Test 6.

[azumods]

EMOTION After the discussions with Lucas, he seems calm enough; any visible nerves around you, muted though they may have been, seem gone entirely by now, and he seems sure that Mesprit will be able to make the right decision when it comes to what to do. Besides, even if it isn't displayed prominently it's clear that he's concerned about it; whatever is making it affect the Pokémon in the cave like this is more than a bit of a worry, even if the feelings flooding though those of you here haven't stopped, either - the sense that things will be okay somehow, the odd comforting presence, hasn't faded. Perhaps it's a good sign for things to come. Perhaps it's promising, perhaps it's meant to be an invitation. Perhaps it's a request for help. Either way, Lucas recalls Torterra - he isn't immune to the despondency flooding through the cavern either, though it seems it's taken a little bit longer to hit him - and he'll gesture for you to follow him; he weaves easily through the stalagmite structures everywhere, and after a while the lot of you will become aware of an area emanating a warm glow in front of what looks like another corridor. It's soft and pink, and looks more like a dim light than anything solid; however, touching it or pushing against it will prove to be like trying to move a steel wall reinforced with concrete, using nothing but your bare hands. In other words, for a soft pink glow, it's very, very firm. Lucas shifts a bit in front of it. "This is it. I've been working on it for a few days now, but nothing really seems to work - I've tried teleporting around it, but that doesn't work, and Pokémon moves won't break it at all. "I really think Mesprit is back there; we need to help it." Do your best; that's all anyone asks of you right now.

Comments

[hyruglyphics]

[ Oh sweet, a barrier?

... Okay it's not precisely like an "oh sweet" moment, but it is interesting. Once they make it to there, Zelda pushes lightly on it, marveling at the feeling of it. It provides way more solid resistance than she might've expected. She would have thought of it as magic if it weren't for the fact that obviously it's some sort of Pokémon ability. Mesprit's? Well, it could be something else, but...

Mmm. ]

There really is a strong resistance here. If Mesprit is able to form this, that would imply it is in a stronger condition than the other two were in, doesn't it?

[greydients]

That, or it's a unique ability of Mesprit's.

[Rey also has a hand on the barrier, and she gently applies force, frowning slightly as she feels her arm buckling under the pressure.

Whatever this is, they aren't pushing through it.]

[heritrix]

That would be the best case scenario. It's also possible that it's put all of its energy into defense, and not enough into healing itself. We really need to find a way through this to confirm.

[Rin doesn't push on the barrier like the others, expecting no results from that kind of attempt, but she does place her hand over it and close her eyes, concentrating every part of her self.

Since coming to this place, she's been completely cut off from the magical energy she could normally sense innately, but she's still a mage. It's instinctive for her to interact with the world around her using that sixth sense. With it being completely non-functional though, she's sure to get nothing.]

[gekkaju]

[Atsushi looks up at the barrier, feeling...very pressed to try and find the solution quickly, worried for Mesprit’s sake. He wishes that he could reach his gift, but he knows that’s impossible here...and if Pokemon moves did nothing, that likely wouldn’t work either.]

...I wonder if anything can be heard past this. If Mesprit might be able to hear us. It must know we’re here, either way.

[discutio]

I think that to be likely; perhaps we should announce our intent clearly?

[perfectselfie]

I have an idea...it might not work, but it's something I want to try.

[Aya takes a deep breath, putting her hand on the barrier.]

Hello, Mesprit. My name is Aya. I think...I know how you might be feeling. There's a song my group was working on before I was brought here, and I think hearing it might help you understand that we want to help.

[Deep breath number two, and she starts to sing. (ooc: click on the 4:20 version for the full.)]

I missed a warmth as I passed, my heart is worn out and in pain. Would it be easier if I just quit? This labyrinth of feelings...

Lie...the truth is something you already know.

Even though I'm still frail right now, there is light shining from over there.

The resounding passionate feelings are still far away, but I'll connect with you, as you take flight, once again luminous.

You gave everything you had but it still wasn’t good enough and screamed. Your courage to face against adversity starts to fade...

Stay, feel each of your memories.

Embrace your unchanging love, it doesn’t matter how many times you have to start over.

Those feelings that you can’t give up won’t lose. Create your future, with song.

Once again, luminous.

Fine...

Let's prepare for a brand new journey!

