Foxside: The Temple of Inari 53 - The New Fluffy Overlords

[Fenric]

[Pokémon Pen]

Zack grins

Great! There's this place by the main gym in Inside that I've been meaning to try. Not too fancy, but it looks interesting.

---

[Sanctuary]

Caroline takes some time instructing Felina and sending acolytes to notify the other priests she intends to take along before heading off to get her own packing done.

---

[Pokémon Battle]

Not much choice at all, really. The two opponents meet with a crash! Simple physics dictates that the Torchic is the one bounced around: but by flying up to attack she is tossed aside instead of being smashed against the ground. The peck hurts considerably, and makes Ember squawk!

Zack shakes his head

We have a tough match-up here: neither side can use their best attacks!

[Cyber Punk]

[Pokémon Pen]

"Now I'm definitely interested, especially if it involves either you or pokemon." Jinkei replies, smiling slightly wider. "I wish I'd known of this place sooner, for a number of reasons."

She leans in a bit. "So... tell me more."

[Fenric]

[Pokémon Pen]

Zack smiles awkwardly as Jineki leans in

It's... Uh... Called 'The Tall Grass'. Looks like a pretty fun bar & grill sort of place, but that's really all I know - haven't managed to be there yet.

The Inside gym is the full gym for Inside. We're only a junior gym here: getting our badge doesn't count toward getting admitted to the regional championship, and only counts for your overall league ranking in case of a tie. But since our members are younger and their teams are less well trained, it is easier to get a start here than at the full gym where the competition can be quite intense.

---

[Pokémon Battle]

((I suppose it would be good to post a move of my own...))

Kelly winces

Quick Attack, Ember!

The flareon nods and lunges out!

[Zefir]

[Pokémon Battle]

((I was on it, too, but I had to go for motocross. My club helped out in service and my shift was today.))

The little Torchic got hit by the quick attack. It's a harsd hit, but it still stands.
Vis has to think quick. The fire bird can't win that way, if he get some lucky crits, maybe. Still this isn't an option. Best he prepares things for his other two to end it.

"Torchic, use Sand attack." The fire bird turns around and kicks the sand up to lowweer the accuracy of the fire fox.

[Recaiden]

[Sanctuary]

After quite a bit of searching, the people of Icehome have failed to find someone who is more or less peaceful, patient, contemplative, and a good listener, while not being too much legalistic, judgmental, or proselytizing. So they waited a few months until they could get one, someone who couldn't possibly have a more important job to do. And it helped that they were a bit of an outsider, with no family. The sort of person who's expected to be strange.

So it is that an hour into the night, two people arrive. One is the vampire girl who asked what sort of person would be wanted as a priest. Straw hat, jeans, T-shirt, skin glowing a comforting yellow color. The other is that sort of person, an even younger-looking approximately human girl (except for being covered in feathers) wearing a rough woolen robe and with a small backpack for her few worldly possessions. She looks completely terrified.

[Cyber Punk]

[Pokémon Pen]

Jinkei listens intently as Zack speaks, the smile never leaving her face. "The Tall Grass, eh?" She can think of a few things that can be done in tall grass. "Count me in, Zack Masters." She says his name like she loves the sound of it, which she does.

This talk of Pokemon fights being serious business interests her as well, but she's more interested in Zack, at the moment.

[Deathkeeper]

Sanctuary

Steven will offer Noriko a small "prayer" to inform her of the proceedings and get a suitcase ready to be thrown into the pile. He'll be ready on time, as can be expected.

[Fenric]

[Sanctuary (night)]

The poor timid feathered girl will find the relatively pleasant Mei Yin in charge of the sanctuary tonight: a fourth-rank shadow vixen, she has the standard dark fur and amber eyes of her sub-species.

Hello! The blessings of Tamamo be with you. How can I help you tonight?

---

[Pokémon Battle]

The sand is quite effective: ember manages to miss entirely! Kelly is not amused.

You're right on top of him! Quick Attack again!

Zack clicks his tongue as the Flareon turns and tries once more: Kelly's notorious stubbornness is coming through once again.

---

[Temple Pokémon Club]

Zack grins

Meet me at the entrance in half an hour? I need to get changed: it's not fancy, but I don't want to go in my gym clothes!

---

[Steven]

Noriko beams approval at Steven, but is a bit preoccupied and doesn't answer verbally.

