>>2003322
Well, I'm not going to be here for most of this, so please note a pre-emptive vote for bringing said Gardevoir with us for however long.

At the very least, she probably needs a hug.

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“Hana, you and Laki can go to sleep if you want. I’m going to invite a guest over to the campsite, but we’ll be quiet.”

Hana’s eye’s open in realization. “Okay! I like Gardevoirs. They’re just so pretty, you know? Guess you could say I’m a Gardevoyeur. Heh. Umm, I’ll let you go now. See you soon.” You very briefly see her slap herself in the forehead as she ends the signal.

You look at this strange, powerful pokemon. Mace keeps himself right next to you, despite the calmer attitude. You gently pat him on the head. “So, Gardevoir. Would you want to come back to the camp with us?”

Mace stiffens up. In reaction, you focus in a little more healing energy into him. You don’t really have all that much to spare, though. Still, it’s enough to make him a little more spry. It’s only when you started pouring it in that you realized how beat up he really was. You feel a bit guilty for not understanding the full extent until now.

Gardevoir looks you over, then nods.

“Alright! I think everyone here could use a midnight snack, right? I’ll whip up something quickly when we get back.”

That seems to make your pokemon pretty excited, except for Mace. Gardevoir follows behind with graceful steps that slowly get a little bounce to them as the group gets more excited.

The campsite is just around the bend. Even though it’s dark out, you're sore, very tired, and you’re a little concerned about your pokemon being roughed up, you’re feeling like tonight was a win on the whole.

Your eyes keep falling on Mace and Gardevoir. She’s following, but not very closely.

>Ask Gardevoir where she learned to talk
>Take Mace aside to chat
>Go on ahead quickly so you can talk to Hana
>Just go with the flow
>Something else

>>2003370
>Ask Gardevoir where she learned to talk

Considering previous encounters with talking pokemon from Gobble, this ought to be interesting considering the last one was First Movie Mewtwo.

>>2003370
>>Ask Gardevoir where she learned to talk

>>2003370
>>Ask Gardevoir where she learned to talk

>>2003370
>Ask Gardevoir where she learned to talk
Don't want to spook her or anybody else when we get to the camp, so moderately light conversation on the way in is probably the way to go.

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You hang back a bit as your pokemon spill into the small camp. You see Hana by the fire and a very small tent set up next to it, where you assume Laki is.

“So Gardevoir.” She cocks her head, a curious look on her face. “Where did you learn to talk?”

“Where did you?” She asks without pretense.

You have to think about that for a second. It’s not a question you get every day and it throws you off. “I guess from my parents. I can’t really remember.”

“Oh.” Her voice bounces in your head. “I learned from a pokemon.”

“Really? Another pokemon? That’s amazing!”

“Yes. He was. But he was just a traveller. He left. I don’t remember much about him. I don’t remember much at all. But I remember how he felt. Like a friend. I felt sad just before he left, and sadder after.”

Oh. That makes you sad. But as your mood dampers, so does hers.

>You’re sorry to hear that
>Give her a hug
>Friends come and go in life. What’s important is the time together
>Remember grandpa. “Losing someone from your life is never easy. I don’t know how to deal with it other than just a day at a time.”
>Change the subject
>Something else

>>2003464
>Give her a hug
>Remember grandpa. “Losing someone from your life is never easy. I don’t know how to deal with it other than just a day at a time.”

Yes, Hana is right there, but hugs are sort of Gardevoir's thing. Embrace pokemon.

It's a moral imperative, you know?

>>2003464
Backing
>>2003475

>>2003464
>>2003475
Supporting.

>>2003464
>>2003475
I'll support.

Well, much as I'd like to stay and participate further today, I've got to go to uni.

>>2003475
>>2003464
backing as my vote

>>2003475
Support, Gardevoir is for hugging

>>2003475
“Roll to avoid impalement” incoming?

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You think back on your grandpa, and melancholy falls over you. “Losing someone from your life is never easy. I don’t know how to deal with it other than just a day at a time.”

Gardevoir has a hurt feeling on her face, and the two of you embrace in a hug. “Ow.” You readjust after getting poked in the chest, and she pokes her own chest. But after that, it’s nice. There’s a familiarity to it. A warmth. Like an old friend. Even Mace stops giving a grumpy look and relaxes.

“I’m not used to being touched. This is...more pleasant than I realized.” That comment makes you feel just awkward enough to break it off.

“Oh wow!” Hana shoots up. There are shadows under her eyes but she’s full of energy. She runs over to you to give a quick, awkward hug of her own. She tries to kiss you on the cheek too, but she hesitates and misses the timing, so you just get a headbutt. “So uh, yeah. I’m Hana. Hello, Gardevoir.”

“Hello, Hana.”

Hana does a double take. Gardevoir follows suit a second after. Hana looks to you, and again, Gardevoir follows.

You nod to Hana. “Yeah, didn’t I mention she can talk? Sorry.”

Hana takes this in for a moment. “W-wow. Okay. Well, that’s amazing. How did you learn that?”

Gardevoir explains for the second time.

“Huh. That pokemon almost sounds like M...ah, nevermind. That’s crazy. Anyway, come, sit. Meet the others. Oh, I guess not Laki, she’s asleep.”

“No I’m not.” The tent says. “But now that Soft Hands is back I will be. Unless you want to come in and make it up to me for making us worry.”

>Make quick snacks and sleep in the tent with Laki
>Make snacks, stay up with Hana and Gardevoir
>Something else

>>2003654
>Make quick snacks and sleep in the tent with Laki

Getting your ass handed to you really takes it out of you, and Herb has a big day of solving internal church strife tomorrow.

Maybe we should apologize to mace for being reckless too?

>>2003654
>>Make snacks, stay up with Hana and Gardevoir

also she's one of those "old friends" of mace it seems

>>2003654
>Make snacks, stay up with Hana and Gardevoir

>>2003696
How do you figure? I’m pretty sure Hana was about to say “Mewtwo.”

Also, only in this post did I realize she was speaking meowth-style and not alakazam-style.

>>2003654
>Make snacks, stay up with Hana and Gardevoir

>>2003654
>Make snacks, stay up.

>>2003707
I thought it was pretty obvious.

it was a traveling pokemon and Mace used to travel all the islands for a long long time, on top of that there seems to be some sort of tension between the two of them. Additionally mace has mentioned that he had old friends over the islands and that it would probably be dangerous/a poor idea to meet them, and I would say she probably fits into this category.

>>2003707
also just because mace doesn't talk does not mean he does not know how, he doesn't have a mouth how would he even.

>>2003654
>Make snacks, stay up with Hana and Gardevoir

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You decide to stay up and make snacks. Hana volunteers to help, but she keeps pausing to ask Gardevoir questions or answer them on her own. Gardevoir still has a sort of dissociated aura to her, but as time goes on she gets more into it. You eventually assure Hana that you can handle it and make the snacks yourself.

Hana keeps tossing little questions at Gardevoir as if she’s a celebrity, while the pokemon cautiously, then enthusiastically nibbles on the snacks.
You glance over to Mace. He’s not fuming or anything, but he’s very carefully watching Gardevoir. At least, until Dice comes to snuggle into him. Gobble is sitting beside him, but falls asleep and leans on the rock pokemon. Once Bella settles in on the pile, Mace no longer has the willpower to stay awake.

You sit next to the two of them and mostly listen for a time. Hana loses steam on her questions, but they never really stop coming. Gardevoir doesn’t have many answers, but she reflects Hana’s positive attitude. Then, her tiredness.

From what you gathered, Hana knew a Gardevoir growing up. She always liked them. Sometimes she veers into being a little too enthusiastic about how pretty Gardevoir is, but it doesn’t seem to bother her.

You learn more about Gardevoir. She likes orange, red, and pink as colours. She seems to forget a lot even from earlier in the day. She’s jittery when she hears certain noises in the bush but calms down easily. She’s very unsure about being touched but warms up easily on contact.

She yawns, curling up near the fire.

Hana looks to you. “Guess I tired her out. Sorry for not being helpful with the food.” She looks down at the fire. “Umm, you look like you had a rough day. Want me to uh, help you relax before bed?” She twiddles her fingers.

