An Oblique Detour from the Bright Path in PF League RPG Forum

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An Oblique Detour from the Bright Path

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Coolsteph

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Posts: 1553

Mar 26 12 9:22 AM

(She was trying to follow us. She looked for us or followed our trail once the FeatherDance wall disappeared. Alternatively, she had her Venomoth clear it away with an attack. She caught up with us when the battle started. She talked to the brawny one, waited as we fought, and then brought out her Venomoth. I should have made this sequence clear earlier.)

Steph opened her eyes. Her mind was still groggy with sleep. Curious about her environment, she heavily sat up.
The couch. The poster. The walls. The door.
It was the same room.
There was the sound of high heels outside the door again, and the door opened once more. Lepida, clad in the same flowing pink robes as before, was bearing a cheery expression.
"Hello, Champion of---"

Sableye, Lvl. 9 (approx.) (male)

Tiquail, Lvl. 7 (female)

Normgon, Lvl. 6 (female)

Sunny (Sunkern) Lvl. 7 (female)

Grubva, Lvl. 7 (male)

Dark Ariados is released.

Most recent battle: Against a Grubva

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Flarsable

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 8827

Mar 26 12 9:34 PM

((Should I ignore the fact that the corridor had two ways to go down and we turned the corner before she left the room? Did she sense our "mind auras"?))

"Enough!" Seth yelled. "How about you cut to the chase. Instead of playing mind games, which isn't really fair considering you can read them, you tell us exactly what it is you want from us. Also, we have names, and we don't need to introduce ourselves since you seem to already know everything about us. All "formalities" were thrown out the door, due to a lack of windows in here I might add, when you committed the criminal act of kidnapping us."

In Party:

Sparquail (Shiny Tiquail), Pinecone (Pineco), Rotor (Rotato), Kraken (Gyarados), Scorpion (Billowhip)

In PC:

Agunni, Swallow (Taillow)

Coolsteph

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 1553

Mar 27 12 2:32 PM

(She could have determined where we went by a lucky guess or by waiting five minutes and then learning we thought to go in one specific direction.)
Lepida seemed to hem about where to sit before she finally decided to place herself on the couch, on the side opposite Seth. Steph, seeing Lepida was about to sit by her, warily scooted away and towards Seth.
"We like Trainers," Lepida began. "Trainers are bright, ambitious and disciplined. Trainers cannot afford to be sedate, unresponsive or quarrelsome."
"Many people," Lepida spoke slowly, as if reluctant to add further details, "are like this. Most adults in Bastion City, for example. They never attempt to achieve something more inherently satisfying and enriching than the next paycheck, or the next...indulgence. We're not like that. We...want enlightenment."

Sableye, Lvl. 9 (approx.) (male)

Tiquail, Lvl. 7 (female)

Normgon, Lvl. 6 (female)

Sunny (Sunkern) Lvl. 7 (female)

Grubva, Lvl. 7 (male)

Dark Ariados is released.

Most recent battle: Against a Grubva

Flarsable

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 8827

Mar 28 12 3:53 PM

"So you take innocent kids and force them to convert. Can't you just send them lessons about your philosophy in the mail or something? I get your view, but stealing your followers? Isn't that a little extreme?"

((That was a reference to Sophie's World, which I have mentioned in a post somewhere at sometime, but it's a book about philosophy, with a plot (don't ask about it, your brain will explode violently), and that's what happens.))

In Party:

Sparquail (Shiny Tiquail), Pinecone (Pineco), Rotor (Rotato), Kraken (Gyarados), Scorpion (Billowhip)

In PC:

Agunni, Swallow (Taillow)

Coolsteph

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 1553

Mar 28 12 4:38 PM

Lepida frowned. She got up and paced briefly, frustration---or outright anger---plastered on her face. She then spun back to Seth to address him, with most of her frustration or anger removed in favor of a calm, kindergarten teacher-like look. "Force? Oh, force. What a...an unpleasant word. No, we don't force anyone. We're not like Team...well, not like them. All we do is show our followers---and do note that not all of them are children---the light. Enlightenment. Then we help them achieve it."
Lepida turned around, seeming to stare at the door.
"Team what? What team is this "we" not like? And who is this "we?"" Steph assertively inquired.
Lepida turned her head. "I'm not obligated to tell you...but..."---at this she remembered to act like a kindergarten teacher---"since we're all friends here, I will. They are Team Shadow. As for who we all are, we are..."
She stopped herself and shook her head. "I can't tell you. If I do, the song will just get stuck in my head again."

