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Old 10-21-2021, 10:55 AM   #51
Lil'twick
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Originally Posted by blu3shift View Post
Lil'twick – You enjoy the sights and sounds of your chosen venue. To others, it's just a café, but to you, it feels like home. Or, at least what home would have been if you weren't born some four to six years later. You could see yourself jotting down lyrics to your latest masterpiece, catching a local band or two playing theirs, not wishing death on anyone who slighted you... completely normal whims for someone your age.

While you could have asked for something different, you chose to stick to the same tune that you've played for as long as you can remember: some pancakes and hot cocoa to get you going, and a medley of berries for your fledgling Maractus. The barista nods, asks you to pay, and then promptly starts to get to work. He looks a little nervous, occasionally stopping in front of various cabinets like he's looking for something, but you're too busy moving to the table to notice.

If you're going to cover a lot of distance in one day, then it's a wise idea to plan it out. You've already established that you want to head to Sinewave Lake first, but then came the second area... the forest sounded good, since it wasn't too far from where you were planning to go first and you could easily make it on foot. Lastly was the cave; it seemed like a bit of a ways away but you could probably make it between your Tropius and the plot armor that this story presumably gave you. Everything has to be resolved in the end, right? Your understanding of music theory certainly backed that up.

"Here's your order, had to improvise a little since we were missing a few ingredients. Ah, of course you got last year's map, didn't ya..."

You're broken from your planning exercise to notice the barista serving your order. Everything looks just like you ordered, but you can't help but notice that there seems to be a little less variety in the berry bowl than you expected. The other party isn't worried about that, though, instead pointing to the map that you were looking at. "Trust me, those trails aren't nearly as long. It's a misprint." That's probably a relief? Either way, you have other means of getting places, so you're not too concerned about how long it'll take you to complete your mission.

"Anyway, order's done, so I'm going to go back to the counter—" He begins, but is quickly interrupted by the sound of a bell ringing from the front of the café. A new customer walks in the door, wheeling a drumset off to the side by an empty table. And then another, this time holding a violin in one hand. And another, with a bass strapped around their shoulder...

"And the festival truly begins," he quietly says with a sigh, returning to his post behind the counter to serve the next customer. Sounds like he's going to be really busy today, so you probably won't be able to talk to him unless you're willing to wait in line for a while. As for yourself, you should be good to go for now, unless you have any more unfinished business here that you'd like to take care of.
Basil blinked for a second, as the barista spoke while setting down his order. What did he mean by a misprint? That was reassuring, to say the least. Not as much distance that he needed to make. Though, that did feel awfully convenient. That things were going the way they were. Is the journey suddenly being shorter? He surely was thrust into the role of a protagonist for this.

Whatever he began to eat his food. Nice, soft, fluffy pancakes and fresh berries for Staccato. This felt like it was part of the story too. A good bounce and chew, the mixture of flour and syrupy sweet maple blended in harmony. Maybe, since he was the so-called hero of the story, he had the privilege of interacting with the world this book told.

Still, it was a nice reprieve. Just having this little breakfast with Staccato. No matter what was around him, what noise and stimuli intrigued him... He never slowed down. No, he always worked his hardest to fulfill his desires. He was young and free and had no restrictions. So this slow placed nostalgia... Was a comfort in its own right.

Finishing up his food and drink, the tween looked at his cactus. A boy and his cactus, well wasn't that a book title. Well, Staccato was certainly having a blast. The Maractus was happily eating his berries, and looking at the merry band that came in. The unovan desert plant looked like he was more than ready to jump from his seat and get the groove on.

"Sweet baby please..." Basil trailed off, grabbing the Maractus's arm.

"WE have places to go, things to do, sights to see!" the trainer exclaimed and started to rush out the door.

"GOOD LUUUUUUUCKKKKKKK!" he shouted towards the barista as he headed out the door in a sing-song tune.

Considering the guy's downer and drab mood, this was probably going to be a long day for him. Yet, he was just a side character here... Wasn't he? Every story had its minor characters, meant to play out for a scene before disappearing from the reader's gaze. So, here, when he was in charge of how the pages turned... Maybe, just maybe, he could give them the best they could get within their paged confines.

Though, he could also completely destroy the story. That would be fun too. But his thirst for knowledge was outweighing his thirst for violence here. This was from the arts and crafts section, after all. If he wanted something more brutal, he would've gone for a war story from the World History section. It's not like his actions here would have real-world consequences...right?

Shaking his head, he breathed in the fresh air of the village and began to hum a merry tune. To follow along with the music of the festival, as if to carry him towards the lake. The sky was blue, the air was fresh and crisp, and he was ready to head down the path the (adjusted) map told.

"Let's see if we can find a fishy friend to help us..." he trailed off, ready for his encounter in the water.
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Old 10-24-2021, 03:16 PM   #52
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Sneaze: The village rapidly approaches as your ride your Ponyta, gripping tightly to it as it runs across the snow-covered fields. The snow is not a problem for the Pokemon it uses a Flame Charge to not only pick up some speed, but rapidly accelerate as well, appearing almost as if a blazing comet racing on the ground. Behind you is a trail of melted snow and charred grass, but it will be worth it to get to some shelter and out of the cold. The Ponyta slows down as it begins to get close to some of the buildings, and finally slows to a trot once clearly in the village limits, before stopping in a decently sized clearing.

The first thing that you notice is the complete silence. Sure it was cold but often you'd see at least someone doing something in a village like this. There were no animal noises and no signs of life, outside of the few buildings that still had candles lit. Not that all of them were. Only about half were lit up, with the other half completely dark. Suddenly, a door swung open to your left. One of the houses that was on the side of the village closest to your entrance was open, and an elderly man was perched inside of it.

"Come quickly you damned child! There's no telling if they saw what you did just now! Quickly!" The elderly man looks panicked and shaky, although the cold is probably a factor in that as well. You don't have many options at this point, although who knows what the man meant by "they" either.

What will you do?
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Old 10-24-2021, 08:54 PM   #53
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The Djinn's Archives
Lost Library of Goldenridge's Heartland


Department of Literature and Fiction (reply in peru)

It is not just the true stories that piqued Hyun-pa's interest, but the stories created by authors as well. Sequestered above World History, Literature and Fiction expresses the creative minds of countless individuals, with famous and obscure titles everywhere, fairy tales standing in the same room as great sagas and simple drabbles and poems nestled with exotic novellas and works too risque for younger readers. Much to form, the Whimsical Archivist, Nimmi the Aromatisse wanders carefree, pointing visitors in random directions to whatever she feels fits them. Trainers who want a fanciful, unpredictable journey would be at home on this floor of the archives.
Catharine was, to put it lightly, out of her element.

She certainly looked the part, too. With tough khaki cargo pants, a light and breathable tank top, rugged hiking boots, tough fingerless gloves, and a couple coils of bright red rope, one set on each hip, you'd hardly expect this to be the place the young adventurer was headed. And you'd be both wrong and right.

Catharine wouldn't normally be caught dead in a library. After her upbringing in the Orre region, being forced to spend most of her time inside, reading books to pass the time, the act of reading books often recalled that sense of cloisteredness that Catharine had long since come to utterly despise. No, the reason Catharine was here was this particular library's special properties.

Catharine had heard that in this Library, it was possible to go into the world of the books themselves, and in her mind, there was no better way to experience a story than to live it. The idea reminded her of something she'd once read, before the cabin fever had set in, and so she wasn't dressed for the library, she was dressed for whatever wild adventure she might end up having.

Still, she was going to pick her book carefully. She hadn't forgotten her promise to Laura to find a Leek for the deprived Farfetch'd, and knew well that the specific plant was only going to be found in a hospitable locale. And given Laura's previous aversion to the leeks she'd been given in the Adoption Center, Catharine knew that no garden-variety leek would do-it would have to be a wild one, if her companion was to be satisfied. So, before coming, Catharine had done her research. According to her findings, she'd need to find someplace with rich forests and plenty of moisture, at the very least.

Still, Catharine was having trouble figuring out what sorts of books would likely bring her to such an environment, and so she could now be found in the fiction section, looking for a title that seemed both suitable and interesting, with...little success.

"The Girl who Fell Through the World...no way, sounds way too dangerous. Magic of You? No idea what the setting would be. Craving the Sky? I can smell the depression coming out of that, no thank you. The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi? Uhhh...what? No." Catharine grumbled as she perused the books on the latest shelf she was scanning.

"Hey, what about this one? The Order of the Green Mountain, it's marked." Laura said from Catharine's shoulder.

"Hm, that could work. Let me see it." Catharine replied, plucking the book from the shelf. The tome was seriously dusty...and Catharine couldn't read the strange script on the pages. The actual cover was likewise incomprehensible, only a label applied to the spine giving the book its name. "I'm not entering a book I can't actually read, sorry." Catharine said with a sigh, wedging the book back into its place. "I think we're just going to have to ask the Archivist for a recommendation, as it were. I think it was an Aromatisse in this section?" Catharine said, climbing down from the ladder on which she had been perched.

"As long as we actually go somewhere." Laura replied.
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Old 10-25-2021, 05:20 PM   #54
Marion Ette
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The Djinn's Archives
Lost Library of Goldenridge's Heartland


Due to the nature of the zone as a training area for ZUs, the ZA for the Djinn's Archives will be under the guise of all current and future ZA's, and any queries by ZUs or trainers can be levied to any of the following: Lil'twick, Prof. Enigma, and Sneaze.

Due to the nature of the zone, instead of posting an adventure here, you will instead work with a new updater to adventure. A new updater, or updaters looking for help on updating, may state how many people they wish to update, and people are accepted on a first come first serve basis. As such this zone will not count towards standard adventure slots.
I am willing to take on two adventurers.
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Old 10-25-2021, 09:38 PM   #55
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The Djinn's Archives
Department of Tongues and Philosophies (reply in tomato)

Located at the back of the archives, the concept of languages has been strongly discussed even from the mythical Tower of Babel, and often lands hand in hand with the realm of philosophy. Within this dark corner of the Djinn's home, indescribable volumes tower over the desks, each book inlaid with gold and worth a fortune in their own right, yet as one wanders the halls the whisperings of a thousand languages will draw them, while deep thought processes and ideologies will detract one from their own train, and the Silent Archivist, Tarius the Bisharp will naturally be able to read the hearts of trainers over the course of centuries of experience. Trainers with a desire to face their inner selves will invariably find themselves drawn, and may find out something they didn't realize lay deep down.
The Djinn Archives wasn't typically the kind of place the woman sitting on a small bench would normally. She tried to recall the last time she had even been at a library, but struggled to recall it. In fact, she struggled to recall much of anything from her past, she had quickly realized. It was almost if she had formed purely from the ether as a realized individual. But that had to be impossible. Everyone has a history somewhere, everyone has roots they can trace back to and remember important parts of themselves. But for this woman...nothing. Not even her name came to mind. She did remember that she didn't originate in Fizzytopia...at least, she thought she didn't. She remembered coming on a boat at least, and nothing she had discovered naturally led her to any leads. But maybe here in the Djinn's Archive she could discover something.

