ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

(I aside to Marsha, wanting to bring up what she said there:)

Say uh, Marsh...when ya said what ya said in the way that you did...it kinda makes me want ta...you know..

(Dore reappears:)

Oh, uh...it's you again.

How I said... (Marsha repeats, then she realizes that he's talking about her reaction to the noise Marlon made in the large room.) Oh...OH!! Marly, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean ta be actin' like...I was just...didn't mean ta make yas...hoo boy... (Marsha is clearly very embarrassed.)

(I look up after thinking and open the door to let Dore in.) Oh...hey... (I say upon realizing who it is.)

It's that Honedge, Goobert...! Do you think he really...? (Delilah whispers to me.)

I dunno, Del. (I answer.)

edited 16th Oct '17 2:14:28 PM by kablammin45

*Lilly and Tilly had both followed Moribtesse into the foyer, and Lilly couldn't help but blurt out her surprise* Dore?! How'd ya get into Orichalcum?! I only know'a one other Agarthan other than my family they've let in here!

PJ: "'Just a bit...' That's putting it mildly. But hey, I don't want to burden you with all my BS, you don't look like you're in the mood for me to gripe about this and that at you, there are better ways for you to spend your time. ...I know you look like you're fine but I can tell that something's up."

Dore chuckles. See, one of the farmers I lived with was a psychic type himself who decided to love the simple life, so we were sorta +1s.

Noticing Marlon and Goobert’s distance, he asks, What’s wrong?

edited 16th Oct '17 2:07:32 PM by TacoBadger

[...him? There's...no way it could be...did he even go there or did he just give up? Either way, I really don't know if we should have let him in...]

"Uh, hey...whatcha, whatcha doin' here?"

edited 16th Oct '17 2:08:03 PM by BlackMageAnolis

(I immediately plant Marsha a kiss to calm her down, saying:)

Hey, hey, easy....it's alright, Marsh. Nobody's perfect, and that's just anotha' example of it.. Besides, we'll worry about that when we get ta that point, yeah?

(I reply to Dore:)

Eh, nothing's wrong, just surprised that yas showed up so soon.

edited 16th Oct '17 2:09:06 PM by Team42Larson

(Marsha calms down considerably.) Heh heh, yeah, Marly. (Marsha says, smiling a bit. The idea of getting to that point sounds pretty exciting, but it does feel kind of early to be talking about that now.)

So...uh... (I start to say to Dore.) Did you...um...did you find them? (I grimace as I say this. I take Delilah's arm tightly.)

(Benji and Dinah start heading down the stairs toward the rest of us.)

edited 16th Oct '17 2:11:35 PM by kablammin45

Dore shrugged to Eliot. Well, uh, I been knocking on doors to find a place to sleep, but eveyone’s been turning me down.

Dore hears Goobert. Oh yeah! Uh, let’s see, I got the doorman drunk, and then I convinced him to drop the ceiling on them. Then I killed the doorman. So that’s all done.

edited 16th Oct '17 2:12:43 PM by TacoBadger

Who is that? *Tilly asides to her sister, to which Lilly responds* One of the surface farmers? Never saw the guy, but he said his entire family was killed by gang members! But there were no reports of any murders on the surface, at least not in the last year or so — and you should know that I am quite privy to that information.

Excuse me... *Tilly asks Dore* Dore, is it? When exactly did this gang invade your home?

Do any of yas really believe him?

(I ask our small group.)

edited 16th Oct '17 3:47:21 PM by Team42Larson

(I hear all this talk about what happened in Hoard. True, I heard that incident was a bloodbath, but I didn't think this crew (at least some of them) would both bring in and kill one, let alone get involved. I don't know all the details, so I had to ask.) What do these vectors do? I guess judging by the name, they would bring some sort of disease.

It's kind of imprecise term, and to be honest I doubt this world knows anything about virology... *Jani says to Grigori* ...but they deliberately spread the what's become known as Viral Aggression. It causes people to become more prone to violence. To lose control.

(Why am I talking about this?) *Jani thinks to herself* (Anything's better than remembering those days in Hoard...)

...but it can also empower people. Vectors, especially, become ridiculously strong.

(There's anything else I could be talking about now.) *Jani's thought process is likely interrupting her speech noticeably* (I wish this whole VA situation were just over with.)

