[ The Snivy is more than a little smug at this point; poking the proverbial bear seems to have proven whatever mental impression they had about him from the start. As if growling at everyone would help them find their missing Pokémon any faster. The Morpeko can only grumble in protest, true as that might be. ]
Don’t care. Your mail can wait a minute. Zweilous could be— [ At that, the Snivy lets out a small gasp, covering their mouth before rolling their eyes. That’s who you’re looking for? Go figure. No wonder I haven’t seen their wet mop around lately. Bigby’s brows furrow immediately, only for his expression to shift altogether. ] You — their what? [ But it’s too late for any follow-up. His ears flatten when he hears Shoka calling him over, the Snivy walking past toward the counter with a wave. All he can do is huff quietly to himself. ] Pompous prick.
[ He sighs, rubbing his face before moving back toward Shoka, stone tablet now in hand. ] ... Yeah, we’re good. Thanks. [ That’s directed at both her and the Pelipper, though they are doing everything in their power to avoid eye contact with him now. ] Let’s make this quick. If they dropped off something today, we should be able to take a look if it’s still here. Otherwise, we find whoever it is they sent it to.
[ A beat. His mind starts to go elsewhere, and he doesn’t think to give context before asking: ] It hasn’t really been raining recently, has it? Not since last month?
Sure you don't wanna start a fight with the rest of the line? 'Cause I'll wait!
[She's joking, and yet she isn't. Seeing Bigby take on the entire post office would be a riot. But he's beside her a moment later, directing her attention to the drop-off log, so she moves on with a giggle.]
Got it.
[No sooner has she started scanning the log than Bigby asks her a question.]
Um? Not really. Definitely less than last month... What, haven't been going outside much?
[ His brows furrow, then lift. Head tilting, mind thinking. ]
Look, did that not get us something? A few brawls, and we'll own the place. [ At this point, he finally takes a real look at the log in question. Yet another tablet. He's getting real tired of these things, regardless of what Emporio told him about longevity. As if it's hard to make backups of paper.
Folding his arms, he glances toward the door with a small huff at Shoka's comment. ] Of course not. Don't want to get lost on my own, remember? [ He rolls his eyes, amused nonetheless. ] That asshole just said something... if it hasn't been raining, then Zweilous might be going out for a daily swim on the regular. Could be a lead, maybe. [ Or not. Because fuck that Snivy in particular. ]
[If Shoka's trying to be more polite for Pelipper's sake, she's apparently not trying very hard, because she can't repress a laugh at that. Still, she does at least snap back to attention at Bigby's theory.]
Oh, huh. Maybe that's what they were "doing all over"?
[A daily swim is much less ominous than the things she was imagining!]
I'd say it's worth checking out... [She holds up the tablet for Bigby to see, with her clawed finger placed on an entry in the list: Zweilous' name.] After we check this out.
[Now they'll have a scent and a location to search! Things are looking up!]
Could've just phrased that less weird if you ask me. [ If it turns out this missing Pokémon just disappeared for some swim lessons, he might actually lose it. ] But let's see... Zweilous. Deliver to Dratini. Wooloo knit hat. Cute.
[ And familiar enough for him to pick out that scent without much hesitation. Wool. Sheep. Got it. He closes his eyes, head lifting to sniff the air until something catches his attention behind the front desk. Scanning the shelf of packages, Bigby eventually narrows down exactly where that particular scent is coming from. His nose may not be nearly as strong anymore, but years of practice makes using what he's got now just a little easier. ]
... So how far can you stretch those things anyway? [ Claws? Hands? Unclear. He makes a claw motion with one of his paws regardless. ] Think you can reach something up there? Middle shelf, blue bag, second to the right.
[ They could ask again, since that went so well the first time, but poor Pelipper still looks awfully distracted dealing with that long line of Pokémon. They'll bring it right back, anyway. ]
[Happy to let Bigby do the hard work, Shoka watches him, then tilts her disguise-head back to search the shelves for the bag he describes.]
Maybe. Let's find out.
[She extends her spindly arms, reaching them up and up. Their reach isn't actually infinite, but it would be easy to believe that it is, watching how easily she plucks the bag from off the shelf and brings it safely down to their level.]
