Test Drive Meme - December - Merry Christmas and a New Year!

[bestmomever]

December has arrived! And it's a festive, very festive time for the people of Alola. You'll find that many local businesses are doing well this time of year as there's brilliant lights being strung up, in preparation of people, both tourists and people. The doors are open, the Christmas Spirit is in the air, and Delibirds have arrived to start taking letters to Santa! Mallow in particular has been a chief advocate of getting your letters into Santa, as this is the second Christmas Vacation coming up for the Fallers, and soon you'll be off school for Christmas Break which starts on the 18th.

You'll have lots to do, but soon, there'll be a aura of business as Christmas begins to loom closer and closer, as a sense of urgency starts pushing forward as the Delibirds seem more and more urgent...




A. Arrival

Another wave of Ultra Holes have opened up over the Island, alarms have appeared and the Ultra Guardians as well as Bewear has come into play. This time, the Fallers have been asked to intercept the literally Falling people who are coming out of the holes and brief them and bring them to the Pokemon Center, ie Immigration to get checked in. Wicke is there to answer questions but a few volunteers may be there as well. The experienced Fallers can get you up to speed.


B. The Alola Community Visitors Plaza

A venue usually for tourists, new Fallers are given a chance to see the main tourist area for Alola, in order to orient and familiarize themselves with the nature of Alola and Pokemon in general. A far cry from the disorganized mob that was originally there, this time, there are people set up in the stands, ready to receive tourists and Fallers alike. Pamphlets, interviews with locals and tour guides, Ride Pokemon to take you around the island, and various other places are available. Please look around, the choice is yours. This month it is decorated for the Festival of Lights, aka Christmas.


C. The Hau’oli City Markets

This is where the marketplace stands, full of fresh fruit and food. Those who are hungry can be treated to a delicious taste of Alola. Not once, not twice, but more times than they can imagine. Your coin is good here, even if it’s alien in nature. Even if you don’t have coin, you’ll be fine. Ohana. No one is left behind or forgotten. We’re not about to let people go hungry in this world. Nature’s bounty is for everyone, humans and Pokemon alike. There’s no need to steal, just ask the marketplace for some food if you are very hungry. Even if you’re shy, Miss Anela will offer you a snack. There's a lot of holiday treats.


D. Job Board

Odd Jobs have been posted here right now, thanks to the efforts of the people who have decided to help the Fallers out, and it’s also a help wanted board for those who want to earn some coin in the middle of the week before the beginning of the school year. Tasks such as bucking crates of Juice off a truck, to doing some simple paperwork in an office for a few days, and even tending Pokemon in a farm on Akala Island. The choice is yours. Get out and explore. There's a lot of decorating jobs right now.


E. Exploring the entire island chain

If you wish to explore Melemele, it is a big island, and there is plenty to see. There are Forests, Honey Fields, Hot Springs, Beaches, and many other places. Melemele boasts one of the biggest cities Hau’oli City, and is the capital of Alola. Here, up at the top of a large plateau is the challenge area where Hala offers the Grand Trial. The caves are full of Pokemon, and your Pokemon are eager to prove themselves in a Trial. There's plenty to see now, with Akala island, Ula'ula Island and Poni Islands also opened up for tourism.


F. Grand Trials

The Four Kahuna are accepting challengers once more. Those who wish to participate in the sacred trials are allowed to participate in the Grand Trials once more, to earn the right of the Z. With the goals in mind, you may undertake a Trial to earn a Z-Crystal first, and then take on a Grand Trial for a Z-Ring and a Z-Crystal. The choice is yours which to tackle first.


G. Festival of Lights

There's actually two Festival of Lights this time around! The Boat Festival where there will be several boats on the water displaying gorgeous lights which shine on the water, and the festival where the land shines with twinkling lights on the seventh. The first is on the 13th. There seems to be a wonderful time coming up.


H. Melemele General Hospital

Even Angela is working extra hard to make sure everyone's prepared for the winter, and that makes time for checkups, and other such things. If you've got the sniffles, this one is for you. But also, come chat with Angela, and meet some of the more colorful visitors from Overwatch Earth.