Even though I'm still frail right now, there is light shining from over there.

The resounding passionate feelings are still far away, but I'll connect with you, as you take flight, once again luminous.

[hyruglyphics]

[ . . . Aya really is strong, isn't she? Not to mention memorizing songs like that, damn. She smiles with some appreciation at the show either way. ... Probably wait until the end to clap. Or would clapping be bad? Mmm. ]

[semistableman]

[Child....]

[gekkaju]

[Oh...well, seems like he's not the only one figuring Mesprit could hear them.]

That was really nice, Aya-chan. I hope Mesprit could hear that.

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

[woah]

A...amazing...

[azumods]

[It isn't much in the scheme of things, granted, but since she's got her hand on the barrier - for just a moment, there will be some sort of noticeable give for a brief moment before it firms up again.]

[anythingforyou]

[Okay, Camilla will most definitely clap for Aya there.]

Beautiful work, darling.

[Whether or not it actually works!]

[voluptugust]

My, that was absolutely lovely!

[The singing might not have broken down the barrier between them and Mespirit, but it's certainly broken its way into Flurrie's heart.]

[gekkaju]

[Atsushi had decided to hold back for a while and just see what everyone else was doing...and talking to Mesprit seemed to be the order of the day. But for a bit longer he hesitates, until finally working up the nerve to put his hand on the barrier again.]

I wish I had some sort of fantastical story to tell you, Mesprit, but the truth is that I'm not as interesting as most.

[He laughs a little, almost shyly.]

I grew up in an orphanage so for a long time I didn't have any grand adventures or anything. But...I realized after getting out of there that I really wanted to help people. I wanted to try to make a difference in the world even though for a while I felt like there was nothing I could really do to benefit anyone. That's what me and the people I work with back home try to do...make life better for everyone. I guess that's what makes me want to try to help out here, too...I don't want to see the people and Pokemon here suffer.

Also...I don't have any talents much, but I do like food a lot. My favorite food is Ochazuke, or Tea-On-Rice...it's what I named my partner after. It's made with green tea, and it's really comforting.

[azumods]

[That gets a sense of warmth through the barrier again, stronger this time than it was previously; there's also a mild sense of curiosity there, warm and gentle, coming from somewhere outside yourself but definitely able to be felt and experienced. Empathized with.

What made you decide to help people like that? Was there any one specific thing?]

[discutio]

[Ignis tilted his head in Atsushi's direction as he listened, looking uncertain as he adjusted his mirrored sunglasses. But...it looked like restraint wouldn't do them any favors.]

Forgive us for barging in on your territory, Mesprit. My name is Ignis Scientia--truly, I don't find I've much worth telling about myself. I have served in the Lucian court since I was six, as advisor to the crown prince. Truthfully, I've lived something of a sheltered and fortunate life until a bit over some ten years ago when we lost our hometown. But I...have something I've sought to protect for a very long time. And it's because of that purpose I also wish to help those I should come across in need of it.

I've dealt with gods and daemons alike before, yet I find myself at a loss in this world. Even so, I know this world in need of aid and wish to offer mine as much as I've the capacity to, and I've not failed to see a task through to the end yet.

[Another slight adjustment of his glasses, that time more of an unconscious fidget.]

No matter the cost.

[azumods]

[The warmth you feel at that is decidedly less intrusive than the usual thought-pushing that the Lake Guardians tend to do; it seems that any sense of communication isn't going to be in words, but rather something hazier - the sort of empathizing that one experiences from knowing someone for a while, to a point of knowing what they're thinking without it having to be expressed out loud. Familiar, but not overly so. Soft.

For the time being, it bears with it a sense of curiosity. Mild amusement, maybe. You deal with gods and daemons, you have something you consider so worth protecting, and yet you don't feel you have much to say about yourself?]

[ventulus]

[ Well, here goes...! He has no idea what to say, but--he'll carefully place his hand on the barrier too. ]

I have two friends back at home, and before I was brought here, we shared the same dream -- we wanted to become Keyblade Masters together. It takes a lot of work to get there, of course, and it's not always something that was going to be easy, but we knew it was something we wanted to do because the idea of doing it? It brought us a lot of happiness, I mean not only just because we would be in a position we liked, but because it was something that brought us together.

If it wasn't for that, I don't think we never would have met, and even though there were hard times because of it too, I don't think I have any regrets. After all, I don't think I'd be much of anywhere or any person without my friends.

