Rei - Solo RP & Special Missions

Tiki is sitting around near Rei, petting/nuzzling her new Lopunny's ears, when the little pikachu starts its game with Rei. She laughs, giggles, and slaps her knees as Hikari gives Rei the slip multiple times. She then watches excitedly as the cute pikachu evolve! More giggles ensue as it lays down for a nap. "That was fun! Me and Lovers hopped around a bunch when she evolved!"

Holly is quite surprised when the Pikachu appears out of nowhere, and even more so when it evolves suddenly! She can't help but giggle as Rei tries to chase it around only for it to fall asleep in the middle of her bed. After hanging out for awhile longer, Holly retrieves her bag that holds her apricorn balls and says she needs to go see her sister now that the sun is setting. It's a long walk, so she won't be back for awhile, but promises that she'll return. After a quick hug goodbye, she becomes spectral and walks through the outside wall.

~~~The following morning~~~

Rei awakens to find Holly asleep on her floor again, though her hair is now up in a ponytail rather than hanging loosely. She is even wearing one of the new outfits that Rei bought yesterday. It is then that Rei notes that the uncomfortable feeling in her gut from that curse has dissipated completely. Seems Holly was able to convince her sister to remove it after all. That, or it went away on its own as originally promised. Either way. Looking closer, she spies a slip of paper on her nightstand. It's a note with her name on it.

It reads: "To the human named 'Rei'; my sister told me what you did for her. The clothing, welcoming her as your friend despite her unexpected arrival, all of it. She probably also told you about my distrust of humans, if you weren't already aware of it from my reception in the swamp. I..may have judged too swiftly. I'm aware that not all humans are bad, but when a human's first reaction to my kind is to label us as 'freaks' or 'non-humans worthy of experimentation', I'm sure you can understand. I won't bore you with my history, so suffice it to say that this is a big step for me. Holly and I have been a family for as long as either of us can remember, whether or not we're related by blood. I love her like a sister, and she obviously cares quite a bit about you based on her pleas to be allowed to stay with you.

This is a symbol of my trust. You are now responsible for Holly's safety for as long as she is in your care. She's nearly grown physically, but living in the swamp with me has left her understandably naive about the harsh truths of life. If any harm comes to her, I will hold you personally responsible. You won't like the consequences of failure.

Signed, Marissa."

Holly groans sleepily as her eyes flutter open. "Huh? Oh... *yawn* it's fine. I lived in a cave, remember? Was there somethin' you needed? Going through walls is hard work." She manages a sleepy smile.

It occurs to you that Kopi never actually sleeps; or at least, hasn't to your knowledge. He might go quiet on occasion, but is usually responsive if prodded. (Pokemon with the Insomnia ability don't sleep.)

Holly mumbles something incoherent as she curls back up in her little corner of the room. Apparently she's still worn out from her journey. The swamp is quite a ways away, after all. Her Honedge, as always, is wrapped tightly around her wrist.

When Rei finds Lady Shields's room, she finds her and Maya are waiting for her.

"Rei! Glad you could join us. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to make it or not. I was just filling in Maya on the details of your mission together. I'm sending you into the mountains to the North-West of here. I've heard reports of a band of nomads living in the area and I wanted to see what we can find out about them. Normally I'd handle something like this myself, but I've just received word from Her Majesty, Queen Carmen, that there have been much more ominous reports coming from a set of islands directly south of here, out in the ocean, and I'm needed to lead an investigation into whatever is going on there. So, Rei, do you think you can handle a simple scouting mission?"

Sorra nods. "Right then. Come with me, and we'll get you both on some Guild Fliers and on your way to the Indigo Foothills." As you are walking, Sorra fills you in on some of the other details while you head up to the Flying Branch on the second floor of the building. It occurs to you that you've never been up this way before, though given that your entire group seems to be on the main floor, that's no real surprise. When you reach the roof, there are already two Pidgeot saddled and ready to go for you and Maya.

"Oh, it just occurred to me." Sorra says suddenly. "You've probably never had the opportunity to fly before, have you, Rei? Maybe we should have you and Maya ride together instead of separately, until you have a chance to practice. I know this all seems very sudden, but we don't know how long the nomads will be in the area, so the sooner you can leave, the better."

Sorra nods. "I thought that may be the case. In that case, you'll ride with Maya. She's flown a few missions with me, so it shouldn't be difficult. All you need to do is hold on tight. It's several hundred miles from here to the place these nomads are said to be, but even with two passengers over one, Pidgeot should be able to get you there within a few hours."

The Pidgeot tosses its head as it eyes you, loosing a cry that seems to say "I'll get you there faster still!". By now, Maya has finished securing her pack and bow to the Guild Pidgeot at this point and silently (or is it sullenly?) awaits you. While Maya assists you in securing your own gear to the Pidgeot, Sorra releases the steel bird you saw on your first day. Its silver and red metallic feathers glint brightly in the morning sunlight as she begins carefully tying the riding saddle/harness onto it. Those feathers alone look razor-sharp, and it briefly makes you wonder just how one flies on a giant, metal bird.

When all is said and done, and both you and Maya are secure atop Pidgeot, your group takes to the sky. Despite the extra burden of a second passenger, as predicted, Pidgeot seems to have no real trouble getting off the ground. Sorra bids you farewell before she and her unknown metal bird fly off with a mighty screech, headed west towards Celadon to meet up with whatever expedition she is supposed to be leading.

I need either Athletics or Acrobatics (whichever is higher) from Rei to determine how well she holds onto Maya during the flight. It's a five-hour journey (Pidgeot is slowed slightly by the extra weight) to your destination, so you need one check per hour. The number to beat is 18 (Expert) or 20 (Master).

Maya can't help but smirk a bit as you quickly clamber off. "Flying is much less terrifying when you don't have an extra passenger. You should seriously consider taking lessons on the basics of flight when we return. As to our destination, the last known location of the tribe was a few kilometers north of here. We landed a bit further back so as not to spook them; we're here to observe them, after all, not frighten them off. Take a few minutes, stretch out your muscles. I'll scout ahead. Pidgeot can't stay here long though, so make sure you have everything you need off him."

Maya quickly and efficiently grabs all her gear, slings her pack over one shoulder and takes a moment to string her bow as she heads up the trail.

Pidgeot preens its feathers a bit while waiting for Maya's return. You haven't been waiting more than thirty or forty minutes before Maya returns. She gives some instructions to Pidgeot before turning to you as it flies off.

"The path ahead is clear for now, but our presence won't have gone unnoticed by the local Wilds. Keep on your toes. If you're ready, let's get moving. We've a long walk ahead of us."