[Game Thread] Pokerole: Mount Coronet Mystery

[Lord Windos]

The Absol steps closer to Randolph and leans down to get a better look at the Amethyst.

She stares at it for a good two minutes, until the shimmering of her eyes fades.

Then she looks back up at Randolph and nods.

*Flash Something At This Point!*

Ran makes absolutely sure he keeps still as his oracle of doom gets closer to them (So as not to spook them), and takes quick note of the shifting colouration of their eyes, looking himself faintly curious about what was responsible for it, but in the end putting that matter away until later and slowly nodded back to her again. Now was the time to be getting to know his latest partner and establish some for of rapport with her; investigating her unique quirks and abilities in/without relationshp to their own strengths/weaknesses comes later.

"Welp, Amethyst it is the, if ya have no objection to it? Your sure, lass?"

Regardless of their answer, this time the bristly miner immediately moves onto the next point of this chat he wanted to discuss with them without pause or a moment's hesitation, which combine with his now firm and serious tone would 

"Alright, 'fore I put you up for the time being, I got a few ground rules I way to lay out for ya, and I'd like to think they're all simple, straightforward, and fair enough for the two of us, First one is that if you get a vision or premonition of the future, warn me or one of my human partners ASAP. I'd rather we know is either Miss Fortune or Papa Disaster is going to come 'round our neck of the north, so we can prepare for it how little much we can.

"That leads me to me second rule: if you have to charge off to deal with whatever you end up foreseeing it, I want ya to let one of my birds tag along with you as back up. Rowan warned me ya have the habit of investigating what you envision right away without taking him or one of your past trainers along for the ride, *Shrugs* and to be honest I don't mind ya doing that at all. I respect what you've done or tried to do by doing that, and I see no problem with such promptness if it would nip a problem in the bud 'fore it can blooms in a full scale disaster. Consider it noble and courageous , even. However, it make me feel much better if ya had a little back-up while you go off being a hero, and both my birds can easily follow after ya without slowing ya down or interfering much. Heck, my bird Valkyrie of a Scarmmory name Stymph knows Tailwind, which she can use to speed ya along to wherever ya need to go and back quicker then lightning, so at least consider letting her team up with ya if only for that benefit she'd give ya.

"Third, and lastly - for now - if ya end facing something by your lonesome that's too much for ya to handle, run. Run back to me, one of my partners, or just plain get away. I don't want ya dying or worse from the supernatural Tarous shit on our trip ahead of us, so don't be a hero if it cost you more than you can afford. Nothing's worth more than your life."

He finishes by looking directly and unflinchingly into his ivory beast's purple eyes, and simply says "You get all that, girl?"

[Dragonstrike]

He finishes by looking directly and unflinchingly into his ivory beast's purple eyes, and simply says "You get all that, girl?"

She tilts her head curiously again as she and Randolph stare at each other.

She doesn't nod, but there doesn't seem to be any objections coming...

[Lord Windos]

Here's some quick interactions between Ran and the rest of the group, now that I have time to do them!

Responses to/about Kogeki!:
- He greet the ninja with a gruff but not unfriendly "Morning," before he either focus on his work or get back to talking to Kee (Which ever is happening at that time)
- When they get scolded/snapped by Kee about bringing Mightyena/Poocheyena close to Karen, he'd take up in defense of them, despite them easily conceding to their 'request' , bluntly and telling the musician that he didn't know about the wee lass's fear of canines until now, so chewing him out like that was uncalled for and rude. Additionally, Ran would also bump Kee's leg under with his own when they get onto them about what they tried to do with the Abomanite as a subtle 'cut that out' to them.
- After Kogeki brings up the whole 'Soul Stealing' aspect of Dramsama, Ran would immediately startle at that, then let loose a short but vile curse in German (I'll let Phantom judge which one would be most appropriate ), and finally round on them with a no nonsense and agitated attitude, very bluntly telling them to keep that bird specter away from him or his Pokemon. He wants absolutely NOTHING to do with a fiend like THAT unless it's firmly under his control or he's force to fight one, so they don't her bothering him or his own none or else. Call him paranoid, but Ran takes no chances when it comes to Pokemon not his own, particularly ones that were DANGEROUS.
- The above said, he'd tried to calm himself down and then bring out the Crude Metal Mask he made and hand it over to them, saying it's not his best piece of work but says that's due to his inexperience with making such a thing before. He'd offer to fix it up/improve it later, if they wish.

