"Bowls?" [break][break]

Her thoughts muddled by brain fog, Yumi took a moment to comprehend what Nikkari meant by his question. When it finally clicked, she shook her head and gestured vaguely toward the door. [break][break]

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'll serve myself. You bringing medicine and food is more than enough. And anyway, I don't want you catching anything." [break][break]

She entered the kitchen and fetched a bowl, spoon, and chopsticks for herself without even knowing what type of soup he'd brought. Meanwhile, her Sinistcha floated over to inspect the other contents of the care package. [break][break]

Moments later, a sharp crash filled the apartment as the empty bowl shattered on the floor. [break][break]

"Fuck," Yumi swore under her breath, one hand gripping the countertop as if to keep herself from falling over. Her eyes squeezed shut against a sudden dizziness.

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – social

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Though Rhys was eager to get up close and personal with the black corpses, Yumi was content to keep her distance. While he crouched and prodded, she remained standing, glancing around with nervousness in case whatever inflicted such strangeness upon the poor souls still lurked nearby. [break][break]

"Sure," she said, eyeing the Toxtricity. "Just don't take too long, okay? This place gives me the creeps." [break][break]

She started toward the alleyway Rhys indicated with their two Pokémon, only for the woman to freeze at the mention of zombies. [break][break]

"Zombies?!" she shrieked as she whirled around. Her high voice cut through the eerie silence of the ruined city. "What do you mean, zombies?!" [break][break]

In the depths of the alley, something stirred.

TAGS – Rhys Collins[break]
NOTES – lesser megalopolis #1

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi stared with equal awe at the oppressive blackness that stretched out before them. Feeling quite familiar with a few of the Ultra Wilds, she had agreed to accompany Rhys into Lesser Megalopolis after he helped her at the Mechanical Kingdom. [break][break]

Nothing, however, could have prepared her for the sight that greeted her upon walking through the rift at Sky Pillar. [break][break]

"I've never seen anything like this place before," she whispered, shivering. Her blood had run cold, and goosebumps had risen across her skin. Absently, she hugged herself in a protective gesture and rubbed her arms with her hands. [break][break]

A trill from Yumi's Milotic drew her attention away from the nightmarish landscape. Grateful for a distraction, she walked over to where the enormous serpent coiled upon a ruined road. "What is it?" she asked, only to look down and find the answer. [break][break]

Humanoid shapes lay strewn across the ground. At first, she thought they were statues, but upon closer inspection, the black material that covered them was layered beneath frayed and tattered clothing. As if the metal was their skin, or… [break][break]

"Are these corpses?" Yumi gasped, growing pale. "Did the metal do this to them?" [break][break]

TAGS – Rhys Collins[break]
NOTES – lesser megalopolis #1

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"Fetch us a couple of dessert plates and forks, and a knife," Yumi ordered the young woman who had brought them their tea. [break][break]

Her expression soured at Marilyn's questions about her cousin. [break][break]

"Sen's working for me now, for the casino. He keeps the website and other behind-the-scenes IT functions running. But that hasn't stopped him from disappearing for lengths of time, doing Arceus-knows-what." [break][break]

She rolled her eyes, clearly indicating what she thought of that behavior. [break][break]

The serving girl returned with the requested silverware. Taking up the knife, Yumi sliced a matcha dessert into small, bite-sized portions. She placed one on her grandmother's plate and another on hers. [break][break]

"I'll reach out to him and tell him you want to meet."

TAGS – MARILYN HASEGAWA[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Mei Liu had left for work, leaving Yumi alone in the apartment to fend for herself. At least she felt reassured that nikkari hect was visiting, though she intended to send him away right after in the event she was contagious. [break][break]

The knock on the door announced his arrival. Dressed in loose silk pajamas that covered her modestly, Yumi shuffled over to let him in. Her Sinistcha floated close behind her, ready to assist in case she needed it. [break][break]

"Hey," she greeted Nikkari softly, too exhausted to embody her usual energy and attitude. Closing the door behind him, she eyed the bags he carried. "You can leave that on the kitchen table."

