DECEMBER LOG PT2

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DECEMBER LOG PT2

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→ DESPITE EVERYTHING, YOU'RE STILL ALIVE

(click to expand - congratulations! congratulations! congratulations!)

The earthquakes cease and the smog slowly begins to clear. It'll be hours before the sky breaks through and the moon could be seen once more, but the fires of the volcano finally calm down and the screams of terror cease, only to be replaced with concerned shouting. Is everyone all right? Where is so-and-so? Is there a doctor nearby? Both people and Pokemon run back and forth, attending to what and who they can.

Although fatalities seem to be low, injuries are high. Some have fallen during their escape while others have been pelted by falling rocks, but nearly everyone is a victim to high levels of carbon monoxide and the thick scattering of ashes. All types of Pokemon pitch in to help - even wild ones - as they try their best to create a shelter for the remainder of the night and escort the young and elderly to the still-functioning boba shop.

No one will be falling asleep anytime soon, however.

→ IT'S TIME TO REBUILD

(click to expand - can we fix it? yes, we can!!)

Throughout the next few days and weeks, the people of Hami try to rebuild their lives once more. They erect campsites and learn how to survive on their new island. Unlike last time, however, help arrives from different parts of Cassava - Toran, Mango, and Melona. Food and water are passed around while additional medical staff tend to the still-injured. Mari and Konoha have also tagged along, relieved that Tsubomi have made it out all right, but saddened by the state of things. The three gym leaders make themselves available to assist where they can, including being free for gym battles, though they may make a face and, in Tsubomi's case, scowl. A little distraction is good, though, and they will eventually relent to a challenge.

As supplies are passed around, volunteers of the support team mention that the HMs for Fly and Surf have been finally located. There were multiple copies held in each city and town's Pokemon Centre for trainers to use, but they've all gone missing earlier that year. No one understands why, but they've managed to find a single copy of each in an old and forgotten box in Toran. With this, everyone can now travel by Pokemon and shorten each day of a trip to an hour, so for a five-day hike, it'll turn into a five-hour flight. Pretty useful, huh?

The HMs are passed around for Pokemon to learn, but with the large amount of people and long line-ups, you'll only have the chance to learn one of the two moves. Choose wisely as they may not be seen for a while again.

→ HO HO HO-LY SHIT

(click to expand - it's already the end of the year!)

Despite the grim beginning of the month, the latter half of December is filled with cheer and joy - even for Hami Island, whose people are making the best out of their situation. Christmas is near and everyone is excited to end this hectic year with smiles. Bright decorations are hung and although Toran is the only location with natural snowfall, ice-type Pokemon artifically create snow for everyone to enjoy. Some are nicer about it than others, as Spheals use Powder Snow to create beautiful gusts of snowflakes in the air while Sneasels use Icy Wind when people are least expecting it, causing hats to go flying and for tinier Pokemon to tumble away.

Little Delibirds wander through all towns and campsites to spread the joy. They give away presents from their seemingly-endless-void-of-a-bag, chirping happily as they hand over either a gift or a bomb. If you're lucky, it's the former and you'll get whatever material present that you've wanted or needed, even if you didn't know it, but if you're not so fortunate... well, at least it's easy to find doctors in Cassava.

But the Delibirds aren't enough to replace a real Santa Claus. Children beg and yell for one, but in the midst of all the panic and fuss over the volcano and Hami's citizens, every town forgot to hire someone to play the jolly ol' man. Oops. Well, be a dear and sub in, why don't you? It's okay if you don't look the part. They'll just shove you into an itchy costume and use superglue for the fake beard. It's okay if it takes an entire night or two for it to come off. You gotta do it for the children, who are more than insistent on tugging on it for fun.

Christmas eventually comes and goes before it's New Year's Eve. Everyone makes preparations for the fireworks show for their respective town and campsite. By the end of the night, the sky is lit with bright and sparkling colours. It's a beautiful end to the year and everyone peacefully goes to sleep that night. Some dream of a better future while others dream of fulfilling their resolutions, but for each isekai'd traveller, they all share one single dream: an out-of-body experience in darkness with a presence that surrounds them.

"What is your deepest, darkest desire?"

→ MOD NOTES

⬥ Congratulations for surviving the year! Your IC gift is learning either Fly or Surf and one item of your OOC choosing. This item may be a canon regain or simply anything else, but regardless of the choice, please comment underneath the proper top-level to get it approved.
⬥ Happy holidays and an early happy new year!

Comments

[selfconcept]

No.

[ There's no hesitation in his answer, because it's what Hien really believes. ]

It doesn't have to be. It's just that people are usually restrained by societal rules and stuff, so they tend to keep the more unsavory things out of the public eye, therefore it's a "dark desire" that they can't let out in fear of being ostracized. It's a little like guilty pleasures.

[ Yeah, when he wakes up normally like this, he can give well thought out answers instead of being a sleepy zombie for hours. ]

[weenwoon]

[He smiles, relieved, still keeping eye contact with Espurr.]

I see... Do you have any guilty pleasures, Hien? Apart from cute things, I suppose.

[selfconcept]

I'd like to think I'm pretty open about the things I like, so I don't really think I have any...?

[ Well, at least things that go in the hobby section. He enjoys a good fight here and there, but he doesn't consider that as a guilty pleasure. ]

Did you get some weird dream about it?

