Let's do it to them

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Jane is crumpled on the ground and getting surrounded. Laki is off to the other side and suddenly has a lot more heat on her, and your entry into the area has drawn a few eyes. Polu is attending to a girl that looks like she got on the wrong side of Laki’s fist.

You quickly toss out as many pokeballs as you can. “Go, everybody! Rescue Laki and Jane. Wait, Dice, guard Jane closely. Bella, stun spore opponents if you can safely. Everyone else, use your best judgement.” You figure the others can use their best judgement. You just hope everyone hears you as you haphazardly throw pokeballs into the air.

“Everyone! Stop fighting!” You yell out to the group. “Nobody has to get hurt. I mean, more so.”

“He sounds like a cop.” One of them says, mockingly, but a little out of breath.

“He doesn’t look like one, though.” Polu shouts, apparently pretending not to know you. “He doesn’t even have valuable pokemon. But we should just get out of here. We have another hideout. Let’s go before actual cops show up. Come on!”

A few of the less brave ones take off, but the others look less convinced. They look to the person who, judging by his posture and body language, is their real leader. “Polu, Polu.” He chides. “They cause us trouble, strike your sister, and you want to just run away without teaching them a lesson? I guess losing your bandanna really emasculated you, huh? Scared of that big water pokemon?”

Dice get’s close to Jane, but they’re both surrounded. Still, the three near Jane keep their distance as she very slowly tries to recover.

“You’ve been looking for a chance to prove you’re committed, right? Teach that girl a lesson. I’ll educate our mainlander friend here. Besides, I’m curious. Who are these three, some new team on our turf?” He walks a bit closer.

Bella seems to have vanished somewhere. Dice is still far away and being chased by Zubats, but is making his way around back to you. Dice growls and snarls as the three team members and their pokemon take one step forward and two steps back. Laki, who was almost enthusiastically yelling commands to her pokemon, minus Wailord for some reason, turns to face Polu.

Everyone looks pressed for time except for this leader. He looks you up and down. “Before I teach you a lesson, I have some question. Who are you, what do you three want?” He’s about a dozen paces away, out in the open, as are you. Gobble closes in by your side. Sorbet takes up a position far away. Rotom is still in it's pokeball. You didn't throw it out, yet.


>Don’t answer. Order pokemon to renew the attack and save Laki and Jane
>We’re good citizens stopping vandals
>We want in your gang
>We’re a rival gang
>We want our friend Polu back
>Something else

>>3004936
>What do we want?! How about what do you want?! Who are you? Why are you running a protection racket?

Hmm...
So, now Herb knows that Polu’s sister is in the gang. And he knows Polu is lying to the gang. I feel like he should be able to get a picture of what’s going on here. But we should fish for more information.

Then kick their shit in.

>>3004936
>Don’t answer. Order pokemon to renew the attack and save Laki and Jane

>>3004936
>What do we want?! How about what do you want?! Who are you? Why are you running a protection racket?

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“Us? What about you? Who are you? What do you want? Why are you running a protection racket?”

He almost laughs. Not condescending,, but just in a sort of exaggerated exasperation. “Protection racket? It’s just taxation. This is our land, despite what some of the corrupted priest class might tell you.”

“Taxation for what?”

He looks around, ensuring he’s getting some eyes on himself. “For the war effort! We’re the resistance!”

A few cheers go up from the members. There’s only about seven left, now. Three around Jane, this one here, Polu and the girl you assume is his sister, and one climbing up onto a low roof, looking for a better view of the Zubats and Mace.

“Honor demands I take compensation from you. You’ve hurt my people. Give me one of your pokemon, and you can go. And keep going.”


>Keep talking. ”There’s no war, though”
>Whisper to Gobble to take this guy out
>Offer a load of money instead. Small price to pay to make sure nobody else is hurt
>Try to trick him with an empty pokeball
>Something else

>>3005029
>Keep talking. ”There’s no war, though."
>"My pokemon are like family, no chance in hell."

>>3005029
>Well you hurt my friends, so you owe ME compensation!

Doesn’t war have to be declared by a government? Otherwise you’re just terrorists.

>>3005029
>>3005081

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“My pokemon are my family. No chance in heck.” You say firmly, meaning every bit of it.

“So you do care about your pokemon.” He announces. “In that case, keep them. They’ll be safe in your care. But I’ll need something. Our struggle is expensive, and only the weak and conquered allow themselves to be injured without exacting a price.” He taps his chin. “Or put another way, what’s that mainlander proverb? ‘You teach people how to treat you.’? Yeah, that sounds right.”

You wouldn’t call that a proverb, but that’s not important right now. “What are you resisting? There isn’t a war.”

“There isn’t?” He comes closer as he talks. “Oh, because nobody declared one? Because I see a war. Everywhere I look. Mainlanders coming in droves. Mainlanders demanding we change to suit them. Foreign teachers taking over educating our young. Foreign money dictating how we live, what right’s our leaders slowly strip away. Just because nobody is shooting doesn’t mean there’s no war. I see every sign of a conquered nation. Our people are diluting away. Our way of life is vanishing. Outsiders have taken control of every important institution. WE ARE OCCUPIED!” He cries out, passionately, keeping his now impassioned eyes on you. “Newcomers like you were supposed to integrate into us. Instead, we’re the ones being integrated! They wage war through subversion instead of open combat, but it’s a war alright. Groups like us, we’re the immune system of our people finally waking up. And we’ll be remembered as the heroes that saved our nation, or our people won’t be remembered at all except for what others write about us. Our self-determination is the only way to ensure our future.” The sound of a vehicle going by seems to pull him out of his speech. He must still be worried about police. “So, compensate us for setting back our struggle, and go.”

You look to Jane, who is slowly getting up, thanks to Dice keeping the timid group and their pokemon away through sheer terrifying presence. They can take him if they act, but he really does look willing to go all out on the first one to get too close. Nobody wants to be the sacrifice. Laki and Polu have a fighting stance, but they look more like they’re talking than anything. The leader is focused on you and doesn’t notice.

“You hurt my friends. So you owe ME compensation.” You declare.

He’s equal parts frustrated and impressed. “Well, that’s not going to happen.” He takes on a fighting stance, but then drops it almost immediately. “I answered your questions. I’ve been more than fair. Answer mine. Who are you, and what do you want?” His stance is a lot less hostile.


>Keep talking. Insist there is no war. He’s delusional
>Just good citizens
>Friends of Polu. We’re taking him and his sister back
>Bow, introduce yourself as Herb
>He’s close enough to rush. Go for it
>Something else

>>3005130
>Bow (shallow)
>I’m Herb, and what I want is for you to stop, you’re making things worse for everybody.

>>3005130
>I was looking for a friend who disappeared on this island. I came across a group of vandals breaking thing, so I acted.

>>3005130
>Bow (shallow)
>I’m Herb, and what I want is for you to stop, you’re making things worse for everybody.
>Also Polu

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You offer a shallow bow. “I’m Herb. I was looking for a friend who disappeared on this island. I came across a group of vandals breaking thing, so we acted. As for what I want, I want you to stop. You’re making things worse for everybody.”

“I acted.” Jane announces. She puts a hand on her pokeball, but that causes the group around her to erupt in protest. She slowly takes her hand off. “They followed.”

“Oh.” He points to her with charismatic energy. “Is she in charge? Wait, the half-islander girl is your crush, right?”

Polu’s sister runs up beside the guy you’re facing. “Come on babe, let’s get out of here.”

“Hold on. I’m interested in these guys now.” He turns his focus back to you. “I like you people. You’re tough. Fighters. You saw a troubling situation and you did something other than be a bystander. But you’re wrong. You say I’m making things worse for everybody. That’s not true. We’re fixing things. We’re putting things in motion.”

“By smashing shopkeeper windows?” Jane asks sarcastically.

“As a matter of fact, yes.” He beams with pride. “The police crackdown is going to come eventually. They won’t be able to keep up the facade of getting compliance by being nice. Soon, they’ll have to act in force. Police all around. Curfews. Random checks. All targeted against the youth around here. The last generation of us who grew up before the mainlanders started dominating education, media, and everything else. The group of people my age that find themselves without a future will notice, all at the same time. All of them will come to see what I see, and the mainlanders controlling our islands won’t be able to distract them by-” He stops himself. “What am I doing? I talk too much. The point is, we’re acting.”

You glance over to Polu and Laki. They’re grappling, but it really doesn’t look like they’re struggling.

The guy in front of you takes your attention again with his own bow, as shallow as yours. “I’m Haleewai. Hal for short. And you need to decide if you’re a friend of our cause, or a friend of the invasion.” He comes closer. “If there were a less messy way, we’d take it. But we do what we have to to survive.”

“Babe, come on. They won’t understand. Let’s go before the police show up.” Polu’s sister pulls at his arm softly. Some blood drips from her nose where Laki presumably punched her.


>Offer to heal their group. Maybe you can get on their good side and win them over
>He’s close. Go for a sucker punch
>Say something to Polu’s sister
>You can’t abide terrorizing shopkeepers, whatever the reason he tries to use to justify it
>Ask about Polu’s bandanna. Why does he have it?
>Why doesn't he just focus on his own education, media, and political efforts instead of this?
>Something else

>>3005363
>Have you tried talking to the grass gym leader? His method of ousting mainlanders seemed like it’d be more popular.

>Look, let me heal our friends and we can just split.

>>3005363
>Neither, Tradition can be important, But sometimes it needs to change. The people of my homeland used to burn young women as witches because they had psychic or aura use. That's a stupid tradition that rightfully died out.

By the same token progress s inexorable, change is constant, nothing stay the same, not people, not nations, not even pokemon. If you cannot direct the change, and make it better for everyone, if you lash out at change in violence? You'll be crushed. Even if you win once, it'll never stop, ever.

I've seen what happens when the leaf temple's agriculture side tried to make a power play to try and destroy the temple's other factions, I helped stop it because it was wrong. This is just as wrong as that. While I understand why you do what you do, I cannot and WILL NOT support it. If that means we must fight? So be it.

