Pub

Kevin hears out Woodruff’s bit before going to speak himself.

The two of you have been searching by yourself for weeks...? Well, anyway, do you perhaps know who infected him? The Vector of all Vectors apparently was almost apprehended the other day, but there certainly must still be more out there that aren’t already identified..

Blissparce

Tiff looks over at her siblings.

Well...guess we should follow out, but what say you two?

Edited by Team42Larson on Aug 24th 2018 at 4:31:05 AM

[Inigo's Inn, Bathhouse]

"Ah... Well, yes", said Noriaki, "There were some things you had mentioned that confused me. This "TV Quotes" I recall speak of sounds like some bizarre form of communication? Or some sort of amphitheater?"

[Mila's Dream]

"I have many talents relating to the mind", the shiny, bow tie-clad Noctowl that Mila would turn around to see explained, "I was born with such talents... Mind bends as easily to me as Nature does to Noriaki."

Montresor adjusted his bow tie and continued, "Do you wish to see Niles again?"

Holstown (Bath house)

( While I am admittedly curious about the things from Eliot's world, I do feel that I have soaked in the bath long enough, plus I'm a bit nervous that the talk of things from Eliot's world will cause me to become restless again, and should prepare to go to sleep while I still feel sleepy.)

I hate to leave right now, but I think I've finally relaxed enough to go to bed... ( I say, standing up and taking a towel.) Good night, everyone...

Holstown (Pub)

(Shelley and James listen on. Shelley seems visibly saddened by Woodruff's statement that there's no known cure for it yet.)

Well, if it was a vector who gave it to my father, we have no clue who it could have been... (Shelley says.) All we know is that he came back from a journey somewhere and he was...different...

Blissparce

Well, vamos, I guess. (Mia says to Tiff, shrugging and heading out the door.)

(Rich and I head out as well. I'm very apprehensive about looking at a dead body...I know how squeamish I am...I'm yanking on my antennae slightly as we step out the door.)

Ye okay, matey? (I hear Rich ask me as we do.)

Uh...kinda...man, looking at a murder victim in real life and not just in... (I very nearly say "crime TV shows", but that's going to sound incredibly weird out here.) ...book illustrations? It's crazy...

Hrm, yer inta crime novels, matey? (Rich asks me.)

I...I guess you could say that. (I say, memories of watching stuff like Psych and Criminal Minds entering my head.)

"Well, he is right, matey. Does seem like we're in one of them..."

Holstown Inn, Bath

Dana briefly expresses surprise/worry when Nori jumps up, but recovers pretty quickly.

She clears her throat. ".. Oh, well..." Dana is silent for a moment as she thinks. How to explain the internet to someone who's never heard of it before...

"It's like... An amphitheater, yeah. But theoretical. And a lot more people can voice their thoughts in it."

Meanwhile In the Garmid Forest...

(On a calm night, two Pokémon stood guard at the cabin: a Bisharp coated entirely in white, save for the red pupils and a Hydreigon with bandages across the main head's eyes and metallic armor. Another among them had gone ahead to "test something." The calm soon gave way to a rumble, symbolizing an explosion had taken place not too far from here. A few seconds after the din had roared through the forest with smoke emerging from the treetops, laughter had soon taken its place. The Bisharp looked to his three-headed colleague and spoke to him.)    Wait here. I'll see what he's done this time.   

(Following the smoke and laughter, the white Bisharp noticed scorch marks on the trees, meaning that the incident is close. He finally stopped when he heard where the laughter came from, a Weavile that took refuge in a nearby tree, looking proud of what he did. Then, the Bisharp took notice of the epicenter of the explosion, and with it, an unfortunate Tauros. The Weavile looked again and laughed, but soon stopped as he saw his colleague glare at him.)    What…? What?   

   We were supposed to keep quiet for any threats.   

   I said I wanted to test something out, don't go bitching to me about keeping it quiet.   

   That is no excuse for your lack of professionalism.   

   Well sorry, we can't all act like you, chromedome! Not all of us has a metal rod stuck five feet up our asses, unlike-   

(Before the Weavile can launch into a rant, the Bisharp had made his way back to the base. The Sharp Claw Pokémon muttered a curse before he followed. Before too long, they reached the cabin, and thus, the blind Hydreigon at the entrance. The Bisharp spoke to him, paying little mind to the irate Weavile.)    An intruder has been dealt with. A Tauros that fell prey to Gideon's "test." Incidentally, it involved Hartwell's landmine.   

