Lumiose Outskirts

-Kahlia gets to her feet slightly unsteadily.-

Kahlia: Huh, so that's what Rainbow Road feels like in real life...

-She turns to Spectrum and gives her a grateful pat.-

Kahlia: Thanks. I'll be back before you know it, don't you worry~

-She turns and runs off into the city without a second glance.-

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

PEFE HQ

-Ever frowns-

Ever: That sounds...upsetting.

It's probably just as well that it was overall a failure, but all the same. Are you doing alright?

Breeze: <Do you want tea?>

Ever: We don't have any tea.

Breeze: <I know! I was just asking if they wanted any.>

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Museum grounds, past

The healing pulse was more than enough to stabilize the fearow. Daguerre peacefully and affectionately nudged the stranger that healed him. Jean approached him, reaching out his hand to help him stand.

Jean: I noticed that you are an auric,is it? It isn't too out of the ordinary compared to what I've seen before, what with the J-Team running around as recently as a few weeks ago. Pardon, I forgot to introduce myself. Jean-Marie Martel, Geographic Society Editor and retired captain of the Gendarme of Kalos.

He notices that Ivan is winded.

Jean: You appear exhausted? Will you be alright?

Lumiose Police Station

-The police station is a hive of activity after yesterday's failed heist. Officers from all different departments are buzzing to and fro, clapping each other on the back and having congratulatory parties in the staff rooms. In the interrogation room, however, things are relatively quiet, since the only occupants are a single gendarme and the infamous Aeroraptor.-

-...or at least, a mousy, brown-haired girl in her late teens wearing most of Aeroraptor's costume.-

Gendarme: Name?

Girl: I told you. Aeroraptor.

Gendarme: Your real name, please?

Girl: ...Amelia.

Gendarme: First and last?

-Amelia is silent for a long while, and the gendarme sighs.-

Gendarme: Look, the quicker we get this over with, the easier this will be for the both of us. It's in your interests to cooperate. It encourages leniency. Do you understand?

-Again, Amelia doesn't reply. The gendarme opens her mouth to speak again, but is interrupted by the door to the interrogation room swinging open and a middle-aged, greying man wearing a suit with an extremely tacky tie walking in.-

Mr Smith: Hi there! Sorry to interrupt, but I understand that there's some beef happening in here that I need to drop some fat mediation bombs on!

-The gendarme stares at him in bafflement, in response to which he offers a hand to shake.-

Mr Smith: The name's Smith, Social Media Consultant for Best Berry Corporation. Or should I say, Best Berry Corporation, am I right?

-He withdraws his hand and glances around the room, which meets him with sullen silence.-

Mr Smith: ...Nobody? Man, tough crowd.

-He looks over at the gendarme.-

Mr Smith: Anyway, this young lady's bail has been all paid up. You know what the youth are like these days, all into their rebellion and their cosplays and their superhero movie franchises. This sort of thing is just an inevitable part of their growing up!

Gendarme: ...She caused serious property damage to a major public landmark.

Mr Smith: Oh, we've all done that! Why, I could tell you all about the time I visited the Bell Tower back in my university days. Ah, to be young again...

-He smiles and flashes a sheaf of papers.-

Mr Smith: Anyway, the paperwork's all been sorted out. Much like one of the youths of today, it's 100% done with this shenanery!

-The gendarme takes the papers from Mr Smith and leafs through them, frowning. Eventually, after a few long moments, she hands them back to him.-

Gendarme: ...Everything seems to be in order. You're free to go, miss.

-She walks out of the room, leaving Mr Smith and Amelia alone together. Silence hangs in the air, and in an effort to fill it, Mr Smith takes the seat the gendarme was sitting in.-

Mr Smith: ...Look, Amel, I get that this isn't gonna be a cool or lit talk, but you know how I feel about this. I want you to have your hobbies, but if you get caught doing this sort of thing, it doesn't just look bad on me, it looks bad on the company. And I don't need to tell you how much of a dead meme that is.

-Once again, Amelia doesn't reply, so Mr Smith takes it upon himself to fill the silence.-

Mr Smith: This is your last bailout, young lady. I'll have the records falsified and that gendarme taken care of, but after this, you're on your own. Is that hashtag clear?

Amelia: ...Yes.

Mr Smith: I can't hear you~

Amelia: ...Yes, Dad.