>>3005363
>You can’t abide terrorizing shopkeepers, whatever the reason he tries to use to justify it

>>3005379
Are we locking Herb down for Poke-American? Because I thought he was from Sinnoh, which is poke-northern Japan.

>>3005363
>Something else
>"They'll notice? Notice what? That a bunch of thugs dragged them into the dirt to make a point? That all that police annoyance and oppression are your fault? What you're doing could just as easily alienate as inspire."

>>3005397
Eh this works in just about any major European , Slavic or Middle eastern analogue too.

All we really need to do to end this is use Rain Dance and unleash Dice. It won't be pretty but it'll end it.

>>3005424
There are three things that all wise men fear and I’m pretty sure that counts as 2 of them.

>>3005363
"Are you even listening to yourself? YOU are going to be the ones causing all the oppression yourselves! Why would they need those curfews and random checks and other horrible things if you weren't stirring up trouble in a situation where, from what I've seen, most people are accepting or even happy with!"

It’s cool how there isn’t one clear correct response to this situation. It’s nuanced enough that everyone has a different approach.

Kinda scary too.

>>3005424
>>3005432
“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”.

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[Sorry, not dead. Update incoming.]

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>>3005579

>Sympathizing with the villain's reasoning, even if I think his ultimate plan is retarded

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“I’m not on anyone’s side. Tradition can be important, but sometimes it needs to change. By the same token progress is inexorable, change is constant, nothing stay the same, not people, not nations, not even pokemon. If you cannot direct the change, then make it better for everyone. If you lash out at change in violence? You'll be crushed. Even if you win once, it'll never stop, ever.”

“We’d be crushed regardless. Violence is just the most direct way of doing it. Programming our young is how they wage their war. The ‘banning’ of violence is just an extension of the rules of war countries have always abandoned or worked around when new circumstances demanded it.”

You press on. “I've seen what happens when the leaf temple's agriculture side tried to make a power play to try and destroy the temple's other factions, I helped stop it because it was wrong. This is just as wrong as that. While I understand why you do what you do, I cannot and will not support it.”

He holds his temples, stepping closer and away from Polu’s sister, who you guess is his girlfriend. “You don’t get it. I mourn the loss of some of our traditions, sure, but I’m not an idiot. I’m a futurist. I’m forward looking. Lots of traditions can go and stay gone. But the tradition of my people owning their own fate? Being under no other group’s thumb? That’s one that has to stay. And it can’t continue if we keep bringing in more and more mainlanders. The changing of our ways is just a side effect to the changing of power in our homeland. Look. Think about the pikachu or meowth around Kaitwe. Some are mainlander ones, some are island ones. But they compete over the same niche. The same resources. Putting them together results in chaos. Letting one group dominate the mainland and one group dominate the island is harmony. It’s the only way for coexistence.”

“Have you tried talking to the grass gym leader? His method of ousting mainlanders seemed like it’d be more popular.”

“I’ve read his book a million times, cover to cover.” He says. “We’re different. He’s a smart man, but he sees it as a cultural issue more than a subspecies one, even if he ties the two together more than others. He’d probably consider me and my group to be the ‘stick’ to the ‘carrot’ he’d prefer we use. He wouldn’t endorse us, but we’re not exactly outside of his vision. A time of struggle is going to result once the carrot is rejected, and we’re just getting ahead of the game.”

(continued)

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>>3005639
"Are you even listening to yourself? YOU are going to be the ones causing all the oppression yourselves! Why would they need those curfews and random checks and other horrible things if you weren't stirring up trouble in a situation where, from what I've seen, most people are accepting or even happy with!”

“They’re accepting because they don’t see the end game! They’re accepting because they’re taught to accept it! None of the older people wanted it! Know why? They grew up before we were bombarded by mainlander media! If you show everyone what the future of our island will look like, the permanent destruction of our people, none of them would accept the temporary bribes of mainlander money coming in today! You see that shopkeeper as innocent! I see him as taking out a loan against our future generations so he can enjoy a few extra perks today! The continuation of our people depends entirely on our own self determination. As long as mainlanders come in large numbers and gain more and more control over our fate, we’ll never be safe, and never be free. We’re doomed to eventual subjugation or extinction.” He calms himself. “I’m not a hypocrite. I’m not trying to put any other group under my heel. If I were in charge, the mainlanders in Tabo would also have their own autonomy. I’m not the bad guy here.”

The fighting has completely stopped, and even the tense staredowns between Jane and her surrounders have relaxed. Everyone is drawn in by this debate between the two of you. Laki and Polu are the only exception.


>He wronged that shopkeeper and needs to stop. Or you’ll stop him
>Let’s talk about this inside. Be civil
>You and your friends are leaving
>Call out to Polu to join the conversation. He doesn’t believe this, does he?
>The people of the islands have already determined their future, and they want mainlanders to be a big part of it
>Something else

>>3005644
>What about taking this as more of an opportunity? Instead of trying to keep Loanah from being more like the mainland, make the mainland more like Loanah. Spread the culture and people like you couldn’t before. You have so much to share!

>>3005644
>>The people of the islands have already determined their future, and they want mainlanders to be a big part of it

>>3005644
>Your will to maintain your culture doesn't need to be opposed to evolution or change, and it definitely doesn't need violence. Instead why not try to embolden your culture through more positive means? If you put as much passion into reaffirming the culture instead rather than making convoluted plans to hurt people, folks might see the validity of your concerns.

>>3005644
>So instead of discussing this instead of taking the lead, you push your ideaology onto others using rebellious children desperately trying to be cool and mature by being rebels? History has shown how that works out. Poorly. For everyone,

>>3005644
>>3005660
>>3005666
Both of these say what I want to say better than I ever could.

>>3005644
I mean, the guy's not wrong about the issue. He's just solving the issue in the most douchebag way possible.

>>3005692
Pretty much.

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“So instead of discussing this instead of taking the lead, you push your ideology onto others using rebellious children desperately trying to be cool and mature by being rebels? History has shown how that works out. Poorly. For everyone.”

“Way to strip everyone here of having any agency.” He retorts. “But yes, that’s how all rebellions in history have worked. Surely you’re not against every one that’s ever occured on the mainland. Plenty of them were good causes. And we’ve tried discussion. All that comes of it is slurs about us trying to oppress more mainlander minorities. We don’t get get a fair shake in print or television. Because it was never about what we say. We represent a threat to the vispum industry because we might actually have to be traded with for it by consent instead of flooding our homeland with mainlanders to run it.”

That hits home. Your mom’s new job, the one that brought you here, is for a company that works in vispum. Valerie’s dad’s company, in fact. You swallow down the odd feeling that grips you as you think about your family, and change the way you approach the debate. “What about taking this as more of an opportunity? Your will to maintain your culture doesn't need to be opposed to evolution or change, and it definitely doesn't need violence. Instead why not try to embolden your culture through more positive means? If you put as much passion into reaffirming the culture instead rather than making convoluted plans to hurt people, folks might see the validity of your concerns. Instead of trying to keep Loanah from being more like the mainland, make the mainland more like Loanah. Spread the culture and people like you couldn’t before. You have so much to share!”

“We do! We tried volunteering and educating. We’ve tried pamplets, activism, regular street cleaning and other good will projects. And it doesn’t work except for the few individuals we talk to alone, and all of them are too scared to openly take our side in public! Don’t you get it? It doesn’t matter how ‘civil’ we act, because we don’t control the message. They get to our young first and imprint their view of the world on them and nothing we do after that changes anything! We don’t control the medi...” His voice trails off. “We don’t control the media or schools...”

“Babe?” Polu’s sister asks as she tries to read his face. His eyes are far off, lost in thought.

“Herb, was it?” He comes closer. “You’re a genius!”

You’re concerned.


>Just, don’t hurt anybody, okay?
>Wait wait wait. That’s not what you meant
>Ask about Polu’s bandanna
>Offer to heal everyone’s wounds
>Go to Polu. Maybe it’s safe now to show that you’re friends
>Something else

>>3005735
>Just, don’t hurt anybody, okay?
>Offer to heal everyone’s wounds
>Go to Polu. Maybe it’s safe now to show that you’re friends

>>3005735
"I really hope you're talking about getting positions in places where you can positively influence the island's children, and not talking about just threatening and harassing teachers and educators to force your views onto their charges."

>>3005735
>Offer to heal everyone’s wounds

>Not super sure what specifically you’re planning but it already sounds better.

>>3005760
>>3005774
We're supposed to keep the healing a secret because it will be exploited...

>>3005774
It really doesn't sound better you just inspired a right wing religious party/fox news.

>>3005836
Nah, that’s the potential unlocking.

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“This is the force multiplier I’ve been looking for.” He mutters to himself.

"I really hope you're talking about getting positions in places where you can positively influence the island's children, and not talking about just threatening and harassing teachers and educators to force your views onto their charges. You’re not going to hurt anybody, are you?”

“I will do literally anything to secure a future for my people. No act or tactic is worth turning down if it means victory.” He looks you dead in the eyes. He’s serious. “But violence and intimidation isn’t part of the new plan. I told you, I’m not the bad guy.”

“What are you thinking, boss? You want to start a newspaper?”

He waves the suggestion. “Start a newspaper? No. We don’t have what we need for that, and they’d just crush us. We infiltrate. We use their weapons against them. We get ourselves and people like us in every educational and media institute we can. ”

“I signed up for a rebellion, not being some school teacher.”

“And I told you that total war means using whatever tactic that works. We need to rethink things. We need to think in the long term. Our nation’s future is it’s children, and public opinion. Remember that story about how they set up ultrasonic mining equipment near a cave full of Zubat, and the young couldn’t communicate with the old and they acted differently than other Zubat groups? Even after it stopped, those young Zubat had different habits. The group was changed.” He laughs. “We’ve already seen examples. Herb here just illuminated the way.”

“Well, again, as long as nobody gets hurt...” You say. “Umm, on that note, I’d like to heal everyone.” You sort of ask for permission and slowly make your way to Jane.

