ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

"Nobody's eating anyone..." [My hand retreats, though I turn to face Marlon, still holding onto Sushi.]

"...who ya got?" [I about snatch the periodical from him, but I realize I got a cat in my hands...I merely take the opportunity to look— ...Koss?]

[I grit my teeth a little, but I let that feeling of anger slide off. He was right, he was right...I'm calm. Again. I just keep petting Sushi into submission.]

"Who's that?" Sushi wonders, also looking over at the periodical.

Ears front.

This article is about the remedies that Vox gave us before we dove into the slums. And I quote this, "when asked if he has any possible leads on a cure for this Viral Aggression, Koss simply had this to say:

"Right now, we still don't know the concrete origin of this Viral Aggression, but if we find the Patient Zero of this, we can potentially use them to create a cure. Right now, we only use this term in theory."

edited 6th Aug '17 1:56:37 PM by Team42Larson

Sushi's ear twitches against Eliot's face as she listens.

*Jani pops up after a little time passes, and looks at the periodical Marlon mentioned* That's definitely...something. *Jani gets to "writing" it down, in a manner that makes doctors and kindergartners look like John Hancock* It's dated yesterday, too. Does Vox already know about it?

"So pretty much, useless fluff. They're basically no closer than we are to doing anything about it..." [I huff; of course he'd say such a non-statement about it.]

[I look at the book once more.] "...anything about it in there?"

It's been two days since we left Silversand so I don't think Vox knows yet.

(I turn to Eliot.)

I only really see basic signs and symptoms of VA infection here, unless I'm missing something.

edited 6th Aug '17 2:00:20 PM by Team42Larson

*Jani catches her own naive reaction to it* Man, I'm reaching aren't I. Finding patient zero...Bella was scary, but she wasn't that scary. *she heads back to the book she was reading before the fracas*

edited 6th Aug '17 2:00:01 PM by sarysa

Well, Jani, you guys fought Dras-Il first, but perhaps something came before it?

edited 6th Aug '17 2:03:35 PM by Team42Larson

"What are you people even talking about."

"It's a...it's some kind of weird disease that makes people more volatile and..."

[I give Sushi a confused look.] "Wait, didn't someone already tell you about VA?"

"No?"

"But to me it sounds like a weak excuse people use to deny their true feelings."

Sushi, you need to understand. This is a problem much bigger than us. Ever see 28 Days Later?

*Jani points out to Marlon* Actually I don't even know anything about that...also, could you *wink wink* tell Sushi about the you-know-what? *hoping for some telepathic discretion*

edited 6th Aug '17 2:06:59 PM by sarysa

"No but I heard it was dumb."

Are you sure we want to do that Jani? It freaked her out just earlier.

(I telepathically say.)

edited 6th Aug '17 2:14:16 PM by Team42Larson

(ignore)

edited 6th Aug '17 2:17:32 PM by Afterwards

I must emphasize again that this is a problem bigger than us, Sushi. At any point in time we can become infected and be helpless to stopping it.

(I continue.)

edited 6th Aug '17 2:23:00 PM by Team42Larson

"I dunno man," Sushi shrugs. "It still sounds like fake news. Some people are just aggro, you know?"

No, it's uncontrollable anger.

"Is the anger uncontrollable, or are the 'victims' just weak?"

*Jani glares at Sushi, saying quietly* I'm not a pacifist or anything, but I'm not someone who goes and seeks out fights...at least, I didn't used to be... *she tries to focus on her research, but the everything is noticeably taking its toll*

edited 6th Aug '17 2:28:12 PM by sarysa

"Sushi, shut yer fuckin' yap for a second." [I about pap her on the head, but a burst of sense stops me...]

"This is a real thing. We've fought someone who was under it. It isn't exactly uncontrollable, but it makes people...testy, to say the least. From what I've heard, it acts strange, but it's a real disease, and it seems to be spreading through people who actively seek to infect others... I think that's...everyone's concern about Bella, that other Ribombee that's been with us lately..."

You lose all control and almost seemingly revert back to primal instincts...

"Sushi", said Noriaki, finally speaking up, "We have encountered victims who were undeniably infected. They weren't just aggressive, they were beyond just plain angry. And they all apparently usually did not exhibit such behaviors, and upon defeat/cure they showed that were not quite themselves when they were infected. Also, the dark aura they exhibit makes it very plainly obvious it's not "just them". It's rather insulting that you brush off this very apparent situation as "fake news"."

edited 6th Aug '17 2:32:19 PM by Konkfan7