The Waking Mountains of Meldia - IC

[Zephykinns]

The rickety bus stumbled its way forward, sputtering and creaking in every conceivable manner. You all shake and rattle as the tires hit the rough road. Each of you, coming from different parts of the world, have taken this bus on your way to the moderately populated town of Maraville. What this town lacks in size it makes up for in colors. Carefully crafted flower beds lined the major road leading up to the center of town. “Welcome new Trainers!” It spelled out, greeting those who look out at the window.

“Alright new trainers! Is everyone read for registration? Out on your right you’ll see the Trainer team registration. Here you’ll be meeting your new friends for life! Isn’t that just awesome!” A Kalosian girl, probably about seventeen, speaks over the mic. The speakers are almost on the borderline of too loud and the girl seems almost artificially peppy. Soon enough the bus comes to a halt, with everyone filing out, spilling into a small crowd gathered around the large official looking building.

A crowd of children of all ages forms in front of a podium. You can see children as young as ten and even quite a few trainers nearing adulthood standing like pillars amongst the small lake of bodies. If there was one thing that was more diverse than the people, it was the Pokémon. For a quick second, it seems as if the entire population of new trainers are primarily non-native, save for a few darker skinned faces peering out of the crowd.

A man steps his way up to the podium and taps on the minimally decorated microphone. He’s built like a wall and his voice echoes a low baritone. “Welcome young ones to Meldia’s new Pokémon league! It is nice to see so many fresh faces ready to take on the mantle of Pokémon trainers. As you may or may not know, this is a land that is harsh and unforgiving. This land will test your mettle as both trainers and as friends. And friendship…” he gives a long pause and scans the crowd. “…will be the most important thing to remember in your times to come. Not only in befriending your partner Pokémon, but in making your way as a team. Our league here is based on friendship above all else. That is the founding principles of our people and it will be the same for our league. So for the next day, you’ll be getting to know your fellow trainers in our wonderful testing procedures. At the end of the testing period, you’ll be allowed to choose who you’ll be competing alongside in your quest to take on the Leaders of this great nation. Now,” he brings his hands out in a large sweeping gesture. “Make some new friends and get ready to face your destiny! Introduce yourself to your fellow trainers and get ready for lunch.”

[aturtledoesbite]

Near the back of the crowd, a young girl had her attention only half-focused on the speech. The rest of her attention was turned toward the flowerbeds, or more accurately, to the insects pollinating them. On her shoulder sat a small Spinarak.

As compelling as the bugs were, though, something in the speech caught the girl's attention. "Wait, a team? Of people? Mom and Dad didn't mention that..." She had a look of anxiety on her face as she glanced toward the Spinarak.

[technoRomancer]

Dimitri's face was practically plastered against the bus window as they approached Maraville; while he preferred travelling on foot or bicycle to better experience the sights and joys of the journey, going by bus certainly had its advantages. He'd been lightly socializing with his nearby seatmates until they'd gotten close, but now he was in rapt attention to the sight of Maraville. "Haven't been here since I was, what, seven?" he mused happily under his breath. It hadn't changed much, though the welcoming flower beds were a nice addition.

Once they were all out of the buses and milling around the podium, Dimitri stood out as one of the few natives in the crowd, but it didn't bother him much. That so many people would come to challenge his nation's new League was heartening, and it inspired him to perhaps seek out and challenge the Leagues of other regions once he'd had his fill of Meldia's. It would certainly be a good excuse to travel.

When the call to introduce themselves to each other went out, Dimitri was grinning ear to ear, excitedly welcoming every foreigner nearby to Meldia.

[Zelphas]

Matt had been quiet on the way to Maraville; it is his first time out of Viburnum in his entire life, and he takes a little while to adjust to the situation. As soon as he leaves the bus and sees the crowd, however, his young face splits into a grin, and he feels the familiar itch to perform. Pulling out a battered old Poke Ball, he releases a small orange insect on the ground next to him, the two mushrooms growing out of its back waving slowly as it surveys the crowd. "Time for us to pick a team, Duster," he murmurs to the Paras, eyes alight. "Divide and conquer?"

A moment later. a new voice joins Dimitri's. "Yes, welcome to Meldia! The land may be 'harsh and unforgiving', but it makes us Meldians find joy where we can! Every day is a festival in Meldia!" The young native slips up next to Dimitri, absently juggling three Poke Balls in one hand. "Hello, the name's Matt Wilson; orphan, reformed scoundrel, and aspiring star, and all at the tender age of thirteen," Matt declares, holding out his free hand to Dimitri to shake. "You seem excited to be here. Want to be team-mates?"

Meanwhile, the young girl near the flowerbeds would see a Paras wander up to her, seemingly moving at random near the flowers. Duster stops just short of the girl and glances between her and the Spinarak on her shoulder, chittering inquiringly.

[aturtledoesbite]

The young girl was diverted from her worrying by the appearance of...a Paras? She supposed, with all the trainers about, that it had to be owned...but she looked around and didn't see any obvious candidates for such a person. Besides, this wasn't the first time for a random Bug-type Pokémon to walk up to her.

Slowly, so as to not startle it, she reached out her hand toward the Paras. "Hi there."

[SiegeTower]

Naomi was more than noticeable among the crowd of trainers. She stood a head taller than most of the attendees and this was made even more impressive by the fact she was a woman and a young one at that. She didn't care for whose view she blocked or who she bumped into as she swung her leather drawstring bag over her shoulder. Naomi was content to stand in her well defined personal bubble and shove anyone out of it who didn't belong. Naomi being left alone didn't take too much effort as people naturally wanted to stray away from her. She was covered in cuts, bruises, and dirt and sported well-worn hand wraps even at this peaceful gathering.

Upon hearing the announcement of trainer teams, Naomi threw her free hand up and shouted an obscenity that the younger trainers certainly should not have heard. The girl was ready to punch whoever it was who had come up with this idea and it showed. Naomi's personal bubble had gotten rather large in the middle of the crowd.

[Zephykinns]

Dimitri's face was practically plastered against the bus window as they approached Maraville; while he preferred travelling on foot or bicycle to better experience the sights and joys of the journey, going by bus certainly had its advantages. He'd been lightly socializing with his nearby seatmates until they'd gotten close, but now he was in rapt attention to the sight of Maraville. "Haven't been here since I was, what, seven?" he mused happily under his breath. It hadn't changed much, though the welcoming flower beds were a nice addition.

Once they were all out of the buses and milling around the podium, Dimitri stood out as one of the few natives in the crowd, but it didn't bother him much. That so many people would come to challenge his nation's new League was heartening, and it inspired him to perhaps seek out and challenge the Leagues of other regions once he'd had his fill of Meldia's. It would certainly be a good excuse to travel.

When the call to introduce themselves to each other went out, Dimitri was grinning ear to ear, excitedly welcoming every foreigner nearby to Meldia.


Naomi was more than noticeable among the crowd of trainers. She stood a head taller than most of the attendees and this was made even more impressive by the fact she was a woman and a young one at that. She didn't care for whose view she blocked or who she bumped into as she swung her leather drawstring bag over her shoulder. Naomi was content to stand in her well defined personal bubble and shove anyone out of it who didn't belong. Naomi being left alone didn't take too much effort as people naturally wanted to stray away from her. She was covered in cuts, bruises, and dirt and sported well-worn hand wraps even at this peaceful gathering.

Upon hearing the announcement of trainer teams, Naomi threw her free hand up and shouted an obscenity that the younger trainers certainly should not have heard. The girl was ready to punch whoever it was who had come up with this idea and it showed. Naomi's personal bubble had gotten rather large in the middle of the crowd.

After what seems to be no more than a mere moment after everyone is escorted to an outdoor courtyard with large tables full of native dishes, the two of you notice a bit of a commotion. Two of the younger trainers, one boy sporting a trendy pokeball print jacket and a native girl with a spinda (Random fact about Meldia, Spindas are probably the most popular pokemon throughout the region) hoodie on, are screaming at each other in the distance. A small circle begins to spread out around them. The boy brandishes a pokeball whilst the girl takes a fighting pose that would be familiar to Naomi.

[SiegeTower]

After the less than stellar news about teams, Naomi was ready to stuff her face with whatever free grub was provided. She was ready to stick her hand in whatever dish she wanted to claim for herself but was soon distracted by the sound of a fight. Never missing the opportunity for one, Naomi ignores her desire to eat and instead shoves her way to the front of the crowd circling the the two young trainers. Naomi doesn't even need to look for a second to see who she would be rooting for.

"I got fifty baht on the girl! Who's taking me up on that?" Naomi looks down at all the people around her and when there isn't an immediate taker, she harshly elbows the person closest to her to get his attention. How 'bout you? I got fifty on the girl and you wager fifty on that weird foreign kid. Naomi brandishes a few coins to goad the stranger into taking her up on the offer. Come on goldy-eyes. Don't tell me you couldn't use the money."

[Zelphas]

"I'll take that bet," Matt answers almost automatically, grinning up at the girl and tucking his juggling Poke Balls away with a flourish. "How about we make it more fitting to the occasion, though? If you win the bet, I pay the 50 baht. If I win... you join my team. We should have four then, as soon as my companion comes back with another addition to the team."

Duster dutifully sniffs at the proffered hand, allowing himself to be petted. Soon, however, he moves away from the girl, raising a claw in an obvious 'follow me' gesture, and begins heading into the crowd.

[aturtledoesbite]

The girl smiles a bit as she acclimates to the Bug-type, but frowns again as it walks away. "Hey, wait up..." She looks up to the crowd it's heading for. "Can't we at least go around...?"

Glancing over to the Spinarak on her shoulder, she takes a deep breath and heads after it.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi chews on her tongue for a moment as she considered the bet.

"Yeah. I'll take that. Your team can't be too terrible if one of y'all is willing to gamble."

[Zephykinns]

The young Meldian exhales slowly and assumes a fighting stance. The boy stares her down for a moment before throwing his pokeball close to her feet. "Blitz, show her whose boss with an ember!" he orders as a cyndaquil appear before her, gouts of fire spewing from its back.

Girl in the Spinda hoodie's eyes gleamed as she charged at the fire rat. She swooped low for a second only to bound like a spring over it, small glowing embers attempting to hit her. She landed and sprinted head on at the trainer. Only bewilderment stayed in the trainer's eyes as she lunged forward, an elbow catching him square in the solar plexus. With a gasp, he collapsed. "Ha! You challenge me to a fight and dis is how repay me? Can't even fight like a real warrior. Ah'm kind of disappointed." She bellowed a laugh into the sky for a moment. That moment, giving the fire marsupial ample time to land another set of embers to the square of her back. Soon the girl is rolling around, trying to put out the flames but to no avail. Within short enough time she is knocked out beside her human foe with only the pokemon standing.

In short enough order some of the people overseeing the event come to "break up" the fight, but really only there to bring the two to the infirmary. The festivities start anew with a more excitable atmosphere.

[Zelphas]

Matt blinks in surprise at the abrupt end to the fight, then bursts out laughing. "Well, it looks like we both lost! Or maybe we both won?" he chortles, pulling out a crumpled wad of bills and peelign off the 50 Baht. "Here's what I owe you. Welcome to the team, miss... Oh, I'm Matt Wilson, former penniless rogue, soon to be famous Pokemon trainer! Now we just need the one more..." he trails off as he notices the boy he was talking to before has disappeared into the crowd. "Or maybe two more! No worries; my associate should be along shortly with another addition to our team."

Meanwhile, Duster heeds the girl's exclamation and begins weaving his way around the larger groups of Trainers, eventually coming close to the scene of the fight. He chitters, waving to Matt. "Ah, here we are!" the young juggler exclaims, reaching down to scratch Duster on his leftmost mushroom. He looks up at the gril while bent mostly sideways, grinning. "My associate here must think you're something special, if he wants you to join our team! I'm Matt Wilson, future star of the Gym circuit. What do you say to joining, miss..."

[SiegeTower]

Naomi is thrilled at the first half of the fight. She was really hoping to be able to hear the boy's rib crack after the girl got a good hit in. Him collapsing in a heap on the ground was plenty satisfying though. The cyndaquil taking a cheap shot was less enjoyable to watch. When the fun of the fight passes, Naomi half-pays attention to Matt's introduction.

"Yeah yeah that's great. I'm sure you're 's good as any these other fools 'round here. At least I know I can make easy money off ya. You will refer to me as Ajahn Suchart."

[aturtledoesbite]

A dastardly trap! The girl should've expected this, but...well, the Paras was just too cute. She just about jumps back when the boy looks toward her. "I-I'm A-A-Arianna..."

The Spinarak on her shoulder climbs up to the top of her head to get a better view. "O-oh, and this is M-Muffet..."

Arianna doesn't look scared, per se, but she does look like she wants nothing more than to hide somewhere.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi moves to where her new teammate was headed off to. It seemed as though this other girl was also someone who Naomi was supposed to work with. She looked weak. That wouldn't do. Naomi crosses her arms and looks down at the much smaller girl.

Speak up! I can barely hear ya through all your stammering! Naomi loudly inhales through her nose and spits to the side. "We can't really be makin' a team full of these tiny bug Pokemon. I mean spinarak are cool but a paras? Bugs are such weaklings. Naomi scowls at the two she had gambled her way into making a team with.

'Y'all shouldn't be lettin' your pokemon walk free like that. They should only be out of their pokeballs when it's time f'r trainin' or figthin'. They get soft otherwise."

[Zelphas]

Matt moderates his grin as Arianna talks, making it gentler, calmer. This audience is easily frightened; he needs to coax her into the idea, not push.

Before he can speak, however, his newest companion walks up and opens her mouth. Matt barely suppresses a grimace. "I assure you, Miss Suchart, my companion Duster is far from 'weak'. He may not have the raw power of yourself, but his talents are nothing to belittle. Plus, he makes an excellent draw for crowds." he smiles widely. "As for leaving him out of his Poke Ball; I am sure we will encounter many wild Pokemon on our travels, some of which will rival or even surpass us in strength. These Pokemon have never seen the inside of a Poke Ball; are they then 'soft' because of it?"

Matt turns back to Arianna, speaking softly and gently. "I'm glad to meet you, Arianna, and you as well, Muffet," he begins, nodding to them both. "As you can see, my current companion is a great believer in strength, and I myself become overfond of the spotlight at times. I know that I at least could use a moderating voice to keep me from the heights of my own stupidity. Would you be so kind as to agree to accompany us, for my sake, if nothing else?"

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna frowns at the other girl's statements, then takes an angry expression. "B-bugs aren't weak. They're not strong like they can push boulders, but they're strong in other ways. So I won't put up with you making fun of them!" It appears Matt's question went unnoticed...but now that she's not looking at him, he might notice a couple of worms half-lodged in the back of her hair, crawling about.

[SiegeTower]

"Sure thing kid. You keep thinkin' whatever you want about dem creepy crawlies." Naomi condescendingly pats around Muffet and on the back of Arianna's head. Whether Naomi squishing one of the worms in Arianna's hair was intentional isn't obvious.

[Zelphas]

Ah. Matt judiciously takes a step back and begins juggling again, watching his two new teammates talk. If we're going to make an effective team, it would be best for us to work out these issues as soon as possible, he thinks philosophically.

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna pouted, crossing her arms and half-replying, half-mumbling, "Hmph, they're not creepy..."

And whether intentional or not, when the other girl squished the worm, Muffet started chittering at her before cleaning up the mess left in Arianna's hair.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

"Gastly will you come back here"

The voice follows quickly on the heels of a Gastly flying just in front of Arianna's face and barrel-rolling straight over Naomi's shoulder, shouting triumphantly "Gaastly!"
"I don't care what you think you saw, they are not going to have Shards built into the pavement."
"GaSTly"

A pretty, red-haired girl in a black skater dress walks towards the Gastly (now spinning in place above a patch of courtyard just behind Naomi), twining a pair of blue flowers into her hair, apparently totally unperturbed by the Gastly's antics
.
"I remember the last time you said that."
"... Gastly?"
"Exactly"

Stopping beside Naomi she glances down at the patch of stone Gastly is hovering over, noting a chip of mica shining in the sun.
"Silly puffball, it's just a bright chip of stone, not everything shiny is a Shard."

The Gastly's face falls and its purple smoke sags downwards
"Gast"

The girl laughs and smiles affectionately
"I know, I know, you're just trying to help. Maybe *you* should pay more attention and learn something next dig, hmm?"
The Gastly spins on the spot, sticks its tongue out and promptly vanishes, prompting a giggle
"You're just proving my point you know"

She looks up at the assembled trio and smiles again "Sorry about that, Gastly likes trying to help with things but he does get confused about the difference between shiny things and actual Shards. I hope he wasn't a bother."

[SiegeTower]

Naomi bends forwards and looks at Arianna with a smirk. Hmmm? You got somethin' to say little girl? At this point Naomi was just bullying the bug enthusiast. Everyone's points were already made but Naomi enjoyed teasing the girl after she went back into herself and had trouble speaking. You know I could probably squish your-" Something interrupted Naomi and shot straight back up.

Something cold had just brushed up against her. It was a familiar feeling. A familiar feeling which she really wished she hadn't felt again. Naomi was frozen in place as she contemplated what had just happened. She dared not turn around and look at what she thought was there. When the thing spoke however, all her fears were confirmed. Naomi flinched when she heard the thing speak but forced herself to return to her rigid state soon after. She wasn't particularly successful at this. Naomi began to shiver all throughout her body. It was so bad that whatever she was holding in her bag began to audibly rattle.

Naomi didn't respond to Mairead immediately when spoken to. Naomi wouldn't even move her eyes to look at the other girl. Instead she looked dead ahead, unblinking. Eventually a few words manage to creep their way out from Naomi's lips however.

"N-n-n--noooo. Nooo bo-bo-bothhhhh-bo-bother."

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna blinked as the Gastly shot past her. She'd seen one once before, when Bugsy called all the Gym Leaders together one time to show off an "amazing discovery" about Bug Pokémon (incidentally, Morty was the only one to show up, all the others calling in various excuses). And while there were no actual Ghost Pokémon in Ilex Forest, there were a few tales of "wisps" that some lost traveler had seen.

She never really got the fear aspect, herself. From what she knew, Ghost Pokémon came from eggs like any other Pokémon, and not from those stories of "departed souls" or whatever.

Because of all of this, after the initial shock of "fast thing an inch from your face" wore off, Arianna looked at the Gastly with curiosity. She had to admit, she was a little bit envious that its trainer could actually understand it, but she supposed that was the advantage of having a Pokémon with an actual voice box. At least, she felt she knew what Muffet was thinking most of the time, so it probably wasn't that much different.

Her shyness kept her from replying to the girl, instead looking up at the Spinarak, who...wasn't there? Now where did Muffet go...?

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


"N-n-n--noooo. Nooo bo-bo-bothhhhh-bo-bother."

Mairead looked slightly surprised and then quite worried at Naomi's rigid reaction. "Are you okay? You look kind of frozen."
She glanced upwards in a random direction "Gastly, you didn't use Lick on her did you? She looks paralysed."

Almost immediately Gastly reappeared next to Naomi, glanced once at her and then rotated back and forth to imitate shaking his head.

Mairead took a step closer and put her hand on Naomi's shoulder, looking concerned "Are you feeling ill?You really don't look good. I'm sorry if it was our fault."

[SiegeTower]

Naomi starts to babble incoherently when the ghost pokemon appears near her again. She was indeed frozen in place but the gentle hand placed on her shoulder was enough to thaw her out. Naomi jumps in shock and screams with an uncharacteristically feminine voice. When everyone in the immediate vicinity is able to open their eyes and uncup their hands from their ears, they'd see Naomi hiding behind Arianna. She was squatting down making herself as small as possible with both her hands covering the top of her head. Her eyes were clasped shut with as much force as her face would allow and her incoherent babbling from earlier was now replaced with an equally incoherent but rehearsed sounding prayer.

[Zelphas]

Matt blinks in surprise as the Gastly shoots past, then listens calmly, absently juggling. He catches Naomi's sudden stiffness and demeanor, as well as her stuttered words. For just a second, the merry twinkle in the boy's eye is replaced by something much colder, more calculating.

"It was no bother at all, Miss..." Matt steps in smoothly, his juggling implements once again vanishing into his pack. "Miss Suchart was simply startled by the suddenness of your charming Ghastly's arrival. Oh, excuse me; introductions are in order. My name is Matt Wilson, recently from Viburnum, and this is Duster, my Paras." Duster waves a claw at her, before moving to the shiny chip in the ground and beginning to pick at it. "The taller of my companions is Ajahn Suchart, and the quiet one is Arianna. We just met today and have mostly decided to travel together for the League, though we do still need a fourth member--"

Matt is cut off by Naomi's scream, and barely suppresses a laugh at the taller woman's choice of hiding place. "It seems that Miss Suchart has an... issue with your Gastly, miss," he states calmly, smirking lightly.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


"It was no bother at all, Miss..." Matt steps in smoothly, his juggling implements once again vanishing into his pack. "Miss Suchart was simply startled by the suddenness of your charming Ghastly's arrival. Oh, excuse me; introductions are in order. My name is Matt Wilson, recently from Viburnum, and this is Duster, my Paras."

Mairead smiled as Matt stepped up "That's okay then" at mention of the word "Charming" her Gastly started doing loops around Matt's head, grinning "for a moment I was worried that..."

Naomi's scream had her quickly putting her hands over her ears as the tall girl fled, trying to hide behind the much smaller Arianna.



"It seems that Miss Suchart has an... issue with your Gastly, miss," he states calmly, smirking lightly.

Gastly immediately spun and started to fly towards Naomi, a wicked grin on his face. However he made it barely half a foot before a warning shout of "Gastly!" stopped him in his tracks, looking like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Mairead shook her head "I'm Mairead, and I'm very sorry for the trouble"
She looked across at Naomi "It's okay, Gastly can be rather.. enthusiastic.. but there's no need to be scared of him.

[SiegeTower]

The outside world did not currently exist to Naomi. She was caught up in reciting whatever prayer she could think of to banish spirits from her presence. Naomi did however work up the courage to move one of her hands from protecting her head. The hand began to rummage through her satchel and eventually pulled out a necklace with a wooden charm. Naomi thrust the charm in front of her with gusto. The number "9" was etched into one side of the wooden token repeatedly; the other bore the carved image of a famous monk of the Meldia.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead blinked again at Naomi's reaction. "Gastly, I think you need to be elsewhere for a little while, sorry."

Reaching into her backpack she pulled out a purple decorated pokeball. "Return"

Gastly looked a little dejected as it turned into red light and beamed back into the pokeball.

Mairead stepped over to Naomi again "Is that better?"

[Zelphas]

Inwardly, Matt is annoyed. That scream, and Naomi's continuing actions, has the crowd completely focused on their little group; normally, a situation that Matt would relish. He doesn't know his group well enough to capitalize on it, however, and so with a pang of almost physical pain, he allows the opportunity to play to the crowd to slip by him.

"Thank you, Miss Mairead," Matt says calmly as the girl returns her Gastly. His fingertips twitch slightly, but he stills them at his side.

[aturtledoesbite]

Things are happening so fast Arianna almost can't keep up, especially since she's busy looking for where Muffet went. She's a little surprised that the girl -- she heard Matt call her 'Ajahn' -- is so scared of Ghost Pokémon, but then, she also tends to be surprised when people are scared of spiders, so she puts it under the same situation.

She looks toward the new girl, Mairead, in an attempt to say hello, before noticing a strand of silk coming out of her hair. "U-um, excuse m-me, but I think M-Muffet's in your hair..."

[SiegeTower]

The chill that was threatening Naomi disappeared in a flash of red light. Once she felt there were no more spirits present, she worked up the courage to open one eye to make sure. Seeing that her charm and prayers had worked, Naomi stands up tall and poses in a much more dignified position. She clears her throat to throw away any remnants of the situation that had just unfolded. Unfortunately there seemed to be a small circle of people around the group that insisted on staring.

"What the [CENSORED] are y'all lookin' at!? Ain't nothin' to see here!" Naomi start tightening one of her handwraps as she aggressively stomps towards a random onlooker. "Mind yar own business ya weaklings!" Naomi forcefully push-kicks a bystander deep into a group of people then proceeds to kick dirt in the face of another. The girl was more than ready to start a rumble with anyone who came anywhere near her but the crowd of people had enough of a sense of self-preservation to back off. Eventually no one was looking in Naomi's direction any longer and that gave her enough of an incentive to unclench her fists. Peh! Cowards." Naomi snorts loudly and spits a loogie onto the ground. She wasn't able to start a scene like she wanted so she just walked back to her haphazardly created team.

'Eh? Matt, who's this broad? This fancy chick the other member of the team? There's gotta be someone better than her. She don't look like she'd walk a mile before needing to stop for tea and crumpets. I ain't gonna carry her once her dainty little legs give out."

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


"U-um, excuse m-me, but I think M-Muffet's in your hair..."

Mairead went still and tried to crane her head around to see the pokemon, quite unsuccessfully. "I really hope Muffet doesn't know Cut."
She turns her back to Arianna and looks over her shoulder "Could you please remove her? I'd rather not have my hair matted together with web again. Especially not at trainer registration."

She doesn't seem freaked out but is definitely moving very carefully so as not to startle the pokemon.

[aturtledoesbite]

"O-okay, hold on." Arianna looks up to Mairead's hair for a moment, seeing where it's shifting, before reaching her hand in and scooping Muffet up. "You know you're not supposed to go into strangers' hair, Muffet!" The Spinarak just chitters happily as it crawls back up onto Arianna's head.

"I'm s-sorry, she j-just really likes red hair..."

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


"I'm s-sorry, she j-just really likes red hair..."

Mairead pats her hair, plainly rather relieved. "That's okay. I got a Zubat tangled in my hair once, that was much worse."

She reaches out a finger to scratch the Spinarak's head, starting to smile again "Just please don't do that again, okay? If I don't know you're there then I'll toss my hair which means I'll likely hit you, and then you get startled and silk goes everywhere and it all gets really messy."



'Eh? Matt, who's this broad? This fancy chick the other member of the team? There's gotta be someone better than her. She don't look like she'd walk a mile before needing to stop for tea and crumpets. I ain't gonna carry her once her dainty little legs give out."

Catching the tail end of Naomi's.. antics... and then her rather belligerent comments, Mairead raises an eyebrow
"Tea and crumpets? Of course! Ruins and caves are well known for such amenities, how could I possibly live without them? Digging through rocks is impossible without tea and crumpets, it's such a good thing I have Gastly to fetch them for me. In fact, I'm feeling thirsty right now, maybe I should call him back out again?"

Her tone is quite even and not insulting (though obviously somewhat mocking) but it's obvious she's found the tantrum rather distasteful.

[SiegeTower]

"NOPE!" Naomi imediatly starts rummaging through her bag again and pulls out another pendent. This time a copper one. "She's off the team! We're not using her!"

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


"NOPE!" Naomi imediatly starts rummaging through her bag again and pulls out another pendent. This time a copper one. "She's off the team! We're not using her!"

Mairead laughs slightly "I never said I was on your team. I figured they'd either assign teams or we'd go through basic testing and get together with those we best match."

She eyes Naomi up and down "I truly hope that if the others here *are* your teammates that you're much less rude with them than you are with me"
She glances at the backs of those in the crowd nearest them "or with the poor people that you attacked for daring to see you freak out over a Gastly."