Got it. Way to follow your nose, by the way! Maybe they should've made you an actual wolf instead of a Pokéhamster.
[ He folds his arms to watch Shoka now, only glancing away briefly to make sure no one else is looking. All too busy and none the wiser, just how he likes it. ]
Hm. This nose can only go so far on its own, though. [ With a quiet huff, he reaches for the bag to examine its contents. There's the hat, just as expected. ] But y'know, between being a stuffed animal or a walking pun, I'm not sure what'd actually be worse. [ His nose starts to twitch again. The wool is overpowering to start, but the subtle scent of salted licorice becomes a lot more apparent once he finally catches it. After another moment, he slips the hat back in. ]
I think I know where we're going. But let's... hold onto this for now. Just in case. [ He hands the bag back to Shoka, taking the tablet back to slide on the front desk without a word. Time to head back out before another argument inevitably breaks out in here. ]
[Again, Shoka watches him work, and this time, in a way she thinks (and hopes) is subtle, she tries to imitate him, to see if she can pick up on the scent they need herself. Though she doesn't have a nose (as far as she or anyone else can tell), she'd learned the hard way not long after her transformation that she did have a sense of smell—one far more powerful than what she'd had as a human or as a Reaper, no less. Though she'd occasionally tried to hone the new skill with Firepaw's guidance, that training had fallen by the wayside with everything else going on in the Bay.
If he's perceptive, Bigby might hear her sniffling a little, the sound muffled under the fabric of her disguise rag, but ultimately, he catches the scent long before she does. Not skipping a beat, she takes the bag in hand and starts skittering furtively toward the exit, speaking to him in a hushed voice.]
"Just in case," huh? Mm-hm, sure. You're definitely not just looking for an excuse to swipe this hat for yourself. Hate to break it to you, old man, but I'm not so sure you'd be able to pull this look off!
[She kids. If she were to speak honestly, she'd have to admit that his Pikachu shape has convinced her Mimikyu brain that he can pull just about anything off.
Once they're outside, a faint hint of the scent on the air will lead them south, through the pathways of town and toward—sure enough—the beach. The occasional tuft of dark hair caught on things along the way will also conveniently keep them on the right track.]
[ Even if he can't ever tell what's actually happening under that disguise of hers, his ears do somehow manage to catch that. Bigby doesn't speak on it — and knowing her, that's probably how she'd prefer it — but the faint smile now on his face easily betrays him. She almost reminds him of when he was younger, trying to copy his mother, and to a far lesser extent, his older brothers. Maybe some actual lessons are in order after all this, but first: ]
If you're trying to keep it for yourself, it's not working. I already called dibs.
[ Eventually arriving at the beach, he can't help but feel a little relieved. They have to be close now, and whatever this Zweilous is so adamant about doing all over again, they can at least say they found them — safely, hopefully. As they survey the area, he picks up a tuft for a moment, before letting it go in the wind. ]
Shedding season. No wonder this guy's been living in the water. [ He turns to Shoka, that smile from earlier returning. ] Well, Deputy Sakurane. You can do the honors of finishing this. The salt in the air's distracting, but that licorice smell should be strong enough now, yeah?
[Shoka watches the black hairs fly off, carried away on the wind.] Gross...
[Deputy Sakurane? What is she, five years old? Maybe, because she does snort in amusement—before processing the rest of what he's said and turning to blink at him in surprise (and just a hint of embarrassment).]
Uh, I thought the literal part of sniffing out our clues was your job. [Unless he noticed her trying to do the same earlier? Ugh...] Licorice, huh...
[After her initial scan of the beach reveals nothing, despite herself, she gives it another try. Bigby smells a little like licorice, too, but it's subdued right now, and familiarity allows her to tune his scent out. On the air, decay and so much sea salt, and then—sure enough, licorice.
She blinks, swiveling, then starts to move, gliding briskly over the sand.]
This way. I think...
[(He better not say anything about how she figured that out!)
At first glance, the beach looks unoccupied, but following the scent, she soon comes across a suspicious mound of sand, obscuring something wet and black. It's almost indistinguishable from the piles of seaweed littering the shoreline, but one strand emerges straight up into the open air like a flag of surrender: a thin, dark-feathered wing. It's Zweilous, lying prostrate and half-buried in the sand.]
