It had been thanks to Nobu, that Makoto had first found the little communal garden in Fortree. Although, where 'communal garden' might imply some form of order, this garden felt closer to something that had sprung up by pure happenstance. Certainly, the plants here - predominantly berry bushes - were well cared for; especially as long as Makoto kept Nobusuma in line. But otherwise, the garden was not arranged with much rhyme or reason in mind - aside from bushes of the same variety typically being arranged together. Typically.

But ever since the initial discovery, Makoto couldn't help but visit the garden every so often - whenever they were in the area. It was quiet and peaceful here, and there was something meditative in tending to the bushes - watering and trimming them. More often than not, if everything was as it should be in the garden, they'd simply sit under a tree and read - away from the hustle and bustle and judging eyes of society.

This year... It had been a lot, overall. Arriving into Hoenn, meeting Kuro, and running into Rocket... Perhaps a lot of that was technically weighed towards the end of the year - but it certainly had been far more eventful, than prior years.

Did they regret getting involved with Rocket? They wanted to say no - that they shouldn't have any hesitations in the first place, to join such a team. Not when it gave them a roof over their head, and a place to belong. And yet, at the same time... They weren't sure yet. To say yes or no so soon, it felt hasty. Rocket wasn't going to be all sunshine and rainbows, for sure - but at the same time, was it really that different from the sort of stuff they've already done? Cheating, stealing, lying - all in the name of survival? Just minus the struggles, of having to wander from place to place - only having their own pokemon to rely on...

... Perhaps, for their New Years wish, it'd be that things would continue looking up. That they won't regret their decisions, as the days pass...

Even when it was cold, taking a midday nap in the garden was nice. Curled up amongst her pack, as the sun was shining down at its peak, and soaking in the rays? There was nothing quite like it, being able to simply find herself surrounded by the soft breaths of her packmates sleeping alongside her - of being able to hear Anne's heartbeat, strong and steady, when she rested her head against the lycanroc's side.

It was hard to feel chilly, surrounded by the warmth of one another - and really, the only complaint that Ettie had, was that she had to keep her skin covered - lest she end up with a sunburn. It was one of those little things that she'd long-since adjusted though, paired with the light sensitivity she had thanks to her albinism.

The only thing she could wish for, as time passed, was that she'd be able to see her pack grow - as big as her mom's, and perhaps even bigger! A big and strong pack, where everyone worked together - overcoming any troubles that came their way...

Gard was a powerful Applin, if he could say so himself! It hadn't been long since he found this garden - unclaimed by any single beast, yet rich in resources - and in the time since his arrival, he was hard at work. Any self-respecting dragon in this world needed three things - a lair, a hoard, and tribute. And by Arceus, he was going to make this happen - he'd spent too long having to hide from anything larger than, well, an apple-

Already, this grove was perfect for a lair - being secluded enough to not have too many humans poking about, and yet close enough to some human civilization that most other wild pokemon would shy away from it. But, it was going to take some work to make it properly nice and cozy. Namely, he needed to set up a nest - something he could curl up in at night, away from the cold that came with it!

And as for his hoard, well, what better hoard than what kept you alive? There was plenty of food to be had here - plenty of beautiful plants, and flowers, that he was cultivating to his heart's content. Why worry about shiny things that just sat there and broke your teeth to bite into, when you could have equally pretty foliage that would propagate itself with just a little love and care?

But finally, was the question of tribute. This... was something that he was still figuring out, admittedly. It was hard to be intimidating enough for others to want to appease you, when you couldn't even reach halfway to their knee. But! That being said, he had this... At least partly handled? Occasionally, visitors would freely offer up their labor - aiding in tending to the garden - or add new berries to the variety already present.

So, thus far, it was a pretty cushy home all things considered. With a little work, he'd have something that any other dragon would surely find envy in!

Well well well, wasn't this a surprise? Makoto would blink a bit as a sizeable gastrodon emerged from the bushes - the ground-type visibly sniffing about, as they investigated the berry trees present. It was clear to see that gastropod was here to eat, given the intent gaze that they had as they beheld one of the nearest ones - wasting no time in ambling on over. However, the thief knew quite well about what lived here - and they had a feeling that this pokemon might have bit off more than they could chew.

Gard wasted no time in defending the garden, the rotund dragon letting out a threatening hiss as he charged at the gastrodon. The ground-type, to their credit, seemed to realize that these berries weren't exactly free pretty quick - but by the time they attempted to turn tail, Gard was already upon them with a Headbutt!

Makoto, meanwhile, would watch from where they stood - watering can in hand. Though the notion of letting Gard handle this wild pokemon was initially tempting, they'd soon decide to take out a pokeball and toss it - attempting to catch the gastrodon. Even if they didn't have much to offer for Makoto, perhaps someone else would appreciate them...

Even if El does have the Gracidea Flower back in Petalburg to worry about, it's still quite nice to sit here and tend to the trees, and their berries. It's therapeutic, having something that they can busy their hands with and simply let their mind drift away - listening to the sounds of the foliage around them, enjoying the sweet smell of flowers, and the like...

Perhaps one of these days, they'd even be able to include others in on tending to this garden? Certainly, they know they aren't the only one working here - the resident Appletun is an example of such - but what harm would there be in say, inviting Isaac here, one day?

A Smeargle was full of tricks and surprises, more often than not. With just a single use of Sketch, they could mimic a move with near-perfect accuracy; and be able to keep it with them, at that.

Which meant that the addition of Yip to the pack was an interesting one. What might she pick up from her peers, once she got comfortable in the pack? What would she bring to the table, once she's had time to find her niche?

Safe to say, the first move she learned from the pack was perhaps one that was least expected - namely that of Transform, from the Ditto that joined them as well! It quickly came as a surprise when there was not only one, but two, packmates who were taking to disguising themself as their peers!

But perhaps this would prove to be a useful tool for her, later down the line?

It came as a surprise when - one day - a little Rockruff appeared at the garden. First glance might make one think them to be Mina - but the scent was not the same, and the pack were thus surprised to see the pup. Who was this stranger? What brought them here?

Anne understood, however. There came a time where a Rockruff would set out from its pack - somewhat like a rite of age - when the urge to evolve came near. Not out of any lost love for one's pack - but for breathing room, space to grow. And the Rockruff would either return a Lycanroc, or would become independant - often to either form its own pack, or join another.

And it seemed the lattermost option would come along, as Ettie arrived with food. Noting this newcomer, she'd smile to the pup - extending an offering in their direction. "Friend! Hello," She chirped. "Want food?"

El shivers with an exhale, and watches the way their breath puffs white in the cold air. The temperature is dropping, and winter is coming - as unusually cold as the last. And for someone who grew up in one of the hottest parts of Hoenn, they are... Perhaps not the most adapted to it.

For sure, they've been bundling up and wearing layers - but they feel like if they bundle up any more, they'll become a giant Jigglypuff!

But that being said - there was a certain beauty, to that hidden berry grove this time of year. The glistening frost that clung to the foliage was pretty, and watching the way their breath drifted in the air was fascinating...

They couldn't be here forever, though. There was work to be done, as a Ranger, to help track the seasonal changes. So, gathering their pokeballs to recall their pokemon, they'd get back up from their seat on a fallen log, and went with Bibidi to go about their day.