Becchel, The Patink-Inn
"Yea, thank ya, George." "You're welcome!" George watches as Woodruff follows behind Dinah up the stairs before turning around and heading back into the nook with his parents.
"...I don't think I ever properly met ya. I've seen ya around, I've gotten your name, and I think ya may've gotten mine, but we haven't really talked."
"I...I don't know..." [I roll over towards Mila, barely holding it together. I'm shivering, sniffling a little...]
"You're not," she answers Notte. "In fact, you could've been out for a few minutes more. I'm impressed you didn't fraternize any further with your friend." As soon as both of them are inside, she walks over and closes the door, locking it with the key she'd gotten earlier from Pierre.
"...it's only just occurred to me, but I believe I'm going to need to confiscate any weapons you may have on your person. It's not so rare, but considering what you've told me before, it would be in your inclinations to carry one." That's still such a strange thing for her to consider.
The Casside, with nothing to bother her as the room is emptied, simply sits silently and meditates. She can faintly hear the wind blowing through the underside of the city, just on the other side of the wall.
Becchel
(Woodruff does have a point. Neither of us have actually talked despite being around each other for the past several days.)
No we haven't... (I say as I reach our door.) Well, I suppose I should properly introduce myself, then. My name is Dinah. Dinah Martinez. It's a pleasure to properly meet you, Woodruff.
(I unlock the door and open it up.)
Yeah, Cole, Gene, and I pretty much learned what happened not long afta we got here yesterday afternoon. (Dodie says.) Whatta mess...and t' think it still ain't over yet...
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Becchel, The Patinkin's
" It's... no it's my fault. I made myself this grave, and I have to keep it. I'm sorry you found us now."
As Autumn speaks, she slowly moves to prepare her bed for sleep. She won't go to bed just yet while Whitney still wants to speak, but at least she can be somewhat comfortable while they're talking. Still, the warmth from the sheets on top of her is relaxing. Maybe she could sleep...
"Please, Eliot. You're scaring me."
As Eliot moves over, Mila pulls him into another hug. She doesn't want to think about what might be causing this. She has to keep him together. Why doesn't he remember? Why was he so mad then? It was her fault that she didn't know what to do, that this happened in the first place. The day wouldn't have been like this if she'd been better.
"Eliot, please sleep... I don't want to cause you more pain..."
Edited by Cabe_Bedlam on Dec 1st 2018 at 8:36:45 AM
I need to update these things more often"... What grave?" Whitney asks, quickly responding as she hops onto the bed with her.
She doesn't really know what's going on, but this group does seem absolutely miserable...
"If you wanna know what I think, I think that's not true. The game isn't over until you decide to quit! And you shouldn't quit if something is so important, right? I believe you shouldn't stop fighting until you're plain old not able to anymore. And I know you know that too. You have my memories, right?" Through her speech, she seems rather determined by her tone.
Either that or all the anime she watched as a kid somehow leaked through her amnesia.
I'm Huney B now. Okay?Becchel (Patinkins' Inn)
Sleeping was incredible...someone would kinda laugh, at a big bell in a bed constanly saying "You're mine" to his bed over and over...
over...and over...and over...and over...
You're mine, Rainmaker
"What! You again? For fuck's sake, who are you?!!"
Nehehehe...You'll find out...
"When??"
NOW!!!!
???
"Where am I??", I thought.
I was an forest.
Near that forest...there was a big building.
I went into the big building.
I went inside one of the rooms of that building, and inside that I saw something familiar...
...A...Bronzong.
There was a Bronzong and a Beheeyem.
Both seemed happy.
I noticed that for some reason, something in my brain happened....
It's as if I remembered something I that forgot...
It's as if my amnesia started to heal...
It's as if my memories were restored...
...restored... ...restored... ...restored—
Somewhere in Rainmaker's mind
Hi Rainmaker!!, a Beheeyem appeared next to me and greeted me.
Hi...Zyron... , I greeted him back...
...I remembered his name...Zyron...
So...did you get your memories restored?, Zyron asked me.
Yes...I did... , replied to him.
...Good..., he said.
Anyway, where am I? , I asked him.
Let's say I'm having a telepathic conversation with you, he explained.
Does that mean...we're in my mind? , I asked the Beheeyem.
Heheheheh...Indeed we are! Rainmaker, what a clever boy you've become!, he said, happy.
I feel happy about seeing you again, Zyron... , I said, somewhat happy.
But...why did you abandon me a year ago? , I said, looking between sad and confused.
As I said that, Zyron started to chuckle a bit.
Hehehehehe...now, don't be silly, Rainmaker. I did it because you're unique!, Zyron explained, putting emphasis on the word "unique"
Unique?? , I asked him, confused.
You were a human..., he explained straught to the point.
Wh...what...? , I said, unnerved.
How did I know this? Well...when we were "father and son", I would occasionally scan your memories, Zyron explained, Because of that, I came upon your memories of your human past life...and gods, they were interesting...the same for other former humans you found..., he explained.
Then...then WHY DID YOU ERASE MY MEMORIES??!! , I shouted, angry.
I did it so that you'll blend yourself even better among those former humans...so that you could bring them to me...and you're already doing that!, Zyron explained, looking twistedly happy.
But...but...why would you need me to bring them to you? , I asked the Beheeyem quietly, the rage building inside me.
Then Zyron...started to laugh.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! WHY SHOULD I TELL YOUUUU, he laughed, sounding twisted.
You need to tell me!! , I said, sad, Do you not care about your son...who had...a hard life here...a year ago? , I asked him quietly, looking sad.
Hard life? A year ago? Hahahahahahah, why should something that happened a year ago matter? You're not even my biological son!!, he said, in a twisted and crazy way.
I became silent...
Zyron calmed down and approached me, floating towards in a really eerie way, Very well...if you want your last questions to be answered, come to Kronox...you and your group...and I'll tell you everything..., he said calmly as the landscape around us started to fade... And I was–
Becchel (Patinkins' Inn)
–back into my room...
I was floating...
...away from my bed...until I fell down with a thud.
Edited by Theyja on Dec 3rd 2018 at 7:12:09 PM
You might know everything I'm going to do...but that's not going to help you, since I KNOW EVERYTHING YOU'RE GOING TO DO! STRANGE, ISN'T IT?[Patinkin's Inn]
"Yeah", said Nephenee, curling up on her bed, "I think we've just about reached the tipping point for this journey, I'd say. All that's left is to confront that Vespiquen tomorrow, and her supporter-base is dwindling while ours grows. We can't be too relaxed, though. This is where we need to be extra careful with everything."
"You're right, it's kind of crazy to think about how it's all not over yet", said Gerome, scratching the back of his neck, "Even once dealing with this L'Arachel lady is done with, I'm gonna have to head back to Narcia and hope that the other guild members there managed to hold base fine while I was gone. Honestly, from day one of being back I was concerned if those damn Kriemhild mons that Dorian was dealing with would come back and take issue with the new administration that wouldn't want to fund their war. Hopefully they don't revisit too soon and arrive when I'm not there."
"Of course. That is perfectly understandable", said Montresor before levitating his steel pins out and placing them neatly for the Neyad to pick up.
