Adventures in Helnith Part 2: Of Shadowed Paths and Spectral Evidence

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Notes for players:

Standard on this forum is to make a new thread every 50 pages.
Houserules are listed in the OoC thread.
((Comments in double parenthesis like this are OoC.)) If your entire post is OoC please use the OoC thread instead.

Original Threads:
RPG (previous) (http://heroescommunity.com/viewthread.php3?TID=25439)
OoC (previous) (http://heroescommunity.com/viewthread.php3?TID=25422)

Previous Thread:
Assault on the Town of Ash (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?652729-Adventures-in-Helnith-Assault-on-the-Town-of-Ash-(RPG)&p=25669124)

Current Threads:
OoC (current) (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?652728-Adventures-in-Helnith-Assault-on-the-Town-of-Ash-(OoC)&p=25669122)
Dice Rolls (current) (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?478104-Adventures-in-Helnith-%96-Dice-Rolls&p=20408724)
Character Stats (current) (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BdtlsnE2RgLf2WhcLkUDtOGlZsZ1B4irKFaui0Klt7A/edit?usp=sharing)

Pinklady:

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

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

Croaky uses Rain Dance!
It begins to rain!

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

(Rain Dance in effect, 4 rounds remaining.)

Croaky: 42/77

Ryskimara: 77/77

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

Mark and Mina:


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

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

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

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

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

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

Dendrolog 7 uses Ritual Dance!

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

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

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

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

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

(Sunny Day in effect.)

Marick: 100/100
Jessia: 0/115

Pidgey: 76/76
Houndoom: 77/100

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

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

Less:

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


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


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

Akio:

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

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

Are you looking for something specific on the subject or just general information?

[Gnomes2169]

What the HECK had THAT been?! Recalling Jessia, with a mumbled apology for his poor ghost type, Mark pulled out another great ball and told Mina, "Alright, then, I'm just going for the big one." Figuring that Pidgey and Houndoom could handle the remaining two, Mark threw his ball at Dendrolog 7.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark and Mina:

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

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


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


Would you like to give a nickname to Dendrolog?

The Pokédex has a little more info:


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

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

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



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

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


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


(Sunny Day in effect.)

Marick: 100/100
Jessia: 0/115

Pidgey: 76/76
Houndoom: 77/100

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

[Feathersnow]

Akio goes up to the help desk. "Hello, could you help me find any books about other dimensions? I need to help a friend's daughter with her project." Not a lie! Honor intact! "Just general background, so I know how to start"

[Gnomes2169]

Yes! And now Mark finally had something effective against water types, and it seemed like it was a physical attacker? Or at least its current moveset fit that. He'd have to check the pokedex for all of its moveset, evolution and other information. And that ghost move... he pulled it up on his pokedex and asked Mina, "Have you ever seen something like this before? It's like, a ghost version of Round... wonder if Jessia can learn it." If she could, then he had a nice little combo on his team. He'd also have to check if Ritual Dance was a Dendrolog exclusive move. "Anyway, let's get those berries that Na- er, Xatu found!" He caught himself this time, Xatu, he's trying to learn.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Akio:

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


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


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

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

Mark and Mina:

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


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

<Better.>

Mina’s mouth twitched. “Yes, let’s.”

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

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

It was bright green. It was a little battered. But it was definitely a Lum Berry.

[Gnomes2169]

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

The revival herb went into his bag, of course. It might be bitter and make his pokemon grumpy, but it was a revive when they needed it.

[Feathersnow]

"Err... The Spectral Dimension. I'd like thar book and to look at the newspapers, please."

This was going well. Hopefully no one from Bandra was monitoring this.

[Lord Ruby34]

Five weeks ago. Less furrowed his brow and inspected the newspapers. The mostly likely rifts were probably the one near Jikero, or West of Coastmarch. Depending on exactly how Emilia's mission had gone, either made sense as potential entry points. Which meant that his little girl had spent over a month in that darkened place. Just being there apparently could have an effect on mood and emotional control.

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark and Mina:

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


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

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


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

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

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

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

Akio:

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

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


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

Less:

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

[essCee]

Pinklady:

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

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

Croaky uses Rain Dance!
It begins to rain!

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

(Rain Dance in effect, 4 rounds remaining.)

Croaky: 42/77

Ryskimara: 77/77


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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Pinklady:

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

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

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

Does not take additional damage from attacks boosted by weather conditions.

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


(Rain Dance in effect, 3 rounds remaining.)

Croaky: 4/77

Ryskimara: 62/77

[Gnomes2169]

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

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


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

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

[Lord Ruby34]

Less asked after the previous day's paper, and made a mental note to actually come here and buy the paper the day they left for the spectral dimension. As long a forecast as they could muster might be life or death.

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark and Mina:

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


Grepa growing taller
Pomeg growing taller
Qualot growing taller




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

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

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

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


The sense he was giving off was grim.

What’s wrong?

<They moved their nest site here. This is bad.>

Bad, how?

<I told you this was their medicine patch?>

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

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

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

<Something is going on.>

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


“All set here?” she asked aloud.

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

Less:

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

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

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

“Hello, can I help you?”

