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

[heritrix]

[There's something very strange about this girl's responses. Rin takes in the cave's appearance, then glances back at her.]

You've heard of us?

[azumods]

Yes.

[...Look at all the elaboration on this girl.]

[anythingforyou]

[...]

Did someone tell you about us?

[azumods]

How else would I know?

[greydients]

...was it by Maylene? We met her a little while ago.

[azumods]

...No.

[greydients]

[.....hmm.]

Did you hear bad things about us? Is that why you want us to leave?

[azumods]

...I haven't heard anything bad about you, other than the fact that I know you all used to be in Team Galactic.

[The past tense is important, though.]

[greydients]

[The past tense is most definitely important.]

So you know we're ex-Galactic, and you've heard nothing bad about us. Do you want to know anything else? Things that would make you more comfortable with us being here, and helping you?

[...]

It may not be much of a comfort, and I don't expect you to trust us just on this, but we don't intend to rest until we find Cyrus himself and repair the damage he's done to your world.

[azumods]

By what means?

[It's an actual question.]

Do you intend to force him? He's not willing to listen to reason.

[greydients]

[....okay look they haven't QUITE thought that far ahead...

...

...although, that's interesting-]

...what makes you say that? Have you met him?

[hyruglyphics]

[ . . . So like Zelda's in here late with a very sour looking Lickitung and a somewhat apologetic Metang behind her. Bosphoramus is back in his ball in order to get through safely, and she's been working for a bit to get Saber free of that one guy's face via warming that up and... yeah...

But she sort of catches Rey's chat there as she's settling in and once that question's asked... ]

We will probably have to, yes. But I do hope we will not be alone in that.

[semistableman]

Not willingly, believe us.

[He hasn't said anything until now, but he absolutely sounds like he's speaking from experience.

The past tense is very important.]

[azumods]

...I know.

[semistableman]

[He doesn't give her a verbal response, just a small smile that looks kind of forced, but there was an attempt.]

[heritrix]

[At her side, Monkey looks unsure. He's probably thinking the same thing she is, then.]

You don't look like you get out much. [Especially considering all the people looking for her.] How did you learn about us?

[azumods]

I was told.

[heritrix]

By the Guardian in your arms?

[Kayneth was definitely onto something.]

[azumods]

Why wouldn't we talk?

[...Like, y'all talked to Azelf, apparently, just saying. It's not like conversations are really hard to have, deities or not.]

[heritrix]

No, you're right. That's only natural.

[Her behavior, on the other hand, isn't. Particularly her responses to some of the others about making up for what has been done.]

I'll unhappily admit I know little about the Guardians. I know that they protect this world, and that they were used and abused.

[Rin folds her arms, thinking to that meeting with Saturn. Five years, wasn't it?] We learned that they were captured, and held in the facility we woke up in for a very long time. Years. I can imagine neither what awful things were done to them, nor what terrible acts they were forced to do.

But you can, can't you? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're speaking as if you understand it personally.

[azumods]

It isn't difficult to understand torture. To not want things like that to be repeated.

[eudaimonikos]

[COUGH]

[heritrix]

We wouldn't be here if we didn't feel the same, but you've specifically said we can't make up for any of it. That Azelf doesn't question things enough, and should have known that.

[Hm.]

In that sense, I misspoke before. It's probably better to say there's a difference between understanding and knowing.

[azumods]

There is.

[Are you going to actually make your point, or.]

[heritrix]

Even if we both want to help Uxie, that's the difference between us. You know what happened to it; possibly as well as if you yourself were there.

I can't blame you for being hurt and angry, and unwilling to trust anyone but yourself. Which means Uxie feels the same way, right? It doesn't trust us either.