Sableye, Lvl. 9 (approx.) (male)

Tiquail, Lvl. 7 (female)

Normgon, Lvl. 6 (female)

Sunny (Sunkern) Lvl. 7 (female)

Grubva, Lvl. 7 (male)

Dark Ariados is released.

Most recent battle: Against a Grubva

Last Edited By: Coolsteph Mar 28 12 4:40 PM. Edited 1 times.

Flarsable

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 8827

Mar 29 12 10:02 AM

"Well if you can't tell us who you are, I see no reason to join your ranks. I suggest that you proceed with this so-called enlightenment of yours, and if we decide to join, then great! if not, well, we're not forced to be here. We have friends we need to return to. Also, since you were kind enough to use a Pokemon as a weapon against us, I have a twenty-one foot long snake I could use to barrel you over and bust us out of here," Seth remarked.

In Party:

Sparquail (Shiny Tiquail), Pinecone (Pineco), Rotor (Rotato), Kraken (Gyarados), Scorpion (Billowhip)

In PC:

Agunni, Swallow (Taillow)

Coolsteph

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 1553

Mar 30 12 7:12 AM

Lepida shook her head. "Boys and their snakes," Lepida muttered, smiling. "Arbok are disproportionately popular Pokémon, and I can guess why."

"Oh, yes. That," Lepida added in response to Seth's question. "If you insist."
"We are...Team Lotus!
Team Lotus, seeking brightness
Enlighten us, o wisdom
We are the elite, we, above the masses
Safe and quarrel-less is our kingdooom!"
Steph cringed at the saccharine song. It sounded suspiciously like brainwashing---which, judging by what little they knew or could guess about the organization Lepida was in, made sense.
Although Steph was not predisposed to using one's Pokémon violently against threatening persons, she understood Seth's point. She decided not to let her opinions be known, however, since a Normgon and a Tiquail really could not match a Gyarados in intimidation value---besides, she might need them later.

Sableye, Lvl. 9 (approx.) (male)

Tiquail, Lvl. 7 (female)

Normgon, Lvl. 6 (female)

Sunny (Sunkern) Lvl. 7 (female)

Grubva, Lvl. 7 (male)

Dark Ariados is released.

Most recent battle: Against a Grubva

Flarsable

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 8827

Mar 30 12 10:51 AM

"That's... it? That's all. A ten second song requiring a lot more than ten seconds to get us to hear. I'm guessing you recorded that yourself, right? Well, if that's all, we'll be taking our leave," he concluded firmly, and started marching for the door.

In Party:

Sparquail (Shiny Tiquail), Pinecone (Pineco), Rotor (Rotato), Kraken (Gyarados), Scorpion (Billowhip)

In PC:

Agunni, Swallow (Taillow)

Coolsteph

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 1553

Mar 30 12 6:57 PM

"But it's very earworm-y!" Lepida argued. "I've been trying to get it out of my head for a while. It's kind of childish for our organization."
Seeing as Seth didn't stop, she continued. "You don't even know what enlightenment is, do you?"
Steph, following Seth, decided not to respond. Peculiarly (from what little they knew about Lepida) Lepida was not bringing out her Venomoth to spray Sleep Powder at them. She wasn't making much of an effort to stop them. Maybe violence was all we needed? Maybe she thinks her Venomoth can't beat a Gyarados---no, an Arbok for all she knows. That explains it---a Venomoth has no type advantage against an Arbok.

Sableye, Lvl. 9 (approx.) (male)

Tiquail, Lvl. 7 (female)

Normgon, Lvl. 6 (female)

Sunny (Sunkern) Lvl. 7 (female)

Grubva, Lvl. 7 (male)

Dark Ariados is released.

Most recent battle: Against a Grubva

Last Edited By: Coolsteph Mar 30 12 7:01 PM. Edited 1 times.

