Weirding of Nature

[bravenewmods]

Early in the morning today, the people of Union are startled from their everyday activities by a public broadcast on their Warp Bands. This never means anything good...

With a careful absence of emotion, a disembodied voice begins to read a message prepared by the Rangers of Union. In the past few days, the rangers have begun reporting some strange occurrences while scouting various areas. Individually, they may appear to be minor issues; however, it's an alarming trend when viewed altogether. Citizens are advised to take great care while traveling in the following areas and to keep an eye out for danger.

Caldera: Unattended metal in the area is warping in strange ways.
The Forest Shrine: The trees near the shrine seem to be experiencing rampant growth, obscuring the sunlight in the area.
Desert: Heavy rainfall, uncharacteristic even of the rainy season within the desert has been happening non-stop.
Flower Grove: Small mushroom rings are appearing around the grove. Approaching them is causing dizziness and nausea. This effect is subdued by approaching the Gracidea flowers held within.
Mountain: The Mountain is experiencing increased snowfall usually seen at the higher elevations. Paradoxically, it’s also seeing a few small lava flows emerging from various points; odd as it is not volcanic.
Old City: People and Pokemon will begin to hear voices echoing through the caverns. The voices are hushed, whispering, and unintelligible.
Ruins: A strange, hazelike atmosphere has descended over the ruins. It almost appears as if it were a mirage.
Rolling Plains: Abnormally large swarms of Bug Pokemon have been sighted traversing the plains aimlessly.

These effects will be apparent to anyone traveling within these areas. Stay safe!

1/24 update

Two new areas are showing anomalous behavior.

Iron Mine: Loose ore and rock in the Iron Mine have become magnetized and are now floating through the air seemingly at random.
Ocean: There has been an increase to the potency and size of waves, making the tides and shore more dangerous than normal.


((This post may be used as a mingle to discuss and respond to these issues, including either action threads or conversations over the Warp Band.))

Comments

action for theater folks!

[actsmagnificent]

[ More strange weather. This is the sort of thing the Swords and Rangers and various do-gooders throughout the city fall over themselves to fix, isn't it? It's not the Defense Force's job, per se, to stop these strange occurrences.

But if these events are caused by gods - and the odds are good - then those other groups would be left alone fighting something that is Defense Force jurisdiction. So the Divine Defense Force has been ordered to divide and conquer. Haruka doesn't particularly care where people decide to go, so long as they stay on the lookout. Except the Ruins. She's called dibs on the Ruins.

It's a very history-heavy place, and she doesn't want her colleagues around when she decides to try to destroy the gods if necessary instead of venerating them. That's how she and Michiru fight. She won't dirty anyone else's hands.

If you need your fearless leader, she's in the storeroom, debating what to take with her in her jacket pockets. Natto has come along, still holding her Warp Band, and is quietly assembling his own first-aid kit for his Trainer. Maybe she won't like his choices, but if he's not a fighter, this is all he can do. ] Van.

[ Natto's ministrations are probably a good thing. Haruka doesn't look like she's thinking about the task at hand too hard - her thoughts are elsewhere. ]

[miraclemiko]

[ What strange weather. Sanae was under the understanding that the desert was, you know, dry and hot. Also such strange things happening around Union--although she had heard from the Valkyries that weird things tended to follow Union like a plague. Still, it made things interesting to say the least. She might even consider going out and exploring a bit.

But she had other things to take care of first, like cleaning. Her hair pinned up in a ponytail and her sleeves rolled up, the newest member of the theater house carried a bucket and mop with her, passing by the storeroom.

Hey, was that-- ]

Haruka? Natto? [ A cheerful smile. ] What are you up to?

[actsmagnificent]

Ah, Sanae. [ Haruka looks behind herself, thinking. How much is safe to say? The place is going to empty out - that would make her suspicious, wouldn't it?

So she blinks and puts on a mild smile as best she can. ] A lot of us are going to have to go out for a while. Will you be okay by yourself?

[ And it's at that point that Natto starts putting Potions into Haruka's pockets. One....two....three....Trainer needs a lot of Potions....

Yeah, they're not up to anything sketchy at all! ]

[miraclemiko]

[ She was smart enough to be able to gauge supplies at the very least. That was a lot of potions. Sanae wasn't the accusing sort most of the time, but if she had to wager a guess, she was going to be out for a long time, and maybe even somewhere dangerous. The girl looked concerned. ]

Going where? Is everything okay?

[ She lowered her bucket to the ground, looking a bit awkward. She already felt strange living here without paying for it, and now she was going to be there basically by herself. She didn't really like it... ]

[actsmagnificent]

[ That bucket might be gone the next time Sanae goes looking for it, the hallway sparkling clean as well. Haruka's Mr. Mime stays at the theater and helps where he can. He just has an unsettling way of going about it.

Haruka is now in an awkward situation. She decides to evade the question. ] The Pokémon will be here, too.

Leavanny! [ That's right! agrees Natto. You won't be lonely, Sanae! ]

[miraclemiko]

[ Natto, you're sweet, and that does get a bit of a smile from her, albeit a sad one. She could logic her way through this one, given how people were reacting about the anomalies around Union. Still, what did theater folk have to do with that?

She kept the smile on her face as she asked, looking a little concerned. ]

You're going to check out all the weird things happening, aren't you?

[ Haruka and Miss Michiru were probably going together. Maybe Rise. Probably Takuto. There were a few stage hands she could see leaving too. She would have her pokemon, and a few others, but it would be awfully quiet. Not to mention that she was legitimately concerned. Actors don't really fight, right? ]

[actsmagnificent]

That doesn't concern you. [ Darnit. This was supposed to be Takuto's problem, not hers. But did any of them really think, even for a moment, that they could have someone living in the theater - living with them - and not have her discover something was amiss eventually....?