-Mr Smith claps his hands together and stands up.-

Mr Smith: Hashtag turnt! Then let's get going. You can cool your heels at home, and we can get to work on some real family synergy!

-He takes Amelia by the arm, and together the two head out of the station.-

Lumiose City

-Upon re-entering the city, Kahlia makes a beeline for one of Lumiose's opulent townhouses, as if she knows the route off by heart. Once she gets there, however, she hesitates at the back door for a good minute or so before knocking.-

Kahlia: Please be out, please be out...

-Much to her dismay, the door swings open, and a handsome, dark-haired man seemingly in his early thirties stands in the doorway. Upon seeing Kahlia, he gives a smile that doesn't reach his eyes.-

Livius: Kahlia! I saw the news. I have to say, I wasn't expecting to see you back here so soon.

Kahlia: Look, I'm sorry. I didn't get the emerald.

Livius: That much is evident.

Kahlia: I'll get it later, okay? I just need a down payment. I need more time.

Livius: More time?

-The smile falls from his lips, but his voice doesn't lose its faux-jovial tone.-

Livius: You had your time. A year for those three gems, that was our deal. You can hardly expect me to alter those terms now.

Kahlia: I already gave you one of those gems, asshole, you owe me at least few mont-

-Livius cuts her off by tutting and wagging his finger.-

Livius: Ah-ah-ah, language. Don't take that tone with me. You're not in a position to be making demands. After all, what are you going to do, take that time from me?

-He takes a step closer to Kahlia, who instinctively recoils.-

Kahlia: You... you d-don't know me. I've killed people before, I've-

Livius: Oh, I'll bet you have. But you've never killed anyone like me.

-He leans in close to Kahlia.-

Livius: Let me guess, you try to pass yourself off as a stone-cold bitch because you have a bodycount, even though you wake up in a cold sweat every morning. You're not like me. I've been killing people for six centuries now, and I've gotten good at it. You remember those stories you were taught in history class, about the medieval nobles who turned their manors into torture chambers for their own amusement and nobody could touch them?

-He grins.-

Livius: That's me. I'm the boogeyman of history, who keeps popping up again and again, because people like you can't touch me. You're nothing. You could disappear tomorrow and nobody would care. You can't do anything to me. That means I own you, and when I tell you to do something, you do it. Or else you become one of those historical footnotes, while I keep on swimming.

-He clasps Kahlia by her chin and lifts her head up until their eyes meet.-

Livius: So, we've agreed that you'll shut up and do as you're told, right?

Kahlia: ...R-right.

-Livius smiles, and leans in to kiss a shuddering Kahlia on the lips.-

Livius: Good girl. Now make sure you have that emerald next time, yes?

-He pats her on the cheek, before turning and disappearing into his manor. Kahlia lingers at the door for a moment longer, still recoiling, then turns and flees into the city.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 20th 2018 at 12:58:00 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

JD had returned to the station, now fully covered up with his skin again, he watched as Amelia was marched out with Mr. Smith, paperwork was cleared so she was free to go. This was a problem, and JD knew that this could only end out poorly in the future.

"Clever," JD said over subvocals, the Silver avatar returning, "He said Best Berry right?"

"Ah yes, Best Berry Corporation, custom order for a Synthetic Unit made with very specific DNA. A good customer, we have yet to get them more tools."

"What do we have on them?"

Clever turned to JD and looked over him, "What do you want to know, most of it is confidential on what we do have."

"What can you provide on any links between criminal activity and the company."

Clever laughed, "A lot."

JD gave it some thought, "Collect what you can, I need to visit my partner."

"Take your time, I might be here, if you need me. I might not, depends on how far my access goes."

-Ivan sits down on the ground, taking deep breaths. He wipes his brow.-

Ivan: "Yeah. I'll be fine. Really tired, is all. Been running all around Lumiose, healing people who got hurt in the incident, ever since I got here.

-Ivan shudders a bit from exhaustion.-

Ivan: "Guh. Don't think I've ever let it get this bad before.

-He shakes his head, stands up and shakes Jean's hand.-

"Ivan Losken. Came from Solaceon Town in Sinnoh. I can't stand to see people hurt, so I came to Lumiose to put my powers to use."

-Ivan stumbles a bit and catches himself on Jean's shoulder.-

"I'm, uh, pretty inexperienced, as you may notice."

-Yeah no nobody's expecting sand.-

-Vierr immediately chokes on a bunch of sand, coughing and hacking to clear his windpipe.-

Corrin: Nngh... how are we supposed to find him here?