Flarsable

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 8827

Mar 30 12 11:45 PM

Something clicked within Lepida's head. She was an Admin in an organization that specializes in Psychic types- she had other Pokemon she could use. She had only remembered to bring one of them with her, but one is plenty. Her happy-flight-attendant attitude vanished in a nanosecond. She scowled.

"Is it violence you want? Fine."

Like a cat, she was standing between them and the door without Seth even remembering her moving from the spot.

"Venomoth, come out!"

Venomoth appeared from its ball and squealed, "Veno!"

"I'll make you a deal. Since words don't seem to be working, I will admit that I lied. We can force people to convert using a secret method you'll never know. If you win, I'll let you go. If you lose, welcome to Team Lotus."

Lotus Admin Lepida would like to battle!

((Now, the only thing left to figure out is which of us will battle her. We can discuss via PM.))

In Party:

Sparquail (Shiny Tiquail), Pinecone (Pineco), Rotor (Rotato), Kraken (Gyarados), Scorpion (Billowhip)

In PC:

Agunni, Swallow (Taillow)

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Coolsteph

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 1553

Apr 6 12 7:57 PM

(Sorry to keep you waiting for so long. I did not realize it was my turn to post.)
Concluding Seth was shocked by the swiftness of her personality switch and declaration of battle, she repeated her claim. "Aren't you going to send out your Arbok? It's a battle, in case that was not clear to you. Or are you too scared?" Now Lepida was just goading Seth. The longer Seth stood there not doing anything, the longer he had to formulate a plan---probably an escape one---against her. A battle would be a decent distraction, and with luck, the noise would attract some reinforcements.

Sableye, Lvl. 9 (approx.) (male)

Tiquail, Lvl. 7 (female)

Normgon, Lvl. 6 (female)

Sunny (Sunkern) Lvl. 7 (female)

Grubva, Lvl. 7 (male)

Dark Ariados is released.

Most recent battle: Against a Grubva

Flarsable

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 8827

Apr 7 12 12:09 PM

Seth wasn't planning to send out his, er... Arbok, as he learned that Lepida hadn't done her snake length research, since it didn't have a type advantage, but he wanted to see what would happen if he did send out his Gyarados.

"Fine, I'll send out my Arbok, since you so insist," he remarked slyly. He took out Kraken's Poke Ball and pressed the button, and out came the 21-foot-long he had told her about. However, to her major dismay, instead of being purple with a face on its neck, it was blue and had whiskers. And it roared viciously, creating a visual effect on Venomoth as Intimidate took effect.

"Oh, you thought that when I said 21-foot-long snake, you thought I had an Arbok? No. Meet Kraken, my Gyarados. He's pumped for battle, and isn't weak to your Venomoth in any way. How about we begin with Dragon Rage, please?"

Gyarados created a blue flame in its mouth and with a motion, created a short flamethrower than quickly raced over to Venomoth.

In Party:

Sparquail (Shiny Tiquail), Pinecone (Pineco), Rotor (Rotato), Kraken (Gyarados), Scorpion (Billowhip)

In PC:

Agunni, Swallow (Taillow)

Coolsteph

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 1553

Apr 7 12 12:39 PM

So he's not that kind of male,Lepida remarked mentally. Nonetheless, with some strategy....
"Don't let Dragon Rage hit you! Use a dodging pattern!"
Venomoth broke its cowardly quavering in time to flutter up, executing Lepida's vague command in the form of cautiously making figure-eights to foul the Gyarados's aim.
As much as Steph wanted to soundly beat Lepida in a Pokémon battle, two on one still was not fair. Besides, she only had three Pokémon, and for all she knew, Sableye---the strongest of her team---had not been healed since the last battle.
It seemed the best option was to sneak out, contact the police and bust this 'Team Lotus.'
Clinging to the wall, she tried to sneak past the battling Pokémon.

Sableye, Lvl. 9 (approx.) (male)

Tiquail, Lvl. 7 (female)

Normgon, Lvl. 6 (female)

Sunny (Sunkern) Lvl. 7 (female)

Grubva, Lvl. 7 (male)

Dark Ariados is released.

