@Pirouette Alright. I'll type something up for you soon enough and see if we can get you on the way again. Hm-hm.
@Pikmin Eye ... *reexamines Goldeen's size* And that's its HEIGHT, meaning it is way longer, meaning it's... Gosh.
Alright, down we go. Nicely posted. I'll have something written soon enough.
@Rune_Alchemist Heh. Alright. Getting this started. Let's see if I know what the heck I'm doing. Nicely posted. Now, then. To review what moves I believe Absol knows.
Mariette looked at Alexander after his request. She mentally approved of that he had made that a request, and nothing else. With a moment's direction, opening small portals high above to her eye-patched eye so that she could see the area where Amber, Helga and Penny were currently located. Then, she directed her magic, and a portal opened. One end was right next to Alexander and the others, the other opened around 10 meters to the side of where Amber and Penny was currently located. In case that griffin wanted to go through, Mariette made it large enough for the creature to stride through.
She intentionally placed the portal so she herself would not be in view from the other side. Of course, it'd still be pretty obvious she made it.
Heh. If someone mentions this supposed "unification of Penrose" then Mariette has already scanned most individuals she could find in her attempts to find individuals to kidnap. She can locate and send around individuals pretty quickly, Absolute Direction and portals and all.
Anyways. I could just make a tiny post about Mariette opening the requested portal, because she will, but I do feel at the very least Sue might want to react first, and maybe Majoras' characters too, if she hasn't already started that supposed collab. Heh.
I'll wait a little to see if someone has decided to do something.
Mariette barely kept herself from the slightest of a wicked smirk at Alex’s reply. He was more controlled than she’d have expected, except he was still a force of fury. Excellent.
Before she spoke, she paid attention to what Sue turned to her to say, without even turning her way. Indeed, she was planning on fighting back. And indeed, Amber’s airship was part of that equation…
‘…’ Mariette frowned in that direction, her awareness picking up on something. A tiny portal opened high in the sky, from the eye under an eyepatch to above the ship, looking at it…
‘The ship is under attack,’ Mariette replied to Sue. Though, it was too far away for anyone present to change the course of events that would take place next. Eli blinked up from where she was trying to maintain composure, seeing strains of magic from the distance on the flying ship. Several.
It didn’t occur to Mariette to help defend it.
Next, Anaya and Scout gathered. In the past, at the very least Scout had been scouted as a potential for being kidnapped, but was spared on account of being active in Penrose, too close to the home base, as well as being the servant of a Lesser Force. They were unpredictable in how they reacted to kidnappings, so Scout had been passed by as too much of a potential fuss. Anaya, however… was relatively new to Mariette.
Eli froze in realization behind Mariette, her sixth sense of darkness sensing the presence of the blessing of a horror. She hadn’t noticed it during the battle due to distance, but now she could notice the uncomfortable feeling on a closer range. And… with that, got a rough idea of what her bane was. Something about… a specific form of light, of some kind? … Eli felt an immediate sense of sympathy, due to having a very similar bane…
‘Mistress,’ Eli said with a cautionary tone. Mariette nodded, understanding the matter. This meant this girl, too, could get a sense of what their bane was. Banes, in Mariette’s case. One was a small lit natural flame, applying to both of them. The other was something, which was cracked like damaged glass, applying only to Mariette. … In any case. Anaya spoke about routes to the Overcity, and that she had found the shortest route… Mariette scoffed.
The portal girl standing on her own portal in mid-air considered for a moment, then spoke.
‘… There is no need to convince me. Justine attempted to take my life,’ Mariette told and gestured to her appearance, damaged dress and all. ‘My incentive to send a force of vengeance her way is more than sufficient. And… you have no need to find a “shortest route”,’ Mariette said. She then turned and stared directly at Anaya, thoroughly stale in expression. ‘I am the shortest route,’ she plainly declared.
‘That said,’ she continued, turning to those present. ‘I have been in contact with Alicia of Beacon. She was here before, wasn’t she? I offered her that I could ferry the forces of Beacon to Justine. I also said I’d mention this to Lily Hanson, for she showed a desire to go there. I’m willing to send you on your way, but perhaps you’d like to join forces, first? With them, and any allies you might have procured. You’ll need them.’
She then also looked up towards the airship. ‘And, in case Amber’s among your allies, I should mention that her ship’s under attack’—and that’s when something exploded within the ship and it started smoking and falling—‘oh.’
Mariette had a dull expression on her face as she looked up. Should she have told them earlier? Should she have acted? … The answer was inconclusive in her mind. … Hm.
She’d be standing there unmoving for a bit. Eli behind her, silent and staring.
