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5:12pm Apr 21 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 11,785
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Gabriel jolted slightly when he heard someone coming close, looking up with wide eyes and only relaxing when he realized it was Arashi. He listened to him babble, the fact that he was acting out of character helping him to relax a little bit more and lift his hand to wipe away his own tears. "N-no it...wasn't mortal I don't think," he said softly. "That..gas and I didn't...agree," he added, moving to slowly stand up. He exhaled heavily and lifted his arm to try to rub away the remaining tears from his cheeks, taking a few moments to try to recover, despite the faint sounds still ringing in his mind.
"I thought I saw my parents in a fire," he whispered softly, looking up at Arashi. "And even though I'm...I'm sure they're safe I can't help but worry about them now." He shook his head to try to clear it, taking another deep breath of the clean air. "I'm honestly very sorry you two ended up trapped in here with me of all people." He winced, remembering the sound of the mocking, scornful laughter in his ears. He took an automatic step back, trying to fight down his rising emotions again.
He was weak, he knew he was. Physically he was utterly useless and he wasn't going to get very far very fast. His only saving grace had been his intellect, and so far that wasn't doing a whole lot in this horrible place. He was ultimately going to slow them down, he knew it, and yet he was too...selfish to let them go off without them, where they'd be better off.
"Um...speaking of the...the keys though, didn't our letter say something about them?" he asked quietly, looking up at Arashi.
((-pets pitiful little Gabriel-))
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5:24pm Apr 21 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 646
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Arashi had been a little worried that his babbling would unnerve Gabe, but it seemed to be having the opposite effect, so that was okay. "Not mortal? Then I guess it was either unreal or something really weird, but unreal is most likely. Umm, I hope that you're feeling better now, I mean, none of the stuff that I saw was in any way logical, so it's probably just a hallucinogenic with funky side-effects. You're looking a little better now, but you're still kinda sad-looking. I can't believe I'm asking this, but do you need a hug? I know that I would if I'd seen what you did. I wouldn't admit it, but I'd need one. I think you probably do need a hug, so I'm going to give you one before this can wear off and leave me all awkward again. You people seem to be pretty good for helping me learn more social skills, but whatever we breathed in is even better at lowering inhibitions. That doesn't mean that I don't mean the hug, though, because I really do. You two make me feel welcome, not the outsider, and I like that. It's almost as though you're Pokemon~ I usually don't bond well with other human kids, must be something to do with growing up among mostly Pokemon and paranoid parents. Team Rocket was targeting our ranch, see, so there weren't too many safe socialisation opportunities to me, so making friends with you two really matters to me. I'm going to really regret telling you this later, but in my defence, I'm naturally cagey, and I think I'm high."
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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5:34pm Apr 21 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 11,785
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((I love high Arashi oh my god))
Gabriel blinked at the offered hug and how Arashi only said that he and Jake made him feel welcome. He knew that feeling relatively well, and after a good deal of hesitation finally lowered his arms a bit. "A, um...hug does...sound pretty nice," he said softly, offering a sheepish little smile that still didn't quite reach his eyes. "A-and yeah, um. I know the feeling about...kind of feeling like you fit in." He rubbed his thumb on Cynder's pokeball. "I've always been kind of...alienated I guess? I'm the...the weakling, and when I was younger my asthma was really bad, so...nobody really wanted to play with me much? I-I don't know, but..." He cleared his throat a bit.
"Thank you for...for being so nice and understanding I guess? And, um, yeah...all three of us probably are, but...apparently it's not a good thing for me to be?" He shifted a bit, awkward and unsure. "I still can hear fire and...and laughter. It might just be me dwelling on what I think I saw, but I want it to stop."
