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6,666 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 28, 2024 21:17:21 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jul 5, 2019 10:50:10 GMT
Which way was it again? Mica's eyes, large and saucer like as they were roamed the main chamber. What if Donovan had gone somewhere else? She hadn't exactly thought this through very well. At least she knew this was not the sort of place that would throw them forward in time if they took too long. Without a proper frame of reference to find her way it was harder to get back to where she had seen the Roselia last, but try she did.
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Post by DataNinja on Jul 5, 2019 16:06:39 GMT
Donovan
"I see..." Jolie says, nodding. "So, I know what I have to do. I have to be strong. For you. For everyone else in here. To make sure this all doesn't go to waste. I... I won't let my fear push me away from what might be outside. I will get out there, and see the world!" She grins as she makes that declaration, before suddenly beginning to glow.
The light suddenly grows to be about twice as large as Donovan, before sprouting legs, and fading, to reveal a much larger spider. "Uh..." Multiple eyes blink at him in unison. "Did you just get smaller?"
Mica
Thankfully, Mica's memory and instincts are accurate, and she finds herself climbing through the same tunnel as before. Just as thankfully, when she peers into the room Donovan seems to still be there, along with only the small spider... which suddenly glows and changes into a much larger and not-quite-as-adorable spider.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jul 6, 2019 5:27:07 GMT
Donovan beamed at the once small bug "No, you just got a lot bigger" It seemed that there was hope for them yet
"I guess you've finally got past something that was holding you back, and now you're evolved." He continues "Hopefully the others have similar revelations, though I won't keep my fingers crossed" looking down at his flowers he frowned "Well not like I could right now anyways"
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 28, 2024 21:17:21 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jul 6, 2019 11:33:31 GMT
"At least you have arms." Mica quipped as she waddled back into the clearing. "It took awhile but this is either a slow or normal speed one, a very nice Pokemon with very fast feet helped me. I got to climb a tree!" She declared excitedly. "How are you doing?" She considered the Roselia for a moment, oblivious to the rest of the room's shifting demeanor.
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Post by DataNinja on Jul 6, 2019 16:31:32 GMT
"It's all right," Jolie says, "I don't think anyone here has fingers long enough to cross, either." She holds up a leg and slightly wiggles the tiny points on the end. "I don't know why you'd want to, though. Just feels like it'd trip you up. We should go and see others, though, yeah!"
"...what is she actually saying?" the Galvantula half-whispers to Donovan, almost comically with how much the spider now towers over the Roselia and Bonsly. "I... don't understand."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jul 9, 2019 2:00:11 GMT
"Life is simpler when you don't try and make sense of what she says and instead just enjoy the joy that she brings. At least until you get to know her a little better" Donovan whispers to the Electric Bug
He turned his attention to the Bonsly and smiled, patting her head with a flower "I'm doing well. It was weird talking to them without you, but it seemed to work. They're speaking about the Plate now. Me and Jolie were about to find out how the discussions were going"
With a nod towards the Galvantula, Donovan began to walk out, hoping the larger Pokemon would take the lead.
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 28, 2024 21:17:21 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jul 9, 2019 8:24:17 GMT
Jolie being a bigger spider was kind of sad to Mica in a way, gone were her halcyon days of hiding in the tiniest of places, being all fuzzy and squishable. The spider was still cute in a way, but the passage of time tempered that with strength. "It is a saying.". She explained. "Bipeds use it to mean hope, on account of not walking on their fingers."
She brightened at the rustling, floral scented headpat and wobbled after Donovan, oblivious to the exchange between the boy and their hostess.
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Post by DataNinja on Jul 9, 2019 19:53:25 GMT
"Uh, actually," Jolie says, "I was planning to go and find some of the other Pokémon that I would play with when not listening to stories around here. I... would not want to interrupt the adults." She shudders, the fluff on her body standing on end. "Besides, I'm sure they'll let us know as soon as they reach a decision. So... no point in barging in earlier."
"Ah, I see..." she says to Mica, with the sound of someone who really doesn't understand the explanation at all.
"If we're going to go see the others, if that's all right, this way's faste-" She stops mid-sentence when she realizes that the tunnel that she's headed for is too small for anything but her head. "Ah." There's a long pause while she stands motionless, seemingly trying to register what just happened. "Well, uh, I guess that way that you're going is... just as good as any other way? Maybe? Or, uh, maybe we should just sit here in case we get lost..."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jul 12, 2019 3:35:29 GMT
"What if we leave a trail of web behind us so that we can find our way back if we need to?" Donovans says with a little smile as he looks at the tunnel Jolie was originally going to go down "You'll have to learn the other tunnels eventually, so you might as well do it with us by your side. Besides, don't you want to show the others how you've evolved?"