Hah! [Shoka can't help but give a short, victorious laugh as she approaches the collapsed dragon. She can't believe that actually worked!] Okay, first of all: big mood.
[She's expecting sounds of confusion from Zweilous, or maybe a snappy retort. Instead, there's nothing. They seem to be sleeping soundly.
A little too soundly, in fact. Even as Shoka uses her oversized claws to start shoveling sand away from Zweilous' mouths to make sure they're breathing (they are, albeit in labored, wheezing breaths), inadvertently prodding their twin snouts, neither head shows any sign of waking.]
... Second of all, I... think we're gonna need the clinic.
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branchandroot
looks at how late i am PLEASE you are so good ;u; everyone reeling at the struggle of stone tablets
Date: 2025-07-30 08:52 pm (UTC)Don’t care. Your mail can wait a minute. Zweilous could be— [ At that, the Snivy lets out a small gasp, covering their mouth before rolling their eyes. That’s who you’re looking for? Go figure. No wonder I haven’t seen their wet mop around lately. Bigby’s brows furrow immediately, only for his expression to shift altogether. ] You — their what? [ But it’s too late for any follow-up. His ears flatten when he hears Shoka calling him over, the Snivy walking past toward the counter with a wave. All he can do is huff quietly to himself. ] Pompous prick.
[ He sighs, rubbing his face before moving back toward Shoka, stone tablet now in hand. ] ... Yeah, we’re good. Thanks. [ That’s directed at both her and the Pelipper, though they are doing everything in their power to avoid eye contact with him now. ] Let’s make this quick. If they dropped off something today, we should be able to take a look if it’s still here. Otherwise, we find whoever it is they sent it to.
[ A beat. His mind starts to go elsewhere, and he doesn’t think to give context before asking: ] It hasn’t really been raining recently, has it? Not since last month?
thank you for saving my life
Date: 2025-08-04 05:55 am (UTC)[She's joking, and yet she isn't. Seeing Bigby take on the entire post office would be a riot. But he's beside her a moment later, directing her attention to the drop-off log, so she moves on with a giggle.]
Got it.
[No sooner has she started scanning the log than Bigby asks her a question.]
Um? Not really. Definitely less than last month... What, haven't been going outside much?
no subject
Date: 2025-08-08 06:22 am (UTC)Look, did that not get us something? A few brawls, and we'll own the place. [ At this point, he finally takes a real look at the log in question. Yet another tablet. He's getting real tired of these things, regardless of what Emporio told him about longevity. As if it's hard to make backups of paper.
Folding his arms, he glances toward the door with a small huff at Shoka's comment. ] Of course not. Don't want to get lost on my own, remember? [ He rolls his eyes, amused nonetheless. ] That asshole just said something... if it hasn't been raining, then Zweilous might be going out for a daily swim on the regular. Could be a lead, maybe. [ Or not. Because fuck that Snivy in particular. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-23 09:32 pm (UTC)Oh, huh. Maybe that's what they were "doing all over"?
[A daily swim is much less ominous than the things she was imagining!]
I'd say it's worth checking out... [She holds up the tablet for Bigby to see, with her clawed finger placed on an entry in the list: Zweilous' name.] After we check this out.
[Now they'll have a scent and a location to search! Things are looking up!]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 07:15 am (UTC)[ And familiar enough for him to pick out that scent without much hesitation. Wool. Sheep. Got it. He closes his eyes, head lifting to sniff the air until something catches his attention behind the front desk. Scanning the shelf of packages, Bigby eventually narrows down exactly where that particular scent is coming from. His nose may not be nearly as strong anymore, but years of practice makes using what he's got now just a little easier. ]
... So how far can you stretch those things anyway? [ Claws? Hands? Unclear. He makes a claw motion with one of his paws regardless. ] Think you can reach something up there? Middle shelf, blue bag, second to the right.
[ They could ask again, since that went so well the first time, but poor Pelipper still looks awfully distracted dealing with that long line of Pokémon. They'll bring it right back, anyway. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-09 02:41 am (UTC)Maybe. Let's find out.
