Holstown Inn, Bath
After a long period of silence, Dana responds.
"... Yes." Even from just this one word, it's easy to tell she's choking back a lot of emotion. She turns to Mila and continues, in that voice crying people use to try to hide that they're upset.
"I was the one who left in the first place..."
we will survive.[Inigo's Inn]
"..."
Noriaki takes a deep breath and answers, "In a way, yes... I had begun to suspect L'Arachel's deceiving me myself, and mostly unintentionally due to Montresor being deceived as well. At the same time we were also unraveling her hidden agenda. This maid who worked with us... She was rather sensitive and did not want to get too involved, but also played her part in aiding some degree of investigation. Of course, after Montresor deluded himself in to believing in L'Arachel again and began his antagonization of me, no further prying could honestly be done on my part. This young woman, though... In all the agony being blamed for any misfortune by Montresor, she was the only one in that household that was still kind to me, and truly so. I still remember... Something about her almost constant blush and her fashion sense made her have this overall "pink" appearance. She had a talent for light-based magic, but mostly excelled at healing which made her invaluable. She had a high fondness of sweets, which showed both in her figure and her usually having somewhat of a pastry-like scent. She loved many of the fantasy novels that I often went to for escapism, and that is how we began bonding more than ever when she provided me comfort in those trying times that I began to grow defiant of L'Arachel. Honestly, thinking about it now, perhaps she should have been the one I..."
Noriaki almost seemed blissful for a moment, but pain crept back on to his face as he continued, "... But of course, although she no longer seemed interested in any love and devotion from me, L'Arachel did not seem to approve of it going to someone else, either, especially someone who was by terms of title under herself. My liege approached me one day, as I was preparing to meet with that maid for yet another shared luncheon over discussing the novel we were both reading. She had the ribbons from a familiar uniform clutched in her own hand, looking as if they had been brutally torn from it. And she told me strictly to get back to work."
Noriaki wiped something from his face.
"... I fell back in to my pit of suffering after that. Eventually I just could not handle it any longer and abandoned that household. I had no idea where to go, but I simply could not stay there... And...", Noriaki seemed rather emotional, but his face looked as if he suddenly realized something, "... My memory of the time between my departure from L'Arachel's mansion and my arrival in this world is... Incredibly foggy. How curious."
[L'Arachel's Manor]
Zelgius seems rather surprised himself to hear a pleasant-sounding woman's voice respond, but he responds right back, "Uh, yeah. We're some new recruits, the usual guys had to help out the lady with something so they gave us this to do."
"So there is more than just you... And by your speech pattern, you seem to be of this world as well", the voice said, sounding curious but also seemingly with tone that sounds disappointed in them, "You are making a grave error if you think that woman to truly be an angelic one of sorts. The set-up she had dragged me and placed me in to here, what she is doing to Montresor, what she intends to do, and what she has done to... Others that gave their life to her should be a testament to that."
Edited by Konkfan7 on Aug 18th 2018 at 9:38:35 AM
Holstown, Inn Bathhouse
"...nooo." [I wrap my arm around her shoulders, rubbing her arm with my paw draped over.] "We don't need t'be blaming ourselves for this. He's j'ss...he's just in a bad spot right. He's frustrated...and now someone's wantin' to use that frustration against us. Against the whole fucking world..."
[I reach around and pull Mila into this as well, a little makeshift group hug.] "We're gonna get him back...trust me."
Holstown, Headin' Out
"Wooooo-wee! Come on, Kev!" Woodruff excitedly follows along with Philly.
Holstown (Bath house)
( Unsure of what else to add, I simply nod in agreement with Eliot and stay back. Inwardly, though, I'm still not sure just how we'll get Nyquil back...)
Holstown (Inn)
(Marsha proceeds to slap and knead Marlon's back in an attempt to get all the knots out, as her mother taught her.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Holstown, Bath house
"Hey, I— yeah... Eliot's right."
Mila's thought process gets cut off by the hug, though she's subconsciously glad as she could tell that it wasn't going in a self-affirming direction. Instead, now, she tries to lean into the assurance and does her best to believe that they really will have a chance to fix everything, regardless of whose fault it was in the first place or what was done wrong. It's not the most convincing thought, right now, but she certainly wants to believe it.
