Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: New Thread Bookkeeping 

  Notes for players: 
 
 Standard on this forum is to make a new thread every 50 pages. 
 Houserules are listed in the OoC thread. 
 ((Comments in double parenthesis like this are OoC.)) If your entire post is OoC please use the OoC thread instead. 
 
 
 Original Threads: 
 RPG (previous) 
 OoC (previous) 
 Previous Thread: 
 Assault on the Town of Ash 
 Current Threads: 
 OoC (current) 
 Dice Rolls (current) 
 Character Stats (current) 
 


Pinklady:

The Mawile’s trainer calls off from the side: “I told you you should have gone for Thunderbolt instead!”

“Yeah, yeah…” the trainer in red grumbles before calling for Dragon Pulse.

Croaky uses Rain Dance!
It begins to rain!

Ryskimara uses Dragon Pulse!
Croaky is hit for 35 damage!

(Rain Dance in effect, 4 rounds remaining.)

Croaky: 42/77

Ryskimara: 77/77

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " I'm going to try catching one of these, too. Do you want one? " 
 

Mina shook her head ‘no.’ “ I’m good. ” She didn’t have much affinity for Grass types. She ordered Pidgey and Houndoom to pick off the weaker members of the mob with Gust and Ember respectively.

Jessia uses Bite!
It’s super effective!
Dendrolog 7 is hit for 48 damage!

Houndoom uses Ember!
It’s super effective!
Dendrolog 2 is hit for 112 damage!
Dendrolog 2 faints!

Pidgey uses Gust!
It’s super effective!
Dendrolog 1 is hit for 59 damage!
Dendrolog 1 faints!

Marick uses Rock Slide!
Dendrolog 3 is hit for 73 damage!
Dendrolog 3 faints!
Dendrolog 4 is hit for 60 damage!
Dendrolog 5 is hit for 66 damage!
Dendrolog 5 faints!
Dendrolog 8 is hit for 66 damage!
Dendrolog 8 faints!

Dendrolog 7 uses Ritual Dance!

The remaining Grass Pokémon abruptly fell into perfect sync and attacked.

It’s super effective!
Jessia is hit for 44 damage!

Dendrolog 6 uses Ritual Dance!
It’s super effective!
Jessia is hit for 75 damage!
Jessia faints!

Dendrolog 4 uses Ritual Dance!
It’s not very effective…
Houndoom is hit for 23 damage!

As the fight raged, Mark and Mina were able to note the lights in the distance were scrambling to and fro like an ant nest that had been kicked over, and were starting to trickle away.

(Sunny Day in effect.)

Marick: 100/100
 Jessia: 0/115 

Pidgey: 76/76
Houndoom: 77/100

 Dendrolog 1: 0/51 
 Dendrolog 2: 0/54 
 Dendrolog 3: 0/56 
Dendrolog 4: 2/62
 Dendrolog 5: 0/59 
Dendrolog 6: 64/64
Dendrolog 7: 22/70
 Dendrolog 8: 0/59 

----------------

Less:

The library is quite busy, with many students coming in to do classwork out of the baking heat. But you find the section you’re looking for without too much trouble, and it isn’t even crawling with students, unlike some of the other sections.

 
 Spoiler: Rift schedule for the last six weeks 

Current Week -6 - Outside Stardust City, near Quibir and Steltag Prison (two in one day), North of Ternai
Current Week -5 - West of Coastmarch, near Jikero, Slashpeak Cave
Current Week -4 - Battle Festival Village and south of Siltis (two in one day), Tidepath
Current Week -3 - Keida, Wingtip Island and south end of Shatterhigh Mountains (two in one day)
Current Week -2 - On the coast south of Greshil, Northern Coast west of Scallop Cave, Rieva
Current Week -1 - near Shadowbeach, Southeast of Plainshaven
 


----------------

Akio:

You make it to Skybreak without notable incident, the only Pokémon you see being too far off to bother you. The line into Skybreak isn’t bad either; this late in the day more people are leaving than going in, and the heat seems to have made the remainder think twice about standing in the sun.

The library is a good bit busier, being full of students getting their research or classwork done in the air conditioning.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Are you looking for something specific on the subject or just general information?
 
Gnomes2169
What the HECK had THAT been?! Recalling Jessia, with a mumbled apology for his poor ghost type, Mark pulled out another great ball and told Mina, " Alright, then, I'm just going for the big one. " Figuring that Pidgey and Houndoom could handle the remaining two, Mark threw his ball at Dendrolog 7.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

Mark throws a Great Ball! ((-1 Great Ball, 1 remaining.))

Shake…shake…shake… DING! 
Dendrolog was caught!

 
 Spoiler: Dendrolog 

Type: Grass/Ghost
Ability: Deadwood - Powers up Grass and Ghost moves by 50%
Gender: Male
Level: 23
Held Item: Mental Herb
Stats--
HP: 70
Attack: 42
Def: 46
Sp. Attack: 44
Sp. Def: 46
Speed: 32
Moves:
Ingrain
Leech Seed
Razor Leaf
Worry Seed
Ritual Dance*
Branch Lash*
 


Would you like to give a nickname to Dendrolog?

The Pokédex has a little more info:

 
 Spoiler: Ritual Dance 

Type: Ghost (Physical)
Power: 60 (but see text)
Accuracy: 100%
PP: 15 (max 24)

If another Pokémon uses Ritual Dance after the user, that Pokémon will act immediately after the user (ignoring Speed) and the Power of the subsequent user’s attack will double to 120.

((Basically it’s Round, but Ghost type and Physical.))
 

 
 Spoiler: Branch Lash 

Type: Grass (Physical)
Power: 70
Accuracy: 100%
PP: 10 (max 15)

Power doubled vs. foes in the air (via Flying type, Levitate, etc…)
 


Pidgey and Houndoom make short work of the remaining two, and the barrier of greenery collapses. The lights in the distance have largely disappeared into the underbrush.


(Sunny Day in effect.)

Marick: 100/100
 Jessia: 0/115 

Pidgey: 76/76
Houndoom: 77/100

 Dendrolog 1: 0/51 
 Dendrolog 2: 0/54 
 Dendrolog 3: 0/56 
 Dendrolog 4: 0/62 
 Dendrolog 5: 0/59 
 Dendrolog 6: 0/64 
 Dendrolog 7: 22/70  - caught!
 Dendrolog 8: 0/59 
Feathersnow
Akio goes up to the help desk.  "Hello, could you help me find any books about other dimensions?  I need to help a friend's daughter with her project."  Not a lie!  Honor intact!   "Just general background, so I know how to start"
Gnomes2169
Yes! And now Mark  finally  had something effective against water types, and it seemed like it was a physical attacker? Or at least its current moveset fit that. He'd have to check the pokedex for all of its moveset, evolution and other information. And that ghost move... he pulled it up on his pokedex and asked Mina, " Have you ever seen something like this before? It's like, a ghost version of Round... wonder if Jessia can learn it. " If she could, then he had a nice little combo on his team. He'd also have to check if Ritual Dance was a Dendrolog exclusive move. " Anyway, let's get those berries that Na- er, Xatu found! " He caught himself this time, Xatu, he's  trying  to learn.
Kareeah_Indaga
Akio:

“Of course young man,” the librarian taps something onto the keyboard of the nearest computer, bringing up a list of books. “Any dimension in particular?”

 
 Spoiler: Book List 

 Journey into the Unown: A Study of the Symbol Pokémon 
 Reversal  (includes notes from famed researcher Newton Graceland!)
 Twin Temples: The Shines of Light and Shadow 
 Observations on Effects of the Spectral Dimension 
 Silph Co Dimensional Travel Postmortem 
 


“We also have some newspaper clippings about the incident at Alamos town, but those aren’t very detailed. I can still direct you to them if you like.”

----------------

Mark and Mina:

“ I don’t think so…I mean, I don’t think I’ve seen that attack before now, ” Mina added as she realized her initial response was a little ambiguous. Come to that, Mina didn’t think she’d seen Round…she pulled out her Pokédex for some quick reading of her own.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Anyway, let's get those berries that Na- er, Xatu found! " 
 

&lt; Better. &gt;

Mina’s mouth twitched. “ Yes, let’s. ”

Xatu lead them to the spot where the lights had been. A large tree had fallen at some point in the not-to-distant past forming a sizable clearing, and a mass of sticks and fallen leaves had been woven up against its trunk - Xatu fluttered over to peer inside. A few plants scattered around the clearing looked like something had made a hasty effort to uproot them - leaves missing or shredded - and by these Mina found a red leaf with a powerful smell ((+1 Power Herb for Mina)) and Mark discovered a Revival Herb with a Dendrolog-foot-shaped footprint on it and dirt still on the roots ((+1 Revival Herb for Mark)). In three spots the underbrush had been coaxed away from patches of loamy soil, but most whatever had grown there had also been knocked over and raided: Mina noted the remains of a yellow viney plant she didn’t recognize but was distracted from investigating by something round and wait that was -

“  Mark, come look!  ” Mina called, excited.

It was bright green. It was a little battered. But it was definitely a Lum Berry.
Gnomes2169
Mark had been looking under the fallen tree to see if there was anything of interest when Mina called out, and he bustled on over to check what she'd found. Not recognizing it, because he still wasn't a berry expert, he pulled out his pokedex and checked his berry app to figure out what it did... and his eyes grew wide. " We need as many of these as we can possibly get. And we need to make sure they aren't eaten before they get harvested. " Blanket status curing?! What the heck, that was  so good!  " Put that in one of your planters next... or maybe we should pool money together to buy more portable planters for me, Pinklady, Akio or Less? I don't know. We're just never going to have enough of those. "

The revival herb went into his bag, of course. It might be bitter and make his pokemon grumpy, but it was a revive when they needed it.
Feathersnow
"Err... The Spectral Dimension. I'd like thar book and to look at the newspapers, please."

This was going well.  Hopefully no one from Bandra was monitoring this.
Lord Ruby34
Five weeks ago. Less furrowed his brow and inspected the newspapers. The mostly likely rifts were probably the one near Jikero, or West of Coastmarch. Depending on exactly how Emilia's mission had gone, either made sense as potential entry points. Which meant that his little girl had spent over a month in that darkened place. Just being there apparently could have an effect on mood and emotional control.

Maybe Emilia could have made her way to friendly territory? Supposedly one of the Lord Pokemon was friendly . . . or she could have been captured by one of the others. Five weeks was a long time to be worn down . . . but if the Bandra officer had been well enough to write messages, then all hope was far from lost. But that still left Less a massive logistical problem. In five weeks, Emilia could have managed to find herself pretty much  anywhere  in the spectral realm.

Nothing to do for it but press on. Less left the library, searching for a copy of the current week's paper. That shouldn't be too hard to find.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

Mark’s examination of the tree reveals little of note except that the leaf mass appears hollow on the inside, the floor of it well-trampled with small prints the Pokédex identifies as coming from Dendroclops - Dendrolog’s pre-evolved form - and a few leaves and small bits of eggshell.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " We need as many of these as we can possibly get. And we need to make sure they aren't eaten before they get harvested. " 
 

Mina had to double-check what she had in her Planters and how long each took to grow before she replied. “ My Kelpsy plant should be harvestable by tomorrow morning, have you got anything in yours ready before then? ” She frowned. “ If we had more than one we could risk one in those plots we found by the road, but without a backup I don’t think we should. ” Worst case scenario they couldn’t safely grow more until tomorrow though…that wasn’t bad, all things considered. It wasn’t like the Time Flutes, they had Pokemon Centers and other healing Berries to cover most of their status effect problems…


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Put that in one of your planters next... or maybe we should pool money together to buy more portable planters for me, Pinklady, Akio or Less? I don't know. We're just never going to have enough of those. " 
 

“ The others can probably buy their own Planters, we’ve all had a few day jobs at this point. ” Privately Mina felt if they didn’t care enough to buy the Planters themselves they  probably  didn’t care enough to keep track of growing and watering the Berries either.

Oh well, they’d either jump on the free healing item bandwagon or they wouldn’t.

----------------

Akio:

The librarian helps you retrieve  Observations on Effects of the Spectral Dimension  and the newspapers, pointing out the relevant headlines in the process. The librarian also gives the warning that non-students are not allowed to take any materials out of the library.

 
 Spoiler: Relevant Headlines 
 DARK FIGURE THREATENS TRAINERS 
 MASS HALLUCINATIONS AT ALAMOS TOWN 
 MYSTERIOUS FOG ENGULFS TOWN 
 BATTLE OF THE GODS! 
 


----------------

Less:

You find a newspaper stand selling the day’s paper; it’s 100 PD for the current day’s edition, but you know from previous visits the newspaper usually gives away the previous day’s edition for free.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

The Mawile’s trainer calls off from the side: “I told you you should have gone for Thunderbolt instead!”

“Yeah, yeah…” the trainer in red grumbles before calling for Dragon Pulse.

Croaky uses Rain Dance!
It begins to rain!

Ryskimara uses Dragon Pulse!
Croaky is hit for 35 damage!

(Rain Dance in effect, 4 rounds remaining.)

Croaky: 42/77

Ryskimara: 77/77 
 

Pinklady frowned as her opponent's Pokémon didn't stick to fire and water as she had hoped.  "Croaky, get them with a Bubblebeam!"  She instructed, although unsure she'll even get the chance to use it, given the presence of Thunderbolt her previous opponent mentioned.
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

Either you misunderstood the boy with the Mawile or something else is going on, because your opponent doesn’t call for a Thunderbolt this round either.

Croaky uses Bubble Beam!
Ryskimara is hit for 15 damage!

Oddly, the Rain Dance doesn’t seem to be helping at all. A quick scan with the Pokédex yields more information:

 
 Spoiler: Ability: Stability 
Does not take additional damage from attacks boosted by weather conditions.
 


Ryskimara uses Dragon Pulse!
Croaky is hit for 38 damage!


(Rain Dance in effect, 3 rounds remaining.)

Croaky: 4/77

Ryskimara: 62/77
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina had to double-check what she had in her Planters and how long each took to grow before she replied. “ My Kelpsy plant should be harvestable by tomorrow morning, have you got anything in yours ready before then? ” She frowned. “ If we had more than one we could risk one in those plots we found by the road, but without a backup I don’t think we should. ” 
 

Mark nodded along with the second part of what she said, obviously agreeing with that since he'd brought up the planters thing. He also checked his berries quick so that he could give her an answer. " I just planted them yesterday, and I'm pretty sure they don't grow as fast as Oran berries, but let me see here... " He should also probably water them soon anyway. And also try to clear off Fisher's shadowing, so he could rain-dance and water things that way... But later. If the planters were dry, he could always ask his Corphish for a bit of water too.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ The others can probably buy their own Planters, we’ve all had a few day jobs at this point. ” 
 

" Yeah, that's fair... Speaking of, though, I definitely need to get to that breeder and back to Skybreak today. Maybe if we get there fast enough I'll be able to buy another planter before lockdown and stuff? " If Xatu could teleport him, he wouldn't be crunched for time at all. " I know you'll be looking around in town for any hints about Riolu's trainer you can, and I'm not asking for you to drop that or anything, " Heck, he  had  volunteered to help, " but if I could bum a ride back before dinner, I should have time to get all that done and still be able to help you out once I pick up the samples. Um. Thanks for being the team taxi while 'Sail is out of commission, by the way. You too, Xatu. Sorry I keep calling you Natu. It must be...  annoying...  " He honestly wished it wasn't necessary, since that would mean his psychic type wasn't  drowning  in pain meds right now, but he was still grateful for the assistance.
Lord Ruby34
Less asked after the previous day's paper, and made a mental note to actually come here and  buy  the paper the day they left for the spectral dimension. As long a forecast as they could muster might be life or death.

After a moment of uncertain hesitation, Less headed back to the main part of the university to go ask after his delivery task. They would need money for supplies, both for Pokemon and themselves. No Pokemon Centers to bum a free lunch from in the Spectral dimension.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

Mark could see that his Berries did, in fact, need water.

 
 Spoiler: Mark’s Planter Berries 

Grepa growing taller
Pomeg growing taller
Qualot growing taller
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Yeah, that's fair... Speaking of, though, I definitely need to get to that breeder and back to Skybreak today. Maybe if we get there fast enough I'll be able to buy another planter before lockdown and stuff? " If Xatu could teleport him, he wouldn't be crunched for time at all. " I know you'll be looking around in town for any hints about Riolu's trainer you can, and I'm not asking for you to drop that or anything, " Heck, he  had  volunteered to help, " but if I could bum a ride back before dinner, I should have time to get all that done and still be able to help you out once I pick up the samples. Um. Thanks for being the team taxi while 'Sail is out of commission, by the way. You too, Xatu. Sorry I keep calling you Natu. It must be...  annoying...  " 
 

Xatu’s response sounded noncommittal. Mina’s was a little easier to understand.

“ Okay, okay, we can stop looking for Berries and just hurry off to  Hillsbreak then. ” They’d already found something, after all. “ After we fill the patch by the road. ”

Xatu flew back over to Mina and settled on her shoulder. She reached up and scritched under his beak.

 
 Spoiler: Mina 

The sense he was giving off was grim.

  What’s wrong?  

&lt; They moved their nest site here. This is bad. &gt;

  Bad, how?  

&lt; I told you this was their medicine patch? &gt;

  Yes, and you told me you and your family raided it sometimes and it wasn’t a huge deal.   Mina had got the impression it had fallen somewhere between a serious prank - about on par with toilet papering someone’s house - and coming over to borrow a hammer. An annoyance the nocturnal Grass types put up with because the Natu were neighbors, and if it got to be too much the the Dendrologs would complain and then the Natu would give them their empty eggshells or help knock down fruit to make up for it, and then all was well.

&lt; They don’t usually grow their hatchlings on top of their medicine patches. &gt; Accompanying this was an image of baby Pokémon gleefully running amuck, flinging mud, scribbling on the walls… &lt; Something must have happened. &gt;

  But the Bandra base here was destroyed, I saw the crater the last time I was here!   Mina protested…but the wheels in her head kept turning and it occurred to her how odd it was for the Grass types to have ripped up all their own plants before they fled.

&lt;Something  is going on. &gt;

  I guess we just keep our eyes open,   she thought back, discontented.
 


“ All set here? ” she asked aloud.

----------------

Less:

You grab yourself a copy of the previous day’s newspaper ((+Newspaper (Day 28))). A quick glance at the appropriate page shows you the rift schedule for the next week.

 
 Spoiler: Rift Schedule 
Tomorrow - Moontear 2 AM
4 days from now - Southeast of Ternai, 1 PM
6 days from now - North of Coastmarch, 9 AM
 


Enroute a couple teenagers give you mysteriously dirty looks before crossing the street to avoid you, but otherwise you make it back to the University without incident. While not completely deserted, the receptionist’s desk is much less busy now and you are able to reach the front of the line after fifteen minutes or so.

“Hello, can I help you?”
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Either you misunderstood the boy with the Mawile or something else is going on, because your opponent doesn’t call for a Thunderbolt this round either.

Croaky uses Bubble Beam!
Ryskimara is hit for 15 damage!

Oddly, the Rain Dance doesn’t seem to be helping at all. A quick scan with the Pokédex yields more information:

 
 Spoiler: Ability: Stability 
Does not take additional damage from attacks boosted by weather conditions.
 


Ryskimara uses Dragon Pulse!
Croaky is hit for 38 damage!


(Rain Dance in effect, 3 rounds remaining.)

Croaky: 4/77

Ryskimara: 62/77 
 

 "Aw... alright, I concede!"  Pinklady says, recognizing there's no way this could continue besides Croaky getting finished off.  "Thank you for the battles! We've definitely got a lot of training and learning to do..."  Pinklady said as she looked as Tress's Pokéball.
Gnomes2169
He would handle that watering while Mina was replanting her berry plots. " I'm good to go! " He didn't have a native pokemon chattering about bad omens in his head, so he seemed pretty relaxed over-all. He caught two new pokemon today, it was a lovely day outside (despite the heat) and they have a new top-tier berry!

Surely that meant the day was looking up for them.
Lord Ruby34
 
 Spoiler: Newspaper Question 
Are the dates in the paper the rift schedule from yesterday, or did you already subtract one day from each of rift appearances before giving me the information?
 


Of those three Ternai would be the easiest to get to, but the rift near Coastmarch was closest to where they likely needed to go . . . but also a few days later, when hours could be precious. All three were in enemy territory as well, which was another part of the thorny puzzle. They couldn't afford the resources expenditure that fighting through Bandra grunts would require, not if they were going to actually enter the spectral realm. A problem to pose to the whole group later . . . though Less had to wonder if taking Mark and Mina with him was a good idea . . . they were both so young, and this mission would be incredibly dangerous. On the other hand, bringing them would certainly increase the odds of success. Less shock his head, it was another dilemma to ponder.

As Less walked, he took some notice of the young men's reaction, and tried to figure out if the distasteful glaces were aimed at Buck or himself? Less tried to wrack his brain, did either of the teens look familiar?

-----------
After reaching the front of the line, Less responded.  "I believe so. I agreed to deliver some materials to Tidepath. Where should I report to find the items I'm supposed to deliver?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

The boy in red calls off his Pokémon and pumps a fist victoriously. The girl with the agate earrings rolls her eyes and the boy with the hematite bracelet makes a loud, deliberate cough prompting the boy in red to look sheepish before he comes over to shake your hand. “Great battle!” (Hematite bracelet nods and gives him a thumbs up.) “And don’t sweat it, my friends and I climb Trainer Hill a  lot!  You should try it, if you haven’t already!”

----------------

Mark and Mina:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Putting the Lum Berry into Mark’s inventory and adding the new wild plots to Mina’s for now.
 


Mina planted Sitrus Berries in each spot and watered them throughly while Mark tended to his Planters.

 
 Spoiler: Wild Plots #5-8 

Sitrus 1: Planted Day 29, Noon, no Mulch
Sitrus 2: Planted Day 29, Noon, no Mulch
Sitrus 3: Planted Day 29, Noon, no Mulch
Sitrus 4: Planted Day 29, Noon, no Mulch
 


Once she was done she called back Pidgey and called out to Xatu, “ Can you take us to the north edge of the forest at least? By the road? ” Xatu squawked an affirmative so Mina waved Mark over to grab his hand and then in a literal flash they were on the far edge of Dewdrop forest.

It was an uneventful (if very hot) walk from there, and around 3:30 PM they arrived in Hillsbreak.

 
 Spoiler: Hillsbreak 

Hillsbreak added to the Town Map tab.

Points of interest -
Purple rectangle: Daycare
Pale yellow rectangle: Breakfast restaurant
Aqua rectangle: Town Hall (the circle underneath it is a well)
Brown rectangle: Gallows
White square: Pokémon Center
Gray square: Mart
Star: Damaged Salerdia statue
Dull green rectangle: Gym
Fuchsia rectangle: Junk shop
Bright green rectangle: Ranger Base
Numbered blue squares are houses.
 


----------------

Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Already subtracted the day. If it makes things clearer, today is Day 29, so:
Day 30 - Moontear rift
Day 33 - Ternai rift
Day 35 - Coastmarch rift

Hope that helps!
 


You’re not 100% positive, but one of them has purple streaks in the hair you  think  you might have seen in passing when the Move Tutor had you forcibly removed from his presence.

(At the receptionist’s desk: )

“Let’s see…” There is a brief pause while the receptionist presumably looks something up. Then she frowns. “We don’t have any deliveries to Tidepath. We have a delivery  from  Tidepath. Are you Less?”
Gnomes2169
((Outside Hillsbreak))
Mark took Mina's hand with his non-robotic arm, and then they were off! He made sure that he and Mina drank one of his waters (they'd had one person working with them collapse because of heat stroke just a few weeks ago, he did NOT need Mina or himself recovering in the center because they didn't stay hydrated), and he kept the bottle to refill later at a sink or cooler. It should get less searingly hot as the day went on, but it was always going to be good to have some bottled water on hand as summer started really rolling around.

Once they reached town, Mark wiped off his forehead and sighed. " Ah, air conditioning, my love. Soon we shall reunite. " Looking at Mina he said, " I'm going to pick up the samples from the daycare right off the bat to get it out of the way, and I was planning to ask them if they had a hand in making Riolu's egg or if they met with the aura guardian while I'm there. Is there somewhere you wanted to meet up when I'm done, or do you want me to, like... go door to door between the homes to see if anyone knows something about Riolu's trainer? "

((Hillsbreak Daycare))
Regardless of how Mina answered his question, he was going here first! Looking for a reception desk, or at least someone who was obviously part of the staff, Mark pushed his hair out of his face and approached with a friendly smile and a wave. " Hey there, my name's Mark and I'm here to collect some samples for Skybreak university. Where should I go for those? "
Lord Ruby34
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Got it. That means the Moontear rift is happening tonight, effectively? (2:00 a.m. tomorrow).
 


Less scowled, not at the teenagers, though they probably wouldn't realize that. This had been exactly what he worried about. He needed to wring a public apology out of the old man. Reputation  mattered , and the Move Tutor had intentionally damaged his.

-----

 "Yes. My apologies. This is the first time I've signed up for a task like this, I may have misunderstood."  Less replied, sounding contrite.  "Where am I supposed to pick the supplies up from?"  Come to think of it, Less realized, he couldn't remember actually seeing the description of the task. The others had just told him about it.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
-1 Fresh Water Mark, 1 remaining.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " I'm going to pick up the samples from the daycare right off the bat to get it out of the way, and I was planning to ask them if they had a hand in making Riolu's egg or if they met with the aura guardian while I'm there. Is there somewhere you wanted to meet up when I'm done, or do you want me to, like... go door to door between the homes to see if anyone knows something about Riolu's trainer? " 
 

“ No, just meet me at the Center when you’re done and Xatu and I will get you back to Skybreak. If Nurse Joy doesn’t know about the Aura trainer I doubt there are many other people who would’ve met her, but if it comes down to it I can check around town myself. ”

----------------

Mark:

The person running the Daycare looks to be in his mid-to-late teens with black hair and beady brown eyes. At the moment he’s wearing the typical green smock commonly worn by breeders; its pockets are well-stuffed with tools and Pokémon toys. He also looks somewhat tense.

“You’re from Uh-Oh?” He glances at your prosthetic in a puzzled sort of way before continuing. “I have it in the back, give me a second.”

He disappears through a door and you can hear rummaging noises, giving you time to look around. Like most of the buildings in Helnith it’s a little on the old and battered side, with the usual wear and tear - scrape marks on the floor, dents and scratches in the walls. Additionally it seems that at some point in the past someone - more like multiple someones - went and scribbled graffiti all over the walls, and then someone else did their best to scrub most of it off. There are a couple awards for breeding handing up too, but the glass protecting them is cracked and the frames are damaged. Another door leads out back, where you can see grass and hear Pokémon playing.

The breeder returns, carrying a foam block that’s been taped securely shut and plastered with the biohazard stickers that are becoming familiar. “Here you are; make sure it stays cold.” He’s still looking you over with a vaguely puzzled expression, but says nothing further.

----------------

Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Correct.
 


“You’ll want the Grand Docks; it should have been brought in by the KS Warlock.”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mark and Mina:

“ No, just meet me at the Center when you’re done and Xatu and I will get you back to Skybreak. If Nurse Joy doesn’t know about the Aura trainer I doubt there are many other people who would’ve met her, but if it comes down to it I can check around town myself. ” 
 

Mark saluted her in a tired way and said, " Aye, aye, boss! See you soon. " Then he made his way over to the daycare...


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “You’re from Uh-Oh?” He glances at your prosthetic in a puzzled sort of way before continuing. “I have it in the back, give me a second.”

...

The breeder returns, carrying a foam block that’s been taped securely shut and plastered with the biohazard stickers that are becoming familiar. “Here you are; make sure it stays cold.” He’s still looking you over with a vaguely puzzled expression, but says nothing further. 
 

Mark wiggled the fingers of his arm at the daycare staffer and nodded along with what the boy said. He took the chance to look around and... this place had seen better days. Maybe it had taken some damage in that attack he'd heard about? Mark needed to check out a newspaper or something to get the details about that. The signs of vandalism are somewhat distressing, but seemed to be old and faded, so... maybe the daycare had just been abandoned or run-down for a while too?

But anyway, his package soon arrived and Mark would take that and tuck it  carefully  into his bag. He nodded at the instructions and said, " I have a friend ready to teleport me back, so it shouldn't have the chance to get warm. But I did have a question for you... " Putting his bag back on, he explained, " So my friend recently caught a young Riolu, a few weeks old at most, and we're pretty sure that his trainer was an aura guardian that was last seen here at around that time. I was wondering if you guys helped her with the egg, and if so, if she mentioned anything about her trip to Snakestone Cavern to you? " It was a shot in the dark, but any information could be helpful here...
Lord Ruby34
 "The Warlock."  Less replied, in confirmation.  "Thank you, I'll head over to Tidepath, I suppose." 

Shortly thereafter, Less exited the building, headed towards the edge of town, Buck walking in step.  "Ready to stretch your legs, old friend?"  Less asked his Arcanine. The dog in question answered with an affirmative ruff, as he and Less headed toward the exit. It was probably best to go get the supplies first, rather than attempt to detour to the battle tower. Besides, he did want to stop by the geology club. Mark was right about at least one thing, any attempt to teach his Pokemon new moves on his own was likely going to take a long time, time he might not actually have. Best to try and pick up a few more heart scales. His Pokemon would need every edge that they could get.

Once the pair managed to exit Skybreak, Less hopped on Buck's back, and they headed towards Tidepath, by way of Ceris Town, hoping to make good time.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

The boy in red calls off his Pokémon and pumps a fist victoriously. The girl with the agate earrings rolls her eyes and the boy with the hematite bracelet makes a loud, deliberate cough prompting the boy in red to look sheepish before he comes over to shake your hand. “Great battle!” (Hematite bracelet nods and gives him a thumbs up.) “And don’t sweat it, my friends and I climb Trainer Hill a  lot!  You should try it, if you haven’t already!” 
 

After recalling croaky, Pinklady giggles at the boy in red's embarrassed enthusiasm, then shakes his hand when he offers.  "I've battled there a bit! I always seem to lose after getting one win, though... but I'll get good enough to lose after getting  two  wins!"  She giggles at her own humour.  "Are you all on your way there right now?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " So my friend recently caught a young Riolu, a few weeks old at most, and we're pretty sure that his trainer was an aura guardian that was last seen here at around that time. I was wondering if you guys helped her with the egg, and if so, if she mentioned anything about her trip to Snakestone Cavern to you? " 
 

“You mean Aroika? Blue outfit with a fancy crest on it? She came in a few days after we kicked out Lionel, looking for supplies. But no, I had nothing to do with her eggs. I wish I had! But the way she talked about it her people are  very  protective of their Lucario bloodline. You’re sure the baby was hers?”

----------------

Less:

The trip is mostly uneventful, but en route you notice a trainer off to the side of the road - tall, sunglasses, white scarf - doing…something involving putting stakes in the ground. His Pokémon, all well-groomed specimens, are off to the side wearing what appear at a glance to be oddly shaped matching hats.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Let me know if you’re stopping to investigate, otherwise we’ll move on.
 


----------------

Pinklady:

The boy with the hematite bracelet speaks up. “We’re on our way back. Chelsey” he indicates the girl with the agate earrings “wanted a chance at some of the Pokémon up in the mountains and Feo thought we could test out some of our strategies and help out some of his other friends at the same time.”
Lord Ruby34
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

I am absolutely down for whatever this is.
 


Less and Buck slowed to a stop as they approached the man, Less's face a picture of bafflement.  "Not to interrupt,"  Less said, interrupting,  "but I can't help but find myself curious about what you're doing." 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “You mean Aroika? Blue outfit with a fancy crest on it? She came in a few days after we kicked out Lionel, looking for supplies. But no, I had nothing to do with her eggs. I wish I had! But the way she talked about it her people are  very  protective of their Lucario bloodline. You’re sure the baby was hers?" 
 

Well, they probably had a name for the aura guardian before, but Mark hadn't known it before now... better late than never! " He's been pretty sensitive talking about it, " Especially when you were being terribly insensitive when talking about it, Mark, you unintentional buffoon, " but she was the only Lucario trainer we know of around Ternai, which is where Mina found the little guy, and he  definiely  had a trainer at some point. Do you know what kind of supplies she was looking for? And is there anything weird or special about the mountains north of Ternai? " Maybe she'd been looking for something up there, and that would be the best place to start looking if Riolu couldn't tell them where to go.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

As you approach, the scene becomes a little clearer. The ‘hats’ are books with cups of water on top that the Pokémon have perched carefully on their heads; they aren’t attached, with the result that the Pokémon move very little and very cautiously. Up close, you can see their hides practically gleam with health, tough and beautiful at once.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Not to interrupt,"  Less said, interrupting,  "but I can't help but find myself curious about what you're doing."  
 

The trainer looks up from his current task (setting more cups of water to balance precariously on top of each stake); except for the scarf his clothes are dark and striking colors that complement his eyes and complexion both, and appear to be tailored to him.

He glances at you once the cup of water is placed and replies dismissively, “Merely training. Nothing to concern yourself with.” Just like the cup, each syllable is carefully placed, and just like the Pokémon, carefully polished.

He picks through his pack (you can see Planters hanging off it, with Berries growing inside) to retrieve another cup and begins the process again once he’s filled it to the brim with water. He continues like this until each stake has a cup on it, then gestures to one of his Pokémon - a Delcatty.

The cat Pokémon very carefully gets to its feet and begins weaving back and forth between stakes at its trainer’s direction. The Normal type manages to balance the book-cup combo well enough you can tell this isn’t the first time it’s tried this particular exercise. And now that they’re in use, you can see that the spacing between the stakes is  just  tight enough to make it tricky for the feline to pass between and turn for the next pass without spilling the water on its head or one of the stakes.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " He's been pretty sensitive talking about it, " Especially when you were being terribly insensitive when talking about it, Mark, you unintentional buffoon, " but she was the only Lucario trainer we know of around Ternai, which is where Mina found the little guy, and he  definiely  had a trainer at some point. Do you know what kind of supplies she was looking for? " 
 

“Just baby Pokémon things - food mostly, some blankets. Baby soap. She wasn’t very impressed with my selection. Top breeder in Helnith notwithstanding, we’d only recently taken the town back, so that might have been on me. I offered her use of my facilities for the eggs if she needed them but she wasn’t interested, kept going on about tainted auras in town disrupting their development,” he replies with a frown. “And you should have seen the look her Lucario gave me! Scandalized, I tell you.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " And is there anything weird or special about the mountains north of Ternai? " 
 

“I know there are some fairly extensive caves there. But really I think she was just looking for solitude. I got the impression she was planning to be out in the wilds for a while.”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Just baby Pokémon things - food mostly, some blankets. Baby soap. She wasn’t very impressed with my selection. Top breeder in Helnith notwithstanding, we’d only recently taken the town back, so that might have been on me. I offered her use of my facilities for the eggs if she needed them but she wasn’t interested, kept going on about tainted auras in town disrupting their development,” he replies with a frown. “And you should have seen the look her Lucario gave me! Scandalized, I tell you.”

“I know there are some fairly extensive caves there. But really I think she was just looking for solitude. I got the impression she was planning to be out in the wilds for a while.” 
 

Well that tells them that she was, in fact, preparing for or raising a baby pokemon, and that she was actually meaning to go to Snakestone cavern, but... " Huh, not much more than we already guessed. Dang. A small part of me was hoping we could get lucky and that she'd told you her entire itinerary but... " Wiggling his robotic fingers again, Mark sighed, " Luck isn't exactly my friend. Ah well, thanks for telling me what you knew anyway. I'll get out of your haaaaaai- Oh wait! " Mark's mind had clicked together two things and he asked, " Were there any baby supplies that she requested that weren't standard? Since Mina's raising the little guy right now, I want to make sure we have everything she'll need. " Eyes widening, he quickly added, " And did any of it have a distinct smell to it? I have an Umbreon and we have a friend with an Arcanine, so we might be able to follow her trail if some of the food or soap was...  pungent . "
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

“She’d wanted a premium brand of Fighting-type specific Pokéchow, but I didn’t have any of that on hand at the time. I ordered some afterwards but she - wait,  Mina? ” the breeder interrupts himself. “Black hair, kind of pale?  She’s  your friend with the Riolu? Here,” The breeder has a distinct air of ‘ha! I thought so!’ as he digs behind the counter. A moment later he tosses a handful of small bags over the counter to you; they have a Machamp on the front and a little paw stamp that reads ‘For Babies!’ on it. “Here; it’s on the house. I still owe her for helping get my dad out of the Spectral Dimension.

As for a distinct smell…I was low on the baby soap too, I don’t remember which she bought but the only scents I had left at the time were Pine and Sandalwood.” The breeder takes two bottles off a shelf and puts them next to the baby food. “Was there anything else?”

 
 Spoiler: Added to Mark’s Inventory: 

6 Premium Fighting-type Baby Pokéchow
Baby Pokémon Anti-Flea and Tick Shampoo (Pine)
Baby Pokémon Anti-Flea and Tick Shampoo (Sandalwood)
 
Lord Ruby34
After a moment of watching, Less asked  "You're training your Pokemon for a contest, aren't you? The coordination and balance is quite impressive." 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

The boy with the hematite bracelet speaks up. “We’re on our way back. Chelsey” he indicates the girl with the agate earrings “wanted a chance at some of the Pokémon up in the mountains and Feo thought we could test out some of our strategies and help out some of his other friends at the same time.” 
 

 "Sounds like a pretty successful trip, then! I'll not keep you from finishing your return any longer. Good luck at Trainer Hill!"  Pinklady looks over at Whirlywhirly to check if she'll need to give him a wake-up petting.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “She’d wanted a premium brand of Fighting-type specific Pokéchow, but I didn’t have any of that on hand at the time. I ordered some afterwards but she - wait,  Mina? ” the breeder interrupts himself. “Black hair, kind of pale?  She’s  your friend with the Riolu? Here,” The breeder has a distinct air of ‘ha! I thought so!’ as he digs behind the counter. A moment later he tosses a handful of small bags over the counter to you; they have a Machamp on the front and a little paw stamp that reads ‘For Babies!’ on it. “Here; it’s on the house. I still owe her for helping get my dad out of the Spectral Dimension.

As for a distinct smell…I was low on the baby soap too, I don’t remember which she bought but the only scents I had left at the time were Pine and Sandalwood.” The breeder takes two bottles off a shelf and puts them next to the baby food. “Was there anything else?” 
 

" Yeah, Mina. She's- Oh. Oh! " As the breeder got all of those supplies out, Mark blinked a few times and picked up the bags, putting the soap bottles on top. " You've done plenty, thank you! I'll make sure Mina gets these, and send her your regards. Thank you! " Picking up the bags, Mark glanced between them and the breeder and promised, " I have an egg in an incubator right now, if I need help raising whatever hatches from it I'll be sure to bring them here! Now let me get out of your hair for real... "

With all of that done, Mark made his way to the Pokemon Center, loaded down with all of his goodies... oh. Hey. Now that they had soap so he could give his pokemon a proper bath! Which is a thing... he was not going to say... out loud... near any contest trainers................ again. They should also probably try to track down Aroika first, so that their tracking pokemon wouldn't get confused by the smells from the washed pokemon on their teams. But here he was, getting ahead of himself again. He had to meet up with Mina first!
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

He glances over at you but doesn’t otherwise give you much notice. “Yes, thank you.” His tone of voice has the sort of vague politeness that suggests that he gets complements like that a lot, and stopped being moved by them long ago. “Ambrosia, pick up the pace. Hold your head higher…” A little water sloshes over the side of the cup. “Keep steady!”

His Delcatty is going through another pass before he addresses you again. “Did you need something?”

----------------

Pinklady:

“Thanks!” The three trainers bid you goodbye and continue on their way.

Whirlywhirly mostly seems bored waiting around, but is otherwise alert. Croaky’s earlier rain seems to have taken the edge off the heat, or perhaps it’s just getting late enough in the day that it’s starting to subside on its own, because by the time you reach the Pokémon Center the temperatures have dipped down to bearable. It’s about 7:30 PM, and judging by the map there are another couple miles to go before you reach the Shrine of Light.

----------------

Mark and Mina:

“Stop by again or let me know later if you want me to take a look!” The breeder calls after you as you make your way out with your spoils.

The main square is only sparsely populated, the gallows at its center casting a progressively longer shadow as the afternoon wears on. You find Mina sitting in the lobby of the Pokémon Center; she waves you over when she sees you.

 “ Nurse Joy says our Aura master was through here a while ago, but she hasn’t been back here since then, ” she says without preamble. “ Did you learn anything at the Daycare? ”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 The main square is only sparsely populated, the gallows at its center casting a progressively longer shadow as the afternoon wears on. You find Mina sitting in the lobby of the Pokémon Center; she waves you over when she sees you.

 “ Nurse Joy says our Aura master was through here a while ago, but she hasn’t been back here since then, ” she says without preamble. “ Did you learn anything at the Daycare? ” 
 

Mark did his best to continue not thinking about the gallows because...  hoooooooo, boy, that went dark places.  He does his best to affix a Marky grin when he spots Mina, though, and makes his way over with a bag held high. " I bring information, baby food and soap! " He exclaimed, with the most false bravado he could. " Sooooo he didn't help hatch your Riolu, the aura guardian seemed to be insulted that he tried actually, but she  did  buy some supplies from him! One of those two soaps in there. Maybe Riolu can tell us which one she washed him with, and we can have your Houndoom, my Umbreon or Less's Arcanine track her with that. He also chipped in some baby food, as thanks for when you saved his dad from the Spectral dimension. "

With that, he hands her the bags and carefully rummages through his bag. " Also got the samples. Need to make sure they stay chilled, but it's pretty cold right now, so I should have time to- aha! " Pulling out the empty (and lightly crumpled) water bottle and holding it aloft, he picks his bag back up and says, " Gonna refill this quick, if you wanted to get Riolu out and ask him if either soap smells familiar. Should be good to go back to Skybreak after that. "
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

“Thanks!” The three trainers bid you goodbye and continue on their way.

Whirlywhirly mostly seems bored waiting around, but is otherwise alert. Croaky’s earlier rain seems to have taken the edge off the heat, or perhaps it’s just getting late enough in the day that it’s starting to subside on its own, because by the time you reach the Pokémon Center the temperatures have dipped down to bearable. It’s about 7:30 PM, and judging by the map there are another couple miles to go before you reach the Shrine of Light. 
 

 "Whew! What do you say we take a quick rest, Whirly?"  Pinklady asks as they reach the Pokémon Center. Whichever way Whirlywhirly's feedback goes, Pinklady realises the cart wouldn't be great to obstruct the interior of the Center with and follows up with,  "Oh! I'll need to quickly hand off the hurt to the nurse, would you like to come with or stay out here?"  She offers Whirlywhirly's Pokéball so that he can make his choice more clear.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " I bring information, baby food and soap! " He exclaimed, with the most false bravado he could. " Sooooo he didn't help hatch your Riolu, the aura guardian seemed to be insulted that he tried actually, but she  did  buy some supplies from him! One of those two soaps in there. Maybe Riolu can tell us which one she washed him with, and we can have your Houndoom, my Umbreon or Less's Arcanine track her with that. He also chipped in some baby food, as thanks for when you saved his dad from the Spectral dimension. " 
 

“ Soap? ” Mina asked, briefly confused until Mark explained. “ Oh, yes. ”

She should probably check in with Spencer while she was in the area. Make sure everything was doing okay locally.

But in the mean time she called out Riolu.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Also got the samples. Need to make sure they stay chilled, but it's pretty cold right now, so I should have time to- aha! " Pulling out the empty (and lightly crumpled) water bottle and holding it aloft, he picks his bag back up and says, " Gonna refill this quick, if you wanted to get Riolu out and ask him if either soap smells familiar. Should be good to go back to Skybreak after that. " 
 

“ All right then. ” Mina opened both soap bottles while Mark took off for water. “ Okay sweetie, a man in town said your human bought one of these soaps, do either of these smell familiar? ”

The little Fighting type had perked up, but somewhat nervously at the mention of his previous trainer, and then he looked suspicious.

“ We’re going to try and find your human for you. I need to know which smell she was using so we can find her, ” Mina repeated gently. “ Here. ” She squirted a little of both soaps out onto her wrists for him to sniff.

He looked suspicious a moment longer but finally investigated the soap. By the time Mark reappeared the baby Pokémon was barking excitedly at the Sandalwood.

“ I think this is it, ” Mina informed Mark, showing him the label before giving him back the soap bottles. “ Are you all set now? ”

 
 Spoiler: Inventory Updates 

Mark:
-6 Premium Fighting-type Baby Pokéchow
-Empty Bottle
+Water

Mina:
+6 Premium Fighting-type Baby Pokéchow
 


----------------

Pinklady:

Whirlywhirly indicates the Pokéball.
Lord Ruby34
 "Possibly."  Less responded.  "I couldn't help but notice that your Pokemon seem to have the good health I associate with Poffin. A friend of mine has an interest in making poffins of her own. I was wondering if you had any wisdom you could share about what she was looking for, the 'recipe for disaster', I believe it's called." 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 By the time Mark reappeared the baby Pokémon was barking excitedly at the Sandalwood.

“ I think this is it, ” Mina informed Mark, showing him the label before giving him back the soap bottles. “ Are you all set now? ” 
 

Mark took back the Pine, but left the Sandalwood with Mina. " You should keep that to make sure you have it on hand, since you're the lead for this search party. Plus, we should both probably pamper and wash our teams after we find Aroika. Anyway. " Bag on his back, he holds out his hand for her and says, " Ready to go! "
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Whirlywhirly indicates the Pokéball. 
 

Pinklady acknowledges by withdrawing Whirlywhirly to his Pokéball.  "You've definitely earned it!"  She tells him, then sends out Blast Bolt.  "Blast Bolt, I'll need you to keep an eye on the cart! Just make some noise if anyone tries messing with it, please!"  (Assuming no dissent from Blast Bolt.) Satisfied with the cart's safety, Pinklady heads inside to hand off her injured and wearied Pokémons' Pokéballs to the nurse.
Feathersnow
Akio texts the group.  **I'm at the library doing basic research about... you know where.  I gave a cover story in case there are Spies.**

With that, he continues reading the primer on the spectral realm....
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

“She’s just starting out?  Curse Ailesha and her Poffin classes.  Tell your friend to learn to walk before she tries to run.”

----------------

Mark:

“ All right then, ” Mina replies, putting the soap in her pack. “ Little one, you and I will be right back, but for now: return! Xatu, take us to Skybreak. ”

 
 Spoiler: Inventory Updates 

Mark:
- Baby Pokémon Anti-Flea and Tick Shampoo (Sandalwood)

Mina:
+ Baby Pokémon Anti-Flea and Tick Shampoo (Sandalwood)
 


Mina bids you goodbye before Teleporting off again. The line into the city is nearly nonexistent, but then, it’s only a couple hours until curfew.

----------------

Pinklady:

Blast Bolt settles down by the wagon to glare at anyone who approaches - that being no one (at least that you can see) outside at present.

Indoors is a different story; a pair of trainers have stationed themselves by the windows, keeping watch, perhaps not surprising this close to Bandra territory…a fact the nurse reminds you of as she heals your Pokémon and returns them to you.

----------------

Akio:

The book is very old but informative, if somewhat dense. While it doesn’t use all the modern terminology, it does make note of a ‘critical mass’ that Pokémon reach upon absorbing a certain amount of energy (the book’s exact wording is inconsistent, it mostly waffles between ‘spectral’ and ‘ethereal’) after which they undergo severe and violent personality changes while switching colors to splotchy black and purple - obviously Shadowing.

It notes that at least one early documented case had been mistaken for some kind of shiny variation or similar genetic mutation, and it was theorized that it was accompanied by genes for excessive aggression or caused by some hormonal imbalance…until it was discovered that removing the Pokémon from Helnith caused the color change to vanish. But the personality changes didn’t immediately disappear with the new color scheme, instead eventually fading much later. As a result, very early treatment mostly consisted of removing the Pokémon from the region until the side effects wore off, until the connection to spectral energy was discovered.

Strides were made in reproducing the ethereal energy aggression phenomenon artificially but were steeped in controversy for both the obvious safety and ethical reasons but also for scientific ones - mainly concern that the artificially created energy wasn’t a perfect match for the naturally occurring kind, and that any results found using it would be inherently flawed. In time, however, it did become an important cornerstone for testing various treatments as well as mechanical methods for detecting the accumulation of ethereal energy on a Pokémon.

The book also mentions moving ’hot spots’ in the dimension that seem to generate spectral energy in addition to the attacks of some of the native creatures and speculates that these were some sort of extradimentional weather or possibly buildup from Pokémon attacks that clumped together to create pockets of the stuff (‘more testing needed’). As no one outside of the book has mentioned anything of the sort, it is unclear what it is referring to. There is also no mention at all of Shadow Rages as far as you can tell.

It concludes that further study on the subject will be heavily curtailed until the next greater dimensional convergence occurs in ten years, and the accompanying rash of smaller rifts.
Gnomes2169
Mark waves Mina goodbye and turned to talk to the checkpoint guards and explain he had a package to run to the university (at least, if they ask what's in the Styrofoam package wrapped in caution signs). Once he'd managed to get through, he demonstrates that  all  shoes are running shoes by booking it to the university as fast as his feet can take him. He has time to get there, get to the department store, and then walk back out, but... well, he wants to make sure he doesn't get trapped in here during curfew.

He's getting his steps in today! Take that, Tattersail! With her smug judging and everything... " See? I don't need to teleport everywhere...  grumble, mumble... not getting fat...  "
Lord Ruby34
"Unfortunately," Less replied, wrly, "she's not one for patience, and times being what they are, time itself seems to grow shorter by the day."

Less paused. I thought had just occurred to him, should he be asking this man to a Pokemon battle? That was the custom when two trainers met in the road, was it not?

"In Pokemon contests, is there a usually battle round?" Less asked, probing.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

The gate guards make you wait a few moments while they double-check with the university, but eventually wave you through.

You make it to the university with time to spare, despite the amount of traffic in and around the building picking up - mostly students trailing over to the Department Store, but it seems to be a popular time for the general population to check out the museum too as you see more than one adult with a Silph Co Badge in the vicinity - and hand in your samples. ((+4,000 PD, 4,025 PD total))

The Department Store is even busier - lots of people trying to squeeze in their shopping after work and before curfew, some of the farmer’s market stalls packing up, and a handful of police grabbing a bite to eat at the food court, and that’s just what you can see on the ground floor.

 
 Spoiler: Department Store Floor Layout Reminder 

Floor 1 – Information and Food Court
Floor 2 – Trainer Goods
Floor 3 – Health and Fitness
Floor 4 – Furniture and Kitchenware
Floor 5 – Jewelry and Geology
Floor 6 – Electronics
Floor 7 – Rooftop Lounge
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 He's getting his steps in today! Take that, Tattersail! With her smug judging and everything... " See? I don't need to teleport everywhere...  grumble, mumble... not getting fat...  " 
 

Tattersail is both close enough and conscious enough now to send sleepy amusement your way.

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 "Unfortunately," Less replied, wrly, "she's not one for patience, and times being what they are, time itself seems to grow shorter by the day." 
 

“Then she won’t make it as a Coordinator,” he replies, directing his Delcatty to sit back down and calling up the next in line to practice (a Dewgong). “A true Coordinator turns their Pokémon into a living work of art. It isn’t something everyone can do, it takes talent and time. Without those, even the rarest Berries turn to charcoal and the most graceful of Pokémon fall on their faces.”


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 "In Pokemon contests, is there a usually battle round?" Less asked, probing. 
 

“Yes, but she shouldn’t expect that to carry her through; the Appeals round is first, to sift out the chaff.”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 The Department Store is even busier - lots of people trying to squeeze in their shopping after work and before curfew, some of the farmer’s market stalls packing up, and a handful of police grabbing a bite to eat at the food court, and that’s just what you can see on the ground floor. 
 

For a moment, Mark was tempted to run over to the farmer's market to see if they had any more Lum berries, but it was late in the day. He didn't have the most time, and any berries like that were probably  long  sold. He should grab something from the food court once he had his gardening supplies, though. It had been too long since he'd eaten...

Portable berry pot first, though! But he was absolutely not using the stairs. He'd done a lot of running on his way here, getting up to the fourth floor on his own two feet sounded  miserable.  Making his way to the elevator, panting and waving to anyone else waving in line, Mark rode up to the 4th floor, purchased another pot and 4 bags of Boost mulch. He considered getting more, but held back for now. He could buy more later and wanted to get some takeout, so he saved some money for that. (Should be 2,000pd over-all, if my napkin math is correct)

Riding the elevator back down, Mark went to the food court and got himself some fried rice, spicy orange chicken and egg rolls (Let's say 1,200 pd for mall food 😛 ). He waved to the officers if they glanced his way, but didn't spend time eating in the mall. He needed to get out of the city, after all, and he couldn't just  run  now that he had a bag full of  food  to balance! So he clearly had to walk out.

... Yes that was just an excuse. He's tired from the earlier run. Maybe Tattersail had a point. Shut up. The slower pace did give him the chance to text Mina, though. "  It's raining riches! Got everything, will be outside the southern city gates. Whenever you finish up with your stuff, Sunshine, come pick me up. I'll save you an eggroll!  " And probably some of the chicken and rice too, but he didn't think to send that.

If Mina didn't come to pick him up right away, Mark would spend his time waiting training up his Carvanha and eating half of his mall food. The dark fish was half-way to level 29 already, should be easy enough to train to level 30 before going to bed (though the second level was probably going to be finished at the Reiva pokemon center,) and getting this water type evolved tonight was going to be such a nice boon if Mark went to fight that surfer tomorrow. He would also spend a bit of time with Fisher to burn off that loch ness pokemon's shadowing, and plant the Lum berry with some Boost mulch, which he watered  immediately,  of course, along with any of his other berries that might need it.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Tattersail is both close enough and conscious enough now to send sleepy amusement your way. 
 

Mark sent back a vision of a cartoony scribbled version of himself sticking his tongue out at her... he should actually draw that some time. Some dorky pictures would be nice to draw. He was going to be busy training pokemon for the rest of the day, though...
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Then she won’t make it as a Coordinator,” he replies, directing his Delcatty to sit back down and calling up the next in line to practice (a Dewgong). “A true Coordinator turns their Pokémon into a living work of art. It isn’t something everyone can do, it takes talent and time. Without those, even the rarest Berries turn to charcoal and the most graceful of Pokémon fall on their faces.” 
 

 "I think Coordinator is more of a post war sort of plan,"  Less drawled. Maybe for both of them. It sounded like a peaceful sort of retirement, provided that he manged to make it through. A nice dream, at least. " But any tidbit might help to making it there."
  Not that Less was hopeful. The man was certainly full of himself, or at least his pride in his Pokemon was reflecting a more arrogant sheen than he had intended to cast.



 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Yes, but she shouldn’t expect that to carry her through; the Appeals round is first, to sift out the chaff.” 
 

 
"Well,"  Less replied,  "In that case, would you care for a Pokemon battle right here? My friend can't be here, but I might learn something in her stead. Three Pokemon apiece, perhaps?"  He hadn't been able to really take Connie out yesterday. They needed more practice working together, and a low stakes battle like this might be an excellent place to get some.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Yes, your napkin math checks out.

So that’s 825 PD remaining after the food.
 


You get a response once you’re outside the city and planting the Lum Berry.

 
 Spoiler: Berries 

Grepa in bloom
Pomeg in bloom
Qualot in bloom

Lum planted Day 29, 5:30 PM, Boost Mulch (3 Boost Mulch remaining)
 

  Mina sent you a message! 
 Outlook is stormy. Might be a while.  

Carvanha has leveled up and curfew has officially begun inside the city by the time Mina texts again. It’s also started to cool down.

 
 Spoiler: Carvanha 

Pokémon: Carvanha
Type: Water/Dark
Ability: Rough Skin
Gender: Male
Level: 29
Held Item: Power Weight
Stats--
HP: 74 [red]+4[/COLOR]
Attack: 66
Def: 25
Sp. Attack: 51
Sp. Def: 25
Speed: 51 +24
Moves:
Focus Energy
Scary Face
Ice Fang
Screech
Swagger
Assurance

No new moves.
 

  Mina sent you a message! 
 On my way.  

She reappears not long afterwards with her Xatu. “ Houndoom and I checked around town, no trace of the soap; she must not have used it before she left, ” she says without preamble.

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "I think Coordinator is more of a post war sort of plan,"  Less drawled. Maybe for both of them. It sounded like a peaceful sort of retirement, provided that he manged to make it through. A nice dream, at least. " But any tidbit might help to making it there."  
 

“Unless she’s mixing up four-flavor Poffin, tell her not to burn up any Blenders like the last pair that went through town. She can learn the basics  anywhere,  and there isn’t much point in me wasting time on someone with no actual talent.” He looks briefly considering. “Though if she  is  making four flavor Poffin, then show me - I might have advice to give or Berries to trade in the interest of fostering someone with actual skill. But I’m not taking your word for it.”


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  
"Well,"  Less replied,  "In that case, would you care for a Pokemon battle right here? My friend can't be here, but I might learn something in her stead. Three Pokemon apiece, perhaps?"  
 

“ Not paying attention to a word I said. Typical trainer.  Fine, what’s your wager?”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
   Mina sent you a message! 
 On my way.  

She reappears not long afterwards with her Xatu. “ Houndoom and I checked around town, no trace of the soap; she must not have used it before she left, ” she says without preamble. 
 

Mark recalled his Carvana and waved to Mina when she appeared. As she talked about her frustrations, he nodded along and said, " Makes sense, she'd probably wait until she was actually in the mountains and her pokemon had gotten a bit dirty from the trek before washing them. " Holding out the bag of takeout with his robo arm for her he asked, " Did you eat yet? Got the promised egg roll and some rice and chicken if you wanted them. " He was still hungry, but had planned to pick up some snacks at the Center anyway and Mina... seemed to forget about food when she was focused. Which he kinda assumed she had been.

After her response he added, " And I think everyone else had plans for tonight with their jobs, so it's just the two of us. Um... " Clearing his throat and scratching at the back of his head, he asked, " Was there anything you wanted to do? You know, like... special training with our pokemon or watching a show or poffin crafting or something? " Smooth. So smooth.
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Unless she’s mixing up four-flavor Poffin, tell her not to burn up any Blenders like the last pair that went through town. She can learn the basics  anywhere,  and there isn’t much point in me wasting time on someone with no actual talent.” He looks briefly considering. “Though if she  is  making four flavor Poffin, then show me - I might have advice to give or Berries to trade in the interest of fostering someone with actual skill. But I’m not taking your word for it.” 
 

Less nodded along, though he couldn't imagine Mina setting fire to a blender. The girl might be young but she was clearly too competent for that. . . . The man he was talking to though, well, bad manners didn't always belay a lack of talent.  "Could I get your name and information then, so that my friend can reach out? My name is Lester Douglass." 

 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Not paying attention to a word I said. Typical trainer.  Fine, what’s your wager?” 
 

Less decided to ignore the muttered comment. He had been paying attention, but that didn't mean Less didn't have an agenda of his own here. Besides, the man had been rude. Less didn't really feel the need to take his preferences into too much account.  "2500 PD? Or I would be willing to wager against some of your finer quality poffins, or rare poffin berries." 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Holding out the bag of takeout with his robo arm for her he asked, " Did you eat yet? Got the promised egg roll and some rice and chicken if you wanted them. " 
 

Mina’s stomach answered for her, rumbling audibly. “ Oh, yes please! ” she replied gratefully, accepting the food.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Was there anything you wanted to do? You know, like... special training with our pokemon or watching a show or poffin crafting or something? " 
 

“ Well, I was going to go back to Hillsbreak and ask around about our Aura Master some more, ” Mina replied, clueless as to Mark’s intentions. “ But we can do some Poffin practice if you want. ”

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Could I get your name and information then, so that my friend can reach out? My name is Lester Douglass."  
 

The Coordinator sighs, but flips you a business card. Apparently, his name is Miles Foxxe. ((Added to Less’ contacts.))


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "2500 PD? Or I would be willing to wager against some of your finer quality poffins, or rare poffin berries."  
 

“I highly doubt you have any Berries I would want and don’t already have. But if you want to make the wager interesting…I’ll put up any three Berries of mine, your choice, and in return you put up that Egg I can see poking out of your pack.

Otherwise, 2500 PD is fine.”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina’s stomach answered for her, rumbling audibly. “ Oh, yes please! ” she replied gratefully, accepting the food. 
 

He raised an eyebrow, glancing at her belly before looking back at her face, and suggested, " Maybe we should stop in the pokemon center to get a bit more food. You know. Get a full meal. Add some cheese and crackers to that. Or an apple. "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Well, I was going to go back to Hillsbreak and ask around about our Aura Master some more, ” Mina replied, clueless as to Mark’s intentions. “ But we can do some Poffin practice if you want. ” 
 

He blinked. She was busy. Of course she was busy! She was Mina, and she was doing important things and important stuff, Mark, you dummy. " Oh! Oh right. Um, I should let you do that instead. And I need to get my Carvanha evolved and stuff evolved so I can goooo see about fighting that one guy tomorrow. Yeah. " He glanced at the ground for a moment and cleared his throat again, before looking up and flashing her another Marky grin. " We can get to that other stuff later, so don't worry about it right now, haha. Let's just get to Reiva and I'll let you get back to it! "
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “I highly doubt you have any Berries I would want and don’t already have. But if you want to make the wager interesting…I’ll put up any three Berries of mine, your choice, and in return you put up that Egg I can see poking out of your pack.

Otherwise, 2500 PD is fine.” 
 

 "Let me make a call first."  Less replied. The egg . . . that was a wager that gave him a moment's pause. The man was braying donkey, but he didn't seem malicious. In fact, he even seemed like he might be able to care for the egg better than Less would be able to in the immediate future. But he wasn't willing to risk it for nothing.

If given a moment, Less will dial Mina, and ask  "I've met a coordinator here, who might be able to get some of the berries that you needed, for a price. What berries would be the most helpful?"  Less asked, without preamble.


 ((OOC:If Mina is able to give Less a list, and the man has Mina's top three choices, Less will agree to the wager.)) 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Blast Bolt settles down by the wagon to glare at anyone who approaches - that being no one (at least that you can see) outside at present.

Indoors is a different story; a pair of trainers have stationed themselves by the windows, keeping watch, perhaps not surprising this close to Bandra territory…a fact the nurse reminds you of as she heals your Pokémon and returns them to you. 
 

 "Thank you for the warning, I'll watch my back!"  Pinklady answers to the nurse's warning. With her Pokémon healed, she heads back out and sends out Whirlywhirly once again.  "Want to take a bit of time to relax or get going again?"  She asks as she attends to both Whirlywhirly and Blast Bolt with petting and attention.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 He raised an eyebrow, glancing at her belly before looking back at her face, and suggested, " Maybe we should stop in the pokemon center to get a bit more food. You know. Get a full meal. Add some cheese and crackers to that. Or an apple. " 
 

“ No objections here! ” Now that she could smell food, Mina realized she was starving, and her Pokémon probably were too.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Oh! Oh right. Um, I should let you do that instead. And I need to get my Carvanha evolved and stuff evolved so I can goooo see about fighting that one guy tomorrow. Yeah. " He glanced at the ground for a moment and cleared his throat again, before looking up and flashing her another Marky grin. " We can get to that other stuff later, so don't worry about it right now, haha. Let's just get to Reiva and I'll let you get back to it! " 
 

“ All right. Don’t forget we’ve got that job with the plaster tomorrow too, ” Mina reminded. “ But dinner first! ”

With that she made a beeline for the Pokémon Center and more importantly its kitchen, which was surprisingly empty - or maybe Mina was just surprised since she was so hungry herself.

----------------

Less:

 
 Spoiler: Time Reference 

This is just after the wild Pokemon battles on Mark and Mina’s end.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 If given a moment, Less will dial Mina, and ask  "I've met a coordinator here, who might be able to get some of the berries that you needed, for a price. What berries would be the most helpful?"  Less asked, without preamble. 
 

You can hear the faint sounds of leaves rustling and insects in the background as Mina picks up.

“  Apicot and Ganlon, like I said yesterday,  ” Mina replies. “  Was that all you needed?  ”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
I’ll post your list of options in the OoC thread, but the short answer is that Miles has Apicot but not Ganlon.
 


----------------

Pinklady:

Blast Bolt seems alert but Whirlywhirly yawns. Based on your previous trip, it’s going to be another hour of travel if you decide to push on to the Shrine, give or take. On the other hand it’s currently 7:30 PM; nearly night.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ All right. Don’t forget we’ve got that job with the plaster tomorrow too, ” Mina reminded. “ But dinner first! ”

With that she made a beeline for the Pokémon Center and more importantly its kitchen, which was surprisingly empty - or maybe Mina was just surprised since she was so hungry herself. 
 

" Yup. Beach in the morning, along with trying to talk to Sesh. Plaster in afternoon to evening. Meeting with spectral gym leader, " And getting trapped in spooky city, " around dinner. Free time: When I die. " Mark confirmed, and he already sounded tired. " And yes, food right nooooow... "

He walked into the kitchen a little bit behind Mina, and sent mental greetings to Tattersail. If she was awake enough to smug at him while he was in the city, then she could probably feel him- wait. Oh no.  She'd probably witnessed his failed flirting.  Oh no his snooping psychic type was  never  going to let him live this down.

In the physical world, Mark's left eye started twitching and his face unknowingly took on a look of horror for a moment before he snapped out of it and tried valiantly to smooth his expression over. He didn't want Mina asking him what was up, and besides, he might be stressing over nothing! Tattersail might have been put back into a drug sleep, or might have been distracted by... an interesting ceiling tile! There was hope!
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

Tattersail is, indeed, awake, and you can tell that while she’s much better she’s not quite 100% yet.

&lt; Never mind your clumsy attempts to attract your mate, when am I getting out of here? &gt; The thought is accompanied by twinges in the vicinity of where she was injured, boredom, and general crabbiness.

Meanwhile, in the physical world, Mina notices Mark’s expression and hers turns concerned. “ Everything okay? ”
Gnomes2169
Mate... mate?! They weren't even dating! Mark sat down and covered his face with his hands, blushing  horribly,  and groans. &lt;  Nurse Joy said you're safe to come back to me in the morning. Which is super impressive, if you were a human you'd still be out for a few more  weeks  with injuries like the ones you had. So be patient!  &gt;

Out loud he tells Mina, " Tattersail is awake and snooping on my thoughts and teasing me about  things  again... Oh. Yeah. 'Sail, Mina is connected with her Xatu now. " He said it out loud so that Mina was in the loop. His head popped up suddenly, blush barely faded, but a spark of excitement in his eyes. "  Ooooo, actually, that's something else we can experiment with. Maybe see what weird stuff we can do if our psychic types do a meeting of the minds? Maybe we could telepathically communicate with  each other!  Or... maybe they'll just be able to coordinate their attacks or teleport better or something. I don't know. But we should  figure it out!  " They needed to experiment... For SCIENCE!

... He could probably look up what happened when two psychically attuned trainers had their pokemon seance. Actually, he  should  just... " Actually, let me see if anyone else did it on the internet and make sure its safe... " And he pulled out his pokedex to do just that.
Lord Ruby34
 "That's it,"  Less replied, his voice friendly.  "Some of these names fall right out of my ears. I'll have to get a journal from my house when we go. Thank you, Mina." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
And LordRuby was locked to his phone for a few days, so that didn't help!"
 


With that, Less negotiated for two Apicot berries and a Lum berry. That last one was particularly important. Curing any possible status condition was a powerful boon, and one that Mina and her planters could take full advantage of! Less, of course, was blissfully ignorant of the berries that Mark and Mina would soon find.

Finally, after looking over Mile's Pokemon, Less swapped out Princess's Niptur berry for a Magost berry and indicated that he was ready to begin.

((OOC: If you need Less's lead before we start, it'll be Connie.))
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 &lt;  Nurse Joy said you're safe to come back to me in the morning. Which is super impressive, if you were a human you'd still be out for a few more  weeks  with injuries like the ones you had. So be patient!  &gt; 
 

Mark gets a definite sense of sulking from Tattersail. &lt; Don’t forget you promised me pampering when I get out! &gt;


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Out loud he tells Mina, " Tattersail is awake and snooping on my thoughts and teasing me about  things  again... Oh. Yeah. 'Sail, Mina is connected with her Xatu now. " He said it out loud so that Mina was in the loop. His head popped up suddenly, blush barely faded, but a spark of excitement in his eyes. "  Ooooo, actually, that's something else we can experiment with. Maybe see what weird stuff we can do if our psychic types do a meeting of the minds? Maybe we could telepathically communicate with  each other!  " 
 

Mina, who had been largely unaware of Mark’s plans in that direction prior to this and who valued her privacy enough to have gone on a tirade against one of her own Pokémon for violating it, merely looked very, very taken aback, and it was Tattersail who replied:

&lt; Us being able to talk to you humans like civilized creatures doesn’t make either of you telepaths. The best we could do is for you to tell me what you want to pass on and for me to tell her. And right now, I would have to pass it on through the bird. &gt; You get a mental image of Mina’s Xatu accompanying the last. ((She’d need a Special Attack of at least 200 to be able to talk to Mina directly.))


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Or... maybe they'll just be able to coordinate their attacks or teleport better or something. I don't know. But we should  figure it out!  " They needed to experiment... For SCIENCE! 
 

&lt; We  could  combine our powers somewhat, &gt; Tattersail agrees, and Mark can tell that by ‘we’ Tattersail means her and the aforementioned bird.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 ... He could probably look up what happened when two psychically attuned trainers had their pokemon seance. Actually, he  should  just... " Actually, let me see if anyone else did it on the internet and make sure its safe... " And he pulled out his pokedex to do just that. 
 

Mark’s initial internet search results are mostly fanfiction from some of the more popular book and TV series that include psychic powers, with a smattering of advertisements for the Saffron City Gym and similar establishments offering training to human psychics. Results that are even slightly relevant are buried and don’t seem to mention direct trainer-to-trainer communication.

----------------

Less:

Miles accepts the stakes and goes off to prepare his Pokémon - which mostly consists of him removing the cup-and-book ‘hats’ and recalling them to make space for the battle. As you send out Connie, he sends out his Swablu.

(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 129/129

Swablu: 119/119
Lord Ruby34
 "Let's stretch those wings!"  Less called out as he sent Connie forward. That Pokemon could probably sing . . . but there wasn't much Less could do about that, other than try to find out if Connie was faster.  "Connie, nasty plot!"  Less called out.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mark gets a definite sense of sulking from Tattersail. &lt; Don’t forget you promised me pampering when I get out! &gt; 
 

&lt;  And you will be! We don't have any poffin right now, but I have some nice shampoos and I think there was a massage parlor in the mall?  &gt; If not, he could buy her snacks there anyway when he went there tomorrow. &lt;  And we'll be going to a beach in the morning, if you wanted to kick back and relax, or go swimming, or show off by making some sand sculptures with your awesome telepathic powers. You know. Show us puny humans how it's done.  &gt; Yes, he was playing to her ego, but Tattersail  was  rather smug about her awesome mind powers, so he felt it was a safe gamble.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina, who had been largely unaware of Mark’s plans in that direction prior to this and who valued her privacy enough to have gone on a tirade against one of her own Pokémon for violating it, merely looked very, very taken aback...

Mark’s initial internet search results are mostly fanfiction from some of the more popular book and TV series that include psychic powers, with a smattering of advertisements for the Saffron City Gym and similar establishments offering training to human psychics. Results that are even slightly relevant are buried and don’t seem to mention direct trainer-to-trainer communication. 
 

Mark had been looking at his pokedex, so he didn't catch the look on Mina's face as he scrolled and listened to his gardevoir. The excitement on his face dies after a minute and he sighed, setting his pokedex down and looking up at the ceiling. " Well, looks like I got excited over nothing. I'll never become Magic Markers, the anime protagonist I was born to be. " A shame, really. He had the tragic backstory and everything to go with it, but he had no psychic powers, no hidden aura abilities, no skill at martial arts... heck, he wasn't even in school anymore, so even a  moe  protagonist role was beyond him! " Just regular, boring Markers forever. Sigh. But 'Sail and Xatu could work together to do more stuff than either could alone, though they didn't really need a psychic connection with either of us to do that... and we can still communicate with each other  through  them, so that will be useful. "
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Blast Bolt seems alert but Whirlywhirly yawns. Based on your previous trip, it’s going to be another hour of travel if you decide to push on to the Shrine, give or take. On the other hand it’s currently 7:30 PM; nearly night. 
 

Acknowledging Whirlywhirly's yawn, Pinklady thinks on the choices for a minute, then says,  "Yeah, I guess we can stop for the night! We should take shifts watching out."  Pinklady walks over to position herself to rest against the cart.  "Blast Bolt, if you don't mind first shift, just wake me up when you start to get tired!" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Connie does in fact appear to be faster than the Coordinator’s Flying type.

Connie uses Nasty Plot!
Connie’s Special Attack rises sharply!

Connie also appears to be about to eat a super effective attack.

Swablu uses Dazzling Gleam!
It’s super effective!
Connie is hit for 82 damage!
Connie uses her held Sitrus Berry to restore 38 HP!

The attack lands solidly, undercut by a regular ticking sound in. After a moment you realize it’s coming from the Swablu.


