2024-10-21: Echo Night

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<Pose Tracker> Dr. Mirage has posed.

Welcome to Fun City!

Today, there is a meeting with one of Energy Nede's premier scientists and engineers. Dr. Mirage is an eminent weaponsmith and scholar in Armlock City. The Drifters who went to the Symbological Weapons Laboratory -- and their allies -- have been invited today.

Mayor Nall isn't in attendance. However, he has rented out a cafe: Dragonite Quest Cafe, which is themed around ancient Nede. The servants are in costume as various particularly monstrous Pokemon, medieval peasants, knights, princesses, and like. Someone who has been to Lunar might find it comical.

Currently, everyone is gathered in the main room. It is otherwise closed to the public.

And, as it happens... a certain person very familiar with Armlock City is here to make the introductions!

<Pose Tracker> Vivace Mori has posed.

Vivace didn't really expect to be here.

She'd been avoiding home - and Xine, and all of Armlock really - for so long. But her time with the Fields had made her think about things differently. She did not regret - and never expected to regret - leaving home for what has become more of a quest than a journey. But she had regretted some of the things she'd said when she left, and so over the last two weeks she'd done what was once unthinkable.

She'd apologized.

Vivace had gone home and spoken with Xine, her parent, and while they weren't on *good* terms, her last words to Xine were no longer cruel - and Vivace had ended up meaning it. Even if it was hard to apologize, and even if they were still kind of stiff and awkward around each other, a rift was at least partially healed.

Maybe this was what the Fields were really meant for.

And now, directly because of her being willing to go back to Armlock, she's found herself in charge of coordinating a meeting between Visitors - Drifters - and Dr. Mirage, because she both knows Dr. Mirage and had completed the Fields alongside others. She'd been at the Symbological Weapons Laboratory too, though she'd been ambushed by Rockets and had been a little busy.

Vivace had thrown herself into that with the same seriousness she gives everything else. Drifters had been contacted and invited, and as many local Trainers as were willing. Dr. Mirage, too, had had her schedule coordinated with. She'd even spoken to the Dragonite Quest Cafe, which is why they have it to themselves.

Vivace will never answer whether she took advantage of *that* for some private game time in Fun City. She's fifteen. She's allowed to abuse her privileges a little bit.

"Hey," she says, followed by, louder, "Hello!" as she takes a spot near the head of the room. Sandshrew is sitting on a table in front of her, and has acquired a bag of peanuts from somewhere, which she is pulling open with her stubby claws to get to the important bits. Vivace gives Drifters who may have been a little *too* interested in Dragonite Quest a moment to settle before she continues.

"When you're done settling in," Vivace says, keeping her voice raised so it carries, "I've got someone for you to meet. Dr. Mirage, from Armlock City, who I know because I've had to talk to her about a personal project." Repairing her Aulbide, as a few people know.

"She wanted to talk to the people involved in the trip to the Symbological Weapons Laboratory and Phynal, and asked me to make it happen. She's in charge of making weapons... what weapons Nede has these days." Vivace pushes up her glasses with an absent gesture, one finger against their bridge.

"It's serious," she finishes. 

<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

Claude C. Kenny has been to Lunar, of course. ...But he's kind of charmed by Dragonite Quest Cafe anyway; he's spent his own share of time thinking about the difference between fast-placed 'modern' life and the more ancient ways of being...

But he drew the line at wearing one of the crowns.

He is already here, of course. And when Vivace comes, he recognizes her from meetings.

"Okay," Claude says. "I've seen some of the weapons they allow in Armlock; they're pretty strong, though the ones they let the public see..."

Aren't enough for the Ten Wise Men. 

<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    Timu is present, though of a subdued presence as she's holding her Fuecoco friend close. Elements of what was spoken of at Silph Co. when Mega Evolution and Dynamaxing had unnerved her, and she was present in the periphery of the Symbological Weapons Lab. Nonetheless, she's facing it about as head on as she can, in silence, as the whimsical world of the Dragonite Quest Cafe just feels like a blur and distraction.
 
     Ethius, who is more in the camera spotlight in comparison, doesn't let himself get too distracted by it. Fun City is loud and bright and he doesn't really like the hustle and bustle of the place - but it's a business trip. (Everything is.)
 
     He's standing up and listening with arms crossed behind his back as the briefing begins as led by Vivace. Claude says it plain about the weapons seen, manufactured, and occasionally sold in Armlock.
 
     With Nede's level of technological development and already having at least one stand-out incident of loose Nedian equipment wreaking havoc... he'd praise the restraint.
 
     "It's serious," he echoes the sentiment, hand going to his forehead. 

<Pose Tracker> Kaede Akigiri has posed.

Kaede... is not sure what to make of the venue of choice for this kind of meeting. Not that she hates the place in any particular fashion, it just seems an odd choice after what had happened. Maybe that was the point? A sense of defragging? There are some younger trainers present after all. It's not like she's going to voice any comments anyway.
 
 There's a fairy and some other oddities running around somewhere nearby, surely. Even ninja who completely forgot why the two of them were there, proving an earlier point!
 
 Claude's comment covers enough for her to just nod as she walks up. Twice. She does glance back and shake her head at Bunko who at least changes back. Briefly. Kaede's going to have to be a bit firmer with her here soon maybe. (Or not. She's not harming anyone yet!) 

<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    All anyone really had to say to get Josie's attention was 'weaponsmithing'.