I. Aether Labs

Come review the brand new information that makes the Ultra Guardians go on the offensive. Which means, Aether Labs is open to the science community! The scientific community heads can now access the labs, and the resources within. Under the guidance of Wicke, Faba and, Burnet, you're allowed access to Aether's resources to build and invent and upgrade and repair your own equipment.


J. Alolan Steel Guitar Festival

Come listen to the native music of the people, leading into the city. You can listen, try out one of the steel guitars, dance, the choice is yours! Your world is yours to explore!


K. Lighting of the Banyan Tree

In the middle of the city there's a massive tree being erected. This is the Banyan Tree, and on the seventh during the Festival of Lights, it will be lit up! Come check it out!


L. Wildcard

If you haven’t found a prompt that suits you, make it up!

Comments

Isabel Knight | Mage: the Ascension OC

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

C

Isabel really doesn't need to steal--she does have some ready Earth money, and even some nexus-world silver pieces, to boot. Even if she didn't, she'd be plenty willing to work off whatever debt she incurred from hunger.

As it is, she's peering over the fresh fruit, a curious expression on her face. Mostly because while most of the fruit looks normal, there are strange readings to her magickal senses. She reaches out to grab one of the offenders--which immediately douses her in water, harmless but startling!

Applin used Splash! It wasn't very effective...


J

Anyone who knew about her parents wouldn't find it surprising that Isabel had musical chops. Later, she'd probably end up dancing, but for the moment? In the spirit of the season, she's playing some Christmasy music to go along with the festival, keeping time with an anklet of bells.


I

Isabel isn't the technological genius her grandfather is, but she's still got some decent know-how and a curious streak a mile wide. She doesn't mind the idea of acting as an intern or a gofer for the more scientific adults, keeping the coffee pots fresh and hot and making sure they eat, but it's probably not a surprise to find that she's also willing to pipe up with a question of her own when one of them goes on a ramble. It might even make their eyebrows go up, a bit...

Otherwise, she's mostly doing her best with trying to keep her Axew out of trouble...

i

[blue_ice]

It's another night out at the lab for Kaiba. His Pokémon are asleep in their balls for once...this environment isn't the best fit for them. He's been working on a problem with the duel disks for the last several hours, and the flickering hologram dances before his eyes before it blinks out.

He groans and buries his head in his hands, barely noticing the new assistant.

"...I'll be out in an hour," he mutters, pretending he didn't say that the last three times someone came by."

I

[thezekeinator]

"Aaaargh!"

Cue Zeke stumbling on past, waving one hand frantically -- primarily because said hand was caught in a Rotom-possessed toaster. Furiously flailing, he bumped off the counter in just the right manner so his Lucario totally missed the grab and tripped over him in turn. Eris crashed to the ground while Zeke grabbed furiously for the nearest thing he could batter his assailant with.

C

[missing_heart]

There is a girl who was on the verge of stealing out of hunger, but as it stood, she hadn't gotten the courage to from the bright smiles of the festive lights. Everyone took in her shabby clothing, and just gave her food which she ate quickly, gratefully. As she bumped into Isabel at the food cart, she spilled several apples onto the ground.

Mana hesitated before picking them all up and replacing them swiftly. No, she didn't need to steal. Not here, not now. She was safe, the portal took her far away from her world. There were no enemies here, Tsukasa would keep her home safe.

"Sorry about that," she said, her voice soft, rusty from disuse.

Minako Aino/Sailor Venus | Sailor Moon (manga)

[hearted]

lights, camera, action!

"Ah~! It's so beautiful!"

Is Minako concerned about the situation? Of course she is. Tokyo needs her. Her soldiers need her. But a 'mysterious girl' in a gold skirt and red mask has already thoroughly interrogated the scientists, so she's resigned to making the best of it for now.

She's already weighed down by several shopping bags. Where did she get all that money if she's new? Don't think about it.

"Hey, you! Your Pokémon are adorable! Can I take a picture?"

...yeah, whoever you are, there's a happy blonde and her Jigglypuff waving you over. She's found the perfect tree to take pictures in front of.

stop in the name in love

Or maybe you're out shopping, just trying to mind your business. All is at the normal level of holiday chaos...at least until the alarms go off! There's someone making a run for the emergency exit---when suddenly there's an explosion of gold light at that door.

