Bibidi blinks, as Watson proceeds to eat the bribe - the Alakazam staring down at him with a momentarily befuddled expression. Why..?

As Eris Halla runs up to take Isaac Merlo 's hand and follow the siblings, El casts her a gentle and warm smile. Though, noticing that she seemed a little nervous... "It's alright - even if there's been unpleasant parts, it won't stop us from having some fun wherever we can, right?" They weren't sure what exactly had her unsettled in the moment - the things that were going down at the bar were a potential part of it, for sure. But at the very least, they wanted to extend some reassurance for her.

Which, the readings that they and Artemis both recieved were recieved with clear interest. El wasn't wholly sure how much stock to put into astrology - when you had psychic-types and the like who could peer into the abstract, sometimes reality ended up being stranger than fiction. But it was nonetheless interesting, intriguing. And even if you set aside the supernatural and occult half of it, the advice given was still sound.

The thought of uncharted territories, though, brought a soft chuckle out of El. Glancing to Isaac and Eris both, they'd muse out loud "We're no strangers to diving into new places, yeah? I wonder what kind of adventures we might get up to, in the future." with a bright grin. Between the time spent in a dream Galar, time spent in the Wilds, and even smaller-scale scenarios such as the tera-crystal tunnels below and the occasional space-time distortions...

They felt like they could face whatever new frontiers they were propelled towards no problem - and they very much thought the same of those close to them. (Though, they hoped that the aforementioned 'adventures' wouldn't be as dramatic as dangerous Wilds jaunts or spending 20 years in Galar.)

Perhaps what they were less prepared for, though, was an approach from Melody Miro . Though they had seen and recognized the idol at the bar, they hadn't wanted to make a big deal or scene of it then. But when she comes asking for their name and even complimenting them, they can't help but find themself flushing a bit - visibly caught off guard.

"O-oh, I... I'm El Sunderland!" They respond, hoping that the smile on their face read as polite rather than dumb. "And thank you - I, I think your outfit's really pretty." A genuine attempt to return the favor with a compliment of their own - they think she's quite beautiful, really.

The beautiful idol was lost on Artemis, though, who seemed eager to move on to the one other thing that had been offered alongside the readings. Oinking, she'd tug at the hem of El's shirt and point towards the telescope - she wanted to look through it, she wanted to see the stars!

El blinked at this - glancing down to their spoink, then back up to the others. "Oh - right, the telescope! Do you guys want to go see the constellations, too?" The glance that they cast Melody implied that she was welcome to follow as well - for as much as she had put them a bit off-kilter, they were happy to include her in the trio's shenanigans.

TLDR/NOTES:
- Bibidi the Alakazam and Baron the Iron Valiant are subbing for El and Isaac Merlo in manning the bar.
- Bibidi is befuddled by Watson eating money.
- When Eris Halla runs up to join El and Isaac, El gives her a warm smile + some words of reassurance when they notice her appearing a lil nervous.
- El and Artemis the Spoink enjoyed the readings they recieved!
- The mention of uncharted territories makes El think of past adventures they had; stuff like the dream-Galar, the Wilds, the tera-crystal tunnels, and space-time distortions. They also muse to Isaac and Eris about the three of them being no strangers to exploring new areas + that they wonder about what sorts of (hopefully not-too-dramatic) adventures the three of them might run into in the future. Overall though, they feel confident that whatever the cosmos throw at them or those close to them, they'll all be ready.
- Melody Miro 's approach and compliment catches El off guard + flusters them. They give her their name, and compliment her outfit in return.
- Artemis wants to see the telescope and look at constellations! El asks if Isaac, Eris, and Melody are interested in going as well.

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Remiel Calcifet

There were many large and strange words used in the reading Ettie recieved - and for a moment, she was unsure of how to even process it all... Certainly, she was picking up words a bit more - especially after those lost 20 years - but it was still a gradual process, a process that sometimes left her feeling handicapped.

There were patterns in the world that she felt like she should be able to remember and recognize - from the words written on pages, to the things people said, to even certain little routines and constants... But whenever her mind tried to reach for them, it came back foggy and disjointed. And trying to push through that fog - sometimes even with Haru's help - gave her headaches.

She wanted to understand. She was once able to understand. She didn't know why she couldn't understand now. She sometimes felt like she'd been around for so much longer than she's truly been - and when she really let her mind linger on it... It was something she could barely cope with.

Yet, Haru and Anat both were there as well, and the two could easily memorize the reading given together for Ettie's sake. They were also sensitive to the turmoil that briefly stewed in their packmate's heart - and the two would both gently pat Ettie, offering their own forms of reassurance. She'd get there - she had so many years ahead of her for this, and they'd be with her for each step.

And on top of the reassurance, it was hard to be upset for long when there were friends to be made! Ettie beams as Quill responds - and she gives a little wiggle, as if her own equivalent to wagging a tail. "Ettie having fun!" She speaks to him with a nod, eager as can be as the feelings brought on by her reading faded into the background.

SIO SOTÍ , too, would be met with a bright smile. "Mhmm! Ettie love pretty sights! And pretty sounds! And lots people!" She spoke to them, gesturing animatedly and giving another eager wiggle. But with a curious tilt of her head, she'd glance between Quill and Sio both - asking "What's friends' names?"

