Week 5.

[azumods]

WEEK 5 As of morning the next day, it seems the rain has stopped; with Azelf awakened and your newly-hatched companions by your side, it's possible that you're feeling a new sense of resolve regarding what needs to be done - and, perhaps more importantly, your ability to accomplish it. The device Maylene gave you certainly does seem to work; activating it will reveal a dark portal crackling with energy, shades of pink and purple swirling brightly around the outer edges, and those of you that walk through it will find yourselves quite suddenly standing somewhere else - there's grass beneath your feet and an unfamiliar city to the west, and the place you're standing seems raised up in some way; turning around once the portal has closed behind the last of you will reveal a massive bronze statue depicting a Pokémon of some sort, though what it is seems to be a little difficult to tell... The trip to Eterna City may leave you feeling a little dizzy and disoriented, and for a few uncomfortable moments you're likely very, very aware of your organs, but the effects will pass after a few moments and you'll soon feel right as rain. Of course, it'll likely become obvious very quickly that you aren't alone near that statue... Either way, it's a long journey up to Snowpoint City; you might want to take some time to make sure that you're prepared before you set off. It really does seem as though finding Azelf at Lake Valor has done the world some good, though, along with your combined effects on the world already; hopefully the Guardian at Lake Acuity in the north will be just as helpful... CURRENT LOCATION: ETERNA CITY POKEMON AVAILABLE: WITHIN CITIES SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY [OOC: Welcome to week five 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 this weekend!]

Comments

[nightcure]

[ Right now, they could be anywhere. Anywhere at all, and it wouldn't matter, because Ignis is here. Ignis, his oldest friend, the one who's always been there, who he's always been able to count on, is here.

He rests his forehead on Ignis's shoulder. ]

I didn't think I'd see you again. Not for a long time.

[discutio]

I-...

['-know'. He'd known too much and said nothing. Or at least, said as little as possible. He should have gone with him, should have been at his king's side until the end, but...he couldn't. Not when Noctis wished something else of him, and how could he have ever refused?]

[...Oh, he was going to burn Galactic to the ground.]

...are you hurt? You must have just awoken here, given the uniform.

[nightcure]

No-- No, I'm not hurt.

[ He gives Ignis another squeeze before pulling away, but he keeps his hands on Ignis's arms. Like he's worried, too, that things will vanish in an instant and he'll be alone. ]

Keith and I've been sticking together. I'm mostly just trying to figure things out at this point.

[discutio]

The general and broad strokes of it is that we've ended up breaking out of the mental conditioning of what amounts to a cult whose leader has essentially deadened this entire world's emotions.

[...yeah that's the summary alright.]

We just came from meeting with one of this place's guardians--definitely something divine, albeit a bit more helpful. There are two others we need to find, and that should ideally be able to restore this place and return us to our own homeworlds.

[nightcure]

So... we're dealing with gods here, too.

[ There's a touch of caution in the way he says that... but then again, Ignis knows Noct well to be able to catch it easily, doesn't he? ]

Sounds like we've gotten ourselves into a huge mess, Specs. And I'm guessing "restoring this place" has something to do with these critters we've been given?

[discutio]

... [The brief silence was more than enough to get across that Ignis didn't like the idea by any stretch of the imagination.] I'll give you a more specific explanation of the incident later.

To answer your other question, yes. Sparring matches between them appear to be how combat is waged in this entire world; can't really claim I understand it, but the results have been fairly conclusive so far.

[nightcure]

Huh.

[ He finally looks away from Ignis, to where his companions are. ]

Looks like you've been busy making friends with them.

[discutio]

More like I attract them, really. The canine one was who I woke up with; that's Hemera, she's a type called an Absol. The bell's a Chingling named Sonantis, and the insect with them is...actually, I have no idea what particular species Favilla is.

[Beat.]

...And the bird is a Swablu named Highwind. I rather ran out of ideas.

[nightcure]

They're pretty cute. I bet Aranea would be embarrassed if she knew you named something so cute after her.

[ He grins and nudges Ignis, but he loves them already. He will absolutely spoil them. ]

I woke up with a fish. Pretty awesome, but it keeps napping in its ball, so it's asleep whenever I bring it out.

[discutio]

How incredibly suitable. [Ignis laughed under his breath, half disbelieving this was a thing that was actually happening.]

I think Zelda's been doing research on the local fish, she might be able to tell you more about it.

[nightcure]

Hey, I don't sleep that much anymore.

[ But he's laughing a little, as he says it. ]

Zelda, huh? I'll have to ask her. What about these guys, though? I'm curious about Hemera.

[ Speaking of, he holds out his hand for her to... check out? He just wants to pet her, lbr. ]

[discutio]

Most of them have the same problem as the rest of this world's inhabitants. She's shown the most improvement, though.

[Sure enough, she'll take a couple steps over and sniff at Noctis' hand curiously. Pets? Pets ok.]

[nightcure]

[ This is the best day he's had in a while. Noctis chuckles as he pets her. ]

You mean the "deadened emotions" thing?

[discutio]

Right; they're passive and apathetic much the same as the people we've encountered, generally speaking.

[She does not, however, seem to mind these nice pets.]

[nightcure]

[ He pets her gently, frowning as he looks at Ignis. ]

What helped her out? Just being around people?

[discutio]

That does seem like the most likely cause. We were able to help someone else out of the same conditioning just yesterday, so my current theory is battling with them has some effect on the people involved as well.

[nightcure]

[ He's still frowning, even as he gives Hemera a lil scritch beneath the chin. Even ten years later, he's still the same. Still endlessly compassionate, especially when it comes to animals. ]

We can't let this continue. I'll do anything I can to help.

[discutio]

...I know.

[There was something reassuring to that, knowing he hadn't been wrong. That Noctis wouldn't have let this stand was obvious, and yet to hear it himself was...]

[Well, it was right.]

I already gave my word that I would help no matter how difficult doing so is going to be. We're outclassed and ill-equipped right now, so we've an immeasurable amount of work to do.

[nightcure]

[ That, finally, gets him to smile again. ]

I knew I could count on you, no matter what. [ A lot of work to do... ] A big task isn't really anything new. So. How do I start?

[discutio]

Well, we can start by getting you out of that absurd uniform.

[just because he can't see it doesn't mean he's unaware you look like a moron. can't have that.]

There should be somewhere to get suitable clothes around here, but we only just arrived ourselves. Shall we investigate?

[nightcure]

No kidding. It's definitely the worst thing I've ever worn.

[ hhmmm. ]

I don't mind, but... money?

[discutio]

I have a little left over from the last city we were in. Long story.

[Leomonade stands, odd jobs, and a lot of cooking.]

It should be enough to cover basic supplies.

[nightcure]

You're the best, Ignis.

[ He claps him lightly on the back. ]

Alright, let's get to it.

[ to the clothing store, awaaaaaay ]

[discutio]

I'll remember you said that when next I dare show you a vegetable.

[let's get you some clothes and a basic rundown of Shit Went Down With Azelf, kid.]

[nightcure]

That's going too far.

[ thirty years old and won't eat a fucking vegetable. disgraceful.

Once the explanation's all over-- ]

You heard its voice in your head?