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Post by DataNinja on Aug 23, 2019 4:06:46 GMT
"Oh, well, uh," Brent says, "that's mighty kind of you, Dan, but I couldn't accept such an offer. I wouldn't feel right causing trouble for someone else, and I know that Lucy wouldn't either. Heck, she'd probably flip if she knew why I was actually coming out here. I told her I was looking for a friend for Rusty. Which... isn't entirely false."
"Now, if you're wanting to help lend an extra pair of eyes, I'd not be opposed to that, but I don't need or want anyone pulling some strings for us." He shakes his head. "'S not worth it in the end, for anybody." He starts walking down along the trail again, checking to make sure Donovan's keeping up. "Though, I'll admit, you do have my curiosity piqued in what it was that you wanted so much. If you're willin' to share that bit."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Aug 24, 2019 20:54:40 GMT
"There wasn't any Pokemon I wanted in particular honestly" Donovan says "I just wanted something so I could be like the girl I was infatuated with at the time. Mostly so I could go on a grand adventure across the Sinnoh Region and figure everything out and then settle down once I knew what I wanted. But uh honestly the thing I would have wanted the most is a parent who would have been willing to go out and do something like this"
He falls quiet and looks at the ground for a moment as they walk "My mom was always working and getting pulled across the world. Region to Region, she didn't really have a chance to settle down. So I would get video calls and she would send me stuff but it was never the same as actually BEING with her. Dad wasn't the same when she was gone either. He tried his best, but he always seemed like a shell of himself when she wasn't home. So I spent a lot of time alone in the woods until I met Melody and got to thinking about getting a Pokemon and being a trainer. I had hoped Dad might bring it up someday, or surprise me with something, but it never happened. Then after a few months, before she left after beating Gardenia, Melody gave me an Egg for what became my Pokemon Partner."
His face went red "But you didn't want to know all that. You just wanted to know what type of Pokemon it was. Rose was a Budew, and he's my dearest friend....well one of them"
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 25, 2019 3:27:53 GMT
"Nah, it's all good," Brent says, waving his hand. "I don't mind hearing 'bout that stuff. Sometimes it helps people sort things out, other times it gives some context. Sounds to me like you're just trying to find a place where you belong. With people who care about you. And that's not a bad goal to have, man. Though, don't know how much luck you'll have wandering around the region here. It's an empty place compared to elsewhere. Guess you might run into someone looking for the same thing, though..."
"I sure know how love and all that can be, though. It can be tough to move past, to realize that the world doesn't always work out the way that you hope. Makes you appreciate it all the more when you finally find what you need, though. But, don't worry man," he pats Donovan on the shoulder, "if you keep searching, I guarantee you'll find happiness eventually. But it just might surprise you where it's from. I know it doesn't make up for the past, of course, but if you dwell on that, you'll be stuck there."
"Ah, but now I'm going on, too," he says, sheepishly. "Uh, so, you said you're from Sinnoh? What's that like. Like I said, I've never really travelled. All I know is that it's also pretty cold - you can tell people who visit from Sinnoh, because they come prepared for the weather. Not like all those tropics people, who've never seen snow before. Ah, man, I just love the wonder on peoples' faces when they're in a snowfall for the first time. Almost makes up for having to shovel it later." He grins.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Aug 25, 2019 20:18:58 GMT
"It's real funny you mention the past. See I'm from Eterna City, a place that's real steeped in history. To the point that there was a Statue in the center of town of a Legend that no one even remembered. So I'm really familiar with the idea of the past shaping things even if it can't be remembered. But that's getting away from what you were asking." Donovan says as his tone switches from more somber to cheerful "Eterna is in the middle of Sinnoh so while we would get some snow, it was mostly just chilly for a lot of the year. On the other side of the forest it was much more Temperate, with flowers being able to grow all year long in Floaroma. I worked there for a while before moving. Sinnoh is very similar to Vesperia honestly. There are so many different climates, even a marshy area kind of similar to this. Overall I'd guess they're two of the more similar regions in the world. Which might be why I was able to get used to the place so quickly"
As they walked, he wondered if he should have rushed to town and told them about what happened with Polaris. Would they even believe him? Doubtful, and double doubtful because he was sure that Mica wouldn't stick around in the same spot since he told her what he was doing. He hoped was was alright....But he just couldn't find himself on the same wavelength as her anymore. No matter Polaris's reasoning, what she was doing was unjustifiable. A sigh almost escaped his mouth as he knew that it wasn't gonna be over that easy. Now there were three factions with Plates. Three people who had power and wanted different things for the world...
