Offscreen Activities

[Jackie Cat]

The final poll looks tight. Very tight.

47% M. Whetmore (Cncrd)
45% C. Greasewood (Frntr)
8% F. T. R. & M. van de Huizen (House)
(0% undecided)

The Gazette stresses, of course, that it is only a poll of likely voters, and that in the year 181CE, polling is far from prophetic. Further, that this is the first real, contested election of the Soja' – anything could happen. The polls could underestimate Greasewood. They could underestimate Whetmore. (They could even underestimate the Maus gestalt, or write-in votes, or None Of The Above. Theoretically.)

The Gazette publishes an election eve issue, the front page article for which is a ringing endorsement of Calvin Greasewood, penned by Nathaniel Naoki and a pair of Wayfarers – Laura and Dave. It admonishes Whetmore for running as a carpetbagger, and speaks of the credibility of the Frontier Party and the importance of backing the Ranger Union. It asks voters to vote for the best choice, and not the one that speaks to their fears.

Night falls, the sun rises, and 'mon begin to trickle into Frontier Hall to cast their ballots.

They keep coming. They come from all over town, and from outlying hamlets and outposts, and from further afield – half a dozen voters come from as far as Lucky Rock in the northern badlands, enthusiastic to vote for whichever candidate backed the Wayfarers and Rangers that solved their Fiends problem. They wouldn't be here without the transport and poll tax fund. Several Rangers themselves show up – they wouldn't be here without Wayfarer outreach. Even a handful of naturalised clanners make their way to the polls.

Plenty of Wayfarers vote, too:



Nearly all of them for Greasewood, at that.

Finally, by 10pm, the results are counted and certified... and it looks like the polls did miss.

51% C. Greasewood (Frntr)
39% M. Whetmore (Cncrd)
5% F. T. R. & M. van de Huizen (House)
2% L. Voclain (Chrtr)
1% S. del Sur (Indpt)
<1% Dayle (MenSe)
<1% None Of The Above
0% S. V. Arpagone (PCLR)

"Civil 'mon one and all, listen well:

"We can confirm that on this day, the Sohavenia Territory has elected...

"Whimsicott Calvin Greasewood, as Governor-General!"

---

"Pour me a highball, wouldja? Thanks. So... You must be feelin' pretty good about all this, huh, old man?"

"Dunno about good, lass. Mostly I'm bracing for never being less than busy 'til I retire or die, whichever comes first. Don't regret it, though. And I dare say I'm a touch proud... As you should be... Sheriff del Sur."

"Reckon I'll go by Sonora still, if it's all the same to you, boss."

Greasewood smiled, and slid the scotch and ginger down the bar. The Floragato caught it, and downed half of it in seconds.

"What'll you do with this place?" she asked, gesturing to the Sun Stone in general.

The Whimsicott shrugged, and went about polishing his spectacles. "Oh, you know. I'll put the deed in a trust, and let someone manage it in my stead for the duration of my term. I'm sure the Maus will do a fine job of looking after the saloon for a while."

"Yeah, the Maus... Did you make some kinda deal with them? They didn't drop out or nothin', that I know of..."

Greasewood chuckled.

"I happen to speak fluent Meernish. I just gave them a visit and explained the polling situation, my platform, and Senator Whetmore's. In particular, that one pesky plank about cracking down on printing tongues besides Luctemarene. There are a lot of Meernish Maus voters in town, you know? Guess they listened."

Sonora raised her glass. "Cheers to the Maus," she said, grinning. "You want any help closing up shop, boss?"

He shook his head. "No thank you, lass. I'll finish up myself. My 'farewell for now' to this place."

"As you want it, Governor Greasewood."

 

[Inkedust]

After a long few weeks of routing out and apprehending the remaining fiends to track down the outlaw Grimmsnarl Hawthorne with Cacturne Sally, Bellatrix returns to Frontier Town and is quick to catch up on the Wayfarers' recent accomplishments. She also fills in the Wayfarers on what she and Sally learnt about Hawthorne.

It turns out that Hawthorne has been digging up old caches of loot in various towns using the fiends as diversions for any bounty hunter who are attempting to stop and arrest him (including Bellatrix and Sally). Furthermore, several of the fiends that are arrested seem to be escaping prison as it appears that the same fiends keep showing up. This leads Bellatrix to believe that Hawthorne is planning a prison break as the imps that keep escaping prison are able to pass information to the other fiends and Hawthorne himself.

Additionally...

After hearing that the Wayfarers are planning to raid Terminal One and seeing the still hanging wanted posters of a certain Team Miror, Bellatrix takes the time to track down Team Miror's camp using the skills she'd picked up during her absence. Luckily, they have remained in the Novelux area after realising that the Wayfarers had been busy dealing with the Covenant's more recent activity. Bellatrix is also happy taking along two or three additional Wayfarers to aid in her search.

