(ACE) The FROST Team

"You're back rather soon Jack. Did you help that Meowth find his sister?" looking up to the orange fox with the stick in it's tail fur, looking back toward the door as jack came back. Jeriah jumps up and down happy to see a hold friend as best as he could. "Yes, but leave the door open for a bit. I need to properly introduce them to you all." nodding his head thinking that it was the other pokemon that he had heard but couldn't see as he pokes his head around  "Hi jack" waving a stub. "Jeriah? It really is you, how did you find us so quickly little buddy?" Jeriah laughed happily "luck maybe in the snow, maybe I just followed instinct I don't really know honestly looking for Gabriel but find other friends" nodding his head firmly. "So you all know Kolven now except for Jeriah, so I'll introduce you all to Clover." rocking to the side to see what's going on now.

"What is that /thing/ doing in here?!" jumping hearing a harsh voice behind him looking back "Do you realise what you have brought in here Jack?!" the lion looked like it was going to attack as he stepped out of the way not to be in the way. Looking at the cat like pokemon the big tan one looked friendly but the other one looked sick and pale. "Maybe they are just cold, hungry" chirped quietly. "Jack, is that an undead? Huh, not my place to judge though, but if you both are going to fight take it outside. Last thing we need is Jeriah getting hurt." Looking to the red lizard "But I can make friends with the new ones the tan one said hello to me outside" before being ushered into the back room "But-" starting "Don't worry Jeriah, the grown ups aren't happy with each other. Let's go into the bedroom and let them get it out of them." Following him into the room "But they didn't do anything wrong" walking into the blankets and pretty much falls onto his stomach.

The sun had settled down for the night and temperatures were dropping out in the wintry wasteland outside Frost Cavern. Despite that, priorities were priorities and Raver had hers.

"Man! It's so beautiful." The human leaned backwards on her feet, making a slightly-straighter crescent shape with her spine at she stared heavenward. The sky was something that didn't get enough appreciation. Each and every little star returned at twilight for as long as they remained alive, with so many of them, they flushed each other out so that you'd never remember the significance of each individual. Humans were kinda like that too. "Hey, Venge, do you think we'll see an aurora while we're out here?"

The Absol shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, clouds are rolling in pretty quick," she stood back up from the snow, shaking the clinging ice crystals from her hindquarters. "But I do know that we're gonna die out in the storm if we don't hunker down."
Raver snorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Don't be silly. I'd put you back in your Poké Ball long before you could freeze to death."

Venge sighed. Sometimes she wondered why she bothered to argue with her Trainer. Seriously, she always had to be right in some way or another. "Okay, fine, but you'd still die. And I'm personally not willing to allow that, so get your ass in gear and let's go. The sky isn't going anywhere." She rammed the tiny girl in the fashion of a Gogoat. "But we are."
"Fine."

Both had grown up in the freakin' arctic that was also known as Snowpoint City, making them nearly resistant to the uncomfortable sensation of freezing weather. Neither had advanced into the capability of keeping their internal organs functioning while frozen, sucked as that may.
"Starry would love this weather," Raver said as she stamped through the snow. "I don't want her to get sicker though."
"Raver... you know as well as I do, the Poké Ball doesn't help."

The girl adjusted her ponytail, but was otherwise silent for the moments following.

A structure was becoming more visible in the distance, but so were a mass of tracks in the snow. Both took notice of the possibility of a threat, but they needed shelter. That was shelter. Raver grasped a capsule between her index and middle fingers, clicking the button with her thumb as she tossed it.
Small, gray and fluffy, Salem wouldn't strike fear into anyone in that form. But his illusions tended to scare most enough to avoid a fight.
"Hey Sae-Sae. Here's the 411, buddy," she patted the Zorua between his ears, "we're gonna stay in that cottage over there. Think you can be the tough, threatening friend behind me while I wheel and deal?"
"Oh, I'd be delighted." His lips parted into a mischievous smile. "What's your pleasure? Groudon? Regigigas?"

"Be realistic, dumbass," Venge groaned.
"Groudon it is~!"
Raver held her head and sighed. "Uhhh, how about just a Pangoro?" The illusionary hellion agreed, begrudgingly mind you, and cast the image of an angry panda punching their fists together. Worked for her.

Voices were becoming audible the closer they approached. Well... at least these guys were capable of speech. That was better than stark raving lunatics. Though a clear house would've been most appreciated, Rae would take what she could get.

"What is that /thing/ doing in here?!"

Perhaps they came at a bad time...

"She is not a thing; she is my sister."

Sounds of electrical sparks drifted out the door she crouched just beside. Ugh. She didn't have the transcript of what was going on, but she didn't like it already. Quickly and silently, she dropped her backpack to the ground and slipped a yellow disguise out in the form of a plastic mask.
"What are you doing?" Venge questioned, and was met with silence and a finger over Rae's false face shushing her. The girl was about to intervene - the mask always served for a distraction, giving Raver a few vital seconds to calculate moves while everyone questioned 'what the hell,' if they didn't straight up flee.
She motioned go to her Pokémon and the trio moved through the threshold.

Venge circled around Rae's legs, deciding the Luxray to be threatening and moved between them and her Trainer, while Salem stayed by the door for clear aim if he should need to launch a Shadow Ball and cover his companions. He was being ballsy with his illusion cast, considering his true size, but that's what Nasty Plots were for.

