Group RP Pokemon: Evolution Quest (IC thread)

@sanianisa
"I'm sorry for your loss." Xuehua began. "But one member cannot attest for the entire hall. My apologies, miss Aine-" she gave the Sylveon a curt nod "- but until there is more information on how trustable you are, I would warn against joining this quest."

 

Aroma was hesitant to Lady Aine’s request because she was a bit indifferent to the Dragon Kings- if they’re not bothering me, why should I get involved?- but she knew that this dilemma affected way more than just her.
“I’m not much of a fighter, but I will help as much as I can.”

 

"I- I see..." Blacky whispered as he understood Xuehua's concern. However, that didn't really help with his sudden burst of grief as he collapsed to his knees (?). Back at his master's home in Kickenham, Blacky used to randomly pluck the strings on his mom's harp whenever he felt the grief. But now that he left it behind...
I think I really need another way to cope with this feeling...

(Ah welp, not sure how "collapsing to his knees" actually work on a normally quadrupedal Pokémon tbh. )

 

(Think Wave said these Pokémon stand on their legs for the purposes of this fantasy)

Atelier was probably more shocked than anyone in seeing what direction the conversation took. The icy and pessimistic vibe Xuehua was giving, Blacky on the verge of cracking - if he hadn't already, and the determination from the other Eevee and Sylveon (or was that fear in their eyes?) told him this was very serious. Perhaps this was something that affected them personally, or their pasts. Just what did Atelier wade into, anyway? Then again, Atelier didn't know much of his own past either, so it wouldn't be fair of him to judge.

He knelt down to Blacky's level. "You okay?" he said.

 

(Hence "normally", lel. :v )

Somehow noticing Atelier's worried look, Blacky slowly nodded. "I- yeah..." he said. Honestly tho, why does it have to be this awkward?

(Also @WavePearl, seems like an in-character convincing would be nice. I mean, Blacky tried but it didn't work, so...)

 

"Has something like that ever happened before?" asked Starlight nervously. "Not saying that I don't trust you, I am just curious."

 

Blacky sighed in relief upon hearing that. At least mum was in the right track, he thought.

 

@WavePearl

Atelier turned to Aine. "Alright, Lady Aine. Can you tell us how you intend to achieve your objectives?" he asked. Granted, everyone appeared at least shaken by the kind of weight the adventure might carry, but Atelier himself didn't have the full measure of what was going on. All he did was answer a call from the shiny Sylveon, and that was it. "What is going on, exactly?"

And it seemed odd to ask such a thing and encounter a somber mood in the middle of a festival.

 

Blacky stood up, intently listening to Aine's explanation with occasional nods in understanding.
"...I see. So if one Dragon King 'guards' one jewel, all we need to do is to locate where those jewels are and take on whoever 'guarding' them, right?"

 

"How exactly are they throwing Ardamore out of balance, now?" Xuehua continued. "And how do you plan to find each King and assassinate them without alerting them?"

 

Atelier listened carefully. So there were eight jewels that held Ardamore stable and its abuse of them already showed its effects. Judging from the reaction of his peers, Atelier also deduced that the Dragon Kings had little doubt to be the cause of it. "I don't suppose that's why you've called on us to help you?" he said. "And what happens if they do find out we're on to them?"

 

"But after we take one or two out...Won't they become more cautious?" asked Starlight as she grasped her necklace.

 

"That being said... Where should we start from?" Blacky chimed in, hoping to end this Q&A session and get moving as soon as possible.