She turns to Arianna, noting how much smaller, younger and quieter than Naomi she is "This girl isn't bullying you into joining her is she? Because you don't need to listen to her, or put up with that if she is."

[Zelphas]

By this point, Matt's smile has become obviously brittle. "Miss Suchart, you may want to consider the facts. Miss Mairead here has already made a better impression on both Miss Arianna and myself than you have; she, at least, did not immediately pick a fight over our choice of Pokemon." He faces the taller girl directly. "As for her own Pokemon companion... you do understand that Ghost types exist, yes? That we will doubtless run into more of them on our travels? I believe that even one of the MEldia Gyms has Ghost as a type. Wouldn't you prefer to have someone on our team who has experience facing ghosts? I know that I would."

Matt turns to Mairead, smiling more warmly. "You seem like you know what you're doing, and you've already managed to coax out more words from Arianna than the rest of us. I think you would make a good fit for our team, if you're interested."

[SiegeTower]

"Peh! I'm only here cuz of a bet anyway. If I give back the 50 baht you owed me, then I don't got a reason to be on this team." Naomi crosses her arms and looks away from Matt's direction in disapproval.

"You don't gotta lecture me 'bout no ghost types. I know more about that jive than any of y'all. ...Trust me." Naomi momentarily shudders as she recalls some less than pleasant memories. "And there ain't no ghost gyms 'round here last time I checked. Violetta Village's gym leader retired and no one shoulda been made a replacement yet.
'Sides, I can always just catch myself a Pangoro of Shiftry and that'll take care of those pesky ghost pokemon." Naomi looks back at Matt and this time addresses him in a serious tone.

"it ain't the pokemon you gotta worry 'bout most. It's the other spirits that inhabit Meldia. It's good to warn ya that you don't wanna be upsetting any spirits by grabbing fruit from the wrong tree or somethin'."

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna shook her head in response to Mairead. To be completely technical, she hadn't yet agreed to join anyway, but she supposed this group was as good as any other.

Then she turned to Ajahn, waiting for a moment to speak up. "E-excuse me, b-but...i-if you d-d-didn't join this t-team...which would y-you?" Arianna's point is emphasized by the fact that pretty much everyone in the crowd is keeping their distance from the hot-blooded girl who's shown her willingness to attack anyone who looks at her funny.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)



[B]"You don't gotta lecture me 'bout no ghost types. I know more about that jive than any of y'all. ...Trust me." ...
..."'Sides, I can always just catch myself a Pangoro of Shiftry and that'll take care of those pesky ghost pokemon." Naomi looks back at Matt and this time addresses him in a serious tone.


Mairead's answering laugh has a quote amused edge to it. "Trust me, you don't know more about Ghost pokemon than I do. And while Dark types do have the advantage against ghosts, if you think type advantage is everything then you've got a lot of surprises coming."

She fingers the small red gem at her throat "I'm not unfamiliar with other spirit related phenomena either."

[SiegeTower]

Arianna shook her head in response to Mairead. To be completely technical, she hadn't yet agreed to join anyway, but she supposed this group was as good as any other.

Then she turned to Ajahn, waiting for a moment to speak up. "E-excuse me, b-but...i-if you d-d-didn't join this t-team...which would y-you?" Arianna's point is emphasized by the fact that pretty much everyone in the crowd is keeping their distance from the hot-blooded girl who's shown her willingness to attack anyone who looks at her funny.

"Well I would just...er." Naomi wanted to have an air of confidence in her answer but realised she didn't in fact have any other apparent options. "Spose I would get put in a team that's random. If they're gonna force teams then they're gonna haveta have some kinda way to do it. Best case I'll just be on my own. That was the plan to begin with anyways. Who knows. Maybe us makin' a team now is pointless since we don't getta pick. I dunno, y'all are fine. You've got the best bug type there is and Matt over there can at least be entertaining with his jugglin' and gamblin'." Naomi wanted to pat Arianna on the head in an attempt to make peace but stops when she sees Muffet resting there yet again. Not wanting to risk getting bitten by the bug type, Naomi moves her hand back and just scratches at her own neck.


Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead's answering laugh has a quote amused edge to it. "Trust me, you don't know more about Ghost pokemon than I do. And while Dark types do have the advantage against ghosts, if you think type advantage is everything then you've got a lot of surprises coming."

She fingers the small red gem at her throat "I'm not unfamiliar with other spirit related phenomena either."

"Yeah yeah, I'm sure you've read tons of books and went to plenty of ruins with your posh family vacations. We all know you're so much better than me since all I did was live here my whole life and walk practically the whole region on foot. Peh, if you knew what was good for ya you'd be afraid to. You're as bad as my family. They dug that ghost jive."

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


"Yeah yeah, I'm sure you've read tons of books and went to plenty of ruins with your posh family vacations. We all know you're so much better than me since all I did was live here my whole life and walk practically the whole region on foot. Peh, if you knew what was good for ya you'd be afraid to. You're as bad as my family. They dug that ghost jive."

Mairead rolled her eyes at Naomi "Wow, do you read too much Superman? Or is your ability to leap tall conclusions in a single bound natural rather than learned?
"My mother is a pokemon researcher and ruin delver and her digs are not 'vacations' as you put it. I've been traveling to strange places and digging up stranger things with her since I could walk. Yes I've read plenty of books on the subject but I have just as much field experience."

Her tone takes on a slightly more fiery tone "And Dad is a Dark type Pokemon trainer and one of these days one of my ghosts will grind his smug Umbreon's face into the dirt."
She smiles sweetly "I imagine the look on his face will be quite similar to yours the first time one of those other trainers flattens you like a child when you kick them in the back."

She pointedly looks at Naomi's feet "And you're just glorifying walking all over the country because you can't stand the idea that you might not get more out of doing everything 'the hard way' than people who had other options. Tell me, were you walking uphill through the snow both ways as well?"

[Zelphas]

Matt raises his hands to get everyone's attention. "I think we all started off on the wrong foot here," he says quickly. "I'm the one who asked all of you to be part of a team, so I think I should explain why."

He turns first to Naomi. "I asked you to join first, so I'll start with you. You're a physical fighter, right? As good with your fists and feet as most Pokemon, maybe better? In battle, you'd be able to take the most amount of damage and dish it right back out; that's not exactly my area of expertise, so I thought you'd be a valuable team member."

Next, he turns to Arianna. "If I had to guess by your comments earlier, I'd say you focus on Bug Types, right? That's not something most trainers expect in League games, which means it can be really useful to spring on them." He shrugs, smiling. "Plus, Duster led you over here, and anyone he likes is a worthy team member in my book." Behind Matt, Duster manages to unearth the bit of mica in the ground, holding it up in one claw triumphantly. He then immediately tries to eat it, spitting it out with a disgusted chitter a moment later.

Finally, Matt turns to Mairead. I'm about as disconnected from 'the spirit world' as they come, but I know that having someone who knows about it on my side is probably a good idea. Your Gastly seems friendly enough, too.

"As for myself," Matt finishes grandly, "I'm a good hand with a Poke Ball, and I can talk my way out of almost anything. Duster's no slouch in battle, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well. Besides that, well... no champions of any League got to the top without getting noticed along the way. I can make sure that we're noticed."

[SiegeTower]

"Hmph. Now you're the one jumping to conclusions if ya think I could ever lose a fight before ya even see me take someone on." Naomi was ready to tighten her handwraps again and just settle this the best way she knew how. She was getting sick of being talked back to but stops herself from starting anything once she hears Mairead sound particularly angry about someone.

"Now curb-stomping some smug trainers and their Pokemon is something I can get behind! Good to know you're not all talk and would actually take someone out if given the chance." Naomi spits to the side out of habit but otherwise doesn't give Mairead any nasty looks. "Ya don't seem as dainty as you look so if ya don't mind doing things the 'hard way' then I'm cool with ya stickin' around. If ya want to at least."

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)



"Now curb-stomping some smug trainers and their Pokemon is something I can get behind! Good to know you're not all talk and would actually take someone out if given the chance." Naomi spits to the side out of habit but otherwise doesn't give Mairead any nasty looks. "Ya don't seem as dainty as you look so if ya don't mind doing things the 'hard way' then I'm cool with ya stickin' around. If ya want to at least."

Mairead smiles sweetly "I'm so glad that I meet your standards because I want to beat someone. Should I stop cleaning my nails as well?"


Finally, Matt turns to Mairead. I'm about as disconnected from 'the spirit world' as they come, but I know that having someone who knows about it on my side is probably a good idea. Your Gastly seems friendly enough, too."

Mairead turns back to Matt and nods "Given the right Shards I can also make items that will boost the power of different move Types, make your pokemon resist a certain Type, or make them faster, stronger, tougher, that kind of thing."
"I can also help your pokemon learn moves much earlier than they'd normally be able to."

"As to sticking around..." She looks over her shoulder at the crowd of people behind her, most of which seem to have either grouped up or be standing off on their own, and then back at the... ragtag.. trio in front of her. "It looks like most others have already grouped up, or are standing around to be randomly assigned so.. as long as there's no, like, sorting tests or age groupings or something required, like an under and over 14s group, I'll stick with you three. You seem nice" she glances at Naomi "violence notwithstanding."

[SiegeTower]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead smiles sweetly "I'm so glad that I meet your standards because I want to beat someone. Should I stop cleaning my nails as well?"

"Well you don't want your nails bent back when you're clinching so it's good to keep them short. If ya got trouble with them ingrowing or somethin' then not cleaning them is good. It'll sting more when you cut someone with them and if they're some kinda foreigner, you'll probably give them a good infection to boot. Naomi obviously did not sense the sarcasm from that question.

[Zephykinns]

After a good while it seems as if many of the groups start to congeal into their respective groups. For the most part, the proctors have been around to make sure that people don't kill each other and to make sure no unsavory deeds are done. It seems as if there isn't too much of a rule on age gaps, noting that there are a few groups that contain younger trainers and a singular older one. But for the most part, most of the groups have people that don't stray more than four years apart due to commonality.


Eventually proctors start to file out of the room, with an enthusiasm that would make camp counselors groan.Each comes to one of the teams and begins their spiel. A chipper Meldian man comes up to your group with a clipboard in hand and a gleaming smile. He claps his hands together gently and presses them to his head, bowing to you all. (http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000fZ6TWCO1Q6Q/s/750/750/AAA30-Wai-Thai-Women-Festival.jpg) "Welcome young trainers. I am glad to be your guide to making your team. It seems as if everyone gets along famously here." He gives a plastic smile and bows once more. "You've already made yourselves known amongst the other trainers, be it for better or for worse. Before we take you to get your ID's made and present you with your badge cases, and settle on a team name, is there any questions?"

[Zelphas]

The cold, calculating light once again flickers into Matt's eyes as Mairead mentions all of the things she can create. "Well then..." he says softly, mostly to himself.

As the proctor comes over and bows, Matt mirrors the gesture, his smile seemingly more genuine than the older man's. "I believe we are ready to proceed; I have no questions. Does anyone else need anything?" he asks the group. "We should think of a good team name, but it sounds like we should have time for that."

[SiegeTower]

"Sawasdee ka." Naomi performs a wai back at the man but drops any sense of formality after that. "I gotta question. How are we gonna be doing gym battles if we're a team? Does only one of us gotta beat it or all of us or is it a team fight or what's up with that? What if I get the badge and no one else does? Also do the trainers get in on the action or is it just the Pokemon?"

[Zephykinns]

"Sawasdee ka." Naomi performs a wai back at the man but drops any sense of formality after that. "I gotta question. How are we gonna be doing gym battles if we're a team? Does only one of us gotta beat it or all of us or is it a team fight or what's up with that? What if I get the badge and no one else does? Also do the trainers get in on the action or is it just the Pokemon?"
The man's face lightens up considerably and bows once again to Naomi. "Sawatdee-krap young one. Each gym will be a tad different, but generally personal combat is always allowed. Though some gyms will cater more towards those with martial prowess, some may be geared to those who prefer style over sheer force. Some may be more about overcoming certain obstacles. I hear the orange islands have done something similar in the past. But the gym leader will be fighting you all on even footing. But remember that this is a pokemon league. If you want to win the country's martial arts tournament, then I'd recommend signing up for that."

[aturtledoesbite]

As the man comes over and greets the Trainers, Arianna steps behind the rest of the group, not quite hiding but certainly making sure the other three are keeping her share of attention from him. It seems that her shyness runs deep.

Instead of replying, she looks over her clothes to see if they've gained any new patches recently. She was pretty sure there were a few moth eggs in that pocket the other day...

[SiegeTower]

Naomi mumbles something about having already been kicked out of most of the martial arts tournaments for bad behaviour. "So uh, does that mean we win or lose as a team or is that only sometimes a thing or how is that gonna work? Can some of us get the badge and other ones not?"

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead looks up from fiddling with a few pieces of red crystal and a headband as the man approaches (though she still keeps absentmindedly playing with them) and bobs her head to him. It's evidently supposed to be respectful, but nothing as formal as Naomi's efforts.

"Is there a list of all the gyms, what pokemon types they specialise in, their battling styles, general rules for the Tournament, all of that kind of thing?"

[Zephykinns]

Naomi mumbles something about having already been kicked out of most of the martial arts tournaments for bad behaviour. "So uh, does that mean we win or lose as a team or is that only sometimes a thing or how is that gonna work? Can some of us get the badge and other ones not?"
A gleam shines in his eyes and he puff out his chest. "Well of course! This league is all for one and one for all! Togetherness, friendship, and community, these are the qualities you trainers will be fostering. You all win together or you lose together." He grins and then turns his attention to the foreigner.

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead looks up from fiddling with a few pieces of red crystal and a headband as the man approaches (though she still keeps absentmindedly playing with them) and bobs her head to him. It's evidently supposed to be respectful, but nothing as formal as Naomi's efforts.

"Is there a list of all the gyms, what pokemon types they specialise in, their battling styles, general rules for the Tournament, all of that kind of thing?"
"Well now, that's something you'll have to find out for themselves. There and many lands to travel and much info to gather. That's a whole part of the experience!" His eyes go wide with excitement and his grin widens, while pumping his arms in excitement. (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-33AmW8qm8/U486TMAEODI/AAAAAAAACyE/GhtDohEDSc0/s1600/fist+pump.gif)

[SiegeTower]

Naomi's face contorts as she's not sure how to take the news of everyone winning as a team. Everyone with her seemed compitant enough. Naomi could at least handle a 1 on 4 battle on her own if it came to it. Her teammates just had to avoid being a hindrance.

"I don't got anythin' else to ask. Any of y'all got somethin'?" Naomi takes a moment to look at Arianna and Matt who hadn't spoken yet. She focuses on Matt soon after. "Whaddya got for a team name? You seem to be the one that picked us four."

[Zelphas]

Matt assumes his most winsome, I'm-just-a-street-urchin face at the proctor's response to Mairead. "Sir, I am sure we are all interested in fairness and the joy of the journey, but isn't part of the experience of the League learning to use what resources we have before us? We are not asking for a comprehensive list of abilities and movesets for the Gym Leaders. I am sure that an intelligent man such as yourself must have some general wisdom you can impart on a new group such as ours."

Guile check to coax some information from the proctor: [roll0]

At Naomi's question, a small frown creases the boy's face. "Hmm, a good name... it should be something punchy, something memorable, definitely something people can chant at our matches..." a moment later, he snaps his fingers with a grin. "Fu Tome! we all have hidden depths; none of us are what we seem, so we'll always surprise our opponents! What do you think?"

[SiegeTower]

Naomi presses one of her nostrils closed with a thumb and breaths in very loudly to clear her sinus. "I ain't got no objection to that name. Team Fu Tome sounds dece'."

[Zephykinns]

Matt assumes his most winsome, I'm-just-a-street-urchin face at the proctor's response to Mairead. "Sir, I am sure we are all interested in fairness and the joy of the journey, but isn't part of the experience of the League learning to use what resources we have before us? We are not asking for a comprehensive list of abilities and movesets for the Gym Leaders. I am sure that an intelligent man such as yourself must have some general wisdom you can impart on a new group such as ours."

Guile check to coax some information from the proctor: [roll0]

At Naomi's question, a small frown creases the boy's face. "Hmm, a good name... it should be something punchy, something memorable, definitely something people can chant at our matches..." a moment later, he snaps his fingers with a grin. "Fu Tome! we all have hidden depths; none of us are what we seem, so we'll always surprise our opponents! What do you think?"
The man's smile disappears and his thin eyebrows furrow. "Hmm, I guess I could at least let you know that the gym North of here hosts a flying gym. Any more information gathering will have to be done on the road my dear trainers. Now, if you'll please follow me to the registration room, we'll get you your cards. As for the team name, you can decide that in due time. You don't actually need it until you make it to the pokemon league. Mostly because battles at that stage are usually televised."

He leads everyone inside where the beauty of nature give way to the hustle and bustle of bureaucracy. Many people are going through lines and taking pictures. Soon you all get to your turn in line where you have to fill out several forms, many that have a video terminal to contact family members to have guardian signatures done on the waivers and for any applicable registration fees for those 16 and under. You all register individually, but each given a single team number. 3957283-" " with Matt getting the A, Arianna the B, Naomi the C, and Mairead the D.

[SiegeTower]

Obviously Naomi wasn't fond of the lines or crowds or constant paperwork. She would have gone and punched something if she thought it would make the process faster but even she could figure out it wouldn't. When the time to fill out the forms came, Naomi took two pens. One to write with and one to chew on aggressively so she could take her frustration out on something.

Naomi made no effort to contact anyone on the terminals. Some folks called to let their friends or families know they were excited about their journey. Most of the young folks had to call just for the waivers though. For Naomi, she put down she was 17 on her form. She certainly looked the part. She could fill everything out on her own and be done with it.

Naomi gave back the form as quickly as she good and tried to hurry through the rest of the processing. When it was picture time, Naomi gave an aggressive scowl and refused any retakes of the photos. She just wanted to get this over with already.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead didn't seem bothered by the paperwork, she was a tad impatient with queues but other than that she filled out her forms as expected and even called home to let them know that she'd arrived.

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna, frankly, hated being in here. Too many people all together in one building...maybe she should check off 'claustrophobia' on the health forms. She was definitely starting to wish her parents had let her go to, say, Kanto or something, where the League was far less...structured was the word, she guessed? She was pretty sure there weren't regulations like this, anyway. The call to her parents helped her general anxiety a little, but she was definitely ready for the whole thing to finish by the time they got around to pictures.

[Zelphas]

"Of course, sir. Lead on!" Matt replies to the proctor grandly.

Matt is already considering what the best 'spin' will be for their little group to grab people's attention as he starts filling out forms. Suchart is pretty much pegged as the overly agressive, surly member of the group, so as long as she doesn't talk to the crowds too much I can play that up. I hope she has the skills to back up her mouth... Mairead seems to be fairly good with people, and her skills in making things will be useful for making money and contacts. All I need is to add to her aura of mystery... hmm, we should find more Ghost Types... Bug Types, too. Arianna is cute and obviously shy, but most people are either creeped out by or dismissive of bugs. I can work with that contrast.

As for me... Matt smiles lightly to himself, writing down the signature of the caretaker at his old orphanage from memory on the forms. I don't mind being eclipsed by the more interesting members of my team... so long as I keep pulling the strings.

Guile to forge the signature of Matt's guardian: [roll0]

[Zephykinns]

A tired looking man is seen across from Naomi. "Listen, you can't join the league without at the very least parent permission. Think of the trouble we could get into if we just let someone's child get hurt because of our organization. You're a local here, right? Shouldn't be too much of an issue. Now let's just contact your mom and dad..."

[SiegeTower]

"Hey what makes you think I'm that young? Do I look like a children to you?" Naomi holds up her registration form in one hand while tapping it with the back of her other. "I don't got no ID cuz I never needed ta leave my village until now. Ya really think I look like one a dem four foot tall kidlets ya got walkin' 'round here?"

[roll0]

(If the above doesn't work)

Naomi slams the paper in front of the bureaucrat. This was done more than to make an intimidating noise, she wanted to vent her fury and crack the wood of the table."Look! I ain't got nobody to call! You really gonna stop me from doing this just cause my parents are magically special and they gotta tick a box? That's a croc-a-[CENSORED]. Naomi assaults the desk again. This time she kicks it and slams into the wood. The impact looked like the cracking noise would have been made by Naomi's shin breaking but in actuality, the desk was warped with a permanent wobble now. 'That's it!? It all ends here cuz some [CENSORED] won't sign a piece of paper!? Oh yeah, I'm sure loving the Pokemon League. "Come one and all and follow your dreams. That is unless your parents are [CENSORED]s like our [CENSORED]ing office workers are!""

[roll1]

[Zephykinns]

"Hey what makes you think I'm that young? Do I look like a children to you?" Naomi holds up her registration form in one hand while tapping it with the back of her other. "I don't got no ID cuz I never needed ta leave my village until now. Ya really think I look like one a dem four foot tall kidlets ya got walkin' 'round here?"

[roll0]

(If the above doesn't work)

Naomi slams the paper in front of the bureaucrat. This was done more than to make an intimidating noise, she wanted to vent her fury and crack the wood of the table."Look! I ain't got nobody to call! You really gonna stop me from doing this just cause my parents are magically special and they gotta tick a box? That's a croc-a-[CENSORED]. Naomi assaults the desk again. This time she kicks it and slams into the wood. The impact looked like the cracking noise would have been made by Naomi's shin breaking but in actuality, the desk was warped with a permanent wobble now. 'That's it!? It all ends here cuz some [CENSORED] won't sign a piece of paper!? Oh yeah, I'm sure loving the Pokemon League. "Come one and all and follow your dreams. That is unless your parents are [CENSORED]s like our [CENSORED]ing office workers are!""

[roll1]

The pencil pusher's eyes become dinner plates, not knowing what to do with the fiery tempered girl who could probably crush him like a bundle of kindling. He attempts a retort, his voice quivering. "Y-you know the rules. I simply can't..." He's cut off by an over-sized hand resting on his shoulder. Standing above the pencil pusher is a behemoth of a man, mostly clad in heavy plated armor and a large shield on his back. He's as tan as Naomi, maybe a bit more so, but lacks the facial structure and eye shape that would denote him as meldian. Just eyeing him, he couldn't be more than twenty.

He gives a bright and cheerful smile that completely offsets the rest of his ursaring-esque physique. To everyone but Naomi and Mairead, if anyone else is watching, the smile seems completely normal. Maired, his smile seems to be something reminiscent of a gengar. You don't know what it is, but something seems charming about it. Something you feel connected to.

As for Naomi, the smile seems off. It disturbs you on a deep emotional level. You're fear signals ignite just on looking at this man. Not from his size, but something you can't quite put your finger on.
"Now now, Chaow, you know that you can register this girl. Stop avoiding the difficult paperwork." He says in carefully spoken Meldian, albeit with a heavy accent Arkosian, which is northeast of this country a good ways away
The goliath turns in a silent manner to face Naomi. He gives a clumsy wai and locks eyes with her after shooing the bureaucrat away to get some more papers. "Sorry for that. Some of the people here have grown soft from what I have noticed. They forget that its people are suffering and not everyone can enjoy the luxury of bureaucratic city living. You look strong. Make sure to keep that strength." He takes his fist and slams it to his breast-plate. "You'll need it when you face me." The large man grabs hold of a new form and sets a stamp on it, using the crest of the Violetta gym-leader. "There, you're all registered for the league. Go get your picture done and make sure your teammates can keep up with you.

He starts to get up, but stops himself before leaning in close to Naomi, lowering his tone to a hush. "Oh. Wirat, the flying gym leader, seems to be a wuss. Exploit that.Good luck nong saao" He gives a bellowing laugh and turns to leave.

[Zelphas]

Matt, who has stayed silent throughout Naomi's... conversation with the bureaucrat, watches the behemoth carefully, trying to place who he is. Eventually, he gives up with a shrug. Either a Gym Leader or a member of the League, if he's sure we'll face him later, he deduces.

"Hmm... with the Pokemon we have now, a Flying Gym might be sort of difficult," Matt mentions quietly. "Unless you have something to offset the Type disadvantage we all have, Miss Suchart, I think we'd better hope to find more Pokemon on the trip to the gym." He turns to the whole group, once more sporting a grin. "What do you think, team? Should we head north right away, or stick around and face some of the new trainers to test or skills and make some money?"

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead absently listened to Matt while watching the strange man talking to Naomi. There was something about him, about the way he moved, or smiled. Something.. comforting wasn't the right word. Familiar though. Attractive. Kindred perhaps?
She gave him a smile and nodded her head when he glanced in her direction, curious to see if he would pick it up as well.

She finally answered Matt, keeping half an eye on the armoured figure.
"Getting in a little training and sizing up the competition is never a bad idea, and you're right, we aren't the best matched to go against a Flying gym if it requires several of us to take part. Or requires more than one pokemon for that matter."
She tilted her head to one side
"Train up against some others here, size up the competition, and then head towards the next gym while we look out for more pokemon to catch?"

[SiegeTower]

Now this was a man Naomi could deal with! Huge, unsettling, dresses like warrior, unsettling, speaks a great language, unsettling, and pretty scarey for some reason. Bah! What was Naomi thinking?! She could totally take this guy no matter how much armour he hides behind. She had no reason to be afraid. This feeling didn't make any sense.

Though Naomi seemed to be feeling the wrong emotion and one she couldn't control, she still took a liking to the giant man. He was wise to notice right away she was going to be the one carrying her team. He was also kind enough to save her the problem of having to beat up some twig boy to get her paperwork signed. Naomi was pretty happy with how everything went down. Then she looked at her completed paperwork.

The young lady mutters an obscenity to herself after she sees the crest the paperwork was stamped with. Of course, he had to be from THAT gym. He was fond of THOSE types. Why did such a cool guy have to be stuck dealing with that junk town and it's stupid Pokemon? And seriously? They got a foreigner to be the replacement? Just when she thought that village couldn't get any worse. Welp, at least Naomi figured why she got a funky vibe off him. He was probably packing a full arsenal of Violetta's specialty.

Naomi catches back up with the rest of team 3957283 and overhears the current conversation.

"Yo we can just head straight north. Wirat is a huge wuss and even if our Pokemon gotta type disadvantage, won't be a problem if the gym leader is knocked out at the start of the fight. Naomi punches into her palm for emphasis. "We can fight some of the other trainers also headin' that way on the trip and also probably catch a rock type or two on the way. Probably some geodudes hanging out on route 602, yeah? If there ain't, there's a big cavey mountainy place just west a here. Could go there. Any y'all know if there's anything worth catchin' on 602? Shou' probably stop by the mountains for some Pokemon huntin' if there ain't.

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna scurries behind Matt and Mairead during Naomi's...animated conversation, and seems to only get smaller as the large man shows up. She remains huddled until the shenanigans end, finally coming up when the group's together again. She doesn't voice an opinion on what to do next, but that's just as much because of Mairead pretty much covering what she'd say anyway as it is because of her shyness.

[Zephykinns]

After registration is all done, each of you are provided with a shiny new pokedex. The proctors make sure to remind you all that even though they are tough enough to take the standard pokemon journey, try not to break it at the very least. It is at this point once everyone gets outside, they notice many trainers either doing individual or team battles, some are leaving on routes going North, East, or South. The world is truly open for exploration, battling, and travelling.

So we have a plethora of options here. You can go any direction and fight these gyms in any order. Each Gym leader will balance his/herself according to how many badges you have. You can look for rumors using several skill. Occult for more spooky or mystical rumors. Survival for rumors on nature. Charm to get people to tell you what they know. General Ed may be used for local events and such.

