SeeD 6 - Raindrops in the Sand

[doubledollar]

WHO: Vash, + Libra, Rren, Varian, Wolfwood
WHERE: Some places in Kaisou, Kanto Stable Gate, etc
WHEN: Mid-May
WHAT: Vash and his sidequests for the month! Still can't help himself.
WARNINGS: Likely violence for the ones with wolfwood + rren, fighting might be involved. Will update if needed.



(Click on the Arrow to reveal post!)

Do Not Look at the Dog Park👁️ (for Rren)

Honestly, take it from me. While I'm ALL for the kind of nonsense that involves people in need? I can tell you first hand, that there's no such thing as a 'lucky' anything. Unless there's actually a magic spell on that ball that gives them luck, they'd do just as well with ANY of the other balls they have.

[ listen he is an EXPERT when it comes to matters involving LUCK!!! he gives a little sigh, but then turns his head to give his enby buddy a bright smile anyway. ] But hey. You know, I've definitely gone on worse missions and had worse outcomes. Remind me to tell you how I got the bunnies on the farm one day.

[ but that's neither here nor there. ]

So, what's a dog park, anyway. Neither of us are dogs, so... getting in might be a bit troublesome. Might have to be a stealth mission?

Cotton the Act☁️ (for Libra)

You brought those knitting needles those dumb plants spat out at me a week or so ago, right? Those should help out a little, their supplies are a little thin, here...
[ vash is sitting at the table they've been shown by the helpers they signed up to volunteer with, and he's going through piles of very rough looking clothing, torn and with holes in various places...

he's sewn his own clothing together dozens of times and he's not bad at this kind of work! But. The thing was, he didn't think about it until he arrived here... but.

Sewing and knitting was sort of a two-handed task, wasn't it?

He's looking at Libra weakly. ]

Sorry that it looks like you're gonna' be doing the lion's share of the work here. I can work on matching up torn parts and--

[ oh god that's a buneary runnin right across the table, scattering balls of yarn as he goes. Vash is gonna get up and try to grab the thing. ]

Red Hot Chili Peppers🌶️ (for Varian)

[ probably after the meeting with the kid at his farm, the whole fiasco with showing the guy his neat bullet-dodging power as well as testing out a new arm prototype the guy has been making for him--it was easy, as far as vash was concerned, to want to spend some more time with the guy. that's what you do when you're trying to make a friend, right? do things, spend time with them? he remembered the last time he went to Kanto, with Waver, and that'd been a fun trip that had ended with him getting to know the professor a bit better, so.

It was easy enough to suggest to Varian--a man who boasted great skill with gadjets and alchemy--that a trip to the Kanto region might be fun. Both for profit, and to learn more things about the little round friends that came from the stable gate.

And that's how Vash finds himself walking with the shorter man--a tiny little apple-shaped worm sitting carry in his wide coat-collar as they make their way inside. ]

Have you been here before? I mean, you've been in the city longer than I have, right?

Last time I was here it was mostly for a vacation so I didn't spend a lot of time lookin' at the flora or anything like that.
[ are hot peppers in kanto gonna look different than they do back on earth.... ]

Got a Deal for You!💀 (for Wolfwood)

[ he built a hammock between two of the biggest apple trees in the small orchard near the cottage. That's where he's currently sitting, with Applin sitting atop his head, staring at his phone with a measure of discomfort on his face.

It's been about two, three nights since the impromptu campfire party with Dante, and while the memory itself was a fantastically good one--he's having a bit of a worry about the certain part of himself that returned that night.
So, now's a good time to go looking for a distraction. He's brought up the Libra mission board that Yuu had shown him, when he'd first arrived, looking. Looking for... Something fun, something simple to get his mind off it--to pretend he isn't worried about the possibility that exists that he may just one day grow that horrifying cannon--

He shakes his head as he hears the approach of footsteps, trying to quickly erase the growing look of worry off his face as he turns his head to see who it is. Being here for two months, almost three now--he's used to getting random visitors and is always excited to see them. His eyes fall upon his oldest friend, and he places his phone down on his knee--raising his one hand to wave at Wolfwood as he approaches. ]

Did you have a good trip out into town?
I told you, you could take Brad whenever you wanted, you didn't have to walk.