“And he knows first aid!” Hal says. “Please do. And see to my girl, too if you can.” He softly rubs her chin. “Are you alright, babe?”

Gobble looks up, confused.


>Heal everyone using your powers
>Try your best attempt at first aid skills, keep your healing powers a secret
>Wait, that’s it? You’re changing your ways?
>Wait, there’s something else I want to say to you
>Hey, that guy near Laki looks hurt. You’ll go to him first
>Something else

>>3005904
>Heal everyone using your powers

We... won?

I have no idea if we did the right thing here. I think I’d like Herb to check what Jane, Laki, and Polu think of how things turned out. Perhaps now, and in a whisper.

>>3005904
>Heal Jane and Laki first, get their takes on the situation while you work

>>3005904
>>Try your best attempt at first aid skills, keep your healing powers a secret

>>3005904
>Heal everyone using your powers

Hey Gobble, if these guys are all speaking English, is it safe to say they’re all bilingual? Because making sure Loanan is taught in schools would be a good place for them to start if they’re losing their language.

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>>3006010
[Good point! And yes, they are!]

>>3006013
Yes they are bilingual or yes they are losing their language? Sorry for asking a combo question, I should know by now they prompt this sort of thing.

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>>3006016
[Bilingual!]

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You rush over to Jane first. She looks like she had the worst of it.

“What’d you do?” She asks as it becomes clear the conflict has cooled. “You talked them down? How?”

“Umm, just a discussion in tactics.” You sum up, checking her over. “Are you alright?”

“Fine. I just-” She flinches when you poke her.

“You’re not fine. You’re hurt.”

“And you didn’t talk about just tactics.” She retorts defensively. “I’ll be fine.”

You hold your hand to where she’s hurt, close your eyes, and concentrate. The warmth flows through your body and into her injury, quickly mending the worst of her wounds. Gobble waddles closely, watching your every move. Jane sighs as a huge amount of tension flows out of her. The heave of her chest and relaxation of her body are distracting just by how much pain was apparently pent up. She took a beating. But the others have noticed what you did too.

A few gasps and mutterings escape from the small group of people and pokemon around.

“He’s magic.”

“Like a pokemon using Heal Pulse.”

You won’t say that doesn’t tickle your ego, but it’s also a bit concerning to get that attention. The secret is out. “Who else is hurt?”

The three that were surrounding Jane hesitate. The situation is just too weird for them at the moment. But Gobble pulss at your leg and points. A haggard Raticate sits on the ground, looking just awful. You crouch down to the poor thing and it flinches.

“It’s alright, Raticate.” The trainer says, sounding unsure. “Right?”

You nod. Of course it is. You reach out slowly towards it. It must be picking up on it’s trainer’s anxiety, because it snaps at you. Gobble raises a fist in preparation, but lowers it, picking up your own calmness. You reach out a second time, slower, and at an angle where Raticate can see your whole body so there are no surprises. It accepts this, and you heal it.

At this point, you’ve gotten Hal’s attention again. He doesn’t say anything, but he’s dropped his mutterings he was making to himself about how to best apply his new tactics, and watches closely. You heal a trainer who volunteers his finger with a tiny scratch. It’s a waste of energy, but they all seem so enthralled and giddy at the idea and want to see it happen, so you do it. It’s small enough not to really demand much out of you, at least.

Polu’s sister and her nose are next, just because she’s right there. You ask her to stand still, calm down, and relax, but she’s almost entirely the opposite of that. She almost screams in excitement and thrill as you perform what feels like street magic. Wow. Laki really did bust her up. She’s tough to handle that without making a big deal over it.

(continued)

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>>3006094
You move over to Polu and Laki next. Of course, Laki is a primary concern, but she assures you that she’s fine. But the swelling bruise on her arm says otherwise.

She notices you noticing it. “Don’t waste the energy. I used to get worse every day from pole vaulting practice. Besides, we’ve got more important stuff to worry about.”

It looks painful, though. And large. That’ll take a long time to heal. You really don’t like seeing her hurt. You don’t like seeing anyone hurt, of course, but this is different.

Polu wordlessly watches. You expect you and he will have a lot to talk about, in a moment.


>Ignore it like she asked
>Talk her into it. She’s just acting tough
>Just do it anyway. She can’t protest if you finish quickly
>”Stop acting like Jane and let me heal you.”
>Something else

[Last update of the night!]

>>3006097
>Tomorrow morning, when I’m rested and fed and I’ve got my life force back up, no buts.

>>3006097
I guess I want to add
>Laki, do you think I made things better or worse in the long run tonight?


You know, for not being accepting of mainlander culture/money/power, they’re pretty receptive to having bits of a mainlander’s soul poured into their own.

Thanks for running! Excited to talk to Polu next time, and say things like “I was worried about you.” and “What are you doing here?” and “Can you quit?” And then later Herb can hold Laki close as he comes down from the adrenaline high!

I’m very uncomfortable with the way Hal talks about this stuff, (what with comparing nationalities to subspecies and the general way he seems to care a lot about racial identity in the sort of way that is reminiscent of anti-misgenation rhetoric) but he state outright the sort of things that would allow you to right him off as a bigot, which is good writing because you can’t be sure if he’s being intellectually dishonest with his arguments or just isn’t quite that bad as you could infer, which is a more realistic depiction of encountering this sort of viewpoint in real life.

>>3006097
>>Just do it anyway. She can’t protest if you finish quickly

>>3006097
>Just do it anyway. She can’t protest if you finish quickly
"can't say no if it's already over" would be a pretty creepy thing to say but totally something Herb might without realizing how it sounds

>>3006097
>>Just do it anyway. She can’t protest if you finish quickly

>>3006097
>"if you want to be sore I'll get you sore the fun way. Now let me heal you."

You know, the Pokédex says male salandit cant evolve specifically due to malnutrition.

>>3006097
>Tomorrow morning, when I’m rested and fed and I’ve got my life force back up, no buts.

>>3006097
>Just kiss the booboo to make it better.
>maybe only a little bit of healing.

>>3009673
But Sweet Kiss causes the target to become confused!

I just found out the average Canadian spends 70$ on Halloween. I didn’t even know Canadians had Halloween.

Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure we’ve been talking about Loanan Halloween since last Halloween.

I just want to see the girls’s reactions when Herb realizes he needs a pumpkin STAT. Those seeds aren’t going to season and bake themselves!

If Herb shared any of his memories with Mace in aura-space, it would be the only thing Mace has ever seen.

>>3006097
>>3009673
This pretty much

Thanks for running Gobble! Sad that I missed the run during work.

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>>3013259

>>3006105
>>3006149
>>3006202
>>3006297
>>3006335
>>3006377
>>3009286
>>3009658
>>3009673
>>3010204
>>3010235
>>3013259
>>3013790
>>3014002

[Thread in a bit!]

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Spooktacular Scary Edition

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

Latest bin: https://pastebin.com/MnTZZFQu

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 (Roserade)
Dice (Feraligatr)
Sorbet (Vulpix)
Rotom (Rotom)

Location: An alley in the sketchy outskirts of Terichi, the city of nightlife!

>>3015444
consider me spooked

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Laki protests the use of your energy to heal her wounds, but you just can’t let them be. You hold her arm to inspect it, then suddenly give it a soft little kiss, doing your best to funnel a bit of healing energy into it.

Laki let’s out a tiny, feminine giggle at first. “Soft Hands, I...hey!” Her mouth frowns, but her eyes are smiling. She pulls her bruised, but much better looking arm away without much force. “You tricked me.”

“I was just kissing your booboo.” You joke in defense of your crime.

“Is that so? Maybe I’ll give you something I can kiss better later, if you’re going to be so sneaky.” She smugly folds her arms. Still, behind all that, she has a little concern and maybe even anger in her eyes. No, not anger, frustration. She didn't want you to do that., but she also doesn't want to press the issue too hard right now.

Polu’s wide eyes become apparent to both of you. For a second, you almost forgot he was there. You get lost with Laki sometimes.

“Bro.” He begins. He opens his mouth a few times, but doesn’t seem to have any other words.


>Give him a hug
>You feel cold. He joined an anti-mainlander gang. We’re not bros right now
>Keep a familiar but not overly friendly stance, and ask how he’s been
>You’re furious! Jane and Laki were hurt! What’s he doing with these people?
>Something else

>>3015502
>>Keep a familiar but not overly friendly stance, and ask how he’s been

>>3015502
>Keep the charade up, heal him like the others.

>We were worried about you, you know. The others are looking for you right now too.

>>3015502
>You feel cold. He joined an anti-mainlander gang. We’re not bros right now

I think Herb has pieces together that Polu’s here to try to keep his sister out of trouble.

And now that the gang is trying out non-crime, he should be able to leave, right?

>>3015502
Oh yea, Polu doesn't know we're with Hana and Laki huh?

>>3015572
Well, he half-knows now.

>>3015502
>>3015527
this

>>3015502
>Give him a hug
Bro!

I dont give a fuck what he's been doing because I trust that he's the type of guy who will only do what's totally necessary.

>>3015577
Now I really want a scene where Polu thinks we're cheating on her with Hana. Some nice sitcom misunderstandings.

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>>3015606
>group reunites
>Herb smooches Hana
>Hugs from Keira and Abi

>>3015629
Jane glaring nearby while biting her lip

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“Hey.” Your voice goes up an octave for a second before you bring it in. “How have you been?” It comes out a little pointed. It’s not something you entirely regret, though. You’re relieved to see him safe and sound after worrying so much, but this isn’t exactly what you were hoping to find.

He almost laughs. Not at you, but at the question and situation it’s asked in. Or maybe it’s just nerves. He looks like your little brother that time you caught him sneaking away some cookies you baked. “I’ve been...I’ve missed you guys.”

“Not what he asked.” Laki says, keeping her arms folded, but not being entirely hostile in her tone.