That sure is a girl in a tiny sailor uniform glaring from behind her red mask.

"Not so fast! The holidays are a time for giving, not for taking what isn't yours! In the name of love of beauty, I'll stop you!"

The thief does stop in their tracks...but only because they're too busy laughing. Care to join them? Or pounce before they get away?

singalong

Minako might look like a dumb blonde, but she actually listens to her dex sometimes. So she's fully aware that Jigglypuff song puts people to sleep. That's why she's taken to singing in the square late at night, when parents are trying to lure their unruly kids to sleep.

"Silent night...holy night...little softer, Persephone, it's not time for the big finale yet!"

They still have some kinks in their act to work out. Jigglypuff's song is weaker than usual...but wherever you are, you might start to feel drowsy. Whoops.

stop in the name of love

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Somewhere, a father might be proud of his daughter.

"It's not nice to laugh, jerk!" Pouncing before they got away seemed like a good idea to Isabel, after all. She gave the prospective thief a shove from behind, where he tripped over her Axew.

"Yeah, he wants to question you!" "Axew!" Question agreed, as the hapless thief fell on his nose.

"You have any way to tie him up?" Isabel said as she knelt on the thief's back and looked up at the--was that actually a Sailor Scout? The eight-year-old in her heart silently squealed, but she tried to just flash a smile. Just happy to help out, right?

L,C,A!

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Edge turned when someone called him out -- and then, since it was a cute girl, crossed the intervening distance in record speed.

"She is a pretty cute chick!" he said, grinning beneath his mask at the terrible joke as he lifted a hand so his Torchic could hop down to his arm from her comfy seat on one shoulder. "Though if we're taking pictures of the cutest ones, that camera should be turned around first!"

lights camera action

[missing_heart]

Mana had her Pokemon by now, a gentle looking Wooloo, the fuzzy looking thing cradled in her arms as she looked up. "Hmm? Oh, oh yes of course. But I don't think I'm very photogenic. I'm not even cleaned up to be honest."

To be honest, Mana was a fright. She was dirty, she stunk of weeks of living in ruins, and her clothing was threadbare. But at least she seemed okay, for the time being.

"Thank you... for the offer."

Osomatsu Matsuno || Eiga no Osomatsu-san

[immature]

I) the fun has arrived, please don't let him drown

[it's strange, when it happens. something weird, a portal, or something, opens up near Osomatsu's school on the morning of his graduation. now, he knew it was probably a bad idea to engage, but he was too curious to just walk on by. he puts his hand through, first, and then a rush of wind comes from somewhere, yanking him through. he falls, uniform, book bag, and all, and he keeps falling for quite some time.

where will he land? who knows! he just sees sky open up beneath him, and water. lots of water. wait, he doesn't want to fall into the water! he screams, clawing at the air, but that doesn't do anything, of course. why did he think going through the spooky portal was a good idea? oh, right, because he's stupid]

II) happy ever after in the market place

[the locals have insisted on giving Osomatsu some food. not that he's complaining, not in the least. he doesn't have any money on him, since he brought his lunch from home, but he's still getting fed! what is this magical tropical place that gives you food, and has cute animals watching over you? Osomatsu feels like he's heard of something similar before, but that's not important. what's important is the food. the market is full of color, and he's got something in each hand. some festive treat in one, and some kind of delicious fruit in the other]

Man! This place is great!

[he'll say to the closest person, whether that is someone manning the stalls, or the person who is giving him a tour of the area]

What'd you say it was called, again?

III) working man?

[now that he's been here a few days, Osomatsu is wondering if it's possible to return home... that's a fleeting thought, though, since he's having more fun on Melemele than any one person should. he's been trying to look at everything, the people, the pokémon, the wildlife, the beaches. maybe he should slow down and get settled?

he doesn't think he's going to be here that long, though, considering this as more like a vacation. hm. he does wonder about getting one of those creatures of his own. he's seen so many varieties. he wants a monster he can keep in his pocket!

someone says he can look after pokémon and earn a little cash by taking a job. but who wants to do chores when you're on vacation? still, you may find him looking over the job board, hands on his hips. he's removed his jacket and cardigan, because it's just too hot here]

They don't look too hard. [he's mumbling to himself, sighing through his nose]

IV) wildcard

[got another scenario you want to run with? post it here, or hit up lovebakery to plot. don't like this format? no problem! i'll match yours!]

