bravenewworld | Springtime for Union

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Springtime for Union

After an unusually long and cold winter, the land is finally beginning to stir in the anticipation of spring. In the forest, the first flowers are beginning to peek out of the ground, the hum of Bug Pokémon begin to be heard, and of course, the first wisps of pollen begin to incite misery amongst the more sensitive of the population. The sun sets later and later each night, and at the end of a long workday, the prospect of escaping early to enjoy a stroll out in the brisk spring air becomes more and more enticing.

The pall cast by Team Evolution has long faded into little more than a distant cloud on the horizon. Though the mystery of 'Mega Evolution' remains unsolved, it seems inconsequential in the face of the strength that Union itself is gaining. All damage from the earthquakes has finally been fully repaired, production of iron and steel has been greatly enhanced by the discovery of the mine, there were plans to build a new port and to enhance the range of the Signal Tower, Enlightened and Pokémon everywhere were evolving one after another... On the whole, morale was high.

The city takes it upon itself to reflect this.

When the people of Union begin to stir early one spring morning, they will awaken to discover a cheerful city, indeed. All of Union, overnight, has become covered with vines and shrubs and flowers - plant life, everywhere the eye could see. Though the majority haven't yet begun to flower, the rainbow assortment of buds promises a lovely sight to come in the near future. A few citizens, annoyed, set to work removing the intrusive flora from their properties, but the majority simply take the unusual sight for what it is.

And for the particularly observant, dotted here and there among the landscape, the occasional large pink blossom can be spotted already in full bloom...

((You may use this post as an IC mingle if you wish!))

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[ Haruka sees it. And her first thought isn't fear, but exasperation. ]

That little...

[ She watches for just a moment to see whether Spearow is just being a pain or actually means business; when it lowers its head in preparation to dive, she vaults over the terrace railing and shouts, hoping to grab its attention.] Oi!

[ A warning Gust whizzes between the bird, the bug, & the bud. ] Nobody likes an overreacter.

[the turbulence from that Gust flips the bird head over tailfeathers. It regains its balance and starts squawking up a storm. It's got leaves in its pretty feathers! ~~Even if it seems to be vastly outnumbered right about now and really ought to be reevaluating its decisions in life.~~

Michiru is just a step behind, though she's more focused on ~~the kids~~ their pokemon.

At least Budew takes heart from the (psyschic) closeness of her trainer. Instead of running around trying to find something to hide behind, she takes a more defensive stand, ready to loose Stun Spore at a moment's notice.]

[ Sewaddle is not nearly as intrepid as Budew: he has rolled himself into a ball that, in turn, rolls across the street to come to a rest behind Haruka. If he can't see Spearow, Spearow can't see him. Isn't that how this works? But...

But Budew is out there. Budew is being brave. What should he do????

Haruka remains focused more on the interloper than on her Pokémon's crisis of conscience. She's got more wind swirling in her hand as she scowls at Spearow. ] Get lost. The next one won't miss.

[ If that Spearow tries any funny business, however, she'll let Budew do the honors. It's always good to see people - even Pokémon people - handling their affairs themselves. ]

[the Spearow calls out insults and...thinks better of diving at Haruka. Better go for the weaker grass pokemon.

And Michiru steps into place a few paces behind Budew.]

Lullaby. [whoa, full name] Stun Spore, please.

[and it clicks into place for Budew. The same calm, steady voice has asked her to do this countless times, even if the location is different. The incoming Spearow might as well be a mannequin, really.

Budew lets loose a Stun Spore and scurries out of the way, just as taught, as the Spearow ploughs into the ground, hacking at the powder.]

[ ....That's her girl. Haruka bites back a smile, but she does nod at Michiru and Budew. Mastery of Training, indeed. The kid's got potential.

As opposed to certain other Pokémon. Haruka doesn't even acknowledge Sewaddle, but steps forward to nudge the bothersome Spearow out of the road. You're a pest, but recover on the sidewalk, would you? ]

I guess that's a table for four, now. [ Still not looking at Sewaddle, who wilts a little before peeking out and then unrolling to greet Budew. You were amazing! You stayed so calm! ] What's she eat?

