“I’m not a particularly big fan of tea, but I think my mum is. Maybe we could stay for a little bit, just relax? I don’t know, I forgot to pack food for myself. (I share my last braincell with Laura. It’s true.) Hey science photo man, do you have any dietary info about my kind?”

Clara opens her Master Ball as her mother appears before the group... and promptly falls over.

<Mum, are you alright? Let me get you up, you could be hurt...>

<I’m fine, I just forgot how to walk for a second.>

Wedgehurst, Beckett Farm

Farmer Beckett: Lass, ya think you'd know what your kind ought to be eatin'. Just tell us what ye normally have and I'll check the ice box—

Beck: Dad, cut her some slack. Humans don't eat what they ought to be eating, either.

Tommy: Timburr-lines are omnivorous. Berries, fruits, and other odd plant and pokémon material. Some trainers opt to give gurdurrs and conkeldurrs protein shakes.

Farmer Beckett: Not sure about the protein shakes—gonna have ta check the mart down the street. But we do have some berries, fruit, vegetables, freshly milled wholemeal flour, and the hotline for Crispy Fried Kitchen. All organic, too.

Triumphant baas can be heard from the paddock not far from them.

Stormchaser, Outside Luca's Room

Roman: <Think it's too on-the-nose?>

-The sign pinned to the door says "Out to resolve my deep-seated family issues".-

I doubt anyone will find this room anyway. This ship is...weird.

Hayden looked around the village, "Magnificent," He commented.

Arthur had to admit, it was quite the sight. Clutch had less positive feelings about it, <Feh, another place for organics.>

All that earned him was a glare of ire from Marauder.

Hayden said nothing about the population themselves, but it had him pondering, "Perhaps we should investigate, see what year people are from."

Roxy stared as the mattresses burned, Amber gleefully burning them, "We're gonna have to make a lot of orders... Snakeye how is the internet?"

Snakeye sounded very surprised when he said, <Workin.>

Roxy tapped a finger to her chin in thought, and then realized she was doing one of Silas's bits, "Note to self, develop own thinking tic."

The fact that wireless internet worked, electricity still powered things, cars drove, trucks moved, but stuff like the pDroid or the remote to the Wing... something here was preventing more of the advanced technologies from working out here.

“Blech, protein shakes... tried some in west Unova once and they were... j- I can’t even describe how Arceus-awful they were! It’s like they blended an Aspear into chocolate milk oatmeal! Absolutely horrid! (Swear to Kyurem...)”

As Clara contemplated her choices, her mother awkwardly tried to communicate with the humans through the little knowledge of Galarian she had.

“Bi... bel- berr... berri? Berry? A...”

<You want berries, mum?>

Metropolis of Vanity

".. He's supposed to be vain or something, so 'stealing' the show from him sounds like it'd work to piss him off and draw him out...?"

Turffield Outskirts

Rikuo watches the Styler spin. He's.. vaguely aware of how Rangers function. He saw them mentioned on tv once or twice after he started traveling with Daydre, anyway. He's also reasonably sure that this person he just meant won't make him do something weird, and so...

Distortion World

-Duolis is looking over all this with a mix of awe and abject horror-

Duolis: ...Pleasure to meet you, Haru. If I haven't already.

Hammerlocke

Gaius: Hey! Whoever you are, if you're trying to interfere, consider: Don't.

Petra: <You think predator, but are prey.>

Takumi: I'm armed.

Metropolis Of Vanity

Royal: So... Ditch the stealth angle and get famous?

Flamel: <Well then how do we get the attention of the blue Shadows? They seem keen to ignore us.>

Motostoke Gym

-Jim is attacking Kabu's Ninetales-

-By tickling its tails with his spoon-

-At the very least he hasn't been cursed yet.-

Beckett Farm

Farmer Beckett emerges from the house, followed by a Sinistea, a chargabug, and a grubbin.

Farmer Beckett: Boys, ye dad's home. Jules, they've something ta say. Translate for us.

The grubbin crawled all over Jules, while the chargabug kinda just glowered at him and mumbled.

Jules: The missus is out with her friends at the hairdressers.

Farmer Beckett: Good. Sterling, ya mum should be back by dinner. Anyone up for tea? Fred's got ya covered. Sit down on the garden furniture. Sterling, get the cups, sweets, and berries.

Fred the Polteageist: <I've got to make tea.>

Tommy: You need help Mr. Beckett?

Farmer Beckett: It's all right Mr. Petersen. Sterling and I will attend to you, Clara, and your pokémon soon.

Beck returns with a few porcelain cups.

Beck: I got the good ones, dad.

Castelia Karaoke

The Pearsons are singing in duet.