Raver herself had assessed what she could-- two electrics. One was being aggressive definitely, she'd heard it herself. And someone said undead. Undead, they were going to lash at the undead... they were... okay, over there. A Meowth. Everything else was questionable and would be dealt with as necessary.
The masked teen remained silent, shooting looks between the Luxray, Pikachu and then the pair of Meowth. Your companion is protecting you. You didn't do anything wrong. I knew it.

A few taps on Venge's shoulder demanded her to follow as Raver moved to kneel before the kittens. "Hey there, darlin', we won't let them hurt either of you." Raver cooed to them, meanwhile Venge continued to death glare each creature in the room. Rae bolted back to her feet and lashed at the cottage inhabitants, "What's wrong with you guys?! Maybe I'm missin' half the story here, but I'll be damned if I let y'all bully these kittens over prejudice!"

"That being said," she placed her palm on Venge's back, "we're not at all looking for a fight."

((OoC - Yo, nice to be here and sorry for the length of this. I was testing their personalities a bit and went crazy, haven't written 'em in forever, save for the history. If anything needs to be changed, I'll be happy to do so! I didn't mean for her to come in so... uh, on the wrong foot. ^^;; ))

"She is not a thing; she is my sister." Came the response from the other Meowth Kolven. The other, the undead Meowth stepped around, snarling and baring its yellowed teeth for all to see made the Luxray snarled at her. He'd easily kill her he could tell that much. Until Jack got in between them. "Get out of the way Jack! You've brought an infectious BEAST into this place! She does not belong!" He growled. His eyes focusing intently on the attacking female, "She makes one more step towards me and I'll make her dead once more." He warned, the promise of death very evident.

He gave a brief, brief pause when another came into the picture, a human with her pokemon. "What's wrong with you guys?! Maybe I'm missin' half the story here, but I'll be damned if I let y'all bully these kittens over prejudice!" Great they had an undead-lover in here. Prejudice. Did she not understand what they were? That these things were the cause of everything and it was probably humans /like her/ who helped this spread?

He snarled at her, charging a thunderbolt in defence if they decided to get involved further "This thing here is an undead! Look at it! Half a skull showing, jaws, ITS LEG IS MISSING!" He snaps. "You want to protect that?! No! Not in here! She is a risk to us who are not infected." The Luxray growled out. Was he alone in this? Probably, he found the others blase reactions to it rather unnerving. "Jack once this thing has been dealt with you and I need a discussion. About this and about something found." He added, his attention not leaving the undead or the woman.

Hot beads of sweat rolled down through the fur on the back of Kolven's neck. "Get out of the way Jack! You've brought an infectious BEAST into this place! She does not belong!" This wasn't good, this is exactly what he didn't want to happen! While the feline was not surprised by his fellow cat's reaction its intensity brought about quick waves of panic. There was no questioning the fact Ark was stronger than him, and a fight in this enclosed space would surely end in vicious wounds. The Charmeleon ushered the Aron away, and with himself removed the only members that could of been on their side were gone. Swallowing roughly, Kolven desperately wanted to look at Jack, look for anything within his eyes that said it would be okay, but he could not take his gaze off the enraged Luxray for risk of an attack.

With his heart starting to drum faster in his chest Kolven started to wedge his paws backward and shield Clover as much as possible. The female's growling grew more intense as she was pressed in to the corner, her undead brain screaming as it acknowledged being cornered. "Ass.. hole!" She spat at Ark, pulling her lips back in a loud hiss. "She makes one more step towards me and I'll make her dead once more." The Luxray warned, but Clover was not intimidated. "Es'hat.. a challenge?" Shifting her shoulders forward the female tried to move but Kolven held her firmly in place between him and the wall. "Clover no," he mews briskly, "Don't provoke him." The last thing they needed was to anger him anymo---

Suddenly, the crunching of snow could be heard from outside, the fast approaching steps sending yet another wave of panic throughout the males system. There was a small blur of color-- something was coming inside!-- and immediately the male Meowth does the only thing he can think of. With a sharp breath in he throws up a shiny blue barrier around himself, the Protect ready for whatever was about to hit him. His muscles stay tense and eyes closed for several moments, but when nothing strikes his barrier, and only sound reaches his ears, he dares to have the amber spheres peek open. "Hey there, darlin', we won't let them hurt either of you." The soft words, human words, normally would of rattle the feline, but for once man's presence just gave him comfort. The chances of a human showing up now, and being on his side, were one in a million. "Oh thank the legends," he gasps as his Protect begins to dissipate.

The human, whatever her name was, spoke out against Ark despite his display. The Luxray continued to yowl, the human's intrusion doing nothing to quell his anger, and Kolven felt his open blood starting to boil. "If she was such a risk I would be infected by now!" He had been with her for so long and was still clean. Even if she had been unwell a while he still looked nothing like her current state! Again Jack tried to convince the others, but Finn did not give an inch. He snapped, making his own intentions clear. So both won't even listen to their leader? Or friend, whatever he is to them.. Such details didn't matter right now. One of the humans Pokemon was blocking the door, their only escape, and while her other Pokemon was on defense there was only so much they could do against fast, ranged, lightening attacks.

