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6,670 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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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Sept 5, 2020 1:22:14 GMT
"What if you knew you would live forever Thel? What would you do with an endless span of days?". Aliana asked curiously. "Would you still look to constant betterment? Would you fall to creature comforts and decadence? Maybe into the arms of a cute boy?". Celosia spat into her coffee.
"Aliana is that really necessary? You don't know the first thing about what she is into!" "It's just a tease, it wasn't even at you, no need to get so flustered."
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 5, 2020 6:16:49 GMT
"I..." Thel thinks for a time, going silent. "I don't know. That's... never something I've really thought about. I don't ever see me knowing enough to never want to be better, to know more; the world is just... so big. It seems like every time I learn something, I realize there are two or three or more things I could never conceive of existing before."
"I honestly couldn't tell you, because it's just... it's something that I can't even conceive of. I couldn't even say what I'll be like after going through these classes. This is... for the first time in my life, I'm truly free. I don't think I've fully even realized it myself. Not inside. I'm getting there, but I can't say that I can even judge who I am right now."
He flushes a bit at Aliana's comments about falling into arms - admittedly not exactly sure why he feels so wriggly inside at that - and hesitates, trying to form his feelings into words. "I... I don't think I'd be happy, though, living forever. Not if I couldn't be with Em. She lights up my life, and... I can't imagine things without her. Not for the length of forever. That's... too long to even count." He'd promised his love, and that was a forever word. But they wouldn't live forever, and that was okay.
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6,670 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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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Sept 6, 2020 2:06:49 GMT
"Oooh there's a girl? Tell us about her!". Mable insists, a bit of raucous playful chatter erupting at the table at the idea that Thel had someone, suddenly the point of gossip over coffee.
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 6, 2020 2:25:45 GMT
He's taken aback by the sudden interest, not used to being the center of attention. "Uh... I mean... there's not really much to say..." he stammers, before taking a breath and composing himself a little better. "She's just... so kind, and sweet and wonderful. Always so happy, and trying to make everyone else feel the same way." He has a smile on his face as he thinks of how to describe her, seeing her face and hearing her laugh in his mind's eye.
"She puts herself through so much just to try and figure out other people... I try and tell her that she's wonderful just how she is; I know it's hard for her, though. But she's the one who showed me that there was the capacity for great kindness and love in the world. I adore every second that I'm with her, and treasure it, and just want to protect her... so it was hard coming out here. But, I needed to do it. She was right about that, too... I needed to be able to do things for me, and not just her. I was starting to get a bit better at that... but here's where I truly need, I feel. So, it'll be better for both of us whenever we see each other again."
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6,670 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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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Sept 7, 2020 16:25:44 GMT
"If you didn't leave her far, you can always go back and see her. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing thing, we don't have class on weekends after all." "Speaking of class..." "It is about that time isn't it." Bryony curtsied for Thel and excused herself. "Playing hookie does have its perks." Aliana grinned as the other girls filtered away from the Cafe. "Anything else I can cover with you today?"
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 7, 2020 16:41:44 GMT
"Oh..." Thel says, before closing his eyes and shaking his head. "No, I can't think about that yet. Part of this is growing more independent. As much as I would love to go over to Ecruteak… I shouldn't. Besides," he adds, echoing Celosia, "speaking of classes, Madeline says I'll have stuff to catch up on. So I should just... concentrate on that for a time. Maybe a visit would be good later on... but I... I don't think it's a good idea right now. As much as it pains me."
"Goodbye," he says, waving at the leaving girls, "it was nice meeting you! I was given a lot to think about."
"Uhhh…" he ponders Aliana's question. "You've covered everything that I've thought of, besides how an actual class would look like, and I don't expect that'd be that easy to do, so I'll see that tomorrow... if you can't think of anything else it might be helpful for me to know, school-wise, I don't know if you have recommendations for places around the city here? I just arrived the other day, and really haven't seen much of anything yet."
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6,670 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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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Sept 7, 2020 19:33:14 GMT
"The lighthouse is always a good option, the Ampharos at the top is always well kept. During the day it rests and plays with visitors, then a couple of them light the harbor all night long. It is romantic in a way.". She seemed to weigh her options. "I know a really nice spot down by the water if you are interested in wading. Plenty of cute Pokemon in the tide pools around here."
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 7, 2020 20:13:21 GMT
"I'm not really much for water," Thel admits, "but if it's not too deep, meeting cute Pokémon might be fun. Though, the lighthouse also sounds good..." He muses. "I think... the lighthouse will keep. It's a nice day, let's enjoy the sun!"
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6,670 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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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Sept 8, 2020 1:39:38 GMT
The sun is high and bright yet though things are creeping along into early afternoon. Away from the container yards and main beaches of Olivine, Aliana picks her way along the rockier parts of the shoreline, down towards the tide pools. Thel sees several kinds of crab, brightly colored starfish with gem cores, and binacles latched to the rocks. The Pokemon are content to graze and mind their own business.
It isn't until he hears a high pitched cry and sees frantic movement in pinks and whites, thrashing against aquas and purples that the moment is broken. Aliana notes the struggle but doesn't move to interrupt it.
