ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Bailey floats over to Rex's side. "Wherever Rex is going, I'm going. Count me in as well."

Foxfell

I sail my boat all the time! (Benji says.) So I could probably sail for ya, just sayin'. 'Less someone else wants tuh have a shot.

Shifter

Thank you so much... (The Dragalge says.) Just, please be careful.

Good luck out there! I think you're gonna need it... (The Kingdra says.)

(The fish mons move on toward their lagoon.)

Well, shall we carry on, then? (Bo asks.)

The Docks

Well I uh...alright, how about you all get on and try and settle it out but otherwise...you've got the wheel.

Richard moves to push down a sturdy stepladder for which to help the party climb aboard. He intends to stay to help see them off but once secure he will have no other choice but to stay on Harnicara.

I look over as the ladder gets dropped down before us. I gulp and feel some nerves coming on. Every journey begins with a single step, and this is a big one to say the least.

After you guys?

I offer to let the others climb aboard first.

The boat near WP

I'm ready.

Never the more ready.

Docks

No time like the present. (I made my way to the ship, almost anticipating a fight. Whatever it is, I have to be ready. As for what that Gorebyss is capable of or has in allies, I don't know. Regardless, we'll have to deal with them at some point.)

Salty nods.

"Alright, then, mateys, let's get going. Warn me if any of ye see somethin' suspicious while we're headin' there. Gotta keep on our toes after all."

And then starts steering to the other side of the island, for the dock found there.

Foxfell

"...Lucy...we were busy here, and..." How do I say this delicately. "...there was something that happened that...hurt me. Something...clicked in my head, and I've started seeing things differently, but...I'm not always myself." That won't make sense. "Literally." She can ask someone else about it.

I get down on one knee and put a hand on her shoulder. "I need time to...get myself together. Can you give me that, sister?"

Foxfell

(Lucy is still quite saddened that Eliot will not be joining them, and she is also now worried that something may be wrong with her best friend. What happened? What hurt Eliot so badly? She has so many questions she wants to ask him, but Lucy can see that everyone else is getting on her papa's boat and are probably waiting on her and Dinah. She realizes that she probably doesn't have time to ask him anything.)

(Lucy turns back to Eliot and nods.) Uh huh, Eliot... (She says, a bit sadly.)

(I climb onto the boat behind Marsha. I notice Benji looking back at Dinah and Lucy, who seem to be talking to Eliot. Is Eliot not coming? Did something happen that I missed?)

Shifter

(June, Renata, and the cursed mons settle in for the detour to the back of the island...)

The Docks

I hobble aboard the boat and take a seat wherever I can find one and take some time, perhaps the last quiet moment I'll have before we dust off, off to save the day yet again, to evaluate what we have going here. Our numbers are definitely not their full—for what it seems, Autumn, Niles, and now even Eliot (Mila too?) will not accompany us here. I feel like, as a result, I have to work twice as hard to make sure our depleted numbers see this thing through. But that's a very delicate balance to strike. My mind is, at present, going a million miles an hour, mostly thinking about how I could have tried to persuade Goobert out of it. But he did, for the mother of his lover, and landed himself in this mess. And that's why I'm shaken to my core, because it could've been me in that spot. Why wasn't it me? Why did it have to be him? I sigh, and address our rank.

Alright guys, I think given what we're up against we need to devise a plan to keep us together in a group, and how to defend each other, as long as we can once we get there. I..I'm going to try and help our effort in some way, despite my leg being in the worst possible state it could be in at this moment.

The boat (cursed mons)

Stellan plops back down on the boat where he briefly dozes off.

That won't be necessary, gentlemen, because this cave is about to—

Whuh? What was that?

He quickly snaps from the delusion.

Gazing at the boat, Noriaki took a moment to say to Hikari, "Well Hikari, I greatly appreciate being able to see you once again and reconnect, now I am called t-"

"Do not even finish that sentence Noriaki", the Aromatisse protested, squinting at the taller bird, "You are not about to ask of me..."

