[PKMN] SPACE CASE!

[Lilium Mortem]

bones

[skinstealer]

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
Our heroes came face to face with the threat of death...who knew that traveling on a League journey could be so treacherous?!

Will they continue forward with dread in their hearts, or determination? There's only one way to find out...in SPACE CASE! 

EPISODE 13: Growth and Decay

---

 

FROND: Alright, just a minute more-



 

You are now Stretch.

And you are waiting on breakfast.

Frond had always talked about wanting to get into cooking, but- you have to admit you're impressed. You're usually pretty picky, but- even the charti-seasoned meals sit well with you.

FROND: Aaaand here we go!

 

 

Minerva's food is softened again, and to your relief- she's clearer-headed today.





...still-

MINERVA: S-so-
MINERVA: Why are we...in a house?
STRETCH: ...needed shelter.
MINERVA: oh...
MINERVA: Can I say hi to th-
STRETCH: Owners aren't in.

 

She tilts her head at you, only for you to take the opportunity to get some food in her mouth.

MINERVA: Mmf-

 

She gives you a look as she swallows the food, not buying your evasive maneuver.


You are going to have to bring out the big guns if you want to avoid further questions.

STRETCH: ....good girl.

 

Her face lights up, expression softening immediately.



....mission success.

FROND: ....

 

Frond and Eerie sit off to the side, comparing maps on their navs.

FROND: Looks like we can go up this path-
EERIE: Kinda steep.
FROND: Offroad could keep us out of sight.
FILIGREE: Would Minnie be good for it?

 

The two of them look over at the bat.

EERIE: ...i mean, she can- talk.

 

Frond does a shaky hand, looking back at the map.

FROND: ...maybe this would be better.
FILIGREE: ....

 

The bellsprout folds their leaves, looking particularly uneasy.

FILIGREE: ...don't like that it hasn't worn off yet.
FROND: Me either.
FROND: ...Eerie, does this usua-
EERIE: Wouldn't know.

 

It comes out quickly, the rhyhorn looking guiltily away.

EERIE: Didn't get that far.
EERIE: Never even got close to whatever level that guy was on.
STRETCH: ....level?

 

She doesn't respond.

STRETCH: Eerie.
EERIE: ....it's for the best I didn't, alright?
EERIE: You have to go through some serious shit to get that strong.
FILIGREE: ...I saw it.
FILIGREE: When using the mist.

 

Eerie nods.

EERIE: I-
EERIE: I left before they could push me that hard.

 

You open your mouth, prepping to ask what exactly-





your head wrapped in bandages





-but you hold off.







....some things are best left for another time.

FILIGREE: Whatever it is, it doesn't behave like mine.
FILIGREE: Seems like the mist's effects only last as long as I can hold it...
FROND: Centers deal with this and worse all the time.
FROND: There's one outside of the Institute-
STRETCH: That's our best bet.
STRETCH: ...especially if this has been a problem.
EERIE: ....non-zero chance.
STRETCH: We'll take it.










MINERVA: mmmmmm

 

The golbat hums, extremely pleased with the current arrangement. She occasionally nuzzles against you, getting between your antennae and-

You really really wish this could wait for later.

FROND: Caaaareful there, bud-

 

Like.

STRETCH: i've got it.

 

Maybe.

EERIE: uuuh

 

WHEN NOT ON THE EDGE OF A CLIFF.

STRETCH: I've

 

You grit your teeth, keeping Minnie's tether as close to you as possible, hovering at the best pace you can manage between "getting this over with" and "not dropping both of you multiple stories."

STRETCH: Got

 

Thankfully, she doesn't mind-

STRETCH: It.

 

-when you allow yourself to be a walking body massage.




The second you reach a stable landing, you nearly want to collapse, leaning against a rock wall and panting.



....you've been having such a hard time keeping your breath stable.



Stress.

Minerva gets one last cuddle in, blue energy pulses crackling against her neck.

MINERVA: my herooooooo

 

It's just stress.

 

It takes Eerie a minute to catch up, wincing- she had been lagging behind, insisting it's just to keep Minerva from taking a tumble if you fail.

You all know better than that, seeing her occasionally poke the bandage and wince.

It was healing decently enough on a surface level thanks to some careful potion application, but from your own experience with...certain...blood related events....




It had to be sore internally.

That took more time, especially with less strong meds.

You're going to have to upgrade your supplies as soon as possible if this is what you're going up against.



She lets out an exhausted sigh of relief as she realizes the worst is over.

EERIE: ....thank fuck.
FROND: Still got more to go, unfortunately...
FILIGREE: How much more?

 

Frond taps at his nav screen, the brief look on his face speaking louder than words.

STRETCH: ...right.
STRETCH: Hgh.
FROND: The next bit's pretty smooth elevation-wise, though.
FROND: Flat plateau for the next hour.
EERIE: next hour you have to be kidding me
FROND: And I marked down somewhere we can stop, have lunch, take a bathroom break-
STRETCH: Proper itinerary.
FROND: Somebody's gotta!

 

He sounds more strained than usual, his cheeriness hitting some kind of limit.



Your antennae pulse for a moment.



It sinks in.


Everyone else looks so





so terrible.


You are the only one who doesn't look like like hell right now, at least physically.
Everyone else looks beat up to shit, barely hanging on morale-wise-

-and you're still caught in the middle of the route.

There's no chance to go back at this point, only through.


Even with the upcoming hike being easier for a while-

STRETCH: I
STRETCH: can
STRETCH: ....

 

A deep, agonized breath.

STRETCH: provide. entertainment.
EERIE: Eh?
EERIE: Speak up.
STRETCH: I said I can keep people's-
STRETCH: ....their minds off of things.
STRETCH: While we walk.
FILIGREE: ....uh
FILIGREE: hhhhow?
STRETCH: ....I don't know, I-
STRETCH: i know some stories or something
FROND: Oh, shit!

 

His face lights right up.

FROND: You mean the ones about-
STRETCH: yes frond the clefairy legends that's literally the only ones i know.
FROND: And it's relevant!

 

It takes you a moment to get going.

STRETCH: ....Mt. Moon is-

 

This is not your strong suit.

STRETCH: Mmgh.

 

But-

STRETCH: ....thousands and thousands of years ago, this is where Kanto made first contact.
EERIE: ....with-?
STRETCH: Space.
STRETCH: Extraterrestrial life.

 

The interjection you expect never comes.

STRETCH: Nn.
STRETCH: okay
 

Deep breath.

STRETCH: The people in this region looked to the stars, trying to find answers.
STRETCH: People in villages would claim that they'd heard something whispering to them on the full moon.
STRETCH: At first, it- it seemed like just a couple of crackpots.
STRETCH: Locals no one would believe.
STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: But they started cropping up more and more around here- where Cerulean and Pewter now stand.

 

You guide Minerva around a rock, falling into a rhythm of checking the ground around you and remembering what comes next.

STRETCH: Eventually, the fullest moon anyone had ever seen came-
STRETCH: And a massive falling star came down, hitting the mountain so hard that it made a tunnel straight through, clean cut and even.

 

You make a finger gun, pretending to fire.

STRETCH: Like shooting a bullet.
EERIE: ....nothing can do that to a fucking mountain.
FILIGREE: But-
FILIGREE: That's what the Institute is shaped like, right?
FROND: Pewter's end of it, yeah!
FROND: They have a dome on top and everything!
STRETCH: ...correct.
STRETCH: People flocked to the crater, connecting the tunnels where cave pokemon lived to the outside to make traveling easier.
STRETCH: Entire populations introduced to each other for the first time-
STRETCH: Brought together by an asteroid.
EERIE: So-
EERIE: I mean-
EERIE: ...what happened next.

 

There's the tiniest bit of satisfaction to hearing her genuinely curious, driving you to continue.

STRETCH: The people made their way down the mountain, carving paths in a tiered spiral down the crater's sides.
STRETCH: When they finally reached the bottom-
STRETCH: The rock had split open, revealing its contents underneath the rubble.
STRETCH: Bodies.

 

The party pales, Minerva, nuzzling up in a barely lucid whine.

MINERVA: Bodies-
MINERVA: that'ssss. scaryy.
STRETCH: no no no they weren't dead
STRETCH: They. They were not dead.
FILIGREE: could've lead with that
STRETCH: MM.
STRETCH: Anyway.
STRETCH: There were dozens, maybe hundreds, of unconscious beings.
STRETCH: They had been hidden by broken meteorite chunks.
STRETCH: Unresponsive, but alive.
STRETCH: The people brought them up the spiral, carrying every single one of them out of the wreckage-
STRETCH: Carving out chambers along the way to tend to them. Housing.
STRETCH: They took to food, water, care- and eventually. They awoke.
STRETCH: ...they could not speak our language, but learned quickly.
STRETCH: Grateful for the help- for their new home-
STRETCH: They were happy to work together.
STRETCH: We know them now as clefairies and clefables.
FILIGREE: ....I thought that was just-
FILIGREE: ...y'know, a fairy tale.
EERIE: Could still be. It did say these are legends.
FROND: Lots of legends are history too!
STRETCH: It-


 

You don't get to finish your sentence.





The sound of someone slamming into the wall next to you sends the world into slow motion, your brain trying to parse what had happened in that split second.

Dust and rubble sprays from the impact, your body moving from instinct to pull Minerva close and shield her from any shrapnel.


Something is here.
Someone.


Your eyes catch a glint of metal, three spheres reflecting the harsh sunlight-

Magneton. No chance of anything else.
Only two local hivemind species with that kind of cerberus-style body plan, not like that.


You can barely make out her pupils as she pushes herself off the wall, a fearful screech bursting out of her.


Panic.
Raw panic-





and in the frantic attempt to get away from whatever's chasing her












she slams into Frond












and everything goes white.







You only hear ringing
A sharp noise.

Sudden light.



You think there's a brief moment of a rock hitting your shoulder hard enough to pierce it, your body repulsing it out and leaving blood dripping down your arm.






You are halfway between here and somewhere long ago






the bright lights shining in your eyes the feeling of












You smell the rot.





Minerva's whimper keeps you grounded enough to keep her at your side, stumbling towards the scent as the world spins.


You have to get to him

You have to


get to


Frond



Your chest hurts.

It isn't working right.


Just stress.

This happens.


You taste blood.

That's fine.

Something just cut your lip.




You hear Eerie's voice, her words indiscernible.


There's a blue shape by Frond.

That's probably her.


You think you see Filigree too.

Your vision swims.




Your heart pounds.



You think you tell Eerie to take Minerva, and the harness loosens,
cut-
maybe torn-



It doesn't matter.


Minnie would be okay.



Fili and Eerie would do better with her than you ever could.




Why would you ever be any good for someone like her?





The rot is so strong as you draw closer, kneeling an inch off the ground, by his side.


Overwhelming.




You think you hear someone retch.





Frond makes a sound, and you feel his hand reach for yours.

STRETCH: Shh.

 

You take it, listening to him gag as the pulse hits him.

And yet he calms,
his breath steadying along with yours.

Edges sharpen, things becoming clear.

FROND: m..
FROND: m'okay.
EERIE: Bullshit-

 

She coughs, covering her snout with one hand and holding Minerva close to her body with the other.

Even with the rot scent dissipating, it's obvious that she's not handling it well.





because she's normal and you are not

EERIE: Y-you just got blown the fuck up-
FROND: J. Just
FROND: A flesh wound.
EERIE: YOUR FLESH SHOULDN'T BE WOUNDED

 

You get your backpack off, your movements still feeling automatic as you root around.

Potions running low.
Not good.
Probably wouldn't help much right now.


You raise a fist at him.

STRETCH: How many fingers am I holding up.
FROND: threeee?
STRETCH: Concussed.
FILIGREE: Does-
FILIGREE: I don't have a brain, I highly doubt he does-

 

Frond clearly tries to crack wise, only to stagger and push at his head.

STRETCH: Biology lesson comes later.
STRETCH: Don't have enough to treat him here.
EERIE: Wh-
EERIE: The hell are we supposed to do?!
STRETCH: ...how far are we.

 

Filigree scrambles for their nav, pulling up the map.

FILIGREE: shit shit shit
FILIGREE: I. I don't-
STRETCH: Focus.

 

It comes out harsh.

You don't care.

FILIGREE: We c-can probably get there tomorrow-
EERIE: With everyone but Stretch this fucked up?!
STRETCH: No choice.
STRETCH: Optimize. Now.

 

Filigree and Eerie exchange panicked looks.

