Um. Someone - [probably one of the more perceptive NPC Cheri Berries, though who knows!] - mentioned to me that you miss grooming with other cats...?
I can try, if you'd like...?
[Siffrin feels very awkward and unsure about offering this, and even they can tell that's going to transfer over the pearl. As such they are... making a serious effort to convey their feelings that it isn't about Firepaw, or even about the tongue-grooming! They're pretty used to it by now, despite being kind of a mess last month. (It has everything to do with their Physical Contact Issues but they are absolutely not thinking that.)]
[It's the first message he's received privately, so he gets jump-scared by it. Just a little, but for a cat that's enough to make him fly up onto his feet.
It takes him a second to calm down, and actually listen to the message, but his ears perk up immediately.]
I thought you'd never ask! [Wait, be cool. He clears his throat.] I mean, yeah, it's... well, in ThunderClan we groom each other after meals. Everyone curls up in groups, and wash each others faces - we call it sharing tongues. I... figured that you and Ren would find it weird since you aren't cats.
[But he's buzzing with excitement, which is coming through the Grumpearl connection in waves.]
...maybe a little? But there were plenty of human things I found weird too. [They're thinking about all the traveling they did, and they're not bothering to hide it - but without context, it's probably just faint flashes of Humans Doing Stuff to Firepaw. The memories are pretty faded at this point, anyway - they feel years old.]
[The gist of the feeling seems to be: Siffrin's more used to finding things a bit weird than not. It hasn't always meant something was bad.]
And I'm cat-shaped now. So. [So wouldn't this actually be more normal? They think.]
[Firepaw, in fact, can't really make heads or tails out of Siffrin's memories. But it does stand out to him that their old party seems to spend a lot of time outdoors, which is very different from the humans he's used to.]
Then, maybe we should go get something to eat, and we can share tongues afterward. [He pauses.] How do you feel about fresh-kill?
[He's aware that not everyone wants to eat dead animals, although a surprising amount of folk are fine with Firepaw himself doing it. He's absolutely willing to switch gears and get them something cooked, though.]
[They sure did! As did Siffrin solo - some of the memories coming to mind are from before the party, and there's a lot more being outdoors or on the move than being indoors. Not a single one of these older, fuzzier memories appears to be in the same place.]
[Hmm. They've honestly been trying not to think about it very much - Firepaw and Laios hunting, and their Cheri Berry rations definitely having some kind of meat since they're at least partially a carnivore, and all of it. It's not like they had objections to eating meat or hunting before Bottlecap Bay - they wouldn't have made it to adulthood if they weren't willing to hunt. But... it feels different when you know that whatever you're eating is as smart as you...? Even if predation is clearly normal here, and there just seems to be a truce within Bottlecap Bay itself...]
[Maybe seafood is still fine. They haven't talked to any fish yet. Or seen any in town. Because they wouldn't be on land but let's just not think about that.] I can try to catch a fish...?
[They seem to be assuming Firepaw's asking if they're also okay with hunting. Yes they'd probably be in RiverClan; they also like swimming. Sorry Firepaw.]
[...what, really? Siffrin isn't offended, as such - not everyone likes seafood, and fish markets have a distinctive smell even for a human nose. But Firepaw gets back an (equally accidental) baffled vibe of, 'What cat doesn't like fish?']
[But hey, they've got no problem with malasadas! Sounds a lot less stressful. Even though now they're wondering if Firepaw might like some kind of non-fish seafood more, if they get him to try it...]
[Whenever Firepaw shows up, he's holding a bag with a few malasadas in it, a bottle of water and a bowl. He... usually doesn't actually have a plan for opening those bottles, but he trusts the ex-humans to have a better sense of how to get the water out. He tries to speak around the bag straps, but all that comes out is some awkward mumbling before he gives up and drops it.]
If there's one thing from here I wish I had back home, it's bags...
They're pretty handy, aren't they? [Especially when you don't have hands. Heh heh. Stealth pun...]
[Siffrin picked a spot to wait where they'd be easy to spot, but they weren't sure whether "sharing tongues" was a thing Firepaw would want privacy for or not, so they erred on the side of yes. They bite down on the bag straps and lead the way with their tail determinedly perked upward. (Their mood isn't truly improved quite that much... but they're making an Effort!)]
