2024-01-08: Special Mission! Reunite The Eevee Sisters
- Log: Special Mission! Reunite The Eevee Sisters
- Cast: Ida Everstead-Rey, Xiumei Klein, Lily Keil, Ashley Winchester, Gwen Whitlock
- Where: Central Kanto Plains
- Date: January 08, 506 PC Filgaian
- Summary: A scouting mission into Energy Nede's Kanto Plains becomes a mission to reunite an Eevee with someone she's lost.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
The rifts opened by the Wise Men promise a slow, bleeding death for Filgaia and Lunar, but at the same time, there's a ray of hope in their presence. Ida returned home and met with a few others, explaining the situation on the ground. Now, it's time to help them get the lay of the land, which means...
A hike. A search for anything else that might implicate Wise Men activity outside the fortress they've commandeered. After passing through the police cordon, the group has stopped near a maglev station, with vending machines, restrooms, drinking fountains--all the conveniences modern Nede has to offer.
Ida--back in her hoodie and jeans--flips through a paper map. It's quaint, by Nede standards. "So, let's see... We want to head north about a mile and a half, then the trail forks, and..."
"...Evoi?"
A bush rustles. A small, tan-furred creature steps out from beneath, trembling as it makes its way towards the group. Its body language drips uncertainty--its long ears are back, and its tiny body is tense. Its fuzzy tail switches behind it.
"Hello there," Ida says. She kneels, rummages in her pocket, and produces an Oran Berry. She holds it out to the Eevee, who sniffs at it, licks it with a tiny, pink tongue, then starts to nibble.
"Evoi," the Eevee says, once it's eaten its fill. It glances back at the maglev train proper, ears flattening against its head. "Evoi... evoi!" It raises its forepaw, then points... north. Then east. Then it pantomimes being woozy, wobbling in circles.
"It's trying to communicate," Ida whispers. She taps the Pokeball at her belt; Catastrophe Sal the Caterpie appears at her feet in a flash of blue light. Does Sal speak Eevee?
<Pose Tracker> Xiumei Klein has posed.
Xiumei hasn't gotten some Nedian clothes quite yet -- she wanted to do a little more window shopping and study fashion trends here, first -- but she has quite liked the appearance of it. She follows along, a little after Ida.
Her own Eevee, Liu Bei, is riding atop her shoulder; he looks down at the bush as it rustles, and looks at the other Eevee that emerges. His response is quiet: "...Evoi?"
"Well," Xiumei says, "I think LiuBei is ready to help, at worst..."
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily Keil is not really accustomed yet to Energy Nede. Its 'energy' is strange to her; she feels as if her body is working overtime to adapt. And yet, it is not all bad. There is something... about it, that agrees with her.
And that's not just the promise of a way to fight the Ten Wise Men, or the little creature that was sent along with her.
In order to blend in, Lily has been advised to wear something other than obvious military gear. Luckily, with a bit of money she's been given and a few vending machines...
Lily steps out into the grass with Ida, wearing black slacks and a black suit jacket, with a white dress shirt and a gold tie. She still has the sturdy boots, but she gve them a little polish. Her hair is long and loose; her eyes sharp. And at her side is Dog, who wags her tail as she sees the Eevee approach.
Lily has a Pokeball at her belt, though. Just the one for now.
"It's..." She closes her eyes, thoughtfully. "Anxious. Lonely." Her eyes open, and Lily removes her hand from her forehead, where she'd placed it to help think.
"...I guess following it is as good a direction as any, since we're scouting. If you want to, I won't stop you."
DG: Ashley Winchester has left your party. DG: A party led by Ida Everstead-Rey is now entering Kanto Plains Route. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
===================<* CHALLENGE - Preparing for a Journey *>====================
| Type: Entry | Dungeon Ability: Wits | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You've just set out on the road!
If you're used to Filgaia or Lunar, this feels... different. At first
glance, the plains of Energy Nede are familiar. Verdant and green, dotted
with trees, and with hills -- and sometimes tall rocks -- that need to be
overcome. Bubbling streams are nearby, with bridges over them. However,
there are signs of it being well-maintained all throughout. Sometimes, a
rock has a weather sensor cleverly hidden in it. In the distance, you see
fences that keep people out of areas with electrical equipment.
A mag-lev train soars by, on railing overhead.
Nonetheless, you need to make sure -- do you have everything you need?
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up! and Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
DG: Xiumei Klein has used her Tool Clerk's Notebook toward her party's challenge, Preparing for a Journey. Cleanse! All negative effects will be cleared at the end of the round! DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Preparing for a Journey. DG: Lily Keil has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Preparing for a Journey.
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.
ARE THEY ALL PREPARED FOR THEIR JOURNEY!?
...
They better be. Ashley's got an entire kit full of sundry goodies and useful items, and only a couple of things are a problem here.
First: he's looking a little more... weighed down at the moment.
Second: There's a very large bird perched on his backpack, treating it like a veritable crow's nest.
It preens its feathers regally.
"Sorry I'm late everyoooone," Ashley calls, trudging up to the rest of the party. "I had to make sure I could source some new cookware."
DG: Ashley Winchester has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Preparing for a Journey. BOX: That player has no Pokemon set.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
As Lily is finding out, it's strange how much clothing actually does make the person. When Gwen was dressed in her usual blouse and fitted vest and pants, she looked older than she sometimes acted. Gwen's Nedian clothing has the opposite effect: she looks slightly younger than she actually is. Getting closer, there's still the fine lines that would plague a person with such fair skin who's had to dealt with a merciless sun. Gwen just attributes it to how much age a hat can put on a person, as well as an impeccable skin care routine. .... And modern makeup.
..... Yeah, Gwen's going to definitely hoard as much of these advances in make-up and skin-care as she can get away with. She, like Ashley, has been fully corrupted by modern Nedian society! "... Oh, guys, you gotta see some of the stuff called eye shadow! They got some with sparkles in it, n' there's foundation that actually covers my freckles! N' sunscreen that's just as strong as the expensive stuff as I get in the Seed cities! I could be the prettiest courier the Badlands ever did see! .... In a way that don't make me look like I'm goin' into theatre." Or other things. Seeing Ashley with his load of cookware, as well as... bird, Gwen waves. "Aw, y'got a friend!"
