Walking in a Winter Wonderland

(Happy [INSERT-HOLIDAY-HERE] everyone! I don’t just say Merry Christmas here cause I’m sure someone celebrates something different. But, eh, what the h*ll, I’ll say Merry Christmas anyways! You all know what I mean~)

Snow...it was always snow...always the same time of the year, same cheer in the air, and always this thick blanket of white fluff on the ground called ‘snow.’ A certain young Murkrow could never fully take in the beauty of snow the past years, but now? Now—with a special, little Sandshrew right by his side—Radar the Murkrow was finally ready to enjoy his first Christmas. Of course, his stay here in Grassveil Town got off to a bit of a rocky start involving possibly, accidentally, and indirectly ruining a friendship between his best friend and a certain Jigglypuff he met his first time here. She seemed nice, but Yigo was angry at her...scratch that, he was more than angry with her, saying everything was her fault before he ran away. Of course, Radar followed after yelling at the very same Jigglypuff, infuriated by his friend being upset...

Did he go back? No. No, he did not. Would he go back and do things differently given the chance? No. Absolutely not.

In spite of all the negative, there was one incredibly strong positive. One positive the child wouldn’t dare risk or jeopardize! Yigo the Sandshrew was one of the bestest, most nicest, most amazing Pokémon out there that the Dark-Flying Type had ever met. Period. He was kind, he’d give Radar all these little ‘hugs’ all the time, and he even let the Murkrow stay in his burrow! For the time being, of course. Yigo made the bird feel all special inside, like a tidal wave of calmness and bliss washed over him every time he saw those big, blue, mesmerizing eyes of the Ground Type's. Yigo's hugs made Radar feel special, they made him feel loved...there were always times where he’d just melt into Yigo’s arms because the hug felt so good. He wanted the Sandshrew to coddle him when they’d hug, and if that meant acting like nothing more than a clump of dirt and clay in the Sandshrew's arms to do whatever he wanted with, than so be it. Sure, it was a little embarrassing, but at the time it just feels so good.

And then there was snow...

What do you do with buttloads and buttloads of snow? Radar thought, not knowing what to do with all the fluffy white puff on the ground and coming down from the sky. It was definitely a white Christmas this year. It felt cold to touch, maybe flying to places would be a better form of transportation than walking this time of year. The frosty air was bitter and shrill, nipping at the Murkrow's skin underneath his feathers. It didn’t hurt, but it wasn’t necessarily a pleasant sensation, either. A few involuntary shudders came from Radar's body as it took in just how cold it truly was outside, and yet...there was something oddly refreshing about it. The crow's body told him to head inside anywhere, just to get out of the cold, but his mind...‘liked’ the sharp pokes against his skin with every winter breeze that blew across the Murkrow's body. How his talons were cold against the frosty and soft snow that seemed to squish with every small, little practice step he took, slowly pacing around in circles, feeling the snow. The cold breathed life into him, he felt more awake than ever, the shudders and shivers signs he was alive.

Radar liked the snow, liked the winter...liked the cold.

All this was happening just outside of the burrow Radar'd been allowed to stay in out of the kindness of his new friend's heart. “Hey, Yigo?” The young bird shouted into the burrow, trying to garner the attention of his dear Sandshrew friend. “This stuff is totally bizarro, y-you have to c-come check this out!” Radar padded the snow once again with his talons, utterly fascinated with the white substance. There was a little bit of stuttering in there, mainly because of the cold. The bird wasn’t shaking uncontrollably or freezing, but...he was cold, that was for sure. A wide and satisfied grin only grew from pleasure every time he lightly stomped on the ground, leaving a print of his talon behind. Totally bizarro... Radar thought, his eyes filled with fascination and curiosity as he continually tapped and prodded the snow. Maybe he might come in later to spend more time with Yigo, but not right now.

For the first time in what felt like forever, he was having fun, filled with joy, and bliss, and happiness. He’d heard of the Christmas Spirit, could that be what’s controlling him, making him feel so happy? There certainly was a cheer in the air, the atmosphere was even more different than what he was used to. The Murkrow felt more different than he ever had, and he was happy about it. The bitter cold made him feel alive, it breathed new energy into his lungs every intake of sharp, frozen air he inhaled. The air came as a shock to him, being so very different than any air he’s breathed in before. Still better than the toxic, sickeningly disgusting air back in Grima Outpost...home sweet home...the atmosphere was never cheery there. If there was one thing for sure, that Radar had learned today...it would be this;

The cold made Radar feel alive!

