ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

*Voxno-L looks to Marlon and says* If she ran when I told everyone, I...doubt you could have stopped her that way. *the guilt (and self-pity) grows on Voxno's eye as it continues* I knew you could only stop PJ...I could only hope that Jani would just...handle it...

*Voxno then looks back toward Silversand, floating backwards while saying* I tried to keep watch through the night, but fell asleep...and she slipped away...

*and suddenly, a dim lightbulb flips on in Voxno's brain* Oh...right... *Voxno evenly distributes the many, many brown baggies with Koss' remedies it's been telekinetically carrying all this time* Koss' remedies...the Payapa mixes...nearly lost them overnight...they're safer with you guys.

edited 30th Jul '17 5:43:13 AM by sarysa

All the more reason to find her and make sure that she's okay.

(I accept the bags of remedies.)

"Jesus Christ..." Finley listens to the tale.

"Well, that's what we're fixing now right? Finding Jani? We'll work this out."

"HEY, GUYS, WAIT UP!"

Some ways behind the group is a Smeargle running towards them as fast as his legs can carry him.

(I hear some running behind us and a "Hey guys, wait up!")

Is that...?

"Uh, Vox, I was kinda hoping that I'd be the one to-"

*I pause as Eliot calls out to us.*

"El? Yo! El! Over here!"

Ohmygod we forgot Eliot

"HEY ELIOT! We were looking for you!"

(It is Eliot.)

Hurry up, dude!

edited 30th Jul '17 8:14:04 AM by Team42Larson

[I make some sort of weird yipping sound as I speed up just the slightest bit more at the group's acknowledgement of me. Considering the others are about walking while I'm out here running a 1600, I'm able to catch up to them in due time, thankfully slowing down before I collide with anyone. Walking slowly with the others, I pant to try and cool myself off...it feels weird not having any sort of sweat to contend with. It was always a familiar feeling whenever I exerted myself, and in its absence...]

"So...hhey...wh...where are hwe...hheaded..."

We are off to the town of Hoard. We suspect that Jani may have run off there after an incident back in Silversand.

*Voxno-L gives a faint* Hi, Eliot... *to Eliot as he rushes toward the party*

*then says to no one specifically* I hope you guys don't mind me tagging along...I don't know a lot about Hoard...I just kinda wanna help fix things...

Plus I'd have to just feign reconnaisance anyway...

Sure you can, Vox.

Bout time you got off your ass, Eliot.

Meanwhile, in Hoard...

"When is it going to stop, Kapitani? The lies? When will you just give me the truth?!"

So said the booming, impossible-to-mishear voice of Merqury, Chairgon of Hoard, as he sat at his grand wooden desk atop what seemed to be a big golden podium in the middle of a stone-walled room. He leaned forward in his cushioned chair, poking a claw at his desk hard enough to make a noticeable mark... added alongside all the other poking marks.

Standing before him was the shorter but considerably more calm and reserved figure of Kapitani Khmalidze, who had her hands behind her back, as per habit. Standing beside her were a contingent of four Pawniards, all of whom had the Pawniarmy's emblem◊ painted on the sides of their helmets.

"Chairgon... you understand I have utmost respect for you. But you also understand, I do not violate client confidentiality. There is no conflict of interest," the Bisharp said, unflinching.

Compared to the Kapitani's rather extensive security detail, the Kommo-O in the chair only had one bodyguard... a burly Turtonator. The power dynamic between the two seemed even, going from the equal amount of suspicious stares being shared between the big dragon and the four small soldiers.

Merqury's reaction certainly didn't scream confidence, however, as he loudly sighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his drowsy eyes. "And again... don't think I cannot see through you and your cookie-cutter corporate jargon, Khmalidze. I am not a child! I know you've been taking advantage of your contracts to round up what you consider 'crooks' and throw them into that infernal prison you crawled out of..."

Khmalidze's eyes widened and she actually seemed to move at that last statement, but she quickly regained her authoritative stance. "Chairgon, I won't make any attempt to deny that I am doing what needs to be done. As matter of fact, our conduct with our other clients is no harsher than under you. ...In fact, I'd suggest needs of Hoard have asked us to be harsher than delineated in contract."

Merqury raised a claw and opened his mouth to offer a retort, but nothing came out. His Turtonator bodyguard seemed to clench his fists and huff in anger at the Kapitani's boldness.

"And furthermore, if I may offer an opinion... may I offer an opinion?" she asked.

Merqury sighed once more and rested his head against his hand, leaning against his desk. He offered a weak nod in response.

"Any other private security consultant on island may have resigned as result of your gross distrust, but we have not. That is because, simply put, I have great passion for rule of law, for civility. But unlike some, I recognise it cannot be achieved without struggle, without force; especially now, with the spread of this... viral aggression, the disease that destroyed Milklett. You know this too, more than anyone. And we both know that each other knows. You were first point of contact on this island. First choice. And yet you, of all Pokemon, are criticising our conduct... I do not know words needed to express my disappointment."