On cue, there is suddenly a Joltik on Gwen's head, mandibles up in the customary greeting of 'don't eat me am scary and lardge scary big'.
Xiumei's own evee makes Gwen look towards the one as it approaches.
Gwen doesn't speak Eevee like Lily, but she does have a practiced hand at handling animals of all sorts by now. Squatting down as Voltie, her Joltik, pops out of her hair, she makes a few beckoning sounds, experimenting with whichever might seem to make the Eevee feel a little more comfortable, trying to soothe that anxiety. "Hey, hey, little guy, is something going on?"
Sure, the eevee can't understand Gwen's words most likely, but Gwen's just used to talking to animals. Or having conversations, even.
DG: Gwen Whitlock has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Preparing for a Journey.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
===================<* CHALLENGE - Preparing for a Journey *>====================
| Type: Entry | Dungeon Ability: Wits | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You've just set out on the road!
If you're used to Filgaia or Lunar, this feels... different. At first
glance, the plains of Energy Nede are familiar. Verdant and green, dotted
with trees, and with hills -- and sometimes tall rocks -- that need to be
overcome. Bubbling streams are nearby, with bridges over them. However,
there are signs of it being well-maintained all throughout. Sometimes, a
rock has a weather sensor cleverly hidden in it. In the distance, you see
fences that keep people out of areas with electrical equipment.
A mag-lev train soars by, on railing overhead.
Nonetheless, you need to make sure -- do you have everything you need?
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Cleanse:_All_Effects_Removed!, Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up!, and |
| Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
======================<* Kanto Plains Route - Round 1 *>====================== ====================< Results - Preparing for a Journey >===================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gwen Whitlock 0 --(5)--> 5 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lily Keil 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Xiumei Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Clerk's Notebook 2 Wits Effects: Cleanse and Inefficie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ashley Winchester 0 --(5)--> 5 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(20)--> 20 Pass Conditions: Reckless(2)|Wonder Effects: Cleanse ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Ida Everstead-Rey has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
"I hope so," Ida says, glancing up at Liu Bei. Who's a good Eevee?
"Pipie?" says Sal, her head tilting a little at the sight of Dog. The Eevee shivers, and starts to back away. Sal glances between the two, and then sidles up to Dog's leg, nuzzling her. "Caterpie!" she says.
"Evoi," says the Eevee. It glances up at Liu Bei, who has yet to be attacked by either of the big, scary Pokemon(?). If he's safe, then... "Evoi! Evoi!!" It points at Liu Bei, then at herself, and nods. Lily might sense a note of familiarity--the loneliness is pointed, linked to someone like Liu Bei. It points at Gwen, then shakes its head. The anxiety spikes. Then it points towards a distant tower, which lies in the direction Ida wanted to go. "Evoi!"
"Maybe it got separated from its trainer?" she suggests.
"Voi," the Eevee whimpers, and it points at Liu Bei, again.
"Well... either way, we're heading out.Into the pack, Sal," says Ida.
"Piiii~!" Sal climbs Ida's crouched form, and clambers into her backpack. The Eevee... takes a look at Ashley's Pigeotto, then decides it's safer to be with a person than without. It hops up into Ida's outstretched arms, and she cradles it close. "There, there," she says, nuzzling her face against soft, fluffy fur. "You're safe now."
(Catastrophe Sal peers out from Ida's backpack to nod at Voltie in greeting. Kid seems to be doing a bit better for himself, now, and that's good.)
DG: Xiumei Klein has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Rattata Attack! *>========================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You're walking by the tall grass. It sways in the breeze. It's warm and
sunny out...
...and then several purple rats leap out of the grass, snarl, and dive
straight for your ankles!
https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/a/aa/0019Rattata.png
You have to give the Rattata credit: it's ferocious despite its small size,
and the last time you fought something on this level, it was probably slime
in a berry-filled cave just outside of Adlehyde. Still, you can give them a
fight, right?
And hey, maybe you can add them to your collection!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, Injure:_Exhaustion_Up_On_Failure!, |
| Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up!, and Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Xiumei Klein has posed.
"Oh, I imagine Nedian cookware is very good," Xiumei says with a glance in Ashley's direction.
Then, she looks at Gwen -- and raises one eyebrow. "Eyeshadow...? Foundation? I'll have to look into these things." Then, she considers. "I have seen some very pretty skirts and vests, too."
She looks back at the Eevee, and then she smiles. Liu Bei nods once to the other Eevee. Then, he points forward -- and hops down.
As they start forward, though, some bushes ahead shake -- and then four furry Rattatas hop out. They bear their teeth -- and start forward. Xiumei's eyes widen, as she realizes. "Oh--" It's her first Pokemon battle. She cries out to Liu Bei: "Strike true!"
Liu Bei used TACKLE!
DG: Xiumei Klein has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Rattata Attack!.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
"Eye shadow isn't new," Lily points out. "Though they do have better formulations than I'm accustomed to..." Lily, believe it or not, knows makeup quite well. "...I'm not sure sparkles are my style," she admits. "But they would work for you."
Lily nods to Ashley and his bird. She doesn't say anything to either for the moment, focusing on Xiumei's Eevee and its interactions with the other Eevee. "...Hm."
Lily doesn't have a fine enough emotional sense to pick up all the nuances, but she says, "Not a Trainer, I think. Another animal."
Ida seems to have made a friend already, regardless...
The Rattatas come!! Dog wags her tail, adopting a battle stance, but--
"No," Lily says to Dog. "Down." Dog whines. "We have someone for this." Dog slumps a little, disappointed, but Lily pulls the Pokeball at her belt and in a flash, a lizard appears!
An orange lizard type creature, with a yellow underbelly, big blue eyes, sharp claws, and a tail with a flame at the end. "Charmander," Lily directs. "Use your flame breath to defeat the enemy." She points at a Rattata.
"Chaaaaar!"
Charmander used EMBER!
DG: Lily Keil has used her Tool Dog toward her party's challenge, Rattata Attack!. Embolden! Party Combat boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.
"Ahahaha, oh yeah definitely! They've got this wild space age material that doesn't stick to anything, and other stuff that conducts heat super well! And oh my gosh they had this one thing that you plug into a wall and chuck vegetables or fruits or whatever in, and you push the button and BRRRRRR--" Ashley makes a noise with his mouth, it sounds like a buzzy saw. "Chops 'em all up perfectly! Marina is going to love this stuff!!"
