Sojaveña Wilds Totally Normal Bulletin Board

[AdamArtDraws]

Before now, Felin loitered the market streets and orchestrated plans to earn coin through musical prowess. She'd even come up with a lyric or two. Nothing struck her chords just yet. However, from the moment whispers of a mysterious bulletin board pricked her ears, she set about to find it with no hesitation. Music will have to wait.

"Now this is more like it," Felin said in a voice spiced with cheer. She could see the outpost just up ahead. Hastily built tents dotted the scenery and Felin could tell no old guild with a long history ever stood there. This was all new and recent. A green blur crossed he vision and Felin shot a glance at the other mon.

"Oh, you're the Treecko from before. Fancy meeting you here." Felin grinned at Mhynt and stood upright on her boots. She eyed her from top to bottom. "Are you heading down for the same reason I am or are you tending to other business?"

 

[Namohysip]

Mhynt's legs hurt.

Which was rare. She didn't like that. She also didn't like how sunny everything was.

The Treecko procured a small bucket of water and plopped herself inside of it. Her leaves and body naturally absorbed the water as if she drank it, anyway, and she could use the hydration in the desert dry heat.

She took up residence in the shadow of another tent that an adventurer had been so kind as to not be around to care. But she was here on a mission... to figure out what the hell was wrong with that bulletin board.

So far, her efforts were fruitless.

 

[Weazel]

Having decided to take Bellatrix’s advice, Archie had made his way out of Frontier Town – probably for the first time, definitely the first time this far out – and to the tent city that had sprung up around the strange bulletin board. He wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but, to be honestly, the whole thing seemed almost plain. Certainly, the board wasn’t exactly what he'd imagined when he’d heard “magical bulletin board,” but, well, appearances could be deceiving.

By the time the Oshawott had arrived, the latest big rush for jobs was well and truly over. Most of what was left was the sort of low level grunt work that didn’t exactly appeal to the daring-do sort who’d made this glorified campground home, abstaining from even the few creature comforts the major settlements in this part of Forlas could offer. Which, actually, probably made them the perfect sort of jobs for a bunch of randomly chosen multiversal heroes who really needed some cash and to get their strength back. That did, in fact, include Archie.

So, swallowing his disappointment at the lack of anything, well, exciting on offer at this moment, the Oshawott started giving each job a thorough look over. Maybe he’d just start with one for today...

 

[Cresselia92]

"...So, this is the bulletin board everyone's been talking about."

Silver stood in front of the board, staring intently at the various requests and commissions. He tilted his head curiously, trying to figure out the secret of that mysterious landmark. Did some ghost swap the requests or something?

Anyway, that wasn't relevant. Now that he had both the battle experience and time, he wished to try a mission or two. Maybe something that involved fights, and beating down opponents, and becoming stronger!

He had to admit it: Battling all those 'mons at the manor had reignited old urges. He couldn't help but grin during his recovery, and he took the time to recall memories of physical fights with roughnecks and bikers. Sure, he resented his past as a thief and bully, and he still struggled with his hotheadedness, but he couldn't deny that those moments made him feel... alive. And if he could also help some 'mon in distress, then why not indulge himself a little?

However, was it wise to venture on a mission by himself? Maybe it was better to find a partner...

 

[Mr.RMA]

A day had come around where Corey found himself staring at the bulletin board, not interested in any jobs this time around... No, this time he was inclined to just observe the board itself. The mystery of this thing was really starting to get at him it seemed, leaving him just... rather transfixed by it and pondering what made it even work in the first place. He knew magic was likely a factor, but to what extent? And most importantly, who was responsible? Surely others must have wondered this as well at some point... yet they were all just so inclined to get work that they evidently just kept pushing that question off... and so had he for all this time...

"...Just what are you really?" he quietly murmured, hand resting against his chin in contemplation.

 

[Ambyssin]

Despite needing rest, it was a restless night plagued with the same recurring nightmare for Nova. He shambled his way through work and managed to excuse himself with enough time to get to where the bulletin board was with enough time to spare. At least, Nova hoped he was in time. As best he could tell, the board changed around its things twice. The daytime one wasn't feasible if he was working. But the evening change was a different story.

