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Post by Slytherclaw on Apr 20, 2018 3:14:20 GMT
With oil under her nails and lips still faintly tasting of the sugar she dumped into her tea in excessive amounts, Amber makes her way following the directions she was given. Her eyes are glassy and distant, lost in thought, and her right hand taps a gentle taboo against her thigh. It's only when she approaches and hears the familiar voices of her companions that she blinks, glancing around until she finds the group. She pauses a few feet away from them, stumbling a little in surprise, as she takes in the appearance of the old man they're talking to--what a bizarre hat!
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Post by DataNinja on Apr 20, 2018 4:51:43 GMT
"I see," Christine says, nodding, "Well, thank you for your time, sir. It has been... most informative. While I'm sure that you have many stories to tell, we do have much to do." She turns to Cecil. "Restocking, especially, unless you already did that. I'm sure you recall our food situation being... less than ideal." As she gets up, she notices Amber. "Oh, Amber, good. You're here, too. Uh, this here is the Blue Sage. He... knows a lot, is I guess the best way to put it."
She does turn back to the Sage after a moment's thought, inquiring, "If you don't mind me asking, sir, what direction might you be heading in the future? Just in case we're in that area."
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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 Apr 20, 2018 10:42:16 GMT
"Enough food for a week for all of us, wasn't cheap, few essentials otherwise. Tried to talk Slane into selling the Jalopy but he got distracted with Lil Sis and wanted her help twiddling with something." Cecil eyed Amber questioningly for a moment before continuing. "Got a couple egg warmers to speed up breeding projects, sold some of the heavier gear I had, and picked up a bigger weapon. Eggs sell really well here in Purewater, might be our meal ticket going forward." He explained to Christine.
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Post by Lockdown on Apr 24, 2018 1:44:59 GMT
The sage gives Christine a kind smile. "I'm not sure yet m'dear, but probably to the west. There are a number of settlements nearer to the city that take advantage of the resources to be had there. Wild mon of types not found on the outskirts prowl thanks to the abundance of species that were here for the League..." He closes his eyes, leaning back in remembrance. "Bread and circuses, a way to distract the civilians from how poorly our country was truly faring..." He sighs. "And then it all came undone in a flash of light and hubris unyoked." He shakes his head to remove the morose thoughts. "There's a settlement on the eastern edge of the city ruins, just beyond Lake Sammamish." He indicates it on a map. "Redmound. It's a bit rougher than here, but the folk try to live in harmony with the land and pokemon around them. Without succumbing to the madness of the Gene Children. I will most likely be found there."
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Post by DataNinja on Apr 24, 2018 2:01:29 GMT
"Thank you again for your time, sir," Christine says, trying to file the names away, before turning back to the group. "I'll probably head over to the general store, see if there are more berries to replenish my supply. Planted all the ones I had yesterday. Maybe also check out what else they have. Anyone who wants to come, great, if not, I'll meet up with you soon."
As she heads in the direction of the store, she remembers the promise that she'd made, and lets out Clarion, letting the bat see sunlight, feel fresh air, and truly stretch its wings for the first time.
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Post by Slytherclaw on Apr 24, 2018 13:25:02 GMT
Amber glances at Cecil and there's a moment where realization is chased across her face by chagrin. "I forgot to ask about the jalopy again," She mutters quietly, looking away sheepishly. "I thought he'd be more pliable after I helped but...I got caught up?"
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Apr 24, 2018 22:43:54 GMT
"It happens. I probably should have talked it over with Christine first before going in on such a big investment, but if we are going to be ranging far and wide then having it would be ideal." He considered for a moment. He had things to pose to Scrimshaw, but maybe it'd just be easier to ask the Blue Sage. He was an outlier too, an X-factor in his own right. "Alright old timer, got two questions for you. Ones a matter of character, and the other's a bit of weirdness I've gotten attached to. You know anything about this?" Cecil produced Fan's stone. "The other, how would you convince vaulties to shove off into the scary surface world they never knew?"
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Post by Seya on Apr 25, 2018 22:44:49 GMT
If Kat had a journal or any sort of inkling how to record this probably-important-pieces-of-information, she'd have tried to save every last bit of wisdom the Blue Sage was offering up. The hair on the back of her neck prickled at the mention of other factions and gangs... and even more so when the old man put a hand on her shoulder as if to reassure her. What the fuck did he know, anyways?
She swallowed thickly, relieved by Amber's reappearance and the distraction it brought. Discussion of the 'egg warmers' made her snort.
"For someone so new ta these critters, you're awfully familiar with 'em, now, Cec," she says almost lazily. She knows part of it is no doubt the alternate set of memories he's now carrying around, and that makes her almost feel guilty for bringing it up. But then she smiles. "It's a surprise in a good way. 'Specially if it keeps all of you safe."
