Offscreen Activities

[Chibi Pika]

The autumn weather grows cooler and windier, though still relatively mild given the desert climate. There's a rare sprinkling of rain. The days grow shorter. Culturally, the month of Rot carries associations with decay as a natural part of life. Poison-types are thought to see good luck.

With Blaguarro secured and the trains operating again, Jade begins making plans to take the train east, out toward Novalux. She intends to ask the train operatives about an incident around two and a half months ago, in which a rear railcar was detached on the westward line. After some deliberation, she informs Koa, Leaf, Nova, Gladion, and Laura of her plans.

---

Some rural farming communities have reported unusual tornado activity. It's not the right season for them, and they've been appearing as if from nowhere, even when the weather doesn't seem right for it--and vanishing just as quickly. So far the only fields that have been hit were already-harvested, but a request has been posted asking for someone to look into the situation before it worsens...

 

[Tetra]

In the days following the escort and being cured by the Relic Stone...

Koa would have taken time to examine the drone he retrieved - it's entirely mechanical, right? And just a general sort of morbid curiosity about it. He's no tech junkie but he wonders if he'll recognize anything about its level of technology or construction. He may bring it to Alejandro (when Wes isn't around of course) to see if he can tinker with it and get it working.

Although if not, he wonders if Mewtwo could...

---

Koa makes time to talk with Tlalli during his time working at the library. Being that he's been working there for a little while he feels decently comfortable around her. He tells her a little of the team's exploits here and there, though he’s careful not to give any critical details. He asks her opinions on things though during these talks.

“How do you think a Saints power is meant to be used? Or I guess, any great power? Should they try and help or stay out of problems?”

He also asks about the group he heard of known as the Vanguard. Has she heard of them in her time? What does she think of them?

Finally, he mentions about the trouble with the railway he’s heard of from other Wayfarers. From his experience in his world, railroads can be a great thing for people, but has it helped here? Could it help the town? Or could it be a bad thing?

Koa has also been trying to make time to spar a little with Sonora, when she's willing. He's a little more curious and open when fighting, especially now that she helped with the raid.

“So how's it been going since the raid? Getting the hang of Radiance?”
[ @Jackie Cat ]

---

Koa visits Little Scriven’s library finally. It feels like absolute heaven and probably ranks only just below meeting a legendary for him. It takes a great deal of effort to not get sucked in and lost for hours and entirely distracted. The librarians probably have to almost drag him out at closing. However he is also rather enthusiastic and helpful and will alternate between reading for hours and if they allow him, helping to reshelve books and keep it tidy. He’s careful not to be disruptive.

Naturally he researches anything he can about saints, although he’s particularly interested now in legends that may be tied to those of Sinnoh, such as the lake spirits or Giratina. Or anything about Tyrrier. In addition, he looks into the same topic he plans to check at the monastery - stories of how Saints have used their power and interacted with mortals here.

Otherwise it's nice to be reminded of home and get away.

Any poor librarian who happens to ask about the books he reads might be in for a few earfuls of rambles though... Eagerness aside, he loves librarians and if they’re amicable, he does ask about them and their life on Forlas, though he keeps the conversations light. He tends to ask about stories about the world or interesting people they've met, or rumors.

Otherwise he spends a couple days here in Little Scriven, trying to get his mind off everything and rest. He visits the various cafes and shops.
{ @MintyMimix on the off chance there's any fun chats/flavorful moments with librarian characters }

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

It takes a few days of thinking, but finally Steven musters the courage to ask the question that's been on his mind since the Relic incident.

"Betel, do you know if it's possible for souls without a vessel to be summoned to Forlas?"

Because that's technically what someone who's dead is, right?

 

[Ambyssin]

ade begins making plans to take the train east, out toward Novalux. She intends to ask the train operatives about an incident around two and a half months ago, in which a rear railcar was detached on the westward line. After some deliberation, she informs Koa, Leaf, Nova, Gladion, and Laura of her plans.

"That's the Commonwealth place, right?"

Nova says he's willing to help, though there's a bit of trepidation in that he would stick out like a sore thumb in that city. But it's not like the Covenant don't know about him, since he showed himself to that guy who's buds with Nolan. They may not know he has no mask and is using the disks they made for ARK.

His corruption does peek out for a bit. It causes him to suddenly sound a bit more eager. After all, he'd love to fuck with any snooty city folks who have too high opinions of themselves...

 

[Namohysip]

As the Wayfarers return from Twilight Quarry, they take the night to recover, for the most part. Mhynt especially retires to her home, waters her cactus, and goes to bed and sleeps like a log. However, despite everything, she doesn't scream at night, and only stirs slightly in her sleep, and socializes cordially in the morning.

Mewtwo -- now officially introduced as Giovanni -- takes the two Shadow Pokemon to his lair. In the morning, a message is left for the Wayfarers on the bulletin board, reading, "To the Wayfarers: Your feathery friend has been relocated to the Rangers. You know where to find him. Your other friend is still with me, and I am making sure he behaves."

Meanwhile, Gerome seems more pensive than usual at the bar, for one reason or another...

 

[Inkedust]

As soon as the Twilight Quarry investigation ended, Bellatrix went straight to the Ranger HQ to use the Relic Stone clear herself of any potential infection she may have contracted within the dungeon. She also takes the opportunity to question Lovrina about her supposed Shadow resistance and the methods and/or mechanisms used to prevent Shadow-gain. Though she doesn't mention it, Bellatrix wonders whether or not a more clinical way to remove Shadows from an individual, one that does not require any prerequisites for purification like the Relic Stone does and if the tinkaton's answers could shed some light on that theory.

