Sio meets Makoto's glance as they give it to her- and in turn, she smiles, relaxing once more. "Yes, that...that sounds lovely. I'm sure I could bake something for us; what kind of cookies do you prefer, hm?" she muses in turn, eager now more than ever for something sweet.

But, perhaps that wishful thinking will have to wait. After all, with the change in view up ahead also came what could only be described as whisperings of the dead- of vengeful spirits ready to prey on whoever came near. Surely they'd be able to make it past this, right?

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 4 (Whispers of the dead)

Checkpoints Completed: N/A

A...detective of nature and history. Right. Sure. Perhaps scientist would be a better term to describe Shalin, if it involved charting and the like. But, Sio's not about to get into a debate about the technicality of terms right now.

As the Wobbuffet settles down in her ball, Sio takes to carefully watching Shalin handle the Girafarig- albeit in a more roundabout way. However, they can't help but admit it's rather impressive, seeing the Captain land square on the wild's spiky back and hold on until she eventually tires herself out. The detective can't help but clap, eyes lit up with a sort of intrigued pride towards the woman. "Impressive! You're not hurt too badly, are you?" they check in with her.

Though, in the meantime, Quill seems a bit...distracted. He doesn't quite know how to handle the massive Golurk in front of him, and simply takes to barking at it before Kaló teleports behind it. Effectively enough, this distracts and then startles the automaton pokemon, leaving an opening for Sio to toss another ball.

Shalin Nariya

"Ah- I suppose that makes sense. Lord knows how many times I've torn up the house looking for Itiá only for her to be in some shadowy corner." Sio chuckles, giving the Phantump in question a pat on one of her branches.

But, the more time passes by, the more she finds herself wondering what else to do. Talking was nice on its own, sure, but they'd merely been standing on the ice for however long while everyone else glided around them. "Hmm...say, Makoto dear," she begins, giving a smirk and a mildly mischievous glance. "What do you say about trying to ice skate again? If need be, we could try and support each other for balance."

Meanwhile, the squeaking from Kama gets Quill's attention easily, and he looks in the direction he points. Yes! A big, nearby hill! This would be the perfect spot!! With a handful of enthusiastic yaps and barks, it holds a pair of sticks from the bundle out to the Sneasel, tail wagging frantically. Here! Here!!

Makoto Kurumi

Holiday party, huh...not really Sio's cup of tea, but a social is a social. They'd mainly kept to themself this entire time, nursing a margarita and occasionally smoothing down their blouse- making sure it stayed tucked in their flared trousers. A bit closer to the masculine side, but it was still recognizably them. That is, if anyone recognized them at all, what with how quickly they swayed place to place. If nothing else, Quill was there right beside them- all dressed up in his beret and a little bowtie.

But, the entire night, their sights had been set on one thing in particular- the tablets. Their zodiac. They never paid too much mind to it really- they just knew they were a Garchomp and that was that. But at the prospect of immense luck and a glimpse into the future.

Slowly, carefully, the detective strides to where the tablets are. A black leather gloved hand finds its way to the Garchomp tablet, letting their palm lightly rest against it. Then comes the telescope...a beautiful, intricate array of stars making up their own constellation. And once that's done, they find the woman herself- the Zodiac Maniac. "Greetings, dear..." they begin, thinking once more about their specific request, only to be stuck between two. "I'd like a reading about either love or my career; either or is fine, so pick your poison~"

Remiel Calcifet

If not jokes about that certain reindeer, then perhaps something more..merry. Singing little carols, sharing drinks and cheer, all of that sounded fun- like the kinds of things she'd be more than happy to do in the other's company.

...Perhaps she was just a bit lonelier than she usually thought herself to be.

"In all honesty, I don't either, darling..." Sio admits, giving a sheepish and mildly flustered chuckle. "But, I'm sure we'll find our way out just fine."

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 3 ("Merry")

Checkpoints Completed: N/A

The more they thought about it, maybe a minotaur in a ghostly, snowy maze didn't make all that much sense. Maybe some kind of yeti or abominable snowman, instead.

But, that train of though is quickly stopped when Makoto responds- and for a moment, a relieved smile flashes across her face. She takes Makoto's hand in her own, pulling herself up onto Yurei's back, behind Makoto. She settles down after a moment, wrapping her arms around their waist to keep steady. "Thank you, darling. It...feels like things may go smoother, having a friendly face around." After all, two heads are often better than not, right? At least, she's willing to admit that this time around.

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 2 (Receiving help)

Checkpoints Completed: N/A

Now this was far from what Sio had expected; and they'd dealt with plenty. But to be invited out to their usual Route 121 in the dead of night, only to be kidnapped and set out on some maze journey? At this point, they wondered where the hell the minotaur would be. Ah well, at least they were fond of ghost types...

It's what feels like a treachorous few miles of trudging through snow before Sio spots an ever familiar Wyrdeer...Rudolph? No. That couldn't be.

