Circhester

Star: ...Oh. Well—

Janice: <No.>

Star: —Janice! Sure, you can hug me. I guess?

Ballonlea

Kim: "Alright, then. I shall wait here."

(She turns to face Ian.)

Kim: "What shall we do now?"

Galarian Museum

Kaylan: <Yes... please...>

Circhester

Cuddles: <Yay~!>

(And with that said, Cuddles jumps up onto Star's lap and engulfs her in a warm, soft, fuzzy hug, nuzzling up against her.)

Circhester

Star: ! -She lets Cuddles settle onto her lap and then somewhat hesitantly, reaches out to pet the huggy Gavantula-

-To Braker- So, what did you need the newspaper for?

Edited by stargirl93 on Apr 11th 2021 at 11:56:57 AM

Hammerlock Hotel

-Gale Knight was having a problem with her planning for the big finale of her gym city cooking streams: Her plan for the end was a feast for all the trainers before the championships. Yes, there was the issue that the spread of where trainers were in the region was incredibly wide-spread that was not the issue at play with the plan; Gale just considered that people could turn up to the party no matter where in the challenge they were-

-No, the problem she had figured out was that making a full on feast was going to take more than one experienced chef-

Hm. Hmmmmm...

-She pondered this problem as she started setting up for today's stream; get the ingredients together and prepared, set the bot up with the recipe, make sure moderators were standing by... It was a lot, but thankfully it wouldn't take too long to be ready. She just needed her guest-

Circhester

Braker: "Simple. I needed it to check the news. Walter and I are going to be doing a 'live report' soon straight from [YouTube], and we want to get all the news possible." (He looks down at the paper.) "Let's see..."

(He flips through the paper. Multiple news headlines come up, including: "GALARIAN MUSEUM ATTACKED BY GHOST LORD SERVANT; PERPERTRATOR CAUGHT IN OLD POKEBALL", "APRIL FOOLS DAY SHENANIGANS ENSUE", "BOND DEFEATS BEDE; STUNS WITH TWO EVOLUTIONS", "GALVANTULA SOMEHOW WITHSTANDS EARTHQUAKE; GOES ON TO WIN AGAINST MARNIE", "EPIC BATTLE AT WYNDON TO OCCUR BETWEEN FATHER AND... WE DON'T KNOW IF THIS PERSON IS HIS SON OR NOT, BUT THEY'RE FIGHTING FOR HIS DAUGHTER". Braker giggles a bit at the last headline.)

Walter: <Well, they're at least being honest.>

Braker: "Indeed. Regardless, this has a ton of incredible content. Thank you... um... I'm afraid I'll need your name."

(Meanwhile, Cuddles looks over at Star in slight confusion.)

Cuddles: <Ohnononono! It's okay! Don't worry, I'm not going to bite you.>

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Apr 12th 2021 at 10:11:59 AM

Circhester

Star: -Petting Cuddles- Star. And you?

Circhester

Braker: "Leonard Braker. The Wobbuffet is my starter, Walter, and the Galvantula... you know who he is already."

Walter: <Pleasure.>

(Meanwhile Cuddles is still hugging Star and is enjoying being petted.)

Textspace

Hammerlocke

There's a knock on Pent's door.

Parfait: <Huh.>

League Official: -eyeroll- Pretend I'm not even here.

-they turn around and stick their fingers in their ears, muttering "J-Team"-

Parfait: -headscritching- <Eh...being honest, so have all the ones we've run into.>

-twiddling fingers, characteristically accuracy-inclined- <...all but one. Maybe. It was weird and the memories don't make much sense.>

Logan: -staring at the Official- ...details?

Parfait: -shrug- <Didn't even fight 'em, really. Tried, barely missed 'em, managed to overhear...>

-squinting at the memory- <Meta...meta-something? One maybe gold in a little bunch of purples, there was a weird beep and then they all just...>

-illustrative gesture- <Poof! Vanished.>

Logan: ...

