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hearing about trial and error must have meant that was the way the earliest Pokmon in the Forest must have learned what was safe to eat. must have been a scary time to be hungry and not know what was good from growing up on it. unless they did. hmm... it started to feel like he was thinking in a circle about the very first Pokmon. down a hole that was far too deep to scurry into.

anything that looked dangerous was an easy one to avoid. as adventurous as he was, risking an upset tummy wasn't something he was eager to gamble with.

ϟ have you gotten ill before? i guess you must have someone around who helps in case you need to go and get seen, but there's no-one else here. did they go get snacks? it would be really bad timing if you get sick now while they're gone. ϟ

Dys cracks the smallest of smiles when the berry is gently plucked from his fingers, briefly watching the small animal munch on it. But then he turns his gaze back to his belongings, tucking the pencil between the pages and shutting the book for now.

Huh. So this little guy was wild, but, what? He seemed more... domesticated. Dys purses his lips, crouching closer to him with his arms crossed over his knees. He could ask more questions considering that there seems to be some sort of communication device attached to his person, but it isn’t a huge deal, really.

"Well. Sometimes you figure out what's good and bad from trial and error. That's how people and animals did it for years." Which clearly happened to him, just going by the notes that he was taking. He was probably lucky he hadn't wound up in the hospital or worse. But if he didn't try to figure it out, how else was he going to know when it came to undocumented foreign plants and all that? "But that doesn't mean you should go around eating something that looks dangerous."

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a captain! that sounded cool! he'd seen captains of pirate ships in some fiction, so knew they had a high rank in their friend group, but didn't know much beyond that. knights he knew were much different than pirates, so the people of his home must have felt really safe with people like Kaeya and Diluc around. it would be so nice to see. although maybe a little scary with all the different humans around.

ϟ Lionheart, I think? ϟ it was a name he'd heard of, but didn't know much more about — just that they helped people, and had a safe place for them to go. ϟ is an official job bad? i think they'd be really happy to have you, especially when you're a captain! —oh, do you have another job? some people get really busy and I don't know how it all gets fit in. you need you time too! ϟ

EQUATING IT TO HIDE AND SEEK WAS, well, an interesting point of view, one he would probably state himself as a way to mock another at the receiving end. though he figures that isn't the case here, instead allowing himself to give a small chuckle before taking a small sip of his own drink now. ❝ Knight's of Favonious. And yes, I'm a captain, though that hardly means much when I'm outside of my jurisdiction as I am, ❞ he states, leaving out the part where he didn't care too much about that so long as it didn't get anyone into a larger, more political mess...

he'll give the slightest nod thereafter. ❝ In my own ways. We both operate quite differently, come to think, ❞ he chimes, not exactly giving away his own capabilities.

❝ As for a group of people that helps out others... I don't think I've heard of them. ❞ not unless it were ones from the past, long since gone once their respective leader or members had been taken by the eclipse. ❝ What are they called? Perhaps I might consider adding myself to their roster. Though getting an official job that'll cut into my beautiful day... ugh. ❞

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his fur stood up on end from listening. that was horrible! why would anyone be so mean to someone else? it was probably a good thing he couldn't understand it, but the idea scared him. bad people existed, that would always be true, and they didn't care about others maybe, but hurting them was so... cruel.

his head nodded furiously and quickly, enough that he thought it might jump off if it didn't stop so made sure to. ϟ is there a way I can tell who would be one? lots of people seem so nice. I don't want to get tricked fall into their traps. ϟ

the terms are unfamiliar to him, even in passing of other residents brought here, and certainly unheard of from the locals. but then he tends to avoid more populated areas due to the higher levels of noise. "of others, yes. the people they choose to take advantage of are harmed in some way at the end of it. whether it leaves them in trouble with another, or they suffer as a result of that person's actions."

taking a book from the shelf to briefly glance through, he stops to check around once again before carefully placing it back. "you would do well to stay away those kinds of people."

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her smile made him feel things were going right — surface level was typically enough to convince him, and he could never, ever understand just how deep and complicated she was. so he was positive about bringing her away from the more sombre mood, thinking that visiting the café would be the natural next step.