It was here she heard, after all, that one could go on a spiritual journey inside of the self. What would she find? The idea of finally finding out something concrete about her past was both exciting and fearful, much more the latter than the former. What if she had forgotten for some kind of reason? As she got up and started to look amongst the bookshelves, her eye gradually shifted from a few different books. One had a blood red cover. One was about the philosophy of time. One was the various gender terms of a thousands sprawling civilizations. One was about the history of chivalry. All of these drew her eye but she had no strong idea why. Eventually there was on book that stood out from the rest. It didn't have a title, and she couldn't find an author on it, but it beautiful black book with gold trim. She sat down with the book, curious as to what would finally happen once she flipped it open.
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Old 10-25-2021, 11:22 PM   #56
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MM-

Browsing the bookshelf, you look for tales of the mysterious letters of Johto. Strange creatures were they not? Yet, this was a fairytale. What made you think that there would be actual history here? No, all of these books were about this world. This story. Tools and plot devices to give the narrative thought. Stories of kingdoms far away, their people, their culture, and their way of life. Books on the stars in the sky, and the earth beneath. Wonderous feats of knowledge, all to give this girl the drive to go forth into the world.

So, the best thing you could grab was a book on this world's history. Of how it was formed, how Pokemon and Humans worked together, and of the kingdoms that rose and fell. Yet, going through the pages, the detailing was surprisingly... sparse. You realized that this wasn't a living, breathing world. You were a part of the story. An observer, that no matter what you did you were stuck in the author's pre-set plot.

And that, that was the horror of fairytales. No matter how much they are retold... No matter how much changes, the more the story stays the same. A prison, for these characters to endlessly repeat whenever the book was opened once again. That the lesson was there for children to learn, no matter through its happiness or sadness. Their fate was already sealed, and no matter how much you try and yearn for something different. No matter how much you fight against it... It's always been foretold to end entombed and imprisoned within these pages.

"Terri?" You hear Repunzal state, snapping you back to the current part of the story.

"We're done. Let's eat," the blonde girl tells you with a smile. Her hair was tied up all beautifully into one of the most complex braids you've ever seen. But it was lovely, with the ribbons being used perfectly.

A bowl of piping hot soup was handed to you, and some for your Pokemon as well. There was an eerie silence as you drank this flavorless soup. That was not part of the story... No, this was just a small interlude to move you to the next part:

"Thank you for your company Terri, but it's time for us to sleep and we have no spare room. There is an inn nearby that you could safely get to and find room and board... If you leave now. Monsters prowl these woods at night," Gothal speaks up, trying to be polite but blunt.

The day was starting the wane, the sun making its slow descent. As much as you wanted to protest. To help this girl flee her captivity. That was not your role. The story was progressing without you, so you either had to conform or get pushed out of the book. No point in leaving the book halfway finished.

What do you do? Do you see this story to its end?
In hindsight, Terri supposed it might not have been the brightest idea, to assume that this world, this dimension brought to life by the opening of a Hoopa hoop, might have any books containing any actual history. This was, after all, a fairy tale given life outside of its own pages. The books were of history of this world, of this story. Plot devices to drive Rapunzel into action. And even then, as Terri took one such book and looked for herself, the details were sparse. She began to process the fact that this world, it wasn't a living, breathing world. She, Terri Alph, was but an observer. A spectator. Those around her, their fates were surely sealed, and doomed to repeat again and again as the tale was told, or read, or experienced by whoever else picked that particular book on their journey to this library. It almost seemed... hopeless.

Rapunzel, however, called to Terri before she could get too lost in thought about all of this, stating that they were done, that it was time to eat. And the meal was... supremely uneventful. No chatter to be heard, no flavor to be tasted, it came across more as an interlude leading tot he next part. Of the story. And after that, Gothel spoke to Terri, telling her of a nearby inn where she could safely get to, find room and board. Provided, of course, she left immediately- monsters, after all, prowled the woods at night.

Terri was not content with this, with the idea of just leaving now. She wanted to protest. To help Rapunzel get free and see the world. And yet, she couldn't help but think, that was not her role. The story was progressing regardless of her involvement or lack thereof. But what could she do, then, than continue the story? It's not as though she hadn't been enjoying it so far. And maybe, at the very least, the walk to the inn could be good for her, help her think a few things through, and maybe discuss them with Find as well.

"...thank you for having me over," Terri said to them both. "Rapunzel, thank you for these bows- I really like the look, I think I'll keep it," she said, with a genuine smile. "If indeed there are monsters that come out at night, then of course I should get going now."

Nuzzle, Find, and Want all voiced their thanks as well, with Keep simply nodding mutely and smiling sincerely, all before Terri withdrew the Mimikyu, Murkrow, and Gothitelle. Her Cutiefly remained out of her ball, electing to accompany Terri instead. She was a bit concerned for Terri, noting a tinge of gloom to her aura ever since she'd sat down and tried reading something earlier. But now she was detecting... determination. Exactly what this was all about, the Cutiefly wasn't certain, but one thing that was certain was that on the walk to the inn, she would want to ask Terri about it.
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Old 10-27-2021, 03:08 PM   #57
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Originally Posted by Raves View Post
Department of Arts and Crafts (reply in lawngreen)

Not all books accumulated by the Director are word-laden tomes. Many of them are filled with the visual imaginations of people and pokemon alike, and these are located in the domain of Elole, a Cinccino bearing the title of Creative Archivist. Contrasting to the prior floors, Arts and Crafts is a kaleidoscopic afrenzy upon the senses, colours and shapes situated everywhere, and the works within feature all sorts of artwork, from painting and drawings to sculptures and installations modern and classic and even music, all unique in its own way. Trainers with a taste for a bombastic display of an adventure can choose to spend some time here.

In the business world, there are a multitude of sayings that every young enterpriser must burn into their mind. They are unquestionable mantras passed down by financial gurus; Those who find immortality not through fountains of youth or alchemical elixirs, but through indomitable market influence. Surnames printed in textbooks and conference slides, spoken and studied in documentaries funded by the very chapels of business created in their name. The ultimate afterlife for a businessman is to have your face and name emblazoned upon the very brands that are consumed each and every day.

Their legacies have produced many quotes for future generations to live by. Borderline slogans, really. They're as boundless in number as there are books upon the shelves of Hyun-Pa's sequestered world, but only a single one is apt to the predicament Goto has found himself in:

Quote:
Timing is Everything.
Goto had thought himself a master of his own time. His travel itinerary had been meticulously researched and planned. He considered the potential for every destination, every landmark of Fizzytopia to satisfy his quest for aesthetic enlightenment. The young clothier knew exactly where he wished to go, when to go, and how much money to spend getting there. It would be a perfect round trip, filling each day with the most that Fizzytopia could offer to a discerning visitor from abroad.

So... why, then, did he throw his entire regiment away on a whim, just to go snoop around a dust-choked archive instead of enjoying the nightlife in New Fizz City? Even in the midst of his research, this place lay completely unknown to him until the news broke during his flight.

Another quote seeps into the forefront, mentally filling the silence between his echoed footfalls:

Quote:
If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade.
The young man turns down a hallway, his neatly-combed hair shimmering faintly as he passes under a candlelit chandelier. Having anticipated some adventure, he's decided to dress a little less "fancy company party" formal, and more "rough-and-tumble detective" formal, complete with a pearl Pokeball holster concealed under his shoulder. Needless to say, his color choice remains dazzlingly loud, as always.

Unaccompanied by either of his partner Pokemon, Goto takes his time to study the wealth of exhibits. No matter the medium, the culture or the style, art always served as steady inspiration for his work. And with this library's special feature in mind, he finds himself struggling to hold back his desire to immerse himself fully in the first piece that truly catches his eye.
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Old 10-31-2021, 09:43 AM   #58
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Emi: The Department of Tongues and Philosophies is certainly no stranger to assisting patrons with diving into the deepest, most unfathomable philosophical questions regarding the self, about identity, about the very nature of who they are; yet, without name and without memory, this fair-skinned maiden seems, as yet, to have barely dipped her toe into the shallows of her own mind. She remembers a boat. She remembers that this, the land of Fizzytopia, is not her homeland - yet, there is nothing else. Adrift on the ocean of consciousness, the depths completely escape her. Such was her purpose for coming to the library, for she asserted to herself that everyone has a history somewhere. Perhaps hers could be found here, among the multitude of rare and expensive volumes.

Perusing the shelves, the woman considers the journey ahead. The prospect of new knowledge regarding her personal history fills her with excitement, yes, but also a healthy dose of apprehension, for not only had she forgotten her past, she couldn't remember the reason why it was forgotten in the first place. The possibility did exist that her blank memory was not the result of some accident or fluke, but induced intentionally to - to what? Disempower her? Protect her? Perhaps she would find out...

A number of books strike the woman's fancy. The color of blood. The philosophy of time. Historical terms for gender. Codes of chivalry. Yet none stood out quite as much to her as a particularly well-crafted black book, laced with gold trimmings, without title or author... Appearing utterly nameless, as she was in this moment. Yet, as she opens the book, it becomes clear from the header of each page that this book did, indeed, have a name: The Lesser Key of Solomon.

Of course... This particular edition is quite unique, and had this woman ever read a copy of this book before or, at least, been aware of its contents, she may notice a couple of changes to the text as she flips back and forth through the pages. Interestingly, the seventy-two demons of the Ars Goetia are referred to by female pronouns and titles - rather than Kings, Dukes, Princes and so forth, they are Queens, Duchesses, Princesses... In addition, the incantations have been completely altered and re-written.