[essCee]

Pinklady:

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

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

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

Does not take additional damage from attacks boosted by weather conditions.

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


(Rain Dance in effect, 3 rounds remaining.)

Croaky: 4/77

Ryskimara: 62/77

"Aw... alright, I concede!" Pinklady says, recognizing there's no way this could continue besides Croaky getting finished off. "Thank you for the battles! We've definitely got a lot of training and learning to do..." Pinklady said as she looked as Tress's Pokéball.

[Gnomes2169]

He would handle that watering while Mina was replanting her berry plots. "I'm good to go!" He didn't have a native pokemon chattering about bad omens in his head, so he seemed pretty relaxed over-all. He caught two new pokemon today, it was a lovely day outside (despite the heat) and they have a new top-tier berry!

Surely that meant the day was looking up for them.

[Lord Ruby34]

Are the dates in the paper the rift schedule from yesterday, or did you already subtract one day from each of rift appearances before giving me the information?

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

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Pinklady:

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

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

Mark and Mina:

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

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


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


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

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


Hillsbreak added to the Town Map tab.

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


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

Less:


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

Hope that helps!


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

(At the receptionist’s desk: )

“Let’s see…” There is a brief pause while the receptionist presumably looks something up. Then she frowns. “We don’t have any deliveries to Tidepath. We have a delivery from Tidepath. Are you Less?”

[Gnomes2169]

((Outside Hillsbreak))
Mark took Mina's hand with his non-robotic arm, and then they were off! He made sure that he and Mina drank one of his waters (they'd had one person working with them collapse because of heat stroke just a few weeks ago, he did NOT need Mina or himself recovering in the center because they didn't stay hydrated), and he kept the bottle to refill later at a sink or cooler. It should get less searingly hot as the day went on, but it was always going to be good to have some bottled water on hand as summer started really rolling around.

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

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

[Lord Ruby34]

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

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

-----

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark and Mina:

-1 Fresh Water Mark, 1 remaining.


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

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

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

Mark:

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

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

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

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

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

Less:


Correct.


“You’ll want the Grand Docks; it should have been brought in by the KS Warlock.”

[Gnomes2169]

Mark and Mina:

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

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


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

...

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

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

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

[Lord Ruby34]

"The Warlock." Less replied, in confirmation. "Thank you, I'll head over to Tidepath, I suppose."

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

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

[essCee]

Pinklady:

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


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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark:


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

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

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

Less:

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

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

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

Pinklady:

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

[Lord Ruby34]

I am absolutely down for whatever this is.

Less and Buck slowed to a stop as they approached the man, Less's face a picture of bafflement. "Not to interrupt," Less said, interrupting, "but I can't help but find myself curious about what you're doing."

[Gnomes2169]

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Less:

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

Mark:


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

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


"And is there anything weird or special about the mountains north of Ternai?"

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

[Gnomes2169]

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

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark:

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

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


6 Premium Fighting-type Baby Pokéchow
Baby Pokémon Anti-Flea and Tick Shampoo (Pine)
Baby Pokémon Anti-Flea and Tick Shampoo (Sandalwood)

[Lord Ruby34]

After a moment of watching, Less asked "You're training your Pokemon for a contest, aren't you? The coordination and balance is quite impressive."

[essCee]

Pinklady:

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

"Sounds like a pretty successful trip, then! I'll not keep you from finishing your return any longer. Good luck at Trainer Hill!" Pinklady looks over at Whirlywhirly to check if she'll need to give him a wake-up petting.

[Gnomes2169]

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

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

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Less:

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

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

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

Pinklady:

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

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

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

Mark and Mina:

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

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

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

[Gnomes2169]

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

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

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

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

[essCee]

Pinklady:

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

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


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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark and Mina:


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

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

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

But in the mean time she called out Riolu.


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

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

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

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

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

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


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

Mina:
+6 Premium Fighting-type Baby Pokéchow


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

Pinklady:

Whirlywhirly indicates the Pokéball.

[Lord Ruby34]

"Possibly." Less responded. "I couldn't help but notice that your Pokemon seem to have the good health I associate with Poffin. A friend of mine has an interest in making poffins of her own. I was wondering if you had any wisdom you could share about what she was looking for, the 'recipe for disaster', I believe it's called."

[Gnomes2169]

By the time Mark reappeared the baby Pokémon was barking excitedly at the Sandalwood.

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

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

[essCee]

Pinklady:

Whirlywhirly indicates the Pokéball.

Pinklady acknowledges by withdrawing Whirlywhirly to his Pokéball. "You've definitely earned it!" She tells him, then sends out Blast Bolt. "Blast Bolt, I'll need you to keep an eye on the cart! Just make some noise if anyone tries messing with it, please!" (Assuming no dissent from Blast Bolt.) Satisfied with the cart's safety, Pinklady heads inside to hand off her injured and wearied Pokémons' Pokéballs to the nurse.