(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 85/129 (Special Attack up 2 levels)

Swablu: 119/119

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 &lt;  And you will be! We don't have any poffin right now, but I have some nice shampoos and I think there was a massage parlor in the mall?  &gt; If not, he could buy her snacks there anyway when he went there tomorrow. &lt;  And we'll be going to a beach in the morning, if you wanted to kick back and relax, or go swimming, or show off by making some sand sculptures with your awesome telepathic powers. You know. Show us puny humans how it's done.  &gt; 
 

&lt; Moving things is telekinesis. Telepathy is mind reading and mental speech, like we’re doing right now, &gt; Tattersail corrects, but she seems mollified.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 The excitement on his face dies after a minute and he sighed, setting his pokedex down and looking up at the ceiling. " Well, looks like I got excited over nothing. I'll never become Magic Markers, the anime protagonist I was born to be. " A shame, really. He had the tragic backstory and everything to go with it, but he had no psychic powers, no hidden aura abilities, no skill at martial arts... heck, he wasn't even in school anymore, so even a  moe  protagonist role was beyond him! " Just regular, boring Markers forever. Sigh. " 
 

“ Don’t sell yourself short, you’re still in a war zone trying to save the world, ” Mina reminds.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " But 'Sail and Xatu could work together to do more stuff than either could alone, though they didn't really need a psychic connection with either of us to do that... and we can still communicate with each other  through  them, so that will be useful. " 
 

Mina just nods in understanding, not really having anything to add to that. “ But in the mean time, what are we doing for food? ” She was already pulling out dishes for the Pokéchow.

----------------

Pinklady:

You awake groggily only to realize it’s only about 11 PM and quite dark. You can hear noises nearby, and Blast Bolt is growling.

At least one of the trainers standing watch inside must still be up, or else someone replaced them, because a flashlight beam shines out the window and drifts until it falls on a spiky purple ‘B.’ The Grunt wearing the letter swears and starts fumbling at his belt for his Pokéballs, and a moment later the night is full of the lights of Pokéballs disgorging their occupants.

Graveler A: 89/89
Graveler B: 123/123
Machoke A: 103/103
Lord Ruby34
A fairy type move! What terrible luck. Still, Connie wasn't out of this yet. If she could land a snarl, that could cut the damage enough to let her take another hit and take out this Swablu, even with that metronome ticking up the damage. Less silently thanked Mina for the Sitrus berry, without that this match up would have been near impossible.   "Connie, let's give that Swablu a taste of it's own medicine back. Snarl!" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Lets hope my napkin math was right that this next attack can't KO Connie if she lands a snarl first . . .
 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Don’t sell yourself short, you’re still in a war zone trying to save the world, ” Mina reminds. 
 

" Pssssssh, that's  everyone's  pokemon adventure. " At least, if you went by the games. " And I could be doing it in a  mecha.  Magic Markers' Mecha Madness... Fan favorite story arc... " He sighed wistfully at his own daydreaming silliness, standing up so he could help shuffle through the center's shelves.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina just nods in understanding, not really having anything to add to that. “ But in the mean time, what are we doing for food? ” She was already pulling out dishes for the Pokéchow. 
 

" Well, you've got the rest of that takeout, then we've got... " He pulled out a box of assorted crackers, a bag of cereal, a loaf of bread and a peanut butter jar. Most of that gets put back. " ... General pokemon center food in here. Check if there's cheese and fruit in the fridge, sliced apples and a cracker platter would probably be good? Unless you wanted some PB&amp;J's. "
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

You awake groggily only to realize it’s only about 11 PM and quite dark. You can hear noises nearby, and Blast Bolt is growling.

At least one of the trainers standing watch inside must still be up, or else someone replaced them, because a flashlight beam shines out the window and drifts until it falls on a spiky purple ‘B.’ The Grunt wearing the letter swears and starts fumbling at his belt for his Pokéballs, and a moment later the night is full of the lights of Pokéballs disgorging their occupants.

Graveler A: 89/89
Graveler B: 123/123
Machoke A: 103/103 
 

 "Hnff... good work, Blast Bolt!"  Pinklady says, still waking up. She withdraws Blast Bolt, all too aware of how devastating the Graveler could be for him, and sends out Leapsy and Croaky.
 "Leapsy, Sleep Powder that -"  she indicates Graveler B,  Graveler. Croaky..."  Pinklady pauses a moment as she fights back a yawn,  "...Bubblebeam the other one." 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Connie uses Snarl!
Swablu is hit for 81 damage!
Swablu’s Special Attack falls!

Swablu uses Dazzling Gleam!
It’s super effective!
Connie is hit for 57 damage!


(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 28/129 (Special Attack up 2 levels)

Swablu: 38/119 (Special Attack down 1 level)

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Pssssssh, that's  everyone's  pokemon adventure. " At least, if you went by the games. " And I could be doing it in a  mecha.  Magic Markers' Mecha Madness... Fan favorite story arc... " He sighed wistfully at his own daydreaming silliness, standing up so he could help shuffle through the center's shelves. 
 

Mina paused in her search of the shelves to pat his shoulder in a conciliatory sort of way. “ There’s still time. ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Well, you've got the rest of that takeout, then we've got... " He pulled out a box of assorted crackers, a bag of cereal, a loaf of bread and a peanut butter jar. Most of that gets put back. " ... General pokemon center food in here. Check if there's cheese and fruit in the fridge, sliced apples and a cracker platter would probably be good? Unless you wanted some PB&amp;J's. " 
 

“ …I’ll check the fridge for fruit. ” As far as Mina was concerned, peanut butter was palatable in exactly  one  item, and it wasn’t sandwiches. She went over to the fridge to look inside. “ They have cheese ” which Mina extracted “ I don’t see any apples. How do you feel about pineapple? Or mangos? ” Lots of tropical fruit. Not so much temperate fruit. Given their location, Mina couldn’t say she was surprised.

----------------

Pinklady:

You get your Pokémon ready for battle, in the process drawing attention to yourself and the cart. Now that the fighting has broken out you can see that there is at least one other group of Grunts, but the trainers keeping watch have already moved to hold those off, leaving the current set to you.

Leapsy uses Sleep Powder!
Graveler B sleeps!

Croaky uses Bubblebeam!
It’s super effective!
Graveler A is hit for 98 damage!
Graveler A held on with 1 HP due to Sturdy!
Graveler A’s Speed falls!
Graveler A uses its held Chahal Berry to restore 20 HP!

Machoke A uses Leer!
Defense of all allied Pokémon falls!

Graveler B wakes up! ((😕))
Graveler B uses Defense Curl!

Graveler A uses Rollout!
It’s super effective!
Leapsy is hit for 70 damage!


Leapsy: 5/75 (Defense down 1 level)
Croaky: 77/77 (Defense down 1 level)

Graveler A: 21/89 (Speed down 1 level)
Graveler B: 123/123 (Defense up 1 level, Defense Curl)
Machoke A: 103/103
Lord Ruby34
There!  "Good hit Connie! Finish it off with a Swift!" 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina paused in her search of the shelves to pat his shoulder in a conciliatory sort of way. “ There’s still time. ” 
 

He sniffed slightly, pouted, and then said, " Yeah. Yeah, there's time. Bandra's developing all kinds of stupid stuff... surely they have a doom mecha for us to steal. " They didn't, but a boy could dream.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ They have cheese ” which Mina extracted “ I don’t see any apples. How do you feel about pineapple? Or mangos? ” Lots of tropical fruit. Not so much temperate fruit. Given their location, Mina couldn’t say she was surprised. 
 

Mark sighed as he put away the peanut butter, one day he'd eat it again, but hey, they still had fruit! " Hmmmm... I like pineapple, but the mango will probably go better with the takeout. " Orange chicken, even the spicy stuff Mark had gotten, had plenty of sour flavors, so the tang of the mango would complement that while the sweet-sour of pineapple would just blend in a bit. He got out a platter to set up the crackers on, and also a cutting board for the mango to get sliced upon. " I already ate a bit, so toss me things to cut up and you get started. I'll join you in a sec. "
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

You get your Pokémon ready for battle, in the process drawing attention to yourself and the cart. Now that the fighting has broken out you can see that there is at least one other group of Grunts, but the trainers keeping watch have already moved to hold those off, leaving the current set to you.

Leapsy uses Sleep Powder!
Graveler B sleeps!

Croaky uses Bubblebeam!
It’s super effective!
Graveler A is hit for 98 damage!
Graveler A held on with 1 HP due to Sturdy!
Graveler A’s Speed falls!
Graveler A uses its held Chahal Berry to restore 20 HP!

Machoke A uses Leer!
Defense of all allied Pokémon falls!

Graveler B wakes up! ((😕))
Graveler B uses Defense Curl!

Graveler A uses Rollout!
It’s super effective!
Leapsy is hit for 70 damage!


Leapsy: 5/75 (Defense down 1 level)
Croaky: 77/77 (Defense down 1 level)

Graveler A: 21/89 (Speed down 1 level)
Graveler B: 123/123 (Defense up 1 level, Defense Curl)
Machoke A: 103/103 
 

 "Good work, keep it up! Same thing, same targets, both of you!"  If both Graveler could be disabled, it would be safe - or at least safer - to bring out some of her stronger team members, she considered.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Connie uses Swift!
Swablu is hit for 65 damage!
Swablu faints!

Miles recalls the Flying type and sends out his Dewgong.


(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 28/129 (Special Attack up 2 levels)

 Swablu: 0/119 
Dewgong: 134/134

----------------

Mark and Mina:

Mina considered the fruits and finally shrugged before grabbing both. “ Let’s do both, and the Pokémon can have whatever we don’t finish, ” she suggested.

Once she’d gotten Mark set with fruit she started measuring out Pokéchow for both their teams, making sure Riolu got his fancy Fighting-type baby food. ((-1 Premium Fighting-type Baby Pokéchow, 5 remaining)) Then she took Mark’s advice and sat down to eat.

----------------

Pinklady:

Leapsy uses Sleep Powder!
Attack missed!

Croaky uses Bubblebeam!
It’s super effective!
Graveler A is hit for 99 damage!
Graveler A faints!

Machoke uses Low Kick!
Croaky is hit for 40 damage!

Graveler B uses Rollout!
It’s super effective!
Leapsy is hit for 174 damage!
Leapsy faints!

The KO’d Graveler is recalled and replaced with a Wispaferyn.


 Leapsy: 0/75 
Croaky: 37/77 (Defense down 1 level)

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Graveler B: 123/123 (Defense up 1 level, Defense Curl)
Machoke A: 103/103
Wispaferyn A: 96/96
Lord Ruby34
"Good job, Connie," Less said, "That's enough for now." No sense running right into an ice shard. Less signaled that he was intending to take his league sanctioned switch, and sent out Princess before calling for a Natural Gift.

((OOC: if the league sanctioned switch isn't an option,  Less will instead switch into Buck, and then call for a Fire Fang.))
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina considered the fruits and finally shrugged before grabbing both. “ Let’s do both, and the Pokémon can have whatever we don’t finish, ” she suggested. 
 

" Alright, that sounds fair- " Wait. That was a  whole pineapple.  Mark squinted at it, and pulled out his pokedex to look up how to cut that up. The core was inedible... right? He washed and cut up the mango nice and quick and put it out on the table, then looked up pineapple preparation so he could slice up that as well. He was  definitely  going to need to clean up his prosthetic tonight, because there simply isn't any way to cut a pineapple without getting sprayed at least a little bit with the juice.

Still, preparation wasn't too hard over-all, so he'd put a bowl out in short order, toss out the skin, top, bottom and core, and then wash his hands to keep his prosthetic from getting terminally sticky with dried out pineapple juice. Once all of that was done, he finally sliced up some cheese and brought over the cracker platter. He began cycling in his pokemon for feeding, though he'd need to make sure Fisher was fully deshadowed before really getting that big guy out there, and munched at a long cracker with both cheese and a mango slice on it. " Sooooo Mina, when you're not fighting a war and saving the world, what do you like to do for fun? "
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Leapsy uses Sleep Powder!
Attack missed!

Croaky uses Bubblebeam!
It’s super effective!
Graveler A is hit for 99 damage!
Graveler A faints!

Machoke uses Low Kick!
Croaky is hit for 40 damage!

Graveler B uses Rollout!
It’s super effective!
Leapsy is hit for 174 damage!
Leapsy faints!

The KO’d Graveler is recalled and replaced with a Wispaferyn.


 Leapsy: 0/75 
Croaky: 37/77 (Defense down 1 level)

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Graveler B: 123/123 (Defense up 1 level, Defense Curl)
Machoke A: 103/103
Wispaferyn A: 96/96 
 

 "Sorry, Leapsy!"  Pinklady recalls Leapsy and sends out Blast Bolt.  "Alright, Blast Bolt and Croaky, both of you hit the Graveler - Superpower and Bubblebeam!"   That Wispaferyn is bad news, but that Graveler is even more immediately dangerous... 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Yes, you can switch.
 


Unfortunately Princess’ speed works against her and the Dewgong (Miles called it ‘Nautilus’) gets off the first strike.

Dewgong uses Signal Beam!
It’s super effective!
Princess is hit for 90 damage!

Princess is blown backwards, feet leaving furrows in the ground, and staggers once the attack is over. But she’s still standing afterwards, albeit barely, and her battle lust works in her favor as she manages to get off an attack of her own.

Princess uses Natural Gift!
It’s super effective!
Dewgong is hit for 46 damage!


(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 28/129 (recalled)
Princess: 2/92

 Swablu: 0/119 
Dewgong: 88/134

----------------

Mark and Mina:

“ Video games, lots of reading - ” Actually she’d been doing lots of reading  during  the war, albeit of a more serious nature, so that hadn’t really changed “ - the occasional movie. How about you? ”

----------------

Pinklady:

Wispaferyn A uses Silver Wind!
Croaky is hit for 43 damage!
Croaky faints!

Blast Bolt uses Superpower!
It’s super effective!
Graveler B is hit for 81 damage!
Blast Bolt’s Attack falls!
Blast Bolt’s Defense falls!

Machoke uses Leer!
Blast Bolt’s Defense falls!

Graveler B uses Rollout!
Attack missed due to target KO!


 Leapsy: 0/75 
 Croaky: 0/77 
Blast Bolt: 102/102 (Attack down 1 level, Defense down 2 levels)

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Graveler B: 42/123 (Defense up 1 level, Defense Curl)
Machoke A: 103/103
Wispaferyn A: 96/96
Lord Ruby34
Those poffin boosts were serious, and Miles had managed a lot of move tutoring. This Dewgong almost certainly had a super effective move for every member of Less's team. . . .  He could use a potion here, but they hadn't really talked about item usage, and once Less opened that door Miles might have more in his bag of tricks than Less did. Maybe he could trick the man instead, and that started by figuring out what he was thinking. Dewgong learned encore as a Seel, didn't it? Maybe Less could bait Miles into trying to encore Princess and set up?  "Princess, protect!" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Got it! Also, this Dewgong is tough! I think that's about as hard as anyone on Less's team can hit it at the moment. Oof.

Also, some conditionals, if you'll have them.

If Miles uses a water type move, then Less will use Princess's next turn to use a super potion on Connie anyway.
If Miles uses Ice Shard or Signal Beam, Less will switch to Buck. If Buck gets hit with a non-critcal hit with either of those two moves upon switching in or Nautilus uses Encore on the turn Buck comes in, then Less will order a Fire Fang. If anything else happens, then I'll take the next turn as normal.
If Miles uses any other moves, then I'll take the next go as normal.
 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Video games, lots of reading - ” Actually she’d been doing lots of reading  during  the war, albeit of a more serious nature, so that hadn’t really changed “ - the occasional movie. How about you? ” 
 

" Drawing, of course, " Which he'd told her about last time the question had come up, but this time it was being answered  much  less awkwardly, " but also some gaming, mostly on handhelds, " look, pokemon games are still fun, and Mark had been traveling too much to really justify a desktop or console dedicated to gaming, " reading some fantasy or sci-fi books, movies, karaoke if Jason or Blake could find a place... sometimes a prank. "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Yes, Tough and Beautiful. 😉
 


Princess uses Protect!

Dewgong uses Signal Beam!
Princess is protecting herself!

You recall Princess!
You send out Buck!

Nautilus seems a little intimidated, but it makes no difference to the attack streaking at Buck.

Dewgong uses Signal Beam!
It’s not very effective…
Buck is hit for 14 damage!

Buck recovers 6 HP from held Leftovers!

Miles recalls Nautilus as you call for Fire Fang, replacing it with his Angerazm. An odd choice, until you remember that time Emilia got excited about the species because—

Buck uses Fire Fang!
Angerazm’s Photobarrier prevents damage during sunlight!

—it has an Ability that protects it from fire.

 
 Spoiler: Photobarrier 

During a Sunny Day, this Pokémon cannot be Burned or Frozen and is unaffected by Fire and Ice attacks.
 


Buck recovers 6 HP from held Leftovers!


(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 28/129 (recalled)
Princess: 2/92 (recalled)
Buck: 104/106

 Swablu: 0/119 
Dewgong: 88/134 (recalled)
Angerazm: 138/138 (Intimidated)

----------------

Mark and Mina:

Mina had  so  many questions - which books, what kind of movies, what kind of games, any memorable pranks - but stuck with one since this was a conversation over a meal and not an interrogation. “ So that wasn’t your first karaoke experience then? Where did you sing before? ”
Lord Ruby34
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

I'm going to have to get hands on some high quality poffins. Those boosts really matter!

Also, does the Angerazm have any moves that Less should know about that would be particularly dangerous to Buck?
 


That had gone . . . acceptably. Notably Miles hadn't kept Nautilous in to fight Buck. That was unexpected. But these Pokemon weren't that fast, so maybe . . .  "Buck, go ahead and bite!"   Less also kept his ears sharp for Miles's commands.

 
 Spoiler: Conditional 

If Buck out-speeds the Angerazm and causes it to flinch continue using bite until the statement is no longer true.
 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina had  so  many questions - which books, what kind of movies, what kind of games, any memorable pranks - but stuck with one since this was a conversation over a meal and not an interrogation. “ So that wasn’t your first karaoke experience then? Where did you sing before? ” 
 

Dang, he'd been  certain  she would ask about the pranks. Oh well, he could save that for later. " Yeah, I wrote that song we sang in Jason's notebook, my art book now, after the second time the guys dragged me out to do so. As punishment for my prank, he forced me to join him every time after. I've discovered that there are karaoke bars in pretty much every region, or at least in Johto, Kanto and Hoenn, and I  think  we were going to find one here before... " Mark shifted in his chair and decided to just repress that. " Most cities seem to have one, too! And if it existed, Jason's lucario dragged us to it. That pokemon  loved  growling and barking along to those emo or gothy metal songs. He told us they spoke to his tortured soul. " To emphasize those last words, Mark closed his eyes and clenched a fist in front of him.

" So, what kind of movies do you like? "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Buck uses Bite!
Critical hit!
Angerazm is hit for 42 damage!

Buck connects solidly but the Grass type doesn’t flinch, instead its leafy body begins to swell.

Angerazm uses Growth!
Angerazm’s Attack rises sharply!
Angerazm’s Special Attack rises sharply!

Buck recovers 2 HP from held Leftovers!


(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 28/129 (recalled)
Princess: 2/92 (recalled)
Buck: 106/106

 Swablu: 0/119 
Dewgong: 88/134 (recalled)
Angerazm: 96/138 (Intimidated, Attack up 2 levels, Special Attack up 2 levels)

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Dang, he'd been  certain  she would ask about the pranks. Oh well, he could save that for later. " Yeah, I wrote that song we sang in Jason's notebook, my art book now, after the second time the guys dragged me out to do so. As punishment for my prank, he forced me to join him every time after. ” 
 

“ That must have been some prank! What did you  do?  ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " I've discovered that there are karaoke bars in pretty much every region, or at least in Johto, Kanto and Hoenn, and I  think  we were going to find one here before... " Mark shifted in his chair and decided to just repress that. " Most cities seem to have one, too! " 
 

“ I guess I need to get out more, that time in Ceris is the first time I’ve been to one of those, ” Mina remarked.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " And if it existed, Jason's lucario dragged us to it. That pokemon  loved  growling and barking along to those emo or gothy metal songs. He told us they spoke to his tortured soul. " 
 

Mina just looked faintly amused, but addressed Riolu who was currently digging into his fancy Pokéchow. “ I don’t suppose  you’re  going to want to go singing karaoke too? I’m sure we could talk your trainer into going once we find her. ”

The little Fighting type just sniffed, and Mark got the distinct impression the baby considered karaoke singing to be beneath his dignity. Mina’s impression was considerably less distinct, but she got the message anyway.

 
 Spoiler: Mina 
Xatu added privately to Mina, &lt; He’s still a hatchling trying too hard to be grown up. He’ll grow out of it. &gt;
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " So, what kind of movies do you like? " 
 

“ Oh, ” Mina thought back. “ I like variety. I think it’s mostly been action movies lately, some mystery, some comedy.  I keep trying to find a horror movie I like but they never seem to click ” and now that she’d lived in an actual war zone she doubted they every would “ and I’ve never been into romances at all. And I usually avoid anything that looks like it’s just going to be a gorefest full of swearing or whatever; I can put up with it if it’s in a movie that’s good, but I don’t really consider it a selling point. ”
Lord Ruby34
 "Good hit Buck!"  Less cheered. Despite his enthusiasm that plant creature was looking dangerous . . . but that was probably Buck's best hit . . . but maybe a small boost probably wasn't enough for Miles to feel entirely comfortable with his grass-type's ability to actually make significant headway against Buck. Would he go for another Growth? Either way, he had to deal with those boosts before they became overpowering.   "Buck, roar!"   Less ordered.

 
 Spoiler: OOC/Conditional 

I think Buck should be back to full from the leftovers, right?

Conditional: If Buck doesn't take a hit for more than 40 damage, Bite.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Thanks, fixed!
 


Buck temporarily gives up his advantage in speed to take a deep breath and brace himself for his Roar, giving the Grass type the first hit.

Angerazm uses Energy Ball!
It’s not very effective…
Buck is hit for 61 damage!

Buck uses Roar!

The Angerazm bounces back to its Pokéball, and Nautilus is sent back out.

Buck recovers 6 HP from held Leftovers!


(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 28/129 (recalled)
Princess: 2/92 (recalled)
Buck: 51/106

 Swablu: 0/119 
Dewgong: 88/134 (Intimidated)
Angerazm: 96/138 (recalled)
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ That must have been some prank! What did you  do?  ” 
 

" Oh, Jason just  hated  that song, said it was way too cheesy and romantic, so he thought making me sing it was a punishment for permanently inflicting it upon his journal. Joke's on him, I  love  that song. " Cheesy love songs are  great.  Especially when they're aware of what they are. " And now it's tradition that I sing it first at Karaoke. "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ I guess I need to get out more, that time in Ceris is the first time I’ve been to one of those, ” Mina remarked. 
 

" Well, they're called Karaoke bars because they're  bars,  just with rooms in back that have microphones and prompters and stuff that you can rent out and sing with friends for a while. So if you don't go out to drink often... " He shrugged. " I mostly had soda and sang when we went, and it's a friends thing. I definitely wouldn't have gone by myself. " He'd also been well under the legal drinking age the first few times and was only allowed in as long as he stayed to the karaoke rooms. (... Though Zelgius and Alan had snuck him a few sips of alcohol from time to time. Soldiers are  terrible  role models/ psuedo-adopted family...)


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 The little Fighting type just sniffed, and Mark got the distinct impression the baby considered karaoke singing to be beneath his dignity. Mina’s impression was considerably less distinct, but she got the message anyway. 
 

Mark chuckled a bit before reassuring the riolu, " Don't worry, little guy. Eli was the  biggest dork  I knew, and I'm including myself in that list. He wore headphones to listen to that edgy music most of the time, and sometimes a pair of shades too, because he was 'too cool' for the rest of us. No one is expecting you to follow in his footsteps just because you share a species. " The little aura pokemon could probably sense a bit of Mark's amusement, and hints of the loss that reminiscing brought him. That dork of a lucario had been almost as much of a friend to him as his trainer, so he missed the fighting/steel type... and worried about what had happened to him.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Oh. I like variety. I think it’s mostly been action movies lately, some mystery, some comedy.  I keep trying to find a horror movie I like but they never seem to click, and I’ve never been into romances at all. And I usually avoid anything that looks like it’s just going to be a gorefest full of swearing or whatever; I can put up with it if it’s in a movie that’s good, but I don’t really consider it a selling point. ” 
 

" Hmph! You've clearly never seen a good rom-com. " Sleepless in Saffron* was a  classic,  though he was maybe a bit of a softy for true, well-done romances. Who didn't like Cinema Heaven**? " But fair on the horror and splat flicks. Not really a fan of pointless ultraviolence myself. But would something like Anything, Anywhere, Every When*** be a movie you enjoy...? "

 
 Spoiler 
*Sleepless in Seattle

**Cinema Paradiso

***Yes, I'm saying that Everything, Everywhere, All At Once has a different name in this part of the multiverse. And yes, I'm enjoying spoofing movie names. Thanks for asking. 😛
 
Lord Ruby34
Less winced. Mile's Pokemon were just too much stronger than his own. Those poffin boosts were making a huge difference, and Buck wasn't able to take advantage of the Sun to hurt that Grass type. In fact, the weather was even working against him for the most part. He needed to get Connie to make a few attacks . . . alright, that would have to be the plan.  "Buck, bite!  Less commanded. He needed to generate an advantage to press, but he couldn't risk having Miles just switch back into his grass type and nullifying Buck's hit.

 
 Spoiler: Conditionals 

If Miles switches, then switch to Connie, and call for U-turn into Princess.
If Miles doesn't switch, and Buck out speeds and flinches the Dewgong, then Bite again, unless Miles called for Brine. In that case, protect.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Oh, Jason just  hated  that song, said it was way too cheesy and romantic, so he thought making me sing it was a punishment for permanently inflicting it upon his journal. Joke's on him, I  love  that song. " Cheesy love songs are  great.  Especially when they're aware of what they are. " And now it's tradition that I sing it first at Karaoke. " 
 

Mina, who’d been expecting something a little more involved for the prank, made a conversational noise while privately deciding that Jason had overreacted.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Well, they're called Karaoke bars because they're  bars,  just with rooms in back that have microphones and prompters and stuff that you can rent out and sing with friends for a while. So if you don't go out to drink often... " 
 

“ I really don’t, ” Mina agreed to the last. Quincey was the social butterfly, and with her hometown being on the small side that meant nearly everyone who wanted to hang out did it with him - it wasn’t cool to hang out with your friend’s younger sister, apparently. Add to that she didn’t really like the taste of alcohol and turned out to have a low tolerance for it, and she’d had no reason to hang out in bars much.

Apparently, she’d been missing out.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Don't worry, little guy. Eli was the  biggest dork  I knew, and I'm including myself in that list. He wore headphones to listen to that edgy music most of the time, and sometimes a pair of shades too, because he was 'too cool' for the rest of us. No one is expecting you to follow in his footsteps just because you share a species. " The little aura pokemon could probably sense a bit of Mark's amusement, and hints of the loss that reminiscing brought him. That dork of a lucario had been almost as much of a friend to him as his trainer, so he missed the fighting/steel type... and worried about what had happened to him. 
 

The little Fighting type seemed reassured by this. Mark got the uneasy sense that he suspected such frivolous display would reflect badly on his lineage.

Xatu paused his own meal to reach over and preen the baby in a reassuring manner.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Hmph! You've clearly never seen a good rom-com. " Sleepless in Saffron* was a  classic,  though he was maybe a bit of a softy for true, well-done romances. Who didn't like Cinema Heaven**? " But fair on the horror and splat flicks. Not really a fan of pointless ultraviolence myself. But would something like Anything, Anywhere, Every When*** be a movie you enjoy...? "  
 

“ I guess not, ” Mina agreed. “ Anything, Anywhere, Every When was okay, I just liked Sky Flight* better. Multiverse and time travel stuff have never been my cup of tea either…unless it’s just being used as an excuse for dinosaurs, ” she amended.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
*Top Gun, except instead of enemy pilots the protagonists are trying to fly past a heavily fictionalized version of Rayquaza to rescue some scientists at the Sky Pillar.
 


----------------

Less:

Buck uses Bite!
Dewgong is hit for 21 damage!
Dewgong flinches! ((Lucky you. 😈))

Buck recovers 6 HP from held Leftovers!

Buck uses Bite!
Dewgong is hit for 20 damage!

Dewgong uses Water Pulse!
It’s super effective!
Buck is hit for 42 damage!

Buck recovers 6 HP from held Leftovers!


(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 28/129 (recalled)
Princess: 2/92 (recalled)
Buck: 21/106

 Swablu: 0/119 
Dewgong: 47/134 (Intimidated)
Angerazm: 96/138 (recalled)
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina, who’d been expecting something a little more involved for the prank, made a conversational noise while privately deciding that Jason had overreacted. 
 

While not the most conversationally gifted of people, something still nagged at Mark about her response and he added, " Um... I'm also pretty sure that Uncle Max told him and the twins to look out for me, and taking me to sing with them was how they... you know. So 'punishing' me for my prank was just an excuse. " And he was sure of that because Blake had  explicitly  told him that at some point, which had led to its own series of drama that he didn't want to admit to right now. Still... " I didn't mind, to be honest. Didn't have many friends at school, and stepmom and siblings didn't really know what to do with me. " It was hard being the shy, artsy kid with no dad sometimes.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 The little Fighting type seemed reassured by this. Mark got the uneasy sense that he suspected such frivolous display would reflect badly on his lineage. 
 

He tries sending a bit of mental reassurance that they would do their best to avoid that, and mentally kicks himself for how he'd acted last night  again.  This little riolu wasn't Elijah, and, no matter how much he missed that pokemon, he shouldn't try holding the baby to those standards or expectations. He especially shouldn't try taking over the little guy's training or ownership... his baggage would  not  let that situation end well.

So a bit of Mark's guilt colors that reassurance. He'd said sorry about that already, right? He should probably say it again. But not right now, in the middle of an unrelated and over-all quite pleasant conver- " Sorry about last night again, Riolu. I was... out of line. " Or you could do that, my idiot son.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ I guess not, ” Mina agreed. “ Anything, Anywhere, Every When was okay, I just liked Sky Flight* better. Multiverse and time travel stuff have never been my cup of tea either…unless it’s just being used as an excuse for dinosaurs, ” she amended. 
 

He squinted a bit at her judgement of multiverse movies, -though to be fair, he only liked them when they actually used the concept right, and superhero movies these days (where the trope was most common) absolutely missed  that  mark,- but when he spoke again he said, " Okay, yeah, that's fair, dinosaurs are awesome. Paleolithic Park 1*? Absolute classic. No notes. Their clever mix of animatronics and fossil pokemon still holds up to this day.  MILES  better than the CGI in the recent reboots. "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
  
 Spoiler: OoC 
*Top Gun, except instead of enemy pilots the protagonists are trying to fly past a heavily fictionalized version of Rayquaza to rescue some scientists at the Sky Pillar.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler 
G L O R I O U S 😁 Also, still got dibs on Rayquaza. 😛

*Jurassic Park, of course, with Kabutops (with extra foot-talons and shark fins on their backs) as the raptors. (And the Paleolithic World movies just use a CGI Gigantimax Lapras with fin-swords as their Mosasaurus, which is another reason why this universe's version of the movies are just  bad .)
 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Wispaferyn A uses Silver Wind!
Croaky is hit for 43 damage!
Croaky faints!

Blast Bolt uses Superpower!
It’s super effective!
Graveler B is hit for 81 damage!
Blast Bolt’s Attack falls!
Blast Bolt’s Defense falls!

Machoke uses Leer!
Blast Bolt’s Defense falls!

Graveler B uses Rollout!
Attack missed due to target KO!


 Leapsy: 0/75 
 Croaky: 0/77 
Blast Bolt: 102/102 (Attack down 1 level, Defense down 2 levels)

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Graveler B: 42/123 (Defense up 1 level, Defense Curl)
Machoke A: 103/103
Wispaferyn A: 96/96 
 

 Not good...   Go, Sport! Fake Out the Wispaferyn! And Blast Bolt, finish off the Graveler with another Superpower!" 
Lord Ruby34
Less frowned. This was going badly . . . but he wasn't completely done yet.  "Good hits Buck! Block the next one, protect!" 
 
 Spoiler: Conditionals 

If Nautilous stays in and Buck blocks an attack:
- Bite, hoping for a flinch.
- If we get the flinch, follow up with a Fire Fang, unless the bite was also a critical hit, then follow up with a bite instead.
- If Buck KO's the Dewgong without going down (by some miracle), then take a free switch to Connie and U-Turn into Princess.
- If that works and Connie Obeys, and Princess goes down, switch back into Connie and hit it with a Wing Attack.

 If Nautilus switches out during this protect, switch to Connie.
-If the Angerazm used Growth, then U-Turn into Princess.
-If Princess goes down, switch back into Connie. 
Let's not do that one, that plan only worked 40 HP ago.

If Buck does not get the flinch on his Bite and goes down, and Nautilous knows Ice shard or Less can't tell,
Switch into Princess, use a super potion on Connie.
If Princess goes down, switch into Connie and see how things stand.

 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 While not the most conversationally gifted of people, something still nagged at Mark about her response and he added, " Um... I'm also pretty sure that Uncle Max told him and the twins to look out for me, and taking me to sing with them was how they... you know. So 'punishing' me for my prank was just an excuse. " And he was sure of that because Blake had  explicitly  told him that at some point, which had led to its own series of drama that he didn't want to admit to right now. Still... " I didn't mind, to be honest. Didn't have many friends at school, and stepmom and siblings didn't really know what to do with me. " It was hard being the shy, artsy kid with no dad sometimes. 
 

“ Oh. Well, it sounds like you had fun with it at least, ” Mina replied, not sure what else she could say without stepping on what she perceived to be conversational landmines - Mark’s mention of a stepmom opened up  all kinds  of potential past trauma… “ Maybe when we’re done saving the world we can go on a world tour of karaoke bars. ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 He tries sending a bit of mental reassurance that they would do their best to avoid that, and mentally kicks himself for how he'd acted last night  again.  This little riolu wasn't Elijah, and, no matter how much he missed that pokemon, he shouldn't try holding the baby to those standards or expectations. He especially shouldn't try taking over the little guy's training or ownership... his baggage would  not  let that situation end well.

So a bit of Mark's guilt colors that reassurance. He'd said sorry about that already, right? He should probably say it again. But not right now, in the middle of an unrelated and over-all quite pleasant conver- " Sorry about last night again, Riolu. I was... out of line. " Or you could do that, my idiot son. 
 

Riolu looked up from his food, ears flat and nodules raised, and gave Mark a scrutinizing look - Mark could tell the little Fighting type was trying to tell if he was being lied to.

After a moment he barked and relaxed a bit before returning to his food, and Mark got the sense that he was forgiven - contingent on never doing that again.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 He squinted a bit at her judgement of multiverse movies, -though to be fair, he only liked them when they actually used the concept right, and superhero movies these days (where the trope was most common) absolutely missed  that  mark,- but when he spoke again he said, " Okay, yeah, that's fair, dinosaurs are awesome. Paleolithic Park 1*? Absolute classic. No notes. Their clever mix of animatronics and fossil pokemon still holds up to this day.  MILES  better than the CGI in the recent reboots. " 
 

“ Oh absolutely, and the plot was better too - much more believable. You will never get me to believe that a bunch of critters fleeing in terror from a super monster will drop everything just to munch on some random bystanders, but some scientists making something they can’t control and it blows up in their faces? Absolutely plausible. I’m honestly kind of surprised it hasn’t happened  already . ”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
And I will reiterate that I have dibs on Mewtwo. 😉 I will also take this opportunity to note that his existence, and by extension that of his creation, is not widely known; Mina’s comment is intended to be some in-universe irony.

Ditto for Giovanni being the boss of Team Rocket, although that’s less of a tangent from the dinosaur movie discussion.
 


----------------

Pinklady:

Sport uses Fake Out!
Wispaferyn A is hit for 12 damage!

Wispaferyn A flinches!

Blast Bolt uses Superpower!
It’s super effective!

Unfortunately Blast Bolt is winded from his previous attack, in addition to the Poffin-boosted Grunt Pokémon having curled protectively around itself, so the damage this time is substantially less robust:

Graveler B is hit for 34 damage!
Blast Bolt’s Attack falls!
Blast Bolt’s Defense falls!

Machoke uses Low Kick!
Blast Bolt is hit for 79 damage!

Graveler B uses Rollout!
Blast Bolt is hit for 100 damage!
Blast Bolt faints!

In the distance you can hear the sentries fighting the other patrol and someone shouting— “ What are you  doing?  This is no time to play nice! Send them out, send them all out—! ”


 Leapsy: 0/75 
 Croaky: 0/77 
 Blast Bolt: 0/102 
Sport: 63/63

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Graveler B: 8/123 (Defense up 1 level, Defense Curl)
Machoke A: 103/103
Wispaferyn A: 84/96

----------------

Less:

Buck uses Protect!
Buck is protecting himself!

Dewgong uses Water Pulse!
Buck is protecting himself!

Buck recovers 6 HP from held Leftovers!

Buck uses Bite!
Dewgong is hit for 21 damage!

Dewgong uses Water Pulse!
It’s super effective!
Buck is hit for 44 damage!
Buck faints!

Your Fire type goes down, but you’re able to finish a comprehensive scan of Nautilus in the mean time.

 
 Spoiler: Nautilus 

Pokémon: Dewgong (Nautilus)
Type: Water/Ice
Ability: Thick Fat
Gender: Female
Level: 29
Held Item: Expert Belt
Stats--
HP: 100  +34 
Attack: 54
Def: 60  +17 
Sp. Attack: 54 +24  +17 
Sp. Def: 69
Speed: 54  +4 
Moves:
Aqua Ring
Ice Shard
Signal Beam
Icy Wind
Rain Dance (SM)
Water Pulse (tutor)
 


Miles, noticing, says in a polished yet scathing tone of voice, “I suppose since you’ll be  walking  to the next town you need the crutch.” He doesn’t seem interested in using his League-sanctioned switch.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
And since you’ve got the whole stat block and move list for Nautilus now, I’m going to ask you to confirm your action for the next round before I execute it.
 



(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 28/129 (recalled)
Princess: 2/92 (recalled)
 Buck: 0/106 
 Swablu: 0/119 
Dewgong: 26/134
Angerazm: 96/138 (recalled)
Lord Ruby34
Less winced as Buck went down, and was then bathed in a gentle red light. It wasn't exactly surprising with the type disadvantage . . . but Less couldn't help but think that if he's been able to use the move tutor, then he and Buck could have won this fight. Still, Less rapped his cane gently against the ground at the mention of the word crutch.  "You wouldn't happen to be poking fun at an old man and his walking stick, would you?"  Less asked, his voice good natured despite his internal annoyance.

" Though I think you've given me a rather through lesson in the power of Poffin today, your Pokemon are clearly better prepared for this fight than mine are."  Less continued.  "So I suppose I might need a crutch to give you a challenge . . . I think you just about have me as it stands. Are you willing to spot an old man a single item use to make the match a little closer?"  Less asked, his voice turning upwards as he asked the question. After all, the worst Miles could say was no.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "You wouldn't happen to be poking fun at an old man and his walking stick, would you?"  Less asked, his voice good natured despite his internal annoyance. 
 

Miles doesn’t deign to answer this.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 " Though I think you've given me a rather through lesson in the power of Poffin today, your Pokemon are clearly better prepared for this fight than mine are."  Less continued.  "So I suppose I might need a crutch to give you a challenge . . . I think you just about have me as it stands. Are you willing to spot an old man a single item use to make the match a little closer?"   
 

Miles casts his eyes skyward, perhaps a little more dramatically than strictly necessary. “You really  are  helpless. Fine,  one  item.”
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Miles casts his eyes skyward, perhaps a little more dramatically than strictly necessary. “You really  are  helpless. Fine,  one  item.” 
 

 "You're a charitable soul."  Less replied, honestly relieved. His path to victory without that free item use had been looking mighty slim. It would have involved having Princess take a shot right to the chin while Less fed Connie a potion, getting lucky enough to confuse Mile's grass type, and having Miles not use an item of his own. That might have been a tall order, and one that Less was all to happy to avoid having to try. Instead, Less took the granted reprieve to give Connie a Super Potion before sending her out. Hopefully Nautilous hadn't been lining up an attack . . . at least not too well aimed of one.

 
"Alright Connie, I'm counting on you to bring this one home. Wing attack!"  Less ordered.

 
 Spoiler: Conditionals and Logic 

Above order is if Miles doesn't take his free switch. If he wants it, Less will call for U-turn instead.

If he keeps Nautilus out:
If Connie gets critcally hit by an ice shard before attacking and is KO'd: Concede
If Connie obeys and KO's Nautilus with a Wing attack, stay in, then use U-Turn into Princess. (If she disobeys but still KO's, stop for RP reasons.)
If Princess is KO'd by an attack from Angerzm, then send Connie back in and call for another Wing Attack.
If at any point in that chain it becomes apparent what the Angerzm's held item is, ignore all future conditionals and stop.

If Miles takes his free switch:
U-Turn into Princess (as stated above)
If Princess is KO'd by an attack from Angerzm, then send Connie back out and call for another Wing attack.

Logic:
Ice Shard should hit Connie for up to 47 damage (STAB, super effective, expert belt, but low base power and attack), assuming my math i+s correct. Any hit from Connie KO's Nautilus. Wing attack + any other attack should KO Angerzm, based on Buck's damage to the grass type being just a smidge higher than his damage to Nautilus I'm assuming that Angerzm's defense is 1 point lower that Nautilus.

Which means Less is praying to dodge the critical hit Ice Shard here.

Miles might also do something unexpected . . . but we'll see.
 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Oh. Well, it sounds like you had fun with it at least, ” Mina replied, not sure what else she could say without stepping on what she perceived to be conversational landmines - Mark’s mention of a stepmom opened up  all kinds  of potential past trauma… “ Maybe when we’re done saving the world we can go on a world tour of karaoke bars. ” 
 

There were other things that Mark would have wanted to talk about, surely, but something here stuck out in his mind, even if the gears weren't clicking yet, and that was taking up the backup brain computational space while Mark talked. For example, he  could  have talked about how Mike Brighton's novel compared to the movies, and how the originals were so much more faithful to the spirit even if the specific events were wildly altered (like the Clever Girl scene never happening.)

However, what he ended up saying was, " Oh, yeah, it's a good way to spend the evening, just sitting around in a room, talking through the day, being dorks... " Then he blinked three times as something that was almost certainly accidental clicked and asked, " Wait like... go to these bars? Together? Just the two of us...? " He'd managed to get his earlier bout of blushing under control, but some pink returns. Eyes locked on the table (specifically the mostly empty cheese and crackers platter), Mark stammered, " I mean... that is... I wouldn't... Um... T-that would be, er, fine! Yeah. Sounds fun. "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
  
 Spoiler: OoC 
Ditto for Giovanni being the boss of Team Rocket, although that’s less of a tangent from the dinosaur movie discussion.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Sounds good! Will keep that in mind going on in the future.
 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Sport uses Fake Out!
Wispaferyn A is hit for 12 damage!

Wispaferyn A flinches!

Blast Bolt uses Superpower!
It’s super effective!

Unfortunately Blast Bolt is winded from his previous attack, in addition to the Poffin-boosted Grunt Pokémon having curled protectively around itself, so the damage this time is substantially less robust:

Graveler B is hit for 34 damage!
Blast Bolt’s Attack falls!
Blast Bolt’s Defense falls!

Machoke uses Low Kick!
Blast Bolt is hit for 79 damage!

Graveler B uses Rollout!
Blast Bolt is hit for 100 damage!
Blast Bolt faints!

In the distance you can hear the sentries fighting the other patrol and someone shouting— “ What are you  doing?  This is no time to play nice! Send them out, send them all out—! ”


 Leapsy: 0/75 
 Croaky: 0/77 
 Blast Bolt: 0/102 
Sport: 63/63

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Graveler B: 8/123 (Defense up 1 level, Defense Curl)
Machoke A: 103/103
Wispaferyn A: 84/96 
 

Pinklady has to hold herself back from crying out in frustration. She was so sure this was going to turn things around...
She hesitates on who to send out next - still stuck on thinking she shouldn't send out her whole team - but realises she doesn't really have any other option when she hears the shout.

 "Go! Whirlywhirly and Tress! Whirlywhirly, Rollout on the Wispaferyn! Sport, finish off the Graveler with a Drain Punch! Tress, try to put all our opponents to sleep with Sing!" 
 If only I knew that second Superpower wasn't going to be enough...  Pinklady thought unhappily, all too aware of how devastating that Graveler was.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

-1 Super Potion, 1 remaining, Connie was restored to 78 HP.

…and it didn’t matter in the least. I’m sorry, the dice were not merciful.
 


Connie spreads her wings wide and prepares to pounce…but Nautilus puts on a burst of speed. For a moment you can see the Ice type’s horn gleaming in the sun before it slams into Connie.

Dewgong uses Ice Shard!
It’s super effective!
Critical hit! ((😢))
Connie is hit for 82 damage!
Connie faints!

Her wings fold and she falls from the sky, unconscious.


(Sunny Day in effect.)

 Connie: 0/129 
Princess: 2/92 (recalled)
 Buck: 0/106 
 Swablu: 0/119 
Dewgong: 26/134
Angerazm: 96/138 (recalled)

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 However, what he ended up saying was, " Oh, yeah, it's a good way to spend the evening, just sitting around in a room, talking through the day, being dorks... " Then he blinked three times as something that was almost certainly accidental clicked and asked, " Wait like... go to these bars? Together? Just the two of us...? " He'd managed to get his earlier bout of blushing under control, but some pink returns. Eyes locked on the table (specifically the mostly empty cheese and crackers platter), Mark stammered, " I mean... that is... I wouldn't... Um... T-that would be, er, fine! Yeah. Sounds fun. " 
 

“ I mean, if you want to ask the others to come too we can, ” Mina replied, misconstruing the direction of Mark’s end of the conversation.

----------------

Pinklady:

There is a burst of lights from Pokéballs opening; the sentries seem to be having some excitement of their own.

Whirlywhirly uses Rollout!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn A is hit for 64 damage!
Wispaferyn A uses held Chahal Berry to restore 20 HP!

Unfortunately the blow isn’t quite enough to take the Wispaferyn down, and the Bug type sends glittering wind right at Tress.

Wispaferyn A uses Silver Wind!
It’s super effective!
Tress is hit for 233 damage! ((That double weakness  hurts .))

The little Dark type goes tumbling backwards and slams into the outer wall of the Pokémon Center.

Tress faints!

Sport uses Drain Punch!
It’s super effective!
Graveler B is hit for 22 damage!
Graveler B faints!

Not being injured, the Fighting type doesn’t get any advantage from the ‘drain’ portion of the attack, but the Graveler goes down regardless.

Machoke A uses Leer!
Defense of all allied Pokémon falls!

You feel an urgent tug on your clothes; one of the Chansey has waddled out of Pokémon Center and is holding up an empty tray - the kind the Center uses to run Pokémon through the healing machine.

Meanwhile, the Grunt with the Graveler sends out a replacement.

Machoke B was sent out!


 Leapsy: 0/75 
 Croaky: 0/77 
 Blast Bolt: 0/102 
Sport: 63/63 (Defense down 1 level)
Whirlywhirly: 90/90 (Defense down 1 level)
 Tress: 0/62 
 Graveler A: 0/89 
 Graveler B: 0/123 
Machoke A: 103/103
Machoke B: 103/103
Wispaferyn A: 40/96
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ I mean, if you want to ask the others to come too we can, ” Mina replied, misconstruing the direction of Mark’s end of the conversation. 
 

" I- " Mark started to say, before pausing and squinting at Mina. Okay, was he getting mixed signals or...? Maybe some clarification would be good here. " I mean, those karaoke rooms  do  have enough room for five or six people, so I guess they could join us if they wanted, but, um... " Tapping his fingers together in front of him while trying to think about how to phrase this, Mark asked, " Okay, did you bring it up because you had fun with the last time, or because you wanted to spend more time with me, or both, or...? " That wasn't too subtle, right?
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

“ Last time was fun, ” Mina replied, somewhat blankly - they were spending time together  right now , after all - while Xatu snickered inside her head. Then, “ What’s  your  problem? ” sharply in the Psychic type’s direction.

&lt; Nothing! &gt; he replied a little too innocently, before fluttering up to give the sliced fruit an acquisitive eye. &lt; Is that for me? &gt;
essCee
Pinklady quickly recalls Tress.  "I'm sorry..."  she says to her Pokéball. This wasn't fair to Tress, she had - no, not now. Pinklady pushed that line of thought out of mind for now.  "Good work, Whirlywhirly, keep at it, finish off the Wisp' with another Rollout! Sport, Drain Punch the new Machoke!" 

Pinklady almost fails to notice the tug on her clothes, but feels relief wash over her as she turns to look at the tugger.  "Great timing, thank you!"  She unlatches her exhausted Pokémons' Pokéballs and puts them on the spots on the tray.
Lord Ruby34
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Dice are dice. I knew there was a chance of Nautilus nailing Connie with a crit there. ☹️
 


Less's shoulder slump in defeat . . . he had been so sure that his strategy was going to work, but there wasn't a way around that Dewgong's perfect accuracy there.
 "I concede, no need to continue further."  Less announced as he recalled Connie and approached Miles. "That was a well fought match, though I won't deny I wish it had a different result." Less said, while pulling Matt's egg down off his shoulder. Maybe this would be for the best. He was headed into the Spectral dimension soon. That was a terrible place for an egg.

 "Promise to keep an eye on the little one, will you? An acquaintance of mine, now passed, saved it out in the wild. I have no idea what kind of Pokemon might hatch from it."  Less kept his voice from breaking. He hadn't really thought he could lose this fight . . . not really. There was always a risk, but he had been so confident. If he couldn't win a fight against a local trainer how was he supposed to stand against a Bandra officer, or rescue his daughter, if he couldn't even keep hold of one egg.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mark and Mina:

“ Last time was fun, ” Mina replied, somewhat blankly - they were spending time together  right now , after all - while Xatu snickered inside her head. Then, “ What’s  your  problem? ” sharply in the Psychic type’s direction. 
 

Well, ow. That was a way to shoot him down, not even taking the 'both' option and instead going with the 'nah, I just like singing' one. But he managed to control his face and say, " Alright. Fair. And using the bar rooms comes with the added benefit of not needing to sing in front of a crowd, so it's more relaxing... So that should be fun too. " Just pretend he didn't say aaaanything else...

Her snapping at Xatu sends a thread of panic down his spine, because the pokemon seemed to be  far  more observant about his flailing attempts to flirt, and he  s q u i n t s  at that bird. Telepathically, he calls to Tattersail, &lt;  'Sail, remind Xatu that only good birds get fruit.  &gt; He might have to find something soft to throw at the psychic owl. Soft but weighty... maybe a chair pillow or something...
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

The Chansey waddles back inside with your KO’d Pokémon as fast as her feet can take her.

Whirlywhirly uses Rollout!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn A is hit for 121 damage!
Wispaferyn A faints!

Sport uses Drain Punch!
Machoke B is hit for 33 damage!

Machoke A uses Low Kick!
Critical hit!
It’s not very effective…
Whirlywhirly is hit for 43 damage!

Machoke B uses Submission!
Sport is hit for 65 damage!
Sport faints!
Machoke B takes 16 damage due to recoil!

Another Wispaferyn comes out to replace the one that had fallen, but the sentries have finished off their Grunt patrol and you can see them coming in the light from the Pokémon Center lobby. Inside the Center you can faintly hear the  ding-ding-ding-a-ling!  of the healing machine…and a split second later there’s a loud noise from behind the Pokemon Center and the lights in the Center all go dark at once.

The Machoke guard the Wispaferyn while the latter spits out a great deal of smoke and the Grunts flee into the night, but from the jeers that echo back to you you can tell they accomplished what they came to do.

One of the sentries swears before asking aloud, “Everyone okay?”

 Leapsy: 0/75 
 Croaky: 0/77 
 Blast Bolt: 0/102 
 Sport: 0/63 
Whirlywhirly: 47/90 (Defense down 1 level)
 Tress: 0/62 
 Graveler A: 0/89 
 Graveler B: 0/123 
 Machoke A: 103/103  - fled!
 Machoke B: 54/103  - fled!
 Wispaferyn A: 0/96 
 Wispaferyn B: 96/96  - fled!

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Tress and Sport both level up.

Pokemon: Cosmas (Tress)
Type: Dark/Spectral
Ability: Magic Guard
Gender: Female
Level: 21
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 54 +10
Attack: 36 +5
Def: 28
Sp. Attack: 34
Sp. Def: 32
Speed: 36
Moves:
Sing
Bash*
Pursuit
Flash
Faint Attack
Haze

(No new attacks.)

Pokemon: Hitmonchan (Sport)
Type: Fighting
Ability: Iron Fist
Gender: Male
Level: 24
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 65
Attack: 62 +6
Def: 50 +12
Sp. Attack: 29
Sp. Def: 65
Speed: 48
Moves:
Tackle
Helping Hand
Fake Out
Foresight (tutor)
Feint
Drain Punch

(No new attacks.)

Also, note that Tress now has a concussion.
 


----------------

Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
-Mystery Egg 2 (estimated hatch time: Day 33)
 


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less's shoulder slump in defeat . . . he had been so sure that his strategy was going to work, but there wasn't a way around that Dewgong's perfect accuracy there.
 "I concede, no need to continue further."  Less announced as he recalled Connie and approached Miles. "That was a well fought match, though I won't deny I wish it had a different result." Less said, while pulling Matt's egg down off his shoulder. Maybe this would be for the best. He was headed into the Spectral dimension soon. That was a terrible place for an egg. 
 

Miles takes the egg with all the care one could wish, even removing his scarf to wrap around it as padding.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Promise to keep an eye on the little one, will you? An acquaintance of mine, now passed, saved it out in the wild. I have no idea what kind of Pokemon might hatch from it."  
 

The Coordinator looks briefly scandalized. “Of course!” He packs it away securely, and as he does you can hear him whispering to the egg that he’s going to turn it into the most beautiful creature in all Helnith before he returns his attention to you. He seems to have unbent slightly after his win. “I meant what I said about the Poffin. If your friend can manage a four-flavor recipe I may have advice to give or supplies I can spare. You have my number, of course.”

He excuses himself and goes off to put away his obstacle course, presumably done training for the time being.

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Alright. Fair. And using the bar rooms comes with the added benefit of not needing to sing in front of a crowd, so it's more relaxing... So that should be fun too. " Just pretend he didn't say aaaanything else... 
 

“ Sounds good, ” Mina agrees, still apparently clueless. “ Should we be hitting all the bars in Helnith first, do you think, or check out some other region? Though I guess we should see if there’s anything  left  of Helnith after this before we try to plan that far ahead… ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Her snapping at Xatu sends a thread of panic down his spine, because the pokemon seemed to be  far  more observant about his flailing attempts to flirt, and he  s q u i n t s  at that bird. Telepathically, he calls to Tattersail, &lt;  'Sail, remind Xatu that only good birds get fruit.  &gt; He might have to find something soft to throw at the psychic owl. Soft but weighty... maybe a chair pillow or something... 
 

Tattersail obliges, and Mina’s Xatu immediately contrives to look innocent.
Lord Ruby34
Less nodded in approval at Miles' handling of the egg. The man would certainly take care of the hatchling, in his own weirdly narcissistic way, but still. There were worse fates than being pampered.

 "Thank you. And I'll put you in contact with my friend. Probably sometime tomorrow."  Less paused a moment.  "Thank you."  Not everyone would be willing to treat the egg with so much care . . . perhaps he had judge Miles a little too harshly.

As Miles finished off his preparations, Less asked one last question before turning and continuing his journey to Ceris.  "Is there anywhere I should stop to learn more about mixing poffin?" 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Sounds good, ” Mina agrees, still apparently clueless. “ Should we be hitting all the bars in Helnith first, do you think, or check out some other region? Though I guess we should see if there’s anything  left  of Helnith after this before we try to plan that far ahead… ” 
 

Was... she taunting him, or did she actually not know? How could she not know? It was so incredibly obvious! " Mina, I have a crush on you and I know it's super obvious, but I have no idea if you're interested in me so I've been afraid to  ask,  and inviting me out to bars sounds like you're asking me out on...  a...   date...  " Wait, that had been an out loud thought. Not an inner one. Oh no. OH NO. "  That... that wasn't... um... I-I... um...  " Oh yes, the blush is back. Far worse than before. Poor boy may explode at this rate. He's also apparently forgotten how to blink.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Tattersail obliges, and Mina’s Xatu immediately contrives to look innocent. 
 

Fortunately for Xatu's fruity desires, Mark.exe has suffered a fatal crash and is in no condition to stop the bird from taking what sweet and sour fruit treats he desires, regardless of how innocent said sentient feather duster is pretending to be.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

“Practice at the Blenders in any Contest Hall. Try not to set them on fire.” Miles yanks up another stake. “Elder Rashel in Ceris sometimes takes students under her wing as well.”

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Was... she taunting him, or did she actually not know? How could she not know? It was so incredibly obvious! " Mina, I have a crush on you and I know it's super obvious, but I have no idea if you're interested in me so I've been afraid to  ask,  and inviting me out to bars sounds like you're asking me out on...  a...   date...  " 
 

“ Wait, what? ”

Judging by the 404 File Not Found expression on Mina’s face, this was, in fact, news to her.

Her Xatu, meanwhile, took one look at Mark, one at Mina, then looked perfectly unconcerned and downed a piece of pineapple. Then grabbed a piece of mango in his beak and fluttered down to Riolu to make sure the hatchling was getting enough to eat, the latter having temporarily forsaken his food in favor of watching both humans with mild confusion.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Mark isn’t the only one who can make things awkward, MWAHAHA! 😁
 


----------------

Akio:

Going through the newspaper articles, they appear to be about a very public battle between Dialga and Palkia at a town over in Sinnoh, with a Darkrai mixed in for extra fun. According to the reports there were some weird reactions between the three Legendaries’ powers leading to ghostlike phantoms throughout the town and half the city temporarily dissolving. Nothing about Shadowing or the Spectral Dimension though.

Looking up, you realize it’s about 6 PM. You only have a couple more hours before curfew.
Lord Ruby34
 "I'll look her up, I suppose I'm headed that way anyway."  Less replied, thoughtfully. With that, he thanked Miles for his advice and started walking towards Ceris.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Wait, what? ”

Judging by the 404 File Not Found expression on Mina’s face, this was, in fact, news to her. 
 

Her confusion provokes an automated response from Mark, who blinks twice, reboots through the horror that  he actually said it out loud,  and his mind starts firing off to try to piece together a response. Still trying to figure out what she was questioning, and thinking she meant the last part, he said, " I mean, the whole 'inviting people to a karaoke bar' thing is still inviting me  to a bar , so that's, like, one of the most classic places to invite a date, just like the movies. " Which is what he'd actually been planning to use before now. " So that's what I meant by... or... wait... "

Sitting up straight, his eyes wide with shock, and blush still  scarlet  on his face, Mark asked, " YOU DIDN'T KNOW?! How? I thought how I felt about you was- Less figured it out in like, five minutes! " To be fair, Mark had given the old man a clue by asking how to invite a girl out on a date the  moment  Mina had left them alone. Pressing the fingers of his robotic hand on his forehead and looking down, Mark said, " Oh sweet Arceus, I thought you already  knew...  "
Feathersnow
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Akio:

Going through the newspaper articles, they appear to be about a very public battle between Dialga and Palkia at a town over in Sinnoh, with a Darkrai mixed in for extra fun. According to the reports there were some weird reactions between the three Legendaries’ powers leading to ghostlike phantoms throughout the town and half the city temporarily dissolving. Nothing about Shadowing or the Spectral Dimension though.

Looking up, you realize it’s about 6 PM. You only have a couple more hours before curfew. 
 

With a few hours of daylight, Akio realizes training is necessary for the mission ahead!


Akio decides to give Akechi and Ronin some training by having Ronin take Akechi's form and have them spar.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

What would have been a short ride on Buck is considerably stretched out on foot in the scorching afternoon heat, but nevertheless you make it to Ceris without further incident, about 2:30 PM.

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " I mean, the whole 'inviting people to a karaoke bar' thing is still inviting me  to a bar , so that's, like, one of the most classic places to invite a date, just like the movies. " 
 

Mina’s understanding had been that one went to bars to  pick up  dates, but then, she had never previously dated herself. The stigma of being Quincy’s Younger Sister had been too strong. “ Does no one go to bars just to go to bars? ” She didn’t see how planning a karaoke tour immediately translated to ’date.’


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " YOU DIDN'T KNOW?! How? I thought how I felt about you was- Less figured it out in like, five minutes! " 
 

“ People have been trying to kill us! We’re in the middle of a war zone! There have been more important things to figure out! ” The words were already out of her mouth when it occurred to Mina that  maybe  that wasn’t the best thing to say, or at least the best way to phrase it.

----------------

Akio:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
How long are you training, who is getting the level up, and where are you training because I guarantee if you have your Pokémon start sparring in the library stacks someone is going to mind?
 
Lord Ruby34
The first thing Less does, hot and harried as he is, is to head to the Pokemon Center to get his team healed. He had felt very vulnerable on the road without Buck's comforting presence next to him. And his back was hurting. He wasn't as young as he used to be and a walk like that had him standing sorely by the end.

The second thing Less did was send Buck, Connie, and Princess out the moment he got outside.  "Good fight everyone. I know that didn't go the way we wanted, but that was a solid learning experience. I wanted to thank all of you for trusting me and for battling with me so diligently, even in the face of long odds. We nearly had them, and we'll get them back the next time we run into him, I promise." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Petition for a split timeline for Less? I think I'm at the back of the pack as far as rounding out the day goes.
 


Less will finish the conversation with his Pokemon before continuing on. His next objective was to figure out when the route to Tidepath was going to be traversable. If the answer is not for at least a few hours, Less will go try to find Elder Rashel.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Does no one go to bars just to go to bars? ” She didn’t see how planning a karaoke tour immediately translated to ’date.’ 
 

Still looking at the ground, Mark slowly twirled his organic hand in the air while saying, " I mean, yeah. I went with my buddies and everything, and none of them were dating. " His hand stopped moving, and his eyes squinted a bit. " Actually, maybe Jason and Blake were... sweet baby mew, they were even  room mates.  " Both of his hands pressed fingers against his forehead.  Those two had been dating! How had he missed...  Okay, actually, he knew how he'd missed it, sometimes he could be  extremely  oblivious.

Blinking a few times and shaking his head as some (in hindsight quite obvious) things about two of his military buddies clicked into place, he continued, " But anyway, um, yeah. You can just go and hang out at a bar with friends, so if it had just been an invitation to one I wouldn't have really questioned it... er, at least, out loud. " Having a crush on people made you see signals that were unintentional, after all. " But... you also kinda invited me on a  world-sweeping vacation  to visit  all of the bars . Which is, um, why I figured I should get some clarification on what you intended, there. "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ People have been trying to kill us! We’re in the middle of a war zone! There have been more important things to figure out! ” 
 

Fortunately, Mark doesn't seem to be insulted by that last line... partially because he didn't immediately take it in the most negative way (he was too busy mentally calling himself an idiot, stupid, idiot boy), and partially because there was a not so insubstantial part of him that agreed.  Not dying takes priority . Closing his eyes in a wince and nodding along, he says, " Okay, yup, that's fair, that makes sense. That's, in fact, completely reasonable. It also means I just confessed it to you for no reason and aaaaaaaaa... " Both of his hands covered his face again as that soft yell reached a pitch that can only be heard by dog pokemon and some species of birds.

After taking a breath and letting out a little whimper, Mark asked, " There's zero chance we're going to be able to pretend that I said nothing, is there? " Because the answer to that is obvious, he finally sits up, puts his hands in his lap and faces her so he can say, " Okay. So. Mina. I like you, I think you're cool, I wouldn't mind going out on a date with you sometime if you wanted? Um. If we ever have any time we aren't running around on fire, at least. "
Feathersnow
Akio goes out near the Pokémon Center and starts training Akechi until dark...
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Sure, we can do a time split.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 The second thing Less did was send Buck, Connie, and Princess out the moment he got outside.  "Good fight everyone. I know that didn't go the way we wanted, but that was a solid learning experience. I wanted to thank all of you for trusting me and for battling with me so diligently, even in the face of long odds. We nearly had them, and we'll get them back the next time we run into him, I promise."  
 

Princess seems sulky, claws clacking. Buck looks disappointed as he lays down with his ears back and whines. Connie just fluffs herself up briefly, harder to read.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less will finish the conversation with his Pokemon before continuing on. His next objective was to figure out when the route to Tidepath was going to be traversable. If the answer is not for at least a few hours, Less will go try to find Elder Rashel. 
 

Unfortunately for your travel plans, you appear to be right in the middle of the tide cycle - meaning the water is too high to cross on foot, but too low for the various ferries for hire that usually make themselves available at the high tide. Low tide will occur around 6:30 PM, so you have a few hours yet before you can safely cross.

Asking around town, you are informed that Elder Rashel is at the Contest Hall - asking around the Contest Hall, you are eventually directed to a dressing room that looks like the end result of microwaving a well-stuffed Fashion Case. Bits of ribbon hang from the walls and ceiling, streaks of dye are painted liberally over the mirror and countertop, and there is glitter  everywhere  - though that at least just seems to be the natural state of glitter.

An older woman in the blue robes of an Elder is sorting through the mess, tutting to herself. Most of it is going into a garbage bag, but a few items, still obviously intact or sealed up, are set aside. Her wrinkles and grey hair don’t hide the fact that she’d been a great beauty when she was younger, and on second glance, the outfit isn’t quite typical for Elder attire; the robes are fancifully embroidered and the gold medallion around her neck is brightly polished.

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
  " But anyway, um, yeah. You can just go and hang out at a bar with friends, so if it had just been an invitation to one I wouldn't have really questioned it... er, at least, out loud. " Having a crush on people made you see signals that were unintentional, after all. " But... you also kinda invited me on a  world-sweeping vacation  to visit  all of the bars . Which is, um, why I figured I should get some clarification on what you intended, there. " 
 

“ I figured we’d be entitled to a victory lap once the war was over, ” Mina replied, at once annoyed and flattered. Annoyed, because she’d been misinterpreted quite badly, and flattered because…well. This was the first time someone had shown interest in her like that. Serious interest, anyway.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 After taking a breath and letting out a little whimper, Mark asked, " There's zero chance we're going to be able to pretend that I said nothing, is there? " 
 

The Pokémon, for their parts, were watching all of this with avid interest.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Okay. So. Mina. I like you, I think you're cool, I wouldn't mind going out on a date with you sometime if you wanted? Um. If we ever have any time we aren't running around on fire, at least. " 
 

“ I…sure. Yeah. ” Mina floundered. “ When we have time. ”

----------------

Akio:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
+2 hours of training towards the next level; Akechi needs 1 more to level up.
 


You get a few hours of training in, but just before 8 PM a trainer you don’t know hurries out to you.

“What are you doing? It’s almost curfew! Get in the Center before you get arrested!”

A quick glance at the map and your own previous experience crossing town tells you he’s right, or at least you aren’t going to make it to one of the exits in time to get out. It seems you’re stuck in the city for the night.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ I…sure. Yeah. ” Mina floundered. “ When we have time. ” 
 

Mark's ears register what she says, and he blinks. " Wait, you said yes? " There's a moment of buffering, and his brain catches up to his mouth and ears. Both of his hands lift above his head as he happily exclaims, " You said yes! Okay. Okay, okay, okay. " He almost asked if she was sure, but even Mark knew that would be a dumb idea. " I'll see what I can come up with... movies are good for a first date, right? " Yes, he's asking her because he assumes she has more experience.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

“ I’m sure a movie will be fine, ” Mina agreed, feeling awkward.
Gnomes2169
Feeling a bit awkward himself, mostly because he hadn't actually planned to get this far, Mark nervously tapped his fingers on the table before pulling out his pokedex and musing, " What movies are even... oh wait! " Seeing the time, he sets the 'dex down. " You still wanted to do things tonight after you finished eating! And I wanted to get some training in. We can... look into all of that later. Um... maybe tomorrow, during the plasters job if we have downtime? " Yeah. Yeah he could overthink and stress out about this a whole bunch between now and then.
Lord Ruby34
((Pokemon))

Less takes a moment to sit down next to his pokemon and offer them a few conciliatory pets. A younger trainer might give an impassioned speech about getting stronger, but that wasn't Less.  "You all did very well. Princess, you stood up to that Signal Beam with determination and fortitude. Buck, you held your own against a water type and a fire immune Pokemon for longer than anyone had any right to expect. And Connie, you withstood multiple hits from a fairy move from that Swablu and took it down without breaking a sweat. You all have a great deal to be proud of. I know that I'm proud of all of you." 

---------------------------------------------
((Elder))

Less knocked politely on the open door and called out  "Elder Rashel?" . Buck barked a polite greeting of his own.  "My name is Less Douglass. I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"  Less tilted his voice into a question at the end.

((If not interrupting))

 "A coordinator named Miles told me you were the woman to see when it comes to Poffin. I was hoping for a few pointers." 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

The Chansey waddles back inside with your KO’d Pokémon as fast as her feet can take her.

Another Wispaferyn comes out to replace the one that had fallen, but the sentries have finished off their Grunt patrol and you can see them coming in the light from the Pokémon Center lobby. Inside the Center you can faintly hear the  ding-ding-ding-a-ling!  of the healing machine…and a split second later there’s a loud noise from behind the Pokemon Center and the lights in the Center all go dark at once.

The Machoke guard the Wispaferyn while the latter spits out a great deal of smoke and the Grunts flee into the night, but from the jeers that echo back to you you can tell they accomplished what they came to do.

One of the sentries swears before asking aloud, “Everyone okay?” 
 

Pinklady withdraws the knocked-out Sport. With the immediate action over, now she breathes a bit shakily. The entire situation was so quick and made her feel so incompetent at battling. Taking a deep breath so her shaky breathing wouldn't affect her call back, she responds,  "We're alright!"  Though it quickly occurred to her... Sport wasn't alright, and now the Center was out of commission. Pinklady takes one more deep breath, tells Whirlywhirly, shakily despite her attempts at calming herself,  "Guard.... please guard the cart a moment, I'll go get the others." , and heads into the Center to get the rest of her team back from the Chansey.

 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
  
 Spoiler: OoC 

Tress and Sport both level up.

Pokemon: Cosmas (Tress)
Type: Dark/Spectral
Ability: Magic Guard
Gender: Female
Level: 21
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 54 +10
Attack: 36 +5
Def: 28
Sp. Attack: 34
Sp. Def: 32
Speed: 36
Moves:
Sing
Bash*
Pursuit
Flash
Faint Attack
Haze

(No new attacks.)

Pokemon: Hitmonchan (Sport)
Type: Fighting
Ability: Iron Fist
Gender: Male
Level: 24
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 65
Attack: 62 +6
Def: 50 +12
Sp. Attack: 29
Sp. Def: 65
Speed: 48
Moves:
Tackle
Helping Hand
Fake Out
Foresight (tutor)
Feint
Drain Punch

(No new attacks.)

Also, note that Tress now has a concussion.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Making sure I understand since I neglected this before - now I assign one more EV to each? IF so, +1 HP to Tress and +1 Def to Sport, please.
Also, wrt Tress's concussion, will Pinklady immediately know upon retrieving her Pokéball, such as through her 'dex telling her about it, or will it only become known to her next time she sends her out?
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

“ Sure. Sure, let’s do that, ” Mina agreed, then checked to see if the Pokémon were done eating.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
All set here?
 


----------------

Less:

((Pokémon: ))

 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "You all did very well. Princess, you stood up to that Signal Beam with determination and fortitude. Buck, you held your own against a water type and a fire immune Pokemon for longer than anyone had any right to expect. And Connie, you withstood multiple hits from a fairy move from that Swablu and took it down without breaking a sweat. You all have a great deal to be proud of. I know that I'm proud of all of you."  
 

Princess clacks her claws loudly, looking smug. Buck perks up a little and his tail wags. Connie’s fluffing starts to look more like puffing and she preens herself.

((Contest Hall: ))

 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less knocked politely on the open door and called out  "Elder Rashel?" . Buck barked a polite greeting of his own.  "My name is Less Douglass. I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"  Less tilted his voice into a question at the end. 
 

“Nothing that can’t wait.” The Elder puts down the trash bag and dusts her hands off. “What was it you needed?”


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "A coordinator named Miles told me you were the woman to see when it comes to Poffin. I was hoping for a few pointers."  
 

“You’ve met Miles, hmm? I admit I’m surprised he spoke with you; he has very little patience for non-Coordinators. But yes, I can get you started with Poffin. What did you want to know?”

----------------

Pinklady:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Yes, your Pokédex will let you know.

Stat updates:

Pokemon: Cosmas (Tress)
Type: Dark/Spectral
Ability: Magic Guard
Gender: Female
Level: 21
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 54 +11
Attack: 36 +5
Def: 28
Sp. Attack: 34
Sp. Def: 32
Speed: 36
Moves:
Sing
Bash*
Pursuit
Flash
Faint Attack
Haze

Pokemon: Hitmonchan (Sport)
Type: Fighting
Ability: Iron Fist
Gender: Male
Level: 24
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 65
Attack: 62 +6
Def: 50 +13
Sp. Attack: 29
Sp. Def: 65
Speed: 48
Moves:
Tackle
Helping Hand
Fake Out
Foresight (tutor)
Feint
Drain Punch

As usual yell if anything looks off!
 


Whirlywhirly stands guard over the cart while you retrieve the rest of your team; the Chansey keeps trying to convey that something is wrong until you check your Pokédex and notice the concussion.