Regardless of who does or does not go, Bellatrix is able to get a good, close look thanks to her illusionary abilities. On top of getting a general layout of their camp, Bellatrix sees that they've been intensely "negotiating" with a silver ninetales about passage to Malantau through Tyrrier – no doubt the very same one who'd been recently kidnapped – to reach Terminal One themselves.

Afterwards, Bellatrix departs for Malantau herself.

As all this has happened, the murkrow have grown more restless across the continent...

 

[Chibi Pika]

An unseasonal thunderstorm has been brewing over Silver Ravine for some days now. At times, the night sky can seem almost pitch-black, drained of all starlight and moonlight, until the inky curtain is broken by jagged spires of lightning.

The surrounding wilderness has been frequented by increasingly agitated dust devils.

Perhaps it'd be worth seeking out the Roaming Cyclone himself to learn more...

 

[Jackie Cat]

After meeting with Brisa and catching up a little, Koa spars with her for training and a distraction from the doom and gloom.

"C'mon, Koa! Watch yer centre line! Don't take the hit, deflect it! Now, again!"

She's excited to talk shop while they spar, and she's impressed with how quickly he's grown strong. Stronger than she expected! But she is sure he is yet to meet his potential, and pushes him like hell to dig deep. She's oddly surprised about the focus on martial strikes over... yelling? Why did she expect him to be a shouty fighter? In any case, she certainly doesn't mind trading physical blows!

Bosque and Nube are enthralled by the spectacle. They have a newfound respect for Koa for even trying to fight Brisa, (townie boy though he may still be!)

Afterwards, Brisa follows through on her agreement to make sure several dungeons in the region will be covered during the fight with Alexander – the Escarpa Clan, the Ranger Union, and a tag team of Brisa & Sonora will each fight to keep Alexander out of several local rifts...

 

[Cresselia92]

It’s been several days away from Frontier Town. Plenty of days spent traveling through the mountains to satisfy his mountain Sneasel’s needs and look for his fellow mustelid friends.

However, Silver couldn’t find Rodion or Lyle anywhere — not even with the Betelphone. Did they shut down all incoming messages, or… something else? Were they gone, too? Without saying goodbye?

The realization crushed him like a landslide: the young former thief had lost some of the very few people he could talk openly about his morally dubious actions and woes.

Back to trying to be a hero, I guess…

Dejected but not emotionally destroyed, Silver ventured back to Frontier Town, and he got there just in time to receive the news through Betel-phone.

Feeling like another confrontation with Alexander was inevitable, Silver took a detour to discuss with Giovanni about that issue, asking for potential assistance.

“I suppose you don’t have a stock of Dusk Balls or, heck, maybe a Master Ball lying around somewhere? I mean, in case we had to subdue him like we did with Owen.”

With that matter settled, Silver reached Frontier Town and resumed his work at the barbershop, where he got the opportunity to hear some random news from his boss’s clients. Breaking rocks to climb had made his claws incredibly sharp — there was no fur that would have been able to resist his masterful trimming techniques!

Then entered his first client in so long…

“Oh! Koa! Hey, it’s been a while! How have you been? Did something happen while I was away?”

A tiny warmth spread to his heart. He might have lost some close people, but there were still many friends around.

 

[Ambyssin]

Between returning from the Quarry and heading to the Bulletin Board, Nova drops by the Zera and goes into a bit more detail about the Alexander situation with Gerome. He notes the machamp is able to resist Alexander's corruption and could actually help the Wayfarers, but has requested Gerome's presence for moral support. Nova knows it's asking a lot, but he requests Gerome at least try tagging along to whichever dungeon Dayle's willing to help them shut down.

 

[Tetra]

A tiny warmth spread to his heart. He might have lost some close people, but there were still many friends around.

In the midst of all the preparations, finding one scrap of normalcy felt nice. His hair was getting a bit too long and just a bit too unkept for his taste. Sure as a trainer he was accustomed to not being able to keep it especially neat, but he was looking far too scruffy for his own comfort. Plus it was far too easy to forget to keep his hair in good shape here.

He ended up having to wait a few days extra for Silver to be on shift (no way would he go through the hassle of letting someone else do it), but it was worth it to catch up with a friend.

“Oh! Koa! Hey, it’s been a while! How have you been? Did something happen while I was away?”

"We have a new mayor and sheriff! It took some convincing but Brisa put in a good word too, so Sonora is taking up the position of sheriff. I think she'll make a pretty sick sheriff." He's particularly excited about this. Someone who can go from 'outlaw' to sheriff makes him happy. "Greasewood is going to be mayor now, and he sounds a lot better than Ignatius. I think he'd be willing to even try and keep peace with the Escarpa. And he respects the Rangers. I like him."

Given the state of his hair there's plenty of time to catchup.