[Budew puffs up with pride... and then runs back to Michiru for a hug because that really was scary, when she thought she was all alone.

Michiru scoops up her pokemon, giving her a smile and a hug.] That was wonderful.

[glancing at Haruka.] I think a little dessert is in order. [Budew wiggles excitedly. Looks like her trainer is pretty strict when it comes to sweets.]

How indulgent. [ Something with honey, then. Or...nectar? What do you feed a plant for dessert?

Haruka heads back to the table, and, upon seeing his friend both be praised by her Trainer and his own Trainer leaving him behind, Sewaddle runs to catch up. Since Haruka won't help him over the terrace railing, he ends up wiggling through a gap in the bottom. By the time he gets there Haruka's got the menu open again. ] Waiter! Something for Grass-types....

[ She looks at Michiru. What does Budew like? ]

Ice cream. [that is totally plant food, what are you talking about. She places Budew in the child booster seat the waiter has so helpfully provided.] I believe we're up to strawberry.

Dew! [Budew nods in agreement and then scurries to edge to see if her buddy Sewaddle will be joining her or not.]

[ Sewaddle silks himself up onto the table - and then, since he just learned the hard way to clean up after himself, snips the silk with his front pincers so it drops harmlessly to the ground. But Budew is in a chair, so he approaches and looks down into the booster seat. Is there room for him? ] Sewa!

[ Haruka, meanwhile, is addressing the waiter. ] Make that two.

[ When the waiter's left with their order, Haruka turns back to the gathering and grins. Budew's grown more than she'd thought. ] You've been working hard.

[Budew hops on over to the side, making room for Sewaddle. Ice cream's the best!

Michiru just smiles her noncommittal smile.]

Have I? It could be intrinsic talent.

[psh. Admitting that she put effort into things? It's incongruous with the image she projects.]

[ Sewaddle has never had ice cream, so this is an adventure in and of itself. Excited, he joins Budew in the booster seat and nuzzles his friend. You were brave. Can you teach him that?

Haruka's laughing at Michiru, meanwhile. Sure, sure. She gets it. ] I must have overlooked that.

[Budew happily tells Sewaddle about all the practicing she had to do and how it was so much work but sometimes she'd get treats afterwards!

...So much for that.]

You should be more careful next time. [a haughty tone, but she's smiling in amusement. All these games...]

[ Practice sounds nice if you get treats. Sewaddle's human takes the birds out for practice sometimes, he hears, but he has never "practiced" himself. Just been told where he can and can't put silk. (Apparently your human's closet is a BIG no-no.) Can he come watch sometime?

Haruka, meanwhile, is smiling too. ] It's been a long day.

[ Here's their drinks. Sounds like dessert and lunch will be out soon. ]

[Aw, yeah. Sewaddle can totes come. It won't be as boring when her trainer is busy with the Ralts.]

We didn't even have lunch yet. [only halfway through the day...

Speaking of, here's the waiter with food and dessert! Budew perks up at the sight of the ice cream. ]

There's your proof. [ Must be a long morning if she's making that little sense, right? Haruka toasts Michiru with her glass (or maybe she's toasting her own comeback), then sips, leaning back so she won't get in the waiter's way.

Sewaddle looks up at the waiter, too, who doesn't seem too bothered but stays out of silking reach anyway, putting one serving of ice cream in front of the Pokémon and another in front of the humans. Service jobs must be hard. ] Sewa sewa.

[ How do we eat this, Budew? It's really pink. ]

Hm? Did you not sleep well? [...hah.]

Dew! [leave it to the master! Budew leans in and takes a nibble. Yummy.

...the pokemon is totally getting some ice cream onto her face though.]

[ Hah indeed. Haruka grins, picking up her fork: adults don't skip straight to dessert. ] No worse than usual.