Reactions to/about Karen/Lucas!:
- Ran pretty much drops the subject of Diam's nasty little scare entirely when the lass makes it clear she wants to move on from it, giving her a short nod of his head and thanking her for telling him her side of the story, and once again promising his gemlin will be punished for what she did.
- When Lucas comes round and asks about the tense atmosphere, he leaves it to the others/Karen to explain. Simple as that!
- He'd discretely pull the champ of to the side later and quietly/privatey inform him about Karen's fear of dog/canine Pokemon, and bluntly asks if a certain Pokemon of his would cause any problems for her like they did with him because of that. Or even if they still were carrying their grudge against him, for that matter.

With Amethyst(Might as well do that reaction now)!

Ran would let out a heavy *Sigh* at her non-answer, and his stare turns a bit more weary and admonishing, like a teacher catching a student doing something bad but not being surprised by it.

"I need a yes or no answer, Amethyst. If you're going to end up sometimes or completely disregarding me on the rules,  I'd rather you'd just straight up told me so I can plan for and around that, instead of being blindsided or being left vulnerable if you dropping everything and leaving me and the group behind to take care things all by yourself is going to be the norm. After all, you do realize it ain't just yourself you're putting in danger by being a lone ranger, or that doing so could end up causing disaster for yourself and everyone instead of preventing it, don't ya?"


That should be it, for now! If I have anything more to add, I'll edit it in post and tell you about it in the Meta Thread!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Spoiler

That's the moment Kee arrives at the scene, didn't make it in time due to being concentrated in business with Ran. Octavia greets him with a chirp. He looks hasted and eager to do something, and he also offers a hand to help her up. "Alright....", he starts, "You usually give yourself so bold, what has messed with you SO much? ....Was that Houndoom that scary? It was just an illusion."

Karen looks up, her eyes still watery, and rubs them, when she notices the illusion is gone, she stands back up; "...dogs...", she mutters, "I... *sniff*... am scared of dogs..." She says this part more clearly.

Octavia looks pleased and relieved as the young lady with the eyes of gold and silver calms down, she rubs her head against her for more comfort. Kee hands his faeevlution a cookie full of pink chunks (Pirsif Berries) from his bag for her brave action, which she eagerly accepts and starts to nibble on. He himself, well, he hands her (Karen) a tissue imprinted with a cloud-pattern. "Well, okay, that explains your strong reaction. Nono, ya don't have to tell me why you're scared of 'em, and I won't pry. Just...." He obviously hesitates for a moment, looks away, then looks back to face Karen. "....just call for me the next time there's a dogmon around that makes you uncomfortable and I'll deal with it... If you like. You could have just send out a Pokemon yourself to handle it, but if you're too stressed to do that, that's fine." How adorable.

In between bites of the cookie, Octavia hisses and snarls at Diam to chase her off. Where the heck is that mean beast's Trainer?

"I... I'll be fine, thanks."
concerning doggos: It's at this point Karen does something unexpected: she hesitantly grabs one of the Pokeballs that she is carrying, and summons her Mightyena long enough for the others to see, before recalling him, "...See, I've been doing my best to do something proactive about my fears." (OOC Note: She's using a type of phobia treatment commonly called Systematic desensitization)

Ohhh, I know about systematic desentization! Then it surely makes sense for her have such a fierce-looking dogmon with her. Nice!)
-----------------------------------


You'd need someting more to get through Kee's steadfast facade, as summoning her Mightyena 'only' causes a rather curious and worried glance for Karen, Octavia mimics it while, just in case, taking a defensive pose completely with waving ribbons and all once more.

What this action does though it hitting a nerve somewhere deep, very deep, within him, for a moment it looks like he'd get ready to jump in in a rash, intuitive and selfless action to get that wolf AWAY from her or get her AWAY from that wolf - congrats, you triggered his distinctive protective instinct, pretty well even. It takes a good amount of assurance from his Sylveon to get him down from that state enough to reply normally, but there's still concern and anxiety in his eyes that only slowly fades. "And you're...certain about what you're doing, you're keeping your exposure to doggos under crontrol, you know for sure that your Mightyena won't snap and..... *Octavia nudges him insistently, and Kee realizes what a dumb worrywart he accidently became* ...I'm sorry. OF COURSE you're certain what you're doing, aren't you? Excuse me, you just.... *deep breath* You just effectively reminded me something I'd rather don't think too much about." Once more rooted sadness and loneliness stir up within him like at Mystri Stage when Azelf reminded him on stuff, only for short though.

