Temperance Nyaonikusu's Story

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Eterna Forest - Moss Rock Brush
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Fire dialect indeed.

But that was a mere blip in the forest. Both Addanc and Nazar knew this. It wasn't just them either. The two Zoroark stood in front of a dark figure slightly shorter than they were a bit of distance away from all the others.

Scouting allies have heard talk of potential hostiles in the forest. We look to you to decide how we should proceed, Diabolos.

, Addanc spoke in a dark dialect towards the figure.

I see. An important finding. Thank you again, Addanc. You and your brother are quite a help. We shall see to it that we derail them if only a small amount. Rally the others. We have some work to do.

, the figure replied most tentatively.

That foolish girl with a tree friend can only be distracted for so long. She's entirely oblivious for now. We need to keep it that way. Of course, let me handle that part.

The figure then proceeded to hover into the air and shuffle foward. The two Zoroark looked to each other and grinned.

Nazar, let's get to it. I'll get "Princess" to run decoy with her group. Shouldn't be hard to convince. You go an contact the scouting parties. Give them specific instructions as follows: "Stalk the hostile group they found."

Very well, Addanc, dear brother. If you can, get "Bolts" and "Jingle" involved, for I fear "Princess" and her group will be able to do little. If the scouting parties are to be believed, then her group would be at a small disadvantage.

Very well, I'll do that too. Good luck, brother.

Following the exchange, the two split ways. However, the figure that had wandered off could feel the sense of presence, and zeroed in on it's position.

Hmm heh hah! I do believe I've found the first step...

With a bit of malice mixed with cunning, the figure struck himself with a powerful blow to wound himself greatly, while feeling empowered as a result, he looked visibly hurt and stumbled about.

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Eterna Forest - Position of Elisabeth and her Trevenent
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In his stumbling, the figure would move in the direction that'd reveal his presence towards Elisabeth and her Trevenent.

He looked like a mess, and would time his decoy until within her line of sight before "fainting" as they'd say. Well, not entirely fainted, but indeed in a pinch. A weakened Malamar in Eterna Forest was a bit unusual, but he was "hurting" badly. Surely she'd take note?

It was what he hoped for anyways.

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Eterna Forest - Southeast Corner Brush
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Addanc approached a secret hideout of sorts. Hidden carefully among trees, it was a downright improbable to find location. However, certain circles knew all about it.

Nonetheless, he approached with caution and took the guise of a local Buneary.

Hey, Princess! Come out and play! It's me, Addanc!

, he stated most cutely.

Within moments, a Lilligant emerged and smiled.

Ahh, Addanc! What brings you to our little abode?

, she inquired.

Addanc responded most hastily.

Well, Princess, I figured, well, that we needed some aid. Our operations here are in danger of being revealed! There are reports of hostile individuals roaming about if scouting allies are to be believed. Namely, knowing how comely and enchanting your group can be, we humbly request your aid in this time.

If it's for the good of our group and our plans, then I'd be more than happy to oblige. Ladies~!

With the Lilligant's call, a Mismagius materialized, a Gardevoir teleported to the location, and a Meowstic emerged from the secret hideout. The Lilligant began talking at once.

Our good friend Addanc, and his compatriots, require our help. So we're going to go help him!

, she stated. Her compatriots spoke up regarding the plan.

Ooh~ This ought to be fun. Mehehehehe.

, the Mismagius muttered, while the Meowstick seemed to role her eyes.

If we must...I'd rather we just kill them or something. It'd be more fun.

The Gardevoir adjusted a pair of glasses that made her look all the wiser.

Now now, think, Temperance! This could be a chance to actually make progress for a change!

This comment only made the Meowstic sigh. In fact, the Meowstic's dreary and bored monotone seemed to incense Addanc, but he kept his cool. These were some beautiful ladies after all! He wouldn't ruin his chances that easily!

Very well, ladies. I leave you to it. You know how to contact me.

, he left with a bit of a wink.

He then raced off to go find Bolts and Jingle. They'd be more difficult to contact, that was for sure, but the Chateau was easy to find. With him racing off, the ladies all made their move. The Lilligant explaining a plan of approach to them.

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Eterna Forest - Position of Tungsten, Clipper, and George
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It was here, near where the trio was talking, that the Meowstic noted. She made the first approach, her attitude and species rarity and popularity meaning she'd be very easy to connect with (what trainer didn't have an Espurr at the very least running around their houses?). She'd approach the trio too. Clearly a girl, her feminine stance and white color a giveaway.

Oh...it's other Pokemon...you guys seem suspicious being in a group. I'd hope you weren't up to any dangerous business. Trainers around here get quite eager when encountering hordes of Pokemon. Err, you aren't looking to cause trouble, right?

She asked these questions with a voice that retained a monotone and bored feel to it, yet had a sense of power and intent behind it. She must've been experienced in at least some of the matters she brought to the front.