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5:46pm Apr 21 2014
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Posts: 783
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Jake nodded, grinning as his friend described the effects of the gas. "For me it was a clown, and then Spark seemed to disappear. I have to admit, I was scared as s**t when I reached for him and he just vanished like that." he confided, almost sobbing with relief. He described everything to Arashi; the stumbling fall, then waking in the room and walking down the path and turning back to see that it had never existed. Then he sobered up, checking on his buddies and making sure they were ok. He helped Gabriel up, and patted his back awkwardly, smiling sheepishly and not knowing what to do. Beginning to relax again, he pet Spark gently for a moment before walking cautiously over to the key. He turned back to Arashi. "Who were your friends when you were six?" he asked quietly, all giddiness and side effects from the gas gone. He touched his head, fingers trailing over his wound and down his cheek, finally settling on a small scar below his right eye. Then the memories came flashing back, almost quicker then he could discern them. A house on a hill. The smell of smoke. Then Fire. Fire everywhere, blocking out the trees, storming down his lungs and mind until everything was gone. Gone except for the burning sensation of his lungs on fire, agony sweeping up his chest and wracking his body with loud sobs. Then he was running. Harder and faster then he had ever run before, he ran through the forest, branches tearing at his face and body until he could run no further and collapsed into the salty brine of the sea. Arms around him. Then only black. He opened his eyes, quivering with fear. These memories. They seem familiar. He straightened up, realizing that he had been hunched over with the pain of the fire. The fire. What had happened?
 Meh bootiful OC Badger <3 |
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2:43am Apr 22 2014 (last edited on 11:26am Apr 22 2014)
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Normal User
Posts: 646
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Arashi murmured as many reassurances as he could think of, giving Gabriel a cuddle the like of which he more usually made use of in the soothing of distressed Pokemon. While not something he'd have felt comfortable with normally, this felt right, holding the warm frame of his friend safe within his arms. It felt oddly reassuring, for some reason.
"It's okay, Gabe, there's no fire or laughing here. I know that laughter can hurt, I remember raids when the Rockets would laugh as they left. I mostly try to shut out that kind of thing. None of us is gonna laugh at you, though, you're one of us now, and we don't laugh at our own, right? I don't think you're a weakling, even though you're a bit delicate. You've learnt to be careful, and look at how to do things without too much physical force, right? That'll probably be really useful at some stage, and you've got brains, like me. I don't mean to sound like a zombie, but those are important. I think the gas in my system is wearing off a bit - my headache is receding and my mind is less foggy. I don't think I'll be high much longer. I may, however, fall asleep."
Indeed, Arashi was feeling as though a nice little nap would be just the ticket to combat his weariness, never mind that he was hugging Gabriel. "My old friends? Well, there was Mr Fugi from the volunteer place, and Mandy the Abra with him. There was Artie, he liked Bugs a lot. There was Dougie and Ivan, and Tully as well. I think that was all of them... The humans and Mandy, anyway. Are you okay? Why're you touching your face? Did you get hurt? I could hug you, too."
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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10:17am Apr 22 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 11,785
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Gabriel let himself relax into the hug and even returned it, gently squeezing the other male. "Then...then we'll all come out of this stronger," he said quietly, staying where he was for a good few moments before gently pulling away, after murmuring another thanks, to look at the key, staring at it. They wouldn't know if anything was wrong if they didn't go ahead and try to take it, and as sound a strategy as it could be, he wasn't risking Cynder's safety just because she could fly. He bit his lip again, glancing at Jake before he took a step over to place a gentle hand on the other's shoulder, trying to extend the same comfort Arashi had given him to Jake. He was quickly realizing that they all needed to be calm and rational, so he had to shrug off what he felt and help the other two do the same.
Then he turned to look at the key again, taking a small step forward. "We won't know if there's any traps unless one of us goes to get the key," he said softly, trying to look around and locate anything out of the ordinary. It was difficult, with things still a bit mentally foggy, but he needed to try, needed to feel that Arashi's confidence in him wasn't for nothing. He needed to be able to help, to keep these two safe if at all possible. And if him going to get the key himself was the only way to do it, then he'd do it for their sakes.
