At the question of combat, Ettie took a second to consider it, before nodding. She didn't seem afraid; if anything, at the mention of a possible fight, something shifted in her demeanor as she gazed ahead once more. Her gaze sharpened, her hands gripped at the spikes in Anne's mane more tightly, muscles winding up... It was like she was ready to pounce straight from the Lycanroc's back, at the drop of a hat!

She had zero qualms at throwing hands in the face of danger.

And, in turn, danger had zero qualms in showing itself, as the group reached the peak.

Because there, stood the masked maiden - or... No, there stood a Froslass. It was clearly the source of the light - in her chest, a Power Spot was embedded; the red-violet light that shone from it illuminating the peak, reflecting off of the glitter of the snow and the facets of the surrounding Tera Crystals.

And as the Froslass took notice of them, the winds would begin to shriek at her beckon - a snowstorm forming around the peak...!

Anne and Anat were ready, however; as the Lycanroc would tilt her head back in a Howl, one that Anat would join in with Copycat, to empower the collective! Even Ettie would join the chorus with a howl of her own - "Aoooooouuuuuuuu!" - throwing her head back and calling from the top of her lungs!

A Blizzard filled the air - but Anne and Anat would stand their grounds even as shards of ice whipped at them and the winds threatenede to send them flying, before charging forth into battle.

They moved like a pack on the hunt - Anne tackling into the Froslass with Accelerock (40) to Crunch (80) down on it, holding the ghost still. Which, left the Froslass open to a Meteor Mash (90) from Anat - who struck at the Power Spot that was embedded in the ice-type's chest, stunning her!

And here, Ettie would glance back to Jack and his pokemon - calling "Now!" with a surprisingly authorative tone, from such a little girl. The Froslass was open, for his pokemon to make the final blows.

Prompts Completed: 12
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Icicles, Ghosts, Snow, Jumpscare, White, Fond Memory, Offering Aid, Candy, Receive Aid, Miracle, Warm Food/Beverage, Masked Maiden

Checkpoints Completed: 2 (210/350 BP + hoping that leaving the froslass open for jack to finish counts for the ko prompt lmao)

Jack Napier

"Okay!" Ettie easily responded with a nod - more than happy to let Sio tag along. She was more than happy to have more friends around - the more the merrier!

But then came the question of Quill - which, all the barking and yipping would make Ettie giggle, as she responded with a happy little yip of her own! Reaching out to take Quill's paw, she'd ask "What do we play?" with a curious tilt of her head. "Ettie likes chase! And wrestling! And hide-and-seek! But can play other games, too!"

Anything physical was the most fun to Ettie - it was easier for her to pick up on tag than a card game, and it burnt off all that pent-up energy much more easily.

SIO SOTÍ

The distant barks would make Ettie perk up, curious. Was there another pack in the area? With how much barking there was, it certainly sounded like that - and something must have had them worked up.

Ettie's own canids, too, would perk up at the sounds - and safe to say, a couple of them were enthused at the ruckus! Ruffian was eager to investigate a potential fight - whereas Duchess, she was just eager for a potential opportunity to play!

But at Anne's and Anat's leads, the group took a more measured approach than just 'burst onto the scene and see whats going on'. With Ettie in the front, the pack slowly approached - looking to get close enough to catch sight of the situation.

First thing to come into view was Compass - the tall Farigiraf's dark coloration, particularly on the head, a noticeable contrast to the snow-covered trees around them. Next, came the sight of Tempest Quinn and his Reuniclus, investigating the tree. Then finally was the quartet of canid pokemon, who were quite eagerly barking up at something in the boughs.

Whatever was up there was a mystery - Ettie couldn't quite see anything from here, but Anat could sense the aura of something.

Even with the cold gaze that Compass directed in their general directions though, Ettie figured that these seemed like an alright bunch! So, with Anne and Anat at either side, she'd step forth - announcing herself with a couple friendly yaps of her own! "Hello! Friends!" She greeted, wiggling the same way that a dog might wiggle when trying to wag a too-short tail.

