[Game Thread] Pokerole Mystery Dungeon: Primal Shadows

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Karen will reluctantly take one of the Apples that Kogeki picked up since Forretress ate one of the ones she'd brought, which means her bag is now full (including the Escape Orb Kogeki gave her at the start of the dungeon).  If Pyra has enough bag space to carry 1 item, then Kogeki can carry the rest of what he said he would grab.

As for Pyra's questions to Marcus...



"...let's just say that I made some mistakes in the past, and that I don't want to see you all repeat them.  And it's rare that things are ever clearly black and white when it comes to what everyone thinks is right and wrong.  Sure, anyone can say and believe they're doing the right thing, but...well, let's save this for later.  I'll talk about it more when we have a chance to rest."



With everyone having finished their input on what should and shouldn't be taken from the item stash, Kogeki leads everyone to the path Conkeldurr had prevented them from taking earlier.  As the group passes through the room, they notice that Conkeldurr and his group have seemingly left, as they're nowhere to be seen.  The room is almost eerily quiet as everyone reflects on what just happened...

The path leads to a junction of sorts.  One of the paths seems to lead back to where the group faced Hippowdon earlier.  Another leads in the direction of where Kee can see at least one Pokémon is present.  The path to the right doesn't appear to lead to any pokemon or items, but the group is practically right next to it when they emerge from the corridor.



Stealth: (6)(4)(1)(5)(4)(5) 5 successes
Kee's Alert: (6)(2) 2 successes

Before anyone can make any moves, though, Kee's X-Ray Specs are suddenly and literally stolen from right off of his face as a red-orange blur suddenly rushes past him!

"Ahahahaha!  That was too easy!  Oh man, I don't know what these do, but they look like they're pretty useful!  Score!"

Standing a little farther down the corridor now is a cat-like pokemon that looks like it's tail is on fire.  Or wait, is their tail made of fire?  They're also wearing what looks like a simple purple mask that goes around their eyes.



They put the X-Ray specs on and marvel at what everything around them looks like.  "Whooooooaaaaaaaa.  This is so cool!  Oh yeah, how do I look?  Does it clash with the mask at all?  Purple glasses, purple mask?  That should look fine, right?"

What the...?: It is what it is... - Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon

Karen blinks in surprise, not quite sure what to make of this pokemon...

"...wait, aren't you...?"

"Oh, you recognize the Amazing Axel?  I didn't know I had fans already!  Well, do you want an autograph or something?"

"Um...no?"

"Aaaaawwwww, you're killin' me here...you sure you don't want an autograph?  I have plenty of time to spare for my fans."



"What's the big idea?  You steal from us, and now you're asking if we want autographs?  Karen, do you really recognize this guy?"

"Uh...I think so?  He looks kinda like the pokemon Hawlucha described, actually..."

"Oh yeah, that guy!  I remember him!  The move dude!  Oh yeah, that was a great heist!  Are you sure you're not a fan of me?"



"...I really don't know what to make of this guy, if I'm being honest..."

"...neither do I..."

The fiery demoness was not entirely satisfied with the armored craftsmon answer, as it was deliberately vague and didn't really address any of her points of interest, but never the less she gave him a slight nod and left him be. If he wanted to reveal everything in due time, she would accept his decision thus and patiently wait. Not like she was in a rush to learn the 'truth' behind his (to her) irrational care and compassion too, as all she was is curious about it.

Pyra could most certainly carry 1 Apple/Seed, which would leave her with 1 Open Inventory Slot left (accounting for the Hoopa Bottle this time, woops!)! Anything to help her friends, yes yes!

(...)

The brimstone imp's reaction to this....flamed tailed kitten suddenly appeared and snatching away the group's X-Ray Specs was quite the emotional spectrum. Complete surprise at first at being caught so completely unaware, before it quickly ramped up to white hot anger over the sheer gall it had to steal from her friends, until finally it morphed into a similar sort of befuddlement/exasperation that Kee and Marcus were feeling at what she could only call self absorbed showboating on this Axel's part. She was so taken aback by the unintentional? spectacle the cat burglar was putting on  that she actually managed to calm down somewhat about it.

Only somewhat, though. Anger was still front and center in her mind, but right beside and tempering it was the aforementioned  'what the *&%! is this' feeling and.....grudging admiration? Mad as she was at the flaming thief's antics and thievery, she couldn't help but at the very least respect the gusto, audacity, and egotism he put into the whole act. Sorta of a case of appreciating the absurd and daring of something, no matter how wicked, annoying, or wrong it was, really!