Drake, having tended to the Aron, wandered back in and quickly spoke up. His words contorted into the sound of a human, but Kolven could not space him any attention. Steeling his nerves he dared to take a pace forward, the touch of Clover's fur falling away from his own. She growled, and fell into a three-legged crouch without breaking her stare on the Luxray. "You want us to leave so bad? Cause whatever, we'll leave." Kolven growled, his voice holding an angry tone but still as calm as he could make it. "I'll gladly go head out into that coming blizzard and die to the elements with my sister because you all think that.. " He gave the smallest pause to take in a deep breath and stop his voice from shaking. "A crippled, hobbling, weakened kitten could do anything to you when all she, and I, want is a place to rest for the bitter cold night." Shooting daggers his amber gaze flicked bitterly between the Luxray and Braxian. "You know, the same thing you both want."

((pass for right now not much to work with currently, to much family things on mind to really think about what to do here.))

Rae moved her hand to Venge’s collar as a precaution as the Luxray was openly hostile towards them as well. It wasn’t going over well with her companion, evident by the spiking of the fur along her spine and quick, heavy breaths. The last thing on the agenda was letting Venge start a physical brawl if not absolutely necessary.
"This thing here is an undead! Look at it! Half a skull showing, jaws, ITS LEG IS MISSING!" Raver flinched at the attack bound Luxray’s unneeded volume, dragging Venge back to her side as she tried to stalk towards them. “Stop it,” she murmured beside Venge’s snarling muzzle, silencing her if only momentarily. “For someone throwing condemnations out, you seem not to know basic social etiquette. Female pronouns seem preferred by her companion.” Raver sighed. That wasn’t a clapback or further provocation, just an observation. “And I’m also not blind, thank you. I see very well the creatures I’m protecting, the two back there not throwing physical attributes out as means to justify feral behavior.”

Thank God Salem could illusion away the smug grin on his face. Dayum.

"You want to protect that?! No! Not in here! She is a risk to us who are not infected." Electricity was building around the Luxray, and Raver grimaced. She genuinely meant it when she said she wasn’t looking for a fight. She let go of Venge’s collar and stood at full height. It wouldn’t be the highlight of her day to be on the receiving end of an electrical blast, nor would be letting her Absol prevent it. But at the end of the day, there wasn’t much she could do to stop it. "Guys, please just hear me out. Clover could be a valuable partner for us if you both just find it in your hearts. I agree with the human and you both are acting like bullies." Hah! She’d misjudged the Pika. Well, praise, they had another in their corner. The Braxien seemed to be in a piss poor mood though, but Rae didn’t have her expectations of others too high at this point in her life. "I'm giving you one last time to move out of the way Jack."

The Pikachu, decidedly named Jack, chose not to waiver in front of the fire fox. Salem rose the hand of his illusion and projected it to tap the wall while making the sound with his real foot. They didn’t seriously forget the giant “Pangoro” did they? Since Venge was restraining the need to launch herself claws first at the Luxray, he supposed he’d be the backup for the Pika. His illusion grinned sleazily at the Braxien, in that ‘dare ya,’ kinda way his real face was notorious for.
Whether the flaming vulpine decided it wasn’t worth the effort, they weren’t ballsy enough or that a sleep-assassination would be better, Salem didn’t know. But since they sat down like Grumpy Smurf, he’d reckon one less spar would commence in the fight club.

"Jack once this thing has been dealt with you and I need a discussion. About this and about something found." Luxray was looking right at them when they said that but at least they weren’t handing out threats like Halloween candy anymore. It was an improvement and Rae hadn’t been electrocuted yet.

With her attention primarily on the Luxray, the Charmeleon managed to pop in without notice until now. She took a small, cautious step back from them, giving her sight to the flame on their tail rather than matching their stare.
"Hi, sorry if things aren't going great right now. Its been a heck of a day with the events so far." The Charmeleon’s speech was not being translated by the communicator, yet she still fully understood him. She moved to tap the device just as it dawned on her why and changed the arm motion to adjust her ponytail. It wasn’t needing adjustment, but she wasn’t fond of looking stupid. “Your apologies aren’t necessary,” she said, putting her hands in either pocket of her jeans and fidgeting with the threads. “I feel for ya if it’s been like this all day.”

Rae put her palm on the elbow of her opposite arm, cracking the joint lazily followed by a barely audible yawn behind the mask.
"You seem to be tired from walking in the snow and cold. What brings you here?" The Charmeleon asked. Well, he nailed that assumption; she was physically worn out, but luckily not sleepy. Otherwise this whole fiasco might’ve gone a lot worse.
“The same as those two,” she gestured to the Meowth duo with her shoulder. “It’s a frozen hell out there and my companion here doesn’t seem to think I can tough it out.” She nudged Venge with the heel of her boot.

“You wouldn’t. I can’t imagine anything being out in that storm and surviving, and I don’t feel like living with someone’s death on my paws,” Venge was playing along but it was no lie, “and hypothermia is a miserable way to go.”

“Yep. I couldn’t impose though, it seems four might be a crowd in this here cottage.” She unfastened the string of her mask and brushed away her bangs on removal. “We’re out in the sticks, might as well head straight into nowhere the same way, right?” She straight-faced it until she turned, winking with a hell bound smile at the two kittens over her shoulder. With her party alone, Rae had enough blunt force to negotiate whether the opposing occupants liked it or not.