A bit later, he meets the travelling party in the empty lot behind the stage - not so empty anymore, the werefoxes have built a landing-pad for their transports now that the have an official base there. Caroline smiles happily and bounces a little, waving to her husband

Over here, darling!

[Recaiden]

[Sanctuary (night)]

The feathered girl looks to the vampire, who nods, and then walks up to Mei Yin, staying at a cautious safe distance.

"I'm, uh, I'm here to learn to be a priestess of Inari?"

[Deathkeeper]

Sanctuary- Steven

Steven sets his bag down for one of the werefoxes to take.
"Well, you seem rather excited to be doing work. Something I should know about?" he asks her, raising an eyebrow.

[Cyber Punk]

Zack grins

Meet me at the entrance in half an hour? I need to get changed: it's not fancy, but I don't want to go in my gym clothes!

[Temple Pokémon Club]

Jinkei takes his hand and smiles. "I'll meet you there! I better go get ready!"

Waving to him, she exits the club and rushes off to go get ready. She doesn't go to inform Katsuo of this, however, as she's a big girl. Better to tell him every juicy detail after the fact, though.

Okay, maybe not every bit of detail.

((Please send the Inside link when you post. ))

[Fenric]

[Sanctuary (night)]

Mei smiles pleasantly

Ah, I see. I'm afraid that Inari's priests are generally here only during the day: I am a priestess of Tamamo no Mae, a subordinate goddess of shadows and wilds. We have accommodations for guests that you are welcome to use for the night, though. I will be happy to show you there if you like.

---

[Landing Pad]

Caroline shakes her head

No... nothing particular. The daily tedious administration just gets so boring... I am glad to have a chance to do something more interesting, and my last few attempts have failed rather spectacularly. I am looking forward to having a trip that actually goes well for a change.

[Recaiden]

[Sanctuary (night)]

"I. That would be good, thank you! I knew that it would be someone else here, but we just couldn't come during the day. I'm really sorry."
The feathered girl smiles nervously. Mei doesn't seem upset about the task.

[Fenric]

[Sanctuary (night)]

Mei continues to smile, and tries to be reassuring.

Really: it is no trouble, I assure you - it is always very quiet here at night. Truly, you need not be anxious. We are always glad to have new people come to join us.

[Recaiden]

[Sanctuary (night)]

"Oh! Good. Whenever you are ready to show me the way there."

The feathered girl seems mildly reassured. She looks back to the vampire, getting a nod.

"I'm sure you will do will."

"Mhm! I won't let you down."

[Fenric]

[Sanctuary (night)]

Mei Yin nods

Very well. Please follow me.

And she leads the way out into the garden and across the small bridge to the guest quarters. There is a lamp casting silvery light by the doorway, and just inside, a sleepy looking shadow Vulpan is seated at a desk.

Hello, Lin. We have an applicant for Inari's priesthood, but she has arrived at night.

Lin nods and consults a book

You're in luck: we have several small rooms open tonight, so you won't have to sleep in the hostel. They'll assign you more permanent accommodations in the morning. Can I get your name, miss?

[Recaiden]

[Sanctuary (night)]

Following ensues. Out of the sanctuary, through the garden, over the bridge, frown at the silvery lamp. Stop just outside the doorway.

"My name is 'Bloom'."

Wow. A whole room.

[Zefir]

[Pokémon Battle]

The sand is quite effective: ember manages to miss entirely! Kelly is not amused.

You're right on top of him! Quick Attack again!

Zack clicks his tongue as the Flareon turns and tries once more: Kelly's notorious stubbornness is coming through once again.

---

[Pokémon Battle]

I'm confused? Missed what? Since The quick attack hit in my turn and the sand came after it there wasn't any action unless I missed it. I guess I can take it as the next move miss?

So Ember runs again for the fire bird, but misses as it tries to jump on it.

"Use Growl." Vis says and the firebid let's out a loud squeak at Ember trying to lower it's attack.

[Deathkeeper]

Landing Pad

Steven gives her a sympathetic smile.
"Well, I'll try to make sure that this one goes as well as possible." he says, putting an arm around her shoulder.

[Fenric]

[Landing Pad]

Caroline smiles and returns the hug.

It is not long before the shuttle arrives and it's time for everyone to pile on! The VIP shuttle is far more comfortable than the normal troop-transporting version of the vehicle: comfortable padded seats spaced pleasantly, with plenty of room. The attending acolytes work with the werefox attendants to fill the air hostess roles.

Caroline finds a row with an unobstructed window, then looks at Steven

Do you want to sit by the window?

