"Nothing of worth at least," Fenelle signs back at Vespa, and a small digital chime that is indicated by a little glitch across the screen makes the translating Porygon's opinion known. Dee pats the little guy in the phone once, adding then, "But missing something nonethless, I suppose."

They, as in the duo and the group, have seemed to miss their line to follow. The curves of the river suddenly disappear, and then, a couple of steps further, seem to reappear ... but Fenelle, frankly, isn't really sure if they'd actually find the way out if they interacted with this creature.

(In fact, part of dem wonders if dee could catch it without Vespa noticing so dee could sacrifice it to build Genesect.)

But, dee also manages to get out a coin so that the Gimmighoul would take dem onto the boat, and dee actually recalls most of der team so they wouldn't get lost during the boat ride when dee can't really walk on der own. So there's only Porygon from the six remaining.

At the mention of Gachapon merch, the Poryphone actually gets excited.

Oh no, dee signs without it getting translated because the Porygon has started to pull up pictures from Fenelle's phone to show Vespa its own massive collection. There's even pictures that dee hasn't been aware of. And you only started with that a couple of months ago ... You let it do one job and have its own money and that happens.

Still, they actually end up somewhere, and the journey's been tiring ... physically grabbing der Poryphone, dee taps it so it would start translating again, "Shall we take a break here? Don't think we'll get anywhere anytime soon."

Vespa Baskerville
16 search for suitable locations to set up camp/base.

[attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"]

Epiphany is clearly visible on Fenelle's face as dee switches beginning to end. And certainly, it does fit the region better - a crumbling mess that's almost more meme in the way devastation spreads than reality. Or it's the way you'd have to cope with things when you try to live your ordinary life not trying to be consumed by horrors. "Seems like there's gotta be a fight to be put on," Fenelle concludes with a nod, pondering further. But supposedly, shouldn't other universes also work to save ... but dee frankly would need to see if there's any reports to read up on, having only a hazy vision of the cosmic scale of events.

For now, the most interesting part is an actually functional battery that is there, seemingly guarded by a Xurkitree ... that might or might not be dead. Dee nods at Lulu's words, tapping der Metagross to command Psychic and holding the Xurkitree while they get the battery. Dee sees some flinches, and takes out Grimmsnarl and Hisuian Goodra, too, to guarantee that that Xurkitree won't move much.

With interest, dee looks at the Illumina Alakazam from Lulu, before focusing back on the battery with a nod. "Let's see what we might find out ..." dee signs, excitedly as they turn to leave.

Lulu Flint

GROUNDLESS PT1

Steady movements coat the room as tension tries to move through. Perpetual motion fuelled by a mind seeking distraction, again and again and again. So that thought might eventually cease, but it's never as easy as that as dee works on some hardware because software isn't cutting it. The mental aspect of it to reminiscent of a dialogue dee has put off for a while now.

But eventually, the psychic presence in der back becomes unbearable, and dee turns.

A face lacking expression, but that's no problem for der Metagross. It's still linked with dem, despite everything that had happened. There's Petalburg's claim to celebrate, but only the bitter taste of defeat remains on Fenelle's tongue. And underneath that, a different taste. Loss. More than simply losing the fight, it feels like a war, too, has been lost.

Fenelle and Metagross stare at another in silence.

A vague feeling pushed onwards, taking the form of an apology almost. A glimpse back to the feelings that have coursed through its systems, unusual and new and strange. Feelings that have dem as origin - dee can't only blame der pokémon here. But what's there left to sign, think or feel?

A stronger psychic link is established, similiar to the levels from before - afterwards, dee has not let the Metagross connect as deeply as it usually would. And even now, dee can feel der hand trembling as der mind is gently bedded into the comfort of a steel mind. Only machinations and logic, and yet ...

Dee closes der eyes, giving in to the feeling of falling.

The ruby afternoon-evening sun sets the sky ablaze with flaming orange hues, the clouds like wisps of fire. Underneath, Xuanyi just finished up bandaging Mireille's wounds with a makeshift bandage, and finally introducing herself fashionably late. Granted, there's not been much opportunity for it else ... They carefully pat their dress as they stand up, hoping that there isn't too much visible dirt ... and then, something rather unexpected happen.

