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Post by DataNinja on May 6, 2023 5:21:11 GMT
"Well... I'll get you them, and then you can choose the right moment to use them, okay?" He winks and ruffles Patience's hair. "I know you'll make the right choices for you."
After all the underground, Thel's more than happy to just enjoy the forest again. Maybe one of these days he'll feel comfortable in caves again but, after the monster in the volcano and the cave in just now, he's happy to have the sun shining above his head and the warm breeze blowing in his face. He doesn't even care too much about whatever the Pokémon was that zoomed past. Maybe it was the dog.
"Oh, you heard from Muku? If she's still there, can you pass a message to her to say hi from me? And that Em, Patience, and I are okay?" He briefly glances at his sister. "...actually, I guess she hasn't met you since before she jumped into the ocean. So, on second thought, maybe don't mention Patience. That would just confuse her. And, uh, I'd rather not do that."
"...AE Pokémon?" he asks Patience, curious. "What are those? Clearly I need to read the news more." He hasn't really felt the need, though, ever since Em showed him the tower on the front page that one time and it matched the blocks from his dreams.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 6, 2023 21:58:32 GMT
"We've been labelled 'AE Pokemon', or 'Alternate Evolution' by the scientific community. The underground term used by Team Magma prior was 'Ascended', but that implies superiority and was causing conflict. Apparently they had a massive underground lab in Goldenrod, just... full of dozens of people like us. The people that were responsible for exposing and raiding the facility went missing in the confusion after the fact, but a security guard's testified that someone matching Terra's description was involved. As was the Legendary Pokemon Groudon, commanded by Maxie, the head of Team Magma. It, and one of those creatures from the space-hole caused by something in the lab destroyed... six city blocks?" Patience explained, Em's hand applying more and more pressure on Thel's shoulder as Patience's explanation approached its conclusion.
"Whitney is fine. There were minimal injuries and thankfully no deaths, though the rescue and cleanup efforts were... long." Chuck added. "We will absolutely get a message to Muku when we can."
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Post by DataNinja on May 6, 2023 22:14:03 GMT
"Oh." He blinks. And then blinks again. It's a lot to wrap his head around. "...you know, even when we met Terra, I hadn't really considered the fact that there would be, well, that many of us. And, I mean, compared to humans, sure, there aren't, but... I figured it would be maybe one other group our size. That's... huh. I don't know how that makes me feel. I'll have to think on that some more." People like him are more than just a one-or-two-off fluke...
He laughs. "Well, maybe I was wrong in telling that dog that I didn't know what it was like to evolve, then. I'll have to apologize if I see it again. ...I still don't know what it's like to evolve from a bunch of Pokémon into one, though. So, that at least is a difference."
He puts his own hand on top of Em's and lightly squeezes back. The sheer scale of everything just makes his own stomach turn. There's just... so much.
"Well... if Terra was there, I'm sure she made it through. She's tough. I'm sure it would take more than six blocks being destroyed to stop her." He doesn't really want to consider the alternative. "And..." he looks at Chuck and Miranda, "thank you, both of you, for passing that all along."
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Post by Robot on May 7, 2023 8:37:55 GMT
"You kids always have a place here if you need it. Mira and I took a real shine to Muku while she was here. She's not an easy girl to handle, but nothing that is easy is ever worth doing." Chuck nodded sagely, to which Miranda chuckled and shook her head. "Charles, you can say that about tasks but it sounds off when you say it about people, you don't do a people. Honestly. Settle in dears, we'll get you fed at least."
After a fish stew paired with a fruit salad, an odd choice but the salty and sweet components seemed to go well enough in compliment, Thel and his little family bunked down for the night at the Pokemon Center. Not wanting to inconvenience the gym leader further for the evening, the respite was taken. With the new dawn, it fell to decide a course of action unguided by disaster and travesty. Where to go, and what to do, when the world was laid out before you.
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Post by DataNinja on May 7, 2023 18:53:18 GMT
"It's fine," Thel says, laughing. "Language is hard. I don't think any of us would notice."
He realizes that he didn't register how much the day took out until he lay down on his bed, and was asleep almost instantly. No dreams, no problems hanging over his head, no nothing. There's still vague terrors out there, that he's sure he'll cross paths with again, but for now... they can enjoy themselves.
