findingbeasts | IC Communication

[It takes Diana a while after she brought up the idea of visit for her to actually get down to Azalea. It's not that she doesn't have the ability to warp, it's just organizing to get The Pack down there. True, she could recall them into the system for a moment while she zipped down to the forest then released them. But given Toni, her main reason for swinging by, would probably not take that well, she'd had to go about things the long way. (Namely, telling The Pack to make their way to Azalea and dropping in to check on them every time they passed a city.)

She has Isla her Sylveon with her, who trots loyally at her side. She thought it one of her better choices since she was already bringing a large amount of Pokemon to this meeting. Isla was calm and got along with The Pack, she wouldn't be getting in the way like Diana's attention seeking main crew. She also has Petey in her arms as Newt seemed to like the Espurr well enough and really Diana just needed to keep an eye on him most days.

Then, of course, there's The Pack. Diana glances over her shoulder at them. The majority are a good few paces back, under Lana's command she assumes, knowing Diana is still unsure when surrounded by the whole group. Lana's just behind her though, pace casual. Diana wonders if Newt will be surprised, the number had increased by about 10 (she thinks?) since he last saw them. July's 'pups' were no longer that, now grown Rockruff and replaced by new puppies of varying breeds that stumbled and tripped around their parent's long legs as they walked.

She spots the little cottage at the forest's edge and heads towards it. When Lana stops at what Diana can only assume is what her dog sees as 'the boarder' she stops too and calls out.]

Hello? Newt? You home?

[Lana assists with a short bark of announcement and The Pack hush the excited yips of pups who attempt to join in.]

[Newt was definitely going to be surprised by the sheer numbers but it was going to be a pleasant surprised. He had a very big soft spot for the pack as it was so seeing so many of them was going to be a delight!

The cottage, despite it being the middle of winter, is bustling with life when the group approaches. A number of flying type Pokemon are settled on the perches decorating the roof, chatting among themselves and fluffed up to stay warm. A small group of young Pokemon play in the front yard, so to speak, under the watchful eye of Queenie the Audino. The pond just behind the cottage seems to be hosting a party as the Lapras sisters play, a few other water Pokemon joining in the fun. None of them seem all that bothered by the approaching group and Queenie let's out a delighted welcome call when she realizes who it is--

And then there's Poly.

The Sylveon appears on the porch, slipping out of a pet door Newt had installed on the main door, fleshy-tendrils flicking about. She doesn't look all that impressed at the sight before her and stomps a paw with a huff. Any protest she might have is silenced by Roxy slipping out the door next, the Lycanroc standing over the haughty fairy-type as her tail wags excitedly.]

Mom! [She let's out an excited bark and darts off the porch to go greet them, her cheerful greeting alerting Newt who finally makes his way out of the cottage.]

Oh, Diana! Hello--my apologies, please you don't have to stand out there.

[Lana's tail wags calmly in response, waiting at the boarder line for Roxy to meet her and allow her past.]

You look good. [She lowers her head to touch her nose to the smaller Lycanroc's.] Happy. Healthy.

[A quick look shot behind her reminds The Pack not to cross though. They haven't been given permission yet.

Ingno, Roxy's father, calls to her from among her siblings who also bark at her in greeting, including some curious ones who haven't met her before.

Diana watches the reunion for a moment before making her way forwards, Isla holding onto her belt loop with a tendril like a toddler and Petey... ignoring the world as is the norm.]

Thanks. I didn't interrupt something, did I?

[Roxy happily bumps noses with her mother, tail wagging faster now.]

I am! Things have been great!

[Her ears perk when she hears her father and Roxy can't help but let out a yip in reply, darting past her mother to go over and shower her other parent with affection.

As well as meet all the new additions!]

No, no, we were just doing a bit of cleaning since it was warm enough to allow the little ones outside. [Newt smiles warmly at her as Poly sits beside his feet, tendrils wrapped around his leg in a clear statement of ownership.] You found your way alright? well, I suppose you would given you have the Pack with you. Still I'm glad you were able to make it.

[The animal door swings and a small bundle of fur scampers out, Lady the Lillipup trotting over to stand next to Poly. She spots the Pack and let's out a happy yip in greeting, practically vibrating in excitement though she doesn't dare jump off the porch--the snow is far too deep for a little pup like her!]