(Internally, Fenelle is impressed. It seems like they've stumbled upon a well and proper, old-fashioned knight.)

Flustered, Xuanyi looks at the knight as she introduces herself, looking intently as the words are spoken. Oh how they'd like to be certain of words, now more than anything ... A faint rosy flush accompanies the warmth rising in their cheeks at the display of knightness.

Their hands seem to flutter slightly, as if wanting to sign something, but unsure of what exactly. Then they hastily take the notebook in hand, remembering again that this is their means of communications right now.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Mireille.
And oh, do not worry!

They hastily write at Mireille's last words, shaking their head.

It's just my parents. I'm sure they're going to be worried about me by now ... I'm attending this ... feast? right now, and I should probably get back soon ... it's been a pleasure to get to know you, Mireille, I hope we get to meet again.

They smile shyly as they show the knight their writing.

Mireille Wynter

Fenelle mirrors the grin for a moment, before taking seat as offered. It's kinda nice to read that Hitoshi would be open to talk any topic with dem - words that, if put to the actual test, dee wonders if he'd come to regret. There's a brief moment of calculation going on before dee barely manages to stay on course, talking about SPECTRA.

Dee also catches his unsure eyes between Rotom and Fenelle demself, and quickly explains, "Rotom is a mere translator. Feel free to pay it mind or no mind," dee says, then rests der gaze on the electric ghost for another moment, "It's doing excellent work, though."

A small compliment to balm the soul that has been told to face off against Kyogre. This past seems forever ago, and not a few mere weeks.

"I did think about it," dee confirms with a nod, and feels a swell of pride at the Beast's compliment. Still, with it comes a shivering feeling, uncertain in the gust of Hoenn's tumultuous present. "The same goes to you. You've been an excellent leader figure." Dee nods in respect, before thinking once more back on the events of Sootopolis.

"Even if it might've not resulted in much ... but I'd like to grow further. I couldn't stop Livy and Morales, either, in the end, as I faced them in Mossdeep."

Just the thought of PENELOPE LIVY's red hair alone is enough to make der blood boil and freeze, as well as ... whatever the hell ollie morales got going on. How are people still so good? dee wonders. And would he still be, after everything?

Hitoshi Inoue

Fenelle might even be holding der breath, that's the amount of stillness dee displays as Kuro hesistantly approaches. Dee looks with fascination at the glowing marks, wishing that dee could take the moment to try and draw them ... but that's impossible in the current situation where dee stays as calm and motionless as possible. (And, given der upbringing, being quiet isn't something dee is bad at in moments that dee really wants.)

Dee chuckles slightly, the emotion more shown in expression of amusement rather than sound, as Kuro decides to dine and dash after all. "He's quite shy," dee comments, clearing some crumbs off der hand and taking another one of der overly sweet pastries to eat. It's essentially ice cream with dough at this point, frankly, which makes it really good. Kinda like ice cream cake?

"Maybe I should ask you to come with me when I'll have time to see if I can find some," Fenelle signs with a grin then, quickly finishing yet another pastry and moving onto the next. With the amount of sugar dee is currently eating, it's wild dee has healthy teeth still. "I think that would be fun in general, too."

Der expression gets a bit complicated at the mention of an Illumina Unown. "So these also come in Illumina, huh?" dee remarks, reigning in der expression as dee tries not to think of the RKS encounters dee had with Unown. "It's truly an interesting pokémon ..." And one dee would like to pursue, sometime.

Makoto Kurumi

Fenelle reads flickers of doubts, but it does seem like Vespa buys der lie ... for the moment, at least. "Yeah, me too ... it didn't seem like something to be correct about, but Hoenn does pride itself in different rulings than the rest of the world, I think ..." dee comments further as they move along the fog and the river.

Technically.

"Not really, it's been a mix of creepypastas and unreliable narrators," Fenelle admits (but dee knows, technically, but dee just can't pretend to know). "But is it just me or is the fog thicker now?"

They ... seem to have become lost. The river isn't there anymore, and given that they've taken several steps without considering that, it's hard to tell where they might be at now. That is, until a river does appear again ... ... but perhaps that's not the same.

A Gimmighoul appears in front of them, on a boat.

