(PTA) Defiance of the Forgotten: Knights of Hoenn

[Aneurin]

Sayuri

It takes Sayuri a few moments to reply - mostly because she's staring at Ali, as the little Farfetch'd prods the unconscious carvanha back into the water with her leek.

"Uh... sorry? Oh, right. Well, I always liked bein' out in the air and takin' photographs, and while I loved our ranch I just didn't much fancy runnin' it. I joined the paper as a photographer, and started on writin' stories when I found out the money wasn't that good," she gives a half-shrug and a grin. "Can't say I ever much saw the point of the whole battlin' thing - sure, suits some but just not me. It's them who're the expert battlers, more'n me," she adds, with a nod towards Teddy who's snuck up behind Ali and is trying to push her into the sea.

"So... I guess the dreaded question, now - and I'm sorry I'm askin', but I figure I should - how'd you feel about gettin' knocked out? And d'you have a favourite to win out of the others? Looked like you had a pretty good fight, whatever the outcome - just wasn't your day, really," Sayuri asks, doing her best to layer her voice with as much sympathy as she can - and she is sympathetic, really. To come all this way and lose? Can't be nice.

[Anubis Dread]

...meeeeeeelt. He was way older than she was, she should not be so effected by that smile! Then again she supposed whatever his age Stephen stone was still one of the most powerful and popular men in Hoenn. If not simply THE most.

But she couldn't let herself be charmed... she was on a mission. She had to make a good impression for Neo-Magma. And there was something else she wanted from him... something important. But if she brought it up now there's no way she could get it. It was best to just lay on some charm of her own.

Filtering out the background noise as well as she could, Tiffany forced herself back to composure and gave the former Champion a smile. "I can't fault you for missing it - you're a busy man. And it being only the first batch of finalists means it wasn't as important as any to follow. Still I have to admit my heart is still racing... I'm not as used to battle as I would like to be," she admitted with a sigh.

[MichaelGoldclaw]

Catherine releases a powerful haymaker, launching her fist at her target, the statue. It was too late to react to the pokeball being thrown. Striker coats her pal in aura energy and strikes the pink thing.

Spoiler: Attacks

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Focus punch (1d20)[8] vs 2
[roll]7d10+28+4[/roll]

Force palm (1d20)[17] v2 paralysis 18 and above
[roll]2d10+8+20[/roll]

[IrnBruAddict]

Spoiler

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Okay, since Dracio still hasn't posted yet, I'll just assume he's off in a slightly further off part of the maze, swatting at the violent Noctowl that's eating his face

Zoe and Catherine

Catherine winds up a powerful punch, but instead of connecting it goes right through the statue and blows away a section of the hedge behind it, opening a large hole in the foliage. Zoe's ball follows, and luckily doesn't go through, catching the creature.

Spoiler

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Level 16, stoic, iron fist. As Es guessed, it was a Golette

Between Chen and Striker, the pink creature takes too much damage, and the Lickitung ends up fainting.

Tiffany

Steven gives the girl a kindly smile. 'Not all of us are cut out for the battle scene, but that doesn't mean you're any less skilled. Don't forget, my own field of specialisation is geology, and Wallace was a master co-ordinator. Even the mighty Cynthia was an archaeologist and Diantha was an actress. Not being a battler makes you no less of a trainer. I'm sure as long as you give your best, you'll do fine.'

Sayuri

Violet stares out over the open ocean. 'Honestly? Truth be told, I'm not too bothered. It's not like I've never lost before, and I wasn't expecting to win. I mostly came here on the chance to visit Victory Road. I'll head on down to visit it tomorrow after the matches are finished.'

It seemed strange, that Violet didn't seem upset at losing, but it was true. He just didn't seem that bothered by it, in fact, it almost seemed like he was relieved to be free of an expectation, free to go off and do his own thing.

[Esprit15]

"Gotta watch for those Ghost types. They'll really Muk up you up if you aren't ready." Zoe picks up Chen again, and looks at the sky. They had been in the maze longer than expected. Whatever was in the center, it could wait until tomorrow. "That was quite a punch though," she adds, looking at the damaged section of hedge. "I'd hate the be the one to piss you off."

