Current
Now running: World of Light: The Tale of the Dark Itself
4 mos ago
Forever and ever, amen
8 mos ago
Calling out from Scatman's world
1
like
11 mos ago
Called into action - by threats that seem harmonized
1 yr ago
Tomorrow comes
Bio
Current GM of World of Light. When it comes to writing, there's nothing I love more than imagination, engagement, and commitment. I'm always open to talk, suggestion, criticism, and collaboration. While I try to be as obliging, helpful, and courteous as possible, I have very little sympathy for ghosts, and anyone who'd like to string me along. Straightforwardness is all I ask for.
Looking for more personal details? I'm just some dude from the American south; software development is my job but games, writing, and trying to help others enjoy life are my passions. Been RPing for over a decade, starting waaaay back with humble beginnings on the Spore forum, so I know a thing or two, though I won't pretend to be an expert. If you're down for some fun, let's make something spectacular together.
Personally I think it looks quite good but I'm reserving my hype. I was hyped for Skyward Sword and I have never been so disappointed in my life. I'd really hope that Breath of the Wild isn't the same thing, good graphics, nice score and nothing else of worth. I don't think it will be but their is nothing in the trailers that proves my fears untrue.
In a near-constant state of retreat from the large crowds, Fleo found herself near the buffet tables. As of yet, more people were intent on wearing themselves out with dance or socialization that taking advantage of the luxurious spread. However, the dusty woman's current locale brought her close to none other than Amaya van Isis, her old teammate. Nothing was old about her garment however; the Ice Dragon Slayer was stunningly dressed. Drawing closer, Fleo smiled and waved. ”Amaya! You look amazing! ….Uh, mind if I stick with you for a while? There's so many people around here, I'm a little lost.” Her focus shifted to Amaya's companions. ”Er, h-hello! I'm Fleo, from Phoenix Wing. It's nice! To meet you.” Keeping a smile on her face proved difficult indeed when Fleo felt overwhelmingly that every word coming out of her made her seem more of an idiot.
As his new comrade spoke, Joakim ran his fingers through his hair. When he withdrew them, he found small clumps of scraped-up, dead skin cells collected beneath his nails. With little regard the the impropriety of such an action in the public realm, he flicked the specks away and replied, ”No problem. It is a shame that we didn't have an extra dress uniform available that could have been yours, but even Edith can only stock up so much. Perhaps it was for the better, given your...er, situation. Forgive me. I understand if it is rude of my to pry, but I have been plagued by curiosity since Belka. Maybe, since we're just standing around at all, you wouldn't mind sharing your story with us?”
Despite the trepidation with which he asked, Joakim gave off no vibe of awkwardness at all. If anything, he projected the air of someone with a genuine curiosity in an equally sincere attempt to be polite. A waiter passed by, offering the trio a silver plate loaded with stuffed olives, and the cryomancer took a handful to pop in his mouth.
When two ships pulled up alongside one another to do battle, neither could expect any quarter. At that range, a barrage from either side could spell doom for its opponent, so not a single cannon could go unused. Jane, no stranger to the sort of emotive warfare that Karn provoked, packed her full arsenal. The intruder pointed out that Gabriel hadn't been comfortable for a while now, and without a moment's hesitation Jane barked back, “An ye think yer meddlin' is helpin' that?” The usage of the word 'honey' pestered the former piratess—as if this pipsqueak had any reason to look down on her. Jane did not flinch as Karn's gaze probed her head to toe, and she responded to the ensuing taunt with a dangerous grin even as her foe's wink made her temper boil. ”Ye noticed? Huh! Well, does it stir yer black lagoon, or raise yer jolly roger?” One way or another, this bothersome tease would drop that manipulative look in her eyes and learn that Frenzy Plant soldiers weren't to be toyed with.
Her featured hardened when another guest approached with a name on his lips: Karn. Karn, Karn, Karn. Where had Jane heard that name before? Memories of past days seeped into her mind. Like water rolling off a duck's back, Mayt's niceties rebounded off her, but he did succeed in fitting the last puzzle piece into place. Jane, arms unmovingly crossed despite Mayt's offered hand, smirked. ”Oh, aye? Karn, the shapeshifter, an' Phoenix Wing...that be explainin' a lot! Ye think us easy targets, do ye?” Her expression became a frown with teeth exposed, and one eye open wider than the other gave her a definite leer. ”Go find yer playthings elsewhere, ye treacherous gut aches.” Plain to see, this confrontation was no longer about Gabriel.
