farawayplace | 🌼 intro post

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🌼 intro post

turnbloom city

[Ulsai, Ultern natives and drifters alike! It's a rather lovely day today, and it seems you're being joined by a boy with a surprisingly faded blue coat and his vivid pink partner. The two of them look around almost confused, really, as they just seem to appear near the Gateway Port and look...well, deeply confused, for both of their parts.]

...Oh, dear. Gorebyss, this doesn't look anything like we were told about Paldea, does it?

Gore... [The pink fish seems to shake her head, eyes drooping a bit before Calem reaches out to pet her on the head.]

Hey, don't worry about it. Why don't we see what this island has to offer? Maybe we'll find some inspiration to strike us up here, too! And a few snacks for you?

[The Gorebyss seems to perk up at that--mostly at the mention of snacks. That'll bring the two of them further into town at least, if you want to talk to them there.

Of course, you can also find Calem doing a couple things here and there--you can find him at the Turnbloom Market where he seems to be checking out any stalls that might have good clothing materials for sale. Threads, fabrics, tools, he's looking at everything, and if you happen to be around, he might look to you and smile.]

Excuse me. I'm just having the hardest time trying to decide on what I should get...might I ask for your assistance in picking out some fabrics for me? I'm always in the market for a second opinion, especially when I'm so unfamiliar with the fashions in this place!

[He's definitely friendly and animated enough, at least, and the Gorebyss beside him seems to regard you too. Feel free to throw something at him!

Otherwise, you might just find him in the Battle Park where he's...doing anything other than battling--Gorebyss seems to be over picking on some of the bug types for fun, but he seems to be looking at anyone around and sketching into a sketchbook? Huh. If you wanna see what that's about, feel free.]

route 4 (wildflower cape)

[Once Calem gets settled in, though, he--and a fair few of the rest of his team, from the looks of it, decide to set out for Gilterrace, but seem to decide to take a more inspiring scenic route first.

And inspiring it is. Calem seems more than apt to be distracted by the beautiful flowers growing along the path here than anything else, trusty sketchpad out and putting ideas to paper in an instant.]

Ah, flowers like these...it almost reminds me of home.

[Of course, if you happen to spot him in the evening, it seems he's set up camp for the time and is making a few things for himself and his Pokemon; if he happens to see you, though, he'll wave over to you.]

Hello! ...Excuse me, the proper greeting here is Ulsai, isn't it? [Calem laughs a bit at that, though.] Hopefully your travels have been treating you well here?

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[A nice scenic route with flowers? Seems Calem's not the only one here to enjoy the scenery as a tanned skinned, dark haired man in his early 20s is out with a Marine Style Vivillon and Cutiefly by his side. Or rather his Vivillon was by his side while his Cutiefly buzzed excitedly around his head.]

Now now, Cutiefly don't be in such a hurry!

[Calem might notice, despite the way this man is dressed in a vibrant collared t-shirts locals would be seen wearing he has a thick Paldean accent. He however hasn't seemed to notice Calem with his attention on his Cutiefly. His Cutiefly active as ever, boops her trainer on the forehead before flying past him over to Calem. Instead of aiming right for the flowers, she's now curious about Calem.

Buzzing around him she'll even seem to peek at his sketchpad. Her trainer is now calling out to her in surprise.]

A...ah! Mi Cielita!

[Calem perks a little bit from his work when he hears one of the accents he's heard somewhat frequently, while talking with the people he'd be working with. He just needs to finish a few more flowers on this blouse and he can--]

Ah--!

[Calem's look shifts a bit, catching the Cutiefly look into his notebook; he's got many different drawings of some of the local fashions on the page prior, seeming to have taken them down analytically, but the one he's working on is a bit of a more freely flowing garment. Of course, Calem can hear the man calling out to this cute new little friend; Calem finds himself smiling none the less, opening up his notebook to let Cutiefly get a closer look. No harm in indulging curiosity, right?

As for Calem himself, though, he turns his head to greet the man and smiles.]

Ulsai! Is this your curious little partner here, sir?

[The Cutiefly peers at the pages. While she doesn't know what to make of the pictures (that she found to be pretty) her attention is now at Calem, her eyes sparkling in joy. Wow, what's this? What's this?

Something about Calem reminds her of flowers, just like her trainer who made his way over. Instead of returning the greeting right away it seemed the man stared at Calem with a look of surprise for a moment, before smiling to him.]

...ulsai. I hope my Cutiefly isn't bothering you?

