October Catch All

[nastyboy]

Who: Team Femblemtroika
What: Halloween rolls around, and so does the anniversary of their arrival.
When: October
Where: Kanto (Vermillion City, and maybe others)

Comments

For Chip - around the anniversary

[nastyboy]

It was around fall when he and the Abaroas first met - that gentle crispness of the day that turned into freezing cold during the night. Dimitri can remember the traveling aspects of those days well, funnily enough. Back then, while Chip had been excited for the journey, not they nor their father were really experienced in such things. It had fallen solely to Dimitri to prepare proper camping spots for them, so that they could survive the nights, although Dean's own heat and fire making capabilities were invaluable.

Back then... Dimitri can recall undoing the clasps of his cloak more than a few times, laying them over Chip's gently sleeping form near the campfire. He was Faerghus-born, used to far more freezing temperatures than whatever Johto had to offer. Surely a child would find the heat of his cloak far more valuable.

In Vermillion, he can smell that crispness in the air, and it's even familiar to what he smelled on Route 29 - both places being near to the sea. And that has him realize something.

It's why he goes to search out Chip one day, a bundle in his arms. "Chip? Are you busy right now? I have something I'd like to give you."

[demonpuppy]

"Huh?" Chip looks up from where they'd been lying reading a comic, blinking owlishly for a moment or two. "Um, just reading."

They scoot up to their feet and quickly hurry over, trying to get a better look at the bundle. "What is it?"

[nastyboy]

"It's... a gift for you." As Chip rushes over, Dimitri takes care to kneel down on the ground so that this is at least a little easier to get a hold of. You know. When it's time. Speaking of time- "It is not your birthday gift," Dimitri adds hastily. "I will give that to you later."

You know, when it is the proper birthday time.

This is something different, after all, and Dimitri slowly begins to unbundle what he has in his arms. "You know... It was roughly around this time that we first met," he says, a small and fond smile on his lips. "Back then... I thought I would be fine if I simply chose a direction and went in a straight line. But that you took my hand and accepted me on this important journey of yours, Chip, has done so much.

"Meeting you was one of the best things in my life, Chip. I wanted to celebrate that."

With that, he holds up what he's had in his arms: a long coat of some sort, the same kind of deep blue that matches Dimitri's own cloak, and with a very similar fur trim around the hood. It's probably a hood. It certainly looks warm. And right there on the inside, along the back... is what looks like a star, a little wobbly, but still firmly in there.

"I understand that, in your homeland, symbols can do a great deal," Dimitri says. "It is a little different in Fodlan, but... This is the crest of Blaiddyd. My family's Crest that, in even this way, I would like to share with you."

[demonpuppy]

A...a cape? for them?

Chip takes the coat when it's offered, staring dumbfounded when it's unfurled properly. The crest has their attention immediately, and when Dimitri explains what it is they look up at him in awe.

"You...made this for me?"

Ashe's birthday

[freckledarcher]

[I. A Special Day!]

Ashe woke up to Ky, Loog, and his Growlithe on his bed with Marshmallow in the back chirping around him. He groaned softly as he sat up and ran a hand through his hair

"I must have overslept this morning. Sorry guys, let me go get your food."

Ashe grabbed his hoodie on his way out of his room. He had a feeling that there was something else happening today. He tried to get his sleepy mind working so he could figure out today. He walked to the kitchen with his pokemon behind him. He reached for their food when he noticed the day on the calendar. Oh! That's the nagging thought in the back of his head. It's his birthday today! It's been awhile since he celebrated his birthday without him trying to juggle five things at once, especially when the war started. He missed his siblings attempt to make him breakfast along with their gifts. He hoped they were doing alright, he didn't dwell on it for long since he didn't want to be too unhappy on his birthday. Well, he didn't have a lot to do besides his normal chores, so he had time to go somewhere today. Ashe wasn't sure where he wanted to go, but he would think of something!

He looked down at Ky when he chirped and flapped his flippers at him. He chuckled as he pulled out his bowl.

"I'm coming Ky, I'm coming."

[II. Working to Relax]

Ashe found that one of the harder things about being in this new world was being able to relax. Back home he grew used to working through everything, including his birthday, that now he had options he wasn't sure what to do with them. Should he buy a cake or make it? If he buys it should it be an expensive one? He was going to buy the last book in his latest series, but should he buy something else? He wondered if he should make dinner tonight or go out. He can't remember a time he had so many options that he didn't know which one to choose.