When they get home. Though.
...Makeup, huh. Maybe he should get her some of that, too...?
...This is just a shopping trip for him, isn't it? IT IS, ISN'T IT!?
The Pidgeotto looks to Gwen, then to the Joltik. Its keen, predatory eyes narrow at the little bug's display of Being Yellow implies it's far too much trouble to bother with. Those other, distinctly unelectrified ones though...
But then--
RATATAS.
'Ah,' the bird appears to think. 'These ones are smaller and far more uncontroversial targets.' With a cry, it takes flight, beating wings around Ashley's ears before sailing directly at one of the ratlike things.
...
D-does it mean to hunt them!?
...This is the circle of life, truly...
"Uh, it's kind of... hard to control," Ashley says of his Bird Friend. "I've whipped up something that might do it, but like... Carrot and stick, you know? Why's all of yours seem so much nicer and well-behaved than that bird of mine...?" (Meanwhile the Pidgeotto is blasting a massive windburst at some ratatas. Presumably to stun them for the Devouring.)
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.
"Oh, but..." Ashley taps his chin. "Hey, bird! I've got bread for you if you win!" He calls, waving a chunk of baguette over his head. The bird, to Ashley's credit, does seem to respond with added gusto. A glutton, huh...?
DG: Ashley Winchester has used his Tool Portable Pastries toward his party's challenge, Rattata Attack!. Cleanse! All negative effects will be cleared at the end of the round!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
"Evoi," says the skittish Eevee, nodding to Lily. "Evoi!" She points north again.
Ida is well-accustomed to carrying small, fuzzy friends, and she keeps the Eevee cradled in her arms, close to her body. It's like what she does with the cats, and Lola, and Stella, and the other puppies before they went to new homes. (She's got one eye on Ashley's Pidgeotto, though. Try anything, bird, and you will rue the day you evolved.) Then--!
"Sal!" Ida cries, as the rats(?!) charge.
"Caterpie!" Sal pops halfway out of Ida's pack.
"String shot!" Ida shifts the Eevee--whose ears are perked, alert, as she watches for other danger--to the crook of her arm, and points.
"PIE!" Sal cries. String sprays from her mouthparts, to tie up the Ratattas!
"...Are you sure the power supply is compatible with Filgaian designs?" Ida says, to Ashley, as her little bug lassoes rats.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Flare Grenade toward her party's challenge, Rattata Attack!. Embolden! Party Combat boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
Xiumei's confusion only strengthens Gwen's enthusiasm. "Ohh! I should drag you on a trip sometime! They got all kinds! Some more shiny, some more matte, sparkles, all that!" Lily seems to agree that sparkles might work for Gwen (if not her) and Gwen beams. "Right? Some color t'make my eyes pop? They always look so grey; y'can't see the blue unless you're lookin' close up n'-" She drifts off, suddenly trying to imagine Lily with sparkly eyeshadow. "Oh, the suit looks good on you, Lily! Heehee, it feels like we're all playin' dress-up with these clothes."
"I think mine's only behaving 'cause I'm its source of food, heehee. But the little guy's warmed up t'me, though. Give it some time, Ashley!" No, Gwen does not know what badges are. "I bet you can slice through the coverin' n' twist some wires if the things don't work. I do stuff like that all th'time!" Gwen is also a walking generator, with the caveat of things usually only working once.
Do not trust Gwen.
Gwen's experimental attempts at reaching out to the eevee fail; she doesn't push it, standing up as eevee tries to indicate what's happening. Following the group casually while being chatty all during it, Gwen steps back as some rattatas attack. Sure, everyone's using their Pokemon, but Gwen uses the usual tactic when she's been attacked by smaller wild animals in the past:
Gwen used YELL! "Get! Get!"
DG: Gwen Whitlock has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Rattata Attack!.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Rattata Attack! *>========================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You're walking by the tall grass. It sways in the breeze. It's warm and
sunny out...
...and then several purple rats leap out of the grass, snarl, and dive
straight for your ankles!
https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/a/aa/0019Rattata.png
You have to give the Rattata credit: it's ferocious despite its small size,
and the last time you fought something on this level, it was probably slime
in a berry-filled cave just outside of Adlehyde. Still, you can give them a
fight, right?
And hey, maybe you can add them to your collection!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Cleanse:_All_Effects_Removed!, Embolden:_Combat_Up!, |
| Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, Injure:_Exhaustion_Up_On_Failure!, |
| Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up!, and Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=======================<* Kanto Plains Route - Round 2 *>======================= =========================< Results - Rattata Attack! >========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Flare Grenade 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lily Keil 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Dog 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xiumei Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ashley Winchester 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Portable Pastries 1 Combat Effects: Cleanse -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Ida Everstead-Rey 20 --(20)--> 40 Pass Conditions: Fright(2)|Injure(2)|Reckless(1)|Wonder Effects: Cleanse|Embolden(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Ida Everstead-Rey has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Xiumei Klein has posed.
"I have seen it before, but... it's a bit of a mess except for a nice night out," Xiumei says.
Her eyes widen at what Ashley describes. "A-Amazing," she stammers. "It cuts them for you?"
The Rattatas are set upon by the Filgaians' Pokemon. Pidgeotto swoops down, striking for one; another is sent flying back by a fireball; Xiumei's Eevee shoulderchecks a third; the fourth is wrapped up in a Caterpie's string; the last of them rushes at Gwen, skids to a stop at 'GET!', and then turns around and runs away.
Until an underhanded toss of a Pokeball from Xiumei catches it in a flash of light.
The others are fleeing into the woods -- but there is a chance to capture them, if they're inclined. Xiumei catches her tossed Pokeball on the rebound.
"Well! That went well," she says.
DG: Lily Keil has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Careless Cyclists *>=======================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Agility | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
More people than Pokemon Trainers use the routes between the cities. Hikers,
backpackers, and others use it for a pleasant stroll. There are also people
who ride their bicycles over the trails. You hear, behind you, a loud voice:
"COMING THROUGH!"
