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Post by Raven on Jan 11, 2017 7:57:36 GMT
Her lovely chat with Genevieve of the Normal Branch now concluded, Rei makes her way through the winding halls of the Adventurer's Guild to locate the Steel Branch. Turns out it's really not much of a branch, as it's pretty much just a handful of rooms and there aren't many people around. The reason for that may be more than just "it's a little-known/rare Type of Pokemon", as you begin to hear the sounds of combat from the indoor arena that seems to serve as the base of operations for the Steel Branch. It sounds a lot like the screeching of metal on metal, or metal on rock (or some horrid combination thereof), combined with heavy, stomping footsteps that shake the entire nearby area. Curiosity piqued, you find two metallic Pokemon locked in combat. One appears to be a bird of some kind, as it soars through the air, screeching loudly at its much larger opponent. The bird seems made entirely of a silvery-gray metal, with flashes of red on its wings. Your eyes can barely even keep up with its speed, and you only catch brief glimpses of it here and there as it flits about the battlefield. It's opponent is a lumbering giant of a Pokemon (you assume it's a Pokemon, at least; it could simply be some enormous monster!) made out of equal parts black and gray metal, with a head shaped similarly to a frightening helmet that ancient warriors used to make them appear as demons to their foes.
Maaayyybe coming here was a bad idea..
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Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
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Post by lichlord on Jan 11, 2017 19:54:29 GMT
Before Rei can even react to the sight, Shinpuru makes chomping motions and begins skittering forward.
STEEL! DELICIOUS STEEL FOR MY POWERFUL TEETH! NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM
Rei grabs her Bidoof from the top, and lifts him up. Despite not being on the floor, he continues to make chomping motions and runs in the air. Rei giggles.
"Shinpuru, I don't think running in and fighting things a lot larger than yourself is a good way to introduce ourselves."
Shinpuru seems to accept that notion and settles down. Rei sets him back down before making a concerned face.
"Here's hoping I don't need a Steel pokemon first."
She'll head into the arena, where it seems the whole Steel Branch is set up. If there's seats set around the area, she'll take a seat and wait for the apparent battle to be over.
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Post by Raven on Jan 11, 2017 20:10:38 GMT
There are some seats scattered about, but not a lot of people. The steel bird and its gargantuan opponent continue to fight for several more minutes before the bird is swatted out of the air, exhausted from trying to pierce the bigger Pokemon's defenses. An auburn-haired woman approaches the two, seemingly giving some sort of pep talk or instructions. It's hard to hear from the sidelines, considering the size of the arena. That's when she looks your way and waves you over. Apparently the bird noticed you and alerted what appears to be its Trainer of your presence. If the Steel-Type Monstrosities looked big before, they look even larger up close. The big one literally towers over both you and the other woman. The bird is quite a bit smaller in comparison, but is still a good 'head and shoulders' above the humans in the room.
"Can I help you with something, young lady?"
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Post by lichlord on Jan 11, 2017 20:24:00 GMT
Rei watches the battle intently, and even claps for the two when it's done. When she is waved over, she gets up and walks down and over to the woman who owned both pokemon. Shinpuru, now seeing the two up close, just is a 'tad' less enthusiastic about trying to nom them. He believes he could still take that bird, but doesn't say his thoughts aloud. For his master's respect, of course. Not because one's huge and the other is lightning fast. Nope. Not at all.
Rei gives a bow to who she might think is the Branch leader, according to Genevieve's description.
"Greetings. I am Rei Leeda, a relative newcomer to the guild. I was coming from afar on the main initiate day, and the day was already winding down when I arrived so I was not able to choose a branch. And due to some... unfortunate... diversions yesterday, I was still unable to join a branch. So if it's not too late, I'd like to apply myself to the Steel Branch!"
Rei smiles warmly at the woman.
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Post by Raven on Jan 11, 2017 20:42:46 GMT
The woman raises an eyebrow at you as she looks you over.
"Far be it from me to turn away a prospective student, but are you sure this is the Branch you wish to apply to? Steel isn't for the faint of heart, and you will be expected to train right alongside of your Pokemon in some of the most physically intensive courses of your life. If you still want to join, even knowing this, then welcome aboard. If not, then I thank you for your interest, but it may be better for you to move on to a secondary choice."
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Post by lichlord on Jan 11, 2017 20:56:34 GMT
Well she 'already' trains and fights alongside her pokemon, and has been training to fight alongside her sisters her whole life. Maybe this will be a step up, surely, but it's nothing new.
"I've already been training in combat my whole life, and after I got my first pokemon, I've been working myself to support him in combat already. I think you'll find I may not 'look' it, but I'm more than ready to take any physical challenge on."
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Post by Raven on Jan 11, 2017 21:43:29 GMT
Sorra smiles. "Well, if that's the case, then welcome to one of the smallest official Branches of the Guild. Let's see your partners then. I assume this eager little creature is one of them?" She motions at Shinpuru.
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Post by lichlord on Jan 12, 2017 0:24:44 GMT
"Well it's now one person bigger! And thank you for giving me a chance Miss Shields."
Rei releases Raido next to Shinpuru.
"Yes the eager one is Shinpuru, and he's been with me for a long time. And I have Raido who I met during my travels here."
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Post by Raven on Jan 12, 2017 5:22:18 GMT
"Hm. Only two? You must really be brand new to this. No matter! We'll work with what we've got. I hope you and yours are ready, as you're going to be facing my Squire, Maya."