>It’s cool. Go to sleep.
>Suggest she ask Gardevoir to be her pokemon
>Ask Hana more about her childhood
>A quick massage would be great, thanks!
>Something else

>>2003850
>>It’s cool. Go to sleep.

>>2003850
>A quick massage would be great, thanks!

wew

>>2003850
>Ask Hana more about her childhood
>A quick massage would be great, thanks!

>>2003850
>>A quick massage would be great, thanks!

>>2003850
>A quick massage would be great, thanks!

>Ask Hana more about her childhood

>you heard she had an aunt and uncle here? You’ve been feeling like taking some down time from adventuring and thought you could stay with laki’s or her family for a bit. But laki seems nervous.

>you know she might have meant some other method of stress relief, but you’re dead tired. Sometime soon, you promise.

>>2003876
>>2003850
Oh, and adding:
before we drift off
>suggest she ask gardevoir to be her pokemon.

>>2003850
>Hana
>always liked
>Gardevoir
>Sometimes she veers into being a little too enthusiastic about how pretty Gardevoir is

WELP. Looks like we're headed off that way, folks!

>>2003850
>>Ask Hana more about her childhood
>>A quick massage would be great, thanks!
do it!

>>2003888
Hana is going to catch a Gardevoir! Yeah, I think they'll be good friends!

>>2003888
I'm sure it's perfectly innocent.

I'm only avoiding the option for Hana to catch Gardevoir because I want Herb to catch her, mind, not because I think it's going that way.

>>2003906
Denying our waifu an awesome pokemon that she really likes, for shame anon for shame.

>>2003906
Herb should have Gardevoir. Hana feels like a charity case when it comes to pokemon.

>>2003947
>repeat types

I don’t wanna...

>>2003960
What repeat types? Herb doesn't have a psychic or fairy type.

>>2003978
The vulpix is ice fairy. We still need a fire type.

>>2003978
a vulpix evolves into fairy/ice

>>2003987
only ice atm

>>2003850
>Ask Hana about her childhood.

The way I see it is, if there is a talking pokemon, and it goes to Hana, we'll never talk to it.

>>2003929
I just feel like she's a better fit for Herb. She's a little banged up, psychologically, and Herb is the most nurturing person in the quest by a country mile. Hana has her own set of issues that she's working through without having to deal with this too.

>>2004000
Really this is an intelligent talking Pokemon here. In all honesty it should be up to the Gardevoir to decide if it even wants a trainer and who that should be.

>>2003987
Vulpix might evolve into ice/fairy, but vulpix is only Ice, and we don't know that it will evolve. First off, it has to want to, second, we need a special item to do so.

>>2004000
Herb and his pokemon sleep in a cuddle pile. Do you really want Garde in the cuddle pile? I’m sure it would be platonic but somebody might take issue.

Do you want Keira feeling like she isn’t even needed by us as a translator between people and pokemon?

Speaking of which, I’m going to assume Keira and gardevoir’s translations are like a double negative and they can’t actually understand each other.

>>2004031
We always ask what the pokemon wants. In this situation I guess we can get a more detailed answer.

>>2004037
I’m assuming the odds are pretty good she’ll evolve eventually.

>>2004031
Seconding this. It'll make for better drama.

>>2004031
Well, that's a given, but the option is still there for somebody to be more upfront about asking her if she wants to be caught.

>>2004069
Given the fact she's got no empathic filter, she kind of needs help there as well.

>>2004000
>>2004030
I think Hana wants to sleep with it.

>>2004069
Yeah we got to keep our desires down so it doesn't confuse the empath so she thinks our desire is her desire.

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“Some quick relaxation before bed sounds great.” You tell her. ”That is, if your hands are up for it. You’re not too tired, are you?”

“With my hands?” She pauses.

You smile and sit down, facing away. “Well, how else would you do it?”

“Heh. Well, umm, this is new. Not complaining though.” She hugs you from behind. You try to preemptively relax your shoulders, waiting for her to break it off so she can massage you. But she stays pressed against you, squirts some oil in her hands, breaths heavily into your ear as her fingers slip under your front of your pants.

“Pretty exciting, with everyone else asleep.” She whispers. “I like it.”

Oh gosh.

You wake up the next morning still a bit tired, but a million times more energetic than last night. Hana lays next to you, seemingly waking up at the same time. You have a little opportunity to chat before getting up for the day. You can hear Laki snoring.

“Oh yeah.” You say to Hana quietly. “I meant to ask last night, you mentioned an aunt and uncle before.”

“Oh. Yeah. That. Umm, well, technically I have an aunt and uncle in the islands, but... uh, ah jeez. They were estranged from my dad for years before I was born. I’m not even sure what the aunt-in-law’s name is. I sorta told my caretakers from the orphanage they’d be taking me in for my journey so they’d relax. I feel pretty bad about that, but they never would have let me go otherwise. They’re really protective.” She sighs. “I feel like a real butt for doing it. But I’m glad I did.” She snuggles against you.

>You should probably tell them the truth
>That’s understandable. She was justified
>You don’t think what she did is right, but you guess what’s done is done
>Ask her another question about her childhood (specify)
>Something else

>>2004087
>>You should probably tell them the truth

>>2004087
>You should probably tell them the truth.

Did we ever learn how Hana knows Kat?

>>2004087
>Something else
We should go meet them some point on our journey. We'll even go with you if you want.

>>2004087
>You should probably tell them the truth

Also ask if she wants us to come meet them.

>>2004087
>That’s understandable. She was justified.

Also
>Tell me about your caretakers.

And if she feels close to them:
>You should probably tell them the truth
>well, eventually

>>2004100
No. Hana doesn’t know we met Kat and Clair.

>>2004087
>You should probably tell them the truth.

>>2004087
>>You should probably tell them the truth

>>2004087
>You should probably tell them the truth
>That’s understandable. She was justified

Are you guys metagaming because you want crossovers?

>>2004108
Okay then, so:

>Who are your caretakers?

>>2004117
Hana and Laki met Herb’s family, it’s only fair they introduce us to theirs. It’s a normal part of dating.

It’s just in this case, there’s the extra step of figuring out who Hana considers family or family-adjacent.

Also, it’s been a Chekhov’s fun for a while now.

>>2004087
So I like what everyone else is posting, but after this we have to do one thing:

>Ask Mace about history with Gardevoir.

>>2004130
I pretty sure he is wary since Gard beat the shit out of Mace when she captured Herb.

>>2004130
Preferably do this out of earshot/ mindreading area of Gardevoir herself.

>>2004131
Yeah. I’m pretty sure they’ve just met. We should talk to mace, but because we want to recognize how hard he worked to bail us out, even after he warned us not to be so reckless.

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“Well, you should probably tell them the truth at some point.” you say uncomfortably.

She huffs, but not very seriously. “Yeah. I know. I just...I had to go out for my adventure. I didn’t want to take any chances.”

“They sound really strict.”

“No. They’re not. But, well, I started talking about how there’s are temples here and they got all weird. One of them has this eye, see.” She stops herself for a moment at her unintended pun. “Well, anyway, she lost one in an old temple somewhere. I don’t know where exactly. But all I know is Kat shut down a lot of my ideas after that.” That name sounds familiar. “And Robin already sees me as like, her prized project.” She stops herself again. “No, that’s not true. She’s the nicest person I’ve ever met. I just feel guilty. Did you know they remortgaged their ranch to pay my parts? Well, research for my parts. But yeah. I wasn’t supposed to find out but I was snooping around like an ungrateful turd. It makes it hard to face them sometimes. Like, they’ve done all these amazing things with their lives and they’re still hot and I’m just like, this girl that can’t even say what she means most of the time and I’m mediocre at battling and don’t have any talents at all except for slurpin...nothing respectable.” She calms herself down. “Woah. Sorry. Really laying the crazy out there on you.”

“You’re not crazy.” You smile. “If you want, I can come with you.”

“That’d be like meeting my parents, kinda. I don’t want to scare you off by going too fast. You’re like, the best thing that’s ever happened to me and-” she coughs “there I go scaring you off. Wow.” She wipes some sweat from her forehead.