"We managed to rescue Brisa from that mystery dungeon... Not a great place. It did some weird stuff, showed people on the team things..." He doesn't linger on anything here, or elaborate more than saying he's glad its over, and Silver should be happy he didn't go in. "The others stopped this greninja from stealing some weird dungeon device..."

"Anyways, I spoke to Brisa recently and she said she'll help us deal with Alexander. Put him in the dirt." A topic which he's much more excited about, despite the direness of the situation. He recounts his showdown match with Brisa quiet eagerly, and maybe brags just little. Sure he technically lost but he fought really well. Brisa's an amazing fighter and he's hoping to train more with her.

"Plus we beat up that Miror B loser, the Quaqaval with the stupid hair. But it sounds like some dumb Spritzee scout is going to push to get them recruited for 'community service' at the Duel Dome." He rolls his eyes. "I don't think it can be helped but at least they can't cause problems. I hope. The Ninetales we rescued from them was kind of odd. Seir? I think he's rich or something." Koa shows off the rather fancy silk scarf he got as a memento. He avoids details of his role in the battle though, still feeling frustrated at his performance.

There's a faint tension as he fills Silver in on more details for their upcoming confrontation with Alex. Multi-pronged fight at different dungeons, teaming up with the Rangers and Escarpa, and routing Terminal One far to the north. Talking about it makes it more real than ever, and the idea of facing him again makes Koa somewhat uneasy.

Eventually, he changes the subject to something less heavy, swapping adventures they had as trainers.

 

[Tetra]

During a trip to Novelux to catch up with Ghaspius, Koa ends up at a fancy perfume shop and decides to pick up a thank you gift for Odette(with a little help from Ghaspius too). 'Fleurs à dix pétales', a nice floral perfume he thinks she'd like. It reminds him of the Kalos she spoke of on her world a little, with the name, and felt fitting.

He drops it off one evening a couple days later at her room at the Sunstone.

[[@Sinderella ]]

 

[Inkedust]

After the intense and spectacular battle against Miror B., the Wayfarers are rewarded with the generous bounty as per the wanted posters once Team Miror has been turned over to Novelux's local law enforcement. The group of five are then promptly taken out of the Wayfarer's hands and are left at the mercy of the local justice system.

Processing takes several days and during this time, the spritzee Gigi ends up bothering both the local law enforcement and her boss, Douglas Dunsmuir, to submit a proposal for a plea bargain and sentencing arrangement. The judge, not wanting to waste months of litigation (and taxpayer money) on an extended prosecution, makes the offer to Miror B, who promptly pleads 'guilty'. He is sentenced to community service through labour at the Duel Dome. With a bounty already collected and satisfied with the outcome, the Sojaveña Territorial Court cancels its own bounty.

While this may initially seem like a disappointment to many of the Wayfarers, the most Team Miror could be charged with was theft in Taleska –something that many are just fined for. Additionally, with Team Miror being kept on a tight leash, the Duel Dome is far more secure than the current prisons on Forlas with little chance of them escaping. Miror B. himself is also dissatisfied with the current arrangement due to less than stellar accommodations and not receiving any wage for his work. He can reportedly be heard grumbling about how "that manectric" gets to waltz back to earth scot-free with nothing more than some disapproving words and glares from the Wayfarers.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Ever since receiving the blessing of Radiance from the Wandering Light, Sage the formerly-Shadowed ARK chimera has been meditating on keeping their Shadow and Radiant halves in balance. They've heard about everyone's plan to combat the remainder of Cipher's forces and want to help their friends.

"Shadows have been, still are, a part of me. If I could help shield you from them with my Light, then... I want to do it!"

Raising their voice and showing overt emotion is still a bit unnatural for them, but they're trying their best.

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"Shadows have been, still are, a part of me. If I could help shield you from them with my Light, then... I want to do it!"

Gladion's worried about them, but the group needs all hands on deck and there's no real good reason to keep Sage out of danger forever. Even if he wants to.

"Be glad to have you around. Could go with Nova, if you wanna help out with the shadow stuff, but don't wanna have to face anyone from Cipher again. Or if you want to face them, you can come with me. I'm headed to Terminal One. For closure, you know?"

 

[Ambyssin]

Nova also tells Sage about Terminal One, but says he's not going because he's going directly to distract Alexander. He also warns Sage that, while their radiance can counter shadows, too much of it will make them extra vulnerable to shadows. "You'll have to balance things out. But I'm sure you can do it."

 

[Namohysip]

Feeling like another confrontation with Alexander was inevitable, Silver took a detour to discuss with Giovanni about that issue, asking for potential assistance.

Giovanni remarks that even though he has turned a new leaf in search of the power of world-dominating friendship, he doubts his inner darkness had been purged entirely. He will not assist. However, Red seems willing to tag along as a distraction.

