Clash of the Gigans: Aftermath

[bravenewmods]

The Emperor’s fall brings confusion and dissent to the battling Gigan army - to say nothing of the reaction once it becomes clear that all the giants have broken free of their constraints. A tactical retreat is called - though with communications disrupted and some groups having already run for cover, it’s not the orderly backtracking one might expect from the Gigan army. A council is called among the survivors, and the capital contacted. Finally, a Gigan soldier and Valeria the Gigan general step forward to address Union’s forces.

“People of Union and its allies,” the soldier begins, reading off an electronic tablet, “in light of recent developments, the armies of Gigas shall withdraw for the time being. We also wish to extend an invitation to your people, particularly your diplomats, to visit our territories at your earliest convenience so we may work out the relationship between our cultures moving forward. The people of Gigas retain their interest in expanding our empire—“

Regigigas, which has mostly been in some sort of rumbling conference of its own with the other giants, turns at this and raises a mighty hand. The soldier falls silent, drops the tablet off of which he’d been reading his speech, picks it up, attempts to read it upside-down, and finally continues - with some amendments. “….though we would not dream of impugning upon the city of Union’s right to sovereignty of its own.”

Regigigas appears placated. The soldier exhales. “We shall look forward to many years of peaceful coexistence.”

And with that, the soldiers - unable to admit full defeat, but also unable to justify their presence on the battlefield - begin to file away. Valeria is the last to turn. But the look on her face as she heads away is decidedly smug. A smirk nearly graces her dour expression, as if to say to her companions: I told you so.

[[ OOC: This concludes the mod-run portion of this event! The Gigas army is withdrawing and the city is safe. What’s more, the giant gods have been freed to join their Seeker friends. Keep an eye on the OOC community for an announcement in the coming weeks regarding more information about Gigas and the full opening of apps for characters from that empire. ]]

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[allergictoloveletters]

Ami had been given, once again, long hours at the center as a medic. She did what she could for the injured and she made sure to keep close tabs on those who needed it. However, it was a celebration at the shrine and she wasn't about to miss it. She had showered at the center, and then showered again when she got home since she never felt as clean like she did at home. After her showers a light snack and some tea in hand, she sought out her elemental equal and the love of her life. Da Vinci, her little Meowstic was hopping behind her and helping her seek out the other psychic.

"Ah, I should have come here first," she said when Da Vinci pointed to their quarters and leaned in to press a kiss to Rei's temple.

[faithfulflame]

Rei didn't really react much verbally, instead reaching a hand around her partner's waist, tugging her close. She didn't always feel words were necessary, and tonight was one such night. There was a lot to think about, in the wake of everything. She never thought there'd be another group of humans discovered two years ago, and then Caldera. And then Citadel, Refuge, Sanctuary, Glacier, Gigas, Evergrande...and even more outlying settlements. She never thought she'd be in a war, but she'd definitely fought in one now, two if you counted Sanctuary.

It was a strange thought, a sobering one, to realize that she was celebrating while other people buried their dead, not so far into the east.

"Quite an announcement, yes?"

[allergictoloveletters]

"One of the best possible outcomes considering the factors involved," she said as she settled in more comfortably beside Rei, stroking her fingers through the older girl's hair. She smiled. "But I am satisfied, content as the situation at hand allows I me to be, under the circumstances," she leaned her head on Rei's shoulder and closed her eyes. She held up her iced tea and smiled.

"You wouldn't mind, would you?" she asked since she had boiled the tea.

"But while I did not want war, I did want an end to the conflict..." she doesn't bother with an 'I told you so' regarding putting more trust in Union than the Gods allowed but she doubted that would be a welcomed statement nor a necessary one.

[faithfulflame]

Rei didn't even bother responding to the request. She simply took the cup and willed heat into it before passing it back. She was more than content to sit in silence, to enjoy the pleasant feeling of Ami's weight against her shoulder, but a conversation was fine too.

"I didn't want a war either, you know. But with an imperialistic ideaology like Gigas? it was probably inevitable. Even now they're clinging to their imperial identity, but I have a feeling that the people there are going to rise up against those in power. I had a premonition to that effect, anyway."

[allergictoloveletters]

"I wasn't implying you did," she smiled as she closed her eyes, just content that things had finally reached a conclusion and that the steps now would be more, hopefully, just wrapping up matters. At the mention of a premonition, she opened her eyes and lifted her head.

"You did? Did it end well? Or was that even possible to see?"

[faithfulflame]

"It was murky. But they come around," Rei said simply. She didn't like being mysterious and cryptic with Ami but sometimes she just couldn't help it. Ami of all people would understand just how she felt, after all.

"Funny, isn't it. Two years ago we made contact with an empire, and now we've defeated them. It's like fortune shines on us, and wherever we go."

[allergictoloveletters]

"Then I will worry when you worry," Ami simply replied, smiling as she sipped her hot tea and grateful for the warmth since she only ever felt it around Rei. Besides, if Rei had no reason for concern, Ami would allow herself to remain calm. She was always calm, she supposed, but when Rei was concerned, Ami was more alert.