(Oh my Arceus, I am so excited! I probably sound like an idiot saying this, but this is my first time actually and seriously roleplaying so I'm moving on up in the world! First Christmas here!!!)

Sand... warm as such, at least. Yigo found himself in a deep sleep after having gone emotionally exhausted. Just yesterday he had broken his last ties with Grassveil Town by completing guidance for some Zangoose interested in joining the guild and he had faced off Alki for what she had done. It hadn't gone the way he had wanted it to go since Darcy was left disappointed and sad and Yigo just felt empty and hurt, almost burning with desires to come back and apologise yet he was there, in his burrow, sound asleep without a care in a world. Why would that be? Easy. Some pokemon managed to make Yigo have fun for the day. Someone he had met in town would not only ask for his help but have fun with Yigo. It was a night-feathered bird whose head looked like he was wearing a tiny hat but, most important of all, he would play with Yigo and make him laugh.

Radar was his name, showing up even in Yigo's dreams there wondering in the warm sand. The flying type would flatter and glide all around the dunes with Yigo running after him. They were playing chase and Radar was making sure Yigo could follow him through his ace-grade flying, performing tricks as he flown from dunetop to sandstone valley with Yigo following right behind him. That last detail, however, was more than just part of the game, it was part of a promise. Yigo would follow Radar whenever he went because, after all, Yigo has seen too many friends come and pass as they all met their own destiny. No, Yigo's destiny was not with the busy heroes of Grassveil's guild, it was with a free roamer like Radar.

A call from the outside woke Yigo up. There were attempts made by a cold breeze coming from the tunnels and into the chamber containing a big pile of hay Yigo used as his (and his guests') bed but only Radar was able to wake Yigo up. With his sleepy bubble burst, Yigo could do nothing more than wonder what was going on. It was probably already wake-up time... or not - he doesn't really remember when he fell asleep with Radar in his arms. Ears twitching and yawning, Yigo rolled onto his back and stretched his limbs up pointing to the ceiling with his tail curling around itself before Yigo would just take the shape of a ball due to Defense Curl and rolling to the entrance tunnel. The hardened back skin was already giving it up but Yigo decided to ignore the cold aura trying to claim his burrow...until he uncurled and screamed out loud "Waaaah! It's so cold!" Yigo went ahead to check for himself what was causing the place to freeze, expecting a water type to have turned the hill into a puddled muddy area or, Arceus wishes not, rain. It was none of that. It was arguably worse.

Yigo surfaced through the entrance tunnel, just a bit hidden off to the side of a hill with good sights of Grassveil town to gaze upon the winter's present. Snow. "Aaaaah! Not again! I thought this would never happen again!!" Yigo screamed right after realising what the white layer covering the grass was. He couldn't spot Radar either and Yigo feared the worst "Radar! Radar! Where are you?" Out of desperation, Yigo stepped out the safety of the snowless spot of the hill and began following the very distinctive footprint of the Murkrow. Fortunately enough, Radar was not this far away and he was... hopping? Laughing? Having fun? Was a bird enjoying snow? It was right after this realisation that another one followed. He was feeling cold or rather, his feet were. Yigo raised one of his front paws and stared at it, eyes shining bright and the whole body shivering. Next, he noticed that he could see his breath which shocked him beyond belief whose recoil got Yigo sitting on his haunches. Oh, the shriek that Yigo let out after feeling his tail and butt chill was almost the cause of a small avalanche! Needless to say, the frigid Sandshrew quickly ran off to the safety of his burrow, making its way through the tunnels and shaking any traces of snow he could be carrying off to the chamber's floor.

"Radar! Come back! You could get sick out there!" Yigo didn't think his friend would simply give up the fun of messing around in the snow so the ground type, ever crafty, gathered his bedsheet and was about to offer it to the Murkrow as a winter scarf should he want to continue in the snow "At least come back so I can gear you up. With a bit of luck, this will be over soon" he spoke to himself, worried, fearful and not exactly with the intention of anyone hearing it but said aloud nonetheless.

Apparently, not everymon liked the snow?