He oddly looks more at ease at that, though. You guess the familiarity of Laki being Laki is comforting to people other than you. “So, I already explained most of this to Laki, but you deserve the truth too. I did join this gang.” He throws up his arms. “But it’s complicated. See that girl over there? That’s my sister. She fell for Hal, hard. She’s always been a bit of a sucker for bad boys and guys like that.” If he were from another region, you’d expect him to spit after that sentence, from the way it sounded coming out of his mouth. “And he’s a pretty charismatic guy.”

He pauses, waiting to see if you have any comments or questions yet. You nod, listening closely and signalling to him to continue.

“So I wanted to talk to her. But talking became hanging out, and he wanted me to join if I was always going to be around. I turned him down though, bro. Honest. But...he challenged me to a battle, if I won, he’d let me sister go, softly, and if he won...” He looks down. The normally larger-than-life Polu shrinks in shame. “I’d join. Well, you saw him with bandanna. Tells you how that went.” He gives a lighthearted, forced smile.


“Turns out I’m sort of good at this.” He brightens, but then suddenly has fear wash over him after he realizes how that sounds. “I mean, organizing people. Younger people, anyway. Kids love me.”

“You helped him recruit kids?” Laki asks.

“No! No. Not really. But the ones already in? Well, I figured I could guide them a bit better. They’re good kids, mostly. They just need a little guidance and protection. They don’t really understand this stuff the way they should. They’re like Tahi to me.”

(continued)

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>>3015669
You run your brain to remember that word. You’ve heard it before. Wait! Laki used it! It means something like ‘younger sibling’ or a sort of young charge. Someone you have a degree of responsibility in guiding or teaching as an older person.

It’s now that you notice a few scrapes on his arm as well. “Can I see your arm?” You ask.

“Sure, bro.” He says, producing it without hesitation. He clearly has no idea what you’re doing, but he’s always been that kind of guy.

You inspect it, feel Laki’s gaze on you as she already knows what you’re doing and doesn’t need to tell you how she feels about it, and work your best aura efforts to clear that up.

“Bro....BRO!” He moves his whole body as if to yank away, but keeps enough of it’s wits about him to hold it still against every instinct he has except for his trust in you. “Dude!”

“How’s it feel?” You genuinely ask.

He looks it over, then pokes it with his finger. You’re a bit lightheaded now. Those scratches and things, while not taking much out of you, took from to your already slightly taxed energy. But the look on his face brings you back. You've still got lots in the reserves if something serious happens. “I know you have a lot of questions, and I totally get you deserve to have them answered first, but dude, I have so many things I want to ask you when you’re done. Like, it’s really hard not to ask them all right now.”


>Ask your questions, Polu
>Why didn’t he come to you for help?
>Will he quit the gang now?
>How are his pokemon doing?
>Something else

>>3015677
>Why didn’t he come to you for help?
Your sister is a moron. I've lost some respect for you.

>>3015677
>>Why didn’t he come to you for help?

>>3015677
>Will he quit the gang now?

>After all, I think the gang will stay out of legal trouble now.

>>3015677
>How are his Pokémon doing?

>>3015677
>>Why didn’t he come to you for help?
>Will he quit the gang now?
>How are his pokemon doing?

We got our powers in thread 23, last saw Polu in thread 36 I think, and started hareming in thread 44. We’re in the 90’s now, and Herb’s healing has become a much bigger part of his life by now. When we last saw Polu, it was more of a potential than a thing he does.

>>3015677
>Why didn’t he come to you for help?
>How are his pokemon doing?
>use the over exertion as an excuse to lean into Laki.

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“Why didn’t you come to me...us for help?” You try not to sound hurt.

Laki, either sensing that in your voice, or maybe just seeing that you’re a little tired, pulls you in to lean on her a bit. She rests your head against the side of her chest.

Polu takes great notice, but answers your question. “I didn’t want to drag you guys into my problems. I’m the man of of my family. I should be able to handle this stuff.” He sighs, cutting you and Laki off before you can say anything. “I know, I know. It got way out of my control. I guess it always was. But by the time it got so bad I was just so ashamed. And...dude, I didn’t want you to see me or my sister like this and get the wrong idea. This isn’t my scene. The kids are just kids, and even some of the guys and girls our age are pretty alright for the most part, but I can’t condone this.”

“You can be a part of it, though.” Laki states.

“Well, guess you’re not wrong.” He says sheepishly. “But, you get it, right? I know I should have reached out, but I thought if maybe I just had more time to talk to my sister...and the kids. Man, I didn’t want them in, but I definitely didn’t want them in without me there if they’re already in.”

You have another few questions before you answer. “Are you going to quit, now?”

He hesitates. Just that action alone seems to overwhelm him with discomfort. “It’s not that simple. He sounds like he’s changing what he’s doing, but I’m still bound by my word to stay. I know I don’t seem it bro, but even I take that stuff seriously. I don’t think he’s going to just absolve me, either.”

Laki looks uncomfortable too, now. “You’re an idiot, and I don’t approve, but I get it.”

Another sudden thought occurs to you. You just now realize that you haven’t seen his pokemon out. “Are your pokemon alright?”

He brightens up. “Oh man! That’s the one bit of good news I have. They’re doing rad! Aggron is so strong! And Volcarona is too! And I have newcomers, too!” He’s a new person, full of energy and enthusiasm. But it dies quickly. “I...bro, we’re still friends, right?”


>Of course! Best friends!
>Of course, but you’re disappointed and need some time to process this
>Well...we can be again, in time
>Not exactly, but you’re glad he’s safe
>Not until he quits the gang. Find a way, Polu
>Yes, and we’ll get him and his sister out, together
>Something else

[Sorry about delay. lots of kids at the door suddenly!]

>>3015906
>>Of course, but you’re disappointed and need some time to process this

More than understandable, wish I lived in a neighborhood that actually had any traffic for trick or treaters, it'd be fun to decorate the place if I knew people would come ;-;

>>3015906
>Of course, but you’re disappointed and need some time to process this

>>3015906
>>Of course, but you’re disappointed and need some time to process this

>>3015906
>Yes, and we’ll get him and his sister out, together

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>Of course, but you’re disappointed and need some time to process this
>Yes, and we’ll get him and his sister out, together

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>>3015925
[It's weird. There were hardly any kids last year and the year before. I was woefully unprepared this time because I didn't expect it. Had to improvise and scrounge.]

>>3015906
>>Of course, but you’re disappointed and need some time to process this

When it comes down to it the journey is all about exploring who you are and collecting battle slaves growing your family. It's not really anyone's place to judge especially since we understand his reasoning and intent.

>>3015941
Amazing

Also damn his larvesta evolved fast

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>>3015941
[Saved! I save them all! Thanks, anon!]

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“Of course!” You almost shout. “But...” You struggle to find the words.

“I get it.” He says. “You’re disappointed, and need some time, right?”

You nod. He gets it more than you expected. “Yeah. That.”

“Totally more than understandable, bro. And thanks. I shouldn’t have kept you out. Either of you.” He says to Laki as well, but then he looks down at Gobble, who has been watching this with ever-learning, absorbing eyes. “I mean, all of you. And, I’m sorry.”

Gobble is happy to be included, even if you’re not totally sure how much detail he understands about this. He definitely gets the general picture, at least.

Laki pats him on the shoulder. “You’re a good guy, Polu. An idiot, but a good guy.”

He laughs, but it settles as he eyes Laki snuggling you, a bit forcefully, against her. “So...are you guys...?”

“Yes we are.” Laki says proudly, squeezing you in even tighter. “In fact, tonight,” she turns her head to face Hal and his people, who are deep in discussion, “HE’S GOING TO PUT HIS SEED IN ME AGAIN TONIGHT.”

Polu has big wide eyes and a tiny, closed mouth. You probably do, too. You’re not sure because you’re more focused on trying to feel if your heart just stopped or not.

Oddly enough, despite only a few distracted looks, some confused and some upset, they mostly ignore her. They’re in a heated debate with Hal. Three of them walk away, frustrated. A few take his side, but the rest seem like they’ll be walking away soon, too.

Jane is standing close, listening to the entire thing. She gives Laki and annoyed, disgusted look for almost disrupting this. She seems pretty interested in seeing how that goes.

“Oh.” Polu says before getting his groove back. “Cool! Good for you two.”
>Go see what’s going on with Hal
>Talk to his sister, alone if you can
>Ask Polu to at least come back to the pokemon centre, and hang for a bit
>Tell him about Hana
>Something else

>>3016040
>Ask Polu to at least come back to the pokemon centre, and hang for a bit
>>Tell him about Hana

>>3016040
>>Ask Polu to at least come back to the pokemon centre, and hang for a bit

>>3016040
>Ask Polu to at least come back to the pokemon centre, and hang for a bit
>Tell him about Hana

>>3016040
>Go see what’s going on with Hal

>>3016040
>>Ask Polu to at least come back to the pokemon centre, and hang for a bit
>Tell him about Hana

>>3016040
>Ask Polu to at least come back to the pokemon centre, and hang for a bit
>Tell him about Hana

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“The three of us.” You say. “I’m...we’re with Hana, too.”

He looks at you in disbelief for a moment, waiting for the punchline, or gotcha, or anything. When nothing comes, and Laki’s expression has no mischief in it, he laughs. “Dude! Awesome! High five!” He slaps you five. Then Laki. “Seriously?”

“Yup.” She says. “We’re his mau wahine. Soft Hands here conquered us both.”

“I wouldn’t say conquered...” You feel a bit embarrassed.

“Most people outside of Akaneki wouldn’t, either.” She tussles your hair. “The rest of the islands have a slightly different view. But I like mine better. Makes you sound as strong as you are.”

Now you’re really embarrassed.

“Dude, seriously, you need to teach me your ways.” Polu whispers.

You laugh. You’re still not sure how you lucked out so well. “Want to come to the pokemon centre and hang out for a bit?”

“Oh man. Like nothing else.” He says. “Just give me a second, bro.” He puts a hand on your shoulder as he walks passed you to talk to Hal. The conversation is surprisingly quick. Then Polu tries to talk to his sister, but that’s even quicker. She’s busy with Hal about something.

“Alright.” Polu says, coming back with Jane. “Let’s go.”

“Yes. I’ve seen enough.” Jane says.