    Sipping a bright pink drink (a Princess Jigglypuff Strawberry Cream Special, to be specific), Josie has taken up residence at one of the tables, unabashedly reveling in the silliness of the atmosphere. She's been to Lunar! This is amazing.
    Somewhere in the back, a black and white pigeon has discovered the fries. No one among the staff yet has realized this.

    "Really? Great! I'd love to see what Energy Nede's got, right," she says, once Vivace makes her return and tells them about who they're about to have a personal chat with. It's got to be something good, right--

    Still, that final statement gives even Josie pause. "Huh. Well, I'm all ears." 

<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.

    Ida's been through Fun City, and even eaten at a few of the less-kitschy restaurants. This is her first time visiting one of the more... enthusiastically-themed establishments. She doesn't know quite what to think.

    The heiress follows Kaede and Bunko (Or is it just one of them? Which is which?) into the restaurant's main dining hall. Catastrophe Sal the Butterfree flits at her side, wearing a Butterfree-sized paper crown with DRAGONITE QUEST POKE-ROYALTY printed on it. It is gaudy as hell. Ida wears a matching crown, with a slightly different slogan: DRAGONITE QUEST ROYALTY. She is not sure whether to feel appalled that the greeter talked her into wearing one, too, or just enjoy the harmless novelty of it. "Vivace," Ida says, with a nod towards the meeting's organizer. "Claude." She takes a seat, and folds her hands.

    Ida wonders if the menu is... like this, too, or if it's any more subdued. This is a bizarre place to talk about ancient weapons technologies, and the implications thereof. Maybe that's the point?

    As previously mentioned, this is Ida's first time at a theme restaurant.

<Pose Tracker> Chartreuse Spinosa has posed.

A meeting with Dr. Mirage... Chartreuse, as someone who always keeps up with the goings-on in the world of science, is familiar with her work. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't a little excited about getting the chance to meet her.

It'd be nice if it was under better circumstances. She can't let herself get too excited - not when, as Ethius and Vivace both say, it's a serious matter.

"Thanks for getting all of this put together, Vivace." Chartreuse says with a smile and a nod. "I'm interested in hearing what she has to say."

She's settled in, now. Furret is here with her, too, long tail curled around the base of her chair. Chartreuse reaches down, briefly, to give him a pat on the head. 

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

Chase was the kind of child who heard 'Dragonite Quest Cafe' in his youth and got excited, only to find himself slightly disappointed that it's themed around ancient Nede and not exclusively around Dragonite. EVen today, be more happy wearing a Dragonite antenna headband than a crown.

At least that makes it easier for him to focus, even if he's less fond of the current topic of conversation... but it's important to protect Nede and the Pokemon that live here.

He waits with Vivace for others to settle, eyes pinched shut for the moment of rest as he tries to recover from the overwhelming, exhausting nature of the park.

Pikachu sits beside him, not quite tall enough to see over the table. What's visible are her ears and the floating Bunny balloon tied around her waist. She's carrying a giant, grassy green waffle cone with a giant swirl of green soft serve. "Piii Pikachu pi Pika Pikachu!" she sings.

Chase sets a hand on his Pikachu's head when Vivace begins to speak, and Pikachu nuzzles up into it before quieting down and nibbling away.

He sets his attention back on Vivace, nodding uneasily. He does, for better or worse, fit that category.

<Pose Tracker> Misty Kasumi has posed.

Fun City! Misty has many fond memories of Pokemon Stadium, a place she used to frequent when she was on her Journey and still considered an up-and-coming Trainer. It's... been a while since that label was still applicable to her, of course. Still, fond memories.

But today she is here for business, and she finds her way easilly to the Dragonite Quest Cafe. She smiles as she sees Vivace, walking over to her for a moment before grabbing a seat. "Vivace! Good to see you. I hope you're doing well."

She finds herself a seat and listens. She already wrote several reports about her trip, but it won't hurt to share her experience again. And she's curious to hear everyone else's take on it, too.

But weapons... Misty takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out. "Never thought I'd be in a meeting to discuss weapons, of all things." 

<Pose Tracker> Vivace Mori has posed.

The Drifters seem to be taking Dragonite Quest Cafe more seriously than Vivace expected... more seriously than she is, honestly. Vivace thinks it is a bit silly (she likes other parts of Fun City better) but, well.

If you're going to have a secret meeting, this is about the most secret, least expected place to put it. Any Rockets who heard about it probably think they're planning somebody's birthday party or something. Or that's what Vivace is privately hoping. She did not actually pick Fun City but given that was where the meeting was to take place, she was going to make the most of it.

"Nobody would be talking about weapons if it wasn't serious," Vivace points out, agreeing obliquely with Misty. "And I'm doing fine, thanks." She looks fine. Certainly she's not hurt, and Sandshrew seems to be enjoying herself, even if she is making a mess of peanut shells. She eyeballs Phwee's giant ice cream and immediately starts to scoot closer to see what it is, so she can puppydog-eyes Vivace into getting *her* one of those.

And to Claude, she nods, pushing up her glasses again. "That's why she's coming here. Dr. Mirage thinks it's something beyond the gear we've got just sitting around." 

<Pose Tracker> Dr. Mirage has posed.

"Quite serious," a woman says. "And you're quite correct. Armlock's weaponry isn't up for the task. It's much beyond the gear we have available, typically."

Dr. Mirage is a blue-haired Nedian in her late thirties. After Mayor Nall, one might wonder if she actually is that old; however, public records do note when she received her degree. Her hair is swept back and she has blue eyes.

She wears dress, in reds and whites, which is surprisingly mobile. As she walks out of the back, she looks at Vivace -- and she smiles.