Radar was so caught up in the freezing sensation that was the air he barely even paid any mind to Yigo's screams from inside the burrow which was a little chilly inside, to say the least. Still, the ground squished every step...it seemed similar to home...his real home, his old home...it was this, and ice. Water...would be cold? And so the water turned into ground you could walk on...? Yeah, that sounded familiar. There weren’t many things he remembered about his ‘Home,’ but a memory came back that it was...colder. Colder than in Grassveil Town, far, far colder. That was probably why the kid liked the snow so much, it reminded him of home...somewhat. One day he’d go back there, he'd bring Yigo, and Radar could find his long lost mom and dad that abandoned him...he could work everything out with them and the three of them could live happily ever after together as a family. Yigo'd be there, too! Becoming a part of his family. And his parents would keep the Murkrow safe from his brother, and...

“Aaaaah!” Was that...? “Not again!” Yigo? “I thought this would never happen again!!” Radar had now noticed the screams, seemingly coming from the burrow. “Radar! Radar! Where are you?” The Sandshrew sounded scared and desperate, screaming for Radar to respond. “I'm over here, Yigo!” The Dark-Flying Type called back, being completely unhelpful whatsoever as he resorted back to padding and prodding at the comfy snow. What would it be like to lie in the snow? The Murkrow acted as if nothing was even wrong, as if Yigo wasn’t worried...Yigo'll find me... Radar thought to himself, chuckling to himself as he flapped around, continually touching the snow, snowflakes touching his feathers. I'm hella not even all that far away. Snowflakes...? It was still snowing, something the bird hadn’t noticed, mainly because each snowflake was almost too small to even noticed and Radar hadn’t really felt them. They just...fell...that was all. Snow was just full of surprises, wasn’t it?

Than he saw Yigo standing on all four of his paws staring at Radar, the Dark Type's grin only growing wider. Those blue eyes...

Yet again, Radar was entranced by Yigo's calming, soothing, blue eyes, settling down and simply standing in the snow as he looked into them, drawing him in deeper and deeper until they were the only thing he paid any attention too. Yigo than saw his breath when he exhaled and fell backwards onto his haunches, and Radar would have giggled a bit to himself before asking if his friend was okay if it wasn’t for one of the loudest screams he'd heard from the Ground Type. It somewhat reminded him of the ear-splitting, pain-filled screams he’d heard from his brother's victims as Hiro would–no. Radar forced and did his best to repress those memories from his mind, he was not comparing Yigo to them...nothing would ever happen to him like it did with...them. Yigo's shriek was loud, though, so loud it made Radar flinch and almost fall backwards himself. Luckily, with a few flaps, the bird kept himself upright.

Then, Yigo ran back to his burrow before Radar could even blink, leaving the bird feeling guilty for asking Yigo to come out. Yigo did not like the snow, that was good to know. For the future, keep snow far away from Yigo... “Y-Yigo?” Radar called out, concern in his voice. Was the Sandshrew okay? Maybe when all this was done and the snow was gone, Radar could bring Yigo to the water. It always calmed Radar just looking at it, maybe it might help—or calm—Yigo. Radar took some small steps forward, worry evident in his eyes. “Radar! Come back! You could get sick out there!” Yigo called back from the burrow, the Murkrow’s temporay home until he could find something else. Was Yigo worried about him? Him? With one last glance at the snow, Radar started to flap his wings and fly back into the arms of his friend who was worried about him.

And into the burrow he flew, stopping once he was inside, shifting to a walk as he stretched his wings out before folding them back at his sides.

Oh, did they ever glisten...

The wet specks of snow from the snowflakes shined and glittered against Radar's dark feathers, the white standing out beautifully. It was the same with the rim of his ‘hat’ and his tail, the snowflakes shining against his feathers where they’d landed as they melted into his feathers. Radar shook and twitched his body somewhat involuntarily to try and shake some of the snow off his body, mainly because his feathers were starting to get a little wet and damp and the child didn’t feel all that up to preening his feathers right now. Preening, believe it or not, was actually quite tedious and annoying to the Murkrow...so many little tiny things that needed to be fixed or kept track of, it's an understatement to say it sucks. Either way, Yigo wanted him to come in, so he did. Yigo was holding his bedsheet in his hands, Radar was a little curious to say the least...then Radar started to shiver a little. After all, despite how good it felt, he was still cold.

Than it all donned on the bird. “D-Do y-y-you...” Radar took a deep breath, trying to combat the occasional shudder from the temperature. “You w-want to just lie in bed together for a bit?” Radar asked, rubbing his wings together from nervousness. Great, preening. “I-If you want to, it’s f-fine, I h-had my fun and would actually like some more hugs in bed r-right now...” Radar's face started to get warm, again, as he felt really weird all of a sudden, it seems like something that happens quite often around Yigo.