After a leisurely breakfast, and just spending some time playing in the sun with his and Em's Pokémon, it's time to actually figure out the specifics of what to do.
"I don't know if you want to spend more time here with your family, Em, or if that would just... make it harder to move on. But... I was thinking, maybe..." he flushes a little, as he reaches for the pendant around his neck, "we look and see if anywhere might be holding a carnival soon, and then... head there. I've been shown one once, and was told that it was for... happier times. Joy without purpose."
"After everything, that feels like something that it would feel good to do. Something for all of us to experience together. Without the worries of what's been hanging over us the last little while. ...but, if either of you have other things you'd like to do, I'm all ears. ...that really is a weird saying."
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Post by Robot on May 15, 2023 17:03:02 GMT
"Events like that are usual held in the National Park outside of Goldenrod. Most of the other human gatherings in the region are considered 'towns', but Goldenrod is the only real city." Patience offered helpfully. Em looked thoughtful at the question. Joy without purpose, fun for the sake of fun.
"They have had a really hard time in Goldenrod lately, with the hole in the sky, the hidden lab... the attack from Team Aqua and the rains. Maybe we should nudge Whitney to put on something like that? I think she'd be all for it." Em grinned, too pleased. "It sounds great, Thel."
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Post by DataNinja on May 15, 2023 23:46:09 GMT
"Wait, what?" Thel asks, after a few moments of speechlessness. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, they're obviously going to have to spend a lot of time fixing things up, right? Just look at all that happened in Olivine, and that was after all the preparations everyone did..."
"...it would be nice to see Whitney again, though. Even if," he admits, "I'd probably feel more guilty than I already am about not going back to class right away. ...though, with the way things have been going lately, the school would probably get attacked from some monster if I was still in attendance."
He sighs, grinning, his protests defeated just by them being so genuine about it. "Okay, sure, let's make plans to head back to Goldenrod. We can at least bring it up to Whitney. If," he laughs, "her mom hasn't buried her in too many responsibilities to talk to us. We're certainly not going to be the most important things there."
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Post by Robot on May 18, 2023 23:40:09 GMT
"When... things are hard for too long, people need a break. A chance to relax and realize that the world isn't crumbling, that the sun is shining." Em leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Either way, we can do a bit of good and maybe meet more people like us. Let's look into chartering a boat and make for Goldenrod."
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Post by DataNinja on May 18, 2023 23:50:54 GMT
"Just as long as I don't need to talk Whitney into doing this, okay?" Thel says, laughing. "But... I know that sentiment came up a few times back in Olivine, with all the weather and all that. So... I guess it couldn't hurt to try."
"...oh, yeah. You're right. That's where all the, uh, AE Pokémon were. Huh. I didn't really think of that." Oh boy, he couldn't imagine someone like Muku at a carnival. There couldn't be that many birds like her that were turned into humans, right? "That'll be interesting, if we're able to meet them."
He groans good-naturedly. "Oh, good. Going over water. I forgot about that."
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Post by Robot on May 29, 2023 21:31:03 GMT
"Ah yes, because we're overly fond of water." Patience makes a face, her and Em breaking into giggles before booking with the water taxi that has setup shop at a mooring made from one of the buildings that got drowned out in the floods. The Captain, a good natured man but well past his prime, doesn't say much, speech peppered with fishing idioms that none of them quite got, but with a little courtesy and some effort, the point is made and Goldenrod fast approaching.
It is not... in the best way. The Radio Tower has been cut cleanly at a 35 degree angle across its breadth, though the remnants of the steeple are gone from the street, the shattered cobbles still remain. A portion of the business district has dropped into a sinkhole, which still has construction crews positioned around it. A number of the buildings are covered in spots of purplish... something. Members of the science community are still studying it. Several of the buildings look to have been taken apart one perfectly cubic block at a time, with some ruins remaining in that fashion, pieces just out, spontaneously. All in all, the scene paints... confusing details about the uncanny event that befell this place.
The Captain straightens his hat. "Three in th'bag fore sunup, good way t'start the day, no sense caterwauling fer more." As they disembarked, he began hauling fishing tackle out from under one of the seats.
