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seasonsgreetings2023-06-16 10:01 am
Test Drive Meme #3
Test Drive Meme #3
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION
You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.
The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:
An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.
All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.
Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.
And it looks like you're not alone.
After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.
Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa.
The Message [ Click to Expand ]
Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.
Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here.
This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes.
We used to have plenty of people here who could control the powers of the four Seasons. We called them Seasonal Power Holders. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy you can read about later, we lost almost all of them. Now only four of us remain and the world is in chaos. We have done our best to protect the world, but we need more power holders to do that.
That's where you come in.
All of you have been assigned to one of the seasons. Whatever space you were in just now is what season you represent. You will learn different skills based on the season and those skills are going to help you save this world.
These powers don't interfere with your own natural powers. They use a new energy that has formed inside of you. It's harmless to your health, but it's vital to your seasonal powers. Your own powers should still work, even if the dark energy outside the city might interfere with them.
Unfortunately bringing you here wasn't as simple as it sounds. We couldn't do anything about how to keep you anchored to this world other than making a simple spell that helps with it. That is, you need to touch someone else who is not from this world ideally at least once a day. It will help you stay in control of your powers and boost your magical energy. If you don't, the consequences aren't very good. But as long as you hold someone's hand or give someone a handshake, you should be fine.
That's all I have to say about the situation. The staff of the Research Center will give you more information about housing and other necessary things. I will, however, promise that you will be sent home once the situation becomes better. That's the least we can do.
In the Arrival's hall there are also several stands with information pamphlets.
First type of stand is for the local Guilds and about the benefits or joining one.
Second type of stands is for the Welcoming Committee that aim to show otherworlders what the world is like and help guide people in the beginning of the journey and helps in getting settled into the new world. They even have people to help if you're unfamiliar with the new phones.
Third type of the stands is for The In Touch Support Group that is led by the Otherwordly Ambassador, Kamisato Ayato. The pamphlets have contact information for businesses looking to help Otherworlders. They also focus more on the lore of the World and what they have discovered so far, as well as a guide on what to think about when preparing to venture out to the Segments.
Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.
The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.
All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
The center of Nightwake never sleeps and there's always something happening, but today there's a lot of excitement in the air all around the center and every district! Locals and those who want to help them (for 100 Moon Coins or a gift card of their choosing), are walking to everyone to offer colorful fliers along with free vending machine tokens. There's also colorful advertisement on billboards and posters everywhere around the city advertising all sorts of things like items, clothes, drinks and more.
Local businesses, stores and restaurants are also going pretty crazy with their celebrations of anyone walking in being their 50th, 100th or whatever customer of the day and the prize among other things are gift cards and more free vending machine tokens but they aren't even for that same shop or restaurant? They also offer people to spin all kinds of different prize wheels, spin roulettes, buying a certain amount of things from them, and taking part in eating and drinking competitions for a surprise prize. Someone even put these surprise prizes into the Gacha Restaurant's randomizer, so for a week, you can choose it as a total surprise there too. (The surprises can be even more vending machine tokens and silly things like cute keychains or a 5-in-1 avocado tool as some examples.)
You can't find any of these shops, restaurants and other places, that they are advertising, in the whole city. The locals, posters and billboards will tell you where you can find them. There's a new entrance in every district, where locals welcome everyone to the grand opening of the Underground Mall!
Some may even drop into a sudden hole in the ground on their way and fall (or slide) somewhere far away. Don't worry, there will be very soft and huge pillows for landing in your destination.
The Underground Mall's upper floors give the vibe of a joyous mall with several restaurants and shops you won't see on the surface. The mall is definitely a must visit place for those who appreciate different fashion and exciting food choices. The party from the surface continues down here with various sales around the area. A good day for shopping!
For those who like games, there's a futuristic VR Arcade for you! This Arcade focuses on games that are played with VR goggles on. Even your regular DDR machine will now take you to dance in different environments and feel like you're dancing for your life or for an actual audience.
There are all sorts of vending machines lined up in their own, huge corner. You can find the usual ones with all sorts of different snacks, food and drinks, but there are also some with cake, cookies, mayonnaise, cream, flowers, engagement rings and other less usual but normal things. Nothing here is randomized, unless you choose the random option from the machine, otherwise you get exactly what you want. So pick your favorites or try something new, that sounds more or less good! You can find a machine that turns moon coins on your phone into vending machine tokens (or you can pay straight with your phone).
