[ACTION | Caverns Expedition Log]

[antiseptic]

Log Deputy: Rei antiseptic and Charles makeitquick
Participating Characters: Jade Curtiss, Imogen Moreno, Flynn, Chris Ramirez, Ezreal, Melaka Fray, William Flemming, Varun "Banzu" Elmas, Eren Jaeger, Armin Arlert, Elhaym van Houten (Elly), Ondorus Univir, Lux Crownguard...possibly more! Feel free to gatecrash the party at any time.
Plot Description: A group of intrepid explorers set out in search of an iron mine. Things probably don't go as expected.
Warnings/Notes: Possible violence?

QUICK LINKS: Pre-exploration mingling | Travel | Arrival at Caverns | Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3

Overview:
At 6AM, the group will be meeting at the city gates, where there'll be some time for mingling and last minute emergencies before they set off.

The group will travel east through the Verdant Forest for around half a day before reaching the Caverns. It will be freezing with a few flurries of snowfall. Try not to get lost! Or disturb hibernating Pokemon, for that matter.

At the Caverns, Jade will split everyone up into three groups. Group 1 will consist of Elly, Eren, Armin, Ondorus, Chris. Group 2 will be Jade, Melaka, Banzu, Flynn. Group 3 is Imogen, Ezreal, Flemming, and Lux. These groups aren't fixed, and characters are free to protest and try move around! Ideally, each group will end up with at least 4 members just for safety's sake.

Aaand after that, the exploration begins! At first there'll be nothing but caves and tunnels, but it shouldn't take very long for that to change...


Misc notes: Feel free to go wild with thread-jacking! The mods recommend not strictly enforcing a post order since things will probably stall that way. Also, if anyone wants a random wild Pokemon bonding encounter going in the mountains during any of this, just respond to the Map post as usual!

If you need to ask any questions, the quickest way to get in touch with me will be through PMs.

Comments

Open

[for_realsies]

*Imogen arrived early. She was dressed with her usual... flair.

*The core of her outfit was functional. Layered fabrics for warmth in dark colors, brown boots with a bit of a heel to them, and a pair of thin glasses perched on her nose. The 'flair' was in the added layers. She had a pink and green skirt, strictly decorative and in no way functional to attire. Fuzzy pink arm warmers and hat, and a jacket of thick hide (colored pink), and green fur edging.*

*Her partner Brighteyes was much more conservatively dressed, the Eevee simply had blue jacket, scarf, and hat to keep warm. He was curled up on her supply bag. Who knows what she had in there. Imogen stared off into space, getting distracted by other people's clothes, and talking to the occasional Pokemon as her partner kept her from walking into things with his warnings.*

[antiseptic]

[Judging by her style of clothing and attitude, Jade guesses that the person is Imogen. He approaches her with a light smile.]

My my, you have quite an eye for colours.

[for_realsies]

My eyes are one of my more useful features.

*Imogen dipped into a polite curtsy, coming up from the act with a little hop.*

Imogen Moreno, Delver. This here with me is Brighteyes, also a Delver.

*Brighteyes the Eevee merely bowed his head in greeting... then curled back up on Imogen's pack.*

[antiseptic]

Jade Curtiss, Ranger. And my partner is... [He glances around. There's no Pokemon in sight. He turns back to face her.]

Well, I'm sure you'll see him soon. He's terribly shy.

[Which is an absolute lie. His Duskull is about as mischievous as they come; he just doesn't like appearing in sunlight.]

[alwaysfaithful]

Chris had just arrived, not as early there as he'd like what with Carmen not liking Chris' new companion much. So he left the bug type at the Pokemon Habitat. There waa a slight readiness in his walking posture despite the earliness of the time. He saw Imogen and was nudged in the foot by Carmen the Eevee to give a small wave to Imogen. Also he noticed Jade immediately afterwards and had to withhold an urge to salute Jade. "Imogen. Ranger Curtiss, I'm Delver Chris Ramirez. Is everyone here or was I extra early?"

[antiseptic]

[Jade takes a moment to glance around. More people are steadily trickling in, but there's definitely quite a few that aren't here yet. At least, there's no sign of the person he's dreading to see.]

Hello, Chris. I know it'll pain you to know, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait for some time yet; not all of us are here.

[for_realsies]

Chris Ramirez. *Imogen waved rather exuberantly. Hardly the polite and dainty curtsy she gave Jade.*

Well, I'll be sure to say hello to your partner, Jade Curtiss, when he makes himself known to me.

I'm not used to meeting people for an expedition, so I didn't know if the time you gave was when we should arrive, or when we were leaving. So I showed up early, it also meant I could go back if I forgot anything!

[antiseptic]

It was when people were meant to arrive. I imagine a few would have some last minute business to take care of.

[He smiles.] Now, have the two of you forgotten anything?

Open

[ladyofluminosity]

[Lux knew that mishmash of colors anywhere. It was Imogen. Normally she would not be opposed to seeing the other girl--they were part of the same groups, although Lux did find her a bit odd to say the least--but she was trying to keep as low of a profile as possible.