[Aneurin]

Sayuri

Relaxing slightly, Sayuri smiles. She hadn't been worried, really, but you can never tell how some trainers will take a defeat - although Jeff's reaction might be a little more predictable than most. That's going to be a very un-fun interview.

"Good for you. Hope it's everythin' you want it to be. As for me, I reckon I'll take a walk - the Incredible Pudge here could use the exercise," she nudges Teddy with her foot. Teddy treats her to a reproachful gaze. "And I'm sure Ali wouldn't mind a chance to blow off some steam terrorisin' the local wildlife," she adds, nodding towards the Farfetch'd who's enthusiasticly trying to fight her own reflection.

"See you around. Best of luck with everythin', and give me a call if you ever need any portrait work doing," she says, passing Violet a business card "You comin', or we meeting back at the hotel?" she calls over the Jerry as she starts to walk along the waterfront.

Spoiler

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Sayuri's going to hang around the waterfront, maybe find a quiet beach if there is one where she can let a grimer wander loose without anyone complaining.

[MichaelGoldclaw]

Catherine nods "Yea, by the way what was that weird statue thing. Never seen a pokemon like that"

[Anubis Dread]

...well, he certainly earned his reputation for being charming. But she wasn't about to let herself be COMPLETELY out done.

"Those are very kind words," Tiffany replied with a blush. "I don't expect to ever match those great names, let alone your own. I'd just like to do my small part for the cause."

[Esprit15]

"Not entirely sure, but I recognize a ghost when I see one. I can ask a nurse when we get out if this maze."

[Dracio]

Seeing his opponent take the hit Pristrix lunges forward to engage the enemy head on in the hopes to finish the fight quickly.

Spoiler: attack

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Bite AC2: (1d20)[1]
Bite Damage: (2d10+28)[44]

[IrnBruAddict]

Noctis

The bird swoops round, dodging the attack, and swooping down on Pristix to ram into him, for 25 p normal damage.

Tiffany

Steven smiles to himself as he fondles a stickpin on his lapel. 'Well, as long as you have confidence in yourself and a goal, I'm sure you'll be fine. And hopefully when my little god-daughter comes out of hiding, you and your new companions will have a new goal.' He had a twinkle in his eye, one that clearly gave the impression he knew something Tiffany didn't and he wasn't sharing. 'I do hope you'll give it your best to get along with Liz. I know she's ....' he was stuck for the word, '... unique, but she could use a friend or two, and it did seem she was excited to meet you and the others.'

Sayuri

'Oh, I'll give you a call,' replies Violet with a wink, as he eyes Sayuri as she walks away.

When the photographer approaches Jerry, he checks his watch. 'Eh, uhh... you know what? It's getting a little late. I think I'll catch up with you later. I think the party has started, and there was someone I was wanting to have a word with, who should be showing up soon. I'll, uh ...catch you later on, kay?' Jerry makes a rather hasty get-away, double timing it back to the mansion, clearly struggling with the speed.

Cat and Zoe

Poking her head through the hole that Catherine had made in the maze wall, Zoe could see the gardens again. Wait, what?

It seemed that even with her cheating, they had ended up further from the centre than they previously were. The duo were now at the outer edge of the maze.

[Esprit15]

Seems that one wrong turn had sent them in the opposite direction that Zoe intended to go. Well, like she had said, it was getting late anyways. She picks up the ball and heads out the hole in the shrubs. "Catch you tomorrow, Catherine. Good luck, you'll need it." Zoe looks around to see if there was any general direction that others were going, then stops by a healing tent to have her new capture identified, her and Chen's bruises bandaged up and then proceeds to follow the crowd.

[MichaelGoldclaw]

Catherine nods "Same to you" The first chance she would get, she would find an area to spar with her pokemon as a means to get her exercise for today. after that, she would rest up and after she recovered, well, she had no idea. Maybe find something to kill time and then get some shut eye.

[Aneurin]

Sayuri

Resisting the temptation to roll her eyes at Violet's comment, Sayuri waves to Jerry.

Huh. That was kinda odd. Wonder what he's up to...?

She shrugs it off. Maybe she'll see him back at the hotel, and figure things out there.

"C'mon girls," she says, releasing Willow the psyduck as well. "Let's go find somethin' for you guys to wear yourselves out with - and maybe a somethin' interestin' to take pictures of,"

She picks a direction that appears to have some beach-esque promise and starts walking.