(Yay, happy fun time snuggling for Christmas! After A Fresh Start, Yigo needs a break from everything right now...Merry Christmas, ya cuddly Sandshrew <3)

As the Sandshrew awaited the arrival of Radar, Yigo thought to himself that maybe he thought the same as Yigo on his first time seeing snow. 'A white desert! Sand gently falling from the Sky!' No chance. That was snow. Yigo had known ice for a while as some travellers would spit it or shoot it when they were exploring the desert or the forests surrounding Grassveil's region but snow? That was completely foreign to him. No wonder why Radar was so excited playing outside. Yigo frowned a little with a tinge of sadness. He just hopped Radar won't get sick.

It took barely a few seconds after Yigo's call that Radar came back soaked. Yigo sighed all while smiling at Radar. The dark type was shivering a little and grooming himself with his beak which made the ground type giggle a little "Hehe! Look at you, friend" he gently and slowly got around Radar until he got behind the playful discoverer. Yigo extended the bedsheet he was carrying and covered almost the whole body of the flying type save the funny hat-shaped head "Oh, Radar. Snow is pretty but it's really cold. I can't bear it but... It might be too precious for you to miss, right?" a giggle and a loving lick came to Radar's face as he hugged the bird from behind "I don't want you to get sick, alright? Next time you leave, take at least some of my scarves to shield you from the cold. But if you do want to cuddle in here..." Soon after that, he proceeded to dry Radar up with a smile all on his face, paws stroking the fluffy feathers through the simple blanket that got wet with each sweep. Once he was satisfied, he essentially stripped Radar of the blanket, shaped it into a ball and sat down next to him "There you go! Oh, wait. I left a spot"

With the accuracy Yigo might use to aim a Sand Attack, Yigo tossed at point-blank range the ball of cloth onto Radar's beak. Softly, of course. "Now you are all dried up, ha!" Yigo then got on his fours and stood next to the opposite wall of the burrow. "C'mooon! Give me your best shot!"

((After more than just A Fresh Start and looking at Radar's history... Yeah. Radar is going to have a really happy and warm Christmas))

It was a whirlpool of emotions that ensued once Radar had returned, emotions he hadn’t felt before, emotions that scared him. It was all so new...

Yigo had sighed to himself once Radar'd stepped inside, giggling as well. The giggling sounded nice, Radar never really got to hear it...it was a beautiful sound, one he couldn’t describe in words if he wanted to. Yigo had told Radar to look at himself, and the bird was admittedly wet. The snow looked nice, though...like little crystals in his wings. Ooh, maybe that might look nice... Crystals in my wings...that would actually look nice... The Dark-Flying Type thought, definitely putting a pin in the whole crystals thing. They’d look just like his necklace. Yigo took a sheet he was holding and slowly wrapped it around the bird, hugging him from behind as Radar seemingly almost melted into the Sandshrew's arms which wouldn't be so much of a bad thing...that blanket was really hot...right? “Oh, Radar.” Yigo began. “Snow is pretty but it's really cold. I can't bear it but... It might be too precious for you to miss, right?”

Before Radar could answer, his heart dropped dead. As Yigo hugged Radar, his tongue came to meet the bird's cheek in a lick. The child clearly shuddered in Yigo's grasp, followed by a sharp breath in to inhale any air he could, finding it increasingly hard to breathe. The feathers on his cheek were a little wet from Yigo's tongue, the bird playing around with his wings as his widened eyes looked down as his gaze shifted to look at absolutely nothing but the ground. Just focus on the ground... Radar repeated in his mind, his heart starting to come back alive and pump faster than ever before with each passing second. The Murkrow was still finding it hard to breathe as he felt the Ground Type's arm wrapped around him, ever warm and soothing, shaky, trembling breaths coming from and to his beak. Why? Why did Radar feel like this? Every time he was around the Sandshrew, he's felt like this...what was Yigo doing to him? “I don't want you to get sick, alright? Next time you leave, take at least some of my scarves to shield you from the cold.”

“But if you do want to cuddle in here...” Yigo started to stroke Radar's feathers with the soft sheet. The Murkrow could feel the Sandshrew's paws through the makeshift towel, his touch relaxing the Murkrow. His heart started to slow down and return to a normal speed, breaths becoming more steady, mind calming and quieting until all the child could think about was Yigo's paws rubbing his feathers and how he didn’t want it to stop. Please don’t stop, Yigo...just keep going, don’t stop. Radar closed his eyes as a small smile crept on to his beak from delight and relaxation. This would never happen in Grima Outpost...the non-violent physical touch and the affection and care of those paws just stroking his feathers...Don't ever stop... Radar started to subtly lean into Yigo's paws so he could feel more of them, the bird loving every second of the special treatment he thought he was getting. Arceus, this is hella great! Unfortunately, it all had to end so soon, as Yigo took away the sheet and stopped the stroking.

