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Post by DataNinja on Oct 12, 2019 4:24:32 GMT
"Yeah, if you're looking for a ride to anywhere, Slateport's a better bet," Maddie says. "Not too many boats that carry passengers that come out of here now that Dewford ain't a stop. Mostly just cargo ships carrying Devon and other goods. It's too far around to really make things worthwhile. And anyone doing stuff for fishing or recreation usually ain't gonna want to go far from here. Since it's their livelihood, or just they wouldn't want to take randoms."
"And, eh, I saw your answer. You didn't say you wouldn't lose, so, you're better off than a good chunk of starting trainers high off their first victory," she chuckles. "I wouldn't call it humble pie. Just an experience. Appreciate the thought with food, yeah. Plants are... not the easiest things to eat, no. Tend to just pop berries in when I'm in the mood for that sort of stuff. One of the things you don't think about before signing off on the merge. Granted, I didn't exactly have that many options..." She goes quiet for a moment.
"Uh, anyway... wailmer. They're, as far as I know, a lot more common on the east coast. The ocean south of here is shallow, what with all the islands, and 'round here are a whole buncha boats. They apparently pop up every so often on the shores north of here. I've just seen one, once. Beached on the, well, uh, beach. Massive thing. Eventually managed to bounce back into the water, but... geez. Bet it could just roll over and crush me."
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Post by Robot on Oct 12, 2019 10:20:11 GMT
Shifting uneasily, Bea moves the groceries to her other arm and cast Maddie a sideways glance. "I'm actually trying to research everything I can about becoming an Altered, what it's like from a Changed's point of view. If you wouldn't mind answering my questions over dinner I'd be really thrilled. Rainbow was really young and sick when she made her Bond, it was sort of an emergency, so she doesn't remember many of the details I am looking for."
"I'm giving serious thought to doing it myself, but after seeing how she was treated today I have some doubts." The girl frowned.
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 12, 2019 17:30:10 GMT
"Uh... yeah, sure," Maddie says. "Guess I can do that. I dunno if I can directly answer whatcha want... I might not've been that young, but I personally did it for... similar reasons, too. I know some who've done it for more, uh, well, superficial's probably the wrong word, but less necessary reasons. So, could probably relate some of those stories, too. Might help."
She sighs. "Yeah, I get it. Even when it was in hopes of a medical recovery, people still don't care. They people. We can... talk about it in less public areas, but... all in all, it's something that you have to make sure that you really want."
The rest of the walk mostly passes in silence, Rainbow staring at the variety of large buildings, and just all the everything, until they come to an area where its a bunch of small houses crammed together. Maddie leads the pair to one, and unlocks it. "Ah, home sweet home. Not much, but... it's mine. Sorry 'bout the mess, wasn't expecting guests. I'll clear some room, and set up the air mattress. Oh, uh, also," she looks at Bea, "couldn't tell from what you were saying if you were wanting to stay over, or if it was just your friend. Only got the one mattress, I'm afraid, so if so, it's either share or you can take the floor. I don't have a big couch or anything."
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Post by Robot on Oct 12, 2019 17:58:17 GMT
"I'm not letting Rainbow out of my sight in this town, for even a minute, no offense. Sharing an air mattress is still better then camping, but I know she doesn't really like touching. I can just sleep on the floor." A cure? Were people exposed to the radiation being altered already?. Beatrice remained standing in the available space while Maddie set about tidying up.
"Most of my questions are regarding your emotional profile. Did you inherit any memories or habits from your bonded partner, that you recognize as being different? Emotions, hangups, or discourse? Is there, some manner of schism between you and this new part of you, or is there no telling the two halves apart anymore?" She barely stopped to breathe, but her eyes were sparkling with curiosity. "It was a treatment for the radiation, wasn't it?"
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 12, 2019 18:12:36 GMT
"What, no?" Maddie says, taken aback at the last question. "Inherited immune system problems, amongst other things. Was lucky that I was compatible with dragons, because they're damn hardy. Thankfully Meteor Falls is up north, and Yvonne had set up shop here, and was willing to help. Spent, like, six months bonding with her Fraxure, making sure it was okay with knowing what I was befriending it for. The thing seemed to have a very strong mother bear instinct... protected me until everything was ready."
