[closed] March Catch All

[nastyboy]

Who: Team Femblemtroika (Grant, Chip, Dimitri, Sylvain, Claude, Felix, Jinx, Razor, Ashe, Annette, Lysithea - with people going in and out as they please)
What: Please let this group just fall asleep in Olivine for a while with nothing exploding, they beg you
When: March
Where: The Olivine City general area
Rating: T

Comments

the first of march - claude and dimitri get to deal with an exploding shithead pokemon

[nastyboy]

They have a trail.

Dimitri can't help but feel so relieved by that, he wants to collapse to the ground from the force of such an emotion. But it's true. They have a lead, a stop where they saw a young woman with a Corsola who stopped her challenge of a battle when she saw how frantic they were, and told them of how a child had gone zooming past her on their Pokemon.

The description had matched Chip perfectly... but they can't go rushing off. It's too dark now, even with their Pokemon's speed, and so Dimitri and Claude start to lower their Pokemon down to earth again. Dimitri isn't really thinking much about any trouble. He'll just get Dean out, start a fire, ask Claude to speak to him a little so that he can go to sleep while Shuck stands guard -

As the gusts of wind from Elshot's wings shakes the trees, some dark shop drops out and explodes.

Elshot still hasn't properly landed yet, but that doesn't matter to Dimitri's sudden surge of fight-or-flight. If there's any good news, it's that he doesn't have far to fall when he leaps off of Elshot's back, managing to hit the ground without any issue or too much stumbling. It's the furthest thing from his mind, honestly, as evident by the wild look in his eye.

His Pidgeot is just as startled - both by the explosion, and his trainer's sudden leap. He lands clumsily, spreading out his wings and flapping them as a threat to accompany his aggressive call.

[vrdantwind]

For a moment, it feels like being back in the war again. Not in anything specific happening, exactly - explosions weren't terribly common back home - but...it feels like having an ambush sprung on them. One moment, everything was quiet and peaceful, and the next Claude has no idea what's happened, whether the people he loves are okay -

"Dimitri!"

For a moment, he thinks his lover is falling, that perhaps he's hurt or worse, and his heart leaps to his throat. But then he realizes there's control in the movement, sees Dimitri land on his feet and realizes it was a jump, not a fall, and some of the alarm fades. Some, but not all; he's still not clear what's happening, what the threat is.

Blitz is making an angry, agitated trill; he and Claude happened to be further from...whatever happened, and they're less affected. But now Claude guides him quickly down towards Dimitri, hopping off without even having Blitz land to move to his side. Blitz remains hovering protectively just above and behind them, using his higher vantage point to survey the surroundings better. Noiverns are far better in the air than on the ground in any case.

"Are you okay?" Claude asks Dimitri, urgently.

March 2 - Child Found

[nastyboy]

Dimitri and Claude tackle an 11 year old

[nastyboy]

It's really only natural to land down at one of the few actually established places on the route, when he and Claude spot Moomoo Farms on the horizons.

Dimitri is... almost not expecting much, although he knows that is the pessimistic part of him speaking up. Still, he can't help it. If they're lucky, someone was outside on the day that Chip passed by the farm, and they can at least help confirm that they passed by this way. That they're still heading towards Olivine City.

What will happen when they reach the city, if they haven't caught up to Chip by then... Dimitri isn't certain. Cities are large, and there are a great many people there to ask about a runaway child. His head is absolutely buzzing with planning ahead as he and Claude step up towards one of the people outside...

Only to be told that a child matching Chip's exact description has been staying at the farm for a short while.

Dimitri's heart is in his throat as the farmhand leads them around, until they're reaching the sound of Growlithe puppies yipping and running around... until they're able to see a familiar form crouched down amongst all of them.

He steps forward, hand at his heart. "Chip?"

Olivine Time

[gautsome]

A. 03.08
[The last time Sylvain had made it to the beach, they had been at war. Dedriu had been under siege, and they'd all been scrambling to protect it and save its leader. In all honesty, he hardly remembered the fight -- he hardly remembered many fights in specific details. But he could recall the seaspray. It had smelled good, at least when he could find some place without the smell of smoke and decay. The water had sparkled beneath the warm sun, looking almost green -- outside of the places where it wasn't thick and red with blood.

