azume | Week 1.

Week 1.

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!]

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[Chelsea hits the department store first up. You can find her rummaging around in the clothes, her Maractus out by her side dutifully shuffling along, as she picks up one piece of clothing, frowns, puts it back, and repeats. The poor little cactus looks as gloomy as it did yesterday, and she frowns and thinks... before plopping a big yellow sun hat on its head.]

There! Maybe that'll start cheering you up.

[It's a start, anyway. She's also going to try and hit up the Game Corner and poke around the machines. Is there any way to turn them on, are they plugged in? She's going to try and test if they still work.

Later, she's going to the edge of town, by the gateway out, but she's not going to try to leave. No, she's... trying to climb one of the trees.]

Maybe if we see where we're going from here...

[ So uh, much like probably everyone else, Zelda's first destination is the Department Store. She does feel a little bit bad for shopping one someone else's rupees but ... I mean. She also needs to be prepared for the journey, right? As such, she's picking out an outfit, getting supplies, and getting books. Honestly, there is so much here that she doesn't recognize, so you might come across her doing any of the following:

trying on more than one outfit and combinations of clothes and accessories before ending up with something not particularly dissimilar to this

Trying out matches and being amazed at them (look we mostly use flint and tinder), not to mention being even more amazed at the flashlights?

Collecting two or three spares of those red and white capsules because she wants to study them. In the same vein, trying to find a toolkit of some sort to take one apart...

Collecting all the books she can, like the travel guides, the battle guides, etc.

Trying to find a good tent. Also boots and gloves and other things for hiking. It seems she's... used to journeys?

After that though, her quest brings her to looking around the city. Getting a feel for it, admiring the architecture, seeing the creatures. Looking for stables. ... They will have horses somewhere in a community this big, right? There simply must be stables (there aren't stables) but also trying to talk to some of the residents.

It's worth noting that through all of this, as per Cynthia's suggestion that they're friends and that her friend is alive, she is having her beldum floating along behind her.

And as the day turns to night, Zelda's content to pitch a tent, but where they slept last night they didn't really get agreement on, did they? So she's actually looking around for an inn and when there isn't an obvious one she can find considering going back to the same spot or knocking on private residences to ask if she might stay with them. ... She's polite, of course! Eventually though, she will just return to the Pokemon Center. Probably.

So a busy day ]

Edited 2018-06-04 17:03 (UTC)

[Ignis was, as ever, something of an early riser. Dawn found him sitting just outside the Pokemon Center, a sleeping Absol in his lap and a distant look on his face that almost looked...forlorn, if one watched long enough.]

['Can you...sense light?'
'To a degree, yes.'
'So, when dawn breaks...you'll know it.']

[Somewhere there was a world in which the sun rose, on Gladiolus Amicitia and Prompto Argentum rebuilding things from the ruins. They would do fine without him--it wasn't as if this was the first they had been separate for some time--but it still bothered Ignis to know that world was one moving forward without him, after he'd promised to-]

[...One thing at a time.]

[Once morning had set in a little more properly, Ignis and his canine companion ended up at the Department Store; gathering provisions didn't seem too daunting a task, with a hand lightly run over the disorganized shelves to get an idea of what he was dealing with. Basic survival gear--he'd learned how to utilize that from Gladio, thank the Astrals--some food, and perhaps a couple of those capsules. They seemed fairly important, after all. And speaking of important...once the essentials were taken care of, he sought out a pair of basic sunglasses while he was at it. That felt a bit more natural already, though he'd have to find Zelda for any substantial help with seeking out clothes.]

[It was a new day, setting forth once more in a world with endless possibilities and just as many disasters laid out before them.]

['Not exactly a fairy tale beginning, huh, Prince Noctis?']

Edited 2018-06-04 17:22 (UTC)

[ Shirou is up brightly and early (no seriously we're talking the crack of dawn here), perusing the Department Store for supplies. He only selects what he considers the bare necessities: a rucksack to supplies around in, maps, a Pokemon manual, food and of course new clothes. He's not one to really care about fashion, but this Team Galatic uniform is definately not to his taste. What is to his taste aparrently, is dressing in jet black from head to toe aside from the small pop of white peeking out from his buttoned up blazer. He honestly looks like he could fit in at a funeral, though he does purchase a simple red scarf as an afterthought.