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4:32pm Apr 22 2014
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Posts: 783
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Jake stiffened at first to Gabriel's touch and almost spun around to lash out at him, but as he saw his face he softened, relaxing into Gabriel's arm. He smiled, embarrassed, before reaching out to take the key. Pausing, his arm hovered a few inches above the small metal ob
ject, and he looked back at the others uncertainly. He gritted his teeth and plunged his hand downwards in a short, swift movement, sweeping the key up into his palm. Shrinking back and closing his eyes expectantly, he ducked away from the pedestal, expecting something to happen. When nothing happened after a few moments, he opened up his eyes and opened his clenched fist, holding the small iron key out to the others in the palm of his hand. The ironwork was simple, but it held a sort of mystery to it. There were small swirled vines intricately entwined on the metal, and a small emerald or other green gem studded the handle. It was only about 3 or 4 inches long, and he held it cradled in his hand before passing it over to Arashi. "Well, here's that key you wanted," he said, unable to contain a grin of excitement and good humor.
Meh bootiful OC Badger <3 |
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9:16pm Apr 23 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 616
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There was a rumble, then a roar, and bursting through one of the walls and letting the sunshine in once again was a fearsome pokemon unlike anything you have ever seen. Tall and thin, with two wooden arms jutting out towards you, it skittered forward on root-like legs- six of them. Its single red eye stared into your very souls as it stopped in front of the group. "Treve!" it roared, hurdling itself at Jake and the key. The only one of you who has any inkling of what this pokemon may be is Gabriel. One of the most terrifying spawns of Kalos, the trevenant picked Jake up and began to shake him violently by his legs. You notice that the pedestal on which the key had rested had spawned another of the exact same.
((Note from the GM; each of you will need a copy of the six keys. Also, taking a key might take some of the heat off of Jake. Your posts can ensue and relay deions of a fight, but this fight will be too difficult for you three to handle, and you must make that clear. Then, I will introduce to you a new character that will reveal some interesting facts! Enjoy!))
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9:55pm Apr 23 2014
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Posts: 11,785
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Gabriel froze with wide eyes as he stared at the Trevenant approaching Jake, quickly realizing he had literally nothing to use against it and that if he tried they'd all come out of this a lot worse off than they would otherwise. Despite the panic setting in, which was very much clearly etched on his face, Gabriel sprung forward and reached out to grab the copy of the key, hoping it would let Jake go before it hurt him too badly.
"H-hey! Trevenant! Come over here, I have a key too!" he called, stuffing Cynder's pokeball where it would be safe as he quickly moved away from the pedestal, hoping this would leave Arashi enough room to grab his copy as well.
They needed to get through this.
"Arashi, hurry and grab your key! We're not going to win against a Trevenant right now, so our best bet is to divide its attention! It focused on Jake because of the key, so this should get its attention as well. Hurry!" he shouted, looking up at the tree-ghost as he tried his best to gather up his nerves, despite the fact that he was terrified and his stomach felt like it had sunk to his knees.
But he couldn't let himself be scared and run away. He needed to help. He needed to try to save Jake so they could all make it out of this.
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1:30am Apr 24 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 646
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Arashi, bewildered and upset, didn't know where to look first. On the one hand, he would normally have considered trying to reason with the creature that had emerged to confront them, but there were undertones to its posture and ex
pression that indicated it to be distinctly not in the mood for chit-chat. He livened up again when Gabriel yelled at him, and swiped his copy of the pretty-looking key for himself, stuffing it in his sock immediately - so as to avoid dropping it. "Look at me, you great rotting hulk of deadwood! You put down my friend right now, you hear me? I don't have many of those, and I'm not sharing with you and your exceedingly poor manners!" Not the most inspiring of battle cries, but the last vestiges of the gas were only just leaving his system. He knew that, logically, he had little to no chance of effectively combating this Pokemon, but he knew that he didn't want it to hurt those who had become important to him. Therefore, in the name of friend preservation, he dug out a tiny stone that had lodged in his shoe and flung it at the creature's eye-hollow. He didn't call out his Pokemon, for fear they'd be steamrollered, but he called across to Gabriel. "Fire! It's made of wood!" He hollered, before running out of the way of an attack aimed at him. It glanced off his left butt-cheek, leaving that part of him rather sore, but didn't cause him serious damage. His intention was to irritate the Trevenant, at least until it put Jake down in favour of chasing him. Ultimately, his goal was to get them all out through the hole. Maybe he could lure Treebeard the Rotten away from it? Worth a shot.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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1:48am Apr 24 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 11,785
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Gabriel let out a soft whining sound. "Cynder doesn't know any fire moves yet!" he called back over to Arashi before focusing back onto the Trevenant not quite in time to dodge another attack that sent him onto his back and essentially knocking the air out of him.