Pulling her hood up over her head, she hoped that she wouldn't recognize her. Camille, however, didn't seem to care, slinking about as if she was owed attention. She knew the general gist of why they were there, but certainly didn't approve. She would engage in conversation if it befitted her, not the other way around.]

[for_realsies]

Camille?

*Sadly, Imogen is very good at recognizing very recognizable Pokemon. She crouched down and said hello to the dragon, offering any attention the dragon wanted. Brighteyes leaning over Imogen's shoulder to strike up a conversation.*

Hey... that is a good point, where's your Human? I would figure in this cold a lovely Dragon such as yourself would like to be home...

[ladyofluminosity]

[And any attempt to not be spotted was thrown out the window as soon as Imogen noticed Camille. The Dratini cooed calmly. Couldn't Imogen tell, she was the person next to her, currently trying to hide her face.]

Hi, Imogen...

[Hopefully she could find a rock in this cavern to crawl under and die. They likely weren't in short supply.]

[for_realsies]

Lady Luxanna Crownguard.

*Imogen dipped into a remarkably proper and dainty curtsy. Only ruined by the outfit she was wearing. Then she went back to giving most of her attention to Camille.*

So what bring you two to the gate? This is hardly an outting 'fit for a lady of your standing.' *When Imogen said it, it was clear she was repeating something she's heard many times before.* And you're much too pretty to be hiding your face like that, I didn't even recognize you.

[ladyofluminosity]

[She immediately shushes her, wincing at the title and her behavior. Hopefully no one noticed.]

Lux will be fine for today. I'm here to work, just like you.

[for_realsies]

*Imogen looks a little shocked to be shushed, it's a little odd not to want to be called by name. She turned her attention back to Camille.*

Is she alright, she seems a little tense right now? Nervous about the expedition or is this a family home thing? Or is this about what Fai Flourite has been up to?

*Yes, Imogen has decided to ask Camille instead of asking Lux. It seems quicker and less complicated.*

[indy_wannabe]

[cue one blond delver]

Crownguard huh? Should've guessed.

[ladyofluminosity]

[Lux began to ready an answer before someone piped in behind her. Jumping, she turned.]

Ezreal!

[(And here I thought we had finally seen the last of you...)]

[Camille flicked her tail, staring at Ezreal coolly. She had a few words for him, but not in the presence of Imogen. She knew not to use such language when one could understand her.

Looking back toward Imogen, she gave her something of a pleading look.]

I'll explain later--

Wait, you've heard from Fai? Where is he?

[for_realsies]

I spoke to him the other day, he and Babycakes were out and about. But I haven't seen him since.

*Imogen was never quite sure what Fai told his fiance about his less-than-acceptable adventures. So she never let on more than she had to. But given his choice of activities, she figured his socially acceptable consort would know something about it.*

Yes, she's Luxanna Crownguard. I'm not sure why she's trying to hide this fact. I mean, if she wanted to hide it I could have helped disguise her a bit better. I couldn't disguise Camille, she's far too unique.

If you're going to break all existing rules of propriety, you should ask someone with far more experience for help.

*Imogen kept her voice low so only the collected group could hear her, even if Lux had failed to disguise herself, Imogen wasn't going to sell her out quite like that. But other than that, she was conversational and matter-of-fact about the whole thing.*

[makeitquick]

[ Wow. You know her hair might be naturally multi-color and thus stand out almost as much as those clothes, but Melaka genuinely cannot help herself at the attire there and she speaks up before she can stop herself. She wanted to be professional for this but: ]

Savior, are those the mating colors of your species?

[ ---Maybe too rude. ]

[for_realsies]

What? No, not at all. When I mate I'm usually naked. And when I'm not I can be wearing just about any color.

*She doesn't seem to be insulted by the commentary, so that's something. She of course has no problem answering you with complete sincerity.*

Your hair is really pretty too.

[makeitquick]

[ ... Wow ]

-- Thanks.

[ At a loss for how to reply, he reply just ends up being a bit lame and abrupt. She also can't help but table on the scar on her face ]

[for_realsies]

You were a lot more talkative before I spoke back. Something on your mind?

*Imogen is many things, but she's rather hard to intimidate. In fact, she now interested.*

How often have you been on the other side of the wall?

[makeitquick]

Been there a few times. Not... that often, yet.

[for_realsies]

I've never been, the underground has always suited me more than the forests.

I have always wondered! Just, never been needed out there. Nobody's ever found a lost city or anything a Delver would be much good for.

So! What's it like out there?

[makeitquick]

It's big.

[ She's spent more time in the Old City than the outside, but even as she says it, there's a sense of wonder - because big is the biggest thing ] There's mountains, forests, the whole thing just makes the towers here feel kinda small and cramped. Not to mention, a lotta of the time you can hear something bigger or at least strong just out of what you can see and where you're goin'.

[for_realsies]

Cool definitely sounds different from the underground.

I guess this is why people go out there. Now I'm really glad to be seeing the wilds out there.