Andrea's suggestions are met with a nod. "Can do! We hunt as pack!" Ettie smiles bright - then glances to the pack. "Madame, Zeke - Lead!"

Two Mightyena answer Ettie's call - and they seem to take point at the front of the entourage. Using Odor Sleuth, they begin to sniff around - and then Anat and Yip, a Lucario and a Smeargle, both use Copycat to copy the Odor Sleuth, fanning out to the sides. The rest of the pack would be searching as well, but seemed to focus on their eyes, ears - and in Haru's case, psychic aptitude - rather than their noses.

Ettie would hop back onto Anne's back with this, smiling to Andrea. "Let's go!"

qDZxw1V5
Andrea Vaneau

Ettie perks a bit, as Andrea introduces herself proper. "Am Ettie! Is nice to meet, Andrea-friend!" She chirps, a cheery smile on the child's face. This lady seemed real nice. And with how much Andrea surrounded herself with dragons, and even seemed to be dressed up like one? Ettie almost wondered if the two of them were the same - having grown up amongst pokemon, rather than people.

The mention of Koraidon, however, prompts Ettie to tilt her head a little - like a puzzled puppy. "Ko-rai-don..." She enunciates to herself, familiarizing herself with the term. But after a moment's consideration, she shakes her head no. "Don't know Koraidon."

That Josh and Andrea were looking for one was fascinating, though! "We find together?" She suggests, smiling bright. Her pack was great at tracking stuff down!

ve8bIb_3
Andrea Vaneau

The approach of the dragons is noticed quickly - and at first, the sight is met with tension from the pack, the canids wasting no time in taking up readied positions. In a place like this, where Ettie was aware that dangerous pokemon were prone to lurk? One could never be too careful...

But, as the cluster comes closer, it becomes clear that not only was there no hostility coming off of the group from Anat's and Haru's judgement - but that the one in the lead was a human! A human illuminated in the bright sunlight above, that was - somehow - flying!

Ettie's eyes light up in awe as Andrea lands before the pack - and smiling bright, she waves to the suited woman. "Friend! Hello!" Ettie chirps, hopping down from Anne's back to approach. At the questions given, she nodded eagerly. "Mhmm! Ettie remembers, too! Ettie explore with pack - is new! Exciting!"

Tilting her head a little, she then asks "Friend explore, too?" Though, it wasn't as though Ettie could figure out much other reason for people to be down here. Everyone wanted to explore this big new place! (Which, technically was true, even if there was more to it than just that.)

yUBrVZ4i
Andrea Vaneau

To go even deeper into the Giant Chasm - to descend into Area Zero - was a strange feeling, to Ettie. She knew that caves existed, of course - and that some could reach pretty far... But was there a limit, to how deeply one could delve? To how deep one could dig? How much would it take, to reach that limit - and to end up in a world that you never belonged in?

... Perhaps, this wasn't the time for those sorts of thoughts, she decided - even if they were a bit less wordy and eloquent in Ettie's own head.

Instead, the wildchild focused on the path ahead as the pack crossed through the waterfall in a two-file line - with Midnight taking up the rear on his own, and Ettie seated atop Maria. Of course, Anne was less than enthused over having to get wet - being quick to shake herself off the first opportunity she got.

But otherwise, there was no troubles as the group entered the expansive cavern system beyond. The group was keeping good pace with Josh and his entourage - and with so many eyes and ears out, ambushes were exceedingly unlikely.

In Area Zero proper though, Ettie was a bit awed at the sights. Beautiful glimmering crystals, wide open spaces... "Pretty..." She breathed, glancing around and taking in the sights. This alone made it worth it coming down here, she decided to herself.

ywF6QkZY
Josh Devlin

This place is new. Different. Strange. It only stood to reason, that Ettie - with her free-spirited and explorative soul - would be drawn in by it.

It is beautiful, really, the Giant Chasm. It makes her think a bit of the wilds - deep beyond Route 1119 - that she once called home.

Great metallic wings hold steady into a glide, as one of her Corviknights - Bran - ferries her down into the Chasm's depths. The silvry corvid's keen eyes scan the surrounding area - noting the presence of a number of pokemon that were an ordinary sight in the rest of Hoenn...

If they hadn't known this place to once be a flat icy expanse, devoid of any great tears through the earth? This would almost feel like an ordinary part of the landscape.