Olivine's beach is nothing like that. The sun was hardly visible behind the thick veil of clouds. Sylvain has to wear his jacket out -- between the water off the waves and the temperature in the air, it feels almost as cold as Gautier tended to. The water is murky and grey.

But the seaspray was still nice, and he was certain that it would only get better as winter gave way to spring, and spring to summer. And while he was trying to take Jane's advice and focus on one step at a time, he can't help but look forward to it. For the first time in weeks, months perhaps, he felt faintly optimistic.]

B. 03.09
[Realistically, it was too cold to go out into the water. Even if it was slightly warmer than the day prior, Sylvain was still wearing a jacket with his shorts. But as Claude had said time and time again, Faerghans were born with ice in their veins. And he'd been stupid enough to jump in colder water than this.

Not that's he's immediately plunging in. Rather, he has a towel laid out on the beach, and a rather confused looking Pyroar nosing at the sand. Beside him, Inda is hard at work building a sand castle, or at least whatever she seems to consider one.

Slipping off his jacket, he puts it over the Steenee's teeny shoulders. It practically overwhelms her, but she seems to appreciate it anyway. She waits patiently while Sylvain rolls up the sleeves for her, then gets back to work on her sand castle.

Content that Inda was comfortable for the time being, Sylvain turns back to the sea. Without the jacket, his chest is now bare, and he can feel just how damn cold it really is. He doesn't care. He kicks off his shoes and breaks into a sprint, splashing through the water up to his thighs before the sand and rock beneath the surface slow his progress. His teeth are already starting to chatter, but he keeps on until a wave dunks him fully under.

When the surf finally pushes him back to shore, he's laughing.]

B.

[bestswordmaster]

[Felix isn't a stranger to warmer beaches than the rocky ones Faerghus has, because Fraldarius is quite close to Derdriu by boat and they used to cross the water to visit when he was young. So when he walks onto the beach with his gym bag slung over one shoulder and a thermos in his hand, he's dressed appropriately--swimsuit, a long-sleeved but unbuttoned shirt, sandals, hair piled high atop his head, and of course his sunglasses. He brought his jacket, too, but he isn't wearing it.

He's also accompanied by three Eevees already chasing each other around in the sand, a little Ralts riding on top of his bag, and Varley. He warns them all:]

Stay away from Inda's sand castle unless you plan to help her with it. Don't ruin it with your rowdy nonsense.

[They agree readily and the Eevees are already running off again, while Varley slinks away to go investigate shells. Felix and Pwyll approach Inda instead, and the Ralts crawls off the bag to attempt to help build the castle--would you like some telekinesis to help, Inda? He can do telekinesis, a little...

Felix crouches in the sand, watching the two of them for a moment. This, this is nice and simple. Like when he and Glenn were children building their own sand castles on Derdriu's beaches, and Glenn loved to find weird little sea creatures to pull out of the water and scare Felix with. Or when sometimes Ingrid would join them and the three of them would chase each other around in the surf (and inevitably a large wave would come in and sweep Felix out into the water and Glenn would have to come and get him and Ingrid made him feel better by sparring with him with their little wooden swords.

Felix would never say the beach was his favorite place (he still sort of hates sand and the ocean isn't much better), but it's not so bad, either.

He looks up at the sound of Sylvain's laughter and stands, heading over there. By the time he gets there, he's smirking and holding out the thermos of tea.]

An ice bear swim already? Should have known you were just waiting for an excuse.

[He nods toward the thermos.] It's bergamot. I found it in the box of tea.

A

[nastyboy]

[While the sky may be gray, Olivine itself does not seem particularly inclined to hold itself in similar conditions. People and their Pokemon still bustle along the streets, and there are the occasional stalls that are cropped up along other places - especially near the beach, which has always been one of Olivine's biggest attractions.]

[One of those people and his Pokemon should be familiar to Sylvain, because he breaks away from the sidewalk to head right towards him. Dimitri raises his hand, Dean the Emboar and Silkie the Indeedee behind him.]

