Oneiromancy Is The Loneliest Number (Thel)

"There! We're starting to get something. Something. Have Gunshow move the thingymabobs to the left! Left!" Muku cries. None of this had been particularly helpful, but finally after several stressed minutes they were finally getting to part where they actually connect to this conference thing. Picture by picture, block by block they seemed to finally cut in and...

"Thel?"

Out of shock and surprise, Muku finds herself standing up and squinting. "Hey. Uh... Hey." She says quietly. This was just supposed to be a Gym Leader meeting right? Why was Thel here? Not that she was particularly unhappy about that, but the sudden surprise of seeing and old comrade knocked her off her game.

Muku certainly DID look rather different these days in her blood red coat. Her previously matted hair was certainly done up a little better today on Miranda's insistence. Her eyes had grown sharper in her absence, muscles more taut even in their relaxation. In her off-hand she held a brilliant hat and across her belt, a full set of six Pokémon. The young trainer looked hardier now than ever, quaint nervousness giving way to a sort of quiet, if unsettled cool. 

Feeling a bit awkward, she quickly sits back down next to Chuck to collect herself.

"Wow. Ok. Sorry. I wasn't expecting to see you on this call too. Didn't know you were a Gym Leader now or whatsit. We... We need to catch up, but I think Chuck has some cards he needs to read off of or something." She says, quietly, but desperately indicating to Chuck for some sort of salvation.

"Uh... What did I miss?". Chuck asks, his awkwardness in many ways mimicking Muku's. "Pryce being his usual crotchety self.". Clair stated sharply with a snort. "It was -great-!". Bugsy giggled to himself and kicked his feet.

"How is Cianwood faring?". Jasmine pressed. "Really good actually... At least for now. Apparently Muku rallied the fighting types in the hills to lend a hand as part of their training, and the seawall is coming together at a speed I didn't think was possible. It's really something to see, I've been up that way and I didn't know there were so many!"

"Glad to hear it Chuck.". Morty smiled placidly. "Even in the worst spot you pulled through.". The older man drummed on his bare chest with a laugh. "Be a lot more than a little water to do me in!"

"Social Pokemon... Might be an advantage we haven't touched on. If I could make it to the Hive near Goldenrod, I could support Whitney if she needs it, or press on to Olivine... Maybe both depending on how the habitat fares.". Bugsy adds thoughtfully.

"I'm interested in the dreams Thel has been having. I will make for Olivine, then move to support Falkner in Violet.". Morty declares succinctly.

Clair remains quiet, eyes fixated on some point past the camera.

"If the storm doesn't stop, they will," Thel says, softly, nodding. "All of it will be covered in water. You have a way to stop it, Muku?" he asks. "Then I wish you the best of luck. I have faith in you. You look to have made out well since the last time I've seen you, so I don't imagine anyone can stand in your way." He gives her a smile.

"Oh, uh, since it seems like people are making plans..." he says, awkwardly, "Clair, I... hope it's alright if I just ask if you could get a message to Em? I just... want to apologize to her that I probably won't be able to call for a while. There are people in the Gym's lobby and the days are exhausting. I'm doing okay, but I miss her very much."

Something about what she says strikes a chord. "You're right. I'm sorry. It's something that I do have to do. That's why I went away. To built that strength." He gives a smile. "Even when I don't imagine that I'll learn things, the world loves to surprise me. It's always a pleasant feeling."

"If you have any questions for me, I'll do what I can to answer them," Thel says to Falkner, nodding. "I don't know how much more we might know in general than you, however."

"I hope that's right, Muku was it? Pokemon evolving into humans has a lot of implications for humanity. Draws connections between us and Pokemon that we had never in our wildest dreams thought possible. Are you just like us, or have you gone beyond us? Magma's activities, if you know anything... How many Ascended are there now?". Falkner explained.

"Right. Let me tell my side of the story." Muku huffs. "I'm a Starly. Was a Starly. Still am? Distinctions are hard. Small bird, beeps a lot. I beep a lot less now and it's about beeping time. I still don't get a lot of human things and to be honest, I just don't care. I've- and we've got enough to worry about right now without getting into detail of all the ways that being a human works and doesn't."

