[ Hello! You have reached: "Walter Sullivan". Unfortunately they cannot answer the phone right now. Leave a message after the beep and they will return your call. ]
[It's late, much later than Cissnei would normally be up but sleeping wasn't coming easy of late as many people seemed to be experiencing. She had tried her best not to let the nightmares get to her but they had taken a rather nasty turn for awhile there before completely changing all together.
Needless to say, she was a bit shaken though trying hard not to show it.
Tseng was seated beside her, the Lucario looking openly worried about his trainer as she leaned against him absently in her exhaustion, a Vaporeon seated on her other side with his head fins folded back against his head and his tail twitching irritably.
He didn't like not being able to take care of his trainer.]
[ He had been writing in his journal - the one she had given him, to make some important notes about his upcoming plans. Preparation was key. He could not leave anything in the hands of fate, not when Valtiel was not here...and not when leaving his fate in Valtiel's hands had gotten so messy. But, he did have time. And Cissnei was both a valuable source of information...and, someone he enjoyed talking to.
He noticed the two Pokemon beside her curiously. A Vaporeon and...that had to be Tseng. At his side was Doll, who took in Tseng's form and giggled, covering her zipper mouth with her hands. ]
[Tseng glanced at the 'gear when Doll giggled, looking at her curiously before letting out a chuffing snort, rolling his eyes before his attention was once more on Cissnei.]
Have..I'm assuming you've been having strange dreams as well? It seems as thought everyone has been having them.
[Unfortunately.]
Did they change...rather suddenly? Feel different, as of late?
[The Vaporeon frowned more and bumped his head against Ciss's arm, prompting her to lift her hand and rest it on his head.]
No...I haven't had any different dreams. I did hear the messages on the network.
[ As he thinks, Doll floats off to alert Claudia that her beau was on the phone. Something catches his eye and he taps his finger on his knee. A new Pokemon appears and sits silently behind Walter - his Absol, Sentinel. ]
...There is one strange thing. Two, in a sense. Sentinel has refused to leave my side. And there have been some Pokemon at the borders of my home. My own refuse to let them draw near. [ He rested his hand on Sentinel's crown. Sentinel watched the screen, completely still, but speaks softly. ]
My own Phantump refuses to go near them. My other ghosts react aggressively, and have prevented them from approaching me. There might be something there.
[ Sentinel doesn't react. If Walter was stoic, then Sentinel was a whole new level. ]
The curse will worsen. She will walk between dreams, unseeing beyond the mind's eye. The woods expand. The forest for the trees. Until they are full.
[ Walter didn't like seeing Cissnei so tired and worried about ghosts. Of course his own experiences meant he was a little more...used to them than others. He thought over it...then hummed. ]
Do you have a Pokemon with the move 'Dream Eater'?
It is in my nature to foresee this. I have seen a world rot and decay in red rust. I have seen a reel of film, cut before it's conclusion. I have seen my trainer die.
[ Well, that prevents that solution. He thought carefully. ] ...Gloom is capable of learning it. I'll focus on her training. If these dreams persist by the time she has acquired the move, I will send her to you.
[ Sentinel let his trainer speak before adding onto it. He did not change his demeanour but he was somewhat trying to be comforting. ]
You cannot stop it. But...you can prevent damage. Protect her mind with your presence. Do not let her wander the woods, when they take root, alone.
[ His eyes shifted to the side as a familiar Ninetales' voice came from off-screen. ]
[More than she knew how to put into words right now given how exhausted she was. She was off her game and she knew it, the young woman having been struggling to even pay attention to the simplest of things.]
I'll do what I can. I--my new abilities are still too new to me but I'll work hard before things get any worse.
[Tseng looked at Cissnei as he said it, expression falling a bit as he leaned in to bump his head against hers. Said trainer smiled softly at him, murmuring reassurances.
On her other side, Mideel just nodded to Sentinel, prepared to do whatever he could as well even if he was just a water type.
The familiar voice draws Tseng's attention, the Lucario perking up just the slightest bit.]
[ It was all Walter could really offer, and he trusted Gloom to return to him. She was also one of the most friendly of his Pokemon, so he trusted her not to make things worse if this plan of their's didn't work out. Sentinel nodded out of respect towards Claudia and moved. He had said his piece. He needed to resume watching the grounds; Nicholas had much to learn and he had to set an example for him. In his place Claudia stepped into view. She leaned against Walter and peered at the camera, seeing Tseng. Her eyes widened in surprise. ]
Tseng...You look very impressive. [ Attractive. But also impressive. ]
I will. [If she gets the chance.] And if..if anything strange does start happening to you, please let me know in turn.
