ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Cyk wonders....Maybe it's for some power plant idea.

Noriaki has been curiously watching the newcomer Decidueye, but is still very much paying attention to the meeting.

*Tilly is silently taking mental notes of this, while Triss is observing proper etiquette for a politician by patiently watching on. Jani finally notices Cyk via Goobert's mention, and whispers* You too, huh? Actually you're pretty lucky...second chance and all, huh? *indicating she actually knows the Ralts line now*

edited 28th Sep '17 4:07:32 PM by sarysa

Cyk looks at Jani.

"Maybe, but I feel small and weak now. I can't do much in this form.''

Moving to next.

edited 28th Sep '17 4:12:56 PM by Team42Larson

*something just dawned on Jani as the Krokorok was mentioned. She speaks up* Uh, Mr. Chief sir? I've actually met the Krokorok, I think...one of his associates, a Marowak, mentioned the "Ancient trinkets and remedies".

(Dinah seems a little unnerved at the initial look Jani gave her and the fact that one of the culpits in the kidnappings was one of her own kind. She hangs her head down.)

(The chief nods at Jani's information, but thinks it through:)

Hmm..that's in the Northeast part of town, correct? We've struggled to follow the trail that they leave, because diggers often just circle their way around town without leaving a sufficient trail for us to follow.

(He addresses Dinah:)

And uh, miss? We don't suspect you, but a Male member of your species.

edited 28th Sep '17 4:23:00 PM by Team42Larson

*Jani notices Dinah's reaction and hangs her own head in kind. She offhandedly remarks* Yeah...that happened to us last night. Myself and a Joltik friend tried to chase him, and his trail just went all over the place — looped around, and even Lilly got lost too...

*this causes Triss to react* You say Lilly chased down this criminal as well? Underground?! *to which Jani says* Yeah...it was kind of a heat-of-the-moment thing, plus she was still...well you know damn well what she was doing.

*Triss sighs, knowing she indeed had the girls spy on Jani. She relents for now, but still can't help but wonder where Lilly is right now*

I understand... (Dinah says, quietly.) I just hate that a member of my species at all is taking part in this terrible scheme...

edited 28th Sep '17 4:26:45 PM by kablammin45

[Here I am, having situated myself towards the back of the mayor's office, still listening but I just don't feel like involving myself in this right now. That's three of us so far, what the hell..at least we have a lead, that's something. I let my head hang a little as the others talk amongst themselves, my tail sinusoiding as I stare into the crowd.]

["Antique Trinkets and Remedies"...I'll remember that name. That may be the place that I was thinking they'd have, some kind of cover so they could mingle with the masses. I don't know how heavily guarded a place like that would be, if at all...if some of us went there, we could sneak in. I could suggest that, but it could come up on its own. I'll say something if it doesn't seem to be going that way.]

"We have a feather left behind by a Pidgeotto who may be affiliated with the kidnappers", Noriaki brought up, "Perhaps we should track him down first for any leads?"

"Alternatively, it could be possible that dastard of a Krokorok might visit the bar we saw him in previously."

Actions of one rarely speak for all, Miss.

(Chief says to Dinah. He then addresses Noriaki, but I interject:)

We could try that, but at this moment-

We tried the feather, Nori. Eliot failed to track his scent after a certain point near the town center.

(I stay close to Marsha as he says one last thing to the group in the room before he gives way to the Mayor:)

Listen, we're really sorry that your friends and family had to get snatched by these, these- fools, I'll call them. With this information that we have now we will guarantee that they will be safe. Now,

(He turns to the Mayor:)

I believe you some inform-

(He is then cut off as the mayor begins to say something.)

*Tilly remarks to Noriaki* I have been studying this case myself, and I believe that to be a dead end. The clues all point to the victims being somewhere in the town's vicinity, and likely underground at that.

*Triss indeed cuts off the chief of police. Always attentive to detail, she doesn't recall anyone's family being involved — neither her own, nor Marsha's. She has to press on this, especially given that her very own Lilly is missing*

Just one moment Chief Doakes...precisely when did this become a family affair? To my knowledge, it was simply their friends — the Raichu named Mila and the Metapod named Finley, correct?

My brother also got snatched by them, Mrs. Mayor. (Marsha says.) A Ditto named Benjamin...we just call him Benji for short, though...I'm really not happy about this... (She unhappily leans against Marlon.)

I was there when he was kidnapped. (Dinah says.) I was helping him look for his lost money purse while he was in the form of a Lanturn. (In her mind, she is still fascinated by the fact that he was a Ditto all along.)

Yeah, the fact that he was a Lanturn probably got their attention. (I add.)

He was taken by mistake. The fact that he hasn't escaped from them and returned to us, which we think he would easily do since he's a Ditto, worries me... (Delilah says.)

edited 28th Sep '17 4:54:16 PM by kablammin45

"I see... My current best idea would be to set up some of our numbers around the areas we would expect them to be, they cannot hide underground forever."

(He addresses Goo Crew:)

I see...a Ditto disguied as a Lanturn. He is a victim of a heinous error.

(He addresses the mayor:)

And I just got a few reports that a Diglett is missing in the tunnels as well-and Miss Mayor, it pains me to say this, but-I think that the Diglett missing, is your daughter Lilly.

