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

[rainbowlife]

i.

[ A short distance from the group Johan's set up a little space for himself. It isn't a camp outright—there's no fire, no logs or other materials, but there is a small folded-up blanket! Which... he isn't sitting on. Instead, there are seven cards placed carefully on it. The cards fit perfectly on it and he and Inkay are sitting on opposite sides of it.

The way he sees it, if they're resting then he should take this time to get to know his Inkay a little better. And introduce his family, since after the incident he found his deck and spent most of his time calling for the Crystal Beasts and didn't get a chance to do it. Right now, he's picking up one of the cards and showing it to the Inkay. ] And this is Sapphire Pegasus! He's the leader of the group, and he's great at giving advice. He always seems to know what to do and what to say no matter what the situation is. Uh, let's see...

[ Johan sets down the card to pick up another one. Again, he holds it up for the Inkay. ] And this is Emerald Turtle. See this? That's his defense! He's really sturdy, so he's tough to take down— [ Before he can say another word, the Inkay slowly moves forward and gives the card a very gentle headbutt. Johan pauses before laughing gently. ] Sorry, Inkay! But if you want to fight him, you're gonna have to wait until I get my Duel Disk back.

ii.

[ Since Johan's got energy to spare it's time to explore! He's going to go... well, not far, but he's sure not paying much attention to how much distance he's putting between himself and the group. By the time he stops looking around and feeding every Pokemon he finds, he's reached the plains! While he's encountered a decent amount of Pokemon up to this point, this one in particular makes him stop. ] Amazing...! [ Immediately, Johan runs up to the Ponyta and stands in front of it. ] You're amazing!

[ Predictably, the Ponyta offers no response. Undeterred, he reaches into his bag and pulls out a few berries for the Ponyta. It obediently comes closer and munches on them. ] I thought you might like those. [ He smiles! ] Are we really supposed to be fighting all of them? I'm a little tempted to try, but when they don't have any fight in them it seems a little cruel.

i

[niceoppai]

I didn't know Pokémon could play card games! I guess since they're so smart...

[I'm sorry.]

[rainbowlife]

Haha, they are awfully smart! I wouldn't be surprised if they could play, but that's not what I meant.

[ You say sorry but apparently he's up for it. ]

[niceoppai]

It's not? Then what did you mean?

[rainbowlife]

An actual battle! The game doesn't usually work like that. There are rules, turns, and all that, but I don't see why we couldn't use solid vision to have a different kind of battle.

II

[hyruglyphics]

[ Zelda's been exploring too because... I mean look that's just what she does? She's actually gathered a small handful of mushrooms berries, some other plants which look familiar-ish or useful in a bag, but as she's doing that, mostly following the tree line she too comes to the plains, and with the wind blowing her hair, she blinks in some astonishment to the Ponyta.

She's following his lead because ]

Oh but they are truly gorgeous.

[ It resembles one of the Royal family's horses. But she's closing the distance here between her and them, ]

[rainbowlife]

[ When he hears Zelda, he turns to look at her and happily nods his head. He also steps to the side a little so she can show the Ponyta some affection too! There's bound to be more of them around—wild horses rarely travel alone—so there should be plenty to go around. ]

Aren't they? This mane is incredible! How hot do you think it is?

[hyruglyphics]

-It is ... or rather, appears to be nakedly a flame, so perhaps it would be best not to touch it ...

[ That said, it's not as hot near the horse as she might've expected, given the appearance. And yes, there are bound to be more in the area. They are on the small side for some of the larger members of their party, but horses would speed their ride exponentially if there were a good way to ride these flame horses... ]

[rainbowlife]

[ A short laugh! ] Probably, though that won't stop a few people from trying. It's a good thing I brought a few medical supplies with me.

II

[takestheblame]

It seems to be customary -- or at least it was before Cyrus caused this situation.