[He'll ask while holding his hand out to his Cutiefly. Meanwhile the man's Vivillon is fluttering nearby, with his attention on the surrounding flowers.]

[Oh, she's certainly looking to him with rapt interest, isn't she...Calem seems to smile a bit and move a hand to pet her on the head a bit. Pats? Is she soliciting pats? Well, he'll provide for sure.

But to the man's question, he shakes his head.]

Oh, no, not at all! Cutiefly's company isn't a bother at all--a little surprising, but I'll never say no to someone interested in my work.

[Maybe?? He's still not quite sure what it is entirely, even if he has a small theory, but--]

Your partner is very darling. You've taken very good care of them. [...Still, he supposes--] I do hope it is not presumptuous to ask, but--have you drifted here as well, or are you all from around here?

[Pets? She loves pets! Cutiefly excitedly bumps her head (entire body more like) against the palm of Calem's hand. The man who had his hand held out to her allowed it to drop.

He's obviously staring at Calem, rather than his sketchbook. Was he looking over Calem's clothes? Versus his own- a collared, button up t-shirt, a light pair of pants and sandals, fitting for the warm weather? Maybe, maybe not.]

Cutiefly is can be...a busybody.

[At Calem's next question he swallowed, with his gaze moving to his side. If it weren't from his Paldean accent, his Vivillon and his blue wings were a dead giveaway as to where he's from. The pattern after all, was far more commonly seen within Paldea, than Kalos.]

Ah, I...

[He's managing a smile still, before pushing forward with his response, not wanting to make it awkward.]

Yes, and no. I live here now, but...I did drift here.

[Cutiefly's whole body colliding into his hand for pets is almost distracting enough to not notice how the man just...seems to be staring at him. Calem's own gaze doesn't leave the man, but it lets Calem analyze his fashion a little more and he seems to grow just a touch more guarded. He's dressed well for the weather, compared to himself; Calem's still got that blue coat that may as well be a security blanket on, though it's unzipped to allow for a little air to come in; the coat itself seems very old and faded in spots, though expertly patched up in places it could have torn. Still in pants, still in...boots...

...Let's just say it's probably a good thing Calem seems to take to heat well, he'd be roasting otherwise?]

Ah, the same as my own partner... [His brows knit a bit in concern, still, at the answer to the question.] ...My apologies, though. I had hoped that it would not be an awkward question; your accent reminded me of some...friends, that I was going to meet in Paldea. I do hope it wasn't rude of me to ask?

[Calem will stop his petting of Cutiefly for a moment, though, holding out his hand to the man in front of him.]

My name is Calem; it is a pleasure to meet you and Cutiefly both.

[At least for whatever reason, the man seemed a little relieved as the conversation continued.]

It doesn't seem uncommon that people end up drifting here.

[His attention then moved to his Cutiefly who was happily rubbing against Calem's hand still. What a silly little Pokemon she is. At Calem's next question the man turned his attention right back at him. He blinked slowly, which followed with a small chuckle from him.]

Ah, Paldea... I haven't heard the name of my home region in so long. Yes, I did live there at some point but I had moved away to another Faraway Place. Were you perhaps going there on vacation?

[However it was the moment Calem mentioned his name did any warmth from the man's face vanish.]

If you do not mind me asking, you are from the Kalos region?

Ah...yes and no. I've started studying fashion and various trends under my gym leader's tutelage; I intended to stay in Paldea for a while and study their fashion and learn their culture, as well as study the Terastal phenomenon...

[...Oh, Calem definitely sees the warmth leave the man's face. There's a pause from Calem as he tries to think; what has he done wrong? Did something happen in Kalos to this man? The calm smile doesn't leave Calem's face, but his tone definitely becomes a touch more guarded in the process.]

I do not mind, but yes, I am. I originally moved from the Kanto region to live here, but Kalos is the region I've come to call home.

[...]

Is everything quite alright?

It's a beautiful place, Paldea I mean. I hope that while you're here in Ultern, you can find inspiration here as well.

[The man meanwhile seemed to at least keep up a polite air, as he listened to Calem. Meanwhile his Vivillon seemingly taking notice of his trainer's behavior immediately returned to the man's side. With a gentle flap of his wings, he hovered near the man.]

Kanto? But you're...

[He was what? The man paused realizing what he was about to say out loud to someone he's just met. A flustered look came upon him with his Vivillon letting out a concerned chirp.]

No, no it's nothing. You just reminded me of someone from the place I came from, before I drifted here.

