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POSTED ON Apr 9, 2024 20:28:35 GMT

carina (?) the ribombee (larger than normal cuz Ribombee are TINY!)

‘You run your mouth too much.’

“I know, I know,” he would chide the not-Carina as the Ribombee resumed the position; flicking away the last of the poisonous thread away from their minuscule little hands as he looked over at the poor—wait, wait a second.

He knew that the Stormbringer was much more powerful than this, but to be bested by a tiny little Ribombee?

Something was definitely up there…

He couldn’t help but mentally snicker at the image of a ‘Tornadus’ buried under a pile of purple Pollen Puffs. That was going to be one for the ages.

“I have no other choice in the matter but to face them head-on, right? So I return to where I came from, after all this. Then there is my answer.”

Hopefully, it would be enough.

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Blue Star

Hideo

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October 18th

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undecided

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i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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POSTED ON Apr 15, 2024 23:54:41 GMT

[player]https://file.garden/Ze-SbFmahEcRvg_Y/RoyalAudience.mp3[/player]
A Royal Audience

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[attr="class","NOSTALGIA"]

[attr="class","Chromeright"]

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[attr="class","puppycat"]Alexei Ivanov

[attr="class","lemonsoda"]

[attr="class","puppycat"]One More Obstacle

[attr="class","monody"]

A Royal Audience

The Puffed-out Imposter could do little but solemnly nod at the Lost One's answer. "An acceptable response. One can't always know true thoughts and desires of the one they seek. The true Thunderbringer may prove more ferocious a foe than I."

"Or perhaps, more cooperative. One wouldn't know until the time comes."

Slowly, the Imposter sank into its pile of Puffs. Close observation might clue in that the Imposter was shrinking, and the details on its body became indistinct, blurrier. But it would fully disappear into the Puffs before any major change became apparent.

"Now go on ahead, Lost One. Find your way to the gateway out of this world - and do not look back."

The path to the castle was clear. It would merely be up to the Lost One to follow it.

——

The castle was a magnificent blue structure, grand in scale and design. It looked as if it were all made of ice, yet it was no cooler or warmer than the outside. The way to the throne room was a simple one, with the inside of the castle more of an imitation of a castle than a real one; close observation would reveal the side rooms as either empty or near-empty, if there were even a space behind the doors.

While they were free to take their time, it would only be a matter of time until they found their way to the throne room. The throne itself looked as cold as the rest of the castle, in spite of the flowers adorning the room.

And sitting atop that icy throne was a familiar figure: the one the Lost One had met when they first entered the forest.

Yet, she looked different now: she bore a mixture of exhaustion and scorn, slouching on her throne as she glared at the Lost One and their Fairy.

It was just the three of them in this room now - and a low hum that reverberated through the room, coming from behind the throne.

"The Fae Kingdom is a strange place, is it not?" she asked, the frustration in her voice clear. "Filled with strange creatures, fulfilling the strange purposes they were given, and content with just that, with no other care in the world. It's what I thought when I first found myself trapped in this world - and I still do."

"Tell me: what do you think of this kingdom? Is it not the kind of place you would want to leave, with whatever opportunity presents to you?"

Prompts:

Answer the question.

MADE BY MIZO

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Ven

Alex / Lexy

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thirty

december 22

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POSTED ON Apr 23, 2024 20:53:00 GMT

It wouldn’t take them too long to eventually arrive at the throne room themselves, huffy not-Carina riding on his shoulder and ready to throw barbs when they both saw the ruler themselves—

And for a moment, it was like he was looking into Ruby Walker’s Hatterene…

He had to fight down the little bubble of emotion that was threatening to bubble up and pop out of him, so there was that.

“Before I give my answer for your question… I have a question of my own as well.”

‘Oh no, here we go…’

“Have you tried talking to your subjects? If they really, trule like what they’re doing?” he would run his mouth for a bit because well, that cute little Joltik (the one with the snot bubble) felt like they would always get in trouble, and the not-Tornadus also looked like they wanted to get out of there…

Or maybe that was just him overthinking things again.

“Well, my answer to your question would be… if you can come back and forth to it as you would please, then why not have the option to do such a thing?”

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Hideo

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POSTED ON Apr 28, 2024 23:22:02 GMT

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[attr="class","NOSTALGIA"]

[attr="class","Chromeright"]

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[attr="class","puppycat"]Alexei Ivanov

[attr="class","lemonsoda"]

[attr="class","puppycat"]One More Obstacle

[attr="class","monody"]

A Royal Question

"Denying me an answer," the Queen reprimanded, her eyes staring deeply at the Lost One, "after denying me your name. How very bold of you. A denizen of this world would have faced punishment for such impudence."