As she flips through, a particular line stands out to the woman, straight from the text itself:

Quote:
The spirits of the Goetia are portions of the Human Brain.
A curious assertion, indeed. To summon demons not from the bowels of Hell, or some sort of mysterious celestial realm, but from one's own mind... Certainly, it could be an enlightening process, potentially revealing the deep, inner truths the unnamed woman seeks. With this peculiar edition of the Lesser Key, perhaps the woman could go to the infamous podium and try her luck with one of the strange rituals listed. Yet, demonology is not the only path to self-discovery, and our anonymous heroine is free to place the book back upon the shelf, and continue her search... Perhaps the Silent Archivist would have some recommendations, too.

What will ??? do?


ShadowDRGN: Everyone knows that time is money, and for Giuseppe Goto, it was of particular importance that neither be wasted. Optimizing every single moment of his planned trip to Fizzytopia down to the last, most minute detail, he ensured that each day would provide him with the optimal, most quality experiences at the exact parameters he had budgeted for, both in terms of hours and dollars spent. The perfect trip, which left nothing - absolutely nothing - to chance... Which, perhaps, is why Goto threw his whole itinerary away in the first place.

You see, much and more has been said about business as an art form; the greatest and most well-known within its history were often visionaries and forward-thinkers who took incredible personal and professional risks, succeeding in ventures where thousands of others have failed by taking an unexpected approach.

Quote:
Making money is art. And working is art. And good business is the best art.
Though it was not necessarily one of the quotes floating about in Goto's mind, the blurring of lines between the two occupations was something the young clothier seemed to innately understand, regardless. To plan everything - to follow pre-determined paths - these were not the steps of an entrepreneur, or an artist. For all the motivational quotes, the slogans, the books, the classes and four-year degrees - there was a universal truth among practitioners of any true craft, often unsaid. Success requires risk, and that risk - "the window of opportunity," if you'd prefer - had, indeed, presented itself at the very last minute, and Goto was ready to peer through the glass and see what manifested on the other side.

Dressed for a spot of adventure, wearing the color of extravagance and excess (perhaps quite appropriately, given his nature), Goto carefully examines the rich and colorful exhibits on display in the Department of Arts and Crafts. Though clothing was Goto's preferred medium, art could serve as an inspiration regardless of the form it takes, and with particular interest in the library's more... unique properties, the young man is eager to delve into the first work that captures his interest.

Among the various volumes relating to creative works, there is a rather intriguing encyclopedia - The Specter of Love: A Comprehensive Guide to the Worst Movie Ever Made. Despite the quality of the film - or lack thereof - expressed by the title of the encyclopedia, Goto can't help but notice the impeccable quality of the costumes on the two heroines, which stand out starkly against the dull, uninspired backdrop. Expertly combining what Goto recognizes as traditional Johto and modern Unovan influences, time-honored fabrics and techniques with innovative form and function, the two female Pokemon - a Gossifleur and a yellow Flabebe, both beautiful in their own right - have their natural floral features accentuated with an autumnal bouquet of colors and patterns of yellow hyacinth and orange lily, very subtly hinting at the jealousy and hatred between the pair of floral leading ladies. Their dresses are smart fusion between the classic kimono and modern a-line silhouette. Yet, inexplicably, the titular specter - a Trevenant, or what Goto believes to be one, based by the shape - is... entirely covered by a sheet of the cheapest, lowest quality white fabric that Goto has ever seen, with two eyes and a mouth cut out of it. The sight of these two exquisitely-dressed lady Pokemon swooning over this dollar-store ghost trope is... almost painful to look at.

The name and logo in the bottom left-hand corner of the cover - Fizzby Pictures - suggests the studio was local, though Goto had not heard of it, even in his extensive research, suggesting it was likely defunct. Even so, perhaps there was something to be said for learning from failures... Or, he could put the encyclopedia down and keep searching for something a bit less ill-fated.

What will Goto do?

Last edited by Marion Ette; 10-31-2021 at 09:50 AM.
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Old 10-31-2021, 01:49 PM   #59
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Originally Posted by Raves View Post
Department of Literature and Fiction (reply in peru)

It is not just the true stories that piqued Hyun-pa's interest, but the stories created by authors as well. Sequestered above World History, Literature and Fiction expresses the creative minds of countless individuals, with famous and obscure titles everywhere, fairy tales standing in the same room as great sagas and simple drabbles and poems nestled with exotic novellas and works too risque for younger readers. Much to form, the Whimsical Archivist, Nimmi the Aromatisse wanders carefree, pointing visitors in random directions to whatever she feels fits them. Trainers who want a fanciful, unpredictable journey would be at home on this floor of the archives.
Morg the maid waved farewell to the guests as the reunion party started to wind down. It had been an uplifting experience to meet all the friendly faces, both new and old. At last, she had a chance to approach two old friends, Kuno and Loki, who she hadn't seen in many years. "All this reminds me of something I've been holding on to for almost twenty years," she mentioned. "You might even remember it yourself, Loki! How about we meet up in the library next Sunday? I would be most curious to find out what happens."

When Sunday afternoon came around, Morg marched right into the library with a mischievous look on her face. With her came an energetic young Durant, barely able to hold still as if it had too much coffee. In her arms was a mysterious bundle wrapped in a blanket.

Morg paced excitedly in the Department of Literature and Fiction until a young girl dashed into the room. Morg greeted her and the two assembled at a table until a third figure appeared: an old man with a Dunsparce on his head. Morg motioned for him to join and began to introduce the mysterious bundle.

"You all remember the 1337 Water Zone, right? Almost 20 years ago, I went fishing there, and instead of catching a Pokemon, I caught something else. A piece of junk, perhaps, but I thought there must be something more to it. Today, I've decided to find out the secret of this Jinn Bottle.

Morg unveiled the bundle, and an intricate, but slightly dirty, bottle fell out onto the table.

"After all these years, what better place to meet than the Djinn's library?"

Morg looked with excitement and anticipation at the others.

"And we have the bottle."
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Old 10-31-2021, 01:49 PM   #60
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Department of Literature and Fiction (reply in peru)

It is not just the true stories that piqued Hyun-pa's interest, but the stories created by authors as well. Sequestered above World History, Literature and Fiction expresses the creative minds of countless individuals, with famous and obscure titles everywhere, fairy tales standing in the same room as great sagas and simple drabbles and poems nestled with exotic novellas and works too risque for younger readers. Much to form, the Whimsical Archivist, Nimmi the Aromatisse wanders carefree, pointing visitors in random directions to whatever she feels fits them. Trainers who want a fanciful, unpredictable journey would be at home on this floor of the archives.

A beautiful and mysterious girl walks into the library. Her beauty is exceeded only by her mysteriousness and her mysteriousness is only exceeded by her beauty. She quickly checks her phone to see the time, it would appear that this girl has somewhere she has to be at a particular time. She walks up to the directory and stops to check it out for a few moments. It would appear she has her destination in her sights already, she just isn't sure how to get there from here. After a few moments of looking around at various signage, she walks towards the Department of Literature and Fiction. The aroma of books and old tomes fills her senses as she hastily makes way to not be late.

As she approaches her destination, she decides to reveal her partner Pokemon. With a simple flourish, a Pokeball appears and is released onto the ground, letting out a small Jangmo-o from it's container. It quickly nuzzles her trainers leg, and then after realizing the urgency, stops and quickly follows along her friend. The Jangmo-o is very affectionate and she appears to be happy to be let out of its ball and eager for an adventure. After a few twists and turns, she quickly spots an out of place maid, one of the friends she was eager to see again today. The Jangmo-o is happy to see a fellow Pokemon to play with and plays with the maids Durant. While her Jangmo-o is enjoying playing with the Durant, he seems a bit more hyperactive than what Jangmo-o is used to.
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Old 10-31-2021, 01:50 PM   #61
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It had been many years since Loki had been in Fizzy Bubbles. But an invitation to celebrate the anniversary was something he couldn't skip. Having been away for so long, he was filled with nostalgia for the years past, but he also felt strange as so much had changed. The party was filled with so many new faces, but two old faces stood out.

Morg and Kuno were some of Loki's oldest friends. The three stood around and spoke as old friends do, catching up and remembering the good times.

"All this reminds me of something I've been holding on to for almost twenty years," Morg said. "You might even remember it yourself, Loki! How about we meet up in the library next Sunday? I would be most curious to find out what happens."

The rest of the party was uneventful. Loki wasn't interested in the modern goings-on of Fizzy Bubbles, but Morg's mysterious comment piqued his interest. Loki didn't plan to stay for long, but now he felt something strange... a new adventure?

It was Sunday. Dunsparce sat stop Loki's head. It usually slept there. Seviper slithered up and nudged on Loki's leg. He felt Loki's excitement. "Yeah Seviper, let's get going."

As he entered the library and spotted his two friends. The three of them sat down at a table. The maid had something wrapped in a blanket. "You all remember the 1337 Water Zone, right? Almost 20 years ago, I went fishing there, and instead of catching a Pokemon, I caught something else. A piece of junk, perhaps, but I thought there must be something more to it. Today, I've decided to find out the secret of this Jinn Bottle."

"After all these years, what better place to meet than the Djinn's library?"

As Loki looked at the strange bottle. It's fine details had been washed away by the years and dirtied by grime, like from it's time in the ocean. Yet something in the back of Loki's mind drew him towards it. He heard Morg say more, but he couldn't hear it. Instead a whisper spoke to him. Like a siren's song, Loki couldn't think of anything else anymore. It said, "Rub the bottle."

Loki's eyes widened. Time began to slow down. His focus was nothing else. He reached forth and grabbed it and began to rub the bottle.


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Old 10-31-2021, 07:16 PM   #62
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You heed Gothal's warnings, give your thanks, and waited to be let down. Once done, and descending the tower, your feel determination well up in your heart. You were filled with DETERMINATION. The will to see this story to its end, to free the princess from her shackes and find her way to to true love. To free her, and see the caged bird fly free.

Once you were at the base of the tower, you began to go back the way you came. It was darker here, the sun getting lower and lower beneath the mountain. Yet, there was still an ambient lighting that kept everything illuminated. Clandestine fairytales, after all, to keep the children hopeful.

Though, you do notice something odd on your way towards the inn. A small, grin bird watching you. Its beak was a sharp yellow, and there were red feathers on its wings and one sticking out of its head. The bird watched... And watched as you made your way down the forest path. It tries its best to stay hidden, and flies off whenever it feels you notice it. Strange.

Being allowed to converse amongst your Pokemon, you soon reach the inn GOthal was describing. It was a small, quiant place made of brick and stone. Stabled outside was a Galarian Rapidash, covered in royal barding from head to hoof. It was not of a country you recognized, presumably from this world that had scant info in its books.

Entering, you see the innkeep polishing a wooden stein at the counter.

