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Post by SummerCrow on Apr 7, 2016 20:59:32 GMT -6
The guard bows and exits the throne room, quickly returning to the entrance. "The queen's expecting you," he tells Horatio.
"Thank you," Horatio says, falling in line behind the guard as he leads the way through the castle.
The guard stops in front of the throne room and announces their arrival.
Horatio takes a few steps in, then gives a shallow, polite bow. "Queen Glinda. I am Horatio, minister of Valeria and general of the Carcina occupation army."
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Post by empireoffire on Apr 7, 2016 21:28:36 GMT -6
Carcina? I believe June was also sworn to such a place.
Glinda gave a polite bow of her own to the newcomer. "Well met, Horatio. I am Glinda. I wish our circumstances were better, but nonetheless, I welcome you to the world of Oz. This is Yuleia, my Queendom. It is my understanding that you are already somewhat informed of the state this world is in and the circumstances of your arrival. However, to fully explain what is happening, it is best that I start from the beginning."
Glinda explained everything she had told the other Outlanders during her initial audience with them. She observed Horatio's expression as she told her tale.
"...And so, that is why you and the other Outlanders have been brought to this world," concluded Glinda, "and why we are unfortunately unable to return you back to your home world at the present time. It is not my intention to force you to participate in a battle you do not wish to partake in. Do you wish to lend the people of Yuleia your aid in our darkest hour?"
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Post by HHDeception on Apr 9, 2016 18:41:59 GMT -6
Maurice's dragon-shaped wound in reality began to heal shut as he drifted through it, coming into view of the rest.
"That one is more of what I'd expect of this purgatory", Maurice thought as Dimentio appeared. The jester's 2 dimensional projection into the 3 dimensional world took some perspective adjustment to realize, and even caught the eye of Giratina.
He mocks me with this construct. If this metaphor is a provocation it is absurdly childish, and the alternative implies a despicable level of carelessness. Either indicates a God unworthy of their title, as with any God who...
"Or maybe you aren't actually the center of this world's machinations."
Maurice tuned Giratina out again as he introduced himself, floating among the others assembled.
"They call me Maurice. I'm not normal." he said while adjusting his cuff links. "And I can only assume from your introduction as opposed to a welcome that you, as I am, are not from this world. My first question: Did you come here as part of the story you set for yourself. And if not then so my next question stands: why have we been brought before each other?"
And then Fawful and the pokemon appeared.
Maurice's eye twitched as quickly as he snapped his wrist forward to loose a StarBurst pulse that would give Rayquaza a seizure. The energy smashed down upon the assembled pokemon, and then dissipated leaving nothing harmed.
Maurice's eye twitched again as he was given the readout that there StarBurst had no effect.
"...he mocks me with these constructs..."
If Giratina had a sense of humour, it would be in use right now.
After the second series of knocks, the words "Fine I'll get it" ran through Jirachi's head. The Wish pokemon opened the door, smiled and waved at their guest, gave the small turtwig thing a weird look, and then flew into the back to get Celeste's attention.
The scientist currently had a full-head helmet on, and was apparently focusing on spraying some sort of circuit board with purple energy being shot out of a coil seemingly powered by a book. Or to put it another way, he was attempting to magic his science. Jirachi gave his helmet a head butt and the doctor quickly powered stuff down and lifted the helmet's face-plate up.
"What's on fire?!" He said looking around. Then he saw the person in the doorway.
"Oh, never mind," he said, taking the helmet off completely and putting it down next to his work. He swiveled his chair around to face Joshua (something he was rather proud of since they previously did not have swivel chairs in the castle). "You've made friends. Great! Mine seems to have vanished. Or for all you know maybe I'm him. Anyways, is this important?"
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Post by empireoffire on Apr 9, 2016 18:52:56 GMT -6
Joshua raised a hand of greeting at Jirachi, then turned to face the professor.
"Could be," Joshua replied. "I heard you were doing some experimentation on a card. Would you happen to have learned anything from it? The scientists here did testing, but couldn't figure out how to get them to work."
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Post by HHDeception on Apr 9, 2016 19:33:32 GMT -6
"Ah right the cards." Celeste said, pulling the Anthea card out of his pocket, "Funny thing. One moment I'm talking to her, next next moment she's in my pocket. Or at least, something resembling her."
Celeste held the card up to a light. "I know...a lot about teleportation. And from what I can gather, these things don't do teleportation. They're more like...think projector film for a movie. You shine light on the film, and the image comes out the other side. These cards seem to be kind of like that, except instead of light, they need some sort of magic. And instead of images, you get people. I've wasted far too many hours trying to figure out what magic you use to activate them experimentally. I'd honestly have a better chance decrypting old legends from a historian. I doubt this is the first time this technology has been used before."
