[Game] Lord Windos' PokeRole Adventure: Celadon City Vandel

[Dragonstrike]

Well, things seemed like they were going to be working out rather well currently.  He expected that Mitchell might be on to him soon, but he hopefully had just a little more time before that kicked off a second time...

First things first: slipping Angelica those several pairs of sunglasses as a precaution.  And also discretely asking her to act a little more...normal around him so as to not attract any unneeded attention.  Again, he could work with this...he just had to get used to it and try and keep it as normal feeling as possible...partially so he didn't cause a panic if there were observers, and partially for his own sanity...he could iron out some of the details about how this was going to work later, when he didn't have to worry about the Malcolms and Archie...and eventually Clair...

Second, getting Yang those supplies.  Reiner really didn't want to unnecessarily increase the heat any more, so he wasn't going to try anything sketchy with obtaining these items.  Just sell the Nugget and Big Nugget and purchase the supplies normally using the funds (net gain of $7500).

And third...Erika was finally away from the crowds.  Took her long enough.  Time to go make some polite conversation with her, maybe watch Strans's demonstration on Mega Evolution on the side since that's what Erika was likely here for...

[Lord Windos]

(Since you don't want to attract any more heat towards you, I'll reserve the Auto-Pickpocket check until after this encounter is about to wrap and, and have you decide if you want to do it.)

You casually strolled to Angelica and nudged her and their Pokémon to get their attention, and you could instantly see their eyes stare to glaze over as they entered their trace. When you slipped them the sunglasses and ordered her to behave 'normally', both of them readily complied with the first order, putting on the shades and were nowing staring at you like they were the CIA of America. Great improvemnent there, but at least you couldn't see their eyes glowing now! The second order, however, had them go stock still for a split second, before Angelica started to figit in her seat, looking distinctly uncomfortable. She opened her mouth and began speaking in a halting sort of tone, more lucid and coherent than last time, but still very much off. "Be.....normal.....master? What.....do....you......mean? Are.....we....not.....acting.....like.....our....selves....to....you....or.....others? Or.....are...we.....missing.....something.....important?" Welp, looks like they are having a bit of trouble processing the true meaning of your words, since in their heavily distorted mind, they are acting normal.

After you somehow sorted that out, you were able to find a convenait vendor selling all you need, thanks to Felicia guidance and eye for luxury. Trading both Nuggets for the quality products net you $7500 Poke in profit, along with two voucher from what looks to be a very tradition and ethnic Jhoto sales person. "First time Customers get coupon for free item from Mask Salesman! Make deal with me to bring more business to both of us, so go check out his wears! Other coupon for spending $10000 Poke, and will get free Fire, Water, or Thunder Stone from other vendor here! Very pretty, but drives hard bargins, so be thankful for this now! Have great day, sir, and come back for more someday!" they said, before you left them to their own devices. You then made your way to the Tea Shop, 'Jasmine Age: Fine Teas from all eras, for all time' , and made your way toward the Grass Gym Leader, who was currently relaxing with a cup of hot green tea while passively watching the Agemi Strans began the show. Right now, he was jabbering about the natural beauty and wonder of Kalos, but he would eventually get to the good part: Mega Evolution.

Erika, quick to pick up your presence nearby , placed her cup down on the table, and invited you to take a seat. As you did so, so picked up a little bell and rung it, letting out a chime that brought a server with a cup of tea, and she motioned for them to give it to you. With that done, she waved them away politely with that graceful smile on her face, before they looked to you and began the conversation. "Greeting, sir. What brings you to my side on this occasion? If its a battle, I'm afraid to inform you that I have stopped accepting challenges for the day, but I can certainly make an appointment with you for tomorrow. However, if you have some business with me, or just wish for some conversation, then I would be more than happy to accommodate you."

[Dragonstrike]

Ooh boy...yup, he'd definitely have to iron out this whole servitude thing later, when he actually had the time to talk with Angelica about it...well, at least the glowing eyes were accounted for in the meantime...

"I'll clarify a little more on what I mean later, when I've got a little more time.  Just continue with going about your life as you normally would for the time being.  You're not in trouble, I'm just trying to sort this whole thing out and keep it from looking and being awkward, that's all."

Yeesh...now he knew what Mew probably felt when addressed by non-legendary pokemon...but yeah, he'd address this in full later...

___________________________________________________________________________________________

A free item from the Mask Salesman and a free elemental evolutionary stone?  Well then...looks like his decision to make a normal purchase was going to pay off a little.  Was this the special promotion the mask salesman had been advertising earlier?  If so, it sounded like a pretty good way to draw in business.  He'd have to cash in these coupons later.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Reiner chuckles.  "Nah, I'm not here to challenge you to a battle.  Not currently anyways.  It looked to me like you've been really busy the past few days with challenges anyways.  Just here to have a nice chat is all.  I'm sure you could use the stress relief."