The rest of the pack emerged as well - but for the most part held back... Aside from Duchess, well, looking like she's about to vibrate at the exact frequency to open a rift into Ultra Space from her excitement. She, in fact, immediately drops into a play bow - tail wagging as she gives a couple barks of her own in greeting!

Tempest Quinn

As Jack calls to Ettie, she perks up and glances to him, before smiling and nodding. "No worry! Will go same-speed!" She called back. Anne would match Cordy's pace even as she led the way alongside Anat, the wolf and jackal both carving a path for the Absol to follow behind in.

Which, the trek was still somewhat slow from the thick snow - but it was at least navigatable, and the likelihood of another avalanche appeared exceedingly low.

At the question of what she could see, though, Ettie would bring Anne to a pause to properly reassess her surroundings. For the most part, she couldn't see anything of interest - but... When something caught her eye, she'd point up ahead. "A light?" She spoke, seeming a bit puzzled.

Indeed, something appeared to be glowing up towards the peak they were approaching. A glimmering, red-violet light- subtle, yet noticeable once pointed out. Was this where that strange masked maiden was waiting for them?

Prompts Completed: 12 (Masked Maiden)
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Icicles, Ghosts, Snow, Jumpscare, White, Fond Memory, Offering Aid, Candy, Receive Aid, Miracle, Warm Food/Beverage, Masked Maiden

Checkpoints Completed: 2

Jack Napier

Ettie considers Laurence's suggestion to follow the snow upwards - gazing in the indicated direction. After a few moments of thought, she nods. "We go," She speaks in agreement, nudging Anne up the mountainside. Perhaps if they went in that direction, they'd figure out the source of the avalanche...?

Anne and Anat both could navigate the snowy mountainside with relative ease - though they haven't experienced many winters quite this snowy, they had seen enough to have a good idea of where to place one's paws. Of how to avoid slipping, on the slick ground beneath that pillowy-soft snow.

During the trek though, Ettie would pull out a few berries to nibble on - occasionally sharing one with Anne. Jerky, freshly-picked berries, and the like were good eating when on the move... But the cold had Ettie craving something warm and freshly-cooked, like a haunch over a campfire. Something juicy, that she could really sink her teeth into.

Just beyond this snowy expanse, what may they find...?

Prompts Completed: 11 (Warm Food/Beverage)
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Icicles, Ghosts, Snow, Jumpscare, White, Fond Memory, Offering Aid, Candy, Receive Aid, Miracle, Warm Food/Beverage,

Checkpoints Completed: 2

Jack Napier

A couple days after, one morning, a gift is left on Remiel's windowsill; a handful of jerky, a handful of berries, and a little note with a heart drawn on it.

In the snow, a large number of pawprints - and a single set of shoeprints - can be found leading from the window.

Redeeming:
- x1 Shiny Swap (Advent 2023)
- - Gruff the Hisuian Arcanine becomes shiny

- x1 Ability Capsule (DDD)
- - Gruff the Hisuian Arcanine gains Flash Fire

It was - perhaps - a miracle that the tree was able to hold up to the avalanche. But, it did, and it stood strong even as the snow below began to settle.

As Jack calls to her, Ettie perks and glancing to him. "Ettie okay! Pack okay, too!" She confirmed with a smile. Anne was safe in her pokeball, and Anat was safe on another branch. "Is Jack and friend-pack okay?"

He didn't seem hurt, nor did his Absol, though - at least from where Ettie was perched.

So for now, she would carefully climb down from the tree - Anat jumping down alongside her - to assess the surroundings. Which was to say, that there was even more snow than before. But that wasn't an issue to Ettie - all she needed to do was let Anne out once more, and climb up onto the Lycanroc's back, to avoid trudging through the deep white.