Another deep breath, and Kee gets ready to leave, but not before giving the young lady with the eyes of gold and silver a reassuring smile and pat on the back. "You've got this. I should get going then, business calls..... See you." And off he is.


(I'll reply to both Candice and Ran in seperate posts. Especially since I have to go now too for an hour or two and have to look what kind of Berry/Berries exactly I'd like to have from her because there are so many niche ones I like.... @Dragonstrike, does one pinch/Type-resist Berries for Alolan Shrew and one of another kind for the Grip Claw sound fair?)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Of course Candice knows about them.  Randolph traded some to her last night."

 Candice frowns and shakes her head in response to Kee's main question.  "Sorry, but Candice and the Snowpoint Gym trainers don't carry around items like that.  No need to since all their pokemon are immune to being damaged by Hail anyways.  You could try looking at the Trade House, though.  Maybe someone there will have one they'd be willing to part with.  A rare Ice/Steel type immune to Sandstorm and Hail damage definitely sounds like a fair trade for one."

She perks up a little again.  "Candice has lots of berries, though!  Type resist, Pinch...you name a niche berry, and Candice has it!  You wouldn't believe how hard it is to grow them here."

Fuuuuu, the opening that Ran made it to approach the icy Gym Leader before he himself could do causes Kee to halt for a moment and give Candice a faintly suprised gaze. More to himself than to her he mumbles "So he managed it to preempt me? Oh Ran, how clever and sly of you....~~ The market's indeed saturated at the moment, hmpf."

Now to Candice! Ah, his attempt to sweet-talk her into parting with that Item was in vain, but that doesn't seem to bother him as he continues just as calm-courteous. "*cough* Sorry to keep ya waiting. None of these googles available at your noble Gym? That's fine. I'll pay that Trade a visit then right away, good advice!~"

Onward to a more fun topic: Berries!!~ ヽ(・∀・)ﾉ "Ohhh, you share that liking of mine for those kind of Berries most people including Trainers either are indifferent 'bout, see lil' use or plain overlook?~ How adorable, now we're talking! ~☆ Let's seeeeeeee... *very wide smile* Two different species for that cute icy shrew and that nice Grip Glaw, how's that?~~ Oh no, ya don't have to worry, I'll use them to grow more instead of outright use 'em up. They'll be in good hands!"

Prefered Berries Kee will accept

- Petaya. It raises Special in a pinch. I couldn't find out by how much though. 
- Custap. Lets the holder move first just once in a pinch.

For simplicity's sake, you can assume that Kee'll stop by that hinted Trading House then (after having asked for direction from Candice and having gave her thanks and goodbyes) to find someone willing to part for an exemplar of Safety Googles there for that icy Sandslash, he'll attempt to charm then into the trade as well if they hesitate and throw in as a bonus, I dunno, that they may pet Octavia if they like. "'Cuz ya don't see a pretty blue Sylveon everyday, dontcha?~"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

HAHA, 'suck him dry like a bottle of bird soda', best describtion.
Let me also change 'acidic crystals' to 'alkaloid crystals', good and appreciated input!~ Where Kee got them from to keep his smol vampire-catbat poison that potent I don't know, he just has then. Darknet

(...)He[Randolph] was then cut off by their Abomanite being reveal and lobbed straight at him, causing him to fumble to catch it and nearly tip over the side of his chair. It takes him a good minute to recover from that and staring at the Mega Stone (During which he missed Draven taunting him - it's for the best, really!), a look of confusion on his face that didn't disappear when he turned toward Kee.

"......I'm normally not one to look a gift Ponyta in the mouth, but.....why are ya just......handing the Abomanite over to me?  Treating it like it's nothing more than fancy trinket that can be handed out willy nilly, instead of the invaluable babble it is? Recall rather distinctly you weren't being sly with how much you enjoyed getting it in the first place, or Taunting me about it, what's with the Heart Swap all of the sudden."(...)

Hah, what a fun reaction, Kee took a full minute to enjoy the confusion and befuddlement of the blacksmith before he'd reply in a nonchalant manner, joyous voice and overall It's-Not-That-Much-Of-A-Deal -way, giving Draven some affectionate scratches behind the ears and cheeks: He appears to enjoy the gesture as he begins to faintly purr while continuing to enjoy his alkali and chocolatey drink with obvious glee. (I now want to draw that)

"You're asking why? Because!~~ C'mon Ran, show some delight over that gift. I COULD just as well go 'n sell or trade it for stuff, but I do know that these stones are freakishly sought-out by Trainers in most cases. Sure, that'd mean more profit for me.... But I'd surely feel horrible sooner or later if I'd go that way with the knowledge that you've got that Snover AND, as I said, give off an image to me like value your own Pokemon high, as in 'so much more than being able to fight for you and be useful to you'." He pauses for a little to let the words take in. "Stuff to sell and trade can be found almost everywhere if keeping one's eye open for 'em, so there's that. So put that stone into good use or I'll be very disappointed, OKAY?" He says that in a firm tone and his piercing stare at Ran suggest that he won't accept a 'No' as an answer, but that was just playing-around indicated by the laughter that came a few seconds later.

