It was raining in Verdanturf that morning, thick grey clouds dropping pellets of water across the skeepy town. Most were inside, avoiding the downpour as best they could. One figure did not yet have that luxary, elegantly striding across down. His form was shaded by his black umbrella, giving his already shadow clad visage a nefarious appearance. 

Those who dared to stay outside to watch the rain, scurried inside at the sight of him. None dare meet his emerald gaze as he strolled across the soaked streets. He did not mind their fear, his mind was elsewhere. He was entirely focused on his destination, and what awaited him there.

He soon came to the far side of town, where a decaying bookstore stood like a grave among flowers. The sign that sat on the roof under a faded looking hoothoot statue read 'Hoothoot's Reading Nook', however the store had long abandoned that name. Its true name was etched on the door the figure was now approaching, 'The Cryptic Cove'.

Slowly the man opened the door, stepping into the dim light of this mysterious shop. He brushed off his umbrella and discarded it, revealing his true appearance. The pale man with a scared face began to cackle as he revealed a package hidden under his black coat. Holding aloft, his cackle turned to mad laughter as he declared, "I HAVE BROUGHT DOUGHNUTS!"

Jaspar waited a moment, only now realizing that no one was currently present to witness his theatrics. He let out a disappointed sigh, placing the pink box of goodies on the service counter. Striding toward the back of the shop, he began to call out for his companion, "Alecto darling you better not be asleep!" He was making his way to the stairs that lead to Alecto's apartment above the shop, only to find that the door to the basement nearby was open. 

Jaspar lightly tapped his forehead. Of course, she's in the basement. It's basement day after all. He walked to the basement entrance and called out down the stairs in a sing-song tone.

"Alecto! I brought dooooughnuts!"

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Jaspar cackled at Alecto's comment as he watched her climb the stairs. "You could but I'd have to charge you for the privilege. You wear that dust well by the way." Jaspar gladly lead Alecto to the box of doughnuts and watched her eat one. He would have partaken himself, except he found something was missing. He knew exactly what, he just needed permission to go get it.

And there it came, Jaspar lit up at the mention of coffee. "Don't mind if I do! Thank you very much!" He giggled, hurrying toward Alecto's living quarters. He returned with his black mug filled to the edge with coffee. He took a hearty swig and let out a satisfied sigh, "There, all is well with the world."

He sat himself across from Alecto, grabbing a doughnut before speaking. "Sorry that I'm tardy for the party. These bad boys took way longer than expected. High demand and all." He dipped his doughnut in his coffee and took a bite. They complimented each other beautifully. His eyes suddenly widened, not because of the doughnut but because he remembered something.

"Oh-" he finished swallowing his doughnut and reached into his coat pocket. "Look what I got." Jaspar pulled out a pokeball and opened it, releasing a Golurk. The massive stone pokemon let out a mechanical groan, looking to the two humans with curiosity. Jaspar hopped a bit in his chair, "He was being given away online. I figured he could help us move." The golurk heard this, gave an ominous noise, and excitedly gave a 'thumbs up' gesture. Jaspar clapped, "Perfect! Alright let's fuel up and get started." 

He returned his attention to Alecto's delectable coffee, savoring it as best he could on a time crunch.

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Jaspar rubbed his chin, a change in the psychic field? Not that he was aware, and he made this fact known. "As for its aura and such, it seems rather usual for a Golurk. Though it has far more intelligence. Most Golurk just know how to punch and stand still." The golurk made a clicking sound, you wouldn't be able to tell but it was blushing. 

When Alecto suggested they get started, Jaspar clapped his hands. "Right-o, and begin we shall!" He removed his coat with a flourish, revealing a black button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. A bit fancy for cleaning tasks, but Jaspar figured if he had to get his hands dirty he might as well look good. He brought out a pokemon of his own, his Beheeyem Amon. 

Amon looked to the claydoll. It let out a bizarre series of beeps and hums, a greeting of sorts of its Hoenn counter part. Of all the pokemon on Alecto's team, the claydoll was the only one he could relate to. The others were all so--mortal. Their biology was as basic as their human masters. Claydoll was different though, claydoll understood Amon like no other.

Amon floated next to the claydoll as they began their tasks. Jaspar had pulled dusting equipment from the broom closet, throwing a dusting wand to Alecto. "We should have bought masks, the dust is going to murder my sinuses. Oh well. Come everyone, to the basement!" Jaspar marched down the basement stairs, his Golurk and Amon following close behind with their arsenal of cleaning supplies. 

And thus their quest to clean the basement began.

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This spring cleaning was more like a spring hootenanny! Jaspar had a blast and a half dancing to music in his head as he cleaned, occasionally bumping into Alecto purposefully for a laugh. His chuckle was impish, and his gaze was filled with jubilation. Who knew cleaning could be so much fun!?

Well to be fair the humans weren't doing any heavy lifting, Golurk was supposed to work with the kadabra but he wasn't a very good team player. Every time the kadabra would attempt to lift something with his mind, Golurk would just grab the object and stomp off to dispose of it outside. It was possible he wasn't aware how teamwork--worked. Or maybe he just really hated psychic types, you can never tell with these golems. The duo would make good time regardless, very quickly making their way through the junk.

While Amon was supposed to be cleaning, he spent more time 'chatting' with the claydol. The two exchanged blinking lights, with AMon occasionally making a series of beeps that could be mistaken for laughter. Jaspar noted this behavior as he swept the floor. He shuffled closer to Alecto, "Do you ever wonder what they're saying? They're so fascinating when they're together. I've been working on a way to translate Amon's lights, so hopefully one day I can laugh at their jokes too."

Indeed Amon was sharing quite a few jokes with the claydol, like how easily humans would evaporate if lifted near the sun. Or how easily they pop when smashed between two rocks. Heh, humans are so fragile and pathetic. It's hilarious.

The group was making fair progress, and if they kept up their pace the basement should be finished by late afternoon. Then came the fun part: redecorating.

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Time passed, and the group feverishly cleaned every inch of the basement. By the time they were done, Jaspar would also be covered in grime (although you wouldn't be able to tell, with his clothes being black and all). As Alecto leaned into him, Jaspar used his broom to steady himself and support the both of them. "I'm bushed." He mused, wiping his brow. 

He very suddenly displayed energy however at the mention of food. Yes, food would be a fine way to cap off this endeavor. Jaspar dropped the broom and wrapped an arm around Alecto. "That's a fine idea! Everyone upstairs posthaste!" Jaspar lead Alecto upstairs, marching with purpose as their pokemon crew followed close behind.

Nothing beat the taste of cooked rice after a hard day's work. Jaspar cooed as he savored his rice ball, Alecto's cooking was always a delight. "My dear you've outdone yourself! This is delectable!" Every bite brought Jaspar more joy, which he displayed with a vast array of facial expressions. But once he was finished he went strangely calm, his demeanor becoming far more serious.

"Now down to business." He tapped his mouth with a napkin before leaning in, "Has everything arrived? How soon can we begin work on the altar."

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