"Say Brent. One thing I've been wondering and never really had the chance to ask anyone about. You said you were born and raised here right? How do you feel about the League and the Lab?"
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 25, 2019 20:51:18 GMT
"In a way that's almost disappointing," he laughs. "Knowing that you could travel across the world... and when you get there, it's just like home. Seems like a waste to visit a place like that."
"Personally?" He shrugs. "I don't care in the slightest. I'm a plumber by trade. Occasionally had something to do for a League building, but it's not any different than anywhere else. Haven't made my life any easier, haven't made it any harder. If they come up with some innovation from labs that's helpful? Great. So long as they don't siphon too much money to that stuff that could be spent on practical stuff... I don't care. My daughter's all caught up in the Gym Circuit hype, but I've never really seen the appeal. So I'm take it or leave it. My life's been basically the same regardless of who's been up there. Things're certainly changing, but haven't really felt any of it."
"Bet my kid's generation's gonna be a lot different than mine, though. Easy access to things the world over. Less and less reasons to leave one's city for any reason other than League business. I do feel bad for a lot of the logger's kids 'round here, admittedly. Things're getting automated more and more, so generational stuff's dying out. I feel like that'd probably happen regardless of the League, though. They just sped it up. You can never stop progress, after all."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Aug 25, 2019 20:59:48 GMT
Donovan nodded "That's sort of how I see it as well. Though the Gym Circuit giving kids a reason to go and see things for themselves is also a good thing, at least in my mind. I gave up on getting them all pretty quickly myself, I'm actually a pretty lousy trainer" He says with a laugh "But I can see why its a good thing."
"Also" he adds "There are things here that I couldn't see anywhere else. Even if Vesperia reminds me of home it has things like the Temples that are unique to it. Relics of a past long forgotten. And places like the Bay of Lightning. Seeing the sunrise over that on the back of a Milotic is an experience I will never forget. That scene has been etched into my mind like the carvings on the Temples, something that will stand up to the test of time no matter what"
"Giving your daughter a Pokemon and the chance to do something like the Gym Circuit is more of a gift then you know. It's giving her a chance to go out and make those same unforgettable memories. To forge bonds that can't be broken...." He trails off for a moment "At least, can't be broken easily"
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 25, 2019 21:11:49 GMT
"Eh, yeah, I guess so," Brent nods. "I guess I'm not really a travel-minded person in general. Been across the strait a few times, but that's about it. Mostly just walks in the forest for me. I feel like the chance to wander 'round the region'd be wasted on someone like me." He chuckles.
"What's the Gyms and travel and all like in Sinnoh? I imagine that it's a way bigger thing there, the way the League's pushing it here. And that people probably care about it more."