"Need a room for the night lass?" he asked, and you respond.

"Here ye go. Your key. I don't charge for wandering children. Ye must have your reasons, to not be with ye parents, but not my info to pry," he states, sliding over a faded brass key.

Scanning the inn, you see a lone man sitting in front of the fire. Dressed in princely garb of royal blues and purples, a pensive look towards the fire. Unkempt blonde hair, icy blue eyes clouded with doubt, and the signs of growing stubble. He then notices you, and his eyes perk up.

"Oh! Hello young miss! My name is Prince Ardbert of the Royal Kingdom of Saxsbury. I have been enchanted by a maiden's song, yet I can not find her. You see, I must meet her. That pure song... It heals my weary heart," he anquishes, speaking with no care of you but your reply. "Oh, excuse my manners. Mother would be quite peeved with me... May I get your name, perchance?"

What do you do?
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Old 11-02-2021, 05:42 PM   #63
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Terri! Stay determined...

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MM-

You heed Gothal's warnings, give your thanks, and waited to be let down. Once done, and descending the tower, your feel determination well up in your heart. You were filled with DETERMINATION. The will to see this story to its end, to free the princess from her shackes and find her way to to true love. To free her, and see the caged bird fly free.

Once you were at the base of the tower, you began to go back the way you came. It was darker here, the sun getting lower and lower beneath the mountain. Yet, there was still an ambient lighting that kept everything illuminated. Clandestine fairytales, after all, to keep the children hopeful.

Though, you do notice something odd on your way towards the inn. A small, grin bird watching you. Its beak was a sharp yellow, and there were red feathers on its wings and one sticking out of its head. The bird watched... And watched as you made your way down the forest path. It tries its best to stay hidden, and flies off whenever it feels you notice it. Strange.

Being allowed to converse amongst your Pokemon, you soon reach the inn GOthal was describing. It was a small, quiant place made of brick and stone. Stabled outside was a Galarian Rapidash, covered in royal barding from head to hoof. It was not of a country you recognized, presumably from this world that had scant info in its books.

Entering, you see the innkeep polishing a wooden stein at the counter.

"Need a room for the night lass?" he asked, and you respond.

"Here ye go. Your key. I don't charge for wandering children. Ye must have your reasons, to not be with ye parents, but not my info to pry," he states, sliding over a faded brass key.

Scanning the inn, you see a lone man sitting in front of the fire. Dressed in princely garb of royal blues and purples, a pensive look towards the fire. Unkempt blonde hair, icy blue eyes clouded with doubt, and the signs of growing stubble. He then notices you, and his eyes perk up.

"Oh! Hello young miss! My name is Prince Ardbert of the Royal Kingdom of Saxsbury. I have been enchanted by a maiden's song, yet I can not find her. You see, I must meet her. That pure song... It heals my weary heart," he anquishes, speaking with no care of you but your reply. "Oh, excuse my manners. Mother would be quite peeved with me... May I get your name, perchance?"

What do you do?
The hard-hitting realization that they were in a dimension whose sole purpose seemed to be just telling and retelling the same story again and again. The unsettling notion that the events to unfold may well have been predetermined. The feeling that her role in all of this might not be to change anything at all. Right now... absolutely none of that was getting to Terri Alph.

The sun was going down as Terri and Find proceeded to head back the way they came. It was getting dark, but in spite of that, there was something of an ambient lighting all the same. Another reminder, if there needed be one in the first place, that they were in a fairy tale. And yet, Find noted, that feeling, she could still sense it burning bright amid her Trainer's aura. "Terri," buzzed Find. "I have been sensing a burning feeling in your aura. Determination, I think is the word I'm searching for. You are thinking of doing something." It was not a question.

And sure enough, Terri nodded. "You know me well, Find," she said with a small smile. "Reading those books has proved most illuminating, even if not in the way I had expected."

"Indeed," the Cutiefly nodded. "It would seem that in all that has unfolded thus far, it has escaped our recollection that... well, that this world is ripped from the pages of the very book whose story it tells us. Surely it exists only to continue to tell the story over and over. Events predestined and predetermined, our presence counting for little more than the cues for the plot to progress..."

"Maybe so," Terri replied. "Maybe that really is the simple reality of this dimension." But then, her trademark mysterious smile showed up on her face. "...but then," she added slyly, "since when do we Unown mistake something so malleable as reality for a constant?"

"Forgive me, Terri, but... is it correct to refer to yourself as an Unown anymore?" inquired Find. "You are, after all..." She trailed off, gesturing with her tiny insect limbs to who looked indisputably like a human.

Terri nodded understandingly. "I understand where you're coming from with that, Find," she said. "And true enough, I am human now. But I will never fully lose what I once was. The combined efforts of every Unown in existence could not achieve that, let alone the combined efforts of every Unown in Alph," she said with a giggle. "Nor would I want them to try, in any case."

"Well, yes, but I meant more in terms of that very power that your family used to transform you," said Find. "Surely you no longer...?"

At this, Terri's mysterious smile widened. "Why do you think the residual energy at the Poisonous Palace reacted and turned into a full-blown temporal distortion on the night of Keith and Willa's wedding?" Terri asked by way of a response. "When the only ones who had gone near the place during the reception were myself and the singular Unown Dr. Alph had brought along? When alone, nothing happens. However, if there are two or more, an-"

"-an odd power is said to emerge," Find finished. "I see... so I take it you brought Quicken?"

"I did indeed," Terri confirmed, taking the Quick Ball out of her bag, but only for a moment before putting it back inside. "For now, I am content to proceed with the story this dimension is telling," she stated. "But should I see the need to take matters into my own hands, I'm certain Quicken's help would be invaluable."

"Rapunzel's plight really has resonated with you, hasn't it?" asked Find.

"It has," Terri gave a sigh. "It really has... hm?" she murmured. "Find, did you notice that?"

"I did," the Cutiefly responded, but even as she and Terri turned to get a better look, that which they sought had flown off. "I couldn't get a good look, I'm afraid, nor a read on its aura..."

"Hmm," Terri murmured. She had her suspicions, based on what little bit of color she had seen. A color scheme somewhat reminiscent of Terri's usual outfit, in fact, save for the brand new addition that was the pink bows in the hair, and as deliberate and not coincidental as this was, if this was indeed what Terri thought it to be, she still intended to keep the hair bows. She liked the look. But yes- even just the briefest glance at the small bird, or at least she was somewhat sure it was a bird, gave her a feeling of nostalgia, one which all the more solidified her presumption that the being in question was in fact a bird.

Alas, if this mysterious observer had any purpose in watching, or in keeping itself from being clearly seen, it did not make said purpose known, and Terri and Find reached the inn without incident. She nodded politely as the innkeeper asked her if she needed a room for the night, and the man handed over a room key, stating he didn't charge for wandering children, nor did he pry into why she wasn't with her parents. Which was just as well, anyway, considering the extreme unusuality of Terri's particular story, to say nothing of her refusal to just give out such details at the drop of a hat. No, had the innkeeper truly pried, he would have only gotten a mysterious smile and a blatantly obvious change of subject.

Regardless of this, Terri's attention was drawn to a man sitting in front of the fire, particularly due to his manner of dressing- he looked like royalty. And, Terri realized, considering this was a fairy tale, he probably was royalty! The man perked up as he noticed Terri, introducing himself as Prince Ardbert of the Royal Kingdom of Saxsbury, and explaining how he was drawn by the pure song of a maiden he had heard earlier, and that he wished to meet her. He then apologized for his manners and asked Terri her name.

"It's no trouble," Terri replied. "I'm Terri Alph. And I think I know where you're looking for, I've just come from there myself, if the song you heard is the same one I did earlier. I could show you the way in the morning," she offered. "We could also go now if you wish, but I've heard there are monsters that come out that way at night... that said, I'm not sure how much truth there is to that claim," she added. The source of that particular claim, after all, was Gothel herself, the one intent on keeping Rapunzel locked away, Terri couldn't forget to consider that...
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Old 11-02-2021, 10:17 PM   #64
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Sneaze: The village rapidly approaches as your ride your Ponyta, gripping tightly to it as it runs across the snow-covered fields. The snow is not a problem for the Pokemon it uses a Flame Charge to not only pick up some speed, but rapidly accelerate as well, appearing almost as if a blazing comet racing on the ground. Behind you is a trail of melted snow and charred grass, but it will be worth it to get to some shelter and out of the cold. The Ponyta slows down as it begins to get close to some of the buildings, and finally slows to a trot once clearly in the village limits, before stopping in a decently sized clearing.

The first thing that you notice is the complete silence. Sure it was cold but often you'd see at least someone doing something in a village like this. There were no animal noises and no signs of life, outside of the few buildings that still had candles lit. Not that all of them were. Only about half were lit up, with the other half completely dark. Suddenly, a door swung open to your left. One of the houses that was on the side of the village closest to your entrance was open, and an elderly man was perched inside of it.

"Come quickly you damned child! There's no telling if they saw what you did just now! Quickly!" The elderly man looks panicked and shaky, although the cold is probably a factor in that as well. You don't have many options at this point, although who knows what the man meant by "they" either.

What will you do?
Arriving in the village, Allison calmly hopped off of her mount, making sure to gently pet at Kassie's back to relax the Ponyta in this unknown environment. "Shhh, it's okay, girl."

The town was quiet, eerily so, and lit candles illuminated small areas outside of the buildings. Well, certainly not all of the buildings, only about half of them. Looking about, she tried to place any potential landmarks here. A market, an inn, even a pub, though the last of those options would mean little to someone not legally old enough to enter. But no, before she could, an elderly man suddenly opened a nearby door, shouting at Allison to come inside with quite a bit of urgency.

"Um... okay?" The girl pondered the implications of wandering into a stranger's home in a place unknown to her, but decided it was likely the best cours of action given the "they" this man was referring to. Recalling the Ponyta to prevent any issue of a small, somewhat skittish horse fitting into the building without causing any potential accidents, she began approaching the man and his open door.

"But can you at least tell me where I am?" The girl peered around the town as she approached the building, "Or who it is you're so worried about? I'm sorry, I'm not from around these parts and I think I might be rather lost..."
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Old 11-03-2021, 05:21 PM   #65
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MM

The prince perked upon hearing the information that you knew of where the origin of the song was. He jumped out of his chair and seemed to be renewed with vigor. For what you told him was exactly what he needed to hear. All weariness had drained away, and he was more than ready to go.