TAGS – nikkari hect[break]
NOTES – social

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi allowed her grandmother to kiss her hand, feeling much more like a princess with the gesture than she'd ever had before. Smiling, she removed the takeout box from the bag as she listened to Marilyn chatter away. [break][break]

The cardboard box was plain white, with a ribbon decorating the outside and the logo of the bakery stamped on one side. The understated elegance appealed to Yumi greatly, and she hoped her elder thought the same. [break][break]

Opening it revealed an assortment of traditional Johtonian baked sweets, each one carefully arranged so it would not bump or smudge the other. [break][break]

"I'll have to give Underboss Fiorelli a small token of some kind, to thank her for her generosity and support," Yumi said. "And I've been well, yes. I recently spoke with your other grandchild and told him you'd been released. He'll come around to meet with you soon." [break][break]

I hope, she added silently, wondering if Sen Hasegawa would actually bother.

TAGS – MARILYN HASEGAWA[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yumi glanced sidelong at Rhys as he backed away from the inert doll. Then she took the glowing Soul-Heart from the Volcanion. Cupping it with great care in one hand, she pried open the small door in the doll's chest before sliding the gem into a slot. She had barely closed the latch when the doll came to life, instantly animating. [break][break]

"Most excellent!" exclaimed the Volcanion, who bowed before the small mechanical girl. For a Pokémon with such ungainly bulk, the movement was rather dignified. "My lady, great joy fills me to look upon thine face again! Wait here, whilst I lead these strangers out beyond this fortification." [break][break]

Yet as the Volcanion started leading the way to the exit, the doll moved with them. [break][break]

"Oh? My lady wisheth to walk with us? Very well, the weather shall be favorable for thine good health." [break][break]

Several dark hallways later, they did reach a door leading out. Yumi thanked the Volcanion and its small companion before pulling open the door and stepping into the light. She blinked against its harshness, a hand raised to shield her eyes. [break][break]

Several yards away, a portal back to Hoenn gleamed with power. [break][break]

"Look, Rhys. Let's get out of here," Yumi said, starting down the sloping path toward the rift. The Volcanion's stiff voice rang out, however, causing her to glance back over her shoulder. [break][break]

"My lady! You… you wish to accompany them?" [break][break]

Sure enough, the enlivened doll had followed Yumi and drew up to her side. It tilted its head at her before waving a dainty hand at the Volcanion. [break][break]

"Oh… I see." [break][break]

Yumi grinned. "I'll take good care of her," she promised the lumbering Pokémon. "Thanks again!" [break][break]

Then she turned and sauntered straight into the portal. [break][break]

TAGS – Rhys Collins[break]
NOTES – mechanical kingdom #3

[attr="class","pkmn"]

When Rhys provoked the Volcanion and the energy enveloping it intensified, Yumi tensed, ready to bolt. Her Pokémon prepared themselves for a fight. But then the energy lanced into the Soul-Heart in the Volcanion's large palm, activating the device. [break][break]

Yumi swayed on her feet, visibly relieved. "The most magnificent? That shouldn't be a problem. Come on, Rhys." Grabbing the man's arm, she half-hauled, half-led him back into the utility passage. "Can your Salazzle make a bigger flame? I can't see shit in here." [break][break]

She started picking through the dolls, immediately discarding any with broken bodies, stains, or other discoloration. If she found one that passed her high standards of appearance, she carried it to the doorway and arranged it next to others in a neat row. [break][break]

Eventually, Yumi had collected a dozen dolls. Breathing heavily from the work, she rested her hands on her hips and assessed each one. "What do you think?" she asked Rhys, gesturing to the row. "I like fourth from the left, but third from the right is beautiful, too."

TAGS – Rhys Collins[break]
NOTES – mechanical kingdom #3

[attr="class","pkmn"]