Notte pulled out and Iron Ball and placed it similarly, saying, "I suppose this constitutes as a weapon..."
Patinkin Inn
Oh, of course we've hit the tipping point. But at the same time, even with our group growing bigger it still doesn't mean that they'll go down without a hell of a fight. And we've got our own stakes in this. Me, I'm still hoping that I can find that kid and that he didn't meet his unfortunate end when you guys ran into L'Arachel earlier..
Kevin's expression drops a bit, then picking itself back up.
Well, no matter what, we should hit the hay now so we're ready to get moving in the morning, yeah? Well if you're thinking that way too, then good night.
Kevin curls up in bed, starting to drowse off for the night.
Edited by Team42Larson on Dec 2nd 2018 at 1:57:09 PM
June 27thBecchel
(Dodie's ears perk up upon hearing Gerome mention Kreimhild, given that she, Cole, and Gene are from there.)
Huh, th' three of us used t' live in Kreimhild, actually. That dumb war is pretty much the reason we left there and moved t' Denalsi, actually. (She remarks. She sighs disdainfully.) Ugh, we just can't get away from it no matter where we go...hope that guy's pop just shows 'em the door and they leave without a fight. That last part's probably wishful thinkin', though.
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."[Patinkin's Inn]
"Yeah, we'll have time to discuss it more in the morning...", Nephenee yawned before nodding off for the night.
"You were in Kriemhild before? Must've been tough. Their restrictions on what types were allowed in were reportedly much worse back in the day, as much as they deny it now", said Gerome, "I highly doubt there'll be much of a clash for Narcian. At first, at least, since they usually just send some bottom-of-the-barrel soldiers or messenger for their business here. God forbid they send one of their Generals or even The Inquisitor there in response."
The Nidoking shifted to lay down and continued as he stared at the ceiling, "But I'll get to that when it comes to that, for now we have a certain bee to swat first and foremost."
Becchel (Gerome and Dodie)
I was actually born and grew up there. (Dodie says.) And yeah, it was tough...learned pretty fast how mean people could be. School was so hellish with all the kids who were raised t' not like Grass-types that my mum just pulled me out and homeschooled me. I figure if it weren't for Cole, Gene, and Mouse, I'd probably hate Fire-types just as much as some of 'em hate Grass-types...
(She sighs.) Sometimes I think about goin' back, but I never do.
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Becchel, The Patink-inn
"Woodruff Stribling. Nice to meet ya, too." He walks inside...no...no, it's not gonna be like that. He doesn't have to be worried. There's separate beds, too, that's good—separate beds!
He places his bag on the floor beside the bed and cranes his head down to remove his goggles, placing them on the nightstand between the two beds. "So...how'd ya get to knowin' this group? I met 'em in Silversand, I was clerkin' at the inn when the guild..." No, it wasn't the guild. "It was Mila 'n Eliot, those two came in with orders from the guild to house their whole group." He remembered the look on Eliot's face, he looked kinda scared...though he supposes that lends some credence to what Mila had suggested to him earlier that day.
[She hugs me. I sit up and weakly return it. I wish I knew what was going on, Mila, but...I don't. The most I can think of is that...my body is doing things outside of my own control, and actually doing things. Being angry, getting me here...and I'm...asleep? Maybe it's just a sleep thing. Or maybe, right now, I just need sleep.]
"You're not, Mila..." [I break away from the hug and go to pull back the sheets, crawling underneath them. I'll change in the morning.]
"...why is Noriaki glad—" [I hear a thud in the other room...]
[...it's nothing.] "...why is he happy about all this? What gave him the right..."
The Neyad picks up the items and places them on her bed, bringing out a chest from underneath the bed. The chest itself is tightly reinforced, perhaps able to buckle, but hard to tear, and the lock on the chest is special; only those trained to open the lock, by paw or claw or tendril, or the most acute of psychics could open it up. She had to train for three months to operate it under a friend of her father's; it's a common enough lock on this island and others, if not inexpensive and only used for items that require utmost security, but despite that, many who have the lock cannot open it themselves. She knows it was devised by some master Slak locksmith in a bid to outmaneuver his rivals, only for it to bite him in the ass when it became so good to be completely unsuitable for practical use, but that's all the history she knows, or needs.
In about ten seconds, the chest is open, using the same key it took to lock the door. She places the weapons inside it and closes it, the lock resetting as the lid of the chest is clamped back down.
"It's quite interesting you've invested yourself into mastering telekinesis, Noctowl." She pushes the chest back under the bed and turns around. "The psychic acuity of your species is notable for your deme, but not many Noctowl take time to hone their telekinetic abilities, or so my superior has told me." She sits on her bed and pinches the bridge of her snout with her claw, clearly tired.
"...there's another Neyad I know of, a Noctowl as well, and a burgeoning telekinetic. You have those pins of yours, but he, he's developed a technique to move things away from himself as he fights. A projectile, an incoming claw, even fire and ice...he could just about stop a Quick Attack in its tracks with enough..."
...she's getting a little too friendly for her own comfort, and sentimental—it was an impressive display by her fellow Neyad, something that's awed her to this very day (and something to be jealous of), but it's not something she needs to gab on about, especially to those outside the wings of the Becchel Guard. And though they've said otherwise... "...it's not important. Perhaps we should just sleep while the night is young, lest a cold seize us."
[Patinkin's Inn]
"Ah, well... Who knows. Maybe someday things will calm down over on Peace Island and it can be a nice, free place for everyone", said Gerome, "... But that's just wishful thinking, I guess."
"Welp, I guess we should sleep, be ready for tomorrow."
"I see... This individual sounds interesting", said Montresor, "I could do similar things, but only with enough focus and putting strain on myself. The development of my style was simply because Mind was something I was naturally gifted with back home."
"You raise a good point, it would be wise to attempt to sleep now", Notte agreed with the Neyad, "I suppose this is goodnight, then."
Becchel (Dinah and Woodruff)
(I think back to when I first met everyone as I shed my blouse.) It's...kind of an odd story, actually. Some time ago, I happened upon Benji, the Ditto who'd eventually become my partner, in Agartha while helping him to find his wallet. We had barely started looking when an Onix abducted him. I went and found everyone who he was with, and we went journeying through the underground caverns below Agartha in search of he and several other Pokémon who were also kidnapped. I've never been too far away from them since. It's been an incredible adventure, but also a very harrowing one at the same time...
(I sit down upon my bed and continue reflecting.) ...To think that if I had simply passed Benji by that day, I would never have met and fallen in love with him, found Lucy, or gone on all of these adventures I normally would only read about...
Becchel (Dodie and Gerome)
You 'n me both, mate, you 'n me both... (Dodie sighs, shifting around a bit until she reaches a comfortable position to sleep in.) Well, night...
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Becchel, the Patinkin's
"And what if I want to quit? I even made my girlfriend hate me today... Tch, maybe this is what I get for not wanting to fight."
Autumn tries to put stock in what Whitney is saying, but it just doesn't match up with what she's experienced today. Maybe in the morning she'd be able to understand the Growlithe's optimism. For now, she's under the covers and could hardly care where Whitney chooses to sleep.