"Yes, please, Miss Terri! I would be most overjoyed to hear of the location of the maiden. Monsters or not, my trusted steed Seto is more than capable of handling them," he stated, most likely referring to the Galarian Rapidash that was stabled outside.

"He is the swiftest, strongest, and most beautiful stallion in all of the land. Reserved for the crown prince, and will be the sire of the next. I have no doubt that he will be able to protect us from lurks deep within these woods," he continues to own, boasting about the prowess of the horse.

"If you may excuse me," he states, before going into one of the rooms. He comes out with a saddle and heads out of the inn.

"If you so may wish, you could also ride on him. It will be must swifter to get there, and he can clear monsters while ridden. What do you say?" he asks of you, more than eager to save Rapunzel, even if he did not know of her name.

How do you respond?
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Old 11-03-2021, 06:42 PM   #66
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MM

The prince perked upon hearing the information that you knew of where the origin of the song was. He jumped out of his chair and seemed to be renewed with vigor. For what you told him was exactly what he needed to hear. All weariness had drained away, and he was more than ready to go.

"Yes, please, Miss Terri! I would be most overjoyed to hear of the location of the maiden. Monsters or not, my trusted steed Seto is more than capable of handling them," he stated, most likely referring to the Galarian Rapidash that was stabled outside.

"He is the swiftest, strongest, and most beautiful stallion in all of the land. Reserved for the crown prince, and will be the sire of the next. I have no doubt that he will be able to protect us from lurks deep within these woods," he continues to own, boasting about the prowess of the horse.

"If you may excuse me," he states, before going into one of the rooms. He comes out with a saddle and heads out of the inn.

"If you so may wish, you could also ride on him. It will be must swifter to get there, and he can clear monsters while ridden. What do you say?" he asks of you, more than eager to save Rapunzel, even if he did not know of her name.

How do you respond?
Terri's information seemed to be exactly what the prince needed to hear. Ardbert's weariness drained right out of him as though Terri's words were a Heal Pulse. The dude was ready to go right friggin' now- the possible threat of monsters didn't seem to deter him in the slightest, as evidenced by how much he hyped up his trusted steed, Seto, who Terri supposed must be the Galarian Rapidash she had seen stabled just outside. Seto, if the prince was to be believed, would apparently be more than a match for any monsters they might find themselves up against. Terri considered this while Ardbert went on about Seto's evidently numerous positive qualities. Nobody present knew exactly how fearsome these monsters might even be, or even if they did indeed exist at all. While it was perfectly possible Seto was the perfect pick for this journey, it was just as possible he might end up being out of his league here, or possibly even wildly overqualified... Terri could not say for certain any which way you sliced it, not without seeing Seto's capabilities for herself. And she was certainly not about to just blindly underestimate this Galarian Rapidash, either- who better than a former Unown to know better than to underestimate the capabilities of an often-overlooked kind of Pokémon?

It was at around this point Ardbert excused himself to a nearby room, returning shortly from it with a saddle in hand. He invited Terri to also ride on him, promising her a swift and safe ride, with Seto being able do clear monsters as they went. The man really did have a lot of faith in his Galarian Rapidash, didn't he? But then, Terri reasoned, was it possible such faith was completely warranted? She had to remember- reality as she knew it might not necessarily apply so heavily here. Fairy tale. Besides which, as she exchanged glances with the Cutiefly by her side, Terri was able to remind herself, if indeed Seto's talents were being exaggerated here, she was not completely helpless.

"Find, what do you think?" Terri asked her Cutiefly.

"I think it may well be our best bet to get back there as quickly as possible," the Cutiefly buzzed in response. "And if that means trusting in Ardbert and Seto, unless I sense this to be a bad idea, then so be it. For now at the very least, I don't see why not."

Terri nodded. "My thoughts exactly," she stated, before turning back to the prince. "I'd like that, thank you very much," she said politely. As she spoke, the Cutiefly landed on her Trainer's head. She would most likely either try and hold on during the ride, or else perhaps ride in Terri's bag. But in the meantime, she tried to get a glimpse at Prince Ardbert's aura. Considering their current setting was quite literally ripped from the pages of a fairy tale, she somewhat doubted she'd detect anything worrisome about Ardbert's aura, but she decided to at least see what she could see all the same.
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Old 11-05-2021, 03:13 PM   #67
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Emi: The Department of Tongues and Philosophies is certainly no stranger to assisting patrons with diving into the deepest, most unfathomable philosophical questions regarding the self, about identity, about the very nature of who they are; yet, without name and without memory, this fair-skinned maiden seems, as yet, to have barely dipped her toe into the shallows of her own mind. She remembers a boat. She remembers that this, the land of Fizzytopia, is not her homeland - yet, there is nothing else. Adrift on the ocean of consciousness, the depths completely escape her. Such was her purpose for coming to the library, for she asserted to herself that everyone has a history somewhere. Perhaps hers could be found here, among the multitude of rare and expensive volumes.

Perusing the shelves, the woman considers the journey ahead. The prospect of new knowledge regarding her personal history fills her with excitement, yes, but also a healthy dose of apprehension, for not only had she forgotten her past, she couldn't remember the reason why it was forgotten in the first place. The possibility did exist that her blank memory was not the result of some accident or fluke, but induced intentionally to - to what? Disempower her? Protect her? Perhaps she would find out...

A number of books strike the woman's fancy. The color of blood. The philosophy of time. Historical terms for gender. Codes of chivalry. Yet none stood out quite as much to her as a particularly well-crafted black book, laced with gold trimmings, without title or author... Appearing utterly nameless, as she was in this moment. Yet, as she opens the book, it becomes clear from the header of each page that this book did, indeed, have a name: The Lesser Key of Solomon.

Of course... This particular edition is quite unique, and had this woman ever read a copy of this book before or, at least, been aware of its contents, she may notice a couple of changes to the text as she flips back and forth through the pages. Interestingly, the seventy-two demons of the Ars Goetia are referred to by female pronouns and titles - rather than Kings, Dukes, Princes and so forth, they are Queens, Duchesses, Princesses... In addition, the incantations have been completely altered and re-written.

As she flips through, a particular line stands out to the woman, straight from the text itself:


A curious assertion, indeed. To summon demons not from the bowels of Hell, or some sort of mysterious celestial realm, but from one's own mind... Certainly, it could be an enlightening process, potentially revealing the deep, inner truths the unnamed woman seeks. With this peculiar edition of the Lesser Key, perhaps the woman could go to the infamous podium and try her luck with one of the strange rituals listed. Yet, demonology is not the only path to self-discovery, and our anonymous heroine is free to place the book back upon the shelf, and continue her search... Perhaps the Silent Archivist would have some recommendations, too.

What will ??? do?
The lady slowly opened the book, and looked at the header of the page she had opened to: The Lesser Key of Solomon. It was a book she was wholly unfamiliar with, having not even heard of the figure Solomon before, and smiled in bemusement as she flipped through the pages. The first part of the Lesser Key, the Ars Goetia, dealt with the classification of demons: the Queens, Duchesses, Princesses, Marchionesses, Countesses, the lone Knight, and the Presidents. It was a fun read, flipping through the pages and seeing the frightening but intriguing visages of demons such as Bael, Amon, Barbatos, Zepar, Naberius, Glasya-Labolas...seeing the many different fields that these demons offered and had dominion over. Invisibility, knowledge, treasures, homicide, love, betrayal... But most curious was a line that she had spotted towards the very end of the Goetia, "The spirits of the Goetia are portions of the Human Brain." Truthfully, the woman wasn't exactly sure what that meant.

'Maybe it has to do with the inner demons that man keeps? I don't know why there can't be actual demons though. Too much stuff tries to get explained using allegories.' She continued to flip through the book however, since there was much more to the book than just the Goetia. The Ars Paulina for instance concerned communication with angels. 'If demons were portions of the Human Brain, what then were the angels spoken about? Manifestations of collective consciousness', she mused before laughing quietly. Even if she had considered the work of angels to be more interesting than the work of demons, she knows somewhere, deep down, that summoning an angel would be a tremendous faux pas. She took for a moment and decided which demon she would attempt to summon. 'I suppose I should consider it which part of my brain I wish to manifest instead?' she thought sarcastically. Summoning a demon was surely not the greatest solution to any problem...

...but the woman wanted to see one. Even if it was just some kind of manifestation of her own mind. A real demon! In the Djinn's library, that was certainly very possible. She chose carefully before putting the book on the podium. "Orobas." she spoke clearly. By the account written in front of her, this Princess was probably one of the safer ones she could summon. She figured that she was going to have to remain on her guard around it...it was still a demon after all...but for what she needed, that made it a good choice. She placed the book down on the podium and started the incantation in front of her...
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Old 11-07-2021, 04:14 PM   #68
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Sneaze: The elderly man kept the door open and hurried you inside, looking outside with a look of fear in his eyes before gently shutting the door and sighing. The interior of this building is quaint and modest, full of clearly hand-made wooden furnishings with a small fireplace quietly burning away. It had the feel of a cabin one might camp in, but much smaller and clearly much less well off. There was a small pot over the fire with something cooking inside of it. The smell of it wafted to your noise. It smelled good, sort of like stew of some kind. The man sat down at the table, poured himself a glass of water from a water skin, and finally relaxed some, before looking at you.

"Getting lost around here isn't something that happens. Most of time if you're coming this far north, it's on purpose. But little girl...there's no way you'd come out here by yourself, and I've never seen that kind of animal before. Must be from one of the big cities I've heard about." He took a drink before continuing. "This is Lumi. It's not a complicated name. It just means snow, cause that's all there is out there." You begin to realize he's not quite speaking your language, but you're capable of understanding him. "It was a name given by the first explorers who came to this area about two-hundred years ago, and that was all there was. Snow. My father settled down here sometime after that, when they found some silver in a mountain range not far from here. So that's where you are. As for who I'm afraid of..."

Your conversation is suddenly stopped as you hear some noise outside. The elderly man puts a finger to his lips before moving over to the window and looking out. Before he could say anything, suddenly a voice bellowed out.

"We saw the shooting star streak across the land. Release the star and no harm will come to your village." The voice was loud and authoritative, but you weren't exactly sure what they were saying. The elderly man shuddered loudly, before cursing. "I thought they were a longer time out, but they might have stuck in place from the storm." The man shrunk away from the window, but not too far into the building. A little bit of time passed, before the voice spoke up again.

"If you wish for your men to have a village to return to, you will give up the star."

