[Game Thread] Pokerole Mystery Dungeon: Primal Shadows

[Spiritmon]

Kogeki think for a few seconds about it. "...To be honest, it's a little to much convenient. A Cubone coming from the right moment almost timing? After we felt two dark lurking beings hiding in the darkness in the caverns? And showing full knowledge of human Pokemon and disappearance of Pokemon?

"...In a way, it would be he the one responsible of such events, he would try to make a move to ambush us. However, he could be just also luring us to lower our guards to make us also "disappear". However we have zero knowledge about this world and no place to call a base. But we must be always ready to be stable in our backs and read to counter attack."

Kogeki cross his arms. "...For now, I think we accept Markus offer, but keep a close eye on him. We also use that to become stronger and get using to these Pokemon bodies."

Kogeki open his eyes and look to his own paw. "Right now, I can barely use Quick Attack. What could happen if we face a stronger enemy?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Hearing that it's NOT a problem that they were appearantly human once works wonders to Kee's mood, his agression staggers and eventually fades away to a normal level again (or to be more specific, to a level that's normal for a Galarian Ziggy). He slubs down a bit and visibly relaxes, but Marcus' words also give him quite the amount of food for thought:

--> So it is not unusual for human being turned into Pokemon, Marcus's seen this several times?
--> There are individuals that prefer to use human names, as well as naming their children using those likewise?
--> Said Ex-humans-but-now-Pokemon have started to disappear recently, causing the remaining ones to stay quiet?

Kee frowns massively as he thinks about all these shared news. A ton of thoughts run through his mind, way too many to grab a particular one, too fleeting they are... But he'll remember what Marcus told here, that's for sure. Write it down somewhere at best.

He also smiles a very toothy yet faintly embarassed smile upon him calling them 'a nice lot', and thanks him for keeping their secret.

The Cubone heads over to the tent and starts stuffing things into the rucksack.  Meanwhile, Karen gestures for everyone to huddke around the tree stump.  She whispers, "I think he was being genuine.  At least, it didn't seem to me like he was hiding anything.  Do you think we should accept his offer?"

Following Karen and giving her an attentive look as she drops what's on her mind, Kee's expression becomes that one of a black and white crittercoon that's somewhat struggling to decide, but that also is determined and strong-willed however he decides.

"Well, Karen-dear, I DO wanna become an Explorer as ya surely heard... But, Marcus DOES appear like a helpful 'n nice guy t'me likewise. And me thinks it doesn't hurt to stay bit with him for now, train a bit, adjust to tha life of a Pokemon BEFORE I can 'n wish to apply as 'n Explorer at a Guild or such, yes... We have no idea how things down the town he'll lead us work, so it's a huge advantage t'have someone to turn to with the surely many many questions we'll 'ave. *small smile* Wouldn't ya agree? By doin' these favours he asks for in return, we also get to c'llect some practical experiences, get used to things and so on."

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Marcus holds up a hand to indicate Pyra should stop asking questions about him for now.  "One step at a time, Pyra.  You're asking a lot of questions that I can answer later."

He then waves that hand nonchalantly and slightly dismissively as he explains.

"You all being human isn't a problem at all.  I'm just asking because it would certainly explain both your situation and the way you've all generally been acting.  Now, I'm not the sharpest fang out there, but it doesn't take a Metagross or Alakazam to come to that conclusion, given that this isn't the first time humans that have been turned into pokemon have appeared.  A small group of unusual pokemon appearing in the middle of nowhere with no idea how to fit in properly?  I've heard that story before.  Several times, in fact.  The stories are so popular that some pokemon have taken to being referred to with human names instead of their species, or giving their kids nicknames like those."

Marcus chuckles, but is clearly sounding a little worried soon after.  The Marowak skull masks his facial expressions for the most part (except his eyes, which definitely have a hint of that worry in them).  "There's more than just the world famous humans, of course.  I've been hearing that a lot of the ones who've shown up recently have been disappearing, though.  If there's more out there, they're keeping quiet.  You might want to work on your secret keeping skills, just in case."

Marcus coughs, then continues speaking on with a much brighter tone. "You all seem like a nice lot, so I'd hate to hear something happened to you.  Your secret's safe with me.  If you like, I can help you with adjusting, give you a place to stay while you figure things out.  'Course, I might need ya to do some favors for me in exchange.  Better than stumbling around with no idea what to do or vanishing, though, right?"

*rolls*

Karen listens carefully while Marcus is talking, and speaks up once he's done.  "Do you mind if we talk this over privately?"

Marcus nods.  "Go right on agead.  I'll start packing up my stuff while you talk it out."

The Cubone heads over to the tent and starts stuffing things into the rucksack.  Meanwhile, Karen gestures for everyone to huddke around the tree stump.  She whispers, "I think he was being genuine.  At least, it didn't seem to me like he was hiding anything.  Do you think we should accept his offer?"