Kai: ...I'm not a tea drinker anyway, but thanks for the empty offer.

-They sigh-

Kai: I'm fine. I'll be fine. This isn't the only deal I've gotten into, but it's the one I can tell you about. And this one was just because of my own carelessness.

-They sorta slump in their chair.-

Kai: This whole fae thing isn't fun. Can I get a refund? I want my life and wellbeing back.

PEFE HQ

-Ever raises their eyebrows. They never figured out how to raise just one-

Ever: You could always...stop leaning into it so much. Break some promises. Cross some thresholds. Lie. Juggle chainsaws, I dunno. Be human.

I don't want to say "I told you so", but I didn't trust the woman who made you fae then and I don't now. The less you have to do with her influence, the better, I suspect.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Museum Grounds, past

Jean: I see. Anyway, you've helped enough people for today. I can hail you a cab if you need any help getting back to your current residence at the city. And try not to overtax yourself.

Jean hands Ivan his card.

Jean: If you need any help getting around the city or looking for anyone in particular, we at the Geographic Society can help.

Lumiose City Pokémon Center

Jean is on the phone with his daughter. He does not like what he is hearing.

Jean: They did what?
Catelyn: It's what Jenny told me. The gendarmes were basically forced to let that Aeroraptor fellow go. Iron clad paperwork. She'd have told you personally but no one at the station could contact you. And where have you been?
Jean: Papa was on assignment, cherié.
Catelyn: You weren't trying to do another citizen arrest, were you? Papa, this is getting out of hand. Maman and I are worried sick.
Jean: I'll be meeting up with my assistant in a few minutes.
Catelyn: Oh, good. You were with the cute one. Where are you meeting again?
Jean: Just need to get pain medication for Daguerre at the Pokémon Centre. Your cousin says hi.
Catelyn: Daguerre got hurt? Oh, I could kick you in the seat of the pants.
Jean: Papa loves you too, cherié. He's fine. I got help with first aid from this nice bystander on the street and we were able to stabilize him well enough that he only needs minor attention. Luckily, Thomas was there to help him when the bad guys attacked him. Thomas also escorted Inspector Shun from Interpol, who sustained injuries. He'll be coming from the hospital.
Catelyn: Lucky for everyone, indeed.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Sep 21st 2018 at 3:42:49 AM

San Dialga Gym

-Iris grins-

Iris: Sure am! Send out your Pokemon.

Route 111

-There is something shifting in the sands in the distance-

-Looks like an army... Of Pokemon?-

Robin: Wait...

Mansion

Odin: I have! He's... ehe... quite the character...

N's Castle

-Upon closer inspection...-

-The moon's position matches with one of the hands of the clock and is unusually still-

-There is an insignia below the clock showing the moon in a different position-

Contact Me!

Kai: ...I... could. But I'm scared of what would happen. I don't know how this works, Ever, and I'm terrified of breaking promises in particular. I don't... I don't know what would happen. Something could happen. Nathaniel kept you in his creepy dungeon for who knows how long, and I can't just pull a "you have no authority" out of fucking nowhere. What happens when you cross those thresholds? What happens when I cross those thresholds? Do I just keel over and die? Do they kill me, no matter how much I try to hide? Am I just physically incapable of doing anything contrary? I don't want to find out the hard way...

-Whoops, they're spiraling.-

-Corrin squints through the sandstorm.-

Corrin: ...Uh oh.

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Sep 20th 2018 at 2:03:09 PM

PEFE HQ

-Looking at the birthday egg-

It's been two months already, when are you going to hatch?

Egg: -Cracks-

...Obviously you just needed a bit of encouragement.

Egg: -Hatches into a Tangela-

Egg Tangela: <Tan!>

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

PEFE HQ

-Ever's face sets in a line at the mention of Nathaniel-

Ever: (coolly) Hmm. You are auric, which I suppose gives people a more inherent foothold in your psyche if you believe they're entitled to one. Which is why I would suggest trying to unlearn the modes of thought that allow for that foothold to be developed. Just because I have no viable defense against mental intrusion doesn't mean you should be the same.

Breeze: <You sound like you're writing a TODD Talk.>

Ever: I am.

-they cough-

Anyway, that sounds like a long-term problem. In the short-term, who is they and why can't you talk about them?

