[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]
Ruby's eyes widen as she follows the crimson string of fate on up through the trees. Finally, something to lead her path. Even if she had absolutely no idea what it was, something was better than nothing. The very sight of these trees might be nothing more than figments of the mind, but for now, they were very, very real.

She couldn't help but debate whether or not this was the work of some psychic pokemon, mentally twisting all their thoughts. It was a possibility, but for now, the only important thing was that Hideo Kino and Cardamom Bliss appeared to be safe. She let out an exhausted sigh, trying to catch her breath from all that climbing as she speaks. [break][break]

"If it's up to me, next time we will indeed have a rope, Hideo." She laughs, but it's an empty laugh. Out of relief than any attempt at humor. Of course, the speaking Pokemon immediately drew her attention. [break][break]

His words inspired awe, a sound that she could have sworn that she somehow knew before. Lanterns, metal symbols, there were so many questions to ask, but it appeared they had no time. [break][break]

It was here. [break][break]

Nodding her head, Ruby quickly spoke. "Understood." It had to be some kind of ritual, Cardamom Bliss had to be right. The start of one, at least. The light of Litwick was said to absorb life energy itself, would the lanterns do the exact same? Absorb it from the beast or from them? Whatever it was, the light of the soul should hopefully fight against the dark mass of the beast. What else could compare? [break][break]

The sudden shattering of the Absol horn was immediately taken as a terrible sign. The shattered pieces were still vibrating, and as guilty as she felt for quickly grabbing a piece it was important. Any chance to prepare for a disaster before it happened.[break][break]

"Grace-" She began to speak to her Gardevoir, who all but read her mind. A Heal Pulse flew its way towards the Absol, hopefully numbing the pain from the sudden horn loss. [break][break]

Sending out her Stonjourner, Ruby quickly climbed atop his stone body as she spoke. "Brick, Imprison one. We need to go, now." The massive stone pokemon sent out its psychic presence, hopefully trapping the Litwick in place. Quickly grabbing an empty pokeball from her bag, she attempted to toss it, only for it to refuse to leave her hand. [break][break]

She blinked and then blinked again. The strange inky mass that had accumulated on her arm had reached her hand, and seemingly was stuck to the Pokeball, almost as if by magnets. Certainly not the weirdest thing that has happened today. Tossing the ball with her other hand instead, she quickly caught the Litwick before moving to find one of these so-called lanterns. [break][break]

Interestingly, the magnetic ink seemed to have a mind of its own as she searched, finding one of the wavy symbols in metal before even her eyes could. "Ugh, great-" Ruby spoke out loud as she got stuck, her Stonjourner gently moving its giant leg to hold the metal still so she could actually muster her strength to pull back.[break][break]

"Bluh, thanks Brick. Let's get this going, we don't know how much time we have." With that, she'd quickly send out the candle, urging it to light the lantern. [break][break]

Oddly, the saint could have sworn she heard a strange sound. Probably nothing though.[break][break]
[player]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/240942854233391115/907841785219395584/huh.mp3[/player]

DrqV_wH9+130
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notes Catch one of the Litwick (+10 White) [break]
Find the wavy symbol (+10 White)[break]
Light one of the nine lanterns (+10 White)[break]
Discover the magnetic properties of your infection (+10 White)[break]
The ink pattern is drawn to nearby metal (+10)[break]
Trust Pangur (+20 White)[break]
Make a logical deduction about the monster (+10 White)[break]
? (+50)

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]Ruby had no reason to drift away from the the younger individuals. If anything, her protective instincts were only growing stronger and stronger. Hideo Kino and Cardamom Bliss deserved at least some guidance. After all, it wasn't her fault any of this happened, but that didn't mean she didn't know better. [break][break]

Nothing happened in Hoenn on an accident. These trees looked so similar to her childhood home. The Glimwood Tangle was a mess of trees, darkness all around, and yet this was the exact sort of environment that Ruby was so used to. Perhaps not exactly this dark and oppressive, however. Even the Tangle held a glimmer of hope, lights in the distance that betrayed some joy and silly pranks the local fairies tended to commit. But here, smoke and ash settled all around. It was as if she was walking through the worst twisted reality of her home... [break][break]

"Alright guys, with the smoke, make sure to not breathe it in, pull up you-" She stopped mid-sentence, her shirt pulled up over her nose as she looked around. Nobody was around except her own pokemon. Where did they go? She couldn't help but let out a long sigh, this place was hell. Who would have thought helping a church would invoke literal nightmares? [break][break]

