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[Mayaka places the Grumpearl on the bare floor of her newly acquired accommodations. To anyone tuning in, they'll see that this angle has created a fisheye effect, blowing up the lower part of her white Sneasel body and shrinking her head.]

Um... hello? This is Mayaka. I got here a few days ago and I'm a new member of the Lum Berry Guild.

[She speaks tentatively, assuming that the pearl is working. This reminds her of class introductions on the first day of school.]

Does anyone here know how to deal with these? [She waves her claws at the Grumpearl, trying to show the purple tint covering them -- a naturally-occurring venom Hisuian Sneasels produce.]

I poisoned someone - accidentally of course - and I don't want that to happen again! [The strict tone she uses seems to be directed at herself.]

[As Mayaka waits for a response, she looks around her tiny bedroom. It's sparse now, but she's been itching to set up a space to draw again. She hasn't picked up a pen since she landed here.]

... And also, if anyone knows where to get paper and pens, that would be nice too.

[This is a softer request, as if she'd be okay if no one heard. It's not obvious that she's asking about art materials, right? She doesn't even know if she has enough allowance to afford it after spending on basic necessities. Maybe it's pointless to ask.]

notyourbloodymessiah

[ eleanor's finally got a pearl, and she's figuring out how it all works. she's more than used to telepathic communication, having favoured it for communication between herself and her father back in rapture mere weeks ago. granted, she shared no pair bond with anybody here. where she is in this pearl isn't obvious, but it's quite dark, save for her face being illuminated by the grumpearl's faint light.

this pearl message, though, probably comes across much brighter and significantly louder to any poor, unsuspecting members of the network than eleanor seemingly has any intent for it to be. ]

Hello! Can you all hear me!

[ noticeably, her mouth isn't moving. she's worked out how this all works quite quickly, it seems. that being said, she does giggle out loud.

sorry to all who are subjected to this, you are being mentally flashbanged by a seventeen-year-old. brainblasted, if you will. ]

truthdecided

[Nestled up in his and Ren's room, with his conspiracy wall proudly on display off to the side, Akechi addresses the Pearl with a fluffy blanket wrapped around him. No, it is not cute. Hush.]

Recently, Furfrou went missing. Odile-san, Dolly-san, and I went out to rescue them, and I noticed something all too familiar.

[He draws a breath, slow and soft.]

Whilst we were searching, the intrusive thought, 'They're going to leave me behind!' crept into my mind, and presumably those of my teammates. Moreover, we found Furfrou unconscious, just as what happened before with Zweilous and Phantump.

Given the pattern, I'm certain other groups experienced similar events. I believe it worth sharing our findings, so we can better document this phenomenon and perhaps gain a better understanding.

Those intrusive thoughts in particular seem worthy of cataloguing. It's hardly the first time they've arisen on missions.

offtracks

Good afternoon, all!

[ Ingo and Emmet's pearl presences are both here, focused enough for a fairly clear visual. Ingo's speaking aloud as well, because that is how he tends to use the pearls; those in the Oran Berry quarters might be able to hear his voice echoing down a tunnel. ]

I am Ingo, and this is my brother Emmet! We would like to issue all of you a challenge!

[ They....are they posing? They're posing. Somehow over a psychic network. ]

Doubles format - two versus two! The battle shall last until both members of a team have tapped out! Attempts to cause actual serious harm are forbidden! Will you be able to overcome our teamwork?

Emmet, do you have anything to add?

I am Emmet! I like combinations of two Pokemon. Let's have fun with a serious battle, okay? Your combination against ours!

(( OOC: Fight Club sign-ups here! ))

fromsprouts

[Umemiya's in one of the training rooms in the Spire, sitting on the floor after a workout. He's in that post-exercise hazy clarity of mind, and has worked out that he does actually want to start this conversation. Someone ought to.]

Hey, talking with Akechi reminded me of something--don't worry, this isn't about ethics at all. It's about some of the recent quests, and things I've seen and heard and felt on them.