[They had to look out for one another, right?
Tseng ducks his head a bit, looking rather sheepish and, on Cissnei's other side, Mideel rolls his eyes with a silent sigh.]
Thank you, Claudia. [Impressing her may have been part of his reason for wanting to evolve. Only a small part though. Seriously.] Sentinel..he said the Phantumps have been bothering you all as well?
[ If Cissnei was in Johto, he would make the effort to see her face to face. He didn't know what he would really do...when Asriel had been feeling upset and troubled, he had invited him to sew. He didn't know if Cissnei did any sewing. At his side Claudia recovered from her moment of awe and curled her tails in front of her, softly smiling. But at the mention of the ghosts she nodded seriously. ]
They have been. They attempt to slip past us to reach Walter. We are fortunate...with so many ghosts in our team, and Sentinel and Wisdom watching over him, it is impossible for them to approach.
[ Their defense was entirely thanks to Sentinel's initial warnings. With him and Wisdom sensing danger and reading the future for danger, it gave them an advantage in being prepared for this. And the ghosts themselves knew every trick - the Phantumps were quickly learning that this place was ruled by spirits far more powerful than them, and far more hostile. ]
Yes. [Unfortunately. She was starting to wish they were back on the mainland what with how weird things had been lately.] We've currently stopped moving about in favor of trying to figure out why this is happening. It probably doesn't help that Korra and I have both been exhausted.
[Tseng would have been lying if he said that look she gave him didn't warm him a bit, the Lucario smiling faintly before it fades as they get back to serious talk.
Flirting could come later. Even though it totally wasn't flirting.]
We weren't as fortunate. We tried our best but they got the best of us.
[The Lucario glances at Cissnei worriedly.]
Not even the ghosts on our team were prepared for the tricks all the Phantumps came up with.
You have ghost types...if you have bugs, keep them with you as well. They will be effective against both the Drowzees and the Phantumps that are watching us.
[ Claudia gave him a soft look ]
Do not be hard on yourself, Tseng. Ghosts are tricky creatures. Walter has a unique connection to spirits that has worked in his favour here, and has drawn many ghosts who would be otherwise indifferent to obey and guard him loyally. If they were not as dedicated, we would also have failed to stop them too.
[ That wasn't the full story; Claudia had purposefully not mentioned that her trainer had also been a ghost, a divine being with the Power of Heaven, capable of binding sinful spirits to his Otherworlds. And that the majority of his ghost-Pokemon detected those qualities in his soul; they were simply following, according to them, a powerful Ghost Type trapped in flesh. ]
Sentinel predicts that this will pass. If there is anything we can do, we would do it for you both.
I..have one bug type. I'll make sure to put Midi in my active party.
[The mention of ghost types has one of said ghosts appearing, Bahamut the Mimikyu shuffling into view with a rather determined look about him. Fiend the Shuppet comes up out of the ground next to him, the normally cheery little ghost nodding solemnly.
They'll do what they can.]
We should have done more. We should have worked harder, though.
[He wasn't going to forgive himself for putting Cissnei through this. For letting it happen.
Mideel let's out a soft huff, finned tail hitting the ground.
[ Walter returned the two ghost types nods. He was fond of ghosts on the whole; but the Phantumps that were currently lurking around were clearly not trustworthy. ]
Your Pokemon are strong. Even if you are hurt, they will repay the damage done to you. [ Walter was a strong advocate for revenge. At his side Claudia gave Tseng a gentle look. She didn't like to see him like this, and she knew they were all taking this on themselves. Sometimes fate could not be avoided. ]
I know you did your best, Tseng. All of you did. And you will do your best to protect her from what comes next. I will be praying for you. [ And she does mean that. God saw people in their suffering; surely she will be watching over Cissnei in this time. ]
Oh I don't doubt that, as much as I'd rather they not cause too much damage.
[Revenge was a necessary thing sometimes. Being a Turk had taught her that much so she really didn't mind the idea of her Pokemon doing anything rash..she just wished she was in a little better head space to handle it if it did happen.]
..Thank you, Claudia. I will. I won't let her down again. [He wasn't going to let anyone else hurt his trainer. Anyone that dared was going to be on the receiving end of a lot of pain.]
Take care, Cissnei. If you arrive in Johto, inform me.
[ He would rather be in her company. Not so much to offer kind words or comforts (he still didn't know how to), but to be present. At his size, Claudia nodded. ]
Take care, Tseng. And...congratulations, on evolving.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Video] - Evening of October 16th
[It's late, much later than Cissnei would normally be up but sleeping wasn't coming easy of late as many people seemed to be experiencing. She had tried her best not to let the nightmares get to her but they had taken a rather nasty turn for awhile there before completely changing all together.
