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Post by ZOM on Oct 31, 2013 11:52:36 GMT -5
Every year, beginning on the 31st of October and running through the 10th of November, Buteston celebrates its Festival of Death. Spirits of all kinds have always dwelt in the eerie marshes upon with Buteston was founded, but during this time period ghosts from the nearby forest flood the town and join the festivities, looming behind every shoulder and hovering about overhead. They enjoy the food that is offered to them by residents and visitors celebrating the event, and very frequently, they will choose a human to "haunt."
Sasha, the gym leader at the very young Butes Gym, seems to be their favorite target. It only makes sense, of course, that a master of ghost-types would be their favorite to hang around. In celebration of his gym's opening and of the holiday, Sasha will be spending time in the Pokemon Center up until the end of the 10th, giving away some very special ghostly friends. Of course, those who stop by for a ghost of their own will not be able to pick which ghost they get to take home; the ghost chooses you.
HOW IT WORKS
The Festival of Death is a surprisingly joyous holiday despite the gloomy atmosphere of Buteston and the macabre nature of the festival. Local merchants will craft ghostly toys, statues, and dolls to sell out of shacks along the docks, and there is plenty of food to eat and offer to the ghosts that fly around. A favorite of the holiday are "blood cakes," sweet and spicy dessert cakes made from berries and so named for their red coloration. If you would like to roleplay your character participating in the festivities and hanging around Buteston, you are encouraged to do so!
However, chances are that you're here to get a free Pokemon. Sasha is in the Pokemon Center giving away shiny ghost-types for free. Not all of the ghosts are shiny, of course; when a ghost is assigned to your character, however, you are free to decide that you would like that ghost to be shiny! You are also able to give that ghost its hidden ability if you so choose.
To receive a free Pokemon, make an in-character post within this thread wherein your character enters the Buteston Pokemon Center and asks Sasha and his ghost entourage for a companion. A ghost will choose your character, and then you will be given that Pokemon's information; all ghosts will be level 5 with 5 friendship. If you would like the ghost to be shiny, you are free to decide that it is. Once you have received your ghost-type you do not necessarily have to make an in-character post describing your character leaving the Pokemon Center, although you are free to do so in the company of your new ghost. The IC rule is mostly because I didn't want to give away free Pokemon like this without any IC interaction.
NOTE: The Pokemon you receive will not take up one of the Pokeballs in your inventory! Just assume that it brought its own Pokeball along. :)
The Pokemon you receive will be randomly picked from the following list using a random number generator:
1 = Gastly
2 = Misdreavus
3 = Sableye
4 = Shuppet
5 = Duskull
6 = Drifloon
7 = Spiritomb
8 = Rotom
9 = Yamask
10 = Frillish
11 = Litwick
12 = Golett
13 = Honedge
14 = Phantump
15 = Pumpkaboo |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2013 12:28:16 GMT -5
Clementine had tromped through marshlands for what seemed like hours before she had finally been able to reach the reeking city. She couldn't help but hold a sleeve to her nose, unaccustomed to the putrid smell that seemed to cling to everything. She really didn't like this place at all, but she was here for the festival. She had only heard good things about this time of year in Buteston, but no one mentioned the smell.
By the time she had reached the Pokemon Center, she was more than ready to leave the gloomy city. Most of the inhabitants seemed to be enjoying themselves, in the very least. She hoped she had remembered correctly, that the gym leader was literally just giving out free ghost-types- and some of them were shiny! There was little information on shiny Pokemon and why exactly they existed. Clem had studied it furiously before coming to Decona, and wanted nothing more than to simply see one. Now, however, she had the oppurtunity to not only meet one, but let it into her team. She pushed through the doors of the Pokemon center and glanced around in an attempt to find the gym leader.
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Post by Nimbostratus on Oct 31, 2013 13:44:24 GMT -5
In the course of her studies Jolene had learned about the funeral rituals of many a culture. There were surprisingly few who viewed death as an entirely grim affair. Many funerals focused upon celebrating the deceased's life instead of lamenting their death, and there was nary a culture with no belief in a new life or a better place on the other side. Some places even had death-themed holidays, and apparently Decona was one of those places.
And so the moment she heard about this 'Festival of Death', the professor knew she simply had to see it for herself. It was just a short boat ride (the first of many in this region) and she was on her way.
