Sio meets Makoto's glance as they give it to her- and in turn, she smiles, relaxing once more. "Yes, that...that sounds lovely. I'm sure I could bake something for us; what kind of cookies do you prefer, hm?" she muses in turn, eager now more than ever for something sweet.

But, perhaps that wishful thinking will have to wait. After all, with the change in view up ahead also came what could only be described as whisperings of the dead- of vengeful spirits ready to prey on whoever came near. Surely they'd be able to make it past this, right?

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 4 (Whispers of the dead)

Checkpoints Completed: N/A

Baking some cookies? The idea of that certainly sounded tempting to Makoto, though the question of what sorts they preferred was a good one. "Mmm... I'd... like to help, if you're gonna bake something for me." They spoke first, giving a sheepish chuckle, before musing "I've never given my favorite cookie much thought, but... Chocolate chip is good,"

Though they, too, had taken note of the whispers of malicious or otherwise agitated spirits. The place they approached, though clearly a landmark, was filled with what might've once been shrines or grave markers that had long-since fallen into disrepair amidst the wear and tear of the chilling elements.

And with the duo's arrival, spirits and ghost-type pokemon alike arose, disturbed by their presences.

Kuro emerged with a low growl - the ghost-type Zorua setting aside its anxieties to instead fight. Ghostly energy like chilling flames rose in the little kit's wake, as it threw itself at the nearest ghost with Bitter Malice (75)!

Yurei snorted, hooves briefly stamping at the ground as her initial instinct was to move away - but the group was quickly growing surrounded. Their horns lit up with psychic energy, shocking an approaching pokemon with her own Extrasensory (80)!

Makoto, meanwhile, had to hang on tight in that brief moment - their knuckles whitening around the reins. "W-watch our backs!" They called to Sio, "We'll find a way through!" It was hard enough to watch their front as it was; but there was most definitely a benefit to not being alone.

But at the very least? Their pokemon were holding their own quite well - perhaps partly due to the both of them being partial normal-types. As a Dark Pulse (80) was let loose by Kuro - sending more pokemon reeling - Yurei would let out a whistling cry as she charged forwards, antlers glowing brilliantly in a Psyshield Bash (70)..!

Which would help to provide an opening, which the Wyrdeer did not hesitate to take, galloping forwards through the snow. The ghosts, not done with the hunt, would attempt to give chase...

... But would find themselves mysteriously drawn away, by the dazzling lights of a little fox's Spotlight.

It was hard to say, exactly, how long Makoto allowed Yurei to run for -but once they could no longer see or hear the hostile spirits, they'd bring her to a stop with a drawn out exhale. "Y... You okay..?" They questioned, glancing back to Sio.

At the very least, their own pokemon weren't all that beat up - Kuro soon emerging from wherever it had led the ghosts to, to hop into Makoto's lap and curl up.

Prompts Completed: 5 (Whispers)
Checkpoints Completed: 1 (Completed Prompts)

SIO SOTÍ
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Whispers, Rudolph, Hot Beverage/Food, Fond Memory, Offering Assistance

El smiled a bit, as Yuina accepted the blanket - happy to have been able to help, even if only a little. They were no scrooge!

But, she definitely had the right idea of things, to keep moving. Which, El wasted no time in nudging Heidrun onwards at a decent click. "I-I've, uhm, been keeping to the right when I can - and having Baron mark where we've been," They explained to her as they moved - adding "That way, if we get lost, we just have to keep to the left instead to find our way back."

It wasn't like the exact path up was clear - just trying to take paths that went up the mountain could easily lead to dead ends they found. So, it was better to have a system in place - and this system worked for most mazes, right?

Prompts Completed: 5 (Scrooge)
Checkpoints Completed: N/A

Yuina Higashi
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Scrooge, Miracle, Jumpscare, White, Hot Beverage/Food

But as it turned out, the path ahead was frought with more danger than she had initially expected, when the howls and whispers about her seemed to grow all the louder. In this place of old and forgotten resting places, the ghosts here seemed all the more hostile..!

Anne would quickly bristle with the rising danger - teeth bared as she growled, protectively hovering near Ettie. Zeit whined a bit - unsure...

... But Ettie, reaching down to pet the little Growlithe, would switch him out - instead bringing out Adraea in his stead.

Wolf and crow glanced to one another - and though the Honchkrow was normally the mischievous sort... It only took a glance for the dark-type to realize the situation.