[...Huh. Did the man maybe get mixed up with somebody else? At the very least, that's what it sounds like to Calem; boy hasn't been introduced to the concept of alternate universes yet. Still, his look seems to lighten a bit, and he smiles as he continues to pet Cutiefly.]

Ultern is beautiful and ripe with inspiration, from what I'm seeing; you needn't worry about that. I took a recommendation from one of the locals to take this route to Giltterace because it was so beautiful, but the local fashion here is so deeply inspiring. It's as if they have taken the styles of different regions and derived something of their own from it and made it their own...

There's a lot I'll be able to learn here; I'm certain of it.

[...]

Nevertheless, however, I...hope that he didn't cause any trouble for you, whoever he is; you've my apologies for prying into your business.

[He'll bow a bit at that; a bit of politeness, and perhaps even an attempt at an apology for whatever happened to the man on that other guy's behalf.]

[The man's gaze manages to soften at Calem's response. It seemed whatever he was grappling with on the inside was put aside for the time being.]

This place is a wonderful place, and the people have been welcoming to a stranger like myself.

[He reached his hand out for his Vivillon who happily rested upon it. All the while his Vivillon continued to lightly flap his wings. The man glancing over to Calem, slowly shook his head.]

...no, he didn't cause me any trouble. Just seeing your face made me think of him, and his friends. I haven't seen them in years, but...I do not intend on leaving Ultern. It's far warmer here, than it is in Kalos.

Vii...

[His Vivillon let's out a worried rumbling while the man smiled.]

I apologize, how rude of me. I haven't introduced myself quite yet. My name is Manzana.

[...Years, huh. That's...well, it gets a pause out of Calem at least before he finds himself chuckling a bit. No, there's no possible way--]

I can hardly blame you; this isn't a bad place to wind up, if I do say so myself. It's certainly much warmer than Laverre, that's for sure. And I imagine it's done your lovely partners some good to be here too.

[Calem smiles, though.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Manzana. I do hope that we get the chance to see each other some more around this place; the company of you and your partners is certainly enjoyable--

[As if on cue, one of Calem's partners comes back from wandering around and cheerily floats on over to him; Gorebyss announces herself with all of the grace of a brick to the face before mashing herself right into Calem's leg, nearly toppling him while he chuckles.]

Ah! Gorebyss, sweetheart... [She just kind of chirps at him expectantly and lovingly none the less, and he sighs with a smile.] Ah, I see. Do you want something to eat? I imagine you're starving after all of this playing around...

[And while he thinks of it,]

Manzana, would you and your partners like anything to eat, while I get something for Gorebyss? My apologies for the interruption; she's like a Purrloin when she's hungry.

My Vivillon is weak to the cold, and...I wouldn't have met Cutiefly if I hadn't drifted here.

[Of course, by mentioning the cold of Kalos he hadn't simply meant the temperature, but Manzana wasn't about to tell someone he just met that. In fact he was grateful that Gorebyss had appeared completely taking attention off of himself.

His Cutiefly in the meanwhile moved to give Gorebyss space. Manzana at Calem's offer of food gave a sheepish laugh.]

I actually did come here to feed my Pokemon. Seeing as how this field isn't terribly far from Gilterrace it's a rather convenient area to take a nice walk with them.

[Manzana's turning his attention over to Gorebyss. There's no hesitation in his steps, as he moved closer to both trainer and Pokemon. Kneeling down he'll reach in to pull out a Pecha berry before holding it out.]

It isn't much, but I make it a habit to carry some berries, too. There's no telling when you'd run into a Dunsparce here.

[Ah, Calem understands. Or at the very least he thinks he does; his smile is warm when Manzana goes to give Gorebyss a Pecha Berry--she seems to bounce around at that, and Gorebyss will gladly take it into her little fins. She even bows her head a bit with a chirp, as thanks!]

Ah, so I've...I've heard a little about them, yeah. Or at least, I understand the locals are pretty afraid of them. [Calem seems to correct from an overly mature manner of speaking, hoping it isn't noticeable.] They seem quite terrified of the Pokémon--I'm assuming that Ulternian Dunsparce are pretty different than their Johtonian counterparts, right?

But don't worry; we'll make sure to be careful, and we thank you for this gift.

[Calem, in kind, brings out some nice Poképuffs--they seem to have been crafted with care with many toppings on top, and while he grabs a pink one for Gorebyss, he'll pass a few Manzana's way as well.]

Here; one good turn deserves another, right?

