#a valencian detour

[sneasedtomeetyou]

I hope that stupid gluttonous cramorant burns that island to the ground. #parody

[professor-amaryllis]

Hn. If Ivy doesn't find herself capable of handling a Gengar properly, I can. I've ended up the main ghost type foster in my area of Kalos; my last Gengar I fostered ended up an unofficial emotional support pokemon, and I'm great with dark and fairy types as well. If you need a place?

@suddenlyauntiemaya

Ah, thank you Maya, but we have made... Other arrangements. The offer is much appreciated though.

[corkycare]

[A video file is attached. Press play?]

The video starts with a blinding flash of fiery orange, bright enough to leave an afterimage on your eye should you look directly at it. If the viewer is clever and in possession of all of the necessary context, they may piece together that this recording was started at a distance, by a certain fire and psychic type. The fact that the recording is being taken on a phone which is currently pointing directly up at the ceiling certainly seems to suggest it is not being held up by anyone currently, at least.

The majority of the video is, in fact, just the dark, unremarkable ceiling of the yanmegacopter. There are only a precious few details that can be seen other then this; names, the back of a chair that is currently swiveled around to face backwards, and half the face of one Lauwittoni. The right half, to be specific. Her face is pale, almost sunken looking, with deep bags under her eyes and a tightness around the brow that suggests that the conversation currently happening in the copter is wearing down her already paper-thin patience.

“Aw, pauvre puce, you have no stomach for teleportation, huh?” We hear Corky’s voice coming from the chair that is currently swiveled around. Someone says something inaudible off screen that makes her laugh. “Of course, petite puce, I’ll save the babying for when we land then.”

"Not now, Rakurai? I'd figured you'd have had more urgency."

"I'm just trying to spare the poor thing’s dignity over here. Like a gentleman, not that you'd know much about that."

"I just didn't know that you would wait so long." Amy spoke flatly. Even with all the venom in their words, there seems to be some underlying energy behind their voices that sounds…playful?

“I gotta make sure you lot have some semblance of patience. Good things come to those who wait. And also look how it turned out last time I threw down with someone with zero patience.” The sound shifts subtly, seemingly Corky leaned back closer to the camera, to the front where Lauwi is sitting, to say this.

Something shifts in Lauwi’s face. Suddenly, the exhaustion and annoyance melt away into an expression of distant bliss. She has a serene smile on her face as her gaze shifts down, and she slowly slides out of frame as the phone slides forward. Our view shifts, and now instead of seeing the ceiling, it seems the phone has slid across the dashboard and is now directly against the window. And all we can see through that window is the rapidly approaching ground.

The rest of the occupants, now somewhat more difficult to hear through the sound of the roaring engines, erupt in a chorus of concern and confusion. They each pose their questions calmly and politely, one at a time, like so;

“What the fuck-” “ARE YOU DOING THIS ON PURP-” “Lauwi I know you’re stressed but this isn’t-” “OSTIE DE CRISSE DE TABARNAK YOU STUPID BITCH WHAT ARE YOU DO-” “I’m going to hurl.”

None of this seems to have much of an effect on Lauwi, however, as the only thing the viewer can see (the ground) continues approaching the copter at a speed typically considered inadvisable for a safe landing.

“Lauwi for fuck’s sake,” Corky’s voice is much closer now, it seems she must have clambered back into the front seat properly. “This isn’t how it works, there are other people here! We’re the only ones that are supposed to go down like this.”

The sound of the engines shift, and our view is thrown into chaos as the sudden change in direction launches the phone off the dashboard entirely. The feed becomes a blur, spinning around the inside of the yanmegacopter much too quickly to be able to make any details out, the sound clipping repeatedly as the microphone is bumped into various surfaces. Finally, the view settles into darkness, and the noise of the engine cuts off into a suffocating silence. The sound of a door opening and then slamming can be heard.