Pyra gives Marcus a cute little pout as he waved her off from asking any questions and answering them for himself until later, as she really wanted to chat, socialize, and get to know the bone man as much as she can. But if he insisted, she supposes that the wait was not entirely a bad thing given the current line of inquiry, and so she calmed down, nodded back to them, and listened patiently and carefully as she could.

Her reaction to the news that other humans turned Pokemon were present here and now, past distant and recent was enough a surprise that her 'head lamp' jumped, her interest now fully reignited and directed towards this topic. There were more people like her and her allies, they were not uniquely changed and without president, no? And cultural phenomena have developed around them, oh? How intriguing and neat! 

Less neat was the news that Trans-Pokemon were mysteriously disappearing, though, which briefly caused the lil' demoness to frown before it was smothered with another smile, this one determined and holding just a hint of fiestiness. Ah, her kin were vanishing, being ghosted away by forces unknown? No doubt the work of that foul Darkness, trying to stifle and smother all opposition to its treacherous hold. If it tries to do the same to her friends or herself.....well, it can certainly try and die.

Overall, the revelation she had been given had been a most thought provoking and Insightful one. She'll have to ask the armored craftsmon more about this later, and do some further research herself too, to fully inform and prepare themselves for their new lives and epic quest.....

His offer, once he fully laid it out and described, would have almost immediately been meet with swift acceptance on the playful fiendess' part, but Karen's call for a group meeting on the subject derailed that intent. At first she was annoyed about it, as to her it was obvious they should join force with Marcus (no matter how long or briefly), but that quickly went away as she heard the lil' empath's , the black 'n white crittercoon, and the phantom brave's opinions. Kogeki's in particular had most of her attention , as his earlier cautioning had further embolden the flame of her due diligence when it came to protecting and guiding her allies. Kee's reasoning for joining was somewhat similar to hers, so she didn't pay it much mind beyond that.

She remained silent for a few more seconds after the two had said their piece, before looking to them and Karen and nodding her head.

"Yes, I agree with all or you, more and less. Want to learn all I can from Marcus about himself, his talent and trade, to better us all and for my own sake. That and repay him for the generosity and guidance he has already given, as I have promised. But understand and accept we have to be careful about fully trusting him, indeed, until he has completely proved his character and honesty. So yes, I say, we should abide and join together with him, until such time we no longer can, but we'll be stay on razor sharp edge for any nasty tricks or vile plans he or others connected to him may scheme. Is that acceptable, yes?"

[Spiritmon]

Kogeki nod his head. "More than acceptable. I gladly we have you with us Pyra. We also need to evolve to our next forms as quickly as possible. I more or less okay since Riolu need to evolve once to final evolution...but you three will need to evolve twice. Each one of us will try to focus in something to gain advantage to our group survive."

"Training. Knowledge. Pokemon writing. Items. Craft." Kogeki look at Daxter. "You the last one in give your opinion Daxter. You are a member of this group so your opinion is important as everyone else too."

[no one]

"I'm cool with it. I don't trust Marcus, but I don't think I've trusted many people, ever, you guys included. I'm in though. He's giving us food. You gotta do what you can to survive. If he turns out to be lying, we can beat him up. No biggie."

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

"I'm cool with it. I don't trust Marcus, but I don't think I've trusted many people, ever, you guys included. I'm in though. He's giving us food. You gotta do what you can to survive. If he turns out to be lying, we can beat him up. No biggie."

"Then its settle." Kogeki put his paw in his front. "From now on, liking or not, we are a team. We find out why we are here together and the reason we are Pokemon. From now on, we join forces. Together."

Kogeki keep his hand in front of him, kinda thinking everyone do...I dont know, maybe a scene where everyone put the hands together like team? It could be more or less like this scene.

[Dragonstrike]

Karen puts her hand in the middle, following Kogeki's lead.  "If we can't trust each other, then who can we trust?  Like you said, we're in this together, so let's try to stay positive!"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Kee too does follow Kogeki's example and puts a black Ziggy-paw in the middle. He is a bit timid and coy about doing so at first, but eventually he smiles and is just glad that he's not alone.

He also chuckles in amusement when Kogeki mentions evolution. "Boi, Kogeki, we only came t'us like an hour ago or so, and you're already thinking about evolving? (￣ω￣;) Everything at its proper time, we'll hopefully get to that once we're ready, lolz!"

[no one]

"I'm in. I'm curious if I'd actually have wings when I evolve into Charizard. But if we can understand why this happened, we can all go our separate ways." Dax said, putting a webbed hand on top of Kee's.

[Lord Windos]

At first the playful fiendess is a little confused about everyone layering their hands on top of one another, looking at the rest of her allies like they were doing something totally arcane. Still, since everyone was doing it she placed both her clawed hands in the midst of it with what was quickly becoming her trademarked smile.

"Uncertain why we are doing this, and were we already not a group or team, yes? If all thou wish to reaffirm and make explicit our bond, though, joining hand and declaring it is perfect! From the beginning until the end, let us be a wonderful team my friends!"