(06-17-2024, 07:20 AM)Dragonstrike Wrote: Seddi probably would not recognize what the tail flicking means, not having any feline friends himself.  He does seem very interested in Sylvia's response to that last question, though.

"Is that so?  Alright then."

Seddi thinks he has a good idea about why Sylvia wants to meet his telepathic partner now.  He does have one more question though.  One that might potentially trump the need for a full background check.

But it's not for Sylvia.

[Leaves, any thoughts or Insights you'd like to offer?]

Maybe this research or these individuals more important than it seems at first glance, considering who could eventually be involved.  But who knows if Leaves is going to humor Seddi's vague request for input on that, given her stance on information about possible future events...

Sylvia wants to meet Leaves though?  Well, the Paradox Sword's input on this is just as important as Seddi's, whether future context is offered or not. (@Lord Windos)

(06-17-2024, 06:08 AM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

As you enter into the coffee shop proper you're greeted by a long, long black-haired waitress, dressed in a tan felt apron, blue jeans, sandals,  and a red bandana tied around her head. She had a mole on the lower left side of her mouth and bright blue eyes. She gave you a smile and bowed, the very picture perfect definition of a warm, inviting hostess.

"Welcome to Koffee Kupos Kudos, mam! I'm Tiffany, and am more than delighted to assist you this evening!"

She gets a good long looks at you and can immediately tell you were....stressed, to say the least, a small frown tugging at her lips as she placed a hand to her heart before reaching out and place a heavy but comforting hand on your shoulder.

"Oh, you poor dear....you look like you've had a rough day. Don't worry, everyone will take good care of you here ~ "

Once you placed your order she hopped right to it, but before that she helpfully described the few Foxy Rescues still remaining at the shop, bringing out a list and showing them off with flourish, cheer, and a great deal of enthusiasm .

---

Mios the Phanpy!
"This lil' guy is rambuchious! VERY rambuchious - they're always up to something, and LOVE scrapping around with anyone ready to throw. Sometimes those that aren't too, which can be problematic, eh he he. Still, they have a good heart and great spirit - all they need is the right Trainer to temper them just right!"
Qualities: Wild-caught, Knows Play Rough and Body Slam as Egg Moves, + 1 Disobedience but + 1 Fight Bonus, Knows All Moves up to Roll Out + Endure, will have Happiness/Loyalty of 2/2 , and has 3 Brawl, 3 Clash, 1 Alert, 2 Stealth, 1 Perform
Cost: $5000

Dite the Phoxy !
"A quiet soul, this one is. Very slow to trust, and VERY easy to startle! Usually results in that poor someone getting blasted with Fairy infused shouts, oh my! Once they warm up to someone, though, they're cuddly and close as can be - I've seen them often curled around a person's shoulders like some sort of fuzzy pink towel, purring out soothing melodies!"
Qualities: Pure Breed, Knows Hyper Voice, Uproar, Heal Bell, and Trick as Egg Moves, Slow Bonding and Timid, but a Great Friend when it does Happen, Starts with Happiness and Loyalty of 1/1 and a Disobedience of 1* (Spikes higher if scared), has + 1 SPE Surprise and Pixalite HA (Details of Improvements Later, but involves changing the environment and messing with Type dynamics) , and Knows Covet, Tail Whip, Charm, Quick Attack, Assist, and Disarming Voice , Specialties are 1 Channel, 2 Evade, 2 Alert, 2 Empathy, 2 Allure
Surprise!: 1.5XP Modifier !
Cost: $17500
Note: Full Move List will come later

