|
1,984 posts
|
4 likes
|
Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by getsuga on May 22, 2020 22:17:39 GMT
Rebellion begins. After much negotiation and struggle, Jace, Sana, and Tully finally make progress to whittle away Paradiso's power. Zed's defeat was a huge blow to their observation skills. Now Marietta controls the reins, monitoring Paradiso movement in hopes to give the group favorable ground. On their way to the seventh gym, they meet a strange man named Satin. He reunites Jace with Gengar after their short adventure and treats them with food as a kind gesture in Ico City.
It has been a day of thwarted expectations as this town seems to be a couple steps away from complete disarray. Can one restaurant destroy one's perception! How delicious can this rice really be!?
"Long time no see gramps! I'll have uhhhh, Biryani!" Satin says after little deliberation. "These guys did me a solid, so don't skimp out of the serving, ok? Don't be so nervous, order up!" Satin demands cheerfully.
|
|
|
1,112 posts
|
1 like
|
Feb 28, 2022 15:56:25 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Trixander on May 23, 2020 13:17:56 GMT
Jace learned a long time ago not to judge a book by its cover, or people by where they lived. He was less concerned about the city itself as he was with the man sitting before him. Who was this guy that everyone seemed to know? If this were a small town, he'd get it. But in a big city like this, this Satin guy had to be some sort of celebrity.
"Make it two biryani. This guy seems to know what's good around here," Jace orders. After everyone has had a chance to order and the server leaves he gets down to business. "So what do you do around here? Aside from collecting Odd Keystones." He was more curious than anything. If this guy was Paradiso, Jace probably would have known it already.
|
|
|
1,984 posts
|
4 likes
|
Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by getsuga on May 23, 2020 14:41:36 GMT
Satin leans back in the seat. "It's a security gig. As ya saw, vandalism ain't no joke in this cesspool. People value their property, and if they're on my side I'll make em untouchable." He reaches from his leaning position to grab complementary water. "I was out for a bit 'cause my boss needed me to take care of an old friend who's gone crazy. Gengar has a pretty crafty way of getting inside place haha." Satin takes another lengthy look at Sana, but it's a gaze angled higher above her head.
"By the way, I never caught anyone's names."
|
|
Member
|
Post by kurohagane on May 23, 2020 14:52:32 GMT
Sana feels Satin's consistent gaze making her rather uncomfortable. She timidly asks in a nervous tone, fearful of giving her name. "I... is something wrong? You've been looking at me for quite a while..."
Whimsy, over Sana's head, knows how her servant trainer feels, has a cotton ball on her hand in preparation.
|
|
|
1,984 posts
|
4 likes
|
Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by getsuga on May 23, 2020 16:45:07 GMT
"Tell me, witch girl..."
Satin gets serious for a short moment with a grin plastered across his face.
"How long have ya been tethered to that?" He points above Sana's head, above Whimsy.
|
|
Member
|
Post by madandy on May 23, 2020 18:52:06 GMT
Tully remains silent, only giving the owner a nod to indicate having the same before looking around. He keeps his face neutral and relaxed even as his eyes dart around behind his shades, trying to keep an eye on everywhere at once. He feels immensely glad for his new wardrobe, but still keeps his collar subtly turned up making sure to cover his face a little while keeping him as nondescript as possible.
|
|
Member
|
Post by kurohagane on May 24, 2020 15:34:06 GMT
Sana looks upwards, the sudden shift of balance for Whimsy causing her to frantically grasps her hair. Sana sees nothing of course, but the word tether makes her realize something. Satin is not looking at her, his eyes are onto Kowai, the ghost Pokemon possessing her. She feels somewhat relieved that "S... sorry..." Sana stands up and bows again, apologizing for no reason. "H... he's docile and does not cause trouble... mostly... don't worry about him." An eerie echo resonate around the table, Kowai is not pleased with being detected inside his host. "Hold on, you can see ghost?"
Sana takes a seat again, regaining her composure and about to introduce herself... and then she stands up again, in a rush, she takes out her wand. "Hmm hmm hmm..." She raises her wand high, humming a magical girl cartoon tune. "I am the magical fairy girl of love and justice, Ruby Hearts~ ❤!" Sana winks and poses a peace sign with her right hand near her eye.
