Week 1.

[azumods]

WEEK 1. As Cynthia had promised, the sun does indeed rise the next morning. Whether you slept or not (and sleeping inside the Pokémon Center you were in before seems totally fine by the attendant), it seems Cynthia kept her word; she left sometime shortly before sunrise, and you haven't been bothered by Team Galactic and those that work for it in the interim. It isn't advisable to return to the headquarters building, however. At least not for the time being. However, a new day does dawn, and with it comes the knowledge that you're in an unfamiliar city, completely on your own. There are several things to be done before you can leave: gathering supplies and provisions, finding maps, obtaining new clothes... Of course, your new "companions" are still with you, and they don't seem willing to leave your side; they'll follow you dutifully, but they still seem...wrong, horribly so, and it doesn't seem to be wearing off. Maybe if you work with them a little...? Try to talk to them, train them, teach them to do things... Who knows? It might do them some good. CURRENT LOCATION: VEILSTONE CITY POKEMON AVAILABLE: WITHIN CITIES MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY [OOC: Welcome to week one 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. Don't forget that a write-up is due this weekend! Feel free to investigate the city as you see fit this week; we ask only that you try to stagger investigations and be mindful of what's already been checked. If you wish to investigate, notify the mods in your comment subject for your top-level and we'll get on it as soon as possible!]

Comments

[heritrix]

[If you haven't seen Rin around town much, that's not by coincidence. She hasn't exactly left—no, she knows that would be unwise—but aside from picking up clothing (a hatless version of this) and supplies earlier in the week, she's been sticking mainly to the outskirts of town.

There's three or four cleared campsites near the trees from where Rin's moved from place-to-place each night. Early Friday afternoon, she can be found not far off from her most recent one, sitting at the base of a tree and frowning up at the foliage in thought. A large, intricate circle is traced beside her backpack in the dirt, though she pays it no attention now.]

Did I tell him about the heirlooms next to the dresser...? [She's mumbling to herself, nodding enthusiastically here and there.] Between those and... Yeah. That will buy them time.

[She's going to have to give up on reaching home for now. Most likely she's spent too much time on trying to establish contact as it is; she's read up as much as she can on this world and the creatures that live here, but she could stand to learn the finer details.

This is what sees Rin on the roof of the department store later in the day. Her Mienfoo is beside her, staring with disinterest at the sunset while his trainer has her nose in a book. There's a stack of them behind her actually, where she sits on the edge of the building with her feet dangling.]

Where do you come from?

[No answer, but she wasn't expecting it. Rin licks her thumb and turns a page, not lifting her head.]

It's weird. I don't think you're native to this region at all? I can't find any information on you at any rate—or even a picture! Not unless you're a relative of this cute, overgrown ferret thing.

[And said cute ferret thing isn't in the guide she managed to come across earlier this week either. So... Back to Square 1, really. Rin sighs heavily.] Geez...

Outskirts

[takestheblame]

...can I ask why are you staying out here?

[No judgment, of course! Kiryu approaches, apparently having been taking a walk with his companion. He encountered a campsite along the way and thought nothing of it, but when he found Rin at another, he put two and two together.

Maybe she's like Bucky -- independent and doesn't like to be around people. Still...camping out there instead of at the city itself...it worries him a bit]

[heritrix]

[Blinking, she turns her head away from the sky to notice she has company. Well, okay then; she doesn't look too bothered by this, and predictably her Mienfoo has no care whatsoever. He does clock the Pancham though. If dead-eyed stares can communicate anything, that's probably a 'sup.]

Why? Thinking I'm planning to head off alone, ahead of everyone?

[She should probably stand to greet him? Pushing herself up from the ground, she brushes dirt and leaves off her shorts and gives him a quick smile.]

Don't worry. I have no such intentions.

[takestheblame]

[It's good to know she doesn't. Kiryu looks around]

You seem to know better than most at your age what to do when you're by yourself. At least you would survive if you left -- leaving aside that it'd be a bad idea.

[What'd happen to them all without Bucky, Rin and others who know how to camp? This group is a lucky bunch]

[heritrix]

—Ah?

[Here she has to laugh, high and nervous, though her voice is tinged with absolute satisfaction. The same way one might sound if they came across a happy accident, actually.]

So I look like I know what I'm doing? That's a high compliment!

[Oh god, this is going to go to her ego. Standing straighter, Rin looks in the direction of her little campsite over there.]

Honestly, this is my first time. I've roughed it outdoors before, but that was always in graveyards or parks near the city, and never for longer than a night or two. [Grinning, she puts her hands on her hips.] I was sure wilderness camping would be much different, so I wanted to practice. If I look like more than a novice, I'd say I'm off to a good start!