"Good night, Whitney..."
"I never talked to him yet, I don't know."
you don't know a lot of things, Mila. You don't care to notice them
As Eliot tucks himself in, Mila gets off of his bed and looks to the door. She wants to go outside badly, get a chance to clear her head of all the interpersonal mess that she'd made in just the past few minutes. But not yet, not until she can do it alone. She needs to be alone for this.
"I think I'll stay up just a bit more... good night, Eliot."
Edited by Cabe_Bedlam on Dec 2nd 2018 at 2:59:54 AM
I need to update these things more often"Hey, no, wait! She doesn't hate you, she's just-"
She's quickly shut up with a fast, somber goodnight.
"... G-Goodnight, Autumn."
Whitney curled up at the foot of the bed, unable to shake that ol' cold shoulder feeling.
Tomorrow's another day, she thought as she slowly fell asleep.
I'm Huney B now. Okay?Becchel, The Patink-Inn
The name Benji's a familiar one. "Yea, I know that guy, kinda. He was a sailor...had his own little boat 'n everything. It's crazy all that happened to ya...kidnappin' 'n all that." One name sticks out, however. "Now Lucy...you're not talkin' about the girl from the hardware story, are ya? The Infernape?" Did she know Lucy? Was she missing, is that what she meant by the "found" thing? The fact this could've been a different Lucy entirely completely slipped his mind.
"...night, Mila." [It's okay, I shouldn't expect her to know...should I even talk to him about it? Yea, he got his friends back, but...]
[...no...it was my fault what happened. I just...I don't get it...maybe I'm just envious...he gets everything he could've wanted out of it, and all I get is bullshit. And he has the gall to tell me to suck it up.]
"...don't stay up too late, okay, Mila?" [I can't sleep myself. I'm too fucking pissed...I feel sick again...]
"Yes, good night." She swivels around, making sure to face the two as she closes her eyes, waiting to drift off to sleep.
Edited by BlackMageAnolis on Dec 2nd 2018 at 9:50:00 AM
Becchel, the Patinkin's
"I won't, Eliot."
Mila hesitates for a moment, watching Eliot until she's sure that he won't follow her. Once she's managed to assure herself of that, she drops her bag, bandanna, and necklace to the ground next to the door. She doesn't want them weighing on her right now. As she leaves their room, she drops her key on the desk for safekeeping off of her person, and waves at her host as she exits the inn.
Slipping outside, Mila takes to the streets and starts walking straight forwards, focused in on herself instead of Becchel's nighttime ambiance. She makes the barest note of which inn they're staying at so that she can find her way back, but she doesn't expect that it'll be soon.
Why? That's the question, isn't it. Why am I the one— no, that's not it. Don't flatter yourself, nothing about this is special and unique to you. Everyone is suffering.
A crack in the boardwalk catches her eye, and causes Mila to divert her path just enough to skirt around it, keeping her pace up and her thoughts focused. Her bag and bandanna are back at the inn, leaving her indistinguishable from any other Raichu on the street to someone unfamiliar with her.
But still, why? Why are we all suffering? Why am I taking it so poorly? I'm making it worse on them, of course. But they don't give up on me. Despite all that's happened. Despite all the other pressure.
The light grows slightly dimmer, as Mila finds herself leaving the central hub of the town. She keeps on forging ahead, however, not particularly caring as long as she can see something, and her marginal luminescence makes that simple.
But it does show, doesn't it. They are hurt, they are still getting hurt. Can I even imagine how much it hurts? No, not when I'm like this. Not when I'm one of the reasons everything keeps spiralling down.
Eventually the boardwalk drops down to the ground and the road ahead leads to an open clearing, a rocky moonlit beach offering itself up to introspection and a view. Only the former is relevant to the Raichu however, as she steps off of the path and into the grass between herself and the sand.
I hurt people who trust me. David, I thought I could save him. I thought I could help. I didn't think, though. And now he must hate me. How is his life like? Any better than Niles, who ran because I didn't show that I cared for him? He's a shell...
Feeling the terrain underfoot shift once more, she finds a flat clearing in the sand and keeps still there, looking ahead at the ocean and the moon as it rises up, but not seeing past her own thoughts.
And now, Autumn and Eliot too. If I hadn't gone and run today, if I had made a better choice would they have been scarred the same way? Why is it that everyone else gets hurt and not me? Why do I see the result of my suffering in other people? It should have been me, I was the one making mistakes. I was the one who should have been hurt! "It shouldn't have been like this!"
As her emotions build, her body begins shaking and lightning begins to coalesce in front of her. Sparked by her emotions, the charge is dangerously large, sending tendrils of electricity in every direction. Not thinking clearly, the raichu lets the lightning shoot up into the air and watches it swirl above her. She'd been able to absorb energy like it before, but that wasn't what she wanted now. Instead, the raichu pulls it back towards herself in a breakneck fashion, letting it plunge like a dagger into her chest.
The raichu's body falls to the ground, a spray of sand coming up around it as it lays there motionless. The electricity had surged through her, taking the easiest path it could find to the ground below. After the crack of thunder the beach is almost silent except for the breaking of the waves on the shore.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
And, of course, the staggered breaths of the raichu.
I can't. I can't do it. I can't fail them. I can't ignore this. I can't ignore what they told me. I can't leave L'arachel unpunished. I can't refuse to help.
She lays there for a moment, her body aching but still living. Slowly, she lifts herself up from the position the lightning had knocked her down to, and pulls her tail from the sand. All the energy from the lightning bolt had coursed through it at the last moment and dispersed harmlessly into the ground underneath. A newly-formed fulgurite shifts as she hits it with her tail, prompting her to dig it out and set it on her lap as she examines the testament to the lightning's power.
I have to protect them. I have to follow my instincts. I have to use this to make sure they don't get hurt again. I have to be there, so I can be the one to be hurt instead. I have to be strong. I am strong, if I got this far.
Dusting off the unfused sand from the fulgurite, the Raichu observes her unintended creation in greater detail. The mineral is long and narrow, splitting at a single point near the bottom of its length.
I need to protect them, like they protected me. I need to make sure they're okay, that they don't suffer any more. I need to use this to defend them, and myself. I owe them, and I need to repay it. I can repay it.
The Raichu looks over her surroundings for one last time, before deciding to snap off the offshoot stem of the fulgurite and keep it for herself. She leaves the rest in the sand, letting gravity sink the larger part back down into the ground, burying it where it will remain hidden. Taking a deep breath of the salt air, Mila looks up from the sand to the moon, noticing its full roundness for the first time this night. Though her body is sore, something inspires her to sing, something she'd abandoned for some time. Now it was time to pick it back up, though. Everyone could use the motivation
.
"Make my wish come true, let darkness fade to light
Show me there's still hope, show me it's not over
Battles we can win, our struggle lies within
Will we live to greet the dawn?
Love will not leave you, hate will not heal you
Promise me one day that peace shall reign."
I need to update these things more often[Noriaki's Dream]
As he drifted off to sleep, Noriaki had ended up dreaming once again.
