14 [Action + 2 Dreams] - Anytime in the 1st week

[niepokonany]

[ACTION]

[During the daytime, Feliks is keeping himself very busy.]

[Since deciding that maybe -- just maybe, mind you! -- his family's future is kind of his business, he's done his best to keep making a good name for them and himself. And what better time than the Soulfasting to get in people's good books?]

[So, armed with a big basket of high-end sweets, he's paying visits to all the prominent families and citizens he can think of, just sort of dropping in as unannounced as he can. His other friends might be getting a knock on their door sometime this week, too!]

[DREAM 1]

[Far, far away, in a wooded valley surrounded by tall, white-peaked mountains, there's an idyllic kingdom. There are few humans -- it seems to be populated half by an even mix of fairy, grass, and psychic types, and half by... Ponytas?]

[Anyway, everyone is living in peace, frolicking around and eating lots of berries and stuff. But! The fabulously-dressed prince of this realm has a terrible problem! Spotting a stranger (a new servant??), he runs to their side.]

Quick, you totally have to help me hide!

[DREAM 2]

[The setting is a dinner party, taking place in what seems to be an empty black void with a spotlight on the table. There are only three people there -- Feliks, Fai's uncle, and you.]

[And wow, is the atmosphere tense. They hardly talk, and Feliks gets visibly more and more uncomfortable with each little exchange. For his part, the older man appears to be making it worse -- what start as veiled insults get sort of comically direct and over the top as dream logic removes the need for social conventions.]

"You should just disappear out there, playing adventurer with your Pokemon. No one would miss you, and my family would be the better for it!"

[Annnnd there goes Feliks's temper.]

Excuse you, what?!

"I said, 'pass the salt.'"

You didn't! You totally didn't, you total weirdo! He didn't, right?!

Comments

[niepokonany]

The Lopunnys? Duh.

[Did he like, stutter or something?]

[niepokonany]

[Fai's uncle (or Feliks's idea of him) laughs, sounding downright warm and gracious about it.]

Oh, but miss Isley, had you not noticed.

The floor is lava.

[And... apparently so it is! They're still at the dinner table, but that dinner table is on a floating island of stone in the middle of a sea of lava.]

Though perhaps that wouldn't be such a problem for our companion, were he to take a hint and leave.

[Feliks opens his mouth, but only a small noise of frustration makes it out. What the Hell, uncle guy?]

[niepokonany]

They're having a party, and there's gonna be hella other humans, and you have to hide me so I don't have to go!

[Obviously. Because all of that is rational and sensible.]

[toxicrevenger]

[Roast alive in molten lava or endure the company of Fai's uncle. It's a tough choice. If only Hibiscus were here. Her Rapidash can run fast enough that there's a chance they might not sink. Alas, he's not, and there's not a plant in sight.]

...so I see.

[She raises an eyebrow, but manages to stay polite, even though the words "What the actual fuck" are repeating in her head.]

Someone has interesting taste in decor. Feliks, how resistant to being burned are you?

[niepokonany]

N...not, like, completely?

Of course not. That would actually be useful.

[aerial_ace]

[Stern face time. Zero fun will be had when Cordelia is around.]

This isn't the time for playing. We know nothing about this place or how dangerous it may be.

[worldmother]

People in Union keep Lopunnys in a closet?

[Legit question don't laugh, she doesn't know.]

What about the courtyard? Say that someone called you out there, vault the wall and escape. It shouldn't be too hard. [For who?]

[niepokonany]

Well, yeah, and that's why it's so fun to go exploring!

[...And this attitude is why Feliks is a freelance trainer, and not with an organization.]

[makeitquick]

Realize I'm human, right?

[ but all the same, why not? She makes to try and bodily pick up the prince ]

[niepokonany]

Huh? Well, they're like, there for the party. [Obviously.] Where else were we gonna put them?

Anyway, good idea with the courtyard! Come on, you have to be my lookout.

[And he drags her off. The sad thing is that Actual Literal Manic Pixie Dream Boy!Feliks isn't much less sensible than he is when he's awake.]

[niepokonany]

[He throws his arms around her neck for a proper princess carry, seeming pleased that she's agreed to rescue him.]

Yeah, but that's totally different! You're a human I like.

[aerial_ace]

Fun isn't the word I would use in this case. There is danger in the unknown.

[worldmother]

Geh!

[Wait, she didn't sign up for this! Whelp. Getting dragged now.]

[niepokonany]

Gods, people keep saying that like it's news. So?

[The danger is worth it, for him. He spent all his life caged in by those high walls, and the outside is all he's ever wanted, danger and all.]

[niepokonany]

[They make it out to the courtyard, and... was that wall always so high? It kind of seems to stretch up and up and up into the sky now.]

[Whatever. Better than going to the party!]

...I guess I'm gonna have to climb! Like, tell me if someone's coming!

[aerial_ace]

So, that means that it shouldn't be treated like some kind of picnic!

[worldmother]

Right!

[Look out duty? She's got this.]

[niepokonany]

But picnics are way better outside the walls. There's so much more stuff to see!

[-->The point








-->Feliks's head]

[niepokonany]

[And so, Feliks begins his long and arduous shuffle up the face of the wall. When he's started to make progress, though he's still got a long way to go, he calls down to her:]

So, is anyone there?

[aerial_ace]

[Good job, shortie.]

I believe you may be missing the point.

[worldmother]

[She looks around. Anything there?]

[toxicrevenger]

[Pamela lets out an audible sigh.]

Since we're all trapped here, perhaps the three of us can put aside our differences long enough to attempt to work out an escape plan?

[niepokonany]

And I think you might be?

Look -- the point is, we're alive in this world, so why not have some fun with it?

[niepokonany]

[The palace guards are coming!]

[The palace guards appear to all be Rhydons, except for a rather bossy Dedenne at their head, squeaking orders.]

[niepokonany]

Oh, Hell no!

...I think not.

[At least Feliks appears semi-able to speak now?]