60 - video/text/action for travel group;;

[islandshore]

[It's still raining. At least, it should be, but today we have a nice outdoor shot with little rays of sun shining down, while a Charizard lumbers around in the background, grumbling shaking off little droplets of water. There's a Toxicroak rubbing the top of its head and grumbling before a Vaporeon scoffs and squirts her with a stream of water...

And then the camera pans to Riku, looking slightly soaked, with his hair clinging to his skin.]

You know, at this rate, I bet the Department Stores are gonna run out of Sunny Day TMs. It's been, what? A week since this weather started? I'm surprised the routes haven't flooded yet...

[Groans, waving one of his hands.]

But anyway, I was thinking. We know these "Bloobers" are called Goomies now, and the Pokédex has some info, but has anyone ever thought about swapping notes on these guys? The Pokédex can only tell us so much, and if there's another region out there with tons of new Pokémon, then--

[Riku's cut off by an abrupt SPLAT, as a water balloon nails him in the cheek, splashing water all over his already damp hair and leaving bits of rubber stuck to his cheek. If that's not bad enough, the Sunny Day ends abruptly, and the downpour resumes with a vengeance, splattering him with big, wet droplets.

The culprit? That'd probably be the spiky-haired doofus laughing in the background. Once Riku pulls the busted balloon off his face, he whips around and charges...]

Oh, so you think you're funny, huh?

[And the feed cuts.

Later, a text message pops up on the network:]

Text/Filtered from Sora;;

So, Sora's turning eighteen on the twenty-third, and I'm wondering what you guys think is a good way to celebrate. It's kind of a big deal for him, and I really want to make it count. And if any of you guys are friends with him, I bet he'd love to see you around. Just gotta figure out the right location and hope we don't get nailed by more stupid rain.

Text/PGC filter;

Tenten's gone, which means we're down one of our group leaders. We've lost a few other members recently as well, and I think it's just about time to start recruiting again.

Tenten's loss means we're also down one team organizer, which means we're gonna need someone to step up. Preferably someone good at bookkeeping.

If you've got anything new to report, let me know.

Comments

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[heartdive]

[ see, the plan had been pretty great. Oshy, his Dewott, is right next to him, helping Sora out and everything. and when the balloon his Riku? just as planned.

but now seeing Riku charge? WELL MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT THIS THROUGH ENTIRELY FIRST. because now Sora is running in the rain. barefoot and trying to not slip and fall in the mud. ]

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[islandshore]

[Whereas Riku at least has boots on. Puddles? Give him your worst! He continues his pursuit, running at full speed, and jabs his fingers in his mouth to whistle.]

Prince!

[His Vaporeon perks up. He'd just been licking a paw to keep himself well-groomed, but what's this? His Trainer needs him? Fine...

He sprints after Riku, who grins.]

...Time for some payback.

[Annnd incoming Hydro Pump!]

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[heartdive]

[ not so fast Riku!~ Oshy has a trick too! countering that Hydro Pump with a Hydro Pump! going to have to work a little harder to get revenge there.

like waiting until Sora turns back to scoop up the little Dewott. it's not like he can leave Oshy behind! ]

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[islandshore]

[Gah! How dare you ruin his fabulous Hydro Pump? Prince's frilly collar flares, and he crouches low. Water rises beneath his paws into a tidal wave aimed at the two escapees. Beware the mighty power of his Surf!

The downside is that Riku's running up ahead, so if the wave hits Sora and Oshy, it's definitely nailing Riku as well.]

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[pipers_son]

Well, I have one myself, so I ain't much opposed ta tradin' info about them all!

Speakin' a new Pokemon, did ya see that fella with the lion's mane a bright red hair at the prom?

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[islandshore]

You mean the Pyroar? I think that's what it's called.

[If only he had his pack with him-- then he could check his notes. Fortunately, he's made his way under the shelter of a tree.]

Anyway, what's your experience been with your Goomy?

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[pipers_son]

That's the one! Says it's perfectly common where he's from, Kalos he said, and I want one more than anythin'!

[He very nearly stole it, too, but held himself back. Which is probably a good thing, considering.]

Anyway... Mostly it's been wet, but I've noticed somethin'. Can't say if it's really useful, but sometimes those big things on its head? It can pull 'em back. Since it's just nothin' but goo, I suppose we can't be much surprised that it's a bit... malleable than ya would figure, right?

I haven't experimented with it too much yet, since I've been busy, but I'll see about it.

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[paladinlost]

We're losing people faster than we are gaining them, it seems. It would be nice if Team Rocket was in the same situation.

[He wouldn't bet on it, though.]

I doubt the latest newcomers will be very interested until they see for themselves Team Rocket's actions, but it's not as if we can simply wait for an attack before asking for volunteers...

[A beat.]

...Goomy reaches its second stage at level 40 and its third around level 50, and still has more Water-type moves than you'd expect from a pure Dragon-type. I've been considering teaching Bavarois Flamethrower to cover his Ice weakness, but I worry it might dry him out.

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[islandshore]

Yeah, it's a tough call. We either throw out a call to arms or wait for the next big explosion and hope for the best. That's the thing with the Rockets: they seem to time their attacks so that they happen when they least expect it.