He found himself as a human, but not the same as he was before. He felt stronger, his suit darker and a cloak worn over. His top hat was present as well.
There was simply a large, grassy field. In the distance he saw a large tree standing on a hilltop, with a full-figured woman in a pink dress standing right next to it, shielded by the radiant sun by the tree's shade. She was gazing out in the opposite direction that Noriaki was in.
Noriaki recognized her in an instant and began making his way closer.
"Hikari!", he called to her as he was close enough. The woman turned around, her red eyes looking him over curiously.
"... Noriaki", she said, seeming somewhat mousy both in voice and expression.
"Hikari, I..."
"I am sorry, Noriaki."
"... What?", Noriaki said, looking confused.
Hikari solemnly looked to the ground.
"..."
"... I should have never told you that I was developing feelings for you in return", she breathed out, "I gave you hope that only let you get hurt by them even more. I am not worth loving anyway. I-"
"Hikari, that is enough", Noriaki said firmly as he approached, "Do you not understand that it was that new glimmer of hope that had inspired me to keep going? To stand against her even more? To realize that... I did not need her?"
"But Lady L'Arachel is just so... Powerful, intelligent, beautiful... I am... Not", Hikari explained herself, "I could never match her power and riches, I am not intelligent at all, I could never even dream of being as beautiful as her... I am not even a real woma-"
"Stop that right now", said Noriaki as he reached out and took the woman's hands, "Hikari, you are twice the woman that wench is. Your heart is... A greater treasure than L'Arachel's entire war chest could ever dream of being."
Hikari smiled and brought one of Noriaki's hands to her cheek.
"Thank you... You are far too kind", she said, "... But please be sure to tell that to the real me."
"... What?"
"Noriaki, you know that this is your dreamscape. Your mind's fortitude made you aware of that", she explained, "... So you do not have to suffer during these nights any longer."
" Honestly, I am sure you were growing tired of the sight of me every night. "
"Wha- L'Arachel?!", said Noriaki, jumping away from the woman appearing behind him, "... No. A mere figment. Right."
" Aw, you are rather cute when you are flustered ", said L'Arachel(?), " That aside, you know that I am probably proud of how you seem to be carrying on. As much as you are hampering my ambition. "
"Ah yes, I suppose the pain you provided was good coal for my fire to be stoked from", Noriaki laughed, "I am essentially your creation, after all."
L'Arachel(?) laughed in response, " Well, you are not exactly wrong to say that. But enough of that. Are you prepared to simply make merry for the night? Well, I imagine it will be you two. I know that I most likely have no place here any longer. "
Noriaki looked back to Hikari.
"... Just make sure to give me a lavish welcome like I know you would, phantom thief."
[Hikari's Dream]
Managing to go to sleep once again as she endured her confinement, Hikari had fallen in to a dream.
She saw herself and Noriaki, as she had remembered the two of them looked previously...
... Overlooking a large mountainous region made of assorted sweets.
"How absolutely lovely!", the pink-clad woman said, "Noriaki! what is the most convenient way to get down there?"
"There seems to be a large slide going down this mountain we are on", the butler informed her.
"Perfect!", she said, moving to the massive slide that was definitely there before, "Get behind me, Noriaki, we are aiming to land on that massive, soft-looking cake."
"E-Eh?"
Getting in to position of the slide, Noriaki put his hands to Hikari's waist before saying, "A-Are you sure this is safe?"
"Do not be such a worrywart, Noriaki!", she assured him, "Sweets will not kill you!"
"... Not physically and immediately, at least. But that is not here nor there."
The two went down the massive slide and launched forward, landing on the cake that bounced them for a bit like a gigantic pillow. Several smaller sweets spawned from the icing.
"That was... Surprisingly pleasant", said Noriaki before picking up an ice cream cone and beginning to lick it.
"You see, I told you it would not be dangerous. You even enjoyed it! It was good fun", said Hikari before stuffing a doughnut in her mouth, "In fact... You could say that it was... Sweet."
Noriaki was silent for a few seconds before he burst in to hysterical laughter. Hikari's own laughter made a symphony of chortles between the two.
The two passed a fun time going through the land of sweets, gorging on various pastries and candies, and thankfully finding a lake of milk before long.
However, they eventually came across somewhere rather different as night fell. There were massive brick ovens around, all of them intensely ablaze and taking in and spitting out meat.
"... Something does not feel right", Noriaki noted.
" You can say that again, you mischievous vassals of mine. "
Hikari and Noriaki turned to see a tall, sumptuous woman in a fancy dress complemented with a dark shawl and opera gloves. She had somewhat heavy make-up on, including black lipstick. By her side were two other vassals, one with black hair and one with long brownish hair.
"Lady L'Arachel, we-"
" Were not awaiting orders from me and goofing around ", the noblewoman tersely cut off, " Montresor, Notte, and I were still able to hunt down and begin cooking the Frankfurter Rebels, but it was not as easy as it could have been if you had just been around. "
L'Arachel held up a frankfurter in a bun and aggressively scarfed it down, her glare not breaking.
"We simply got lost within the mountains of sweets, we were having too much f-"
" That is no excuse ", said L'Arachel, angrily.
"Does it look as if we care that you two are licking each other's wounds? Why is so much to ask you still show undying loyalty to L'Arachel?", Montresor asked.
Right after he had said that, the noblewoman had suddenly bitten his arm off. She flicked it and it became meaty sandwich that she began eating. Montresor did not even flinch.
" Toss Noriaki in to the pyre. Hikari, I am going to throw you in to the refrigerator until I am capable of properly seasoning and preparing you ", said L'Arachel, here red eyes suddenly aglow as her grin became inhumanly wide, " You have enough meat on you already, but maybe we can fatten you up more to make all the more food for my glorious self, you...! "
Noriaki began being dragged away as L'Arachel's still widening grin opened and went forward to dig teeth in to Hikari's flesh...
Just then Hikari woke up in cold sweat.
After repeated gasping, Hikari's sense returned as she put two hands to her face and sobbed lightly.
"Just a dream... Just... Hah...."
The red-eyed Pokemon looked over to a plate she had long-since cleared of it's contents.
"... I must stop delaying the finishing of my food for later, eating before bed seems to cause nightmares", she said to herself before turning around in her bed, "Still... It was very pleasant at first. I pray that we can see each other again, in circumstances that will allow us to simply live as we are. That pleasant trek through a land of sweets... There may be no such place, but hopefully we may experience such a fun day like that."
"... Or a sweet experience like that."
"..Snrk."
Becchel (Dinah and Woodruff)
No no, I do mean a different Lucy. (I quickly clarify.) She is an eight-year-old Riolu who used to live in Orichalcum until a former member of Eliot's party went rogue and murdered her parents along with a number of others. Lucy was left without anyone, so we took her in. Benji and I will probably take it upon ourselves to raise her once we're all back together.
Becchel (Dodie)
(With memories of growing up in Kreimhild dancing around in her mind, Dodie ends up having a dream...)