Returning her Morgrem and Stonjourner, Ruby kept her Gardevoir close by her side as she pressed on. The markings on the trees proved unsettling, but there was only so much she could take in at once. The book in her hands with strange coded writing, the figurine, and now her injury seemed to be covered with an inky black mass, almost like the monster from before. [break][break]

"Grace, Life Dew, please. I don't know if the water droplets will find our friends, but I could use it a bit too." Sure enough, the Gardevoir would twirl, spreading her healing waters all around. Hopefully, they would benefit the others too, wherever they ended up.[break][break]

Answers would be discovered, she just had to have hope. [break][break]

Maybe not hope in any higher powers, but hope nonetheless.[break][break]

Ruby continued to climb the tree as fast as she could. She was used to climbing trees, but in this environment, it was becoming nothing less than a workout in hell. Sweating bullets, Ruby pushed past to just climb despite her limbs aching.[break][break]

The orange and purple light flickering through the breaks in the greenery was absolutely a positive sign. Anything other than endless climbing, for sure. And yet, she couldn't help but feel like she was being watched. Was it the inky mass on her arm? Was it the monster return to strike at her alone? She didn't know, but the hair on the back of her neck refused to settle. The sudden movement of branches in the distance confirmed her theory, especially considering nothing remained when she turned to look. Everything about this place was wrong. [break][break]

Just have to keep pushing. Just keep going. No matter the cost. [break][break]

dKT_DT|_+65
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notes Get Lost (+20)[break]
Strange Markings (+10)[break]
Pattern Spreads (+10)[break]
? (+25)


[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]As John Sullivan called out her name, Ruby is quick to nod his way. Sure there were other adults here, people of authority and of respect, but she didn't know them personally. Didn't know how they responded in times of crisis, the least she could do was relax at least a little bit with the knowledge that John Sullivan would almost certainly do everything he could to keep Eris Halla from future harm. It was certainly a hope, for sure.[break][break]

Did he blame himself as much as she did? [break][break]

People chased around the cat, her eyes widening as books flew and hisses filled the small chamber they were in. So long as nobody got hurt, that was the most important thing. [break][break]

And then, people started getting hurt. [break][break]

Or, perhaps more accurately, vanishing. One vanished in smoke, another seemingly vanished underneath collapsing bookshelves as the shelf fell completely flat. This wasn't good, they couldn't afford to be separated slowly. Ruby's caution continued to grow, her eyes widening as she looked around. Sending out her Morgrem, Ruby quickly gave it instructions. "Keep an eye out, and no funny business today. Dead serious time, understand?"[break][break]

The playful Pokemon gave a sheepish smirk, reluctantly agreeing with their trainer as he began to search around. Sure enough, after ducking between library shelves, a small golden figurine quickly found its way into their possession. Covered in dust and cobwebs, suspiciously similar looking to someone they actually knew.[break][break]

Meanwhile, Ruby stuck close to luka chêne. If there was anyone who needed help in this strange moment, it was the woman whose throat was glowing just a moment ago.[break][break]

She had already noticed there was power within these books, which made it all the stranger that the one she had picked up was incomplete. The author's name was missing completely if it even had one, to begin with. Every couple of letters were missing, as well as whole entire pages, completely blank. What person would print a book like this, and view it acceptable to place in the library? Something had made it like this. [break][break]

"Grace," Ruby began, turning her head to look at her Gardevoir. "We're gonna play a little creatively here, but I need your help. Wish this book back to whole, if you please." Sure enough, Ruby would hand the book to her Gardevoir as they began to focus their energies on their Wish. [break][break]

As Ruby's pokemon focused on their tasks, her attention was briefly distracted by the cat. It was... strange. A treasured memory slowly began to surface, her father and his Perrserker used to head out into the woods and chop trees together. Funny, how much she missed that strange cat. She couldn't help but be reminded of it, even as she wondered... just what was the cat doing down here?

