The Wanderer
Route 224
Nudi: -Headtilt- <Is that Dolabella?>
Hitodama: <He is clearly not well.>
Why did Kamon have Dolabella's ball? What is going on here?
-To Dolabella-
What happened to you? Do you know where Channah is?
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
like christ, but with more nails
Route 224
Dolabella chews on his tail some more. He fidgets. Finally, his eyes clear a bit.
Dolabella: <... ... ... ... ... She LEFT ME!>
There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.
The Wanderer
Route 224
-After hearing Dolabella-
...What.
Hitodama: <Why?>
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
like christ, but with more nails
Route 224
Dolabella: <... ... ... I don't know.> :(
He looks like he's not going to add anything else at first. Then he lets go of his tail and lets it flop on the ground. The movement draws his eye and he appears to look at it clearly for the first time. He grabs it up again and starts compulsively stroking the mangled fur like it'll fix it.
Dolabella: (chittering) <She... She promised she wouldn't! That was part of the deal! When I got traded... She doesn't do that!> (tries to climb up Tagg's body and shake him) <Tell her she's not supposed to act like that!!!>
There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.
The Wanderer
Route 224
-As I'm being shaken by Dolabella-
He's right, this is not like her, but then she disappeared without so much as as "Okay Tagg I'll be gone for a while" so I don't even know what's going on. Could she be under the influence of an aspect gone astray like Truth?
Look, we'll figure this out. Do you remember where you and Channah were last before she left you? I might be able to actually find her this time if we go to the Cathedral and I link up with its Nexus.
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
like christ, but with more nails
Route 224
Dolabella looks down at his paws grasping Tagg's clothing and immediately drops it like a diseased thing. He backs down. He takes some deep breaths.
Dolabella: <...God. Shit if I know. We've been - It's friggin nutty, dude! She's wandering around like a Deerling with chronic wasting. We're living out of caves and going in circles. We were in the mountains...> (stares into the distance) <I don't know. After the Eevee thing I stopped - I just stopped. I don't know.>
There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.
The Wanderer
Route 224
-Eyebrow raise-
Eevee thing, what Eevee thing?
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
like christ, but with more nails
Route 224
Dolabella: (sighs the world's biggest sigh) <Herself found an Eevee. I dunno when. I give up on time. Uh, and she started training it. By throwing it at Gravelers, as you do. And, and Pasta Mon got all, like, proprietary and upset when she kicked it for being a weak little retard baby. So she threw his pokeball off the mountain.> (starts fiddling with his tail again, his bottom lip quivering) <Which fucking sucked, because, because he and the Frosmoth are the only ones who haven't turned into lobotomy patients who think I'm the one without a frontal lobe!>
Dolabella hunches over and chews on his tail, like he's trying to distract himself.
Dolabella: <Everyone I know is OOC and I Don't Like It! BS talks in complete sentences!!! Do something!!>
There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.
The Wanderer
Route 224
I could do a lecture on ableist language but even if he was in a state to listen I think it would probably go in one ear and out the other.
To the Cathedral it is then.
If her mons are also acting weird then it's almost certainly some sort of outside influence.
The Cathedral
-After teleporting over-
Okay, I'm gonna connect to the Nexus, and then we'll find out where Channah has been this whole time.
Edited by rmctagg09 on May 8th 2023 at 12:00:17 PM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Person, or Idea?
The view from the hilltop shows the great city of Castelia, framed against the light of a slowly-descending sun and a clear blue sky. A crude square is marked in the ground, with Mitchell and his team huddled above the northern side.
"Okay, Oliver, Rebecca, you two will be the referees for this," Mitchell says. "I trust you'll both call this match fairly, right?"
They both nod.
"Good," Mitchell says. "Everyone else, let's show Aly what we've got." Sticking his hand into the huddle, he yells "WHO ARE WE?"
The Pokemon stick their appendages into the huddle, then raise them into the air at the same time as Mitchell. <COVERAGE!> they yell.
