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"Sounds great, Madame!" Luka chirps back to Fae Madden. "A cutie like you is totally worth waiting for!" If only she could be so charming on purpose— as always, any come-ons are the accidental byproduct of her good nature.[break][break]

Now it's back to decorating! Decorating, decorating....[break][break]

Just for fun, Luka decides to make a snowy little beard for her snowboy. Because why not? He certainly looks more dapper with one. She hums absently as she starts to carve out a little snow mustache to match, and finally looks over at Audric Black and his handiwork...[break][break]

"Come on now! The event isn't gonna go all night," she teases, looking over at the half-finished boy. "But gosh, your snowboy is looking great so far! Let me know if you need any help!"

[break][break]

---

[break]
[break]


[break]

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Thank goodness for Genevieve Cromwell![break][break]

The other woman catches on quickly and manages to save the day with a fast assist. The arm around her waist startles her, but Luka merely flushes and returns the gesture, appreciative of the warmth of another body and the scent of sweet perfume.[break][break]

She almost corrects Remiel Calcifet when he assumes they're a couple, but holds her tongue. Is it mean of her? Maybe. But it's fun to pretend for a moment that she really has arrived on the arm of a beautiful woman, that she's moved on and is happy again.[break][break]

It's kind of sad that such a thing feels like a fantasy, but Luka ignores that for now. Instead, she stares at the prince as he makes polite excuses and turns to leave so soon after seeking her out. The Remiel she knew might have been ready with a swift retort, but he gives up almost immediately, slinking off with his tail between his legs.[break][break]

"Ah, um—" Her voice freezes in her throat, like ice cream weighing down her tongue. Just what is she supposed to say? "Thank you," is her rather lame response, "I...hope you have a pleasant evening too."[break][break]

There's a part of her— a part she hates— that wants him to turn around and insist on a dance. To fight for her hand, to do something other than blindly accept the impenetrable wall that's grown between them. Though after rejecting him so thoroughly, perhaps she has no right to think this way. Even though all she's trying to do is protect her stained glass heart, it seems to hurt either way.[break][break]

And playing games is really so exhausting.[break][break]

An almost imperceptible sigh slips past her lips, but when she turns back to her charming partner she's all smiles again.[break]pbreak]

"I'm sorry, um...I-I feel like I put you in an awkward spot." Apologies come as naturally as breathing, and abashed laughter floats in the space between them.[break][break]

"A-although, um! If, erm, i-if you really wouldn't mind a dance, I think that sounds lovely."

[break][break]

---

[break]
- bruh[break]
- open to interaction![break]
- dress & mask

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All things considered, Eris Halla is taking things rather well. Luka's instinct is still to protect the girl, however, and she flits over to where she assumes Eris still is as soon as the lights go out. "Stay close," she whispers, "We should try and meet the others—"[break][break]

Though as it turns out, it's Locke Jamison and thomas nightingale that will have to meet them. Luka nearly drops the music box in her hands as it begins to emit a screeching sound— it's jarring and piercing and awful, but there's an underlying familiarity to it. Before she can try to place it, however, she's distracted by the flames that erupt from the breakroom's stove and the haunting images that flicker within.[break][break]

Over the cacophony, she can hear Locke Jamison yelling something. Unable to make it out clearly, she just shouts back:[break][break]

"I-I think the two of you might want to get back over here!"[break][break]

Her eyes remain locked on the stovetop, regarding every twisting visage with an uncomfortable twist of the stomach. Whatever it is that lurks in the fire doesn't seem violent yet, but they must have angered it somehow. But how can they placate something like this without even knowing what it is? Or what it wants?[break][break]

Thankfully, sharper minds than hers are able to put the pieces together.[break][break]

"Eh? A poltea...oh!"[break][break]

That naggingly familiar sound has a shape to it now. Though it's one Luka associates more with drowsy mornings and cashmere sweaters than a horrifying, screeching wail. Still, the assertion that this may just be a Pokemon helps to assuage her fear slightly. If it's an upset ghost, perhaps they can try to calm it...[break][break]

In the darkness, she fumbles around for her Rotom's love ball, hoping to shed some light on the specter that haunts them. Instead, she grabs her Jumpluff's by mistake, releasing a blissfully ignorant grass type into the fray. Frightened chirps soon join the din around them, and the pink puffball quickly buries herself into her trainer's hair.[break][break]

