Snowpoint Hospital

-Brie is currently carrying herself across a pair of parallel bars, with Halcyon's assistance-

Ever: How's it going?

Brie: Everything still feels weird.

Ever: You've gotten your voice back, though, I see.

Brie: Yeah.

Ever: So what's with the exercises? If Halcyon's moving your arms for you, I'm not seeing much of the point for...whatever it is.

Brie: Some of us prefer to avoid muscle atrophy, Ever.

Ever: Hmm. Sounds fake.

Breeze: <Hey, who pilots you around whenever you sleep for a week?>

Ever: Is that what you do?

Breeze: <Usually, yeah.>

Ever: ...Hm.

Foxverse, Past

Colton and Helmsman quickly dove into a truck, catching their breath and feeling their body ache.

Fighting the pain, the Samurott leveled his gun at some troops, more as a warning than an attack, as he didn’t fire.

His trainer, less than accustomed to this amount of action, stayed still as he tried to recover from his fatigue. He could barely channel a Dark Pulse.

N’s Castle, Past

Colton, Sylveon and Kazuma shared a looks of satisfaction before the rabbid and his counterpart collapsed in exhaustion.

Sylveon, slightly annoyed, wrapped the Blue Scarf around her trainer’s neck and returned her before also returning Kazuma.

Julius promptly materialized and hefted the backpack onto his shoulders, nodding to Sylveon as she returned herself, leaving the Stoutland to claim her Scarf, turn human and nod.

“I move we head back to base while we wait for FB to send us to our next destination,” he suggested.

Somewhere else, present

“Oh, a party. Wonder if I should get some gifts for folks?” Colton asked himself upon looking at his phone.

And then he had an idea.

“Xatu? Dial up a nearby publisher!”

<Am I just your secretary?>

-"Ramonas pink, bespectacled, eyes go wide as she stares at the small ghost in Kaz's hands."-

Ramona: Oh, my, gosh... SOOOOOOOOOOOO CUUTTTTE!!!

-"The 18 year old happily snatches the litwick from the green haired mans hand and begins dancing around with joy."-

Ramona, happy mode: It's cute, cute cute, CUTE!!

-"She suddenly stops dancing and pulls the litwick into a hug."-

Ramona, hugging the ghost/fire type: I'm soo happy <3

Norma: <She's going to suffocate that thing. Then I'll rise it from the dead and have it join my zombie army.>

Aya: <Isn't it already dead?>

Lucy: <Ghost types are... complicated... they have... strange Aura.>

-"Suddenly, the litwick phases through Ramona, escaping her soft, but possibly deadly, embrace. It then floated up and rested its self on top of Ramonas head."-

Litwick, in the voice that sounds like a little girls: <Hello. First, allow me to thank you for rescuing me from that monster.>

Ramona, vibrating with joy: So cute, so cute, so cute.

Litwick: <However, I feel as though I should point out, that by doing so, you have it more likely for other, more powerful, ghost types to take over this place.>

Ramona, going super happy mode: I want her on my team, I want her my teeeeeam!!

Litwick: <As such, Weaker Pokemon such as my self and Gastly, are very unlikly to survive in this place any long->

Ramona, tossing a pokeball up: Pokeball! <3

-"The litwick is sucked in... then breaks at in less then a second and stomps down on Ramonas head."-

Litwick, annoyed: <Would you knock it off you occult bimbo, I'm talking!>

Ramona, disappointed: Ahhh, she broke out.

-"The small ghost puffs its cheeks like an angry child."-

Litwick, to Kazuma: <Listen greeny, there are a bunch of super powered ghost type coming to claim this place. Either stay and watch the chaos or get the fudge out of Dodge!>

Falconan

-Shaun hops into the driver's seat of a truck, Lyra taking the passenger seat while Ace and Tsunami hop in the bed.-

Tsunami: "Do you know how to drive?"

Shaun: "I took Jessica go-karting once."

Ace: "That wasn't the question!"

Shaun: "Sorry can't hear you over the gunfire"

Lumiose Hospital - Three Days After the Mobius Raid

-Isbrand's eyes flutter open.-

Isbrand: "This isn't the spirit world"

-Kaiiseii looks over at her.-

Kaiiseii: "Hey you, you're finally awake. You got caught in that Imperial ambush like us, and that thief over there."