Sylvain! Admiring the ocean?

A

[woofdad]

[One of the nice things about being in a beach town is that, if he wants to take Chip somewhere to play or train, or just wants to relax on his own for a bit, there's an obvious place to do so.

He's glad that the same seems to have occurred to Sylvain, who could probably use some relaxation more than anyone right now. For a moment, Grant finds himself wondering if his presence would be an interruption, and he's not sure if that's more a general concern or if it has to do with the fact that, thinking back, Grant's not sure he's ever been on good terms before with someone he... used to date but currently is not.

In short, he isn't quite sure how he should talk to Sylvain right now. But... he does want to. And he supposes he should.

So, while Hara (who he'd figured might like having access to so much water, and he thinks she's enjoying it?) occupies herself with apparently trying to pick a fight with the surf itself, he lets himself step a ways away, his hands tucked into his pockets to compensate for the chill and his own anxiety alike.] Hey. This ended up being a pretty nice next stop, huh.

Felix & Dimitri | March 8, evening

[bestswordmaster]

Felix still hasn't managed to feel anything less than exhausted by the time they get to Olivine. It isn't that he hasn't been sleeping, it's just that when he's awake, a cloud still seems to hang over everything, and the last few months have been such an intense emotional whirlwind of one kind or another that some nights, he longs for war again. War has plenty of its own stressors, of course, but at least things are simple. There's just Felix and his sword and the enemy, and waking comes as easily as sleeping because there are things to do and battles to fight, and his purpose is clear. There's no room for rumination on feelings when you're just working to survive.

Here, he can't go a day without some strong emotional reaction to something, and it's wearing him out. Sometimes, in his lowest moments, he wishes he could just stop caring. Like he used to wish every day, back at the academy. His life would be so much easier if he could turn his heart off. He never knows what to do with any of this, and nothing he says or does ever seems to make things truly better for anyone.

Certainly not Sylvain.

So when he runs into Dimitri on his way out of the inn on the night they arrive in Olivine, he almost turns around and walks away. Dimitri of all people isn't someone he can talk to without feeling things. Unfortunately, Dimitri notices him before he can leave. And Felix won't be that cruel to him--not anymore.

"...hi."

[nastyboy]

Frankly, a part of Dimitri wants to just lay down on his inn bed, and sleep for perhaps a week. Ever since Valentines, far too much has been happening, and he thinks he would rather like it all to stop for a while, even if sleep is a temporary fix more than anything.

But Olivine is a beautiful city, and seeing it there had... reminded him of things he wanted to do. Promised he had kept. So he had ducked out to glance at some stalls set up near the oceanfront, although not as many as will likely appear during the summer, and he's been letting himself drift through the various stores. Right now, he's mainly waiting for Elshot, who he'd sent off almost the second they had arrived in town. The inn will be a good place to wait for that, he thinks...

Except there's Felix there, when he arrives, and Dimitri doesn't miss the awkwardness that falls over him for a brief moment. He hesitates, glad that he put Silkie away in her ball beforehand. "Hello, Felix," he says quietly. "Were you going for a walk?"

March 9 - 12 : Medieval fantasy idiots and a wolf boy get their shots

[nastyboy]

[Post top levels for shenanigans as you see fit.]

March 9th-12th, Jane Crocker OTA

[cyan_maid]

[She's out the door as soon as she finishes her letter for Dimitri, and tells Elshot to go on ahead - the warps will ensure she beats the Pidgeot to Olivine, but he doesn't have to worry about her. Jane's...kind of been on the edge of her seat and ready to head out as soon as she got the OK from this merry band of individuals to help with vaccine things. It doesn't take too terribly long to warp to Olivine City, even though she's a little dizzy from taking two warps in a row, and it's not hard to find the inn and ask where certain individuals might be staying, she's a friend and would like to visit, and also, do you have a room available?

