Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Nov 18, 2010 10:59:37 GMT -8
Sofia woke up in the middle of seemingly nowhere, finding herself on the ground. It took her a moment to shake off her dizzyness before she sat up in panic and looked around. Where was she!? Where were her guards? Had she been abducted after all? Finding at least her parasol by her side, she gripped the handle hard, ready to stab anyone attacking her. But after nothing happened for a few seconds, she allowed herself to relax a bit. The woods looked nothing like the forest near the mansion, but she had never ventured far into them anyway, so that was probably the whole reason. " Hello?" Sofia finally dared to call out, but no one answered. Had the guards chased her kidnappers and they had abandoned her? Most likely. Then she just had to get out of here. She got up and tried to brush all dirt from her dress. She would have to switch clothes as soon as she got home. Getting dirty, ugh! These kidnappers would pay for ruining a perfectly fine dress! Sofia started walking, not really sure of the direction, but at least there was some kind of path. However, said path led her to a building after only a few meters. Sofia paled. Was this the kidnapper's hideout?! Maybe she should run into the opposite direction? Then again, it didn't really look like a hideout to begin with. But who would live in the forest like that? It also didn't really look like the buildings in the village... Well, she was well known and she was sure everyone would help her for a reward. Deciding to risk it, Sofia carefully pushed the door open and slipped inside quietly. The interior wasn't was she had expected at all and she was so stunned that she forgot to call out at all.
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Post by Taya on Nov 18, 2010 17:55:56 GMT -8
There was no real need for Sofia to call out, for Maevia was already fully aware of the presence of another human. Within moments, the Gardevoir appeared from one of the many doorways, though she had been in the kitchen rather than in her office this time around. Even Pokemon professors had to eat on a regular basis. "Why hello there," the psychic Pokemon greeted when she saw the young woman standing with a stunned expression on her face. "May I help you?"
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Nov 18, 2010 18:36:49 GMT -8
Sofia almost shrieked when someone suddenly appeared and that someone was...yeah, what exactly was that woman? At least she sounded like a woman and slightly looked like one. But other than that, Sofia had never seen anyone like her. Maybe it was a costume?
At least she sounded nice. And that dress, while certainly interesting in terms of matching the current fashion, looked rather elegant, so the woman was probably of higher social standing and not a commoner - and she certainly didn't sound like a kidnapper. But that didn't help much, as Sofia was actually still a bit frightened by her appearance.
Manners came first, though. Sofia curtseyed. "Good day, Madam. I am Sofia, as you are probably aware, seeing how famous my father is around these parts. That said, I believe I have been abducted. Surely you wouldn't mind calling someone to bring me home with a carriage, if you do not possess one of your own? My father will surely reward you for your troubles."
Then, a thought came to her mind. "...Unless, of course, you are a friend or part of the criminals who abducted me. Seeing as you are obviously wearing a costume, I can't deny you are suspicious." She gripped her parasol harder. "If you are, I promise you there will be consequences. My father will find me for sure, I guarantee you that and then you will be in trouble."
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Post by Taya on Nov 23, 2010 2:29:39 GMT -8
Had Maevia been a human, she would have very likely raised an eyebrow at Sofia in curiosity. She may have seen some pretty unusual things and heard some pretty unusual stories, but the human before her now was different from anyone else that she could recall meeting. And, really, she could just about recall every new trainer that she encountered at the laboratory. She had to, for one, and, for two, it was just like her to do so.
The psychic Pokemon remained perfectly silent, an excellent listener, as Sofia spoke but, when all was said and done, the professor couldn't help but chuckle. Oh, the poor young woman. It was clear to Maevia that the human before her was far away from her comfort zone now, only that the Sofia was not yet aware of this. Maevia wondered how she was to start...
"Pardon me," she said, having stopped her chuckling long before she spoke. Rather than curtsying, she bowed in an elegant manner. Curtsying, while very possible, was awkward for her, since she rarely ever did such a thing. "My name is Maevia and I can assure you that I am no kidnapper," she spoke kindly, still, but it was almost offensive to think that someone expected her of doing any ill. She wore a smile, despite this. "I'm afraid I do not know who you are, nor your father, nor do I have a carriage to provide you. Had I, however, I would offer it. This is simply laboratory of mine, connected to home. I am a professor, you see."