The Center lobby quickly becomes chaotic. While there are only a handful of people including the nurse, the Chansey that had your Pokémon has been joined by a few more which are treating the Pokémon that were conscious but injured with Softboiled eggs in the light of flashlights and phones, making it much more crowded. Apparently one of the other trainer’s Pokémon was seriously injured as well and his voice is rising as the nurse explains to him that no, he’s going to have to take it to Rieva or Ceris, because she can’t treat it until the damage to the Center is repaired and that’s going to be a few days at least. The most she can offer is a bed for the night.
Lord Ruby34
((Pokemon))

Less smiled. He  was  proud of his team, and it was good to see them take heart at his words. Those Poffin boosts had made Mile's team stronger, even if his Pokemon had been a little lower level.  "We'll meet Miles and his Pokemon again, I'm sure. And when we do, we'll have some new tricks up our sleeve."  Less paused for a moment, soaking in the heat of the sun. Suddenly, he had an idea.  "Say, Buck, are you up for trying something now?" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Is the Sunny Day still in effect?
Also, you mentioned earlier that you would let Buck relearn Morning Sun. Do you mind if I try something here?
 


---------------------------------------------------------------------
((Elder))

 "I appreciate that, Elder."  Less replied.  "I haven't had a chance to make any poffin myself, though I've been told it's somewhat like cooking. A friend of mine has a strong interest, and I wanted some experience trying before I helped her mix. I don't want to ruin her hard work because I don't know what I'm doing."
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((Pokémon: ))

Buck barks eagerly in response.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Yes, it’s still sunny for you.

You can try yes. Generally speaking, you can  always  try. Whether or not you will succeed is another matter...
 


((Contest Hall: ))

“Perfectly understandable. The best advice I can give is to practice in the Hall Blenders with one Berry at a time until you can manage not to burn or spill the batter. Worry about flavors clashing unfavorably after you have the basics down. And don’t start blending with Berries you can’t afford to do without, you never know if you’ll find them again.”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Sure. Sure, let’s do that, ” Mina agreed, then checked to see if the Pokémon were done eating. 
 

" Alright. Excellent. We'll figure out what we want to see on our  date  tomorrow. " Yes, that thing, for sure. Munching the last of his crackers and cheese quick, he made sure his pokemon were done eating (except for Fisher, who he'd be feeding outside so he could also de-shadow the water type while training his Carvanha), helped clean things up and bid her a good night. The smallest hint of a blush was going to be on his face until he went to bed...

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Yeah, that should about wrap up the scene. 😛
 


Once he was left all alone again, Mark went through his step-by-step plan:
1) Train Carvanha until the fish evolved.
2) De-shadow Fisher (which, if it isn't interrupted, shouldn't really be that dangerous? The meter is relatively low, so the plan would be to use Corphish as Fisher's opponent, and have Fisher use Mist and Rain Dance until he's de-shadowed or until he rages... but if he rages, he  should  be low enough in his shadow meter to pop out after just 1-2 rounds, and Corphish and Sharpedo (if necessary)  should  be able to stand up to that with pretty minimal risk)
3) Take a gosh danged shower, with the mechanical arm in this time since he needed to wash it but it just didn't have time to give it a proper deep cleaning. It was water resistant, as long as he took off the panels and dried the corrosion-resistant metal alloy that made up the joints before bed, it wouldn't get all rusty or short-circuit on him.
4) Sleep. Because it would be late, and he needed to get up nice and early in order to go to that beach.

All throughout this grand plan of his, Mark would be flipping from giddy joy to dread as the fact that, yes, he  had  asked Mina out and she  had  said yes, in her own Mina way, continued to sink in. Could he have done it better? Oh undoubtedly, but she'd still said yes! Which was fantastic, but also  terrifying  because he knew he was going to mess this up somehow. But until then, he had a date!
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:
Whirlywhirly stands guard over the cart while you retrieve the rest of your team; the Chansey keeps trying to convey that something is wrong until you check your Pokédex and notice the concussion.

The Center lobby quickly becomes chaotic. While there are only a handful of people including the nurse, the Chansey that had your Pokémon has been joined by a few more which are treating the Pokémon that were conscious but injured with Softboiled eggs in the light of flashlights and phones, making it much more crowded. Apparently one of the other trainer’s Pokémon was seriously injured as well and his voice is rising as the nurse explains to him that no, he’s going to have to take it to Rieva or Ceris, because she can’t treat it until the damage to the Center is repaired and that’s going to be a few days at least. The most she can offer is a bed for the night. 
 

Pinklady thanks the Chansey and, after heeding her indications, checks her 'dex... and nearly reels from its feedback.

She quickly begins making her way out of the center and back to Whirlywhirly and the cart as the place gets crowded. Before she exits, she overhears enough to understand that Rieva or Ceris are her go-to stops after this matter with the supplies is concluded.

Once outside, Pinklady sits down, shudderingly sighs, and sends out Tress.

 "I'm sorry, Tress. I shouldn't have brought you out for the battle, I should have known better. You trusted me, and... I hope you can trust me enough to know I'm going to get you better as soon as this business is finished. I'm sorry." 
Lord Ruby34
((Pokemon))

As Less lead his team to a  particularly sunny spot on the grass, and old poem came to him unbidden. "May the warm summer sun, shine kindly here, warm southern wind, blow softly here . . ."  the first verse of Warm Summer Sun fell unbidden from his lips. That was the spirit, Less supposed, of what he wanted to try.

Less's voice was still wistful as he continued.  "All right Buck, start by closing your eyes. Feel the heat of the sun on your back, on your fur. Feel it in your bones, the warmth from above."  Less kept his voice slow as he went, almost trancelike.  "And take that heat, and transition it into a memory. Remember the first summers of our boyhood, when I was a lad and you were a pup, fresh from the egg. Remember the energy of those first summer days. Can you feel how it warmed you, cradled you, an lit a fire in your bones? It's that energy I want you to focus on, that years gone sun. Can you feel the memory?" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

I appreciate that. As long as I've got a chance!

Not done with this, but I want to see how Buck's responding before continuing.
 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
((Contest Hall))
 
"I'll do that."  Less replied . . .  "though I find myself somewhat short on berry's I don't need. I suppose I could try with this Durin berry . . . are there people you would recommend practicing with?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

Mina cleans up her share of the mess and bids you good night before heading out.

It’s about 9:30 PM when your Carvanha starts to glow:

 
 Spoiler: Sharpedo 

+2 HP from Power Weight applied, +6 total.

Pokemon: Sharpedo
Type: Water/Dark
Ability: Rough Skin
Gender: Male
Level: 30
Held Item: Power Weight
Stats--
HP: 91  +6 
Attack: 86
Def: 38
Sp. Attack: 71
Sp. Def: 38
Speed: 71 +25
Moves:  AT SIX, DROP ONE! 
Focus Energy
Scary Face
Ice Fang
Screech
Swagger
Assurance
 Slash 
 


Fisher is cleared of the faint Shadowing without a hitch and you finally get your shower. Once all is said and done it’s 11:30 PM by the time you turn in…

…only to be awakened again after about an hour and a half by increasingly distressed cheeping noises coming from your pack.

----------------

Pinklady:

Tress looks very woozy on being sent out. She tries to nod, but being concussed with a body that’s mostly head she staggers sideways instead.

----------------

Less:

((Pokémon: ))

Buck, mostly puzzled judging by his body language, barks once, tail wagging hesitantly.

((Contest Hall: ))


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  
"I'll do that."  Less replied . . .  "though I find myself somewhat short on berry's I don't need."  
 

“I can help you with that,” the Elder replies, before digging through the pockets of her robes. “Ah, yes. Here you are,” and she hands you a variety of Berries, mostly of the Poffin varieties.

 
 Spoiler: Berries 

+3 Razz
+3 Bluk
+3 Nanab
+3 Wepear
+3 Pinap (4 total)
+2 Oran
 


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  ". . . are there people you would recommend practicing with?"  
 

“You should try it by yourself to start with. As a beginner you won’t know which mistakes are yours and which belong to your mixing partners if you’re mixing in a group, and most of your first attempts are going to be lackluster anyway - not worth making extra,” she replies sternly. “But once you’ve mastered the basics, just ask around - some Coordinators  are  very protective of their recipes, but some are just starting out, and will be happy to help stir once they know you aren’t going to burn the batter.”
Lord Ruby34
 "Good."  Less replied, before explaining. "I'm going to try to guide you through a memory exercise, like we'd do with the kids at school sometimes." Less paused for just a moment. "Focus on that sun, from when you were young. Breathe, and remember what it was like to play underneath it, when you could feel it's energy coursing through you. Remember that feeling, and feel this sun." Less stopped for just a moment to run a comforting hand through Buck's greying mane.

 "Remember when my parents took us on vacation to Lacunesa Town. It was a day like today, hot, and fierce. We were supposed to stay with my parents on the guided hike, but we slipped away, to have our own adventure. Do you remember the creek there? We were playing on the elevated edge, and I slipped. I started to fall, but you came with me, you broke my fall and made sure I didn't get hurt. But you did, remember. You had bruises and scrapes all over . . . but the sun was shining bright. You took one look up at me, and you took in the sun, and the damage was gone as if it was never there." 

Less continued petting his friend through the story.  "I want you to try to remember that feeling. Feel this sun like you felt it so many years ago . . . feel it flow through you. Can you feel it energize you, trying to wash away the old hurts, the your aching bones and all the hurt that's built up over the decades. Can you feel it?" 

-----------------------------------------------------------
((Contest Hall))

Less thanked the elder for the berries.
 
"Alone at first. I can try that. Thank you, both for the berries and your time. I appreciate it."  After that, Less made polite goodbyes and went to go find a solo blender to practice.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
  
 Spoiler: Sharpedo 

+2 HP from Power Weight applied, +6 total.

Pokemon: Sharpedo
Type: Water/Dark
Ability: Rough Skin
Gender: Male
Level: 30
Held Item: Power Weight
Stats--
HP: 91  +6 
Attack: 86
Def: 38
Sp. Attack: 71
Sp. Def: 38
Speed: 71 +25
Moves:  AT SIX, DROP ONE! 
Focus Energy
Scary Face
Ice Fang
Screech
Swagger
Assurance
 Slash 
 


Fisher is cleared of the faint Shadowing without a hitch and you finally get your shower. Once all is said and done it’s 11:30 PM by the time you turn in…

…only to be awakened again after about an hour and a half by increasingly distressed cheeping noises coming from your pack. 
 

 
 Spoiler: Sharpedo 
We'll be dropping Focus Energy, and taking off the Power Weight for now. Probably going to start handing that around with other pokemon soon here. We'll also swap future EV's on the sharpedo to Attack, because Xatu is right and  power  is important, even if speed is also important. 😛
 


Bleary-eyed and groaning, Mark fumbled about for his glasses and his phone so he could investigate this sound. What had... oh wait, the egg! It had been close to hatching, right? Standing up to turn on the room light, he dug around one-handed to get out the incubator (he'd pulled the mechanical arm out for the night, as he usually did) so he could rescue the poor baby and get it some attention... and probably some food, too.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Tress looks very woozy on being sent out. She tries to nod, but being concussed with a body that’s mostly head she staggers sideways instead. 
 

 "I'm sorry..."  Pinklady says again before withdrawing Tress again, sure that being in the ball would be more comfortable for her. She also withdraws Whirlywhirly after almost absentmindedly assigning him watch. He and the rest of her team had done enough effort for the night; now Pinklady endeavored to stay awake, at least for a few hours, to watch over the cart.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((Pokémon: ))


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 "Focus on that sun, from when you were young. Breathe, and remember what it was like to play underneath it, when you could feel it's energy coursing through you. Remember that feeling, and feel this sun." 
 

Buck takes a deep breath, but still seems more confused than anything.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Remember when my parents took us on vacation to Lacunesa Town. It was a day like today, hot, and fierce. We were supposed to stay with my parents on the guided hike, but we slipped away, to have our own adventure. Do you remember the creek there? We were playing on the elevated edge, and I slipped. I started to fall, but you came with me, you broke my fall and made sure I didn't get hurt. But you did, remember. You had bruises and scrapes all over . . . but the sun was shining bright. You took one look up at me, and you took in the sun, and the damage was gone as if it was never there."  
 

Buck barks once in agreement. Apparently he remembers.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "I want you to try to remember that feeling. Feel this sun like you felt it so many years ago . . . feel it flow through you. Can you feel it energize you, trying to wash away the old hurts, the your aching bones and all the hurt that's built up over the decades. Can you feel it?"  
 

Buck makes a guttural noise and takes the ‘play with me!’ pose, but there’s a certain questioning look to his eyes and posture that tells you he  knows  that’s not what you’re after.

It occurs to you this isn’t going to be something you’re likely to manage in an afternoon - if it were that easy, everyone would do it and there would be no point for Trainer Hill to have a dedicated Move Tutor.

((Contest Hall: ))


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Alone at first. I can try that. Thank you, both for the berries and your time. I appreciate it."  After that, Less made polite goodbyes and went to go find a solo blender to practice. 
 

You find a Blender without issue; apparently cooking Poffin isn’t a popular activity right now.

 
 Spoiler: DM Rule Reminder 
For each Berry you mix into Poffin, you are required to guess 1 flavor of the resulting Poffin, starting with the highest flavor and going to the lowest, in order.

So 1 Berry means you need to guess the highest flavor.  2 Berries means you need the highest and second highest. Etc.
 


----------------

Mark:

The baby has mostly managed to break through the shell, but is trapped by both the incubator and your pack.

Once freed from both of those, the hatchling wriggles loose. Its body is long and pale, with a pair of metal protrusions coming out of its shoulders. It has a blunt snout and a tail, the latter of which has a spray of something hairlike along the bottom edge like an elongated broom - even newly hatched and covered in egg goop the hairs look slightly transparent. It wobbles slightly on all four legs until it gets its balance, cheeping uncertainly.

The Pokédex says she’s an Opdra.

 
 Spoiler: Opdra 
 Pokémon: Opdra (Opdra)
Type: Normal/Dragon
Ability: Phase - 20% chance Physical moves have no effect
Gender: Female
Level: 5
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 21
Attack: 12
Def: 9
Sp. Attack: 13
Sp. Def: 11
Speed: 11
Moves:
Pound
Tail Whip
Dragonbreath (Egg Move)

-Mystery Egg 1. Also, remember that you do need to actually catch it if you intend to keep it.
 


----------------

Pinklady:

There is just enough suspicious movement out in the dark to make you glad you kept watch, but you manage to make it to sunrise without further incident.
Gnomes2169
Wait, that wasn't a bird. With the peeping, Mark had thought it was a bird! Instead, he ended up holding a baby  dragon  in his lap, and he let the little pokemon sniff at his hand to get used to his scent before petting along the top of her head. " Hello there, little one. Welcome to the world. " He said in a still-bleary voice. It was too late for him to be totally awake right now. " Let's go get you something to eat, yeah? "

Which is how Mark wound up sitting on the kitchen floor after midnight, one-armed and shirtless, setting out different foods in front of the hatchling to see what she favored, while going through the pokedex entries on Opdra to see what her known moveset, evolutions, etc were. That ability was freaking ridiculous, though. Would she be able to walk through walls and stuff when she grew up? Was she one of those pokemon that started with one type and then changed to another as they leveled up, like some cuebone in Alola? Sleepy Mark  needed to know. 
 
 Spoiler: Pokeball 
The little derg is getting kept, and she gets my last GLAMOUR BALL! Gotta make the drgs sparkly.😁
 
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Buck makes a guttural noise and takes the ‘play with me!’ pose, but there’s a certain questioning look to his eyes and posture that tells you he  knows  that’s not what you’re after.

It occurs to you this isn’t going to be something you’re likely to manage in an afternoon - if it were that easy, everyone would do it and there would be no point for Trainer Hill to have a dedicated Move Tutor. 
 

Less felt a brief surge of frustration before stamping it down. He had been teaching his whole life. If the move tutor could figure this out, so could he. It wasn't Buck he was frustrated at after all. There had to be a trick to teaching Pokemon this way.

After a calming breath, Less said.  "Let's try focusing on the sunlight for another half an hour or so, Buck? If we focus for that long, we can spend twice as long playing. I think I see a promising stick just over there. How does that sound?" 

 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 ((Contest Hall: ))

You find a Blender without issue; apparently cooking Poffin isn’t a popular activity right now. 
 

After a moment, Less put a Bluk and a Nanab berry in the blender. Both of those fruits were sweet, so hopefully they'd make some kind of reasonable poffin together.

 
 Spoiler: Poffin Flavor Guesses 


Highest
1. Sweet
2. Dry
3. Bitter
4. Spicy
5. Sour

2nd Highest
1. Dry
2. Bitter
3. Sweet.
4. Spicy
5. Sour

3rd Highest
1. Bitter
2. Dry
3. Sweet
4. Spicy
5. Sour

4th Highest
1. Spicy
2. Sour
3. Bitter
4. Dry
5. Sweet

5th Highest
1. Sour
2. Spicy
3. Bitter
4. Dry
5. Sweet
 


-------------------
 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Realizing I'm still way behind, may I motion for a tri-part timeline? If agreeable below.
 


As low tide neared, Less headed out on Buck's back and started to make his way toward Tidepath.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
-1 Glamour Ball, 0 remaining.

Also I need to know who you’re switching her for if you’re keeping her out, because otherwise she gets whisked off to Box Storage.
 


The Pokédex says she’ll evolve into Wierdra at level 35 and Fieberdra at level 65. It doesn’t look like she’s going to change type when she evolves, remaining Normal/Dragon throughout her evolutionary line. The ‘dex also has a rundown of her expected moves:

 
 Spoiler: Opdra Pokédex Information 

 A rare Pokémon from the Helnith region, the hairs on its tail are used to make fiber optic cables of unusual strength and durability. 

Start - Pound
Start - Tail Whip
6 - Charge
9 - Twister
12 - Thunder Fang
15 - Thunder Wave
17 - Endeavor
21 - Spark
26 - Dragon Tail
31 - Dragonbreath
36 - Vanish*
38 - Discharge
42 - Signal Beam
47 - Power Up*
53 - Prism Beam*
56 - Dragon Rush
60 - Trick Room
66 - Zap Cannon
 


She seems interested in the food but while she does nibble at some of your offerings she mostly seems to view it as potentially interesting new toys. She also seems to greatly enjoy the head rubs, squeezing her eyes shut and bumping her head against your hand.

----------------

Less:

((Pokémon: ))

Buck’s tail wags excitedly and then he obediently stands ramrod straight to stare at a particularly bright patch of ground.

The rest of the half hour goes about as well, except that Princess starts clacking her claws at the halfway mark out of boredom and Connie buries her beak in her wing to take a nap. You’re not sure at this point if you’re making progress or not.

Playtime goes much better and you can tell that Buck at least considers the time to have been well spent.

((Contest Hall: ))

You throw in your selected Berries and get to work. After a few minutes of blending, the Blender produces a pair of pinkish Poffin with specks of green throughout. They aren’t the most perfect Poffin you’ve ever seen, but not bad for a first attempt either.

 
 Spoiler: Blend Results 

Berry combo leads to a result that is tied for Sweet and Bitter, so:

Highest - Bonus
2nd Highest - No Bonus
3rd Highest - No Bonus
4th Highest - Bonus
5th Highest - Bonus

-1 Bluk (2 remaining)
-1 Nanab (2 remaining)

+2 Poffin (+8 Sweet, +8 Bitter, +18 Feel)
 


((Low Tide: ))

By the time low tide rolls around, the worst of the day’s heat has passed. En route you pass a small stream of people going north as you head south, mostly with swimsuits and beach towels - it seems a number of them decided to spend the scorching day by the water as much as possible - but no one bothers you beyond a cheerful wave or two and you make it to Tidepath without incident, at about 7 PM.

 
 Spoiler: Tidepath Map 
 

Points of interest:
 
 Big white rectangles – Grand Docks (commercial boats) 
 Smaller white rectangles – Little Docks (personal boats) 
 The big gray rectangles are warehouses 
 Lighter gray square - Mart 
 White square - Pokémon Center 
 Dark blue square - Dive Shop 
 Gold rectangle - Cruise Charter 
 Green L-shape - Pokémon Fan Club 
 Orange square - Garden Shop 
 Lighter blue boxes 1-4 are businesses. 
 Smaller blue boxes 1-6 are houses, most notably the Berry Master’s house at 5. 
 Purple rectangle is the City Hall 
 Circle - fountain. 
 Pink square - (New) Geology Club Headquarters 
 Light green rectangle - Harbor Master’s house/office 
 Big circle - Lighthouse 
 Yellow rectangle - Bar (the ‘Singing Dewgong’) 
 Bright green rectangle - Ranger Union 
 Purple T-shape - (Human) School. 
 
 
Lord Ruby34
Less lets playtime go on a little longer than promised, and makes sure to include Connie and Princess at first, and then Dancer and Hero. Poor Leo gets left in his ball, his skin too sensitive for the sweltering heat.

((End Scene))
----------------------------------------------------------------
((Contest Hall))

Less harumphed down at the resulting Poffin. It was fine . . . but it hadn't been excellent, so Less immediately felt like he failed. The old teacher shook that foolish thought out of his head, and tried again, this time using a Pinap and an Oran Berry

 
 Spoiler: Guesses 

Highest
1. Spicy
2. Dry
3. Sour
4. Bitter
5. Sweet

2nd Highest
1. Dry
2. Spicy
3. Sour
4. Bitter
5. Sweet

3rd Highest
1. Sour
2. Spicy
3. Sweet
4. Bitter
5. Dry

4th Highest
1. Bitter
2. Sweet
3. Sour
4. Spicy
5. Dry

5th Highest
1. Sweet
2. Bitter
3. Sour
4. Spicy
5. Dry
 

--------------------
((Tidepath))

Less absentmindedly returns the waves as he heads into town. First thing was first though, work. Less headed over to the Grand Docks to look for the Warlock.

 
 Spoiler: Question 

Where are the 8 gyms in Helnith supposed to be located? And what is the "normal" order?
 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
  
 Spoiler: OoC 
-1 Glamour Ball, 0 remaining.

Also I need to know who you’re switching her for if you’re keeping her out, because otherwise she gets whisked off to Box Storage.
 


The Pokédex says she’ll evolve into Wierdra at level 35 and Fieberdra at level 65. It doesn’t look like she’s going to change type when she evolves, remaining Normal/Dragon throughout her evolutionary line. The ‘dex also has a rundown of her expected moves:

 
 Spoiler: Opdra Pokédex Information 

 A rare Pokémon from the Helnith region, the hairs on its tail are used to make fiber optic cables of unusual strength and durability. 

Start - Pound
Start - Tail Whip
6 - Charge
9 - Twister
12 - Thunder Fang
15 - Thunder Wave
17 - Endeavor
21 - Spark
26 - Dragon Tail
31 - Dragonbreath
36 - Vanish*
38 - Discharge
42 - Signal Beam
47 - Power Up*
53 - Prism Beam*
56 - Dragon Rush
60 - Trick Room
66 - Zap Cannon
 


She seems interested in the food but while she does nibble at some of your offerings she mostly seems to view it as potentially interesting new toys. She also seems to greatly enjoy the head rubs, squeezing her eyes shut and bumping her head against your hand. 
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
I'll put Jessia into storage for now. Might try to get in some training in the morning if I can't find the surfer bro, we'll see how that goes.
 


Wow, that was a  lot  of electric moves on her move list, but not that many normal ones. He'd have to check SM's, see if she could get Hyper Beam or something since most of those moves look like they were skewing special attack. He also had to look up Vanish, Power Up and Prism Beam, since he didn't recognize those moves. Still though... this little dragon was going to require a  lot  of training, like that dark dragon over in Kalos with all the extra heads. She'd probably be worth it, though.

Once she was fully done eating, Mark gave her a few more chin rubs, followed by full-body scritches, and then finally recalled her so that he could go back to bed.  Three  new pokemon today! Er... in the same 24 hour period. Close enough.  And  he was going to get Tattersail back in the morning. Things were finally looking up for him.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

There is just enough suspicious movement out in the dark to make you glad you kept watch, but you manage to make it to sunrise without further incident. 
 

With little hesitation, Pinklady gets up and stretches as the day breaks. The night watch had given her plenty of time - first to dwell, then to think on, and then to become resolute from her recent failures. This wasn't her first major failure in properly taking care of those who trusted in her - just the first time in awhile. There was no room here to grow complacent; it was simply time to do better.
 "Ready, Whirlywhirly?"  She asks after sending him out and grabbing the harness, ready to put it back on him.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((Contest Hall: ))

Your second batch comes out better, as perfectly cooked as one could wish, but this time red with blue flecks.

 
 Spoiler: Blend Results 

Highest - Bonus
2nd Highest - Bonus
3rd Highest - Bonus
4th Highest - Bonus
5th Highest - Bonus

-1 Oran, 1 remaining
-1 Pinap, 3 remaining

+2 Poffin (+8 Spicy, +8 Dry, +18 Feel)
 


((Tidepath: ))

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
As I mentioned before, there are more than eight Gyms, League challengers are just required to get Badges from that many. They’re marked on the region map, you can see the icon in the map key. And there isn’t a ‘normal’ order.
 


You find the KS Warlock after some wandering around the Grand Docks, but as late as it is the docks are largely abandoned; the ship in question has the gangway pulled up and is mostly dark.

----------------

Mark:

The baby seems to enjoy the extra attention before being recalled.

The rest of the night passes without incident and you wake up around 8 AM.

----------------

Pinklady:

Whirlywhirly’s mouthparts clack together, a gesture you recognize from long association as a demand for food, before you can put the harness on him.
Gnomes2169
Mark woke up and... today was the daaaaay! Dressing and getting his arm back in, just clicking the now-dry plates back into place, Mark made his way to the front desk so he could finally pick up Tattersail! After he has his sassy psychic type he'll be able to pick up some coffee and worry about teleporting as close to the beach as he can. Let's see if he can find that surfer bro with Surf...
Lord Ruby34
((Contest Hall))

Less looked down at the Poffins he had made. Well cooked . . . but totally useless. In order to achieve his actual aim, they would need Poffins that had approximately five times as much flavor as they did feel, reduced to two and a half times as much flavor if they had a collection of all the relevant pins. Even to get the maximum boost to two stats, like Miles had, they would need a poffin that had twice as much flavor as feel.

These two berry poffins actually had less flavor than feel all the way around, which made them not fit for consumption, despite the longing in Buck's eyes as he looked at them.  "No, These are bad for you,"  Less replied to the silent plea.

Less looked over the berries the elder had given him with disappointment. These berries weren't going to do at all, which shouldn't have been a surprise, as none of them were mentioned in the recipes that he had found on the internet. Besides, they had been given to him to help practice, probably  because  they weren't very useful for serious poffin making. He hadn't even proven that he could avoid burning batter at that point.

Less gave a scan around the hall, looking to see if activity had picked up.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

What time is it?
 

----------------------------------------------------
((Docks))
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

I saw the key, but they're a little small on the map. I was having a hard time making it out.

In other news, I'm officially getting my first pair of glasses this weekend, so there's that.
 


Less frowned at the dark ship. It looked like he'd have to come back in the morning. Less headed over the the Pokemon Center. It was time for food and mingling, though he had plans to fish later.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Whirlywhirly’s mouthparts clack together, a gesture you recognize from long association as a demand for food, before you can put the harness on him. 
 

 "Oh! Right, of course!"  Pinklady laughs a bit, suddenly realising that she was hungry, too.  "One moment!"  She says as she quickly heads into the Pokémon Center. She takes a moment to assess the place's condition before she proceeds to ask about the food situation. After all, she thought, the power situation was definitely bad, and at least she and the longtime members of her team knew how to forage. Although... even that alternative, she recalled, wasn't as reliable here as back home.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

The nurse meets you at the front desk with Tattersail - the Psychic type is out of her ball, which the nurse hands to you.

“Your Gardevoir is recovered enough I can give her back to you. Her injuries were serious, so there might be some aching from the bones that broke after this, and I will recommend an hour or two of gentle physical therapy for a few more days, to make sure she retains her range of motion. But she doesn’t need to stay here for that.”

&lt; Don’t forget you promised me pampering! &gt;

----------------

Less:

((Contest Hall: ))

Buck whines and lies down, looking disappointed.

There are one or two likely-Coordinator candidates present - one girl actively blending, though with the look of intense concentration on her face and faint scent of burned fruit around her she’s not much more experienced at this than you are. There is also a boy off to the side on the phone wearing fancier-than-average clothes, chatting loudly with whoever is on the other end.

It is otherwise mostly empty. It occurs to you that it’s dinner time, and on a hot day like today huddling around a specialized oven - even in air conditioning -  probably  isn’t going to be high on anyone’s list of priorities.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
It’s 6 PMish, you leave for Tidepath at 6:30. We can squeeze in another round or two or stop here, your choice.
 


((Tidepath: ))

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
After you get your glasses let me know if you’re still having issues. In the mean time:

Aitel Island, Hillsbreak Town, Seapoint City, Ternai Town, Greshil Town, Stardust City, Skybreak City, Coastmarch City, Shadowbeach City, Landsedge City, and one random Gym up in the Icereach Mountains.

Obviously, this is just indicating that there is or was a Gym there, not their current state. 😈
 


The Pokémon Center in contrast is nicely busy, mostly with beach-goers, a few out-of-place looking trainers with Mining Kits or other digging equipment, and the occasional younger sailor. From the smell, someone is making pasta in the kitchen.

----------------

Pinklady:

As expected the power is still out, and the first person you check with warns you that the usual cooking appliances are out with the power, but says there’s still food for now. When you make it to the kitchen - in the dark except for a couple of flashlights and lanterns in strategic places - you find one of the sentries from the night before systematically emptying the dark and silent fridge. Most of the contents are already sitting on the countertop.

He sees you enter and waves at the food sitting out - eggs, fruit, vegetables, perishables of all kinds. “Take what you want from that first; it’s going to spoil before we get the power back.”
Lord Ruby34
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Thank you!

And yes, I'm sure most of them are dungeons of evil by this point.

That means there are three of them that aren't in Bandra controlled territory, doesn't it? Counting the spectral gym that only a crazy person would try to take on?

Also I noticed Dancer is missing an EV, which I would like to put in Speed.
 


((Contest Hall))

Less squatted down and gave Buck a few conciliatory head ruffles.  "I promise, you'll get a sample of the first good batch of these that Mina and I make."  Less stood up and wiped the sweat from his brow. Today had been an excellent day for his physical fitness, for better or worse.

After a moment of consideration, Less headed over to the young woman.  "Hello."  Less said as he approached, a greeting that Buck echoed with a bark.  "I noticed that you were also trying your hand at making Poffin. I've been doing the same for the first time today. Do you want to compare notes?"  

----------------------------------
((Tidepath Pokemon Center))

Food was first priority. Less secured a meal for himself and his team, (including by lending a hand with the cooking, and then headed out to eat for himself after his team is fed. If the young sailors are still present, Less will approach and ask, " Is this seat taken?" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Permission to also start the late night fishing?
 


((If permission granted.))

After dusk fell, Less headed up to the northern part of the island to go fishing. He had managed to coax Buck into his ball briefly with some extra food, which was worth it, because the big lug would scare away every water Pokemon in a ten mile radius if left unchecked. Instead, Less had Leo out for company, now that the worst of the day's heat had faded.
Gnomes2169
Mark nodded along with the Nurse's words. " Makes sense, and I'm familiar with stuff like that. " His robo hand wiggles its fingers to emphasize his understanding. " But if you could write down the techniques she should follow, I would be grateful. Oh, and Lijan should have sent a message for me! " That list  should  have arrived sometime yesterday. To Tattersail, Mark replied, &lt;  We'll be pampering you for sure. If the plasters job goes quick, it'll be later today. If it goes long, then it'll be as soon as possible tomorrow. Either way, though, we're going to the beach this morning! And I have a new baby pokemon for you to meet!  &gt; And potentially more pokemon on top of that.

Once he was done in the center, Mark gathered up some pokechow and snacks from the kitchens, 'made' himself a breakfast of a cold bagel with peanut butter and a mug of coffee, refilled his water bottle, and teleported to Trainer Hill. It was the closest place Tattersail could teleport to the coast line where they'd heard about the surfer, after all, and if necessary he could do some teleport-skipping to get there faster... but he should only be an hour's walk away or so, right?

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
If it takes longer than an hour to find the beach area with non-Bandra people, Mark's cheating with teleportation-skipping. 😛
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((Contest Hall: ))

“Oh!” She looks up from her most recent batch of Poffin. “We can do that, I don’t mind.”

((Tidepath: ))

The sailors are still there, chowing down on heartier-than-average looking meals. One of them (mouth very full) makes a ‘go ahead’ gesture at the seat in question.

((Fishing: ))

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
How long are you fishing for?
 


----------------

Akio:

The other trainer gives up quickly in the face of your lack of response and scampers back inside.

Bare minutes later, one of the security patrols swoops by and you’re carted off to the police station for breaking curfew.
Lord Ruby34
Contest Hall

 "Excellent."  Less replied. " My name is Lester Douglass, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Is there a specific kind of poffin you were hoping to make?" 

‐------------------‐----------------
((Pokemon Center)))

 "Thank you.  Less responded, before sitting down, and starting to eat.  "What brings you to Helnith?"  Less asked, after a brief round of introductions.

-------------
((Fishing))

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Let's start with an hour.

 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark the 🥷:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
  Mark nodded along with the Nurse's words. " Makes sense, and I'm familiar with stuff like that. " His robo hand wiggles its fingers to emphasize his understanding. " But if you could write down the techniques she should follow, I would be grateful. " 
 

“Of course!” The nurse scribbles off instructions on a nearby notepad before ripping off the top sheet and handing it to you. They appear to be mostly for stretches. ((+Stretching Exercise Note))


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Oh, and Lijan should have sent a message for me! " That list  should  have arrived sometime yesterday. 
 

“I think I have it, let me take a look,” and she starts rifling through papers, eventually emerging with a sealed envelope, which she then hands to you. ((+Lijan’s Suspect List))


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 To Tattersail, Mark replied, &lt;  We'll be pampering you for sure. If the plasters job goes quick, it'll be later today. If it goes long, then it'll be as soon as possible tomorrow. Either way, though, we're going to the beach this morning! And I have a new baby pokemon for you to meet!  &gt; And potentially more pokemon on top of that. 
 

Tattersail’s response isn’t in words, instead being a mental image of floating in warm ocean water, accompanied by the scent of saltwater and a sense of general contentment.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Once he was done in the center, Mark gathered up some pokechow and snacks from the kitchens, 'made' himself a breakfast of a cold bagel with peanut butter and a mug of coffee, refilled his water bottle, and teleported to Trainer Hill. It was the closest place Tattersail could teleport to the coast line where they'd heard about the surfer, after all, and if necessary he could do some teleport-skipping to get there faster... but he should only be an hour's walk away or so, right? 
 

You arrive at the beach around about 10 AM. The tide is at about the midway point, and there’s already a fair scattering of people present - swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing. There are even a few people surfing but it’s unclear if any of them is  the  surfer you’re looking for.

----------------

Less:

((Contest Hall: ))

“Danika Green, but you can call me Danni,” Danni replies. “I’m trying to make Cute Poffins but I don’t think I have enough of the right Berries, and when I tried two Nopei Berries at once they just burned.” She pouts.

((Tidepath: ))

“Oh we just came in on the Tidesurfer,” your seatmate (who introduced himself as Galiot) replies. “Captain said we could have the night off, seeing as we made it here in one piece. Lovely island you’ve got here, shame about the war.”

((Fishing: ))

Twenty minutes in, you pull up a Carvanha, which flails madly in an attempt to free itself from the line. Not long after that, you bring in a whiskered fish creature with a tail like a shark’s that the Pokédex identifies as an Estuar. The remainder of the hour is quiet except for the song of some distant Pokémon.
Lord Ruby34
((Contest Hall))

"A ple asure to meet you, Danni."  Less drawled,  "I'm running into the same problem. I don't think my berries make good poffin. And doubling up does seem to burn them. I'm not sure why."  Less hmmed for a moment.  "Well, if you're trying to make sweet Poffin, then I've got a Bluk berry and a Watmel berry that might be able to help. I think there are better berries for that mix, but this is all I've got on me. We could mix that with one of your sweet berries and another Nopei, if you still have one?"  Less asked.

-----------------------------
((Pokemon Center))

 "It is."  Less didn't clarify what comment he was responding too. Both of Galiot's statements were true.  "I'm from Unovo myself, but I fell in love with this place a long time ago."  Less shook his head ruefully before continuing.  "But enough about me. You and your shipmates must have come from a long way off."
 

------------------------------
((Fishing))

Less cast the Carvanha back out to see. It didn't seem like it wanted to be caught, and Less really didn't need  another  dark type on his team. The second Pokemon, however, Less hauled in, and pulled out his Pokedex to scan while trying to take Pinklady's advice.  "Do you mind if Leo and I try to catch you? If we succeed I promise to make sure you're taken care of for as long as I can manage."  Less tried not to dwell on the fact that that might not be very long at all, if the upcoming trip went awry.

If the fish seems anything other than extremely opposed to being caught, Less will send Leo out and call for a Poison Sting.
Gnomes2169
Mark opened up the letter from Lijan while he was making his way to the beach, so he could see just how long of a list he was looking at. Elren had been an important person, after all... how many people  could  have had easy access to him? Probably too many people, to be honest.

At the beach, Mark tucks away that letter and sends out Opdra and Marick to join him and Tattersail on the beach. " Alright guys, we've got a couple hours before we have to go to Skybreak and meet up with Mina and the university people. Let's find you guys a place where you can lay back and relax, while I look for this surfer guy. " He was meeting up at Skybreak a little after noon, so he should have two hours to look, and maybe to find a couple inflatable wings, life jacket or a pool noodle so he can teach Opdra how to swim. For now his water types are kept in their balls, so that he can carry them around a bit easier while he looked, but once it was time to start really swimming around they'd also come out to play.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

As expected the power is still out, and the first person you check with warns you that the usual cooking appliances are out with the power, but says there’s still food for now. When you make it to the kitchen - in the dark except for a couple of flashlights and lanterns in strategic places - you find one of the sentries from the night before systematically emptying the dark and silent fridge. Most of the contents are already sitting on the countertop.

He sees you enter and waves at the food sitting out - eggs, fruit, vegetables, perishables of all kinds. “Take what you want from that first; it’s going to spoil before we get the power back.” 
 

 "Thank you! I'm heading for the Shrine of Light today, is there any sort of message I could pass on to the people there that would help?"  Pinklady asks as she picks out some perishable foods she was sure Whirlywhirly would particularly enjoy. If the kitchen and fridge are large enough for two people to maneuver around it, she also fills the time spent talking to help empty the fridge contents onto the countertop.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((Contest Hall: ))


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Well, if you're trying to make sweet Poffin, then I've got a Bluk berry and a Watmel berry that might be able to help. I think there are better berries for that mix, but this is all I've got on me. We could mix that with one of your sweet berries and another Nopei, if you still have one?"  Less asked. 
 

“All the Cute ones I have are Nopei,” Danni reiterates, “but these are the others I have,” and she holds a sample of each to show you.

 
 Spoiler: Berries 

Rawst
Chesto
Cheri
Leppa
Pomeg
Sitrus
Razz
Nomel
Kwash
Aguav
Weidsei
Niptir
 


((Tidepath: ))


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "It is."  Less didn't clarify what comment he was responding too. Both of Galiot's statements were true.  "I'm from Unovo myself, but I fell in love with this place a long time ago."  Less shook his head ruefully before continuing.  "But enough about me. You and your shipmates must have come from a long way off."
  
 

“Not so far as Unova! Our home port is Sunyshore City, up in Sinnoh!”

((Fishing: ))

The Carvanha zooms away from the dock, sounding indignant.

The Estuar is glaring balefully at everything around it, but judging by the Pokédex picture that’s its default expression, and when Leo takes a swing at it it gamely returns the favor.

Leo uses Poison Sting!
It’s not very effective…
Estuar is hit for 6 damage!

Estuar uses Flail!
Leo is hit for 6 damage!

Leo: 65/71

Estuar: 78/84

----------------

Mark:

 
 Spoiler: Lijan’s Letter 

Mark,

Beyond myself and the other lieutenants, these are the names I recall being in contact with Elren or having access to the Center’s medical supplies. I regret this is not as comprehensive of a list as I know you would like as we did not keep extensive records of the people who joined our cause, for their safety. I also sustained a blow to the head during the attack and may have missed someone.

Breeze - KIA
Candi Schweetz - currently in Ceris
Bara Cudda - sided with Sesh
Bolt
Kesha Aletanegra - MIA
Ru (nickname)
Clyde S. - MIA

We also had a Nurse Joy with us, and I cannot speak for the Ternai Center staff.

Lijan
 


Opdra immediately looks around with curiosity and starts nosing seaweed, teething on rocks, digging in the sand - whatever seems to catch her interest. Tattersail gives a pleased sigh and drifts into the waves to float lazily and Marick buries himself somewhat nearby but safely above the high tide line.

----------------

Pinklady:

“Just let them know the Center is out of commission. And hey, if you’re headed up that way anyway why not pack up extra of this? Last I heard there wasn’t a working fridge up there but if it’s going to spoil  anyway …”
essCee
 "Oh, good idea! Be right back."  She bundles up a lot of food - both that which she picked up for herself and her team, as well some more to load into the cart - and heads back out. She loads the extra onto the cart, then sends out the rest of her team, except for Tress.
Tress, she mentally notes, she'll feed by hand once she finished moving food around. For now, she sets out food for the rest of her team to eat, then heads back in to continue unloading food onto the countertop and onwards to her cart until the sentry indicates to stop.
As she works, she continues conversation.  "How often does Bandra hit this place? Can't imagine it's easy, staying out here and putting up with them a bunch." 
Lord Ruby34
((Contest Hall))
 
"Hmm, let's see here."  Less said, stroking his mustache as he pondered the berries.  "I think adding the Sitrus berry to that mix would make a slightly better Poffin, though it wouldn't be any sweeter. That mixture should make a sweet, a little bitter, a little sour, that's not spicy, and definitely isn't dry."  Less stroked his mustache again.  "I don't know how good it would be, but I think it's the best we can do." 
-------------------------------------------------
((Pokemon Center))

 "I've never had the pleasure,"  Less replied.  "But I've heard that Sunnyshore is lovely, and the gym leader there is quite formidable. Have you made it anywhere else, other than Sinnoh and Helnith?" 
-------------------------------------------------
((Fishing))

Less continues using his Pokedex to scan the Estaur, and called for another poison sting

 
 Spoiler: Conditional 

Continue calling for Poison sting until one of the following happens.
1. The Pokemon is poisoned.
2. Any Pokemon hits half HP or lower.
3. Leo is hit with a status condition.
4. Less learns something from his Pokedex scan that makes continuing to call for Poison Sting dangerous or foolish.
 
Gnomes2169
Huh, a short list indeed. He'd fold that letter up and tuck the envelope back in his pocket, leaving that for later.

Keeping the baby pokemon with him, -well as much as one could keep the puppy-energy dragon nearby,- Mark let the other two members of his team relax and walked around to ask the other people on the beach about the HM-owning surfer.  If he'd been as obnoxious as Mark had heard, then surely  someone  would be able to point him in the right direction... right?
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

“Enough that me and a couple others decided to stick around and play guard, for all the good it did. We’ll probably have to pack up sooner or later if the repairs don’t make it through. And I don’t know how long the Shrine can hold out, without a working Pokémon Center to fall back on.”

----------------

Less:

((Contest Hall: ))

Danni pulls out a Sitrus and a Nopei and puts the rest away. “Okay, ready when you are!”

((Pokémon Center: ))

“Oh yeah, we make regular trips to Hoenn and the Orange Islands, shipping produce up north.”

((Fishing: ))

The Pokédex informs you that you’re wasting your time waiting for poison; the species thrives in polluted waters due to their natural immunity to it.

Leo uses Poison Sting!
It’s not very effective…
Estuar is hit for 5 damage!

Estuar uses Water Gun!
Leo regained 6 HP due to Ability Dry Skin!

Leo uses Poison Sting!
It’s not very effective…
Estuar is hit for 5 damage!

Estuar uses Bash!
Leo is hit for 16 damage!
Leo’s Shadow Gauge rises 3%!

Leo’s Shadow Gauge falls 2%!

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Not sure if you count ‘Shadow Gauge rising’ under any of the above, so I’ll pause here just in case.
 


Leo: 55/71 (Shadowed: 1%)

Estuar: 68/84

----------------

Mark:

Mentioning the Surf HM gets an almost immediate response. “Oh, you mean Abe? That’s him out there,” the girl you’re questioning points to one of the surfers. Even at this distance the blue and orange tiger stripes on his board are visible.
essCee
 "Oh, wow, I hadn't thought about that... that is pretty bad. Sorry I couldn't do more to help."  Pinklady sighs. She didn't have, or at least didn't retain very well if she was told, much knowledge of how the fight against Bandra overall was going - but it sure seems from her experience that things are on a downward trend.
Lord Ruby34
((Contest Hall))

 "Let's get started then!"  Less said with a smile. For a moment, this felt like teaching again, if only in the smallest part. Less tried to hold onto that feeling as he put his two berries in the blender.

 
 Spoiler: Guess 

Highest
1. Sweet
2. Sour
3. Bitter
4. Spicy
5. Dry

2nd Highest
1. Sour
2. Bitter
3. Spicy
4. Dry
5. Sweet

3rd Highest
1. Bitter
2. Sour
3. Spicy
4. Dry
5. Sweet

4th Highest
1. Spicy
2. Bitter
3. Sour
4. Sweet
5. Dry

5th Highest
1. Dry
2. Spicy
3. Sour
4. Bitter
5. Sweet
 

----------------------------------------
((Pokemon Center))

 "Is that what you're here for then, shipping produce? I know Helnith exports fruit to the rest of the world, but I can't imagine there's too much here that makes the return trip worth making?"  Less asked.

----------------------------------------
((Fishing))

Hmm, poisoning the creature wouldn't work then, in that case . . . Less called for Poison sting again, anyway.

 
 Spoiler: Conditionals 

Call for Poison Sting twice more, then switch to Princess and use Bubblebeam.

If any attack is a critical hit, immediately stop instead of continuing

EDIT: Also stop if Princess is hit with an attack that does 30% of her health or more on switch in.
 
Gnomes2169
Mark looked out to sea, frowned ever so slightly, and rubbed at his chin. He waved with his robo arm at Abe, but something told him that water boy wasn't going to swim to shore even if he noticed the motion. " I guess I'm supposed to go out and meet him there, huh? " Well, fortunately Fisher  was  a large pokemon, and lapras were often used to transport people, so he  should  have a way to get out there... Recalling Opdra for now, -Marick and Tattersail were relaxing and he'd feel bad about forcing them to babysit,- Mark sent out his water types and climbed up on Fisher's back. " Alright guys, let's go talk to Surfer Abe. "
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

“Between losing Stardust and losing Ternai Town  again  in just the last month there’s a lot of that going around.” It’s hard to read his expression in the dark, but he pauses and stays silent for a moment before continuing somewhat awkwardly, “Don’t sweat it, it’s not like any of the rest of us did any better.”

----------------

Less:

((Contest Hall: ))

Your new partner is obviously not the most experienced of cooks, and before the Poffin are finished a fresh cloud of burned fruit smell has permeated the area. Danni is already apologizing - “I’m sorry, I’ve never made Poffin this complicated before!” But the Poffin that come out still look edible, if a bit scorched.

 
 Spoiler: Poffin Results 

-1 Bluk (1 remaining)
-1 Watmel (0 remaining)

Your results:
Highest - Bonus
2nd Highest - Bonus
3rd Highest - Bonus
4th Highest - Bonus
5th Highest - Bonus

Danni’s results:
Highest - No Bonus
2nd Highest - Two Burns
3rd Highest - No Bonus
4th Highest - One Burn
5th Highest - N/A

+4 Poffin (+57 Sweet, +5 Bitter, +5 Sour, +24 Feel)
 


A check of the clock tells you you’re not going to have time to make another attempt if you’re going to make the tide.

((Pokémon Center: ))

“No, for Helnith we’ve been shipping in humanitarian aid - food and water, some medical supplies. We’ve been doing that for…I think most of the war at this point. There was that big shortage some years back? Bad guys hitting the food supply? I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to the news, but since not long after that.”

((Fishing: ))

Leo uses Poison Sting!
It’s not very effective…
Estuar is hit for 5 damage!

Estuar uses Bash!
Critical hit!
Leo is hit for 33 damage! ((Ouch!))
Leo’s Shadow Gauge rises 5%!

Leo’s Shadow Gauge falls 2%!


Leo: 22/71 (Shadowed: 4%)

Estuar: 63/84

----------------

Mark:

If Abe sees you wave, he gives no indication, or possibly he doesn’t realize you’re waving at him specifically. He’s sufficiently zoned in, in fact, that he nearly crashes into your new Sharpedo, but manages a tricky-looking sort of leap that avoids the collision at the last moment and kills most of his forward momentum in the process.

He then paddles over to you, scolding but in a good-natured sort of way. “Hey, there, watch it! There’s enough ocean out here for all of us!”
Lord Ruby34
((Contest Hall))

Less attempted to gently guide Danni through the stirring process,  "It's alright, just focus on your stirring, and the flavor you're trying to bring out of the berries. Focus on those flavors and you'll do fine. It's the same for complicated Poffin, and simple Poffin."  Less looked down at the resulting Poffin, and split them up, half to Danni and half for himself.  "Still, this turned out reasonably well, all things considered." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Yup, last batch. I'll finish the conversation with Danni and end the scene.
 

-----------------------------------------------
((Pokemon Center))

Less nodded, then said, gratefully.  "Shipments like those are the only reason that this half of the region is still hanging on . . . well, I'll spare you the messy talk of war, but those of us still fighting are being hard pressed, and would be pressed harder still without the aid you and yours are bringing in. Thank you." 
----------------------------------------------
((Fishing))

 "Good job Leo."  Less said, as he recalled the frog Pokemon in a ball of red light. No reason to risk a shadowing.  "Go, Princess. Bubblebeam!" 
Gnomes2169
Having never ridden a pokemon before outside of a rapidash at a ranch that one time, much less a lapras on the open sea, Mark was much less graceful than Abe when he finally encountered the surfer... and a bit wet and miserable looking. However, he still grinned and waved at Abe once he finally got the other boy's attention. " Sorry about that, not the most graceful in the water myself, what with this 20lbs dead weight. " He said, gesturing to the literal slab of non-buoyant plastic and metal glittering with sea spray slotted into his chest and shoulder blade. It wasn't the best for swimming. " But I can still surf around on my pokemon, and from what I hear you're the person to talk to about that! Also hi, my name's Mark, glad to meet'cha. "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((Contest Hall: ))

“Oh, I know you’re just saying that to be nice. But thank you for trying to help me, I’ll get it right eventually! Here,” she fishes out a pair of Sitrus Berries and hands them to you, “hopefully your next Poffin will be better than these!” ((+2 Sitrus Berries))

She bids you goodbye as you head off to Tidepath.

((Pokémon Center: ))

“Hey, glad to hear it - ah, that it’s helping I mean. A lot of people don’t realize how important the shipping industry is unless things start going wrong, so we get a lot of flack and not a lot of recognition.”

((Fishing: ))

You recall Leo!
You send out Princess!

Estuar uses Flail!
Princess is hit for 4 damage!

Princess uses Bubblebeam!
It’s not very effective…
Estuar is hit for 22 damage!

Estuar uses Bash!
It’s super effective!
Princess is hit for 18 damage!
Princess’ Shadow Gauge rises 4%!

Princess’ Shadow Gauge falls 2%!


Leo: 22/71 (Shadowed: 4%, recalled)
Princess: 70/92 (Shadowed: 2%)

Estuar: 41/84

----------------

Mark:

“Heyo, Mark! So you’re here to master the waves by demonstrating your mastery of the Water type? Excellent! We should do this on the beach, though, so we don’t wreck the surfing for everyone else…”

Abe motions for you to follow him and paddles his way back to shore. Then he stakes out a stretch of sand and poses dramatically with the board. You can see a handful of people are trickling over to watch.

“Now, you know the rules? Actually, I shouldn’t assume that.” He spins the board and jabs with it for emphasis as he speaks. “Three Pokémon each! Held items are fine, but no trainer items, because anyone can win if they pour enough money into a fight, and this is a test for you and your Water Pokémon, not your pocketbook! Only Water Pokémon allowed! If you win, I give you the Surf HM! Above all, have fun, and show the world the superiority of the Water type!” As if on cue, a wave crashes behind him, spraying the air with glittering foam. “Any questions before we begin?!!”
Lord Ruby34
((Contest Hall))

Less bids Danni farewell in turn as he leaves.
-------------------------------------------
((Pokemon Center))
 
"I imagine. It's people like you and yours that are keeping people fed. There's no amount of bravery that can keep a region going without food, and no war that can be won without supplies. Have you come under attack from Bandra on the sea? I heard something about a Bandra officer making things difficult on the waves." 
------------------------------------------
((Fishing))

 "Excellent work Princess. Hold fast for a moment."  Less said as he pulled out the net ball. He would have prefered to weaken the water type further, but accidentally knocking it out would be a disaster. After a half moment's hesitation, Less threw the net ball at the Estaur.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((Pokémon Center: ))

“Not on this latest trip, but we’ve run into some Grunt patrols on previous rounds. Captain said we had a guardian angel coming in, but scuttlebutt around the ship was that Bandra Officer Derrick or David or whoever it was with the great horrible Shadow dragon monster was distracted with Team Rocket, thankfully. And the captain’s always careful - killing the lights and going radio silent, that kind of thing. We get hazard pay for this, but that’s not very useful if we don’t live to spend it, y’know?”

((Fishing: ))

The Net Ball soars unerringly for the fish Pokemon and engulfs it. ((-1 Net Ball, 0 remaining.)) Shake…shake…shake…DING! Estuar was caught!

 
 Spoiler: Estuar 

Pokémon: Estuar
Type: Water/Spectral
Ability: Immunity
Gender: Female
Level: 20
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 84
Attack: 39
Def: 39
Sp. Attack: 39
Sp. Def: 39
Speed: 31
Moves:
Bash*
Mud Sport
Water Gun
Flail
Purge
Gobble*
 


Would you like to give a nickname to Estuar? ((Regardless she warps off to Box Storage since you’re at six.))

Princess’ Shadow Gauge falls 2%!


Leo: 22/71 (Shadowed: 4%, recalled)
Princess: 70/92

 Estuar: 41/84  - caught!
Gnomes2169
Mark was happy to get back on dry (... well,  more  dry, it was still the sandy shoreline after all) land, his experience on Fisher already having been harrowing. Shaking off his head, he listened to the conditions and said, " Oh, held items... one second, got something on my Lairon that I need to grab. But two... no, three questions! First, what if I just want to  use  the surf HM, not own it? I've got enough of a target on my head already. " He didn't need Bandra gunning for him because he had the only known copy of the HM on the free Helnith side. They already had enough reasons to hate him! " Two, is this a single, double or triple battle format? " While asking that question, he finished fishing the mystic water out of his pack and gave that to Fisher to hold. He's going to give Marick's eviolite to Corphish once he retrieves it from the rock/steel type. " And three, can you give me some tips and tricks for surfing around on Helnith waters when we're done? You know, just some knowledge about best tides and what kinds of pokemon pop up in the water and stuff. " Couldn't hurt to gather some more knowledge.
Lord Ruby34
((Pokemon Center))

 "I imagine."  Less replied.  "I've heard of the Bandra Officer you mentioned. A murderer of the worst kind, I've been told."  He had killed at least one member of the elite four, and likely had even less compunction about anyone else. Which made him a man to be absolutely avoided. Even Emilia wouldn't be keen to take him on.  "But not this guardian angel? Is it some kind of Pokemon?" 
-----------------
((Fishing))

Less decided to wait until morning to give a nickname to the newly caught Estaur. Instead, he spent the next forty minutes in peaceful contemplation of the ocean, and the magnitude of the task ahead of him, before returning to the Pokemon Center.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

What's the time at this point?

Also, information requests:

1. What does Estaur look like? (You've said whiskered fish with a shark's tail, but what about color, pattern, size, etc.?)
2. Does Estaur evolve? If so, under what conditions, if those are known?
3. What's it's level up movepool?
4. What moves can be tutored? (More relevant when Less can get to the tutor, so if you want to wait to answer until then, that's all good.(
5. What moves can she learn by SM/HM? (Again, not super relevant until Less gets access to some of those.)
 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

“Between losing Stardust and losing Ternai Town  again  in just the last month there’s a lot of that going around.” It’s hard to read his expression in the dark, but he pauses and stays silent for a moment before continuing somewhat awkwardly, “Don’t sweat it, it’s not like any of the rest of us did any better.” 
 

Pinklady, now full of things to think and without any idea of what else to say, conducts the rest of the food transportation in silence. She only resumes speaking when the task is done - to give an assurance,  "I'll make sure to get all this to the Shrine and let them know what's going on! Good luck with getting repairs." 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Oh, held items... one second, got something on my Lairon that I need to grab. But two... no, three questions! First, what if I just want to  use  the surf HM, not own it? I've got enough of a target on my head already. " 
 

“Still gotta prove yourself, my man. Show the waves you respect them and they should respect you back!”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Two, is this a single, double or triple battle format? " 
 

“I was thinking single but if you want to do more than that it’s your funeral.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 While asking that question, he finished fishing the mystic water out of his pack and gave that to Fisher to hold. He's going to give Marick's eviolite to Corphish once he retrieves it from the rock/steel type. " And three, can you give me some tips and tricks for surfing around on Helnith waters when we're done? You know, just some knowledge about best tides and what kinds of pokemon pop up in the water and stuff. " Couldn't hurt to gather some more knowledge. 
 

You swap the items without issue.

“Sure thing, ask me afterwards!”

----------------

Less:
((Pokémon Center: ))

“You’re asking  me?  I didn’t see a thing. Captain said he noticed something big on the sonar a couple a times coming in. He had us steer around it in case it was Bandra-related but it never chased after us. We found out afterwards we missed a Bandra patrol that way.

But I guess it would have to be a Pokémon, I never heard of Bandra using subs…”

((Fishing: ))

The waves lap against the boats, occasionally a ship bumps up against a dock bumper or a mooring line creaks. When next you look at the clock it’s about 10 PM.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Pic is in Discord but it’s mostly a greenish-grey, with brown plates along its back and a brown mask-like plate over its head. It has an oily sheen on its skin, and as mentioned whiskers and a shark-like tail. It’s about three and a half feet long (or a little over a meter if you’re metrically inclined).

No evolutions known at this time.

 
 Spoiler: Estuar Level Up Move Pool 

Start - Bash*
Start - Mud Sport
6 - Water Gun
8 - Flail
12 - Purge*
15 - Whirlpool
18 - Gobble*
22 - Brine
26 - Headbutt
30 - Haze
35 - Stockpile
35 - Spit Up
35 - Swallow
39 - Upwelling*
33 - Acid Armor
51 - Water Spout
 


As per usual an * denotes a Helnith-specific move. Note that the DM reserves the right to tweak/expand these lists. That in mind, if something is on the list that looks like it should’t be or should be on it that isn’t, speak up.
 
 Spoiler: Estuar Move Tutor Move Pool 

After You
Ancient Power
Aqua Tail
Block
Body Slam
Bounce
Dark Pulse
Defense Curl
Dive
Double Edge
Dragon Pulse
Dream Eater
Endeavor
Endure
Flip Turn
Gastro Acid
Gunk Shot
Headbutt
Ice Beam
Icy Wind
Iron Head
Iron Tail
Knock Off
Laser Focus
Lash Out
Liquidation
Magic Coat
Mimic
Mud-Slap
Psych Up
Recycle
Rock Slide
Scale Shot
Skitter Smack
Sleep Talk
Snore
Spite
Substitute
Swagger
Swift
Swords Dance
Terrain Pulse
Twister
Uproar
Water Pulse
Zen Headbutt
Beginner’s Luck*
 

 
 Spoiler: Estuar HM/SM List 

HM:
Strength
Surf
Dive

SM:
Substitute
Water Spike*
Upwelling*
Swift
Attract
Toxic
Gobble*
Hidden Power
Natural Gift
Desperation*
Rain Dance
Hail
Bleak Void*
Ice Beam
Chaos Ray*
Safeguard
Mimic
Entropic Field*
Blizzard
Curse
Giga Impact
Hyper Beam
Ether Blast*
Shadow Ball
Psychic
Protect
Barrier
Reflect
Double Team
Return
Frustration
Rest
Dream Eater
Sleep Talk
Backlash*
Swords Dance
Stone Heart*
Chomp*
Focus Burn*
 

 


----------------

Pinklady:

“Thanks, we’re going to need it.”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Anything else before we move on?
 
Lord Ruby34
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Thanks for the giant Pile of Info!

Also would any of the following be appropriate:

Light Screen
Recover
Follow Me?
 


((Pokemon Center))

 "That does sound like a guardian of some kind, if it was guiding you around Bandra. Encounters with them are never pleasant."  Less remakred, while Buck chuffed in agreement behind him.  "Maybe some kind of spectral type? They're unique to this region, and rather poorly documented. There very well could be one lurking out there, steering honest sailors away from danger." 

----------------------
((Fishing))

After a little more than a half hour without any bites, and without having reached any answers, Less packed up his equipment and headed back to the Pokemon Center after calling Buck back out to trot beside him. For his part, the large fire type was looking a little annoyed at having had to stay in his ball for an hour. To make it up to him, Less took him out for another hour of training/play outside the Pokemon Center, focusing on intercepting a thrown ball while protecting.

A bit after 11, Less headed inside, ran his Pokemon through the healing machine, made his preparations for bed, and set his alarm for six in the morning before falling into an exhausted sleep.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Still gotta prove yourself, my man. Show the waves you respect them and they should respect you back!” 
 

" Well yes, of course. I more meant... " Actually, Mark had a habit of over-explaining, and he's realized this. So since it wouldn't actually add anything, he says, " Nevermind, fair enough. "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “I was thinking single but if you want to do more than that it’s your funeral.” 
 

For a moment Mark had the image of three hostile pokemon, each with water absorb, all using Surf, and he thought about potential ways to counter that... but he didn't really need  more  of a challenge than he'd already have here. He just needed the HM. Besides, that would be horrifying. " You know what? Let's just keep it simple and single battles. "

That said, he recalls his water types and rolls his shoulders. He'd be starting off with Fisher, but there was no need to let Abe know that! The surfer probably had a pokemon that could counter Fisher's ice typing, and Mark didn't need to give him that little edge before they even began the fight. " Let's do this. "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Light Screen and Recover sure, but Follow Me (‘Stay With This Finger’ in Japanese) requires hands.

Also I don’t think it’s actually come up in game before this, but just in case I’m moving Barrier on the SM list and putting Light Screen in its place so it’s next to Reflect, to keep them grouped together since those two are similar. Barrier is SM 58 now and Light Screen is SM 61.
 


((Pokémon Center: ))

“Not going to hear me complain! I’ll take all the safe trips I can get.”

((Fishing: ))

Buck is cheered with the training time ((2.5 hours towards the next level - I’m counting the attempted tutor time)) and you make it back to the Pokémon Center without issue. It’s a fair amount busier than the Rieva Center but you’re just able to find a bed for yourself for the night.

At one point during the night Buck growls you awake at some workers at the warehouse across the street, but at a glance they don’t appear to be up to anything nefarious, just working at an inhuman hour.

You successfully awake at 6 AM.

----------------

Mark:

“Alrighty then!” Abe buries the board deep enough in the sand that it doesn’t fall over and calls out his first Pokémon, a Lanturn.

Lanturn: 112/112
Lord Ruby34
((Pokemon Center, last night))
 
"I would heartilty agree . . . "  Less paused for a moment.  "Actually, I'm taking a trip of my own soon, and a thought just occurred to me. I expect to be encountering a great many of those spectral Pokemon I mentioned earlier, and one of their best counters are Fairy type Pokemon. Now, there aren't any fairy types native to Helnith, but with a crew like yours might have come across one or two. Is there any chance that someone on your ship might be willing to make a trade away a Fairy type?" 

----------------------------
((Pokemon Center, morning))

Less woke up slightly bleary eyed. The first part of his sleep had been peaceful enough, but after being woken up his dreams had been plagued with images of Emilia, twisted and distorted in a black and dreary space. She had been wandering in circles, growing more and more tired as blank faced Bandra goons chased her with every step.

So Less wasn't in the best mood as he went to go get himself some morning tea and toast, and his Pokemon a more through breakfast. He let Hero go first, with Buck, and then after she finished eating he swapped her out for his newest team member, and released the fish to have a bite to eat of her own, and to let her meet the other members of the team. Still, the sight of all his companions eating his breakfast did a little bit to bring his spirit up from a rough night of dreams.

So it was with a slightly lighter, though still worried heart, that Less took a moment to get a detailed Pokedex scan of Estaur, and to read the blurb the Pokedex spat out.  "What's a good name for you, I wonder?"  Less pondered aloud as he took in his newest companion.  "My name is Less, and these are Buck, Princess, Dancer, Leo, and Connie."  

After a brief moment of introductions, while Less continued to look over the Estaur, he said.  "That ridge around your head gives me the impression of a helmet. Are you a warrior, then? A protector?"  Less scanned his brain for a moment, thinking of some of his favorite classics.  "How about Eowyn? She was a fierce defender of her family and kingdom, even when no one expected her to fight, and her courage felled a being of powerful and ancient evil. How do you feel about taking her name for a while?" 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

“Thanks, we’re going to need it.”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Anything else before we move on?
 
 
 

After heading back out and recalling everyone except Whirlywhirly, Pinklady sends out Tress to hand-feed her, to make sure her condition wouldn't cause any issues with her eating. After that, she recalls Tress and saddles up Whirlywhirly, setting out once more.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Nothing more besides that bit!
 
Gnomes2169
Oh. Oh this encounter was going to be  evil.  Of all his water types, though, Fisher was still the best to send out, becausethe big guy might be just fast enough to land his attack faster, and was tanky enough to stay up even if he didn't... so his lapras was sent out first, and Mark commanded, " Fisher, use Sing! "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((Pokémon Center (previous day): ))

“I can ask around. You still going to be here tomorrow night? I can’t promise we’ll still be in port any later than that.”

((Pokémon Center (morning): ))

 
 Spoiler: Pokédex 
They live in the coastal waters around Helnith. They especially thrive in polluted water due to their natural immunity to poison, where they are often seen feeding off rubbish.
 


Your new Estuar gulps down her food without chewing, and has to be restrained to keep from eating the container holding it, too, though as she doesn’t fight you for it that seems to be less out of hunger and more because she doesn’t realize it isn’t food.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 After a brief moment of introductions, while Less continued to look over the Estaur, he said.  "That ridge around your head gives me the impression of a helmet. Are you a warrior, then? A protector?"  Less scanned his brain for a moment, thinking of some of his favorite classics.  "How about Eowyn? She was a fierce defender of her family and kingdom, even when no one expected her to fight, and her courage felled a being of powerful and ancient evil. How do you feel about taking her name for a while?"  
 

Eowyn’s eyes haven’t lost their permanent baleful look, and the ‘helmet’ doesn’t give a lot of range of motion as far as expression, but as far as you can tell she doesn’t mind.

----------------

Pinklady:

Tress is obviously still woozy, and has trouble keeping her food down. At least as much of it ends up on you and the ground as in her stomach, leaving the stench of vomit in the air as you ride out.

En route there is one extremely tense moment as you could swear you could hear people shouting and battling nearby and Whirlywhirly pauses to listen - but it passes and no further sign of the altercation emerges.

You make it safely to the Shrine at 7:30 AM. It is obvious there have been a few more attacks since you left: more scorch marks from Fire and Electric type attacks, cracks in the ground, stray bits of rubble no one has bothered to clean up. There are also sentries here too, but they recognize you - or possibly the cart - and wave you inside the perimeter, where a couple of people just finishing their breakfast or coffee come over.

“Supplies from Skybreak city, right?”

----------------

Mark:

Fisher uses Sing!
Lanturn falls asleep!

Lanturn sleeps!


Fisher: 139/139

Lanturn: 112/112 (Asleep 1 round)
Gnomes2169
And now the purely luck-based part of Mark's plan came into play. Recalling Fisher, he sent out his Sharpedo instead and, if the lanturn hasn't already woken up, began calling for attacks.

 
 Spoiler: Attack plan 
Just going to write this out in this tag, to help speed things along:

If the lanturn remains asleep, Mark is calling for a Screech, followed by Assurances until it wakes up, gets switched out or gets knocked out.

If the Lanturn wakes up once Sharpedo is sent out, Mark will instead just call for Assurances until the poor chompy feesh cannot chomp anymore. ☹️
 
Lord Ruby34
((Last Night))

 "I wasn't planning on it."  Less replied.  "I was hoping to leave around midday tomorrow. I'm here to pick up a batch of supplies from the  Warlock . Is that your ship?"  Less asked.  "If so, I could stop by after I finished some morning errands, and before picking up supplies." 

----------------------------------
((Morning))

 "Well, you'll be easy to keep fed, at least. No, that's not food either."  Less sighed as everyone finished their meal. She and Buck certainly weren't going to have much trouble getting along.

After breakfast, Less left the Pokemon center and began his own morning exercise, Buck running beside, and generally around him. In fact, during the half hour of the run, Less directed his much,  much , faster Pokemon to practice some acrobatic leaps and bounds while Less jogged along the island until he ended his exercise routine at the southern side, just over half an hour later, before stretching in the morning light

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Going for half an hour of training for Buck. +1 EV into speed.
Eowyn's EV's are going 10 points into Special Defense, +5 points into defense. For future levels ups, we'll put two points into special defense, then one point into defense, and keep that pattern going into perpetuity.
Does Less know what time most businesses and such open for business here?
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

You recall Fisher!
You send out Sharpedo!

Lanturn wakes up!
Lanturn uses Discharge!
It’s super effective!
Sharpedo is hit for 95 damage!
Sharpedo is paralyzed!
It may not be able to attack!

Abe winces on your Pokémon’s behalf.

You call for Assurance but you can already tell the paralysis is slowing your Dark type down too much for him to react in time, and he goes down.


Fisher: 139/139 (recalled)
 Sharpedo: 0/97 

Lanturn: 112/112
Gnomes2169
Just once, just a  single time in his life,  it would be nice if Mark could get a sleep that didn't immediately wear off. With a sigh he recalls his poor, insanely unlucky bitefish and says, " Good try, buddy. Fisher, let's see what we can do. "

 
 Spoiler: Plan of attack PART TWO: Yes this is even more terrible 
SO MY EVEN DUMBER PLAN! If Abe doesn't switch out, here's what I'm gonna do:

1) Fisher uses Confuse Ray.
2) If Confuse Ray lands, Fisher uses Sing again.
3) If the Lanturn is asleep, water pulse. Repeat these three steps as necessary.
4) IF IT SOMEHOW HAS ITS HIDDEN ABILITY or Fisher goes down, concede, because ice shard ain't cutting this one, chief, and poor Corphish isn't going to be able to put the team on his back.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less the 🥷:

((Pokémon Center (previous day): ))

“Nooo, I’m on the  Tidesurfer ,” Galiot reminds you. “But okay, before you go tomorrow stop by the Singing Dewgong around lunchtime and I’ll let anyone who wants to trade know to meet you there. Make sure you bring a Pokémon to trade for your Fairy type; I think Kai was specifically looking for a local Grimer or Muk or some other purple gloop monster to show his kid back home, he’s got one I know he’s willing to part with. But anything local is going to get you more bites with the rest of the crew than something they could catch themselves back home.

Oh, and the [i]Warlock’s[/s] been in port a couple days already, odds are good she’s unloaded all her cargo by now. She’s only still here because she got damaged by a Bandra patrol and needed repairs. You might do better to check with the Harbor Master about anything you need to pick up.”

((Tidepath (morning): ))

 
 Spoiler: Eowyn 

Pokemon: Estuar (Eowyn)
Type: Water/Spectral
Ability: Immunity
Gender: Female
Level: 20
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 84
Attack: 39
Def: 39 +5
Sp. Attack: 39
Sp. Def: 39 +10
Speed: 31
Moves:
Bash*
Mud Sport
Water Gun
Flail
Purge
Gobble*
 

 
 Spoiler: Buck 

Pokémon: Arcanine (Buck)
Type: Fire
Ability: Intimidate
Gender: Male
Level: 32
Held Item: Leftovers
Stats--
HP: 109
Attack: 85 +5
Def: 66 +15
Sp. Attack: 78
Sp. Def: 66
Speed: 75 +7
Moves:
Bite
Roar
Leer
Odor Sleuth
Protect
Fire Fang

No new attacks.
 


The tide is back to low, and during your training you can see a small trickle of people wandering into town.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
It depends on the shop, Tidepath doesn’t have a curfew like Skybreak does. The Grand Docks will be busy as will the local restaurants that serve breakfast, but if Less wanted to go to, say, the Cruise Charter he’d need to wait an hour or two. Likewise the Little Docks aren’t going to be as busy.
 


----------------

Mark:

Abe doesn’t seem to feel the need to switch, as he leaves the Lanturn out.

You send out Fisher!

Fisher uses Confuse Ray!
Lanturn is confused!

Lanturn is confused!
Lanturn uses Discharge!
It’s super effective!
Fisher is hit for 56 damage!

Fisher uses Sing!
Attack missed!

Lanturn is confused!
It hurt itself in its confusion!
Lanturn takes 11 damage!

Fisher uses Sing!
Attack missed! ((😖))

Lanturn snapped out of its confusion!
Lanturn uses Discharge!
It’s super effective!
Fisher is hit for 59 damage!