"Thank you, Vivace," she says. "As she said, I'm Dr. Mirage. And I'm here to talk to you about Technical Machine 9999."

She nods. "We analyzed it in my lab... and I'm inclined to agree with the Mayor's conclusion," she says. "It will allow you to get through the Ten Wise Men's defenses. It creates a field, which lasts for aboutan hour, that will disrupt their barriers. We can teach it to Pokemon, who can apply it to you, but we're also making a device that can apply its effect to the one holding it."

<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

Claude nods to Kaede as she arrives, watches Ethius for a moment, and generally listnes to everybody. Catastrophe Sal gets a smile.

His Pokemon aren't out at the moment.

"...So it's not just something Pokemon can use," Claude reflects at Dr. Mirage.

"I'm interested in that device. I appreciate it--Pokemon are great, but... I want to be able to use my own sword, too." 

<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    Ethius' own Pokemon are presently stowed away because of the seriousness of the matter. The only thing that could probably break him and make him laugh is seeing that video of a Mr. Mime with a gun again.
 
     (it was a thing)
 
     "So, that will be the method - and a generous window of opportunity besides once it's active. Our personal engagements with the Ten Wise Men prior," he's going to stick with that vernacular even if they're nine now, "scarce ever extended beyond a few minutes at a time." 

<Pose Tracker> Kaede Akigiri has posed.

Kaede notes the crown and offers a thumbs up to Ida. The notebook being held up states, <A little more whimsical than the ones I saw as a kid.> Light teasing. And maybe something of a joke at her own history.
 
 Bunko who had been focused on the crown like she might want to wear one, spots some familiar pokemon, waving to Sal excitedly, then she bounds over to stand on her toes and offer a finger poke instead of a tail poke to Phwee. Kaede's a bit slow on this and she ends up just sending Chase a simple message, <Sorry, she's still excited.> message.
 
 Misty is waved to as she takes a seat, lounging back and slowly crossing her leg over the other. There's a stifness that suggests she probably is enjoying the downtime.
 
 Vivace states something she disagrees with and she holds up a note in big letters, <You haven't met my sister yet.> She couldn't help it. It's a serious moment, but it's the venue!
 
 She does actually flip pages when Dr Mirage steps up though and she begins to write notes down. Bunko is actually paying attention too! She was there for that and she wants to know what's going on.
 
 She returns the nod to Claude, then she points to him when he notes he'd like having his own options fighting the Nine Guys.
 
 Ethius is slid a note torn from the book, <Probably need to keep that kind of thing local only.> Some long term planning. The idea of that getting out into the wild is worrying. 

<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.

    Ida glances back and forth across the table as the others file in. A sort of tense resolve rises in her as she sees she's the only person, Nedian or otherwise, wearing one of the offered crowns. Rather than bemoan this state of affairs, Ida reaches up and gives hers a bit of a jaunty tilt, to match Sal's. "Just a little," she says, to Kaede. Sal has taken a seat on the Poke-perch on Ida's chair's backrest, and leans out to wave to Bunko.

    "So it's more versatile than other TMs," Ida says, with a nod. "Do you have any idea why Dr. Rhima and her team were working on it? I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I have been curious." 'Horse'?

    "This is good news, regardless. I don't think this is the kind of power anyone wants lingering in the long term."

<Pose Tracker> Chartreuse Spinosa has posed.

Chartreuse looks up as Dr. Mirage emerges from the back. She offers her a polite nod of greeting and a smile.

"Dr. Mirage. It's nice to meet you in person. Chartreuse Spinosa - I'm a fan of your work." Chartreuse introduces herself. Her expression gets serious once more, though, as the topic of conversation returns to the reason why they're there. Technical Machine 9999, Antimatter... She listens intently, a considering frown on her face.

"I see... so that's how it works." Chartreuse says, tapping a finger against her cheek thoughtfully. She nods, to agree with Ethius. "Yes. That should be more than enough time."

If the fight is lasting any longer than that... chances are, they have bigger problems at hand. Still, it does make her think of something.

"Are there any side effects we should be aware of, for us or our Pokemon?" She asks. 

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

Chase's Pikachu sees Sandshrew's interest and cheerfully tips her matcha cone forward so Sandshrew can have a taste. Food tastes better when you share it! And then Sandshrew will know exactly how big to make her eyes at Vivace. She's helping!

Bunko pokes her. Pikachu's tail straightens in brief surprise before she curiously pokes back and gasps. She's learning new greetings...! Chase gives Kaede a reassuring smile, unbothered.

But Dr. Mirage arrives and speaks. Chase begins to wish he were standing, for all the anxious energy he's holding in his body now. He's not quite able to keep his sigh from being audible after holding his breath. Not only did they at least get TM 9999 -- even if they couldn't protect that Pokemon -- but it's still in good condition. It wasn't all a lost cause.

Pikachu's ears perk up. She hops up onto the table, cone and all, and gives an urgent bounce on her toes. "Pika!" She looks to Chase, eyes narrowed in determined, but smile same as usual, before looking back at Dr. Mirage. "Piii! Pika!" ...With a giant soft serve cone and a balloon, she may not be looking her most formidable, but her whole Pikachu heart is in it.

Chase nods to her. Hand on his Pikachu, he nods to everyone else with a small gesture outward.

If, for any reason, someone is unable to get a device or loses theirs, they will have Pikachu's support.

<Pose Tracker> Vivace Mori has posed.