Martin sent out Goldeen into the water, and she descended into the well-like water-hole. It was dark, but small flashes of light guided the way. Descending deeper, the pressure rose, and the area opened up. It was a large, underwater cavern, and it was probably a bit deeper than the average human would like to attempt diving. The small flashes of light which actually slightly lit the place up…
The angler Pokémon secure territories, and would become hostile to Goldeen should she draw too close, which would be terrible because they’d be attacking with Electro Balls. In any case. The underwater cavern itself is not very meaningful itself, it’s an underwater area with some Pokémon living in it and some seaweed in the bottom.
Now, as a water-Pokémon, Goldeen would have immediately noticed that the water here was seawater when other water in the cavern was freshwater from the lake. She could clearly sense a current where there was a passage out to the sea southwards. Said current brought with it food and fish that flowed into the cavern and, with nowhere else to go, floated up to the room where the Slowpokes were fishing. It was a trap built of natural(?) cavern formation that the Slowpokes were taking advantage of for maximum food for minimum effort. Fish zapped by the angler Pokémon would also be drifting up there, free for the Slowpokes to feed on.
Regardless, there was one more exit. A place in the opposite direction to the exit out to the sea, northwards. There was a cave. A pitch-black cave, leading out further than she could see if she stuck out her head. It was hot and dark, and Goldeen was unable to see further into the dark cave to tell what could possibly be awaiting in the depths. But, it didn’t FEEL like it was the Wet Caverns anymore.
In any case, it was somewhat optimistic for a human to attempt diving to these depths on their own. However, if holding onto Goldeen, perhaps she could guide him there. If she didn’t mind being held onto.
‘Laurinda, hm. Oh… oh, I see.’ Jacques nodded to Amelia, his eyes trailing her Pokémon a little. Then, soon enough, they were done with the meal and such. Jacques paid for all of it, and left a fairly generous tip, before standing up and retrieving his hat.
‘Very well. I have a few things I’m going to want to research a little about, if you don’t mind me possibly seeking you out in the future. I wish you luck on your journey. Until next time, young Amelia.’ He bowed to her, then cast a quick look at Charl. ‘I’ll be back for you.’
‘Yes, sir!’ Charl flinched at being addressed, and then Jacques would be wandering on his way.
So, now, besides Charl still being there, Amelia was free to do what she wanted again.
Highhill Town
(couldn’t decide what image I wanted to use)
Highhill Town is a small, lively place that has seemingly stood atop this hill from time immemorial and never really changed. The atmosphere in Highhill Town is much fresher than surrounding places, the buildings are older and the work as honest as ever. The old town is populated by elders and younglings aplenty, and the town has a culture of their own. Plenty of Pokémon assist with the work, either as work-force or the animals that work is being done on.
One usually only crosses Highhill Town on a trip to or from Pureplain City. Regardless, it is a place of beauty. The fields around it are cultivated by hard-working people and Pokémon while the lake to the east gleams in the sunshine as fishermen attend it. There are small roads of asphalt spiraling up the hill to lead to all the old buildings, and children playing around in stairs or nature is very common.
It is said that a trainer praying at the nearby Silent Shrine will be blessed on their journey, so many travel to Highhill Town just for that. There’s also a set of very ancient rocks spread about town, pointing out towards the lake on top of the hill with some engravings. What they mean? Nobody knows. Also, Highhill Town is the residence of a certain Move Changer, whose abilities are sought by some new trainers. What he can do? Visit him to find out.
1. Find Pokémon. Can still search for Pokémon in towns~ 2. Talk. In cities, there are considerably more people one can talk to. Talking can give you info on local rumors and such. 3. Exit. Exit the town to any of the connected areas. 4. Specify. If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result. 5. Trigger random event. Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you. 6. Notable Buildings. Visit any of the facilities of the city! 6.1. Pokémon Center. Heal all your Pokémon. 6.2. PokéMart. Go to a store and buy things. 6.3. Pokémon Gym. ??? 6.4. Docks. For fishermen or perhaps a ticket across Route 14. 6.5. Ancient Rocks. Of completely unknown origin, ancient writing on them. 6.6. Ranch. There are ranches around Highhill, if you stand to gain from them. 6.7. Move Changer. We can guess from the name, but what can this man do? 6.8. Mayor’s House. If you see reason to visit, it’s right by the rocks. 7. Jacques technically still here, if you forgot something.
Connected areas: Route 1. To the south, is the common route of first journeys. Green and straight. Route 3. To the north, the route to Rainrock or the Silent Shrine. A wet woodland. Route 14. To the east, the lake known as the Dragon Lake, potentially for crossing.
