Rue Macraul

Distinctly unimpressed with the light show, Colton held up his yellow envelope again, looking at Ekaterina, who was probably responsible for sending him the envelope.

"Why have you summoned us here?" He asked, a hand behind his back as he began to channel his Night Slash Claws in case he had to go on the offensive.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Four Macraul Mansion

Tomas Macraul: The door'll be there when you call it quits, don't worry.

Lucian Macraul: You see, we're in the business of... Oh shall I call it miracles?

Ekaterina Macraul: It's far from miraculous.

Lucian Macraul: Quite right. Needless to say you four have a certain... Wish? It's a singular desire that calls out to items within our collection. And given our specific familial wants don't gel with the assortment of inherited artifacts we decided to make a game of it!

Janus Macraul: Play the game, get a prize. Simples.

Lucian Macraul: Indeed. Prove yourself worthy and obtain your heart's desire. Any further questions?

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Kalosian warehouse

Silversmith observed Ian's trust speech to Piku-chan. They were obviously very close. He considered his relationship with his own pokemon: he hardly knew them. A pang of guilt surged through him. To be fair, he had only gained the ability to speak monese a few weeks ago. That wasn't much time to interact, acquaint, and chat with them. But still. They deserved better. Any thoughts of guilt were immediately dispersed upon Colton and Caliburn's transformation, and took most of his willpower and thoughts just to stay in the warehouse. Warehouse. The names similarity to lycanthropes just occurred to him. What if it was prophetic? No, no, he mustn't leave now. This was his chance to actually make a difference!

Dream World, Cabin

-Lyra stares into a roaring fire as Oberon does his best to transform a glass of water into at least semi-decent mead.-

Lyra: <Hey...you haven't shown up here a lot lately. And I know you're asleep, because Chrissy told me.>

-Oberon tilts his (real) head at her and frowns.-

Oberon: <Thou doth knoweth the truth about mine escapades with Ladies Christina and Lizbeth?>

Lyra: <I know enough.>

Oberon: <Mine absence has nothing to do with the other realms.>

-He shuffles over to Lyra's side.-

Oberon: <I art centuries old, dearest lady. Yet mine knowledge doth be lesser than Aristotle's, and mine memory scarely goes back a decade. For what reasons, I knoweth not. But...>

-He shakes his head.-

Oberon: <Voices doth echo througout mine head, and cruel dreams lay their cold claws into my flesh, prying me from thine company.>

-Lyra gazes at Oberon for a moment, before standing up and walking around as she morphs into her Foxverse form, hands clasped behind her back.-

Lyra: "I'm well-versed in reoccuring nightmares, Obie. No matter how noble the cause, or if it was intentional or not, taking a life leaves a stain on your soul."

-She looks back over her shoulder.-

Lyra: "I don't know your past, but I will always be at your side when you need me. If you want, I'll help you seek the truth, or hide it away."

-Oberon doesn't respond as Lyra kneels next to him.-

Lyra: "..."

-She grins and shakes her head.-

Lyra: "Ah, you know what I mean. Words are hard."

-She rests a hand on his back and they spend a good time in silence, losing themselves in the fire.-

I am thou, thou art I...Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the MAGICIAN Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

---

Stormchaser, Elizabeth's Room

Elizabeth: "This is nice."

-She inclines her wine glass to the humanized Primarina across from her.-

Christina: "Quite. It's good to just...relax once in a while."

-She gestures to the sleeping mons occupying the room.-

Christina: "Do you think we worry too much about them?"

Elizabeth: "Haku and Ari? No. Everyone else? Not near enough."

-Christina chuckles.-

Christina: "Truly. Olivia less so, but those two...gods. I hate to imagine what they would do without us."

Elizabeth: "Based on past experiences single-handedly start another World War and destroy capitalism in the process."

Christina: "...I hate how right you are."

-There's silence for a while as they drink their wine.-

Christina: "Are we ever too protective? Too stifling and smothering?"

Elizabeth: "I 'unno."

-Christina shrugs.-

Christina: "Ah, c'est la vie, mon cheri."