[Ingno greets his daughter with nuzzles and licks. Her siblings follow in suit, sniffing and yipping as they familiarize themselves with their family member. One is a boy from the same litter as Roxy, once bigger than her as a puppy, now still a Rockruff while she has evolved. Her older sister Riley was here too, ironically also smaller than her again due to being a Rockruff.]

How do you even clean a place like this?

[She looks meaningfully at all the Pokemon. Lana starts moving forward with Diana and the rest of The Pack follow after her.]

Yeah, I don't usually worry too much about getting lost with this many noses around.

[The younger pups of The Pack don't seem fazed by the snow, especially when Lady's litter mates hear her, pushing their way forward like mini snowplows, leaving little trenches to reach the cottage. They ambush the porch, wet noses sniffing at and little paws swatting at Lady and probably Poly in the crossfire.

As Lady's mother, Fluke the Herdier, comes over to see also, something is spooked and a green shape skulks quickly over to Lana. The small Electrike hides between Lana's legs, keeping close the ground and avoiding eye contact with everyone.]

That's Toni.

Edited 2018-01-14 00:13 (UTC)

[Roxy was momentarily a puppy again as she greeted her father, nuzzling up under his chin and letting out happy yips. And then she was turning the attention on her siblings bumping heads with some of the older ones before dropping down to the ground so she could love on all the others, especially the boy from her litter. Guess who's bigger now!]

Very, very carefully.

[He grins briefly before it melts into a smile as all the puppies come barreling forward, unable to help but chuckle as Lady practically vibrates off the porch now.

Poly, however, is not amused and yips in displeasure at the pups, moving away from the edge of the porch.

Newt's attention is drawn to the skulking green shape, a curious look there as he starts to ask but Diana says that name and it makes sense.]

Hello Toni. [It's said without hesitation, Newt speaking directly to the Elecktrike in a friendly manner. Poly looks momentarily put off that Newt is addressing someone else but the wizard rests a hand on her head as if knowing what she was thinking. She looks up and Newt smiles at her, motioning towards the cottage.] Will you please help Queenie get things ready? [The Sylveon fluffs up in happiness at being given a job and nods with a happy purr, shooting a sharp look at the puppies before prancing off back into the house.]

My apologies for her. She's become even more demanding since evolving. Now, shall we move inside? Though anyone who'd like to stay outside is welcome to.

[All the Rockruff climb about on Roxy, nipping playfully and licking at her as they ask her questions.

Toni presses herself more to the ground when Newt speaks to her, letting out a small whine.]

Yeh, she's like that with everyone. There's a good amount of times I can't even get closer.

[Poly's look and action's catch the Lillipup's attention and make them release the door flap, immediately rushing forward to sniff at it and try to push themselves through. Fluke, who's been nuzzling the top of Lady's head affectionately gives a bark of dismay and tries pulling them out by their tails.

Once the Rockruff are done greeting Roxy, they barrel into the territory, sniffing at everything and everyone while Ingno chases them, trying to keep them under control. Prompting the rest of The Pack to step forward and begin exploring.]

Honestly? Lana's been doing all the work. I asked her to look after Toni for me and now...

[She indicates towards the sandy coloured hound who leans down and gives the Electrike a reassuring lick on the head before lifting her own and letting out a low growl.

Diana pulls a confused face and looks about.]

Ah... Whoops. Sorry, Newt.

[The puppies are continuing to explore with little regard to property and personal space, their curiosity infectious as the more excitable members like Joy and the older Rockruff join in. Fluke still trying to prevent her pups from entering Newt's house while Ingno lets out a small whine, exhausted from attempt to supervise these youngsters.

Lana tenses her body and stands tall, hackles bristling as she gives a loud, harsh, singular bark.

The Pack freeze as one.

All puppies, Rockruff or not, immediately returning to huddle around Ingno. The older dogs gather into a more tight formation at the side of the house to sniff politely at the grass, sit or lay down.

Lana snorts and shakes herself as Diana gives Newt an apologetic shrug.]

This is why I need Lana.

You've done very well, Lana.

[Seriously. Despite the way Toni is acting it's clear she trusts Lana which is a big step.

