Stormchaser, Roof

Pippy: -warm- <Thanks for the talk, Ever.>

-Pippy waves at Ever until they're gone, while Vee stares at them like they've just gotten their head lopped off-

-...and then-

Vee: -hiss- <What the fuck!>

Pippy: -hiss back- <We are profoundly unqualified for this.>

Vee: <We are here! This falls to us!>

Pippy: -achingly- <And as I said, none of us will abandon them. You wouldn't, I won't, I heavily doubt Megan will—>

-speaking of which, Megan appears as he collapses the pocket dimension-

Pippy: <But how in Distortion do we help someone who by all metrics doesn't quite want to be?>

Vee: <Merciless Mesprit, they were feelin' somethin' for a moment there. I'm pretty sure we jus' fucked it up somehow.>

Megan: -blink- Fricked it up?

Pippy: <Don't worry about it.> / Vee: <Ever might be havin' a bit of a break.>

Megan: augh

Pippy: <It's—ongoing!>

Vee: <That doesn't make it better!>

Pippy: <We can't make it worse! We have to take it slow!>

Pollen: <...is this the person who when we met them had a ghost infestation so severe it was wringing their soul dry to the point where I couldn't see if they were feeling anything?>

Pippy: <...>

Vee: <...>

Megan: ...

Vee: <What the fuck.>

Pippy: <Time, care, and delicacy.>

Pollen: <I don't know why we can't win someone's will to live in a card game or something. Hell of a birthday gift right there.>

-three sets of eyes look at her-

Pollen: <...and that would be wrong.>

Vee: -mutter-

Megan: …

Megan: ...did you hear what my thought was, for the Stormchaser's wish?

Vee: <Surprisin'ly, no.>

Pollen: <I was looking at the airship quiddity birthing in front of us.>

Pippy: <What was it?>

Megan: -holding herself- "I've never felt more alive."

-...-

Megan: ...so many times, someone's given me a Talk.

It's a productive Talk—they talk about how I'm falling short, I recognize my problems, I cry, they cry, we hug it out—

Then they leave me as I am, I leave them as they are, and...we just go right back to the way things were. Then we're all just…frustrated, when nothing changes.

We don't talk any more.

Pippy: <...I'm sorry for pushing you into this.>

Megan: You were right. We needed it, I think. If I hadn't found—everyone—

I think I would've just sat in my rut forever. I needed everyone. I needed me.

-...-

Pippy: <Let's. Invite them out for drinks sometime.>

Vee: <A lot of times. Sometime soon.>

Pollen: <I've got some honey mead I can give them right now.>

Megan: oh

???

-Gets up, as the Dynamaxed Vespiquen looms over us-

Max!Vespiquen: <HONEY THIEVES MUST DIE!!!>

Kinda wish Sweetie was here...

Guess talking's not going to work, Akiko!

Akiko: -Is released, and immediately Dynamaxes- <I have to show the rightness of my chosen path.>

Max Flare!

Akiko: -Sends out a massive fireball at the Vespiquen-

???

Channah: Oof. Huh, okay then. -sends out Gwen- Aurora Beam.

-Gwen coughs up some of the ol' borealis tea-

Isle of Armor Party

-Mason's cheeks tint a little at Kahlia, and his hand intertwines with Shaun's.-

Mason: ...'m a private person, is all. And you never asked.

-As soon as Megan starts approaching, Kai immediately scoots over to join her and Daydre, drink in hand and tired look on face.-

Kai: Hi. Save me. This feels like an ex situation and she's not even an ex.

-Long sip from her drink.-

Kai: ...You look good. It's nice to see you out and about again.

-Small Amarin smile-

Honeycalm Island?

-Both attacks do major amounts of damage-

Vespiquen: -Angrily unleashes a Max Rockfall- <DIE!>

Studio Palace

"Yeah, and why're you working with whoever it is? I have a hard time believing you're just doing it for revenge on your ex."

Stoermchaser, Hallway

"Oh, it's Silas. I didn't know him super well before this, so I'm not sure who he knows but you've probably at least seen him around right?"