Spoiler: OOC

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I'm happy to rejoin the others whenever - just filling time until the plot kicks in. Not really looking for anything in particular at the moment.

Sorry for the delay in posting, currently moving and starting a new job which is eating a lot of free time and energy. If I had more of both, then Sayuri'd be on her way to bother Jeff right now

Should be back to normal in about a week, when I get settled though - and I can probably manage some short posts in the meantime.

[IrnBruAddict]

Everyone

Some speakers kick in, and an announcement is sent out through the grounds, stating that dinner will be getting served shortly, and if anyone was wanting to attend, they should head to the dining hall.

Zoe

Zoe is informed her capture is a Golette, a rare artificial pokemon from Unova, and her team are patched up. And hey, it looks like there was food getting served inside, bonus! Most of the people seemed to be heading that way, although Zoe spots a couple people peel off and head outside, including what looked to be Liza from a distance.

Sayuri

It looks like the few people out this way at the docks were heading back to the palace, although a few security guards stood outside. Up ahead, a little to the south, there was a little beach that looked out across the docks, and Sayuri could see the great mountain of Victory Road from there. Looks bloody imposing at this time of night.

Cat

The best area for sparring nearby would be the empty basketball court, near the guard barracks. It seemed most of the knights were on duty, fully dressed and hanging around in the palace, so it was mostly pretty quiet out this far. A few scorch marks on the ground tells Sayuri that this spot is no stranger to a pokemon battle or two, so it should be good for a quick spar or two.

[Esprit15]

A gurgle from her stomach tells Zoe that she should eat something, but a quick visit after one of her oldest teachers couldn't do much harm. Chen clings to her shoulder, equally hungry but too tired to fight with Zoe about food.

"Hey! Liza!"

[Aneurin]

Sayuri

Okay, that? That right there? That is impressive.

Sayuri lets out a long, slow whistle at the sight as Ali dashes towards the sea with a quack of delight - or, possibly, challenge. It's sometimes hard to tell. Her psyduck co-conspirator waddles after her at a somewhat more sedate pace. Teddy gives his mistress a long-suffering look, then pads after them in the vain hope of keeping them out of trouble.

Grinning slightly at the sounds of water-based mayhem nearby, Sayuri snaps a few pictures of the mountain before whistling sharply.

Naturally, nothing happens.

"Hey!" she shouts. "Dinner!"

Ah, now that worked. A horde of damnp pokemon come pelting back up the beach - tongues lolling, feathers flapping, beaks quacking and leeks waving. It's amazing how much of a horde the three of them can make.

With her happy entourage at heel, Sayuri wends her way back to the dining hall. With any luck, she can still remember the route.

[IrnBruAddict]

Zoe

'Sorry, can't stay and chat.'

Before Zoe and make to go after Liza, a sudden gust of wind blows up and causes some dirt to get in Zoe's eyes.

Spoiler

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Perception

Sayuri

Led by her team's sharp noses and empty bellies, Sayuri finds the dining hall. It seems some of the contestants weren't there, Violet was missing, as was Noctis, Catherine and Jeff (but he likely wasn't showing up again). Jerry also wasn't here, despite having the physique that suggested he's not one to miss many meals.

Spoiler

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Gimme a Wisdom check to see how many of the people present Sayuri would recognise.

[Esprit15]

That's strange. Zoe tries to follow after them.

Spoiler: Perception of Imperceptiveness

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(1d20-4)[12]

[MichaelGoldclaw]

Catherine decides to put off sparring, deciding to get a full meal first. She heads to the dining hall, hoping to get a good meal after a long day.

[Aneurin]

Sayuri

She looks around with interest as she takes her place in the buffet queue. Kinda odd that so many people are missing. Sure, Violet's probably still fishing, but Jerry?

Wonder who he's meetin'? Sayuri frowns slightly, and almost forgets to stuff a sandwich in her pocket for Muckles.

Spoiler: OOC

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Wisdom!

(1d20+4)[24]

Sorry for the delay in posting, been a busy week.

[IrnBruAddict]

Sayuri

Spoiler: WIS check

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Damn... all of them? She recognises almost all of them? This girl has good eyes on her.