The Murkrow slowly opened his eyes, rather upset at that, to see the Sandshrew shape the makeshift towel into a ball saying he was all dried up. Than Yigo said he missed a spot, tossing the bedsheet at Radar's beak, Radar panicking and flinching in the process before realizing it didn’t hurt him. “Now you are all dried up, ha!” The Sandshrew laughed, getting on all fours and looking at Radar. “C'mooon! Give me your best shot!” Radar felt excited and curious about whatever else might happen next. One problem, though... “Uhm...” Radar started to rub his—now dried—wings together from nervousness and anxiousness.

“I don’t hella know what to do, Yigo...”

The excited kid was hopping in place in excitement. He might have taken a battle stance but his lowered snout and feinty front turned into a shifting dance. The raised back and sharp tail could not stop shaking and the way Yigo was showing his teeth was more a smile rather than anything anyone could consider threatening with, of course, childish 'Raaawr!' to accompany it. Nevertheless, Radar had not taken the point, unable to read Yigo's body language. Was something wrong? He was scrapping wing against wing. Maybe he had been hurt?

The Sandshrew returned to a more calmed sitting position as he stared at Radar with worry, his mouth becoming an 'o' while he stared at the dark bird. "I was expecting you to shoot it at me, silly! Other kids do it at the park and it looked fun from where I stood" Yigo cocked his head to the side as his ears twitched. Maybe Radar was not that much of a playful pokemon? He did look formal and pleasant while throwing stuff at each other was something more primitive and reckless "Want to give it a try? Or do you want to play something else? We can also go back to bed if you want to but... but..." Yigo's sitting butt couldn't contain himself much, revealing that Yigo was itching for some activity (and probably to warm his previously frozen rear, that might also be the case)

"I was expecting you to shoot it at me, silly!" What...? The bird's mind tried to comprehend why Yigo would say something like that. Radar's entire posture shifted, becomina little bit worried for his friend, holding his necklace tightly. "Other kids do it at the park and it looked fun from where I stood" Oh... The kids playing did look like they were having fun...maybe it wouldn't be so bad? The ball was soft when it hit the Murkrow's beak...

A smile crept up on to his beak as Radar scooped up the blanket with his wings, this can't be so bad. A small giggle escaped his beak as Radar flapped his wing up, sending the sheet right into Yigo's head. The Dark-Flying Type could no longer contain his laughter, bursting into a fit of giggles as he watched Yigo, grinning madly. "Whatever you want, Yigo." He responded with a smile, enjoying the fun game they were sure to play.

Radar seemed to be getting the idea, slowly picking up the piece of cloth and making a ball out of it. Yigo was expecting the Murkrow to take a bit longer but, to his surprise, he was struck to the face by an unfolding projectile. "Uhmph!" he muffled a grump as he purposefully fell to his back as if to exaggerate the impact "That was a good toss, Radar, haha!" he soon started laughing but not before rolling backwards until he uncurled upright and took the bedsheet again.

"Lesson number two: dodge" and a second later, the ball was flying in the air directly at Radar's chest before he himself started getting ready to dodge any possible counterattacks "Haha! I was sitting still before. Let's see how you handle a moving target!" he hopped left and right, staring at Radar from the greatest possible distance he could be in that small pocket of air below the snow.

Radar couldn’t stop smiling, even when Yigo fell onto his back. He should've been worried, or upset, but he felt happy. The giggly bird didn’t know why, but he just couldn’t stop grinning. Radar felt happy and light, this was...was this fun? Was this what fun felt like? "That was a good toss, Radar, haha!" Yigo praised, rolling backwards to stand up, uncurling on his feet.

But then everything changed...

"Lesson number two: dodge." The ball of a bedsheet flew right at Radar, who tried to get out of the way. He couldn't fly away fast enough, though, as the ball hit his side. Luckily he hadn't been to high in the air for when he collapsed due to sheer shock and what he percieved to be as pain. Memories came back—flooded back—about Hiro, and Grima Outpost, and...no. Radar took a few deep breaths, repressing those memories, oblivious to anything going on around him. You're okay, Radar...you're hella okay, everything's fine, you're... Radar's thoughts trailed off as he gazed into Yigo's eyes, Yigo himself jumping from side to side. ...safe. Radar giggled, smiling at Yigo, grabbing the ball. This wasn't his brother hurting him...this was fun.