Around midday after he's done a precursory exploration of town, Shirou can be found on the grass near the rock formations on the right side of town. There's no church here, so he'll have to make do without an altar, but that's alright. While he spends the majority of time here in silent prayer kneeling (his litleo obediently sitting beside him), once he's done praying he shifts to a more relaxed position, sitting on his knees. ]

Let's see...I'm afraid my partners are usually of the more combatitive type, but this is a pleasant change. [ As expected, there's no response from Litleo. ] Hm, perhaps it would be better if we started our contract anew. Your...paw, please.

[ This scene likely looks entirely too serious for a simple "give paw" command, but it is what it is. ]

[It's probably not a shock that the first place he heads to is the department store, where he can be found rummaging through the clothing section, pulling off a few sweaters and one oversized hoodie off the rack, shoving them into a large hiking backpack. Eventually he finds a bow, and very neatly ties it to one of the horns of the skiddo that's following him without making any noise at all.

He can be in the department store for a good hour or so, stuffing things into his backpack and generally looking like he's someone who is used to roughing it outside.

Later he can be found wandering through the city. He's changed out of the Team Galactic uniform, instead dressed in a thick sweater, hoodie, and wearing a baseball cap that has a logo on it of the strange red and white capsules his goat came from. He looks a lot calmer now that he's in street clothes, and has even pinned up his left sleeve. Which might look a little creepy, actually, because it's even more of a reminder that he only has the one arm, but he seems like he gets around just fine.

In the evening, Bucky can be found outside of the warehouse... pitching a tent, apparently. He can be found talking soothingly to the little goat at his side.]

You're staying in here, too. I've got some blankets for you. Figure the temperature is too low for you to sleep outside.

[Naturally, she doesn't react at all, but he pats her on her flank before offering her a berry, which she doesn't react to at all, so he sets it on the ground in front of her, sighing.]

Edited 2018-06-04 17:52 (UTC)

[So now he's in a city he doesn't know, and where everyone is as spiritless and emotionless as the grunts inside that building. This situation is surreal and Kiryu doesn't like it one bit.

But there's comfort in having a plan. Going to a lake and find deities...he's not sure if it'll work, but Cynthia seems to know what she's doing. He's willing to do what she says. For now he wants to prepare himself for the journey.

The Department Store is a good place to start. Kiryu keeps his companion out of the Pokeball at all times -- he's going to have to get over his apprehension once he has a bigger team, but right now he's keeping him out of the capsule so he's not cramped inside a ball -- and browses the selection, taking random supplies for now. They're going to need a lot of stuff for everyone, every single person better take stuff for themselves.

The travel guides get his attention. He picks up a few, extending the maps on the floor and studying them. One of them has a larger image of the island they're in, and he just saw the region of Kanto]

Wait, does this mean this world is a bizarre version of Japan?

[Sure does like it! Although Kanto is the only place he recognizes here.

That afternoon he goes back to the department store, looking for more stuff. There's also food. He takes some cans of nonperishables for himself, and finds bags of food for Pokemon. Nothing shows his companion, so he's not sure what to go for. Maybe Pancham knows?]

Which one would you like?

[No response, Pancham just looks at him with very, very vague confusion. Patiently, Kiryu picks up Pancham and holds him in front of the many bags of food]

Come on, make a choice. You'll get anything you want.

[He hopes treating Pancham like nothing's wrong will help him recover. He really hopes so.

That's also why he goes to the Game Corner. He stands behind a random table, having piled many chips, and encouraging Pancham to do the same. Of course, Pancham does it without complaint nor comment. Kiryu sighs]

It's depressing to see these little guys acting like this.

Do you think that'll work?