ϟ then let's go together, and i can buy you lots. people say we get Dust, but i don't use much because there aren't many things i want, so i have lots. where do we go? ϟ from the pack hanging from his back, he dug out his phone and set it on the ground just in front, being careful to keep it pretty much under him to keep the chance of it getting accidentally stepped on low. ϟ i'm Pikachu — it's nice to meet you and i'm happy to be friends if you want. ϟ

everything changes, and nothing stays the same.

Artoria has always quite good at pretending to not see what is going on. she is not her older sister; the gap in maturity between them is obvious, especially when it comes to matters that remain unspoken. she does her best to maintain a smile even when her insides are screaming in agony, and if her sadness threatens to become visible, she puts double the effort, until no one can tell how her heart wants to cry. it is a curse, as well as a gift.

her heart will never be fully bare, but the mention of sweets brings a more sincere touch to her little smile. her eyes soften up, and it is like a breeze of spring takes her melancholy away. “I’d like that. There is a small café I like to visit.” she still needs to do something before the search begins, or it is given up after. village girl or not, she had been taught some manners. “What's your name?”

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oh! he hadn't expected treats, so when the human held up the berries, he was happily surprised. slowly, so not to seem rude, he took the one extended into his paws and smiled brightly. ϟ thank you! ϟ

nibbling into it, he squeaked with enjoyment, almost losing track of the conversation, which made him pause and focus back upwards before the berry could be gone entirely and his train of thought with it. ϟ I lived in a Forest before here, so I'm used to eating food from the wild. but some things people say aren't good, or even poisonous, so I'm learning to be more careful. ϟ

Dys blinks up from his sketches, hand with the pencil gripped in it stilling. This little guy is looking intently at his drawings it seems. The only question he has is, what is this animal? It’s not quite like anything he’s encountered, but it doesn’t resemble any pictures of Earth animals he’d seen before either he’s pretty sure.

“What’s the matter? You looking for food?” He says it softly, not intent on scaring him away. “I have something better.” Meanwhile he produces a couple berries that are edible; smallish red ones that he’d learned from reading were strawberries. He holds one between his fingers toward him. Hopefully this doesn’t turn out to be something hostile… but wild animals didn’t usually approach humans so casually. So maybe this was someone’s lost companion or something?

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he nodded, happy to know that everything would be alright, the manor would be safe, and it was a voice from someone else saying that which made it all the more truthful to feel. the island got scary sometimes and he wasn't sure it was completely possible to keep home safe during those times, but if Kaeya said so, someone who knew it well and who was really strong, that gave him hope.

a laugh received the comments. something about it didn't see all that surprising. he had only seen glimpses of it, but just being around him was enough to gather how serious Diluc was, and the kind who would be determined to do something once his mind was put to it. stubborn enough that no-one could make him back down. it felt different from Kaeya, who was more playful and outgoing, but Pikachu had no doubts that he was also the same kind of defiant.

ϟ playing hide-and-seek would be really hard. I bet it would be the same with you. you're a Captain in the Fav... thing, aren't you? Knights of Favon... ϟ the tip of his tongue poked out, a little unsure how to finish the pronunciation without stumbling over it. ϟ you must be able do the same as him. there's a group that helps out others here, I think. did you join them? they'd be really lucky to have you on the team. ϟ

SUCH DEDICATION, IT WAS ADMIRABLE, the reason and all. he cannot help but praise the little creature in his mind. had he not known the reason, he might have offered the critter a place in his own home, that way he wouldn't be on his lonesome, too. and yet, to offer it now would disregard everything the other has just spoken, making a mental note to stop by more often when he was able -- if not for a sneak of a drink, but to keep the little fella company where it was possible.

❝ Don't worry. Nothing bad will happen to this place while he's gone, ❞ he reassures, hoping that was enough to settle any worries that might swarm his fuzzy, little head. ❝ Besides, I'd be more concerned for the people who did something to this place once Diluc got back. They'd be in for a pretty bad time. ❞

and his voice is in earnest as he speaks that, knowing how scary his brother can be to those who cross him. he'd faced it himself once, even if he wasn't exactly terrified in that moment, more so wallowing in the regrets he had aired out moments before that explosive clash happened. ❝ I think he'd be able to track them down without anyone's help, at that, ❞ he chuckles, swirling a bit of his own drink before taking a healthy sip.

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his ears straightened happily while enjoying the scratch. and then he watched Alhaitham while thinking about the words. advantage? not the kind in a battle, but something else.

