Test Drive Meme (February + March)

[bravenewmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME: FEBRUARY + MARCH EDITION

Welcome to bravenewworld's test drive meme! This post is designed to help players test out their characters within the setting, as well as give them an opportunity to collect samples for their future application. The prompts below are all optional, and can be used to get a feel for the game, but we encourage players to get creative and use this post however best suits their needs. Players are welcome to use either prose or brackets for their threads.

When creating a thread, it is advised that players give their prospective thread partners a bit of information in the subject line, such as the characters name and canon, or a possible typing and Enlightened ability (if this is applicable). These are not required, but will make it easier for any prospective players to thread with you. While not required, we also encourage you to take a look at the most recent AU Planning post.

THIS CYCLE'S PROMPTS
#1 After the events in Union, the settlement of Refuge has decided to make the Shattering a more public affair. People who were impacted by the tragedies that befell the city, or those who wish to pay respects to a lost family member are encouraged to either send a Litwick off into the caves, or go off to find one. Who knows, you may find something out about yourself--or about the others around you.

#2 The Medical Center in Union is in need of volunteers, and has sent out a call. But it's not because of what you might think. The weather has been surprisingly warm this time of year, and because of it, a number of Pokémon have decided to, um, fix the population discrepancy that the Elite Four's attack has caused. Baby 'mon have overrun the Breeding Center, and many have found their way at the Medical Center for overflow. There are going to be a lot of diapers that need changing...

#3 With the warm weather hinting at a full return, flocks of Pokémon have begun their northern migration back into the Verdant Forest and beyond. Unfortunately, a few of the wild Flying-type breeds are less than respectful of old monuments, and the Lake and Forest Shrine have received a few unwanted guests making a mess. Shooing them off only seems to anger them, and the Shrines are filthy as a result of their visit. Ugh, will these rude Pokémon ever leave?!

#4 After the attack from the Elite Four, help has been filtering in from all parts of the known world. As a result, a number of temporary food carts have opened up in the business district of Union. Workers have to eat, right? This is a perfect time to expand your palette, but be warned, some of the delicacies can be a bit... eclectic, we'll say. Eat at your own risk.

#5 Wildcard! Come up with your own prompt!

If you have any setting questions, or want to do some reading before posting a thread, you can find the setting directory here! Happy tagging!

Comments

Chrono Harlaown | Lyrical Nanoha | Ice/Steel Master of Battle

[coolblueiceman]

[4-A]
[Chrono is among the help that's shown up in Union - he can't just sit around while things are like this when he could be doing something to assist with the cleanup! Maybe not to actually do a whole lot beyond that, but he can move things, no problem. For his age, he's got a good work ethic, and he's been working for a good part of the morning, moving things and assisting where he can, helping to patch up minor injuries people incur in the action, and generally doing his best to actually get his hands dirty.

Several hours later, it's time for lunch, and he drifts toward where he's heard food is set up, in search of something to eat, and perhaps a break. Not that he knows what half these things are, of course, but that won't stop him... probably. For several minutes, the young man can be seen just looking from stand to stand, trying to make sense of everything.

Eventually, he settles on something the vendor called a kebab, consisting of a collection of things on a long stick, and an offer of sauce. Getting something for his Aron partner as well, he finds a closed wooden crate and sits down, pondering what he's holding before taking an experimental bite. His eyes widen, and he looks down at it.]

This is... actually pretty good.

[Then he realizes he spoke aloud, and briefly glances around to see if anyone heard. Keep it together, Chrono.]

[4-B]
[Having finished his own lunch, and very much appreciating the spirit of teamwork he's starting to find in Union, Chrono picks up a couple more meals, packaged to travel. He heads back toward where he'd come from, and seeks out people he'd met before, or failing that, people that seem to be working hard. And he'll wait for them to finish (or set the food down somewhere safe and help for a second), before pulling out something or other he'd picked up. He hasn't had a lot of time to acquaint himself with the city, or to meet people beyond those he's around while he's helping out, but it's leaving enough of an impression that he's trying to set his usual combative attitude aside and maybe make a friend or two, smiling as he holds out what he'd brought with him.]

You look like you could use a break - have you eaten yet?

[5]
(Hit me up for whatever! Chrono's recently arrived in Union in the wake of the Elite Four's attack, and is doing his best to integrate through hard work.)

4-B

[umiiro]

[Sleep is clearly for the weak.]

[But no, Chrono has probably noticed Umi running around working. She's an out of towner, herself, but that doesn't mean she won't put her all into something when she's set her mind to it.]

[She probably hasn't eaten in a while.]

E-Eh?

[Oh no. She might turn a little red at that. Did she look like she needed to take a break? Lkjsadlksfla]

That's- very kind of you! You didn't have to go through the trouble...