[no_tip]

I

[Nyx is out flying--probably looking for another mark, but she does not honestly expect to have one literally fall into her lap, so to speak! As Osomatsu passes her on the way down, she lets out a squawk of surprise, tucking her wings in to her back to soar into a dive, snapping them out as she reaches for his hands. Gotta catch him, after all!]

Ye know, if yer goin' ta go flyin', ye might want tae make sure ye've got some sky magic or wings, first! Or mebbe both!

III, lemme know if you want Cartesio or Deerington CRAU

[silvertongueheir]

[Normally, Franciscus wouldn't just walk into random portals, but this one had a feeling of home that seemed to draw him in. It doesn't quite seem to be the world he knows, but he's getting used to it. Which is why he's also looking for a job-until Hydrangea, perched on his shoulder, lets out a cry and glides towards Osomatsu, landing on his head with a happy chirp.

Franciscus glances around for a while before he catches sight of them, making his own way over.] Osomatsu? You're here too?

1) like I could not

[fallers_npcs]

Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~!

[Oh look, another day, another paycheck. Bewear rushes out of nowhere at high speeds, legs churning as she makes a prodigious jump towards Oso in a flying catch to catch the young falling man.

After all... this is why they're also called Fallers for a reason, right?

Badum Dump Ching.]

Zahra (née Anzu) Mazaki | Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters AU

[bloomingdespite]

B. It's a Marshmallow World
Seven months. That was how long Zahra was able to live in peace after Millenium World, without any supernatural bullshit intruding on their life—excluding the fact that their very existence was supernatural bullshit, but that was besides the point. It was a new record since Anzu got the puzzle; a scant six months took place between Duelist Kingdom and Battle City, Dartz decided to end the world barely three weeks after that, and Zahra hadn't even recovered from being themself by the time the KaibaCorp Cup opened. Still, though. Seven months of relaxing, domestic bliss, away from life-or-death games of Duel Monsters and spooky occultism.

And then... this happened. And now Zahra was alone (again) in an unfamiliar world (again). At times like this, they were torn between the dramatically brood under the shadows, and to distract themself with something trivial and fun. Zahra decided to take the middle ground, leaning against a lamppost as they watch their Baltoy spin on their palm, smiling despite themself at the display.

"Maybe this world isn't too bad after all."

C. Think Laterally
Zahra had a complicated relationship to dueling. On the one hand, their components' (and Zahra's own) most traumatic memories were tied to Duel Monsters. On the other, it was really fun! Especially when Zahra didn't have to deal with the threat of death should they lose.

So both they and the opponent they're facing in the market's dedicated battle court may have misunderstood one another. Zahra stands there, making mental dial-up noises with their duel disk unfolded on their forearm, while their opponent's Torracat stares up at them, unblinking.

This has become a difficult situation.

J. Giratina Went Down to Alola
But this? This Zahra knew like the back of their hand. Even with everything else alien, even with all their worries about what was happening back home, even with their heart already aching for Shizuka (yes, they know that they're sappy), there was something comforting about the rhythm.

Tying their jacket around their waist, Zahra takes to the dance floor and begins absolutely tearing it up. In no time at all, the crowd has made room for their flowing, beautiful movements, watching in awe at the near-inhuman flexibility and grace... and then, in a spur-of-the-moment decision, Zahra grabs someone from the audience and begins dancing with them too.

"Just follow my lead, alright?"

[OOC: While Zahra looks a lot like Anzu in face and stature, their sense of fashion is demonstrably different. They keep their hair in a long, messy undercut, the shaved portion patterned into a circular eye. They wear a purple varsity jacket with "DUEL KING" printed on the back, and a black tee with a crystal rose design. In addition, they also have the Millenium puzzle hanging around their neck.]