And they're barreling straight for you, very quickly! You need to get out of
their way!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Embolden:_Combat_Up!, Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, |
| Slow:_Agility_Down!, Stupify:_Wits_Down!, and Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Ashley... is still able to focus on his mundane life. As silly as it might be, it seems to Lily that that's something worth protecting. She considers the bird, though. The bird... can do its own protecting. As for dress-up, "Stay focused," she advises Gwen. "We have a mission. It's no sin to enjoy yourself, but don't let yourself be too distracted."
And Eevee insists that she's right. "North, then. We'll go."
Caterpie--Sal--seems adept. But, Ashley mentions control, and...
"It's discipline," Lily says simply. "Be stern and forthright, and they'll respect your certainty. If you hesitate, they sense that they can get away with more."
Is it really that easy, though?
A pause. "...Bribes help, but if you overdo it, the treats will be expected instead of a reward."
She nods firmly when her Charmander overcomes his Rattata foe. "Good work," she tells him, and says, "Come here." She kneels down, and presents a Berry to the little lizard. It eats the whole thing in a few bites. It's a big berry!
"Ida has a point," Lily says. "You'll need to have one of ARMS's mechanics or someone make an adapter, if it's possible."
Then, "Seems you have another, Xiumei. Good work."
Then... She starts to lead onward. "The Eevee said it was this way--ah."
'COMING THROUGH!'
The bicycles come. Lily says, "Dog, go!" Dog rushes Charmander out of the way, bulling the lizard forward as Lily reaches up to take her pendant in hand and--
Well, the bicyclists are going to clip through her. It's kind of disturbing to watch.
DG: Lily Keil has used her Tool Impure Pendant toward her party's challenge, Careless Cyclists. Stalwart! Party shielded from some Exhaustion this round! Sacrifice! The party will take slightly more Exhaustion this round!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
"Evoi," says the Eevee in Ida's arms. It lets out a soft breath as the belligerant Rattatas retreat, relaxing a hair. Rather than try to capture one of the fleeing Pokemon, Ida cradles the one she already has on hand, and scritches her behind the ears.
"It seems strongly food-motivated," Ida says, glancing sidelong at Ashley's companion. "Which is rather inconvenient when all the local prey animals are so..." She trails off, looking at the Eevee she's holding like a baby. "Precious. Have you tried feeding it some of the Berries they have at the Pokemon SuppLOOK OUT!"
"EVOI!!" The Eevee's ears shoot straight up, and it freezes in place, eyes wide. Ida is already leaping to the side, aided by a timely gust of wind from her hiking boots. It leaves a patch of rough air in the middle of the trail, buffering the RUDE CYCLISTS just so, but not enough to knock any of them over.
"Oh, for," Ida growls. "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE RIDING!"
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Zephyr Boots toward her party's challenge, Careless Cyclists. Quicken! Party Agility boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Xiumei Klein has posed.
'COMING THROUGH!'
Xiumei turns, eyes wide -- and she does a quick hop. Rikold isn't here, but she thinks of him -- a leap to the side and a tuck and roll, like she has done from his back before. Liu Bei had already been well clear.
She sighs.
Liu Bei casts a glower in the cyclists' direction.
Then, Xiumei looks at Ida. "Well, I guess... there's rude people even in on Nede."
DG: Xiumei Klein has used her Tool Rikold Jet toward her party's challenge, Careless Cyclists. Quicken! Party Agility boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.
"Discipline, huh...?" Ashley asks as the Pidgeotto flutters back onto its perch. There is no ratatta with it. For... for better or for worse. (Ask not what happened to the Ratatta, it's best not to know). Ashley looks thoughtfully at the piece of bread before handing it up at the Pidgeotto (who snags it with its beak and munches down). He did promise a treat if it fought well, right? "Mmmmm, maybe I should try to whip up a spray bottle with some discipline-water or something... I hear that works for some animals when they misbehave?"
(There are now crumbs on Ashley's backpack, how awful.)
"Oh, yeah! It's super convenient," Ashley answers Xiumei with a grin, "And it has different discs you can put inside that change how it cuts! It can slice medallions or grate things up, or even just make an ultra-fine mince or puree!" The problem of finding a compatible power source is one Ashley nods along to. "Don't worry, I'll ask the R&D ladies to handle it back at the Chateau. If we can figure out a way to make it work, and a way to replicate it, then we could even start selling them to other chefs!!"
(And this is how Ashley brought the Food Processor to Filgaia. Will it forever be known as the Winchester Blender...?!)
Berries: "Yeah actually! It seems to like them! But I'm saving the ones I've bought for when I have time to bake properly. I think I can really bring out the flavor, make a treat that'll be impossible to resist! I can sell those too! Hahaha~" Ashley is surprisingly business-minded when his life isn't in constant and imminent danger. But then: CYCLISTS! Ashley is heavily encumbered by his pack and seems like a sitting duck, but...
"-AAWWWK!" The bird squawks, taking flight-- with Ashley's shoulders and upper arms grasped in its talons. Ashley also squawks, but has the foresight to fling his boomerang and conjure up a brief updraft with its magic, too. Pidgeotto takes its 'master' (read: meal ticket) for a quick skyward jaunt, and only thereafter begins coming back down...
...But Ashley's shoulders may be pretty sore as a result. To say nothing about what Pidgeotto's claws will do to his shirt.
DG: Ashley Winchester has used his Tool Magic Boomerang toward his party's challenge, Careless Cyclists. Resilient! Party shielded from some exhaustion next round!
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"Right," Gwen says to Lily, nodding. "It's too easy t'get excited 'bout these things."
Lily's advice to Ashley is... well, it's solid, though a little more blunt than Gwen likes. "It'll largely depend on the animal n' what their drives are. Voltie here was kinda left behind, n' he never left, so I left him be with me. Do what's consistent; the animal needs t'know what your language is. A disagreement's gotta be consistent enough so that they know it when they see it. They don't speak our language, n' we can't speak theirs. So, y'gotta communicate in a language between you n' them. Gulliver doesn't know what the heck I say when I chat with 'im, but he likes the sound of my voice n' knows I'm there."
It still feels weird to Gwen to expect Voltie to defend her; she's always been the one who defended Gulliver, and other animals that ever came under her care. Voltie's relationship with her has similarly been one of her protecting him.
It's the logic of this world, and Gwen doesn't question it since this world is as focused on Pokemon care and health, but she can't quite mind up to doing it herself.