Vivace gives Kaede's note a bit of a confused look until she puts it together, scowls, and then corrects herself, "Nobody would be talking about weapons *here* if it wasn't serious. We're civilized. If weapons come out, it's serious." Not that, by a lot of standards, Pokemon aren't weapons...

"Doctor," Vivace says, when Dr. Mirage shows up. Apparently this is one of the adults she actually respects.

(This is an exaggeration. She respects plenty of adults. Just... not the way a lot of them ignore the problems for the Drifters to deal with.)

To Ida, Vivace says, "A lot of TMs can be used by a lot of Pokemon, and sometimes the Symbology behind them can be used by Nedians too. But I don't know much about that." (Ask Airi! Or don't!) "But something quite *this* flexible... you'd have to build it into something. I don't think you're going to sit here and learn Symbology." A pause. "Those of you that can, anyway." Vivace sometimes forgets that not all Filgaians and Lunarians have it at all.

Also, Vivace knows what a horse is, she don't even need to ask this time. Success!

Vivace falls quiet because she wants to hear the response. Sandshrew does not, pulling one of the peanuts open with a loud crack and discarding the shells. This one she unhesitatingly offers to Phwee, in exchange for a bit of the ice cream.

(Sandshrew is an ice type. She really likes ice cream and is immune to brain freeze. But she restrains herself from Phwee's, mostly - they're not going to start a wrestling contest over it or something.) 

<Pose Tracker> Misty Kasumi has posed.

"Glad to hear it, Vivace." And she nods solemenly about the topic of weapons being serious. It really, really is.

And right into the talk about TM9999... And according to their research, it can cut through the Ten Wise Men's barriers. Just like that.

Misty frowns a little at that, actually. "That's... awfully convenient, isn't it? That 7,000 years ago they just happened to invent the weapon we'd need today? And does this have any other kind of effect a pokemon that uses it? Are there any drawbacks? What happens once the effect wears off?"

Everything's a tradeoff in a pokemon battle.

Misty waves back to Kaede, signing a quick, <Hello> to her.

Ethius mentions the time limit, and Misty considers this. "But is it enough to... stop all of the remaining wise men?" There was a last moment word switch there. "Once we've tipped our hand, and they realize what we can do, if we can't defeat them all in one fell swoop..."

<Pose Tracker> Dr. Mirage has posed.

"Ah, to be clear -- Pokemon can use it on you, too," Dr. Mirage explains. "As well as themselves. Or each other."

She nods, though. "We'll make enough devices," she says. She looks at Ethius -- then she nods. "Yes. You'll have ample time. Of course... for an assault on Phynal, in the future, you may need an entire hour. We didn't even break through the front door."

She glances at Kaede -- noting that she takes some notes -- and then she looks at Ida. Dr. Mirage shakes her head. "I... don't, I'm afraid. I've only read about Rhima. I'd like to get more about her notes."

She looks at Chartreuse -- then she smiles. "Why, thank you! It's a pleasure, Chartreuse," she says. Then, she ponders that.

"None that we're aware of," she says. "But... someone enhanced with Antimatter has a great deal of power at their disposal and we're still studying the exact effects. The danger isn't what we know, but what we don't."

She looks at Pikachu -- then she smiles. There's a brief glance at Sandshrew. Then, she looks at Misty.

"I think it was originally made for other reasons," she admits. "Maybe in case the Wise Men returned. Maybe to break powerful barriers. Either way..." She trails off. "...It is a risk. I won't lie, Misty. And much of the risk is borne by you, not researchers like me."

She looks down. "I have a son," she admits. "I don't like asking you to carry this burdern -- it feels like asking him to. But... I know it's your burden to choose, not mine."

<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

More versatile than other TMs, but there's no way to know why Rhima and her team were working on it...

It's not as if they can ask her.

"I appreciate your support," Claude says to Phwee seriously. "If it comes to it, I'll fight with you, too."

Even if she does look silly right now, he's seen her in action.

But Vivace mentions the TMs' opportunity. "...If we had more time, learning Symbology might help us out," he admits. "But we don't. We'll have to rely on you Symbologists for that." Like Rena!

'Convenient'. "...I don't think it's coincidence," Claude says to Misty. "That it happened the way that it has. I'm not saying Rhima planned it--but..."

"It's too wild to be happenstance. Maybe the Ten Wise Men's appearance resulted in chronotomical ripples that..."

He shakes his head. "Well, anyway."

"...Dr. Mirage," Claude says seriously. "You don't have to ask. We're doing it of our own free will. I know that won't make it easy for you to sit back while we act..."

"But just like Chase's Pokemon there, we want to fight for this world, and our own worlds." 

<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    Ethius gives some hand signals back to Kaede (or Bunko, he is aware of the substitution habit), but Claude is in line of sight so it's okay if it ends up being 'received' by a Pokemon that doesn't understand it. 'Location secure. Trusting local leadership.'
 
     "As for that concern," he looks to Misty. "The one known instance of one of their number falling in battle, it was by the hands - hand, of Velvet. If I were in their position, speaking... hypothetically, I would be more on the lookout for others like her." Or Hellions, in general, as that is their sole reference point for vulnerability. The actual truth of Velvet's personhood and capabilities are a bit more complex, but Ethius doesn't know them and the only commonality he can think of in the moment is 'Malevolence.'
 
     He turns his head to Claude at mention of 'chronotomical ripples.' That's out of his area of expertise, and they can only speculate given what they know of the whole Paradox Pokemon situation at that.
 