67bDIO7m+60
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notes
React to someone appearing or disappearing (+10)[break]
Incarceration (+25)[break]
Mend It (+5 White)[break]
Feed The Cat a memory (+10 White)[break]
? (+10)
[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]"Punch!" Ruby would reply back to Andy Blackadder , a lazy smile on her face as her head had turned to look at him. She didn't really drink much, but her alcohol tolerance was next to nothing. [break][break]

There had to be more than met the eyes, there had to be. People wouldn't be talking about her babies and prophecies if there wasn't anything to gain from it. And yet right now, Ruby was certainly having a hard time focusing. Since when did the floor seem so close? Or more accurately, since when did she begin to sit on the floor? Her head was much, much foggier than she had expected. The eventual realization that she was making a fool of herself slowly began to cause her cheeks to burn.[break][break]

"I," she began to speak, wobbling back up onto her feet. "Am gonna go get some more to drink. Water! I mean, yeah, water." She'd giggle at her own slip-up, still very much in a silly state of mind. Just before she began to walk away from the group, however, the words over the intercom just barely pierced through the fog to her. Dream Mist? She completely misunderstood, in her mind thinking it to be some sort of game. Something the party had planned, was something silly for fun.[break][break]

She was very, very wrong.[break][break]

Pushing past the crowd and right into the mist, everything seemed to kind of swirl around her. "Ooooh," Ruby began positively entranced. "These, special effects. Very pretty." The annoyed pokemon at her side kept her stable and on her feet. Eventually, however, Ruby ran face first into an unknown figure and fell flat on her back. [break][break]

"W-woah..." She slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. Only to hear the voice of a man she hadn't heard in a long time. [break][break]

"You really should look where you are walking next time, Rubaloo." The deep, melodic voice was coupled with an equally energetic chuckle.[break][break]

Ruby's mental fog almost immediately snapped as she blinked, staring up at the face of her father. He looked almost like your typical lumberjack, with the kindest eyes anyone could ever see. Her mother and her long flowing pink locks stood nearby as well, both of them apparently dressed up incredibly fancy as if they were here to join the soiree as well. She blinked and then blinked again, not even sure what she was seeing. And yet, despite her silence, the kind older man grabbed her hands and helped Ruby back up onto her feet. [break][break]

"You know, when you first set out for this here region, me and your mum were worried." Those words alone caused Ruby instinctual panic. For the entire two years she had spent here in Hoenn, she had never quite told her parents just how dangerous it was. Never shared just how often she threw herself into the flames of battle, never told them about her pain. They would worry, they'd want her to come home, they'd panic, they would-[break][break]

"But why I couldn't be more honored to have you as my girl!" His loud, joyous laughter would practically echo off the walls. "The SAINT of Slateport, my daughter! I can't wait to tell the boys back home how much you've grown!" [break][break]

They would praise her, apparently. Tears immediately began to spill down her face, as she just looked up at the two. This wasn't real, it couldn't be real. And yet his gentle touch, his laughter, the joy in her father's eyes, it was too much to handle, especially for her intoxicated mind. Could it, possibly be real? [break][break]

"Oh, it's okay dear." Her mother would speak, a voice that sounded almost like that of a thousand angels to her right now. "You can cry, hun. Remember what nanna used to say? Sometimes, nothing helps better than a good cry and a nice nap." The older woman would reach over to gently brush away Ruby's tears. The affectionate gesture, after being away from home for so long, cracked any resolve Ruby had remaining. She didn't realize how much she missed her parents, how much she had struggled to support herself alone all this time. [break][break]

She was almost an adult, but the true face of the little terrified girl inside had been trapped under lock and key for years. With what appeared to be her parents, paired with her drunken state, Ruby couldn't control herself any longer.[break][break]

Ruby collapsed into her parents' arms, her arms wrapping around the two of them as they held her back. The sounds of everyone else's conversations just vanishing into the background as Ruby straight up sobbed loudly into her Mother's shoulder. [break][break]

_{"P-please be r-real, please, d-don't go..."}


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notes Ref: X

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]As the beast vanished, Ruby's steeled nerves finally relaxed a little bit. It was gone, for now, but who was to say how long? "Is, everyone alright?" Ruby called out to everyone, not really expecting a proper answer. Everyone seemed focused on patching themselves up, their reverted pokemon, and trying to figure out a way out of here. By what understanding of the world could a Pokemon even be reverted back to an egg? That seemed impossible. The rules of reality didn't seem to pay much mind to that eye-filled beast anyways.[break][break]

"You did good, Brick." Ruby would pat the leg of her Stonjourner, who looked quite pleased with himself. "Stay here, keep an eye out. I need to search, see what we can." She might not be the reason they entered the cave to begin with... but she should have acted sooner. Maybe, people wouldn't have been hurt. Maybe they could have done something different, maybe... It was too late now, the only way was to progress forwards. Or, was it?[break][break]

