Departure.

[azumods]

INCIDENT. The weekend starts off...loudly. The commotion is coming from the direction of the Galactic Warehouse on the northern side of town, fairly late into the morning; given how quiet and peaceful (for better or worse) the city tends to be, it's unbelievably noticeable when something is going awry. Even more so when it sounds like something may have quite simply exploded. You might want to see what's going on there, in other words. Arriving to the scene to check it out will reveal a standoff occurring between the buildings and warehouses of the compound; on one side of the lot stands Cynthia, proud and tall, long blonde hair flowing down her back and a large, rather intimidating Pokémon at her side; it's worth noting that the Pokémon, too, doesn't seem to be suffering from the same sense of apathy as everyone and everything else that you've seen - its gaze is alert, and the sound it offers is loud and harsh, a bellowing roar from an aggressive, hunched-forward stance, aimed at anyone who might consider coming near its trainer. And there are a fair amount of people to consider potential threats, standing near the building. Most of them seem to be dressed the same way you were when you first arrived; there's a decent number of them, maybe ten or so, all just as blank-eyed as ever. However, there's someone else with them, a young man who can't be much older than his early twenties standing in front of them with his arm out to the side as though instructing them to stay back, one of those red-and-white capsules (Pokéball, those of you who have done your research should know what it's called by now, he's got a Pokéball with him) clutched firmly in his other hand. There are two things that are likely immediately obvious about this man - one being that he looks completely different from the other members of Team Galactic that you've seen, which probably means something important. The other is that judging from his actions and the intense look in his eyes, he's just as alert and emotionally intact as Cynthia is. She doesn't seem fazed by him, however; if anything, her voice sounds bright when she addresses him, reaching out to pat her Garchomp's neck affectionately as she does so. "Commander Saturn!" She sounds downright cheerful, really. "Have we reached an agreement or not?" The more astute among you will likely notice that the area around them is looking...rough, covered in scorch marks and still-unsettled dust. The man - Saturn, apparently - just glares at her for a long moment before he responds, though his gaze isn't steady; he pauses for a moment to make direct eye contact with the lot of you, obviously acknowledging your presence, before he glances back at the grunts as though to make sure they're staying back and away from the conflict. Eventually he'll speak, though, and his voice is surprisingly low in pitch and smooth in timbre; outwardly it seems calm enough, but it's difficult to ignore the way it's brimming with something somewhere between anger and contempt, especially given how blank the others are by contrast. "Just the one warehouse, isn't it?" "That's right," Cynthia replies, offering him a smile that's edged with something sharp. "Just the one." Saturn pauses. Glances back again. It's clear that the grunts behind him are his charges, in one way or another; he keeps checking on them. After a moment, though, he'll throw a key card across the way, sending it clattering to her feet; she bends down gracefully and picks it up, toying with it between her fingers. "Thanks, sweetheart," she says evenly; Saturn just clicks his tongue agitatedly and turns to leave, issuing orders to his grunts as he goes. Oddly enough, despite the tension, he seems to have no qualms about giving her his back, and she doesn't move to attack him. "Fall back, and defend the main building if necessary. If there's trouble, report directly to me. Immediately." Cynthia watches them go, still toying with the key card between her fingers; it's then that she notices the rest of you. "Oh, this is wonderful, I was just about to come get you." When she smiles at you, the expression is far more genuine, far less hard. "I've got something for you." The warehouse the key card opens up is comparatively sparsely-used; there are boxes and the like scattered everywhere, but perhaps more important is what's inside them - namely, an outfit you'll notice as belonging specifically to you, as well as a personal item you'll recognize. "You shouldn't stay here," Cynthia says. "I'll stay in town long enough to ensure that he doesn't decide to give you any trouble, but it's in your best interests to leave. Take the southern exit out onto the route, and make your way toward Lake Valor; if you run into him or anyone like him, don't engage. He folded easily enough today, but chances are he won't go lightly on you. As much as I hate to say it, as you are now, he will defeat you. "So stay out of his way, and try to stay out of trouble, all right? Take care of yourselves, and stay safe." [OOC: Welcome to the end of Week 1! In the boxes you've been granted access to, you'll find one canon outfit belonging to your character, as well as one of your submitted material regains, whichever you decide that one regain to be! The one stipulation is that it's probably something small this time. If your character is the sort to ignore the commotion going on, Cynthia will find them and tell them to get their stuff, and give the same general advice before leaving them be - get your stuff and get out of town, it isn't safe to stay here. No NPC response will be given to this post, though you can thread here amongst yourselves if you wish; we'll see you tomorrow at noon with a new log for your further adventures!]

