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Cloistered [M]

POSTED ON Sept 20, 2022 0:04:26 GMT

i'll chase the light of that distant star

Talia's own idealism wasn't swayed by the objective practicality of her captain, though this was in part due to her not quite realizing this distinction between them.

"That's true," Talia conceded, turning her gaze to the Tirtouga he indicated on the sand. "We'll have to be on alert, won't we?"

Her own temperament was pleasant and easygoing when it came to casual encounters like this one, causing her to sway on the balls of her feet as she contemplated his statement. However, this didn't mean she was taking their job casually -- far from it. She was attuned to the patrol of her Noibat as they stood on the beach, awaiting any invaders that might interrupt their conversation.

At present, nothing seemed intent on doing so, and Talia decided to change the topic to something more neutral. She indicated her Dragonair and Noibat with a nod, saying, "Lyra and Pazuzu should be able to notice if we receive any unexpected visitors."

She tilted her head at the Castform, curious.

"Does your Castform have a name, actually?"

She couldn't recall him giving one.

Tam Fawley ● Heroes on a Half-Shell ●

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Tali, Celes

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capsized [m/valor]

POSTED ON Sept 19, 2022 22:55:05 GMT

i'll chase the light of that distant star

All of Talia's being went still as she witnessed the familiar figure at the centre of the storm's fury, her topaz eyes widening in horror.

It is said that Lugia appears with the advent of a darkening storm...

The last time she had witnessed the legendary avian had been at the Tree of Life, when it still flourished in Sootopolis. It had been an ill-fated venture, one she was too green to have been assigned to, but that her own stubbornness had allowed for her to agree to in the first place.

"Phoebe!" she called loudly over the crackling lightning, "DEFOG!" The cottony wings of her Swablu carried the bird upwards into the firmament, spinning as the rain that pelted down from above began to still and calm into clear skies.

When the half-drowned woman gasped for air on the deck, Talia nodded quickly and firmly in response to Orion Lykos's statement of the obvious: she'd have to be the one to enter the sea. She gestured to Nova, her Starmie, and the two descended beneath the waves -- the heart of the stellar Pokemon pulsing a steady red, like a visible heartbeat undersea.

Should Orion's Pokemon wish to follow, they would be present to help her lift the unconscious body from where it had drifted in a bed of seaweed and sand. Mercifully, the boat hadn't collapsed on him; the man had apparently jumped before the hull could fall on him. Whether or not he was alive or dead was something Talia couldn't glean, not with the precious little time she had to drag him out before she had to gasp for air.

It took great effort, but Talia managed to pull him against the currents, buoyed by her Starmie's ease of movement as the two broke the surface of the jet-black waves. She gestured to the Tentacruel to assist her in pulling him to the boat's edge, her own arms exhausted by the leaden weight of the man and his wet clothing.

"Hurry," she panted, her own energy dwindling quickly.

Orion Lykos ● A Deadly Job ●

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Tali, Celes

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rangers rising

POSTED ON Sept 18, 2022 23:32:11 GMT

boruta maher, paxton concordas, and 4 more like this

i'll chase the light of that distant star

Talia's restraint was palpable, her cheeks reddening with indignation as Laurence Anderson made comments to the effect of the entire Slateport unit being at risk of dismissal should anyone act up again. Hadn't she ultimately held her tongue when asked by Josh Dragomir? It irked her, to be painted by so wide a brush, and for Raziel Beckett to be likewise chided publicly for speaking as he had.

Bureaucracy is an unfair thing, Talia. Deep breaths. Just don't make matters worse.

Still, the injustice of it all irritated her. Greatly.

When Josh Devlin decided to share the events of Mirage Island, Talia found herself blessedly distracted and then intrigued; this was a voyage she herself had not undertaken, and she wanted to be more versed in the happenings of Hoenn. The future outlined was bleak, and the devastation of the Johto deities of Ho-oh and the three Mythical Beasts struck a chord in the Ecruteak City native.

In another place and time, she had been meant to be a kimono girl honoring those very legends through song and dance.