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Nov 23, 2010 3:04:04 GMT -8
Sofia was not happy when she got chuckled at, but then the other woman bowed and this assured Sofia at least a bit that she probably was indeed dealing with someone who was not a normal commoner. Good. Kidnappers were not as sophisticated as that - right? So for now Sofia decided to believe Maevia that she wasn't a kidnapper.
Still, that left her with one question: Why did Maevia not know her father or her? Everyone in the town and around it did and surely, she couldn't be that far from home...
"My father is Sherman Jalepeno Viviage", she tried again. "Surely you must have heard of him? We are living in the town of Sharance. Are these not the woods around the town?" There was no sense to bring her far away from home if the kidnappers wanted to trade her for money, right? She sighed. This all was so very strange.
"And you are a professor? A professor of what? I must say, your costume is certainly strange, while being pretty at the same time. My sister is into fashion design and has made some rather strange things in the past, but this is unlike even her creations. What kind of studies could need this kind of clothes?" Sofia nodded. "You must understand that while I want to trust you, it is hard for me to do so when you are hiding your face behind a mask." The costume did look incredible natural, though...
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Post by Taya on Nov 28, 2010 2:10:41 GMT -8
All of Sofia's words could only make Maevia frown and, as the human went on, her frown would deepen even more. Had Sofia even thought about this once, how could she so easily see Maevia's mouth and eyes if she was under the impression that the Gardevoir was wearing a costume? Oh no... It was then that the psychic Pokemon suspected that, perhaps, this was another human that was somehow unaware of humans. She really would have to track down the legendaries and find out what in Latios' name they were doing! If they really were snatching up humans from other worlds...
"I must apologize to you once again, but no, I do not recollect your father's name. I am afraid I also do not know of any place referred to as Sharance. The closest town to this forest is called Ruelda." Here, Maevia sighed. "I must tell you, you are far from the first to end up lost in these woods."
It was difficult enough to confront someone that was already used to Pokemon, yet the young woman before her believed that she was merely in costume. That being the case, Maevia wasn't sure exactly how to approach the situation.
"I am a Pokemon Professor," she finally stated, simply going with the truth. "I am a Professor that studies Pokemon, though it is usually a human's job. I am not in a costume... I am a Pokemon, a creature that usually has some unusual powers, a Gardevoir, specifically." Oh yes, she was just throwing it all out onto the table.
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Dec 1, 2010 19:33:44 GMT -8
Sofia was aware of the fact that she was obviously upsetting the other woman a bit, but didn't really care that much. At least not until she was told that she was in a place she had never heard about. "Ruelda?" Where could that be? "I've never heard of that town before!" She was starting to become really, really scared right now. "H-how did I end up here? Is this not the kingdom of Norad anymore?!" No panic, no panic! She had to remain calm...but what could that mean? Was she supposed to be sold as a slave to somewhere?!
And as if that wouldn't be enough, Maevia continued on. Sofia stared. That was not a costume? "A...Pokémon?" she repeated slowly. Then she stared some more. That had to be a joke, right? She had never heard of such creatures before, but that...not-costume was pretty convincing. "Are you something like an elf?" Except that elves looked like humans with pointed ears and that Maevia looked vastly different. "Or are you something like a super-smart animal?" Well, that probably didn't sound very nice, but Sofia was really beyond caring at this point. Where, in the world, was she?!
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Post by Taya on Dec 1, 2010 19:47:41 GMT -8
Maevia only shook her head, having gained that feeling that Sofia was not used to hearing bad news, nor was she terribly used to having to show other beings too much respect. Oh, the wonders of being a psychic Pokemon and, in her case, being one of those Pokemon well tuned to the emotions of other living beings. If anyone ever considered it, perhaps that was one of the reasons a Gardevoir was selected for the role of Professor, well, maybe. After all, she never spoke of how it came to be.