[Kittenwolf]

That's what it was! The man had a Gengar with him and was that an Aegislash he was carrying? This man definitely seemed kindred, though rather more experienced.
She waved slightly at the man's shadow and *winked* the way that she'd picked up from Gastly, the way that made her eyes shine.

Naomi's comment about the flying gym leader caught her attention "When you say take him out, do you mean beat his Pokemon or go straight to *him* and knock out the Gym Leader?"

[SiegeTower]

That's what it was! The man had a Gengar with him and was that an Aegislash he was carrying? This man definitely seemed kindred, though rather more experienced.
She waved slightly at the man's shadow and *winked* the way that she'd picked up from Gastly, the way that made her eyes shine.

Naomi's comment about the flying gym leader caught her attention "When you say take him out, do you mean beat his Pokemon or go straight to *him* and knock out the Gym Leader?"

"Pfft, course I mean him. Have you ever tried to punch a bird? (http://www.awkwardzombie.com/index.php?page=0&comic=081610)" Naomi cracks her knuckles with a smirk. "So head straight north, yeah? Anyone know what Pokemon are on route 602? If there ain't anything good for takin' out birds then we go west to fnd some rock types in the mountains?"

(I assume a general knowledge check to see what's on the route? Naomi is gonna be clueless on this one so I'm not gonna roll.)

[Zelphas]

"How about we compromise?" Matt suggests quickly, looking around in interest at all of the groups. "How about we gather some info for... let's say twenty minutes, fight one group to test our teamwork, and then head north. Meet up back here in twenty?" Assuming this is agreeable to everyone, Matt then starts walking through the crowd, smiling and talking with anyone he can.

Charm Check to talk to people and get information (on the route north and the Gym there, mostly, though any juicy or potentially lucrative rumors would also be nice: [roll0]

[SiegeTower]

Naomi chews on her tongue while Matt trots off to gather information. She wasn't any good at this stuff and just wanted to go do something instead of meandering about until the rest of the team made up their minds. Twenty minutes until they battle someone didn't seem too bad at least. Naomi still had to fill the time somehow though. Mairead was probably gonna go look for shiny things or whatever it was she did but that was fine by Naomi. She wouldn't wanna talk to the hoity toity ghost type trainer anyway. Given her remaining choice of company, looked like it was time to make small talk with Arianna.

"So uhhhh..." Naomi had in fact forgotten Arianna's name. "...Spider-Girl. What's the deal with you and bugs anyway? Why ya like 'em so much?"

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead nodded "Twenty minutes it is then. Seeyou soon"
She then proceeded to head in the direction she last saw the armoured man, intending to talk to him. And if she couldn't find him, well, this place proved rich in Shards earlier, she could always give it another look over...

Almost absently she tapped her Pokeball, releasing Gastly again. A little unfair to keep him cooped up rather than let him explore with her.

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna wasn't in much of a hurry to gather information, considering that'd mean *shudder* talking to people, so she hung about where they'd gathered and planned to meet.

In response to Naomi's question, Arianna doesn't even stutter...but that's likely because she's answered this question a number of times before. "For as long as I can remember, bugs have liked me, so I guess part of it's just being around them so much. A lot of them are pretty when you look at them right, too." As though punctuating her thought, Arianna reaches her hand out a bit, and it's only a matter of seconds before a butterfly lands on her finger.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi didn't really get what Arianna meant by bug looking pretty if you looked at them right. You mean if you squint and tilt your head or something? Regardless, Naomi mimics Arianna's gesture to see a bug land on her hand as well. When one doesn't, Naomi had to admit that was a pretty cool trick the bug trainer could do.

"So uh...twenty minutes. Naomi bends forward with hands on her knees to look at the butterfly on Arianna's hand. Naomi squints hard but isn't getting the bug to look any prettier. What're we 'spose to do while we wait? You wanna get lunch or somethin'?"

[aturtledoesbite]

A conveniently-timed grumble from Arianna's stomach answers the question before she can even reply. "T-that's a good idea..." She shifts her finger slightly so the butterfly flies off, and she watches it go for a few seconds.

"They said t-they'd have lunch for us, r-right?"

[SiegeTower]

Alright so we still got 18 minutes to kill. Let's stuff our faces! Naomi grabs Arianna's hand and drags her along to the food spread. The little girl was probably too shy to elbow her way to the good stuff so Naomi took it upon herself to make her own plate as well as Arianna's. When there was some good food in the buffet that was close to being finished, Naomi just stuck her handwrapped hand in it to claim it as her own. Eventually Naomi was able to create two plates full of all the best dishes with only a handful of them having been in her own hand. She passes one of the plates back to the bug girl.

"Dig in! We're gonna have full bellies on the hike north and the two suckers on are team are gonna go hungry!" With that Naomi immediately puts more than a healthy mouthful of rice in her facehole.

[Zephykinns]

"How about we compromise?" Matt suggests quickly, looking around in interest at all of the groups. "How about we gather some info for... let's say twenty minutes, fight one group to test our teamwork, and then head north. Meet up back here in twenty?" Assuming this is agreeable to everyone, Matt then starts walking through the crowd, smiling and talking with anyone he can.

Charm Check to talk to people and get information (on the route north and the Gym there, mostly, though any juicy or potentially lucrative rumors would also be nice: [roll0]

Matt comes across a couple of chatting girls of about sixteen. After introducing himself and amazing them in some form or another, they giggle and let him know to be careful, because a weird trainer has been seen wandering along route 602 causing some sort of disturbance. One had mentioned that a friend had been hit on by the weird trainer, but didn't want to even go into detail. Too disturbing, obviously, amiright?

[aturtledoesbite]

"U-um--Waaaaaaaah!!!" Being dragged along was...just a teensy bit of a shock to Arianna, especially going from stop as they did. Muffet had fallen off, but was still attached to Arianna by a thread, being pulled along almost like a kite.

"T-thanks," she says as Naomi hands her a plate of food. She begins to eat, but it's quickly apparent that there's no way she could eat all of this, even with her growling stomach. Fortunately, she's not the only one eating it; Muffet picks off things here and there by shooting web at them and pulling them to her, some of the worms previously seen in Arianna's hair (and quite a few more) wiggle their way down to munch along the edges, a trail of ants can be seen taking individual grains of rice and bringing them back to the inside of Arianna's boot (is there a colony in there?), and a goliath beetle flies off with an entire grape.

On the plus side, there are no mosquitoes or anything on Naomi's food, at least?

[SiegeTower]

Naomi isn't able to say anything through the huge morsels of food she stuck in her cheeks. She was gorging while she had the chance and when she dropped her cutlery, she continued eating with her fingers. Given this, it probably wasn't a surprise to anyone that she wasn't at all turned off by the bugs crawling all over her plate next to hers. In fact, when Naomi was able to down the huge mouthful she had, she even had something to say on the manner.

'You know ants taste like lemon drops? If you're ever hungry in the forest they make a good dessert." That statement would either be a bonding opportunity for the two girl if Arianna was also an entomophage or would greatly insult the bug lover. Naomi was curious as to which.

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna did not know that; she'd never considered the idea. But, the colony was getting a little big, and she definitely knew Muffet culled some of the larger populations that she was toting around...it couldn't hurt to try. She lowers her finger down to pick up a couple of ants, looks at them for a moment, and pops them down.

"...They kinda d-do, don't they?"

[Kittenwolf]

It took a few minutes and several turns around the courtyard but eventually Mairead tracked down the strangely armoured man.
'Really, he's not much older than me' she thought 'and he seemed kinda intense'

She waited for him to finish speaking to someone else and stepped forward, Gastly whirling around her. "Hello! Sorry but I couldn't help notice your Gengar." she gave the man's shadow a nod and wave (assuming the Gengar is still there) "And I just had to come and say hello. Also, is your sword and shield modelled after an Aegislash or is it an actual Aegislash variant that I haven't heard of before? Their Shield isn't normally so big, right?"

She holds out her hand "Oh, I'm Mairead by the way, and this little puffball is my Gastly."
Gastly gave a little barrel roll and flared his eyes in greeting "Gaaast!"

[Zelphas]

"I will be sure to keep a weather eye out. Thank you," Matt assures the two girls, disentangling himself from the conversation. Well, that was a wash, he thinks to himself, disgruntled. He brightens up a moment later, however. Oh, no matter. Time to find some fresh and hopefully lucrative meat to test my new team against. Matt continues to wander through the crowd, juggling, doing small magic tricks, and always keeping an eye out for an overconfident or especially rich-looking team to fight.

If possible, I'd like to use Guile here to 'read' the crowd, looking for an easy matchup against another team: [roll0]

If not, I guess it's Perception: [roll1]

[Zephykinns]

It took a few minutes and several turns around the courtyard but eventually Mairead tracked down the strangely armoured man.
'Really, he's not much older than me' she thought 'and he seemed kinda intense'
She waited for him to finish speaking to someone else and stepped forward, Gastly whirling around her. "Hello! Sorry but I couldn't help notice your Gengar." she gave the man's shadow a nod and wave (assuming the Gengar is still there) "And I just had to come and say hello. Also, is your sword and shield modelled after an Aegislash or is it an actual Aegislash variant that I haven't heard of before? Their Shield isn't normally so big, right?"
She holds out her hand "Oh, I'm Mairead by the way, and this little puffball is my Gastly."
Gastly gave a little barrel roll and flared his eyes in greeting "Gaaast!"

A bit of information about the time period this game is set. It's probably just around the time Koga was taking on the Kanto pokemon league. Oak is still super young. Red and Blue aren't born yet. But an important bit of info for you is that ghost pokemon weren't really seen as a type until about three years ago. Ghastly's line for a long time was thought to be a mono poison type, but was always just thought to have high special defense as to explain why psychic moves didn't do much to it. Most of the ghost typed pokemon weren't even seen as pokemon, merely spirits run amok. A huge breakthrough happened three years ago when people marveled at this new type discovery. Heck, this could have had an effect on Mairead growing up.

The young adult looks down at you with a stern expression that soon melts into a comfortable smile. His shadow decidedly copies him with a wink. Now that you seem him up close, you get the sheer scope of his size. He probably stands about six foot seven and is built like a wall. He reaches for his sword, only for the sashes of the sword to wrap three times around his arm and pull itself out of its scabbard. Hovering just out of his grasp, the Aegislash eyes you, almost sizing Mairead up, before contenting itself and resting in the man's grasp. The gym leader, all too conscious of his stature kneels down before her and her Gastly, sticking his tongue out at the pokemon with a goofy face. "Now that's quite a surprise. It takes quite an eye to spot Hazel hiding there." He eyes you up and down. Nothing really malicious, but almost as if he's staring too hard at you."As for my lifelong partner here," he gentures to the Aegislash. " Kladenets is a bit ancient, so to speak. Probably a first generation ghost at that. But he is from my home country, much as all of my partners. His shield is large, I know, but I love him just the same. And where are my manners?" He stands up straight and pounds his chest in a salute. "My name is Alik Bogomolov, interim gym leader for Violetta village and commander of the new contingent of rangers here in Meldia."

Alik beckons Mairead to walk with him as he makes his way through the back entrance, and making his way to a tent not too far from the building itself. Upon entering, all all sorts of oddities are strewn about, occult fetishes that are foreign to you, but you obvious can tell that they must work. Lit by candles, the whole place gives a vibe of mysticism. "It makes me happy to see a kindred spirit in a land where we are both foreigners, especially one with a similar affinity as myself." He releases one other pokemon, a Shedinja, and pulls out a bag full of dehydrated berries. He carefully move over to a small shrine and lights some incense, then ignites the berries in a bronze dish. The smoke from the berries rise and both the Shedinja, Kladenets, and a now phasing in Hazel come by and inhale the smoke. Each looks pleased with itself and the gengar burps, pulling out an illusory kerchief to clean its mouth. Alike smiles, feeling a bit accomplished before turning a serious eye onto Mairead. "Now, if I may ask something personal, why is it that you travel with spirits? I have seen trainers seriously hurt when attempting to take this road. What brought you to your partner and friend here? And is this a path you plan on pursuing further?"



"I will be sure to keep a weather eye out. Thank you," Matt assures the two girls, disentangling himself from the conversation. Well, that was a wash, he thinks to himself, disgruntled. He brightens up a moment later, however. Oh, no matter. Time to find some fresh and hopefully lucrative meat to test my new team against. Matt continues to wander through the crowd, juggling, doing small magic tricks, and always keeping an eye out for an overconfident or especially rich-looking team to fight.

If possible, I'd like to use Guile here to 'read' the crowd, looking for an easy matchup against another team: [roll0]

If not, I guess it's Perception: [roll1]

Oh and boy does Matt see something shiny. You notice a team that had just recently gotten together. None of them are native to the region, but just based on the fact that each member wither has roller blades or an acro bike, they have to have SOME cash on them. You see two boys and two girls. One of the boys sports a classic pokemon jacket while the other has on what looks to be some sort of loose jogging suit material. One of the girls is fiddling with a guitar on a stump meanwhile the last one is merely laying in the grass, looking up at the sky.

[Kittenwolf]

[QUOTE=DemonZypher;20297409]A bit of information about the time period this game is set. It's probably just around the time Koga was taking on the Kanto pokemon league. Oak is still super young. Red and Blue aren't born yet. But an important bit of info for you is that ghost pokemon weren't really seen as a type until about three years ago. Ghastly's line for a long time was thought to be a mono poison type, but was always just thought to have high special defense as to explain why psychic moves didn't do much to it. Most of the ghost typed pokemon weren't even seen as pokemon, merely spirits run amok. A huge breakthrough happened three years ago when people marveled at this new type discovery. Heck, this could have had an effect on Mairead growing up.


Ooh, that definitely updates a few things. I'll adjust some backstory on the fly :)
Definitely going to have an impact on growing up.


Mairead smiles at the praise. "There's something about your smile that reminded me of a Gastly, and then I noticed something about your shadow.. I can't really describe what, there was just something.. deeper I guess? About it than a normal shadow. Once I spotted that I realised Hazel was there."

She falls in step beside Alik as he beckons her, looking over the lines of his Aegislash "First generation? As in like, one of the very first ghost pokemon to appear in the world? Way back when they were just legends? But that's.. forever ago." She gives Kladnet an awed look "Capturing him must have been.. immense."

Once they reach his tent and she sees the berries she tilts her head to one side and looks thoughtful "Is that.. like.. pokepuff incense? I know Ghosts usually don't eat anything. At least, not anything that we can see and give them, but Gastly loves dark coloured Pokepuffs and the reaction of your pokemon was kind of like a more sedate version of his reactions."

She looks thoughtful when Alik asks about her history and why she's here, and her and Gastly spend a long moment looking at each other before she begins, Gastly occasionally interjecting.
"I guess that needs a bit of a background. Mum is a pokemon researcher, she spends her life delving through ruins and observing the kinds of pokemon that inhabit them. Always digging after spirit rumours and occult legends and strange artefacts. She met Dad at a ruin, he was looking for new Dark types, she was observing them, they kinda ran into each other."
"I've travelled with her from pretty much as soon as I could walk. When I was really young I just used to stay back while she dug and dusted, but after a while the spirits kinda started hanging around me. I don't know why but I was never scared of them, even back when I used to jump at lightning strikes and stuff. I don't really know when it started but as long as I could remember Spirits, or Ghost pokemon, would play with me while mum worked. Initially she was scared that I'd get hurt and Dad tried to chase them off, but once she realised they weren't actually trying to harm me, well, she left me to it."

She takes a deep breath and smiles at Gastly, Gastly's eyes whirling in reply. "This little guy" she gives Gastly a scratch on the back of the head "Turned up at a dig one day as well. I was.. maybe nine? We played together, Mum realised. Well "realised" that he was a Pokemon rather than a spirit, though she was a little worried about letting me play with something poisonous. Back then some people thought they were pretty much just another kind of Koffing."
"Then he turned up again when we came back, and again. After we'd run into each other half a dozen times he followed me home."

She smiles in remembrance and Gastly does several spins in the air in amusement "Three and a half weeks of pranks and me running into walls trying to follow him and Mum gave me a pokeball and said if he was going to hang around then I had to catch him and teach him some manners. We've been together ever since. It... didn't really surprise me when the Ghost type was officially 'discovered', I guess I already felt a connection to them and had realised they were pokemon on some level."

"As to my path.."
She pulls a handful of shards from her pocket and runs them through her fingers, a faraway look in her eyes. "I'm really good at finding these, and.. I dunno, something about them makes me think there's more to them. I mean, they resonate with different types, I can make things with them that make you resist pokemon moves, or make them stronger, or make Pokemon faster or tougher and stuff. I keep thinking that I should be able to do more with them. Like, help Pokemon grow or maybe gain a bit of their power myself or.."

She shakes her head, smiling slightly embarrasdly at herself "Or maybe I'm just delusional. But Dad said that going on a Journey, battling other trainers, catching more pokemon, visiting strange places.. it's how he grew, how he learned so much about Dark types. I think it'd help me more than digging through ruins in the same area as mum. So.. here I am. Ready to explore with my little buddy."
"Gastly!!"

[SiegeTower]

"Heh, atta girl!" Naomi gives Arianna a strong smack on the back. "You got good taste unlike some members of this new team. I'mma stick with you." Seeing that Arianna's plate was mostly eaten and the rest was soon to be finished off by the colonies, Naomi shovels down the rest of her own food. After a huge gulp she haphazardly tosses away her plate and shouts over in Matt's general direction.

"OI! It's 'bout time we got outta here! Didja find anythin' or can we just leg it now?"

[Zelphas]

Matt looks over the rich group with a critical eye, surveying each one in turn. The jacket wearer has loose-fitting clothes; bump into him 'by accident' as he leaves, and Matt could easily swipe his wallet. The jogger lookedlike he knew how to handle himself somewhat; keep away from him and the guitar girl (she probably didn't have much actual cash on her anyways, if she was like most 'artistic' types). Start with the girl zoning out, and then--

The young thief sternly reminds himself that he's supposed to be reformed now. No pickpocketing; that's illegal. Besides, he can get their money by other methods.

"Oh, I found something," Matt responds pleasantly, all but appearing at Naomi's side. He points out the rich group in the crowd. "As soon as Mairead gets back, I think that they would be the perfect group to underestimate us--and be proven wrong. It looks like they can pay us well for it, too."

[SiegeTower]

Naomi flinches when she noticed Matt appeared next to her somehow. He was a sneaky little bugger. She didn't mind it though as she knew she could knock him out with one punch if he ever got too shifty about it.

"Naw we can just go there now and win some dough off 'em. Could take 'em all out myself. We can do it three on four though if you and Arianna wanna get in on it. Still make 'em think they're at an advantage." Naomi smirks to show her confidence that they could win while down a teammate. Her more shaky sounding voice for her next statment indicated an ulterior motive though. "No need to get ghost girl involved."

[Zelphas]

"Patience, Miss Suchart," Matt responds easily, looking over the other group. "We're all going to be fighting together eventually; I'd like to see how we can do as a team as soon as possible, and this is a good way to do it. Besides, we agreed to a group battle."

As he talks, Matt gives the group another once-over, now looking for any indication as to their Pokemon or style of battling. "I'm guessing the boy in the track clothes might be up for a sparring match with you, Miss Suchart," he guesses. Still examining the enemy team. "He might not be worth the time, but if we're all here that means you can focus on him and take him down while the three of us clean up the others."

A moment later, Matt shrugs and begins heading towards the team. "We're getting close to twenty minutes, so Miss Mairead should be back soon. I may as well make the introductions now." He closes with the other team and hails them with a wave and a cheery "Hello! My team was looking for a good battle before we set off on our Pokemon adventure, and you four looked challenging. Interested in a friendly match, one Pokemon each?"

Perception to glean any pertinent information on the other team: [roll0]

Guile to give a good first impression: [roll1]

[SiegeTower]

Naomi spits to the side after she is addressed by Matt.

"It's Ajahn Suchart to you!" She doesn't bother following Matt to correct him further for if he continued to show disrespect during the battle, he could expect some friendly fire.

[Zephykinns]

Ooh, that definitely updates a few things. I'll adjust some backstory on the fly :)
Definitely going to have an impact on growing up.


Mairead smiles at the praise. "There's something about your smile that reminded me of a Gastly, and then I noticed something about your shadow.. I can't really describe what, there was just something.. deeper I guess? About it than a normal shadow. Once I spotted that I realised Hazel was there."

She falls in step beside Alik as he beckons her, looking over the lines of his Aegislash "First generation? As in like, one of the very first ghost pokemon to appear in the world? Way back when they were just legends? But that's.. forever ago." She gives Kladnet an awed look "Capturing him must have been.. immense."

Once they reach his tent and she sees the berries she tilts her head to one side and looks thoughtful "Is that.. like.. pokepuff incense? I know Ghosts usually don't eat anything. At least, not anything that we can see and give them, but Gastly loves dark coloured Pokepuffs and the reaction of your pokemon was kind of like a more sedate version of his reactions."

She looks thoughtful when Alik asks about her history and why she's here, and her and Gastly spend a long moment looking at each other before she begins, Gastly occasionally interjecting.
"I guess that needs a bit of a background. Mum is a pokemon researcher, she spends her life delving through ruins and observing the kinds of pokemon that inhabit them. Always digging after spirit rumours and occult legends and strange artefacts. She met Dad at a ruin, he was looking for new Dark types, she was observing them, they kinda ran into each other."
"I've travelled with her from pretty much as soon as I could walk. When I was really young I just used to stay back while she dug and dusted, but after a while the spirits kinda started hanging around me. I don't know why but I was never scared of them, even back when I used to jump at lightning strikes and stuff. I don't really know when it started but as long as I could remember Spirits, or Ghost pokemon, would play with me while mum worked. Initially she was scared that I'd get hurt and Dad tried to chase them off, but once she realised they weren't actually trying to harm me, well, she left me to it."

She takes a deep breath and smiles at Gastly, Gastly's eyes whirling in reply. "This little guy" she gives Gastly a scratch on the back of the head "Turned up at a dig one day as well. I was.. maybe nine? We played together, Mum realised. Well "realised" that he was a Pokemon rather than a spirit, though she was a little worried about letting me play with something poisonous. Back then some people thought they were pretty much just another kind of Koffing."
"Then he turned up again when we came back, and again. After we'd run into each other half a dozen times he followed me home."

She smiles in remembrance and Gastly does several spins in the air in amusement "Three and a half weeks of pranks and me running into walls trying to follow him and Mum gave me a pokeball and said if he was going to hang around then I had to catch him and teach him some manners. We've been together ever since. It... didn't really surprise me when the Ghost type was officially 'discovered', I guess I already felt a connection to them and had realised they were pokemon on some level."

"As to my path.."
She pulls a handful of shards from her pocket and runs them through her fingers, a faraway look in her eyes. "I'm really good at finding these, and.. I dunno, something about them makes me think there's more to them. I mean, they resonate with different types, I can make things with them that make you resist pokemon moves, or make them stronger, or make Pokemon faster or tougher and stuff. I keep thinking that I should be able to do more with them. Like, help Pokemon grow or maybe gain a bit of their power myself or.."

She shakes her head, smiling slightly embarrasdly at herself "Or maybe I'm just delusional. But Dad said that going on a Journey, battling other trainers, catching more pokemon, visiting strange places.. it's how he grew, how he learned so much about Dark types. I think it'd help me more than digging through ruins in the same area as mum. So.. here I am. Ready to explore with my little buddy."
"Gastly!!"
Alik, after listening to her story, gives a restful sigh, and begins to rummage through some of his belongings. "Well, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders Mairead. I know it isn't much, but I would like to give you this." Alik turns around and in his hands is a bronze colored egg that has what looks to be a blue blanket wrapped around the bottom of it. "I was actually looking to give this out to a trainer, but these are a little dangerous to give to people who aren't accustomed to ghosts. It was a bit of a breeding experiment on my end. All I know is that this one is special and I would rather give it out to someone who will need it more." After handing it to Mairead Alik begs her pardon and mentions that he does have to eventually make his way back to Violetta Gym.


"Patience, Miss Suchart," Matt responds easily, looking over the other group. "We're all going to be fighting together eventually; I'd like to see how we can do as a team as soon as possible, and this is a good way to do it. Besides, we agreed to a group battle."

As he talks, Matt gives the group another once-over, now looking for any indication as to their Pokemon or style of battling. "I'm guessing the boy in the track clothes might be up for a sparring match with you, Miss Suchart," he guesses. Still examining the enemy team. "He might not be worth the time, but if we're all here that means you can focus on him and take him down while the three of us clean up the others."

A moment later, Matt shrugs and begins heading towards the team. "We're getting close to twenty minutes, so Miss Mairead should be back soon. I may as well make the introductions now." He closes with the other team and hails them with a wave and a cheery "Hello! My team was looking for a good battle before we set off on our Pokemon adventure, and you four looked challenging. Interested in a friendly match, one Pokemon each?"

Perception to glean any pertinent information on the other team: [roll0]

Guile to give a good first impression: [roll1]
For the perception, you note that they all seem to be capable enough. Spoiled, most definitely, but at least the two in the atheletic clothing look like they can handle themselves in a fight.

The one with the pokemon jacket step up to the forefront and sizes Matt with a smirk. "A battle eh? We have been looking to earn a little extra cash." He nods at the two other behind Matt. "Though it wouldn't be fair if it were four on three."

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead's eyes went wide and even Gastly was respectful when Alik gave her the egg.
She barely managed to stammer through an astonished thanks and then a respectful farewell to the gym leader as he excused himself.
It wasn't much, but she left with him a small pouch of Shards, just in case they'd somehow be helpful to him.

She then jogged back to her team, holding the egg to her chest like the precious thing that it definitely was.

Seeing her team talking with another team (and judging by their posturing, getting ready to battle) she called slightly breathlessly "Sorry, am I late? I was talking to Gym leader Alik and might have lost track of time!"

Pulling a large cloth shoulder bag out of her backpack she very carefully lowered the egg into it, packing one of her warm dresses around it for some extra padding as Gastly whirled around it protectively.
"Are we battling?" She gave the other team a bright smile "Hello, I'm Mairead, nice to meet you."
She's sounding like her usual bubbly self but she's also evidently a little surprised or nervous, no doubt to do with the egg she's apparently acquired.

[Zelphas]

Matt grins as Mairead arrives, right on cue. "And there's our number four! One Pokemon each?" He pulls out Duster's PokeBall, the Paras having been returned during the paper signing process, starting to juggle it along with two other empty balls.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi starts shaking when Mairead's Gastly is in sight again. Before the fight starts, Naomi positions herself as far away from Mairead and her Pokemon as possible. Once there's ample space between herself and the ghost, Naomi fetches a pokeball from her bag and extends it out in front of her.

"My Pokemon ain't leaving its ball until it's time ta fight. She'll come out swinging."

[aturtledoesbite]

A Pokémon battle...it'd be a little different fighting as a team. Well, only one way to see how different. Arianna takes Muffet in her hand and sets her down, then takes a deep breath.

"Alright, Muffet, let's go!"

[Zephykinns]

Matt grins as Mairead arrives, right on cue. "And there's our number four! One Pokemon each?" He pulls out Duster's PokeBall, the Paras having been returned during the paper signing process, starting to juggle it along with two other empty balls.