Dodie! Dodie, dear, it's time to rise 'n pop! (Dodie hears her mother's voice calling her. Stirring awake, she finds herself in her old room at her parents' home in Kreimhild. She also notices that she's a Bulbasaur. She looks around her room and sees it just as it was when she was little. Her various belongings scattered messily around (she never was a particularly tidy individual), a few vines hanging from the stone walls and ceiling, and the chunk of Never-Melt Ice sitting in the middle keeping things cool for her.)
Oh, Dodie! (Dodie whirls around to see her mother, a Magmar, smiling down at her.) Oh, uhuhuhu, you are awake!
G'mornin', Mum! (Dodie hears herself say (in a voice much younger than she is now).)
Hurry up 'n get ready, sweetie! (The Magmar says.) An old friend of mine is coming over and I'd like for you to meet them!
Ohboyohboyohboy! (Dodie chirps.)
(The next thing she knows, Dodie is in her old house's dining room. Her mother is sitting there with a pleasant smile on her face while a middle-aged Heatmor sits across from her, staring down at Dodie. Dodie knows exactly what she is remembering at this point.)
Teresa, you...erm...you didn't tell me that...ahem...the child you adopted was... (The Heatmor stammers to Dodie's mother.)
She's gorgeous, isn't she? (Teresa says proudly.) Xavier and I been raising her since she was a baby.
Erm...yes... (The Heatmor says in a rather condescending tone.)
("Why am I reliving this? I don't want to remember this!" Dodie grumbles.)
Do you...go out in public with...? (The Heatmor asks, trailing off.)
Of course I do, Maurice. (Teresa says, her face falling.) I know how...Pokémon can be, but most don't bother her.
Are you certain you should be doing that? (Maurice asks.) Teresa, you are an esteemed soldier in Kreimhild's army and your husband runs the most successful inn in town. Have you considered what being caught raising one of those could do for your reputation?
(Dodie watches Teresa's expression go rigid and her flames start glowing a bit brighter.) Yes, I have, and anything that happens as I raise Dodie will be worth every heartache. (She says.)
Will it be worth it when you and Xavier are out on the streets after people stop coming to Xavier's inn because they won't feel comfortable with that Bulbasaur there? (Maurice scoffs.) In the long-term, simply turning it over to the local orphanage would be a better investment.
(Teresa's flames glow harder and bigger, and she looks angrier. She stands up.) You don't know that. And Dodie is not an "it". She is a sweet young Bulbasaur who will grow up to be beautiful Venusaur who will be able to lead a normal life either here, Shinrin, or anywhere.
You always did have trouble thinking of negative consequences of your actions. (Maurice scoffs.) Mark my words, Teresa, nothing good comes out of associating yourself with weeds.
(Dodie feels herself backing away as Teresa turns livid at that last word.) Get out. Right now. You will NOT call my daughter that.
Well, you yourself used to c-
I said GET. OUT!! (Teresa roars as she begins backing Maurice toward the front door, still furious.) GET OUT! NOW!!
(This was the point at which Dodie ran to her room in confused fright, but Dodie wakes up before she gets that far. She groans. She'll never forget that day when she realized what some Pokémon thought of Pokémon like her. She sighs in relief for a bit, knowing that she's now at least in a place where most people don't care what type of Pokémon she is and that there are plenty of Fire-types unlike that horrible Maurice who love her for who she is like her adoptive parents and Cole and Gene.)
(Dodie pushes the memories of Teresa's fight with Maurice out of her mind and tries to think of the good times she's had with her friends as she nods back off.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."She Came Back
Whitney woke up... somewhere. She had no idea where she was, but she could tell she was somewhere very dark.
The floors seemed to be polished tiles, but from the incredibly limited vision she had, it seemed to go on forever...
"...?!?!" Quickly, she begins panicking. Was she drugged and brought here? Was the whole party just some sort of trick to get her wrapped up in some horrifying cult? Was Autumn in on it?! So many questions rang through her head until a loud, ear-piercing cackle interrupted her.
"Wakey wakey, Whit..." The cackling voice says, once it finishes.
"Huh?! hey, hold on, where am I?!" Whitney quickly responds, panic settling in deep. "W-Will you let me go?! Is this cuz I forced my way into this group?!"
"Oh, no no no!!" The voice answers...
... as the lights turn on, revealing the room is actually rather small, with a Granbull wearing a colorful cloak on the other end.
"I just wanna talk!"
The fearful mood quickly dissipates, but Whitney can't help but still feel anxious. "This doesn't answer anything! Why am I here?!" The Granbull looks on, clear confusion on her face. "Wow. I mean... I knew you were stupid, but that's something. You're dreaming, Whitney."
And now the anxiety dissipates too.
"... oh."
"Anyway! I saw you reached the party at long last and I thought it was reasonable to celebrate! Do you remember meeee...?" The Granbull asks, making a twee, silly expression.
"No, not really."
"Oh yeah, you weren't around for that, were ya? Were nice and in the inn, sweet little minor character... I'm Anastasia, Royal Advisor when I'm not bored, and ender of the world when I am!" Anastasia cheers. Whitney doesn't seem so impressed. "World doesn't seem too ended..." Anastasia's happy look changes to a bitter one. "Oh, I got beat up, let it be. Anyway! I came by with a message from beyond the grave! Just minus the fact that I'm not dead!"
"Really? Well what is it then?" Just as Whitney speaks, The room falls apart, revealing an absolutely massive forest with trees towering to the heavens, mushrooms the sizes of small cabins, and chirping crickets and cicadas all around them.
"Pretty, isn't it?" Anastasia sighs. "Well, not really, the whole thing kinda gets deflated when you mention clearly that it's a dream..." Anastasia feigns shock, throwing her paw to her forehead. "Oh, my! For an idiot, you sure are chatty! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway! I just wanted to talk to you about what'll happen now that you're in the group! First off, let's talk about that dreamboat you saw." Whitney seems confused once more.
Maybe there were a couple dreamboats?
"Noriaki! The bird! That's it. Anyway, he's sort of the big boy for this adventure. He's headed out to beat up his old spark for some reason. I dunno, wasn't paying attention to the motivations. I just watch the action!" Whitney speaks up, interrupting her. "That's a really bad way to enjoy stories, though!" Causing Anastasia to dart over, right to her face. "I CAN WATCH MY MOVIES HOWEVER I WANT, OKAY?! WHAT ARE YOU, MY MOM?!"
...
The two are silent for a good while, before Anastasia teleports to where she was.
"As I was saying, she's a serious bitch! Not literally, like you and I." Whitney interjects. "Right." The Granbull smiles before continuing. "She's mean. Like, mean! We'll only see how far that gets her, but she makes me seem like a grade school teacher with her attitude! And she has the power to back it up. She turns people into bees! Bees!"
Whitney definitely seems concerned, but Anastasia doesn't stop. "I'll tell ya, these are the darkest times for the group. In fact, I can even tell you why you showed up and everyone was so drab and sad... And boring." There's another long pause,
before
Whitney
coughs.
"It's cuz a bunch of people died!!" The Growlithe almost falls down with sudden shock. "WAIT A MINUTE, WHAT?!"
"Well, they were hardly alive at that point, just regular drones. But still, just swish!" Whitney's eyes are wide as dinner plates at this point, completely terrified.
