You heard of April Fools, get ready for-

[ulternnpc]

The reverse of that.

*image vaguely related

Silly white lies? No, none of that will be coming out of anyone's mouths today. Instead, anyone you meet and talk to you be shocked to realize you're incapable of lying. Staying silent may be an option--or is it? For whatever reason, it's really hard to keep your words in today.

You just might be spouting the first thing that comes out of your mind!

What another, peaceful day in Ultern it is!


...what do you mean that it's not? Well, things have been mostly peaceful for a while anyway. Some chaos is always in order! (Apologies to any Domeists in our midst).

---

(🌺You thought there'd be no April Fools event?! Surprise! It's true, this is reverse-April Fools. Please enjoy, and don't forget about the OOC plotting post!🌺)

Comments

[goingallout]

[At the shores of Route 1, Ash can be seen sitting on a fallen log next to Pikachu as they watch the afternoon horizon together. They were mostly there to watch the Sandygast pass by anyway.

And then Ash takes a deep breath before staring at the setting sun.]

Y'know, Pikachu? I'm kind of craving for Brock's Cream Stew. It's times like these were I wish Brock, Cilan or even Clemont were here and we'd have dinner together.

Pika?

[...It takes a moment for Ash to realize what he just said.]

Huh, I must be really hungry right now if I'm saying that out loud! Oh well!

Pika-chu...

[you receive food thoughts]

[serperiority]

... Mr. Cilan and his brothers were very good cooks. The cakes at the Striaton restaurant looked good, but I thought ordering cakes'd look too babyish and unmanly, so I ordered a black coffee instead and felt sick the whole time after one sip and my heart pounded like crazy and I don't think I like caffiene actually. Still beat Mr. Chili, though. I took it out with me and just abandoned it somewhere because I couldn't drink it and it stunk and it was gross.

[Well, THAT was a lot.

Trip took a long breath after that tirade and pulled a strip of tape.]

Something happened and has us all saying things we don't want to, so I'm thinking of taping my mouth shut.

[goingallout]

[Yeah, no that's definitely a lot, but he lets out a laugh. Seeing this side of Trip is kind of a pleasant surprise. Though upon seeing the strip of tape, Ash quickly gestures Trip not to do it.]

Hey now, I think that's a bit extreme. Besides, I think being even extra truthful isn't too bad. I mean, at least we get to understand more about each other this way! So...

[He beams.]

I can't blame you for not liking the taste of coffee. I mean, I'm on the same boat y'know! I remember back when I was little, and I was wanting to be a grown up real fast so I could become a Pokemon Trainer, and I thought... grown-ups drink coffee, right? So I sneakily tried to take a sip of my Mom's coffee. It was soooo bitter that I gagged and ended up being caught drinking it anyway!

[And then Ash laughs again.]

It was pretty funny to think about.

[Trip slowly realizing Ash is the more mature one in some respects]

[serperiority]

[Trip flushed at being compared to Ash when he was little, brow twitching a bit.] I'm not little though... [Then a distressed look as he continued to listen to the story. It IS a relatable story, way more than it ought to be, but the way Ash is talking about it, makes it sound like a really long time ago.] Does that mean you're more mature than I am?! That can't be right...! I still— [—think that way, right?]

I mean, you are the more senior trainer and all, and you're World Champion now too, and I guess even back when we first met you had some admirable qualities, like your unpredictable battling style I still can't match, but—

[NOPE, sorry, taping over mouth, his pride can't take more of this embarrassment!]

when the lads have way different upbringings... u_u

[goingallout]

I didn't say that you are. Why'd you say that?

[He didn't mean to blurt out that question, but Ash doesn't seem too bothered as to why he did.

However Trip's look of distress did cause Ash to be concerned. And when the other is about to tape his mouth, Ash quickly grabs Trip's hands before it would even touch its lips.]

Woah, woah, woah! Hold it! You really don't have to do that!

Pii-ka! [Pikachu sounds his agreement.]

[what do you mean you're not supposed to compare and compete with everyone else?!]

[serperiority]

[Trip felt immediately grateful Ash stopped him, even whispering a brief "thanks" but also frowned and shook his head.]

Don't stop me or I'll never get this done. I've been trying to do this all day, I feel stupid carrying this thing, just let me get it over with.

... scared it'll hurt. [Yeah, judging by the disgusted, irritated look on his face, he didn't mean to say that either.] UGH. Can I sound any more pathetic...?

trip pls that's not how that works-

[goingallout]

[And he frowns.]

Trip, you're not pathetic.

[The tone in his voice his firm, and his grip on Trip's hands becomes harder.]

I get it, there's some things you don't want to talk about. And I don't blame you for feeling that way. But you don't have to go this far to hurt yourself and maybe even regret it later. It's not right!

[?? ? ??? at niceness and decency]

[serperiority]

[He winced at both the firmer tone and tightened grip, but kept watching Ash with a scowl, clearly unconvinced, but then, his eyes widened with realization.]

… you… really aren’t just saying this.

You really believe it?

[Utterly bewildered.]

… how come? You don’t think I’m acting like a big baby? That wasn’t the point of telling me that story…? It wasn’t to make me ashamed of myself so I’d stop…?

[goingallout]

Why would I want you to feel ashamed? I just wanted to say that I kinda relate, y'know? It's not like I'm being mean to you, that's not how I feel at all. And it's not that big of a deal to begin with.

[And then Ash loosens his grip, seeing that Trip has calmed down a bit.]

You can be weird sometimes, Trip.

[he is, it’s a pain, my condolences]

[serperiority]

Where have I heard that before? … but thank you.

