[closed] cherry blossoms in spring and all the joy it brings

[nastyboy]

Who: Dimitri and some invited friends
When: March 26
Where: A park in Goldenrod
What: Sometimes you arrange a picnic with a friend, and then it's two friends, and then it becomes "hanami", and then you have a small party going on. Dimitri doesn't know how this keeps happening.

It is a pleasant day, which is a relief to Dimitri most of all, and thus that means it is a wonderful day for flower viewing. There may be some clouds in the sky, but they're not thick and heavy with rain or snow.

Adding to it, the spot that everyone is messaged to meet at is perfect for cherry blossom viewing. It's early on in the season for it, certainly, but it's still happening with delicate pink blossoms unfurling in their branches. It makes for a lovely sight, especially from where the picnic blankets have been spread out underneath the trees.

Dimitri (aka Gremlin) has set up the Pokegear to play out music that is at least a little different from the overall background noise. People are more than welcome to change it, of course! Just don't be surprised if Gremlin scurries back at some point to change it back.

The picnic area Dimitri has claimed is a nice little spread, and seems to almost be divided into areas. On one hand, there's the picnic area itself where everyone is included to drop their food off at and eat.

There is also a small area that's been cleared out because the Faerghans, being themselves, brought over some of their wooden practice weapons - namely a couple of practice swords, and a practice lance that is Dimitri's. Or maybe you want to just wrestle a bit. Hopefully no one calls the Jennies. It'll probably be fine. Probably.

Or maybe just turn your Pokemon loose, and have them play around with each other too. This is a picnic meant for everyone!

Alternatively, Gremlin has set up a little video game lobby for anyone who wants to play there. Maybe a round of Voltorbman (totally not Bomberman)? Or maybe Amuk Us! Or Wurmples! Gremlin is excited for a bit of gaming if anyone is interested.

But alternatively, flower viewing is all about the flowers.... So maybe you just want to lay back in the grass or on a blanket and relax. Talk with the people around. Maybe take a nap. It's a lovely day, you know.

Comments

Picnic Pickings

[nastyboy]

If anyone has brought food, then they're encouraged to put it over on the picnic blankets (or in this thread).

What's a picnic without food, after all?

[nastyboy]

Wanting to do his duty right as a host, Dimitri has brought a few things to the picnic, with plenty to go around.

First on the menu would be some simple sandwiches. You know, the basics - lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and different slices of meat. He can't imagine anyone having a problem with that.

But he's brought more than just that! There is also futomaki. Dimitri wishes he could claim credit for how good some of them came out... But one can tell apart which ones Silkie expertly made, and which ones Dimitri clumsily made. They're not the prettiest, but either kind of futomaki should taste good!

Finishing up would be some sakura mochi for dessert. Dimitri worked hard on putting them together, after hearing that this sort of thing is traditional for hanami, and he's proud to say they look pretty good. Then again, it's hard to mess it up...

Finally, Agnes the Kangaskhan has settled herself contentedly by the picnic blankets with an electric kettle and plenty of little cups. The entire picnic, while she's also admiring the cherry blossoms, she'll be making tea for anyone who wants some. Please, join her.

[forsaintcecilia]

Kazuki also brings some food! To go along with Dimitri's sandwiches, Kazuki made some Japanese-style egg salad sandwiches that have just a touch of sweetness to them, great for snacking. For something more along the lines of dessert, he made some sakura taiyaki filled with either anko or a simple pastry cream. He knows not everyone is a fan of red bean!

And because he's of age, and why not, he supplies enough sake and beer for the adults to enjoy.

[zukeini]

[Zuke obviously was going to come with fixins of his own. With some time he went all out and made something he was just hoping would be fitting for all palettes. Rice. Lots of rice.

He came bearing all kinds of onigiri.

- Sakura onigiri: Rice with herbal pickled sakura and greens.

- Pork belly onigiri: Rice with seasoned furakake and filled with pork.

- Egg onigiri: Seasoned rice with a seasoned egg.

Of course, he was going to bring some beer for some good time. Honestly, most of the time you would see him relaxing under a tree, allowing the petals to fall and rest on his long dreads.]

[cyan_maid]

[Well, Jane did promise she'd make food, even if it's less "bringing it all over from Goldenrod" and more "making it once you get home to Goldenrod". Her offerings are:

- Tofu-sausage Octillery
- Little cups of seaweed salad
- Veggie gyoza, pan fried
- An honest attempt at spinach tamagoyaki. Does it look as nice as the picture? No. Did Jane try? Oh my God, did she try. It still tastes great!
- And what would "Food brought by Jane Crocker" be without cookies? Those are sakura butter cookies for y'all to snack on.

