[Game Thread] Lord Windos’ PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

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Upon spotting that single Picture of Rubin, his daughter Saph and the short woman, Bernhard lets his gaze rest on it for a while, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face. If it wasn't clear already, the Scim Magus gets the impression that his anxious host must care greatly for his family - and that's something Bernhard acknowledges, even if he personally can't relate. It's more 'found family' in his case, which is just as valid in his books. It's a little frightening to realize that he and his alchemistic skills are sort of a last hope on something as significant as his beloved daughter, if it wasn't already. Though it also fills Bernhard with some extra-determination to see this through and DO find a cure.

A discrete spell/magic to mask or enhance the taste of food sounds incredibly useful, it is not needed here however as the tea's just fine as it is. So fine that Bernhard will help himself with a second cup soon enough while with a side-glance observing the scene playing out between his precious fae steed and Mr. Gleam.

That very scene, seeing how Mr.Gleam put himself at complete(!) and utter(!) mercy and possibly judgement of the precious Galarian Pokemon that is Bernhard's magically-bound companion - it was almost physically painful for Bernhard to watch and witness. There's so many emotions, so many feels and a whole lot of meaning in it, and it certainly must not have been a lighthearted thing to do for this man. Yet they force themselves to keep a close eye on it, and return Nirix's gaze with a confident one. Whatever has been told or not told without words between these two, it is as clear as day that it is meant to be and said with every bit of calm reassurance Bernhard is able to bring up.


The following received permission to use Nirix's Horn in any Healing Potion or Alchemic Creation towards Curing Saph - it is filling Bernhard with deep awe, silent gratitude and a shy feeling of budding hope. It is something Bernhard's also mildly afraid of as he hasn't done so before, aka hasn't used even bits of G-Rapidashe's Horn in any alchemistic creation before - though now is not to time to back off or shy away, and if anything he KNOWS of  and TRUSTS in his alchemistic knowledge and talents. Let's just hope Father Fate and Miss Fortune are with him here, too. For they cannot afford to screw up in something as significant as...well, this.

Gently so, carefully yet genuinely so, Bernhard reaches out to caress the magnificent pastel mane of Nirix. "My sincere gratitude to you, my precious one. You have expressed great empathy and confidence, and this is something I appeciate and value wholeheartedly. It is reassuring to see you having yourself a heart and my words having reached you. I do feel utterly blessed to be allowed to work as something valuable as your horn, and I will remember your your act of kindness ever and ever."

With a handgesture Bernhard motions to Mr. Gleam to please take his across him seat again. "Now then, Mr.Gleam. What you are describing to me about your treasured daughter Saph's state and condition... Gloomy. Dreadful. Spiritual in nature... We cannot rule out that something might have possessed her. Something, be it a strong Pokemon or other a spiritual being, that is slowly draining her of her life source and energy. Therefor, we have to utilize utmost caution and care as you let me to see her now - However, if these 'brief periods of lucidness and being awake' are a hint, it not too late yet. It was certainly wise of you to make use of Berries, Spell Tags and Incenses to keep her safe and anything vile at bay. Please, allow me to prepare, and lead me to see her once I've taken some precautions. ...You, Nirix - you shall join me in seeing Saph, please."

Said precautions before seeing Saph are the following:

- Cast a strong Safeguard by Myra as an Evocation Spell over himself, Nirix and Mr.Gleam.

- Swap Bernhard's held Item to the Spell Tag Myra usually is holding to ward off any spirits.

- Recite a short prayer to Cresselia and Arceus, asking for their aid and protection from any malicious spirits.

- Light up one or two incense sticks of Sage and Frankincense (either provided by Mr. Gleam, or taken from Bernhard's personal small stock), and keep a hold of these the whole time while being near Saph. Potentially going so far as to smoke these sticks similar like Ventus did with lavender - sounds like something Bernhard would regularly do, especially during finicky acts of magic or alchemy.

Then, and only then, Bernhard will ask for him and Nirix to personally see and visit Saph, lead by Mr. Gleam. And only after this visit he'll begin with the preparation of the healing tonic/cure for her, as you're right it is much smarter to start with this after having seen her (I don't know what I was thinking when I said I'd prepare the Alpha Form on the spot, as in hindsight this makes no sense at all.)


Bernhard will - if it's possible for him and there's nothing that causes him to rebound from the touch - very very carefully and gently try to take her hand and speak to her, regardless whether she hears or reacts. His tone of voice is quiet, suprisingly docile (in Bern's terms that is, given his standard emotionless tone), and utterly cautious, but he speaks clearly and with some faint hope in between the lines. "Hello there, Saph. My name Is Bernhard, and I am an esteemed member of the Sky Scimitars. I am also an Alchemist, and your father has told me about your state and condition. Together with my Galarian Rapidash's aid he asked me to help you, and I have vowed to do what I can for you to see the light and the world again. Will you...allow us two to try curing you of your ailments?"