For not thinking less of me.
[Now, with a lofty, arrogant tone, as if mimicking the way he was before:]
Even if I still think you get too involved in other people’s problems, to a pointless extent—you make a good friend, though.

[A blink. The last part was said too genuinely and too quickly for him to stop it. Well.]

[domeinion]

I think it might be a side effect of something else, Ash.

[Alice laughs a little self-consciously as she approaches.]

I'd offer you some food, but I can never get the hang of not burning anything.

[goingallout]

Something else? What d'you mean by that?

[But at Alice's offer however, he laughs it off.]

Ehehe, it's alright! It's not like everyone can cook. The best that I could do is help in the kitchen and either pull out cabbage leaves or stir whatever's in the pot.

[Well he sure spoke his mind out.]

Anyway, I've got some Yago Tempura with me so I'll be fine! Unless you're hungry. You want some?

[domeinion]

That sounds great! Food I didn't make is always better. Sometimes I wonder why my Pokémon haven't mutinied with how bad my cooking is.

[She laughs and shakes her head.]

But what I mean is I'm finding a lot of people today just can't keep from saying what they're feeling. You know?

[goingallout]

Maybe they just don't want to make you feel bad! If you ask me, that just goes to show how much your Pokemon love you!

[He knows he's being honest right now, and he doesn't look bothered by it at all.]

Oh yeah, I've noticed! I dunno... I'm sort of having fun with this, but I do kind of feel bad for everyone else. I can tell they're trying their best to keep their secrets a... well, secret!

[Ash then opens his backpack to pull out a paper bag and sets it on the log he's sitting on, along with a small container full of sweet dipping sauce. He offers a tempura at Alice's direction.]

Here! It's pretty bitter, so you might wanna dip it in sauce first.

[domeinion]

Thanks!

[She takes one and puts it in the sauce first, then takes a bite. With a small, contemplative pause, she smiles.]

It's definitely interesting! I'm not sure what to think of it, but it's very well-done. Is it from a store?

[goingallout]

Nah, Granny Yui made this! She packed it up for me knowing I'd be going out today.

[Ash grabs one himself and dips it before taking a bite.]

When I first tried them, I ate them without any sauce on it, and it was really bitter! So the flavors from the dipping sauce really helps. Maybe a store might have them too...

[domeinion]

Maybe! I do like the restaurants here when I have the money for them. And the stuff they sell at the marts! Better than being stuck with the same thing all the time. You know those pizzas decorated to look like Poké Balls? Paul once showed up after work with about 15 of them since someone had prank-ordered them from his work and he had no one to give them to. Time gets fuzzy in the void, but I think we were eating pizza for at least a week.

[goingallout]

[And he frowns.]

Oh... I can't imagine eating the same thing for the whole week. Unless maybe it's my Mom's cooking, like her croquettes! Those are always my favorite!

[domeinion]

Croquettes, huh? I haven't had those in ages. I don't regret taking off on a journey, but I definitely miss my mom's curry rice when I burn basic food again. Most of my friends can't cook, either... Camila -- the other A -- she used to always try her hand at the Pokéblock machine, and everything came out so solid none of her Pokémon could chew it. And she has a Graveler.

[monologing]

I never know when I'm hungry but I miss when Mom made me food! Or tea time with Daisy.

[Red is beaming. Hammy on the other hand made a face, lightly smacking Red's leg with his paw.]

Pikka! Pika pika chu!(Red! You need to eat more!)

[goingallout]

Really? Because I get hungry whenever it's time to get hungry!

[But upon Red mentioning about home-made food, that got Ash thinking too.]

Aw, me too! Whenever I get back home, my Mom would treat me with the best foods she's ever cooked. And when I'm away from home for a long while, I can't help but miss the smell and taste of Mom's croquettes...

Piiikachuu...

[Even Pikachu enjoys the food Delia makes for the two of them. But because of the strong thought of food in their minds, it's suddenly that their stomachs start growling loudly.]

Ahahaha! Now I'm hungry.

Pika...

[monologing]

I could still eat, but I just don't know? Hammy gets mad at me when I forget.

[Like now, as Hammy's cheeks puffed out.]

Croquettes...that sounds good. Mom made tons of good food! I liked anything she made, but it felt really special when she'd make omurice.

[He beamed thinking about it. At Ash commenting he's hungry, Red will dig into his bag to pull out what looked like a bag of Sugar Doughnuts.]

Want some?

[goingallout]

Well lucky that Hammy's there to keep an eye on you, huh?

[Ash then reaches out to pet Hammy on the head.]

Omurice sounds delicious! But you're right though, it really does feel special when Mom makes my favorite food.

[As he peers into the bag, Ash's eyes widen. Immediately he recognizes the familiar scent of one of Ultern's specialties.]

Oh, Sugar Doughnuts! Yeah, for sure! Thanks!

[And he'll happily take a handful of them, and in an instant he starts biting down on the two of them.]

Aah, they're so good!

[monologing]

[Red nodded while Hammy's leaning his head out for the pet.]

Pikapika!

Yeah, Mom's cooking is great.

[He's beaming, not minding the amount of Sugar Doughnuts Ash took. He still had more!]

They just made these and smelled really nice at the booth I passed by, and Hammy really wanted some too.

[goingallout]

Ooh nice! Have you tried all the other food in Ultern too? I've learned how there's just so much good food in this region!

[The thought of Turnbloom Crepes, Yago Chanpuru and more came to mind.]

Man, it's nice getting to talk about food with you!

[And then Ash blinked, realizing what he just said.]

...Y'know it just came to me that you're talking a lot more than before.