Wave 2: Evolution Woes [Video]

[ebbnflow]

So, a lot's been on my mind lately. When I arrived here, I learned Feebas can evolve with a special scale. I don't have one yet and I don't have much money on me either.

And rather recently, I realized I should if I want to get stronger but...Carp, I just get nervous thinking about it. It's not just simply a power boost but it's like becoming a completely new being, right? On the other fin, if I do evolve and get that relic to protect my clan, will they still accept me? The elders didn't know we could evolve to begin with.

[Video || Action || Open]

[toughbender]

[Her Wrap Band had been gathering dust for so much time in one of her drawers that it felt even weirder to have it on. Lin was far from being a social person but, in an attempt to make her take a little break from duty, she had been told to get out of Union for a couple of days and explore. Of course, it was hard for her to actually go and do that, since she wasn’t very happy with the possibility of running into a wild, untrained Pokemon. Besides, she could take advantage of the situation and train with Rocky, her Aron, in the wilderness.]

This is Lin Beifong, testing the video transmission from the Wrap Band for safety reason. I’ll be leaving Union for a couple of days. Let me know if this isn’t working the way it should.

[The video cuts there. And if anyone where to be close to the gates of Union, they would see Lin with her Aron walking close by.]

Now, listen closely. I know this is your first time leaving Union so I want you to be alert. The wilderness is no walk in the park and you never know what might happen out there, so do not let your guard down, got it?

Ar! Aron!

Good boy. [Then Lin gives him a treat.] Let’s get going.

[video/action] Kappas are Boiling Slugs in My Kitchen

[fistfullofmagic]

(Video)

[The face on the screen is probably familiar to those who stop by the labs every now and again, if perhaps a bit more blue and a with a bit of a different pattern than normal.]

Recently I evolved. Certain abilities have proved useful, but I have found that there are also some minor difficulties as a result. With that bit of context, does anyone perhaps know where I might find a tailor that can make clothing that dries quickly and does not drip terribly much after being submerged? Balancing keeping myself from drying out and working with materials that does not function well if more than very slightly damp is becoming somewhat problematic, and I fear I may cause one of my coworkers to slip if I trail small puddles behind me.

----

(Action)

[It's often nice to unwind from a hard day's work by visiting the hot springs. It's perhaps not quite so nice to find that the bit of the spring you initially thought was empty is actually occupied by a man who'd apparently been underwater for the past ten minutes and apparently decided "This is getting a bit too warm, so I think I'll stand up for a few minutes to cool down."

Or perhaps he hasn't surfaced yet, and unfortunate conclusions are drawn by those who don't draw the conclusion that blond is a water type. Perhaps even something else entirely. Regardless, at least Dhaos seems to be enjoying himself.]

04 [Video]

[radiantwingedone]

.... As I was reminded of this...

Has anyone's evolution resulted in weight gain that is not ... visibly obvious?

[ Duke is standing with arms crossed, inspecting a chair. It looks like it's his work area, to judge by the notebooks and regular books about. ]

Because either I have, my chair has been swapped for another, or someone's pokemon is eating at it.

[ For example, Duke settles carefully into the chair. It creaks in protest, which is odd, because Duke isn't exactly thick. His floette leaves his hair just before-

crunch.

Duke is now on the floor, blinking in surprise. Yep, sure did just broadcast that. ]

A Night Noctowl

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

In the wee hours of the morning, a bit after the matriarch's announcement, a video feed will come through. For the first minute or so, it appears to be a static image of someone's desk, before the soft clattering of little bird feet on parchment. Suddenly, the feed is turned sideways.

"Did you get it, Stravinsky? ...It's on? That's wonderful! You're a genius!"

Diving into the picture--still sideways--is a sandy-haired youth. There are circles under his eyes, as if he hasn't slept in quite some time, but he still appears to be in good spirits. The source of the scuttling earlier, a Torchic, hops upon his head and proceeds to start preening himself. He adjusts his glasses before he speaks.

"Hello, people of Union! And other places now, I should say. Ha ha! My name is Max Akers, and I am head of the Department of Research with the Seekers, Calderan chapter. I imagine some of you met my colleagues earlier. After hearing from them, I knew reaching out to you at a time like this would be our best bet.

"As we are a relatively small group of scholars here in Caldera, and all of us are positively abuzz with curiosity over this Matriarch Frea and her tribe of Citadel, not to mention the large Pokémon she made mention of!"

He certainly sounds excited, as he clasps his head together. Stravinsky, however, is disinterested and has taken to instead preening his human's hair instead.

"I propose we work together to investigate this problem they are having. Scholars don’t make the best warriors, unfortunately, but some intelligence we have in the general area lead us to believe it may be quite powerful, and quite possibly related to a few texts we've managed to restore of older times. It’s really quite exciting! Any information found will be shared, of course; it’s much like Miss Frea says, we help each other! What do you say?”

He smiles at the, still lopsided, camera, as Stravinsky dryly peeps at it. It’s crooked, birdbrain.

The Queen of the Citadel

[bnw_void_npcs]

[The feed from the Warp Band flickers and focuses briefly on the face of an unhappy looking young man with his hands bound behind his back before it rotates back around. A severe looking woman is seated upon what seems to be a throne...]

What a curious device. I can see the use though. Am I speaking to the people of Union and Caldera? I am Frea, Matriarch of the Valkyrie tribes of the Citadel. Some of my girls said you gave them a run for their money. Good. It keeps them on their toes.

Anyway, here’s the deal. I've got… about twenty of your people. They’re getting a bit homesick and I don’t really want to keep them. Fact of the matter is, I've got a bit of a situation and they were ripe targets with all that food they were carrying. There’s an enormous Pokémon that’s been thrashing around our territory and burning just about everything it can get to. It’s driving the game away and has messed up a few of our tribes already. My people need food, and this sucker doesn't seem keen on leaving. So here’s my thought. First, I’ll return your people and their equipment to you. Can’t give back the food, already got eaten, sorry about that. If you can help us drive off this Pokémon, though, we can work it off. You scratch my back, I scratch yours, you know how it goes. We've got some things you guys might find interesting and valuable, but I can’t exactly part with any of it while I have an enormous monster of flame and steel beating down my door. Sound good?

[Those who have penetrated far enough into the Rolling Plains have made visual contact with something interesting. Far to the north at the end of the plains, there is a single tree, enormous in size. Frequent flocks of large flying types with mounted female riders can be seen coming to and fro, and the more keen-eyed among you can see that there appears to be an entire city built into the tree. The tree itself, clearly this “Citadel” Frea mentioned, seems to touch the sky, not even fully visible due to the cloud cover.]