A girl about your age (though slightly older) approaches, with a tiny, brown critter following at her heel like a puppy. She appears lightly armored and has a longbow clutched in her right hand. Her Pokemon doesn't look like anything you've ever seen before, but it's coloring doesn't seem to match any environment you've seen near the city. It must be from elsewhere. It gnashes its large jaw at you as if to say 'I'm ready for you!'
"This match is 2 on 2, with full-contact. One Pokemon each may be on the battlefield at a time. The match ends when either party surrenders or all combatants have been rendered unconscious. While I doubt it will be an issue, I want to make it clear that this is a sparring match, not a death match."
Maya nods, then quickly retreats to the far edge of the arena that Sorra's Pokemon occupied earlier. Her Pokemon takes up position in the center, opposing Shinpuru.
(Moving to Encounters thread.)
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Post by lichlord on Jan 12, 2017 11:57:38 GMT
The last thing Rei remembers is a sharp pain and then hitting the ground. As she regains consciousness she sees Sorra next to her bed and a fixed up Shinpuru napping on her lap and puts the pieces together. She probably got shot, and hard. She gets an almost nostalgic sense of deja vu, and also a matching arrow scar. At least with magic healing she won't be bed bound for ages. She looks up and gives a weak smile to Sorra.
"Hello, Miss Shields."
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Post by Raven on Jan 12, 2017 20:36:35 GMT
Sorra looks up, relief clear on her face.
"Oh thank Arceus you're alive... I am terribly sorry about this. Clearly I underestimated my Squire's combat skills when I pit her against you. I honestly feared I had just gotten you killed, and am quite relieved to see that is not the case."
She seems to want to say more, but seems unable to find a way to voice it properly. Instead, she settles for apologizing again and swearing that it'll not happen a second time.
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Post by lichlord on Jan 12, 2017 21:18:00 GMT
Rei sits up a bit.
I'm fairly hardy Miss Shields. I must just have a particular weakness to arrows."
Rei reveals a small arrow-shaped scar along her abdomen. (As well as revealing a tease of minute scars probably dotting her body before Rei covers her stomach back up.)
"From my sister, when she first got good with a bow. I was bed ridden for days, so I'd call this an improvement."
Rei giggles lightly, before realizing something and looking a bit downtrodden.
"Does this mean I'm out?"
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Post by Raven on Jan 13, 2017 1:23:23 GMT
"What? Oh, no. Certainly not. Everyone loses a battle once in awhile. Perhaps not as spectacularly as yourself, but even so. If you wish to stay, I'll not prevent you. We'll just have to scale back your challenges to more appropriate levels. If you're feeling up to it, perhaps take a stroll around town; find something to do. I have nothing further for you today."
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Post by lichlord on Jan 13, 2017 2:16:07 GMT
Rei sighs relief before smiling again.
"Good! I'd rather not have my first try be a very ungraceful exit as well. I'd like to stay, and prove that I belong."
Rei relaxes back in the bed.
"I think I'll take a moment for my arm's pain to subside and I'll do a little 'safe' exploring. And... thank you for staying at my side until I woke. I'm glad I have a branch leader that cares."
Rei beams.
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Post by Raven on Jan 13, 2017 2:24:44 GMT
"Of course, Rei. If you need anything, you know where to find me."
Sorra leaves to return to the Steel Hall.
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Post by lichlord on Jan 13, 2017 2:47:38 GMT
"Thank you Miss Shields."True to her word, after Sorra leaves, Rei rests up just a bit more, making sure she isn't going to hurt herself further. After she feels like she can at least travel a bit, she exits the guild, and mounts on Raido once more. Shinpuru makes it clear that he wishes for a battle, but Rei is feeling just taking a stroll around the outskirts of town first, just to get a bearing on the area. Encounter 1/3: Wild Poke!
8H_pNdMt1d100 1d100
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Post by Raven on Jan 29, 2017 11:04:06 GMT
It occurs to you as you walk that you don't actually have a lot of details about this mission. All you know is a very simplistic summary of what happened. "Bad Pokemon on the route between Saffron City and Cerulean Cape Town" No mention of how far along the route, what events actually transpired, or anything of the sort. Most likely it was an overeager Tiki who forgot to acquire details on the matter, rather than the Guild. After all, if it were something as simple as a single, random Wild attack, surely the Guild wouldn't need to be involved. This was ranked 'B', however, and based on the ranking system, that makes it a rather sizable task to perform, as it is on the higher end of the scale, with only 'A-rank' being higher among those available to anyone. Perhaps you should ask around the Guild before you head up to Cerulean, if only to get a better grasp of the situation.
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Post by Raven on Mar 15, 2017 4:49:32 GMT
As it turns out, you're still in Cerulean Cape Town. At the local Healer's hut. Outside, you see the blue-haired girl from before and her two patched-up Pokemon are practicing some form of martial arts movements.
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Post by lichlord on Mar 15, 2017 4:51:59 GMT
Rei walks over to her.
"Did you take me all the way over here after our battle?"
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Post by Raven on Mar 15, 2017 5:01:14 GMT
"Hm?" She turns to the sound of your voice. "Oh, you're up. Yes, I brought you here. Only fair, seeing as my Pokemon and I took you down in the first place. I'm Cindy, by the way. I stuck around to make sure you recovered alright, and to ask you: 'Just what the heck are you made of?' It's rare to find a human who can withstand my Aura attacks for so long. Especially when my Pokemon are also hitting them."
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