Seriously, she had a lot of fun whipping everything up for y'all, do enjoy~]

[woofdad]

Grant isn’t much of a cook, himself, especially when it comes to Japanese food, which he gathers is what would be most appropriate here? But the chance of him showing up to something like this without anything to offer is… close to zero.

So, he’s opted to… honestly more or less go the “field trip chaperone making sure the kids keep their hydration and blood sugar up” route:

- Ants on a log! Even he can cut up some celery, fill it with peanut butter, and line the peanut butter with raisins. He also brought the rest of the jar of peanut butter.

- Sliced apples (to go with the peanut butter) and oranges, and baby carrots.

- A few soft drinks! Homemade iced tea and lemonade, the former of which is a bit strong and definitely over-sweetened, but he figures it's alright for a first try. ...Then again, his last example of what iced tea is supposed to smell and taste like was back when he had a werewolf's sense of smell, so it might be a little worse than he thinks. He also brought soda and water.

[freckledarcher]

Ashe decided not to make anything too heavy for the picnic, but he does want to display some of the new recipes he's been learning since they arrived. He has a tray of wrapped sandwiches that have different fillings in them. Some are filled with meat, some are filled with chicken, and some are filled with vegetables though the sandwiches have lettuce, tomato, and cheese in them.

The second thing he has is a recipe he learned for a dish called Inarizushi. It took a few tries, but this batch turned out good.

The third thing he brings are cupcakes. He has vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry cupcakes for people to pick and choose from.

For something to drink he has water (he got excited when he saw how much water he could bring at once) and apple juice.

Ashe had a lot of fun with these new recipes and he can't wait for everyone to try them!

Faerghan Jock Time

[bestswordmaster]

Yes, it's a picnic, and yes, Felix will definitely eat. And yes, it's a flower viewing, and Felix...has seen flowers before, he knows what they look like, thanks. But what he's really here for is that makeshift training ground and its little pile of wooden weapons. Honestly, if he hadn't known Geralt was coming, he probably wouldn't have bothered. (Unless one or several of his boyfriends really wanted him to go. But this way, he's here (mostly) willingly.)

So after he eats, Felix heads over there with his wooden sword, and he will do stretches and practice forms to warm up until someone comes to challenge him.

Conveniently, this open area is also great for letting his Gyarados vomit water all over it and then freeze it with Ice Beam after the sparring is done, to make an impromptu frozen pond for ice hockey. He's brought a few hockey sticks, too, which he bought specifically for this purpose; he wasn't sure if Korra would be bringing gear. And of course, he brought his skates, and will have asked Dimitri to let people know to bring skates of their own if they're interested. Anyone is welcome!

(What do you mean, it's too warm for ice skating? Psh. That's quitter talk.)

[nastyboy]

Well, Felix told him to bring his skates... so Dimitri has brought his skates. He looks a little amused as he starts to lace them up, however, looking over the Gyarados-made pond that has been crafted.

"Do you miss winter that much?"

[paladinlost]

It's not that Cecil cannot appreciate the flowers, or the food, or the company. They're all lovely! It's a wonderful event, truly, and the beauty of the scenery is very much worth the trip.

But it's been ages, literal years, since he's had a proper spar and he has no intention of wasting this opportunity. Not too long after he arrives, he approaches the makeshift training ground, a delighted smile on his face and Rosie the Clefable at his side.

"Hello, Felix. I see you're well-prepared for swordplay today."

Not that Cecil has come ill-prepared himself, considering he's wearing the striped and spiked vambraces that come with his armor.

DID SOMEONE SAY SWORDS

[lovelybottom]

Though Geralt had gotten a wooden sword courtesy of Dimitri, he hasn't been able to do much more than merely run through sword drills-- Jaskier's useless as a sparring partner, and Geralt had been focused on teaching Kiri the basics of how to use a dagger. Going up against her with a sword, even a wooden one, would have been immensely unsporting and not even particularly useful as a teaching aid. So the prospect of having someone who actually knows their way around a sword is an appealing one, and had played a not insignificant role in getting Geralt to want to attend this gathering. Flowers are nice, but you don't call for Geralt when you need to appreciate something pretty.

"Felix."

Had he known that this little set-up was made entirely because of his attendance, he might have been amused. Jonesing for a match that badly, Felix?