Adrian: Say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude

Say you need me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
...that's all I ask of you

Lars: Share each day with me
Each night, each morning
Say you feel the way I do
That's all I ask of you

The Pearsons in Unison: Anywhere you go, let me go too
Love me
That's all I ask of you

The attendees erupt in rapturous applause. Jonathan appears to be crying tears of joy.

Adrian: See, I told you we should've done the [Phantom].

Lars: [RENT] is fine, Tom-Tom. Let it go.

Jane: We'll do that next year.

Edited by MasterJayAM on May 2nd 2020 at 4:53:12 PM

Hammerlocke

"Before we do anything rash," Roy offered. "We should listen to what there is to hear." He reasoned.

Vanity Concert Hall

"I guess some people are just haters," Rage and Love shrugged. "But if I can find a guitar somewhere I can put on a performance."

Metropolis of Vanity

"Well, we could go the route of internet infamy and say something unpopular and intentionally inflammmatory loudly enough that everyone hears us."

Distortion World, past

-Just takes everything in-

Hammerlocke, past

-To the mysterious armored person-

That mistake being?

Metropolis of Vanity

-Thinking out loud-

I wonder if the key might be defeating enough of the red Shadows...

Wild Area, Watchtower Ruins

Ever: Okay, so...that's settled.

Brie: Is it? There are still a lot of Sinistea...

Ever: Yeah, but the big one shrank and went away, so I think it's basically fine?

Sinistea Swarm: -clink, rattle, roll-

Brie: ...Did we help it reproduce?

Ever: Yeah, I don't feel great about that.

Brie: Oh, we should check for loot.

Ever: Loot?

Brie: They leave stuff behind a lot. Old one-use TMs, some bits of Rare Candy, some other stuff usually.

Ever: -scooping up some bits of unwrapped sugary stuff- How do you know it's Rare Candy?

Brie: Oh, there's a guy who told me.

Ever: How'd he know?

Brie: ...I really hope a guy told him.

Ever: There's no way this shakes out comfortably.

Brie: There really isn't.

Hammerlocke Power Plant

You're going to fight him here, where this ritual that refreshes his immortal flame lays. You take him down here, he's liable to throw those that fight at his side into the fire to sustain himself. Even those that only fight because they're forced to.

-Nightingale twitches, one arm going to draw a sword from her back before she stops herself-

Richard, our mutual friend would trust me when I tell you the fight cannot occur on this ritual. Friends of yours could come to harm when they don't mean to.

-She tenses and tries very hard to stay still and nonthreatening despite her trembling-

It is never my intention to betray old friends, but there's magic stronger than intent.

-There's a pause, and the next words push through the helmet's speakers with difficulty due to how quietly she says them-

Please don't let me burn.

Vanity City

Anthem: <If it's anything like the other Palaces we just kick some asses, explore around and the answer will probably turn up.>

Shift: That sounds stupid but I don't have a better answer.

Shadesden

-There's a number of gasps and whispers around the immediate area as Hazel transforms. Haru furrows his brow.-

Haru: ...That's an unusual ability you have there. I... would advise not flashing it around too much; most people who come here do not do so willingly, after all, and they tend not to be especially comfortable with... magic, or the like.

-He turns to Duolis (and briefly to Hayden, as well), a confused look on his face.-

Haru: I can't imagine we've had reason to meet? I've been here in Shadesden since I was born, most of us have. The town was established many generations ago, by our ancestors who were banished by the lord of Spectra, but age has long since taken everyone from that time.

Nazena: Pardon me for asking, but as I understand it, there isn't supposed to be a passage of time in this world. How have centuries passed like normal here?

Haru: I cannot say. Time does seem to stand still for new residents, but the more they allow themselves to integrate into the community, the more time seems to act normally for them, and they live and age and pass like anyone else.

Clara and her mother sat at the garden table, waiting for the others. Audnoi, after some intense wriggling around inside her Pokéball, joined in too.

<Audnoi, don’t get cranky, alright? There are humans here.>

Being quite the naïve Pokémon, Mama was inspecting the cup in front of her, completely enthralled. Holding it, rubbing it with her fingertips, tapping it... it was as if she’d found enlightenment. Except, you know, in reality she was just looking at a goddamn cup.

<c.... cup...>

Wedgehurst, Beckett Farm

The polteageist appears to be singing.

Fred: <It's strange but it's brewed. I hope you've come to love it like I do.>
<But I have to be sure>
<When you walk out that door>
<That you loved my great tea.>
<Ooooooh how I love to maaake tea.>

The floating porcelain teapot rhythmically floats above the cups Beck left for his family's guests. The polteageist in them pours a strange black tea on the cups in a mesmerizing manner. It smells unbelievably good.