Steven was chatting away with that girl in the Team Magma outfit, then there was the Princess Annabell who was chatting happily with Roy Walsh, owner of the Sootopalis News Network. There was Von Gel, a notorious beurocrat that everyone hated, but was born into high blood and had a powerful family, so he was tollerated, provided he could keep his grabby hands to himself. He was chatting away with the sailor Mister Briney, who was pushing 120 and was still alive and still running his boat. There was Professor Max Birch, son of the late Professor Birch, and he was arguing with a tall and muscly looking woman, despite the two trying to not attract much attention to their argument. After looking a bit harder, Sayuri realises that large woman was actually the Crown Princess Maxine, the older sister of the other two princesses and heir to the throne of Hoenn. It was hard to recognise her since she was rerely photographed, and almost always in her regal uniforms, while she was currently in some jeans and a black tank top, making her and Birch in his lab coat stand out amoung the better dressed crowd. Last but not least, Sayuri could spot the birthday girl herself, sitting on a balcony overlooking everything, seemingly feeding something she was hiding under her table.

Zoe

By the time Zoe rubs the sand out her eyes, she hears a small "pop" and looks up to see Liz wasn't anywhere to be seen. And perhaps it was just her imagination, but did Liz's voice sound a bit deep, more like a man's voice?

Catherine

Catherine makes her way to the dining hall, and finds it quite full. The only faces she recognises are a couple of her competitors, and Steven, since he was a national hero. Since no one else had anything to do with boxing or battling, they are likely not important.

[MichaelGoldclaw]

Catherine sits down, waiting to get food if it was to be served or picking some food up and putting it on her plate if it was all on the table.

[Esprit15]

That's odd... Something to remember. With an outward shrug, Zoe heads back into the party. Maybe she sent a double, just in case... But why the need?

[Aneurin]

Sayuri

As she loads up her plate, she lets her eyes wander. Who to talk to, who to talk to...

Wait. Is that Birch Junior over there? ...and one of the Princesses? Well, they look like interesting people to speak with. Might even be able to find out what the Birthday Girl is feeding under the table up there.

'Course, it'd probably be best to try the oblique approach and get a good earful of what they're talking about before interrupting. Might be something she doesn't want to get in the middle of.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Wis check to eavesdrop for a moment before going over.

(1d20+4)[24]

[IrnBruAddict]

Sayuri

As Sayuri moves closer, she can make out the two seem to be talking about Tate and the League, and their fight against Team Rocket after they declared war by attacking Pewter City. From what she can make out, Sayuri picks up that both Birch and Maxine want Team Rocket gone, but they disagree with how the League is handling things. Maxine thinks that by giving Tate the Champion position after Lady Caitlin's resignation, all they are doing is taking away a valuable military resource if Rocket ever turns it's gaze to Hoenn. Max Birch on the other hand believes that by consolidating a large group of powerful trainers, they are making a powerful strike force for when the League makes it's counter attack. But he agrees Tate shouldn't have been made Champion over the more sensible candidate of Iris of Unova. The conversation then turned to how bad Rocket's foothold in Johto was, with Maxine wanting to send troops in to Johto while Birch was suggesting caution, what with all the civillians that live in Rocket controlled areas.

'Dammit Minnie! A large scale attack on Johto would just cause widespread panic. Remember, Rocket holds about half of the cities in Jotho, and a large portion of the population is sympathetic to the Rocket cause, even if only because they are anti-League.'

The crown-Princess looks annoyed. 'Yeah, I know a lot of people don't like the League. I'm one of them! But you don't see me raising a Team Rocket flag over the castle, do you? Hoenn has dealt with terrorists in the past, and these Rocket scum are worse. At least Aqua and Magma thought they were doing the right thing, Rocket is just making a power grab.' She looks out at all the party guests, and spots Sayuri floating nearby as the closest member. She quickly approaches Sayuri, but before the photographer can say anything, Maxine puts her in a headlock. 'So, what do you think of the Rocket situation? How would you deal with them? Wipe them out right now, wait foot around and leave it to the league to finally make a move, or are you press guys off your heads and think we should negotiate with them?' she asks as she drags Sayuri over to Birch, still in the headlock.

If anything could be said to describe Maxine's personality, "blunt" would be a good start.