[She's so bad at this.]

4-B

[vistapoint]

[Chrono's probably noticed Geo running hurriedly about the city all day. The boy's been running to and fro, his Fletchling, Spearow, and Purrloin all assisting him in carrying bags of supplies where they need to be.

He's finally sitting down now, at least, sharing water with the trio of Pokémon accompanying him. He glances up when addressed.] Oh, um... No, I haven't. [He pauses, before he adds--] Thank you.

Umi Sonoda | Love Live | Water/Normal Analyst

[umiiro]

4

[Umi never fancied herself a cook, but that wasn't going to stop her from helping out. She'd come with the intent of helping Union's effort. Knowing that Union had come to their aid and that they had suffered such an attack, well. It had inspired her to try doing something different. Proactive even.]

[She hadn't expected to get roped into helping out with one of the Calderan food carts. Did she even know the restaurant they were representing....?]

You there! Cutting in line is not allowed, if you do it again I'll have to ask you to move to the back of the line!

[If she was going to be here, she sure was going to make sure she did a good job. Though, she's not nearly as scary if you try to approach her.]

Ah- Hello, what can I get for you today? We have a pretty big selection..!


5

[Time to help with the effort! Umi can be seen in various places in Union, meeting up with other Calderans, bringing supplies to workers, and coming up with ...complicated looking charts for the best way to get the work done. Which might be very efficient but it sure might kill you when you're done. She doesn't beat around the bush and is probably the hardest working teenager you ever saw. Unfortunately she is definitely holding those standards to everyone else.]

[Her pokemon doesn't seem to be very phased by this- a small Swablu that floats along with a cheer once she's done. Umi looks out to anyone else she was directing, not particularly displaced by the confused even wary looks she might be getting.]

Any questions?

5

[partyfog]

I've got a question! With all this planning and chart-drawing, how do you get any actual work done?

4

[vistapoint]

[That... does appear to be a pretty big selection, Geo's almost a little overwhelmed...! His Fletchling chirps and flutters up to his trainer's head to get a better look.]

Um, I've never had Calderan food before... Is there anything you'd recommend?

4, of course

[lunchleader]

...no kidding.

[Here's Right, still bandaged around the hands and wings, looking the menu over. He's clearly in awe at the large selection of options.]

...hmmm...I think I'll just have one of each today.

Suika Ibuki | Touhou Project | Fighting/Ghost God of War

[partyfog]

-5-

[Day 1 in Union! Suika wasn't gathered as part of the crowds coming to help reconstruct Union, her timing was actually a total coincidence.

Still, skills like hers are useful when there's a lot of construction work to be done, and trading a few feats of strength for the opportunity for future revelry sounds like a fun way to meet the community. Or at least, a fine Option B when the local bars didn't agree to give her drinks for free.

Anyway, that's why there's a girl with horns around the edge of one of Union's many reconstruction sites, hefting a metal girder five times her size.]

Hey, where should I put this? Someone said they needed girders over here.


-4-


I'll have one of everything!

[Between helping out with the reconstruction effort earlier, and winning a bet with a guy who thought she wouldn't be able to arm wrestle a snorlax, Suika made a nice bundle of cash. Now, it's time to wisely invest it in the immediately get lots of booze and food for Suika until it's gone fund.

As she wanders off towards wherever people are gathering and eating with a fourth armful of esoteric foreign delicacies, Suika strikes up a conversation with the nearest stranger.]

Hey, hey, you're from Union, right? Why is this place so tall?


[[AU details: 70-year-old Fighting/Ghost Fanalis, Union newcomer. AU Planning post here.]]

4

[conquerorofwaves]

[If that's how much a Fanalis can down, he's so glad Morgiana really doesn't like alcohol, least on the upside, with her around, no one's asking about his age]

I'm not actually from Union... I think it's tall because some idiot built the wall without considering population growth, so people built up?

Kurapika | Hunter x Hunter | Steel/Ghost Analyst

[arachnocide]

1

[Kurapika kneels in front of the Litwick, picking up the small pokemon, watching how it's flames flicker, for a moment it almost look like there's a reddish cast to his eyes]

No - It's not for me, it's not here... but I will follow you, unless -

[He turns to the other people gathered, still holding the litwick]

You want to be left alone for this, after all mourning is a personal affair.

[The pokemon's flame burned brighter, as if protesting Kurapika's attempt to excuse himself]

5

[He trained with the chains, he felt every link - the smooth cold material seemed permanently fixed to his hands, he smelled them to burn the metallic scent into his memory, swung them until their weight felt like an extension of his body, he even licked them for the taste. But it's still not enough, thus this reason for being in the Viridian Forest.

