Episode 1 Followup: Cleanups And Questions

[fallers_npcs]

Today dawns on Melemele as clean up crews are hard at work in the morning, cleaning up the damage from the Dynamax Raid. Thanks to the efforts of the Fallers who have dealt with the thief who has tried to get away with his thefts, he has been detained for questioning.

At the Precinct there is Namu who has been called in from Ula'Ula to press him, as well as Jenny. If you want to ask Brodie questions, see if they'll give you a chance to press the thief for questions.

At the Docks there are various Machoke and Machamp along with Hala and his Pokemon working tirelessly to repair the buildings. You can help with clean up.

The Aether Foundation is also finding homes for the displaced local Pokemon who call the local area their homes, and if you wish to help them, Wicke is helping them all out. If you wish to help them, please go ahead.

Finally, while Viren might not be in a good mood for his warehouse being damaged, he is grateful for the assistance for any Fallers who might recover any of his treasures who have sunk to the ocean floor.

Comments

Adoption Center

[blue_ice]

...if you were looking for a Faller to match Pokémon with adoptive families, you probably wouldn't pick Seto Kaiba. The man's scowls just scream unapproachable, and he's famously uncooperative.

But he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when the Aether volunteers were swarming, and as someone who needs to win their favor, his fate is sealed. He's standing behind a bright green sludge-ly Grimer, a happily nosing-around Phanphy, and a quietly sitting Deerling, though there are also a few more species playing quietly in the background. He folds his hands and cooly overlooks anyone approaching.

"Here for an adoption? It's a quick interview process."

...or you can just bring him more critters to be adopted, or bother him some. Your choice.

Re: Adoption Center

[darkenedmoon]

Yotsuyu is not cowed. She may be the last of the Naeuri clan, but she is a better bearer of such than ever her unlamented brother was. She stares coolly at the young man.

"As a matter of fact, I am." Never mind that she has an Oshawott in one arm. Lusamine took her in, certainly there's enough room for another put-out Pokemon. She lets Gosetsu down and gives him a pat on his head gently. That's encouragement for him to go play nicely with the others. Maybe he'll find a friend?

"So. What must I do?" Since Yotsuyu is not inclined to prance in, declare that she's with the Aether Corporation, and here to take one of the displaced Pokemon home. Even though that is exactly the case.

[blue_ice]

"There's a basic form. Name, residence, occupation, other Pokémon."

He passes it over and looks up at her. "We're not concerned with income so much as capacity to care, and your Oshawott appears to be doing well. Now we look to establish the intangible quality of a bond."

Kaiba doesn't really like talking about anything slightly mystical, and he's reciting the company line. He turns to the side and spots a shy Pokémon in the back, hesitantly poking its head forward.

"'They' say partner bonds form most often with a Pokémon and partner who can grow the most together I'm reluctant to believe, but then I ended up with these two."

He gestures to Goomy at his feet and Kisara the Pikachu on his lap, who are both watching the proceedings with interest.

[darkenedmoon]

"I see." Bureaucracy. Of course. Even when she'd been back in Doma, paperwork was never something she had been fond of. It had also been neverending. Why should Alola be any different? Perhaps this was hell.

But it wasn't the Pokemons' fault that they had been displaced. Nor hers, but she was one with the ability to take care of them, then--was it not then her duty to do so? So she hastily fills out the form--swiftly, but with care. It was likely she might not leave with another friend today, but they might call her back for one. She handed the form back over to the young man.

"Might I offer them a berry? I only have Pinap, because they are Gosetsu's favorite, but they would be welcome to have one a piece. And you may, too, if you would like," she called out gently to the shy one. Sharp yellow eyes had caught its movement, but she was reluctant to call it out so boldly. For once, Yotsuyu was worried she would scare the creature when that was the last thing she intended.

[blue_ice]

"Of course. That's one of the methods we usually use to test the bond."

Kaiba sits back, Pikachu in hand, and silently watches. The awkward deer, slimeball, and baby elephant take their berries one by one. Kaiba carefuly lures Grimer away before it can try to tackle the lady, and the other two gently headbutt her hand before retreating to eat.

Finally, the small creature wanders out. It wears a skull for a helmet and drags a bone along the ground, making a small whining noise. It blinks up at the lady with wide, wondering eyes.