Vespa Baskerville

The Iron Serpent glowing with bright sapphire light that veers towards white seems to take motivation and inspiration from the two's resolve to win. Electricity fills the air as the Miraidon prepare to fight and lurge at one another. Lulu summons her Porygon into the simulation - a pokémon that is always regarded with fascination by Fenelle.

"It does have something foreboding, I agree," Fenelle signs, "It could be really interesting if they skip the fire part of burning, somehow ... and I wonder if on sand, it'd be glass."

The Tri-Attack launches the start of the fight on Electric Terrain. The sheer force of it all is hard to dodge on der own, so Fenelle fights der way onto the willing Miraidon's back at some point. It's surprisingly easy to maneuver it, perhaps thanks to this vague bond dee has felt before. Either way, with some guidance, the battle is another win in their book.

And another time, not a win without some drawbacks either. The cave area around them starts to collapse, prompting a swift escape. And ... "That's an odd plant-" Fenelle manages to sign before the simulation ends.

Lulu Flint
total 200 pts, 1 curio

Fenelle's been thinking on an elegant way to do this, but most of der braincells are still occupied with cooly seething and processing the events from a few weeks prior; new desires have awakened that demand attention. So it's not much of a surprise that dee jumps from der spot in the main foyer, simply hanging out in a rare moment of downtime, at the sight of a newly appointed champion of Rocket.

It's hard to imagine they've been at each other's throat the first time they met for purely competetive reasonings.

"Hitoshi!" Fenelle's Rotom beside them calls out as the duo of them approaches the aforementioned. "Do you have a moment? I wanted to talk about S.P.E.C.T.R.A. if you got time," dee asks. Remembering a few weeks - maybe even months ago - there's been hesistancy, a feeling of not being ready and having time.

But it's been a mere lie that any of them ever has time.

Hitoshi Inoue

Fenelle is unmoving for a moment, before signing nonchalantly, "Internet forums." This should be an answer that should be satisfactory for the other, right? Hopefully it is. It definitely feels like conspiracy theorists on the world wide web should fall into the same category as isekai. "I'm not actually sure," the Porygon's voice translates a pensive look with monotone, "but I don't think we're sucked anywhere. I believe I read that it's like an alternate dimension or world of some kind."

The broken seal ... ... Fenelle regards it with a spike of interest that quickly turns into feigned concern.

Is this then the origin of the treasures of ruin? dee wonders silently to demself.

"I hope not," is what dee would sign, however, "But I truly hope not ... how about we get away from here for the moment? In case whatever's got out is actually still around ... Maybe if we follow the river here, we will get somewhere...?"

Vespa Baskerville

Fenelle smiles weakly in response to Vespa's compliment, "Oh, thank you! Seems like that video about proper catching technique paid off," dee says, which is half a lie. Dee simply has come to know that the harder you throw, the better. A firm throw, nothing too weak or they might not take you serious. It's thoughts that are a bit too much toxic masculinity to be comfortable, if Fenelle had awareness for that. (At least der training is built on a mutual desire to get stronger and grow beneath. First meetings though? Pure intimidation.)

The other then starts several attempts to explain what exactly is up with Jo-Nathan, but these tries do not come to fruition. What did happen, however, is Fenelle seeing another Medicham that dee also throws a ball at quickly before it could think of fighting back or something. The other also seem to have caught a Sinistea ...

... and then the whole world changes all of a sudden.

Vespa Baskerville
catching medicham

[attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"]

Fenelle nods at the additional remark, signing at the Rotom to also note that down in addition. Dee also gives an affirmative nod at the sudden call, not minding as dee prepares to wrap up the whole thing itself. It's then that something interesting comes up, actually, however, as dee signs for the Rotom to call der Dondozo and Froakie back entirely ... but huh. Interesting.

There's a possibility this Crawdaunt that just appeared might have an ability and some powers that dee would need in a certain endeavour ... with Dondozo and Froakie halfway to dem, dee signs for them to get back into the water and weaken the Crawdaunt so that dee could catch them nice and easy. It doesn't take long for the duo to reach a point where the catch rate should be fairly good, and Fenelle throws a ball.

clover matamata
catching crawdaunt