[ He smiles and places his hand on his chest. ]

Like everyone else, I was brought here from a world I knew to somewhere I didn't so much. But, because of that, I made new friends here too, and I'm ready to help everyone here in this world in need. Including you.

[azumods]

[Well, that's getting a sense of warmth from the barrier as well, though it does bring with it a sense of curiosity. A thought that drifts up, soft and hazy around the edges.

Tell me about your friends.]

[eudaimonikos]

Well! [Michael claps his hands together.] My name is Michael. Being a demon, I'm not as given to this fluffy bullshit as the humans, you understand. The main feelings we traffic in are anger and confusion. And irritation, that's just sort of smaller anger...

[That is mostly true! The part about Michael not feeling much beyond that is a big ol' fucking lie ]

But I do want to help this place. And I have friends back home, too! I have like, five. That's...that's a lot.

[azumods]

[(well that's going to get a weird noise from lucas, who is over in the corner of this round room somehow GOOD TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT A POKEMON HE SUPPOSES)

...That said, that. Okay, you know what, you're going to get a sense of amusement from the barrier, along with the general warmth that implies you're being listened to.

Some people don't feel things as much. That's okay, too. It takes all kinds, and anger and confusion are as important as anything else.]

[radiantflame]

[What is Morag passionate about? She's pretty sure Mesprit isn't interested in talking war and policy.]

Ah... hello?

[She places her hand against the barrier.]

I'm afraid I'm not much of a performer, or a storyteller for that matter. Are you perhaps familiar with the boy we just encountered, Lucas? He reminds me of my cousin, Niall. Niall has quite a lot on his shoulders as the emperor, and he's so young yet. I want to help him be the best that he can. Our nation is facing many trials, and Team Galactic has made it clear that they wish to be another. After seeing what they've done to this world, I cannot let that stand.

I suppose that's what I'm passionate about. I want to protect Niall, Brighid, my people... and my friends in Alrest and here.

[azumods]

[That...hm. The warmth from the barrier is soft and almost tangible, and what it brings with it is a sense of understanding. Those sorts of feelings for family are strong, even from Mesprit's side, and it definitely does seem to understand wanting to help them be the best they can be. With it, too, comes thoughts, gentle and hazy around the edges, less aggressive than the usual thought-pushing from the Lake Guardians.

You've known a lot of hardship, haven't you? Things like what you're talking about bring a lot of difficulties.]

[divinedescendant]

Thank you, Mesprit, for taking all this time to listen to and speak with us. I suppose having a group of strangers invite themselves into your home and bare their souls for you wasn't quite something you expected out of the day, hm?

[But there comes a laugh as she says it, light and easy. Latona and Audhulma are back in their Pokéballs now, overcome by the cave's sense of misery, but Duma stays faithful at her feet (probably after an interlude of making Lucas pet him tbh), even if he's a little sniffly.]

My name is Emmeryn. My dear friend here is Duma. In a country to the west of my home, there is a legend about an ancient dragon god long since laid to rest, and he is my companion here's namesake. He was known as the father of his people, who led them with a strong and steady hand. He has lived up well to his namesake. Against all the trials we have faced, even when he has been angry or frightened, he has stood unshakable at my side. I love him so.

[Duma's making an intense effort to like...hide in his orb, even though he absolutely is not a turtle and that's not how it works, this entire time. MOOOMMM YOU'RE EMBARRASSING HIM IN FRONT OF GOD]

Of course you can well see him and the rest of my traveling companions before you, and yet to see them like this...my heart is too full to speak of anything else. I love them all so, and to know what trials we have faced, and to know there are others endured while they were strangers yet left unspoken, and to see them push through and now to offer their hearts here in whatever small-seeming, marvelous way in hopes of helping...and to make this journey alongside them—I cannot tell you how ever more certain I become of that love. How grateful I am to this land for bringing me to each of them.

[For bringing her at all, that she might breathe and laugh and walk behind and beside without anything more being expected of her.]

You have my gratitude as well; as Sinnoh does, for it is yours as much as anything, but as you do, for hearing us all.

