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Post by Raven on May 22, 2018 3:52:26 GMT
Holly notes Rei's lack of an answer, but nods and follows along. She keeps constant watch on the journey back, as if expecting something to jump out at them at any moment.
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Post by Raven on May 28, 2018 22:27:33 GMT
On the way out of Steel Branch, Rei bumps into one of the nameless Squires, who offers her a letter of passage into Celadon. This letter also details that any who are with her are granted the same permission, and allowed into the restricted sections of the Grand Library of Fate. They then bow respectfully and quickly take off down the hall; likely off on some other mission of import.
No sooner has Rei entered Psychic Branch then she finds Lady Anya waiting for her.
"Rei, there you are. I sensed your mental distress earlier, but I couldn't seem to pinpoint your location in order to aid you. It seems as though something was blocking my attempts to locate you. Are you alright?" She takes note of your still untreated injuries, but waits for your response.
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Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
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Post by lichlord on May 28, 2018 22:44:52 GMT
Rei thanks the squire, and his very good timing. She pockets it and heads on.
When she enters in, she is surprised to find Anya.
"Yeah I'm not surprised something was blocking you. It also may have been me as well. I've been practicing some techniques from a book in order to resist mind-readers and aura readers. Just some simple mental techniques. With everything going on, I didn't need anyone I don't trust prying into my mind. So if I was blocking you, then I guess that's just my own fault. Although I doubt the writer could ever block a master at the art like you. But I don't think it was me."
Rei concentrates for a moment.
"As for if I'm fine. Well I am not. ...or I am. Well, I'm alive. I'll take that. Could we talk somewhere more private? We have a lot to talk about."
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Post by Raven on May 28, 2018 22:58:27 GMT
Anya nods and leads Rei to a private room. "Something has happened, hasn't it? Please, tell me everything. Every detail you can recall."
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Post by lichlord on May 29, 2018 0:05:04 GMT
Once she's led aside and the door is closed, she looks Anya dead in the eyes.
"The Usurper just made an attempt on my life."
Rei recalls everything she told to Holly about what just happened. Laurel coming out, being dead-eyed and under the control of something, her managing to call out for help under the control, the tattoo, what her pokemon said about what would happen if Laurel lost; and then finally the fight itself. And then what happened after.
"...And then enveloped in that green light, she was taken. I came back right after."
She takes a breath after revealing all of that.
"I can't be sure. But the dark abilities that were transferred onto Laurel, the fact it was a previous dark branch member, all the timing of everything... It all points to D'mara."
She closes her eyes as she concentrates.
"The only thing I have, is that shortly after joining the guild, my friends and I were exploring the swamp for a mission. We had met... well I guess 'had a fight where we both misunderstood what was going on' with a girl with powers attached to a Honedge. We had thought the honedge was controlling her so we were bringing her back for help..."
Rei sighs.
"That was the woman I love. Her name is Holly. She's... not fully human. I'm not sure what she is. 'She' isn't sure what she is. Her Honedge is connected to her, and she's connected to it. It's a part of her. I didn't know any of this at the time, of course. But when we were getting her back, she woke up and we tried calming her down. Tried explaining that we were wrong to attack her and both sides mis-understood. We were starting to get to her when D'mara showed up. She abducted Holly right there in front of us using her powers. But... we didn't know what to do at the time. Even what to think. And being a branch leader and us being new guildies, what could we say? Nobody would have believed us. Or been able to do anything. But shortly after, her sister rescued her. And we found out when we went to give a full exploration of the swamp. Short story is her sister was a little angry with us but we talked her down and left."
She looks off, and maybe just the hint of a smile crosses her face.
"She followed me home. I woke up the next morning with her in my room claiming she thought I was pretty. And eventually saying she wanted to be with me. And me with her. We've had issues, as you were involved with them, but that catches us up."
She pauses.
"That is really all I've seen fully of D'mara's actions. It's all I have outside of guesses and conjecture. So if you read my mind you'll know I'm telling the truth. Because somebody here in the guild needs to know. Needs to watch out. Because... I can't stay. As long as I'm a target I won't ever feel safe in any area D'mara is at. I won't be able to sleep with both eyes closed."
Her voices catches a little.