A day or so later, once things finally seem to start settling down, Bellatrix begins to make a more serious attempt to find a stable job as simply relying on the bulletin has been far too unpredictable for her liking. She shows great interest in finding administrative work around the upper-class areas such as the Sun Stone Saloon, taking advantage of the goodwill she had built from running errands for them.

While Bellatrix says that her interest there is for a better pay, she also very clearly just wants an excuse to see Odette more often.

---

As the days and weeks pass, rumours about a dangerous group of bandits robbing travellers on the road begin to circulate. Their methods were simple and brutish, knocking out anyone unfortunate enough to pass them by before stealing as many things as they could carry, but had the strength to consistently pull it off, taking out even the hardiest of pokémon with a few blows. Due to this, it had been incredibly difficult to identify the outlaws but from what could be gathered, the group of five have been travelling east with recent activity indicating that they are currently near Novalux.

However, just a under a week ago, word has quickly spread about a traveller who was able to fend off and see the attempted robbers. After a stern talking-to with the local authorities, the ninetales was able to get wanted posters made quickly and just a couple days later, they reach Frontier Town.

Anyone who had been present for the Timeless Oasis expedition would realise that the quaquaval's afro was notably smaller from the last time they saw him.

 

[Chibi Pika]

She also takes the opportunity to question Lovrina about her supposed Shadow resistance and the methods and/or mechanisms used to prevent Shadow-gain.

"Of course our tech's insulated against that stuff, how the heck were we supposed to work with it otherwise, lol?"

Apparently some materials manufactured on Earth were implemented to contain the raw substances used in the Shadow Machine, but it's unlikely they could be synthesized here. Furthermore, the raw shadow-substance being stored in the lab apparently doesn't induce changes in test subjects unless they're given high concentrations, or exposed over a long period of time, which was why Lovrina wasn't too worried about it. In other words, it was unusual that the Wayfarers were so susceptible to it, not the other way around.

 

[JFought]

Over time, Isidora becomes well-acquainted with Little Scriven's library. Following up on the information Ein had given them, she looks for information on the Wight Barren, Eremus Fault, and the wider area they are located in. When she gets the chance, she also asks Sybil what she knows about Eremus Fault.

Otherwise, most of her energy goes into board work and training. On a particularly free day, she goes to the Ranger HQ with the intention to join them as a Ranger.

 

[Tetra]

Following their meeting with Mewtwo not long after the shadow swarms attack, Koa asks Mewtwo/Mew about Drapion. How has he been since being captured? Depending on how much threat Drapion still poses, he would want to try and see Drapion and talk to him.

If he is able to see Drapion, Koa tries to get an idea of how much it remembers him, and how violent it is. He’s no longer afraid of it, but is careful about not being pushy. Mainly, he needs to also get an idea of how bad Drapion is and if there’s hope to heal it or if bringing it to the Rangers and the Relic Stone may be too risky.

He brought some food for Drapion and still has the claw Drapion gave him. Maybe Mew can help him get through to Drapion? Show he's not a threat to its dominance, just an ally and friend. Does Drapion have a proper home anywhere?

Also, has Drapion figured out how to self-release from a pokeball?

[ @Inkedust ]

---

Koa has also brought along the glasses and Drone he stole from Ein [assuming Alejandro couldn't do anything]. Its a long shot he knows, but he figured he'd see if there's anything to be learned. Particularly he wonders on the Drone, how it powered up Ein and protected him. He's rather curious on if it can be fixed. If Mewtwo is willing, he would leave it with him, to try and make it operational again, since he knows Mewtwo has connections to more tech savvy friends... Even if it can't do exactly what Ein's did it would still be interesting.

[Note: I don't necessarily expect mechanical benefits/results here this is for flavor followup. Not that i won't accept it :P]

 

[Phoenixsong]

With Blaguarro secured and the trains operating again, Jade begins making plans to take the train east, out toward Novalux. She intends to ask the train operatives about an incident around two and a half months ago, in which a rear railcar was detached on the westward line. After some deliberation, she informs Koa, Leaf, Nova, Gladion, and Laura of her plans.

"If you need someone to go with you, I'm there! About time we looked into what happened to your missing friend, right? We'll all get to the bottom of this."

---

[[thank you JFought for reminding me lol]]

Leaf drops by Ranger HQ as and when she's able. This is partially because she's genuinely still interested in becoming a full-fledged ranger, if they'll have her, but she also wants to check in on the rescued shadow pokémon that are currently staying there, and offer them and the Rangers assisting them what help she can. She tries to spend some time with Leona as well, if and when the lycanroc is up for it. Assuming she's okay with it, Leaf keeps Leona up-to-date on everything that's safe to tell her (read: anything Leaf thinks she won't get yelled at for sharing). If/when that gets too overwhelming, or when she's visiting just to visit rather than for serious business, she's happy to listen to Leona reminisce about the good stuff back home, help keep her spirits high by letting her brag about her girls and the other pokémon she'd helped, and shares stories about her own team in return. (Maybe a little, juuust a little, moreso for her own benefit on her next visit after the meeting with Giovanni and Mew.)

[[Just an offscreen for now rather than a request for a full scene because I don't want to pile onto the workload! A proper scene with Leona would be nice in a later chapter if it works out, though.]]