Inn

If you people need me, I'll be in Room 20. (With that, I make my way to the room for the night.)

The inn

Before a'forget, everyone, yer keys are in litt'l pouches outside yer doors. Just grab the pouches, get yer keys, and yeh should be able t'get in.

After this statement Addie looks back toward Marsha.

Y'know, after a'met Brucie I nev'r thought I would've seen an odd couple like ourselves. I love 'im t'death but he can't get around very well without a cart. Kinda wish there'd be a way to change that, y'know? You're a lucky gal to have found a man like yer boyfriend who can at least walk on dry land, eh?

That's enough to generate a small laugh from the Houndoom before she marks down our room number as room 10, before she looks off in my direction.

Is he alright? Did somethin' happen to 'im recently?

Yes, please. I just...need a moment to sit.

I heave in and out in short breaths, feeling the same pain and exhaustion that led to my leg giving out last night, but this time with the variable of being able to keep upright thanks to the crutches.

Edited by Team42Larson on Sep 10th 2019 at 1:30:10 PM

Inn

"Thank you," Rex tells Addie. "Let's go, Bailey," he says to his friend, preparing to head to room 11.

Inn

(At the door, I picked up the pouch and took the key out. Seeing as I'll be alone in my room, I unlocked the door, entered the room, and locked it. Whatever may come up, I've got to be prepared for it. I just hope we're not too late.)

Judy's

(Dinah quickly grabs a chair from the table everyone was gathered around at earlier and puts it by Marlon.)

Heh, thanks. I hear yas. (Marsha says. She looks over at Marlon.) It's...uh...it's a really long story. A piece of a pillar went through his leg while we were in the middle of somethin' else. Kinda wonderin' if he'll evah walk normally again...

Well, if we're set, then I reckon we'll git ready tuh get the Shifter, just sayin'! (Benji says. He gestures toward June.) Hey, June?

Oh, hey, what's up? (June asks, walking over.)

We're gonna run get the boat. Ya mind givin' Salty a Water-type disguise of some sort so maybe the rain doesn't bother them as much? (He asks.)

No problem! (June says, turning to Salty.) Anythin' in particular y' wanna look like or you okay with anythin'?

(In the meantime, Maran, Sunny, Cortez, Rich, and Liesl go up front.)

Okay, let's get started...Rich, I'm guessing you're gonna wanna bunk with Polly? (Judy asks.)

Aye! (Rich nods, throwing a smile in his wife's direction.)

Gotcha... (As Judy writes this down, she looks back up toward Liesl.) So I'm guessin' these guys all have curses?

They do... (Liesl sighs.)

Bzz, I change forms when I touch water. (Maran says.) The form I'm in now isn't even actually my real form. I'm not actually shiny or female.

I cannot control my voice... (Says Sunny.) But I think I have gotten better at controlling it!

(Cortez speaks up.) I'm actually an adult. L-Liesl turned me into a T-Tyrunt because I...kinda acted like one... (He seems to be acting kind of strange as he speaks to Judy.)

Pretty diverse curses, eh, Liesl? (Judy remarks. Liesl sighs.) Well, any particular arrangements you guys prefer?

Well, Maran and I will probably stick together. (Sunny says.)

Reckon that means I'm bunkin' with Liesl. (Cortez snorts.)

Okey dokey! You guys are set! (Judy says.) Rooms 8 and 9! You guys have a good night, okay?

Uh, yeah, you too. (Cortez says as they head that way. Rich remains up front for now, though.)

Edited by kablammin45 on Sep 10th 2019 at 1:32:00 PM

"Thanks, I'll pick it up after I handle this."

Salty replies to Addie before going with Benji towards June. When she asks what if they have, they consider for a bit and shake their head.

Long as you don't make me a Clamperl or somethin' like that I should be cool with whatever."

(Quietly heading over to the door of room 17, I note the convenience of where the key is, being tucked away in a pouch near the respective door, before taking it, hopping up quickly, unlocking the room, putting the key back in its pouch and bringing it inside. I then go back out for a bit and look over at... Wreck, was it? I think it was that.)

You, uh... you can come in when you're ready. If you want. I'd understand if you didn't...

(My speech slowly quiets to the point where they likely couldn't even hear a lot of what I said. I just want to sleep after having my self-confidence shattered not once but twice in the span of an hour or so, so I hop onto the bed and tuck myself in promptly, leaving the key pouch on a nearby table for them.)

The Inn

Yeh...not a lot of mons bounce back from somth'n like that and actually walk normally again afta' that. All a'can say is I hope he gets himself back t'walkin' normal again. Alright...room 10 for th' two of yeh.