The Trainer in the jacket gives a wry smirk and turns his cap backwards. "Go Pachirisu!" he hurls the ball forward, a small electric rodent springing to life. The others follow suit with the Acrobatic girl releasing a Spearow, the musician a Purrloin, and the martial artist a Meditite. They all assume various fighting poses. The threads of destiny are pulling at your shirts!

[SiegeTower]

"Finally!"

Naomi throws down her pokeball like she was trying to shatter a drinking glass on the floor. Through the beam of light, a more than angry looking Mankey appears.

"Sue! Sweep the Purrloin's leg! No mercy! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kr24G8jQpM)" Sue doesn't waste a moment and instantly charges at the other Pokemon.

Let's see if I got this right.

First roll to hit, Damage base of low sweep is 2 for Purrloin's weight and gets an addional +2 to DB for stab. If critical, double the DB. Add 20 for Sue's attack stat. Subtract Purrloin's defense stat. Then double the damage cause of it being super effective.

That's it, right? I don't think I can roll all of that now cause crit needs to be determined and Purrloin's defense needs to be subtracted for the final damage number. So just gonna roll to hit now.

[roll0]

For Sue's "Cruelty" ability, she is going to purchase the target losing 2hp per injury as many times as possible.

"Brutal Training" and the injury on Sue has made her "Hardened" so her crit range and effect range increased by +2 in total.

Naomi is also gonna perform her own low sweep on the Purroin's trainer when the time comes for it. Let's roll for that, shall we?

[roll1]

EDIT: Clearly the presence of the Gastly is throwin Naomi off her butt kicking game.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

'Purrloin, Spearow, Meditite and Pachirisu" Mairead thought to herself "Meditite effective on Gastly and Manky, Purrloin just Gastly, Manky can take her. Spearow effective against all my teammates. Pachirisu on nobody. Spearow priority."

She squared her stance and pointed at the Spearow "Gastly! Stay high and Hypnosis."
Her mouth split into a fierce grin. "Then start Haunting"


Gastly will be hovering up to Height 3 (highest he can go, to try and keep out of range of ground attacks) and moving to within 4 of Spearow for Hypnosis
Attack: [roll0] Needs a 6+Spearow's Speed Evasion to hit.
*Edit*
Sigh. We are *really* off to a bad start here ><

Mairead's turn will then be to use the Order 'Haunting Curse' on Gastly and keep moving to stay away from anyone trying to attack her.

[Zelphas]

"Hmm..." Matt squints at the Pokemon released by the other team, and then at the Pokeballs he's currently juggling, furrowing his brow in confusion. "Now, which one was it--whoops!" one of the Pokeballs flies out of his hand, smacking into the Spearow before bouncing away and opening, releasing Duster onto the field. "Ah, there you are!" Matt exclaims happily, the other two Pokeballs having already vanished from his hands.

"You know what to do, Duster! Wound and worry!" he calls out. The Paras immediately responds, firing a thick, purplish gunk towards the Spearow's chest and legs.

Matt:
Move Action: None.

Standard: Activate Curve Ball to hit the Spearow with Duster's Pokeball like it's a Struggle Attack.
Accuracy: [roll0] vs 4+Evasion
Damage: [roll1]
If Crit: [roll2]

Activate Bounce Shot to release Duster 3 Meters away from the Spearow, nearer to Matt.

Guile to make the other team think that Matt is just clumsy: [roll3]

Duster:
Move Action: Move 1 meter farther back towards Matt, away from the Spearow.

Standard Action: Toxic on the Spearow, Special Poison
Accuracy: [roll4] (+1 from Focused Training) vs. 4+ Evasion
Badly Poisons on a hit.

If Toxic hits, use 1 AP to perform a Dirty Trick on the Spearow-- Hinder--as a Free Action.
Duster's Athletics: [roll5] (+2 from Focused Training) vs. Spearow's Athletics.
If Duster Succeeds, the Spearow is Slowed and get's -2 to Skill Checks for 1 Round.

[aturtledoesbite]

Muffet's pretty fast, but Arianna scopes the field before giving her a command. "Muffet, pull back and fire at the Spearow's wing!" The Spinarak shoots a thread of silk toward the ground behind her, pulling herself back, then launches a poisonous stinger at the Spearow!

Muffet: Delay until immediately after Arianna.

Arianna: Commander's Voice - Give two orders as one Standard action.
Order 1: Trick Shot on Muffet - Bind 2 AP; Muffet's damaging ranged attacks have -2 accuracy, +3 critical range.
Order 2: Long Shot on Muffet - Until Arianna's next turn, Muffet's ranged attacks have doubled range, deal extra damage equal to attack distance, and are treated as though Muffet had the Sniper ability.

Muffet: Threaded Shift away from Spearow, keeping within 12 meters
Action: Poison Sting on Spearow.
Accuracy: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] + Distance
Extra damage if critical: [roll2]

[Zephykinns]

The first battle rages with Pachirisu and Gastly, both quick on the draw. Pachirisu slams into muffet quickly, doing a fair bit of damage (11).

Gastly's hypnotic suggestion causes the Spearow to close it's eyes and drowse....for less than a second as a pokeball from Matt smacked it right in the face (8).

Sue, hops over to the unsuspecting purrloin and gets it with a leg sweep, catching all four of it's legs and making it slam onto the ground (38).

As if the Spearow couldn't get a break. Muffet's sting jabs with such force that Spearow cringes (20).

The Purrloin, retaliating, looks at it's allies and attempts to use a move. Using it's claws, it picks the similar piercing motion of a peck move and jabs at Sue, but missing by a couple hand widths.

Duster hurls a poison at the Spearow, the pokemon now starting to look visibly sick, even moreso with some sort of nasty trick that seemed to make the poison debilitate it's movement.

The kid with the backwards cap shouts aloud, "Get ready Pachirisu! It's time to do some real damage!"

The Meditite, quite happy to be out of the line of fire, takes the chance to channel psychic energy into Sue. It hits! Sue's starts to feel the mental anguish of confusion! (24)

The Acrobatic girl, seeing an opportunity to pounce on a ground based fool, jumps into the air, flips, and comes down with a kick. Unfortunately she overshoots and lands smack dab between Naomi and the rest of the party.

The Spearow, who was slept, hit in the face, stung with a poison dart, and sludged all over. Realized it only had one target close enough, the human who was attacking one of its friends! Who thought you'd attack one of MY humans, human! Take this beak! It pecks at Naomi's side, striking a soft spot. (13)

The musician, plays a complex ballad, trying to inspire and protect her friends. She then looks at Naomi and smirks. "Wow. That was pretty bad there. I was distracted and everything too."

Lastly, the boxer sees Naomi's wide miss and take the opportunity to crowd in on her, landing a quick punch to her side. (14)

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna, glad she's far enough back to not be in the middle of the brawl, glances at the opponents' Pokémon. "We'll handle the Purrloin! Muffet, go!" Muffet fires off another stinger, this time at Purrloin!

Reminder: Trick Shot and Long Shot are still in effect.

Muffet: Shift to as close to 12 paces from Purrloin as she can.
Action: Poison Sting on Purrloin.
Accuracy [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] + Distance
If Critical, Add: [roll2]

Arianna: Commander's Voice.
Order 1: Long Shot on Muffet.
Order 2: Focused Training on Muffet - +1 Accuracy, +2 Skill Checks

[Zelphas]

Matt winces as he sees the beating Naomi and Sue are taking. "No real point in faking this anymore, I suppose," he mutters to himself, his Pokeballs back in his hands. He begins to juggle them in a complex pattern, and a moment later one of them flies straight at the Spearow once more!

"Okay Duster! Meditite next! Put him in place!" he calls out. Duster turns to the Meditite and blasts out a thick cloud of yellow powder.

Matt:
Move Action: Nothing to do.

Standard Action: Hit Spearow with Curve Ball once more.
Accuracy: [roll0] vs. 4+ Evasion
Damage: [roll1]
If Crit:[roll2]

Duster:
Move Action: Get within 6 feet of the Meditite.

Standard Action: Stun Spore on the Meditite.
Accuracy: [roll3] vs. 6+ Evasion
Paralyzes on a hit.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Seeing her companions start to switch target, Mairead kept her eyes on the badly hurt Spearow

"Okay Gastly, lick it."
As Gastly dove on the Spearow, Mairead moved up herself to help finish it off with a swift kick.


Gastly used Lick: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit? [roll2]
*Sigh*
Well, at least that generates a Curse tag from Haunting Orders and DR5 from Type Strategist.

Mairead used Struggle (on Spearow if its still fighting. If not, another target in range, Meditite getting first priority)
Struggle: [roll]1d20[roll]
Damage: [roll3]
Crit?: [roll4]

[Kittenwolf]

Lets try that struggle again: [roll0]

[SiegeTower]

Naomi shouts something profane as she's pecked in the side and immediately punched in the same spot.

"[CENSORED]ing bird!" Naomi was ready to crush the thing with her bare hands before it gets knocked out by a stray pokeball. "Thanks for not being useless Matt! Sue! Don't let that Meditite get away with that!"

Naomi tries to take care of her other problem as well by striking the legs of the boxer.



Roll for confusion: [roll0]

Roll to Hit:[roll1]

Roll for Damage: [roll2]
If Crit add: [roll3]

Naomi roll to hit: [roll4]

Roll for Damage: [roll5]
If crit add: [roll6]

EDIT: Sue will purchase the ability to deal damage based on injuries if by some miracle the spearow is still standing.

[Zephykinns]

Matt actually takes out the Spearow with his ball. What is Sue Attacking next?

[Zephykinns]

The next round starts off with Sue bruised, battered, and angry. She leaps and starts scratching wildly at the Meditite! (27) The Meditite is already looking rough!

The pachirisu, invigorated by it's trainer's orders, gets in another speedy tackle! (17)

Unfortunately Gastly's attempts at licking the bird have failed, Gastly won't be tasting chicken tonight!

Matt, obviously wanting to finish off the pokemon he hit first, smacks the Spearow in the face. The pokemon topples over, swirls in its eyes.

Mairead charges and kicks the Meditite, which causes it to fall back and pass out!

The trainer with the backwards cap grunts and shouts to his Pachirisu. "Time to bring out the big gun! This is the critical moment!"

Meanwhile the acrobath bounds high into the air, landing back behind her allies, getting ready for another charge.

The musician starts to sing. Sure, it may be a nice song but no one knows what she was trying to do.

Muffet, manages to find a clear shot past the Pachirisu and sinks the final blow into the Purrloin, it's body falling limp onto the ground.

Naomi and the martial artist face off against eachother. She goes for his knees while he simultaneously aims a quick jab to her face. They both connect! (20 to the MA) (15 to Naomi)

Duster, stun spores the Martial Artist, being the closes enemy. He inhales and his joints start to stiffen!

I chose the best target, considering Pachirisu is immune to Paralysis and all.

[Zelphas]

Matt smiles, a fierce, hard grin. "We're almost done here! Let's bring it home, team!" he calls out, another Pokeball flying from his hands towards the Pachirisu. "Duster! Ntohing fancy for the finally! Street brawl!" The Paras moves in towards the Pachirisu, his front claws swinging in quick mesh of whirling scratches.

Matt:
Move Action: Eh, maybe later.

Standard Action: You know the drill. Curve Ball on the Pachirisu.
Accuracy: [roll0] vs. 4+Evasion
Damage: [roll1]
If Crit: [roll2]

Duster:
Move Action: Close with the Pachirisu, if possible. If he has the movement for it, he'll move straight past the Pachirisu (Scratch has the Pass keyword) and end up as far as he can on the other side of it.

Standard Action: Scratch on the Pachirisu.
Accuracy: [roll3] vs 2+Evasion
Damage: [roll4]
If Crit: [roll5]

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna realizes she made a mistake. While she's been focused on the other Pokémon, that little rodent-thing had been chipping off at Muffet. And if it had any actual Electric attacks, she kind of doubted the hope that Muffet would remain standing after one. All she can do is hope Muffet can react in time. "Muffet, get away from that Pachirisu and sting it!" The Spinarak skitters across the grass, taking a shot as it does.

Current Active Orders: Trick Shot, Long Shot, Focused Training

Muffet: Shift 4 feet/meters (I forget which measurement PTU uses) away from Pachirisu.
Action: Poison Sting against Pachirisu
Accuracy: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] + Distance
If Crit, Add: [roll2]

Arianna: Commander's Voice.
Order 1: Long Shot on Muffet.
Order 2: Inspired Training on Muffet - +1 Evasion, +2 Save Checks.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

"Show him how much of a Critical Moment this is Gastly, Hypnotize then Ghost Step!"

Mairead then spun and aimed another inelegant but forceful kick at the Dancer behind them as Gastly phased out of view.


Gastly using Hypnotize on Backwards cap trainer guy (standard) then Ghost Step (Shift), granting a second Haunting token

Roll: [roll0]

Mairead will shift whatever is needed to Struggle attack the Dancer that's next to the group, since she won't be able to make it to Pachirisu while slowed
Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
Crit?: [roll3]

[SiegeTower]

"Can't handle a bit of pollen ya candy-arse!?" Naomi continues at the boxer's legs, trying to break the kneecap this time.

"Sue! Only one left! Take it down!"



Naomi's Hit:
Naomi's Damage: [roll1]
If Crit Ddd:[2d6+11

Sue's Hit: [roll2]
Sue's Damage:[roll3]
If Crit Add:[roll4]

[Zephykinns]

Pachirisu, realizing it is about to be in for a world of hurt, takes a defensive stance, taking all of the hurt in and readies itself to dish it back out.

Sue lands a powerful blow to Pachirisu, but it takes the brunt of it with a smirk. (19)

Gastly attempts to put the trainer to sleep, but he shakes off any drowsiness that is inflicted on him.

The Pachirisu takes a blunt pokeball to its side, but accepts the damage. (3)

Muffet' stinger connects as well and the Pachirisu starts to look more worse for wear. Fire burns in its eyes. (15)

The musician is taken completely off guard as Mairead lands a solid punch directly at her smug face! (14)

The kid with the backwards cap shouts out to Pachirisu, "Alright, now's the time! Time to hit first and hit hard!" Encouraging the Pachirisu to move quicker.

The Acrobat, seeing another chance to take out a potential threat, bounds towards Muffet like a bird hunting prey. She does a flip and comes down with a kick, striking the spider. (22)

Doesn't that take Muffet to exactly 0 HP?

The musician, seeing the new threat in front of her, plays a sour chord at Mairead that wracks her brain, causing disorientation! (Confused!)

The Martial Artist tries to land a blow before Naomi could get another hit in on his knees, with another quick jab to her right cheek, BAP! (17) only to receive the kick anyways, CRUNCH (21) He's starting to look worse for wear!

And Duster, closing in on the Pachirisu, drags its claw across Pachirisu's back! (15) That last blow puts the light out of the rodent's eyes. With that, the enemy team stops, falling to the ground in disappointment. You've won! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFch6XO5I_c)

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead smiled as the Pachirisu collapsed and the other team stopped moving. "Good fight everyone"

She looks up at Gastly, slowly spinning in place now that the fight is over. "I think we need to work on the team fighting Gastly, the slow confusion and debilitation doesn't work so well when your friends are getting pummeled."

[Zelphas]

Matt flourishes his juggling Pokeballs for anyone in the crowd who happened to be watching, tucking them quickly away with a wide grin. "Well done, everyone! Looks like it's a good start to our partnership!" He steps towards the other team, and then pauses, looking slightly chagrined. "It seems that we neglected to place a proper wager over the match... how does 500 Baht each sound?"

Matt looks over at Naomi. "Technically, the battle is over, since all of their Pokemon are out of the fight. However, if you two would still like to duke it out, by all means. It could be a secondary wager!"

Charm to convince the other team to cough up the money (if necessary): [roll0]

[SiegeTower]

Naomi was currently deaf to whatever Matt was talking about. Naomi was still transfixed on her own fight even when the Pokemon battle was over. She doesn't give Sue any further orders and just lets the Mankey collapse on the ground and nurse its own wounds for the time being.

"You're gonna regret trying to start {CENSORED} with me!" Naomi keeps wailing at the boxer until she finds a point where he's sufficiently crippled.


To hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit: [roll2]

(If the hit knocks him out, the fluff will be a knee to the groin.)

[aturtledoesbite]

"The battle's a-already over?" Arianna lets out a breath as she goes to check on Muffet, who'd been knocked out as the battle ended. Looking at Naomi, though, she wished Muffet was awake to String Shot her and hold her back. As it was, though...wait, that's a thought. Mairead's Gastly was still hanging around.

Arianna tried to get the Gastly's attention. "H-hey, go stop her from hurting that guy too much, please?"

Command check to get the Gastly to listen: [roll0]

[Zephykinns]

"The kid in the jacket flips his hat back so that the bill is facing frontwards. "Well crap. I was really hoping that bide would've taken at least two of you out." A short ways away a yelp of pain can be heard coming from the boxer. He collapses on the ground, clutching his groin. He sighs heavily and gathers the rest of his team, picking up the martial artist and bringing him along on his shoulder. After a bit of deliberation and passing money back and forth the leader comes back with a wad of bills and holds them out to Matt. "Well. We thought about what would be a good amount to give. So we thought that ten percent of our total seems like a fair amount for a loss. Luckily the exchange rate from Kanto to here is ridiculous!" He gives a good chuckle. "We have about 6400 Pokébaht here. So, what, like 1600 a person for you guys?"

[SiegeTower]

"And stay down ya candy-[CENSORED]" Naomi spits and wipes her hands of dust as smugly as she can. It was about time for her to actually pay attention to her severely injured Mankey so she steps towards her hurt Pokemon. Naomi doesn't take the long way around though. She gladly steps on the chest of the boxer she had just incapacitated and lets her full weight dig into him as she walks over. It was a straight shot to Sue from there.

The Mankey was really hurting, when Naomi had difficulty sitting down next to the poor thing, it was finally showing that she was too.

"Ya done good Sue. You took out more guys than me. I'm glad ya managed that. If ya actually punched yourself out all confused-like like I was 'specting, I woulda beat ya worse than the stupid psychic Pokemon." Naomi chuckles to herself but soon winces and grasps at her bleeding side where the Spearow had pecked her. "[CENSORED]! We both gotta get some healin' soon." Naomi forces a smile at her Mankey and rubs the little fighting type on her head. Whether this was an affectionate gesture or an attempt to wipe the blood off of her handwrap isn't clear. "Alright Sue. Fight's over. Back in your ball. Good thing I can lug ya in there rather than havin' to carry your limp body over my shoulders." With that, Naomi recalls Sue back to her pokeball.

"HEY! Y'all done getting the money these fools owe us? If it ain't enough I'm stepping over there any making at least one more of them infertile!" Naomi jumps up and pounds her fist into her palm with a smirk. She certainly wasn't showing any signs of pain anymore.

[roll0]

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Looking slightly fed up, Mairead turns to Naomi
"Oh my God will you stop bitching about money and swearing at people? This was a friendly match, not an extortion attempt by Team Rocket."

[SiegeTower]

Naomi, who never seems to run out of phlegm, spits again and this time in Mairead's direction. "Hey! I didn't hear ya complainin' when Matt asked for some dough!"

Naomi stops caring about whatever Matt and the other team were haggling for and now has all her attention focused on towering over Mairead and shouting right in her face. "And who are you ta say anythin'?! Your Pokemon did [CENSORED] all durin' the fight!"

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead rolled her eyes
"There's a big difference between asking someone to pay up for a loss and threatening to beat them up if they don't pay."

She takes an instinctive half step back as Naomi moves up to tower over her (she's rather intimidating after all) but stands her ground, glancing up at Gastly hovering nearby, watching closely. "Gastly was barely warming up by the time the fight was over. Trying to use Hypnosis to save YOUR pokemon meant he didn't get to start Haunting properly until the match was already over."

Suddenly her eyes flash angrily and she stabbed a finger in Naomi's direction "And don't lecture me about whose pokemon did what, you just decided it was more important to knock someone down after they gave up rather than seeing to your badly injured pokemon!"

[SiegeTower]

Ha! Naomi throws her hands up in the air "Only took the entirety of the fight to warm up! And this is coming from the same princess who said "oh no don't keep your Pokemon in their pokeball between battles! They're so much stronger if they **** around between fights!" Even your excuses are bull! I didn't see one punk goin' ta sleep. Mankey took out two pokes on his own and beat up the third with the other two. You and your Gastly are the weakest part of this team and you just wanna make yourself feel better by blaming it on someone else!" If Naomi had a table to slam her fist down onto she would have. She instead settles for kicking up dirt at Mairead.

"Sue's an asset to the team and is tough enough to nurse her own wounds for a couple minutes while the fights get finished. I treat Sue the same way I expect her to treat me. Don't worry about the other folks until you're done takin' care of your own fight. Sue's gonna get patched up and she's gonna deserve it! Your Gastly is just a worthless waste of space and you treat it that way! Coddling it and not holding it responsible f'r anythin'! You just let it lag around outside of fights and then do the same in the fights! It's weak and you're the one lettin' it be!"

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

It's evident that Mairead's temper is starting to flare just as much as Naomi's "Oh quit your bitching, I never said anything of the kind. And if you want to treat your pokemon like a tool, that's your idiocy." she flings one hand out to the side, pointing at Gastly "My Gastly could have taken out nearly their whole team on his own, and if that Pachirisu had had a protection move or was a little bit tougher, it would have flattened you, your pokemon and quite likely more of the team, at which point Gastly would have shut it down like your bowels shut down at the sight of a ghost!"

She again jabs her finger at Naomi
"If you think your Mankey is so top **** why don't you battle me yourself? Or are you too chicken **** scared of a g-g-g-g-ghost that you'll piss your pants again the moment Gastly looks in your direction? You're just a stupid girl with an anger management problem and a chip the size of an Onix on your shoulder who thinks the only way to solve anything is with your fists!"

[Zephykinns]

In the distance two trainers, one male and one female, are sitting on a rock fence, kicking their legs back and forth, watching the party. "Two hundred baht says the machoke looking one punches the prissy one," the boy says.

"You're funny, even I wouldn't take that gamble"

[Zelphas]

"Ladies!" Ignoring all sense of caution, Matt steps between his two quarreling team-mates. "We won this match solidly, and did extremely well for such a new team! Ajahn, you took the brunt of the attacks, and for that I'm grateful. But judging the merits of a fighter after one match is a good way to end up beaten up and broke... if you're lucky." Duster has quietly returned to his master's side, and he stares up at the two quarreling trainers, his mandibles quietly twitching.

"Miss Mairead had an off-day, but she kept fighting, and that's worth something. Now, you're both beaten up and tired from the match." he hands each trainer their cut of the money, his voicee gaining a mildly commanding tone. "Go to the Pokemon Center and get healed up, and then take an hour for training, or... what was it you mentioned earlier, Miss Mairead? Shard-finding?" He spreads his hands out, smiling widely. "If, at the end of the hour, your two still want to kill each other, we'll set up a proper arena and I'll get the bets going. We may as well make some money from it."

[SiegeTower]

Naomi fumes as she knows there's nothing she can say to defend herself when the topic of her phobia comes up. Since there was no way to win this argument, Naomi figured she might as well make Mairead correct on two accounts and solve this dilemma with her fists. Naomi strikes fast and was ready to break as many of Mairead's teeth as was possible but her fist falls just short of clobbering a boy shouting "Ladies!" instead.

Matt just saved Mairead a good bit of dental work and thankfully all it costed him was having a fist fan some wind into his face. Naomi lowers her hand but stays in a stance that was clearly keeping her ready to kick out at Mairead as soon as Matt moved. She paid very little attention to what Matt was saying but what little she caught she appreciated. Naomi was addressed by her proper title and she was given permission to kill Mairead later after she got healed up.

"Yeah yeah whatever." Naomi forcfully snatches the cash from Matt's hand and walks away without so much as a thank you. She grabs her bag which had been tossed aside at the start of the fight and heads off in whatever direction would get her away from her two teammates. Naomi doesn't have a problem dealing with her third one though.

"Hey Arianna. I'm headin' ta the Pokemon Center. Wanna come with? I think Muffet needs it."

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead managed to remain still as Naomi started to swing, willing to take a hit to prove her point. However anyone standing behind her would easily note the forced-rigidity of her posture and the white knuckle fist held behind her back, testimony to the effort required.
Thankfully Matt's intervention cut the brawl short and she didn't need to have Gastly reduce Naomi to a blubbering mess on the ground.

She slowly let out a long breath as Naomi stalked off and glanced across at where she knew Gastly was, hovering invisibly just next to where the angry young woman had been standing. "Matt, you know her temper is going to get us in a lot of trouble, right?"

Collecting her winnings she nodded her head at the 'rich kids' watching nearby and headed in the opposite direction to Naomi "Come on Gastly, lets see if we can find any more shards." she patted the egg held in her sling bag, a smile returning to her face "And then we'll drop by the pokemon center and ask for some egg hatching advice. After that.." she glances meaningfully at Gastly "We'll spend any remaining time training. I know you were just getting started but you missed a whole lot of shots there Gastly, you need to focus better."


Ten minutes to use the Dowsing Rod and then it'll be off to the Pokemon Center, checking through the window to make sure to enter from as far away from Naomi as possible, and asking the nurse for advice on egg care and hatching.
Check the OOC for a PokeEd roll of 15 for discussing egg care techniques and such (which I think basically amount to 'don't break it, keep it warm, it'll hatch eventually')

I'll also spend an Extended Action (apparently 'a few minutes' since no time listing is given?) to create a Psychic Brace from the Red shards. In this case it'll basically be embedding the red shards into one of those studded leather wrist cuffs in a glyph pattern.

She'll then join the Exp Training train for 5XP on Gastly, assuming we have enough time afterwards. If people want to get moving while she's partway through training then oh well, it'll happen this evening before sleep :)



Woo! Dowsing Rod.
Takes ten minutes to use, can be used a number of times per day equal to half my Occult Ed rank (currently 4).
Can be used while in any route, cave, or outside area. Get a bonus roll if used in/on a beach, cave, desert, or any other sandy or rocky area,



Four for Adept Occult Ed
One for Skill Stunt: Dowsing
Three for Crystal Resonance
One for 'Dowsing for Dummies'
On a 4+ I get a shard.
On a 6, get a shard and roll again

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]


[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]
[roll12]
[roll13]





Roll 1d6 per shard to determine the colour
1=Red
2=Orange
3=Yellow
4=Green
5=Blue
6=Violet

[roll14]
[roll15]
[roll16]
[roll17]
[roll18]
[roll19]
[roll20]
[roll21]
[roll22]
[roll23]
[roll24]
[roll25]
[roll26]
[roll27]




*Edit*
Okay, that's two Yellow, two Red, one Orange, one Green, one Blue. STILL not a single Violet shard.

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna breathed a sigh of relief as the situation calmed down some. She looked down to Muffet's ball when Naomi mentioned her, then looked back up to her. "O-oh, o-o-okay." She headed toward the Center with Naomi and got the nurse on duty to patch up Muffet.

Since it looked like they'd be around for a bit longer, Arianna decided to do some training with Muffet to keep busy.

Alright, where to begin...

First off, Experience Training! Muffet gets half her level in XP, +5 since I have Adept Command, which comes out to 10 XP and brings her to level 12, learning Leech Life!
Second, I'm going to use Inspired Training to give Muffet its benefits (+1 Evasion, +2 Saves) until the next Extended rest.
Third, I'll spend two of Muffet's Tutor Points and use Type Ace (Bug) to give Muffet the Type Strategist (Bug) ability.