>Ask Laki not to yell things like that. It could cause trouble
>Ask what he and Hal talked about
>Challenge Polu or Jane to a friendly battle
>Catch up, tell Polu (and Jane) about all your adventures
>Something else

>>3016163
>>Ask what he and Hal talked about
>ASk what had Jane so curious

>>3016163
>Catch up with Jane now that stuff isn't so serious.

>>3016163
>Ask what he and Hal talked about
>Catch up with Polu and Jane

>>3016163
>Call the others, tell them Polu’s ok.

>>3016163
>>Catch up, tell Polu (and Jane) about all your adventures

>>3016163
>>Ask what he and Hal talked about
>Catch up, tell Polu (and Jane) about all your adventures

>>3016163
>So what you gotta do Polu, now just hear me out, what you got to do, and I'm being serious here, is German Suplex.

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“What’d you guys talk about?”

“Ah, I was asking for permission to go for awhile. It’s not like I’m his slave or anything, but I need to respect the hierarchy. He...told me he wants me to look into getting a journalism degree. Says I’m smart and he needs me use it for his cause.”

“And that's what you were listening to?” You ask Jane.

“I wanted to know what he was planning.” She responds bluntly. “And nobody stopped me.”

Well, you can’t exactly argue with that.

“So dude,” Polu says, getting close, but stopping himself from putting an arm around you. Not because your shoulder is already partially occupied by Laki, who seems to want to make sure everybody knows you’re hers, but also about fear of making you uncomfortable. “Tell me everything!”

You bring Polu up to speed in broad strokes, stopping occasionally to give a detail here or there. He’s mostly fascinated by your relationship status, but he also inquires about your pokemon, and a few events.

“But seriously, how, dude?”

“Suplex.” You answer, half joking.

You arrive back at the pokemon centre. It’s late at night and they’re looking like they might close up for the night soon. But as you watch the clock, a thought occurs to you.

“It’s Halloween!” You stand up.

Jane sighs. “So?”

“Oh yeah. I forgot that was a thing.” Laki comments.

“Wait, that old slasher fic? Guess Hana is rubbing off on you, huh bro?”

“No no no. It’s special day on the mainland.” You begin, then explain the whole thing. Laki and Polu know a bit about it, but you help add some context to the finer, more confusion points.

“So, should we do something?” Polu asks. “There are some ghost-heavy places around here.”

“What, go on some spooky teenage adventure where we check out abandoned warehouses and make up stories?” Jane says.

“That sounds awesome.” Laki comments. “But Soft Hands is tired. We can do it tomorrow if everyone is still up for it.”


>No way, it’s got to be tonight!
>Tomorrow works. I’ll teach you guys all about it
>Nah, let’s do something else
>Ask Polu about his sister. Maybe there’s a way to solve his dilemma
>Something else

>>3016285
>Tonight is the one night a year the spirits can roam the realm of the living!

>We must ward them off!

>With pumpkins.

Also,
>Call your friends and let them know Polu is ok and wish them a happy Halloween.

>>3016285
this>>3016301

also let's do the warehouse

>>3016285
>Call your friends and let them know Polu is ok and wish them a happy Halloween.
>No way, it’s got to be tonight!


Time for Herb to show off his totally awesome campfire storytelling thriller abilitieshe has none

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>>3016312
But what he can do...

>>3016285
>No way, it’s got to be tonight!
>Call your friends and let them know Polu is ok and wish them a happy Halloween.

>>3016285
>>No way, it’s got to be tonight!

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“No way!” You spring up, filled with childlike excitement. “It’s got to be tonight! And we need to tell the others. Oh! And we need to have a campfire, and pumpkins! Pumpkins to ward off the spirits.”

Polu plays with a little bone necklace he’s wearing. “This sounds reasonable. I like the sound of this more and more.”

“Sounds like heresy.” Jane says. “But that doesn’t matter these days. It’s all a mess.”

“You sure you’re up for this, Soft Hands?” Laki asks, concerned. She then waves off her own question. “Ah, I already know what you’re going to say. You know your limits. Let’s have some fun tonight.”

With everyone on board, you decide to call Hana and the others.

“Herb!” She lights up.”We’re with the psychic temple girls and about a half hour away. We’ll find Polu for sure. Don’t worry!”

“Hi.” Polu says over your shoulder. “I’m found.”

“Polu!” She shouts. You quickly lower the volume on your pokedex and give everyone in the center an apologetic look. Hana is busy apologizing to the people around her as well.

You bring them up to speed. You’re going to find some pumpkins, and a place to tell spooky stories around a fire. Hana is thrilled. Abigail too. Keira is extremely curious, and pretty anxious. You aren’t clear at all what the psychic girls with them think.

“There’s a night time market nearby.” Polu informs the group. “They’ll probably have some stuff.”

“Plenty of abandoned warehouses too.” Jane says. “If you’re not too scared to break and enter.”

“My man isn’t afraid of anything.” Laki comes to your defense.

“I was talking to you.” Jane smirks.

Laki steps up to her, but then calms down. “You know what? You can’t bother me. I’ve got everything going great right now.” She leans back on you. “What do you have?”

Jane opens her mouth, but has no response. She looks pretty hurt as she tries to come up with a response. Laki even looks surprised. She didn’t expect it to be such a piercing attack.


>Gather up whatever halloween supplies you can and meet up at the spookiest abandoned warehouse around
>Defend Jane. She’s got stuff going on
>Something else

>>3016452
>>Defend Jane. She’s got stuff going on

She's probably the best trainer out of the whole group.

>>3016452
>>Gather up whatever halloween supplies you can and meet up at the spookiest abandoned warehouse around
>>Defend Jane. She’s got stuff going on

>>3016452
>>Gather up whatever halloween supplies you can and meet up at the spookiest abandoned warehouse around
>>Defend Jane. She’s got stuff going on
>>3016464
I'd say the most dedicated trainer, she truly wants the best for her pokemon.


Also, we should probably gather up the party and talk about that rayqauza business soon. feels kinda weird to toy around the lines when the big green's talked to very nearly everyone in our group.

>>3016452
>Well, according to Hal, she has an admirer.

>No sense in starting a campfire indoors though, it’ll get all smoky. We should go to the woods.

I don’t want to break in anywhere, we JUST got Polu to stop doing crimes.

>>3016452
>Gather up whatever halloween supplies you can and meet up at the spookiest abandoned warehouse around
>Defend Jane. She’s got stuff going on

>>3016478
He’s only talked to Herb. Jane did talk to nega-fug though.

The way I see it, either he leaves us alone and we just hold onto the fossil for him or he shows up and actually asks something if us. He gave us the “I’ll call you, don’t call me.” so there’s really no pressure for Herb to do anything.

In fact, telling everyone only nets us an angry god. It’s the one thing he’s asked us not to do.

>>3016493
Eh, he's tried talking with Keira too, or at least one of the two have tried.

>>3016478
Bad green has been trying to gain a champion someone who has a reason to quarrel with its opposite numbers champion(us).

First went for Jane because of her competitiveness and paranoia.

Then it went for Keira since she held us as the reason for her crisis and we just kept bumping her elbow when it tried to reach out to her.

It might have tried to go for Polu but I doubt it, since hes a normal type adherent whos teachings has humans and not the protector fighting the destroyer.

If we want to shadowrun it could have a champion now and it could be almost anyone. Only problem is that once whoever it is makes their move Herb is just going to offer them and the destroyer both some pancakes and try and talk it out.

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“She’s a great trainer.” You say in Jane’s defense. “Probably the best in the group.”

“Probably?” Jane and Laki both ask, but for different reasons.

“Did you get knocked on the head, John?” Jane asks. “I’m the best trainer here by miles.”

“Well, now you’re just being crazy.” Laki derides.

“You want me to prove it again?” Jane brings herself up face to face with Laki, who’s arm around you has turned into a crushing hold. She doesn’t even realize she’s doing it.”That one-off bag of tricks you tried last time won’t work on my pokemon twice.”

“Strategies! Not tricks!” Laki pushes herself, and you, up against Jane.

“Whatever name you want to give them, it doesn’t matter. My team right now would destroy you no matter what.”

“You’re not the only one who's been training.” Jane retorts, face to face with Jane. At least, you assume. Your face is completely mushed.

“Guys.” Polu grabs their attention.

The pressure on your face vanishes, and the comparatively cold air hits your cheeks.

“Sorry, Soft Hands.” Laki says, meaning it. She mutters something about her temper, but it’s too quiet to hear.

Jane simply brushes herself off, looking a bit frazzled. But it doesn’t last long.

You look at Gobble, and he just smushes his own face to imitate what happened to yours. He really does absorb everything.

The three of you quickly snap up all the Halloween stuff you can. Some candies, some stuff for a fire, a few small things for helping with quick, cheap cut-out masks. Oh, this is going to be so much fun! But one thing is bothering you, and you voice your concern once you arrive at the warehouse.

“I’m not sure we break into a place.”

“It’s fine.” Jane says. “This place was seized because it as abandoned and they had years of unpaid taxes. Look, there’s not even a lock on the door.”

It looks like maybe there was one, at some point. There are open windows way up the top of the metal roof, lots of rust, some hollowed out shells of machinery, and a small maze of old crates and boxes.“But still, after that gang....”

“It’s a victimless crime.” Laki adds, siding with Jane. “But if you want to try the woods instead, we can do that. We’ll just call up Hana and tell her to meet us there instead.”

Polu doesn’t seem to have any input. He just looks excited to be with the group. He’s been going on about wanting to show off all his pokemon.

The big daunting warehouse is surrounded by overgrown tall grass, bits of rubble, and a large, tall fence surrounding it. It’s pretty intimidating.

Where you go will probably affect the sorts of things you could encounter.

>Let’s go inside
>Let’s go to the woods
>Wait! Let’s have a spooky time down by the docks!
>Something else

>>3016554
>>Let’s go inside
Well now we have to tell the story of the three naughty pichus that get eaten

>>3016554
>Let’s go to the woods

>>3016554
>>Let’s go inside

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[I'm afraid that's it for tonight, but we have a pretty good chance of running tomorrow, starting earlier than today. I'm just waiting on somebody to get back to me.]