Elizabeth: "...I'm writing that down."

Christina: "Feel free, darling. We haven't composed anything original in a while."

I am thou, thou art I...

Thou hast acquired a new vow.

.Thou hast acquired a new vow

It shall become the wings of rebellion

It shall become the wings of rebellion

that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

.that breaketh thy chains of captivity

With the birth of the EMPRESS Persona,

,With the birth of the HANGED MAN Persona

I have obtained the winds of blessing that

I have obtained the winds of blessing that

shall lead to freedom and new power...

...shall lead to freedom and new power

---

Los Phiones, Airport

Benedetta: "You are sure about this, fragolina?"

Luca: "Mmhmm. I've felt...inclined to go there for a few weeks."

Benedetta: "Now Luca, you know I support you in everything. Good luck, don't forget to call and text me."

-Luca smirks and pushes his glasses up his nose.-

Luca: "I feel absolutely terrible to leave you without your best, cutest soldato, mi dona."

Benedetta: "Those are strong words for someone within crusading distance."

-The two laugh quietly, so opposite yet so alike. Luca and Bendetta hug each other.-

Luca: "See ya around, big sis. Don't let the mob get soft without me."

Bendetta: "You haven't called me that in a while...little brother. And you're probably the softest one of us. You're too innocent and pure to be in the mafia."

-Luca rolls his eyes and sticks out his tongue.-

Luca: "Arrivederci, you Bruno Bucciarati knock-off."

Edited by SwiftSeraph on May 6th 2019 at 7:08:20 AM

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

kalos warehouse

Kat: Ok, lemme just go change into something formal and grab a screwdriver! Cece, do you mind?

-Cecelia teleports Kat away.-

Cady: <So, will there be some form of communication device I can take with me so one of you can walk me through the disabling security thing? Or some instructions I can memorize? Or both, to minimize chances of messing up?>

-Kat reappears, now wearing a navy dress with a magenta cardigan. Her cat ears headband has been replaced with a dark pink felt hat.-

Kat: There we go! All ready to eat at a fancy restaurant.

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

Kalos Warehouse

Reynard saw Silversmith looking pensively at Ian and Piku-Chan and can't help but feel that the young man was bothered by something. Now, he understood that some people can be more introverted and others simply choose to shelder up and do take time to get along well with others (and often do so only to people more like them). He observed something different; an apprehension and discomfort toward weirdness.

He recognized that before; he once knew a young man who felt like anything that was out of the ordinary was something to be feared. Gavin still felt that way sometimes, but he did learn to judge new things only once they're understood.

There was something the his new assistant did not understand about the way the world worked, which didn't always jibe with what humans parse as logical.

Reynard: You know, Sil, I once was friends with someone like that. There was a caterpie I caught back in my home in Alto Mare. We were inseparable and were with one another through thick and thin. He became a butterfree, mated at around the same time I got married, and had a number of caterpie on his own. Friends like that, they just stay with you, even across lifetimes.

Reynard took out a pokéball and released a mischievous looking gengar.

Primo: <Hey, bro, you made a new friend. Are we taking in adoptive grandchildren now? >

Reynard: Well, biology had its way and my butterfree died. A few days later, he knocked on our door as a gastly. And this may seem scary to you, and it was for us. Believe me, it took some getting used to. But deep down, Primo had always been my friend, and nothing would change that.

Beat.

Reynard: This all seems scary to you, doesn't it? And I'm not just talking about breaking into the castle-house of a rich criminal like Lord Macraul. You wanna talk about it with old Rey over a cup of chocolate? Trust me, it takes some getting used to.

Kalos warehouse

Silversmith listened attentively, glad to have his mind on something else. At first he was confused; he didn't know who "Sil" was. Then he figured it out. He pondered the friendship between Reynard and his ex-Caterpie. He didn't have any friends like that. The phrase "thick and thin" stood out to him. Perhaps this raid would strengthen the bond between him and his pokemon? He hoped not... When Reynard reached the end, Silversmith paused. Was this fear? Or something else?

