let's gather 'round the campfire

[churanger]

Whichever Pokemon Center you’ve visited, you may come across a particular flyer at the bulletin board. At the front of the flyer is decorated with various Pokemon, a couple of which aren’t seen in Ohritori Island. The wordings of course, are in its Ulternian script, but luckily there’s a translation of it just below the text.

— LIMITED TIME OFFER —
SWAYING HAVEN SUMMER CAMP

SEE THE GREAT POKEMON PARADISE OF ULTERN IN CHURA ISLAND

FREE ADMISSION

For inquiries or sign-ups, just ask the Pokemon Center’s attendant to help you out.

It seems like the camping event is going to take place on an island further from where you currently are. Upon inquiry, you’ve been told that the travel fees are covered and the only thing you’re advised is to bring a tent or sleeping bag, an extra set of clothes, and your own food. The camp itself lasts for three days, making the rainforest trip seemingly worthwhile. With your interest piqued, you’ve set forth towards Chura Island.

---

After taking the ferry to Port Opportune, a Pokemon Ranger (introducing herself as Willy) guides you and the rest of the group as you pass through Crabrawler Coast and Adanook Town, then took the bright yellow-roped trail upon entering the forest until finally… you reach the campsite. A large wooden arch greets you and the visitors with large words etched on the signboard affixed to it.

Welcome to Lakeside Camp

---

((ooc: Introducing Swaying Haven, the largest rainforest in all of Ultern! You can create a starter thread underneath each day. Of course, your character is free to leave camp and explore the rest of Chura Island on their own if they like! Enjoy your stay!))

Through space AND time... [Volo has arrived!]

[unchcsen]

A. STARDUST BEACH

Volo gets woken up by the sensation of water lapping at his outstretched fingertips.

The cave where he often sleeps lies beneath a waterfall. Did he somehow roll out of the cave in his sleep, all the way down onto the banks of the river? No, that's ridiculous! Then it could only be...the cave is flooding and he needs to get out right now!

When he opens his eyes and sits up, rather than staring into the darkness of a cave, he's greeted by bright early morning sun. It's warmer than any sunlight he's ever felt before. Instead of cold stone beneath his bedroll, there are grains of star-shaped sand...and his bedroll is steadily getting soaked, as a tide rolls in.

Volo jumps to his feet and yanks his bedroll away from the water's edge. His large backpack is still safe, but when he looks in the other direction, he sees his smaller satchel - with his Pokémon! - slowly being dragged down the shore by the waves, a short distance away.

"No...! No, no, no!" He starts running, but will he get to it in time?


B. OUTSIDE THE POKéMON CENTRE, TURNBLOOM CITY

Volo has been sitting on a bench opposite the Pokémon Centre for a long time now. He's not quite sure how he got there; he just started walking aimlessly, shaken up by what had happened on the beach. His trousers are soaked up to the knees, and he clutches his satchel tightly to his stomach. At least his Pokémon are all safe!

As the shock wears off, he becomes fascinated by the motion of the Pokémon Centre doors, which seem to open and close as if by magic, whenever somebody approaches. Are people controlling them with their minds? It's clear that he's not in Hisui anymore, and he has so many questions...but who can he ask?

Volo begins to stare keenly at any passers-by, taking in their strange clothes and strange habits, eager to get their attention but unsure what might be culturally acceptable, here and now. If he manages to make eye contact with anyone, he'll smile and start up some generic small talk, hoping that someone will stick around.

"Hello. Nice day, isn't it? Might I trouble you for just a moment...?"


C. TURNTERRACE ROAD (ON THE WAY TO GILTERRACE TOWN)

Volo got too tired and overheated to walk any further, so now he's riding on the back of a Pokémon that looks like an Arcanine, but slightly bigger, and with darker, thicker fur. She must be hot, too, in this weather. She's walking slowly, pausing for a rest every so often.

Volo has taken off his outer layers of clothing and his boots, but he's still not dressed for this weather. And poor Miss Arcanine still has to carry them upon her back, and him, and his heavy backpack, and his bedroll that now stinks of seawater...!

In trying to make some sense of his surroundings, Volo thinks he recognises this area as some kind of farmland. But he can't figure out the huge metal contraptions in the distance. They are so tall, and they seem to have rapidly spinning blades, which is quite a disturbing thought. What are they for?

If a shadow falls across their path, Volo will wearily lift his head just to ask: "Excuse me...? We really need to find fresh water, and a place to camp. Do you know if there's a river or a lake nearby?"


(( OOC: This is a post-canon Volo who's basically been living banished in the wilds of Hisui, after the events of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. So, besides being from a different century, he hasn't been around other human beings or civilisation for quite a while either... ))