Motostoke Stadium

Kit climbs onto Hoops' shoulder and whispers in their ear. <Do you understand any of this?>

"I understand most of the words," Hoops replies. "Not necessarily how they fit together. And I'm still not sure why we're being told this. Are we being recruited or something?"

PEFE HQ, Hallways

-Despite his helmet being incapable of showing any sort of expression, Aeroraptor somehow looks surprised.-

Aeroraptor:    Oh wow, I can't believe that actually-   

Neowarrior: <So are we kicking her while she's down or what?>

Aeroraptor:    Gah! I mean, uh... ah-ha, you FOOL! See how quickly you fall before the relentlessness of my assault! Surrender now, and perhaps I shall find some room for mercy in the darkness of my heart!   

-Meanwhile, on Skye's end, her shifting to bird form and streamlining herself is just enough to get her through the door of the module before it shifts out of reach. Inside, it looks like a fairly typical residential module setup - were it not for the almost Dr Claw-esque setup in the corner of the room, with a huge bank of monitors showing security camera footage from the nearby corridors. A shadowy figure seems to be seated in front of it, with the back of their chair facing Skye.-

???: Awww, what did I just say? I have to say, I just don't feel comfortable with how quickly things are happening between us. Though seeing as you are here... I suppose I could monologue at you for a bit? You could demand answers from me while I give you only cryptic comments in response? Oooh, or how about you swear to bring me to justice for my crimes? That one's always fun~

-Interestingly, the voice still seems to be coming from the intercom.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Dec 2nd 2020 at 1:45:10 PM

PEFE HQ

-Skye lands, and switches back to human form.-

Skye: Honestly, I'd love to do any of those things... but I think we should talk face to face. One of those talks, y'know?

-She pops open another can of Croak in another grand show of sponsorship money, idly leaning against the wall and sipping it and waiting for the figure in the chair to act while staying acutely aware of whatever other inevitable traps are set for her.-

-Diane shakes off the impact as Aeroraptor says words.-

Diane: <Now, don't get ahead of yourself.>

-She shakes her head to clear it a bit, then gets moving again — switching from Staraptor to human, so as to grab a drone with her metal hand, crush it like an empty soda can^* Drink Croagunk Cola™, and then toss the sparking mass at a cluster of other drones.-

Motostoke

Pirika: <Well, you're the ones who asked all these questions, and I thought it only fair to tell you. Also, no, you are not being recruited.>

-Pirika then mutters under her breath, <Pretty sure Lady Tamamo has enough people for her Magical Girl team...>-

PEFE HQ

-Interesting fact about those Aero Drones: upon contact with other Aero Drones, they become highly combustible! Or at least, that's what the explosion created by one being thrown into another would seem to suggest.-

Aeroraptor:    GAH! I didn't think that would- u-um, Turboraptor, be sure to keep your master out of danger! The rest of you, execute Ultra Lockdown Combo Manoeuvre B!   

Neowarrior: <Wait, which one was that ag- urgh, screw it, I'm just doing whatever. You have got to come up with better names for these things.-

-As the Braviary tries to get Aeroraptor as high as is possible in these corridors, the remaining Aero Drones fire electrified webbing to try and pin Diane down while Neowarrior swoops down to try and smack her with her wing.-

-Meanwhile, the figure in the chair doesn't move, but the voice over the intercom chuckles at Skye all the same.-

???: Oh? Is that really what you want? Because I'll tell you right now... I'm not really a "face-to-face" kind of girl.

-Suddenly, a pair of dark shapes drop down from the ceiling behind Skye, and almost before she can react one of them - a Salazzle - darts at her whilst the other continues to laugh from behind a beaked mask.-

Whiptail: Me? I tend to go straight for the throat~

Edited by Herbert40k on Dec 11th 2020 at 8:03:53 PM

Galar Route 9

-Walking to the shoreline-

This route is really too damned cold...

Brimstone Casino

A garish brown limo with Tauros horns on the hood rolled up to the casino. A chauffeur walked out and opened the passenger door. Out stepped a pair of wicked looking Krookodile boots with gold ankle spurs.

