Week 2.

[azumods]

WEEK 2. The new week begins with new surroundings. The city you've been growing accustomed to over the past week is now well behind you as you set out on your journey proper; the terrain still seems rocky and steep here as you move downhill and to the south, dotted here and there with small ponds to the east and rocky outcroppings that you can climb on to the west. There are also large expanses of tall grass here, and the entire route is flanked with tall trees leading off into the forest a short ways. You're more than welcome to explore; just don't stray too far from the group - you wouldn't want to be left behind out here, for any reason. Wild Pokémon are abundant here, as anyone venturing into the tall grass will discover; they aren't inclined to attack you, however, simply watching with dull, dead eyes as you stumble through the area they've come to call home. The trip is difficult, and it's a lot of walking, but it's not unmanageable; fortunately enough, the route you're on should lead you directly to Valor Lakefront, assuming there are no complications along the way. From Thursday and beyond, the route takes a sharp turn west; in front of you lies what's clearly the ocean, large rocks jutting out just offshore tempering the waves. It's safe to go in the water if you so choose - assuming you can swim, that is - and the forested terrain has given way to a large beach with patches of tall grass here and there. Interestingly, there's a house located on the beach; whether it's inhabited or not is difficult to tell. Of course, exploring slightly north of the beach will reveal a path. Maybe it leads somewhere important... CURRENT LOCATION: ROUTE 213 POKEMON AVAILABLE: NEAR WATER SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY [OOC: Welcome to week two of Azume; feel free to make as many top levels as you'd like and tag out to other characters! This post is for all of your interactions this week... at least until the weekend. Don't forget that a write-up is due next weekend!]

Comments

WEDNESDAY

[azumods]

[discutio]

[Ignis was awake before dawn the next morning, wherever they'd elected to camp out. Whether he'd slept at all was up for debate (he more than likely hadn't) but he dusted off the coat of his Kingsglaive uniform and pulled it on. Maybe it had been a mistake to come forward with his real title, it was hard to shake that feeling...but at the same time, he couldn't picture it mattering very much.]

[Ordinarily, he thought, he'd have started breakfast by now. But they were short on fresh ingredients, and shorter still on the camp stove he was used to. Just as well, if Ignis was to be honest with himself. Right now he doubted he'd be able to focus on it as he ordinarily would; it was something too familiar, too nostalgic.]

Hemera, Sonantis--come along. If this place would have you at the forefront of combat, then we had best start practicing. [Quietly so as not to awaken anyone else, Ignis alongside his Absol and Chimecho started to venture away from camp and just a bit towards the forest and taller grass.]

[He wasn't stupid enough to see Saturn as anything but a threat, which would no doubt mark Cyrus as far worse. Idle hands would serve no purpose, and the advisor to the king was nothing if not determined.]

[greydients]

[Ignis isn't the only light sleeper in their rag-tag group; Rey hadn't been able to sleep all that well on Tuesday night, despite the long hours of walking. She's used to hard work. If anything, just walking - with a backpack full of guaranteed food and water - is something of a holiday for her. Despite the threat of Team Galactic looming over their head, they don't feel as real to her as the First Order had. She's more relaxed than she's been in years.

So why couldn't she sleep properly last night? Hmm.

She's seated in the grass, running her fingers through the blades and enjoying the simple sensation of just existing in a place with greenery. Flanking her, her Golett and Riolu stand like silent sentinels, their faces impassive and bodies unmoving - until they hear Ignis and his Pokemon approaching. Both Pokemon turn in the direction of the noise at the exact same time as Rey, making it look as if they'd practiced the movement together.]

...ah. I didn't expect to see anyone else out here.

[But in a way, it's comforting to know she isn't the only early riser.

...]

...it's Ignis, isn't it?

[discutio]

It is, yes. And you're...Rey, aren't you?

[He'd paused at the sound of a voice, Absol with the Chingling on her head coming to a halt just a step in front of him.]

Forgive me, I didn't think anyone would be out here so early--am I interrupting something?