She blinked, her gaze weakening. "But very well. I have spoken with some of my subjects. The one that were coherent, had quite a bit to say. But all found their given names better than a life without a purpose, lest they become a Beast, destined to bring ruin to this Kingdom and those around them."

"I'm hardly the only one that would leave, given the opportunity. And yet, others have found it a strange comfort, knowing that their only need is to do a single job. Such simplicity can bring peace of mind, when the complexities of life drive one to its own madness."

She let out a sigh, slumping in her chair.

"It's a madness I sorely miss. I would return to it - but one needs a name to leave this realm. Not merely a title given in this realm. That is why I have yet to leave. That is why I desire your name."

The Queen went quiet, the Lost One's questions answered.

"Or, after all you've seen in this world, do you truly wish to return to your life, where many trials await - both known and unknown, where purpose is unclear?"

Prompts:

Answer the question.

MADE BY MIZO

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Alex / Lexy

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december 22

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POSTED ON May 1, 2024 20:37:33 GMT

Okay, how did his knowledge of fictional fae lore go—if one gave their name, then they would have control… but what if it happened in the opposite direction?

Had someone taken the Queen’s name too, and left them trapped in here?

Oh, he was sorely tempted to ask another question back; however he held his tongue, all things considered.

“…someone took your name too, am I right?” he inevitably said what was on his mind; hoping that he wasn’t going to get banished to some pocket dimension the moment those words left his lips.

‘Oh no… why did you ask that?!’

“I can’t help it! The way they worded their story, it’s just—for one to get stuck here so long, it’s inevitable—someone must’ve taken their name too and left them here!”

Or was he becoming too self-aware at this point?

Either way…

“Well. That’s half the fun of living. You don’t know what kind of hand you’re going to get dealt, all things considered. So… whatever’s waiting for me out there? I’ll face it no matter what the world throws at me. Because, isn’t going into the unknown half the adventure in the first place?”

The smallest of laughs escaped him.

“And for the record, do you want my true name, or my nickname? I do have several names…”

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Hideo

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October 18th

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POSTED ON May 8, 2024 23:33:41 GMT

[player]https://file.garden/Ze-SbFmahEcRvg_Y/HeartToHeart.mp3[/player]
A Pleasant Ending

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[attr="class","NOSTALGIA"]

[attr="class","Chromeright"]

[attr="class","Chromeoverlay"]

[attr="class","puppycat"]Alexei Ivanov

[attr="class","lemonsoda"]

[attr="class","puppycat"]Make your exit

[attr="class","monody"]

An Ending

The Queen gazed down at the Lost One, the scorn on her face clear…but only for a moment. Her expression softened as she took in a breath.

"Your assumption is correct; all the fae in this Kingdom were once like you; they came to this world, and their names were taken. I am no different; the previous Ruler took it."

Nobody was exempt from the rules of this land - not even its Ruler.

"A True Name is required to leave this land, for with it is tied one's existence. To take one's name would mean to be a Changeling and becoming the one whose name you have taken. Were I to take your name, your True Name…I would be you."

To that, the Queen quietly listened as the Lost One spoke of their resolve, of their determination in the face of uncertainty.

"...it does sound as if your life is a tumultuous one. And you do seem to dearly wish to return to it - which means I will likely not receive your name."

The Queen stood up from her throne, a brief burst of energy reaching her face, her voice booming through the hollow castle.

"Then I will render my judgment. As Ruler of this land, I decree for the crime of not complying with my request…I banish you from this Kingdom. You may keep your name, keep who you are, keep the life you had before you came here - but you may stay here no longer."

"Behind my throne is a portal. It takes one back to the land where their True Name belongs. Use it to return to the life of uncertainty and adventure you hold close. And do not return here."

She sat back on her throne, once more sighing. "Just go."

Prompts:

Do as you will.

The Dream will end on the next post.

MADE BY MIZO

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Alex / Lexy

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december 22

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POSTED ON May 20, 2024 18:47:43 GMT

The ‘not-Carina’ was just about pretty much ready to scream when—they blinked.

Wait, back up—what just happened?! Whoa, what?

‘You did not just—’

“Outsmart? I don’t know about that, they don’t seem too pleased to see me,” he would shrug as the Queen of the Realm passed judgment on him—them—him maybe, them? Not sure…

“I wouldn’t know how you could handle my partner, anyway,” he would hum quietly as he took a bow and walked around the throne.

“He’s rather… unique, in a way,” he would add before this quiet little grin would flash across his face.

“…he’d certainly know it wasn’t me, if we switched places, at any rate.”