"... You always did understand me all too well... But Hikari, we face perils and horrors constantly, our closure with L'Arachel just now was but a few pages in a grander scope. It... It would not be safe for you to accompany me."

The Fragrance Pokemon shook her head, saying "Noriaki, was it safe of us to begin even thinking L'Arachel could possibly be wrong about something? Or to begin defying her orders? Was it safe for you to start seeking comfort with me instead of her? Was it safe for me to openly defy her for how she began treating you? Was it safe for us to plan to break away?"

Noriaki looked down sheepishly without saying a word.

"What I am saying, my dear Noriaki", she continued, "Is that you vastly underestimate me in placing so much concern over this."

"B-But, I still feel it would be the most safe if y-"

"Gods' sake, did you forget that I was the first of us to try and fight her?"

Noriaki's beak hung open silently for a moment. In seconds, he was chuckling to himself, his posture loosening a bit as he adjusted his cap.

"You have no intentions of letting me go by myself, do you?", he asked, sounding content with what he knows he'll be answered with.

"No, I truly do not. I believe you didn't want me to concede either", she said with a smile.

"Besides", Hikari said, already hopping onto the boat, "From what I can tell, you're group would appreciate a healer."

Noriaki held the brim of his hat down, shading over his eyes but still exposing his smile.

We'll walk together, then, he thought to himself before following.

"I agree", Noriaki said in response to Marlon's proposal, "It would be for the best if we stuck together, only at the absolute most splitting into two groups if we truly must divide our numbers at any point. At the very least, there should be one or two individuals who should watch our blindspots as we move, or perhaps use whatever extent of detection they have. We should also consider having some sort of nightwatch for wherever and whenever we may be resting."

Ship

(I offered an idea to the group.) Well, I can scout ahead if you want. No sense in charging at them without a plan.

Docks

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Rex asks Marlon.

Ship

Mila had blown off the mon who'd approached her earlier, neither remembering their face nor wanting to open herself up at the moment. So, as she boards the ship with those who are carrying on and distances herself from Foxfell and familiarity, she simply offers a cold glance at the other humanmons. Were they really so quick to accept this and be off? She'd had to rush away, not even getting a chance to say anything to Eliot in the process. She hoped Autumn would find him and help somehow, and reminded herself to put that in her first letter.

Sitting on the ship, listening to their plans, Mila has to bite her tongue as soon as Noriaki and Grigori mention splitting up to any degree. The former of the Decidueyes earns the greatest glare from Mila, especially as Hikari reminds her so readily of what she's been forced to leave behind for this.

"..."

The boat

Rex, try and do as we do, and you'll be fine. We...

I cast an aside glance and realize that Mila is not exactly happy with any of us, but with whom I cannot tell. Quite obvious why, however. Regardless, for whatever I would have said next I decide to change my stance.

Having a scout would be beneficial, but..we really have to stick together for as long as possible. If we have to split for whatever reason, we need to keep a link to one another. I didn't want to do this so soon, especially given the state of my leg, but, my best friend was captured by her. I feel like I have no other choice. It would crush me to see any of you befall to this very same fate. You guys are like family to me. And...if I do something without rationally thinking first, tell me.

Edited by Team42Larson on Aug 23rd 2019 at 7:48:33 AM

Noriaki narrows his eyes a bit and clarifies, "I was simply speaking in theoretical terms of *if* our ranks were to divide, I still advise against the idea of moving separately. As well as that, a scout could prove useful, but still ill-advised. The idea of everyone staying close is one that must be consistently stuck to to be most effective."

Foxfell (Boat)

I'll help keep yas in check, Marly, don't worry 'bout a thing! (Marsha says to Marlon.)

(I'm not going to lie, I would much rather we stick together, too. Not staying by Goobert was what caused us to lose him, anyway.) I'd rather us try NOT to split up for any reason at all. If we get separated, we'll definitely become a bigger target for Phoebe.

(I get distracted by the very bothered expression on Mila's face. What's her proble-...oh, right, Autumn and Nyquil aren't coming with us. That has to be it...)