"... how badly did I mess up to come along."
"OH! Terribly, you will die. Maybe not in this chapter, but you will someday!!"
Suddenly, the sun begins raising over the forest, causing Anastasia to sigh.
"Looks like my time's up. Gotta skedaddle now. Have fun though!!"
And just Anastasia vanishes, leaving Whitney all alone in this... forest. This big, big forest...
Oh dear.
I'm Huney B now. Okay?Becchel, Docks
It's the crack of thunder that brings Koss back to the bow of the ship. He rushes through the passageways with his orb in tow, wondering what could have caused that sound. The skies above had always seemed clear, so he has to imagine that it was a mon's actions. Once abovedeck, he notices that they've finally arrived in Becchel before being stopped by the captain of the ship.
"So, we've arrived."
"So ya have. Where'd that thunder come from, if ya know? It spooked me."
"There was some lightning visible to the north of here, outside the city limits. Seemed odd, it just hung in the air a bit before striking down."
"Ah've got a bad inclination 'bout this, but thanks fer lettin' me know. I'll get off a' yer hands fer now, and if yer still curious 'bout the trip plannin' just ask the Swords 'a Justice fer more info."
"Right. Take care."
Keeping his gaze focused where the captain had directed him, Koss pulls himself onto the docks of Becchel and begins sprinting towards the beach. Even if he's not rested, he hadn't expended much energy today, and anyways it was hard to ignore the adrenaline in his system. A mon using that much energy couldn't be an accident. As he reaches the city limits he tries to search out for any psychic markers, any signs of another mon nearby. He finds one, a surprisingly familiar one at that.
Mila! What in Arceus' name are ya doin' here?
... Koss? I could ask you that too. Aren't you busy with the guild?
Long story, but fer now d'ya know what's with the lightning strike that just happened? Were ya… responsible?
It's— yes. I don't feel like telling it, you just look through my mind yourself. It's all swirling around in there anyways.
By the time Koss reaches the beach, he can see the frazzled raichu he'd been communicating with in front of himself. At her suggestion he'd gathered the basic details from her recent memory, and can't help but rush in to try to hug her and ensure that she doesn't try anything risky again.
"The hell d'ya think yer doin' scarin' me like that? What'd the others think?"
"You're right... I was just so scared myself. I didn't think I could handle it, but I have to."
"Jus' don't try it again, okay? Nobody wants that. Now are we gonna get ya back?"
"I think I want to stay out here for a bit more, but I'll show you where we're staying."
Koss finally lets go of Mila, and sits next to her as they both look out over the ocean. After a moment of silence, Koss breaks it once more with another question for Mila as he tries to understand recent events with the aid of her memories.
"Woodruff— d'ya know why he's followin' yer group? Could I talk ta him? It's been too long, an' I've gotta tell him a few things."
"He… well if you know about L'arachel, she took his parents. He's staying with us, I don't know which room, but the hotel staff might."
"Well, damn... I shoulda heard about that sooner, huh? Some friend ta him I am... but thanks, Mila."
"Right, well let's at least enjoy this for a while more before we get going. It's not like anyone is up to miss us right now."
Edited by Cabe_Bedlam on Dec 2nd 2018 at 10:57:45 AM
I need to update these things more oftenBecchel, The Patink-Inn
"...o..." Woodruff's ears droop. His brow droops. His mouth droops. His tail quits flicking. "...ah, sweet Arceus..." It seems to have struck a bit of a nerve.
"...well...I'm glad she's safe. And...I just wanna say...thank ya for comin' along. For helpin' us out with all this. It's...scary, it's really scary, and sometimes, I just gotta put myself out there, and it's...insane. All a' this, it's insane." He breathes out a sigh. "But it's gotta be done...it's the right thing to do, isn't it? Even if I don't like it, it's gonna be so much worse if we don't do anything. So...thank ya. I know I've barely known ya, but...still I appreciate it."
He lays down, feeling...very decompressed...and yet it still weighs on him. Tomorrow, he thinks...he'll see them again tomorrow.
"...hey...if ya ever wanna find a good place to swim and take a load off without all the tourists, I know a place past the boardwalk. It's in front of the projects 'n closer to the factories, but it's just as nice as any other part of the beach." ...he was gonna say he'd be glad to join them all there, but there's the fact that he, uhh, sort of accidentally compromised his entire family's living situation. He was also gonna say that he could give Lucy some of his old goggles, but they could've also been destroyed in the fire. He's starting to reevaluate whether or not burning his house down really was the best thing to happen to him.
...tomorrow. He'll work it out tomorrow. "Well...goodnight, Dinah." He rolls over and shuts his eyes...
"...did she not think I'd notice?"
[I'm still fucking restless. I throw off the sheets in a panic...now they're more floorsheets than bedsheets. Bag. What's in my bag. God, I'm bored. I'm past crying (been doing a lot of that, my cheeks are still wet, and I've been shocking myself a little every time I try and wipe my eyes), I'm past raging (I haven't shocked the rest of the room yet, but I was about to several times)...I'd say I skipped a couple steps in the grief process, but I'm more jumping around, and I think I'm at denial. Denying myself the natural right of sleep. Put myself up for war crimes...]
[...now I'm crying again. And cold, dear god, I feel cold. Every way to feel like shit, I feel like shit. Fate scooped me up, swallowed me whole, and made me shit. And no, the thought of that doesn't make me any warmer, nor flustered...I need to invest in better metaphors. And stop crying, for Pete's sake, stop crying and GET SOME SLEEP!]
[...I'm still crying. I need it, frankly, I'd explode otherwise. That's a fate I wouldn't mind to have if I were all cozy and warm at home, but I'm not and I'd rather by anywhere else. And please do anything else, for the love of god...]
[...bag. What's in my bag. A loved one's head. More death, someone else dead, right there in front of me, that's exactly what I need. That'll make my day. My night. Night. I need sleep. I can't sleep. I'm too...everything. Except flustered.]
- [...hat. Jani's hat. Good god, have I missed her...or...Sarah...right. I put on the hat. ...I still miss her. I wonder what she's up to? And PJ...and Guy...and Andy kinda...and now I'm sad. Again. Or I just reminded myself I was sad. And frazzled. Not flustered.]
- [...a feather. It smells...like a bunch of other things. It smells like medicine. And dirt. And dumb me. That was not one of my proudest moments...actored instead of acting, how awful, all in some grand scheme to avoid confrontation or to be sneaky...well...when I actored, no one died. And now I'm sad again. And everything. Not flustered though.]
- [...sketchbook and pencil. I could draw. My eyes hurt, and half the time they're too soaked to see well, but I can draw. I give my eyes another wipe...this could be nice. Or sad some more. Or everything.]
[...or flustered. And for once, I feel warm. I wipe my tears from my eyes again...I lay down on my belly and start putting...pencil to...lord, this is hard to hold...I guess I'm gonna be dealing with abstracts here, I see, not that that's stopped anyone...ahh, shit dropped it...ahh, there we...got it, got it...]