Ashe hummed as he rubbed Ky's head on the couch in the living room. "What do you think I should do for my birthday today, Ky?"

This also counts as his announcement of the day to anyone in the house since he wasn't the type to shout about the day.

[C. Wildcard]

Anything anyone wanted to do on his birthday go for it!

1

[nastyboy]

Even as Ashe starts to make his way towards the kitchen, the smell of something baking starts to become quickly apparent. It's a sweet smell, and gentle. The culprit is crouched down in front of the oven, watching it intently even as Silkie the Indeedee just stands patiently by. Dimitri's cloak is wrapped around something large and bulky that is on the other side of the table, in an awkward attempt to keep it out of the way.

When he hears the sound of Ashe's footsteps and the little patter of Ky's feet, Dimitri looks up. "Ah, Ashe. Good morning. Happy Birthday."

[freckledarcher]

Ashe walked in and stopped at Dimitri in front of the oven. He looked around to see something on the other side of the table before he looked back at the oven. Whatever was in there smelled sweet, he was curious how it would come out. Ashe wanted to ask what he was doing, but the words stopped when Dimitri greeted him.

Wait, Dimitri remembered his birthday? Did he ever tell him the date? Did Lonato tell him? The professor? He remembered!?

Ashe stared for awhile, until Ky chirped at him and Growlithe nudged him. He blinked out of his haze with a sheepish smile. "Oh, thank you, I'll admit I was expecting this. Not that I don't appreciate it! I just wasn't expecting anyone else to know except the pro...Byleth. Um, what's that at the table?"

[nastyboy]

Is this really such a surprise...? Dimitri supposes it could be. He knows he was caught off guard when people recalled his own birthday last year. For now, he lets Ashe have a moment to himself, just focusing on what he has baking.

"I once made an effort to recall everyone's birthdays, back when we attended school together," Dimitri says. "I suppose my efforts paid off, if I can still remember things properly after so many years. As for the thing at the table..." Dimitri resists the urge to fidget. "It is my attempt to make a gift for you, although I do not know how well it truly came out."

ii

[woofdad]

Grant would be the first to admit, his attention span can be... unpredictable. Which is probably how he ended up, after finding out about Ashe's upcoming birthday from Dimitri, making sure to get a gift as soon as possible, get it all wrapped up and ready. He's been missing so many people's birthdays, with how distracted he's been and how much has been going on, he wants to get that fixed!! And making sure to get Ashe something seems like a good place to start.

...Especially since, given Ashe's personality, he doesn't know how much to expect him to do for his own birthday.

And yet, after all that, Grant finds himself perking up when Ashe says that on the actual day, almost dropping the notepad he's been scribbling breeding plans on as he remembers that carefully prepared-ahead-of-time present.

He doesn't say anything as he darts out of the room, but he's back less than a minute later, carrying a rectangular box wrapped in silver paper. "Hey, actually, speaking of which - happy birthday, Ashe!"

[freckledarcher]

Ashe turned around as his eyes widened at the package in Grant's hands. Grant got him a gift!? He always got shy mentioning his birthday that he didn't bring it up when they entered this new world. He has felt bad about not talking to Grant as much when he was caught up in his sadness then phase where he had to cook everyday to keep busy. He had been thinking about how he could talk to him again when the perfect opportunity arrived. He smiled as he accepted the gift. "Thank you! Can I open it now?"

[woofdad]

"Yeah, go for it!" Grant hands off the gift and steps back to let Ashe open it up, trying not to be too visibly jittery. As much as he likes getting people gifts, he always finds himself a little nervous when the time comes to see how they're actually received... and, given how things have been, it seems to him like Ashe could really use something nice right now. He just hopes he likes it.

Inside the packaging is a kit for putting together a wall-mounted herb garden - complete with wall-safe adhesive hooks that shouldn't risk damaging the walls of the rental house.

Grant waits until Ashe has it open to add, a little nervously, "I know you can already grow herbs in the garden outside, but-- well, I'd hoped it might be convenient to have some closer to the kitchen. Just... try not to take that convenience as a chance to overwork yourself more, y'know?"