“It’s fine.” You reassure her, holding her hand.

She calms down a bit. “Jeez. Don’t you ever get tired of being perfect.” She cringes after saying that.

“I don’t know about that. But-oh yeah! I met someone named Kat before. She was with someone named...uhh, Clair!”

Her eyes go wide. “No way! Shut up!” She hits your chest with her metal hand. “Sorry!”

“S’fine.” You wheeze.

She explains about Kat, Clair, and Robin in more detail. You both laugh at the coincidence. You feel silly, meeting a former champion and Elite four member without even knowing. But what's more important, they're important people in Hana's life.

“Guess I’ll call them. I’ve been texting Valerie like million times a day so she could probably use a break this morning.” She pushes herself up, collecting her pokedex.

You get up and stretch, then make breakfast. You don’t even think about it, it’s just an autopilot thing. Laki’s still very slow to wake up and it seems you’ve got a short bit of time this morning before moving out.

>Spend some time with Mace
>Train someone quick
>Chat someone up on the pokedex
>Meditate to restore some more healing energy
>Sit with Gardevoir
>Something else

>>2004124
>Chekov's fun

Is that a pun?

>>2004239
>>Meditate to restore some more healing energy

>>2004239
>Sit with Gardevoir.

There's a conversation needs having.

>>2004239
>Meditate to restore some more healing energy
And
>invite gardevoir and your pokemon to meditate with you

>>2004240
Yes

Also
>But what's more important, they're important people in Hana's life.
I’d date Herb.

>>2004239
>Meditate to restore some more healing energy

>>2004239
>>2004254
I'll support this.

Also yeah, Herb is too cute. It's really hard to meet people as sincere as him. The world beats people down so hard that they normally don't keep that outlook for long.

>>2004239
Wake Laki with a massage. She was really worried last night, and it seems like we never even actually went to bed.

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[Roll me some dice, please!]

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>2004321

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>2004321

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>2004321
Here goes nothing.

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You sit down few a minute to meditate. You feel a bit self conscious, but hopefully that will pass. Let’s give this a go. Alright. Eyes closed, relaxing your posture one part at a time, breathing in and out.

And your mind is already wandering. You let it flow here and there, doing what it will. You think about a lot of things, big and small. What grass smells like, what you did last year for your birthday, how much you love your family, how oddly sweet that one recipe is despite not adding sugar. You’re just all over but not in a chaotic or hectic way.

But there’s an explosive surge of energy. An intrusion. A powerful and explosive one.

“You broke your vow.” It communicates. It’s not words, but you understand as clearly is if it were. You already know who it is. Despite the anger, it’s almost a relief to feel it again. At least you know you weren’t crazy. “You spoke of me! You told the priesthood.”

>Keira is someone you trust. It’s fine. And she needed to hear it
>You’re sorry! You won’t do it again.
>Quick, snap out of your trance.
>I never asked to be put in this situation
>Something else

>>2004442
>>Keira is someone you trust. It’s fine. And she needed to hear it
>>I never asked to be put in this situation
Fuck being sorry.

>>2004442
>Keira is someone you trust. It’s fine. And she needed to hear it
>Something else
"Is there anything we can do to prove we aren't just talking outta our ass?"

I told you boys this we shouldn't have snitched.

>>2004442
>And they did not believe me.
>I'm sorry for blabbing but I kept to the spirit of the promise if not the wording. Keira needed to here it.

>>2004442
HAH! Suck it anons. Kiera a shit.

>>2004442
>I never told anybody what you showed me happen to the islands. I thought that was what you wanted?
>What is it you want me to do, anyways?

Seriously, all he asked was we not tell what he showed us, and we didn’t.

>>2004442
>Keira is someone you trust. It’s fine. And she needed to hear it
Fug is wrong to keep this shit secret if we have to hurt our friends to do it.

>>2004442
>Something else
"I told her only what the priests already learned when they picked through my head. I saw you, and made you pancakes. Everything else remains secret."

>>2004524
>>2004442
Seconding

>>2004442
>Keira is someone you trust. And she needed to hear it.

It's about time we got some plot development.

>What, exactly, is going on?

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“Keira is someone I trust. She needed to hear it.” You feel a bit more defensive than you normally do. It shocks the presence even more than yourself. “And I never told anybody what you showed me happen to the islands. I thought that was what you wanted? I told her only what the priests already learned when they picked through my head. I saw you, and made you pancakes. Everything else remains secret.”

“You would hide behind a technicality!” It booms. Despite just mediating, it feels like a heavy wind is almost blowing you over.

You feel peeved by that. A lot of the island culture is about technicalities and exact wording. “I’m not hiding anything. I hate hiding things. I never wanted to keep things from my friends.”

“Perhaps I should search for a new champion of my will.” It communicates, fuming. You aren’t sure if that’s a threat, letting out steam, an offer, or something else.

>Maybe you should find someone else
>Ask for some more information on what’s going on
>Say you’re starting to doubt it’s intentions
>Do nothing, see how this plays out
>Something else

>>2004556
>>Ask for some more information on what’s going on

What the heck you talking about fug?


>>2003740
It's obviously Mewtwo, which is a mon Hana would knwo about from Kat and Robin's adventures.

>>2004556
>>Ask for some more information on what’s going on
>Okay giant flying sky dragon, the poor confused human needs some context, badly.

>>2004556
>Ask for some more information on what’s going on
I can't help you if you aren't honest about what you want!

>>2004556
>Ask for some more information on what’s going on
>Look, I want to help, I love to help, but you need to tell me what you actually need. Just sitting around and not talking to people doesn’t do anything for anyone.
>Maybe start with why you chose to make me your champion? I’m literally just a random kid?

>>2004556
>Ask for some more information on what’s going on

What is it that you want me to do?
What are consequences of revealing your presence?

>>2003740
Maybe Gardevoir is actually that girl that Mace was in love with, but something happened and he had to leave. Like she doesn't remember him, psychic attack maybe? Or maybe you are right and it's one of his old friends. Or maybe she just reminds him of someone he knew in the past.

>>2004556
>Ask for some more information on what’s going on

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“I just- I need more information. I have no idea what’s going on. Why me? What’s the big deal about telling other people who you are or what happened?”

“You’re an outsider, but of pure heart.” It says without words. “I don’t have the strength to communicate with many. But those with a heart like those are easier. I don’t believe you’d be corrupted by the temptation of creative interpretation.”

Oh. You don’t know about that pure heart stuff, but that’s pretty flattering. “I don’t really understand what happened.”

A moment passes, and you’re teleported back to your vision before. You see Rayquaza in the sky. And again, you see massive meteors coming crashing down. But there’s more this time. There’s another Rayquaza, blocking and destroying them as they come down. It fails to stop them entirely, but it mitigates enough of the damage that most of the island land is spared.

There’s a massive clash as the two pokemon battle. You only get brief flashes, and every bite that’s given and received sends a shock through your spine. It’s almost too much to bear at times. After it passes, you see the two come crashing down. One is limp, lifeless. The other hurt, scared. It borrows in under the sea, leaving a massive tunnel.

And the vision ends. You don’t know what your body is like, but your soul feels like it’s drenched in a cold sweat. “So, there was a clash, and one defended the islands and the other attacked them. But why?”

“Jealousy. The belief that there was more love granted to the land and it’s inhabitants than it’s lover.”

“You, which one were you?”

There’s no answer.

But things seem clearer to you. At least, a little. “What are you working towards? What's your goal?”

“I do not trust you enough, talker.”

>Then you’re out. Find someone else.
>You’ll keep doing good deeds and hopefully that helps earn its trust
>Guess we’ll talk again later
>I don’t want to help someone like you!
>Something else

>>2004630
>>Guess we’ll talk again later

>>2004630
>Guess we’ll talk again later

>>2004630
>>You’ll keep doing good deeds and hopefully that helps earn its trust

>>2004630
>Guess we’ll talk again later
>If it’s from me or someone else, I hope you find whatever you’re looking for.

Holy shit the island tradition of sending the dead to the ocean hole is to get ghost fug to the other fug.