"Waiting for someone?"

Fight fight fight

[fingersandteeth]

"So," Steven says, as he retrieves the wooden knives he commissioned from Dimitri from their concealed sheathes, "I figure we have a few options. We both use knives, we both use swords, or we try knives against sword. The first two have clear advantages to one or the other of us. The third is likely to your advantage, since you'll have more reach, but." He shrugs. "I'd be willing if you were."

He's done a good job on the knife concealment. Until he'd pulled up his trouser leg, there had been almost no indication they'd been there at all.

[bent_the_world]

This is the main reason Korra came. Well, this and the realization that she really needs to stop holing up in the islands and brooding. It's not like it was intentional choice, it just sort of...happened.

But the chance to play some hockey and spar is too much to pass up. She can't even remember the last time she actually did either with other people. She's showed up with her own skates slung over her shoulder, and her own hockey stick, as she only has the one. She immediately heads over to the area cleared for sporting and sparring, Iqniq the Arcanine at her heels.

"Hey! Thanks for the invite!"

[insidegalra]

Thace is quick to stride up to Felix at the sight of him warming up with a practice weapon. Getting to enjoy a spar with even practice weapons isn't very common here.

"Would you like a spar?"

Dimitri - ota

[nastyboy]

Dimitri woke up early today just to make sure some of the food would be fresh and at its best for the picnic. That means he's a bit sleepy when he finally arrives at the park to set things up, but he's still more than happy to greet people as they arrive for the picnic.

Initially, he can be seen just relaxing in the grass with Kent the Munna curled up on his chest. With how much work Dimitri knows he puts Kent through (delicious though it may be), he just wants to pamper the little guy. Right now, that means feeding him nibbles of the takoyaki that Kazuki brought.

"It really is a beautiful view, is it not?" he asks whoever is nearby, while Kent sniffs at something as pink as he is.

After he's eaten and made sure Kent can nap contentedly by the radio, Dimitri gets up to stretch and play about with Shuck the Midday Lycanroc. He had the good sense to bring a reinforced ball with him to the picnic, and tosses it for her pleasure. This generally goes off without a hitch, most of the time... except the ball happens to bounce - right into someone's lap, or by their feet, or in their bag. Shuck comes scrambling to a halt, eyes wide as she looks from the ball up to the person.

Th. Throw?

And, well, since Felix insists... Once the food has settled in Dimitri's stomach a bit more, he goes to grab his practice lance and stretches a bit. "Have you ever used polearms before?" he asks anyone who looks interested.

Other than all that, he'll be around the entire time, so feel free to bug him for anything and everything.

LANCE

[fingersandteeth]

"No," Steven admits, eying the polearm with an interested eye. "I've never had the opportunity. But I'd like to learn."

It was a weapon. If there was one thing Steven had learned in his six years home, it was how much it reassured him to know how to use whatever weapons were available.

grass

[woofdad]

"It is." Grant sits down carefully next to him as he speaks, with Wiggles the Budew cradled in one arm. Patch, recently evolved to a Leavanny, follows close behind, carrying a soundly asleep Orbeez.

Grant smiles as he gets settled, setting Wiggles down to let him toddle off a ways. "This was a really good idea."

[insidegalra]

Thace has been mostly content to observe so far, wandering around in something that probably isn't a patrol (maybe), and stopping sometimes to spend time with Steven, or speak with one of the others.

He's just about to settle down when the ball bounces towards him and he catches it in midair on instinct, a chuckle kicking in after his thoughts catch up with the rest of him. He throws the ball for Shuck and then moves toward Dimitri. "Thank you for inviting us; we've been enjoying ourselves."

Zuke @ nightfall

[zukeini]

[While Zuke was very chill and social through the picnic, nighttime was going to be something else. With some close friends and some acquaintances here...he wanted to plan a special show for all of them.

His ultimate comeback, a moment to celebrate with whom he holds dear. Eager to see their faces light up. After all of the festivities today, he was on fire. And at sundown, there would be a makeshift gathering in between many of the blooming trees. What would be illuminating the event was psychic light from the hands of Nadia the Gardevior, and the sound of Terbangan the Rillaboom banging on traditional drums. Soon, the image of Zuke with his travel drummset and glowing sticks he modded for a show on the go. Introducing, next to him, was Mayday the Toxitricity. Her electric sparks flying off her scales to illuminate the scene more.

Let's make some noise. May strummed her chest and out came a testing bass guitar sound...Everyone paying attention? Good. No need to introduce. Zuke began to bang his sticks together...