>>3016567
Goodnight, and thanks for running!

>>3016554
>Let’s go to the woods

>>3016558
So long as there are no clowns

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>>3016570
[Thanks for coming! Hope you're ready for some frightful fun!]

>>3016567
Thanks for running, Hope you have some candy left over from all the ghosts and goblins.

>>3016567
Thanks for running, Gobble. I just caught up from the archive. Can't wait for some spoopy ghost type stories and Halloween shenanigans!

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>>3016610
>>3016573
>>3016570
>>3016564
>>3016562
>>3016558
[Thread today! We're running in 2-3 hours]

>>3017428
Hey Gobble, do you know how long we've been on our adventure? Timekeeping gets sorta wonky. Also, has anyone actually physically grown in that time? Everyone is still young enough to gain some height.

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>>3017449
[I've been pretty bad at tracking time and been sort of vague on purpose. I tend to avoid hard numbers and things like that because it's really easy to give bad/weird numbers, or distract readers with poor math or the economics of pokeball manufacturing and distribution, or how long it takes to get here or there ridin such and such pokemon, or whatever.

But I'm glad you asked! I've been thinking about the way I've been doing time and how it might be better off if we had more specific time tracking or just maybe harder numbers in general in the quest for certain things. What do you think?]

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[So, woods or inside? Next person to answer breaks the tie!]

>>3016554
>>Let’s go to the woods
Spooky forest times? Spooky forest time!

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Spoopy Forest Finagle

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

Latest bin: https://pastebin.com/MnTZZFQu

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 (Roserade)
Dice (Feraligatr)
Sorbet (Vulpix)
Rotom (Rotom)

Location: Outskirts of Terichi, the city of nightlife!

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“Guys, I’d really feel more comfortable if we go to the woods.”

“Because of Polu’s criminal ways, right?” Jane asks bluntly, completely disregarding any idea of tact and putting you on the spot.

“Well, I mean...” You aren’t sure what to so. There are a lot of reasons to want to go to the woods instead of breaking into here, even if it would be easy.

“I think that’s a good idea too.” Polu says. “I don’t want to do any more bad things than I have. I don’t want it to just be easy for me to do. I won’t stop you guys from going in the warehouse, but I can’t let myself go and feel right about it.”

The three of you all watch Polu for a second, taking in what he said. You can feel a bit of the respect Jane and Laki lost for Polu return in their postures. Or maybe their auras.

“Woods is good.” Laki breaks the silence.

The four of you go for a bit of a walk. Laki informs Hana, giving her some rough directions. You overhear Hana joke that if they can’t find your group, then what was the point of bringing the psychic temple people?

Heavy forest canopy starts to blanket your group. The darkness comes all around upi as you leave the safety of the street lights and starlight into the unknown of the woods. You’ve been in plenty of forests at night, but doing it tonight always feels different. Special. Unnerving.

Only some of your pokemon feel the same way. Gobble and Mace are on edge. Dice is a little, too, but his large size makes it hard for him to take the sounds of the forest at night too seriously. Bella ventures into the dark ahead for fractions of a second, here or there.

You hold Rotom’s pokeball. With all the recent events, you haven’t had a chance to get to know it at all. All you know is that it seemed scared before. But it still wanted to test your boundaries a bit and play some pranks. It feels like that was a test more than anything. A way for it to understand you.

You want to release it, but you’re already a bit concerned about keeping an eye on Bella and the others, and it’s easy to lose track of someone at night in the forest like this.

>Release Rotom, show your trust
>You’ll have a chat with it in the morning, show your responsibility and patience
>Something else

>>3017790
>>Release Rotom, show your trust

>>3017696
I only bring up the time stuff because if we start doing holiday events it will feel weird when it's only been realistically a week in quest, and we've gone through a month or two irl.

>>3017790
>Release Rotom, show your trust
How could we even consider keeping a ghost kooped up on Halloween?

>>3017790
>>Release Rotom, show your trust

>>3017796
It should be fine. Maybe the island version of Christmas/Valentines/Boxing Day falls on a different day in-universe that just happens to match up with the one out of game. I for one will riot if we don't get a full weekend dedicated to back-to-back dates on V day.

>>3017790
>>Release Rotom, show your trust

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You release your Rotom, and it spins around your group a few times in a dizzying blur of light before stopping in front of you, waiting for something.

“Oh, I just wanted to let you out so you weren’t all cooped up. I don’t need you to do anything right now, except to stay with the group, please.”

Rotom buzzes to go in one direction, hesitates, goes the other way, hesitates again, and looks back at you. You nod to confirm what you said. It buzzes near Dice, who playfully snaps and swipes at it as it passes by. Mace is locked on, rotating to keep focuses on Rotom as it buzzes around. It examines everybody and everything for a short frenzied second before moving on to the next. You laugh quietly as it flies under Jane’s legs and then behind her back, causing her to jump a little. You know you shouldn’t laugh, but failing that you can at least try not to let her see you do it.

Rotom moves on to the others. After watching it for a bit, and seeing that it’s only going as far as the farthest person or pokemon in the group, you allow your focus to move away from it for now.

“You start your relationship with your new pokemon like that?” Jane asks after. You turn around. You hadn’t realized Laki and Polu ended up a few paces behind. She looks like she’s giving up quite the interrogation.

Jane sees you looking at them instead of answering right away. “You’re too permissive. It’s going to always hold you down.”

She’s a bit more on everyone’s case lately than usual, today. You wonder what’s going on with her? Is it just a grumpy day? Is she concerned about something?


>Ask for her to expand on that. You want to hear more of her assessment
>Ask why she seems upset today. Be blunt, just like her. But out of concern
>Tell her to stop picking at people so much. This is supposed to be fun
>Why did she put you on the spot earlier? What’s her problem with you now?
>Try talking about something positive, steer this somewhere fun, don’t let her get you down
>Something else

>>3017842
>>Ask for her to expand on that. You want to hear more of her assessment
>>Ask why she seems upset today. Be blunt, just like her. But out of concern

>>3017842
>>3017848
I'll second this.

>>3017842
>>Ask for her to expand on that. You want to hear more of her assessment
>>Ask why she seems upset today. Be blunt, just like her. But out of concern
i want to ask both questions, but seems like to completely different topics. Well either or both is fine by me.

>>3017842
>"When I met Rotom it was trapped in a crystal, and things have been hectic since then. I don't want my first real impression to be on that note."

>>3017842
Also we can't forget to name Rotom.

>>3017869
We should probably wait till we know more about our little friend before giving it a name.

Could rotom possess one of Hana's limbs? Could be funny/useful.

>>3017842
>>Ask why she seems upset today. Be blunt, just like her. But out of concern

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"When I met Rotom it was trapped in a crystal, and things have been hectic since then. I don't want my first real impression to be on that note."

“I understand that.” She says flatly. “I was questioning the impression you were trying to make.”

“It sounded more like a comment than a question.” You say, trying not to sound bitter. “I mean, that’s not bitterness. I just mean, I want to hear more. Can you expand on that, please?”

She looks upset. But the reason doesn’t seem clear. She closes her eyes, inhales, then talks. “You’re treating him like you’re not in command.”

“Like a friend?”

“It’s a different kind of friendship when you’re the one in charge.” She states. “You need to make that clear. That you’re in charge. You owe it to your pokemon?”

“I owe it to them to dominate them?” You press a little. You’re not attacking though, exactly. You know she’s thought about this a lot.

“You owe it to them to make the hierarchy clear. If you’re training a pokemon, they need to know yours is the final word. Not because you're ‘better’ than them, but to make it clear and easier for them to be their best. There’s a reason why pokemon with trainers are statistically much healthier, smarter, and happier than wild ones. Just like a Pikachu can use electricity in a way we can’t, or a water pokemon can use water attacks in a way we can’t, we can command, train, and make choices better than they can.” She quickly adds on an addendum. “On average.”

“I’ve seen some pretty smart pokemon.” You continue to press a little, exploring her thought process. She seems to enjoy talking about this stuff, too.

You wonder what Gobble, Mace, and Sorbet feel about this, as they stick close to you and can very much hear everything.

“But have you seen a pokemon with consistently better leadership ability and judgement than from a good trainer? One that can see things from as many angles as you or I?”

You have a lot of thoughts, which might be what causes this one to blurt out. “Did you just accidentally call me a good trainer?”

She looks mad, now.

“Look, I’m listening and I’m taking your concerns seriously.” You say, trying to reach out to her a bit and keep her from exploding. But it’s more than that. You want to make her feel better. “You seem a little upset today.” You just say. “Is everything alright?”

She pauses. “I do?”

“Well, yeah.” You’re already committed. “Any idea why?”

(continued)

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>>3017932
“One of my rivals has morally failed and the other is enabling him. As usual, I have to be the ‘bad’ person who's trying to right the course” She begins. “You’ve got to come down harder on people and pokemon sometimes. You need to push sometimes. What if I fail that hard? Hmm? Are you going to tell me what I need to hear even you don’t want to? Are you going to value being on my good side more than helping me?”


>You’ve always been honest
>She’s overthinking this
>Polu knows what he did wrong. He doesn’t need to be made to feel worse about it
>Sounds like she’s the one that should talk to him
>Something else

>>3017934
>>You’ve always been honest
>Sounds like she’s the one that should talk to him

>>3017934
>>You’ve always been honest
>>Sounds like she’s the one that should talk to him

It's the times that like that affirm to me the Jane does care about us all, even if it's in her brash, overly competitive way.

Her talk also makes me want to find a pokemon tactician that's leading a ragtag militia on one of the islands somewhere, since pokemon are clearly sapient on the same level as humans.

The way I feel about the Polu situation is that he knows what he did is wrong, and he knows that we all disapprove. Jane is free to be more explicit about it if she wants, but rubbing it in won't do much other than make tempers flare.