[weenwoon]

[He hums and nods.]

Indeed. A voice asking me what my "deepest and darkest" desire was... It made me curious. I doubt I would have worded it like that--the "darkest" qualifier seems both unneccessary and, mm, tricky at best.

[selfconcept]

[ Hien blinks. It's just about what he expected from Hythlo and he wonders if he should divulge his own. ]

For me, I'd keep the two separate. My deepest desire isn't necessarily dark, but I do have something "dark" that I want granted too, but it's not as strong as the former.

[weenwoon]

[Another nod--oh blast it, he ended up blinking too. Koios makes a triumphant beep and climbs up onto Hythlo's head, using his face as a stepping stone.]

Mff--pfeh--yes, I would agree. 'Twould be a lie to say I've never experienced what one might call a dark desire... But I do hope a stray thought borne of anger or desperation is not put on the same level as a conscious desire one works towards.

[selfconcept]

[ Hm.

Okay, Hien changes his mind and decides not to tell Hythlo about his. Despite how nice Hien usually is, it doesn't undo all the bad shit he's done, and how he actively wants two people dead. Koios hopping on his face makes him laugh a little though. ]

That would be a regretful impulse, huh?

[weenwoon]

[Hythlo raises a hand to pet Koios as reward for winning the contest.]

Hmmm... Rather than that, I would call it an incorrect approach to a problem.

[He sighs.]

I am certain you can guess what I speak of--the fate of my world, and how it may be reversed or prevented.

[selfconcept]

Of course.

[ It's what Hythlo had been agonizing over for the past several months, so Hien gets it. ]

... Though, I can never trust wishes to play out as they're expected to.

[weenwoon]

[He heaves a deep sigh, closing his eyes.]

...Indeed. I know it all too well.

[Hythlo folds his hands on his stomach, steepling his fingers.]

But I haven't much other choice, have I? Either I try to save it, or I finally pass away. 'Tis one or the other.

[selfconcept]

[ Hien looks slightly thoughtful. Even if it does go wrong, he figures Hythlo wouldn't be around to see it happen. If that's the case, Hien keeps his mouth shut about it and scoots a little closer to him to put a hand over his. ]

[weenwoon]

[At least Hythlo smiles at the gesture - he generally seems more collected about the whole thing nowadays. Imagine getting therapy!

He shifts his hands to take hold of Hien's.]

I've a feeling I shall always be stunned by your kindness.

[selfconcept]

[ Imagine that!

Hien looks up at him, with a slightly confused look on his face. ]

... Why would I be mean to you in a situation like this when I care about you?

[weenwoon]

[He laughs a little.]

Ah, then should I amend it to being stunned by how open you are with it? Though 'tis certainly the natural reaction to be gentle with those you love in such situations, I know it does not come easily to everyone.

[selfconcept]

[ Oh.

Hien looks off to the side, slightly embarrassed. ]

Is it... that weird for me to be open about it... I don't see the point of holding back when it comes to these kinds of things, so...

[weenwoon]

[Oh no he's cute and Hythlo is a gremlin. He smiles smugly before lifting Hien's hand to his lips to leave a kiss--he does still remember how flustered Hien got about it back at the hospital.]

Nevertheless, I truly appreciate it. 'Tis not strange, certainly, for everyone has their own ways of expressing themselves... But Hades, for one, is rather reclusive about it. So I have something to compare!

[selfconcept]

And this is how you express yourself, huh...

[ Hien has to remind himself that this is how Hythlo shows his expression and that there's surely nothing else behind it. He looks over at his own hand that Hythlo kissed. Despite intentions, he feels his face get a little warm. ]

[weenwoon]

[OH NO HE'S CUTE. Hythlo is certainly enjoying it, a fond smile on his face.]

With people I like, yes.

[selfconcept]

[ Hien lives with people who already like someone (or two, in possibly Hythlo's case), so it's pretty easy for him to think of it as a weirdly platonic gesture. ]

You're probably the most open about this sort of thing...

[ He huffs. ]

[weenwoon]

[Gee Hien imagine if Hythlo could like........... three people??? How wild.]

Does it make you uncomfortable?

[selfconcept]

[ He sounded so smitten with Hades and Azem so... honestly... Hien thinks there's no room for him. Wow!! ]

... No, not really. You can do whatever you want.

[weenwoon]

[Has Hien considered not being stupid!!

Hythlo sits up, suddenly worried, catching Koios to set him down safely instead of letting the poor Espurr tumble off his head.]

"Not really" still suggests a measure of discomfort, Hien. I should have asked earlier... Pray forgive me. I think I simply assumed you would be receptive to such gestures.

[selfconcept]

I am, it's just... well...

[ Hien honestly doesn't mind, but. Hm. Maybe he needs to think about this. ]

I'm more used to people doing that to tease or for people they like romantically. I can get used to it though, so I'm not uncomfortable with it.

[weenwoon]

[Hythlo just. Blinks at him several times.]

So... By that token, do you like me or do you just want to tease me?

[He remembers Hien's Smooth Flirting attempts, ok.]

[selfconcept]

[ ... ... ...

Fuck. Well, he's not going to answer that. There's only silence while Hien continues to not look at Hythlo's face. ]