One.

Two.

And a one, two, three-!

LET'S ROCK, FRIENDS!!]

this icon but with the SU star eyes tbh

[nastyboy]

[Dimitri would be lying if he said he hadn't been maybe a little eager when he saw that Zuke had brought some equipment with him as much as he'd brought food. But when nothing had come of it for the rest of the day, he had told himself to calm down. Zuke likely just brought it all with him because he was traveling.]

[Except then Zuke had started to set up, right around night time.]

[Dimitri is right there front row, of course - cradling Desta the Budew in his arms as he practically vibrates in place. And as the music starts?]

[If he wasn't holding Desta, he'd absolutely be pumping his fists in the air, but instead, it's just lots of bouncing up and down in place. He wasn't lying when he said that Zuke's music gets to him like nothing else.]

Kazuki ota

[forsaintcecilia]

Kazuki's Pokemon:

Food: Despite the fact that Kazuki cooked whatever he wanted for himself at home, it had been some times since he was able to enjoy such a spread of Japanese food. It seemed like everyone else decided to run with the hanami theme too, and he was loving it. Even Dimitri's clumsy attempts at futomaki and mochi, while not perfectly presented, were still pretty tasty. So Kazuki tried a little bit of everything.

After he plays some games and gets settled in, he'll drink a little too. He might not look like it, but can hold his liquor! This would be a prime moment to play some Japanese drinking games if you really want to get smashed, because you'll be at a huge disadvantage. After all, he knows the games, and you don't!

Soccer: It's been awhile since Kazuki has played soccer with another other than his Cinderace, Pele, so he figured a gathering like this would be a good chance to get something like a game going. Or maybe he could teach someone how? Or maybe just juggle a little? He'd be fine with any of those options!

He displayed a fair amount of skill while passing back and forth with Pele. He included his Yamper, Wiggles, by occasionally kicking the ball far away for him to chase and fetch. Wiggles goes after it with gusto, taking his Ability to heart.

Video games: Kazuki's skill at video games was pretty average, but that didn't mean he couldn't have fun with them! He started a match of something like Super Smash Brothers (but with various kinds Pokemon as the characters), or Puyo Pop (the blobs are different colored Ditto) with Gremlin. He's the kind of person to lean around while playing, as if it would cause the game to respond differently, so watch out if you decide sit down next to him.

Naps: Once he's spent enough energy, or perhaps once he's had enough to drink, Kazuki will indulge is a nice nap in the gentle spring sunshine, with his warm little Vulpix curled up against his side.

Soccer

[paladinlost]

All that back and forth does attract some attention, in the form of a pair of Lilligant that approach surely but slowly. Cosmos and Sunleth know such sports are popular, of course; Tida often bounces a beach ball on her head for hours, after all. However, it's the first time they get to see skilled players use techniques that would not crush their delicate heads. What a fascinating display!

Therefore, their mission is now to cheer every time Kazuki or Pele kicks particularly well... or whenever Wiggles goes running after the ball.

Geralt - OTA except where indicated

[lovelybottom]

Initially, as this is a party specifically for the purpose of flower-viewing, Geralt will partake in that particular pastime. The particular meaning behind such a thing isn't exactly clear to him, other than the fact that it's spring and the flowering trees are pretty, but he takes to this as he would to any other task.

He kneels in an advantageous spot beneath a few of the trees, hands resting on his thighs as though preparing for meditation, and views the flowers. They are pink. They are, objectively, pretty. The wind stirs the branches, and loose blossoms occasionally tumble out of them, some of them even landing on Geralt's shoulders or in his hair. Geralt leaves them where they fall.

Mostly, he thinks that Jaskier would appreciate this far more than he does. Poet, and whatnot. It's a pretty sight, but honestly, Geralt needs better adjectives.

Later, since they are in a park, Geralt lets his Lycanroc, Lambert, out to exercise him. Geralt normally takes him on runs every morning to burn off some of his energy, but traveling here for the viewing disrupted their usual schedule. In light of that, a game of fetch ought to keep him from going too stir-crazy. Lambert is a sullen thing who, though he clearly enjoys chasing things, has a poor understanding of the mechanics of fetch. He'll chase the ball and get it, but he doesn't like to bring it back and likes letting go of it even less, despite the fact that he wants it thrown again. Occasionally, Geralt has to chase him down, or wrestle the ball out of his mouth. Part of the game, really.