But that wasn’t how she liked to play the game.

The Pikachu was going to wait till Ark was a bit more calmer to talk with so that way things can be sorted out peacefully without any violence. "We'll talk when your a bit more calm Ark. As for what you need to tell me lets go somewhere else so that it doesn't start a panic." Maybe this will give him a chance tell Ark the reason why he brought Clover to the cottage. Just maybe, he'll understand that his intentions was for a good cause. It might take time though.

So they began to defend the undead, despite everything that those monsters have done, are doing and will do to the living, both human and pokemon and this female, this woman had the nerve, the gall to get involved and defend the little snarling Meowth. He hissed at them, they had their pets out. The Pangoro in the back, the Absol and then there was jack. It all really angered him something fierce and he didn't care how much they disliked it or saw him as some kind of bigot.

"Since you're all so damn adamant about risking your health and safety with that monster. You can deal with it." he stepped off his comfortable spot, ears trained incase the snarling undead decided to try and attack him, or anyone else try and attack him when his back was turned. He shot a look towards the male Meowth "You should of been honest with us in the first place." He snarled out, then glanced to Jack "The undead gets none of our hard found supplies." He began to walk off towards the Kitchen area of the Cabin. "Jack I'll be up here. You best hear this now." He was still positively charged with electricity so someone would get a rather painful blast of thunder if they pushed the wrong button.

For him bringing in the undead was not for a good cause, it risked them, the many over the one. But it seemed the many were allied with the threat. He wasn't brow beaten into leaving this be, he was being smart about it and knew that there was the eventuality that there would be problems caused and then they'd have to deal with it. He just hoped it didn't come at the cost of someone elses life or infection. There was no cure aside from death and then burning of the body as far as he was concerned. He stopped at the kitchen counter, he'd crouch, wiggle his butt ready to jump and does so. Leaping up and landing on the counter itself and stretching out across it, on his belly with the large satchels he had on his flanks, settle there so he wasn't uncomfortably laying on them.

Kolven suppressed the low growl that was rumbling through his throat as best he could. This wasn't going to end well. Someone was going to end up hurt and, more than likely, it would be Clover, Jack, and himself. Thankfully the human and her Pokemon were creating a sort of barrier between them and the others, but getting through that door would still be a hell of a risk. Not to mention tromping through a snowstorm in the dark.. No, no they weren't going to die. He would do all in his power to make it through this night. “We’re out in the sticks, might as well head straight into nowhere the same way, right?” The human said, the offer definitely unexpected. "If we must, it'd be appreciated." Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.. but he feline knew their options were limited.

However, through some miracle it seemed that would not have to happen. "Fine, I'll step down, but I'll just mind my own business." The Braxian acquiesced unexpectedly, but Kolven could not relax his muscles. That was it, he would just back down? Is this some kind of trick? He should give the fire type the benefit of the doubt.. but something about it just didn't sit well with him. Jack seemed off put as well, changing the subject for a moment to speak of another human and go over everyones names once more. Trying his best to retain them this time the feline was admittedly absent from the others conversation. His senses were still on alert, Clover's growling ever loud and the others positions known as he watched the Braxian suspiciously.

Maybe... he knows fighting over her isn't worth it? He had caused a rift in the group, that much he was painfully guilty of, but perhaps the fire type realized killing Clover would bring more issues than letting her rest there for the night. Its for the better, friend. With the odds stacking up against him Ark yielded as well, though with much more protest. "Since you're all so damn adamant about risking your health and safety with that monster. You can deal with it." The fur along Kolven's spine stood even taller. Even if he would manage having her staying the night the Meowth didn't feel the least be comfortable around the Luxray.

"You should of been honest with us in the first place." Ark spat venomously at him. The words gave a sharp sting but Kolven did not flinch as spoke in a low voice. "I did not lie." Sure, he left out certain.. details, but everything he had said was true. Plus Clover was not a liability. I'll make sure of that. "Jack I'll be up here. You best hear this now." The feline finished before walking away and inevitably drawing the rodent in as well. When his starred tail finally disappeared from the room Kolven felt his shoulder slacken and a held breath erupt from his chest. We.. did it? A short, anxious huff of a laugh loughs from his lungs, and a weak smile spreads across his exhausted face. They had a shelter for the night..

His next breath yields a sigh, and he turns around to nuzzle his sister along her good side. "You're safe now, Clover. No need to be cold tonight." Clover grumbled while ducking her head down to avoid the affection, but after a moment she brought it back up and nuzzled him back. The tension was starting to fade now that the Luxray was elsewhere, and the females burst was energy was leaving along with it. Pulling away from Kolven she let her one eye drift between him and the human before she turned to the latter. "Thank you.." She wheezed hoarsely. After everything, mankind still received an err of caution, but the gratitude for her efforts had indeed registered.

With a surprised mrrow Kolven's tail shot up, and he too looked to the human who had come to their aid. "Thank you so much," he said softly, realizing he didn't even know their heroine's name. "I don't know what would of happened if you hadn't showed up." Clover's three legs hobbled against the floor as she tried to unwedge herself from behind her brother. "Bad.. things.." Stepping aside Kolven gave her more space but not quite enough to let her roam free. "Yeah.." He was still going to be on alert to make sure those things did not happen. "I know Jack introduced us, but my name is Kolven and this is my sister Clover."

