joy on helixmas morn (even for domeists)

[domeinion]

[1) Alice's Lab]

[In the days leading up to Helixmas, or Christmas, or "whatever you want it to be" as Dr. Unoya put it last year, Alice can be most often found in her lab in the Shrouded Woods. She's currently cleared off one of the bulletin boards and is mulling over what's best described as a conspiracy wall, with yarn connecting photos of the different Legendaries that popped up over the past year, news articles about the Malamar incident at the last Harvesting Bonds Festival, copied texts about the festival in general, and any reports of evil-team activity she can possibly find. You may come in to her pacing back and forth, focused on the board, until Hyperbug buzzes and Alice turns around.]

Oh! Sorry, you gave me a start! Did you need something?

[2) Turnbloom Market]

[But, well, it is multiple gift-giving holidays, and even if Alice doesn't celebrate any of them, it's always good to appreciate your friends. To that end, she's made the trek to the biggest centre on the island a few days before to do some more last-minute shopping. She looks over a hand-knitted Wiki plush and hums.]

I know all the textbooks didn't go over well last year, but what does everybody want?

[3) anywhere]

[Alice has the determination of a scientist and three team members who know Fly, so she'll head out to find you and deliver your gift herself! Don't be surprised if she shows up wherever you happen to be. Don't worry, it isn't programming textbooks this year. Probably.]

Comments

[domeinion]

Oh, sure! [She adjusts her glasses.] I was just looking to see if I could find anybody, so I don't mind. It'll be more efficient and entertaining with more people, anyway.

[loudvoiceloudbabybird]

[Memo and Lady have been staying to the side, but when she mentions more people they float forward once more, waving.]

Yeah! Onwards to the moving platform, then?

[domeinion]

Oh, sure! In all honesty, I almost forgot that was there.

[Alice heads up the path with a smile, stopping every so often to take notes on whatever she sees. Like a strange tree shape or a Pichu gnawing a mushroom.]

whoops that should have read VIEWING platform

[loudvoiceloudbabybird]

[Brinda can be patient! Although the Lampent duo does sometimes drift ahead a bit, before turning around to make sure they didn't just leave everyone in the lurch.]

Aw, hi there! [Brinda leans forward to wave at the Pichu a little, always happy to meet a fellow Electric-type.]

[domeinion]

[The Pichu makes a happy little chirp and waves back. Alice smiles and looks over them.]

You really get along well with Pokémon. It's nice to see something like that.

[loudvoiceloudbabybird]

Well, it's better if we can get along, isn't it? The wild Pokemon here are all so much calmer than the ones back home.

[domeinion]

I wouldn't blame them for being upset or volatile, with what you've said about the state of your home. I've seen worlds out of order, and it never goes well in the end.

[loudvoiceloudbabybird]

[They nod.] Dad sometimes talks about what things used to be like...it's kind of nice to see it in person, though.

[domeinion]

I think I'd feel that way too if I were in your position. Like if I were still in a randomized world and didn't know anything else.

[loudvoiceloudbabybird]

What's it like, being stuck in a randomized world? [They ask, as they continue upwards, nearing the platform.] It sounds kind of strange, but your Pokemon all seem pretty happy the way they are...

[domeinion]

It's strange for certain. Fascinating, especially when you know how things are supposed to be. And beyond that -- dangerous. Sometimes the changes aren't thought through, and while they work at first, reality starts to set in. The world started to slowly degenerate. Three years in, it was falling apart, even with all our efforts. We managed to put things back to order -- if we hadn't, the world would've just crumbled, existentially.

[Hyperbug's cannon legs droop. She sighs and pets him.]

But we had to stay the way we were. We -- I -- couldn't exist without the Randomizer. ...Dad made it for me, after all.