015 // action - forest shrine, verdant forest

[actsmagnificent]

[ action - forest shrine ]

Let's get to it.

[ Haruka is in one of her Rhyhorn racing jumpsuits with the sleeves rolled up (though not quite to the scar she got botching her portion of the Sanctuary liberation efforts). She's facing down a member of the Divine Defense Force, light on her feet and ready for anything. If they're going to keep splitting up for missions, she needs an accurate assessment of her whole team's abilities. She can't respect what she hasn't seen in person.

So she's going to try to beat the crap out of them. All of them. One by one.

Passersby are welcome to stay to observe or challenge her, though responses to the latter may vary. The Divine Defense Force, however? Had better not hold back.

Haruka won't, either. ]

[ away from the sparring ]

[ Close enough to reach Trainer telepathically but far enough that the sparring shouldn't disrupt their afternoon, Sky the Beartic has spread a (leaf-embroidered) tablecloth across a tree stump and outfitted it with a variety of goodies for an outdoor tea party. There's plates of Poffins and PokéPuffs, as well as piping hot Berry tea from a fancy china teapot - Passion the Vulpix has accompanied them, and deigned to heat some water for their tea. There's also plenty of teacups, so anyone stumbling upon Sky, Passion, and a very confused World Shaking the Rhyperior is welcome to join their quaint assembly.

A word of advice, however: the teacups (and teapot) are sized for Beartic paws. Come thirsty. ]

[ later - throughout verdant forest ]

[ As the sun sets and the cool evening air wafts in, Haruka can be found on World Shaking's back, eyes half-closed as she navigates the Rhyperior through the trees. They haven't gone on one of these runs in a while, and after the scare she gave him in the caves, he deserved a treat. And she deserves to cool her head, too. They're all right. They passed another test. A respite's been earned.

The fact that she heard a god was spotted in this area from Snor-Lord and his human friends is utter coincidence. ]

Comments

[actsmagnificent]

[ Sky's paws are cold, huh, kitty? But down we go - down onto the ground, where there are...ah...fun leaves and sticks with which to play. Here. And she will fetch your teacup bed in case you wish to examine it again. ] Bear.

[ Passion wants to groom, but that would involve her tongue touching this dreck. She'd suggest trapping him in the picnic basket, but he'd probably do something gauche like gnaw his way out. Perhaps you should deposit that, ah, package into the closest water source, Stradivarius. ] Vul.

[incousinswithyou]

[kitty stays right there for a few moments, and then resolutely crawls into her teacup to hide.]

Nido. [she can't do that. He'll just swim right out of there and then find Trainer.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Sky watches kitty until the baby's completely disappeared into the teacup, then looks over to assess the state of the doof. Stradivarius has quite the point...and their tea party is currently disrupted anyway. They should determine how to handle Brad before warming up another pot.

Passion raises her head. ] Pix. [ Why not have their Rhyperior friend dispose of it? He appears tired of the tea party and in need of something productive to do. Or he could sit off to the side and babysit the child while holding the beaver. Then they can enjoy themselves in pea-- ah, they can ensure Trainer's Trainer has these few moments to herself. ] Pix pix vul.

[incousinswithyou]

Queen. [Stradivarius frowns and looks over at World Shaking. She could probably trust him with the beaver, but she's not so sure about the kitten.]

Nido ni? [and she's holding out the wiggly doof towards him. Can you hold onto him?]

[actsmagnificent]

[ World Shaking stares at Brad. That looks wet. But he is not one to say no when people ask him to do things, so he reaches out and grabs Brad with both hands.

It's kind of like getting one's body stuck in the opening of a cave, Brad. Just rock all around. ]

[incousinswithyou]

Doof doof!! [he might attempt to escape at the moment of transfer, but Stradivarius is not letting go until she sees that World Shaking has him.

Brad stares at his newest captor for a long moment, and then proceeds to try and gnaw on those hands.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Absolutely nothing happens. World Shaking doesn't flinch. He doesn't even blink. He just looks over at Stradivarius and Sky, then grunts. Okay. He's holding it. Now what?

Sky holds up her paws and pushes them out in front of her to indicate "back". Stand away from the table, perhaps? If you're willing to do a wonderful favor for Trainer's Trainer. She will be happy to bring him more refreshments as long as he doesn't let go of that Pokémon. ] Bear.

[ World Shaking nods: those instructions are easy to understand, and he likes Trainer's Trainer. He steps back. He sits. The log he sits upon splits beneath his weight. He doesn't notice.

He still hasn't reacted to the beaver bite. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Brad continues biting!! He's not smart enough to stop, so he'll probably end up with a chipped tooth from all of this.

Stradivarius almost sighs in relief. This might actually work! A quick peek in the teacup reveals a ball of fluff that still hasn't moved.]

Ni... [she almost sounds hopeful as she neatens their plates]

[actsmagnificent]

Bear. [ Sky checks on the tea in the teapot and discovers they're a bit low. She collects Powder Snow in her paws, then turns to Passion. Would you mind...? ] Bear.

Vul. [ Passion has been stung a few times recently by getting her hopes up. But she hops down from the table to turn snow into water, and water into hot water, in preparation for a new pot of tea.