[...maybe a different hand would be better. Salazzle's hands are surprisingly human-like...with a thought (and some of those dry snacks Mila gave me earlier), my hand is more easily equipped to grip. And...it looks ridiculous. It feels warm, too. I push up my chin and cheeks with this new weird hand of mine...it's a little awkward, the hand's still pretty big for this body...but it feels nice. Nice and sad. And frazzled. And tired. And everything. And flustered...]
...
Having spent some time drawing, and having spent, and having been rendered spent, a stupored Eliot files the feather in its proper place upon his cap, the papers in their proper place upon the floor, and the sheets in their proper place upon himself as he finally manages to get some rest.
...sniff...
...the Neyad dreams of a mighty ship. No reason why...there is a mighty ship. But the ship is infested. With ne'er-do-wells and treacherous sorts. They seek to tamper with the sails of the ship, or cut the ropes on the pullers, or break apart the rudder. There's an engine, too, they're also going after that: it's one of those Crystal City ships, the ones that belch with smoke and barely hold together. Not to mention they're hardly elegant.
She's tampering with this particular engine. Plot twist. And she's doing it very well...there's a certain amount of smoke that these engines billow and she's doing her darnedest to making sure it's putting out less of what's it usually puts out. A friend helps, then the deed is done. They move up above to take care of the sails.
The friend is clocked by another mon. She responds to the mon with her own claw. This continues for a little bit, but don't worry, the Neyad wins. Sometimes she doesn't, but she wins here. Helping the friend take care of someone else who roped them into a fight, she and them make their way to the main mast. She tears a hole in one of the sails with a Water Gun. Her friend scales the mast and begins slashing at it with shell swords. She takes a look around and marvels at the dest—
She snorts awake, her head hanging in the air a little as she registers she's just awoken. She lets her head fall back down...those particular dreams are always so interesting. It's only natural, as a guardian of the state and of the peace, to wonder what it's like to live the life of a criminal. Not good things, she assumes, but they have their fun, she also assumes.
...she eyes the two vassals sleeping opposite to her, then looks to the ceiling. From what they've told her of their stints as blackguards and wards to a repugnant and strange creature, she wouldn't say they had very much fun. And why would they; their disowned master, their hag, a loathsome creature to try disturb the king's peace and spirit away their people.
...the moon is out tonight. The moon sitting on the horizon, dancing above the ocean...it must be even higher now than it was before. She isn't normally one to do this, but she offers a prayer to Cresselia for the two vassals, for all of this ragtag group. Safe travels, full bellies, and that hag's head on a pike.
George kicks in his sleep, fast asleep in another nook that goes underneath and around behind the stairwell. His father snores loudly. His mother is not amused. Or asleep. She could barely sleep in this bed anyhow...she moves herself out of the bed, out of the nook...
"...you're still here," Marie says amused. The Casside opens her eyes, otherwise sitting motionless on the mat. "Yes," she answers in a demure voice "Is there an issue?"
"...nothing! Nothing's the matter. A Casside here, why, how lovely! Not in a room...and that doesn't matter, you wouldn't need to pay for it!" Marie's a little tensed by that fact. "A...wonderful little system..." She walks forward, only to collapse on the mat beneath her feet. Honestly, these should be the beds, not that haggard old downy stone her husband's sleeping on, bless his heart.
"...it's not a mandate. I'd be happy to pay if you need it." Marie is thankful for the Casside's kind words (and thankful she didn't say anything further...they do need it), but she can't help but laugh. "Please, if it were up to me, you'd pay double." Marie laughs some more. The Casside laughs, too. Good, good joke for all. "I don't know about that now..."
"Well, you can thank my husband for your free night here. And the Neyad's, too. And that...bird and the sickle." The Casside covers her mouth; how uncouth of her hostess. Marie rolls over, now laying properly. "He says it's a service. They serve us...by bringing in a belligerent buffoon or five, and we serve them right back by not getting the one thing we..."
Marie clams up, embarrassed. "...I shouldn't have been so naked about that. We're...we're not a business, we're a...a home away from home. We serve tea, we're on the ground, we have walls, how do people live with walls?"
The Casside scoots closer to Marie. "Methinks they just do. Like we live without them." Marie rests her head in her paws, still trying to sleep...despite her tail slowly flopping back and forth. Scooting closer, the Casside notices her hostess is just as restless as before. Thinking it would sooth her if she requested it, the Casside asks Marie, "Would you like for me to rub your head?"
Marie opens an eye to stare at the Casside. "...yea, why not? I know drinking any more of that tea isn't going to work." The Casside politely protests, "Your tea certainly helped me. To meditate, I mean." Marie smiles...her tea does something besides taste bland. It's a charming notion...a nice notion...she lets the Casside lightly, slowly brush her head. Her body raises and lowers slowly and subtly with her breathing...she inches closer to rest herself against the Casside's cloak, and the Fraxure keeps petting her.
...soon Marie is asleep, softly snoring. The Casside raises her hand and looks back towards the wall to meditate...
...the moon is out tonight...she saw it briefly as she was walking through the underside to the inn. And though she heard rumblings of thunder before, there doesn't seem to be any other sign of a storm...only the trade winds of the sea hissing through the cracks in the wall.
The Casside prays, too...to Cresselia, too...for all of this ragtag group, too. And Marie.
"May those who deserve peace receive it...may those who are lost be found in your light, or by any other light...and...above all else, may everyone have a good night's sleep."
Edited by BlackMageAnolis on Dec 3rd 2018 at 6:05:16 AM
Becchel
Thank you, Woodruff. I'm glad I've been able to help out with this alongside you and everyone else as well...even if I wholeheartedly agree that this entire ordeal is just beyond terrifying at times. (I shudder slightly, thinking about what just happened today.) And I will definitely keep that special beach spot in mind. Good night, Woodruff.
(I roll over and try to get to sleep. I am still anxious about what tomorrow may bring, especially since it will almost certainly lead to us facing L'Arachel for the final time. Will we win? Will we survive without any of us being transformed into Combees? Will we defeat her without more of them being brutally slaughtered?)
(Whatever ends up happening, I know that I must keep a stiff upper lip. I absolutely cannot have anymore panic attacks, faint, or anything else, even if overwhelmingly terrifying things are happening all around me. I have to stay in control of myself so we can save everyone and be able to go back home safely.)
(I try to keep these braver thoughts in mind as I close my eyes and try to sleep...)
Somewhere on the ocean
(A large wooden barge is moving along the sea. It was a treasure barge transporting some gold to a wealthy town on the mainland, but it was invaded and quickly taken over by Phoebe and her clan. In short order, Phoebe took control of the ship, quickly over-powered the crew with assistance from Georgés and her new-found magic skills, and transformed the crew into Clamperls. Some tattered hats, vests, and a necklace lie on the deck by several smashed rocks, the remnants of a Sludge Wave, and a wall with frantic scratches dug into it as an indication of that. The ship is now being used as a vehicle to get to Danjor Island faster.)
(Phoebe is above deck and watching the night sky shining down on the water as the boat slowly carries on, anxious to see Danjor Island appear on the horizon. It's as she's doing that that Gomer joins her.)
Hi, Mama Phoebe. (He yawns.) We there yet?