She was not squeamish, and the sight of the PSYCHO CUT wound didn't faze her in the slightest. She had been willing to listen to the detailing of events, but something in its conclusion struck an off chord with her.

It seemed to misunderstand some fundamental aspect of these beings she so revered and respected, and had all her life.

"...Thank you for sharing your experience, Ranger Devlin," Talia said softly, pausing before continuing. She did not wish to agitate the mental state of the distraught man any further, after all. "I would however caution against entrusting the fate of Hoenn in the hands of such legendary deities. They are living beings far beyond our understanding and ken. They act on their own accord, and for their own reasons. It is a mistake to project our own wants onto them."

It was a gentle rebuke, this time. One that Talia hoped he would take with the grace it was intended.

"If we want to change the future, we must do it ourselves. The blessings of godly beings are for them to give, not for us to ask for."

Talia annoyed that she's being lumped in with the pie tossing chaos.
Secretly doesn't think Raziel Beckett did anything wrong.
Very interested in the future outlined by Josh Devlin, and upset because she's from Johto and v. religious about its pantheon.
Cautions Devlin against trusting Legendary Pokémon to fix Hoenn, when they are independent creatures with their own will.

Josh Devlin + others ● rangers rising ●

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Small Town, Big Fire [M]

POSTED ON Sept 17, 2022 18:35:18 GMT

i'll chase the light of that distant star

In her own corner of the destruction, Talia found a different sort of injured civilian deep within the farmhouse: a scared little boy no older than the age of five, clinging to his Eevee in the ruins and ash of the fires.

The boy's eyes widened at her approach, misted by tears, as he cried for a mother who was not home.

"Come with me," Talia said softly, reaching out to him. "We have to get you out of here! This isn't safe."

In the smoke, her Starmie's ILLUMINATE offered a bright beacon forward as Talia gathered the child into her arms, determined to escape before the walls closed in on them.

He was not a large child, but Talia was not an exceptionally strong woman, either. Carrying him was a leaden weight on her slight body, one that slowed her every step as she dragged her way out of the fire-strewn debris. Her Starmie's WATER GUN sprinkled over them both, leading the way through a forced path of extinguished flame.

When she finally saw Caleb Harcourt again, Talia could barely stand. She collapsed to her knees, letting the boy run to the family that her fellow Ranger had saved. Realisation dawned as they cried with one another; he was their child, too.

Another Pokeball was released from her belt, this time releasing a CHANSEY. The pink Pokemon waddled over to her trainer as if to heal her, but Talia shook her head, pointing to the civilians. "HEAL PULSE, Helene," she ordered, and the Chansey obliged.

The farmhouse collapsed moments later, its wooden beams and thatched roof torn asunder even as the last of its flames sputtered out under the onslaught of Water-type moves.

Gratefully, Talia looked up at Caleb as the Chansey did her part, and exhaled a breath she'd been holding since the encounter began. "That was close, wasn't it?" she said, exhaustion tinged with relief. "Too close."

Caleb Harcourt ● Fire Fighter ●

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capsized [m/valor]

POSTED ON Sept 17, 2022 18:27:03 GMT

i'll chase the light of that distant star

"No," she agreed softly, "I suppose no one does. But that's part of the joy of being a Ranger, I think? That we are drawn here for some greater purpose."

When Orion Lykos released the entirety of his Pokémon team, Talia stiffened as she prepared to do the same. One by one, she released her chosen companions alongside her Dragonair: a Swablu, a Noibat, a Starmie, and a Luvdisc. The last Pokémon she left on her belt untouched, only deciding to bring it forward should healing be necessary.

Her Starmie's ILLUMINATE joined his Tenatacruel and Lantern with its bright, star-like glow, while her Swablu and Noibat took the skies alongside the Noivern and Dragonair. Beside the Swampert and Slowking, her Luvdisc hovered curiously, lips pursed as eyes focused on the darkening sky.

"I think you're right," Talia whispered, her topaz eyes narrowing. "It's too contained to be something natural. Something is causing this."