Silversmith: "...This is scary, yes. And for good reason. I'm in a strange place with strange people, planning a risky robbery of epic proportions. Much less the J-team as a whole, who I'm not sure I'm even supposed to be affiliated with... And yet my reaction is still disproportionately large. We're not even at the Estate, and I'm already... *beat* Please pardon me, I am not an expert at marshaling my words. I would love to speak with you over a cup of chocolate. I wouldn't be able to look like a legitimate assistant if I didn't have at least a passing acquaintance with you. Thank you."

Silversmith was grateful to have the opportunity to leave the main group behind, and was prepared to follow Reynard to wherever the cup of chocolate was to be had.

Kalosian Warehouse

Me: Well... When the time comes that we set our plan into motion, you know where I'll be. I'll open my backpack and everyone except for Grandpa Reynard, Silversmith, Daydre and Merlin will jump in...

-thinks to self- I've always wondered how it feels to be inside my backpack...

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Rue Macraul, Near Future

Luciana: "This isn't one of those things where you die if you fail is it?"

Stormchaser

F!Robin: "... Well, the holy wars of Jugdral were ancient history by my time, but I remember Julius and Ishtar having... some connection. I'm not sure where Julius is now, but I can only assume he'd be able to tell us more."

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

Stormchaser, Roy

-Ishtar hands the choker back, turning back into a Helioptile-

Aphrodite: So we find him then.

Gabe: Er, before we do... Archer, you have your guy?

Archer: Sure do.

-They send out an Alolan Sandshrew and an Alolan Vulpix-

Sigurd: <Hm? What's this?>

Deidre: <Wait...>

Kalos Warehouse

Merlin: <Prepare however you need to, everyone.>

Voyd: Seems like some people brought food at least. I've got my Pokebeans.

Edited by Umbramatic on May 6th 2019 at 4:43:19 AM

Contact Me!

Kalos Warehouse

Reynard led Silversmith to the chocolate fountain from earlier. Beside it was a little insulated dispenser that gave out piping hot chocolate, a stack of paper cups, and some sweet biscuits. Reynard took some for himself and gestured to Silversmith to do the same.

Reynard: We'll be here all night, so take all the stuff you need. I mean, it's not sausages or pasta, but it'll do in a pinch.

Kalos warehouse

Silversmith: "Thank you. This is much better than nothing."

He winced at the bluntness of his statement and partook of the hot chocolate, sipping slowly. There was a beverage he had not had in a long time. The sweetness soothed his nerves. Mostly.

Silversmith: "So, Mr. Reynard, enlighten me about your chocolates. What makes them special? Who will we be selling to? What do they like to hear? What will be my duties as assistant? ...Hold on, for the night?"

kalos warehouse

Kat: It would look more realistic if I had someone to go with me. It seems that everyone is busy... Sorry to ask this, but, Gwen, would you go to the restaurant with me? Your Gourgeist form could be useful to unlock the vents.

Gwen: Hmm... I guess.

Cady: <You could pretend to be my trainer!>

Gwen: Me? A pokemon trainer? O-ok... It could work...

Kat: Oui! Nous sommes tourists! Nous ne speak pas Kalosian! Sorry, nous ne understand pas what you are saying? Um, je suis les toilettes?

Gwen: Haha... Hahaha! That's a classic! Yeah, je would love to join you in being les touristes and parlering le broken Kalosian!

Merah: Hmm... How about I come and we could make it a family reunion. 3 cousins going out for a nice meal in Lumiose!

Kat: Yeah!

Edited by QuantumMelody29 on May 6th 2019 at 9:15:28 AM

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

Kalos Warehouse

Me: Well, looks like they have the right idea...

I think I oughta go get some shopping done... Now, let's see... What do I need?

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Stormchaser, Aphrodite

Roy put the choker back around his neck, reverting to humanity and stretching out his limbs.

"So we find Julius and hope it sparks memories, maybe see if these newcomers' human forms do much of the same?" He asked.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Kalos Warehouse

Des rolls his eyes at Kat.

"Pfeh. Tu es un imbecile.De touse facon. Ian, you need someone to go with you?"