-...-

Addie: -poke the 'spine- <...we could always wake her up and ask her.>

League Official: Please don't.

Parfait: -quizzical- <Weren't you not listening?>

League Official: I was talking to that guy.

That Guy: Excuse me, what?

League Official: The other that guy.

That Guy: -looks around- ...?

Addie: <She's not that strong on her own. And we broke her gun.>

Ballonlea

After leaving the others, Hoops moves to the East side of Ballonlea. Here they come across a large house surrounded by trees, and out the back there is a large battlefield, the weeds on it showing that it hasn't been used in a while. They take a deep breath and press the buttons on their pokeballs, releasing their team. Sal and Led go silent when they see the house.

Led: <So we're here.>

Kec: <We are.>

Sud: <What is here?>

Hoops: This, Sud, everyone, is my childhood home.

Tot: <It's huge! You've been holding out on us, boss!>

Hoops: Yeah, Dad never became a champion but he was good enough to get sponsors following him around for years. That let him afford this place.

Kec: <You don't have to go in.>

Hoops ignores them and climbs the front steps of the porch. They still have the key in their bag, and the key still works, so they unlock the door and slowly push it open. The action shifts a large pile of untouched mail, mostly coupons and vouchers. They gesture at them.

Hoops: Tot, Kit, can you look through those and see if any of them are still in date. Would be a waste of paper if none of them got used.

The two pokemon get to work, while Sud stays by the door and watches them, at Kec's request. The trainer and the three pokemon that lived in the house continue forwards, coming into a spacious living room.

On the coffee table is a box that is marked "Jamie" in a marker pen. Hoops visibly stiffens as they look at it.

Kec: <Maybe you two go look and see if there's anything else here.>

Sal: <Yeah, we'll just... well, call us if you need us.>

Once the two are gone, they stare at the box for a minute.

Kec: <You know you don't have to open it.>

Hoops: I know. But this is probably the last thing he ever wanted to say to me. Don't I owe him a listen?

Kec: <You don't owe him anything. Absolutely nothing.>

Hoops reaches for the box. It isn't sealed, and opens to reveal a letter and six pokeballs nestled beneath them.

Kec: <You don't have to read it.>

They open the letter.

Jamie, I don't think I have a lot of time left, and I doubt I'll see you again to say this to your face. So I'm writing this letter in the hopes that some day you'll come home and see it. I've had people in my employ tell me of your activities since you left home, and I have to say that I've never been more disappointed. You're skipping around Galar pretending at being a trainer with a team that's frankly an embarrassment to my name. I understand that you seemed intent on resisting my attempts to teach you, but you must have realised that with the choices you are making there is only so far you can go. If it hasn't happened already you will soon face a losing streak, and when that happens, the pokeballs in this box contain a new team that I built for you. If you want to be the champion that you were always supposed to be, then grow up and begin using them. And I've had people come and feed and take care of the pokemon twice a week and they will continue to do so for the next two years, so do not be concerned about their health. Grow up. Father.

Hoops and Kec stare at the letter in silence.

Kec: <Hoops...>

Hoops: It's fine! I'm fine! Come on, let's go.

They gather up the other pokemon and leave, slamming the door roughly behind them. Once out of the house, Hoops recalls their pokemon besides Kec and screams in frustration. Several people walking past look over in concern and then scurry away.

Kec: <Maybe we should go and meet with the others?>

Hoops nods. They leave the house behind to go to Evelyn's family.

Ballonlea, Evelyn's House

Evelyn: Tadaima!^note I'm home!

-A woman with raven black hair and deep brown eyes wearing a deep blue dress turns around and smiles at Evelyn with a rather motherly smile.-

Evelyn's Mother: Welcome home, Evelyn. How is your adventure so far?

Evelyn: It's going very well, mom. I already earned four Galar Gym Badges.