"You cannot be serious right now!" Merqury suddenly snapped, bolting to his feet and slamming his palms down on his desk. "I pay your fucking salary! If it weren't for me, you'd be nothin' more than a bunch of common bandits! And yet you have the audacity, the nerve to treat me like your... your class clown?! Tryin' to feed me that 'viral aggression' nonsense?! I... I don't..."

As Merqury gradually began to run out of energy, his words simmered out into silence. At that, Khmalidze simply offered a courteous smile. "I believe we have nothing more to discuss, Chairgon. May I be dismissed?"

Merqury slumped back into his seat. "Yeah... you may. Dismissed..." he said, weakly waving a hand to indicate such.

"Got off...my..." [*ding*] "Hey, I wasn't...I wasn't on my ass, I was...I was talkin' with Goobert."

(I perk up at the mention of Goobert.)

You spoke to Goobert? What did he have to say?

(Sometime earlier...)

Oh, there you are, Eliot! (I say, spotting Eliot on the beach as he walks by the docks and running up to him.) Hey, everyone's leaving to go to Hoard. You'd better catch up with them.

In the past...

[Aw, crap, where'd they go...that was not the best time to space out, did they head out of town already? I'm about ready to start running when I hear a familiar voice.]

"Goobert!" [I stop, thinking back to what he said before. I want to say something about it, but I decide to play it off.] "Hey, shouldn't you be comin' with?"

edited 30th Jul '17 10:09:02 AM by BlackMageAnolis

(I freeze. I forgot whether Eliot knew I was staying here.)

I...uh...I was going to stay here for a while, Eliot. (I say, uneasily.) Were you there when I told Finley about that?

edited 30th Jul '17 10:12:30 AM by kablammin45

"I, um..." [I awkwardly rub my neck.] "Yea, I was there, but I..."

[Should I just let this go? Like I said, it is his decision, but I just can't shake the feeling that he shouldn't be doing this.]

"...so you're gonna go off again with Benji?"

I guess. (I say.) I was also planning on seeing what else I could do around here, maybe go to the arena so I can learn how to battle better whenever I join back up with you guys...I just...uh...yeah. (I shrug.) Once I feel like I'm ready, I'll rejoin you guys. I was always planning on doing so. Benji said he would take me to visit you guys in the meantime.

[I stare for a moment. Hearing those words, I feel as if a heavy burden has been lifted off my shoulders: I'm actually breathing a sigh of relief. Smiling, I say,] "Well, if you're gonna be coming back..." [I laugh.] "I guess...I guess I shouldn't be so worried. You'll be safe here, and if you're gonna be training, that should make it...even safer, I guess?"

[I open up my arms, inviting a hug.] "See ya soon, man."

For the rough ten minutes since Khmalidze and her troops had buggered off, Merqury had remained slumped in his seat, completely silent, looking like he wanted to die. And with every second, he inched a little bit closer to sliding completely off.

"Sir?" his Turtonator bodyguard finally spoke, not letting his gaze move at all.

"Yes, Turtledove?"

"I'm proud of you, sir."

Merqury grunted in annoyance. "Don't patronise me. It's not helping."

"I never did like Khmalidze myself, actually. We shoulda kicked their asses. I mean, I'm half-Fire Type, you're half-Fighting... we could kick their asses easy."

"Please, be quiet. I need some peace before-"

"Chairgon!" a voice spoke up from behind.

"HALT! INTRU- oh... it's you. How the hell do you keep doing that?"

The new figure that had somehow entered the room from behind was, indeed, Ripley, who made her way over to the other side of the desk to address the two figures properly. "I must apologise for the rude entry, Chairgon. Khmalidze's troops were patrolling outside and I could not risk them knowing that I had left the manor."

"I see... so, have you sent the word?"

"It has been done, Chairgon. I will make sure they are cleared for entry with minimal difficulties."

"Good, good... now I can finally knock Khmalidze and her little delusional ambitions of civilisation-building down a peg... she's almost as bad as that Arcsdamn snake..."

Yeah, see ya around, Eliot. (I say, bringing him in for a hug.)

(I frown as I do, though, feeling that I'm still hiding my feelings. I spill my guts to Eliot.) I really do wish I could go with you guys, but...I just feel like I'm not ready yet...I need time to adjust to being here. I always figured being a Pokémon wouldn't be exactly as I envisioned it, but, while it is in a few ways, it's still kind of a rude awakening. I just need some time to adjust to being here, since I haven't really had time to this whole time.

edited 30th Jul '17 11:20:26 AM by kablammin45

[I just pat him on the back.] "Yea, I can...I can see where you're coming from." [I slump a little in the hug.] "I guess so far I've just been used to all this bullshit happening around me, but...it's been hard, y'know? Just..." [I stop myself.]

[I break it off, giving him one last look in the eye.] "Promise me you're really gonna come back to us." [I think back to our first night in Orichalcum, when me, PJ, and Rei were together in that room. PJ was gone for the longest time, and Rei was just...I don't know where Rei is...]