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Post by ThRevanchist on Feb 10, 2018 6:19:24 GMT
Wander and mingle... Wander and mingle? Among a community that distrusted those of his kind? And before that, mingling at all? Bah!
Still, if the Professor was going to encourage participant observation, it was for the best. Long-term operations would go easier if they built rapport among the locals. So, Ulrich parted with a neutral, "Very well. But do avoid causing trouble, the locals value the peace of their little community." He looked at Hugh when he said it.
His first destination, the lock boxes manned by a fellow ghost.
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Post by Robot on Feb 12, 2018 20:18:16 GMT
Rosebud started up into the canopy using extensions of his vines as the group parted ways, a lighthearted giggle escaping him as he disappeared from sight. Hugh arrives at his destination first, needing only to step through the gap in the trees. Inside there are a series of nooks arranged in a cog-like pattern around the center of the grove. Diana herself sits on a large flat stone behind a log, a barrow behind her leading away into some sort of storage area presumably. Each nook contains soft forest undergrowths, moss and ferns primarily, with a singular berry plant rife with fruit. "Hello again friend, Gunshow, was it? Anything I can do for you?"
Ulrich's destination is easy enough to find. Outlying the community as a whole sits a singular large rock. In broad cutting strokes is that faded claw-like script, but it appears to be inlaid with gold when viewed at the correct angle. Atop the stone sits a gilded sarcophagus, the sign reading 'Klei's Keepsakes'.
Evan comes across a hollowed out tree with a sign for 'Fine Finds Discern and Discover', a small pile of metal scrap lying to either side of the doorway. They almost look like they might be components of human electronics at a glance. Heading inside, the counter is practically in front of the door. Behind it, a single floating sphere with two horseshoe magnets attached, and stark black pokemon that vaguely resemble letters, float chunks of inscribed metal and stone about, as if trying to find a pattern in it.
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Post by ThRevanchist on Feb 12, 2018 23:51:14 GMT
Had... The Professor giggled just then? No... No, surely not. Professor Rosewood was one of the top scientists on Gol. It must have been another hallucination, and a particularly unconvincing one, at that. That was a small price to pay for such an impressive body, though, and the researcher decided not to dwell on it.
But this location, his destination? Why, it had everything, didn't it? The best locale, interesting decoration, and yet nothing too extravagant or lively... Here, at least, was an impressive display. Ulrich still chuckled as he read the sign, though. "Keepsakes, hah! So they're sentimental creatures, too..."
Though... The saurian had mentioned lock boxes, and the sarcophagus was probably not large enough to store a village's keepsakes. Nor would any bank look very kindly upon someone searching for their vaults... For obvious reasons.
The Yamask drifted up higher and panned around in search of the owner. If no ghosts were apparent, Ulrich would then call out, "Attention! I am looking for the owner of 'Klei's Keepsakes'. I have business with them."
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Post by birdy51 on Feb 13, 2018 4:46:52 GMT
The Gunshow inhales sharply. "Oh! Such a pretty place! Such a mossy smell!" He doth proclaims, brushing his hands upon the shards of green and brown as he darts about the room. After a few moments of this, he finally turns to the Queenly creature, (who perhaps, had something of a lizardy face about her), and laughs amicably at last.
"Oh yes! The Gunshow is here to ask about store. Gunshow has never been shopping in such places; how does the Gunshow 'buy' something?"
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 13, 2018 17:31:08 GMT
Evan examines the electronics with some curiosity, wondering what exactly they were from, before heading indoors. Almost immediately, expecting more room, he basically runs right into the counter.
'Stepping' back awkwardly, he tries his best to see over the counter, at the strange creatures beyond. "Uh, hello?" he ventures, still looking at the whirling of the almost-letters, "What... what is this place? What are those?"
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Post by Robot on Feb 14, 2018 16:58:10 GMT
"Oh-hoho... you wilds impress me with how feral you can be." Diana replied coyly, before bending forward and fetching a flat metal disc with an imprint of a fist on it. Nearly the size of Gunshow's palm, it was an off-yellow. "These are known as 'P'. The imprint determines the currency's value. A chop-shaped notch is one, an open hand, fingers spread, is five. A three-clawed footprint is ten, and a fist print is twenty.
"BAHAHAHAHA!" The Sarcophagus burst to life, a pair of deep red eyes and sharpened, gnashing teeth appearing along a black panel on the front of it. What would have been a horrific display, it's sides opening and releasing spectral arms to clasp along it's front, was a simple stretch and greeting to Ulrich. "As though you did not know whom or what you were looking for! I am Klei!"