Haruka tries not to look at Sanae, but Natto looks concerned. Oh, no. Trainer is doing the pushing-people-away thing. Sometimes that means she wants the other person to keep pushing, though. So he's not sure what to do. ] Van.

[ Trainer doesn't sound as cold or angry as she can sometimes, though. Trainer sounds kind of sad.... ]

Action

[taudriver]

[Takuto sees Haruka and salutes sharply]

Captain!

[actsmagnificent]

Leava!

[ Oh, sorry, that was contagious. Natto will keep working now, having saluted Takuto back.

Haruka exhales. This guy's first mission and he's probably going it solo, huh. ] Are you heading out?

[taudriver]

With your authorization, I will. I want see what's going on for myself.

[actsmagnificent]

[ She nods. That's an understandable position, but - just to be sure he's clear about everything.... ]

Don't forget our priorities.

[ Gods, kid. You can do what you want as long as you look for some gods. ]

[taudriver]

I won't. Grandpa made sure I knew what my duties are.

[actsmagnificent]

Where are you investigating? [ It's almost an afterthought, but she probably should know that, huh.

Natto bundles a bunch of Potions and Antidotes in his arms but doesn't offer them to Takuto just yet. If you end up in the ocean again he wants to make sure you're Tentacool-proof....but that's a moot point if you don't go swimming. ]

[celebrity_commentator]

[Rise stops by somewhat later. She's fairly certain she knows which of the newbies she can talk in front of and which she can't, but her voice kinda carries and she wants to make sure. Besides, she'd been making tentative plans of her own.]

Sooooo...do you and Michiru need me for backup, or should I keep an eye on wherever you guys aren't going?

[actsmagnificent]

Did you have any ideas? [ Haruka picks something up and then puts it back down. She's just about ready to go, but doesn't have a full plan in her mind yet so she's been putting off committing to heading out.

She'd also definitely prefer if Rise investigated somewhere else - nothing personal, it's practical to spread out, actually a form of trust, etc - but it's good to hear what people come up with on their own. She has to know her colleagues will be fine even if they're far apart.

Natto sticks a leaf on a Potion and gives it to Rise. ] Van.

[celebrity_commentator]

Thanks, Natto!

[Rise actually gives the Leavanny a small bow in appreciation. As in ducking her head, not a hair decoration. She's not quite ready to give up the twintails look.]

Well, my first instinct is to check out the Old City, but then I thought it might be useful if I kept an eye on a certain Ranger who wouldn't find it suspicious...

[Aka she found an excuse to follow her boyfriend around that didn't sound too much like an excuse to follow her boyfriend around.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka chuckles - how much she knows about this is unclear, but this is also not the time to discuss it, beyond the essentials. ] Don't get distracted.

[ Says the woman traveling with her wife. But seriously, don't. ] So where would that be?

[celebrity_commentator]

I think we're looking at the Rolling Plains. Normally that many Bug-types would bu--uh, be a problem for me, but I can stand far enough back now that it should be safe, and I can keep track of their movements.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka nods. Natto steps back since it seems polite. He's a Bug-type and all, though he also knows Rise isn't worried about him. She's so strong! ]

They won't stop swarming until you find the source. If it's not a god, stay back.

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru pokes her head into the storage room, while Corsola hops on in. Hey, what're you guys doing?]

There you are.

[and nope, her gaze is directed towards Natto.] Would you mind keeping an eye on the kids while we're away?

[actsmagnificent]

[ Mm? But you knew we wouldn't be setting out just ye--

Oh, Natto. Haruka smirks to herself and waits while the Leavanny bobs his head in a bow. Trainer's Trainer wants him to watch the babies, gosh, that's an important job. He'll do his best to live up to this task! Is there a schedule for feeding them? Is it okay if they go outside to play sometimes? He'll keep the eggbaby especially safe! ] Vanny leavanny lea!

[ ....let the details come as they will, buddy. Haruka snorts. ] Thinking of everything again, huh.

[incousinswithyou]

Somebody has to do it. [heh.

And Corsola is already reciting all the explicit instructions and time tables for Natto. She's gonna help!

Her smile gets softer as she turns back to Natto.] It'll be fine. I trust you and you'll have Carol and Stradivarius to help.

[Bass and the Reuniclus have been assigned the task of keeping Brad away, however.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Carol seems on top of things, so Natto feels hugely reassured. There's so many babies, aren't there? Minuet, and the new little bird, and the not-Gold thing that sparks sometimes and is cute, and....does Ferrari still count...?...and the funny-shaped Pidgey, but that's been around for a while...and Super Beauty....

...at any rate, let's work hard together! ] Leavanny leava!

[ And there you have it. Haruka watches with a quiet little smile herself, then puts an arm around Michiru's back. ] It'll be busy after that broadcast. We should head out soon if we're going to beat the rush.

[ Who is she kidding, though. The Ruins are probably already swarming with Rangers or something....they can try to explore independently, but their chances aren't great. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Carol pauses as Natto ticks off that list. That's.... a lot of kids, now that he's mentioned it. And surely Super Beauty doesn't count!

Michiru will take this chance to lean in a little.] That eager, huh?

[she's looking around at the stuff in the storeroom, though. Are they ready?]

[actsmagnificent]

Van! [ She came from an egg before you arrived! It was the first egg his Trainer ever got, and she treated it like your Trainer treats the walking egg. But Super Beauty's grown somewhat so they can consider her not a baby if Carol thinks that's best.

Haruka leans too. Hi. She feels much more relaxed now that you're here. ] I don't like being toyed with.

[ Honestly, those gods. Just come out and say whether they're worthy or not. Don't put people and Pokémon in danger to make a point. ]