Especially not carrying that thing.

Comments

Not Allowed in the Dog Park

[cheep_soongbird_knockoff]

What? You don't want to try and claim you're bringing your cat to a dog park?

And I mean, I'd say it could be lucky given where we are, but if it was, would they have lost it? Still, I've learned not to argue with tweens. Besides all we gotta do is snag a ball before dogs do. How hard can it be?

[Rren considered the dog park. Well... that looked quiet. And ominous.

They looked up at Mr. The Stampede, uncertainty creeping into their body language.]

In... in a normal town, a dog park is just... a fenced in park where people can let their dogs socialize off leash. But I forgot.

This is Kaisou.

No dogs allowed in the dog park. No people either, for that matter.

...

Yeah this is definitely going to be a stealth thing.

[On the plus side, they didn't have to worry about the ball being slobbery?]

[doubledollar]

Do people walk their cats. I see plenty of people in this city, but I have to admit, straight up, I have never in my life seen someone other than me walking a cat.
And you're just cat-shaped some days.

[ which is a funny norm to have in your life, honestly.

But. Hes standing outside the dog park fence with his friend now. hands on his hips as he... stares confusedly at tje fence, then at Rren.
Then back at the fence. ]

You could get through easily, using your teleport. And I can jump it pretty easily, but.

What do you mean, humans and dogs aren't allowed inside? Isn't that kind of weird?

[ hm hes getting some weird spooky vibes from this. ]

...I think I can see the ball.

[ ....and a group of weird cloaked figures, too. ]

[cheep_soongbird_knockoff]

I have before, but not often. Cats as a rule, do not do well on leashes. So people are probably all kinds of impressed with you, since they don't realize I only look [And kind of act] like one.

[Rren considered the options for teleporting. They were still a bit spotty for accuracy, and even more so in cat form, but at least they had plenty of room to mess up so they didn't have to admit that fact.]

Mr. The Stampede. This is Kaisou. Of course it's weird.

Oh I see the ball aaandd...

[They didn't mention the figures, surely he saw them as well. They did noot want to draw their attention, so they kept walking as if they were walking past not trying to find a way in.]

Do you think these kids would know the difference if we snuck away and just... bought them a new ball?

[Who were they kidding, of course they would]

[doubledollar]

Hehehh. I never thought about that, honestly. I wonder if people got to thinking you're very well trained or something.
And that I'm crazy for talking to you like you're replying.
Man, magic sure is weird.

[ just walk casual, don't bring attention of the cloaked figures near... try to think up a plan. vash isn't the best at plans that aren't thought up of on the spot. ]

I don't think a new ball is in the cards.
They'll know, I know it.

[ so... ]

...Maybe one of us can run as distraction, while the other tries to grab the ball.

[cheep_soongbird_knockoff]

Look. They probably think anyone who could train a cat must be crazy, and who can argue with results, after all?

[Casual. Yup. Definitely casual.]

Oh! We could enter the fence at different points to divide their attention too. Alright. I'm going to double back and enter from over that way. You enter from a bit further ahead. Whichever of us gets the most attention should keep it and the other can head for the ball. That work for you?

[Yup. Flawless plans. Absolutely flawless. Nothing Everything could go wrong.]

[doubledollar]

I'm a bit crazy, let's not pretend.

[ a smirk on his face as he considers Rren. A hand on his chin as they give a plan--and real honestly, it's not even a bad plan, as far as he's concerned?? he's quick on his feet, so playing the part of distraction or run-and-grabber or distraction worked just fine for him.

he grins at rren. ]

Honestly, it's a great idea.
Depending on if it goes with me as the distraction and you as the grabber--can you grab it in your mouth? it's a pretty rough ball, so it shouldn't be that hard.