>>3017934
>Polu knows what he did wrong. He doesn’t need to be made to feel worse about it
>>Sounds like she’s the one that should talk to him

>>3017934
>>You’ve always been honest
>>Polu knows what he did wrong. He doesn’t need to be made to feel worse about it

You look back at Polu, he’s being grilled by Laki. His usual energy from before does pop up once in awhile, but he has been looking pretty down. You, more than anything, just want things to get back to normal quickly. “I think he knows he messed up. He doesn’t need to feel worse about it.”

“He understands in his head, but does he look like he really understands how hurtful it is for him to just vanish on us? To not trust us enough to come to us for help? Did you communicate to him, hear to heart, how you feel? Be honest.”

“I’ve always been honest.” You remind her. You feel good about being able to say that so earnestly.

“You’ve always been worried about making people feel bad, too. You can be honest, but you can’t be hurtful. You must be able to hurt others for their own good.”

Your mind falls back to that Murkrow whose wing was out of place, and how it had to be put back properly before you could heal it again. But you know Jane is talking more about feelings than medical advice. “Why?”

She looks you in the eyes. “Because some failures don’t come from not know what to do. They come from feeling like taking the wrong path will feel better than taking the right path. And if you don’t make the wrong path have the shame, disapproval, and discomfort it should, they’ll remember that, deep inside, next time. It’ll be that much easier for them to just drop their standards for themselves again.” Her eyes aren’t angry anymore. Now she’s just talking as she thinks. “That’s why. A friend should do that for a friend, let alone a rival.”

Is she talking about your and Polu being friends, or-

Mace shoots up in front of you. A half second later, some blurry figure moves ahead from cover to cover. Then a few more. They looked small, and dark, and like they could fly.

The entire group seemed to have noticed, because everyone goes quiet.

Then the dark figures begin to circle your group. You’re in the eye of a small tornado. They keep spinning around the group. Over and over. But they don’t come any closer. You watch Laki step forward, but the group of what you hope are pokemon move back a bit before she’s close enough to get a good look.

The silent tornado comes to a sudden stop, then all the figures seem to move away.

Belladonna and Rotom move towards them. Not quickly, but enough to move them a little outside of the group’s zone.


>Let’s head back
>Chase after those things! You want to see what that was
>Let it go. Probably just curious pokemon whose nest you’re walking by
>Something else

>>3018008
>>Let’s head back
>To the abandoned buildings

>>3018008
>Let it go. Probably just curious pokemon whose nest you’re walking by

>>3018008
>>Call out a greeting into the darkness, and let whatever it was know that we mean them no harm.

We likely are trespassing into some Pokemon's territory, but they all seem to be able to understand human speech so...

>>3018008
>Mace, what are those?

The darkness hides nothing from a blind man. And we have two translators.

Plus I wanna see Polu react to Gardevoir talking.

Not gonna be able to participate much today, good luck guys!

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“Mace, what are those?”

He narrows his...ear? When he’s done concentrating, or loses them, he turns to you. You can’t exactly get too much information, but he doesn’t look threatened. It’s something he seems to think isn’t a problem.

“Hello out there.” You say to the darkness. “We’re not here to harm you. Just passing by.”

There’s no response. You aren’t sure if they heard you, but you hope so. After another few moments, with nothing happening, you turn to the group. “Move on?”

The group seems to agree. You go forward again.

“We’ll keep going for another few minutes then set up at the next clearing.” You assure Jane, taking charge a bit.

“That’s what I was going to say.” She’s quick to comment.

You guess she’s said as much as she wants to say about the previous topic. For now.

You walk for a bit longer. Just as you arrive at a good spot. Then Laki grabs you from behind, picking you up for a quick fright.

“Laki!” You laugh.

“Gotcha, Soft Hands.” She laughs back.

Jane rolls her eyes. Polu still looks like he’s coming to terms with seeing this. Laki’s been pretty affectionate lately, too, so that probably doesn’t help him.

You set up a little campfire. Check in with Hana and the others and figure they’re not too far away, and take out the pineapples you had to settle for instead of pumpkins.

“So, how does this work?” Polu asks, eager to learn. “What do we do first?”


>Carve Pineapples
>Start telling spooky stories
>Let’s set up a scare for the others when they get here
>Make some scary masks out of the cheap cardboard and other things you picked up
>Something else

>>3018081
>Carve Pineapples
>Let’s set up a scare for the others when they get here
Set up pineapple slices on string to slap the back of their neck.

>>3018081
>>Carve Pineapples
then
>Start telling spooky stories

>>3018081
>>Carve Pineapples
>Let’s set up a scare for the others when they get here

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“Let’s carve pumpk...pineapples.” You say.

Polu smiles. “So will the spirits of your ancestors be upset that it’s the wrong offering?” You can tell he’s not too concerned about it, since you haven’t expressed much of a concern.

“It’s not exactly like that.” You say. “They’re for decorating for...being scary.”

“I always thought it was interesting.” Laki says, examining her pineapple. “A day dedicated to fear. Learning how to deal with it and seeing what scares other people.”

Jane looks a little concerned at that last comment. “Why would you want to learn that?”

Laki smiles. “Why are you so worried? Got something you’re afraid of, out here?’

Jane folds her arms in a way that’s just way too similar to Laki. “Hardly.”

You explain what to do, and give everyone a pineapple to work with. You also quickly add on for everyone to save the pieces they carve out so you can use them. Gobble and Mace ask for one too. You’re surprised to see Mace want to be involved, but can’t see any reason why not, There are plenty to go around.

“Man, you’ve really been busy, huh?” Polu says as he watches Mace and Gobble set up their little carving station. Mace uses finely tuned, focused energy to slowly start carving.

“Heh, been training hard.” You say, hoping that statement isn't taken too seriously. Polu’s pokemon have evolved into their final forms, so you know he’s been upping his game, too.

“Bro, you seem different.” He says. “More calm. More confident. But I guess that comes with the two girls, huh?” He gives a mischievous little smile. “I knew you had it in you.”

“You really think I’m different?”

“Acting different. Anyway.” He corrects. “So, this holiday has pranks, right? I mean, if it’s about ghosts.”

“Well...” You start to think. You know what? What’s the harm in something like that? “Yeah. Let’s set up a scare for the others when they get here.”

Laki hears that and plops down. “What do you have in mind?”

Jane is concentrating on carving a very detailed pineapple with expert precision, but she also gives you a little attention, curious.


>We’ll hide and make scary noises from the bushes when they arrive
>We’ll all pretend to be possessed
>We’ll make scary masks and have our pokemon use them to pretend to be ghosts
>We’ll set up a fake murder scene
>Something else

>>3018133
>We’ll set up a fake murder scene

>>3018133
>We’ll set up a fake murder scene

>>3018133
>>We’ll set up a fake murder scene

>>3018144
>>3018151
>>3018152
Hardcore

>>3018133
>We’ll all pretend to be possessed
>We’ll set up a fake murder scene
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.

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“Set up a murder scene?” You propose.

“Wow. Dark.” Polu comments.

“I’m in.” Jane says, almost enthusiastically. “I’ll be the corpse.”

“Can I be the murderer?” Laki asks, giving Jane a sideways, smug look.

“This is going to be fun.” Polu says. “They’re going to lose their minds! Bro, do you have anything for fake blood?”

You go over some inventory and find that you’ve got some tomato paste and other things that will work well enough in the dark, if mixed properly. You assemble some fake blood and even fake guts, and present them to Jane. She looks impressed. “You been murdering people lately, John?” She mocks. “This is very realistic.”

“Thanks!” You’re sure that’s a good thing.

“They’re going to be here soon.” Laki warns. “What’s the plan? Should I try acting scared and worried, or should we leave Jane’s corpse here, and ‘discover’ her with the others after we greet them?”
>You’ll all run to the new arrivals, acting hysteric
>You’ll all ‘discover’ Jane with the new arrivals
>Let’s all be murdered
>Wait, instead of Jane being the victim, how about...
>Something else

>>3018230
>>You’ll all ‘discover’ Jane with the new arrivals

>>3018230
>You’ll all ‘discover’ Jane with the new arrivals

>>3018230
>No sense being mean though. We’ll break the charade as soon as they scream.

(Let’s hope we don’t trigger Hana’s ptsd from the last disembowling she saw.)

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“Jane. Go hide. Everyone else will just pretend to find her with the others.”

“They’ll be more scared that way.” Laki says. “I like it.”

“Alright. I’ll practice my scared face really quick.” Polu says, getting into the swing of things. “This is gonna be great, bro!”

“Hello?” You hear them approaching.

“Keira?”

A blurry form shoots from the forest, and Keira is wrapped around you by the arms and legs. “Herb!” She snuggles her head into your chest before sliding down. “Hi.”

“Hi.” You smile, offering a hand to pick her up. She laughs, but her expression changes when she sees Polu.

“Polu!” She shouts, also giving him a hug. Just with her arms, though.

“Hey!” Hana runs up to hug you. She can sometimes get a bit shy about public displays of affection. “I missed you.”

You squeeze her hands. Well, you can only really squeeze the one, but you do the apply the same pressure to both. “I missed you too.”

“It’s been a few days. Yeesh.” Abigail rolls her eyes. “Oh hey, you’re that Polu guy, right?”

“Guilty as charged.” He says, sounding like he’s quoting something. Maybe a surfer movie?

“Thought you’d be taller.” Abigail says, appraisingly.

“I thought you’d be shorter.” He smiles back.

She pats you on the back. “I like this guy. Good job.”

Well, that was simple. “Hey. Where are the psychic girls?”

Abigail, Keira, and Hana, all glance around. “They were just behind us.” Gardevoir has a big smirk on her face.

“Hello?” You shout out to the darkness.

Nothing answers for a second, but then suddenly there’s the sound of eerie laughter. It sounds strange. Like the acoustics of the woods has changed. You scratch your itchy head and squint your eyes as you try to see the source.

Hana moves behind you. “Herb, I’m scared. Go investigate.”

“Yeah, you too, surfer guy.” Abigail pushes Polu. Even Keira is hiding behind Laki, pushing her forward a little.