[He sure hopes so. He'd be willing to buy a silly hat for his Pokemon if it helps him cheer up]

[Come morning, this whole nightmare is still happening! Fantastic.

Michael sets out to the department store fairly early. He's finally bothered to let his Purrloin out of her ball this morning, though he doesn't seem to be keeping her in mind very well; the little cat has to move pretty quick to keep up with his much longer strides.

Trivial as it may be, dressing more like himself does make him feel better. He seems almost relaxed as he samples some bow ties to go with his suit, eventually settling on one checked in a couple different shades of purple. It's far from green, after all, and the matching pocket square is nice.

Experimentally, he tries to store some ties in the Pokeball. When this doesn't work, he casts a thoughtful glance at Purrloin, and ties one around her neck before sending her into the Pokeball. Tie and cat vanish. Success! You may find him doing a quick set of experiments afterwards, calling and dismissing Purrloin with objects in various configurations: on her body, being held by her, larger things that she's just clinging to with her claws. Apparently it's all just driven by curiosity for the moment, because he doesn't end up using this trick to steal anything; yes, he'll pay the sad vacant cashier for his clothes like a decent person.

After this, he can be found having settled down for lunch with a copy of all the books and pamphlets available in the department store. He's flipping really quickly through them - must be some kind of speed reader. Purrloin is sitting on the table with the books, unenthusiastically eating her own meal.

Picking up basic survival supplies goes quicker, even if he does stop to get explanations about all the battle items from the lone employee on that floor. Once that's done...

...well, look, it's not breaking into people's private residences if the doors are open. He just wants to see what's in here!]

You had companions like these ones before?

[That's good. Maybe Shirou would be able to give him a tip or two, he thinks. Contracts...ah, could that be essential for cooperation?

He doesn't know a thing about raising Pokemon, yep]

[The indifference of these creatures is heartbreaking. Kiryu approaches, for a moment considers commenting about it, and decides it's too depressing to talk about right now]

You two could stay in the Pokemon Center. It's going to be less cold there.

So these capsules can carry objects too...

[Zelda's going to be pleased once she's told about it]

[Ah, well, it's a bright new day, isn't it. He's in a new world that's apparently got very different rules than the one he's from... and honestly?

Even if he has a lot of issues with the fact that he was torn from his world against his will... this is absolutely fascinating. So, as soon as he picks up an outfit that's... not unlike this, but minus the hat and with a knee-length coat, he picks up a blank notebook and some pens and heads straight to the book department of the Veilstone Department Store and sort of... parks himself there for a while. Certainly, it's not quite like a library... but it's quiet enough, so he hits the books hard enough that he resembles a student cramming for finals. If a student cramming for finals had a jellyfish handing him books every so often, of course. There's one thing that stands out to him as he's browsing, though...]

...nothing about him, huh. What kind of self-made god doesn't demand a glowing autobiography on every bookshelf? Come to think of it, there aren't any statues, either...

[Well, anyway, after picking up a few supplies for......... camping...... he guesses.... and some of those Pokeball things, he leaves for the open space in front of the Gym, where he's set up a little target made out of sticks and also his Galactic outfit.]

Well, alright. Let's see what you can do, then. Though... I should ask you to be gentle, since I might need this thing at some point. You seem intelligent enough to follow instructions so far, so I'm going to trust you with this.

[The Frillish nods obediently and... well... it does blow a few fairly impressive bubbles at the target, and it does soak the area with Water Sport, but once it accomplishes those, it... stares kind of vacantly at the target... touches it with a tentacle, then turns to look at Kayneth... and kind of shrugs.]

Huh. Is that it?

[head shake.]

...hmm. Maybe I should ask someone about how you're supposed to know how these things work.

[The conversation with Cynthia yesterday has left Yuri in a bit of a weird place. Getting home is important, sure, but he can’t help but feel bad for this world. Just as importantly, he wants to find the guy responsible for all of this, though the discussion of killing him hasn’t really set Yuri’s mind at ease. Does the guy deserve to die for what he did? Honestly, Yuri isn’t sure. He doesn’t know the full situation, so he’s not really in a place where he can judge. Yet.