"Hm?" Elisabeth turned her head (trevenant doing the same) when she heard something stumbling nearby, ending with a thump onto the ground. Trevenant approached the figure, and the girl 'looked' down at the fainted creature, unsure of what to do.
"Should we try to move it out of the way? I fear a trainer may come if this one stays out here." Elisabeth spoke mostly towards the slumped pokemon on the ground. Trevenant reached for the figure, and carefully scooped it up in his hands, only to move towards a nearby rock and lay the pokemon down.
Finally, she reached into her bag and placed a handful of Oran berries next to the figure; anything could eat them, and they were moderately helpful.
"That is a shame. Could you prepare Shadow Claw just in case a trainer comes along?" Elisabeth reached for the lantern hung in Trevenant's upper branches, and extinguished it before falling asleep on the pokemon's shoulder.

"Oh, no, it's actually quite safe here. Not even the local Gym Leader dares to approach the Old Chateau," Tungsten explained to the newcomer. "I must confess, though, I'm unfamiliar with your kind. I've heard so much about this Kalos place, but getting there--there's the rub." He tossed another handful of berries in George's general direction and confronted the newcomer.

"Of course, that leaves the question of why you're here. Perhaps you would like to hear a grand story. One of loss, betrayal, and perseverance against all odds, unspeakable evil and unquestionable virtue." He did a grand flourish, letting his long red mane swish around behind him. "Monkey-man over here calls himself George, and the blue one goes by Clipper. Myself, I bear the name my mother gave me--Tungsten. It's a tough sort of steel that doesn't burn easily," he explained.

"Of course, this will require me to overlook the small matter of how you found us. Think you can keep a secret?"

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Eterna Forest - Position of Tungsten, Clipper, and George
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The Meowstic shrugged.

Secrets are for losers. Real secrets are those comments publicly spoken while retaining the hidden meaning. Nonetheless, I suppose I could humor your request.

She did glare at Tungsten however.

I do have zero need for mind-numbing stories that are overhyped. However, nice to meet the three of you. I was hoping you'd might aid me a bit instead though. I can't seem to find my way out of this forest, and the scenery lost it's appeal long ago.

Her dialect was in the Dark type perhaps surprisingly, but was open enough that even George would understand her. From her neck hung a small shell attached to a chain. She also had a bag with her.

There was suddenly a lot more pokemon in the forest. Clipper felt each and everyone of their presences. Most of them were dark type. Some where psychic, others were ghosts and there was at least one grass type. Clipper remained calm. If he needed to he would leave the forest and not return, it was that simple.

Tungsten was discussing secrets, Clipper didn't believe that to be wise. Clipper prepared a Water Shuriken. He felt an ambush coming. His feelings weren't always right, but when they were the thing that happened was bad. Clipper turned to George and quietly said, "Be on the lookout, something isn't right."

Clipper flicked his Water Shuriken between his fingers. He wanted it to be known that he was on guard.

Something wasn't quite right, George thought to himself. The forest had suddenly began to feel much smaller, an oppressive feeling was in the air, that had nothing to do with the nature of the forest. First he had been made aware of a presence, a little ways off, that had set him on edge a small bit, his guard up.

He tried to nonchalantly let the rest of the party know what he though, when a new 'mon made herself known, he casually circled the clearing trying to get into a more advantageous position without being obvious, using all his martial prowess to do so, acting as if he was just curious about the new species, from a far off region.

"Hahah, yah caught dat too 'mon, glad we's on the same page." He muttered to clipper as he passed him. keeping his back to a solid bit of trees at all times. "Sometin' definitely smells funny brahda."

George stopped back and to the left of the Meowstic, his back resting deceptively relaxed against a tree, hand loosely held at his side, he was ready for anything.

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Eterna Forest - Position of Tungsten, Clipper, and George
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Temperance flitted her eyes to observe the Water Shuriken, then followed George's path to stand behind her. They seemed far too wary for her liking, and she contemplated further actions. Naturally, her expressionless face betrayed nothing besides an ear twitch at the Water Shuriken. He'd strike first and true with a flurry of them, and she knew this.

"So I'm a threat now? Oh no. The lone Meowstic will totally overthrow two Dark-types by herself. She's a total threat, yeah.", Temperance leveled sarcastically towards the trio as she inwardly readied herself for a fight should one break out. She'd have to solo them until aid arrived if blows were to be had.

She nonchalantly took the shell on her necklace off and swapped it with a frail piece of parchment in her bag as she spoke, replacing the shell within the bag accordingly.

"Don't be so hasty," Tungsten said with a hint of malice. "We don't want to fight you just yet. As a matter of fact, we were discussing a matter of much importance regarding the current state of relationships between Humans and wild Pokemon. You wouldn't have anything to share on that matter, would you?"

