Morgan: <I don't think they'd use artificial stuff in their milk, so... no. Unless the Miltank are ill-treated, then that would be bad.>

Desmond: Well... I think they're a cafe, not a criminal organization, Morgan.

Route 210

Atrin: Can't imagine they'd be treated badly. At least not if they know what they're doing. Healthier they are, better the milk, more likely the customers are to come back.

Atrin bends down and pets Mimir.

Desmond Well I'm thirsty, so let's chow down! Or I guess chug down?

He sets off towards the Cafe Cabin. A small wood cabin, with a magenta roof, neatly trimmed bushes, and a sign outside advertising the cafe, with a note at the bottom:

Fresh Moo Moo Milk! P500 a bottle! Special Offer! If you beat all our staff in a Pokemon battle, you get a free box of 12 Moo Moo Milk!

Seeing the offer, Morgan and Desmond grin at each other with a side-eye.

Desmond: Whaddya say, Atrin? Wanna warm-up? It's free mi-i-lk!

he calls in a sing-song voice.

Edited by Jules-Firenze on May 25th 2023 at 12:22:01 AM

Moomoo Cafe

Atrin looks at Mimir, and the two nod at each other.

Atrin: Well, when you put it that way...I don't think I can say no. You ready for this, Mimir?

Mimir nods again.

Jubilife, early March 2023

Lydia: -Continuing- Also, I still think the School is our best bet, it just needs to be... put under new management.

Chiyo: -Eyeroll- You're a Templar, of course you think it can be reformed.

Lydia: You destroy the School, where's everyone supposed to go? Not everyone's as strong or resourceful as you and your Batchmates.

Chiyo: Making excuses huh?

We've got ideas of how to fix that issue.

-Smirks-

You'll at least be able to do things with that guy to your heart's content.

???, today

Lydia: -Talking with another Templar- So I'll be heading to Paldea with little Iridium soon.

Beth: -Amused- Oh, is that so?

Lydia: What's that supposed to mean?

Beth: -Smugly- Well, I heard they're going to liquidate that Iridium later because they deemed her too dangerous, probably make a new one that's more compliant and all that. Seems you're out of a job now Lydia.

Lydia: -Voice betraying no emotion- That so?

Beth: -Brightly- Yup. It's for the better, just seeing her around makes my skin crawl, thinking of who she was derived from, the so-called Hope of the Schoolchildren.

Lydia: ...That's not going to happen.

Ambiguous Time

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 24th 2023 at 12:05:44 PM

Jubilife, early March

Lydia: ...People outside the School think that people are superior or inferior to others just on the basis of something as arbitrary as one's skin color, I'm supposed to believe it's worth integrating with them? Better they remain under School control.

Chiyo: You seem to be "integrating" with non-School people, with non-Aurics, just fine if you ask me. Wearing that thing he gave you when he's not even here right now.

-More serious-

The School already does that, the School influences the world, and the world influences it back. I noticed how sometimes those of us who looked more like you got more rations than the ones who looked more like me.

That's on top on how they look down on Aurics that don't fit their paradigm. Silver didn't fit for what No Heart wanted, so he got murdered. If I didn't get liquidated, my only choice would've just been living as an Alumni until one way or another, I died. Chloe already told me about what you said you Templars do to each other once you get too old, and the nasty games you play amongst yourselves.

Lydia: -Sharply- And like I told her, it's still our best bet for survival.

Chiyo: -Sharply right back- Fuck survival, I want to live. To not have Templars constantly dogging my footsteps and threatening the people I care about. And no matter how many barriers you want to put between it and you, you want it too. Freedom from how they want to define you, freedom to do what you want, which you'll never get even from a so-called "better" School.

Lydia: -Just stares back at Chiyo with an unreadable expression-

???, present

Lydia: -Her Unown Seeing for her as she examines the list of Schoolpeople to be liquidated- Are we alone?

Unown D: <They are not looking for us.>

Lydia: -Smirks- Good.

Unown A: <They will know what you did eventually, prolonging the Schoolchild's life.>

Lydia: They'll see her worth eventually, they're just too closedminded to see it right now.

Ambiguous Time

Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 29th 2023 at 4:08:17 AM

Desmond grins as he throws open the doors of the Cafe Cabin. Inside, the a few customers sit at wooden tables, and to the side is the counter where two twin waitresses serve Moo Moo Milk. One of them smiles kindly at Desmond, Atrin, and their Pokemon, and asks,

Kati: Hello there! Welcome to Cafe Cabin! I'm Kati. What would you like to order?

Desmond: My friend and I wish to take up your special offer.

The waitress gets a twinkle in her eye, and smirks.

Kati: Ohhh, challengers, eh? Just a second.

she raises a finger, then presses a button on the counter. She speaks into the intercom, and her voice crackles over a speaker in another room.