Needless to say, she was a bit shaken though trying hard not to show it.
Tseng was seated beside her, the Lucario looking openly worried about his trainer as she leaned against him absently in her exhaustion, a Vaporeon seated on her other side with his head fins folded back against his head and his tail twitching irritably.
He didn't like not being able to take care of his trainer.]
no subject
[ He had been writing in his journal - the one she had given him, to make some important notes about his upcoming plans. Preparation was key. He could not leave anything in the hands of fate, not when Valtiel was not here...and not when leaving his fate in Valtiel's hands had gotten so messy. But, he did have time. And Cissnei was both a valuable source of information...and, someone he enjoyed talking to.
He noticed the two Pokemon beside her curiously. A Vaporeon and...that had to be Tseng. At his side was Doll, who took in Tseng's form and giggled, covering her zipper mouth with her hands. ]
I have time. Is there something you need?
no subject
Have..I'm assuming you've been having strange dreams as well? It seems as thought everyone has been having them.
[Unfortunately.]
Did they change...rather suddenly? Feel different, as of late?
[The Vaporeon frowned more and bumped his head against Ciss's arm, prompting her to lift her hand and rest it on his head.]
no subject
No...I haven't had any different dreams. I did hear the messages on the network.
[ As he thinks, Doll floats off to alert Claudia that her beau was on the phone. Something catches his eye and he taps his finger on his knee. A new Pokemon appears and sits silently behind Walter - his Absol, Sentinel. ]
...There is one strange thing. Two, in a sense. Sentinel has refused to leave my side. And there have been some Pokemon at the borders of my home. My own refuse to let them draw near. [ He rested his hand on Sentinel's crown. Sentinel watched the screen, completely still, but speaks softly. ]
You let them touch her.
no subject
[Because she had been seeing them constantly and it was unnerving. It had turned their island retreat into a bit of an island horror flick.]
Ever since they started appearing I've--Korra and I both have been having strange dreams.
[Ever since one of the Phantumps had tagged her.
Sentinel's comment gets both Tseng and Mideel looking at the 'gear, the Vaporeon's frills standing up a bit while Tseng just frowns softly.]
We didn't mean for it to happen. We had managed to keep most of them away but one got past us.
[And Tseng completely blamed himself. He should have been able to keep them away but he was still getting use to all of his new abilities.]
no subject
My own Phantump refuses to go near them. My other ghosts react aggressively, and have prevented them from approaching me. There might be something there.
[ Sentinel doesn't react. If Walter was stoic, then Sentinel was a whole new level. ]
The curse will worsen. She will walk between dreams, unseeing beyond the mind's eye. The woods expand. The forest for the trees. Until they are full.
[ Also cryptic. ]
no subject
Mine were rather defensive towards them as well but apparently some of the Phantumps weren't put off by even our strongest.
[Considering they'd ended up in one of the tents.
Tseng frowns, glancing over at Mideel who is eyeing Sentinel curiously.]
How do you know that?
no subject
Do you have a Pokemon with the move 'Dream Eater'?
It is in my nature to foresee this. I have seen a world rot and decay in red rust. I have seen a reel of film, cut before it's conclusion. I have seen my trainer die.
But this will not last.
no subject
[And several of her companions had tried various other moves to see if they would help but nothing had worked yet.
Tseng stiffens as Sentinel explains, not liking what the other has to say about any of this.]
What can we do to stop it?
no subject
[ Sentinel let his trainer speak before adding onto it. He did not change his demeanour but he was somewhat trying to be comforting. ]
You cannot stop it. But...you can prevent damage. Protect her mind with your presence. Do not let her wander the woods, when they take root, alone.
[ His eyes shifted to the side as a familiar Ninetales' voice came from off-screen. ]
Sentinel. Has something happened?
Yes, and yes.
no subject
[More than she knew how to put into words right now given how exhausted she was. She was off her game and she knew it, the young woman having been struggling to even pay attention to the simplest of things.]
I'll do what I can. I--my new abilities are still too new to me but I'll work hard before things get any worse.
[Tseng looked at Cissnei as he said it, expression falling a bit as he leaned in to bump his head against hers. Said trainer smiled softly at him, murmuring reassurances.
On her other side, Mideel just nodded to Sentinel, prepared to do whatever he could as well even if he was just a water type.
The familiar voice draws Tseng's attention, the Lucario perking up just the slightest bit.]