Whimsy claps her hand in cheer, but soon Sana realizes she greatly embarrassed herself and quickly gets back to her seat. "... sorry, I'm just a league challenger."
|
|
|
1,112 posts
|
1 like
|
Feb 28, 2022 15:56:25 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Trixander on May 25, 2020 12:54:39 GMT
"The name's Jace," he said. Again Sana's ghost problem comes up. Maybe something would have to be done about that. "Does Paradiso have a presence in this city? I find it hard to believe a big city like this would be so overlooked." Or, in other words, had they just taken a detour straight into the jaws of the enemy? Who was Satin's boss?
|
|
|
1,984 posts
|
4 likes
|
Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by getsuga on May 25, 2020 16:50:24 GMT
The strange man lets his seat drop on all fours and gives Sana an applause. "Nice trick man~~! Referring to Sana's swap with Ruby. "Yeah, I gotta good look of it. You're tethered, but you're so plump and full of life." Satin wonders in slight confusion at the marvel he's seeing. "I've seen my share of tethered, Ruby Hearts, but none of em were in half the condition you were in after a week. This day just keeps gettin weirder."
Satin gives Jace's question some thought. "Who's Paradiso? We're inna big city, but it's easy for people to underestimate us. Nothin' important ever comes out of here(besides this restaurant)." Satin sees Tully lost in this own thinking and calls out. "And what bout you man~~? I'm gonna say you're also a trainer, but I haven't caught your name. It's unhealthy to go against the status quo. Pe'haps lethal one might say." He chuckles inside his glass of water before taking another sip
|
|
Member
|
Post by madandy on May 25, 2020 22:40:12 GMT
Tully shrugs casually. "Tully. Good to meetcha! So, you're from 'round here?" he asks, hoping to change the subject as quickly and easily as possible.
|
|
|
1,112 posts
|
1 like
|
Feb 28, 2022 15:56:25 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Trixander on May 26, 2020 21:31:21 GMT
"That's funny," Jace interrupts Tully's attempt at small talk. Knowing that Tully was twice as paranoid as Jace, he knew that Tully did not trust this guy. At this point though, Jace was more intent on leaning into danger as opposed to avoiding it. "Because in my experience the status quo is just as deadly. Falling into line just might mean being marched to your demise." Not-so-subtle threats was not the sort of thing Jace was going to take lying down.
|
|
|
1,984 posts
|
4 likes
|
Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by getsuga on May 26, 2020 23:50:12 GMT
Satin lets out a laugh at Jace's reply. "I like you pokemon trainers, you're just a bunch of kind-hearted deviants!"
The owner's wife comes out with several plates of rice. Since the group ordered so much, a Lombre comes out balancing more plates on its lily pad headpiece. Her eyes peek over her cheekbones to see the group as she approaches. The waitress, in your peripheral vision, stops breathing for a moment. "My my, what growing children. I can't believe I'm seeing new faces here." Each you reach out for your plate when the rice is presented. When handing Tully's plate over, she gives a prolonged stare at the boy "Sorry... For the long wait." Tully can feel a piece of paper attached underneath the plate.
The biryani moves your heart at first glance. The aroma of the sticky rice invades your sense, each giving a pure 10 as if they were competition judges. Marinated oiled rice, seasoned rice, and plain basmati rice are stacked in layers caressing each one another after a lengthy process of cooking and simmering. They have yet to realize a spoon has already been equipped to tackle this dish until they forcibly bring themselves back into the world, conquering their gluttony.
---The first taste--- It's good! It's better than good! The dish caresses the soul, placing a temporary yet gentle hand on all your physical and mental wounds. Bite #2 with relish and tasting that burst of dynamic flavor again and again. It was like a firework, showering your taste buds in multitudes of different colors, and your chest filled with butterflies as you ate. It was impossible- you couldn't eat anything else, not after this. This dish is a culinary epic, forged in fire by masters.
"I always love serving first time customers." Her wizened old face softened, smile bringing sincere warmth to her features, and she continued, "Its quite something, ain't it?" As the waitress bids you a pleasant meal, Satin's phone rings. You couldn't tell if his face was pissed off or disappointed since all that changes within milliseconds when he finds out who was calling. Contrary to his easygoing attitude, he immediately jumps out of his seat. "S'cuse me. Gotta take this." He says while stumbling over his words and walking into the men's restroom.
On another note, Jace's phone rings immediately after and he recognizes this number as Kuki's.
|
|
|
1,112 posts
|
1 like
|
Feb 28, 2022 15:56:25 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Trixander on May 27, 2020 22:47:02 GMT
For some reason, Jace decided that he did not trust Satin, but he trusted the restaurant owners. Anybody who put this much care and thought into their cooking was somebody with integrity. At least, Jace thought so. His thoughts were interrupted by his phone vibrating.
