A day to Return your gratitude!

[ulternnpc]

Today is Return Day in Ultern.

Happy families, and blushing couples can be seen excitedly exchanging gifts that day. Not only that but it seemed the Pokemon too can be seen handing gifts out to their own family and friends, be it another Pokemon or a person.

Like any other holiday in Ultern there seems to be excitement in the air. In fact, everyone just might notice there are Gracidea flowers blooming here, there and seemingly everywhere especially out in the fields. People here can be seen decorating their place with the flowers, or even handing out bouquets of them as gifts to those they hold dear.

Maybe, just maybe there's someone out there waiting to send you a gift too. Or perhaps there's someone you're excited to send a gift to...?

 

 

LateR...

 

(🌺Ulsai, everyone! Don't forget to check out the OOC post on the event!🌺)

Comments

Within the Cities and Towns--

[ulternnpc]

In the towns there will be a shop set up for people to see and browse gifts for Return Day. However, while other places may be handing out gifts for little to no cost, people may notice the high price on the items. In fact right behind where the shopkeeper is seated people will get a very good look how there are cages of Shaymins at the back wall.

They're all clearly confused and scared as they can be seen making pathetic sounds and scratching at bottom of their cages. If anyone were to come close the bored looking shopkeeper's expression will change into a bright smile.

"Welcome to our store! Are you interested in getting a gift for a friend? Or maybe bring home a special friend for Return Day? Let me know if you need any help!"

[ateamrocket]

Mayday takes one look at the shopkeeper and is instantly able to clock them for what they are. She’s seen her share of these kind of pop-ups, seen her share of this kind of shady proprietor. Given she is brazenly wearing her own Rocket uniform, it is time for real criminal to criminal communication hours up in here.

“Nice setup,” she comments, looking around at the overpriced goods. “Hey, when’d you get here?”

[ulternnpc]

Well, well! There's an appreciative whistle from him when taking note of Mayday's uniform.

"And you've got a nice outfit." He'll comment when Mayday approached. He's leaning forward while resting his chin against his hand. "Eh, give or take a year? Maybe more? Easy to lose track of time 'round these parts. What about yourself? Looking for a gig?"

[ateamrocket]

“Tell me about it.” It was wild she’d been here well over a year now. She picks up a trinket and examines it idly.

“But if you’ve been here that long, you’ve really been keeping your head down. I’ve been here since the first wave of Drifters and I’ve never seen you. Where are you from? What’s your rank?”

[ulternnpc]

"First wave...?" He raised a brow at that. "Funny I haven't seen you around before. I'd have noticed that uniform."

He'll muse aloud. At the question he sighed.

"Does our ranks matter in a place like this? Alright I guess I can tell ya. I'm with the Rainbow Rocket. I usually don't do jobs like this buuut..." he makes a vague hand gesture. "Anyway I'm usually just a field agent, really."

[ateamrocket]

“Nah, doesn’t matter much. Just curiosity.” She wasn’t the sort to flex on others or play the rank card so readily. “Guess we were ships passing in the night, huh? This place treats me like an urban legend.”

For better or for worse, she was “the Rocket girl who always wears a scowl” around Turnbloom, especially the kids.

“So where’d you find this many of these guys anyway?” Her eyes drift to the Shaymin. “Aren’t they supposed to be pretty rare?”

[squaredup]

[If there's one thing guaranteed to nab Calla's interest, it's the allure of a shopping bargain. She's passing by when the cry of a Shaymin hits her ear. she stops mid-step, looking confused, before heading for the shop.]

Wha- those prices for flowers are nuts! How come they're so high, mister? That's just mean-

[And then she sees the cages. Her mouth snaps shut into a very firm frown. She thinks, briefly, of a salesman near Mt. Moon with a Magikarp. After a long moment, that disapproving facial expression lands squarely on the shopkeeper.]

Yeah. I need help. I need help making you let those poor cuties go.

[ulternnpc]

What? Can't afford 'em? Then just scram.