FILIGREE: u-uh
EERIE: I'll take Minnie.

 

The golbat is clinging onto her at this point, Eerie not bothering to protest.

EERIE: Can't deal with whatever happened to Frond earlier.
EERIE: You can...get close to him, or whatever.
EERIE: We'll swap bodyguard duty.
STRETCH: Right.
FILIGREE: I'll l-lead.
EERIE: What happens when YOU get blown up
EERIE: AGAIN.
FILIGREE: The hell other option do we-

 

There's heavy movement in the brush, Eerie yanking both Minerva and Fili into a huddle while you haul up Frond into your arms.



Your eyes widen as the figure steps forward, staggering-





-more exhausted than threatening.





Well.




Aside from xer size.







The venusaur in front of you pants, posture slumped.
Xer eyes widen as xey see your group, backing away as if you were far, far scarier than xer brick wall of a frame-






Lip trembling, sniffling.

VENUSAUR: D-
VENUSAUR: DON'T-


 

Xer voice cracks, on the verge of tears.

VENUSAUR: I JUST WANT TO GET HOME!



 

Uh.



Huh.

STRETCH: We-

 

Eerie lets out an irritated huff, your own posture going slack at the apparent lack of threat.

EERIE: We're not attacking you, idiot!
FILIGREE: F-
FILIGREE: YOU scared US!

 

Minerva lets out another one of her hazy whimpers, Filigree rushing over to pat her side and shush her.
Seeing the golbat gets xer eyes watering, making a wet, anxious croak.

VENUSAUR: I-I-
STRETCH: RELAX.
STRETCH: We're not Osteo.

 

Xey're quiet, clenching and unclenching xer tiny claws as xey try to get a grip.

You keep your eyes on xem.

VENUSAUR: W-well-
VENUSAUR: It's n-not my fault you all look so-
VENUSAUR: So SCARY!
FILIGREE: ....eh?

 

Oh.




You are all covered in blood, bruises, and sweat.

That may explain it.

EERIE: You'd look this shit too if you've been dealing with Osteo-
VENUSAUR: Wh-
VENUSAUR: What do you think I've BEEN doing?

 

Xer voice comes out indignant, hands suddenly on xer sides.

VENUSAUR: I've had to fight for my life out here all day!

 

...





.........





There's a bit of dirt on xem- but that's it.





Hoo boy.







Wait.

Looking at xer outfit-





A simple dress, glasses, and a coat with a star pin.

STRETCH: ....Lunar Institute?

 

The venusaur's eyes widen, xer own posture relaxing.

VENUSAUR: Oh
VENUSAUR: Y-yes!
VENUSAUR: My name-

 

Xey strike a proud pose, looking somewhat ridiculous with xer face all snotty.

VENUSAUR: -is Sweetpea!
SWEETPEA: Proud intern to THE Dr. Asterism!

 

Xey wait for any of you to recognize the name





only to be met with blank stares.

SWEETPEA: ....
SWEETPEA: Cmon, now!
SWEETPEA: S-surely you've-
EERIE: Do we look like moon geeks?
SWEETPEA: HMPH.
SWEETPEA: Well, you HAVE to have-

 

It's xer turn to take you in.

SWEETPEA: ....wait
SWEETPEA: Y-you're-
SWEETPEA: Oh my god.

 

You squeeze your eyes shut.



Please, no.

SWEETPEA: You're the SHOOTING STARS!

 

you just need to get to this fucking mountain

SWEETPEA: I saw your challenge!
STRETCH: Cool. Awesome.
STRETCH: Happy to meet a fan.

 

You gesture wildly to the gloom in your arms and the rest of your nearly-defeated team.

STRETCH: We need safety.
SWEETPEA: ...oh!
SWEETPEA: Yeah, that-
SWEETPEA: ....you do look pretty bad right now.
FILIGREE: thanks.
SWEETPEA: But!

 

Xer eyes light up in a way that fills you with dread.

SWEETPEA: With you by my side, I should be able to get to the checkpoint a-okay!
EERIE: uhhh
SWEETPEA: No Osteo goons will bother me with YOU around!
EERIE: nobody tell xem
FILIGREE: nooope



 

You pick up on a few things about Sweetpea on your trek through the brush.

1) Despite seeming oblivious to the fact that "running from Osteo" also meant "getting our asses kicked", xey definitely know a lot about the area and its risks. Good.
2) Xey're definitely some kind of type variant, the delicate flower at the base of xer tail shifting colors as xey speak. You feel like you've read about this somewhere- an atypical one for sure, though it's on the tip of your tongue.
3) Xey talk a lot.

SWEETPEA: And, it's just-
SWEETPEA: I follow a lot of the gym stuff on TV- casually, yknow?
SWEETPEA: I'm not a jock or anything.
EERIE: Uh huh.

 

It's Eerie's turn to get the Minerva snuggle special, the golbat seemingly enjoying getting some itches scratched by nuzzling up to her crests in between looking painfully disoriented.

At first, the rhyhorn had protested, only to realize it kept her from whimpering and starting to cry- a necessary sacrifice.

SWEETPEA: And Pewter has not gotten anything in so long.
SWEETPEA: It's depressing!
SWEETPEA: No one had even seen the new gym, and all of the rumors!
SWEETPEA: Crazy!

 

You're surprised Frond hasn't gotten sick again in your arms, but he's definitely barely conscious and hiccuping dangerously if you hold him too close to your torso.

It hurts your arms to carry someone so heavy a distance away from your body, but you have no idea how bad he could get with the full brunt of the pulse.




....for all you know you could be making it wor-

SWEETPEA: But they actually don't look too bad!
SWEETPEA: Like, freaky, sure, but let me tell you I went to bat for 'em around the water coole-

 

Xey pause, gesturing widely to a massive gated wall.

You hadn't even notice it come up between your own thoughts and xer chattering.

SWEETPEA: Tada!
STRETCH: ...this the checkpoint?
SWEETPEA: Mhm!

 

Xey stomp over to a keypad, punching in a code and flashing xer pin at a camera.

The door unlocks, xer tail swaying happily.

SWEETPEA: Let's get you all fixed up!






 

The checkpoint is a small compound composed of tents and first aid stations, some more enclosed structures featuring computers and radios.

Your team is more than a little relieved to have nav chargers available, and even more thankfully- Sweetpea knows first aid.

EERIE: OW.

 

...though xer technique could use a little work.

SWEETPEA: Stop wiggling-!
EERIE: Y-you're the one being too rough!
SWEETPEA: I have large hands, short arms, and tiny claws!
EERIE: I've got even less claws than you!
STRETCH: Please stop bickering.

 

You're on watch duty for both Frond and Minerva, getting both of them some water and rations- helpfully provided by your wonderful host.

SWEETPEA: Hmph.
SWEETPEA: Well-

 

Xey back up, Eerie's arm cleaned and re-bandaged.

SWEETPEA: There you go.
SWEETPEA: How'd you get cut so bad, anyway?

 

Everyone exchanges looks.

STRETCH: ...travel accident.
SWEETPEA: Oh!
SWEETPEA: Well. Sensible.

 

A collective sigh of relief.

SWEETPEA: Good thing you're almost to the Institute, right?

 

Your antennae perk up.

SWEETPEA: The center will treat that just fine!
STRETCH: Yes, that's exactly-
SWEETPEA: A perfect reward for escorting me!
STRETCH: ....
EERIE: .......
FILIGREE: ......
SWEETPEA: It'll be a piece of cake!

 

Your antennae flop back down.

Great.




Another one.

STRETCH: ..... fine.
EERIE: E-eh?!
STRETCH: We're. Going to the same place.
STRETCH: But we need to stay here for the night-
STRETCH: And you need to give us any meds you've got.
SWEETPEA: Hmm...
SWEETPEA: A fair trade, I guess...
SWEETPEA: We don't have a whole lot, but it's doable.
SWEETPEA: I came out here to do routine checks, and-
SWEETPEA: I just can't STAND the idea of dealing with those creeps again!

 

Xey shudder.

SWEETPEA: I'll do anything to avoid that.
FILIGREE: ...where is everybody, anyway?
FILIGREE: Shouldn't people be here to help you?

 

The venusaur goes quiet.

SWEETPEA: It-
SWEETPEA: ....
SWEETPEA: I'm the only one who still does it.

 

Xer eyes start watering instantly, xer tail flower turning purple as Filigree waves their leaves around.

FILIGREE: WHOA ITS OKAY
SWEETPEA: because they all get scared-

 

Probably because anyone else would get their fucking skull caved in.

Minerva shakes off some of the haze, giving Sweetpea a little smile as she manages the first full sentence she'd had in a hot minute.

MINERVA: D-don't worry-
MINERVA: I think-
MINERVA: You're very brave.

 

The flower returns to a more neutral tone, the venusaur wiping xer nose.

SWEETPEA: Really?
MINERVA: You saved all of us-

 

A sickly cough, eased by your speedy back massage.

MINERVA: T. Thank you.
SWEETPEA: ....

 

Finally


the venusaur smiles.




....it makes sense.


Minnie, even when sick like this-





-could make somebody relax.

EERIE: ....

 

Eerie hesitates by your cot before bed, Minerva having assumed her usual burrito mode.

EERIE: Stretch.

 

You ignore her.

EERIE: Hey.
STRETCH: nngh
STRETCH: What.
EERIE: You told me to keep you in the loop.
EERIE: You gotta do the same back.
EERIE: Got a hunch you know more about these lunar guys than you say.
STRETCH: ....
EERIE: We safe here tonight?
EERIE: Fili and Frond're already passed out, but-
STRETCH: We're safe.
EERIE: Yeah? How come.
STRETCH: ....you'll just mock me.
EERIE: Gimme a break.
EERIE: Just say it.

 

.....






Your voice comes out small.

STRETCH: i just know.
EERIE: ....cross your heart?
EERIE: Because if I get killed, I'm gonna haunt you.
STRETCH: ...promise.

 

You bury your face back into Minerva's chest.

STRETCH: Now go to bed.

 

You can practically hear her eye roll.

EERIE: Sheesh.
EERIE: Gnight to you too.

 

You hear her leave, zipping the tent up before she goes.

STRETCH: .....night.




















 

Your breath is heavy- outright panting, your whole body vibrating as it pulses in sync.



Your body feels. Strange.

Your skin is too tight.


Your clothes are even worse- gripping onto your frame, threatening to rip.



This isn't usually an issue for you- the pulse isn't rough enough to do much more than ripple them on a bad day.



Right now, they feel strained.




....





....in some places more than others.



Your environment comes into view, distracting you from the burning sensation between your legs-





You're.





In the clearing.






Under those horrible, horrible stars.






Your breath hitches-

-but it's not panic.
Why? Why
the-


You should be scared.
You should be terrified right now.
This is where it happened-
THIS IS NOT A REACTION YOU SHOULD BE HAVING TO BEING HERE







The scent hits you first, drawing you in towards the brush.







You find him laying there, pulling himself up into a sitting position. His clothes are torn, skirt ripped.




Saliva trickles down your chin, matching the drips of sap off of his own lip.

FROND: ....



 

He opens his arms, beckoning you in to come closer with a weak, bloodied smile.

FROND: It's okay, Stretch.
FROND: If it's you-





 

Your body moves without your permission.














You jolt awake, gasping for air- Minerva stirring at your side and making a tiny noise of worry.

STRETCH: shhh shh sh sh

 

A few pats on her head gets her to calm right down, rolling back over and falling back asleep.






....it feels wrong seeing her passed out at night.





Your guilt, however, is quickly replaced with something far, far worse as the nightmare settles in-


-a panic spike, seeing the mess of fluid staining your underwear.

STRETCH: fuck me nonononono




 

Thank god for the separate room thank fuuuck THANK fuck oh my god you've been scared of this the whole time oh my god no ohh my god this is so, so fucking disgusting what the fuck is WRONG with






....you manage to clean yourself- and the air in your immediate vicinity- in record time, relieved beyond belief that no one came in to check in on you.






....





closing your eyes







just makes you remember his face.














You do not sleep any more that night.





 

---

 

A new friend (...?) in tow, demanding escort to the Lunar Institute....will Sweetpea be a help or a hindrance on the Shooting Stars' journey?

There's revelations to be had in next week's episode- both about our new venusaur companion and MORE! That dream's got to be haunting Stretch...but who cares about that?! Suggestors, what kind of questions do you hope to be solved...at the Lunar Institute!

Find out next time...on SPACE CASE!

