Narcia, Todd's Machines

Philo moves to follow Gerome, as does Róisín.

"I agree. We have everything we need from this place."

Edited by DubhKafkaesque on Oct 10th 2018 at 8:11:41 PM

Old Eluant Catacombs

[I futilely bring up my hands to try and block the shadowy attack before something enters my vision, blocking a good bit of the attack. I feel it thud against me as she's pushed back—Autumn! I hold her up...oh, god, not that scar, it's opened up...]

"Why'd you," [I yell back at her. With some griping, I manage to get to my feet again...I think the bleeding's stopped, though the pain's still a bitch.] "Neither of us're...are gonna be able to cover for the, the other forever, y'know...hoo..."

[I feel my side again...no, it's still bleeding. Dinah, where's Dinah—oh, shit, she got hit, too!] "Dinah...Dinah, y'need t'get up. Dinah."

[I'm panicking. I feel like my heart's about to pound out of my chest. I stare at Montresor, he looks...god, he looks awful...like he's torn up himself just to get the edge with this stupid fight...this is fine?! L'Arachel's just...allowing this, he thought to stoop to this...you gotta be...]

"Can't you..." [I say to L'Arachel, desperate.] "Can't you get him t'stop? He's hurting himself! What's this supposed t'prove?!"

Holstown, Outside the Inn

Woodruff smiles warmly. "Well, thank ya. That's all I can ask for, really." He'll get them back. He knows it...he knows he will. He looks back to the inn with a hint of fondness, though there's some relief in not needing to stay in the same town as that old hag. Then again, he is leaving to fight some other hag...and he'll get them back then.

"So...let's ride out." He starts slowly heading down the road...it'll only be a few minutes to Narcia, it'd be nice to see the town when it's not a warzone...

Blissparce, Mr. Oliveira's House

"I don't get it..." Taylor sits there reminiscing, dormant, perturbed. Her legs hang crossed and motionless as she's arched herself over to stare at the floor. "Something's not right...but we're at the right house and everything, it's just..."

Suddenly, David comes back, spooking Taylor. "Oh, good gracious! Sorry for that. And I'm sorry if I've, eheh, made you all wait. I don't mean to, eh, obstruct anything here..." He sits back down, looking to the now rather inert Taylor with worry, even some guilt...it's not right to see her so still, so cross, and he's to blame for it.

"So," he starts again, affecting a smile. "I'm assuming you'd like to know where I was, eheh...before the murder..."

"Yes," Taylor answers simply.

He settles into the chair, relaxing his shoulders and back. "Alright. I was...shopping at Lenten's hardware store. We talked for a bit, some about the mayor" He laughs...Lenten always wants to talk about the mayor, usually complaining about some random policy Rave's passed. "...Lenten's concerned about him, actually...not sure if that were important, just thought I'd pass that along."

"Yea?" At the risk of getting sidetracked, she does know of the two's tenuous friendship back in the day. She makes a mental note to check in with the mayor herself once this is complete.

"Regardless. After that, I...simply came home. And that was it before the ceremony."

Blissparce, Ramona's Garden

"T-the leaves won't get th-this way without just one d-day's water." He turns back towards the plant, cradling a leaf. "In f-fact, these l-look like they h-haven't been watered for a couple d-days at least."

Edited by BlackMageAnolis on Oct 10th 2018 at 6:55:30 AM

[Montresor]

"I knew of this talent, but he has NEVER tried something so reckless as to use it on himself...", Notte explained, "... And you do not know Montresor as well as I do... He is perfectly content dying here in a battle in front of his empress."

L'Arachel holds her hand close to her chin as she responds to Eliot, "   This is a rather concerning sight, I confess... But Montresor himself did this, and it seems he will not be willing to listen until he has had his fill of carnage. Best to let him run rampant for now. Besides... It should still fulfill our goal in erasing you lot.   "

Notte's eyes narrow in reaction for only a split second, possibly being caught by those attentive enough.

"   I am NOT letting you off....!   ", Montresor growled as he released another burst of dark energy, this time each one forming in to an almost mouth-like jaw that bit down when they came close enough to their targets.

The Noctowl swooped to the side upon seeing the Scald, still getting nicked on the wing by it. When wincing from that, he failed to notice and thus dodge Marlon's barrage.

"   Kyaaaa!   "

Nephenee charged forward, letting Noriaki jump off of her back and deliver a slash with Leaf Blade. Montresor parried this, but was caught off guard by Noriaki dropping the blade as soon as they clashed and coming over to his side.