The first time I went to Icefall Lake, before we named it that, it was with Anasui and Guilmon. The Lakebed Ruins we found, they had mosaic floors, tiled to look like a map created by some Pokemon flying overhead. Except, they changed, when you looked away. You'd look back and instead of forest surrounding where the Bay ought to be, there'd be desert. Or the volcano would be gone.

[His mental voice grows quieter, a little less certain as he goes to explain the next bit.]

I remember at one point, the thought ran through my head, "Which world is the world we exist in? Which world does the world exist in?" And now that I look back, I'm not really sure that thought came from inside my own head.

I'm interested in hearing what else people have encountered, either on their original expeditions or while wayfinding in the three regions.

(ooc: Please feel free to crosstalk and threadjack one another on this post. I just wanna get this stuff 'on the table' to discuss.)

truthdecided

[It's on a chilly morning that Akechi greets the network, bundled up in his sweater and the cloak hiding the last traces of his molt.]

A thought occurred to me. Those of you who hunt... how do you reconcile the act of hunting with the fact that Pokémon are all of relatively similar intelligence?

[His voice is calm, his expression relaxed, as if he's merely entertaining a thought experiment.]

This is not my attempt to shame anyone. I am aware that residents of the world also hunt, yet every Pokémon seems capable of eating alternative forms of food. Berries, poffins, Poképuffs, curry... With the city bringing together such a variety of creatures, it does make hunting all the more perplexing from an ethical and philosophical standpoint.

So, humor me, if you feel so inclined. I'm genuinely curious how one reconciles such an ethical quandary.

friendlyflower

[A weird, half-dead sunflower seed with dilated eyes and sweat rolling down its shell appears, shouting at you from the clinic.]

THE VOTE IS CLOSE!!!!!!! VOTE FOR UMBREON NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[He grabs the Grumpearl with a vine.]

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT VOTING FOR LURANTIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nurse Chansey from the clinic visibly tries to wrestle the Grumpearl away from him. He shouts various curses that Emporio taught him. You may or may not have a headache now.]

truthdecided

[Akechi addresses the Pearl with his usual calm and poise, disregarding the cloak draped around him. Pay it no mind.]

In light of recent events, I felt it best to inform you all about Umbreon-san. Having spoken to Mightyena-san recently, she informed me that he mapped out the cave system in which we Oran Berries dwell. He actively trains lower ranked members and has played a pivotal part in Pokémon swarms. Evidently, he was an active player in the ordeals with Dondozo and Spiritomb, providing rescue to those in need...

And he volunteered for the good of his guild, not himself.

[He pauses to let that sink in, though his thoughts ripple with an odd air of relief and an undercurrent of distrust toward politicians on the whole.]

Make what you will of that, but I believe that this places him in a position where he could make a fine leader. I've made my vote, but I bear no ill will toward those who favor other candidates.

[...]

That being said, I do believe it may be in our best interest to share our findings amongst each other regarding the recent Wayfinding missions. The lands beyond Death Blood Murder Skull Town are wild, unpredictable, and full of mysteries...

For instance, the temple in the peaks of Heavy Downmoor suggests the area was once far more populated despite the wild winds. I'm quite curious how the rest of the region compares...

guilmon

[A very confused Charmeleon looks into the pearl, anxiously fidgeting. It seems he's outside, near one of the voting booths, but has yet to take a spot in line.]

Maaaa... They want us to vote, but how do we know who to vote for? Some of the Pokémon are really nice, or they seem super smart, but we can only pick one.

But Guilmon doesn't know who to pick. Ribombee probably wants me to pick Lurantis, but some people say Lurantis is mean sometimes. And Malamar's super smart and said a lot of important things, but Oricorio wants to help the ghosts...

[He pauses, grunting.]

But I think he only likes ghosts, so that might not be fun for anyone else...

[...]