'COMING THROUGH!' Gwen turns, and tries to get out of the way.
The way her face twists shows she's not exactly prepared to make it in time, as well as the fact that this is not a new occurance for her at all. "Whoahwhoahwhoah!"
DG: Gwen Whitlock has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Careless Cyclists.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Careless Cyclists *>=======================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Agility | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
More people than Pokemon Trainers use the routes between the cities. Hikers,
backpackers, and others use it for a pleasant stroll. There are also people
who ride their bicycles over the trails. You hear, behind you, a loud voice:
"COMING THROUGH!"
And they're barreling straight for you, very quickly! You need to get out of
their way!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, Quicken:_Agility_Up!, |
| Resilient:_Exhaustion_Down!, Slow:_Agility_Down!, Stupify:_Wits_Down!, and |
| Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=======================<* Kanto Plains Route - Round 3 *>======================= ========================< Results - Careless Cyclists >========================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Zephyr Boots 2 Agility Effects: Quicken -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 5 --(5)--> 10 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lily Keil 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Impure Pendant 3 Agility Effects: Stalwart and Sacrific -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xiumei Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Rikold Jet 3 Agility Effects: Quicken and Inefficie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ashley Winchester 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Magic Boomerang 2 Agility Effects: Resilient -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Ida Everstead-Rey 40 --(20)--> 60 Pass Conditions: Fright(1)|Slow(2)|Stupify(2)|Wonder Effects: Quicken(1)|Resilient(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Ida Everstead-Rey has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
"A spray bottle might work. But without the right attitude, you'll just be bothering it pointlessly." Ashley is... not very stern, as a rule. Not generally, at least, and not at the moment, certainly. But Ida has a point about food-motivation too...
"As Gwen says," Lily finishes. "The most important thing is consistency. They can't understand excuses or prevarication."
But then there's the bicyclists. Liu Bei does a sick jump! Liu Bei and Xiumei are both safe, glowering about the rudeness. Pidgeotto takes care of Ashley, though indeed, one can guess about how well his shirt is going to take it. And Ida with her wind is safe along with her Pokemon friends.
Lily traumatizes a couple of cyclists as they go, "WHOA!!" and just pass right through her, assuming she's a ghost or something. But Gwen...
Well. Gwen falls over, and the cyclist who would've run her over crashes as Voltie shocks the bike to defend her.
"S-sorry," the cyclist says, and quickly gets back on his bike and flees!!
"...Very rude indeed," Lily says with a frown.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Preserving the Magic *>=====================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Brute | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You're walking near a place where there is a large cliff, which makes a
seemingly natural barrier for this section of the route. There are some
small mountains past them, which stretch up across the horizon. It's a
picturesque scene, except...
Up ahead, you see that a large steel door -- with rock covering the side of
it -- opens up from the cliff face. The cliff hides a station for rangers
who maintain the route, to provide aid to Trainers in an emergency. The door
leads into a hallway, with lights on inside.
The door should be closed, to maintain the illusion for younger trainers.
Unfortunately, with all of that rock on it, the door is /quite/ heavy and
will take a lot of effort to push close.
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Quicken:_Agility_Up!, Resilient:_Exhaustion_Down!, Secret:_Exploration_Up!, |
| Slow:_Agility_Down!, Stupify:_Wits_Down!, Weaken:_Brute_Down!, and |
| Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Thankfully, the next stretch of road is peaceful. Idyllic, even. The tower the lost Eevee pointed out is some sort of broadcasting device; it radiates tremendously powerful magic, but it's fenced off from casual inspection. Warning signs bearing the logos of Celadon City and the Municipal Environmental Stabilization Department state that TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW.
Moving on.
Beyond the tower lies another rest stop, with restrooms and more vending machines and a brief hike to another maglev stop. Beyond that...
"...Eevoi?" The Eevee in Ida's arms perches forepaws on her elbow, and sniffs the wind. "Evoi! Evoi!" It points further down the path. But there's another, smaller problem.
"I don't think that should be open," Ida says, glancing up to the door positioned in the middle of the sheer cliff, where the door should not be. She approaches, Sal peeking out from her backpack to join the inspection--it's a monitoring station of some sort. The latest information on a dispatch display reads "Suspected Team Rocket Activity, Sub-Route 3." Someone's coffee sits on a coaster nearby. It's still warm.
"Must've left in a hurry," Ida says, "but... I don't think people should be poking around in here, right?"
She grips the edge of the door, and starts to push.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Preserving the Magic.
<Pose Tracker> Xiumei Klein has posed.
"It's almost unfair," Xiumei says to Ashley, with a sigh. "But I may have to see if I can acquire one for Eleanor and I. Even if--ah--it'd be for the people at Klein Manor." Someone hasn't quite adjusted to being a noblewoman yet and having people prepare her meals.
Such is married life.
She keeps following -- glancing at the communications tower -- and then she pauses, when she spots the door. "...ah," she says. "They must have. Yes, I can't imagine this should be open."
She falls in next to Ida, and starts to push. "Miss Keil, Miss Whitlock, Ashley, if you would...?"
Without her Biometal activated, she is only normal person strong.
DG: Xiumei Klein has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Preserving the Magic.
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.
Awww
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.
Pidgeotto returns Ashley safe and sound to the ground...
Mostly.
"Ah... ah..." His shirt-- is in tatters. Which means that he is... extremely shirtless, at the moment. And therefore, displaying exactly what years of Brad Evans Fanboying has gotten him (it's a six pack; Ashley is ripped). "Oh, this isn't..." The Pidgeotto prods Ashley's head with its beak expectantly. HAS IT ALREADY BEEN SPOILT?!
"Wh- no! Thanks for the save, but you wrecked my shirt!" Ashley huffs. The Pidgeotto huffs. EVERYONE HUFFS.
...It is somewhat awkward between baker and bird for a short while. At least, until there's a big door to push shut.
"...I guess this place is more artificial than it looks," Ashley says, throwing his bare shoulder into the door to slowly hinge it shut. "With how green it is, and how clean and fresh the air is, I mean. But if they've got doors in mountains..."
DG: Ashley Winchester has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Preserving the Magic.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"Oof!" Gwen falls to the ground, and holds her right ARM out on instinct, ready to stop the next bike from running over her.
Instead, Voltie, seeing Gwen in danger, does what a Joltnik can, and will do so far more than his own meal ticket would: electrocute someone.
