• player/ooc name: Bug
• character tags: SIO SOTÍ
• dropped characters' tags (if applicable): N/A
• ic posts for characters: Canine Mystery w/ Ettie
• are characters in directories?: Yeah!
• any notes/comments: I definitely needed the break I took after VCTs, but I'm glad to be coming back, even if gradually =w=

Hm..hm hm hm. The Honchkrow's low, cryptic croaking is met with a nod from Quill, as if understanding her response fluently. After all, there was no signs of hostility between the two.

But now that leaves even more questions for the Smeargle- more avenues to be explored to their fullest! Quill yaps louder, tail wagging faster as he leads Sio higher and higher up the slope. And the more he picks up in scents, the more...oddly familiar they become to his little beagley nose. After all, he'd claim that he was quite the conniesseur of scents- of sniffery, even! And even though Sio themself isn't entirely familiar with the whole pack, there is one member of it in particular that grabs both their and Quill's attention...

"Ettie? What are you doing all the way up here, hm?" Sio questions, a sort of concerned warmth in their voice. After all, this was no place for a child to live, even with the pack she had to protect her! Though, this certainly did explain the stranghe mixed howling that brought them here in the first place...

Quill, meanwhile, is more than eager to greet the pack, and Ettie as well! He bounds up to the group, hyper as ever and barking up a storm! There they were! His friends!!

Ettie

All these stories- heroic and fantastical tales aplenty- were more than intriguing to Sio. The reporter, having stayed towards the front of the crowd, had merely let her colleagues and peers take turns before her. They wanted to see what those who had not known what they did viewed justice. What *was* rightful retribution? Whose lights blew away in the wind, and who stayed triumphant? Were villains given undeserved second chances, or were heroes falling flat on their face in despair and detriment?

While all of these guesses and attempts had been grandiose in nature, they knew that only they held the *true* answers. The unadulterated, deniable facts of the world, told in blinding lights and spectacular movements on a self made stage.

“Ahem. Allow me, if you will,” the detective speaks, flashing a sly, almost cocky grin to those around her. On either side of her bound up her most faithful of companions- Kaló floating carefully at shoulder level, while Quill hops and skips right at their feet. The three turn to face Calyrex head on, Sio steeling what little nerves she had to take a precursory bow. They had never seen this king personally, and yet they knew that they had to perform at their best.

“This, dear friend, is a tale of trials and tribulations. Of fear and of triumph. Of true, heroic justice.” Sio stretches their arms out to their sides, graciously widening their presence before the Calyrex while cuing their pokemon to begin acting out the tale for them.

"Once upon a time, long, long ago, lived a young girl much like any other. She was no princess, nor any sort of regality; in fact, she was quite the opposite. Her family had little to come by, and she herself was horribly ill. Bound to her bed most days, the girl revelled in any time she'd get outside, even if bound by wires and tubes. She'd explore her hometown high and low, dawn till dusk, in between every crevice and in every bush." At this, Quill begins to move- using his roleplaying expertise to prnace about on wobbly legs, tail tucked in between them. He sniffs the grass, the tree, even near the Calyrex itself. "The little girl adored the world, believing it to be absolutely perfect despite her own shortcomings in such a feeble body. The only gripe that the girl had was with time itself; that she did not have enough of it to grow alongside the world, to see everything beyond her town borders. Until, by mysterious happenstance, she came upon a fairy one day, deep in the woods." Now Kaló joins the story, floating about not unlike the creature of myth. She draws closer to Quill, mouthing along vaguely to Sio's words while Quill does the same.

"Oh, sweet child, what are you doing out here all alone?" said the fairy.
"I only wished to explore the world once more. Any moment could be my last, and I so desperately want to enjoy it all," explains the little girl.
"Why, why must you be so worried about time? You are such a small and sweet child, there should be nothing stopping you from enjoying this world at its fullest," replies the fairy, confused and seemingly naive. The two chatter for some length of time. "Well, because μαμά said I was sick! Sick people cannot do much, unlike fairies." "What if I helped you to live longer? To be healthier, happier?"

The "help" comes in the form of Kaló using Telekinesis to lift Quill up into the air. The two float together happily, whimsically. Quill's posture grows more relaxed, and he howls with laughter and glee.

"And all was well; that is, until everything had taken a turn. Until the fairy had decided it finally needed payment from the girl, now years older and even happier to be alive. The fairy pushed, and shoved, and demanded tooth and limb from the girl and her family. And when the family could no longer provide..."