[DanZapman]

Stretch crossed its heart... that's going to come back later. Anyway: who was the first 'mon to piss on the moon?

[knux400]

So... who exactly is THE Dr. Asterism? Sweetpea made them seem like such a big deal!

[Lilium Mortem]

hear me out: is the moon... an Egg?

for serious though, I can't think of anything too pressing that won't get exposition anyway so... what's the deal with the moon and fairies? seems weird how much they're linked. are fairies from the moon?

[skinstealer]

 

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
With just a little bit further to go, the gang's teamed up with a new ally....will they reach the Lunar Institute with Sweetpea's help-

And can they keep it together that long?! Find out now- on SPACE CASE!
EPISODE 14: The Lunar Landing!

 

---

SWEETPEA: Up and at 'em!

 


 

Way ahead of xem.






You have been staring at the ceiling for hours.

FROND: Hey man-

 

He stops mid greeting, definitely seeing your expression.






You would rather look anywhere than at him right now.

FROND: ....you, uh....good....?

 

Your frown worsens, eyes boring a hole into the tent fabric above you.

FROND: ....stretch?

 

You should probably say. Something.
Anything.
Play this off.


You make some kind of garbled hissing noise.
Shit.
That's not even close to a word.



His face pales.

FROND: .....
FROND: ....hey, uh
FROND: i'll be back in a bit, okay?
FROND: ....

 

There's a tone to his voice you don't want to analyze.




You say nothing.

FROND: ....okay.

 

You aren't sure how much time passes before Minerva stirs, immediately distressed with the lack of her comfort object and scrabbling around for you.

She shouldn't
have to rely on someone like you.
You're disgusting.
You're-

You drag yourself into a sitting position, the world feeling hollow as you force yourself to tap your fingers against her claws.

She calms, no longer panicking.

MINERVA: ....Stretch...?
STRETCH: ....
MINERVA: mmornin...

 

She looks cloudy still.
Guilt squeezes your chest.
Look at all these people you're failing.
She's sick because of you.
She wants to be your friend and what have you given her?
For all you know, this whole incident could have messed up her head as bad as yours!


Fucking idiotic piece of shit DISGUSTING R-

EERIE: Hey, asshole!

 

You whip around.

EERIE: Get up and help!

 

Eerie's voice is startlingly harsh- you'd heard her go off of you, sure, but-

This was different.

EERIE: ....

 

She huffs.

EERIE: Whatever the fuck is going on with you-

 

Her volume drops.

EERIE: Knock it off.
STRETCH: I-
EERIE: Just get Minnie ready and come out for breakfast.

 

The rhyhorn storms off before you can ask for clarification, Filigree poking their head through the door with a pale expression.

FILIGREE: uh
STRETCH: .....

 

You rub the back of your head, your confusion visible along with the prior distress.

FILIGREE: s. sorry.
FILIGREE: Something-

 

They make an indiscernible gesture with their leaves.

FILIGREE: I don't really knooow what's happening?
STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: You and me both.

 

 

Piece of shit.

STRETCH: Cmon, Minnie...













SWEETPEA: Good morning!
 
 

You're supporting Minerva on your shoulder as you walk into the main clearing, relieved that she's at the very least moving around better.
The rest of your team is working on getting rations prepped for breakfast, Sweetpea helping contribute xer own stash.

MINERVA: G- gmorning!

 

You manage a grunt, still feeling extremely sick to your stomach.

Frond looks over, managing a forced smile as he hands Filigree their portion-



....his cheeks look a little wet.



Ohhh no you understand now.



Eerie shoots you a dirty look at you.



ohhhhh no. god no. fuck



Sweetpea seems completely oblivious to the interpersonal drama- drama fixated ENTIRELY on you being a fuckup, mind you- Filigree giving you a panicked gesture out of sight.



This time its meaning is clear.




Fix this, now.




You help Minerva sit, taking a deep breath-

-and taking your own place next to Frond.

The gloom is shocked, eyes wide as you lean over.
You hate this.
You hate-

STRETCH: ...nightmare.
STRETCH: sorry.

 

His face contorts into a further grimace.

oh god NO that was supposed to help

FROND: we-
FROND: can talk about it later
FROND: okay?

 

GREAT now you've made it MORE complicated FUCK your stupid ass life and your stupid ass brain and stupid ass dick oh my god you do NOT want to think about that-

SWEETPEA: Okay, so-
SWEETPEA: My nav's only half working.
EERIE: Join the club.
EERIE: Signal gone to shit?
SWEETPEA: Mhm.

 

Xey rub xer cheek, looking deeply embarrassed.

SWEETPEA: I- I feel like such an idiot-
SWEETPEA: Even with me doing this for so long, I'm still so bad at getting back to the campus from here...

 

Filigree seems infinitely grateful for the excuse to not focus on the dread radiating from you and Frond.

FILIGREE: Guessing it's easy to get lost?

 

Xey nod, looking even guiltier.

SWEETPEA: Before recently, I mainly worked inside-

 

Your golbat companion makes a noise, thankfully able to eat her own food today.

MINERVA: We'll...we'll get you home!
MINERVA: I bet you have a cool....job...thing.

 

She smiles, nearly wobbling to the side before you catch her.

Sweetpea beams at the compliment, though tinged with concern.

SWEETPEA: ...is she okay-?
FILIGREE: She got poisoned on the way.
SWEETPEA: Whoof.
SWEETPEA: Pretty bad for it to last overnight....
STRETCH: ...a few days.
SWEETPEA: O-oh.

 

Xey make a face.

SWEETPEA: Oh. Very bad.
STRETCH: Nn.
SWEETPEA: Well-!
SWEETPEA: More reason for us to get moving!
MINERVA: yaaaay
MINERVA: A-and-
MINERVA: You could tell me about. Jobs.

 

The smile comes right back.

SWEETPEA: I'd love to!

 

Oh, thank god, no more storytime from you.





.....







You catch Frond's eye, both of you looking aside as soon as you make contact.




....time to handle this first.












The corner you and Frond have tucked into feels claustrophobic, even when exposed completely to the air.

No one knows how to start this off.

Does he know?
Did he-
oh god, did he watch you clean up last night-

FROND: I know this- talking about this is hard for you.
FROND: I get it.
FROND: I, it's-

 

His lip trembles.



Fuck, fuck, goddamnit-

FROND: ...you haven't-
STRETCH: Frond, I-

 

please don't know PLEASE don't know-

FROND: you haven't sounded like that since it happened-

 

uh

FROND: And, I-
FROND: I just want to help-

 

he doesn't
hate?
you?

STRETCH: It
STRETCH: was just
STRETCH: a dream...?

 

He shakes his head.

FROND: It's not a "just" thing, I have them too-

 

He takes a deep breath, running a hand down his face.

FROND: ...sorry.
FROND: I shouldn't-

 


 

You pull him in for a hug before you can stop yourself.




Your heart is pounding.



You try not to think about how he can hear it.




the faint scent of

FROND: Hgh-!
STRETCH: ....

 

You release him, looking away.


Words don't come.

Frond


smiles.

FROND: ...thanks.

 

You nod.


For now, somehow-
it's enough.







Eerie takes Minerva's tether today after Frond ties the harness, heavily implying that you'd be better off being muscle in the process.
Still- she seems infinitely less hostile now that both you and Frond talked.

Sweetpea doesn't even question your bizarre setup, too focused on getting home- and rambling.

Xey're not wrong, the trail is winding- your inability to keep track of how many times you'd turned left or right raising your anxiety with every fork in the trail. Still, Frond helps point out the way when they come up, and Sweetpea is allowed to chatter xer head off.

SWEETPEA: With Osteo running around- we've lost so many signs, indicators of where to go-
SWEETPEA: And all the injuries! It's-
SWEETPEA: Just horrible!
SWEETPEA: You really are so brave for standing up to them...
EERIE: I, uh-
EERIE: W-well-
EERIE: ...somebody's....gotta?

 

Filigree makes a little noise of distress, Eerie shooting them a look.

SWEETPEA: And we here at the Institute appreciate it!
SWEETPEA: We can't pursue our research with all this going on...

 

Xer ears perk up, remembering Minerva's request.

SWEETPEA: And we do a lot!
FROND: Do you work on the alien stuff?

 

His energy's returned a little- thank god- but you can recognize an attempt to cheer you up from the gloom immediately.
Still, your lip twitches.

SWEETPEA: Oh, no-
SWEETPEA: We only work with the extraterrestrial department when necessary.
SWEETPEA: I work in evolutionary studies!

 

...wait

STRETCH: ...Asterism.
SWEETPEA: Hm?
STRETCH: The name you said earlier.
STRETCH: You work with the Asterisms.
SWEETPEA: OH!

 

Xey grin.

SWEETPEA: You do recognize him!

 

.....


Now that you know his field



It'd be hard not to.


The Asterisms were a husband and wife pair known for their research into evolutionary anomalies, particularly in relation to stones.
Calling them famous would be going too far, more recognized in niche enthusiast circles and scientific journals.



....after your own changes...

STRETCH: I've seen them around.
STRETCH: Online.
STRETCH: ...yeah.

 

Xey're thrilled.

SWEETPEA: It's the job of a lifetime...
MINERVA: They sound...really nice...

 

Eerie keeps Minerva going, embarrassed as she pats the golbat on the back.

EERIE: yeah yeah we're all very excited to get you home
SWEETPEA: I'm sure both of them will be very grateful.
SWEETPEA: And just a bit furth-

 

 

She lets out a sharp croak, something jerking xem forward-





A tentacle striking out from behind a cliff, ensnaring Sweetpea's arm-



-a smug looking tentacruel striding out and poking at xer pin.

TENTACRUEL: Well, well....
TENTACRUEL: Looks like we got a lunatic!

 
 

You immediately try to zoom forward, a brief spark of energy blinding you-

TENTACRUEL: Frog-faced bitc-

 

He doesn't get the chance to finish, Sweetpea swinging xer leg directly into his gelatinous body



and splattering him against the closest rock wall, instantly knocked out.

FILIGREE: ....
EERIE: ......
FROND: ............
STRETCH: ....that explains the magneton.
EERIE: yyyep.
FROND: Wh- you were packing that much firepower?!
SWEETPEA: W-well, I-

 

Xey tap xer claws together.

SWEETPEA: It's not that much of-

 

You give xem a look, hovering over and holding out your hand.

SWEEPEA: Wh-
STRETCH: Move cards.
STRETCH: Now.
STRETCH: Skill sheet too.

 

She shuffles in her hip pouch, looking utterly miserable as she forks them over.



Your eyes widen.

Filigree darts over, letting out a whistle.

FILIGREE: Whoa.
FROND: Let me see-
FROND: ....
FROND: Wow!
FROND: You really need us to-?
SWEETPEA: Of course I do!

 

It comes out indignant, wobbly.

SWEETPEA: I -
EERIE: Dude, these are trained stats.
SWEETPEA: B-but!
SWEETPEA: I'm here to research!
SWEETPEA: Fighting, fighting isn't-
SWEETPEA: I don't want to!

 

You take a deep breath, forking everything back over.

STRETCH: ....one question. Then.
STRETCH: Self destruct card.
STRETCH: How and why.

 

Xey don't respond, shrinking back as much as a wall of a venusaur can.

STRETCH: ...fine.
STRETCH: Just don't use it.
SWEETPEA: Of
SWEETPEA: of course.
STRETCH: Let's go.









 

The Lunar Institute.

You remember going here as a kid on a couple field trips, your parents reluctant to spend the money to fly all the way out. It had felt so magnificent, a whole campus built into a mountain-


And yet, it hits even harder as an adult.


The mountain itself looms overhead in a way that couldn't fully be appreciated on the hike, feeling impossibly large now that it's not a part of the backdrop. A natural spectacle that made the trek make so much sense- of COURSE you'd have to travel all that way to get to something like this.

A look over your shoulder confirms it, the upward hike far less steep, reasonable even, compared to the behemoth in front of you.

And even so, the mons of Mt Moon, and the Lunar Institute especially, have carved into it- respecting its structure and all of the natural intricacies while making terraces, landings and tunnels that circle around its sides.

The main entrance to the facility may have been a large, reinforced archway- but you find yourselves watching the workers and scientists scurry along the mountain's outside. They look so used to going in and out of the caves that it seems second nature even from this distance, their own ecological niche within a workplace.

SWEETPEA: oh thank god

 

Xey nearly collapse in relief, wiping xer forehead.

SWEETPEA: Th...thank you all so much.