Through the entrance of the casino strolled in Unovan oil magnate and land developer Domon Demmadome in his signature tan suit and white ten gallon hat. He accosted one of the suggestively clad servers.

"Well I do declare." came his heavy southern twang. "That this is venerable establishment. It would tickle mah heart to meet the floor manager here so I can get acquainted with the lay of the land before I mosey on ovah to the high rollah tables."

He took out a wallet and handed the server a 20.

"Aw sumtin' for your troubles, dear child."

PEFE HQ

-Diane's eyes widen, and she instinctively ducks to the side of the electrified webbing, and shields herself from the edge of it with her prosthetic...-

-Which causes it to spark, and shift into its wing mode, still attached to a human body. It does seem to sting Diane a bit, but not nearly as much as if she'd been unlucky enough for it to make direct contact with her skin.-

Diane: Ow! Okay, that's something I'm...

-She uses her good arm in a mild attempt to guard against Neowarrior's Wing Attack, not that it helps much. She laces her prosthetic's (non-conductive) feathers through the electrified web, and uses that to give Neowarrior a return smack.-

Diane: Ahem, gonna have to workshop!

-That "almost before" clause is a lifesaver, because Skye has just enough reaction time to switch to Skarmory form before Tzimisce bites down.-

-As a point of order, neither birb has been using an armband for these transformations, nor have they for a few years at this point. If they had, Skye's transformation probably would have been too slow to protect her. But instead, it happens almost instantaneously — only the most eagle-eyed (haha) observers would be able to notice her pressing her thumb against the opal wedding band on her ring finger.-

-Anyway, the bite makes contact with metal feathers, and the can of Croak falls to the floor. Skye jabs it with a wingfeather and lobs it upward at her assailant in a dramatic fizzy spray that would probably make for excellent advertisement footage if put in slow motion, before getting a good look at Whiptail.-

Skye: <...Oh, now things are adding up.>

The woman at the podium read through the book, "Ah yes, Mr. Demmadome's party, you have executive suites and free reign for the week," she said, staring at the 20 a little confused before taking it. She handed the entourage their passcards with their suite numbers listed on them, she then shot Sofia a sympathetic look.

Above the floor, in the main office overlooking everything was Michael Smith... aka Scratch. Scratch smirked as Domon entered in, "A rich idiot tycoon who struck it big recently huh? Seems good for business."

He smirked as the party set about, he smirked and let an obscuric wisp drift from his hand, as he went back to his book, the Prax Vol 2.

"Seems I may need to make a direct appearance. Perhaps dazzle them with a little magic show."

Brimstone Casino

Domon flashed the lady at the podium a cheeky grin.

"Well Arceus bless you're heart. I thank you for being so hospitable towards myself and my colleagues."

He turned to Sofia.

"Now I appreciate you takin' care of all us tonite, but try to have a little fun yourself why dontcha?"

???: Agreed. Not that it feels any different to me, mind you.

-The voice comes from nearby, and a familiar deathly figure in an Alolan police officer's garb walks towards Tagg, flanked by his trusty Ninetails and Weavile. The man smiles, not that it' pleasing to look at considering how many teeth are missing and how rotted the remaining ones look-

Volpe: How has it been signore? One year? Two? Maybe a little more? I assume there haven't been much movement from you nor from him since the last big even, no? Otherwise I'm certain I would have heard about it by now.

-As he talks, ghastly figure of Volpe leans against the mountainside and slowly begins to sink down, the bones seemingly cracking and crunching as he does so. Once he's properly sitting down, he takes a deep draw from his cigarette and exhales in a sigh, the cloud of smoke laced with his leaking Obscura. The air around not only smells of cigarette smoke, but the pungent smell of cloves, cinammon and other spices as well.-

Volpe: You know I'm supposed to be dead right now, but unfortunately by some horrid circumstance I'm still alive in this world.