I think that's everything!

[Zelphas]

Matt watches as Naomi stomps away, his smile fading to a grimace. "Yeah, I know," he replies to Mairead. "I also know that none of the rest of us could take the kind of pounding she did in that fight and still stay standing. She's still useful... right now, at least."

After the rest of the team goes to the Pokemon Center, Matt looks down at himself, and then bends down to scratch Duster on the top of the head. "We both left that fight without a scratch on us! Let's see if we can keep that up." He glances all around him, at the gathered groups of trainers, and his hands reflexively twitch. He has sworn off pick-pocketing, but... "Come on, Duster," Matt says decisively, "Let's put on a quick show."

During the hour, I'd like to basically perform on the street, drumming up money from gullible trainers. If possible, I'd use Guile to see how much I get: [roll0]

If not, then I'm guessing it's Charm: [roll1]

If neither of those work, I'll spend the hour training Duster, giving him 5 EXP and bumping him up to level 12 (I think)!

[SiegeTower]

It seemed like the Pokemon center trip was to be pretty uneventful. No sign of ghost princess and Arianna was a nice enough girl to not speak unless spoken to first. When she ran off to train her Muffet though, Naomi didn't have much to do. She was gonna train her freshly healed Mankey for sure but she wanted to see if she could do anything else before going back to her usual routine. Matt seemed to never shut up so Naomi figured she'd try things his way and get some info out of people. They were gonna go try and catch some rock types before trying the flying gym right? Guess Naomi could ask around to see if anyone knew where she could find an Onix or Geodude around here.

If nothing comes from trying to get the information from talking, Naomi could try to fiddle with that new Pokedex she got to see if it has any info in it.


Keeping up the Brutal Training on Sue.
Experience Training for 5xp.

Charm roll to get info on rock types:[roll0]
Intimidation roll for the same info if that works:[roll1]
Technology Education roll to fiddle with the Pokedex:[roll2]

[Zephykinns]

You all arrive at the Pokemon center in short time alongside the trainers you just beat, greeted by several frantic nurses rushing about, tending to wounded trainers and pokemon alike. One native nurse stands at the counter, a smile stuck on her face as if she had to keep it up or face some sort of meltdown. "Welcome trainers! We provide medical care for all trainers with no need for payment. We'll heal all superficial damage, but rest is the best cure for your friends."


Guess Naomi could ask around to see if anyone knew where she could find an Onix or Geodude around here.

If nothing comes from trying to get the information from talking, Naomi could try to fiddle with that new Pokedex she got to see if it has any info in it.
[/SPOILER]

While you guys go about healing and letting the nurses fuss over you, which takes an hour plus a half hour per injury you've accrued, Naomi, failing to speak in a polite manner and noticing her pokedex is fairly blank, grabs a trainer by the collar and shakes him down for information about rock types. The trainer, obviously not wanting to have to get healed yet again, fumbles his words in saying that he just knows that going into the mountains up north could net a rock type or two.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi sighs and drops the trainer she had lifted off the ground by his collar. He really didn't tell her anything she didn't already know. She might as well hope that one of those rock types is an Onix and prep for that. With the time she had to kill before regrouping, Naomi goes to the local Pokemart and picks up one great ball and a heavy ball. There was quite a lineup considering all the new trainers starting their journeys simultaneously. Naomi didn't have the patience for that however. She went behind the counter of the Pokemart, grabbed the two things she wanted, and then tossed the money at the cashier before walking out. No waiting necessary and the Pokemart got their money.

When all the healing, shopping, and training was done, Naomi heads back to where the team fight had occurred. The team didn't make a rigidly specific time or place to meet up so Naomi just figured they were gonna meander back here at some point. Naomi thought she herself would be easy to spot at least. She stood head and shoulders above most of the trainers and anyone looking for her was bound to find her. If the team didn't arrive sometime soon though, Naomi was gonna start another Pokemon battle with whoever was handy just to kill time.

[Zelphas]

Matt, realizing that the only way he's going to make money from Trainers is by battling them, spends his time training Duster instead, dropping off at the PokeMart to grab a Heavy Ball. We need a strongman for our act soon, Duster," he comments, bouncing the Heavy Ball in one hand.

Matt greets Naomi with a wave and a grin, walking over to meet her. "We should be ready to go as soon as the rest of our team arrives!" he asserts confidently.

Sure, I'll grab a Heavy Ball. A Rock type would definitely be useful.

[SiegeTower]

Welp, there was one of them at least.

"Yo. So Arianna was at the Pokecenter last time I saw 'er. We split up after dat. She should be back soon I guess. Naomi casually spits to the side. "So after she gets back let's leave. 'eard there were some rock type Pokes to catch on the mountains north of 'ere.""

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

After training Mairead returns to the spot where the group split up, spying Naomi and Matt already there. Her mouth tightens slightly at the sight of Naomi but otherwise she shows little sign of their earlier fight, though Gastly, still floating about, is always keeping an eye on her.

"Hey" she waves as she steps up with the others "Is everyone and their pokemon feeling better? Is there anything we need to do here before heading off once Arianna gets back? Are we going to go north of the Gym and into the mountains first before hitting the Flying gym?"

She seemingly unconsciously pats the egg in its sling bag, and Matt is likely the one to notice she's wearing a studded leather bracelet with a red stone glyph embedded into it on that hand.
She's also carrying a rather solid looking staff over one shoulder.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi swears to herself as she sees Mairead come back. It woulda been hella nice to just ditch her and have a three person team instead. Whatever, if it got too bad, Naomi would find a way to let the Pokemon League allow a one man team. Naomi doesn't bother to address Mairead's arrival and instead just keeps looking in another direction and spits on occasion.

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna has so much fun with Muffet, she almost forgets that there are people that night be waiting for her. Eventually, though, she finishes up her training and starts looking around for any of the others.

When she sees all three together, she picks up the pace and heads toward them. "l-I'm sorry I'm l-late..."

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


"l-I'm sorry I'm l-late..."

Mairead waves a hand "No problem, I only got here a couple of minutes ago too. Muffet feeling better?"

[SiegeTower]

Naomi casually flicks her wrist in a two fingered outward salute.

"Yo. We were gonna head to the mountains up north for some rock types before goin' to the gym. Might be a Dwebble or somethin' for ya there too. If there ain't, probably some other creepy crawlies back on the main route for ya to catch afte'."

[Zephykinns]

Off onto the open road! Everyone leaves the small town onto route 602. The beginning of the route, for the most part, is filled with many new trainers, battling it out with other teams. One thing in particular about this route is that is all seems to go up hill. At first it doesn't seem to be too noticeable, but any length of walking will tell you that the angle of ascent gets steeper as times goes on.


A new noticeable details besides the trainers going about, trying to capture pokemon:
There's what looks like to be something akin to a scout troop, with a few adults and around twenty or so kids, but not a single native amongst the bunch. "Listen up kids, this is a land of untamed nature, so no going off of the paths, and stick to the grass patches. Now what's a pokescout?" He barks aloud,

"Nature's best friend sir!" they all snap to attention, and start to scatter.



There's of course many trainers searching through tall grass for pokemon, occasionally finding a sewaddle and the other common types mentioned earlier.

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna quietly huffed in annoyance -- they weren't creepy! -- but didn't say anything about her objection.

"O-okay."

[SiegeTower]

Naomi has no issue with the uphill trek. Though one would think Naomi would be the kind to go barefoot, she actually did have enough of a sense of self-preservation to be wearing a very good pair of running shoes. This combined with her already above average levels of athleticism resulted in her outpacing the rest of her team constantly.

"Y'all really need to hurry up! I'd only be cool with a team if y'all didn't hold me back and that's all you're doin' right now!" Naomi stops for the fourth time since they started walking for her team to catch up to her. Looking back, Naomi really was hoping that the princess was going to be the one dragging the farthest behind but to the fighter's disappointment, Matt seemed the least athletic of the whole group.

"If y'all can't handle a little hill whatchya gonna be doing when we're rockclimbing in the mountains?" Naomi brushes her hair back in frustration. "Look if y'all can't keep up, I'mma head to the mountains myself and y'all can stick around here and catch whatever's in the grass. I know Arianna won't mind catchin' a Burmy or somethin'."

[Zelphas]

Matt had hoped that Naomi's earlier statements meant that she is warming up to Arianna. Now, after trekking steadily uphill and watching as the tall girl continues to push farther ahead, he begins to wonder what, if anything, will convince her to relax for more than three seconds. "I'm fine for moving ahead," Matt replies, his voice strong despite the obvious exertion on his face. "I'd rather attempt to catch some new team members without so much... competition all around us." Just to be safe, Matt looks all around him, checking to see if he can find any interesting Pokemon nearby.

Perception to look around and try to find anything interesting: [roll0]

[Zephykinns]

Matt had hoped that Naomi's earlier statements meant that she is warming up to Arianna. Now, after trekking steadily uphill and watching as the tall girl continues to push farther ahead, he begins to wonder what, if anything, will convince her to relax for more than three seconds. "I'm fine for moving ahead," Matt replies, his voice strong despite the obvious exertion on his face. "I'd rather attempt to catch some new team members without so much... competition all around us." Just to be safe, Matt looks all around him, checking to see if he can find any interesting Pokemon nearby.

Perception to look around and try to find anything interesting: [roll0]

Matt notices that near a thicket of woods is a dark parting that you'd have to get on your hands and knees to crawl under it, but he can't really see what's too much further down.

[SiegeTower]

"Okay y'all can go further up the route or somethin' to catch whatever you want with less folks around. I'mma head to the mountains now. Y'all can come if you can keep up. We'll meet back at Zingiber Village after we've caught are new Pokes."



Perception: [roll0]

Though I don't think it'll be too hard to spot the mountain. That is unless there is a very large hill nearby that could be mistaken for it.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


"If y'all can't handle a little hill whatchya gonna be doing when we're rockclimbing in the mountains?" Naomi brushes her hair back in frustration. "Look if y'all can't keep up, I'mma head to the mountains myself and y'all can stick around here and catch whatever's in the grass. I know Arianna won't mind catchin' a Burmy or somethin'."

Mairead sighed slightly, her calves starting to burn but not showing any other real outward sign of discomfort "How about I get Gastly to use Mean Look on you so that you slow down?" she smiled sweetly "You can think of it as resistance training."

When Naomi says she's going ahead into the mountains she sighs inwardly and starts to facepalm, then gets is mischievous smile on her face. "But if you want to go ahead on your own, go for it. Send me a message if you find the Temple to the evil deity that's hidden in the mountains nearby, I want to take a look."

[SiegeTower]

Naomi tenses up as a shiver of fear (http://i.imgur.com/2Vc5Dac.gif) creeps up on her. She wanted to say something back to Mairead but couldn't unclench her jaw. Instead of trying to argue anything back, Naomi just turns around and starts making a very rigid and very uncomfortable looking march away from Mairead and towards the mountains. Mountains that she would hopefully find sans temple.

[Zelphas]

Matt looks over at the woods, his curiousity getting the better of him. "How about we see if we can meet up a little farther down the road?" he says distractedly, beginning to move off of the path. "If we don't see each other in the mountain paths, meet up at Zingiber village sounds good. Happy hunting, everyone!" With that, Matt moves to the thicket, attempting to seem nonchalant about his discovery.

Once he reaches the opening, Matt releases Duster. "What do you think, Duster? Anything interesting in there?" he asks the Paras. Duster sits on the ground, looking up at his trainer with wide, unblinking eyes. A moment later, Matt nods. "I agree; what use is a Pokemon adventure if I don't do a little exploring? Come on!" The boy quickly drops down on his hands and knees, his small size allowing him to fit through the thicket easily.

[aturtledoesbite]

Looked like everyone was splitting up for now. That was okay with Arianna. Besides, she saw a couple of the other trainers trying to catch a Sewaddle, and those just looked so cute, she had to have one. Off to the tall grass she went to track one down!

Obviously, priorities are Sewaddle, then Venipede. I'm not gonna lie, it took me a minute to remember that the third Pokémon you mentioned was a Flying-type, but I still can't remember which one. :P

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

"Well, message us on the pokedex if you get in trouble or arrive early or will be late or anything like that."
Mairead nodded to everyone and then headed in the direction of the mountains, hoping to find a cave.


Survival: [roll0]
Perception: [roll1]

[SiegeTower]

Naomi is eventually able to shake off the goosebumps that Mairead had forced on her. When her knees de-stiffen and her jaw unclenches, Naomi uses her recovered agility to intentionally outpace the ghost trainer behind her. There was bound to be enough mountain for both of them and Naomi was going to try her best to catch her new Pokemon without ever having to interact with Mairead.



Perception: [roll0]
Survival:[roll1]

Really wanting an Onix.

[Zephykinns]

Matt looks over at the woods, his curiousity getting the better of him. "How about we see if we can meet up a little farther down the road?" he says distractedly, beginning to move off of the path. "If we don't see each other in the mountain paths, meet up at Zingiber village sounds good. Happy hunting, everyone!" With that, Matt moves to the thicket, attempting to seem nonchalant about his discovery.

Once he reaches the opening, Matt releases Duster. "What do you think, Duster? Anything interesting in there?" he asks the Paras. Duster sits on the ground, looking up at his trainer with wide, unblinking eyes. A moment later, Matt nods. "I agree; what use is a Pokemon adventure if I don't do a little exploring? Come on!" The boy quickly drops down on his hands and knees, his small size allowing him to fit through the thicket easily.
After a few minutes of shuffling your way under the undergrowth, Matt starts to hear some sort of humming, probably a high tenor voice and male. He also hears a high pitched cooing song. Not bird, but obvious a chorus of pokemon regardless. Soon a clearing opens up ahead and before you climb out you happen to see an old man with a long beard and a white coat, with dark skin denoting himself a native, who happens to be tending to some berry bushes.

He speaks in a senile sounding shrill tone, "Hmmm, yes. The moisture is just right. I'd say give it another day it'll it'll be right as rain!" He chuckles to himself. Surrounding him are four cherubis of different colors and two cherrims of different hues as well. He doesn't seem to notice Matt just yet.


Looked like everyone was splitting up for now. That was okay with Arianna. Besides, she saw a couple of the other trainers trying to catch a Sewaddle, and those just looked so cute, she had to have one. Off to the tall grass she went to track one down!

Obviously, priorities are Sewaddle, then Venipede. I'm not gonna lie, it took me a minute to remember that the third Pokémon you mentioned was a Flying-type, but I still can't remember which one. :P


As Arianna looks through the brush, she happens upon a frightening image. Just a few meters away, she sees a pidgey cornering one of the sewaddles by a tree. Both pokemon look fresh, but the sewaddle knows that it's at a disadvantage. The pidgey does look quite hungry.

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

"Well, message us on the pokedex if you get in trouble or arrive early or will be late or anything like that."
Mairead nodded to everyone and then headed in the direction of the mountains, hoping to find a cave.


Survival: [roll0]
Perception: [roll1]

Unfortunately Mairead hasn't found any caves just yet. The mountains do start to seem a bit rough. She think there might be caves farther in, but after an hour of searching it may be so far into the mountains that she'd have to get into some serious climbing.

Naomi is eventually able to shake off the goosebumps that Mairead had forced on her. When her knees de-stiffen and her jaw unclenches, Naomi uses her recovered agility to intentionally outpace the ghost trainer behind her. There was bound to be enough mountain for both of them and Naomi was going to try her best to catch her new Pokemon without ever having to interact with Mairead.



Perception: [roll0]
Survival:[roll1]

Really wanting an Onix.

Nothing really stands out to Naomi, she knows enough about how nature works to eventually lead herself to an area with a large hole in the side of the mountain. It's too small to be a cave, but it looks as if something has burrowed into the mountain side.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi climbed the face of the mountain getting to a place she hoped the princess wouldn't have the strength to get to. Luckily it seemed like she was still down at the base somewhere. That'll do for now.

When Naomi comes across the hole at the side of the mountain she grins widely. If that hole was made by what she thought it was, she was gonna catch the exact Pokemon she was looking for.

Now the only question was how she was gonna get to the Onix. From what she knew, Onix could dig tunnels at about 50 miles per hour. Who knew how long it'd been digging for and how far away it was now. Naomi could start trekking through the tunnel herself but she figured the best course of action was to try and goad the thing to leave its tunnel if it was still around.

Naomi hoped for a battle soon so she lets Sue get ready. The Mankey is released from her pokeball even though the opponent was not yet in sight.

'SUE! We want whatever is in that tunnel out here to fight us! Strike as soon as you see anything coming out!"

With that, Naomi does the only thing she could think of to get the Pokemon to come out. She starts smashing the rocks near the tunnel entrance, trying to create a cave in.



Naomi uses rock smash: [roll0]

EDIT: SHAMEFUL ROCK SMASH DISPRAY! Did I even need to do an accuracy roll considering it's being used as an HM though?

Sue readies an action to use Low Kick as soon as a Pokemon comes out. (Is readying an action a thing?)
Sue's Low Kick: [roll1]
Damage (If it's an Onix): [roll2]
Critical (If it's an Onix):[roll3]

[aturtledoesbite]

Well, Arianna could certainly understand finding food...but that wasn't any excuse for it to be pestering her Sewaddle! (...what do you mean it's not hers yet???) It might be a Flying-type, but a Pokémon's a Pokémon, so... "Hey, you! Back away from the Sewaddle and find something else to eat!" Muffet opens her mouth wide toward the Pidgey, her small fangs catching a glint of sunlight.

Well that's one way to remind me what the other one is. :P

Command to get the Pidgey to fly off: [roll0]

[Zelphas]

Matt stood up quietly, dusting himself off. He looks at the display before him and grins; it may not quite be what he's looking for to fight the first gym, but different-colored Pokemon always draw crowds.

Keeping Duster by his side, Matt approaches calmly. "Excuse me, esteemed elder," he begins quietly, pitching his voice to sound respectful. "I am a simple traveler, newly exploring the wonders of this region of ours, and I was drawn by your song and that of your Pokemon. I have never seen Cherubi of such varied hues before; truly, they are remarkable."

Charm to make a good impression: [roll0]

If necessary, Guile to sound respectful and honest: [roll1]

[Zephykinns]

Matt stood up quietly, dusting himself off. He looks at the display before him and grins; it may not quite be what he's looking for to fight the first gym, but different-colored Pokemon always draw crowds.

Keeping Duster by his side, Matt approaches calmly. "Excuse me, esteemed elder," he begins quietly, pitching his voice to sound respectful. "I am a simple traveler, newly exploring the wonders of this region of ours, and I was drawn by your song and that of your Pokemon. I have never seen Cherubi of such varied hues before; truly, they are remarkable."

Charm to make a good impression: [roll0]

If necessary, Guile to sound respectful and honest: [roll1]


The old man turns to face Matt and gives a simple but pleased smile. "Well it's about time. You make sure there's a hole in the path so that trainers will actually explore! Most just play in the grass! And my friends here are a pit of a pet project. Raising pokemon around different environments produces results one would be proud of!" He lets out a soft cackle. "It's nice to meet you son. My name is Professor Kranberry. I study pokemon in relation to nature, specifically how pokemon help or hinder the environment."



Well, Arianna could certainly understand finding food...but that wasn't any excuse for it to be pestering her Sewaddle! (...what do you mean it's not hers yet???) It might be a Flying-type, but a Pokémon's a Pokémon, so... "Hey, you! Back away from the Sewaddle and find something else to eat!" Muffet opens her mouth wide toward the Pidgey, her small fangs catching a glint of sunlight.

Well that's one way to remind me what the other one is. :P

Command to get the Pidgey to fly off: [roll0]

The pidgey stops attacking the bug only to turn towards Arianna, challenging her for the food.


Naomi climbed the face of the mountain getting to a place she hoped the princess wouldn't have the strength to get to. Luckily it seemed like she was still down at the base somewhere. That'll do for now.

When Naomi comes across the hole at the side of the mountain she grins widely. If that hole was made by what she thought it was, she was gonna catch the exact Pokemon she was looking for.

Now the only question was how she was gonna get to the Onix. From what she knew, Onix could dig tunnels at about 50 miles per hour. Who knew how long it'd been digging for and how far away it was now. Naomi could start trekking through the tunnel herself but she figured the best course of action was to try and goad the thing to leave its tunnel if it was still around.

Naomi hoped for a battle soon so she lets Sue get ready. The Mankey is released from her pokeball even though the opponent was not yet in sight.

'SUE! We want whatever is in that tunnel out here to fight us! Strike as soon as you see anything coming out!"
With that, Naomi does the only thing she could think of to get the Pokemon to come out. She starts smashing the rocks near the tunnel entrance, trying to create a cave in.



Naomi uses rock smash: [roll0]

EDIT: SHAMEFUL ROCK SMASH DISPRAY! Did I even need to do an accuracy roll considering it's being used as an HM though?

Sue readies an action to use Low Kick as soon as a Pokemon comes out. (Is readying an action a thing?)
Sue's Low Kick: [roll1]
Damage (If it's an Onix): [roll2]
Critical (If it's an Onix):[roll3]

A low rumble is heard after the rock smash, with an onix beginning to emerge. Sue, taking the chance to hit it as it comes out, kicks at his body, hitting the onix so hard that it falls on it's side (30) It's in the red!

[SiegeTower]

Naomi wasn't sure if Sue has been taking to her training or the Onix she had just come across was pathetic. Either way, this was going to be an easy capture. If the Onix was in fact a weakling, Naomi would just trade it off to some other trainer for something better.

Naomi does a flippant underhand toss of her heavy ball.


The Throw:[roll0]
The Capture:[roll1]

[aturtledoesbite]

Why did other types of Pokémon have to be so hard to deal with? Oh well, at least she could just knock it out. "Well, if that's how you want to do it; Muffet, Poison Sting!"

I'm guessing that for a quick thing like this, position won't really matter, so I'll just give move actions.

Commander's Voice to apply both Focused and a second Inspired Training to Muffet, who stings the Pidgey.

Accuracy: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit: [roll2]

[Zelphas]

"Good to meet you, Professor Kranberry. My name is Matt. I'm afraid I didn't have a standard education, but I will say that I'm impressed by how different your Pokemon seem, even though they are the same Type!" Matt replies warmly. He looks back at the gap he crawled through, and for just a moment a crafty gleam is visible in his eyes.

"I would love to widen the path and allow others to explore, but I'm not exactly a paragon of strength, and Duster's talents similarly lie elsewhere," he says humbly, patting one of Duster's mushrooms for emphasis. "I am, however, looking for a strong companion on my journey. If you happened to know of any Pokemon in this area who could clear the path, and who might be interested in experiencing new environments and challenges, I would be honored to have them accompany me. We could clear out the path as we go, making it more interesting to other travelers." The young boy smiles winningly. "I can guarantee that any Pokemon that agrees to travel with me will be treated well; examine Duster, if you have any worries on that score."

Charm to convince Professor Kranberry to send Matt towards a strong Pokemon: [roll0]

[SiegeTower]

"Pfft. That was so easy." Naomi strolls over to the heavy ball. She picks it up and then looks down at it with a smirk. "I'm your master now. Your now called Medusa. If you're weak, I'mma get rid of ya. If you're strong, then you're gonna get even stronger." The ball shrinks and Naomi tosses it into her bag with the rest of her possessions.

"Sue. Ya done good twice today. I'mma get ya somethin' good f'r that." Naomi calls her Mankey back to her Pokeball and tosses it in with Medusa.

Naomi takes a look around not quite sure what to do with her time. She got what she was looking for much faster than expected and didn't even break a sweat. She figured she might as well check in on her other two teammates that mattered. She sends the same text message to each of their Pokedexes.

"Got what I needed. Could prolly catch more. Want me to do that then we trade after? Let me know where we're meeting and when."

"Oh wait, yeah." Naomi sends another text immediately after.

"I need a Liechi berry or something else spicy if you got one."

[Zephykinns]

Why did other types of Pokémon have to be so hard to deal with? Oh well, at least she could just knock it out. "Well, if that's how you want to do it; Muffet, Poison Sting!"

I'm guessing that for a quick thing like this, position won't really matter, so I'll just give move actions.

Commander's Voice to apply both Focused and a second Inspired Training to Muffet, who stings the Pidgey.
Accuracy: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit: [roll2]
The sting buries deep into the pidgey's body (20).
The bird, hoping to knock the spider off its feet, kicks up a gust, sending it at Muffet. It impacts, causing some real hurt (24). Muffet has the pidgey on the ropes!

"Good to meet you, Professor Kranberry. My name is Matt. I'm afraid I didn't have a standard education, but I will say that I'm impressed by how different your Pokemon seem, even though they are the same Type!" Matt replies warmly. He looks back at the gap he crawled through, and for just a moment a crafty gleam is visible in his eyes.

"I would love to widen the path and allow others to explore, but I'm not exactly a paragon of strength, and Duster's talents similarly lie elsewhere," he says humbly, patting one of Duster's mushrooms for emphasis. "I am, however, looking for a strong companion on my journey. If you happened to know of any Pokemon in this area who could clear the path, and who might be interested in experiencing new environments and challenges, I would be honored to have them accompany me. We could clear out the path as we go, making it more interesting to other travelers." The young boy smiles winningly. "I can guarantee that any Pokemon that agrees to travel with me will be treated well; examine Duster, if you have any worries on that score."
Charm to convince Professor Kranberry to send Matt towards a strong Pokemon: [roll0]
The old man squints behind large coke bottle glasses and contemplates life, love, and the mysteries of the universe before speaking back up with a satisfied chuckle. "Well you do look to be a responsible child. It may not be suited to cutting things, though I do believe it's possible to find treekos around these parts. But I have been looking for homes for one of my friends here!" He gestures to the many cherubi walkingdancing around. One of them approaches Duster somewhat shyly, not sure if Duster would attempt to eat it or not. It looks somewhat tropical, obviously not one of the standard types. (https://www.dropbox.com/s/6sj4yfmk5ufqjx4/Cherubi.png?dl=0)

Naomi wasn't sure if Sue has been taking to her training or the Onix she had just come across was pathetic. Either way, this was going to be an easy capture. If the Onix was in fact a weakling, Naomi would just trade it off to some other trainer for something better.

Naomi does a flippant underhand toss of her heavy ball.


The Throw:[roll0]
The Capture:[roll1]
The ball hit the onix as easily as Naomi would hit the side of a barn. In an instant, the onix disappears into red energy, dropping with a heavy thud. Shake...shake...ding!

Pokemon experience of 5 (Can be applied to the Onix since he technically "fought"). Enjoy your new Onix! Also, one trainer experience for obtaining a new pokemon!

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna prepares to order Muffet to finish it off, but she remembers something her father told her before she left. Something about how she'd need to use more than just Bug-types to get through the League. While she didn't like it, his inconvenient advice had a habit of being useful. She reached for a Poké Ball. "If it pops out, Muffet, use Leech Life!"

Commander's Voice to bind Iterative Evolution as a swift action. (Relevant part here being that resisted Bug-type attacks are resisted one step less.)
Standard action: Gotta catch 'em all!
Accuracy: [roll0]
Catch: [roll1]

Muffet: Leech Life on Pidgey
Accuracy: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Crit: [roll4]

[Zelphas]

Matt smiles at the Professor's answer. A Treeko might be worth having; it's at least worth looking around the woods for a little while. His Pokedex chimes but he ignores it for now, focusing on the Cherubi that has come forward. "Don't worry; Duster's more fond of moss and lichen than anything like you, and I wouldn't let him eat you anyways," Matt assures the little fruit, speaking in a calm, soothing tone. With a slight flourish, he pulls a Basic Pokeball out of seemingly thin air, enlarging it and placing it on the ground near him. "Professor Kranberry seems to think you're pretty special, and I can guarantee excitement if you decide to join my team," Matt promises, smiling widely. "Just touch the Pokeball, and we'll be on our way... Ringling."