The odd metallic sphere rotates it's central body in place and fixates Evan with it's single eye. It floats down level with the far edge of the counter and declares in a mechanical voice somewhat rife with static. "Pieces of ruin, Zzzcattered words of the world that came before. It is an anzzzzwer to a question NOT FOUND!" On close inspection, the sphere is completely seamless. As far as human technology has come, this seems beyond it somehow. Too mechanical for a Pokemon as well.
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Post by birdy51 on Feb 14, 2018 21:12:15 GMT
"Oh my! This is truly impressive!" Sayeth the Hughshow with wide eyes. He picks up the fist coin and examines it gently in the light, not wanting to break the poor fragile thing. "I must know immediately! How does one earn these coins? They are quite shiny!"
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 15, 2018 5:21:54 GMT
"The... world that came before?" Evan asks, intensely curious. "What came before? Or is that one of the questions that you don't know?" He squints at the metal sphere. It's very shiny, and also... odd. Not quite machine, not quite Pokémon. "Are... you part of that world?"
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Post by ThRevanchist on Feb 15, 2018 23:37:28 GMT
This one was rather large, Ulrich noted silently. Large and spirited... Perhaps he and Hugh would get along? It took the Yamask a moment, but he settled on a greeting in kind. Rising up again, fully extended (and still not all that large), he declared, "Ha! Yet you, Klei, revealed all to me nonetheless!"
"Ahem. I am Ulrich. I heard from one... Diana, about your shop," Ulrich said, returning his two arms to a subdued clasp, "Well, more than that, I was intrigued by word of a fellow ghost. One who managed to win this community's trust... Wait. Were you asleep just now?"
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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 Feb 20, 2018 18:07:04 GMT
"Either by finding the yellow metal and taking it to the south face of the northwest pillar to be made into coins, trading goods for them, or performing services." The Nidoqueen explained, before setting three 'Kick' value coins on the counter, and reclaiming the other. "For you and your friends, welcome to town."
"IT IS UNKNOWN BUT WE WISH IT TO BE KNOWN." The magnemite screeches at such volume it actually tops out it's vocals in static. "Great world myzzztery holds secrets. Places. Recluzzzive Pokemon."
"Sleep is not a thing I require, as your elder I find this statement rude." Klei snorted. "My place here was no easy task. Three generations were born in this place before I was at last accepted here. I provide a surface they dearly require. In the wilds escaping with your life and your things are equally unlikely. I hold the latter."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 20, 2018 21:09:07 GMT
The sudden burst of high-volume noise makes Evan flinch and involuntarily move a little bit towards the door. "I, uh... I see. Wait..." Something about the wording clicks in his head. Or maybe it's just nothing, but he might as well ask. "The mystery holds reclusive Pokémon? Does that mean that there are those that might know more?"
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Post by birdy51 on Feb 22, 2018 4:17:38 GMT
"Oh! What a wonderful gift!" The great creature exclaimed, hastily examining these beautiful trinkets in the light with starry, anime eyes. Ah! Truly he had never seen metal like this! Well, he grew up surrounded by metal, and had only ever known metal for the majority of his memories. But this was different metal, right? Gold? It was usually used in electronics or something. Hugh grimaced in the great beyond. How strange that thought. It was true for the both of them. Gah. He needed time away from the Gunshow. These emotions were cutting too close. The great one in the shuttle relaxes, and the Gunshow's true personality shines brighter than before.
"Thank you Ms. Diana." He says with a sly grin. "But I must ask you this. How much does ah... How much does a hug cost?"
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Post by ThRevanchist on Feb 22, 2018 17:47:53 GMT
Shrinking down toward the rock, Ulrich explained, "I meant no disrespect. It simply seemed like a clever tactic to be seen as more like one of the native inhabitants, who do require sleep."
Three generations, though? Even if the process were accelerated thanks to Klei, that was a large time-frame. Not that they were pressed for time, but there were more important tasks demanding their attention... Still, it was good to know. "Enlighten me if you would, elder. It took three of their generations to accept you, but for how long have you enjoyed the village's trust since?"
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Post by Robot on Feb 24, 2018 12:37:47 GMT
"Haha, oh my, how forward." Diana tittered softly, making her way around the counter with measured steps. "For a hero, free of course, mind the spikes dear." The saurian cautioned as she put her arms around the fighting Pokemon, head resting on his shoulder. This close it was surprising that they were nearly the same height. Diana was warm against the Gunshow, but strangely there were no deeper feelings from this contact beyond the catharsis of being accepted.