Addie motions to the left hallway as she scans for any mons left when she spots Mila pretty much by herself after Grigs went off to his room.

Miss? Yeh can come up n' check in now...does room 14 sound good?

Stellan heads off to Room 23, with Daniel presumably close by. After unlocking the door he lumbers into the room and sits upon one of the beds in the room and looks over to the Mawile.

So, wanna tell me about yourself?

I breathe in a few pained breaths through a clenched jaw. Fuck...I hate this, SO much. If there is one saving grace to this is that it's almost time to sleep again. I overhear the innkeeper mention how not a lot of mons easily bounce back from things like this...and I'm beginning to believe it.

Do we have our room yet?

I ask over towards Marsha.

Inn

"Alright, let's go!" says Bailey.

He and Rex make their way to Room 11 and unlock the door.

Inn

Bailey and Rex enter the room, which seems fairly cozy and contains a bed with cotton blankets and pillows, a small wooden wardrobe, and a wooden table in the middle. Although there is a window, it is currently boarded up.

"Oh, this looks nice," says Rex. "I guess they covered up the window because of the current situation with the town, though..."

"Yeah..." says Bailey. "I agree though, it's still pretty nice."

Inn, Room 17

The weird fox thingy called Igni, was it? They go and unlock the room and leave a key with me.

"Thanks." Is all I say. I take my key and head to the room where the fox thingy is already curled up in bed. Reasoning that since I no longer have a spine I just fall over with a thunk onto the floor, staring up at the ceiling. At first all I wanted was to rest but now my head(?) is full of questions. Two stuck out in my mind.

"Igni, wassit? What...the hell are you? And, what the hell am I?

"Tell you about myself?" I respond to Stellan, "Well, where to begin? ... I did travel with a group of mercenaries for a couple of years, unfortunately they're all dead now. After that I settled in a kingdom, eventually working my way up to being granted peerage. Unfortunately the kingdom fell to the Arceus-foresaken VA, when I powerless to save them."

I bang my hand on a table in anger, "I promised myself that I wouldn't let any outside force tear people way from their family and friends, Then that damned Gorebyss has the balls to do -this- when I couldn't help! Its like a frigging curse!"

(Geez, I've never really told anyone about this, but here I am spilling the beans to a stranger.) I think to myself as a tear rolls down my cheek.

(Just when I start to drift into sleep, I hear a loud "thunk" and some questions. Sighing, I try to answer these questions as quickly as possible without having to move from my current, comfortable position.)

I think they called you a Dhelmise, and I a Fennekin. And yes, my name's Igni, and I guess I'm just some kid since that's what people keep calling me, even though I keep telling them not to...

(I'm not even irritated by this point about that, I'm just... sad. How is anyone supposed to take me seriously like this?)

Inn, Room 17

I'm a 'Dhelmise'? They are a 'Fennekin'? I am no even more lost.

"I..ok, Igni. What does that mean exactly? I can't remember much about my life but I remember being a human? I'm probably coming off as crazy right now. Do you even know what a human is?

Judy's

Yeahs, we've got room 10. (Marsha says.) Oh, and you, Benji, and Lucy are gonna be in room 24, I think.

Oh, alright. I should probably get Lucy so we can go ahead and get settled in. (Dinah nods. She moves back into the lounge.)

Ya gonna be okay, Marly? (Marsha asks.) Ya wanna go ahead 'n head ta our room?

Okay! (June nods. She thinks for a moment then snaps her claw, Salty(?) suddenly poofs into Poliwrath.) This fine?

(Rich lumbers over to Polly.) So what room have yeh been stayin' in, Polly?

My siblin's 'n I had been in one of the family rooms, number 22. (Polly explains.)

(Thinking about her lost siblings again causes Polly to hang her head, looking absolutely miserable. Rich pulls her close and sits down on his haunches next to her.)

Well, fair thee well, citizens! (Henry says.) I trust we'll all be up and ready to go first thing in the morning!

(He, Tenn, and Shelley head on to their own respective rooms.)

(The other cursed mons bid each other good night and retire to their rooms. In room 9, Cortez scampers onto his bed and stares up at the ceiling.) Wow...

Is everything all right, Cortez? (Liesl asks.)

Yeah, yeah, fine... (He stammers.)

I noticed that you seemed to really take notice of Judy. (She comments.)

Are ya kiddin'? She's a Tyrantrum innkeeper like I am-, I mean, was...til I lost the damn place... (Cortez snorts.) She seems so happy with herself. Not to mention that she's gorgeous, too...I...I think I really like her...

(He looks down at himself disdainfully.) I've really gotta get rid of my curse now. If I don't turn back into my normal self, then I'll never get the chance to see if she'd ever like me back...I just hope that Gorebyss doesn't blow up the island before we can get there.