ϟ no-one has before. i don't think. in the Forest, we would be wary of Trainers because they'd battle and try to catch us. anyone who was caught would leave with them. some of us were scared to be taken away, and some i think were jealous that captured Pokémon have someone looking after them.

things are different here and the humans I know are really nice. are people who take advantage bad? i don't know any of them. ϟ

making friends? that's not what he meant but since this is a different situation, perhaps it won't hurt to leave rather than correct it as usual. "Alhaitham."

he gives Pikachu's head a gentle scratch before returning to his browsing. "...you seem quite trusting, are you not worried about others taking advantage of that?" or maybe the animal is smart enough to avoid falling for schemes of those with ill intentions. that's what he hopes, at least.

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it made him happy to hear Kaeya's compliment. missing Diluc was hard, and he tried to keep busy so it didn't press down on him too heavily all the time. and he wasn't going to be the only one feeling that empty space — but Kaeya was able to carry on as himself, he wanted to try as well. Diluc wouldn't want them to be sad, he was always thinking of other people, and Pikachu didn't want to disappoint him. not him, not Kaeya and not Rain.

ϟ thanks. i want to work hard so it doesn't feel left alone. ϟ paws curled around the glass and brought it against his fur, taking the chance to sip while listening to Kaeya.

he could understand the reason for why he might ask the idea — there was only so much a small creature could keep on top of. there were people who were much better at it and help keep everything in order. though when the extra thought followed, Pikachu's head dangled in thought. maybe it was risky after all. even though the den was his home too, he never felt right inviting others over, not without being sure Diluc would have.

ϟ it's okay, i'll keep practicing and keep cleaning everything so that we don't have to worry about letting someone in that we aren't sure about. i don't want to let anything bad happen while he's away. only you're allowed to take things. like the juice. ϟ

SO IT HAD BEEN THIS LITTLE FELLA, the one cleaning everything despite all the efforts. perhaps he, too, should show up once in a while and take upon the task to make sure everything remains tidy beyond his forays for a drink or two. not that he ever truly left a mess, but before long, things would begin to become far too messy for this one, little creature to handle. if that were the case... maybe when the pokemon wasn't around to take note of his contributions, the smallest secret for kaeya to keep to himself as always.

reaching up, he takes hold of another cup, this time meant for pikachu and whatever juice he can find that isn't grape.

❝ Well, you've done a wonderful job in tending to it. Many would have likely given up by now with the owner gone for so long, ❞ he speaks casually, knowing those who would have simply abandoned it to find their own place to take care of. not that it was a bad thing at times, simply knowing that many couldn't endure the weight of someone missing for too long, like some emptied void in their chest with each day that passes. ❝ Are you sure we shouldn't hire a cleaning service? Though I don't suppose Diluc would be too pleased if someone unsavory managed to slip in, would he? ❞ he finally pours the juice, setting it in place for pikachu to be able to reach as he now begins to work on his own.

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things had been quiet so he thought it was safe to move somewhere further into the city. but that wasn't the case. even though he was being careful, the monsters had seen him and started chasing. in a panic, he'd shocked a couple, but the others kept coming. and that made him attack more while he ran. with every shock, something felt... more off. they were getting weaker — so kind of like how he could barely use Thunder Shock to begin with.

that only made being chased even scarier. his instincts were to attack until all danger was gone, but that would only make things worse — and it was better that he had to be careful, otherwise, he would have zapped the human who jumped down. his heart was ready to stop until he realised... this wasn't a corrupted person, but someone who came to help.

his legs were trembling from all the fright and it was hard to speak, which pretty much froze him in place while the man looked a his phone and a... piece of paper? or something that looked like one appeared.

whatever it was, it made the monster he attacked it with fall down, like the first Thunder Shocks he'd used. it took a minute to realise that the human was inviting him to fight together, and as rattled as Pikachu was, he should help.

ϟ o— okay, ϟ he said, and pressed down all four paws to steady himself. it took more effort than normal, but he did manage to send a bolt after one of the Glitched. it wasn't strong enough to knock it over, but it did stumble. maybe if he just focused on slowing them down, that might be useful.

"Whoa, hey," not a kid, but a little mouse. A yellow mouse (okay, pretty big for a mouse) that he hopped down in front of as multiple glitched closed in. It was kind of concerning, honestly, to see the glitched going after something so small.