[That would be one of two reasons why she's out here.]

[takestheblame]

I was completely fooled. This is so well done I thought you had done this many times before. [That's impressive, seriously] The only time I have done anything close to camping was in a park, in an improvised shelter made with plastic sheets. It'll be interesting to see what real camping is like.

[heritrix]

[...I mean, she just admitted to sleeping in a graveyard once herself, so she can hardly be judging. But at the same thing it was a temporary thing, done to throw anyone who might have been following off her tail. Creating a shelter makes it sound like for Kiryu it was more of a long-term thing?]

I thought you were a real estate agent?

R O O F I hunger Pi

[hyruglyphics]

-- Oh, someone else was up here.

[ She says with some surprise, brushing back her hair a little bit as she steps out up top here, her Beldum floating behind her. She smiles at Rin as she sees her up here. She's not seen the other around as much, but it's a nice place to run into her. She's not sure about these vending machines, but she does like the view?

And the sunset is gorgeous. ]

\o/!!

[heritrix]

[Unable to turn her whole body given her position, Rin has to crane her neck to spot Zelda. Though when she sees her, she smiles brightly.]

Zelda! It's nice to run into you again.

[Oh, hey. She's closer to the vending machines right now.] If it's not a bother, could you get me a lemonade while you're conveniently over there? I'll pay you back; I have enough change in my pocket for two, if you want to get one for yourself.

[hyruglyphics]

-Ah, what ... are these? A lemonade?

[ She blinks at this, and she turns to see... the machine. She had seen images of drinks on here before, but she assumed they were advertisements. But now she looks again, she sees a slot for coins. She hadn't a rupee to her name still, but she had gotten some spare coinage. Even if Cynthia was handling all of their expenses, she goes into her jacket's pockets and she...

Hesitantly puts in three of them. So 300 according to this. And then clicks the lemonade...!
... Upon which a canned lemonade comes out. She gasps with no small bit of excitement and animatedly takes it in hand. She puts in some more coins, pressing the fresh water this time (what's a soda) and she is even more pleased at that! And with both in hand she heads over towards Rin with both ]

I got them!

[heritrix]

[While waiting for Zelda to come back over, Rin pulls her legs up carefully and half-turns her body so that she sits sideways on the building's edge now, cross-legged. She's just settled herself when she spots Zelda reaching down, excitedly claiming the drink from the vending machine.

...pfft. She looks so delighted, Rin has to hide a laugh behind her hand. That was way too cute. Fortunately, just as Zelda approaches she manages to stifle her quiet giggles.]

Thanks! You're a life saver.

[Glancing at her Mienfoo, Rin wiggles her fingers, beckoning him to scoot closer to her and make room for Zelda, if she wants to sit. He... stares back, not budging an inch. Rin huffs, tilting her head and beckoning more slowly, with significance. He seems to understand that time, crawling into her lap with a bland expression. Sure, whatever.

...Rin pats him on the head once, then fishes her fingers into the pocket of her bubble vest.]

A water costs 200, right? So I would owe you... Aha! [She pulls the coins from her pocket, and counts five out.] There you are. That should cover it.

[hyruglyphics]

[ The golden haired princess blushes a little at that, because it isn't that big, but she does hand off the lemonade and sits down next to the other. The Beldum continues to float next to her without much comment the whole time, settling in near both girls and also looking at the mienfoo without comment. Still, for Zelda's part, ]

I never realized that was a mean which could store drinks cold like this! If this water's actually fresh then... that's truly amazing.

[ A lot of the machines in the city are? But she takes the coins without incident, giving a slight bow to Rin as well in thanks. She just did her part and Rin opened her eyes to something amazing?! She's so glad. ]

Honestly, a lot of the technology in this city is...

[ She makes to open her water can once she's put away the coins. ... Wait did Rin pay for her too? ]

[heritrix]

[Yes! She said she would, after all.

Technology, though. Rin has tried not to think about it—just what is up with that weird incubator at the Pokémon Center? The assistant said it was for healing? Nuh-uh, sister. But that means Rin has little to add there, so she comments on their drinks instead.]

Well, I doubt it's fresh; it rarely is if it comes in a bottle. But if it's mineral water, that's the next best thing. Some brands can be really good.

Outskirts

[radiantflame]

[Morag had noticed her before while out on patrol, but as she didn't seem to be making any move to leave on her own, she let her be. Today, though, the circle catches her interest.]

Well, I have to admit I'm curious. What do these symbols stand for?