 

The venusaur had gone quiet during the rest of the trip, distraught at the reaction to xer moves- but you push the guilt away as best you can.

Which.

Is not very well, admittedly,

but it's not like you had asked for anything out of line.



Xey were the one who got you into the whole magneton situation in the first place.



injuring frond and



You shove that thought into the depths of your brain.
No more of whatever that is.
Focus.


The community center outside the mountain looks similar to the one back in Pewter-




-up until you actually make your way inside.



There are food stalls, trading centers- while the front had looked the exact same, standardized, it's clear that this too is embedded into the mountain.
It goes way deeper than any you've seen, having expanded in the time since your last visit to practically be a whole market in and of itself.


There is one place you do recognize, though. You hadn't been allowed near it on your school trips, too focused on the science museum aspect of the affair...


Mons in caving gear chatter a ways from the entrance, leaning on signs advertising their services.


You skid to a stop, leaning over and gesturing for Filigree to come closer.

FILIGREE: E-eh?
FILIGREE: Something up-
STRETCH: Got a task for you.

 

You point over to the group of cavers.

STRETCH: Need a cave guide to use the travel routes.
STRETCH: I need to get Minnie in for treatment.
STRETCH: Get us a good one.
FILIGREE: uh
FILIGREE: Sure! I mean, sure, but-
FILIGREE: Why...me?

 

You tip your head over their shoulder.

Eerie and Frond, on their way to dropping Minerva off, have gotten derailed by a particularly shiny looking tourist trap stall.
Minnie is not helping, entranced by sparkly, overpriced trinkets.

FILIGREE: ....point made.
STRETCH: Budget is low.
STRETCH: Find somebody who's cheap-
FILIGREE: Didn't you say to get a good one-?
STRETCH: Nn.
STRETCH: You'll.
STRETCH: Figure it out.

 

They give a stressed salute.

FILIGREE: On the case.











NURSE: .....
 

The magnemite in front of you sighs, but seems relieved as Minerva's eyes follow her magnet hands.

NURSE: That's the fifth case this week...
NURSE: Osteo's poison is no joke.
NURSE: The symptoms should be fully gone overnight, but she'll be fatigued and stressed.
NURSE: No battling for at least a week, you understand?

 

You nod, perhaps too quickly.
Your fault. You-
you pushed her this far-




Your skin crackles.

NURSE: You got lucky....
NURSE: She's going to be okay.

 

Minerva smiles, laying down on a table and looking properly blissed out from the center treatments. Instant-acting painkillers and status relief weren't exactly available for travelers on your budget, let alone the healing acceleration. You'd bet that everyone else is getting the same care-

NURSE: You, however-

 

-while you're relatively....fine...

She doesn't miss a thing,

NURSE: Are you aware that you're-?
STRETCH: Yes I am fine.

 

The words come out hurried.

She squints.

NURSE: ....you should rest too, then.
NURSE: I dunno the nature of you two's relationship-
STRETCH: Friends. We're friends.
NURSE: ...uh huh.

 

She presses a small bottle into your hand.

NURSE: But if you can stand it, or have someone else who can- you can give her this lotion nightly.
NURSE: It'll reduce her anxiety, get her better sleep-
NURSE: And for the love of god, let her sleep during the day.
NURSE: Poor thing's exhausted.
MINERVA: A nap sounds
MINERVA: soooo good right now.
NURSE: See?
NURSE: It's early enough that you can get her on track.
NURSE: Rent a room and get some damn sleep.
NURSE: ....

 

She gives you one last look, her suspicion clear.

NURSE: ...and be careful.
NURSE: No good to be traveling these caves while...wound up.

 

You feel your skin crawl, like she sees something you don't want to admit.

STRETCH: ...yes ma'am.







MINERVA: ....

 

Minnie's able to walk better now, only needing you to stay nearby just in case, instead of having a guaranteed fall risk.

MINERVA: I...
MINERVA: I'm sorry, Stretch...

 

The happy feeling had worn off along with the initial injections, the golbat looking as guilty as you feel.

MINERVA: i can't believe i, was like that for days-
STRETCH: Hey.

 

You look away, trying to sound more confident than you feel.

STRETCH: ...s'fine.
STRETCH: It's- my job.
STRETCH: ....as captain.
STRETCH: and your. friend.

 

Her soft smile returns, just the tiniest bit.

MINERVA: Still...
STRETCH: I'll handle the fighting.
STRETCH: And. Caring for you in the caves.

 

You don't see the headpat coming, instantly realizing just how much you missed them even after just a few days.

MINERVA: ...my hero.










 

.....

You don't try to hide the look on your face.

STRETCH: Filigree-
FILIGREE: Hear me out.
????: Hello!

 

The omastar in front of you is dramatically posing, or at least trying to.

OMASTAR: My name-

 
 

 

She flexes, completely confident in whatever her abilities are.

OMASTAR: Is RAPPEL!
RAPPEL: And I'll be your guide!

 

Frond claps, Minerva joining him. Your look of exhaustion passes over to both of them, the gloom shrugging.

FROND: What?
FROND: I like her. Good showmanship.
STRETCH: How long have you been-
EERIE: Met her like two minutes ago.

 

Eerie's working on a sandwich, eating half of it in a bite.

EERIE: She knows knife tricks.
STRETCH: We are not-

 

You raise your hands up, taking a breath.

STRETCH: Please tell me we did not hire you based on knife tricks.
RAPPEL: My experience with blades is just one trick in my toolbelt-

 

She raises a tentacle, fishing in her jacket pocket. She's not like any kind of omastar you'd ever seen- though you're not exactly in any place to judge. Her hair tentacles look more like arrows, flattened and not entirely following the movement of her head.
Psychic type?


A spread of cards is thrust in your face.

STRETCH: uh
RAPPEL: Pick one!
STRETCH: not exactly in the market for card tricks either
RAPPEL: You're the team captain, yeah?
RAPPEL: Allow me to impress you!
RAPPEL: Take your pick.

 

You hesitate, already tired of this-

-picking the middle card and pulling it out.


Your blood runs cold.

RAPPEL: An excellent choice.
RAPPEL: That, my good friend-
STRETCH: ....the Cosmos.
RAPPEL: Ahhh, a fellow occult enthusiast!
RAPPEL: You know this card.



 

You stare down at the painterly nebula, stylized swirls around a falling figure.

STRETCH: ....
RAPPEL: Well-

 

To your relief, she lowers the intensity.

RAPPEL: In that case.
RAPPEL: Allow me to keep this short.
RAPPEL: You're a traveler- but you knew that.
RAPPEL: But your path is warped, unworldly-
RAPPEL: To many, beyond understanding!
RAPPEL: ....

 

A strange look crosses her face.

RAPPEL: ...it's interesting.
RAPPEL: This is my card as well.
RAPPEL: How curious.

 

.....
Every bit of sense tells you this is some kind of ruse.
You've seen plenty of conmen doing this exact kind of bit.





Your eyes meet.





She sees right into you.




And you see back.

STRETCH: How much.
RAPPEL: My rates?
STRETCH: Nn.
RAPPEL: For you, a discount-
RAPPEL: 500 a day!

 

Eerie pales.

EERIE: That's barely enough to eat-
RAPPEL: Ah ah-!
RAPPEL: I value opportunity far more than funds!
RAPPEL: Besides.

 

She leans in.

RAPPEL: Many of the locals hook me up with their leftovers.
RAPPEL: I'm quite the favorite around here!

 

Filigree shrugs.

FILIGREE: She's got all the qualifications we'd want-
STRETCH: You're hired.

 

Rappel pumps her fist, striking another pose.

RAPPEL: You won't regret it, my new friends!
RAPPEL: A beautiful new partnership begins-
STRETCH: yes okay alright
EERIE: ....so, you're gonna, like-
EERIE: Take us through the mountain?
RAPPEL: That I am!
RAPPEL: The Institute may be safe to traverse- but Mt. Moon itself is no joke!
RAPPEL: The tunnels- precarious!
RAPPEL: The cliffs- quite dangerous!
RAPPEL: Peoples' homes- private, and not to be intruded on!
FROND: You're required to hire one to be let through-
RAPPEL: Or have a license yourself!

 

Another flex.

RAPPEL: I'm completely certified.
STRETCH: Let's see your numbers.

 

You'd kick yourself for not checking her sheets before agreeing to hire her-

-if they weren't so damn good.

EERIE: Eesh, two powerhouses in one day.
FROND: Hey, I'll take that luck!
MINERVA: So strong-!
RAPPEL: Fully evolved!
RAPPEL: An incredible typing!
RAPPEL: And moves that hit hard-
STRETCH: ...with prep time.
RAPPEL: WITH prep time!
STRETCH: ...it'll work.
STRETCH: For now-
STRETCH: Rest up. Rent rooms.
STRETCH: We'll regroup later.









 

Minerva flops onto the bed, fully flattening herself out.

MINERVA: ouuuuuu

 

You sit by her side, hovering above the sheets.

STRETCH: ....how-
STRETCH: How are you doing.
MINERVA: Better...

 

She rolls over, pancake-ing on her back now.

MINERVA: Can you help me get undressed, though...?

 

You swallow, nodding.




It'd been one thing doing this to help Minnie go to the bathroom and getting cleaned up during the adventure- a simple matter of practicality, your mind too focused on getting her through this and out of that nightmarish fucking route. But, with rest-




Your peach fuzz-like fur stands on end, breath getting heavy again.




You don't like it.




You-

MINERVA: ....Stretch?

 

She lays there, soft and fully unclothed.

MINERVA: ....do you want to lay down?

 

She has enough manners to not look over at the obvious, sparing your pride as you curl up beside her.



Minerva doesn't push you to talk, reaching up to stroke your hair-antennae.

MINERVA: ...Eerie mentioned you and Frond had a fight.
STRETCH: shit.
MINERVA: The stress must be...a lot right now.
MINERVA: I'm sure he understands...
MINERVA: ....

 

The golbat opens her wings, and you immediately scoot in.


You feel disgusting, still.



She would hate you if she knew your dream from last night.




She would think you're vile, just like anyone with sense-

MINERVA: ....do you need to let off some steam?

 

You let out a huff of frustration, fully aware of your body rubbing against hers.

STRETCH: It's-
STRETCH: it's too risky-
MINERVA: Shh....
MINERVA: We don't have to go all the way. Just-
MINERVA: Enough for both of us to relax.
MINERVA: I can lay on top of you, weigh you down-

 

 

You swallow.

STRETCH: ....nn.
STRETCH: are
STRETCH: you sure?

 

She nods, giving you a nuzzle of affirmation.

MINERVA: As long as you're gentle.
MINERVA: Then we use the lotion and take a nap for real, okay?
STRETCH: ....okay.
STRETCH: yes, please.

 

Minerva rolls over on top of you, her weight so, so welcome after all of this-




She actually gets to hear your voice this time.

 

---

Their location reached, but this is only the beginning...the Shooting Stars must now prepare for their mountainous voyage!

And what's the deal with this omastar woman, anyway? Suggestors- what intrigues you most about the Shooting Stars' new companion? Surely there's secrets to be had...

Find out next time...on SPACE CASE!

[DanZapman]

Is she forklift certified? If yes, has she ever done a wheelie with one? If no, in what other ways has she adapted to being hurled into a technological world?

[knux400]

Honestly, it's harder to find something that's not interesting about Rappel. She's so insanely over-the-top, it's overwhelming. She does knives, and cards, and performances... It's a good deal, to be sure, but also exhausting.

[Lilium Mortem]

I like that she poses.

[Aabcehmu]

Because I have brain-worms, I'm curious what Rappel's religious sensibilities are.

[skinstealer]

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
We're here at the Lunar Institute, and our gang has to get their bearings before setting off....after everything they've been through, a little R&R is sorely needed.

 This should be a nice break episode, right? Find out now- on SPACE CASE!
EPISODE 15: Scavenger Hunt

---

You are now Minerva.

Words do not describe how much better you feel.

Yes, you're unbelievably sore, and moving around is a bit of a struggle- but oh my goodness, your brain works.
It was so AWFUL, and you barely have any recollection of the past few days outside of all of that terror.




From the party's recounting, you had every right to be scared.






....and the fact that they were all so burdened with helping you....




No one said it, but you know that






it must have been






difficult.





...you were difficult.




Embarassing, even.

They had to hand feed you.


Stretch had to help you go to the bathroom!
It's-



Even with Stretch, it felt so revealing, just like the awful maze...