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Post by Lockdown on Apr 28, 2018 6:41:19 GMT
The Sage smiles at Kat, before looking seriously at Cecil. "To answer your question about the vault dwellers... Nothing lasts forever, nor can it remain hidden. There are scavengers and gangs that hunt for vaults, to plunder their ancient technology, to seek a base to rule the local area from... or if there are still Vault Dwellers there, to enslave. The mechanisms cannot last indefinitely either, and eventually what few parts may remain available will be used up. They will have to face the surface sooner or later, unless whatever experiment was included in the setup of the Vault kills them first." He peers carefully at the three Vault Dwellers. "You do not seem to have any obvious issues that would indicate a particularly harmful experiment, but that wasn't my department so I cannot speak of them in detail." He carefully examines the stone that Cecil has produced, peering at it closely. "Hmmm... a psy-crystal, from a Gardevoir if I'm not mistaken. They're a form of organic crystal that forms in the center of a Gardevoir's chest to act as a focus for their psychic powers. To see one separate from the body... the poor thing has passed, but oftentimes an echo will remain of their mind and memories. It is possible that, with the right technology one could use the DNA infused into the crystal to create a clone, which the echo would inhabit. The clone would have some of the memories and mannerisms of the original, but at a pace removed." He leans back. "There exists a cloning facility in the Woodland Park Zoo that could do this."
As Christine cracks the pokeball open, it shudders and jerks in her hand. The stream of energy, rather than emerging in an arc, spears upwards as a rumbling sound fills the air, vibrations thrumming through her bones as the tiny bat she had captured in the vault glowed like a second sun. Its wings and ears expanded by an order of magnitude as its squat body lengthened out to a lean predatory build. It's snout jutted forward as a spiked tail sprang from its backside. With a boom of leathery wings, the newly evolved pokemon spun with a cry of sheer unbridled joy.
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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 Apr 28, 2018 11:52:16 GMT
Cecil's expression clouded, eyes becoming distant. "Fan was a strong woman, one I'd very much like by my side again." The greaser's eyes slowly slid closed, a pained expression building on his face until a triumphant screech filled the air. He snapped to attention, what was left of his tea spilling onto Purewater's soil. Fingers flitted down along the bandolier at his chest, and he released Fender seconds later. Christ, other then Sampson they hadn't seen one that big yet, and it was ballsy to just drop into town from the sky like this.
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Post by Slytherclaw on Apr 28, 2018 17:22:21 GMT
Amber goes very still as the Sage talks. "Experiment to...kill them?" Amber asks quietly. "I thought they were...the sampson vault, that was someone going mad with power and breaking the rules, no...were vaults designed like that?"
She twists her hands in the leggings over her overalls, a nervous habit. "What happens, when vault dwellers leave?"
She makes a mental note to talk to Cecil about the bot plant in the old city, but perhaps not now.
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Post by DataNinja on Apr 28, 2018 21:45:05 GMT
Christine jumps a little as the ball reacts unexpectedly, taking a step back as a much larger dragon emerges from it. There's a stab of fear, but that subsides as soon as it's obvious that it's not about to suddenly attack. "Well then," she says, laughing, "You really did just need some food and space. Wasn't expecting you to grow this much, though."
She holds out her arm and hand towards the dragon, to see how he reacts. Hopefully to not bite it off. While looking the Pokémon over, though, something sparks in her mind. Not a memory, really, more... instinctive knowledge. A feeling. She can imagine herself riding on the back of it, wind flowing through her hair, gliding over the land - and not looking up. It's a pleasant thought, but it surprises her that it came to mind. She takes the leap, though, venturing to the dragon, "Would you grant me your wings, and allow me to take to the skies atop you later on?"
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Post by Lockdown on Apr 29, 2018 6:50:29 GMT
The sage looks pained as he turns his gaze towards Amber. "I'm sorry child, but... the Vaults were never really intended to save anyone. They were social experiments intended to test the viability of space travel by subjecting the denizens of the Vaults to numerous social pressures and influences. Some of them were... rather obviously not intending for the vault dwellers to survive. A vault full of a thousand men and one woman for example." He smiles slightly then. "When Vault Dwellers leave, it can be a gamble. Depending on what resources that they may have had they're able to create a settlement, or find one nearby to join. Sometimes they may give rise to new gangs. Other times, they may emerge into the waiting arms of a faction that's been trying to get into the vault. If your home vault is near here, then it has a good chance of not being snapped up. If you can put forward anything that can be used for trade your people would have a good trading partner here in Purewater."
The draconic bat swoops down, before peering at Christine. It's easily equal in height to her, and chuffs curiously before nuzzling her cheek with its nose. The creature seems to be amenable to her request to ride, though aside from clutching the thick ruff of fur on its shoulders, there's little in the way of handholds available.