The phone is picked up, and again the view swings around the copter. Professor Amaryllis, Casi, and Sneaks seem to have managed to stay in their seats thanks to the life-saving powers of the humble seatbelt, but when the view settles pointed at the front we get a quick look at Lauwi running off outside the copter and Corky’s notably empty seat. Corky, apparently now at the back of the copter and holding onto the phone, is the last thing we hear before the feed cuts off.

“Osti de crisse, was that fucking recording?”

[professor-amaryllis]

:{ A Video file is embedded. Airship Station, Valencia Island, Orange Archipelago. 10/24/24 9:57 pm. }:

It's quiet here, and dark as the video starts. Crowded forest has been replaced by clear skies, a just-waning moon shining down from the starry sky. As the camera looks around it begins to become clearer where we find ourselves- the blinking lights and quiet movement of airship docks below, slower now in the darkness but not dead, the dark shape of one or two ships or blimps docked below and the bustle of passengers or cargo being loaded and unloaded.

The camera turns completely around, showing us more of the platform we find ourselves on, dark aside from the caution lights at the edges- both to stop a collision and to warn of the dangers of falling. It seems to be the highest of the docks, free from any prying eyes above and disused so late at night, abandoned if not for the odd group standing here in the mareep-light.

There’s a nervous sort of energy in the group, whatever euphoria that had run through them seemingly sapped by the trek down the mountain. Amy counts on their free hand, doing some kind of mental math while muttering under their breath to their ‘mareep’ who follows them as they pace, limping and leaning heavily on their cane. Casi checks in with the other pokemon, talking in hushed tones to the Meowscarada and Gardevoir- a half conversation we can only hear a few words of, as telepathy can’t be recorded. Her weavile prowls at the outskirts of the gathering, his feathers raised and wary. 

After a moment Amy nods and returns to the others, a look between the two trainers and a nod signifying an agreement on… something?

Everything happens almost at once.

With a hand signal from Amy, their ‘mareep’’s tail begins to brighten, the light slowly flashing and humming at a brightness that even in video is hard to look directly at. Casi returns the Meowscarada and calls her weavile back to her, gathering him in her arms. 

A loud, deafening noise grows around them as the air shifts, whipping hair and fabric about in a frenzy. The ‘mareep’ is recalled, for one drawn out moment leaving everything in darkness…

The noise grows and grows until it feels like it can't possibly get any louder, the camera practically shaking from it and then- with a burst of blinding light- a spotlight shines down on the party, silhouetting them against the source of the sound.

:{ What the fuck is that??!! ‘:3 }:

The helicopter hovers a few dozen feet above them, pattered after a Yanmega but what catches the eye is the bright, loud, undeniable logo. Team phobia.

As the door slides open Corky leans out over the open air, a smug looking grin as she shouts what must be some snarky quip- that's entirely drowned out by the sound of the blades. Behind her a concerned looking Armarouge reaches out a hand to make sure she doesn't topple directly out. Amy seems to shout something in return, whatever it is has the pair step back from the door and-

With a flash the small group is teleported from the ground and into the space where Corky just stood, up in the… up there… and we are still watching… from down here….

:{ WHAT??!! DON’T LEAVE ME DOWN HERE!! 3:’ }:

The camera jerks and shakes, becoming unstable as it jolts ahead. The feed cuts to black.

:{ Transcript ends. }:

[sneasedtomeetyou]

:{ A Video file is embedded. Valencia Island, Orange Archipelago. 10/24/24 8:40 pm. }:

The first thing you can make out is the sound of shaky breathing and the rustling of leaves, the shaky vision of the camera and the darkness of the surroundings make it hard to really make out much else. There’s a rushed, hurried feeling to it, and more than once the camera or what one can assume to be one of the subjects of the video runs into an unexpected branch and there's a moment of hushed laughter before moving on. 