Charm to convince the Cherubi to join Matt: [roll0]

Capture Roll (if needed): [roll1]

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead frowned a little along the ridge of the mountain still well ahead of her and turned to her pokemon, and set her pack down to wipe her brow. "You know Gastly, it'll take us a while to get to the cave area, and most of the Pokemon I'd like to catch are likely to be nocturnal anyway, maybe we should camp the night?"

"Gaastly" he bobbed up and down on the spot

"I know, I know, it doesn't make much difference to you. Tell you what, lets hike for that ridge over there, and keep an eye out for any Pokemon for you to train against, then we can hopefully find a nice cave to explore."

Nodding to herself Mairead shouldered her pack again and set off towards the base of the mountains, sending a quick pokedex message to the rest of her team as she did so. "Hey everyone! Gastly and I are going to head right up to the mountains to look for some caves, and we're going to camp overnight. Seeyou in the morning!"


The Darkvision goggles will go on as soon as the lightning level demands it.
Also keeping an eye out for any pokemon around to train Gastly against, and on the off chance something on her list can be found on the way there.
Finally, if it gets to the point where she might start slipping or needs to do any real climbing, she'll wrap her sleeping bag around her egg as well, just in case.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi yawns as she waits for a response on her Pokedex. When she finally got one, she looked at her dex with excitement. Then she saw the sender and immediately deleted the message without reading it. Welp, waiting on everyone else was certainly getting Naomi nowhere. She might as well take matters into her own hands. She'll find some more Pokemon and trade them to her teammates later. If they didn't need them, she could at least pawn them off to some other trainer.

Naomi takes her remaining time on the cliff face to see if there were any other rock types available to catch.


Perception: [roll0]
Survival:[roll1]

[Zephykinns]

Arianna prepares to order Muffet to finish it off, but she remembers something her father told her before she left. Something about how she'd need to use more than just Bug-types to get through the League. While she didn't like it, his inconvenient advice had a habit of being useful. She reached for a Poké Ball. "If it pops out, Muffet, use Leech Life!"

Commander's Voice to bind Iterative Evolution as a swift action. (Relevant part here being that resisted Bug-type attacks are resisted one step less.)
Standard action: Gotta catch 'em all!
Accuracy: [roll0]
Catch: [roll1]

Muffet: Leech Life on Pidgey
Accuracy: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Crit: [roll4]
Muffet's leech life may have missed, but Arianna's pokeball catches the pudgey right in the chest. The bird dematerializes into the ball and plops onto the ground. Shake...Shake....Shake....DING! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bu0sN7T4nM) With the pidgey now gone, the Sewaddle seems genuinely relieved, but not particularly frightened of Arianna. It seems at a crossroads in its mind, not sure if it should try to leave, possibly invoking the human's wrath, or attempt to seek shelter with the trainer. She did after all save it from being a meal.


Congratz! Trainer XP=1 For catching a new pokemon. Pkmn XP=5
Level=10
Nature=Dreamy
Sex= Male
Ability= Keen Eye
Current HP= 12
Stat Totals
HP=4
Atk=10
Def=5
SpAtk=7
SpDef=11
Speed=11

Matt smiles at the Professor's answer. A Treeko might be worth having; it's at least worth looking around the woods for a little while. His Pokedex chimes but he ignores it for now, focusing on the Cherubi that has come forward. "Don't worry; Duster's more fond of moss and lichen than anything like you, and I wouldn't let him eat you anyways," Matt assures the little fruit, speaking in a calm, soothing tone. With a slight flourish, he pulls a Basic Pokeball out of seemingly thin air, enlarging it and placing it on the ground near him. "Professor Kranberry seems to think you're pretty special, and I can guarantee excitement if you decide to join my team," Matt promises, smiling widely. "Just touch the Pokeball, and we'll be on our way... Ringling."

Charm to convince the Cherubi to join Matt: [roll0]

Capture Roll (if needed): [roll1]
The oddly formed Cherubi seems awfully relieved, but still prods around before stricken with a bout of curiosity at the new pokeball. It nudges it around before finally pressing the button and smiled up at Matt before coalescing into a ball of light. The professor, grinning like fool starts to clap. "Now that's the spirit my boy! It's so good to see trainers that remember that pokemon and humans are much closer. It's not a matter of taming, it's a matter of friendship!" He breaks out into an old man cackle and stares thoughtfully at the rest of the Cherubis before his pocket starts to ring with a spinda cry as the setting. He gestures to Matt to wait a second. He speaks softly into the phone, but Matt can overhear some of the important bits. Namely the fact that something is happening that 'could mean a major change to Meldia's landscape'. After the call ends he returns with a smile.

"Now youngster, I do feel I mist get going. If you're ever free and want to learn more about the pokemon and our very own land, feel free to find me at my lab in Curcuma Town. It's a wonderful place and it has all sorts of fashionable trainers there"

Standard 1 traner XP for finding a new pokemon.Level=10
Nature=Curious
**NOTE** Give this little one an HP Vitamin and modify its Athletics and Acrobatics to go up by 1 and it's stealth to go down by one.
Sex= Male
Ability= Cherry Power
Stat Totals
HP=10
Atk=4
Def=10
SpAtk=14
SpDef=8
Speed=5

As a bonus, it knows flower shield!


Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead frowned a little along the ridge of the mountain still well ahead of her and turned to her pokemon, and set her pack down to wipe her brow. "You know Gastly, it'll take us a while to get to the cave area, and most of the Pokemon I'd like to catch are likely to be nocturnal anyway, maybe we should camp the night?"

"Gaastly" he bobbed up and down on the spot

"I know, I know, it doesn't make much difference to you. Tell you what, lets hike for that ridge over there, and keep an eye out for any Pokemon for you to train against, then we can hopefully find a nice cave to explore."

Nodding to herself Mairead shouldered her pack again and set off towards the base of the mountains, sending a quick pokedex message to the rest of her team as she did so. "Hey everyone! Gastly and I are going to head right up to the mountains to look for some caves, and we're going to camp overnight. Seeyou in the morning!"


The Darkvision goggles will go on as soon as the lightning level demands it.
Also keeping an eye out for any pokemon around to train Gastly against, and on the off chance something on her list can be found on the way there.
Finally, if it gets to the point where she might start slipping or needs to do any real climbing, she'll wrap her sleeping bag around her egg as well, just in case.

Fast forwarding, while Mairead is keeping up camp, coming doesn't feel quite right. It's eerily similar to how a ghost pokemon can make you feel, but its off. It's only then that Mairead notices that her hair is starting to float upwards ever so slightly, as static fills the air.

[aturtledoesbite]

Now that the Pidgey's dealt with, it was time to address what Arianna came here for. She crouched down to get closer to the Sewaddle. "Hi there. Are you hurt?" She was pretty sure she interfered before the Pidgey did anything major, but it was hard to know for sure.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead looks up from the fire she was just about to light, a twitch running down her spine. Something odd was happening.
She stood up and turned in a circle, trying to find the source of the odd disturbance. Her hair was floating a few seconds behind whenever she moved, the air almost felt like she was near a power plant? Was this a Pokemon or something.. else?
"Gastly?" she said softly as she picked up her staff "Do you see anything?"


Perception to try and spot the source of the oddity:

Mairead's Perception: [roll0]
Gastly's Perception: [roll1]

And both Occult & PokeKnowledge to try and work out what this is:

Occult: [roll2]
Pokemon Ed: [roll3]

If nothing is immediately visible she'll start searching for the source.

[Zelphas]

Matt's eyes gleam as he overhears the phone conversation. A change to the landscape? Probably not the physical landscape, unless they meant something man-made, like a new highway or train. Social landscape, perhaps? Or political? And why was Professor Kranberry being notified? "I will definitely visit, as soon as I am nearby," Matt promises the old man sincerely, waving as he walks away.

The second buzz from his Pokedex catches his attention, and Matt fishes it out. He replies quickly to Ajahn Suchart: ~I'll be happy to trade for any Roggenrola you find, or possibly an Onix; anything I should look for for you in the forest?~ Mairead's text causes him to frown, and he sends her a reply. ~Be careful; the wilds of Meldia aren't all that tame, or so I've been told. Good hunting!~ Matt considers a moment, then fires off a quick text to Arianna. ~It sounds like Miss Mairead and Ajahn Suchart are going to be up in the mountains until tomorrow. Do you want to meet up and head to town, so we don't all split entirely apart? I'm in the woods nearby; just let me know if you want to meet up.~

His messages sent, Matt decides to walk through the woods for a little while, looking for any other interesting Pokemon to add to his little team.

Matt's keeping an eye out for any Treeckos, but he's especially looking for anything good against Flying Types. Anything Electric Type would be a huge plus.

Perception: [roll0]
Survival: [roll1]

[SiegeTower]

Naomi texts Matt back.

"Find me something spicy for a Pokemon. I hear Liechi berries will burn your lips off. Or liek one of them Pokemon macaroon things. Pokepoofs or whatever. Does that come in spicy?"

The daylight was starting to slip away so this was Naomi's last chance to catch a Pokemon before she caught some "Z"s. She would probably kick a rock and discover it being a Roggenrola before days end. She would trade the weaker of the Pokemon she catches today to Matt if she managed a second one.

[Zephykinns]

Now that the Pidgey's dealt with, it was time to address what Arianna came here for. She crouched down to get closer to the Sewaddle. "Hi there. Are you hurt?" She was pretty sure she interfered before the Pidgey did anything major, but it was hard to know for sure.
The Sewaddle panics a little and looks about, but seeing the strange but kindred human eliminated the fight or flight reflex buried deep inside it.

Give a quick charm check, remember your plus two to bugs!

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead looks up from the fire she was just about to light, a twitch running down her spine. Something odd was happening.
She stood up and turned in a circle, trying to find the source of the odd disturbance. Her hair was floating a few seconds behind whenever she moved, the air almost felt like she was near a power plant? Was this a Pokemon or something.. else?
"Gastly?" she said softly as she picked up her staff "Do you see anything?"


Perception to try and spot the source of the oddity:

Mairead's Perception: [roll0]
Gastly's Perception: [roll1]

And both Occult & PokeKnowledge to try and work out what this is:

Occult: [roll2]
Pokemon Ed: [roll3]

If nothing is immediately visible she'll start searching for the source.

Mairead knows that this isn't supernal at all. In fact, it may just be a magnetic field. A short ways behind her, she hears a telltale call. "Magnemiiiite," and she discovers that a Magnemite had been floating past her way and above her a good three meters above her head.

Matt's eyes gleam as he overhears the phone conversation. A change to the landscape? Probably not the physical landscape, unless they meant something man-made, like a new highway or train. Social landscape, perhaps? Or political? And why was Professor Kranberry being notified? "I will definitely visit, as soon as I am nearby," Matt promises the old man sincerely, waving as he walks away.

The second buzz from his Pokedex catches his attention, and Matt fishes it out. He replies quickly to Ajahn Suchart: ~I'll be happy to trade for any Roggenrola you find, or possibly an Onix; anything I should look for for you in the forest?~ Mairead's text causes him to frown, and he sends her a reply. ~Be careful; the wilds of Meldia aren't all that tame, or so I've been told. Good hunting!~ Matt considers a moment, then fires off a quick text to Arianna. ~It sounds like Miss Mairead and Ajahn Suchart are going to be up in the mountains until tomorrow. Do you want to meet up and head to town, so we don't all split entirely apart? I'm in the woods nearby; just let me know if you want to meet up.~

His messages sent, Matt decides to walk through the woods for a little while, looking for any other interesting Pokemon to add to his little team.

Matt's keeping an eye out for any Treeckos, but he's especially looking for anything good against Flying Types. Anything Electric Type would be a huge plus.

Perception: [roll0]
Survival: [roll1]
Matt's perceptive eyes catch something rustling amongst the tree tops. Though the pokemon had tried it's best to conceal itself, but it's yellow body gives it away. An Emolga sits atop a branch eyeing the trainer, ready to spring forth to escape if Matt approaches too quickly.

Naomi texts Matt back.

"Find me something spicy for a Pokemon. I hear Liechi berries will burn your lips off. Or like one of them Pokemon macaroon things. Pokepoofs or whatever. Does that come in spicy?"

The daylight was starting to slip away so this was Naomi's last chance to catch a Pokemon before she caught some "Z"s. She would probably kick a rock and discover it being a Roggenrola before days end. She would trade the weaker of the Pokemon she catches today to Matt if she managed a second one. Off in the distance, Naomi sees something shiny up on a cliff. A glint of metal perhaps? She'll have to climb up to discover it.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead relaxes as she spots the Magnemite. Nothing odd going on at all.
"Hey there little buddy, want to come with us and explore strange new places?"
Shifting her quarterstaff to one hand she reaches to her belt and pulls out a pokeball, holding it out towards the Magnemite


Trying Charm to convince it to come with us willingly: [roll0]
If/when that fails, it's fightin time!

Gastly will kick off with Mean Look so that the Magnemite can't get away (and is Slowed too)

[SiegeTower]

"Huh?" Naomi sees the object of interest above her. She shrugs thinking why it wouldn't be worth taking a look. She spits on her hands and readies for a climb. Considering she was wearing handwraps the spitting was useless. Naomi however hadn't spat in a while and she needed an excuse to do so.


Athletics: [roll0]

[Zelphas]

Matt's eyes light up as he sees the Emolga sitting in the trees. Perfect. Electric-Flying Type, and as far as I've heard they're great at tricks. Moving slowly and carefully, Matt walks up to the tree, leaning up against a tree nearby. Still moving carefully, Matt picks up a few rocks from the ground and begins to juggle. He starts with a simple maneuver, but then starts getting flashier and more complex, hoping to enitce the Emolga closer with the display.

Charm to enchant the Emolga: [roll0]

[Zephykinns]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead relaxes as she spots the Magnemite. Nothing odd going on at all.
"Hey there little buddy, want to come with us and explore strange new places?"
Shifting her quarterstaff to one hand she reaches to her belt and pulls out a pokeball, holding it out towards the Magnemite


Trying Charm to convince it to come with us willingly: [roll0]
If/when that fails, it's fightin time!

Gastly will kick off with Mean Look so that the Magnemite can't get away (and is Slowed too)
You hit that DC RIGHT on the nail there.


The Magnemite, originally quite fearful of this sudden new thing in its prescence, halts. It has no idea what to make of Mairead. But it can tell by her tone that she means it no harm, at the very least.

"Huh?" Naomi sees the object of interest above her. She shrugs thinking why it wouldn't be worth taking a look. She spits on her hands and readies for a climb. Considering she was wearing handwraps the spitting was useless. Naomi however hadn't spat in a while and she needed an excuse to do so.


Athletics: [roll0]
Naomi slowly but surely pressed her way up the rocks with a skill that comes with living in these lands of Meldia. After ten minute sof climbind, making sure not to die along the way, Naomi pops her head out to spy a small steel body rooting its way along the rock face. The Aaron seems somewhat distracted by something, but it does seem intent on trying to dig its way to the other side of the mountain for some reason.


Matt's eyes light up as he sees the Emolga sitting in the trees. Perfect. Electric-Flying Type, and as far as I've heard they're great at tricks. Moving slowly and carefully, Matt walks up to the tree, leaning up against a tree nearby. Still moving carefully, Matt picks up a few rocks from the ground and begins to juggle. He starts with a simple maneuver, but then starts getting flashier and more complex, hoping to enitce the Emolga closer with the display.

Charm to enchant the Emolga: [roll0]

The Emolga looks like it's going to jump away for a brief moment, but it begins to get hypnotized by the balls in the air. Matt has its curiosity and at the very least it looks like it's not afraid anymore.



On another note, the Sewaddle seems extremely taken by Arianna. By the end of the ecounter, the Sewaddle is rubbing onto her legs and seems quite pleased with itself at finding a human that isn't fearful or disgusted, but actually seems to care about it.

[Zelphas]

Matt continues to move the rocks in more and more complex patterns, bouncing them off of the branches around him and back into his hands. Soon, he's juggling four objects, then five.

With a sudden, quick grin, Matt flips a ball in a special flourish. The ball arcs up, bounces off of a branch... and falls directly towards the watching Emolga.

Guile to catch the Emolga off-guard: [roll0]

Using Bounce Shot, hitting the Emolga with Matt's Quick Ball.

Accuracy: [roll1]
Capture Roll: [roll2]

[SiegeTower]

Naomi finishes her climb and lifts herself onto the plateau. That was nothing. She could have used another thirty feet or so of climbing to make it a decent workout. Oh well, at least there was a possible reward in it for her. What was that little bugger doing? Eh, might as well catch it while it ain't looking. Naomi sends out Sue yet again.

"Same as before. Let's see if this one can take a hit."

While Sue likely knocks out the distracted Pokemon, Naomi takes a gander around to see what the Aron was scuttling away from. Naomi was hoping for a strong Pokemon that was scaring it. Anything that could scare a Pokemon away without actually attacking it would certainly be worth catching. That is, if it was a Pokemon it was running away from.



To Hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
If Crit: [roll2](You're already dead)

Perception: [roll3]

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


The Magnemite, originally quite fearful of this sudden new thing in its prescence, halts. It has no idea what to make of Mairead. But it can tell by her tone that she means it no harm, at the very least.

Beckoning Gastly down to say hello, Mairead reached into her pack. 'Magnemite.. they eat electricity, I wonder if I've got anything..' she dug a little more frantically into her pack, but came up empty 'Dammit. Ever since I got these goggles I've stopped even carrying spare batteries. Stupid. Stupid. Wait, I wonder..'

This time reaching into the pouch at her side she pulled out the two Yellow shards she'd picked up that morning and held them out towards the Magnemite, reaching to scratch it behind the magnets with the other hand "I know these look strange but they're attuned with both Electric and Steel pokemon energies, maybe they'll give off a tasty energy for you?"

After another minute of fussing over the pokemon Mairead pulled out one of the Friend balls she'd picked up and gently lobbed it at the magnemite from a couple of feet away "If you come with us I can promise you adventure, excitement, and the chance to test yourself against all kinds of other Pokemon."


Hit roll for the pokeball, hopefully when I inevitably miss the pokemon will deliberately try and get caught ;) : [roll0]
Capture roll if required: [roll1]

[aturtledoesbite]

"Hehe, you don't have to be clingy. Now, come on, we've got an adventure to go on." Arianna pulls out a Poké Ball and bops the Sewaddle with it, drawing it in. Once it clicks, she lets it out again, putting it on the shoulder opposite Muffet. "There we go." She'd have to think up a name for it.

I'm assuming for the sake of speeding things along that the capture would succeed. Lemme know if I need to change any of the above.

With that done, Arianna notices that her Pokédex has a few messages on it. Let's see here...the other girls are off on/near the mountain, Matt's in the forest...Thinking about it, the forest wouldn't be a bad place to look for Pokémon herself. And if she runs into Matt while she's there...well, he's at least not too put off by her mobile hive, and there's also that Paras, so it wouldn't be too bad.

That settles it, off to the forest!

[Zephykinns]

Matt continues to move the rocks in more and more complex patterns, bouncing them off of the branches around him and back into his hands. Soon, he's juggling four objects, then five.

With a sudden, quick grin, Matt flips a ball in a special flourish. The ball arcs up, bounces off of a branch... and falls directly towards the watching Emolga.

Guile to catch the Emolga off-guard: [roll0]

Using Bounce Shot, hitting the Emolga with Matt's Quick Ball.

Accuracy: [roll1]
Capture Roll: [roll2]
Matt's ball whirls into the air, bounces off a branch and lands on the Emolga. Rustle.....Rustle.... BWAM! And the Emolga is back out of the ball, now feeling threatened, it readies itself for an electrical attack.

Single stage pokemon, I'm telling ya.

Naomi finishes her climb and lifts herself onto the plateau. That was nothing. She could have used another thirty feet or so of climbing to make it a decent workout. Oh well, at least there was a possible reward in it for her. What was that little bugger doing? Eh, might as well catch it while it ain't looking. Naomi sends out Sue yet again.

"Same as before. Let's see if this one can take a hit."
While Sue likely knocks out the distracted Pokemon, Naomi takes a gander around to see what the Aron was scuttling away from. Naomi was hoping for a strong Pokemon that was scaring it. Anything that could scare a Pokemon away without actually attacking it would certainly be worth catching. That is, if it was a Pokemon it was running away from.



To Hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
If Crit: [roll2](You're already dead)

Perception: [roll3]


Sue's kick definitely did a number on the Aron, as the dust clears, the Aron is definitely up despite taking an injury. It soon charges for the Mankey, but misses its head butt and gets ready for another charge! At the same time, a low rumbling is heard from the mountain. The Aron, despite being a sliver away from fainting, still is acting like it has a chance.


"Hehe, you don't have to be clingy. Now, come on, we've got an adventure to go on." Arianna pulls out a Poké Ball and bops the Sewaddle with it, drawing it in. Once it clicks, she lets it out again, putting it on the shoulder opposite Muffet. "There we go." She'd have to think up a name for it.

I'm assuming for the sake of speeding things along that the capture would succeed. Lemme know if I need to change any of the above.

With that done, Arianna notices that her Pokédex has a few messages on it. Let's see here...the other girls are off on/near the mountain, Matt's in the forest...Thinking about it, the forest wouldn't be a bad place to look for Pokémon herself. And if she runs into Matt while she's there...well, he's at least not too put off by her mobile hive, and there's also that Paras, so it wouldn't be too bad.

That settles it, off to the forest!

Arianna does happen to come across Matt attempting to catch the Emolga, but failing for this first attempt

Standard 1 xp for this new pokemon

Level: 8
Gender: Female
Weight Class: 1
Size: Small
Nature: Careful (+SpDef, -SpAtk)
Ability: Leaf Gift

HP 5/8
Atk 5/8
Def 7/11
SpAtk 2/4
SpDef 8/13
Speed 4/5


Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)



Beckoning Gastly down to say hello, Mairead reached into her pack. 'Magnemite.. they eat electricity, I wonder if I've got anything..' she dug a little more frantically into her pack, but came up empty 'Dammit. Ever since I got these goggles I've stopped even carrying spare batteries. Stupid. Stupid. Wait, I wonder..'

This time reaching into the pouch at her side she pulled out the two Yellow shards she'd picked up that morning and held them out towards the Magnemite, reaching to scratch it behind the magnets with the other hand "I know these look strange but they're attuned with both Electric and Steel pokemon energies, maybe they'll give off a tasty energy for you?"

After another minute of fussing over the pokemon Mairead pulled out one of the Friend balls she'd picked up and gently lobbed it at the magnemite from a couple of feet away "If you come with us I can promise you adventure, excitement, and the chance to test yourself against all kinds of other Pokemon."


Hit roll for the pokeball, hopefully when I inevitably miss the pokemon will deliberately try and get caught ;) : [roll0]
Capture roll if required: [roll1]

What transpires here may be considered one of the most awkward captures in pokemon history. Mairead, despite throwing the pokeball so clumsily, still manages to hit the Magnemite, due to it being entirely distracted by a passing breeze. The Friend ball connects, sending the Magnemite into it. Rustle....Rustle....Ding!

Standard rules for catching new pokemon. 1 new Trainer XP

Level: 10
Gender: Genderless
Weight Class: 1
Size: Small
Nature: Distracted (+HP, -Def)
Ability: Sturdy
HP 4/5
Atk 4/5
Def 5/8
SpAtk 10/17
SpDef 6/11
Speed 5/8

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead pumps her hand in the air in victory as Magnemite gets caught.
"Gastly" the pokemon's voice holds more than a slight note of amusement.
"Did not, I just didn't feel we needed to throw it hard enough to hurt, my throw was in no danger of missing, don't care what you say."

Moments later she tosses the friend ball and releases Magnemite, giving it a quick hug "Welcome to the team! We'll be battling a gym leader soon so I hope you feel up for it!"

After that the rest of the evening/early night will be spent setting up her tent and a small fire, chatting to her new Magnemite and ensuring it feels welcome and assuming no interesting sounds (*cough*Deino*cough*) come from a nearby cave, Mairead will go to sleep for the night.
Pokemon will be left out of their pokeballs if they prefer.

[aturtledoesbite]

As Arianna trekked through the forest, a stray thought flew through her head. Matt was being awfully friendly...what if he was like all those Bug Catchers who just used her to get to her bugs? It didn't seem likely, but now that the doubt was there, it was stuck in her mind like a fly in a web.

That's why, when she saw Matt in the forest, she stayed hidden and started heading in another direction. Sure, she'd have to confront the possibility sooner or later, but it didn't have to be now.

[Zelphas]

Matt's grin only widens as the Emolga bursts out of the Quick Ball. "Strong and clever; amazing!" he calls out to the little mouse, before turning to Duster. "All right, Duster; Wound and worry!" The little Paras chirps, then shoots a blast of toxic gunk at the Emolga. A moment later, another Pokeball comes flying out of Matt's hands, bouncing off of a different branch and aiming to hit the Emolga.

Matt:

Hold action until after Duster's turn.

Duster:
Move Action: Get within range of the Emolga.

Standard Action: Toxic on the Emolga.
Accuracy: [roll0] vs. 4+ Evasion; Badly Poisons on a hit.

If it hits, Matt uses 1 AP to have Duster use a Manipulate Maneuver--Bon Mot. It auto hits, so it's Matt's Guile vs. the Emolga's Guile or Focus, or else it's Enraged and can't use AP for one turn. Guile: [roll1]

Matt:

Move Action: None.

Standard Action: use Curve Ball to hit Emolga with a Basic Ball.
Accuracy: [roll2] vs. 4+Evasion
Damage: [roll3]
If Crit: [roll4]
Capture Roll: [roll5]

Perception to see if Matt notices Arianna: [roll6]

[SiegeTower]

"Still standing? Good!" Naomi reaches into her pack and grabs a basic pokeball. The great ball would be saved for something that put up more of a fight.

"Sue! Stand back and keep your blood pumping."


Sue uses Focus Energy

Throw:[roll0]
Catch:[roll1]

If the first attempt fails and nothing eventful happens, Naomi will try throwing another one.

Throw:[roll2]
Catch:[roll3]

If caught, before naming the Pokeman:

Naomi takes a last look around to see what may have been scaring the Aron. Sue is instructed to do the same so she can hopefully get one good wild Pokemon fight in today.



Naomi's Perception: [roll4]
Sue's Perception: [roll5]

[Zephykinns]

"Still standing? Good!" Naomi reaches into her pack and grabs a basic pokeball. The great ball would be saved for something that put up more of a fight.

"Sue! Stand back and keep your blood pumping."


Sue uses Focus Energy

Throw:[roll0]
Catch:[roll1]

If the first attempt fails and nothing eventful happens, Naomi will try throwing another one.

Throw:[roll2]
Catch:[roll3]

If caught, before naming the Pokeman:

Naomi takes a last look around to see what may have been scaring the Aron. Sue is instructed to do the same so she can hopefully get one good wild Pokemon fight in today.