In case there's a negative reaction or even the faintest hint of Saph or anything that might be present (Ghost-Type'd Pokemon or Spirits) lashing out on us, we'll make hast and leave the room; getting started on the alchemistic creation in Mr. Gleam's kitchen.
If there's a positive reaction, we'll cast a gentle Heal Pulse onto her via an Evocation Spell, meant to patch her up a little bit for starters. 
If there's no or a neutral reaction, we'll do nothing, wait for short potentially, but then leave the room and get likewise started on the alchemistic creation in Mr.Gleams kitchen.

(Apologies for the wait and vanishing, but I got hit back to back to back with 10 hour graveyard shifts. I'll try to get you updated along with the rest of everyone else ASAP, okay dear?)

Not much more to mention about the photo, save for the fact it seemed old yet well preserved to your discerning eye - such details rarely escape you, as Partner to one of the most artistically inclined and critical Pokemon around.

Nirix himself was feeling rather mixed about this as well, from what you could tell from your Bond with him, though the details were a bit vague to you. 'Respect mixed with discomfort' seemed to be the closest thing you could pin down about him during Rubin's grovling, though your silence reassurances did keep them steady enough on his feet not to jitter, much to his relief. He holds zero reservation about his decision, however - after seeing the overwraught man bare their heart to him with such raw desperation and impassioned, planative entreating his own would have to be cold and hard as a Steel Coated Hard Rock to ignore them. He's not entirely happy about it still, since he has yet to see this man's daughter to determine if her condition was truly dire enough to warrant the use of his Horn and his obvious discomfort at the future sacrifice, but your praise does earn you a almost bashful nod of his head, settling them down further.


The distressed prosecutor is quick - though not too quick, as to show disrespect or disingenuity - to return seating, his expression growing ever more concerned as you unveiled your leading hypothesis to his daughter's wasting illness.

"T-truly? B-But....I-I would've th-thought that all the..the Anti-Ghost Rituals and folk rem-remdies would've kept them away from my precious Saph! *Furrowed brow* B-but....I n-never c-checked to s-see anything sp-sp-spiritual was wrong with her either...! *Buries head into hands* Oh what a terrible, unInsightful father I am!!"

It takes you a bit to calm him down once more - yet again reminding you of how exhausting it was dealing with other's emotional outbursts (a certain fae lady and your Partner non-withstanding) - but you succeed, getting a small, weary nod to all the precautions you outlined. As Myra was summoned you could see her fur immediately bristle as she looked around in surprise before her head pointed straight upwards - no doubt detecting something was amiss at some level. Once you get Safeguarded and properly wield the Spell Tag as a protective tailsman you feel a certain tension leave your shoulder that you didn't even realize was there until now. If you had any doubts before about this being something supernatural or magically related they're certainly put to Rest now!

Once all was done Mr. Gleam leads you upstairs, the trip only taking half a minute before you find yourself before a closed door plastered with Anti-Spiritual Wards. He rests a hand on it for but a moment, shoulders sagging, before he took a deep breath and hardened his resolve, turning to give you and Nirix a firm look.

"My daughter is here. Do all that you can to help her, but please be careful."

With that said he reaches for the handle and opens the way, ushering you in with a bowed head and closing the door behind him. What you saw...

Frilly. Blue. Festooned with ribbons and plushies of all kinds. Portraits of various Rock and Water type Pokemon hung to and fro, a walk in closet to the back, various arts and crafts projects and books on selves, and a small flatscreen television hanging from the far side of the room.  All in all, a true children's paradise.

In the center or it all was a four poster bed. Literally right in the center of the room, with heavy curtains drawn all around it and four stands at each corner, each holding a dark blue flame contained in a braiser.

The father closed the door behind you all with a near silent *click* and walked forward to it, stopping only to give you another look before slowly and quietly pulling back the curtain, motioning you to see her. Invitation received, you and your unicorn finally got a look at the mysterious little child...

...And you nearly went white distress. Nirix nicked softly in distress, shaking his head at the sight with wide eyes.

The girl....she was grey. Paild. Skin gaunt and cheeks stretched thin, and dark, dark shadows around her closed, sunken eyes. Her blackish-blue hair was dry as a bone yet shined so errily in the dim light. Her hands, clasped on her shallowly rising chest, where thin as reeds; you could also see a IV line stretched from one arm to a nearby stand, several sacks of fluid hanging off it.

Altogether, you now keenly understand how Rubin was driven to the brink of disaster and desperation.

Your words garner no response, good or bad. Saph remained dead to the world figuratively - and hopefully only in that regard. 

Insight (4) + Survival (2) + Alert (2) + Empathy (*2) + Nirix (1)
(5)(5)(1)(6)(4) (1)(6)(6)(2)(2)(3) 5 Successes

Before you stopped your attempts to rouse and greet the young Saph and left to ponder her condition, you felt a faint tingling race up your Gauntlet arm, which you so happened to rested on her hands in a lapse of attention and a fit of instinct. You nearly yank your hand away before remembering yourself and gently removing it instead, your brows now creased as you discovered something new and important: their was Magic within Saph. Powerful, and dare you say it, the Dark kind. Anymore detail was lost on you for the moment - a more thorough investigation and analysis might be in order now... 

*Rolls*

Nirix paws the floor, looking especially riled up. Angry, dare you say, though not at you or anyone present. No, they seemed to be incesed about something to do with the girl's condition...?