Shaun: "Oh thank gods"

-He gets out of his seat and falls to the floor. Jessica kneels and helps him to his feet. Jessica looks fine - dressed in a Snuggie, but she's cleaned up, clearly taking care of herself.-

-Shaun's seen better days. 5 o'clock shados, bags the size of orange slices and the color of twilight. He's bathed and eaten, but he looks..rough.-

Shaun: "Thank Palkia I thought you would never wake up."

-He kneels next to her bed, and Jessica stands beside him.-

Isbrand: "It?"

Shaun: "Dead."

Isbrand: "Good."

"You look like shit, Dad."

Shaun: "Fuck you. I stayed awake for 72 hours to get this? Wack."

Jessica: "I would chew you out but I have no leg to stand on, morally."

Shaun: "JESSICA!"

Jessica: "Wha-SHIT I'M SO SORRY"

Isbrand: "..."

"Kaiiseii, what are-"

"Your eye..."

Kaiiseii: "My Protect didn't cover it."

-He lifts an eyepatch to reveal a hole where his right eye used to be. The skin's unnaturally pink, for obvious reasons."

Kaiiseii: "I got off lucky. I'm sorry."

Isbrand: "For what? Saving my life?"

Kaiiseii: "Not working fast enough."

-Isbrand's brow furrows.-

Isbrand: "If you lost an eye..."

"Why did they strap my leg to the bed?"

Falconan Mall

Star: "Well there's a first time for everything!"

Star jumps in a truck. This can only go well.

"This can't be that different from a ship, right?"

Snowpoint, outside the hospital

-Brie is standing up, though it is with Halcyon's help. Her winter coat having been heavily perforated, she's borrowing Ever's coat-

-Ever, naturally, is comfortable and inside-

~Are you sure this is a good idea? You're still not 100%, and it's cold out. At the very least, you ought to have another human around to get a doctor's attention if you pass out.~

-Brie glares at Halcyon-

Brie: This isn't something I want other people to watch. And I need to know.

~If you insist.~

Brie: Have you ever known me not to?

-she takes a deep breath-

Come on. In Lugia's name, please...

-and sends out Skyfire-

-the Charizard appears in the snow, which melts around her-

Skyfire: <Good to see you alive.>

-she looks...-

-alright-

-her tailflame is burning high. Some scales are missing. There's a cut across her snout that looks rather deep, and seems like it may scar-

-Brie almost can't bring herself to pull her gaze a little bit rightward-

-and when she finds Skyfire's wing intact, her gasp of relief is audible-

~Do you require assistance?~

Brie: Help me go hug my starter.

-Halcyon rather clumsily maneuvers Brie across the snow-

-and Brie latches on to Skyfire-

Brie: Me alegro mucho de que estés bien. Me alegro...

Skyfire: <Por qué estaba tan nerviosa? Me vio en su cabeza.>

Brie: Cuantas veces te he dicho? "Tu." Y...no es realmente lo mismo. Cómo está tu ala?

Skyfire: <Me siente...extraña. Puedo movirla, pero...>

-Brie's eyes go wide-

Brie: Pero?

Skyfire: <Es...lenta. No puedo describirlo mejor, lo siento.>

It's probably the same thing wrong with me...

Brie: A ver, la doctora me dio un régimen para ayudarte, de acuerdo? Estaremos volando de nuevo pronto, sí?>

-Skyfire snorts out a cloud of flame-

Skyfire: <Quién intenta de convencer, Brie? Sé que estaré bien.>

-Brie just squeezes Skyfire tighter. The Charizard lets out a low rumble of appreciation, and pats her back-

Northern Kalos, Yveltal's Mansion.

On this lazy and relaxed night, one of the many rooms in Yveltal's mansion is occupied by two figures indulging in lazy and relaxed actions. One of the figures, the young priest Salvador, has dressed appropriately for the night, fresh from a recent shower and wearing a simple white nightgown, and is currently reclined on a bed. Pondering and imagining idly while his loyal and most trusted friend - the elderly Gallade - sits over the side of the bed, tending to the long, winding, unfurled tresses of his master with a comb and elegantly fragranced oils.

After pulling through one particularly stubborn twists, the Gallade pouts comically and turns to face the relaxed figure of his young master.

Old!Shaka: Tch, you have a rather extensive nightly routine don't you, Salvador? Do you need this much primping and preening before sleep?

Salvador slowly opens his eyes, and looks over to the haggard Gallade with a lazy tiredness.

Salvador: I tend to many duties throughout the day. Am I not, then, entitled to a few small pleasures of life? Or is even the slightest bit of want or desire an unseemly trait? Plus, my hair does need to be kept as pristine and healthy as possible.