Yes. Yes, you're all going to be gently bothered by Jane Crocker for a few days. It's done out of concern, I promise. She'll provide plenty of water and orange juice to anyone who seems very fatigued, willing to make tea on request, and happy to do food runs or even make some nice warm soup if the innkeepers don't mind letting her fiddle in their kitchen. The Pokemon she brings are those she trusts to be most helpful when it comes to assisting others: Dinah, Deva, Dart, August, and Peter all have humanoid bodies and are reliable when it comes to following instructions, while Bettina is always good to have around should they need another flyer. Any of these Pokemon are available for interactions and can be denoted by the light blue bandanas Jane has decided to give them to wear.

There are people she wants to speak to specifically - Dimitri to give him her response letter; Grant to discuss potentially helping Chip out with their issues and then Chip if Grant agrees, because she's worried; Sylvain to get some ideas going for a project he has in mind. Other than that, please feel free to talk to her, complain about how you're feeling at her, or ask who the heck she is and why has she barged in to give you soup. Y'all feel crummy and she's here to help!]

ota

[nastyboy]

[Out of the whole group, Dimitri is one of the most eager to get his shots done with. That there is just... a thing you can do that can make your body more resilient to disease? No magic involved at all? That's fantastic to him. And also vitally important.]

[As someone who knows plague was a recent memory in Faerghus, well, this is unsurprising.]

[Still, while he had thought he had mentally prepared himself for the idea of maybe being a little down in the weather for this kind of thing.... It's something else entirely to actually experience it.]

A - Giant Bird Time

[....So Dimitri has managed to slip out of his room. Considering this is not normally a man known for stealth, that's kind of impressive.]

[At least it's easy enough to find him. He doesn't go far, instead standing right outside in the small landing pad area behind the inn for large flying types to arrive at. There, he's brought out Elshot, and is clumsily trying to wrap a bit of string around what appears to be a letter.]

[....He is doing his best, god bless his soul]

No... No, I can do this, Elshot. I have done this many times.

[The Pidgeot just cocks his head to the side sympathetically. Buddy...]

B - Reassurance All The Time

[At some point, Dimitri is herded back to bed in his secret rattata pajamas, by a combination of babysitters and pokemon who are basically fulfilling the same function. He's feeling pretty feverish, so it's not too hard to just... make him stay in bed.]

[Ideally, he should dose it off.]

[What he ends up doing is looking blearily up at anyone near him - whether they're there to help him eat, cool his hot skin, or anything else - and ask a simple question.]

Do you like me?

C - Rat Pajamas Strike Back

[So the thing about having a fever is that your body gets super hot.]

[Dimitri's favorite pair of pajamas are a Christmas gift from Grant, navy blue flannel pajamas with a secret little rattata sewed on the inside front pocket.]

[This is, perhaps, a problem.]

[It is a problem that is shown most when one finds Dimitri sitting on the floor, back against the side of his bed, and his pajamas top just.... halfway up off of his body, fingers loosely curled in the front while the rest of it is bunched up around his shoulders and just completely obscuring his head.]

[He's not moving. Did he fall asleep like this...?]

D - Wildcard

[Do whatever you like with this sad sick man]

[freckledarcher]

[When Ashe learned about vaccines he couldn't believe that there was medicine that could help them prevent diseases. He learned that it was important for people in this world to have them so he wanted to have them too. He knew how fast illness could take out someone that he didn't want to take any chances. The needle didn't scare him and he could handle the slight soreness of his arm. He didn't anticipate feeling so bad afterwards.]

[A.]

[Ashe shivered as he bundled up under the covers. He rarely got sick even when he did get sick he always managed to push through to take care of his siblings then later on his friends. He's not used to being laid up in bed when there are so many things he has to do! Ky the Piplup checked on him whenever he groaned and let people know when his water or food was low. Ashe turned to his nightstand to grab some water when he saw he drank it all. Well, he did have enough energy to get water.

Ashe slowly got out of bed as he placed the hood of his hoodie over his head. He grabbed his cup on the way out of his room. As long as he made it to the kitchen he would be alright. Ashe crept around, trying hard not to make any noise when he saw Ky stop in front of him. The Piplup narrowed his eyes as Ashe shook his head.]

Ky I'm only going to get water!

[Ky opened his mouth to loudly chirp about Ashe being out of bed again.

This wasn't the first time Ky had to do this.]

[B.]