Isle of Armor

Daydre can't sense whole, specific thoughts, but she does at least notice the confusion. She gives Megan's shoulder a (hopefully comforting) squeeze.

"Oh, yeah probably. I've never been good at parties."

There's no resistance as Megan makes her way over to Kai. Daydre trails after her because 'oh hey, Kai, a person I know how to talk to'.

(To Kai) "I was wondering what was going on with that"

Honeycalm Island??

Channah: -dodging rocks- It's just a little honey, man! Gah.

Gwen: -is almost knocked out- @_@

Isle of Armor, Silasbirth

(-Vee wanders up and drops a Wishiwashi at Shaun's feet, wagging her tail-)

(-her several feet of tail-)

-comforting indeed :3-

-she seems to warm at the touch—which relaxes Megan enough that she can converse normally-

Megan: -admiringly- You look...like you've been eating! :D

-so normally-

(-a very specific Look crosses her face—the look of someone whose sentence ended differently than they meant it to-)

Megan: w

Megan: wait

Megan: -hand to her face, red- that sentence ended differently than I meant it to

-it sure did, huh-

Megan: -forcing that hand down- you look good!! healthy and alive and not dead, which i worried that you would be, for no reason in particular—

Megan: -smiling- and not arguing! with someone I lack the context for but kind of want to pat you on the head but I don't think—that's socially—

Megan: -you know Kai's heat-Aura trick- and having non-awkward conversation!!! with me and daydre, as a unit, or possibly separately since we are distinct people,

Megan: -that's her face- standing together on a beach, which is my favored terrain for battle, which I am not doing, instead—

Megan: -swinging an arm, enthusiastically- hanging out with the people who ate me to save my life hahaaa

-lengthy yahaha (you found me)-

Pippy: -...is just standing there-

Megan: I've been talking too long

Studio Palace

A bit lost for his own questions to ask, Rn'L simply looked down on Daniel with Ahemait beside him, red eyes portraying a message of "don't fuck us on this or so help me".

Lee House Foyer

"My first guess?" Kamui offered, gesturing to her trainer. "C-c'mon. You know my first guess."

"If that were the answer I think I might have noticed."

Stormchaser, Some time in the Past

"Third from the left."

<Centermost.>

"Heh, nice."

Lee House, Now

"Might have," he conceded. "But, I don't want to make any conclusions. Nothing's attacked us, right? So, no harm, no foul."

June ducked down as bullets ripped through the old wooden doorframe, Silas tucked out of the way, Blaster in hand. Hacks looked out with his aura sight, ~They’re clones alright! They got one on an old machine gun!~

Silas kicked the door open and snapped out a whipcord from his gauntlet, gripping onto the gun’s trigger grip. With a snap pull it was ripped from the hands of the clone, who got a blaster bolt to the brainpan in response. Silas looked out and saw Samwise, who glowered at the Mandacario.

“I have 50 men, and 50 more on their way. You are surrounded, you are outgunned… Surrender now and I may be merciful. Give me the asset.”

“You are connected to his loudspeakers, Captain,” Bishop said, “I am sorry I cannot do more. I am working on backup.”

Silas cleared his throat, and it echoed across the forest marsh, “Bring all the men you have, it still won’t be enough.”

He leapt, jetpack boosting him over to the jeep, he shot the driver and gripped onto the machine gun, swinging about and opening fire on the clone army.

The plinking of bullets was heard as they struck his armor, denting against it as he took aim, Samwise ducked his head down, this had not gone as planned. The armor, the armor itself was actually bulletproof, that was just great!

The clones were still running on auto, firing everything they could, but it wasn’t enough. A fire started, and old sirens of the campsite kicked into gear, blaring warning alarms, illuminated among the flames was a killer in blue.

His team ran out, taking up defense around the truck, pushing clones back, the Cacturne even pinning a few of them, Samwise watched in horror as clones went down, pin missiles stuck through their bodies.

Samwiseducked under a muddy porch, the rain and fire creating a very striking image of the Mando as he swung the gun around. There was a screeching of tires as several old military trucks rolled up and more clones poured out… they didn’t last.