(( Don't have time to post today, got to take grandfather back to hospital, Jeri's still sitting in room I guess ))

Time was uncomfortably slow in this moment. Raver’s fingers were continuously twining and untwining in her mask’s string, though nervous tics weren’t much help with speeding up the prolonged seconds drifting by. If she messed up with this, she would be personally responsible for those kittens being out in the cold, quite literally. Or she’d have to fight these Pokémon. It’s all or nothing in this world. They could kill Venge, or she could kill one of them… The idea made her ill. This wasn’t the kind of adrenaline and strategizing she lived for.
Venge caught her habitual gesture and pressed her side against the tiny girl’s legs. I’m right here. Stop panicking.

"If we must, it'd be appreciated." The collared kitten meowed.
… She decided… to fight if it came to that. She didn’t charge in here for the duo to be cast out anyways, she didn’t storm in so she could add two more deaths to her accidental kill-count.
Surprisingly, the steadfast fire fox relented. "Fine, I'll step down, but I'll just mind my own business." That was one less casting stones… Venge lolled her head at the Luxray in expectation, deceitfully lazy but her bi-colored eyes were still narrowed into slits.
"Since you're all so damn adamant about risking your health and safety with that monster. You can deal with it." The large cat began stalking through the cottage away from them. Raver’s held breath escaped silently and her heart slowed to a normal tha-thunk as opposed to the beat of drums it basically sounded like twenty seconds ago.

Civility they might’ve won for the time being, but the stars pretty much guaranteed casual conversation was going to be leaps and bounds out of reach. Hopefully I won’t have to ask them where the hand soap is…

Rae’s eyes fell back onto the Pikachu and his faint but pleasant smile. "I'm sure you can stay with us if you'd like? Besides, the last human that I was with, she....she was kind though at first I didn't know what to think of her." Raver laughed quietly and wrung her hands bashfully in front of her stomach. “I’m sure I’m not the easiest to figure out either,” Rae slid the mask’s string off her wrist and into her palm once again, inspecting her alias’ face embarrassedly. “But we’re very grateful for the offer, thank you!” Rae leaned forwards in a quick bow, taking the moment to also step lightly on Venge’s toes. “Yeah, thank you.”

Salem silently made the ‘horns’ gesture with his illusionary panda hand.

The Pikachu, laughing softly, added; "Anyhow, I'm Jack. The two meowths are Clover and Kolven. The Charmeleon's Drake, the Braixen's Finn and the Luxray is Ark. Oh there's also a little Aron named Jeriah who's in the bedroom." Confusion etched onto her face for a moment as she tried to place each name to a face. Oh Lordy she was going to have so much heck memorizing everyone. She gave a closed-eyes grin behind her outward hand giving a thumbs up. “I’m--” "I didn't do it."

Raver bit back her introduction and turned to the Braxien - Finn - bemusedly. His eyes were most definitely directed at her. Was… she being mistaken for someone else? That’d be a weird mix up, she was pretty unique as far as physical appearance… She ummm’d quietly, with an actual response being so far away that she might as well had not bothered."Sorry, just startled by ya mate."
She try to play it off awkwardly, but… that was unsettling and moreso when considering his element. “Ah, that’s alright…”

While inwardly tense as of that, she’d yet to formally say hello to the Meowth duo and a bizarre declaration of innocence wasn’t quite enough to deter her when she wanted to greet someone~
Rae's shoe soles made a low squeak from an abundance of melted slow inside, hopefully ignored while she dropped to a knee in front of the kittens.
"Thank you.." The female rasped. It was the first time Rae got a good look at the kitten; the infection had certainly been unkind with her… it was yet another unfair cruelty in the world.
Her companion’s tail rose in quick response; "Thank you so much," he exclaimed, "I don't know what would of happened if you hadn't showed up." Wondering things like that was never a favorite hobby of hers, but one she did often. This instance ended okay though, so it was pretty much the inverse of her usual thoughts.
"Bad.. things.."

Meowing his agreement, the feline moved to give his sister a bit more space now that imminent danger had fizzled out to a static discomfort in the air. The said feeling was heavy on Venge’s snowy fur as she stared towards where Ark slunk off to. She was calm and more than capable of keeping a civil union, but damn if the thought of that Luxray didn’t spike her pelt in irritation. Raver’d say, ‘Venge, don’t start trouble,’ blah, blah. Salem might be an idiot, but at least he condones my ‘bad’ behavior.

“Lucky thing showing up randomly is kinda my schtick!” Rae joked while Venge promptly groaned at the abundance of truth behind it - and was promptly ignored. “I’m glad you two won’t be out in that weather tonight.” She snapped her fingers as though she’d just figured out the cure for the epidemic itself, and waved to the Pangoro illusion waiting so patiently by the door. “Salem, can you get my bag, please?”
He retreated out the threshold for the tie-dye backpack, duly noting that she basically abandoned her capsuled Pokémon in the storm as future harassment fuel.

"I know Jack introduced us, but my name is Kolven and this is my sister Clover." Okay, he was Kolven. Jack had said their names but didn’t specify which was which. Might’ve been kinda awkward to mix their names up first try.
“It’s nice to meet everyone! My name is Raver Faye.” Dang. That sounded formal as heck. Was she meeting her class for the first time? Seriously. “But Raver, or just Rae, works just as well!... Well actually, it works better, ‘cuz I get concerned when someone shouts ‘Raver Faye,’ at me…” Hopping back to her feet and hushing her laughter, she prodded the laying mass of stark white fur with her shoe, “And this is Venge. She’s grumpy right now but she’ll get over it.”

