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Participating Character: Ettie [break]
Wishlist: Ettie's wishlist can be found here, but otherwise, canid pokemon or murkrow are good!
Bonus points for the following families Ettie doesn't have yet: Growlithe, Fidough, Yamper.
Other back-up options are vulpine/foxy pokemon, pinnipeds like the popplio or seel lines, or something from the mareep or wooloo lines.[break]
Are you willing to be a back-up Santa?: Sure![break]

OOC

- #4: Which Pokemon species do you detest?
Ettie is not fond of bat/batlike pokemon. She had a bad experience with some when she was smaller and they put her on edge ever since. Send help.

- #6: What do you have in your pockets?
Can range from dried berries and jerky pieces, to a pretty feather she found on the road, to even a cool bone or shiny object she wants to collect. She's a creachur and her pockets limitless.

This made Ettie think of the rifts to the Border, and Ultra Deep Sea. Some little tear in reality that she couldn't wholly comprehend, yet had to acknowledge all the same. It wasn't an exact 1:1 to those other rifts, yet - something about it felt similar enough for her to draw the connection.

She had watched as others left 'offerings' here - gifts, of some form... To the rift, she wondered? Was it alive? Or did something else lurk beyond it? It did seem like someplace she could explore for herself... Nor did she really want to - she knew better now, than to poke at strange portals like such.

With the pack lingering close at her back, Ettie would approach as the coast became clear - looking at the things that had been left here. And after a moment's thought, she'd decide to pull out some jerky and berries she had stockpiled in her bag, and left them here as well. Perhaps someone would appreciate it? Snacks were always good! Good food makes anyone happy, right?

The Cuckoolander Pup ; Purify
Howl / Play Nice / Play Rough

This was comfortable, in a sense. Far more comfortable than the prior objective she had.

To go into a dungeon - whatever that meant - with others to accompany her, Ettie found that she felt a lot more at peace. This was not the pack she was familiar with - but it was nonetheless a pack. A group she could fall in with, and work alongside. Strength in numbers.

There was a certain comfort, too, in the changes she found herself with. Claws, fangs, pointed ears, and a swishing tail... She truly looked like a wolfchild now, and it gave her a sense of happiness that she didn't expect to feel from it all. For the outside to match what's on the inside.

But, that didn't mean that trekking through this forest-like-yet-not dungeon was any easier. Though there were certainly perks from the features she had taken on, it didn't make her invincible - nor was she as physically capable as the pokemon were in a proper fight. But that was okay - because at least for now, she was still able to keep an eye out for her temporary pack.

And so, too, could Ebon - the purified Lycanroc proving to be a wild yet cooperative combatant on the battlefield.

But as the group reached the bottom of the dungeon, there came a shcok. Because who other lingered in the belly of the beast but a shiny Dusk Lycanroc, massive and imposing, that seemed to resemble Anne? The snarl that the wolf gave as she prepared for combat was enough for Ettie to decide that this wasn't Anne - or at least, the Anne she knew... Yet the fight was still something that the pup had to take a second to mentally prepare herself for.

Earthen spires rose in the wake of a maximized Stone Edge, and in its wake a sandstorm howled. The other pokemon faltered - yet Ebon was perfectly suited for this environment.

But to begin, Ettie was ready to use two cards one after another. A Howl ringing out empowers the group, and in turn a Play Nice helps to weaken this not-Anne. Beasts clash against beast - Ebon's wild fighting style putting the pressure on as he foregoes safety in lieu of laying the smackdown.

And when the time comes to finish the faux wolf, a Play Rough does the job just fine - Ebon flinging himself into the massive Lycanroc without a moment's hesitation, limbs a-swinging. The not-Anne collapses with a firm swing to the jaw, sending her tumbling down - whereupon she seems to simply disappear...

... Leaving an accessory, much like the one that Ettie retained from that dream-Galar. Feathered, spiky orange-black, evoking that sense of longing and melancholy. She takes it, holds it close... And when Ebon's paw rests on her shoulder, she leaves with him to return to the castle.

Redeeming:
- x2 Level Tutor (GG, DDD)
- - Kiki the Leafeon learns Leech Seed and Synthesis.