It was… carnage… Samwise was starting to understand what the warning he had been given, he really wasn’t anything to this man. All he was doing was pissing him off…

100 clones, 100 clones were dead, the gun clicked empty. Silas stepped off the gun, and walked slowly to the porch, Samwise scrambled out from underneath and tripped, the fire all around him, burnt hunks of metal, disintegrating chunks of clone, and a Mando and a pokemon team marching slowly.

~You aren’t going anywhere,~ Hacks said, ~I can see your aura, you can’t run.~

“We need to talk…” Silas said, throwing out a whipcord and catching it around Samwise’s legs, Samwise starting to have a panic attack.

June stepped out, and watched as the Mando slowly dragged Samwise back to her, she grinned a bit, “Need some help?”

“I need him to talk.”

“Well… Boys! We got a putz who needs a loosened mouth!”

Samwise was pondering if he had been better off, staying with Gabriel.

Stormchaser Hallways

Mason: ...Might have met the guy once or twice in passing? I think he hosted a couple parties or something. I dunno. Maybe I'll meet him properly or something.

Isle of Armor Party

-The tension breaks, and Kai cracks up laughing.-

Kai: Megan, Megan, Megan-

-She also puts a hand on Megan's shoulder, which seems to be a thing that's happening a lot here huh-

Kai: I know what you meant. I cannot for the life of me stop people from calling it eating no matter how hard I try but I know what you meant. And yes, I have.

-She backs up a bit, smiling brighter.-

Kai: Anyway, ah, the deal with her, and them, is kind of, uh, complicated, but I don't think anyone's here to hear about that. Uh, you look like the heat's getting to you a bit already, why do you always seem to be overheating when I see you, want me to get you a drink? Either of you?

-She swirls her own drink a bit.-

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Jul 6th 2021 at 8:04:25 AM

Honeycalm Island?

-To Channah-

I sure do know how to pick dates, huh?

Akiko: -Summons a Max Guard to personally block, before retaliating with another Max Flare boosted by the sun-

Vespiquen: -Reels back from the hit, stunned-

Honeycalm Island?

Channah: I mean I can think of worse places.

Gwen: -''attempts a Blizzard' '-

Stornchaser, Hallway

"Yeah, you'll probably see him eventually. Unless he like, mysteriously disappears, but I don't think that's gonna happen any time soon."

Isle of Armor

Despite the fact that it's already hot out, Daydre subconsciously leans into Megan with an expression like a Meowth that found a sun spot.

"Yeah Megan you're fine- Unless you're not fine, in which case I don't want to invalidate your feelings and make it seem like you can't talk about things but I also don't want to keep bringing up unpleasant memories and Kai's right this probably isn't the right setting to talk about these things but is there ever going to be a right situation I don't know how to bring stuff like this up and then when I do I"

"..."

-sip-

"You know I don't think I need a refill just yet"

(eyeing Megan)"If it's worth anything I could listen to you talk all day."

Isle of Armor, past

-Looking through the telescope-

It ain't the J-Team if there isn't interpersonal drama...

Honeycalm Island?, today

-To Channah-

We've definitely been worse places, for sure.

Vespiquen: -Still reeling from being stunned- <I'M GONNA->

-Is hit by Gwen's Blizzard-

<...drat.>

-Immediately explodes, leaving behind an odd red honeycomb bunch and some miscellaneous other items as the Raid Den gets unstable and we're warped out-

Honeycalm Island

-Getting my bearings as I try to avoid stepping on our prizes-

Okay, that's the honey down I think.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Jul 6th 2021 at 10:16:36 AM

Isle of Armor

-Shaun pats Vee on the head - or, more accurately, just..gently caresses the blob of water in the shape of a fox, before picking up the Wishiwashi and eyeing it, owl-like.-

Jessica: "Do not. I will skewer it and cook it."

Shaun: "'s not enough meat anyway."

-He tosses the fish to Jessica, who finds a stick and brings it over to the grill.-

Shaun: "And I don't kiss and tell."

-He squeezes Mason's hand back and gives him a quick, bird-like peck on the cheek, winking at Kahlia after.-

Stormchaser, outside

-Ever lands-

Mallory: Wait, hang on, I know you.

Ever: Thundurus's sagging jowls (face and voice bright) Hey! Mallory! Long time no see! I kind of assumed you were dead!

