Adventure Thread - Group A

"She's in pretty bad shape, but she'll live. If we recall her Pokemon back into her apricorn balls, we'll only have to carry her into town." He breaks out his first aid kit and sits down in front of the girl dressed in white.
"We should return to the town after we're patched up. I'm very done with this swamp."

4d6·4d6·4d6·4d6

Clay breathes a sigh of relief once Sano's attended to him and patched up his arm. He's still looking a little on the pale side, but at least he's not losing any more blood. "Thanks, Sano."

He shakes his head, watching Tiki return the unconscious Pokémon to their balls. "Sounds good to me. I don't think I can take much more of this place."

And it's very obvious from his tone, too. He looks down at the girl when Tiki drags her over and winces audibly. "Carry her I guess. She's not gonna like it if I do it, though." He appends something muttered about how ridiculous it is that people are so tall.

Tiki leaves the girl to the boys, and skips on over to Rei. She digs around Rei's large sleeves, finds her hands, and shakes it. With a beaming smile, "Hi there, Rei! My name is Tiki! Thank you soooo much for helping us back there. It was super scary, and those guys were super strong, and you hopped in, like, 'Woosh!' All spinning around, and dancing! It was super cool! You're also gonna join the guild!? Awesome! We're already members, so we can head back together! I'm normal branch myself. It's super cool there. We hang out, do stuff, and occasionally party when an inspiring speech pops up every now and then. Oh! Are you also a performer!? I usually put on stage shows with my pokemon. I can sing, juggle, and other routines that my pokemon join me in! And, also-....."

Tiki, the adorable chatterbox, continues to talk as others introduce themselves.

Rei can't help but giggle when Tiki has trouble finding her hands.

"Oh aren't you excitable? One would think a battle such as this would sour anyone's disposition, but it takes a bright soul to stay cheery despite any circumstances. It's a pleasure to meet you, Tiki!"

She listens through Tiki's hyper speech and waits to find a place to insert herself.

"Yes I heard the Normal branch was filled with many kind people, it's no surprise to me that you are amoung their ranks. I'm also glad you enjoy my dancing. I've been taught by my mother to be graceful in the midst of battle, and being the younger of four siblings, I found it neccessary to also be the unflinching rock as well."

When Tiki brings up performing, Rei blushes. Not much, but just a 'hint' and a little crack in the smiling and confident persona the others have noticed.

"Oh! I have never performed in front of anyone. I suppose I've never considered it, other than maybe a ruse to be a guard to some noble at a party or gala, as my mother used to."

The blush quickly vanishes and Rei puts a hand to her chin in thought.

"Well if I've never performed... then perhaps I need help from someone well versed in the subject. Afterall, what's a dance without a song to accompany it?"

Rei beams at Tiki. When Clay speaks up and introduces himself, Rei turns and gives a bow. Although Tiki seems still attached by the hand.

"Hello Clay, hello Fan, a pleasure to meet you both as well. Your Chimchar seemed to have trouble in that battle, but I think it was coming from a good place. Concern about you, as I see she's ready to break your fall if needed. And yes, Shinpuru has been with me a long time, and has always been my sword when I've needed one. He's very strong on his own, and I've taught him one of my dances that makes him even stronger, even if temporary. He's always been good at striking, but never defending himself."

Shinpuru chitters a bit upset in response.

"Hush, Shinpuru. You and I both are aware you focus too much on where and when to strike, and not how to avoid your opponent doing the same. But that's why we make such a great team! I'm always there to defend you while you strike down our foes!"
The Bidoof seems to accept this answer and Rei turns back toward Clay.

"Well as for how Shinpuru could strike them when you couldn't... I suppose thinking on it it's more than luck that brought me to your aid today. That stump creature, and I believe that blade, are spirits. And my sisters and I were trained in how to defeat them. I had placed a paper ward on Shinpuru in case we ever finally ran afoul of a spirit in our travels. It burns itself to give a pokemon... or a weapon... the power to hit a spirit. For you see, they are intangible. If a physical strike with no elemental power would be attempted, it would pass right through. Spirits like those, they are the remains of those that have passed, but linger on in our world. But not fully, which is why they don't have a real body!"