Agnes: I'm So Proud of You, Evelyn. I assume you're here for your Gym Challenge?

Evelyn: You'd assume correctly. But it's really late and the Gym might be closed for the day, so I want to ask you if I can have a few friends sleep over for the night.

Agnes: Tell them that any friend of my daughter is welcome in our home.

Evelyn: Arigato, mama.^note Thanks, mom.

Agnes: You're most welcome.

-Evelyn leaves her house and heads back to the group.-

Ballonlea

Evelyn: I'm back.

Me: What did your mother say?

Evelyn: She said "any friend of my daughter is welcome in our home." That means we can sleep over at my place for the night.

-Beat-

Evelyn: That is, if you're okay with it.

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Apr 12th 2021 at 4:19:51 AM

Circhester

Star: Nice to meet you. Also, this is Janice.

Janice: <Yo.>

Star: See anything interesting in the news?

Hammerlocke — Schoolyard Rumors

-Corrin blinks.-

Corrin: The Meta— (whispers) The Metaverse?

Mason: ...That would make an... uncomfortable amount of sense. I don't like how much sense that makes. I really don't like it.

Hammerlocke Hotel

-Gale flawlessly pivots from her meal prep to opening the door-

Heya!

Ballonlea

By this time, Hoops has returned to the group, having only been gone for about fifteen minutes in total. Though they seem distracted, they answer the question.

Hoops: Yeah, that would be great. I mean, if it's fine to stay at your house then I'd love to.

Wyndon

Ever: Well, here we are in Wyndon.

-...-

-...-

-who's we?-

Ever: Well, it's been that kind of a year. Avery, is there a reason you've concealed yourself in that bush?

Technically, I've concealed her.

Avery: Sometimes you need a place to mope, and anywhere you do it in public runs a risk of someone noticing, like you have.

Ever: Yeah, sorry, after the fourth or fifth time someone tries to trick you with an illusion, you start getting the hang of spotting them. Kudos on the job, though, Facade.

Yeah, it gets tough being this talented.

Ever: -sitting down inside the illusory bush and petting Facade- Sure does. What's on your mind?

Avery: Are we friends now?

Ever: I'm choosing to believe it.

Avery: Well, uh, that version of you from the other universe broke up with me. Well, it was mutual. But like, mutual in the sense where she broke up with me. You know?

Ever: Hm, so I am not emotionally equipped to respond in any way to that, but I guess I might as well try. Sorry to hear it.

Avery: I didn't really expect much else.

Ever: In my defense, if you'd just broken up with literally any person who isn't an alternate universe iteration of me...

Avery: No, no, I get it.

Ever: Like, if you wanna talk—

Avery: No, you're right, it'd be weird.

Ever: Want someone to sit morosely in an illusory bush with?

Avery: That'd be nice.

-...-

-...-

-gloomy whistled duet of the anime theme-

Avery: I kind of hate that song.

Ever: Everyone pretends they hate it but actually loves it.

Avery: ...

-...-

-whistled duet of next verse-

Avery: Hey, uh, thanks, I guess? I know we don't talk a lot—

Ever: To be fair, I don't talk to anyone a lot.

Avery: —but I really do appreciate that you're willing to, uh, just sit around in an illusory bush with someone?

Ever: You kind of got absorbed into the J-team, right? I figure there's like, at least a little duty to pay attention. Check in from time to time.

Avery: I'm not, though.

Ever: You say that, but you're wearing a J-team badge.

Avery: I am no— Facade.

I'm a rascal.

Ever: You can talk, you know. We both understand you.

And give away that there's a Zorua around? Nah.

Ever: ...Fair enough.

Avery: I still want answers about that scarf, you know.

Ever: Oh, the scarf? That's easy, it's just—

-the world shimmers and shakes as beams of light converge in the road, and there appears-

Ever(?): ...

Ever: ...Well, that's a convenient distraction if I've ever seen one.

