Feeling the positive emotions come off of Yurei, Sio would hum and nod in response - giving her one last pat for the road.

Intuition- it's a funny thing, really. Sio had felt off about the Masked Maiden throughout the entire of this nightmarish journey, and here she was proven right as well. A hostile Frolass beckons the duo and their pokemon closer- to the bitter cold of terror and death.

But of course, Sio's already prepared to bounce off of Makoto's calls with her own, and- surprisingly- her Smeargle is just as readt to follow. "Quill - Sketch on Yurei! Follow their lead!"

Quill readies himself with a snarl and a concentrated expression- flinging his tail in all directions as he observes the Wyrdeer. With the eager glint in his eyes, it's immediately clear that Me First is right up his alley, along with the ghastly flames of Bitter Malice! The energetic Smeargle immediately makes use of the latter move, sneering at the "Maiden" and inflicting her with an extra third dose of Bitter Malice! (75)

Although, there's something to consider; an artist is never done after just one masterpiece, is he? He keeps the brush end of his tail at the ready- eagerly Sketching one last time, right after Yurei bashes at the Froslass's Power Spot. Even with Makoto's command to hold on tight, Quill howls with a newfound spark, forming his own shield and knocking the ghost-type down with another Psyshield Bash right to her Power Spot! (70)

. . .

Slowly, the very power that had corrupted the area dies down, leaving a shaking yet smiling Sio and a panting, tail-wagging Quill. Besides, even if he'd been scratched up some, he was still more than proud of himself, and for good reason! The detective, finally breathing a more relaxed sigh into the bitter cold, hums contentedly afterward.

"So...that was it. Did you still want to come back to mine for cookies and tea, darling? I figure I can help us patch up on the way home."

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 12

Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Rudolph, Accepting Help, Merry, Whispers, Offering Help, Scrooge, Singing Carol, White, Wish, Overcoming Fear, Surviving an Avalanche, Icicle

Checkpoints Completed: 3 (365/350 BP, Froslass KO, Power Spot Hit)

"Good, good..." Sio trailed off in response, nodding. Sure, it was scary- absolutely terrifying, even. But despite the reassurance and the knowledge that Makoto had handled it just fine, the detective couldn't help but question if it really was okay...

But even so, she'd take Makoto's help down the tree and climbed onto Yurei once she was brought back out. She'd even give the Wyrdeer a soft pat of her side- silent praise for a job well done. On her end, she'd let Itiá return to her ball in exchange for Quill- the Smeargle immediately seeming curious about the icicle-like reflections of the Tera Crystals, the forest, and everything else in between.

At the mention of potential danger, Sio nods- already preparing for whatever there was to come before the two could finally go home. Maybe soon, they'd know peace, and they could finally enjoy those cookies and cups of tea...

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 12 (Icicle)

Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Rudolph, Accepting Help, Merry, Whispers, Offering Help, Scrooge, Singing Carol, White, Wish, Overcoming Fear, Surviving an Avalanche, Icicle

Checkpoints Completed: 2 

With the hiss and reciprocated squeeze, Sio gasps a heavy breath of air she wasn't even aware she was holding in, glancing back with those ever still wide eyes.

The rattling of the tree on which the two stay alongside the torrent of snow down below does all but reassure her of their situation. Though, at the command to hold Makoto tighter, she does- keeping that same vice grip on the thief and squeezing her eyes shut. She can't even take the time to admire the light show of Tsukiko's terastallization, too focused on survival.

Still, she can't help but be both awed and relieved once it's all finally over- and she opens her eyes warily, blinking once...twice...before heaving a sigh of alleviation. The avalanche had passed now, and everyone seemed safe still. And that was all that mattered.

Glancing back to Makoto, she gives a slightly raspy hum and nods. "I'm...I'm alright, are you?" She asks, loosening her hold. "I am...Sorry you had to see me in such a state. I didn't hurt you too bad, did I?" She wanted to make sure they're okay even if she was told to hold on that tight, after all.

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 11 (Surviving an Avalanche)

Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Rudolph, Accepting Help, Merry, Whispers, Offering Help, Scrooge, Singing Carol, White, Wish, Overcoming Fear, Surviving an Avalanche

Checkpoints Completed: 2 (dice roll met)

Sio nods in agreement, giving a small hum alongside it. "Of course- helps makes things a little merrier, I'd say." After all, they certainly associated gingerbread and cinnamon with this time of year- nostalgic scents that reminded them of the better parts of their hometown. All the while, Chamomile gurgles happily as the Polteageist helps it fold the napkin into a proper hat- immediately tilting it afterwards. It looks like it may be less inclined to steal the other's lid...at least for now.

"Ahh, pleasure to meet you then. I am Sio Sotí, and this here is-" They pause- wait, did they hear Elise right? A playful smirk tugs at their lips, and they hum once more. "Why, my Sinistea here is also named Chamomile, but it's certainly no butler. Rather, it's quite...rebellious." It was only behaving well for the time being, after all. Sure it couldn't do away with as much mischief as, say, their Smeargle; but it would always find away to make something go and run amuck. 

