[Game Thread] Pokerole Mystery Dungeon: Primal Shadows

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

At Jirachi's explanation of its abilities, Daxter frowns. "Uh... Mate, you sure that's astrology? Sounds like something different to me. What was the word... Uh, Astronomy? Yeah, that's right. Astronomy. Pretty sure Astrology is some weird mystic crap. Astronomy's the more scientific one with the charting and tracking and all of that other egghead stuff. I think, anyway."

Daxter groans inwardly. No Buddy here too... No Braixen either, but at least he's on the trail of Gallade and his team. And a skeevy Krokorok asking for a bribe? What the heck was up with this town? A weirdo dancing Ampharos, a psycho sleepwalking Jirachi and now this sleazebag Krokorok? Daxter had enough. He nods at Bunnelby's suggestion. "Let's try sweating him a little first. Doubt he'd be up for messing around with a water type like me."

He then turns to Krokorok and speaks in a low, threatening tone. "Convincin', you say? How about this? If you don't take me to your boss, I'll drag your sorry arse into the sea and leave you to the Sharpedo!"

Action: Intimidate the Krokorok

If the Krokorok isn't affected by the Intimidation, Daxter will flex his claws menacingly and prepare for combat.

"It's definitely a form of astrology, just not the one you're thinking of.  You wouldn't believe the effects the stars have on our world.  And I mean real, tangible effects, not the general behavioral patterns some less powerful Psychic types claim to be able to read.  Like when the world was forced closer to the sun and almost ended in a blaze of negativity!  I had to change the description of my position after that, and it's why I'm studying the heavens, to make sure there's no astral bodies or massively powerful forces threatening to end the world.  Call it an early warning system for things both mundane and supposedly supernatural."

Well, that's certainly an explanation and a half.  It seems that around here, the supernatural might be considered normal...

...or maybe Jirachi is just a really odd pokemon.  That's a possibility too.

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Krokorok leers back as he stares straight back at Daxter.  "Oh, think you're tough, do you?"

The staring contest seems to go on for an eternity...but is that crooked crocodile's eye twitching?

Daxter's Intimidation: 3 Tough + 2 Contest + 1 Intimidate + 2 Instinct + 1 Success Water
(5)(3)(3)(1)(3)(5)(3)(5)(6*) 4 successes

Krokorok's Will: 6
(5)(2)(1)(6)(1)(1) 1 Success

Krokorok seems to be very good at staring contests, but as soon Daxter blows a single bubble in Krokorok's direction, popping it on his snout, his will breaks down completely.  "Okay, I'll talk, I'll talk!  Just don't douse me and make me a muddy mess!"

Kangaskhan laughs.

"Ahahahaha!  You never could handle water, could you, tough guy?"  She turns to Daxter while Krokorok grumbles unhappily.  "Well hun, I kindly thank you for not making a mess of my establishment.  I do hope you find who you're looking for."

Krokorok continues to grumble as he turns to leave.  "Alright, follow me.  Boss is 'dis way.  Hope your looks aren't just for show, cuz da boss ain't nearly as easily as impressed as me.  And the missus even less so."

"Way to go, Daxter!  You showed him who's boss!"

"I bet ol' Krookodile won't scare ya either, will he?"

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Krokorok leads Daxter and company to the lower end of town, stopping in front of a rather unassuming, plain looking house.

"Alright, when we go in there, you let me do the talkin', capiche?  Boss don't like it when his business is interrupted, if ya catch my drift."

The crooked crocodile opens the door and leads everyone inside.  The house looks...completely normal.  There's a nice floor mat made of straw, racks of milk bottles can be seen hung on the pink walls near the entrance, and laughter can be heard coming from one of the nearby rooms.

Krokorok hesitates slightly upon hearing the laughter, but takes a deep breath and walks around a corner.  "Hey boss, there's someone who wants to talk to ya..."

A booming, irritated voice is heard next, accompanied by a loud boom and the clinking of glass.  "You are interrupting the planning for our next business deal, Krokorok!  This better be good."