"And NO, Kogeki's words didn't really affect this decision. I enjoyed the gesture of being gifted the stone by him and the words that came with it more than the gift - this stone - itself, and my reaction after he took these words back was nothing but charade 'cuz I didn't want to show how.... how much it actually hurt me. You TOTALLY fell for it, Ran, hehe~"

(...)As for their none too charitable but admitably justified comments on the masked shinobi, Ran let out a low *Sigh....* and shook his head, before he made a modest attempt at defending what was likely his only true friend and partner he didn't have a problem with at the moment (Not counting Lucas, of course).

"That's just the way he is, Kee, from what I can tell. He makes his decision in a snap and on a dime, and doesn't seem to consider the consequences of his actions much, and wastes even less time executing them. He just does, far as I can tell. *Shrugs* Probably comes from his......ninja training and the culture's he's from so don't hold too much a Grudge against him. He really hasn't done anything to piss on your bran flakes in me that deserves you start fortifying his own breakfast cereal in my opinion, so don't make a mountain out of a Diglet hill. "(...)

Concerning that, Kee just all calmly takes a sip of the cup of blackest tea available that he got from somewhere, his second this morning. "I don't hold grudges. That'd be against my....let's call it 'code of honor' to keep good vibes up. If you piss me off, I'll me mad at your for some hours, may stab a knife into your back maybe - not literally, you see -, but I catch myself rather quickly. Then we're good again!~ Want some?" He began to nom a bag of skittles, because sugar for breakfast. And they're so nicely colorful.

(...)"And that hypothetical ya presented ain't making me sympathize with ya much over the girl in it, when it's likely the only reason she left you high and dry is because you did the same to her emotionally. *Shrugs* Could be her way of coping with learning she'd never be able to hook up with ya due to your orientation, or you just plain disinterest in having a relationship with her, so I can't say which side is the hurt party in that scenario. Or more hurt, as it were. Hypothetically speaking, of course."(...)

Oh fffffffuuuuu, now Kee's giving you an unimpressed gaze, then looks to the side to not face Ran as he brings up something that sounds like "Oh, you think so?~ You're rambling, and my orientation shouldn't have been - be - an obstacle, because queer relationships are a thing, but NOOOO, appearantly too complicated." He holds back a sigh, looks around, then drops something to Ran in a more quiet voice. "And I'm solely telling you now, Ran, I'm not against one. I'm not actively looking either though. It's just sooo complex,  the ladies can be sooo tricky and sly, so I rather don't dabble into that field too much and enjoy happy single-life. I've got my dear Pokemon, and you can't force chemistry, that's the way it is."

(...)His attention is diverted away from analyzing the story the sour dandy told he to the matter of their assistance  before he could dig further into it, giving them a quick nod to their first question and a.....curious frown to their second.

"Yes, I do. You're the only one I know that can do the job I'm asking, and while you're a pain in the arse to work with,(...)

"Oh, am I?~ Well, I'M SORREH, so VERY sorry that you have to deal with me then." *massive sarcasm* "You're a fun guy actually, we should enjoy some drinks at some point. Maybe not on...the job though."

(...)that won't top from working with ya to get the job or an important objective over and done with. Once I get the Arm built and set up, I'll get in touch with ya to finish up the rest of it. As for the Concert, don't ya remember me bringing it up to ya back in the Temple? Need for ya and Beethoven to play her some songs, as part of the reason and price for she coming aloig with me with me is cause I bargained I made to convince her otherwise. If I don't deliver on my promise, I'll be making a dishonest oathbreaker and pissing her off something fierce, so please help me with thist, Kee...."

(Honestly can't remember outta-chara that you asked for that towards Kee, maybe I overread it accidently? That means can't remember either, but that's not much of a problem actually.)