"Also yesterday, a chosen of Cresslia confirmed that Darkrai was the reason behind the nightmares. Although not the personal ones. She had begged and pleaded with me to fight... so I am. I just can't do it here. So I'm going to sit here. I'm going to clear my head, and I want you to read everything you can. I want you to not just take me at my word, but see my word as well. About Holly's abductions, about the dreams, about the attempt on my life. Because I can't leave without warning the Guild in some way. And... I've grown to trust you, and your daughter. I don't want anything to happen to you two."
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Post by Raven on May 29, 2018 0:16:25 GMT
Anya has a very serious expression on her face as Rei relates everything she's experienced over the past month and a half. Well then. Things are progressing quite rapidly now that Rei thinks of it. Perhaps that's why the dreams were so vivid, to warn that things are happening very soon. Rei doesn't even feel Anya's touch upon her mind before she is saying she believes her.
"I do believe you, Rei. I've never trusted that D'Mara woman, but this just seals the deal. While we have no proof that she is the Usurper from your prophetic dreams, and cannot do anything about something that happened in the past (Holly's abduction), the fact that she may have sent one of her Branch Members to kill you is enough to warrant confronting her. If we just had this Laurel here to offer some sort of explanation as to what happened to her, then we could probably get the Knights involved more directly." She heaves a sigh. "As is, we'll have to settle for those we have here, and send a message to Lady Sorra so she can aid us. In the meantime, I suggest that you and your friends leave the Guild for awhile. Perhaps go to Celadon Castle Town if you are able, and try to find information on this Xerneas creature that is meant to aid you. While you do that, I will coordinate with the other Branch Leaders to try and evacuate the Guild temporarily in the likely case that D'Mara attempts to evade capture. It's going to be a delicate process, as we don't want to start a panic...but that's nothing you have to worry about."
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Post by lichlord on May 29, 2018 0:39:03 GMT
Rei sniffs a bit as Anya comforts her.
"Unfortunately if she was here she would be soulless and probably trying to kill us. And it means I would have truely sentenced a woman to death by my actions..."
She listens to the rest, then hugs Anya.
"Please just... be careful. Like I said, I'm not even fully sure if it's her. I know she's done wrong, but that's it. So just... be cautious. I want the guild to be here when this is all over. Just keep yourself and your daughter safe."
Rei ends the hug and backs up.
"And would you mind telling Nemae that I'm sorry I didn't visit her more often like I said I would? I'd like to fix that after all of this is over. And as for us, I'll be taking Holly and myself to Cerulean for a couple of days, then to Celedon to research. Sorra has given me access to the Castle Library and I plan to go. So that's where I will be most likely."
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Post by Raven on May 29, 2018 0:52:51 GMT
"Structures can be rebuilt, Rei. Worry not, Nemae and the others will be safe. I'll pass along your message as well."
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Post by lichlord on May 29, 2018 1:06:48 GMT
"I meant all of you. All of you are the Adventurer's guild. That's what... 'who' I want to see still standing. Good luck, Anya."
With that Rei leaves. She then heads to the Steel branch, hoping to see if Maya is around. There's a good chance she shadowed Sorra but if she is here, then she needs the warning as well.
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Post by Raven on May 29, 2018 2:11:50 GMT
Maya is away as well, it seems. Either with Sorra or off doing flight training with her Flygon.
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Post by lichlord on May 29, 2018 3:35:05 GMT
Well at least they aren't here currently.
Rei sighs, as she knew Sorra was leaving after their last conversation but she had hoped to speak to Maya before she left. She's not sure which room they stayed in each, so she'll just hand them off to squires to hand to them when they get here.
Sorra -
Miss Shields. By the time you are reading this, I have had to retreat out of the guild. Maybe I will meet you in Celedon? After taking a day or two in Cerulean, I'm going to head to Celedon for research. But I can't stay in the guild anymore. An attempt was just made on my life. I won't give more details here. Speak to Anya, I've informed her of everything. I hope to speak to you soon.
-Rei
Maya -
Maya... I wished the next time we had spoken was during a better time. I know you've been busy with training your dragons as mounts and I wished to had seen it in action soon. But it cannot. I can't say much here, but an attempt was made on my life. Sorra knows why this is. If Sorra isn't around and you didn't go with her to Celedon, then speak with Lady Anya in the psychic branch. You can trust her. I'm headed to Cerulean for a couple days and then Celedon. I really hope we could speak again soon. I'm not sure what you consider me, especially as of late, but you are my friend in my book. So no matter what happens... stay safe. Stick with Sorra, if you can. Even 'if' she gets on your nerves sometimes.