RAPPEL: Alrighty!
RAPPEL: Here we are-

 

The omastar closes the door behind you- a specialized community center room reserved for cave guides, Rappel having claimed specifically for the two of you to get privacy.
It puts you on edge- why you?

Is it because-

are you a liability-

RAPPEL: We're gonna figure out how to put you to work!
MINERVA: ....
MINERVA: o
MINERVA: ....oh...?
RAPPEL: Yes indeed!
RAPPEL: You're a vital part of this voyage!

 

She pumps a rolled up tentacle, the closest thing she has to a fist.

RAPPEL: Without you, the team is doomed!
MINERVA: UM

 

You wring your wing-claws, immediately overwhelmed.

MINERVA: I- I THOUGHT-
MINERVA: T-
MINERVA: The nurse's orders-!
RAPPEL: No problem!
RAPPEL: Just because you can't fight-

 

She points her tentacle into your chest, an excited look on her face.

RAPPEL: Doesn't mean you aren't going to help!
RAPPEL: If anything, it makes you THE most important member!
MINERVA: B-but!
RAPPEL: Butts can wait for another day!
RAPPEL: Right now, it's all about....

 

She pauses dramatically.

RAPPEL: OPTIMIZATION!

 

You are completely overwhelmed, the guide in front of you striking dramatic poses with every syllable.

MINERVA: b-
RAPPEL: I won't hear it!

 

She points to you again.

RAPPEL: Let me guess!
RAPPEL: From what your team's told me, things went bad on Route 3.
RAPPEL: And that's no surprise!
RAPPEL: Osteo's gotten bold, and somebody's gotta bring them down a peg-
RAPPEL: But until then, people like you and your buds get caught in the crossfire.
MINERVA: ....
MINERVA: th-
MINERVA: That's correct, yes....
RAPPEL: And from the sound of it, you got it extra bad.
MINERVA: ....

 

You look away.

MINERVA: ...yes.
RAPPEL: And you're upset because you got benched, yeah?

 

You sniffle.

MINERVA: yes
RAPPEL: And now you're more upset because some nurse lady told you you're stuck on the sidelines!

 

You nod, eyes welling up with tears.

RAPPEL: Well, the nurse is full of shit!
RAPPEL: She's not a cave guide.

 

Pointing to herself now.

RAPPEL: You and me!
RAPPEL: We're gonna work on ways to make you feel good and keep your friends safe!

 

You blink, trying to get yourself together.

MINERVA: ....b-
RAPPEL: Ah ah!
RAPPEL: What'd I say about the butts?
RAPPEL: This is not a bathroom or a bedroom, my friend!

 

You laugh before you can catch yourself, caught off guard.

RAPPEL: See!
RAPPEL: Crying can wait too, while you're at it.
RAPPEL: Best done with a big ol' tub of ice cream and a movie about a sick pet.
MINERVA: ....
MINERVA: snf

 

You do your best to smile, nodding.

MINERVA: okay.
RAPPEL: Atta girl!

 

She pats a mid-level bench- the room featuring a couple sizes. You don't have to jump or bend too far to sit down at all, your back extremely grateful.

RAPPEL: Doc's orders say you're restricted from battling.
RAPPEL: Got any flight training?

 

You shake your head, embarrassment sinking back in.

RAPPEL: Not a problem!
RAPPEL: Most people I take through can't fly, especially not cave-legal.
RAPPEL: Whole different ballgame.
MINERVA: ...b-

 

She raises her brow at you, stopping you in her tracks.

MINERVA: ...thank you....
RAPPEL: You can thank me when we've got a game plan.
RAPPEL: After all that hell, your body's gonna be craving lots of rest.
RAPPEL: Today and tomorrow, you are on vacation.
RAPPEL: Already told the others, rest for two days and we go out the day after.
RAPPEL: Keeps you fresh.
RAPPEL: Sound good?
MINERVA: ...y. Yes ma'am.
RAPPEL: Ma'am. That's a first.

 

She rubs the side of her face.

RAPPEL: Makes me sound fancy.
RAPPEL: I dig it.

 

Another giggle escapes.

RAPPEL: Ah! Got you again!
RAPPEL: Hang tight.

 

She shuffles over to a closet on the side of the room, tentacles looking rather ridiculous as she goes.

RAPPEL: Leeeesseee.

 

It takes her a moment, fumbling through equipment and tools you've never seen before-

-eventually hauling out some...kind of...sled?

RAPPEL: Here we go.
RAPPEL: This-

 

She holds it over her head as if it's nothing, stanced up.

RAPPEL: Is your chariot!
RAPPEL: And your party will be your loyal steeds!

 

You briefly picture Stretch in horse tack, giggling all over again.

RAPPEL: Yeah! YEAH!
RAPPEL: Exciting, right?
RAPPEL: This thing's meant to carry travelers of all kinds-
RAPPEL: Fainted!
RAPPEL: Paralyzed! Confused!
RAPPEL: Poisoned! Sleeping!
RAPPEL: Even burned!
RAPPEL: But also!
RAPPEL: It's just as useful for people who need a break, or have bodies that don't work well down here.
RAPPEL: That electabuzz friend of yours already volunteered to do whatever's gotta happen to help you through!




 

....oh.


Well.




Guess that's a bit more literal then.

RAPPEL: Blushin' a bit?
MINERVA: I-!
RAPPEL: No worries, no worries!

 

She does what you assume to be her take on a finger gun.

RAPPEL: I got techniques for that too.
RAPPEL: Guessin' you haven't had the opportunity to express being sweet on somebody?

 

You hesitate




before shaking your head.

MINERVA: Stretch and I are just friends, but...
MINERVA: ...I feel...bad...
RAPPEL: That it had to take care of you?
MINERVA: ...mm....
RAPPEL: Fear not!
RAPPEL: Your job on the team is now-
RAPPEL: INVENTORY!
RAPPEL: MANAGEMENT!
RAPPEL: And the biggest part of that job is keeping an eye on your team and making sure they get what they need.

 

She winks.

RAPPEL: You gotta keep your head on straight, but...
RAPPEL: Opportunities!

 

You laugh outright this time.

MINERVA: Y-you're-
MINERVA: ridiculous-
RAPPEL: But am I wrong?
RAPPEL: Hmmm?

 

She leans in.

RAPPEL: Can't hear you.
MINERVA: N, no ma'am.
MINERVA: You're- really good at this.
RAPPEL: Correctamundo!
RAPPEL: Now stand back up!
RAPPEL: We're gonna go over the sled and supplies, and by the time you're out on the road-
RAPPEL: You're gonna feel like a champion.











 

You are now Eerie.

STRETCH: Alright, listen up.
STRETCH: Minerva's busy with Rappel.
STRETCH: We have today and tomorrow to rest.

 

Frond raises his hand.

STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: and explore, yes.
FROND: Whoo!
STRETCH: BUT.
STRETCH: Rappel also gave us some errands-

 

You groan, tipping your head back.

EERIE: Duuude.
FROND: Maybe they're fun errands!
EERIE: Those words don't go togetherrrr
STRETCH: Can-
STRETCH: can i at least get into it first
FILIGREE: ....aren't we paying her?
EERIE: Yeah, pocket change.
STRETCH: And. That.
STRETCH: Means.
STRETCH: We have to do some legwork.
STRETCH: Unless you would like to pay for a more expensive guide.

 

You pipe down, rubbing the back of your head.

FILIGREE: ...so- what are the errands exactly?

 

It coughs, pulling out a piece of paper.

STRETCH: Told me to read it to you all.
STRETCH: ....

 

It narrows its eyes, letting out an exhausted sigh as it reads the scrawl on it.

FILIGREE: ....do you want me to-
FROND: I got it!

 

He reaches up to take the paper, Stretch not even bothering to protest.

FROND: Hello, adventurers!
FROND: that's us.
STRETCH: Mm.
FROND: We'll be heading out on our voyage soon!
FROND: While I help Minerva be her best self-
FROND: aww, that's sweet...
STRETCH: Frond.
FROND: -I need you four to get me some things.
FROND: Frond and Eerie-!

 

He beams at you.

 
Well, at fucking least you got paired with him.

FROND: You'll be tasked with the Greater Lunar Market, and picking up supplies on my list.
FROND: Do not worry!
FROND: You will be reimbursed in full.
FILIGREE: ....how does she make, like
FILIGREE: Any? Money?
FROND: Beats me.
FROND: She says, uh-
FROND: Use the passcode "geode" to get the goods.
STRETCH: fuck's sake
FROND: And then for Stretch and Filigree...
FROND: Huh.
FROND: She says that you two's job is just to go to the museum.
STRETCH: wh
FILIGREE: Any reason...why?
FROND: Well, she gave you a list like us.
EERIE: Great. We paid for a scavenger hunt.
FROND: May as well see what happens, right?
STRETCH: ...right.






 

Any cynicism you had about the scavenger hunt escapes as soon as you enter the Institute itself, your jaw falling open as you step into the atrium.

EERIE: Wh-
EERIE: Whoa.
FROND: Pretty crazy, right?!

 

Just like Stretch explained, it's a completely clean tunnel from the top of the mountain to many, many floors below, all carved out in a spiral shape.
Rooms and corridors trail off, more pokemon than you'd ever expect to see in a place like this, even from the crazy view outside.
Some of the paths have stone carvings, metal accents and even reinforced doors and glass- a patchwork of additions from different eras, different purposes.


And on top of it all, covering the atrium- a massive, stained glass dome, patterned with planets, stars, you name it.



You hear Stretch sigh, and-

-weirdly enough, it looks...calmer. The fizzling blue energy on its body seems to quell, if only for now.

EERIE: ...Stretch, have you been h-
STRETCH: ....school trips.
STRETCH: ...cmon, Fili.

 

The bellsprout shrugs at you as they trail behind.

EERIE: HEY
EERIE: HOW DO WE FIND THE MARKET
STRETCH: CAN'T MISS IT.


 

Ugh.



Fine.

FROND: Kinda getting why our teachers never let us go here now.

 

Stretch was right again.

The market is enormous, just like the atrium- and the sounds and smells hit you far quicker than the actual sight of it did.

Frond catches you smiling, elbowing you carefully.

FROND: Somebody's ready to have a goooood tiiime.
EERIE: Nah, just-
EERIE: ....it feels like home.



 

The two of you get to walking, Frond half-looking over Rappel's list.

FROND: Guessing they had stuff like this back in Pewter?
EERIE: yyyep.
EERIE: Before, y'know.
FROND: ...Osteo.
EERIE: Turns out nobody wants to go outside and set up a stand when you could get splattered across the pavement.

 

You make a grim, pained smile.

EERIE: Bad for business.
FROND: Eesh.
EERIE: ...not like I helped, though.
EERIE: Walking around all scary like that-

 

Guilt eats at you.

EERIE: ...lost the respect of lots of good people.
FROND: Well-
FROND: Look around!

 

He spreads his arms wide.

FROND: Nobody here to judge you now, right?
FROND: We're customers like anybody else.
EERIE: ...yeah.

 

....you had tucked your club away back in the room for a reason, after all.

EERIE: Long as I don't get recognized anymore.
FROND: Cmon, we can take it!
EERIE: Frond, we got our asses beat out there.
FROND: Yeah, in, like- the wild.
FROND: Plenty of people here to back us up if somebody starts something.

 

You let out a huff.

EERIE: ...guess you're right.
FROND: I very often am, yes!
FROND: And this list saaaays I should pick out snacks I know people will like.
EERIE: ...kind of a shit recommendation for someone supposed to be keeping us healthy.
FROND: Guess that means nooo jerky for yoooou
EERIE: HEY
FROND: hehehehe



 

He gets you your damn jerky, insisting you have to wait until you're on the road- right after you got to pick a good flavor, too.
Little bastard.
Minnie gets some well-sealed blood pouches- they make those?
Filigree gets home-dried fruits and shelf stable sap, and...

He picks up a couple bags of things for Stretch- a mix of nutrient bars and drinks you think you've seen it slam back in passing, but would never have guessed the names of outside of their brand.
He picks the products out with ease, complimenting the vendors' skill with making homemade spins on the recipes.

EERIE: You really do keep track of everything, huh.
FROND: S'what I do.
FROND: Easier to keep notes on this stuff than battling like Stretch.
EERIE: Yeah, but-
EERIE: Doesn't it make you tired?
EERIE: I'd be tired.
FROND: It's what keeps me from not getting tired, honestly-

 

He freezes, zooming over to a stand with widened eyes.