[azumods]

[Oh, that's...nice, honestly, and it'll bring with it a strong sense of that warmth from the barrier; it's kind of the psychic equivalent of a hug, really, though it's less the comforting sort and more the sort that happens when you greet a friend. And with it comes a thought, more sensed and felt than heard, less intrusive than the usual thought-pushing; it's gentle, hazy around the edges.

They love you too, you know.]

[takestheblame]

It's my turn now. [Well better do his best. He figures lying to a deity who can sense emotions is a bad idea, so he decides to be as honest as possible] My name is Kiryu. Kazuma Kiryu, and I was yakuza once.

[Do...do Pokemon even know what a yakuza is? Most likely not, so he elaborates]

Yakuzas are pretty much on the thin line between lawful civilians and criminals. Technically what yakuzas do is illegal, and their methods can be brutal. They have the power and money to be pillars of the community or the worst kind of bullies you could encounter. I got into that life to follow my... [My father? My father figure? He did call him dad when Kazama died, but that was a spur-of-the-moment thing] ...to follow someone's steps.

I was a yakuza for more than ten years, recently I decided I wanted nothing to do with that anymore. Being a yakuza claimed the lives on...a lot of people I cared about. For some it destroyed their lives, others were led down paths I want to think they wouldn't take otherwise. I had nothing to live for, until a friend pointed out to me there was someone who needed me: a friend's daughter. We were going to live together, I was going to support her the best I could, since she had no one else to rely on.

And then I woke up in this world. [He stops for a moment. He misses Haruka, he hopes she's okay] I wouldn't have turned my back on any of this even if I had the option of returning home immediately. The more I spend in this world the more I like it, and...I think this is the place to start over again, once everything is okay here. For Haruka and for me. We can leave behind everything that happened, and start over in this world.

Please let us help you. I want to help you all. None of what happened here is right, it needs to be fixed. All I want is to make everything be okay and give Haruka a good place to live in. I know she'd love this world too.

[It's true he does care a lot about doing what's right and undoing Cyrus' work, but he also is doing this for Haruka's benefit -- and by extension his own benefit, but in his list of priorities Haruka comes first]

[azumods]

[Oh, that's... There's a bit of a pause, but the tangible response is almost immediate, the warmth coming through the barrier indicating both that he's being heard and that he's being understood. There's a lot of concepts in there that Mesprit doesn't quite grasp, and perhaps that's the reason for the pause that crops up before there's a solid answer; even when the response does come it's hazy and gentle, something that's more felt than heard - far less intrusive than the usual thought-pushing, though it's still tangible in a way.

It isn't selfish to help others. All actions benefit you - even the best of people think it feels good to help others, and so they gain benefit from helping. It isn't wrong to want to help others to help yourself. But you're doing this for someone else as well - what is Haruka like?]

[omissions]

[Despite everyone else coming up and readily touching the barrier, Ari has been a tad nervous. But, he soon finally puts a hand against the barrier.]

Hi, Mesprit. My name is Ari.

[...]

I'm... I'm sorry, but I'm really bad at expressing emotions sometimes. But... I've been trying more. Now that I have friends... friends who acknowledge what I say or feel, and are also trying just as hard here to help you.

And... I need to try harder for someone I still need to find. Someone that I need to thank, for not having forgotten about me when everyone else had.

[The namesake of his Glaceon. Marlene.]

[azumods]

[There's a definite sense of warmth at his words, both to indicate that Mesprit is listening and to encourage, as well - it understands that these things are difficult for some. That said, there's a sense of mild curiosity behind its response; the response itself is something that's gentle and hazy around the edges, more felt than heard.

What is this person you're talking about like?]

RESOLUTION.

[azumods]

[While it may not have been difficult in the same sort of way the requirements before finding yourselves in Azelf and Uxie's presence were difficult, there's been a lot happening here today; a lot of hearts have been bared, and a lot of things have been said that were difficult to admit in front of anyone, much less the entire group and a deity that was previously not familiar to you. But there's no doubt that things have shifted in the cavern; the despondency that had been gripping your partners will lessen as time goes by, and the barrier is becoming pliable for longer periods of time.

Eventually, that elasiticity in the barrier will begin to give properly, and once that happens it doesn't take long for it to flicker out of existence entirely. It is a distinct flicker, there's some warning, so hopefully no one will just...drop onto the floor once it happens; even so, it leaves in its wake the darkness of the corridor beyond it, and the opening to another cavern beyond that.