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Post by DataNinja on May 30, 2023 0:43:19 GMT
Thel stands frozen in shock as he takes in the panorama, mouth agape. "What even...?" he eventually stammers out, but no further words emerge. A vague kernel of understanding emerges, when it comes to the weird missing bricks, at least. Since they seem very similar - if inverse - to those blocks he saw in his visions.
He shudders, and tries not to think about people who befell the same fate. Or the same fate as the radio tower. Or anything else that's gone awry here.
Realizing that he's forgotten to breathe for a time, he sharply inhales. Where to even start...?
With a sigh, and a somber mood, he thanks the Captain, and begins leading his group towards the Gym. That seems to be the best place to start. Since at the very least, there'd probably be someone there they could leave a message for Whitney with. Since... he imagines she'll be too busy to see them.
It really feels like a carnival would be worse and worse of an idea to him. But, then again, when have they ever let something like that stop them?
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Post by Robot on Jun 4, 2023 18:18:39 GMT
Unfortunately it seems Goldenrod City Gym is closed at this time, as detailed in a lengthy note apologizing for Whitney's absence. Apparently with everything that's happened, she's been run off her feet tending to local concerns and issues, as is her responsibility as a local leader. Gym visits will be available again by appointment in two weeks time. Speaking with her Mother (who is thrilled to see Thel alive and well), reveals Whitney is trying to settle the 'Alt-Humans' in foster homes throughout the residential district, but hasn't had much success.
When he does at last locate the girl, she looks haggard. Her hair is out of its braid, and she is talking with an olive skinned girl holding a pair of very long knives, brandishing them expressively while she speaks. "This is the fifth house! No more! None of your human friends will take in my hive in full, so we don't need them. We will go!" Whitney calmly put a hand on the end of each knife, and slowly lowered them with gentle pressure. "Shiv, we've been over this... most people are very scared of knives, and can't afford to care for four. You won't be far if you'd just take the compromise."
"What is compromise?" The girl asked sharply, a steely glint in the corner of her eyes.
"It's when... if you can't have everything that you want, you accept less because that is as good as it can be."
Agitated, the knife wielding girl began to dig slight furrows into the stucco of the house they were 'discussing' beside, as though it were a nervous habit.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 4, 2023 22:13:44 GMT
It's nice to see Courtney again, even if they can't really stay long to chat and visit. Instead it's navigating the city, once again with the help of Serenity and here peerless tracking skills. ...the place definitely feels a lot more claustrophobic, considering all the destruction around.
Seeing the discussion between the two girls, Thel isn't quite sure what to do, so he elects to sidestep the matter entirely, at least initially. Especially given knives are involved. "Hi Whitney," he calls, waving and laughing. "You've not been an easy person to find. I suppose that's the hallmark of a good Gym leader, being everywhere in times of crisis."
He gives a glance towards the girl with the knives. "Would you mind introducing us to your friend over there? I hear that we may be kin, of a sort."
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Post by Robot on Jun 8, 2023 15:34:02 GMT
"Oh good, a friendly face..." Whitney laughed with a hint of exasperation. "Thel, this is Shiv, she's the spokesperson for the Bug-Type Alt-Humans, she is a Scyther. It was originally going to be Kursz but ah... that didn't work out. We're trying to find them a more permanent home, because the hotel putting them up for the time being can't do it forever, but it's been slow going. Between the damage to the city during the Ultra Event, and... tempers being what they are. You know how it is. Good to have you back in town!" Whitney put her arms around Thel and buried her face against his cheek for long enough to take a deep breath.
Patience squared off with Shiv at distance, sizing the girl up curiously. The idle digging at the wall stopped as the significantly larger and armed girl seemed to notice the attention. There was clear physical tension in their posturing and a tense silence behind Whitney that she didn't quite seem to register.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 8, 2023 23:52:25 GMT
Thel gives Whitney a quick hug in return, because she looks like she needs it, before turning his attention to Shiv. "Pleased to meet you, Shiv," he says. "I'm Thel, and this is my family. My mate Em, and my sister Patience." He indicates towards each of them in turn with his head. "I was a Salandit, and they were a Ralts and a Joltik." Though, judging by everything, they all probably would have evolved by now. ...even him.