Towards both concerns, Kee just responds with a waving handgesture that can be easily interpreted as easygoing agreement. "Yeahyeah, that's both fine, will do, AS LONG as you please provice the fully built and set-up arm and quiet place for me to work on that, and the sheets of music ya want me to play as you can guess better what type of stuff she may enjoy. Or enjoy most. Suited for electric guitar at best, no lyrics and if ya want me to play any other instrument, you have to provide it. (Anything with strings is something Kee can play or will learn fastly.)"

"I usually don't hold free concernts, but I'll just will 'cuz I don't want to be the cause of a promise broken, least of all to a Pokemon." His concealed smug smile also indicates that he kinda likes that Ran soft-begs for his help.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

HAHA, 'suck him dry like a bottle of bird soda', best describtion.
Let me also change 'acidic crystals' to 'alkaloid crystals', good and appreciated input!~ Where Kee got them from to keep his smol vampire-catbat poison that potent I don't know, he just has then. Darknet

Why thank you, dearest! I aim to please with my dialogue, and I'm glad you took my suggestion well!

(...)He[Randolph] was then cut off by their Abomanite being reveal and lobbed straight at him, causing him to fumble to catch it and nearly tip over the side of his chair. It takes him a good minute to recover from that and staring at the Mega Stone (During which he missed Draven taunting him - it's for the best, really!), a look of confusion on his face that didn't disappear when he turned toward Kee.

"......I'm normally not one to look a gift Ponyta in the mouth, but.....why are ya just......handing the Abomanite over to me?  Treating it like it's nothing more than fancy trinket that can be handed out willy nilly, instead of the invaluable babble it is? Recall rather distinctly you weren't being sly with how much you enjoyed getting it in the first place, or Taunting me about it, what's with the Heart Swap all of the sudden."(...)

Hah, what a fun reaction, Kee took a full minute to enjoy the confusion and befuddlement of the blacksmith before he'd reply in a nonchalant manner, joyous voice and overall It's-Not-That-Much-Of-A-Deal -way, giving Draven some affectionate scratches behind the ears and cheeks: He appears to enjoy the gesture as he begins to faintly purr while continuing to enjoy his alkali and chocolatey drink with obvious glee. (I now want to draw that)

"You're asking why? Because!~~ C'mon Ran, show some delight over that gift. I COULD just as well go 'n sell or trade it for stuff, but I do know that these stones are freakishly sought-out by Trainers in most cases. Sure, that'd mean more profit for me.... But I'd surely feel horrible sooner or later if I'd go that way with the knowledge that you've got that Snover AND, as I said, give off an image to me like value your own Pokemon high, as in 'so much more than being able to fight for you and be useful to you'." He pauses for a little to let the words take in. "Stuff to sell and trade can be found almost everywhere if keeping one's eye open for 'em, so there's that. So put that stone into good use or I'll be very disappointed, OKAY?" He says that in a firm tone and his piercing stare at Ran suggest that he won't accept a 'No' as an answer, but that was just playing-around indicated by the laughter that came a few seconds later.






"And NO, Kogeki's words didn't really affect this decision. I enjoyed the gesture of being gifted the stone by him and the words that came with it more than the gift - this stone - itself, and my reaction after he took these words back was nothing but charade 'cuz I didn't want to show how.... how much it actually hurt me. You TOTALLY fell for it, Ran, hehe~"

(...)As for their none too charitable but admitably justified comments on the masked shinobi, Ran let out a low *Sigh....* and shook his head, before he made a modest attempt at defending what was likely his only true friend and partner he didn't have a problem with at the moment (Not counting Lucas, of course).

"That's just the way he is, Kee, from what I can tell. He makes his decision in a snap and on a dime, and doesn't seem to consider the consequences of his actions much, and wastes even less time executing them. He just does, far as I can tell. *Shrugs* Probably comes from his......ninja training and the culture's he's from so don't hold too much a Grudge against him. He really hasn't done anything to piss on your bran flakes in me that deserves you start fortifying his own breakfast cereal in my opinion, so don't make a mountain out of a Diglet hill. "(...)

Concerning that, Kee just all calmly takes a sip of the cup of blackest tea available that he got from somewhere, his second this morning. "I don't hold grudges. That'd be against my....let's call it 'code of honor' to keep good vibes up. If you piss me off, I'll me mad at your for some hours, may stab a knife into your back maybe - not literally, you see -, but I catch myself rather quickly. Then we're good again!~ Want some?" He began to nom a bag of skittles, because sugar for breakfast. And they're so nicely colorful.