[When Ashe was back in bed he looked through his bag to find something to do when he came about the book he bought back in Goldenrod. The city was so big that he got a chance to get a book after the cooking competition. He forgot he bought it among everything that was happening. Ashe took it out and started to read it, though he got so caught up in the fantasy story about a thief finding his own group that he didn't want to go to sleep.]

No...I need to know what happens next.

[C.]

[One of the things about having a fever is Ashe felt hot all the time. So hot that he took off his pajama top and laid on top of his sheet to get some cool air. He opened his eyes when Ky moved back his sweaty bangs. Ashe gave him a small smile.] I'll be fine. I'm just really hot. [Ky chirped as he pointed at the food on his nightstand.] Oh, I'll go eat it later. [Ky chirped louder as he pointed to the food. Ashe forgot that he said the same thing thirty minutes ago.

[D.]

[Got any ideas on what you want to do with him go wild!]

March 9-12, OTA

[vrdantwind]

[Initially, Claude had been reluctant to get his shots at the same time as Dimitri. He'd assumed that Felix would want to take care of Sylvain, and vice versa, and thus naturally he should look after Dimitri (and possibly vice versa) in turn. He'd been surprised - and, admittedly, a little touched - at his boyfriends pushing him to do otherwise. Dimitri had wanted him there to reassure him, and Sylvain had asked for the chance to take care of Claude while he's sick. (Grant, of course, would be making sure they're all okay either way, and Felix...well, he's not thrilled with any of this.) So Claude had agreed, because there are few men harder to say no to than Dimitri and Sylvain. Besides, he'd rationalized, the sickness probably wouldn't be that bad. He's a much hardier guy than he looks, and good at acting fine even when he's not. He might well be able to take care of Dimitri anyway!

That isn't quite how things have panned out.]

A - Shiver Me Timburrs

[Claude has come down with a very definite fever in the wake of his vaccinations. This has - as it does for many people - wrecked his ability to temperature regulate.

Considering Claude is a man from the desert, used to arid heat, who groans about the cold of winter even on a regular day? This is a problem.

Perhaps no one has yet discovered Claude has caught the chills, or maybe someone only just left. (Possibly to post a letter by Pidgeot.) Either way, when you come in to check on Claude, what you actually find is a big fluffy dog - Remis - taking up practically the entire bed. Buried in his fur(actually beneath Remis' carefully folded paws, as he tries to hold his trainer as best he can with the size differential), Claude is trying to leech as much warmth out of one of his few fire pokémon as he can. He's also shivering violently, too preoccupied with that and his own chattering teeth to think of much of anything except trying to get warm.

Remis, seeing a human, whines at you. His best efforts nonetheless don't seem to be very effective. You can help his trainer, right?]

B - Teasting Patience

[When not trying to vibrate to another dimension in his sickness, Claude is actually trying to carry on as normal, despite how ill-advised this is. He argues that this is definitely different from the other patients who insist on doing things they shouldn't while sick - not very well, though, since the brain fog of being sick is severely hampering his articulation and debate skills - because, see, he is the one doing it. And he's totally fine. Definitely.

That's why Claude is currently, instead of being in bed, trying to make tea for Dimitri. This is definitely a thing he can and should be doing, here. He's even got the honey Kazuki sent! Surely a sick man wouldn't think of that. Absolutely, perfectly fine.

Except someone has either decided to sabotage Claude on purpose out of concern, or is just making itself a nuisance for fun because ghost types are like that. Boden the Polteageist keeps moving things around the kitchen, turning off the burners whenever Claude turns them on, and - like right now - sneaking itself in place of the actual teapot, which only vaguely resembles it to begin with but which Claude is a little too out of it to pay attention to.

Currently, Claude is resignedly holding the teapot up in the air, looking at the spout which nothing is coming out of.] Look, I know it's you. Will you please just let me make tea?

[A ghostly tongue raspberries from the spout.]

