azume | Week 2.

Week 2.

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!]

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[ she's got the Lickitung back in her Pokeball as Camilla meets back up with her - she had backed off with a nod and a smile and settled back into the camp? That said, the Beldum keeps behind her. Miphanus is never not away. She will put it away if Camilla wants though, she's not sure if hers will be out as they walk.

Still, she smiles and, ]

Yes... thank you.

[ She isn't sure... Well, where she's going here, but... ]

[...Well, she's mostly putting hers in because they are tired as hell, Zelda can do as she pleases, really, because she's Zelda. As far as Camilla's concerned, that's enough reason.]

Of course.

[Let's gooooooo--well, it likely won't be too long before Camilla inquires what this is, speaking up after they've had a fair chance to walk away.]

Is there something you need assistance with...?

[ Yes, let's goooo! Miphanus will remain there floating with them, but it's just a silent floating errie metal eyeball arm. It's cool. That said, Zelda does glance at the shoreline now and again as they walk, and also at Camilla. Camilla really is beautiful...

That said, no, she did have something. But more than that- ]

There is, but... I also wanted to ask- ... is your country one which has had its peace threatened?

[...Ah.

That...gets a sad sort of smile, and an affirmative nod of the head from Camilla.]

Peace has gone far beyond being threatened, dear. It was only recently that we began to go to war, but...relations between the two countries, where I come from, have always been rather strained. After Hoshido decided to attack us and steal...

[Oh. That gets a noticeable pause there, and a bit more of a distanced look, and she's not looking at Zelda anymore.]

...someone very precious to me away, it escalated into all-out war.

[It's. A bit of a cliffnotes and Nohr-biased version, but. Yeah.]

[ Goddess. How terrible, that someone was stolen away by this other nation, and for a war to start for it? Hyrule has known war, and it has certain known hardship, but to have that sort of bloodshed... It's a thought which has existed in the back of hear head for a while, that Camilla was trained as a soldier, that she was always so quick to attack. Zelda's hands come up over her chest.

Can she really say anything in opposition to that?

She ... frowns, and, ]

I had wondered... because of your disposition. ... I am so sorry, Camilla.

My dispo...oh.

[Oh, that's. That actually gets some wide-eyed shock from Camilla, her hand going up to her mouth in a bit of shock. It's...certainly not for the reason Zelda likely thinks; there's a lot to unpack with such a statement, a lot of things she...could tell Zelda, really. That she's been like this for so long...the extent of it all, really, maybe even bring up that dreadful mission that's failure may very well see her dead.

She doesn't, though. Camilla doesn't want to worsen her impression of herself, especially not in front of someone so sweet.]

Zelda, darling, you have nothing to apologize for. It's simply the way things have been for Nohr, for many, many years. I've been alive for about as long as most of it.

... All the more reason, then.

[ That she has fretted a little because of how the other simply was. That the threat of violence and the need for violence in turn was a fact of life. Zelda hesitates a long moment, and then reaches her hands out gently, intending to reach out and brush her hand against Camilla's arm. Perhaps her shoulder. A gentle touch.

She keeps doting on her... and. ]

I am aware that I continue to advocate against violence, and I've worried that the situation we find ourselves in has ... put you into a state of stress.

Darling, being powerless in this situation was bound to do such a thing. I despise the idea of giving that wretched man even a second of my time...it's why I didn't speak to him at the lake, as I was worried that I would become angry enough to disobey Cynthia's orders.

This is absolutely no fault of yours.

[Camilla doesn't mind the touch, really, and even seems to ease a bit at it. Zelda's so sweet, to approach this situation with such kindness and humility...it's...]

...It's people like you that will be the key to seeing the world to a better place. That's what I think, and that's why I don't offend.

[ She didn't mean it was her fault specifically, but it reassures her more than she expected to hear the affirmation regardless. She keeps her hand there, sort of on Camilla's arm gently, and she inhales, exhales... ]

You do praise me far too much, Camilla.

[ ... ]

But I ... I actually came to tell you, though we are powerless, we are not hopeless. I meant to assure you of that much. [ . . . ] ... I am not a stranger to hardship, and nor is Hyrule.