Zoe

As Zoe enters, a butler approaches her.

'You are one of the competitors, yes Miss? The young madam would like some company while she eats, and would most like to discuss your performance this afternoon. Would you be so kind as to humour her, and I will have some food brought over for you?' He motioned to the back of the room, where Zoe spotted the creepy birthday girl sitting at a table all alone at the back, doing something under the table.

[Esprit15]

Zoe gives a curtsy. "Oh course, sir. It would be an honor." She'd much prefer interacting with the non-creepy girl, but royalty was royalty. She makes her way over to her host.

"Good evening, madam," she says, making a similar gesture as she did to the butler. "You made a request of my company?"

[Aneurin]

Sayuri

Well, that's an interesting conver- Eep!

Okay, so the crown princess if pretty strong. It's nice to be included, but, well, maybe she could let go now? Please?

"Erk!" Sayuri manages, before managing to eek out enough room to breathe a little. "Um- Um. I don't see why it should be the League who fixes this? I know they're a multinational organisation, but I believe they are -gasp- and should be a group that should recognise and promote personal achievement and pokemon welfare, rather than a largely ungoverned paramilitary capable of dictating terms through overwhelming force. The Rocket situation -wheeze- is the responsibility of the various regional leaders, and a coalition of nations would undermine the anti-League power base Rocket has. I doubt that -gasp- diplomacy would work, but even an unsuccessful attempt would probably reduce public sympathy for Team Rocket if you did attack.

"Um. I could talk some more, but I'm finding it quite difficult to breathe your -wheeze- highness. Would you mind letting me go, please? I'm also worried my farfetch'd might to something I'll reget,"

...like smacking a member of the royal family in the back of the knee with a leek in the middle of a formal do. Sayuri really, really hopes that Ali isn't going to do that, but given that she can't see her the little farfetch'd could be up to anything.

[IrnBruAddict]

Zoe

The girl looks up at Zoe, staring at her with dark glassy eyes. She looks at her in silence for a rather uncomfortable time, then tilts her head. 'Ah, yes. The cheater. Well done, I'm impressed. No one else here in the tournament had the gall to try and cheat, using their own natural gifts, although any of them could have. So for that you have my commendation.' All throughout, she had stared straight into Zoe's eyes. She picks up a glass of red wine, and sips on it, then pulls a repulsed face.

'Bleck, this is horrible. Well, I am glad it's at least non-alcoholic. In a few years, I'll need to drinks the real stuff. I don't look forward to that.' She places the wine glass at the edge of the table, so it was resting precariously on the edge, then "accidentally" moves the hand so that the back knocks the glass off to the floor, shattering. Zoe hears something move underneath the table, moving over and slurping up the spilled wine.

'So tell me, could you have won without cheating? Or are you someone who can only succeed with the deck stacked in your favour?'

Sayuri

'Seems like you know your stuff. Heh, you sound like my little sister.' The future Queen releases Sayuri rather suddenly, but grabs her arm so she doesn't fall over from being let go.

'Cool duck you got there. She better watch herself though, or I'll have her for dinner.' The princess knelt down, and snapped her teeth at Ali. Birch responds by giving her a smack on the top of the head.

'She's right, you know. If Hoenn did rise up against Rocket, it would do nothing more than make us an obvios target and make the League even more annoyed at us. If there was a coalition of nations, things could go much smoother.' Birch turns his attention to Sayuri.

'My apologies for my companion. Minnie takes some getting used to. I'm Maxwell Birch. I take it you're with one of the press organisations?' He offers his hand to Sayuri. The princess, meanwhile, was having a staring contest with the Farfetch'd, and seemed to be losing.

[Esprit15]

Zoe watches the girl, keeping eye contact as she spoke. She was raised to interact with people in positions of authority, even if she didn't like it. She forces a small smile at the question. "Oh, I could have won regardless. I simply like to cut out uncertainty. He had made some unsavory comments to me earlier, so I wanted to humiliate him as much as possible. You don't walk into that without doing a little bit of investigation beforehand, as I'm sure you know."

"And if you will permit me a question, Mistress? Why the interest in me? It can't have simply been having the gaul to do a little mind reading before the fight. You're impressed with that, so why did you really call me in here?"