Newt looks to Diana, confusion all over his face, before he's turning to look at what's going on..and really he doesn't seem all that bothered. He almost laughs but restrains himself, lifting a hand to cover his mouth as Lana handles the situation quick and efficiently.

And oh does Roxy hero worship her mom even more now!]

It's alright, really. It's no worse than how things usually are. I have a few of my own that are quite good at handling rambunctious youths.

[As if on cue, from around the side of the house where the older dogs have started to gather, comes Albus the Drampa who gives a low rumble of greeting to all the Pokemon he can smell. A gaggle of young Pokemon are climbing all over the old dragon and he shuffles over towards Ingno and the pups with him.

Uric the Azurill rolls right off the Drampa's back and plops into the snow, squeaking and chirping in greeting to all the pups as he attempts to roll closer to investigate. Quong Po the Salandit is dozing on the dragon's head using Cyprian the Solosis as a pillow while Edgar the Amaura sits in the dip of the old dragon's back.

Hi puppies!

Newt smiles fondly as Lady gives a happy bark, sticking close to her mom now that Fluke is close by.]

Shall we head inside?

[Lana looks at Newt and bows her head a little in thanks, clearly not one who got over enthused by praise. It's not until Diana pets the wolfish creature on the head that her tail wags heartily.]

Well, alright then.

[The pups look up to Ingno for permission this time before bounding forward to climb all over Albus and yip at the other youngsters.]

Sure.

[Diana nods and motions to follow Newt. Lana moves without a word, Toni still stuck under her belly. Fluke picks Lady up by the scruff like a newborn and enters the house through the flap, Lady's brother Duke following after her. Lana permits this.

Once they're inside, Diana places Petey down, figuring it's fine if he wants to explore. Isla immediately wraps a ribbon around his hand like a protective older sister, ready to follow him and keep him out of trouble.

The Electrike hesitates at the door but caught between being outside surrounded by strangers or being inside with Lana she has little choice. She can't help making little soft whines though, trying to keep close to Lana. For the brief time she was out from under the Lycanroc's legs it was clear to see the scarring across her body, a particularly viscous one across her snout. And her tail would be firmly between her legs, were it not missing half of itself, giving her the look of being docked.]

Oh, right. I think she's claustrophobic? The one were they don't like being in stuff? I think it's because of the cages.

[Newt smiles and leads the way while Lady gives a happy little bark at being picked up, kicking her legs merrily and yipping at Duke. Look at how high up she is!

As soon as the group enters they'll be somewhat swarmed by the little ones still in the house at the moment, Pamela the Oddish leading the group as she skips right up to Petey and chirps in greeting. Landing on the ground behind her Beau the Swoobat waves sleepily with a wing while, from the open kitchen area, the Audino Triplets all call out greetings as they finish doing the dishes.]

Honestly I would have been surprised if she wasn't a little bit. From what I've heard it looked as though many of the Pokemon trapped in that place had been there for awhile. Perhaps she would rather--

[It's one little Pokemon in particular that makes Newt pause suddenly, the sight of him out when a stranger is present rather rare.

Montague the Elekid, Newt's own Team Rocket rescue, is peering out from behind one of the armchairs by the fireplace. His gaze is focused on Electrike and he let's out a low humming-like noise, some brief electrical charges going between the prongs on his head.]

...Toni, this is Montague. Montague, that's Toni.

[The Elekid ducks behind the chair slightly, looking at Newt then to Diana before finally peering at Toni again.]

Some of my companions found him in Goldenrod after the incident.

[Petey looks up at Pamela for a moment before becoming engrossed with batting at her leaves as Isla nods in greeting to Beau.

Diana watches Newt pause and watch the yellow Pokemon. As he gives a brief explanation she shifts uncomfortably and tries to squash the guilty feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Toni dithers from between Lana's legs, wide, scared eyes fixed on Montague.]

Looks like you got a war buddy, Toni.

[Pamela seems quite alright with this and just giggles up a storm as her leaves are batted at, bobbing back and forth to make them bounce.

Sorry, Diana. He's not doing it on purpose.

Montague watches Toni and let's out another soft noise, ducking behind the chair only to reappear a moment later with something clutched to his chest.

A pink poffin.