And probably bruising him.
Gabriel rolled onto his side to cough heavily for several moments as he fought to regain control over his breathing. He couldn't crumple right now. He could let them down, couldn't let himself be dead weight when they both believed in and trusted him. He had to be useful for at least a little while.
"Arashi, do you have a plan?"he asked once he was able to speak properly again, rolling out of the way of an attack before pushing himself back up to his feet. His breathing was still uneven and heavier than normal, an arm wrapped around his midsection because ow that one attack had hurt a lot more than he had thought at first. |
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2:38am Apr 24 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 646
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Arashi's nostrils flared when he beheld Gabriel's plight, and acknowledged his mistake. He'd been irritated with the lumber-beast before, but now he was rather angry with it. It had hurt both of his friends, and showed no sign of stopping. "Sorry! Eyeballs!" He called, not certain how to get to Gabriel without causing the Trevenant to simply focus on the pair of them and smush. "Anything broken? Need Zelimer?" He hollered, referring to the healer Pokemon, before deciding to launch himself at the tree-Pokemon's back and trying to hang on. Not much he could do from there, but he'd be harder to ignore, and could work on trying to impair its vision some - by attacking its eyes. "If you can, get out! It made a hole! Beyond that, no plan!" The Trevenant was flailing, and trying to dislodge the annoyance on its back, and Arashi knew he could not do this for very long. "Hurry!"
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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8:48am Apr 24 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 783
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Jake swung upside down from his feet, legs held in a crunching grasp by the pokemon attacking. He tried to swing himself upright, but wasn't much of an acrobat and ended up spinning in dizzying circles. His head swam with stars, and he vaguely remembered Arashi of Gabriel yelling something about fire. Fire. Suddenly he perked up. "Spark knows fire punch!" he cried over the din of the trevenant's roars. The little electric pokemon ignited his fist, but was too bust dodging thee writhing roots that he couldn't find a place to hit. Jake's body stopped writhing became weaker and weaker as he became closer to passing out. Suddenly, as the trevenant swung him over the pedestal, he grabbed another copy of the key. It seemed to restore part of his energy and health, and he gasped in relief. Finally, he dropped face first onto the floor, dizzy and exhausted. He stood up, shaking on his wobbly legs and ran to help Gabriel and Arashi, grabbing another key on the way. He tripped over a root and stumbled, catching himself on the rough stone floor and poushing himself back up again. Running over to where Gabriel was fighting, he saw the bruise and knew that Gabriel couldn't keep fighting like this forever.
Meh bootiful OC Badger <3 |
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12:32pm Apr 24 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 616
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There was a voice from behind the trevenant, loud and commanding. "Houndour, flame burst!" it said, and a large, black dog pokemon sprang from the side of the trevenant, standing in front of the three of you. It reared back, then spat a ball of fire at the tree pokemon, sending it backwards towards the wall. Through the smoke, the voice was heard again. "Bite!" it commanded, and the houndour leapt forward again, latching onto the root legs of the tree.From the gaping hole in the wall flew a noctowl with a rider, wearing a white cape and black clothing. She had blonde hair in a ponytail, and fierce grey eyes. She wore black boots and black... armor? Suddenly, from her side, she pulled a long, thin sword. A sword which ignited on fire. Without paying you three any heed, she dove into the fray with her houndour, holding off the trevenant until it collapsed. Turning to you three after, she spoke. "You have no idea what is going on, do you?" After listening to your reactions, and nodding thoroughly, she held up her hand, silencing you all. "Before we get into that, let us choose your rewards. Sitting beside the pedestal were three chests that had just... appeared! Each was filled with basic leather armor that would fit each of you in turn, and three weapons. Gabriel's chest had within it a large light-metal shield. Arashi's chest contained some sort of wand. And Jake's chest- a two handed sword. "You each have keys, correct?" she asked, watching you go through your rewards.