So Nova shuffled his way toward the board with the note he'd written. Sure, he probably looked foolish, but the last visit or two had made him fairly confident someone with serious knowledge was watching.

The null put the message on the bottom right corner, as if to not disturb whatever had been left them from the day.

There's a painful mask stuck on my head. Please help me get it off.

All that was left to do was wait.

 

[Namohysip]

With some care, Mhynt, with the meeting's discussions still on her mind, returned to the bulletin board for the evening change. Then, she walked past it and to that same rocky landmark as before, waiting for Mew to appear again. She hadn't said anything, simply led the others with her in the hopes it would not spook Mew.

Dusty twilight greeted them. She sighed and wondered if she should unfold her bucket today... No. It won't be too long, she figured.

"What are you expecting from this?" Mhynt asked the others idly.

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Gladion found himself driven to the bulletin board once again. This time, it was because Nova was there. The more he’s heard the other Null talking during the meeting with Mew and Mewtwo, the more he realized things were… more different between them than he’d initially realized. That meant it was time to get over his discomfort and talk.

“Hey, Nova, I was wanting if you had time to discuss… stuff, I guess.”

 

[AdamArtDraws]

Felin walked the sun beaten path of the town outskirts in the early hours of noon. The bustle of like-minded explorers going about their day greeted her ears. She inhaled the familiar air of the small guild of tents. Her goal, the bulletin board. What better way to celebrate her return than to immediately go on another adventure?

Felin stopped suddenly, nose twitching as she sniffed once then twice. The smell of tents and treasure bags weren't the only things familiar. She drew her eyes to slits and turned sharply to the left. Sure enough, there he was. How could she forget one of the only two chimera among them?

"Well look who it is!" Felin greeted with a trill, flashing a wide grin as she padded towards him. Her rapier jostled on her back and looked no less too big for her current self. "I hope the past few weeks have treated you nice, Nova. Anything new with you?"

 

[Weazel]

The first time Archie had left Frontier Town, it had been to come here. The Oshawott had made the trek out to the tent city surrounding the strange magical bulletin board, and taken a simple job along with Corey and Tarahn. Since then, he’d come out this way often, sometimes alone and sometimes with others, and done similar jobs. Eventually, he’d caught the eye of some of the local bounty hunters, and carved out a niche for himself supporting their efforts in outlaw capture. It was steady work, never quite the same day to day, occasionally very exciting, sometimes monotonous, but always satisfying at the end of the day. He’d looked forward to it.

This was the first time he’d been out since the night they’d met The Wolf. His first since back to back encounters with Shadow Pokemon. His injuries were still healing, as the recently changed bandages wrapped around his stomach could attest. Somehow, the walk that he’d used to not think twice about had changed in character. His eyes swept the horizon, focusing on every clump of bush and large jutting rock, wondering who or what might be concealed out of sight. He didn’t feel comfortable, not until he was among the tent city and thus surrounded by the trappings of civilization. He was on light duty today, just looking for some simple job to keep him active. Nothing that would take him too far afield. He didn’t want to be stuck out after nightfall.

The Oshawott wasn’t really expecting much. So, he was quite surprised when, on his way to the bulletin board, he came across a familiar figure! That strange, moody chimera from the ranger fight – what had his name been? Nova? – asleep by himself. Was this where he was staying? It would certainly explain his absence during the Shadow Drapion attack. And he was far from the only Pokemon calling this corner of the desert home. Still, it seemed… Lonely, isolated. A bit of a hike from where most of the rest of them were staying in Frontier Town. Maybe even a little dangerous, even though he knew from fighting alongside him the chimera could hold his own.

Still, the Oshawott figured it wouldn’t hurt to at least check in on him. He hadn’t been doing the greatest mentally or emotionally when Archie had last had a proper chance to converse with him, and the chaos of the group meeting had been far too chaotic – and the Oshawott in far too bad a headspace himself – to do much of anything. So, he crouched down beside Nova, and gave the chimera’s shoulder a light shake.

“Hey, uh… You doing okay?” he asked, softly.

 

[Hap]

Ambulatory scientific experiments stuck out somewhat in the world of Forlas, which made Nova a very easy person to track down. When Ridley asked around, he almost immediately learnt that an RKS chimera - a "graydian", as they were apparently known here - was regularly seen in the settlement around the bulletin board just north of town.