The music box feels heavier in her hands, for some reason. Luka stares at it, brows furrowed. Then, something clicks.[break][break]

It's a trinket, isn't it? It must have belonged to someone, or something. A m—[break][break]

"Quickly! I'm so sorry about this, but please... u-use memento!"[break][break]

Her Jumpluff seems confused at first, but trust in her companion overrides all else. A memento is performed and the little grass type faints along with it, leaving Luka to hope that her hunch might pay off.[break][break]

---

[break][break]

- guessing polteageist![break]
- activating the music box![break]
- jumpluff uses memento[break]
- wants to PACIFY the spirit

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The Slaking they run into during their trek has the right idea.[break][break]

Bundled up against the surprisingly big chill of Hoenn's winter, a huddled and snoozing mass of fur— yeah, that's what Luka would like to be right now. She hugs her arms tighter and thinks that like...yeah, it's a problem that it's this chilly in Hoenn, even this time of year.[break][break]

But everything else is going sideways right now, so why not just add the weather to the list?[break][break]

She and Plum continue on, leaving the Slaking be. Hopefully he can enjoy his nap and respite from the weather in peace.

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"Oof...it's cold today, don't you think?"[break][break]

Plum doesn't answer of course, not even when Luka shivers and lets out an exaggerated brr. She's not sure why, but today the wind blows right through her, turning lily-white skin red around her ears and nose.[break][break]

Ugh. She should've brought a thicker sweater! But it'd be a waste to turn around now, so Luka wraps her arms around herself and continues her trek around Mauville Hills while Plum, sleepy and warm, dozes off by her side.

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Leave it to a man to interrupt her pleasant conversation.[break][break]

Normally, Luka wouldn't mind. But the deep voice that floats towards her, spilling a haunting familiarity into the air, reminds her exactly why she'd wanted to stay Home Alone tonight.[break][break]

Once heard, always remembered. Even with his voice pitched down Luka is certain this is Remiel Calcifet. His mop of dark hair and the piercing blue eyes behind his mask only reinforce her suspicion.[break][break]

Her breath catches in her throat, but she swallows it down and smiles instead. Her expression remains blithe and innocent, dreamlike— almost vacant. Let him think her utterly oblivious. It's easier that way.[break][break]

After all, she could be wrong. The empty glasses of champagne left in her wake certainly haven't helped with her perception for the evening.[break][break]

But on the off chance her ex is brazenly trying to hit on her, Luka uses poor Genevieve Cromwell as a shield. She giggles because it seems appropriate, though the blush that warms her cheeks is genuine and she hates herself for it.[break][break]

"Oh! Thank you, Monsieur. You, erm...look wonderful yourself! But I don't know," she says, batting thick lashes towards the other woman. It's a little mean to get a completely innocent party involved in their drama— but perhaps she's just looking for an easy out.[break][break]

"Am I?"

[break][break]

---

[break]
- bruh[break]
- open to interaction![break]
- dress & mask

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Is this supposed to be a chore? This is fun![break][break]

Jam cackles as they swoop in above the heads of their fellow workers, zipping around and bothering every Pokemon in the vicinity. Despite Luka sending them on this job to instill a sense of responsibility and work ethic, the whole thing just seems like a game to them. The mischievous Poipole would rather play with the poison mess than clean it up, throwing handfuls at their fellow workers and splashing through the mess like a child in a mud puddle.[break][break]

Eventually they grab a bit of the crystallized poison and, just for the heck of it, stick it in their mouth.[break][break]

And apparently it's...good? Or at least they think so, because pretty soon Jam is just shoveling handfuls into their mouth.[break][break]

That counts, right? After all, the job had never specified how the poison should be cleared up...