The elderly man sighed, putting his hand on the door, before stopping himself. "That's the Volka. They're a vicious, warmonger of a nation. We never thought they were capable of coming up this far north, but we were wrong. Our sons...my son...were forcibly conscripted by them about two months ago. I don't know if he's out there now. Miss...I fear you might have become embroiled in something you have no part in. But I'll leave it up to you if you wish to confront the Volka or not. Our village is protected, and they know that. But I fear they won't leave until they get what they want. The choice is up to you."

What will you do?
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Old 11-08-2021, 10:58 AM   #69
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MM

Agreeing to the request, you head outside to the stable. Prince Ardbert soon joins you, putting the saddle onto Seto. The prince jumps onto the beautiful horned horse, and you do as well. The hairs were as soft as snow, and the Pokemon seemed to not mind you riding on it. That was good, the two of you needed to make haste.

You give the man directions towards the tower. It was a little bit off the beaten path, but relatively easy to get to. After all, you had no trouble getting to it. And so, with a kick the Galarian Rapidash began to speed ahead, your directions being heeded.

Going through the sea of trees, you notice things watching you. Blank, glowing white eyes hiding in the shadows. Most likely the monsters that GOthal had warned you about. Yet, they seemed to not strike. You were being observed, a predator observing its prey. But, you didn't feel hunted. It was more... a twisted curiosity than anything else.

The both of you soon arrive towards the entrance to the path of the tower. Going through, you feel an odd sensation. Didn't the two of you already pass that tree? It was... Odd. You had no issues, and the path there did not take that long this morning. Something was afoot, and you soon realize why.

You see a faint flicker in the distance, some sort of barrier. It had strong magics to it, presumably to keep people out. Yet, you had no issue passing through it, or even noticing it. From the looks of it, it couldn't have been erected that quickly. No, this had to be here.

Hearing shuffling in the trees, something soon flies above your heads. The small green creature from before, now in full view. A Natu, seeming more than willing to help. The Pokemon's eyes glow a bright blue, eradicating the barrier. Did it feel, perhaps, that you two would be able to save the princess?

With the barrier broken, the little bird continues to follow you two. With Seto's speed, your little group soon makes way towards the tower. Yet, there was something incredibly wrong here. There was extremely powerful magic in the air, and you soon would see the source.

Gothal stood at the base of the tower, her hands glowing with magic. Seeing your group, she immediately sends out a powerful blast, hitting Seto in the leg. The Rapidash buckles, causing you and Ardbert to go flying. You land gently in the grass, but the Prince crashes into the tower. While he was bleeding a bit, you could see him breathing.

"Wretched girl, I knew you couldn't have been trusted. We gave you hospitality, trust, and you bring a man here. How dare you, you just wanted to help him steal away my daughter!" the woman yells, and then whistles.

You soon see a Galarian Slowking teleport down, Rapunzel tied with ropes and gagged with it. She looked at you, her eyes pleading for help before seeing the prince injured. She started to squirm, her eyes completely filled with concern. Yet, she would not be freed, as she was soon teleported back up, forced to watch helplessly from the top of the tower.

Guess it was time to fight for her freedom. It was time to choose the Pokemon who would fight Gothal and her Galarian Slowking. Remember, a hero wouldn't devolve to underhanded tricks, so choose one. Good luck!

What do you do?
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Old 11-08-2021, 05:26 PM   #70
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Morg, Lady Kuno, Loki; Department of Literature and Fiction

Time slowed down as the seconds crawled by like hours... What would happen with this bottle? Could It be really true that a Jinn was within it like most rumors talked about? The tension within the moment filled the air to the point of even the two playing Pokémon stopped to look at their trainers as all of them huddled around the bottle.
Unbeknownst to the three of you, another Pokémon had a curiosity about the situation, Nimmi hovered around a bookshelf watching to see what happened.

Hmm... Nothing... Perhaps it was the way you were rubbing it?
No that didn't seem to be the case... Was there some secret trick? Some method? A Phrase that needed to be spoken?

Frustrated you attempted to pull the bottle's ornate stopper off. Perhaps that was what needed to be done?

... Nope. Nothing.


Nimmi at this point decided to leave the three of you for a moment seemed to go find something, And soon returned with a thick heavy bound book that she threw rather unceremoniously on the table in front of you all, startling and breaking concentration. Nimmi was careful to not let the book be opened when it was tossed onto the table but also pointed to a receptacle located nearby.
Nimmi apparently deemed whatever to be within the book related to your situation, but the question stood, Would the three of you Open the Book and learn the mysteries that were held inside in hopes of opening the bottle?
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Old 11-08-2021, 11:28 PM   #71
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MM

Agreeing to the request, you head outside to the stable. Prince Ardbert soon joins you, putting the saddle onto Seto. The prince jumps onto the beautiful horned horse, and you do as well. The hairs were as soft as snow, and the Pokemon seemed to not mind you riding on it. That was good, the two of you needed to make haste.

You give the man directions towards the tower. It was a little bit off the beaten path, but relatively easy to get to. After all, you had no trouble getting to it. And so, with a kick the Galarian Rapidash began to speed ahead, your directions being heeded.

Going through the sea of trees, you notice things watching you. Blank, glowing white eyes hiding in the shadows. Most likely the monsters that GOthal had warned you about. Yet, they seemed to not strike. You were being observed, a predator observing its prey. But, you didn't feel hunted. It was more... a twisted curiosity than anything else.

The both of you soon arrive towards the entrance to the path of the tower. Going through, you feel an odd sensation. Didn't the two of you already pass that tree? It was... Odd. You had no issues, and the path there did not take that long this morning. Something was afoot, and you soon realize why.

You see a faint flicker in the distance, some sort of barrier. It had strong magics to it, presumably to keep people out. Yet, you had no issue passing through it, or even noticing it. From the looks of it, it couldn't have been erected that quickly. No, this had to be here.

Hearing shuffling in the trees, something soon flies above your heads. The small green creature from before, now in full view. A Natu, seeming more than willing to help. The Pokemon's eyes glow a bright blue, eradicating the barrier. Did it feel, perhaps, that you two would be able to save the princess?

With the barrier broken, the little bird continues to follow you two. With Seto's speed, your little group soon makes way towards the tower. Yet, there was something incredibly wrong here. There was extremely powerful magic in the air, and you soon would see the source.

Gothal stood at the base of the tower, her hands glowing with magic. Seeing your group, she immediately sends out a powerful blast, hitting Seto in the leg. The Rapidash buckles, causing you and Ardbert to go flying. You land gently in the grass, but the Prince crashes into the tower. While he was bleeding a bit, you could see him breathing.

"Wretched girl, I knew you couldn't have been trusted. We gave you hospitality, trust, and you bring a man here. How dare you, you just wanted to help him steal away my daughter!" the woman yells, and then whistles.

You soon see a Galarian Slowking teleport down, Rapunzel tied with ropes and gagged with it. She looked at you, her eyes pleading for help before seeing the prince injured. She started to squirm, her eyes completely filled with concern. Yet, she would not be freed, as she was soon teleported back up, forced to watch helplessly from the top of the tower.

Guess it was time to fight for her freedom. It was time to choose the Pokemon who would fight Gothal and her Galarian Slowking. Remember, a hero wouldn't devolve to underhanded tricks, so choose one. Good luck!

What do you do?
Terri was set to, at a moment's notice, try and steer the story in a direction she would prefer taking it. But for right now, she was content to let things play out as they would, and so with Prince Ardbert hastening to prepare to take them to the tower, Terri readily went along with this. Ardbert seemed intent on rescuing Rapunzel from her forced isolation from the world, and Terri was right there with him on that. Fortunately, all seemed to be going well- Seto had no problem with the extra passenger, though Terri suspected this would have been so even if she wasn't so small and lightweight. The Galarian Rapidash also proved very receptive to Terri's directions- it was her who knew the way, and so the role of navigator fell to Terri, and she took up said role quite handily.

As they moved, Terri saw... things. Things shrouded in the trees, blank eyes aglow in the shadows. She regarded them with an unbothered expression and a tilt of the head, implying more curiosity than nervousness. The monsters, perhaps, that Gothal had warned of? So she was right, then? But if these were indeed the fearsome monsters that had been spoken of, they certainly weren't doing much to live up to the hype, aside from just... standing there. Menacingly. But yes, just lurking, skulking in the shadows and watching Terri with some manner of twisted curiosity.

Soon, they came to the path that led to the tower, but going through it, Terri felt an odd sensation. A tree they passed looked remarkably familiar, and Terri began to realize that they were taking longer than they had been before. Soon enough, she saw a flicker in the distance, and she realized that there was a barrier in the distance, born from strong magic in order to keep people out. Terri tilted her head curiously. Surely this hadn't been here earlier, right? She had no issue heading this way before. But the barrier surely couldn't have only just been erected- these things took time.

Shrugging off the confusing scenario, Terri instead turned her attention skyward as something flew overhead. "Is that-" began Find.

"I knew it- it's a Natu!" smiled Terri. That was why the creature from before had made her feel so nostalgic- Terri had met a lot of Natu back in her days living in Alph. And now, the Natu not only seemed content to be seen by Terri, but decided to actively help. With glowing blue eyes, the Tiny Bird Pokémon destroyed the barrier, allowing them all to pass through. But Terri could feel it- a strong magic in the air, and the source soon came to light as they approached the tower.

There was Gothal. Her hands were aglow with magic power, and as she saw the group approach, she lashed out with a magic blast, striking Seto in the leg, which in turn caused the Galarian Rapidash to send his riders flying. Terri landed gently in the grass, but Ardbert slammed into the tower. He was bleeding somewhat, but thankfully, Terri could hear him bleeding. "Find, tend to him as best you can," Terri murmured urgently, and the Cutiefly darted off to see what she could do about the prince's wounds.

Gothal yelled at Terri, yelled that she knew the mysterious girl couldn't be trusted, calling her out for what she deemed a betrayal of her trust, poor thanks for her hospitality. And then, she whistled, and a singularly peculiar Slowking Teleported into sight, along with Rapunzel, albeit bound and gagged! Terri's eyes widened, aghast at what she saw, though she met Rapunzel's pleading gaze and gave a single reassuring nod before she was Teleported back up into the tower. But the Slowking remained- it was time to fight.