Eh, it’s not really something he wants to think about right now. So when the sun rises, he’s out of the Pokémon Center and exploring the city.

The department store catches his interest first, and since he desperately needs new clothes, it’s a good place to start looking. Just like everywhere else, the people here don’t seem to care about the Team Galactic uniform or anything, really. At least Cynthia left us all money? He’d feel kind of bad about not paying given the state they’re in...

You can find Yuri checking out the clothing with Roc at his feet. He seems to be stuck deciding between two outfits...]

What do you think? Red’s not really my color... but neither is gray. The pants on this one will make running harder... Hmm.

[It seems like he’s talking to the dog again. Roc doesn’t respond, she just watches as he picks up the hat that goes with the second outfit.]

...Yeah, it would make me look like a thug, wouldn’t it?

[Definitely.

After deciding to go with the first outfit, Yuri’s ditched the Team Galactic uniform and switched into that. Of course he’s left the shirt undone down to his chest because why would he ever button it up all the way?? But you know what, at least he’s wearing something else, even if red really isn’t his color. He’s also picked up a backpack (to shove the Galactic uniform in, just in case he needs it later) and he’s currently got that on one shoulder as he browses the books.

Yuri’s not exactly a scholarly type, but he’s got his nose buried in a book about Pokémon battling and he’s... reading aloud to the dog, because of course he is.]

Fire beats Grass, Grass beats Water, Water beats Fire. Simple enough. But then there’s stuff like Flying and Ghost and Ice... How is anyone supposed to keep all this straight?

[He sighs and sets the book down in a stack of other books he’s collected. It looks like he’s at least been trying to research things about this world; there’s a book full of information about Veilstone City in the pile, along with some other books on basic Pokémon information.

After a moment of looking over the books, Yuri will turn and notice you.]

Oh, hey. You find anything useful here? Don’t get your hopes up for any weapons, I’ve already checked the entire place.

Ah - sort of. It only seems to work if a Pokemon is wearing or carrying it. Partially supporting a large object doesn't work, and she didn't seem able to leave things inside for later. Either that, or she didn't understand what I was asking.

But, for people with larger Pokemon...

[He gestures broadly, about the size of that Absol he's seen around.]

Could save a decent amount of packing space.

You're sleeping out here tonight?

[Ignis tilted his head in Bucky's direction at the sound of his voice, dressed in darker clothes and sunglasses with Absol close at his side.]

Seems a bit isolated, doesn't it?

I don't know, but it's worth a try, isn't it? I mean, people on TV talk about colour theory and stuff. What did you name yours?

[It was a little tricky to find Zelda, but not impossible. He hadn't exactly memorized what everyone's steps sounded like, but hers had already registered as similar enough to Prompto's light motions that they'd stuck out somewhat.]

...Zelda, is that you? [Still, didn't hurt to be certain. He called out in a casual tone, putting on the sunglasses he'd made a note to find along with the essentials.] I'd like to ask a favor, if you've a few minutes to spare.

Maybe.

[Bucky offers a smile, even if Ignis can't actually see it.]

I don't do well in large groups, I have trouble relaxing. I still don't sleep more than two hours at a time on a good night.

[Bucky offers a slight smile, though it doesn't look entirely natural.]

Yeah, that's where a lot of people are staying, right?

I've lived in a hut for the last couple of years, I'll be fine.

[...]

Not punishing myself or anything, I'm just used to being outdoors all day.

Edited 2018-06-04 18:54 (UTC)

Hardly an unusual thing, I would say--most with combat experience tend to have the same sort of circumstances.

Would you mind company, for a while?

[Giggles from the peanut gallery.]

I'm sure they'll get better when they care some more. I mean, if it happened to us, it can happen to them!

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Page 1 of 103

Week 1.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

investigation (game corner prompt)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Department Store

Investigation? Home invasion

Grass

Warehouse

Department Store

no subject

no subject

no subject

evening

no subject

department store

no subject

no subject

no subject

gym