The colossal silhouette manifesting at the centre of the storm said as much, moments later.

Orion Lykos ● A Deadly Job ●

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Over Sky & Sea [M]

POSTED ON Sept 17, 2022 18:16:28 GMT

i'll chase the light of that distant star

Talia tilted her head skyward, letting the breeze run its invisible fingers through her long blue hair as she listened. "Some of the best family is chosen family," the Ranger agreed as cloudy rings of cirrus crumbled around them.

"Potlucks, barbeques, and other events like that... I quite like them. Any time you can get other people together, I think, is worthwhile. I didn't know anyone when I came to Hoenn, but I've been grateful for the opportunities the Rangers have given me to meet others."

They were united by duty alone, perhaps, but that was a strong enough tie to build many foundations upon, Talia had found.

Below them, the Corsola had almost reached their desired location, their pink bodies glistening in the seafoam.

Locke Jamison ● corsola conservation ●

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Tali, Celes

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Nestled Hearts

POSTED ON Sept 17, 2022 5:11:33 GMT

i'll chase the light of that distant star

"A second nest?" Talia echoed, humming pleasantly with some amusement. "Aha, this explains why you are such an expert, then!"

Their combined efforts quickly bore fruit, resulting in a rapidly growing nest of branches, moss, twigs, and downy feathers. A warm, contented pleasure radiated from Talia's smile as she turned to Eva Morales, indicating the repaired habitat with an excited wave of her hand.

"This is incredible," she exclaimed, turning to the restless Corvisquire as if to direct the thought to her specifically. "Don't you think so? Now you have a home again."

She, too, knew how much worse of a fate the Rookidees and their mother could have faced.

Losing her home had almost happened to her, once, during the war in Johto. And in some ways, Talia still didn't have a home to go back to.

"It feels nice, doing this part of my job as a Ranger. Seeing how things that go badly can turn out right, with a little care and attention." She turned to Eva suddenly, her eyes widening. "Oh, sweet Arceus, I'm sorry. I never told you my name, did I?"

An embarrassed laugh took hold of her as she ran a hand through her long blue hair.

"I'm Talia. It's nice to meet you, um...?"

Eva Morales ● Heal Bell ●

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Tali, Celes

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rangers rising

POSTED ON Sept 16, 2022 16:56:06 GMT

willow atkins, Callan Young, and 4 more like this

i'll chase the light of that distant star

Were all Ranger meetings this noisy, unproductive, and chaotic?

Attempts at restoring order had fallen upon deaf ears. Idle words had turned into the hurling of pies. Reason had lost the war to madness, and the coalition for sanity was weak.

Talia bit her tongue, but her disapproving glare hid none of her thoughts from view. She didn't have the gift of subtlety, and it showed in the way she crossed her arms, face flushed as she turned to Raziel Beckett with a helpless shrug of her shoulders. 'Can you believe this?' her topaz eyes asked silently.

What made matters worse was that some of her own squadron had gotten involved in this silliness. It offended her almost as much as Matt Vice's uncalled for, unprofessional outburst had, though not enough for her to believe he deserved to be slapped with a pie for it.

As Josh Dragomir had said, this was a matter for those in command to rein in, as Laurence Anderson and Callan Young had. Whether or not they were doing so successfully was debatable, but her own voice wouldn't change anyone's behavior.

Thankfully, Elinor Anderson and Tam Fawley likewise stepped up to do their duty in the wake of the food fiasco, and Talia privately hoped others would listen. She didn't want to leave, as others had, simply because of some poor behavior. This was an important matter for the region, as annalise henderson had said, and Talia didn't want to rely on someone else's retelling of events to prepare herself.

Admittedly, Talia didn't want stains on her white uniform either.

As she scanned those around her, Talia briefly caught a wink from Liam Cassius and replied with a quizzical frown. Was there something in the man's eye? He looked twitchy.

Talia is silently offended by the food wars.
She is hoping people listen to the grown ups.
Is Liam Cassius ok? His eye is awful twitchy.