And thus, when Anne threw her head back in a Howl, Adraea was quick to throw the first punch - a Sucker Punch (70), in fact! And with the enemies on the back foot, Anne snarled - a vicious Stone Edge (100) rising from the earth to send them reeling back!

It was clear that Adraea had no interest in being shown up, though; engaging in a bit of Foul Play (95) to further bamboozle the spirits.

But, things were tricky; as though the group were able to fight their way past, the ghosts pursued still, and spirits were not beholden to limits such as the thick snow or stamina.

It was when Ettie felt one of her pokeballs jolt, that she realized there was a potential answer. Switching Adraea out, Anat would come forth - the Lucario standing tall, wreathed in the faintest glow of aura.

And it was through aura that she would work to soothe the spirits, applying it in a calming Heal Pulse. In the wake of this aura, the howling quieted, the whispers softened...

... And before Ettie knew it, her ears were met with only the sound of the wind rustling the trees.

Open to interactions =w=
Prompts Completed: 5 (Ghosts)
Checkpoints Completed: 1 (Completed Prompts)

Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Icicles, Ghosts, Snow, Jumpscare, White

"Oh, goodness- then remind me before you come over. Everything's... a bit of a mess!" Sio chuckles, rubbing the back of their neck. "But truly, thank you. Perhaps I can make a variety of them, then; it could certainly help you decide on a favorite, and it'd be fun for both of us-"

But likewise, Sio's ghost-type pokemon had quickly taken notice of the vengeful spirits trying to steal away their owner and her friend, immediately raring up to fight. Itiá gives a rattling cry to the group of phantoms to warn them- or perhaps even taunt them, knowing how dramatic and confident she can get.

"I've got us- just hang on tight!" Sio calls back, gripping tighter onto Makoto- her own grip whitening her knuckles with how her hands clasp together.

Thankfully, while Yurei and Kuro have the front end handled, Itiá and Wisp quickly bolt around to behind the crew. The Phantump rears back, eyes glinting with malice and confidence alike as she slams down a Wood Hammer(120)! After another cry from one ghost-type, the other- the ever eager and mischievous Lampent whistles back. He sets the Wood Hammer ablaze with a sudden burst of flame in the form of an Overheat(130)! With the two's power combined, the opposing ghost pokemon seem to disappear just as quickly as they had once risen- easily pacified by the chaotic duo.

Sio braces herself for the rest of the ride, keeping a close eye on Makoto and their shared team of pokemon. And even though they all seem perfectly fine, she exhales just as heavily and roots through her bag.

"I'm...I'm alright. Are you? If you need anything, I usually keep a small first aid kit on hand." Besides- if Makoto was going to help her, there was nothing stopping her from returning the favor. Though in her searching, she does find a baggie of some generic yet ever familiar soft caramels. Sio takes a handful out- Itiá taking her piece with a slightly tired yet ever happy rattle while the detective offers another to Kuro. After all, such hard workers deserve only the best treats.

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 5 (Offering Help)

Checkpoints Completed: 1 (Completed Prompts)

As things quiet down, Makoto lets out a relieved sigh - practically ready to melt in the saddle, if not for the fact that Sio was right behind them. "I... I think I'm alright, and Yurei wasn't hurt at all in the chaos..."

Though, a glance to Kuro does find that he has a few scrapes - nothing serious, but no doubt it had gotten into a more close-up scuffle with the hostile ghosts at some point. That, or it had gotten caught on the foliage whilst drawing said spirits away.

Makoto is more than happy to accept some help in patching the little kit up... But what really seems to perk things up for the group, is when Kuro takes notice of the caramels that Sio had - prompting a soft chuckle from Makoto.

The Zorua's approach is slow, careful, and ginger... But once it is within range, it quickly (yet feather-lightly) snatches up the caramel! And with treat obtained, Kuro returns to their place on Makoto's lap - chewing on the caramel.

With this, Makoto smiles back to Sio. "Thank you... Maybe after a few more caramels, you'll get Kuro to linger around?" They muse - equal parts humorous and hopeful. They'd certainly like for Kuro to warm up to other people!

Prompts Completed: 6 (Accepting Help)
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Whispers, Rudolph, Hot Beverage/Food, Fond Memory, Offering Help, Accepting Help

Checkpoints Completed: 1

SIO SOTÍ