"By the way, yes, you have met my sister before," he quietly adds as an aside to Whitney, "but, long story. I can catch you up later." He does flash her the ring on his hand with a grin, though. Assuming that she hadn't heard about it already roughly five minutes after the rest of Charm School. Despite being in another city and no longer a student.
"...I'll be honest, I'm still wrapping my head around there being more of us. Even when meeting Terra - oh, sorry, I guess you probably wouldn't know her - it never really sunk in, since she wasn't around for long. So I'm a little lost for words. It is nice to meet you, though." He knows he probably should be worried about a girl who constantly carries around a knife... but between all of everything he's gone through so far, he's not really concerned. He trusts in his ability to dodge, at the very least. And/or that weird precognition thing he has now.
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Post by Robot on Jun 18, 2023 19:32:44 GMT
"Congratulations." Whitney said gleefully, swooning at the sight of the ring. "I hope you're both really happy together... and I look forward to us having that moment, maybe over coffee."
Shiv looks uncertain about the ease and familiarity to which Thel carries himself with her, and does more than once make eye contact with Patience until the smaller girl seems to get the idea and finally looks away. This begins to remove tension in those muscles. Shiv offers Thel her wrist, knife still in hand but pointed back towards herself. "As Whitney has said, I am Shiv... do you lead your Hive?"
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 18, 2023 19:49:33 GMT
Thel understands that she's reluctant to let go of her weapon, so he clenches his fist and matches wrists with her. "I... suppose I do, yes," he says, though he often isn't sure why they trust him to lead. He often has no idea what he's doing! "Though, it's not exactly a particularly large Hive. But we make do."
"We've been... muddling our way through human society for the last little while, so maybe we might be able to help you with trying to figure out living arrangements? If that's something that you're okay with."
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Post by Robot on Jun 21, 2023 23:37:23 GMT
"Whitney keeps pushing for us to move into someone else's territory as their... charges?" "Wards." Whitney corrects tiredly. "You can't just go into another hive's territory without driving off their Alpha, or at least besting them in combat, it's dangerous!" Whitney covers her face in both hands and suppresses a little sigh.
"Human family units aren't territorial... it's like... Combee." Patience interjects. "The weak little flyers that hoard sweetness from flowers?" "Yes, those. Nothing bars them from their territory, because they just bring sweetness where they go, and they're pretty harmless."
Shiv seems uncertain, Whitney surprised, and Em bemused.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 22, 2023 0:12:08 GMT
"If there's anything that I've learned in my time being human," Thel explains. "it's that... humans break your expectations from your previous life all the time. It took me a long time to understand their weird family units. It's as if they like being around a few people, but not too many. At least, not for long periods of time. And some want to be alone. It can get... confusing."
"But, a lot of them are also really welcoming. I have been helped by so many people, without any expectation of them getting anything in return. I can promise that people who are offering to help will help you, just... too many people is probably too much for them. Especially because it can take humans a bit to understand all our mannerisms, and us theirs. But I have never needed to fight a human, and they've never tried to harm me. The ones who offered me help and hospitality, at least." Well, maybe Lusamine might have, if she's been keeping those Nihilego. But that's not likely to happen here.
"Not to mention... humans don't really have Alphas, not in the same way some of us do. There can be people with some authority, but that can change depending on the situation. So... there's not really anyone to challenge. And it's not something that would gain their respect, I'm afraid. Well, maybe for some. But not in this scenario."
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Post by Robot on Jun 25, 2023 19:51:56 GMT
"Gym leaders, Elites, and Champions are the closest things to Alphas we have, and I've been trying to help you all this time Shiv. That's what I've been getting at." Whitney explained with barely contained exasperation. "Creatures that are entirely selfless are extremely rare. Maxie claimed that he was doing what was best for us, and looking out for the interests of the Hive. That was not what that was at all." Shiv replied tartly. Patience's expression paled, then fell.
"Ashley claimed the same when she was rooting around in my insides and... attaching foreign things there." The little blonde managed with an anxious pause that she had to vocally force her way out of. "Betterment of a species. When you add... thought. Motive, and everything else gets extremely complicated. It isn't just food, mates, and territory anymore."
Shiv looked down at her knives and inhaled slowly through her nose. "I will be in touch again Whitney, I need... time. I will meet you in front of the gym in an hour." With that said, she stalked off.
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