"Listen to me!", the Dartrix yelled, thrusting an abnormal-looking Shadow Claw forward.

There was a time before when Noriaki had offered Montresor his hand. Not in violence, but as a peaceful gesture with only his old friend's well-being in mind. Despite the pain he had caused, Noriaki still wanted him to see... He still wanted to be his friend. He missed him, empathized with him. But... He had his hand slapped away.

Montresor swung one of his wings, covered in shadow aura, which Noriaki jumped back in evasion of.

"   ...   "

"   What goal do you have showing me such worthless imagery?   ", the Noctowl growled, sounding a bit more coherent, "   There was nothing to "patch up", you were an evil, traitorous, lying wretch, and I wanted nothing to do with you...   "

"I do not believe that to be true", Noriaki responded, "... You wanted the same thing as me deep down, did you not?"

A pin swung from the side to hit Noriaki. Parrying with a Leaf Blade, the Dartrix spun forward and launched his attack.

"Pretending not to care about you because of our conflicts and wounds from each other... You may be able to put that up as a facade, but I do not think I could ever..."

"   SILENCE!   ", Montresor yelled, failing his wings violently as his aura became black and red, intensifying greatly, "   I... Do not... Need you...! Not.... Anyone else!   " Reverse Mode.

[Narcia]

Gerome comes out in to the streets as well with Kevin and Arsene, looking for where the rest of the group may be converging.

The Quilava looks on.    "But that begs the question, milady. Is he even able of eliminating any of them at all? He seems to be struggling to keep the upper hand, much less his composure. If he is defeated without any sort of victory to your name, then his entire gambit will be for naught."    His words should be enough to show his own irritation, even though his overall demeanor fails to do so.

Catacombs

(I hear Eliot urging me to get up, but I ache so badly that I almost just want to stay down. Should I just...?)

(N-No, that's just what they want. If I stay down, then that'll just give Montresor and whoever else free reign to beat me to death, and I'll never see Benji and Lucy again...that's exactly why I NEED to get up. I can't let myself become a free target for any of them!)

(Despite the aching all over me, I manage to force myself up onto my rump. I notice that in the confusion, I have gotten the rest of the way to the first aid kit. I pull it directly beside me and look back to see how far Eliot and Autumn are. Oh no, Autumn's hurt now, too! I need to get over there as fast as I can...)

(...perhaps if I crawl down low to the ground, maybe the shadows will hide me as I make it back to them? I am a Dark-type with dark colors after all. I just have to hope that Montresor doesn't do that horrible trick with them again. Tucking the kit under my arm, I begin to make my way back over to them as quickly and as stealthily as I can with likely several wounds on my body...)

(Oh no, I hear Montresor again. I brace myself as best as I can and turn to look at what he's doing no- OH ARCEUS HE'S TRYING TO EAT ME NO NO NOOOO!)

AAAAAHH!

(It's unclear whether Dinah fainted from being hit by this attack (which ended up snapping down on her tail) or from sheer terror at what, to her, appeared to be Montresor sending some sort of shadow monster to devour her and inadvertently triggering her fear of being eaten. Marsha is distracted by Dinah's sudden scream of terror (it wasn't in pain like before) and ends up being hit before she can brace herself as well.)

YEEAAARGGHHHFRAGGINFRIFFINSONNA-!!! OOOH!!! (Marsha shouts indiscriminately, receiving a large bite-mark on her arm. She looks back at Dinah and it registers that Dinah is now unconscious.) AWWWWNODABOOKWORMSDOWN!!

(Marsha immediately waddles off to the unconscious Krokorok (and the first aid kit that's still lying beside her), and, upon seeing Eliot and Autumn injured and (correctly) deducing that Dinah was in the process of taking the kit over to them, she scoops both Dinah and the kit up and hurries in their direction (glaring at L'Arachel as she does so).)

Blissparce (Mr. Oliveria)

Little I've heard about 'im, I think I can believe it. (Rich says to Mr. Oliveria. Then he asides to Taylor A and Dieter:) He sure doesn't sound too sure of himself, mateys...

Blissparce (Ramona)

(Ramona looks back and forth between Mia and Taylor B and her Watmel plant for a moment with a confused expression for a moment before grinning and laughing for a moment.)

