Test 5.

[azumods]

VERITY The journey this month has been easier on you in several ways; despite your losses, your numbers have been bolstered by the addition of two more this month, and unlike the unforgiving terrain on the way to Lake Acuity the routes to Lake Verity seem downright hospitable - they're straightforward, the climate is far more temperate, and there are patches of cheer visible here and there along the paths in the form of those brightly-colored flowers, even as you make your way toward the lakefront. But the lakefront itself is perhaps unsettlingly silent; a reminder, perhaps, of what you're here to do, of the importance of your task. You'll reach the lake sometime in the evening. The sun isn't down yet, but it looks as though it won't be too long before it dips below the horizon; there's more than enough light for you to see what the lake itself looks like, however - the water is still and clear, to an extent where you can see straight down to the bottom regardless of how deep it gets. There's no bridge or other way to cross over the lake that you can see, but once again there's a large rock formation rising out of the center of the lake and a good-sized opening in the stone, leading to what's likely a system of caverns further inside. Your exploration starts here, next to the crystal clear waters of Lake Verity; what happens next is up to you.

Comments

[gekkaju]

[Atsushi falters, hoping that whatever that heavy thing whoever this is is lifting isn't something they intend to try and lob at his head to keep him away, at least until he realizes it's more bag-like than heavy-rock-like.

He grits his teeth, holds his breath, and edges closer, trying to peer around the stalagmites to see if he can actually glimpse anyone there.]

[azumods]

[...Well, it seems that whatever it was this person was planning on doing, it was either "bolt" or the fight or flight reflex is winning out in favor of the latter, at least for now; get a good enough glimpse of them and you'll notice that there is very much a Pokéball in their hand - you'll likely also notice that they are...not moving in the direction y'all came from, toward Black Mage Daredevil over there, but rather further back into the cavern.

They startle a little when they see Rin and a couple of the others back where they came from; that actually gets them to draw up short and shift away, pressing back against one of those stalagmites but thankfully not trying to duck away out of sight again.

What you're going to end up seeing, then, is a boy that looks to be definitely no more than twelve, but he's probably closer to ten; he's dark-haired and warmly dressed, in black pants and a black-and-blue jacket, with a white scarf knotted around his neck, and while it seems like he's been affected like the rest of the region - his eyes still definitely don't look right, and he seems a little off - it's obvious that at the very least his self-preservation is working.

For those of you that were there, he seems a little like Maylene when she was trying to shake off the conditioning, really.]

Hi.

[It's not tentative; just kind of a blunt greeting. He shifts a bit, holding that Pokéball out toward Atsushi in a way that's clearly not offering it - more like he's willing to use it, to rise to whatever challenge is about to happen here.]

Listen, I'm not looking for trouble, okay?

[discutio]

...I don't think we are, either.

[EVERYONE TAKE A BREATH, NOBODY FLY OFF THE HANDLE YET.]

Are you with Team Galactic?

[azumods]

Are you...? You don't look like you are.

[He's. Trying. He's clearly a lot further along than Maylene was at the start, though finding words still seems to be a bit difficult.]

They're not...getting better. Team Galactic.

[discutio]

We aren't, no. And we've noticed they're not improving--still, doesn't exactly hurt to ask.

[azumods]

I'm not with them. Would...never be with them.

[takestheblame]

Do you know why they're not getting better?

[Kiryu has a pretty good idea why they're still under Cyrus' thrall, but he asks anyway. Maybe this Lucas kid knows something they don't.

Well, even if he did know, being able to tell them isn't guaranteed]

[azumods]

No. I don't... I'm not with them, I don't...talk to them. They're not all that great to talk to anyway.

[...lucas that's rude]

[eudaimonikos]

[sotto voce:]

He's not dressed like them, and I think he's maybe eight.

[enjoymyatelier]

He does look a tad young, yes.

[discutio]

Michael, I don't think you know how to measure ages. That or he's a moderately older sounding eight-year-old.

[eudaimonikos]

No, it's probably the first one.

[He can admit that!]

Point being, human child.

[gekkaju]

[Oh. Oh...]

...Hi.

[Atsushi echoes, his expression softening a little. It's clear he's not presenting any interest to battle, at least not right off. He's holding his Wimpod, but said Wimpod still is about as lively as a sack of potatoes over here, so.]

No, I- ...trust me, we're not looking for trouble either, if we can help it.

[He hesitates, just for a moment, before chancing just one step closer to the boy.]

We didn't know anyone else was here. My name's Atsushi. The others here are my friends.

[azumods]

[He doesn't seem interested in lowering that Pokéball he's brandishing at you, at any rate.]

Lucas. I'm...Lucas.

[Like with most of the locals, words seem. Hard? Though he's not a complete mess with it, at least.]

Why are you here?

[gekkaju]

[It's better than nothing, and that's all they can ask for, really.]

It's good to meet you, Lucas-kun.

[He inclines his head a little before continuing, swallowing.]

We're looking for the guardian of this lake. They've really been the only hope of fixing the damage Team Galactic has done so far, and...we really need its help.

[hyruglyphics]

[ Well that's.

... Young?

Zelda looks up from that whole fascinating technology thing to look over here and uh. She waves somewhat ]

Hello.

[azumods]

[He'll nod a bit in acknowledgement, though the gesture is extremely delayed; after a moment, though- ]

Oh, you found my-

[He cuts himself off at that, shaking his head after a moment.]

That's... It's important.

[hyruglyphics]

[ I mean Rin's still the one who has it but uh... ]

Would you... like it back?

[heritrix]

[That gets Rin to stop fiddling with the device, though she did manage to get it open.]

Alright.

[She lets her fingers drift towards the pokeballs on her own belt, though, just in case. She won't pick any of them off just yet, but he looks like he'll fight if he has to, so she doesn't want to be caught off guard.]

What are you here for, in that case?

[azumods]

It sounds like... Maybe the same reason as you.

[He doesn't sound too convinced, though.]

[divinedescendant]

[oh my god this is a child??? this is a baby???? like okay yes he's like twelve but this is a CHILD on his OWN, BIG SISTERLY INSTINCTS ARE IN FULL EFFECT]

We have heard the guardian here is in some trouble. We were hoping we might be able to offer our aid.

[gently, warmly]

I am sorry if we've frightened you, Lucas. My name is Emmeryn. It is a pleasure to meet you. Did you come out here all on your own?

[heritrix]

No howling souls of the damned? No human popsicles? That's a nice change of pace, actually.

[And well Zelda's right next to her; she heard that whole exchange there. So this device belongs to Lucas... Rin picks herself back up and closes the device she found, holding it out to him, but staying where she is.]

I won't bite. You're free to take it back.

[perfectselfie]

We aren't, either. We're trying to help people.

[azumods]

What do you mean?

[perfectselfie]

We're trying to stop Team Galactic and help everyone get their spirit back. We've helped Azelf and Uxie before, and we're looking for the last Lake Guardian.