Fisher uses Confuse Ray!
Lanturn is confused!

Lanturn is confused!
Lanturn uses Discharge!
Critical hit!
Fisher is hit for 118 damage!
Fisher faints!


 Fisher: 0/139 
 Sharpedo: 0/97 

Lanturn: 101/112

Abe looks a little embarrassed as you concede, and claps you on the prosthetic shoulder with his slightly damp hand. “I’m sorry Mark my dude, but you’re going to have to put up a better fight than that if you want to Surf the high seas. There are Chinchou and Lanturn in the wild out there, and angry Gyarados and at least one psycho Bandra with a water dragon; I can’t justify throwing you into the deep end of the ocean until you can defend yourself against what lives there.” Serious discussion apparently over, he then bursts out with, “But what was with that Sharpedo my dude?!! You got to be careful with those, they are super brittle! Don’t get me wrong, that paralysis was bad luck for you, but I thought you might have at least had a Wacan Berry on it, or a Cell Battery or something, but you didn’t!”
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Tress is obviously still woozy, and has trouble keeping her food down. At least as much of it ends up on you and the ground as in her stomach, leaving the stench of vomit in the air as you ride out.

En route there is one extremely tense moment as you could swear you could hear people shouting and battling nearby and Whirlywhirly pauses to listen - but it passes and no further sign of the altercation emerges.

You make it safely to the Shrine at 7:30 AM. It is obvious there have been a few more attacks since you left: more scorch marks from Fire and Electric type attacks, cracks in the ground, stray bits of rubble no one has bothered to clean up. There are also sentries here too, but they recognize you - or possibly the cart - and wave you inside the perimeter, where a couple of people just finishing their breakfast or coffee come over.

“Supplies from Skybreak city, right?” 
 

 "Yeah, from Skybreak! Some of it-"  she indicates the recently added food,  "- is from the Pokémon Center on the way. They got attacked last night and lost power. Trying to get it back, but it's not a sure thing." 
She unharnesses and then pets Whirlywhirly as she explains the situation. Then, to him,  "You did great, couldn't have done this without you!" 
Lord Ruby34
((Last Night))

 "You did, you did."  Less agreed.  "Sorry, it's been a long day."  Between breaking the Bandra cipher, figuring out where Emilia was, battling Miles, and learning to make Poffin, the day had felt like it had stretched out for months, not just hours.

 "I'll stop by around lunchtime."  Less confirmed. He would have to keep a close eye on the time.  "And I appreciate you asking around on my behalf, and about letting me know about the  Warlock. "  Now the question was what Pokemon he'd be willing to trade. He had made promises to Connie that he intended to keep, and he was bonded with the rest of his team. . . . Dancer might be happier elsewhere, though. She didn't have a temperament particularly suited for battle, and the coming days wouldn't be peaceful. A better bet to try and catch a few Pokemon for the purpose of trading through. Less could devote some of his morning to that, though he also wanted to go to the Geology club and maybe see the Berry Master, though he didn't want to disturb that man if he didn't want visitors. Less tried to recall what he knew about the man, other than that he lived in Tidepath.

-------------------------------------------
((This Morning))

With a flash of light, Less sent Eowyn out into the coastal water at the edge of the Island.  "Alright, Eowyn, Buck, let's try to figure something out. Eowyn, can you try to take me to where you normally ate, anywhere with polluted water and trash. Buck, as we get close can your Odor Sleuth as we move to try and find the source of the pollution? We're going hunting for Grimer, or other Helnith Pokemon we can find as we go. Buck, when we get close I'm going to have to have you wait in your ball. You scare away wild Pokemon."  Buck let out an affronted bark, but didn't disagree. In his mind, that was a good thing.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Abe looks a little embarrassed as you concede, and claps you on the prosthetic shoulder with his slightly damp hand. “I’m sorry Mark my dude, but you’re going to have to put up a better fight than that if you want to Surf the high seas. There are Chinchou and Lanturn in the wild out there, and angry Gyarados and at least one psycho Bandra with a water dragon; I can’t justify throwing you into the deep end of the ocean until you can defend yourself against what lives there.” Serious discussion apparently over, he then bursts out with, “But what was with that Sharpedo my dude?!! You got to be careful with those, they are super brittle! Don’t get me wrong, that paralysis was bad luck for you, but I thought you might have at least had a Wacan Berry on it, or a Cell Battery or something, but you didn’t!” 
 

Mark groaned as he just... continued to have him-level luck, and nodded along as Abe spoke. " That was, perhaps, the most embarrassing showing I've had since I reached this region. " And he included the time when Sarah zonked him out because he'd recalled his pokemon in the middle of their match. " In any other situation, I wouldn't have tried to use any of my current water types to fight your Lanturn. But I don't have a quagsire or wishcash, and I was born in the wrong region for a mudkip... "

With a sigh, he said, " And I wish I had a wacan! I mean, it wouldn't have been so helpful in this fight, since sharpedo would have gone down with the second attack anyway, but just in general just having more types of berries around would be nice. Right now I'm trying to grow as many Lum as I can... " Mark trailed off, and then swung his bag around. His planters! He's forgotten his planters all day! The Lum would not be ready, but he  did  need to grab the rest of them if they had become ripe. While doing what he needed to there, he asked, " But what would a cell battery have done? I mean, I have a battery in my cell phone, but... " His fish wasn't a robot!

" Are wild lanturn... aggressive here or something? I thought them and Chinchou are mostly docile, and tentacruel and the like were more of a problem on shorelines? " Helnith had shown him that these things were, in fact, possible, but it never hurt to be sure!
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "Yeah, from Skybreak! Some of it-"  she indicates the recently added food,  "- is from the Pokémon Center on the way. They got attacked last night and lost power. Trying to get it back, but it's not a sure thing."  
 

Faces fall all around, and the news disrupts the casual chatter like a stone falling in a pond.

“Attacked? The Center was attacked?”“Wait, wait, my Pokémon! My Skitty was in the ICU there, is she okay?!!”“When are they supposed to get power back?!” “ What happened?!! ”

Whirlywhirly, meanwhile, accepts the pets and shakes free of the harness once it’s sufficiently unbuckled.

----------------

Less:

((Pokémon Center (previous day): ))

From what you can recall, most of the garden supplies are sold at the local Garden Shop, the Berry Master just rents out garden space. You do recall hearing he’s been having issues with someone or something wrecking plots and ruining harvests, but with the recent chaos it’s fallen under the radar for most people.

((Tidepath (morning): ))

Eowyn leads you back to the docks, where she circles around a few times before heading north, to Grand Dock 1.

It turns out you don’t need to bother with Buck’s keen nose because the polluted area is obvious: on the north end of the dock is the dry dock, where a ship that wasn’t as lucky as the  Tidesurfer  is currently having the massive gashes in its hull repaired. A great deal of oil and other fluids have leaked into the surrounding water from the damaged ship, in which you can see the occasional shark tail as the wild Estuar gulp it down. It occurs to you it’s probably too shallow here for the Phantasea or Tunabu you’re dimly aware are also in the coastal areas, there are just Wingull watching from the railings of the damaged ship, and a few Krabby poking at something buried in the sand. A few of the latter scuttle off as Buck comes close.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 With a sigh, he said, " And I wish I had a wacan! I mean, it wouldn't have been so helpful in this fight, since sharpedo would have gone down with the second attack anyway, but just in general just having more types of berries around would be nice. Right now I'm trying to grow as many Lum as I can... " 
 

“Mark my man, that I can help you with.” Abe fishes a waterproof bag out of the sand nearby and takes out a pair of Wacan Berries, which he then hands to you. ((+2 Wacan Berries)) “Just promise me no more throwing your shark at Electric types without one, got it?”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " But what would a cell battery have done? I mean, I have a battery in my cell phone, but... " His fish wasn't a robot! 
 

“You have your Pokémon hold it, and if it gets hit by an Electric move, its Attack goes up. They don’t last more than one hit and they’re hard to get a hold of in bulk, and it wouldn’t have saved fangs there from getting zapped, so maybe not the best thing to hold but I’ve seen weirder.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Are wild lanturn... aggressive here or something? I thought them and Chinchou are mostly docile, and tentacruel and the like were more of a problem on shorelines? " 
 

“Any Pokémon can be dangerous if it feels threatened, and  all  of those can be Shadowed my dude,” Abe reminds.
Lord Ruby34
((Previous Day))

Less finished up his conversation with Galiot and bid him a polite farewell as they finished dinner.

----------------------------
((Morning))

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Can I request that Tidepath's map be added to the Town maps tag?

Do the docks continue past this point? If Less went fishing out at the far end, would he be in the deeper water where he might find those Pokemon?

Does Less know where there might be Grimer nearby?
 


Less approached the pile of Krabby with a determined gait, Buck behind him. They didn't interest him today, but catching another Estaur might. Even if he didn't manage to trade it, one of his companions might be able to use it for their mission. Still, Less sent Buck, Leo, and Eowyn forward to chase off the Krabby. Whatever they were grubbing at might be worth investigating while he made up his mind about what Pokemon to pursue here.

Additionally, Less scanned the area for any sign of Grimer. While they liked to hang around poison, he was under the impression that they preferred solid ground.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Mark my man, that I can help you with.” Abe fishes a waterproof bag out of the sand nearby and takes out a pair of Wacan Berries, which he then hands to you. ((+2 Wacan Berries)) “Just promise me no more throwing your shark at Electric types without one, got it?” 
 

" Oh, thank you! " Mark said, immediately putting one on the currently unconscious shark and storing the other so he could grow more once he had a moment. " Definitely keeping at least one of these around. Now I just need ones for grass, dark and fighting types! " One day, he'd have good protection against Bandra's pokemon. One day.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “You have your Pokémon hold it, and if it gets hit by an Electric move, its Attack goes up. They don’t last more than one hit and they’re hard to get a hold of in bulk, and it wouldn’t have saved fangs there from getting zapped, so maybe not the best thing to hold but I’ve seen weirder.” 
 

Well, that made it sound like the battery would  explode , or at least short out, and he was  using  his cell battery, so he filed that under 'interesting information he'd probable never use.' " Huh. Neat. I guess that would have some use on a physical attacker with lightning rod... " So a ryhorn or an electric type, probably.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Any Pokémon can be dangerous if it feels threatened, and  all  of those can be Shadowed my dude,” Abe reminds. 
 

" Ugh. Right. " Shadowed pokemon were the  worst,  and Helnith just had them everywhere. " And I'm guessing Bandra's water-based goons would catch some too. Gonna have to make sure to bring Dendrolog with me today. " Or any time he was on the coast, really.

 
 Spoiler: Berries! 
Speaking of berries, are those EV berries ready for harvest yet? Gotta make some room for MORE PLANTS! And I should probably water the Lum again. 😛
 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:



Faces fall all around, and the news disrupts the casual chatter like a stone falling in a pond.

“Attacked? The Center was attacked?”“Wait, wait, my Pokémon! My Skitty was in the ICU there, is she okay?!!”“When are they supposed to get power back?!” “ What happened?!! ”

Whirlywhirly, meanwhile, accepts the pets and shakes free of the harness once it’s sufficiently unbuckled. 
 

Pinklady raises her voice to call out answers as best as she can - though it isn't much information at all.  "Some Bandra grunts attacked in the middle of the night - last night! I think I heard repairs would be a few days at least, but it's not certain that they'll be able to come through either! And I don't know about any Pokémon who were under special care there, but they weren't able to host especially injured Pokémon! I don't think the fighting got into the Center itself, at the least!"  
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Done.

You mean off the edge of the map? Yes. The Grand Docks are deeper water that’s why the big commercial ships dock there. Tunabu are catchable with a Good Rod but for Phantasea you’d need a Super Rod, or to go diving.

Less knows that Grimer favor pollution-heavy areas.
 


A brief gust of seabreeze from the direction of the ship brings with it a spray of sand and a positively  horrible  stench while the remaining Krabby scatter before Buck. One of the rocks they’d been poking at opens to reveal a bright teal-blue eye…followed by several more as the revealed Biscooti tries to menace you with the tiny spikes on its segmented body. You remember Emilia stepping on one of these as a child, before she became a trainer, but they aren’t usually aggressive. You also recall they’re Ground/Water types.

Biscooti: 63/63

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Pic in the Discord.
 


----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Oh, thank you! " Mark said, immediately putting one on the currently unconscious shark and storing the other so he could grow more once he had a moment. " Definitely keeping at least one of these around. Now I just need ones for grass, dark and fighting types! " One day, he'd have good protection against Bandra's pokemon. One day. 
 

“Happy I could do you a solid. Call me if you want a rematch, hey?” ((You can exchange numbers here if you like.))

Checking your Planters while you place the Wacan Berry, you can see that most of the plants within have produced ripe Berries, except for the Lum which has sprouted.

 
 Spoiler: Berries 

Grepa: +7 Berries (7 total)
Pomeg: +7 Berries (7 total)
Qualot: +6 Berries (6 total)
Lum: sprouted
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Ugh. Right. " Shadowed pokemon were the  worst,  and Helnith just had them everywhere. " And I'm guessing Bandra's water-based goons would catch some too. Gonna have to make sure to bring Dendrolog with me today. " 
 

“Good plan. Always gotta be prepared on the ocean Mark my man, ‘cause you and me? We don’t have gills. Take care now!” Abe plucks his board out of the sand and prepares to leave.

----------------

Pinklady:

Your response doesn’t seem to calm matters any; the trainer asking after the Skitty leaves the room looking caught between panic and tears while the rest shuffle uncertainly and exchange worried looks.
Lord Ruby34
Less and Buck both crinkled their noses in mutual disgust as the smell hit them. Less did not want to go closer to that ship . . . but that was the likeliest place to find a Grimer. Less tried to ignore the smell and put his priorities in order. The Pokemon in front of him was another Helnith native, and a water type to boot. Sailors liked water types, right? Less started trying to get a full scan of the Biscooti while the memory of Emilia's bleeding foot surged up. It had been a pleasant day at the beach before Emilia had gotten hurt, and one of these sandburrowers was responsible. Needless to say, it wasn't Less's favorite Pokemon, but if it none of the sailor's wanted it he could always release the poor thing, Less rationalized. Besides, attacking like this, even if the Krabby had provoked it, gave Less enough of a reason to feel comfortable trying to catch the creature.

Less withdrew Eowyn and sent out Dancer to replace her, and had Buck and Leo move forward to put the Biscooti in the center of a triangle of Less's Pokemon to make sure the Biscooti didn't run off.  "Buck, Fire Fang. Leo, poison sting."  Less ordered. If Less had remembered the typing correctly, it should resist both hits.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Buck uses Fire Fang!

The Biscooti ducks into the sand briefly and as a result Buck nearly overshoots, but manages to compensate enough to land a solid hit. Dancer looks unamused by the sand this showers her with, however.

It’s not very effective…
Biscooti is hit for 26 damage!

Biscooti uses Harden!
Biscooti’s Defense rises!

Leo uses Poison Sting!
It’s not very effective…
Biscooti is hit for 3 damage!

Buck: 109/109
Dancer: 64/64
Leo: 71/71

Biscooti: 34/63 (Intimidated, Defense up 1 level)
Lord Ruby34
Dancer chirruped in annoyance as Less called for the next sequence of moves.  "Dancer, Quick attack. Leo, Poison sting again. Buck, protect." 
 
 Spoiler: Conditionals 

If the Biscooti is poisoned, call Dancer to growl and throw a Pokeball with Leo's turn, and have Buck Leer.

If the Biscooti has 19 or more hit points, have Leo Poison Sting again until the Biscooti is either
1. poisoned, (in which case throw a Pokeball)l; or
2. The Biscooti has less than 19 remaining hp.

If the Biscooti has less than 19 HP, throw a Pokeball with Leo's turn, have dancer growl, and have Buck leer.
 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Happy I could do you a solid. Call me if you want a rematch, hey?” ((You can exchange numbers here if you like.))

“Good plan. Always gotta be prepared on the ocean Mark my man, ‘cause you and me? We don’t have gills. Take care now!” Abe plucks his board out of the sand and prepares to leave. 
 

" Next time, I'll make sure I bring something that doesn't explode when an electric type sneezes at them. " Mark joked while exchanging numbers. " If you have any trouble with Bandra over here, give me a call and I'll see what I can do. "

Waving when the surfer got back to surfing, Mark sent Opdra back out and checked the time. Hmmm... yeah, he could get a level of training in before warping off to Skybreak. He wasn't sure if it would help yet ( and she might end up chewing on it... but that was basically training for a baby pokemon, right? ), but he gave her the power weight to hold for that 30 minutes of training, and called Tattersail and Marick to join him. At 11 he took back the weight, planted his new wacan, watered that and his sprouting Lum, and had Tattersail teleport all four of them up to the outskirts of Skybreak.

After taking a look at the city gates to estimate how long the line would take to get through today, Mark shot off a text to Mina to tell her, "  Hey there Stormshine, I'm at Skybreak! LMK where you want to meet up for plasters job, and if you have a minute or two to teleport up to Hillsbreak so 'Sail can get there too, that would be great. Oh, and my egg hatched last night!  " Scooping up the opdra and cradling her belly-up in his fleshy arm like a baby, he took a selfie to send with the message.

Only after sending his text did Mark look around for signs of Sesh's Starlight Squad camp. They were supposed to be parked right outside... right?
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Your response doesn’t seem to calm matters any; the trainer asking after the Skitty leaves the room looking caught between panic and tears while the rest shuffle uncertainly and exchange worried looks. 
 

Pinklady, having said what she could and not seeing improvement anyways in the commotion, returns her attention to the people managing the supplies to help unload them.  "Er... besides that, how's the past couple days been here?"  She asks as she does so.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Buck uses Protect!
Buck is protecting himself!

Dancer uses Quick Attack!
Biscooti is hit for 17 damage!
Dancer takes 4 damage from Biscooti’s Pointy Spines!

Biscooti uses Spikes!
Spikes were scattered all around!

Leo uses Poison Sting!
It’s not very effective…
Biscooti is hit for 4 damage!

You throw a Pokéball ((-1 Pokéball, 1 remaining)) and the Ground type is quickly engulfed. It shakes the required three times before giving the expected  DING!  of a successful capture.

 
 Spoiler: Biscooti 

“ Commonly found in the sandy beaches of central Helnith, they prefer to bury themselves into the ground and react to threats by bristling with their spines. Local lore claims they bring wealth to those who possess them. ”

Pokémon: Biscooti
Type: Ground/Water
Ability: Pointy Spines
Gender: Female
Level: 23
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 63
Attack: 55
Def: 48
Sp. Attack: 35
Sp. Def: 46
Speed: 61
Moves:
Harden
Camouflage
Rapid Spin
Payday
Spikes
Water Spike*

 
 Spoiler: Pointy Spines 
For each positive level of Defense, contact moves used on it will subtract -1/16 Hp from the attacker.
 

 
 Spoiler: Water Spike 
Type: Water (Physical)
Power: Varies, see text
Accuracy: 100%
PP: 10 (max 16)

Does more damage the stronger the foe is compared to the user.

If the foe’s Attack is:
Greater than x4 the user’s - power 120
x2 to x4 - power 90
Less than x2 but still higher - power 60
Same as the user’s or below - power 40
 

 



((Spikes in effect.))

Buck: 109/109
Dancer: 60/64
Leo: 71/71

 Biscooti: 13/63  - caught!

----------------

Mark:

“Will do, my dude!”

 
 Spoiler: Opdra 

Pokémon: Opdra
Type: Normal/Dragon
Ability: Phase
Gender: Female
Level: 6
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 23  +1 
Attack: 14
Def: 10
Sp. Attack: 14
Sp. Def: 12
Speed: 12
Moves:
Pound
Tail Whip
Dragon Breath
 Charge 
 

 
 Spoiler: Berries 

Wacan planted Day 30, 11 AM, no mulch.
Lum sprouted.
 


The line into Skybreak looks lengthy right now; at best guess if you tried to get in it would be about an hour wait.

Opdra mostly just looks befuddled at her trainer’s strange treatment of her. There is no immediate response from Mina.

As far as Sesh and his portion of the Starlight Squad, after a bit of searching you are able to locate what looks like a decent sized makeshift campground to the north of the city, close to the barricades surrounding it but away from the major entrances. Even from a distance, you can see that it has been contracting from its original size - there are flattened spots in the grass, old campfires and a couple tent-sized gaps between some of the inner camps.

----------------

Pinklady:

“Bad,” replies the nearest. (The next over has found the Center’s supply of eggs, and is getting excited over them.) “We’re pretty sure they have a camp nearby at this point, but we can’t spare the people to go wandering around in the mountains to find it, we’ve barely been able to keep Bandra off the road as it is. Tomas says Bandra is entrenching themselves to try and take the Shrine back, and I believe him. They’ve been throwing Grunts at us at all hours and that’s just going to get worse now that the road patrols can’t stop at the Pokémon Center to heal up. A few more days like this and we’re going to lose the Shrine again.”
Lord Ruby34
Less looked down at the Pokedex readout briefly before doing a double-take.  Payday?  That was quite the opportunity, Less realized. A move that could actually generate PD . . . well, there might be a few ways to make money that weren't available before. And spikes and rapid spin were both excellent moves for the battle tower, if he needed to try and win a few matches there for Battle Points for revives . . . not to mention Payday itself. Maybe Less could convince one of the others to throw a few matches and split the money? Was that even how that would work?

Less shook his head and declined to name the Pokemon or spend too much thought on the idea for now. Instead, he recalled Dancer and Leo and headed over to where the Biscooti had buried itself in the sand, carefully avoiding any remaining spikes.  "Buck, you think you can investigate that for me? See if that Biscooti was guarding any buried treasure?"  The ground type had probably been what drew the attention of the krabby, but it never hurt to be through.

Instead, Less started to approach the wounded ship on the dock, looking for signs that there was someone working on it, or otherwise someone he could ask to enter. If there was a Grimer on the island, it would be here.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

I know you mentioned that the ship was being repaired, but I don't know if you meant actively. If Less doesn't find anyone to ask about going in he's going to head inside and start making his way below decks, to the damaged area.
 
Gnomes2169
Mark looked out at the camp and frowned. A lot of people were leaving Sesh behind, weren't they? He could hope that the empty plots were there because the squad members were actually out and doing things, but... well, Helnith had been teaching Mark nothing if not to be more jaded. Still, there should still be  enough  people over there to make a difference... right?

His frown didn't go away as he sets his Opdra down and pets her on the top of the head. " No time for that meeting right now... never enough time. " He sighed and rubbed at his forehead. They  needed  the money from the plasters job, and confronting Sesh might not accomplish anything depending on how standoff-ish the lieutenant decided to be. " Well, at least the line's long enough to get a bit more 'play' training in... " And he gave the little derg back the power weight. He'll train her up those last two 'safe' levels while he sloooooowly gets through this frankly much too long line.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Yes, actively.
 


Buck doesn’t turn up anything of interest; it occurs to you the Biscooti never used the attack during the fight and hadn’t been actively battling the Krabby before Buck chased them off either.

You approach one of the workers. He scratches behind an ear as he replies. “You want to go inside the ship? I don’t know about that, the fuel line was leaking earlier and the maintenance lights aren’t working. It’s slippery and there’s a lot of damage inside we haven’t gotten to yet. Be easy to get hurt. But you can talk to the boss about it.  Hey boss! ” He waves to someone further down the ship with a clipboard and the distinct air of someone who is convinced that problems exist to bother them, specifically. “This guy here wants in the ship!”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Feel free to make your case.
 


----------------

Mark:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

I am reasonably sure I vetoed training in line before, but if not I’m doing it now. Remember, this is a thing you need  space  and focus for! You’re trying to teach them to hit things in close proximity to lots of potential collateral damage!
 


Unfortunately the line of new-to-her people (and occasional Pokémon) proves to be too much of a distraction for the new baby to focus on training - not to mention the little dragon trying to whack things and spit sparks around them quickly turns the mood of the people nearest from ‘Oh, cute baby’ to ‘ What are you doing, put that thing back in its ball! ” So training in line quickly becomes a bust.

Fortunately, you make it through security without any special delay. It’s about noon when you make it into the city.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

“Bad,” replies the nearest. (The next over has found the Center’s supply of eggs, and is getting excited over them.) “We’re pretty sure they have a camp nearby at this point, but we can’t spare the people to go wandering around in the mountains to find it, we’ve barely been able to keep Bandra off the road as it is. Tomas says Bandra is entrenching themselves to try and take the Shrine back, and I believe him. They’ve been throwing Grunts at us at all hours and that’s just going to get worse now that the road patrols can’t stop at the Pokémon Center to heal up. A few more days like this and we’re going to lose the Shrine again.” 
 

 "Oh... thank you for the explanation."  Pinklady sighs.  "No reason to think they'd let up, either, I'm guessing."  As she handled the goods during the conversation, she knew it wouldn't be a good idea after all to ask if she could have some - at least she could afford to go place to place. This stuff was absolutely needed here, however much longer it might help them hold out.
It also occurs to her that she should make sure the rest of the group knows about the situation - especially with last night's development.
Lord Ruby34
Less moved on from the Biscooti's hiding place soon enough. He had known that finding anything was a long shot, though he had hoped that the Krabby's had been harassing the Biscooti for it's treasure, clearly that was not the case.

As the sailor called his boss over, Less put on a confident smile and extended his hand for a handshake.  "Lester Douglass. How are you doing this morning?"  After the man's reply ((unless it's not as expected)) Less got to the point.  "I was hoping that we could help each other out. From the beach I could smell what seems to be a Grimer infestation in the depths of your ship. And even if I'm wrong about what that smell portended in particular, I imagine that wild Pokemon have been making their way in through the breach. I can see the Estaur from here. Now, this seems to me a situation where we might help each other out. I have a full team of Pokemon, including a few immune any chemical leak, and a willingness to go below. I'll clean out whatever wild Pokemon are in there, free of charge, on the condition that I can try to catch a few the Pokemon that might be down there. What do you say?"  During the middle of his pitch, Less called Leo out to demonstrate that he did, indeed, have some Pokemon that could handle whatever was going down below.
Gnomes2169
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Awwww, dang it. C'mon, line people. Just let the baby dragon chew on your shoes, that'd be enough for her training! 😛
 


With apologies to the line people, and recalling Opdra to make sure she wouldn't munch on anyone's shoelaces of her own accord, Mark decided to fill his time waiting doing... other stuff. If he wasn't going to be coordinating any of his pokemon, then maybe he should just surf the internet and look up what movies were available! Yeah. He could do some advanced snooping for date night. Whenever he and Mina actually went out and did that.

Thinking of Mina, if she still hasn't gotten back to him by the time he finally gets into the city, Mark decides that he should go to the pokemon center to heal his team up and swap some of his pokemon around (putting away Corphish, Sharpedo and Opdra for Dendrolog, Sengar and Tarr), and he gives her a call along the way. He will go to the front desk of the university, where they'd signed up for the jobs in the first place, after that if he  still  can't get hold of her.
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

“Maybe if Bandra got distracted by something bigger. But I’m not holding my breath, no one’s seen Salerdia since Stardust City fell and Dream can’t be everywhere.”

Unloading the cart goes quickly with the help; it’s wrapped up by 8 AM.

“Are you headed back right away?” One of the unpackers gestures in the direction of the cart.

----------------

Less:

The man takes your hand for a perfunctory shake. “Sydon Poise,” he replies. “The Ranger Union haven’t gotten back to me yet, so I’ll allow it. Mind yourself in there, and don’t smash the ship up any worse than it is.”

----------------

Mark:

There isn’t much, this being the off season for movies. One is an obvious kids movie - it’s based off one of the more popular children’s cartoons. There’s an art film with lots of desert shots in the trailer but not a lot of description on what it’s actually  about  and an action film that seems to be 90% rocket launchers and stuff blowing up. And a super heroes vs. the Poké Rangers film, which has unusually good audience reviews.

Mina also texts you back once you’re in line.

  Mina sent you a message! 
 Sorry was Berry tending. I could do with another storm, then they’d be watered. Plaster job is at noon, I don’t think we’re going to have time for Hillsbreak, but what does the line look like? Also, congrats on the new baby!  🎉🥚 
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
You do have time to heal your Pokémon and switch around your team as long as you don’t get sidetracked, did you want to do that or talk strategy with Mina first?
 
Lord Ruby34
 "A pleasure to meet you, Sydon."  Less replied.  "I'll be careful,"  Less promised. With that, Less headed up and into the ship. Once he was safely below the top deck, Less quickly changed into his stained and damaged clothes from the Shadow Pokemon raid. This was promising to be a dirty job. Then the second problem was evident, the ship was clearly not made to easily accommodate a six foot tall quadruped. After a little cajoling and a promise to send Buck out if there was any trouble, Buck finally agreed to go into his ball.  "It's either that or waiting up here."  Less had finally said to convince the large fire type.

Once the momentous task of convincing Buck to actually get in his ball was complete, Less headed down into the bowels of the ship, following the worst of the stench, Leo a few steps in front of him, and his Pokedex held in hand, ready to be used as a flashlight.
Gnomes2169
Hmmm... not much for the movie-going crowds, eh? Well, the weird thing about kids movies is that they were 50/50 just a good time these days, so if that one was anything like Meowth in Boots; Quest for Jirachi* (which had NO reason to be anywhere near as good as it was) then maybe that was an option? Otherwise, it looked like explosions or the weirdly positive superhero flick were their best options right now.

When he gets her message, Mark texts back, "  It's pretty long, about an hour wait right now. If you wanted to join me and skip ahead in line a bit then you'll be able to get in on time, but if you're going to be busy then it might be better to just let me sign in and then meet up with us outside of town.  " That was one advantage of multiple people being signed up for the same job... if it was outside of the city, then they didn't all have to get to the university on time.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
*Puss in Boots; The Last Wish... which  also  had absolutely  no  reason to be as flat-out fantastic as it was. One of the best movies I saw last year, even though it was a sequel to a spinoff of a  Shrek  side character. Every scene with Death was  so good,  easily the best depiction of an antagonistic anthropomorphic death that I've seen.

And I'll swap out/ heal my team and head to the university. If Mina ends up joining him, Mark will talk to her on the way. One thing that I'll change there, though, is that I want to swap in Jessia, not Tarr. We didn't swap her out when I picked up Opdra, so she wasn't actually on my team. &gt;.&gt;

I'll also put my Dendrolog's EV's into special attack and speed, split evenly.
 
essCee
Pinklady nods.  "Unless there's something urgent an extra pair of hands could help with here, yeah!" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Outside of the cargo areas, the ship is cramped even by human standards, despite the contents having been removed. The Pokédex does end up being needed as a flashlight (as the depths of the ship have no windows and no working lights) but from what you can see in its faint light the walls and floors show spots of dried saltwater and other signs of flooding, the repair crew not having gotten this deep into the ship yet. It is also, as promised, quite slippery in places, especially as you get farther down.

The stench grows as you get deeper - it seems the sewer line broke in addition to the electrical and fuel lines, the result being both smelly and damp. The occasional  drip, drip, drip  of…something mostly liquid and the metallic groaning of the ship fills the silence, punctuated by the floor sloshing unpleasantly in places. After some time you come to a place where the claustrophobic passage starts to widen into merely tight, and then you start to hear sounds overlaying the background noise: wet gulping and sucking noises.

Some of the goop on the floor is mounded up in places, but then the mounds turn and in the faint light of the Pokédex you can see wide mouths and mostly white eyes. The Grimer rise threateningly, waving their gloopy limbs wildly and yelling loudly in Pokéspeak, their cries echoing into incoherence…

…And then an unusually loud  plop  noise comes from behind and you, and when you see another pair of eyes you realize you’re trapped.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Special conditions time!

Due to the cramped quarters you’re in, you can only send out two Pokémon at a time in front of you and one behind you, and these will effectively be two separate battles happening at the same time. Moving Pokémon between the two is a switch, regardless if they’re already out or in their balls, again due to the tight quarters.

Oh and I’m well aware some of your Pokémon are much bigger than others, but for simplicity’s sake don’t worry about that, they all count the same towards the number of Pokémon out.
 


((Front: ))
Grimer 1: 65/65
Grimer 2: 76/76

((Back: ))
Grimer 3: 76/76

----------------

Mark:

  Mina sent you a message! 
 Ack, I better meet up with you. See you in a bit!  

Mina trots up shortly thereafter; there are dark smudges under her eyes but it looks like she’s been up for a while. “ Hey, Mark! I’m glad you texted me, I’d forgot we were going to have to wait to get into the city. ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
  
 Spoiler: OoC 

One thing that I'll change there, though, is that I want to swap in Jessia, not Tarr. We didn't swap her out when I picked up Opdra, so she wasn't actually on my team. &gt;.&gt;
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Are you looking at the original tab or the 2.0 version? Opdra was set in slot #6 on the 2.0 tab, although Jessia is there now.
 

 
 Spoiler: Dendrolog’s EVs 

Pokémon: Dendrolog
Type: Grass/Ghost
Ability: Deadwood
Gender: Male
Level: 23
Held Item: Mental Herb
Stats--
HP: 70
Attack: 42
Def: 46
Sp. Attack: 44 +9
Sp. Def: 46
Speed: 32 +9
Moves:
Ingrain
Leech Seed
Razor Leaf
Worry Seed
Ritual Dance
Branch Lash
 


----------------

Pinklady:

“Can you take some passengers back with you? We’ve got some trainers wounded who could use a ride. You’d only need to stick around for an hour or two longer.”
Lord Ruby34
Despite the smell, despite the cramped corridors and the unpleasant wetness developing in his boots, and even despite not having Buck's comforting bulk by his side, Less was enjoying himself. Deeply, viscerally, enjoying himself. The old teacher could feel his heart racing in his chest. At any moment he could slip, hit a corroded section of metal and be twisted into the underbelly of the ship, or be ambushed by the very Pokemon he had come here to capture. That was a wonderful, exhilarating, feeling. Less had felt twinges of it during his battle with Miles yesterday, but the last time he had felt it full force was when he had been fighting Bandra. Every moment he was in here, Less knew, he was gambling with his life. A wager far in his favor, perhaps, but a wager nonetheless. There was small voice, deep inside, that was telling him that what he was feeling was completely insane, that he should be committed, or at the very least examined by a certified mental health professional. But that little voice was drowned out by a much larger one, telling him that this was  exactly  where he belonged.  Exactly  what he need.  Exactly  what he should be doing with his life. Part of that terrified him. Mostly, Less was just excited.

So when the Grimer dropped down to ambush him, Less met the slime Pokemon with a grin.  "Well, look who showed up to dance. Don't fret, I'll more than happily oblige."   Without waiting for a reply, Less peeled two Pokeballs off his belt and sent a beam of light flashing in front of him and behind. Eowyn appeared next to Leo in front, and Princess took the rear.  "Princess,"  Less called out.  "Give that Grimer a knock off. Leo, Eowyn, double up on the stronger one. Revenge and Water Gun!" 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
   Mina sent you a message! 
 Ack, I better meet up with you. See you in a bit!  

Mina trots up shortly thereafter; there are dark smudges under her eyes but it looks like she’s been up for a while. “ Hey, Mark! I’m glad you texted me, I’d forgot we were going to have to wait to get into the city. ” 
 

Mark had been looking at movies when Mina appeared, and he recalls Marick to make room in line for her to join him. He waves at her and grins, managing to say, " Hey Mina! " Before remembering that they were  technically  dating now... or was that only true once they actually went on the date? He had no idea, and Tattersail wasn't going to be any help if he asked her, even though he'd left her out of the ball. So instead of going for a hug, or something so forward as a  kiss  (Arceus forbid), he played it safe and held out his organic hand for her to hold if she wanted to. " Good morning, good to see you, and how did last night go? Find a sign or some other clue? "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
  
 Spoiler: OoC 
Are you looking at the original tab or the 2.0 version? Opdra was set in slot #6 on the 2.0 tab, although Jessia is there now.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Was looking at the original, I guess. &gt;.&gt; Gotta make sure to use the 2.0 sheet from now on.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((Front: ))

Eowyn uses Water Gun!
Grimer 2 is hit for 16 damage!

Grimer 2 uses Mud Bomb!
Eowyn is hit for 9 damage!
Eowyn’s Accuracy falls!

Eowyn thrashes as a glob of the gloop lands squarely in her face, splashing into her eyes.

Grimer 1 uses Poison Gas!
But it failed!

The younger of the Grimer looks confused at the complete lack of effect, which quickly turns to annoyance and it waves its arms some more in outrage.

Leo uses Revenge!
It’s not very effective…
Grimer 2 is hit for 21 damage!


Leo: 71/71
Eowyn: 75/84 (Accuracy down 1 level)

Grimer 1: 65/65
Grimer 2: 39/76


((Back: ))

Princess uses Knock Off!
Grimer 3 is hit for 69 damage!

The attack lands solidly, and the third Grimer slides backwards, spewing gas reflexively. Fortunately, the hit pushed it momentarily out of range, sparing Princess from the poison.

Grimer 3 uses Poison Gas!
Attack missed!

Princess: 92/92

Grimer 3: 7/76

----------------

Mark:

Mina was likewise doing mental calculations on What Was An Appropriate Greeting Now That They Were Dating and settled for waving back and taking Mark’s hand briefly for a squeeze.

 “ Not much. Our Aura Master bought some camping supplies at the Mart. There’s  something  going on up there; the shopkeeper said Bandra always seems to know when the supplies are coming in. ”   Do I tell him about last night or no?  

&lt; Yes, tell him. &gt;

  That was a question for me not for you!  

 “ And someone tried to break into my room last night. Houndoom chased them off. ”
Lord Ruby34
 "Leo, Eowyn, keep hitting the same Grimer. Water Gun and Faint Attack!"  While giving commands, Less pulled the last Pokeball out of his bag and chucked it at the Grimer that Princess had nearly flattened with her knock off.

 
 Spoiler: Conditionals 

If no additional Pokemon appear and no battlefield conditions change aside from Pokemon fainting.;

and Less captures Grimer 3 while Leo and Eowyn KO Grimer 2; continue calling for water gun and faint attack. Then call for water gun and pursuit until a Pokemon faints.

If Less fails to capture Grimer 3 while Eowyn and Leo KO Grimer 2; as above, but throw great balls at Grimer 3 until capture.

If Less captures Grimer 3 while Eowyn and Leo fail to KO Grimer 2; pursuit on Grimer 2 and water gun on Grimer 1.

If Less fails to capture Grimer 3 while Leo and Eowyn fail to KO Grimer 2; as above but throw Great Balls at Grimer 3 until capture.
 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

“Can you take some passengers back with you? We’ve got some trainers wounded who could use a ride. You’d only need to stick around for an hour or two longer.” 
 

 "Are you up for that, Whirly?"  Pinklady checks with Whirlywhirly before jumping to accept - after all, it was him and not her who has been and would be doing the pulling.
Gnomes2169
Mark frowned at that. Maybe Bandra  hadn't  been fully driven from Hillsbreak... or maybe there was something else going on. " We knew that there were pokemon smugglers that were active in the north, feeding pokemon into the Shrine of Light... We caught that one guy in Ceris, but nothing says he was the only one. " Well, Matt and Mina had caught him, but it had still been a group effort. " Maybe there's another black market guy active there, or maybe it's just another pokemon thief. Or maybe it's a Bandra spy... " And they  broke into Mina's room.  Swallowing a bit, he squeezed her hand and said, " I'm glad you're okay, though. Thank Arceus that Houndoom was awake. "

An unfortunate side-effect of this Bandra agent being active is that Mark is more reluctant to bring his new baby dragon to the daycare to help get her raised. But if Mina was going back tonight... " If you feel safe enough and you're going to keep looking there, maybe ask people if pokemon or items have been stolen. I'm going to be stuck in Skybreak tonight, " because of the meeting he had planned with the city's gym leader, " But if you wanted some backup and an extra nose helping you out, I can join you tomorrow. Um... did Houndoom already look for scents out in the hallway? "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((Front: ))

Leo uses Faint Attack!
Grimer 2 is hit for 30 damage!

Eowyn uses Water Gun!
Grimer 2 is hit for 16 damage!
Grimer 2 faints!

Grimer 1 uses Harden!
Grimer 1’s Defense rises!

Seeing its compatriot vanquished, the remaining Grimer flees.

Leo: 71/71
Eowyn: 75/84 (Accuracy down 1 level)

 Grimer 1: 65/65 (Defense up 1 level)  - fled!
 Grimer 2: 0/76 

((Back: ))

((-1 Pokéball, 0 remaining))

The ball engulfs the Poison type, shakes a few times and finally dings the successful capture before warping off to Box Storage.

 
 Spoiler: Grimer 

Pokémon: Grimer
Type: Poison
Ability: Sticky Hold
Gender: Female
Level: 23
Held Item: None
Stats--
HP: 76
Attack: 48
Def: 35
Sp. Attack: 30
Sp. Def: 35
Speed: 23
Moves:
Poison Gas
Mud-Slap
Disable
Minimize
Sludge
Mud Bomb
 


Princess: 92/92

 Grimer 3: 7/76  - caught!

----------------

Pinklady:

Whirlywhirly nods, making an assenting noise.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " We knew that there were pokemon smugglers that were active in the north, feeding pokemon into the Shrine of Light... We caught that one guy in Ceris, but nothing says he was the only one. " Well, Matt and Mina had caught him, but it had still been a group effort. " Maybe there's another black market guy active there, or maybe it's just another pokemon thief. Or maybe it's a Bandra spy... " 
 

“ Possible. I didn’t get a good look at him. ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " I'm glad you're okay, though. Thank Arceus that Houndoom was awake. " 
 

Mina just smiled and gave Mark’s hand another squeeze.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " If you feel safe enough and you're going to keep looking there, maybe ask people if pokemon or items have been stolen. I'm going to be stuck in Skybreak tonight, " because of the meeting he had planned with the city's gym leader, " But if you wanted some backup and an extra nose helping you out, I can join you tomorrow. Um... did Houndoom already look for scents out in the hallway? " 
 

“ Houndoom chased him out of the building. We tracked him to the coast and lost the trail there. I can ask about stolen items, but I promised the little guy I’d look for his trainer, remember, so it might be a day or more depending on how that goes. ”

----------------

Mina:

((Dinner the previous day: ))

Mina packed up her Pokémon once they were finished eating and had Xatu take her back to Hillsbreak.

&lt; Soooo…when are we getting cute little human hatchlings out of you two? &gt;

  I’m saving myself for marriage, thanks. Take us back to Hillsbreak.  

&lt; You humans overcomplicate your courtship rituals, &gt; Xatu replied as they chain-Teleported back to the settlement in question.

  Says the critter that could battle the same day he hatched. Speaking of,   Mina spotted the Daycare and made her way over to it.

Feeling abruptly uncertain, Mina knocked at the doorframe. Spencer’s voice came from deeper inside. “I’m closed!”

“ Spencer, it’s me! I just had a few questions, ” Mina replied, second-guessing herself even as she said it. It  was  getting late…

“Oh, Mina! Your friend stopped by earlier.” Spencer emerged, wiping his hands before tossing the rag he was using on the counter. “Was there a problem with the food?”

“ No, although the baby didn’t eat as much of it as I thought he would. He was a bottomless pit yesterday. ”

“That’s normal. Fighting types need a lot of protein when they’re little, for the muscle growth. He was just eating a lot because his body was trying to get enough of it from lower-protein food.”

Mina wondered if she should mention the waffles and bacon. “ …how long does he need to be on the fancy food? ” she asked instead.

“What I gave your friend should be enough to get your baby through the post-hatching growth spurt, and you’ll know when that is because the rest of his teeth will come in. After that he should have a more normal food intake. Although,” Spencer paused as something seemed to occur to him, “did he have any problems after eating the normal food?”

“ Not that I noticed, ” Mina replied, abruptly worried.

Spencer’s expression cleared. “Then he should be fine with the regular food. Because I’ll let you in on a little secret: for most Pokémon, the fancy food doesn’t really make a difference. Normal Pokéchow has everything they need in it, nutritionally speaking. The high end stuff only  really  matters for Pokémon from lines that were overbred; those Pokémon can have a lot of little issues, and one of the common ones is tummy troubles, especially when they’re young. So most of the ingredients are chosen not to trigger those.

I wasn’t surprised Aroika wanted it; problems like that are more common in species with a lot fewer females than males, like Riolu or Eevee. And I looked them up after your friend stopped by; the Lucario Kingdom* has been kind of notorious in Sinnoh’s breeding circles for trying to keep the Aura powers within their bloodline, they’ve even had a Pokemon Hunter try to steal one of their hatchlings not long ago. Anyway, if he didn’t have a tummy ache after whatever you fed him before” Mina had a sudden suspicion that Spencer had guessed about the waffles, even though she had’t said anything “then don’t worry about it. Just don’t indulge his sweet tooth too much; the Riolu/Lucario line love their sweets, but they can get fat too.”

Something Spencer said had registered, then after a few seconds managed to make it to her speech center. “ Wait, back up. I thought Aura powers were normal for the species? ”

“Sensing Aura yes, but usually they don’t get good at manipulating it until they evolve.” Seeing this wasn’t having the desired impact, Spencer added, “the Lucario Kingdom line can use Aura Sphere at the Riolu stage.” Mina’s expression must have clearly conveyed that there was a problem with that statement because Spencer continued, “…he doesn’t know Aura Sphere?”

“ He does not, ” Mina confirmed, getting worried again.

“I…well…huh.” There was a pause. “…Mind if I take a look at him?”

“ Not at all, ” Mina said, calling the baby out.

Riolu looked around suspiciously while Mina scooped him up onto the counter, more at eye level. Xatu squawked at him and Mina got a telepathic echo of, &lt; Don’t look at your human like that, she’s just trying to make sure you’re okay! &gt;

Spencer, meanwhile, was looking the baby over with intense scrutiny and interest. “Hmm. He’s definitely that Lucario’s get; his eyes are the exact same shade and his nose will have the same point to it after he evolves or I’ll eat my favorite apron. But you’re right, no Aura Sphere.”

Mina felt like she should have been offended at the idea that she could have overlooked something like that but she was too busy fretting. “ Could he have lost it while Shadowed? ”

“Could have. Pokémon don’t usually forget the moves they hatch with this early, but Shadowing can do all kinds of weird things to a Pokémon.” Spencer continued his examination as he spoke. “He might just be an outcross; I’ll be the first to beg pardon from the Lucario Kingdom if they finally showed some sense with their breeding.” Riolu growled, looking offended. Mina patted him absently by way of reassurance. “If you’ve got a Heart Scale you could see if Master Finster can reteach it to the little guy - he’s at Trainer Hill - but if not, well, I’m sure he’ll learn it normally after he evolves.”

Technically, it was Aroika’s problem unless it turned out she was dead after all, but Mina couldn’t help but worry that something was broken with the little Fighting type.  It must have shown on her face, because Spencer patted her hand.

“He’s perfectly healthy. He just doesn’t have superpowers for his species.” Spencer glanced at the clock. “And I really need to close up; was there anything else?”

Mina remembered that any and every Town Elder was on the list of people to ask about the Spectral Dimension. “ Yes, would your dad be available for questions any time soon? ”  Has your dad been acting weird since he was trapped in the Spectral Dimension?  was what she  wanted  to ask…would Spencer volunteer that kind of information? Was she being too paranoid? “ We were planning another rescue mission into the Spectral Dimension and any information would help. ”

“He doesn’t like to talk about it,” Spencer warned. “But I’ll ask him. Stop by tomorrow and I’ll let you know.”

Mina nodded, recalling Riolu and bidding Spencer good night before heading over to the Ranger Base to ask after the missing Aura Master. They redirected her to the Mart; it was getting late, and the shopkeeper was starting to close up too, but on explaining the situation was able to tell her that yes, Aroika had been through and had bought some camping supplies (mostly food).

“And she was lucky she came through when she did; I can’t get stock any more, it’s like every time I order something Bandra gets a copy of the tracking number and pounces on it before it gets to me. How am I supposed to keep this place running, I ask you?!”

Mina managed to extract herself after repeatedly expressing her sympathies and promising to keep an eye out for the Bandra intercepting the shipments. (“See that you do!”)

By then it was about 9 PM, and Mina realized she hadn’t watered her Berries in a bit. A stop at the Pokémon Center and a couple chained Teleports later, that was taken care of:

 
 Spoiler: Berries 

Planters:
Petaya 1 - growing taller
Petaya 2 - sprouted
Salac - bloom
Liechi 1 - bloom
Liechi 2 - growing taller
Kelpsy - bloom

Wild:
Pecha 1 - in bloom
Pecha 2 - in bloom
Cheri - in bloom
Rawst - in bloom
Sitrus 1 - 4 sprouted
 


Mina eyed the status Berries with disfavor; another hour and they would be ready, but it was getting late. And if she left them, they’d be gone by morning.  And  she’d missed a number of waterings, thanks to their short growth time.

There was no help for it; some was still better than none. She glanced through her Pokémon list; she really ought to give Kindergeist and some of the other Pokémon she hadn’t used recently more attention, but not tonight. She killed an hour training Gyarados ((+1 hour towards the next level)) before harvesting and replanting the status Berries.

 
 Spoiler: Berries 

+6 Pecha (7 total)
+3 Cheri (6 total)
+3 Rawst (7 total)

Planters:
Petaya 1 - growing taller
Petaya 2 - sprouted
Salac - bloom
Liechi 1 - bloom
Liechi 2 - growing taller
Kelpsy - bloom

Wild:
Pecha 1 - planted Day 29 10:30 PM
Pecha 2 - planted Day 29 10:30 PM
Cheri - planted Day 29 10:30 PM
Rawst - planted Day 29 10:30 PM
Sitrus 1 - 4 sprouted
 


Then it was a quick chain-Teleport back up to Hillsbreak; Mina recalled Xatu for a deserved rest and went to bed.

That should have been it until morning.

But around 2 AM there was a loud slamming against the door; Mina, paranoid as usual before bed, had locked it before turning in, but the Center lock wasn’t the sturdiest and the door slammed open with a  smash  on the next blow. Her room was dark - of course it was, she’d been asleep - and Mina couldn’t make out any relevant details with the light from the hall turning him into a silhouette.

Half asleep and half in a panic, Mina grabbed the first Pokéball she could reach and threw it.

It happened to be Houndoom. The intruder yelled and backed out in surprise before her Fire type got his bearings and snarled, leaping for him. Her dog snapped but only got the intruder’s pant leg before the latter had escaped out through the door out of the overnight section. Unfortunately Houndoom had no hands, so by the time Mina herself had got up and to the door, he was out of sight. The lobby was empty, with no sign of the nurse; probably how the intruder had gotten in undetected.

Not seeing the intruder immediately, Mina backtracked to dress and get her things before having Houndoom track him, but after they followed him to the beach her dog lost the trail in the spray of the surf.

By this point the worst of the shock had worn off and Mina realized she was wandering around in the dark. She doubted they were going to make any progress tonight, so she headed back to the Center, finding another empty room to spend the rest of the night in.

This time she left all her Pokémon out except Riolu and Gyarados, and barricaded the door after locking it.

((Morning: ))

It was 6 AM when Mina finally gave up trying to sleep. She dragged herself to the front desk, reported the attempted break-in - the nurse looked upset and promised to pass the news on to the Ranger Union - then dragged herself to the kitchen for a quick, cold breakfast while she blearily looked through the Bounty Hunting Form.

Half an hour later, still feeling significantly off-kilter, Mina checked her Berries. The Kelpsy had produced fruit; Mina harvested them and replaced them in the planter with her Charti Berry - really, she  should  be focused on the Poffin Berries, but drat it she had a lot of Pokémon weak to Rock moves!

 
 Spoiler: Berries 

Planters:
Petaya 1 - growing taller
Petaya 2 - sprouted
Salac - bloom
Liechi 1 - bloom
Liechi 2 - growing taller
Kelpsy - +5 Berries (9 total), Charti planted Day 30 6:30 AM

Wild:
Pecha 1 (replant) growing taller
Pecha 2 (replant) growing taller
Cheri (replant) growing taller
Rawst (replant) growing taller
Sitrus 1 - 4 growing taller
 


Then it was back to Hillsbreak. Mina suspected it was too early to do any more meaningful investigation in town, so she called out Houndoom and had him sniff around up and down the beach in case the intruder had come ashore somewhere else.

Two hours passed; they didn’t find signs of the intruder, but Mina did find a patch of Stardust and a Dive Ball that had washed ashore. ((+1 Stardust (2 total), +1 Dive Ball))

Mina figured it was safe to check in with Spencer, but the news wasn’t good; it seemed his father had no desire to dive into his imprisonment. Mina thanked Spencer anyway and took off to give the status berries more water, before taking out her frustration by having Gyarados train some more - watching the sea serpent smash things was oddly soothing after the previous night -

 
 Spoiler: Gyarados 

Pokemon: Gyarados
Type: Water/Flying
Ability: Intimidate
Gender: Female
Level: 23
Held Item: Macho Brace
Stats--
HP: 83
Attack: 69 +18  +5 
Def: 48
Sp. Attack: 39
Sp. Def: 58
Speed: 49
Moves:
Splash
Tackle
Bite
 Dragon Rage 
 


- then afterwards collected the status Berries, which were fruiting:

 
 Spoiler: Berries 

Planters:
Petaya 1 - growing taller
Petaya 2 - growing taller
Salac - bloom
Liechi 1 - bloom
Liechi 2 - growing taller
Charti - planted

Wild:
Pecha 1 (replant) + 4 Berries
Pecha 2 (replant) + 4 Berries (13 total)
Cheri (replant) + 4 Berries (9 total)
Rawst (replant) + 4 Berries (10 total)
Sitrus 1 - 4 growing taller
 


She debated with herself over what she ought to plant next; the next day or two was going to be busy. She settled for some of the type resist Berries that she had spares of: one each of Yache and Passho, and two Coba. She gave her Wacan Berry a longing look but she couldn’t risk it out here in the wilds where something might eat the entire crop. ((Yache, Passho, 2x Coba planted Day 30, 10:30 AM))

It was around that time that she got Mark’s texts and caught up with him in the line into Skybreak.


 
 Spoiler: *Note 

Seriously,  that’s what it’s called. 
 
Lord Ruby34
Less stood, breathing heavily for a moment as the past of the Grimer fled. After a moment's hesitation he praised his Pokémon, recalled Eowyn and Princess, and started to press on. He had promised to do his best to clear the ship out, and he was willing to take another 30 minutes to make some progress towards that goal. He'd have to let the foreman know about the unconscious Grimer. Less was at a loss on how to transport the creature.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina just smiled and gave Mark’s hand another squeeze.

“ Houndoom chased him out of the building. We tracked him to the coast and lost the trail there. I can ask about stolen items, but I promised the little guy I’d look for his trainer, remember, so it might be a day or more depending on how that goes. ” 
 

At this point the two might just end up walking into the city hand-in-hand. In the back of his mind, Tattersail 'whispered,' &lt; Your mating rituals are far too long and over complicated, but the two of you are still cute together I suppose. So when are you going to, what is it you're imagining... 'kiss' her? &gt;

&lt;  Shush, we're trying to discuss serious things here! It's not the time for teasing!  &gt;

&lt; You still owe me, sooooooo... I reserve the right to judge. &gt; She reminded. &lt; Besides, you knew I was sassy when  you  requested to bond with me. &gt;

&lt;  I'm your trainer, be  nice  to me.  &gt; But that was the last thing he said to his smug, sassy psychic type, still 'temporarily' holding Mina's hand as they walked and talked. " We need more people. " He said out loud, sighing as he did. " We need more people, and more time. And we need them to secure the places that we already have. " Frowning slightly, he asked, " Do you have the numbers for Brona, Sarah and those other trainers we attacked Keida with? Maybe some of them will be willing to lend a hand? " He actually did have Sarah's number, and that other girl who'd had heatstroke... Lilly or something? Something like that.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
  
 Spoiler: *Note 

Seriously,  that’s what it’s called. 
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Well, we've never accused the pokemon writers of being the most  creative  with their naming... Wasp with drill arms? Beedrill. Little rock guy? Geodude. Sludge monster? Grimer. 😛
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

You follow after the fleeing Grimer as best you can, the squelching noises it makes providing a direction. The sludge down here is getting deeper, and the air is so full of fumes you’re starting to feel woozy - although Leo is unaffected.

The narrow passage opens up into a small chamber lined with pipes and wires. The little Grimer from before is most of the way across when you enter; when it sees you it makes distressed noises and schloops out through an exit on the other side before you can stop it. The goop around the chamber stirs in response to its cries, and four more sets of eyes open and converge on you. The Grimer are, naturally, also unaffected by the fumes.

((Poisonous fumes fill the air.))

Grimer 4: 62/62
Grimer 5: 79/79
Grimer 6: 76/76
Grimer 7: 76/76

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " We need more people, and more time. And we need them to secure the places that we already have. " Frowning slightly, he asked, " Do you have the numbers for Brona, Sarah and those other trainers we attacked Keida with? Maybe some of them will be willing to lend a hand? " He actually did have Sarah's number, and that other girl who'd had heatstroke... Lilly or something? Something like that.  
 

“ I’d have to check. I know Dove and Fate are still around, ” Mina offered. “ Though now I think about it, I don’t know if you ever met them. ” They’d been before Mark joined.

She’d need to go through her Pokédex and see whose numbers she had, and check if any of them were both alive and still willing to go toe-to-toe with Bandra. She knew Misty was dead. Christian she presumed was still undercover in Bandra…there was a scary number of names missing or unaccounted for…
Lord Ruby34
Less tried to shake his head clear, with little avail. He was quickly forced to use his shirt as an improvised gas mask, though the cloth wasn't doing terribly much to cut the fumes. He would need to finish this quickly. As the Grimer appeared, Less called out his whole team.

 "Buck, fire fang that one  ((7)) , Princess, Knock Off  ((6)) , Dancer, quick attack  ((4)) , Leo Revenge ((5)), Eowyn, Water Gun ((4)), Connie, hit them all with a snarl!"  Less pointed at each target as he called out orders, trying to maximize the number of enemies that would go down before they could act.
Gnomes2169
" Yeah, I've never met either of those two. " Mark confirmed, frowning slightly. " Heck, I haven't even met Dream, though maybe that's saved me a headache. " He hadn't heard the most glowing things about the elite four member outside of the fact that he was on the good guy team. " Kinda the problem with being dropped off on the shore, away from populated areas... " Pausing in line for a second, his face became a bit more blank and he said, " ... I think Tattersail might be able to teleport us close to Snakestone cavern, or at least the mountains near it. "

While he'd never been to the towns in the north (the pictures he'd shown to Adriana* had been from his first visit, with the docks actually being in Tidepath), he  had  been dropped off on the northern shore, and had gone from there to Ternai. That means he'd probably been somewhere around Scallop Cave or Snakestone, which he pulled his pokedex out to show to Mina. " I had her with me when I was dropped off... here. " He said, finally letting go of her hand so he can point at the cove between the two landmarks, directly north of Ternai. " There were some standing docks there that you could bring, like, boats and stuff to, but which were out of the way of any towns and such. We figured it would be the best place to drop me off without being noticed by any potential baddies. 'Sail could warp us back there, if we didn't want to trudge through the hills around Hillsbreak while we looked for Riolu's trainer. "

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
*Yes,  I went back to Mark's introduction  to find her name... and I also discovered that Mark's very first post was ninja-ing KI. This tradition has been maintained ever since. 😛

Also, I confirmed that Mark did, indeed, enter Ternai from the north (since he walked on the road past the pokemon center, but not through the market stalls...) huzzah for completely accidental continuity! And I'm finally pinpointing where he arrived, since it wasn't with anyone else at the battle festival and he can't teleport to those northern towns, but got to Ternai from the North  somehow . Either that cove or the coast between Hillsbreak and Snakestone work best for that, and the cove is much closer to Ternai so... going with that.
 
essCee
 "You're the best, Whirly!"  Pinklady patted him and nodded to the person who asked about bringing people back with her.  "We've got it!" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Buck, Dancer, Princess and Connie are all poisoned almost immediately; you can see Dancer wobble as she executes her attack.

Dancer uses Quick Attack!
Grimer 4 is hit for 37 damage!

Connie uses Snarl!
Grimer 4 is hit for 103 damage!
Grimer 4 faints!
Grimer 5 is hit for 79 damage!
Grimer 5 faints!
Grimer 6 is hit for 77 damage!
Grimer 6 faints!
Grimer 7 is hit for 83 damage!
Grimer 7 faints!

Buck, who’d been looking oddly hesitant (as far as you can tell in the poor light), sloshes to a stop before executing his attack, and the remaining members of your team follow suit.

Princess takes 11 damage from Poison!
Buck takes 13 damage from Poison!
Dancer takes 8 damage from Poison!
Connie takes 16 damage from Poison!

Buck regains 6 damage from held Leftovers!


Leo: 71/71
Eowyn: 75/84
Princess: 81/92 (Poisoned)
Buck: 102/109 (Poisoned)
Dancer: 52/64 (Poisoned)
Connie: 113/129 (Poisoned)

 Grimer 4: 0/62 
 Grimer 5: 0/79 
 Grimer 6: 0/76 
 Grimer 7: 0/76 

----------------

Mark and Mina:

“ Don’t forget we’re going to be in Bandra territory, and we’re going to be escorting a researcher. ” She hoped she didn’t have to remind Mark that Bandra could detect Teleport… “ We should probably find out what exactly it is they need done before we go warping across the countryside. ” The task description had mentioned prints, and as far as Mina knew tracking wasn’t something you could do while Teleporting miles at a time…

----------------

Pinklady:

“Great! This shouldn’t take long,” the speaker vanishes deeper into the Shrine. Not long afterwards, a clump of trainers emerges supporting two people with obvious leg injuries – you recognize Stef, from the Geology Club, and a girl you only vaguely recognize from your previous visit. Both have obvious leg injuries.

Stef brightens immediately on seeing you. “Oh hi! I didn’t know you were back, I hope you made it here okay, did you come to dig again? I guess you wouldn’t be leaving right away if you were here to dig again, but if you were I’m sorry you have to turn around, there was a big boulder where I was digging and usually Simon warns me about those things but he wasn’t there and I wasn’t paying attention and –“

He continues babbling as he’s loaded into the cart with his obvious broken leg. The girl, in contrast, is teeth-grittingly silent; while she’s lacking the obvious broken bone she has bad bruising down one leg, and it seems to pain her to put any weight on it.
Gnomes2169
" I'm not saying we go there  today , " He said, putting the pokedex away, " we have the job, and I have the meeting tonight. I'm bringing it up as an option once we have time to go into the wilderness looking for Riolu's trainer. Bandra might detect us, " Apparently Mark  does  remember that, " but it's a remote dock and they won't know which direction we're going after we get there. So unless we get my usual level of luck and run into a patrol immediately... it'll be a risk, but it's still potentially a time-saving option. "

" But speaking about psychic types, we should figure out exactly what ours can do if they coordinate. " He looked over at Tattersail as he said this, raising an eyebrow as if to ask if she had any input.
Lord Ruby34
Less immediately called back Buck, Eowyn, Connie, Dancer, and Princess. That had been overkill, but he hadn't wanted to risk this taking any longer. Despite the dizziness, a thought crossed through Less's head . . . was this gas explosive? Less shook his head. In this gas he wasn't thinking clearly . . . he needed to push on quickly.

Less continued down the passage after the fleeing Grimer, conscious of the dangerous air. Despite the danger, and his light headedness, the earlier elation hadn't faded. Something about this adventure felt like it was singing to him.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

If Less starts to feel close to passing out, I have an idea I want to try.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " I'm not saying we go there  today , " He said, putting the pokedex away, " we have the job, and I have the meeting tonight. I'm bringing it up as an option once we have time to go into the wilderness looking for Riolu's trainer. Bandra might detect us, " Apparently Mark  does  remember that, " but it's a remote dock and they won't know which direction we're going after we get there. So unless we get my usual level of luck and run into a patrol immediately... it'll be a risk, but it's still potentially a time-saving option. " 
 

Mina just sighed, not in the mood to argue right now.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " But speaking about psychic types, we should figure out exactly what ours can do if they coordinate. " He looked over at Tattersail as he said this, raising an eyebrow as if to ask if she had any input. 
 

Mark can feel Tattersail rummaging around in his head, spending a surprising amount of time digging through the memories of art terminology and old robot cartoons. &lt; ’Gestalt.’ The technique you’re asking about is a gestalt. &gt; A little more information follows, but more in feelings and images than words.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Psychic types working together can combine their power and focus it through one of their number. This is  usually  the most powerful member of the gestalt. Some power is lost in the effort needed to maintain the gestalt. The effective Special Attack of the gestalt is equal to the Special Attack of the focus Pokémon (again, usually the most powerful member) + ½ the Special Attack of every other member.
 


----------------

Less:

You’re definitely feeling woozy, but also pretty sure you’re not hallucinating the squelching noises ahead of you. You follow them down another claustrophobia-inducing passage - you must be getting near the end of the ship, there can't be much further for the Poison type to go - before you come to a door that’s been damaged too badly to close properly, beyond which you can hear the runaway Grimer chattering in distress. The stench is, if anything, getting worse.

Leo pushes the door open and the space beyond is too big to be lit by the tiny amount of light from your Pokédex – but between that, and the fact that you passed through a few of these already, you can tell it’s another cargo space. The Grimer you’ve been chasing is gesticulating wildly to the interest of three more sets of eyes – one of them belonging to a much larger mound of slime: a Muk.


((Poisonous fumes fill the air.))

Grimer 1: 65/65 (Defense up 1 level)
Grimer 8: 56/56
Grimer 9: 68/68
Muk: 146/146
Lord Ruby34
Less mustered himself as best as he could. That Muk was a serious threat, probably higher level than Connie . . . Less needed to be sharp for this, and he wasn't feeling his sharpest . . . but he had an idea for a new tactic, and just enough wits about him to give it a go.

 "You can't be living here, a boat isn't a slime house."  Less drawled, slurring slightly, then realized that whole sentence had been asinine. This gas was really starting to get to him. "Go, team!" Less called, out, sending out the rest of his Pokemon.  "Connie, snarl the lot. Buck, bite the big one, see if you can make it flinch. Dancer, growl, Leo, swagger Buck, Eowyn, Purge Buck. Princess, intercept any attack the big one attacks! Uh, any attack it attempts."  Less was going to need Eowyn to purge  him  in a second.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Connie uses Snarl!
Grimer 1 is hit for 93 damage!
Grimer 1 faints!
Grimer 8 is hit for 104 damage!
Grimer 8 faints!
Grimer 9 is hit for 81 damage!
Grimer 9 faints!
Muk is hit for 31 damage!
Muk’s Special Attack falls!

Buck uses Bite!
Muk is hit for 19 damage!

Dancer uses Growl!
Muk’s Attack falls!

Muk uses Sludge Wave!

The big glob rises up and then splashes down, causing the goop covering the floor to form a wave that washes over everything. A change of clothes and a trip to the laundromat is definitely going to be in order after this…

Meanwhile Princess, ordered to intercept but not expecting to have to do so on  quite  this scale, takes a protective stance in front of the nearest friendly Pokémon, which ends up being Eowyn.

Buck is hit for 38 damage!
Princess is hit for 53 damage!
Dancer is hit for 73 damage!
Dancer faints!
It’s not very effective…
Leo is hit for 30 damage!
Connie is hit for 44 damage!
Princess intercepted for Eowyn!

Leo uses Swagger!
Buck’s Attack rises Sharply!
Buck is confused!

Eowyn uses Purge!
Buck was cured of all status effects!
Buck’s Shadow Gauge rises 5%!

Judging by the thick miasma in the air, the poison will be back momentarily, but Buck’s brief stagger from the Swagger passes and he seems alert after Eowyn thwaps him with the Purge.

Buck’s Shadow Gauge falls 2%!

Princess loses 11 HP from poison!
Connie loses 16 HP from poison!

Buck regains 6 HP from held Leftovers!


((Poisonous fumes fill the air.))

 Grimer 1: 0/65 
 Grimer 8: 0/56 
 Grimer 9: 0/68 
Muk: 96/146 (Intimidated, Attack down 1 level, Special Attack down 1 level)

Leo: 41/71
Eowyn: 75/84
Princess: 17/92 (Poisoned)
Buck: 70/109 (Attack up 2 levels, Shadowed: 3%)
 Dancer: 0/64 
Connie: 53/129 (Poisoned)
Lord Ruby34
Less forced himself to swallow the bile he felt welling up. Some of the sludge displaced by that attack had bounced back and covered him. Less could feel the slime dripping down from his mustache. If he made it out, he was going to burn these clothes. Possibly with napalm.

 "Princess, intercept for Connie! Connie, keep weakening it with Snarl. Buck, Bite! Leo, Revenge, Eowyn, Purge on Connie!"  Less ordered after managing to swallow down the burning vomit that had tried to force it's way past his clenched teeth.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Buck was poisoned by the fumes in the air!

Connie uses Snarl!
Muk is hit for 27 damage!
Muk’s Special Attack falls!

Buck uses Bite!
Muk is hit for 39 damage!

Unfortunately once again Buck can’t manage to stun the big gloopy Poison type, and it leaps up and splashes down once again.

Muk uses Sludge Wave!

Princess intercepts for Connie!
Princess is hit for 37 damage!
Princess faints!
Buck is hit for 25 damage!
It’s not very effective…
Leo is hit for 24 damage!
Eowyn is hit for 16 damage!

Eowyn uses Purge!
Connie was cured of all status effects!
Connie’s Shadow Gauge rises 5%!

Leo uses Revenge!
It’s not very effective…
Muk is hit for 21 damage!

Buck’s Shadow Gauge falls 2%!
Connie’s Shadow Gauge falls 2%!

Buck loses 13 HP from poison!

Buck regains 6 HP from held Leftovers!


((Poisonous fumes fill the air.))

 Grimer 1: 0/65 
 Grimer 8: 0/56 
 Grimer 9: 0/68 
Muk: 9/146 (Intimidated, Attack down 1 level, Special Attack down 2 levels)

Leo: 17/71
Eowyn: 59/84
 Princess: 0/92 
Buck: 38/109 (Poisoned, Attack up 2 levels, Shadowed: 1%)
 Dancer: 0/64 
Connie: 53/129 (Shadowed: 3%)
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

“Great! This shouldn’t take long,” the speaker vanishes deeper into the Shrine. Not long afterwards, a clump of trainers emerges supporting two people with obvious leg injuries – you recognize Stef, from the Geology Club, and a girl you only vaguely recognize from your previous visit. Both have obvious leg injuries.

Stef brightens immediately on seeing you. “Oh hi! I didn’t know you were back, I hope you made it here okay, did you come to dig again? I guess you wouldn’t be leaving right away if you were here to dig again, but if you were I’m sorry you have to turn around, there was a big boulder where I was digging and usually Simon warns me about those things but he wasn’t there and I wasn’t paying attention and –“

He continues babbling as he’s loaded into the cart with his obvious broken leg. The girl, in contrast, is teeth-grittingly silent; while she’s lacking the obvious broken bone she has bad bruising down one leg, and it seems to pain her to put any weight on it. 
 

Pinklady smiles as Stef rattles off what's on his mind. At first she reflexively tries interrupting with answers and assurances, but, between the rapidity of his babbling and her making sure to properly load the two passengers on and secure them, she quickly decides she'll have plenty of time on the road to properly answer.

 "Both of you comfortable? Need anything before we go?"  Pinklady asks after getting the two of them on the cart.
Lord Ruby34
Less recalled his fainted Pokémon through gritted teeth. His Pokémon were too hurt to give this more than one shot . . . but maybe one ball was all he needed. Less threw a Great Ball toward the damaged Muk, and ordered Buck to finish it off with a bite, while recalling Connie and Leo.
Gnomes2169
Mark hummed as he considered how to relay that information before telling Mina, " So, our psychic types can support each other as a Gestalt, which is a term that means many in one or something. Basically, one pokemon is chosen as the Leader, and the others support them and contribute some of their psychic power, though usually only half their strength. " He asked Tattersail a few more questions, and told Mina the answers as he got them. " Is that just for things like teleportation distance, mind reading and etcetera, or does that apply to combat too? Speaking of, can the supporting pokemon still function on their own in combat while part of the Gestalt? And if the leader or one of their supporting pokemon gets knocked out, is there the potential for feedback to the rest of the Gestalt, like there is between you and me when you get knocked out? "
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "Both of you comfortable? Need anything before we go?"  Pinklady asks after getting the two of them on the cart. 
 

“Oh wait! I need my Mining Kit before we—” Stef is interrupted as one of the trainers that helped him get in plops the Kit in question down next to him. “—oh never mind, thank you!” He squirms around as best he can manage given his injuries to wave to the trainer. “I’m ready!”

The teeth-gritting girl just nods and sits back in the cart, gripping a Pokéball in her lap.


----------------

Less:

((-1 Great Ball, 2 remaining.))

You recall Connie!
You recall Leo!

The ball shakes twice before snapping back open, releasing the Muk. Fortunately, Buck is on top of things.

Buck uses Bite!
Muk is hit for 39 damage!
Muk faints!

The large Poison type slides into the goop covering the floor until it’s indistinguishable from it.

Buck’s Shadow Gauge falls 1%!

Buck loses 13 HP from poison!

Buck regains 6 HP from held Leftovers!


((Poisonous fumes fill the air.))

 Grimer 1: 0/65 
 Grimer 8: 0/56 
 Grimer 9: 0/68 
 Muk: 0/146 

Leo: 17/71 (recalled)
Eowyn: 59/84
 Princess: 0/92 
Buck: 31/109 (Poisoned, Attack up 2 levels)
 Dancer: 0/64 
Connie: 53/129 (recalled, Shadowed: 3%)


----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Mark hummed as he considered how to relay that information before telling Mina, " So, our psychic types can support each other as a Gestalt, which is a term that means many in one or something. Basically, one pokemon is chosen as the Leader, and the others support them and contribute some of their psychic power, though usually only half their strength. " 
 

&lt; You want to remind him he doesn’t have the monopoly on telepathic conversations anymore? &gt; Xatu asked his trainer privately.