Arriving in Buteston, she found herself in a quiet, foggy town that almost looked haunted in itself, to say nothing of all the ghost Pokemon walking and hovering about. Despite the macabre surroundings, a throng of happy people was gathered in celebration, some of them manning market stands with various festival goods. Jolene smiled at a nearby merchant who gave her a free sample of 'blood cake' - quite tasty, it turned out! - then made her way into the Pokemon Center. There was some kind of bustle around the place; apparently the local gym leader was doing some sort of giveaway, though Jo didn't know the details. Perhaps her Dedenne would soon have a teammate...?
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Post by ZOM on Oct 31, 2013 13:56:58 GMT -5
Sasha, as always, stood out like a sore thumb even in a crowd. He was perched in one of the chairs in a corner of the building, crouching atop the seat and wearing his characteristic ear-splitting grin. His long blocky bangs hid his eyes from view, but he was wildly turning his head this way and that in an attempt to follow the erratic movements of the ghosts which swarmed around him, giggling and hissing and cooing. The room felt very cold and the poor nurse behind the front counter looked uncomfortable.
"Pretty lovelies, dance and sway... Haunt the living, laugh and play..." His wispy, high-pitched voice carried over the murmuring of the crowd in the Center; he wasn't quite singing, but his tone was distinctly sing-song. His skin was white as paper and his hair was black as pitch, and between this and the unsaturated purples and grays of the outfit which swallowed his small frame, he might as well have been a ghost himself.
From the crowd emerged a little Golett, marching its way steadfastly towards Clementine. Its movements were stiff and robotic, but when it had reached the girl's side it looked up at her and tilted its head 90 degrees in a gesture both eerie and childlike. With no further preface it extended its hand towards hers with the intention to grab hold. Its body was sturdy, unlike many of the ghosts in the room, but it emanated a similar cold aura.
 (or) 
Golett wants to haunt join Clementine's party...
[img]http://www.serebii.net/blackwhite/pokemon/622.png[/img] (or) [img]http://www.serebii.net/Shiny/BW/622.png[/img]
[b]Name[/b]: ?
[b]Species[/b]: (Shiny?) Golett
[b]Gender[/b]: None
[b]Ability[/b]: Iron Fist or Klutz or No Guard
[b]Level[/b]: 5
[b]Friendship[/b]: 5
[b]Moves[/b]: Pound, Astonish, Defense Curl, Mud Slap
[b]Nature[/b]: ?
[b]Met[/b]: Buteston Festival of Death @ lvl 5
Meanwhile, a smaller Pokemon emerged from the shadows, its razor teeth bared in a grin as its hunched form scurried across the ground. It surveyed the crowd, its eyes gleaming, but it did not take long for it to pick a favorite human. Gleefully it darted for Jolene, en route to scurry right up her leg; it intended to perch itself upon her shoulder so that all other ghosts would know this one belonged to it.
 (or) 
Sableye has claimed Jolene for itself...
[img]http://www.serebii.net/blackwhite/pokemon/302.png[/img] (or) [img]http://www.serebii.net/Shiny/BW/302.png[/img]
[b]Name[/b]: ?
[b]Species[/b]: (Shiny?) Sableye
[b]Gender[/b]: ?
[b]Ability[/b]: Keen Eye or Stall or Prankster
[b]Level[/b]: 5
[b]Friendship[/b]: 5
[b]Moves[/b]: Leer, Scratch, Foresight
[b]Nature[/b]: ?
[b]Met[/b]: Buteston Festival of Death @ lvl 5 |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2013 14:09:00 GMT -5
Clementine hadn't felt the cold at first, but now it crept under her clothing as an almost violating presence. She glanced sideways as the door opened behind her, but didn't give the older woman who entered that much attention. Her eyes were glued to what was taking place in the lobby of the Pokecenter.
She had never seen a ghost-type before, but they attracted her attention moreso than any other type had yet. Reading about them had made her sad in her childhood, so she had looked into this type much less than the others. These Pokemon didn't seem sad, however. They seemed like they were having fun, and the creepy gym leader seemed like he just wanted them to find good homes. She had no clue why she had come to that conclusion, because honestly all that dude was doing was being freakin' weird.