Meza the Fafurr 
" Not quite matching our theme here, but we took them in from a former employee that....sadly has passed. They're....moody as a result, which has caused other playmates and people to avoid them, leaving the poor fellow even more isolated than before. If you can get get past that, though, they're just happy to...be there for you. No matter WHAT - this fellow is overprotective of the few friends it has, which can lead to it freezing someone solid if it feels like someone is a threat or annoyance. Heart is in the right place, though, and I think that is what counts the most!
Qualities: Rescue (Former Employee), Knows Sheer Cold, Icicle Spear, and Curse as Egg Moves, Moody but Protective, Happiness and Loyalty 0 and Disobedience 3, has Fur Coat Ability (Essentially Aegis Ferrum, but only for Physical Attacks, but Fire and 'Cutting' Attacks bypass it and deal + 1 Damage. You also have to groom it on the regular to keep it clean and unmated, or the Mon's Happiness/Loyalty will suffer alongside the Ability's effectiveness. Knows its Lv 1 Moves, Camouflage, and Body Slam
Stats: Base HP 5 , STR 2, VIT 1, SPE 2, DEX 2, INS 2
Specialties: Brawl and Channel 2, Alert and Stealth 2, Empathy 3, Medicine 3* (Therapy), Ettiquete 1, Intimidate 3
Note: This is one of the Rare Mons that, when it Evolves, becomes a Pseudo Class Pokemon, same as Archaledon and Volcarona 
Cost: *$30000  - In order to be eligable to purchase them, you have to prove that not only you can handle a Mon like her, but that they could get along well with you too.

---

While you were deliberating Tiffany returned with your drinks - and ended up tripping! Thankfully your sister Hecate - already out and rubbing your shoulder in an effort to settle your nerves more - was able to use their telekinetic prowess to save them a painful fall and ruined coffee!

...Except yours, your cup escaping your sis' grasp, flying over to knock into your chest and spilling HOT coffee all over you!

Damage: (4)(6)(1) You take 2 Damage!
(6)(3) You also get Burned too! Ouch ouch OUCH!  

"Oh good heavens! I'm so, SO sorry! Here, I'll get you another cup quickly, and some Berries too!"

Mortified, the hostess was quick to get you another cup, being careful not to spill it on you this time, as well as a Rawst and 2 Orans. You grimace as you choked down the Berries, them being quite dry and stale, and Tiffany gives you another look of apology.

"Eh he he...most of the Berries used here are dried or processed into flavorful extracts or ingredients ASAP. We only reserve a few in their natural form for emergencies, and that leads to them sitting around for awhile. *Hangs head* Sorry...

After that mishap was done, you and you Mons enjoyed your coffee! It was smiles all around as they drank theirs, with Persaphone shivering in delight at the masterful combo of spice and bitterness of her drink. Yours was good too, but it was the exact opposite of relaxing - it left you more energized, Alert, and keyed up than ever! + 1 Will, and + 1 Alert for this and the next Encounter! Looking at the cup itself, you noticed they got you a coffee made with Chesto and Leppa Berry Concentrate. Quite delicious, but those Berries is practically the anthesis of relaxation, considering one cures Sleep and the other is commonly used to bolster reserves well past the point of Exhaustion. Maybe they thought you needed more pep in your step to get over your funk...?

Lastly, concerning the Raffle, Tiffany clapped her hands and smiled brighter than ever! 

"Sure! You place 'bids' of $1000 Poke into the Raffle, and we pull the results every Morning and Evening (2 Times a Day)! You can put as many 'bids' as you want, though you may only receive two prizes from the Day's Raffle - randomized everyday and kept secret, so that it's a big fun surprise for everyone! That, and not having people try to game the system - that takes ALL the fun out the game, you know! Anyway, if you get more than 2 winning results, we give you the best ones! Grand Prize each Day is a one of our Pure Breed of adorable fox or elephants that holds either an Amulet or Egg!"

Tiffany looks over you, still looking a bit apologetic and worried about you, before snapping their fingers!

"*Snaps!* For you, though, I think we can let you have a ONE Free Raffle 'bid' ! *Gentle Smile* You look like something got you real good.... *Intense Smile!* so maybe a lil' gambling and Lady Luck can help lift your spirits! It certainly does for me - uh, forget I said that, eh he! *Ahem* So, what do you say, mam?"

If you want to do the Raffle, you get 1 Free Bid, but you can also add more than just it (For example, 1 Free and 3 Paid [$1000 for each paid, for $3k Poke spent in Total]) . Wow!