[It takes a few hops up buildings and roofs, but they're not expecting Firepaw to have any trouble. The spot they lead him to is a tiny rooftop, surrounded on three sides by slightly taller buildings. The "walls" have plants growing up the sides; the result feels like an enclosed alcove, albeit with open air instead of a ceiling.]
[Siffrin found it at some point, early on, and thought it would be a good spot for napping in the sun if they didn't want to head all the way back to the Canopy... not that they've ended up doing much napping. But now they're sharing it with Firepaw! They sit, looking at him for approval.]
[Unfortunately for Siffrin, the pun goes completely over his head. Oops.
This is a very cozy spot - Firepaw wouldn't have cared about privacy, but he does think a nice view is an important factor for a good grooming session. He immediately sits down and curls his tail around his paws, staying upright just so he can work on pulling out their malasadas and awkwardly figuring out a way to get water into the bowl. He... might need help with that part.]
It's really beautiful here... and warm.
did I go on a wikipedia spiral trying to figure out how they'd probably be sealing bottles? maybe
[Firepaw likes it! Siffrin flips their tail, pleased.] Nice place for a nap too, right?
[The smell of malasadas starts to spread, and Siffrin's whiskers twitch. But, seeing Firepaw start to struggle with the glass bottle and bowl, they bap the bottle over to themself.]
[They don't have thumbs any more than Firepaw does, but they are more familiar with dealing with bottles. If they just wedge it over the bowl, and... they pause, tilting their head to each side to make sure the bottle is positioned right, what with their lack of depth perception.]
[Okay, there. They clamp it in place between their paws and worry the cork free with their teeth, letting the water start pouring out.]
[Something has had Firepaw in a mood lately. This much was obvious to Shoka right away, even before she had any inkling as to what that something could have been. Now, thanks to an accidental mental bleed with a certain Sunkern, she thinks she may have an idea—but instead of asking Firepaw outright what the problem was, she opted to first employ him as her partner in Shedinja-battling.
Looks to me like you really need to blow off some steam, she told him. And I could use the warm-up.
The Shedinja are relentless in their attack when she and Firepaw arrive at the Archives, but fortunately they both have plenty of super effective moves at their disposal. Despite her recent, extended stay at the Pokéclinic, Shoka is already back to being fighting fit, effortlessly darting about and wildly swinging her tail-stick, while Firepaw burns Shedinja right out of the sky left and right. Somehow, this is the first official quest they've taken on together, but the times they've sparred with each other have apparently paid off; they're in nearly perfect sync (and it definitely also helps that the Shedinja all drop immediately after taking a single hit).
Eventually, however, the two of them inevitably start to get worn out. With vast numbers on their side, the Shedinja manage to get more lucky strikes in the more time passes, leaving Shoka's Disguise broken and Firepaw's fur mussed. At some point, one Shedinja appears behind Firepaw while he's occupied with another and bowls him over with a surprise, critical-hit Shadow Claw.]
Firepaw—!
[Shoka avenges him in an instant by tearing the Shedinja down with Shadow Sneak, but the damage is done, and she's tired, too. It's about time they took a break and let the other teams pick up the slack while they recover. Positioning herself protectively before Firepaw, she draws herself up with a catlike hiss and brandishes her tail-stick, warding the Shedinja off just long enough for another team to swoop in and draw the insects' attention away.
With that done, she deflates and turns to Firepaw.]
Hey—you good? [She nudges close to him, simultaneously offering him support (if he needs it) and guiding him away from the fray.] C'mon. We're taking a breather.
[Firepaw had been just as excited to get some energy out - mostly because fighting the actual people he's upset with isn't productive, for anyone. It's going fantastically, right up until he gets hit with a Shadow Claw that he should have dodged.
He ends up leaning heavily on Shoka, although his hackles are still raised and the smell of burnt fur is leaking from his mouth. He definitely still wants to fight... but he does know when it's time for a break.]
I'm- [no, correction] -I'll be fine. A breather sounds good.