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Post by empireoffire on Apr 9, 2016 20:16:47 GMT -6
I'll take that as a "no."
...But now that I think about it, why are the people I have as cards... well, cards? Why are they things to fit in my pocket when I was able to walk around as normal? Same goes for the others who came with cards. Was it because of the apparently botched ritual that brought everyone here? Is it determined by pure chance?
Joshua sighed and leaned back against a desk. He got the answer he asked for, so there was really nothing preventing him from saying "I see" and leaving the doctor to his own devices, but he still felt like making some kind of small talk with him. Maybe it was because he's the only other human from his world he recognized and he felt they should probably stick together. Maybe it's just loneliness from being stranded in a different world with more questions than answers. Maybe a bit of both.
"...So, how's this alien world treating you?" Joshua asked. "I went from doing Realgam errands to wandering out in the middle of nowhere for some time, getting hit by knockout gas entering the city, almost got stolen from by a ghost, and got recruited to act as a babysitter. You?"
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Post by SummerCrow on Apr 9, 2016 21:06:08 GMT -6
The aide pauses with a concerned look on his face. Taking someone's measurements without touching them? He awkwardly tries reaching around, careful not to touch Irving. He puts his tape down then starts scratching his head and waving his finger as he does some mental mathematics. Finally, he disappears behind a a shelf and comes back with a vest and helmet. "Uh... T-try... Try this? I think? Uh... Do you need... um... help adjusting it...?"
Horatio's face tightens slightly. "Bluntly, Queen Glinda, I'm more concerned with the safety of my own men. I've a duty to them, after all, and worry what may happen in my absence. But if cooperating with you is the fastest way back to them, you have my aid."
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Post by empireoffire on Apr 9, 2016 21:28:09 GMT -6
Glinda nodded. "I understand. We will do everything that we can to ensure your return. Now, do you possess any questions you wish to ask me? Were I in your shoes, I would have quite a few."
Irving grinned as he took the vest and helmet. "Great, thanks. I can handle it."
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Post by SummerCrow on Apr 9, 2016 22:12:39 GMT -6
"I've many questions, your grace, but I'd rather not monopolize your time. So I'll part with one final question. Could you direct me towards your archives - your library, however you refer to it?" Horatio asks.
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Post by HHDeception on Apr 10, 2016 0:41:40 GMT -6
Celeste thought about Joshua's question for a bit longer than what might be socially appropriate. He squinted slightly, finding some part of his brain that he didn't actually use that often.
"I don't feel like I'm really here..." Celeste said. "I feel like I'm a fake me who's been thrown into a fake reality. But of course, questioning reality is often the first step into insanity so I've been keeping myself occupied with...everything." He concluded by gesturing around.
Then he leaned closer. "But just between you and me...this girl," Celeste gestured to his card, "Told me that my pokemon and a little girl from our world are trapped by a rogue army underneath that big tree they call Yggdrasil. She also told me to not trust anyone native to this world...And especially not anyone in a position of power. I'm not entirely sure what she was getting at, but in case it's useful, you know. The Queen here hasn't actually bothered to speak to me directly, or else I'd ask."
An average Yuleian face (literally a face composed of the averages of many native Yuleians) peeked around the doorway of the armory. There were people inside. No problem. A body wearing plain worker clothes followed suit with quiet steps inside.
Moran wordlessly began taking notes on a clipboard of the armor on the walls. Inventory was the name of his task, on more than one level.
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Post by empireoffire on Apr 11, 2016 1:19:52 GMT -6
"Of course," said Glinda. She nodded at the guard who escorted Horatio inside. "He can escort you there. You're currently free to wander the castle and town as you please. We can also provide food, and a place to sleep shall be provided for you shortly."
A fake? Even if I were just a fake, things feel real enough to me that I feel encouraged to keep on going anyway.
That said, another little kid was brought here? I have enough of those to worry about already.
"The Queen here seems nice enough," said Joshua, his volume lowered. "And we're VIPs here, have you tried going to speak to her directly, at least?
...And how come your Pokemon are all the way over there -- with you not apparently knowing until she told you? Where did you first pop up? From the Pokemon pictured in the cards I have, I was under the assumption that Pokemon stuck with their trainers when they got here."
Emma ducked through an alleyway and held up a handful of coins to a street urchin who set up shop.
"Coins for info?" she offered.
The rough-looking urchin eyed her with suspicion before holding out an open hand. Emma dropped the payment.
"Whadya want, lassie?" he muttered.
"what's the latest gossip everyone's talking about?" asked Emma.
"Domestic, or national?"
"Uh... National," answered Emma.
