enjoymyatelier | ???? [video/action for most places] JINGLE BELLS JINGLE BELLS SEIHAI SENSHOU

[Given how Kayneth reacted during that whole nightmare deal, one would think that he would be stoked to have his abilities back yet again, and that was possibly true during the first hour or so.

However, his spirits quickly darkened when he was made aware that he did not, in fact, receive a large amount of mercury to go with said abilities... instead, quite recently, something else had started following him around.

Something far more annoying.

The feed opens with an extremely sour-looking Kayneth, and... is that an instrumental version of Jingle Bells...? No, it definitely is. Also hail, for whatever reason.

Actually, upon looking at the rest of the picture, it becomes clear that the source of both is a boombox-wielding Abomasnow, who is staring at him somewhat expectantly... along with an assorted set of Delibird, Snover, Stantler, some very slightly unseasonal winter Sawsbuck, and some weird iceberg thing with inexplicably functional blinking Christmas lights hung all over it.

Expression aside, Kayneth seems to be doing his damnedest to ignore the Pokemon behind him, because he would not be in a seasonal mood even if it wasn't a month early.]

I believe that a day or so, someone suggested that we use these instances to try and explore locations we're not usually permitted to enter... has anyone actually had anything resembling luck with that? I've been doing my best to make my way to Saffron or Cerulean or somewhere, but I keep finding myself anywhere but-

[He stops, because a winter Deerling is gently nudging his hand. Rather than being charmed, he simply sighs in frustration. Well, it wouldn't discuss to talk about what he really wants to do with this crowd, but...]

Of course, this crowd seems to be following me everywhere, and I haven't been able to actually walk into a Pokemon Center to get any Fire Pokemon to frighten them off. Does anyone have some decent ideas on how to get some unseasonal Christmas carolers to simply go away?

[And hey, maybe if you run into him in person anywhere outside of Ecruteak, Cerulean, or Saffron, you can experience some holiday cheer too! ...even thought it's not even December yet shut up]

(OOC: I have no regrets. This was the only path.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Quite possibly. I wouldn't be too surprised if some of the people here just thought it was a waste of time... which, well, you don't really know until you look into it, do you?

True. I know that my friends tend to answer polls fairly regularly but - perhaps that says something about my taste in friends more than anything else?

Perhaps it does... granted, haven't a few of your friends set a fair bit of those up themselves?

Busted! They really do. I suppose people from my universe are just predisposed both to writing polls and answering them. Of course, most of them have been here for quite some time, and have an interest.

That probably also explains part of it. I'll admit that my curiosity is piqued more easily than most, but I can't imagine not developing an interest in this place after being here for more than a year.

I can't, either! Especially since it seems likely we'll be here longer still. Not taking an interest in the place we're trapped in would seem...well, a little silly?

It seems like most people have a casual interest, at the very least --- save for the sorts who are willingly ignorant.

True. I mean, I do know some people would prefer to just stay here always. Those sorts probably don't care about the details.

Wouldn't it be more important to understand this place, then...?

Then again, no one is really punished that harshly if they don't, I suppose.

Or punished at all? I mean...I don't count community service or a night in jail as "punishment", really.

At worst, it's a mildly humiliating slap on the wrist. Given that there's a prominent organized crime syndicate in the region, I have absolutely no idea what they're thinking.

I suppose that aside from Team Rocket they don't really have much trouble with crime, though. At least...I've never noticed anything particularly bad aside from that, have you?

No, you're right. I've heard one or two things about delinquents, but that's hardly anything compared to the actual organized crime syndicate. I'm not sure if the fact that there's a monopoly is better or worse in the long run, though...

You know, I really couldn't say, either. I suppose the fact that there just aren't a lot of crimes aside from Team Rocket might explain the...really sort of tap on the wrist punishments?

[ LIKE, REALLY. ]

It might, though the fact that there seems to be more emphasis on arresting people who skip work than taking out the actual crime syndicate is... worrying, at least.

You can't fault their work ethic, at least!

...honestly, for the reason I just mentioned, I think you can...

Well...I meant that they take people skipping out on work very seriously indeed!

There is that, yes.

...Speaking of which, I actually have a shift coming up, whoops.

...wait, they even expect you to work now?

I'm not sure! I mean, I was on the calendar for today? But will they even notice in this if I'm not there?

[ IT'S NOT LIKE SHE'S IN THE CITY LIMITS... ]

Honestly, I think I'd be more concerned if they did notice, at this point...

???? [video/action for most places] JINGLE BELLS JINGLE BELLS SEIHAI SENSHOU

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]