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]

[After the meeting, Ignis withdrew from the group somewhat; wandering a little further down the beach, he seemed to be lost in thought. There was so much they didn't know about Team Galactic, much less Saturn in particular. It made little tactical sense to him that this would be a trap, but the idea wasn't entirely off the table. And if it wasn't and Saturn's intent truly was just to have a discussion, what was going to be the best way to approach that?]

[Remain firm, of course. Calm, steadfast, elegant. Having next to no power on his side in the face of an army was absolutely nothing new...but that didn't mean he liked it. He curled his left hand into a loose fist and uncurled it as if trying to dispel a lingering ache at the thought before shaking his head. No point in thinking on what ifs or lamenting any lost power now.]

[He'd be found on the beach for most of the day, in the short-sleeved uniform of the Kingsglaive with all the severity the outfit demanded, directing his Absol with a Chingling on her head to fight the local Wingull swarms.]

[Later that night he'd be back by the campsite, applying potions where necessary to his disinterested partners and just generally staying thoughtfully quiet.]

night

[divinedescendant]

[everything sure does happen so much don't it fucking just

if any of it's affected Emmeryn, though, it doesn't show or sound; she's as soft and steady as ever, footsteps careful with her skirt carried over her feet and Duma pitter-pattering at her side when she approaches Ignis late in the evening.]

Good evening, Ignis. Forgive me for interrupting—I believe I'm a little early, but our shift on the night watch is coming up, and I wanted to make sure I could find you.

[She's too determined to have her finger on the pulse of things, as it were, to not have noticed how distant he's been; losing track of him was a pretty real-seeming concern...]

[discutio]

Oh-...no, you aren't interrupting at all.

[Of course he'd heard her approach, but being addressed seem to shake him out of his thoughts somewhat. He set aside the potion in his hands, Hemera yawning and laying her head on her paws.]

You're welcome to join me, early or not.

[divinedescendant]

Thank you. We should be off soon, but we do have some time. This way, Duma.

[said as much as anything to acknowledge her Bagon's presence aloud; it isn't like he makes much noise, and she doesn't want Ignis caught unawares if her weird dragonsaur tries getting underfoot. She swoops her skirt underneath her and sits down not too near Ignis but not too far from him, then beckons Duma to come sit in her lap where he'll be out of the way.]

Are you holding up all right? I haven't seen much of you today since our gathering earlier.

[discutio]

Oh, I'm...fine. Just a bit preoccupied, I suppose.

[this was not, strictly speaking, a lie.]

Have you been managing well?

[divinedescendant]

[ah yes she understands the art of the technicality quite well]

I am persisting. [lightly:] Hiking becomes easier by the day.

[But she's just as soon back to soft sympathy, as even-toned as ever.]

The day has been trying, let alone the week, hasn't it? I can certainly understand that you'd be distracted.

[discutio]

You're doing well. Try not to push yourself; I'm sure we'll all understand if you or any of the others require a break at times.

[heavens forbid we focus on your problems, ignis, for gods' sake.]

I'm alright. Considering this business with Saturn, that's all.

[divinedescendant]

Thank you. If I am doing well, it is because everyone has been so accommodating.

[m o o d, tho]

Mm, tomorrow is bound to be eventful. We are lucky to have you volunteering to stand at the forefront, I must say.

[discutio]

It's nothing at all. If tomorrow should be a sort of negotiation as it's been presented, it may be the closest I'll come to being in my element.

[divinedescendant]

Lucky, then, that we'll have the chance to put this particular advantage to work, if there's truth to the offer we've been given.

[She definitely sounds more optimistic about those chances than just, like, the group at large, anyway. She hums, considering, then:] These circumstances suit my experiences far better than camping, just as well—I would join you tomorrow, if you'll have the extra voice.

After the meeting

[hyruglyphics]

[ Her footsteps are as quiet as the footsteps of a young woman in boots stepping in over sand can be. Her own gaze is thoughtful, watching the battles with Miphanus floating silently behind her. She's not really calling attention to herself, more just...

Watching Ignis's form. How the Pokemon are fighting.

Everyone really is getting ready for things, aren't they? She is sure that it - obviously - has merit, but there is a part of her which also wonders how much is nervous energy. They are in a bad position, allowed to exist because of some weird confluence of circumstances, or perhaps even conspiracy.

... Maybe she should be more serious too. ]

[discutio]

[Though he heard Zelda's steps (indicated by no more than the briefest tilt of is head in her direction) Ignis stayed focused entirely on the task at hand. His orders were sharp and certain as expected of a soldier's, posture straight and confident. When the last Wingull was knocked for a solid loop, both canine and bell-shaped partners returned quietly to his side--and the commander in black knelt down to carefully check the pair for injuries.]

[Then, once he was confident it was no worse than some scratches that could be handled back at camp:]

...Apologies for keeping you waiting. Was there something I could help you with?

[hyruglyphics]

No, not really- I merely was ... watching you and the two work. They're very coordinated.

[ Even if the bell doesn't seem to be able to do as much, but hey. She bows her head slightly, responding when talked to, and shifting perhaps a little bit closer as she does. And it's the truth. In a lot of ways, she was just lost in thought, watching the battle happen. ]

[discutio]

[he is doing his best, and right now 'his best' amounts to a threatening jingle passing for Growl.]

I think we're starting to find some sort of rhythm to it even if I do still feel a bit out of my depth. I'd much rather be doing the fighting myself, but the situation is what it is.

[hyruglyphics]

I think that sentiment is shared by all of those among us with some talent for combat. ... I have never had that ability, and so it is perhaps different for me.

[ It's said a little sheepishly with a glance towards Miphanus, but her gaze then turns back to Ignis. A little nod to herself. ]

[discutio]

I suppose it is advantageous in that regard; placing us all on a relatively equal field. I hadn't considered that facet of the situation yet.

[hyruglyphics]

Though I have yet to really train with them.

[ Like that, for combat. She probably should, right? Mmmmm ]

[discutio]

Are you having trouble with it?

after the meeting

[enjoymyatelier]

[but seriously, though, wingull don't give that much exp

...

ANYWAY, he'll admit he's been seeking people out at this point. he's not used to being cooperative to this extent, but he's... ambling his way through, honestly, and Ignis seems as good a sparring partner/strategic sounding board as any. So yeah! He tries to approach... not from the back. More from the side.]

...well, good luck tomorrow, Ignis. I hope things go well enough that we don't have to worry about it, but would you like to work out a few strategies?

[discutio]

[no but have you ever been on a beach seagulls are fucking everywhere, wingull's probably popping up every second step]

Actually, I'd appreciate it. It's often easier to work out matters like this with assistance.

[enjoymyatelier]

[okay fair enough]

Ah, good, then. Here's good enough as anything, so... would you like to give me a brief rundown of what your Pokemon can do? Both in terms of outright attacks and things that might affect status or the area.

[discutio]

That would be a perfect place to start, I’ve been meaning to seek help with research. What can you tell me?

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, I do know that my Pokemon seem to have some moves that affect the terrain to a certain degree, which might be useful when trying to escape from someone more powerful than we can deal with. I already brought up my Frillish's Water Sport at the meeting, but my Murkrow has learned a rather unusual move that I'm not entirely sure I understand yet. I was planning on looking it up when we got back to civilization, but...

[SIGH....]

[discutio]

I'm not quite sure I know what you mean. What's so peculiar about it?

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, it seems to produce a sort of haze in the vicinity, but I don't think it's quite enough to seriously impair anything's line of sight. I'm really not sure what it's supposed to do.