As Bran landed, Ettie wasted no time in sliding down from the large bird's back. "Thank you. Friend rest?" She questioned with a warm smile, offering a pokeball up to the steel-type. When the Corviknight - after a moment's consideration - decided to press his beak to the ball, recalling himself, Ettie would put the ball back in her bag - before pulling out a number of others.

One by one, packmates were sent out. Her Lycanrocs, Haru, Barbara, Yip, her two Mightyena, and Anat... It was a veritable little pack, prepared to delve this place as a group. Making sure that one last pokemon - her Doublade, Scarlet - was secure at the small of her back, Ettie would make a soft little rrruff to signal to her packmates to move.

And move they did, falling in line as Ettie climbed atop Anne's back, her gaze scanning the surrounding wilds for anything of interest...

... What may lurk, in these uncovered depths?

|JLLOgU2
Andrea Vaneau

EXCURSION SIGN-UP

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!

WHICH EXCURSION?: GC EXPLORE PARTICIPATING CHARACTERS: Ettie Andrea Vaneau

WHICH EXCURSION?: GC MONSTER HUNTER PARTICIPATING CHARACTERS: Ettie Toki Akiyama

Redeeming:
- x1 Ice Tera Shard (Snowboy)
- - Yip the Smeargle gains Ice Tera

- Hisuian Zorua (Snowboy)
- - Shadow Ball, Swift, Snarl, Agility, Nasty Plot, Curse

With the first cracks of fireworks, Ettie jumps a bit - somewhat spooked. But as she glances to the sky, she is then rewarded with a beauteous explosion of color above - like a blooming flower. And then again, and again - a resounding crack, followed by a burst of colorful sparks above! Fireworks!

Ettie was familiar with them from time spent visiting Johanna Joy - though firework shows always startled her, for as much as she loved them.

As the surprise fades though, she giggles, prancing along amongst her pack and the fellow civilians, enthused at the festivities. Her pack had made some really good snowboys - at least in her opinion - and she wanted to see what else was going on here!

Which, does lead her to a table with calendars - though she wasn't the most familiar with these objects. She sneaks one for herself to look through it, noticing that it had images... Though, while pokemon are cute, she doesn't really know a lot of the people on it - she is not the target audience, really. And as a result, she quickly loses interest - putting the calender back without a second thought.

Ah well, back to playing and watching the pretty fireworks!

Ettie has never really told stories. Or at least, she had never told stories in the same formats as the almost fairytale-esque orations many of the others who came and went from the tree told. It was just as fascinating for her, as it must've been for the Calyrex, to hear the different tales people had to say.

Though, at the same time, there was... A certain unease, in being around the Calyrex. It wasn't their fault - but to see the lapine pokemon, it leaves her thinking of that 20 year dream. That dream that always seems to make her heart ache. The fact that the Calyrex seems to recognize her, even if only faintly, doesn't help either - but...

... When one of the requests is about fairies and steel, a thought occurs to her. A story that she could tell, even if she wasn't likely to be the best at it.

Thus, when there's a chance to step forth, she does - showing a shiny Doublade, resting in its sheathes. "Is Scarlet!" Ettie speaks, smiling bright. "Is... Not wolf, or Flock... But is still Pack. Scarlet is... Claws for Ettie. Can fight, loves play-fight, but... Likes when held in fights." She recognizes that Scarlet is a bit intense in their love for fighting - but she also knows that it doesn't have any inherent ill will, either.

"Ettie meet Scarlet in... Border! Is... Not-here? Not-Hoenn? But can go to!" The child crouches down to pick up a fallen stick, that she uses to scratch in the earth - trying to draw, to show the Calyrex what she means. Drawing a mountain, with some strange 'rip' in the air above it.

(Haru, though, lingers near - the Delphox happy to use a more psychic form of communication to clarify Ettie's words.)

"Rift, up in mountain - Pyre - that way!" Ettie points with her free hand. "Pyre is... Where dead rest underneath. Border is... Where-go after? Ettie thinks? Lots-ghosts. Can be scary, and dangerous. But also is pretty." She nods a bit, casting a smile back to Calyrex. "Ettie go to Border with friends! Josh Devlin , Johanna Joy , Callan Young ! One day we find... Big human-pokemon-ghost-Pack, going somewhere! Ettie not-know where, but we make friends, and follow!" It had been a fascinating experience for Ettie, really.