As the cyclist flees, Gwen holds Voltie, "Voltie... thank you." She gives the little Pokemon a scritch on the head, leading the Joltik do a little step step step around in a circle-- a dance. "Heehee. My handsome boy!"
Getting up and dusting herself off as Voltie goes to rest on her head, Gwen strides up, and sees the door. "Will do, Xiumei! Lemme just test that rock..."
Gwen cracks her knuckles with a grin, striding up to try to push the door closed. ".... Hyep, Ashley, Lily, this one's a toughie."
DG: Gwen Whitlock has used her Tool ARM-ored Fist toward her party's challenge, Preserving the Magic. Strengthen! Party Brute boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
"...I suppose it did protect you," Lily allows to Gwen of Voltie. Meanwhile, Lily can do nothing about Ashley being shirtless. Her jacket is much too small for him. But she thinks about it. "Hmm."
Xiumei and her wife... It makes Lily think, for a moment. She doesn't dwell on it. She looks at the communications tower for a few moments instead, until Eevee points down the path...
"Team Rocket," Lily comments thoughtfully. "I haven't encountered them yet. Officer Jenny warned me to rely on my Pokemon if I do, instead of causing a larger incident."
But Ida moves to push, and Xiumei asks for their greater strength. "I've got this," Lily says to Ida, nodding to Xiumei. "Yes. Be careful--I'm going to have a look at the root problem, those rocks."
Lily turns, and Charmander walks up beside her. Dog watches, wagging her tail.
"Now Charmander," Lily says. "You might have heard or understood that Rock is difficult for Fire to handle. And that's true. But when your back is to the wall, and you only have one solution..."
Lily turns to the fire. "Sometimes, the solution is just to overwhelm the enemy even with what they're strong against."
She extends a hand towards the rocks. "Charmander. With me. Ember!"
Lily and Charmander both use Fire on the rocks!!
"Don't give up! If you can heat them they'll be easier to move! When you're ready--"
"We strike!"
DG: Lily Keil has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Preserving the Magic.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Preserving the Magic *>=====================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Brute | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You're walking near a place where there is a large cliff, which makes a
seemingly natural barrier for this section of the route. There are some
small mountains past them, which stretch up across the horizon. It's a
picturesque scene, except...
Up ahead, you see that a large steel door -- with rock covering the side of
it -- opens up from the cliff face. The cliff hides a station for rangers
who maintain the route, to provide aid to Trainers in an emergency. The door
leads into a hallway, with lights on inside.
The door should be closed, to maintain the illusion for younger trainers.
Unfortunately, with all of that rock on it, the door is /quite/ heavy and
will take a lot of effort to push close.
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Secret:_Exploration_Up!, Slow:_Agility_Down!, Strengthen:_Brute_Up!, |
| Stupify:_Wits_Down!, Weaken:_Brute_Down!, and Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
======================<* Kanto Plains Route - Round 4 *>====================== ======================< Results - Preserving the Magic >====================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gwen Whitlock 10 --(0)--> 10 Pass ARM-ored Fist 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lily Keil 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Xiumei Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ashley Winchester 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Ida Everstead-Rey 60 --(20)--> 80 Pass Conditions: Secret(2)|Slow(1)|Stupify(1)|Weaken(2)|Wonder Effects: Strengthen(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Ida Everstead-Rey has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
The door is heavy. The door is stuck. But Lily and Charmander apply heat to the joints, making it a bit easier to move. Gwen has had plenty of experience with obstacles like this, and takes the lead, putting artificial muscle into it. Ida plants her hands, and pushes. Ashley pushes. Xiumei pushes. Catastrophe Sal pops out of Ida's backpack and pushes. Even the Eevee gets into the act.
They're rewarded when the door settles back into place, and the Symbological lock seals it tight.
Ida wipes sweat off her brow. Sal trills. "Evoi!" says the Eevee, hopping up and down as she looks up at Xiumei and Liu Bei.
"They're nearby, aren't they?" Ida asks, now that she feels less silly for talking to an animal.
"Evoi!"
DG: Gwen Whitlock has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
===============<* CHALLENGE - Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared! *>===============
| Type: Final | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You come up over the next hill, and then find someone stands in your way: a
young woman with blonde hair, wearing the tell-tale blue-grey coat of an Ace
Trainer. These Trainers are powerful members of the Pokemon League. She
looks at you, then nods.
"I challenge you!"
She throws out two Pokeballs -- and reveals two very powerful ones. A Raichu
and a Dugtrio, which are ready for a fight. Get ready! This one won't be
easy!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Secret:_Exploration_Up!, Strengthen:_Brute_Up!, |
| Weaken:_Brute_Down!, Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down!, and Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
Ashley is shirtless, and Gwen... pauses.
It's not as if Gwen *doesn't* find the look attractive, but above all else, Gwen's devotion to her side job of shipping knows no limits.
Assessing Ashley's build and hers, Gwen takes off jacket. While she has a long-sleeved shirt underneath, but it's obvious now that the thinner fabric of the shirt makes the ARM more noticable, even as streamlined as the design of the Mockingbird is. The fabric keeps catching on the plates as she moves. "I don't think Marina'd appreciate catchin' you wearin' another lady's jacket, so you better give it back when we can get you another shirt." Gwen chuckles. "May be a little tight on you, but it should fit. Unless ya wanna go around shirtless?"
That is the extent of Gwen's teasing, and even if Ashley goes shirtless, she doesn't say another word. She will bleed for that ship if she has to!
As they go further up the trail, Gwen looks down towards the Eevee. "Feels like we're gettin' close." The Eevee chirps, almost like an agreement, and the group continues on, until--
"Oh hey, is that your train-- oh." Gwen looks awkwardly at the Ace Trainer, her Joltik weaving around her hand as she rubs her head. ".... Hey, it's a potential emergency. Can ya let us through?"
The Ace Trainer shakes her head. "No can do. Besides, it won't take me long to beat you in a challenge. Can you guys even control the ones you have?"
Gwen looks helplessly at the eevee. "W-weeelll, uh, guys?"
Voltie suddenly springs into action in front of Gwen. "Joltik! Joltik!"
"Heyhey, little guy, I mean, if you wanna... Go... do your thing!" Gwen gestures with her left hand.