(...)"And that hypothetical ya presented ain't making me sympathize with ya much over the girl in it, when it's likely the only reason she left you high and dry is because you did the same to her emotionally. *Shrugs* Could be her way of coping with learning she'd never be able to hook up with ya due to your orientation, or you just plain disinterest in having a relationship with her, so I can't say which side is the hurt party in that scenario. Or more hurt, as it were. Hypothetically speaking, of course."(...)

Oh fffffffuuuuu, now Kee's giving you an unimpressed gaze, then looks to the side to not face Ran as he brings up something that sounds like "Oh, you think so?~ You're rambling, and my orientation shouldn't have been - be - an obstacle, because queer relationships are a thing, but NOOOO, appearantly too complicated." He holds back a sigh, looks around, then drops something to Ran in a more quiet voice. "And I'm solely telling you now, Ran, I'm not against one. I'm not actively looking either though. It's just sooo complex,  the ladies can be sooo tricky and sly, so I rather don't dabble into that field too much and enjoy happy single-life. I've got my dear Pokemon, and you can't force chemistry, that's the way it is."

(...)His attention is diverted away from analyzing the story the sour dandy told he to the matter of their assistance  before he could dig further into it, giving them a quick nod to their first question and a.....curious frown to their second.

"Yes, I do. You're the only one I know that can do the job I'm asking, and while you're a pain in the arse to work with,(...)

"Oh, am I?~ Well, I'M SORREH, so VERY sorry that you have to deal with me then." *massive sarcasm* "You're a fun guy actually, we should enjoy some drinks at some point. Maybe not on...the job though."

(...)that won't top from working with ya to get the job or an important objective over and done with. Once I get the Arm built and set up, I'll get in touch with ya to finish up the rest of it. As for the Concert, don't ya remember me bringing it up to ya back in the Temple? Need for ya and Beethoven to play her some songs, as part of the reason and price for she coming aloig with me with me is cause I bargained I made to convince her otherwise. If I don't deliver on my promise, I'll be making a dishonest oathbreaker and pissing her off something fierce, so please help me with thist, Kee...."

(Honestly can't remember outta-chara that you asked for that towards Kee, maybe I overread it accidently? That means can't remember either, but that's not much of a problem actually.)

Towards both concerns, Kee just responds with a waving handgesture that can be easily interpreted as easygoing agreement. "Yeahyeah, that's both fine, will do, AS LONG as you please provice the fully built and set-up arm and quiet place for me to work on that, and the sheets of music ya want me to play as you can guess better what type of stuff she may enjoy. Or enjoy most. Suited for electric guitar at best, no lyrics and if ya want me to play any other instrument, you have to provide it. (Anything with strings is something Kee can play or will learn fastly.)"

"I usually don't hold free concernts, but I'll just will 'cuz I don't want to be the cause of a promise broken, least of all to a Pokemon." His concealed smug smile also indicates that he kinda likes that Ran soft-begs for his help.

".........."

Ran was officially left speechless at the colourful musician's entirely self satisfying, feckless, giddy, yet strangely compassionate and understanding answer. His entire demeanor and personality they were displaying to him random and darn near indecipherable to the midget man, which completely defied (Well, modified) his establish notion of just what kind of person Kee was. Unlike with Candice's hidden serious persona, this side of the punk youngster music techie was just baffling to see. After getting to know the man as a mostly typical-to-above-average snark/sarcasm and broody/defiant teen that was way in over his with the situation he found himself in, but damn it if he wasn't going to let that stop him from solving his own problems, seeing him act like a overly cheerful and generous fool with none the less startling Insight and practicality......

Baffling. Truly baffling.

Except.....now that he thought about it a little, this 'new' page their character was showing him wasn't so new after all. He's displayed such behavior or hints abundantly in the Temple, particularly when they dressed him down for letting Beethoven scream like an Golem about to Explode (Which roughly has the same power) and threatening the safety of Stella's then Eggy condition. No, what really surprised him was that they were, have been, and likely was going to continue being nice and sociable in their own confound-it annoying way to him, despite him doing everything he could politely and sometime rudely dismiss, undermine, or more/less telling them to Buggy fuck right off. His gruff, Swak Serious Attitude, and hard arse bastard attitude was often a repellent towards the young, foolish, and/or overly polite/prideful (and just as often a welcome one, too), and Kee was just the sort of teenage punk he usually drove or chased well off by now.

But no, they continued to persist. Persist in trying to be his friend, when they had every reason not to be. Most of those reason being provided by himself, naturally.

Perhaps.....he had misjudged him?