B

[blue_ice]

...Kaiba has several questions.

It's the puzzle that he recognizes first, that familiar gleaming gold taunting him. He finds himself walking forward several steps before he recognizes that the person wearing it isn't Yugi. In fact, if he looks at her face closely...it's familiar.

That's the girl. Mazaki. The dancer and chief of optimism operations. He sighs and stops in front of her, Goomy in tow.

"...what happened to you? And Yugi, for that matter."

J

[luckydragonsfoot]

The fact is, Katsuya doesn't see this coming. No, not at all. In fact he's not 100% paying attention to the dancing- for a moment he seemed to just be staring off into space, or maybe at his galaran ponyta instead. And then-

"NYH-!" Then he's tugged. This 'Jonouchi' is a bit different from the one that Zahra knows. One can practically make out scars in his eyes- one on his hand perhaps, if they grabbed the left one. And something about him seems...simultaneously younger, yet older...

But Katsuya also dresses differently, and not just because he had to get clothes in this place. It's time for shorts! T-shirts!

And are those dog tags, those look like-

"A-A... Anzu?!" Hey wait a second isn't that- "...O-Oi, ain't that th' puzzle..!?"

C

[improvking]

The Spirit doesn't care that Anzu seems to be going through a punk phase, and he only cares that she's here insofar as the current scenario might be funny to watch play out. But then he realizes she's wearing the Puzzle, and all functionality just stops because what.

He has some pretty vivid memories of dissolving into light. ...Of the Puzzle. dissolving into light. also him, but that's not the point. The point is he doesn't know what to do with this scenario, and that's unacceptable.

"They don't use cards much here." Dry mockery, potentially offering advice? Ok, yes, he can work with that, good. He'll proceed after some sort of feedback. He knows he looks like Ryou ...mostly. The hair is less controllable than he's accustomed to; anyone who knew both Bakuras and paid the slightest bit of attention will instantly know which one they're dealing with, which is annoying but workable. The absence of the Millennium Ring feels horrendously noticeable to him, but...

B.

[perpetual_underdog]

"I know my imagination can be a little out 'dhere but... I really don't know where any of dis is coming from," Joey might have been a bit in denial as he surveyed the vicinity catching sight of the various stands and creatures he didn't recall from duel monsters. Any previous attempts to explain what had actually happened to him had been swiftly discarded with a wave of his hand and a 'sure sure, dimensional holes....'. Occasionally that included an eye roll. "Guess I shouldn't have had dat pizza so late at night...."

Reaching up he placed a hand to his overtaxed forehead, before letting his fingers slip into his bangs as he shook his head. Catching a figure in his peripheral vision he straightened up angling in that direction letting his hand fall back to his side. "Is that...?!" He legitimately had to do a double take since this person shared a facial similarity to Téa... and,,,, not much else.

Sure, physically too, but there were plenty of teenage girls that could boast those measurements. It wasn't hard to convince himself that this peculiar looking Téa was this dream's representation of her so he hurried over towards that lamppost. "Hey Téa!" Said while beaming and waving. When he drew near enough he halted, smile still plastered on his face. "Get a look at you! It's like... well I dunno what it's like but you wouldn't even recognize yourself!" He assumed this would not be insulting since this was a figment of his imagination.

J. Giratina Went Down to Alola

[shining_friendship]

Drawn to the vicinity by the festive music, at first she was overwhelmed trying to take in all the new sights and sounds. Boy did she have unusual timing, showing up in the middle of a party like this. Still, that being said Téa found herself swaying in time to the music not having quite committed herself to completely showing off her moves yet though it certainly was tempting. Spotting an opening in the crowd she manages to elbow and excuse her way through so she can get a better look at what's happening in the center.

At first it's just the movements she catches sight of, the flow of the limbs and the rhythm of the steps. It's not hard to tell what's got the crowd standing around in awe. There's something oddly familiar about the dancer's form and poise but it's only after her vision pans up to the face that she's taken aback. Sure, the hair is styled completely differently but that bone structure and those facial features.... were her own.