Also holy shit two fugs.

>>2004630
>How can I be expected to help you, when you wont give me anything to work with?
>Guess we'll talk again later
>Btw, do you have a preference of Pancakes? Banana, Blueberry, Seriously gimme something to work with

>>2004630
>You’ll keep doing good deeds and hopefully that helps earn its trust
>Guess we’ll talk again later

>>2004630
Seconding>>2004640
Without the first part.

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“I guess we’ll talk again later, then. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully you can see I have good intentions.” You tell it.

“Hopefully.” It begins to slither off. You can see it’s aura fading, as if it’s losing energy.

“Hey, before you go, I just want you to say that I hope you find whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s from me or someone else.”

It’s eyes focus on your curiously and fade away.

Your own eyes open. Woah! How much time has passed?

“Hey, look who's awake.” Laki teases. “Starting to think you fried that blonde dome of yours.”

You look around. It’s maybe a bit past noon you guess. It was early in the morning when you closed your eyes. Mace is snuggled next to you. The other pokemon are scattered around, doing their own thing. Sorbet is with Gardevoir. But Gardevoir’s eyes keep glancing at you for some reason.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to be out for so long.”

She takes you by the hand and lifts you up. “You apologize too much, Soft Hands. You’re the man. Your schedule justifies itself. But thanks. You okay? Want to head back?” She leans down and lowers her voice. “Think that pokemon is all there? It didn’t hurt you, did it?”

>She’s just a bit confused. Let’s go back to the conservationists
>Tell Laki about your dream
>Lets check the abandoned town out in the daylight
>There’s something else you want to do around here
>Something else

>>2004714
>She’s got some gaps in her memory, but she seems nice
>let’s go back to the temple.

>>2004714
>She’s just a bit confused. Let’s go back to the conservationists
I think old man Conservationalist might be able to help our Gardevoir friend

>>2004714
>She’s just a bit confused. Let’s go back to the conservationists

>>2004714
>She’s just a bit confused. Let’s go back to the conservationists

>>2004714
>She’s just a bit confused. Let’s go back to the conservationists

>>2004714
>Lets check the abandoned town out in the daylight

Then

>She’s just a bit confused. Let’s go back to the conservationists

So, seems like the islands happened because Rayquaza was having a domestic.

Who wants to take bets on that bone we found coming from the dead Rayquaza and our eventual goal being to steal it?

>>2004756
We kept the bone though?

>>2004761
I thought we gave it to a temple?

>>2004761
I thought we took it to the Ghost Temple to receive final rites?

>>2004763
>>2004765
>You’re a little surprised they went through your stuff. “I’d like to keep it, if that’s okay.”

>>2004780
Wonder why it's not in the items in our character pastebin.

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“She’s just a bit confused.” You whisper back to Laki, wondering if Gardevoir is listening in. “But she’s nice.”

“You’ve got a low standard for nice, Soft Hands. You put up with that carrot-headed runt.” She rests her arm on your shoulder. “But if you say so, that’s good enough. Just make sure she doesn’t steal Hana away from you.”

Your group heads back to the conservationists. The leader greets you with a big wave and then the formal bowing. You get the sense that there are a lot of questions his followers want to ask about in regards to Gardevoir. She’s looking pretty overwhelmed with all the attention on her.

“This isn’t the report I was expecting.” Tokowi, the branch leader jokes. “I see.” He looks Gardevoir up and down, distracting her. She mimics his action. He tries to make a sudden movement to spook her, but she doesn’t react. You guess since he was relaxed about it, that’s what she picked up on. “Well, you seem harmless enough. A rare type, but not unknown in these parts. You must be a real fighter to be alone, though. Will you be happy with your new trainer?”

“Uh, none of us caught her.” You tell him, feeling a bit unsure that she hasn’t said anything yet. She’s still very self conscious, and without his stare it’s growing worse again.

“Is that so?” He catches her gaze once more. You’d almost accuse him of having hypnotic powers, but you think he’s just got a lot of experience dealing with wild pokemon. “What will you do now?”

She can’t form a word, and the direct question is paralyzing her.

>Want to join my team?
>Want to come with us for now?
>You were hoping he’d be able to help her out. Explain about her situation
>Do nothing
>Something else

>>2004787
>Want to come with us for now?

>>2004787
>>Want to come with us for now?

>>2004787
>Want to come with us for now?

>>2004787
>You were hoping he’d be able to help her out. Explain about her situation

>She's got some memory gaps and I thought she could use a check-up.

>>2004787
>Want to join my team?

>>2004787
>Want to come with us for now?
Friendship!

>>2004787
>Want to come with us for now?

>>2004787
>You were hoping he’d be able to help her out. Explain about her situation
Then,
>Want to come with us for now?

>>2004787
>>Want to come with us for now?

>>2004793
>>2004787
a check up is a good idea. Backing this and asking her to come with us.

>>2004820
thanks anon, but you're eleven minutes too late.

>>2004823
or am I 30 minutes too early for the next vote?

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“Do you want to come with us for now?” You ask the tall pokemon.

She considers your offer for a second. You can see Laki put her hand on her hip out of the side of your eye, like she knew that was coming. Gardevoir flitters back and forth before concealing herself behind Hana like a small child.

“That looks like a yes.” To says. “It’s unusual for those that aren’t trained as we are to have pokemon followers they don’t catch. Have you done anything similar under a mainlander tutor?’

“Umm, I met some rangers a few times.” Hana volunteers. “But I I was too shy to ask them anything. I told him that his beard looked like a Zigzagoon and they all laughed. I was seven. SO yeah. It’s not like I took a course under them or anything, your question just reminded me of it.” She doesn’t seem to have a way out of the story she started. She looks as bad as Gardevoir did with all the eyes on her.

“My man here is just a natural.” Laki says with a little pride, taking the attention off.

“Humans aren’t naturals at much.” He tells her. “We’re unique, in that we have a mass of knowledge passed down through teaching the new generations, instead of so much innate knowledge and predictable moves we learn. Your evolutionary path is more open than an Eevee.” He turns to you. “On that note, we should begin planning our presentation. It will determine our future standing, after all.”

The members of his group give each other a nervous look.

[I’m afraid that’s it tonight. We’ll be picking up on Wednesday. If I missed any questions last thread, please let me know. I’ll be heading off for now but dropping in tomorrow for anything I can answer. Thanks to the anon that archive the previous thread.]

>>2004854
Night Gobble.

>>2004854
Thanks for running Gobble!

Is Hana a pokephiliac?
Or just a Gardephiliac?

>>2004854
thanks for running Gobble, good job.
When do you expect next thread to be?

>>2004854
Are we going to be able to invite gardevoir to join our group? She seems to be a caring, kind Pokemon, if not a little misguided and confused. Perhaps she could do with a family of her own, even if it’s an adopted one.

Are there any pokemon daycares in Loanah? If so, how many?

Are daycares just actual daycares or are they used for leveling/breeding like in the games?

Are incenses needed for babies like munchlax/wynaught/mime jr?

Has grandpa had a funeral?

Where do evolutionary stones come from? Are they not renewable resources?

What does Keira think of epitaphs on gravestones? Of obituaries?

Has Herb given any thought to her offer to channel grandpa or has he pointedly ignored that?

Those were the unanswered questions from last thread.

Your welcome about the archiving! I didn't know what to put for the description so I just made a pun.

Goodnight, and thanks for running!

>>2004854
Thanks for running Gobble!

>>2004854
Thanks for running, sad to have missed it! Glad to have you back, hope the weekend wasn't too rough.

>>2004864
There literally was an option to ask Gardevoir to join our team. But i guess people felt weird to just ask her on the first meeting or something.

>>2005178
I hope it's just that.

I totally want to catch the Gardevoir. Nickname could be a headscratcher this time around, though.

>>2005178
It was an unanswered question from last thread, and I think it was about whether non-caught pokemon followers were ok with the pokemon league or whatever, since last quest that was a brief plot point with Fel. I’d still like to hear more about that.