Ship

(I nod to Nori, while continuing.) Right, but I'm just throwing a suggestion in case we have to split. We know what happened the last time we did that. As for how we approach this, we're going to expect lots of Water-types, which some of us has an edge over.

(I look to Nori and the Raichu to point as examples. Pacing aboard the ship, I continued to lay down the situation.) Yet most of those are likely her slaves, so we have to hold back on them. On top of that, she might also have something to bolster her forces, like hired muscle or weapons for example. So no matter how we approach this, we shouldn't expect an easy fight.

(With that in mind, I sat down, sighing to myself.) _{Talk about déjà vu.}

Edited by Ore-O on Nov 15th 2019 at 1:41:19 PM

Boat

Upon hearing Marlon suggest that Rex stay with the group, Bailey nods.

"Sounds good to me. I hope we'll get to know each other a little better along the way."

Ship

Mila notes the reactions to her glowering, and tries to push down her bitterness for now. Surely they have good intention, and it wasn't their fault everyone else left to take a break. Or was it? Whether it was anyone's fault in particular, it was clear that the actions they'd taken as a group led to all this pain and suffering. Or at least it was to Mila. What wasn't clear was what they'd done wrong, what needed to happen in the future.

They needed breaks, Mila knew that much. For their health, and for their mental health. Speaking of which... Mila had to wonder if hers was really doing any better. This last escapade had nearly done catastrophic things to her (and as always, thinking about this brought her paw into her bag to grab ahold of the fractured stone she kept with her from the event). Autumn and Eliot would have to help each other find the support they needed in Foxfell, Niles she hoped already knew where to find his reassurances.

Could they have gone slower? What if they'd never gone after L'arachel, never let Goobert go off on his own in that time? They needed to talk about it, and Mila couldn't bear to hear another word about their damn plans as if there was never a chance for anyone to stop. Who else would burn out if this kept going?

"Enough. That's... that's for when we arrive. We need to talk about what happened. Why I'm alo— why they left us, and what we're doing after. We can't keep doing this, pretending to be heroes."

Who am I to say all this? I barely even fought before, and they almost make up their own group without me. But if they despise it, I guess I can just go back to Foxfell... leave them to their breakneck adventures.

Foxfell

"...you know...it doesn't really make a whole lot of sense for you to go. I'm not saying you stay here, too, but...be careful. World's tough." Giving her a pat on the head, I stand back up, looking out towards the others on the boat. Not everyone is accounted for...Autumn, Niles are absent, probably behind me somewhere, I think I caught them in my periphery...makes sense, too, they probably wouldn't be...well after all that happened.

The boat

I simply nod at Bailey.

Mila is...actually right. Almost exactly what I've been beginning to believe as a result of everything that's happened in the last four to five days or so. We probably can't sustain this forever, I know I myself can simply not sustain this, even at this very moment. I needed time for my leg to heal, not to be sent down into the depths of the unknown this quickly. But even still, we must march on (for now).

I completely get that. For as much as it's been a...let's just say a different experience to have to play hero every time, it's grown tiring, mentally and physically. I think no matter what happens this time we need at least two days of rest after its all said and done. And from then on we need two things: one, more time to rest between doing one thing and then going to the next. Two, we need to actually think about whether we should take things up so easily or not.

Edited by Team42Larson on Aug 24th 2019 at 8:15:22 AM

I listen on the conversations, though I've naught to say. Searching my travelling bag, I fish out a stone imbued with the energy of an event long since past, along with a weather guide.

[I hope that the protector of the seas isn't in destructive mood to day. Fight through a storm is the last thing I want...]

Noriaki slowly nods.