[bloodspent]

[Whatever the schedule for night watch had ended up being, Jake didn't really sleep the night before; he's been keeping watch on his own from a station near the trees, because something in Saturn's demeanor had unsettled him and he really can't even begin to solidly explain why to himself without getting into matters that he'd prefer not remembering.

So for now he stays up, and he notices Ignis leave, and he'll follow after a while of debating exactly how much he really wants to.]

Hey.

[The greeting is casual, the sort of thing offered to someone who already knows you're there.]

Not much for sleeping after all of that?

[discutio]

Morning.

[He'd heard someone follow, but the fact that it came from the direction of the group and not elsewhere made him a bit less concerned about the idea that Team Galactic might have followed them.]

Afraid not. I expect you're much the same?

[semistableman]

[It's probably not a shock to anyone who had even the briefest of conversations with Bucky on Tuesday that he doesn't sleep at all. In the middle of the night, he can be found sitting just outside of the encampment, idly petting Flora, who seems in tune with his sleeping schedule, probably because she's been dealing with it for over a week now.

He hasn't lit a fire, or really made much noise at all, clearly not wanting to bother anyone.]

You feeling any more like yourself...?

[That's whispered, and when the skiddo doesn't answer at all, he sighs.]

That's all right. We'll work on it.

[By mid-morning, Bucky can be found in the nearby tall grass, looking curiously at some kind of fat bird that appears to have seen better days, considering it's missing feathers here and there, which could be from either overgrooming, or just plain neglect. He's not sure which is more likely.

After a moment's hesitation, he scoops the bird up, carrying it back to camp.

Later on, he can be found giving the bird the same treatment he gave Flora, large bow and all.

It doesn't seem very pleased by the treatment, but doesn't do anything at all to remove the bow from its head.]

night

[bloodspent]

[Looks like Bucky isn't the only one in the "not sleeping at all" boat; Jake is spending a lot of time up tonight, mostly pacing around the perimeter of the encampment and trying to verify that everyone is where they should be. He's sikebr about it but he wants to keep a headcount, like he's concerned someone is going to be spirited off and reprogrammed.

He'll notice Bucky after a while, but he won't approach right away; he'll leave him be for a little while as he finishes up what he's doing before he comes over.]

Not gonna sleep?

[He doesn't sound like he'll be surprised by a negative answer.]

[semistableman]

[Bucky looks up, giving an answer by way of shaking his head.]

Nah. Not tonight, even if I could sleep I wouldn't want to.

[He looks up at the sky, just to have something to do.]

I've been all over the world, both the north and south hemispheres. But I've never seen stars looking like this. It's pretty alien.

night

[discutio]

[Once sleep had proved itself out of reach, Ignis opted to keep watch instead--he was well aware of the unstated irony, but also certain he'd hear an oncoming threat long before anyone else saw it. His two Pokemon slept in a pile on his neatly folded uniform coat, Ignis careful not to disturb them when he quietly stood up to approach and speak in the same quiet undertone.]

You can't sleep either?

grass

[niceoppai]

I guess if they don't have feelings, they wouldn't take care of themselves, huh? Looks kinda scruffy.

[omissions]

[It's a shame about the lake yesterday, but it seems like everyone's decided that the best option may be to move on to Pastoria instead. Which, may honestly be the only option they've got: none of them would stand a chance in a Pokemon battle against that Saturn guy, most likely.

Still, Ari is a little restless, as last night Ari ended up waking in the middle of the night, and finding that he's unable to go back to sleep, he quietly gets up and moves away from the other campers to a spot that he hopes is secluded enough that he won't wake anyone up, especially when he takes out the music box he got back recently, and it begins to play it's tune when he opens it.

He simply sits there listening to the music for a moment, before some rustling in the grass near him causes him to nearly drop the box, before turning to look into the darkness.]

... Marlene?

[The rustling stops, and up pops a Pokemon's head very close to him, likely having been woken by the music box. He lets out a sigh--what was he thinking, of course Marlene wouldn't be here. She's still somewhere out there in their world, not here...

