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Post by Pandora on Oct 1, 2016 19:08:14 GMT
Eterna City 6:00 AMIt is a chilly autumn morning, with fresh crisp air and brightly colored leaves fluttering around in the otherwise-dull landscape of the city streets. The sun has barely risen for dawn, as pink and gold outline skyscrapers against the dark indigo sky. Starly sound the arrival of the day, as Hoothoot and Chingling fall into their slumber. Everything is normal. At least, it should have been. For four individuals now up and awake at this early hour (if they were not already awake), though all in their lives should be normal and was completely regular even yesterday, all of them have the sudden incessant feeling, a powerful, instinctual urge, that something is horribly wrong. It is a dizzying sensation, one that refuses to be ignored, and it points them towards a single destination: the Redias Medical Center. As the current pride and joy of Eterna City, the world-renown hospital has been the source of much prosperity over the past twenty years. The building itself is split into two, the west wing dedicated to research and development and the east wing to patient recovery and care, with the main lobby centered between the two. Once, the site of the hospital was a branch of the now-defunct Team Galactic, but the memories of those days had long faded into history as the city rushed towards the future. What would cause such a disturbing feeling to arise within these four unrelated individuals? You do not need to group up immediately, so don't feel pressured to do something out-of-character.
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Post by Zhuravlik on Oct 2, 2016 11:14:53 GMT
Violet arrives back in Eterna City from her holiday early in the morning, still feeling like her stomach was trying to flip itself over. She'd been feeling like this since the previous night as the end of her break neared, but dismissed it as being something she ate. The feeling persisted throughout the night, and now it was even worse, if that were somehow possible. Now here she was back home, having barely slept, wandering around vaguely in the direction of home, feeling as though something bad was going to happen - but what? She has to do something - but again, what?
"The Redias Medical Center..."
Somehow that thought echoes in her mind. That must be it, she thinks. She'd hoped to just try and sleep it off, but this is far more important. "This is a hunch... I guess," she whispers quietly to something, probably her Pokemon. Nevertheless she heads straight there, stopping home only to unceremoniously dump her travel stuff (not even unpacking) and pick up some more practical supplies. She walks staring right ahead, as though pursuing something in the distance. She tugs her hood down a little, wondering what the hell she was doing.
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Post by twilightkiwi on Oct 2, 2016 19:51:08 GMT
It was rare that Nathaniel Owens hurried anywhere. Every journey was its own reward, each destination just a jumping-off point for the next adventure. So it was fairly unusual that he found himself, not on foot, but riding Flygon-back as fast as Sirocco could carry him back towards the closest thing to what passed for home - Eterna City. The urgency that had gripped him in the middle of the night pushed Nate to drive his dragon on through dawn, the bright towers of downtown just coming into view. His uncharacteristic haste seemed to have confused the Pokemon, but if so she didn't try to question her partner. Her consternation was obvious, but Sirocco wasn't letting it slow her down. Even if he'd tried, Nate couldn't have explained it to her. He just knew something was very, very wrong, and it would get worse unless he...
... did...
... what?
He needed some advice. And he was already in Eterna City. He could think of no one better qualified, if something weird was going down in Eterna. Though his gut was screaming at him to keep going into the center of town, Nate directed Sirocco to touch down on the outskirts, where it still brushed up against the surrounding forest - at the Gym. A small yellow spine flicked out from under a flap on one of Sirocco's saddlebags as Nate dismounted, followed by a tiny and sleepy-looking blue face. It took a couple bleary blinks before the Surskit realized Nate wasn't taking his backpack inside, and Skipper skittered lazily to the ground and up Nate's leg as he approached the Gym entrance, finally settling comfortably onto his wavy mass of hair and dozing off again.
The trainers who frequented the Eterna Gym usually rose with the sun; Nate wasn't worried about arriving too early. "Morning," he called casually to no one in particular as he stepped inside, his head buzzing with nervous energy.