"Mmm... Eight." Klei's eyes wandered towards the canopy as he considered the number. "More or less depending on which Pokemon you consider. Some lead very, very long lives and rarely if ever have children." His eyes returned and fixated on Ulrich. "Since you are making information your currency, you will pay in kind." It carried an ominous tone to it. "What brings you to the Living Pillars? There has never been a tear in this valley. I would have felt it."
"CORRECT." The sphere belted out, it's eye wandering back to the proceedings in it's shop. It drifted quickly away from the counter again, as though this were the perfect time to end the conversation, and began communicating with the other mono-eyed pokemon in it's shop. Mostly, it was a series of beeps, squeals, and other odd nonsensical sound, but it seemed to organize the chaos.
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Post by birdy51 on Feb 24, 2018 17:23:02 GMT
The Gunshow, the raging fighting type of friendliness and power, is appeased by the offering of hugs. It is a tight hug, strong, but gentle. Calm, but fierce. Hugh feels lightly ill, and recognizes that this was perhaps a bit too much saccharine joy. It was time to leave. At once, possessed by a foreign power, the Gunshow disengages with a broad, happy smile. "Thank you. If you should ever need a thing, hesitate not to call upon the powers of the Gunshow! I shall come running!"
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 24, 2018 18:17:01 GMT
"Ah, okay," Evan says, a little... disconcerted by the thing and its idiosyncrasies. With that, he begins to back out of the shop. "Well, thank you for your time. It was most informative."
His curiosity about that particular locale whetted - although, it had rather raised a lot of questions about the world - he wanders around, seeing if he can find anywhere that looks interesting.
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Post by ThRevanchist on Feb 26, 2018 16:43:14 GMT
Of course there was a price to his questions, it was only natural. Still, this ghost cut to the heart of things quickly. Neutrally, Ulrich answered, "I shall. I came to this valley by chance. Or, more accurately, my arrival here should not be mistaken as any overt action, nor was I called in by any greater force."
It was, of course, obvious that such a vague answer would be insufficient, and so after a moment Ulrich resumed the transaction, "Even so, I had no plan to seek out this settlement deliberately. Approximately two days ago, a guardian of the valley who lives in the mountains revealed this place. Only hours ago, a wayward shopkeeper and her martial friend offered to show me to the village personally. As I am a stranger to this valley, I concluded that visiting now, and with an invitation, was most advantageous: Where else would I learn the rules those in this valley abide by, much less how to avoid earning the settlement's ire?"
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Post by Robot on Mar 2, 2018 13:41:43 GMT
"I won't hesitate to ask for your help if I need it, please take care of yourself Mister Gunshow, and feel free to rest here with your friends any time." Diana waves the fighting type off, sauntering into a nook to look after how her friend is resting as Hugh heads back into the town proper.
Evan locates what appears to be a makeshift clinic, a pink and white Pokemon standing on two feet, with striking blue eyes and frilled ears moves around between mats made of fresh leaves. By her voice, you'd deem it a female, speaking in soft comforting tones as she binds and poultices injuries. There is a diligence in her pace, but no stress in her demeanor.
"Mnn." Klei grunts thoughtfully, turning a little in place and casting his eyes up the mountain whence Ulrich had come. "If that Pokemon saw fit to direct you here, then he must feel strongly about your... altruism." Klei flashed a terrifying, jagged maw'd smile. "It is easy to get along here. There is no fighting within the confines of the trees marked with a peace knot. It is a length of vine dyed white, and hard to miss. Don't take anything that isn't yours, and be respectful."
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Post by DataNinja on Mar 2, 2018 16:49:42 GMT
He doesn't want to disturb the clinic, instead watching from a distance, finding the care and comfort... relaxing. He's happy that there's a place here to rest and be healed, which is something that he sorely wished that there was back with Sheila.
As he gazes on, it strikes him again how advanced this Pokémon society really is. They're certainly no mere animals...
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Post by birdy51 on Mar 2, 2018 20:52:42 GMT
These things were indeed no mere animals. It was like a society in and of itself! These words of shock and awe reverberate through Hugh's mind. Wonders of wonders. It was all so very interesting, and yet so very... Difficult. It made things difficult in a very tangible way. But that didn't mean impossible.
For now, the Hugh sets aside his mental athletics and sets upon the Gunshow a new task. If this place was so organized, then clearly they would perhaps recognize the most important need in the sentient mind. Alcohol! Quickly yon Gunshow, to the nearest drink dispensary!
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