Terri fixed Gothal with a look of fury and hatred. "You are hardly one to talk about trust," she retorted coldly. "Rapunzel trusted you, and this is how you treat the girl you have the audacity to call your daughter? The girl you keep locked away, isolated from a world that's nowhere near as bad as you make it out to be, a world certainly nowhere near as bad as the very captor who seeks to hide her away from it! You talk of trust, of hospitality, but they're just meaningless words to you. Concepts you only grasp insofar as how useful you find them in accomplishing your own twisted, deranged ends. Oh, wretched woman, I knew you couldn't be trusted," she seethed disdainfully as she drew a Fairy Ball from out of her bag, enlarging it with the click of a button. "All right, Perform- engage!" Terri exclaimed, hurling the sphere forward.

The ball practically exploded open, and a Normal Form Mr. Mime emerged, posing dramatically. "TA-DAAAAAH!" he thundered. "GREETINGS, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN!" he declared in his booming voice. "I, PERFORM, THE LOUD MIME, HAVE ARRIVED!"

"Be careful, Perform- the stakes are high in this one, and we're up against that," Terri stated, indicating Gothal's Galarian Slowking.

"BY THE HORNS OF XERNEAS! A GALARIAN SLOWKING!" Perform exclaimed. "HOW ABSOLUTELY THRILLING! WELL, THEN! HUMAN TERRI, I ASSURE YOU, I WILL GIVE THIS BATTLE ABSOLUTELY EVERY SINGLE LAST IOTA OF EFFORT I CAN MUSTER!"

Terri smiled. "I know you will," she nodded. "Now, Perform, use Fake Out! Set up a Light Screen afterwards, and then subject it to your Hyper Voice attack!"

"AND IT IS ON!" bellowed Perform. He hopped on an invisible, though decidedly audible motorcycle, and rode right towards the Slowking- at the last moment, he would jump over the invisible handlebars and clap his big hands right in Slowking's face to inflict damage, and, more to the point, flinching. After that, of course, would come the Light Screen, and then, well, Terri almost felt sorry for the Slowking's eardrums. Almost.
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Old 11-09-2021, 10:07 AM   #72
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MM-

Accessing the situation at hand, you have Find go and assist Ardbert. It would be best, you know, for the prince to not die. After all, he was vital to the story's happy ending. You also see the Natu go and assist, but not for the prince. Instead, you see it fly up the tower to go and save Rapunzel. Guess it was a good thing Pokemon existed.

With them being taken care of, you more than focused on the villain of the story. Gothal was enraged, but you could see a hint of protectiveness there. A motherly instinct to protect her daughter from the world that had scorned the sorceress. Good intentions paved the way to hell, after all.

And so, you decide on bringing out your boisterous Mr. Mime. Perform was loud, outgoing, and to some people, obnoxious. But here, he would liven up this party, like he often did. It was hard for there not to be some kind of fun abound with the Mr. Mime being there. So, it was time for him to do his usual tricks, and go for subterfuge.

Your order your Mr. Mime to Fake Out, hoping to flinch the foe. Yet, when Perform goes in, he is met by a green, protective barrier. That was more than enough to prevent the flinch, and allowed the Galarian Slowking ot immediately counter attack.

You see a poisnous, shimering globule form from the gem on the shellder crown. THen, with its immense power, the Galarian Slowking assaults Perform with a Slusge Bomb. With no time to react, the Mr. Mime takes the brunt of the super effective attack, being at more than a disavantage in this match up. At least it didn't poison.

Though, to lessen future attacks, Perform jumped back and did what Mr. Mimes did best. Rapidly moving his hands, the Kanto Pokemon creates a yellow screen of light around him. That would more than protect the party from special moves. The Galarian Slowking watched, as Gothal began to analyze what she would do next.

In this time, Perform lets out a hyper voice. The Pokemon screams, his booming voice covering the entire battlefield. The poisonous sage covers its ear, them pierced for a good amount of damage. Though, once it ended, was when Gothal finally responded to you.

"I had always wanted a daughter, and so when I was given the chance I took it. A couple partook in my garden, the wife only able to eat Rapunzel leaves. I made a deal, that she could eat as long as the child would become mine. I had been scorned by men, brutalized for my magic. Is it wrong for a mother to want to protect her daughter from that fate!?" she responds to you, her voice calm before becoming more aggressive.

"Now, my precious friend, Disable!" she shouts, and the Galarian Slowking nodded.

The shellder gave a piercing gaze, and everything turned gray for a second. In this split second, Perform froze up, before clutching his throat. His Hyper Voice would be disabled... Guess that boisterous loudness wouldn't be available for a few turns.

What do you do?
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Old 11-09-2021, 01:49 PM   #73
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MM-

Accessing the situation at hand, you have Find go and assist Ardbert. It would be best, you know, for the prince to not die. After all, he was vital to the story's happy ending. You also see the Natu go and assist, but not for the prince. Instead, you see it fly up the tower to go and save Rapunzel. Guess it was a good thing Pokemon existed.

With them being taken care of, you more than focused on the villain of the story. Gothal was enraged, but you could see a hint of protectiveness there. A motherly instinct to protect her daughter from the world that had scorned the sorceress. Good intentions paved the way to hell, after all.

And so, you decide on bringing out your boisterous Mr. Mime. Perform was loud, outgoing, and to some people, obnoxious. But here, he would liven up this party, like he often did. It was hard for there not to be some kind of fun abound with the Mr. Mime being there. So, it was time for him to do his usual tricks, and go for subterfuge.

Your order your Mr. Mime to Fake Out, hoping to flinch the foe. Yet, when Perform goes in, he is met by a green, protective barrier. That was more than enough to prevent the flinch, and allowed the Galarian Slowking ot immediately counter attack.

You see a poisnous, shimering globule form from the gem on the shellder crown. THen, with its immense power, the Galarian Slowking assaults Perform with a Slusge Bomb. With no time to react, the Mr. Mime takes the brunt of the super effective attack, being at more than a disavantage in this match up. At least it didn't poison.

Though, to lessen future attacks, Perform jumped back and did what Mr. Mimes did best. Rapidly moving his hands, the Kanto Pokemon creates a yellow screen of light around him. That would more than protect the party from special moves. The Galarian Slowking watched, as Gothal began to analyze what she would do next.

In this time, Perform lets out a hyper voice. The Pokemon screams, his booming voice covering the entire battlefield. The poisonous sage covers its ear, them pierced for a good amount of damage. Though, once it ended, was when Gothal finally responded to you.

"I had always wanted a daughter, and so when I was given the chance I took it. A couple partook in my garden, the wife only able to eat Rapunzel leaves. I made a deal, that she could eat as long as the child would become mine. I had been scorned by men, brutalized for my magic. Is it wrong for a mother to want to protect her daughter from that fate!?" she responds to you, her voice calm before becoming more aggressive.

"Now, my precious friend, Disable!" she shouts, and the Galarian Slowking nodded.

The shellder gave a piercing gaze, and everything turned gray for a second. In this split second, Perform froze up, before clutching his throat. His Hyper Voice would be disabled... Guess that boisterous loudness wouldn't be available for a few turns.

What do you do?
Find was quick to act on her Trainer's urgent order and fly off to help tend to Ardbert. The Cutiefly quite agreed, the prince's continued survival might be kind of important. While this went on, Natu went to assist as well, albeit not the prince- the Tiny Bird Pokémon flew up the tower, to rescue Rapunzel, to Terri's satisfaction.

But Gothal was still right there, for Terri to take care of. She had sent out Perform and attempted to gain the upper hand with Fake Out, but the Galarian Slowking managed to Protect itself, and even launch a Sludge Bomb before the Light Screen could happen. "OWWWW! OOOOH, THE PAAAAAIN! IT'S SUPER EFFECTIVE!" Perform bellowed overly-dramatically, stumbling about in a decidedly theatric manner, clutching his chest, though he was still quick to put up the Light Screen as ordered, before bellowing out a deafening Hyper Voice, amplified by what he considered one of his most prized possessions, his Mr. Ping Megaphone. He didn't know who the heck Mr. Ping was supposed to be, but all he knew was, this thing made his sound moves all the stronger, and that was all he needed to know!

Following the Hyper Voice, Gothal spoke up in response to Terri, calmly at first. Talked about how she had always wanted a daughter, and so seized her opportunity when a couple had taken leaves from her garden, as the only food the wife was able to eat. Gothal made a deal with them- she could eat the Rapunzel leaves if their child went to her. It was terrible, and Terri's disdain for this was made clear by her face. And yet, what Gothal said next, that hit closer to home than Terri had been expecting to be hit- Gothal really was intending to protect Rapunzel from the world that had scorned and brutalized her. She sounded quite aggressive at this point, and commanded her Slowking to use Disable, cutting Perform off from one of his favorite moves.

"...my father, my whole family, we once bore witness to some of the worst examples of what humanity is capable of," Terri said calmly yet firmly. "Greed. Selfishness. Using the generosity of others as a way to accomplish one's own ends. For so, so long after that, father would not let me leave home. Would not allow me to come into contact with people. He... all of them... they were convinced that what they had seen was a glimpse into the true nature of humanity as a whole. Convinced we were better off having nothing to do with them..." Terri shook her head. "But he was wrong," she continued. "The world is not all greed, or selfishness, or hatred and scorn," she stated. "I had seen the good in humanity even back then, and I continue to see it to this day. My father eventually relented, allowed me to venture into the world, to see it for myself as I believed I should be allowed to. The world, humanity, they're not perfect, and I don't pretend they are," said Terri. "But there is plenty of good to be found out there. Plenty of love and acceptance. And if you keep yourself and Rapunzel locked away from it all, you will never get to know this for yourself... and that's not right," Terri stated. She turned to her Mr. Mime, who was clutching his throat, aghast at his forced quietness. "Stay strong, Perform," she added. "Use Hypnosis for now. If Slowking manages another attack, block with Protect and retaliate with Bug Buzz." She turned back to the Slowking's magical Trainer. "Gothal," said Terri. "I did not come here to steal Rapunzel away, but to rescue her. I am her friend and would never want to see her come to harm. The reaction you saw from me upon seeing her tied up like that should be enough to prove that to you. I would not be trying so hard to do this if I was not thoroughly convinced, if I did not know for a fact, that there is more good to the world than you've gotten to see." She maintained intent eye contact with Gothal, her anger having abated for the most part, but her determination all the stronger.