     "Nonetheless... I recognize the enormity of what is being asked." He looks to Dr. Mirage, with a stiff nod. His body language is reserved nearly to the point of being inhuman, at times.
 
     "I am a trained Symbologist." He also doesn't have much (if any?) bodily real estate left for new spells, but he is a trained Symbologist. "I will endeavor to live up to the trust you are placing on us."
 
     From the sound of it, the entire known universe is, whether this vast swatch of existence is aware of it or not. 

<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.

    "Like Chisato, Ida says, looking as serious as she can while wearing a silly novelty hat. "And the art she's trained in." The concept of a Symbological martial art is intriguing--and Ida intends to grill Chisato when this mess is resolved--but there are more important tasks at hand. "We do have a few Symbologists present..." A glance at Ethius, then Kaede, and then a more lingering glance on Josie.

    For one grim moment, Ida wonders what horrors old man Lovelace would've gotten up to if he'd been alive to see Energy Nede. Nall's longevity alone would be...

    Ida shakes her head. She glances Phweewards, smiling a little as Pikachu and Sandshrew share treats. Aww.

    There's potential risks involved. And burdens. Ida wonders how old Dr. Mirage's son is, and if he's off on his own Pokemon Journey. "None of our worlds will have a future if the Wise Men keep draining the Ley," Ida says. Sal trills and pumps a fist, before flitting onto the table to stand beside Phwee. "Butterfree!" she says, her big compound eyes locked in a steely gaze.

<Pose Tracker> Chartreuse Spinosa has posed.

That's a good point. The entire assault itself might take longer. And Misty has a good point, too. If they realise what's happening...

Chartreuse smiles back at Dr. Mirage, then listens.

"I see..." She murmurs consideringly. So they don't know. So it isn't without risk - that kind of power never is, she supposes. "Alright. Then we'll proceed with that in mind. I'll observe what happens and file a report afterward. With any luck, the first time we use it will be the only time we need to, but..."

She trails off for a moment then looks toward Claude as he raises a theory. It's an interesting question... but there's only one person who could've known the real answer. Theory is all they have right now - but the idea that it could have been made for other reasons, too...

But, her concerns... She nods quietly. The weight of asking another to go into battle...

She has some misgivings, herself. Misty had stopped herself before - but Chartreuse knows what she meant. Knows what's ahead of them. What they'll have to do to ensure that the world will be safe.

...It's a weight that will stick with them, whatever happens. But... Chartreuse nods.

"It's alright. Thank you, for being concerned about us." Chartreuse says. "Right now, this is something we all have to stand together in. We're the ones in a position to do something about it... So, we'll do it. At least it's a burden we're all carrying together." 

<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    At last, the woman of the hour!

    Dr. Mirage gets down to business, which is something that a woman like Josephine can appreciate. Setting her obnoxiously pink and sugary drink to one side (she's not just a fan of hard liquor as a beverage, after all) Josie leans across her little table as Mirage explains. So that TM, while it can be used by Pokemon -- handy enough -- and it'll give them a way to break on through the Wise Men's defenses, it's also the case that they'll be able to use it on their own with a little technical adaptation.

    "Great!" Josie says to the room at large. "I've a cannon I've been wanting to use against 'em. You figure I'll get into trouble if I bring that through, now? It's for a good cause," she says, grinning lopsidedly. Her particular past history may not exactly be points in her favor, but she's been on good behavior for a while now! Surely that counts for something.
    Surely.

    Speaking of good behavior, Penelope has begun her own endeavor, namely, how many fries can a pigeon ingest if given the opportunity?
    It's probably fine.

    For her part, Josie doesn't immediately react when Ida glances about the various Symbologists, apparently not noticing it until that gaze rests a moment long. Glancing Ida's way, Josie has a split-second look of confusion before wiggling her fingers in an (annoying) wave.
    What her sire would have done doesn't brook considering. 'Nothing good' might only cover the start of the matter. 

<Pose Tracker> Vivace Mori has posed.

"Chronotomical is *not* a word," Vivace insists.

Vivace actually has no idea if it is a word, but it just sounds wrong in her mouth.

As for Symbology, though Vivace *does* have some Symbology, she so rarely uses it publically that there's probably zero people in the room (other than Sandshrew, who does not count) who even know what it is. She does not trust herself to learn any derivative of TM 9999 in any reasonable amount of time. Fortunately, there are options.

Dr. Mirage speaks, and Vivace's expression shifts back into a scowl. It's not aimed at Dr. Mirage though. "We can't always ask the Visitors," she says, an echo of what she said before, to Mayor Nall and Professor Oak. "But it's our responsibility to do something to save our world too. So you're not asking. I'm saying: I'm going to help. And I'd like it if you could, too."

This is... somewhat softer than Vivace has been in before on the topic of non-Nedians helping. But times have changed. Even if she gives Josephine a slightly displeased look. "Point the cannon only at them and you can probably get away with it," she says.

And then, because she *is* a teenager and *does* like explosions, she asks, "Is it at least a cool cannon?" 

<Pose Tracker> Kaede Akigiri has posed.

Bunko seems pleased with the reaction she got, showing both of her hands off to Pikachu before settling down nearby after looking to Kaede. She doesn't seem upset about whatever happened.
 
 Kaede herself seems relieved at the news from both the good doctor and from Ethius. She does intend on following up later.
 
 He also was looking at the correct person. Bunko's in her proper form. For now. As long as eyes are on her it should be fine in theory right?
 