  No, it’s fine.  

 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 He asked Tattersail a few more questions, and told Mina the answers as he got them. " Is that just for things like teleportation distance, mind reading and etcetera, or does that apply to combat too?  " 
 

&lt; Combat too. &gt; There was an undercurrent of feeling that Tattersail didn’t consider being able to Teleport halfway around the world all that useful when not carting around Mark.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Speaking of, can the supporting pokemon still function on their own in combat while part of the Gestalt?  " 
 

&lt; No. &gt; Mark got a mental image of a bunch of tiny streams flowing together into a larger river, then one of the streams breaking away to flow on its own.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " And if the leader or one of their supporting pokemon gets knocked out, is there the potential for feedback to the rest of the Gestalt, like there is between you and me when you get knocked out? " 
 

&lt; There is backlash if the leader gets knocked out, yes, but we’re not as fragile as you humans. &gt;

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
They take 25% of their max HP in damage.
 
Lord Ruby34
In and out, Less tried to catch his breath in the poisoned air and started coughing instead. No time to lament the failed capture. Letting that Muk hit his team with another sludge wave could have been devastating. He recalled his poisoned friend, and commanded.  "Eowyn, purge me." 

After taking a second to reorient himself, Less began looking around this final chamber, searching for anything of note, but prioritizing the source of the gas leak. There was something really wrong in the depths of this ship. Less wasn't sure if it was from the Pokemon or a mechanical failure, but anyone who came down to repair this might be in real danger. Between the Muk defending their new home and the poison gas . . . well, without a full team and some poison immune Pokemon this ship could be a tough nut to crack.
Gnomes2169
So then, it was basically putting even more of your eggs in one basket. There were plenty of combat applications, but with the risk they already had by being bonded to their psychic types... Though maybe that could be mitigated? After relating all of the information Tattersail has given him, Mark rubbed at his chin and added one other question, " How close do supporters need to be to the gestalt leader? And how long does it take for a gestalt to set up or break apart? " To Mina he asked, " Did I miss anything obvious? ... Oh, and does Xatu have anything to add? "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Eowyn obliges you, and most of the wooziness is replaced with a general sharpening of every emotion you’re currently feeling. It’s noticeable but not extreme.

You’re still dependent on the light of your Pokédex, but even so you can tell this chamber is a cargo hold, much like the ones you passed through to get here. It’s mostly empty of everything but filth, whatever cargo it once held having been either removed or soaked through and buried by the sludge, unsalvageable. You do find the corpse of a Luvdisc floating on the surface of the filth; it looks like it's been in here a while.

You can feel the wooziness coming back more and more the longer you’re inside the ship.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Don’t forget:
1.)	You’re still inside the ship, breathing in fresh new poison.
2.)	Removing the poison from your system doesn’t remove the damage it did.
3.)	Humans just flat out don’t heal as fast or as thoroughly as Pokémon do.
 


----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " How close do supporters need to be to the gestalt leader? " 
 

&lt; They don’t have to be right next to each other. &gt; There’s an undercurrent of  human measurements are  your  job .

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Let’s go with ‘Teleport range’ and we’ll tweak it as we go if we need to.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " And how long does it take for a gestalt to set up or break apart? " 
 

&lt; It’s faster to break one up than set one up. &gt; Mark gets the sense of careful organization and a mental image of a photographer carefully arranging a family for a picture – ‘you scoot that way, you duck down, you stand behind that person so we can see your face’ and then everyone wandering off immediately once the camera flashed.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Setting up takes # of Pokémon in the gestalt – 1 rounds, so two Pokémon would take 1 round, three would take 2 rounds, etc.

Breaking out can occur in parallel for each member, so if you had a hundred Pokémon in a gestalt and two of them got attacked, they could drop out to deal with that more or less immediately, but rejoining would take more time.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 To Mina he asked, " Did I miss anything obvious? ... Oh, and does Xatu have anything to add? " 
 

“ I asked him if it only works with Psychic type moves, he said no, but that it wouldn’t help with hitting things physically. He also said it wouldn’t work through a Pokéball and that it only works with the stable core of their powers. ”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
IOW: No using everyone’s Special Attack to boost Earthquake, but Surf would work, since it’s a Special move.

No gestalting through a Pokéball is pretty self-explanatory, the balls muffle their powers a LOT.

Also, only their ‘real’ Special Attack counts for this, so don’t bother stacking on stat boosts from Calm Mind etc. to boost the gestalt’s power. This is as much for DM sanity as anything else, since stat levels can be volatile.
 
Gnomes2169
" I'd guess that the core power thing both applies to a supporter's contribution and anything the leader does to magnify their potency. So nasty plot and calm mind and such won't multiply all of that extra power even for the pokemon gaining its benefits... " Mark mused, and that made sense. Those kinds of moves amplified a pokemon's own power, any other contributions were like tributaries pouring into an already wide and raging river.

Then he blinked, and pushed his glasses up as he closed his eyes and pinched at the bridge of his nose, because he'd just realized something from Mina's response... " And I could have just had 'Sail and Xatu send responses to my questions to both of us, instead of narrating her responses for you. " He definitely wasn't used to the whole telepathy thing, even though he's had it the longest between the two of them. " Though maybe asking things out loud helped? ... If only because I know 'Sail would have gotten annoyed with sending both the question  and  the response back and forth every time. " She'd been dropping sass all day, so Mark might be on to something with that.

To both of the psychic pokemon now, Mark asked, " Does secondary typing matter for a Gestalt at all? I'm asking mostly because of that spectral tentacle monster I caught yesterday, wondering if anyone's tried a melding with one of those freaky little reality warpers before. " He was pretty sure the answer was no outside of potentially that exception.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
  " And I could have just had 'Sail and Xatu send responses to my questions to both of us, instead of narrating her responses for you. " 
 

&lt; You’ll get better at it, &gt; Tattersail assures you.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 To both of the psychic pokemon now, Mark asked, " Does secondary typing matter for a Gestalt at all? " 
 

&lt; No, &gt; both Psychic types are able to confirm, each passing on the other's response for their respective trainer.
Lord Ruby34
Less took a moment to consider before calling out Leo.  "Leo, see if you can't use Revenge to make a dent on that wall."  Less asked, pointing towards the hull.  "Then it's past time to get out of here." 

Whether or not Leo is able to make it back, Less will beat a hasty retreat back the way he came, towards the top deck, ordering Eowyn to purge him if he starts feeling to faint.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:



“Oh wait! I need my Mining Kit before we—” Stef is interrupted as one of the trainers that helped him get in plops the Kit in question down next to him. “—oh never mind, thank you!” He squirms around as best he can manage given his injuries to wave to the trainer. “I’m ready!”

The teeth-gritting girl just nods and sits back in the cart, gripping a Pokéball in her lap. 
 

 "Alright! Let's not waste any time! Seeya!"  Pinklady gives her farewell to the people at the Shrine and gestures for Whirlywhirly to begin the trip back.
Gnomes2169
Near the front of the line now, Mark asked Xatu, " Well, then, have you ever wanted to see what talking to a Miznomer is like? " Snapping his fingers, he also asked, " Oh, and what's the range on telepathic communication between you guys, with and without an active gestalt, if it matters at all? " If they could communicate over distances without needing their phones, that could be a distinct advantage in a situation where Bandra jammed communications or captured someone in their network.

Running out of questions after that point, Mark pulled his pokedex back out and said, " Oh! And I was looking up movies! You know, for our... " His cheeks gain a little color, but he pulls up the website that tracked movie times and locations and he handed his 'dex to her. " Anything on that list look interesting to you? "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

It makes a dent. It doesn’t do much else; plainly the ship was designed to be sturdy.

Even with Eowyn’s help, you’re feeling distinctly unwell by the time you make it out of the ship. The repair crew notices too, almost as soon as they notice the stench from the goop covering you.

“Sit down, old man, you look really green,” one of the crew waves to a box being used as a chair next to an old folding table covered with coffee, donuts and other snacks. “No, don’t touch anything,” he says before you can do more than sit, “let me, you’ll get gunk all over the donuts.” He wraps a pastry in a napkin and pours a coffee before handing both to you.

A second member of the repair crew is peering at your face. “What did you  do?  Sydon said you were just going to go catch a few Pokémon!” He turns, shouting for oxygen.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

+2 levels for Eowyn BTW.

Pokémon: Estuar (Eowyn)
Type: Water/Spectral
Ability: Immunity
Gender: Female
Level: 22
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 91
Attack: 42
Def: 42 +6
Sp. Attack: 42
Sp. Def: 42 +11
Speed: 33
Moves:  AT SIX, DROP ONE! 
Bash
Mud Sport
Water Gun
Flail
Purge
Gobble
 Brine 
 


----------------

Pinklady:

You’re about halfway to the defunct Pokémon Center when you here stones shifting above you and Whirlywhirly stops, looking wary.

“Hold it right there! This is Bandra’s territory!”

A trio of Grunts slide down the scree-covered sides to block the road in front of you, and another pair moves to cut off the way back. Stef and the girl (from Stef’s constant chatter you picked up that her name is Sandra) manage despite their awkward positions to send out a Pokémon each; Stef’s Baltoy and Sandra’s Azumarill.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Similar setup to Less – the fights in the front and back are separate, and it’s a switch to move Pokémon from one to the other. No limit on Pokémon though, because it’s a bigger space.
 


Front:

Graveler A: 89/89
Wispaferyn A: 96/96
Wispaferyn B: 96/96

Back:

Stef’s Baltoy: 52/52

Sandra’s Azumarill: 72/72

Machoke A: 103/103
Machoke B: 103/103

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Near the front of the line now, Mark asked Xatu, " Well, then, have you ever wanted to see what talking to a Miznomer is like? " 
 

&lt; No, &gt; was Mina’s Xatu’s instant response.

&lt; What makes them different from any other Pokémon? &gt; Tattersail replied primly.

What followed were mental images of twisted forest and the Pokémon of Dewdrop Forest fighting each other – confusion, Shadowing, and general chaos.

&lt; Oh. &gt; was Tattersail’s response.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Snapping his fingers, he also asked, " Oh, and what's the range on telepathic communication between you guys, with and without an active gestalt, if it matters at all? " 
 

There was a moment while both Psychic types went digging in their respective human’s memories for a good analogy, then a mental image of a Venn diagram with two overlapping circles. Then one of the circles had a bunch of smaller circles drop into it like rain, and it got much bigger.

“ …that psychic Bandra Officer is going to be hard to take out, isn’t he? ” Mina responded after a moment.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
As long as their ranges overlap they can ‘talk’ to each other. If they’re in a gestalt, the gestalt leader can use the combined total Special Attack for the range (so leader’s Special Attack + ½ of everyone else’s Special Attack).
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Running out of questions after that point, Mark pulled his pokedex back out and said, " Oh! And I was looking up movies! You know, for our... " His cheeks gain a little color, but he pulls up the website that tracked movie times and locations and he handed his 'dex to her. " Anything on that list look interesting to you? " 
 

Mina peered over at the list. “ Not a lot of selection, is there? ” Then after a moment, “ My bar for superhero movies is really low, but what were you thinking? ”
Lord Ruby34
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Drop Water Gun.
 


Less accepted to coffee and donut, but tried to wave off the oxygen.  "I'll be fine once I catch my breath."  Less said, between coughs.  "I promised to try and clear out the Grimer nest . . . there's poison gas in the air, I think it might be explosive. One wrong spark and the whole ship could go up. Was trying to find the source of the leak. There's a whole colony of Grimer and at least one Muk in the way. Took them all down, but they won't stay down forever. "
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 &lt; No, &gt; was Mina’s Xatu’s instant response.

&lt; What makes them different from any other Pokémon? &gt; Tattersail replied primly.

What followed were mental images of twisted forest and the Pokémon of Dewdrop Forest fighting each other – confusion, Shadowing, and general chaos.

&lt; Oh. &gt; was Tattersail’s response. 
 

Well, honestly, Mark had expected that. He still winced at how instantaneous it had been, but he'd figured that the reality warpers had caused some trouble in Xatu's home before, and now that was confirmed. Still, the spectral pokemon was on his team, and Mark was almost certainly going to need to rely on it, so... " Are you willing to give it a try? Maybe we can figure out if there's a reason why they come into Dewdrop Forest in the first place. " There were Lord pokemon back in the spectral dimension. Perhaps Miznomer's line acted as agents for one of them, or they were trying to flee from one? It was more likely that they just wanted to get out of the Spectral dimension in general and were default hostile to try and claim territory, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ …that psychic Bandra Officer is going to be hard to take out, isn’t he? ” Mina responded after a moment. 
 

" Something tells me all of them are going to be their own challenge, but... " Yeah, that was quite the conundrum, at least if Bandra actually had access to a good number of psychic types that they could turn into supplicants for his team. That did bring up one last question, though. " Wait. Tattersail, Xatu, if you had enough power, could you detect other psychic types teleporting within your communication radius? " Was  that  how Bandra was doing it, or was it some kind of technology?


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina peered over at the list. “ Not a lot of selection, is there? ” Then after a moment, “ My bar for superhero movies is really low, but what were you thinking? ” 
 

" The superhero film and Explosions.movie seemed like the more safe choices, but these animated films have been 50/50 on just being good movies that happen to be kid-friendly these days, rather than being bad movies marketed only for kids. I was going to check out reviews to see which way this one leaned, just in case, but um... " He scratched at the back of his head nervously. " Well, the live-action films are probably going to be better date material, anyway. "

And hey, the neat thing about action flicks was that, if it was bad, you could just smooch your date for a few minutes and probably not miss anything important! Not that Mark thought about that... until Tattersail teased him with the possibility. Mark's face would never stop being red, at this rate.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less accepted to coffee and donut, but tried to wave off the oxygen.  "I'll be fine once I catch my breath."  Less said, between coughs. 
 

The crew is insistent on the oxygen.

“No, this is basic first aid for gas inhalation.”

“You can take the oxygen or we can call up the Ranger Union, and so help me I will swear on my mother’s grave you were trespassing and we’ll have them cart you off to the hospital in handcuffs.”

“You should probably go to the hospital anyway,” the first adds, “or at least the Pokémon Center. You’re lucky you didn’t pass out or start hallucinating and get trapped down there; couldn’t you  smell  the bad air?”


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  ". . . there's poison gas in the air, I think it might be explosive. One wrong spark and the whole ship could go up. Was trying to find the source of the leak. " 
 

Judging by the expressions of the crew, this doesn’t appear to be news.

“Of course there’s gas, Dylan said he told you about the fuel leak!* Why do you think we haven’t got the maintenance lights back online yet? All we’d have to do is miss  one  broken bulb or faulty wire and” the speaker makes a gesture with his hands to suggest an explosion. “The fuel lines got cut when the ship was attacked and it’s had plenty of time to evaporate into the air.

What were you doing looking for the leak, anyway? That’s our job, you said you were just looking for Pokémon.”


 
 Spoiler: *OoC 

Remember this?


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 You approach one of the workers. He scratches behind an ear as he replies. “You want to go inside the ship? I don’t know about that, the  fuel line was leaking  earlier and the maintenance lights aren’t working. It’s slippery and there’s a lot of damage inside we haven’t gotten to yet. Be easy to get hurt. But you can talk to the boss about it.  Hey boss! ” He waves to someone further down the ship with a clipboard and the distinct air of someone who is convinced that problems exist to bother them, specifically. “This guy here wants in the ship!” 
 
 


----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Are you willing to give it a try? Maybe we can figure out if there's a reason why they come into Dewdrop Forest in the first place. " 
 

Xatu fluffs himself up, looking…somewhere between annoyed and bothered. &lt; YOU talk to it. &gt;

There is a strong undercurrent of you’re-not-my-human-you-don’t-get-to-tell-me-what-to-do, a fainter one of unease, and a second undercurrent of offended annoyance that Mark realizes belongs to Tattersail when she adds, &lt; You know I’m  right here.&gt;


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Wait. Tattersail, Xatu, if you had enough power, could you detect other psychic types teleporting within your communication radius? " 
 

&lt; I don’t see why not, &gt; Tattersail replies, with some wordless concurrence from Xatu that Tattersail passes on.

Mina pauses for a moment, then takes out her Pokédex. “ …so if we assume he’s got at least three Psychic types gestalted together that are around Tattersail’s level of power— ”

&lt; See, this is why we shouldn’t do all our training in speed! &gt; Xatu interjects.

“ You shush. At least three Pokémon as powerful as Tattersail is right now, which I want to be clear I think is a low estimate, and he could cover half of Helnith. ” Mina swallows. “ And that's from in Bandra territory right now, it's closer to the whole thing if he got into someplace more central like Skybreak City. And that’s without any Grunt support, just his own team. With a full team of six at that level, or a couple of cronies with Psychic types helping, he could even do it in shifts…actually, I wonder if that’s why we haven’t seen him yet? ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " The superhero film and Explosions.movie seemed like the more safe choices, but these animated films have been 50/50 on just being good movies that happen to be kid-friendly these days, rather than being bad movies marketed only for kids. I was going to check out reviews to see which way this one leaned, just in case, but um... " He scratched at the back of his head nervously. " Well, the live-action films are probably going to be better date material, anyway. " 
 

“ But we’re agreed, we’re definitely skipping the desert movie? Good. I’ll be honest I’ve never seen the cartoon for the kids’ movie, but I don’t  mind  seeing it…Mark, I think you’re getting a sunburn. ”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Xatu fluffs himself up, looking…somewhere between annoyed and bothered. &lt; YOU talk to it. &gt;

There is a strong undercurrent of you’re-not-my-human-you-don’t-get-to-tell-me-what-to-do, a fainter one of unease, and a second undercurrent of offended annoyance that Mark realizes belongs to Tattersail when she adds, &lt; You know I’m  right here.&gt; 
 

Privately to Tattersail, Mark sent, &lt;  I know, and you know how much I rely on you, but it can't just be you and me against the world. If we make a gestalt, you won't always be the leader,  &gt; Especially since she was bonded to him, and it would make her even  more  of a target, &lt;  so we need to try and get everyone to work together. If Xatu won't partner with Miznomer and you're unavailable, then we just lose the option.  &gt; He already had a pokemon that didn't like Mina, another member of their teams having conflicts wasn't something that he wanted to be blindsided with. It was better to establish that now and try to find ways to work through it while they had time... he needed to talk to Sengar again, come to think of it.

For Xatu and Mina he nodded and said, " Alright, that's fair. I was planning to anyway, since it's another source of info on the Spectral Dimension, but... are you willing to sit in and make sure it's being honest with us? " He privately assured Tattersail that he trusted her to tell if the spectral 'mon was being dishonest, his request was an attempt to compromise with the native bird.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ You shush. At least three Pokémon as powerful as Tattersail is right now, which I want to be clear I think is a low estimate, and he could cover half of Helnith. ” Mina swallows. “ And that's from in Bandra territory right now, it's closer to the whole thing if he got into someplace more central like Skybreak City. And that’s without any Grunt support, just his own team. With a full team of six at that level, or a couple of cronies with Psychic types helping, he could even do it in shifts…actually, I wonder if that’s why we haven’t seen him yet? ” 
 

He privately suspected that the officer's weakest pokemon would still be stronger than 'sail, but he also suspected that she'd give him weird dreams if he said that out loud. Instead he asked, " He could avoid conflicts with people teleporting around relatively easily that way... though if he has a constant Gestalt going, maybe that opens up other weakpoints? It would be a lot of power in one place, is it possible for another psychic type, or maybe a dark or spectral or aura pokemon, to sense an overpowering gestalt like that? "  Maybe it could be felt, like the spooky presence in the city they were cued up in line fore.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ But we’re agreed, we’re definitely skipping the desert movie? Good. I’ll be honest I’ve never seen the cartoon for the kids’ movie, but I don’t  mind  seeing it…Mark, I think you’re getting a sunburn. ” 
 

"  Um, that's... no, 'Sail is just being rude, 'm fine.  " Mark mumbled, the poor boy just blushing even further as, yeah, Mina noticed that obvious crimson across his cheeks. Trying to move on from that, with Tattersail's bratty cackling in the back of his head, he said, " That, um... yeah, we're agreed. The artsy movies are kinda boring. I'd rather draw a scene myself instead of watching someone slow-zoom on a cactus with smooth jazz in the background. I've never seen the cartoon either, so... probably the superhero film? " It was better rated than the generic action movie, at least.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Privately to Tattersail, Mark sent, &lt;  I know, and you know how much I rely on you, but it can't just be you and me against the world. If we make a gestalt, you won't always be the leader,  &gt; Especially since she was bonded to him, and it would make her even  more  of a target, &lt;  so we need to try and get everyone to work together. If Xatu won't partner with Miznomer and you're unavailable, then we just lose the option.  &gt; He already had a pokemon that didn't like Mina, another member of their teams having conflicts wasn't something that he wanted to be blindsided with. It was better to establish that now and try to find ways to work through it while they had time... he needed to talk to Sengar again, come to think of it. 
 

The emotions emanating from Tattersail feel like the psychic equivalent of a huff.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Alright, that's fair. I was planning to anyway, since it's another source of info on the Spectral Dimension, but... are you willing to sit in and make sure it's being honest with us? " 
 

“ Yes, ” Mina replies, before Xatu can answer. The bird in question just fluffs up again.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " He could avoid conflicts with people teleporting around relatively easily that way... though if he has a constant Gestalt going, maybe that opens up other weakpoints? It would be a lot of power in one place, is it possible for another psychic type, or maybe a dark or spectral or aura pokemon, to sense an overpowering gestalt like that? " 
 

&lt; If they’re doing something overt, yes. &gt;


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 "  Um, that's... no, 'Sail is just being rude, 'm fine.  " 
 

“ Okay then. ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " That, um... yeah, we're agreed. The artsy movies are kinda boring. I'd rather draw a scene myself instead of watching someone slow-zoom on a cactus with smooth jazz in the background. I've never seen the cartoon either, so... probably the superhero film? " 
 

“ Works for me. ” It’s at about this time the pair of you reach security, and the conversation is interrupted. Once through, Mina turns to Mark: “ I’m going to drop my Bounty Hunting Form off really quick, I’ll meet you at the University. ”
Gnomes2169
Well, it was good for Mark's poor face that Mina wasn't the type of girl to get curious about  how  Tattersail was being rude, so they were able to move on from that without further embarrassment on his part. And they'd decided on the movie! Not the date or time they were going to see it, but at least they knew which one they were going to go to. That was... progress!

Once they were through the checkpoint, Mark told Mina, " Alright, I'm going to go to the pokemon center to heal up my team and switch a few of them out. I'll check in with the university after that. See you soon! " And that's when he finally made all of his swaps and made his way to UHOH.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

You swing by the Pokémon Center, getting your team healed and the relevant party members switched out without issue. On arrival at the University, you see that it’s reasonably busy – a handful of obvious students perusing the task board, a moderate line up to the receptionist’s desk, and a pair of younger people in lab coats looking mildly alarmed while a third party covered in plaster dust and a paint-splattered apron toddles in their direction with a very large and what appears to be very heavy bag. No sign of Mina just yet, until you realize she sent a quick text:

  Mina sent you a message! 
 Hello my stormy fellow!

Pokémon Center sounded like a good idea. I might be a few more minutes.  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Check your team and make sure it’s correct!
 
Lord Ruby34
After some token grumbling, Less eventually accepts the oxygen, and starts to breath a little more freely.

 "I thought ships like this ran on oil, not gas? "  Less asked, before shaking his head. " I didn't realize you knew about the gas, but regardless, Pokemon are getting in. I found a dead Luvdisc down there. I don't know if it got in there during the attack, or if there's an opening right now. If it's the second one, all it takes is one territory conflict between the grimer and anything that knows an electric or fire move and this place could explode with all of you on it."  Less closed his eyes and takes another hit of the oxygen.  "I wanted to try and stop that . . . and I promised your foreman that I'd clear the place out. I hadn't finished yet." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Yup, same misconception as Less though. I thought ships like this ran on oil, or other non-gas based fuel, so I thought it was something different than the fuel like I knew about. Some research shows that ships can run on a bunch of stuff though, not just oil.
 
Gnomes2169
Mark looked around for a moment at the line, before making a little 'aha!' at the sight of the nerds with obvious plaster supplies. He pulled out his phone to check Mina's message and sent back a text reading,   Sounds good, I think I found the people we're meeting up with, so I'll see if I can sign in!  

With that, Mark made his way to those students and waved to them with his prosthetic. " Hey there, guys. I'm Mark, Mina's just at the pokemon center swapping her team around. I'm guessing you're the ones who had that footprints job? "

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Looks good to me!
 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

You’re about halfway to the defunct Pokémon Center when you here stones shifting above you and Whirlywhirly stops, looking wary.

“Hold it right there! This is Bandra’s territory!”

A trio of Grunts slide down the scree-covered sides to block the road in front of you, and another pair moves to cut off the way back. Stef and the girl (from Stef’s constant chatter you picked up that her name is Sandra) manage despite their awkward positions to send out a Pokémon each; Stef’s Baltoy and Sandra’s Azumarill.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Similar setup to Less – the fights in the front and back are separate, and it’s a switch to move Pokémon from one to the other. No limit on Pokémon though, because it’s a bigger space.
 


Front:

Graveler A: 89/89
Wispaferyn A: 96/96
Wispaferyn B: 96/96

Back:

Stef’s Baltoy: 52/52

Sandra’s Azumarill: 72/72

Machoke A: 103/103
Machoke B: 103/103 
 

This wasn't good at all, Pinklady immediately knew... with Tress out of commission and Whirlywhirly harnessed to the cart right now, this left her with just four team members, with still awhile to go to reach her destination.

 "Go, team!"  She sends out the four available to her - Blast Bolt and Leapsy to the back - given their weaknesses to those in front - and Croaky and Sport to the front. Far from ideal to have just the two of them against those three, but hopefully they can at least hold them off until the back row is dealt with...

 "Sport, Croaky, hit the Graveler with Drain Punch and Bubble Beam!" Blast Bolt, use Spark on that -"  she indicates Machoke A -  "- one, and Leapsy, Sleep Powder on the other one!" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

”Oil has a lot of the same flammable things in it as gasoline, why do you think they use it to  make  gasoline? And even cooking oil can burn. But never mind. We appreciate the help, but it’s not worth killing yourself over, got it?”

----------------

Mina:

Mina trotted off across town to drop off her Form; en route she called out Riolu, figuring she better fill him in before all their attention was taken up by the staff they were supposed to be helping.

“ Hey, little guy. ” His ear nodules perked up from the unhappy flattened position they’d taken as soon as she’d called him out. “ We’re going to a job up on the north coast in a little while, it’s supposed to be not far from where your trainer went. ” Riolu perked up with obvious interest at that. “ I’m going to need you to let me know if you notice any sign of her while we’re out there, okay? ” The energetic nod was reassuring and when Mina took his paw for a gentle squeeze, he didn’t immediately take it back.

The Ranger Base was not quite as busy as during her previous visit, but Mina was still thankful for the drop box; she didn’t have a lot of time today. Plus whatever was in town was still bothering the little Fighting type, or maybe he’d just seen something she hadn’t, because he kept staring at one wall like it was going out of its way to annoy him.

She finally recalled him, then checked the rest of her team on her way out…she should probably swap out Gyarados. Her poor sea serpent needed more attacks before Mina would be willing to risk her against Bandra...

  Maybe if we’re lucky we can find some Heart Scales while we’re on the coastline.  

…but who to switch her with? Sandshrew or Pikachu – or her new Carvanha? If they ran into Bandra, was it more likely to be the usual Grunts or the coastal marauders?

Mina puzzled over it while she texted Mark and headed over to the Pokémon Center, and finally decided on Pikachu – her little girl hadn’t gotten to battle much recently, and there was a strong possibility of wild Water Pokémon even without running into Bandra.

She made her switch and headed over to the University.

----------------

Mark:

Mina sends back a thumbs-up emoji.

“Yep, that’s us,” said the beak-nosed, sandy-haired member of the pair, his eyes still on the big bag of plaster as the latter was set down with a very solid-sounding  whump .

“You must be Mark then!” his partner – darker red hair, short with heavy curls that have been unsuccessfully tamed with copious amounts of hair gel – exclaimed. “I’m Roux, and this is Petri.” He holds out a hand for a shake. “We’ve got a campus car ready to take us up north once your friend gets here.”

----------------

Pinklady:

((Front: ))

Wispaferyn A uses Smokescreen!
Sport’s Accuracy falls!
Croaky’s Accuracy falls!

Wispaferyn B uses Smokescreen!
Sport’s Accuracy falls!
Croaky’s Accuracy falls!

Croaky uses Bubblebeam!
It’s super effective!
Graveler A is hit for 102 damage!
Graveler A faints!

Luckily your target doesn’t have Sturdy and goes down under Croaky’s attack, because you can tell Sport’s punch is swinging wide enough it would have missed even if his target hadn’t suddenly stopped moving.

Bandra Grunts send out Sandslash A!


Sport: 65/65 (Accuracy down 2 levels)
Croaky: 77/77 (Accuracy down 2 levels)

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Wispaferyn A: 96/96
Wispaferyn B: 96/96
Sandslash A: 102/102


((Back: ))

Leapsy uses Sleep Powder!
Attack missed!

Blast Bolt uses Spark!
Machoke A is hit for 58 damage!
Machoke A is paralyzed!
It may not be able to attack!

Machoke B uses Low Kick!
Blast Bolt is hit for 36 damage!

Stef’s Baltoy uses Psybeam!
It’s super effective!
Machoke A is hit for 12 damage!
Machoke A’s held Payapa Berry halved the damage!

Sandra’s Azumarill uses Tail Whip!
Machoke A’s Defense falls!
Machoke B’s Defense falls!

The other Machoke’s movements are jerky but it manages to get off a Leer:

Machoke A uses Leer!
Defense of all allied Pokémon falls!


Blast Bolt: 66/102 (Defense down 1 level)
Leapsy: 75/75 (Defense down 1 level)

Stef’s Baltoy: 52/52 (Defense down 1 level)

Sandra’s Azumarill: 72/72 (Defense down 1 level)

Machoke A: 33/103 (Paralyzed, Defense down 1 level)
Machoke B: 103/103 (Defense down 1 level)

Sandra calls for her Azumarill to use Helping Hand on Blast Bolt, Stef calls for another Psybeam on Machoke A.
Lord Ruby34
Less waived his hand halfheartedly before sighing.  "I will concede I may have pushed too far. I'll head to the Pokemon Center soon, just to make sure I'm fine. I do appreciate the concern." 

After recovering for a few moments longer, and finishing the coffee and donut, Less will head to the Pokemon Center.

 
 Spoiler: Time Check? 

It was pretty early in the day when Less went in the ship, but I'm not sure how long he was in there. I was assuming less than an hour . . . but I didn't exactly ask for time updates as I was going along, so I realized I'm not sure.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
You’ve had four battles, had to talk to the crew, had to traipse through a large cargo ship getting in  and  out in muck that prevents you moving at speed,  and  had medical attention.

It’s been longer than an hour.
 


You reach the Pokémon Center about 11:30 AM. You still don’t feel great, and your passage prompts people to avoid you and remark on the stench. Upon entering, the first words out of the nurse’s mouth are, “Oh my, what happened?!!”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “You must be Mark then!” 
 

It would have been an astute guess... if Mark hadn't literally just told them his name. But he didn't bring that up, shaking Roux's hand and nodding. " Nice to meet you two! So, the paper said that the prints were unfamiliar, but have you guys learned anything else about this particular pokemon since putting out the job? Are we trying to track, or are we just taking the plasters? Do you have containers for the prints as well? Oh, and do I need to sign in at the front desk, or is checking in with you guys enough for this job? " This wasn't a fetch quest, so there might be different procedures with it.

Pointing at the bag of plaster supplies, Mark asked Tattersail, " Can you lift that a bit? " And when it was floating a little over two feet off of the ground, he asked the students, " Where's that car? " He supposed driving there, rather than just teleporting, was a good idea over-all if only so 'Sail could warp to more possible places, so he didn't bring up the possibility of Mina just warping them off close to their destination. Being able to drive away was a good option to have in case something happened to the psychic types, too.
Lord Ruby34
 "Grimer filed ship,"  Less replied, somewhat grumpily, before apologizing,  "Sorry, long morning,"  as he approached with his Pokeballs.  "Could you run these through the machine, and is there any chance I could find somewhere to shower? I think my stench is causing bystanders to flee the vicinity." 

If the shower is uneventful, then Less will swap out Princess and Leo for Grimer and Biscooti. And then to the  Singing Dewgong , hopefully still in time to meet back up with the sailors.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Makese sense, I wasn't thinking about the difficulty moving.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 It would have been an astute guess... if Mark hadn't literally just told them his name. But he didn't bring that up, shaking Roux's hand and nodding. " Nice to meet you two! So, the paper said that the prints were unfamiliar, but have you guys learned anything else about this particular pokemon since putting out the job?"  
 

“No, the Pokémon isn’t putting us out of a job.” A bit of snickering from nearby students and some confusion ensues before Roux realizes his mistake. “Oops, let me just adjust this…” He pulls something out of his ear – on examination it’s clear it’s a hearing aid – and tweaks it a little bit before putting it back. “Right, what was the question again?” Petri repeats it for you. “Nothing concrete. We’ve had enough reports of something weird up there to know there’s  something  worth checking out; weird howling, strange lights on the water, a mysterious sense of being watched…but just based on the reports we can’t even tell if all of those are Pokémon for sure, much less the same Pokémon leaving the tracks. So we’re going to go make some plaster castings of any prints we can find, and bring them back for analysis.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Are we trying to track, or are we just taking the plasters?"  
 

“We’re not planning to track it, we have no idea what it is and it could be Shadowed. And the reports suggested it’s out on the water most of the time, which isn’t the safest place to be right now.  Because of course Bandra had to take over most of the coastline before the paperwork for this job got through. ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Do you have containers for the prints as well? " 
 

“We’ve got most of the equipment we need in the car.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Oh, and do I need to sign in at the front desk, or is checking in with you guys enough for this job? " 
 

“That reminds me,” Roux takes a clipboard out from under his arm and makes a checkmark. “Consider yourself signed in!”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Pointing at the bag of plaster supplies, Mark asked Tattersail, " Can you lift that a bit? " And when it was floating a little over two feet off of the ground, he asked the students, " Where's that car? " 
 

&lt; This is a waste of my talent, &gt; Tattersail laments, but picks up the bag of plaster with her powers – to the relief of Petri, who’d been trying to lift it.

“The car is around the back. It’s a campus car so we need to take care of it. Once your friend gets here—”

“ Hey Mark! ” Mina waves from the door and makes her way over.

“Is this her? We can go right now if you want, unless you needed anything else?”

----------------

Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Pokémon should be switched, alert me to any issues!
 


“Of course.” The nurse directs you to the showers in the overnight section, then looks over the filth-coated Pokéballs with some trepidation. She dons a pair of examination gloves before very carefully moving them to a tray which she then hands off to a Chansey, with instructions to give them a good wash first. The gloves then go in the trash before the nurse tries to touch anything else, and as you head off to the showers you can see both the nurse and another Chansey attack the sludgy footprints left in your wake with a mop and assorted cleaning agents.

You find your Pokéballs left in a neat circle next to your clothes after you shower, having been left there by one of the Chansey. Their occupants have been healed and their exteriors are clean with only the faintest whiff of ship fuel and sewage remaining.

It’s about 12:30 by the time you make it to the Singing Dewgong; lunch is in full swing and the place is packed, but you’re able to make out a handful of sailors at a table near the back.
Gnomes2169
Well, all those answers seemed to be straightforward, so Mark didn't really have a follow-up to any of them. When Mina arrived he waved to her and made introductions. " Hey there Sunshine! This is Roux and Petri, " Wow, he got their names right on the first try, which is impressive for Mark, " And yeah guys, this is Mina. If we're all here then we're good to go, and I guess you'll tell us anything we haven't covered on the way. "

Following the boys, Mark waited until they knew which car they were taking before privately asking Tattersail, &lt;  Okay, you wanted a challenge? Well. Do you think you could teleport this entire car, if we needed to?  &gt;  She'd been able to teleport the safe they'd yoinked from Bandra after raiding that camp, and while it had been at the edge of her abilities then, she was  much  stronger now. If not... well, they'd have to keep the car safe. &lt;  And tell me if you feel something off about these guys.  &gt; He added once the plaster was secured in the trunk, his paranoia about potential Bandra agents being around any corner really starting to show.

Assuming 'Sail didn't get anything concerning from the boys, Mark figured he'd be in the back seat and just climbed into an open space before buckling in. If there was room for Tattersail to sit as well once all the people were seated, he kept her out so that there was another pair of eyes on the road (and so she wouldn't complain about being banished to the ball, even if it was just for a little bit.)
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

((On campus: ))

“Great! This way please,” and with that the pair lead Mark and Mina around the building to a somewhat dented and dinged truck. ((Same general area Pinklady got the cart from.)) Its major saving grace as a vehicle appears to be lots of trunk space, which both trainers can see is currently holding an assortment of battered bowls, measuring cups, and metal-shelled cases. It looks like Tattersail  could  fit in the back seat with a little arrangement, but it’s going to be a squeeze with three adult-sized entities back there.

While Petri is filling out the nearby signout sheet (mostly a formality, since Roux already has the keys) Roux opens the door and gestures for Mina to take shotgun. Then with the paperwork settled, the pair take their own seats. “Hop in!”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Following the boys, Mark waited until they knew which car they were taking before privately asking Tattersail, &lt;  Okay, you wanted a challenge? Well. Do you think you could teleport this entire car, if we needed to?  &gt; 
 

Mark can feel a swell of confidence from Tattersail. &lt; Of course! &gt;

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
I’m counting the truck as a separate entity, but she’s got a Special Attack of more than 100 now so 100/20 = 5 =&gt; Roux, Petri, Mark, Mina, truck.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 &lt;  And tell me if you feel something off about these guys.  &gt; 
 

&lt; The red haired human is trying to flirt with your mate, &gt; Tattersail replies. And then adds, &lt; She hasn’t noticed yet. &gt;

((In the car: ))

The lab-coated duo are perfectly happy to detail their plan with little to no prompting.

“Now, when we get there, we’ll split up and two of us will follow the beach east and the other two will go west,” Roux explains.

“ I’ve got west, ” Mina replies immediately.

“Great, I’ll go with you and Mark can go east with Petri,” Roux replies brightly. He then continues, “We’ll be getting there at just about high tide, which is good and bad – any tracks that would have been below the high tide line will be gone, but on the bright side the plaster will have time to cure without being washed away.”

“ How long does it take to cure? ” Mina asks.

“Up to three days.”

Before Mina can respond with more than a horrified look, Petri interjects, “It’s safe to move after about an hour.”

“Right, it sets up pretty quick. So we’ll need to mix the plaster when we find each print, or it will harden before we can use it. So it will probably be more efficient to pour the plaster at each site, then move on and pick it up on the way back. Any questions?”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 &lt; The red haired human is trying to flirt with your mate, &gt; Tattersail replies. And then adds, &lt; She hasn’t noticed yet. &gt; 
 

Well, given how direct Mark had to be before Mina noticed, he's not exactly  worried...  but he does squint at the back of Roux's head while a flash of jealousy went through him. Seriously, redhead? Rude.

There was one thing that he needed to bring up, though. &lt;  'Sail, don't read Mina's mind.  &gt; His mental voice was firm on that, and carried with it a feeling that while being able to snoop on his girlfriend's thoughts could be helpful... it was also  incredibly  invasive, and violated too many lines. Plus, he wanted to  deserve  his relationship with the girl, not cheat his way into it.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Now, when we get there, we’ll split up and two of us will follow the beach east and the other two will go west,” Roux explains.

“ I’ve got west, ” Mina replies immediately.

“Great, I’ll go with you and Mark can go east with Petri,” 
 

... Okay maybe he'd speak up a  little  bit. Try to drop some subtle hints... " What, no team Mechanical Masters? Well, darn. " He started off, with a little bit of forced cheer while he wiggles robotic fingers at the redhead. To Mina he said, " Stay safe out there, hun. We need to not be eaten by strange, new pokemon to have movie night. We shouldn't get far enough away from each other for Xatu and 'Sail to not be able to talk, so we should be able to stay in contact... you know, actually, that's something I forgot to ask. "

Glancing over at his psychic type, who was wedged in the back seat with him and Petri, Mark asked, " 'Sail, if you're leading a gestalt, can you teleport to any of your supporters like you're able to teleport to me? " He was pretty sure the supporters wouldn't be able to teleport to the leader because they wouldn't be able to use moves of their own, but if the linking was close enough to the bond they shared, then maybe...? It would allow Mark to warp to the other two, if things got hairy for them.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Right, it sets up pretty quick. So we’ll need to mix the plaster when we find each print, or it will harden before we can use it. So it will probably be more efficient to pour the plaster at each site, then move on and pick it up on the way back. Any questions?” 
 

" Seems straightforward enough. Will we be passing through any towns on the way there, or just driving straight over the road? " Depending on how late this went, he might bring up the possibility of warping them back to the outskirts of Skybreak, so that he could get to that meeting with Cassilda on time... but that was a potential future discussion.
Lord Ruby34
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Looks right. I'm intentionally not assigning EVs to Grimer or Biscooti for now.
 


Less let out an involuntary sigh of relief after showering and changing. He still wasn't feeling 100%, but not being coated in sludge was going a long way towards improving his mood. And not wanting to vomit while smelling himself was doing even more.

Less let out Buck on the way to the Singing Dewgong, and immediately started as the large fire type wheeled on him with a disapproving glare.  "Buck, wha-"  Less tried to ask, before being cut off by a disapproving ruff, as Buck planted his rump on the dirt and started at Less like a guardian statue, annoyance in his eyes. Less could almost hear the words  That was stupid.  In his oldest friend's body language.  "It's hardly my fault that the whole ship is a keg of poison gas-"  Buck barked again, and moved as if to walk away, then glared at Less again, as if to say,  Nothing was stopping you from leaving.  Less tsked in annoyance  "I made a promise, Buck, and when you give your word it has to  mean  something."  Buck didn't bother responding verbally, he just lowered his head and butted it into Less's stomach firmly enough to roll the old man back a few steps. Less, normally rather sure on his feet, was still woozy enough that he ended up stumbling onto his rear end. Buck's disagreement was clear, at least when it started to impact Less's safety.

The two stared at each other for a long moment, before Less relented and looked away.  ". . . you're correct, I suppose. Getting myself killed over a split second promise would be both stupid and pointless. I'll try to be less reckless in the future."  After a moment's continued glare from the large fire type, Less threw his hands up in the air.  "As you wish! I  will  be less reckless in the future. Satisfactory?"  A moment's silence more, and Buck made a bark of approval.  "Now, will you help me up?" 

A few moments later, the two were walking side by side again, Less's unoccupied hand gently stroking Buck's mane as they walked towards the bar.

Once at the bar, Less made his way over to the table with the sailors, looking for Galiot, or at least Galiot's friend. He briefly considered grabbing a drink, but quickly dismissed it as a bad idea. He'd had enough poison today, thank you.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 There was one thing that he needed to bring up, though. &lt;  'Sail, don't read Mina's mind.  &gt; 
 

&lt; Why? &gt; Tattersail ‘sounds’ genuinely confused. &lt; Less than a day ago you wanted a telepathic hive mind with the girl. &gt;


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 ... Okay maybe he'd speak up a  little  bit. Try to drop some subtle hints... " What, no team Mechanical Masters? Well, darn. " He started off, with a little bit of forced cheer while he wiggles robotic fingers at the redhead. To Mina he said, " Stay safe out there, hun. We need to not be eaten by strange, new pokemon to have movie night. We shouldn't get far enough away from each other for Xatu and 'Sail to not be able to talk, so we should be able to stay in contact... " 
 

Mina just smiles and nods.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Glancing over at his psychic type, who was wedged in the back seat with him and Petri, Mark asked, " 'Sail, if you're leading a gestalt, can you teleport to any of your supporters like you're able to teleport to me? " He was pretty sure the supporters wouldn't be able to teleport to the leader because they wouldn't be able to use moves of their own, but if the linking was close enough to the bond they shared, then maybe...? It would allow Mark to warp to the other two, if things got hairy for them. 
 

&lt; If I know where they are and they’re in range, &gt; she replies.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
If I’m understanding your question – no, they don’t count as a ‘place visited.’
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Seems straightforward enough. Will we be passing through any towns on the way there, or just driving straight over the road? " 
 

“We’ll be driving cross-country most of the way, that’s why we have the four wheel drive!” Roux frees a hand to pat the dashboard.

“This way is faster and safer,” Petri adds.

“Right, it cuts our driving distance in half. And Bandra will be patrolling the roads in their territory, and that makes up maybe half the roads. Hope you don’t mine a few bumps!”

----------------

Less:

The lunch rush is in full swing, and it’s very, very busy inside. There’s no sign of Galiot specifically, but there is a table of sailors near the back, chatting boisterously. A few of them have Pokéballs.
Lord Ruby34
Less made his way through the crowd to the table at the back, Buck trailing a step behind.  "Greetings, gentlemen."  Less said,  "Galiot may have told you to expect me? I'm Less, and I was lead to believe that a few of you might have Pokemon you were hoping to trade." 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 &lt; Why? &gt; Tattersail ‘sounds’ genuinely confused. &lt; Less than a day ago you wanted a telepathic hive mind with the girl. &gt; 
 

&lt;  That's not- no, no, you misunderstood me. I wanted a Meeting of the Minds...  &gt; Sensing that it wouldn't mean anything to his psychic type, Mark dug up memories of the old crossover comic, where Charles Alexander of the A-Men* and Siguard Swan of the Fantastical Five* met with each other in Charles' "mind palace" and talked to each other, along with a few cameos of much less popular telepathic heroes from that universe, and an alternate universe's Charles. A purely telepathic meeting room, where words could be shared at the speed of thought, and where no one could eavesdrop on what was 'said' (except, of course, for the villain of that comic, who HAD tapped in, somehow).

&lt;  See? Not a Vulcan mind meld**, but a direct person-to-person connection. Like a meeting, but over any distance, and without needing a phone or pokemon mediator... but even if I had wanted to do a mind meld thing, she would have known about it, and would have had to consent to it. Spying kinda requires a  lack  of consent. See the difference?  &gt; Of course, he  had  asked her to spy on the boys, but that was just paranoia. Never knew who could be a Bandra agent, after all.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
*X-men and Fantastic Four

**Sometimes a universe just has pokemon version of Star Trek, and we should accept that. 😛
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 &lt; If I know where they are and they’re in range, &gt; she replies. 
 

Hmmm... didn't sound like what he was looking for, and the two of them could communicate telepathically anyway, so... " Alright, probably shouldn't do a gestalt tonight, then. " Just to be safe.

No, he's not going to explain why he had that one-sided conversation with his pokemon to the non-psychic trainers in the car with him.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “We’ll be driving cross-country most of the way, that’s why we have the four wheel drive!” Roux frees a hand to pat the dashboard.

“This way is faster and safer,” Petri adds.

“Right, it cuts our driving distance in half. And Bandra will be patrolling the roads in their territory, and that makes up maybe half the roads. Hope you don’t mine a few bumps!” 
 

Well, drat. Not an easy way to let Tattersail "tag" the towns on the north coast... but oh well. Better to avoid unnecessary conflicts. " I can handle a few bumps. " He confirmed.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

((Front: ))

Wispaferyn A uses Smokescreen!
Sport’s Accuracy falls!
Croaky’s Accuracy falls!

Wispaferyn B uses Smokescreen!
Sport’s Accuracy falls!
Croaky’s Accuracy falls!

Croaky uses Bubblebeam!
It’s super effective!
Graveler A is hit for 102 damage!
Graveler A faints!

Luckily your target doesn’t have Sturdy and goes down under Croaky’s attack, because you can tell Sport’s punch is swinging wide enough it would have missed even if his target hadn’t suddenly stopped moving.

Bandra Grunts send out Sandslash A!


Sport: 65/65 (Accuracy down 2 levels)
Croaky: 77/77 (Accuracy down 2 levels)

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Wispaferyn A: 96/96
Wispaferyn B: 96/96
Sandslash A: 102/102


((Back: ))

Leapsy uses Sleep Powder!
Attack missed!

Blast Bolt uses Spark!
Machoke A is hit for 58 damage!
Machoke A is paralyzed!
It may not be able to attack!

Machoke B uses Low Kick!
Blast Bolt is hit for 36 damage!

Stef’s Baltoy uses Psybeam!
It’s super effective!
Machoke A is hit for 12 damage!
Machoke A’s held Payapa Berry halved the damage!

Sandra’s Azumarill uses Tail Whip!
Machoke A’s Defense falls!
Machoke B’s Defense falls!

The other Machoke’s movements are jerky but it manages to get off a Leer:

Machoke A uses Leer!
Defense of all allied Pokémon falls!


Blast Bolt: 66/102 (Defense down 1 level)
Leapsy: 75/75 (Defense down 1 level)

Stef’s Baltoy: 52/52 (Defense down 1 level)

Sandra’s Azumarill: 72/72 (Defense down 1 level)

Machoke A: 33/103 (Paralyzed, Defense down 1 level)
Machoke B: 103/103 (Defense down 1 level)

Sandra calls for her Azumarill to use Helping Hand on Blast Bolt, Stef calls for another Psybeam on Machoke A. 
 

 "Sport, Croaky, do the same on the Sandslash! Blast Bolt, Spark the other Machoke now! And Leapsy, help finish off the weakened one with a Bullet Seed!" 

As expected, it's not looking great in the front... better than more of her Pokémon getting smokescreened, at least.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 &lt;  That's not- no, no, you misunderstood me. I wanted a Meeting of the Minds...  &gt; Sensing that it wouldn't mean anything to his psychic type, Mark dug up memories of the old crossover comic, where Charles Alexander of the A-Men* and Siguard Swan of the Fantastical Five* met with each other in Charles' "mind palace" and talked to each other, along with a few cameos of much less popular telepathic heroes from that universe, and an alternate universe's Charles. A purely telepathic meeting room, where words could be shared at the speed of thought, and where no one could eavesdrop on what was 'said' (except, of course, for the villain of that comic, who HAD tapped in, somehow).

&lt;  See? Not a Vulcan mind meld**, but a direct person-to-person connection. Like a meeting, but over any distance, and without needing a phone or pokemon mediator... but even if I had wanted to do a mind meld thing, she would have known about it, and would have had to consent to it. Spying kinda requires a  lack  of consent. See the difference?  &gt; 
 

&lt; You're making things more complicated than they need to be. She’s right in front of you. If you want to talk to her, just talk to her. &gt;


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Alright, probably shouldn't do a gestalt tonight, then. " 
 

Roux and Petri were giving Mark uncertain glances, and Mina was trying hard not to look amused. “ No, probably not, ” Mina agreed.   Remind Mark that he’s going to be stuck in Skybreak with a Teleport embargo tonight.   And Xatu being unable to fight or flee when she was in Bandra territory sounded like a bad idea, anyway.

&lt; Right, I passed the message on. &gt;


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Well, drat. Not an easy way to let Tattersail "tag" the towns on the north coast... but oh well. Better to avoid unnecessary conflicts. " I can handle a few bumps. " He confirmed. 
 

“Great! We’ll be there in about half an hour,” Roux informed everyone as he turned off the road and pointed the truck north. “Here we go!”

Despite the rough road, the truck eats up the miles. But about ten minutes into the drive Petri speaks up with some concern: “Roux…there’s a bunch of Rhyhorn up ahead…”

“I see them. No problem, we’ll just go around.”

“Roux, I don’t think that’s going to work…”

Mark and Mina can both see the Pokémon, but being in the back Mark has to lean over to look between the front seats to do so. It’s a group of four Rhyhorn – no, five, but two of them are very little and obviously babies. The largest of the three adults ((Rhyhorn 3)) has spotted the truck and is getting ready to charge.

Rhyhorn 1: 71/71
Rhyhorn 2: 56/56
Rhyhorn 3: 82/82

Rhyhorn 4: 24/24
Rhyhorn 5: 24/24

----------------

Less:

“Oh, hey, I’m Kai,” A man in his mid-twenties near the front of the pack greets you. He has short, dark blue hair and there’s a ring of tidal wave tattoos encircling one of his very, very muscular arms.

A scattered handful of greetings echo back from the rest of them, at least one through a mouthful of food. A chair is procured from a nearby table and one of them tries to call over a member of the wait staff, pointing at you meaningfully.

“Galiot said you were looking for a Fairy type,” Kai continues. “What did you bring to trade?”

----------------

Pinklady:

((Front: ))

Wispaferyn A uses Smokescreen!
Sport’s Accuracy falls!
Croaky’s Accuracy falls!

Wispaferyn B uses Smokescreen!
Sport’s Accuracy falls!
Croaky’s Accuracy falls!

Croaky uses Bubblebeam!
Attack missed!

Sport uses Drain Punch!
Attack missed!

Sandslash A uses Stealth Rock!
Pointed stones cover the field!


((Stealth Rock in effect.))

Sport: 65/65 (Accuracy down 4 levels)
Croaky: 77/77 (Accuracy down 4 levels)

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Wispaferyn A: 96/96
Wispaferyn B: 96/96
Sandslash A: 102/102


((Back: ))

Sandra’s Azumarill uses Helping Hand!
Sandra’s Azumarill is ready to help Blast Bolt!

Leapsy uses Bullet Seed!
Machoke A is hit for 12 damage!
Machoke A is hit for 12 damage!
Hit two times!

Blast Bolt uses Spark!
Machoke B is hit for 76 damage!

…checking the Pokédex, it appears Blast Bolt’s target is one of the relatively rare female Machoke, which blunts Blast Bolt’s attack. The Fighting type stays up and retaliates:

Machoke B uses Submission!
Blast Bolt is hit for 69 damage!
Blast Bolt faints!
Machoke B takes 17 damage from recoil!

Stef’s Baltoy uses Psybeam!
It’s super effective!
Machoke A takes 24 damage!
Machoke A faints!

Bandra forces send out Wispaferyn C!

The new Wispaferyn looks healthier and more robust that the previous two – obviously enjoying the benefits of Poffin.


 Blast Bolt: 0/102 
Leapsy: 75/75 (Defense down 1 level)

Stef’s Baltoy: 52/52 (Defense down 1 level)

Sandra’s Azumarill: 72/72 (Defense down 1 level)

 Machoke A: 0/103 
Machoke B: 10/103 (Defense down 1 level)
Wispaferyn C: 130/130

Sandra calls for Azumarill to use Defense Curl, meanwhile Stef gets excited – “Oh, oh, I know what to do! Rock Tomb the Wispaferyn!”
Lord Ruby34
 "A pleasure to meet you, Kai."  Less responds. Even in his most athletic days, Less had never quite managed that much muscle. Still Less reached out a hand for a shake, expecting a minor amount of pain. Less greeted the other sailors in turn.

Less orders whatever looks like it might have more vegetables on it than a single tomato slice, and then lays out three Pokeballs, the first two fairly easily as he lays out Grimer and Biscooti, and the third with a little more reluctance. Dancer didn't have a good temperament for a war, nervous as she was. If one of the sailors wanted to take her out of Helnith . . . well that might be for the best.  "A Grimer, Biscooti, and a Doduo, though I'm only offering the last one to get her out of Helnith. If you want to trade I'll need a minute to say goodbye." 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 &lt; You're making things more complicated than they need to be. She’s right in front of you. If you want to talk to her, just talk to her. &gt; 
 

Tattersail apparently forgot how much of a nerd her trainer was, because Mark's immediate objection was, &lt;  But talking telepathically like superheroes is cooooool, and part of what makes you awesome.  &gt; Was Mark jealous? Yes. Could Tattersail easily tell that? Definitely. &lt;  Plus, my mouth is dumb and I have to fight it to make it words right. Talking with you like this is just so much easier.  &gt;


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ No, probably not, ” Mina agreed.   Remind Mark that he’s going to be stuck in Skybreak with a Teleport embargo tonight.   And Xatu being unable to fight or flee when she was in Bandra territory sounded like a bad idea, anyway.

&lt; Right, I passed the message on. &gt; 
 

He sent back that he was just thinking about testing it while they were on the beach, but otherwise didn't object there.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “I see them. No problem, we’ll just go around.”

“Roux, I don’t think that’s going to work…”

Mark and Mina can both see the Pokémon, but being in the back Mark has to lean over to look between the front seats to do so. It’s a group of four Rhyhorn – no, five, but two of them are very little and obviously babies. The largest of the three adults ((Rhyhorn 3)) has spotted the truck and is getting ready to charge. 
 

Mark's voice was firm but calm as he assessed the situation and said, " Roux, you hired me and Mina for situations like this. That Rhyhorn is about to charge. Stop the car. I should be able to handle this by myself. " With his current team, he honestly wasn't all that worried even if all of them decided to fight him at once. Telepathically to Tattersail he commanded, &lt;  If it looks like I'm not going to be able to stop them in time, teleport the truck a bit out of the way, but close enough for me to walk to.  &gt; Out loud he tells the driver, " If I'm wrong, the truck will get teleported a short distance away. Be ready for that. " He hoped they didn't have to, since that would certainly get detected by Bandra, but it was better than the vehicle getting totaled.

Assuming Roux didn't try to argue with him and stops the vehicle, Mark stepped out of the truck and sent out Jessia and his Dendrolog. If the rhyhorn hasn't charged yet, he tries to get its attention and draw its charge arc  away  from the truck by making himself and his readied pokemon a closer target that's walking at a slight angle away from the vehicle. Hands out to his side as he approaches, he assures the herd, " Hey, no one wants to hurt you, we're just passing through. No need to worry here, no need to fight. "

If it's already charging the car, though, or if it charges him, he immediately calls for a Razor Leaf and and Icy Wind to stop the rock type in its tracks, because diplomacy so often never has time to happen.
essCee
 "Good call, Stef! Leapsy, finish off the Machoke with Bullet Seed!"  She turns to the other two.  "Sport, use Foresight on the Sandslash, time to nail it! And Croaky, Rain Dance!" 
No sense trying to get hits in without something to compensate for all of the smokescreen... and if the Wispaferyn were going to be on the attack soon, it would be good to dampen any fire they try. Hopefully the other group could finish up soon, but who knows how many Pokémon each grunt brought...
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Kai’s grip is very, very firm, and you can feel hard callouses on his hand as the two of you shake. “Nice! And no problem. I brought a Clefairy I’ll trade you for the Grimer if you want. Caspian over there—” the sailor in question has a loose fitting anchor-print shirt and close-cropped blond hair “—brought a Flabébé—Cas, I thought your girl gave you that one?”

“ Ex -girl,” Caspian replies darkly.

“Oh, riiiight.  She turned out to be a little bit psycho.  Anyhoo, Takumi” Takumi has black hair buzzed short with patterns cut into it – a circle in the back with jagged lines that radiate towards his face “brought in a Fidough from his folks’ latest litter, and Marinus—” Kai pauses over an older man, somewhat heavyset, with a bristly beard going to grey “—Marinus, what did you bring?”

“Toebiter.”

“Your Feroseed? Mar, Ferroseed isn’t a Fairy type.”

“Who cares? If he doesn’t want it, I’m sure I can find  someone  here who’ll take the ornery thing.”

 
 Spoiler: Trades 

Kai will only trade for the Grimer. The other three you can trade any of them for, but since the Biscooti is a Helnith Pokémon whichever you trade it for you can swap out two attacks for two Egg, Move Tutor, or SM moves of your choice.

 
 Spoiler: Kai 

Pokémon: Clefairy (overseas)
Type: Fairy
Ability: Magic Guard
Gender: Female
Level: 23
Held Item: None
Stats--
HP: 72 +3
Attack: 32 +3
Def: 34 +3
Sp. Attack: 39 +3
Sp. Def: 42 +3
Speed: 28 +3
Moves:
Encore
Sing
Defense Curl
Follow Me
Minimize
Wake-Up Slap
 

 
 Spoiler: Caspian 

Pokémon: Flabébé
Type: Fairy
Ability: Flower Veil
Gender: Female
Level: 18
Held Item: None
Stats--
HP: 49
Attack: 24
Def: 24
Sp. Attack: 32
Sp. Def: 39 +13
Speed: 25
Moves:
Tackle
Vine Whip
Fairy Wind
Lucky Chant
Razor Leaf
 

 
 Spoiler: Takumi 

Pokémon: Fidough
Ability: Own Tempo
Gender: Female
Level: 23
Held Item: None
Stats--
HP: 57
Attack: 37
Def: 44
Sp. Attack: 25
Sp. Def: 37
Speed: 42 +18
Moves:
Lick
Tail Whip
Covet
Baby Doll Eyes
Play Rough
Work Up
 

 
 Spoiler: Marinus 

Pokémon: Ferroseed (Toebiter)
Type: Grass/Steel
Ability: Iron Barbs
Gender: Male
Level: 30
Held Item: None
Stats--
HP: 75
Attack: 44 +25
Def: 68
Sp. Attack: 28
Sp. Def: 65
Speed: 20
Moves:
Tackle
Curse
Metal Claw
Pin Missile
Gyro Ball
Iron Defense
 

 


----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Tattersail apparently forgot how much of a nerd her trainer was, because Mark's immediate objection was, &lt;  But talking telepathically like superheroes is cooooool, and part of what makes you awesome.  &gt; Was Mark jealous? Yes. Could Tattersail easily tell that? Definitely. &lt;  Plus, my mouth is dumb and I have to fight it to make it words right. Talking with you like this is just so much easier.  &gt; 
 

Tattersail seems mollified, and doesn’t press the issue further.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Mark's voice was firm but calm as he assessed the situation and said, " Roux, you hired me and Mina for situations like this. That Rhyhorn is about to charge. Stop the car. I should be able to handle this by myself. " 
 

Roux hits the brakes and the truck rolls to a stop.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Assuming Roux didn't try to argue with him and stops the vehicle, Mark stepped out of the truck and sent out Jessia and his Dendrolog. If the rhyhorn hasn't charged yet, he tries to get its attention and draw its charge arc  away  from the truck by making himself and his readied pokemon a closer target that's walking at a slight angle away from the vehicle. Hands out to his side as he approaches, he assures the herd, " Hey, no one wants to hurt you, we're just passing through. No need to worry here, no need to fight. " 
 

The lead Rhyhorn snorts threateningly and paws the ground, but doesn’t attack. It remains in place while the other two adults herd the babies out of sight, then shakes its head with a snort and disappears after them.

----------------

Pinklady:

((Front: ))

Wispaferyn A uses Helix Flame!
Sport is hit for 17 damage!
Hit 1 time!

Wispaferyn B uses Will-O-Wisp!
Sport is Burned!

Croaky uses Rain Dance!
It begins to rain!

Sport uses Foresight!
Sport identifies the foes!

Sandslash A uses Fury Cutter!
Croaky is hit for 6 damage!

Sport is Burned!
Sport loses 4 HP to Burn!


((Stealth Rock in effect.
Rain Dance in effect: 4 rounds remaining.))

Sport: 44/65 (Burned, Foresight, Accuracy down 4 levels)
Croaky: 71/77 (Accuracy down 4 levels)

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Wispaferyn A: 96/96
Wispaferyn B: 96/96
Sandslash A: 102/102


((Back: ))

Wispaferyn C uses Helix Flame!
It’s super effective!
Leapsy is hit for 69 damage!
Leapsy is hit for 33 damage!
Hit 2 times!
Leapsy faints!

Machoke B uses Seismic Toss!
Attack missed due to target KO!

Stef’s Baltoy uses Rock Tomb!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn C is hit for 30 damage!
Wispaferyn C’s Speed falls!

Sandra’s Azumarill uses Defense Curl!
Sandra’s Azumarill’s Defense rises!

 Blast Bolt: 0/102 
 Leapsy: 0/75 

Stef’s Baltoy: 52/52 (Defense down 1 level)
Stef’s Anorith: 54/54

Sandra’s Azumarill: 72/72
Sandra’s Snubbull: 60/60

 Machoke A: 0/103 
Machoke B: 10/103 (Defense down 1 level)
Wispaferyn C: 100/130 (Speed down 1 level)


“Do it again, do it again!”

“Stef, call out more Pokémon! We need to break through one side or the other so we can escape!”

Sandra matches actions to words, calling out her Snubbull and ordering her Azumarill to Rollout the Wispaferyn and the Snubbull to Play Rough with the Machoke. Stef belatedly calls out his Anorith and tells it to Water Gun the Wispaferyn.
Gnomes2169
Mark waited until the big one had turned and left, then shrugged and recalled his pokemon so he could return to the car. " Well, there we go. " He said once he'd closed the door behind him. " We should be good. "
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Less:

Kai’s grip is very, very firm, and you can feel hard callouses on his hand as the two of you shake. “Nice! And no problem. I brought a Clefairy I’ll trade you for the Grimer if you want. Caspian over there—” the sailor in question has a loose fitting anchor-print shirt and close-cropped blond hair “—brought a Flabébé—Cas, I thought your girl gave you that one?”

“ Ex -girl,” Caspian replies darkly.

“Oh, riiiight.  She turned out to be a little bit psycho.  Anyhoo, Takumi” Takumi has black hair buzzed short with patterns cut into it – a circle in the back with jagged lines that radiate towards his face “brought in a Fidough from his folks’ latest litter, and Marinus—” Kai pauses over an older man, somewhat heavyset, with a bristly beard going to grey “—Marinus, what did you bring?”

“Toebiter.”

“Your Feroseed? Mar, Ferroseed isn’t a Fairy type.”

“Who cares? If he doesn’t want it, I’m sure I can find  someone  here who’ll take the ornery thing.”

 
 Spoiler: Trades 

Kai will only trade for the Grimer. The other three you can trade any of them for, but since the Biscooti is a Helnith Pokémon whichever you trade it for you can swap out two attacks for two Egg, Move Tutor, or SM moves of your choice.

 
 Spoiler: Kai 

Pokémon: Clefairy (overseas)
Type: Fairy
Ability: Magic Guard
Gender: Female
Level: 23
Held Item: None
Stats--
HP: 72 +3
Attack: 32 +3
Def: 34 +3
Sp. Attack: 39 +3
Sp. Def: 42 +3
Speed: 28 +3
Moves:
Encore
Sing
Defense Curl
Follow Me
Minimize
Wake-Up Slap
 

 
 Spoiler: Caspian 

Pokémon: Flabébé
Type: Fairy
Ability: Flower Veil
Gender: Female
Level: 18
Held Item: None
Stats--
HP: 49
Attack: 24
Def: 24
Sp. Attack: 32
Sp. Def: 39 +13
Speed: 25
Moves:
Tackle
Vine Whip
Fairy Wind
Lucky Chant
Razor Leaf
 

 
 Spoiler: Takumi 

Pokémon: Fidough
Ability: Own Tempo
Gender: Female
Level: 23
Held Item: None
Stats--
HP: 57
Attack: 37
Def: 44
Sp. Attack: 25
Sp. Def: 37
Speed: 42 +18
Moves:
Lick
Tail Whip
Covet
Baby Doll Eyes
Play Rough
Work Up
 

 
 Spoiler: Marinus 

Pokémon: Ferroseed (Toebiter)
Type: Grass/Steel
Ability: Iron Barbs
Gender: Male
Level: 30
Held Item: None
Stats--
HP: 75
Attack: 44 +25
Def: 68
Sp. Attack: 28
Sp. Def: 65
Speed: 20
Moves:
Tackle
Curse
Metal Claw
Pin Missile
Gyro Ball
Iron Defense
 

 
 
 

Less had to open and close his hand a few times after the shake.  Yup. Strong.  Stronger than Less had been, probably, even when Less had been in his athletic prime 40 years ago. Those days were long past now, though for the most part Less had kept himself in decent shape for his age . . . well, until the last few months anyway.  "I'll take you up on that trade, Kai. My Grimer for your Clefairy. "

Less left the comment about Caspian's ex-girl well along. Less knew a potential landmine when he saw one.

Though, on the opposite end, Less couldn't resist asking about the Ferroseed.  "How ornery are we talking, here?"  Less asked the older sailor. He was certainly interested. Steel was as good as Fairy for resisting spectral, and if the creature wasn't actively attacking people without provocation, Less was inclined to trade his Biscooti for it.

The longer he was sitting at the table, the less inclined Less was to trade away Dancer, though. Timid or not, they had been together a long time, and sending her away was rubbing him the wrong way.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

If I do take the Ferroseed, would Leech Seed and Thunder Wave over tackle and pin missle work?

Leech Seed is an Egg Move from any number of parents, and Ferroseed can learn Thunder Wave as a TM in Gens 5, 6, 7, and 8.
 
essCee
Pinklady withdraws Leapsy. Trusting Stef and Sandra to clear a path one way, she continues her efforts to hold them off the other way.  "Sport, Drain Punch the Sandslash now! Croaky, double up on the dampening with a Water Sport!" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

The drive goes smoothly for several miles, except for Roux’s repeated attempts to start up awkward small talk while the bumps in the road keep knocking his hearing aid loose, necessitating repeat answers. Then Mina peers out the window, sounding concerned:

“ That’s an awful lot of Murkrow… ”

A small flock of the birds is circling off to the east. Every now and then one dives down to the ground out of sight, or flies up from the ground to join the flying circle.

Petri has to get his attention (the hearing aid has slipped again) but then Roux takes his foot off the gas and the truck slows. “We can stop if you want.”

----------------

Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Yes, that’s fine.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "I'll take you up on that trade, Kai. My Grimer for your Clefairy. " 
 

“Great! My kid’ll be  sooo  excited. Once you’re all set here we can head over to the Pokémon Center to complete the trade.”


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Though, on the opposite end, Less couldn't resist asking about the Ferroseed.  "How ornery are we talking, here?"  
 

“ Ornery. ” Marinus repeats as though that clarifies anything. “Stubborn. Talks back. Picks fights with other Pokémon – no humans yet,” he admits.

----------------

Pinklady:

((Front: ))

The floating bugs tag-team Sport.

Wispaferyn A uses Helix Flame!
Sport is hit for 8 damage!
Hit 1 time!

Wispaferyn B uses Helix Flame!
Sport is hit for 9 damage!
Hit 1 time!

Croaky uses Water Sport!
Fire’s power was weakened!

Sport uses Drain Punch!
Sandslash A is hit for 11 damage!
Sport restored 5 HP!

The rain is helping a lot, but Sport's Burn definitely isn't.

Sandslash A uses Fury Cutter!
Croaky is hit for 12 damage!

Sport is Burned!
Sport loses 4 HP to Burn!


((Stealth Rock in effect.
Water Sport in effect.
Rain Dance in effect: 3 rounds remaining.))

Sport: 28/65 (Burned, Foresight, Accuracy down 4 levels)
Croaky: 59/77 (Accuracy down 4 levels)

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Wispaferyn A: 96/96
Wispaferyn B: 96/96
Sandslash A: 91/102


((Back: ))

Wispaferyn C uses Silver Wind!
Anorith is hit for 57 damage!
Anorith faints!

Machoke B uses Leer!
Defense of all allied Pokémon falls!

Baltoy uses Rock Tomb!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn C is hit for 33 damage!
Wispaferyn C’s Speed falls! ((Forgot that last time. Should be updated now.))

Azumarill uses Rollout!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn C is hit for 65 damage!
Wispaferyn C’s held Chahal Berry restores 26 HP!

Snubbull uses Play Rough!
Attack missed!

Stef is panicking. “Oh no, oh no, I gotta do something…!” He fumbles at his belt, before calling out his Diglett.

Sandra isn’t doing much better. “Again! Again!” She calls to her Pokémon. “Stef – Stef I need you to – just cover me!”


 Blast Bolt: 0/102 
 Leapsy: 0/75 

Stef’s Baltoy: 52/52 (Defense down 2 levels)
 Stef’s Anorith: 0/54 
Stef’s Diglett: 43/43

Sandra’s Azumarill: 72/72 (Defense down 1 level)
Sandra’s Snubbull: 60/60 (Defense down 1 level)

 Machoke A: 0/103 
Machoke B: 10/103 (Defense down 1 level)
Wispaferyn C: 28/130 (Speed down 2 levels)
Gnomes2169
Mark frowned up at the sky, because Murkrow flocks had just never been a good sign of anything in this region, and he told Rhoux, " It probably won't matter for our job but... well, they're circling, so that means that someone or a pokemon needs help. " Checking the flock's size again, Mark added, " I don't think it will take  that  long to just check it out... " After rescuing Fisher from a similar situation, and after what they'd found in the Shrine, Mark wasn't going to be happy about ignoring trouble like this, especially not while in Bandra territory.
Lord Ruby34
Less smiled at the young father.  "It was a Skiddo for my daughter. She kept seeing videos of them online, and thought it was adorable. It was, and expensive at the time to acquire." 

Less pulled at his mustache in consideration for a moment before nodding.  "If you say it hasn't tried hurting humans, I'll trade you the Biscooti." 

If there are no interruptions to the meal, Less will accompany the two sailors to the Pokemon center to complete the trade. While there, Less will swap Dancer for Leo, and then prepare to head to the Geology club headquarters, if nothing takes precedence.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

I'm also okay with splitting the timeline slightly to keep chatting with Kai, or with just taking it slow, but I wanted to at least provide my goals if we were ready to move on.
 
essCee
 "Another Drain Punch, Sport, hang on! Croaky, try to put the Sandslash to sleep with Hypnosis!" 