- x7 TM/TR (x1 RVL, x3 GG, x3 DDD)
- - Pierre the Furfrou learns Facade, Substitute, and U-Turn, forgets Growl
- - Rascal the Mabosstiff learns Psychic Fangs
- - Barbara the Houndoom learns Endure
- - Mary the Dubwool learns Body Press, forgets Double-Edge
- - Meri the Dubwool learns Zen Headbutt

- x4 Egg Tutor (x1 RVL, x3 GG)
- - Barbara the Houndoom learns Counter, forgets Leer
- - Cassie the Primarina learns Aqua Ring and Life Dew
- - Bran the Corviknight learns Tailwind, forgets Spite

- x3 Move Tutor (x2 BB, x1 Pokejob)
- - Cassie the Primarina learns Hyper Voice, forgets Double Slap
- - Nameless Garden Rockruff learns Hyper Voice
- - Mina the Rockruff learns Stealth Rock, forgets Double Team

- x1 Flask of Infatuation (Bewitching Brews)
- - Cassie the Primarina gains Cute Charm, replacing Liquid Voice

- x1 Flask of Facades (Bewitching Brews)
- - Scarlet the Doublate gains Disguise, replacing No Guard

- x1 Elixir of Ghlochidia (Bewitching Brews)
- - Scarlet the Doublade learns Spiky Shield, forgets Protect

- - x1 Ability Capsule (RVL)
- - Nameless Snubbull changes from Intimidate to Rattled

Much like how packs sometimes had their alphas, mafias had their godfathers. A leader figure that is meant to help direct the collective, and look after it.

Ettie would watch as a Mabostiff leads his children into an alleyway, a few Maschiff pups following close behind. Honestly, she didn't wanna pick a fight with these canids if she could help it - they were just here looking for food, like any other pokemon would, after all! But, perhaps a more diplomatic approach would do the trick?

Stepping into the alleyway, Ettie stays low to the ground to make herself appear smaller - holding out some food from her pack. "Friends?" She asks softly.

Ability; SO CUTE!!! - This child is as cute as a wolf pup, rendering some normally aggressive individuals less hostile, and making it easier to endear herself to others. Of those who are still hostile, well... Cuteness aggression certainly exists.

Ettie was being hunted. She was well aware of that, treading through the darkened woods. But that was okay - because she, in turn, was hunting her hunter.

Getting to this point had, surprisingly, not been too difficult. Certainly, the threat of Shadow Pokemon was plenty present - having had to sneak past more than a few - but it appeared as though there were a few who had left her be after spotting her..? At the very least, to run away and find a place to hide was something she was well versed in, for those that did attack...

... She really didn't like being on her own, though. She really didn't like being away from Anne. The option to leave felt tempting. But she had to find her packmate, right? To put him in this ball - to bring him back home...

And the time for it was fast approaching, she knew - the feeling of danger that nagged at the back of her head growing stronger and stronger by the second... All until it reached a breaking point, and Ettie - following her instincts and gut feelings - dove into a roll, just in time to avoid the pounce of a Midnight Lycanroc.

Ebon snarled as he turned his gaze upon Ettie, baleful and wild. He was beyond untamed - rabid and feral - and was prepared to rip her apart as he might any other fool who became his prey.

Ettie, however, stood her ground. Turning to face him, she would snarl in turn - teeth bared - as the two began to circle one another, an orbit that only promised violence. She knew Ebon wouldn't come quietly... But that was okay - because she didn't plan for the wolf to simply sit there. If there was one thing she prided herself on, was that she was quick. Quicker than one might expect her to be at first glance.

Thus, it was when Ebon leapt at her, teeth and claws bared, that Ettie would duck to the side - her fingers digging into the earth like claws for traction, so that she in turn could leap onto the wolf's back!

Ebon howled with rage - and when a brief thrash of his body could not force her to let go as she wrapped an arm around his throat, he'd instead dig his claws in to tear at it. Ettie yelped and keened with pain at this - but her opposite hand gripped the Dream Ball tight. Growling through gritted teeth, she'd bring the ball down against the side of the Lycanroc's head.

