Departure

[bravenewmods]

The 10th day of Team Evolution's visit dawns.

The night before, the Council had sent out another message commenting about their decision concerning the machines. They could not in good faith return any to Team Evolution after what had happened. But in exchange, they would offer an example of Warp Band technology and explain the means by which Union trainers and Pokémon communicate. This particular Warp Band could operate only one way - it could only receive messages directly sent to its particular address. There was no chance of the team being able to tap in to the network.

The Council did not make any comment on the extraordinary events that had occurred the previous day. It seems nobody knew anything about Mega Evolution or what to make of it.

Early on the 10th morning, representatives from the Council could be seen speaking with the leading members of Team Evolution once more, and though Rory appears disappointed, he does not argue overly much. The rest of their team is already in the process of packing up their tents... To the side, Crystal and Sakina can be seen, having reappeared after their unceremonious departure earlier. Crystal stays close by Sakina at all times; the latter seems vaguely disoriented.

Idle talk would have it that they intend to leave before noon. But there is some time for last minute conversations still, though they would necessarily need to be short.

Before departure, Rory has something more to say as well to anyone within earshot.

"We thank you for your hospitality, and we hope that we have given you all something to ponder. I will not belabor our departure by repeating what I said previously, but it is truly our fervent goal that we may build a world where neither humans nor Pokemon need live in fear. If any of you wish to contact us, we have been told that this Warp Band is capable of receiving direct messages. We would be glad to hear from any of you.

"We understand our previous actions caused a great deal of damage within this city. While we can do little to beg your forgiveness, we do wish to leave you with a token of good will."

He will bow, then.

"Perhaps we can agree on one thing - let us hold faith in the bright future of this world!"

Comments

Rory Donnachaidh

[naturaldissension]

Sakina and Crystal

[bnw_void_npcs]

[crimson_pinnacle]

"Mister! A moment of your time."

Red came bounding up from a full sprint; full of questions, and more so a lot of respect. He had to question if it's because he's somewhat at odds with Union over the matter of his father. Regardless, a good Trainer is a good Trainer, and Red wanted a moment that he didn't get earlier when they first arrived.

[naturaldissension]

"Yes, of course."

Rory looks up from where he's been packing his things.

"What can I do for you?"

[crimson_pinnacle]

"T-Tell..." He trails off, panting hard because he had ran all the way from home. Resting his hands on his knees, he huffs a few times, trying to get enough air.

"I wanna know...

"I. Why are you so good?" The air finally makes it back into his lungs, and he stands up again. "Is it just experience? Synergy?" There's a lot he wants to know, and Rory will probably get his ear talked off with the Warp Band that Union has bestowed his Team. "And, about the Mega Evolution."

[naturaldissension]

The question leaves Rory blinking in surprise for a moment.

"Ahaha...! Is that what you wish to know?"

He laughs, good-naturedly, before offering a warm smile.

"...I am good because I needed to be. I told another young man from your city that the settlement I used to live in was no more - given where I stand today, perhaps the rest of that story is self-explanatory."

He speaks calmly, though his smile is somewhat tempered.

"Of course, I do not advocate facing death. But you cannot surpass your limits without pressing against them.

"...As for Mega Evolution..." A chuckle. "I am afraid that will have to remain a secret. But I can say it is not a nefarious creation of our team's or whatever rumors it is that are doubtlessly spreading."

[crimson_pinnacle]

Press his limits. That made sense, so much sense. Red may have been a little complacent in his youth with Judy and school, but now he has to push all that aside. He nods in affirmation when Rory finishes his story on how he came to be in Union, and all the implied trials therein.

Predictably though, he makes a face when Rory brushes him off on the Mega Evolution, but he'll find it out somehow eventually. There is a world out there and once he gets the right partner he can take it all on. "You have a lot of insight. What's a good starting point then for pushing myself?"

[naturaldissension]

He looks thoughtful for a moment.

"I suppose tempting a child to join the Team isn't appropriate, no? -- though I was about your age. Then I shall say... you will not get very far if you spend your life fighting Caterpie and Weedle.

"You who have lived your lives fearfully behind these walls... there is too much you have yet to know. I both envy your naivete and look upon it with exasperation."

Despite any perceived exasperation, his tone remains cheerful.

"Have the courage to see things for yourself. ...But, ah - please do not head out into the depths of the unknown on your own, either. I have no wish to stumble upon a small skeleton with a cap in my travels."

[crimson_pinnacle]

"People might say a thing or two..." Though he sounds mirthful enough.

Nodding carefully over Rory's words, Red thought it over a few more moments longer and adjusted said cap on his head. "I'll be careful, but I am gonna go exploring outside the city from now on too, thanks!" With that, he sprints off again, in search of that next challenge to surpass it.