 Kaede is dubious about weapon chat. Civilized or not, you have nerds that will argue ad nauseum about them. And somewhere a certain pair (And a third even) sneeze. The beastfolk just offers a thumbs up and a shrug.
 
 She does sign back to Misty, <Recovering okay?> Keeping it short and simple. And not really hiding anything about that part of the conversation.
 
 She looks torn between using her notebook to reply to the Doctor or signing to Misty (And Ethius) and hoping one of them speaks for her. Eventually she writes out and holds it up, hoping it's legible to the researcher, <If there's risk, I'll take first crack. I'm sure a few others would too.> Not that she's volunteering anyone else. That's on them.
 
 Ida's response to the crown comment did have a slower response! She flips the page and sketches a quick, somewhat rough of a tiara. Maybe she wasn't joking about that?
 
 The symbologist thing is offered a raised hand in confirmation at that. She creates a copy of herself sitting alongside her, looking less jittery than usual. The copy sits up and offers a bow and.. poofs into a cloud of sparkles while the real one writes out, <My teachers and mother regret letting me start to this day.> 

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

Pikachu gladly accepts a peanut! This also tastes better for being shared. Plus, freshly shelled peanuts taste even more better when she doesn't have to shell them herself.

But now... determination! Her gaze sets with resolve on Dr. Mirage, who now holds the knowledge to protecting Nede from the Wise Men, and needs them to make that choice. Behind her, Chase carries the same sharpness in his eyes. The gravitas is only somewhat (only somewhat??) diminished by how she occasionally sticks her tongue out to the side to lick her soft serve without ever breaking eye contact.

She tilts her cone toward Sal, as well, who is here to back her up. Eye contact still does not break. (The tall soft serve is drooping, a little.)

At least until Claude offers his support in turn and Pikachu turns to him brightly, tail wagging like an item finder. "Pikachu!" Solidarity! She offers her cone forward toward him expectantly. Behind her, Chase gives a tiny, urgent shake of his head with a small wave of his hand, trying to silently communicate it's okay if Claude does not want to partake in this generosity. Which is pretty astute given he'd probably take her up on it himself without second thought.

<Pose Tracker> Misty Kasumi has posed.

It was possibly created for a different purpose. "That... concerns me a little more, honestly. If this is powerful enough to serve multiple purposes..." But Dr. Mirage acknowledges that it's a risk, and Misty nods to that. "Thank you for saying that."

But asking them to carry the burden... "You're right, it is a risk, but... I know I and my pokemon want to keep fighting to protect Energy Nede. Just find out everything you can, so we know waht we're working with."

"That being said... let me know when you're ready to field test it. Starmie's up for giving it a try." Starmie emerges from their Pokeball at the mention of their name, both stars spinning as their gem glows brightly. Misty reaches out to rest a hand on their top ray. "We're no strangers to testing new pokemon equipment."

She looks to Claude next and nods. "Probably not, but... it kinda feels like it's too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence, but if it was planned, it feels too planned to be..." Misty pauses, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Sorry. Trying to figure out how all of this connects together is..."

A thing. It's a thing. She ignores the talk of chronotomical ripples.

Ethius opines that the Ten Wise Men will be looking for more Velvets. "Right, but... there have been numerous battles with them. They're going to notice once everyone can suddenly start penetrating their defenses out of nowhere."

To Kaede, she signs back, <Yeah. I'm fine, Gyarados took the worst of it. he's recovering well. How are you?> 

<Pose Tracker> Dr. Mirage has posed.

"That may well be," Dr. Mirage tells Claude, regarding ripples throuh time-space caused by the Wise Men.

"I heard about this Velvet," she says, looking between Misty and Ethius. "It will make it important to be ready to move," she says. "I doubt you can get them in one fell swoop -- they're quite powerful. Butwe'll need to be ready to fight them, because they won't take the loss of their near invulnerability lying down."

Dr. Mirage hesitates when Claude speaks -- but then she smiles, and she nods her head. "I know," she says. "And I appreciate that you are fighting for Energy Nede, too. We've been lucky to have you."

She looks at Ethius -- then she smiles, but she nods too. "I can put my faith in that. I'd be a poor Symbologist if I didn't," she says. She looks at Ida, then, and she tilts her head. "That's quite true. It affects all of our worlds."

Her eyes turn to Chartreuse -- and one eyebrow raises. But, Dr. Mirage also nods. "Well said," she says. "If it's a burden you carry together, then... it's that much lighter?"

And she's more cheerful, for a moment, until Josie asks a question.

"Cannon?" she asks, eyes widening slightly. "Well... ah... be careful with it, please? I'd hate to--to cause undue problems. But these are desperate times."

She looks to Kaede, then -- reading what she writes. But then she nods. "Thank you," she says. "I appreciate that." And, then, to Vivace. She falls quiet for a moment.

But then, Dr. Mirage nods. "Mm. Yes," she says. "We Nedians do have to try to help. We owe it to ourselves -- and the Visitors -- to do that."

Then, she looks at Chase and at Pikachu. She smiles at their resolve, before she nods. "Well, then. We're working on the devices," Dr. Mirage says. "They're being built in Armlock. We should have them ready by the end of the week."

<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

Whether or not it is a real word, Claude shrugs at Vivace. "I couldn't begin to prove it, but space-time being disrupted by the penetration of Eternity Space is my hypothesis. ...Maybe one day science can find out the truth."

But probably not through him; he's a military man, not a researcher.

Ethius is the best Federation Symbologist Claude knows--absent his parents, who he can't really judge fairly. Claude nods to him, and then looks around to the others. The risks.... True, but--

"Glad we've got someone keeping track on our side," he says to Chartreuse. "It's easier with good friends and allies."