Did I mention that that isn't the only Watmel plant I have? There's another one across the garden! That one's the one I tended to! Not this one! (Ramona says.)

(Mia's face goes straight. She's really suspicious of this Gliscor right now.) And you didn't tell us this as soon as you could why, exactly?

Umm... (Ramona scratches behind one of her ears with one of her pinchers.)

Blissparce (Lydia)

Oh, okay. (I say.) Nice to meet you, sir.

(Well, that means Lydia here has a good alibi, right? Especially since her hubby here claims she never left.) So...sounds like you've got a good alibi, ma'am!

(I'm about to tell Tiff that we should head back to the others, but then I think of something else that we should probably ask before we leave here. I look back to the couple and ask them:) Just to make sure, could we see proof that Lydia was sick here last night?

Edited by kablammin45 on Oct 10th 2018 at 8:44:10 AM

Catacombs

Oh, you motherfucker-

I immediately form up a Shadow Ball and send it swinging at Montresor but then-

Marsha AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

I let go of the Protect Shield the instant I feel teeth bury themselves into my face, presumably from Montresor's attack.

RRRRAAAAAGH getoffofmeeeeeeee!

The shadows fade but I jump up in the air, and slam again onto my back, unconscious...

A large set of bite marks are on the left side of my face, coming an inch from hitting my eye, with blood slowly cascading down. My fingers twitch and begin moving around. I audibly groan, continuing to lay unconscious.

Blissparce

Oh, yes!

The Crobat hops off a few rooms down and grabs a basket of berries.

Lydia downed some of these last night to help get over her cold.

Of course, a stack of tissues would these exist? sit in a nearby trash bin, a definite sign that someone in this home was dealing with some form of sickness.

Narcia

Kevin calls out for the others after heading out onto the streets.

Grigs? Jack? Where are you guys?

Edited by Team42Larson on Oct 11th 2018 at 6:13:17 AM

Dieter hms, unsure what more to say. They got the impression something might be up, but didn't know what...

"Lenten's concerned about the mayor, you say?"

Narcia Streets

(Soon after the group at the store left, they would see our group approaching them. The two mercenaries bowed their head and introduced themselves. Afterwards, I spoke out to them.) Got anything for us?

(The old Mock Kelp replied back.) So far, we've got a few TMs from a store nearby. Just so you know, all of them are status moves. We got Toxic, Confide, Rain Dance, and Swords Dance.

(Eliza doesn't seem to be interested in these TMs, but she no less appreciates the help they'll likely bring. Zelda shares the same opinion, but Claude had piqued his interest in the last move.)    Swords Dance? A fitting move for someone like myself.    (I start to wonder about Swords Dance myself and how will that work for me.)

Narcia

Once they set out, Mila falls quiet for much of the trip, not so much for not having anything to say as not wanting to rehash the same issues she's still punting around inside her head. Still, there is some minor silver lining, as the travel blurs past until they're finally to the city.

"So... we don't know where they went inside the city, do we? I don't suppose you happen to be a psychic?"

Soon after she speaks it dawns on Mila that such a question actually has meaning in this world, but she keeps her mouth shut.

Catacombs

"You're right, but this is... this is my fault. I should've... convinced you not to go— watch out!"

Seeing Montresor preparing another attack, Autumn breaks off her response and watches carefully for the shadows to manifest, knowing that she'd not be able to handle another direct hit like earlier. When the mouth forms, Autumn prepares to roll to the side just as it draws close, limiting the strike to just hitting her shoulder, but a strike nonetheless. In addition, the tactic exacerbates her previous wound, which is now lightly covered in dirt on top of the bleeding.

Oh Arceus please don't get infected.

Still, she sees a chance, particularly when she doesn't have anything more to lose from trying to convince Montresor further. It's not like she's going to change who he hits in this state, anyways.

"F-from the sound of it hff, you really do need someone! You told me you pledged yourself to L'arachel, and that's why—ghh— you did this. Why... why do that if it leads to all this, all this suffering and pain. If you need someone... we can help. Without getting people hurt."

Autumn slowly pushes herself back to her feet, leaning on the back wall and using both paws to put pressure on her wounds until Marsha can get to her.

"Have you ever been to Foxfell? We... take kgh care of the needy there, do the best we can. It's the good life you say— you tell me you want, without the pain. Without the madness. Without the death... if you'll just try."

"Unless I was right that first time I saw you, and all you want is pain and rage."