(Phoebe bristles slightly as Gomer has been asking this over and over again since they left, but she forces a smile and turns to him.) We're only a little bit closer than we were last time you asked, my child. (She says.)
(Gomer sighs and begins watching the ocean alongside Phoebe.) Y'know, Mama Phoebe, I was just thinkin', why couldn't we both be Salamences and be makin' people Bagons instead? (He asks.) Wouldn't that be more fun?
(Phoebe turns and glares at Gomer, in disbelief that he's still going on about his Salamence obsession.) Why-...you-...ahem, because this is what I've decided on, child. We have always been a Gorebyss and Huntail, so it's only appropriate that we use what we evolve from.
Sure would be fun, though. (Gomer sighs.) Then I could fly everywhere and try to find the nice cloud dragon in the sky...
(Phoebe sputters in disbelief that Gomer is also still going on about that stupid dream he had, but before she can say anything else, the door to below deck swings open so fast that it hits the wall, pops off its hinges and falls down onto the deck. An exhausted and rather sleep-deprived Georgés is standing there in his very disheveled Clamperl tux, surrounded by about eight Clamperls, covered in pinch-marks, and his fake mustache pointing away from his face at odd angles.)
Oh, Georgés, what is the matter now? (Phoebe asks (hoping that this will make Gomer forget about dreams and Salamences for a bit).) There had better be a perfectly good reason for you to have left the ship's wheel.
I desperately had to use the facilities, so I left to find the ship's restroom. (Georgés groans.) As I was on my way there, I caught several of the Clamperls in our Berry supplies tossing Berries overboard to watch them splash into the water. They had wasted a good third of what was there by the time I was able to stop them!
Oh dear...that simply will not do... (Phoebe groans.) There won't be enough berries to last us until we reach Danjor Island...
(She eyes Georgés and cannot help but make a cruel joke.) You had better hope we don't run out of Berries and get too hungry before we reach Danjor Island, Georgés, or we may be forced to use you as provisions.
Ooh, I've never eaten a Georgés before! (Gomer chirps.)
(Too tired to realize that Phoebe was clearly not being serious about them eating him (Gomer's cheerfully delivered comment certainly didn't help), Georgés' expression changes to one of utter terror.) NO!! PHOEBE! PLEASE! I BEG OF YOU, THERE MUST BE SOMETHING ELSE FOR US TO FIND SOMEWHERE! (Georgés cries, dropping to his knees in front of Phoebe and Gomer.)
Like what? (Phoebe says, giving Gomer the stink-eye and finding Georgés' desperate begging for his life to be more pathetic than anything else, particularly since he apparently didn't realize she was joking about the clan eating him.)
There's...there's...I don't know! I'll think of something! Just...please don't eat me... (Georgés sobs as he tries to think of something, anything, that would take him off the menu (that he is not actually on). Then, something occurs to him.) Yes...yes, I know of a place! I have an old friend who has a cousin who owns a very large Berry farm in a small Berry-farming village!
Where? (Phoebe asks.)
(Georgés whirls around and goes below deck for a moment, soon coming back up with a map that was on the ship. He slams it down in front of Phoebe and Gomer and points to the northern side of Denalsi.)
"Blissparce"... (Phoebe reads. She gauges about how far out they are from it.) Well, we would only have to double back a little ways, but I suppose we do have time to spare. Danjor Island isn't going to go anywhere, I guess. Georgés, turn us in that direction at your earliest possible convenience.
Yes, Phoebe... (The now very relieved Georgés turns to return to the ship's wheel.)
Oh, and one more thing, Georgés... (Phoebe says.) I was only kidding when I said that we would eat you. I am certain we would have found another solution long before before resorting to using you as a food source. Haven't you ever learned to take a joke, you silly child?
....Oh...oh, it was a...a joke...I see... (Georgés stammers after a moment's silence, further relieved. He turns back to continue back toward the ship's wheel...then quietly groans and falls flat on his face in a dead faint after only taking two steps. Phoebe shakes her head disdainfully.)
Edited by kablammin45 on Dec 3rd 2018 at 4:49:16 AM
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."[Patinkin's Inn]
Late in to the night, the vassals stirred.
"Guh!"
"Hm...?!", mumbled Notte, getting up somewhat to check on his companion, "What is the matter, Montresor?"
"It... It is nothing", the Noctowl responded as his breathing slowed, "Nothing of concern... Just..."
"..."
Notte looked at Montresor solemnly.
"... It is L'Arachel, is it not?", the Bisharp guessed, "You were extremely attached to her. And I know that you had spent a lot of time with her. I imagine it was thoughts of her that lulled you to sleep at night and made you rest easy, was it not?"
Montresor sighed and responded, "... It is very difficult for me to believe that she is no longer a part of my life, let alone directly against me now."
"Aye, I may not have had the same reliance towards her, but it is somewhat dizzying how much had changed in that turbulent clash at the ruins", said Notte, "But now is the time to take those emotions and turn them against her. It is her who has conditioned you in such a manner with her grooming and punishment, and it is her that will face the consequences of her actions."
"I am aware, but...", Montresor sighed.
"... Believing her lies was far easier than accepting reality. I am aware that was what you had convinced yourself of", Notte had read easily from his comrade, "But now that Noriaki has pulled us out, we shall do what we had once vastly enjoyed; standing side by side as a team. This time, for what we believe in instead of a master."
Montresor nodded weakly before the lightening of rain caught his attention. He and his companion went over to the window. There was a moderate fog outside.
"The falling rain created fog", Montresor noted, "It is dense in some parts, but depending on where you gaze and how much focus is put in to that very gaze, it only slightly muddles objects. But it can just as easily obscure even the greatest mountains."
"True, true", said Notte, "But closer inspection and focus can show you anything, no fog has the power to delete something. The mountain that is obscured still exists, and is no less great or unmovable due to the fog that envelopes it. Although perhaps, sometimes somebody does not wish to see something... The fog facilitates that, makes it incredibly easy to feign ignorance on the existence of something. One could even lose oneself among the dense fog."
"Perhaps that is a blessing to some."
"Perhaps... But perhaps some think that way due to the hard rainfall that crashed on to the earth and became that very concealing fog. Perhaps The Original One wept as he saw something horrid or painful in the world They had crafted, and made the shroud of fog to obscure whatever it is that had made Them sob. But no fog lasts forever. Perhaps it was never intended to."
Montresor listened silently and added, "... Perhaps The Original One realized that They could not obscure whatever gave Them pain from Their sight forever. Or perhaps They eventually came to terms with whatever had made Them weep."
"But another follower of the rain is the rainbow", Notte brought up, "'Tis beautiful, there in the sky for certain, bringing out the colors of the world in an awesome display that does not obscure any of it. Perhaps 'tis gratitude. But it certainly is a sight I would take in over the bewildering shroud of fog any day."
"... Indeed."
The two watched the light drizzle and fog for a while. Eventually they return to sleep.

Patinkin Inn
As soon as Neph opens the door, Kevin walks in behind her and takes to one of the room's beds, laying out his notes as such on a table next to it.
What a day, huh?
June 27th