Much of the video goes on like this, a few minutes of this stumbling journey before finally they slow, heavy breaths in the new quiet- well as quiet as the deep forest can truly be- overtaking the small… trail? There's a flash that blinds the camera for a moment (and the cry of a much perturbed Porygon inside of it) and a quiet Kantonian command before the gentle glow of a Mareep’s star-shaped tail dimly lights up the scene, letting us see it sort-of clearly for the first time. 

To call this a trail is generous at best, overgrown and forgotten over the years, but it seems to be of little consequence to our subjects, aside from the stray leaf or stick in their hair. At the head of our ‘adventuring party’ is Bellamy, obviously the most affected by the ordeal, leaning on their cane, laughing softly at Casimir who is, well, absolutely not all that affected. Casi twirls in place, a manic sort of energy and excitement radiating through him that even the Gardevoir and Meowscarada trailing behind them seem to have trouble not finding a little humor in. Her Weavile seems to be much more preoccupied with the forest around them, alert and casting glances in every direction. 

“That was perfect we should do that again we should do that a hundred times actually I think Ai—”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself Tenshi, there's still a ways to go from here.” There's an affection behind the words, despite the warning. “We have to go, there’s n—”

Amy’s words are cut short by Casi grabbing them by the shirt collar and pulling them down into an excited, almost desperate kiss that seems to take the wind and any real fight out of the taller woman(?), melting a little bit into the touch. When Casi finally lets her go, there's a redness creeping across their cheeks that is just possible to catch.

“I uh- right. We um. We need to go.” 

“Sure thing, Kemansou~”

Casimir prances ahead down the trail before Amy can quite react. After a shake of the head they curse under their breath and with a laugh they, and the rest of the group, turn to follow her into the dark. 

:{ Transcript ends. }:

[professor-amaryllis]

:{ A live video feed is embedded. Valencia Island, Orange Archipelago. 10/24/24 8:00 pm. }:

We are greeted with what appears to be a live feed of the security cameras placed around the Valencia Island Pokemon Lab. Several cameras have already stopped transmitting, with each remaining camera becoming increasingly altered by some manner of interference. Brief movement in view of the cameras are shown just before they cut off, as the interference appears to be trying to obscure something, or perhaps someone, from view.

After all cameras have been shut off a Porygon appears on the screen, letting out a cry before the live feed finally cuts to black.

:{ Transcription ends. }:

[professor-amaryllis]

:{ An Audio file is embedded. Valencia Island, Orange Archipelago. 10/24/24 7:23 pm. }:

The audio starts abruptly, mid conversation and- much to everyone's surprise- mid laugh. Its a quiet thing, but from this alone it seems that some of the anger from earlier in the day has faded.

Amy: You are out of your mind. Casi: But it's going to work, look, you've gone through it yourself! No one knows this stuff the way you do.

There's a beat of silence, a rustling of papers. When Casi speaks again her voice is softer.

Casi: It really is isn't it. Like old times. I haven't seen you this excited about work in a long time. Amy: I'm not- Casi: Maybe excited isn't the right word. Engaged, I don't know. Amy: Hm. I... It has been a long time since I've done something like this. I forgot what it was like. Casi:Maybe we can- Amy: don't get ahead of yourself Tenshi.

There's a loud beeping noise that interrupts the two, though its turned off nearly immediately.

Amy: If we are doing this it has to be now. Casi: Ok. I trust you. Amy: Hmm... Well, I hope you're right to.

There's a shuffling sound and a soft hum before the recording abruptly ends.

:{ Transcript Ends. }:

[sneasedtomeetyou]

:{ An Audio file is embedded. Valencia Island, Orange Archipelago. 10/24/24 11:52 am. }:

The microphone seems to be a distance away from Casi and Amy, the voices muffled by the shuffling of their various belongings. It seems Casi is still pacing the room, getting randomly louder and quieter. 

There’s a quick series of quiet thumping sounds, likely Casi drumming his fingers against something. 

Casi: I can fix this— Amy: Stop trying to fix things, Casimir. 

Their voice is harsh in a way we don’t typically hear from the professor, especially not directed at their partner. 