[Really, he's just going to flop down as soon as they're out of immediate danger. If nothing else, he needs to groom the spot where he got hit until it stops aching.]
[Once they've taken shelter and Shoka has double checked that none of the Shedinja were daring enough to follow them, Shoka turns her attention back onto Firepaw. Her disguise is sagging a little and there's a new rip in it that she'll have to sew back up, but when she searches the hollow of her false head, she finds the Oran berries she brought along for this exact purpose fortunately undamaged.
She fishes one out and offers it to Firepaw.]
Here—try to eat this. It'll help.
[That hit he took was nasty, but it still looks like fairly typical battle damage—hopefully nothing a healing item and some rest won't fix.]
And when you're done... Maybe you can tell me what's got you extra fired up today.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Um. Someone - [probably one of the more perceptive NPC Cheri Berries, though who knows!] - mentioned to me that you miss grooming with other cats...?
I can try, if you'd like...?
[Siffrin feels very awkward and unsure about offering this, and even they can tell that's going to transfer over the pearl. As such they are... making a serious effort to convey their feelings that it isn't about Firepaw, or even about the tongue-grooming! They're pretty used to it by now, despite being kind of a mess last month. (It has everything to do with their Physical Contact Issues but they are absolutely not thinking that.)]
no subject
It takes him a second to calm down, and actually listen to the message, but his ears perk up immediately.]
I thought you'd never ask! [Wait, be cool. He clears his throat.] I mean, yeah, it's... well, in ThunderClan we groom each other after meals. Everyone curls up in groups, and wash each others faces - we call it sharing tongues. I... figured that you and Ren would find it weird since you aren't cats.
[But he's buzzing with excitement, which is coming through the Grumpearl connection in waves.]
no subject
[They can't say anything for Ren, but...]
...maybe a little? But there were plenty of human things I found weird too. [They're thinking about all the traveling they did, and they're not bothering to hide it - but without context, it's probably just faint flashes of Humans Doing Stuff to Firepaw. The memories are pretty faded at this point, anyway - they feel years old.]
[The gist of the feeling seems to be: Siffrin's more used to finding things a bit weird than not. It hasn't always meant something was bad.]
And I'm cat-shaped now. So. [So wouldn't this actually be more normal? They think.]
no subject
Then, maybe we should go get something to eat, and we can share tongues afterward. [He pauses.] How do you feel about fresh-kill?
[He's aware that not everyone wants to eat dead animals, although a surprising amount of folk are fine with Firepaw himself doing it. He's absolutely willing to switch gears and get them something cooked, though.]
no subject
[Hmm. They've honestly been trying not to think about it very much - Firepaw and Laios hunting, and their Cheri Berry rations definitely having some kind of meat since they're at least partially a carnivore, and all of it. It's not like they had objections to eating meat or hunting before Bottlecap Bay - they wouldn't have made it to adulthood if they weren't willing to hunt. But... it feels different when you know that whatever you're eating is as smart as you...? Even if predation is clearly normal here, and there just seems to be a truce within Bottlecap Bay itself...]
[Maybe seafood is still fine. They haven't talked to any fish yet. Or seen any in town.
Because they wouldn't be on land but let's just not think about that.] I can try to catch a fish...?[They seem to be assuming Firepaw's asking if they're also okay with hunting.
Yes they'd probably be in RiverClan; they also like swimming. Sorry Firepaw.]PAINFULLY LATE OOPS...
Let's... just get something from the market instead. Like malasadas.
[That feels like a safe compromise - no fish, and no dead sentient creatures. Just donuts and kitty cuddles.]
ME TOO /trying to catch up
[But hey, they've got no problem with malasadas! Sounds a lot less stressful. Even though now they're wondering if Firepaw might like some kind of non-fish seafood more, if they get him to try it...]
Sure. I'll meet you there?
holds ur hand...
[Whenever Firepaw shows up, he's holding a bag with a few malasadas in it, a bottle of water and a bowl. He... usually doesn't actually have a plan for opening those bottles, but he trusts the ex-humans to have a better sense of how to get the water out. He tries to speak around the bag straps, but all that comes out is some awkward mumbling before he gives up and drops it.]