Comments

[enjoymyatelier]

Ah, well, it's time for camping, then, I suppose.

[..........he's really not happy about this, as impressive as all that was. He's not sure, but he might want one of those dragon things.

...maybe. It's not quite his style, but... anyway, he is happy once he heads into that warehouse and begins rummaging through those boxes to find....... his coat and his gloves hell yes he's so happy. he likes the outfit he actually bought but it's his coat man! He's going to put those into his backpack, since they're not really made for roughing it, but once he gets to civilization? Oh baby.

...

And then he gets to the bottom of the box, notices some pieces of stationery... and his face kind of reddens a bit before he kind of just shoves them into his pocket and begins muttering to himself.]

...how did those even get here?

[heritrix]

Research?

[niceoppai]

The same way we did, I bet. It's really freaking me out.

[omissions]

[Ari is happy to find the outfit he remembers wearing last before he had woken up in this strange place, but the item that he finds with it causes him to go very quiet. Even quieter than normal, as some of you might think given his usual nature here.

It's an old music box. A small one, one that his Mother had given him... one that he had then given to someone else that had been important to him.

When he opens it, this suddenly begins to play, echoing throughout the warehouse. Ari says nothing, simply stands there holding the music box as he listens to it, appearing... almost a little sad, perhaps, to be suddenly reacquainted with this particular item.]

[heritrix]

[Rin's kneeling by her box, folding the outfit she found in it back up again when she hears music playing to her right. She hasn't registered Ari's expression quite yet, between the way her eyes are drawn to the box in his hands, and her own task.]

Hm? [She smiles.] That's a pretty song.

[evilidol]

...oh.

[Linda hears the familiar sound from across the warehouse and a small, concerned look sneaks it's way onto her face. If you need a hug friend, Linda is here for you.]

That sound... there's no mistaking it...

[ventulus]

A musicbox? Is that something of yours too?

[ Ventus is also here, but he's holding what appears to be some kind of necklace with this thing on it. ]

[hyruglyphics]

[ Oh wow, that was so... so cool... Cynthia is the best? She thanks her for her assistance before she sets out into the warehouse, promising that they will return victorious from Lake Valor. But then as she starts to go through the boxes, the finds... this outfit. It's in many pieces, of course! And she won't be changing into it here because she is a lady and will need to be in private for it (but if you want to see her in it later in the day go for it).

But more relevantly she finds- ]

--! Oh, it's here?!

[ There's a mix of genuine elation and alarm in her voice as she reaches into a box and delicately pulls out well it's like a tablet or something. She turns on the screen and literally squeals with excitement ] It's still functional!

[ Fiddling through some menus she comments, ] Oh, it seems most of the runes are non-functional, only the camera seems to work... [ ... !!! Actually, she's going to approach your character(s) and: ] Will you please let me try something with you?! Please?

[discutio]

Hm?

[Ignis tilted his head slightly, half to listen to her and half out of simple curiosity.]

Of course, Zelda. What can I do for you?

[eudaimonikos]

Of course. [That...that actually looks cool, Michael smiles.] What is it?

[perfectselfie]

Is that a tablet? Of course I'll try something with you.

1/2

[heritrix]

Camera?

