video/action

[incousinswithyou]

[the Warp Band flickers on and there is an extremely close up view of a Pokemon's distinct eggshell pattern. Who's that Pokemon?? There's a happy trilll and if you're lucky, you get a glimpse of a stubby little arm and a delighted Togepi face. This doesn't last very long, as the Warp Band immediately gets pushed off the table and...hits a curious Roselia on the head. Ow.

Still, Roselia picks up the Warp Band and holds it out to her Trainer, who's mildly busy keeping an adventurous Togepi from walking right over the edge after the sparkly Warp Band.]

Thank you, Lulu. [Michiru smiles at the running feed, one hand full of happy egg baby and the other reaching out to take the Band.] Do they all have this particular disregard for heights or did I just get lucky?

[mildly dry tone of voice aside, Michiru is utterly delighted by the latest successful baby snatching newest addition to her roster - even if she's particularly good at hiding it.

As for action options, she can be found at the park under the shade of a leafy tree. Milotic is slowly dozing off, sleeping in an oddly formal circle. Michiru is propped up against the curve of the Water Pokemon, as Togepi slowly toddles after Roselia, who's scattering all these shiny and interesting and moving petals!

...From the looks of it, Michiru is using Milotic as a natural baby cage to keep Togepi from wandering off too far.]

Comments

[actsmagnificent]

[ And that would be a couple of leaves dropping down from said tree - odd, since it isn't autumn. Someone is making it rain for baby. ] Swad. Swad.

You're littering. [ That voice is coming from the tree, too.

Yes, Michiru does attract people with a proclivity for heights. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Togepi stops and looks up when a leaf drifts by. Oh! It's a different color!] Priii! [as she starts following that leaf, Lulu decides that it's break time and takes a seat on the grass.]

It doesn't really count as littering if you're in the park. [which explains why she moved the entire operation out here. There's no way she's cleaning up the courtyard at the theater.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Oh, she liked it. More leaves will drop, then, though some look like they have bites taken out of them. It's hard, being in the pupal stage. So very hard. One is constantly hungry, and must create edible art. ] Loon.

Can I drop my shoes down, then? [ It's a nice day. They can't move forward with the scrolls for now, so she's not going to worry about it. Michiru has a baby and therefore is happier than a Sewaddle in a room full of flowers. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Togepi is so close to catching that leaf...and then is immediately distracted by this other oddly shaped leaf! Hey, is that a hole...? She peers through it curiously.]

That depends on your aim. [or you could just join her down here. Whichever.]

[actsmagnificent]

It's decent. [ Assuming there is no one in the way, Haruka is going to drop from the tree (with a hand in her pocket, no less), and land directly in the middle of the baby pen. An impressed "loon" comes from above, along with some more chewing noises.

She grins at baby. ] Hi, kiddo.

[incousinswithyou]

[even Milotic starts a little at Haruka's sudden appearance. Baby is no exception. Surprised, Togepi falls backwards, hiccups, and...starts crying.

Ara, Haruka.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ .....Oh shoot. ] Hey, hey.

[ Kneeling at baby level, she reaches out to pat the Togepi's head. ] Tell you what. You can disappear on me next. How's this?

[ She hides her face in her hands. ] Where's the baby?

[ Are you going to tell her, or does she have to peekaboo? Just...whatever you do, stop crying. Your mother is very particular.

Behind Haruka, someone silks himself down out of the tree. He hears cries of distress. It is time...for a leaf. ] Loon. Swadloon.

[incousinswithyou]

[At this new entertainment, Togepi is mildly distracted. She hiccups, still teary, but at least she's not outright crying anymore, right?

Halfway to getting up, Michiru decides to sit back down to see what will happen.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ ....Swadloon has no arms anymore he doesn't know how to give a leaf to Togepi this is the most awkward evolution ever. He shuffles around, leaf sticking out of his mouth. Is this gross? What's his Trainer doing?

The crying's died down, thank goodness. Haruka parts her hands and sparkles at Togepi from between them. She can't believe she's doing this. ] Found her!

[ Please be a kid who loves peekaboo. It's the only baby game she can think of. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Lulu hops on over to Natto's side. They can do it together, right? There's nothing friendship can't overcome!!

And there's a teeny smile on Togepi's face. That was a good surprise! She waves her little arms towards Haruka. Do it again!

Michiru is, needless to say, amused as all get-out. ]

[actsmagnificent]

....again?

[ Well, she got her wish. You're a kid who loves peekaboo. Haruka thinks this over. ] One more. Then you have to sit down with Mommy, okay?

[ Over her face her hands go. ] Now, where's the baby?

[ ...Togepi appears, Swadloon indicates with the leaf, to be in the middle of something important. But if you could give her this leaf when she is done, Lulu, that would be amazing. And then it would be from both of them, which makes it better! ] Swadlooon.

[incousinswithyou]

Toge! [she's right here, smiling and waving her little arms around and everything!