Raziel Beckett Tam Fawley Liam Cassius + others ● rangers rising ●

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rangers rising

POSTED ON Sept 15, 2022 1:18:46 GMT

Laurence Anderson, paxton concordas, and 4 more like this

i'll chase the light of that distant star

Talia's expression shifted the more the Rangers around her spoke, disharmony sparking from each direction as her topaz eyes flitted from one heated individual to another. The applause that had begun for Guillermo Marceliño and annalise henderson faded as instead discussions turned into spats, and eventually, emotional outpourings of frustration and hurt feelings.

So this was the way the Rangers handled strife. Disappointing.

The shyness and nerves that had held her at her arrival dissipated in the light of something more serious and somber. Life-and-death matters couldn't allow for impulsivity.

It was why she nodded to Tam Fawley when he spoke of where they ought to head next, as her Slateport Captain. It was why everything in her screamed in agreeance with Calliope Marks, who knew unpleasant truths as she did. It was why she silently offered her agreement to Raziel Beckett when he spoke beside her, heart falling when he spoke of the Megalopian War.

It was why she stood up, now, when Josh Devlin shouted at her new companion, something indignant glimmering in her eyes.

"There is a meteor coming that will wipe out all of civilization as we know it. As you say, the future looks grim," she said coolly to Josh Devlin, her displeasure nonetheless clear in each soft-spoken syllable. "Shall we keep sowing division by demanding apologies? We don't have the luxury of time."

It angered her, that such trivial matters could overshadow something so significant. Had Kanto or Johto been similarly divided as Hoenn had? She prayed not.

"No one's home is safe. As Guillermo Marceliño has said, it is not our place to question orders, not now. That time has long past. We are Rangers, and we will do our job, and we will do it admirably. So let us clear our heads and focus on the actual threat at hand. Together."

She watched @arashi leave, but did not follow, returning to her seat with her hands pressed on her lap. Her Swablu flitted back to her shoulder, resting as Talia exhaled a breath she'd not realized she'd been holding.

It's fine for them to be scared. But we can't let fear rule us, not now. Not with so much at stake.

Josh Devlin Guillermo Marceliño Raziel Beckett Calliope Marks @arashi annalise henderson Tam Fawley ● rangers rising ●

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Tali, Celes

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Talia Celes's Infamy File

POSTED ON Sept 14, 2022 22:32:57 GMT

MATIAS SILPH and Tam Fawley like this

TALIA'S INFAMY FILE

PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE X PRIVATE KNOWLEDGE

I'LL CHASE THE LIGHT[break]OF THAT DISTANT STAR

and be your light when all other lights go out

Talia is, in essence, the embodiment of audacious hope that stands in the face of strife. Her idealism and her optimism fuel her, and rather than let the darkness of the world snuff it out of her, she is determined to bring what goodness she can to the places most in need of it.

This does not mean that she is a doormat, however. Talia is Lawful Good through and through; she is not one to be swayed to compassion for Rockets, despite being a compassionate soul. She is also remarkably stubborn, and will stay in fights that she should retreat from, because she does not believe in condoning wrongdoing.

PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE

WHAT CAN BE LOOKED UP

Talia moved to Hoenn as a refugee during the height of the Johto invasion. Until that point, she had been in training to join the kimono girls of the Ecruteak Dance Theater, continuing a family tradition of performance and storytelling in honor of the Legendary beasts. She shared a flat with three other refugee girls, using her musical talents to pay her rent while she waited for news of her mother to return to her.

When her mother was lost as one of the casualties of war, Talia decided to stay in Hoenn, becoming a Ranger in the hopes of preventing what happened to Johto from ever happening here. She is open about this, as she is open about most things in her life; she is a woman with few secrets, sincere to a fault.

LEAGUE KNOWLEDGE

POINTS OF INTEREST FOR THE LEAGUE FACTION

Talia has joined the Slateport Rangers, where she primarily works in search-and-rescue missions off the coast. She has trained with MATIAS SILPH as part of her quest to strengthen herself.