All at once, Kaló slams Quill down to the ground. Pink energy swirls around him, until his mouth is forced shut. His eyes widen and almost tear up- he looks around, desperate for someone, anyone to listen to him. To help him. To please, dear lord, someone, save him again.

"'Is this it? Is this all my life will become?' Worried the girl. 'How will I continue on when I can't even speak for myself anymore? My family no longer looks me in the eye, my friends take false pity upon me, I'm worse off than I was before!" Quill brings himself down to his knees, weeping and rubbing his eyes, while the fairy contninues to loom over Quill. At least, until he reaches out and yanks her closer. They whirl in a dance of conflict and blows snarling and snickering. "The girl was determined to fight back. To get right to the source of what had dealt her such a horrible hand of cards." Kaló lets out a final defeated cry, wilting to the ground. "And when she had won, she'd go on to tell her friends- the rest of her hometown. She warned them of the dangers of fairies like the one she'd met, and would continue to..."

Until that girl stood here beneath the Dyna tree, bowing to a king and a captive audience. "Justice would continue to be fought for relentlessly, and continue to be won. The girl refused to stop until all the horrible fairies dropped like flies; and legend has it that she's still at it today, hunting down fairies and trapping them in the cold iron of justice."

And with that, they turn around- both pokemon standing to attention and back to normal as they follow Sio back to her seat.

Late, but redeeming rewards from my mission thread with Makoto Kurumi , Nightmare Before Christmas, VCT and the Advent Calendar in full.

Using 2x Move Tutors on Kaló so she can learn TELEKINESIS and TRICK

BOUQUETS:

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

[break][break]

ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of Tarragon (Lasting interest), blue Salvia (I think of you), Clematis (Mental beauty), and white and pink Camellia (You're adorable, longing for you). The paper wrapping the bouquet is trimmed in lace, and a purple ribbon ties the whole thing together.[break][break] TO: Makoto Kurumi [break][break] CARD: "To the one that has done nothing but pique my interest and childlike curiosity. I think of you fondly, more so than most everyone else." - Your secret admirer[break][break]

ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet consisting of Bay tree (Glory), Basil (Good wishes), Angelica (Inspiration), and Arborvitae (Unchanging friendship)[break][break] TO: Shalin Nariya [break][break] CARD: "To a spitfire spirit that never ceases to fire up the adrenaline in me. Perhaps a picnic is in order?" - Sio Sotí[break][break]

ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet of mostly red flowers, seemingly haphazardly picked- especially with how a few of the petals and leaves are coated in purple paint. One pristine flower stands tall- Coreopsis (Always cheerful)[break][break] TO: Ettie [break][break] CARD: Most of the card is simple doodles, mainly of Sio and Ettie happily playing with a bunch of different canid pokemon, including a purple and red Smeargle. On the back is a sloppily painted purple heart and the words "To our lovely friends and packmates. Quill says hi back. He wants to play again soon." - Sio Sotí[break][break]

ORDER DETAILS: A bouquet filled with Angelica (Inspiration), Chamomile (Patience in adversity), and Coriander (Hidden merit)[break][break] TO: Josh Devlin [break][break] CARD: "To a quick witted friend and opponent. The winter months have been harsh and grueling, but I hope we can find peace in spring;s youth to meet more properly." - Sio Sotí[break][break]

TEAS & DESSERTS:

Send a special someone a bespoke box of sweets delivered by Stufful, signed or anonymous!

[break][break]

ORDER DETAILS: A lace trimmed, dark oak box filled with high end tea blends. A few of note are chamomile, rose hip, and a Greek herbal blend. (Rewrite as desired!)[break][break] TO: Elise Calcifet [break][break] CARD: A corner of the card is stained with what is most definitely ghostly tea. "For a dear friend and a lady of good tastes. Included are my favorite blends, which I hope you'll enjoy as well. Chamomile says hello to his doppelganger." - Sio Sotí[break][break]

ORDER DETAILS: A simple antique cherry box with a top that slides out. Inside is a collection of black and earl grey tea bags, as well as a few home baked shortbread cookies and a piece of jerky.[break][break] TO: Biscotti Kingsley [break][break] CARD: "You fought well, thank you for that. Quill wanted to include a dog treat for your Incineroar, but I figured she wouldn't like that. Warm wishes." - Sio Sotí[break][break]

ORDER DETAILS: A cute looking birch wood box with pink tulip petals pressed on the inside. There's frosted sugar cookies inside.[break][break] TO: luka chêne [break][break] CARD: "For a sweet acquaintance. You fought well, and I find you intriguing; care to meet up for tea and talk soon?" - Sio Sotí[break][break]