-Rei
And while she's writing notes, she's got another to write up and send off.
Doctor, this is Rei Leeda writing you. I'm sending some notes of strange things I found adventuring through Rock Tunnel. I know I haven't been able to find much since us speaking outside of me sending you copies of my notes about spirits, which I hope was insightful at least, but I hope these are at least interesting. And I'm afraid that it might be it from me for a while. Life has thrown me for a loop, which is why I wasn't able to get around for your research in the first place, but now I have to leave the city for a while, and there will be something eating all of my time for a while. So again, I apologize, and I wish you luck in your research.
-Rei
After finishing those, she seals them up. She takes the doctor's to the flying branch for their carrier pidgeys, and hands off the two for Maya and Sorra to guild squires with instructions to give them to Sorra and Maya first thing when they get back. After that, she finally heads to the infirmiry to get healed and meet with Holly.
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Post by Raven on May 29, 2018 3:42:40 GMT
Holly is already at the Infirmary waiting for Rei when she arrives. Despite the healer's insistence that Rei should take some bed rest here at the Guild while her injuries heal properly, they are eventually cajoled into simply having the local "healer pokemon" use Heal Pulse on her. It won't cure her injuries, but it might give her the strength she needs to go wherever it is she plans on going; which hopefully isn't into more danger. Her poor body might just give out soon from the combined years of abuse if she's not careful. They also give her some Hyper Potions for the road. They're about equivalent to an Energy Root, but slightly more portable, if more fragile. Barring anything else, Rei and Holly are now prepared for the road.
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Post by lichlord on Jun 1, 2018 8:40:34 GMT
Rei is surprised when Holly steals a kiss, but turns back toward the window when Holly backs off. She's too determined to pout and feel like everything's out to get her (Because it kind of is!) to enjoy a simple kiss. Of course if Holly has ideas then Rei won't notice what's going on until it's too late!
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Post by Raven on Jun 1, 2018 8:47:11 GMT
Holly frowns when Rei ignores her first cautious advances. Well, time to bring the "bold" Holly back then. She begins to undress until she's wearing nothing but her undies and begins to do the same to Rei. Slowly, carefully, see how long it takes her to notice.
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Post by lichlord on Jun 1, 2018 8:58:10 GMT
Rei just keeps staring out the window, just going over the same thoughts over and over again. If Holly is really careful, she can probably get the whole kimono off except for her arms, and just draping what's left on the arms themselves. Then that will leave Rei exposed in front of an open window so Holly may have to act quick before the cool breeze lets Rei know what happened.
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Post by Raven on Jun 1, 2018 8:59:57 GMT
As soon as Rei's kimono is down to just the arms, Holly snakes her arms around Rei's waist and yanks her off the windowsill. In one quick motion, she somehow has managed to leverage the 6 ft. tall girl from the windowsill onto the bed, and now sits atop her with a cheeky grin on her face.
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Post by lichlord on Jun 1, 2018 9:04:02 GMT
Rei is in the middle of thinking about what to actually research in the library when suddenly her world is upside-down. And she's half naked! And so is Holly! Rei is shocked and exasperated.
"Holly! How did you- What are you- What?"
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Post by Raven on Jun 1, 2018 9:17:55 GMT
Holly can't help but laugh at Rei's reaction. She's definitely distracted now! After a short laughing fit, she crawls up next to Rei and begins kissing her passionately, running one hand up and down her thigh.
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Post by lichlord on Jun 1, 2018 9:23:53 GMT
When Holly starts laughing at her, Rei rolls off the bed and stands defensively against the wall.
"Holly! Why are you laughing at me right now? What are you even doing? How did you get me like this? How did I not even notice? And I thought you weren't comfortable with things like this unless we were in a more natural place?"
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Post by Raven on Jun 1, 2018 9:25:57 GMT
Holly smirks at Rei. "You needed a distraction, so I'm giving you one!" She pins Rei to the wall and proceeds to do what she planned to do earlier. For such a relatively small girl, Holly is surprisingly strong when she wants to be!
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