Arrival in Gigas

[bravenewmods]

The City of Gigas is unlike anything the people of Union have ever seen before. The city is immense, a sprawling metropolis that covers the land as far as the eye can see. Built up primarily around enormous centralized towers, unlike Union these towers are dark concrete buildings, covered in glass windows. The buildings seem to serve any number of functions, and have a startling variety in construction, style, and even size, creating a unique skyline that is breathtaking to behold. The city is connected with roads of asphalt, upon which whiz smoke-belching steel carriages at frightful speeds, the engines (and piercing, constant horns) creating an ever-present din that engulfs the city in loud, chaotic sound.

“Downtown,” as the Gigans know it, is a huge collection of stores, apartments, and businesses. Apparently, the larger homes are built in Calderan-style but tend to be further from the main commotion of the downtown areas, of which Gigas citizens assure Union citizens that there are several, each with their own district name and culture. The technology is quite advanced as well, full color televisions are standard in every home and built in devices so slim and with such sharp images that they seem decades ahead of Union’s own technology. Pokemon are still quite present in Gigas, many people riding flying types and the buildings having huge perches to accommodate them. As with the vehicles below, however, Gigas seems to regulate air traffic to individual lanes and the birds seem well-trained as they convey their trainers to and fro.

Humans are just that, here, Human. No unusual shapes and sizes like the Enlightened and Earthkin of the Union Alliance, and those displaying unusual traits receive odd looks. Like many civilizations to the east, Battling is a common sport though in this place it’s more like the combat arenas of old. Several stadiums dot the cityscape, the sounds of Pokemon Battles and cheering crowds echoing for blocks all around, and it’s a stadium where humans are not welcome. Unless, of course, they want to make a show and spar against a Pokemon, of course.

This is Gigas, the City of Reclamation. Union civilians have free rein to explore this grand city as councillors are invited into the massive capitol building to negotiate with the Gigan leaders. Gigas civilians, for their part, are polite, friendly even. While many of them are caught in the bustle of their daily lives they regard Union citizens with interest and curiosity, willing to talk about their city, extolling its virtues while complaining about the noise, the crowds, the lines, and the expense all the while. One thing is clear though, the people of Gigas are proud of their city and their accomplishments. This is their home, and they are eager to show it off to the world.

Comments

[wise_maiden]

It's in situations like this that I wish I had one bonded. [The aversion to the technological advances were a side effect of growing up in Mage society. Even Union was an adjustment. As for flying types... she smiles faintly at the thought that her ditto would be able to turn into one, but following all those regulations?]

Hopefully they should have a large enough one that covers the same amount of information, but double checking couldn't hurt. I think that Limone and Selene should stay behind as well, so I can make sure they're settled with a meal before we ask.

[The Pokemon in question aren't too pleased to hear that, the Pikachu making a noise in clear disagreement, the absol lifting her head, blinking.]

[soulofmagus]

Wunjo would hate it here, and he's of no size to fly with me. I did see some enterprising youngsters back home piggybacking on their Doublade, though. Their balance left much to be decided. [And she's not about to make Ymir suffer such indignity]

[Sophia frowns, disliking the idea but not able to argue against it: it made sense, especially in this city, and ran less of a risk of losing one another - or worse! Ymir materialises in as the grumbling starts, understanding all too well his fellow pokémon's unhappiness with this call, and makes a few metallic noises at his charge.]

..I do have a suggestion, though both you and Selene would have to discuss it between yourselves as to whether or not you want to make use of it.

[wise_maiden]

Hush, Limone. You'll be more comfortable here, I promise.

[And Raine, personally, wanted to draw as little attention to herself and her pokemon as possible. Being a mage in this city was bad enough, even if the citizens didn't seem too attentive to individuals. And she would bring the ditto with her -- the pokemon was somewhere in the room anyway, quietly shifting forms between various objects.

Limone still seems sulky, continuing to issue complaints as Raine glances back to Sophia while the woman speaks, smiling a little at the commentary about the doublade - Ymir's reaction to that scene must have been priceless - though tilts her head at the mention of a suggestion.]

... Oh? What kind of idea is it?

[soulofmagus]

Gigans seem to find how we treat our friends to be something of a..novelty. A 'quaint conceit', if you will. They treat their own like pets. [the words are said with distaste.] So, why not play on that expectation?

[stepping over to her bags, she knees and rummages for a minute, before pulling out several long ribbons of varying pastel shades]

My Riolu was very put out that she couldn't come, so she packed extra ribbons for me. [in spite of Sophia never using them for herself] If Selene doesn't mind, you could put one on her, make it look like you're showing her off rather than her act as a bodyguard.

[Maybe even use another as a fake leash that can easily come apart -- though she's not about to suggest that just yet!]

[wise_maiden]

[She frowns, weighing the thought.] There is some merit in it, though I'm concerned that it would attract another sort of attention. They don't expect that behavior from Unionites, I don't think...

[She looks over to her Pokemon.] But that's your call, Selene.

[Well, Limone isn't about to wait for an answer. He marches right over to Sophia as indignant as a Pikachu can, eyeing those ribbons. The absol paces, clearly mulling it over herself.]