"So. Back to what Thel said. When I was attacked in Goldenrod, it was by a member of Team Magma. Lady in red, smart but also stupid and I hate her. Definitely dangerous. She attacked me and then let me go, which is good because Thel and Terra were having another crisis. They were taking Terra onto some boat and Thel was freaking out and I was having none of it, so I jumped into the ocean, swam out to the boat, hopped aboard, met Rat, rescued Terra and got attacked by a shark. Were it not for Whoopie, I wouldn't have survived Team Aqua's attempt to kill us.

She pauses a moment later, then adds. "Oh right. It was Team Aqua trying to kill us. They were trying to get us on their side, but I wasn't having any of it. If there's anyone to blame for rising sea water however, it's definitely them trying to cover the world in water because they are delusional, but also kinda cool. I wouldn't hate them if they weren't trying to kill everyone, but they are definitely gonna do that so like; boundaries."

"Beyond that though, I don't know much of anything about Team Magma. I don't know anything about other Ascended other than that Terra began to develop these kind of 'earthy' powers that I never did. I'm a bit stringy and I know how to jump and kick real good, but I didn't get anything really cool like that."

A chill in the air develops as Falkner kept up his questions. Her hands lay on her lap in tight balls as she listens in quiet irritation. Falkner was cute, but she was well aware that this was a video conference. When she speaks up, she’s firm and broaching no reply as she says, “You’re getting too personal. How I had to adapt is irrelevant to the current situation.”

She pauses before adding, “It’s not that I wouldn’t like to talk about it. It’s just not the right time or venue. I’m challenging Gyms, so, maybe once all of this is resolved we can about things.”

“But ah. Moving on from that. Yeah. That sounds about right as far like, powers go. Working with Chuck, he can attest that we also seemed to... develop a bit more rapidly? Is that the right phrase? We got tougher. I’m not sure what the upper limit is, but I know I can hold my own in a fight against most Pokémon that aren’t made of rock or steel. So, if you DO see another Ascended that hasn’t been identified, it might be best to assume that they wouldn’t just be a pushover like other humans. Me and Thel are relatively normal, but who knows what other could do.”

"Ah, I suppose it is a bit personal for a conference call. My apologies Muku.". Falkner bowed his head and broke eye contact with a smile.

"Falkner, there is something that might merit your attention here in Olivine. The winds cast a Swanna against the side of the lighthouse. Joy doesn't think it will ever fly again, but it survived.". Jasmine explained. "If you could make the journey for it when there is a break in the rains, it is the Pokemon's best chance."

The young man's expression was shocked, then sad. "I will come as soon as things are sorted here."

"Then it sounds like Bugsy will make for Goldenrod, Morty for Olivine to investigate Thel's dreams. Chuck has things well in hand. I will assist Falkner and then the two of us will make for Olivine. Pryce to be left to his own devices. Do I have the right of it?". There are a chorus of assent in response to Clair.

"From there, I should think we turn our attention to Magma's activities. Aqua has engaged Ho-Oh's counterpart above the southern seas. Kanto has dispatched a pair of gym leaders to try to contend with the threat but there has been no word yet. Vermillion's Lieutenant Surge, and Cerulean's Misty."

Muku cocks a quiet eyebrow, but doesn't say much of anything. Thel was way too nice for his own good. This whole mess was kind of everyone's problem. A really, big, human problem. He also looked oddly happy? Content? It was odd, this whole doubling down on humanity thing. Part of her just wanted to lift him up and shake him. No real reason, just a big ol shake. She could do that now, she had hands. Hands that she now released from one another. Blood pulsed through her fingers, causing pain to throb dully throughout. Whoops.

Either way, the conversation was starting to get away from her a bit. She didn't know who Misty or Lt. Surge was. Embarrassing! Quietly, she elbows Chuck in the ribs, and cranes to her head up to ask, "Hey. Ah. Who are those two again? I'm not sure if you told me about them."