Kurapika grunted as he swung one length of chain, tugging as it wraps around a branch before picking himself off the ground, swinging with it as he quickly tries to latch onto another branch with a second chain while letting go with the first.

His eyes widened as he missed, and the first chain unfurls, causing him to land with in a very undignified, and possibly painful heap, spooking a bunch of pidgeys into taking flight]

Damn it! I almost had it!

5

[healthepot]

[That... looks like it hurt. Natalia was just in the forest to get a start on some practice with her new abilities, when she was passing by but Kurapika's training caught her attention.

She's coming over, extending gloved a hand to him, an offer to help him up.] Are you alright?

Sigrun Eide | Stand Still. Stay Silent. | Fighting/Ice Master of Battle

[troll_hunter]

[4]

[Sigrun, a 6'2" heavily muscled redheaded woman who looks like she would be more at home among the frozen wastes of Glacier than the streets of Union, stands before a food vendor serving something in a bubbling vat.]

What even is that?

"It's-"

Never mind just gimme a bowl.

["It's Calderan Inferno Gumbo", is what he'd been about to say. Not for the faint of heart. But then, Sigrun has never been good at making intelligent decisions.]

[5]

[That sure was a mighty battle you just survived. Against rampaging pokemon, Gigan soldiers, or the agents of the Elite Four, it doesn't matter. The IMPORTANT thing is that you held your own and didn't immediately panic. Maybe you even got a few good hits in!

It was enough to impress the dervish of destruction that was Sigrun Eide.]

Hey hey hey! You're not bad yourself, kid! From now on you can be my right hand man [man/woman]. I shall teach you the ways of battle and we shall carve a bloody swathe across the world that will guarantee us both a place in the halls of Valhalla!

[Is she even older than you? She can't be over 30 herself. Was she even that good of a fighter? I mean she was pretty good but is that really good enough to take you under her wing?]

Sorry, I couldn't resist. He's also Fighting/Ice. Prompt 5

[coldadapted]

[She was going to need some mighty large wings to take in a mighty large man. Standing just a hair's breadth under a solid 8', Hinahoho looked down at the boisterous woman with something akin to bemusement.

Then?

He burst out laughing.]

You know what? You're pretty good, too! Why don't we just wait on Valhalla and get ourselves some drinks instead?

[How old was he? 20-something? The world may never know-- except, maybe, the little Swinub he scooped out of the snow to carry around on his bare, broad shoulders.]

Harry Dresden | The Dresden Files | Fire/Psychic Child of Knowledge Unbound Engineer

[no_love_potions]

5-A
The city of Union is in a shambles after the attack by the Elite Four and their so-called dragon god. Even in his years fighting in the Resistance in Sanctuary, Harry's never seen chaos and destruction on the level unleashed here in just the past few days. But now the fighting is done, and all that's left is the process of rebuilding.

In the middle of these efforts, a tall man walks amid the rubble and ruins of the city. Gangly, thin and ragged looking and dressed in a long black duster, he doesn't say a word or move to lift or carry anything. Just walks about from here to there with his left hand extended in front of him. Finally, after a while of that he comes to a stop, sweeps his hand from side to side before zeroing in on one area and suddenly rushing toward it.

"Over here! Survivor!" He doesn't waste any time waiting for assistance to arrive, just quickly crouches down and digs his hands into the debris shoving it aside. There's somebody down there, and he has to get them out.

4
It's been a long day, full of hard work, high emotions and more hardships than he cares to see between sunrise and sunset. But if it could possibly be said that there's a silver lining in it all, it would be the food carts coming in from around the world.

Sitting down on a chunk of broken rock, he unwraps his prize and takes his first bite, savoring the taste of it.

"Mph." He mumbles around a mouthful of food either to himself or anybody who will listen. "This city's great and everything... but you can't get a decent burger anywhere."

5-B
Dragon attacks and crazed Enlightened and Pokemon aside, sometimes people just have different problems to face. For the first few there's plenty of Trainers and other individuals to turn to but for the more... unusual. Well... there is that one ad in the paper.

Harry Dresden - Wizard
Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties or Other Entertainment

If you've found yourself in one of those "unusual times", why not give him a call?

4

[arachnocide]

Dresden wasn't the only one stopping to eat - he literally couldn't remember the last time he ate, and figured it was best to go ahead before he passes out from hunger.

However, Kurapika isn't entirely sure how one is suppose to eat a hamburger in a dignified manner, garnering a few stares that he's pointedly trying to ignore. He stops before biting down when he heard the man speak. "Then where would one get a decent burger?" He had to ask, curious.

Mustrum Ridcully | Discworld | Grass/Fire Child of Knowledge Unbound

[crossbowizard]

[A]

University of Union. It is not quite 5am. This is no time for civilized human beings to be awake. This is a time for everyone to be asleep and oblivious to the world.