(The Hydreigon had turned toward Gideon, smelling his scent along with the smoke from the explosion. Indignantly, the Weavile responded.)    What are you growling at, No-Eyes?   

(The dragon spoke in a deep voice, with a twinge of eloquence betraying the name of his species.)    A coward who prefers cruelty as opposed to efficiency.    (Without another word, the dragon made his way to clean up whatever's left of the bull as the two Dark-types enter the bunker.)

Holstown Inn, Dream

"But how— of course I want to see Niles again, where did you take him? What do I do?"

Mila takes a step forward, but when she realizes the danger still possibly present she recoils like she'd stepped on a snake, her entire body tensing up as she eyes the Noctowl from a safe distance. It's unnatural how different it feels now from her normal nightmares, as even then she felt like she had some control, some effect over the dreamscape. Now, though, she felt like this was just as real, just as rigid and unflinching. Still, the electricity that she's built up crackles within her, poised and aching to be released even though she suspects it will have no effect in a situation like this. Still, something about the dream convinces her that at least here, at least now she should be able to defend herself. Even if she's failed each time before.

Obsidian Castle - Great Hall

The group enters a two story room with a purple carpet leading from the front door and into another room on the other side of the room. On the opposite sides of the room were twin staircases that lead to the second floor balcony of the room, the railings clearly made of some sort of black metal with the top of said rails being polished dark grey stone. The room was lit in an odd way, the usual torches with red flames were on the walls of the first floor section of the room, but on the second floor section were torches with blue-purple flames. This even extended to the black metal chandelier that hung from the ceiling with a thick metal chain, as it had torches with red flames on the bottom and torches with blue-purple flames on the top as well. The chandelier had an assortment of swords, spears, and twisted metal fused together to form a symmetrical pattern.

The prince couldn't help but admire the chandelier.

Prince ???: Wow, nice chandelier you got there, never seen torches of blue fire before...

Vlad gave a small smirk of pride.

Vlad: That chandelier was my work. Made it after the old one fell during an eruption. The blue flames you see are Will-O-Wisp flames. Now this way, the funeral is being held in the production complex.

He leads them forward into the next room on the first floor.

Edited by TheGamechanger on Aug 25th 2018 at 3:13:53 PM

Pub

Do you perhaps know where your father went on this journey to? Why he took said journey? Perhaps...who he associated himself with?

for noli and blissparcers

Kevin looks over briefly at Woodruff before casting his attention back at Shelley and James.

I dunno, Mr. Woodruff, but apparently the woman who was the origin for all other vectors was almost apprehended but she slid away. I dunno, though, I heard word of mouth from mons around Foxfell.

Blissparce

Tiff silently follows, shocked but oddly curious about this Tyranitar's curse.

Edited by Team42Larson on Aug 25th 2018 at 3:12:29 PM

Holstown, Inn Bathhouse

[I wave off Dinah.] "Night, Dee." [I slump back down into my spot and then answer Noriaki.]

"Oh, heheh...uhh, that's TV Tropes, actually...I have no clue why the others said that's what it was..." [...naaah, let's not go down that rabbit hole.] "But uhh, it's a...a website, actually. Wait, hell, would you...well, it's a place you can go to on the Inter...net, oh, boy...you can get to it on a computer—ohhhhh..." [I bury my head into my face...this is a lot more than I signed up for.]

Holstown, Pub

"Vector of all what now?" This was news to him...did the guildies have something to do with it? Nevertheless, he looks on at Shelley.

"Where ya from anyhow?"

Blissparce, Police Station

Taylor A, seeing everyone leaving, looks utterly offended. "Ooooooooh!" She digs her foot into the ground, then turns around and storms off back into the depths of the police station.

Taylor B breathes a sigh of relief...if her behavior all throughout today was any indication, she was...a bit of a pill to work with. Nevertheless, he continues on, again in silence, mostly following behind the others. he does take notice of the duplicate of Rich...that was the Girafarig, wasn't it. He's still somewhat upset about all that...his head is abuzz with ideas on what to do about them, but right now, he needs to focus.

Holstown (Inn)

( I know one thing for sure, I have to go to sleep as soon as I can before my current mood eases up. I dry myself off and quickly head to mine and Eliot's inn rooms. After making sure my things are in order, I get into my bed and try to go to sleep...)

Holstown (Pub)

We're from a small oceanside village on Kalagasia Island called Vernon's Bend. (James says.)

And my father went to Silversand by himself to visit his brother... (Shelley says.) It was after he came back that he wasn't the same...it was almost three weeks ago at this point.