C - Wild Area Card

[Bully the sick man in your own way, honestly]

March 11-12: Felix Hates This

[bestswordmaster]

A. All Rest and No Work Make Felix an Angy Boy

Yes, Felix is aware that spending a few days out of commission for healthy reasons is much better than being out of commission for longer with an actual illness. No, that doesn't make being idle for several entire days any easier. Having Sylvain here in the same bed with the same problem helps a little, but between the heat and headaches caused by the fever and Felix's low tolerance for excessive cuddling when he's in a bad mood, occasionally he just has to put his foot down about giving him some space on his own side of the bed.

All the fussing from everyone and their Pokemon--including his own!--does not help. No, he does not need help eating, or drinking tea, or sitting up, stop touching him, Goddess help him he will stab you with this wooden dagger if you don't quit hovering.

After a while of this, he can't take it anymore. He has to get up and do something. Taking a shower sounds like a great idea, for instance, and then maybe he can get some of his Pokemon to stop babysitting him for five minutes and train instead.

So whenever someone catches him out of bed and heading for the bathroom with a towel in his hand and a determined gleam in his eye, he's ready to be pissy about anything and everything. (Or catches him already in the shower and trying not to fall over, if that's more your style.)


B. Wake Me Up Inside

There are, of course, times when Felix succumbs to sleep. Unfortunately, for once, sleep is no escape from suffering--in fact, it's worse than being awake, because whenever he falls asleep, fever dreams haunt him. It's inevitable that someone will find him tossing and turning and muttering in his sleep, clearly having a nightmare.


C. Scrapbooking?

Once it was hammered into his skull that getting up and doing active things is just not going to happen, Felix has to find some other way to occupy himself. So now is as good as time as any to start arranging all the photos he's been taking and printing out in the book Jinx gave him. He really should have thought this through a little more (not that he's really capable of that right now), because doing this while everyone is fussing over him means that anyone who's around can see him doing it. And now he's going to have to explain this sentimental nonsense he's doing. Ugh.


D. Wildcard!
I'm up for whatever! Make me an offer I can't refuse...

March 10th - I have Questions???

[fortuna_tenax]

[ So this has been bugging her since she first heard the plan, actually, way back in February- so here she is seeking out the first non-vaccinated adult who can actually answer coherently. ]

How are we affording all of this, exactly? Healthcare is crazy stupid.

11/12 - at least SOMEBODY is behaving

[deathknightdestroyer]

[ A : Politely Staying in Bed ]

[ Lysithea is perhaps the easiest patient- which might surprise someone who's familiar with her horribly overwhelming work ethic! But the thing is, Lysithea is also notoriously frail of health- she can't even wield weapons or wear armor without it causing her more damage. So of course she's used to actually getting her rest when she's ill.

One might find her at most sitting up in bed with a novel, content to let her furret cuddle up to her while her other pokémon try to make things easier. Chiffon, her indeedee, has been seen at various times fetching tea. But if she can't focus on even reading, she'll still at least be petting her pokémon and talking idly until she notices you. ]

Oh- did you come in to check on me?

[ B : Not So Politely Having Bad Dreams ]

[ When she's not awake and idly reading more-fluff-than-substance novels, Lysithea sleeps. Or rather, she's stuck in some horrible nightmares, because illnesses are hard enough already in a medieval fantasy world. Having a compromised immune system only makes it more harrowing, and then combine her childhood... You'd be forgiven for assuming the worst and racing in when she wakes up with a strangled scream. ]

[ C : WILDCARD ]

[ We can't all be horrible patients but like. Maybe something will come up, I don't know. ]

OTA

[woofdad]

As one of those not currently sick, Grant jumps right into doing his part to make sure that those who are are being looked after. He rushes from one room to another, alternately checking in on the “patients” and with those also looking after them to make sure that everyone’s needs are being handled - and that they aren’t accidentally ending up with multiple people trying to do the same task.

In the midst of it all, there are plenty of opportunities to grab his attention, either when he’s checking in on someone or dropping something off for them, or just as he’s on his way through the hall or grabbing anyone a refill of juice or water or whatever they might need.

3/16 - OTA text

[nastyboy]

Hello, everyone. Now that I believe we have all recovered from our vaccinations and have had some time to settle in Olivine, I would like to bring up something that I know has come up amongst a few of us.

Would others in the group be interested in renting a property here in this city?