So why is someone yelling out in the dorm halls?

"Come ON you sluggabeds! Are you going to sleep the whole day away? It's almost five! Who's up for a morning jog? Air out those lungs, you know? Too much dust in here for healthy living!"

79 year old men should not be this energetic.

[B]

Yes, Union is in ruins. Yes, Ridcully knows a variety of magical spells, some of which might be able to help clear debris. But he's being stubborn about it.

"It's not that I CAN'T move the rubble. Of course I can! It's about my dignity as a mage! If people expect us to just roll up our sleeves like common craftsmen the minute something goes wrong then they'll start seeing magic as normal. THEN where would we be? Where does it stop? Magicking stains off the walls? You've got to draw the line somewhere and I'm drawing it here! Anyways, you seem to have the situation well in hand, and I am an old man. You youngsters can go run around and work up a sweat. It'll be good for you."

[C]

"My door is always open."

Is what Ridcully always told people, but this was not the case. The door to his study was closed, and while it wasn't locked, one should definitely knock before opening it if the arrowheads sticking slightly out of the wood were any indication.

Still, for whatever reason, you need to speak to the head of the Magical Studies department at the good ol' UU.

A

[summerorange]

[While Natsumi herself isn't a university student, she had spent the night with a friend who is one. So, when she heard a loud, rude voice waking them all up at an ungodly hour of the morning, it's only natural that she's the one who stumbles to the door first, yanking it open to glare half-sleepily, half-irritably at the old man.]

Do you even know what time it is?!

Natsumi Hikaru - Kamen Rider Decade - Psychic Egg Master(y)

[summerorange]

2

[Helping to take care of baby Pokemon does help take Natsumi's mind off of what's happened recently. And she'll be in the Medical Center during the whole time, too! That way, if her grandfather's condition changes, she can just hop on over to where he's being taken care of.

As it is, though, looking after several baby Pokemon keeps her very busy. Especially when a certain Happiny is trying to 'help' by guiding several of the others towards the front door.]

--Chiaki, no! They're not supposed to go outside!


5

[Part of Natsumi's own recovery process is to simply go around and photograph things. Certain iconic landmarks that are still standing, despite the rubble around them. A survivor being pulled alive out of the wreckage. People that have come from around the world to help her fellow citizens of Union. Her baby Happiny, Chiaki, sharing a Poffin with another Pokemon. And just about anything else that can serve as a silver lining during these cold, depressing days.

Maybe she's even taking a picture of you or your Pokemon in one of the brighter moments of the recovery process. Hope you're not photo-shy...say 'cheese'!]


4

[Mealtimes have become a bit of an adventure, what with her family kitchen still in ruins. Many of the food truck offerings were surprisingly good, and she happily makes return trips for those particular ones. Others were decent, but she only returned to them when she wanted a change from her favorites.

But a few of the offerings were...well, it leaves her poking at it with a fork, looking rather confused. The man had claimed that it was a staple back in Sanctuary, but now she's not so sure.]

5

[chaoticdrifting]

[Deca had found a toy. The little Purrloin was chasing after a bright yellow ball, bouncing and making little 'Kikikiki' noises as she went after it. Her master was sitting on a piece of rubble that hadn't been moved yet, hunched over a little, his arms on his knees and his long hands dangling. The little smug and arrogant look he habitually wore was gone, instead he seem relaxed and almost at ease.

The ball bounced towards him, hitting a fair sized rock and bouncing up. Lighting fast reflexes caught it before it could hit him on the nose and he set it down in front of the panting Pokemon, smiling as he reached out to scratch one long ear. Then the Purrloin was off again, kicking up a little dust as she zigged after the ball.

He hadn't noticed Natsumi or her camera yet, his gaze on his Pokemon as she played in the rubble. It was probably one of the few times she would have a chance to catch his expression this unguarded.]

Neo Politan | RWBY | Ditto Shifter

[youscream]

4.
It's a warm day out, a rather pretty one despite all the rubble and ruin that's been made out of Union. Perfect day for a pleasant stroll down to the new food courts that have just opened up. Not that she's lifted a hand to help with the rebuilding. No, no, hard work is for... other people.

The tiny girl could almost look like some kind of princess with her graceful walk the parasol open above her head and the pair of serious-looking toughs shadowing her. And maybe she could be, in a way, because this is Neo Politan one of the more notorious of Union's criminals. It's probably more than a little brazen of her to be walking around out in the open like this, but what are they going to do throw her in jail? Keeping her there would be futile enough without the giant hole in the side.

At the moment though, she's not out to be bad. In fact, she might even be willing to follow the rules as she walks among the carts, wrinkling her nose a little at the spicy Calderan offerings. That's not to her taste. No, today, she's looking to indulge her sweet tooth.