Elise Calcifet

It was moments like this when Sio was more than relieved that Wisp and Itiá could float- that they were able to go up with her and avoid the wrath of the coming avalanche. Up and up Sio climbs along, gripping Makoto's hand tightly in her own. Fear twists and rips at her lungs and heart- and she's just barely able to think past the constant mental repetition. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves.

Something Makoto could even come to notice, in fact, was the fact that the detective, usually oh so talkative, was stone cold silent. That she couldn't even bring herself to utter a single word, helplessly nodding along with the thief's instructions.

Her knuckles whiten with the grip she has- deathly firm, digging into tree bark and flesh alike. She'd have to apologize later if she hurt them- when her head was clearer. She keeps taking deep breaths, slowly steadying despite the catatrophic cacophony of the avalanche. She's fine. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. She'd be fine. She knew she'd be.

3pK2W9zI

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 10 (Overcoming Fear)

Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Rudolph, Accepting Help, Merry, Whispers, Offering Help, Scrooge, Singing Carol, White, Wish, Overcoming Fear

Checkpoints Completed: 1

Sio, of course, allows Makoto to take their time- find their tongue, and wrap their arm around Sio's waist. Without another word, she hums in approval, nodding her head. She doesn't really pay much mind to Tsukiko's laughter, but she can sort of put two and two together. Not that she was even really attracted to them (at least, perhaps, not yet) anyway.

All of that aside, however, Sio seems more than ready to test this formation out. Sure, there may be some risk to it, but she figures it'll be a good way to practice together. "Now, when I say go, move your feet in time with mine. Think of it almost like...a dance of sorts. A splendid waltz." And with that, she hums again, counting down. "Three...two...one...and go. Left, and right..." She keeps chanting the lefts and rights, making sure to maintain a steady rhythm for the two to skate to.

Quill, meanwhile, watches as Kama ties the other sticks to his own feet- ready to help if need be. But seeing him get them on just fine, he stands, tail wagging faster than before. Picking up the final set of four sticks, he keeps another two and hands the others to the Sneasel, before sticking his two into the snow- like spears! He slowly nods his head a couple times to count down...before pushing off and down with an eager trailing of barks!! Down we go!!

Makoto Kurumi

While something like bonding seemed oh so simple to a girl like Ettie, Sio had plenty more complications and intricacies on the matter- rules they had to follow, cues they'd learned over time as a detective and reporter both. Sure, they could manage a smile well enough or talk with honesty in most of their statement...

...But emotional vulnerability was something they'd always struggled with. It wasn't like they could go up to any old person they called a friend and rant about their day; that they could sit down and have heartfelt conversations with those they interviewed on a day in day out basis- not without the risk of being harmed, anyhow. As of right now, the only person in Sio's personal circle that had such a highly held privilege was Makoto- and they'd only just scratched the surface of their psychic shield. Perhaps that was why the detective held such a deep fondness for psychic-type pokemon in the first place- they could pick up on any feeling or cue without issue, without elaboration or veils of bias or falacy. There was no risk of being wrong around them- only dishonest, and even that form of risk was arbitrary and rare. They'd be fine with introductions, and first name basis conversation, but if anyone wanted to know anything further, they'd have to work tremendously for it- prove they deserved to know.

That being said, Ettie seems...fine enough. Just another naive kid making her way through the world with her loyal pokemon by her side. "Ettie, Anat, and Haru. I see," Sio mused, nodding their head. "It's nice to meet you all as well!"

Meanwhile, at the offer to play, Quill's hyperness seemed to only grow more and more- until finally, his wriggling got Sio to free him! Finally! He barked and yipped excitedly, nodding all the while. "I suppose we'll take that as a yes! I wouldn't be opposed to accompanying you lot either, if you don't mind." Perhaps not to play, but at least to supervise and ensure nobody got hurt.

kqvun9QE

Remiel Calcifet , Ettie

It came almost as quickly as it warned of its arrival; with the avalanche tumbling after them at breakneck speeds, Sio held tightly onto Makoto as Yurei tried to outrun it. She grit her teeth, hissing through them as the tension once again built itself up.

She couldn't bring herself to look at the oncoming torrent of ice and snow- it may as well have been Kyurem itself reigning fear and terror down upon the party. A trap. A horrible trap befell her, and she had no true way to protect herself.

Staying stone cold silent, she can only wish- frantically, pleadingly that this would all be over as soon as it started. She can't even admire the show of agility, quickly grabbing onto Makoto's hand and pulling herself up to climb onto the tree- to hold on for dear life. Well, here was to hoping...