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1:10pm Apr 24 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 11,785
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((I just had a Kingdom Hearts flashback because of the shield, wand, and sword aha))
Gabriel, arm still wrapped around his midsection, stared at the individual who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. He was at a loss for words concerning her appearance, but he did manage to get out a form of thanks for her rescue.
At the mention of rewards his brows furrowed and he looked to where she pointed. He made his way over to a chest to carefully open it, staring at what lay inside. Leather armor of sorts and a...shield? He carefully pulled out the shield to stare at it, seeing himself reflected in the surprisingly lightweight metal.
He couldn't help but tilt his head in confusion, setting the shield aside in favor of pulling out the armor and gathering g it in his arms, deciding to wait until his midsection was checked and he was sure it was merely a bruise before adding more layers of clothing.
"Excuse me miss, but, um. We don't know what's going on, no. We were only told about six keys, and we all have at least once copy," he responded gently as he moved to finally release Cynder, letting her settle on his shoulder, nestled up to his neck.
And then he recalled Arashi's question and offered him a sheepisj smile. "I, ah. I should be alright if it's just a bruise," he responded softly. "It'll just hurt for a little while..."
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1:16pm Apr 24 2014 (last edited on 4:28pm Apr 24 2014)
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Normal User
Posts: 646
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Arashi leapt off the raspy-hided Trevenant as soon as he heard a stranger's voice, and rolled along the ground to get as far away as possible. He hadn't seen any of what had happened with Jake, but he'd heard some rather worrying sounds, and was fretting. It was a shock to see another non-Pokemon face, particularly coming to their aid, but Arashi wasn't about to spurn this. They needed the help too much. Impressive entrance. He quipped mentally, beholding the newcomer and trying to figure out that armour - was it old, new, metal or hide? When her sword burst into flame, his amethyst eyes widened comically, and his mouth formed a startled little 'o'. This was like something out of mythology and religion - and comic books. Angel? Angelic theme? What is the significance of this?
Arashi didn't know whether their attacker was dead or knocked out, but he wasn't going to worry too much about that when in the presence of someone who could provide answers. "My thanks, well-equipped stranger, for coming to our aid." He began, but the newcomer had already moved on to providing them each with a chest, as though this was some kind of video game. Had those been teleported there? The leather armour, Arashi appreciated immediately, and began trying on, but he was less certain about the wand. Picking it up, he ran his fingers along it and gazed at it intently ((what does it look like?)), trying to discern its function. "Indeed, though we knew not what they match with." He responded, when asked about the keys. "By the way, what does this wand do? I'm afraid I'm not quite sure." He was reassured by Gabriel's answer, though, and allowed himself to relax just a little, running one hand over his new armour to learn the feel of it.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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3:52pm Apr 24 2014
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Posts: 616
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((Arashi's wand is dark brown, and wooden, with a single purple gem in the handle. It's very basic. Allora is going to tell you "Whatever your soul feels it should do." All it does (for now) is create a shield of energy around whatever you choose, and can shoot a bolt of purple energy at enemies. It is a psychic type attack, like a psyshock.
Gabriel's shield is medium sized, light metal. It resists special attacks from pokemon, and can reflect back only ice and fire attacks (for now.) It is very shiny.
Jake's sword is two handed, and an excellent conductor of electricity. In fact, he finds that he can shoot weak bolts of lightning from it. More abilities are added to the sword later, including the ability to conduct fire and ice, and other special attacks.
Allora's sword is one handed, and can ignite into flames. It can also freeze enemies, and control water almost like a wand. It is thin and light, shorter than Jake's sword.))