If there's one thing from here I wish I had back home, it's bags...
no subject
[Siffrin picked a spot to wait where they'd be easy to spot, but they weren't sure whether "sharing tongues" was a thing Firepaw would want privacy for or not, so they erred on the side of yes. They bite down on the bag straps and lead the way with their tail determinedly perked upward. (Their mood isn't truly improved quite that much... but they're making an Effort!)]
[It takes a few hops up buildings and roofs, but they're not expecting Firepaw to have any trouble. The spot they lead him to is a tiny rooftop, surrounded on three sides by slightly taller buildings. The "walls" have plants growing up the sides; the result feels like an enclosed alcove, albeit with open air instead of a ceiling.]
[Siffrin found it at some point, early on, and thought it would be a good spot for napping in the sun if they didn't want to head all the way back to the Canopy... not that they've ended up doing much napping. But now they're sharing it with Firepaw! They sit, looking at him for approval.]
no subject
This is a very cozy spot - Firepaw wouldn't have cared about privacy, but he does think a nice view is an important factor for a good grooming session. He immediately sits down and curls his tail around his paws, staying upright just so he can work on pulling out their malasadas and awkwardly figuring out a way to get water into the bowl. He... might need help with that part.]
It's really beautiful here... and warm.
did I go on a wikipedia spiral trying to figure out how they'd probably be sealing bottles? maybe
[The smell of malasadas starts to spread, and Siffrin's whiskers twitch. But, seeing Firepaw start to struggle with the glass bottle and bowl, they bap the bottle over to themself.]
[They don't have thumbs any more than Firepaw does, but they are more familiar with dealing with bottles. If they just wedge it over the bowl, and... they pause, tilting their head to each side to make sure the bottle is positioned right, what with their lack of depth perception.]
[Okay, there. They clamp it in place between their paws and worry the cork free with their teeth, letting the water start pouring out.]
action
Looks to me like you really need to blow off some steam, she told him. And I could use the warm-up.
The Shedinja are relentless in their attack when she and Firepaw arrive at the Archives, but fortunately they both have plenty of super effective moves at their disposal. Despite her recent, extended stay at the Pokéclinic, Shoka is already back to being fighting fit, effortlessly darting about and wildly swinging her tail-stick, while Firepaw burns Shedinja right out of the sky left and right. Somehow, this is the first official quest they've taken on together, but the times they've sparred with each other have apparently paid off; they're in nearly perfect sync (and it definitely also helps that the Shedinja all drop immediately after taking a single hit).
Eventually, however, the two of them inevitably start to get worn out. With vast numbers on their side, the Shedinja manage to get more lucky strikes in the more time passes, leaving Shoka's Disguise broken and Firepaw's fur mussed. At some point, one Shedinja appears behind Firepaw while he's occupied with another and bowls him over with a surprise, critical-hit Shadow Claw.]
Firepaw—!
[Shoka avenges him in an instant by tearing the Shedinja down with Shadow Sneak, but the damage is done, and she's tired, too. It's about time they took a break and let the other teams pick up the slack while they recover. Positioning herself protectively before Firepaw, she draws herself up with a catlike hiss and brandishes her tail-stick, warding the Shedinja off just long enough for another team to swoop in and draw the insects' attention away.
With that done, she deflates and turns to Firepaw.]
Hey—you good? [She nudges close to him, simultaneously offering him support (if he needs it) and guiding him away from the fray.] C'mon. We're taking a breather.
no subject
He ends up leaning heavily on Shoka, although his hackles are still raised and the smell of burnt fur is leaking from his mouth. He definitely still wants to fight... but he does know when it's time for a break.]
I'm- [no, correction] -I'll be fine. A breather sounds good.
[Really, he's just going to flop down as soon as they're out of immediate danger. If nothing else, he needs to groom the spot where he got hit until it stops aching.]
no subject
She fishes one out and offers it to Firepaw.]
Here—try to eat this. It'll help.
[That hit he took was nasty, but it still looks like fairly typical battle damage—hopefully nothing a healing item and some rest won't fix.]
And when you're done... Maybe you can tell me what's got you extra fired up today.