@Dusksong@Luckyblackcat, since your characters left rather than helping Olivie, which would have earned her respect, feel free to post and do stuff on your own. I'll get around to dealing with the Malamar eventually. Afterward, maybe we could set something else up.
No matter how jovial the atmosphere, how full of cheer, or how fascinating the society, the master of Frenzy Plant could not put aside the worries that needled him. While other partygoers snuck glances at waistlines and necklines, his furtive eyes scanned for telltale inconsistencies in fabric that hinted at concealed weapons. Despite his attempt to suppress his instincts, his silver eyes sought ripples in the air and darkness in the eyes of others, looking for any trace of magic aura or ill intent. He'd already increased the odds of him and his nearby guild members noticing the use of wizardry, and he knew that at any given moment he could rouse his entire army into battle mode, but all the same his paranoia remained.
A twinge at the edge of his consciousness grabbed his attention, and Sanders gave a discreet look upward. The ballroom's high, vaulted ceiling loomed far above the crowd, and a chandelier of extravagant quality hung from it. Notably, several chains rather than a single one secured it to the ceiling, but that detail didn't interest the old man so much as the dark figure sitting on the steel and glass decoration. While not what they used to be, his eyes could still make out the shape hidden up there: the slender form of Xyster the Dullahan. Dressed in her usual shirt, jacket, and jeans, the monster would have been a freakish sight down among the guests, and Sanders felt sure that the same thought had occurred to her as well. Sadness filtered through the tactician's mind to know that Xyster isolated herself, believing herself not fit for civilized company. Still, the fact that she'd shown up at all assured him that she wouldn't be whiling away the night all alone in some dark corner. Plus, perched at her bird's-eye view, she served as another line of defense should anything go awry.
While here, at least, he supposed that he should attempt to socialize. One target in particular stood out—Jack Goran, the master of Dragon Fang. At the meeting earlier today, the wizard saint's words had suggested that he wouldn't stand by and put up with Phoenix Wing's nonsense. The smartest move in any conflict wasn't, as the young and hotheaded might imagine, to believe in oneself, but rather to forge alliances that could be relied upon. In the span of one afternoon, Frenzy Plant had doubled in size; the might of Pirate Lord, plus its famous airship, now lay under Sanders' command. As anyone might have predicted, the lower-scoring guilds had abstained from the ball, with the exception of Pirate Lord's master Salem Monroe. From where he stood, Sanders could see his new friend's stormy expression as he lounged against the railing of the staircase. While uninterested in any more mergers, Frenzy Plant's general wished to make sure that his guild and Goran's would be on good terms.
With that in mind, Sanders caught the eyes of Hyun and motioned for her to follow him. The two navigated the crowd toward Jack Goran, and when in range the tactician gave a wave of his hand. ”Master Jack! Not much time has passed, but it is good to see you again. Enjoying the evening, I hope? What an extraordinary affair!”
On his right, Hyun bowed to the master of Dragon Fang. ”Good evening, sir.”
A maelstrom of pleasantries surrounding Frenzy Plant's premier sorceress at all times. A steady stream of people came by to say hello, to give her a comment, or to request a dance. Each time, Indigo gave the man in question a sorry smile before replying, ”My apologies, but I'm married,” and showing her ring. And each time, her teasing side giggled at their crestfallen expressions. One visitor stood out in her memory, however. Indigo recognized Malice as the well-dressed young lady who's had the misfortune of being matched against her in the one-on-one duels. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, she knew that Malice resented her for that—after all, who wouldn't? That kind of display, admittedly ill-judged on her part, left scars other than physical. However, Malice greeted her with hospitality, so Indigo returned the favor with a happy heart.
”Thank you very much! I found this at a little boutique not far away from the park where my guild camped out. A lot of the girls were eying dresses like these, but as it turned out, only I could get one to wear! Still, they cut a dashing figure, all dressed up in uniform, don't they?” She performed a sweeping gesture with her arm, indicating every soldier present. Her attention returned to Malice soonafter. ”But I must say, you look lovely! The black and purple match your hair so well. You've got a mysterious, reserved sort of allure that men go mad for. I expect you've broken a lot of hearts!”