(She seems intrigued by Kevin's mention of somebody being responsible for all the vectors.) Who was it?

Blissparce

Well, time to look at a dead body again... (Mia says as we get going.)

(I'm still yanking on my antennae as we follow Taylor B toward the murder site. I've never experienced looking at a murder victim, sure, but I'm not sure if I really want to, either...and yet I'll feel useless if I don't...what do I need to do?)

Man, now that I've said that, I'm not sure if I'm ready to actually look at a real-life murder victim... (I admit.) I get squeamish really easily...

Heh, could jest make ye another double of meself so technically it'd wouldn't be *you* lookin' at the body, matey. (Rich says to me.)

I don't really know about that... (I say, looking down at myself as I continue walking. On the one hand, I'm admittedly curious as to what being affected by Rich's curse feels like, but on the other, I don't know if I'd really WANT to be affected by it....)

Gleamscape

From Delilah's POV

( I don't know how long I was asleep, but the next thing I know, I have opened my eyes to find myself and the others returning to Blissparce.) [[red: Wait, we're back here already? ( I ask the others, looking around in confusion. I'm positive I would have remembered eating breakfast and leaving Gleamscape...)

Of course, Del! ( Benji laughs.) Were ya sleep-walkin' the past hour or two?

( I just shrug and keep going. Soon, we're back in Blissparce and...oh no, why is there a large crowd of Pokémon gathered in one place?)

...That doesn't look good... ( June says.)

No duh! Please tell me it's not Goobert... ( I fly up to the crowd as fast as I can to see what happe-...no...nononono, Goobert's on the ground with a gaping stab wound in his chest with purple blood everywhere! NO!)

GOOBERT! ( I scream, dropping to my haunches and taking Goobert's hand in mine. He weakly looks up to me and whispers: "Del...where were you...?" before going limp.)

( I wake up in bed with a start, gasping. Okay, Del...it was just a dream...it was just a dream...Goobert's fine...I at least hope he is...my gosh, this is the longest we've been apart since my talk with Mother, and my nerves are shot knowing that Goobert's currently on his own without me there to protect him...)

( I look out the window to see that it's still clearly the middle of the night. I find myself tempted to quietly leave to go to Blissparce to check up on Goobert...no...no, Della, Goobert's not there by himself, he's still got Mr. Stone, Dieter, and everyone there with him. He's safe. You'll just worry everyone if you leave now. Go back to sleep...go back to sleep...)

( I take a few deep breaths and lay back down. "Goobert will be fine...Goobert will...be...zzzz...")

[Inigo's Inn, Bathhouse]

"I... Do not understand."

[Mila's Dream]

"Then I advise you come to the glade at the outer edge of the woods, moving north", said Montresor, "It has a cliff that gazes out to sea, and a small stream pouring from the woods nearby."

The Noctowl brushes something off of himself, "I believe he wishes to see you too; but not for the same reason as you."

Edited by Konkfan7 on Aug 25th 2018 at 8:01:42 AM

Holstown Inn, Dream

"Of course I'll come— wait, what do you mean? What does he want?"

Montresor's last comment takes Mila aback as her mind starts to process what he might be implying. Does Niles want to hurt them? Just hurt her? get revenge for how she'd treated him? The potential there causes Mila to lean back against a tree nearby, trying to understand what was being said. Still, the directions were the important part. North... by a cliff. The glade in the forest... she'd go there, she had to. She couldn't just leave Niles alone with people like this. People who could get into his mind, control him.

Pub

A Grabull named Anastasia but...that doesn’t make sense. The Silversand Vector was defeated in battle and the VA was worked out of his body. He even works for the Guild now! The two of us were there in Silversand that day and know what happened because we lived through it. Hell, even the Hoard Vectors’ victims were cured when they were deafeated actually both were killed... How was your dad not cured when Yamaropu was defeated?

Kevin casts a glance over toward Woodruff, evidently worried.

Blissparce

Tiff’s bizarre curiosity allows her to recall something.

Well...a friend and I had something similar happen to us once when I visited her in Silversand. Boy, that was something else....

Edited by Team42Larson on Aug 26th 2018 at 10:01:10 AM

Holstown (Pub)

...Maybe it was actually someone else my father got it from and not any of them... (Shelley theorizes. She looks visibly worried.)

Blissparce

(Rich seems surprised.) Yer sayin' I'm not th' only one with a curse like this? (He asks Tiff.)