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How the heck does a distortion form underwater?![break][break]

Actually, never mind. It's Hoenn, and Luka's learned not to question whatever bizarre circumstances befall her.[break][break]

What does matter is that their excavation team still isn't in the clear— and neither is her own squad, for that matter. To make things worse the Pokemon that attack them this time seem far more aggressive than the last, and she has the feeling that just lulling them to sleep won't work for a second time.[break][break]

But Luka's never been the type to attack recklessly. Though still new to strategy she takes a moment to think and assess the situation, to come up with the best way to protect their group while dealing a minimal amount of damage. The idea that comes to mind seems silly at first, but she latches onto it without really considering the logistics.[break][break]

"Is everyone okay?" she says into her comms, "Uhm, maybe get back a little! We're going to try and keep them from getting any closer!"[break][break]

Hers is a bit of a harebrained scheme, but if they're lucky it just might work. While Sprinkle's illuminated tail continues to mesmerize nearby Pokemon, Luka sends out her Vaporeon to assist. The water type paddles swiftly in front of her as Luka shouts out a request, unsure whether or not her Pokemon will even be able to understand her underwater—[break][break]

"Bella Luna, use Blizzard! Let's try and freeze the water around them!"[break][break]

At first it's just a few snowflakes; crystallized water hanging almost motionless in front of them. Under the water it's impossible to whip up a proper blizzard, but that's just fine. All that really matters is the large barrier of ice that starts to form between the team of defenders and the schools of Sharpedo and Bruxish. Sharp teeth clang against solid ice, and scaley bodies start to ram against it in an attempt to get through, but for the time being it seems to hold, getting larger and larger as Bella Luna attempts to wall off their entire party— and freeze any unlucky Pokemon that gets in their way.[break][break]

---

[break]
- team 2 pog[break]
- uses blizzard to form an ice barrier around the team/freeze the attacking pkmn[break]

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From the bushes appears...[break][break]
Another Togepi?[break][break]
Toffee squeals in delight and toddles towards his kin, but something seems off. Luka can't quite put her finger on it, but the wide smile and beady, unblinking eyes remind her of something—[break][break]
Oh. Oh! It's one of those— those dittos! Like the ones she'd chased down with illeana reyes ages ago, she recalls with a shudder. And just as Toffee reaches out to poke them with one of his stubby hands, the Ditto shows their hand.[break][break]
Like putty, they ooze and stretch out of the way, their borrowed Togepi body stretching unnaturally with them. Toffee immediately begins to cry and runs back to Luka, clinging to her leg. Without wanting to battle the strange little thing, Luka turns to another method instead; a straightforward capture![break][break]
The first ball misses— the Ditto simply arches out of the way again with surprising grace. And again, and again, swirling around like an ice skater and avoiding every ball thrown.[break][break]
Until one finally hits them square in their weird, half-formed Togepi body, and Luka holds her breath as she waits for the ball to still.

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Cheek kiss: success![break][break]

A bubble of confidence rises in Luka's chest, and she clears her throat with another girlish giggle.[break][break]

"Say, um. W-would you like to—"[break][break]

But Zev Harcourt has already turned away, beelining for a blonde beauty on the other side of the ballroom. The word dance is stillborn on her lips.[break][break]

Wounded pride forms a lump in her throat but Luka swallows it as best as she can. Her free hand fists into her skirts as she downs the last of her champagne, letting the fizz of rising bubbles overtake the sting of rejection.[break][break]

It wouldn't matter as much if there weren't so many others around to see it. Fortunately, Elisabeth Fiorelli is the only one who laughs at her misfortune.[break][break]

"Ehe...I suppose you're right," she answers Isaac Merlo, playing it off with a casual laugh. "But don't worry about me! Is that your date?" she continues, peeking around to ana fell and flashing a smile. "It'd be rude to leave a beautiful lady waiting, you know!"[break][break]

To @amor, who she honestly hadn't noticed while wrapped up in her own issues, she shakes her head and offers a slight reassurance. "Eh? Oh, don't worry! It's fine, I'm sure..."[break][break]

She's distracted again, watching the man that had just ditched her dancing out on the ballroom floor. He and the blonde make for a handsome couple...[break][break]

Ugh. Whatever! It was just a little kiss that didn't mean anything! Luka clicks her tongue and starts to turn away from the dancefloor, when her attention is stolen away again— this time by a cute redhead.[break][break]

"Oh! Gosh, umm..." A hand flits instinctively to her hair, her crown of braids and pink curls set with icy crystals that glitter like shards chipped from an iceberg. "I...did? I'm glad it turned out okay!"[break][break]

Pink dusts her cheeks under the mask, like the first kiss of spring. "But really, you're too kind! Y-you look far lovelier," she continues, twirling that same strand of hair 'round and 'round her finger. "Your dress is gorgeous! And that mask is so pretty..."

[break][break]

---

[break]
- bruh[break]
- open to interaction![break]
- dress & mask

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