Kati: Season Sisters, one special offer, coming up!

A minute after, two women in maid outfits, one with blackish hair, and one with purple hair, walked out and bowed.

Spring: Welcome, challengers. I am Spring.

Summer: I am Summer. We are... er...

she pauses awkwardly, looking back at the doors they came from, where a red-haired maid stumbles out, half dressed in her attire and her headpiece dangling.

Autumn: Sorry! Um, challengers! I am Autumn, and you face the Season Sisters!

she stammers out, hastily fixing herself and bowing quickly, before pointing brashly at said challengers. Desmond lets out a small smile.

Desmond: So you're the people we'll battle! What are the rules?

Summer smiles warmly.

Summer: Since there are two of you, we shall have two one-on-one battles. Is that to your liking, trainers?

Desmond: Sounds good to me! How about you, Atrin?

Route 210

Atrin smiles at that.

Atrin: Works for me! Let's do this.

moomoo cafe

A tall, thin person wearing veilstone department store uniform walks in. There is a Zorua on their shoulder who appears to be complaining about something.

Soul: <Don't tell me you think this is going to work.>

Kris: Come on. It's not like it'd make things any worse. Now do we need to go to the counter or wait for someone?

The Zorua looks around.

Soul: <Looks like we might be waiting a while for these trainers to finish their challenge. Why did we even come here again?>

Spring: What a shame... there's only two of you, so which of us will battle?

she thinks about this, only for Autumn to point at the newcomer.

Autumn: Are you here for the special offer?! It's free milk!

she seems to almost plead. Desmond turns towards the newcomer.

Desmond: I'd normally be against involving random people in this, but it's just thematic that there's a three-on-three, yeah?

he shrugs, while Morgan studies the Zorua with interest.

moomoo cafe

Kris seems surprised by the offer.

Kris: ...Okay, I'll give it a go.

They start heading over to the rest of the group.

Soul: <Hello? If I faint, who's going to help you get back home? Is this really a good idea.>

Kris: Calm down, I'm sure they have revives. Let's get some free milk.

Autumn: Great! Don't worry sisters, I'm ready to battle!

she laughs, while her sisters chuckle.

Summer: Very well, let us go outside.

Three sisters, three challengers. They go outside the cafe, and go around to the back, where battle lines are drawn.

Spring: Now, who fights whom?

Moomoo Cafe

Atrin: I'm fine with anyone, but to speed things along, I'll take you on!

Atrin points at Summer, before turning to Kris.

Atrin: Sorry if we kinda dragged you into this. I'm Atrin. Nice to meet you.

Moomoo cafe

Kris: Nice to meet you. I'm Kris. I'm not sure who I want to battle...

They turn to Desmond.

Kris: You decide. I'll take on whoever's left.

Morgan quickly reminds Desmond of his manners by whacking him over the head with her scabbard again.

Desmond: Sorry, my partner here reminded me. I'm Desmond. And if you insist, I'll take on Autumn.

Desmond introduces himself, before glaring at Morgan. the maid in question nods resolutely.

Autumn: Okay, let's go!

Spring: So that leaves me and you. What is your name, challenger?

moomoo cafe

Soul: <Did you not hear->

His rant suddenly goes silent. Someone looking closely might notice a barely-visible barrier around the angry Zorua.

Kris: I'm Kris. Sorry about my Zorua.

Soul realises noone can hear him and stops complaining.

Kris: Now, if they're done...

Soul hops down onto the ground.

Moomoo Cafe

Atrin: I'm all ready if you are! Mimir, let's do this!

The Duosion who's been quietly following Atrin steps out from behind him, and takes his place, turning back to Atrin as the two nod at each other.

Each of the sisters then pulls out a Pokeball.

Spring: Normally we act as maids for the Cafe.

Summer: However, we are Pokemon trainers, first and foremost.

Autumn: So, prepare yourselves!

Spring, Summer, and Autumn: Go! Sudowoodo! Clefable! Ilta!

Stormchaser

Hoops throws the door of their room open. It's pretty much the same as how they left it - the Stormchaser does not perform room service, and so everything is kind of a mess. They grunt with exhaustion and throw themself on the bed.

Xaster follows them in. "It feels like forever since we were last here." The pokémon follow them in next and take up their various nesting places around the room. Sno spends several seconds staring at the much smaller pillow creche that she left behind, before Led comes over and helps her build it up.

"We should probably get caught up on all the latest J-Team news," Hoops says. "I mean we've been out of it for a while, so who knows what's going on. We're probably fighting some kind zombie army by now."

"We'd probably have noticed if the zombie apocalypse came." Xaster falls back onto the bed next to Hoops. He forgot how soft this bed was.

"So, are we gonna talk about it?" Hoops asks.