"Anyways, we're coming up towards the area that I'm wanting to check. You feeling up to maybe doing a bit of wading? It's cold, but if we're lucky it won't be entirely frozen, so some bugs might still be there. Otherwise it's mostly trying to hop from dry spot to dry spot."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Aug 25, 2019 21:23:15 GMT
Donovan thought back about Sinnoh for a bit "The League is pretty much everything to most kids. Unless they plan on going into the same profession as their parents and get the business handed to them, or don't like Pokemon or battling, almost everyone ends up doing the Circuit. It's a steady job if you're good, and its a reason to see everything. It's evolved past just being a right of passage at this point and its become a way of life"
"I'm fine with wading, though I have an idea to make the hunt a little bit easier" Donovans says before sending out Dandelion next to him. Placing a hand on the Combee he think to him that they're looking for other bugs, specifically Yanma or more Combee like himself. He then nods and looks towards the direction they need to go, sending the bug off ahead
"Dandelion is pretty good at finding things when he needs to, not to mention he can use pheromones to attract more bugs to him, and he should be able to tell what they are ahead of time by connecting with their minds for a moment. He can also help us when it comes time to capture, if you aren't prepared for that" He leans down and starts rolling up his pants so they wouldn't get soaked when they did the wading "Lead the way"
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 26, 2019 7:18:28 GMT
"Wonder if it'll ever be like that here..." he muses. "And, look, man, do you think I came out here all this way and don't have everything I need to try and catch a bug?" Brent laughs. "I'd be a sad sight if that were the case. Not preparing for the one needed task. C'mon Rusty, see if you can smell some honey or.. something." The dog bounds excitedly into the marshy woods, though weather it'd actually caught the scent of anything is definitely questionable. "Ah... I'm gonna need to recall him after this until I can get him into the bath at home..."Survival for Donovan, and Perception for Dandelion, please.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Aug 27, 2019 1:07:10 GMT
Donovan laughed at the soon to be soaking dog and then nodded at Brent "You're right, you're right. But you meet a lot of people wandering around and after a bit you really start to question their competence. Actually, I think I started questioning that working the counter of the shop back in Sinnoh, but still."
The boy and his bug both joined the dog in the search for any sort of bug that could be found.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 27, 2019 2:04:47 GMT
"Ah, yeah, retail work," he agrees. "I getcha. I got enough people trying to do their own fixes before calling me. Makes it all worse. But... end of the day, most people are basically decent, at least."
Following the dog and nudging by the Combee, the two humans wander through the thankfully mostly-frozen swamp, until they're led to an enormous waxy structure attached to many trees - even surrounding several of them. A beehive. A low buzzing can be heard from within.
"Okay, so, good news..." Brent says, quietly, "Bugs are awake, at least. Means this is an active part of the forest. Bad news... I don't know whether that's a Beedrill hive or Vespiquen. They, uh, they look fairly similar."
Thankfully, Donovan at least is able to recognize from his time in Eterna, and seeing enough of them... that this is indeed likely to be Beedrill. And that even when things get very cold, they can get riled up from their dormancy with a lot of noise. However, he knows if there's any Combee hive in the area, then any Beedrill that get angry will probably chase them towards it, knowing that's where they'll flee.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Aug 29, 2019 3:33:09 GMT
"It's Beedrill" Donovan says confidently "If I can wake a few up I can get them to chase Dandelion back towards a Vespiquen nest though." He tapped his head and thought "I uh, wouldn't wanna make you deal with a bunch of pissed off Beedrill. So if you want we can keep looking for a Yanma first. I have a pretty good memory so I should be able to find my way back afterwards. I can probably come up with a plan for getting a bee or two riled up at the same time" He says with a wink
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 29, 2019 20:04:29 GMT
"I mean... if you're confident that you won't get the whole hive... then I think we'll be fine," Brent says, "Rusty's a Fire type, after all. And Yanma are going to probably stick more around a Combee nest than a Beedrill one. Less fight in their food. So if the Combee are still up and about, that's probably where I'll be able to nab a Yanma." He shrugs. "Best shot at one, at least. Just..." he chuckles nervously, "let me know what you're gonna do before we need to run 'kay?"