... Still. He does apologize for waking the Pokemon, but rather than going back to sleep, it's still staring at him. Hmm. After a moment of thought, he reaches out to try to pet it to see if that will help it feel more comfortable with going back to sleep. It doesn't seem to change its mood, but it allows this rather than scratching him or running away.

So now for this morning, you'll be able to find him with that same Eevee now having ended up following him as he walks away some distance to stretch and do a little more training with Klink, with enough space that they won't get in the way or disturb anyone else. Of course, anyone who wants to is welcome to join them with training, or meeting Eevee if they weren't woken up by Ari's antics last night.]

Morning

[anythingforyou]

[Camilla herself hasn't exactly been getting a lot of sleep, but she's not gonna be the one to start separating herself from others; it sees her wandering in the morning, and she happens upon Ari while she walks.]

Oh? Is that a new partner of yours, dear?

morning

[niceoppai]

Oh, hi! Guess everyone's training after yesterday. We do all basically just have books to learn from and not much else.

morning

[enjoymyatelier]

[...you know, he does kind of have to double take at that new Pokemon, because it kind of reminds him of a certain something...

...but you know, actually, thinking about it]

Oh, is that an Eevee? I remember reading about that one, actually...

[radiantflame]

[Yesterday was... annoying. Commander Saturn is annoying. Morag is in a dour mood all through the night and into the morning, but she gathers everyone together anyway because she has business to attend to.]

Everyone, I've come up with a schedule for keeping watch. We will be working in pairs.

[Let's pretend she read out the list of pairs and also what order they're taking watch here!]

Are there any questions?

[After the meeting, Morag heads into the tall grass with the intention of doing some serious training. These Pokemon can be reached, somehow, and she's determined to get through to Torchic. They aren't walking for long until they come across a curious looking, blue and red creature. The color scheme reminds her of the beast that Cynthia had, and she smiles ever so slightly to herself. She wants one of those. She looks down at Torchic.]

Let's see what you can do, shall we?

[Later still, Morag sits with Torchic and Gible near camp, rearranging her bag. She produces the wrapped package she got from the warehouse, and unwrapping it finds it to be a food item she's familiar with.]

How did that get here? [She takes a cautionary sniff.] ...It's still fresh.

[She looks over to her pair of Pokemon.] I don't suppose either one of you would try a bite?

((ooc: special thanks to Courtney for the night watch list!))

morning

[niceoppai]

Okay... [Chelsea yawns and rubs her eyes.] Kinda surprised they haven't ambushed us, but they must all be busy at that lake.

camp

[perfectselfie]

I wonder, too. If that’s berry-flavored, they might.

[Aya pauses for a second.]

...thank you for setting up the night watch. I feel a lot safer now that I know that’s a thing. I don’t know the first thing about fighting, so I wouldn’t be much help with it, but if I can do anything to support it...

camp

[bloodspent]

[Jake hadn't had any objections to the night watch and who he's paired with; he likes Bucky all right, so it's not like he's troubled by it, and they're both kind of hypervigilant about stuff and willing to take action quickly if needs be. So, you know. It'll work.

He doesn't approach Morag until later in the day, when she's hanging out with her Pokémon (as much as Morag hangs out, anyway, since she doesn't seem the "hanging out" sort); seems like as good a time as any.]

They don't seem to get too much, but they usually understand food. That's how I got Lobanja following me around.

[The Houndour is standing obediently at his heel, as she usually is; he's got the Scraggy that's usually with him in the ball for now, he seems like he could use the rest.]

morning

[divinedescendant]

[Emmeryn waits until the capital-m Meeting proper is over to approach Morag, mostly just wanting to chat without keeping anyone with actual questions waiting. She's her usual peaceful self despite, uh, the entirety of yesterday.]

Thank you for arranging this for us, Morag. We're certain to benefit from your organization.