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Post by DataNinja on Apr 29, 2018 7:12:12 GMT
Christine rubs the dragon's head as it nuzzles her, wondering if the smith might be able to make a saddle. Or know someone who could. Something to check when going shopping.
The Sage's words catch her attention again, though, and her heart sinks down back to earth. And then below once more. Yet again, there was the claim, the likely fact, that the Vaults weren't even supposed to save them at all. That they just lucked out in managing to survive. That nobody, maybe not even those in charge, cared if they lived or died...
She still hasn't really processed it all, though. It hasn't really sunk in. She just needs some time to think. And so, while the others still talking to the Sage, she heads off towards the store and the smith. If there's anything important, the others will tell her, surely. She just... doesn't want to hear more of it right 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 Apr 29, 2018 11:34:59 GMT
"If we ain't a control vault lil Sis, I'll be getting to the bottom of it when we get home. We're finding out what is behind that biometric lock in the armory, and what is in Skrub's terminal, whether he wants to show us or not. If you're with me, there ain't nothing we can't accomplish together. I'll see his prime directive for myself before I lift another finger for that place." He folded his arms over his chest, the little ball of steel at his ankles watching the dragon nestle in.
"Of course it was Christine." He facepalms with a little groan.
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Post by Slytherclaw on May 5, 2018 4:31:27 GMT
Amber hesitates, staring at Cecil, before she takes a deep breath and nods. She looks away.
"You don't actually think...?" She rubs her hands together, trailing off, but can't finish the line. She does glance over at Christine and stare for a moment at the dragon, but...well, it's not the weirdest thing they've seen, is it?
"When do we leave?"
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Post by Robot on May 6, 2018 11:47:24 GMT
"Skrub had the materials to grow Pokemon from scratch 'just lying around'. I'm not taking any chances there are other secrets to home. We can leave now, better to walk anyway. The jalopy leaves pretty distinct tracks and we've been on about this out in the open." Cecil finally peeled his eyes from the dragon and returned his attention to the Sage.
"Well old man, it was good. You've been a big help. Much as I'd like to believe it was just for the sake of being helpful... the world don't work that way. There a rub, a price, or a 'request' here I ain't heard yet? Cause if not, might not be around to collect it from later."
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Post by Lockdown on May 11, 2018 3:37:36 GMT
The Sage smiles, though there's a sardonic twist to his lips as he looks at Cecil. "While I try to spread my wisdom and experience for the benefit of those who may make this world a slightly better place... I would like to make a request of you, yes. There is an old quarry nearby that I have been hearing some... disturbing rumors of disappearances happening. I would ask you investigate, and if possible, put down whatever may have moved into the place. It's a valuable source of limestone and building materials, as well as a nesting site for certain rock type pokemon that could cause immense damage if they were forced from their normal habitat. I would go myself... but the nooks and crannies of the quarry along with the steep inclines are a poor place for an old man, and many of my companions weigh too much for me to have out as I travel."
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Post by Lockdown on May 12, 2018 20:03:00 GMT
As the group prepares to set out, Cecil finally gets back several offers on the eggs he'd put up for sale; and goes to collect the caps left after Mahoney had deducted his own cost for the items the lad had purchased. The young woman in charge of the stall where Cecil looks to offload the eggs is caught off guard by his charming manner and is heavily flushing and blushing as she hands over the caps, letting her hands linger. She also fervently tells him to come back anytime he has other business in town.
Christine is able to find a light-weight saddle for her newly evolved companion, and though he growls and rumblesa bit through the fitting, is soon set up for being ridden.
The berry selection and apricorn balls haven't changed at the general store, but the water supply issue seems to have been sorted out, there are racks of bottles of Fresh Water now available; along with more stocks of Purgatives. However the limit placed on purchases is 50, with Mahoney explaining that the stocks are still somewhat low but are being replenished quickly. Apparently a group of guards led by the captain had gone up to the plant while the Vaulties had been out of town, and come back looking bedraggled and beaten up. No one was sure what had happened, but water was flowing freely from the plant once more; and the mayor of Purewater had been seen out and about rather than being ensconced within his office.
With Bunny in tow and Joyce looking around somewhat skittishly, the group is ready to head into the wilds once more.
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Post by Robot on May 12, 2018 22:33:32 GMT
"Guess they managed to sort their own shit out after all, can't say I mind much." Cecil was still nursing the same smoke he'd started when the Blue Sage offered him the pack. The nicotine let him settle into a quieter headspace where he could drink in the scenery and steel himself for what was to come. He didn't even mind proximity to Bunnie and Joy again. The gates lay a short ways behind them, and he was well sure it would be some time before they returned. He quietly hoped that everything was simple, and normal, in vault 316.
"Figure we should drop into this quarry the old man was on about. Town fixed its water issues, and it was a request not an order. Can kinda see why he's so popular round here." Cecil dug in his ear with a pinkie. "Not one for sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, but disappearances sounds a lot like kidnapping.
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