Sure enough, it seemed that there were a few different ways to proceed. Each doorway labelled with some strange markings, although the closed door seemed to contain text written easily enough to read. Tapu, huh? Did the Church of Arceus really stretch over the myths of the Tapus as well? It was something to seriously consider, digging out her notebook to write down the markings on all the doorways. There was something about them that seemed... ominious. Everything in this place just felt like it didn't belong, as if there was something more at play. She'd solve this mystery, one way or another. [break][break]

Sure enough, Ruby watched with wide eyes as events began to unfold before her very eyes. Most notably, Ruby stood back and watched as luka chêne's throat began to glow. The young woman blinked, and blinked again as she read the words on her creamy-colored skin. Augur. A portent, to see the future. She didn't quite understand what was happening, but it was almost certainly wrong. [break][break]

These books, held literal power within them. How and for what purpose, Ruby didn't know or pretend to understand. But they were here for a reason, nothing happened coincidentally in this region. "Are... you alright?" Ruby would speak to luka chêne directly, cautious in even asking her to speak at all. [break][break]

Turning to her Gardevoir, Ruby spoke softly. "Future Sight. See what you can find." Grace's eyes closed as she attempted to focus on the future, and yet Ruby's eyes suddenly felt like they were opened. Staring into the corner was a book all forgotten. Lost, almost as if it had been abandoned there for generations. Curiosity overcoming her caution, Ruby kneeled down to pick up the book, brushing off the layers upon layers of cobwebs that had covered it. [break][break]

"Hidden In Shadow," she whispered to herself, reading the faint spine of the book. It certainly seemed fitting, but... there had to be some clues in here somewhere. [break][break]

yBf69pdz+75
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notes React to the devolved Pokemon (+10)[break]
Mention the damage/injuries (+10)[break]
Blame yourself for the situation (+10 White)[break]
Locate a specific book (+10 White) [break]
Interior (+25)[break]
? (+10)[break]
[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]Just Eva. Ruby made a mental note of that information, tucking it back away for future. Different people preferred different levels of respect and professionalism, luckily it seemed Eva was pretty relaxed about the whole thing. She finally let out an anxious breath she didn't realize she was holding as she relaxed. [break][break]

Of course, as Eva continued to speak and went on to espouse Ruby's praises with her resume and reputation, she couldn't help but blush softly. Her resume was filled with volunteer work upon volunteer work, and she had always fought hard to keep her image as the Saint of Slateport spotless. She was well aware, but it was still something to have it pointed out by someone else. [break][break]

Ruby paused at the question, humming quietly to herself in thought. She already knew exactly why, but there was only so much she could put into words. After a few moments of silence, Ruby finally spoke. "I think, I just want to help people."[break][break]

A soft smile spread across her face as she spoke, looking up at Eva. "I don't think it's too presumptuous to say that there is a lot in this region that we currently don't really understand. Alien pokemon, alternate dimensions, powers from beyond our comprehension, and legendary pokemon running wild in Hoenn. It's one thing to just, be an image. But I didn't, y'know, get the reputation I had by refusing to act."[break][break]

"I guess, what I am really saying is, I just want to help people in ways that only I can. I mean, I guess I could have maybe signed up to be a gym leader or one of the E4." After all, her badge progress certainly was enough alone for her to attempt a shot at those positions. "But, I'll be honest, I've already been doing research on my own for quite a long time. I've always had this... curiosity, I guess, about the world around us. And if I can somehow help people understand these strange phenomena, then maybe we can prepare for it better. Help the lives of everyone, you know?"
[break][break][break]

notes ...

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]Ruby really needed to kick back and relax, she was running herself ragged lately trying to help out and volunteer everywhere she could. She still didn't quite understand why people in Hoenn decided to go to the hot springs during the hottest time of the year, but she figured that there was only one real way to find out. [break][break]

With a sigh, Ruby leaves her glasses off in her bags before making her own way to the hot springs. Everything was blurry, but she'd rather not have them fog up the entire time and see nothing anyways. Sliding down into the hot waters, Ruby blinked in surprise. This... felt incredible.[break][break]