[She extends her spindly arms, reaching them up and up. Their reach isn't actually infinite, but it would be easy to believe that it is, watching how easily she plucks the bag from off the shelf and brings it safely down to their level.]
Got it. Way to follow your nose, by the way! Maybe they should've made you an actual wolf instead of a Pokéhamster.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-10 06:32 am (UTC)Hm. This nose can only go so far on its own, though. [ With a quiet huff, he reaches for the bag to examine its contents. There's the hat, just as expected. ] But y'know, between being a stuffed animal or a walking pun, I'm not sure what'd actually be worse. [ His nose starts to twitch again. The wool is overpowering to start, but the subtle scent of salted licorice becomes a lot more apparent once he finally catches it. After another moment, he slips the hat back in. ]
I think I know where we're going. But let's... hold onto this for now. Just in case. [ He hands the bag back to Shoka, taking the tablet back to slide on the front desk without a word. Time to head back out before another argument inevitably breaks out in here. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-14 09:33 pm (UTC)If he's perceptive, Bigby might hear her sniffling a little, the sound muffled under the fabric of her disguise rag, but ultimately, he catches the scent long before she does. Not skipping a beat, she takes the bag in hand and starts skittering furtively toward the exit, speaking to him in a hushed voice.]
"Just in case," huh? Mm-hm, sure. You're definitely not just looking for an excuse to swipe this hat for yourself. Hate to break it to you, old man, but I'm not so sure you'd be able to pull this look off!
[She kids. If she were to speak honestly, she'd have to admit that his Pikachu shape has convinced her Mimikyu brain that he can pull just about anything off.
Once they're outside, a faint hint of the scent on the air will lead them south, through the pathways of town and toward—sure enough—the beach. The occasional tuft of dark hair caught on things along the way will also conveniently keep them on the right track.]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-19 04:44 am (UTC)If you're trying to keep it for yourself, it's not working. I already called dibs.
[ Eventually arriving at the beach, he can't help but feel a little relieved. They have to be close now, and whatever this Zweilous is so adamant about doing all over again, they can at least say they found them — safely, hopefully. As they survey the area, he picks up a tuft for a moment, before letting it go in the wind. ]
Shedding season. No wonder this guy's been living in the water. [ He turns to Shoka, that smile from earlier returning. ] Well, Deputy Sakurane. You can do the honors of finishing this. The salt in the air's distracting, but that licorice smell should be strong enough now, yeah?
no subject
Date: 2025-10-27 01:11 am (UTC)[Deputy Sakurane? What is she, five years old? Maybe, because she does snort in amusement—before processing the rest of what he's said and turning to blink at him in surprise (and just a hint of embarrassment).]
Uh, I thought the literal part of sniffing out our clues was your job. [Unless he noticed her trying to do the same earlier? Ugh...] Licorice, huh...
[After her initial scan of the beach reveals nothing, despite herself, she gives it another try. Bigby smells a little like licorice, too, but it's subdued right now, and familiarity allows her to tune his scent out. On the air, decay and so much sea salt, and then—sure enough, licorice.
She blinks, swiveling, then starts to move, gliding briskly over the sand.]
This way. I think...
[(He better not say anything about how she figured that out!)
At first glance, the beach looks unoccupied, but following the scent, she soon comes across a suspicious mound of sand, obscuring something wet and black. It's almost indistinguishable from the piles of seaweed littering the shoreline, but one strand emerges straight up into the open air like a flag of surrender: a thin, dark-feathered wing. It's Zweilous, lying prostrate and half-buried in the sand.]
Hah! [Shoka can't help but give a short, victorious laugh as she approaches the collapsed dragon. She can't believe that actually worked!] Okay, first of all: big mood.
[She's expecting sounds of confusion from Zweilous, or maybe a snappy retort. Instead, there's nothing. They seem to be sleeping soundly.
A little too soundly, in fact. Even as Shoka uses her oversized claws to start shoveling sand away from Zweilous' mouths to make sure they're breathing (they are, albeit in labored, wheezing breaths), inadvertently prodding their twin snouts, neither head shows any sign of waking.]
... Second of all, I... think we're gonna need the clinic.