[There's something unsportsmanlike about fighting an opponent who doesn't seem able to decide if they do want to fight, though]

You could try to get it interested in fighting, just so it's a fair fight.

[rainbowlife]

That's part of the problem. How can you tell when they're interested? [ He gives the Ponyta's snout a very gentle pat. It predictably does not give a single fuck. ]

[takestheblame]

If you try a weak attack and it counters and makes a move of its own next it should hint it wants to fight.

[Maybe? It'd put Johan at a disadvantage, but better to make sure it would fight]

[rainbowlife]

I guess that's one way to test it. [ Not that he can think of any better ones. ] Is that what you've been doing?

ii

[hesychast]

[ None of the pokemon up to this point have truly impressed Shirou, but the sight of Ponyta does make stop. A horse with a mane of fire...now this was a creature that matched the legends and tales he had learned so well. He watches intently as the Ponyta accepts the food from Johan, his Misdreavus and Litleo flanking his sides. ]

Perhaps it would not be in either party's interest to fight constantly, but it is an opportunity to teach them how to defend themselves however slight. At the least it can provide valuable experience for them, and at the most some protection against those who aren't nearly as kindhearted as you, Johan.  [ Which is to say that he doubts Team Galactic would take these pokemon's feeling into account. ]

[rainbowlife]

I don't know if it's kind. [ If Pokemon enjoy battling he can see how fighting them would be a good thing, not a cruel one. The thing is, he doesn't know if they do. Sure, it seems to be normal in this world and if he likens Pokemon to Duel Monsters, that means the best way to draw out their spirits is to fight them. But... Not all Duel Monsters are the same and, by the same token, not all Pokemon are either. Starting a battle with all of them just because a couple like to fight seems too uneven.

Though, Shirou makes a good point. He puts his hand to his chin. Personally, he would prefer an opponent to enjoy themselves, but maybe he shouldn't be soo picky. ] But what you're saying does make sense. If fighting helps strengthen them, it's possible that battling might be kinder to them than leaving them alone.

[hesychast]

Yes, and it might even spark their spirit. [ Speaking of that, he looks to Litleo who has managed to wander away from his side in the short time they've been talking. The ponyta might be distracted by the berry, but Litleo seems intent on trying to get its attention by batting at the flames on its legs. He can't help but smile and shake his head, honestly happy with any change in his pokemon's behavior. ]

It seems we've made progress with the ones who were gifted to us, even in just one week.

[rainbowlife]

Mm! We have. It's a little surprising we're seeing a reaction this fast, even if it's such a small one. I think that's a good sign for the future.

II

[enjoymyatelier]

[hmmm.... he's kind of considering something like that horse for travel purposes, but...]

Honestly, I don't really see the point in fighting the wild ones when it seems more advantageous to spar amongst ourselves. Our most likely opponents are human, aren't they?

[rainbowlife]

You've got a point. [ He glances away from Ponyta and instead looks over at Inkay. It's floating... well, not happily but it is swaying every now and then. That's something. Probably. Hm... Yosh!

He glances back over! ] In that case, do you wanna try it out?

[enjoymyatelier]

Yes, I do. I've already done a few battles with my first Pokemon, so I'd like to train my second, if you don't mind.

[rainbowlife]

I don't mind. Besides, it's important to train up all our Pokemon, isn't it?

i

[perfectselfie]

[Aya returns that light laugh.]

Someone's eager. That's good, though! I'm glad to see that your friend is a little more lively.

[rainbowlife]

Me too! He's still a little unresponsive sometimes but it looks like he really is getting better. Cynthia was right.

[perfectselfie]

She was, and I couldn't be happier about it. It makes me feel a little more like we really can fix everything.

i.

[ventulus]

[ Ventus has definitely made sure to explore the area in earnest, so it comes to little surprise that he eventually makes it over to Johan's space on his meandering. ]

What's a Duel Disk? Does it have to do with that other stuff you were talking about with your partner?