And as Ebon disappears into its confines, Ettie finds herself collapsing onto the grass below. She was bleeding heavily - and yet, each drop that fell down froze in place as she slowly pushed herself back onto her feet. And as she glances up, she notices yet another box - the same as those before.

Much like before, she can't help but find the words beyond her. Though she tries to read - tries to make sense of the words, like her mind feels like she should be able to - it only serves to hurt her head, and raise further questions about what little she does manage to parse. It's difficult to think, past the deep ache in her arm.

But... After a moment's thought, she follows her gut instincts on what words she can understand, and chooses a button. And as time returns...

... She doesn't get a chance to see the result of her choice, or return to the castle, before she collapses - overcome.

So... It was about quantity - and something about water itself - that decided whether salt was good or not? Ettie would take a second to mull over the explanation that Toki gave, before smiling up to him and nodding. "Okay!" She chirped. The mention of 'preserving' food seemed interesting, too... "Maybe... Ettie-find salt?" She mused out loud to herself, visibly thoughtful. Preserving meant things lasted longer, right..?

The little wildchild seemed to click with Toki's laments about missing home, though - though she might not perfectly understand what he meant. "Leaving home-pack... Exciting. But scary." Ettie muses empathetically. You didn't have the safety net of your pack anymore - not unless you decided to return - and it didn't sound like returning would be as easy of an option for Toki, was it theoretically would be for Ettie. "Like-home den good. Feel-safe, feel-comfy!"

With Toki joining in the play though, he'd be warmly welcomed amongst the pack. Cassie whistles cheerily as she briefly circles around Azura, before the Primarina playfully splashes Toki with her tail! She makes an inviting gesture with this - as if to try and encourage Toki into a little splashfight.

Ettie giggles at the sight, and she wastes no time in joining in - jumping into the water, and getting caught in Aurien's arms in the process. "Ehehehe! Play-lots - then help-find good-den!" She was happy to lend a hand - she was looking for good den locations for her own pack, too, after all.

A strange dream-world, yet another. One that feels familiar - even for the unease in the air, partly caused by her pack's absence - all things considered. A sense of longing for what's lost draws her to linger - in hopes that she'll find what's missing here.

Being mostly-illiterate still, she has to watch the other avatars to understand what's going on - but when she understands the difference between those who stay and those who leave, she tries to mimick which button they press.

[NO]

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nickname: Wildchild[break]
title: The Cuckoolander Pup[break]
shadow pokemon: Midnight Lycanroc[break]

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Redeeming:
- Custom Pokemon Ticket (5th Anniversary)
- - Midnight Lycanroc - Shiny - No Guard - Stone Edge, Mega Kick, Iron Tail, Psychic Fangs, Double Team, Howl (to be replaced with Shadow Sky from DDD)

Purchasing:
- Scarecrow (80 PD)
- - into the potion with ye

Sometimes, in these dreams of hers, Something familiar will appear. Something that Ettie recognizes - that she feels as though she should remember. A figment, of something that she once experienced in yet another dream - and something that can thus, only exist in such dreams.

This figment is a she, Ettie knows this. She is avian - feathers, beak, and talons - and quite large, large enough to carry Ettie. But unlike most bird pokemon Ettie knows, she doesn't fly - at least, not quite like the flock can. Instead, she strides on long powerful legs - able to leap distances that would make one believe that she can fly.

Her beak is long and sharp. Feathers spiky like jagged chainsaws, coming in orange and black, much like the ornament that Ettie has kept with her all this time. Her gaze sharp and angular - yet gentle, loving, when directed in Ettie's direction.

There are many details that Ettie can sorta remember, and try to put together. But whenever she tries to draw it in the waking world, it never quite looks right. It's not something that she can ever explain why - just that it isn't Her.

But in these dreams, it doesn't matter quite as much. Ettie can see her as she's always been - can embrace her close, a reunion the wildchild has always craved.

And she will, in turn, croon softly - beak preening at Ettie's hair and clothing, nuzzling close.

"I missed you, Miya..."

...

... But as always - each morning after... Ettie finds herself waking up, with unshed tears in her eyes. Trying to grasp at the figment that exists in those blissful dreams - yet never able to get her pictures to look quite right...