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 8, 2020 1:56:09 GMT
Despite his aversion to water, Thel doesn't mind the warmer shallow tidal pools. He removes his shoes and socks, putting them in his bag, walking along barefoot. It's a little bit uncomfortable - he'd gotten used to the support of shoes - but it's more like wading through shower water. Much better than the chilly rain or rivers or anything.
He's enjoying things more than he imagined that he might - though walking with Aliana isn't the same as doing the same with Em - when suddenly the cry interrupts. It's certainly not a cry of joy... more of pain, and terror. He rushes over towards the blurs of shapes to see exactly what's going on, hands clenching and going towards his Pokéballs. He suddenly gets a feeling of when he first met Serenity, in that spider's web.
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6,670 posts
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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 Sept 8, 2020 2:04:30 GMT
There is a sickening crunch of teeth on stone and the pink pokemon manages to pull free of its attacker. A purple blob-like creature with tentacles for hair moves to close with the pink rock-like Pokemon once more, one of the stalks growing from it broken short now.
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 8, 2020 2:20:08 GMT
"Okay, that's enough." Thel says, with a bit of volume in his voice, though he doesn't manage really any edge to it. "You," he points at the spiky purple thing, "stop eating that rock. This is a place for fun, not fighting. If you're hungry, I can make you food. That isn't just trying to enjoy itself."
He releases Bliss from her ball, which he'd grabbed. "Bliss, if that purple one tries to take another bite out of the pink one, would you please show it your strength and give the bully a good kick?" He gives a smile to the Tsareena.
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6,670 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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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Sept 9, 2020 11:21:43 GMT
The Tsareena bats her lashes at Thel and gives a noise of assent, but the Mareanie is not giving up the ghost and moves towards its chosen meal aggressively. Bliss moves to intercept.
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 9, 2020 18:02:31 GMT
Bliss gracefully jumps towards the spiky individual, before giving it a massive glare and an implicit invitation for the easy way, or the hard way. Whichever way it chooses, though, it gets a foot stomping hard on its shell. Brutal Training from Thel. Bliss uses Splash. Bliss triggers Regal Challenge - Mareanie choses Deference or Defiance. If Deference, loses 3 Attack CS and its next Shift Action. If Defiance, Bliss gets +10 to damage rolls for the Scene.
Bliss uses Trop Kick - 14 vs AC 2, for 38 Physical Grass Damage (+10 if defiance is shown), and Mareanie takes a -5 penalty to its next damage roll.
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6,670 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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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Sept 10, 2020 9:56:32 GMT
The Pokemon cowers as Bliss approaches it, bristling as she steps on it, retaliating with a powerful poison. Toxic Cannot Miss, Bliss is Badly Poisoned. (Deference shown) It lets out a pained squeal as its squishy body is flattened by the sharpened heel. Bliss seems strangely intent on the task.
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 10, 2020 10:03:05 GMT
Not at all enjoying the poison, Bliss concentrates more on the thing she does enjoy, continuing to punish the small Pokémon beneath her powerful kicks. Bliss uses Splash. Bliss loses 5 HP from poison, but hits with Stomp for 49 Physical Normal Damage (after the +10 for a smaller target) and a Flinch.
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6,670 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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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Sept 10, 2020 10:08:39 GMT
More purplish gunk stains along Bliss' white petaled hips, but her expression remains one of control and dominance. She starts laughing as she gets the upper hand, grinding her heel into the smaller Pokemon. It is a haughty, mocking sound. (Bliss takes 35 Poison Special from Venoshock)
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 10, 2020 10:17:50 GMT
The pain and poison just seems to make her more vicious, revelling in the act. A ferocious kick ends the consciousness of her target, with... maybe a little too much glee. 76 Physical Grass from Trop Kick. A critical Hit! The ferocity of it all seems to surprise even Thel, but he takes it in stride. "Thank you, Bliss, you were such a big help. I knew you were that strong."As he crouches down to ask the other Pokémon if it was okay... he bursts into tears instead.
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6,670 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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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Sept 10, 2020 10:44:04 GMT
Bliss moves to Thel's side, using a bit of the seawater to scrub the mess from her front as she approaches. A hand cups at his cheek. She doesn't even seem to mind as the Corsola wiggles in closer with an appreciative noise. Aliana makes no comment about the tears, so quiet she may as well not even be present in that moment.
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 10, 2020 10:59:43 GMT
"This isn't right..." Thel says, saltwater from his tears mixing with that of the pool below. He gently reaches out with a hand towards the rock, but that's more of an instinctual response than anything. "What gives me the right to interfere like this?"
"It's just how life works. There's no morality here. Why do I read such into the events?" If anything, he should have sided with the predator. Simply trying for a meal. "Why do I feel in such a way to immediately try to leap to the defense of the prey? Why can't I just... let it be?" He asks questions, but he doesn't expect answers. He just has to rail against... well, himself. "Why is it that taking up the mantle of the Trainer, I just... instinctively want to change things? To 'fix' them. I shouldn't... this isn't right. I don't even know me. And it keeps happening. It's how I met Serenity, and I wouldn't want to give that up, but..."
He trails off, just lost for words, and letting emotions - and tears - flow. Gently running his fingers mindlessly along the pink rock, appreciating Bliss' support.
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