Edited by Cabe_Bedlam on Oct 10th 2018 at 8:11:38 AM

Narcia

You've got a Swords Dance TM? (Dodie asks, intrigued.) Hey, ya mind if Gene and I use it when you're done?

(Cole shrugs, knowing he can't use that one, but he does seem to be eyeing the Toxic TM.)

Old Eluant Catacombs

"What, what's—" [Just a flash before Autumn dives out of the way. In the split second before moving, I simply see the other wave of darkness approach me. Autumn goes this way, my lizard brain tells me to go that way.]

[I throw myself to the side of the attack, though something clamps down hard onto my leg. Something like a chalkboard being clawed goes off in my head. Immediately, whatever it was that got my leg goes away, and I'm left seizing in pain.]

[Hearing something coming towards me and fearing the worst, I pull myself up, readying myself to face another...] "Marsha!" [Oh, my god, it's not another attack... Whenever she gets close, I extend my hand to hold onto her so I can let myself up...my leg looks horrible, it feels horrible. It's like...splinters...oh, god, is it broken? I can't even tell anymore...]

"...wait, is Dinah..." [She's not moving...is she moving, I can't tell, I can't...oh, fuck, fuck...]

Narcia

"Heh! Well, I'm not a psychic myself...not sure I could be." Strolling into town, Woodruff stands up on his hinds, scanning the vicinity for any familiar signs of life. It's certainly more lively than yesterday...

Blissparce, Mr. Oliveira's House

"That's not important to this." Mr. Oliveira lets out a faint gasping breath, taken aback by her snapping at who he can only presume is her assistant for this case.

"If you'll allow me," the Gligar interjects, briefly bolstered by...confidence...no, comfort?... "I could go into further details about our conversation—" "I just noticed..."

Mr. Oliveria clams up, eyes darting towards the door. Taylor A notices this as well, tilting her head. "So...can you tell me about those new locks? You probably got them at Lenten's, is that right?"

"Y-yes, I did..." He doesn't protest its importance.

Her brow furrows. "So...why would you need more locks? You never needed new locks..."

"...come again?" "You never seemed like that kind of person, Mr. Oliveria...to need all those locks."

Mr. Oliveria chuckles. "Ahh, well, it's...it's just...you know how people are when they get older, I'm...frail and...ill-equipped to deal with...thieves and whatnot. Why, since I've remained unevolved, someone else who had made the jump, even if they were my age, they could..." He brings his hands together, they're shaking a little. His head lowers. "...they could snap me like a twig, eheh..."

Blissparce, Ramona's House

Taylor smirks when he sees Ramona scratch behind her ears. he looks down at his notepad."W-would you like to ch-change your ans-swer, M-Ms. Ramona?"

Catacombs

(Marsha gently places the still unconscious Dinah and the first aid kit down by Autumn and Eliot. Dinah is still breathing, but she is covered in a number of injuries from Montresor's attacks, including a large gash right below where the pin stuck her earlier. Her blouse is also noticeably more tattered than it was by the end of the day yesterday.)

Think dat last attack really got ta her... (Marsha says, quickly making sure that Dinah is still breathing.) Oy, dis guy, really, he's startin' ta cheese me off! Are you fellas oka-

(It's at this point that Marsha notices out of the corner of her eye that Marlon is now out for the count himself.) Grahh!! Gimme a second, fellas...

(She leaves Eliot and Autumn to tend to their's and Dinah's injuries while she goes to rescue Marlon. She hefts Marlon up with the arm that wasn't injured and begins heading back towards Eliot and company.)

Blissparce (Oliveria)

(Well, that certainly changes things. Oliveria's body language has Rich suspicious that the poor Gligar might be trying to protect himself from somebody.) Y'know, matey, if I di'nt know any better, I'd say yer scared someone's out t' gitcha or somethin'.

Blissparce (Lydia)

Okay...yeah, you guys have got a pretty good alibi. (I say, nodding with a smile.) I think you guys are probably in the clear! Thanks for your time!

Blissparce (Ramona)

Okay, I admit it, I fibbed. Heehee...sorry. (Ramona says, chuckling in embarrassment as she continues scratching behind her ear.) I've actually been really busy lately and haven't had time to water my Watmel.

(Mia gives a suspicious aside glance to Taylor B but says nothing else at the moment.)

Edited by kablammin45 on Oct 11th 2018 at 4:03:35 AM

Catacombs

Ggggguhhhhhhhh....

