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

[discutio]

...Cynthia, technically. Are you familiar with her?

[azumods]

[That gets him to bristle, actually. It isn't massive, the reaction is slight, though it's likely evident anyway - a shifting of posture, a brief catching of breath.]

...Yes.

[discutio]

Before you ask, we don't know where she is and haven't seen her in quite some time. It's something of a stretch to say she even sent us at all, but it was her that provided us with knowledge of the guardians as a means to help this place.

[eudaimonikos]

Also, most of us do not trust her. We voted on it.

[azumods]

...Why is she here? I don't...know why she would be here.

[discutio]

...I'm not sure that I follow. If she's an inhabitant of this world, why would she not be here?

[azumods]

She hasn't been here for a long time.

[discutio]

Do you know where she was? As I said, she's pulled a rather marvelous disappearing act of sorts.

[azumods]

No. No one knows where she's been.

[discutio]

Allow me to summarize this clearly as I'm able.

Our group hails from worlds separate to this one, apparently pulled here as some effort on Galactic's side to spread their influence and seek out more foot soldiers of a sort. The majority of us awoke--or at least, became aware of ourselves--in Veilstone City, where we met and spoke with Cynthia. She helped us find some measure of our bearings and informed us of the lake guardians. To my recollection, she gave no indication that she had been away from the region for any extended time. That was the last we've encountered her directly.

[azumods]

[...Okay, hang on, you're gonna need to back up several hundred steps here probably.]

Spread their influence...where? They've already...changed the universe, I don't...

[discutio]

...truthfully, I'm a touch unclear on it myself. The implication so far as I understood it would be that our own homes were in danger, though I can't speak much to verify if that's the case.

[azumods]

[...Oh.]

That can't happen. We can't...let that happen.

[discutio]

Exactly our perspective. Which is why we've been traveling to help the guardians. Hesitant as we are to trust Cynthia's word, we haven't much else to operate on.

[divinedescendant]

We met and last saw her some time ago and some distance away, in Veilstone City. We have not seen her at all near this lake or Sandgem Town, if that is what concerns you.

[azumods]

Why is she having you do this for her?

[takestheblame]

It's not like there are many people in this region who could do this for her.

[You know, having no spirit and all that]

[azumods]

She shouldn't ask other people to get involved for her.

[enjoymyatelier]

Personally, I would've gotten involved even if she hadn't asked me to, because this state of affairs is utter nonsense.

[divinedescendant]

Ah, it would not quite be right to say we are doing this for her. She guided us this way—We are quite far from our homes, you see, and cannot return on our own. At the same time, our group is in staunch disagreement with Team Galactic's ideals, and we have wanted to see life return to this world.

Cynthia told us that finding the lake guardians would be the best route to achieving these ends.

[azumods]

She could have done that on her own. I don't...know why she isn't.

[divinedescendant]

Unfortunately, neither do we. We have not heard from her at all since our journey's very beginning.

...I am grateful for her initial aid, but many of our number mistrust her. Regardless, please understand that our ideals now are our own. She was a guide, but she is not our leader. We wish to help this world for its sake as well as our own. It sounds as though she has wronged you—this whole region. That is not a legacy we've any wish to follow.

[azumods]

[He's quiet for a moment before shifting his Pokéball in his hand.]

Prove it to me?

[divinedescendant]

[She sees him shift the Pokéball and, in turn, steps aside just so, indicating Duma to come forth. He's still not in the best of shape because he's a dramatic bitch on the best of days and this is not one of them, given the miserable cave atmosphere, but the orb son still waddles his way right to her side. Latona stays at something of a distance, though, with Emmeryn's Ralts sat on Latona's shoulder.]

This is my friend and companion, Duma. He has been with me from the very beginning, and I treasure him so. Together, we have met and aided the gods of the lakes and one of the flowers, and he has been unshakable against it all. I have such pride in him—and in my newer companions, Latona and Audhulma [gesturing lightly to them behind her] as well.

What can we do to prove our intentions to you?

[azumods]

[...Oh. Hi, Duma.

Lucas will pause for a moment, shooting kind of a wary glance at the group, before kneeling down a bit to get more on Duma's level. Do you. Do you care if he pats you, because. He kinda wants to.]

The flowers... Shaymin? It's a little green and white one with pink flowers on it.