Mallory: Oh, uh, sorry to worry you I guess?

Ever: You didn't.

-...-

-...-

Ever: Anyway, Avery, it's been about thirty minutes so I feel less weird leaving you for last. Any interesting developments in that time?

Avery: -points at Mallory-

Ever: Oh...

Avery: You know each other?

Ever: I sort of know everyone.

Avery: Did you know them before they wiped their mind? Is that why you don't like them?

Ever: Nah.

Mallory: ...

Ever: You look different.

Mallory: I got a haircut?

Ever: That would do it...

Avery: Uh—

Ever: I'm gonna go inside now.

-they do-

Avery: That was...extremely weird.

Mallory: That is my usual experience with them.

Avery: Why don't they like you? I've never met anyone they really disliked.

Mallory: Well, uh, our first impression was not incredible.

Avery: Was ours so great?

Mallory: ...In my defense, your arm healed up.

Avery: As arms generally do. But you never actually apologized?

Mallory: Well, I forgot.

Avery: Yes.

-...-

Mallory: Sometimes I wonder if I was a good person.

Avery: You could stand to wonder that now.

Spagged with AnimeBoyIanPower

Castelia City, Present

Aunt April: Oh, your eyes were purple earlier. Look Miley, he has auric spectrum powers, like you.

Miley pouted. She still didn't trust him. And it became clear why.

Aunt April: You know, I do believe I've seen her. That young lady you're looking for, she had auric spectrum powers, too. Very powerful, as well. She also had purple eyes and golden hair. It seems like only yesterday...

Flaaaaaashbaaaaack

It was a hot summer's day, and the city was in chaos. A runaway container van was skidding off-course. Pedestrians and their pokémon were running for their lives. The man on the wheel panicked as he tried pressing on the brakes to no avail.

One of the last people to attempt to flee was a lady in her early 60s and a little girl. The old woman had previously been running, but she was out of breath. She lagged behind, leaving her and her charge vulnerable. The truck was careening toward them at quite literal break-neck speed.

Just before the truck could hit them, a golden haired girl with purple eyes jumps between the old woman and the truck. A rippling aura of golden light surrounds her body as she thrusts her hands out to stop the truck with her mind. The truck, meanwhile, fired its airbag, protecting its occupant.

As the scene calmed down, the crowds began pouring in and taking pictures. Meanwhile, a panicked young man, who had strangely been running in the opposite direction all this time, arrives at the scene. He looked on in relief as he saw the two figures safe and sound.

The old woman looked at her savior with gratitude.

Aunt April: Thank you.

Miley: Grandma, look. An angel lady saved us.

Glowing Girl: -to Aunt April and Miley- Are you two alright?

Aunt April: I'll be alright, child.

She gets herself up and pics up her granddaughter.

Miley: Gracias.

Aunt April: This city sure attracts its share of heroes. Young lady, may I know the name of our rescuer?

Glowing Girl: Of course. My name is Aurelia.

Miley: I like your name.

Aunt April: A fitting one, isn't it. You have our gratitude, Aurelia.

Miley: Uncle Tommy!

She pointed to the young man with a joltik on his head from behind the crowds who finally got to where the two pedestrians and their savior were. He gave the two a tight embrace.

Tommy: I can't thank you enough for saving my aunt and niece today. I work for the news. Mind if I take a picture?

Aurelia: I wouldn’t mind.

He grabs the large camera dangling on his neck and snaps a picture of the group. Other bystanders, meanwhile, assist the trucker inside the van. He appears to be in a state of shock, but recovers fast enough to approach the group, fully aware and horrified of what he nearly did. Tommy wasn't too pleased to see him but managed to calm down enough to hold his tongue.

Reading his mind, Aurelia knows the driver was legitimately afraid and wanted to do right by the family. Everything he had planned to say was the honest, unvarnished truth.

Truck Driver: Oh, Arceus, madam. I am sooo sorry. Something happened to the van and I lost control of it. I could've killed you. Oh, I am so losing my job for this.

A big deal. Memories indicated that the driver had kids to feed and his employers were quite unforgiving.