I bet Takato would know what to do.

its_tv_time

[A few hours after the first news of Noelle's disappearance breaks, everyone receives a video message. In the center is a now-familiar bug; Mr. Tenna looks haggard, shaken, and distraught, though he's putting in a valiant effort to stay put together. All the valiant effort in the world doesn't stop the river of grief pouring through, though, as tangible as emotions get. His hands tremble a little as he fidgets them together, unused to not at least having a microphone.

His tone is somber when he speaks.]

H-hello? Is this thing on? Goodness, it's still so hard to- well, nevermind that. [He straightens out, looking serious for once.] We've got an emergency on our hands! Our beloved Noelle Holiday has gone missing! Her last known location was the Pokeclinic at around 6.30am, and has not been seen since! You can recognize her by her- I mean, she's a deer! [He stumbles over his words a little.] Right now, her pelt is dark brown with a creme face and belly, and there's a large yellow flower growing on her head! She's cute as a button and as nice as ice cream, so you can't miss her!

[His lip trembles, and he reaches up in surprise- his eyes are watering, and he hastily blinks them away before continuing.]

If you've seen anyone like this, please report to a nearby guild member! We'll take all the information we can get! We all want to find Noelle as soon as possible, so please, please cooperate to the best of your abilities! Thank you very much! Let's find this deer together!

[He holds a determined pose for a moment, before slumping, sighing heavily. Does he realize he's still recording...?]

Oh... Noelle... where'd you go...? Why'd you have to leave...?

[He sniffles, holding back a sob, before the feed finally cuts out for real.]

hasapoint

[You feel something reaching out and touching your mind... Poking it, actually, like a prodding finger. It withdraws and tries a softer, finer touch. That withdraws too, and there's a pause. Looks like Need can't get around her powerloss and covertly use peoples' senses/look into their minds just by using the pearl network. Unfortunate.

After a moment, Need allows her presence to bloom into the connection and make itself known. If you can gauge this kind of thing at all two things are immediately evident. One is that she's very old. Not tired, not fragile, but distant and distorted to the point where her mind doesn't really feel human. The other is that she's female. There's nothing stereotypically feminine there but it's very clear. She's something crushed into a tiny space a very long time ago and also: she/her.]

Someone always figures out how to make a teleson. [Telepathy via technology.] How far does this reach? Does it work between people who haven't met?

[Need is far more accustomed to speaking mind-to-mind than using anything else, so her "voice" has a particular quality to it that I'm gonna keep rendering as italics.]

Where I'm from it's possible to visit other realities, where things might be very different, and be fully embodied in them but one's actual body remains behind. The more difficult part is getting back to it. I wonder if that's happened here.

wolfcut

Is this thing — how does —

[ Let there be video of one sorry looking rat holding his pearl as far away from himself as possible. Somehow, he looks even more disheveled than usual, with eyebags practically to the floor.

Those who recognize him might also notice his fur is looking extra wispy today. Perhaps even a bit see-through? That’s different, isn’t it? ]

Okay. Okay. Does... does anyone know Sleep Powder? [ There’s some unbecoming desperation in his voice. He’s just asking for a friend here. ] Yawn, maybe? Or — fuck, what — Spore?

[ Anyone with a keen-eye will likely note that he’s also not at the Spire, but the Archives. Lum Berries are more than welcome to bump into (pass through?) their new rodent problem if they so wish. ]

And no, a punch to the head won’t work.

[ Ghosts are immune to Fighting-type moves, as it turns out. ]

loopsiedaisy

( Read more... )

bladeofnymeia

[The image that comes through the Grumpearls is...dirt. Dirt flying, tiny clawed paws pushing it back, the sound of it crumbling and tumbling rushing in your ears. The occasional scrape of claw against...metal? Steel? And that accompanying shiver as if you had run your nails down a chalkboard-]

Thal's unrelenting balls-

[And Firoza's voice! With a creative swear. Who is Thal and why are his balls so unrelenting? Might have to ask her about that later, because now...