Camp

[anythingforyou]

[Well, this is a nice surprise. Camilla will approach Morag once they've found their camp for the night, though that blue and red creature gets a pause and a smile. That looks an awful lot like the fierce creature Cynthia had and frankly, her partner for the night watch has good taste.

Still, Camilla won't dwaddle for too long, at the very least.]

Oh my, are my eyes mistaken, or is that little darling of yours quite similar to Cynthia's fierce looking partner...?

[Like, holy shit. Good shit.]

[divinedescendant]

[Emmeryn has no fucking clue what she's doing.

okay that's a little harsh, she's a very competent and skilled lady whose sunshiney serenity has persisted regardless of how much dirt it's gotta get through, and she's especially determined to remain a calming presence after all the fuckery that yesterday was, but holy shit. there's so much dirt. she's never seen so many leaves at once in her goddamn life. she only packed long skirts for some godforsaken reason and all of the hems are filthy and torn at. she's never been outside unsupervised before.

With sweet little dragonsaur Duma ever-faithful at her feet, she's largely stuck towards the back of the group, not so much deliberately as because she's fucking slow. This is so much walking. She's been on her feet for so long. Everything hurts. She needs a bath. It is by the grace of god and the patience of the group at large that Emmeryn has survived these four days.

But instead of complaining at all, she's talked about not wanting to be dead weight between light laughs at her own sheltered foolishness, so as she sees people throughout the day trying to make themselves useful—cooking or gathering or dealing with supplies or whatever people who aren't just kinda being carried along in a carriage do on marches—she makes her way over, so long as they don't seem especially determined to deal with whatever on their own.]

Beg pardon? Is there some way I might help?

[PUT HER TO WORK!!

Later in the afternoon as the group marches along, Emmeryn carefully steps around a Bidoof just kinda chillin' in the middle of the way, uninterested in not being walked on apparently, and Duma doesn't listen to her soft,] This way, Duma. [and he walks dead-on into the Bidoof.

That isn't that weird. What is, at this point, is that Duma makes an indignant squawk kind of noise, startling Emmeryn a little, then headbutts the Bidoof dead-on.]

Duma! [and she is very much sounding like an exasperated mom on a scolding spree when she crouches down and makes an effort to pull Duma away from the entirely indifferent Bidoof.] Goodness, what did the poor thing ever do to you? You'll listen next time, now, won't you...

[With a sigh, she switches gears pretty quickly to making sure Duma hasn't hurt himself in the process while the Bidoof just...leaves...] And here I almost thought you couldn't make a sound at all.

[look who's almost having a feeling! please pick a different one.

Come evening, as everyone winds down for the night, Emmeryn finds herself a seat in a central part of tonight's camp with Duma, quiet and impassive again, sat in her lap. Mostly she just wants the chance to check up on people while they're all together and starting to settle in.]

Good evening. Are you holding up well?

that through the day thing

[hyruglyphics]

[ . . . Oh, hi Emmeryn? She smiles at the other as she's in the midst of foraging during their march or just outside of camp, her Beldum floating there behind her as she goes? but as she's picking some berries a little bit here the other is coming over, and Zelda not for the first time looks with come concern about if Emmeryn is managing this march well. She did ... help yesterday with that organizing, proving of more diplomatic mind than herself, but-

Something to do... ]

With these matches, we do not need to find flint, but for a fire, we do need to gather dried leaves or twigs for tinder.

Evening

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael answers in a very deliberately calm and even voice.]

Well, I hate this place, and camping is terrible, but I think I'm holding up okay. How about you?

[He may still be a tad worked up over what happened on Tuesday.]

Evening

[heritrix]

[...well. Funny you should ask, Emmeryn, because Rin splintered off from the group earlier this afternoon and is only rejoining everyone at camp pretty late. She doesn't look quite frazzled, but she doesn't seem to be in a good mood either.]

Yes. Of course I am.

[The answer is terse, though it has nothing to do with Emmeryn. It comes off a little distracted like, actually, as Rin passes a pokeball between her hands. There's a second one on her belt that wasn't there earlier.]

Did we miss dinner?