Radar tossed the ball at the space next to Yigo, hoping he would move in to it's path.


————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

"Remember, when you have a moving target...always estimate their path and hit them where they'll move. Works every time!"

Flap flap flap
Crump

That was what the Sandshrew picked up as he shifted left to right. Something had just landed above them. It was then when he took a reckless dash and got struck again by the bedsheet. The ball had hit him in the nose, causing Yigo to step back and poke the end of his snout as an itchy feeling made the kid feel funny and uncomfortable.

He stepped back, in silence, holding his nose... And he sneezed before staring at Radar and laughing. Radar had predicted his movements really great "Good one!" Yigo looked down and picked up the projectile, holding it between his paws. Then he heard it again.

Flap flap flap...
Fwooosh

Yigo looked up, fiddling with the mantle for a moment "Did you hear that? Something..." Yigo slowly dropped the bedsheet and walked next to the entrance of the burrow. He lowered his head and took a sneak peek at the end of the tunnel

"R-Radar?" He looked back at his bird friend. Yigo had just seen a box blocking the light out of the tunnel. It was coloured red and had yellow stripes from side to side adorning the exterior. Little else could have been spotted from Yigo's position "What...? Someone...?" He waved his paw at the exit, wanting him to see but not knowing how to explain it.

The ball hit! Radar actually did it! Yigo stepped back and sneezed, complimenting Radar—which felt really nice to hear—about his throw he made. Yigo picked up the ball and...put it back down. “Did you hear that?” No... “Something...” Yigo walked to the entrance of the burrow, lowering his head and peeking outside.

“R-Radar?” Yigo called back, waving his paw at the entranceway. “What...? Someone...?” Yigo sounded like he couldn’t find the words, Radar walking over there. What the bird saw was...interesting, for lack of a better word. It was a box. In the snow. Radar flapped over to it, seeing that it was a yellow-striped red box, whatever was inside of it was a mystery. Radar landed and poked the box, curious as to what it could be. “What's this hella bizarro box doing out here, Yigo?” Radar asked, looking back at the Sandshrew.

"My guess is... As good as yours..." Yigo hesitantly remarked, getting out to observe the box more carefully. Getting out of the burrow to check some box... And that flapping sound earlier? This was no Mystery Dungeon, items shouldn't just appear. Yigo stood now next to it, feeling nothing threatening inside. Radar's poke was the last confirmation he needed "I've... Heard someone flapping earlier and resting here" Yigo started looking around to see if he could spot the bird that might have dropped this box "Maybe someone forgot about this whe- oh"

Yigo's eyes settled on a gentle creature atop the hill. It had white feathers with a tinge of blue at the top and edges and had a massive beak, almost as big as Yigo himself. The Pelipper looked back, gentle and calm "Oh, don't mind me. This is... For you, Yigo"

"What do you mean by that? I haven't bought anything" Yigo replied, confused and walking up to the water flying type "Is this a gift from you?" He cocked his head to the side, not knowing why the bird might have delivered him something when they don't know each other.

"No, it is not from me but she asked me to deliver this to you. Why don't you check out the note inside?" The Pelipper suggested, not moving a feather. The Sandshrew was eager to check who had sent him that box. It seemed fishy but there wasn't much else to do with it. Once he returned back to the box, he looked at Radar and nodded at his dark type friend "Let's open it"

Yigo took a slash at the side of the box, a lesser Crush Claw if you will, tearing one of the walls of the box to pieces. Thanks to it, the Sandshrew could see a small pile of treasure and a note on top of it, sliding down onto the snow. Yigo took a hold of the latter and tried to decipher who might be the one benefactor they had.

One of the first things that Darcy taught him were names of other pokemon Yigo knew so a name was easily able to stand out. In fact, Yigo discovered the mysterious benefactor almost immediately "Keira!" He said out loud, looking around "This says Keira!" He continued excitedly, giving a hug to Radar and ignoring the effects of snow for the time being "Oooh, Radar! Mum got us this!" He nuzzled the beak of his friend with his eyes closed and a broad smile. It was a pleasant surprise "Do you think you can read this for me?"