[cheep_soongbird_knockoff]

Pretty sure it's small enough I should manage, and if all else fails I can smack it most of the way back.

[Rren started the way they indicated earlier.]

See ya soon, try not to die or anything.

got a deal for you

[asipofbride]

What thing?

[ Wolfwood's voice is almost--playful? as he approaches Vash with no Cross Punisher in sight, hands tucked into his pockets as he stands before his.

are they using the f word?

Wolfwood keeps it in his back pocket for now and cocks his head, eyes lidded behind his sunglasses. ]

I don't need your meanass pecking machine. C'mere, I've got something to show you, I picked it up in town.

[ he takes a step back and waves, urging Vash to follow him, still grinning like a little kid with a secret. ]

[doubledollar]

Your Cross Punisher, what else?

[ he gives a little breathless laugh--but. funnily enough, wolfwood's somewhat currently playful demeanor is... refreshing?
he doesn't often see the man like this, and it honestly helps him feel better.

He's gonna pocket his phone and get up off the hammock. ]

Picked something up? [ that's unusual. usually when wolfwood goes to town its for cigarettes, booze, or food. he doesn't usually pick something 'fun' up.

he's grinning too--like he's got something exciting on his mind. well. all there is to do is match the energy because it's... nice? ]

What, did you get another animal? We're starting to get pretty crowded here, you know...

[asipofbride]

I'm not carrying my gun, now am I? [ and his tone is too light, too playful for that to be a Bad or Distressing thing--if someone had stolen Wolfwood's gun, Vash would definitely know by his demeanor, and yet here he is, strolling with Vash in tow. ]

Of course I didn't get an animal. You're the one that's bound and determined to have a whole homestead menagerie, not me. I found that store you told me about--the one you got the cat ears from? I was trying to see if they had any way to reverse the curse in stock, and they didn't, but you know what they did have?

[ it's parked just outside the--archway? that comes into the garden, because Wolfwood felt weird about driving onto the soft, sweet grass inside of the farm, but sitting on the road leading up to their home is a thick, black and chrome motorcycle with the Cross Punisher carefully leaned into the sidecar. ]

They had like. Three or four bikes for stupid cheap, right--there was a pretty red number that you probably would've picked up, but there were a couple of other people eyeing the bikes up while I was there, so it's probably all gone, but check this pretty lady out. [ he seems so pleased with himself, sliding right into the main seat with a grin, leaning on the handlebars. ]

[doubledollar]

[ ...it's true, the guy isn't carrying the cross at all. and yet, he doesn't seem weirdly upset that it's missing? something is going on here. vash is curious, but--not worried if wolfwood isn't, at least.

he's following behind him quickly, before keeping pace with him, head up to listen to the other talk. ] It's not a menagerie, it just keeps happening! Rabbit and the Shoebill were not my fault, they just followed me home and showed up. The only one I really got on Purpose was Fritter--

[ which YOU ended up naming because it HATED him for the same week he'd brought the little fucker home. Little fucker who's currently snoozing atop his head.

But that's forgotten in the next few moments as Vash stops DEAD to look at the motorcycle now sitting in the front area to the garden entranceway. His mouth falls open with shock and... ]

Angelica? [ the first words that fall out of his mouth as he LITERALLY runs out to take a look at the bike. it's definitely different than the one they had back home, but. it's so close enough--with a sidecar and everything--that he almost feels like crying when he looks at it. head coming up to give wolfwood the biggest, stupidest grin he can imagine. ]

--It's beautiful? She's beautiful. As nice as a red one might have been, this one... this one is perfect.