Blue hair, a red beret, and a pastel green uniform did not make for an excellent color combination, but Joakim did not mind. After all, fashion never stood out to him as a pursuit worth his time, which was no doubt evident in the thin hide and fur robe he most commonly wore. Still, while taking pride in the garb that signified his own guild, he conceded the magnificence of the sight of so many impeccably-dressed men and women in the same room. Overwarm -as usual- he hung near the open windows, a light chill cast around him to keep him feeling cool. Not far away, he recognized two of the newer members of Frenzy Plant, Argus and Flint. From their bearings and expressions, though well-hidden beneath badass veneers, the Arctic Wizard expected that they might be feeling like outsiders themselves. Accordingly, he approached the pair, positioning himself between them. A warmer comrade might have clapped a hand on their shoulders, but Joakim did not intend to invade their personal space, and so refrained. Instead, he said, ”Talk about classy. Even in my dress uniform I still feel like something the cat drug in. I can only imagine how you two feel, so new to the guild and all. Mr. Dunigan, I'll bet you didn't expect your first official assignment with the war guild to be some high-society meet-and-greet in Crocus Palace!” His hand clasped behind his back, he put forward a pleasant, toothy smile permeated by the quaint charm of a foreigner trying to fit in.
When a former pirate was called on to give a dance, she gave it her all. After only a couple of rounds, Jane found herself exhausted. After excusing herself rather brusquely from her current partner, Owen, she found a chair to plop into. The momentary respite relieved her, though she was surprised that the others left her the time to herself. Since her arrival in the ballroom along with the rest of her guild, she'd been beset by suitors seeking a dance, both from within Frenzy Plant and without. The reason why wasn't hard to guess. As well-tailored as her uniform was, it wasn't a perfect fit, and Jane seemed fit to burst her buttons any moment.
The rest gave her the chance to look around, and her position on the outskirts of the room allowed her to spot Gabriel, looking nervous and out of place as ever. Moreover, she spotted a blonde sidling up to him, and in the moments that followed Jane determined that she did not at all like the interloper's provocative manner. There was no way she was letting anyone seduce a gullible young boy, especially a fellow soldier. Adjusting her beret, the cannoneer arose from her seat and made a beeline for the pair. On the way, she squinted at the ambiguous newcomer, trying to figure out whether Karn was a manly girl or a girly man. From her time in the bustling ports of Hargeon, she'd grown a great contempt for the deceitful. She arrived just as Gabriel's sentence trailed off, and after crossing her arms asked him in a firm voice, “Avast, Gabe. This...person botherin' ye?” A steely glance flew Karn's way, and -still addressing her guildmate- she continued, ”Don't do anythin' that makes ye uncomfortable. We don't want anyone taken advantage of.”
While awaiting a reply from the bandicoot boss of Team One, Slayer received a request from Quina to fetch mushrooms should his scouting foray be approved. The naivety of such a side-mission in a matter of possibly trans-dimensional importance made a wry smile appear on his face, and in a noncommittal fashion the vampire replied, ”I shall keep an eye out. My expertise in horticulture is limited, however, so I cannot make any promises.” How would one even begin classifying the 'best' mushrooms? Filthy things neither plant nor animal, known to spring from dirt whilst spreading a web of tendrils underground, did not tickle a gentleman's fancy.
His eyes returned to the swollen behemoth known as Brigan just as a mocking leer overtook the giant's features. In an exhibition of exceptional rudeness, he shoved himself into the face of the timid, green-clad plumber whose name Slayer remembered to be Luigi, and without any restraint the general proceeded to ridicule the poor man. Though composed as ever on the outside, Slayer ground his teeth, and his frown contained enough severity to give children nightmares. Anyone whose focus lay somewhere besides the confrontation before them might notice the almost monstrous anger barely concealed beneath the vampire's dignified facade. In addition, Brigan's colorful and ominous depiction of Odin did not seem to concern him in the slightest. ”The barbarity!” he murmured in a low tone. ”On what grounds does this uncivilized mountain of meat make sport of heroes sent to help him? This is the basest, most repugnant sort of behavior I could imagine.” Since Mario took action, though, Slayer felt no need to step in, and instead turned up his nose at the reek of the warrior's foul breath. Only a moment later, Crash gave his assignment along with the others. It appeared that his team would be tasked with the defeat of the infamous Shadow Knight Oswald—whoever that was. All the same it wouldn't be the first time that the gentleman tussled with someone in armor, so the physical challenge did not concern him. The crux of the battle would be figuring out what magical tricks this Oswald had up his metal sleeves.
Slayer glanced at the other teams of heroes, most already on the move. If the forces did not intend on staying the night after all, then scouting ahead served no real purpose. No matter. The voices of Giving a shrug, he remarked, ”Team Two is already planning to explore the perimeter. No doubt they'll go about it faster than I, so instead I'll set my sights on the end of our road. I will await you all at the Abandoned Castle, though I encourage you not to linger unnecessarily. From what I gather, time is of the essence. In fact, it may be wiser if we all depart together as soon as possible. There is no telling what we may encounter. Moreover, we will need to reach the Castle and at the very least distract our shadowy foe while Team Two pursues their objective within. Shall we?” Not waiting for a reply, since he'd already been given leave to scout ahead, Slayer turned to leave. He walked at a brisk pace, but nothing that could be called undignified...or speedy. Into the murky woods he strode, puffing his pipe.