Rei stops, seeing Clay's (probably) confused face.

"It occurs to me this is the first time I've ever explained this to anyone. I might be doing poorly. Am I, Clay?"

Tiki's eyes light up at Rei's words, she smiles big, and hops up and down excitedly.  After finally releasing Rei's hand, Tiki picks up Justice in her arms, and juggles her other pokeballs with one hand. "Oh! Oh! Oh! I almost forgot to introduce them! This here is Justice the Chikorita, and also Star my Eevee, Hermit my Grimer, and Temperance my Drowzee." Tiki then turns her head to Sano while holding all of her critters. "Uhhhh...I dunno...I couldn't find it. Also, it seems wrapped around her wrist pretty tight. Think the guild might wanna check her out." A lot of her upbeat energy is starting to fade. "Let's go...Don't forget we got things to do when we get back...ugh...so tired..."

Rei turns to Sano, and gives a bow.

"Nice to meet you, Sano. And I would think your Aloe is more than just a weed, considering it was the one to fell the dead tree one. For your gratitude, I thank you. I love to be helpful and to do good, so doing both is a good day! And as for your question, poison 'should' work. But as you said, both are of typings other than spiritual, and both would resist poisonous attempts."

As Sano goes to introduce himself to his new(apparently to Rei) Grimer, Rei turns to hear Tiki and giggles at her antics before seeing her being tired.

"Tiki, if you'd like, I'll support your during the walk back. I'm still of able body, after riding Raido to here and only having the end of this battle to wear me down."

Rei goes to offer Tiki a shoulder before turning to Clay again, and looking a little embarrassed.

"I'm sorry Clay. Yes, it's two different meanings. Maybe after we've rested up, I can explain better... Maybe over some tea? As wonderful as it is to meet you all, a dingy cave is not a good place to get to know you!"

Rei takes note of Clay's thoughts about the Fire leader, as well as recognizes Sano's warnings from earlier.

"Hmmm, well the Poison and Fire branches I don't think I would have gone to regardless, but thanks for the warning! Personally, I think I'm gravitating toward Rock, or maybe Steel."

Rei smiles warmly as her new friend accepts the arm.

"Oh I'm sure your Justice could have gotten it, if Aloe didn't. And if you'd like, and this extends to you all, I can make you some wards for you to have in case you run into more spirits. It's only usable once, but sometimes that's the difference!"

Clay looks at the darkening sky and bites his lip. He has no idea if there's a time limit on the task he was - theoretically - given. He wouldn't put it past Lady Ashandra to declare that it doesn't count if he's too late... In any case, he has Fan stay out and active, letting her flames provide at least a little light to see by.

Aaand... there go creepy girl and the sword trying to get free and wrecking all his nice rope. Clay sighs and holds up a hand. "Oh, great. Hang on, guys, let's try talking to them again."

He puts a hand out to try to hold the girl still. "Um..." He looks between the girl and the sword for a moment, as if he's trying to decide which one to address. The girl doesn't really seem to be terribly verbal... which makes him feel kind of sorry for her. He didn't understand anything when Master Nob found him either. But that still inclines him to address the sword.

Which means he's back on the hissing, popping fire-noises. Can we talk about this before we go back to the stabbing? I don't really want to do that again, you got me pretty good the first time. We'll let you loose if you promise not to attack us. Her too. Of course, he's trying to get across concepts of honor and respect for a powerful opponent that come naturally to his Fighting-type Pokémon family but may not come across as well for spooky swords. He's not even sure if it understands him... "Tiki, you're friendly, can you try talking to her? I don't think I'm getting through to the sword..."

If the sword does understand, it chooses not to respond. That being said, it also does not cease its struggling. If there is one thing Clay knows (or should know, at least), it's that trust is a two-way road. You have to give a little before you can get any. Of course, last time he tried being nice/trusting, he got cut up pretty bad by the sword. That tends to put a damper on issues of trust.