He took a good look at the sour dandy, and almost snorted in incredulity and derision at that idea. No, no, he had them pegged pretty well, alright. It was that he missed or didn't know there was more depth too him, or that he had the bloody cheerful persistence of a Growlithe puppy. 

'Interesting character, this brat Kee is. Guess that comes from him being a awkward rockstar musician and techie from another universe, though. .....I can't believe I just thought that, or it's actually the truth. Heatran light my forge, what has my life turned into? Rrrrrrgggggrrnnn.....'

Ran stared at Kee in silence for nearly three minutes, his expression blank and serious with the occasion twitch , and when it seemed like he wouldn't answer he put away the Abomanite into his Inventory, and slowly inclined his head towards the teen punk music techie.

"......Dankeschön"
Thank you
Only one word, but it said so much. Deliberate, neutral yet surly, and reserved, but....genuine too.

He then rolled his eyes and grunt - Sighed at the colourful musician's preemptive justification and defense (if you could call it that), and all was back to normal for the bristly blacksmith. It was brief, but.....a spark was shown. Of what, though?

(...)

Their admittance to being an easy going sort about being wronged again nearly had him snorting in disbelief/laughing contempt about that, but it was enough to get Ran to loosen up a bit and continue the conversion as he nodded to them.....in his own abrasive way.

"Oh, wie edel von dir, wie ein Bisharp mit einem Messias-Komplex. Well, good for ya, and I mean it. Me, however?"
Translation: Oh how noble of you, like a Bisharp with a messiah complex.
At this, he let out Chuckle. A deep, dark, bitter Chuckle, that showed his opinion well on that matter.

"Heh......I hold a grudge like no other. You won't find anyone or bastard more Willing, persistent, mean, and resentful with the ill will they hold against others. I don't begrudge often - rarely, even -, but if someone manages to get on my real deal Shit List......"

Ran smiled, and there was nothing friendly about it.

"They've made an enemy for life until they take their last, miserable, and wretched breath. And sometimes, not even that stops me from holding a grudge. *Snorts* Sometimes, I think Diam's proud of me for that, but that ain't anything to take pride in. At least, I hope it never does."

He goes silent for a short moment after that.....frank admission, before he looks back to his notes and waves off the offered candy.

"Perhaps I'll tell ya later about some of them, if ya morbidly interested in another man's hatred like that. Be nice to get it off me chest, and it might inspire some new song lyrics for ya."
Before he could refocus on his design doccos/notes, though, the young punk's acerbic comeback to his critique on their hypothetical causes him to bite back a *Sigh* before looking back up at them, looking distinctly neutral.

"You've already drawn your own conclusions, so what's it matter what I think anymore? *Scoffs* Like I said before, lad, but I don't mind nor care about that aspect of yours, so ya don't need to harp on me about it like a Speal play the instrument on a ice rink. Ultimately, only your opinions and experience are the ones that matter there, not anyone else's. *Light Chuckling* Heh hah hah, and believe me, I'm the last person you should come to for advice and discussion on that topic. I mean, look at me! Who'ed ever want to be in a relationship with someone like me, the angry wee little old bastard?"

Somewhere, somebody is having a sneezing fit right now. Or laughing at him. Either or.

 "*Huffs* 'Sides, I wasn't even trying to goad you about it in the first place, just picking apart your justification for treating Kogeki like that is all, like what any good scientist or manager does. Don't have to read much more into it than that, and I'd prefer you not too, to save us all a headache."

(...)

Okay, at this Randolph actually does snort, at first in ire as they shot the sour dandy a unamused look, before a look of realization hit him and a smug grin of his own graced him.

"Yeah, it's a heavy burden, but somebody has to, or otherwise you'd get nowhere but open mike night at on a Monday morning lad. Glad ya finally owning up to your unbelievable behavior, though. First step to becoming a decent, civilized folk with some sense in them, and while it'll be a long journey for ya, I think you'll get there. Someday. Maybe. Pray to Heatran, you will."

He finishes his glib remarks with a sagely nod, and tries to get back to work. Nothing to say about the offer to drink, but it was not rejected at least. Good...?

(...)

(Fair enough, and fine by mean!)

"Will, and can do. Plenty of places ya can do that, either her or in the wild, so don't worry none about it. *Sighs* .....And thank you. Don't really have anything in mind for music, so go with whatever ya like and can play the best. You're the professional musician here, not me, so I'll let ya do your job without me trying to Muk about in it. When ya ready for that, tell me, and I'll get Beethoven to 'play' with ya for her."

He then, without warning, handed them $5000 Poke, looking them in the eye and quirking an eyebrow as he did so.

