Test 4.

[azumods]

KNOWLEDGE Compared to the frigid chamber you've just left, the cavern you enter now is warm. It isn't difficult to see why; while there's still a fair amount of space in here, it's far smaller, and there's a source of heat and light in here - a small fire going near a corner of the room, tucked away behind the wall and difficult to see as you enter, but fairly obvious once you're inside, the light from the flames bouncing off the corner of the chamber and making it decidely easier to see. There thankfully aren't any more of Froslass' "sculptures" in here; there is, however, a person. Candice is in the corner near the fire, pressed back against the wall and watching you as you enter; it's likely obvious from the start that there's something wrong with her, though it's difficult to say what just from looking at her. Her eyes aren't fixed in the same sort of dull, blank stare that the people affected by Team Galactic tend to display, but at the same time, they look viscerally wrong - it's alert but it's empty and almost completely unfocused, as though she's taking in information and she's processing it, but she's not actually seeing any of it. It's unsettling, but she's still watching you, and she's holding something close to her chest as she does so; she's got the thick, blue sweater untied from around her waist, and she's holding it bundled in her arms like she's trying to protect it. Her eyes don't come into focus, even as she addresses you. "I told you that you aren't welcome here. You need to leave. Now." Her gaze darts as she speaks, like she's trying to take in as much as she can, even if she doesn't seem to be registering any of it properly; her expression is hard. Cold. What happens now is up to you.

Comments

[niceoppai]

Yeah! We came to help the Guardians and help you! Y'see, we heard you were missing and...

[radiantflame]

[Caged animal is the first thought that comes to mind when Morag lays eyes on Candice. She holds her hands out to her sides to show that she's unarmed, and Torchic dutifully stands behind her.]

We are not here to harm you, or the Guardian. Is there anything we can do to prove that to you?

[azumods]

[It isn't an entirely wrong assertion; you can visibly see all of this getting her hackles up.]

What did you do to the Pokémon outside?

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

Uh...actually, I dunno.

[He sweats nervously.]

I mean, our Pokemon were talking with them, so I dunno what they said. They were taking berries and potions and stuff to them or something?

[azumods]

[She closes her eyes at that, just for a second; she looks for a brief moment like she's going to faint but she manages to stay upright, swaying a little but still standing when her eyes open again.]

They shouldn't have allowed you in here.

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

Well, uh. They did.

[Nervous laughter.]

Um...a-are you okay? [You seem kinda. Kinda. Sick or something.]

[azumods]

I'm fine.

[She does not seem particularly fine but you know what, she's fine.]

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

You...sure about that?

[Hesitation.]

I mean, you were gone for a pretty long time, right? Your gym's all abandoned and your Glaceon was worried about you, so...Aren't you getting worn out?

[azumods]

I said, I'm fine.

[Lord.]

[omissions]

You don't look fine. You look sick.


[Like, why are you even dressed like that in an ice town to begin with...]

[azumods]

[...I mean, that's a good question.]

I'm not sick.

[radiantflame]

We did not lay a hand on them, if that's what concerns you. They are unharmed.

[of course she was more than ready to fight them, but it fortunately didn't come to that...somehow.]

[azumods]

Then leave this place just as peacefully. You have no business here.

[anythingforyou]

[...Yeah, they likely shouldn't, but holy shit girl. This is probably a bad time, but...]

Candice, was it? Are you quite alright?

[You. Do not look good, girl, holy shit. Her priority is definitely the guardian, but maybe they should try to get her to a Center or something...]

[azumods]

[...]

I'm fine.

[anythingforyou]

[...Camilla's really not in much of a condition to argue, but at the same time, she can't quite help but be worried. She's not altogether sure if this is a good idea, really.]

You truly don't look it, if I may.

[It's softer, really. She may still have a bit of a sour impression on Maylene but if she's really the girl's friend, they can't let her neglect herself, can they?]

[eudaimonikos]

Maylene asked us to find you. So did that Glaceon. Like, half the people we've fucking met, basically, oh my god.

[That last part seems to be related more to the sensation starting to return to his hands than the conversation happening.]

[azumods]

[That should probably agitate her, or do...something, at any rate; spark some sort of recognition, maybe. But there's nothing of the sort.]

There's nothing for you here. Leave this place.

[eudaimonikos]

Really, not concerned about the four thousand friends you apparently have wandering the apocalyptic hellscape outside?

[It's not as vehement as it could have been, more of a frustrated observation; she's obviously got something the matter with her.]

Look, Azelf said they couldn't talk to Uxie and Mesprit anymore because they were all hurt. So if we heal Uxie-slash-Mesprit there, they can talk to Azelf and get the deets on us.

[azumods]

You don't even know who you're looking for.

[It's. Very flat.]

[eudaimonikos]

[shrug!]

You know where we could've looked up which one of them lives where? A library. Unfortunately, they don't seem to do that here!

At the end of the day, though, we're looking for both of them. If you wanna introduce us, feel free.

[azumods]

The main library is in Canalave City. Did you somehow not find anyone who knows the myths anymore?

[...Outside of like. Team Galactic. Who obviously know them but are not the best conversational partners for a lot of reasons.]

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

Not really sure if anyone's in a proper state to tell us about them...

[eudaimonikos]

There's maybe four people outside who can carry on any kind of conversation, and they're all either Team Galactic leaders or Cynthia, who seems to really enjoy being vague. Probably should've asked her their names when we met, but we had literally just woken up in a new dimension, so you'll have to forgive us if that wasn't our first concern.

[enjoymyatelier]

...well, we spoke to Cynthia about them shortly after we regained control of our faculties, but she's not exactly easy to contact for more details now that we have more ideas about what to ask on.