---

[Pokémon Battle]

Yes, let's salvage my fail of a post in that manner: it was the next attack that failed. Sorry, again.

Kelly is stumped as what she thought was a clear advantage turns out to not be working so well. Ember shakes his head and tries to clear the daze caused by the Growl, but to no avail: he's clearly weakened.

Come on, Ember! Quit messing around! Use Tail Whip!

The flareon spins around and tries to lash the Torchic with his tail!

---

[Guest Quarters]

Lin writes that down

Ok, Bloom: you'll be in room eighteen. Down the hall here, and to the left: number's on the door.

Mei Yin nods

Can you find your way from here? Is there anything else you need tonight?

[Recaiden]

[Guest Quarters]

Bloom shakes her head.

"No, I can find it."
She looks between the two foxes for confirmation that she may go now, and then hurries off in the indicated direction down the hall.

[Deathkeeper]

Landing Pad

Steven shrugs.
"Sure, if you don't mind. It doesn't really matter all that much to me." he says nonchalantly.

[Fenric]

[Guest Quarters]

Lin and Mei Yin nod politely, and Mei Yin returns to the sanctuary.

---

[Transport]

Caroline settles herself in the seat next to the window

I'm so used to using magic to just go places: actually getting to see the places in-between is quite exciting.

[Deathkeeper]

Transport

Steven relaxes, leaning back into the seat.
"Yeah, needless to say, I have never really run into that problem." he says, grinning a bit as he says so.

[Fenric]

[Transport]

There is a gentle whooshing as the transport takes off, but that dies away quickly leaving only the gentle rush of air over the hull. Not needing to worry so much about weight, the transport has decent sound deadening insulation and thick windows.

Caroline watches with the standard rapt delight of someone on their first flight.

Oh, the complex is so pretty from the air. Oh look! There's the MagMart, and I can see the mall over there...

[Zefir]

[Pokémon Battle]

Yes, let's salvage my fail of a post in that manner: it was the next attack that failed. Sorry, again.

Kelly is stumped as what she thought was a clear advantage turns out to not be working so well. Ember shakes his head and tries to clear the daze caused by the Growl, but to no avail: he's clearly weakened.

Come on, Ember! Quit messing around! Use Tail Whip!

The flareon spins around and tries to lash the Torchic with his tail!

[Pokémon Battle]

The fire bird is hit.and appears mad at the tal in his face. it just tries to bite it.

Vis appears confused and checks his pokedex. "Eh....Torchic use Peck?" but the bird doesn't listen.

[wxdruid]

Thecla replies with, I'll be sure to keep that in mind, anything else that might be of interest? Perhaps yes? Perhaps no? She might come back to it. In the meantime, her eyes are roving around the shop, looking with interest.

((busy with visits to CO for family reasons, Gen Con, life...))

[Fenric]

[Pokémon Battle]

Zack shakes his head

The even matchup in types is making this a real sleeper of a battle. Kelly's inexperience is all but negating the size advantage her Flareon has, but Vis' tiny Torchic has a tough time ahead of it regardless!

Kelly scowls at her teacher's comments.

Ember, squish 'im: use Tackle!

The flareon spins again the spreads out his front paws and leaps!

---

Koi World

I had replied... took me a while to find it myself :)

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/shows...3&postcount=67

[wxdruid]

[Koi World]

Valrijah gestures around the shop

Nothing else of your particular faith, and little else of religious bent of any sort. Many things of interest, though they are perhaps more commonplace than you seek.

Kenji stubs his toe on a heavy something that appears to have been hastily covered up with a very minor robe of protection.

Ow! What's this?

And he drags out a decent-sized warhammer with an intricately carved head, a silvery spike on the bottom of a handle of a medium brown wood, and a bright red jewel on top.

Thecla hurumphs to herself, And that? that poor Kenji nearly broke a toe on?

((no worries))

[Deathkeeper]

[Transport]

There is a gentle whooshing as the transport takes off, but that dies away quickly leaving only the gentle rush of air over the hull. Not needing to worry so much about weight, the transport has decent sound deadening insulation and thick windows.

Caroline watches with the standard rapt delight of someone on their first flight.

Oh, the complex is so pretty from the air. Oh look! There's the MagMart, and I can see the mall over there...

Transport

Steven chuckles a bit at Caroline's expression.
"Really? The Infinite City looms before you in all its splendor, and you're looking for Magmarts?" he asks her.