(Quick OOC announcement, PrimordialPrim wrote the contents of this letter and sent this to me privately. I can prove it—as stated in the rules—but would rather not attach a photo to this post so if you would like me to send you proof, all you picky admins out there...I will send it to you. Just ask me instead of penalizing me, okay?)

Yigo didn’t really know what the box was, which wasn’t that much of a surprise...it actually made the box more scary to Radar seeing as that Yigo had no clue what it was. “Maybe someone forgot about this whe—oh!” Yigo looked directly at a Pelipper standing on the hill that Yigo's burrow was buried into, one that was looking back at the two...probably just looking at Yigo. “Oh, don't mind me. This is... For you, Yigo.” For him? Maybe this Pelipper was a friend? Yigo started to get confused, walking over to the bird and asking about the box. The Pelipper only answered by saying it was a gift from somemon else and to check some kind of note...Yigo walked back to the box, saying that open it. Radar couldn’t take his eyes off the larger bird—curiosity getting the better of him—as he gave an absentminded ‘sure’ in response. He stepped a little bit closer to the Pelipper, waving at the Water/Flying Type slowly, almost cautiously. He wanted to get back to playing with Yigo. Other than the shock of getting hit by a ball, it was...fun. It didn’t hurt as much as...other...things...did, it was kinda nice knowing it just bounced off him and only really gently touched him.

Then came Yigo's request.

“Keira! This says Keira!” Yigo cried excitedly, squeezing Radar tightly. He was a little alarmed at first when Yigo first did that, like when they met, but he grew to love it...and then came something new. The Sandshrew started using his face to push against Radar's beak, the Dark/Flying Type having no clue whatsoever on what to do right now. He felt his heart pound, he knew he was getting really nervous...and he'd seen this before! His brother, he knew what to do! Radar took a deep breath and started to use his beak to nuzzle back, having seen Hiro do this a bunch of times before with another Pokémon he couldn’t really remember all that well...but that seemed to be what one would do, right? It actually felt kinda nice, maybe they could do that more often? A smile started to appear on Radar's beak as he enjoyed how nice this felt. “Do you think you can read this for me?” Yigo asked. “Okay...” Radar took the note, looking at the words and began reading it out loud;

-Dear Yigo
I have heard from many that you have arrived and are well stablished. Some guildmembers have taken a liking of you as I've heard. I'm so proud of you!

I myself am doing fine. All my strength is back and I'm helping some of your explorer friends travel easy around here. In exchange, they are allowing me to send you these letters so expect more from me!

I'm not going to take the chance to miss giving my little one what he deserves for being a good 'mon during these days. I know I might be a little late but you know how travels work. I wish I was there with you but next time will be different. Don't forget that I love you.

Radar started to miss his mom...how long ago was it since he last saw her...? Five...six-ish years? They were years in hell, years that the child didn’t care to remember...it was somewhere around that range of five to six, Radar knew that. He didn’t even remember what his mom was like, really, other than she hated Hiro and she did...typical mom things...Radar didn’t even remember those. One day, he’d find her...one day...and he’d tell her how much he missed her and loved her and, hopefully, they could be a family again.

But it would mean leaving Yigo...

Fortunately, Radar didn’t really have to think about that. Fortunately and unfortunately, maybe Radar and Yigo might be adults who could freely go between towns and visit each other! Though...Radar did want to see his mom sooner than that...

He shouldn’t be worried about something that probably won’t happen in forever, just focus on the treasure Yigo got!

The read letter was very emotionally evocative. Yigo found it hard to breathe when Radar finished reading the letter. His mind was divided. First of all, this was a reminder that his mother was still out there, doing well and doing good yet this also reminded him that she wasn't there... and that he didn't have friends in the Guild anymore. Yigo looked down, then to the Pelipper. Did he know that Alki and Darcy were not seeing him anymore? Aside from Opal, who he finds from time to time doing missions, there isn't any other guild member he can call a friend. He'd have to explain this to his mother somehow.

The letter ended in a hopeful and lovely note. She said that next time, presumably next winter, won't be similar to this one when it comes to Keira. Did this mean that she might be coming to Grassveil? His heart felt warm hearing all of that, after which he hugged Radar tightly, eyes closed. He just wanted to thank him but he was treating him as if he was Keira "Thank you..." he uttered, a bit quiet and emotionally touched by the letter before pulling back with a smile, staring at him with bright eyes. He took a quiet moment to just look at him, then at the letter he was holding and, at last, the rest of the package. The gifts! Yigo had to uncover what they were!

