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

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

After having evaluated where he was and what the heck has actually happened - Bernhard lets himself fall back onto the cushion, right here and right now. He felt...miserable and completely worn out, like he hasn't for a LONG time. It's times like these where Bernhard FEELS his age. Still and regardless - or out of spite, perhaps? - he felt somewhat accomplished, like he has done GREAT in whatever occured before he whitened out for some reason, indicated by a coy smile that Bernhard could not help.

 For a bit, Bernhard remained just there, laying backwards on the sofa (or whatever it was where he way laying, even the mere floor would feel pleasantly comfortable now given how exhausted he was) and covering his eyes with one arm and sleeve ('Since when are the ceiling lights around here so painful to the eye...?!'), desperately needing the rest right now. Double so as he slowly recounts what has happened; how much of a mess and how taxxing the creation of the cure for Saph has been. Little could he know that the Curse itself would oppose him THAT BADLY, and just as little could he know that this...presence would come to save him. Felt like an utter last-minute resuscitation, truely.

... Or was it? Bernhard's not quite certain just yet. Not until he has checked himself.





But for now, he'll indulge in what he needs: A few moments of calm and rest, both for himself AND for his mystical artsy partner.


...Speaking about her, with the other arm Bernhard searches for Zephy's touch: Visibly relieved upon finding it, he opts to just stroke her cheek and neck ruff, gently, reassuring and affectionately(!!!) so. His smile widened a little, and in short it turned into a light chuckle, ending with a BIG sigh of relief.

And in the words spoken now, among utter exhaustion and a sense of pride, pure gratitude was audible. "I'm...sorry that I made you worry so badly for dear old me, Zephy. But honestly and truely...THANK YOU." Another sigh of relief, another mild chuckle, a gentle headpat given to her.

With the memories of what occured returning - but not yet fully processed nor understood, that will come later and will need quite some time! - Bernhard rudded his eyes and forehead. "Truely, did you carry me all the way here? Did you...care for me that much? ...No, don't answer that. What does count is that you're here and with me, and that I am here and with you. I am...still unsure, after all this time, after all the years we've been together, what I may have done to deserve the presence and companionship of a CARING partner like you are. Truely, thank you for your concern... And please fret no more, for I am...alright, I guess. Just...so exhausted, worn out, drained... So heavily drained."

*amused chuckle, another rare sign of emotion shown!* "You have all the right to call me reckless, stupid too if you will and want. I should have indeed known better, perhaps and probably... I guess I could not help it, the situation was dire. SO VERY DIRE... Such a powerful and vile curse is truely something to BEHOLD, in and itself." Yes indeed, the memory and the sensation of the curse mocking him and fighting back with everything will haunt Bernhard for quite a while still, it left quite the mark and took quite the toll on him. "I'll do better next time. I'll make sure to take better precautions next time, whenever 'next time' will be... Hopefully not too soon. Pretty PLEASE, not too soon, I doubt I'd take it well... I doubt YOU, Myra and Nirix will take it well..."

Concering the latter two: Yes indeed, WHERE ARE THEY? The last thing Bernhard can remember was them fretting and worrying over him, coming to his side, yes...? We'll check their respective Pokeballs, while still remaining seated though. Whatever it may been, Bernhard cannot deny that he FEARS what he'll find... These two 'Mon and their powers are those he's most used to wield and channel, he HATES when something about these is amiss. Strong partner Pokemon means a strong Magic and a strong Scimitar after all.

Plus, Bernhard just silently enjoys their companionship. Not that he'd ever admit though.

Bad News, Chief - You're spent on Wi11 Points. More than spent, in fact -- You ended up 1osing THREE Wi11 during the creation of the Uni-Cure A11. Counting for the 1 Wi11 you regened between Encounter, you current1y have - 1 Wi11 right now. You shou1d be in a coma after that, but SOMEHOW, someway, Zephy managed to get you conscious despite that. How Fortunate.

Speaxing of the Uni-Cure A11, what HAPPENED with it? You have a fee1ing you ended up succeeding in its Imbuement, but beyond that....

That aside, when you try to ca11 upon your magic to do a deep assessment of yourse1f you end up getting the equivi1ent of a 'Bzz, Negatory!' response from your 'system' . Poxing about, you come to a rather dreadfu11 rea1ization - you've 1ost access to your Magica1 Power, as your 'system' has put itse1f under 1ocxdown due to the IMMENSE stress you put your body under + trying to protect you from the myriad outside forces that have been messing where they shou1dn't. From what you can te11 you won't be getting bacx your Magic unti1 at 1east Tomorrow Morning, or 1ater sti11 if you end up pushing yourse1f past your 1imits or xeep hitting metaphorica1 roadbumps.