She takes a moment to look back at Stef and Sandra's fight, concerned by their tones of voice. It doesn't look all too bad at the moment, though she knows that could change quickly depending on whether the Grunts on that side had even more Pokémon in reserve. Just in case, she tells Whirlywhirly,

 "Get ready to get going that way -"  indicating the back direction -  "- in case the enemy's running out of Pokémon soon."  She makes sure not to be too loud about it, not wanting to put even more pressure on Stef and Sandra.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

Mina was nodding along; seeing the consensus, Roux pulled the truck to a stop in a thick screen of bushes. “We’ll wait here?” he suggests.

----------------

Less:

((At the Singing Dewgong: ))


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less smiled at the young father.  "It was a Skiddo for my daughter. She kept seeing videos of them online, and thought it was adorable. It was, and expensive at the time to acquire."  
 

“At least you found out beforehand! I got this” he waves the Clefairy’s Moon Ball around by way of illustration “thinking I couldn’t go wrong; it’s cute, it has fairy wings and what little girl doesn’t like pink? But nope! Turns out she wants everything in purple! And she loves the poison goop monsters! At least they seem to love her back too,” he adds. “Maybe she’s got a future as a Gym Leader.”


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less pulled at his mustache in consideration for a moment before nodding.  "If you say it hasn't tried hurting humans, I'll trade you the Biscooti."  
 

“Told ja!” Marinus informs Kai.

There’s some minor confusion and good-natured grumbling but the meal wraps up and you are able to trade with no issues. ((-Biscooti, -Grimer, +Clefairy, +Toebiter, Pokémon list should be updated with your new Pokémon. Dancer has also been switched out.))

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
No rush. Let me know when you’re ready and we’ll move on.
 


----------------

Pinklady:

((Front: ))

The Grunts seem determined to bring Sport down, apparently convinced that Croaky won’t be able to hit their Pokémon. Meanwhile, Whirlywhirly is getting twitchy.

Wispaferyn A uses Helix Flame!
Sport is hit for 6 damage!
Hit 1 time!

Wispaferyn B uses Helix Flame!
Sport is hit for 6 damage!
Hit 1 time!

Croaky uses Hypnosis!
Attack missed!

Sport uses Drain Punch!
Critical hit!
Sandslash A is hit for 27 damage!
Sport regains 13 HP!

Sandslash A uses Fury Cutter!
Critical hit!
Croaky is hit for 42 damage!

Sport is Burned!
Sport loses 4 HP to Burn!


((Stealth Rock in effect.
Water Sport in effect.
Rain Dance in effect: 2 rounds remaining.))

Sport: 25/65 (Burned, Foresight, Accuracy down 4 levels)
Croaky: 17/77 (Accuracy down 4 levels)

 Graveler A: 0/89 
Wispaferyn A: 96/96
Wispaferyn B: 96/96
Sandslash A: 91/102


((Back: ))

Fortunately the repeated Rock Tombs have slowed the Wispaferyn enough to let Stef’s Diglett get in the first attack:

Stef’s Diglett uses Sand Attack!
Accuracy of all foes falls!

Wispaferyn C uses Silver Wind!
Sandra’s Azumarill is hit for 23 damage!

Machoke B uses Seismic Toss!
Attack missed!

Stef’s Baltoy uses Psybeam!
It’s super effective!
Machoke B is hit for 22 damage!
Machoke B faints!

Sandra’s Azumarill uses Rollout!
Critical hit!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn C is hit for 116 damage!
Wispaferyn C faints!


 Blast Bolt: 0/102 
 Leapsy: 0/75 

Stef’s Baltoy: 52/52 (Defense down 2 levels)
 Stef’s Anorith: 0/54 
Stef’s Diglett: 43/43

Sandra’s Azumarill: 49/72 (Defense down 1 level)
Sandra’s Snubbull: 60/60 (Defense down 1 level)

 Machoke A: 0/103 
 Machoke B: 0/103 
 Wispaferyn C: 0/130 

All other targets momentarily accounted for, Sandra’s Snubbull improvises by charging at one of the Grunts and chomping on his leg before he can react. He starts screaming, thoroughly distracted, while the other fumbles for his remaining Pokéballs.

“Go! GO! That’s our opening!” Sandra yells, almost climbing out of the cart before her injuries reassert themselves.

Whirlywhirly doesn’t even wait for an order before charging through the Grunts, dragging the cart back in the direction of the Shrine of Light.

Unfortunately dragging the cart means his otherwise excellent speed isn’t fast enough; the uninjured Grunt manages to call out a Graveler in the bed of the cart as it passes.

“ Earthquake! ”


Graveler B: 123/123

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
You're out of range of the rain and Stealth Rocks BTW.
 
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “At least you found out beforehand! I got this” he waves the Clefairy’s Moon Ball around by way of illustration “thinking I couldn’t go wrong; it’s cute, it has fairy wings and what little girl doesn’t like pink? But nope! Turns out she wants everything in purple! And she loves the poison goop monsters! At least they seem to love her back too,” he adds. “Maybe she’s got a future as a Gym Leader.”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
No rush. Let me know when you’re ready and we’ll move on.
 
 
 

 "That's the way of it. You do your best, and every day they manage to surprise you."  Less's smile is soft and fond, as he talks about Emilia.  "It wouldn't surprise me if your girl managed it one bit. My daughter was beating her old man around the training ring before she even left middle school." 

She had always been a fighter.  Keep fighting, just a little longer.  Less thought.  I'm coming as quick as I can.  He just had to find a way without being so reckless that he got the others killed in the attempt . . . if he could trade himself for his daughter, Less would, but the others, but his daughter, needed him to be as smart and careful as possible. If he kept being as reckless as he had been . . . well, he wouldn't even manage to get to the Spectral dimension.

---------------------------
After the Trade

Less hummed with the two new Pokeballs at his belt. He would meet the new Pokemon soon, but there were a few errands he needed to take care of while the sun was still shining. Plenty of time to meet the new Pokemon tonight. That said, time to head to the Geology Club to see what they might have on offer, or what he might be able to offer them.
Gnomes2169
Mark nodded at the question, saying out loud, " Tattersail will stay with you, just in case. " They'd been hired as bodyguards, after all, so keeping his gardevoir where she could warp their clients out seemed like a good idea. Then he stepped out of the truck, sending Marick and Jessia out while walking towards the place that the murder of crows had been circling. He called for his pokemon to use Iron Defense and Double Team respectively, figuring it was better to be ready to throw down with the flock or whatever it was they were chasing before they had to worry about it.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((At the Singing Dewgong: ))

“Maybe in a few more years, she’s a little too little for her trainer’s license yet.” Kai takes a swig of his drink. “How old is yours?”

((Geology Club: ))

The Geology Club building has a distinctly run-down look, an impression not dispelled by the very makeshift sign out front reading “NEW Geology Club Headquarters.” The interior is similarly worn – ripped-up navy blue carpet, furnishings mostly consisting of salvaged fold-up tables and chairs, the pictures on display torn or in frames that are cracked or otherwise obviously damaged and second-hand. Most of the people in the pictures – and for that matter the room – have hardhats or digging equipment on their persons.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Less may or may not be aware – the Geology Club was originally in Greshil.
 


But despite its distinctly battered appearance, there’s a fair amount of activity inside – a pair in their early teens are comparing Unown tiles the way some would playing cards, an older trio over by one table is examining a map of the area with a grid marked out on it, and one preoccupied individual is patching holes in the walls. The atmosphere is therefore less that of a bunch of refugees in whatever shelter they can find, and more that of a bunch of boys playing in the basement after school.

----------------

Mark and Mina:

There are no major protests, so Mina hops out of the car and the two scientists contrive to keep their heads down and remain quiet until their protection returns. Tattersail, in contrast, takes the absence of her trainer as an opportunity to stretch out over more of the back seat while the two of you take off. Mina follows Mark’s lead and sends out her Pikachu.

The Murkrows’ cries get louder as the two trainers approach, but there are no sounds of a struggle. A few of the Dark types overhead let out distress calls as they spot the approaching humans and their entourage, causing half-a-dozen of the birds explode into the air when you break through the nearby brush, leaving the source of their interest abandoned and plainly visible.

It’s immediately clear it used to be a trainer, though their Pokémon are gone – the spots on the belt that would normally have the Pokéballs attached are empty. They are definitely dead; the birds have been at the body, the clothes and pack are torn, but there’s enough left to make out a hoof print in the corpse’s back, right over the spine.
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 ((At the Singing Dewgong: ))

“Maybe in a few more years, she’s a little too little for her trainer’s license yet.” Kai takes a swig of his drink. “How old is yours?” 
 

 

"Twenty-five,"  Less replied, while taking a bite of his salad.  "Though I haven't been able to see her as much as I've wanted these last few years." 

----------------

 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 ((Geology Club: ))

The Geology Club building has a distinctly run-down look, an impression not dispelled by the very makeshift sign out front reading “NEW Geology Club Headquarters.” The interior is similarly worn – ripped-up navy blue carpet, furnishings mostly consisting of salvaged fold-up tables and chairs, the pictures on display torn or in frames that are cracked or otherwise obviously damaged and second-hand. Most of the people in the pictures – and for that matter the room – have hardhats or digging equipment on their persons.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Less may or may not be aware – the Geology Club was originally in Greshil.
 


But despite its distinctly battered appearance, there’s a fair amount of activity inside – a pair in their early teens are comparing Unown tiles the way some would playing cards, an older trio over by one table is examining a map of the area with a grid marked out on it, and one preoccupied individual is patching holes in the walls. The atmosphere is therefore less that of a bunch of refugees in whatever shelter they can find, and more that of a bunch of boys playing in the basement after school. 
 

 "Hello,"  Less called out, to the Geology Club members.  "One of the cashiers at the Department Store in Skybreak advised me to stop here and take a look at what you fellows were up to. Any chance i could get a tour of what you're doing, and what you might be looking to part ways with?"  Less asked, his tone even and polite.
Gnomes2169
Well, this at least made it clear that this was Bandra territory, since wild pokemon wouldn't take the balls off the belt... unless some of the murkrow had plucked them up. He checked the flock for a moment to see if any of them were carrying anything, then stepped up to the body to see if he could find any identification or other items that their assailant might have left behind. " Not a great sign... " He said to Mina, pulling out the thick gloves that nurse joy had given to him a few days back so he didn't have to touch the body directly while he searched.
essCee
 "Hold on, everyone!"  Pinklady shouts as the cart goes, and recalls Sport and Croaky. She yelps as the Graveler is summoned in the cart bed, and does her best to try pushing it out - for all the good that does against a being made of stone intent on staying put and shaking the vehicle it's on.   "Really hold on!"   She repeats. Her hand goes for one of her Pokéballs... but of her six, three are out of commission, two would surely be taken out immediately, and the sixth was very much needed to pull the cart - although being able to actually escape was looking less likely by the moment.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((At the Singing Dewgong: ))

“Wow. They grow up fast don’t they? But at least yours got to finish her journey – I don’t know how I’d explain to my kid she couldn’t go if she was growing up here.”

((Geology Club: ))


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Hello,"  Less called out, to the Geology Club members.  "One of the cashiers at the Department Store in Skybreak advised me to stop here and take a look at what you fellows were up to. Any chance i could get a tour of what you're doing, and what you might be looking to part ways with?"  Less asked, his tone even and polite. 
 

The trio at the map look up and the tallest of the three is about to reply when the next-tallest beats him to it. “Of course you can! We’ve got Hard Stones, Float Stones and Everstones – all the rocks you could want!”

The tallest of the three – wearing thick-rimmed glasses and an expression that suggests this is a common occurrence – replies more calmly, “What are you looking for exactly?”

----------------

Mark and Mina:

No Pokéballs are visible in the grip of the Murkrow, but they remain overhead – obviously waiting for another chance at the corpse.

The most notable find is a Starlight Squad pin on what’s left of the shirt collar – well-crusted with dirt and old blood, which Mina remarks is probably the only reason the Murkrow haven’t taken it. The pockets are empty but there’s a student ID in the much-abused pack (“Clyde Sidalle”), plus a handful of items either buried in hidden pockets or obviously not worth taking including a small emergency stash of PD.

 
 Spoiler: Inventory of the Dead 

700 PD
Starlight Squad Pin
Clyde Sidalle’s Student ID
2 Repel
Joy Scent
Cloudy Crystal*
Egg Charm*
 



“ No Pokédex, ” Mina notes grimly.

 
 Spoiler: Helnith Items 

 Cloudy Crystal:  Held item. Increases the duration of Fog Maze from 5 rounds to 8.

 Egg Charm:  Held item. Increases the chance any eggs produced will be the gender of the parent holding the charm by +12.5%. If this is impossible (EX: the other parent is a Chansey, which can only be female) then it will be the holder’s species.

EX: You’re breeding a Tauros and a Miltank, you give the Charm to the Tauros. Since Miltank can’t be male, if the dice determine the egg will be male it will also be a Tauros.
 


----------------

Pinklady:

((I’ll give you until Friday to sort out what you want to do, I just don’t want to delay everyone else’s post any longer.))
Lord Ruby34
((Singing Dewgong))

 "I wouldn't,"  Less said sadly.  "If my daughter was still young I'd take her back to Unova. Too much tragedy in Helnith these days." 

------------------------------
((Geology Club))

 "Frankly,"  Less started,  "A moonstone, if you have one. Heart scales too. Potentially something rarer, if you have anything."  Emilia was in danger, if he had to go apologize to that crotchety old tyrant for a better chance at saving her, he would. Less paused for a moment.  "Work too, if it can be done somewhat quickly." 
essCee
Pinklady, just after recalling the two remaining fighters, sends them back out onto the fart.
 Quickly, Sport, use Drain Punch! Croaky, Bubble Beam!" 
Gnomes2169
Mark collected those items, but hesitated before putting them away. He's yoinked plenty of things from Bandra people, but he still felt like he shouldn't take anything from this body... Clyde had been an ally, maybe he'd had family or friends to return these things to. So he put them in a separate pouch, so he could potentially turn them over to a member of the Squad. " Someone needs to let the two factions of the Starlight Squad that their 'dex network is likely compromised again. " He said, nodding at what Mina said, glad that their group wasn't tied to that network right now. They could tell Lijan at any time, but he was pretty sure neither of them had Sesh's number.

Standing up and looking at the body, he shook his head again. " I don't think Roux or Petri would be happy about bringing the body with us... " Especially since it was rotting. Looking back at the murkrow flock he suggested, " Maybe a long shot, but could some of them know what happened? "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

((At the Singing Dewgong: ))

“I hear that,” Kai replies, lifting his drink. A couple sailors sitting close enough to hear follow suit, and the mood turns briefly more somber.

((Geology Club: ))


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Frankly,"  Less started,  "A moonstone, if you have one. Heart scales too. Potentially something rarer, if you have anything."  Emilia was in danger, if he had to go apologize to that crotchety old tyrant for a better chance at saving her, he would. Less paused for a moment.  "Work too, if it can be done somewhat quickly."  
 

“Rarer rocks? Have we got a deal for you! A full set of each color Oval Stone, all for the low, low price of–”

The tall one elbows the middle-tallest, and the latter cuts off with an ‘oof!’ “Stop it, Alvin.” He pushes his glasses farther up his nose, “We can probably scrape together some Heart Scales. Since you’re looking for work anyway, if you’ve got something that knows Dive, we’ve got an open job to retrieve some lost cargo that sank in this area,” he gestures to the map they’re looking over, which you can now see is of the waterway around Tidepath, in the deep area that never completely drains during low tide. “We’re offering a reward of a common or uncommon Evolutionary Stone ((DM reminder: Moon Stone is uncommon)), finder’s choice, to anyone who brings it back. But if you’d rather buy a Moon Stone outright, our usual asking price is 4,725 PD.”

----------------

Pinklady:

Stef and Sandra’s Pokémon aren’t going to be much help; torn between holding off the rest of the Grunts and their Pokémon and trying to catch up with the cart it’s clear they aren’t going to make it in time to help.

Croaky uses Bubblebeam!
It’s super effective!
Graveler B is hit for 103 damage!
Graveler B uses its held Chahal Berry to restore 24 HP! ((41 total))

The Graveler leaps into the air to execute its attack, but Sport gets there first!

Sport uses Drain Punch!
It’s super effective!
Graveler B is hit for 21 damage!
Sport regains 10 HP!

The large Rock type goes bouncing off the cart, narrowly missing Stef and Sandra, who quickly recall their own Pokémon. Unfortunately Sport’s Burn has weakened his attack enough that the hit isn’t the knockout blow it would have otherwise been; the Graveler gets to its feet, jumps up and then  slams  down.

Graveler B uses Earthquake!

The road shakes under you and the mountains rumble. Stef and Sandra both yell as the cart bounces up wildly, jostling their injuries – and when it comes down there’s a double  crack  noise. When the rear wheels begin to spin again, you can tell one is about to come right off the axle and the other is making a clattering noise it hadn’t been before.

But it rapidly gets drowned out as the rumbling noise grows. Stones begin to slide from either side of the road until there’s a full-blown rock slide going on.

Whirlywhirly has to veer to the side to keep the cart going mostly straight, Stef and Sandra are both yelling, dust and rock are pouring down behind you. But despite a few chips of rock landing in it Whirlywhirly successfully pulls the cart out of sight as the rockfall cuts off the Grunts – and the road out of the mountains.

He manages to keep up the pace back towards the Shrine of Light for a while longer, but finally the wobbling wheel comes right off and its partner fails under the strain, dumping everyone in the cart out on the road as the back of the cart tips downwards.

After a moment to catch her breath, Sandra manages to voice the important question: “Now what?”


 
 Spoiler: OoC 

-4 HP to Burn on Sport.
+1 level each for Sport and Croaky.

 
 Spoiler: Sport 

Pokémon: Hitmonchan (Sport)
Type: Fighting
Ability: Iron Fist
Gender: Male
Level: 25
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 67
Attack: 65 +6
Def: 52 +13
Sp. Attack: 30
Sp. Def: 67
Speed: 50
Moves:
Tackle
Helping Hand
Fake Out
Foresight
Feint
Drain Punch
 

 
 Spoiler: Croaky 

Pokémon: Poliwhirl (Croaky)
Type: Water
Ability: Water Absorb
Gender: Female
Level: 27
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 80
Attack: 48 +13
Def: 48
Sp. Attack: 40 +4
Sp. Def: 40
Speed: 61 +4
Moves:
Bubble Beam
Body Slam
Rain Dance
Hypnosis
Water Sport
Double Slap
 

 


Sport: 33/67 (Burned)
Croaky: 20/80
 Blast Bolt: 0/102 
 Leapsy: 0/75 

Stef’s Baltoy: 52/52 (recalled)
 Stef’s Anorith: 0/54 
Stef’s Diglett: 43/43 (recalled)

Sandra’s Azumarill: 49/72 (recalled)
Sandra’s Snubbull: 60/60 (recalled)

 Graveler B: 20/123  – out of range

----------------

Mark and Mina:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Added to Mark’s inventory, a few spaces down:
700 PD
Starlight Squad Pin
Clyde Sidalle’s Student ID
2 Repel
Joy Scent
Cloudy Crystal*
Egg Charm*
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Maybe a long shot, but could some of them know what happened? " 
 

“ We can find out. ” Mina called out Pidgey – because there was no way she was sending her Teleporter up to talk to a bunch of Dark types – and gave him instructions to go ask.

The Dark birds broke formation as he approached and looked ready to swarm Pidgey for a moment before the latter cooed something in Pokéspeak. They paused almost as a group, and even from the ground it was obvious they were conferring with each other.

After a moment the biggest cawed something back and Pidgey flew back down to the humans’ level. He took a perch and shook his head in an obvious ‘no.’
Lord Ruby34
((Singing Dewgong))

Less lets the somber mood linger for a while before the conversation starts up again, lunch finishes, and the group heads to the Pokemon Center. As the trade finishes, Less thanks the sailors and wishes them well, and a safe voyage home, especially Kai.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

I  think  I'm done here.
 


--------------------------------------------
((Geology Club))

Less shook his head,  "None of my Pokemon know Dive. For now, the heart scales will have to be fine, unless one of you has the HM for Dive? Then I'd be happy to help you out."  
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less shook his head,  "None of my Pokemon know Dive. For now, the heart scales will have to be fine, unless one of you has the HM for Dive? Then I'd be happy to help you out."   
 

All three look briefly embarrassed.

“That’s the thing…see…” Alvin’s expression is an awkward smile.

“The cargo  is  the Dive HM,” the one with glasses informs you.

“See, it was a really good idea at the time,” Alvin insists. “We were just setting up our new headquarters and there wasn’t a lot of places to dig nearby…I thought maybe we could try digging underwater, because there’s got to be lots of neat things buried down there…but then Bandra sunk the ship and, well…” he trails off awkwardly.
Gnomes2169
Well, he hadn't really expected that plan to work. If the murkrow had seen what happened, the body probably wouldn't have been allowed to rot this much... ah well. Waving up to the dark typed to signal his thanks for the response, he took his gloves off and carefully tucked them into the same place as Clyde's things to keep them from getting their smells all over his not-corpse items. " Well, I think we've done what we can here... don't like leaving the body, but teleporting it anywhere will light us up like a beacon for Bandra's detection network. Maybe when we're done with the job...? " Shaking his head, he started to walk back to the truck and told Mina, " You know, that taskmaster was riding a grass-horse thing when he was coming at us... maybe he had something to do with this? "

But idle speculation aside, he still got back into the back seat of the truck and told the students waiting for them there, " We're a few days too late. Did either of you know a Clyde Sidalle? " Another extremely long shot, they'd probably have to ask people in the Starlight Squad to find someone who'd known him.
Lord Ruby34
Less nodded, and responded sympathetically,  "The best laid plans of Mice and Men often go awry."  Less shook his head.  "And Bandra has had their hand in sending many plans askew. I wish I could help you find your HM, but I'm afraid that my only suggestion would be to catch a Pokemon that can learn it by Tutor and go visit the battle tower. There are currently Estaur feeding on the toxins leaking from that tanker, and they could be taught the move. I believe you would need a fishing rod of at least some quality to manage it."  
essCee
Pinklady makes sure to recall her Sport and Croaky as well after the Graveler was knocked away.
After the cart spills, Pinklady's immediate priority is to help the dumped passengers up, so they can at least lie on the broken cart rather than the ground.  "I..."  Pinklady takes a moment to catch her own breath and actually think of an answer.  "I'll message my friends. They're probably busy right now, but they can hopefully help." 
After helping the others up, Pinklady next addresses Whirlywhirly - talking to him as she undoes the harness.  "You did great, Whirlywhirly. Really great, we wouldn't have gotten away without you."  After petting him some, she recalls him too.
She then turns back to Stef and Sandra.  "I'll help you back to the Shrine. I'm sorry I couldn't get you to Skybreak." 
 
 Spoiler: OoC 

EVs: +1 Atk for Sport, +1 Speed for Croaky, please!
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Well, I think we've done what we can here... don't like leaving the body, but teleporting it anywhere will light us up like a beacon for Bandra's detection network. Maybe when we're done with the job...? " 
 

“ We’ve got time to think about it, ” Mina replied, looking at the corpse sadly. Not to put too fine a point on it, it wasn’t like the dead body was going to be less dead if they dealt with it up front…but it still left a bad taste in her mouth to leave it like this. Mina considered trying to bury it under some branches or something of the sort, but then they might have a fight on their hands with the Murkrow.   Sorry, Clyde.  

 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Shaking his head, he started to walk back to the truck and told Mina, " You know, that taskmaster was riding a grass-horse thing when he was coming at us... maybe he had something to do with this? " 
 

  Grass horse?   Mina consulted her Pokédex. “ The hoofprint looks like it could be from a Wythir. We’re in the right area. It’s likely, ” she agreed, suddenly wanting to get back to the truck before their scientist charges got discovered. She picked up her pace a little.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " We're a few days too late. Did either of you know a Clyde Sidalle? " 
 

Both scientists look briefly saddened at the news, but answer in the negative. “Not one of the staff and not one of the students – at least not that I know personally,” Roux replies. “Petri?” Petri just shook his head.


----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  " I wish I could help you find your HM, but I'm afraid that my only suggestion would be to catch a Pokemon that can learn it by Tutor and go visit the battle tower."   
 

“We’ve been doing that,” the shortest of the three informs you, obviously eyeing the inside of a bag of chips to see if any remain. “I’m going to go get some more snacks.”

“Check how many Heart Scales we have in stock while you’re up.” Tall with glasses then adds on, “Everyone in the club with a Pokémon that can learn it has it, but most of those are part Rock and don’t do as well against pure Water types. And there’s a lot of ground to cover and the tides sometimes move things around.”

The short one returns, and tosses a few iridescent Heart Scales on the map. “75 PD each.” ((3 Heart Scales total, so 225 PD for the lot.))

----------------

Pinklady:

 
 Spoiler: Stat Updates 

 
 Spoiler: Sport 

Pokémon: Hitmonchan (Sport)
Type: Fighting
Ability: Iron Fist
Gender: Male
Level: 25
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 67
Attack: 65 +7
Def: 52 +13
Sp. Attack: 30
Sp. Def: 67
Speed: 50
Moves:
Tackle
Helping Hand
Fake Out
Foresight
Feint
Drain Punch
 

 
 Spoiler: Croaky 

Pokémon: Poliwhirl (Croaky)
Type: Water
Ability: Water Absorb
Gender: Female
Level: 27
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 80
Attack: 48 +13
Def: 48
Sp. Attack: 40 +4
Sp. Def: 40
Speed: 61 +5
Moves:
Bubble Beam
Body Slam
Rain Dance
Hypnosis
Water Sport
Double Slap
 

 


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 After the cart spills, Pinklady's immediate priority is to help the dumped passengers up, so they can at least lie on the broken cart rather than the ground. 
 

Both passengers need the help; Stef in particular is really pale after being dumped on his broken leg.


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "I..."  Pinklady takes a moment to catch her own breath and actually think of an answer.  "I'll message my friends. They're probably busy right now, but they can hopefully help."  
 

Checking your Pokédex, it appears to be malfunctioning – at first all you see is your reflection, eyes oddly blue, then the UI loads in and it’s nothing but distorted gibberish.


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 After helping the others up, Pinklady next addresses Whirlywhirly - talking to him as she undoes the harness.  "You did great, Whirlywhirly. Really great, we wouldn't have gotten away without you."  
 

Whirlywhirly is obviously pleased by the praise.


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 She then turns back to Stef and Sandra.  "I'll help you back to the Shrine. I'm sorry I couldn't get you to Skybreak."  
 

“Okay, but how?” Sandra asks. “Neither of us can walk that far.” She gestures between herself and Stef for emphasis.
Lord Ruby34
 "Fair enough,"  Less replied while reaching for his wallet to pay for the three heart scales.  "I wish I could help with your delima, but I doubt I'm likely to think up any solution you lads haven't already thought through. If I come into a Pokemon with Dive, I'll see what I can do about helping out. Otherwise that's probably it for me today."  Less paused for a moment.  "Just in case, what time do you close up shop?" 

After receiving the answer to his question, and paying for the heart scales, Less will head to the Harbor Master's Office to inquire about picking up the delivery for Skybreak.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
   Grass horse?   Mina consulted her Pokédex. “ The hoofprint looks like it could be from a Wythir. We’re in the right area. It’s likely, ” she agreed, suddenly wanting to get back to the truck before their scientist charges got discovered. She picked up her pace a little. 
 

That taskmaster had already injured one of his pokemon, so Mark had no desire to meet them again either. He didn't delay getting back to the truck. He was so glad they weren't teleporting around right now...


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Both scientists look briefly saddened at the news, but answer in the negative. “Not one of the staff and not one of the students – at least not that I know personally,” Roux replies. “Petri?” Petri just shook his head. 
 

Well, it was good that it wasn't on of their buddies. That would have been a rough way to learn, and made the rest of this job awkward. Voice still calm (when had he gotten so used to seeing dead people?) he told them, " Alright. Thank you for letting us investigate. We're good to go, now. "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Just in case, what time do you close up shop?"  
 

You immediately get three different responses, before the trio exchange glances and the tall one clarifies, “We keep weird hours, but there’s usually someone here any time before dinner.”

((3,060 – 225 = 2,835 PD remaining, +3 Heart Scales, 6 total))

The Harbor Master’s office is open: the first floor is all one room, with dark wood walls, ceiling and floor - the last quite creaky with salt tracked around, especially near the entrance. There are a couple maps of the waterways of Helnith on the walls showing things like depth and currents around the region, some old but functional-looking nautical equipment hung between the maps, and a big wooden desk near the center – also dark, very sturdy looking, with papers, a picture frame and a ship in a bottle on top of it. A staircase off to the side leads up to the next floor.

The Harbor Master himself is of course present: blue-haired, serious, and remarkably grizzled for his early-to-mid-thirties appearance, he’s going through a sheaf of papers as you enter. He looks up after a moment and just raises an eyebrow at you.

----------------

Mark and Mina:

The rest of the trip passes uneventfully, and the truck arrives on the north coast around 1:30 PM. Roux parks the truck where it’s at least partially hidden by brush and the two scientists start pulling equipment out – plaster, bowls, cases, measuring cups, a number of sticks with bright orange steamers on one end, and some camo netting which both scientists use to cover the truck, hiding it further. Then Petri starts measuring out plaster while Roux separates the cases into four stacks of two. Roux speaks while they dole out the equipment.

“Okay, ground rules: the first most important thing is to get back safely but the  second  most important thing is to get our research complete, or this whole trip was a waste. So try not to destroy any tracks, that includes keeping your Pokémon from making their own while we’re looking for them. If you can’t do that, don’t have them out.” (Mina, who had called out Riolu, promptly set to arranging the Fighting type in her pack so his feet would be off the ground.) “I have my phone and Petri has his, did you trainers bring phones or Pokédexes or some other way to contact you?”

Mina nods, and there’s a brief pause while numbers are exchanged. ((Phone numbers added to the Pokédexes.))

“Good. Only call in an emergency, we don’t want Bandra to find us because someone was chatting on the phone and we all have jobs we should be doing anyway. As Petri said on the way here, the plaster needs to cure for an hour before we can move it, so we’re going to pour the plaster at each site we find and then move on. We’re just going to get as far down the coast as we can by” he checks his watch “4 PM, then come back here whether we find anything or not, and collect any plaster we set on the way.”

“We want to be out of here by dark,” Petri explains.

“Right, we’re not out here on a lark,” Roux continues, apparently mishearing again, “we want to be on our way back by nightfall, so the headlights on the truck don’t give us away. We meet back here, unless something happens that we can’t do that, then we meet at Hillsbreak and leave the truck. Hillsbreak is about four or five miles that way,” he motions vaguely east. “We should be wrapped up by 6:30, and back in Skybreak before curfew  if  nothing goes wrong. Anything before we take off?”
Gnomes2169
Mark sent out his dendrolog and Jessia, explaining to the ghost types that they needed to hover to keep from disturbing those footprints, and he considers sending out Tattersail as well. The psychic type could probably hold herself up, and her stubby pin-point footprints weren't exactly going to mess up anything, but... well, she'd  just  gotten back from being hurt, and we wanted to keep his run-away option safe. So he's just keeping out his floating ghosts for now.

To Rhoux's final question, Mark said, " How likely are you to come back here for follow-up research immediately? If we're not super worried about Bandra checking the area out after we're gone and watching it for a bit, I can still save us  most  of the trip back. My gardevoir can teleport all of us once we're in the truck and can reach the outskirts of Skybreak in just one or two hops, so that should save us some time. " Or make up for lost time if something did delay them. " We won't teleport  into  the city, so we'll still have to get checked at the gates. " He added, to make sure their employers knew that he was aware of the teleportation restriction in the city.
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 You immediately get three different responses, before the trio exchange glances and the tall one clarifies, “We keep weird hours, but there’s usually someone here any time before dinner.” 
 

 "Appreciated. If I scrounge up money for a Moonstone, or if my some miracle the Dive HM falls into my lap, I'll be back to bother you lads again. Thank you for answering my questions, and for the Heart Scales."  Less replied before leaving.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 The Harbor Master’s office is open: the first floor is all one room, with dark wood walls, ceiling and floor - the last quite creaky with salt tracked around, especially near the entrance. There are a couple maps of the waterways of Helnith on the walls showing things like depth and currents around the region, some old but functional-looking nautical equipment hung between the maps, and a big wooden desk near the center – also dark, very sturdy looking, with papers, a picture frame and a ship in a bottle on top of it. A staircase off to the side leads up to the next floor.

The Harbor Master himself is of course present: blue-haired, serious, and remarkably grizzled for his early-to-mid-thirties appearance, he’s going through a sheaf of papers as you enter. He looks up after a moment and just raises an eyebrow at you. 
 

 "Hello, I'm here to pick up the cargo from the  Warlock , to be delivered to Skybreak."  Less stated.  "Am I in the right place?" 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:


Both passengers need the help; Stef in particular is really pale after being dumped on his broken leg.



Checking your Pokédex, it appears to be malfunctioning – at first all you see is your reflection, eyes oddly blue, then the UI loads in and it’s nothing but distorted gibberish.



Whirlywhirly is obviously pleased by the praise.



“Okay, but how?” Sandra asks. “Neither of us can walk that far.” She gestures between herself and Stef for emphasis. 
 

Pinklady sighs at her Pokédex and pockets it again.  Well, I've gone most of my time not using something like that, shouldn't be too bad... 
Of course, she knows how bad in this particular case its malfunction was - but dwelling wouldn't help.

 "How's your less-hurt leg, each of you? I know it isn't ideal and is going to be slow, but I can be your other leg if you both have at least one good enough to walk on." 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:

Dendrolog doesn’t seem to want to hover, but as his feet pass right through the rocks and grass the scientists just shrug; apparently that’s good enough. Mina calls out Pidgey and instructs him to keep an eye out and stay off the ground.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " How likely are you to come back here for follow-up research immediately? " 
 

“Not likely,” Petri replies.

“What he said,” Roux agrees, before adding, “I mean I don’t know what every project on campus involves, but it took  ages  to find someone willing to go up into Bandra territory with us in the first place, and most of the job requests in the area got cancelled when Ternai fell again. No one wants to go into Bandra territory to pick up samples unless they have to.”

“I think he was just asking about us.”

“Oh! Right.” Roux readjusts his hearing aid. “We’re going to want to catalogue all the prints and write up our results no matter what we find. That’s going to take a day or two, at the least, and that’s not counting the paperwork for another job up here. Professor Jonah nearly blew his top when we applied to have the completion fee doubled, it’s going to be hard to convince him to do it again so soon unless we find something really spectacular, he doesn’t understand that no one wants to go into dangerous territory for nothing—”

“We’re not going to come back any time soon,” Petri summarizes.

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Hello, I'm here to pick up the cargo from the  Warlock , to be delivered to Skybreak."  Less stated.  "Am I in the right place?"  
 

The Harbor Master grunts and flips through the papers. “Name?”

After a few minutes of gruff questioning while the Harbor Master determines you are who you say you are and that the package you’re supposed to be picking up exists, his eyebrows go up in realization. “Ah. That one. Wait here.” He gets up from the desk and climbs the stairs – from what little you can see, there are living quarters at the top – then you hear heavy footsteps from the floor above.

After a few minutes the Harbor Master comes back down, gently cradling a box. In it are a trio of cylinders – at first glance they look like incubators, and there are definitely Pokémon eggs inside. But there are a few differences, and you realize after a moment that these are the opposite of incubators – refrigeration units designed for Pokémon eggs, used to slow hatching, usually for transportation or research purposes. ((Hatching time is doubled rather than halved.)) Occasionally one would be brought in for a science project or similar.

“Was wondering when someone was going to pick these up. They’re nearly hatched. Sign here.”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

+3 Egg Anti-Incubator (Skybreak Pickup Egg)
 


----------------

Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "How's your less-hurt leg, each of you? I know it isn't ideal and is going to be slow, but I can be your other leg if you both have at least one good enough to walk on."  
 

Both poke their previously-uninjured legs for a moment.

“It hurts right here,” Stef indicates his thigh, “But I think that’s just going to bruise, it hurt like this that one time I slid down into a ravine and Alvin had to help me get out.”

Sandra’s a little less optimistic, but not about her leg. “It’s fine, but we’re at least a mile away from the Shrine,” she points out.
Lord Ruby34
As Less signed for the package, he asked a question.  "Did anyone give you instruction on what to do if one of the eggs hatched before being brought to Skybreak?" 

Once his question is answered, Less will leave to go buy three Pokeballs. (if they are being sold for 200PD each, otherwise Less inquires about cost and we can ignore the next bit.)

Then Less will attempt to find the Berry Master, starting with the local gardening store.
Gnomes2169
He blinked a bit as he watched Rhoux ramble on, feeling an awkward bridge between him and the science nerd forming. Was this... how other people felt when he rambled? Was this what he sounded like? Oh. Oh no. He needed to try to be more focused. " Right. And the weirdness here has been on the public job board long enough that Bandra knows about it if they want to, so we don't need to worry too much about drawing their attention here... we're teleporting back to the city. " Plus, it would give Mark a chance to get food before going to his meeting.

With that statement made, he nods and gestures for Petri to take the lead down their side of the beach. To Mina and Rhoux he said, " See you two soon, stay safe. "
essCee
Pinklady nods thoughtfully as they describe their conditions.

 "Alright. Let's talk alternatives a bit more then, but if there's nothing else we can do, slow progress is better than no progress, especially since it isn't safe here." 
She looks towards the rockslide's results.  "We shouldn't assume Bandra absolutely won't break on through." 

No longer offering them an arm to pull them up, Pinklady instead turns and sits next to both of them.  "What have we got? I know our Pokémon teams all took the fight pretty hard, any of your members still healthy enough to do something? And, any sort of devices, or, or technology that could send a message to someone? I had one, but..."  She shows them her Pokédex, both as an example of what she's looking for and to show that hers is currently nonfunctional.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

“No. Standard procedure is to call the recipient and have them come pick up the hatchling. If we can’t get a hold of them, we put the Pokémon up for adoption after a few days. No capturing them.”

The Mart does have Pokéballs, and apparently no external pressures affecting the price at the moment ((yes, they’re 200 PD each)), so you buy three. ((2,835 – 600 =  2,235 PD remaining, +3 Pokéballs (3 total).))

You then make your way to the garden shop. Garden supplies are stacked on shelves or hanging from the walls, and it smells of damp soil. You can make out a section in the back that appears to be open to the sky except for some shade cloth: it’s filled with potted plants on racks and in gravel beds. The floors are all concrete, with the expected fallen leaves and dirt being swept up by one of the staff.

The staff in question consists of a handful of ladies ranging from their late teens to late twenties, all in garden smocks with varying degrees of dirt on them. The nearest, an early-to-mid twenty-something with pinkish orange hair currently screwing a wand onto the end of a hose, greets you cheerfully. “Hello! How can we help you today?”

----------------

Mark:

Mina waves and the four of you split to look for tracks. The trip down the very narrow track cutting down the coastal cliffs to the beach below is somewhat harrowing but you and Petri make it safely to the bottom.

The tide has just passed its peak and is gradually starting to retreat, which means there isn’t a lot of beach to check for prints, and in some of the less gently slopped places you either have to hop across on rocks poking out of the surf or get your feet wet. But after a while you come across what seems to be a tidepool that’s mostly filled with damp sand and debris that’s obviously human in origin – broken planking trapping less identifiable bits of plastic or glass. The latter, Petri points out, has been poked over thoroughly by the local Pokémon, yielding a number of prints:

                       

“I’ll mix up some plaster, keep watch,” he tells you before quietly getting to work on just that.

----------------

Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "What have we got? I know our Pokémon teams all took the fight pretty hard, any of your members still healthy enough to do something?"  
 

“My Anorith was knocked out,” Stef replies sadly, “but my Diglett and my Baltoy are okay!”

“My Pokémon mostly made it out. Snubbull barely got a scratch and I have a Vulpix too. Actually, since we’re not in a life or death battle I can patch up my Azumarill now…” Sandra digs out a few Potions and restores her Azumarill to full health. “You should heal up your Pokémon too, if you can. Do either of you have any Revives?”

“I don’t think so,” Stef replies, but starts digging through his things anyway. “I dug some up before I got hurt but I think I left them back at the Shrine in case anyone needed oh wait I still have one!” He withdraws a spikey mineral ball ((Max Revive)).


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "And, any sort of devices, or, or technology that could send a message to someone? I had one, but..."  She shows them her Pokédex, both as an example of what she's looking for and to show that hers is currently nonfunctional. 
 

“I have my Pokédex, but the screen smashed when we got hit,” Sandra fishes the device in question out, showing a lifeless, spider-webbed screen. “Stef, do you have yours?”

“Yes I have it right…right…” he digs through his Mining Kit but comes up empty. “…oh no, I left it back at the Shrine!”

Sandra facepalms but doesn’t say anything on the subject. “Okaaay. What about healing items?” Sandra turns to you directly. “Can you cure the Burn on your Fighting type? You should do that while we have a minute. Held items?” Sandra turns between you and Stef and back again. “Make sure you replace any Gems or Berries or anything else your Pokémon might have used up.”
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “No. Standard procedure is to call the recipient and have them come pick up the hatchling. If we can’t get a hold of them, we put the Pokémon up for adoption after a few days. No capturing them.” 
 

 "Appreciated, thank you,"  Less replied. Capturing the little ones would be a last resort then . . . but a potential solution nonetheless. He'd rather have to release them then lose them, if worst came to worst. After collecting the three eggs and the incubators, and getting them situated in his bag, Less was off to the Pokemart, for those just in case Pokeballs. He'd probably get some use out of them anyway, given how things were going.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 You then make your way to the garden shop. Garden supplies are stacked on shelves or hanging from the walls, and it smells of damp soil. You can make out a section in the back that appears to be open to the sky except for some shade cloth: it’s filled with potted plants on racks and in gravel beds. The floors are all concrete, with the expected fallen leaves and dirt being swept up by one of the staff.

The staff in question consists of a handful of ladies ranging from their late teens to late twenties, all in garden smocks with varying degrees of dirt on them. The nearest, an early-to-mid twenty-something with pinkish orange hair currently screwing a wand onto the end of a hose, greets you cheerfully. “Hello! How can we help you today?” 
 

 "Hello, I was hoping to meet up with the Berry master, or failing that, to at least take a look at what selection of berries you might have in stock here."  Less answered while approaching the young woman.
Gnomes2169
Mark checked out those prints and the general debris, and he nodded at Petri. Looking around for any obvious signs of ambush or pokemon homes, Mark made sure he didn't step into the sands so that his boss could get the plaster set... but he  did  have Jessia float around to carefully poke beneath some of the debris for useful objects or items. Who knows? Maybe he'd turn up a pokeball... or even another good rod. Couldn't have to many good rods in this party, apparently.

He made sure his Dendrolog stayed nearby, though. They were close enough to shore for water pokemon to be a real possibility, so better to keep his grass type alert instead of poking around for shiny things.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Hello, I was hoping to meet up with the Berry master, or failing that, to at least take a look at what selection of berries you might have in stock here."  Less answered while approaching the young woman. 
 

She immediately becomes defensive. “Listen, whatever problems you’ve had, he doesn’t work here and we don’t work for him, either, so you’ll have to take it up with him.”

----------------

Mark:

A couple small Krabby are peering out at the activity from the surrounding rocks, but nothing threatening appears to be in the immediate vicinity.

Jessia’s search turns up a Super Potion – sandy but still full and in working order as far as you can tell - and a couple of Heart Scales, gleaming brightly in the sand. ((+1 Super Potion, 3 total. +2 Heart Scales.))

Petri meanwhile mixes up the plaster before carefully pouring it into the tracks. Once done he cleans up his tools as best he can – packing them away once they’re clean - and sticks one of the poles into the ground by the hardening plaster. “There. We’ll pick those up on the way back.”

He motions for you to come and continues down the beach.
essCee
 "For healing... I've got a few potions, and I can cure the burn. No revives, though." 

Pinklady uses a Super Potion on each of Sport and Croaky, and her Full Heal on Sport. Despite the lack of poisoning she's encountered so far, it's not like giving one of her team members the Pecha Berry to hold would be a bad thing - she decides to give it to Sport.

 "Alright, I think we have enough we can probably take care of maybe a couple of Bandra grunts, or some aggressive wild Pokémon if we run into that. No way of instantly messaging anybody about our situation, and I don't think either of our chances are great if I were to run back to the Shrine to get help and either of us -you two or me - got ambushed. Any slow attempt we do make at walking back together is better than nothing, but also dependent on how safely you can both move with support. I don't believe any of my active Pokémon are small or evasive enough to safely go get help on their own - what about yours'? And anything else I'm missing?" 

It was a bit of a stumble getting back into her old mindset from her times helping wild Pokémon with bad situations back in Pinwheel - she wasn't even all that used to considering healing beyond Oran berries, so she had written off the injured combatants too quickly - but now she feels herself getting back in her element.
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 She immediately becomes defensive. “Listen, whatever problems you’ve had, he doesn’t work here and we don’t work for him, either, so you’ll have to take it up with him.” 
 

Less raised up his hands, and Buck sat back on his haunches, tilting his head and letting his tongue loll out.  "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage,"  Less replied, keeping his voice calm.  "I don't know what may have happened with the Berry Master, I'd simply heard he rents some space from your store."  Less paused for just a moment and looked around.  "From your reaction, it seems that's no longer true. Has something happened?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "For healing... I've got a few potions, and I can cure the burn. No revives, though." 

Pinklady uses a Super Potion on each of Sport and Croaky, and her Full Heal on Sport. Despite the lack of poisoning she's encountered so far, it's not like giving one of her team members the Pecha Berry to hold would be a bad thing - she decides to give it to Sport. 
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

-2 Super Potions, 1 remaining. -1 Full Heal, 0 remaining.
Sport: 67/67
Croaky: 70/80
 Blast Bolt: 0/102 
 Leapsy: 0/75 
 


“What about you, Stef? What are your Pokémon holding, do they need replacements?”

“Umm…” Stef just looks embarrassed, and for once is short of words.

“ …Stef!  You’ve been digging up all kinds of Soft Sand and Hard Stones and you’re battling with all Rock and Ground types!”

“I thought someone else might need them more, so I left them at the Shrine! Oh, but I do have some more things in here…” Stef mostly sounds puzzled now. “…I think this is one of the extra Kits, not mine. Whoever it was who got my Kit must have given me the wrong one…”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Pick three items from the following list, and duplicates are fine:

Petosky Stone* (powers up moves when held by a Fossil Pokémon)
Soft Sand
Hard Stone
Float Stone
Unown Tile*
Absorb Bulb
Big Root

Also three  Gems  of whatever type(s) you want.

You can take them for yourself or insist the NPCs use them. Same goes for the Max Revive Stef brought out last post.
 


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "I don't believe any of my active Pokémon are small or evasive enough to safely go get help on their own - what about yours'? And anything else I'm missing?"  
 

Sandra shakes her head. “My Vulpix could make a hail storm, but that would make it really, really obvious she was there. We could try to find a spot to hide out for a few hours until our unconscious Pokémon wake up, or hope a patrol of our people finds us and can help us get back to the Shrine, but if we do that Bandra might find us first.”

 
 Spoiler: DM Reminder 
It’s three hours of rest to restore your Pokémon to full HP, assuming they just have hit point damage and no status effects, broken bones etc.

And I’m not saying that you have to rest or that you should, just reminding you that it’s an option since it doesn’t come up much.
 


----------------

Less:

“No, he doesn’t rent space from us, his rental plots are by his house,” she responds, momentarily taken aback. “So whatever or whoever was ripping up your Berry plants, go complain to  him  about it because we’re not responsible for that.”
Gnomes2169
Excellent, that potion and those scales would be super useful as time went on. He's be able to retrain Calm Mind on Tattersail and Iron Head on Marick... but that could come later. For now he made a note of the pole and continued following the other boy down the beach.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

You and Petri are about ten minutes from the plaster site when you hear a faint buzzing noise, although you can’t see its source. Petri pauses and looks worried. “That sounds like a boat.”
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “No, he doesn’t rent space from us, his rental plots are by his house,” she responds, momentarily taken aback. “So whatever or whoever was ripping up your Berry plants, go complain to  him  about it because we’re not responsible for that.” 
 

That tickled something in the back of his mind . . . the berry master having some kind of problem. Hmm. " Ah, I seem to have misunderstood. I'd merely wanted to see what he might have for sale . . . but it seems I'm in entirely the wrong place."  Less replied, before thanking the young woman and heading to the berry master's home.
Gnomes2169
Looking up at the sound, Mark frowned and pulled out his binoculars so he could scan the waves. " It does sound like that, doesn't it...? " He muttered. Which direction were these goons coming from...?
essCee
 "Alright. I think it's best, then, for us to find a good spot to rest and at least have the rest of our team ready to go. You two should try to rest as best you can too, I'll keep watch." 
 
 Spoiler: Items 

Three items I pick are - Soft Sand, Hard Stone, and Big Root.
Three gems - Psychic, Fairy, and Water.
 

 "And as for the kit gear... not much sense not using them. Soft Sand for your Diglett, Hard Stone for your Azumarill - it's got a potent rollout, right? - and the Big Root for my Hitmonchan's Drain Punches sound good? Not sure what could use the Gems best... and for your max revive, it's critical enough we might want to hold onto it - hopefully if something does come our way, you can use it before fighting begins." 

While listening for an answer, Pinklady is already looking around for the most promising-looking hill for cover, and considers -  If Bandra does come around, they'd look near the broken cart... I should move it farther down the road once we settle down. 
 
 Spoiler: Rest Reminder 

Thank you for the reminder! I must've missed it in the rules/forgotten about it, things are looking a bit more up with that in mind, yay. 🙂
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

You make your way to the Berry Master’s house. It mostly looks like a normal house, but with an ‘OPEN’ sign on the front door and the yard is enclosed with a wood privacy fence with a padlock on the gate. Barbed wire is also strung across the top of the fence, obviously a new addition.

The entryway of the house has been converted to a shop front: there’s a bell on the door to announce your entrance, a countertop that is obviously not part of the original building taking up most of the length of the room, and a door across from the entrance that appears to lead to the yard. There are pictures of fruit and Berries on the walls, and what appears to be a picture of the Berry Master with his wife (‘In Loving Memory’ reads the frame) by the register. A nearby sign reads:

 Razz: 20 PD/ea
Bluk: 20 PD/ea
Nanab: 20 PD/ea
Wepear: 20 PD/ea
Pinap: 20 PD/ea
Cornn: 55 PD/ea
Magost: 55 PD/ea
Rabuta: 55 PD/ea
Nomel: 55 PD/ea
Spelon: 95 PD/ea
Pamtre: 95 PD/ea
Watmel: 95 PD/ea
Durin: 95 PD/ea
Belue: 95 PD/ea
Grab Bag (5 random Berries): 250 PD/ea
Plot Rental: 500 PD/day per plot (Reminder to patrons: Payment is due up front. Customers are responsible for supplying any Mulch or other growth additives. Berries must be retrieved during shop hours (8 AM – 6 PM) or have pickup time arranged with management. Berries not retrieved promptly are forfeit. Management is not responsible for plants that do not produce in the allotted time. Management is not responsible for loss of plants or Berries due to pests, damage, weather, etc.)
 
The Berry Master himself, a rotund man with a lot of dirt on his hands, comes in when he hears the bell, prompting a low growl from Buck. “A new customer! What can I do for you?”

----------------

Mark:

Through your binoculars you can see a small but speedy motorboat just coming into sight from the east; there are three people in it, confirmed as Grunts with a little more scrutiny than is usually necessary due to the life vests over their uniforms. One is steering the noisy little motor and one is standing at the bow with a pair of binoculars of his own looking out to sea presently. They don’t appear to have spotted you yet.

----------------

Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "Alright. I think it's best, then, for us to find a good spot to rest and at least have the rest of our team ready to go. You two should try to rest as best you can too, I'll keep watch."  
 

Stef points. “There’s a little cave up there, I can see a dark crack in the rock. I don’t know how we could climb up to it, though.”


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  
 Spoiler: Items 

Three items I pick are - Soft Sand, Hard Stone, and Big Root.
Three gems - Psychic, Fairy, and Water.
 

 "And as for the kit gear... not much sense not using them. Soft Sand for your Diglett, Hard Stone for your Azumarill - it's got a potent rollout, right? - and the Big Root for my Hitmonchan's Drain Punches sound good? Not sure what could use the Gems best... and for your max revive, it's critical enough we might want to hold onto it - hopefully if something does come our way, you can use it before fighting begins."  
 

“Oh, good idea!” Steff takes the Soft Sand and puts it on his Diglett as suggested.

“My Azumarill already has a Hard Stone, you keep it.” Sandra replies, then adds before you can suggest a different Pokémon, “And my Snubbull has Safety Goggles and my Vulpix has an Icy Rock.”



 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 While listening for an answer, Pinklady is already looking around for the most promising-looking hill for cover, and considers -  If Bandra does come around, they'd look near the broken cart... I should move it farther down the road once we settle down.  
 

The cave Stef pointed out is just above your head, vertically speaking, but the bit of mountain leading up to it is about a forty-five degree angle and not perfectly stable – climbable for you, and Stef and Sandra probably would have been fine if they weren’t injured, but difficult to manage with only half the usual number of working legs.

The cave itself also proves to be shallow, but with a bit of a depression inside and the entrance is at an angle to the road – it will be a tight fit, but if you can get all three of you inside you won’t be easily visible from the road.


 
 Spoiler: Added to Inventory 

+1 Hard Stone
+1 Big Root (2 total)

+Psychic Gem
+Fairy Gem
+Water Gem

Stef is holding onto the Max Revive (and of course the Soft Sand), but you can ask him for it if you want.
 
essCee
 "Well spotted!"  Pinklady congratulates him. She observes the path to it, considering its difficulty - not completely unmanageable, she reckons, and an advantage if any opponent does come knocking.  "It'll be a tough walk up there - but it's near enough I should be able to take you each one at a time. Any preference who goes first?" 

After the mention of gear, Pinklady nods to Sandra.  "That's a good bunch of items on them! This extra Hard Stone would be good for your -"  now talking to Stef-  "- Baltoy, or the Psychic Gem. Which do you think?" 
After Stef makes his choice, Pinklady equips her own Pokémon -
Big Root on Sport,
Water Gem on Croaky,
If Stef chooses the Psychic Gem for Baltoy, Hard Stone on Whirlywhirly.
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "It'll be a tough walk up there - but it's near enough I should be able to take you each one at a time. Any preference who goes first?"  
 

“Take Stef first.” Sandra insists.

“Are you sure? I can—”

Sandra cuts Stef off before he can start to ramble. “ Yes. ”


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 After the mention of gear, Pinklady nods to Sandra.  "That's a good bunch of items on them! This extra Hard Stone would be good for your -"  now talking to Stef-  "- Baltoy, or the Psychic Gem. Which do you think?" 
After Stef makes his choice, Pinklady equips her own Pokémon -
Big Root on Sport,
Water Gem on Croaky,
If Stef chooses the Psychic Gem for Baltoy, Hard Stone on Whirlywhirly. 
 

“I’ll give Baltoy the Psychic Gem, since I don’t think either of you have any Psychic types and Bandra might have some more Machoke and I really shouldn’t be sending Baltoy against their Wispaferyn unless I have to because—”

“ Okay. ” Sandra cuts him off and motions for you to take him.

 
 Spoiler: Inventory Update 
-Psychic Gem, 0 remaining.
 
Lord Ruby34
Less gently pets Buck between the ears  "It's alright old friend, he means us no harm."  Despite his words, Buck's reaction had put Less slightly on edge. That wasn't how Buck usually reacted to new people, not unless they represented some threat.

 "Hello, I was hoping to look at your stock of berries."  Less replied,  "Though, it doesn't seem like you have what I was looking for. I was hoping you might have some Apicot or Ganlon berries?"  Less finished.
essCee
Pinklady giggles at Sandra's insistence.  "Alright, Stef, let's go! I'd like to try out you just leaning on me first to see if you can safely put any weight on the unbroken leg, but if it hurts even just a really tiny bit, let me know and I'll carry you up, alright? And Sandra, just shout if you see anything bad."  She gives Stef a hand in getting up, and does just as she described - first acting like a crutch to try ascending the hill side by side with him, but switching to a bridal-style carry if he gives any indication of pain.

With either way of ascension, she makes sure to lean forward, into the angle of the ascent - should she be carrying Stef, this puts him very close to the incline's surface. Having had her share of climbing hills - albeit ones on the more grassy side - she's also careful to test the soil ahead each step with a few nudges before she takes a solid step.
Gnomes2169
Mark lowered his binoculars shortly after spotting the grunts, and he considered his options quickly. He could probably take those three grunts, but it wasn't guaranteed and the problem is that there would almost certainly be more, and if they spotted him they'd radio that in. They were just starting the plasters process, so getting stuck in a protracted battle of attrition was  not  something he was looking for... So he'd try to avoid the fight if he could.

Looking around for any kinds of cover that could hide him and Petri from the boat, he said, " They've got someone with binoculars, get down low and hide... there. " He said, pointing to the most likely place he could spot on short notice. If there's a point in this rocky beach with a hidden shoal, that would be ideal, even if the trainers would get a bit wet in the process. Mark also has Jessia and the Dendrolog sink mostly under the ground, reluctant to recall them since the beam that would create will make a beacon for the grunts to investigate. Fortunately, they were ghosts! Pretty convenient for sneaking around with.

Once they'd hidden as well as they could, Mark pulled out his phone to give Mina a call and give her a heads-up on the patrol boat. If they didn't notice him, they'd certainly swing around near her in a few minutes.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

“I’m sorry,” the Berry Master says jovially (after a nervous glance at Buck), “But most of my rare Berries went toward the war effort, and with Bandra everywhere it hasn’t been safe to look for more.”

----------------

Pinklady:

Stef tries, but being injured he isn’t testing his footing like you are and the first time he puts his foot wrong he’s yelping in pain. You nevertheless manage to get him up the incline and into the mini cave.

Sandra’s looking tense when you get back. “I thought I heard voices coming, but it might have been an echo. Let’s hurry, okay?”

----------------

Mark:

You are able to find cover. It’s a little low, but seems to be enough: though the Grunts scan the area all around them none of them seem to notice you, and they speed on by.

Mina picks up immediately. “  What’s wrong?  ”
Gnomes2169
Not worried about being heard by the people in the boat, -if they could hear that motor even though the boat was that far away, there was NO way Mark's voice would get picked up by any of those grunts- Mark told Mina, " We've got a boat coming in from the east. Three grunts with a pair of binoculars, they don't seem to have spotted us. Keep an eye out for some cover you can hide behind, you should hear them a good way out. "

Once the boat has moved on, Mark sits up just enough to scan after it with his binoculars and, once it goes around a corner on the cove or simply becomes too small to see, gestures to his pokemon and the scientist that it's safe to come out of hiding. " Alright, a bit of a delay but we're good. Let's keep going. "
Lord Ruby34
 "I understand entirely,"  Less replied, his hand still resting comfortably on Buck's head.  "I would be willing to search for the Apicot and Ganlon berries myself, though, if you know where I might be able to find them?" 
essCee
Pinklady nods.  "Absolutely."  Given her urging, Pinklady doesn't waste any time testing assisted walking and just carries her up.

Once everyone's settled into the cave, she sits as close as she dares to the mouth of the cave to do her best to keep watch without revealing their presence. She briefly considers heading back out to move the cart as planned earlier, but decides against it just in case the voices Sandra believed she heard were people coming soon enough to catch her in the act.

 "Sorry things have gone so wrong."  She quietly tells the other two.  "Have either of you been in a mess like this before?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " We've got a boat coming in from the east. Three grunts with a pair of binoculars, they don't seem to have spotted us. Keep an eye out for some cover you can hide behind, you should hear them a good way out. " 
 

“  Will do. Thanks for the warning.  ” After that rather terse response Mina hangs up.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Once the boat has moved on, Mark sits up just enough to scan after it with his binoculars and, once it goes around a corner on the cove or simply becomes too small to see, gestures to his pokemon and the scientist that it's safe to come out of hiding. " Alright, a bit of a delay but we're good. Let's keep going. " 
 

Petri, slightly paler than he was before the near encounter, nods and leads the way further east.

Around 3:30 PM the tide is approaching the halfway point and you come to another site. This one is a large piece of driftwood tangled with seaweed left behind by the retreating tide, surrounded by prints.

                     

Petri immediately sets to work mixing plaster. “We won’t have much time after this, so we’ll have to hurry to check much further down the coast.”

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "I understand entirely,"  Less replied, his hand still resting comfortably on Buck's head.  "I would be willing to search for the Apicot and Ganlon berries myself, though, if you know where I might be able to find them?"  
 

“With as dead as the region has become? I couldn’t point you anywhere with certainty, there aren’t many places left for Berries to grow in the wild. But if you find some, you’re welcome to come rent a plot to grow them in!”

----------------

Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 Pinklady nods.  "Absolutely."  Given her urging, Pinklady doesn't waste any time testing assisted walking and just carries her up.

Once everyone's settled into the cave, she sits as close as she dares to the mouth of the cave to do her best to keep watch without revealing their presence. She briefly considers heading back out to move the cart as planned earlier, but decides against it just in case the voices Sandra believed she heard were people coming soon enough to catch her in the act.

 "Sorry things have gone so wrong."  She quietly tells the other two.  "Have either of you been in a mess like this before?"  
 

“No, but Simon says it was bad when Bandra took Greshil.” Stef sounds subdued. “We still don’t know what happened to the Gym Leader.”

“Yes, when the cruise ship I was on crashed in Helnith in the first place,” Sandra replies with a shiver.
Lord Ruby34
 "I'll keep that in mind,"  Less replied in his typical drawl.  "That does spark a memory. Have you been having some trouble with your patches? Some of the young women at the garden store indicated that you might be having some problems." 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

“It should be taken care of,” the Berry Master assures you. “As you may have seen I’ve increased security to make sure nothing gets in!”
Gnomes2169
While Petri goes to work on the plaster, Mark has his pokemon comb the beach for more items and took out his binoculars to scan the surrounding area. " Maybe we can make up some time by just casting the prints that aren't familiar? I'm pretty sure the smaller hook prints are Crabby or Corphish, " Both of which he's seen on the coast before, " So we could just focus on the others and hurry on that much quicker? "
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 While Petri goes to work on the plaster, Mark has his pokemon comb the beach for more items and took out his binoculars to scan the surrounding area. 
 

You don’t spot anything worrying through the binoculars, but Jessia calls your attention to a cavity under the driftwood; it looks like something had been stuck there – a lot of the prints are in that area – but isn’t anymore. Near the back is a chunk of bright pink rock the Pokédex identifies as a piece of Corsola horn. ((+Corsola Horn))


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Maybe we can make up some time by just casting the prints that aren't familiar? I'm pretty sure the smaller hook prints are Crabby or Corphish, " Both of which he's seen on the coast before, " So we could just focus on the others and hurry on that much quicker? " 
 

“Corphish are deep water Pokémon, if they’ve been pushed up onto the beach that’s definitely information worth gathering,” Petri points out. “And a lot of Pokémon have tracks that are similar but belong to wildly different species, we might miss something if we pass anything over because it looks like a common Pokémon’s print. We also don’t know when we’ll be able to take another expedition up here, so even data about the population – how many of these prints are from adults for example – might be valuable, even if not to us specifically.” He starts to pour plaster into the nearest print. “We’ll just have to get as far as we can.”
Gnomes2169
Mark had his pokemon retrieve the horn so he could hold it in his robotic hand, and rotated it around. A lot of prints next to the hole, huh? ... Well, that was both suggestive and a bit disturbing. When Petri brought up his objection, Mark shrugged and said, " Alright, you're the boss. " He's not going to argue the point, especially since Petri is the scientist here, while Mark is an art nerd... and just a bit of a dork.
Lord Ruby34
After a few more moments perusal Less made a decision. These were not the berries Mina needed, but at least a few of these would fit in the Poffin recipes Less had found online.   "Excellent to hear,"  Less replied.  "Though I don't currently have anything to plant,at the moment. I'll take one of each of those berries you're selling for 95 PD, though,"  Less stated. After his purchase, Less turned to go, hesitating for a moment on the threshold before venturing back outside.

 
 Spoiler: OOC/Explain 

If the Berry Master stops Less or says something, Less will stay to hear him out. If not, Less will make his way to the beach, headed out of town.

Either way, can I get a time check and how much time until Less can ride Buck out of Tidepath?
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

Once the plaster is poured you don’t have to go far before you find another site with prints – this time it’s the wreck of a Bandra patrol boat, as evidenced by the weathered, but still legible spiky purple ‘B’ on the side. It’s been snapped nearly in half, though whether by storm damage, Pokémon attack, or just from being battered against the rocks by the waves is not immediately clear. The local Pokémon appear to have taken some interest, however:

                 

Petri makes an interested noise and immediately sets to mixing plaster.

----------------

Less:

 
 Spoiler: Inventory Update and Time Status 

+1 Spelon Berry, +1 Pamtre Berry, +1 Watmel Berry, +1 Durin Berry (2 total), +1 Belue Berry (2 total)

-475 PD, 1760 PD remaining.

It’s 3 PM for you and the next low tide is at 7:30 PM.
 


The Berry Master takes your money cheerfully and hands you your Berries.
Gnomes2169
Well now, a Bandra ship wreck? Mark had his pokemon check the area again, this time sweeping out to the shallows and joining in the search as well. He still made sure to keep looking and listening for trouble, of course, but if there was a wreck then there was a real chance that whatever supplies Bandra was carrying with them had washed up on shore or into the parts that the tide had retreated from as well. To Petri he said, " Alright, this is the last stop. Let me know if something comes up, I'm gonna give the others a call and see how they're doing. "

Assuming that nothing jumped out and tried to kill and/or eat them over the next couple of seconds, Mark paused in his search so he could pull out his phone and give Mina a call, asking her, " Hey Sunshine, we're about done on our end, how's it looking over there? "
Lord Ruby34
After getting his berries, Less stopped by the Pokemon center to grab some Pokemon chow, and then headed over to the beach. Time to meet the new members of his team.

Less will look for a secluded place on the beach, and, once found, will release Clefairy in a flash of red light.

 "Hello,"  Less said, Buck woofed a greeting while burying himself in the sand.  "I'm Less, and this is Buck." 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

It’s clear the boat itself is beyond saving, but despite the extensive damage to the hull some of the storage compartments survived, as did their contents. Beyond that, Jessia finds a few items tangled in the remains of a net offshore, which she drags to the beach. All told, a tidy little haul.

 
 Spoiler: Spoils 

3 Potions
5 Dodgy Lure Balls
3 Dive Balls
2 Net Balls
6 Life Jackets
Boat Key with floating keychain
2 Underwater Respirators
 


However you don’t get a chance to make your call before you’re interrupted: while you’re looking through the inside of the wreck, you hear a distant sound – a gravelly noise like a cross between a growl and a howl, or the wind over cold mountain peaks.

“Mark, Mark!”

Both your Ghost types start making noise too – excited, not frightened or hostile.

“Did you see that?!!” Petri glances back to you then back out to the open ocean. “Wow, it’s gone already. So fast!”

----------------

Less:

The Clefairy looks around, slightly disoriented and chewing a finger in a distracted manner. Then she spots you and hops up into the air, waving excitedly…and then squeaks as she sees Buck, taking cover away from the big, intimidating Fire Pokémon by hiding behind you.
Lord Ruby34
 "Well, aren't you the most adorable thing."  Less replied. A disinterested beach-goer could perhaps be forgiven for even calling it a coo.  "Don't be scared of old Buck, he's a friend too."  Buck woofed in agreement, and cocked his head . . . and continued cocking it until he fell over in the sand, ending up on his back with all four paws in the air and his tongue lolling out.

 "See? No need to be afraid." 
Gnomes2169
Mark had been considering the life jackets - they'd been thinking about supplies they needed for their potential raid after all - when that sound reached him. One of the jackets hits the ground as he immediately pulls out Fisher and Tattersail's pokeballs, not sending them out yet but still getting them ready, and he turned to look out over the waves. Now keeping an eye on the ocean, with himself and his ghost pokemon interposed between the water and his scientist ward, Mark said, " I missed it, but I definitely heard it. Jessia, double team. " It didn't hurt to prepare a little, even if it wasn't an immediate threat. He wondered, though... " Did it look like something that could walk on land, or just a sea creature? And do you have a fishing rod? " He still had that old rod that Less had traded to him, but if it was fast, Mark didn't know how effective that would be.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

“No, but Simon says it was bad when Bandra took Greshil.” Stef sounds subdued. “We still don’t know what happened to the Gym Leader.”

“Yes, when the cruise ship I was on crashed in Helnith in the first place,” Sandra replies with a shiver. 
 

Pinklady nods solemnly. She puts an arm around Stef comfortingly.  "I'm sorry. Did you know the gym leader yourself?" 

She also asks Sandra,  "I had no idea you were from out-of-region... where are you from?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Your newest acquisition still looks a little bit nervous but pulls away from you slightly and gives Buck a tentative wave.

----------------

Mark:

Jessia and her copies make a defensive line down the beach, just out of reach of the retreating waves.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Did it look like something that could walk on land, or just a sea creature? " 
 

“I mostly saw a blue glow, and I think it was trailing smoke or mist, but I suppose it could have had legs,” Petri replies doubtfully. “It was going very fast. And given the distance…I’d say it was at least human sized, maybe bigger.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " And do you have a fishing rod? " 
 

Petri looks even more puzzled now. “No I don’t have a fishing rod with me, why?”

----------------

Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 Pinklady nods solemnly. She puts an arm around Stef comfortingly.  "I'm sorry. Did you know the gym leader yourself?"  
 

“A little.” Stef seems comforted by the contact. “Mr. Gate gave me my first Mining Kit. He was nice.”


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 She also asks Sandra,  "I had no idea you were from out-of-region... where are you from?"  
 

“Konikoni City, out in Alola.” She makes a face. “All of this,” she gestures to indicate Helnith, or perhaps the war, “was just supposed to be a nice vacation before trying a Pokémon League challenge.”
Gnomes2169
Mark frowned, looking for a glow underneath the waves or a puff of mist, and had Jessia use Double team again. " I was thinking we could try catching it if it was more of a fish thing, but if it's got landwalking capabilities... " He scanned slowly, doing his best to find any sign of the unknown pokemon, and asked, " Which direction was it moving? "
Lord Ruby34
Buck responds by wagging his tail, still belly up in the sand, and gives Clefairy a welcoming bark.
essCee
To Stef,  "He definitely sounds so. If I ever get to meet him, you'll have to introduce me to him, alright?" 

Then to Sandra,  "I've heard Alola's really nice... I'm sorry your vacation got messed up like this. Do you have any ideas on when you'll be able to get home?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

Petri points northwest.

----------------

Less:

The Clefairy still doesn’t look entirely reassured, but manages a weak, possibly forced smile – it’s hard to tell.

----------------

Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 To Stef,  "He definitely sounds so. If I ever get to meet him, you'll have to introduce me to him, alright?"  
 

Stef bobs his head in agreement. “I can do that! In fact I can introduce you to everyone at the Club if you want! Not right now, I mean, since we’re trapped in the mountains and might die. But later!”


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 Then to Sandra,  "I've heard Alola's really nice... I'm sorry your vacation got messed up like this. Do you have any ideas on when you'll be able to get home?"  
 

“Not really. Or I should say,” she adds pessimistically, “not until after the crazy Bandra Officer with the Elite Four Pokémon stops patrolling around the coast, but I don’t know when that will be. Maybe never.”
essCee
 "I look forward to when you do, Stef! So we'll especially have to make sure not to die, alright? I'm looking forward to your introductions!" 

She nods to Sandra.  "I have a good feeling it won't be never. Things are really bad, but... if Bandra was able to rise like they did, it makes sense others will, in time, be able to rise against and stop them in turn. It might not be really soon, but I doubt things will stay this way for long. What do you think of that idea?" 
Gnomes2169
So then, going  away  from shore... Mark put the pokeballs back in his pockets for now, but he doesn't have his ghost pokemon stand down just yet. It was under the water, after all, nothing said it couldn't come back around. " Well, maybe we'll see it again on our way back. " And they had a whole bunch of new balls for him to catch it with! At least, if it decided to confront them instead of scurrying away again. " I'll call Mina and let them know that we're ready to start working our way back. Tell me if you see anything, okay? "

And with  that,  he finally gives his partner a call.
Lord Ruby34
Buck looked at the Clefairy with big eyes, and then slowly rolled to his feet, keeping himself low and keeping his tail wagging, he woofed something out in Pokespeech, apparently an invitation to play in the sand.

Meanwhile Less smiled. He wanted his Pokemon to get to know each other, though he was worried about overwhelming the Clefairy by introducing her to his whole team at once.
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "I look forward to when you do, Stef! So we'll especially have to make sure not to die, alright? I'm looking forward to your introductions!"  
 

Stef smiles happily and settles down a little.


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 She nods to Sandra.  "I have a good feeling it won't be never. Things are really bad, but... if Bandra was able to rise like they did, it makes sense others will, in time, be able to rise against and stop them in turn. It might not be really soon, but I doubt things will stay this way for long. What do you think of that idea?"  
 

“I think you’re being really optimistic, but I like it.”

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
  " I'll call Mina and let them know that we're ready to start working our way back. Tell me if you see anything, okay? " 
 

“Don’t forget we’ve got to wait an hour for the plaster to cure,” Petri reminds, stabbing a marking pole into the ground.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 And with  that,  he finally gives his partner a call. 
 