Why was Kuki calling? Best to pick up and act casual. "How's it going, Kuki?" He answers. If Jace had to guess, she was calling about him "losing" his skymall device and was on her way to returning it to him.
|
|
|
1,984 posts
|
4 likes
|
Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by getsuga on May 27, 2020 23:46:55 GMT
"Wow Jace judging by how calm you sound, you actually beat Zed and on your way to challenge the next gym?" Kuki asks over the phone. She delivers her part of the deal they discussed at Spruce's lab. "There are two things we have to discuss, something serious went down a couple hours ago and it's not about Zed. Are you in a secure place? I'd prefer you put Tully and Sana on too." Her voice shifted into something more demanding.
|
|
Member
|
Post by kurohagane on May 28, 2020 1:58:03 GMT
The way Satin speaks still unsettles her, from his ability to see Kowai to the way he appraised them like cattles. Like Jace, she finds it incredibly difficult to trust Satin. Although she took a plate of rice onto the table, the atmosphere was heavy enough she did not touch the spoon to eat the fragrant rice.
She slips Cleanse Tags onto Tully and Jace. "Good luck charm, take one." Taking her book of How to Avoid Getting Spoked by Ghost to read.
|
|
|
1,112 posts
|
1 like
|
Feb 28, 2022 15:56:25 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Trixander on May 29, 2020 17:23:47 GMT
Jace throws up a barrier around them, blocking them into a soundproof box. He switched his phone to speaker. "This should be secure enough, Kuki. You're on speaker with the gang." What could have happened that caused her to call...
|
|
|
1,984 posts
|
4 likes
|
Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by getsuga on May 29, 2020 18:06:36 GMT
"Jeez, where can I begin..." She organizes her thoughts before giving out a large whine. "Our duplicate of the gangster, Don Acario was assassinated inside a maximum security prison earlier today." The name sparks your memory, you met a man stuck inside the mountain's inner biome made by Rime. He took himself off the grid and away from most of his gang's activities, but he still lords himself over the residents in that community. "Paradiso created a duplicate of him, a version where he can use his existing knowledge of gangs to out them and have the police take them away. With the Boss's power this was possible, but someone ruined it."
Kuki continues, "It can't be you because you were busy with Zed. Yet there was something strange with Tully's SkyMall device. It was at the prison too for a while when I tracked its path. Anyway, the news is saying it was a suicide but that's just a cover-up! Acario would not be the man to kill himself."
Kuki tells you news more personal to your goal of the Pokemon League. "I'm checking Natasha's location, and she's deviated from her next assignment. She's in the town where your final gym is located. I'm not sure why she's doing that, but it's unrelated to Acario or Zed."
|
|
|
1,112 posts
|
1 like
|
Feb 28, 2022 15:56:25 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Trixander on May 29, 2020 19:25:54 GMT
"It sounds like there are multiple people operating against Paradiso," Jace remarked. This put the gang in a tough spot, because there was no guarantee that they would be friendly towards them. In fact, if they know about the doppelgangers, then they likely know about the Master Ball. Zed might not be the only one after them. If Jace was correct, and Paradiso did in fact want them to finish the League, then in a way outside actors may even view them as Paradiso agents still.
The real problem is that Jace had suspect number one right in front of him. Fortunately, they were in a public place. Jace's goal now was to finish his rice and then get right back onto the train. No going back to Satin's house, no seeing his boss. When they walk out that door they are heading to the station and out of here.
"Thanks for the heads up, we'll be on the lookout. Let us know if there are any more developments." Jace had a bad feeling about this...
|
|
Member
|
Post by kurohagane on Jun 1, 2020 16:05:01 GMT
They reap what the sow. Sana muses the consequences of opening an alternate dimension with history unknown to them. But still, they are not clear from danger, far from it. This group might have just got themselves into danger again. Sana inquires, although not very hopeful for any answers. "We come across someone named Satin, you got info of who he is?"
|
|
|
1,984 posts
|
4 likes
|
Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by getsuga on Jun 1, 2020 16:26:06 GMT
"Wow, Jace you're awfully calm with this breaking news. It's almost ...suspicious!
...Kidding!" Kuki laughs behind the phone.
"The name Satin doesn't ring a bell, Sana. Do you want me to look into it for you? I'd call myself a master at being a social media detective." Just Kuki asks, Satin walks clumsily out the bathroom. The door swings open too fast and slams against the wall. He waves at the seated groups to acknowledge the inconvenience. He makes his way back to the group's table.
----------------------------------- As Jace hangs up and removes his barriers before Satin has a chance to notice anything. "Sorry bout that. I completely forgot to ask my boss for some time off. I'm like a rabid dog when I get too excited man~~!" The aroma of the biyrani takes him again and he digs in once more. Though the food is delicious, the massive silence may leave an unwelcome taste in your mouths. Looming over his clean plate, Satin takes another look at you all "There's this nice church you guys should visit at least once. It's Ico's pride and joy, besides me man." Satin says as he drops a few bills on the table to cover the price of the food. "You trainers are all bout the 'adventures we had along the way' right?"
|
|