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Post by DataNinja on Feb 2, 2021 22:07:02 GMT
"Ah, okay. I don't... really know much about that side of stuff," he says, laughing. "No one person can know it all. That's why we have Operators to bug."
"Really feeling appreciated," comes the sardonic reply, but there's a hit of levity.
And, with that, the group leaves the cavernous world behind. Stepping through back into their home dimension (well "home"), the humans find they're not alone in the room. A stern-looking blue-haired woman with white-plumaged wings is staring at them. Commander Iris Keaton. The Valkyrie. And she doesn't exactly look happy.
"So... Bryan. Care to explain?"
"It was... an educational experience for Trainee LaBrasta. I thought it would do him some good."
She raises an eyebrow at this, before looking at Parish. "And did you learn anything, Trainee LaBrasta?"
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Feb 2, 2021 22:19:32 GMT
"Yes ma'am. A great deal. The crystal tech that is starting to come into use in A-2 isn't unique to it. The shards themselves can fully lose elemental affinity or even become a source of enervation. I don't know why or how they can do that, but the Captain brought a good sample back.". Parish left the rest up to Armstrong to explain, provided he was allowed. "I also learned Hero really likes being swaddled in a blanket, and he doesn't like whatever that stuff is.". The boy gestures at the sample container Armstrong had with him.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 2, 2021 23:01:17 GMT
"Yes, as our Operator no doubt informed you... there's a civilization there. No people, nothing. Evidence of them, but nothing's left. We can discuss all of that afterwards, though. I would rather not keep Trainee LaBrasta longer than I have to. And we can discuss... reprimands."
"Your Operator told me nothing. I just happen to enjoy seeing what new realms are discovered. I can't do much fieldwork myself these days, after all. Imagine my surprise that there was more than one person there. However," Keaton gives a smile, and relaxes some.
"I'm not going to reprimand you, this time. Since nothing bad happened. But... just keep in mind, I'm responsible for everyone's safety, overall. And... I know how hard it is for those who don't come from the temporally-close dimensions. To fit in with other Trainees. That was myself as well. More than you know. In fact," she gives a nod to Parish, "I met your grandmother once. Wonderful woman, if... rather peculiar at times. She did great things for everyone, and I'm interested to see what sort of legacy you'll end up with."
"I would however, like to emphasize that this should not happen again. I hope that is understood. Keep to the official excursions only."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Feb 2, 2021 23:22:35 GMT
"She is definitely a storied woman.". Parish agreed with a bright smile. He didn't realize the Commander herself was from A-2 until he had seen her in person just then. "Thank you for being understanding ma'am. I promise I will stick to official deployments until such a time as I am no longer a trainee."
It was odd to hear that someone so influential to the organization was once an outlier like him. "In... The interest of transparency, since we were already caught.". There was a nervous giggle at that as he dismounted his bag and Hero from it. "I would like to officially request a project."
Parish gingerly laid the Pokemon out on the floor with its panelling still open, as well as a few of the tools. "This is the only potentially living specimen we found on our foray, but it is powered by Shard Tech, as are the tools to repair it."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 2, 2021 23:53:06 GMT
"Interesting..." the Commander says, looking at the tricelled body. "Very well. If you think you can repair it, go for it. I have a feeling that people are going to be very busy with other investigations. So if you can find something, then so much the better for everyone."
"Now, move along," she says, smiling. "I didn't exactly see you here, after all. And I need to do a debriefing regarding what may lead to potential first contact. ...it's been a while."
And with that, Parish is free, to go relax and/or eat or anything else.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Feb 3, 2021 0:10:59 GMT
Gathering up his things, Hero included, Parish heads for the mess. He hadn't really had a breakfast, he had been too fluttery. He was still too fluttery to really want food, but if he didn't have something he would faint again. As it happens, phosphorescence takes a great deal of energy, as does swimming, and he had been far too sparse on eating.
Mom often yelled at him and Gram in the same sentence about that. He at least kept track of it. Sort of. She was notorious for it. Project could wait until after food. The shards would still be there later, probably.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 3, 2021 0:32:57 GMT
Being not a mealtime, there aren't too many people in the mess, but there's a few. Faith is there, though, eating a small bowl of fruit. She looks up as he goes past.
"Oh, I see you liked to glow so much you stuck with it," she says, though with a smile that says that she doesn't believe that for one second.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Feb 3, 2021 0:46:44 GMT
Sheepishly he turns it off, but doesn't make any comment on it as he served himself and gets comfortable with his food. "Did you end up making any new friends yesterday?". Parish was not socially ept in the slightest, his ability to deflect could only take him so far. "I don't think I introduced you to Hero yet. He saved me from an eel cause he thought I was another Chinchou."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 3, 2021 1:17:25 GMT
"Yeah, while everyone else was bumbling around in the forest, I met one of those fairies that was flitting around. Seems like they're ones that can be found in other places, but, that doesn't matter to me." Faith shrugs. "Takes a while for me to figure out names. They have to basically tell me first."