"While moving... Ettie find pretty Doublade. Doublade was Scarlet! Scarlet was waiting long time, was bored, wanted play! So Ettie let Scarlet play. Scarlet play-fight with friends, have fun together! Though..." Ettie's expression was a little sheepish now, as she mused "Friends thought Scarlet want hurt, but No. Scarlet just wanted play-fight." Even if Scarlet was one to play a bit rough, sometimes.

"After playfight... Ettie take Scarlet with, as friends!" The child grins bright with this - she was happy to have met Scarlet - even a full year after. "Scarlet like Ruffian - thinks about fights lots. Also sleeps lots when not-fight, wakes up when playfight or fight."

"Scarlet likes when held... And when Ettie hold, Ettie... Shares self?" Possession was a word Ettie knew - but she wasn't sure if it was quite right. Because it sounded as though when someone is possessed, their 'self' - their body - isn't being shared. But Ettie and Scarlet had found that in sharing, things went all the more smoothly for the both of them. "Scarlet helps swing, protects Ettie. Ettie helps move, and gives play!" A fair trade!

"Ettie want-learn more, but... Not lots humans share-self. Says is dangerous, but... Ettie trusts Scarlet. Is Pack." There was only so much she could learn about wielding Scarlet, from letting Scarlet handle the swings, after all. But if she did get better at this... Then they could work together better, right?

Was this what people meant, when they say 'here's to another year'?

BOUQUETS:

Send a special someone a bouquet delivered by Leavanny, signed or anonymous!

[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of red and green flowers, such as calla lilies and roses.[break][break] TO: Julia Davis [break][break] CARD: Doodled on the card, is simply two people - Julia and a certain young child, in the woods. Julia is extending her hand to the child, who appears to be tenatively approaching. In the background are what appears to be a few Lycanroc and Rockruffs. Much of the empty space is filled with hearts.
[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of a variety of purple flowers - iris, lavender, hyacinth, and the like.[break][break] TO: SIO SOTÍ [break][break] CARD: There are a bunch of hearts and smileys doodled on this card in paint; particularly in a distinctive and familiar shade of red. There are almost too many to count. In one of the corners that wasn't covered in paint, is a small scribbled 'Yip says hello'. Something tells you that it was only by luck that they even had the space to scribble that much.
[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of a variety of yellow, black, and blue flowers - such as daffodils, daisies, and forget-me-nots.[break][break] TO: Josh Devlin [break][break] CARD: There is a doodle of what looks to be two manectrics - on the back of one appears to be a simple attempt at drawing Josh, whereas the other appears to be carrying a certain young child. On the fringes of the drawing, are a number of doodled smiley faces and hearts.
[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of a variety of wildflowers - particularly yellow ones - with added greenery in the form of ferns and herbs.[break][break] TO: Shalin Nariya [break][break] CARD: A drawing of what appears to be Queen Zing is here, the wings drawn all jagged as if to represent her buzzing them. There are some smiles doodled here, though there is also a doodle of a 'xP' face in red smeargle paint.
[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of a variety of pink and blue flowers, such as carnations, forget-me-nots, and a few roses.[break][break] TO: Johanna Joy [break][break] CARD: There is a doodle of what appears to be Johanna holding hands with a certain young child, followed by a few canid pokemon, with a number of Joyland attractions all about. There are a number of smiley faces and hearts drawn on the fringes. On one of the parts of the card not covered in doodles, 'Ettie would like to play with you again sometime' is written in somewhat crude but legible handwriting.
[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of a variety of yellow, black, and a touch of orange flowers - such as daisies and tulips.[break][break] TO: ollie morales [break][break] CARD: On one side of the card, it looks as though someone had tried to draw Ollie, Tofu, as well as a certain young child and her Smeargle. But, the drawing goes unfinished. Instead, on the other side of the card, is a drawing of a woman and a strange bird - on two tall legs, with spiky feathers and dark markings. Next to it, written in unsteady handwriting, is 'Ettie wanted to ask if you recognize this?'
[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of wildflowers in a wide number of colors.[break][break] TO: Tempest Quinn [break][break] CARD: There are a lot of dogs drawn here. Like, a bunch of different species. If you think of a given species as a dog, it's probably on this card. In the middle of this swarm is what appears to be an attempt to draw Tempest from memory, as well as a certain young child. There are a number of smileys drawn in some of the blank spaces. 'Ettie would like you to meet her whole pack, sometime.' is written on one of the edges in steady handwriting.
[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of a number of blue flowers, such as aster and bluebells.[break][break] TO: Toki Akiyama [break][break] CARD: Doodled on the card, there appears to be Toki, Azura, a certain young child, as well as a pair of Primarina and a pair of Dewgong. The group seem to be playing in the water, as well. A number of smileys and hearts are drawn on the fringes, and on one of the edges is a scribbled 'Ettie wants to know if you've found a den you like.'
[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of a number of blue flowers, such as aster and bluebells.[break][break] TO: Jack Napier [break][break] CARD: Jack and Cordy are depicted in a little doodle, alongside a certain young child and a Dusk Lycanroc. It appears as though they are traveling through a snowy forest. Amongst the empty space, smileys are doodled.
[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of a number of red and purple flowers, such as orchids, verbena, and dahlias.[break][break] TO: Elise Calcifet [break][break] CARD: There appears to be Elise, her Mismagius, as well as a certain young child and her Dusk Lycanroc doodled on the card. The child and Elise appear to be talking and walking together, whilst the Mismagius and Lycanroc follow behind. A number of smilies - as well as a small doodle of what might be Zacian and Zamazenta - adorn this card.
[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of a number of red flowers, such as begonias and blanket flowers.[break][break] TO: Nikita Sokolov [break][break] CARD: Doodled on the card is Nikita, Winters, as well as a certain young child and a Dusk Lycanroc. They appear to be exploring through some sort of cave together, side by side. There are a number of smilies filling some of the empty space - as well as a little scribbled note, 'Ettie says this place had been scary; but she felt safest traveling next to you and Joy.'