Naomi's Perception: [roll4]
Sue's Perception: [roll5]

With the Aron as badly hurt as it was, it was scooped up into the pokeball. Two shakes, then stillness.
Level: 10
Gender: Female
Weight Class: 4
Size: Small
Nature: Proud
Ability: Sturdy

HP 6/10
Atk 7/11
Def 10/20
SpAtk 2/2
SpDef 4/9
Speed 3/3

1 injury
Not too much longer, Naomi hears a low growl distorted into a higher pitch by metal coming from within the mountain. Violent impact sounds seem to be coming from within the mountain, parts of the rock wall start to crumble and a sliver appears in the rock wall and give way to a pair of blue eyes surrounded by a metal face.


Matt's grin only widens as the Emolga bursts out of the Quick Ball. "Strong and clever; amazing!" he calls out to the little mouse, before turning to Duster. "All right, Duster; Wound and worry!" The little Paras chirps, then shoots a blast of toxic gunk at the Emolga. A moment later, another Pokeball comes flying out of Matt's hands, bouncing off of a different branch and aiming to hit the Emolga.

Matt:

Hold action until after Duster's turn.

Duster:
Move Action: Get within range of the Emolga.

Standard Action: Toxic on the Emolga.
Accuracy: [roll0] vs. 4+ Evasion; Badly Poisons on a hit.

If it hits, Matt uses 1 AP to have Duster use a Manipulate Maneuver--Bon Mot. It auto hits, so it's Matt's Guile vs. the Emolga's Guile or Focus, or else it's Enraged and can't use AP for one turn. Guile: [roll1]

Matt:

Move Action: None.

Standard Action: use Curve Ball to hit Emolga with a Basic Ball.
Accuracy: [roll2] vs. 4+Evasion
Damage: [roll3]
If Crit: [roll4]
Capture Roll: [roll5]

Perception to see if Matt notices Arianna: [roll6]

Emolga, outspeeding both Duster and Matt, takes it's turn to send an electric shock at Duster. The Zap hits, but doesn't do much. (7) Matt's ball homes in on the Emolga, but the rodent is nimble enough to dodge out of the way. Unfortunately it wasn't nimble enough to dodge out of the way of the toxic sludge. With the poison, the pokemon's temper flares and it won't do anything but attack from now on.

Matt does indeed notice Arianna's head peeking out from a tree. With his perceptive eyes, it was as if she was telegraphing her every move.




On another note, and in the future technically, Mairead's sleep is somewhat troubled. She dreams that something is chasing her, attempting to devour her whole. The monster is faceless and pale with intricate runes etched over the entirety of its body glowing in a light blue. It is almost on Mairead's heels before something come in between her and her potential killer. Mairead can't fully make out what is saving her, but its driving the monster back with a relentless attack. With each blow, flower petals burst into the air as if it were blood. The beast, fearing for its life, runs away. Mairead's rescuer turns around, and it is as if a mirror has been cast in front of her. A rapier in one hand and a buckler in another, the fake Mairead smiles and fades away. If Mairead stirs awake in the night, she'd notice a rustle in the bushes and its prescence disappears soon after.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


On another note, and in the future technically, Mairead's sleep is somewhat troubled. She dreams that something is chasing her, attempting to devour her whole. The monster is faceless and pale with intricate runes etched over the entirety of its body glowing in a light blue. It is almost on Mairead's heels before something come in between her and her potential killer. Mairead can't fully make out what is saving her, but its driving the monster back with a relentless attack. With each blow, flower petals burst into the air as if it were blood. The beast, fearing for its life, runs away. Mairead's rescuer turns around, and it is as if a mirror has been cast in front of her. A rapier in one hand and a buckler in another, the fake Mairead smiles and fades away. If Mairead stirs awake in the night, she'd notice a rustle in the bushes and its prescence disappears soon after.

"Iiiiiiii, hear your voice, on the wind"
Mairead yawned and stretched as her alarm went off "And Iiiiiiii, hear you call out my name"
She frowned slightly as memories of last night's nightmare came flooding back to her "Listen my child you say to me"
"Huh. It's been a while since I had one of those chasing dreams." "I am the voice of your History"
"Guess rushing headlong into a new place rattled my brain a little." "Be not afraid, come follow me"
"Still, what kind of monster bleeds rose petals? Was I being chased by a highschool dance pinata?" "Answer my call and I'll set you freeeeeee"

She turned off her alarm and rose, greeting Gastly as he hovered nearby and calling a hello to Magnemite who seemed to be watching a flight of birds fly over.
"I'm really sorry Magnemite but I don't have any appropriate food for you. We'll be in town in a few hours, we'll get you some food there, okay?"
"Magnemite" the Magnemite briefly turned to her and bobbed up and down, then hovered after a butterfly flying between nearby plants.

"Well, I guess there's nothing left to do but find a nice cave to do some dowsing in, and then heading back to town to wait for the others."

With that thought, Mairead rapidly broke camp apparently completely unaware of whatever had been in the bushes during the night...

[SiegeTower]

"This is way too easy." Naomi picks up yet another new Pokemon while feeling overly confident in herself. This was good timing too, the sun was about to set so Naomi could call it a night after her winning streak. Camping on the cliff face would be cool. She could see all the people of the land beneath her, where they should be. Naomi was going to crack out the tent and sleeping bag but it seemed she had one more challenge waiting for her before bed.

The last challenger of the day to Naomi's winning streak knew how to make an entrance. It destroyed the side of the mountain like it was bursting through a paper doorway. Naomi could smell what this steel/rock type was cooking.

In the most brilliant move Naomi has had in ages, she decides to try and take the Aggron down!

"I told you to stay pumped! This is the last one Sue!"



Naomi to hit[roll0]
Low Sweep Damage:[roll1]
If Crit:[roll2]

Sue to Hit:[roll3]
Sue low Kick: [roll4]
If Crit (Which is on a 15+ right now) [roll5]

[Zelphas]

Matt winces as his Pokeball overshoots, then catches sight of Arianna. "Hello!" he calls out, switching his juggling to one hand to wave at the girl. "I'm guessing you got my text, then? Just let me finish up here, and then we can get going. Duster! Try your new trick!"

The Paras crawls up the tree trunk deftly, its tiny pincers grasping towards the Emolga. Just after it moves, three Pokeballs leap from Matt's hands and go spinning in separate directions. The first hits Duster, recalling him and jumping back to Matt's hands. The second drops directly next to Matt, releasing Ringling by his side. The third and final ball ricochets off of Duster's ball and spins towards the Emolga once more.

Duster:
Move Action: Get into Melee range with the Emolga. He has Wallclimber, so he can move up the tree trunk with ease.

Standard Action: Leech Life on the Emolga, Physical Bug
Accuracy: [roll0] vs. 2+Evasion
Damage: [roll1]
If Crit: [roll2]
Duster gets back half of the damage that he deals as HP.

Matt:

Free Action (using 1 AP): Round Trip. Returning Duster, and releasing Ringling at Matt's side.

Move Action: None.

Standard Action: Bounce Shot to (hopefully) hit the Emolga with another Basic Ball.
Accuracy: [roll3] vs. 4+ Evasion
Damage: [roll4]
If Crit: [roll5]
Capture Roll: [roll6]

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna's about to step away, until Matt calls out to her. She's surprised he could see her from all the way over there. "U-um, yeah..." So much for stepping away. As he slung Poké Balls about, she instinctively put a hand on Muffet and the as-yet-unnamed Sewaddle.

[Zephykinns]

"This is way too easy." Naomi picks up yet another new Pokemon while feeling overly confident in herself. This was good timing too, the sun was about to set so Naomi could call it a night after her winning streak. Camping on the cliff face would be cool. She could see all the people of the land beneath her, where they should be. Naomi was going to crack out the tent and sleeping bag but it seemed she had one more challenge waiting for her before bed.

The last challenger of the day to Naomi's winning streak knew how to make an entrance. It destroyed the side of the mountain like it was bursting through a paper doorway. Naomi could smell what this steel/rock type was cooking.

In the most brilliant move Naomi has had in ages, she decides to try and take the Aggron down!

"I told you to stay pumped! This is the last one Sue!"



Naomi to hit[roll0]
Low Sweep Damage:[roll1]
If Crit:[roll2]

Sue to Hit:[roll3]
Sue low Kick: [roll4]
If Crit (Which is on a 15+ right now) [roll5]

Sue and the Aggron move simultaneously, Sue's kick does indeed come down hard, but only so much can be done to something whose body is solid as rock. (18) The aggron, brings it's tail down on the mankey, hoping to finish this and scare away the human. They had already taken one of its offspring, it wouldn't let them take any more. The tail connects (55), sending Sue crashing down just behind Naomi as her kick connects (1). Naomi feels the pain of kicking a steel giant. Aggron roars. Waiting to see if the trainer wants to meet the same fate.


Matt winces as his Pokeball overshoots, then catches sight of Arianna. "Hello!" he calls out, switching his juggling to one hand to wave at the girl. "I'm guessing you got my text, then? Just let me finish up here, and then we can get going. Duster! Try your new trick!"

The Paras crawls up the tree trunk deftly, its tiny pincers grasping towards the Emolga. Just after it moves, three Pokeballs leap from Matt's hands and go spinning in separate directions. The first hits Duster, recalling him and jumping back to Matt's hands. The second drops directly next to Matt, releasing Ringling by his side. The third and final ball ricochets off of Duster's ball and spins towards the Emolga once more.

Duster:
Move Action: Get into Melee range with the Emolga. He has Wallclimber, so he can move up the tree trunk with ease.

Standard Action: Leech Life on the Emolga, Physical Bug
Accuracy: [roll0] vs. 2+Evasion
Damage: [roll1]
If Crit: [roll2]
Duster gets back half of the damage that he deals as HP.

Matt:

Free Action (using 1 AP): Round Trip. Returning Duster, and releasing Ringling at Matt's side.

Move Action: None.

Standard Action: Bounce Shot to (hopefully) hit the Emolga with another Basic Ball.
Accuracy: [roll3] vs. 4+ Evasion
Damage: [roll4]
If Crit: [roll5]
Capture Roll: [roll6]

The Emolga gets ready for a truly shocking development and starts to charge its cheecks, only to take a direct hit from the leech life. (13). Matt's ball connect with the Emolga. Shake.....shake.....shake....shake...........ding!

Level: 10
Gender: Female
Weight Class: 1
Size: Small
Nature: Modest (+SpAtk, -Atk)
Ability: Static

HP 6/9
Atk 6/6
Def 6/9
SpAtk 10/14
SpDef 6/10
Speed 10/16

Woohoo! 5 Pkmn XP and 1 Trainer XP




Night starts to approach. Arianna and Matt do hear what seems to be a really loud roar coming from the mountains.

[SiegeTower]

Although Sue was demolishing all of her opposition today, this Aggron was just a wee bit tougher than the others. Naomi's cockiness had gotten the best of her and Arceus only knows how she thought this fight would play out in her favour. Once both Sue and Naomi land their simultaneous brutal attacks, Naomi was sure the steel giant would be thrown back. Instead the Aggron's reaction is no reaction. It didn't even notice it was being hit. (http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/2-03-2016/yp-Sb4.gif) Naomi's expression immediately falls from overly confident to just having seen a ghost.

Sue is nearly killed by the casual flicking of the Aggron's tail. Naomi could tell she would be next. She returns Sue back to her Pokeball then stares at the Aggron. Naomi wasn't in her fighting stance any longer and rather looked as if she was stuck trying to make conversation with someone she had nothing in common with.

"Soooooo...I think we got off on the wrong foot here." Naomi coughs slightly. "Oh my Arceus! What is that!?!" Naomi points very suddenly and forcefully at something behind and above the Aggron. Whether it looks or not, Naomi still runs for the hills.

There wasn't much space to run but that didn't stop Naomi was making as much distance between herself and the Aggron as possible. Once she runs out of rock to plant her feet on, Naomi stride doesn't miss a beat and she leaps off the cliff the climbed up moments earlier.

Now it was debatable whether fighting the Aggron or leaping off the mountain face was a worse idea. What was clear is that Naomi was immediately regretting both decisions. On the entire way down from where she jumped, Naomi repeatedly shouts a very improper "F" word and with no breaths in between. If she was high enough, this would be a very rude thing for the entirety of the land below to hear being bellowed and echoed from the mountain tops.



Guile (just for fun): [roll0]

Acrobatics: [roll1]

Naomi's Soft Landing ability also calculates it as her having fallen 2 meters less.

[Zelphas]

"Yes!" Matt catches the newly-caught Emolga's Pokeball, placing it back in his bag. "I'll get you healed up, and then we'll talk, Erendira," he promises. Quickly sweeping the ground for his Basic Ball and Quick Ball, Matt retireves them if he can and then turns to Arianna with a smile.

Whatever he is about to say is interrupted by a massive roar from the mountains. Matt looks that way uneasily, and then back to Arianna. "I hope Ajahn Suchart and Miss Mairead aren't anywhere near whatever's making that noise!" he says with forced brightness. "Come on, we should probably get to the village before it gets too dark. Oh, Arianna, this is Ringling; Ringling, Arianna. I met him when I came into the woods; he was with Professor Kranberry. Did you catch anything interesting?" he asks, simply making small talk as they walk.

Perception to see if Matt can find his Quick Ball and Basic Ball: [roll0]

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna looks down toward Ringling, curiously. Muffet was looking at it as well, but for a...tastier reason. It certainly looked curious compared to normal Cherrims, but Arianna gave it no further mind.

Matt's innocent question hit Arianna's fears right on, that he was using her for her bugs. There maaaaay have been a few stretches in logic to make it fit, though. So, instead of answering directly, she changed the topic. "P-professor Kranberry? Who's t-that?"

While they walked, Arianna kept an eye out for any wild Pokémon, particularly those of her affinity.

Edited this in, so my perception roll will be in OOC.

[Zephykinns]

Although Sue was demolishing all of her opposition today, this Aggron was just a wee bit tougher than the others. Naomi's cockiness had gotten the best of her and Arceus only knows how she thought this fight would play out in her favour. Once both Sue and Naomi land their simultaneous brutal attacks, Naomi was sure the steel giant would be thrown back. Instead the Aggron's reaction is no reaction. It didn't even notice it was being hit. (http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/2-03-2016/yp-Sb4.gif) Naomi's expression immediately falls from overly confident to just having seen a ghost.

Sue is nearly killed by the casual flicking of the Aggron's tail. Naomi could tell she would be next. She returns Sue back to her Pokeball then stares at the Aggron. Naomi wasn't in her fighting stance any longer and rather looked as if she was stuck trying to make conversation with someone she had nothing in common with.

"Soooooo...I think we got off on the wrong foot here." Naomi coughs slightly. "Oh my Arceus! What is that!?!" Naomi points very suddenly and forcefully at something behind and above the Aggron. Whether it looks or not, Naomi still runs for the hills.

There wasn't much space to run but that didn't stop Naomi was making as much distance between herself and the Aggron as possible. Once she runs out of rock to plant her feet on, Naomi stride doesn't miss a beat and she leaps off the cliff the climbed up moments earlier.

Now it was debatable whether fighting the Aggron or leaping off the mountain face was a worse idea. What was clear is that Naomi was immediately regretting both decisions. On the entire way down from where she jumped, Naomi repeatedly shouts a very improper "F" word and with no breaths in between. If she was high enough, this would be a very rude thing for the entirety of the land below to hear being bellowed and echoed from the mountain tops.



Guile (just for fun): [roll0]

Acrobatics: [roll1]

Naomi's Soft Landing ability also calculates it as her having fallen 2 meters less.


Aggron wasn't ammused. As Naomi jumped, he swiped at her, barely missing. As naomi fell, she was skillfull enough at falling to catch herself on a ledge, killing the momentum slightly, causing her to run down the the mountain at breakneck speeds. She could only do so much before running down into the forest, coming face to face with a tree. Not in the friendly manner. (5)


Arianna looks down toward Ringling, curiously. Muffet was looking at it as well, but for a...tastier reason. It certainly looked curious compared to normal Cherrims, but Arianna gave it no further mind.

Matt's innocent question hit Arianna's fears right on, that he was using her for her bugs. There maaaaay have been a few stretches in logic to make it fit, though. So, instead of answering directly, she changed the topic. "P-professor Kranberry? Who's t-that?"

While they walked, Arianna kept an eye out for any wild Pokémon, particularly those of her affinity.

Edited this in, so my perception roll will be in OOC.

With the coming night, there's a bit of a hush. Unless Arianna was ready to climb up trees and look for bugs going to sleep and those waking up, there's a small respite from pokemon activity. Darkness begins to descend and both Matt and Arianna hear a loud thud from one of the trees in the distance.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi can feel the wind trailing behind the swipe of the Aggron's claw. She was glad she got to keep her spine in place. Naomi leeps of the side of the cliff and with some cartoon physics, runs almost 90 degrees downward. With both gravity and her own running speed propelling her, Naomi meets the forest below in the blink of an eye. There was no way Naomi was going to be able to stop herself though. She had picked up far too much speed. Luckily a tree branch was nice enough to give her a stopping point. Right to the head.

Naomi's head is shot back while the bottom half of her is still being carried forward a foot or two. Naomi is again rotated 90 degrees and this time resulting in her being parallel to the ground. Naomi got a good look at the sky from this angle. It had gotten pretty dark. Maybe it was time to go to bed. Even if it wasn't time. Naomi didn't have a choice in the matter. It was time for her to conk out.

Naomi rests until morning.

[Zelphas]

Matt sighs at the loss of his Quick Ball. You're worth at least 1300 PokeBaht to me now, Erendira, he thinks to himself.

He's surprised that Arianna seems to dodge his answer; maybe she didn't catch anything, or something got away? Or maybe she's just shy. He decides not to press for now. "He's an older man, says that he studies Pokemon in relation to their environment. According to him, Ringling is like any other of his species; he was just raised in a different place than most Cherubi." Ringling is hiding slightly behind one of Matt's legs. Every once in a while, the Cherubi pops out to take a look at Muffet. "He lives in Circuma Town, and it sounds like he's into some... interesting research."

Matt jumps a little when he hears the thump, his head whipping towards the noise. A second later, he looks at Arianna, quirking an eyebrow. "What do you say? Investigate, or avoid?" he queries, his feet already shuffling towards the source of the sound.

[aturtledoesbite]

A part of Arianna wanted to do exactly that and climb the trees to find some bug Pokémon. But it was getting pretty dark...maybe some other time.

When Matt mentioned it was a Cherubi, she had to remind herself that Cherrims were the evolved form. She always got those mixed up. When they heard the thud, Arianna jumped back a bit. "W-what was that?" In response to Matt's question, she begins to reply, "I-I think, m-maybe we..." She trails off as she realizes Matt's heading that way anyway. She pulls out her flashlight so they could see better.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

After breaking camp Mairead led her two pokemon through a small cave for a brief bit of exploring.
'Now what did I need to do to attune this properly? Oh, that's it!' The tip of the dowsing rod started glowing blue as Mairead headed into the cave.

Ten minutes later Mairead stood back at the entrance to the cave, somewhat flabbergasted at the huge pile of Blue shards slipping through her fingers. This cave was the most lucrative place she'd ever Dowsed!

Now she just had to meet up with her teammates and find out from the Pokemon center the best way to feed her new Magnemite.
As they slowly started wandering back to town Mairead started assembling the shards and threading them onto pieces of cord from her pack, making them into Braces. This should make the Flying gym much, much easier.


Woo! Dowsing Rod.
Takes ten minutes to use, can be used a number of times per day equal to half my Occult Ed rank (currently 4).
Can be used while in any route, cave, or outside area. Get a bonus roll if used in/on a beach, cave, desert, or any other sandy or rocky area.

Using the Dowsing for Dummies book to set all shards that I find today to Blue shards. However, this uses up two dowsing uses, so I only get one today.


Four for Adept Occult Ed
One for Skill Stunt: Dowsing
Three for Crystal Resonance
One for 'Dowsing for Dummies'
On a 4+ I get a shard.
On a 6, get a shard and roll again
Appropriate terrain gives one more

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]


[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]
[roll12]
[roll13]

[Zephykinns]

Arianna and Matt's search is troublesome at best. The denseness of the woods doesn't allow the flashlights to be as effective as they should have been. Fortunately for the two, their search is rewarded by a sleeping Sajaan/Naomi by a tree, battered and now restful. She lays by a tree, presumably one that she hit.

[Zelphas]

Matt stares at the sleeping form of Naomi for a solid minute, his entire body shaking with barely suppressed laughter. Eventually, he releases Duster by his side and pulls out his sleeping bag, unrolling it a decent distance away from his slumbering teammate.

Finally, he turns to Arianna, his eyes glowing with mirth. "Sh--shall we stay the night here, then?" he chokes out, his voice cracking with hidden laughter. "J-just to keep her company? Safety in n-nn, numbers and all that."

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna tilted her head in confusion as Naomi came into view. Looking up, she could see that one of the largest branches of the tree above her had nearly broken in two. Did she...did she fall from that height?!

Not even noticing Matt's question, she gets to work with first aid. Let's see, first off...yep, she's still got a pulse. Somehow. Still breathing, so just unconscious. She got Muffet and Carrie to start producing silk to make into bandages that she could use to try to patch up the cuts and bruises, and pulled a few out of her own supplies as well.

Once she'd done all she could, Arianna glanced over toward Matt, who was already set up in a sleeping bag. She had a sleeping bag of her own, but she wasn't gonna use it in a forest. Instead...she gets the idea of putting Naomi in it, and in short order, the brash girl is stuffed inside. For her own part, she just lies down on the ground a few feet away after clearing away the rocks, using her backpack as a pillow. "Muffet, keep watch, okay?" The Spinarak shoots a thread upward and latches onto a branch, using it to dangle off the ground. And with that, it was bedtime.

Draining 1 AP to use my First Aid Kit on Naomi: [roll0] HP recovered.

And now it's time to sleep. Muffet's got Insomniac, so she can't sleep, but I figure resting doesn't necessarily require *sleep*, so I'm guessing she gets healed too?

[Zephykinns]

With the coming dawn, the sounds of pokemon life begin anew. Each of you all wake up, ready for the next day ahead. While most of the party is back together, there is still the matter of finding Mairead. Then it's the rest of Route 602 to explore and eventually the coming gym battle.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi snores loudly during the night. Likely loud enough it kept more than just Muffet awake. At least it seemed Naomi could get a good night's sleep despite the thing putting her to sleep being a conk to the head.

Naomi woke up before the rest of the group. Naomi didn't know there was a group to wake up with though. Nor did she know why her whole body seemed bound. Someone must have kidnapped her and tied her up during the night!

Naomi swears something fierce as she struggles to be free of her bindings! Her stupid assailants made the constraints too loose and she was easily able to struggle her way out of the top of the bondage. If they didn't catch her by surprise, there was no way this wrapping could have restrained Naomi like it did during the night. Naomi bursts out the sleeping bag and tosses the thing against a tree.

"Who the [CENSORED] is trying to mess with me?! I'll cut off your [CENSORED] you pieces of [CENSORED]!"

Morning everyone.

[aturtledoesbite]

"...whuh--aaaaah!" Arianna is startled awake by Naomi's outburst, opening her eyes just in time to see her sleeping bag flying.

"Umm... G-g-good m-morning... A-are you f-feeling okay?" She shrinks down as she speaks, making herself as small as possible.

Muffet, swaying from the wake of the flying sleeping bag, tries to shoot a strand of web at Arianna and pull herself over, but can't get a good aim. She hits upon the idea to stop her dangling by shooting a string at the ground first, then to Arianna, eventually perching herself on the girl's shoulder as usual.

[Zelphas]

"Whoa, whoa, hold on!" Matt leaps up from his sleeping bag, making sure to keep out of arm's reach of the angry Naomi. "We found you passed out here in the woods! Arianna gave you her sleeping bag to keep you warm! No one is 'messing with you'!"

[SiegeTower]

Naomi was about to kick Arianna in the head before she noticed it was someone familiar speaking to her. Then when she heard another voice she was ready to give it a spinning backfist until it became obvious it was another companion of hers. With no third strangers voice being added to the mix, Naomi realised it wasn't an attempt to kidnap her or her team as a whole. Matt's story seemed legit.

"That so?" Naomi spits the phlegm her throat accumulated during the night onto the ground. "What y'all doing on the mountain?" A pause. It didn't take much to see Naomi was infact back in the forests below. Even without that, the adrenaline Naomi had gained from the rude awakening had drained and there was another indicator reminding her what had happened last night. Any weight Naomi put on her right leg agitated the hefty bruise that kicking the Aggron had left there. And the natural pumping of her body's blood was all it took for the other bruise on her skull to kick in.

Naomi sniffed rudely and cringed once she felt the pain again. "Oh. yeah, right. Er..." Naomi didn't bother to explain anything. Instead she just picked up the bag she had slept in and placed it back near Arianna. "Thanks f'r that. Didn't even feel the bedbugs." Naomi scratches her head. This may have been an indication of her having lice and therefore a kinship with Arianna or, that she just had lice.

"Okay so, heading north, right? Just the three of us and no one else. I like that. We should get going.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead hummed to herself as she wandered back towards town, Gastly and Magnemite following.
She'd done her morning training with both of them and Magnemite was taking to the agility training quite well. While it could be a little distracted at times its focus seemed quite good in a training situation. Hopefully that would carry into battling as well.
Her little mountain adventure had yielded a new pokemon and some very handy items to use against the flying gym, so she was in high spirits in spite of the odd nightmares last night.
Still, she did wish she'd been a bit less hasty creating a Psychic brace yesterday, she could have saved the shards and made a Fire one for Magnemite instead, which would be of great help if the flying gym had a Fletchinder or something similar.

On her way towards town to meet up with the others she kept her eyes open for other pokemon to catch or just to train Magnemite against.


Perception to spot a 'sparring partner' for Magnemite: [roll0]

[Zelphas]

Matt suppresses a sigh at the paper-thin implication in Naomi's words. "I believe Miss Mairead will be waiting for us once we reach the village," he responds shortly, too annoyed by the rude awakening to attempt diplomacy. He rolls up his sleeping bag and picks up his things, getting ready to head out. "Since we registered as a team only yesterday, and since the Meldian League only allows team matches, if she is not waiting for us we will not be able to challenge the gym. She is on our team, Ajahn Suchart. That is not going to change."

He waits a moment for everyone to be ready to move, and then begins walking towards the next town.

Perception for any interesting Pokemon on the route: [roll0]

[Zephykinns]

On Mairead's End

After the packing and a fair amount of walking, Mairead would note that after a time it seems as if she had been followed. Whether it be some superstitious feeling or flits at the corners of her vision, something was just plain off. An Aipom had been following her for sometime, it had been swinging from the trees off to the side and eventually got close enough to slowly start to reach into her pack. It's up to her to stop it sooner or later.
After a few minutes of traveling, Mairead is still getting the feeling, but as she goes to check her pokedex for whatever reason or another, she notices it completely missing from that pocket.


On the Rest's End

Once everyone it back on the road, the each of you notice a few adults in black garb, including black caps, are cornering a team of fairly young trainers. Though the words from far away are kind of hard to pick up due to the hushed tones, you note that the adults seem to be accepting pokeballs from the children. Whether it was by force or not, is up to anyone's guess.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]On Mairead's End

After the packing and a fair amount of walking, Mairead would note that after a time it seems as if she had been followed. Whether it be some superstitious feeling or flits at the corners of her vision, something was just plain off. An Aipom had been following her for sometime, it had been swinging from the trees off to the side and eventually got close enough to slowly start to reach into her pack. It's up to her to stop it sooner or later.