I hope not either. I'd hate for you all to end up stuck as you are forever. (Liesl says.)

You're not crazy, just... ask Marlon to talk to you in private about that tomorrow or something, he seems to have an idea of what's happening. Pretty sure if I told you, you'd just get more confused, anyway.

(I tuck myself in a bit further than before.)

Anyway... I only got here a couple hours earlier, I believe, so I'm almost as lost as you are. I hope that answer isn't irritating.

(Truth be told, something about them is... worrying. Maybe it's the fact that they're several times bigger than me, maybe it's the fact that they're a floating anchor, I don't know what it is, but it's scaring me a bit. I'm trying not to sound worried, but it might be obvious from the way I'm speaking.)

The Inn, Room 17

I could feel a little irritation from the small fox creature. It seems they are also a stranger here. Guess I'll get answers tomorrow from this 'Marlon' person.

"So which one's Marlon? Are they the owl in the hoodie or the little brick mouse thing?"

I've seen that brick mouse thing before, but where?

The one with the crutches... They're all friends, but he knows the most about us if your situation is anything like mine, I think. Then again, you're ten times my size, so even that's a bit of a stretch to say...

(I sigh, thinking of only one other thing to say.)

I should also mention that I was not originally this small. I don't know why I'm stuck in such a young form like this, but that's apparently just how I ended up when I got here. You can call me kid if you really want, but it's a bit dismissive...

(Come to think of it, though... this is pretty much exactly how I used to act, but I also remember how I'm supposed to be acting... agh, this is confusing.)

Noriaki and Hikari made their way to Room 3 after having bidded everyone in earshot goodnight, unlocking the door and walking in.

"Out of the frying pan and into the fire, eh?", said Noriaki, taking his hat off and hanging it.

"Indeed", Hikari agreed, also removing her hat. "It is quite a trying situation, but we especially cannot simply ignore this Phoebe character's actions."

The two of them sat on their respective beds.

"... Say Hikari, you recall the creed among high-ranking vassals, yes?"

"Of course I do", the Aromatisse responded, nodding. "That would be the one where you must rest on your knees, take your master's hand, and gently kiss their ring finger, correct? Doing this shows your devotion and strong loyalty towards your liege, and among some circles, is when you go from being their vassal to becoming their retainer and absolute confidant."

"Yes, that's the one... As you can probably guess, L'Arachel had such rituals in place for a select few. I have reason to believe Notte and Montresor had sealed vows in this way... And I must admit, I myself was given that same "privilege", which I treasured and was overjoyed to perform, the ignorant child I was."

The Decidueye sighed to himself. Not necessarily sounding annoyed or sad, he simply... Breathed out.

"Much like many other aspects of what she had "given" us, I have reason to believe that it was another hollow show for her, or possibly just more fuel for the flame of her ego", said Noriaki. "L'Arachel is gone now. Genuine or not, my vow has essentially ended. My final task to my old liege has been fulfilled. I know not what Montresor and Notte's minds drift to when they think of this, but... Hikari, to the woman that I should have seen that I-"

"Please, Noriaki", Hikari interrupted, "I... Have a feeling I know what you're going to say. But please, know I mean no harm when I ask you to wait for until this quest is over. Once we all can return to where we previously were, I will hear your request. But for now, we must focus on the task at hand: Seeing to it that L'Arachel's legacy of cruelty and distorting of hearts does not live on through this vile Gorebyss."

Noriaki stared for a few seconds before slowly nodding.

"Aye", he said, "You are right. I have no intentions of giving this anything less than my best, and for that end I should remain focused."

The Inn

Yeah..I need the rest.

I say, looking to either side of me to grab both crutches as I struggle to stand up, grunting on the way up but maintaining full form and beginning to head over to Room 10.

You know..I am almost beginning to believe it, after what I heard the innkeeper say to you. It's only been two days but I'm really beginning to question if I'll be able to properly walk again. Never did I think this would happen to me, honestly.

I say, feeling a sense of dejectedness (is that even a word?)

Hey, woah...man, just chill for a bit. I...I've got a much more personal tie to this, you know. I was her only friend when we were kids. I've gotta find a way to get that side of her back—the wide eyed girl that I spent countless days during my childhood with, building sandcastles, shooting the shit, just being kids..ugh...

Stellan is overcome with the memory of what happened to his dad, and shares a similar slam of the fist in a desk.

I hate thinking about it. I wish I could've stopped her from trying the things that got her kicked from the University. You know what I'm saying, right? One event that could go a million different ways, has a million outcomes. In at least, let's say ten, I could have convinced her to not stop her from seeking the fame her Grandfather had. And now...she's a madwoman.

