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[hythlodaeus]

Good afternoon everyone, on this unforgivably hot day. I would like to invite those near and far to my ranch. You may have heard that I do ask my visitors for help with the myriad chores, but is that not natural? I help you, you help me...

A bit of hard work is good for you, I say. So lay down you preconceptions and come for a visit. I have a good handful of those shiny Eevees that you all adore so much. Or if that might not strike your fancy, there are a good deal more. Please refer to the Ledger.

As you can see, I also have a bit of a hole in my water type breeding stock. Those with a Marill that they would be willing to trade me should contact me. For my own purposes, I will also be trading for or purchasing Shiftry, Hoppip, Axew, and Victreebel. The sooner you're here, the sooner you might fulfill your dreams. So, what are you waiting for?

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[hythlodaeus]

[ He pulls a berry from his pocket, kneels down, and holds it out to the little bat. ]

Don't be scared. I'm not going to hurt your trainer nor your friends. I just want to ask him some questions.

[ The other Rapidash snorts near Bat-Cat's head as he gently picks up the Pokeballs in his mouth. ]

[rancorice]

[The snort gets a scree and a swat with his tiny claw, not that it lands or anything but the gesture is more important than the strike. He eyes Hythlodaeus with uncertainty and suspicion. Perhaps if he weren't a chipped Pokémon he'd find it easier to trust him, but as it is he's high on aggression and don't trust like that.

But he does take that berry. Swipes it with his little claws and chows down on it, all the while keeping an eye on Hythlodaeus as if he assumes the man will do something the moment he turns his gaze away. Once the berry is consumed, he does what can only be described as a "grabby" motion, or "gimme". Someone wants another berry before he'll comply it seems!]

[hythlodaeus]

[ Rapidash huffs in annoyance, like an older sibling to an infant.]

[ He readies another berry, offering it from his palm. Will the trainer be this way as well? He's almost certain of it. He peeks over his shoulder, watching the be-licoriced Rapidash trot around near the entrance.]

Let us go check on him, hmm?

[rancorice]

[The offer is accepted without any hesitation this time. Who knows how long it's been since any of them have had a proper meal, by the looks of Bat-cat, it's been a little too long. With the berry consumed, he then scurries over to pick up the Poké balls himself, like a small child with an armful of fruits he can barely hold.

Seems he's ready to go check on his idiot trainer, at least! As for said idiot trainer, he's...well, somehow he's nearly fallen off the rapidash, probably in a futile attempt to untie his legs which lead to him sliding off to one side while he desperately grasps at the back of the horse to keep himself from going COMPLETELY under the equine.

He's just barely achieving that, but he refuses to yell for help, and it's probably not the most comfortable neither him nor the poor rapidash. Seriously, it's a wonder this cookie has survived as long as he has...here or even in his own world.]

[hythlodaeus]

[ As Hythlodaeus and the others approach, they come across quite the little scene.

The Rapidash looks back at Licorice and huffs in irritation. He flicks his fiery tail, burning the rope clean through before rearing up, then bucking in an attempt to knock him off. ]

... Shall we go inside? It is really quite early still.

[rancorice]

[There is no attempt. There is only Licorice being bucked off right onto the hard ground. To which he lets out a pained hiss from the impact, which carries on as he stands up rubbing his poor back. He hates this.

He hates all of this.

Shooting Hythlodaeus a scowl, he then looks to Bat-cat as he's waddling along with the Poké balls. Right next to this giant of a meat person, too! Traitor...]

I don't really have a choice, do I?

[His expression sours even more, if that's even possible. However, it seems he's going to follow Hythlodaeus inside. Only because he's pretty sure he really doesn't have a choice.]

[hythlodaeus]

I can put you back in the tree or call the police for trespassing. These are your choices.

[ He pushes the door open, gesturing with his hand for him to come inside. ]

I know what I would pick.

[rancorice]

[It takes him but a moment of glancing between Hythlodaeus and the door before he does a full body sigh. His arms hanging limply at his sides as he walks in with an exaggerated frown. Not even looking at Bat-cat to take the burden of the balls from him. That traitor has to pay for his indiscretion.]

What's with your interest in us cookies, anyway? [he shoots back over his shoulder as he glances at Hythlodaeus.] You some kind of weirdo or something?

[He asks this, but he knows the likely answer. Maybe he's hoping that isn't it, even if he knows that's probably impossible. It's not like Dark Enchantress Cookie would be wrong about these things...]

[hythlodaeus]

I just want to learn a little about your world. I am but a curious man, not a weirdo. My name is Hythlodaeus.

[ He places a hand on his back, guiding him inside. This is a side entrance, behind where the customers might be. Here everything is built for Hythlodaeus' height and comfort. It makes even reasonably tall men feel quite small, however. ]

[He guides him into a sitting room of some kind. A little group of cutiefly bring a tea tray with a plate of rectangular chocolate covered cookies.]

I can't be blamed for wanting to know about you and your people. For example, is this insulting to you?

[rancorice]

[There's little helping the way he shrinks away and bristles at Hythlodaeus' touch, a clear sign he's anything but used to such a gesture or proximity. But the assurance and the name does little to calm his nerves, and the size of this place making him feel particularly small (much like he ordinarily is) offers him little comfort. Yet, least of all would be the cookies that are brought to his attention, carried by small, adorable little flies.

The juxtaposition of their cuteness and the grim sight of these featureless cookies is quite striking. His wide eyed expression tells more than he does, even if he stifles it with an annoyed scowl.]

Perhaps to some! I have seen far worse than the disfigured remains of my kind, I am not one of the ignorant masses unaware of the truth behind our existence. I will admit it's pretty...barbaric to have that on display like that, pretty twisted, but I'm used to that dark sorta stuff!

[Are you impressed? You should be, clearly!]

[hythlodaeus]

Yes, I imagine the likes of you wouldn't quiver so easily by such a grim sight.

[He takes one off the plate and takes a bite. ]

Will you be having one? ...Or do you eat at all?

[rancorice]

[Licorice's jaw visibly tightens as he watches his "host" pick up a cookie and bite it like it's nothing.

He tries to swallow. He finds that he can't.]

I—

[His eyes fall to the remains of Hythlodaeus' cookie, his mouth going dry as he feels his palms getting sweaty as his anxiety spikes.]

I eat...

[Is what he finally ekes out, his voice notably strained. Bat-cat, who has grown tired of carrying these Poké balls drops them unceremoniously onto the floor with a loud clatter. This makes Licorice jump like a frightened cat, shrieking like one too.

So much for the tough guy angle.]

[hythlodaeus]

Oh my. I did not mean to truly intimidate you. You eat. What do you eat?

[ Hythlodaeus puts a little milk into his tea and a spoonful of sugar. He stirs and takes a sip. ]

[rancorice]

You didn't! I just wasn't expecting—look, it doesn't matter, but I'm not intimidated!

[He barely recovers, if anyone would be kind enough to call it that. Shooting a glare at Bat-cat, which earns him a hiss, he then settles back into trying to seem far more imposing than anyone dressed like him could ever pull off.

Which he doesn't, to be clear.]

I eat what any cookie eats—meat jellies, jellybeans, jellyberries, candy pasta... The list goes on and on. Why are you asking me what I eat anyway? What does that matter? What's with you meat-people's obsession with eating things?

[He narrows his eyes.]