"I feel like I might've inherited some of those traits, or it might just be because I'm actually strong enough to do things now. Couldn't actually tell you. So, I'm probably not quite the best one to ask. Because I don't know if how I am now is how I would have been if I was able to get stronger on my own." She shrugs. "I definitely don't feel a second part of me, but I also don't know if I'd recognize it if it were there. I'm all me, but I don't know how much of me is Maddie, and how much is Reina."
"Someone who did things for less... drastic reasons, they might be able to tell you more," she says. "Tomorrow's an off day for me, I could see if anyone's willing to talk, and also show you up where the more Wailmer-friendly beaches are if you want."
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Post by Robot on Oct 12, 2019 19:25:56 GMT
"It's a date then!" Beatrice declared cheerfully, making headway towards the stove to get the offered supper started. "Today has been a really wild day, plenty to do and no real reason to get too far out of town before I beat Yvonne. It is better then backtracking anyway." She weighed her next words heavily and then shook her head. "Sorry, some questions are probably better un-asked. Anyway, I'll make a chowder that will keep for a few days and you can have it till it's gone. Won't be the most flavorful, but it'll "fill your boots."
Getting comfortable with her two friends in the small, humble place, Bea shares a meal and settles in for the evening.
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 12, 2019 20:14:51 GMT
"Bold, but, no," Maddie says, chuckling. "It's an outing. I'll make some texts tonight, see what tomorrow brings. In the meantime, make yourselves comfortable while I get sleeping set up."
Rainbow doesn't really protest being too close to anyone, she seems to mostly be grateful for a place to sleep, and is out like a light soon after dinner. It seems rather awkward for her to sleep - her wings are in the middle of her back, so she's only able to get a blanket wrapped around her bottom half, and has to sleep on her front, wearing her dress - which has an opening for her wings - to keep the rest of her warm. The wings flutter and twitch in her sleep.
"You said that she'd been altered as a child," Maddie says to Bea, glancing at the sleeping Rainbow, "but she seems to not have encountered many problem, or prejudice, or anything like that until recently. Is there somewhere else out there where someone like me can be... more accepted? Another region? Or did she just grow up living under a rock in a family who lived out in the middle of nowhere, or something? She doesn't have anything with her..."
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Post by Robot on Oct 12, 2019 21:05:54 GMT
"I wish I could give you that kind of hope, that kind of acceptance." She replied sadly, looking down at her hands and fidgeting for several moments before speaking up again. "What I am about to tell you doesn't leave this room, but you can act on it as you see fit." Bea inhaled slowly, squared her shoulders and straightened her back.
"Rainbow's bonded Pokemon is capable of time travel. She freely and openly claimed to be from some point in our distant future when I first met her." She held up a staying hand for whatever disbelief might have followed. "I believe her, wholly. It is in her fear and distrust of wild Pokemon, the genuine nature to which she carries herself, and her lack of understanding of the treatment she is receiving."
Folding her hands in her lap once more, her eyes traced the sleeping figure, and a small smile tickled the corners of her mouth. "She told me of a future where everyone is an altered, though sadly it is out of necessity. The radiation from the meteors that struck our region continues to spread, driving Pokemon berserk, sickening and weakening humans. Only together can they survive. She came back for a cure to this pollutant, which continues to worsen. Bonds are made shortly after birth in her time." A long, slow exhale.
"We are heading for Dewford at the first opportunity."
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 12, 2019 23:26:23 GMT
"I..." Maddie blinks, before letting out a laugh. "You're crazy, girl. That kinda stuff doesn't happen. I mean, crazy as it sounds, it'd explain things, but... like, why wouldn't she just go and stop it in the first place? Like, that'd just raise more questions than answers."
"I feel like she just... might not want to accept reality," she says, sadly. "Rejecting it in favour of one of her own. And... I get it. I really do. Imagining a world where everyone can be accepted? I'd be lying if I said that I didn't fantasise about it from time to time. One where a parent wouldn't ostracise her daughter for trying to improve her own life." She shakes her head. "Sorry, didn't mean to get so bleak on you. But... I just don't see it being possible. And... for your own safety, please... don't try to go to Dewford. I won't stop you, you're your own peopple, but it's dangerous there. And you're liable to get thrown in jail or something if you try it. Not a good look for Altered in particular to be doing it, either."
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Post by Robot on Oct 12, 2019 23:33:48 GMT
"Things don't always turn out how you think they should. You should always accept that you can lose, and try to learn from it." Bea commented to herself, crossing her legs and leaning back, quoting Yvonne. "I'll be sure of my course before that time comes. Thanks for listening, and inviting a couple of dreamers into your home. I'll see you in the morning."