EERIE: Eh?
FROND: Hang on a sec-
FROND: That one, can I take a look at-

 

By the time you shuffle over, he's already got it bagged- and with the stand advertising jewelry and accessories, you doubt this is on the menu.

You raise your brow as he turns to you, the goofiest grin on his face.

EERIE: Doesn't look like snacks.
FROND: Nope!
FROND: ...this one's...special.
EERIE: ...Can I see?

 

He flushes, rubbing the back of his head a bit.

FROND: W-well, y'know-
EERIE: It's for Stretch.
FROND: Y-yeah! Of-
FROND: Of course it is.

 

He still does not show you the goods.

EERIE: Dude, after what it pulled yesterday-
FROND: It-
FROND: Well-
EERIE: You really gonna buy it a present after that?
FROND: ....

 

His face falls, sighing.

FROND: ...it's...complicated.



 

Fuck. Shit. You made him sad.





Sad Frond just isn't right.

EERIE: ...hff.
EERIE: Alright, let's find a bench.
EERIE: I'm no good at heart to hearts but you're gonna die if we don't at this rate.

 

He doesn't protest, walking alongside you with a small nod.








The bench is nice and out of the way, Frond having to do a little hop to get up on your level.

FROND: ....
EERIE: Dude, if we're gonna hang out, you gotta explain something.
FROND: .........
FROND: You remember the maze, right?

 

You do.

Part of you



wishes you didn't.





Seeing your own self rigged up to wires, trapped in a room, that was bad enough.

Another mirror containing you as a younger, pre-Osteo self, you as the person you wanted to be before you signed on and it all went to shit.




....but somehow, it didn't scare you as much as the look in Frond's eyes.
Your mirrors, you knew those. A sickening sense of familiarity.


They weren't the horrors of a near-complete stranger, filled with the weight of something very, very bad has happened.




Staggering, panicked, an oddish in torn, bloodied clothes-



-lit like a flashlight shining on its hollow expression.





A different version of himself looking hazy, delirious, tearing up as it spoke wordlessly to its source.








....



You don't want to think about the third one.

FROND: It-
FROND: ....
FROND: Don't...be weird to Stretch about this, okay?

 

Something makes your heart clench.

EERIE: If it hurt you-
FROND: NO, god, no-

 

It comes out frantic.

FROND: ...no, that's-
FROND: It's.
FROND: About how both of us evolved.
EERIE: ...ah.
FROND: Yyyeah.
EERIE: ....fine. Promise.
EERIE: But if it's a dick to you again, I'm gonna kick its ass.

 

He nods, relenting on that point as he thinks over his words.

FROND: We grew up together, like I said-
FROND: Moms were friends, we were practically neighbors.
FROND: It was a weird kid, so was I.
FROND: Took a bit to figure each other out, but we were thick as thieves.
FROND: Small town where everybody had it out for us?
FROND: Didn't matter.
FROND: We got up to all kinds of adventures.
EERIE: ...sounds nice so far.
FROND: It was!
FROND: It- really was.
FROND: ....
FROND: But-
FROND: We hit high school, and there was this guy.
FROND: He was so cool, and- we both wanted to be like him.
FROND: He'd call us girls, sure, and sometimes he said weird stuff-
FROND: But he paid a lot of attention to both of us, said we could be friends, and he taught us some things.
FROND: How to chart stars, where and when you can go and see planets, galaxies, clear as day in the sky-
FROND: We were both nerds for the stuff.
FROND: And-

 

His voice gets quiet.

FROND: It-
FROND: We-
FROND: ....he was like, ten fucking years older, and he kept calling us mature and responsible-

 

He has to stop for a second.

FROND: It went bad.
FROND: Really bad.




 

You aren't really sure what to say in a situation like this.



Like, hey, sorry about that?

Sorry that happened?

No, shit, that sucks.

You know what you'd want to hear in this situation but Frond was a much more sane and normal person and-

EERIE: I would'a ripped his balls off.

 

Frond splutters, caught entirely off guard.

EERIE: I would!
EERIE: Guys like that-
EERIE: Tons of 'em in Osteo.
EERIE: Nothing "happened" with me, but it was only a matter of time.
EERIE: Fuck that guy.
EERIE: Asshole.

 

He nods, wiping his eye a bit- at least it wasn't as bad as yesterday, the gloom outright crying into his shirt at the time.

FROND: ...yeah. Real asshole.
FROND: It- god, it was a mess.
FROND: Guy was a real "upstanding individual" in our town!
FROND: Crisis over whether what the truth was, what had even happened, why we came out of there different.
FROND: We both got put in hospital care for a while, poked and prodded to figure out what the hell even happened-
FROND: ....
FROND: .......When I got out, Stretch wasn't there.
FROND: They said it needed more tests done.
FROND: Wouldn't answer what was up with it, what had happened, why I got out first-
FROND: And-
FROND: When. When it got out
FROND: it wouldn't talk to me.

 

The look on your face clearly makes him panic.

FROND: Not in a like, mad at me way!
FROND: Just-
FROND: ....it always tried to run from its problems.
FROND: At least before then, I'd run with it.
FROND: Keep it on track, out of trouble.
FROND: ....never thought it'd run from me, I guess.
FROND: My mom told me to get over it.
EERIE: And you never did, huh?

 

He shakes his head.

FROND: How could I?
FROND: I-

 

He shrugs, fishing out the bag and handing it to you.

A little UFO-shaped pin.

FROND: ....all I want is to see it happy again.
FROND: To play in the woods like we used to.
EERIE: What if you can't, though?
EERIE: Like- that was a decade ago.
FROND: Then I'll settle for just getting to watch it grow.
EERIE: ....you always gotta say weird shit like that, huh?
FROND: S'what I do!

 

It's your turn to laugh.

EERIE: ...guess I get it though.
EERIE: I don't have anybody like that, but I wish I could go back and do it right sometimes.
EERIE: Got put in the damn shock box so many times that I started to think- this is my fault, right?
EERIE: Not even for getting slapped in there-
EERIE: ...but that my body refused to change like everybody else's.
EERIE: My powers sucked, they never grew in-
EERIE: And I ran.
EERIE: People started, fucking, getting really hurt, somebody died in that room-
EERIE: People who stepped over a line started showing up in body bags, and I couldn't hack it.
FROND: But that's-
FROND: Dude, I think not wanting to be in a murder gang is normal.
EERIE: Sure, yeah!
EERIE: Obviously!
EERIE: ....but I was so sure I had it all under control.
EERIE: That I was smart enough to handle it-
FROND: ....and they told you you were special too.
EERIE: ....yeah.
EERIE: These people always do.

 

You're quiet, but it feels...okay now.

FROND: ...well.
FROND: Now both of us have another friend, right?
EERIE: Dude.
FROND: Just saying.
EERIE: You're such a cornball.
FROND: Potato, actually!

 

You're both laughing now, catching the attention of some passersby-




And for once, you don't really care.










You are now Filigree.



You can't say you'd ever been somewhere like this before- you spent the majority of your life getting educated in trade, any general education largely handled through your own studies on the side.

You'd heard about this kind of place though, and there's a sort of delight as you see all of the fancy, almost playfully assembles exhibit displays.

Every bit of decor seems to have a purpose, placards telling you what everything was, how it worked...


There's stools for smaller mons like yourself to get a better look at this, and audio guides if you need them-
You even saw something with a text readout, with the front desk guaranteeing that no matter who came by, they'd get a chance to learn.

FILIGREE: ...is school usually this-

 

It immediately shakes its head, making a face.

STRETCH: Trust me.
STRETCH: Coming here was way.
STRETCH: Way better than school.
FILIGREE: ...figures.
FILIGREE: I've seen stuff like this online plenty of times, but-
STRETCH: Different being here.
FILIGREE: Completely different world, dude.


 

Its lip twitches.



You're still...worried about it.



Even when calmed down significantly, its motions are more jumpy, tail more prone to lashing.

Its nearly-invisible fuzz stands on end at the slightest noise, bristling at sudden moves.

The energy still crosses its body, occasional versus constant- thankfully not enough to cause trouble, seen about as dangerous as a charizard walking around.
The museum would have elemental protection if it had this much foot traffic-




So it must be fine.





For now.




It floats behind you to each exhibit, its expression softening with each one.



You follow along, relieved that it waits for you to signal you're good for the next.



A fair amount goes over your head, but there's a sense of success when you manage to click different concepts together.






You stop at a tapestry, woven pink figures dancing in a circle- accompanied by all sorts of other pokemon, festive and joyous together.

FILIGREE: ....
STRETCH: ....beautiful.
FILIGREE: ...yeah.
FILIGREE: ....



 

This is...awkward.



You do want to get to know Stretch more, the electabuzz an enigma even still.
Every bit of information you get just makes more questions pop up-



You feel a slight pang in your chest, hiding a wince.


...it'd been cropping up since Sweetpea's camp.



Just stress.




You catch it looking over for a moment, a little bit of panic spiking.



Shit.

FILIGREE: Can-
FILIGREE: Can I hear the rest of the story?

 

It raises its brows.

FILIGREE: The clefairy myth.
FILIGREE: I know I could probably, just, read it here-

 

You think about how its speech had smoothed out, coming easier when it could talk about an actual interest versus forcing itself into everyone else's conversational speed.

FILIGREE: ...but I liked the way you told it.

 

It's not that much of an ass cover, frankly.
You had become entranced in its retelling, and...maybe this would be good for both of you.


A way to keep your mind off of the clenching in your torso, and a chance for letting it engage with its interests.


Stretch's eyes widen more, coughing into its hand.

STRETCH: im
STRETCH: uh
STRETCH: nn.
STRETCH: Sure.



 

Win/win.



It gestures to the imagery in front of you, taking a moment to breathe.



The ring of clefairies, upon closer look, included the whole evolutionary line- and so many intricately crafted expressions and poses.

You could almost see the movement in it if you unfocused a little, ready for them to spin and twirl in front of you at any point.

STRETCH: ...the clefairies, cleffas, and clefables settled in among the residents of Mt. Moon.
STRETCH: It took them a long time to be able to communicate what had happened.
STRETCH: Words didn't cover it.
STRETCH: They had left their home, in a hurry-
STRETCH: Terrified. Frantic.
STRETCH: As if they were being chased.
STRETCH: They would point to the moon and cry...

 

Stretch pauses, closing its eyes for a moment.

STRETCH: ...spending all night waiting for family that never came.

 

Some of the clefairies towards the edges held each other, their faces despairing and lost as they looked up at the sky.

FILIGREE: ....
FILIGREE: It-
FILIGREE: It must have been lonely.

 

It nods.

STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: They-
STRETCH: Nn.
STRETCH: They adjusted.
STRETCH: Never stopped wishing. But-
STRETCH: They found love and family here, too.
STRETCH: No one really knows what happened on the moon.
STRETCH: Could be anything.
STRETCH: Main theory is that the meteorite was an escape vessel-
 
 

It points to a cracked meteorite in the corner, some of the pink aliens carrying little shards away- barely visible at a glance, but distinct up close.

FILIGREE: Like a spaceship?
STRETCH: Mm.
FILIGREE: ...wild.
STRETCH: Stranger things have happened.
STRETCH: And-
STRETCH: Plenty of species are affected by lunar energy.
STRETCH: Even Fr-

 

It pauses, trailing off.

FILIGREE: .....

 

You





don't know whether to press it.






Especially after everything that'd happened so far- it feels like a bad idea to push buttons.

FILIGREE: ...how'd you know all this stuff anyway?

 

It makes a face.




Oh, god, that was a button-

STRETCH: ....I wanted to work here.

 

Its voice comes out exhausted and low.

STRETCH: I, wouldn't-
STRETCH: I'm not going to church or anything-

 

Ohhh.



Oh,
that




makes a lot of its tension around you and Eerie worse.




Shit.

FILIGREE: ....but this means a lot to you, yeah?
STRETCH: Nn.
STRETCH: Yeah.
STRETCH: ....I get called nuts enough as is.
STRETCH: Last thing I need is people knowing I'm a Lunatic.

 

You can't blame it.


Lunacy was...to put it bluntly, a fringe religion.




A scientific field as well, yeah, for sure- and people tended to respect that part a lot more.

The whole "searching for alien life" and theories about lunar radiation, though...

FILIGREE: Well-
FILIGREE: ...I won't tell anybody.

 

It pauses, surprised.


You did allude to your family finding it all...a bit crackpot.




You wouldn't have if you'd known.

STRETCH: ....yeah?

 

You nod.

