the egg hunt (open)

Black ocean, cold and dark

[attr="class","quicklinks"]@mod/egg hunters

[attr="class","quicklinks"]348 words

[attr="class","technoscroll"]Judas jumped nervously as the diggersby began shouting to get everyone's attention, the large normal type booming over the crowd. There were... so many pokemon, all together in one place. And none of them were attacking each other... what was this? He felt strange, no one seemed even to look twice at him as he stalked behind everyone, wary, jumpy, and they all seemed excited about something. Egg-Hunt all the signs said, and all everyone was talking about. Was this some kind of game or challenge? Or maybe it was a big pack hunting ritual... but some of them looked far from prepared for battle, and many pokemon were not even carnivorous. What could they want eggs for then if they weren't going to eat them?

Then the diggersby continued, and Judas flinched, pressing himself low to the ground as he crept further away from the big bunny pokemon. Prizes? Clean game? Then it was a game... was it a race to the eggs? Perhaps... but where were the eggs then? Maybe they were supposed to find them... his tail flicked behind him, feathers brushing the dirt uncomfortably. There was so much noise, so many pokemon. He felt tense, like any moment he was going to be attacked.

Then like a giant wave everyone surged forward, and with a yelp, Judas bolted. It was too much... too much talking, noise, movement. There were shouts and cries of joy and laughter. Whimpering, he darted away from the more crowded areas, panting`less from exertion then being overwhelmed`as he slowed in a grassy area more or less unpopulated... for now. He shook his head, shifting from talon to talon, then, head ducked slightly, tried to calm himself. No one was attacking him yet... was this really how other pokemon lived, however? Tail sweeping the grass, he carefully began to pick his way through the fields, unsure if he should just leave and try again another day or not... it seemed like they were doing some kind of event but he was terrified of all the strangers and activity buzzing around him.

zUIctoVA1-100

I am the hungry shark,
fast and merciless

[attr="class","quicklinks"]@elodia

[attr="class","quicklinks"]579 words

[attr="class","technoscroll"]Feathered tail brushed against something in the grass, and instinctively he jumped back a bit, whipping around towards it with a silent hiss, flattening slightly to the ground. It didn't move. Tilting his head, he flicked his tail, and spreading his wings carefully, he stalked forward, keen eyes raking the grass for it. There! A colorful egg! In an instant he had darted forward, seizing the item in his toothed beak hungrily.

It was only a moment later that Judas realized it was a fake egg. Confusion flickered over his features, and he took it in his wing claws in bafflement and studied it. What was the point of scattering fake eggs around? He glanced around nervously, unsure if he was doing something wrong with what he was supposed to be doing. If he was supposed to be doing anything... he didn't really belong here but no one seemed to have noticed yet. And so long as he stayed on his own...

A seam caught under his claws, and Judas pushed slightly, glancing back at the egg. It cracked open and an orb spilled out onto the ground as he hopped back awkwardly, nearly tripping over his own tail. Oh! He recognized it.. it was like the ones in the dungeons and the wild. Strange... so were there items in the eggs then? Why put items in fake eggs though? It didn't make sense but... well he supposed it was his now in any case. Dropping the halves of the egg, he stalked over and scooped up the orb.

As he did so a noise and sudden flash of brown fur startled Judas, and he squawked, dropping to the ground and blindly summoning rocks as something flew by him narrowly missing. His throw was nowhere close, but fear and adrenaline shot through him, and he was up in an instant, hissing with wings spread and tail lashing, the feathers on his neck puffed out. He was being attacked! He knew he should have been more careful, he shouldn't have come! He beat his wings, trying to decide if he should run or attack, and eyeing up his opponent. A fox, Eevee? It was brown and fluffy with fur, a mammal, likely ground of normal type, and young... he might be better fighting, he could win...