Aunt April: Pish posh. It's water over the dam or under the bridge, or wherever you like it. No one was hurt, and that's what's important. Thomas, be a dear and see if you can help this man.

Tommy complies. She turns to the driver.

Aunt April: My nephew here is brilliant with machines. He can help you diagnose your vehicular issues.

Truck Driver: Thank you, Mrs.—

Aunt April: Petersen. April Petersen. And my nephew Thomas and my granddaughter, Emilia.

The driver nodded. He led Tommy, now a bit less apprehensive, to the hood of his van, where they examined what was going on inside it.

Aurelia could see and sense the gratitude and adulation the people had for her actions. It was a hard to explain feeling, nothing she could recognize from where she came from. It felt... nice.

The duo came back from the truck. The trucker had just been informed that his vehicle may have had a critical failure of its machinery. He added that the company had been skimping out on maintenance checks, a fault that was fortuitous if he and Mrs. Petersen would sue his employers.

Truck Driver: My employers can't sneasel their way out of this one. They'll pay for anything you need just so we wouldn't sue.

Tommy: Yeah, I know something in there was going to go wrong. That thing's so poorly maintained it's a miracle it didn't crash sooner.

Truck Driver: I'm almost tempted to want to sue them anyway. But even a settlement is gonna be big.

Aunt April: I suppose we do need to call our attorneys for this. I certainly hope we can settle this quietly. I don't want to drag this out too long.

The driver turns to his rescuer.

Truck Driver: Ma'am, if there's anything you need me to ask for, name your price. My bosses are surely gonna give it to you. Hero's gotta have her share.

Several hours later, a story began making rounds on social media about a young psychic girl who rescued an old lady and her granddaughter by stopping a careening truck. The title read: Psychic Superheroine Saves Senior Citizen: Young woman stops vehicular accident, rescues three. Shown proudly with the headlines were screencaps from the traffic cameras, showing the event in detail.

It was a thoughtful gesture from a very grateful city. No matter what Hank Harvey said, Castelia City loved superheroes and ate up any story involving them, whether they be well known or otherwise.

But such publicity does not go unnoticed.

Castelia City, The Present Day

Radon knew that this specific old woman was his only hope of finding the whereabouts of their missing Schoolkid. Their other target, the journalist who wrote the story, was not an easy person to interrogate. A cursory glance revealed that he was an auric of some sort—far from refined, but not one to be trifled with. To say nothing of trying to confront the seemingly unassuming man physically. Radon was cocksure and overconfident, but not dumb.

The old lady finished her story, seemingly content in sharing it with Radon.

Radon: Thank you, ma’am. I needed to know. As for my next question, do you know where “Aurelia” went?

Aunt April: Well, she told the driver's employers that she would like a ticket to any destination she fancied. The next thing I knew, they agreed to take her to Galar.

Radon: Galar, huh? Thank you, ma’am. That’s all I needed to know.

Radon waves gently to Aunt April as he turns around and walks back to Ferrum. He got the information they needed and where they needed to go to find their missing Schoolkid. On his way back to his assistant, he closes his eyes for a moment and when he opens them, the irises change back to their true purple color.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Aug 1st 2021 at 7:55:00 PM

Polity, Alakagross Ship

-The Nightingale nods and darts towards the nearest shadow. Failing that she attempts to shatter a light fixture and escape into the dark that way-

Saffron Rainslicked

Kitbash: Oh, love the click. There's always a click.

-He slips through the door and presses himself against the wall as the armored individual walks past. He holds his breath, one hand going to his personal defense before they pass and he checks his mic is on-

Kitbash: Chromie sighted. One of Lightwave's brood. He's already interested in the hospital?

Studio Palace

Sorry ma'am, we're following through on a request your waking self made of us. We apologize for the inconvenience.

-Rakash mimes a little jaunty bow-

Now then Daniel, I believe you don't want to risk death surely? Just answer and we'll avoid a nasty fight.

Lee House, Living Room

Maybe, but it's still... It still feels dangerous...

-Gale begins pacing-

But fine, shall we check out one of the other weird bits of this place? Maybe it'll have answers.