Which likely meant this was someone else taken here against their will, so he should probably help.

"Let's, uh, getcha outta here, yeah?" His words flew out of his mouth quickly, fusing together into slang as he pulls out a dagger, slashing at one of the glitched as he stands in front of the little thing.

The issue being as his phone ticked, ticked, ticked, down, he didn't feel that same level of elation he normally felt. Instead, he felt concern prickle the back of his mind, at least, until,

FULU TAG

"Whoa-" A digitized scroll appeared, palpable to the touch once he grabbed it, and in a moment of remembering exorcists in Liyue, he slapped it onto the glitched.

Which...well, dropped.

"Ohoho." He chuckles, dropping his phone on the ground.

"Let's do this, little guy."

to die for -> fulu tag -> @lightoball

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when he first saw the drawings, he thought the human was an artist enjoying their craft. but then the added words that very much weren't part of any picture caught his eye. looking between the picture and the flowers to make sure he was comparing the right drawing to the right flower.

ϟ you don't like the taste of them? i've never tried these ones, but if they're no good, i'll believe you. ϟ

He’s crouched down with an open notebook rested flat on the grass, using a rock as a paper weight to hold it down, pencil in hand sketching out a couple different types of plants that he’s been staring at for the last few minutes. A few simple notes are scribbled beside them, most notably one of them has “NOT EDIBLE AND EXTREMELY BAD TASTING” beside it in his writing.

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that sounded a lot safer. and he looked at home here, so getting thrown out would have been awful! happy to still just follow along, Pikachu watched him in what could have been his natural environment, playing back the words to figure out.

'gained an ac... quain...' —oh! he meant friends!

ϟ yeah, I like making friends! but we never told each other our names — I'm Pikachu. ϟ

a little excitable, but luckily not loud enough to draw the attention of a certain librarian. not this time, at least.

finding a spot with a good view by one of the bookcases, he browses through their contents, occasionally checking for any sign of trouble stirring. "no, too much effort and a waste. we'll just have to return another time if nothing happens." spoken quietly to avoid attention, lest he be the one causing a disturbance instead, and he'd prefer to remain a bystander.

"if not, I suppose we've both gained an acquaintance, at least." in this case, he doesn't mind since the animal is friendly enough and seems to be quite the curious one. people are an entirely different matter though.

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he nodded so the plan was set. it wasn't a bad lie, and Kaeya wouldn't do anything to really upset his brother, so he was sure they weren't actually doing anything bad. but it would be nice to watch them hang out together — they were family, and it must have been nice to have people close who came from the same place. there had been other Pokémon around, but none of them came from the Forest.

though it was probably better for them that way — if it wasn't for the humans he was luck enough to meet, the world would still be super-scary. so he was really thankful to those who made it less that.

ϟ yeah. it's a big house, so it takes a long time to clean things. but I can see things up-close and know if they're finished or need more work. it's only right to look after everything — he's the one who lets me live here, so I want to show him thanks. ϟ

his tail swished, a little eager at the prospect of spending more time together — he thought Kaeya might scurry off now that he had the drink he came for. ϟ maybe some juice. but I'll save the grape juice for him. ϟ

WELL, AT LEAST THERE WAS A CHANCE. still, he knows how discerning diluc can be when it comes to the littlest things, such as his callout of when he had used an excuse a year ago. he can only think of who would do that, though he figures if anyone, it would be his own big brother. ❝ Hm. Let's stick with the first one. It's far more believable. Besides, I doubt Diluc could be too upset at you were it an accident, right? ❞ and he could say that he cleaned it up, though that might only make diluc more suspicious.

not that it would matter, in the end. with no proof of the happenings, all diluc could do was speculate what had transpired with his missing wine.

❝ You know, we could make a great duo when it comes down to it. That is if we ever needed it... ❞ other than cases as this? he figures the other could get by just fine, minus lacking some opposable thumbs and his little stature. ❝ Have you been fine here on your own? I could get you something safe to drink while I work at these, too, if you'd like. ❞

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her smile wasn't like lots of others that he saw — it didn't feel full. it was more like she was sad, but still smiling, so it confused him. maybe she was disappointed, so he wanted to help change that, if he could.