[Her brow is puckered, and voice riddled with confusion as Zelda approaches. Girl u high, that looks nothing like a camera. Where has she heard of something like that before, though? Overly sleek design, big dark screen—]

[anythingforyou]

[Well, this looks promising...Camilla's never seen something like that before, but it's Zelda we're talking about, it can't be that bad!]

Of course! What can I do for you, sweetie?

[discutio]

[Ignis offered Cynthia his genuine gratitude upon realizing what it was he'd been given back; he said he'd owe her one if she managed to recover his uniform, and he meant it.]

[When he was next seen after having a chance to get changed, he was wearing a black uniform with mirrored glasses, carefully fastening a pendant around his neck; if one looked closely enough, they might be able to tell it was a small skull on a black chain. Beside him was the same Absol as ever, with a Chingling riding on her head.]

There's that sorted out. [He seemed to be talking to the Absol, or generally thinking out loud.] Not to mention that incident surely could have been worse than it was. We'll have to see how long this fortune holds out.

[Hemera just yawned, uninterested but...probably listening?]

[niceoppai]

No kidding! She and this Saturn guy... old enemies, huh?

[fatalstrikes]

[Well, that was certainly something. He kind of wants a giant dragon-shark like that? Damn.

Anyway, Yuri manages to find this outfit and he looks pretty relieved to see it. He's putting the bracelet that comes with it on immediately, but the rest can wait until he's found someplace to change. There's also something else though, a ring. It's small and doesn't really look all that interesting, but Yuri's grinning anyway.]

Rita'd probably kill me if I lost this.

[He puts it on, turns toward the wall and points said ring at the wall, and...]

...Is it broken?

[It certainly looks that way.]

[heritrix]

Was it supposed to do something?

[As a magical jewelry enthusiast, color her intrigued.]

[heritrix]

[...Have you ever seen something so beautiful you kinda have to like stop and stare and take in its full glory

Because hoo boy Rin has, that's the Big Mood at the moment. She thought Cynthia was cool before; the woman radiates strength and carries herself like grace and poise personified, traits Rin can't help but admire. And that was before Cynthia pulled a hulking, fuck-off dragon out of the ether and pat it as affectionately as one would a puppy. Yeah, she sees you over there Saturn, and she's going to memorize your face, but goddamn.

Once it looks like the coast is clear and Cynthia's moved on her way, Rin will head into the warehouse with the others and root around until she finds a box with her name. Eyyy, main outfit get! She'll put that in her backpack for now since it sounds like they need to get a move on. As she re-folds her red shirt and debates how to reorganize the pack to fit her shoes, though, Rin notices there's something else in there.]

Oh! [Playfully, she drops a pair of red-rimmed spectacles over her nose.] I didn't think I'd see these again so soon.

[anythingforyou]

Reading glasses, I take it? Those will likely be useful on the trip, but do take care not to break them.

[Ah, yes, piping up from Mom(TM) over here.]

[eudaimonikos]

Dammit...

[As Commander Saturn leaves and Cynthia turns to them, Michael tucks the Purrloin he was holding under his arm and tries to look innocent.

Someday.

Regardless of that, one of his suits is in here! It's not made for hiking any more than what he's currently wearing, but he seems pleased as he packs it away. There's also a small jewelry box of some sort here, the kind that looks like it might hold a ring or something. Michael pops it open, looking a little bemused.]

Well. I guess that's worth holding onto.

[Later on, you can find him putting a pin on a ribbon around Purrloin's neck. It's round with a thumbs-down embossed on it. Fun kind of cat tag.]

[heritrix]

[I mean, she probably wouldn't have thought anything of the way he was holding his cat if not for that muttered curse, and the weird look on his face.

Just this expression from her as they move into the warehouse?? Because she doesn't know what he was up to, but he's a funny guy.]

[perfectselfie]

[Aya has found her practice clothes, and she could not be happier. She's also found something else - a very pink microphone.*

She's going to run off to get changed before they leave, though she will throw a surprisingly practical jacket over her shirt, and she has a backpack.]