5
Okay, even considering the circumstances, life isn't all fun and games. There's work to be done and Neo has to do it. The relative chaos and destabilized state of the city and the cover of night is a perfect combination for crime.

Daylight or not, she's happily twirling her parasol over her head and sitting on a Rhyhorn-drawn cart while she watches tonight's gaggle of goons fan out. Tonight's agenda? Good old fashioned burglary. There's a lot of homes and businesses left empty and damaged and just waiting for somebody to stroll in the holes in the wall and take everything they can carry.

Or maybe it's not robbery. Maybe she's out to meet a contact, or oversee a deal if anybody else in town is of the criminal persuasion.

2
Aww, look at all these adorable little baby Pokemon! So tiny, so cute, so rambunctious! It's definitely a handful for all these caretakers to keep the little tykes in line and it seems like things have just started to settle down.

At least until Neo happens. And by happens, we mean she reaches into a coat pocket and scatters double handfuls of Pokemon treats out among the babies and lets havoc reign.

Why does she do this?

Because she can cause a riot in Sunday school.

5~

[whenlifegivesyou]

Perhaps there will be time for an old fashioned burglary later. First, however, is a black market sale: incomplete data obtained from neglected historical archives, plucked unseen in the midst of all the chaos. Fascinating, really, where security priorities lie in Union during times of strife.

There's a wisp of smoke from beneath a tattered awning, where a tall busty woman lounges in wait in the dark; one arm is folded across her stomach, while the other holds her hand high, long fingers balancing a cigarette holder. She certainly appears alone, and certainly looks unconcerned at being alone, in an temporarily abandoned section of the city.

There's a flick of ash, dulled embers lost in the grit and snow of the street. "..Ohh? What have we here." There's a throaty lilt to her voice. "On time, I see."

Weiss Schnee | RWBY | Ice/Fire Master of Battle

[glyphe]

[1]

[she knows very little about Refuge, only that the citizens are allies of Union and that they live underground. today, she has the opportunity to witness people participating in the Shattering. and as wary of these Refugees as she is, Weiss wants to participate. for one reason. she lost her mother and wants to pay respects.

for now, she's kind of standing in the back of the group, observing. she sees a Litwick being set loose into the caves and she fidgets. her Snorunt waits patiently beside her, nudging her a little, but Weiss doesn't budge]

[2]

[Weiss thought that taking care of baby Pokémon would be an easy job. she was wrong. so far, she's been tugged and chewed on, cried on, and... well, she doesn't want to think about what else. why had she volunteered to help? she could have been spending her time training her own Pokémon instead of chasing around these babies.

she grunts as she hefts up a baby Bagon that is currently trying to get at her long ponytail]

Oh, no, you don't. [it roars at her... of course, a baby Pokémon roar isn't very scary] That's enough of that. It's time for your feeding. Now, where did I put that bottle?

[5]

[have another scenario you want to try? lay it on me! planning post is here!]

wildcard; 3-flavored

[kittyears]

[Those pesky flying Pokemon, indeed! Where there are birds, there are cats chasing them, and it seems as though this evening is no different.

A trainer dressed in all black watches as her Purrloin unleashes some furious swipes honed on one of the largest looking Spearows that they have come across. Though the feline makes short work of the unlucky creature, it may also be attracting the wrath of its friends. The trainer seems unphased by the flock closing in on her Purrloin, but really, four against one? How fair can that be?]

Tieria Erde - Gundam 00 - Psychic Enhanced

[vedaandme]

#4

[Tieria had arrived not long ago. He was sent out of Gigas on his mission a while ago, and investigating the recent fight in Union seemed like a good idea. So, he was here under the pretense of helping rebuild as someone from Sanctuary. He'd been in Sanctuary to repress the rebellion, but was able to stay behind after Gigas' retreat to pretend to be a refuge from Gigas and gather information.

As he did so, all signs pointed to him traveling to Union, so that was what he did. And here he was now. After that kind of battle, he knew he had to send word back to Gigas about the condition of Union. But now, standing among it all and watching them rebuild, he felt torn. Were they doing the right thing?]

[healthepot]

[Tieria's not the only one watching the activity as the people of Union rebuild.

Sure, he's a stranger, but Natalia approaches anyway, her Dragonair at her heels. Her words are a bit proud, albeit tinged with sadness.] ... It's incredible, isn't it? How everyone comes together at a time like this.

[If only this destruction hadn't happened in the first place, but it's too late to worry about such a thing now. Natalia turns and offers Tieria a bit of a strained smile.]