Then the fox rolled to her feet, chuckling as she shook out her fur and cheerfully began talking to him like it was nothing. His tail thumped against the ground, but, befuddled, he held otherwise still, unsure what to do. Lucky... hit him? He shifted his weight from foot to foot uncomfortably, and she continued idly, turning her head this way and that as though unconcerned, casual. Egg... she thought he had been? He glanced over at the egg halves, they were brightly colored. Oh... was it because he was bright? He relaxed, tentatively, uncertainty, trying to find his words as he tilted his head. "Th-thought I-i-i was... egg? W-was it... my c-colors?" He seemed nervous, and also unsure of what he was saying, struggling to get the words out then tripping over them in painful awareness of how awkward it was. She was chirping cheerfully at him, and he ducked his head slightly, becoming overwhelmed again and not sure what to make of this. He hadn't... spoken in friendliness to another in a long time. "I... I d-don't know... I... I'm n-not sure... what all this... is... I j-just wanted to get a-away..."

PA|dHYfz1-100

But the only girl that could talk to him just couldn't swim

[attr="class","quicklinks"]@elodia

[attr="class","quicklinks"]606 words

[attr="class","technoscroll"]Judas winced as, smiling, the cheery fox enthusiastically agreed and confirmed his inquiry, and he glanced self-consciously at his bright wings, their blue and yellow feathers decidedly very striking, especially among the green hills and grasses. The Eevee with her dusty and dull coat blended in much better, and for a moment he felt a bit of trepidation as she said he could be spotted for miles away, a bit of longing to return to the forest he had known and regret coming spiking his heart. He hadn't had the best camouflage there but high in the treetops his coloration hadn't mattered quite as much and he could get around easily and manage an aerial advantage in the branches. Not to mention there had been brightly colored flowers and all the colors there had been so vivid and clashing... here it was blue skies, brown dirt, and green grass, all rolling and flat, and it made him feel small and obtrusive standing in such open ground.

Troubled now, Judas pulled his wings close in, his tail wrapping around himself self-consciously as he ducked his head a bit. She tilted her head and seemed to realize a part of what he said, pausing to question him on it. He hesitated, shifting his feet and glancing back across the field. "J-just... too many pokemon..." He muttered quietly, almost as though he were chagrined by admitting it. She began stepping towards him, and he took a half step back, tail flicking around him uncertainly as he huddled into himself timidly, seems to be uncertain of trusting her to get close but not quite at bolting yet. She seemed nice after all... and not that dangerous... her smile held steady and she seemed to question him reassuringly, confidence radiating out and something almost like... protectiveness. Kindness. He blinked, and ruffled his feathers, uncertain how to feel, only managing to stammer out a meek "N-no, no... bully... b-but thanks..."

Judas swallowed. He wasn't used to talking to someone, especially not for such a long and extended time. She reached out with a paw to pat his head, and he ducked slightly, only just managing to resist the urge to jerk away, tensing as she touched him. "I-I..." He stammered, and then she was proposing he join her. She chattered, her expression turning to resolve, and he seemed to fidget helplessly. "I-i.... umm..." His beak clicked slightly, tail sweeping in the grass close by his side and before him, the feathered end twitching back and forth. "Th-they aren't e-edible..." Is all he managed to respond with finally, awkwardly, and then she was pouncing over to the eggshells he had left, exclaiming in surprise and reprimand at him. He cringed, muttering an "S-sorry" as she glanced around the area before darting off briefly and returning with an egg triumphantly.

Excitedly speaking around full jaws, she dropped the egg and cracked it open, eager to expose her prize and share it. He nodded mutely along, and as she slung her tm in her bag, she began trotting off, urging him to come along. Confused and uncertain, he hesitantly took a step after her, pausing as she turned back to introduce herself. Elodie? It was a strange name... but nice. He frowned as she asked his name, then thumped his tail as she suggested calling him eggy. No, not eggy... what was his name though.... it had been so long since he had used it. He remembered mama used to joke that he was her little sky-chaser, her voice rumbling out scratchily... but that wasn't his name... it was... "I-I.... m-my name i-is... J-judas."

D_f|tfqm1-100