With the huddle over, Rebecca and Oliver take positions at the east and west sides of the square. Rebecca is now wearing sunglasses. As for Mitchell and the other four Pokemon, they remain at the north side. Mitchell is now shirtless and wearing gloves. His physique is.... adequate.
<All right, folks, here's our match rules!> Rebecca calls out. <It's a Double battle match, four Pokemon per team, no Items other than those Held by the Pokemon in the stage, *gasp* going outside the stage counts as a knockout, last team with a Pokemon in wins!> She then calls out to Oliver. <Anything I'm missing, co-ref?>
<Just one thing,> Oliver says. <Either Trainer may forfeit the match at any time. They must signal their intent by throwing any article of clothing into the stage.>
<Thankees~!> Rebecca says. <Now, Trainers, choose your first Pokemon!>
Esmeralda and Vasilissa pace near the side of the square, ready to jump in. Behind them, Mitchell crosses his arms, a confident grin on his face. Behind him, Edmond and Gavroche do squats.
Flying Colors
Hoenn Battle Frontier
Kai: ...honestly, I haven't had many challengers in a while. There's been a couple that've made it to Silver, but between the need for multiple attempts and the hype dying down from when I was "the new eighth Frontier Brain", I'm a lot less busy than I used to be. I'm considering adjusting the streak requirements for Silver, so that I can get some real battles in more often.
-They put their hands in their pockets.-
Kai: I'd love to do more friendly battles, but... I dunno. Friendly battles never have stakes, and I think I might have a subconscious habit of letting the other side win when there's nothing for me to lose. And with the whole Heart of Gold thing, the sentiment bleeds into my team, y'know?
"Shame," Roxy said. "I even brought a team... though one of my choices may need to be swapped out due to league standards."
She sighed... and then grinned. "Actually, how about a friendly battle with stakes? That sudden but inevitable betrayal?"
Roxy suddenly affected a haughtier tone, even doing a bit of the "Ohohoho" pose as she smiled. "Dear Frontier Brain, this was part of my scheme all along~!" she said in a rather... Kalosian noble accent.
"To make you fall for me, and then deny myself to you further only driving up the UST! It will not be resolved unless you defeat me in a battle~!"
Roxy soon lost it and let out a wheeze as she could barely contain her laughter. "Heheheh... or if not that, we can probably think of something else."
Flying Colors
Hoenn Battle Frontier
-Kai can't help but laugh.-
Kai: Hehe, that's a thought. Though, from how things went earlier, it would be harder for you to bear with the tension than me~
-They wink.-
Kai: But, in all seriousness, nah. Not what I'm looking for. I need... something else. I'm not sure what that something else is yet.
Roxy sighed wistfully. "Shame, hopefully you find it. Doing something without passion or at least drive isn't fun at all. Just going through the motions and trying to appease people."
She shrugged. "Still... at the same time I can't help but feel the lives all of us collectively lead can get a little too exciting at times."
like christ, but with more nails
The Cathedral, past
Dolabella: <I just can't believe she left me...>
There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.
The Wanderer
Cathedral, past
-To Dolabella-
We'll get to the bottom of this.
-Takes the lotus position as I tap into the Aura Nexus, and through it, all the world's other Nexuses, my Aura Sense expanding across the globe-
Where are you Channah?
Edited by rmctagg09 on May 9th 2023 at 1:22:26 PM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
like christ, but with more nails
The Cathedral, past
Out of a reluctant haze, Tagg receives this mental image: An island engulfed in flames.
Now he gets a text.
To: Tagg
She's here
The Wanderer
Cathedral, past
Channah...
From: Tagg
...I'll be there.
Flames? Might have to fight.
-Cue teleportation-
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Trans Terminus Homo
Castelia City, Hill
Alyesha and her team now occupied the Southern side of the square, each of them positively giddy at the opportunity to finally have a nice, friendly sparring match once more.