>>2005211
Honestly I like the idea of her being the team Meowth. She’s her own pokemon. And considering how she held up against our team, I wouldn’t want the temptation of always using our one overleveled pokemon in important battles.

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>>2005211
I thought we established last thread that, what with her near-divine reverence for the sun, she's basically our team's Solaire (...solaira? is there even a female version of the name?)

I like how Herb’s version of “kicking ass and taking names” is “getting attacked and making friends.”

>>2005721
I dunno man, I want to stick to the food theme.

Any spices/herbs/fruits that have an etymological basis in the sun/light?

>>2007930
Ey wait up, Anise would probably work. Apparently it has something to do with the sun, though I can't find any specifics.

>>2004859
>Is Hana a pokephiliac?
>Or just a Gardephiliac?
[A little of both probably. She's just really, really lewd.

>Are we going to be able to invite gardevoir to join our group? She seems to be a caring, kind Pokemon, if not a little misguided and confused. Perhaps she could do with a family of her own, even if it’s an adopted one.
All options are open. But yeah, I guess so. I never planned on it being a big thing but that's why quests are fun.

>Are there any pokemon daycares in Loanah? If so, how many?
Yes! Not that many. Most programs cocerned with pokemon are focused on permanent wild settlement.

>Are daycares just actual daycares or are they used for leveling/breeding like in the games?
Just used for daycare mostly. Although a pokemon could learn from unique experiences or have a relationship I suppose. There are breeders out there, too.

>Are incenses needed for babies like munchlax/wynaught/mime jr?
Yup!

>Has grandpa had a funeral?
Yes, although we can vote on how/if Herb reacted. Maybe he missed it entirely?

>Where do evolutionary stones come from? Are they not renewable resources?
Underground. But they appear in such abundance that there are no worries about them drying up.

>What does Keira think of epitaphs on gravestones? Of obituaries?
She supposes they're not much different from rites read out loud and the symbolic ceremonies. Graves in general are weird, though.

>Has Herb given any thought to her offer to channel grandpa or has he pointedly ignored that?
He's not sure how he feels about that, and hasn't made up his mind.

>>2005248
>It was an unanswered question from last thread, and I think it was about whether non-caught pokemon followers were ok with the pokemon league or whatever, since last quest that was a brief plot point with Fel. I’d still like to hear more about that.
Ah, sorry. It's a lot more tolerated here than the mainland from the previous campaign. Things in general are a lot looser here.

>>2007989
>Things in general are a lot looser here.
Dont let Laki hear you say that

>>2007989
If babies require incenses, how did Gobbo come about? I remember incenses needing to be bought and wild pokemon don’t tend to have a lot of money. If the wind were different during his conception, he would have been hatched as a snorlax?

Something about funerals, you realize just how much of a life that person had outside of what you saw. You meet a lot of people. It’d be too sad if Herb missed it. It’s an important thing for closure.

I want Herb to visit a local daycare. It could be nice to let our pokemon make some new friends for a day while we spend some downtime relaxing with our girls. And to scope out the competition.

How’s Garde liking the Powla? That Laki brand confidence and must feel pretty good. Hopefully Hana isn’t sending too many weird vibes, but instead the joy of acceptance.

I feel like Garde is the ultimate counter to Jane, since one’s an empath and the other is the peak in emotional guardedness.
“Pfft, I don’t care.”
“Yes you do, just look at me, I’m crying.”

If Herb ever gets in a fistfight I dearly hope Garde is shouting instructions from the sidelines.

Gobble, could you rate the main cast in order of purity of heart?

Is purity of heart where Herb gets his superpowers?

I’m hype to (officially) meet all five of our girlfriend’s parents/parent-adjacent-people.

Oh shit.

We’re going to end up with four mother-in-laws.

And a question for the readers: are you guys ready to send Herb all the way? Because the next time the mood’s right I certainly am. I feel like Herb has gotten comfortable enough with the relationship, now that he’s gotten a chance to feel out what Loanan relationship standards are like, what dating is like, and how polyamory is like.

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>>2008123
[Trust me. She might not be doing as much as she did when she was training, but she's still kegel AF]

>>2008174
>If babies require incenses, how did Gobbo come about? I remember incenses needing to be bought and wild pokemon don’t tend to have a lot of money. If the wind were different during his conception, he would have been hatched as a snorlax?
[Many of the incense are just extracts from plants found in the wild.]

>Something about funerals, you realize just how much of a life that person had outside of what you saw. You meet a lot of people. It’d be too sad if Herb missed it. It’s an important thing for closure.
[True, but Herb also might not have that closer.]

>I want Herb to visit a local daycare. It could be nice to let our pokemon make some new friends for a day while we spend some downtime relaxing with our girls. And to scope out the competition.
[That could be fun! I like that idea.]

>How’s Garde liking the Powla? That Laki brand confidence and must feel pretty good. Hopefully Hana isn’t sending too many weird vibes, but instead the joy of acceptance.
[So far it's a strange but not unpleasent departure from following Solrock around. Hana is indeed sending weird vibes, but also resilient ones. Hana's a trooper and that rubs off. Laki's confidence wavers a lot between real and faked but she's gotten so good she can sometimes convince herself in her weaker moments.]

>I feel like Garde is the ultimate counter to Jane, since one’s an empath and the other is the peak in emotional guardedness.
[Oh boy that makes me want to bring in Jane right away.]

>Gobble, could you rate the main cast in order of purity of heart?
[Herb, Valerie, Keira, , Hana, Laki, Jane. Purity of Heart in this context I'm basing off of a lack of internal conflict. Keira is ranked in general and not for her current state of mind, because otherwise she'd be at the bottom.]

>Is purity of heart where Herb gets his superpowers?
[It sure helps with his aura power.]

>I’m hype to (officially) meet all five of our girlfriend’s parents/parent-adjacent-people.
[When they realize that Herb is dating one of their wards, except a more interrogative stance. Hana makes it a point avoid being as big an emotional investment as possible for Kat and the others, but they're hard to shake.]

>>2008232
will you be doing anything like a Halloween event? do the islands have anything like Halloween that conveniently lands around the same time?

>>2008232
“Short stories from the daycare” seems like a great way to do an episode from the perspectives of our pokemon.

>>2008288
I think the festival that was being set up is going to be the Halloween event.

>>2007989
>Maybe he missed it entirely?
I want this for the personal drama!

>>2008313
Oh I like that short stories from the daycare idea.

>>2008232
So Keira's brush-off was denial after all, hey?

Welp.

>>2008232
If Dark Herb becomes a thing, will he be our repressed tendencies and emotions, a more Herb's conceptualized idea of an evil him, or something else entirely?
Because I have a really funny mental image of those first two.

>>2009824
Well, dark Kat was Kat’s self-hatred incarnate. But that doesn’t really work for Herb.

Herb seems like he’s already defeated all his inner demons. I like to imagine that something that turned people into their dark selves like that or like dark Kat would just get no-sell’d by Herb’s pure heart.

A dark Herb brought about by amplifying the darkness in his aura one hundred fold would probably be basically indistinguishable from normal Herb.

A dark Herb brought about by psychically making his endocrine system pump out hormones might cry, but he wouldn’t get mean.

>>2010002
Well, there's always that gag about a character so evil that he has two shoulder devils instead of one devil and one angel. I can see Herb having two shoulder angels, i.e. no dark side at all, just light and super-light.

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Ceremony Preparemony

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Pokemon%20Island%20Adventure%20Quest
https://twitter.com/GobbleQM
Character info pastebin in progress: http://pastebin.com/iB0tb7rz
Dice odds for best of 3: http://pastebin.com/994WTT3g

General rules:

There is a 10 minute voting period after each post. Non-contradictory votes will be combined as best as possible.

Write-ins for all votes are always welcome and encouraged. They may not all make it into the post or be altered to fit in, but I'll do my best to at least try to address the spirit of the write-in.

Very important or contentious votes may be redone in a stricter voting system as circumstances warrant.