Whoa whoa whoa, back up, Tiff, you're saying that somebody else turned you and one of your friend into a complete and total copy of themselves? (Mia asks her sister, surprised.)

Edited by kablammin45 on Aug 26th 2018 at 10:01:54 AM

[Mila's Dream]

"... You will see in due time", said Montresor, suddenly opening his beak as he leaned forward.

His mouth became a black hole and sucked in everything surrounding, creating a strong enough pull that might even pull Mila forward, the background noise becoming overwhelmingly loud static...

And Mila would find herself awake.

Holstown Inn

Before Mila can say anything else, she finds herself back in her inn room, wrapped in a blanket and shaking in a cold sweat. She can clearly remember the entire dream she'd just experienced, even if for a moment she wants to pretend like it was just in her imagination. When Autumn pushes her and she looks over to see the concern in her eyes, though, she realizes that it must have been an actual conversation in her dreams.

"Mila, what was going on? You were muttering something, and then you started screaming just before you woke up. Are you alright?"

After Autumn says this, Mila realizes that her throat does feel sore, and can only offer an aghast expression as she tries to get out of the bed, struggling against the sheets. Autumn follows her, still unsure what's got into Mila but unwilling to let her go wherever she's going alone.

"I... one of L'arachel's people talked to me in a dream— we need to go, to see Niles."

" Niles? Where is he?"

"North, but we need to find the others, get them to protect us."

Mila can see that Autumn's demeanor changes when Niles is brought up, her haste to get up no longer to protect Mila from whatever had caused her fears, but now to find Niles and return him to safety. It scares Mila somewhat given the day's earlier events, but she hopes that she can gather the others before Autumn sets out by herself. Once she's steadied herself on the ground, all too aware of the tremors running through her body, Mila rushes down the stairs after Autumn, who's already gone looking for the rest of the group.

"There were a few at the bath house, I'll go to them, can you look for people here?"

" Can't we go with just them?"

"Not if we want to make sure Niles will be safe, I don't trust L'arachel..."

" Okay, but don't fight with her, this is just for safety, right? Be quick."

Mila can hear the urgency in Autumn's voice, any sleep having been pushed away by the situation. She considers for a moment, and gives the Braixen a short, sudden hug before running off towards the bath house.

Holstown, Pub

Woodruff returns Kevin's worried gaze. Another vector in Silversand...he had heard about Yamopura from the guild as well, how he had joined with the guild as a show of good faith, but now there may be another one in Silversand, and...

"I suppose we could try 'n get a letter through to the guild, send somethin' to Jessica there about it. If there's really a Vector out in Silversand, we oughta get some of them on it."

Holstown, Inn Bathhouse

"...well, a computer, it...it's kinda like a library, I guess? And a library's gotta limited amount of shelf space, right? And when you go to a library, you want particular books, right? It, umm...hmmm..." [Ohh...this is harder than I thought it would be.]

"...okay, so...you want books, but you got a limit on how many books you can check out. So you request some books, the librarian goes back and gets some, and then you read a couple, exchange those for other books, it's basic input and output. You tell it what to do, what information you want from it, and it gives it to you. And it does it a thousand..." [A thousand or sixty? Well, it certainly doesn't do one operation per frame.] "...yea, a thousand times a second."

"...then the Internet. We...well, we were able to find a way to send signals across the world using what's basically light, like, uhhh...code or something." [Wait, it is code...or something.] "And computers, well, they can work with that code, that's actually how it functions. So you can send code from one to another, with the right connection of course, and with that, you can send pictures, sound, words, and that's how people can communicate from all the way across the world. And the Internet's divided into a bunch of teeny tiny sections, we call those websites. And like a place in the real world, it has an address where you can find it, and, also like a book, it has pages that have different kinds of information within..."

[My ears perk up a little...I look towards the door. Is someone coming?]

Holstown (Inn)

( I'm almost asleep when I hear a sudden flurry of movement from outside my inn room. Dinah, no...no...you're almost asleep...don't get up, don't get up...)

( But before I even realize it, I have left my bed (without putting my blouse on) and am currently looking around the hallways in concern. I spot Autumn.)

Autumn, what's going on? ( I ask.)

Holstown (Pub)

Thank you so much for your help... (Shelley gratefully says to Kevin and company.) I hope we can cure my father of his Viral Aggression before it's too late...

Yeah! You guys are life-savers! Maybe even literally... (James says.)

We just have to figure out who this vector who infected my father is... (Shelley says. There's a very slight bit of determination in her quiet, timid voice.)