[ he knew you were... just like his wolfwood. even down to his tastes... he's still nico. ]

[asipofbride]

You're forgetting Brad and the scream twins in the hutch-- [ he teases, nice and easy, grinning up at Fritter as the most confusing animal in the household continues to snooze away like Wolfwood isn't convinced it has a second personality.

he sits so proud on his bike, only mildly confused by Vash blurting? a name of all things? ]

I didn't realize you two were on a first name basis. Should I leave you and her in a room while you catch up on old times? [ and he's still. teasing. still easy, still gentle, propping his chin up on his hand as he's draped over the handlebars, sunglasses sliding down so he can give Vash a good, appraising look. ]

Eh, the red one was all shiny and new and one of those little dunehopper looking bikes--I don't trust that kind of stuff, it breaks down too easy and costs a leg to repair. But a big beast like this, well. That's something that's built for the long haul and has a face to match, you know?

Plus it's got a sidecar. Little slinky red number didn't have a sidecar.

[ Wolfwood is Wolfwood all the way down, isn't he? ]

[doubledollar]

[ he could bring up that brad coming home was an accident and he couldnt just leave a whole tomas wandering around town--and that the bunnies weren't just his, but aki seemed to have disappeared, but... more important matters.

like the bike. THE bike. He's so excited, even as Wolfwood continues to tease him. He's not even mad at you for saying something so weird, man. ]

No, no, it's just--
Me and you travelled across Noman's Land for years on this. I'm--really bad at driving it, so you'll have to excuse me if I don't want to get behind her handlebars but it's...
Amazing that you found it. And for cheap...?

[ he remembers the costly repairs they often had to wait for days to get finished... he's giddy. ]

She's a way fancier model than the one back home, too. Which means she'll probably break down way less? An easy way to get to and from town, a sidecar to carry stuff in...

[ he's gonna lift his head and GRIN at Wolfwood. ]

This is honestly amazing.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

[droptheious]

[Varian is ridiculously short next to Vash, though now he's in the spirit realm he's in his full werewolf form. He'd hoped some height would come with it, but alas, the teen is still short as ever. ]

Oh yeah, I've been in the city for a year now.

[He glances around them with a frown.]

Aaaadmittedly, I haven't been here that many times. [Though if his application to POKEGO goes ahead, he expects that'll change sharpish.] My boyfriend likes it here, though. He likes coming to fight stuff.

[doubledollar]

[ he definitely had a 'whoa' moment at Varian when he went from boy to boy-wolf, but. Given his own recent change into a bird when he'd crossed into a spirit realm, he at least took it in stride when it first happened.

kaisou is weird, he's getting used to this by now. god, how is he getting used to it. ]

He comes to... fight stuff? Some of the bigger, scarier looking pokemon, or something? I saw one that looked like a big rock rhino before.

[ god help him he does not like the idea of pokemon fighting.

They're foraging for food, though, so--he's personally headed towards what looks to be a forest of some kind. ]

[droptheious]

[Varian's been dealing with the monster changes for a while now. He's accepted they're just a part of his life here and not worth the stress. The nonchalance about it could be equally more confusing and easier for folks who haven't seen it before deal with the whole...thing. ]

Oh yeah, he loves to fight stuff. Especially the big ones. He's made of grass, so they can't really hurt him.

[Plus it gives Fern a much-needed outlet he doesn't really get in the town. He sniffs the air as they move, he doubts he'd really pick up what they need- the wolf brain definitely isn't attuned to finding produce, but it does mean he can keep track of any pokemon that might be coming to investigate them. ]

I think we're okay for now- I don't think there's any around.

[doubledollar]

[ if this was his first experience seeing a friend turn into some sort of creature, he'd definitely be startled. fortunately for varian, he didn't have to experience vash being loud and weird about it like waver did. ]

...Big ones.
How big are we talking. I've seen ones that look like dogs, but...

[ aw hell, how big could these creatures get? theyre just like little animals mostly, right? he'll appreciate varian's nose for what it can do, though. being able to whiff out danger while they're searching will probably be a huge help. there's at least something of a beaten path through the forest looks like. he's gonna start following it, eyes scanning around for wild fruit that might look moderately spicy. ]

I wouldn't wanna go hand to hand with some big scary yeti or something you know?
What was it.
Big foot?