In the Joltik's mind would likely be little spider math symbols and theories spinning around, something about webbing and caterpillars and it all twisting around until it becomes-- ~~~!!~~~
"JOLTIK!" Voltie uses ELECTROWEB!
DG: Gwen Whitlock has used her Tool One For the Road toward her party's challenge, Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared!. Cleanse! All negative effects will be cleared at the end of the round! Sacrifice! The party will take slightly more Exhaustion this round! Liability! Failure will result in extra Exhaustion!
<Pose Tracker> Xiumei Klein has posed.
Xiumei Klein, on the other hand, mostly just notices Ashley doesn't have a shirt anymore. A shame, it seems like a pain to replace!
But Xiumei's preferences are a matter of public record in Meria, now.
She follows after -- her eyes widening at the Ace Trainer's challenge. "Well... if we must," she says. She glances at Gwen, then nods. "Let's see what we can do. Liu Bei?"
"Voi," he affirms. He steps forward -- hops left, then right -- and then a trio of brilliant, bright yellow stars of light form over his head, and hurtle off for the Raichu.
Liu Bei used SWIFT!
DG: Xiumei Klein has used her Tool Energy Tank toward her party's challenge, Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared!. Resilient! Party shielded from some exhaustion next round!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
"I saw a machine that sold short-sleeved shirts at the last rest stop," Ida says. "Maybe there'll be one at the next one?" For now, Gwen's jacket is a good substitute, and Ida smiles at the courier as she hands it over. There was a time when Gwen might've left Ashley shirtless rather than risk revealing her ARM. She's really grown since then.
'Oh hey, is that your train--'
"Evoi..." The Eevee shakes its head. Whomever it's looking for, it's not this lady. Ida, though...
"You again," she says, gently tucking the Eevee under her arm. Ida already knows what Yvette is here for before Gwen even asks. Her lips twitch as Yvette questions their control. "Sal, go." Ida's pack rustles, and Sal clambers out, hopping to the ground with a chirp of effort. The dust swirls around her as she sizes up the foe. The Raichu's a fast one, and she knows how to counter the Dugtrio, but they'll expect that now, so--
'JOLTIK!'
Sal looks overjoyed. Her mandibles wiggle in delight.
"Sal, deal with that Dugtrio," Ida says, hand clenched, "and do that... scale thing you did last time!"
"Caterpie!"
Brilliant, iridescent scales--a Symbological imaginal disc, of sorts, a portent of the Butterfree she will one day become--descend across the team, boosting their resilience. Then she lunges at the Dugtrio head-on!
Catastrophe Sal used TACKLE!
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Flare Grenade toward her party's challenge, Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared!. Embolden! Party Combat boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.
GWEN OFFERS: COAT.
Ashley shakes his head and gently nudges it back. "I'll be fine, thanks for the offer! I'm, uh." Drenched in sweat. Dripping sweat. GLISTENING. If someone took a photo, Marina would surely pay in pastries at least. Instead Ashley pulls his bandanna from around his neck and dabs himself with it. It doesn't staunch much but it's helpful.
...And, who knows, it may even be advantageous when they run into...
YVETTE, ACE TRAINER.
Ashley looks at her for a long moment, before sloooowly reaching for his gun--
Only to get bapped on the head by his bird. "What!?" Ashley protests. "I was just going to use a distraction--" Pidgeotto puffs its chest out, folding one wing over its heart. "...You want to take care of it? Hmmn..."
Ashley thinks for a moment, then nods. "I was saving this," he says, pulling-- not a pastry, but a strip of TASTY BACON JERKY-- from his pack. The bird watches keenly, as Ashley offers: "If you get us out of this cleanly, it's all yours. But..." As a treat. Don't just bribe it. "...Only if you get out untouched. Got it?"
Pidgeotto's eyes burn with fervant energy. With a keening scream, it kicks off into the air at blinding speeds, before repeatedly dive-bombing that poor Dugtrio like some kind of metal eagle (with an amazing theme song).
...This might be a bit lopsided, if the rest of the team can keep that Raichu busy.
DG: Ashley Winchester has used his Tool Cozy Camp Kit toward his party's challenge, Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared!.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily is satisfied with Charmander's work. She nods, sharply. "Good job," she tells him. Then, "Just remember that feeling."
Chamander gained a level!
But Eevee thinks... "Then let's follow."
Lily pauses. Not because of Ashley; she simply notices he doesn't have a shirt on and doesn't bother dwelling on it. Not because of Gwen, who helps. But because of...
"Maybe they can, maybe they can't," she says. "But I can."
Dog barks happily, though she still doesn't get to participate. Charmander approaches forward again. "Now," she says. "We went through our lesson about overwhelming force..."
"But this time, it's time for strategy! Use your Smokescreen!"
"ChaaaaARRRRRRP," Charmander belches forth black smoke to fake out the Raichu.
Charmander has used SMOKESCREEN!
Dog barks wildly, cheering on her new friends. She looks to Lily--
"If you don't let him do it himself, he won't learn," Lily says to Dog sternly.
DG: Lily Keil has used her Tool Dog toward her party's challenge, Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared!. Embolden! Party Combat boosted!
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
===============<* CHALLENGE - Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared! *>===============
| Type: Final | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You come up over the next hill, and then find someone stands in your way: a
young woman with blonde hair, wearing the tell-tale blue-grey coat of an Ace
Trainer. These Trainers are powerful members of the Pokemon League. She
looks at you, then nods.
"I challenge you!"
She throws out two Pokeballs -- and reveals two very powerful ones. A Raichu
and a Dugtrio, which are ready for a fight. Get ready! This one won't be
easy!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Cleanse:_All_Effects_Removed!, |
| Embolden:_Combat_Up!, Resilient:_Exhaustion_Down!, Secret:_Exploration_Up!, |
| Weaken:_Brute_Down!, Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down!, and Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=======================<* Kanto Plains Route - Round 5 *>======================= =================< Results - Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared! >================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(2)--> 2 Pass Flare Grenade 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 10 --(2)--> 12 Pass One For the Road 3 Combat Effects: Cleanse, Sacrifice, a -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lily Keil 0 --(2)--> 2 Pass Dog 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xiumei Klein 0 --(2)--> 2 Pass Energy Tank 3 Combat Effects: Resilient and Ineffic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ashley Winchester 5 --(2)--> 7 Pass Cozy Camp Kit 4 Combat Effects: None -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Ida Everstead-Rey 80 --(35)--> 115 Pass Conditions: Bad Luck(2)|Secret(1)|Weaken(1)|Wonder|Wound(2) Effects: Cleanse|Embolden(1)|Resilient(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Ida Everstead-Rey has successfully explored Kanto Plains Route!