Combat mechanics involve three rolls of 1d100, taking the best, and using the base accuracy and crit ranges of the the PTU system, roughly, but the 'turn order' will be more like the anime, where sometimes you can do a few moves in a row or be hit by a combo of moves yourself, all depending on circumstances. Stronger moves tend to take more time and have more cooldown than weaker moves and also may leave you open to an interrupt, so beware of that timing. Speed is more important for closing ground, intercepting, and other things and doesn't necessarily mean going first.

Pokemon and trainers are unique, and may have certain specializations, skills, or other things that the video-game mechanics might not allow. Some examples: That kung fu Bellsprout in the anime, that crystal Onix, or a Roggenrolla that can fly. Herb's perception skills, pokemon knowledge, context clues in general, and other things will hopefully come into play to avoid completely unfair, unforeseeable bullshit, but expect more bullshit from more advanced trainers.

Call me out on a mistake and receive a suggestive picture, mostly likely a butt.

Pokemon:
Gobble (Munchlax)
Mace (Roggenrola)
Belladonna (Roselia)
Dice (Croconaw)
Sorbet (Vulpix)

Location: Tabo Island, the forest outside of the newly modernized grass temple

>>2010929
Here we goooooo!

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It sounds like he wants your help for the big event after all. You let in a small feeling of pride. “I’m sure we’ll do fine.”

He gives you an examining stare for a moment. It’d be very intimidating, if it weren’t for that bit of levity in his eyes, behind the lines of his face, light ash makeup, and heavy tan. Instead, he just seems sturdy. He reminds you of Mace somehow. “What would you suggest, to make it ‘fine?’”

“Respectfully Priest Tokowi, he doesn’t know anything about our branch.” The one you helped earlier says.

“Neither does a Caterpie. Yet, we watched and learned from it, didn’t we? I intend to listen, not to follow. If there are useful lessons in his words, we will benefit.”

They both turn back to you. “Tell us, Herb. How would our branch best make an impression, in your opinion? We plan to publicly honor our more accomplished members, although that feels distasteful to me, but how would you suggest it be done? What...flair,” he painfully forces the word out “should accompany it? Resources and time are of course, thin. What’s our centerpiece?”

>Maybe little trinket medallions?
>A unique theme song that gets associated with your branch
>It should be a lighthearted ceremony with jokes and speeches for each award. Make people laugh and relax
>Material rewards, like money. You’ll motivate lots of people to join
>A very serious ceremony with little pomp
>A pokemon play
>Something else

>>2010992
>A pokemon play
I would have suggested the lighthearted ceremony but that could be seen as more distasteful maybe...

>>2010992
>>A pokemon play

>>2010992
>A very serious ceremony with little pomp
>It should be a lighthearted ceremony with jokes and speeches for each award. Make people laugh and relax. Kind of like the guy we're talking to. He seems pretty intimidating, but there's that "bit of levity in his eyes".

Just not sure it could be pulled off on such short notice. Seems like it would take planning.

A pokemon play could be cool, too. Maybe a re-enactment of one of the projects the Conservation branch is working on? That's where we could work in the levity and light heartedness. Then have the honoring of the members be more serious.


Also, can we vote on whether or not Herb was there for the funeral and why he missed it, if he didn't attend?
You'd think they can't mix, but they could.
Understated humor

>>2010992
>It should be a lighthearted ceremony with jokes and speeches for each award. Make people laugh and relax

Speeches mostly. It’s a time to recognize hard work.

>>2010992
>A pokemon play
a drama detailing their most impressive accomplishments with the names of the people slightly changed but obvious enough for everyone to know

>>2011052
If you add lightheartedness to a serious ceremony, it is no longer serious.

>>2011108
Unless he wants some kind of Monty Python ceremony where they're pretending to take it seriously even though it's slapstick as fuck.

Which I think would give the wrong impression.

>>2011108
>>2011120
No, not like that. Something understated,like I said. Like, they give an award, and a small speech about why the award was earned, but then, with a completely straight face, share some kind of embarrassing story that happened while they were earning the reward. But with a flat delivery, and not played up for laughs.

I don't know, I'm not describing it well.

Or have a short pokemon play before the awards, but have the pokemon act badly, or mess up the play. Only the mistakes were all preplanned and things only appear to be going wrong with the play. And afterwards, have nobody on stage even bat an eye that anything might have been amiss and just smoothly segue into the awards ceremony.

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“What about a play? Maybe with some quick speeches and awards if there’s time?”

He sits back. “A play?” The others almost recoil. They seem good at training their pokemon, but they sure don’t like being in the spotlight.

That’s it! “Yeah! With pokemon doing the acting. They can retell the stories behind the recognitions.”

He cracks a smile and whistles. A primeape appears from the bushes and lands with such force in front of you that you’re almost knocked back. “Look! The perfect pokemon to play you!” He points to his pupil.

“Least I won’t be played by a Koffing.” He mutters. From his surprise reaction, you can tell he didn’t mean to let that out. Or at least, he regrets it. But To just laughs.

“Good! Learn to stand up. Never back down from-” He notices his Primeape is stomping off from being compared to that human. “Wait! I’m sorry!”

“Wow.” Hana says, watching him run off. “He’s not at all what my first impression was of him.”

The pupil looks to her. “Nothing in nature is.”

-

Your group goes back to the temple. On the way, you run into Abigail. You fill her in on what happened, and she explains how she’s been spending time with Keira.

“Keira’s sweet. For a representative of an oppressive theocratic dictatorship” She half-jokes.

“Hey!” Laki interrupts. “We don’t have a dictator. We’re more of a...”

“Oligarchy?”

“Yeah! So take it back. We’re a theocratic oligarchy!” Laki puts her hands on her wide hips. “And your people got a whole town to live how you will. Be grateful, considering the alternatives.”

“You’re the boss, Laki.” Abigail bows. “I am grateful my people weren’t genocided by your theocratic oligarchy.” She smirks knowingly to you.

“That’s not what I meant!” Laki fumes, swiping at the spritely redhead without success.. “And- shut up! Anything sounds bad if you phrase it with-.”

“Facts? Logic?” She lets herself within swiping range again just long enough to avoid another grab attempt.

Hana has to hold Laki back.

Abigail’s taunts end abruptly as she dodges into a very angry looking Gardevoir.


>Relax. Gardevoir won’t act out. Have some faith.
>Let Mace get between them like he wants, just in case
>Quick! Try to evoke an entirely different emotion in Laki! (suggestions welcome)
>Enough! Abigail, stop taking it so far with taunting Laki if you want to come with us!
>Something else

>>2009824
I on't think dark herb will become a thing, cause the only real darkness he has is the fact he is a hormonal teenager, i doubt it would make him dark cause of that, maybe if it was something like he gets possessed by other people's evils or something, cause he herb seems to like to shoulder other people' burdens

>>2011216
>Quick! Try to evoke an entirely different emotion in Laki!
Kiss her.

>>2011216
>Abigail i know you like to taunt people but could you please stop, it's starting to affect gardevoir here and I doubt Laki enjoys the constant jabs either

>>2011216
>Gardevoir calm down.
>in the calmest straightest face we have say "pudding"
>.... Girls can you not do this while we have a very receptive empathy who cannot tune it out and lets the emotions of other influence her own? Please? I really don't want to have a Pokémon who can make gravitic singularities angry from constant arguing.

>>2011216
>Tell Abigail to lay off.

>>2011216
This
>>2011237
Then
>>2011239

>>2011216
>>Something else

>remind gardevoir that the anger is not actually HER emotion

it could be easy to forget this fact for an empath

>>2011216
>Quick! Try to evoke an entirely different emotion in Laki! (suggestions welcome)

>>2011268
That really doesn't help, considering people she would still feel angry, doesn't matter that it isn't her's she would still feel it

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[Gimme some rolls just for funsies]

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>2011280

>>2011280
Oh fuck you gobble

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>2011280
Check my numbers!

>>2011279
exactly, but she's eventually going to have to learn to sort other peoples emotions for her own or she will always be this confused and never get over this problem. It's the right solution in the long run even if it is not the most effective at the moment.

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>2011280

>>2011286
Yeah but exposing her to this is kinda of the worst way to go about it, you want to start small and then build up her tolerance, not shoving her near two people who have been hated rivals since day one of know each other

>>2011280
Gardevoir has to deal with lust emotions pastebin when?