And, yes, you can find vending machines full of snacks and drinks all around the area too.
Then there's also an area for ufo catchers with all kinds of prizes like pokemon plushies and lots of other plushies, items themed to different season, plushies and other items themed to any fauna and flora from all around Ellipsa, puzzles, food themed items etc etc.
Moving inside the mall is done by escalators and elevators, but there are also regular stairs for those who prefer them.
The fastest way of traveling from floor to floor in the mall is by quick teleport nodes. You choose a floor you want to go to from the list of choices, much like an elevator and then you're transported into that floor's node within seconds. Unfortunately, they're still working out on the bugs in the system, so you may end up in the wrong place - including places that aren't on the list of choices.
There's also a Poké Ball Vending Machine, so anyone who recognizes poké balls may have some idea what they could get here. The vending machine somehow has enough balls for everyone in Ellipsa but everyone can only buy one ball! The balls don't have names in them and no one can see through them, so even those, who know Pokémon will NOT know what they'll be getting from this vending machine as it is entirely randomized!
Are you ready to get your first Pokémon? What about being ready to see how you two get along? Everyone, who plays this vending machine, gets either a Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Eevee, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie, Rowlet, Litten, Poplio, Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble, Spirigatito, Fuecoco or Quaxly.
(And yes, ICly it is entirely randomized but OOCly you can decide which one you want your character to get... Of course you can rng the result too. More about Pokémon guidelines in the OOC Tips of this TDM.)
The third part of the TDM is under this details cut as it has Content Warnings, including Cursed things, Organized Crime, Illegal Activities, Monster Forms/Body Horror, Attempted Murder, Experimenting on People
The Third Part of the TDM [ Click to Expand ]
The lowest levels of the mall are only accessible by random quick teleport nodes around the mall (if you know you know is the motto with these). You can run into them on accident (they're usually hidden, but with so much traffic, the hiding place becomes visible) and they sometimes immediately just teleport people without any warning. The arrival can be in various places. A random shady hallway, in the middle of the floor, in a shady establishment and so on.
Anything that seems shady can be found from these floors. Even the local diners here are very weird and likely have illegal things on the menu. Clothing stores sell all kinds of clothes fit for thieves and assassins and the amount of weapons shops here is twice the amount than on the surface. Rumor has it there are also people trying to summon the devil somewhere around here, but that's still just a rumor.
One of the teleport node locations can take you to the front of a cursed vending machine corner. At first they look like ordinary vending machines, but upon closer inspection one may notice they are anything but ordinary.
The food vending machines are full of different "eatable" bugs with half-hearted warnings that they may or may not be poisonous (they didn't really check before putting them in the packaging), Mystery Food boxes (includes some very suspicious foods that don't look edible, but are actually alright in taste? But may contain some side effects like growing mushrooms out of your hair if you eat the mushroom ones), ones that is labeled Energy Drinks but all of them look more like creepy potions (they provide energy but at the cost of poisoning someone for 24 hours) and hyper realistic cakes that look like various body parts (the cake part is intentionally written in small print).
Other vending machines have various shark eggs (hatching them will provide a magical shark with little hands and legs that invades the first watery surface it finds and bites whoever comes too close - it does not belong as a pet, but one may try to tame one), Mystery Boxes (with anything from highly cursed jewelry to books that suck your soul if written into) and Cheat Slips (it's said these slips will let you master a skill immediately, but all it does is cause one's powers to go berserk for 2 hours).
The lowest levels are also a place for a large Casino. While they do exist on the surface, this one is a little different.
The Casino (named just that, "The Casino") is divided into four different sections; All of them are dominated by an organized crime group. This is the only area of the underground they work together in peace and sometimes come to relax. They don't cause trouble for each other here, but they definitely can try to cause trouble for everyone who is visiting the place.
Losing in this Casino can mean being taken to the back rooms by whichever group's area you ended up losing in. They will offer to let you go if you can pay off your debt you made in the Casino, but they have other options of compensation.
Name: Diamonds
Game Area: Card Games (Poker, Black Jack, Craps)
Compensation: They will send characters on a criminal quest to either steal or sabotage something or even smuggle a (cursed) item into important places.
Name: Spades
Game Area: Roulette
Compensation: They will attempt to kill the character that lost in the quietness of the backrooms.
Name: Clubs
Game Area: Pool, Darts
Compensation: They will just make characters clean their casino area.