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 12, 2019 23:42:27 GMT
"No problem," she says, wryly. "Birds of a feather need to flock together, or something like that, eh? Anyways, sleep well."
In the morning, Rainbow's still sleeping soundly when Bea wakes up. "Well," Maddie says, sitting at her table eating breakfast, "Seems like two or three people'd be willing to talk. There's a little park-y area outside the city to the north, figured we'd meet up there. Not a bunch of people, normally, and it's between here and the beach you want to see. My place really isn't set up for so many people. Sound good?"
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Post by Robot on Oct 12, 2019 23:47:54 GMT
"Sounds great, Rainbow will probably be far more comfortable with other Altered too. Wow can she ever sleep though." Bea leaned down and gently nudged her friend. "Rise and shine Rainbow, we're getting some breakfast, and then we have a meet and greet with some of Maddie's acquaintances."
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 12, 2019 23:57:21 GMT
"Mrm…" the girl mutters sleepily, before she bolts awake. "Huh? What?" Glancing around everywhere in brief confusion before settling down. "Oh, ah, right. Feeling a lot more rested today. Although," she squishes the air mattress around, "this is a lot... stranger... than what I'm used to. Did what it needed to do, though."
"Anyways, you've probably got an hour and a half or so to eat, wash up if you need to, all of that stuff before we have to leave," Maddie says. "If you've anything you want to do."
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Post by Robot on Oct 13, 2019 0:33:55 GMT
"I can take the time to train my team, and wouldn't mind a quick scrub before meeting new people. The road isn't really condusive to good hygiene, though I try my best. I'll be back in a half hour or so to scrub up and eat, should probably check up on my egg too, since I didn't observe it yesterday."
Plans laid out for the morning, Bea engaged in training, catching up her journal, checking the strange egg, breakfast and a fastidious scrubbing before they were due to head to the park.
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 13, 2019 0:59:51 GMT
Silica seems fairly reluctant to train, mostly sulking, though it does get into what seems to be a conversation with Solenoid. Perhaps their mineral-based bodies give them something in common. Or maybe it's just the fact that they're the only things around that aren't bugs.
Of the bugs in question, Crassi appears to try and tell everyone else what to do. To which Bylli responds in much the same way as she did to Tempu's posturing before, with exasperation. Limul seems happy enough doing things, though whether he's doing what was told, or just what he feels like is very unclear. He just always seems to be so happy doing it. Appears to have a complicated relationship with the newcomer, in trying to impress her... which seems to get mixed messages of "No, I'm the best" but also "But tell me more about how strong you are so it's more impressive when you flatter me". Or so it seems.
The egg looks to still be safe and sound in her pack... but, still no change in temperature, feel, gloss, reflectiveness, or anything else that she can measure.
Rainbow mostly watches from a safe distance, eyes curious as to exactly what Bea's doing.
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Post by Robot on Oct 13, 2019 1:09:03 GMT
Bea's training as it often is, is skill exercises, basic physical training, she even breaks out flash cards once in awhile. It seems she is eager to train her Pokemon for intelligence and decision making though there is no real gauge for it. If nothing else, it seems to hone their perceptiveness, which if her battling style is any indication, takes her as far as it can for lack of better options. The trainer is perhaps on the sparse side with praise, unless one of her Pokemon surprises her or shows marked improvement, at which point it is lavished with affection. Solenoid seems to be the quickest of her partners to figure out the simple puzzles that come out in these training sessions, constantly being on the lookout, and having limited perceptions in that singular eye.
When she's finished, she packs everything in, has a small snack of trail mix, offering Rainbow a handful in kind, and washes up thoroughly with a rough cloth from her pack, a little bit of bar soap, and some water from the sink. Washing her hair would take far too long, and after brushing it, it settled fine for her tastes.
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 13, 2019 2:34:55 GMT
The other girl takes the food and munches on it, before the pair and Maddie make their way up towards the meeting spot. It's a calm, pleasant day, and with nobody really around to complain at them it's much nicer.
The 'park' area really just seems to be a nice field-y place with some convenient stones strewn around to sit on off the ground. And it's upon this place where there's three people sitting around casually on a particularly large stone.
Approaching, one of the people seems to be a young man, with black feather-y wings along his arms, and streaks of red through his short hair. Another has vivid pink hair, and looks to have a scattering of pink scales across her face, and gills on her neck. The third has her entire skin be visibly tinged blue, with glowing odd-shaped yellow pupils, and what looks like rocky blue bracers around her forearms.