Now, the edge of something shiny, even in the dark shadow of the forest, was just properly breaking through the dirt. Firoza pauses to gape at it, and you can just...you can feel the swell of emotions that comes through, she can't hold them back. Something bittersweet, something that twinges with pain, but something reassuring as well. Something wonderous.]

How...how in the world did you get here...?

[And then the urge to dig overwhelms her once again. Panting, sweating, exhausted, eventually Firoza pulls out an honest-to-gods kite shield with a red unicorn as part of is heraldry from the earth, and the Grumpearl fades off as she declares,]

IT'S MY FUCKING SHIELD!!

[...She's. Uh. This is. How? Why? Fuck it, it's her shield!!]

firealone

[It's no surprise that Fireheart is feeling ashamed, after he overworked himself into a coma for a month and a half. And after nearly everyone who knows him has been telling him for months to take it easy... he is finally starting to listen. A little.]

So... there's a few things I want to talk about. But the most important one, is, well- I've got a warrior name now. When we were sending out those boats, I saw- Bluestar, my old Clan's leader.

[He only knew her for a short time, a lifetime ago, but there's still a somber tone in his voice. ThunderClan was where he thought he belonged for a long time, after all. ThunderClan has been on his mind less and less every day, but having his adult name still means a lot.]

She called me Fireheart. So... that's what I'd like everyone to call me. Firepaw was a kitten name, so... it's good to feel like an adult, properly.

[He wavers a little before continuing... he really should have rehearsed this a little.]

I'm going to cut down on my work, and... I think I'm done hanging around the Clinic for a while. So I'll be focusing on recovering this month, and then running messages for the senior Cheri members for a bit. Staying in the city, for the most part, unless someone needs me.

[He said 'month' instead of 'moon'... and doesn't seem to have noticed it.]

I think that's everything. And, if anyone needs to talk, after... Froslass... I'm happy to listen.

offtracks

[ The pearl visual isn't really there. It's muddied, hazy - the way thoughts might be when their owner isn't focused. But the sight of a sleeping Cyndaquil curled up in a bed is plain enough, even though a mental soft-focus. Anxiety prickles around the edges. ]

I would like to announce that Akari has fallen ill. She is in the clinic.

[ In spite of the transmission quality, Ingo's voice is calm and even. ]

seacub

[VISUAL ON THE PEARL - EARLY SEPTEMBER]

[The pearl is held aloft. Maybe with Psychic power. Maybe with Emporio's hands. However it's being held, it's picking up on things properly enough though, which includes general excitement and cheer.

Those familiar with Emporio and Anasui's house will notice- this does not look like that house. It's a little bigger for one- the windows look quite lovely in fact, and let in plenty of light. There's a roomy living and dining area that shares its space with the kitchen so that the stove can double as a heater, and as it gets carried around, it's eventually revealed that there's a rather nice and Espartha appropriate bed set up in this place.

And of course, a bed meant for a cubone as well.]

Well...We're all moved in! We didn't exactly have a lot, but it's really nice...We don't share walls with anyone anymore, so we won't keep anyone awake if something happens, and Anasui actually has a bed meant for him now...

[Given the feelings through the pearl, it's likely that Anasui could have had a bed meant for him, if only he hadn't just taken over Emporio's house. Polteageist probably looked around for mid-tier housing of a very particular sort for this exact foreseeable problem.]

A-anyway, this is where we're staying now! ...T-though I feel like that might change later on, because he kept dropping hints about keeping notes on furniture preferences...

[There is...a wave of worry. It's fine. It's probably fine.

....It'll be fine!]

[ACTION - BEFORE AND AFTER THE ABOVE]

[Being a move, Emporio's friends (or even Anasui's) may have come along to help. Of course, given how little they both had in the way of personal belongings, that would have ended up more like walking together as someone carried the things.