Vivace... has lightened up! Claude looks at her, and nods. "I'll look forward to working with you again."

The cannon... he laughs. "Why not? Big firepower sounds handy."

Misty isn't sure how to fit it all together, but neither is Claude, so it's fair.

"They'll notice. But we'll have to take it as it comes." A look back to Dr. Mirage. "Happy to help, still. Ida's right; it affects us, too. But even if it didn't..."

This is Rena's world, in many ways, if not the same way as Filgaia. That's enough for Claude. And speaking of for Claude...

He laughs a little looking at Kaede's message, but--

"Oh!" He looks down to Phwee. "Hmmm. I don't want to deprive you of your ice cream," he says, "But how about you give me a high five? I'd be pretty lucky to have one of those from a Pikachu!"

He holds out his hand, palm-forward. 

<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    "Sure enough. But don't you worry or none, I'm gonna use that cannon responsibly-like," she tells Dr. Mirage. She's only going to shoot Wise Men or Paradox Pokemon with it. That's practically charity work!

    Filgaia, apparently, is a very, very different place from the rest of Energy Nede -- even after all this time.

    "Well, that's fair enough, like," she allows Vivace, shrugging her shoulders in an overexaggerated matter. "And it's an extremely cool cannon," Josie tells Vivace. "It used to be part of a killer robot."

    ...Filgaia!

    Meanwhile, one of the staff has discovered Penelope. They attempt to shoo her away, but it's to little avail: she redoubles her assault on the fries. 

<Pose Tracker> Chartreuse Spinosa has posed.

"They'll probably fight all the harder once they realise they're mortal. We'll have to be ready to do the same." Chartreuse agrees - and then, offers Claude a nod and a smile. "Glad to do it. And... it's true."

Also true - the fact that a burden carried together is a burden lighter. That something she's counting on.

"By the end of the week... alright." Chartreuse replies with a considering nod. She doesn't know what all goes into it... but all told, that sounds like a pretty reasonable timeframe for what they're asking for.

"Just keep us informed - we'll be ready." She says. 

<Pose Tracker> Kaede Akigiri has posed.

With a notebook held up, <You guys being involved is why I'm willing to help.> Mostly aimed to Vivace. It's probably a bit blunt reading? Kaede means well. She wouldn't volunteer for the people if they were just rolling over and dying.
 
 She probably would, but she hasn't run into someone that just had given up in that kind of situation yet.
 
 Concerns of the Wisemen figuring out that the game is up and the problem that might arise from that is met with a moment of contemplative proverbial silence. Broken only by signing to Misty, <Well enough. Chat about it later> before she crosses both legs and leans forward more in thought.
 
 Finally she writes out, <I still wonder if we don't have some kind of data leak. Too many groups keep getting their hands in. Might be worth feeding a lot of conflicting stories out and watching what shakes out.> She had more on the topic, but explaining who, where and why might be time consuming and something for later. And she might be barking up the wrong proverbial tree. She's not that kind of dog.
 
 She does lighten up briefly that she got a laugh out of the brief joke at least. And a nod is given to Mirage's confirmation of her kid. 

<Pose Tracker> Vivace Mori has posed.

Sandshrew is very good at opening peanuts. Her claws are not particularly large nor always especially sharp but this, this they're good at. She is perfectly happy to open a few more for Phwee, because unlike Penelope she is not going to eat every peanut she can get her hands on.

(Or fries. Same deal.)

Vivace, who has a giant robot (complete with cannon) as one of her Pokemon, accepts this as an answer. "Cool," she says.

She's not sure if Claude is making fun of her, but she nods after a long moment. "You probably will pretty soon," she says, because Vivace isn't going to miss the attack on the Wise Men. She owes it to everyone - she owes it to Nede.

"Dr. Mirage," she says. "I know you're a bit busy with the TMs. And other devices. But when those machines are done... I'm going to come to talk to you again about my project. I think I've got a bit of a lead. If that's okay," Vivace adds, hastily. 

<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    Ethius is not used to having authority figures smile at him for the work he is about to participate in performing. The very small handful of times there was something resembling a direct conversation - layered as it might be for security purposes - most of it was full of stern questioning about what was done and how.
 
     "All sides of the conflict are flying blind, one way or another," Ethius assures to Misty - if that's even reassuring. They are absolutely certain they can pierce the enemy defenses. How they react to it, what countermeasures they might try to come up with, and whether they may be too fixated on the one confirmed death and its cause...
 
     "One week is a long period of time for events to play out, when the Ten Wise Men appear to have freedom of movement across Nede and beyond."
 
     He spies Penelope with the fries and the chaos in the kitchen.
 
     ...
 
     That's out of his paygrade and overall jurisdiction, he decides in a moment of wisdom.
 
     "I'll entrust the manner of summoning and distribution when the time comes to you," he says to Dr. Mirage and Vivace alike. "Until then, it behooves us to carry on as we normally would. If we crowd around a place of interest too openly..."
 
     Side-eye to what Kaede has written.
 
     Some signals by hand. 'This is your specialty,' to Kaede. She is a Threadcutter, after all.
 
     He will bear witness to Phwee and Claude exchanging high-fives. He is not quite cool enough for them, and he has made peace with that. 

<Pose Tracker> Chase has posed.