-Indeed, over those two years since their last encounter, Volpe manages to look even more sallow and lich like. His voice is a harsh rasp. His ears have all but fallen off. His fingers seem to be crumbling away, as do what remains of his teeth. He looks more shrinkwrapped than ever to the point it looks like he's missing a few organs. The frostbitten patches that dotted his skin have become more prominent. And, of course, the cloud of icy obscura that leaks out him daily now floods out of him. The only thing that seems to remain pristine as always is his hair, which should have logically fallen out by this point, but instead remains as healthy and fresh looking as any other well maintained mop of hair.-

Volpe: Funny that. I think it's my brother's doing, that's why he's making all that Max Soup, to get me to eat it and extend my life span as much as possible.

-He shrugs-

Volpe: Can't say no to Lupo's cooking though. He's got the culinary touch, he does.

-He takes a swig from the bottle of cheap grappa he's holding, "hair flips" depressing.-

Volpe: Though I get from that look on your face you would like to talk to me about something. Or, more accurately, someone.

Galar Route 9

Did he summon me here just because it helps him stay alive? I mean I have to go through here anyway to reach Spikemuth but...

-To Volpe-

I'll cut to the chase then, a little Rookidee told me you and Constantin have a history that goes beyond hate, but what's the full story?

Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 2nd 2020 at 11:41:32 AM

Brimstone Casino

-Vicent scoffs at Sofia.-

Vincent: "Apologies, mother. Why don't you try reigning in your outfit before you do the same to us? Where do you shop anyway, the secretarial whore store?"

-He backs off the counter and rolls his eyes at Domon.-

Vincent: "And then there's you, trying to buy this woman's affection, as if you realize your fake charm is offputting. But I know that's not the case since you act like an oil baron from a period film. Why don't you head back to the saloon, get yourself a mint julep? Maybe give that twenty to a working girl, since no one's interested in you for your looks."

You're so mean. That's your boss and your son's boyfriend-slash-the father of your daughter's girlfriend. I've taught you well.

I should've left you with the redhead.

-Vincent rubs his temples.-

Vincent: "I do apologize, mademoiselle. Such phrases are uncouth to utter in public."

-He inclines his head as he takes his passcard.-

Vincent: "Merci."

Brimstone Casino

-Rhea gives a big wave as the [Texan] arrives-

Dommy! This place is sooooooo cool! Or... Is it supposed to be hot because infernal? What-evs!

-Volpe's brow furrows and has a bit of a scowl on bis shriveled lip-

Volpe: Is the "Rookidee" you're referring to the one that's tall, predominantly green, white and a flash of red, blades on the limbs, a pronouced crest, a scarred left eye with an eight-ball fracture and looks nothing like a Rookidee at all? That Rookidee? I mean, I assume that's the case. Since the only other way you would have found out is if you got it out of the Horsea's mouth himself. And you don't look bloody and bruised enough for that to be the case so-

-Volpe takes a swig of his cheap grappa, exhaling after he's finished, leaning back and pinching his forehead-

Volpe: That thing was unsettling even when I was a kid. Too much of an enigma. Only thing straight about him is the fierce devotion endemic to the Ralts line

Edited by PippingFool on Dec 3rd 2020 at 5:22:07 AM

The Brimstone Casino

Henry: Can't say I'm not impressed. Your nouveau riche friend knows how to make an entrance. Already he's like one of us.

Priscilla: Don't flatter yourself. If you so much blow this, oh so help me—

Henry: Yeah, yeah. Dr. Tagg will skewer you and you intend to skewer me along with you. I feel insulted by the suggestion. The place isn't just themeing and gimmicks. A billionaire like him will surely attract the proprietor's attention. And I assure you, my friend Michael is a terrific host.

Priscilla: I hope so, for your sake.

Henry: At least let you and your little frumpy friend have a little fun tonight. We're here to get our game on and maybe a little more if you know what I mean? So lighten up and play a bit of blackjack.

Priscilla: Please. Playing is for children.

Henry approaches Domon, smiling coyly.

Henry: Ah, the man of the hour himself. It's a humble five-star establishment. Hardly anything like the seven-star [Burj Dubai], of course, but I hope its superb luxury accommodations would prove... adequate for your comfort. Complements of the Kwan family and Best Berry.