Xaster nearly chokes on his tongue. "Talk about what?"

"The way you proposed to me."

Xaster blushes. "That's not... I mean I was exhausted at the time, I could have said anything."

Hoops stares at the ceiling. "SO you didn't mean it?"

"I don't know," Xaster admits. "I mean, I know I love you, but marriage? Doesn't it feel like we should be together for longer before we start to think about that?"

Hoops sits up and looks down at their boyfriend. "My parents married after they'd known one another for most of their lives, and to be honest it kind of sucked. I don't think there's any amount of time that makes it work better."

Xaster tries to think of a reply, but Hoops puts their hand on his knee. "I love you too, Xaster. Look, if you don't think you're ready, then that's fine. But I know how I feel about you, so I want you to know that whenever you're ready, my answer is yes. And I'm willing to wait."

"I..." Xaster pulls his partner in close for a hug. "I do need more time. But thank you."

moomoo cafe

Kris: Okay. Soul?

Kris pauses for a few seconds to think of a move. Battling is so different when you're not a part of it yourself. Soul looked up at them, impatiently waiting to be told to do something.

Kris: ...Dark Pulse.

Soul sends a terrible wave of darkness towards the Sudowoodo.

Moomoo Cafe

Atrin: Mimir, you know the drill! Psyshock!

Mimir stretches out his little arms, then his eyes glow as he lets out a wave of psychic energy at Clefable!

Vs. Spring

The wave of darkness washes over the Sudowoodo, but it stands its ground and glares at Soul.

Spring: Alright, Sudowoodo, come back with Rock Tomb.

Spring smiles, and the Imitation Pokemon brings his "branches" together. Several glowing rocks appear around him, and thrusting his branches forward, throws them towards the Zorua, looking to cover the Fox Pokemon's route of exit.

Vs. Summer

The Clefable takes the psychic energy, stumbling backward. She however, shakes it off and goes right back.

Summer: Come on, Clefable, I know you can do it. Let's start it with Meteor Mash!

Summer encourages, and the Clefable's fists begin to glow brightly, and the Fairy Pokemon jumps up and begins to let out a series of punches towards Mimir.

Vs. Autumn

Desmond grins, drawing Morgan, who floats around the Miltank.

Autumn's Miltank, Ilta, huffs, steam rising from its nostrils.

The stalemate is broken when Desmond suddenly shouts:

Desmond: Morgan, use Fury Cutter!

Morgan's blade glows bright green, and with a yell, she begins making a rapid amount of slashes towards the Miltank, who could only moo in surprise.

Autumn: Oh no! Ilta, use Defense Curl!

The Miltank huffs in acknowledgement, and begins curling herself into a ball. The fat causes some of Morgan's strikes to slip off, but she continues slashing.

Moomoo Cafe

Mimir attempts to dodge the punches, but is ultimately too slow, and while he keeps conscious and healthy, he takes the hit.

Atrin has a worried face for a moment.

Atrin: That Clefable is too fast for us!

And suddenly, Atrin grins.

Atrin: Good. Mimir! Let's change the game! Trick Room!

Mimir's eyes glow, and a psychic cube envelops the battle, making everything change. Mimir seems to be moving around faster, while the Clefable seems slower!

Atrin: Now, hit it with another Psyshock!

Mimir does so, letting psychic energy go and hit the Clefable!

Vs. Summer

The Clefable lands its blows, causing her and her trainer to smile in anticipation. However, the introduction of Trick Room causes the Clefable to stumble, and unused to the sudden change of speed, takes the Psyshock head on. Summer looks shocked, and then points aggressively.

Summer: Alright, let's cut off speed entirely! Use Sing!

In response, the Clefable, through looking pretty out of it, begins to sing, the sweet melody causing the trainers and Pokemon in the area to get drowsy, but she focuses the melody on Mimir.

Vs. Autumn

Autumn: Come on, Autumn, think, think!

she wracks her brain as Ilta continues being battered by Morgan's Fury Cutters, which get stronger and stronger. Suddenly the girl snaps her fingers, an idea forming.

Autumn: Use Rollout, but stay still!

Ilta manages to hear, and nods. Curling up even tighter, the Miltank begins to spin, slowly building momentum. The constant movement throws off Morgan's strikes, and she tuts in annoyance.

Morgan: <Damnu air. This isn't good.>

Desmond: We have to stop it somehow.

he grumbles, trying to think of a move, then nods. Morgan groans in annoyance.

Morgan: <I'm going to ram it head-on, aren't I.>

Desmond: Yep! Prepare yourself, and use Iron Defense!

With a sigh, Morgan begins to glow, becoming much tougher in preparation for the upcoming blow. Both sides charge their moves, waiting for the opportune moment.

Edited by Jules-Firenze on May 27th 2023 at 1:10:33 AM