Laki and Polu share a knowing look. You don’t understand why.

“What do you hear?” You look to Mace.

He looks at you with a confused. He doesn’t hear anything.


>Sure, let’s check it out, guys
>You’ll check it out, everyone can stay here
>Wait a minute...are you guys pulling a fast one
>You’re scared. You’ll hold down the fort here whole someone else investigates
>Something else

>>3018301
>Pretend to fall for it.

>>3018301
>Play along
Herbs pretty good at reading his crew, plus Abigail, Hana, and Kiera are terrible liars.

>>3018301
>Sure, let’s check it out, guys
I disagree with the other posters, herb is easily fooled by those he trusts.

>>3018301
>>3018311
This

>>3018321
I disagree. The only time they ever really pulled something on him I can recall is at the literal start of the quest. He didn't always catch lewd stuff but I chalked that up to a self confidence thing.

He's come along way and has empathy powers, I think he can piece this together.

>>3018328
Its a character arc I believe he hasn't completed yet, but I'm not your real dad, you are entitled to your opinion/vote

>>3018344
I agree that he hasn't completed the arc and still has some naivete but he has made progress. Herb is dealing with people he has a read on, that aren't good liars, with a Pokemon giving it away, while he's trying to do something similar.

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“Sure.” You say, walking forward. “I’ll check it out. Don’t worry.” You say as you also get looks from Laki and Polu. Maybe it’s because you’re planning a prank on them, but you can’t help but be a little suspicious of this. Otherwise you think it might have flown over your head.

“Yeah.” Polu says. “Don’t worry, little lady. I’m tough.”

“I’m sure you are. For your age.” Abigail gives him a smug look. “Brave too, I bet. ”

Polu looks legitimately offended. She got under his skin. “I am! I’ll prove it.”

You and Laki follow him out into the darkness.

“Soft Hands. Have Belladonna use Sunny Day.” Laki says.

“No way. She won’t think we’re brave if we do that.” Polu says.

“Come on, Polu. Even Soft Hands can see they’re messing with us.”

“Even?” You ask Laki.

She gives a warm smile. “You see the best in everyone, and I love that about you.” Polu’s eyebrow raises at the sound of the L word. “But that means missing some of the worst about them, sometimes.”

You aren’t sure how you feel about that comment. But the sound of a terrifying, malevolent giggle gets everyone’s attention. You all look to the right.

“You...” An eerie voice echoes in your head. “Are not the one.”

“Alright, that’s pretty good.” Laki says, losing a lot of the confidence in her posture. “But we’re not scared. Come on out.”

A horrifying flash of giant teeth come shooting out of the forest at you.


>Scream and duck
>Strike out at it
>Push Laki out of the way
>”Everyone! Run away!”
>Something else

>>3018402
>>Something else
Tackle the others to the ground

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>3018402
>Strike out at it
>Push Laki out of the way
Imma steal the 100 here

>>3018402
>>3018409
This seems like the right thing to do.

>>3018402
>Strike out at it, with the frying pan
>Push Laki out of the way

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[Need a tie breaker. Next person decides it, even if it's a repeat!]

>>3018440
>>>Something else
>Tackle the others to the ground

>>3018440
>Tackle the others to the ground

>>3018440
Did Polu notice the scars? Thought they were pretty visible but most people don't seem to react.

>>3018453
Scars?

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[Give me some rolls, please!]

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>3018465

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>3018465
lets go

>>3018463
Herb has some pretty noticable scars. Got pretty fucked up helping out Cubone remember?

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>3018465

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>>3018453
>>3018463
>>3018482
[They're mostly around the ribs. He hasn't seen anything.]

>>3018487
I could've sworn we had some on our arm too.

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>>3018489
[That too, but those aren't as noticeable, and it's still dark out.]

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“Get down!” You shout, pushing Laki and Polu to the ground.

“Bro!”

“Oof!’

All three of you hit the ground. You push yourself up quickly so you’re not crushing anyone. “Is everybody alright?”

“AHH!” Laki screams, struggling against you. “Get away!” She hits and screams. You just barely manage to avoid getting clocked in the face. “Back! Back! Soft Hands, help!” She yells. You have to hold her arms to keep her from messing you up.

You’re so confused. You grow even more confused when she transforms into a Mr. Mime. A snarling, terrifying one!

“What’s happening?” Polu yells as he pushes himself up to a sitting position next to you. But his face is covered in terror right after, too. “Ahh!” He kicks at you as he scrambles back. You again manage to avoid any injury.

Then Polu turns into another Mr. Mime.

Mace zooms to your side, confused. Gobble and the others are coming, too.

More scary giggling echoes in your head. But this time the source feels a lot closer, somehow. It’s stronger. You’re pretty sure you can see a figure in the dark.


>Calm yourself, and try to purge this fear from your mind. Get control
>Run back to Hana and the others, regroup in that safety
>Just do a lot of screaming and flailing
>Rush after the dark figure
>Beg whatever force is responsible for this to stop
>Something else

>>3018514
Give a short, high pitched moan, then pass out.

>>3018514
>>Calm yourself, and try to purge this fear from your mind. Get control

>>3018514
>>Calm yourself, and try to purge this fear from your mind. Get control

>>3018514
>Calm yourself, and try to purge this fear from your mind. Get control
>This has passed the funny threshold, angry time

>>3018514
>Calm yourself, and try to purge this fear from your mind. Get control.
>Then have Mace shoot whoever it is in the dark, because whatever prank the others had planned this pretty obviously isn't it.

Also, Jane wasn't entirely right. Sometimes shame just makes people double down, because now they need to justify their suffering to themselves.

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You try to get a hold of yourself. Something is going on, and you’re not going to let it mess with your head any more than it has. You know this terrifying creature is Laki, and the one behind you is Polu. You know everything is fine. You reach down, feeling your aura, and concentrating. The image of Laki and Polu as Mimes is still there, but you sort of see through it, too. Or feel what they are despite what your eyes tell you, anyway. You're calming.

"Surprising." A calm, young, feminine voice says in your head.

“Woah! Woah! Everyone calm down. Stop it!” Hana yells as she comes running over. “Prank over.”

Prank?

“It was a ruse.” A girl comes out of the forest darkness. Three more come with her. Gobble steps up between you and them.

“Yeah, sorry guys, I think we didn’t really plan this out well.” Abigail says, helping Polu up. He blinks a few times at you and Laki, and seems to see you both.

“They said to scare you.” She confesses, looking disinterested and dead-eyed.

“We didn’t mean like that!” Keira exclaims. But she can’t seem to be mad at them. You suppose she knows what it’s like for them to leave their isolated temple.

“We know. We did it our way.” The one girl says. “Since we don’t need our energies to find the Kontote boy anymore.”

“So we ‘branched out’ and ‘had fun.’ The other adds.

“Well, that was mean.” Keira says. “There’s a difference between giving people a scare and whatever you did. Look at how pale Laki is.”

“It was pretty funny.” Abigail says, looking at the slowly calming Laki. “But too far.”

“It was our first time.” One says.

“We just followed instructions.”

“I know. My fault.” Keira says, then bows to you, Laki, and Polu in apology.

Oh right. You get up and bow to the psychic girls. Laki and Polu follow suit out of stupefied habit.

“He’s polite.” One says.

“Eager to please.” Another says.

“Ashamed.” The other says. It’s now that you realize they’re talking about Polu.

Hana puts a hand on your shoulder. “So, this was originally my idea. I’m sorry. I thought with their powers, and this being Halloween and all...”

“Yeah, all hana’s idea.” Abigail adds. You get the sense it was more of a team effort. “But uh, I might have some blame too.”

“I’m the one that told them how fun pranks are, and encouraged them to do something they’re not supposed to.” Keira says.

“Well.” Laki forces a laugh, looking embarrassed. ”It worked. You got me, that’s for sure.”

“Yeah. Top prank skills.” Polu says.


>Warn the about the Jane prank
>Lead them to Jane. it’s payback time
>Spend a few minutes meeting the psychic temple girls
>Something else

>>3018619
>Warn the about the Jane prank
Not like the psychics won't blow it anyways

>>3018619
>>Lead them to Jane. it’s payback time
eye for an eye

>>3018619
>Well, I’m impressed! I saw Mr. Mimes, how about you guys?

>Lead them back to Jane.

>>3018619
>Lead them to Jane. it’s payback time
Revenge!

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“Alright. You got us.” You tell the girls. “That was scary.” You pat Gobble on the head so he doesn’t give them such a stink face.

“You adapted quickly.” One says.

“We hope you don’t think poorly of our temple because of this.”

“We aren’t supposed to use our powers like this.” Another confesses. “We won’t abuse them further.”

You, Laki, and Polu all grin to each other. That's great news for your revenge. And they look hungry for it, too. That prank really grated their cheese.

“Well, maybe some pineapple and scary stories will give you some energy.” You tell them. “Come on, Jane’s waiting for us back there.”

“She didn’t hear all that noise?” Abigail asks.

“She went to bed early” Laki hides her smile. “Said it was a better use of her time than sitting around the campfire.”

“Wow. Loads of excitement, that one.” Abigail says sarcastically.

“Yup.” Laki smiles. “So we’re going to wake her up and expose her to fun whether she likes it or not.”

You open the tent where Laki was supposed to be ‘napping’. Everything is all set. You open the door wide.

“Where is she?” Keira asks.

You look inside. The tent is empty!

[That’s it for tonight! I'll post the schedule for the next while tomorrow.]

>>3018655
Night Gobble, thanks for running!

>>3018655
Thanks for running gobble!

>>3018655
Thanks for running, Gobble. I wasn't able to participate, but i just read it. Another spoopy thread to be sure!

>>3018655
Oh shit, it’s a double prank!

>>3018747
Or she went off to do something important, or something seriously bad happened. Like Polu's nationalist moron friends attacking her.

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[I lied. I don't know my schedule yet beyond that I can't run Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. I'll keep you posted.

Anyone writing this month?]

>>3019888
In a sense, we all are, together, here.

In another (and likely the intended) sense, I am not.