FILIGREE: I think it's cool you got to even, like- consider this stuff.
FILIGREE: A career, research...
STRETCH: Didn't last.
STRETCH: After the whole-

 

It gestures up and down its body.

STRETCH: This.
STRETCH: ...I-
STRETCH: got put in the hospital for a while.

 

Tapping its forehead now, avoiding your eyes.

STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: .......they don't let people with
STRETCH: brain damage
STRETCH: do this kind of thing.

 

It winces, realizing its implications.



Your chest is still hurting.




You had stopped noticing it for a while, but, nope, there it is now that you're thinking about health stuff.

STRETCH: Sor-
FILIGREE: S'okay.

 

You really wanted to believe it's stress.

FILIGREE: It's what my dad had, it's what I'll have.
FILIGREE: ...Analogous, anyway.

 

Stretch doesn't catch on.

It's for the best.

Even for all of its attention to detail, the last thing you'd want is for that to kick in when it's actually opening up to someone.

FILIGREE: ...math get bad for you?
STRETCH: ...yeah.
STRETCH: Memory issues too.

 

....especially when it's actually something you can relate to too.

FILIGREE: Oh, yeah.
FILIGREE: It's like- I can memorize facts about all kinds of things-
STRETCH: -but never the right ones.
FILIGREE: Exactly!
FILIGREE: Numbers?
STRETCH: Gone.
FILIGREE: Dates, times?
STRETCH: Gonnnne.
FILIGREE: See?

 

Its lip twitches again.

It's an expression Frond told you to keep an eye out for when you asked him if you could help at all.


He said that it has a hard time of smiling, always did- but it had its own way of looking appreciative, if not outright happy, if you looked closely enough.

STRETCH: ...thanks.



 

....you may as well take a shot.

FILIGREE: ...You don't have to be alone, okay?
FILIGREE: If-
FILIGREE: If anything's up-
STRETCH: .....

 

 

Back to avoiding your eyes.



Even still, before you can get worried-

STRETCH: I-
STRETCH: ...I'll.
STRETCH: try.
 

 

Good.


You-



It'll work out.



You did good today.






You'll just take an extra pill later.



It'll ease up.




Your symptoms always do with some meds.






You both turn back to the tapestry

watching the clefairy dance.
 

---

The mountain is full of mysteries, as are the members of our team...though at this point, that shouldn't be a surprise.

Suggestors, we've got another day of rest and relaxation for the Shooting Stars- giving you all one more day to inquire about lore for us to discover much, much later.... Your curveball today is simple: what is something the folks at the Lunar Institute are hiding?
Find out next time...on SPACE CASE!

[DanZapman]

what is something the folks at the Lunar Institute are hiding?

They faked the moon so they could fake the moon landing. The reason all the Cleffas and all the Lunatics are so confused is that the real moon's been stolen and locked away.

[Lilium Mortem]

what is something the folks at the Lunar Institute are hiding?

There's a second, smaller moon behind the first.

[Aabcehmu]

Research fraud and academic dishonesty seems like a classic.

[skinstealer]

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
The Stars' brand new guide to the mountain had sidequests for the team- though these feel a lot more like sightseeing than actual work...

Rappel seems to be fond of these barely-disguised self care sessions- with her insisting on another day of rest, what could lay ahead? Find out now: on SPACE CASE!

EPISODE 16: A Nice Long Rest

---

 

STRETCH: ...should be the next left.

 

You're supporting Minerva on one side, Eerie on the other. She's able to walk properly, but after a few days of having to be tugged around, it's clear that she's not as steady as she- or anyone else- would like her to be.

EERIE: Can't say I've ever done this before...
MINERVA: Neither have I, but-
MINERVA: It sounds lovely...

 

The rhyhorn huffs, pointedly slumping as the three of you arrive at your destination-




-changing rooms for the Lunar Institute hot springs.

Rappel had insisted on it, pulling three passes out of her pocket like another one of her card tricks.

RAPPEL: It's exactly what Minerva needs right now.
RAPPEL: Trust me!
RAPPEL: The water hits different when star-kissed.

 

She proceeded to make an exaggerated kiss gesture towards the sky, Minnie giggling like crazy.

MINERVA: ....so nice of Rappel to do all this...

 

.....at least she's making another friend.









You do not like being naked on a normal day.

Even with Minerva, it's- a whole situation- though you guess that's not particularly strange considering how short of a time it's been.

Sure, you had seen people in their tight battling gear, but-

You would struggle to cut the tension between you and Eerie with a knife, the two of you in towels as Minerva dangles her feet in the water.

MINERVA: Oh, it is lovely-

 

Eerie holds her towel up against her chest, posture stiff. You're about as well composed with it over your waist, feeling extra self conscious over the markings on your chest being visible- elliptical rings instead of the standard electabuzz stripes.




The two of you shuffle, the seemingly oblivious golbat making herself at home.

EERIE: ...looks like she's doing just fine.
STRETCH: Nn.
EERIE: ....
STRETCH: ....
EERIE: If you tell anyone in the team-
STRETCH: Trust me I am not talking about this with anyone ever

 

Even so, helping Minerva get properly situated takes the edge off, both of you taking your own spots to the side as Minnie starts her soak. The second you both sink into the water, you realize why she'd been able to relax so quickly-

EERIE: Hhhholy shit that feels nice.

 

You make a sound not unlike a warbly purr as you feel yourself untense, worries melting away.

STRETCH: Rappel...was not. Kidding.
STRETCH: wow.
EERIE: You think she can get us full time memberships?
STRETCH: For how much we're paying her, 'm shocked she's doing any of this at all...
EERIE: Definitely some kinda weirdo...
EERIE: .....
EERIE: .......I like her, though.

 

She nods at the golbat having the relaxation of her life.

EERIE: Seems to know her shit with Minnie.
STRETCH: ...I.
STRETCH: Think I like her too.
STRETCH: ...weirdly practical person.
EERIE: Not freaked out by her, like-
EERIE: Whole....card...thing?

 

You would have panicked in any other situation, but all you can do is shrug as the water gives you a nice, steamy hug.

STRETCH: ...not for now.
EERIE: For now?
STRETCH: Just met her.
STRETCH: Can go anywhere from here.
EERIE: ...
EERIE: Really aren't much of an optimist, huh?
STRETCH: Nope.
EERIE: ....me neither.
STRETCH: ...Hard to be after the past week.

 

You both fall silent again.

EERIE: ...y'know I didn't mean for-
STRETCH: I know.
STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: i know.
STRETCH: You're-




 

You remember Frond's wet cheeks.

STRETCH: Not.
STRETCH: The only person screwing things up.
EERIE: ....yeah, but-
EERIE: You two, like, made up, or whatever.

 

She doesn't sound fully convinced.

EERIE: I dunno what you guys' deal is-
EERIE: .....
EERIE: ....didn't you miss him?

 

Your chest clenches.

EERIE: I just keep- comin' back to it.
EERIE: Ten years is a long time, man.
STRETCH: .....
STRETCH: i
STRETCH: I figured-


 

the vague feeling of him clutching you


the smell of rot as he told you to count




feeling him choke on his own vomit as he gripped you with newly-formed arms





suffering




for you.

STRETCH: .....
STRETCH: that he wouldn't want to see me again.
STRETCH: after everything.






 

She stares at you for a few agonizing moments.

EERIE: You know that's stupid as hell, right?
STRETCH: Hrk-!
EERIE: Like-
EERIE: That's bullshit.
EERIE: You think somebody who didn't wanna see you again would jump at the first possible chance to go on a fucking cross country trip?
EERIE: With fucking League battling?
STRETCH: I-
STRETCH: It's-
STRETCH: Ten years, it's-
STRETCH: We didn't, even-
STRETCH: We don't really know each other now, we haven't talked-!
EERIE: Why not now?
EERIE: You clearly got stuff in common still.
EERIE: You're stuck in this stupid mess, you got...chemistry, or whatever-
EERIE: I think you're bein' a fucking asshole about it!
EERIE: ....

 

She snorts tiredly.

EERIE: ....but Frond really wants to be your friend again.
EERIE: Think you do too.





 

it's okay, just count to ten-

STRETCH: ....why, though?
STRETCH: It-
STRETCH: You're new to both of us-
EERIE: Yeah, and ever since he started getting his ass kicked, you've been in a goddamn mood and so has he.
EERIE: You're both worried as shit about each other-
EERIE: You follow each other around-
EERIE: And god, after that whole thing with the magneton-

 

You immediately flush, praying it comes off more as the heat from the springs than-

EERIE: You've been seriously off, dude.
STRETCH: ....
EERIE: ..........
STRETCH: ........I-




 

You open and close your mouth.




She just watches, waiting for your explanation





that never comes.

EERIE: ....hff.
EERIE: S'alright.
EERIE: Just-
EERIE: ....think about it.
STRETCH: ....yeah.
EERIE: Also-

 

She points downward, panic flooding you as you see the water rippling around you in a perfect circle.

STRETCH: HRK
EERIE: You got a terrible poker face.
STRETCH: THAT'S-
EERIE: Relax.
EERIE: Not talking to anyone 'bout anything here, right?

 

She snickers, looking back at Minerva.

EERIE: Made a deal.
STRETCH: R
STRETCH: right.
STRETCH: y. yeah.

 

You turn to look back at the golbat as well-

EERIE: Damn.
EERIE: She is like, melted.
STRETCH: .....

 

Your lip twitches, the golbat kicked back without an ounce of tension in her body.

STRETCH: It's...good.
STRETCH: ....to see her safe.
EERIE: Yeah.
EERIE: ....you gonna get to disciplining me over it?
STRETCH: Eh-?
STRETCH: ...oh.
STRETCH: Right.
EERIE: Mhm.
STRETCH: No, I.
STRETCH: I think. You've had enough.
STRETCH: ....on the suffering front.
EERIE: Man, aren't you generous.

 

She sighs, clearly more relieved than cocky.

EERIE: Wouldn't've blamed you, though.
STRETCH: ...all I was going to-
STRETCH: I was just going to ask for info.
STRETCH: On. Osteo.
EERIE: ...seriously?
EERIE: Dude, you made it sound like I was gonna have to go to some kinda dungeon.
EERIE: And like, after Pewter, I've had enough of that.
STRETCH: Tch.
EERIE: That a laugh?
STRETCH: No.
EERIE: Close enough for me.
EERIE: You got a scary face when you're serious, like-
EERIE: Just askin' me for intel is normal!
EERIE: Like, I fucking hate it, but-
EERIE: ....you were right, I can't hide shit like this.
EERIE: And- I don't want anybody else to get hurt.
EERIE: Learned my fucking lesson plenty.
EERIE: ...

 

Her face grows somber, still looking at Minnie.

EERIE: She could've died.
EERIE: Frond and Filigree too.
EERIE: I- never would've run my mouth if I knew things were that bad with the gang.
EERIE: It's like, I figured, eh, we might get some guys swinging a club around every so often, I can take that shit.
EERIE: Even like, the kabutops- back in the gang, it was still learning how that damn cannon worked.
EERIE: .....I
EERIE: think something really bad is happening, Stretch.
EERIE: .....and I shouldn't've gotten y'all involved.
STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: Well.
STRETCH: Knock the pity party off.

 

She blinks, stunned.

STRETCH: We're in this together.
STRETCH: Or. Something.
STRETCH: And-
STRETCH: I get it.

 

You stare at the gentle, even ripples coming off your body.

STRETCH: If I got the chance to-
STRETCH: Get revenge.
STRETCH: Or whatever.
STRETCH: ...I would.

 

She snort-laughs.

EERIE: Let's show 'em what we got, then.
EERIE: Piss off everybody off who tunes in.
STRETCH: ...yeah.
STRETCH: You got it.
















 

It's dark.








It had been dark for a long time.




You had stopped trying to count an eternity ago- and yet instead of being accustomed to it, you could register it as "dark."





Like looking at the inside of one's eyelids, forever.
Did you have those, once?
Likely not now.




Now.


What a concept.



Now, then, what did those things even mean anymore?

It's not like you ever had a good idea of time passing anyway.

Even these thoughts are scattered and malleable, translated from your best attempt at connecting words and concepts together.






Your thoughts dissolved into a pulp alongside your body,





....but one day, you feel definition.




An edge, something pressing against your container.




Something to you.












Time passes.






You've developed more edges, now.


They're strange, tangled and folded in and across each other.

You try to move them sometimes, a twitch here and there, cramped too tight to actually achieve a gesture or stretch.