Once Sky has Passion (and the tea-brewing things) all set up, she returns to the table, smoothing out her fur before sitting down. Had you been saying something, Stradivarius? ] Bear.

[ World Shaking just sits and holds Brad. The sun feels good. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Stradivarius watches, apparently pleased with how smooth the process is.

...huh.] Queen. Niii. [she can't recall, but she does think that your teamwork is so very nice.

Brad keeps gnawing....until there's an audible crack. He finally stops moving after that, staring into space instead. I-is his ladykiller smile...i-is it marred???]

[actsmagnificent]

[ A compliment! Sky blushes, reaches to rub her nose modestly, then remembers that's unseemly so she adjusts the bow in front of her ear instead. She hopes it's all right that she asked Passion to accompany them today. It's more pleasant with a larger gathering, correct? ] Bear....

Bear! [ Here is Passion now, come to vul at the people with opposable thumbs that the tea is ready. Sky busies herself with the pot. Passion arranges herself back at the table. ]

...Pix. [ It still might be a good idea to stick to a guest list next time. They wouldn't want to run out of supplies. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Stradivarius makes sure that she can keep a weather eye on the kitty before turning back to the other two.]

Nidoqueen. [still, she thinks that their host has done an admirable job of providing for unexpected guests]

[actsmagnificent]

B- [ Their host? Oh, that's. That's her. Sky covers her nose modestly with her paws so Stradivarius doesn't see just how big and beaming her smile gets. A lady doesn't grin. But she can't help herself.....her friend likes the party.

Passion tosses her curls noncommittally. That's true, she supposes. One must always be prepared for the unpredictability of others. ] Vulpix.

[ A momentary sour expression flits across her face as the memory of someone else blargs across her mind. W-why? Why would she think of that ingrate...even if it's true....she doesn't want to spend any more time thinking of that particular individual than she absolutely has to. That is how below her notice she is. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Stradivarius smiles in response to Sky and then takes a sip of tea.]

Nido. [well, they are quite a lively bunch - not that there is anything wrong with enthusiasm in and of itself...]

[actsmagnificent]

Pix. [ That's right, Stradivarius is equally...accustomed....to the company of energetic other Pokémon from her time at the theater. The other former Nidoran, though. He evolved as well?

Sky looks up from where she's still covering her snout. She would never dream of being so forward, but....this is a topic about which she is secretly quite interested. Unlike Stradivarius, she has never had a bearamour. ]

[incousinswithyou]

Queen. [a sip of her tea. Yes, he did.

She can't deny that he's easy (easier) on the eyes.]

[actsmagnificent]

B-bear--?! [ And...?

Oh gracious her. Sky has just realized she started in place upon requesting a continuation of Stradivarius's feelings on the subject. How dreadfully improper.

Her whole head goes behind her paws now. But she's peeking through her claws. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[her tail twitches. Her...thoughts? Well, it would probably make Sky feel worse if she didn't answer, right?]

...Nido. Nidoqueen. [he does seem to have taken nicely to their new home and] Ni. [and he seems to have grown up nicely.

Her tail twitches again.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ She's choosing her words so carefully. Sky admires that about her friend.

She lowers her paws and places them in her lap and clears her throat. None of those were negatives, were they? Could that possibly mean.... ]

Bearrrr. [ This is the closest that eight feet of walking fur is ever going to get to a dreamy sigh.

Passion, for her part, sniffs and twitches her own tails. She's spent more time with Ferrari. She's interpreting things differently. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Stradivarius tries to keep her expression neutral, even if she's keeping the prickling edges of embarrassment at bay. S-surely that sigh was a bit much.]

Queen. [they shall see. At least he doesn't seem to be picking fights with Martelé anymore.]

[actsmagnificent]

Bear. [ Sky nods, sensing she'd overreacted. She's...certain you'll have a lovely time together at the Habitat. It's nice you both moved at the same time to have each other for company.

Passion had been taking a drink when Martelé's name was mentioned. A single drop sloshes over the edge of her teacup. ] Pix.

[ You all saw nothing. ]

[incousinswithyou]

Nido ni. [yes. She's also lucky that there are quite a few of them there already.

Passion gets a questioning look.] Ni? [is everything alright?]

[actsmagnificent]

Vulpix. [ Passion places a paw over the spot on the tablecloth. Why wouldn't it be?

...Sky looks around for something else to say. Ah. There's only one treat left. Would anyone like it, or... ] Bear...?

[ ...my, World Shaking hasn't moved an inch, has he? Leaves from the trees have even fallen on his head. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Brad hasn't moved either. He's in sort of daze, slumped over in World Shaking's grip.

Stradivarius looks over.]

Queen. [perhaps World Shaking would like it...?]

[actsmagnificent]

...Bear. [ In all honesty, when he's slumped over like that Sky feels rather sorry for Brad. She has to remind herself he's caused Trainer and Trainer's Trainer a lot of trouble, and they mustn't encourage bad behavior.

He can probably smell this PokéPuff, though, as she brings it over on a dainty plate. World Shaking? Thank you for looking after their guest. Would you care for this last snack? ] Bear?

[ World Shaking looks down at the puff, confused. He would like the last snack, yes. But he is holding a beaver with both hands. He cannot hold a beaver and eat the snack.

This will take thought. ]