As Addie checks over the rooms and names, and Melani goes to her assigned room (19), and Stellan discusses matters with Daniel, Clayton meets the individual in this seperate room. Ophelius the Tyrantrum doesn't acknowledge the Excadrill immediately, but it takes a few steps for the mon to do so.

Clay. You son of a bitch, you made it.

He says, an unusual coldness to his voice present. Yet, to those who know him, that's just the demeanor he takes on since that day in the caves.

Or course I would have, Ophielius. It's only standard for militiamen like us to make sure we protect and serve in the line of duty. How did you even get out of there?

Not gonna go into that, now. We have more important things to attend to. The Gorebyss. She—

It's worse than I feared. She wants the volcano, the spring, the island, this town—it'll all go down with it if she erupts that thing.

Easy, son. What do you need from me?

Hold on. It's not just that...Roy's son. He's here too.

The Tyrantrum sits there shocked as he wouldn't have ever thought that Stellan would come here. The timing seems too coincidental.

Do...do we want to tell him what happened that night? I have a bad feeling about why he'd be here.

No. We aren't gonna tell him that we were the ones that triggered the accident. Unless he wants it from us, that is.

If...if you say so, sir. I need a small group of men to help me tomorrow. I need to take the group who arrived here earlier to the Island. They're trying to save their friend who got captured. Can you provide me with them?

I..I can. But please, make sure they get back to me in one piece. I will rouse them early in the morning tomorrow and redirect them to you. Good luck, Private.

Anything to help the greater good.

The two will make more idle chitchat and plans for the next day before eventually both go to sleep.

"She was your friend..." I say somberly, "What caused to get kicked out of the University, anyway?"

(I know how it feels being betrayed by one you call friend... It true a cycle of pain and suffering. But...)

The Poliwrath(?) is a bit startled to be back on two legs, plus they flex for a brief bit before looking at June.

"Ehe, yeah, this is fine. Thanks, June."

"Now... should probably take you to the boat, eh?" They say to Benji and get ready to lead him out.

Room 20

(The first impression the room gave me was rather welcoming. It's not fancy even without taking the attack into account, but fancy wasn't what I was looking for.)

(As I sat on the bed, I thought about what happened in the last few days. The first time we fought with L'Arachel, I felt that she could stop me from going insane. I did a lot of reckless shit, no thanks to the Frenzy, that nearly got me killed. Yet, the only reason I came back from that was because of her. She kept me sane, she kept me alive. Hell, even if I'd recovered from that fight, I wouldn't have recovered my spirit. She's practically my guardian angel! Back then, I didn't even know why I fight. Now, I'm fighting so I can see her again!)

(Well, she's not the only reason per se, I saw something in Nori. I saw someone who wants to fight for his future, not for his past. I saw someone who wanted a way out of the hell he's trapped in. Yet, he still never gave up hope. For that, he's like a little brother, and not even because we're the same species.)

(Regardless of what happens, I want them, not just those two, to find a future worth fighting for. And I will do the same. I'll fight for my peace. For now, it's time for me to rest.)

Judy's

Yeahs...but I bet with enough time it won't be quite as bad as it is now, eh? (Marsha says.) I just hope actually get a break aftah this...

Erm, Della, we're up.

Oh, sorry... (So much going on around me it's distracting...)

Hey there! Did you have a room yet? (The Tyrantrum asks Mother.)

If I had one I wouldn't be coming up to here, would I? (Mother chuckles.)

Good point... (Judy laughs.) 5 work for ya?

That sounds fine to me!

Great! The key's on the door.

Thank you. (Mother looks back at me.) Well, let's be off, dear.

Right... (I begin heading toward the hallway.)

Sure thing! You lead the way! (Benji says, starting to head out. But then he pauses.) Oh, hang on just one second, I need tuh tell Dinah and Lucy where we're goin'.

(He turns just in time to see them coming back out from the lounge.)

Oh, there they are now, heh heh. (Benji chuckles.)

Hi, Papa! (Lucy says.) We met another Smeargle! We should see if Eliot can meet him some time!

That's cool, Lucy, just sayin'! (Benji says.)

(Dinah notices Benji standing close to the door.) Are you about to leave, Benji?

Well, yeah, we're goin' tuh get the boat so we'll have it tuh use in the mornin'. (Benji says.)

Oh, I see... (Dinah says, her heart sinking as she realizes she will have to put off telling Benji about needing to go home after this yet again.) How long will this take?

Hmm... (Benji turns to Dieter(?).) How long did it take you fellas tuh get tuh town from where yall docked the boat?