It was at this point her head started to clear, and she realized the exact situation everyone was in right now. Here was a super sneaky, super fast thief that had successfully made off with their most valuable Item. The only reason they hadn't gotten away with it by now was sheer brazenness and comically misplaced priorities on his part, but that could change at anytime, and they had a lead on the group if they decided to cut and run. Right now everyone but her was taken off guard by them, unsure how to deal with his naughty/infuriating/confusing shenanigans.

Everyone, except for her.

What could she do to stop and/or punish this Axel, and get the X-Ray Specs back in one piece?

As per her usual tendencies, her first idea was plain and simple violence and Intimidation to get it back, but she immediately (and reluctantly) threw that out. The cat burglar would beat a hasty retreat or run circle around her at the current distance between them, if his earlier theft were not proof of his fleetness of feet. Being Paralyzed too put one the final nail in that idea, with the other ones being the fact she was on thin ice again for some dang reason for her earlier behavior and the group being fraught with tension and not at all eager to see her get viscous again. This forced her to, shudder, think of something else but brute force. The horror!

It was when she was confounded by that and Axel's personality that something *clinked* for her about him: he was looking for attention. Either out of some form of pride or narcissism, or because they were the type of 'Mon that sought out gratification from others for their feats, the flaming feline was all but begging for someone, anyone to fulfill his desires for recognition, fame, and acclaim. Why he was doing so with the group he stole from was irrelevant - he wanted attention, and wanted it now. And if he didn't get it soon, it was highly likely he bugger off quickly with their ill gotten gains.

The question was now: What can I do with this Knowledge?

The answer came to her in a flash, and it was enough to make her beam.

"Oh yes, oh yes, oh YES~~~!!!!" Pyra suddenly shouted at the top of her lungs, probably catching everyone off guard and getting Axel's attention squarely on her. She clasped her claws together and held them under her head, giving the hot thief a dazzling look of captivation and smiling brightly at him.

"It is you! The Amazing Axel, the Blazing Bandit of Sahra!! The newest, fasted thief this side of the Continent!!! Didn't recognize you for a moment, oh I don't know HOW, but it is you!!!!"

She let out a excited gasp then, and started tugging at her Pecha Scarf she was wearing at Axel, giving him and earnest, antsy, and hopeful expression, waddling a little toward him too.

"Please, please, oh PLEASE autograph my Pecha Scarf, Amazing Axel! Oh, oh, and can I give you a hug too[b]?! It's my biggest wish, and I don't want to impose on you so much, but when will I EVER get the chance to hug someone famous like you again! Please [b]please please!!!


....
....
.... What in the actual fuck? What is going on with Pyra?! Has she lost her damn mind?!


No, actually! And here is why......!

Orders: In an effort to keep Axel attention occupied and not have him suddenly decide to leave, Pyra is going to give him exactly want he wants: recognition. Lots and lots or recognition, in the form of her fangirling over him! She also wants to draw him closer to her, and aims to do so via asking him to autograph her Pecha Scarf and giving him a hug. That hug, if he decides to let her give him one, though, will be in fact a Held Back Knockdown, as she 'accidently' gets a bit too excited and glomps him on the ground. If he declines, attempt to do the Glomp Knockdown if he decides to sign her P.S.. At that point she'll help him back up.....after she tries to pluck the X-Ray Glasses off his face to 'check' to see if he was alright or not, using the commotion to place them in her Bag/by her Bag.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group use this opportunity/distraction (regardless of it works or not) to try and surround Axel and block off his escape route, so that he has NO way of getting out without having to go through the group. Karen would be one of the first to realize what Pyra was trying to do, as she IS the resident empath of the group, so she could be the one to lead off this and get a much needed confidence boost if she succeeds.

In order to more smoothly do this, I'm going to Raise Pyra's Contest to 2 for 8 XP, and their either Perform or Allure by 1 for 6 XP, for a total of 14 XP spent. I'm not too sure if what she's trying to do would use Perform or Allure, as she is trying to fool/play into Axel's desires by acting like so, so whichever Specialty you pick to Roll for increase it by 1. Also, going to request she spend up to 2 Will Points on this whole thing in order to really sell it and get into character, if possible (If so, spread/group them out however you wish).

Her Contest Roll would be 2 (or 3, if you decide to use her Smarts) + 2 + 1 + Will + Potential Bonuses For Playing Into Axel's Ego = 5 or 6D6 Base + Other Mods. Knockdown Roll would be 2 STR + 3 Fight + 1 (Brawl) +/- Any Action Mods = 6D6 Base + Other Mods.

Don't care if this works or not, I just want to see how everyone reacts to Pyra's complete 180 in mood and personality![/b][/b]