I snap one eye open immediately but find that I can't exactly open the other eye without much-of course, the bite snapped down that close to my eye. I groan again as Marsha carries me to the others.

Guh...my face...

Blissparce

Any time, Darlins'!

And please, Tiff, you and your friends find this guy, whoever they are.

Tiff nods.

I will.

Tiff waves goodbye to the couple and motions for Goobert to head out with her.

Narcia

Kevin looks around the group.

Where to next?

Blissparce, Oliveira's House

Dieter is a bit surprised at Taylor A's response and Oliveira's response to her. This... maybe it was a longshot, but they tried focusing their psychic stuff on reading both the Gligar and the Servine's thoughts and emotions a bit below the surface throughout this conversation.

"Mm... anything making you more nervous about what's going on, then?"

"And... well, I wouldn't mind listening. I guess I'm curious regardless."

[Montresor]

Montresor hisses at Autumn and makes like he is about to lunge in her direction, but Noriaki is quick to get between them and catch Montresor's pins between the "fingers" of his Shadow Claw.

The two owl Pokemon struggle as they clash.

"   What makes you put so much faith in the world, Noriaki? After it has been so cruel to you as well! Do you not understand where that leads?   ", the Noctowl growled as his pins and himself were shoved back, "   Just like humanity, the monkind of this world left to their own volition, in the absence of someone like Lady L'Arachel, would turn this entire world in to another, big Old Eluant! Do you not realize that, Noriaki?!   "

Three pins swung forward to slash at the Dartrix, but were once again met with a parrying Shadow Claw.

"I understand the world is not perfect, Montresor", Noriaki grunted, pushing back against the pins, "But this "Paradise" in nothing but supplication and blind loyalty... That is not going to bring you happiness! I may not be nearly as safe or "fulfilled" as I was under L'Arachel, but I think that my current life is better! I have a different path to follow, and companions that I would not trade the world for!"

"   Without a liege? Without someone over you to foresee and guarantee? What do you give your life to, then? Do you even know? What is the answer to the insignificant lives of those like us?   "

Montresor came in the side and tried to stab Noriaki with his other three pins, but the Dartrix was quick to jump and toss the pins previously coming at him to the side.

Noriaki then tried to unleash an Ominous Wind, but Montresor saw this and called forth a powerful Psychic that pulled a mass of water droplets from the waterfall to come splashing forward, creating a dense fog.

"   Answer me...!   ", Montresor snarled, his voice moving from place to place among the fog, "   What sort of role, what meaning does your life or mine have without someone like L'Arachel?! What is the answer you are seeking in this world heading for ruin? What are you even doing, as someone who can not even sa-   "

Just then, Noriaki's eyes flashed red as he jumped forward and used his wings to whip up an aggressive wind that cleared most of the fog, focused right where Montresor is. The Noctowl stood there, wide-eyed and still encased in Reverse aura.

"We can find it together, I know that much!", Noriaki proclaimed with a stern passion, "Yes, it is true, I do not know whither we are headed. Yes, it is true, there is no guiding light or lodestar. Yes, I have no overseer or reliable guardian securing my future. But I have come to see that is part of what it means to be alive, to be my own person! Not just L'Arachel's servant or some kind of toy to her! But among these fine folks, and I know maybe with you, I know I will someday find the answer I seek, my place in this world!"

Montresor seemed to somber a bit. His pins lowered.

"... And I know you can too."

The Noctowl's aura flared up even more as he yelled, "   Silence you wretch...! I... Do not need...   "

His voice was cracking ever-so-slightly. He wasn't speaking honestly.

Nephenee started to approach, but she noticed... Something in Montresor's eyes and stopped.

Montresor raised one pin in the air in front of himself and held it up with both of his wings.

"   Die.   "

As he began to bring it down, he seemed to lock in place before he came too close. He was shaking.

"Do it", said Noriaki, "If you stab me, I will know that the Montresor I once knew and have been fighting for is long gone."

Montresor scowled and looked as if he was pushing against himself and still couldn't bring himself to do it.

"   Montresor   ", L'Arachel called out, "   You had better kill him and all those other vermin or I will be very upset with you.   "

"   ...   "

"   ... A sad, pathetic, miserable creature who has abandoned dignity will be slain here   ", said Montresor, raising the needle in passion and bringing it downward.

Noriaki closed his eyes and looked down, almost looking disappointed. He heard the sound of something getting pierced.

