Arrival

[bravenewmods]

They were noticed a half hour before they arrived.

The Guardsmen atop the city walls, their keen senses trained to observe anything out of the ordinary, had not failed to observe the flight of birds disturbed from their nests and the distant shuddering of trees. The pace was steady. Not of wild Pokémon meandering about, but of something with fixed, determined purpose.

News spread quickly, as it ought. The Council was aware of the situation in five minutes flat, and the guard on the walls surreptitiously tripled in the same amount of time. It didn't take much longer for idle citizens to realize something was amiss, and as the rumors propagated -- There are people coming through the forest! -- so, too, did the number of people thronging at the gate craning their necks to get a look.

They emerge from the forest, their pace brisk and their numbers thirty strong. Many wear attire that is hardy, made for traveling - leather boots, thick wool pants, and long jackets in shades of deep crimson and black. Others, clearly of some higher rank, are clad in suits or other formal wear; a few wear pristine white coats that must have only just been changed. As they approach, most stare coolly upwards at the assembly gathered before them atop the walls of the city.

At their lead stands a man with a mild smile and shaggy red hair. Two others stand close beside him: a young woman in a crisp, fur-lined white coat, sleek black hair pristine and perfectly in place and a gentle smile on her face and an aloof woman with brown hair wearing a sharp suit who appears extremely disinterested in the proceedings.

The company pauses. And there is a long, awkward silence before the man with the red hair takes a step forward. He speaks, and his words, though understandable, have a strange, foreign inflection.

"My name is Rory Donnachaidh. We have come on behalf of our people to serve as a diplomatic presence to your city."

...Another awkward pause.

"...I believe it is appropriate to say - take us to your leader."

He smiles more broadly, as if he's made a joke.

---------

We are Team Evolution.

We represent a group of people with a common purpose - to restore humanity to the peaks it once ascended and to raise up all Pokémon alongside us. We call ourselves Team Evolution for the only path forward for both human and Pokémon is to evolve. When we realized that our signals could be detected no longer, our scouts reported that the reason was human sabotage. Imagine our surprise to learn that a human civilization lay so close to those mountains... But what do I say? You, of course, must all have experienced surprise in equal measures, no?

We have come here for reasons twofold: to establish relations with this city and to retrieve the materials that you have been holding for us. It was a prototype, you see, and we would wish to have it returned.

Of course, we understand that you have little reason to trust us and great reason to drive us away. We will not attempt to enter your city if that is preferred - but we will camp outside, between the forest and the gates, for the space of 10 days, after which we will depart, with or without our materials. We hope you will be willing to speak with us during this time. We would also like to... hold a demonstration to explain our actions, if you and your Council are willing.

Please, come and speak with us if you have any questions. That is an offer extended to anyone in your fine city. I shall personally ensure that any visitors are treated with the greatest of courtesies...

((For approximately 10 IC days, the people of Team Evolution will be camped outside of Union. The next part of this event will require sign-ups. There is an accompanying OoC post to this post here. Please see that post for more details.

Please feel free to use this IC post to talk with the NPCs. All responses here will receive an NPC response.))

Comments

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

Our origin story is much less spiritual. Gigas was protected by a great Pokémon during the war, and it is from that that was take our name.

[She nods with a smile, again pushing a few strands of hair behind her ear.]

In some ways, it is very different, but in others, we are quite similar. I get the impression that people here all work toward a greater good, and toward bettering both humans and Pokémon. We feel the same.

[comparative_insanity]

Oh, I see! [That is amazing in itself. After all, the pokémon had turned upon humanity during the war, hadn't they? But one had still protected Gigas.] That pokémon must have loved your city very much, then.

[He nods, bouncing a bit on his toes.] Definitely. We're trying to explore more of the world around us, learn more. The best way of repaying the mercy we were shown is by becoming better than we were before.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

I quite agree.

[comparative_insanity]

[A beat, then:]

But why were you trying to make pokémon evolve? I definitely see how the theory could be fascinating, but those machines must've cost a lot of time and money, so I'm sure there must've been a purpose.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

We seek evolution of both mind and body. An evolved Pokémon is one step closer to achieving this.

[comparative_insanity]

[That... sounds a little bit weird to him. And a little bit like elitist bullshit too. But he keeps smiling.]

An Evolved form is stronger, and finding out more about all pokémon forms of course vital, but... I'm not quite sure I understand. Pokémon can and do evolve on their own, after all, so is there any need to speed up the process?

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

Natural evolution has its advantages, to be sure. However, to have control over it and not be controlled by it has its advantages as well.

[comparative_insanity]

I... see. [What he sees is that every kind of warning signal that he has in his head just stood up and screamed. His smile becomes if possible even brighter.] But to control the evolution of a pokémon means controlling a pokémon by extension, doesn't it? I'd hardly call that very courteous. Those Tyrantrums were rather frightened.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

Please don't misunderstand, we have no desire to control the Pokémon affected by accelerated evolution. We only wish to help them. I can only imagine that it might be terrifying, not knowing what is happening nor the intent for which it has happened. However, I am encouraged by the Enlightened here in this city. Hopefully we can work together to make it a much less frightening experience, help them understand that we do have their best interests in mind.

