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

[partymagician]

[ Oh Leafeon... ]

Wow, Fluffy sure has changed!

[ So cute... Even though Fluffy might try to use his leafy tail and ears as weapons now.

Fai flops down in a chair. ]

I did! I got back yesterday afternoon, actually. I was out for a while, though. I had to get gifts to everyone.

[ He still has Hien's, actually. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Imagine being on a Christmas date and then getting gifts for everyone at the same time... though Hien is pretty sure Itaru wouldn't have minded anyway. Hien holds Fluffy down with his arms, slightly struggling, while trying to brush Mimi. It's hard doing two things at once. ]

You must be tired. Why don't you take a break today--

[ Fluffy slaps Hien's forehead with his leafy tail. Kisama............... Hien glowers at him, which doesn't seem to deter Fluffy at all. ]

[partymagician]

[ Fai laughs at the way Fluffy smacks Hien in the face. Fluffy really hasn't changed at all.

He waves a hand. ]

I'm not tired at all, actually! Sleeping in a real bed did wonders for me.

[ The cots and sleeping bags and everything are fine but it just isn't the same. ]

[selfconcept]

Wow, a real bed. Jealous.

[ Not really, but it would be nice. He's used to sleeping outside anyway, since that's what he's been doing before Hythlo dragged him to the inn. Fluffy snickers and Hien gives him a forehead flick, resulting in a whine. ]

[partymagician]

As you should be! It was really comfortable!

[ Fai gets up now, walking over to the bag he had all the gifts in and starting to rummage through it. He made a lot of extra things too, just because he could, so it's taking him a little bit to find Hien's gift. Hmmm... which tin was his? ]

[selfconcept]

[ While Hien waits for Fai, he returns Fluffy to the pokeball as something like a time out. Mimi is satisfied to be getting more attention to the brushing now. ]

Just how much stuff do you have in that thing...

[partymagician]

That's a secret!

[ He laughs, finally finding the right tin. It's got Eevees in santa hats all over the top. ]

The bakery I used to work at let me use their kitchen on Christmas morning since they were closed, so I took advantage of it. Here you go!

[ He holds it out to Hien. Inside are those mango cupcakes he ate a million of when he looked like Joonghyuk. ]

[selfconcept]

[ He takes the tin and looks down at it. It's cute... he can't help but to smile a little as he opens it. ]

Huh. I wonder if these are better the ones I ate last time...

[partymagician]

[ Fai crouches down next to him so he can see Hien's every reaction. ]

They better be! I put loooots of love into them this time!

[ Also he modified the recipe a tiny bit. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien takes one out, looking at it up close while Fai crouches. The love ingredient comment makes him chuckle and he bites into the cupcake.

There are imaginary sparkles in his eyes as they seem to light up. He takes another bite. And another. And another... until it's all gone. He definitely enjoyed it. ]

[partymagician]

[ Well, eating it all at once like that is a good sign! Fai has a small, satisfied smile on his face. ]

Well? How are they?

[selfconcept]

[ Without missing a beat: ]

Really good.

[ A step up from the usual "good". A pretty big improvement! Hien seems very satisfied and immediately eats another one from the tin. ]

[partymagician]

Oh, they must be if you added a "really" to it!

[ He laughs, watching Hien take another one. ]

Be careful not to eat them all at once. You should savor them.

[selfconcept]

[ Ah.

When Fai advises him, he freezes mid-bite for a second and then resumes eating the cupcake, but a lot slower than before.

Nom. ]

[partymagician]

[ He laughs, shifting into a better sitting position. Crouching was starting to make his legs sore. ]

Much better! See, it tastes better that way, right?

[selfconcept]

... It tastes the same.

[ Fai is right, but Hien is sometimes a little shit. Mimi makes a face while looking into the distance. Gremlins, all of you. ]

[partymagician]

[ He looks mildly offended. ]

Then you're just eating it wrong. Or there's something wrong with your taste buds.

[selfconcept]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with my taste buds, for they are perfect in every way.

[ Ew. He wants to take back the snobby tone he used for that even though it was obvious that it was a joke. ]

Just kidding. It's a great gift you got me. Thanks, Fai.

[partymagician]

[ It's too late. Fai will forever remember the way he said that. But at least he laughs. ]

Of course. I wanted to get you something I knew you liked! I was planning on just going shopping for you, but since I was near the bakery on Christmas day, I thought I would take advantage of it.

[selfconcept]

It's a good thing you did. The cupcakes are a lot better than before.

[ He takes another bite. Delicious. Mimi turns around to look at them both. He wants to eat too... ]

You ate lunch already.

[ :T ]

... Twice.

[ >:T !!!!! ]

[partymagician]

That's because I had no interference from my coworkers!

[ Well. He was able to change the recipe without repercussions.

He leans forward. ]

Let Mimi have a bite!

[selfconcept]

He's been eating way too much lately...

[ Mimi whines, and gently paws... Fai's leg. Not Hien's. He knows Hien will not budge on this, so he's going to depend on Fai. ]

[partymagician]

[ Mimi is so cute and Fai is so weak... He looks between Hien and Mimi a few times before getting up to go grab some of the extra cupcakes he made.

He sits back down, opening the tin and taking off a piece of the cupcake and holding it out to Mimi. ]

Here.

[selfconcept]

[ Oh no. Hien holds Mimi back, grabbing him by his sides, but Mimi doesn't like Hien's interference so he whines while making paw swimming motions at Fai. Help.

Hien just stares at Fai. Don't you do it. ]

[partymagician]

Why not?

[ He pouts a little. Let him feed Mimi. It'll be cute!! ]