Brooklyn - Disney's Gargoyles - Charmander (?) Shifter

[stonebrooklyn]

{OOC: I'm torn on going with Charmander or Aerodactyl... Charmander for the look once he evolves to Charizard, Aerodactyl for the rock powers... though Charizard's Ancient Power is Rock type if I get it approved (it's an egg move). So, yeah... still deciding on that. Feel free to pick which species you'd rather interact with him as.}

#4

[Brought back to Union after being awakened from a stone sleep for a thousand years, Brooklyn was shocked by what he saw. So much had changed after being caught in that spell. Just what had gone wrong? For now, he kept to himself. It had been a major shock to see the ruin of the world around him. Entire cities, just gone. And now he was traveling to one of the few left, said to be the last bastion of civilization, and that, too, was almost in ruin. From what he heard, there had been an earthquake in the last few years, but apparently there had also been a battle only a few days ago.

He couldn't immediately see anything recognizable from before the spell. He didn't know what this city might have been before. Don't mind him as he wanders around in Pokémon form, confused and curious.]

Ranka Lee | Macross Frontier | Bug/Fairy Kindred Soul

[nyan_nyan]

2

[ Well this is NOT what she came here for but word goes out for short-term volunteers, and she's particularly good at communicating with Pokemon; her Azurill's constant bouncing around isn't helping matters, necessarily. ]

Just-just please keep them from fighting?

[ There's an edge of pleading to her voice as she leaves her poor overworked Pokemon to try to keep two Rattata from flailing in the most pathetic way at each other, while she hops on a stool to try to get a Caterpie down from somewhere it doesn't belong. ]

Come here, it's alright, I know it's a bit loud here but you can trust me.

[ ...and the moment she speaks to the to it she puts aside all that stress to focus a smile and some good vibes on the poor little bug. ]

4

[ Why is it so easy to get homesick? Ranka's hardly been in Union, and yet just the smells of a food cart serving food from Caldera almost has her tearing up from missing her brother and friends and all the ways life is just different. It's just plain unfair in too many ways, but at least she can get some lunch that'll take the edge off of that homesick feeling. ]

A-ah... it's just the right amount of spice... you should try this one!

[ Recommendations from someone who's grown up with it count for something, right? ]

5

[ It's a fine time to lose her nerve and chicken out. This isn't her city, and helping to rebuild it and encouraging the people who've lived here all their lives... it feels like she'd be intruding if she sang for them, in a way. Ranka's well aware that that's totally silly and she can't say it to anyone without looking like a doofus, but it still has her on the outskirts of the construction, somewhere peaceful and quiet and, most importantly, somewhere without other people.

Her song is, then, a bit quiet - private - but the Azurill on her shoulder nudges her, gesturing to a few Pokemon that seem distinctly interested, almost mesmerized.

...almost private, then. Pokemon have always seemed far less intrusive to her than humans, at least, and she offers them a smile as she sings. ]

[senpaidol]

[Rise has only met Ranka recently, but as probably the least intimidating Calderan she's ever met (and someone with a terrific taste in music), she's happily following along with the younger girl for recommendations on her favorite kind of foreign cuisine.]

Ooh, I definitely will! Thanks, Ranka.

[Delicious face-melting spiciness...]

Is this how you cook it at home?

kanade minamino | suite precure♪ | normal/fairy kindred soul

[duette]

#4 (a) — OH CUPCAKE, YOU'RE SO SWEET | FOOD!

[ To say that Union is in a state is something of an understatement. And understatements are just not Kanade's style. Nothing really needs to be said for the city's condition, of course, which is why she's letting action speak louder than words. Or rather, she's letting food speak louder than words. Because if there's one universal language, it's all the talking a stomach does when it's empty.

Which is why the Lucky Spoon baking and tea wares empire has shed all its trusses for the time being and joined the numerous rows of food carts available for the hungry masses. Union natives or long-time citygoers may recognize the soft pink and gold emblem of the Minamino family business on the awning, or its sugary aroma, now with a kick of spice. Whatever brings patrons swinging by, recognition or curiosity, Kanade is sure not to let them go without a few words of, ahem, encouragement. The Minamino daughter is fluttering about like she has inexhaustible energy, hair swept back and a bright pink apron tied at her waist. ]

Ah! You there! [ Yes, you! ] You look famished — wait, don't go that way! [ If you let her, she might be snagging you by the elbow, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ] There's some... weird things that way, like a tentacle bowl, and I think something was on fire, probably.

Why don't you try this?

[ Being presented: not a dessert! It's actually a hearty looking stew of some kind, with a spicy Calderan look to it, despite Kanade looking decidedly not Calderan. ]

Go on, it's on the house! Just don't forget to tell me how it tastes, alright?

#4 (b) — YOU GIVE MY HEART A CAVITY | FOOD PT II!