Rae retrieved her backpack from the wheezing ‘Pangoro,’ and poked him with a finger. The illusion dissolved at the touch and a very offended Zorua, for all the world to see, tried and failed to bite her hand. “And this is Salem.”

((OoC - Raver, you talk too much oh my god //sobbing))

He waited for Jack to get into the kitchen like a good little Pikachu should. He was happily perched on the Kitchen counter and listened as Jack spoke up "Sorry if I'm late, Rae was talking up a storm introducing herself and her pokemon. What do you need to tell me Ark? From the sound of your voice its not good."

He grumbles "Aside from the things you brought in.. without considering the rest of us.." He trails off. "Or consulting for that matter." He adds. There's an edge to his voice that softens to something else. He knew this would hit the pikachu hard and had to take a gentler route with it. "We may have found your trainer.. Unfortunately.. he's dead. Outside. I think the Firefox out there was aware of this earlier. Why he hasn't said anything..I don't know." He said. No need to sugar coat it "You have my condolences." Whilst he didn't like Humans much anymore after his own betrayal. He did still have a heart for the pokemon affected by the loss of their trainers.

“It’s nice to meet everyone! My name is Raver Faye. The nice lady introduced herself and her Pokemon, giving Kolven a few moments to let himself calm down. "Its nice to meet you all." He purrs back in earnest on a long outward breath. Though his heart was still racing the feline could feel himself winding down, the stress of it all slowly dissipating. He had gained more allies, making the shelter enough for them to rest. "Though I'll admit its odd to see a human all the out here." It was more of a miracle, but that was overkill.

Clover gave a slight groan to make her discomfort known, but her brother's ears were tuned into a different sound. "I'll go see what Ark needs me for. Make sure Finn doesn't try to get out or hurt them in any way." Almost instantly Kolven's muscles tensed up again. What? That was.. a worrisome request. Especially since he was asking a complete stranger. Peeking his eyes to the side Kolven gives the Braxian a wary glance. Is the guy crazy or something? A prisoner? He hadn't done much to validate that thought but after the fire type's aggressive start it wasn't about to take chances. "I'll not touch them, but Jack's going to find out and I'm going to be questioned." He griped to... himself? That was a bad sign. Find out what? Had he done something? There was no reason for the Braxian to be so twitchy.. unless he was guilty of something. Do you need to be questioned?

Clover gave a small half-groan, half-growl. She wanted out of that corner dammit! "Tired." She groused, digging her claws into the wood while her tail trashed. "Okay, okay." With hurried steps Kolven moved to both give his sister more space and find something or somewhere for her to rest. He would have plenty of time to be consumed by worry after. Fortunately, there were many objects that could suit her fancy. Unfortunately, making note of where everyone had been resting had not been a priority, and taking someones bed would not end well. Ark would need lots of space Okay, stay small. Passing by things that seemed too likely to of been chosen the feline's gaze lands on a wicker chair. Three cushions littered its seat, giving it some softness and the cat an idea.

Hopping on top of it with ease he tosses two of the pillows onto the floor. "You would like the top or the bottom? Or somewhere else?" He asked the female gently as she hobbled his way. Her red eye slid slowly between the chair and cushions, and a long pause settled between them before she murmured, "Bottom." Kolven nodded, and started to push the pillows together near the base of the chair. By then the Charmeleon had come back into the room and immediately tried to make yet more conversation. "You both must be lucky to come back with Jack. So, where did you both come from?"

Lucky... that about summed it up. Kolven's mind was whirring, the answer coming in broken bits as she shuffled about and tried to think. "Uh, well, we were born in Saffron City... back in Kanto, if that's what you're asking." With the pillows adjusted he helped the female plop down on top of them, her thin limbs crumpling up beneath her. "But we headed up from the other side of this forest, where there was no snow." Flinching at his own words the feline is reminded that the directions they were following could of been false. "It's been a long journey," he sighed heavily before hopping back onto the chair. "What about you.... Drake, I think it was? Where did you come from?"

The steel type has dozed off a little from the warmth, turning the bickering in the next room over into a humming sound. The snow having melted away soaked up by the thick blanket, even polishing up the shine where it could but the scuffs around the one hollow. Opening up a tired blue eye hearing the door opening before yawning. "Hey Jeriah, there's someone that would like to meet you. Don't worry they'll be nice." Jeriah perks up a little more, lifting the small but heavy weighted body up onto the four stubs "really!?" pulling himself out of the soft fabric looking up "are they really nice?, Jack is nice even some of our friends from before but I didn't see any of them outside. Did the human come back with her friends? She was nice quiet but nice" looking up now before seeing the door.

Walking his way over hearing more of the voices outside now hesitant "The grown ups are done fighting for now so you can come out and talk with the meowths." Jeriah was smelling something a little off before looking back at the fire type, about to ask but was distracted by the next question. "You both must be lucky to come back with Jack. So, where did you both come from?" giggling. Looking back out before stopping at the door frame looking out.