With that, they would pass through the ‘portal’…

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Hideo

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POSTED ON May 27, 2024 17:13:59 GMT

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[attr="class","NOSTALGIA"]

[attr="class","Chromeright"]

[attr="class","Chromeoverlay"]

[attr="class","puppycat"]Alexei Ivanov

[attr="class","lemonsoda"]

[attr="class","puppycat"]Make your exit

[attr="class","monody"]

An Ending

The Ruler offered the Lost One a passing glance as they passed by the throne, towards the portal out of this realm. She seemed to pay little heed to their discussion with The Fairy, who seemed to discuss the possibility of if the Queen had taken their name - and how their companions would react.

It was a situation that, thankfully, they would not have to face. Not today.

And so, the Lost One made their way through the portal. To return to a chaotic life, where they couldn't know what tomorrow would bring, where purpose was unclear.

To their life.

MADE BY MIZO

"Congratulations on finding your way through this ordeal."

Alexei's exit from the dream would be as abrupt as it started, sitting just as he'd been when he first went under, once more within the Gym room. The Dream Mist the two Musharna had let out was being filtered away by a Galarian Weezing, reality becoming clear once more. A small *thump* could be heard as Hideo closed the book, a smile on his face.

"Now that you're back to reality: good job, Alexei! You're the first person I've had that didn't end up losing their name in the very beginning! And despite the aggression of some of the fae there, you managed to get your way through the story pretty well!"

Hideo lifted the book up, a Hatterene taking it and placing it aside.

"Now then: do you have any questions about your journey? Was there anything you would've done differently if given the chance?"

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Alex / Lexy

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POSTED ON May 31, 2024 21:51:35 GMT

The moment he saw the Hatterene once they were back in reality, he couldn’t help but crack this knowing grin. Hopefully now that they were out of there, he could… okay, just to be on the safe side…

A beam of red light from one of the few Pokéballs he carried with him revealed the actual Ribombee, Carina, who would then immediately make a beeline his way and then quite literally… sit on his nose. Just because she liked it there.

“I know you were watching, so… this is the real Carina. Definitely not like the sassy one you’ve seen in the pocket realm,” he would cackle quietly, before the tiniest fluttering of delicate wings would have the dual-type Pokémon move to his shoulder.

“Wait, are you telling me people actually lost their names while in there?” he would blink. Clearly they hadn’t known about Galarian stories about the fae, did they…

“Well, for one thing… what would’ve happened if I was an idiot and gave my name?” he would ask; the inevitable question escaping him before he could stop his brain from asking it.

Too many what-ifs!

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Hideo

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POSTED ON Jun 1, 2024 15:25:59 GMT

[player]https://file.garden/Ze-SbFmahEcRvg_Y/Nontrad%20Complete.mp3[/player]
Catharsis

Hideo nodded, a smile on his face.

"Well, can't say I've seen what they're like, but that's always good to know! I got a shiny Ribombee, and he's…he likes to use my hair as a blanket."

Little guy was probably eating snacks with Uxie right now.

"And yeah, most people get their names taken by the Ruler at the beginning! Fae in stories can be really tricky with their wording; the Ruler asks for their name, and when the challenger gives it - the Ruler takes it. A challenger won't even be able to remember their name, and they'll have to get it back before the Ruler runs off with their name! It was good that you caught onto that quick."

"Buuuuut since they gave the Ruler what they wanted, they also have an easier time in the Fae Kingdom. Less of the Fae would attack them, and the challenges they face would be more whimsical in nature…but also risk wasting more of their time."

"'Course, they don't truly risk forgetting themselves and becoming a fae. That's just part of the story; they'll remember all that once the dream is over!"

Last thing he needed was to land in hot water because his challengers couldn't remember who they were!

"What's important is that you found your way through this ordeal. It put you in a situation where you got to learn something about yourself, about where your strengths or weaknesses may lie, and what consequences arise from them. You might not know just what kind of person you are 'til the chips are down. You chose to return to your life here, even though you may be uncertain of what'll come next."

His Hatterene returned to his side, her head-hand opening up to reveal a badge.

"And because of that, I'd like to present you with the Ordeal Badge!"

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Alex / Lexy

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POSTED ON Jun 1, 2024 23:12:51 GMT

Hideo Kino likes this

The little Ribombee had since dozed off on his shoulder, and he would gently nudge her so that she wouldn’t fall over once they were done here.

“Oh!” he would breathe out quietly, exclaiming at the badge. How weird it felt, to be on the opposite of this while all this time he was the one giving badges out to challengers—

Little did he know that this would probably the very last badge he would be getting for a while, all things considered.

“I knew a little bit about how the fae work… my partner’s from Galar, and while he doesn’t like to admit it, some of the stories about supernatural creatures over there is actually true. Like, don’t stand in the middle of a faerie circle unless you want to be taken to another world; don’t give a fae your name… things like that.”

He would let out a little quiet sigh of relief.

“Thank you, for having me,” he would end as he accepted the badge from the Hatterene.