"Well, you know the dragon up on Yggdrasil, obviously. See, it's gotten into people's heads that the dragon's one of them 'Outlander' things that are running about. Other folks are saying that it's a gift from the Green Dragon. Me? I think it's another one of them abominations causing havoc all over the place. The rest don't really care, provided it doesn't go interfering with life."
...That raises even more questions. Where do I start?
"Okay, what's the Green Dragon?" Emma asked.
The urchin stared at her blankly.
"...Yer not from around here, are ye, lassie?" he asked.
"We're tourists," Emma lied.
He eyed her skeptically. "I'll give ye the short version, lassie. A meteor crashed down, the Green Dragon hatched, united all the tribes of the area, and founded the Ephesus Empire with the first emperor. Which you're standing in. If yer what I think you are, lassie, get a compass and go to the capitol to the northeast. Or, if you're into that sorta thing, go to Yuleia to the Southeast, or the eastern Dalish. Or explore on yer own. My morals tell me to tell ye all the options ye got, though I'd side with Ephesus since I'm a bit of a patriot. Can't really stop you either way."
Emma took in the info before nodding and smiling. "Great. That's better info than I was expecting. Thanks."
The urchin nodded and gave a mild wave as Emma stood up and went back to Hugh, reading a newspaper just outside the alleyway. "Thank you for the cash. I won't have to worry about food tonight."
Emma paused for a moment and hesitated before turning back. She reached into her bag of coins, scooping up a handful, and knelt down to place the coins on the ground in front of the urchin, who looked up in surprise.
"I've been there," she muttered. "Good luck."
She got back up and sped away. The urchin took the coins she left behind. He smirked in amusement.
"Take care, lassie."
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Post by HHDeception on Apr 11, 2016 1:55:38 GMT -6
"Jirachi was with me," Celeste explained, "But I wasn't with my other Pokemon when I was brought here, which might be the reason. I just figured they were safe at home but so much for that. I think I woke up in the marketplace...I never got any cards either. Anthea's was, uh, given to me."
"As for the queen, I honestly expected to be teleporting out of here before the day was out. But," he looked around, "since I'm estimating less than 5% progress in the past hour, a change of plans might be in order."
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Post by empireoffire on Apr 11, 2016 2:27:32 GMT -6
"The marketplace?" echoed Joshua.
Wait, he wasn't at the initial orientation. I had to tell him about it afterward, and surely Glinda would've told him everything on her own if he opted out of it. Which meant that either he spent a day avoiding notice -- although him teleporting into the marketplace would've likely attracted a few gazes, I imagine -- or...
"...Celeste, did you by any chance not find yourself in Oz until yesterday?"
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Post by HHDeception on Apr 11, 2016 12:43:29 GMT -6
"Is there something strange about that?" Celeste replied, recounting the events of yesterday. "If we were meant to be brought here together, then the method was rather innacurate or else I'd have my pokemon. And believe me, space inaccuracy and time inaccuracy are more similar than you might think."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2016 18:21:33 GMT -6
Bowser Jr was playing with a Mechakoopa he had stashed away in case of emergency. Bowser Jr was kinda of just winding it up letting it run into random things in Celeste room. Bowser Jr. heard Joshie and what he assumed was his minion mention something about a market place.
"Hey Joshie and Mr. Magikoopa, me and my dad were inside of a market place, when we first came here," Bowser Jr said. "In fact that's where me, my dad, Ms. Catie, and Ms. Alyssa were found, by a princess," Bowser Jr. said. "I have no idea what your talking about when it comes to cards, and film," Bowser Jr said. "Yet, Mario has cards like Joshie has," Bowser Jr told the Human like Magikooopa.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2016 18:41:03 GMT -6
Pixy, Fen Fen, and Chlortles were just floating by Fawful when they felt a wave of energy hit them. "Fen Fen did you feel something just now," Pixy asked.
"Sorta of, it kinda of tickled," Fen Fen told Pixy.
"Hmmm I could have sworn i felt something but Pika," Pixy said. Pixy looked around for the source of the energy and saw a guy where Giratina once was. Pixy looked over his way and balled up her Paw and began waving it towards him. Pixy turned off the translator and in the most epic and awe inspiring voice, gave the speech of a lifetime that would forever change the course of Oz. "PIIIIIKKKKKAAAAAA," Pixy said before doing the I have my eyes on you pose and breaking out a surfboard (?)
"Really Pixy you think picking a fight with Giratina's trainer is wise," Fen Fen growled towards Pixy.
"Really I would be scared of Giratina, please after the war for Hyrule when we faced off against the mother of dragons and Tywin Lancaster," Pixy said. "We faced off against an entire army of Black Lanterns Fen Fen," Pixy said. "We travled across multiple worlds and dimensions together," Pixy said. "So of course some over grown lizard isnt going to scare me, Pika," Pixy said.