Seeing the cat-like Pokemon first drawing his attention to the one that smelt a little off, then the plump one. Scurrying out to say hello, then seeing the human. Though it wasn't the same human as before she looked colorful and friendly she would play with him later he hoped. Drifting his head around the rest of the room. Walking hopefully out far enough to be seen by everyone not to startle them, waving his front right stub at them. Looking to the meowth pair again walking up seeing the missing leg. The gleam in his eye dulled but a second but quickly rebounds back looking up "Hello I'm Jeriah pleased to meet you" tilting his head to the side.

One could practically see the devilish horns manifesting between the ears of the fluffy, fiendish Zorua. He had big plans, oh yes. They hadn't come across others in so long, and you’d be a fool if you thought he’d pass up a laugh at everyone’s expense-- NOOOO!
His paws lifted off the floor and he wasted no time thrashing something like an angry toddler against Rae’s chest and arms.

"Its nice to meet you all." Though Rae was nearly batting Salem on the nose, she took a moment to flash Kolven a meek smile from behind the wriggly fox. "Though I'll admit its odd to see a human all the out here."
“Yeah?” She asked, puzzled. “Oh! Because of all the snow, you mean?” It was definitely comin’ down now, but it was still not much more than a regular ol’ storm by her standards. “I grew up in a place like this, so it's actually weirder for me not to be in this here kinda setting.”

"I'll go see what Ark needs me for. Make sure Finn doesn't try to get out or hurt them in any way." The Pikachu instructed as he skittered in the Luxray’s general direction-- Rae took her sight off the retreating yellow form to silently mouth ‘what the heck,’ to Kolven, who seemed equally weirded out. Like, yeah, she’d try to keep reins on the amount of unnecessary fighting but… what happens if he did get out?? Set fire to the place from the outside or something?? No, she was just overthinking it. He was definitely lacking some manners and empathy, but he didn't look like a--
"I'll not touch them, but Jack's going to find out and I'm going to be questioned."
Rae hugged Salem’s neck to her face in mock affection, deciding his surprise and quiet choking sounds a mild price to pay for the Braxien to hopefully not notice her unintentionally accusing stare. “R-Rae, yhur kill’n mhh.”
“Sorry! Sorry, I'm sorry!”

The charm on Venge’s collar made a low jingle, pausing the human from her attempts to shake the air she stole back into Salem’s lungs. “I'm all for throttling him to death, but you appreciate witnesses when you do illegal things,” the Absol stretched her forelegs and then her hindquarters, “everyone skedaddled, though, and I'm right damn tired so pick a place or I will.”
Raver dismissed her demand with a shrug. “Then go lay down somewhere, Venge,” Rae sat on a table and began to swing her legs, “we just got here, I'm checkin’ it out.” Venge obliged and lay underneath said table. Inwardly, she wasn't too hot on the idea of Rae running around with her obvious assumption that she was perfectly fine now. Being accepting was one thing, but gods forbid if this girl didn't believe she could befriend even the devil himself… and there she goes again…

The moment she noticed the Aron, she returned his little wave with her own. “Hallo~!”
Rae’s boots made a dull thunk! against the table in her attempt to cross her legs and get them off-- she could feel her skin getting pruned in her sopping wet socks. Euuugh.
“There we go~!” She sang, dropping the boots just inches away from the Absol’s face. She barely acknowledged it-- if she jumped every time Raver could've potentially injured her, she wouldn't get much more sleep than a Gyarados on a week long rampage.

“Hey, Kolven,” she began, throwing her socks down too-- onto Venge’s face. “You said y’all are from Saffron, yeah? Do you know if… if it was in decent standing when the sickness came? Like, it didn't burn to the ground, did it?”
Venge swatted the wet socks off her muzzle and shot a ‘go to hell’ look at the snickering Zorua looming over the edge of the table.
“I, ah, I had a really good friend that lived there...” Venge couldn't see her face but she knew that one awkward, fake smile for hiding concern was plastered on her features.  She knew it.
“If Saffron burnt to the ground, Dazey is absolutely responsible. You should be worried if she killed any civilians rather than worry about her sake.”

Don't laugh… Don't laugh, that was horrible-- mission failure, despite Raver’s effort to keep it down.
She ran her sleeve over her face with the index finger of that arm signaling for one moment. Finally, she wheezed: “Sorry, that was obnoxious, ha…”

Arkturus tilted his head as Jack left, the poor guy was hurting, upset. It was fairly evident and now Finn came into the picture to talk to him. His ears pinned back now and observed the exchange quietly as they talked. It was brief, but the pikachu clearly wanted to smack a Fox down and teach it the lesson it needed, not the one it deserved.

He took a breath and exhaled slowly as Jack walked out of the Kitchenette and into the Lounge before heading off. He used his X-ray vision to see where the little Pikachu went and got up, hopping off the counter he would slowly walk out and after. He knew what it was to lose someone, a trainer, a friend. Even if they turned on you or in this case, succumbed to the elements. He disliked the whole deal overall and to a degree knew that being alone was not the best way to be. Even if we all deal with loss differently.. even a silent companion can be something of a support. He'd walk by the rest and hop up onto the bed, not a word as he would quietly with a predators gait, lay down and curl slightly around Jack. If anyone asked? It was to keep him warm. Truthfully though.. it was so that someone could be there for him. Best times could be shared when another reminisces about all the good things.