Name: Hearts
Game Area: Slot Games
Compensation: They will drag characters into experiments in a different facility.
You may also end up taken to the back rooms for getting caught cheating, although it may also end up in a congratulatory meeting for an impressive sleight of hand instead or an invitation to join one of the groups. How would you feel about a life of crime?
Those caught in Hearts Group's Experiments will be subjected to series of tests. Mostly they're to check the characters' physical condition before proceeding. Once the tests are concluded, the character will be given a medicine (either via shot or a pill). This medicine will not show any signs of working for a while and characters are let go afterwards.
The same medicine can, however, later be consumed by anyone else in various foods and drinks (free samples, some restaurants, even some grocery store items), even in the higher levels of the Mall. The experiments were the final test before distributing the medicine secretly to the public. So your character may accidentally end up getting the medicine in other ways.
What are the medicine? Monster Form activators. They will awaken a monster form inside a character that will trigger under one of the (player) selected conditions: strong emotional reaction, full moon, near death situation or bleeding.
The form can be returned from by calming down and focusing on their sense of self, but there's a chance to go berserk, making this difficult. If characters go berserk, their powers will be a lot stronger, but they won't know who's a friend and who's a foe. Their form may also be a lot scarier than it normally is. They will likely only want to cause destruction around them or want to feed on humans.
| Monster | Description | Powers |
|---|---|---|
| Alraune | Plant monsters with a humanoid shape. They may have changes as simple as flowers growing in their hair or have complex body modifications such as roots for legs and long vines as hands. | Pollen with status effects like sleep/poison/paralysis, control over plants, poisonous kisses, etc |
| Gargoyle | Monstrous humanoid winged creatures with horns on their head and stony hides. | Super strength, tough skin, flight |
| Harpy | Human-bird hybrids. Anything part can be replaced with bird bodyparts, although the most common configuration is arms turned to wings and legs into talons. | Flight, sonic scream, hypnotizing voice, ability to whip up whirlwinds |
| Kelpie | Aquatic horses with a man made of seaweed and algae, covered in a sticky fur that makes it nearly impossible to get off if one is to ride them. Some may get a fish tail when underwater, although when out of water they have legs like any horse. | Water breathing, illusions |
| Lich | Undead humanoids, they may look skeletal or simply corpselike. | Raising the dead (into zombies/skeletons), necrotic touch |
| Manticore | Beastlike creatures with the head of a human, the body of a lion, and the tail of a scorpion or dragon. They vary greatly, some sporting horns on their heads, or resembling a Chimera or Sphinx. | Super strength, flight if wings. |
| Minotaur | Animalistic monsters with the head of a bull and the body of a human, although some variations exist in which there are different animal heads. Some sport hooves and a tail in place of legs. | Super strength, overall size, super defense. |
| Taur | This refers to any number of creatures with a humanoid upper body and a lower body that resembles a non-anthropomorphic animal in the same sort of style as a centaur. This category includes things like Arachne and Naga, and other variations of such monsters. | Varies depending on animal the taur is based on |
| Werecreatures | Monstrous, bipedal animals, the transformation of which is often (but not always) triggered by the full moon. Common variants are wolves and bears, although they can be about any animal. The Pooka would be one of the variations in the werecreature category. | Depends on the animal the form is based on, but usually super strong/fast etc |
This effect can either be permanent or temporary, depending on how the players want it. Temporary can be up to just one transformation under the conditions or several.
- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.
- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible.
- Test Drive is open for current characters to make a top level as well. New characters can add TDM (or "New" or anything else) on their subject line to indicate they're new!
- Current characters cannot access the starting area again to meet new arrivals. They can, however, be at the Research Center when the newbies are teleported in.
- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.
- Remember to add Content Warnings wherever needed!
- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!
- Pokémon Guidelines:
• Anything mindblowing crazy that the pokedex has to offer for any of the evolutions doesn't carry over to Seasons. They're closer to anime variants where people can get flamethrower at their face and live (we still do not recommend getting a flamethrower at face)
• Pokémon gain experience points much slower, even if they battle one another.
• You may be able to find a vending machine with weird stones mixed in for stone evolutions. Strange.
• All start at level 5.
• More Pokémon may appear later in the game but for now it's just the ones mentioned.
• More on all the available Pokémon here!
- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts are open. The Underground Mall has been added to the locations page at the very end of it.
- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures. You can find monsters to encounter on Beastiary.