I guess we should head out...

[*ooc: it does not have the stand in-game.]

[niceoppai]

No kidding! How'd she know our things were in here and they didn't just turf them?

[anythingforyou]

[...She may disagree with Cynthia about multiple things, but that? That was exceptional work. At the very least, she can approve of the way she handled herself against those individuals.

Camilla's very quick to find the box with her name on it, plucking out a very welcome outfit from the pile with a sense of satisfaction. Sure, it likely wasn't going to be the most useful outfit on a trip, but at the very least, she knows her armor is right where it belongs. She doubts it'd be useful to anyone else but her, really, considering how very customized it is while she looks it over.]

Hmm...perhaps if I find a creature to ride, this will be a bit more useful. There must be some sort, if creatures like hers and that cub can grow to such sizes!

[She looks to Arion, ever by her feet, when she says that. She doubts he'll grow into something she could fly around on, but who knows? Life is full of surprises.]

[hesychast]

Ah—is that your usual battle outfit? [ Shirou is curious for more than the readily apparent reason, promise. He's carrying a box himself and has a red stole and cassock over his jet black outfit. He doesn't look like quite like a priest yet, but getting closer. ]

[semistableman]

[Bucky isn't surprised at all by the turn of events. It was only a matter of time before the city became unsafe for them. It's why his backpack is always, always completely packed in the middle of the day. It's one of those little things that come with being paranoid thanks to Bucky being entirely out of his element, and he's grateful for it.

He's not sure what's going on, but he's not about to do something that isn't listening to Cynthia.]

I'm surprised we were able to stay here for so long.

[And with that out of the way, he'll head to the warehouse, digging through the boxes until he finds... another change of clothes. The jacket will probably be a little too thin if they end up anywhere with a lot of snow, but he very quickly switches out the cap he bought for the black one in the box, before putting the rest of the clothes in his bag.

He pauses for a moment, at the... fresh plums?... at the bottom of the box, before pocketing them, too. Sure, why not.]

Be prepared for anything, we don't know whether or not he'll come after us.

[perfectselfie]

I'm just glad we had the time to prepare before leaving.

[Aya nods. Her plan is to stay close to the people with fighting skills and not go wandering off on her own.]

Right.

[She sounds a little nervous, but they were going to have a confrontation one way or the other.]

[evilidol]

What's this, what's this--?

[In the warehouse, Linda finds something she's missed very dearly-- her microphone. It will make practicing her songs easier although... unfortunate for anyone who was hoping to avoid her singing.]

[omissions]

Oh... it looks like you found your microphone?

[Ari is... unsure how to feel about this.]

[bloodspent]

[You know, he'll watch that entire standoff with Cynthia and Saturn and he can't help but be very, very unsettled by it; yes, Cynthia is pretty cool, but the whole thing is just kind of...

It's something to think about, anyway, preferably when they're on the routes.

That said, though, what he finds in the warehouse is really welcome? Outside of the item he's got, which just looks like a weird translucent blue cube that he'll turn over in his hands a little before ignoring it in favor of...dude, he hasn't seen this outfit in a while? He's kinda missed it actually.

...Enough to just kind of decide that he's putting it on here? Like, he's just going to strip and change in front of God, women, and everyone, because what the fuck is privacy. Other than a privilege that he's pretty used to living without.

At least he's toned to hell and back? At least there is that.]

[greydients]

J-

[Oh, you're....taking off your clothes, what-

...you know, Rey has no idea what it is with men wandering around shirtless in front of her these days, but Jake very much looks like he does not have a cowl to put on and looks about as interested in the idea as Kylo Ren was so she's just. going to immediately turn away when she realizes what he's doing, there.]

...I see you're pleased to get your clothes back.

[divinedescendant]

[Given Emnmeryn's everything, it probably shouldn't be too surprising that one of those boxes contains honestly a kind of unholy amount of fabric meant to culminate in this outfit. The lady would have this many goddamn capes and shit at a time. She shuffles through, marveling a little that any of it's even there. But she has a few sets of these, she thinks, so of course they wouldn't be the same as—but the crown...