Re: Sakina and Crystal

[stahlflugel]

[Eren makes certain he's part of the guard group helping to see off Team Evolution. He's got some things he needs to get off his chest. He should ask the woman he already talked to. The scientist, who he saw over the warp band hurting the enlightened woman next to her. He walks past her, stopping. Without even looking at her, he says in a voice that's so cold it could freeze lava;]

You lied.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[She stopped, eyebrows raising.]

Hmm?

[stahlflugel]

When you said you didn't know about Enlightened-- about humans with the powers of Pokémon. [he turns to look at her, his eyes just as cold as his voice, pupils narrowed to slits] If you lied about that, what else have you lied about? I don't ever want to see your faces around this city again.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

I'm sorry, I don't think I'm following. I don't know anything about "Enlightened."

[She smirks and starts walking again.]

[90sbangs]

[Mega evaluation.. Cress couldn't peal his eyes away from the Blaziken as it transformed. Cress stands in front of him holding his newly bonded Magikarp and Honedge by his side.] How.. did you do that?

The Blaziken..? [He's never seen anything like that before, not even his father has stories of mega evolved pokemon.] I mean, I know how you did it. You used that gem.. but where did you find something like that?

[stahlflugel]

You think we didn't see what you did. [he glances at Sakina, then back to Crystal] But we did. So get the hell out of here and never come back. Or I'll have the experiment you did in the caverns eat you. I'm sure he wouldn't even bat an eye. [Eren doesn't even bother to stick around to see how she responds to his threat, because COOL GUYS DON"T LOOK AT EXPLOSIONS. He just walks away]

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[He might hear chuckling as he walks off.]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

Apollo came up to Rory, his entourage with him. There were even more things that he wanted to ask Rory after seeing the tournament, but his priority was on the questions that his conversation with Sakina had raised. He was so focused on those questions that he forgot about a few human social conventions and jumped right to his first question.

"What are Pokémon to you?"

His voice had no judgement or hostility in it; he was simply asking a question.

[comparative_insanity]

[They can both have the brightest of smiles, and if Fai's eyes perhaps linger a moment longer on Sakina, he still will not outright accuse or demand. What would be the point?]

Mmm, I admit that it's embarrassing to have been so very easily manipulated, but perhaps I can blame my youth? [Mr Sunshine, now in full Houndoom form and standing by his side, growls the kind of growl that starts out in the back of one throat and ends up in someone else's. Fai puts a gentle hand on his head, calming him a bit.]

Either way, I feel I really have to congratulate you people. If the purpose was to motivate us to want to be stronger, you can certainly count me as motivated.

[naturaldissension]

I fear I cannot say.

[His expression is faintly rueful as he turns away from his belongings.]

I am not so invaluable that I would not face severe reprisal if I spoke of it to anyone - let alone those who may wish to oppose us.

[He blinks at Cress now for a few moments.]

-- Er.

Is that....... wise?

[His eyes have landed on the Magikarp.]

Shouldn't that be in water somewhere?

[naturaldissension]

These Union people were very direct. Rory turns with a puzzled expression.

"Is that not like asking 'what are humans to you'? A few are my valued companions. Others are enemies who intend me harm. The majority are creatures I think little of because our paths will never cross, or if they do, there is little reason for me to take notice of them."

[naturaldissension]

"Hm."

He watches Red go with a slight smile before returning to packing up his things.

[for_realsies]

Imogen sauntered over casually, now that she's had time to hide her anger at whatever he did to his partner. Then think about it a bit more and decide she needed... more, to understand what it was. Still, that in mind she wasn't stupid, she had Stonewall the Mr. Mime at her back in case things got... complicated.

"Hi, I had a question before you left." Polite and flighty, but after her showing in the tournament she was more than just a little outed on her abilities.

[naturaldissension]

"Of course."

Given his own keen sense of analysis, he had known what they were capable of from the beginning, of course. In any case, he waits for her question.

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

It hadn't occurred to Apollo that his question might be odd; after all, he could answer it easily, but not Rory's version of it. He pauses for a moment to think of how to rephrase it.

"Then, what are the Pokémon who are your companions to you? Do they serve you as their master? Are they friends? Weapons? Tools? Experiments? Protectors? Family?"

He maintains his calm tone, even when he lists less pleasant examples. Though after saying that he realizes that he probably shouldn't have added the examples and kept it as open-ended as possible.

[for_realsies]

"I was wondering if I could speak to your partner, the Blaziken?"

Imogen's manner was polite and demure, baby-doll eyes gleaming with a false charm behind her glasses. Hoping he sees no harm in her request, sweet and curious like a child. Which was partially the truth, she did wonder what the Pokemon went through.

"We don't have... what you did, here. I wanted to get your partner's take on the process, what it's like."