Isle of Armor, Beach

Hey don't worry. I'm fixing to make that last push myself, things just kinda got in the way yaknow?

-Spotting the grill, Gale smiled and retrieved three boxes from her bag before slipping behind it-

Aaaalrighty. So this is a nice casual party going on so we're gonna be cooking one of the dead simplest grill foods out there; the humble smashburger. Now I've already done most of the work of mixing up a bunch of beef mince with my own personal blend of herbs including the Nightingale's Secret so all we have to do is form some rough patties and put them on the grill and smash them down with the back of the spatula.

-True to her words, Gale retrieves the mince and begins putting the unshaped patties on to cook. She also retrieves and starts buttering some hamburger buns-

While that's on for a few minutes each side we can prepare the fixing starting with the buns. Now you all know I'm a big proponent of toasting only the inside of the buns to hold things together while maintaining the soft and pillowy texture of a proper burger bun and with a lovely grill like this the best way to toast is to butter the bun and then put them inside face down on the grill for about a minute.

-Again, right after she says it she follows through on her own instructions. Once she does though she stops and stares at the grill a bit before stepping back and laughing awkwardly-

... I slipped into my presenter persona there for a bit didn't I? Sorry, I'm just kinda... I've maybe gotten to used to cooking on stream...

Isle of Armor

"Don't apologize for perfection," she comforted, snickering, shirt reading "笑". "I love seeing that energy you, pardon the pun, bring to the table."

Lee House

"I guess the store first?" Colt offered.

Castelia City - With Radon

-Ferrum pushes himself off the wall he was leaning against as Radon approaches, spitting out his toothpick and stomping on it with the heel of his boot in the process.-

Ferrum: Well, well. You're back! Guess you must've survived your harrowing encounter with the elderly. Don't suppose you got anything of use?

Oblivion Wing - July 4th

-Alice gives a dismissive sigh.-

Alice: I have heard that statement a number of times, and yet I don't see the evidence for myself - regarding the Guild's inevitable collapse, I mean, not the sapience and benevolence of non-human entities. No, I suspect those at the top of the Guild will make it out just fine. In no small part because our own dear leader happens to be so fond of them.

-She hestitates for a moment, then glances down, shaking her head.-

Alice: ...I'm sorry, that was... needlessly petty. There's no basis to that point. I suppose I'm just frustrated with most people, at the moment.

-She raises an eyebrow as she skims through the Warehouse file.-

Alice: Interesting. I had assumed for a while that there must be some sort of supply base for the organisations we find ourselves opposed to, hence why their resources are so seemingly endless. The question is, is there anything actionable in here?

Isle of Armor - July 4th

-Kahlia goes slightly red as she watches Roxy walk away - but quickly recomposes herself, giggling at Shaun and Mason. Unlike her usual mocking smirk, though, the smile in the aftermath seems entirely genuine.-

Kahlia: Awwwww~ Guess I missed my chance to pounce, huh? Well, for what it's worth, I'm happy for you. It's cute seeing you get all luvvy-wuvvy. And it looks like you found yourself a real tasty drink of water too.

-As if to emphasise her point, she takes a long slurp from her margarita.-

{REDACTED}, Safe House

-Bela stands up, suddenly animated in contrast to her usual self-composure.-

Bela: ~You're just trying to get into my head! In the way other than the way that you're already in my head! And besides, I'm way more likely to graduate than you, so I don't see why I should care what you think.~

Edited by Herbert40k on Jul 7th 2021 at 3:40:55 PM

Honeycalm Island, past

Channah: -a bit dazed- ...So that's a raid battle. I don't know if I liked that. -looks down at the honey- I don't know if I like the look of that honey either.

Wedgehurst

-Avery and Mallory are wandering along, Avery carrying Facade and with a Thievul pattering along next to her-

Well, Mallory, you're an odd fellow, but you do lead a good walking tour.

Mallory: I'm surprised you haven't evolved.

Well, Avery wouldn't carry me if I did. I'd probably have to start carrying her, and that feels like it'd get old.

Besides, we don't really get in a lot of fights.

Avery: The last serious battle we had was...uh, a while ago. Like, more than a year, actually.

Mallory: ...Huh.