Giovanni has his doubts that capturing Alexander will help, but offers two Ultra Balls in case it may help them. However, he warns that while something seemed to hold Owen back from giving them trouble, Alexander is certainly not going to be as compliant: using it as containment is ill-advised.

Nova knows it's asking a lot, but he requests Gerome at least try tagging along to whichever dungeon Dayle's willing to help them shut down.

Gerome grunts at that and rumbles something about 'fate toying with him again.' But he ultimately agrees--if only to make sure "Dayle doesn't get into trouble again."

 

[canisaries]

Andre, hearing all the talk of the upcoming battle with Alexander, reconsiders his choice to withdraw from the fight. He still isn't sure, though, if his presence will be a net positive or negative. He decides to seek out Dave for his opinion.

"I know that you probably don't want to talk to me after last time, but I need your opinion on something. Do you think I should be present when we face off against Alexander? Nova thinks that I'm a risk because my presence is distressing to some Wayfarers, and Alexander uses people's negative emotions to control them. He wants me not to show up. But do you, as someone with negative feelings towards me, think that me being there would be a problem?"

 

[Ambyssin]

Following the meeting with Owen, Nova tells those Wayfarers assembled that he wants a small group to go straight to the Voidlands via Twilight Quarry to directly distract Alexander (and whatever weird minions he has) while the others cut off his dungeon access points. He asks for volunteers to come with.

 

[Butterfree]

Andre, hearing all the talk of the upcoming battle with Alexander, reconsiders his choice to withdraw from the fight. He still isn't sure, though, if his presence will be a net positive or negative. He decides to seek out Dave for his opinion.

"I know that you probably don't want to talk to me after last time, but I need your opinion on something. Do you think I should be present when we face off against Alexander? Nova thinks that I'm a risk because my presence is distressing to some Wayfarers, and Alexander uses people's negative emotions to control them. He wants me not to show up. But do you, as someone with negative feelings towards me, think that me being there would be a problem?"

Dave squints at him. "I mean, no, I'm not distressed by your presence, I just think you're a delusional fucking serial killer. Alexander's going to be fucking with everyone's heads either way, but if you think you'd be the first thing on my mind in any universe, you're vastly overestimating your own importance."

He looks away, exhaling through his nose. "Look, aren't you supposed to be all about making the world a better place? This guy's supposedly going to destroy Forlas wholesale, and you're not going to help because some guy told you maybe it'd upset some people? Go with a group that doesn't have us in it if you really must, or else get the fuck over it."

 

[canisaries]

Dave squints at him. "I mean, no, I'm not distressed by your presence, I just think you're a delusional fucking serial killer. Alexander's going to be fucking with everyone's heads either way, but if you think you'd be the first thing on my mind in any universe, you're vastly overestimating your own importance."

He looks away, exhaling through his nose. "Look, aren't you supposed to be all about making the world a better place? This guy's supposedly going to destroy Forlas wholesale, and you're not going to help because some guy told you maybe it'd upset some people? Go with a group that doesn't have us in it if you really must, or else get the fuck over it."

"Yeah... you're right. Thanks." Andre would have preferred this all to be delivered more gently, but he supposed Dave was the wrong person to expect that from. He leaves, now intending to join the fight - though he will try to avoid the four Wayfarers that know his secret.

 

[Chibi Pika]

"Be glad to have you around. Could go with Nova, if you wanna help out with the shadow stuff, but don't wanna have to face anyone from Cipher again. Or if you want to face them, you can come with me. I'm headed to Terminal One. For closure, you know?"

In response to Gladion's offer, Sage taps their forelegs on the ground repeatedly, golden eyes flashing.

"Terminal One... I should face them, again. I'll go!"

Nova also tells Sage about Terminal One, but says he's not going because he's going directly to distract Alexander. He also warns Sage that, while their radiance can counter shadows, too much of it will make them extra vulnerable to shadows. "You'll have to balance things out. But I'm sure you can do it."

"I can do it. After this fight, I'll see you too. We'll all see each other."

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

When Laura returns to her room the night before leaving for Malantau, she would find a package waiting for her, neatly wrapped with a letter attached.

Laura,
I had wanted to deliver these to you in person, but unfortunately my plans have changed. Please accept these as thanks for being there for (and talking some sense into) me at the wharf. Best of luck in Malantau.
- Steven

Inside the box is a pair of expertly made leather gloves the perfect size for Meowth paws. They are lined with Mareep wool with open fingertips to allow for claw deployment. One of the gloves has a pocket on the backhand, perfect for holding a smaller dungeon item (or a rock), and embedded at the first digit of every finger stall is a small fragment of brown stone with flecks of glittering red that feels warm to the touch.

PS: The red gems are fragments of a heat rock I found. Hopefully they will help keep you warm out there.