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Post by Pandora on Oct 4, 2016 5:23:49 GMT
At Nathaniel's greeting, one of the usual trainers of the Eterna City gym over the past few years perked up in surprise at seeing the wanderer stroll inside. "Oh, Nate! I'll go let Gardenia know you're here. She's in the break room right now, but-"
"There's no need. I thought I recognized the flap of Sirocco's wings outside." The Eterna City gym leader, ever calm and relaxed, came up to the front of the gym herself with a familiar smile that soon faltered as she glanced him up and down. "I'd like ask how your travels have been, but it's very clear that there's something severely troubling you at the moment. Would you like to talk in private in the break room? I have tea already prepared."
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Post by twilightkiwi on Oct 5, 2016 15:20:10 GMT
Nate sagged in relief at Gardenia's reassuring calmness, but it was short-lived - as if in response, his stomach twisted up and dispelled any chance for relaxation. Maybe some tea would help, and Gardenia's was some of the best. "That'd be great," Nate nodded, clapping a hand on her back gently as he maneuvered her quickly back to the break room; any attempt at acting casual seemed pointless with how wound up he was. "I, uh, didn't stop for breakfast. Or dinner for that matter. Maybe some fruit, too," he added a bit sheepishly. Taking a seat and nursing his tea, Nate's foot drummed the floor absently as he tried to explain the foreboding that had propelled him to drive Sirocco halfway across the continent in a night. He'd never been one to discount the supernatural - he'd certainly seen some strange things in his travels - but this was the first time Nate had experience something on such a personal level.
"So, how's the city doing lately? Anything... dangerous going on? Or even just weird?" he added as he wrapped up. "Especially at the, uh, medical center. That's... I dunno, I feel like I have to be there. Like, every second I'm sitting here, I get the sense it's a moment lost. That I should be there right now." Nate shrugged, looking a little remorseful. "But I figured, y'know, it's not like me to rush into things. Wanted to try and get my head on straight first. And you're usually pretty good with that."
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Post by sandsofazorin on Oct 6, 2016 19:33:33 GMT
6AM
The muffled sounds of a shower were overtaken by a boiling kettle, whistling loudly into the hotel room. The sole other occupant in the room was a Zangoose, his ears twitching slightly as he rested at the foot of the bed. Silence quickly followed before a door was opened. Sebastian steeped out of the bathroom, in the bare as he ruffled a tower around in his hair, trying to dry it off. When he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, he stopped and took a moment to look at himself. From the elbow down, his arms were completely metallic. On his right arm, there appeared to be a small hatch. With nothing more than a simple thought, a sharp blade shot out from his wrist, lightly coated in a clearish-green liquid. With another thought, the blade retraced back into his arm. His upper arms glistened as he flexed, allowing the appearance of the synthetic muscles to show themselves. His legs were almost completely upgraded with the synthetic material. Hell it was pretty amazing that they could it a flesh-like appearance this early into development. His chest looked almost completely free of augments... unlike he saw the greenish dots. Inside his chest cavity where pods filled with medical bio-nanobots, ready to swarm his body in the event of injury. In the bottom-left corner of his eyes, traces of yellow nodes and circuits could be seen. Lastly, there was one more 'upgrade', but it was hidden beneath the skin.
With a small smile, Sebastian finished drying up before pouring himself a small cup of green tea. Normally he wouldn't be in Eterna City unless he wanted to personally check up on his investments... or to see what improvements could be made. But recently he accepted a job to swipe some files from a small company. Child's Play, and well beyond what he wanted to do. But lately he had been feeling...wrong. There was a drive to visit Eterna City, but that drive was accompanied by a sense of dread. There was something he needed to do... or to stop. The m
Regardless, he finished up his tea and got dressed into his civilian clothing. He backed his briefcase with his 'work' clothing, along with a few medical supplies and some 'work tools'.
