ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

[Old Eluant]

"I shall be fine with walking, I fancy a nice stroll now", said Noriaki.

"I suppose I could bother to do the same, I do not wish to burden the compromised space of your contraption", said Montresor, fluttering a bit in the air.

"Indeed, I am well honed in traveling great distances in dreadful terrains by foot, this should be nothing for myself", Notte explained, adjusting his jacket.

"... I'd like a ride but I know I'm uh... Too damn huge to hitch one with you guys", said Nephenee with a slightly embarrassed and goofy grin.

"Follow me, th-then", said Tomoko, floating forward with the lantern in her hand held forward.

Behind the group, it sounds like Theodore has begun leading the other residents in a chant again, but his voice is doing the most this time.

[Narcia]

The Pinsir and Heracross finally come close enough.

"Nice, I can see you got a lot of new allies. Pleasure to meet you all, I'm Achilles, Guardian of Holstown", said Achilles, giving a thumbs up, "I went ahead and did some catching up with an... Old friend."

"Nice to meet with some of you new guys. And nice to see the familiar faces here outside of battle", the Heracross said, rubbing his arm, "I'm Hector, the other Guardian of Holstown, proud to say once again that I am. I'd extend an apology for before when I was... Lost, so to speak, but I like to think actions speak louder than words. So I'll show you all how up to the task I am before long."

Gerome crossed his arms as he looked to Hector and said, "Yeah, consider this community service, I guess. I'd count myself lucky old Narcian was nice enough to let you off on that for now, and that your old Pinsir pal was willing to vouch for you."

"Hehe, trust me officer, I do."

The Drifloon lets out an annoyed huff at Rainmaker's ping, but does take not of Kevin's waving and the presence of a Raichu and other Decidueye among the group and begins descending.

As the Drifloon comes closer, they pull out a letter and say, "Excuse me, I think you may be the mons I'm looking for. I have a letter from a... "Noriaki Shimada"?"

[L'Arachel's Manor: Balcony]

Zelgius turns to see Nyquil.

"Oh, heya Niles", the Aerodactly greeted, "Nothing much, just watching the sky and thinking to myself."

Edited by Konkfan7 on Oct 26th 2018 at 6:42:00 AM

He found himself a dilemma. It'd be unprofessional to talk about mindless drivel and instead go to bed and rest up, but… the events from today leave him rather riled up. Trying to sleep at a time like this would only prove difficult.    "Is that so… Would it be rude of me to ask what plagues your mind?"   

Narcia

"We, well... ask me later and I'll explain."

Mila steadies herself as Woodruff stands back up on his own balance. Her attention is torn between the variety of comments made in the group, but she manages to pick out Rainmaker's mention of their age as well as the Drifloon's remark. She was honestly thinking they might have been younger, but it does somewhat corroborate her suspicions. In any case, news from Noriaki soon becomes the new focus of her mind, as the context for their journey and those with him come flooding back.

"The letter— can I read it? Where are they now?"

Catacombs

Autumn shakes her head at the prospect of riding in the cart. She doesn't deserve the rest, nor does she want it. It'd leave her alone with her thoughts, and she can't handle them eating at her right now. Hearing Tomoko's call, she steps in line and begins her silent trek to the port city.

Leaving for Becchel

Just go ahead and get in it, Bookworm. Nobody's gonna blame yas for it. ( Marsha says to me.)

(I sigh and finally climb into Phillip's....automobile, if that's what he's calling it, and sit down beside Eliot as we prepare to go.)

Narcia

Oh, I see... (Gene nods at Kevin.)

(Just then, a Pinsir and Heracross unfamiliar to the bouncers arrive. Feeling that the three of them have had to introduce themselves to new people enough, Dodie simply cuts to the chase and points to herself, then Cole, and then Gene.) Dodie, Cole, and Gene. Nice t' meet you fellas.

Uh... (Cole looks over towards Grigori.) This is someone else you're with, right?

Blissparce

We did, yes... (Amy says to Dieter sternly. Then she looks wistfully at the unconscious Gliscor.) I just...I cannot believe that Ramona would stoop to this level, killing someone like this.

Well...on th' one hand, at least it wasn't a guy anyone would mi-

I don't care who it was she killed! (Amy interrupts Rich, glaring at him.) Ramona was still a friend of mine. We grew up together here in town...sharing our family's Berries with each other, having long talks on the beach...I had hoped her anger issues wouldn't end up with something like this happening, but I guess I didn't hope enough...this really hurts...

I-I'm really sorry, Ms. Dala. (I say, feeling genuinely sorry for her.)

Sim, we didn't know... (Mia says.)