[Feathersnow]

Akio texts the group. **I'm at the library doing basic research about... you know where. I gave a cover story in case there are Spies.**

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Less:

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

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

Mark:

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


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

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


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

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

Pinklady:

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

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

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

Akio:

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

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

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

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

It concludes that further study on the subject will be heavily curtailed until the next greater dimensional convergence occurs in ten years, and the accompanying rash of smaller rifts.

[Gnomes2169]

Mark waves Mina goodbye and turned to talk to the checkpoint guards and explain he had a package to run to the university (at least, if they ask what's in the Styrofoam package wrapped in caution signs). Once he'd managed to get through, he demonstrates that all shoes are running shoes by booking it to the university as fast as his feet can take him. He has time to get there, get to the department store, and then walk back out, but... well, he wants to make sure he doesn't get trapped in here during curfew.

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

[Lord Ruby34]

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

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark:

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

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

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


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




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

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

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

Less:


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

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


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

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

[Gnomes2169]

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

Mark sent back a vision of a cartoony scribbled version of himself sticking his tongue out at her... he should actually draw that some time. Some dorky pictures would be nice to draw. He was going to be busy training pokemon for the rest of the day, though...

[Lord Ruby34]

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

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



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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark:

Yes, your napkin math checks out.

So that’s 825 PD remaining after the food.

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


Grepa in bloom
Pomeg in bloom
Qualot in bloom

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


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

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


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

No new moves.


Mina sent you a message!
On my way.

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

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

Less:


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

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



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

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

[Gnomes2169]

Mina sent you a message!
On my way.

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

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

After her response he added, "And I think everyone else had plans for tonight with their jobs, so it's just the two of us. Um..." Clearing his throat and scratching at the back of his head, he asked, "Was there anything you wanted to do? You know, like... special training with our pokemon or watching a show or poffin crafting or something?" Smooth. So smooth.

[Lord Ruby34]

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

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




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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark and Mina:


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

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


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

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

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

Less:


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

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


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

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

Otherwise, 2500 PD is fine.”

[Gnomes2169]

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

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


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

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

[Lord Ruby34]

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

Otherwise, 2500 PD is fine.”

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

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


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

[essCee]

Pinklady:

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

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


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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark and Mina:


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

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


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

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

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

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

Less:


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




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

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

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

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

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

Pinklady:

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

[Gnomes2169]

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

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

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

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark and Mina:

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

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

Meanwhile, in the physical world, Mina notices Mark’s expression and hers turns concerned. “Everything okay?”

[Gnomes2169]

Mate... mate?! They weren't even dating! Mark sat down and covered his face with his hands, blushing horribly, and groans. <Nurse Joy said you're safe to come back to me in the morning. Which is super impressive, if you were a human you'd still be out for a few more weeks with injuries like the ones you had. So be patient!>

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

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

[Lord Ruby34]

"That's it," Less replied, his voice friendly. "Some of these names fall right out of my ears. I'll have to get a journal from my house when we go. Thank you, Mina."

And LordRuby was locked to his phone for a few days, so that didn't help!"

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

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Mark and Mina:


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

Mark gets a definite sense of sulking from Tattersail. <Don’t forget you promised me pampering when I get out!>


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

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

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


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

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



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

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

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

Less:

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

(Sunny Day in effect.)

Connie: 129/129

Swablu: 119/119

[Lord Ruby34]

"Let's stretch those wings!" Less called out as he sent Connie forward. That Pokemon could probably sing . . . but there wasn't much Less could do about that, other than try to find out if Connie was faster. "Connie, nasty plot!" Less called out.

[Gnomes2169]

Mark gets a definite sense of sulking from Tattersail. <Don’t forget you promised me pampering when I get out!>

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


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

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

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

[essCee]

Pinklady:

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Less:

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

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

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

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

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


(Sunny Day in effect.)

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

Swablu: 119/119

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

Mark and Mina:


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

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


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

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


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

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

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

Pinklady:

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

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

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

[Lord Ruby34]

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


Lets hope my napkin math was right that this next attack can't KO Connie if she lands a snarl first . . .

[Gnomes2169]

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

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


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

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

[essCee]

Pinklady:

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

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

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Less:

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

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


(Sunny Day in effect.)

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

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

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

Mark and Mina:


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

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


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

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

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

Pinklady:

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

Leapsy uses Sleep Powder!
Graveler B sleeps!

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

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

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

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


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

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

[Lord Ruby34]

There! "Good hit Connie! Finish it off with a Swift!"

[Gnomes2169]

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

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


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

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

[essCee]

Pinklady:

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

Leapsy uses Sleep Powder!
Graveler B sleeps!

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Less:

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

Miles recalls the Flying type and sends out his Dewgong.


(Sunny Day in effect.)

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

Swablu: 0/119
Dewgong: 134/134

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

Mark and Mina:

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

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

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

Pinklady:

Leapsy uses Sleep Powder!
Attack missed!

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

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

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

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


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

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

[Lord Ruby34]

"Good job, Connie," Less said, "That's enough for now." No sense running right into an ice shard. Less signaled that he was intending to take his league sanctioned switch, and sent out Princess before calling for a Natural Gift.

((OOC: if the league sanctioned switch isn't an option, Less will instead switch into Buck.))

[Gnomes2169]

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

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

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