I need to update these things more oftenHolstown Inn
(I looked at Nori with a sense of understanding. I knew what it was like to have some higher-ups fuck with the your love of your life. When he mentioned the time between his world and this, I responded to him.) It probably doesn't matter now. What does matter is making sure she's off her high horse. Making sure she knows what it's like to be powerless for once. (I kept silent until another thought popped up.) Oh, and you don't have to call her your liege. She's not the boss of you anymore.
"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, Mythra[Inigo's Inn]
"Yes, I suppose you are right", said Noriaki, chuckling a bit, relieved, "I should not let the past weigh me down too much and look on to the future. The best I can do now is try my hardest to ensure that she does not cause any more damage in this world like she has the one we were in previously..."
[L'Arachel's Manor]
Zelgius sighs as he holds up the platter and says, "Look, while I was curious as to who exactly you were, all we're here for is to deliver this. Just take it before it gets hot."
The slot opens to show a pair of shiny, red eyes, but not full red and alluring like L'Arachels. They have black pupils and have a somewhat more energetic look to them, all though they seem mired by a hint of sadness. They have very prominent eyelashes. They are on a white face and some tufts of pink fluff may also be visible, but it is hard to see from just the slot. The eyes look at Nyquil.
"The shadows envelop the heart with it's darkest desire and shut it... Truly terrifying."
The red-eyed guest moves away from the slot and moves something behind the door, opening the fold a bit more for the platter to fit. Zelgius simply pushes it in as a pair of talons(?) grasps it and pulls it in before shutting the larger part of the opening and leaving the eye-slot open. There is some shuffling before the red eyes appear again.
"I cannot speak much for your character if you are serving her, but I must thank you for bringing this to me still", she said, "If I am stuck here, then I hope at least you will be a fresh break from those overzealous vassals of hers..."
"Oh... Thanks I guess", said Zelgius, scratching his chin a bit and looking to Niles as if to say "We good to go now?"
The red-eyed guest absentmindedly is still inspecting Nyquil.
Edited by Konkfan7 on Aug 18th 2018 at 11:14:14 AM
Holstown Inn
Tomorrow's gonna be a big day. Night. (I lay down, take off my glasses, and tighten the hood. I close my eyes and drift away to sleep.)
Meanwhile at the Garmid Forest
(Within the bunker, a panicked Turtonator searches around for something. He checked under his bunk, his workbench, the other's bunks, but it wasn't there! In the middle of his frenzied search, he bumps into an Absol and a Golisopod, both confused at the scene. The Golisopod spoke in a rather easy-going voice that still showed concern.) What's happening, Harty?
(The Turtonator responded in a somewhat nasally voice, not exactly befitting of a creature of his size.) My mine, it's gone! Someone must have taken it!
(The Absol, gruff and feminine in tone, replied.) Certainly ain't us two if that's what you're asking.
If it ain't you two then who did!? Oh Arceus, the boss is gonna kill me...
Well, it couldn't be Janus, he's blind and he's got no reason to steal.
It can't be Malachi either, he's always a bit of a hardass, no pun intended.
And I'm sure the old kelp and that chick left before I finished it.
(Then, the three came to one conclusion. Just then, a low rumbling noise erupted from the outside and a slight vibration shook the room. Simultaneously, they spoke the thief's name under their breath, knowing what he just did.) Gideon.
"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, MythraHolstown, Bath House
Having nothing more to add, Mila simply holds on to the hug, appreciating the gesture of support while simultaneously recognizing the absurdity of the situation as a soaked doppelganger of herself is hugging her and another sodden pokemon at the same time. Still, this doesn't seem like the right time for that sort of levity, so she tries to ignore the comedic potential of the current scene and instead gives the two a light squeeze that she hopes will be interpreted as support and not an attempt to choke the breath from their lungs.
Maybe it'd be easier to forget about the physical strangeness of the situation if she wasn't three quarters submerged in water. Maybe.
I need to update these things more oftenInn
Wha-
Before I could realize what's happening Marsha is already working on that trick...and somehow it seems to have worked, but did I ever doubt it...? It felt so relieving that I briefly slipped into pokéspeak.
Gallaa.....
Woah. She taught you well.
Yeah, right behind you guys!
Kevin follows along, actually beginning to feel a sense of relief that he can have a break from his investigations to catch up with a fellow Silversander and someone from the group he came to know-though clearly it had expanded since he most recently saw them.
Where's this pub?