[Which is irritating, but not surprising. What kind of villain would attack when there's a whole group of heroes waiting to fight back?]

And if it makes you feel any better, my Goodra's had no trouble with fire moves. Might be the dragon typing, or maybe it just doesn't bother them as much when they use it.

[video/ PGC filter]

[paladinlost]

Or whenever they feel bored or slighted, which is not particularly easy to predict, barring the feelings their most vocal members.

[He shall refrain from mentioning names, as it is surely unnecessary.]

That's good to hear; I'll have to expand his moveset soon, then. Oh, I can also tell you that eating their slime is a terrible idea, no matter what a Pokémon usually eat. Truly.

PGC filter

[imthe_shit]

The kid's gone?

I'm not much of a leader anyway. I'm better at following orders. I'll keep my eyes open for recruits.

PGC filter

[islandshore]

Hey, no worries. Not everyone wants that kind of responsibility thrust at them.

But thanks for the offer. The way I see it, any help counts. We can't afford to keep losing members.

[imthe_shit]

How many are we down to? It's hard to have an organization without anyone to organize.

[Text | PGC filter]

[babel_hacker]

Yeah, we should build up our numbers again. The main challenge is getting potential recruits' interests. It's not like Team Rocket do attacks frequently enough for new people to see why they're bad news.

I'm more of a follower then a leader, but since I deal with programming, I can probably do bookkeeping if no one takes it up.

As for Sora's birthday, why not take him somewhere special to him? Or somewhere in this place that's close enough?

[Text | PGC filter]

[islandshore]

See, Cecil mentioned that too. It's tough-- too many people act like this world's a vacation spot, when deep down it's crawling with dangers. I just wish there was an easier way to show it. Fact is, the Rockets still have numbers on their side.

Hmm... somewhere special. Well, we grew up on an island, so I guess we could hit one of the beaches again. But that's only if the weather lets up, because I doubt Flare wants to keep using Sunny Day nonstop.

[Text | PGC filter]

[babel_hacker]

Right. This world seems so normal and society apparently have handled most of the usual problems and dangers with Pokemon, so it's hard to see. A lot of Pokedex entries show how dangerous Pokemon can be, but it's not obvious when you live in a city.

But yeah, the Rockets will have numbers, even if they lose non-natives like us. [Maybe some competence along with it.] We can appeal to people's desire to help and protect, but they have to face with possibly waiting weeks between public Rocket activity.

I hope you get a sunny day! Or a non-rainy day in case it's cloudy. But if you can't hit the beach, there might be a heated indoor pool around?

action;

[paopuprincess]

[Just gonna peek over Riku's shoulder.]

So... bookkeeping, huh? I like books.

action;

[islandshore]

Well, it's more like record keeping. Organizing teams based on skillsets...

[Basically, it's tricky work, which is why he had Tenten take care of it before. Still, the fact that Kairi's interested brings a wry smile to his face.]

[paopuprincess]

That doesn't sound hard. All the strong people on one team to do all the butt-kicking, then all the weak people can hang back and clean up the mess. Easy.

TEXT ( let me know if you'd like normal text! )

[codpieces]

GoOmIeS? :oO

[ it sounds gooey. and anything gooey may be edible ( little does he know he has a so called goomy! ). a few minutes after: ]

HaPpY fUcKiN wRiGgLiNg DaY tO yOuR bRo, MaN :o)
WhY dOn'T yOu MaKe ThE lUcKy MoThErFuCkEr A pImPiN pIe?

TEXT ( I am down with the clown's text quirk :o) )

[islandshore]

Think slug dragons, and that's pretty much a Goomy in a nutshell. There was a whole swarm of them a few months back.

[Though it's since died down, obviously, he's still got a small little herd living in his bathtub and pool. Silly blobs.]

A "pimpin" pie? So what kind should I shoot for?

TEXT

[codpieces]

ThEy InTo AlL tHiS sKyWaTeR?
i ThInK i GoT oNe, LiTtLe GuY jUsT wAnTs To SoAk It AlL uP lIkE a SlImY fUcKiN sLugSpOnGe.

UhHh
GoT aNy SoPoR??
i'D eVeN sPlIt A tIn WiTh Y'AlL bUt I cAn'T fInD aNy ReCoOpS :o(
jUsT tHeSe ReCtAnGuLaR bOuNcE tRaPs . . .

TEXT

[athirst]

Him too?

[ same birthdays are near-cool for little kids— why, the world may never know . . . ]

Hi, Riku. [ that aside— he had to say hello the right way! and type as properly as he was taught to write! ]

Brother made up challenges back home, like hunts and missions. If I did everything right, there'd be a surprise at the end!
And when we got back home later, Mom would make my favorite omusubi.

TEXT

[islandshore]

Yep. Why, you know someone with a birthday coming up?

A challenge, though... That's not a bad idea. I'd just have to think of something simple enough for him to deal with. Sora's... kinda dense.

TEXT

[athirst]

My birthday's on the 23rd, too.

Does Sora like looking for things?