Casi: What else do you expect me to do after we came all this way? Nothing? Amy: If nothing keeps you from making this worse then yes! Every single time you have opened your mouth around that woman you've managed to make things harder.  Casi: She's being completely unreasonable! But that doesn't matter because I don't care if she agrees anymore. It doesn't matter! Won't matter! Amy: Won't matter?? You've been banned from this entire island, my pokemon are being threatened with being sent who knows where, and she could at any point decide that I've overstayed my usefulness and just release everything she has on me! Casi: They’re your pokemon and she is withholding them from you! You are well within your right to take them back! That’s not a crime. Any reasonable person would do that.  Amy: Now I have to go back there and beg for her to reconsider her decision. I can convince her of that much. I’ll have to work my ass off even more to make up for it but— Casi: Who cares what she thinks? Amy: I do! I have to! Do you seriously not get that?! 

There’s a beat of silence that hangs in the air. 

Casi: It could be just like old times, you know. Once it's all said and done it'll be better than it was before. I promise. Amy: How often do I have to be here cleaning up after your messes, Casimir?!

There’s a long pause after that where neither of them speak. The only indication anyone else is even in the room is the shuffling noises that seem to have picked up in their volume. Casi’s voice is nearly impossible to hear when he talks again. There's a sudden flatness to it, his usual saccharine tone absent.

Casi: …Then don’t, alright? I’ll do this with or without you. Amy: Don’t be stupid.  Casi: Then help me. Or I’ll be stupid and reckless. I need to go make a phone call. When I come back here you can tell me your decision. 

There’s a click as the door shuts right before the audio finally cuts. 

:{ Transcript ends. }:

[professor-amaryllis]

:{ A Video file is embedded. Valencia Island, Orange Archipelago. 10/24/24 9:48 am. }:

The video starts rather abruptly, thrusting us into the midst of an argument between Casi and Professor Ivy. Casi storms around the large entryway of the lab, Ivy standing still and firing back responses to whatever the researcher has shouted. Occasionally we get a glimpse of the area around them, dusty and cluttered with miscellaneous items that appear to be placed there arbitrarily, as if the lab is running out of space to hold all it contains. When the microphone is close enough to pick up the conversation we begin to hear what the cause of the argument is.

"Rose and Miairu aren't dangerous! You must know that by now! They've lived here for a decade and have never harmed anyone." His voice is hoarse. It's clear that this argument has been dragging on for some time. 

“Here I am able to rehabilitate them and prevent any damage that they may cause in the wrong hands.” Ivy remarks. “They would fare no better with Professor Amaryllis.” 

“Well they certainly aren’t improving in a place like this!” To emphasize his point, Casi kicks one of the trash bags that littered the space. The living quarters had already filled up with miscellaneous garbage after the storm, and now had begun bleeding into the entryway. “How would anyone get better here? It’s a dump!”

A strange trap door opens up near Casi’s feet and a trio of Ivy’s assistants peak out. “Could you quit stomping around up there? We’re trying to get some work done.” 

In response Casi lets out a growl of frustration and shoves her foot down onto the trap door, slamming it shut on top of them with a thunk. There's a muffled yelp from down below. 

“Professor Ginkgo you can’t start slamming doors on people!”  Ivy’s voice is cold but there's an undercurrent of anger that no guise of professionalism could possibly hide. “You expect me to believe that someone like you could do better when you can't even control your own outbursts? Do you genuinely believe that leaving two volatile pokemon in the hands of you two would be in anything but a disaster waiting to happen?”

“Casi-” The presence of Bellamy had almost entirely gone unnoticed until they spoke up, trying to get a word in between the two feuding professors and not making all that much headway. There is an energy in them that's hard to read, gripping and releasing the head of their cane and shifting their weight just slightly from heel to heel when not actively trying to put a hand on the pacing Casimir’s shoulder, to no avail. More than anything, though, they seem exhausted. The dark circles under their eyes and the heavy way they move betray the lack of sleep and overexertion they've been living with.