"We are in the region known as Trilotics," she said shortly, preferring not to go into too many details. Sofia seemed not to handle details and this could be a very fragile conversation to begin with. Shorter may have been the better method. "You could consider us 'super-smart animals,' for the sake of your lack of knowledge on us, though some of us look closer to human and some of us are much more wise than even humans. We have powers, too, that make us stronger than most humans. However, our kind and human kind live together here. We work together and our kind chooses to befriend and become loyal to many humans."
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Dec 1, 2010 19:55:15 GMT -8
Trilotics? Sofia had never before heard of this region! That wasn't even on a map! She was close to simply dismissing all of this as a trick someone was playing to her, because, frankly, this probably was all a joke. Maevia seemed honest enough, yes, but this was way too impossible - a never-heard-before kingdom or republic or whatever Trilotics was and then Pokémon...
At least it sounded like these Pokémon were friendly. Like dogs or something, just super-strong...?
"I...I don't understand any of this..." Sofia shook her head. "Who abduced me? Why am I here? Where is 'here'? How do I get home and why is this all so weird and this is all a joke someone is playing on me, right? Right?!" And then Sofia did what she had felt like doing the whole time: She just let herself drop to her knees and cried.
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Post by Taya on Dec 1, 2010 20:10:15 GMT -8
Slowly, through the somewhat impolite and confused emotions that wracked Sofia's frame, the despair began to show itself. When she was done speaking, such emotions showed themselves in a physical manner.
Maevia's eyes grew soft and she stepped forward with her graceful steps. She knelt down, placing a hand on Sofia's shoulder in a gentle, comforting manner. "This must be difficult for you, but I only speak the truth. You are far from the first one to come here this way. Many humans and Pokemon alike have appeared here, taken from their homes without option. You are also not the first to appear that knew not of Pokemon until their arrival."
She waited only moment, allowing her words to, hopefully, sink into the human's mind. "We have beings in this world that we refer to as Legendary Pokemon. They are the most powerful Pokemon of all, some controlling the weather, some creating the land we walk on and the waters that surround us, some just protecting us, and some that we never really see, because they don't live in this world. To us, they are what you might call... gods. We have come to believe that they are the ones to bring everyone and everything here, as there is no other explanation."
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Dec 1, 2010 20:25:28 GMT -8
Sofia forced herself to listen through her sobs. Gods? She was taken here by gods? "W-why me?" she whispered. "I-I've done nothing wrong! I want to go home! Why do your gods do that?!"
What was she supposed to do now, if that was true? Sofia had never been overly interested in religion, but gods surely weren't beings who just came to visit now and then so that she could complain and demand to be taken home.
"W-what must I do to get home?" she asked and looked up to Maevia. She had heard legends where gods tested humans for some reason or other, so this had to be like that, right? "Is this a game or something?! That's...that's cruel! Your gods are criminals! They're abducting people!" Maybe there was some kind of hero running around fighting against the evil gods and rescuing damsels in distress?
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Post by Taya on Dec 1, 2010 20:42:37 GMT -8
"They do it because it is your fate," Maevia said without an ounce of hesitation, her soft voice suddenly going stern. While she wanted to help everyone that was new to the region, some tested her more than others. She had the greatest respect for all the legendary Pokemon and was sure that they had their reasons for what they did. She would not stand for anyone thinking in ill manners about them.
She rose to her feet, looking down at Sofia with a frown. "They are not criminals. It is thanks to them that we are so blessed. They act in this region more than any other, creating it and guiding its inhabitants. Just because your life is now not as you expected, that doesn't make it a terrible thing, nor do you have any right to judge beings you do not know. Perhaps they brought here because of who you are? Have you ever thought that your eyes needed opening?" Maevia suspected that this human girl was very much used to getting what she wanted when she wanted it. It didn't take any real psychic powers, it was written in her tone and wording.
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Dec 1, 2010 20:59:50 GMT -8
"My fate?" Sofia shook her head. "I don't believe in such things." Fate was something commoners complained about when they wondered why they didn't have enough money, or so Sofia had learned from her father. And she wouldn't believe something commoners cared about.