(Amy doesn't respond initially and continues to look towards her old friend.) My old friend...

Leaving Catacombs

I continue to advance outward with the others, continuing to choose to walk, bless the fact that I have legs like this, for the beginning of our journey-once again-to a new town. Seems like we've become the Harlem Globetrotters, which reminds me, never got to see one of their games back home..

This...town. Any other details you'd want to give about it? Any inns or something we can stay at?

Narcia

Kevin is about to open up the letter when he hears Mila's request. Hesitating, he hands the letter over to the Raichu, knowing she'd want to read it more than him.

Blissparce

Tiff honestly doesn't know what to say so she keeps silent and looks onward, waiting for their next advancement.

[Narcia]

The Drifloon hands over the letter quickly.

It reads:

"They were just about to get going when they gave me the letter to deliver", the Drifloon explained, beginning to float off, "You'd all better get going, it looks like."

Edited by Konkfan7 on Oct 26th 2018 at 8:37:09 AM

Narcia

Mila doesn't quite know how to process what Noriaki's letter is telling her about the conflict, but the fact that they are okay pleases her. She can't tell, but she hopes that when Noriaki is referring to "old friends" he is including Niles in that statement. Once she's finished reading it silently, she hands it back to Kevin and looks towards the main mass of the group to speak.

"Apparently, they're going to 'Becchel' and want us to meet them there. Does anyone know where to go to get there? I need to see—"

Autumn. What would she say? What could she say?

Narcia

"...more walking. Lovely. Just what I wanted."

"Oh, hush, Róisín!"

Philo looks more enthused by the prospect of the upcoming fight than he probably should as he looks from party member to party member.

"Greetings to our new companions, then! And may fortune be on our side as we come ever closer to purging this L'Arachel from the world!"

Narcia

(In response to Emboar, I elaborated.) Yep. You could say that he has history with the Lady. (I joked at the Roserade.) What? Walking's good for you. Helps build up the leg muscles. (All jokes aside, I do wonder how did Nori manage to get the better of Queen Bitchbag. I mean, some of her men decided to turn tail and he apparently got a new "power." If it is what I think it is, at least I bought these glasses for a reason.)

(Eliza looked at the beetle guardians.) Surely you know this island better than most of us.

(In regards to the news, Arsene spoke to the group.) Regardless, if we want to meet up with the rest of them in time, we can't stay here for too long. If you got anything you want to do here, make it quick.

(Eliza shook her head, as did I. The green sword and his ward followed suit.)

Narcia

Well, we don't got anymore business here 'nless one of us three has to run to the restroom, which I don't think either of us do, so... (Dodie says.) You fellas lead the way.

Yep, we're ready to go, right? (Cole says.)

Indeed! (Gene says.)

When Achilles and Hector introduce themselves I feel the need to introduce myself,   HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Nice to meet you, Guardians Of Holstown, I am Rainmaker, The Bronzong who is the Trickster God Of Rain. HAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!   

When Róisín complains about walking, and Grigori jokes about it,   Don't be a lazy bitch, Róisín.   , I said in a blunt and straightforward way.

   Hohohohoho! So group, shall we get going? Next destination, BECCHEL! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!   , I said to the group with a big smile on my face.

Edited by Theyja on Oct 27th 2018 at 1:19:22 PM

Narcia

Róisín glares absolute daggers at Rainmaker.

"Look, mate, I walked for an entire day to get here in the first place! I feel like I have the right to moan a bit! And besides, I might be lazy, but 'least I'm not completely bloody mental!"

Philo's pained smile has completely deteriorated into a frown.

"Now, now, let's not get at each other's throats when there are far more important issues at hand."

Narcia

Woodruff laughs nervously as Róisín snaps at Rainmaker. He's got to admit, the guy's being pretty obnoxious. It seems like he's one of these otherworlders (it's a stupid, stupid name, but what the hell else is he gonna call them...beyonders?...actually, that's not a bad one), but already, he's yelling and hooting and hollering like he owns the place. And he's only nineteen? He hopes adulthood doesn't do this to him.

Actually, Róisín's outburst reminds him...he had wanted to talk to the Philo Peritopolous. Peritopoulos. He may be a fan, but that last name is always gonna be hard to spell just right. He walks over towards Philo, unsure of what to say...

Blissparce

Heaving a sigh, Taylor B approaches Amy, putting a hand on her shoulder. "W-we...had to d-do what we h-had to do. Sh-she represented a th-threat to this t-town..." "YEA," Taylor A pipes in, skirting between the others to take her place beside Taylor B. "A friend's a friend, but murder's murder! And she didn't have any scruples about it either! She said she was gonna...!" Taylor A balls her fists in anger, fuming with anger, earning her a concerned look from her Hitmonlee partner...