ROCKET KNOWLEDGE

POINTS OF INTEREST FOR TEAM ROCKET FACTION

Talia once challenged Cillian Quinn at the Tree of Life when he confronted her for approaching. Only when she feared he might kill her Dragonair did she stand down.

PRIVATE KNOWLEDGE

PERSONAL SECRETS

Talia doesn't know who her father is, only that he was a talented Dragon-type trainer. Her Dratini is her only connection to him, and even that gift was one sent from far away: an acknowledgment of her existence, but not an acceptance. She has never expressed interest in meeting him. To her knowledge, she is an orphan, and she doesn't mind it being that way.

She has never been in a relationship and, particularly, has less experience with men in general due to being raised in a predominantly female household.

She can sing, play the harp, and dance professionally. She is secretly very spiritual about Legendary Pokémon, but hides this from much of Hoenn, as that is uncommon here and frowned upon.

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Nestled Hearts

POSTED ON Sept 14, 2022 2:26:53 GMT

i'll chase the light of that distant star

Talia nodded firmly, with the enthusiasm of an eager student taking a teacher's wisdom to heart. "That sounds like a good idea!" she agreed, mentally committing the notion to memory: pick up Potions later from the PokeMart, before you forget.

The shadow of the Corvisquire fell over them, and Talia jumped slightly, startled by its sudden presence. Then, somewhat timidly, she waved hello. "Welcome back," she said, her smile returning with genuine warmth. "We've kept your little ones safe for you."

Phoebe the Swablu began to pluck pieces of twigs and leaves in her beak, while Talia likewise gathered branches in her arms. To her amusement, the fluffy wings of the Swablu shed cottony puffs of feathers to assist in the task, offering it as a way to make the nest extra cozy for the little Rookidees.

"Have you ever built a nest before?" she asked Eva Morales, laughing. "This is my first time."

Eva Morales ● Heal Bell ●

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Tali, Celes

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Assign a Tarot Card Arcana to Your Character!

POSTED ON Sept 14, 2022 1:05:21 GMT

Gwyar Wledig and Martín del Mar like this

The Star

Talia Celes

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processed shop

POSTED ON Sept 13, 2022 5:13:50 GMT

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PURCHASING/REDEEMING

welcome to the poké mart!

1X Level Tutor (Teach Chansey HEAL PULSE) (40 PD)

TOTAL

do come again!

40 PD

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fissures

POSTED ON Sept 13, 2022 5:11:57 GMT

i'll chase the light of that distant star

Talia held back as she watched the ethereal woman approach the fissure; Freya took hold of the situation with an almost regal command, and something in it relaxed Talia, as if she felt she could entrust the intensity of their situation with someone more capable and wiser.

As the Kommo-o PROTECTED the family below, Talia exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "Thank you," she said to Freya, grateful. She wouldn't have dared ask Navi to push through the stone otherwise, for fear of harming innocents. With that danger now removed, she nodded firmly to Navi, and the Flygon soared over to the rock with claws extended.

Once more, she BULLDOZED her way ahead, and the tumbling rocks fell harmlessly across the barrier the Kommo-o provided. With the way no longer obscured, Talia rode Lyra down to land beside the cave's trapped inhabitants and released another Pokeball of her own. Her Chansey emerged with a beaming smile, waddling over to the fallen man with a wave of a small stubby arm.

"Helene, use HEAL PULSE," Talia instructed, and the Chansey did as instructed, channeling a pink healing aura about herself that she directed towards the injured man. To her great relief, it seemed to be enough to rouse him to his feet; the bleeding, at least, had stopped. He stammered out his gratitude, and Talia waved it away, embarrassed. "Ah, I should have opened with introductions. I'm Talia, one of the Rangers. It's nice to meet you."

Her topaz eyes scoured the area, taking stock of their surroundings: a fainted Onix, two adults, and a boy, now paired with the company of two women and their Pokémon.

"Now the question is how we get everyone out," she murmured.

freya morningstar ● Search and Rescue ●

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