"Snook, its time." He said, as he gently shaked the sleeping pokemon. With a yawn and droopy ears, the Zangoose fell onto the floor before walking towards the door. Sebastian followed, only stopping to put on his sunglasses before leaving. Once he got outside, he began to walked towards the Redias Medical Center. It was odd for him to feel this driven about a place, but he was never one to stop listening to his gut. In the meantime, he began to think of an excuse for his arrival.
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Post by bloodmankey on Oct 8, 2016 5:43:22 GMT
Zef stopped for a moment, his body twitching a bit as he felt something off happen. He turned off the stove and chose to put his prep cooking on hold. He grabs his pokeballs, trench coat and his fedora. Turning up his collar and slipping outside, closing the door behind himself and locking it. "Right... I've went with my gut more time then not and something's happened... I'd rather not risk it." He slips into the early morning and lets out Wobby. The Wobbuffet turning up the collar of its own trench coat and tugging down its fedora in recognition of its owner before they went off into the night.
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Post by Pandora on Oct 9, 2016 2:41:34 GMT
Outside the Redias Medical Center 6:10 AM
Even in the soft, dim light of dawn, there were plenty of others hurriedly making their way through the streets, either on their way to work to start their day or on their way home to end it. Walking among these everyday busybodies, there was little trouble heading toward the main entrance of the Redias Medical Center. However, the sense of dread didn't subside with each step forward; in fact, the sickening feeling only deepened and twisted with each step toward the building, as if the beckoning force was simultaneously trying to drive away anyone who approached, but a simple look around the hospital grounds would easily show that very few seemed even affected by such intensity.
Eterna City Gym Break Room 6:10 AM
After treating Nathaniel to a warm pot of herbal tea and a bowl of sweet fruits from the gym's bountiful supply, Gardenia listened carefully to the wanderer's current situation, tensing at his mention of the medical center and shifting the cup of tea in her hands uncomfortably. "... The city has been doing as well as it could be doing over the last few years, corporations trying to buy up more and more land encroaching the forest and Mt. Coronet, with what few citizens of the old city willing to push back against the expansion holding protests. And I haven't heard of anything particularly dangerous happening other than the petty crime that been springing up as the city continues to grow."
The gym leader then paused and stared at the cup in her hands, very obviously struggling with herself about something before seeming to make a decision. "Hey, Nate? What I tell you next, promise me you won't let it leave this room." Gardenia took a slow sip of her tea and set it down before continuing. "Very recently, I heard a rumor... that Redias is performing a terrible secret project. No one seems to know about any specifics, and there's no circumstantial evidence to suggest that they're doing something beneath the table, but if it really is true... I think that's why your intuition is acting up so strongly."
She sighed heavily while looking down again, clasping her hands tightly. "As the gym leader of this city, I have a duty to be a role-model citizen of the law. If there was even a shred of proof that the hospital is partaking in something illegal, I would be investigating myself, but right now they've done nothing wrong. It's simply a rumor that has me worried. I can't go poking around where I have no business being." With a mixed look of hope and concern on her face, Gardenia pleaded with Nate. "I shouldn't be encouraging you to go there in my stead, but please... if you decide to pursue this, please be careful."
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Post by twilightkiwi on Oct 10, 2016 4:28:52 GMT
The food and drink seemed to calm Nate's stomach a bit, but did nothing to settle his nerves. He didn't end up eating much of the fruit, though Skipper had been roused by the sweet scent and managed to somehow devour a fruit larger than its head while they spoke.
Nate leaned forward, surprised by the Gym Leader's earnestness. "Gardenia, you know you can trust me." He offered the most reassuring smile he could muster, gently covering her clasped hands with one of his own. "I dunno about my 'intuition,' but regardless of whether Redias is doing something sketchy, I don't think I have much of a choice. This feeling won't leave me alone until I investigate the medical center." Hopefully, but maybe not even then... "It is a little comforting to know I'm probably not going completely crazy, at least. You don't need to worry about me. I'll keep my head down. Even if I don't always keep my nose clean," he finished with a more natural lopsided grin.