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4:17pm Apr 24 2014
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Posts: 783
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Jake inserted the key, twisting until the latch popped and the top of the chest swung open, exposing leather armor and a large sword. he pulled the armor on without hesitation, surprised to find it was a perfect fit, and picked up the sword lying in the bottom. Holding the hilt in both hands, he made a short practice swing and the blade wobbled. He would have to get used to the weight, though it seemed perfectly adjusted to his body. He them turned to the stranger. Obviously a girl, her blonde hair and grey eyes were bright in contrast to her black armor, and she held her blade to the side. Her houndoor stood beside her, watching the three teens closely.
Meh bootiful OC Badger <3 |
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5:52pm Apr 24 2014
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Normal User
Posts: 616
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The woman watched you three observing each of your equipment. "You three must be the newest Contestants," she said, musing over your appearances. "I've been here for about a month, and I have three keys. I can help you get out of here, if you trust me."I can give you information to sway your opinion of me... information that everyone should know, information that I would want you three to have, even if you won't join me. This thing... this hell, is run by Team Rocket." She held up a hand, stalling your questions. "I defeated a boss pokemon that wasn't guarding a key, it was guarding a chest... and a letter. It was a letter of congratulations, telling the winner that they received a leg up in the 'competition.' That they have a better chance of..." She swallowed. "Of joining Team Rocket." The woman (introducing herself as Allora Silverfield) went on to explain what the letter said. You had been kidnapped and placed into kind of a testing ground, where only the strongest come out, and only the strongest can join Team Rocket. You have to collect the six keys to get out. "And we have no idea what the outside world is like anymore," she finished. "But I know that I won't join those pigs. I'm going to take them down from the inside." She clenched her fist. "I've told many people about the letter, with some of them having my same reaction, and some of them becoming excited about joining Team Rocket. Outside of the Green Zone," she said, referring to the forested area you were in. "There are many trainers who would to whatever it takes to get ahead in this 'competition.'" She looked you guys over again. "It seems that the armor and weapons in each chest vary by person. They are strangely specialized to personalities... My first chest in Green Zone had my armor." She gestured to her body. "And my sword. My second chest in White Zone," she referred to the icy landscape. "I got this cloak." She didn't reveal its powers. "And in the Brown Zone," she said, referring to the mountainous area. "I got my gloves." The powers of which she also didn't reveal. She didn't mention what was in the chest that the special boss pokemon was guarding.
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2:51am Apr 25 2014
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Posts: 646
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Arashi listened intently to what Allora had to say, hopeful that she would share some useful information. It was a relief to know that there was someone here who would give them some assistance, some advice. He wasn't entirely certain about her as a person yet, but he would listen to any new input at this point. What she said next, though, froze him in place. "Team Rocket?" He whispered, his tone icy and deceptively light, adding a near-imperceptible barb to the querying lift in his voice. His eyes had narrowed and hardened - frosted gemstone chips from soft flower petals. His posture was tense once more, and the subtle lines of loathing longstanding hinting in the set of his ex
pression. "I have feud with them. I have done since I was six. This makes no sense. I have no intention whatsoever of becoming Rocketspawn, and orders are anathema to me. They and their raids on my family's ranch are the reason I grew up paranoid and relatively isolated - why would they think I would join them?"
Though he was angry, he registered Allora's words about not wishing to be a true Rocket, and understood that quite clearly. This was not an enemy, the body language was all wrong for that. So this place was a training ground, with a video-game like reward system, and other players who might not be interested in letting them live if they got in the way. How were Team Rocket even able to do this? How long had this been in the works? Did they have - Legends - at their beck and call? A horrible notion, to be sure, but how else could they have terraformed such a large expanse to be a perfect testing ground? Uneasy, he voiced this notion, not certain what answer he wished. He noticed that she hadn't described the contents of the chest guarded by the boss Pokemon, but decided that it could wait. If she hadn't told them yet, it might be sensitive information, and he didn't want to drive her away by prodding too much. He wasn't sure yet what his wand was supposed to say about his personality, and how Team Rocket would know it well enough to customise things for him, but he would try it out sometime later, he decided. "Why would Team Rocket bother to customise things for unwitting trainees? That doesn't seem consistent with how they treat their grunts. Do you have any idea what they're grooming us for?"
((What colour is Arashi's armour? Is it dyed?))
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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