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
========================<* CHALLENGE - A New Friend! *>=========================
| Type: Discovery | Dungeon Ability: Conclusion | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You've reached the next town! As you approach, though, you hear a soft noise
behind you. When you turn, you spot a Pokemon that has been following -- and
seems to want to come with!
If you're interested, type +dice 1d12 and consult the list below. Everyone
in the Dig can do this!
1: Spearow
2: Sandshrew
3: Mankey
4: Oddish
5: Paras
6: Psyduck
7: Poliwag
8: Vulpix
9: Magikarp
10: Arcmene
11: Jubjubunny
12: Eevee
Enjoy your new friend!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Cleanse:_All_Effects_Removed!, |
| Embolden:_Combat_Up!, Resilient:_Exhaustion_Down!, Secret:_Exploration_Up!, |
| Weaken:_Brute_Down!, Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down!, and Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
It's definitely a sign of Gwen's growth; there would have definitely been a time Gwen would have done just that, or at the very least would have felt uncomfortable with the idea.
Gwen still looks a little uncomfortable now, even, but she doesn't let it stop her since Yvette isn't looking at her.
At first, Yvette is looking at Ida, frowning. "Time for a rematch--"
Ashley uses GLISTEN!
Yvette sees Ashley, a glorious glistening shirtless young man with a six-pack, possibly covered in a few feathers, which just makes it *better*. It's super effective!
Next is a demonstration of how good a strongly built Pokemon team is without a trainer to properly lead it: worthless.
The Raichu gets pummeled with stars, unable to see their trajectory due to Lily's Charmander's smokescreen.
The Dugtrio meanwhile is shocked and tackled by Sal and the wild Pidgeotto, knocking it out cleanly as well.
".... Y-you can pass," Yvette mumbles, her cheeks red. Is it from embarrassment, or is it a blush? Best not to find out!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Someone was waiting for Yvette to get distracted, or go away. Someone crawling out from behind a rock, rustling through the tall grass.
"...Evoi?"
That wasn't Liu Bei, or the Eevee still tucked under Ida's arm--whose ears perk up, its face gleaming with joy.
"Evoi!"
A second Eevee creeps out of the brush, padding on little catlike feet, ears pricked.
"...Evoi?" The new Eevee's eyes dart from Ida to the Eevee squirming beneath her arm, to Ida, then to each of the others. It growls, but the sound is more protective than frightened.
"Evoi! Evoi evoi!" The wiggling Eevee looks up at Ida, eyes big, and... seemingly regretful. Ida kneels, and sets her down. "All right, little one," she says. The Eevee springs forward to nuzzle its companion, "Evoi!"ing all the while. They're nuzzled back, in return, but the other Eevee seems wary of people, and doesn't let its guard down.
Sal seems to recognize this is a bit delicate, and climbs up Ida's side to plop back into her backpack.
"You don't owe me anything," Ida says, to the hesitant Eevee. "I'm just glad you two are together again. Your friend was so worried." Her hand dips into her pocket, and comes out with two Oran Berries. "One for the road, for both of you?"
The Eevees look at each other. The one they met at the maglev station--slightly smaller compared to the other--accepts the berry, nuzzles Ida's legs, and... then coils around them like a contented cat. They stay there.
"Evoi!" they say, to their hesitant companion.
"...Evoi," says the other Eevee, with a roll of the eyes. They come forth to take their Berry, too.
Very soon, Ida is seated by the side of the trail, two Eevees curled up in her lap.
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.
Yvette has lost to the power of Glazed Muscle. Marina would understand, but she would also emit powerful enough Girlfriend Radiation to cow this poor trainer into submission. At least she can have her fantasies. "Thanks kindly miss," Ashley says with a winning smile, ONLY MAKING IT WORSE. Pidgeotto returns to Ashley's pack, utterly untouched just as promised. Ashley nods and ferries up his Precious Jerkey, and the compact is sealed.
Onward they go, to the next town over. But...
Ashley pauses. Something is amiss. His pack is lighter than it aught to be, even accoutning for the bird. He glances around, this way and that, and reaches back for his Pastry Pouch--
Only to find it... half-empty. "That's weird, I definitely didn't feed you that much," Ashley tells his bird, who simply sits and preens. He glances around spying a familiar canister poking out of the tall grass. It... rustles!? With cautious step and a wary gaze, he steps closer, closer, closer, and sloooowly pulls away the grass. "...Oh?"
For a moment, Ashley disappears into the scrub.
...A moment later, he emerges, holding up what appears to be--
Uh.
That's just A Dog. Except it has some distinctly bun-like ears. In fact, the whole thing seems to be pretty doughy. A doughy doggy.
It's munching contentedly on a donut.
"I've got another one!" Ashley declares. He should probably pokeball it while it's still munching away. But for now...
The menagerie only grows...
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
<poem> Lily sees Yvette falter, and shakes her head. "You're a strong Trainer," she says. "But..." No. She won't embarrass the girl further. "I look forward to testing against you alone one day."
Then, they pass.
Evoi!
Lily doesn't smile to see the reunion, but she doesn't frown, either. She watches the two Eevees for a long moment, and then inclines her head. "Yes," she says. "This is why we came."
Ashley appears with...
Dog barks. "You can't have a donut," Lily tells Dog. Dog doesn't seem too put out. She instead starts to wander into the grass. "Dog," Lily says, "Come."
Dog barks again, and when she returns, she has another Eevee still following her.
"You..."
The Eevee nuzzles at Dog and walks up to look at Lily with huge eyes. Lily considers. "I sense power in you." A pause. "...You should know that the journey won't be easy."
"Voi!"
"...You, too, wish to increase your strength. Very well." Lily pulls a Pokeball, and tosses it up and down in her hand. "Then come with me. And together we'll be stronger."
V'oi!"
EEVEE has joined Lily's party!
Charmander cheers.