- Minor NPCs page has been updated with the criminal organizations.
- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.
- Feel free to check and use out Questboard for additional prompts.
no subject
[Of course he had been watching long enough to figure it out- not that knowing the trick could help if you couldn't figure out what ways something needed to be pushed to fall right.] It could be a mix of both.
Vouchers encourage you to try, and then you're dipping into your own pocket when those run out, yes?
[Of course he nodded, fingertips brushing his chest briefly in gesture]
I do- this little one is one of those native to where I'm from; a pokémon of the Paldea region. Rather sweet, and do enjoy having attention on them.
no subject
Both seems likely. I never really considered that as the trick, though. [she huffs with a little smile] I've just been depending on luck.
[she turns to give him her full attention, shifting the Pokemon so that she can hold her with both arms now]
Does that mean all of the little creatures in that machine are from your world? [her smiles brightens] She does enjoy a lot of attention.
no subject
You could say it's a mix of luck, because you cannot always ensure where something may fall. Or even slip.
[He moved a hand to pluck one of his own pokéballs from where they rested- familiar in shape and design, but different in color than any of those coming from the vending machine.]
I believe so- I have been keeping an eye on it, since discovering it was giving out pokémon. They all seem to be what we call 'starter' pokémon, but from various regions. Good companions for any trainer starting out on their journey in learning more about our wonderful world and the pokémon in it. [A small gesture of his free hand towards Sprigatito-] This little one is known as the Grass Cat Pokémon, with their fluffy fur similar to the composition of plants. A reason they tend to wash their face often, to keep from drying out.
no subject
[she's done for now . . . hopefully. It would be rude to keep playing when she's talking to someone. And what he has to say about her new little companion is important to hear]
Oh - I wondered, she felt a little like that. [a completely normal thing to say] What do you mean by trainer, though?
no subject
[A slight bow of his head and well, given it seemed she was done he was very willing to step aside in case anyone else wanted to take it up. Rather than simply loiter in front of it speaking.
There was a flick of his hand, and out from his pokéball came one of his own team. Polteageist bobbing in the air, waving with a music-like sound in greeting.]
This little one can also create a sweet scent by rubbing paws together- some find it therapeutic, and can cause foes to stop battling. Really, Sprigatito are wonderful pokémon to have around. [Polteageist was entertaining themself by taking a little twirling look around.] By trainer I mean a person who wishes to travel the land, growing stronger alongside their pokémon companions. There are a few ways to do so, as pokémon have natural abilities they at times need practice to have control over if not learning naturally in the wild.
This, and other reasons, is why some pokémon seek out people; to become stronger in ways they couldn't otherwise. Some even wish to protect people.
no subject
That's an incredibly useful little ability to have. [Sprigatito jumps down out of her arms to give Polteageist a curious sniff] So it's a literal journey? That sounds amazing. They sound a lot like familiars, but - [she gestures to the Pokemon] - much more unique.
I don't think there's anything like them where I'm from. At least, nothing that wouldn't be conjured up with magic.
no subject
[Who was being careful, used to Clavell taking a starter himself if there was one left at the end of the day whenever a new student came and chose their companion. A little tap of a 'hand' against Sprigatito's nose, friendly.]
It is, isn't it? A reason some take them as just a companion around the house. But yes, others set out on a literal journey once they feel prepared, exploring what the world has to offer them. [Wasn't just battling, after all-] A part of our world, and still so much mystery about them and the world they're a part of.
I am glad you get to meet one, even if this is quite the odd circumstance. [Vending machine.] Your world has magic, does it? Is it anything like what this world holds? If you don't mind my asking.
no subject
[Nessa is completely amazed by this idea of taking familiar-like animals on a whole journey to become stronger. It doesn't sound anything like the journeys people go on where she's from, which are more about proving oneself. Which is dumb, if you ask her, but she might be biased] It really sounds wonderful - just the chance to see the world alone sounds worth it, if there's more of these guys out there.
[she nods, but she looks thoughtful] Some of it. The different elements are the same, more or less - and the basics seem to be the same, too. But touch being important is the biggest difference I've found so far.
no subject
[Setting off that journey was something Clavell had been so proud to do, just to see the excitement of the students. Seeing them grow stronger and more sure of themselves when they came by for classes and the like-] There is a tradition back home, in my region, for students of the Academy to go out on what we call a Treasure Hunt; the assignment is to find their own treasure in any sense of the term. It sets them off on their journeys as they are free to choose how they go, exploring the vast land, the cities and their people, and the numerous pokémon that live throughout.