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 28, 2024 21:17:21 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jul 15, 2019 11:22:01 GMT
"If you knew what direction you wanted to go I could probably guide us there even with the super windy tunnels." Mica offered, peering at the hole the spider had been attempting to take. She turned in a little circle and got her bearings before leading the way.
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Post by DataNinja on Jul 15, 2019 11:50:27 GMT
"Ohhhh, that would be extremely rude," Jolie says, "just leaving webbing and everything around outside of one's personal space for someone else to trip over or get tangled in."
She looks at Mica, hesitating. "I... no. I would love for the help, but I have to do this on my own. I have to be strong, and confident, and, and... uh, be able to take care of myself." She breathes in deeply, then out, a hint of the smaller spider she was before coming through. "So... uh, thank you. But, I, uh, can do this. I think."
With that, she brushes (fluffily) past Mica, leading the way. Though she pauses at each turn and break, and a few times does some backtracking or trying to get into a too-small tunnel (and once or twice has to boost up Mica and Donovan into a more ceiling-oriented tunnel), eventually, she seems to come close to where she wants to be. There's a droning murmur-y sound, which resolves itself into chatter and laughter as the group rounds a corner. An opening overlooks a large chamber, with small, young-looking bugs chasing each other around, building webbed sculptures, wrestling, or other things. Jolie seems to have frozen up a bit again, and doesn't know what to say.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jul 17, 2019 1:16:16 GMT
Donovan gently nudged the spider "You uh....might need to re introduce yourself. You know, since you're big now." He smiled up at her "Don't worry, we're right here to back you up. Just be excited! Tell them about the future, and introduce us. We don't want them thinking of us as monsters after all" He adds with a wink.
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 28, 2024 21:17:21 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jul 17, 2019 13:16:28 GMT
"Is evolving like becoming an adult?" Mica posed suddenly, leaning to one side with an air of concern. "What if Jolie grew up too fast and she isn't ready to be an adult yet Donovan?" Another brief pause. "WHAT IF YOU ARE GROWING UP TOO FAST TOO?!"
Wet beaded in the corners of the bonsly's eyes and her mouth wobbles. She would start bawling and wailing any second now.
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Post by DataNinja on Jul 17, 2019 17:17:56 GMT
"I... I am ready," Jolie says to Mica. "I know it. I feel it. I... think, at least. But, I'm fairly sure that I'm sure. That... this is meant to be. That I've found who I am." Mica's outburst especially seems to have caught the attention of most of the Pokémon in the room, whose activities have died down.
Jolie clears her throat, and takes several (several several) deep breaths, before eventually squeaking out "H-hello everyone." That's caused a bit of the murmuring to settle down as the group takes in being addressed. "It's, it's me. Jolie. I... I evolved. And it's why I've come to talk to you all. You see the strangers beside me. They're from outside." The Galvantula's voice gets more and more steady as she keeps talking. "The time is coming when we can leave this place. The world is big, though. And we need to be ready. To help each other. To be able to find a place in the world. To prepare to struggle, to see wonders. To live. To laugh. To feel things that we have never felt before. It is something that is unlike anything we have seen."
"Those above us are in discussions about it currently... but they will not tell us about it. Not until the time. And that is why I come to you now. She inclines her head. "Because this is all being done for you. For us. Those who are young, who will have a future out there. And we must get ready. Ready to make the most of this opportunity, and to not disappoint those who will have given us that chance." She glances at Mica and Donovan, and nods at each. "And these are them. Proof that the outside is there, that it comes inside. Proof that we have to grow, to prepare for it. I will not force you to do anything. But I wanted to make sure that each of you knew that there was a choice to be had. So that you can make it for yourselves."
The room is mostly quiet following the pronouncement, save for the buzzing of a few wings - one of whom, a dragonfly, flies over to the group, hovering between them and the mass of small Pokémon. He quietly asks. "What... what do you think that we can do?"
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jul 18, 2019 1:52:24 GMT
"At first, you can do nothing but think" Donovan says clearly "Think on what you want to do. If you want to grow within these halls, becoming leaders of your people and helping them move forward while still being able to look back at your traditions. Or maybe you want to look outwards. Once that door is open the entire world is at your beck and call. You've been told, I'm sure, how things used to be."
He looked between all of the Pokemon, to see how they reacted "Mica and myself are here to tell you that it is very very different. We are not from a Tribe. People have settled into countries, and cities, and towns and...." He catches himself rambling and laughs "And I'm sure these words sound like nonsense. But the important part is that people from all of these places are connected. Being from different places, from different backgrounds, none of that matters. The world is what you make of it."
"I'm sure this just sounds like nonsense from a stranger to all of you. Like I'm just rambling incessantly. But like Jolie, I just want to help give you the best path forward. If you have any questions about the outside, I would be happy to answer them" He bows and smiles towards the youngsters
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Post by DataNinja on Jul 18, 2019 13:30:33 GMT
The room erupts in a hodgepodge of chatter, with various fragments drifting forwards. "Why now?" "What does this all mean?" "Does that mean everyone's the same?" "How dangerous is it?"