Mina, again, picks up immediately. “  What’s wrong?  ”

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Buck looked at the Clefairy with big eyes, and then slowly rolled to his feet, keeping himself low and keeping his tail wagging, he woofed something out in Pokespeech, apparently an invitation to play in the sand. 
 

This is apparently too much too fast, as your new Clefairy lets out a squeak and vanishes back into her Moon Ball, refusing to come back out.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Don’t forget we’ve got to wait an hour for the plaster to cure,” Petri reminds, stabbing a marking pole into the ground. 
 

Mark looks at that pole, back along the beach they'd been walking along for the last three hours, and frowns a bit. Sure, they'd stopped multiple times along the way, but it's still a good thing they were teleporting back to the city. Still, he nodded to confirm he understood.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Mina, again, picks up immediately. “  What’s wrong?  ” 
 

Mark's tone was casual as he says, " Nothing necessarily wrong, just letting you know that we're wrapping things up on our end and that we saw... something. Maybe even one of the pokemon that we're looking for. Petri and my ghost types actually got a good look of it, and it seems like it was going north-west, so it might end up near you, too, or it might have an underwater cave or something near here. Oh. Also. We found a shipwrecked Bandra boat, and I've got some new stuff from that we can go over. " The rebreathers and life vests could be useful in a multitude of ways, after all.
Lord Ruby34
Less's smile turned in on itself and he sighed, while Buck let out a confused and disappointed woof.  "We'll try again later tonight my friend. Let's meet the our other new companion."  That said, Less released Toebiter in a flash of light, this time waiting for the supposedly onery grass-type to make the first move. Buck sat back on his tail, looking sad, and doing his very best to appear non-threatening.
essCee
Pinklady smiles.  "I won't deny that!"  She says, acknowledging Sandra's opinion on her outlook.  "But sometimes, that's really what's needed, isn't it? Especially since it isn't unrealistic, I don't think so." 

By now she's definitely settled down in a comfortable position that lets her keep watch without pulling away from Stef, ready for the long-term resting they're all undertaking.

 "If either of you feel tired, a nap would be good! I'll wake you up if anything happens." 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Nothing necessarily wrong, just letting you know that we're wrapping things up on our end and that we saw... something. Maybe even one of the pokemon that we're looking for. Petri and my ghost types actually got a good look of it, and it seems like it was going north-west, so it might end up near you, too, or it might have an underwater cave or something near here. " 
 

“  Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for it.  ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Oh. Also. We found a shipwrecked Bandra boat, and I've got some new stuff from that we can go over. " 
 

“  Great! We can go over it tomorrow then,  ” Mina replies.

----------------

Less:

Toebiter appears, immediately looks around, then twists his body to face you. He doesn’t look impressed, and says something antagonistic-sounding in Pokéspeak.

----------------

Pinklady:


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "If either of you feel tired, a nap would be good! I'll wake you up if anything happens."  
 

Sandra nods, and Stef smiles and closes his eyes. Both look perfectly prepared to take that advice.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Anything particular you want to do or preparations you want to make while on watch?
 
Lord Ruby34
Less didn't immediately look to Buck to translate. A challenge was was hardly an unexpected development. While the Clefairy might have been skittish and shy, Less didn't think that Toebiter would be the same. A challenge, an insult even, was to be expected. Less needed to show Toebiter that he was a trainer that the little steel type could  respect , or he wouldn't get anywhere.

Less squatted down to get closer to Toebiter's level, and spoke, his voice firm, but not unkind.  "Before I traded for you, your previous trainer told me that you were ornery and difficult to work with. He told me that, I believe, to warn me away, to tell me that you might cause problems. Instead, that just convinced me that you're just the Pokemon I want alongside me. I expect my next few weeks to be difficult, dangerous even. I want Pokemon beside me who are comfortable with danger."  Less looked up and gestured to the world around him.  "Helnith, this region, is a war zone. There are murders here. Humans who have brought death and destruction, who have murdered Pokemon and their trainers. I intend to fight them."  Less stopped for just a moment before continuing.  "But in order to do that, I need you to trust me. I need to  earn  that trust. I need to trust you too."  Less paused.  "And that can be slow going, so I understand if you're not ready to give it just yet. I simply ask that before you form an opinion of me that you talk to Buck, " Less gestured to the fire type next to him,  "and then Connie, and the rest of my Pokemon. Is that something you're willing to do?" 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “  Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for it.  ” 
 

" It seems to glow or leak mist, and its call sounds like wind on a mountain. Howling and frosty. " He added, since those would be the most obvious signs of this creature.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “  Great! We can go over it tomorrow then,  ” Mina replies. 
 

" Sounds good to me. We'll see you guys soon. " And, if Mina didn't have anything to add, he'd hang up again and look around the beach for some obvious cover. To Petri he said, " Well, if we're going to wait, we should probably find a place to sit that isn't super visible. Just in case another patrol passes by. "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Before I traded for you, your previous trainer told me that you were ornery and difficult to work with. He told me that, I believe, to warn me away, to tell me that you might cause problems. Instead, that just convinced me that you're just the Pokemon I want alongside me. I expect my next few weeks to be difficult, dangerous even. I want Pokemon beside me who are comfortable with danger."  Less looked up and gestured to the world around him.  "Helnith, this region, is a war zone. There are murders here. Humans who have brought death and destruction, who have murdered Pokemon and their trainers. I intend to fight them."  Less stopped for just a moment before continuing.  "But in order to do that, I need you to trust me. I need to  earn  that trust. I need to trust you too."  Less paused.  "And that can be slow going, so I understand if you're not ready to give it just yet. I simply ask that before you form an opinion of me that you talk to Buck, " Less gestured to the fire type next to him,  "and then Connie, and the rest of my Pokemon. Is that something you're willing to do?"  
 

Toebiter’s response is in Pokespeak, of course, but it has definite notes ‘yeah yeah, sure sure’ as well as ‘get off my lawn!’ It’s unclear if he doesn’t believe your impassioned speech or just doesn’t care.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " It seems to glow or leak mist, and its call sounds like wind on a mountain. Howling and frosty. " 
 

“  Got it. I’ll keep an ear out too then.  ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Well, if we're going to wait, we should probably find a place to sit that isn't super visible. Just in case another patrol passes by. " 
 

Petri nods, then points behind the shipwreck, eyebrow raised enquiringly.
Gnomes2169
Mark looks the wreck over again, then shrugs. It'd be a bit cramped and damp to hide under a broken patrol boat, but it would also be very good cover. " Sure, that works for me. "
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

The designated hour passes, thankfully uneventfully, and then after determining the coast is clear Petri sets to carefully extracting the plaster print casts from the beach and nestles them gently in the foam interiors of the cases that had been carried along for just that purpose.
Gnomes2169
Walking along the beach with the scientist, Mark sent out his gardevoir and directed her to (carefully) help Petri collect all of the dried plaster. Now that they were basically done, letting Tattersail stay out so she could help them out wasn't  too  much of a risk, especially since he had Jessia and the Dendrolog out to protect her from anything that might jump out of the water at them.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:



Sandra nods, and Stef smiles and closes his eyes. Both look perfectly prepared to take that advice.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Anything particular you want to do or preparations you want to make while on watch?
 
 
 

Pinklady gazes out towards the path they had just recently traveled - one way, then retreating the other way.  Wow! Others always made encouraging people seem so easy, that was tough.  She looks at her two companions, both on their way to rest after having both expressed their worries just moments ago.  It's worth it, though... 
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
No other actions or prep!
 
Lord Ruby34
Less nodded. Not entirely suprising. He had a backup plan, but it could wait until the next night. Instead, Less gestured Buck forward to talk with Toebiter. It might not immediately work, but it was something.

While the two Pokemon talked, Less scanned the beach, looking to see if there were any other trainers around. A low stakes practice battle with his new Pokemon might be just the thing to get them used to him and each other.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

Petri looks up in surprise as the first plaster print starts floating out of the ground, before uttering a “Thanks!” and getting back to work.

The job goes much, much more quickly with Tattersail’s help and soon everything is packed up and ready for the trek back.

----------------

Pinklady:

Both of your travel buddies manage to nod off quickly. As a result, you’re the only one awake when, less than half an hour later, you hear voices start to echo down the road from the direction of the rockslide. A little while after that, a careful peek at the road shows you a handful of Bandra Grunts: they’ve spotted the wrecked cart and are approaching to investigate.

----------------

Less:

((Oops, got ninja’d!))

Buck tries to talk to Toebiter, but as you scan the beach you can already tell the Grass type doesn’t seem to be convinced by the big Fire type nor terribly intimidated, at least in the sense of being willing to back down.

But your scan finds a couple of girls, appearing to be mid-teens and in swimsuits, down the beach sunbathing and splashing in the water. You can see Pokéballs on the towel by the sunbather, and there’s a Psyduck splashing in the waves with the other.

And just as you make note of this, Toebiter spits a seed right between Buck’s eyes.
essCee
Just as she said she would, once she got visual confirmation, Pinklady gently rouses her companions awake - she would have preferred to let them rest and hope the Grunts would just blow over, but she knew she'd need their help if the Grunts didn't merely pass by.
She puts a raised finger to her lips to indicate a need for quiet as she wakes them, and once they're awake enough to pay attention, she does her best to silently communicate the nature of who showed up by pointing in their direction with a thumb and then dragging a finger across her throat.
Gnomes2169
" Figure it'll help us save some time. " He said with a shrug. " Oh, also, Jessia, Dendrolog! The two of you saw the pokemon in the water, right? What did it look like? " He asked, having Tattersail translate for them so he could relay the information to Petri. It's likely that this was one of the pokemon they were here to investigate, after all, so they should probably get details like that down!

They had three sites that they'd stopped at, and Mark kept out all three of his pokemon in between each of them. He'd personally remain on high alert while the plaster was being collected, with Tattersail continuing to assist the scientist, and Jessia and Dendrolog there to pick up things he might miss. Every once in a while he picked his binoculars up again so he could give more distant areas of the coast and the ocean a quick scan. He wasn't going to be surprised by Bandra again!

In that spirit, Mark actually has Petri wait when they're just about to return to the area that the truck had been stashed, keeping low and scouting ahead a little bit with his ghost types to check if Bandra's goons have found the vehicle. If it seems to be all clear, then he collects the college student so they can get back. If Mina and Rhoux didn't beat them back, he'll wait there for them and try to make small talk with Petri about school.
Lord Ruby34
Less shook his head. This was probably going to be a difficult project.  "Toebiter, the next time you antagonize Buck, I'm going to let him respond in an equally petty way. And I'll warn you, the last time that our neighbor called him 'mangy' he left a present on their doorstep for three weeks straight."  Less's tone made it clear exactly what kind of present that Buck had left.

With that Less gestured for Buck and Toebiter to follow, while he called out ahead, making sure he announced himself with plenty of space between himself and the girls.  "Hello! Would either of you care for a friendly Pokemon battle? I just traded for a few new Pokemon, and I'd like to try to get a chance to battle with them." 
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

“Whaaa is i—mmph!” Stef is muffled as Sandra catches on quickly and covers his mouth with a hand.

Down by the cart, one of the Grunts looks briefly confused and asks something of his nearest compatriot, who shrugs. The first shrugs as well and they set to picking over the cart, while the third pulls out her radio and says something into it - the words are hard to make out, but it's short and unexcited-sounding.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Figure it'll help us save some time. " He said with a shrug. " Oh, also, Jessia, Dendrolog! The two of you saw the pokemon in the water, right? What did it look like? " He asked, having Tattersail translate for them so he could relay the information to Petri. It's likely that this was one of the pokemon they were here to investigate, after all, so they should probably get details like that down! 
 

Translated through Tattersail, Dendrolog informs you stolidly that it was big and had legs. Jessia (who has to be coaxed out of an extreme bout of uncharacteristic fangirling to get a coherent answer) tells you in the dreamiest voice you’ve ever heard from her that its body glittered with diamonds in between gushing about ‘the Prince of the North.’ She's decidedly starry-eyed.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 They had three sites that they'd stopped at, and Mark kept out all three of his pokemon in between each of them. He'd personally remain on high alert while the plaster was being collected, with Tattersail continuing to assist the scientist, and Jessia and Dendrolog there to pick up things he might miss. Every once in a while he picked his binoculars up again so he could give more distant areas of the coast and the ocean a quick scan. He wasn't going to be surprised by Bandra again! 
 

Once or twice on the way back you think you hear a boat motor, but it’s faint and no Grunts or boats appear.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 In that spirit, Mark actually has Petri wait when they're just about to return to the area that the truck had been stashed, keeping low and scouting ahead a little bit with his ghost types to check if Bandra's goons have found the vehicle. If it seems to be all clear, then he collects the college student so they can get back. If Mina and Rhoux didn't beat them back, he'll wait there for them and try to make small talk with Petri about school. 
 

The truck appears to be undiscovered; no Grunts around it, and no footprints, trampled greenery or other signs that it might have been found in the vicinity either.

On the flip side, Mina and Roux haven’t arrived yet.

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less shook his head. This was probably going to be a difficult project.  "Toebiter, the next time you antagonize Buck, I'm going to let him respond in an equally petty way. And I'll warn you, the last time that our neighbor called him 'mangy' he left a present on their doorstep for three weeks straight."  Less's tone made it clear exactly what kind of present that Buck had left. 
 

Toebiter’s responding tone is a condescending mirror of yours, which the Grass type follows up by sticking out his tongue with a ‘ thbbbt! ’


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 With that Less gestured for Buck and Toebiter to follow, while he called out ahead, making sure he announced himself with plenty of space between himself and the girls. 
 

While he does follow, and despite being nothing more than a spikey ball with a face, Toebiter manages to convey that he’s only coming along because he feels like it.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Hello! Would either of you care for a friendly Pokemon battle? I just traded for a few new Pokemon, and I'd like to try to get a chance to battle with them."  
 

The girls exchange looks, then the one sunbathing puts aside her book and stands up. “Sure, I’ll battle you. Single battle format, two Pokémon each?”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Translated through Tattersail, Dendrolog informs you stolidly that it was big and had legs. Jessia (who has to be coaxed out of an extreme bout of uncharacteristic fangirling to get a coherent answer) tells you in the dreamiest voice you’ve ever heard from her that its body glittered with diamonds in between gushing about ‘the Prince of the North.’ She's decidedly starry-eyed. 
 

Well, that suggested that it was in one of Jessia's egg groups... or at least an ice type. Maybe both. Given the description of a "diamond body," though, he guessed that it was part of the Mineral egg group.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 The truck appears to be undiscovered; no Grunts around it, and no footprints, trampled greenery or other signs that it might have been found in the vicinity either.

On the flip side, Mina and Roux haven’t arrived yet. 
 

Mark helped Petri get their collected samples inside the truck, and gave Mina and Roux 10 minutes to show up before deciding that he should probably go check on them.

If he needs to go looking, Mark asks Petri if he wants to come with or stay in the truck, and if the scientist decides to go with the later he makes sure Petri has his number, knows to stay inside the covered truck, and will call him if anyone shows up so that Mark can teleport back and warp them away, hopefully before discovery.

If Petri decides to keep accompanying him, then he'll thank him for the extra set of eyes and caution him to stay alert.

Either way, if he has to go back to the beach, he's teasing Jessia about maybe finding her new boyfriend while they look.  As if he's one to tease anyone or anything about having a crush. 
Lord Ruby34
Less shook his head, ever so slightly disappointed. When he'd heard the word "ornery" he'd expected a Pokemon with a lot of fight, not one that was so . . . juvenile. There were worse sins, he supposed, though he'd have to put some effort into figuring out exactly how to bond with the spikey ball.
 
"Agreed. You can call me Less, by the way."  Less replied. While good tactics would suggest sending the less powerful of the two Pokemon he intended to use out first, this wasn't really about winning or losing. Instead, if the girl appeared ready, Less turned to Toebiter and asked,  "Fancy a friendly scrap?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mina:

Mina, meanwhile, took off west with Roux, after calling out Pidgey so she’d have eyes in the sky for trouble. The red-haired scientist kept trying to make small talk along the way, which Mina only half-paid attention to (it didn’t help that his hearing aid was acting up again and he kept misunderstanding her replies).

There wasn’t much in the way of tracks on this stretch, or perhaps they’d been washed away previously. Occasionally she found herself looking up the cliff face for Andrei’s house before reminding herself he was on the opposite side of the mountains. (And deeper in Bandra territory. Mina hoped the old man was all right.) What she saw instead were occasional Wingull, mostly high up in the air or perched near the top of the cliff face, looking down; Mina got the impression they were skittish.

On the bright side, with this stretch not being anywhere near as well traveled or combed over as the more traditional beaches in friendly territory, she found a few noteworthy bits in the flotsam washed up on shore: a couple Heart Scales, a Dragon Scale, a lost Dive Ball that still seemed to be functional. She put them away to sort through later, keeping her eyes open and occasionally shooting a glance at Pidgey or asking Riolu if the little Fighting type could sense anything.

They travelled down the beach for nearly an hour with no trouble or even any notable Pokémon encounters before reaching the first noteworthy batch of prints:

                 

They were scattered around a long-lost towel and extremely battered ball, both half-buried in the sand. Mina wondered if the Pokémon had been playing.

“This looks great!” Roux exclaimed. “All right pretty lady, you just keep watch while I work the plaster magic!”

Mina gave him a narrow look out of the corner of her eye but he was already up to his elbows in plaster dust and didn’t see it. So she put her back to a wall and gazed out over the waves to see if she could see anything potentially problematic.

The Pokédex informed her she had a call, and it was Mark. Heart racing – they were only supposed to be calling in emergencies after all – she answered.

“ What’s wrong? ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " We've got a boat coming in from the east. Three grunts with a pair of binoculars, they don't seem to have spotted us. Keep an eye out for some cover you can hide behind, you should hear them a good way out. " 
 

“ Will do. Thanks for the warning. ” Mina hung up, already scanning for a good hiding spot. Either Pidgey or Riolu should be able to give her some advance warning, but it wouldn’t do any good if they couldn’t act on it. “ Roux! We might have incoming! ”

“What about Homecoming?”

Mina facepalmed, pointed at her ear and said, more slowly and carefully, “  Bandra coming.  ”

Roux jerked, then glanced down at the prints he’d been about to pour. “But I’m not done here!”

“ Then speed it up! ” Mina located a good-sized outcrop, then started moving rocks and sand so they’d have a little more cover from the side. She was briefly distracted as she unearthed a smooth rock with scale-like patterns on it, but shoved it into her pack for later perusal and went back to digging out the hiding spot. ((+Petoskey Stone))

They both finished their respective tasks with a mere minute to spare. Riolu started trying to get her attention, pointing anxiously out to sea, and Mina threaded a path through the hardening puddles of plaster to grab Roux and motion toward her chosen hiding place. They were behind cover just as the buzz of the motor became audible, although Mina had to shush Roux; apparently his hearing aid wasn’t picking up the noise.

Mina waited five minutes after the sound was gone before letting her charge move. They were both covered in sand, but it seemed they’d gone undiscovered so Mina counted it a victory.

Roux put a stake in the ground to mark the site and they went on their way.

They had a close call – or perhaps a false alarm – a little further on, when Mina thought she heard the motor again. That lead to an uncomfortable few minutes with both humans squishing into a narrow cleft with an unamused Riolu smushed between them until Pidgey fluttered down curiously to see what the problem was and Mina was able to determine the coast was clear.

Finally, perhaps half an hour later they came across a second site.

It was a sheltered cove, and it looked like a huge wave had washed up far, far beyond the normal high tide line. Most of the sand was pristine and flat, with only a few strands of seaweed and other debris marking where the normal limits of the waves ended. But because it was so flat, the prints showed up as clearly as ink on paper, with little to no disturbance.

A number of big, teardrop-shaped prints obviously belonged to Lapras, although even Mina could tell some of those were too small to belong to adults. There were also a couple smaller prints mixed in, of various species.

Roux immediately got excited. “Oh, Lapras! A small pod of them from the looks of it! Washed in by the storm a few days ago maybe? Or chased in by Bandra…and these are obviously Wingull, and that – oh, that could be from a Golduck! I’m not seeing any signs of a battle, but this is good, good!”

Mina let him get to it, absently picking at some of the objects buried in the track-free stretches of sand while she kept watch. Then behind her Roux’s voice turned annoyed:

“Mina, you didn’t put your Riolu down, did you? I don’t recognize this print, and it’s some kind of paw.”

“ I’ve been over here the entire time, ” Mina pointed out. Then it occurred to her that there might indeed be Riolu in the vicinity if Aroika had been here and so (very cautiously, to avoid disturbing any tracks) Mina went over to look.

                

“See? Right here,” he pointed to one of the prints.

Could that be a Riolu print? Mina peered at it. No, unless they got a lot bigger than the one she was carrying. Mina pointed out the obvious size difference to Roux but privately wondered:   Lucario maybe?  

The little Fighting type’s nodules were up and he was looking around with interest. Mina, cheered, took that for confirmation while Roux, apparently convinced, went back to prepping the plaster.

At last Roux dusted off his hands. “We’re not going to have time to set anything if we go any further, so let’s just wait here,” he suggested, plopping himself down on a rock. He pulled out an energy bar and offered it. “Hungry?”

Mina was too on edge for food, so she shook her head. “ I’m good. Riolu? ” The Pokémon seemed distracted and didn’t answer. If that had been his mom’s print, Mina couldn’t blame him. “ Guess not.  Let’s look around, shall we?  ”

The cove was sheltered enough Roux was out of sight of the entrance, so Mina felt confident enough to poke around a little. There wasn’t any further signs of Riolu’s original trainer or her Pokémon, but there  were  a number of shiny or brightly colored things buried in the sand by whatever wave had washed this area so smooth: some of it was just garbage, but Mina found another Heart Scale, a couple Tropical Shells, a less decorative shell that looked like it had come off of something, a Spectral Ball smelling of seaweed and fish but otherwise in good shape, a patch of unusually Soft Sand that she bagged up with a bit of the flotsam – and what looked like a very old silver coin.

 
 Spoiler: Total spoils for Mina 

x2 Tropical Shell
Dive Ball
x3 Heart Scales
Dragon Scale
Petoskey Stone*
Soft Sand
Spectral Ball
Relic Silver
Shed Shell
 


The search was briefly interrupted by Mark’s second call.

“ What’s wrong? ” Mina asked, suddenly anxious.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Nothing necessarily wrong, just letting you know that we're wrapping things up on our end and that we saw... something. Maybe even one of the pokemon that we're looking for. Petri and my ghost types actually got a good look of it, and it seems like it was going north-west, so it might end up near you, too, or it might have an underwater cave or something near here. " 
 

Mina wasn’t sure whether to sign in relief or shout at him. Her nerves couldn’t take much more of this! “ Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for it, ” she replied instead.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " It seems to glow or leak mist, and its call sounds like wind on a mountain. Howling and frosty. " He added, since those would be the most obvious signs of this creature. 
 

“ Got it. I’ll keep an ear out too then. ” Mina puzzled over that description. It couldn’t have been a Chevalin, could it? Mark’s didn’t leak mist as far as she knew…Mina checked the Pokédex to be sure. No, no mist or fog moves by default…and those were in the mountains down at the southern edge of the region, not anywhere near here.   And Mark’s Pokémon probably would have realized that was what it was if they saw it,   she reasoned.

She pushed the speculation to the back of her mind for later contemplation; it would keep.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Oh. Also. We found a shipwrecked Bandra boat, and I've got some new stuff from that we can go over. " 
 

“ Great! ” Mina replied, cheered. Loot was always good news. “ We can go over it tomorrow then. ”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Sounds good to me. We'll see you guys soon. " 
 

The rest of the wait went without incident, and finally Roux declared that the plaster should be hard enough to move.

They were most of the way back when Pidgey tried to get her attention. Then Mina heard the motor again. Looking around, there was a dark speck on the horizon.

She grabbed Roux’s arm and tried to drag him behind a bend in the cliff walls. “  Hide!  ”

“Wide what? Oh,  hide! ”

Fortunately tone and body language had gotten the gist of the message across regardless, so Mina didn’t have to fight too hard to get her student scientist behind cover. Unfortunately, it was lousy cover, and might have been too late: Mina was fairly sure they’d been spotted because she could hear the boat getting closer.

“Over ‘dere! I know I saw somethin’!”

Swearing mentally, Mina urged Roux farther down the rock wall and grabbed Pikachu’s Pokéball – maybe her Electric type could disable the motor…

Her thoughts were interrupted by a cold wind off the sea from the north, spraying saltwater over her.

And then she heard a distant howl.

“  CUUUUU!  ”

“There! After it!” There was the sound of churning water and the motor powering away.

Mina was shaking. She noticed Roux was too. She had just enough mental clarity to shepherd the scientist into a better hiding spot before they both collapsed into the sand.

“That was close,” Roux remarked, and Mina could only nod.

After a few minutes Pidgey fluttered down to the sand, acting excited.

“ Are they gone? ” Mina asked. Her starter looked briefly confused – apparently that wasn’t what he’d come to report – but nodded. “ Okay, keep a look out until we get back, I’ll have Xatu translate once we’re somewhere safe. ”

The remainder of the trip, thankfully, went without incident.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Mark helped Petri get their collected samples inside the truck, and gave Mina and Roux 10 minutes to show up before deciding that he should probably go check on them. 
 

Mina and Roux do  not  show up in the allotted 10 minutes; Petri elects to stay with the truck, and promises to call if anyone shows up – friendly or not.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Either way, if he has to go back to the beach, he's teasing Jessia about maybe finding her new boyfriend while they look.  As if he's one to tease anyone or anything about having a crush.  
 

Jessia’s face darkens in a blush at the teasing but she’s gone starry-eyed again.

Luckily, you encounter the missing pair another ten minutes down the beach: both are covered with sand and a little shaken, but unharmed. Mina’s Pidgey flutters down to perch on a nearby rock, cooing a greeting.

“ We had a close call on the way back, ” Mina informs you without preamble. “ I think they spotted us, but your mystery Pokémon showed up and drew them off. ”

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Agreed. You can call me Less, by the way."  
 

“Tracey,” she replies.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "Fancy a friendly scrap?"  
 

Toebiter responds with what might be grumbling or sarcasm but hops forward to battle.

Your opponent sends out Staryu!


Toebiter: 75/75

Staryu: 57/57
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Jessia’s face darkens in a blush at the teasing but she’s gone starry-eyed again. 
 

Wow, a blush? On an ice type? She really  was  infatuated, wasn't she? And from how she'd called this unknown pokemon the "Prince of the North," she might know a little bit more about it... he'd have to ask her to explain what she'd meant by the title when they had a moment.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Luckily, you encounter the missing pair another ten minutes down the beach: both are covered with sand and a little shaken, but unharmed. Mina’s Pidgey flutters down to perch on a nearby rock, cooing a greeting.

“ We had a close call on the way back, ” Mina informs you without preamble. “ I think they spotted us, but your mystery Pokémon showed up and drew them off. ” 
 

A bit of tension that Mark didn't know he'd had leaves his shoulders once he sees that his girlfriend is fine, and he gives Mina a brief hug before responding. " We basically got away with it then, hey? " They hadn't needed to fight at all! Yet, at least. Breaking the hug a moment later, Mark mused, " If Bandra is hunting it, it's probably not working with them... might be where that wreck came from, actually. Did you get a good look at it? Jessia just got a glance and she's completely infatuated. "

Since Tattersail is still out, that question was open for Mina's Pidgey too.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

“Whaaa is i—mmph!” Stef is muffled as Sandra catches on quickly and covers his mouth with a hand.

Down by the cart, one of the Grunts looks briefly confused and asks something of his nearest compatriot, who shrugs. The first shrugs as well and they set to picking over the cart, while the third pulls out her radio and says something into it - the words are hard to make out, but it's short and unexcited-sounding. 
 

Pinklady does her best without a proper hand-signal code to communicate with the other two what's going on out there, after giving Sandra an appreciative nod for quieting Stef.

She holds up three fingers, then puts up the shape of a phone against the side of her face. Lastly she does a "soothe" patting-like gesture to try to indicate that they don't seem particularly excited or outwardly suspicious.
Lord Ruby34
Less nods in acknowledgement to his opponent, and carefully suppresses the grin of satisfaction threatening to overtake his face as Toebiter jumps into battle.  Starmie can heal themselves of status conditions, right . . .    "Toebiter, leech seed!" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " We basically got away with it then, hey? " 
 

“ We were very lucky, ” Mina agrees.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Did you get a good look at it? Jessia just got a glance and she's completely infatuated. " 
 

Mina shakes her head ‘no,’ but her Pidgey straightens and responds with a series of coos.

&lt; He says it had a crest with horns on it, &gt; Tattersail informs you.

----------------

Pinklady:

Sandra nods (she does not take her hand off Stef’s mouth) and both try to remain as quiet as possible. Down by the cart, you can hear the Grunt on the radio hang up after a few moments of speech.

----------------

Less:

Staryu uses Water Gun!
It’s not very effective…
Toebiter is hit for 8 damage!

Toebiter uses Leech Seed!
Staryu was seeded!

Leech seed drains Staryu’s health!
Staryu loses 7 HP!
Toebiter regains 7 HP!


Toebiter: 74/75

Staryu: 50/57 (seeded)
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ We were very lucky, ” Mina agrees.
...
Mina shakes her head ‘no,’ but her Pidgey straightens and responds with a series of coos.

&lt; He says it had a crest with horns on it, &gt; Tattersail informs you. 
 

Speaking of being lucky, they probably shouldn't push it. Gesturing for Pidgey to hop up onto his shoulder so that he could walk while they talked (he'd carried a bigger, heavier pokemon around like a backpack, he could handle the small creature), he translated what the bird said for the others and considered it himself. With the title that Jessia had given the creature, it sounded like... " So kind of like a horn crown? And what else did it look like? Number of legs, eyes, that kind of stuff. "
Lord Ruby34
 "Good Start!"  Less called out.  Mostly because the seedpod Pokemon had actuallyed  obeyed,  but still.   "Curse!" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

If the Staryu uses another Water Gun: Curse again (even a critical hit)
If the Staryu uses another attack that does less than 10 damage and doesn't have a secondary effect: Curse again.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " So kind of like a horn crown? And what else did it look like? Number of legs, eyes, that kind of stuff. " 
 

After an uncertain look at his trainer (who nods), Pidgey hops up on Mark’s shoulder.

&lt; He says it had four legs and two eyes. It was glowing blue and mist was trailing off its back. &gt;

----------------

Less:

Staryu uses Rapid Spin!

The Leech seed vines go flying off. Toebiter grouches something; you can’t tell if it’s at his opponent or at you.

It’s not very effective…
Toebiter is hit for 1 damage!
Staryu takes 7 damage from Iron Barbs!

Toebiter uses Curse!
Toebiter’s Attack rises!
Toebiter’s Defense rises!
Toebiter’s Speed falls!

Staryu uses Water Gun!
It’s not very effective…
Toebiter is hit for 7 damage!

Toebiter uses Curse!
Toebiter’s Attack rises!
Toebiter’s Defense rises!
Toebiter’s Speed falls!


Toebiter: 66/75 (Attack up 2 levels, Defense up 2 levels, Speed down 2 levels)

Staryu: 43/57


----------------

Pinklady:

The minutes pass. After a thorough examination of the cart, one of the Grunts gestures down the road in the direction of the Shrine, and says something that sounds like a question. The one with the radio considers for a minute and then nods, says something into the radio, and then all three take off in that direction.

“ Is it safe? ” Stef whispers into the quiet.
Lord Ruby34
And  that  should be more than enough.  "Toebiter, Gyro Ball!" 
Gnomes2169
Hmmm... so a style of quadruped. Still translating Pidgey's responses for Mina and Roux, at least one of whom he hoped was writing some of this down, he asked, " Did it look like it has a carapace, skin, scales or... feathers? " He highly doubted that last option, but it could be  possible.  " And how did its legs end? Were they spikes, " Like some kind of insectile alien, " claws with or without webbing? Flippers and fins, maybe? Oh, and does it have a tail with fins? " It was aquatic and fast, all of those are rather common features in fish and other water-adapted animals.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Staryu uses Water Gun!
It’s not very effective…
Toebiter is hit for 8 damage!

Toebiter uses Gyro Ball!
It’s not very effective…
Staryu is hit for 100 damage!
Staryu faints!

Sunbather Tracey sends out Buizel!


Toebiter: 58/75 (Attack up 2 levels, Defense up 2 levels, Speed down 2 levels)

 Staryu: 0/57 
Buizel: 70/70

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Did it look like it has a carapace, skin, scales or... feathers? " He highly doubted that last option, but it could be  possible.  " And how did its legs end? Were they spikes, " Like some kind of insectile alien, " claws with or without webbing? Flippers and fins, maybe? Oh, and does it have a tail with fins? " It was aquatic and fast, all of those are rather common features in fish and other water-adapted animals. 
 

&lt; No shell, no feathers that he saw. No fins or flippers, if it had a tail it was hidden under the mist. Its feet were small and moving too fast to get a good look. &gt; ((Even Keen Eye has its limits!))

Roux is fiddling with his hearing aid and looking increasingly antsy as the three of you reach the truck. “Can we go now, before Bandra jumps us?”

“ Right, you guys should get back to Skybreak before curfew. ”

“You’re not coming?”

“ For a Teleport? Text me if something happens but you should be fine, I’ve got a missing person to locate and she was supposed to be closer to here than Skybreak. ”

“Sure. Just bring the Pokémon in for study if you catch it.”

“ …Huh? ” Mina’s expression went from preoccupied to confused, making it clear she’d had something else on her mind.

“Oh, you were serious! In that case I’ll let the front desk know to expect you so you can pick up your payment later.”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
You have time to ask Pidgey one more question.
 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

The minutes pass. After a thorough examination of the cart, one of the Grunts gestures down the road in the direction of the Shrine, and says something that sounds like a question. The one with the radio considers for a minute and then nods, says something into the radio, and then all three take off in that direction.

“ Is it safe? ” Stef whispers into the quiet. 
 

After waiting about a minute to keep watching - a very slow minute, with Stef's question hanging in the air unanswered - Pinklady nods.  "They're gone now. Headed towards the Shrine, three of them. I think - and hope - they guessed we continued down the road." 
She sighs.  "You two weren't out for long - our Pokémon probably haven't recovered yet." 
Lord Ruby34
To switch, and let Clefairy get some time fighting, or to let Toebiter finish the battle out and prove himself . . . Less took half a second to decide.  "Toebiter, another Gyro Ball!" 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 &lt; No shell, no feathers that he saw. No fins or flippers, if it had a tail it was hidden under the mist. Its feet were small and moving too fast to get a good look. &gt; ((Even Keen Eye has its limits!)) 
 

" Last question, did it seem to be moving  towards  or  away  from the Bandra boat? " It had avoided him and Petri on the shore... but maybe it was more territorial in the water?


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ Right, you guys should get back to Skybreak before curfew. ”

“You’re not coming?”

“ For a Teleport? Text me if something happens but you should be fine, I’ve got a missing person to locate and she was supposed to be closer to here than Skybreak. ” 
 

Mark's eyes go wide at that. " Wait, you found signs of her? Awesome. Then we'll drive for five minutes before I teleport us back, to make it a little harder for anyone that comes to investigate to find your trail. " If the grunts in that boat had reported sighting her earlier, then it wouldn't hurt to try a little misdirection. Opening his arms for a parting hug, Mark said, " Good luck, hun, stay safe out there. "

When goodbyes were done, he helped take off all the camouflage and got into the passenger side front seat, with Tattersail sitting behind him and the rest of his pokemon recalled. When they'd been driving for five minutes, Mark had Roux park to make the teleportation easier, then had Tattersail warp back to Skybreak's outskirts, around 100 yards from the gates. At that point, he should be able to leave it up to the students to get them back to the university.
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

“ Oh. ” At more normal volume Stef continues. “Should we stay here some more then? I don’t think we can all go after them when me and Sandra can’t walk, but what if they come back?”

----------------

Less:

Buizel uses Water Gun!
Critical hit!
It’s not very effective…
Toebiter is hit for 14 damage!

Toebiter uses Gyro Ball!
It’s not very effective…
Buizel is hit for 90 damage!
Buizel faints!


Toebiter: 44/75 (Attack up 2 levels, Defense up 2 levels, Speed down 2 levels)

 Staryu: 0/57 
 Buizel: 0/70 


Toebiter sticks out his tongue as the second Water type goes down.  Thbbbt! 

Looking quite cross after her thorough curb-stomping, Tracey recalls her Pokémon, picks up her book and her towel and leaves without a word, headed in the direction of the Pokémon Center. Her friend picks up her Psyduck and follows, briefly looking over her shoulder at you with trepidation.

----------------

Mark and Mina:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Last question, did it seem to be moving  towards  or  away  from the Bandra boat? " It had avoided him and Petri on the shore... but maybe it was more territorial in the water? 
 

Pidgey lets out a series of coos. &lt; He said it came close and then looped away, and the boat chased after it. &gt;


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Mark's eyes go wide at that. " Wait, you found signs of her? Awesome. Then we'll drive for five minutes before I teleport us back, to make it a little harder for anyone that comes to investigate to find your trail. " If the grunts in that boat had reported sighting her earlier, then it wouldn't hurt to try a little misdirection. Opening his arms for a parting hug, Mark said, " Good luck, hun, stay safe out there. " 
 

“ I appreciate it. ” Mina returns the hug and, greatly daring, gives Mark a quick kiss on the cheek. “ And you too! ”

Pidgey hops over to his trainer’s shoulder and she takes off, waving briefly before disappearing into the underbrush.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 When goodbyes were done, he helped take off all the camouflage and got into the passenger side front seat, with Tattersail sitting behind him and the rest of his pokemon recalled. When they'd been driving for five minutes, Mark had Roux park to make the teleportation easier, then had Tattersail warp back to Skybreak's outskirts, around 100 yards from the gates. At that point, he should be able to leave it up to the students to get them back to the university. 
 

The truck reappears outside Skybreak as expected. It’s about 7 PM and there’s not much of a line going in, but a much steadier trickle of people leaving before curfew.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pidgey lets out a series of coos. &lt; He said it came close and then looped away, and the boat chased after it. &gt; 
 

Weird... was it luring them to a place farther from shore before confronting them? Or maybe just playing? Well, someone would have to figure that out later.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ I appreciate it. ” Mina returns the hug and, greatly daring, gives Mark a quick kiss on the cheek. “ And you too! ” 
 

Oh no, she broke him. He's a bit of a blushing mess after that kiss, and Tattersail has to shepherd him into the truck before he finally refocuses enough to get them back into friendly territory.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 The truck reappears outside Skybreak as expected. It’s about 7 PM and there’s not much of a line going in, but a much steadier trickle of people leaving before curfew. 
 

It was a bit later than expected, so Mark requested to be dropped off at the Pokemon Center so he could grab some snacks for lunch/ dinner before jogging off to the gym. He really shouldn't leave a gym leader waiting on an appointment longer than he has to, so he'll have to collect that money later.
Lord Ruby34
Less grimaced and mouthed  "sorry"  to the other girl as the two sped away, before turning back to Toebiter.  "A good showing, and a good fight."  After a few more words of deserved praise, Less recalled the spiky Pokemon and sent the new Clefairy back out, this time with Buck a good distance away, so he could interact with the pink floof alone, with Less sitting on the sand of the beach.  "Let's try the introduction again. I'm Less, and that's Buck back there. Nothing, and no-one, you need to be scared of." 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

“ Oh. ” At more normal volume Stef continues. “Should we stay here some more then? I don’t think we can all go after them when me and Sandra can’t walk, but what if they come back?” 
 

Pinklady takes a minute to consider their options.  We definitely can't go after them, at least not yet... but if they don't find any trace of us uproad, they'll probably come back and search the area...   "Alright. You're right, we can't go after them in our current condition. You two stay here, and in a couple of minutes, I'll go back to the road and push the cart further down the road, closer to the Shrine. That should at least buy us some resting time if they come back and start looking around its new location. And if I get unlucky and they come back while I'm moving it, I need both of you to stay here, not back me up, okay?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

The Pokémon Center is absolutely  packed  with trainers trying to cram into the available overnight rooms; you can hear them arguing and making frantic requests of the nurse about bunks. You are nevertheless able to obtain a little in the way of food from the crowded kitchen and get out unscathed.

The streets in comparison are very empty: a passing patrol, a few people making their way home from work, the shops and businesses obviously closed or getting there. A nearby police office warns you in a friendly voice to make sure you’re off the street before curfew.

The Gym is somewhere in between the two: patrols of volunteers go in and out at erratic intervals, but there isn’t any casual civilian traffic. The usual pair aren’t guarding the door presently: instead it’s their sister, Larissa, who yawns under the bird mask while taking notes as each patrol passes.

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less grimaced and mouthed  "sorry"  to the other girl as the two sped away, before turning back to Toebiter.  "A good showing, and a good fight."  
 

Toebiter responds with something that sounds scathing.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 After a few more words of deserved praise, Less recalled the spiky Pokemon and sent the new Clefairy back out, this time with Buck a good distance away, so he could interact with the pink floof alone, with Less sitting on the sand of the beach.  "Let's try the introduction again. I'm Less, and that's Buck back there. Nothing, and no-one, you need to be scared of."  
 

It’s plain your new Clefairy doesn’t believe you, as her immediate response is to put you between her and Buck.

----------------

Pinklady:

“What?! But what if you get hurt or—” Sandra clamps a hand over Stef’s mouth and nods.
essCee
Pinklady nods in appreciation to Sandra.  "Stay safe, that's your priority. See if you can rest again, too." 
Despite having just said she would wait a couple minutes, Pinklady has an immediate slight change of plan, mostly so she can leave the cave before Stef protests any further. She eases her way out of the cave, though she keeps the mountain section the cave is upon between herself and the direction the grunts went, and makes her way to another nearby outcropping. Perhaps it was an overabundance of caution, but she didn't want to risk walking directly from their position to the open road, despite how sure she is about nobody else being nearby any longer.
It's only after she switches her location in this manner that she begins her wait of a few minutes - enough time for the grunts to be well out of both sight and earshot - and she looks both ways down the path.

 
 Spoiler: Conditional 

If nothing happens and nobody is visible/audible, Pinklady will head to the cart and test it to see how realistically pushable it still is.

If not... well, then the next post would describe whatever interruption keeps her from doing so. 😛 (And so my post ends with her looking both ways.)
 
Gnomes2169
Mark checked on the Lum and Wacan berries in his portable planters while he munched on a snack on his way to the gym, nodding to the officer as he went along. He though about mentioning that he was going to talk to the officer's boss (well, one of them, since it seems Cassilda is one of the leaders of this city's militia, likely along side the chief of police and the town elder if Mark had to guess) but decided against that. He should probably ask for lodging at the gym once he was done talking with her about this absolutely insane plan to go into the spectral dimension to rescue someone who was probably dead.

But Mark couldn't let Less go on that suicide mission alone, could he?

Ugh.

Having living friends was harder than the dead ones. Less mentally scarring (.. marginally), but far more responsibilities and dangers.

Seeing Larissa again, he waved to the yawning gym staffer and made his way to the doors. By way of explanation he said, " Hey again. Sorry I'm about thirty-ish minutes late, had a few close encounters with Bandra that delayed us... is Cassilda still willing to meet with me tonight? "
Lord Ruby34
Buck let out a sad whine in the distance, but Less kept himself between the large fire type and the Clefairy. Trust between them could come later. Right now, he needed the little pink Pokemon's trust. "I promise it's okay, but you don't have to do anything right now. Instead, let's focus on each other. I can't keep calling you Clefairy, that seems a little too impersonal to me. Are you okay if I give you a nickname?" If Less is able to get the little Pink Pokemon's assent, he'll continue.

 "How about Asteria?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

Nothing appears to be nearby, either human or Pokémon. You make it down to the cart without incident and attempt to push, but it soon becomes clear that without the back wheels, your human-level strength isn’t going to be enough to move it anywhere. You might be able to tip it over but not much else.

----------------

Mark:

 
 Spoiler: Mark’s Berries 

Lum growing taller
Wacan planted

I’m going to assume you watered them at the Pokémon Center unless you object.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Hey again. Sorry I'm about thirty-ish minutes late, had a few close encounters with Bandra that delayed us... is Cassilda still willing to meet with me tonight? " 
 

“Let me check,” Larissa waves over a patrol member going inside and says something to him you can’t quite make out over the people going in.

He shrugs and heads inside, then a few minutes later comes back out again. “She says send him in.”

Larissa turns to you. “Go on in.” She gives you quick instructions on where to go before getting back to tallying patrols.

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 "I can't keep calling you Clefairy, that seems a little too impersonal to me. Are you okay if I give you a nickname?" 
 

Hesitantly, the Fairy type nods.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "How about Asteria?"  
 

The Fairy type nods a little more confidently.
Lord Ruby34
 "All right, Asteria it is then."  Less replied, smiling gently.  "I'm going to send out another friend, and then we're going to play for a bit, does that sound good." 

After giving the little Fairy type a warning, Less turned around and sent out Connie, careful to keep himself between her and Asteria.  "Connie, I'm going to spend some time training with Asteria here. While I do, why don't you take the opportunity to stretch your wings and play with Buck for a bit?"  Less suggested, while fishing around in his bag for a heart scale.  "And if you see anything shiny like this on the beach, could you bring it back to me?" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Asteria's sheet looks like it might have broken.
 
Gnomes2169
Squaring his shoulders and giving Larissa a nod, Mark told her, " Thanks, " then he entered Skybreak Gym. Following instructions, he made his way through any groups in the gym to find Cassilda, presumably in her office where he knocked on the door to announce he was there. If he's invited to come in, he takes a breath and does so.
essCee
Pinklady sighs and reaches for Whirlywhirly's Pokéball - but then rethinks it and sends out Sport instead. Whirlywhirly's already done quite a lot of lugging the cart around, and Sport would be less obvious from a distance anyways.

  "Alright, Sport, I need your help pushing this down the road. Careful not to damage it."   She tells him quietly.   "Ready?"  

As little as her merely-human strength would help compared to Sport's concrete-breaking strength, Pinklady braces herself to add her own strength to pushing the cart alongside Sport.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Thanks! Should be fixed but let me know if anything else is amiss.
 


Connie nods twice – Asteria doesn’t seem quite so intimidated by the Dark type as she is with Buck – and then Connie and Buck take off down the beach to play what looks like tag, with Connie quickly exploiting the water to her advantage.

----------------

Mark:

The room you were directed to might have had some other purpose at one point, but it’s obviously been converted to a war room of sorts – there are maps and diagrams over the walls and two very large maps on the central table under a sturdy transparent top – one of Helnith and one of Skybreak City, both with markers and scribbles all over them. (Bandra-occupied cities are easy to pick out, and there’s a small army of yellow markers on the north side of the city map.) On the walls you also see a wanted poster for Bandra Officer Darrin and other pictures of what you are able to gather are other Bandra higher-ups – the one labeled ‘Altros’ has ‘STELTAG’ scribbled across it in bold writing and all caps.

Behind the table stands Cassilda – she’s in her late teens or perhaps early twenties, wearing a fox-like mask over the top of her face and a yellow coat of strange make that suits her thin, boney frame. Her long red hair trails almost to the floor and her expression is unamused as she finishes stuffing some papers out of sight. She remains standing as she turns to you – on second glance, there are no chairs or other seating in the room.

“You’re late. Larissa said you had information about one of the Elite Four. What is it?”

----------------

Pinklady:

Sport materializes, and with his help you’re able to start slowly moving the cart down the road.

After a while (and after you’ve gotten the cart around a bend so it’s out of sight of Sandra and Stef’s hiding spot), you begin to hear distant echoes of Pokémon battling. Tentatively it’s from the direction of the Shrine.
Lord Ruby34
 "Alright then, Asteria. Let's get some practice in working with each other. Let's start simply for now . . ."  Less started, before training with the little Fairy type for the next two hours, running her through simple exercises involving skipping over the rope, and rolling through the sand with her defense curl and minimize. The goal was less to really stretch Asteria's skills, and more to provide a fun way for her to get used to listening to him. After two hours of training, Less will collect his Pokemon and head to the Pokemon center to feed them dinner.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Looks good now!

After getting back from the Pokemon Center, how much time will Less have before low tide?
 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “You’re late. Larissa said you had information about one of the Elite Four. What is it?” 
 

Mark took in the room for just a second, but quickly moved on to focus on the gym leader. She was...  much  younger than he'd been expecting, but he doesn't let that surprise stop him. " Bandra delayed us more than expected. " He said, but that was all the explanation he offered for the delay, since he was pretty sure she didn't actually care about that and his other business was more important. " We've intercepted and decrypted messages from Bandra officer Ray. He's currently pursuing Emilia through the Spectral Dimension and wants to be extracted. We have no reason to suspect this is a trap, since the messages were sent via shadowed pokemon in Bandra territory that had trackers that Bandra had no reason to expect we would find or intercept, so this should be real. "

And now came the dumb part of this hail mary of a plan. " Emilia's father is the one who decrypted the message, and he's going into the Spectral Dimension after her. Our group has committed to helping him. If we can rescue her, or at least retrieve her pokemon, we'll have something to help swing momentum back our way. There's also the chance we can take down Ray, who isn't in play at the moment and would be a blow to Bandra's command structure if we can  keep  him off the field. " He didn't mention the risks, because those were obvious. " Stupid as the plan might be, we need to get reliable information about the Spectral dimension, not the contradictory junk random trainers post on the web, and I was hoping you would be able to provide some of that. "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
About an hour, or an hour and a half if you rush through dinner.
 


The rope-skipping seems to cement it in Asteria’s head that you want to  play  rather than  train  but you’re able to keep her on task sufficiently to make some meaningful progress:

 
 Spoiler: Asteria 

Pokemon: Clefairy (overseas) (Asteria)
Type: Fairy
Ability: Magic Guard
Gender: Female
Level: 24
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 75 +3
Attack: 34 +3
Def: 35 +3
Sp. Attack: 41 +3
Sp. Def: 43 +3
Speed: 29 +3
Moves:
Encore
Sing
Defense Curl
Follow Me
Minimize
Wake-Up Slap
 


It hasn’t done anything to make her less afraid of Buck though, and she promptly takes cover behind you once you go to collect Connie and a wet and unamused-looking Buck.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Bandra delayed us more than expected. " He said, but that was all the explanation he offered for the delay, since he was pretty sure she didn't actually care about that and his other business was more important. 
 

Your initial impression seems to be correct, as she doesn’t push you for details.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " We've intercepted and decrypted messages from Bandra officer Ray. He's currently pursuing Emilia through the Spectral Dimension and wants to be extracted. We have no reason to suspect this is a trap, since the messages were sent via shadowed pokemon in Bandra territory that had trackers that Bandra had no reason to expect we would find or intercept, so this should be real. "

And now came the dumb part of this hail mary of a plan. " Emilia's father is the one who decrypted the message, and he's going into the Spectral Dimension after her. Our group has committed to helping him. If we can rescue her, or at least retrieve her pokemon, we'll have something to help swing momentum back our way. There's also the chance we can take down Ray, who isn't in play at the moment and would be a blow to Bandra's command structure if we can  keep  him off the field. " He didn't mention the risks, because those were obvious. " Stupid as the plan might be, we need to get reliable information about the Spectral dimension, not the contradictory junk random trainers post on the web, and I was hoping you would be able to provide some of that. " 
 

Cassilda’s eyes wander around the room as she answers, apparently musing aloud. “So the old man  did  decide to get involved.” She doesn’t look skeptical so much as jaded. “Of  course  he’s enough of a hypocrite to drag in ‘children’ when he’s  personally  affected…” To you more directly, she continues, “Emilia’s been missing for weeks. She’s had plenty of time to come back through a rift if she could manage it. So has Ray, for that matter.” She taps the tabletop thoughtfully. “But you aren’t begging for help from my trainers for the old schoolmaster’s fool’s errand, and you  did  come to me instead of jumping into the Land of Emotion unprepared, so you aren’t stupid enough to be a complete waste of my time. Tell me what you already know, and then ask your questions.”
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Sport materializes, and with his help you’re able to start slowly moving the cart down the road.

After a while (and after you’ve gotten the cart around a bend so it’s out of sight of Sandra and Stef’s hiding spot), you begin to hear distant echoes of Pokémon battling. Tentatively it’s from the direction of the Shrine. 
 

Pinklady nods a thank-you to Sport - not wanting to risk even a whisper, given how the mountains can amplify sound - and withdraws Sport.

For a moment she is conflicted - regrouping with Sandra and Stef was a priority, and the battle sounded far enough that she couldn't try to take a look at the battle and potentially help anyways, but she considers briefly whether she should try to listen, hear for anything that might be of any use...

No, it's too far and too risky anyways. Especially with the two kids relying on her, she couldn't risk staying any longer than necessary. That decision made, she slowly, carefully makes her way back to the hiding spot.
Lord Ruby34
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

No need to hurry, one hour is fine. We'll add the EV point into Defense.
 


Pre-Dinner

 "Cheer up, Buck."  Less said to his friend as he ruffled his head fur and recalled Asteria.  "You're getting as grumpy in your old age as I am. You used to be wetter than this after the surfing incident."  Buck gave him a flat look and started shaking by means of response, spreading water every which way, but mostly managing to make sure Less was also thoroughly soaked.

Post-Dinner

Less came back and spent the next hour training with Eowyn before crossing back over the tidal bridge with Buck and heading towards Ceris town.
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

You make it back to the cavelet without issue. Stef has managed to nod off again, but Sandra is watching tensely until she sees you appear in the entrance. She takes her hand off the Pokéball she’d grabbed and nods in greeting, asking in a low voice, “Anything out there?”

----------------

Less:

 
 Spoiler: Asteria EV update 

Pokemon: Clefairy (overseas) (Asteria)
Type: Fairy
Ability: Magic Guard
Gender: Female
Level: 24
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 75 +3
Attack: 34 +3
Def: 35 +4
Sp. Attack: 41 +3
Sp. Def: 43 +3
Speed: 29 +3
Moves:
Encore
Sing
Defense Curl
Follow Me
Minimize
Wake-Up Slap
 


Eowyn puts in some effort, but doesn’t seem to break through to any new level of power or understanding.

Your trip to Ceris is uneventful, and you arrive in town a little before 8 PM. The town is quiet and empty for the most part, most of the population having gone to bed, but the bar appears to be doing business still and the Contest Hall has a few lights on.
essCee
Pinklady nods back and settles into her previous watching spot.  "Thanks for keeping an eye out. Saw nothing nearby, though I did hear a fight way off in the Shrine's direction." 
Lord Ruby34
Less will head towards the contest hall, to see what, if anything, might still be going on indoors.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “So the old man  did  decide to get involved.” She doesn’t look skeptical so much as jaded. “Of  course  he’s enough of a hypocrite to drag in ‘children’ when he’s  personally  affected…” 
 

Given Mark had raided the Shrine of Light before Less had ever gotten off his butt, that comment gets a somewhat-insulted frown from him. If anything, Mark (well, more like Matt) had recruited grandpa! He wasn't being dragged into anything here... but it wasn't important enough to really object.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 To you more directly, she continues, “Emilia’s been missing for weeks. She’s had plenty of time to come back through a rift if she could manage it. So has Ray, for that matter.” 
 

" They could have missed the rifts that were near them, or might have been in there long enough for a spectral pokemon to take control of them. I've heard that spectral pokemon abduct people for that purposes, so them doing it to people they didn't need to abduct themselves could be possible...? " Mark's tone said that he agreed that these options weren't particularly likely, but he felt like he should bring up the points. " Even if they're dead, though, their pokemon could still be rescued and prove to be a boon for our side. " Once they'd been deshadowed, at least.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “But you aren’t begging for help from my trainers for the old schoolmaster’s fool’s errand, and you  did  come to me instead of jumping into the Land of Emotion unprepared, so you aren’t stupid enough to be a complete waste of my time. Tell me what you already know, and then ask your questions.” 
 

" You have enough problems here, I'm not going to take away your manpower on a gamble. " Mark stated, as if that hadn't even been a possibility that crossed his mind. " We know that there are lord pokemon that control territories and command native and abducted 'mon on the other side, that the dimension will afflict shadowing on non-spectral types even if pokemon are kept in their pokeballs, that prolonged exposure can even cause shadowing-like effects on humans, and that certain spectral moves are more effective on that side. However... there isn't much else we know  for sure.  So... "

Having said that, he stood next to the map table, setting his hands at the edge so he could tap his fingers and look at it while he thought about what was most important to ask first. " ... What does the geography look like? Is it a mirror of our world with same coastlines and general shape as Helnith, a differently shaped but stable continent, or is it a wholly unique hellscape of a world that's constantly changing? " That would determine how they'd be able to navigate on the other side, or even if they would be able to at all. " Do we know which lord pokemon control which general territory, and do we know their typing? " If they knew which 'lord' nominally controlled the area that Emilia and Ray had disappeared in, they could try tailoring their teams a little bit to that potential challenge. " What's the weather like in there? Is there normal rain and sun, or is it more... hellfire and sentient lightning storms kinda stuff? And on that subject, are the laws of physics weird there? " If gravity didn't work consistently, it could get awkward at points if they weren't expecting it. " And are pokemon encounters more or less common in there than the rest of Helnith? " Knowing how much random danger they could expect was  also  important.
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

Sandra shudders. “Battle with ours? Or Pokémon?”

----------------

Less:

Pushing through the front door, you can see that the Contest Hall is mostly empty, save for someone cleaning up the detritus of the day, a tired-looking receptionist, and Elder Rashel, who is sorting through tattered-looking Contest Accessories, sorting them into piles.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " They could have missed the rifts that were near them, or might have been in there long enough for a spectral pokemon to take control of them. I've heard that spectral pokemon abduct people for that purposes, so them doing it to people they didn't need to abduct themselves could be possible...? " Mark's tone said that he agreed that these options weren't particularly likely, but he felt like he should bring up the points. " Even if they're dead, though, their pokemon could still be rescued and prove to be a boon for our side. " 
 

Cassilda looks skeptical. “If they’re being controlled then what use would it be to keep them in the Spectral Dimension? Why not send them back to act here? No, they’re dead. And you’re jumping through a portal to another dimension to find a handful of Pokéballs that went missing over a month ago, in an area fifty miles across. But whatever; I won't stop you.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " You have enough problems here, I'm not going to take away your manpower on a gamble. " 
 

The Gym Leader’s shoulders un-tense ever-so-slightly and she looks briefly mollified.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " We know that there are lord pokemon that control territories and command native and abducted 'mon on the other side, that the dimension will afflict shadowing on non-spectral types even if pokemon are kept in their pokeballs " 
 

Cassilda interrupts. “That’s wrong. As long as they  stay  in their Pokéballs, they’re shielded from the background Shadowing effects.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " that prolonged exposure can even cause shadowing-like effects on humans, and that certain spectral moves are more effective on that side. However... there isn't much else we know  for sure.  So... " 
 

The Gym Leader frowns. “It’s not the amount of time of exposure, it’s the intensity. It’s the Land of Emotion; strong feelings will take you over there.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Having said that, he stood next to the map table, setting his hands at the edge so he could tap his fingers and look at it while he thought about what was most important to ask first. 
 

The map of Helnith has each of the Bandra controlled settlements obviously marked, Hillsbreak even has some scribbles around it, and a big question mark over the town itself. Large asterisks are also marked in apparently random places – near Moontear, near Ternai, over by Coastmarch… You also note a large handful of big markers scattered over the map: in the ocean off the north coast, in Stardust City, in Keida and Seapoint and a few other places. Most of them are purple, but there’s a wider variety of colors in friendly territory, and a light blue marker off the map entirely, unplaced.

The map of Skybreak has been sectioned off into districts, and a hoard of yellow markers have been placed off to the north of town. Some X’s and arrows are scribbled over the top of the city; it looks like a coach’s diagram of a new football play as much as anything. Based on the scribbles a couple places are obviously important including the Gym, the Pokémon Center, and for some reason the park.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " ... What does the geography look like? Is it a mirror of our world with same coastlines and general shape as Helnith, a differently shaped but stable continent, or is it a wholly unique hellscape of a world that's constantly changing? " 
 

“The first. The settlements on this side don’t exist on that side” she’s giving you a decidedly measuring look as she says this, as though she doesn’t trust you to believe that “and some of the more minor features are different, like the vegetation and the Pokémon. But there are mountains in the same places, and the coastline is more or less the same.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Do we know which lord pokemon control which general territory, and do we know their typing? " 
 

“Skybreak and Tidepath are in the territory of the Leech Lord, or would be if we were in the Spectral Dimension. The Buried Lord controls the area to the north, the Storm Lord to the east, the Fire Lord the northeast, the Savage Lord to the southeast, the Tower Lord to the northwest, and the Mirror Lord to the southwest.

The Mirror Lord is fond of illusions, and as for the rest no one trustworthy has gotten to the Spectral Dimension, seen them, and gotten out alive to tell us about them in detail, so no, we don’t  know  what they are.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " What's the weather like in there? Is there normal rain and sun, or is it more... hellfire and sentient lightning storms kinda stuff? " 
 

“Both. There are shadow storms on the other side, in addition to the normal weather.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " And on that subject, are the laws of physics weird there? " If gravity didn't work consistently, it could get awkward at points if they weren't expecting it. 
 

“At least one of your own group survived a trip there and back,” she reminds, and there’s a distinct ‘you should already know this, stop wasting my time’ vibe to her tone. “If the laws of physics were wildly different, the side effects on  this  side would be a lot more severe every time a rift opened.” She sighs. “Going there by itself isn’t going to turn you inside out.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " And are pokemon encounters more or less common in there than the rest of Helnith? " 
 

“Bandra doesn’t raid the Pokémon in the Spectral Dimension the way they do here, but the Spectral Dimension will have been hit from the general dying off too. And the Pokémon have taken up raiding themselves. Don’t expect them to be wildly more common on that side; do expect them to come in organized groups.

Was there anything else?”
Lord Ruby34
Less took in the contest hall for a moment before heading over to Elder Rashel and squatting down.  "Would you care for some help with the sorting? I just got back into town and I figure that I might as well make myself useful for a few hours." 
essCee
Pinklady shakes her head.  "Not sure, it was too far to make out well. If it was against ours, hopefully it was just the three grunts I saw." 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Cassilda looks skeptical. “If they’re being controlled then what use would it be to keep them in the Spectral Dimension? Why not send them back to act here? No, they’re dead. And you’re jumping through a portal to another dimension to find a handful of Pokéballs that went missing over a month ago, in an area fifty miles across. But whatever; I won't stop you.” 
 

Mark's shoulders slumped a bit as she spoke, but he still said, " We need help.  I , specifically, need help. " Mark stated, bluntly, while he stared at the region map. " Less is a competent enough trainer, and our teams have proven they can work together as a potent little strike force to make an offensive against Bandra, but there's no way I can ask him to abandon his daughter to focus on the war without at least making an  attempt  to find her. If we can get confirmation, one way or the other, then... " Well, perhaps there was a more cynical side to the artist. " And I'll admit it's nearly impossible, but there's a vanishingly slim chance that she's still alive. The lords don't all get along, right? It's why they have separate territories. Emilia and Ray both have strong enough teams to potentially act as deterrents or threats to use against rivals. Perhaps that's why they abduct some of the trainers that never come back. " Though there was still a bit of an optimistic, naive streak in him. " ... Not that I'm sure how we'd rescue her if she  is  being used like that, though... are time flutes able to break a spectral type's control over humans? " They were old artifacts that could cure the effects of shadowing, so maybe...? Though he only had the one charge left on the flute they had. Their team really needed to get more of those.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Cassilda interrupts. “That’s wrong. As long as they  stay  in their Pokéballs, they’re shielded from the background Shadowing effects.” 
 

That was good to note. As long as they didn't keep their teams out when they weren't fighting, they should be able to safely get some rounds of combat out of them.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 The Gym Leader frowns. “It’s not the amount of time of exposure, it’s the intensity. It’s the Land of Emotion; strong feelings will take you over there.” 
 

Thaaaaaaaaaat was... bad? Yeah. Actually, that was the single worst thing he'd heard about the place so far. Less was a bit volatile, Mina had her temper and Mark... well, he was honest with himself. He was seven mental breakdowns stitched together with gorilla glue and duct tape to somehow keep himself walking around and talking like an only partially abnormal person. Pinklady and Akio (who Mark STILL doesn't know is in jail) might be the only truly stable ones out of all of them, actually. So once he got this information, he used  quite  a crass word and then asked, " Okay, how strong are we talking here? And is it positive and negative emotions, or just the violent ones? "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 The map of Helnith has each of the Bandra controlled settlements obviously marked, Hillsbreak even has some scribbles around it, and a big question mark over the town itself. Large asterisks are also marked in apparently random places – near Moontear, near Ternai, over by Coastmarch… You also note a large handful of big markers scattered over the map: in the ocean off the north coast, in Stardust City, in Keida and Seapoint and a few other places. Most of them are purple, but there’s a wider variety of colors in friendly territory, and a light blue marker off the map entirely, unplaced.

The map of Skybreak has been sectioned off into districts, and a hoard of yellow markers have been placed off to the north of town. Some X’s and arrows are scribbled over the top of the city; it looks like a coach’s diagram of a new football play as much as anything. Based on the scribbles a couple places are obviously important including the Gym, the Pokémon Center, and for some reason the park. 
 

He took note of all the scribbles around Skybreak and its patrol patterns in particular, but didn't bring his thoughts up immediately.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “The first. The settlements on this side don’t exist on that side” she’s giving you a decidedly measuring look as she says this, as though she doesn’t trust you to believe that “and some of the more minor features are different, like the vegetation and the Pokémon. But there are mountains in the same places, and the coastline is more or less the same.” 
 

" Alright, dark mirror dimension, then. " He says with a nod, being enough of a massive giant nerd to grasp and accept the idea without any further explanations necessary. Since humans weren't really welcome beyond the dark portal, it made sense that artificial terrain like cities and towns wouldn't be present (no one was there to build them!) but, " Do the lords put the heart of their territory in areas that would overlap human settlements, do they seem to avoid said overlaps, or does it seem like they don't plan around or notice us when they settle their lairs? "

" Also, since it's a mirror world, does that mean that psychic types can teleport to the spectral-dimension equivalent areas once they cross over? Say, if I wanted to teleport to the spectral-dimension equivalent of the Ternai coast line, a place I could go to on our side right now, would I be able to do that without traveling to the mirrored spectral coast first? " Not that he was going to suggest that he or Mina send out their psychic types in there, given the mental links they had with those 'mon. If they could keep it as an option in their pockets, though, that could be helpful as an emergency escape plan. " And has anyone tried sending out a psychic type they've been telepathically bonded to, walking into the dimension while their pokemon remains behind, and seeing if their psychic link lets their partner follow them on this side of the mirror? " He'd honestly be surprised if Larissa said yes, since that seemed like a really, really weird thing for a psychic (or psychic pokemon trainer in general) to test.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Skybreak and Tidepath are in the territory of the Leech Lord, or would be if we were in the Spectral Dimension. The Buried Lord controls the area to the north, the Storm Lord to the east, the Fire Lord the northeast, the Savage Lord to the southeast, the Tower Lord to the northwest, and the Mirror Lord to the southwest.

The Mirror Lord is fond of illusions, and as for the rest no one trustworthy has gotten to the Spectral Dimension, seen them, and gotten out alive to tell us about them in detail, so no, we don’t  know  what they are.” 
 

Well, it sounded like the Leech lord and the Savage lord (water and fighting types, probably?) were in charge of the most likely areas that Emilia and Ray had disappeared. Pulling out his art journal quick, Mark flipped to one of the blank pages near the back and make a quick sketched copy of the region, then broke down Helnith into cells of the likely territories of each lord. " And which lords do we know that are working with Bandra, and which ones are neutral or simply don't care? " Most of them were probably in that second category, but they could be pretty sure that Emilia and Ray hadn't gone missing in a Bandra-aligned Lord's territory, since those would have probably just let Ray go on his own way, if not out-right ordering their vassals to assist him in hunting Emilia down. Mark will explain that reasoning if asked.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “At least one of your own group survived a trip there and back,” she reminds, and there’s a distinct ‘you should already know this, stop wasting my time’ vibe to her tone. “If the laws of physics were wildly different, the side effects on  this  side would be a lot more severe every time a rift opened.” She sighs. “Going there by itself isn’t going to turn you inside out.” 
 

He nodded along as she spoke, not bringing up that Mina didn't talk about her time there and that she didn't seem all too eager to bring it up. He was also pretty sure she'd only been inside of it for a  short  time, so he'd favorite the spectral gym leader's expertise when it came to Spectral Dimension trivia.

He still looked appropriately chastised by her admonitions, though.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Bandra doesn’t raid the Pokémon in the Spectral Dimension the way they do here, but the Spectral Dimension will have been hit from the general dying off too. And the Pokémon have taken up raiding themselves. Don’t expect them to be wildly more common on that side; do expect them to come in organized groups. 
 

So there hopefully wouldn't be constant resistance, but the wild packs would probably be as dangerous as Bandra trainer encounters. They needed to make sure they trained up their spectral 'mon to be able to stand up for a few rounds, at least, to minimize the shadowing to the rest of their teams.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 "Was there anything else?” 
 

Well, maybe not about the spectral dimension at this point in the conversation, however... " Is the thing under the park the reason why my pokemon don't like being in this city? " He asked, looking at it on the map. He'd noticed those patrol paths, and maybe he was jumping to conclusions, but that sure was a  lot  of trainer teams moving through what was basically just a glorified roofless community center...
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Elder Rashel pats next to her to indicate for you to sit, and pushes the bulk of the unsorted Accessories where you can reach them easier. “That pile is for anything in good enough shape to use, that pile is for anything that needs some minor fixing and that pile is going into the trash,” she tells you, indicating each in turn. “And feel free to take a few if you see something that catches your eye.” She examines the large crack in the Smoke Accessory she’s holding with a critical eye before assigning it to the ‘trash’ pile. “You look like you’ve been busy.”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Choose 3-5 Accessories if you want them.
 


----------------

Pinklady:

Sandra doesn’t seem to have anything to say in response to this. Instead she settles back against the wall of the cave, looking tense, before closing her eyes to try and nod off again.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Mark's shoulders slumped a bit as she spoke, but he still said, " We need help.  I , specifically, need help. " Mark stated, bluntly, while he stared at the region map. " Less is a competent enough trainer, and our teams have proven they can work together as a potent little strike force to make an offensive against Bandra, but there's no way I can ask him to abandon his daughter to focus on the war without at least making an  attempt  to find her. If we can get confirmation, one way or the other, then... " 
 

Even with the mask obscuring most of her face, Cassilda doesn’t look impressed. “This is the same man who  very loudly  protested your little group’s very  existence , and just two days ago self-righteously informed Master Finster that he had no business tutoring the ‘less deserving’ younger trainers - in front of everyone in Trainer Hill  including  a number of Starlight Squad members and several trainers who participate regularly in the protection of my city who fall into that category. Before having a very public temper tantrum when he was escorted out after his clumsy attempt at strong-arming and bribery failed.

Even if you can trust him not to lose control of himself the moment he steps through a rift over the daughter you  admit  you don’t trust him to let go of for the sake of the rest of the region, what makes you think he won’t just drop you and the rest of your group the moment he no longer needs you if, by some miracle, your little mission succeeds?”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " And I'll admit it's nearly impossible, but there's a vanishingly slim chance that she's still alive. The lords don't all get along, right? It's why they have separate territories. Emilia and Ray both have strong enough teams to potentially act as deterrents or threats to use against rivals. Perhaps that's why they abduct some of the trainers that never come back. " 
 

“As opposed to just controlling their Pokémon directly?” Cassilda shakes her head. “Never mind. I already said I’m not going to stop you. Look for them if you want.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " ... Not that I'm sure how we'd rescue her if she  is  being used like that, though... are time flutes able to break a spectral type's control over humans? " 
 

“Humans are more resistant to being purified, just like we’re more resistant to being Shadowed in the first place.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Okay, how strong are we talking here? And is it positive and negative emotions, or just the violent ones? " 
 

“You’re thinking of it as a line you shouldn’t cross, you should be thinking of it more as a loss of control.” Cassilda leans back, eyeing you speculatively before continuing. “Pretend that going through a rift makes you drunk, but without the dizziness and slowed reactions. Something that would anger you will enrage you instead. Something that makes you happy would make you overjoyed. And that would be  all  emotions; a narcissist could fall in love with their own reflection just as easily as a father could go charging after his endangered child, headless of everything around him. Going through a rift with a persistent good mood won’t save you from the effects, but a strong will might.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Do the lords put the heart of their territory in areas that would overlap human settlements, do they seem to avoid said overlaps, or does it seem like they don't plan around or notice us when they settle their lairs? " 
 

“The Leech Lord sent a raiding party into the heart of Tidepath not long ago, but usually they rule their respective territories from their city-states on the other side. Most of those are old castles or temples, humans haven’t lived in them for generations as far as I know.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Also, since it's a mirror world, does that mean that psychic types can teleport to the spectral-dimension equivalent areas once they cross over? Say, if I wanted to teleport to the spectral-dimension equivalent of the Ternai coast line, a place I could go to on our side right now, would I be able to do that without traveling to the mirrored spectral coast first? " 
 

It’s hard to tell behind the mask, but you get the distinct impression that was not on whatever list of questions Cassilda was expecting to have to answer today. “I wouldn’t think so, but I’m not a Psychic type specialist.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " And has anyone tried sending out a psychic type they've been telepathically bonded to, walking into the dimension while their pokemon remains behind, and seeing if their psychic link lets their partner follow them on this side of the mirror? " 
 

“If anyone’s tried it I haven’t heard of it. Human psychics aren’t that common, and research into the Spectral Dimension stalled between the war and Professor Hickory’s disappearance.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " And which lords do we know that are working with Bandra, and which ones are neutral or simply don't care? " 
 

“We know the Mirror Lord is human friendly; she overthrew the previous ruler of that territory. The rest… tolerate  Bandra.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Is the thing under the park the reason why my pokemon don't like being in this city? " 
 

“Thing under the…? No, that’s the site of the greater dimension convergence. I don’t know what’s pressuring the Pokémon into being skittish.”
essCee
Similarly - except without the falling-asleep part - Pinklady falls into silence, keeping an eye again on the road.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Even with the mask obscuring most of her face, Cassilda doesn’t look impressed. “This is the same man who  very loudly  protested your little group’s very  existence , and just two days ago self-righteously informed Master Finster that he had no business tutoring the ‘less deserving’ younger trainers - in front of everyone in Trainer Hill  including  a number of Starlight Squad members and several trainers who participate regularly in the protection of my city who fall into that category. Before having a very public temper tantrum when he was escorted out after his clumsy attempt at strong-arming and bribery failed. 
 