Wrapping up their conversation, Nate thanked Gardenia for her guidance; he didn't rush out of the Gym, taking his time with small talk about how Scuttle had been growing on his way out (the Paras had originally been bred by her, after all, though he was usually a bit shy about coming out of his Pokeball even around her). No point in worrying the other Gym trainers, who were no doubt already gossiping about his sudden arrival and agitated state. Sirocco stirred at his return, dipping her broad horned head in greeting to the Gym Leader; Nate grabbed her saddle, but turned back to Gardenia before mounting. "I'll call you as soon as I find anything concrete out, one way or another. I'd've called you last night but, uh, I wasn't exactly thinking straight. Thanks again for giving me some direction... really, I'll be careful. I promise." He gave her a quick hug before scaling Sirocco's back, looking back down as the Flygon reared back and craned her head up, wings spreading and flexing as she prepared to leap skyward. "Alright, Siro, sorry to worry you. We're going to the medical center. You remember the place, yeah? I'll explain what I can on the way..."
And with that, they were airborne, the Gym shrinking quickly beneath and behind them as the city center loomed ahead.
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Post by Zhuravlik on Oct 12, 2016 6:26:30 GMT
Violet fiddles with the strings of her hood nervously as she walks on. She felt the danger here somehow, but she still couldn't step away. She could turn back, try to ignore it... but if it was the hospital, it was too important. The Medical Center had done so much for the city, she had to see what was happening with it. Despite the new repulsive feeling, she ignores it and continues onto the Medical Centre, entering the main lobby. However, the moment she enters, she is hit again by the sheer strangeness of the situation, and for a brief moment stands awkwardly in the lobby as though lost, not sure what to do for a time.
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Post by sandsofazorin on Oct 12, 2016 7:45:27 GMT
The cold morning air... Sebastian hated it when he was younger. By now he would have gotten dressed and be in his father's garden, reading yet another book about economics and answering questions before attending vocational school. Hard to believe he was only eleven when all that was happening. Despite that, a tiny part of him missed the gilded cage... nostalgia had a funny way of making past events seem more enjoyable then they were. Slowly but surely more and more people left their warm homes and began to fill the streets. Some were setting up shop for the day, others were simply getting a morning jog. It almost seemed rather odd that a man of his appearance was out and about, but he had 'business' to attend to.
It was rather strange though, Sebastian was almost going straight towards the Medical Center. Normally he would have taken his time, but the strange, lingering sense of dread was still ever present... and it got worse the closer he got. Normally, he'd be staying away from places that gave him that feeling... and yet... Regardless, with a small shake of the head he continued until he got to the front door.
"You ready 'Voltair?'" He simply said with a smile. The pair had worked together long enough that just by giving Snook another name, he knew what persona he was going to use. As he walked into the main lobby, he just took a brief moment to look around. The lobby seemed more or less empty, the only person who really stood out was a woman in a hoodie, playing with the strings. Without giving her a second look, he walked up to the receptionist and looked at her.
"Good day, my name is Leonardo O'ryan." He said, giving a small nod before he reach into his pockets to hand the woman a card. He played this persona enough times that he could do it in his sleep. Make his voice sound more savvy, but with a hint of high-class. Delicate hand-movements, positioning near his 'bodyguard' at all times. It was one of the more enjoyable personas, since he had experience dealing with these kinds of people before. The card had a simple black background with silvery-white font. The card said "Leonardo O'ryan, Financial Advisor of the Elite." The font was also holographic, changing colours based on the movement of light.
"As the card states, I oversee Financial Matters for the elite, both local and abroad. The director of Augmentation Research and Development is expecting me today in regards to funding from the family of Diantha. And from the sounds of things the man's quite busy, so I must see him as soon as possible." He explain. It was quite a bit of a lie he was telling, but it was early in the morning. If she was from the night shift, he could easily pull this off.