... Then he realized that he was not in pain.

Noriaki looked back up to see Montresor leaning forward, with a needle jammed through himself. Tears were falling from his face. All the fog had dispersed.

The dark aura left his body as he breathed out, "... And the honest, good man before me is far from that.... Noriaki... I am deeply sorry... In my decision to continue deluding myself, I had harmed so many others besides myself. I was not truly happen at my core, where I knew I was believing a lie..."

Noriaki was shaking.

"I only hope that you can forgive me as I pay for my sins here and now...!"

Montresor ripped the needle out of himself and fell on the floor.

Noriaki was quick to get down and inspect him with a wing, glowing with Ghost-energy.

"He is still alive", Noriaki called out to his teammates, "Someone, come treat him right away! Eliot, you Sketched some of Ana's healing moves, correct? Act quickly, please!"

Noriaki hoisted up the Noctowl to himself, murmuring, "Montresor..."

Notte's stance broke as his "iron mask" slipped, his eye's shaking and his mouth slightly agape in shock at the display.

"A new recruit, milady?"

"   Yes, indeed, he has quite the resume. I have heard him be hailed as invincible and had gone through quite the master, previously. I heard the poor thing was murdered in cold blood. Not that Notte was incapable, simply...   "

"The Executioner was too much for even me... Although I was not afraid for my own life, it was the life of my lady that I ended up losing... Ah well, perhaps I shall be able to focus better if I remain detached. Any attachment I may have had died with her."

...

"Montresor! What were you thinking, going on your own?"

"I have apologized already, what ails you?"

"... I apologize for my outburst."

"... Heh. I suppose camaraderie is inevitable for me. I suppose I am a fool indeed."

"Well... Perhaps it is not something negative?"

...

"Montresor, Noriaki... As fellow vassals under Lady L'Arachel, I vow that I will give my all to protect you as if you were my brethren. You already are, in a sense."

Look at me, becoming attached to someone yet again... If only I truly were "The Invincible"... But they look up to me with that title, so Notte The Invincible I shall be, for their sake.

"Montresor... Noriaki..."

"   Hm, I was not aware it could be purged from oneself like that   ", L'Arachel commented, seeming a bit disoriented by the display before her, "   I must say, it is quite... A shame Montresor seems to have resigned. Notte, and the rest of you? Clean up after his mess, including himself.   "

Notte clenched his metal fists. His eyes were shaking, but now his teeth were clenched.

"... I have gone out of my way to be the perfect vassal. But in that venture, I had forgotten..."

Suddenly, the Shiny Bisharp swung directly at L'Arachel, who parried his blade with her rapiers.

"   N-Notte?!   "

Upon being closer, she could see that tears were shining up his eyes.

"... I had forgotten what it meant to be a decent person first."

[Narcia]

Gerome tips his hat to the others joining and introduces himself, "Gerome, Chief of Narcia's Law Enforcement Guild. I decided to come along for this, since protecting this city's well-being is sort of my job. Pleasure to meet you."

He spots Mila and Woodruff incoming.

"Those more of your ranks?"

Edited by Konkfan7 on Oct 11th 2018 at 6:42:05 AM

Immediately after he sees Notte attack, Nyquil steps in and tries to swiftly strike the Bisharp with a Flame Charge. In spite of whether or not his attack lands, he looks him in the eyes and says,    "Notte, if I may ask… What on earth do you think you're doing?"    Although he was trying to suppress it, his voice still leaked out some bitterness.

Catacombs

Dang...!! (Marsha breathes, reaching Eliot and Autumn just as Montresor breaks free. Then she just gapes in shock as Notte turns against L'Arachel as Nyquil tries to stop him.)

Edited by kablammin45 on Oct 11th 2018 at 7:06:34 AM

Narcia

"I think it's too late for me to get those skills myself too... I'll have to ask Koss about that though."

Mila walks through the streets slowly, watching the movement of people throughout the city. It's a comforting reminder that they have done some good, if it can recover from how it was yesterday. She doesn't notice the others just yet, but she notices that a mon in the distance seems to have spotted them.

Catacombs

Autumn finds herself unable to speak as the two bird-mons grapple, holding on to her injuries and hoping it will turn out for the best now that there's nothing else she can do. She nearly wants to scream when Noriaki doesn't resist the last attack, but seeing the result leaves her with a weak smile on her face.