Un5IYk_K

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 9 (Wish)

Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Rudolph, Accepting Help, Merry, Whispers, Offering Help, Scrooge, Singing Carol, White, Wish

Checkpoints Completed: 1 (1/3. 2 prompts done)

For once, Sio could also find herself lost in this calm trance- the steady steps of Yurei, the warmth from Wisp, and everyone else's humming proved to relax her. It let her forget where they were, or what they had to deal with...

That was, before the sudden spiritual shriek jostled the crew - causing Makoto and Kuro to fall off of Yurei into the deep, pillowy white snow. Sio, who's just barely hanging onto the Wyrdeer, looks down at the pair and chuckles.

"Ha- certainly did! Here, darling, grab onto my hand." And just like that, she holds her hand out to help the duo up. After all, they just might need to brace themselves better soon, with that rumbling off in the distance...

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 8 (White)

Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Rudolph, Accepting Help, Merry, Whispers, Offering Help, Scrooge, Singing Carol, White

Checkpoints Completed: 1

While Sio knew well enough what words were spoken to her in her reading- what the stars showcased to her, there's still plenty that perplexes her about the whole ordeal. Communication, dedicated time, prioritization of self-care...boundaries. The hell is she supposed to do about those? Boundaries, such a superficial yet all the more heavy weighted concept- the very thing that makes or breaks one's tolerance for people and places. Lord knows she could never go back home because of lines being crossed- both on and off their face. They'd never again let themself be silenced, be it by man or beast.

Their face remains neutral- cold, stoic, a brick wall between themself and the partygoers. What right did they have to see how they felt? What right did they have to their inner thoughts, their turmoil and constant fight for more control- more, more, more? Only Quill seems to pick up on this tension, licking his trainer's hand to slowly calm them down. At the very least, they're calm enough to...

"Oh- well that's wonderful, dear. Parties like this are always bustling- and you certainly seem like the type to enjoy it all." Sio responds, that small smile returning to their face. As for Quill, it's easy to say that Ettie's wiggling spurs him on, too- though more so for a bigger full body movement. One that causes Sio to gently grab the Smeargle in attempts to calm him down. "Ho- hoo- hoh boy, easy there dear. We need to introduce ourselves to our new friend." they chide affectionately, patting his head. "But...I am Sio, Ettie dear- and this sweet pup here is Quill!"

6Z9_SVyb
Ettie Remiel Calcifet

"Of course, of course. I wouldn't want him to get sick, after all," Sio responds, nodding matter-of-factly. It still would be nice, she thinks, if he grew more comfortable around her. She always imagined the kit's fur was just as soft if not more so than any other Zorua's- perhaps like a nice pair of mittens or a knitted scarf. But ah, well, she'd cross that bridge when she gets to it.

For now, she's more than content to listening to Itiá and Makoto caroling. And in all honesty, it's not very long before she begins to hum along, too; it's an easy melody to catch onto, after all.

And so comes serenity, a more than welcome guest amongst the group.

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 7 (Singing Carol)

Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Rudolph, Accepting Help, Merry, Whispers, Offering Help, Scrooge. Singing Carol

Checkpoints Completed: 1

Sio's in just about the same condition, save for her hovering observation over everyone- but that's fine. She can let the others rest while she keeps watch if need be.

Especially when one considers that Kuro had taken the brunt of the damage, however small- it makes sense that Sio would want to ensure the Zorua was in tip top shape. Being a scrooge was something Sio felt was reserved for more solitary situations, after all.

As Kuro perks up and carefully takes the caramel from Sio's hand, though, the detective can't help but give her own soft, amused chuckle. "Well of course; that would be nice. Perhaps I'll give it a few more as we go along. A little token of gratitude, if you will," she responds, just as humorously and hopefully. To her, the little kit behaved much like a cat- a food motivated one, but that's nothing she's unfamiliar with. But of course, she'd have to see how the rest of this journey pans out. Perhaps song could help them pass the time? Maybe it was just the time of year, but she's definitely certain that the tune to Carol of the Bells is stuck in her he-

No, wait, that's just Itiá softly whistling it. Well. at least it makes for entertainment.

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 6 (Scrooge)

Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Rudolph, Accepting Help, Merry, Whispers, Offering Help, Scrooge

Checkpoints Completed: 1

At first, Quill seems rather perplexed by Ettie's barking. That's a human girl, isn't it? Why is she barking like he does? How strange...but, with a bit of curious sniffing and observing, she seems friendly enough! And so, he yips and barks in return- tail wagging behind him and panting happily. As if in understanding of her question, he nods, then tilts his head as if to say 'Yes! And you?'

Sio perks up at this sort of simplistic conversation once they've gotten their reading, simply observing a moment before they crack a small smile. "Well hello there. Looks like you've found yourself a new friend, hm, Quill?" they ask, gesturing to Ettie . And following that, they look at the girl- that same intrigued yet fond smile being given to her. "And what about you, dear? Are you having fun?"