… … … …

   wot?   

I STARED INTENSELY AT RÓISÍN.

   Did you just call me a...did you just challenge me?   , I said incredulously at Róisín.

I STARED INTENSELY AT WOODRUFF.

I STARED INTENSELY AT THE OTHERS.

   I'll pretend I didn't hear that...   , I said, scowling at Róisín (and maybe the others), but the scowl was undone quickly.

   Yeah...you're right, Philo...so...are we going or not...let's get moving...I guess...   , I said, souding bored and annoyed.

Edited by Theyja on Oct 27th 2018 at 8:46:14 PM

Narcia

"Come on, let's just go... please. Someone point us in the right direction."

Mila speaks with all of her concern and frustration readily apparent I'm her voice, not even making the slightest attempt to hide it. She only hopes that this inanity won't continue for the entirety of their trip. Nevertheless, a portion of her mind continues to turn in the background, trying to figure out what she'll say to Autumn when they both arrive. She'd run away... really both of them had run away, but Mila can't help but imagine that in this case it was Autumn's fault.

Narcia

Hang on, I got this.

Kevin reaches into the pack he had fastened to his shell and acquires a map of Harnicara island.

When I first got to this island the mother of the kid I'm trying to find gave me this. Now....

He calls for the group to gather round, and with one of his claws he traces an approximate route Maybe determined by Konk? for the group to go.

Okay, back outta town the way we came first. Let's go.

He starts that way.

Edited by Team42Larson on Oct 27th 2018 at 2:56:56 PM

   Good...I guess   , I said, still annoyed and bored from before, as I slowly floated towards north.

Then I looked back at the group.

Then I started to slowly float towards north again.

Edited by Theyja on Oct 27th 2018 at 9:07:11 PM

Narcia

Here goes nothin'... (Cole says as he, Dodie, and Gene start to move.)

Narcia

Róisín doesn't bother responding to Rainmaker. He's quieter and less obnoxious now, at least, which was ultimately what she'd been hoping for.

As the group slowly begins to follow Kevin's lead, Philo notices Woodruff's expression and chuckles gently.

"I know what someone too polite to ask me questions out of the blue looks like by now. What's on your mind, youngster?"

Edited by DubhKafkaesque on Oct 27th 2018 at 10:08:50 AM

[Leaving Old Eluant]

As they walk, there is nothing of note aside from apparent darkening from time passing over the grassland with scant few trees here and there, although a light drizzle did eventually come in, creating a light mist. Thankfully Tomoko's lantern still shined to signify her place towards the group.

[Leaving Narcia]

It's a rather long and arduous trip by foot all the way, but little to no complications plagued the group meeting to rendezvous with the others.

[Becchel]

Both groups eventually manage to make it to the port town of Becchel...

[L'Arachel's Manor]

"Eh, nothing specific. Well, okay, I guess it kind of has us all a bit messed up that those two went to the other side", Zelgius confessed.

   "Indeed… the thought of those two defecting is honestly frustrating. I can't believe they'd turn coat that easily. And to think, after all they do to prove their devotion…"   

Becchel, South Side

The first thing the group may notice about Becchel are the guards posted out at the entrance to the city, a Feraligatr and a Samurott lit by the flickering orange glow of fire in small stone troughs atop wooden pillars, as the light of the evening sun wanes away. The entrance before them meets the crest of a dune before the sandy hills drop down and taper off to meet the sea.

The entire city is raised with stilts on a patchwork of wooden walkways and squares, as if the whole of Silversand were the boardwalk. Open, wall-less houses, most with two stories and thatched roofs, dot the section of town in front of them; underneath the town, under each house are shrouds that billow just a small bit with the breeze, the bottom staying put as if weighed down (which they are, the weights are fastened to the shrouds themselves). And if one looks closer still, there is activity underneath the boardwalks, a separate force of guards that lurk and skulk underneath the city as it slowly turns in for the night.

To their right as they approach, more entrances sit guarded and lit further in the distance. Right more are farms growing grain and rice within the marshy waters that run through a creek underneath the center of town. Surrounding the farms is a sea of black mud, turned up, barely arable, and filled with the husks of old stumps. Even further still, the forest that creeps up the backside of the Eluant Mountains.

To their left, out to sea is another section of town, better lit with even bigger houses...what looks to be a palace sits in the far corner. Sandwiched between the villa out at sea and the rest of town are the many pathways and docks of the harbor, filled to the brim with ships and boats and ships and more ships.