TLDR/NOTES:
- Ettie gets a little bit existential over patterns - namely, the patterns (language/writing, day-to-day routines/constants) that she had picked up during her 20 years in dream-Galar, but had forgotten upon awakening from the dream. She feels upset over not being able to grasp the things she feels like she should still be able to - but Anat and Haru are there to comfort her.
- The existential-ness is soon forgotten in lieu of interacting with Quill and SIO SOTÍ ! Friends! She confirms to them both that she's having fun, then asks for their names!

1eQGPr9Z
Remiel Calcifet

While Sio knew well enough what words were spoken to her in her reading- what the stars showcased to her, there's still plenty that perplexes her about the whole ordeal. Communication, dedicated time, prioritization of self-care...boundaries. The hell is she supposed to do about those? Boundaries, such a superficial yet all the more heavy weighted concept- the very thing that makes or breaks one's tolerance for people and places. Lord knows she could never go back home because of lines being crossed- both on and off their face. They'd never again let themself be silenced, be it by man or beast.

Their face remains neutral- cold, stoic, a brick wall between themself and the partygoers. What right did they have to see how they felt? What right did they have to their inner thoughts, their turmoil and constant fight for more control- more, more, more? Only Quill seems to pick up on this tension, licking his trainer's hand to slowly calm them down. At the very least, they're calm enough to...

"Oh- well that's wonderful, dear. Parties like this are always bustling- and you certainly seem like the type to enjoy it all." Sio responds, that small smile returning to their face. As for Quill, it's easy to say that Ettie's wiggling spurs him on, too- though more so for a bigger full body movement. One that causes Sio to gently grab the Smeargle in attempts to calm him down. "Ho- hoo- hoh boy, easy there dear. We need to introduce ourselves to our new friend." they chide affectionately, patting his head. "But...I am Sio, Ettie dear- and this sweet pup here is Quill!"

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Ettie Remiel Calcifet

At being referred to as a 'friend', Ettie perked up visibly - giving another brief wiggle. She wasn't sure what SIO SOTÍ had to ho-ho-hold Quill still for - did he want to play? She could play! Playing with friends was fun!

Really, things like established bonds - for Ettie - were an odd concept, when one really looked at how she approached it. There were definitely bonds that she recognized as being closer - those of her adoptive family, those of her packmates...

... But otherwise - as far as she cared - if someone wasn't prey, and if they weren't a threat either, then that meant they were already established as a friend. And friends were always good! She just needed to get to know Sio and Quill a little more so that she could be a good friend to them, too!

A stranger was only a stranger if you couldn't get to know them, right? She didn't see any reason to distrust someone from the start - not when most other humans she met were confirmed friends! Besides, she felt safe from most threats, when surrounded by the bonds that are her pack.

But as far as getting to know someone went, names certainly made a good first step. As Sio and Quill introduced themselves, Ettie would smile bright. "Nice to meet you! Am Ettie!" She replied - although it was pretty obvious that Sio had picked up on her name, Ettie didn't think twice of introducing herself. Gesturing to her two pokemon - a Lucario and a Delphox respectively - she'd next introduce "Is Anat! And Haru!"

Anat and Haru both would give respectful nods to the duo. They had a better grasp on the line between strangers, acquaintances, and friends than Ettie did - but Sio and Quill both seemed pleasant enough.

With introductions out of the way though, Ettie would glance to Quill curiously - asking "Did friend want play?"

TLDR/NOTES:
- Lead the Established Bonds prompt into thoughts about how Ettie approaches friendships with others - which is to say, if you aren't food and you aren't a bad guy, you're probably a friend! Also touches on the safety she finds with her pack + Anat and Haru's more realistic views on bonds with people you just met.

1WwtAW71
Remiel Calcifet

While something like bonding seemed oh so simple to a girl like Ettie, Sio had plenty more complications and intricacies on the matter- rules they had to follow, cues they'd learned over time as a detective and reporter both. Sure, they could manage a smile well enough or talk with honesty in most of their statement...

...But emotional vulnerability was something they'd always struggled with. It wasn't like they could go up to any old person they called a friend and rant about their day; that they could sit down and have heartfelt conversations with those they interviewed on a day in day out basis- not without the risk of being harmed, anyhow. As of right now, the only person in Sio's personal circle that had such a highly held privilege was Makoto- and they'd only just scratched the surface of their psychic shield. Perhaps that was why the detective held such a deep fondness for psychic-type pokemon in the first place- they could pick up on any feeling or cue without issue, without elaboration or veils of bias or falacy. There was no risk of being wrong around them- only dishonest, and even that form of risk was arbitrary and rare. They'd be fine with introductions, and first name basis conversation, but if anyone wanted to know anything further, they'd have to work tremendously for it- prove they deserved to know.

That being said, Ettie seems...fine enough. Just another naive kid making her way through the world with her loyal pokemon by her side. "Ettie, Anat, and Haru. I see," Sio mused, nodding their head. "It's nice to meet you all as well!"

Meanwhile, at the offer to play, Quill's hyperness seemed to only grow more and more- until finally, his wriggling got Sio to free him! Finally! He barked and yipped excitedly, nodding all the while. "I suppose we'll take that as a yes! I wouldn't be opposed to accompanying you lot either, if you don't mind." Perhaps not to play, but at least to supervise and ensure nobody got hurt.

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Remiel Calcifet , Ettie