"It's those, uh...eh...Expedition folks...sir...you know the ones..."

"What business could they possibly have with me?!  The last time they had business with me, I was framed for wanting to destroy the world!"

"I d-dunno, boss...Kangaskhan just said they were lookin' for someone..."

The front door opens behind Daxter, and a much softer, sweeter voice is heard.  "Visitors?  Oh my, I wasn't expecting company."

The unseen commotion coming from the other room goes completely silent.  As the group turns to see who just walked in, they see a pink, smiling cow.  "Oh, it's the Expedition Society!  I'd know those faces anywhere!  Krookodile, dear, could you prepare some milk for our guests?"

"...right away, sweetie!  It'll just be one moment!"

Dedenne is all smiles, while Bunnelby is chuckling to himself.

"Hi Miltank!  I wish this was just a courtesy call, but we kinda need to talk with Krookodile about something."

"Oh, that's no excuse for us to be rude though.  Come, this way.  You should sit down and have some refreshments!  Nothing helps a conversation go more smoothly than some fresh, refreshing milk."

At Miltank's insistence, everyone is ushered into the dining room and seated at a table covered with a bright pink tablecloth.  Krokorok walks out of the kitchen mere moments later, giving everyone a bottle of milk.

Krookodile walks out of the kitchen with his own bottle of milk and sits down next to Miltank, who's sitting at the head of the table.

The dark red crocodile taps his fingers on the table impatiently as he sips from his bottle of milk.  "Miltank and I have an afternoon meeting with Vespiquen's emissaries later.  I hope you're going to make this quick, Expedition Society."

"Oh, don't be rude, Krookodile.  Haven't you noticed?  There's new faces with them today!  Now be polite and introduce yourself."

"Well alright.  For you, sweetie.  The name's Krookodile, boss of the streets of Lively Town and right hand man for the milk operations here.  And the lovely lady..."

"I'm Miltank, the main provider of Lively Town's morning milk supply.  Pleased to meet you."

(I'll fast forward a little here and assume Daxter introduces himself and his team and explains what they're looking for.  Krookodile seems to be a much calmer pokemon when Miltank is around)

Krookodile frowns as he thinks about Daxter's question.  "So, you're lookin' for a little lost fox, are ya?  Hmmmm...I do recall one of the boys mentioning there was a Braixen sniffin' around town.  Something about looking to join a Team and go adventuring.  'Course, the boys didn't exactly seem like the right kind of crowd for her, so she didn't talk with 'em for very long.  Apparently milk deliveries weren't adventurous enough for her tastes.  It's likely she went looking for other opportunities."

Miltank pauses in thought.  "Wasn't there a group of pokemon looking for a fourth member for a dangerous mission recently?  I remember they ordered a rather large quantity of milk from us.  At least enough to sustain a group of four pokemon for at least half a week.  Maybe she joined them."

"That riffraff?  If she really joined that crowd on their expedition to Thunder Forest, I can't really guarantee she's in good hands."

Dedenne interjects.  "Thunder Forest?  Is that a newly discovered mystery dungeon?  I don't think that's on any of our maps."

"Yeah, I can't say I'd ever heard of it before myself.  Some distressed bird pokemon flew into town asking around for some muscle the other day.  Came to me and the boys eventually since we're Ground types and all.  Said something about needing help rescuing their friend from some kind of yellow, cat-like pokemon.  The boys and I don't really leave town often, but that team I mentioned before overheard our conversation at the café and offered to help.  Went looking for more help when they heard how dangerous the place was.  Don't seem like bad sorts at least, though I wouldn't trust outsiders with a job like that, personally."

"Now that's no way to treat guests, Krookodile.  They offered to help after all."

"Yeah, well, I don't know 'em, so I can't vouch for 'em.  Maybe that Braixen of yours ended up goin' with 'em after all, though.  She seemed to be a bit reckless if you ask me.  If you're gonna go looking for 'em, you'll want to keep an eye out for a Girafarig, a Lickitung, and a Farfetch'd.  Bit of an odd bunch if you ask me."

Miltank sighs.