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

-For a moment, a look of utter terror crosses Kai's face.-

-And then it passes.-

Kai: That was a hypothetical. Sorry, I should have been clearer.

PEFE HQ

-Ever appears unimpressed-

Well, at least they're getting a head start on the lying. Skill may come in time, I guess.

Ever: ...Okay. Anything else you wanted to go over then?

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

-Mezzo mumbles in her sleep-

Mezzo: Fairy types suck.

Do not fear power... fear those who wield it.

Kai: No, I'm fine. I'll be fine. Thank you for... for letting me talk to you.

-They get up, tensing slightly when it turns out Mezzo has been in the room unnoticed the whole time.-

Kai: ...

-They pause.-

Kai: ...Ever. Would you say that, now that the heist has passed, it would be safe to talk about it with Brie? I suspect it would still be dangerous to tell Alice, unfortunately.

PEFE HQ, training module

Big Savings: -worrisome, twiddling her tentacles- <2/10 with rice>

Channah: -rolls her eyes- Savings. Look, we went over this already: it's my body, I don't need anyone's permission to ask whether or not to keep putting something in it. Especially since it's not lithium or anything like that.

Big Savings: <risky click of the day>

Channah: It's not like I was that different before, anyway. Worst case scenario, I might get, like, weepy once in a while. If that's the price of being able to emote more normally for Tagg's sake, then I'll take it. If I need to, I'll call my therapist.

Big Savings: <plot twist: reduced dosage>

Channah: -impatient- My resistance is too high. You know that. Now spit.

-Big Savings reluctantly lobs some Acid at a bottle full of blue pills on the floor, reducing it all to muck-

Channah: Thank you. Good effing riddance.

-her PokéNav buzzes-

Channah: Oh hey. -reads the message-

Edited by Metanoia on Sep 20th 2018 at 5:00:12 AM

There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.

PEFE HQ

-Ever gives Mezzo a quick hug-

Ever: Hmm. I imagine she'd be surprised. Possibly even a little upset. But I've never been an advocate for secrecy, and I suspect any reaction will be tempered by the fact that you chose to trust her.

Breeze: <You're only an advocate for telling people things because you suck at hiding them.>

Ever: I prefer to avoid leaning on defunct skills.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

-Mezzo sleepyhugs back, then curls up again-

Mezzo: Love you.

Do not fear power... fear those who wield it.

Kai: ...I wasn't really talking about in terms of relationship stability, more in terms of causality and fae bullshit, but that is nonetheless reassuring.

-They exhale-

Kai: Maybe I should... I'm gonna stop overthinking this. Yeah. Sorry. Thank you.

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Sep 20th 2018 at 4:58:38 AM

PEFE HQ

Ever: Love you too.

-they smile slightly-

(to Kai) Don't get so caught up in the abstract that you ignore the material. Bad things can and will happen regardless of ritual or balance, and jeopardizing the certainties in life to avoid a doom that may not even be real is a pointless endeavor. As an expert in compulsion—

Breeze: <—Well, an expert in being compelled—>

Ever: I'm pretty good at both. The restrictions imposed on us by outside forces are binding enough without adding ones of your own. Talk to your girlfriends. Talk to your friends. And a piece of advice for a hypothetical situation in which you find yourself needing to conceal information?

Whatever it is you're hypothetically dealing with probably doesn't think of your hypothetical agreement in as literalistic a fashion as you. When you inevitably find the loophole in this hypothetical gag order, it may help you feel better about hypothetically breaking it, but what you're really going to need is a strategy for dealing with this hypothetical adversary, which I imagine will not be as hypothetically impressed by your hypothetical cleverness. In essence, what you hypothetically need more than a loophole is a team. And I hope that, when the hypothetical chips are down, you'll keep in mind that I am firmly on that team.

...You know. Hypothetically.

-their smile widens-

Anyway, you're welcome. And in turn, thank you for helping me out of that miserable museum. We'll consider that exchange of favors settled, yes?

Edited by memyselfandI2 on Sep 20th 2018 at 2:24:23 AM

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Route 111

F!"Robin immediately covers her face with her hands, muttering a complaint about sandstorms.

As Robin and Corrin call out, she looks up. "That doesn't look good!"

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

PEFE HQ

-Beat-

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Kai: ...I'm gonna be honest, you said "hypothetical" so many times I started counting them and the entire second half of that went completely over my head. But... thank you. I think.

-They smile-

Kai: I'll keep most of that in mind.