wolfgang volkov thankfully seemed to at least be interested in actually progressing, rather than the other two members of their party who took their time flirting and whatnot. He released a Rotom, which took control of a flashlight and enhanced its capabilities, lighting much of the darkness along with the illumination the other Pokemon provided.

He watched the Rotom-possessed flashlight with undisguised interest even as he summoned Holly. The Yamask helped provide more light with her will-o-wisp as Novak studied the flashlight. It didn't look like it had the capability to produce that much light. Was the Rotom somehow supercharging it? He would have to find a Rotom of his own, so that he could study one. They were interesting, to say the least, with their tendency to make their homes in electronics.

---

Will-o-wisp (fire)

Were they flirting?

Novak had to admit, the professor's response seemed to have a receptive audience. So help him Arceus. He was here to work, not socialize or hit on people.

However, he perked back up at the mention of his last name. It was the professor, who had seemed to finally have recognized him. Good, but he really didn't need to be exposed in front of unknown people, especially after he'd already provided a different last name.

He thought himself a good liar, after testing that quality out with Rocket. But that only applied when he'd had time to prepare what he was going to say. When he winged it, he noticed that his success was much less guaranteed. Luckily, this lie was one he'd already thought about prior to this event. Using two names would do that to a person.

Anyways, back to the task at hand. Speaking of people who were lazing about and not contributing...

"Pumpkin, quit lurking and help us," he directed. A few seconds later, the shape of a Gourgeist melted out of the shadows with a cackle, assaulting the wall with a Seed Bomb. Hopefully the suddenness and the loud noises wouldn't startle anyone.

---

Using Seed Bomb (80 BP)

Novak, behind Sabine, rolled his eyes at her disappointment that nobody was willing to make conversation. Some people were here to actually do work, not socialize pointlessly.

"Sorry," said Novak anyways as he sent out his Tangrowth. "I'm just really interested in what's happening here. Novak..." he hesitated, glancing around the four of them. He recognized Wuuko Whysteria as a rocket member, since he was a researcher too, but not the other two, so he stuck to the safe last name. "Novak Hadfield. Nice to meet all of you."

Their digging was yielding some results, it seemed. Novak saw a vase, and some shiny thing sticking out from behind another rock. "Hmm. Giga Drain, Wisteria."

The Tangrowth targeted the wall with his draining energy, seeking to tear away more stone and dirt.

---

Using Giga Drain, 75 BP, on the grass

• player/ooc name: Voltolos
• character tags: @amber , Novak Manchester , Moana Reyes , Suprasad Bhat , Ethel Irving
• dropped characters' tags (if applicable):
• ic posts for characters: Amber, Ethel, Moana, Novak, Soup
• any notes/comments: I'll be around more in January...

@madeline

Thank god, she didn't seem to be put off by Novak's blundering introduction. She seemed to be a nice lady, at first glance. She had been whispering some sort of prayer when he'd approached while she was healing people, or something. He wasn't really sure.

Novak wasn't terribly religious himself, but he could understand the appeal. Something powerful watching over you and helping you sounded like a good thing to believe in when you felt too small for your troubles. 

And, yup, here it was again. "May the gods bless your kindness." It was an opening for a deeper conversation, and Novak decided he would take it. No harm done with a small amount of philosophical discussion here and there.

Even if Yarrow's Pokeball was trembling like a fucker on his belt. Dear Arceus. He hoped she wouldn't notice and ask about it.

"The gods, eh..." He shrugged. "Which gods, if you don't mind me asking? I'm not sure what I should be believing, with all the things going on recently."

Another Pokeball opened and revealed Marigold. The Ribombee only looked about for a few seconds before realizing what the deal was, helping with the healing with her own Pollen Puffs as Bamboo put his might to use moving rubble, grabbing the larger pieces and hauling them out of the way.

Valerio Dachev

And, finally, Pumpkin managed to land a Leech Seed. 

The battle wasn't looking too good for him and Pumpkin, overall. The Dragapult's Fire Blast had done a disproportionately large amount of damage, and the Light Screen had weakened any other Moonblasts. But at least they had gotten a couple of hits in.

The Dragapult vanished again, but Novak and Pumpkin had one last trick up their sleeve.

"You too," said Novak, and Pumpkin followed his opponent into the void, vanishing as well.

The Dragapult reappeared again to find Pumpkin gone as well.

"Now! called Novak, and Pumpkin appeared once again, rushing forward and cloaked with ghostly energy. If they weren't going to win, they'd give it one last hurrah before calling it quits.

---

Note: Feel free to like, point blank fire blast me in the face or smth and then we can close the thread lol.

@william60
Zac Ramsay
@unraveller

It was only a moment of inane discussion of rewards before the thief decided to reveal itself.

On the plus side, that was good. Novak's time wouldn't be wasted staking out an elusive hunter and waiting.

On the minus side, it was a Mega Aerodactyl that had just carried off Zac's fucking Onix.

There was a clamor of exclamations and chaos as the beast made its dramatic entrance, and Novak took the opportunity to immediately grab another Pokeball. Sequoia was a fearsome opponent, but he would certainly appreciate more help, considering the difficulty he'd have reaching a flying opponent.

Foxglove, however, would have no such problems. The Haunter materialized in a burst of shadow, cackling as he exited the Pokeball.

"Foxglove, help out that Onix, please," said Novak. He was startled at the appearance of the predator, but it always paid to be respectful. Especially when there was essentially a wild man who considered bringing Pokemon to fight other Pokemon "disrespect." What the hell? He'd literally provided an explanation himself! Granted, it wasn't the whole story, but...

Foxglove hissed, floating up with startling speed until he was right in front of the Aerodactyl, flying right through the Hyper Beam untouched. Lower on the ground, Sequoia shielded Novak and the other trappers with his Wide Guard, covering as much area as possible.

Foxglove glowed pink with Hypnotic energy, trying to lull the Aerodactyl to sleep. Falling asleep mid-flight certainly couldn't be good for any Pokemon...

[/blockquote

Wuuko Whysteria | wolfgang volkov | Sabine Calcifet

Novak was excited to search for whatever it was that the megalopolans were digging for under Meteor Falls. It had always been a site of intrigue and history, and somehow the aliens knew something that the humans didn't, searching here.

He'd heard the accounts of a strange red and blue Pokemon emerging during the war, and he was excited.

Two others had joined him in this endeavor, one man quiet except to order his Pokemon and the other vocal about her complaints. Novak ignores both of them except for a curt nod of greeting. He can't think of a reply to the woman, and if the other guy doesn't want to talk, he'll oblige him.

"Disarming Voice," he commands Yarrow, the Kirlia that silently trailed him into the dig site. It wasn't silent for much longer, though, as he let out a cry. Novak didn't know why the suggestion of using sound moves while mining was helpful, something about resonance frequencies? Oh well. He'd see if it worked.

___

USING DISARMING VOICE, 40 BP