"Uh, well, we were born in Saffron City... back in Kanto, if that's what you're asking." Kolven says to the Charmeleon. "But we headed up from the other side of this forest, where there was no snow." Somehow the weather doesn't seem to stay the same very long on the mountain. One minute its dry the next minute a storm comes in. That's how its always been in Kalos as far as Drake knew. Still, the air got colder than usual. "It's been a long journey," From Kanto to Kalos it is a long distance from each other. "What about you.... Drake, I think it was? Where did you come from?" Now that's something he isn't asked everyday. Though being here from Kalos he's has sometimes difficulty pronouncing town names. "I live here in Kalos, just down the mountain. Near the town is a mansion that is my home." The Charmeleon said. Still though he longed to return home to save the butler with the help he's found. But before he could even take them to his home they'd have to get off this mountain and it wouldn't be wise to go out at night.

Listening to Rae reminded him of his human friend, well more like a brother. The way she talked sounded like she's looking for someone important. One thing that did catch Drake's attention what when Venge said something about Saffron. “If Saffron burnt to the ground, Dazey is absolutely responsible. You should be worried if she killed any civilians rather than worry about her sake.” Somehow not one human would be able to do a whole city in alone. "I doubt a single human would do an entire city in like that. Most likely the infected pokemon had destroyed it all. If she was a killer than she's likely still alive. Sorry if I barged into it like that, I kinda worry about my master's butler." It wasn't long before Jack came back out and he sounded like he was down not before the Braixen said something that would get Jack mad. "Why didn't you tell me sooner Finn! I'm seriously disappointed in you! I thought I could trust you!" Seems though Drake would have his jollies, but this was more serious. Not long after that Jack went into the bedroom alone. Drake wished he could do something to help Jack, but its something he hasn't dealt with in his life yet. Ark came in afterwards and his silence told him everything. Jack needed them more than anything and Drake had to say something. "Guys, maybe we should cheer Jack up. Something's wrong with him and we need to be there for him." Seems that it was a good idea, but Finn would be a bad idea. Best to keep him seperated for now.

Looking his paws over Kolven checked for any loose strands of Clover's fur before starting to wash. Saliva wouldn't be the best idea in such cold weather, but with a fire and fire types present the warmth in the cottage was enough to keep comfortable. "I live here in Kalos, just down the mountain. Near the town is a mansion that is my home." With a soft 'heh' the cat flicks his tail over his seated paws. "At least you know your way around then." As soon as he left Saffron the tomcat had little sense of direction, but he had no time to dwell as a small face was ushered into the room. "Hello I'm Jeriah pleased to meet you." A purr rumbled in his throat. It was rare to see kids these days, especially ones in good standing. "Hey there, I'm Kolven. And this is Clover." Introducing himself before motioning to the female with his tail the  cat's eyes close peacefully. Whatever had caused the poor thing to wind up in this snowy wasteland... well, he was glad he was safe now.

“Hey, Kolven,” Raver asked, drawing his attention while starting the ritual humans went through to get comfortable. “You said y’all are from Saffron, yeah? Do you know if… if it was in decent standing when the sickness came? Like, it didn't burn to the ground, did it?” For a couple moments the cat paused, his thoughts going back. When the epidemic hit he should have honestly died, the scar on his side was a testament to that, but even though he survived he didn't get to watch his home fall apart. "You're from Saffron?" He asked back curiously. While he wasn't positive where they were anymore he knew it was a long, long way from home. “I, ah, I had a really good friend that lived there...”

Oh.. "Well, uh.." By the time he made it back the place was in ruins with no humans in sight. A lot had died, and their skeletons were still present, but the majority seemed to of vanished. "Clover, did you--" but the question is cut off as Jack storms back into the room. The tears in his fur glistened in the light of the fire but its the anger in his voice that catches the feline off guard. Clover, already perked from the sound of her name, tensed up and trashed her tail. A growl rumbled in her throat and she gave warning hisses, ready to defend herself if that anger turned. The Pikachu leaves, its emotions still flaring and lingering in the room.

"Guys, maybe we should cheer Jack up. Something's wrong with him and we need to be there for him." Drake suggested while Ark was already making his way after the rodent. Even with the big cat focused on more important matters Kolven was swift in pacifying the female. Draping his tail down across her head he started to purr. "Hush Clover," he soothed, the tail tip curling to stroke the remains of her fur. "I don't think we should crowd him," he muttered softly as the Charmeleon started to walk away. Seeking to comfort one's companion was a valid and admirable thing, but Kolven's paws were frozen to the chair. I'm still a greenhorn here. What he needs his is friends. Whatever news the Luxray had given the rest of them would surely come to know in time.

As Clover relaxed a weak laugh wheezed from the tom's lungs, the awkwardly continued conversation turned toward the human as his tail curled back up over his paws. "Unfortunately I didn't get to see what happened to Saffron at the start of this, only the aftermath." To say it hurt to see his old home in shambles.. the cat had to resist sighing as he kept the smile on his maw and diverted his eyes. "That's something you'd have to ask Clover. She lived their with our sister 'til a few months into it."

(( Jeri nods happily smiling waving to the both of them before finding a clearing to go to sleep in, huddling up before passing out for the evening. Going to have to pardon the disconnections having a hard time trying to stay in. ))