"Okay! Let's take a look!" The Sandshrew started taking out items from the open side of the box, still torn from the previous strike. Both of his paws snatched the first item as a lack of fingers makes it hard to pick it up with a single paw. It was nothing else than a bag, apparently. Yigo weighted it trying to know what it was without opening it, the shape of what was inside shifting at Yigo's test. What gave away what it was ended up being the scent "Sand!" he exclaimed, cheerfully, pressing the bag against his cheek and then the front of his snout, giving it a good sniffing. The smell really transported him home, eyes closing to the dry and warm lands on the other side of the forestry. "Smells like home..." he commented, extending his paws and handing the bag over to Radar "Here! This is the sand where I was born and walked for many years! One should never forget where they came from. It smells a little like me if you ever forget it! You can have some but I'd like to keep some for myself too..."

The next item on the list was a satchel. It felt light to grab, very light. Yigo had no clue what this might be so he decided to take it out of the box and just open it. it turns out that the bag contained leaves. They seemed soft to the touch, looked thick and pointy and the scent was particularly refreshing. These were petals more than leaves. "These... grow in the oasis. Why would she bring me these?" Without an idea, he closed the bag and returned it to the broken box. Lastly, there was a smaller box, this one made of hardened sandstone. Inside, there was a circle-shaped metal band with the words 'TM - Sandstorm' on it. Not like Yigo can read it. "Hey, Radar" he turned to his winged friend "Do you think you can read what is engraved here? Maybe there is even more to see"

The Pelipper intervened from afar, seeing what had been picked up "That is a TM. It is used to teach a pokemon a new move" The water type stretched out his legs and began walking closer. Once he was close enough, he read the name of the move and proceeded "This move is called 'Sandstorm'. It allows the user to call a wave of storming sand to cover the area. Hence the name 'Sandstorm'" After which, he began walking back to where he stood. "You can use that device at the Dojo. Ask the master or any of the staff for help and train thoroughly with it"

"A Tea em?" Yigo seemed surprised with what he thought it was a useless item. Hadn't him found more of these metal circles? If they were valuable and didn't interest him, he could sell them for some good Poké. After all, a new move is something pokemon would pay for, right? However, this one, in particular, interested him. A sandstorm whenever he wanted? Would it warm up the area? Would it clear the rain? Would it create a desert in any spot he wanted? "I would like to learn this... Sandstorm" he mumbled before putting the disc where it belonged.

The hug was definitely a surprise to Radar, not being something he expected. It reminded him of how they met, when Yigo just tackled him. This time, however, the bird felt like he couldn’t breathe. Yigo was hugging really tightly, that was probably why…not because the emotion scared him, definitely not! Either way, despite the lack of air, it felt nice…and then Yigo stopped. “Okay, let’s take a look!” Yigo said, starting to take items out of the box that was already open from the tear he made. Radar just watched intently as the Sandshrew searched, wondering himself what was in there. Yigo took out a bag and started to feel it, sniffing it and calling out; Sand! Radar was a tiny bit confused, wondering what was so great about sand. Yigo said it smelled like home and handed the bag to Radar. “Here! This is the sand where I was born and walked for many years!” Yigo explained, before adding that one should never forget where they came from. “It smells a little like me if you ever forget it! You can have some but I'd like to keep some for myself too…”

Yigo then took out a satchel, just deciding to open it. He took out leaves, feeling them and saying something about them growing in some kind of ‘Oasis’ and not knowing why his mom would send them. The young shrew closed the bag and returned it to the box without another word, moving on to the next item. Yigo took out a smaller box from the broken box and opened it, Radar enjoying the sight. Wow, a little box inside of a big box… The bird thought. Neat… “Hey, Radar…do you think you can read what is engraved here? Maybe there is even more to see.” Yigo asked, turning to Radar. Before Radar could even say anything, though, the Pelipper spoke up, calling it a TM. Radar’d seen TMs before, knew they could teach moves but he didn’t know how. Hiro used them, it’s how he learned…best to leave the past in the past, no use dwelling on pain. It was behind him now.

One thing the Pelipper did say that caught Radar’s attention, however, was that you used it at a dojo. Was there a dojo back at Grima Outpost? Radar couldn’t remember any, but there could have been. “I would like to learn this…Sandstorm…” Yigo said, Radar nodding. “Me too!” He added. “It’d definitely be hella useful to know…” Radar smiled, thinking of what he could do with an instant sandstorm. It would be a great distraction if anyone tried to attack him!