Fen Fen instead of being angry or upset actually laughing at Pixy. "Glad to see you back old friend," Fen Fen said placing a paw on Pixy.
(The lesson kids if you want the P(ika) you need to give the D. What does the D stand for? Destruction)
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Post by empireoffire on Apr 13, 2016 3:14:48 GMT -6
Joshua thought to himself for a moment.
So Junior arrived at a marketplace and didn't see Celeste? The town seems big enough for a few marketplaces wouldn't be too unbelievable to have... But I still have this nagging theory, and it's probably going to keep me up at night if I don't pursue it.
"Celeste, if what I suspect is correct, then what I'm about to ask of you is of great importance. Describe, in detail, your first arrival in Oz -- from your appearing in the marketplace, to being found and escorted to the castle. What were the people around you doing or saying? Was there signs of magic being used? Maybe you were standing on something?"
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Post by SummerCrow on Apr 19, 2016 23:44:15 GMT -6
Horatio thanks the guard as they arrive at the library. He steps in and is immediately greeted by the smell of hundreds upon hundreds of books, new and old. A wizened old man, seated at a desk by the entrance, glances up from his book. He stares at Horatio over the rim of his oversized reading glasses. "An Outlander? Here? How surprising. None of the others have stopped by. It would appear that reading's dying, not just in our world, but all worlds... All these kids today want is their newfangled 'dig-tail' information. Bah. No respect for proper pen and paper anymore. Did you know they don't even teach calligraphy as a core class anymore? Detestable."
"I'm sorry?" Horatio says, unsure what else to say. "I am Horatio, of Valeria. I want to learn as much about this world as fast as possible."
"Then you came to the 'Wright' place," the old man says with a laugh. "I'm the keeper of the castle records, Ignius Wright. Now, let me see... I assume you're interested in, what, military whatsits and recent politico-history?"
"A bit of culture would be useful, as well, though I hardly have time to pour through everything. Perhaps an anthology of myths, short stories, poetry, or the like?" Horatio suggests.
"Oh-ho," Ignius mutters. "Well then, let's get you sorted."
While Irving changes into his armor, June finds a set of heavy ballistic bodyarmor. After some consideration, she opts to slip into the simple vest and helmet instead, hopefully something she could use in conjunction with her normal armor, rather than a full replacement. "Sgt. Barker?" she calls out. "Is there any way we can test these? I want to see how well it works." She rattles her glove, wishing she'd worn more of her armor. "And how well my normal armor works against these... gun things."
"You're asking me if I'll let you guys shoot at each other?" Barker asks. "I've never had a live-fire accident on my course and I don't intend to let you Outlanders ruin that record."
"But it wouldn't be an accident," June points out. "If we can't trust this armor to hold up under controlled, training circumstances, you expect us to just march out wearing it and trust it's going to work in real combat?"
Barker opens his mouth to reply, then clamps it shut. After a few seconds of angry glaring, he finally opens it again. "Fine. If you want to be a range dummy, go right ahead. Are you planning to join this dummy, Irving?"
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Post by empireoffire on Apr 20, 2016 9:54:19 GMT -6
Irving inspected himself after slipping on the vest and helmet.
The helmet's heavier than I thought it was gonna be, but the vest works for me. I can prob'ly even wear it over my old stuff if I rearrange some of the metal.
Irving was slinging his weapons into place as Barker barked a question at him.
"Are you planning to join this dummy, Irving?"
And risk going crazed? Hell no!
"Thanks, but no thanks," answered Irving.
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Post by SummerCrow on May 12, 2016 9:19:41 GMT -6
June walks out onto the range, and Barker pulls out a rifle. He carefully adopts a proper stance, checks his safety, and aims down the sights, then squeezes off two quick shots.
They thud into June's body armor. "Oof... Ow. Well, this armor seems to do its job."
"It'll stop a rifle bullet or two, no problem." Barker explains. "The problem is that the armor takes a lot of damage in the process. Worse, these vests are pretty much impossible to just repair in the field. Check it." As Barker said, some of the plates near the points of impact have warped. "A vest can only take so many shots before it starts absorbing less and less of the blow. These modern vests can eat about a clip from the ol' Greyjack rifle before you really need to worry." He aims and squeezes off several more shots.
June winds up staggering backwards from the force of the last few shots. "That... ugh... That last one felt like a Hammer..." she coughs out.
"Like I said. Now get yourself cleaned up, that's liable to leave some nasty bruising. Healer!"
June steps off the range to a waiting medic. "I'm fine," she assures him.
"Chief's orders," the medic apologizes. "Come along now, we'll have you done in no time. You'' be back on the range before you know it."
"I think I'm done with weapon training for the day," June says. "I need to go check on Marth. Irving, Catie, I'll see you back at the castle."
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