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

[perfectselfie]

Why do you say that?

[And that's when Aya's voice cracks a little and she tears up. She hasn't cried this whole time but that gets to her.]

[azumods]

[She pauses for a long and admittedly kind of awkward moment.]

...Why are you upset?

[perfectselfie]

[Give her a second, she needs to try and calm down.]

Because this hasn't been easy. We've been trying so hard and we're so far away from home and we...

[She just cries harder for a second there.]

...even getting here was hard, we all almost froze to death on the way in and there are those frozen people and that was the scariest thing I've ever seen, and...

[She swallows hard.]

...and you look like you need a blanket and a mug of hot tea, for starters, and I'm worried.

[azumods]

...I wouldn't have wanted it done that way, but the people in the other cavern needed to be stopped.

[There is just such a complete and utter lack of comprehension on her face right now.]

You should have gone when you had the opportunity. You shouldn't have stayed.

[perfectselfie]

[She manages a tiny smile.]

No, I shouldn't have. We promised Maylene and your Glaceon we would find you. And the big ice Pokemon in the temple. I don't like breaking promises.

[azumods]

The temple...?

[Like. You've all been in there?]

[eudaimonikos]

Oh, yeah, Big Blinky! We taught it to do this.

[thumbs up!]

[redbellion]

Is that what we're calling it now?

[eudaimonikos]

There's no we here, Keith.

[That's what he's calling it as of right now]

[redbellion]

I'm one-hundred percent fine with that.

[ he is not calling it big blinky ]

[perfectselfie]

[Aya is definitely calling the Regis Big Blinky now, thanks Michael]

[eudaimonikos]

[his work here is done]

[azumods]

...You taught Regigigas to...

[...]

You call it Big Blinky.

[wh...at should be done with this knowledge oh my god]

[eudaimonikos]

We're friends.

[yes, that is the reason, it's totally not just that he didn't know its actual name until right now]

[azumods]

...Are you.

[eudaimonikos]

Sure! We talked, it showed us its neat ice sculptures - totally friends now.

[.....]

Oh, it made an ice sculpture of you. Surprisingly detailed with those big hands, it's really very good...

[azumods]

[...]

Of course it is. It's made Legendary Pokémon in its image before.

[enjoymyatelier]

...

They're probably a god, Michael, show some reverence.

[eudaimonikos]

I'm a demon, Kayneth.

[There's several reasons he shouldn't be expected to do that]

[perfectselfie]

Not me personally, but Keith, Michael, and Ignis did. That's where they found Glaceon.

[divinedescendant]

[Emmeryn's a little busy at the moment but Duma has finally been allowed to follow at her feet some more and friend?? friend???? sad friend?????? unacceptable. he very usefully wanders over and sits down right at Aya's feet with a squawk.

...he thinks he's helping.]

[perfectselfie]

[THANK honestly, he's helping, and Aya's just going to give him a quick hug.]

[divinedescendant]

[squawks again!!! headbutts are Not Allowed but Duma does just sort of gently nudge Aya with his entire face at once in what is probably a fond gesture. he's a helper.]

[anythingforyou]

[Oh, Aya, honey...

Camilla's going to move from her position to just. Well. She doesn't want to distract the girl by hugging her, but she at least tries to put a supportive hand on the girl's shoulder, despite the temptation.

You aren't alone, Aya. Keep going.]

[perfectselfie]

[She's going to be giving hugs once this is over, don't worry.]