There are benefits to having somewhere we can return to whenever something happens. Additionally, we are all accumulating quite a few things, so it would be good to have somewhere we can store them. Some of us might also not be interested in constant travel, so it would be beneficial there as well.

Who else is interested in this idea? What things would you like from such a property? Is there any way you would like to accomplish this task, or that you know how to do?

These are the questions I have for everyone.

tosses in dimitri's two cents

[nastyboy]

I am afraid that I do not have much experience with this topic myself, although Silkie is gladly using my other Gear to look up different properties, so perhaps she will have some insight. Yet the way things are done in Johto is very different to Fodlan. I apologize for my inexperience.

However, if possible, I would like it if there were some measure of security in knowing that loud noises would not bother our neighbors, if we have any. I would like to learn how to do drums, but that is not a quiet hobby.

[woofdad]

That sounds like a great idea! I think space would be one of the most obvious things to be concerned about, given how many of us there are, especially depending on how we want to split up rooming arrangements.

Anyway, I'd be up for starting to look into local rental listings - we'll want to compile information on a few different options, price and utilities and so on, so that we can tour them all and get a feel for our choices.

FOR CHIP backdated to 3/8

[woofdad]

With all that’s happened recently, there’s no doubt in Grant’s mind that Chip is going to be in desperate need of some kind of reassurance, probably from multiple sources. The most he can do as far as the others is ask them to make sure to talk to them, if they don’t do so of their own volition anyway - which wouldn’t surprise him. Words really can’t express his appreciation for how many of the others have worked to get along with Chip, even if some don’t seem all that confident in their relationships with them.

In his own case, though… well, spending some time with his kid isn’t exactly a daunting task. So, almost as soon as they’ve got their lodgings for their time in Olivine sorted out, he picks up some supplies and arranges for himself and Chip to take a day to head out to the beach - just the two of them, and whatever Pokemon they opt to bring along.

It’s still too cool out for swimming, of course, but there’s still the sand and the scurrying Water Pokemon and the smell of the ocean. Socks and the Breloom who Grant is still struggling to name go darting off ahead almost immediately, largely ignoring Grant’s calls for them to stay nearby. “--Alright, just stay where I can see you guys! They’ll come back for lunch, at least, that’s for sure.”

He honestly can’t even sound too mad, he already knew he was bringing a pair of goofuses along.

[demonpuppy]

Chip is still pretty nervous overall--with their secret 'out' things are even more liable to go nuclear at a moment's notice, and they've been trying their hardest to be on the best behavior. They feel bad for pulling Grant away from his boyfriends like this, but...at the same time, they're glad to get to have time with their dad like this.

While Grant lets out his Pokemon, Chip runs forward and hurls two particular Pokeballs as far as they can toward the water's edge. The massive splash of Red and Nessie hitting the water might be a bit startling to any other beachgoers, but they do at least definitely not land on top of anyone.

"Don't get too far, okay?" Chip waves to their very happy water-types before turning back to Grant. "Do you think we can find pearls here?"

locked to Annette - 3/19

[nastyboy]

Dimitri likes getting his training done early in the morning, both for himself so that he stays in shape and ready for whatever may happen, and also for his Paliens. It isn't fair to them to just keep them locked away in their Pokeballs for so long, although they don't seem to mind too much. Then again, Dimitri has also taken care to make sure that they all stretch their legs at least a little.

Morning is the best time for all of them. It's before Dimitri goes to his shift for the inn, where he is steadily learning more about things like plumbing, and electrics. Besides, by working themselves up in the morning, it means that breakfast will taste all the better.

So he's doing some practice runs with some of his team down near the beach, not that far from their chosen inn - although he supposes that's a given. It is an oceanside town, so everywhere is not that far from the beach. Karimala and Grindy do the best in the surf, thriving where they have access to water, but it's Fraldariend whose progress he's especially interested in. With Dean seeming to have reached his peak, he's helping the radiant little pony out as he does his best to fight back against some of the Pokemon local to the beach. He's just finished one battle, with Dimitri going up to praise him for a job well done-

When he starts to glow.

Some ten minutes later, and Dimitri is hurrying back to find Annette. Delighted with his change of size, Fraldariend is galloping behind him in full Rapidash splendor. Despite his speed, however, he hardly seems to be making any sound at all.