Pub

Anytime, you two...we will indeed be getting in touch with as much of the guild-as many members that will lend ears as best they can-to help your father.

Kevin swigs down the last of his 2nd drink and stands back up.

Now...I think we should be making good with getting back to the Inn and meeting back up with everyone else. If they're still awake, that is.

Kevin heads to the door and out, waiting just a bit outside for Woodruff (and Phil) to rejoin him.

Blissparce

Well...it was this Chandelure who accidentally made like five or six of us into identical copies of her... I didn't say anything because the experience weirded me out just that much..sorry, sis.

Edited by Team42Larson on Aug 26th 2018 at 6:15:45 AM

[Inigo's Inn, Bathhouse]

"Hm... That sounds like some rather complex magic I am not sure I can wrap my head around...", said Noriaki before also turning his attention to the door.

[Inigo's Inn, Halls]

The movement also woke up a certain Armaldo and Whirlipede who were now up and out.

"Oi, is somethin' the matter?", Soten asked Autumn and Dinah.

"Bad dream?", Nephenee guessed.

[Holstown, Pub]

The Miltank bartender waved goodbye to Kevin and everyone following him.

Edited by Konkfan7 on Aug 26th 2018 at 6:19:42 AM

Holstown Inn

Autumn spins in place when she hears Dinah, shortly followed by Soten and Nephenee. She glances between the three of them as if gauging whether or not they'd be enough help to get going before she explains, her face stuck to an expression of anxious worry.

"Mila told me she had a dream that got interrupted or something, that L'arachel told her where to go to see Niles. We're going to get going soon, so follow fast. Or don't, whatever you want."

Autumn paces back and forth, looking down the corridor where Mila had disappeared down to go check on the others. As soon as she's back, Autumn wants to get going. North she said? There was no time to slow down, not if they were going to find Niles, and they were going to find Niles.

Holstown Inn, Bath house

Mila pushes the door open in a sudden motion, moving through at the exact same time without concern for anyone who might be right on the other side of the door. As soon as she's through and knows that it's not empty, she begins explaining to everyone there, already turning her body in the other direction to be ready to head back.

"It's Niles, well more L'arachel. She had one of her minions talk to me in a dream and tell me to meet her in the forest if I wanted to see Niles again. I can't go alone, I need some people to make sure everything stays alright. I need to make sure nobody gets hurt, not me or Autumn or Niles."

[Inigo's Inn]

"... Alright, we'll see what we can do to keep ya safe", said Soten, scratching the back of his head.

"Damn, to think they'd call us out in the middle of the night like this...", said Nephenee, "Sounds more like a rendezvous, but I doubt they're gonna play fair. Kind of sucks... We can't create too much of a crowd, but too little would be easier for them to deal with if they try to pull something."

[Bathhouse]

Noriaki looks shocked, but he is quick to get up, get out of the bath, and follow behind Mila. He shakes himself dry before that, though.

Holstown (Inn)

( I look over to Soten and Nephenee in worry.) I feel that this could end up being a horrible trap...she shouldn't be trusting that witch. What do we do? ( I say.)

Holstown (Pub)

Thank you so much, everyone. (Shelley gratefully says, bowing slightly.) Please let me know if you find anything. If you need to find me, I'll be here the next few days, but after that I'll be en route to Whispering Pines.

(She and James remain at the pub as everyone leaves.)

Blissparce

Wow...you know, I don't blame you for not talking about it... (Mia says.)

Huh... (Rich says.) Dang, wonder if we'll meet 'er?

I dunno. (I say, shrugging.)

Anyway, Goobert, (Rich turns back to me.) Ye want me ta turn ye int' me double so ye can stomach lookin' 'round the crime scene?

(I shrug.) I dunno, maybe...? Not now, though...

Aye, ye'd return t' normal by the time we got there, I bet. (Rich laughs.) Oop, watch yerself, matey!

(I heed Rich's warning just in time to avoid walking into a Bisharp carrying an arm-load of Berries as I say this.) Whoop-! Sorry, sir.

(The Bisharp gives me a brief look and quickly walks away. Must be in a hurry? I continue walking on.)

Edited by kablammin45 on Aug 26th 2018 at 7:54:23 AM

Holstown Inn, Bath

Dana had been in a state of slight drowsiness for a few minutes now, but Mila's re-entrance quickly shakes her out of that. Mila's words take a moment to register. Not a very long moment, though, because Dana scrambles out of the tub pretty quickly. All the water on her body practically vaporizes off of her into an icy mist.

"What? Where?"