Shaka clicks in response, with a slight smirk on his face.

Old!Shaka: It's more than just a "small pleasure", child. There's care and then there's excess for pleasure. And it's not like you're maintaining your appearance yourself.

The Gallade pulls through a particularly obnoxious knot.

Old!Shaka: You've been a pretty pampered and spoiled child all your life. Tch. It's no wonder Padmashree called you the "little Raj", young prince.

Salvador pouts at his old companion.

Salvador: Why do you speak of me in such unfavourable terms...? Have I done something to upset you recently?

The older mon gives a crackled laugh as he applies some Jasmine oils to the portion of hair he just combed through.

Old!Shaka: I am merely speaking to truths, young master. And while you are a kind, generous, compassionate and well meaning person at heart. It is still a crucial thing to always keep in mind your own flaws and limitations. And yours would be your occasional habits of slothful indulgence.

Salvador groans and mumbles into his pillow.

Salvador: Truths, truths, truths. All you ever speak in is in truths, old mon. Do you ever speak in lies?

Old!Shaka: You know as well as I that I have spoken in many lies. That in fact, I have spoken in lies more often through my long life than I have in truths. I have simply reached a point in life where I don't have to speak in lies anymore. Not as much at least.

Salvador raises an eyebrow.

Salvador: So you do still speak in lies?

Old!Shaka: Of course. Some things are so fragile in these short lives of ours, Salvador. So fragile that to maintain them you must encase and protect them with screens of fine lines. Like one would keep pretty, delicate baubles in a display cabinet.

Salvador stares up at the ceiling

Salvador: Have you lied to me?

Shaka momentarily stops tending to his master's hair, to look at him with a reassuring smile.

Old!Shaka: Search deep down in your soul and you'll find the answer there. You know that as well as I.

Salvador sighs.

Salvador: Answering with such an esoteric and slightly ominous answer doesn't fill me with much confidence, old friend. But at the same time, I was foolish to expect a different answer from you.

He turns over.

Salvador: If you are bothered by tending to my routine, then why do you do it?

The Gallade hums.

Old!Shaka: Because it's my dharma to, child.

Salvador turns back over to face Shaka with a somewhat flat expression.

Salvador: It's your dharma to tend to my hair at night?

Shaka laughs.

Old!Shaka: You amuse me so, Salvador. But no. It is my dharma to serve you however you wish, child. Just like it was my dharma to serve your father before you.

Shaka looks up as he idly continues to comb Salvador's hair.

Old!Shaka: One's dharma is an innate thing. Chosen at birth and guided to its predestined fate. Yet it's also something very pliable and unique to each person. Some people misunderstand this to mean that everything they do and that will be done unto them is predestined, and maybe that's so - but free will exists and is not in conflict with dharma. Fortune - both good and bad - is inevitable, but how you react to it. That is your choice, and you must be willing to face and be held accountable for consequences of those choices.

Shaka hums.

Old!Shaka: To wheel this back around. It is my dharma to tend to you however you wish, till the end of days. Much like how your dharma is to love and be loved by death itself, to let it pierce your very heart.

Salvador blushes slightly before turning away, slightly flustered.

Salvador: How dare you tease me, old mon.

Shaka laughs, before the two fall back into a comfortable silence. Though, that silence is broken when Salvador gives his mentor an odd request.

Salvador: ...Shaka?

Old!Shaka: What is it, Salvador.

Salvador: Can you... sing for me?

Shaka stops combing and oiling his trainers hair to stare at him. If it were possible, he'd be raising an eyebrow right now.

Old!Shaka: Aren't you a bit old for lullabies, child?

Salvador: Ha ha. Very funny. I ask only because my mind has been wracked lately with such unpleasant thoughts and what may be premonitions. They torment me so, and I can't sleep right. Even with them by my side...

Old!Shaka: Have you told Yveltal of your predicament?

Salvador: I have. And Yveltal does try, don't get me wrong. But my head still plagues me so with scenes so unbearable they keep me awake.

Old!Shaka: What kinds of scenes...?

Salvador: I don't know. I can never remember them clearly, but they're always... dark. Dark and cold and cruel. I ask for your singing only because it's one of the few things that seems to soothe me. Ever since childhood...

Shaka ponders for a moment, before looking back to Salvador's back.

Old!Shaka: You always tell me my choices in songs are too sad and pessimistic.