A hard surface develops, and the pain begins- your confines crushing you more and more.









It feels like a much longer wait, now.




Are you dead?






Is this where dead people go?






You had heard stories- hadn't you?






People...there were people once-












Light.










Oh





it hurts.








Are you screaming?


Something's- there's a noise coming out of you, and it hurts.
Everything hurts.



The edges escape their confines, spilling and scrambling everywhere.

Surfaces unlike your cage, oh, what is this-





This isn't home.

You don't remember what home is, but this is NOT it.

Home wasn't cold. Home wasn't bright, searing into- oh, you have eyes now.

Eyes?

Eyes.



The thought doesn't match the word you would use in the future (the real Now?), but right in This now, it's an imperfect translation.





There are shadows around you blocking out the light- do you know them?
No, no, they're wrong-


Noises escape your mouth, teeth clacking, all borrowed words from the future for the sake of remembering This Now.

Where are they?

Where are-




They're not like you.



They're not your friends- oh, you had friends, you remember having them even if you can't remember anything and they're not here and-




The figures step back as you make a terrible, wet sound.




You're crying.




One of them makes noises back, but they aren't like anything you've heard.







you want to go back.













You pick up things quickly.



The first few escape attempts are highly unsuccessful, but you learn a bit more with each try.

Your awareness on how to move your body gets better as you learn how to sneak around, open doors- even if you always get caught.



....you start to wonder why they're making it easy for you. This is nothing compared to being compressed for infinity, being dissolved and reformed however many times before they cracked your cage open.



Sometimes, they make strange expressions over it-



-and then you realize that it's happiness.
They're smiling- you knew what smiling was back then, didn't you?





They give you extra delicious food when you manage to break out.

More time wandering around the cold, white tiled facility, less harsh pushes to return to your cell.




...unfortunately for your escape efforts, you are easy to sway, and you find yourself more drawn to the promise of treats and being allowed to poke at new objects than actually getting out the door.








You still miss the people and places at the edges of your memory- how could you not?



But it does become more manageable, more and more time in between crying fits and nightmares spent exploring your new world.










...Something tells you that there isn't a way back, after all.






The people keeping you here aren't cruel- and while it takes some time to parse these expressions as well, you do start getting those down.






They feel terrible for you.




Every time they catch you crying, they get you what you come to understand as a quilt, something to drink, a snack- and they make those noises again.

Tone is one thing that you're getting better at reading, being able to pick up on when someone is happy, sad, angry...but they keep making the same noises in distinct patterns.




You kind of like the noises.
Some of them make you happy when you notice them, and you making a noise back makes them even happier.

More treats for you.
Yum yum yum.


Once they notice your enthusiasm over what you soon learn are "words", they get right to helping you through it. There are so many ways to speak, let alone to listen, write, read- it's overwhelming at first.



....not just for you, but for your caretakers.

They struggle to keep up with your demands, never satisfied with their stumbling pace.

You want to know everything, and each new bit of information gets you curious for more.

The words "slow down" and "not today" are very much embedded into your early vocabulary, shortly after you pick up on the dreaded "more".





You're introduced to others kind of like you- "omastar", they keep saying.

Funny word.

It takes you ages to actually pronounce it.
They seem to grasp this so much easier, and some days you feel frustrated beyond belief.



....others, you poke and prod and ramble at them until they teach you new things, often out of an urge to make you please just go away.




It stings, but your carers tell you that they didn't come from the same world you did.



You want to understand their world.



You want to go outside.













They give you a television instead.


The television.


The TELEVISION!!! 



How many wonderful things you watch on TV!

You can hear some of the researchers express concerns- won't this just rot your mind?

You're pretty sure minds can't do that, especially not when you scribble on paper as you watch. 

They're nonsense symbols and markings to everyone else, but they make sense to you.

Even if you can't use their words back at them yet or know how to move your tentacles in the ways they ask of you, your notes do plenty!





The amount of tapes they give you are limited, but you learn to love every one of them- okay, well, not that one they called "golf".


A waste of your time!
Too slow!
Not enough action!





One day, there's another person in your TV room- not a researcher or a doctor or a carer.



The two of you stare at each other, unsure what to make of the other- it was close to what you'd heard called a "kabutops", but not all the way.




There was something different about it.



It likes TV, though.
Likes your symbols too.



It doesn't have any way to draw like you, so you end up stealing couch cushions and helping it figure out how to poke and cut into the fabric.


You realize that this is driving your caregivers up the wall, but who cares?
You have a new friend now, and the two of you LOVE to get up to shenanigans.







It ends up being just what you need to learn further.
Both you, and your new pal.



It's so much easier to get the hang of this with someone who's actually interested in having a real conversation, versus the negative and positive reinforcement based lessons- though, you will never refuse a bribery burger.





You play.



You laugh,
you cry,
you pick up affects and vocabulary from your favorite videotapes-
and why not?


They're incredible!




It takes some serious effort and convincing, but you finally get some of them to pay attention and make sense of your notes, and you learn to write together as well.





The tools "made for your species" aren't too bad once you get the hang of them, though the doctors find both of your methods...creative.




....and then they tell you you can go outside, with some final necessary steps.






They tell you you both can pick a formal name of your own, as well as ways for people to identify you.




You and your friend really have to think this one over.
It's given the same offer, a way to formalize a name for legal identification.

This is something that requires real consideration, considering the nicknames racked up during your time here are much more fluid than an entry in a global database.



You take them up on it, both going through a couple of options.
A name is such an interesting thing, and the two of you end up keeping track of lots of names from your shows, finding patterns, symbolism, meaning.



You just keep coming back to one of the tapes- a caving show, mixing real world footage and lessons along with dramatic narrative segments.

Adventures into the depths, discovering new worlds and biomes.

It takes some time to sift through all of the potential terminology, and even more fascinating is the gender aspect.

So many things to rotate around...






And then one day, the decisions stick.




You are named Rappel, and she is named Plunge.











The world is beautiful, more than you could have imagined.



Some of it even reminds you of the vague remainders of your memory, and the same for Plunge.


It's easy to stick together,
pursue life,
jobs,
learning,
housing together-





Admitting your love for each other is more of a casual statement than a grand event, even more natural than picking up new phrases.






You add a last name on after exchanging vows, your ID proudly listing "Cara" along with licensing for cave exploration.







Plunge stays in Cinnabar, tending to your shared home just down the road from the lab that freed you both.








You travel, sending her pictures, postcards, care packages, every meetup a chance to kiss and embrace and make love-












Two decades pass.





It never stops being exciting.






You are so happy,

and so, so alive.

RAPPEL: So!
RAPPEL: Let's talk turkey!
MINERVA: ....turkey?

 

You gesture to a map spread across a rolling easel, having meticulously prepared it the night before.

RAPPEL: Yes, turkey!
RAPPEL: The main course!
RAPPEL: The MAIN EVENT!
RAPPEL: Your journey- and the path we take!
RAPPEL: I may be your guide, but you all help me chart the course.
RAPPEL: Your goals! Your DESIRES!
RAPPEL: Tell me what you want to achieve, and we will make it happen!
STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: Getting through.
EERIE: Aren't you practical.
RAPPEL: Practicality is an excellent foundation for an adventure!
RAPPEL: You're looking to pass through to Cerulean, yes?
STRETCH: ...mm.
RAPPEL: Minimizing pit stops?
STRETCH: Yes.
RAPPEL: No detours!
STRETCH: Ideally.
RAPPEL: Excellent, excellent...
RAPPEL: And what about the rest?
MINERVA: Well...I know sightseeing should be...minimal-
MINERVA: But I haven't ever been in a cave like this.
RAPPEL: Worry not!
RAPPEL: I can give trivia even as we go at a brisk pace.
RAPPEL: A good cave guide can move and educate all at once!
FROND: I'm a little interested in the wildlife...
FILIGREE: Mineral deposits for me.
RAPPEL: Yes! YES! All doable.
RAPPEL: How about you, Eerie?
EERIE: ....

 

She shrugs.

EERIE: I'll go with the flow.
RAPPEL: No trouble!

 

You turn, looking over the various paths before grabbing a piece of chalk, tracing it along.

FILIGREE: ...you don't use a nav?
RAPPEL: I do!
RAPPEL: But a digital copy is only as useful as your battery life.
RAPPEL: I'll be making backups before we set out, one for each of you- as well sending nav data!
RAPPEL: Landmarks- marked.
RAPPEL: Paths- labeled!
RAPPEL: The travel routes have things like bells, lights, and other integrated safety measures to help lost adventurers...
RAPPEL: Those will also be marked!
FILIGREE: ....wow.
STRETCH: You're thorough.
RAPPEL: I must!
RAPPEL: I have yet to have a cave tour go badly!
FROND: Like...ever?

 

You nod.

It was true, actually.
Not because you were immediately skilled- that'd be ridiculous.
You're no illustrious hero.

 

No, it was through what got you to this point in the first place.

Practice.

RAPPEL: Been in the business for twenty years!
RAPPEL: You start with small gigs, you get your climbing ropes-
RAPPEL: And eventually, you get to this point!
RAPPEL: Now, I've had close calls-
RAPPEL: But you learn from them!
RAPPEL: And for you all, this should be a fairly straightforward path.

 

Minerva breathes a sigh of relief.

MINERVA: I'm glad...

 

You look around, taking your bunch of explorers in.



Minerva is a fast friend, and boy, are you thrilled about it.
She's just lovely, and you're looking forward to spending more time chatting and going over procedures.


....interesting, though.
An Eclipse, here?
You're certain if she's gotten this far, there's not a lot of chance for her to be recognized....and you're not going to scare her by bringing it up.
Some pasts are best left behind, and you never trust families focused on bloodline.
Her getting away from that is likely a good thing.



Eerie...ex-Osteo, for sure.
No one needed to tell you- no, you recognized the scrapes in the armor around her joints even before you saw her packing away the club.
That terrible wire practice they do....keeping your tentacle on those pulses was almost a part time gig to your full time one!
Still, you get a lot of people affected by them.

An increasing amount, even.
With each one, you learn a new horror.

It disturbs you.

Why someone would torture another mon like that is beyond you- but you've had your share of feeling trapped and desperate.

Just...lucky that your captors were relatively kind.



Frond, now there's a great guy.
Reliable, charming, caring for his peers-

But that nasty tendency to overextend, even in the brief observations you've had of him...

...something to keep an eye on.

Even if it's as simple as him reaching for something on a shelf for Filigree- the shelf too high, his hand not dexterous enough- it indicates opportunity for DISASTER if you don't watch for it.

....he seems quite close to that Stretch fellow, even if it's difficult to tell if it's requited.
They'd known each other a long time...




Best to watch for that too.


Stretch itself is a live wire, and...it doesn't seem to notice it, yet.
That or it's dead set on ignoring it- not good at all.

Solid chance of it being volatile and impulsive when like this....stress levels would have to be kept down.
Not knowing what someone with that much of a flat affect would benefit from is a bit tricky, though.

Going to be a hard read.




....and then, Filigree.




Ohhh this one troubles you.

The bellsprout is sick.
No doubt about that.
It tries to hide it, but you've got a strong eye for this kind of thing.

Trick of the trade, necessary for your line of work to keep someone from falling into a spike hole.

You even tried to inquire about it earlier, but got brushed off.
Monitoring them would probably be your #1 priority, even compared to Stretch in a state.
Electabuzz overclocking is one thing- and not a small one- but you're unfamiliar with whatever's going on with that plant.


...it can't be anything good.

Still...

Quite the crew!
A lot of different backgrounds, stylings, species...



....and you weren't kidding about that card.

Stretch, the leader-

It- and its team!- are on a similar path to your own. How, you're unsure.


....but this will be quite the adventure to find out!
 

---

Minerva's been properly soaked, and Rappel's history begins to unravel- and just for you, the audience! Time will tell how much she'll share with her new comrades...

But I have to ask, suggestors...what do you think the reason Rappel and Stretch were brought together could be? Perhaps something could be divined from this very forum thread...

Find out next time...on SPACE CASE!


(hi author's note i have been writing all of the winning suggestions now and incorporating them into overall update plans since the project is being written/played through way ahead of when you see it. because this shit is long. your suggestions Will come to haunt you later.)

[DanZapman]

what do you think the reason Rappel and Stretch were brought together could be? 

The invisible hand of f--queerness. Solidarity in being broke bitches. The ineffable will of Rayquaza. A shared love of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run. A cavalier attitude towards their own safety in the midst of a crisis. The schemes of [SPOILER].