Of course, Terri knew good and well that this was probably not going to have the intended effect if they just left it at that. Gothal was the villain of a fairy tale, and the fates of such characters tended to be as straightforward as they were grim. But Gothal's words had hit close to home, the parallels to Terri's own upbringing too similar to just ignore. Just as Terri so dearly desired to help her father see that which she herself saw in humanity, so too did she want to help Gothal see it. And if indeed this dimension's status as an extremely interactive storybook would seem to impede this desire for all involved to live happily ever after, if reality itself was to be an obstacle... well, then, reality could kiss her ass. As if on cue, a Quick Ball opened up in Terri's bag of its own accord, though the occupant did not fly right out. Rather, Quicken peeked out of the bag with her one large eye, the Unown Q getting the feeling that Terri was going to want her nearby. Not to intervene in the battle, of course- that was all Perform, and Terri wouldn't dream of disrespecting the Mr. Mime by sending another to help him gang up on the singular opponent. No. Quicken was an Unown. Terri, whatever her current form, however much she enjoyed being human, would always be at heart that which she started out as in life- an Unown.

When alone, nothing happens. However, if there are two or more, an odd power is said to emerge.

And maybe, just maybe, this odd power would be what they needed to give this story something of a rewrite, because however barely and technically they did so, Terri and Quicken still added up to two Unown. Hardly capable of the same levels of insane feats swarms of Unown could achieve by working together... but then, they weren't trying for anything that insane in the first place. Just a slightly happier ending than what was written.
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Old 11-24-2021, 01:09 PM   #74
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Originally Posted by Marion Ette View Post
ShadowDRGN: Everyone knows that time is money, and for Giuseppe Goto, it was of particular importance that neither be wasted. Optimizing every single moment of his planned trip to Fizzytopia down to the last, most minute detail, he ensured that each day would provide him with the optimal, most quality experiences at the exact parameters he had budgeted for, both in terms of hours and dollars spent. The perfect trip, which left nothing - absolutely nothing - to chance... Which, perhaps, is why Goto threw his whole itinerary away in the first place.

You see, much and more has been said about business as an art form; the greatest and most well-known within its history were often visionaries and forward-thinkers who took incredible personal and professional risks, succeeding in ventures where thousands of others have failed by taking an unexpected approach.



Though it was not necessarily one of the quotes floating about in Goto's mind, the blurring of lines between the two occupations was something the young clothier seemed to innately understand, regardless. To plan everything - to follow pre-determined paths - these were not the steps of an entrepreneur, or an artist. For all the motivational quotes, the slogans, the books, the classes and four-year degrees - there was a universal truth among practitioners of any true craft, often unsaid. Success requires risk, and that risk - "the window of opportunity," if you'd prefer - had, indeed, presented itself at the very last minute, and Goto was ready to peer through the glass and see what manifested on the other side.

Dressed for a spot of adventure, wearing the color of extravagance and excess (perhaps quite appropriately, given his nature), Goto carefully examines the rich and colorful exhibits on display in the Department of Arts and Crafts. Though clothing was Goto's preferred medium, art could serve as an inspiration regardless of the form it takes, and with particular interest in the library's more... unique properties, the young man is eager to delve into the first work that captures his interest.

Among the various volumes relating to creative works, there is a rather intriguing encyclopedia - The Specter of Love: A Comprehensive Guide to the Worst Movie Ever Made. Despite the quality of the film - or lack thereof - expressed by the title of the encyclopedia, Goto can't help but notice the impeccable quality of the costumes on the two heroines, which stand out starkly against the dull, uninspired backdrop. Expertly combining what Goto recognizes as traditional Johto and modern Unovan influences, time-honored fabrics and techniques with innovative form and function, the two female Pokemon - a Gossifleur and a yellow Flabebe, both beautiful in their own right - have their natural floral features accentuated with an autumnal bouquet of colors and patterns of yellow hyacinth and orange lily, very subtly hinting at the jealousy and hatred between the pair of floral leading ladies. Their dresses are smart fusion between the classic kimono and modern a-line silhouette. Yet, inexplicably, the titular specter - a Trevenant, or what Goto believes to be one, based by the shape - is... entirely covered by a sheet of the cheapest, lowest quality white fabric that Goto has ever seen, with two eyes and a mouth cut out of it. The sight of these two exquisitely-dressed lady Pokemon swooning over this dollar-store ghost trope is... almost painful to look at.

The name and logo in the bottom left-hand corner of the cover - Fizzby Pictures - suggests the studio was local, though Goto had not heard of it, even in his extensive research, suggesting it was likely defunct. Even so, perhaps there was something to be said for learning from failures... Or, he could put the encyclopedia down and keep searching for something a bit less ill-fated.

What will Goto do?
The more Goto roams the labyrinthine halls, the more he marvels at the sheer scope of the temple to knowledge this Hyan-Pa has created. Just a single department- hell, not even a sliver of a fraction of a percentage of it, is seemingly inestimable in its content. It’s no small wonder this region of Fizzytopia has been subject to much conflict in the past.

Faced with such an incomprehensible quantity, he starts to wonder; If he gave up everything, and devoted every moment of his remaining life to study here, how many texts could he truly come to understand before his clock strikes midnight? If he were to gaze into the abyss of time and knowledge, what would gaze back at him, in the end?

Mortality, faced with what can only be described as infinity... Visualizing this theme spins a thread of fascination within his mind, but it is but one new addition to a complex weave of ideas, each constituent of which is fiercely vying for his attention. Such is the folly of an artist. For every concept that comes to fruition, a hundred are stillborn.

But... perhaps all of this profound monologuing is inappropriate, considering the subject matter of what he’s just happened upon. Encyclopedias were usually written too dry for his taste, but if the title is any indication, this one refuses to mince words in describing the quality of this... thing. “The Worst Movie Ever Made”. Perhaps one could empirically prove that claim, but he imagines that this author isn't writing to achieve a rigorous standard.

After all, the critic who cruelly demolishes the object of their critique has proven to be a compelling niche in the market. To witfully weave cutting words with which to mercilessly whip even the most prestigious art is an art unto itself.

Another quote enters the back of his mind:

Quote:
Negativity Sells.
But as he inspects the cover to see what the supposed worst movie ever looks like, Goto finds his lip curling into a bewildered grin. Oh, no doubt the composition was utterly horrendous, but whoever designed these costumes - well, most of these costumes - was clearly both passionate and capable in their craft. The subtle floral symbolism. The fusion of eastern and western fashion. It’s not just exquisite, it’s exceptionally well-researched and executed.

So why in the blazing hells are these marvelous pieces sharing the stage with a dollar store Halloween decoration?

Goto made up his mind before even considering the thought of putting this book down and searching for another. He has to unravel this baffling mystery, or else he may never be able to sleep soundly again.

The young man tucks the book under his arm, and makes for one of the library’s many receptacles with little delay. As he strides down the halls with a clear sense of purpose, he wonders what exactly awaits him once he partakes in the library’s special magic.

A hand drifts under his coat, feeling the glossy finish of his Pokeball tucked against his breast. It's a texture that fills him with a sense of security and assurance. Whatever awaits, he’ll be ready for it.
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Old 11-29-2021, 10:57 PM   #75
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Originally Posted by Emi View Post
Sneaze: The elderly man kept the door open and hurried you inside, looking outside with a look of fear in his eyes before gently shutting the door and sighing. The interior of this building is quaint and modest, full of clearly hand-made wooden furnishings with a small fireplace quietly burning away. It had the feel of a cabin one might camp in, but much smaller and clearly much less well off. There was a small pot over the fire with something cooking inside of it. The smell of it wafted to your noise. It smelled good, sort of like stew of some kind. The man sat down at the table, poured himself a glass of water from a water skin, and finally relaxed some, before looking at you.

"Getting lost around here isn't something that happens. Most of time if you're coming this far north, it's on purpose. But little girl...there's no way you'd come out here by yourself, and I've never seen that kind of animal before. Must be from one of the big cities I've heard about." He took a drink before continuing. "This is Lumi. It's not a complicated name. It just means snow, cause that's all there is out there." You begin to realize he's not quite speaking your language, but you're capable of understanding him. "It was a name given by the first explorers who came to this area about two-hundred years ago, and that was all there was. Snow. My father settled down here sometime after that, when they found some silver in a mountain range not far from here. So that's where you are. As for who I'm afraid of..."

Your conversation is suddenly stopped as you hear some noise outside. The elderly man puts a finger to his lips before moving over to the window and looking out. Before he could say anything, suddenly a voice bellowed out.

"We saw the shooting star streak across the land. Release the star and no harm will come to your village." The voice was loud and authoritative, but you weren't exactly sure what they were saying. The elderly man shuddered loudly, before cursing. "I thought they were a longer time out, but they might have stuck in place from the storm." The man shrunk away from the window, but not too far into the building. A little bit of time passed, before the voice spoke up again.

"If you wish for your men to have a village to return to, you will give up the star."

The elderly man sighed, putting his hand on the door, before stopping himself. "That's the Volka. They're a vicious, warmonger of a nation. We never thought they were capable of coming up this far north, but we were wrong. Our sons...my son...were forcibly conscripted by them about two months ago. I don't know if he's out there now. Miss...I fear you might have become embroiled in something you have no part in. But I'll leave it up to you if you wish to confront the Volka or not. Our village is protected, and they know that. But I fear they won't leave until they get what they want. The choice is up to you."

What will you do?
Allison began to relax a little as soon as the smell of stew of some form struck her nose. While the land she found herself in was wholly unfamiliar, she had lived off scant stews for long enough that the scent brought her mind back home, if only for a minute. The man poured himself a glass of water before beginning to explain the situation to the girl, that this place was known as Lumi, a name meaning snow, surrounded by the substance with some silver in the nearby mountain range. Interesting though it was, Allison was more perturbed by the man calling Cassie an animal. Surely he knew what a Pokemon was, right? There was no way that even in this remote corner of the world there wouldn't be Pokemon, after all. And Cassie was just a Ponyta, to boot, easily recognizable by even small children.

She didn't have much time to ponder it, though, as the man began to explain why he was afraid only for a sudden noise outside to interrupt the conversation. It was so cliched it was almost comical, but as the man looked out the window a voice bellowed, asking for the "shooting star" that was seen streaking across the land lest harm come to the village.

As the old man stopped himself from opening the door and explained the situation with these Volka, it only caused Allison to become more puzzled. They were right outside the door, after all, and this building wasn't exactly large. There's no way they couldn't hear him talking, right? It would take an insane amount of plot convenience for that not to be the case the girl mused, eliciting a slight giggle before approaching the door.

"It's okay, sir. I've got this all figured out!" Allison smiled at the old man, "I'm in a storybook! And that means I have to see this through!"

With that, she opened the door, still grinning ear to ear, to meet those asking for her.
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