Salvador: I don't particularly care tonight. You could sing the most craven song you could think of and I feel it would still be able to put my heart and head at ease...

Shaka sighs as he puts down the comb and the oils.

Old!Shaka: Only for you, fils.

Shaka thinks for a moment, before beginning to sing a tune with a soothing - yet melancholic - baritone while stroking through Salvador's tended hair.

Old!Shaka: Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Despite Salvador being proven right in Shaka's depressing, macabre choice of song. He nevertheless finds himself being lulled to sleep.

Old!Shaka: Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their pet just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows

Salvador has begun to drift off into slumber, and yet, Shaka continues for one more verse.

Old!Shaka: Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Ah, give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you've been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes

Shaka stands up.

Old!Shaka: And everybody knows

The old Gallade folds his arms behind his back, and slowly makes his way out of the room as his trainer falls further into his slumber.

Old!Shaka: Everybody knows
Everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows.

Lumiose Hospital

Isbrand: "Don't."

-But Jessica lifts back the blanket anyway. Isbrand's left leg has been reduced to a thigh, rounded off right above where the knee would be.-

Isbrand: "I'm gonna be sick."

-Jessica replaces the blanket and hugs Isbrand.-

Jessica: "...I need to go get the doctor."

Snowpoint Hospital

-Brie is playing a phone game about raising Dragon-types-

Someday, I should really see some part of Sinnoh besides Snowpoint...and maybe try and get here when things aren't awful.

-when Amanita enters the room-

Amanita: How are you feeling?

Brie: ...Not great.

Amanita: Really? You look good.

Brie: I just feel...off. And Skyfire's hurt, too. I know I'm getting better, but...I don't know how much better we'll get. I know I should look at this as a chance to rest...

Amanita: You don't need to be optimistic about everything.

Brie: Yeah, but I'm going to start crying if I'm not.

Amanita: I think you're allowed.

Snowpoint Hospital, outside

-PEFE!Every is playing in the snow-

-at least, this is the best that Ever can determine-

Ever: What are you doing?

PEFE!Every: I need another spare of myself, so I'm going to clone some memories into this snowwoman.

Ever: ...We've been in Snowpoint for too long.

Sinnoh Underground, Lucius's Secret Base

-Despite several metres of solid earth standing between Lucius and the surface, Ever's message gets through where dozens have failed.-

-Not that anyone's sending Lucius dozens of messages, but you get the point.-

Lucius: Ah, finally I'm getting a bloody signal in here!

-He rolls over on the pile of cardboard boxes, unfolded clothes and lager cans that is currently serving as his bed.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Dec 7th 2018 at 2:59:22 PM

Snowpoint Hospital, Brie's room

Brie: I'm not going to cry. I'm not.

Amanita: There's no great reason for that. You're hurt. It's our job to be there for you, not the other way around. There's nobody to defend, and it's okay to be scared.

Brie: ...Looks dumb.

Amanita: We're family. It's my job to see you when you're looking dumb.

-Brie lets out a sharp laugh, just a little too sharp-

-and that breaks the dam, and she's pretty quickly sobbing into Amanita's shoulder-

Snowpoint, outside

Sinnoh Underground, Lucius's Secret Base

Near Somebody

-someone might hear a dense, hissing flapping noise, as well as some odd burbling chatter-

Snowpoint Hospital

Ever: Hey, Pef. Can you go grab Lucius? He's in a secret base under Snowpoint.

PEFE!Every: I do not exist to assist you in moving your boyfriend.

Ever: Do you have something better to do?

-PEFE!Every examines her snowlem-

PEFE!Every: ...Fine.

Lucius's Base

PEFE!Every: ...You live like this?

Rotary: <For the love of Groudon grab on; I want to be out of here as soon as possible.>

Edited by memyselfandI2 on Dec 7th 2018 at 7:49:42 AM

Sinnoh Underground, Lucius's Secret Base

Lucius: GAH!

-He does end up clinging to Rotary, mostly as a result of jumping out of bed and sending beer cans flying everywhere upon PEFE!Every's sudden materialisation.-

Lucius: Don't do that to me, Grey! It's called a Secret Base for a reason! Also I'll have you know that this place is perfectly organised. I know exactly where everything is - it's either in a box, or on the floor. If it's not in one, it's on the other. The system's simplicity itself! You oughta try it sometime.

Edited by Herbert40k on Dec 7th 2018 at 3:59:48 PM

Lucius's Base

PEFE!Every: ...Every space I occupy is meticulously organized. And I sleep in a bed. It's quite nice.