Most recent battle: Against a Grubva

Flarsable

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 8827

Apr 7 12 3:36 PM

Gyarados didn't take this dodging pattern too well. He wasn't the smartest fish in his school (actually, it was mostly just him in that pond he lived in), and didn't recognize that there was a pattern and adjust his aim to intercept. He did, however, get mad and stopped attacking with Dragon Rage. Ignoring Seth's command to calm down, he struck at Venomoth with Thrash.

In Party:

Sparquail (Shiny Tiquail), Pinecone (Pineco), Rotor (Rotato), Kraken (Gyarados), Scorpion (Billowhip)

In PC:

Agunni, Swallow (Taillow)

Coolsteph

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 1553

Apr 8 12 10:17 AM

Venomoth could not dodge Kraken's Thrash. As the Gyarados flailed, its chin crashed down on Venomoth. Pinned on its back, Venomoth fluttered desperately to try to right itself. Perfect,Lepida thought, moving away from the door to gain a better look at Venomoth with Kraken in the way. "Use Disable!"

Venomoth's crest emanated a light blue star, and a grey streak shot from the star and out to the Gyarados.

Steph, creeping along the walls, reached the door.

Sableye, Lvl. 9 (approx.) (male)

Tiquail, Lvl. 7 (female)

Normgon, Lvl. 6 (female)

Sunny (Sunkern) Lvl. 7 (female)

Grubva, Lvl. 7 (male)

Dark Ariados is released.

Most recent battle: Against a Grubva

Flarsable

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 8827

Apr 8 12 11:56 AM

Kraken's muscles stiffened. His rampage stopped dead cold, which pissed him off. He tried to lunge at Venomoth again, but his muscles stiffened again, and he found himself totally unable to Thrash. Resorting to his other physical move, he snapped at Venomoth with Bite.

In Party:

Sparquail (Shiny Tiquail), Pinecone (Pineco), Rotor (Rotato), Kraken (Gyarados), Scorpion (Billowhip)

In PC:

Agunni, Swallow (Taillow)

Coolsteph

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 1553

Apr 8 12 1:48 PM

(I request you watch your language, Flarsable. It is a preference that we not resort to such terms.)

Gyarados's mouth, outlined with a jagged white maw of energy, clamped onto Venomoth. "Veno!" it squealed, as the fang pierced through the delicate scaled membrane of its wing. Lepida seemed stunned with how the Gyarados had managed to catch and pierce the wing of Venomoth. But when an opportunity-seizing plan was conjured in her mind, she started to smile.

"Sleep Powder, point-blank!" Venomoth, still squealing with pain, vigorously flapped its uninjured wing to send a bitter dust at Gyarados.

Meanwhile, Steph, having opened the door, was running down the halls of the facility. I do not know if I have much time. If five minutes have not passed already, they will soon, and Lepida will read my thoughts from five minutes ago.

Sableye, Lvl. 9 (approx.) (male)

Tiquail, Lvl. 7 (female)

Normgon, Lvl. 6 (female)

Sunny (Sunkern) Lvl. 7 (female)

Grubva, Lvl. 7 (male)

Dark Ariados is released.

Most recent battle: Against a Grubva

Flarsable

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 8827

Apr 8 12 7:16 PM

((I thought she could only read thoughts that have been thought in the last five minutes, and after five minutes she could not read them. Is it really the other way around?))

The unfocused spray of Sleep Powder dispersed into the air, making everyone in the room (except Venomoth) drowsy. It clouded their thoughts, but sleep wasn't immediate. Kraken went a little slack-jawed, allowing Venomoth to escape, and his rage subsided. Because he still didn't have to follow Seth's orders, he thought that sleep was good, and decided to take that nap he wanted. Seth tried to refocus, and upon noticing Gyarados asleep, he rummaged through his bag for an Awakening. Anchore's Poke Mart lacked such an item, there only being two Potions, an Antidote, and a Paralysis Heal inside, but he found a Chesto Berry he had picked up in the Woods. He clumsily walked over to Kraken and put the Berry in his mouth. Kraken subconsciously chewed it, and in an instant his eyes shot open and he got up and roared. His tail swung around and hit Seth right in the back and knocked him over. He sneered at Venomoth and actually bothered to remember that he couldn't Thrash, and he lashed at Venomoth's abdoman this time with another Bite.