(06-17-2024, 07:03 AM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

"....Yes. You are Right."

They bowed their head, yet their gaze never left it. The city, the horizon, and everything within and under it. 

"I Have Watched. One. Two. Dozens. Dozens and Many More Suns and Moons. From the Beginning, to Now."

Gargyph's wings spread wide, as they slowly turned to look up into the sky. Scattered clouds and a hazy mist hung over everything, and this high up the sudden breezes were all the more biting and sharp.

"Everything is Normal. Seen Things Happen. Over and Over. Yet Everything is Special. No Matter How Many Times It Happens.

"Place...People. Change...and not Change. On and on...never stopping....never not mattering.

"All Has A Place Here, If They Want."

For a moment, their was a companionable silence between the two of you.

"....A Storm Is Coming."

Their tone, neutral up until now, is....forboding now.

Slowly, they turned, their gaze now piercing straight through you.

"A Storm Is Coming. One Not Seen In Long Time. A Storm....That Could Blow All This Away."

"....Leave. Prepare. Which You Choose, Do It Most."

"For the Storm Will Be Unrelenting, and Have No Mercy."

They look back to the horizon, a solemn yet noble air hanging over them.

"I Will Remain. As I Have. Endure...Or Not. This Place Is My Place. Beginning. End. Home.

...

(06-17-2024, 07:46 AM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

Well, you're familiar with one particular feline-esqe Pokemon a friend of yours has back home, but trying to use them as a standard for any sort of normal behavior is a doomed prospect from the get go.

It takes a moment for Leaves to respond - and you knew they were listening in befor

[....DENIED: It Is Not Time Yet To Reveal More of That Future. Events Are Already....Altered Beyond Expectations. If Events Are Subject to Further Change....Prediction and Prevent of Ruinous Calamity Will Decrease Substantially.]

And so too your chances of stopping or changing things for the better, goes unsaid.

[....ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, APOLOGIES: This Unit Is Sorry For Keeping Secrets. This Unit Knows It Is Frustrating. But....Some Knowledge Has to Remain Hidden, So That Things Can Go Predictably Right...and Wrong.]

Ominous.

[...ADMITANCE, TOPIC_SYLVIA: ....This One Was Not Supposed To Be Here, In Sutalor. Records Indicated They Remained In Galar, Then Traveled to Sinnoh To Complete Research and Returned, Achieving Great Success Overall In Life. Them Being Here....Is an Anomaly. Whether It Is Due to My Disruption of Time-Space or a Localized Divergence to this Time Line....Unknown.]

Well well well.

[.....HESISTATION, ACCEPTANCE: This Unit Would Permit Sylvia To See and Greet Them. Uncertain If That Is Safe or Correct, But Things Have Changed Already; Know They Can Be Trusted, So Long As You Respect Them, Their Freedom, and Their Goals.]

[REASSURANCE, ALERT: This Units Has Taken Measures to Better Secure Soul Communications. Takes More Focus and Effort, But Our Conversations Will Not Be Easily Breached or Overheard.]

Sylvia won't get any sneak peaks from your talks with your Verdant Blade this time, or anytime you two don't wish, it seems. Whether she'd be able to do the same to the likes of Morgana or greater threats, though...who knows.

(06-17-2024, 08:00 AM)Pokekitty2 Wrote:

(06-17-2024, 07:03 AM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

"....Yes. You are Right."

They bowed their head, yet their gaze never left it. The city, the horizon, and everything within and under it. 

"I Have Watched. One. Two. Dozens. Dozens and Many More Suns and Moons. From the Beginning, to Now."

Gargyph's wings spread wide, as they slowly turned to look up into the sky. Scattered clouds and a hazy mist hung over everything, and this high up the sudden breezes were all the more biting and sharp.

"Everything is Normal. Seen Things Happen. Over and Over. Yet Everything is Special. No Matter How Many Times It Happens.

"Place...People. Change...and not Change. On and on...never stopping....never not mattering.