Snowpoint Hospital

Rotary: <Please let go of me now.>

Ever: Hey, Lu! How's it hanging~

Snowpoint Hospital

-Lucius blinks at Ever.-

Lucius: ...Uh, well, Claydol are kinda hard and uncomfortable to be hanging onto, so I'm gonna stop hanging onto one now.

-He detaches himself from Rotary and lands feet-first like a cat, a feat that would be more impressive if he hadn't already been facing upright and fallen all of about six inches.-

Lucius: Anyway, hey! Feels weird to be back in Snowpoint proper. As best my memory serves, last time I was here I nearly froze to death and got my ass handed to me by Candice. Which admittedly doesn't seem nearly as rough as what you guys had to deal with. You holding up okay?

Silas stretched as he stepped out of the zone, "Arceus that was a mess."

Bishop nodded, "Very much so Captain, feels good to be back in our universe and to finally have time to relax."

"That was supposed to be the vacation, a nice jaunt to a future world where I have access to amazing tech."

Bishop shrugged as he carried the extra goods, some of which were rather dangerous, "Still I look forward to piloting the Oblivion Wing Again, did you get anything of note?"

"Some ideas on how to improve the thrusters and such, I wanna turn that into a proper ship one day."

Silas suddenly found himself being hugged, by Ribbon, still in human form, "Welcome back!" she said with glee.

"Please let go of me," Silas responded with his trademark monotone. Roxy frowned and let go of him and gave him a look.

"You know you could try to act happy to see me."

"I am, I just don't express it," Silas responded.

Hacks waved Roxy off, ~Forget it Rox, he's like that remember?~

Roxy sighed, "Well fine, anyways let's get you back on board the Wing, we got a lot of questions and such!"

Silas sat down on the couch and let out a deep sigh, "Arceus I feel sore," he had just finished explaining to everyone what had happened in the Foxverse.

Hacks hopped up next to Silas and sat next to him, both thankful to be back next to each other, Silas grunted a bit and opened his eyes, looking at Roxy, "So..."

"So what?"

"When are you gonna change back?"

Roxy put a finger to her chin in thought and mockingly made a expression of contemplation before responding, "No."

Silas blinked, "Wait seriously?"

Oliver landed on his head, <Yep, she's staying like this.>

"Why?"

"Why not? I like being human, it's actually really great! I got t h u m b s!"

Silas frowned, "Any other reasons?"

Roxy nodded, "One big one. You miss having a human companion beside you, and I wanna stay human, so it works out."

Silas blinked, "wha-"

"Don't you start to deny it!" Roxy interrupted, "I've seen the look in your eye Silas. You miss Megan, you miss having her by your side."

Silas leaned forward and his frown grew deeper, "She's busy with other stuff, it's not a bi-"

"Silas. Stop," Roxy put simply.

Silas looked to Roxy, who continued; "You two formed a instant bond, the two of you got along great and from what I hear, she even got you to Mega-Evolve successfully, even made you fire that big ol aura beam that you've made your weapon of choice. You're not wrong to miss her, hell I'd be envious of a friendship like that."

Silas rubbed the back of his neck, "I think we did with Pollen, never felt right about that."

Roxy shrugged, "Look Silas, I joined you because you'd provide something amazing, adventures and opportunities, never said I wanted to spend them in pokemon form. I just wanna keep exploring, but with the added benefit of working digits that can hold things and not needing a translator."

Silas thought about it, "... Fine, I do have to say... no contest stuff."

"Aw, I had a twin Lucarios act, especially one with a bionic arm and aura storm, woulda been amazing."

Silas sighed, Hacks laughed a bit, ~Good to be home huh?~

"Good to be home, and to have money to pay for this... also mobile home."

The Trucks were kickstarted and took off, Silas grunted as they got close to the runaway train, Draconic Troops inside it, "Hey Drakos!"

"What?"

"How bad would it be to lose this?"

"The infrastructure is already under attack, why do you ask?!"

Silas took a deep breath and brought his hands together, "Bishop prepare to compensate, we've never done this before here!"

"Affirmative captain!"

"Kaaaaaaaaa"

"What's he doing?!"

"Meeeeeeeeey... Haaaaaaaaaaa Meeeeeeeeey..."

Drakos could only stare as aura began to collect in Silas's hands, wondering what in the name of the Distortion World he was doing. Silas quickly responded with a very surprising answer.