[Lord Windos]

With Angelica:

The police officer looked worried that they had somehow displeased you at first, and you could feel the sorrow such a misunderstanding caused, but then it clicked that what you meant as 'Normal' = 'Be their regular self around you' and 'Forever obey, worship, love, find joy in, be fulfilled by etc. you, their master' simultaneously' (Well, not the second part, but good luck trying to EVER unstuck that part of their new personality). Slowly, with a small amount of hesitation and uncertainly, nodded their head. The motion was still a little mechanical, but Angelica and Chaney's movements/speech were starting to return to their regular state, prior to your 'impact' on their lives. "We...understand...sir. We...will...try...to...be...myself...around...you...in...the...future..and...not...draw...undue...concern...to...you. It...is...hard...to...think...like...our...old...selves...before...we...Learned...of...your...Power and Soveriety....and...gave...our...entire...SOULS...to...you...for...all...of...eternity....but....I...will...do...so....as..you..command." She gave you a smile that was actually genuine, and surprisingly not creepy as you might have though. Chansey gave you a salute, just plain happy to be around you. Well. Ok.

With Erika:

The prim and proper Gym Leader let out a small laugh that sound a lot like the bell that she rang earlier, and politely nodded their head at you. "The Flower Festival is always a hectic time, for both the Gym, the City Council, and the Police, as we all try to coordinate to create an experience that is both unique, exciting, memorable, and fun, but all without it devolving into chaos or it becoming prey to criminal organizations like Team Rocket," she says, her tone becoming clipped as she dropped the name of your home team, before she took another sip of her tea. "But I have my own ways of dealing with the strain generated by this wonderful event, among my other duties and obligations as Celadon City's Gym Leader. The fact that Team Rocket is trying to spite me and everyone else attempt to just enjoy the Flower Festival, among my other concerns, certainly make my own duties much more difficult, but I am confidant in my ability to fulfil all that is asked of me, and still remain as I have always have been: calm, collected, and compassionate to all. I appreciate your concern, though, sir. Not many ask about my wellbeing, and while its unnecessary, I find it a welcome surprise. Since you asked me as to how I was, its only proper that I do the same. Have you been enjoying the Flower Festival this year, or has anything happened that has caused you distress?"

[Dragonstrike]

The prim and proper Gym Leader let out a small laugh that sound a lot like the bell that she rang earlier, and politely nodded their head at you. "The Flower Festival is always a hectic time, for both the Gym, the City Council, and the Police, as we all try to coordinate to create an experience that is both unique, exciting, memorable, and fun, but all without it devolving into chaos or it becoming prey to criminal organizations like Team Rocket," she says, her tone becoming clipped as she dropped the name of your home team, before she took another sip of her tea. "But I have my own ways of dealing with the strain generated by this wonderful event, among my other duties and obligations as Celadon City's Gym Leader. The fact that Team Rocket is trying to spite me and everyone else attempt to just enjoy the Flower Festival, among my other concerns, certainly make my own duties much more difficult, but I am confidant in my ability to fulfil all that is asked of me, and still remain as I have always have been: calm, collected, and compassionate to all. I appreciate your concern, though, sir. Not many ask about my wellbeing, and while its unnecessary, I find it a welcome surprise. Since you asked me as to how I was, its only proper that I do the same. Have you been enjoying the Flower Festival this year, or has anything happened that has caused you distress?"

Another smile from Reiner. "I've been enjoying the festival so far myself.  I'm not usually much for socializing, so my interactions with the festivities have been rather limited, but you would not believe just how much joy it's brought me.  Well, there's also been some downsides, but ultimately, I think it's been good for me in a lot of ways so far."  

While saying all this, he carefully and discretely flips the top of his bag open.  Time to see how sharp Erika's sense of smell is...no need to bring up the Balm Mushroom directly yet, but the strong smell alone should be enough to pique her curiosity...

[Lord Windos]

Another smile from Reiner. "I've been enjoying the festival so far myself.  I'm not usually much for socializing, so my interactions with the festivities have been rather limited, but you would not believe just how much joy it's brought me.  Well, there's also been some downsides, but ultimately, I think it's been good for me in a lot of ways so far."  

While saying all this, he carefully and discretely flips the top of his bag open.  Time to see how sharp Erika's sense of smell is...no need to bring up the Balm Mushroom directly yet, but the strong smell alone should be enough to pique her curiosity...