"What in the...? This is too weird. There's no way I could be in two places at once!' Even if she had just recently fallen into this world and experienced other strange and new phenomenons. That being said, it was too late when the figure drew closer to her, taking her hand out of all the rest of the crowd at random. Or- was it so random? Téa was vaguely aware of the request but she felt like she had observed enough of the performance that she really didn't need much guidance. Somehow though- her tongue felt thick and immovable so she didn't say as much, she was just too stunned by what she saw. She proceeded to make the attempt at dancing along, her initial steps were jerky and unusual for her but they soon smoothed out. Ideally she would get a chance to converse with this person afterwards.

PKMN Trainer Leaf | Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen

[forgottenkantotrainer]

Arrival

"WOAAAAAAH!" And there's another Faller, making their arrival, but this one seems way more prepared than most Fallers as her hand goes for her bag and out comes a Pokeball... wait, an Ultra Ball!

"Don't worry, I got this! C'mon out! Give me a hand!" the girl shouted, tossing the ball. It pops open and a majestic winged figure flies to the shore. It's... Articuno?!

And people are staring at the girl as she arrives.

"...what's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"

Visitor's Plaza

Leaf groaned in annoyance. Despite the warmer welcome, she was being treated with suspicion. Something about a Lawrence III and Lugia and someone wishing he was named "Bob" instead.

"Look, I don't get what the big deal is. I caught the three birds of Kanto. Nothing's happening, I promise!"

Exploration

"WATCH OUT! RUN AWAY TAUROS!"

So Leaf had learned of the Ride Pokemon and decided to use one for traveling Melemele Island. Of course, she chose a Tauros. A Tauros that was more temperamental than usual. So, she was bouncing all over the place.

"Slow down, PLEAAAAAAAAASE!"

WILDCARD

(OoC: Got an idea? Hit me up!)

Visitors Plaza

[acmellash]

Ash had been in classes, wrapping up the final day of class when the news came in that a new Faller appeared. One with Articuno of all things. So, once he was let out, he and Kiawe had ran down to the Visitors Center in search of the Faller. "Do you see them, Rotom?" asked Ash.

"Looking for them now," said Rotom.

"If they're strong to catch Articuno, then I can't wait to battle them!" Exclaimed Kiawe excitedly. "They've gotta be SUPER STRONG!"

"Yeah..." said Ash.

"There she is, that must be the girl over there." said Rotom as the three approached her.

"Alola!" Exclaimed Ash, waving at Leaf. "Hi, I'm Champion Ash, and this is Kiawe, we're Ultra Guardians and reps of this place. Can we have a moment of your time please?"

Bede | Pokemon: Sword and Shield

[bede]

A1 - Not all Fairies can fly (End game spoilers)

One would think the world was done playing tricks on the new Ballonlea gym leader... Evidently not

He had only just finished wrapping things up after the champion had come through, once again pushing his ego aside after his loss. There was a gym to clean, and no shortage of mess thanks to the dynamaxed pokemon that ran amok. So what happened? Where did that hole come from?

He's falling through the bright blue sky, eyes wide and flailing... Somehow this is the champion's fault.

B - Questions

Somehow managing to 'land' safely, if it can be called that, Bede is quick to get back on his feet. Metaphorically. At some point, a boy dressed in blue and pink with splashes of white approaches you, a stern look on his face. Perhaps surprisingly, he does already have pokeballs on him...

"You there!... Where am I? And what was with that hole I just fell through!"

F - Figuring things out

It's starting to click into place. He was chosen, brought here by some power or being. Of course. Though this time it seems he's not alone.

It's fine, he'll just have to show them how strong he is.

After reading a few pamphlets, the cotton-candy dressed boy turns to the next nearest person, not bothering to distinguish who. "Where do I sign up for these 'Trials?', I need to see how strong this region really is." His expectations are low, though.

A1

[acmellash]

Speaking of the Champion, Bewear was taking a break so Ash was on catching duty right now. Directing Garchomp towards the falling Bede, he exclaimed, "I gotcha!"

Oh hey Bede, there's a neat little catch for ya. It's not a massive pink Bewear this time, but it's a guy riding a Garchomp. "Alola! Welcome to another world!"