[And by the sound of Clavell's voice, the fondness and even warm pride, it was something he was dearly passionate about. Perhaps one reason he was chosen as the Academy's director not so long ago.]
Some have trouble with the touch aspect, but I hope it means your world has an easier time of- ah. Resting and recharging, if needed at all. Abilities like that, control and use of the elements, are something only pokémon have where I'm from.
no subject
[it's been a while since she's been in school but he really does give off the impression of a teacher, and one that's passionate about it. It makes her smile widen as she listens to him explain] That sounds really nice. Especially since they're allowed to treat it how they want to - that seems like the best way to do it.
[she's never been a fan of rigid rules, but she may be a little biased when it comes to that]
Most magic recharges on its own, thankfully. It depends on the kind but usually all it takes is a little rest. The touch thing is . . . ah. [she winces a little guiltily] It'll take some getting used to.
no subject
I believe it's the best way as well, it encourages them to pursue their own interests, to grow in ways they wouldn't be able to kept in a classroom- that has its place of course, but there is merit in allow any student that chance. [He hoped to help continue encouraging it, whenever he could go back to Paldea.
At least time was, supposedly, frozen with them gone.]
It's something I'm certainly still getting used to- but at least something as simple as holding hands for a time can count for much. [A low noise-] Even then, that can be difficult for some, I'm sure.
no subject
[she nods eagerly in agreement] It's more practical to get experience that way, right? It's like that with magic, too - you can learn plenty in a classroom, but outside of that it's completely different. Though - no one goes on quests or journeys nowadays, not if they're just regular people.
[her nose scrunches up with an agreeing noise] Which is understandable. I'm glad that much counts, at least.
no subject
[Others... for more unfortunate in their origins.]
Most certainly, some learning must be done hands on while others are better for a classroom. Seeing the application far better and putting fourth to get that experience in it. Venturing fourth, and some battling alongside their partners gathered during that adventure- a good many pokémon love to battle, even more so at the side of a trainer they deem worthy of following. [The side of it all that amped up the thrills for some. Even he was no stranger to a pokémon battle.
A sympathetic sort of thing, that trouble.] As am I. Better we all find ways to manage, be it those who enjoy it more and those who simply only wish to get by. Still, it does seem an odd way to keep up energy for magic.
no subject
[being able to interact with spirits is one of the brighter sides of her magic]
They really are similar to some familiars - the ones warriors and mages take up, at least. Though I think those are more out of necessity rather than just growing and learning together. This way seems a lot nicer.
[her lips purse thoughtfully] It would make a little more sense to me if it was sharing magic, but that wouldn't replenish it, either. At least from what I've seen people are friendly enough to offer help if you need it?
no subject
An image of Gastly on display.] This being a Gastly, for some idea.
It's one way we've learned through time to help build a stronger understanding- for a time pokémon were feared and thought of as ferocious monsters that only wanted to bring harm. [Learning from history, and how to fight those fears were certainly for the better.] A better harmony for the world at large, to work together and help one another.
[His hands folded then, just behind his back- relaxed posture.] People here are very friendly, and willing to offer help- it has made things far easier, at the very least. I've met a few myself, after all.
[No one wants to see an old man pass out from lack of energy.]
no subject
That sure looks like a troublemaker. [she lets out a little laugh] It's cute. I can see why people would think that way, they always tend to fear what they don't understand at first. Especially when it comes to things like this.
[even in her world, with the unknown not being so unknown, people are still afraid.
She scratches at her cheek, expression turning sheepish] That's a bit of relief, honestly.
no subject
They certainly are- and tend to hang out in number with other ghost types. It's why some shacks and old homes become 'haunted', because a group of Ghost types have taken up residence. [The rotom phone even seemed to laugh, twirling around as the eyes on the back blinked and smile widened-] You're most definitely right. There was much turmoil in the past over it, which is why it's better to learn from those times than forget them. Fear is natural, and bravery is not the absence of it, but despite it.
I'm very glad people back then kept thorough records of their discoveries; how pokémon and people came to live together, rather than apart.
[All of those written histories kept safe at the Academy as well.