As far as I know, we've fought four of these vectors so far...and a couple have hinted at a singular source that corrupted them. *having had enough of this topic, Jani states* We seem to be magnets for trouble...don't mistake me for those two other Digletts you met — I'm not all that comfortable having them around, but I'm kind of stuck with them...long story. Having David around is a bit troubling to say the least...

*she then looks over Grigori, before declaring* You, though...you really seem to know what you're doing. Probably moreso than most of us.

Noriaki interjects with Jani and Grigori, "I personally am partial towards the theory of this "Viral Aggression" being more of a curse than an actual virus, especially given how some vectors seemed to be rambling about something... Speaking to them, I believe."

(I shrug at Marlon. I sure hope he didn't actually do it...we're kind of far from where the Bedsheets were, so he'd probably have to have been moving faster than the Road Runner to have gotten to them since we saw him earlier.)

(Just then, Benji and Dinah reach us.) What are ya fellas doin'?

We were just learning that Mila left to take care of David, Cyk showed up with a Mega Stone, and that Honedge showed up again. (says Delilah.)

And now I'm not sure what we're doing now... (I say. I steal another glance down at my Mega Stone.) I'm almost tempted to give my own Mega Stone a shot if there isn't anything else for us to do here right now.

(From what I can gather from all this, there's some sort of virus running around that not only causes people to go berserk, but to enhance their strength significantly. Then, Noriaki said that those "infected" would hear voices in their head. Suddenly, I was reminded of my nightmare about my "other self." Relishing in my job but cursing how I feel about it. I shudder at the thought of letting go, especially with the virus going around. When Jani decided to change the subject I was more than happy to get away as well. I decide to speak up.) I wouldn't be too sure about that. You never know if something happens because I didn't know better.

Wasn’t my home. Was my neighbor’s. Look, I need to rest, then I can answer any incriminating questions, alright?

"I have found that life at it's simplest tends to be about luck and just tolerating situations", Noriaki commented, "So even if you do not "know what you're doing", you should still be fine."

(I see Goobert catching a glimpse at his Mega Stone:)

Dude, if I were yas, I'd still be waitin' to even try Mega evolution.

(Dore wants to know where he can rest:)

I think there are rooms all around this house.

(Then, I glance back down at the note, then back at PJ and Finley. I head slightly over to where they are and ask:)

Guys...have you seen this note?

(I look down at the Mega Stone. I know that Marlon's probably right, but I'm still somewhat disappointed that I can't try it out yet...oh well.)

Don't worry, Goobert. (Delilah says to me.) You'll get the chance to try it soon.

Yeah...I guess so. (I say.)

Well, if there isn't anythin' else we have to do around here, I think Dinah and I are gonna go explore the town. (Benji says.) Whaddya say, Dinah?

Well, okay, Benji. (Dinah says.)

(Benji and Dinah walk up to the Frau.) Hey, any places you would recommend goin' to around here? I know Dinah here was wonderin' if ya have a library around here. (Benji asks her.)

edited 16th Oct '17 4:50:47 PM by kablammin45

"Hm?" She grabs the note, reading the front and back.

"..."

At first she says nothing. Then, "well, as long as she's careful. It's good she's doing this!"

That, and no one would hold it against you if you unknowingly did something to put us in harms way. *Jani adds to what Noriaki, continuing* It would probably be easier to list those of us who didn't trigger an encounter by doing something seemingly benign.

*not the least bit convinced, Tilly opts to relent* I apologize for putting you on the spot like that. As for where to rest...this is our first time here as well, so we don't know the layout of this manor either.

edited 16th Oct '17 5:56:24 PM by sarysa

[I...I...he actually went and did it? No, he can't be serious...]

"So...what, you got the doorman against all of them, 'n...how the hell do you drop a ceiling, fer Pete's sake?" [Something about this doesn't really add up to me. He said he wasn't a fighter, and that's consistent with what he's said, but something about that was just too easy...]

"..." Dana overhears Dore talk about killing the doorman.

Oh no, I knew we should've done something...

*I'm not sure whether to be relieved or concern as the focus of our conversation shifts to Mila's note. On one hand, the air was on the heavy side, but on the other hand, this information about Mila leaving... Finley seems to be taking it well, but I'm not entirely certain that's the truth here. But you know what? If her forgiveness is genuine, then I owe her something. There's a chance I'm gonna screw it up like last time, but a broken clock is right twice a day, right? I'll do something worthwhile for her, even if it takes a while. I don't even acknowledge Dore, instead directing my attention toward the note.*

PJ: "I do hope all goes well. She's got a lot on her plate, from what little I can tell..."