For Claude

While Geralt is off having a good spar with Felix, he leaves his pack and other belongings propped up against a tree, near where everyone else is keeping their things. When he had left it, it had been closed up, though not locked in any fashion, as it seemed unnecessary. But now the flap is hanging open and the bag is slumped slightly on its side as though someone had gone rooting through it. A few small objects are laying on the ground nearby-- a few pencils, a sock. Some loose change.

Missing from said pack is one particular item-- a leather-bound sketchbook.

[vrdantwind]

Claude has not yet concluded whether there's a specific reason the unevolved form of the Liepard line are called Purrloins, unique to the species, or whether it's just because they're cats and all cats are just Like That. It's true that Varley has always been a thief of anything she can get her paws on, and Claude's own Lucena cannot be trusted around human food because she will steal it(Claude may never forgive her for swiping the last piece of bacon the other morning), but again - they're cats. How much of it is just how cats are?

But he does conclude, very quickly, that when he sees Varley trotting along with a notebook held in her mouth it is very likely a notebook she's not meant to have. He acts like she takes no notice as she moves to pass him, only for his hand to dart out and grab the notebook before she can. She jolts to a stop, giving him a narrow-eyed look and an annoyed - if muffled - yowl.

"I don't know who you took this from, but I'm betting the owner wants it back," he tells her pleasantly. "Now, come on, drop it. Drop ittt...don't make me get Felix."

He tugs gently on the notebook. Varley resists briefly, then abruptly releases it and saunters off, flopping down and taking no notice as if she'd never actually been interested in the thing in the first place, and simply got bored. It's not like Claude won.

Claude grins, watching her. Honestly, she and her trainer have more than a few similarities. But soon enough his attention turns to the notebook. He flips it open without a second thought; after all, how else could his curiosity be sated? If he didn't look, he'd just spend the rest of his life wondering.

What he finds...is a complete surprise, and he whistles under his breath. It's not as though he'd had any preconceptions before opening it who it belonged to - there were no identifying features on it - but there are a few people he never would have guessed, and this is one of them. And it's good art, too...

Although the choice of subjects has him grinning. All this time, he'd been banking on Jaskier having a shot, romantically, mostly out of a belief that he and Geralt have had an intensely close relationship for decades, and surely it must be easy for deep feelings to develop in that time - and, of course, banking on Jaskier's own charms. He hadn't had any real indication how Geralt might actually feel about Jaskier, other than his fondness for the bard being self-evident in Geralt's choosing to stay with him. He'd never seen any indications of interest or softer feelings from Geralt, certainly...though he hadn't ruled out they might be there. After all, Claude and Geralt aren't close. He'd hardly expect the man to reveal much to him.

This, though...nothing could be more vindicating of all his hopes and speculation for his friend than this.

Still...he can't risk perusing the notebook for too long, he realizes. He's already aware Geralt's likely to be pissed about this - especially because Claude already knows he has no intention of pretending he hasn't seen the contents - but him storming up and snatching his notebook out of Claude's hands, with Claude not even having the chance to gain a smidgen of goodwill by returning it on his own initiative? That'd be the worst case scenario. So - close notebook, find Geralt, project an air of innocent helpfulness to try to sell that he didn't just peek out of nosiness, but out of conscientiousness. (He's not sure Geralt will buy that - Claude is similar to Jaskier, and Geralt knows Jaskier extremely well - but it's worth a shot.)

Luckily, Geralt's easy to find. Claude smiles and waves to him when he manages to catch the witcher's eye. "Hey, Geralt! I think I found something of yours. Felix's cat was running around with it."

'Felix's cat' is about as unspecific as saying 'the shepherd's sheep', but to be fair, Claude really doubts Geralt is going to care which cat did it.

Jane Crocker - OTA

[cyan_maid]

[How has it been a month already? This is wild. But hey, we're in Goldenrod again, so Jane can easily return home after wishing everyone well, and that is a nice thing. It's been...busy. Which is good! Busy is good. But so is this.

Jane makes sure the food she's brought is okay before setting a blanket down on the grass to sit and just sort of vibe? Exist? Look at flowers? It's really nice to do that. She's down to chat about anything if you come by, and you might be able to rope her into ridiculous weapon things. She's rather rusty in the department, but she doesn't seem unfamiliar with the concept, which is probably good.