He quirked a brow at the bag. "Or a bite to eat for that matter. I've had nothing but the occasional berry for days now."

Clipper kept twirling his Water Shuriken in his fingers as he slowly walked over to George. He was going to make the Meowstic think he was leaving. Tungsten would probably still know Clipper was around, but he was going to be out of sight.

Clipper let his Water Shuriken dissipate as he reached George's position. "I'm not leaving, I'll just be hiding," Clipper whispered to George as he passed him. In a flash of pure speed Clipper was gone. He went into the trees. He would work his way through the trees and not stop, but he would be around the general area of Tungsten, the Meowstic, and George. He moved quickly and silently so he couldn't be pinpointed. If there was indeed a plot to harm or capture Tungsten, George, and Clipper afoot, Clipper would be hard to find.

Clipper just had to keep moving.

This whole situation wasn't that weird to George, "mon had been coming and going all that day, but it was always best to be a little on the cautious side. Clipper must have felt similarly as he took off.

"'Ey mon! Dat wan run off. Ya' want me ta' follow 'im?" Of course he knew it was a feint but, if something was up, he'd need an excuse to get into the trees and check it out. On the other hand, Tungsten may want him there to back him up. He could go either way, stealthy, or loud, didn't make a difference to George.

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Eterna Forest - Position of Tungsten, Clipper, and George - Collaboration by qbsuperstar03 / BBClock
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"If you want to follow him, you can. I see no problem with it. Besides, this Zoroark is the one I must interact with."

Temperance stood her ground neatly and fished in her bag. "As far Human and Pokemon relations go...you could say I have a lot of information in that department. Depends on how much you'll give me for it. On the side of food...", she paused as she pulled a small tray out of her bag that she opened to reveal five pastries.

One was green, frosted, and decorated with a small stick of cinnamon. It smelled greatly of mint. The one to it's left was pink, frosted, and decorated with a cherry. It smelled and looked very sweet. The one to the green pastry's right was brown, frosted, and decorated with some chocolate pieces. It seemed to have some spice to it's smell. The pastries below them were an orange pastry, frosted and topped with an orange slice that smelled heavily of citrus fruits, and a light brown pastry, frosted and topped with white chocolate pieces, smelling not unlike certain types of mocha.

"...I do have these pastries...plenty more actually. I have a bit of a taste for them you could say. I'll let you guys have these though. Consider them a gift to eliminate your rather commendable paranoia of me."

"Well, now. Don't mind if I do if you're gonna be such a gracious host," Tungsten smiled as he eyed the delicacies." They all look so good. Tell you what. In exchange for your kindness towards strangers, I'll reward you with a little story. One filled with danger, betrayal, dark desires and unwavering devotion. Of good and evil clashing. Now my friends here have already heard it, but I think I can bear telling it once more," he added with a grin. "It starts with how my mom and dad met. Now, accounts differ as to the exact circumstances, but in any case, they met, and he forced himself on a human." He paused, waiting for the Meowstic to flinch at this sudden revelation. Pokemon having relations with humans? So much squick factor.

Temperance had all the shock and terror of a stone standing alone in the center of field. Quite frankly, she seemed to hold the exact same expression as she's managed to hold for the past few minutes. Unwavering, she seemed to wait for him to finish the story.

"Huh. That usually gets 'em. You act like you're not surprised that this happened. Anyway, turns out my father was sterile. So instead of resigning himself to his fate, he decided to kidnap Human women and make them compatible with him. I am the result of such an unholy union. But the mother wouldn't stop her crusade. Eventually, I came in on them fighting, and I decided that it had to end right then and there. So I turned on him, and now his brothers seek to exact their bloody revenge on my Human mother." Tungsten glanced down at the treats, still trying to make up his mind as to which one to try first.

"Nothing is surprising in my field of work. So I pay no mind to it. Impressive story if true. Seems outlandish, but we'll say I believe you for now. Primarily because I may have met two others who fit the "brother" description. I worked with them you know, then parted ways when they refused to give me due compensation for my services."

Temperance turned to face the brush and stood firm, stretching her arms to their side as her ears folded open, her eyes glowing yellow for a brief moment. Once this was done, she closed her ears once more into their folded position, and glanced back at Tungsten with ordinary eyes.

"We may need you guys to come with us...if you want to meet the rest of us anyways. All three of you."

Now it was Tungsten's turn to be shocked. She had met Addanc and Nazar?! He needed to be careful here. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to probe my mind. Rude much," he added as he finally picked one of the sweets from the satchel. "If there are others like you, then please, take me to them. I'm going to need all the help I can get if I am to protect Me-Maw."

Temperance's ears quirked at the last word, but she said nothing, and betrayed no expression. "Very well. You'll need to follow me."

Saying this, she turned and closed her satchel before running back into the brush at a relatively brisk pace that could make a Garchomp look slow.