"Aye", he said, "There is a growing fatigue I understand our lifestyle here thus far has had for everyone. It would be a lie for me to say that I haven't felt it myself. Truth be told, I am not the most enthusiastic about going on yet another quest so soon... But I cannot simply ignore the fact that our friend Goobert is in danger. And more personally... If this Phoebe woman truly was influenced and enabled by L'Arachel... I especially feel as if I have no choice but to go and disrupt her myself. As I have stated before, I have my own feeling of obligation and responsibility with related cases such as these, and I do intend to continue cleansing the world of the harm she's done, bearing the mental and physical strain as well. But I do not think less of anyone who has grown too exhausted for any of this. We are only mortal, after all. I do agree that, if we can, resting more before making any sort of action would be nice."

The Decidueye readjusted his collar before continuing, "The optimal plan for what to do afterwards... Well, simply put, to be able to live peacefully for the rest of the foreseeable future. I intend to continue 'pretending to be a hero' so as long as I continue to see the same evils that let individuals like L'Arachel exist, and hopefully the efforts carried out will help protect whatever peace our other comrades have found."

Hikari solemnly watched from where she was sitting. She seemed to have something to say, but only offered silent nods at a few points.

Foxfell (Boat)

(After Mila suddenly speaks up and calls us out for always trying to be heroes, I find myself seeing a little red because I don't even care about being seen as a hero like she seems to think we do. I just want to rescue Goobert. But letting Marlon and Noriaki speak ahead of me gives me the chance to cool down and gather my words.)

To be honest, right now for me, none of this is even about being seen as a hero by anyone. I just want to get Goobert back. I promised my mother that I wouldn't let anything like this ever happen to him. (I explain to her.)

(I heave a sigh, hoping what I'm saying is making sense.) But I understand what you mean completely, Mila. I don't want constantly getting into trouble like this and feeling like we always have to get up and stop it to be the norm for any of us, either. At this point, after we save Goobert, I just want to go back to Silversand where things are at least peaceful for more than a day at a time and we have little to worry about and stay there for a good long while.

I don't blame yas for feelin' that way eithah. At this point, I'm always expectin' somethin' new ta come up as soon as we get done dealin' with somethin' else... (Marsha says. Her legs give out from underneath her and she sits down.) Wish we could just go one week without some sorta crazy disastah happenin' like this....

Foxfell (Off the boat)

(Lucy does look at Dinah at this.) Mama, are you sure I can't just stay here?

(Dinah sighs. She feels selfish for wanting Lucy to stay with her, but...she has SO much she needs to talk to both Lucy and Benji about, and she would rather get that done with sooner or later and with all of them together in one place. Plus, once they get Goobert back (IF they get him back), the three of them can just go straight back home without having to make any other stops along the way. She doesn't even know where Lucy would stay when not with Eliot, Autumn, or Nyquil, either.)

Lucy, if it were under any other circumstances, I would probably let you stay here, but Eliot needs time to recover, and I have a lot of things that I need to talk to you and Benji about that I don't know if I can keep waiting on. (She says, looking very displeased about having to say this.) Where would you even stay here?

Uh...I dunno... (Lucy says, hanging her head.)

I'm sorry, Lucy, but you staying here just can't work out this time. (Dinah turns to see Benji waving at them from by the boat. He seems ready to get going.) We have to go...

(Lucy gives Eliot a hug.) Don't worry, Eliot, we'll get back here as fast as we can! (She tells him as she does so.)

Ship

(Something within me wanted to say something, but I still kept shut as I looked at the Raichu, not with anger but resignation. Maybe she's right. Maybe we're just throwing ourselves into danger and risking our lives. Still, this is a threat we might have to face in the future and we're getting rid of it before it can get any worse. As we continued to talk, a question came to me: why am I still here? Why am I sticking my neck out for these people? It's been a week since I first met them and already, I stuck my neck out for them at least five times. Is it even worth it now? Not wanting to press further, I looked at the bow.)

Ship

All the responses only end up confusing Mila more. If they really believe this, then why have they been going on like this? Was it just inertia and not giving it time to think ahead? The prospect of that frustrates her, not least because it means she could have done something sooner. She should have done something sooner.

"... If that's the case, then. We need to go back to Foxfell as soon as this is over, and rest. Let Autumn's family sort out anything that comes up."