When the Golett approached her, Clem crouched down to be more on its level. She offered a smile, but couldn't prevent the chills from running down her spine when it cocked its head. When the little Pokemon offered a hand, she reached out and slipped one of hers into it. The feeling that seemed to run through her body was strange, but she did not fear it. She pulled the Golett into her arms and wrapped it up tight in them, leaning into the hug, pulling the cold form nearer. She released it to look up as the Sableye approached the woman who had entered behind her.
Wait a minute...
That couldn't be Jolene Suthers.
Wide-eyed, Clem stared, one hand resting on the chest of her new Pokemon. She stood, and under her breath called to the woman, just loud enough to be heard, silently hoping that she wasn't heard. "Jolene Suthers?" |
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Post by Nimbostratus on Oct 31, 2013 14:26:02 GMT -5
Jo's first glance fell upon the eccentric gym leader; but whatever he was doing, it must have had some effect - there certainly were ghosts here. A Golett approached a frail-looking younger woman, while a strangely-colored Sableye approached Jolene herself. She stared at it for a moment before realizing. A shiny Pokemon! She had only heard about them, never seen one herself - until now. She yelped as the sharp-clawed Darkness Pokemon climbed her clothing, leaving little holes in its wake, until finally it came to rest upon her shoulder. Apparently it thought she made a good perch.
"Hmph, rude little thing... but I suppose I'll keep you..." she chuckled and reached up to touch the creature. Perhaps unsurprisingly, its skin was cold and had the texture of a polished gemstone. She spent a moment considering the Pokemon before she realized that her name was being called. She blinked and turned to the frail girl, whom it seemed had recognized her.
"Hmm? Yes, I'm Dr. Suthers... you know me?"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2013 14:39:20 GMT -5
Dread seemed to pour into Clementine's stomach when the woman did respond. A part of her was hoping that it wasn't Dr. Suthers. It would truly be an honor to meet a woman of her intellect, but what was she supposed to say? What if the doctor wanted some sort of intelligent banter from Clem? She just didn't know if she wanted to allow herself to be a part of that. She was confident in her knowledge but looking stupid in front of someone so studious was the last thing she wanted.
She heaved a sigh and approached Jolene, taking the little Golett's hand and guiding it with her. "Ah, hello. This feels rather strange. I recognized you because I've read all of your books. My name is Clementine. It's so very nice to meet you, I never thought I would even see you, to be honest." Her speech was rushed and quiet, and she continuously tried to avoid eye contact with Jolene as butterflies filled her entire torso. "Your first book was my favorite, but People and Pokemon: A Bond that Transcends History beat it out of that spot.. I finished it just before I came here." |
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Post by Nimbostratus on Oct 31, 2013 14:51:48 GMT -5
"Oh! A fan!" Jolene smiled, looking absolutely delighted. "Nice to meet you, miss Clementine. It's always a pleasure to see someone who knows my work. And I'm actually working on a new book right now - part of the reason I'm here in Decona."
"Say! Bly!" said the Pokemon on her shoulder, its voice harsh and screeching.
"Hush!" Jo scolded. "I'm trying to hold a pleasant conversation here." But the Sableye did not relent; in fact, it seemed to get even louder.
"Troublesome little... alright, into the ball you go." She smirked and pulled a Pokeball from her purse, pressing the button upon it to suck the Sableye inside. Surprisingly, the Sableye made no effort to escape.
Jolene looked at Clem again and cleared her throat. "...forgive me for that. As I said, a pleasure to meet you - and if you've brought any of my books along with you, I'll gladly sign them." She smiled. "In any case, may I ask what it is that's brought you to this region?"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2013 15:16:24 GMT -5
The fact that Jolene wasn't annoyed by her approach certainly changed Clem's mood. Her eyes lit up, and she grinned at how pleased Dr. Suthers seemed by the fact that Clementine enjoyed her work. Just as Clem parted her thin lips to respond, the Sableye began screeching, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Her tiny Golett started yelling back, even after the Sableye had been safely tucked into its capsule. Clem offered one frail "shh" and the Pokemon responded immediately and quieted down. She mimicked Dr. Suthers, removing a Pokeball from her bag and allowed the Golett to disappear into its new home.
