Offscreen Activities

[Jackie Cat]

Leaf takes the nearest waypoint to Fort Sunward and checks in with the watch-captains. She apologizes for the Wayfarers just vanishing on them in the middle of all... that, and hopes the army (and the Coven) hasn't been bothering them too much. She also asks after Amida: has she been adjusting okay? Did she go visit her family?

If she's able to find Amida personally, she asks how she's doing and if she's been able to enjoy herself. Eventually, she explains that they visited the world-spirit, and that the weird red star up there is actually her friend, Lorrel. He's been stuck there for a long time, and he's probably not going to be comfortable or happy on his way out. No telling when he'll emerge or if anything will force it, but... if she's feeling up to it, it might do him some good if she's there to see him when he gets free.

The Wardens are fine, but changing. Although they are a culture of habit and tradition, there's something exciting about a rebuilding effort, and purposeful military exercises. Not to mention that their primary charge is now not to protect the Mesa itself, but the 'new sun' and the local community she's returned to. The youngest generation of Charcadet students are developing a more outward-looking mindset as a result of their recent shakeups, and the 'fire-thought' – that is, the memetic notion that spreads most rapidly and passionately among them – is that Wayfarers like Leaf are why the Wardens stand any chance at all of adapting to these strange times. They're actually quite eager for her to stick around a while and train with them. They would like a Pokémon Trainer's teachings, especially if it means they can get a leg up on Army forces.

"You came to visit me! How sweet of you. Hark, have you partaken of these steamed treats? They are the local delicacy, buttered and salted and sweetened. You must try them for me, I wish you to tell me if they are good. O, I cannot delay in the telling! I made them, me myself! They explode most delightfully in the making. It is my present hobby, dear Leaf~"

Amida has spent most of her time in Sundial Village, the Mesa's associated 'civilian' settlement down the road. Although she is a singularly strange pokémon now, she is still the local culture's goddess reborn, and her visage is that of an ageless being of limitless solar energy. She is revered, at least for the time being, but seems to enjoy the attention. (From her perspective, it has been a very long time since anyone admired her.) Nevertheless, she is not too alienated from others – Sundiallers being unreservedly joyful and passionate folks – and has taken on a pasttime of making modern foods she was not familiar with in her era – such as 'banging maize'.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Her first trek of the day takes her out to the Ranger HQ. She apologizes for vanishing for several weeks and asks how things have been carrying on in the Wayfarers' absence, especially with the army muscling in(?).

The Rangers are busy, but glad to have Jade back and that she's okay – would she mind taking on a few jobs? Thanks.

Between a formal debriefing with a patient Razael – and an informal gossipmongering session with Sinopa, Ollin, and Nico – Jade more or less gets the big picture. With Cipher gone and Wayfarer influence dramatically strengthening the Union over time, their day jobs have gotten a lot easier. The problem is that they've had to take on a frustratingly political new role as the Commonwealth seeks to assert its practical control over the Soja'. The Rangers aren't a military outfit, or even police, but they're forced to act in an almost paramilitary capacity to project strength and deter Army recon patrols. It's chest-puffing, basically. This is our turf. So far it seems to be working okay, mostly because any Army squad that won't be intimidated will run into Brisa Escarpa sooner or later.

But Brisa can't be everywhere at once.

Her next stop is out at the Escarpa camp. Her main objective is to look for Brisa and let her know that some of the Wayfarers are back, and that once they've all reconvened, they'll be making plans to locate Starr at last. She'll also indulge some of the cubs in sparring requests if she has the time.

Brisa's out on patrol – days at a time, typical for her – and stops by the Ranger Union more than the Clan, anyway. Still, the kids are delighted to throw themselves uselessly against Jade's now-mature 'offworlder strength', and the message will apparently be passed on. She also learns that Sierra's training with Luz continues apace, and that the Luxray chieftain's fur has started to take on a golden hue.

Later, on one of her jobs, Jade runs into Brisa – now a Luxray! – after the warrior-ranger takes a detour to rendezvous with her.

"Glad to see y'all made it back safe. You 'specially, partner. Can hardly believe you're that same kid I met in Magna – but I reckon I'll be walkin' with ya into danger 'stead of away from it, sooner'n not."

Brisa expects that once there's an opportunity to locate and rescue Starr, Jade will accompany her.

 

[Jackie Cat]

She takes whatever chance she can get to engage in small and big talk with both fellow Wayfarers and local people to learn basic information about them and Frontier Town.

The good folks of Frontier Town find Lyra quite charming, for the most part, even if the more roughshod types judge her to be an innocent li'l thing what oughta be in school or somesuch. By happenstance, she has a chance meeting with one Torterra Esther, an elder resident who predates the town's renaming. Esther takes a shine to Lyra and is content to tell her anything she likes about the town, its history, and its inhabitants in exchange for company and trivial fetchquests errands.

 

[Ambyssin]

Nova also takes the time to go and visit Amida, both to make good on the promise of helping her adjust to a synthetic body and to relay his encounter with Auriga, including the revelation about the red star.

(Dunno if this should be expanded on, but figured I'd drop it here for now...)