"HAAAAAAAAAA!"

He thrust his hands out and a large auric beam flew out and did massive damage to the train in front of them, several troops being taken out, he took a deep breath and leaned a bit into the bed, "Nice work Bishop."

"Thank you Captain."

Cylus is walking through the town, when he sees Nana and smirks, "Oh this is too good."

PEFE HQ - FINALLY Present Day

-Knock knock.-

Kaiiseii: "Open up the door, it's real."

-Isbrand's door clicks.-

Kaiiseii: "How's it going?"

-Isbrand grunts. A prosthetic leg forged from metal leans next to her desk, which is covered in various papers and notebooks. Isbrand herself is lying in her hammock, rocking gently.-

Isbrand: "How's your eye?"

Kaiiseii: "Well enough. It's kinda hard to art with no depth perception. Your leg?"

-Isbrand snorts derisevly.-

Isbrand: "Still missing."

Kaiiseii: "Mmm."

"Cheesecake?"

Isbrand: "Of course."

-Kaiiseii takes a seat and wheels over to Isbrand, holding out a plate.-

-The two sit in silence for a while, eating.-

Elizabeth's Module

-Elizabeth ties up her hair in a ponytail as she checks on the egg.-

Elizabeth: "When will you hatch?"

Mobius Raid - You Thought We Were Done

-Ace, having stayed to pick through the rubble, spies a strange sight among the rubble.-

-Right where The Beast died, there's an egg. It looks like a Bulbasaur egg, but it's the size of a chicken egg, whatever that is.-

Ace: <Signs of a scuffle, lots of blood and acid...no corpse.>

<I imagine I'm right.>

Snowpoint Hospital

Ever: I didn't fight some weird Ditto for 36 hours. I'm fine. Just booooored. And Brie broke my arm. So selfish of her.

-they frown-

...But yeah. She's doing okay, but I've been worried.

Falconan

~Weeb.~

-Shaun high-fives Lyra.-

Shaun: "Now what? Jump on the train, or keep driving?"

Snowpoint Hospital

Lucius: Yeah, I can tell. You're all on edge. If you were bored and only bored, you would've tried to summon me just to see if it worked.

-He gives a brief smile, which fades as he leans in a little closer to Ever.-

Lucius: Sucks about your arm, though. And your cousin. She bounced back from being named after a cheese, though, so I'm sure she'll come out the other end okay.

Snowpoint Hospital

Ever: Right, yeah. I wanted you around more than I wanted to conduct the experiment.

PEFE!Every: Unrelatable.

Ever: Nobody asked. And yeah, I'm sure she'll be fine, but like...you know Brie. Do you know Brie? You don't know Brie. She takes a lot on herself. It's hard to know when she's holding up well or not.

Snowpoint Hospital, Brie's room

Brie: Everything still feels so weird. I can't walk for more than a few seconds, I can barely pick anything up...Skyfire—

-she cuts off again. Amanita hugs her silently-

Snowpoint Hospital

Lucius: Awww, you're sweet~

-He gives Ever another smile, and unlike the last one, this one sticks around.-

Lucius: Sure I know Brie. She's the cheese one. And if she's anything like you, she's good at dealing with stuff right up until she isn't, whereupon she needs friends on hand to bail her out and help her deal with everything she's repressed prior to that point. Am I right?

N's Castle, Past

-Pent sighs and finally gets out from cover-

Well, I guess we've cleared out the Rabbid presence here. Time to wait for the next flashpoint?

Falconan, Past

-The limp robot in the corner of one of the trucks attempts to give a thumbs-up to that display of power but can't quite manage it-

Somewhere, 7th of December

~Ping~

/Duck/: >I am back sir. Sorry for any- Hm, what's this...

-Pent almost rolls off whatever he's laying on and scrambles over to his laptop-

Where the frig have you been mate? Also sorry if I messed with your stuff.

/Duck/: >I will admit that some of my sorting system has been disturbed, I thought I created a search tool precisely for this situation?

-While the two chat, a phone attached to an RC vehicle rolls into the location and straight into the backpack while Pent isn't looking-

Uh... Where did you put said tool?

/Duck/: >... Ah, yes maybe I should of installed it to desktop... Anyway it appears from your truncated calendar entry that you're attending a party at Asimov over the holidays. Thankfully that means I do not have to arrange delivery.

Delivery? Of what? Where did you go?

/Duck/: >I'm sorry, I must maintain confidentiality for reasons of Christmas surprises sir.