Prompts Completed: 10 (Miracle)
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Icicles, Ghosts, Snow, Jumpscare, White, Fond Memory, Offering Aid, Candy, Receive Aid, Miracle

Checkpoints Completed: 2 (Fulfilled Prompts)

Jack Napier

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

The rumbling had brought Ettie and her pokemon to a stop, glancing about for the source - but of the three, it was Anat who realized the danger first. Namely, that of a fast-approaching avalanche..!

Anat was quick to bark a warning to the duo - and Ettie was quick to catch on. Thankfully, it was clear to see that the wildchild was agile - she followed Jack's lead to the nearest tree, able to keep up and almost even overtake him! Accepting help from the shepherd, she'd let him boost her up - but from there, she was a practical spidermonkey with how she was able to find a branch to perch and hang onto!

Not far behind, Anat would simply jump up to a branch of her own.

But that left Anne - who, being quadrupedal, didn't quite have the means to climb. Ettie, however, already had an idea of what to do. Pulling out her own Tera Orb, the wolf was emblazoned in red crystals that - when overlaying her dark blue fur - almost looked ike purple obsidian.

Once terastallized, Anne would let loose a fiery Tera Blast that helped melt away some of the approaching avalanche, giving Jack time to settle up in the tree.

And before the snow could overtake her, Ettie would recall Anne - holding the pokeball close, as they weathered the tremors of the rushing snow below...

Prompts Completed: 9 (Recieve Aid)
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Icicles, Ghosts, Snow, Jumpscare, White, Fond Memory, Offering Aid, Candy, Recieve Aid

Checkpoints Completed: 2 (Fulfilled Prompts)

Jack Napier

It had started perhaps a few weeks ago by now - but in Rustboro, strange rumors were abound.

At sunset, particularly if one lingered out in the northern parts of nearby Rustboro - or in the nearby routes 115 and 116 - one could hear the distant howls of canid pokemon. This chorus could be heard at varying times of the day as well - but the sunset howls had become an expected constant.

On its own, this wasn't an unusual thing. The shifting seasons meant that the pokemon were moving around as well, and the northern wilderness was a prime locale for a pack to set up dens. Particularly, the mountainous terrain in the crook of 115 and 116, where Meteor Falls rested.

And yet, there was a looming question: What sort of pack was out there? Noone could agree upon what species had set up shop to the north - any one person you ask might provide a different answer. Houndoom? Lycanroc? Mightyena?

Some of the possibilities weren't so bad - a lot of wild pokemon tended to keep to themselves, and prefer the rule of 'don't mess with me and I won't mess with you'. But if it was something like Mightyena, who could be known to terrorize towns at night if they get bold and hungry enough...

Either way, there hadn't been enough sightings of the pack - not that anyone was seeking it out - to give a for-sure answer... But perhaps someone would be brave enough, to head into the wilds and answer the questions on everyone's minds?

So the new friend didn't really know where to go, either. That was okay - then they just had to keep moving, once they were ready to go, until they found the end... Right?

Though, as Jack indicates the strange tree, the wildchild can't help but blink. That was... A strange sight, to say the least - definitely creepy...

But, the offer of candy was a perfect distraction from that - and after a surprised blink, Ettie was happy to accept it. "Thank you!" She chirped - and digging through her bag, she'd pull out a piece of jerky that she'd offer to Jack in turn. "For you!"

And the introduction was met with a warm smile. "Nice to meet you! Am Ettie!" She'd chirp, giving a happy wiggle as she gestures to her two pokemon, adding "Is Anne, and Anat!"

With introductions though, Ettie was content to rest with the pack for at least awhile longer... But once the pokemon felt ready, she'd hop up onto the large Lycanroc's back. "Jack-friend ready?" She questioned, gesturing onwards. They couldn't stay in one place forever.

Prompts Completed: 8 (Candy)
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Icicles, Ghosts, Snow, Jumpscare, White, Fond Memory, Offering Aid, Candy

Checkpoints Completed: 1

Jack Napier