Log 079

[ruin_mania]

[Over on Route 4, the discerning adventurer can follow a path to the west, if they decide to brave the sandstorm. Be sure to bring healing items if you do; there is a helpful doctor who will heal your Pokemon, but one never knows when one will be ambushed by a Sigilyph or a Maractus out here. And why would anyone want to go out into this desert area?

Well, for starters, there's a vast, buried ruin out here just begging to be explored. Who knows what you could find? Fossils? Rare Ghost-Type Pokemon? Or maybe a vaguely familiar-looking half-elf who's ordering around a Delcatty, Quagsire, and Ampharos.]

Yes, I can see that they're obviously not statues. Just look, there's no scoring from the sand, and rocks of the towers show more wear than this. There's simply no way this kind of detail would have remained if it were only stone.

Naturally, if they are Pokemon, how should we go about waking them up?

Quagsire!

Would you stop that, Quagsire? I don't think it will work.

[Yes, someone's investigating the Zen-Mode Darmantian outside Relic Castle. Because where else would a wild Raine appear? Naturally, she doesn't seem to notice that her journal is open - why should she? It's only a normal book, after all. Speaking through it will probably only make her think the Sigilyph are playing with her, though, so perhaps an in-person encounter would be best....]

Comments

[payback]

[Someone's out exploring the desert resort, checking out all these new mon.

She doesn't even see Raine through the blowing sand. So it's probably quite sudden when Rin, clutching onto Tadaharu's back, breaks out through the gusts practically on top of Raine.]

[ruin_mania]

Ah! Do be careful, there. [She peers at the large Pokemon that has almost run her over.]

An Arcanine! Oh, my. You're certainly a rare fellow in these parts. [She holds out a Berry for Tad, only seeming to notice the person on his back as a secondary observation.]

Your partner, I presume?

[payback]

[Tad jogs up once he realizes there's a person there - and once he realizes it's Raine - making a happy doggy grin face and wagging his tail furiously. Rin, on the other hand, has her mouth hanging open so wide she catches a swallow of sand and breaks into a big coughing fit.]

R-raine?!

[ruin_mania]

Are you quite all right there? [Raine offers her some Fresh Water.]

Yes, I'm Professor Sage. I'm investigating these statues for my paper, "Rock or stone? Living Pokemon used as decoration in ancient Unova".

[Oddly, her Quagsire seems to be approaching the Arcanine joyfully - not something one usually sees among opposing types. Perhaps it recognizes Tad as well?]

[payback]

Arrghagh - [Rin practically falls sideways off Tad's back into the sand. Tad just lets it happen, thrusting his nose into Raine's and giving her a quick cursory sniffing before dropping his head to give the Quagsire a friendly lick.]

Raine - [Cough cough cough, she takes the fresh water.] - Aagh, Raine - [Cough cough. She sips the fresh water.] - ack - that sounds great! [Cough cough.]

[ruin_mania]

Here, why don't you sit down in the shade for a moment?

[She'll lead Rin over to a spot where she's set down many of her supplies, over in the lee of one of the statues so it's out of the sandstorm.]

I take it you've not traveled much int he desert before?

[payback]

[She takes a long sip of the Fresh Water, hoping she'll actually be able to talk in a minute or two. She feels better after another swallow of it.] N-no, not really. I just got, uh here, and was just on my way to the next city over and decided I'd explore along the way...

[ruin_mania]

An excellent idea, then. You'll find many Pokemon here at the Desert Resort which you won't see elsewhere - a must for any researcher or collector. These ruins as well, you see, are home to some rare species.

They're also outside the sun and wind, if you'd like to rest a bit.

[payback]

I-it's just this sand, it's terrible! Does it always blow like this?

[ruin_mania]

[She looks a bit amused, gesturing over to the ruins of the Relic Castle.] I'm afraid it does, for the most part. Notice how worn down the buildings here are - all except these statues, of course.

[payback]

I didn't think it would wear down Tad so much... ah, thank you for the water too, erm. Professor. Er. Haha!

[ruin_mania]

It is to be expected a bit - he is a Fire-type, after all. Rock, Ground, and Steel do best in this kind of environment. [Quagsire nods in agreement. He doesn't seem to mind the sand at all.]

And you're quite welcome. The environment can be rather harsh, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say.

[payback]

I don't have any of those... but I guess I caught something cute, so there's something gained! [Ahaha... weak laugh.

Rin points to the ruins, after a moment.] Can we go inside? Er... if you don't mind taking a break from your work...

[ruin_mania]

Of course we may. It's good to get out of the sun now and again, at any rate.

[Raine calls over her Pokemon to lead them all to the interior of the ruin. It's much cooler and without that blasting wind - a nice respite.]

Now, I can't say I've seen many Arcanine around. You two must have traveled quite a ways to visit!

[payback]

You have absolutely no idea! [She says it with the utmost sincerity.] It was quite a trip, haha... um, I have an Absol with me too, but she's put away! [While she talks Rin fumbles out her Pokéball to recall Tad too, and a potion out of her bag.] I arrived at, uh, Castelia City! With some friends! Is this where you're from?

[ruin_mania]

Oh, Absol are quite elegant, though many are afraid of them for no real reason. They predict the disasters, not cause it.

I've been to Castelia many times, but I suppose I'm not really from anywhere. I've been traveling as long as I remember.

[payback]

Certain is pretty great! Even though she bites me all the time. Um, it's only when I make her mad. [HAHAHA... ha ha...] I've always liked them! And I don't get why so many people think they're bad news anyway, that's not even what the Pokédex says!

[She tilts her head in curiosity there...] As long as you remember? Where did you grow up?

[ruin_mania]

Oh, there are far more superstitions than truths, no matter where one goes.

Traveling, for the most part. It wasn't in Unova--I've only come here recently--but it's hardly unusual. Surely you've seen even very young Trainers traveling around.

[payback]

Well... of course I've seen that! Just, most of them grew up somewhere anyway, you know? [Ah, well...] Er, never mind, I'm being nosy. Sorry!

[ruin_mania]

Hmm? No, it's of no matter, but I haven't called a single place my home in quite some time. I count myself among those to whom home is who you are with, not where you are.

[payback]

Ah... well! That's probably an admirable philosophy. Especially since there's so much to explore in this world!

Your Pokémon sure are sociable.

[ruin_mania]

Indeed. A journey need not have a destination to be of value.

[Delcatty mews appreciatively at the compliment, rubbing up against Raine's legs.]

Why, thank you. I do like to think I've trained them well.

[payback]

[Rather than answer immediately, Rin extends her hand to the Delcatty respectfully. Quagsire seemed to recognize Tad earlier, maybe; perhaps this Pokémon will as well?]

[ruin_mania]

[Indeed, the Pokemon seems pleased to see her as well, rubbing up against her hand and chattering away in Delcatty-speak.]

Oh, my, it's almost as if she knows you.

[payback]

[Thus encouraged, Rin scratches the cat under the chin and around the ears. She makes kind of a nervous face at Raine's statement, though. What should she say? The best thing to do might be either to leave quickly, or get her talking about the ruins.]

Oh... she's really a sweetheart! You must have her trained pretty well, ahaha. I like Pokémon a lot! [Subject change time] How long have you been here, anyhow?