Joey Wheeler | Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters (Because the similarity to Pokemon amuses me)

[perpetual_underdog]

A. Arrival

Only moments prior Joey had been in camping down for the evening with his closest pals, and now he was plummeting unhindered towards the swiftly approaching ground. Eyes closed, his features tensed as the feeling of air whipping all around him started to disturb him from his slumber. Ironically- this was not the first time in his recent history that he found himself in such a position.

"Uh.... wha?" Blinking a few times before it really dawned on him. When it did, his eyes flew open and he burst out in an agitated exclamation. "You gotta be kidding me! Not dis again!". Reaching for the capsules he'd gotten more used to using, he searched in vain for the one containing baby dragon. He was taking far too much time fumbling around in his haste to do him any good.

"What kind of vacation is dis anyway!" Lamenting having even won that stupid contest in the first place. It would figure that even when he did win something it was not without it's drawbacks. More alert his mind flooded with more than just his thoughts of self preservation but the sinking feeling that something could have happened to the others as well. Flailing about as if that would somehow slow his descent...

C. The Hau’oli City Markets

You'd think after a harrowing experience that Joey might like a little time to recuperate but he proves to be fairly resilient as he walks through the marketplace marveling at the new and delicious looking delicacies to partake of. His stomach starts growling so loudly that he can hear it in his ears as his mouth salivates in anticipation. There's just one problem with sating his desires...... he has absolutely 0 cash. That wasn't unusual for him really but usually he had his friends around to help foot the bill. Sure he always claimed that he would pay them back but rarely did he ever actually manage to pull it off.

Crestfallen, he sighed deeply- his shoulders slumped and his head tilted limply to one side. "Being around all dis food is torture...".

Joey was anything but shy, but he hadn't assumed that he could just walk up to some of the shop owners and ask for a handout. Something like that was generally unheard of back in Domino. He wouldn't resort to theft as that would be a remnant of his sordid past that he had no desire to revert to, but bellyaching he could do plenty of.

G. Festival of Lights

"Wow, dhey really go all out for 'dhere festivals," Joey beamed as he took in the almost magical look of the decorations. Although this should have been a time for celebration he couldn't help feeling a pang of regret and albeit an odd sense of loneliness since he wasn't sharing this with the others. While he was here who knew what his friends were having to deal with in that monster filled world. Er- not that this world wasn't also filled with monsters but it was considerably different. Capsules had been exchanged for pokéballs, and you just threw those instead of launching them out of this device that rested on your arm. Also he hadn't the occasion to run into any wild pokemon so he hadn't been randomly attacked since his arrival here.

So he was safe for the time being, while his pals were trying to sort out a laundry list of puzzles. He longed to be with them so he could help- even if... let's face it he wasn't the best at deciphering all that nonsense. He could at least assist in combat.

Moving aside to let a couple pass by, he leaned against a railing looking a bit more sedately skywards towards the lights. "You guys had better be careful out dhere..... don't do anything that I wouldn't do." Joey might not have realized that it was even possible to return yet.

A because...lol

[blue_ice]

Kaiba really tries not to show off his new super-solid Blue Eyes too much. It's cheating and he knows it...but...well. He's heard the siren about soon-opening Ultra Holes and Bewear is tired. Letting the newcomers drown wouldn't be very sportsmanlike, would it?

So he's gliding along on his dragon when a hole opens up nearby, and he leans down to urge his girl forward. He reaches out to catch the falling blond, and...okay, that was high speed impact. He lets out an 'oof' as they collide in a heap, forcing himself upright and pushing the man back to reveal...

"Another one? Just how many of you are there?"

Skimbleshanks | Cats

[railwaycat]

A

He lands on his feet, of course. Unfortunately he also lands ontop of a building. He could probably get down safely on his own, but instead he goes for the easier option.

There is an orange cat in a brown vest and a collar with a little bell on it standing atop someone's house, yowling.


C

The cat in the vest has made his way to the market. Perhaps they have some nice fish? Maybe a bit of chicken. Even cat food would do...assuming they even have it here. The cats are...kind of weird.


D

Safely on the ground and fed, Skimble needs to find something to do. He should get back to his train but there doesn't seem to be a good way back. So he's at the job board, standing on his hindlegs to get a better look at the postings.