[heritrix]

[Ah, another visitor. Rin would stand, but since Morag is indicating the circle anyways, she might as well remain seating to better indicate it. Nodding the other woman a greeting, Rin picks up a long twig at her side and leans forward, gesturing to the many symbols.]

Various things. Each one has a meaning, but it would overcomplicate things to explain each one. Combined together, though, they form a magic circle.

[...which is kind of vague, so she taps the circle once with her twig and explains:]

I was trying to draw magic from the land.

department store roof;

[ventulus]

[ Guess who also likes to go up onto high places? Him.

Though, he's not expecting anyone else to be up here when he makes it up. ]

Trying to study up on your partner?

[heritrix]

[They're going to be so bummed when some of the other towns don't have nearly as tall options. For now though, Rin looks up from her book and cranes her head to acknowledge Ventus' presence. She nods at him.]

"Try" being the keyword.

[Glancing at her Mienfoo, she pokes him in the shoulder and clucks her tongue, as if chiding him for the difficulty. Lightly, though. There's no real hostility behind it, not that her partner reacts either way. If anything, he just looks at her as if to ask "you want something?"]

I'm confident I've figured out the most important matters, but I'm shaky on the fine details. I hate relying on guesswork, so I wish I could verify more.

[ventulus]

[ He smiles a little at that and goes to plop down nearby them, because it's been a long day and he'd like to just sit too. ]

Well, no one can say you're not putting in any effort.

[ Ventus is not an avid reader himself, honestly, so he hasn't read through too many of the books lying around yet. But he has done enough to get some deets on his partner. Basic deets, but all the same. ]

Do you think yours might be some kind of rare Pokemon too?

[heritrix]

[Aside from a guide on pokemon from the Sinnoh region she found, and a grade-school explanation of type advantages, none of the books she found go into too much depth. Most of them are children's books with illustrations she thought might be helpful, or cookbooks.

Ventus is welcome to look through them! The Mienfoo is just gonna... Sit here, clinging to the the edge of the roof, with no motivation to pull himself up. He sees you have a keychain. That's something, alright.]

You've noticed that too, huh? [She hums, leafing through another few pages.] I was just thinking of that this morning.

It was one of those sleepy, not-quite-awake thoughts that float to the top of your brain out nowhere... I knew I hadn't seen this little guy in the books I took with me, but it hit me that the other ones I saw we woke up with didn't look familiar either.

[Another page flip, and she reaches for her lemonade.] Maybe none of them are from around here.

[ventulus]

[ Ventus does take one of the books as his partner just hangs around close-by. ]

So, that could mean we either traveled other places in this world to get these guys or that we were just given Pokemon from other places by Cyrus and his goons.

[ The blond flips to the first page of one of those books, and then looks over back at the brunette. There's a lot they still didn't know, but there was time to find out about that the longer they stayed on this world. ]

And if that's the case, once we venture out of here we're bound to find more information on them, right?

outskirts

[semistableman]

[When Bucky approaches Rin, it occurs to him that it's the first time he's really spoken to her since their brief discussion upon Cynthia's arrival.

He doesn't think much of the fact that she's been moving her campsite-- after all, he's been doing the same.]

What's the symbol you've made here?

[It's too intricate to be completely decorative, as far as he's concerned.]

[heritrix]

[She should really clean it up, shouldn't she? Honestly, even though she's given up, Rin's half-hoping if she leaves it a little longer there might be a little flicker of energy.]

It's a magic circle.

[semistableman]

A magic circle, huh?

[He looks genuinely curious at that, even if it doesn't look like it's doing anything.]

How does it work?

[heritrix]

[That's because it isn't! Just some lines drawn in the dirt, sitting there. Rin leans forward with a bend of her knees, and props her chin up with one hand.]

Generally, it draws mana from the land. You'd then convert that into energy for whatever purpose suits your needs at the time.

[And like electricity, there's really no end to what purposes that could suit so she doesn't bother to go through them all. She simply gestures at the circle her pinky, before letting it tap back against her cheek.]

I thought I could summon my... Um. Let's call her a familiar for now. [She shrugs.] That was too ambitious, so I hoped I could at least establish communication with home. As you might expect, it was a lost cause on both ends.

[...while she told Kayneth yesterday that they may as well be open about who they are, it still feels taboo to speak so openly about magecraft like this. She's not sure if she feels anxious to be doing so, or a little excited. Probably both, even if it's useless here.]

[semistableman]

Oh.

[He looks impressed, but it's very clear he's completely lost.]

I remember, a long time ago, someone tellin' me magic was just a word for science people can't understand.

[Maybe it's different here, he's not sure. He's seen his fair share of things that should be impossible as it is, and that was long before he showed up in a completely different world with no memory of how he got there.]

Is it like that for you?