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Post by Breakthelevee on Sept 6, 2019 4:07:23 GMT
"Dandelion can release pheromones that will draw a few of the more awake ones out. If we do it from far enough away then not too many should come out at once. I'll have him moving as he does it so that they have to split up. If too many come out at once then we can put one to sleep and draw the others away from it, and then tick off the one when it wakes up so that it'll lead us right where we want to go" Donovan says with a confident nod
Turning towards the Combee he held up a thumb "You got all that Dandelion? I'll be right back here if anything goes wrong, so don't you worry about it. Actually..." Donovan snapped his fingers and looked at Brent "I've been meaning to do this for a while. I hope you don't mind but I'm gonna evolve my Roselia before this happens in case things go south."
Without waiting too long for an answer, Donovan releases Rose and smiles "Hey bud. I know it hasn't been too long since we started this journey, but I got this stone. It's time to see what Roserade means for you." The boy kneels down and touches the Roselia with the stone "If its anything like what I think" What he knew, he thought to himself "Then it's gonna be a great feeling. I'm really glad I've got to be your trainer and have you by my side. See you on the other side of evolution" He wiped at the corners of his eyes. Through thick and thin, Rose would always be by his side, no matter who else came and went. The least he could do was help his friend reach his full potential.
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 6, 2019 5:47:03 GMT
"Well, that sounds like... a plan all right," Brent says, with a bit of a chuckle, "Can't tell if it's crazy, stupid, or brilliant, so... sounds like a good enough plan to me. You going to want me to stick with you, or hang back some? Since, well, Rusty might give them a bit of pause."The man peers with interest at Rose as the Roselia begins to glow, before lifting up off the ground a little. The resulting Roserade has a leafy cape swishing behind, spreading into a pair of verdant wings. His petals, too, are much longer and more delicate than Donovan's were, catching the wind with a swish, and sending a gust of wind across the marsh. With a bit of a bow, the Pokémon gently alights, leaves fluttering in a windless breeze. While Dusty's changes were mostly in colour, Rose's seem to be mostly in physiology. "...well then, I have to say, that certainly looks unique there."Roll 1d20 for Alluring.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Sept 6, 2019 23:57:14 GMT
"I said I had connections." Donovan says glibly "I uh.....the easiest way of putting it is that I work for the Lab, and the stone I just used was payment for a delivery job. I don't really work for them, as much as with them. I'm more of an....independent contractor? I know I'm young, but I would hazard a guess that I know more about the Temples than anyone else in the entire Vesperia region."
Before Brent had a chance to react, Donovan nodded at Dandelion "You're gonna wanna stick back a bit. Keep Rusty on standby in case it gets too bad but Dandelion, Rose, and I should be able to handle this"
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 7, 2019 1:29:28 GMT
"Well, uh, that's mighty impressive there," Brent says, nervously chuckling as he backs up away from the hive, clearly with a tone of not being sure exactly if he trusts the story or not.
Dandelion releases some pheromones, wafting them towards the nest. It's not able to be ascertained at first whether or not anything actually happened, or if they maybe needed to try something else... but then the inquisitive antennae of an insectoid head poke out of the entrance of the nest, followed by a body, as a Beedrill wings in the air, questing around. Another follows it, as well as a third and final one. The trio bob around, seeming to 'sniff' the air, before finally locking onto Donovan and Dandelion, and approach the group with an angry-sounding buzz. There seems to be some coordination, as one approaches directly, while the other two peel off to each side, seemingly looking to encircle the group.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Sept 7, 2019 4:55:52 GMT
"Alright lets get them a bit away from here and then we can take out one or two of them if things start going south" Donovan says, slowly backing up with Rose on his shoulder.
"Dandelion, I'm gonna be relying on you to keep up and keep moving. Rose and I will provide support, alright?" He makes sure to keep an eye on all three of the bees, but especially the one nearest to him
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 7, 2019 16:52:21 GMT
The one in front shifts a little to Donovan's right as they buzz closer, while the ones wrapping around end up blocking both ways behind him, with the one to his left being closer to behind him than to the side.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Sept 7, 2019 17:50:10 GMT
With few other options, Donovan began to move through the opening on the left. It took a lot to not just have Rose take them out now, but doing so this close to the hive would be a mistake.
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