That last part was probably... about halfway a joke.

Backdated to right after the last contest

[bestswordmaster]

Felix has absolutely no desire to come anywhere near the contest this time around, despite the participation of Dimitri, Claude, and several other people he knows. He knows exactly what love means to him, thanks very much, and doesn't need the bittersweet reminder.

So he's a little surprised to receive a message from the others inviting him to come drinking with them. It's not something any of them do that often, but apparently those two rich morons are providing free alcohol and Claude won the contest, so they want to celebrate with some kind of drinking game. Or several? Felix isn't totally clear on the specifics, but Claude won and Dimitri placed, and that's certainly worth celebrating.

So, for them, Felix agrees and meets them there at the bar. He's not sure he plans to engage in any games, whatever they might be, but he's here and drinking regardless. Sake, currently, and he's seated in between Claude and Dimitri.

"Fine, tell me about this game of yours. But I doubt I'll play."

[vrdantwind]

"Now that's the silliest thing you've ever said, Felix," Claude says with a sidelong smile. Another day, that statement might have been accompanied by a laugh, but his entry for the contest...well, it had been an ode to his relationship with Sylvain, if not a requiem, and that had understandably put him in a somber mood. Unexpectedly winning the contest has counteracted that somewhat, but he's still a little quieter than his usual self. "A drinking game is usually a competition, isn't it? And you really only know one way to respond to anything competitive."

Felix has been clingy with Claude in particular since Sylvain left - perhaps because his relationship with Claude is less complicated than Dimitri's, or perhaps because Claude understands him the best. Maybe even, perhaps, that Claude has some faint echoes of Sylvain in him, the same ones Ingrid saw, though Claude would never expect Felix to find him any kind of substitute. Claude doesn't know which, and it's one of the few things in life he doesn't feel the need to pry into. All that he needs to know is that Felix likes having him close right now, maybe needs it, and that's enough. So he's settled himself on the seat beside Felix, and leans against him slightly as he continues speaking. "Anyway, my understanding of the game is something like...one person names something they haven't done, and anyone playing the game who has done it takes a drink. If no one's done it, then the person who suggested it has to drink." He glances at Grant. "Did I get that right?"

[nastyboy]

Honestly, Dimitri is genuinely glad that Felix came back to join all of them for a bout of drinking - even if Dimitri doesn't really plan on partaking himself. But this particular contest had drawn out a great deal of emotion. More than Dimitri ever thought would show up for such an event, honestly.

Everyone had their own feelings to say on the matter... him and Claude especially, both wanting to tell their own stories through their Pokemon. Dimitri isn't entirely sure how he was able to go onto stage after Claude's own heartfelt performance, really. It hadn't escaped him what it had meant to use Sylvain's starting companion, and the miserable feeling of calling out with no one to call back. Maybe just the time that had passed between their performances, and the focus on his own rats to draw his mind away.

But now, they're all together again, and Dimitri is holding onto Grant's hand even as he leans against Felix's other side as they all settle down. Like this, it feels as though... Things don't hurt quite as much. His free hand, the one nearest to Felix, is holding a simple glass of soda. What can he say? Dimitri likes the bubbly.

"Even you can find a simple joy in drinking along when something is said, I would think," Dimitri says encouragingly. "Although, Grant, if you could demonstrate, I am sure that would help a good deal."

[freckledarcher]

Ashe decided not to join the contest he looked at the entries instead. Dimitri and Claude had such heartfelt entries not to say that everyone who submitted something wasn't good. Everyone involved in the contest had such wonderful entries. He probably could have talked about his feelings for Lysithea, but he decided it was best to keep it quiet. Besides, Claude win gave them something else to focus on. Ashe didn't drink often, but he was used to playing drinking games with Yuri so it was probably the same rules. Then again doing anything with Yuri always had a twist to it, so it would be different now.

Ashe sat on the other side of Grant as he placed his Gear back in his pocket. "Yeah I'm interested in the game that we can play. Have you played this before, Grant?"

BACKDATED LIKE HELL god what is time - Felix, and his namesake

[nastyboy]

To his misfortune, Felix is probably very aware of Dimitri's Quiladin. After all, Dimitri first got him many months ago - all the way back when they were first making their way through the forest, to Goldenrod. Dimitri had picked up the scrappy little creature from the snow, and the evolution into a Quiladin had happened almost instantaneously.

