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

[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?

[discutio]

[Luckily for Ignis, his poker face was as well-maintained as ever. This is fine.]

Yes. It didn't seem like it was one for speaking verbally, and by Camilla's description it was about the size of Umbra or a little smaller.

[nightcure]

Huh.

[ He watches Ignis, closely. ]

Are you alright? Hearing divine voices in your head can be really disorienting, especially when you're not used to it.

[discutio]

I'm fine; I've not heard the others complaining of any problems either.

[That was...an odd question to ask, but Ignis answered as easily as anything.]

Honestly, the noise that horde of ghosts was making gave me more of a headache than Azelf did.

[nightcure]

Good.

[ The relief in his voice is likely super obvious. ]

Ghosts, gods, ancient fish... Pretty interesting wildlife we've got here.

[discutio]

[Bullet dodged? No, he was being paranoid. There was no way Noctis could possibly have known, so Ignis merely answered with a light shrug.]

It does take a bit of getting used to. They all seem to possess what amounts to elemental affinities, weaknesses, and resistances as well.

[nightcure]

[ Definitely just being paranoid. He's just worried!! ]

Yeah? That's pretty cool, actually. I've got a lot to learn about this place.

[discutio]

Likewise, truthfully. I think I've started to get a handle on the general sense of things, but the others have been doing more research on the specifics of type advantages and the varying amount of species found here.

[nightcure]

To be fair, it's... a lot to take in. Especially after waking up.

[ ... but it's easier, having Ignis around, he thinks. Noctis rubs at the back of his neck. ]

Hey, when you woke up, did everything feel sort of... intense? Your emotions, anyway.

[discutio]

Yes--I think most of us felt the same. It was the lake guardians that awoke us, according to Azelf--I presume our interactions with it were what set this off now.

...Are you alright?