[The shopkeeper scrunches up the bridge of his nose while making shooing motions at Calla. Ugh, small kids are sooo annoying! Go away! Like, forever. Is what his expression clearly conveys.

All the while the Shaymins behind him are still squeaking, and scratching at their cages. He doesn't seem to pay any attention let alone bat an eye. Instead his attention is back to Calla raising a brow.]

Yeah? How much are ya willing to pay up for 'em?

Today on “Pallet Town Kids Are Reckless Hotheads”…

[squaredup]

[Nope, sorry, she’s not going anywhere, buddy.]

[Calla’s still looking at him with that grave expression on her face. Something about this whole situation is familiar. It’s ringing alarm bells in her head. She cocks her head to one side, brow furrowing in deep thought.]

[The answer hits a second later: Celadon.]

[One hand snaps down to a Pokeball on her belt.]

I’m willing to pay a Pokémon battle for them! If I win, you let them all go and stop, uh, well, whatever bad stuff you’re up to.

[ulternnpc]

Huuh?

[The man scoffed, and waving his hand dismissively.]

Please, who do you think you're trying to scare? I'm not listening to no noisy lil' girl in this podunk, backwater place. What's in it for me to battle ya anyway?

[Uh-oh looks like this man was NOT taking Calla seriously. Like at all.]

[squaredup]

[Calla puffs her cheeks out and huffs. How rude!]

‘Cause I got four badges, mister, that’s why! And if you win, you get to brag about how you beat the girl that saved Mt Moon from Team Rocket, that’s what!

[Just… ignore the empty wallet she’s got. All her cash went into medicine for her Pokémon and snack food for her friends. Spare a thought for the poor broke 10-year old?]

[ulternnpc]

What? Only four measly little badges?

[He'll scoff!]

Not even a Champion and you're acting high and mighty, I swear...you got that same annoying look like that brat that got in my way before! Don't say I didn't warn you to scram.

[He's getting up, and swinging right over the counter in front of Calla. Instead of the signature red colored R, there's a rainbow one attached to the hem of his apron clearly visible to the eye.]

Now's your last chance to beat it kid.

[maaaan, do NOT do this here]

[buson]

That's... a poacher, isn't it?

It's a very familiar sight for Buson. He's stunned to see someone sell Pokemon so brazenly. What should be something underground, done behind closed doors, out in the open like this... he had the same sick sort of feeling he would have finding out a gang had begun peddling something very addictive and damaging im his hometown to a bunch of naive, country bumpkins. It just made him sick.

The sound was awful. It was so jarring, he actually had to take a glance around just to remind himself he was still in Ultern. Nowhere else.

Buson sighed and walked over, jaw set, gaze detached.

"Hey. New here?" Buson asked, although his gaze focused more on the pitiful Shaymin.

He was sure they'd turn a pretty profit, but ... disturbing the peace of this place just wasn't worth it. It's not like there wasn't an abundance of decent jobs. Maybe this was some newly drifted crook he could talk out of this...

but Busoooooonnnn look at all these Shaymiiiin

[ulternnpc]

The Shaymin noticing Buson looking over will start to make sad little squeaks, scratching at the cage. It and the other captured Shaymin obviously wanted out to go frolic happily around whatever field or forest they came from.

The shopkeeper meanwhile is undeterred by or phased by Buson. Instead he's all smiles.

"Why yes, this shop is quite new. It was an open lot so I got it for a good deal. Now, speaking of deals..." he trailed off grinning a nasty grin. "You interested in the Pokemon there?"

[buson]

What an ugly smile. He knows it well. Maybe he can use his rank against this guy, if he is a low-ranking Team Rocket member or lowly crook.

He'll give him a nasty, crooked smile back, leaning closw, voice low and threatening.

"Y'got some nerve, hotshot, doin' this kinda dirty business in public..."

[ulternnpc]

"If you're just gonna waste my time with talk, just get out." The shopkeeper scoffs. "I've got papers to prove I'm allowed to be here!"

