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Post by Raven on Nov 6, 2019 8:28:09 GMT
It just so happens to be raining when Victoria exits the cave. There is a hiker hiding under some trees by the side of the road, looking like he's debating whether to chance the storm to try and reach the safety of Azalea Town.
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Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
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Post by lichlord on Nov 7, 2019 5:10:11 GMT
Victoria looks up and sighs at the rain. It'll take 'ages' to dry out her braids, which are basically just big sponges. She skirts over under the treeline where the hiker had the right idea hiding under them. Leibling crawls under Victoria's arm for cover from the rain.
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Post by Raven on Nov 7, 2019 5:15:19 GMT
"Hullo!" The hiker greets when Victoria joins him under the treeline. "Lovely weather we're having, eh?" He smiles jovially.
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Post by lichlord on Nov 8, 2019 5:06:43 GMT
Oh, yeah, lovely. "Oh, yeah, lovely.
Victoria looks over.
"Has it been doing it for a while, or did it just start?"
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Post by Raven on Nov 8, 2019 5:12:35 GMT
The Hiker thinks for a minute. "Ah, only a few minutes. It should stop within the hour. Then the rain'll come back again. Not entirely sure why it's nearly always rainin' here m'self, but I like to think it's some cheeky lil' 'mon using Rain Dance constantly." He grins. Based on the information he's offered just now, seems like this particular Hiker frequents Route 33 (and probably Union Cave as well).
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Post by lichlord on Nov 9, 2019 9:12:06 GMT
Victoria leans against one of the trees.
"Looks like we are waiting a bit then unless we want to get soaked."
Maybe it 'is' something using Rain Dance? Isn't this area always known for localized rain?
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Post by Raven on Nov 9, 2019 9:20:29 GMT
As predicted, the rain only lasts about 10 more minutes before it clears up. The Hiker happens to have been headed into Azalea Town as well to rest up from his trek through Union Cave, so he walks with you to the Pokemon Center at least. Even offers you a battle at a later time. Anytime after 7 am tomorrow morning, he will be out on Route 33 with his Pokemon. As the sun comes out, you notice that he's much older than his voice and the spring in his step might have you believe. His beard is even going gray in places.
"Name's Anthony. Been nice talking to ya, Miss." He offers a polite bow as he strolls into the Pokemon Center to book a room.
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Post by lichlord on Nov 10, 2019 7:10:42 GMT
What a nice man.
"Mmmhmm."
Victoria merely nods and lets the guy go off. Maybe she will end up meeting him later. But for now, she moves into town hopefull to avoid the rain.
She too checks in, and the next morning does some training. She decides to indeed, head back to route 33 because she's got three rather new pokemon in her Jangmo-o, Onix, and Eggexcute. So maybe she will find Anthony and maybe do a bit more pokemon hunting.
(Using forced pokemon encounter on route 33)
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Post by lichlord on Nov 21, 2019 6:59:40 GMT
Victoria comes back, a little lighter in her wallet thanks to the loss, and heads to the center. Training did 'not' go quite how she expected, but she's still got the day, it's time to head to the gym. She gathers up a team and heads off.
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Post by Raven on Nov 21, 2019 9:25:35 GMT
The inside of Azalea Town's Gym is...unique. To say the least. Spinarak-shaped platforms "scuttle" across rails to take one across the way. Which one you take determines where you end up.
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Post by lichlord on Nov 22, 2019 8:13:05 GMT
Victoria raises an eyebrow but decides to step onto the center platform and see exactly how this thing works.
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Post by Raven on Nov 22, 2019 8:35:44 GMT
The center spider takes you forward only a little bit before shuffling off to the right and taking you right to Bug Catcher Al, who issues a challenge!
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Post by Raven on Nov 24, 2019 22:23:38 GMT
Victoria notes that there is a lever next to her as she stands before the next platform. Pull it?
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Post by Raven on Nov 25, 2019 1:45:09 GMT
"Finally made it, I see." Bugsy says as Victoria steps off onto his section of the Gym. "Welcome to Azalea Gym! I'm Bugsy, as I'm sure you know, and am the Gym Leader here."
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Post by lichlord on Nov 25, 2019 2:46:21 GMT
She steps off of the platform and taps her crop against her open hand.
Gotta be confident. Can't squee about all the cute bugs here.
Leibling looks over her shoulder at the bug leader as she addresses him.
"Victoria Erlast."
She turns and looks back at the platform puzzle behind her.
"A very elaborate setup for a couple simple puzzles. Seems like it took way longer to make than seems worth it. But then I suppose if you gave scaled the difficulty to the sheer size then it'd be a lot harder to reach you."
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Post by Raven on Nov 25, 2019 3:18:48 GMT
Bugsy grins. "Personally, I thought the puzzle was clever. Even if I made it ages ago, I never really bothered to update/change it. Gotta keep it at least simple enough that your average ten-year-old could figure it out, after all." Bugsy seems pretty easy-going, all things considered. "I took a peek at your Trainer Profile earlier, Ms. Erlast. Wiped out Falkner with a Weedle, eh? Bet that humbled him quite a bit!" He laughs.
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Post by lichlord on Nov 25, 2019 4:15:59 GMT
Victoria smirks as Leibling puffs herself up proudly. She looks over to her weedle before looking back.
"It did."
Yeah she's the best!
She twirls the crop in her hand idly.
"People tend to underestimate bug types don't they?"
Or people with them...
"And then when bug types do well, it's a 'surprise'. Despite the fact that they outnumber every other type out there in sheer count. If they grew ambitious, well..."
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Post by Raven on Nov 25, 2019 4:24:13 GMT
Bugsy nods. "Indeed, indeed. It's why we keep a very close eye on the more aggressive species, like Beedrill. You ever seen a Beedrill Swarm before? Scary stuff." He involuntarily shudders a bit. "Even for a veteran Gym Leader with years of experience battling with and against Bug Type Pokemon, a swarm of Beedrill is still not something to be trifled with. They'll kill you without hesitation if you mess up." He shrugs. "Ah, but, enough of the doom and gloom. I could talk forever about my experiences with Bug Types, but alas, I have other challengers lined up today, so best we get started soon." A quick button press and suddenly there is an arena nearby! Both of you take up position on opposing sides as a referee calls out the rules.
Seeing as this is Victoria's second Gym Badge Challenge, it will be a 3 on 3 battle. Both sides are allowed substitutions at any time, and items may not be used in battle unless held by the Pokemon themselves. (Y'know, standard rules.)
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Post by lichlord on Nov 25, 2019 7:15:03 GMT
Victoria sighs. Her teams going to need a bit of rest after that, so she'll have to return later and re-strategize. For now, the day is mostly gone. So rest and sleep.
She heads back to the center, heals up, and goes to sleep for the night. The next morning, she debates going straight back, but she hasn't explored Ilex Forest yet... Maybe she'll end up finding some interesting pokemon in there, or at least get some training to strengthen her pokemon a bit before heading back in.
So with Leibling on her shoulder, she heads into the forest...
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Post by Raven on Nov 25, 2019 8:22:20 GMT
Much like at the entrance to Union Cave, a mysterious blue box appears before Victoria's eyes, asking if she wishes to enter the 'Ilex Forest Dungeon'. As before, it's a simple yes or no question. Pressing 'yes', causes the forest to seemingly shift before her eyes, to a much darker and somewhat twisted version. Pressing 'no' causes nothing to change except the disappearance of the text box; just like Union Cave.
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