The eagerness with which Buck yearned to earn his trainer's respect propelled the intrepid little Bidoof along at a chipper pace. While his plan of action was inscrutable, he seemed to Olivie like he knew exactly where he was going. She wondered if her first pokemon relied on his senses to steer him in the right direction, or if the confidence with which he sallied forth was all an act. Opposites attracted, according to the old saying, but in the fluffy little beaver Olivie felt that she'd found a partner altogether like herself.
For the most part, Buck chose pathways closer to the bluff down which the waterfall cascaded, but as the small group wound around the town's outer edge, the terrain began to smooth out. On this side of Stillwater, the marsh gave way with surprising abruptness to a rocky shore. A veritable field of tide pools stretched out down the beach, though on second thought, the scenery more closely evoked the image of a bizarre forest. Spires of gray-black rock, their sides smooth and pitted from time and tide, littered the tide pools like trees. Corals sitting in the sandy-floored basins provided the underbrush. No doubt, this weird terrain was home to all sorts of pokemon, but Olivie spotted another living thing that captured her attention first.
On the right side of the boardwalk, a series of stairs led down into a tide pool big enough for a few Wailmer to rest comfortably. Sitting on the stairs was a young man with light, wavy hair and glasses, clothed in a beany, hoodie, and track pants, with the sleeves and pant legs rolled up. In front of him, a little too close for comfort, stood the huge bug that Olivie knew now to be called Araquanid. In the general area, a number of pokemon were scattered around that Olivie recognized as Bernard's entire party, but she didn't waste time gawking at them. Seeing the pokemon so close to Bernard made the brunette switch to action mode without hesitation. She stepped forward with intent, her hands balled into fists, and the sudden noise caused Bernard to look over his shoulder. He recognized someone cruising for a bruising when he saw one, and held up a placating hand. “Whoa, hold up! This gal's friendly.” He gestured to the Araquanid in front of him, which had taken a wary step back. Olivie paused, but her face spoke of her lack of belief. To prove his point, Bernard slowly reached toward the wild pokemon's bubble and immersed his hand inside it. Gentle as a Deerling, he patted the giant spider between its bulbous blue eyes, then withdrew his hand. Still looking at it, he explained, “This spot is called the Friending Hole. Underwater tunnels hidden in the rocks lead all over the seaside, and when wild pokemon get curious or hungry, they come here to meet people. This is where the trainers from Stillwater about to go on their journeys go to get their starter pokemon. Usually, the choice is between Staryu, Skrelp, and Dewpider, even though their secondary types are no longer classified as a 'type triangle'. Cool, huh?” He glanced at Olivie.
Unfortunately, she could not be much more nonplussed. “Oh, yeah. Radical.” She shook her fists in a lackluster show of excitement. Bernard did not look pleased by her reply. Well, it's not my job to say nice things. All the same, changing the subject wouldn't hurt. “You gonna catch it?”
Contrary to her expectations, this comment made her rival even more ill at ease. As she searched his face, she noticed lines beneath his eyes, as well as the droop of their lids. “What's the matter?” She furrowed her brow. “Didja have nightmares too?”
Bernard shook his head a little too fast. “Nah, I'm good. Just don't feel like catching it. If it's interested, it'll follow me. Hey, looks like you're ready to head out for the day. Good. How 'bout we take a walk along the shore? Might spot something interesting.” He rose, water running down his legs, and skirted the pool to walked along a level stretch of rock.
Olivie followed the boardwalk a little longer, then hopped off. Her pokemon followed her one by one, careful to keep their footing on the slippery seaside stones. After drawing close to Bernard, she said, “That reminds me, we got a job to do. Turns out lots of people have been having nightmares. Keep an eye our for any weird crap. I'm dyin' to beat the stuffin' outta something.” She glanced behind to see the Araquanid in tow, making its own way through the pools apart from the rest using its long, jointed legs. No matter how loose the terrain, the girl expected, there was a bug that would never slip. Her thoughts returned to Bernard, and in short order came to a conclusion. “Hey, you did have nightmares. You hidin' something from me? How about you spit it out, or I dunk you in the nearest puddle?” Olivie took the opportunity to accentuate her ultimatum by donning her fight gloves, though she'd probably end up using them on a wild pokemon if anything.
