abnormalizes | Seasons: IC Contact/Continuations

Seasons: IC Contact/Continuations

This is Evangeline! Sorry, I'm a little busy right now, but leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

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[Nuzz.] Okay! Hmm... What else fun is there about camping? It's too late to hike and we already have the fire. We could tell stories? People do that all the time!

Don't they usually tell scary stories? I don't want to traumatize you with the kind of stories I think are scary...

Huh, that's true... and I don't think I'd be able to scare you either.

[Mecchan babbles and gestures with his fork.]

I guess if he told scary stories, it'd be about the time someone came to the door trying to sell stuff or something. Huh, Mecchan?

[Little nod. Strangers are scary!]

But maybe we can just talk about other things instead.

Sure, talking about other stuff sounds good. Like, I guess future plans?

Sure! Like quests and stuff?

[Rinku looks up, where the sun is setting through the trees.]

I guess... hmm. I do have some plans. Like working on more roads with the guild so we can get around easier.

Oh, yeah, that's one of those permanent quests, right? I should pay more attention to those.

Yeah! I wanna set up a teleport crystal all the way out at the Des(s)ert of Illusions in the pastry oasis! ...Although that's really, really far out, so maybe just by the waterfall is gonna be more helpful. What do you think?

Which one do you think people go to more? I like the desserts, personally...

I dunno! The desserts are great and I think anyone'd like them! But also the waterfall would make it easier to get to quests that far south, huh? Then no one has to spend a week and some on the road.

I guess maybe put two out there, in that case?

Yeah, yeah! Like doing two quests! Oh, but I'd need to get someone to help me with the desert, it's kinda dangerous to cross it with those candy guys.

Maybe we could do that one together?

Yeah! That sounds great! Oh, do you know any Autumns who would come? I think those guys are weak against plant attacks.

[After a bit, Mecchan finishes eating and warbles up at the sky. Rinku looks up. The last of the sunlight is going down, and the stars are out -- much brighter than in the city, and some of the colourful "stars" that move around the map are visible.]

Wow... It reminds me of Tiotio Island, or that dark sky preserve Saki-chan took me to once! It's so cool, isn't it?

It's incredible. -In the City, it's dangerous to be out at night, so you would normally never get to see the stars like this.

[And even if you did, the light pollution would make it so much less impressive.]

[Rinku nods.] I remember you told me that once. It's nice in the city, but it's amazing out in the Segments. There's so much! I think growing up someplace remote like Tiotio Island is what made Oneechan back home wanna be an astronomer.

If I got to see this every night, I'd want to be an astronomer too.

[Snuggle!] Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it? Did I tell you she found a star and named it after me? It's called the Linking Star! You can only see it in a dark sky preserve like this, even with a telescope, but it's always kinda nostalgic when someone mentions it.

Oh wow, that's incredible! Your sister really loves you.

I think so too. I gotta introduce you to the rest of my family someday.

[Hina lightly snores, still attached to Evangeline's shoulder and having fallen asleep there. Rinku pets Mecchan's head frill.]

I wanna do something amazing for you too, Neechan. I just gotta figure out what.

Rinku, you got me to accept that someone here loves me and that I love them. That's plenty amazing to me.

[She doesn't need a star named after her - what Rinku's done is more important than that.]

[Rinku blinks. Her eyes water a little and she hugs Evangeline and snuggles on her, horns and ears and all. She doesn't respond with words at first, just happy Rinku noises.]

You deserve it! And I'm gonna keep working hard to make sure you can be happy!

[Squeeeeze.]

You're doing a great job of that already, you don't have to work too hard.

[Cuddle snug.]

Hm... But doesn't that just mean I gotta keep working as hard as I am?

I guess? But not any harder, I don't want you to stress yourself.

'Kay.

[Snuggle. Just her and her sister and her Pokémon in a cuddle pile in front of a campfire, with her fancy bigger-on-the-inside magic tent, barrier stones keeping monsters away, and a sky full of stars.]

Thank you for coming. This is a lot of fun. Are you feeling any better about sleeping in the Segments?

(no subject)

abnormalizes - 2024-12-13 02:20 (UTC) - Expand

wrapup?

roundandaround - 2024-12-13 02:41 (UTC) - Expand

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