....waddle. [ You have pink on you, Budew. Sewaddle just thought you should know before he approaches the ice cream and takes a tentative bite. He comes away with pink pincers but looks happy. ] Sewa!

[casually taking a small bite of her seafood.]

'No worse than usual?' Are you saying you need more sleep? [in lieu of other activities.

Budew totally knows but unless she rubs her face on other people or Pokemon, that ice cream is staying right where it is. Either way, time is better spent taking another bite of the treat.]

Edited (i should stop tagging at work) 2014-04-18 22:30 (UTC)

[ Haruka sniffs, mixing her dressing up in her salad: it's her turn to adopt an aura of invincibility. Her voice curls around her words. ] There's not enough hours in the day for everything I want to do.

[ While his Trainer flirts, however, Sewaddle has abandoned all pretense of taking one bite at a time: he has pretty much stuck his head in this side of the ice cream and is burrowing a hole in it with his pincers. ] Wad. Wad.

[ ...guess who doesn't know what brain freeze is. yet. ]

[her smile quirks up another notch] Boastful words. [but is it all hot air?]

Dew! Budew! [there's a bit of agitation from this end. That's...not recommended, Sewaddle!]

Swa?

[ Sewaddle withdraws from the ice cream to look at Budew curiously. What could possibly be so bad about...

...

Budew, why is his brain shrinking? Make it stop.

Haruka remains oblivious to her Pokémon's plight, however. She's too busy smirking at Michiru. ] Don't you trust me?

[oh nooooo] Dew! Buuuu. [D: she hops around the ice cream to nuzzle and/or comfort Sewaddle. Now both of them have ice cream on them, but it's for the greater cause, right?

Please, Haruka. With all her heart and soul and all that romantic junk.]

Should I?

[her eyes start sliding over to the Pokemon though. Guys, what are you doing?]

Edited 2014-04-19 04:09 (UTC)

[ Haruka's head is leaning in towards Michiru's. Her eyelids are slowly fluttering down. ] I could refresh your memory on reaso...

[ Sewaddle tries to lean on Budew for support and, in his distraught state, misses. This results in him falling over sideways on the table, silverware clattering in his wake. ] Waaah.

[ --shoot. Bugblocked. ]

[her attention snaps on over to the Pokemon and...well, then.

Budew looks distressed at Sewaddle's suffering. Don't worry, you'll pull through!

Michiru takes the opportunity to shake open a napkin and wipe the ice cream off Budew's face. So what's wrong with your bug, Haruka?]

Dle.

Hey, now... [ Haruka isn't sure what's wrong at first; she taps Sewaddle's head in a "what's wrong" gesture and he snaps into a balled-up position so quickly she has to yank her finger away to keep it from being trapped. A glance at the Sewaddle-shaped dent in the ice cream, however, solves the mystery. ] Seriously?

[ Sewaddle mumbles something incoherent from the depths of his ball. Haruka sighs, adopting a nobly long-suffering expression. Children. What can you do? ] You did this to yourself. It'll wear off soon.

no subject

no subject

budew, *baby* (i am oddly proud)

they grow up so fast

michiru's pokemon could probably trounce haruka's

at least she'd be polite about it

gods of war need to hog the levels!!! :(

...unless she wants to be trained *by* michiru...

but do we really want hotaru finding that leash or w/e

aadjdhak your memory is too good

it's okay michiru she responds to verbal and visual commands. no props required!

not even a maid outfit?

th-that happened in a different universe, michiru! why bring that up....

what, you didn't have fun...?

.......i didn't say that.

well then. /smile

eh-heh. heh.......... :3

and hotaru wonders if they suddenly got a live in maid

haruka has to act the part too?? such high standards

if she's not equal to michiru's standards...

never fear, mistress. she intends to exceed them.

well then :3c

it might be wise to limit the scope of her activities to "not cooking" however

.......yeah. food poisoning isn't sexy.

she's probably an instantly amazing maid aside from that

budew, baby (i am oddly proud)

...unless she wants to be trained by michiru...