In a instant, the moment the fragrance of the mushroom hit the air, Erika's eyes dilated into pinpricks, her hands started to shake (enough to cause a little of her tea to spill!) , and a light pink flush slowly crept on her face. Slowly, the once graceful and prime Gym leader started to sniff the hair like a blood hound, attempting to locate that intoxicating scent.....

That...was a potent reaction.

[Dragonstrike]

In a instant, the moment the fragrance of the mushroom hit the air, Erika's eyes dilated into pinpricks, her hands started to shake (enough to cause a little of her tea to spill!) , and a light pink flush slowly crept on her face. Slowly, the once graceful and prime Gym leader started to sniff the hair like a blood hound, attempting to locate that intoxicating scent.....

That...was a potent reaction.

"Hmmm...yes, I smell it too...strange...what say we try and find the source of it once we've finished our tea?"  He closes the top of his bag as he says that, then proceeds to sip on his own tea.  He wasn't really fond of drinking tea, but hey, the gym leader had provided it to him, so who was he to turn it down?

That should deliver the first part of the message.

[Lord Windos]

"Hmmm...yes, I smell it too...strange...what say we try and find the source of it once we've finished our tea?"  He closes the top of his bag as he says that, then proceeds to sip on his own tea.  He wasn't really fond of drinking tea, but hey, the gym leader had provided it to him, so who was he to turn it down?

That should deliver the first part of the message.

Before your the cup could reach your lips, Erika's hand lashed out and snapped onto your wrist, almost causing the cup's pipping hot contents to spill down your chest. Your gaze was almost involuntarily drawn to the leader's own, and you could feel the sheer intense Focus that her beady eyes was projecting on you. She drew closers to you, until her face was almost pressed against yours.

"Where is that Balm Mushroom? I don't care how you found out my herbal use, I want it now. Give it to me now."

[Dragonstrike]

Before your the cup could reach your lips, Erika's hand lashed out and snapped onto your wrist, almost causing the cup's pipping hot contents to spill down your chest. Your gaze was almost involuntarily drawn to the leader's own, and you could feel the sheer intense Focus that her beady eyes was projecting on you. She drew closers to you, until her face was almost pressed against yours.

"Where is that Balm Mushroom? I don't care how you found out my herbal use, I want it now. Give it to me now."

Reiner's rather unfazed by the gaze currently.  This, currently, wasn't nearly as bad as facing the Mythical Mew or staring down Mitchell Malcolm.

His reply is quiet, and just as focused.  "Calm yourself, Erika.  Don't need to cause a scene and disrupt the festival and Strans's demonstration, after all.  I think you'll be interested in hearing what I have to say, but you'll hear it only when we're in a slightly quieter locale where nobody can stumble upon our upcoming exchange, even though most ears are probably going to be listening to Strans fairly soon.  I doubt you want some random passerby hearing about this by accident, correct?"

[Lord Windos]

Her grip briefly tightened on your wrist, almost crushing the bones in it, before they unclenched and removed her hand. Erika then used that hand to ring the bell once more, and the server came out again, looking perfectly composed despite the tension bathing the area. Reaching into her kimono, she handed them two cards, one that looked like a debit card and the other a highly stylized Vileplume flower on it. Inclining her head in a bow, the server motioned for the Gym Leader and you to follow her into the shop, which looked look typical for the business of this nature. You remember Proton once taking you to a nice place like this once, before the both of you getting kicked out for Weavile stealing all the Jasmine and Hockimen tea leaves. Ah, good times....

They the lead you past the stored front, down a long correndor, and into a private room with thick, sound proofed walls that were tastefully decorated with Cherry Blossom trees, Cherrubis, Meowths, Growlithes, and the occasional Dratini/Dragonair/Dragonite. In the center of it was a low laying square mahogoney table with 4 tiny pillow ringed around its perimeter. Erika took her seat on one side, and you took one on the other, and the server bowed her head before leaving the room for a moment, before returning with more refreshments and snacks for the both of you. Green Tea and wild berries for her, and....your favorite beverage and snack? Wait, how did they know this? Before you could have a chance to have this baffling phenomena solved, the server bowed one last time to the both of you, before leaving the private room, closing the door behind her.

Erika's pupils were still fully contracted, but they were quickly were becoming blood shot as she took a gulp of her tea, more to dry her own throat then to actually savor it. "There. You have your privacy. Now what will you take to relinquish that Balm Mushroom of yours? Money, Pokémon, fame? I can supply it to you. Do you want to sleep with me, or any of the women in my Gym? An orgy? It will be yours, if you hand over that mushroom."