There were, admittedly, two chimeras among the Wayfarers, but Mhynt had mentioned that Nova received his pokeball from the person behind the bulletin board, so Ridley felt comfortable in assuming that the RKS chimera spending all his time around the board was more likely Nova than Gladion.

 

[Magyk]

It might have been starting to get darker, but that didn't stop Grace from approaching the bulletin board. She'd marvelled at the way the setting sun cast the splashes of orange that met the darkening blues of the sky on the way here. She didn't mind being a bit of a night owl, and even then it still didn't feel late.

The togetic liked checking out the board, because the scouting missions were a good way to make money, and increased her chances of seeing Owen again. Maybe even Purple, or someone else!

Why was she trying to seek out Owen after he mauled her? Well... she wanted to help him. She was stronger now, so hopefully she now stood a slight chance. If any of her friends were here instead, Ben and Neva would want to help Owen. Maya would probably be much better at scouting, and Typhon... he'd probably have a more violent approach. Grace disapproved of his violence, but... Typhon was a Dragon. Maybe it was typist to assume he wouldn't take a more logical approach... but that's what she thought he'd do.

And also maybe, she'd encounter that Wandering Light. If she could just learn to wield Radiance... would that help those that were Shadowed? She had to find out.

And so, while Togetic Grace mused to herself while she examined the board, she was unaware to her surroundings, and anyone else that might show up.

 

[Tetra]

The thought of what Koa needed to do weighed heavy in his steps, but he couldn't put it off any more. In the chaos of the last few days he'd nearly forgotten but he needed the full picture.

His steps slowed as he approached the bullentin board that Mhynt apparently frequented. A familiar splash of green caught his eyes except... When had she evolved? Now that he properly considered it, he hadn't really spoken to her in awhile either.

"Hey Mhynt," he called as he approached. As a Grovyle she was now taller than him, and he had to look up at her. "Congratulations," he added, nodding to her new form. Why hadn't he evolved?

 

[Namohysip]

Late afternoon was the hottest time of day for this spot of the bulletin board. Long enough to soak in all of the sun, but not enough time for the sunset to ease off any of that heat.

Mhynt really wished she had her bucket. Or any shade. Unfortunately, the best she could achieve was finding some long shadows to hide behind so her leaves didn't crumple to the heat.

"Well," she said, "I'm not usually able to be... effective in this kind of weather, but if you have an idea on who to ask... All I know is that Lucis was here, didn't tend to the board for any missions, and seemed to disappear. I have a guess of course, but... no evidence."

 

[Weazel]

The walk from Frontier Town to the tent city surrounding the quest board was the same as always, but it took him less time than usual. He wore the same coat and hat he always did, but they weren’t so ill fitting anymore. Nothing had changed about the board itself, but it didn’t seem so imposingly tall anymore. No, the only thing that had changed was him. Archie reached up a black furred paw, scratching at the white whiskers extending from his sky blue muzzle. He’d evolved. He had no idea how anyone ever got used to the concept.

The Dewott sighed to himself. He’d evolved, but life had to go on. They’d just finished a huge mission, dislodged Cipher from Blaguarro, and arrested something like half the organization’s leadership on Forlas. But he still had bills to pay, supplies to buy, and a stomach to fill. It was monotonous, in a way; come to the magic bulletin board to find work, team up with whatever bounty hunters were willing to have him on – or find something small he could do by himself, when the outlaw pickings were slim – do the work, come back, get paid, return to Frontier Town. Repeat it all again the next day. It was so very much like life in the Adventurers’ Guild back home. Maybe that was why he kept doing it?

Today, though, he was having trouble focusing. The notices on the board were all beginning to blur together. Had he not recovered fully from the Blaguarro mission? Or maybe he just needed a distraction, something to help him ease back into the day-to-day work after Wayfairer business had eaten up so much of his time. Archie took a quick look around the area, and was actually a little dismayed to see there was no sign of Nova. Though, if it meant the Graydian wasn’t still camping out here, maybe that was for the best.

… Still, did mean he’d have to find someone else to talk to.