She would have probably just laid back and zoned out if someone else didn't walk in and join her. She blinked a few times, trying to make out the blurry face from this distance and failing miserably. Keeping a soft smile on her face, Ruby simply spoke up. "Uh, hey. Sorry, a little blind. Don't mind me, I'm just gonna relax, won't be in your way."[break][break]


[break][break][break]

notes 940
[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]Lake dimensions? Ruby wasn't quite sure what to think of that thought. Her babies used to live in a cave, inside an island, inside a lake, inside an island. She didn't know much about lakes. His theory had Ruby pause a little bit in thought, obviously very confused. [break][break]

Martín del Mar 's question, however, caught her off guard. Did she know them personally? The answer was obviously yes, she hatched them! But even despite the alcoholic fog in her brain, she knew better than to just outright share everything like that with strangers. "I don't knooow, every 'lil legend has goals ya?"[break][break]

Eris Halla suddenly asked the question that pierced right through the mental fog. Was she their momma? She would like to think so in her tipsy state, but she didn't know if the Lake Trio thought as much. It wasn't as if her babies were around to just ask how they felt, were they? She still didn't know where they went! She didn't even get a postcard![break][break]

"Noooo," Ruby responded, her frown still on her face as she tried her hardest to lie. "I wish I could be though! 'Lil cuties flying around, zooming places unknown. They, um, they are probably making their real momma proud though. I think... I'd be a good mom though. Yeah. What d'you think Eris Halla ? Would I make a good momma?"
[break][break][break]

notes Ref: X

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]Her thoughts were hazy, but even despite that Ruby narrowed onto chryssa glasgow 's words. They were talking about her baby! Well, one of three babies anyways! Azelf seemed like they had been busy if it meant people were suddenly discussing them lately. Her entire form turned to look at the other woman, eyes lazily blinking away at them. Were they here? "Hey! Did you see where they went?" Ruby asked quite bluntly, her eyes extremely wide. [break][break]

Even now, Ruby can't help but giggle softly. Whisper finally brought over Ruby's shoes but it seemed like it was best to just carry them for now. Trying to get the tipsy girl to put them back on again simply seemed more hassle than it was truly worth. [break][break]

"Azelf... is a cuuutie. A-and, and, it only has, two-" She'd dramatically hold up two of her own fingers as she spoke. "Two, tails! They all do, and they're all suuuper cute. They got, the prettiest 'lil rubies on 'em! Like me! I'm Ruby!" She'd once again, giggle quietly for a second. [break][break]

After a few seconds of silence on her part, her joyous excitement was slowly replaced with a sudden twist of emotions. From happy to sad in the timespan of just a few seconds. Of course, if she was in her right mind, she certainly would have stopped talking ages ago. "They had to leave hooome. Made their momma real sad. Got business, or something. I don't know. Biiiig secrets... Again, d'you know where they went?"
[break][break][break]

notes Ref: X

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]Quite frankly, Ruby wasn't sure how she ended up where she was. Her head was spinning a little bit, did it always do that? The floor certainly seemed like it was eager for her company. It was nice and cool and smooth, but now wasn't the time to go to sleep. It was time to dance! After the chaos and she had left everyone else's sides, she may have gotten just a wee bit too much of the punch to drink. Resulting in this tipsy, not all there mess. [break][break]

Whisper was still at her side, but the witch pokemon seemed more exasperated with Ruby's antics than she ever had before. She was pretty much the only reason the young girl was even walking upright at all, holding her up with her tentacled arm. "Y-y'know?" Ruby spoke out to Whisper, a lazy grin on her face. "Parties are fun!" A giggle would immediately follow. [break][break]

The Hatterene would be attempting to escort Ruby out of the party and somewhere safe, unfortunately for Whisper's patience, it seems Ruby in her current state had noticed her friends in the distance. She practically broke out into a run, her high-heels falling off as she made her way over towards John Sullivan.[break][break]

"Heyyy, it's Doug!" Ruby slurred out slightly, very clearly intoxicated to some extent. Whisper, meanwhile, acting like the annoyed dedicated driver began to pick up her shoes. "Have you always been this tall? Or are you just-" She'd suddenly get distracted, her eyes drifting over towards the rest of the group, and promptly moving over towards them. [break][break]

"Guys! Hey! Guys!" She'd approach Andy Blackadder specifically, taking notice of his closed eyes. "Someone, needs to get the boy in bed. You look sleeeepyy." Ruby would giggle in response to herself, completely uncharacteristic for her.
[break][break][break]

notes Ref: X

[break]