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You’ve got to think fast! You need to give Laki a different emotion. You grab her and pull her in for a quick kiss. But to be safe, you make it a longer one. Then, maybe just a little more. You never really understood what makes a good kisser, but you know you like doing it, and Laki’s responding. So that’s pretty neat.

“What, what was that about?” She blows some hair out of her face.

“Sorry.”

“Psh. I didn’t say stop.” She grabs you in for another kiss. You jump a little at the firm grab on your behind. “Mine.” She breaks it with a firm slap on the behind. “Oh. And Hana’s.”

Gardevoir has the same look on her face as Hana now. You’re not sure that’s an improvement. But you suppose the situation is calmer.

You step forward to Abigail. “Look. You’ve got to cut that out, okay? Not with Gardevoir around. But even if she weren’t, I don’t think Laki likes all this jabs. So can you...tone it down a little?”

She rolls her eyes. “Jeez. I didn’t know everyone was so sensitive.” She see something on your face and loses a bit of attitude. “Sure. Yeah. Only because you asked nicely and you can at least take a joke. I mean, you do take Laki after all. Get it?”

“You little-”

“That was the last one! I swear. I’m done!”

There’s a little bit more ruckus, but she does calm it down after that. The group moves on to find Keira playing with her pokemon by a bush. You can tell, even from here, that her heart isn’t really in it.

You want to comfort her some more, but it’s been paining you not to be able to tell her the full story. And with Gardevoir following, it might not be good for her to be exposed to Keira right now.

“Yeah.” Abigail says. “She might not look like she’s got a lot of steam, but she was up all night.” Abigail yawns. “Lot on the noggin’, besides the grass and stuff.”

>Go send Mace to try to cheer her up. It’ll be good for both of them
>Ask Gardevoir to go say hi. Maybe it’ll turn out well
>Get to work helping plan. Keira can handle herself
>Abigail, you weren’t putting ideas into her head, were you?
>Something else

>>2011439
>>Ask Gardevoir to go say hi. Maybe it’ll turn out well

>>2011439
>Go send Mace to try to cheer her up. It’ll be good for both of them

>>2011439
>>Ask Gardevoir to go say hi. Maybe it’ll turn out well

>>2011439
>>Go send Mace to try to cheer her up. It’ll be good for both of them
> also abigal, i can undertsand you like to joke around but at the rate you keep doing it it's going paste that and it's starting to come of as actual malicious intent, i know you don't mean to but please, try to see how what you are saying does affect people , even if it's as a joke if constantly told it stops being funny

>>2011439
>Get to work helping plan. Keira can handle herself

>>2011464
sounds a bit preachy

>>2011439
Go ask her mentor to talk to her. He didn’t want to include her because it would make her sad, but she’s upset already. She needs guidance and an old friend.

>>2011439
>Ask Gardevoir to go say hi. Maybe it’ll turn out well

Gobble is kill

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“Gardevoir, why don’t you go say hi.” You suggest. “Keira’s a nice friend. I should warn you that she’s a bit down, though.”

“Soft Hands...” Laki tries to warn.

“It’s okay.” Hana says. “I think this is a good idea. Sometimes you need someone who isn’t trying to cheer you up, you know?”

“What about Gardevoir?” Abigail asks.

“Her too.”

Gardevoir cautiously starts walking towards Keira, looking back at you as if you’ll suddenly run off. When she finally arrives, Keira looks up and notices her. You can’t hear anything, but they’re immediately talking, each surprised at the other’s ability to understand them. You don’t know what the difference is, since Gardevoir can project her voice, but it seems to make a difference to them.

Keira leans and waves to you. Something Gardevoir says grabs her attention again, and she grabs Gardevoir and walks off to talk.

“Huh. Guess they have a lot to talk about.” Laki scratches.

“So what’s the plan, then?” Abigail asks.


>Call Valerie. She’ll be able to help!
>You bet Jane would love to get in on this
>You want to go help the beauty branch with their fashion show
>You want to talk to High Priest Koa
>Wait, go after Gardevoir and Keira
>Something else

>>2011702
>>Call Valerie. She’ll be able to help!

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[Sorry about the delay.]

>>2011702
>Call Valerie. She’ll be able to help!

>>2011702
>>Call Valerie. She’ll be able to help!
>You bet Jane would love to get in on this
>Polu can help with the stuff too!

>>2011702
>Call Valerie. She’ll be able to help!

>>2011702
>You bet Jane would love to get in on this
>You want to go help the beauty branch with their fashion show
Not in that order

>>2011702
>You want to go help the beauty branch with their fashion show

It’s what we’re best at. And also:
>Ask the girls which events they’ll be helping with.

Personally, I think they’d both be better at helping with the awards show than us, but I also don’t want to tell them to go off while we hang out at the seductress house.

And if we bring a girl to the fashion temple she can model robes for us...

>>2011702
>>You bet Jane would love to get in on this

Valerie a worst. Jane best.

>>2011727
damn, that's the trainer type i like, hex all the way

>>2011756
>And if we bring a girl to the fashion temple she can model robes for us...
.....
Sneaky.

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>>2011771
Hell yeah bro. I wanna get our girls in kimonos or the Loanah equivalent.

>>2011804
This is a good plan


>>2011727
this is a good ass, good lord

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“I know! I’ll call Valerie and Jane. They’ll probably be really helpful. If they’re not busy.”

“I think Val would love that.” Hana pipes up. “We’ve been talking a lot and I think she needs a break from contests. She sounds a little high-strung.”

“Oh good. Jane.” Laki sarcastically rolls her eyes. “I’m sure she’ll get along great with Abigail h-” A smile creeps on her face. “Yes. Invite her.”

“Should I be worried?” Abigail asks.

“Only if you can’t help yourself around someone with a shorter temper than me.”

Abigail has a mix of apprehension and excitement on her face. Oddly enough, it feels like her and Laki just grew a millimeter closer.

You pause before taking out your pokedex. “What does everyone else want to do? Hana, do you want to go to the Beauty branch?

“I’m uh, no good at fashion stuff.” Hana picks up her Togepi. “But I know someone that’s really good at pretending they didn’t steal part of my lunch.” She pokes Togepi playfully, but becomes very self conscious as everyone watches. “I’ll help with the play. I like the conservationist branch. They don’t talk much and don’t expect you to talk.”

“I’m definitely going to the beauty branch.” Laki says, hold your arm.

“Yup!” Abigail does the same to your other arm. “It’s improper for a boy to go there without an escort, right?”

“That’s right. You’re learning about our culture.” Laki grinds out under a scary smile. “We can try on robes and see how they fit.”

“Wait, what?” Abigail looks at Laki’s body compared to hers.

Gobble offers an arm to Sorbet, but she snubs it. You note she’s not nearly as showy about it as before, though. Bella takes it instead, but in a friendly way. Dice takes Bella’s other arm, not sure what’s going on but not wanting to be left out.

You walk with the girls to the Beauty Branch wing entrance. They go on in, and Laki tells you to be ready for her later. You’re not sure what that means but the way she says it sits well with you.

You take out your pokedex and dial up Valerie. It’s been awhile
“Herb?” Her voice, -no video chat enabled- answers. “Well, look who remembered I exist!”

You’ve never heard that tone from her. It catches you by complete surprise.

>Apologize. You’ve been really busy
>Hey! You haven’t been calling me either!
>Let it go. Ask how she is and explain the situation
>Panic! Hang up!
>Something else

>>2011953
>Apologize. You’ve been really busy

>>2011953
>Hey! You haven’t been calling me either!
jokingly
and then more seriously
>Apologize. You’ve been really busy

>>2011969
Gets my vote

>>2011953
>Let it go. Ask how she is and explain the situation.

>Hana says you could use a break from contests. You in?

>Tell her we definitely fulfilled that last challenge and then some.

You think Val might be mad we stole all the girls she was interested in?

Also
>look who finally remembered I exist
That would be Gobble.

>>2011953
>Hey! You haven’t been calling me either!

