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

[discutio]

[. . .]

[he's definitely not repressing a laugh. no. picture of professionalism.]

[why is this his life]

So long as I was foolish enough to dispel the idea of being an average hunter I may as well come clean--I've spent my entire life in politics. So not only do I vote we attend as a courtesy extended to even our enemy as well as evaluating his intent, I'll volunteer to take the forefront of discussions with him if that's what the rest of you wish.

I've dealt with worse.

[bloodspent]

In all seriousness, I'm not gonna be one to insist that you need to deal with him. I'm sure we've all got something to say to him, one way or another. Just try to ensure it doesn't go too far south, I guess, because we're not exactly a diplomatic group of people.

[discutio]

Oh, I'd not assume to speak for the group entirely by any means. But diplomacy is what I specialize in, and that's the skill I'm offering.

Discussing matters with Saturn is liable to require a delicate balance of courtesy and severity to avoid either seeming passive or coming to violence. That's rather how these affairs work, I'm afraid.

[bloodspent]

...Let me rephrase that, then. A few of us are gonna be shitscared of the guy and a few more of us are gonna want to break his face.

You're probably going to be doing a combination of negotiating and babysitting, along with the others who specialize in not sucking at this.

[discutio]

Allow me to rephrase as well.

'Negotiating and babysitting' is almost word for word my entire job description.

[hyruglyphics]

I have things that I must ask the man myself. We have ... apparently, we have a history. So I will be speaking as well.

[ But she doesn't entirely disapprove of Diplomat Ignis? But she's going to say that anyway. ]

[discutio]

Naturally--I'd hardly plan to speak for everyone. I only meant to extend the offer to handle the worst of it. Hopefully that can minimize the chance of tempers flaring and the like.

[hyruglyphics]

Yes, that may be for the best.

[ She just was... saying her bit there. They're all in this together, she sees no need to not be transparent herself. ]

[radiantflame]

I will accompany you. [It's not a request or a question.] If he truly wishes to discuss things with us, then we will let him.

[discutio]

I'm far from foolish enough to speak to him alone, certainly.

[heritrix]

We'll all want a turn at some point, I'm sure, and live long enough to regret the headache.

Still, I'll admit you held a dialogue with Saturn the best of us, last time we met. He did say he wanted to discuss things more with you, so you might be the reason he extended this offer in the first place.

[discutio]

If nothing else, I'd like to at least mediate enough that no one fires the first shot on either side. Whether we trust Cynthia or not, she's correct about one thing--we can't afford a direct conflict at this stage.

[The numbers were against them, and unlike back in Lucis, they didn't have the brute force to compensate.]

It's possible, though I'd hardly take such credit. You might be surprised what can be accomplished through mere political maneuvering.

[heritrix]

[Okay, but it's probably a little part of the reason. Jake might be onto something here.]

You'll get no argument from me. I wouldn't have joined everyone on the way to Pastoria if it wasn't for that very reason.

[Waving that off, she glances around the crowd.] Most of us seem willing, at least. I think we've moved past a vote to bumrush him on the spot.

[discutio]

I would certainly hope so. Eventually, it's all but certain we'll conflict with him directly. But right now a flat-out fight will do us absolutely no favors, and I think we're all smart enough to recognize as much.