Pikachu blinks at Claude, then looks to her cone. Hm. Perhaps... Claude speaks wisdom...?! She perks back up from her considerations and smacks her little paw to his palm. It's very soft. "Pika!" With the contract sealed, she resumes licking her cone. Chase smiles gratefully toward Claude. Pikachu would have gotten over it, but... that was clever.

His expression doesn't hold. It rarely does. But today it's because he's trying, really trying, to follow all this tech talk. Is chronotomical a word he'll have to remember? About all he feels certain on is having to fight harder now that the Wise Men may be experiencing a sense of urgency or desperation.

A week though. Chase winces. A lot can happen in a week, and Ethius gets a glance when he speaks this fear out loud. But it's also a week to train without being antsy or guilty that he should be on the lookout for something else. Or -- he looks to his Pikachu enjoying her treat and resuming trading bits of it for peanuts with Vivace's Sandshrew -- a week to rest.

<Pose Tracker> Misty Kasumi has posed.

Misty nods in agreement with Dr. Mirage about how the Ten Wise Men will react. "Right. So if we can't get them all... then we'll need to prioritize our targets, if at all possible. Personally, I'd put Gabriel at the top of the list." She glances sidelong to the people that were present for Chisato's briefing. They might know why that would be her pick. "... not that I think he'll go down easily, mind you." She considers that for a moment more. It's easy to see the gears churning in her head as she considers battle strategies.

She is a Gym Leader, after all. You don't win battles without a plan. "I should go review everything we've learned..." she mutters to herself.

"By the end of the week? That fast, huh?" Misty sounds a little surprised by that. These are dire times, but still.

She nods to Kaede and signs back, <Sounds good.> ABout chatting later.

Misty nods to Ethius. "I guess, but it feels like the Ten Wise Men--and Team Rocket--are still holding more cards than we are."

She sighs. "Ethius is right, though. Well, for that reason, and just... we shouldn't let them keep us from living our lives, as much as we can." 

<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.

    Sal leans in and takes a dainty little nibble of Phwee's ice cream cone. Delicious, even if it's not her favorite flavor.

    "I agree," Ida says, as the Pokemon share snacks. "I'd also put Michael near the top. He has both raw sorcerous firepower and deep reserves." It feels a little ghoulish to talk about prioritizing which people to kill first, but... the stakes are clear. The Wise Men cannot be swayed, literally--not after what Landis did to them.

    She glances at Vivace, then. "A project?" she asks.

    Sal has finagled a menu out of the little rack holding the tablets. Her eyes glimmer.

<Pose Tracker> Dr. Mirage has posed.

"I'm glad you are," Dr. Mirage affirms to Claude, as regards helping. Though she looks less sure of Josie's cannon.

Which used to be part of a killer robot.

She sighs. You know the sort of sigh, by now. "Just... please, be careful."

She looks at Chartreuse; a smile crosses her face, but then she nods. "Yes," she agrees. "I will. I'll send a message once they're ready."

Vivace asks to meet with her later -- about her project -- and Dr. Mirage nods. She looks serious, for a moment, as she considers it. "Of course," she says. "I'll be happy to."

Then, she nods at Ethius. He is quite right; best they not draw attention. She looks at Chase and Pikachu, then, and considers. A week is a long time.

She looks at Misty at that question -- and nods, but with a somewhat weary smile. "We've been working overtime," she says. "And we'll keep doing so. This is too important to not."

She looks at Ida and nods -- but she leaves strategy for them. She smiles and shoulders her bag. "Speaking of... I should get back. Thank you, again. And I'll speak with you soon, and with something to show for it."

Dr. Mirage nods to them -- then she waves -- and she starts for the exit.

<Pose Tracker> Vivace Mori has posed.

Ida asks Vivace about her project.

"I caught an Aulbide," Vivace says, frowns, then explains: "Aulbide is a remnant Pokemon. You might have seen one, or an Aulbear, on one of the Fields. But an Aulbide is only part of an Aulbear. It looks broken but it's just incomplete. I can't reconstruct it myself and evolve it into an Aulbear because the technology is restricted, rare, and complicated. Some of the scientists are helping me with that."

But that's her own project, not anything that the others here have to worry about (friends excepted).

Dr. Mirage starts to go. Vivace rises up from where she'd sitting, and Sandshrew (still over by Phwee) perks up, walking across the table back to her, where Vivace picks her up with a bit of effort; iron-covered Pokemon are heavy even if they are small. "Thanks for coming," she says, and she means everybody. 

<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    Somehow, Josie might have dug herself into a hole here. She regards first Dr. Mirage then looks over at Vivace as if asking for her aid in the matter. "Tell you what, I'll give you a look at it once I get it over here. That fair?" That alone will be an ordeal, though; Josie can haul it a short distance herself before she has to put it down and take a moment, but long-distance carry is a problem and a half. Maybe she can borrow a cart.

    "Really! Like that," she gestures, hugely, with her left hand, "big guy? In the Field of Power, wasn't it? So that was a Pokemon! I thought it was a machine. So there's Pokemon like that, eh..." She does after all have certain things she cares to muck around with, even if her Pokemon selections have largely led her down the path of 'birds, birds, and more birds', Pokemon-wise. At least it means that any Fighting Gym attempts will be a sweep?

    But that, as they say, appears to be that; after the last fight and a bit, Josie's happy enough to take a load off, especially since the next step will apparently be 'transporting a goddamn cannon across the expanses of space'. Which is made up of many more 'move the thing around at all' steps, but, details...

    In the background, the employee retreats and goes to grab a broom. Despite the obvious advantage, though, it doesn't seem to be going any better for them...

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