It's small, but not so cramped that you can't all come in should you so choose to; Lucas will be granted permission as well, seeing as the barrier is down, so you won't have to just leave him outside (not that he'd stay put even if you did, he wants to see this as much as the next person). What's in that small cavern is likely exactly what you would expect - there's a faint, pale glow off to one of the sides of the cavern, out of the immediate line of sight of the door. It's tinged pink, pulsing gently with a sense of pure energy, and at the center of it is a Pokémon hovering about four feet off the ground. Once again, it's only about a foot long, not counting its tails; once in a while the soft pink glow is punctuated by small pulses of red emanating from the gems on its head and tails.

That said, the glow in its entirety is very faint, seeing as those gems don't seem to be in good condition; like with Azelf and Uxie, the skin around them is cracked and scarred, mottled with broken flesh and old injuries that don't seem to have been healing very well. Mesprit seems a bit more responsive than Azelf - its eyes are open, and it seems to be watching as you come inside - but it doesn't seem inclined to try to move or defend itself if needs be; it seems that it's done all of that that it can for the time being.

Again, you get the sense that you're in the presence of something very old, something to be revered, powerful despite its size and current state - just as much a deity as the others were.]

[discutio]

...Hello, Mesprit.

[Sight was overrated, with the sensation of a presence like that. And just the same, a measure of decorum was called for.]

Is it alright if we approach you? We'd like to help with those injuries.

CONTINUATION.

[azumods]

[Once Mesprit has been healed and the group has taken some tme to recover from everything the past while has been for them, it's likely time to take your leave and return up to the main cavern. Lucas will come with you, for the time being; he does have business to get back to in Sandgem Town, which fortunately isn't too far of a distance.

That said, it looks like there's someone waiting for you in the entrance to the cave system; Cynthia doesn't seem to have been there long, it actually looks as though she just arrived, and she's checking the Pokémon at her belt as though making sure they're still all there before she looks up to greet you.

Lucas is quick to go strange and still at her presence, though he'll eventually look away; he doesn't address her, he simply goes very quiet, and Cynthia's expression shifts quickly from mildly confused at the reaction to a sudden realization, her features softening immediately. When she smiles at the rest of you it's subdued.]

Good evening. I'm glad to see that you've made it here all right; I think we have a lot to catch up on.

We can wait until we're in safer location to do it. Will you come with me...? There's an entire town of people that are waiting to meet you.

[discutio]

...I think we're within our rights to ask for an explanation on a few things first, Cynthia.

[okay well this is just happening]

CONCLUSION.

[azumods]

[Cynthia is...honestly not sure what crawled up everyone's asses and died today, but you know what, that tends to happen when it's been three months of everything being terrible, even if things are being slightly less terrible nowadays. So she's just going to take the general cheerful stance of "IT'S WHATEVER, MAN" and pass out a few things among the lot of you.

They look like watches; Morag will actually probably find them familiar, seeing as they're a slightly upgraded version of what she found in Jubilife City.]

These have a system on them that will allow you to summon a Pokémon that will take you wherever you need to go. They know the region well, and they won't falter or drop you. Trust them, and they'll be there for you whenever you need them.

[Anyone who tries this will soon get a. Um.

Well. This. Drifting over to their location.]

They'll hold onto you; it seemed a little unfair to expect you to just cling to them the whole way if you've never done this before.

[Like, maybe three of you look like you'd have the core strength. More than half of you would die. Those in the "oh god you'd die" party are going to have to either figure out what you're doing really fast or get carried around by the abdomen like cats. Hopefully nobody here expected dignity.]

One of our Gym Leaders, Fantina, was really fond of the program when it was brought here. She was the one who made the initial decision, and it was never changed for obvious reasons.

[Obvious Reason 1: The world ended.
Obvious Reason 2: Drifblim will not, in fact, drop you.
Obvious Reason 3: This is fucking hilarious.

Now, time to clap her hands together and ignore all the whining Michael is surely about to do.]

I imagine it won't take long for you to get yourselves sorted out; of course, if you have something else that's capable of transporting you, you're more than welcome to use it.

[...Don't worry, we are benevolent mods and we won't make you HM it up. If it flies and can feasibly carry you, knock yourselves out.]

[radiantflame]

[Looks at the watch.

Pulls out the other one she stole found.

Innnnteresting.]