Test 1.

[azumods]

VALOR Your arrival at Lake Valor is met with no fanfare at all, nor are there any obstructions; it seems that Team Galactic has moved on from here, the area devoid of activity and strangely-dressed people for the time being. The area is also largely devoid of water. There's some, in the area that presumably was the lake once; however, it can hardly be called a proper lake now. There's a massive crater in the middle of the clearing that that now-unobstructed path through the woods takes you to; it's refilled some since whatever incident caused it, but the water is only about knee-high at the deepest and generally incapable of impeding you much if you should choose to wade into it. Whatever you choose to do, there's a massive, raised area in the middle of what's left of the lake, a rock formation of some sort; it's capable of being scaled with reasonably little difficulty. An opening is visible in the rock face, large and gaping, leading inwards and downwards into a cavern system of some sort. Your exploration starts now; time to see if there really is nothing worth reporting in the area.

Comments

[semistableman]

[Yup, he is stepping out of the way.

He knows how to handle frightened animals and all that.]

[azumods]

[The Spiritomb will hesitate for a moment, the lights blinking a bit while it watches Bucky. After a moment some of that smoke slips out from the Spiritomb's body and pulls the berry into it, so uh... Success...? Is this how Spiritomb eat??]

[semistableman]

[That makes him smile.]

There you go.

[azumods]

[It settles back easily enough once the berry has been consumed(?) though it's still eyeing Bucky warily.]

[semistableman]

[He holds up his hand, making it clear he's completely unarmed, before motioning at his belt, making it clear he doesn't have any pokeballs on him, in case the creature is worried about being captured.

He's not sure if Pokemon are that cognizant, but just in case.]

Want another one?

[azumods]

[The Spiritomb continues watching Bucky, blinking its lights but otherwise not reacting.]

[semistableman]

[Might as well give it a try. The lays another berry on the ground, before hesitating and setting another one just a few inches away, before stepping away.]

[azumods]

[As long as the first berry is within reach, it'll take it! Just like before it just sort of absorbs the berry. It'll look at the second one, but it won't move from its spot.]

[semistableman]

[Still scared of them, then. He'll tap the berry so it's in the same spot the previous one was, again stepping out of the way.]

[azumods]

[It'll wait until Bucky's stepped back before consuming that berry too. It then looks at him again, like it's waiting for more berries.]

[semistableman]

You like berries, huh?

[He's giving you more of them. At this rate he's going to run out of food....

But yes, just like before, the berry goes on the floor out of his reach!]

[azumods]

[That gets the lights to blink in a different pattern, but the Spiritomb won't move from its spot.]

[semistableman]

Hey... I'm not going to hurt you.

[He doesn't get any closer.]

Are you protecting something? Someone?

[azumods]

[The lights continue blinking, but otherwise there isn't a response.]

[semistableman]

[Hmmm.]

Can I ask you some questions? One blink of lights for no, two blinks of light for yes?

[azumods]

[Two blinks! Yes.]

[semistableman]

Are you protecting the lake guardian here?

[azumods]

[Yes.]

[semistableman]

[Bucky nods, trying to word it carefully.]

We were brought here from... somewhere else.

[Probably easier than talking about aliens with the Pokemon.]

We were told the lake guardian could help us restore this world, is it... okay?

[azumods]

[That doesn't get a solid yes or no. The lights blink rapidly, but it never gives a clear answer.]

[semistableman]

Does that mean you're not sure?

[azumods]

[No...? It doesn't seem to know how to respond, though.]

[semistableman]

[Bucky nods.

Apparently it's complicated, he can deal with that.]

Does the guardian need help?

[azumods]

[That's another complicated one. It eventually settles on no.]

[semistableman]

But there probably is something wrong....

[He sighs.]

I get that you aren't going to be comfortable with us trying to barge in and look for your friend. Maybe you should all come with us. Would that be okay?