"No trains? That's a true pity. They could use a good cat to show them how its done."

D - i apologize deeply for reira but also SKIMBLE!!!SHANKS!!!

[soft_focus]

Has Reira ever seen a real live cat? Probably not and that's very much a shame. But that's hardly important right now, as she's never seen a Train either, and that's also a shame in itself.

Reira has not seen a great many things, and anyway sir you look sort of like a different orange Meowth, right down to talking.

"What's a train?"

This is a dire situation indeed. At least this particular human is small and tiny, what with being seven.

Toshinori Yagi/All Might | My Hero Academia - Let's Wildcard this Up

[aspire_to_be]

1. The Beefiest Man You'll Ever Meet

Toshinori was a very lorge man.

Even for a man of his age, (21), and fresh into College, he was still very lorge. Unquestionably so. And yet, he couldn't stop feeling self conscious as he removed his shirt to go swimming on the beach.

"Goodness it's the middle of winter as well," chuckled Toshi to himself as he flashed his six pack everywhere, sending waves of Gay Panic (tm) through the crowd among other things. "Maybe I should have worn that full body swimsuit I found at the pool shop..."

His Pokemon was doing stretches next to him, and let out the tiniest yawn as she dipped her toes into the water. "Bonsley!" Exclaimed Bonsley, deciding she liked the water, despite being, y'know, ROCK TYPE.

"Are you sure that's good for you?" asked Toshi, crouching down next to Bonsley. "You shouldn't be going into the water. You know it's not good for you."

"Bons, bonsley!" Exclaimed Bonsley cheerfully.

"If you say so. Don't get swept away now." said Toshinori, rubbing it's little sprout-like head, and eliciting awwws from the people watching the pair.


2. Bench Press Me Daddy

There's a car crash.

It wasn't a huge wreck, a minor crash that had crunched two cars together from a local driver and a rental, but the pair of vehicles were mushed together too tightly to remove. Officer Jenny was on the scene trying to herd traffic when Toshinori was passing by. "Excuse me," he said, taking a moment to assess the situation.

After a few minutes taking to explain himself, Toshinori went over and flexed One For All instinctively, pulling the two cars apart from one effortlessly. One by one, he carried them over his head over towards the tow truck and helped set them up. "Here you go," he said with a grunt. "Safe and sound! No need to thank me, I'm helping out!"


3. Hero Work

Finding out that Alola had a local hero population, Toshinori was unwilling to step into the limelight for the time being. But when a group of Team Rainbow Rocket members appeared, and the populace was scattering, his brow furrowed when they broke out a mecha. Stealing some kind of precious object from a facility, he sprung into action when a pair of trainers got into the line of fire from the thieves.

With a cry of Texas SMASH, he crunched the arm of the mecha while Bonsley rushed, Tackling the nearest Wheezing.

"It's all right now," he said, standing in front of them as he pulled his shirt off in a very Superman pose, throwing it off as his cape fluttered in the light. "You know why? Because I Am Here!"

[blue_ice]

It's a fairly quiet Christmas. Kaiba is enjoying a day on the beach with his team, playing as they love to do. Goose the Goomy plays in a shallow puddle of water that her trainer has dug out for her, Kisara the Pikachu seems to be jumping on a surfboard some trainer left on the sand, and Goliath...

Well. Goliath the Sobble just loves the water. He crawls toward it, chirping a hello at Bonsly, and Kaiba rushes forward to grab him.

"Come on. I can't lose you to the ocean."

He's crouched over Goliath protectively when a shadow falls over them, and he just happens to look up at the biggest wall of muscle he's ever seen. Not that Kaiba's too shabby himself, but he's too rail-thin to be a beefcake no matter how well defined his abs are. This one's on another level...

...and momentarily distracted, Goliath manages to squirm free of Seto's grasp and touch the water, where he promptly disappears.

Staring is rude, of course, so he turns back to Goliath...or at least where Goliath was. "Goliath?"

No answer, of course. Which means he has to turn back to the large stranger.

"Ah...excuse me. Did you happen to see which way my Sobble went?"