He churrs softly at Toni and takes a few hesitate steps forward, pausing to look at Diana then to Newt, eyeing them both before he makes it just past the chair. It's there that he stops and puts the poffin down, peering at Toni as electricity crackles between his head prongs--

And then he's ducking behind the chair again.

Newt smiles softly.]

This is actually the most I've seen him engage with anyone outside of the Colony. He's been rather apprehensive about all of us.

[Diana worries her bottom lip with her teeth slightly as she mumbles.] Survivors are just drawn to each other, I guess.

[Toni cautiously takes some shaky steps towards the poffin, sniffing it carefully. She picks it up and retreats back to Lana to eat it.

Diana forces herself back into a more aloof tone.]

Toni doesn't really hang with anyone but the dogs for longer than five minutes either.

[With the poffin eaten, Toni begins looking for Montague again. Sniffing at the chair from a distance and trying to move a little closer, letting out a soft whine.]

That does seem to be how it happens sometimes.

[Not noticing how out of sorts Diana seems, Newt carefully steps towards the kitchen once Toni has the poffin to gather up some tea.]

It probably has quite a bit to do with the pack mentality. They offer a sense of security for such a small creature that's been hurt. Many creatures are like that--packs, flocks, herds--there's strength in numbers and everyone can help care for one another.

[As he's going on and gathering things up, Montague pokes his head around the chair again when he hears that whine. The skinny little Elekid slowly creeps out, letting out a buzzing hum at the other Pokemon. He stops at the front of the chair and glances at Diana nervously, clearly thinking Lana is Roxy right now. Unsure of what to do the baby Pokemon sits down and his prongs crackle nervously as he looks at Toni.]

[Diana makes to follow Newt, giving the Pokemon space and glad that Newt's filling the air with his chatter. More than happy to simply listen.

Toni steps out from Lana's legs again to come over to the Elekid. She keeps her body low, practically crawling and rolls onto her back at the slightest movement.]

[Newt's just going to continue to tell her all about groups of animals and how they care for one another, even going as far as to talk about some of the creatures he had cared for back home.]

--take Graphorns, for example. Family units are extremely important to them and the development of their offspring. They are very tight knit groups and take turns caring for young, finding suitable areas to feed and the like. I wish I could have rescued more but the small family I have in my care has been doing wonderfully.

[At some point Diana will end up with a cup of tea placed in front of her at the little breakfast bar in the kitchen, Queenie sliding over a plate of cookies as well with a happy twill.

Eat up!

In the main room Montague let's out a distressed sound as Toni rolls onto her back and slowly crawls over to sit a bit closer. His prongs pulse as he chatters at her softly, trying to reassure her that it's okay even if he's clearly startled and scared himself.]

[Well, those cookies are gonna be gone all too soon. Diana sips on her tea and mumbles around a mouthful of crumbs.]

I don't really know how to stop my pack from growing. Apart from giving the puppies away. Roxy looks good, by the way.

[Toni strains her neck trying to sniff at Montague's arm and offering a small lick of his hand. She doesn't think she finds you too scary Montague.]

You most likely won't have much of a say in it, overall.

[Newt glances over at her with a smile.]

I have a feeling Lana is quite content to keep her pack growing.

[Montague tenses slightly when she sniffs his arm only to relax the next moment as she licks his hand. He let's out a happy sound and moves to lay on his side beside her, reaching out to bop her snout gently.]

[Diana side eyes the hound at her side.]

Well, if we could keep the expansion to a minimum that'd be great. It's hard going place with twenty dogs following you around.

[Lana just blink at her.]

Thanks, Lana. Real helpful.

[Toni gives her stubby tail a little wag and send a small, friendly jolt of harmless static from her nose down his hand.]

[Newt can't help but muffle a laugh, sliding over a mug of tea now before cradling his own.]

I can imagine it would be rather difficult.

[Though it's not like he's much better off most of the time.

Montague let's out a little snort and returns it with a jolt of his own, resting his paw against her neck now clearly not intending to move away now that he's here.]

Ugh, it's the worst. And then I get people looking at me weird as I drag these bags of kibble and butcher scraps to just outside town. Probably looks like I'm off to feed my secret deformed twin with super human strength...

[Toni gently lifts her head just enough to rest it upon Montague's small leg. She lets out a heavy sigh and closes her eyes peacefully.]

IC Communication

Action; 12/01

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good fade to black point?