Fred: <I've got to make tea. I've got to maaaake teaaaa. I've got, I've got, I've got to maaaaake... teeaaaaaaa.>

Mr. Beckett returns with some clotted cream, butter, crumpets, berry jams, and scones.

Beck: How many lumps of sugar do you all prefer? Anyone prefer milk? Wooloo, Gogoat, or Miltank? We're one of the few farms in the district with a license to raise non-natives. It is a pain to get everything through customs. Sir Nigel can just shove it.

Tommy: Eh, when in Galar... Four sugars and Wooloo milk.

Edited by MasterJayAM on May 2nd 2020 at 5:14:52 PM

distortion world, Shadesden

-Hazel quickly pockets her necklace.-

Hazel: Oh, sorry.

Bridger: <Wait, the lord of spectra? Do you think they meant the ghost lord?>

Hazel: If it is, that would explain things.

Motostoke stadium battle, past

-The attacks clash, creating a large cloud of water vapour. Celsian and the Centiskorch return to normal size. The cloud clears and the Centiskorch faints. Violet jumps up and down in excitement.-

Kabu: You were able to deal with your team's type disadvantage and defeat me! Take this fire badge as proof of your victory.

Violet obtained the Fire Badge!

wedgehurst, now

-Someone may notice Violet, her team, and a strangely coloured Chimecho wandering around carrying a nice looking chocolate cake.-

Edited by QuantumMelody29 on May 2nd 2020 at 9:15:24 AM

Wedgehurst

The aroma of an exceptionally good tea can be sniffed in the air. It's emanating from a nearby farm.

Wedgehurst

Copper: <Do you guys smell burning?>

Ferric: <No.>

Copper: <Come on, you guys are no fun. Play along for once, why don't you?>

Violet: Do you want cake or not? Wait, am I the only one here who smells tea?

Platto: <Yes, and I can tell it's coming from over there!>

-They follow the scent and approach the ongoing tea party. Violet pulls out Copper's quick ball.-

Violet: Sorry, Copper. I promise I'll let you out soon.

-She withdraws copper and heads towards the house with the rest of her team.-

Violet: Is this where the smell of nice tea is coming from?

Edited by QuantumMelody29 on May 2nd 2020 at 9:40:45 AM

Wedgehurst

Beck: Can we help you?

Fred, still obviously singing: <I'll go make more tea!>

Fred floats down to the cottage to get more leaves.

Farmer Beckett: Sterling, let them in. They came by the front door. They are guests. I know what solicitors look like. They've none of their tells. Come in and join us for tea. You must be tired from your journey.

Wedgehurst

Violet: Thanks.

-She withdraws Ferric and Antimony before coming in.-

Celsian: <Hey! Have you been in an accident that wasn't your fault?>

-Violet and Platto sigh.-

“I don’t really like tea all that much, but I might try it with some Miltank milk. Make sure you get Audnoi here lots of sugar. Also, do you have any sourbread? I- I mean, Audnoi loves the stuff. And maybe me too a little bit. (I really like sourbread...)”

<Mum, quit being weird with the cup and drink your tea please.>

Audnoi held up as many “fingers” as she could, seemingly implying how many doses of sugar she wanted. Clara took a finger out to sample some cream right from the container. Mama daintily sipped the tea up in one long swig, then went right back to admiring the cup. Some people never change.

Wedgehurst

The charjabug and the vikavolt look at each other.

Jules, the vikavolt, in accented Galarian via speech device: Define "accident"?

Julian the charjabug: <Define fault>

Beck: Make yourself at home. We're the Becketts. My name is Sterling, and me old man over there is the owner of the property.

Farmer Beckett: Hogarth Beckett. A pleasure. Feel free to roam in the yard but don't bother the wooloo. I had to chase off a troublemaker who kept rolling them down the hills once.

Beck: I'll have someone see to his disciplinary action personally, dad.

Beck quickly turned to Clara and her companions and noted their requests before entering the house again. He comes back with the requested accoutrements.

Farmer Beckett: There should still be some sourdough bread left in the kitchen. Sterling will get it for you.

Wedgehurst

-Celsian strikes a dramatic pose.-

Celsian: <Who cares what they mean! You should just pay my solicitor firm money!>

Platto: <You really need to work on your fake solicitor spiel.>

Violet: Nice to meet you. Mind if I have some tea? It smells really nice. I also have this chocolate cake we could share.

As Clara twiddled her fingers waiting for the bread, Audnoi poured copious amounts of sugar into her tea. Mama played around with the cup a bit more before setting it down and waiting alongside her daughter.

<Coco, you don’t mind if I have some of the breadstuffs here, right?>

<No, mom, they’re not mine. Go ahead.>