And I make a better assistant like this.

Mallory: Right, yeah, what is it you actually do again?

Avery: It's not obvious?

-...-

Misdirection the Thievul: -drops from a rooftop- <I've returned!>

Avery: Wait, when did you leave?

Misdirection: <I'll never tell~>

Mallory: She ran off when Facade was doing her thing.

See? I'm a great assistant.

Avery: Wow. Learning fast, I guess. (to Mallory) How'd you notice? Even I missed it.

Mallory: It's not obvious?

Avery: Not at all, no.

Mallory: Ah. I was hoping you'd know.

Avery: ...Say, where is your team?

Mallory: We...don't get along? And not in the fun way, like you and Facade. Except for Axiom and kind of Reticulate.

Avery: Hm. I think I could see that.

Mallory: ...Yeah.

Avery: Right. Uh, okay, we're looking for the Berry shop—

Mallory: -points- There, couple blocks down.

Avery: ...Good grief. You can read that sign?

Mallory: Yeah, of course. You can't?

Avery: No?

I can!

Misdirection: <You can't read, though.>

Yeah, exactly. It is exactly as comprehensible to me as it used to be.

Avery: -sigh-

{REDACTED}, Safe House

-Neodymium hops to her own feet, the Light Screens swirling around her-

Neodymium: ~Let me paint you a word picture!~

-she paints Bela an actual picture too, using her lasers to create some rudimentary blinking images-

~So probably I'm gonna die, right? Unless things really work out, which fingers crossed! But like, probably not.~

-the lasers blink out a bad drawing of Neodymium falling over with X's in her eyes-

~And at first, you'll be all (perfect imitation of Bela's mental voice) "Haha, Sixty's dead, thank goodness, she was a big dead weight to the School". And you'll be right!~

-a drawing of Bela Fortnite dancing happily over Neodymium's dead body. The body is taken away by some doctors who toss it down a chute-

~But then you'll get to the testing and they'll have a Friendliness section or something like that, and you'll be all (Bela's voice again) "Oh, that Neodymium was right all along! If only I'd paid more attention to her in life! But now she's dead and I can learn nothing more from her! What a tragic waste!"~

-Neodymium fake-swoons, while the laser sketch Bela does the same-

~And then you'll die too, which would be sad, 'cause you don't have to.~

-she crosses her arms sulkily, while the laser sketch Bela also falls over with X's in her eyes, and is carted away-

~And you're my friend, so I'm gonna spare you all of that by getting you to listen to me now, haha!~

-the sketches are erased, and replaced with a picture of Bela and Neodymium holding hands-

Didit: ~There is no Friendliness section on the exam.~

Neodymium: ~Well, there should be! Anyway, I said "or something like that."~

"That is quite understandable," Bishop responded, "You are under a lot of stress and you are still healing from... well I need not say more."

For a brief moment, two audio files listed "Captain Ranting About Guild" and "Captain Talking About His Trust For Alice" vanished off the screens, Alice may not have even noticed them.

"As for actionable... well about that," Bishop started.

There was a static buzz and a crackle of electricity as the holoprojectors in the CIC tried to kickstart... nothing happened.

"Excuse me for a moment," Bishop said, he sat there, tilting his head to the side, as in walked a robot. Alice may in fact have recognized it as Bishop's old PRB, it lifted a foot up and kicked the CIC computer tower. In an instant the projectors booted up, displaying pages upon pages of information surrounding Alice, all of it leading nowhere.

"This is my issue, if I can find the site of even one of their warehouses, we'd have action to bring it down and heavily cripple our foes. I think on a scale beyond meatspace comprehension, and yet I am stumped by this," Bishop noted.

Out of the corner of Alice's eye, she may notice something, an overlooked file.

Castelia City, With Ferrum

Radon: Oh, hardy-har-har, Ferrum. Turns out the old lady is actually really nice. The little girl, on the other hand, doesn't trust me... And I am sure there's a reason for it... Also, yes. I did get some information on our runaway. Turns out, she's become a bit of a heroine around these parts. Stopped a runaway truck. The old lady said her name was "Aurelia" and that she was given a trip to the Galar region for her good turn.