Alternatively, maybe the pearl wasn't enough. Maybe they want to see it in person! Given how busy everything was recently, Emporio is unsurprisingly going to spend at least a little more time at home to settle in, and (more surprisingly perhaps), so is Anasui!]

[[OOC - This is a joint post between Emporio and Anasui! If you are open to thread-jacking, please note it in your reply- otherwise, replies will come from one or the other, depending on who suits the tag most!]]

friendlyflower

[*Looks like someone left their Grumpearl on.
*Listen in?
🤍Yes ‎ ‎ ‎ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ *Do Not]

... Why did I have to find Lusamine? I don't even care that she's in a stupid coma.

[You don't feel a sense of love or attachment or empathy... but there's a pang of something. Another name on the list. Another petal plucked.]

Hee hee... what an idiot. She spent so much energy trying to 'fix' me that she couldn't even take care of herself. Now look at us. I'm still here and she might as well be dead.

[Maybe he should have taken her soul. Then maybe she...

... no. Sharing a body has never worked out for him. And the last thing he wants is someone that close. Reading his thoughts, the stupid impulses that pass for 'feelings'... what a joke.]

I hate everyone. I hate all of them!!!

I hate every single one of those stupid losers! I hope they ALL drop dead!!

[He knows he doesn't mean it. But do you?]

seacub

[Emporio holds his pearl with care, making sure not to project much of a video image. The mental audio is best here he thinks, if at least because of what he's 'talking' about.

...

With difficulty, but he's trying to keep those feelings out of the transmission as well.]

Everyone- Uh. I need you to know that Guildmaster Ribombee brought Firepaw in today. ...He found him outside his office door, with a report in his jaws.

...Firepaw was. ...Was working really hard the last little while. He was down here so many times that Anasui and I had to pull him out more than once to try and get him to sleep, but.

[Distantly, one might actually make out the sounds of the Espartha cursing. Anyone who actually knows the bird can tell that he's upset.

But not in an 'angry' way.

Emporio presses on.]

...I'd say I'd hope he can get some rest for a bit now, but after what happened to A.B.A...

...Well. We'll all be taking turns looking after him with the others. But please. Just... ...Look after yourselves too. Don't push it.

[The connection ends.]

colorsflyinghigh

[Having settled in again with the help of Akechi and his friends in the Oran Berries, Ren figures it's time to make a proper announcement- he doesn't just have friends in the Oran Berries, after all, so, having settled in his room, he fishes out his Grumpearl, and opens a connection.

The video opens with him grinning, trying to look collected. He does look a little weak still, though.]

Hi everyone. Guess who's back? [His grins widens a little.] Didn't think I'd be that easy to get rid of, did you?

[He chuckles. It's a bad joke, but he's trying.]

I guess I overdid it a little, so I'll try to take it easy for a bit," [he says, like a liar.] "Akechi's been fretting over me like a mother bird, so not like I have much of a choice, hehe.

[He pauses, face falling a little, before speaking again.]

Still, if you visited me while I was out... thanks. I wasn't really all there, but I appreciate it. Really." [He tries to smile again.] "Tell me so I can properly thank you in person, okay? Sorry I worried everyone. Don't do that again- message loud and clear!

[He forces an upbeat tone, but he really does feel bad.]

Uh, anyway. Glad to be back. I can't wait to get back to doing missions with everyone! I hope to see you soon.

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Bottle Cap Bay

Bottle Cap Bay

Recent Entries

Video; I got transported to another world and now my hands are poison?!

video;

Video;

Fight Club!

[Video] Are these thoughts my own?

Video (CW for discussing the ethics of hunting);

video, at the end of october

Video;

video;

Video, backdated to the day of Noelle's disappearance.

[voice], within the first week of October

video, mid-october

[audio; cw: definitely spoilers]

5th Quest [Video, Evening]

03. video

[visual, sorta]

MOVING DAY AND PEARL TOUR!

[Audio]

[AUDIO] - The Clinic

[VIDEO] Ren announces his return

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