((I hope I'm not being too god-moddy here. Also, I checked, and two Potions, an Antidote, and a Paralysis Heal were exactly what Seth bought at Anchore.))

In Party:

Sparquail (Shiny Tiquail), Pinecone (Pineco), Rotor (Rotato), Kraken (Gyarados), Scorpion (Billowhip)

In PC:

Agunni, Swallow (Taillow)

Coolsteph

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 1553

Apr 8 12 8:46 PM

Explanation:

Spoiler [+]

(Yes, it is the other way around, if I am understanding you correctly. After five minutes, she gains knowledge of whatever thoughts a specific person was thinking[whether the entirety of the person's or persons' thoughts in that span, or only thoughts created exactly five minutes ago, both can be used as convenience or plot demands] provided that person is not too far away from her or is not putting up a Psychic-power mind-shield or another, similar supernatural defense. She can sense these thoughts even if the person has since forgotten them. She is only able to sense memories or data that was then-currently being thought about, not memories formed before that time or memories or data not presently being brought to conscious awareness. Each time she "receives" a load of thoughts, she is not able to read anyone's thoughts [beyond educated guesses, anyway, and if convenient for you we can make it appear she is skilled at that] or another five minutes, upon which she gains knowledge of their thoughts. I may have been redundant in my explanation, but I hope it is sufficiently clear.
A teeny bit of god-modding will not hurt, at least so far as this topic is concerned. It smooths the process.
In addition, you misspelled "abdomen.")

"Items," Lepida muttered under her breath. That put a dent in her plans.
Venomoth was unable to fly away with only one uninjured wing. Again the pronged white maw of Bite clamped onto Venomoth, pinning it between Gyarados's real fangs. Venomoth dangled from Gyarados's mouth like a Persian with a dead Pidgey. Venomoth squealed, fluttering its wings desperately. Evidently, it was not roughly attacked often.

"Venomoth! Use---"

But Venomoth had finally stopped struggling. With one shrill cry, it dropped to the floor, unconscious and beaten.

-_-_-_-_-

Great. More guards. Steph hid behind a corner and hoped she had not been spotted.
"I should have asked for an autograph," a voice said. Pittsworth.
"Eh, maybe you'll get it later. Keep cleaning." That brawny one. We never did learn his name...
"Hey, the makers of this broom is Seatton & Sons. Are they relatives of yours?"
"Nope. Never heard of them. Just a coincidence." Ah, so that's his name...little good that does me from here.
Do I really have the time to hide? I need a plan, and quickly.

Sableye, Lvl. 9 (approx.) (male)

Tiquail, Lvl. 7 (female)

Normgon, Lvl. 6 (female)

Sunny (Sunkern) Lvl. 7 (female)

Grubva, Lvl. 7 (male)

Dark Ariados is released.

Most recent battle: Against a Grubva

Flarsable

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Suggestions Board Regular

Posts: 8827

Apr 9 12 2:41 PM

((Well, just as I have, Seth will get the prospect confused, and that plot hole of how Lepida heard the thought immediately earlier will be covered in a table cloth.))

The shrill cry called Seth to attention. He noticed Kraken above a knocked-out Venomoth, and Lepida probably cursing under her breath. At least she had the morale to not curse in front of a kid. There was one thing he didn't notice, however: Steph. He made a quick scan and tried to see if she was just hiding, but he didn't see her. He also realized that Lepida might have picked up on that thought, and if Steph really had escaped he might have ruined it. He recalled Kraken and sent out Pinecone wordlessly, waiting for Lepida's reaction.

-_-_-_-_-

Thankfully, Pittsworth and Seatton had reached another intersection in the winding maze of corridors.

"Which way should we dust next? Straight or side?" Pittsworth asked.

"Does it really matter? We'll circle around and dust the other one eventually. Just keep dusting!" Seatton replied.

"Fine..."

They stopped talking and the sound of sweeping brooms was heard. It receded into the distance, leaving Steph alone in complete silence.

In Party:

Sparquail (Shiny Tiquail), Pinecone (Pineco), Rotor (Rotato), Kraken (Gyarados), Scorpion (Billowhip)

In PC:

Agunni, Swallow (Taillow)

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An Oblique Detour from the Bright Path