Alyesha: "Alright, let's show him whatwe've learned on all our adventures, why don't we~?"
The response would be a collective nod from her team
Alyesha: "Semyon? Sonya? You two wanted to go first, right~? I'll trust you two with this~"
Semyon: <Aye, me cap~ Yer got it~ And matey? Time t'show yer understood me lessons.>
Sonya: <Hihi, aye, aye~>
The small Pokémon floated about happily before settling on Semyon
Semyon: <Ye olde scurvy dog and the newest deckhand, that'll be a good training for the both o' us>
Having said that, Semyon floated into the chosen battle-field alongside Sonya. The latter of the two looked at Esmeralda, cocking her head once more with a smile
Sonya: <Now I can show that I'm more than just curious~>
She cheerfully declared before floating down from and besides Semyon.
Behind them, Alyesha got into position as well - for her part being not shirtless for rather obvious reasons - then again since her top wasn't actually a shirt and more of a cycling top as she was now wearing her gym uniform (how she got into that in the first place shall be left up to debate), so technically, she was indeed shirtless.
Alyesha: "Alright, let's make this a great training for all of us~! We're ready!"
"One may feel fear in the face of danger so long as one banishes fear when danger actually arrives"
Person, or Idea?
"As are we," Mitchell says, unfolding his arms and rolling his shoulders. "Vas, Esme. You're up,"
The Ponyta and Staravia nod, then step into the square. Vasilissa canters in place opposite Semyon, while Esmeralda hovers above the ground and faces Sonya.
"Now then," Mitchell says, striking an overly dramatic pose, "this stage will be a crucible for us both! Hold nothing back, for we shall not!"
Esmeralda chuckles at Sonya's quip. <A good hunt to us both,> she responds in turn.
Vasilissa paws the ground, staring straight at Semyon. <Ahoy, matey!> she calls out. <Can you keep up with me?>
Edmond and Gavroche watch from outside the square, the former focussed, the latter excited.
Rebecca raises her arm to the sky. <Ready, set,> she calls, before chopping her arm straight to the ground. <FIGHT!>
"Esmeralda!" Mitchell bellows. "Strike down the Dreepy with an Aerial Ace! Vasilissa! Sink the Dhelmise with your Flame Charge!"
Esmeralda and Vasilissa rush to their ordered targets at a furious pace. Esmeralda's attack comes at Sonya as if it were from three directions at once, while the flame-coated Vasilissa flies at Semyon like an equine comet.
Druid Dude
Celestic Town
It isn't the largest city around, but its historical preservation is loved by many, and is the reason why people can flock to it. It seems, however, that one boy is out of place, unlike the others who are either going about their daily business, or tourists here to see the ruins and etchings. The boy was sitting at the nearby pond with a fishing rod, looking bored out of his mind. Attached to his hip was what looked to be an old, rusted scabbard, with the silver hilt of a sword poking through.
Desmond: Why are we here again?
he grumbles, seemingly to no one in particular, until on the scabbard, a purple eye opens on the sword's hilt, and the Honedge pulls herself out of the scabbard. She brandishes the ribbon-like appendage she wears at Desmond like a mother wagging her finger at her child.
Morgan: <Honestly, Desmond, can't you appreciate the town's history? Several legendaries have passed through here, and their record stands forever.>
she rocks forward and backward in her best approximation of a nod, clearly liking the significance of putting history into stone. Of course, no one can actually hear the sword Pokemon speak. Instead, she is telepathically talking to Desmond.
Desmond: I mean, I get the idea, and it is pretty cool that, what, six Legendaries went by here, but I meant, why are we fishing?
Desmond asks, holding up the old-looking rod. So far, none of the Pokemon living in the pond have tried to bite, and it's starting to wear on him a little.
Morgan: <Well, because fishing is a good way to strengthen the mind. To lose patience is to lose the battle, after all.>
Even as she says this, she rocks side to side, a gesture Desmond knows as her shrugging.