[ Perhaps you didn't want real food. Maybe you just wanted to indiscriminately stuff your face with sugar — the Lucky Spoon is most famous for its sweets, after all. Don't worry, this girl has you covered. As does her Cleffa companion, who is dutifully decorating little no-fuss dessert cups with sprinkles. She also sports her own tiny matching apron, and is very dedicated to her task. They may not have time to prep much, but she's sure this'll do just fine. ]

Thank you, Stella. They look great. Now...

[ Did you venture close to take a look? ...Are you just in the general vicinity?

CLOSE ENOUGH. ]

Welcome, don't be shy. Pick any one you want! Sweets are the perfect pick-me-up when you've been working hard, don't you think? Do you need me to explain the flavors?

[ SAY YES AT YOUR OWN RISK. ]

#4 (c) — ANOTHER FAIRYTALE DOWN THE DRAIN | FOOD PT III!

[ After seeing to much of the food stand's face-to-face interactions throughout the day, Kanade can be found sitting on a nearby wooden crate. Off-duty, she looks a bit sullen. Her apron is draped over her lap, and she has a bowl of food in her lap, though it doesn't look like it's been touched. Her bubbly demeanor has a definite chip in it, now that she's not on the job. So maybe it was a little tiring, having been traveling to gather new food experiences to bring back to Union, only to hear news of the attack and everything that followed. Right down to hopping in to the food cart effort.

Every so often, she'll glance down the street towards a large pile of rubble and dirt. It looks like an entire building had been curbstomped by a dragon, likely because that's exactly what had happened.

That entire building being the one her family was going to turn into a restaurant for Union's travelers.

Kanade sighs, fixated on that plot of upturned earth and stone. ]

So much for that...

(ooc. feel free to wildcard her or assume union-based cr!!)

4C

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[Another day, another pile of rubble dragged around. Seems like that's all she's been doing since she got to this city and it's starting to get a little frustrating. Yeah, yeah, Union is Caldera's ally and being Calderan it's her responsibility to lend her aid however she can, but she'd come here for a reason, damnit, and everything just leads to another dead end.

It's frustrating and discouraging and she's starting to feel like she's just being jerked around by this whole thing. Glancing down, she kicks at the rubble filling the lot she's cutting through, shoulders slouched sullenly as she vents a little irritation by kicking some rocks out onto the street ahead of her. She walks right out and it's then that she becomes aware of somebody there looking in her direction. She lifts her head, blinks and straightens, eyes going wide.]

.... [Is that-?] Kanade?

Hinahoho | Magi: Sinbad no Bouken | Ice/Fighting Glacier-native

[coldadapted]

4-A

[The most difficult thing about adapting to Union's infrastructure was that everything was so small. For a man towering at just under a solid 8 feet tall, the height difference alone was enough to make going through doors an annoyance-- it was a small fortune that food carts were outside, where there was still plenty of space.

...Unfortunately, most of the fare seemed somewhat tame. And sweet. Behold the giant shirtless man with a mess of blue hair cascading down his back pondering over the array of sweets at one of the stands. Did people actually eat this...?]

4 B

[Night had fallen, and the bars were always where the action was at. Even in times of crisis, people found ways to indulge in the harder drinks, and Hinahoho was impressed with some of the concoctions that the Calderans had brought into town with them.

Unfortunately, while he was distracted by the fun, a little Swinub went walk about.

Cue the giant man in the middle of the night, looking down every street for the little fuzzy piglet.]

Rolo~! Rolo, where are you?!

5

[Wildcard! Make up a scenario! Hinahoho's new in Union, and a towering man with a ton fo blue hair and a tiny swinub is hard to miss!]

5

[conquerorofwaves]

[Getting time to sail was always a treat for him, especially in strange waters - but he hadn't expected that giant Gyarados to come out of nowhere, sending his boat flying. He landed hard as the pokemon dives again, groaning low in pain]

What the hell-?!

[With that, Sinbad scrambles up to to scan the waters, trying to sense what would happen next]

Cyan | Show By Rock!! | Everything else TBA probably Fairy of some kind

[nonstopyouth]

[1] [Oh no. This had been a bad idea. She thought, Oh maybe this would be a new opportunity to learn about something she didn't know about! Refuge sounded really friendly!]

[It was dark and she was lost and the little light pokemon she'd been following wandered off without her. The dark was bad, the dark was where scary things came out to do terrible things to you. She didn't like the dark.]

[Also Strawberry Heart, her guitar, was conviniently silent, offering none of his usual advice.]

[What was she to do? Curl up in a ball and try not to freak out, clearly.]

Help me...