ORDER DETAILS: A mahogany box with a rustic looking latch opening. Inside are a few bags of a strong herbal tea, as well as a few squares of dark chocolate.[break][break] TO: Gwyar Wledig [break][break] CARD: "I am unsure of your actual preferences, but this felt right. I hope I can have a proper chat with you soon." - Sio Sotí[break][break]

ORDER DETAILS: A walnut wood box with a simple latch on the lid. Inside is a few pods of dark roast coffee, along with some raspberry jam cookies.[break][break] TO: Yvaine Varron [break][break] CARD: "To a dear acquaintance and good fighter. Here's to hoping the springtime allows us to meet again properly outside of tournaments." - Sio Sotí[break][break]

ORDER DETAILS: A white painted wood box with a simple latch on the lid. Inside is a few pods of medium roast coffee, along with some peanut butter cookies and a single wrapped piece of tofu.[break][break] TO: ollie morales [break][break] CARD: "To a dear acquaintance and good fighter. Here's to hoping the springtime allows us to meet again properly outside of tournaments. Quill says hi to Tofu." - Sio Sotí[break][break]

• player/ooc name: Bug
• character tags: SIO SOTÍ
• dropped characters' tags (if applicable): N/A
• ic posts for characters: pkmn-hoenn.boards.net/post/511703/thread
• are characters in directories?: Y/N
• any notes/comments: This has been fun so far, thanks for having me! <3

And while Sio is rather caught off guard by Makoto's grip on her, she doesn't seem to entirely mind. It's better than either of them falling on their face, at least! When the two clear the turn- then the next, and the next, the reporter would hum happily, nodding. "Yes, just like that. Perfect!" She exclaims, letting out a cheerful laugh, warm and bright amidst the cold and snow.

Quill perks up when he and Kama reach the top of the hill, looking towards him and his skis. They're smoother! Quill yips at the Sneasel, taking off his own skis and holding them out to him. Could he do that to its too? Pleeeeease?

And so, the afternoon would continue like this- the pokemon duo pulling others into their fun wherever they could, and their trainers calmly, happily skating together over the frozen lake. Truly a day to remember, all stemming from one little slip!

Makoto Kurumi

Oh, well that was certainly...

Abrupt.

Quill skips back to his trainer's side, and Sio merely nods before leaving the arena as well. What a shame...

Gimmick: Default (+10 on 0 rolls, +30 on 100)

HP: 3/3



Gwyar Wledig

Maybe they could both take a nap after this. A nap sounds really good right now...

At least, once Quill's finished this bug thing off.

So in a similar vein, the Smeargle simply goes for another dose of Me First, ready to knock Kama down before she has a chance to do anything else to him.

Gimmick: Default (+10 on 0 rolls, +30 on 100)

HP: 1/3
ONlwo9fO


John Sullivan

And while flames and claws alike lick and tear at Quill's fur, and he's certainly tired out, he seems...pleased with the fight's outcome, despite his loss.

After having taken a couple moments to recollect himself, the Smeargle stands on wobbly feet, taking Jangle's big paw in his own little one for a nice shake. Good game, big guy! Good game!

Sio, meanwhile, snickers at both that display and Biscotti's excitement, and they're unable to help but grin wide. They take the piece of paper with a simple nod of thanks- and mentally, they note that this one is certainly a person of interest. That, and free doughnuts definitely sounded good right about now...

Gimmick: Default (+10 on 0 rolls, +30 on 100)

HP: KO



Biscotti Kingsley

Well, the painter certainly didn't want Lancelette to DESPISE art! Maybe...one last trick would get her to continue to admire it? He was a skilled painter after all!

And one that was really good at mimicking others.

Hurriedly painting pink, red, and black over himself. Quill Transforms into a mockup of Lancelette. He then brandishes his new pair of Steel Wings to defend himself against her, hoping to have the Supersonic Skystrike bounce right off like nothing.

Gimmick: Default (+10 on 0 rolls, +30 on 100)

HP: 3/3
moaZl2Sq


Gwyar Wledig

It was safe to say that Quill was running on fumes himself- tuckered out, but still. Sure, he'd be just fine going to sleep!

But not before knocking the Scyther down FIRST!!

Once again, Kama tries to jump the shield- but this time, Quill stands firm with it. If this succeeds, Kama gets a Bash right to the face. If not? Then he might have to deal with a few claw scratches in his fur.

Gimmick: Default (+10 on 0 rolls, +30 on 100)

HP: 1/3
nT8E4W4C


John Sullivan