With movements as careful and easy as ever, she sets her folded cape over the crown where it lies in the box. It doesn't really even look like a headpiece, at a glance, but Emmeryn doesn't especially want anyone to get even that much. It isn't broken, not so much as bent, and she doesn't know quite how to deal with that.]

I wonder how long they've kept these here...

[Anyway she's got enough goddamn clothes that she's just gonna pick up the box and take the whole thing to the Pokémon Center so she can pack all her stuff up there... Usually this is someone else's job. This is new to her. Nonetheless, once she's got her belongings close enough to well-packed, and with her Bagon following beside her as usual, she'll be lingering by the Pokémon Center to make sure everyone's getting themselves together smoothly.]

Do you have everything you need?

[discutio]

I think so. I've taken care to be certain I'd gathered all the necessary provisions and supplies for a fairly long journey; I don't yet know if there's further civilization between here and the lake.

[Ignis adjusted his mirrored visor slightly, seeming just a little more at ease in the black uniform he'd gotten from the warehouse.]

Do you think you're prepared as well?

[greydients]

[Everything seems to happen in a blur - Rey barely has time to choke out a stammered 'you too', before Cynthia and her Garchomp (a real Garchomp, the book had said they were so rare) disappear again and she's left in front of the warehouse, Golett standing (as always) silently behind her.

...right. Well...best to do as she's told.

A few minutes of opening and shutting boxes finally leads Rey to one containing a very familiar outfit (unfortunately without the Lightsaber), and as she eagerly pulls it free of the box, something small falls from within the folds of the material and clatters on the ground.

Whatever it is, it obviously means a lot to Rey; she leaps to the floor to grab it, promptly holding it to her chest for a moment before she examines it properly. The conclusion she comes to is obviously not a good one, judging by her frown.]

...not working. Of course.

[Honestly, she would have been surprised if it was. Regardless, Rey slips it onto her wrist and neatly packs her outfit into her bag, alongside her other Department Store clothes. It may not be the most functional for Sinnoh, but there's no way she's leaving it behind.

Now if only she could find her damn Lightsaber.]

[niceoppai]

Not working, huh? [Chelsea leans over, picking up her own stuff.] What's it do?

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

[Sena gapes openly at the the scene playing out before them. So this is what Pokemon used to be like - what their new companions had once been? It's like watching proud players at a match, he feels fired up just watching them. That feeling's replaced with dread, however, when Cynthia informs them that it's no longer safe for them to stay.

It's time to go.

When she leaves, Sena glances up at Monta, who seems to have found his own permanent perch on Sena's head and shoulders.]

Neh, Monta? You could probably stand proud like that one day. Whaddaya think?

[Monta doesn't answer, as usual, but unknown to Sena, he does tilt his head. Almost like he's considering those words.

Rummaging through the storage shed with the others, Sena eventually does find his box, although the outfit neatly folded inside is somewhat plain. It'll be useful to switch out though, for more residential areas. The small object resting on top is more important to him and is what immediately gets his attention - a blue eyeshield. He can't help but run his fingers over its smooth surface, and seeing his own face in its reflection just reminds him of what he has to go back to.]

...We'll be back. We have to be.

[But where to keep this? He feels like it'll break if he just puts it in his backpack, and there's no helmet to keep it in for now. When Monta climbs down from his head to his shoulders, dislodging his visor, Sena has an idle thought.

It's clearly made to fit inside a football helmet, but the size is just about right to fit the visor under the red visor cap he's wearing right now as well. Trying it out, however...

...Well, it's not that it doesn't work, but it does look awfully silly. Especially when he's wearing his jacket.]

...No. Definitely not.

[heritrix]

[...what is he even doing. Rin has no idea what to make of your fashion choices, Sena.]

Expecting wind resistance?