But more noteworthy to Felix, probably, is that the Quiladin had gotten the name Hugo.

Noteworthy because of the embarrassment, probably, although Dimitri had kept quiet on the fact that Felix had no room to talk on the matter.

Still, one of the good things is that Hugo is a determined trainer and fighter, with the only thing in his way being that Dimitri has had to juggle a great deal of Pokemon to try and train them fairly. But still, they've made some effort at it...

And today, while the two of them are out training on their own while also together... Dimitri comes running back, a smile on his face. "Felix! Look at Hugo!"

Although maybe it's hard to hear him a little bit, with the heavy thudding footsteps of the massive shelled creature tromping after him.

[bestswordmaster]

Felix is, indeed, familiar with Hugo the Quilladin. He's familiar with all of Dimitri's Pokemon, but this one in particular he remembers because the first time he heard its name, he demanded to know why. He ended up annoyed rather than embarrassed, because it turned out that despite their impressive defenses, Quilladin don't like fighting. How could Dimitri have named a Pokemon who doesn't like fighting after him? It was an insult, frankly!

But the Hugo tromping along after Dimitri now is very different from the one Felix is used to. He blinks.

"That's Hugo? Are you sure?"

[nastyboy]

The Hugo tromping along after Dimitri is very different. He also looks incredibly pleased with himself, normally stoic and wary expression now brightened up into a beaming smile. Still, he's very careful with his new and larger body. As Dimitri stops before Felix, Hugo begins to delicately slow just so that he doesn't barrel his trainer over.

"Yes, it is!" Dimitri exclaims, resting one hand over an enormous shielded arm. "He evolved! Isn't it fantastic, Felix? He's been working so hard for this."

And Dimitri can't wait to show this to Santa, too... The Obstagoon, not the man with the flying sleigh. But he knows that ever since the trip to Cerulean, Santa and Hugo have become quite close.

[bestswordmaster]

Felix moves to stand in front of the armored creature, studying him appraisingly. He's never seen a Chesnaught in person before. Did Dimitri know what Hugo would be like fully evolved, when he named him? Did he know his spiky little friend would end up as...well, as a giant shield?

Eventually, Felix nods, looking satisfied - maybe even proud. "The results of your hard work are impressive, Hugo. Take pride in your achievement, but never let it make you complacent. Keep working to become stronger."

BIRTHDAY CATCH-ALL

[demonpuppy]

[i'm too lazy to write up a thing COME LOV CHIL]

[bestswordmaster]

At some point on Chip's birthday, after Grant and Dimitri have done whatever it is they're doing, Felix searches the house for Chip. He doesn't have any gifts in hand or anything like that when he finds them.

"There you are. Come with me."

[demonpuppy]

Chip stops what they're doing and looks up at Felix, faintly confused and a little nervous. Felix's blunt manner once made them nervous around him, but by now they know--

"Am I in trouble?"

--they can just ask if something is wrong or not.

[bestswordmaster]

Felix blinks at them, confused. "What? No. Why would you be in trouble? It's your birthday, isn't it?"

[nastyboy]

Dimitri takes really well to modern American birthday traditions, as it turns out. He sings "Happy Birthday" with clear delight, and claps when Chip blows out all the candles. This is all something slightly new to him, the concept of a birthday cake, and he's quite charmed by the idea.

Sure, desserts are a part of any great celebration, but... This is new. He likes it.

Of course, then there are the most important part of any child's birthday... And that would be the presents. Dimitri approaches Chip with a small wrapped package in his hand. He, of course, chose Pikachu Espcheep wrapping paper. It's just a small thing, in a clear little box shape.

"Happy Birthday, Chip," Dimitri says, possibly for the fourth time today. Listen - he had to tell them in the morning, then again, and of course there was Happy Birthday. He just feels it's really important for them to know. "I hope you have been having a very good one."

[demonpuppy]

The whole day has been, hands down, the best birthday Chip has ever had. From the time they woke up they've been given so many things, congratulated so much...they feel bad that they cried and worried everyone a few times, but it's just.

It's been a lot. In a good way, but...it's a lot.

So when Dimitri comes over they beam and run to tackle him in a joy-filled hug before reaching for the gift. "It's been the best!"