(Meanwhile, I'm again rubbing Marsha's back, trying to soothe her in this time of stress.)

[I growl a little when Marlon mentions me losing the scent, but I let it go. It wasn't on him. Either way, however, there doesn't seem to be much of a game plan in the air on how we can get them back...obviously, there's some way to do it, those dicks did it when they took them. Honestly, if push comes to shove, I may just head out there myself, ask around, maybe take some schmuck's form and stow the shawl.]

[Since Noriaki's discussing it, I might as well chip in myself.] "That store that...Jani mentioned, u'bulieve, the "Ancient Trickets 'n Shit" thing. I was...when I was sniffin' fer that bird, I kinda thought to myself tha'...yaa, wit, with that Krocorock r'whatever izz called, they'd gotta have somethin' on the surface they'd go up and down to...wait, do Krocorocks dig?"

*adding onto the chief's testimony...* I'm afraid what the police chief said is indeed related — they may have also taken Lilly, mother. *Tilly tells Triss* She went on a simple errand and disappeared not far from where Marsha's brother did, about an hour ago.

*one could possibly identify the seven stages of grief flowing through the mayor as she truly grasps the situation. For them to make such a bold move...from kidnapping tourists all the way up to her own daughter. The prospect makes her absolutely livid, but as a trained politician, despite leaving a considerable amount of stunned silence in the personal eternity of her reaction, she finally speaks, demonstrating her ability to come back to earth and tackle this rationally*

I...see. Well... *looking around the room, she says the only thing any mother in politics could say in a situation like this* ...you can all have my assurance that this issue will be our city's top priority.

*she takes a brief break to compose herself and allow the humanmons to discuss among themselves, while preparing what to say next*

(Marsha calms down, and actually winds up falling asleep against Marlon, happy knowing that he is helping her get through this.)

(Dinah happens to hear Eliot and quickly leans over in his direction.) Yes we can, sir. We're part Ground-type Pokémon.

Whoa, now one of Jani's sisters is missing? (I say.) I can only imagine how Triss must really be feeling now...

This just keeps getting worse... (Delilah moans.) We have to do something...

edited 28th Sep '17 5:04:16 PM by kablammin45

"I think I shall station myself at that bar and see if they show up again there", Noriaki stated, "Would anyone like to join?"

(Chief does hear out what the party has to say, but he focuses on the mayor:)

Right. Now, Miss Mayor, are you ready to say whatever it is you have to say next?

(Chief asks.)

(I smile when Marsha falls asleep against me, and I choose to stay like this for now, my hand back in hers.)

edited 28th Sep '17 5:16:40 PM by Team42Larson

"...right, right..." [Of course...then what does that mean for going there if they can dig...damn it, god damn it...]

[I perk up at Nori actually showing some goddamn initiative. I huff, then answer him,] "...ashley...ac tu a lly, I'm...gonna head down t'that shop I was talkin' about... May be a hunch, but i'could be a cover for the place..."

edited 28th Sep '17 5:18:52 PM by BlackMageAnolis

"I'll go with you, Nori."

Well! *Triss breaks through the chatter that's going on, back in form and rearing to go* Since it behooves us all to expedite this search, I would like everyone to take a look at this. *she pulls out a large map from under her desk and puts it on top, facing outward so the humanmons can read its demarcations more easily. It appears to be a simple map of Agartha overlaid with complex and mathematically precise tunnels going all over the place, with markings that only a geologist (or caving enthusiast) would recognize*

This survey map was created thirty five years ago — during a major rush for ancient technology and an overall boom in excavations. *Triss points out, continuing* These tunnels almost all date back to the founding years of our city, back when our ancestors lived in makeshift burrows lacking any of the creature comforts of today. *she then coughs, realizing it would be best to get to the point*

This map is normally kept from the public — we actually have been trying to curb excess digging for the sake of integrity, and we don't want folks digging willy nilly searching for treasure. *then looking to Tilly with pride, she continues* My daughter Tilly and I have been going through the old records to figure out just where these monsters might be hidden. Tilly?

*ceding the floor briefly, Tilly adds* While they easily could be anywhere, they would draw far less attention if they were to use a site with sufficient infrastructure to create a makeshift prison. Our leading theory is that they are hiding in one of the old excavation sites. *she then nods to her mother, who takes over once more*

Now that we know where their "speakeasy" could be, we can use this to figure out where the prisoners may be hidden. *using dirt-tendrils to manipulate a stick, Triss dramatically WHACK's each point of interest on the map*

First, we have this site — it's nearby, remarkably difficult to escape for non-ground types, and it would draw little attention being within proximity of the town. *she points to a site not far beyond the east extension of town, while Tilly adds* The downside is its size — it couldn't hold many prisoners on its own.

Second, we have this site over here — the northwestern excavation site. Sizeable, stable, but completely lacking in usable technology. It turned out to be a fools errand, back when it was dug out. *Tilly has nothing to add to what Triss just said*

And finally, the northeastern ruins — large, the site of the initial "gold rush", and quite structurally sound. *Triss states, while Tilly adds* It's also pretty far away — even going underneath a river. It's connected to some above ground ruins as well.

I will leave you to discuss amongst yourselves.