ϟ we could look for it together. things change but other things stay the same. that bracelet could still be here — so we can find it and you can see it again. ϟ chances were it was a tall order, and he understood how easy it was to think that a chance that might be passed was definitely gone so dodge some disappointment. but it could be waiting for her, and the home she could give it.

so it was worth trying, it might make her smile fuller and help her feel better. ϟ if we can't find it, we can go get some sweets to make up for it. ϟ

she hadn’t expected the honesty, but it makes easier for her to ignore the urge to apologize for giving a wrong conclusion.

it’s not like she refuses to think about it — though, she probably does a little. the appearance of her small helper is not similar, if anything he looked nothing alike the faeries from the autumn forest. and yet, her heart is filled with so much nostalgia for a place that no longer exists. she had never been good at forgetting them, though she supposed if it had been painful for her, then Oberon had had it rougher.

lowering her knees is not that common, she still does her best to not turn her gaze away from the small creature. “Ahaha. It’s nothing like that… I just…” the smile that follows is bashful but genuine. “I saw a bracelet that looked that way but I don’t know if it’s still around. But thank you.”

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in a den as big as Diluc's, there was lots of room for people, and he would have been happy to let them in —he was always really kind to the people they met with. Pikachu had wanted to invite people who couldn't go home into theirs, but things moved really fast. alerts kept coming, and things sounded scarier each time.

it was becoming clear that staying in place and hiding meant bad things were going to happen. even in a den as big as Diluc's, it wouldn't be possible to stay out of danger forever.

it hurt a lot. his heart felt tight and sore and hot. running away... from somewhere so important was really upsetting, and he didn't want to do it. but it was the best way to stay safe, and make sure no harm came to the manor.

some snacks and his phone went into a backpack specially for times like this. the process made things feel real, and uncomfy. a feeling like he wouldn't come back. his head shook — that wasn't going to happen, this home wouldn't stay empty.

out the door, he jumped up to latch onto the outside and fiddle with the key between his teeth to get it into the lock. that would keep everything inside away from whatever was coming, and into the bag went the key.

standing outside, he looked around, not sure where to go. which way what everyone worried about was coming from. where other people who were moving had gone. even though it was sunny, nothing felt warm about it, it didn't make him feel cosy even when stepping out from the building's shadow.

when he looked up, it felt lonely. maybe it was scared and sad too, and it couldn't run. the sight made him hesitate, and wonder if it really was a bad thing to stay here, watching from somewhere he might not be seen in. his heart hurt again. Diluc wasn't here, and other friends had gone home. and now even the one they had here was in danger. it wasn't fair. they kept taking things away. the Stars or the danger that showed up or something else. he didn't want to keep losing important people and places.

in the hollow, there was a seed of frustration. a paw touched the fence, promising to come back and apologise, and promise to be better so he could protect it. he would come back, it wouldn't stay lonely. he was just... too weak.

crawling to the path, he looked around. it still wasn't clear which way to go and which to stay away from. after a minute of thinking, he scampered down the way that led deeper into the city, hoping someone would be there that could help.

[lightoball]

doodle by @GodihHv

source

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uh oh. the question led Pikachu to one conclusion pretty quickly. ϟ did you lose it around here? is it important? it must be around here somewhere. ϟ

that was usually were those kinds of questions led. maybe it was a present, one for her from someone else or one she had brought to give. and in a busy place like the market, there was so much danger of it getting knocked or kicked around and damaged or broken. or someone picking it up and taking it away with them altogether!

a panic raced in his heart, not wanting her to lose what she was looking for, and already his head was whipping around from side-to-side frantically to find any sign of it. ϟ don't worry — we'll find it. ϟ his breath was a little sharp, and the words spoken more for his own nerves rather than hers.

winter was the season she always grew hesitant to call bleak. Artoria could not bring herself to find words that were ill-mannered — needlessly cruel, to the harsh weather. whether it was from sentimentality or her weakness, she was torn in choosing a reason. over the years, she had grown used to low temperatures, but the sight in front of her brings her chills. the market is no different from last time, and it brings her a bizarre sense of déjà vu. she had thought, perhaps foolishly, that something would have changed.

“Everything is still the same...” she wonders aloud. maybe the wares she had seen on her last trip were— the thought is halted immediately, she needs to ask the closest person before bringing herself down. “Sorry! Have you seen a bracelet with pink flowers around here?”

@lightoball