This is what happens when you store psychic power in your hoof fur.

Re: locked to Annette - 3/19

[crumbs_and_yums]

Annette is enjoying a lazy morning hard at work taking notes on an obscure text by some Professor Holly. The quiet morning is disrupted by the unmistakable sound of Dimitri approaching outside. She doesn't hear anyone else with him, so she pokes her head out of her window to greet him.

"Good morning, Dimiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeee! WHO is THAT handsome creature??"

She suddenly leans so far out of her window that she simply must be held back by her pokemon, otherwise physics would demand she would be tumbling out of it right now.

THE CHIP TALK - after the 14th but before the 20th

[woofdad]

Once they’re basically settled in Olivine, and nobody is suffering the consequences of getting vaccinated for the first time ever anymore… Grant and Chip have something to talk about. Something that Grant actually goes to the effort of getting everyone together for, because this isn’t a talk that he wants Chip to have to deal with more than once. They’re already clinging to him before it’s even gotten started, curled up in his lap while he sits on the floor, as if they're trying to disappear into his torso. Chip's Furret, Patty, has coiled herself around Grant in turn, sitting with her paws on Grant's leg so she can lean against Chip.

“So, uh-- we can try and make this pretty quick, since I know some of you probably don’t want to sit through another hour-long group meeting, but it is… important. Chip and I need to make sure you all know something about them, though I know it may seem sudden to those of you who don't know them well yet. It’s a bit of a sensitive topic, especially back home - but I trust that it won’t change how any of you feel about them.”

His tone is still gentle and even as he says that, trying as he is to make sure his influence can keep Chip calm for this, but… also, make no mistake, that’s almost as much an instruction and warning as it is a genuine statement of trust. Patty isn't quite as subtle, herself, casting a warning glare around the room.

If Grant weren’t confident that it was safe to tell everyone here the truth of Chip’s lineage, this conversation wouldn’t be happening - but, for their sake, he can’t afford to let his guard down completely, even now.

He looks down at Chip, giving their shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Do you want to tell them?"

They try, without a doubt - but all they can seem to get out is a quiet, shaking "I-- I'm--" before they clam up again, clinging to Grant's shirt all the tighter. He whispers a brief reassurance to them before looking up at the others, giving Patty space to lean over further and comfort them.

"...Chip is part demon. They were... treated very badly over this back in our world, and we're telling you now because the effects of those experiences are a big part of why they ran away. It seems they became afraid that the recent... misfortune among the group was a product of their presence, and that the rest of us 'knew'. That you all knew of their heritage.

"What we need you to understand is... first of all, that this shouldn't change any of your view of who they are. It's just a part of their history, one that's impacted their life so far, but most of you have already seen the consequences of that impact in some capacity. Second, in the instance of them running away, and if they've seemed skittish with you before, it may not have been anything any of you did. It's not that they consider you the kinds of people to harm an innocent child, it's their view of themself that's been... affected. We would have told you sooner, but, like I said, this is hugely sensitive and personal information. Chip has long had reason to hide it, when they can, and it wouldn't have been fair to them for me to talk about it without their knowledge. Which is also why nobody else should be hearing about this unless it's from Chip, or with their express permission."

[nastyboy]

Dimitri already knows some of this, thanks to Grant explaining before. That does not mean he pays any less attention as he sits down in the room where Grant has gathered them; hopefully it feels less like looming for Chip. Their comfort is the important thing, here.

That's also why he has Gremlin out, waiting on his shoulder with his little ears perked up right in Chip's direction and his whiskers quivering in concern. Even he can tell this is a very serious situation, although 'demon discrimination' is a bit beyond him. He is but a simple rat, and also the concept of demons doesn't really exist to Pokemon.

Dimitri glances up to Grant, just to double check that it's alright to speak up, and looks to Chip when it's clear he's finished. "I will never treat you badly for that, Chip," Dimitri promises, all quiet sincerity. "I will do my best to never treat you badly at all. I know none of that was your fault."

Besides the running away, but Dimitri considers that a different thing.