[droptheious]

[Waver took the bullet for all of them.]

Oh, super big. Some of them are like elephants, Fern said.

[It COULD be his boyfriend exaggerating. Varian doesn't really come in to see Fern do his fighting thing that often. He just smiles and nods when Fern excitedly tells him what he fought that particular day. ]

I think the Yeti is in the Himalayas and Bigfoot is North America. Soooooo more likely Bigfoot than anything. Though this is another realm so...probably not.

[IE HE HELPING? :D]

Hopefully we can find the plants we need before we run into trouble.

[doubledollar]

Big as... elephants...

[ varian he's never seen an elephant in his life, he has vague memories of when he was a 1 year old Plant Baby (who looked 10) when his mom was teaching him about animals from a picture book and now he looks nervous he does not like the idea that animals come in Extra Extra Large ]

Okay, so, maybe it won't be a yeti or a bigfoot but I don't know. Maybe one of these trees might come to life and actually be a Pokemon.
[ he doesn't know what to expect anymore!!!!

but

while he's being nervous and hoping that some of these bushes arent actually some kind of pokemon, he's gonna mess around with a few bushes that are, in fact, growing some very cute little round berries in it, and he's plucking up a few to look them over.

They're not exactly hot peppers, but... ]

...Probably a bad idea to just go around eating things that you don't recognise, right?

[ and yet he's from a desert and sometimes you just eat something and deal with the concequences later. ]

Cotton the Act (50 years late w/o Starbucks)

[monklookslikealady]

Yes, I did.

[He looks down at the bag he brought with them. He had some needles and some yarn scraps he had put together after finding the knitting instruction magic at the Goodwill.]

I think we should be able to put together a few things between what I brought and what they have.

[He chuckles.]

I think you could be a yarn holder or the Pokemon child wrangler.

Re: Cotton the Act (50 years late w/o Starbucks)

[doubledollar]

Hold the yarn, huh?
That sounds fine, but are you sure that's really helping?

[ he gets up from where he'd chased the bunny who had gone and scattered bits of torn up cloth, the rabbitlike pokemon giving a small struggle before deciding it wasnt worth it--opting to gently headbutt against vash's chest instead. ]

....wrangling these little guys are gonna definitely be an issue though.

[ said just as an eevee starts to try to climb into libras bag... ]

[monklookslikealady]

Yes. If you hold it a certain way it will knot less.

[He looks at him for a moment before pulling out a skein of yarn and untwisting it.]

You can put one hand in one side of the loop and then something heavy to put on the other end. As long as it's taut, it shouldn't knot up.

[He looks at the Eevee climbing into his bag, he reaches over to gentle pull him out.]

I don't think you go there.

[doubledollar]

Oh, well. That doesn't sound like a hard job. And if it's an important one, I'm down to do it.

[ ...but maybe the little fox creature wants to hold the wool. or at least go live in it.
Vash can't help the little bout of giggling that starts when Libra, so very calmly, plucks the little thing out of his bag, only to set it aside with such a calm and gentle comment.

That was... so cute? ]

I really think he wants to go there, though. [ because eevee looks so disappointed by being taken away... ]

[monklookslikealady]

It would be. Or we'd be spending most of our time here untangling the yarn. And that's never a fun project. [He won't be telling Vash of the time he found one of the animals tangled up in some of his yarn he'd been using for a project.]

[He glances Eevee again.]

Well, good for him, but I don't want him eating the yarn either.

[doubledollar]

[ probably a good idea to not tell him, HE'D HAVE FELT SO BAD... ] As someone who's had to untie myself from ropes before, it's not exactly the easiest thing in the world to deal with, huh...

[ Vash is gonna circle around and squat next to the eevee--reaching a finger out to doot his nose. the thing squeaks. ]

No flossing. If you want food, I got food, okay? We brought a lunch, and there's fresh apples. Can you wait for lunchtime, little guy?