[comparative_insanity]

I hope so too. I'm not personally able to communicate with pokémon without a Warp Band, but since there are plenty who are... well, it's nice to ask before changing someone's entire body. I know it would make me a bit miffed if it happened to me - it's not very hard for me to imagine, after all. [And he would very much like to know what "help" means in this context.]

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

Oh, I assumed that all Enlightened were able to, from what you said earlier.

[comparative_insanity]

No~o, not exactly. Only certain people are able to understand pokémon language - I have a friend who does. And others are able to connect on an empathic level, like my brother. The rest of us have different talents - most of them more mundane. [He laughs quietly, shrugging.] We all envy them, of course. But since Warp Bands allow all of us to connect and bond when it's agreeable, all of us manage to live without too many misunderstandings by their side.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[She nods.]

I think I understand now.

Are Warp Bands the only thing that you use to "bond" with Pokémon?

[comparative_insanity]

Well, we also have to use our heads. [He grins.] I mean, it is a mutual agreement, so it's important that we make ourselves understood.

And after that... well, the Warp Bands are used for transport when necessary, but it's not like we need anything else, is it? If a pokémon is your friend then they're your friend, it's not like you strictly need to exchange friendship bracelets. Even if that can be fun~.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[This gets a very intrigued smirk from her. It was a very interesting system they had, to be sure.]

A mutual agreement, I see. That would explain all the Pokémon freely roaming the streets.

[comparative_insanity]

[Fai just stares at her in confusion.] Well, yes, they're free to go where they want. Just like anyone else in the city.

[If he's having a really bad feeling about this, it doesn't show.] What exactly do people in your city require for establishing a bond with a pokémon?

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[She reaches into the purse at her side, pulling out a small spherical device, pressing the button on the front. It suddenly grows in size, filling her entire hand.]

This.

[comparative_insanity]

[That... is very strange. His mind doesn't immediately jump to vague tales about the spherical prisons people in the old days used to capture pokémon, because it's a thought completely alien to him.]

That's... I've never seen anything like it. What does it do, exactly?

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

It helps us bond with Pokémon, much like your Warp Band does.

[She offers it to him if he wants to take a look.]

This one is inactive.

[comparative_insanity]

[It's heavier than he expected, a bit cool to the touch, smooth and utilitarian in design. He turns it over in slim, deft fingers. Something is niggling at the back of his mind, something his History tutor had shown him in a book, maybe? Or something Immy had pointed out on some painting... But he can't quite remember.]

[What has up until now seemed like a fur collar around his neck suddenly shifts and reveals large eyes and alertly flared ears. Blossom the tiny Eevee balances on Fai's arm, sniffing the foreign object he's holding with obvious curiosity.]

Is it some kind of communications device? It looks so very... well, simple, but I have a feeling it's more complex than appearances would suggest.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[She chuckles.]

No, no, nothing like that. The Pokémon reside in there, in the form of energy. So yes, they are extremely complex devices.

[comparative_insanity]

[Reside. In there. In that small, cold sphere in his hand. In the form of energy. Not living, breathing, playful, stubborn matter but just... energy.

Despite her telling him that it's inactive, despite knowing it's not necessary, his next reaction is pure instinct and no thought. The ball is dropped onto the ground with a choked noise, Blossom gathered in his arms protectively, his skin flaring as he holds himself from trying to destroy the thing right there. He remembers now, though he wishes he hadn't.]

Those are... Those items are forbidden here. If you are seen to use them on any pokémon within Union, I'm pretty sure you'll suddenly find this place very inhospitable. I would suggest against it. [His voice is flat, with only the obviously fake semblance of being friendly and informative left.]

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[She picks it up, putting the ball back in her bag. She does look a bit surprised by his reaction. She does blink a few times, a frown on her face.]

I didn't realize. I'll have to tell the others that use of Poké Balls isn't welcome here. Still, it would be hard to function if we have no access to our Pokémon.

[comparative_insanity]

[Oh Savior, they... of course they actually have items like that which are activated. With pokémon already trapped inside them. He feels nauseous, and Blossom fusses and frets, hissing at Chrystal.]

You- As long as you don't use those to- to capture any new pokémon while you're here... [He shakes his head; it's not like he actually knows what the law states, or is in a position of authority or power. For the first time ever, he wishes his unlce was there.] You're from a different place with different rules, and you know nothing of ours. But I'd suggest you not as much as take those out within the city. Depending on who sees them, they might cause a riot.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[She frowns deeply, nodding.]

I am not so reliant on my Pokémon, but I know others that might... might have issue. But I am interested in these Warp Bands, as an alternative, at least as long as we are in Union.