The instant Bernard breathed a weighty sigh, Olivie knew she guessed right. After a moment he replied, “Fine, it's not a big deal. It's just...last night, I dreamed that someone broke into my family's house. Something weird was going on with us, so we couldn't react before this thing captured us using devices that looked just like poke balls. Then he put us in a computer, stuck in our little balls, completely alone in a dark void. I woke up, but I got to thinking...is that what I've been doing? I've caught a lot of pokemon.” He paused briefly as his foot slid into a puddle, covering his shoe in wet sand and washed-up sea grass. Once extricated, he continued. “I keep a bunch on me all the time, but I've basically been collecting them. Is that what they experience? Being cooped up for days, hoping that I'll set them free. No wonder they listen to us...if someone kept you in a tiny cell and let you out to do something, and you knew that you could never escape, wouldn't you obey?” The young man shook himself. “Well, that's what I thought. But I was probably just scared. It's not as bad as I thought. Professor Ivy specifically told us that pokemon are in stasis in their balls, just like hibernation.”
Olivie took a look around at the crowd of pokemon that surrounded her and Bernard. He feels bad enough to release all of them at once, though.
A few minutes more, and the two had left the expanse of tide pools behind. The shore grew thinner, turning to a more sandy beach. Barely had the group arrived before they heard shouts of panic. They glimpsed a sandstorm, powerful but very localized, and Bernard knew it to be one stirred up by a pokemon move. As the pair watched, two girls that Olivie knew all too well sprinted from the curtain of sand, a number of Pokemon along with them. The brunette raised her eyebrows to see another shape, one larger and more menacing, appear from above. One look at it and Olivie got the impression that the chicks were in trouble. A smile broke out on her face. “Hah!” She crossed her arms beneath her chest. “Already having trouble? Looks like you need a certain someone to save your asses!” At a wave of her hand, Gespenst and Bifrons jumped in front of her. On her shoulder, Verrine hissed threateningly.
However, Bernard held out a hand of his own, this one in front of Olivie. Furious, she glared at him, but before she could protest, the trainer said, “Send all but one of your pokemon back into balls. This is serious, we can't have any crossfire. Scylla, use Whirlpool!”
Staring down the Malamar, Bernard's Tentacruel swirled her tentacles around in a circle. A current of water whipped around them in a vicious spiral, but the Malamar did not float idly by. It lashed one of its big tentacles, sending a narrow wave of psychic energy straight at his foe. Bernard's expression soured in an instant, though Olivie didn't know why. According to her rival, Tentacruels defended against energy attacks very well. The enemy pokemon's attack cleaved through the whirlpool that sloshed its way and hit home with a jarring shreeee. For a moment, Scylla didn't move, but before Olivie could even say 'huh?' one of her poison sacs burst in a shower of venom and vital fluid. It splattered against the ground, followed shortly by Scylla herself. Bernard, ever the strategist, ground his teeth and explained, “Psycho Cut—a blade made of hateful, insane thoughts. It's a special attack, but it strikes like a physical one. Painkiller!”
The Bisharp stepped forward, and the rest of Bernard's pokemon vanished in a series of flashes. Olivie called back her party as well, save for Gespenst. Its spots glowing, the Malamar leered at the humans. It had just won a two-on-one battle, and clearly didn't think much of an encore.
Current GM of World of Light. When it comes to writing, there's nothing I love more than imagination, engagement, and commitment. I'm always open to talk, suggestion, criticism, and collaboration. While I try to be as obliging, helpful, and courteous as possible, I have very little sympathy for ghosts, and anyone who'd like to string me along. Straightforwardness is all I ask for.
Looking for more personal details? I'm just some dude from the American south; software development is my job but games, writing, and trying to help others enjoy life are my passions. Been RPing for over a decade, starting waaaay back with humble beginnings on the Spore forum, so I know a thing or two, though I won't pretend to be an expert. If you're down for some fun, let's make something spectacular together.
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Current GM of World of Light. When it comes to writing, there's nothing I love more than imagination, engagement, and commitment. I'm always open to talk, suggestion, criticism, and collaboration. While I try to be as obliging, helpful, and courteous as possible, I have very little sympathy for ghosts, and anyone who'd like to string me along. Straightforwardness is all I ask for.<br><br>Looking for more personal details? I'm just some dude from the American south; software development is my job but games, writing, and trying to help others enjoy life are my passions. Been RPing for over a decade, starting waaaay back with humble beginnings on the Spore forum, so I know a thing or two, though I won't pretend to be an expert. If you're down for some fun, let's make something spectacular together.</div>
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