[Manzana seemed at ease while interacting with Gorebyss. There's a smile present on his face when Gorebyss took the offered berry.

However, he couldn't help but sigh at the thought of Dunsparce. Thankfully for Calem, he hadn't picked up on his change in talking. Perhaps because of Calem being so natural in shifting gears, or the fact Manzana's mind was on Dunsparce. That or maybe even a combination of both factors.]

The Dunsparce here... none of us here would be on edge with if they were as docile as the ones seen in the Johto region. Not only do they look different, they're also a different type from what we would be used to outside of Ultern.

[His Vivillon who's still perched upon his free hand lifted a worried gaze to Manzana. Manzana gave a smile in reassurance. He stopped, and turned to see Calem's offered Pokepuff. He couldn't help but stare at the exquisitely made pastry as no doubt past memories ran through his head.]

Ah...are you sure? I only handed Gorebyss a berry since I don't like to see a Pokemon go hungry.

...Poison type, I take it?

[He wonders, inwardly, if it's tradition to pass on Pecha berries to travelers here; in the hopes that they stay safe. Perhaps it'd be a good idea to see if one can plant those berries...Gorebyss has already stuck her lil tube mouth into this one and is gladly draining those nutrients out, though, so that one might be a lost cause.

Still, Calem's smile stays genuine and warm, and he lets out a small chuckle at that if only because--]

I'm positive! Honestly, I've got so many of these, and they're better shared with others, I've found. I don't like seeing them go hungry either, really.

Yes, but I thankfully haven't run into one myself I've heard stories from some friends, and neighbors.

[There's a look of worry as Manzana no doubt thought about Dunsparce. Who would have imagined they would be so vicious coming from a world where they're so rare and docile in comparison?

Staring at the offered Pokepuff still, Manzana wasn't about to turn away any kind gestures. Reaching over with his free hand he'll hold the Pokepuff out to his Vivillon.]

Thank you, Calem. I remember back in my days in Kalos, I would give Vivillon so many of these pastries... it's been so long since I saw any in person. Especially ones that are this well made.

I see...I'll certainly keep that in mind, thank you.

[He will, but will Gorebyss? Gorebyss generally assumes she'll be fine against anything, but that's only because she's become so strong after being Wonder Traded to him all those years ago. Calem...Calem himself worries a bit.

Never the less, the worry...doesn't quite fade, but he smiles gently as he watches Manzana feed Vivillon with a chuckle. In kind, he'll feed the other one he's got in hand to Cutiefly with a nod.]

I understand. Truly, all of my partners love them after a good game of Head It; it helps that I've gotten pretty good at making them over time.

[...He's had fifteen years to fuck up plenty of times, but he's just not gonna tell Manzana that--]

Nevertheless, I am quite glad that I was able to bring back some good memories for you. I truly do hope to stay in touch.

[Manzana seemed happy seeing his Vivillon feast on the pokepuff. He turned to see his Cutiefly buzzing around the other offered Pokepuff with her eyes lighting up. Ooh a treat! It smells so nice! Despite her excited flapping, the bites she took were small making Manzana laugh.]

I remember playing those games myself. It was a little embarrassing, but I suppose it's better than all the times back in Paldea when I...ah...

[He trailed realizing he was divulging a little too much. He shook his head.]

It was nice having this chat with you, as well. ......Churahana Flower Shop. If, you want to see me again, that is. It's where I work in Gilterrace Town.

[He trails off again; Calem's tempted to question but he decides to refrain, offering the other man a small smile. A flower shop...]

Is that so? Well, I'll be quite happy to visit you there; I would love to see the kinds of flowers that you've cultivated, and see if I can find inspiration there as well.

[Calem grins, lightly, as he watches everyone finish their treats. Gorebyss is more than happy to float around but she seems restless; it gets Calem to chuckle.]

Well, we ought to be going. I'm sure that I'll see you around; it's been...very nice to meet you, Manzana. Do take care.

[And with one last wave, Calem and Gorebyss will be off again.]

I, no, I mean we will be happy to see you there. I do hope you stop by soon.

[Manzana smiled while his Cutiefly finished with her Pokepuff zipped back over to Manzana. She's excitedly flying around his head causing him to give a laugh before turning to Calem. He returned Calem's hand wave while watching the (who he presumed to be) younger trainer walk off.

Once Calem was out from his sight, his smile dropped as he watched with worry etched on his face. Silent he turned away with his Vivillon following after with an equal look of concern after his trainer.]

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🌼 intro post

Route 4

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