Not me this time!

Ever: See you in a bit!

Avery: Hey, wait, you can't just—

Hammerlocke Hotel

"Howdy," Kamui says simply, gesturing with some sort of cross between a wave and a salute with her right hand while adjusting her jacket. "Getting it all set up?" She reaches for her collar, ready to remove the Sliding Scale Choker.

Meanwhile in the Stormchaser

Silas wheeled his chair over to the scanner set, Snakeye and Bishop ferrying supplies around. The scanner itself going over the fancy belt that Daydre had handed him, a loud technobeat playing throughout the room.

"Alright future me, what secrets did you hide in this?" he commented.

Snakeye leaned over Silas's shoulder, <Why do you think a future you would hide anything?>

Silas gave a grin, "Because it's me we're talking about. If I'm an engineer, I want to engineer little tricks into it."

<Well, there is that.>

Silas turned the scanner's power up and began to look at all the little imperfections, "I could get this done in... say a few days."

"If you sleep, yes you could Captain," Bishop noted.

"Bishop how are we on my energy drink supply?"

Bishop let out a loud electronic static noise, the pory equivalent to a sigh, "Captain. Really?"

"There is research to be done, I want to compare against other notes and I don't want to leave this train of thought."

Snakeye stared, <Hoss... sleep?>

"Sleep is for the wea-"

Roxy stepped in, Silas paused. She glared at him, Silas sighed, "Okay fine I'll sleep... after I write detailed notes to reconnect my line of thinking."

Roxy smiled, "Better."

Ballonlea

Kim: "Of course. I wonder how she'll react to hearing that I have so many Pokemon..."

Circhester

Braker: "There are certainly a lot of interesting stories... I don't know which one to start with."

Walter: <You could maybe go and interview that Bond person; they seem interesting.>

Braker: "Indeed... but I have another idea."

Walter: <What's that?>

Braker: "Report on everything. And stream the whole thing live from [Twitch]."

Walter: <Everything? That does sound interesting. Usually we've only reported on just one or two topics. To be fair, though... they have newspapers for that.>

Braker: "I doubt they have live news straight from [Twitch], though."

Walter: <That's fair.>

(Cuddles, meanwhile, is still enjoying his pets and is snuggling up to Star to keep her warm.)

Hammerlocke Hotel

Yep, ready to roll. Just need to boot up the cam and folks will probably flood in to watch.

-Gale flashes a smile and heads over to her laptop to do that-

So, how's your gym challenge going? Or that band thing.

Oblivion Wing, Workshop

-Just as soon as Silas starts work, a voice speaks up from the doorway, just barely audible over the pounding techno.-

Alice: I'm not interrupting anything, am I? I'd hate to stand in the way of progress at work.

-It's worth noting that she looks... "haggard" is the wrong word, but nevertheless, signs of sleeplessness are evident in the bags under her eyes and the messiness of her hair. Still, she's wearing a faint smile as she looks between Silas and Roxy.-

Ballonlea

Me: I'm okay with it.

Evelyn: Great! Let's go.

-Evelyn leads Ian, Kim and Hoops to her house.-

Silas was about to comment on the state of research on hand, but a sharp look from everyone cut that short.

"No Alice, I'm free to talk," he said.

Roxy smiled and nodded, "That's better."

Silas looked over Alice, "Everything alright?" he asked turning the music off.

Ballonlea

(Kim nods and walks towards the house, eager to see who is inside. Eventually, she opens the door.)

Hammerlocke Hotel

"Well, we're both also here for the last Gym. And as for the band, honestly Colton's been having more fun sketching up hypothetical album covers - I think he's just having a lot of fun with the whole "we're in a band" thing more than actually being a musician." She shrugged.

"If nothing else I've been filling out my own team pretty well - caught some friends along the way, though I don't have them with me since I'd be here and not a lot of people are ready for Pokemon owning Pokemon."