, Laios is the one he probably understands the most. Anasui is someone he'd worked with before but it was more of an exercise in. Well. Peacekeeping. Which is not his forte but oh well!! He knows the guy can hold his own. And Flamebringer...well. If the guy doesn't bring up their awkward meeting, Sanji's not gonna bring it up either. He knows through unconventional means that the guy can be trusted for rearguard.

Sanji himself is bundled up in a raincoat of sorts that's perhaps a bit too big for him, but it should help. He stares at the water with a sort of longing...being a "fire type", sticking his paws in the water actually drains him, and he cannot afford that at the moment. He wonders if it's like what devil fruit users deal with...sucks. He'd also thought this hunt would be on the shore, but they'll make do here. In the end it makes sense; sea kings also don't often just come up to the shore to feed unless they're particularly hungry.

He catches Laios's brief glance, and huffs softly, sitting down next to him as his tails curl almost protectively around the bag of food stuffed under his stupid raincoat. ]

Yeah. Small fish swimming away real fast is usually a good sign something big is coming. Or even scared birds. What we're looking for is real big, and high on the food-chain, so the "food" is likely what will lead us to the predator. [His nose wrinkles slightly.] Er. Pokemon. I forget which of you have the same names for creatures.

[The vulpix's glassy blue eyes follow a stream of scattering, small fish pokemon, all of which run by Flamebringer's raft bringing up the rear.] Oi. Maybe you can catch one for some bait? [Or extra food for later. It's not the same but still, being on a small little bit of "dry land" on the open sea makes him just a bit nervous for a number of reasons. He rolls his shoulders, feigning disinterest.] It's just a thought. If you fall in, I'm not fishing you out.

[indifferentinferno]

[Flamebringer finds himself subconsciously keeping an eye on his teammates while they sail- Its force of habit. He wants to bark at Laios for sticking his paws in the water, warning of dangers in the deep of a horror he couldn't fathom- but he holds his tongue. For one- Its not his problem if Laios gets a paw bit off. For two- So far he was given no impression that these waters were as dangerous as the ones on Terra... or at least it remained to be seen.

Whatever threat they were going after- it wasn't given the same gravitas as the Seaborn. The guild runners seemed to think they could beat it at least.

He shared Anasui's sense of unease. This felt like playing right into the hands of their foe- None of them were finbeasts. All of them would drown should their rafts shatter and they be left stranded. Maybe Anasui could fly them out at best- but at worst, they were waiting to be killed.

He growl-sighed to himself. Why did he agree to this again?]

His head tilts slightly in Sanji's direction at the call. Eyes catching the fish swimming by.]

... If the bounty listing holds any grain of truth, then our opponent isn't going to fall for a cheap trick like that. [He looks ahead of them at the unknown waters. Displeasure obvious on his face... he turns his gaze back to the water, looking for the signs Sanji and Laios mentioned. Keeping an eye out. Looking for any larger shapes disturbing the water. It would help if everything wasn't covered in fog. It clung to their surroundings, unshakeable.]

[dripdrive]

... if we're lucky enough for them to be fleeing towards us instead of anywhere else... [Anasui clicks his beak with annoyance but it's clear by his expression that he's taking both Laios' and Sanji's words into consideration. Anasui looks up into the sky and scowls.]

... Scared birds, huh? We know this thing hunts birds but damn if we'll see any in the air with this fog...

[And so Anasui looks out to the ocean, looking for fleeing fish or anything else that may help them. At least the ocean is in motion, and movement from Pokemon will cause ripples. The air won't offer any clues like the ocean will.

And yet... it's of little comfort. Anasui's gaze remains stoic but he's as tense as Flamebringer as he looks out at the sea. He doesn't particularly like the ocean anymore (not after last time); the open water sends down a wave of unease down his spine to the tips of every one of his feathers. He expects that every time he looks out into the creeping fog onto the ocean's surface he'll see bodies in the water.

But no. He can just see a second school of tiny Pokemon, swimming away. He frowns as he looks at their movements.]

... Is it me or is this a lot of Wishiwashi? The small fish, I mean...

[dunchies]

[ Laios pays no mind to Flamebringer’s gaze, not even realizing it’s on him to begin with. Instead, he sits up fully as Sanji explains, beaming down at him with a particular glint in his eyes. He’s more than aware of the dangers this type of predator will pose, but he can’t hide his excitement at seeing it up close himself. ]

Flamebringer’s right. Dondozo might not be that clever, but Tatsugiri will likely realize something’s off. [ His gaze wanders across the other rafts before the smaller fish Pokémon catch his attention. ] One of us would make better bait, actually, so falling in might not be so bad at all.

[ He’s not exactly joking, but his tone lacks any weight to the seriousness of that scenario. Slowly, his eyes start to widen as more fish swim by, just as Anasui said. Instinctively, he reaches a paw out to one unsuccessfully. Huffing, he tries again with the same result. The school seems adamant to get anywhere but here.

Lifting his head up again, he follows the direction that they're swimming away from. ] This might be the sign we're looking for. Let's steer that way, but keep our pace slow for now. We don't want to cause any suspicious movements in the water.