"All Has A Place Here, If They Want."

For a moment, their was a companionable silence between the two of you.

"....A Storm Is Coming."

Their tone, neutral up until now, is....forboding now.

Slowly, they turned, their gaze now piercing straight through you.

"A Storm Is Coming. One Not Seen In Long Time. A Storm....That Could Blow All This Away."

"....Leave. Prepare. Which You Choose, Do It Most."

"For the Storm Will Be Unrelenting, and Have No Mercy."

They look back to the horizon, a solemn yet noble air hanging over them.

"I Will Remain. As I Have. Endure...Or Not. This Place Is My Place. Beginning. End. Home.

...

Sylvia isn't surprised at Gargryph's declaration of a storm brewing. Seems about normal. She does heed it though - she understands that his Gargryph doesn't take any tone lightly, particularly such an ominous one.

"Your vigil is appreciated, at least by this one. Thank you, for everything."

Alright, now... to...
get...
down.
Hmm. That's... more problematic that getting up, for sure. Windos, is there an easier path down than the one we took up? A few seven-foot drops are acceptable, and a final jump of ten or fifteen feet is doable, but jumping down the whole building (while possible) would hurt.

(06-17-2024, 08:02 AM)Dragonstrike Wrote:

Spoiler

Seddi will silently nod after conversing with Leaves.  That's about as much as he'd expected to get from her.

If Sylvia was nervous at all, what Seddi has to say next will likely be a relief.  Though he will communicate it mentally in the interest of secrecy still.

[Given what I have heard so far and my partner's thoughts on the situation, you have permission to meet her.  Now isn't really the time nor place, however.  I can see if I can schedule something tomorrow though.  We should have a little more time then.]

(06-17-2024, 08:06 AM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

Gargyph doesn't acknowledge you any further, but you get the sense that is out of them 'saying everything that needed to be said' . 

Getting down is easy enough, really: One Sword Dance from Sir Later, and he's picking you up and setting you down on the ground safe and sound, giving you a bow as he did so. Ever reliable, your loyal friend is! Murkrow flaps on down at this point, still somewhat annoyed but having calmed down.

"Hmrpt. Prove and earnt my Insight most Keen, yet Keen you were to maketh fool and fouled of me. Still, Yet, Perhaps I should have double checked, before I went to Inspect that Which Fakes Life Stillness and Stone Life. Mmm...yes, yes..."

...Uh, was that an apology, or a way to side step their fault in things? You decide!

(06-17-2024, 08:44 AM)Pokekitty2 Wrote: (Windos, if you want to take another crack at the riddle, go ahead. It's got two parts, actually - one for Murkrow and a meta puzzle for you )

(06-17-2024, 08:57 AM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

(I actually had Murkrow solve what I thought was the second best / first wrong Answer, actually ! Wanted to demonstrate that they ARE sharp....but that clear communication is key and that what they think of things do not necessary align with your viewpoint! As for the Riddle - Playfully, No! I ain't good with them - in fact, when doing Skull Ruins and a Riddle Challenge was issued to the Party, I choose the only one that was a Combat Challenge since I was THAT unconfident in my prowess there. I'll just let things be and allow you/Sylvia to claim victory by default!)

(06-17-2024, 08:13 AM)Pokekitty2 Wrote: Sylvia nods.
>>Appreciated. I should be available any time of the day, unless communications go back up or I find something else to schedule. I'll keep in touch.
>?...Seddi's partner - I suspect you can read this, given your ability. I felt you hide your communication there - which is effective, at least against me. If you'd like to cover your presence more effectively, though, I'd recommend finding a moment to blast a 'scrambled' thought for a bit. Maybe warn Seddi, though, and certainly make sure no other Psychics are around - it can cause a bit of a headache. It should override and effectively clear any of his belongings you've imprinted a Signature upon.

It may seem a little weird that Sylvia remains standing there for a second, seemingly saying nothing, but once she's finished she gives Seddi a small bow and turns, the rest of her entourage following her out of the Embassy grounds.