Claudia.
no subject
[ It was all Walter could really offer, and he trusted Gloom to return to him. She was also one of the most friendly of his Pokemon, so he trusted her not to make things worse if this plan of their's didn't work out. Sentinel nodded out of respect towards Claudia and moved. He had said his piece. He needed to resume watching the grounds; Nicholas had much to learn and he had to set an example for him. In his place Claudia stepped into view. She leaned against Walter and peered at the camera, seeing Tseng. Her eyes widened in surprise. ]
Tseng...You look very impressive. [ Attractive. But also impressive. ]
no subject
[They had to look out for one another, right?
Tseng ducks his head a bit, looking rather sheepish and, on Cissnei's other side, Mideel rolls his eyes with a silent sigh.]
Thank you, Claudia. [Impressing her may have been part of his reason for wanting to evolve. Only a small part though. Seriously.] Sentinel..he said the Phantumps have been bothering you all as well?
no subject
[ If Cissnei was in Johto, he would make the effort to see her face to face. He didn't know what he would really do...when Asriel had been feeling upset and troubled, he had invited him to sew. He didn't know if Cissnei did any sewing. At his side Claudia recovered from her moment of awe and curled her tails in front of her, softly smiling. But at the mention of the ghosts she nodded seriously. ]
They have been. They attempt to slip past us to reach Walter. We are fortunate...with so many ghosts in our team, and Sentinel and Wisdom watching over him, it is impossible for them to approach.
[ Their defense was entirely thanks to Sentinel's initial warnings. With him and Wisdom sensing danger and reading the future for danger, it gave them an advantage in being prepared for this. And the ghosts themselves knew every trick - the Phantumps were quickly learning that this place was ruled by spirits far more powerful than them, and far more hostile. ]
no subject
[Tseng would have been lying if he said that look she gave him didn't warm him a bit, the Lucario smiling faintly before it fades as they get back to serious talk.
Flirting could come later. Even though it totally wasn't flirting.]
We weren't as fortunate. We tried our best but they got the best of us.
[The Lucario glances at Cissnei worriedly.]
Not even the ghosts on our team were prepared for the tricks all the Phantumps came up with.
no subject
You have ghost types...if you have bugs, keep them with you as well. They will be effective against both the Drowzees and the Phantumps that are watching us.
[ Claudia gave him a soft look ]
Do not be hard on yourself, Tseng. Ghosts are tricky creatures. Walter has a unique connection to spirits that has worked in his favour here, and has drawn many ghosts who would be otherwise indifferent to obey and guard him loyally. If they were not as dedicated, we would also have failed to stop them too.
[ That wasn't the full story; Claudia had purposefully not mentioned that her trainer had also been a ghost, a divine being with the Power of Heaven, capable of binding sinful spirits to his Otherworlds. And that the majority of his ghost-Pokemon detected those qualities in his soul; they were simply following, according to them,
a powerful Ghost Type trapped in flesh. ]
Sentinel predicts that this will pass. If there is anything we can do, we would do it for you both.
no subject
[The mention of ghost types has one of said ghosts appearing, Bahamut the Mimikyu shuffling into view with a rather determined look about him. Fiend the Shuppet comes up out of the ground next to him, the normally cheery little ghost nodding solemnly.
They'll do what they can.]
We should have done more. We should have worked harder, though.
[He wasn't going to forgive himself for putting Cissnei through this. For letting it happen.
Mideel let's out a soft huff, finned tail hitting the ground.
They couldn't give up.]
no subject
Your Pokemon are strong. Even if you are hurt, they will repay the damage done to you. [ Walter was a strong advocate for revenge. At his side Claudia gave Tseng a gentle look. She didn't like to see him like this, and she knew they were all taking this on themselves. Sometimes fate could not be avoided. ]
I know you did your best, Tseng. All of you did. And you will do your best to protect her from what comes next. I will be praying for you. [ And she does mean that. God saw people in their suffering; surely she will be watching over Cissnei in this time. ]
no subject
[Revenge was a necessary thing sometimes. Being a Turk had taught her that much so she really didn't mind the idea of her Pokemon doing anything rash..she just wished she was in a little better head space to handle it if it did happen.]
..Thank you, Claudia. I will. I won't let her down again. [He wasn't going to let anyone else hurt his trainer. Anyone that dared was going to be on the receiving end of a lot of pain.]
Wrap this up here?
[ He would rather be in her company. Not so much to offer kind words or comforts (he still didn't know how to), but to be present. At his size, Claudia nodded. ]
Take care, Tseng. And...congratulations, on evolving.