"That's enough!" Jolie says, yelling with a smell of ozone in the air, before returning to a more normal volume. "We... don't know the answers to these questions. It's... all something that we have to discover. Together. We have to trust in each other, and simply get ready for what could possibly lie outside. I know it's a lot to take in, but... I just needed you to know. Thank you."
She steps back, as the room breaks apart into small groups and descends into murmurs. "And thank you both," she says to Mica and Donovan. "You gave me the confidence needed to say what... well, needed saying. I don't know if it will change anything, but at least they have the knowledge. Do you want to go back now and wait? Or stay here? I have no idea how much longer a decision will take to be reached."
There's a long time that passes, with the children mostly huddling, taking glances at the strange outsiders, and talking. There's a few odd questions that happen - including about the strange things like flowers that compose their bodies, and how they feel - but for the most part it's them figuring things out themselves, and discussing. There are no evolutions like Jolie, though, who mostly hangs in a web to the side, realizing once again that she's not as small as she used to be.
Some time passes, and things begin to quiet down, as many of the Pokémon drop off to sleep. There are some - such as a handful of green spiders - that remain awake, quiet, but for the most part it seems to be time for slumber and rest.
It's only when some begin to stir once more that Ari and the Vespiquen quietly enter the area, and move over to Mica and Donovan. "Hello, you two. A decision has been made. It is permitted to leave, if it is in good hands. And to that regard... we simply ask this. Who is it that you care for? We know who you're doing it for, why you say you're doing it... but what are your bonds? Who is important to you? What makes you feel?"
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 28, 2024 21:17:21 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jul 19, 2019 16:14:06 GMT
"Everything makes me feel something." Mica blinked up wide eyed at the Vespiquen, she was very pretty. "Outside I am really good friends with a Kricketune and he taught me how to music, he just wanted me to do my best at it, so I try hard and practice lots. The music is for grassy places though. Open to the sky, leaves waving in the wind, solid ground underfoot hiding friends and adventures. The sun hiding the sky with blue, and the moon dancing with the stars at night."
Mica let out a reverant breath, her expression happy and distant. "I helped a Ledyba learn to be strong and take care of himself, now he insists on taking care of me too. It is sad that he is so grown up now, but I couldn't be more proud of him. When I flew for the first time I understood though. The world is too small a place to not take it all in and protect what you love. The world I guess... Nature, Pokemon, and People. That they were all one and the same once only makes sense to me."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jul 20, 2019 23:13:53 GMT
Donovan take a lot longer to say anything than Mica did. Because honestly he didn't have an answer. He had stopped thinking of himself a while back and was just focused on going forward. This whole thing had started because of him trying to find himself and yet now he knew even less about who he was than when he had started.
"Before I left my home I would have said my parent, or my coworkers, or....a special someone. The people I spent my days with. The people who helped turn me into who I am. But the thing I've learned as time has went on, is that I'm still not sure who I am. I move forward because of this quest, because I have set my sights on a goal. But in the process I've forgotten to step back and look at the little things. I'm not like Mica, who can empathize with anyone and anything, who can find joy in all things. I am driven forward by my goals and have little focus for anything else. I do what I do for everyone, because there is no one else who can do it."
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Post by DataNinja on Jul 21, 2019 23:52:30 GMT
"I see," Ari says, glancing over at the Vespiquen, who nods. "That is why you travel together. You are complements. You keep each other focused on things they might not think or feel. Come with us."
Jolie starts to move to as the two lead Mica and Donovan out, but Ari shakes his head. "No, you stay back, in case something goes wrong."
"...okay," she says, before looking at the two Trainers. "Good luck, and I hope we meet again..."
The room that the Bonsly and Roselia are led to seems to be filled entirely with webbing, though a few spiders seem to have been carefully clearing a tunnel through towards the center, where the familiar plinth stands behind a thin gauze-like layer. The last little strands are just being worked on to be removed.
As the group needs to wait for that to happen, Ari turns to the pair. "Jolie... she evolved, I saw. How did that happen? They have seemed to come fewer and much farther between as time passes... and I am sure that your being here is no coincidence as to why it happened." He peers down at the two. "There's something special about you two, I'm sure. Beyond the fact that you're here, even."
The spiders just then finish their job, and the last threads part. "Well... I suppose this is goodbye for now. Good luck in the rest of your quest."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jul 22, 2019 1:50:21 GMT
"She uh.....she just realized what she wanted to do, and that was enough to help her evolve. I didn't really do anything but talk to her" Donovan says sheepishly. He still didn't know how to feel when people called them special. It was one thing when it was about them coming and going, or when he was giving a speech. But it was different when it was about them as people.
"Thanks. I'll come back and visit when we break the seal. I promise" Donovan says before reaching for the Plate
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