This guy was being rather ballsy with how much he's pushing back against Buson.

[I wonder how often these events will lead to Buson using violent force against somebody...]

[buson]

Ooh, insubordinate! He hasn't met a grunt that'll talk back to him like this in a long, long time. Buson's smile twists unpleasantly.

Alright, if he's asking for a fight, he'll earn a prize!

Buson's going to grab him his hair, drag his head back and pick him up by the shirt, right off the ground.

"I'm done talking," he snarled.

[timidlyblooming]

[As soon as Lillie realized there were Pokemon strugglingin those cages, not only flowers being sold, she covered her nouth in shock and horror. She remembered how lovely and free Shaymin couod be... this was such a heartbreaking sight!]

How horrible...!

Pokemon are not things, to be bought and sold...!

[ulternnpc]

Tch! Save your preaching for who cares!

[Sorry Lillie! This mean ol' man is making shooing motions with his hands from over the counter. One of the Shaymin will stop making sad sounding squeaks and will start sounding angry instead! Clearly not a fan of the way the shopkeeper is talking to Lillie.]

[wondering if it's someone she knew...]

[timidlyblooming]

[Lillie glared at the man, hanss curling into fists, then, she looked at the one Shaymin who became angry on her behalf.
Did her eyes resemble Mallow's mother's...?]

[ulternnpc]

[The Shaymin unfortunately wasn't in Sky Forme so it was hard to tell! Yet she was clearly angry still while bumping into the bars and making a fuss inside her cage. The shopkeeper sent a glare at the Shaymin.]

Settle down in there, will ya?!

[likelihood of this guy getting iced...]

[timidlyblooming]

No. You're the one who should be quiet!

[Lillie suddenly sounded much bolder, even if her voice shook a bit. She tried to stand firm. Snowy called softly, nuzzling her leg briefly, before focusing on the cages with a frown.

Lillie closed her eyes and took a breath to steady herself, then opened very sharp, defiant green eyes.]

You let them go.

[ not Volo finally learning about organized crime...]

[unchcsen]

[Volo doesn't remember seeing this shop before, and that instantly gets his attention. He never has much money, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to browse at any given opportunity! He has learned about so many modern items this way.

Somehow, he sees the prices before the "goods", and he laughs nervously. Yeah, this place is not Volo-budget-friendly. But he's sure these people are professional, good, honest merchants who know what they're doing. There must be a reason for the high prices.]

Oh, I'm just...looking...

[A confused expression passes over his face as he tries to make sense of what he's seeing. He's never even seen one Shaymin before. He would have considered that a great blessing, given their significance in some parts of Hisui. So, to see so many, in cages, is quite unsettling. He can't process it.]

Um...excuse me, sir, but I must ask. Are those...real?

[ulternnpc]

[The Shaymin are squeaking inside their cages, rattling them. They were not having a good time from how upset some of them looked! The shopkeeper, unperturbed by any of it will smile as he clasped his hands together.]

Why yes! They're all the genuine article! Are you perhaps interested in any of them?

[unchcsen]

[Is he interested in any of them? Well, that's one way of putting it, but maybe not in the way the shopkeeper meant. Volo looks like he's considering it, but he's actually trying to weigh up what's going on here.

Is selling Pokémon legal, in this time and place? Even Pokémon as special as Shaymin? These poor creatures certainly don't look happy, and that seems at odds with the way most people in Ultern seem to treat their Pokémon.

It feels wrong. But if it's okay, then...maybe it's not for an outsider like Volo to argue, even if it makes him uncomfortable...?

He is very uncomfortable. But his mouth is already dry at the thought of starting a confrontation over something that might be a misunderstanding. Maybe if he could just buy rescue one of the Shaymin, he might feel better.]

Um...would you sell one for...this much?

[He takes out what little money he's carrying. It's not even half the asking price.]

I also have some...nice...berries?