June 27thHolstown (Bath house)
( Wanting to voice my support for Dana (even if I'm personally still unsure of how easy it will be to break Niles away from L'Arachel's influence), I move towards the three and gently put a claw on Dana's shoulder.) We'll try everything we can, Dana.
( I feel that I would find the surreal sight Dana being hugged by two completely identical Raichus more strange if not for the fact that Benji turns into a clone of me often enough that I don't find it extremely odd. The sight of two Milas doing this is still sufficiently odd, though, but I elect to say nothing about it.)
Holstown (Inn)
Huh, I haven't even done dat in a whiles. Glad it worked out, Marly! (Marsha says.)
(She flops down onto the bed.) Ya know, I bet I coulda been a chiropractor if bein' a lifeguard wasn't my true callin'. (She remarks.) Not dat I want ta give up lifeguardin' or anythin', but it was just a thought dat crossed my mind.
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."They looked at Taylor's judging glares and Rich's look at them. They probably deserved it.
"Trust me. Whatever you heard, I at least like to think I have some morals. I'd... gotten them kind of twisted around to deal with something I figure you'd be uncomfortable with discussing. I really want it and... where I come from, before I ended up in Hillih, you didn't have to hurt people to get it and... I like it, but I don't want to have to do that. That's why I did... less than savory things you might have heard about me. If I can find a way to get it that doesn't involve nasty business like that, I'll gladly take it. If not I'll... try to live without. I just don't want to hurt people again."
"life is just a series of increasingly canon-eluding ao3 tags" ~ everydunsparce "Keep your hellfruit away from me, tempter" ~ also Every[Inigo's Inn]
"Indeed, goodnight", said Noriaki, lying down. He wasn't ready to sleep quite yet, he still wished to bathe, but he thought it better to wait for the time being for those there to finish.
... Although, perhaps he might as well begin making his way there anyway, he had figured.
The Dartrix got up and began making his way down the halls that circled to the back of the inn.
[L'Arachel's Manor, Tower]
Zelgius nodded and began going down the stairwell. The guest closed the slot on the door.
Exiting the tower, Zelgius commented, "That Vespiquen sure gets herself wrapped up in stuff I can't even begin to understand..."
Edited by Konkfan7 on Aug 19th 2018 at 2:05:10 PM
Holstown, Night on the Town
"Well, shoot, I don't know where a pub is...this is only my second night here." Woodruff keeps a watchful eye out for any pubs or taverns, his ears pricked up for the commotion and hustle & bustle that would generally surround those kinds of places.
Blissparce, Police Station
Taylor B, continuing to ignore the Girafarig, only half-listens to what they say, tapping his toe against the floor midway through their monologue to drown them out as he waits for Amaranth to come back.
"Arright, arright, aarriiiight!" Taylor A runs back into the front room of the police station, stopping in front of the group. Taylor B sits up, intent on hearing who's been cleared to help them solve this particular case. "Okay, so...you, you, you, you, you, aaaaaand you are all cleared for assisting us with the investigation," she says, pointing to Goobert, Rich, Tiago, Tiff, Mia, aaaaaand Dieter respectively. That last one visibly perturbs Barley, who glances with dread at the Girafarig.
Blissparce
Well, welcome aboard...Goobert, Richard, Dieter... (Mia laughs.) Ready to solve this mystery?
Aye aye, lass. (Rich nods.)
Man...I can't believe what we're about to be doing... (I say out loud.) Hunting down a serial killer...it's like being in those crime sh-...books from back home... (I wonder what my parents would say if I could tell them this.)
Well, believe it, Scales! (Cortez says, turning to Maran and Sunny.) So what are we gonna do?
Bzz...I suppose we should head back to the inn. (Maran says.) Unless there's not anywhere else we need to be.
Madamme, are Maran, Cortez, and I safe to return to ze inn? (Sunny asks.)
Gleamscape
Wow...wow... (Irving says for the hundredth time as he looks at his wand.) I can't believe the things Wil and I can do now...
Yeah, this is freaking nutzo! (Wilbur agrees. Much like Irving, he has instantly evolved himself all the way to a Haxorous since meeting Silas.) That ribbon spell is off the wall crazy...
Neat, eh? (Silas says.) Your days of amateur baby tricks are over. You'll be the talk of the town.
Yeah, thanks! (Wilbur says.) Man, wait'll we show everyone...
Yeah... (Irving agrees.) We're practically real magicians now, Irv! We're going to blow 'em all away!