Feeling again that odd sensation of being watched, Mairead cast her eyes around just as she walked beneath a particularly low hanging tree, spotting an Aipom materialise from the foliage and reach into her pack with its tail-hand.
She quickly stepped back, swinging her staff at the Pokemon as she did.
"Gastly, Mean Look. Magnemite, Thundershock!"

"Gastly!" Gastly's eyes glowed purple and locked the Aipom with a mesmerising stare.
"Magnemite!" Magnemite's forks lit up as they spun and moments later a bolt of lightning shot at the Aipom


So, I'm not sure what ruling you're using on having both Pokemon being Commanded at the same time, if there's only one that can be commanded per turn in a battle or if that's limited to official Matches.
If there's a one per turn limit, count Magnemite's attack as next turn's attack :)

Mairead's struggle attack: [roll0] vs AC 6 (plus Evasion) with Reach
Damage: [roll1] Pysical

Gastly uses Mean Look: Aipom is Trapped and Slowed (no roll required)

Magnemite uses Thundershock: [roll2] vs AC2 (plus Evasion), Paralyses on 17+
Damage: [roll3] Special

[SiegeTower]

"Yeah yeah whatever." Naomi spits in frustration after listening to Matt.

The march to the next town was getting pretty boring. Matt was all annoyed cause he happened to like that ghost girl for some reason so he wasn't any good to talk to. Arianna was cool but she wasn't much of the talkative type. Naomi still gave it a shot though.

"Ya catch anythin' cool? I'mma guessing you got nuthin' but bugs to fill out your collection."

The small talk wasn't too exciting so Naomi was glad there was at least some kind of small distraction on the road. Some dudes were trading Pokemon or something. Naomi would totally get in on that. Both the Onix and the Aron could barely take a hit from Sue so if they were as weak as she suspected, she would want to pawn them off.

Naomi yawns and then casually strolls up to the group exchanging Pokeballs.

"Oi. What y'all up to?"

Perception: [roll0]

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna hesitates a bit before answering Naomi's question. Matt's still there, after all... "I-I found a c-couple of P-Pokémon..." Details do not seem forthcoming, however.

Fortunately, there was a distraction! Something about those black-garbed adults seemed familiar, but Arianna couldn't quite place it. Either way, she followed behind Naomi to see what was up.

I'm working off the assumption that Arianna has either heard stories of the Slowpoketail incident in her hometown or was actually there for it. But, anyway!

Perception: [roll0]
Intuition: [roll1]

[Zephykinns]

On Mairead's End
The Aipom, realizing that it had been noticed, attempts to make its getaway by throwing sand in Mairead's eyes and succeeds. As it attempts to flee, Gastly gives it a stare that stops the Aipom in its tracks, followed by a failed strike by mairead due to blindness and a bolt of thunder striking the little monkey (23).

Mairead will have her vision back for her next attack.

On the Party's End

As Naomi approaches the little gathering with Arianna at her heels, one of the adults motions to the others and they turn to face the newcomers, their R's splayed across their shirts. One steps to the forefront while th eother two continue their business with the kids. His voice is raspy but most of his features are obscured by the shadow of his hat somehow, except for stubble. "'ey. Whachu want kids? Doncha see we got biz goin' on here?"

At the man's hip is a wicked looking dagger, partially concealed.

[Zelphas]

Matt has remained silent for the beginning part of the trip, though he soon forgets his grumpiness and spends the morning trying to plan his group's debut. He's shaken out of his ruminations by the black-clothed figures, and even without the tell-tale R Matt can tell a crime when he sees one up close. "Hmm, and let me guess; your 'biz' involves 'trading' with these four young trainers?" Matt replies, feigning idle curiosity. "If it's just that, why the hostile response?"

Unless these guys were extremely hardcore, it should still be possible to salvage the situation and walk away. Then again, saving another team from getting their Pokemon stolen could be great PR... Matt waits for the shady figure's answer and debates his options.

Guile to seem vaguely uninterested: [roll0]

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


[FONT=Times New Roman]On Mairead's End
The Aipom, realizing that it had been noticed, attempts to make its getaway by throwing sand in Mairead's eyes and succeeds. As it attempts to flee, Gastly gives it a stare that stops the Aipom in its tracks, followed by a failed strike by mairead due to blindness and a bolt of thunder striking the little monkey (23).


Mairead tries to throw an arm up in the way as the Aipom hurls a handful of sand in her face, but she's blinded and her swing goes far wild.
"Magnemite, again! Gastly, ram it"

She then lines up another swing with her staff.


Mairead's struggle attack: [roll0] vs AC 6 (plus Evasion) with Reach
Damage: [roll1] Pysical

Gastly's struggle attack: [roll2] vs AC 4 (plus Evasion)
Damage: [roll3] Pysical

Magnemite uses Thundershock: [roll4] vs AC2 (plus Evasion), Paralyses on 17+
Damage: [roll5] Special

[Kittenwolf]

And since it seems that using preview kills Roll tags, lets try again:


Mairead's struggle attack: [roll0] vs AC 6 (plus Evasion) with Reach
Damage: [roll1] Pysical

Gastly's struggle attack: [roll2] vs AC 4 (plus Evasion)
Damage: [roll3] Pysical

Magnemite uses Thundershock: [roll4] vs AC2 (plus Evasion), Paralyses on 17+
Damage: [roll5] Special

Aipom is now Trapped, Slowed, Paralysed and probably KOed

[Zephykinns]

Mairead's Part

The Aipom goes in for an astonish on Gastly, but completely misses, followed by a barrage of attacks that leaves the Aipom on the ground, knocked out, decently injured, and no longer a threat to Mairead's pokedex.

5 Pokemon Experience to spread around.

The Situation with the Hooligans

The one in the lead gives a skeezy grin and chuckles. "Darn straight kid. We're conducting some trading here all right. Ain't that right?" He says back to the distressed trainers. There seems to be a bit of hesitance in the trainers, one's eye grow wide for a second and then responds artificially.

"Trading! That's what we're doing! Yes!"

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


Mairead's Part

The Aipom goes in for an astonish on Gastly, but completely misses, followed by a barrage of attacks that leaves the Aipom on the ground, knocked out, decently injured, and no longer a threat to Mairead's pokedex.


As the Aipom gets fried by Magnemite Mairead shakes her head. Why on earth would the Aipom randomly try and steal from her like that?
Carefully she propped the limp form of the Pokemon up against the tree it swung out of "Make friends next time, don't steal."

She then congratulated her Pokemon on a job well done and headed onwards towards town, pulling out her pokedex and sending everyone a quick message as she did. 'On way to town. By the way, be careful of Aipom trying to steal from your bags.'



XP is all going to Magnemite from that one, they did all the work :)

[SiegeTower]

Naomi places her hands behind her head and yawns rudley. "Yeah whatever. I guess I got a spare Aron if y'all got anythin' good f'r that. Otherwise I'm out. I got a gym to challenge." Naomi turns her back to the obvious extortionists. She either doesn't care about or is rather naive to their activities.

[Zelphas]

"Hmm..." Matt narrows his eyes at the thug, and then shrugs. "All right then. I don't need any new Pokemon at the moment, so we'll be on our way while you help each other out in trading." At the words "need" and "help, Matt meets the younger trainer's eyes, trying to convey an offer to the boy without letting the thug know what he's doing. If he gets no response, he shrugs slightly again and begins walking away.

Guile to ask the boy if he wants their help without making it obvious to the Rocket thug: [roll0]

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna can't help but stare at the R on the adults' clothes; an impressive feat when there's a dagger gleaming in her field of vision. She knew that design. On one hand, she wanted to turn and run. These guys looked like they meant business, and if they decided to stop playing nice, she'd probably be in a lot of trouble. On the other hand, leaving meant abandoning those poor kids to these people, and that was something she didn't really want to have hanging on her conscience.

Unable to choose, she stood paralyzed with indecision, withdrawing herself behind Naomi as though the tough trainer were a solid object to hide behind.

[Zephykinns]

Mairead's End

Zingiber Village is small town that prides itself in natural splendors. There are no tall buildings that would distract from the sight of a mountain range far off in the distance, completely surrounding the town. What's noticeable about it all is three large mountains peak, putting the others to shame. To the west a deep blue mountain, sparse and jagged. To the east a forested mountain with what seems to be a large tree spouting from its summit, obvious even from miles and miles away. To the north though, gray and red greet the eyes, with a small plume of steam rising from it. It doesn't take long to get to the central square of the town. Three rings, blue, green, and red are put on poles, and if one were to stand directly in the center of this formation, the rings would center in at the peaks of each of the mountains.

If there is one thing that can be said, is that the wind never seems to take a break, and it never seems to settle on a specific direction. Gusts from all over would whip at one's hair. The residents have combated this by wearing large colorful straw hats. Mairead is free to explore and look for anything specific is she chooses to.

Everyone Else
Matt gives the boy a glance over with his eyes, darting them back and forth between his allies and the gang members. The boy catches the hint. He follows suit, "Yes. You don't have to worry about us. Please feel free to help yourself along. They're almost done trading with us."

[Zelphas]

Matt stops walking, observing the situation again. I can't just suddenly go after the thugs; how to make them reveal themselves... He smiles and pulls out a Poke Ball, flipping it easily in one hand. "Hey, you know what's the best way to check out your new trades? A good battle," Matt says decisively, his grin widening. "I mean, a group of trainers meeting in the middle of a route; we're pretty much obligated to fight, aren't we?" These thugs seemed like they were taking all of the kid's Poke Balls, not just a few. If that's true, they'll have nothing to battle with, and the thug will probably get aggressive to try and cover his tracks. That's the perfect chance to "defend themselves" from the thugs and help out the kids without outright initiating the attack.

"Ajahn Suchart, could you stay for a minute, please?" Matt calls out, glancing between the young trainers and the thugs. "One way or another, I think we're about to have a good fight on our hands."

Guile to keep up the subterfuge: [roll0]

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


Mairead's End

Zingiber Village is small town that prides itself in natural splendors. There are no tall buildings that would distract from the sight of a mountain range far off in the distance, completely surrounding the town. What's noticeable about it all is three large mountains peak, putting the others to shame. To the west a deep blue mountain, sparse and jagged. To the east a forested mountain with what seems to be a large tree spouting from its summit, obvious even from miles and miles away. To the north though, gray and red greet the eyes, with a small plume of steam rising from it. It doesn't take long to get to the central square of the town. Three rings, blue, green, and red are put on poles, and if one were to stand directly in the center of this formation, the rings would center in at the peaks of each of the mountains.

If there is one thing that can be said, is that the wind never seems to take a break, and it never seems to settle on a specific direction. Gusts from all over would whip at one's hair. The residents have combated this by wearing large colorful straw hats. Mairead is free to explore and look for anything specific is she chooses to.


Mairead leaned back and smiled at the sky when she reached town. This place looked amazing! And so many possibilities in those mountains.
After taking a few minutes to enjoy the breeze and explore the rings in the center of town she headed to the pokemon center "The others should be here by now" she chatted to her pokemon hovering with her "We should probably meet up and talk about heading for the Gym."

Entering the Pokemon center she looked about for the rest of her team, frowning slightly, surprised that they weren't already there. She quickly enquired of the nurse if anyone else of her team had checked in and after the nurse shook her head she pulled out her pokedex and dialed up Matt's number, hoping nothing had happened on the road.


I'm unsure if the Pokedex is a phone as well rather than just a text machine. If it works as a phone Mairead will ring Matt.
If it's text only then she'll send a message to the rest of her team saying "Reached town, surprised I beat you here, everything okay?" and then talk to the nurse about portable food for Magnemite.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi's ears perk and she stops her trot away from the thugs when she hears the word "fight".

"Oh I'll stick around f'r somethin' like that." Naomi starts cracking her knuckles as her bored expression changes to a stupid grin.

"Just say who."

Naomi soon realises that there was another factor to consider in this fight. There seemed to be a timid bug covered girl using Naomi as a human shield. Naomi doesn't address this directly but she does widen her fighting stance so that Arianna is totally hidden behind her.

[Zephykinns]

Mairead's End
Mairead pops open the pokedex, dialing in Matt's number, getting a ring. At this time she hears the strumming of a couple stringed instruments not too far away. Should she turn around, she'd see a young trainer playing a duet with his raichu on ukuleles. Both are sitting The tune is festive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQpWa7FWSmo) and soon enough a small crowd starts to grow around the boy and his pokemon. As the song reaches its finale his eyes catch Mairead's and he gives a goofy grin and stands, finishing off the last few bars, the crowd's applause fill the air and their money his instrument case. "Thank you, thank you everyone! I'll be here until the gym leader is finally beaten!" He stays behind, packing his stuff up while the crowd disperses.

Everyone Else
The apparent leader looks around, noting that there were only about three of them and seven trainers in total to deal with. "You see, eh... I had already jus' got done with a battle when we decided to trade. So we may have to get our way to the center, ya see?" He says shrugging and then attempts to pass by Matt back the way south, knocking into him with his shoulder.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


[FONT=Times New Roman]Mairead's End
Mairead pops open the pokedex, dialing in Matt's number, getting a ring. At this time she hears the strumming of a couple stringed instruments not too far away. Should she turn around, she'd see a young trainer playing a duet with his raichu on ukuleles. Both are sitting The tune is festive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQpWa7FWSmo) and soon enough a small crowd starts to grow around the boy and his pokemon. As the song reaches its finale his eyes catch Mairead's and he gives a goofy grin and stands, finishing off the last few bars, the crowd's applause fill the air and their money his instrument case. "Thank you, thank you everyone! I'll be here until the gym leader is finally beaten!" He stays behind, packing his stuff up while the crowd disperses.

Mairead turns towards the singing while waiting for Matt to reply, humming along to the tune. "That was really good" she says as they start packing up, absently holding her pokedex to her ear with one hand "I don't think I've seen a Raichu, or any pokemon for that matter, playing an instrument like that." she smiles at the Raichu "I hope you didn't shock him too often when you got frustrated?"

She holds out her other hand, still waiting for Matt to reply to her call "I'm Mairead, nice to meet you. And what did you mean by 'you'll be here until the gym leader is finally beaten'? Are they on a win streak?"

[Zelphas]

Matt may be a reformed pickpocket, but that doesn't mean he's forgotten everything he knows. He quickly checks his pockets the moment the man is past him, watching the man walk away.

"Ajahn Suchart, stop them, if you please?" he snaps out, turning to fix the young trainer with a direct stare. "No more pretense, then; did these men steal from you, or threaten you?" he demands.

Perception to notice anything missing from my pockets: [roll0]

Guile to pickpocket the Rocket Grunt as he runs into him (aiming for Poke Balls, but a wallet would be nice too): [roll1]

[Zephykinns]

Mairead's End

The raichu responds with a mousey chortle and Strums a few chords. The boy, upon hearing Mairead's introduction. "And what a pleasure it is to meet you miss Mairead. You can call me Gaspare, this is my friend Topo. And as far as the gym leader. He's a curious one. So far none have beaten him. From what I've been told, even with an abundance of electric types, it's hard to even challenge him. These gyms are very different than the gyms back home. They're not just battles, they're challenges. The leader's pokemon have a clear advantage too. I wish they'd let us watch the gym battles at the very least, but no!"

The Rest
The leader of the group speaks up, albeit quietly. "Yes. They stole our pokemon and threatened us with knives."

Matt, being the tricky urchin he is, not only noticed the rocket thug taking a pokeball off his belt, but managed to steal it back, alongside the extra pokeballs from his pockets in that moment, even his wallet.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


Mairead's End
The raichu responds with a mousey chortle and Strums a few chords. The boy, upon hearing Mairead's introduction. "And what a pleasure it is to meet you miss Mairead. You can call me Gaspare, this is my friend Topo. And as far as the gym leader. He's a curious one. So far none have beaten him. From what I've been told, even with an abundance of electric types, it's hard to even challenge him. These gyms are very different than the gyms back home. They're not just battles, they're challenges. The leader's pokemon have a clear advantage too. I wish they'd let us watch the gym battles at the very least, but no!"
[B][U]


Mairead stares at her pokephone screen for a moment, making sure it's still ringing, before turning back to Gaspare.
"So the gym challenge is some kind of puzzle? It's not just a straight fight? Do you know anything about it? I've only just arrived in the region yesterday, and the rest of my team is still on route 602.. I think, they're not answering."

[SiegeTower]

Naomi couldn't ignore what was obvious anymore. These three were muggers and they had just robbed a bunch of children. How lame, they could at least mug someone who looked like they deserved it. Oh well, time for a little bit of fun.

Naomi lets the Team Rocket members slip by her and just takes enough care that she keeps Arianna hidden. Once she's sure they're confident they've gotten away, Naomi reaches into her bag and tosses out her heavy ball.

"Hey Medusa, don't let these punks go nowhere." Naomi releases her newly caught Onix and has her make a half circle enveloping the grunts. They weren't going to get out of this situation unless they fought their way through a mean looking rock snake.

Once the enemy trip had enough time to appreciate how screwed they were, Naomi strolls up to one of them and tries to kick his legs out from underneath him. She would place a foot on top of his chest if able but otherwise just crack her knuckles intimidatingly.

"Now it's your turn to be relieved of some stuff. Drop your knives and anythin' you took from the kids. I guess I wouldn't mind you also droppin' me some of your own stuff since you're makin' me waste my time. "Tradin' for one of your own Pokemon would be good for your health right now."


Trip:[roll0]
Intimidate:[roll1]

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna had been scared of the grunts before, but...honestly, these guys didn't seem very frightening. Well, relative to the girl with the Onix who had the willingness and inclination to knock out anyone who looked at her funny, anyway.

But, cornered as they were, they might try something altogether more dangerous to get out of this. What to do... "Muffet, wrap them in webs." The Spinarak hopped off of Arianna and started pelting the grunts with a String Shot!

It's Cone 2, so I'm assuming I target all three. I think I roll accuracy for each, so:

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Zelphas]

Matt grins. He palms the wallet, clips his Poke Ball back to his belt, and then holds up the rest of the Poke Balls. "Are any of these yours?" he asks. "Help us out here; they're outnumbered now, and it'll make everything go smoother."

Finally, Matt notices that his Pokedex has been ringing. He pulls it out just in time to see Missed Call: Mairead O'Connor. Frowning, Matt shoots his teammate a quick text message. ~Sorry. Dealing with thieves on Route. Will call soon.

Matt puts away his Pokedex and begins juggling Poke Balls, moving leisurely over to the thugs. "Look, you drop the kids' Poke Balls and cooperate with us, and you walk away. That's pretty fair, right?" he suggests, his relaxed grin never wavering.

Guile to make the t believe that he's completely certain they can take the thugs in a fight: [roll0]

[Zephykinns]

Mairead's End
"Hmm, I guess the closest thing that I've heard it described is a fighting puzzle. It's just as much about what your pokemon can do versus it's combat prowess. I guess these are the closest thngs to pokemon 'gyms' as you can find." He finishes packing his ukulele and grabs the handful of cash that he got from his performance and flashes a bright grin at Mairead. "If you'd care, my new friend Mairead, I could treat you to lunch. My team is also a bit predisposed and they're more preoccupied with rumor hunting than enjoying themselves and I really could use more human company."

The Rest
Between Matt's confidence and the Naomi's intimidating glare (pronounced "muscles") The rocket thug realized he had no chance. Not with an Onix and seven potential human threats. "Sh*t. Alright, alright. You got me. Listen. Just let us go and we'll give everything back. If anything, we know when we're outclasses and outnumbered." He backs away slowly, dropping about six pokeballs from the collective pockets of the grunts.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)

Mairead's End
"Hmm, I guess the closest thing that I've heard it described is a fighting puzzle. It's just as much about what your pokemon can do versus it's combat prowess. I guess these are the closest thngs to pokemon 'gyms' as you can find." He finishes packing his ukulele and grabs the handful of cash that he got from his performance and flashes a bright grin at Mairead. "If you'd care, my new friend Mairead, I could treat you to lunch. My team is also a bit predisposed and they're more preoccupied with rumor hunting than enjoying themselves and I really could use more human company."


Mairead has her mouth open to reply when her pokephone beeps. "That would be..." she glances at her phone "WHAT??". She glances back up at Gaspare "Sorry, my team just said they ran into thieves en route."
She rapidly taps into her phone "Do you need me to bring law enforcement? Are you okay?"

Looking back at Gaspare again "Lunch does sound good, but I need to know if my team's okay. Matt says he'll call back soon...is there a police or law enforcement building here? I think I should report this."

[Zelphas]

Matt glances back at the kids. "Is that everything?" he inquires. If they nod, he turns back the grunt and makes a shooing motion. "Stealing from kids seems simple enough, but did you forget about Pokemon? Even the youngest child might have an Arcanine ready to rip your face off if you mess with them. You were lucky this time. Get going."

Remembering what Naomi said about 'trading with the thugs, Matt turns to her next. "Ajahn Suchart, if you let them run off, the next Pokemon I catch that you want is yours," he suggests, hoping to keep her from demanding one of the kids' Pokemon in 'trade' for saving them.

Finally, he notices the text from Mairead. ~No need; they were all talk as soon as actual trainers arrived. We should be in town shortly.~ he sends back quickly.

[SiegeTower]

Matt must have been reading Naomi's mind. She was just about to extort some Pokemon and the weapons off of the thugs. When she hear's Matt's offer though, she refrains from torturing the surrendered grunts for additional profit..

"I'm holdin' ya too that." Naomi calls back her Onix, clearing the way for the Rocket members. "Get outta here ya {CENSORED}s! Run! Naomi kicks the closest would-be thief in the butt as they scamper off. It was amusing to see them try and flee while being held back by Muffet's web. It made them look even more pathetic. This pleased Naomi.

When the Rocket Grunts were a sufficient distance away, Naomi turns back to her team and speaks to them while pretty much ignoring the kids.
"Kay that was fun. Back on the road, yeah? Ya better be good at catchin' Pokes Matt. I coulda got a lot off of da scared {CENSORED}less goons." Done with things here, Naomi continues down the road. The rest of her team was going to have to annoyingly keep up with her as usual.

[Zephykinns]

Mairead's End
Gaspare, not one to freak out too easily, let his cheerful demeanor fade, but cooly collected himself. "Unfortunately I've yet to see a police station outside of Clarkella Town. I think they're still tying to get a force going on. I know there may be rangers walking the routes, but from what I've seen, routes 601 and 602 are more like gardens than actual wilderness. Do you friends need help? I can always get my team and we can head that way. They can't be more than a few hours out, right?" It was at this point that Mairead had gotten a message from Matt.

The Rest
It was at the point where the kids got their pokemon back that they started to thank the team. Each brought out their starters: a Rattata, a Poochyena, a Bidoof, and a Zigzagoon. The leader makes sure to thank you all profusely and hands two grand in pokebaht. "I don't know what we would've done. These pokemon are super rare, possibly in the top one percent of their breeds!"

After all of the farewells, it only takes a couple more hours of walking before getting to Zingiber Village. We'll see what Mairead does next to see how you all end up meeting with her.

[Zelphas]

Matt accepts the two grand graciously from the youngsters, hiding his bemusement at their... eclectic... choice of Pokemon. It's no wonder they couldn't fight back, but did those thugs even check what they were getting before they threatened them? he thinks as he waves the group off, separating the money equally among the three of them (as soon as he caught up to Naomi, at least).

Once they were a little farther down the road, Matt calls up Mairead, assuring her that the thieves are taken care of and no one is hurt. He also takes the time to check the wallet he stole from the thug, taking it out surreptitiously when he knows Naomi and Arianna aren't looking.

I figure Matt and Naomi get 667 Pokebaht, and Arianna gets 666. That should add up to 2000 nicely.

[Kittenwolf]

Mairead O'Connor (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6AG_8aRKzIOCu5G_2xwqyfpNWBUCjJz6aqow_fMbQg/edit#gid=873847382)


Mairead's End
Gaspare, not one to freak out too easily, let his cheerful demeanor fade, but cooly collected himself. "Unfortunately I've yet to see a police station outside of Clarkella Town. I think they're still tying to get a force going on. I know there may be rangers walking the routes, but from what I've seen, routes 601 and 602 are more like gardens than actual wilderness. Do you friends need help? I can always get my team and we can head that way. They can't be more than a few hours out, right?" It was at this point that Mairead had gotten a message from Matt.
[B][U]

"I'm not su.." *DING!*
Mairead quickly scans Matt's message "No, it looks like they're fine. Apparently the thieves were all bark, no bite."
She smiles up at Gaspare "Now that that's out of the way, lunch sounds lovely. Lead the way."

She quickly messages Matt again as she follows the musician.
Glad to hear. Let me know when you arrive. May have some gym information.


I'm happy to fast-forward through things for the sake of getting the band back together efficiently. Assume Mairead goes to lunch, lots of small talk is made about where they've each come from, interests, pokemon etc, with a side order of trying to find out anything Gaspare knows about the gym. Feel free to pass on any interesting info that would have come up
It'll be nice to talk to someone that's not timid, too-slick or rage-a-holic ;)

[SiegeTower]

Naomi had no idea where she was getting paid for. She didn't bother to stick around to see the money handed off to Matt. Must have just been payment in gratitude for Naomi protecting his weak self. Naomi doesn't ask any questions and just takes the money for the reason she assumes unless Matt clarifies it unprovoked.

"I think we're close to the village now. So do we just head straight to the gym or did y'all wanna do something else before we go there? Oh wait right, did y'all catch aythin' worth a damn against flyin' types? Y'all saw my heavy hitter for the gym. I got one more too in case the Onix is lamer than I thought. What do y'all got to work with?"

[Zelphas]

"I managed to capture an Emolga that I have high hopes for," Matt responds lightly, producing Erendira's ball, juggling it in one hand, and then making it disappear again. "I'd like to drop by the Pokemon Center to get my team up to top shape, first..." just then, Matt's Pokedex buzzes, and he checks the message. "...and it looks like Mairead's got some info on the gym. I don't think it'll change much, so Center, then gym would be my choice."

[aturtledoesbite]

Arianna looks down shyly as Naomi asks. "U-um...I d-didn't really catch m-much that w-would help here...b-but most F-Flying types have a s-second type, s-so I'll do my b-best to help." She's hoping that that's enough to satisfy them. She had known before coming that there'd be types that her bugs wouldn't be able to effectively fight, but now that there are other people counting on her, suddenly that became a lot more of a problem.

[SiegeTower]

Naomi is glad to know Matt was able to catch something useful. It meant better odds of her getting something good off him down the line. "Electric type sounds good evnin' if it's a pipsqueek." Naomi was starting to feel hopeful about her team for once but then Matt just had to mention Mairead. ["Oh right...her. You can shimmy down to the Pokecenter if ya want. My crew's all healed up from sleepin'. I'mma wait for you outside the gym after you fetch the fourth we're forced to have." Naomi quickly loses interest in Matt and purposefully turns away from him. Now it was time to focus on the more likeable member of the team.

"Lemme guess, ya caught a flyin' type that's a Combee or Yanma or sumthin'. I dun think we're gonna be able to beat the gym just by giving the leader's flynin' Pokes something ta eat. Tell ya what. I got a spare rock type after I got my Onix. I'll lend ya her and you'll owe me a favor afta'. Sound good?"

[aturtledoesbite]

"A-are you sure that's o-okay? I-I mean..." The fact that Arianna doesn't add anything after trailing off implies that she doesn't know what she means.