I'm glad I was wrong this time.

Her expression doesn't last long, however, as Noriaki reminds her of the severity of the injuries they've sustained. Autumn does her best to get to the first aid kit, moving in a stilted fashion to avoid tearing at her chest injury further. As she passes Eliot, she can see how poorly he's doing and is torn on who to try to help first. She'd much rather just get away from L'arachel before she does this, but there's no way they're moving everyone with how injured they are.

"Are you okay, Eliot? If you can hang in there... I've got to make sure nobody dies."

Old Eluant Catacombs

[She's alive! She's not well, she needs attention, but holy crap, she's alive. As Marsha runs off and as the two owls clash, I hoist her up, feeling her pulse from her neck myself...I heave out a sigh...she's comin' home, dammit, she's gonna come home.]

"Autumn, could you get the, the—" [L'Arachel's words stop me. I suddenly go rigid, a great chill coursing through my body. Shaking, I try to look at L'Arachel herself before turning my attention towards Montresor. Tears well up in my eyes. I crowd myself around Dinah...it feels like an eternity before he finally makes his fateful move...I close my eyes...]

[...I don't hear Noriaki go down. I look back to...oh, shit...oh, shit, oh, shit, shit, shit, shit shit shit shit shit. I don't even need Noriaki's words to spur me on—I pick up Dinah and shout to Autumn,] "Yea, I'm fine, just get over there!" [—I book it over towards the center of the room, or I gallop, considering my leg. Landing painfully near Nori and Monty, I place Dinah beside Monty and place my palms on the ground. Grass begins to grow around me, spiraling out and covering a good chunk of the center of the room, including the ground underneath Autumn, Monty, Nori, and Dinah.]

"...what was this, Nori? This wasn't, like...seppuku or anything, was it?"

Narcia

Oh, Koss! "Yea, ya should. I bet he know a lot about that stuff, he's got that vibe to him. We could see him together...maybe I could gleam somethin' from the guy..."

He recalls his conversations with the Alolan Raichu with fondness. Even if, during those conversations, he was technically more the teacher than the student, and simply an idle conversational more often than either, there's still a lot he can credit the man with opening him up to, including his...ahem...inclinations towards men. He blushes and smiles in slight embarrassment; he sees now it wouldn't work, since he himself is still a child, and despite having never broached the topic of romantic partners with him, even if Koss swung the same way he did, it isn't in his interests to pursue him in that way, even if, by some miracle, the conditions were made right for Koss to be eligible for pursuit. It's not a greater respect he feels for the man, he wouldn't call it that; it's a different kind of respect than he had felt for the man when he was younger, but nonetheless an equally powerful one.

He brings himself back into the present day, back to Narcia. He notices the mon as well, up ahead. "Ya think he's here to receive us?"

Blissparce, Mr. Oliveira's House

"No, no!" He waves his hands dissuadingly. "I'm...not in fear of any one coming after me, it's...maybe I'm insecure."

Dieter would see he's not just insecure...there is something he's afraid of, something that he got those locks to protect himself with.

"You, out of...everyone in this town, you insecure?!" Taylor shoots out of her seat. She about to start off towards David, but before going, she turns towards Rich and tells him, "Oh, you can have my seat now." Then, she stomps towards David before grabbing his hands, looking into his eyes, beside herself with anger and despondence.

"...you weren't like this before. And not...before you left before, like last time I saw you before, a week before." Her lip quivers. She sniffles a sniffle, a sniffle that just tears right through Mr. Oliveira. "What happened? I'm concerned about you...and I don't want to think you're a part of all this, okay?

Bubbling under the surface, there's countless memories of her time with Mr. Oliveira while he was still on the force, busting crime, laying the smackdown on criminals (and sometimes sending them off with some food and money, which always felt kinda dumb, but it's less mouths for the police to feed, and he was the superior officer, in every way), getting a drink after work, pastries before work...all show an eagerness and drive in the Gligar that he now lacks in her eyes.

Blissparce, Ramona's House

"So," Taylor says as he starts pacing around the garden, "wh-what were you d-doing?"

Catacombs

(Marsha quickly places Marlon in the grass and presses her bitten arm to it as Eliot is starting to use his move.)

(Ow...ow...ow...I'm still alive? Oh, thank goodness...what was that? I was so afraid that I was about to die...where am I?)

(My body still aches...we must not have gone very far from the battle. I open my eyes...oh no, we're still here! And what is Montresor doing lying here right beside me?!)