(Silas wrinkles his face up slightly.) We'll call it a night for now. First thing tomorrow morning, I'll teach yeh some more tricks.
Sure thing, Teach. Thanks for these pointers! (Irving says as he and Wilbur prepare to leave.)
(The brothers go on their way to their home, while Silas heads into town, seemingly on a mission. It is, of course, to find that Riolu he saw where he met Irving and Wilbur earlier.)
(After a bit of searching, though, he eventually finds a Riolu sitting against the side of a store at the edge of town. Silas shoots up to them, only to see that they are a sleeping male Riolu and not the female one he saw at Irving and Wilbur's magic show earlier. He's noticeably bigger and plumper than the other Riolu as well. Silas groans and simply decides to speak to this Riolu anyway, just in case.)
Hey mate, wake up. (Silas says, nudging the Riolu.)
Five more minutes, Mom... (The Riolu looks up to see Silas, and his eyes go wide.) Huh? Who are-
(Silas then grabs the Riolu and begins flying away with him towards the outside of town.) Hey! Lemme go! Lemme go! Where are you taking me? Mom! Dad! Help! Help! (The Riolu cries until Silas lands with him outside town by a wagon covered by a carpet.)
(The Riolu tries to run back to town, but Silas using Mean Look prevents that from happening. He turns to face his captor.) What do you want? Mom and Dad'll freak if I'm not there at the store! (He asks, scared.)
I just need t' ask you one little question. (Silas tells the Riolu. He shows him his mask, bearing his Alakazam face.) Pray that yeh answer it right...
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Inn, Room
Yeah...I bet you’d make a damn good Chirpractor if you hadn’t decided to be a lifeguard.
I say, again nuzzling Marsha.
Holstown, near pub
Kevin adjusts his cannons just as his ears prick a bit. He can start hearing some commotion from one of the buildings...basic night life. He points this out.
I think I see the pub.
Kevin starts to go ahead just a bit, closer to the pub, ever closer, almost there, where he’ll see...A pub described by Konk.
Blissparce
Tiff emphatically nods and forms a smile...for a Pokémon that’s basically a cactus.
Alrighty...! This’ll be great!
June 27th[Inigo's Inn]
Noriaki peeks in to the bathhouse.
"Oh, my apologies", he said, seeing his allies still there, "Should I wai..."
He notices there are two Milas and they're hugging Dana.
[Holstown]
There is a visible pub, which is a humble wooden building with a sign portraying an image of a bottle of some sort of drink alongside a bottle of milk hanging overhead.
Upon entering, the pub is surprisingly clean despite it's otherwise humble appearance, being modestly lit and providing a somewhat quaint atmosphere. In the bar area there is a Miltank standing behind the counter and a cloaked Scizor sitting at that counter, drink in hand.
There are a few Pokemon around the pub drinking and celebrating, but it is not too crowded at the moment.
[L'Arachel's Manor, Terrace]
"Yeah, I know", said Zelgius, "She seemed... A bit too docile to be someone I'd keep in confinement, personally. She said something about guessing I'm "of this world", too."
"... You know, the way she was talking was a lot like L'Arachel and her other two servants do..."

Holstown Inn
(When he mentioned the curse-immune vassal and what happened to her, I couldn't help but close my eyes. So both a unhealthy desire of worship and paranoia. She'd sound like she'd be a perfect dictator back home. Or a CEO, either or. I looked at Noriaki and asked.) Is she the reason why you left her?
(In another room, Eliza had long since fallen asleep in her own room. In her dream, she saw a small, blood-covered figure with a look of emptiness in her eyes. A Steenee stared on blankly on the void, which soon gave way to a crowd of onlookers behind her, with their eyes toward a ring.)
(On that ring, a bludgeoned Hitmonchan lied still, but he still was desecrated by a claw and another claw from an enraged Crabominable. From the right, a Tsareena, older than Eliza, had emerged from the ring, attempting to stop this chaos from escalating. However, a claw had made an impact on her right leg, a horrible noise indicating it's shattered state. Then many more mons approached and restrained the Wooly Crab pokemon, but it did little to absolve the Steenee.)
(She tried to approach the ring, hoping to see her mother, but the security had denied her. No matter how much she pleaded or how hard she struggled, she couldn't break through. Soon, she was pulled back by the Bounsweet and a Comfey, hoping to comfort her. Then, it all returned to the void. Eliza stared at the Steenee and knelt down, knowing who she really is.)
"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, Mythra