Despite being with his back to the group, the one with wings turns about and jumps to his feet the quickest. "Ah, Maddie," he says, with a nod, "been a bit, eh? Couple months, at least. He peers towards Bea. "Y'know, if anyone else asked if I'd be willing to answer some questions, I'd've said no. But Maddie's helped all of us in one way or another. And I'd like to think she has a good eye."
"They're not bad people, at least," Maddie says to the birdman. "Just... a bit odd. But, aren't we all?" She gives a smile and a wink. "Bea, Rainbow," she nods at the two with her, "this is Randy, Jasmine, and Ann." She gestures to the man, the pink girl, and the blue one in turn.
"Charmed," Jasmine says, though her tone makes it clear that she's a little wary.
"It remains to be seen," Randy replies.
Ann just gives a little half-wave.
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Post by Robot on Oct 13, 2019 2:54:16 GMT
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, my full name is Beatrice LaBrasta. I've just started my Pokemon journey, but I want to be a scientist of renown someday. Pleased to meet the three of you." She expounded on the introduction. "Most of what I'm burning to ask may come off as a trifle or deeply personal depending on your perceptions, feel free to share as much or as little as you'd like. I'm not making notes on this discussion for your privacy, the information is for my own consideration going forward." Pausing, she fidgeted a little, steepling her hands in front of her middle and rocking on the balls of her feet.
"Ah, sorry, that came off as impersonal. I'm considering someday becoming an altered myself. I suppose I've romanticized it as the deepest bond a human could ever have with a Pokemon. I've asked Maddie if she can tell where her bonded companion ends, and she begins. If there's an instinct, an other, some cognizant fragment of the Pokemon she's become one with left behind. I'd ask that. I suppose if you love that Pokemon still, as a part of yourself, and what the whole process felt like."
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 13, 2019 3:34:43 GMT
"Oh, I see," Randy's face is impassive. "It's not necessarily for the bond with one. I wanted to soar with my beloved birds, to feel what they felt. They always seemed so happy in the sky... and I understand why now. I love my Tinsel, and I do miss him being beside me as I fly... but I feel at times like he's there." He smiles sadly. "It's not quite the same, though. But that's the only pain. Not having him next to me. Not the bonding itself. As for changes... I know I've certainly become more carefree and gung-ho since the bonding, but that just may be because I can take to the air now. It puts me literally above all the worries of the world. And I guess I appreciate shiny things more now, but that's just because my eyes are sharper. I can see all the little colours in them."
"Lucy had been getting old," Jasmine says, "And she'd been around since before I was born. Was my grandmother's, given to me when she passed. So I wanted to be able to keep her with me. I feel a bit more patient now, but, couldn't tell you if that's from her, or me just... growing older. I definitely know that I got her love of water. Feels so good on my skin, I could just spend all day submerged." She gives a bit of a dreamy smile. "Wish that there were more people, though, because it does get a bit boring down there, all alone. And I get hungry."
There's a bit of a pause when it comes to Ann. She stays silent for a while, just... staring. "It's not always about a bond with just one," she says in a low, monotone voice, almost whispering, "But... sometimes it is. Sometimes it very much is. It was my Guardian. I found it once, hiding away from home, over by Rusturf. It saw my trouble. Comforted me. Listened to me. Protected me when I went back. But it couldn't protect me from everything. I needed to get stronger. But I couldn't. I was too weak. Too pathetic. And so we bonded. I didn't need to worry anymore. I'm not any more alone than I was before. It's always here. I feel it. It's strength. It's heart. I can just close my eyes, and not worry. Because its gifts are always with me. And I will always be with it."
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Post by Robot on Oct 13, 2019 9:27:37 GMT
"It sounds like perception, motivation, and takeaway are vastly different person to person. I was told bonded species might play into that, and it is pretty clear you each have some influence from your partners even if the semblance of duality isn't there for everyone. It seems like a deeply personal choice to go through with, would you encourage others to try?"
Bea was hazy on the details of elemental aptitude and compatibility, it wasn't something she had researched herself. It certainly wasn't something she could bring herself to force on a partner. By the sounds of it the bond between trainer and Pokemon had to be immense leading into the procedure. "Did the initial procedure hurt, or you just woke up looking and feeling different? How clearly can you remember it?"
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