She cleared her throat and glanced back up at the doctor. "I wish I would have thought to bring a few books, but I was in such a rush to leave I'm afraid I forgot most thing." Clem smiled up at Jolene, listening intently to every word. When asked about why she had come to Decona, she hesitated, smile disappearing for a moment. "Well, honestly, I was always very... sick. I wasn't really allowed to go outside, at all. This is just an opportunity for me to... to... well, experience life. I'm finally strong enough to do so." Pride flashed in the young girl's eyes before quickly disappearing. "Are you studying something specific here?" |
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Post by Nimbostratus on Oct 31, 2013 15:46:12 GMT -5
Jo considered the other person's Golett with a soft "hmmm". The girl certainly had a way with Pokemon, something she envied. She'd worked with Pokemon before and got along with them well enough, but Lapras was the only one she'd developed a real connection with.
It was the mention of Clementine's sickness, though, that truly drew Jolene's attention. She slowly looked over the girl again and tried not to frown; despite her claim that she was strong enough now, she still didn't really look well enough to travel.
"...I'm writing about the Pokemorph injection, of course - I'm guessing you've heard about it? Professor Willow has created something revolutionary. It could cure disease, increase longevity, bring people and Pokemon closer together... it seems so perfect, doesn't it? But I wonder if there might be negative implications, too..." She scratched her chin briefly, then glanced again at Clem. "Oh, sorry... I tend to ramble. I suppose I should let you be on your way now."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2013 16:17:39 GMT -5
Clementine didn't really mind Jolene's rambling- after all, she had read each book the woman had written very intently. She was somewhat in awe, starstruck in her own strange little way. She repositioned her bag on her shoulder as the woman spoke, head slowly tilting to the side. "I read all about Pokemorphs." She didn't say much else until the woman finished. "I think the injection could help me. But that's something I'm very unsure of. I don't know how I feel about the altering of my body."
Clem trailed off, and lifted one hand to chew on a fingernail. "I suppose I should leave. It was so nice to meet you. I hope so very much we'll see one another again, and I hope your book goes well." Clementine wanted to stay and chat more with Jolene, but more than that she wanted to explore more and meet more Pokemon. She offered one final smile before turning on her heel. Weaving in and out of frolicking Ghost-types, she finally exited the building, letting the door swing closed behind her.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2013 18:44:02 GMT -5
Jamie entered the Pokemon Center, dirt on his boots and a tired look about him. He had just made his way through the Forest, and it had not been the most pleasent of experiances. All things considered he didn't blame the locals for wanting to avoid it, even if their excuses were kind of silly. Witch! Ha. No such person existed, and he hadn't been 'attacked' by the trees like someone said would happen. Unless you counted tripping a few times, that was- But that was simply because the path wasn't kept very well, as far as Jamie could tell.
He hadn't arrived because of the celebration. He didn't take part in such things, they weren't his style. Too many people made him uncomfortable, and celebrations like this were always filled with people. He didn't even know there was such a thing until he arrived, which caused him some annoyance before he overheard that someone was giving out free ghost-types. It sounded interesting, and a ghost would go well with Caius while he was still normal-type. Wonder what he'd get...
It was kinda obvious who the guy he was looking for was. He looked at him and walked closer, hoping that the guy would get the hint about what he was here for.
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Post by ZOM on Oct 31, 2013 19:48:17 GMT -5
Speaking of Pokemorphs, Gertie made her grand entrance through the front doors of the Center just as Clementine was exiting. She glanced around, took in the crowd and the eerie, chilly atmosphere, and inhaled deeply before sighing and smiling wide.
After leaving the lab in Pumice Rock she had been exploring what little there was of the island, as she was wont to do, when she had overheard a few of the town's residents talking about some kind of festival. Excited, Gertie had burst into the conversation and demanded to know where this festival was being held, much to the embarrassment of Bjorn, who was still being held in her arms at the time. They had told her, though, and she had hopped onto the first boat to Buteston, because there was no way she didn't want to check out a festival in this new region!
And boy, the festival didn't disappoint. A celebration full of ghosts and skeletons and cake? Totally awesome! Gertie spent a good couple of hours wandering around the town, wrinkling her nose at the stench until she grew accustomed to it and checking out each and every booth and stall and shack selling dolls, statuettes, clothing, and food. When at last she was ready to see what was going on in the Pokemon Center, she was feeling pretty darn good about this spooky holiday.
She was amazed, upon closer inspection, to see all the oddly-colored ghosts flying and walking around and darting through the crowd of humans.