"And who said I was going to make ya work for free, now? *Looks thoughtful* ....There's a Jewelry Store in Snowpoint that sells Evolution Stones for reasonable prices, so take that cash there and buy ya one of them to Evolve Stella or Draven later. *Snorts* Or get yourself some bling, to help add to your stage persona. *Shrugs* Whichever suites your fancy. Oh, and while you're out there, you might want to also buy Tent for the group, if Lucas hasn't already got one for us all. Should ask him about that 'fore you head out and do whatever else business ya have to do. By the time you're done, I should be finished with the Prosthetic, and we can work together finish it." 

With that last thing said, the dwarven craftsman finally turns his full and undivided attention back to his note 'n doccos, resolutely ignoring Kee in the process. Well, until Diam gives Karen the scare of her life, which serves as a effective disruption to his concentration and only served to raise his tempers again. Oh dear....

That's neither here nor there, though. For now, let the wee little man and the sour dandy 'enjoy' each other's company, shall we?

*Flashback End?*

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Missed to reply to the upper post yesterday. But actually, there's nothing much to add apart from....

....a hold-black chuckle from Kee, followed by the bold question of "Aha. And what would it, for example, TAKE to end up on yar real deal Shit List?~ Yesyes, TELL ME all 'bout the poor souls that names are written down there, that interests me quite much actually, and I don't mind people venting their anger towards me. Lyrics I don't write - or, rarely - but it could serve as inspiration for new instrumental tracks indeed." How this is a subliminal way of Kee getting to know what NEVER do or say to Ran in order to avoid being blacklisted in the blackest of black, he cleverly cuts out.


------------------------------------------------

Am also waiting for a reply from Candice towards the Berries and the result of the trade request at the Trade House, just wanted to mention this so it won't end up forgotten. Unless the silence means that it succeeds automatically?

------------------------------------------------

Well, Kee feels indeed inclined to outright go and get a pretty stone embedded with the energy of dusk at the recommended Jewelry Store (will not use it right away though), but before that would happen he proposes a question towards Lucas. "So, hey, look, I doubt there'll be MANY Pokemon Centers or hostels along the way to the mountain, will there? Least of all at and within the mountain itself. You should know as ya appearantly've been there in that area already, and I'm on the way to some stores so be so generous and do tell me, Lucas, shall I look out for a tent while I'm on it already or not 'cuz you've got one for us already? Did the professor maybe provided one and didn't tell us? Because FOR HELL'S SAKE will I try to rest in the open at THAT climate, obviously."

[Spiritmon]

(Gonna say a few things to not leave this thread dead)

With Kee:
Kogeki nod his head. "I sure. She may have done bad things in the past. But while she be under my care, I will take a eye on her to make sure she never steal a soul. Even if that means be force to faint her if necessary. I take full responsibility."


With Rans!
Kogeki wave his hand, trying to calm down Randolph. "Please, it's not necessary a fight my friend. I didn't know our artistic friend have fear of dogs."

Kogeki accept the mask. "Thank you Master Rans. Sorry to make you work more in make a mask. Also, how the arm construction is going? Need help?"

Kogeki also sigh when he looks the mask. "You know, I been wanted to ask something to you guys? You think it was worth the trouble in the Ice Temple? I mean...we not find any real treasure or something valuable or useful in that place. Only a Mega Stone, who only have use to you Randolph. And these "three friends" of ours, didn't help much. They only give us a quest and only that. I don't know about you, but I feel being used as a tool. Don't trust legendary. They only demand you worship, but when you pray for them, you only received silence."

"I know I may have over react, but I was searching answers, answers that only the being of knowledge could answer. And was truly frustrated when I didn't find. They could at least have answered about the divinity of the Leaders of Tsukinami."

(Along with Mesprit, Azelf and Uxie accept Kogeki apology. Along with the answer of Kogeki divine question I keep my opinion about it until the end of the campaign @Dragonstrike.)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

It's Kee eventually that replies, still scratching Draven affectionately behind his catbat-ears. He purrs a little to indicate his well-being. The colorful musican appears absent-minded, doesn't face Kogeki as he responds. "....Yes, it was worth it. We know where we have to go now, and Legendary Pokemon have their own ways of thinking and reacting. Some answers aren't coming right away, it's not like you can expect them being thrown at ya when you're asking, that's not how things work unfortunately. Some questions also....better remain unanswered, 'n what if your requested answer is one you won't like?"

"B'sides, none forces you to worship a Legendary 'Mon, you know?"