Mark... slowly took off his glasses and pinched at the bridge of his nose as she went on, closing his eyes and exhaling. Mark might punch the man. At the very least, he was going to  talk  to him. Grandpa probably wasn't going to enjoy that conversation.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Even if you can trust him not to lose control of himself the moment he steps through a rift over the daughter you  admit  you don’t trust him to let go of for the sake of the rest of the region, what makes you think he won’t just drop you and the rest of your group the moment he no longer needs you if, by some miracle, your little mission succeeds?” 
 

Putting his glasses back on, Mark said, " If we save her, Bandra needs to lose the war to keep her alive, which is something he finally understands. He's also already done enough that Bandra isn't likely to  let  him stop or leave. Besides, Bandra tried to actually kill his daughter and he has... a little bit of a spiteful streak. " Which Cassilda had basically brought up, funny enough.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Humans are more resistant to being purified, just like we’re more resistant to being Shadowed in the first place.” 
 

He'd take that as a 'no' on the flute thing, then. Drat. Being able to use the flute to rescue one of his team mates had been another emergency measure he'd been hoping to have in his back pocket.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “You’re thinking of it as a line you shouldn’t cross, you should be thinking of it more as a loss of control.” Cassilda leans back, eyeing you speculatively before continuing. “Pretend that going through a rift makes you drunk, but without the dizziness and slowed reactions. Something that would anger you will enrage you instead. Something that makes you happy would make you overjoyed. And that would be  all  emotions; a narcissist could fall in love with their own reflection just as easily as a father could go charging after his endangered child, headless of everything around him. Going through a rift with a persistent good mood won’t save you from the effects, but a strong will might.” 
 

One of those examples felt much more pointed than the others, and he took the warning for what it was. If they found Emilia, or at least her body, then... He would have to make sure he had some way to get Less out of the dimension. Weirdly enough, though, the rest of what she said actually seemed to assuage his worry a bit. Mina was nothing if not headstrong, and, while he might be stressed and self deprecating, if Mark didn't have a strong will he would have given up when he'd lost his arm, stayed home in Johto and waited the recommended extra three months before he got the prosthetic installed.

Now they just needed to use all that willpower to keep their tempers under control.

... Maybe they were still a little bit doomed. " Any suggestions on how to control those strong reactions... or classes? "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “The Leech Lord sent a raiding party into the heart of Tidepath not long ago, but usually they rule their respective territories from their city-states on the other side. Most of those are old castles or temples, humans haven’t lived in them for generations as far as I know.” 
 

While nice to know, that isn't what Mark had been asking about. Maybe he hadn't framed the question correctly... Rubbing at his chin, he gestured at the region map and clarified, " I meant more; If you overlay the spectral dimension over our map of Helnith, do the Lord's territories roughly overlap town and city boundaries, or where would their city-states actually lay? "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 It’s hard to tell behind the mask, but you get the distinct impression that was not on whatever list of questions Cassilda was expecting to have to answer today. “I wouldn’t think so, but I’m not a Psychic type specialist.”

“If anyone’s tried it I haven’t heard of it. Human psychics aren’t that common, and research into the Spectral Dimension stalled between the war and Professor Hickory’s disappearance.” 
 

Well, that's kinda what he'd been expecting.... still. It hadn't hurt to ask. And hey, nice to know he could surprise the aloof gym leader a bit, and that not everyone had thought about the same questions as him. " Guess I'll just have to test it out, then. Er... the second part. Bringing 'sail into the spectral dimension just for science would probably be a bad thing. " He did NOT need a shadowed pokemon in his brain, no sir.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “We know the Mirror Lord is human friendly; she overthrew the previous ruler of that territory. The rest… tolerate  Bandra.” 
 

Well, that didn't exactly help eliminate the potential territories, did it? " And I'm guessing you didn't mention the Mirror Lord's territory because... she doesn't have a set one, and takes more of a wandering trickster god role in the Spectral realm cosmology? " If she had a set territory, then  maybe  they could use it as a fallback position and eliminate it from the list of places to search, but... well, Mark wasn't expecting anything to be in his corner for this mission.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Thing under the…? No, that’s the site of the greater dimension convergence. I don’t know what’s pressuring the Pokémon into being skittish.” 
 

Ah, so no one actually knew. Swing an a miss. But that  did  bring up something else... " So you have no idea what it is either, huh? Crud. Well... I've felt what the sensation is. I'm connected to my psychic type, and she was able to share it with me. Kinda a pressure hanging over everything, a feeling that  none of us belong here,  and when the thing that owns this place comes home we're going to be in trouble. I only got a general sensation, same with most of the rest of our pokemon, but... we think that Aura sensitive pokemon might be able to actually pinpoint where it's coming from. "

Finding the approximate location he'd been in when Riolu had made his hints, Mark pointed it out and continued to gesture at other parts of the map while he said, " When we were here, a Riolu in Mina's care suggested that he could feel the pressure emanating from that side of the city. We didn't go chasing off after it because of the potential risks we'd be exposing him to, -my gardevoir was injured at the time so our escape options were limited,- and because it would have delayed our plans that evening. That said, he's from some special kind of bloodline or something that might make him more adept at the Aura stuff, but he's still just a baby. I can't imagine that a fully evolved Lucario or other pokemon highly attuned to Aura would be  worse  at getting a read and following the trail, so if you can find a trainer with one of those then maybe it would help you pick up the trail...? " Looking up from the map to stare the gym leader in the eyes, Mark offered, " And if you can't find one, " -because it's Helnith and what local has a Lucario?- " I can talk to Mina and see about getting her and Riolu to help. "
Lord Ruby34
Less sat next to the Elder, and started sorting as he talked, looking to Elder Rashel's existing piles for guidance on what the difference between "trash" and "minor fixing".  "Unfortunately true. Today has been a bit of a whirlwind."  Less replied, before sighing slightly.  "Though a good bit of that was self-inflicted." 

As Less talked with Rashel, Buck started sniffing around the accessories.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Anything catch Buck's eye?
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

About an hour passes. During this time, you can see a Wispaferyn floating above the landscape in the distance, but it passes by without seeming to notice you.

Perhaps fifteen minutes later, you hear voices echoing up the road from the direction of the relocated cart. You can’t make out any meaningful words, but they sound concerned.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Putting his glasses back on, Mark said, " If we save her, Bandra needs to lose the war to keep her alive, which is something he finally understands. He's also already done enough that Bandra isn't likely to  let  him stop or leave. Besides, Bandra tried to actually kill his daughter and he has... a little bit of a spiteful streak. " 
 

Cassilda nods, conceding the point.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Any suggestions on how to control those strong reactions... or classes? " 
 

“If you were willing to take several weeks or months? Practice restraint and meditation. We have an excellent meditation garden at the entrance, you would have seen it coming in. Other than that, avoid getting into situations where you would be likely to have an emotional outburst.” You can tell Cassilda doesn’t believe the second is terribly helpful advice under the circumstances. She shifts slightly in place. “Since you’re going into life and death situations on a regular basis, you  probably  have enough willpower not to immediately succumb the moment you walk through a rift. Unless you’re doing it for the adrenaline rush, in which case I wouldn’t give a sandwich crust for your chances.

You can avoid being stupid about it though. If you just had a major argument with a loved one, if someone you were close to recently died? Skip the rift, wait for the next one. At this point in the cycle another one will open in a few days.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " I meant more; If you overlay the spectral dimension over our map of Helnith, do the Lord's territories roughly overlap town and city boundaries, or where would their city-states actually lay? " 
 

“No.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Well, that didn't exactly help eliminate the potential territories, did it? " And I'm guessing you didn't mention the Mirror Lord's territory because... she doesn't have a set one, and takes more of a wandering trickster god role in the Spectral realm cosmology? " If she had a set territory, then  maybe  they could use it as a fallback position and eliminate it from the list of places to search, but... well, Mark wasn't expecting anything to be in his corner for this mission. 
 

You’d been getting the impression Cassilda was thawing a bit, but now she ices up again. “No, I didn’t mention it because I  did  and you weren’t paying attention.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " So you have no idea what it is either, huh? Crud. Well... I've felt what the sensation is. I'm connected to my psychic type, and she was able to share it with me. Kinda a pressure hanging over everything, a feeling that  none of us belong here,  and when the thing that owns this place comes home we're going to be in trouble. I only got a general sensation, same with most of the rest of our pokemon, but... we think that Aura sensitive pokemon might be able to actually pinpoint where it's coming from. " 
 

Cassilda looks thoughtful under the mask. “Aura  is  an unusual power…maybe unusual enough whatever it is won’t think to guard against it. I might be able to pull in a few favors...” She grumbles something under her breath of which you can make out “Hickory”.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Finding the approximate location he'd been in when Riolu had made his hints, Mark pointed it out and continued to gesture at other parts of the map while he said, " When we were here, a Riolu in Mina's care suggested that he could feel the pressure emanating from that side of the city. We didn't go chasing off after it because of the potential risks we'd be exposing him to, -my gardevoir was injured at the time so our escape options were limited,- and because it would have delayed our plans that evening. That said, he's from some special kind of bloodline or something that might make him more adept at the Aura stuff, but he's still just a baby. I can't imagine that a fully evolved Lucario or other pokemon highly attuned to Aura would be  worse  at getting a read and following the trail, so if you can find a trainer with one of those then maybe it would help you pick up the trail...? " 
 

Cassilda doesn’t look terribly impressed at the area indicated, but then it  does  consist of most of the city.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Looking up from the map to stare the gym leader in the eyes, Mark offered, " And if you can't find one, " -because it's Helnith and what local has a Lucario?- " I can talk to Mina and see about getting her and Riolu to help. " 
 

Cassilda nods. “If you send her back here I can find a use for her.”

----------------

Less:

“Did you want to talk about it?”

Near as you can tell the ‘minor fixing’ items have all the pieces and just need a dot of glue to put them back together, or would normally come with some kind of adhesive or dye remover that is missing, but is either easily acquired or comes with enough other things that all but the newest Coordinators would already have some on hand. In contrast the ‘trash’ items are generally in several pieces, too badly stained to be rescued, or torn to shreds.

All four piles mostly consist of bits of fluff, silk leaves and ribbons, and copious amounts of glitter (which Buck briefly inhales before sneezing it all over you and the Elder, to her amusement), but after a moment digging in the unsorted pile he pulls out – a belt? A collar? It could go either way, but it has a buckle and it’s broad and thick and somewhat gaudily embossed with a gold scale pattern, with spikes at regular intervals. A ginormous fake ruby in the center draws the eye. Buck drops it at your feet, looking proud of himself.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “If you were willing to take several weeks or months? Practice restraint and meditation. We have an excellent meditation garden at the entrance, you would have seen it coming in. Other than that, avoid getting into situations where you would be likely to have an emotional outburst.” You can tell Cassilda doesn’t believe the second is terribly helpful advice under the circumstances. She shifts slightly in place. “Since you’re going into life and death situations on a regular basis, you  probably  have enough willpower not to immediately succumb the moment you walk through a rift. Unless you’re doing it for the adrenaline rush, in which case I wouldn’t give a sandwich crust for your chances.

You can avoid being stupid about it though. If you just had a major argument with a loved one, if someone you were close to recently died? Skip the rift, wait for the next one. At this point in the cycle another one will open in a few days.” 
 

" We were planning to go through the rift opening near Tidepath, so that we could grow a few more berries, get some more supplies and train our spectral types a bit. Speaking of, I have a pokemon that's basically not in the 'dex called Miznomer. Would you or one of your students have some information about it...? "

Tapping a finger on the map, he looked down at his mechanical arm and his eyes went wide for a second before closing. Voice soft, he asked, " ... What effect does the Spectral Dimension have on chronic pain? "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 You’d been getting the impression Cassilda was thawing a bit, but now she ices up again. “No, I didn’t mention it because I  did  and you weren’t paying attention.” 
 

He blinked once, looked at the map he'd made in his journal, looked over the map and the lords that were written down, and... blinked again. " You know, the real sad thing is that I even wrote it down in here, right in the southwest, but it just didn't register in my brain. I'm sorry. That's entirely on me. "

After a moment of thinking it over, he asked, " Did the Mirror Lord take over that territory before Emilia disappeared, and would Emilia have known about that? She was in the south, so she might have been trying to run to potentially friendly territory... " Though if the southern mountains were also in the same area in the Spectral Dimension, as they seemed to be, then she either had to try running around them or cut through... and there was no way to know what she'd decided to do. So that was still a  lot  of area to cover, especially vertically, and potentially tunnels and caves would need to be checked too.

It was still a  lot  of hostile territory for 5 trainers to go over in a couple of days... but it would still be better than having to comb the entire south and central region of Helnith.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Cassilda nods. “If you send her back here I can find a use for her.” 
 

" She's currently going through the coastline and mountain ranges here looking for Riolu's trainer. " He said, pointing at the Snakestone Cavern range. " I'll still talk to her in the morning and see if she's willing to come back and help here for a bit. "

Checking his phone, and seeing it was, indeed,  late,  he sighed and said, " There's no way I'm getting out of the city before curfew, or even to the center. If I was allowed to stay here tonight, or given written permission to leave, I would greatly appreciate it. " Looking at her map, he pinched his lips tight at the clusters of Bandra's clustered tokens and said, " And we'll still be here for a few more days... where can I help? "
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

About an hour passes. During this time, you can see a Wispaferyn floating above the landscape in the distance, but it passes by without seeming to notice you.

Perhaps fifteen minutes later, you hear voices echoing up the road from the direction of the relocated cart. You can’t make out any meaningful words, but they sound concerned. 
 

Pinklady actively resists going out to get a view of who's speaking - from the tone of their voices, she immediately jumped to thinking it's people from the Shrine. Neither does she wake up her companions - not before getting sight of whoever's out there, at least. It shouldn't be too long, anyways, until they and all of their Pokémon were well-rested enough to all exit, anyways. Stifling a sigh, Pinklady strains to continue listening to the voices for anything she can catch.
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Less:

“Did you want to talk about it?”

Near as you can tell the ‘minor fixing’ items have all the pieces and just need a dot of glue to put them back together, or would normally come with some kind of adhesive or dye remover that is missing, but is either easily acquired or comes with enough other things that all but the newest Coordinators would already have some on hand. In contrast the ‘trash’ items are generally in several pieces, too badly stained to be rescued, or torn to shreds.

All four piles mostly consist of bits of fluff, silk leaves and ribbons, and copious amounts of glitter (which Buck briefly inhales before sneezing it all over you and the Elder, to her amusement), but after a moment digging in the unsorted pile he pulls out – a belt? A collar? It could go either way, but it has a buckle and it’s broad and thick and somewhat gaudily embossed with a gold scale pattern, with spikes at regular intervals. A ginormous fake ruby in the center draws the eye. Buck drops it at your feet, looking proud of himself. 
 

Did he want to talk about it? After a moment of thought, Less nodded.  "If you're willing to listen I think I would like that very much."  Less continued to sort as he spoke, occasionally pulling aside a bit of flash or sparkle he thought one of his Pokemon might like.

However, before Less could start, he was distracted by Buck dropping the gaudy piece of leather(?) at his feet.  "Oh, did you spot something that you like?"  Less asked, reaching over and ruffling Buck's head. Less looked over to Elder Rashel for permission before fastening the collar around Buck's neck and inspecting the large fire type.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Speaking of, I have a pokemon that's basically not in the 'dex called Miznomer. Would you or one of your students have some information about it...? " 
 

“Miznomer? You either got it from a rift or you’ve been to the Spectral Dimension already and you’ve been holding back about it. They don’t live on this side of the rifts.

Supposedly they’re what’s left of humans who stayed in the Spectral Dimension long ago. They’re only good for indirect attacks and battlefield control without a lot of time and investment to expand their movesets. And it’s easy for them to trip over themselves in battle, so most don’t bother with them – too tricky to use for the average trainer.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " ... What effect does the Spectral Dimension have on chronic pain? " 
 

“Pain is physiological, not emotional. Same with hunger or touch. Being in pain might make you more susceptible to emotional swings on the other side, but so would a setback of a nonphysical nature.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 He blinked once, looked at the map he'd made in his journal, looked over the map and the lords that were written down, and... blinked again. " You know, the real sad thing is that I even wrote it down in here, right in the southwest, but it just didn't register in my brain. I'm sorry. That's entirely on me. " 
 

Cassilda defrosts a little, and nods acceptance of your apology.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Did the Mirror Lord take over that territory before Emilia disappeared, and would Emilia have known about that? She was in the south, so she might have been trying to run to potentially friendly territory... " 
 

“Before. And she might have. We keep lines of communication open but the surviving Elites don't use them much, and Dream at least never pays attention.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " She's currently going through the coastline and mountain ranges here looking for Riolu's trainer. " He said, pointing at the Snakestone Cavern range. " I'll still talk to her in the morning and see if she's willing to come back and help here for a bit. " 
 

Cassilda nods. “If she survives I’ll look forward to speaking with her.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " There's no way I'm getting out of the city before curfew, or even to the center. If I was allowed to stay here tonight, or given written permission to leave, I would greatly appreciate it. " 
 

“You can stay here tonight, I wasn’t expecting you to make it out after our meeting,” Cassilda replies.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Looking at her map, he pinched his lips tight at the clusters of Bandra's clustered tokens and said, " And we'll still be here for a few more days... where can I help? " 
 

Cassilda considers you for a moment. “I may have something for you to do in the morning, but not tonight.”

----------------

Pinklady:

A little more time passes. The echoes distort any meaning, but after a while the speech fades. Not long after you hear footsteps approaching, and three figures come into view – a tall girl and two shorter young men, and judging by the civilian clothes they’re not Bandra.

----------------

Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
  "If you're willing to listen I think I would like that very much."  
 

“Go on then,” she encourages.


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 However, before Less could start, he was distracted by Buck dropping the gaudy piece of leather(?) at his feet.  "Oh, did you spot something that you like?"  Less asked, reaching over and ruffling Buck's head. Less looked over to Elder Rashel for permission before fastening the collar around Buck's neck and inspecting the large fire type. 
 

Elder Rashel motions for you to go ahead, looking amused. Once it’s in place Buck prances around, looking quite pleased with himself.

“Quite striking, you look very Tough,” Elder Rashel tells the Fire type. “And very Cool as well.”
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Elder Rashel motions for you to go ahead, looking amused. Once it’s in place Buck prances around, looking quite pleased with himself.

“Quite striking, you look very Tough,” Elder Rashel tells the Fire type. “And very Cool as well.” 
 

"Very dashing," Less agreed, as Buck preened in his new collar.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Go on then,” she encourages. 
 

Less paused for a moment, before he felt the words start to spill from his lips.  "There was a damaged ship in Tidepath, likely filled with Grimer. I entered the ship to catch one, after promising the foreman to deal with any Grimer that I saw, which was easy enough. I caught one fairly quickly . . . but I didn't stop there. I kept going, deeper into the ship. Every step the fumes grew harsher and harsher, more acrid, biting my throat, stinging my eyes. I encountered more Grimer in the depths, as the fumes started to choke me. I should have turned around, there wasn't anything worth finding down there, and I doubt the foreman actually intended for me to head into the bowels of the ship."  Less paused and shook his head.

 "I told myself otherwise, that I needed to keep my promise. But the real reason I kept going was because I was enjoying it. I was enjoying the danger, the risk of death."  Less kept his hands sorting through accessories as he talked, his vision focused on his hands as they moved, shaking worse with every word.  "Saying it aloud feels insane . . . but it's been something I've been feeling ever since I left home. I, it, I think something's  wrong  with me."  Less said, stuttering over the words. " Like there's guilt and fear inside, swirling together, pushing me to act, to do  something, anything , but I can't control it. It didn't used to be like this . . . I didn't used to be like this." 

Less was left staring at his hands. At some point he had stopped sorting. He wasn't cognizant of when.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Miznomer? You either got it from a rift or you’ve been to the Spectral Dimension already and you’ve been holding back about it. They don’t live on this side of the rifts." 
 

" Er... no, it was in Dewdrop forest. " He said, blinking twice. " Seems like it'd been there for a while, with how much the leaves were all pixilated and the vines and branches got all... " Making a sound that can't be written, Mark wiggled his hands as well to try and approximate the M.C. Escher state of matter that had been on display in that clearing. " If you have a PC in the gym, I could swap it into my team and we could ask why it's here? My gardevoir can translate. I was hoping to talk to it about things on the other side as well. "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Pain is physiological, not emotional. Same with hunger or touch. Being in pain might make you more susceptible to emotional swings on the other side, but so would a setback of a nonphysical nature.” 
 

Mark visibly relaxed as she said that, nodding along. So a bad day wouldn't get magnified into actual torture, it would just make him  extremely  grumpy. Maybe as grumpy as Mina! He could deal with that, or at least survive it.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Before. And she might have. We keep lines of communication open but the surviving Elites don't use them much, and Dream at least never pays attention.” 
 

Rubbing at his chin a bit, Mark asked, " Are we able to communicate with the Mirror Lord from our side? " A long shot, but it could maybe save them some time if she could confirm or deny that Emilia had come to her, and let a potential ally know they were coming and the direction they were coming from.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Cassilda nods. “If she survives I’ll look forward to speaking with her.” 
 

Mark  hoped  Mina would survive the night, since she had her nocturnal psychic type to warp her back to Hillsbreak if she needed it and there had been a little misdirection on his part when he teleported away... He was still calling her first thing in the morning, though.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “You can stay here tonight, I wasn’t expecting you to make it out after our meeting,” Cassilda replies. 
 

" Thank you. Are there specific sleeping spots? And if I wanted to train some of my pokemon before I go to bed, is there a place that I should go? "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Cassilda considers you for a moment. “I may have something for you to do in the morning, but not tonight.” 
 

He nodded. " Alright, let me know. "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:


 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less paused for a moment, before he felt the words start to spill from his lips.  "There was a damaged ship in Tidepath, likely filled with Grimer. I entered the ship to catch one, after promising the foreman to deal with any Grimer that I saw, which was easy enough. I caught one fairly quickly . . . but I didn't stop there. I kept going, deeper into the ship. Every step the fumes grew harsher and harsher, more acrid, biting my throat, stinging my eyes. I encountered more Grimer in the depths, as the fumes started to choke me. I should have turned around, there wasn't anything worth finding down there, and I doubt the foreman actually intended for me to head into the bowels of the ship."  Less paused and shook his head.

 "I told myself otherwise, that I needed to keep my promise. But the real reason I kept going was because I was enjoying it. I was enjoying the danger, the risk of death."  Less kept his hands sorting through accessories as he talked, his vision focused on his hands as they moved, shaking worse with every word.  "Saying it aloud feels insane . . . but it's been something I've been feeling ever since I left home. I, it, I think something's  wrong  with me."  Less said, stuttering over the words. " Like there's guilt and fear inside, swirling together, pushing me to act, to do  something, anything , but I can't control it. It didn't used to be like this . . . I didn't used to be like this." 

Less was left staring at his hands. At some point he had stopped sorting. He wasn't cognizant of when. 
 

Elder Rashel is silent for a moment.

At last she responds, “The war brings out different faces in all of us.” She picks a mask out of the pile – dented in places, but mostly serviceable – and holds it up to her own face for a moment. “Some say it shows who we really are.” She takes the mask off and plops it into the ‘minor fixing’ pile. “I don’t think anything is  wrong  with you, precisely. I think you’ve been living under a lot of strain for a very long time, and that had to come out in some form sooner or later, and now it is. But be careful,” She picks another item out of the pile, a little costume Flame – actually a bit of fabric with a fan and tiny light to make it flicker – but the fan/light combo has been crushed beyond saving. “Recklessness is dangerous. Trouble you get into while doing something rash is still trouble you will need to get out of. Remember that you’re not immortal,” she drops the broken Flame into the ‘trash’ pile. “Only the Ancients can claim that.”

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " If you have a PC in the gym, I could swap it into my team and we could ask why it's here? My gardevoir can translate. I was hoping to talk to it about things on the other side as well. " 
 

“Do it on your own time, I don’t have that much to spare.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Rubbing at his chin a bit, Mark asked, " Are we able to communicate with the Mirror Lord from our side? " 
 

“No. Pokémon don’t have phones, and the rifts only open sporadically.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Thank you. Are there specific sleeping spots? And if I wanted to train some of my pokemon before I go to bed, is there a place that I should go? " 
 

“I’ll have Darien show you.” Cassilda gestures and the door you came in reopens. She gestures again to someone behind you – a glance backwards reveals a teen around Cassilda’s age whose mask has curled antennae and a ‘face’ that seems both draconic and serpentine. “Show the Hero of Helnith to the guest quarters, and wherever else he wants to go within reason.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 He nodded. " Alright, let me know. " 
 

Cassilda just nods, and goes back to her maps.
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Elder Rashel is silent for a moment.

At last she responds, “The war brings out different faces in all of us.” She picks a mask out of the pile – dented in places, but mostly serviceable – and holds it up to her own face for a moment. “Some say it shows who we really are.” She takes the mask off and plops it into the ‘minor fixing’ pile. “I don’t think anything is  wrong  with you, precisely. I think you’ve been living under a lot of strain for a very long time, and that had to come out in some form sooner or later, and now it is. But be careful,” She picks another item out of the pile, a little costume Flame – actually a bit of fabric with a fan and tiny light to make it flicker – but the fan/light combo has been crushed beyond saving. “Recklessness is dangerous. Trouble you get into while doing something rash is still trouble you will need to get out of. Remember that you’re not immortal,” she drops the broken Flame into the ‘trash’ pile. “Only the Ancients can claim that.” 
 

Less nodded along. "Wise words, I believe, though I find myself all to aware of my own mortality . . . but I cannot go on as I have been. I  need  to deal with these emotions, before this recklessness leads me, or my companions, into trouble that I  cannot  get out of. But I cannot go back to a life without danger. I don't know if such a thing even exisits in Helnith anymore." Less said, his voice low and slow, though he resumed sorting as he spoke.

 
 Spoiler: OOC Accessory Requests 

Can I get a long feather that's got silver sparkles,
a star shaped hair clip, with some kind of cosmic pattern,
and a golden arm/leg band,
and a decal of a bronze sword?
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Done!
+ Silver Glitter Feather
+ Star Clip
+ Gold Band
+ Bronze Sword Decal
 


The Elder pats you on the knee before setting to untangling a knot of Cords in various colors. “You’re not wrong. I hope for your sake you can manage to work through it.”
Lord Ruby34
Less smiled back in response.  "Thank you, I appreciated the chance to talk. It's a rare thing to find someone who is willing to listen without judgement."  Less said, as he went back to sorting at full speed.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Do it on your own time, I don’t have that much to spare.” 
 

He nodded. " Alright, I'll let you know if I learn anything interesting. "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “No. Pokémon don’t have phones, and the rifts only open sporadically.” 
 

Curses, that would make checking these things harder. " Alright. Then are there spectral types that typically work with her? Like, species that serve as her eyes and ears that we should look out for? " They might be able to take a message to the Mirror lord, or they might even know something of what had happened to Emilia and be able to act as guides themselves.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “I’ll have Darien show you.” Cassilda gestures and the door you came in reopens. She gestures again to someone behind you – a glance backwards reveals a teen around Cassilda’s age whose mask has curled antennae and a ‘face’ that seems both draconic and serpentine. “Show the Hero of Helnith to the guest quarters, and wherever else he wants to go within reason.” 
 

Wincing at the title and sighing, the boy reluctantly known as the Hero of Helnith said, " You don't have to... please, just call me Mark. " He was already getting sick of that title.

Turning to Darien, he flashed a Marky Grin tm  and said, " But yes, a tour would be appreciated. The bedrooms, a training room and a PC if you have one so I can swap some of my team around should be all I need. The fun things like the secret basement lab can wait for my next visit... " That last part was said in a joking tone, of course.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

A little more time passes. The echoes distort any meaning, but after a while the speech fades. Not long after you hear footsteps approaching, and three figures come into view – a tall girl and two shorter young men, and judging by the civilian clothes they’re not Bandra. 
 

Pinklady internally sighs in relief as she sees the figures appear, given their garb. She gently shakes just Sandra awake, does a "take a look" motion, and shifts to let her take a look at the people - hopefully, she figures, Sandra might recognise them if they are from the Shrine. And if she doesn't... that would be good to know, too.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

“Any time.”

The sorting goes much faster with the two of you working together, so not long after that the contents of the unsorted pile vanish into the other three.

That accomplished, Elder Rashel scoops up the ‘trash’ pile and deposits it in the appropriate bin, before more carefully depositing the other two into separate bags to dispose of more appropriately. “Very good. I’m sure there are newer Coodinators who will appreciate these things more than their previous owners did.”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
And unless you have something you want to add, after that she bids you good night and leaves.
 


----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Alright. Then are there spectral types that typically work with her? Like, species that serve as her eyes and ears that we should look out for? " 
 

“Nothing specific that we know of. She’s fond of  illusions. ” Cassilda repeats in a stop-being-thick tone of voice. Then she adds, grudgingly, “…Supposedly Salerdia has a champion wandering around. The last Zorpaleus to evolve.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " You don't have to... please, just call me Mark. " 
 

“I’ll call you whatever I want in my own Gym,” she replies, with enough steel in her voice it occurs to you she might not have been using the title with quite the level of respect you were assuming.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " But yes, a tour would be appreciated. The bedrooms, a training room and a PC if you have one so I can swap some of my team around should be all I need. The fun things like the secret basement lab can wait for my next visit... " 
 

Darien has the sulky air of someone roped into a job they hadn’t wanted, but he trudges through the halls of the Gym anyway, pointing out the guest room (comfortably appointed but not ostentatious, with two twin beds, a desk and a lamp), a room filled with dummies in various configurations for training (including one hanging from the ceiling and another that’s suspiciously human shaped) and a PC which turns out to be by the Gym’s arena (where the Gym Leader would presumably have easy access before a battle if the League were still running in Helnith).

----------------

Pinklady:

Sandra brightens immediately. “That’s Caleb! I went on patrol with him!” She tries to pull herself up to wave at the figures below, then immediately leans back down in apparent pain.

It seems she was seen anyway, however, as a few minutes later the trio have made their way over to you.

One of the two boys waves broadly. “Ahoy there! Are you the people from the cart? The last patrol out of the Pokémon Center called and said you hadn’t made it so we came looking. We were getting worried when we found the wreck a little ways down that-a-way” he indicates the direction of the Shrine “is everyone okay?”
Lord Ruby34
Less nodded along.  "I'm certain you're correct. I think a few of my Pokemon, at least, might appreciate the accessories for the simple joy of wearing them. "

After that, Less headed outside and ran through a few checks on his Pokedex, enjoying the night air and Buck's company. Specifically, Less browsed through the Bounty Hunting App, and then looked at the Pokedex to see if there were any spectral types that might be found nearby in the night, other than Cosmas. It seemed like everyone else already had one, and having too many of the same type of Pokemon could be a liability.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Nothing specific that we know of. She’s fond of  illusions. ” Cassilda repeats in a stop-being-thick tone of voice. Then she adds, grudgingly, “…Supposedly Salerdia has a champion wandering around. The last Zorpaleus to evolve.” 
 

The constant attitude was getting a bit grating but, well, it  was  her gym, and given his current plans she did have a good reason to think he might be stupid... So he swallows his pride, nods and says, " We'll keep an eye out for them, thank you. " He'd have to look up what exactly a Zorpaleus was later.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “I’ll call you whatever I want in my own Gym,” she replies, with enough steel in her voice it occurs to you she might not have been using the title with quite the level of respect you were assuming. 
 

 That  bit of hostility, though, does get a visible reaction from him as his head jerks back and he blinks. Still looking a bit surprised, he nods his acceptance and, since she was looking at her map and probably didn't see him, he said, " Alright, fair... sleep well when you get there. " And, because that basically concluded the interview, he left to get his tour!


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Darien has the sulky air of someone roped into a job they hadn’t wanted, but he trudges through the halls of the Gym anyway, pointing out the guest room (comfortably appointed but not ostentatious, with two twin beds, a desk and a lamp), a room filled with dummies in various configurations for training (including one hanging from the ceiling and another that’s suspiciously human shaped) and a PC which turns out to be by the Gym’s arena (where the Gym Leader would presumably have easy access before a battle if the League were still running in Helnith). 
 

His tour was a bit boring, but still got him what he needed. Thanking Darien for his time, Mark swapped out Dendrolog and Jessia for his Opdra and Cosmas, then momentarily withdrew Corphish and Miznomer, so he could take the eviolite and put it back on Marick and the Ancient glyph to put on Cosmass, before returning both to storage. It was definitely too late to interview his Miznomer (and with the quality of sleep he'd been getting, he'd almost flopped into bed the moment he'd been shown it), but if he had time to train Opdra and Cosmas an hour each (exchanging the Power Weight between them as he went) before he passed out. He also took the opportunity to look up all the moves that could be tutored, TM'd and SM'd onto Opdra while he was at it.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
So over-all training 2 levels onto Opdra and 1 on Cosmas, passing the Power Weight between them for that training and taking it off after they're done, and doing a little bit of item shuffling. Also, looking up TM moves for Opdra! We've already gotten the level-up ones in a thread, but knowing what else she has access to would be nice.  Please have Hyper Voice, please have Hyper Voice... 

For EV's, Cosmas will focus on Attack until it becomes equal to speed, and then go 50/50. Opdra is probably still too baby for it to matter, but I'll do 50/50 special attack and speed on her, too.

Oh! And is there an upgrade for Opdra's ability, or do I just have to be content with 20% physical damage immunity and stop getting greedy? 😛
 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Sandra brightens immediately. “That’s Caleb! I went on patrol with him!” She tries to pull herself up to wave at the figures below, then immediately leans back down in apparent pain.

It seems she was seen anyway, however, as a few minutes later the trio have made their way over to you.

One of the two boys waves broadly. “Ahoy there! Are you the people from the cart? The last patrol out of the Pokémon Center called and said you hadn’t made it so we came looking. We were getting worried when we found the wreck a little ways down that-a-way” he indicates the direction of the Shrine “is everyone okay?” 
 

Pinklady puts a supporting hand on Sandra to help with the pain from attempting to get up, and nods at the boy asking questions.  "Yes, that's us! We're alright, or at least, no new injuries. We still have the ones that necessitated carting out of there Shrine in the first place, of course."  Pinklady looks over to Stef, briefly considering shaking him awake - if the conversation didn't wake him up already - but, if he still rests, decides to let him have a moment longer before he'd need to be woken up for everyone to get moving.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Browsing the App, you can see that most of the Bandra Officers have some kind of bounty on them, though Darrin’s is the highest presently. Oddly, Officer Ray’s entry has a few things listed under the ‘Wanted For…’ category that you’re reasonably certain happened  after  he was supposed to have disappeared.

There aren’t a lot of Spectral types nearby, but (aside from the Cosmas and the Estuar you already know about) the Pokédex informs you there are Zaenit and more rarely their evolved form Naedire up in the Shatterhigh Mountains.

----------------

Mark:
 
 Spoiler: Pokémon Updates 

Yell if anything looks off.

Pokémon: Cosmas
Type: Dark/Spectral
Ability: Magic Guard
Gender: Male
Level: 19
Held Item: Ancient Glyph
Stats--
HP: 50  +4 
Attack: 33 +1
Def: 26
Sp. Attack: 31
Sp. Def: 29
Speed: 33 +13
Moves:
Tail Whip
Bash
Pursuit
Flash
Faint Attack
 Haze 

Pokémon: Opdra
Type: Normal/Dragon
Ability: Phase
Gender: Female
Level: 8
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 28  +4 
Attack: 17
Def: 12
Sp. Attack: 17 +2
Sp. Def: 14
Speed: 15 +1
Moves:
Pound
Tail Whip
Dragon Breath
Charge
 


Checking the Pokédex, it looks like Opdra’s evolutionary line can get an ‘upgrade’ called Optical Phase if it evolves while holding a Prism Scale.

 
 Spoiler: Optical Phase 

Phase + Multiscale
 


You’re able to skim through a fair list of attack possibilities before turning in for the night:

 
 Spoiler: HM/SM Moves for Opdra 

  Note:  The DM reserves the right to update this list. 
 HMs: 
Flash
Strength
Rock Smash

 SMs: 
Substitute
Swift
Attract
Toxic
Hidden Power
Natural Gift
Power Up*
Rain Dance
Sunny Day
Bleak Void*
Ice Beam
Flamethrower
Thunderbolt
Chaos Ray*
Safeguard
Mimic
Entropic Field*
Brick Break
Blizzard
Fire Blast
Thunder
Curse
Shadow Ball
Roar
Protect
Light Screen
Reflect
Double Team
False Swipe
Return
Frustration
Trick Room
Rest
Sleep Talk
Backlash*
Swords’ Dance
Sun Lamp
Chomp*
Hyper Voice
 


There are also a handful of moves the Pokédex indicates she can’t learn via SM yet, but will be able to after she evolves to her final form, such as Fly and Hyper Beam.

It’s 11 PM by the time you drift off.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
And I’m going to pause you there while everyone else catches up.
 


----------------

Pinklady:

Stef appears to still be snoozing.

“We’ll have to get you back to the Shrine and see what we can arrange as far as transportation later, we just fought off a patrol on the way here so let’s get you back while it’s all clear, hey?”
Lord Ruby34
Less frowned at his Pokedex. It was certainly very possible that law enforcement was attributing crimes to Ray that he hadn't  actually  committed, but Less wondered for a moment if there was a reason for that fact. Could Bandra be pretending that Ray hadn't disappeared . . . but why? Less shook his head and decided to think about it in the morning. He still had a bit to do tonight.

With that thought, he sent out Connie, letting her get acclimated to the night air before asking the flying type,  "How do you feel about pirate movies?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Connie’s response is to hum out a line of music you recognize as the main theme of Pirates of the Orange Archipelago. “ I’m Captain Jack Sparrow, savvy! ”
Lord Ruby34
 "Indeed you are."  Less replied, while pulling the silver glitter feather out from his accessories case so that Connie could see it.  "And how do you feel about the fancy feathered hats?"  Less asked, a glimmer of humor in his eye.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

Stef appears to still be snoozing.

“We’ll have to get you back to the Shrine and see what we can arrange as far as transportation later, we just fought off a patrol on the way here so let’s get you back while it’s all clear, hey?” 
 

Pinklady nods.  "Alright! We've had a chance to rest, so we should be good to battle if there's any trouble on the way back."  With that, she moves to help Sandra exit without hurting herself, and once any other preparation for the journey back to the Shrine is done, finally wakes up Stef.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Connie’s eyes immediately go starry at the sight of the shiny. She floofs up her hat-like crest and poses. “ I will sparkle like a wealthy woman's neck! ”

----------------

Pinklady:

You and the newcomers manage to get Stef and Sandra onto the backs of Pokémon well enough to ride back to the Shrine. It’s slow, and obviously a bit bumpy and uncomfortable for the injured pair, but you make it back to the Shrine safely about 5 PM. Stef immediately starts babbling energetically to whoever asks what happened - minus the bits he was asleep for - and asking after his Mining Kit. Sandra asks to be set down somewhere quiet to rest, wincing as she's let down from her mount.
Lord Ruby34
Less smiled at Connie's obvious enthusiasm, as he moved to tuck the feather against the hatlike crest on her head.  "Good. Because I actually got you something else, too."  Less said, pulling out the golden band.  "I saw this and thought it might look quite fetching on your leg, if you're amiable." 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

Connie, getting excited, holds out one leg and awkwardly hops closer on the other.
Lord Ruby34
Less responds with a smile, and by putting the bracelet on Connie's leg.  "There now, that looks quite sharp, I think. Do you like it?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

By way of answer Connie preens and struts about, looking quite pleased with herself.
Lord Ruby34
Less continued smiling beneath his mustache. This felt  good , doing something simple and kind for one of his Pokemon. Less lavished the flying type with a few pets before taking out his Pokedex and using the camera to show her how she looked with her feathered cap and bracelet.  "You've been fighting hard these last few days, Connie. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate it, and that I haven't forgotten about you, or my promise. Thank you."
 
 
 Spoiler: Pokedex Camera 

These have a reversible camera, right? If not, Less will try to find a mirror before the end of the night, probably in the Pokemon center
 
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Pinklady:

You and the newcomers manage to get Stef and Sandra onto the backs of Pokémon well enough to ride back to the Shrine. It’s slow, and obviously a bit bumpy and uncomfortable for the injured pair, but you make it back to the Shrine safely about 5 PM. Stef immediately starts babbling energetically to whoever asks what happened - minus the bits he was asleep for - and asking after his Mining Kit. Sandra asks to be set down somewhere quiet to rest, wincing as she's let down from her mount. 
 

After Sandra's set down somewhere quiet, Pinklady pays her a visit.  "Hey there! Sorry we couldn't make it out of here... but thank you for your help. With making sure Stef didn't give us away and all."  She smiles, clearly not intending any actual jab at Stef - but all the same thankful to Sandra.  "How's your injury? Not any worse from the experience, is it?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Sure. Also, +2% to her Obedience chance, with the note that dropping more Accessories on her won’t make any further difference to that at this time. 😉
 


Connie makes a rumbling noise that’s almost a purr, and tries to preen your hair.
----------------

Pinklady:

Sandra considers this for a moment. “I can’t tell yet. If my leg starts swelling again then it’s getting worse. Not like we can do anything about it here.” She adjusts the ice pack someone dug out for her. “The big problem is if we have to get out of here in a hurry I can’t move fast enough.”
Lord Ruby34
Less allows the grooming with a good natured grin. Eventually, after spending some more time talking with, petting, and playing with his Pokémon, Less got onto business,  and started training Eowyn for another hour while Buck and Connie played in the background.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

The extra hour seems to be just what Eowyn needs to take her to the next level.

 
 Spoiler: Eowyn 

Pokemon: Estuar (Eowyn)
Type: Water/Spectral
Ability: Immunity
Gender: Female
Level: 23
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 95
Attack: 44
Def: 44 +6
Sp. Attack: 44
Sp. Def: 44 +12
Speed: 35
Moves:
Bash
Mud Sport
Brine
Flail
Purge
Gobble
 


It’s about 10:30 PM as the Pokédex informs you of the level up.
Lord Ruby34
Less wiped a bit of accumulated sweat from his brow, praised his Pokémon,  and headed off to find a bed for the night at the local Pokémon center.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less:

You successfully obtain a room and turn in for the night.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
And you’re on pause until I get essCee caught up.
 


----------------

Pinklady:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
I’m going to try and speed this up a little. Feel free to roleplay, but in the interest of getting you caught up if you want to chat with anyone you’re going to be in more than one place at a time for a bit.
 


After a chat with Sandra you are able to locate Tomas, whom the former had informed you would know what the next course of action was now that the road was blocked if anyone did. When questioned he in turn informs you (in between his usual heavy swearing) that if you don’t mind walking out of the Shrine alone you can leave any time you want, although he doesn’t recommend it: you’d have to navigate the mountains since the road is blocked, and the mountains are crawling with Bandra. Otherwise you can go along with one of the patrols headed in that direction and just drop off once you’re out of the mountains; the next set is leaving in a little less than an hour ((7 PM)).

As for Stef and Sandra, they aren’t going to be able to get the wounded out until the road is unblocked, and new transportation arranged, which might take days. The Shrine garrison is trying to see if they can get a doctor flown  in  to help instead, but aren’t making a lot of leeway there.
essCee
Pinklady agrees to the plan to go as far as she can with a patrol and then head out solo, and spends the time until the start of the patrol with Stef and Sandra - though the former does seem to already be in the middle of talking about their misadventure to whomever's interested, so much of the time is spent with Sandra.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

Unless there's particularly important stuff Sandra has to say, I'm good with just going ahead rather than splitting things up, for simplicity's sake.
Pinklady doesn't have anything in particular she seeks to talk to her about, just mention what Tomas said to her (and to Stef) and keep her company.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

The time passes quickly. Before you leave, Stef anxiously waves you over.

“They said you were leaving! I hope you’ll be safe with all the Bandra in the mountains, especially since it wasn’t very safe the last time when we tried to leave on the cart, and now it’s going to be dark too. I want you to have this, since you got me and Sandra back safely, even if you didn’t get us to Skybreak,” he digs around in his Mining Kit (returned to him not long after the three of you got back) and fishes out what you recognize is the Mega Stone he’d unearthed during your earlier mining expedition. “you were very brave.”

((+1 Mega Stone (unattuned)))

The duo you’re supposed to be traveling with – a dark-haired girl in her late teens wearing mostly red and a boy a few years younger with hair just on the red side of brown and lots of freckles - look to be getting impatient but relax once you make your way over.

“Ready to go?” the girl asks. On giving the affirmative, she responds, “Great, we’re going to take some side trails. Keep your wits about you, even if we don’t run into Bandra it’s getting dark and some of the footing gets treacherous.”

Fortunately it’s a clear night, because your escort is very insistent on keeping lights to a minimum. You can hear the occasional echo of a voice bouncing off the mountains, or very faint sounds of fighting, and at one point you could swear something snickers nearby.

But ultimately you make it out of the mountains without running into Bandra, and about 9 PM your escort drops you off in sight of the battered (and still inoperable) Pokémon Center before heading back the way they came to finish their patrol.
essCee
After silently waving farewell to her very temporary companions, Pinklady begins the solo leg of her trip back to Skybreak. The lack of an encounter with Bandra actually concerns her a bit - if there was going to be a battle, it would have been much better for it to happen before splitting up - but she doesn't let that concern slow her down.

Neither does she let the Pokémon Center slow her down - although she briefly considers looking in, mostly to see if there's anybody else non-Bandra there, the possibility of Bandra hiding out in there seemed even more likely, and a threat she could not afford to risk.

One change from just heading down the beaten path she does make is to travel somewhat off, though still along the direction of, the road. Her experience with somewhat uneven footing, gained from living in a forest throughout her life, as well as the clearness of the night minimize the disadvantage of the less-smoothed terrain; and meanwhile gave her some slight advantage in going unnoticed or at least harder to pursue by anyone hostile, or at least she imagined so.

Besides thoughts of strategic advantage, it simply felt more natural to her. It was in this manner she headed for safety back in the city.
Kareeah_Indaga
Pinklady:

There is no sign of Bandra this far out of the mountains, and no Pokémon materialize. This late at night, there also aren’t any other travelers, and you reach Skybreak City about 5 AM. Your body is reminding you you haven’t properly slept in over twenty-four hours, and even that had been scanty.

Additionally, curfew is in full effect, with a few early birds standing in line waiting for it to lift. One of them even looks slightly familiar, though your sleep-deprived brain doesn’t immediately bring up a name.

----------------

Mark:

You are awakened at 6 AM sharp by the muffled sound of a gong ringing through the building. A glance at your Pokédex shows the Tutor list you were scrolling through before nodding off:

 
 Spoiler: Opdra Move Tutor List 

  Note:  The DM reserves the right to update this list. 

Ally Switch
Ancient Power
Aqua Tail
Bind
Body Slam
Dark Pulse
Double-Edge
Draco Meteor
Dragon Pulse
Electroweb
Endure
Flamethrower
Gravity
Headbutt
Heat Wave
Helping Hand
Hyper Voice
Ice Beam
Icy Wind
Iron Head
Iron Tail
Laser Focus
Magic Coat
Magnet Rise
Mimic
Mud-Slap
Outrage
Psych Up
Recycle
Rising Voltage
Scale Shot
Shock Wave
Signal Beam
Sleep Talk
Snore
Substitute
Swagger
Swift
Swords Dance
Thunder Wave
Thunderbolt
Trick
Twister
Uproar
Wonder Room
Zen Headbutt
Beginner’s Luck*
Tangle*
Eldritch Fire*
 


----------------

Less:

You actually manage to beat your 5 AM alarm awake, allowing you to grab food for the line and get out the door bright and early. The line is just starting to form, the people in it reading yesterday’s newspaper or sipping coffee or just yawning and looking bored, but you notice there’s one lone, wandering figure trudging in your general direction looking more like a zombie than a person. Wait, is that Pinklady?!
Lord Ruby34
Less's dreams were troubled, as they often were. A nightmarish whirl of hospital rooms, vibrant purple fields, and screaming. It was his own screaming. So Less, waking early, did not begrudge the lost sleep. A quick morning ride to Skybreak, after making sure he took enough Pokechow to feed his team.

And that was just what Less was doing, letting his team members out two by two to eat, when he saw Pinklady. Less waived her over  "Ah, Pinklady you look . . . well?"  Less said, the words turning into a question at the end.
essCee
 "Huh..."  Pinklady vocally takes a moment to connect appearance and now voice to memory... and after a couple of seconds, finally succeeds.  "Oh... hey, Lea- Less. What're you doing here?"  She asks as she shambles over to join him in line, groggily waving back to him.
Lord Ruby34
 "I'm headed to return and complete my delivery task, much the same as you I imagine . . ."  Less cocked his head at the end.  "Are you alright? You look like you haven't slept?"  Buck barked, seconding Less's concern.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 You are awakened at 6 AM sharp by the muffled sound of a gong ringing through the building. A glance at your Pokédex shows the Tutor list you were scrolling through before nodding off:

 
 Spoiler: Opdra Move Tutor List 

  Note:  The DM reserves the right to update this list. 

Ally Switch
Ancient Power
Aqua Tail
Bind
Body Slam
Dark Pulse
Double-Edge
Draco Meteor
Dragon Pulse
Electroweb
Endure
Flamethrower
Gravity
Headbutt
Heat Wave
Helping Hand
Hyper Voice
Ice Beam
Icy Wind
Iron Head
Iron Tail
Laser Focus
Magic Coat
Magnet Rise
Mimic
Mud-Slap
Outrage
Psych Up
Recycle
Rising Voltage
Scale Shot
Shock Wave
Signal Beam
Sleep Talk
Snore
Substitute
Swagger
Swift
Swords Dance
Thunder Wave
Thunderbolt
Trick
Twister
Uproar
Wonder Room
Zen Headbutt
Beginner’s Luck*
Tangle*
Eldritch Fire*
 
 
 

Waking up, Mark rubbed at his eyes, checked the list again through this bleary vision, and yawned. While he didn't feel  well  rested, he wasn't feeling as completely awful as usual pre-coffee... maybe he was getting used to these terrible hours he'd been keeping on his sleep schedule? Or maybe not. Seven hours of snoozing might have been some of the best undisturbed sleep he'd gotten recently, but they didn't help him catch up on his sleep debt at all. It took him a bit of fumbling to get his prosthetic properly socketed, so getting out of bed and dressing took him a solid thirty minutes, and he was still visibly waking up when he stumbled out into the gym proper.

Now then, the grumpy gym leader had said she might have a job for him... but did she have  coffee  too? That's what early morning Mark wanted to know.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Reserve the right to change indeed. RIP Rest, we still have sleep talk, but only as a hypnosis safety measure, no more combos there. 😛
 
essCee
 "Oh, yeah, haha... sleep..."  Pinklady slowly nods, then shakes her head.  "No, I'm not here for sleep too, I'm here for turning in the... well, the cart's gone, but..."  She looks behind her and frowns.  "Do you think they'll take that out of the pay..." 
Lord Ruby34
Oh boy. This might be worse than he thought. Not only was Pinklady seeming rather confused, it seemed her mission hadn't gone off without a hitch . "Pinklady, what exactly happened out there?"  Less asked, his voice concerned. He hadn't known the young lady long, but he didn't think that was the type to not sleep, at least not without good reason.
essCee
 "Oh, well..."  Pinklady stares at the ground for a moment, then continues.  "I headed out to mountain, the Shrine, to drop off the stuff. Stopped at the Pokémon Center on the way, but... Bandra attacked and that got broken... oh, right, I also broke my dex."  She pulls out the broken device and holds it up to Less's face, closer than she intends. Without putting it away, she continues,  "Then I continued to the Shrine, and got there okay, and delivered everything and didn't ask for any of it... and then... then I saw Stef again! I told you about Stef."  She nods, then finally lowers her Pokédex and puts it away.  "But he's hurt, and Sandra's hurt, so I bring them back with me... but we get attacked, cart gets broken, and I broke my Pokédex... but we got away! We're fine."  She yawns and stares at the ground again, long enough it isn't clear if she finished her story, working on remembering what to say next, or nodding off while standing.
Lord Ruby34
Less's brow continued to furrow in concern. Pinklady wasn't making a great deal of sense . . . but it sounded like things might not be going well at the Shrine. He's half to get more of the story later, after Pinklady got a nap, or maybe some coffee.  "I see."  Less replied instead.  "Perhaps there will be some time to lie down once we get inside . . . you might have a few moments to nap here, in fact before the line moves. I can wake you when the line begins to move, if you want to use Buck as a pillow?"  Buck looked mildly affronted at that, but a look over at the slightly delirious young woman calmed that down.
Kareeah_Indaga
Less and Pinklady:

((Let me know if you need input from me.))

----------------

Mark:

Leaving the guest room, you nearly trip over something that had been shoved under the door. On closer inspection, it’s a note, with an SM folded inside:


  To the Hero of Helnith,

Thank you for saving my friend from the Shrine.  

It’s not signed. The SM turns out to be SM 93, Hone Claws. ((+SM93))

The Gym does have a kitchen, currently busy with activity, which is separated from a small dining area by a countertop. With one exception the tables are mostly long, cafeteria-style things designed to be functional and nothing else. The exception, while similar in size and basic shape, is wood carved similarly to the entrance - although nowhere near as intricately and considerably more worn and scratched from use. There doesn’t seem to be any particular significance to it however, as Gym members and patrol members alike seem just as happy to eat at it as at the standard cafeteria tables.

Combined with the sleeping arrangements and some of the other things you remember from the previous day’s tour, it occurs to you that at some point someone folded a barracks into this Gym, or perhaps the other way around, though none of the Gym members give off a military vibe.

Currently the area is packed with people eating or getting food. It’s mostly more of a continental style breakfast compared to the Pokémon Center’s cook-your-own setup, but someone in a mask with flat eyes and triangular ears is making omelets in the kitchen portion. It transpires the coffee is somewhat better than Pokémon Center standard, too.

You’re part way through your meal when you’re approached by a Gym member whose mask has long whiskers. “You are the hero Mark?” He bows politely but not subserviently. “Our Dread Lady Cassilda suggested you would be willing to take on a task on her behalf.”
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Leaving the guest room, you nearly trip over something that had been shoved under the door. On closer inspection, it’s a note, with an SM folded inside:

It’s not signed. The SM turns out to be SM 93, Hone Claws. ((+SM93))

...

You’re part way through your meal when you’re approached by a Gym member whose mask has long whiskers. “You are the hero Mark?” He bows politely but not subserviently. “Our Dread Lady Cassilda suggested you would be willing to take on a task on her behalf.” 
 

Mark took that note and the SM, and he read it again and again as he waited in line for breakfast and food. The same thing kept going through his mind: There are too many Bandra markers outside of the Shrine, and between it and the neighboring towns. He'd gotten a good look at Cassilda's map last night, but he  hadn't thought about that.  He should have noticed, should have asked...

Sitting down with breakfast, he immediately began planning out what to do about it. First thing's first, he checked his berries, watering the ones that weren't fully ripened and collecting any that were ready. If he had some excess Lum, then he'd have more medicine for any statuses that Bandra's forces in the hills might throw out. He needed to swap some members around on his team, to go collect his reward for the job yesterday, spend at least some of that money on the promise he'd made to Tattersail, perhaps stop by trainer hill in order to change some of his moves... and see if Sesh could be prodded to  do something,  because Mark and his allies weren't going to be around to help the shrine all too much longer.

When the masked trainer arrived, Mark has just finished sending Mina a text reading, "  Hey Mina! How did your search go? Find anything, or was it a washout? Call me when you get this.  " He set down his phone, looked up at the trainer and mentally kicked himself because  of course  he'd volunteered to help with something else, too. He needed to take fewer of the many, many burdens that were being passed around here. Out loud he said, " Alright. Does she want to meet with me, or did she tell you what she wants me to do? "
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 Less's brow continued to furrow in concern. Pinklady wasn't making a great deal of sense . . . but it sounded like things might not be going well at the Shrine. He's half to get more of the story later, after Pinklady got a nap, or maybe some coffee.  "I see."  Less replied instead.  "Perhaps there will be some time to lie down once we get inside . . . you might have a few moments to nap here, in fact before the line moves. I can wake you when the line begins to move, if you want to use Buck as a pillow?"  Buck looked mildly affronted at that, but a look over at the slightly delirious young woman calmed that down. 
 

At that suggestion, Pinklady nods, then sits to lay down her head against Buck.  "Thank you Less... thank you Buck..."  She mumbles as she lays down her head among his fluffiness and strokes him along the back - awkwardly, given her position.
Lord Ruby34
After Pinklady settles down to sleep, Buck looks back at Less with an expression that says you will make this up to me, before drifting off into dreamland himself. That left Less alone, stroking his moustache in worry, before picking up his Pokedex and sending a text message to Mark and Mina.

  Outside of Skybreak with Pinklady. Her Pokedex is broken. Sounds like there are problems at the Shrine. Information unclear. We should meet and talk soon. Less.  
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 Sitting down with breakfast, he immediately began planning out what to do about it. First thing's first, he checked his berries, watering the ones that weren't fully ripened and collecting any that were ready. 
 

 
 Spoiler: Berries 

Lum Berry in bloom
Wacan Berry sprouted
 


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 When the masked trainer arrived, Mark has just finished sending Mina a text reading, "  Hey Mina! How did your search go? Find anything, or was it a washout? Call me when you get this.  " 
 

There is no immediate response from Mina. Of course, being off in the wilderness, she probably didn’t get woken up by a gong at 6 AM.

However, you also see you received a text from Less about an hour ago:

  Less sent you a message!  
  Outside of Skybreak with Pinklady. Her Pokedex is broken. Sounds like there are problems at the Shrine. Information unclear. We should meet and talk soon. Less.  

 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Alright. Does she want to meet with me, or did she tell you what she wants me to do? " 
 

“Our Dread Lady has many constraints on her time, and has informed me of the details,” the Gym member responds. He continues, “A trainer who assisted with patrolling the city recently made it known he wished to visit Hillsbreak. Our Dread Lady requested he inquire as to the status of the Power Plant in that vicinity while he was there, as that part of the grid is the only current link between Skybreak and the Power Plant in friendly hands. The trainer has not returned, nor has he sent any word back to us here. She wishes to know what happened to him, and to be assured that the city’s power supply is in good hands.

She did wish me to inform you, however, that if you desired to lift the siege on the Shrine of Light instead she would not hold it against you.”

----------------

Less and Pinklady:

The line grows steadily longer behind you until finally 6 AM rolls around and the gates open, and then the line in front of you slowly trickles through security until it’s finally your turn. Both of you make it through with no issues shortly thereafter, though as usual Buck and every other Pokémon visible is looking bothered and nervous.

The city is mostly just waking up, but the staff at the local newspaper must already be hard at work because they’re already stocking the newsracks. From these you can see the top headline reads “SEIGE AT THE SHRINE OF LIGHT” in enormous letters, with a smaller story about thefts around the city indicated to be on the next page.
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
   Less sent you a message!  
  Outside of Skybreak with Pinklady. Her Pokedex is broken. Sounds like there are problems at the Shrine. Information unclear. We should meet and talk soon. Less.   
 

Mark had heard about people who saw red. He'd heard about blood rages and people who lost control... what he hadn't heard about was what happened to him as he read Lester's text. Without realizing it, the edges of Mark's vision dimmed as he hyper-focused on those words on his phone's screen, his pupils contracted and icy tendrils of energy rippled down his spine and into his hand. His prosthetic's motors whirred as that mechanical limb unconsciously grabbed the edge of the table he was sitting at, fingers trying to dig into the surface, though they lacked the motor strength to damage it even as much as his organic hand would have.

His thoughts didn't vanish into a haze of rage, however. Instead, they began firing off  faster  than they normally did, even in his battle calm. They still carried a thread of outrage, though, because how  dare  those monsters? They took his friends, his family, and now they were back? They tried to kill Pinklady? They tried to kill  another one of his friends?  For what? So they could take back the Shrine continue   committing their atrocities?   What did he have to do to just make them give up? How badly did he have to hurt them? How many of them did he    have to kill?     How far did he have to grind these monsters into the dirt before- 

But now wasn't the time for a black, cold fury, so Mark did the  h  e  a  l  t  h  i  e  s  t   t  h  i  n  g   e  v  e  r  ~  !  When the masked trainer talks to him, some part of his subconscious sheered off all of those feelings, all of that fury, and buried it under three separate layers of repression, so that if the member of the gym staff hadn't been watching and hadn't gotten a good look at Mark's eyes and expression, then it was simply  gone  and replaced with the fake Marky smile that he always tried to show people. Even his contracted pupils reverted to normal once he'd given his attention to the masked trainer's words instead of dwelling on the situation at the Shrine... for now. He would respond to that text later.

It happened so fast that perhaps it had been nothing. Just an imagined flicker of utter hatred and loathing.

Mark's prosthetic hand still gripped the table edge like he was trying to turn it into kindling.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “Our Dread Lady has many constraints on her time, and has informed me of the details,” the Gym member responds. He continues, “A trainer who assisted with patrolling the city recently made it known he wished to visit Hillsbreak. Our Dread Lady requested he inquire as to the status of the Power Plant in that vicinity while he was there, as that part of the grid is the only current link between Skybreak and the Power Plant in friendly hands. The trainer has not returned, nor has he sent any word back to us here. She wishes to know what happened to him, and to be assured that the city’s power supply is in good hands.

She did wish me to inform you, however, that if you desired to lift the siege on the Shrine of Light instead she would not hold it against you.” 
 

As the job was explained, Mark finally managed to unlock his false fingers from the edge of the table as he considered it and got a sinking suspicion. Picking up his pack, he opened the pouch containing the items he'd found on Clyde and asked, " Did she tell you the name of that friendly trainer? "

When the offer to set him loose on the Bandra forces sieging the shrine came up, Mark almost,  almost  jumped up from his chair and launched into a rant about just what he would do to end that threat, once and for all, but the self-preserving part of his subconscious managed to hold on to enough control that a momentary twitch of his shoulders and a sharp breath were the only outward signs of it. The repression strat was  t  o  t  a  l  l  y   w  o  r  k  i  n  g   g  u  y  s  ~  !  He didn't dare try to say anything, though, and simply nodded to show that he understood.
Kareeah_Indaga
Mark:

When your vision clears, the Gym member appears to have moved a step backwards.


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Did she tell you the name of that friendly trainer? " 
 

“His name is Barret, he specializes in Steel types.”
Lord Ruby34
As the line gets ready to move Less gently shook Pinklady and Buck awake.  "The line's getting ready to move. I'm sorry there wasn't more time to rest."  Less said, sounding rueful.  "But we likely have a full day ahead of us. Are you feeling a little better after your nap?" 

After entering, Less bought the day's paper, and then turned to Pinklady after rolling it under his arm.  "I have an errand I have to complete, back where we picked up these jobs. Do you want to accompany me? If your Pokedex is broken if may be difficult to meet up otherwise, and I've yet to hear from Mark or Mina about when they would like to meet. Or we could set a time and place to meet, if you've business or your own to be about. Or if you'd like to rest awhile?" 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 When your vision clears, the Gym member appears to have moved a step backwards.

“His name is Barret, he specializes in Steel types.” 
 

Mark continued acting like nothing had happened. If the trainer wasn't going to bring it up, he wasn't either. He also stopped opening his backpack and hummed. " Huh, Barret? Not Clyde? Well... that's good, then. " The pouch that had all of Clyde's stuff was closed back up, and Mark sat up a bit straighter. " How long ago did he leave, what route did he use, did he give you any updates on his progress, and do you guys have anything that might still have his scent? " Sengar might be able to follow a trail.

" ... And how much longer will the Shrine hold out? " At this point, Mark's expression had faded from the fake smile to a careful neutrality. He had jobs to focus on... and distract him. Made keeping himself under control easier.
essCee
 
 Originally Posted by Lord Ruby34 
 As the line gets ready to move Less gently shook Pinklady and Buck awake.  "The line's getting ready to move. I'm sorry there wasn't more time to rest."  Less said, sounding rueful.  "But we likely have a full day ahead of us. Are you feeling a little better after your nap?" 

After entering, Less bought the day's paper, and then turned to Pinklady after rolling it under his arm.  "I have an errand I have to complete, back where we picked up these jobs. Do you want to accompany me? If your Pokedex is broken if may be difficult to meet up otherwise, and I've yet to hear from Mark or Mina about when they would like to meet. Or we could set a time and place to meet, if you've business or your own to be about. Or if you'd like to rest awhile?"  
 

Pinklady yawns and gets to her feet as Less wakes her up. After yawning, she nods and says,  "It's alright, that was nice. Thank you Less and Buck. I feel a bit better." 

To the choices he presents inside the city she answers,  "I'll come with you, I need to report my job too. Lack of cart and everything, I don't need to... go off... and a bit of rest would be good too..." 
Lord Ruby34
 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
 Pinklady yawns and gets to her feet as Less wakes her up. After yawning, she nods and says,  "It's alright, that was nice. Thank you Less and Buck. I feel a bit better." 

To the choices he presents inside the city she answers,  "I'll come with you, I need to report my job too. Lack of cart and everything, I don't need to... go off... and a bit of rest would be good too..."  
 

Less nodded.  "Let's be off then. Perhaps we'll have heard from the others by the time we reach the university." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

It is the university we go to to turn in jobs, right? It's been a while and my notes from there are a bit spotty.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less and Pinklady:

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Correct.
 


Less is able to obtain a copy of the day’s paper without fanfare. ((-100 PD, 1,660 PD remaining. +Day 31 newspaper))

Not long after you arrive at the University. There’s a short line of students, some talking anxiously under their breaths, but this early the halls are fairly empty. The line moves swiftly and soon you make it to the front.

The receptionist is looking alert with the coffee next to her half-emptied and her own copy of the day’s newspaper off to the side. “Hello, how can I help you?”

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " How long ago did he leave, what route did he use, did he give you any updates on his progress, and do you guys have anything that might still have his scent? " 
 

“He left a few days ago. We have not heard from him since he left. I do not believe he left behind any possessions, but you are welcome to inquire of the other volunteers, or perhaps the Pokémon Center.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " ... And how much longer will the Shrine hold out? " 
 

“No one can judge the tides of this war with accuracy. But the Pokémon Center on the road to the mountains has been disabled, and the last report we received mentioned some difficulties with the latest supply run. I was not privy to the details.”
Lord Ruby34
 "Hello, my name is Less Douglass. I'm bringing back the cargo from the  Warlock , docked in Tidepath."  Less pulled out the anti-incubators and the three eggs as he spoke.  "I believe this should be everything?" 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less and Pinklady:

The receptionist takes a moment to check her records. “Oh, the Scatterbug Eggs from Kalos!” She takes the Anti-Incubators and sets them carefully on the floor behind her. “Dr. Sessil was worried these wouldn’t arrive in time.” She types a little bit, finishing off the paperwork before handing Less his money. ((+4,000 PD, 5,660 PD total, -3 Egg Anti-Incubator (Skybreak Pickup Egg), 0 remaining)) “Anything else?”
Lord Ruby34
 "Thank you. Nothing else from me, but I believe my companion has something to report."  Less replied, before stepping aside and starting to read the paper with one ear open, hoping to gleam a bit more about what happened at the Shrine of Light, both from the paper and from Pinklady.
essCee
Pinklady shuffles up to the desk next and nods. She yawns, a contrast to the receptionist's alertness, and mumbles out,  "I finished the delivery to the Shrine of Light. Borrowed a cart from here but it got broken by Bandra." 
Gnomes2169
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “He left a few days ago. We have not heard from him since he left. I do not believe he left behind any possessions, but you are welcome to inquire of the other volunteers, or perhaps the Pokémon Center.” 
 

Hmmm... those answers didn't exactly help out. " Did he at least mention the route he was planning to follow? Like, was he going to stick to the roads or follow the power lines directly? "


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “No one can judge the tides of this war with accuracy. But the Pokémon Center on the road to the mountains has been disabled, and the last report we received mentioned some difficulties with the latest supply run. I was not privy to the details.” 
 

Mark nodded along with that assessment. Not anything accurate... but Mark was planning to ensure there wouldn't be any Bandra forces in the hills between the Shrine and Cerise by the end of the night, and to get at least a handful of reinforcements there before that.

" Anything else I should know about? "
Kareeah_Indaga
Less and Pinklady:

The newspaper’s major headlines are easy for Less to find:

 
 Spoiler: Newspaper Headlines, Day 31 
  SIEGE AT THE SHRINE OF LIGHT
MYSTERIOUS THEFTS PLAGUE SKYBREAK
BANDRA OFFICER DARRIN SPOTTED OFF NORTH COAST
ROCKET GRUNT SET TO BE EXTRADITED
JOHTO NOBLE SENT PACKING  
 


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "I finished the delivery to the Shrine of Light. Borrowed a cart from here but it got broken by Bandra."  
 

“It ‘got broken’?” The receptionist frowns, then her expression gradually melts into shock. “Wait, you just came from the Shrine? Just now?”

The people in the hall presently all turn quiet and stop what they’re doing, subtly or not-so-subtly turning their eyes to Pinklady.

----------------

Mark:


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Did he at least mention the route he was planning to follow? Like, was he going to stick to the roads or follow the power lines directly? " 
 

“The visit was of a personal nature and did not require a specific route. It is likely he traveled overland or up the coast, past Steltag, as that is the most secure path to the northeast at present, but he did not specify. I do not believe he would have taken the roads, as that would have taken him out of the way and required him to travel through the depths of Bandra territory, and I believe he was traveling alone.”


 
 Originally Posted by Gnomes2169 
 " Anything else I should know about? " 
 

“I believe one of your companions was recently arrested for breaking curfew. Our Dread Lady wishes you to know that the Heroes of Helnith are not exempt from the rules of her city, and suggests you inform the rest of your friends to pay better mind to the restriction.”
Lord Ruby34
Less's focus remained on Pinklady, though he did flip the paper to the story about the Johto noble to start browsing, with a terrible suspicion.
essCee
 "Yeah, and my feet are killing me!"  Pinklady says in a tone halfway towards sounding like she was trying to be funny.  "I... well, there was a wait in line, but yeah, just came from the Shrine, finished the delivery, cart breaking only happened after... Bandra attack, we were fine though... well, not fine fine, their legs were still broken, but that was from before..." 
Kareeah_Indaga
Less and Pinklady:

 
 Spoiler: Newspaper Article 
  JOHTO NOBLE SENT PACKING 
AKIO MATSUBARA, scion of the Matsubara noble family in the Johto region, was escorted home early this morning after being released by the Skybreak police. Recently rumored to have joined the Heroes of Helnith in their efforts to combat the efforts of Team Bandra, Akio, exact age unknown but believed to be in his early twenties, was arrested two days ago for breaking curfew. The Skybreak City police told reporters that all fines had been paid by the family and no Bandra connection was suspected, before urging Skybreak citizens and visitors alike to pay heed to the curfew to avoid unnecessary fines or jail time.
  
 


 
 Originally Posted by essCee 
  "Yeah, and my feet are killing me!"  Pinklady says in a tone halfway towards sounding like she was trying to be funny.  "I... well, there was a wait in line, but yeah, just came from the Shrine, finished the delivery, cart breaking only happened after... Bandra attack, we were fine though... well, not fine fine, their legs were still broken, but that was from before..."  
 

“Let’s not talk about this here.” The receptionist, acting with the air of briskness common to staff who see something about to go poorly but not poorly enough to justify running  quite  yet, puts up a ‘back in five minutes’ sign on her desk and comes over to Pinklady’s side, gently taking the latter’s arm and steering her away into a nearby empty room. The students in the hall look briefly disappointed; most go back to what they were doing, but one or two follow to listen at the door.

The inside looks like an office; the receptionist guides Pinklady to a seat before taking one herself. Through the window in the door, the occasional nosey face can be seen before ducking out of sight.

The receptionist passes Pinklady a cup of water before saying gently, “Now tell me what happened. Start at the beginning. I know you checked out the cart, I assume you made it out of Skybreak. What happened next?”
Lord Ruby34
Less swore softly under his breath. Of all the boneheaded, ill-conceived ideas . . . what could have possibly possessed the young man to break curfew? And to get himself deported? Less shook his head softly. In the excitement of the article, he realized he had missed his chance to listen at the door. Which was fine. Pinklady would need to repeat everything to Mark and Mina anyway, so there wasn't anything for him listening now.

Less took out his Pokedex and sent another text to Mark and Mina.   Akio was deported for breaking curfew. I do not know what motivated the behavior. Less.  

And then, with nothing else to do, Less started reading through the articles, one at a time, starting with the one about the Shrine. Perhaps the reported had information that Pinklady hadn't acquired.