Meanwhile, Sasha was busy cackling and singing to his pretty little ghosties, having a grand ol' time from the looks of things. He had several Gastly dancing circles around his head, some blue and some their typical purple-black, and he had hopped from his perch to spin circles with them. Though much of the crowd was there to see him and his ghosts, they were giving him a wide berth, apparently too unnerved by his behavior to actually approach. Jamie, on the other hand, had gotten a little closer than the rest, and Sasha suddenly froze. After a few seconds pause, he slowly, slowly turned his head to stare directly at Jamie, still grinning from ear to ear.
"You... go outside. Your spirit awaits."
Lurking in the dark, murky water outside, peering up at the humans on the docks, waited a lone Frillish.
 / (or)  /
A Frillish waits to join Jamie's party...
[img]http://www.serebii.net/blackwhite/pokemon/592.png[/img]/[img]http://www.serebii.net/Shiny/BW/592.png[/img] (or) [img]http://www.serebii.net/blackwhite/pokemon/592-f.png[/img]/[img]http://www.serebii.net/Shiny/BW/592-f.png[/img]
[b]Name[/b]: ?
[b]Species[/b]: (Shiny?) Frillish
[b]Gender[/b]: ?
[b]Ability[/b]: Water Absorb or Cursed Body or Damp
[b]Level[/b]: 5
[b]Friendship[/b]: 5
[b]Moves[/b]: Bubble, Water Sport, Absorb
[b]Nature[/b]: ?
[b]Met[/b]: Buteston Festival of Death @ lvl 5 |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2013 3:46:57 GMT -5
Mid-stride Jamie stopped, just as the ghost trainer spoke to him. He nodded at the man, smirking underneath his hood. Good to see that he had some common sense at least. He was the gym leader, right? The teenager looked forward to showing the man the Pokemon he just gave him, all trained up- Would probably be a good fight too. Not that... He really... Knew what a good fight was, given he hadn't even been in a single Pokemon Trainer battle yet.
He turned around and made his way to the door, pausing just before exiting to look back at Gertie. He stared for a good ten seconds, pondering on what type of Pokemorph he wanted to end up as, before finally leaving to go to his new ghost. It wasn't the first time he'd seen a Pokemorph, and if things went his way it'd be far from the last.
For a few moments Jamie looked around, not sure where his new Pokemon would be. For a moment he wondered if he had been duped. At that moment the female, shiny Frillish slowly moved out of the murky water and placed a tentacle on his shoulder. It took a moment for the trainer to realize, and upon doing so he let out a whimper and closed his eyes in fear.
He then realized what was going on, composed himself and turned around. "Ahem." He said. "There was something in my mouth just then. Yeah." The Frillish seemed to look amused, and Jamie grumbled. "You're a shiny, right? You're not gonna get any special treatment on my team because of it, understand?" The Frillish bowed her head. "... And don't attempt to try and frighten me again. It... It won't work!"
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Post by Nimbostratus on Nov 1, 2013 12:51:39 GMT -5
Jolene smiled to herself as Clementine departed. It felt good to be recognized once in a while. As other arrivals began to file in, she greeted each one with a nod - but she, too, had other things to do, and so after a moment she quietly excused herself. Sasha was laughing all the while, his hands positioned as if controlling a marionette, with a Pumpkaboo happily dancing at the end of the 'strings'. But the floral ghost stopped as its eyes fell upon Gertie, and Sasha simply nodded. "Go." And go it did. It made a beeline for Gertie, hopping and hovering, squeaking all the while. It hovered up and up until its jack-o-lantern-like visage was face-to-face with Gertie, and in its adorable voice it exclaimed "Boo!"  Pumpkaboo likes Gertie! <3[img]http://i.imgur.com/VXmLV1S.png[/img] (or) [img]http://i.imgur.com/8lEH2Wg.png[/img]
[b]Name[/b]: ?
[b]Species[/b]: (Shiny?) Pumpkaboo
[b]Gender[/b]: ?
[b]Ability[/b]: Pickup or Frisk or Insomnia
[b]Level[/b]: 5
[b]Friendship[/b]: 5
[b]Moves[/b]: Trick, Astonish, Confuse Ray, Scary Face
[b]Nature[/b]: ?
[b]Met[/b]: Buteston Festival of Death @ lvl 5 |
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