[darkenedmoon]

Whining? The poor little creature! Normally that sort of thing might annoy Yotsuyu, but circumstances being what they were, she could understand that the little beast might whine.

"Well, now. I am happy you have chosen to come out." She knelt, then, to not intimidate the little bone-monster. Her Pokemon studies were proceeding, but slowly--if this one chose to come with her, she'd have to make a special case of it. Gracefully, she settled onto her knees, spreading her kimono over her lap, and offering the Pokemon the berry.

"I am not certain it is to your liking, but you may have this Pinap if you wish. We shall do better for you later, as soon as we may." If it chose her. If not, Yotsuyu certainly would not blame it--she knew that she was daunting at the best of times. She just did her best to be gentle--who would have thought it?--and waited.

[blue_ice]

The little Cubone sniffles at her for a moment, then creeps forward the rest of the way to take the berry. It certainly seems to enjoy it. After licking its claws, it gently taps her leg with the bone, making a happier sound.

Kaiba watches all of this with a mostly-impassive expression as he reviews the application, scribbling a note. He consults his notes from the other volunteers, a strangely sympathetic expression flickering across his features for just a moment.

"Cubone fears abandonment more than most. It needs someone nurturing, and...not to make a declaration too early, but it seems to like you."

He sits back. "Do you have any other questions?"

[darkenedmoon]

"Dozens, but I am not sure they are ones you can answer, as they are mostly about taking care of this little Cubone. Though if you do have any knowledge you are willing to share, please, by all means, do so!"

She chuckled warmly at that, offering both hands down to the Cubone, patently inviting it into her lap. At this, Gosetsu comes barrelling back at the two of them--and Yotsuyu raises a hand to him calmly.

"Gosetsu, now. You need to be kind. This little one has lost their home, and I am offering to share ours. You will not lose out on a thing, but you may have to be polite and share."

Though considering how much pampering he gets...still, the Oshawott gives the Cubone a few curious sniffs, and then sits back on his haunches and offers the Cubone a hand. Shake?

[blue_ice]

"I only know what I've observed. It doesn't like to be alone, but its fear hampers it. Though that doesn't seem to be an issue amymore."

Cubone hesitantly crawls into Yotsuyu's lap, pressing against her with a whine when Gosetsu approaches. After a moment, the little one calms down...tapping Oshawott's flipper with its bone. Close enough.

Kaiba nods and signs the paperwork. "The permanent employees can tell you more, but I've signed approval."

[darkenedmoon]

"No need for you to be alone, now. Gosetsu and I will be your friends." The words rolled easily off her lips, but while Yotsuyu might not mean them, were the recipient a human, the Cubone received it as more of a promise. And nothing could have pleased her more than its response to Gosetsu. They might not be the best of friends...but that was all right. So long as they got along.

"Very good!" she murmured to it, before she looked up at the young man again. "You are not a permanent employee? May I have your name? I would like to put in a good word for you, if I may."

Though she certainly did hold out a hand for that paperwork. Not that she was in any hurry to rush the little Cubone from her lap. Though it might not be the easiest to get up with it there.

[blue_ice]

That's...cute, almost. Kaiba nods his approval and files the form.

"No. This...really isn't the line of work I've trained in. But I'm Seto Kaiba."

He's surprised. He hasn't been a low level employee...ever, really, and he'd assumed if he ever landed in that position his demeanor would get him complaints. It could be worse.

Still, he walks over and gently presses a folder into her hand. "Everything we have to give you on care information is there as well."

[darkenedmoon]

"Ah, very good. I am Yotsuyu Naeuri. A pleasure." Because it was. She certainly didn't mind his demeanor--forbidding, but she understood it. She would not want simply anyone adopting a Pokemon that might be traumatized by its experiences, were she in his position. It was a benefit here, where it might not be elsewhere.

Whoever had appointed him here was wise, as well, and Yotsuyu would do her level best to appraise Wicke, or Lusamine, or someone about such a canny move. Gods knew that they needed clever employees.

"Thank you--ah! Here is a tidbit I was looking for! You are a girl, then!" Yotsuyu's attention drifted down to the Cubone, and she gave the little creature a gentle touch down her back. "I have a name for you, then. Ajisai. It means the hydrangea flower." And it had connotations of regret, even if Yotsuyu wasn't about to mention that yet. The poor little girl! Hopefully, going forward, she need not regret anything.