He turns to the waiter and slips her a few bills.

Henry: Get us some refreshments of our choice. A Diet Croak with Spiced Rum for me.

He turns again to Domon.

Henry: I'm certain you're parched in the Orren heat. I've sent for refreshments, though leave some room. My company was gracious enough to provide avocado hors d'oeuvres for our first round of gambling.

Priscilla: You're not seriously trying to get him to invest in Best Berry, are you?

Henry: Hey, we both knew what the catch was. A billionaire's gotta have investments and tax breaks. You provide the tax shelter. I provide the investment.

Priscilla: Fine. Just don't hard sell.

She approaches the waitress.

Priscilla: Much too early for alcohol for me. I prefer to game sober. Four shots espresso. Almond milk. Three sugars. And a pump of [Irish] cream. And on behalf of my brother, my friends, our benefactor, and the reverend, you have my thanks.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Dec 3rd 2020 at 2:44:27 AM

Galar Route 9

-To Volpe-

Not directly, but I had another source.

-At the last sentence-

A kid? You guys have known each other for that long?

Volpe: We met when we were twelve in the backalley streets of Lumiose City. So that's nearing two decades ago, during the early 00s. If my deteriorating brain is right on the memory.

Volpe takes a long drag from his cigarette, and looks up to Tagg with no smile in sight.

Volpe: ...How much do you want to know?

Edited by PippingFool on Dec 3rd 2020 at 9:50:03 PM

Motostoke Stadium

"Well, thank you for telling us. It's terrifying, but I'm glad we know about these glitches," Hoops says.

<Why come to Motostoke right now?> Kit asks.

Motostoke

Pirika: <Just to check up on Ian, of course. He's been making exceptional progress in his training.>

Motostoke Stadium

"Training?" Hoops frowns. "Like pokemon training?"

Motostoke

Pirika: <Yes. Like Pokémon Training. As well as the training of his psychic powers.>

Motostoke Stadium

Hoops looks at Ian and Evelyn. "Oh yeah, I remember you guys mentioning you had psychic powers. Weird how quickly I just accepted that."

Orre, Brimstone Casino

-Sofia returns the woman at the podium's glance before looking back at Domon as he arrives, a faint tone of exasperation in her voice.-

Sofia: Ah, there you are, sir. I have to say that I don't see "fun" anywhere in my schedule. Though if you're worried about me stifling your independence, don't be. My job is to keep an eye on everyone here, after all.

-She takes a Black [Russian] from the waitress and responds to Vincent with an irritated glare.-

Sofia: Laying it on a little thick, aren't you? Be sure to save some of that charm for the other guests.

PEFE HQ

-Neowarrior seems to be caught off-guard by Diane's boosted counterattack (and zapped by some residual static to boot), and flaps back to a safe distance.-

Neowarrior: <Urgh, whatever I'm getting paid to perpetuate the cycle of bird-on-bird violence here, it isn't enough...>

Aeroraptor:    HA! No technological marvel can save you now, groundling! Though that was actually pretty cool, I h-have to... Um, anyway, your suffering at the hands of my numberless Aero Swarm has only just begun! Initiate Max Overdrive: Vanquisher Protocol!   

-The remaining drones fly forward and attempt to zap Diane while Neowarrior takes a moment

-Meanwhile, the can of Croagunk Cola^note Croagunk Cola is in no way affiliated with or sponsoring this event bonks Tzimisce on the snout, causing her to dart backwards with a hiss.-

Whiptail: Are they, now? I suppose there's not much sense in being coy about things anymore. Unfortunately for you, this escape is already well underway, and as much as I appreciate you playing hero for me I just can't let you thwart me now. There's still so much more fun to be had, after all~

Tzimisce: <Prometheus burned when he fell.>

-She opens her jaw and exhales a gout of flame at Skye.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Dec 4th 2020 at 1:26:03 PM

Motostoke

-Evelyn chuckles faintly at Hoops' reaction.-

Pirika: <Now, any other questions?>