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Kalos Warehouse

Me: Yeah, I'd like that.

-I smile at Des-

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Kalos Warehouse

Reynard: Well, there's no one secret ingredient; it's your standard run-on-the -mill gourmet chocolate, just subjected to Broma process to maintain the characteristic richness of flavor and antioxidant properties that might be better for your health. There's also a preservative there that isn't as unhealthy; we struck an exclusivity deal with Asimov for that.

He sips on the chocolate.

Reynard: I used the bare minimum amount of sugar that'll make it sweet, but I also used low-fat milk so it doesn't taste too rich. As my assistant, all you'll do is carry my bags, help me set up the presentation material, and go to the toilet to relieve yourself and set the rest of our buddies free. And yes, the heist is tomorrow, is it not.

Lumiose City, Hotel Richissime

With Ivan on a different assignment and the fallers back to their home dimensions (one wonders how that played out), Tommy now focused on giving his family one last outing in Kalos before they (but not him) had to return to Castelia.

The decision, however, was already made for him.

Aunt April: Thomas, we've decided to book a tour of Lord Macraul's house. We figured it'd be nice to go museum hopping over the next few days and it'll be our first stop.

Tommy: Sure thing... I guess.

Aunt April: Museums not really your thing? That seems unlikely.

Tommy: Nah, it's just...

Jeff: Not gonna lie, Ma'am, Lord Macraul and his family are kinda shady, but their public collections are a must see. Who knows? Maybe we'll be able to book 'em for something.

Sara: And I know how much you like science and natural history stuff so we'll be going to the Lumiose Museum Complex the day after. You've been there already, right! You could give us the tour. And here's hoping supervillains don't try to rob the place.

Tommy: Sounds like a plan, I guess.

-Kai, who was there the entire time, crosses their arms.-

Kai: Listen, since I'm gonna be keeping my cousin occupied, I hope you guys aren't planning on taking anything except the one thing you came for. If she realizes things got stolen, I suspect she'll want my help looking for the culprit, and I'd like to keep the lies I tell to a minimum. So please, don't get greedy. I can't exactly help with the actual stealthing-in part, this will be the first time I've seen her in years, not since before she married into the family.

Kalos Warehouse

Merlin: -to Kai- Duly noted. But you can keep her distracted, right?

Contact Me!

Kai: Of course. Already made arrangements.

Kalos Warehouse

Merlin: <Then we're all set then.>

-he recalls himself into his Pokeball-

Voyd: Into the bag, everyone!

-They start crawling into Ian's bag-

Contact Me!

Kalos warehouse

Silversmith: "Impressive. I'll come to you with any of my chocolate related needs. ..."

The last of his duties intimidated him. "Setting our buddies free" was an undeniable action of assistance: if he were caught, there'd be no pleas of ignorance for him.

Silversmith: "...Understood. Is there anything I'll need to know about that last bit? Setting them free? Surely it's not as simple as grabbing a hidden gun in the bathroo--

It was to late. The group was assembling in Ian's backpack.

Silversmith: "Looks like it's go time. You can explain on the way.

Edited by arishipshape on May 6th 2019 at 6:56:12 AM

Four Macraul Mansion

-Shun cocks his eyebrow at Lucian.-

Shun: Somehow I very much doubt you could provide me with what I want the most. Regardless. What's the catch?

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.

Kalos Warehouse

He took out a credit card and hands them to Silversmith.

Reynard: I'm entrusting you with this. After this blows over, go buy a few pizzas and sandwiches from that place down the road for us and everyone else. The PEFE lady said something about charging it to the company card as long as it's not directly heist-related, so I don't think we'd need to worry about anything.

PEFE Office, Kalos

Murphy: You lent them the company card?

Priscilla: What, we had a surplus! And don't look at me like I'm the only one who does that in this organization. Would you rather the J-Team starve or worse, eat at Macraul's? I could've sworn their gray stuff is foie gras. I shudder for the Altaria that had to go through that.

Edited by MasterJayAM on May 6th 2019 at 7:10:36 PM