A slight tipping nod of his head.] It doesn't hurt I've a friend from my world here as well, and met another. Familiarity helps ease things, and people here are willing to do so for others' comfort it appears. All the better to help each other with how difficult it can feel, so I hope.
no subject
[spirit-related sounds much nicer than necromancy] I'm glad they did too. Do they go vey far back?
[she hums a little] Having someone here must make it much easier. I guess I'll find out when I need to find someone, though I'm less concerned about my comfort and more with others with me. [a pause] Unless it works through clothing, then I'm not as worried.
no subject
They do- as far back as any recorded history can at least. There are even new records being discovered, history uncovered. [An exciting time for even some outside of that scientific community.]
It does ease some worry, at the very least- more so in knowing a decent handshake can do. [Of course he paused, briefly, in thought, a hand lifting to adjust those glasses of his out of sheer habit-] So far it seems that it may? Leaning against someone just casually while spending time together, as an example I've heard of working.
no subject
That's a lot like how it is back home, though a lot of early history was still told through word of mouth. Depending on who you ask, a lot of it contradicts one another.
[she nods slowly, the sheepish look on her face relaxing into something more like relief] That's good to know.
no subject
[Hard to remember when he enjoyed sharing, especially things he knew and was passionate about.]
Much being shared through word of mouth holds true in my world as well, and of course discovered tablets and carving that are more pictures than words- but that too is a written language of sorts. Even those who used various shapes of Unown -a very ancient type of pokémon- as the base of language.
[His smile kept soft, a tip of his head; he could understand the relief there.] A good place to start and know comfort levels can be kept.
no subject
She can't help a little laugh] I appreciate the warning, even if it isn't necessary. Old is subjective anyway, isn't it?
[even if she wasn't interested, she knows that half a dozen elders from her family would find a way to cross back over here just to scold her if she didn't at least humor Clavell, somehow]
That sounds amazing . . . pokémon acting as the base of a language. It seems like it would be a lot of fun to research.
Thank you for relieving some concerns I had. It isn't something you would think about under normal circumstances, you know?
no subject
That chuckle was as warm as is smile.] It very much is, yes. I know I've yet to feel it, even if some of my habits could be called old fashioned by my students back home. I can still keep up with them.
[For the most part, at least- he certainly kept himself healthy as could be. Even here, kept up some routine for his own health.]
Doesn't it just? We still have so many letters that look very much like the Unown making up our modern day written language. It's fascinating to see tablets and wall writing using them. I spent many a year researching various subjects when it came to pokémon and our world, and even some phenomenon that affects a pokémon's power in some way. There is an endless amount of mystery, something new that could be waiting to be discovered. [Even a retired pokémon scientist could still love the work.]
I'm glad I was able to help in such a way. You're right, as even I have to catch myself- or one of my pokémon does if they fear I may be pushing near some limit while practicing some Winter magic.
no subject
[and really, that's just an accident waiting to happen if you ask her, but details]
So you're a researcher too? What sort of phenomenon can affect a pokemon's power? Or is that something still being looked into?
[she nods in understanding] I haven't done much with the magic here, but it's like that with my world's magic - there's always a limit, even if the source is endless, and finding it can be tricky.
no subject
Still, I could see a where a line could certainly be crossed and cause far more chaos than weaving together with magic and modern conveniences.
[Even if his base of knowledge again leans towards where pokémon and the clash of certain ideologies with modern society... did not go well.]
I was, before I had to walk away from it. The phenomenon I am most familiar with, given it was the last large project I was a part of, is one we call Terastallization and seems to only occur in the Paldea region; where I am from. It is a phenomenon where a pokémon becomes 'encased' in crystal that increases the power of a single Typing. The pokémon can still move and roam freely despite this state, it causes no harm to the pokémon at all really, and you can usually tell what Type it is by the odd crown-like structure that is on it's head. It can also increase aggression in wild pokémon that become Terastallized due to the increased power. [So it was definitely something that needed looking into—] We managed to harness this phenomenon to a point we could control it, and Terastallize a pokémon at will due to what ended up being called a Tera Orb. This helped deal with wild Terastallized pokémon, and break them out of it so they were not as much of a danger to any who encountered them.
[He had to walk away after that, no matter the regrets that now hung on to the thought. What could have happened if he had remained in Area Zero—]
With certain occurrences here I've found it better to try and become more familiar with the magic here- certain things best dealt with using the seasonal magic. [Rather than simply sending any of his team into some fight here alone.] The phones here at least have something that helps track a personal energy level- odd as that can be.