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Post by Pandora on Oct 13, 2016 18:59:02 GMT
The young receptionist (Heather, by the name tag on her blouse), currently the only person behind the front desk during these early hours, had been so focused on entering something into her computer that she started at the sound of 'Leonardo's' silky voice and stammered in surprise, "Y-yes, of course, sir! But, um, i-it looks like you arrived too early to meet him; Director Hemlock shouldn't be here until eight o'clock for his regular office hours." Her flustered demeanor faded as she eased back into her professional role. "Were you told that he would be here early to meet with you?"
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Post by bloodmankey on Oct 16, 2016 11:08:45 GMT
Rushing right to the medical center with his partner close on his heels Zef intended to scope the outside a little. What feeling was this? Why was he drawn here? Did someone coerce him? Magic? Psychic powers? He needed to find out. His curiosity pushing, as was he when he went inside, pushing open the door. "I'm looking to speak to reception." He said with a straight-up announcement to whomever was there.
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Post by Pandora on Oct 17, 2016 18:44:47 GMT
Redias Medical Center Lobby 6:15 AM
A bright-eyed lady peeked her head around the professionally-dressed young man she was currently helping to address the new visitor. "Welcome to the Redias Medical Center! I can help you in just a moment after I finish helping the sir here." Quickly noticing Violet awkwardly standing in the middle of the lobby, she extended the offer to the girl as well. "Miss, if you would also like my assistance, I will be more than happy to help you after I speak with these two gentlemen. In the mean time, you are both free to take a seat in the waiting room." She gestured towards an area set up with many chairs and coffee tables with magazines and newspapers stacked atop them. There was also a water cooler with a supply of face masks next to it, a small play area for children and young pokemon (with a sign bolted on the wall next to it stating, "Redias Medical Center is a battle-free area. Violators may be asked to vacate the premises without warning. Thank you."), and a flat-screen TV on the wall currently showing the weather report for the day, which is looking to be sunny skies with a twenty-percent chance of light showers starting around one o'clock in the afternoon.
Outside the Redias Medical Center 6:15 AM
Sirocco touched down in front of the hospital in no time, though Nate could feel the disturbing pulling force now more than ever, combined with a growing new sensation that tried to ward him away from the building and whatever was inside. As it was the early morning, there were very few people coming and going from the medical center, though he caught a glimpse of a man in a trenchcoat (followed by a Wobbuffet also in a trenchcoat) hastily entering the main entrance and a few people entering the west wing through a side entrance as he landed.
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Post by twilightkiwi on Oct 21, 2016 6:57:34 GMT
Recalling Sirocco into her Pokeball before she could become an obstruction to pedestrians - or attract too much attention - Nate tried to settle his thoughts as the crawling sensation under his skin intensified into a conflicting push-and-pull. Nothing seemed immediately untoward about the medical center, though the odd Wobbuffet elicited an arched eyebrow and a curious stare until it was out of sight. The side entrance drew his attention, however - it could just be staff entering at the start of their shift or something else equally unexceptional, but it was the only other thing that stood out to him at the moment.
Keeping his distance, he examined the side entrance for any signs or other indication of what it lead to - and whether it seemed like someplace he could simply walk inside, or would need to figure out a more creative solution to investigate.
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Post by Zhuravlik on Oct 21, 2016 11:06:00 GMT
Violet stares somewhat suspiciously at the fancy looking man currently speaking to the receptionist. It seemed a little bit unusual... but who knows, people had strange arrangements from time to time. It wasn't her problem in any case.
She shrugs it off and turns to face the receptionist, after somewhat of a pause from when she'd finished talking. She replies calmly, "Yes, that would be good. Thank you." She moves to take her seat at the waiting room, taking a small side-glance at the man in the trench coat (along with a somewhat longer one at the similarly dressed Wobbuffet) to see if he follows. She is also interested in the water cooler, hoping to try and take the edge off of this feeling with a drink.