And now she was being scolded. At least that brought some spark of rebellion back and Sofia stood up, too. "Well, so they created this region and then put people here against their will? How is that 'blessed'?! You are right, I don't know your gods, but they are yours and not mine. If they interfere with your life and it makes you happy, so be it, but I don't want or need this! The last time I checked, getting people from their homes without consent is called kidnapping." She wiped her tears away. "Brought me here because of who I am? Well, I certainly am of higher society and my father has money, but I doubt that gods need money anyway. And I have absolutely no idea what you mean with 'my eyes need opening'. I certainly am not that keen on traveling that learning about new species will do me that much good."
She tapped her foot on the ground. "Well, what now? If this is my fate, I probably have to do something or other now, right? Doesn't it work that way? The hero does something, kills the dragon and then returns triumphantly home." She was well aware that she sounded more than mean right now and that Maevia didn't deserve that, but well, she had said her gods abducted people left and right, so she was probably used to hear complaining. Which made Sofia wonder why Maevia liked them so much.
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Post by Taya on Dec 1, 2010 22:21:42 GMT -8
The psychic Pokemon waited as Sofia spoke, not speaking a word, not moving, not even blinking. She stood upright and surprisingly holding pride even as Sofia slandered the legendaries. When, finally, the woman shut her trap, the kind being Maevia was happened to begin slipping away. Her eyes changed from their pale red to something closer to a dark, blood red.
"I will hear no such non-sense out of you, Sofia," the professor finally snapped, her tone unpleasant though she did not yell. Her lack of loudness made it all the more frightening. "You should dare not to insult the legendaries in my presence. You ought to be taught a lesson, but that is not my place. Your money doesn't matter here, nor does your name or the precious name of your father who made you this way. You have not a thing to your own name but the clothes on your back. You aren't high society anymore. In fact, in this current moment, you are the very lowest person in society. Everyone else that has come here in this manner before you at least has money and something more than that to their names," she gestured to Sofia's parasol and dress harshly.
"You need this because your previous lifestyle has blinded you to the harsh reality and true beauty of the world. But you don't believe in fate, right Darling?" She paused only a moment before continuing, "Then get out. I will not help someone who is not willing to help themselves. It is my responsibility to help those that appear, but I may as well make an exception for you. No reason to extend the goodness of my heart to someone who has slandered our kind."
Maevia, while fully aware that it was not her place to play as a god, could not stand for what Sofia had said. She would not take such ill words spoken of all the legendary Pokemon so lightly. Even if it was their choice to bring Sofia here, that did not mean that Maevia was fully obligated to help her. It had been the Professor's choice to help and, should one treat her or anyone badly that deserved respect, then how could they deserve all of her kindness?
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Dec 1, 2010 22:47:20 GMT -8
Sofia listened to the professor without flinching, even though Maevia scared her right now; not so much because of her words but more of how they were said and the darkening of her eyes. Sofia, after all, didn't know anything about Pokémon and she remembered that Maevia had said they were powerful all too well. Then again, she had listened to speeches like the one Maevia was holding often in her life. It seemed that, after all, Maevia was a commoner. Or whatever. Sofia didn't really know which position Pokémon were holding in this society, but she understood pretty quickly what happened.
When Maevia finished, Sofia nodded haughtily. "I see. Because these gods are of your kind, as you said, you feel the need to defend them even if they are far from just. I see there is nothing to gain from taking to you. I will instead search out humans then who are not bound by species to someone doing criminal deeds."
Sofia had to admit, Maevia's talk of her father's name not mattering here at all and her not having any money with her worried Sofia, but then again, Maevia obviously had no idea of human clothing. "This, by the way, is finest silk." She gestured towards her dress. "Even selling the ribbon in my hair is bound to net me enough money to find some means of transportation home. The world is only so large and someone will surely be able to take me home."
She opened her parasol. How could Maevia dare to insult such a beautiful accessory? No sense of fashion, after all. "Well, I shall take my leave then. Good day."
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