"Yurei? Ah- wait- Makoto?" She calls out in questioning, Itiá and Wisp following closeby. "You...made it here too? Would you mind if...if I perhaps accompanied you?" She's clutching her coat closer to herself- running on a need for answers and the heat of her Lampent.

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 1 (Rudolph)

Checkpoints Completed: N/A

The detective takes quick notice of the ambassador in blue, and Sio gives a small smile and wave to her. Almost immediately, they're scanning her; the regal aura, refined accent, and such a polite pokemon all wrap themselves into an intriguing bundle. Chamomile also takes notice, closely watching the new pair with piqued curiosity.

"Ah, thank you. Yours are as well; I can really see the time and effort put into them." They reply, smile widening ever so slightly. They prop their elbows on the table, black gloved hands folding delicately. Sure, their usual trenchcoat was more than enough warmth, but a plum colored scarf and those very gloves help a bit more.

The Sinistea keeps watching, though its attention shifts solely to the Polteageist as he tips his kettle lid. It tries to follow along, giving a mildly sheepish gurgle as it quickly realizes that it has no lid to speak of. Why did this Polteageist get such a nice kettle while it was still in a chipped little teacup? It simply wasn't fair! Improvising, it grabs a napkin from the table, holding that over its head to tip in lieu of a proper lid or hat. But oh, how badly it wants that lid...

Elise Calcifet

Baking- it's a little known hobby of Sio's, and one that they're more than happy to show off their prowess in. Even if it was a bit of an on-a-whim decision to join a bake sale, the prospect of helping a local park raise rennovation funds sounded promising...

And so here Sio sits alongside a couple other bake sale merchants, sporting platters of banana muffins and cinnamon coffee cakes. In between both platters is a certain Sinistea, being held firmly by the detective.

"Now remember, Chamomile," they start, staring down at the small, goopy spirit in the treacup. "No snatching from any of the platters, and especially not from customers, understood?"

Chamomile, in turn, gives a wispy, gurgling sigh and sinks back into its cup- a resigned sort of agreement. Well...there goes the little poltergeist's plans. At least until Sio eventually loses sight of it, at least.

Mission - The Great Hoenn Bake Off


Elise Calcifet

Sio's about to respond- to reassure Shalin that it was all fine, and not to worry too much when neither had really expected to run into the other. Of course, this all falls flat as her Skuntank bolts away and the flamethrower bursts out. Jeez...never had they been so glad to have this much personal space. That, and the musk is almost entirely gone now, which has its own little perks to it- like Quill finally letting go of his snout.

"Wildest pokemon rider in Hoenn..." Sio muses in an echo, giving a slight smirk as a hand raises to rest under their chin. Such a...curious figure this woman was, truly. "Sio Sotí, detective and journalist extraordinaire; a pleasure to meet you," they chime. "Actually, I was only out here for a little stroll before this one over here decided to veer off the path," they chuckle, rustling Quill's fur as the Smeargle in question scrunches his face up.

But...the appearance of a couple wild pokemon catches Sio's eye even quicker, as well as Kaló's. The Abra quickly follows her trainer's command and launches herself into a Zen Headbutt at the Wobbuffet, followed immediately by Sio throwing a pokeball at it. There's almost this sort of...competitive gleam in the detective's eye during this catch attempt.

Kaló tilts her head side to side during that second, but perks back up with a cheerful trill as Koseki shakes her hand. That's how the humans do it; and now she's done it, too!

At Makoto's musing, Sio chuckles- shrugging before giving a little nod and her own warm smile. "I suppose so; perhaps I should look into a Contest or two to let her try out in. At the very least, she'd get some energy out." Sio replies. She gives a small nod to the mention of generic soft caramels- making a mental note to get them on its next grocery run.

The attention- or at least, the shadowy sensation of such- is neutrally received. While Sio would like to get to know the Zorua better, they understand the desire for alone time well. "They seem comfortable in there, at the very least- your shadow, I mean. I can't recall if I've seen a pokemon do that before..." she muses in turn. Perhaps she could do well to research deeper into such a phenomena...

Finally, after what feels like ages of trekking through plain white snow, Quill perks up at the sight of another new pokemon. He barks and yips excitedly at the Zoroark, waving both his paw and his tail. So many new friends!!

Makoto Kurumi

The steady flow of water, the ebbs and flows of the waves as well as the everlasting cycle of it all- all these factors bring peace to the detective. If only whirlpools were tamers- they'd treat them like giant glasses of peppermint tea in the winter, with cute, penguin faced sugar cubes waltzing in the eye of it all...or maybe even bits and pieces of melted popsicles, their sticks bobbing up and down in the water...

Wait. Penguin faced? No, no, that was no sugar bunch of sugar lumps- that was a swarm of Eiscue!

Already prepared for the chance to nab something new without second thought, Chamomile the Sinistea and resident thief bolts after the swarm. Using a less refined, sloppier version of Astonish, it tries to weaken one Eiscue with a bubbly shout, only to end up just mildly inconveniencing several all at once.

Well, at least it would make it easier for Sio to just grab one of them...

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