"Strategic planning, strong connections with pokemon, using our surroundings, and being blessed by the gods does have its advantages, I would say. Mnn, has it really been two years?" of course it has, she knows. "Hopefully the Gigas war will be the end of it, I want the most eventful thing this summer and fall to be our wedding and arguments over cake flavors and long hours we both keep." A break would be nice from the fighting, simply because she had done it in a past life didn't mean she wanted to spend her current one dedicated to it.

[faithfulflame]

"It has been two years, yes. Since we made contact with Caldera, and by extension Gigas. The two year anniversary of the day we met is coming up too, as I recall," Rei said, leaning against Ami and kidding her cheek gently, wanting to change the subject towards something more pleasant.

"We've still got the Elite Four to worry about, but that's not an immediate danger at least, so we should be clear for all that and then some. And our cake is going to be chocolate."

[allergictoloveletters]

"The Elite Four can be dealt with, our numbers and blessings grow while they remain insulated. And chocolate? Since when have you liked such sweetness? I thought the lemon cake was very refreshing and lovely," she said. "I liked that it didn't feel heavy."

[faithfulflame]

"Well that's just it. The wedding isn't just about us. It's about everyone attending as well," Rei replied smoothly. "And I do like chocolate. Dark chocolate, the bitter kind. But who's to say we can't have two?"

[allergictoloveletters]

"I do not want even a molecule of bitterness on our wedding day," she whispered, butting her nose against Rei's ear.

"It can be layered, certainly."

[faithfulflame]

"Wow," Rei breathed a laugh, "That was a pretty bad joke. But it was one."

Ami you're learning! She is so proud.

[allergictoloveletters]

"I'm very much capable of puns, Rei," she blushed, but was laughing as well as she linked their fingers. "I was gifted a joke book by one of the students at the university when I lectured. Would you like to hear some of my favorites?"

[faithfulflame]

"Of course," Rei replied, not knowing what she was getting into. Ami and puns. Oh the possibilities.

[allergictoloveletters]

"I don't do science ones often, mind you, only periodically. But what do you call an acid with an attitude problem? A-mean-oh Acid!"

[faithfulflame]

"...wow." That was bad. Rei got it, but it was bad.

[allergictoloveletters]

She gave a small snort amusement. She's an analyst but she doesn't need the ability to see Rei's reaction.

"Perhaps it is a good thing I did not go into comedy, still, I did find the book adorable. There are far more puns of a similar nature int it."

[faithfulflame]

"Well, you don't need a book to be funny."

Rei was referring, of course, to her awkward way of going about things, and how spacey she could be.

"But perhaps it's best you didn't. The medical field would be poorer in your absence."

[allergictoloveletters]

"Somehow I don't think you mean my jokes by that," mostly because she doesn't tell them.

She smiled and poked Rei lightly in the side.

"You know, Pamela and I are on the precipice of discovering the universal antivenin cure, just think about it, Rei, having the ability to heal any and every potion no matter where you are or what you face."

[faithfulflame]

"Well I'm sure the Rangers will find a real use for it,"Rei said, patting Ami's hand gently. "I think it's pretty amazing, and I'm sure that it will help us deal with all sorts of nasty poison types."

[allergictoloveletters]

"It is amazing, Rei," she lifted her head, excited as she's been writing up the dissertation about this for months now. "Imagine, no matter who comes in through our doors, pokemon or otherwise, we can heal the poison, we can take remove all the poison and work on getting rid of the damage," she snuggled back into Rei. "If I can remove just a little bit of that amount of pain and danger from our lives then it will help future generations be all the better."

She took a sigh of content. "And our recent encounter with Gigas has inspired a breakthrough for me."

[faithfulflame]

"And what kind of breakthrough is that? Rei asked, looking at her love curiously. She figured that a lot of things might have happened, but she'd kept her nose out of this research.

[allergictoloveletters]

"It has to do with the changes in matter and molecules in the face of lightning! The ionization of the air is required for natural lightning, but if I can affect the very molecules of the antivenin, even potentially turning it into a plasma, that may be the answer to Pamela's and my problem! It might finally stop being volatile!" she knows she's jumping all over the place, she knows she's giving a simple summary of all the data and the hypothesis she has formed. But it's her passion, helping the sick, finding cures and solving problems with her abilities.

"I was inspired when we worked on destroying the communications of Gigas with Aurora and the other electric pokemon and it just got me thinking!" she was excited, she was bubbly, even, as she discussed the possibility of finally, finally coming through the breakthrough of the universal antivenin.

[faithfulflame]

"So by converting it into a different state of matter, you'll be able to make it work out for testing?"

That was actually a pretty good idea, given how resilient Pokemon bodies were.

"Can plasma be ingested, though?"

[allergictoloveletters]

"That's exactly so! But before we can try to deal with the matter of ingestion, we will have to see if the plasma can maintain itself or will become volatile like the other samples. But, my thought process was not to make it edible but to have it applied directly to the wound, this way the plasma wouldn't necessarily have to be ingested as it would be an injection, which plasma is perfectly capable of. But one step at a time, if the matter change works, then it will be... it will be a swim in the pool, a walk in the park, after that! We're so close Rei."