The Feraligatr and Samurott whisper to each other, neither moving to greet the group as they block the short ramp leading up to town. They eye Notte and Montresor suspiciously...

Meanwhile, I sit in Philly's "automobile", stewing in the refractory from my downsizing. Despite all this time coming in and out of different forms, it's still a very visceral experience, even with a change so small as that...I guess it's still new to me personally. Before, would that have counted me as a Totem? Does it matter? ...I guess it's pointless to digress that point.

Narcia, Leaving

The group is beginning to move, which puts Woodruff in a bit of a panic...tongue-tied from all sides, it seems. With some more nervous laughter, he faces a hero, a fighter, an entertainer in a sense. He envies not just his prowess but his tranquility on the battlefield...but what to say, what to say?

"Ahh...haha...where do I start...?"

...

Becchel, North Side

The group from Narcia would see a mirror of what the group arriving from the ruins would see, albeit seeing open shacks and market tents for businesses and all instead of the homes situated on the other side of town. Two buildings right in the middle of town stand tall amongst the businesses; both are walled, surprisingly, and well-lit, though the penthouse floor on the one to the left is open like the houses (and the left one is also a floor or so taller).

The group is greeted by a Swanna sitting on one of the lightpoles, unlit of course, as the fire from the other bathes the half of them with that same flickering orange light. The Swanna shivers as they brace the evening breeze, keeping a half-distracted gaze tuned onto the group.

Becchel (South)

Finally...thought we weren't eva gonna get heres... (Marsha saying something wakes me up. I stir and try to wake up.)

(Oh goodness, are we here already? I feel like I had just gone to slee-...oh, this is Becchel? It's nothing like I was expecting it to be. Is the town...elevated on platforms? And below them too?)

Is the town...up there? (I say to no one in particular.)

Becchel (North)

Intriguing! (Gene says as they approach Becchel.) Do they support buildings on platforms above us? This is an architectural marvel!

You said it, Genie! (Dodie says, turning to Grigori and the others.) So where are we gonna find the rest of yer crew here?

Blissparce

Yeah, she pretty much showed us that she'd kill again if she wanted. (Mia tells Amy.) I had to knock her out because she about attacked our neighbor Fergus as we were dragging her out.

Understood... (Amy says.)

Problem is that she isn't even the only one we're dealing with. (Rich adds.)

(I notice Amy looking a bit shocked and worried at this.) What??

Yeah...she's not acting alone from what Mia and Barley told us. (I say.) She also claimed that we needed to get out of their way if we knew what was good for us, like they were doing this for the greater good or something.

(Amy looks back and forth between us and Ramona a couple of times before sighing.) People like...(sigh)...Ramona...and whoever she's acting with always try to make it seem like they're doing something for the greater good, but most people don't just murder Pokémon like our innocent beloved citizens for the greater good. Given Ramona's deep-seated issues, she must have a very strange idea for what the greater good is... (She says. She looks back at us.) I hope you all figure out some more answers very soon. I'll go report what you all have told me to the mayor.

Sure thing, Ms. Dala. (Mia says.)

(Amy sadly walks off. I notice her occasionally looking back at Ramona. Man, this has to be tough for her, learning that a good friend of hers was in on something horrible like this. I sigh and sit down.)

Edited by kablammin45 on Oct 27th 2018 at 11:07:22 AM

[Becchel: South]

"Ah yes, the culture and architecture here are quite the sight to behold", said Notte, stoking his chin a bit before going back to placing both his hands behind his back as usual.

Noriaki tips his hats to the guards and greets them, "Hello, good sirs. My companions and I are on a long trip and were hoping to rest here for the night, as well as meeting some other acquaintances who were also coming here."

Tomoko silently stood in place with her lantern.

[Becchel: North]

Gerome called to the Swanna, "Good evening, I'm Gerome, Chief of Narcia's Law enforcement. I'm here with the Guardians of Holstown and other allies on a task to find and apprehend a criminal who threatens the very well-being of this island. We're set to meet even more mons to help us here in Becchel and rest for the night."

The Nidoking showed the badge-like emblem on his cap.

Achilles and Hector waved as they were mentioned.

[L'Arachel's Manor: Balcony]

"Tch, I know, right? Just thinking about it is like..."

Zelgius stood up and unleashed what sounded like an angry roar at the sky.

"Ah, a good war cry always helps get out the frustration", said Zelgius, sounding more relaxed, "You should give a try sometimes, Niles."

He's a little surprised by Zelgius's sudden outburst, followed by being puzzled by his suggestion.    "You want me to do that as well? Would that not create unnecessary ruckus?"