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

Sakina

[bnw_void_npcs]

[Quiet and aloof, Sakina stands aside. She is polite and obedient when approached, and will answer questions if asked, but often in single words or small phrases. She appears a bit ill at ease with the whole situation, and is shying away from Union locals]

[for_realsies]

*Imogen made the most uncomfy of faces at the idea of humans where they were before the fall. The very idea terrified her in a very deep way. But of course, that sort of feeling didn't get her any sort of answer. And wasn't very helpful. Talking was helpful!*

Hi!

*She picked her target by how likely they would react to her... eccentricities. Which in spite of how she acted she knew could rub a person the wrong way.*

So... why did you leave your things all alone in those caves? Seems a bit silly if they're so important! You didn't put cards on them, with your address or even your name! I mean, I put those in case I forget something, right!? So where are you guys from anyway? We haven't run into other humans in a long long time!

[bnw_void_npcs]

[The girl stares at Imogen for a moment - a bit longer than one would think would be appropriate for such a situation.]

Why would we do that? There weren't supposed to be any other humans in the area.

[for_realsies]

*Some people never stop staring at her. She's used to it and unperturbed.*

Well, now you know for next time! And next time we can tell each other where we're doing things, and compare notes and exchange tips on clothing design!

So... you just left those things, weren't you worried the local Pokemon might want to play with them or eat them or anything? Hey how did you find us after?

[bnw_void_npcs]

The machines are durable. We're not worried about Pokemon harming them.

[Beat]

We tracked the trail. When we saw they were gone, knew there must be humans around.

[for_realsies]

Really? Pretty sure history has shown breaking things is a lot easier than you'd think.

*Imogen shrugs, the story did still make sense.*

So you must be pretty near to set-up in the caves like that? What's your city like, are there cute hats!?

[bnw_void_npcs]

We are not close. We wanted to run tests further away in areas with Pokemon that are not native to ours. Our hats are acceptable.

Re: Sakina

[rejected_trash]

Yo.

[Sync picks her out of the group because she seems the least likely to have a routine or act commited to memory and might give up something through her attitude or body language.

Unfortunately, Sync notes a Psychology degree would help him better in picking this up, but like a dimwit he had to go and be a Trainer, and it doesn't help he keeps finding situations where that extra schooling would help.]

Tell me some about your group. I heard the announcement, but it always means more to hear someone talk about what they believe in.

Sakina

[bnw_void_npcs]

What do you wish to know?

[rejected_trash]

Well, it sounds nice and professional, but what is it really? When you talk about Evolution, I'm fairly sure you mean more in a metaphorical sense for humans; what's the next step?

[bnw_void_npcs]

Team Evolution doesn't view it as static steps, it's more of a constant process. Finding new ways of progress and avenues of learning are our goal.

[rejected_trash]

[That perks him up a bit.]

Yeah? Tell me some about your past success with this then. What about if I wanted to join up?

[bnw_void_npcs]

I don't have authorization to speak to our projects, you would have to speak with Rory.

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

[Apollo decided not to approach the group's leader right away after seeing how many others were, instead deciding to try and speak with someone less occupied. The woman standing off to the side was the next person he noticed, and while she doesn't seem too delighted to be there for some reason he still decides to approach her.

A short red-haired boy approaches, in a worn shin-length green coat with a large feathered amulet over it. Despite his obvious youth, he carries himself like someone who's used to fighting. A Fletchinder, Hippopotas, and Deerling follow him, and a young Seedot is cradled in one arm.]

Hi, I'm Apollo.

[bnw_void_npcs]

I am Sakina.

[She doesn't seem to bat an eye at his appearance]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

[A large part of Apollo wants to rail at this woman for those machines, but he reminds himself that just because she's with the group responsible for them, doesn't mean that she personally is responsible. If he gets a chance to have a word with their leader he'll probably bring it up, but for now, questions of personal interest.]

What kinds of Pokémon are there where you're from? I don't see any with you, but you must have had some helping you to travel as far as you have.

[bnw_void_npcs]

We have a number of species. I don't recognize several of the Pokemon in this area.

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

It's always interesting to meet new Pokémon, isn't it? I can tell you about some of them if you want. Can you show me the ones who you've bonded with?

[The range on their Warp Bands must be a lot larger than Union's. They can't have just left their Pokémon back in the forest, can they?]

[bnw_void_npcs]

...bonded? You mean captured?

[makeitquick]

[ and then Melaka Batman'd over to the woman. Okay no she just headed on over to there a day or three into this because she'd been sort of listening to other people and watching this. Plus she's not smart enough to talk up a science person or hit up the leader. So... the one on the outer edges there ]

Hey. You guys have aspear juice where you're from?

[bnw_void_npcs]

Yes, we do.

[makeitquick]

Good. It's kinda cold out, and I've been having it to warm up.

[ It's somewhat cold going down, but she always finds it makes her feel defrosted/warm afterwards. And that's why she holds out a bottle with some in it to offer her some. It's an opening piece offering ]

[bnw_void_npcs]

[Sakina will pause a moment before taking a sip and returning it to Melaka]

Thank you.

[makeitquick]

No problem. [ And it goes back to her waist now. After that . . . ] You know, you guys aren't making a great first impression here.

[bnw_void_npcs]

[She shrugs]

First impressions are Rory's job, not mine.