[Video/Action for THE WOODS somewhere outside Violet and off the Routes.]

[yoctogram]

((Backdated to May 20th)

[The Pokegear clicks on to show

and is accompanied by the complaints of a pair of Eevees explaining to any Pokemon listening that they are cold, tired, hungry, and their trainer is completely insane.

[One of them hops out of the frame and then the 'Gear is moved in a wobbly circle. Sho is trying to remove a wild Caterpie from his face where it is expressing it's disapproval of the whole situation, his Zorau is staring morosely at his now-furless tail, Sho's Flareon is apologising loudly to the Zorau, and the majority of the rest of the Pokemon are doing their best to comfort Jack Frost, who is propped up against a tree with his head in his hands; the perfect picture of someone who has reached the end of his rope and is now swinging with no hope of help.]

Comments

[Action to pass the time because I can't help it]

[justanexpression]

[The fire had really sort of been the last straw. Luckily, the pokemon all seem to agree with him. It's a small comfort.]

You know, I'm pretty sure dying like this would set a new record.

[Patch chitters sadly from his lap. Really, what else can she do but agree?]

[yoctogram]

HNNNNG!

[Help was a little hard to get from around a Caterpie. It really was.]

[justanexpression]

...Right.

Jack glanced at Zeta. "I should probably help him, huh?" He had come along to make sure Sho didn't get into trouble, and this was technically trouble.

[yoctogram]

The flick of her tail, and set of her ears, suggested that maybe he could let Sho stagger around for a little while longer. He deserved it for getting them lost. Cats.

[justanexpression]

Eh... this cat wasn't wrong. He settled back, as comfortably as he could get when surrounded by utter chaos, and snuggled Patch close while scritching Zeta's favorite spot.

"Yeah, you're right. Give it five minutes." Maybe.

[yoctogram]

RZF purred contentedly while watching her trainer struggle. Yes. He deserved this. He deserved this so much.

[belphe]

For however long it was Sho was left to deal with the caterpie suctioned onto his face to the satisfaction of everyone he'd led off on a wild goosechase into the woods, Belphe had set out as promised.

A dark shadow passed overhead, and the sound of leathery wings beating the air could be heard as Eros circled the crowd below and then moved to land off to the side with a snort of disappointment. Typical. No pretty girls here.

Belphegor slid from his back, recalling him to his ball before moving to approach. Tie hadn't been kidding...sanity had clearly taken a holiday.

[justanexpression]

At first, he thought, perhaps this was what hallucinating felt like. He'd never done it himself, obviously, not having been human before, but he was now, so maybe he could.

But no, he was almost positive that was the girl who'd headbutted Sho so spectacularly back in Violet. Whether her showing up here was a good thing or not, he had no idea. He stood, just in case, being careful not to dislodge any pokemon unexpectedly, even as Patch quickly rearranged herself on his shoulder.

"Are you the cavalry or here to put us out of our misery?" Really, he'd take either.

[belphe]

"The pokemon asked me to set things back in order." was her reply, not seeming terribly thrilled with this amazing mess she was now expected to sort out. She eyed the frost-crowned young man curiously as it dawned on her that he was a new face, however.

"Did he bring you into this as well?"

[justanexpression]

He laughed a little sheepishly. "Heh. Sort of? I kinda brought myself into it. He was just upset enough that I didn't want to let him wander off alone..."

He trailed off as he remembered how good that idea had sounded weeks ago. Speaking of which, someone should probably free Sho before he suffocated, and it looked like that someone might as well be him. He sighed and trudged over.

Would the Caterpie be nice and come off or was someone going to have to do something drastic? Not any of the fire pokemon. Someone else. Anyone else.

[yoctogram]

The Caterpie came off at Jack's urging, leaving Sho gasping for air and giving a thumbs-up as thanks.

"Belphegor! You're here!" oh, such relief.

[belphe]

[she starts a bit, not entirely sure why. It would occur to her later it was because he'd, for the first time, used her proper name. The dour look quickly returns, however...those suction-cup bruises on his face aren't especially respect-inspiring.]

They said they weren't being fed. [she responds, casting her eyes to the nearby pokemon]

[justanexpression]

They're doing better than us.

[But if this is going to be an interrogation before anyone goes anywhere, he's going to go back to where he'd been sitting when she arrived. He felt near enough to melting that arguing was just too much work.]

[belphe]

[Not necessarily an interrogation so much as Belphe reeling at not being able to believe this shit. Nonetheless, it looks like Tie has gotten the cookware out as she'd asked, so she unshoulders her backpack and drops to one knee, dumping out the contents of her rations pocket]

In that case, have what you like.

[she invites Jack and...really, whoever else at the impromptu campsite as she begins to pick and choose ingredients to make soup. There's an array of ready-made food from the convenience store, however...when one owns a Snorlax, it's best to keep a lot of sugary quickly-available treats on-hand if it happens to wake up]

[justanexpression]

[His stomach rumbles at the sight of all the food, which makes him give it an odd look. Even after a month, being hungry is still strange.

It doesn't stop him from edging closer, though, and grabbing one of the bags.]

Thanks.

[His voice drops, trying to keep Sho from overhearing. He wouldn't have said anything before, but this long with Sho, he has to commiserate.] ...Not sure I'd have come back if someone torched my stuff.

[belphe]

[The sidelong look she gives him strongly suggests that, had Sho been alone, she very well might NOT have come back.]

I was there when most of his team hatched. I feel I owe it to them to ensure they stay safe.

Do your pokemon need to eat as well?

[justanexpression]

It probably wouldn't hurt. They've been spending a lot of time in their balls, though, and Patch here's pretty good at fending for herself.

[The Pachirisu chitters proudly, hopping down from Jack's shoulder to finally go and investigate all the food herself.]

So maybe take care of Sho's first?

[belphe]

[Belphe absently gives Patch a gentle pat as she explores the dumped rations before fishing out a package of poketreats, passing by Sho in search of two eevees in particular]

Nor...? Nand...?

[yoctogram]

[The two Eevees came bolting out of the bushes when she called them, bumbling and flopping as though they were still babies until they could put their front paws on her legs and cry up at her happily. Mommy was HERE! Things were going to be okay!]

[belphe]

[In spite of being put-out about being made to come back, the eevees scrambling to meet her force a smile out of the middle sister as she kneels, breaking open the foil of the package to offer them both food]

Shh...settle down, it's all right. [she soothes, taking turns petting either of them]

[yoctogram]

[They had to prance happily and rub their heads against her hands before they even take the food, eating rapidly but also looking up at her over and over again to make sure she wasn't leaving again.]

[justanexpression]

You sure those're yours, Sho?

[Jack had opened a packet for Patch, and was just watching the reunion now. It would have been even cuter if it didn't involve being lost in the woods in the first place.]

[yoctogram]

They're kind of...both of ours.

[Sho admitted uncomfortably]