[5]

[Union was a nice place so far, but being alone and in a new place was tricky. Especially if you had no money. So, Cyan could be found sitting on the edge of a fountain. In her hands is a fascinating looking guitar. Even more curious was the music she played. Bouncy rock n roll was probably pretty unheard of to Union. For her situation, she seems to be in pretty good spirits, smiling and bopping her head as she plays, her black cat-like tail swishing back and forth.]

[If you like it please drop her a tip in her guitar case that would be awesome. She's hungry.]

1

[actsmagnificent]

Jolteoooonnn!!

[ Someone heard the word help! And here he comes, barrelling through the tunnel for the source. Someone is here. Here, away from the rest of the people! They must really be in trouble, and this is his chance to finally prove that he can -

- trip over a rock and go flying at her out of nowhere, apparently. Look out! ] Eeeee!

[ A faint voice down in the darkness can barely be heard saying "oi..." ]

Lemon Browning | Super Robot Wars | Psychic/Flying Homunculus Engineer

[whenlifegivesyou]

#4. Union's generosity did not seem to have lessened in spite of circumstances, or perhaps people here liked to overlook the opportunistic vulture aspect of these food carts in favour of having something fresh and different and new to take their mind off tragedy.

It made little difference to Lemon, or the Meowth trotting gamely at her heels. She's a rather startling sight in purple, pink hair arranged artfully, and she occasionally stops to admire what the vendors are wearing as much as what they have to sell. Occasionally, the cigarette holder is twirled by idle fingers, though it never appears lit, but it's not until she catches sight of someone interesting in the crowd that she flicks it forward to point it at them.

"You there!" Her smile is winsome, but those eyes miss nothing. "What would you recommend to try?"


#5a. And here at last, approval had arrived: though Union's council had tightened their control on the passage of trade and immigration, approval to take up an available tenancy in the city had been given. Lemon would have preferred to buy outright, but beggars could not be choosers, and she was a patient woman. She could bide her time, and buy a bigger place once business resumed booming.

And it would. Both Union and Shadow Mirror's coffers would thank her for it.

So it is that Lemon might be found wandering the market district, the very picture of professional curiousity - though perhaps occasionally lost? All this building work and redirection signs do tend to send a newcomer astray..


#5b. [ wild card go! Throw something at me! ]

[nonstopyouth]

Well, she's at least cute so maybe she will pass her inspection. She is startled by being suddenly called out and it shows. Her eats shoot up and her tail puffs, grasping the strap of her guitar case.

"E-Eh? me?" Oh no, she was being put on the spot. "Um...The stall with food from citadel down the street was pretty good..."

Dustin Brooks | Power Rangers Ninja Storm | Ground/Fighting Master of Training Ranger

[windyellow]

[1.]
[As an out of Towner himself, Dustin made sure to make himself useful. If only Kapri the Purrloin didn't want to scare the people so much...] Man, Kapri. You're downright scary sometimes. We're supposed to be helping out, man! Why can't you be more like Kelly?

[Said Pancham is busy on the lookout for any Litwik or incoming people]

Titus Alexius | Magi | Fairy/Ghost Homunculus

[curiosita]

1

[The Shattering. It was a fascinating affair for the young man who had never dreamed of setting foot outside of his city before. The caverns, lit only by the flickering glow of the little litwicks who tried to pretended to stay in hiding from the strangers who ventured forth to try to grasp one, didn't pose any sort of fear for him. Rather, he strode down the passages with the full confidence of someone who knew what he was doing with eyes that were wide with the fascination of a child.

The steel-typed rapier by his side was needless in this setting-- the ghosts knew when they had found one of their own.

Passers by would find themselves stumbling upon Titus in the shadows of the cave, accompanied by half a dozen litwicks who wanted to play. Giggling like a child who had found a pack of feral Meowths, he couldn't help but want to play along.]

4

[People were only strangers to eachother until they sat down and enjoyed a meal together. Food was the one commonality among all living beings, and it was a wonderful way to learn something new about the world. Though Titus was working hard in helping with the repairs in the medical centers, organizing materials and supplies with a keen eye for detail and an enviable level of foresight, he still hadn't actually sat down to dine with anyone...

Partly because he was too busy staring at the food carts in wonder, delighted by the bustling business and somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer variety of the options.]

...What should we try first? [He could be heard asking the little Espurr in his arms, truly at a loss of where to begin. Truth be told, he wanted to try it all!]

5

[Wildcard! Make up a scenario if you have something better in mind!]

1

[conquerorofwaves]

[Well the hundreds of tiny little giggles caught his attention, causing him wander away from the group he's with to investigate, as a growlith kept close to his leg]

Anyone there...?

[Sinbad calls outs, raising his own light to get a better look at his surroundings, suppressing a faint shiver at how acutely he seem to pick up the presence of ghosts thanks to his typing]