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Post by sandsofazorin on Oct 24, 2016 3:28:08 GMT
Damn, it seemed like Hemlock had actually found his sleep cycle once more. Granted, augmentation had gotten to the point where private companies were more or less developing the latest in cutting edge tech. Still, they all had Hemlock to thank for his contribution to the field. Still, he did his best to act slightly surprised from the revelation. "Indeed. The last time we spoke, he seemed to be involved in a demanding project. I assumed he'd be working irregular hours at the moment." Leonardo explained as he move a hand through a few strands of hair. That wasn't a lie, since it was "Crow" and Hemlock that spoke about that. Despite how brilliant the man was, he still needed quite a bit funding. Crow was all too happy to provide... in exchange for being one of his first 'volunteers'. Of course, he made great endeavors to distance himself from Hemlock, if he was ever captured.
With a flourish of his hand, Leonardo adjusted his briefcase and looked at Heather. "Hemlock will be expecting these papers, and I don't have time to wait around. I am a very busy man you see. If you could just tell me where his office is, I'll place them in the holder and come back within a few hours." He explained, given a slight huff. In reality, he knew where his office was. All he needed was 'permission' from her to let him go about his business. Of course, he felt a set of eye falling right on him, cause him to shift his attention. It appeared to be a woman, about five or so years younger than her, given what very quick data was being fed through his scanner. The way she looked at him, it felt like she was suspicious of him, but otherwise he appeared to be safe.
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Post by Pandora on Oct 30, 2016 0:14:31 GMT
West Wing Side Entrance
Even without getting too close, Nate could see clearly that, although the tan metal doors that the previous people had entered weren't guarded or kept watch under a camera, they did have some security with the inclusion of a magnetic card lock to the side. Along with a wall-mounted sign with bold letters stating "Redias Medical Center Research & Development Department - Employee Access Only", it looked like they didn't want just anyone waltzing through this particular entrance.
Lobby
Heather kept a pleasant smile plastered on her face as she tuned out the typical entitled attitude the receptionist was apparently used to hearing. "No problem, sir. His office is on the fifth floor of the Research & Development Department, room 505. You'll want to head there by riding one of the western elevators, which are located past the double doors to your left if you go around the front desk, at the end of the hallway. Go right once you exit the elevators, then his office will be a couple doors down on your left. Is there anything else I can help you with this morning?"
As Violet approaches the water cooler, she sees that it has one pink and one blue button for dispensing warm and cold water respectively. The small, conical wax paper cups stored on the side of it look to have just been restocked, as the dispenser is filled to the top. The water jug on the other hand looks a little lacking, with only about 10% of the water remaining.
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Post by bloodmankey on Oct 30, 2016 20:35:20 GMT
"Very well then." He knew his charm was lacking so convincing her to do something was beyond his ability. Opting to sit in the waiting room as instructed for now at least. As he did so he gave the area a good scoping out, his Wobbuffet close behind at the ready in case he needed him. "Partner I can't explain it but I have this feeling we're in serious trouble.. As to what I dunno for now but I'll be needed you out." His Wobbuffet silently nodded and stuck close to its fellow detective.
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Post by twilightkiwi on Nov 1, 2016 2:50:10 GMT
Rousing Skipper from his slumber in the depths of his backpack, Nate cradled the little bug in one palm with a weary grin. "Hey Skip. Time to wake up." Nate watched the R&D entrance out of the corner of his eye until someone approached, then nodded towards the door. "Remember last time we played tag?" The Surskit pondered for a moment before getting the hint, bobbing up and down in vigorous agreement. Stretching her thin, spindly legs, she then suddenly sprayed out a long tendril of silk towards a nearby wall, zipping out of Nate's hand and quickly skittering towards the door as it began to open. "Hey-!" Nate called loudly, taking up the chase. "Get back here!"
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