Week 12.

[azumods]

WEEK 12 For the time being, it would seem that you're back on the routes again. Route 202 is thankfully a simple one - it's straightforward as compared to the winding paths of Eterna Forest, with a clearly marked path surrounded by trees. The usual patches of tall grass are present here, though they can be avoided if you really want to stay clear of them; it's a fair easier walk than most of the routes you've traversed so far, and mercifully it's also a far shorter one. It seems August is being kind to you in that way; there's decidedly less walking required of you, which is likely not all that unwelcome after the frozen hellscape that constituted most of July. As before, the changes to the world are still present, particularly in your own Pokémon, are still occurring but seem to be slowing down a bit as the month continues on; a worrying trend, perhaps, but they haven't stopped altogether. That said, however, there's a change to the route that you may see from time to time - patches of those bright flowers in varying colors will show up along the routes themselves here and there. Perhaps a sign of gratitude from a friend you've helped out... By Tuesday morning you'll find yourself in Sandgem Town. It's very small, similar to Floaroma Town in size, and the town itself smells vividly of the saltwater of the ocean; the main points of interest seem to be the research lab and the beach to the south of town proper, though there are a few locals present as well. Your stay here shouldn't be long; you're actually very close to Lake Verity, and it won't take you long to reach it given how relatively simple and straightforward the routes here are. Thursday morning will see you on Route 201 - it's just as easy a walk as the previous route, if not easier, and if all goes well you should be able to find the lakefront by Friday evening... CURRENT LOCATION: SANDGEM TOWN POKEMON AVAILABLE: WITHIN CITIES / NEAR WATER SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY [OOC: Welcome to week ten 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.]

Comments

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael didn't really take the time to enjoy the beach last time the group was near one. They'd been so recently arrived, with Saturn breathing down their necks, that maybe he'd been a little too stressed. Now, though, it's actually kinda nice? He takes his Pokemon out for a little walk there this morning. The ocean breeze is cool, and the salty smell of it is familiar. Even with the general presence of wild Pokemon, now willing to approach, it's peaceful

His Pokemon are around; some of them are marring the peace a little by battling said wild Pokemon, but Michael isn't keeping close tabs on them. Cat Janet has run off ahead as usual. This time, though, she comes trotting back after twenty minutes or so with a prize clamped in her jaws.]

Oh, hey! Is this breakfast? [He leans down, taking the fish from Janet, who is visibly pleased with herself.] Wasn't planning on trying Pokemon while we had other options, but I guess someone has to do it sometime...yeah, okay. I could eat fish. Geez, this thing's still alive, isn't it?

[Yeah, it's uh. It's still flopping. Cat Janet seems to have missed a crucial step somewhere. But that's no problem! Michael takes it over to a rock, gets out his little camping knife, and kneels down.

The fish looks up at Michael.

Michael looks down at the fish.

The fish continues looking up at Michael.]

......god dammit...

[Fuck. Fine, god. Michael stands up and, in a few sharp and clearly frustrated motions, tosses the fish back in the water.

Despite this, later in the afternoon, you can find Michael stalking quickly around town while a Feebas flops, slowly but doggedly, after him and his party. Cat Janet has disappeared to sulk over not getting to eat her catch, but Jane Doe is here, glancing back frequently to watch the little fish's progress. Once or twice, she shoos wild Pokemon away from it.

Michael is determinedly ignoring all of this. But even when he ducks in and out of buildings, it's still hanging around when he comes out. Ugh, why.]

afternoon

[semistableman]

[That sure is a fish trying to follow Michael-- he nearly picks it up to carry it to him, because honestly. The poor fish.]

Looks like your new friend could use some help.

[eudaimonikos]

It's not mine. [Michael hisses, glancing back at it. Luckily, it moves slow enough that he can stop to talk for a second.] I put it in the water, it just won't stay there.

[semistableman]

[Bucky's just going to scoop up the poor fish, because while it doesn't seem like it needs to be in the water, it sure seems like it wants to follow Michael.]

Nah, it's definitely yours now. That's almost exactly how I got Horace.

[He holds the Feebas out, hopefully carefully enough that it's not too put off from having been picked up by a strange man with one arm.]

[eudaimonikos]

[Feebas is okay with this! It's still flopping, but this seems to be from excitement rather than an actual attempt to escape Bucky's hand.]

I didn't even battle it! Why does that mean it's mine?

[semistableman]

Dunno. But it does.

[He shrugs.]

Horace just started following me in the woods and wouldn't leave, so I offered 'im food and he's stuck around since.

Looks pretty friendly to me.

[Look at that cute, floppy fish, Michael!]

If it's been following you around, that means it can survive out of water just fine, so that's a plus.

[eudaimonikos]

That's a minor plus at best. Cat Janet wanted to eat it, I could have just killed and prepared it like she wanted.

[Which doesn't seem to be a threat at this point - clearly he didn't do it the first time either]< /small>

[semistableman]

[Shrug.]

It's pretty happy to see you, though.

[Also he's pretty sure this fish is doing its Best. Kind of in that so ugly it's cute category.]

[eudaimonikos]

I think it's just flailing because you picked it up.

[don't lie, Bucky, it looks like it's got scale rot]

[semistableman]

[Bucky looks it over carefully.]

Nah, I'm good with animals. Sure, it looks a little rough around the edges, but I bet you when it evolves, it's going to be one of those Ugly Duckling situations.

It followed you all this way for a reason.

[eudaimonikos]

I just got the pink beetle. That would be like, six of them. Granted, I guess that one can't flop off too easy...but I really don't see why it's doing this to begin with. Much easier to just stay in the water where it belongs.

[semistableman]

Six does seem like something of a lucky number here.

[He looks back down at the fish curiously.]

Magikarp don't need to be in the water, either. I'm not sure how it works. Lungs to go with the gills, I guess? Anyway, I wouldn't underestimate the little guy who flopped its way after you.

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael looks at the fish. Then back at Bucky.]

Do I have to?

[semistableman]

[By the grin, the answer is yes.]

C'mon. I bet it has a cool evolution.

[Think of Gyarados, Michael!]

[eudaimonikos]

[SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH

But he'll.....very grudgingly reach out to take the fish...]

How are you supposed to train it? It looks like it has some kind of disease. [Feebas, meanwhile, is thrilled with this development.]

[semistableman]

You know, I don't know. Maybe teaching it tricks instead of battling?

[eudaimonikos]

What tricks? It's a fish on dry land, it can't do anything.

[semistableman]

Teach it to jump!

[Yes, this is a serious suggestion.]

If it can follow you here all the way just from flopping around, it can jump, I bet.

[eudaimonikos]

Isn't flopping really just a shittier version of jumping?

Morning

[takestheblame]

Didn't think you would balk at doing that.

[Not that Kiryu disapproves. He's just somewhat surprised]

[eudaimonikos]

Oh, shut up.

[Michael didn't think he would either, and he's annoyed about it.]

[takestheblame]

It's not like that's bad. There's plenty of food, one fish being let go won't kill us.

[eudaimonikos]

Well, yeah, it's not that. Killing and eating a fish isn't even a bad thing! Chidi eats fish!

[takestheblame]

Then what's it?

[What's in your mind, Michael?]

[eudaimonikos]

I don't think you understand. I once saw Chidi refuse to lie to literal non-me demons in the actual center of hell, because he thought it would be immoral, because he's a tepid little nerd! The man is like the personified concept of beige! And he eats fish!