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

[azumods]

Yeah, he is.

[He kind of...tips his head toward the Pokéball in his hand.]

He stays with me, no matter where I go.

[anythingforyou]

[Ah...]

Your most trusted of partners...

[Camilla genuinely seems to smile at that? Like, that's sweet, even with the state of the world being what it is.]

...The two of you must have forged quite an incredible bond; one perhaps even stronger than steel.

[azumods]

Yeah.

...I can show you, if you want.

[anythingforyou]

I would love to see, dear.

[azumods]

[He shifts a bit, then, moving his grip on the ball in order to release what comes down to a giant-ass terrain turtle - surprisingly, it seems a bit less dead behind the eyes than any of Team Galactic's Pokémon, seeming a bit closer to the ones you've hatched than anything. Not as far along as yours, but he's doing his best.]

This is Torterra.

[niceoppai]

Whoa, he's huge! Nice to meet you, Mr. Torterra! He... is he getting his feelings back, like ours?

[azumods]

Yeah, he is. Slowly, but it's good.

[So many headpats for Torterra right now.]

[niceoppai]

He's kinda cute for a giant tree tortoise. Bet you two worked pretty hard together.

[anythingforyou]

[...Woah.

That, little sir, is a big friend, and Camilla's eyes go wide in a way that definitely implies that on one hand, this was exactly what she was expecting--but on the other hand, that this is still so cool looking?? Like, holy shit? Were it not for the fact that she's trying to be somewhat mature, she would love nothing more than to pet it all day holy shit--]

Torterra...it's a pleasure to meet you, darling.

[...Arion kind of trots up to sniff at the new Pokemon, though it's not with too much energy behind it.]

You've raised him to be so wonderfully strong, from the looks of it...and his eyes look like they're starting to become brighter, as well. [Camilla smiles to Lucas.] ...You're doing a very good job, dear.

[azumods]

Thanks. I really liked raising him; it feels almost like we can't lose now, you know?

[anythingforyou]

I've little doubts about that. Such a strong, sturdy creature couldn't be felled so easily...I'm quite certain that both of your confidences are not unfounded.

[Arion trots back to Camilla when she says that much, though his...well, not necessarily glance, but his face is at least right in Torterra's direction.]

...Why, I almost think Arion would be quite pleased to test that. [Like. She doesn't expect to win here, but the Deino's at least making an Attempt at something that isn't crushing despair?]

[enjoymyatelier]

...

Ah, he looks like a world turtle! That's really fascinating!

[he's gonna come in and check that boy out!]

[azumods]

Yeah!

[I MEAN HE DOESN'T HAVE THIS REFERENCE BUT HE IS A TURTLE THAT IS KIND OF THE WORLD SO SURE??

that said torterra is a good boy and will allow this]

[enjoymyatelier]

[ahhh it's really cool...!]

It's a shame there aren't any elephants, although I guess that would be a little much.

Anyway, I suppose you'd like to see mine, then?

[discutio]

[Ignis stopped just sort of 'don't tell me, it's a giant turtle' and managed a smile instead of friendly sarcasm.]

Sounds quite the sizeable partner. You must be the formidable pair, I'm sure.

[His Absol stepped a little closer for a better look, the Altaria behind him craning its neck over Ignis' shoulder.]

...This is Hemera, and the slightly uncoordinated bird is Highwind.

[azumods]

[Oh, hello - ]

We've done research on these in the lab - did Highwind just evolve recently? I think they tend to take a little while.

[discutio]

Just outside, if you can believe that.

[he is, fortunately, no longer a soaking wet cloud]

I'm not even precisely sure what he's called now.

[divinedescendant]

Oh, my. What a marvelous creature.

[Consider Duma's curiosity piqued, as he kind of shuffle-rolls his way around from behind Emmeryn's feet. Emmeryn does sort of step sideways, though, half-blocking his path before he can run off and start touching things with his face again without permission, but it's obvious Duma wants to investigate.]

May he?

[azumods]

Yes, sure.

[...He may get pettings again after he is done examining Torterra with his entire face.]

[divinedescendant]

[pettings???? for once he's not thinking about pats actually because he's terribly occupied touching his face against Torterra—probably just like, Torterra's legs, since Duma is all the way down here, making curious squawking sounds.]

Is Torterra his species or a nickname?

[perfectselfie]

Aww, he's so cute! I'm glad to meet you, Torterra.

[azumods]

Do you think so?

[aya he has noticed you are also very cute and he's trying not to like

blow out whatever passes as pleased receptors for him at the moment[

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

Woah...he's amazing!

[Monta's still like...in a despairy kinda mood, but his hastiness shows through enough to make sad jealous monkey noises. sena why aren't you paying atteniton to him he feels so saaaaaad and he's your starter toooooo]

[azumods]

[...Oh hey- ]

You were given a Chimchar?

[like, holy shit?]

That's one of the Pokémon that Professor Rowan gave one of us when we were just starting out. He gave it to... [...Uh.] ...Well, he gave it to Dawn.

[You know, the girl that got involved in the shitshow.]

[semistableman]

[That is a big friend.]

He looks like a powerful guy. A friend of mine would get a kick out of him.