Dinah, meanwhile, that lovable Audino? She can and will butt into your business. What are you doing? That looks like fun, can she do it? Did you have any food yet? Would you like some? She's doing the direct socializing here, and it's kind of adorable, but also. Do you really want an Audino right there all the time? Please feel free to drag her back to Jane.]

vibin'

[nastyboy]

[Dimitri does his best to try a little bit of everything that people have brought, honestly, and he's more than happy to settle down by Jane when he does so. Kent the Munna is still clinging to his shoulder, and makes a sleepy little smile in her direction.]

[Hello, ma'm. He remembers you from the sick days.]

[Dimitri in the meanwhile, just inclines his head towards her.]

You didn't have to make so much, you know. I understand we occupied quite a bit of your time.

Steven Durante (OC) | OTA

[fingersandteeth]

There's a very real part of Steven, the nerdy teenage otaku weeb he'd been a quarter century ago, that's quietly thrilling to be at a real live cherry petal viewing party. He and Thace have set out their picnic blanket in the shade of a particular tree and once he's got a good deal of lunch in him, it's very easy to end up drowsing against his boyfriend for a good part of the next hour, not quite napping, but not quite not either. If you approach him, he'll probably open his eyes, though.

Later, though, when Steven's rested, he's definitely making the approach to the weapons area, offering to spar with whoever's there. As it turns out, he's brought his own weapons to the practice area, pulling up his trouser legs to retrieve the wooden knives from their hidden sheathes. He's obviously practiced at concealing weapons--until he'd pulled the trouser-leg up, there'd been no sign of the wooden knives at all.

(He's had a lot of practice fighting with knives too. That much is clear from watching him.)

After any number of bouts, however, Steven ends up back on the blanket, relaxing with his Misdreavus and his Mimikyu. His fingers idly brush against the Mimikyu's Phantump costume and if you come closer, you can hear him telling the ghosts a spooky story.

"You know why cherry blossoms are pink, right? It's because of the bodies buried underneath the trees..."

[insidegalra]

Thace is awake as he's curled against Steven, even if his eyes are closed. He's humming softly, half under his breath and softly stroking and combing through Steven's hair.

He's very glad that they came; this is very nice and they'll get in some sparring soon too, probably.

Grant | OTA

[woofdad]

It has been… quite some time since Grant’s been to a social event along these lines, and you know what? One with a primary goal of looking at flowers sounds like a pretty good re-introduction to him.

He’ll gladly get right to that, settling down to sit and relax with his Pokemon while he eats and watches the blossoms.

Patch the Leavanny, having flung himself right into his self-assigned older-sibling-slash-assistant-parent role now that he has arms, is sitting cross-legged next to Grant on the blanket, carefully poking bits of food into Orbeez the Azurill and Wiggles the Budews’ little baby mouths in turn. Grant watches with open delight, momentarily distracted from his own food. “Okay, buddy, make sure you’re giving ‘em time to swallow… and if they start slowing down, they might be about full.”

Once he’s done eating (and making sure Patch doesn’t overfeed the babies), it’s about time to play with a couple Pokemon who he suspects have not enjoyed the months of cold weather. So he unleashes Bean and Pipis, his Butterfree and Jumpluff, on the grass, tossing a little inflatable ball after them.

He laughs quietly as the two Pokemon start knocking the ball around, and glances over at anyone nearby. “I think the Pokemon might be having the best time of anyone today.”

Given how much everything has been happening lately, and then being here in nice weather and getting to try the food people brought and… probably wearing himself out more than he’s managed to wear out his Pokemon or his kid, Grant is pretty sure nobody could blame him for just going ahead and snoozing for a bit.

So, after a while, Grant can be found taking a nap, lying on his side on a blanket out on the grass. His Piloswine, Truffle, the last of the Pokemon he brought along, has snuggled herself up against his face, which is… probably fine? If he couldn’t breathe he probably wouldn’t have his arm draped over her like that.

[insidegalra]

Thace has been aware of Grant for a while, but hasn't had a chance to make an introduction. If anything, he feels almost... shy about it, and maybe regrets the discussion he'd had with Steven when the hot or not post had gone up. Not that he'd had it so much as it has guaranteed that he's very aware of how attractive Grant is right now.

When the inflatable ball ends up rolling his direction, he picks it up and tosses it back for the Pokemon. "They're certainly enjoying themselves."

His extremely small Exploud asks if she can play, but the others that he's got with him seem content to stay where they are. There's his Aegislash resting comfortably against his back, and a Toxel and tiny Eevee in the sling on his chest. On his shoulder and curled against his neck is another Eevee, very happily cuddling up a storm, and an Alolan Ninetails walking at his side.

"We haven't had a chance to talk yet. I'm Thace."