>>2011953
>Apologize. You’ve been really busy
>Hey! You haven’t been calling me either!
man

>>2011953
>Apologize. You’ve been really busy
>Let it go. Ask how she is and explain the situation
Hana literally just told us she's been getting stressed out with contest shit, there's no reason to press the issue here. We've been having fun while she's been stressing out and shit after we ran off with her friend, of course she'll be a little crabby.

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“Hey! You haven’t been calling me either.” You half joke. “Really though, I’m sorry. I’ve been busy.”

The video turns on. Valerie looks amazing. That’s a very exclusive and expensive hat she has on. She’s laughing. “I couldn’t do it with a straight face, so I dropped the video. Oh Herb, it’s nice to talk to someone I can relax around. The contest world is so two-faced!

Your shoulders relax as a sense of relief washes over you. You also feel a little closer to Valerie.

“And yeah! I’ll say you’ve been busy! Hana AND Laki?” She laughs. “Umm, you’re okay with it, right? This isn’t a situation where you’ve been pressured or anything?”

>How could you say that?
>Are you projecting?
>Assume she’s joking again, laugh it off
>Something else

>>2012028
>>Assume she’s joking again, laugh it off

>>2011953

I told you Valerie was worst but nobody listens.

>>2012028
"It was sudden, and I still don't really know how it happened, but I'm happy."

>>2012028
>>Assume she’s joking again, laugh it o

>>2012041
Seconding.

>>2012028
>only at night haha (jokingly)
>Ask her how her contest have been going; a bit of small talk before business

>>2012028
>>2012041
Thirding.

>>2012028
gonna back >>2012041

>>2012028
Yeah, something like
>>2012041

Not assuming she’s joking, but not offended or accusatory. Just take it as her looking out for us, since we should know how unusual this looks to her.

>Honestly, the girls were really good about not pressuring me into a decision. And it was scary to try, but it’s going really well. I’m really happy.

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"It was sudden, and I still don't really know how it happened, but I'm happy."

“I’m glad.” She says. “I know Hana is too. I was sort of rooting for her. Umm, not that I was rooting against Laki. I just didn’t think she was serious, what with her preference for blondes and all. How is Laki anyway? I haven’t heard from her in awhile.”

You explain that Laki is fine, but Abigail is getting on her nerves. You’re sure things will work out though.

“Oh wow. Last time Laki got really upset she was, um, handsy to get her mind off of things. She’s not pressuring you into...ah. I’m sorry. I guess I’m the one that feels pressured. Lots of stress.”

She spends an inordinate amount of time talking about it. She’s gotten new rivals in the contest world, the party scene in Terichi is a little too intense and ‘mature’ for her, but she keeps making appearances to try to fit into this world. She’s struggling to come up with new contest routines for her pokemon.”

“Oh crackers. Now I feel guilty. I was going to ask if you wanted to help with an event.”

“Yes! That’s perfect.”

“Really?”

“If you don’t mind me re-hashing some of my routines that they haven’t seen yet. Nobody can give me a hard time for helping at a temple. And...well, I miss everyone. There’s a lot of phoniness here.”

“Great! I’ll see you soon then?”

“I’m already texting my agent.” The camera on her pokedex fiddles around.

“Hey Herb?”

“Yeah?”

“Before I go, tell me some good news.”

>She always has a friend, just a phone call away
>She looks amazing!
>You’re sure everyone misses her too
>Tell her about the Murkrows and their new independence
>Something else

>>2012153
>>She always has a friend, just a phone call away
>>She looks amazing!
>>You’re sure everyone misses her too
>>Tell her about the Murkrows and their new independence
All of these things

>>2012153
>She always has a friend, just a phone call away
>She looks amazing!

>>2012153
>Tell her about the Murkrows and their new independence
>She always has a friend, just a phone call away
>She looks amazing!

>>2012153
>I have a new aura power! I can unlock potential.
>I get to meet Hana's guardians and Laki's parents.
>I have a friend coming to see me.

>>2012153
>She looks amazing!
>You’ve missed her and you’re sure everyone has missed her too
>Tell her all about our glorious adventures that we haven’t told her of yet (Garn, Murkbro, Kecleon, etc)

>>2012153
>>Tell her about the Murkrows and their new independence
>SHOW OFF SORBETT! She's new and adorable!

>>2012153
>>She always has a friend, just a phone call away
>>She looks amazing!
>>You’re sure everyone misses her too
>>Tell her about the Murkrows and their new independence
All of them

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“Well, there was this thing with the Murkrow.” You briefly explain the situation there. You also get into the Kecleon on other adventures. Anything with a happy ending.

“Wow.”

“And I have a new member.” You pan the pokedex down to Sorbet. She stops cleaning herself for a moment now that she’s being watched, and the imbalance almost makes her topple over.

“Adorable!” Valerie squeals.

“And I wasn’t going to say anything, but you look amazing. That hat is the perfect accesory.”

She smiles. “You’re the only guy I trust saying that.”

“And I know everyone misses you as much as I do. Always remember that you have a friend who's just a phone call away.”

“Awwww! You’re the sweetest guy in the world, Herb.” She seems better by the second. “Well, I’ve got to pack! Mr. Schwibbles is going to prepare the ship for departure. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She hangs up.

Welp, that perked you up. You’re sorry to hear Valerie is having a hard time, but glad you seem to be helping and giving her an escape.

Time to call Jane! You fiddle with your pokedex and dial. She’s quick to pick up. There’s sweat on her face and pokemon training in the background.

“I accept.”

“What?”

“You’re calling for a rematch. I accept.”

“I didn’t-”

“You won’t be as lucky this time. It won’t be a close match at all. I’ll be there by tomorrow afternoon.”

>Whatever. See you soon
>No. No battling. There’s a temple that I think you can help
>Play to her attitude. Bet that if she wins, she can be part of the event
>Wait, how do you know where I am?
>Something else

>>2012264
>"No no nonono, I need your help."

>>2012264
>Wait, how do you know where I am?

>>2012264
>No. No battling. There’s a temple that I think you can help.
>And moreover, it'd make Keira happy.
>Seriously how do you even know where I am?

Honestly she'd probably decimate us. We haven't been training.

>>2012264
>Wait, how do you know where I am?>There’s a temple that I think you can help. Help and then rematch. Well breakfast/lunch first, then rematch

>>2012264
>No. No battling. There’s a temple that I think you can help
>Wait, how do you know where I am?

>>2012264
>Play to her attitude. Bet that if she wins, she can be part of the event

>>2012264
>>Play to her attitude. Bet that if she wins, she can be part of the event
play the rival

>>2012264
>There’s a temple that I think you can help.
>And moreover, it'd make Keira happy.
>Seriously how do you even know where I am?
>WE can battle after, but you'll probably destroy me, you've focused on it much more than I have.

>>2012277
We’ve done a bit of training but to expect that we’ve trained to the level of Jane (ever) well that’s not possible

>>2012264
>Something else
Offer to battle after the event.

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“No no. I didn’t call for a battle.”

“I don’t think your girlfriends would appreciate calling me for another date.” Her voice is a bit pointed. "What is it you want?"

“I’m calling for your help.” That does it. She stops talking and lets you continue. “And to make Keira happy.” You explain about the event. “And maybe we can battle after. We’ll see.”

“I see.” She thinks for a moment.

“Hey, how do you know where I am?”

“I...that’s not important. What is important, is why you’re asking me to help, and what you expect from me.”

>Because if she does, you’ll owe her a favor
>It’s a service to the temple and you know she’ll put that above any rivalry
>Because her friend, Keira, is hurt
>Look, figure out if you want to help or not. I’m not playing games
>You think she’d rock the fashion show
>She’d be great for the play
>You need security you can trust
>Something else

>>2012326
>Because we've friends?
>Because her friend, Keira, is hurt
>You think she’d rock the fashion show

>>2012326
>Because her friend, Keira, is hurt
>Because if she does, you’ll owe her a favor

>>2012336
this

>>2012326
>Because OUR friend, Keira, is hurt
>Because you're my friend too, and reliable
>If all else fails, I'll owe you a favor.

>>2012326
>Because I thought you’d want to help for it’s own sake?