Lulu nods and takes the leaf, ready to help leaf the baby.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ And there's Haruka! She looks happy to see the baby - and will move if, during baby's reaction, it looks like Lulu needs room to maneuver. ] Yo.

[incousinswithyou]

Priii!

[yaay, you came back! She's pretty excited to see you, even if you're not mommy.

Lulu sidles in and presents the leaf with a happy smile, and sticks it onto Togepi's shell. If anything though, baby is paying more attention to Lulu than to the badge of friendship leaf.]

Looks like you found her.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka sniffs, but she's grinning. ] This isn't even my job.

[ Leaning back, she settles next to Michiru, fingers in easy linking distance if her partner was so inclined. ] She's cute.

[ Meanwhile, Swadloon is shuffling over, still chewing. He swallows for manners' sake. ] Loon. Swadloon. Swad swad. [ Hello! He is the artist formerly known as Sewaddle. Pardon his lack of hands.

...It's really bothering him, okay. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Lulu sits back down to resume her break, even as Togepi toddles after Haruka...and then is distracted by Natto. She stares blankly at the new (?) Pokemon at first, but. Hey! You're round and stuff! Togepi walks right up to him and pats him with a stubby little arm in greeting. Hi!]

So you're saying you're available for babysitting? [and yup, she's sneaking her hand over to yours]

[actsmagnificent]

I wouldn't think you'd want to let her out of your sight.

[ Except that role is already filled. By Haruka. Right?

Swadloon nods in response to the pat. Do you like your leaf? He could try and find another one if that one doesn't meet with your approval, but he likes it. It is extremely well-shaped, and quite a fresh shade of green. ] Swadloon.

[incousinswithyou]

Well, if you think I can't trust you...

[Togepi blinks at Natto. She...did not get most of that. And may have already forgotten about the leaf stuck on her as soon as it was out of sight.]

Toge! [hi, let's play!]

[actsmagnificent]

Maybe I want to be taken care of, too.

[ She leans in. Haruka don't make a baby Michiru already has one. Wait.

Swadloon is unperturbed by his new friend's short attention span. Attitude is everything, and yours is positive. Let's play, indeed! ] Loon!

[ ...But how's he going to play? He's a ball. Not to mention hungry again. The leaves atop his head droop slightly. ]

[incousinswithyou]

Just maybe? [her smile widens into a smirk, as she turns her head towards you]

Rose... [well, the baby does seem to like moving, shiny things...(but this is mildly difficult).

Togepi, on the other hand, is already sitting down and happily flinging the fallen petals and leaves into the air.] Prii!

[actsmagnificent]

Who knows. [ She is a pretty independent young woman, after all. Just...one that could stare into your eyes like this forever.

Swadloon is not sure he understands this game. Those are important materials for making wearable art - that happen to double as lunch. Still, he's willing to give it a shot. ] Swadloon. Swad.

[ .....This leaf is sticking to his upper lip. Swadloon compensates by munching on it. Have you ever tried eating the leaves, Lulu? They're not bad. Perhaps he should also become a chef. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[she chuckles, and takes the opportunity to rest her cheek against your shoulder. She is...rather content right now, all things considered.

Hey, she's basically doing what she learned from Lulu and Natto. Confettti everywhere! And she giggles when she sees Natto nom that leaf, so she begins to shore up all the stray leaves and petals against his sides.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ How thoughtful! The baby found a new game that Swadloon can be part of. Except...is this a blanket or a buffet? Does baby want some silk to stick petals on? (Natto might not understand the limits of very young fine motor skills.)

He looks over at Lulu. What do you think the baby's doing? ] Swad swadloon.

[ Haruka is trying hard not to grin too much watching the Pokémon, but Michiru's leaning on her makes that difficult. She nods at the baby. ] You're just raising her as a companion?

[ She has a feeling Togepi isn't going to be a Pokémon that double-duties as a battle-ready partner. You know, an extremely psychic hunch. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[well, it started off as a gesture of goodwill, but it's fast becoming a game where Togepi is trying to bury Natto up to his neck. Or, well, maybe his eyes, considering the lack of the former. And yes, if baby gets some silk to play with, it'll get everywhere.]

Selia...? [nope, she's got no idea what baby is doing, but she'll help out by sweeping some of the strewn leaves and petals towards you two.]

She's not quite ready for a fight just yet. [or ever, if Michiru has her way. Even if it's inevitable that babies eventually grow up.]

[actsmagnificent]

I didn't know you were in such a hurry to be a mother. [ Is this really a good time to be raising children? What are you thinking, bringing a child into a world as full of upheaval as this...

.....your baby is successfully covering her Swadloon in leaves. Haruka has a vague notion her point just disproved itself. Swadloon himself, however, is really unsure what to think of this. So he bends down as best he can (which isn't much) and helps himself to a mouthful of leaves. ] Loon.