The two Pikachu hesitated and then retreated in two different directions as Dawkin started chasing the Pichu. Apparently, after electric shocks turned ineffective they lost the will to fight.
It should be noted that mice are naturally developed to get to safety in a forest. That said, Pichu is yellow for whatever indiscernible reason, probably to warn other Pokémon of their electric potential, but it was doing it a considerable disservice here as Dawkin could easily pursue it. Pichu was slowed from being damaged, but it seemed to have a destination as it dashed past a tree and another tree and-
The Pichu dashed up the leg of a Sawsbuck, who simply stood majestically and turned his head to the little parasite running up his leg and standing on his back. Pichu proceeded to turn towards Dawkin, and…
‘PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICH~!’ … Stuck out a tongue and pulled at the lower part of its right eyelid at him.
Sawsbuck, looking exceedingly disinterested, shook his body absently like if he had tried to dry himself after being wet.
‘P-pichu…!’ Pichu lost balance and fell down behind the two-meter-tall stag. Sawsbuck proceeded to slowly wander in the direction that was to Dawkin’s right, but the stag’s indifference didn’t prevent Pichu from giving Dawkin the evil eye and trying to hide behind the legs of the Pokémon.
Yvonne simply smirked at Claire’s claims. She nodded to Ralia and Claire as they smiled at one another, and then continued with what she was doing with opening a wide enough space inside this building to set the stage for this little show. She only paid the slightest attention as Claire engaged Lure in conversation, and then soon enough she had managed to move enough things to give themselves a room to play in. Leftover furniture, tables, chairs and the like had been moved to the sides, and now there was room to play. A light rainfall started outside, and it should be noted neither lights nor heating worked inside the building. It may be somewhat cold, the air a bit damp from the rain now and sunlight unable to reach the surface due to light clouds. That said, it could otherwise be interpreted as cozy.
‘Yeah, I figured you’d use her.’ Yvonne eventually settled, looking at Ralia. She did look to Lure, a little perplexed as to that relationship, but chose to dismiss it. There had been the chance she was wrong, after all, not that it would have mattered. Yvonne smirked, once again, lifting the Pokéball.
‘Alright. This one is my representative of Cool and Clever. Stefan! Let’s go!’ She lobbed the ball, and it hit the floor with a flash of light. Out treaded a white quadruped covered in fur, but its claws, tail and face notably dark, including an odd horn that curved like a blade on the right side of the head, a glare of red eyes forward at Claire and Ralia.
Pokédex Entry #359 – Absol, the Disaster Pokémon. It lives in mountainous regions and don’t often leave them. Its horn senses impending disasters, so it’s known to come down to warn people. In the past, it was misunderstood and thought to be an ill bringer of harm, and many still feel uncomfortable with it. It has a notably long lifespan.
‘Absol.’ The Pokémon stated, affirming his presence. Yvonne breathed out a breath she had been holding in since before she sent out the Pokémon, and she looked visibly proud.
‘Yeah. Sorry about this.’ Yvonne started off with.
‘In the appeal round of any contest, the Pokémon are to make moves in a specific order. Now, other Pokémon are allowed to make counter-moves if they’re being targeted, Clever’s a bit different since the Pokémon will actually be attempting to achieve superiority above one another, but still. The one to make the first move will be decided from the votes of the audience in the primary judging, the one with most votes gets to move first and so on. So…’ She then looked and smirked at Lure.
‘Who does our audience think seem the most clever?’ Yvonne asked the bug, gesturing between the two competitors, Ralia the Ralts and Stefan the Absol.
Stefan calmly turned his head to look with sharp eyes towards Lure… before making a brief Huff sound of breathing out in slightly scoffing manner, before turning to stare at Ralia, limbs in a stance showing he was ready to make a move.
@Pikmin Eye I'll say Goldeen can probably swim you there. I checked, Goldeen CAN learn the Dive HM, so that should mean you should be able to use Goldeen for that purpose here. ... But I am not letting you breathe underwater just because your Pokémon can Dive you. Haha.
@Joshua Tamashii You know, I had something clever in mind. Then I forgot. I forgot what kind of cleverness I had in mind for what Jacques to say. So, instead of delaying you, run along. I can kick myself whenever I remember later. Hahaha.
@Eklispe You know, if you had written that you'd try capturing the Pokémon while running, I might have... eh, oh, well. I'll let you entertain this one instead. XD
@Rune_Alchemist ... Yvonne planned that you might be using Ralia, because she (obviously) already knew who her own competitor would be, and chose category based on that. Hah.
@Pirouette I'm just happy you wrote and confirmed you're still here! If you prefer, I can jump you past this trial and just assume you cleared it if you don't want to be delayed here. If you're finding it hard to reply.