Desmond: Alright then, *sighs*. Can we at least get a break? We've been out here a few hours now, people might think us weirdos.
the boy slumps his shoulders. His partner, however, lowers herself, eye to eye, so her appendage can pat Desmond on the head, her voice softening.
Morgan: Sure, kid. Let's head to the Center. I'm honestly pretty bored, too.
She says in a sheepish voice. So Morgan sheathes herself back into her scabbard, while Desmond takes the old rod, folds it, and puts it in his bag. Yawning, Desmond stretches his arms out behind him and walks past the shrine, where a man in glasses is petting his Duosion.
Desmond: Hey Morgan, what kind of Pokemon is that?
Morgan: <Looks like a Duosion.>
Desmond pulls out his Rotom Phone and activates it. The excitable Pokemon flies from his hand and scans the Duosion.
Rotom: Duosion, the Mitosis Pokemon. A psychic type and the evolved form of Solosis. Its brain has split into two, and the two halves rarely think alike. Its actions are utterly unpredictable.
the robotic voice emanates from the Pokedex app. Too late Desmond realizes that's probably a privacy problem of some kind. Morgan simply slaps her appendage over her eye in a facepalm.
"Oh, sorry sir." Desmond coughs. "I was curious about your Pokemon there."
Edited by Jules-Firenze on May 11th 2023 at 10:58:05 PM
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Curious Mind
Celestic Town
Atrin: Mimir? He's a pretty reliable partner and a great friend. Had him for a couple years now. And don't worry about it. Not a lot of Duosion in Sinnoh, so I get it.
Atrin looks at the scabbard.
Atrin: You also don't see a lot of swordsmen. Name's Atrin, by the way.
Mimir just looks at them, not making much sound.
Druid Dude
Morgan: <Interesting names. Quick, Desmond, remember your introduction!>
Morgan trembles in her scabbard.
Desmond: Do I... really have to?
he groans, which might be confusing to those who can't hear Morgan. Hearing no response, Desmond lets out a sigh, and stands rigid.
Desmond: I am Desmond Sanderson, of the Galar region. A budding swordsman under rigorous training to become the very best. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.
he belts out, before bowing suddenly. He stands back up, face burning red with embarrassment. Morgan then comes out of her sheath and flaps her appendage to "clap", while shaking violently in a way Desmond interpreted as a laughing fit.
Morgan: <A beautiful performance, Desmond.>
the sword tries to keep her tone neutral, but can't hide her amusement for long, and devolving into even more violent shaking and laughter.
Morgan: <Nope, I can't lie. You were ridiculous! Oh, I'm so glad I got you to say that.>
she chuckles, wiping a tear from her eye. Desmond, on his part, stands there silently, trembling with annoyance.
He turns to Atrin with an eerie smile. "Sorry about this, and it's lovely to meet you. I just need to take care of someone." before beginning to wrestle the Honedge back into her scabbard, with a minute of scuffling ensuing, and cursing from both sides.
At the end, Desmond pants, keeping his hand on the scabbard.
Desmond: Sorry about that sorry display of attitude. My Pokemon and I, we're keen on pranks. She just embarrassed me.
he chuckles lightly, ignoring Morgan's cursing from within her scabbard.
Edited by Jules-Firenze on May 11th 2023 at 11:32:30 PM
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Curious Mind
Celestic Town
Atrin: Not a problem. I've got a Vikavolt who won't sit still, so I get it. And Galar, huh? Heard it's nice there. I'd love to see some of the battles there. I heard it gets intense. I'm from Nimbasa City in Unova, myself. A lot louder than this small town, I'll tell you."
Atrin chuckles a bit. Mimir seems to be thinking, before a telepathic voice is heard.
Mimir:: <Easier for us to think here.>
Route 224
The ball cracks open and Dolabella pops out.
He looks miserable, with patchy, ratty fur. He must have chewed it off in some parts, because he's gnawing on his tail now. He stares up at Tagg with a glazed, not-quite-there look.
There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.