...I hope you don't think it empty praise, dear; I only say that much because you remind me of someone incredibly precious to me.

[Mmm, it's...she doesn't want to come off as difficult to easily her most favorite person here. It's not something Camilla wants to just. Drop on her like that. Camilla's no boar.]

...I understand what you're saying, dear, I really do. It's...hard, but I am doing my best to manage. I suppose I simply lament being poor at dealing with an enemy presence. Really, the fact that you do your best in spite of those hardships...

Well, I can't say anything for the girl you are where you come from, but I think the girl I see here is...enviable.

[ Enviable...?

She shakes her head. She... ]

... I do not think it empty, because I do not wish to doubt your words. But I do hope you are not blinded by some image of me. ... I am scared as well. I too am frustrated.

[ . . . ]

I have no skill at arms, and I never have had much ability to fight. For much of my life ... no, I suppose for almost all of it, words and knowledge were all I had. I am relying on all of you here, should things come to blows.

Zelda...

[Camilla's look is utterly serious when she places a hand atop Zelda's own. She needs more assurance, doesn't she? That's what this is, right? Camilla seems to be confused, but determined.]

You can absolutely rely on us. I'm certain anyone here would be willing to protect you. I would personally break the hand of the cretin who would attempt to harm a precious little hair on your head; you needn't ever worry about the blows coming your way.

Unless...of course, it is something you ever wish to learn. But...I'm not altogether certain you would like such a thing.

[ It's warm. It's not unlike Urbosa's touch, if she's honest, though she doesn't know this beautiful woman near as well as Urbosa (and if she's honest, Camilla is actually less intimidating than Urbosa can be... though in paradox, the lack of familiarity makes Camilla a bit more -- it makes her feel more reserved)

... But while she did intend to support Camilla, she did some out here for another reason as well. ]

I ... actually intended to ask you, Camilla, how you have approached learning the combat of this world. The Pokemon battling.

[...Oh! That gets Camilla to smile a little more in earnest, practically beaming.]

Oh, it's very simple, dear! I pick out something that my darling partners are able to face off against; I bought a few books covering some of the...'types' these creatures have. I pick something to suit their strength and send them after any ones I can find so they can get stronger!

[...Yeah.]

Of course, I try not to let them go on for too long...they get so tired out, and I don't want to hurt them. But that's the way I make my little darlings stronger.

So you... merely go and pick fights?

[ That doesn't. Sit well with her. but. ]

...Of course? These creatures don't try to do so themselves, after all. It's certainly not the way it used to be, but it's fine.

[????????

Zelda, you just lost her. This is totally fine?]

[ . . . ]

It seems... strange, to be the aggressor so much.

But...that seems to be the only way for them to get stronger.

[?????]

It does... doesn't it?

[ She shakes her head a moment, and... yes, she'll have to do that, won't she? So as to not be... well, more of a burden. ]

...It's not a bad thing, dear. They don't perish in a battle, you know? They react much the same as that friend of yours; they pass out from exhaustion, and it's done.

[It'd at least make sense if she was worried about the creatures dying, at least.]

[ I mean.

... That's good, though she does worry if the knocked out ones are easy pickings for predatory actions? She nods, and the gestures to Miphanus. ]

... I would appreciate your insights on direction.

[Ah! Okay, that she can help with. She hasn't read much on Beldum herself, but...]

Well, to start with...do you know what sort of fighting style he has? What moves he can use--that will be the first step into finding a good opponent for him.

In truth, I know little about Miphanus. I only know the species name - Beldum - because of a traveler Ari found back in Veilstone. It is not listed in the books, so I believe it is foreign to Sinnoh. Though from its form I believe we can deduce they are a steel type.

[ She glances back at the eyeball arm, which floats closer in, knowing its been addressed. ]

About the only move I have known it to have is a very potent looking tackle.

Then you'll want to avoid any ghostly foes; that attack falls into a category that they're completely immune too. But, otherwise...you will be more than fine to take on just about anything else, I believe.

Why don't we go look for a suitable foe, then?

Yes, let us.

[ Okay so... time...

To find something along the beach here to pick a fight with, Miphanus behind her. ]

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Week 2.

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