[soulofmagus]

Hiding the obvious in plain sight may well work best. The general populace knows very little about Union, beyond us having some..provincial quirks. [At least they haven't reacted too badly to the Calderans that came with them..] But it is your decision, Selene. Do not do it if it makes you uncomfortable, even if we're only pretending for a little while.

[ Limone's approach isn't missed, however, and the pale green, yellow, blue and pink ribbons are allowed to dangle low for his inspection ]

[wise_maiden]

[Selene stops pacing, still seeming to be in some consideration, though Limone then begins to talk to her while continuing to examine the ribbons. He's still miffed that he can't go but he can at least make sure she's presentable for the task if she chooses to accept.]

I get the feeling she's just as unsettled as I am by this. I know it's silly of me, but I honestly didn't know what to expect, coming to Gigas like this...

[soulofmagus]

[Sophia nods in understanding, before moving towards the bed and taking a seat at the end. ]

After what I'd heard, about their armies, and the past encounters with them... I think we all are, at least a little. It's not at all what I was expecting. Nor were the people.

And I'd imagine their views on pokémon must be incredibly frustrating to our friends here.

[ The extent of their technology was astonishing. It was a wonder they hadn't laughed mockingly at the warp band's existence. ..Then again, Union had accomplished things they had not, and Gigas had been forced to turn to them for help in the past. ]

[wise_maiden]

Their large army hides an almost fragile, sheltered sort of people. It's no wonder they've pushed so far ahead with their technology. I'm certain that even what I've witnessed isn't the height of what they're capable of militarily.

[She sighs, eyes distant.] Even Sanctuary's views weren't much better, but it wasn't as bad as this. Focusing more on our capabilities with magic and not fully appreciating these bonds. Societies that strive for excellence in whatever the individual can create themselves.

[soulofmagus]

[ Even a gilded cage is still a cage. The trainers won't understand his words, but the other pokémon will, as Ymir phases into the room, that eternal air of gloom still present. He really hates it here, and he won't be happy until they leave. (Is he ever happy..? Jury's still out on that one.)

There's a snort from where Elhaz is tucked up on a pillow, turning his head towards Selene. If you want to keep an eye on your trainer, you should go. Though mine is somewhat sensible. It IS only lunch. ]

Striving to survive, whatever the cost. And lacking the sort of edict that Union had.. Well. It's easy for us to judge, but if the Elite Four taught us anything at all, it is that we should allow for some flexibility in point of view.

[There's something about the uneasy look on her face as she looks around the room; it's not like she can remember her own circumstances, but part of her..can't help but feel that maybe judging more harshly isn't entirely the wrong tactic here.]

[wise_maiden]

Indeed. It's ironic, to consider what the Elite four wants is to destroy civilizations like these, allowing for no room for growth or compromise. Union has strong favor with the gods it does for good reason. The times we live in are very, very strange.

[She looks back up, noticing Sophia's expression. She knows the woman can't remember her past, though Raine can easily think of several scenarios that might have happened to her up to a point, none of them good. It's not the first time she's noticed her look like that either.]

My apologies, I didn't mean for us to get caught up in this line of thought.

[Selene levels her gaze with Elhaz. The three eyed magikarp spoke to me in a dream. We should not be here. Still, she seems to take some of what he says to consideration, before looking at Limone and nodding, slowly, though not entirely pleased at the ribbon.

The pikachu doesn't seem too happy to hear another one of those bizarre statements, let alone Ymir's grumpiness on top of that, but he knew the full reason why he was here at all was because he wouldn't have had it any other way. At least he could trust the absol - it was hard to know just what the ditto was thinking, and that unsettled him enough. Not helping...]

[soulofmagus]

[ Limone gets a glare from the double-sword ghost, but no comments. Who said he had to be helpful? Besides, it's not like he isn't speaking the truth here.

The absol gets stared at a moment. ...That made no sense, but okay. The Ivysaur sighs. The latter bit, I can agree with. But we are here, and its our responsibility to look out for our Humans, when they let us. Because they can't just let them wander off into danger without them, right?

Speaking of their trainers, who're busy with their own conversation.. ]

..You don't have anything to apologise for, . I think it's something about this city, and this situation. We're all hoping for the best, but we're expecting.. [her voice trails off] Well, what we're expecting hasn't happened, yet, I suppose. The wait for the other shoe to drop is very frustrating.

But, we need to make the most of the time we have. [up she stands again] And Waver mentioned that one of the cafes close to here serve very delicious krabby cakes.

[wise_maiden]

[She almost never makes sense, don't worry about it.

Selene doesn't respond verbally, but seems to nod, taking the ivysaur's words to consideration. That had to be a more suitable reason for she decided to bond with this human, even if it was only to ... continue having questionable predictions anyway.]

... Waver always seems one step ahead where cuisine is concerned.

[She has to smile faintly at that, despite how heavy the conversation turn had felt, giving a small shake of her head as she finishes gathering her things.]

But you're right. There will be enough time for these thoughts later, especially after we've had more time to take in the city for ourselves. [... And other projects, but that was also later.] ... It seems like Selene's decided as well.