“They’re volatile because their needs aren’t met! Miairu isn’t causing trouble for no reason, she's a gengar, she’s sensory seeking! She’s bored!” Casi doesn’t even seem to notice Amy reaching out, turning on her heel and pacing the other direction. “And Rose isn’t playing with people’s emotions; she's struggling to maintain her own. If you put them in a proper environment and gave them the actual enrichment they need they’d get better instead of being stagnant for a decade!”

“And you believe that you are the ones to fill that need?” Ivy laughs, a dry, scoffing sound that practically radiates disdain. “Professor Amaryllis, the man that can’t even care for himself? And you, look at you. As volatile and unruly as either of those pokemon, you can not control your own emotional state and you intend on trying to control her? And what happens when Rose tampers with your emotions, pushes you past your already violent limits? Or when Miairu destroys expensive lab equipment and gets your employees hurt? No.”

The shorter man grits his teeth, taking intentional strides in Ivy’s direction. “I don’t believe you are any more qualified to decide that than either of us are. You continually blackmail my girlfriend and overwork them only to pretend that’s somehow their fault? Don’t you dare think you can talk down to me, Professor. You and I both know that I have more than enough experience in the field of caring for pokemon. Anything else is just an excuse. These pokemon do not belong to you in the first place!”

This seems to give Bellamy a pause and for the half of a breath of silence they blink and seem to almost freeze in their tracks. “...Girlfriend?” The quiet question and look of puzzlement cast towards Casimir is lost to anyone but the camera as Ivy quickly cuts them off.

“You think me unqualified, do you Casimir?” There's a moment's pause as she exhales through her nose before a thin, cold smile reaches across her face. “Then I suppose there's nothing else for it, is there. If I am not doing my due diligence, as you accuse me, and you both are so clearly woefully unequipped to care for such volatile pokemon, then it seems I must look for other avenues for their housing.” Her smile widens just slightly, her contempt barely hidden. “I’m sure there is some other facility that’s trained to handle such dangerous creatures.”

“What- No!” Amy for the first time in this video speaks up, their carefully held calm broken by the fear in their voice. “You can’t do that!”

That expression seems to set Casi off, he takes a final few steps before coming to stand directly in front of Ivy, his body still and his expression stony. The usual loud frustration gave way to something else, something much more serious, quiet, intense. “Professor Ivy, if you do that I will make the rest of your life a living hell. I can promise you that.”

Ivy’s face drops, her smile becoming something calculating and dark as she looks down on the man trying so hard to be intimidating. “Is that a threat, Casimir?”

Casi stands his ground, “Yeah. It is.” 

There's a tension, a fire between the two professors as the video cuts to black.

:{ Transcript ends. }:

[sneasedtomeetyou]

I found out a bit more about what might've happened with the feeding schedule and portions being disrupted. Apparently after the storm a cramorant appeared on the island. It's not native here and seems to be eating just about everything in sight

No one can catch or stop it seemingly

I love this terrible bird

[sneasedtomeetyou]

Power has been restored to our part of the island for a bit now, just been focused on clean up. Especially in the daylight hours. There's been some other issue with the feeding schedule but I'm not sure what all that's about

[sneasedtomeetyou]

Still no power. Still no sign of the storm letting up enough for everyone to come back to work. We did however find a powerbox so my phone can stay charged. If you thought I was done pestering you online you were sorely mistaken

[professor-amaryllis]

Gotta love fuck-off storms. Are you guys safe there?

@suddenlyauntiemaya

Safe is a bit of a nebulous term, hah. By all accounts we should have gone further inland, back to the settlement, but well the building is sturdy enough and the idea of having some time away from the other researchers. Well I think I will take the dark.

The sound of the rain is quite nice at least, if a bit intense.

[sneasedtomeetyou]

I have found the scented candles

[sneasedtomeetyou]

This is the price I pay for getting too silly

[sneasedtomeetyou]

Awesome!!!