"And, I see," she says, with a smile. "It makes sense. You are indeed small and squishy." It's obviously a tease, given that he has easily more than six inches on her.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Feb 3, 2021 1:57:36 GMT
"Maybe on the inside.". Color flooded Parish's cheeks. "Hero and his school talked with electrical signals, and he couldn't understand why I wasn't answering them.". He settled in with some mixed vegetables, a flavored dip of some kind, and a sandwich. "Anyway, has there been any word on another official deployment yet? Or are they giving us a break to settle back in?"
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 3, 2021 2:08:45 GMT
"Think it'll be a break, so they can go over our footage and stuff," she says, pausing to eat a few berries. "I expect that they'll be determining what we need to work on, to shore up that. Like not clomping around like a herd of Mudbray. Probably some teamwork, as well. But who knows. It's all just rumour at this point."
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Post by Robot on Feb 3, 2021 2:18:28 GMT
"Captain Armstrong seemed pretty satisfied with my solo work... Though he said a lot of the Explorators develop quirks because of that. Was probably a lot safer to be with a group.". Parish murmured noncommittally. "One of the Pokemon I encountered went through several trees to reach me. It ended up being okay but it might not have been, and I didn't have any backup."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 3, 2021 2:28:27 GMT
"Eh, won't be in a group forever. Not enough of us for that," Faith says, shrugging. "Probably better to go off solo. I just wanted to make sure the meatheads and the joker didn't get themselves hurt. About the only time they were quiet was deciding to head off without you. But I figured you'd be okay."
"But if something bad happens? Then it happens. That's the risk that we take. It's not a safe career, after all."
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Post by Robot on Feb 3, 2021 2:48:33 GMT
"That's fair, I guess. I'm sure there are a few places we landed that were just so hostile they never went back.". He considered her words thoughtfully. "You were sure I would be okay because I'm from Alpha 2?" He poked at his food with a fork and screwed up his face. "I like it there, even if it isn't easy.". There was a hint of defensiveness in his tone.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 3, 2021 3:13:51 GMT
"Partially that, partially because I know you're not an idiot." Faith shrugs. "What you lack is mostly just in interactions with other people. Mason lacks in adaptability. Erica lacks in humility. Shane lacks in taking things seriously. All things that are... much more likely to result in problems until they fix things. That's all. No offense was intended, but if you want to take it that way, up to you."
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Post by Robot on Feb 3, 2021 3:56:31 GMT
"Oh." Was all he could manage as an immediate response. When she put it like that origin had nothing to do with it, it was all about attitude and approach. Faith must watch people the way he watched Pokemon. "Sorry. Mason has me a little touchy about being different. It was valued back home, but I keep being reminded I'm nowhere near home physically anymore." Parish made a face. "What are you lacking, then? Since... I'm not a great judge of people."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 3, 2021 4:13:14 GMT
"It's an easy way to make yourself feel better than another person. The more obvious the difference, the easier it is," Faith says in explanation. "I wouldn't pay it much heed. Or maybe I would, I don't know, I'm not the one in that situation."
"As for me?" She thinks, before giving a bit of a smile. "It's my lack of ability to give a straight answer."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Feb 3, 2021 4:24:52 GMT
"I have an easier time reading my Pokemon then I do you, so that isn't entirely inaccurate." Parish chuckled and finished his meal. "Going to go see what I can find for shards. Plenty to do today, maybe I can find enough to make something nice for Flying Colors or Hero." Rising, he gives her a casual wave goodbye and heads for the grounds. It had been a while since he'd walked around their training station.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 3, 2021 4:54:33 GMT
"Look, if you say everything you know all at once, you're not exactly interesting anymore, are you?" she asks with a wink. "Enjoy your walk." She gives a little wave, and then goes back to her fruit as though there'd been no interruption at all.
There's plenty of space around campus to search for shards, or train oneself or one's Pokémon, or just relax in natural landscapes. Or going off to wander around Mossdeep.
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Post by Robot on Feb 3, 2021 18:22:45 GMT
Parish makes for the beaches and cliffs, eager to scrounge shards for his new pet project. He wondered if colors mattered, or if a full sized gem was needed. He hadn't exactly sized the spent fragments to get a gauge on what was what. Then there was the matter of finding a place where he could work without being observed. The Captain had been pretty clear about keeping this low key. But he had a friend waiting to be woken!
Oops rolled lazily along after him, soaking up the sun and occasionally chasing the odd bird off for giggles as Parish gathered a small stockpile of colored fragments.
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