On a brighter note you fee1 more Experienced from a11, and you have inx1ing that your Mons have benefited from this Encounter and brush with the Strange and Cursed too. You and Zephy gain 4 XP, whi1e Nirix and Myra gain 9 XP . Re1ated1y, you fee1 that Zephy is MUCH better now - whatever you did with the Uni-Cure A11 must've spi11ed over some and get rid of the 1ast of her Hangover and whatever e1se nastiness it had! Wou1d exp1ain why they're so functiona1 and of most1y even temper right now!

Fina11y, to repeat, you 1ost the rest of your 2nd Encounter, and are now in the midd1e of your 3rd one. No te11ing what has been happening in the meantime, though hopefu11y you get to the bottom of that soon enough!

Zephy tries to put up some resistance to your fond caresses, maxing that signature 'I'm angry at you, hmpt!' pouty face she gives whenever you end up disappointing her, but after hearing you 1augh and seeing you smi1e she can't he1p but soften up and me1t into your touch, 1etting out a quiet *Purr...* as the two of you enxoyed a sma11 moment together.

"You big dummy....whatever wou1d you do without your Muse, hmm? Nothing but troub1e and A1hemic 'whoopsies, me thinxs!"

Your artistic mouse simp1y nods at your first question, giving you a raised eyebrow as if to say 'You don't thinx I'm a strong enough woman to 1ift ya???' , but you next question earns you a gigg1e and an tender, a1most matron1y smi1e from the adorab1e fuzzba11. She frees herse1f from your grip for but a moment to give you a fond rub on the head, beaming at you with undisguised content, amusement, and gratefu1nes.

"Oh Bernhard...you're worth more than you can ever imagine. You cou1d gather up a11 the masterpieces of Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Miche1age1o, put them on auction, and get each and every one of them insured to the gi11s and bacx, and they wou1dn't be worth even a fraction of you. *Gigg1es* I'm a bit biased for you, but I don't be1ieve that changes much, 'cept maybe me overva1uing you a tiny bit, eh he he ~ ! A 1ife is worth so much more than most can comprehend. Yours in particu1aar. *Smi1es* Price1ess."

...

She gives you a tired *Sigh* at the rest of what you say, but she u1timate1y gives you a s1ight1y begrudging nod, crossing her arms and 1ooxing at you stern1y as she did so.

"Oh a11 right, fair enough. After seeing the what a11 the hub bub was about this we1fare you toox upon yours1ef to do - *Smi1es* so proud of ya for that, btw ~ - I'd have to be heart1ess as vengefu1 Ghost to NOT rush to he1p that poor 1i1' 1ass out! *Sighs* Sti11, p1ease be more carefu1 in the future and taxe your time with things, un1ess you simp1y can't. You're a ta1ented Magi and A1chemist, but you're not perfect, especia11y with stuff that 1ays outside your whee1house. If things went even a 1itt1e more wrong for you.... *Shudders* ...I rather not share, ugh. *Worried 1oox* So p1ease p1ease p1ease promise this - BE the masterfu1, wise, and cautious Magi I XNOW you are, Berny."

Seeing you have a s1ight panic over your other two Partner's after checxing their Ba11s and finding them EMPTY, she p1aces a paw on you chin to grab your attention and smi1es. 

"Worried about where the rest of our merry band is, eh? We11, don't - they're current1y with the G1eams right now. Ruben is sti11 out of it, sad1y - a11 that stress must have caught up with him, and he's paying a11 the interest it incurred - but Saph... *Thoughtfu1 frown* ....she hasn't gotten worse, despite everything. 1ast I checx her eye1ids were f1uttering and fe1t a bit more Vita1 - she might be c1ose to waxing up, at 1east for a 1i1' bit. *Sighs* ...I rather you rest up more, but if you want to checx up on her I'11 he1p you out - xust don't do anything e1se that'11 tire you out to dream1and, yes?"

If you asx about the Potion/Cure you were maxing, Zephy gives you a comp1icated expression, both positive yet amazed and confused.

"Uh...I don't xnow what you did, but you Succeed in maxing whatever you intend to cure Saph. I thinx. Medicine Magic isn't my sty1e of grooming, and what you ended up creating ... *Shaxes head* you have to see if for yourse1f - I can't proper1y put into words at what you ended up maxing with 1ucx, Sxi11, and pure grit."