(It's then that I realize that my pain is slowly receding and I am lying in the middle of one of Eliot's Grassy Terrain moves. Once I feel that I'm able to, I sit up on my elbows and look around. Besides Montresor lying beside me, I can see Notte...attacking L'Arachel? Nyquil is trying to stop him?)

W-What's going on? What happened? (I ask no one in particular.)

Blissparce (Oliveria)

Aye, I think there's somethin' ye aren't tellin' us, matey. (Rich says to Oliveria (still standing up). He briefly glances over at Dieter to see if they are picking up anything.) Somethin' that's really eatin' at yeh.

Blissparce (Ramona)

I was busy runnin' errands! (Ramona chirps.)

Like...what sort of errands? (Mia asks.)

Just the usual things, gettin' supplies, food, that sort of thing among other things. (Ramona says.)

Among other things? (Mia asks.)

Blissparce (Lydia)

(I wave good-bye to Lydia and her husband and follow Tiff out.)

So...where should we go from here? (I ask.) Should we find one of the other groups and wait outside for them or something or what?

Dieter nodded at Rich to confirm that they had that feeling too.

Still, they kept up the general thought sweep on both of them.

"Yeah, please, just... if something's going on that's keeping you silent... mind saying it?"

Or at least thinking about it...

Catacombs

I take my first deep breath in the moments since before getting knocked over by the Shadow attack. Okay...what's going on here???

Monty and Notte are...betraying her?

I take deep, deep, deep breaths to regain my composure, feeling rather shaken by...everything that happened, which could be noted. I speak again, this time articularly focused on my bitten face.

How...bad does it look?

With the Grassy Terrain beginning to slowly chip away at the overall severity of the injury, the blood still slowly seeps; the markings themselves also begin to fade; though the particular pain spot still lies around my eye, where it swelled up a bit.

Blissparce

Tiff nods.

We probably should reconvene with at least one of the other groups.

Narcia

Kevin squints his eyes at the two figures that are making their approach. From his position he can somewhat infer who the two are that are approaching.

Yeah, it's Mila and Woodruff.

He waves uphill to them.

Edited by Team42Larson on Oct 11th 2018 at 9:25:03 AM

Narcia Streets

(When the group started to notice a certain Raichu and Furret, I gestured them to join us. Looks like they don't want to wait any longer. That or a pep talk got them out of it.)

(Arsene looked for a nearby store of interest and settled on one nearby.) Let's try this one. (He made his way there as soon as the two come closer.)

Narcia

(Cole finds the Raichu they've just come across familiar.) Didn't that Raichu visit the diner a couple of times before it closed?

I couldn't tell ya. We used to get Raichus all the time! (Dodie says.)

(The bouncers follow the group into the next store. A Pineco wearing a small hat on his top, the owner of the store, is currently talking with two other Pinecos and a Forretress when he hears the crowd coming in and spins around.)

Aha! Customers! Lots of customers. (He says (his voice sounding vaguely Canadian-sounding), hopping over to them.) How can I help ya?

Narcia

Mila nods to both of Woodruff's comments, though in her focus on her friends in the distance she doesn't notice any of his emotional tells about his thoughts on Koss. In any case, once she notices some of them waving to herself and the Furret she picks up the pace, moving at a decent clip until she's within comfortable speaking range.

"Hi... sorry about earlier. What's your plan?"

Dejana

(relevant: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=14914248370A02012900&page=1307#comment-32663 )

A Pelipper flies in to the guild office, and hands a note to a particular alolan raichu who's been waiting in the front room. Flicking it open with Psychic, he brings it up to his eye level to read it.

"Humanmons left for Harnicara, reports indicate they're likely on the west side."

Closing the message once more, the raichu takes a step outside the office and is hit by a cold front of air. He sighs, and starts to make his way over to the docks to try to find a ship to take him over. It'll be an overnight voyage, and he should be pleased with his success in following his hunch, but something still doesn't feel right. As he waits in line to purchase tickets, he pulls up a wonder orb with his psychic powers and balances it in front of himself, setting it spinning like a mad top as he tries to catch his reflection on the surface.

Ah can't do it, not 'till this is solved. By Arceus, Koss, y'always were bad wit' anythin' ya couldn't jump on immediately, huh?

Edited by Cabe_Bedlam on Oct 12th 2018 at 10:57:30 AM