Perched upon the ridge, Adraea studies Sio and Quill both. As the Smeargle yips and barks in a soft tone, the Honchkrow responds with a low croak - a cryptic response, though one that ultimately did not imply any ill will. She was simply here to observe - and she saw all that she needed to know.

And thus, with a beat of her wings, she flutters away - further into the mountainous terrain in these parts. A bit of a strange place for a bird to lurk, as opposed to the forested area beyond, wasn't it? Though, a honchkrow wasn't a canine - how likely was she to be related to the mystery pack?

Perhaps more likely than one might otherwise think.

Because before long, as Sio climbs up a slope, she is met with the sight with a small cluster of canines of different shapes. A couple of Lycanroc, a Lucario, a Mightyena, a Houndoom, and finally a Delphox. At first, there is a certain tension of being studied by such a pack of grown beasts. But atop the back of one of the Lycanrocs - the Dusk one in particular...

... Is a familiar child, whose eyes light up upon seeing the duo. "Oh! Friend!"

SIO SOTÍ

He was here looking for some pokemon? Ettie would perk up a bit at the suggestion of them working together - to which she'd nod, smiling bright. "Okay! Ettie-pack can help!" She chirped happily, nodding. They were good at tracking and hunting - surely, whatever Friend here was looking for, they'd be able to find it in no time as a group!

But, that did raise a question. Cocking her head a little, she questions "What Friend hunting for?" It was important to know what you were looking for, even if it was as vague or simple as 'prey' or as specific as 'a missing person'.

As they discussed the targets of this search, Ettie would whistle to gather the pack, so that they could get moving once more. Overhead, a passing shadow shows... A Bombirdier carrying the Overqwil away?

A few of Ettie's pokemon weren't sure whether to regard this with concern, or just be glad the Overqwil likely won't be stuck for much longer.

However, what ends up grabbing Ettie's attention, is when a lone Poochyena emerges from the undergrowth. She perks up visibly, and crouches down - making a soft, friendly sounding yip, and mimicking a playbow with a little wiggle, like a dog trying to wag a too-short or absent tail.

At first, the Poochyena jolts a bit, seeming startled - and perhaps a bit shy to approach, glancing between the number of people and pokemon present. But seeing the fellow canids, and seeing Ettie's friendly body language, he steps forth gingerly - willing to at least see what this was all about...

Catching Poochyena

Tempest Quinn

Ettie didn't know much about folks such as Van Gogh; but she was no stranger to the concept of art, partially thanks to the sheer fact that she was no stranger to Smeargles!

Hearing about this pack in such a cold place, Ettie is curious - she wants to meet them, and see if she can make more friends! It'd be fun, wouldn't it?

Thus, with Anne, Yip, and co in tow, she carefully descends into the crevice - ready to mingle with other canid pokemon.