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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2023 0:54:16 GMT 9
I'll be in Route 1 if you say yes.
Kallisto buried his face onto his knees; his whole body curled forward as he waited underneath a birchwood tree in a clearing near the designated tall grass. It appeared that the effect of turning literally everything around him into corruption had passed for the mean time - every now and then he would glance at the ground he sat on and the green blades around him - yes, they were still green, still vibrant. The incessant itching also seemed lesser today, but he was still afraid of bringing Aegis out of his Poke Ball.
Thankfully, the little penguin accepted his new appearance, expressing his relief that he wasn't getting thrown out or something like that. He felt guilty for pushing him away so suddenly, but the Pokemon was also perceptive enough to notice that there was something clearly wrong. If possible, he didn't want to rely on Aegis to get it out of his system, but there didn't seem to be a clear way to unequip it other than replacing it with another class, and for that to work, he needed to follow some very specific conditions...
Whatever the case, he also wasn't quite sure he decided to message this player he met on a whim. Step-sibling would've been the more logical option since they were not a newbie, but he could already imagine the scolding he would get from deliberately not following their warning. Thus, the only person he could think to reach out to was...
How was she going to react to his appearance now? Would it be too unbelievable for him to say that he picked out this avatar for no good reason? Any veteran player would know that such a drastic change in looks was only possible by "reverting to default", which meant that it was closest to how he actually looked like. He scowled, knowing full well that this just made the divide between virtual and reality all the more blurry, but he wanted to erase the first avatar as much as possible, and this seemed to be the option that had the most change.
He grimaced, unable to enjoy the beautiful scenery around him.
ENTERING THE TALL GRASS!
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odile
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The Tempest
Round 2
Posts: 125
Trainer Class: 
Player Name: Claudia Kingsley
OOC Username: mar
Arena Points: 20
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Post by odile on Jun 26, 2023 7:27:17 GMT 9
yeah, we can meet up! been a bit!
i'll be at route 1 in a few. mercurio is gonna be really happy to see aegis. 💙🐸🐧
If Odile was going to say the truth? She wasn't completely sure that Kallisto would message her back after they did that tutorial quest. Not because they were completely incompatible or anything like the sort; he just kinda seemed more interested to do things on his lonesome. Which hey! That was fine! Some folks were just like that. Odile wasn't going to fault him for that, but his messages made the corners of her lips twitch into a smile.
She hadn't forgotten her promise. Still had to answer his question after all.
With that in mind, a pep in her step and a released Froakie by her side, it was go time.
The route was quiet, beyond the sounds of Pokemon that faded the more she walked along. Her minimap was on the side, eyes flickering up every so often, watching the blue-colored dot that signified Kallisto. "What do you think he wants?" Mercurio asked her, hopping in front of Odile. "Maybe it's just to hang out? We are friends after all." Odile answered, chuckling with a shrug of her shoulders. "Doesn't have to be so complex. Though with him? I imagine it's maybe something meant for two people."
A hand quickly swiped her minimap down, no UI around as she caught sight of him. Though... where was that elaborate outfit of his? Why was he... hunched over like that?
"Kallisto?" Odile called out, approaching slowly; that had to be him right? The marker said as much, but...? Something wasn't quite right. Mercurio went from leading to trailing behind, eyeing him gingerly as he poked a head from her leg. "Hey, it's me, Odile! Are uh... you okay? Did something happen?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2023 7:59:08 GMT 9
The UI of a chatbox hovered in front of him, and Kallisto wondered if they were already close enough to have nicknames. He supposed it was just in Odile's nature to be overly friendly, and it wasn't like he hadn't met people like this before, it just so happened that he was not in the mood to match her energy (would he ever be? Even he struggled to be outgoing in real life, honestly. Him performing with his voice was always behind a screen or a pane of glass, so it wasn't like he was interacting with people face to face). He also did watch Odile's marker approach him, but he didn't bother to even think about moving until he saw her in his line of vision, and even then he only pushed himself to stand after she asked if he was okay.
Well, he was far from it, that was why he messaged. Kallisto rubbed the back of his head, not making eye contact. What should he say first? ❝I'm answering your question. From last time.❞ he would be noticeably shorter than his previous avatar, and his voice wasn't as deep. This was how he naturally sounded like, but it wouldn't be difficult to put on Alexander's voice again if he was asked to do so. His hair was a little messy, and there might've even been a stray leaf on it that he didn't notice. Gold eyes watched Odile and the frog close to her; again, he was uncertain about letting Aegis out. Maybe a little later if he kept his distance.
❝Wait, don't move closer. I...maybe it's faster if you check my profile.❞ he was referring to the subclass that had forcibly latched onto him, true to its name. Truthfully, it would be better if she kept her distance too, in fear that the parasite may rear its ugly head at any time. But then he didn't know what to say, for it was not exactly a casual conversation if people were standing so far apart. Why did he call her here? It felt like he was wasting her time. |
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odile
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The Tempest
Round 2
Posts: 125
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Claudia Kingsley
OOC Username: mar
Arena Points: 20
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Post by odile on Jun 28, 2023 23:03:58 GMT 9
Oh a lot more changed than she thought. He even looked shorter, now that she had a closer look at him. Did he completely redo his avatar? Compared to before, he just... kinda looked like a normal guy.
I'm answering your question. From last time.
Right, theater. Odile wasn't the smartest girl around, she knew that well enough, but she wasn't an idiot. She could put two and two together. "So not in theater huh?" A lighthearted tone still infected her words, the corners of her lips tugging into a tiny smile. "And here I was, going to give you the benefit of the doubt."
And then he said not to come closer. Check his... profile? Something was wrong. Kallisto never struck her as a cuddly type or whatever, but he also didn't seem the type to be all angsty and push folks away. However, her feet kept planted as she did as he asked, taking a moment to navigate the menu to access it. The profile gave out the basic information; name, amount of Pokemon, subclass... wait, what the hell was this subclass?
Parasite?
Odile turned to him, lips parted, trying to figure out how she was going to approach this. "Kallisto... what happened?" Slow, but constant, she began to step towards him, concern coloring her voice. "Why does it say... Parasite...?" |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2023 23:38:38 GMT 9
He shook his head, ❝Not quite.❞ but that was not the question he was thinking of. Well, it didn't matter, there was no need to mention it. Instead, he was studying her reaction, wondering if she was going to run the moment she realized what had happened. Then again, would she know? She likely didn't, since she didn't look like someone who would willingly go to Mistra. She looked like someone who cared for her Pokemon, much more than he did, anyway.
But his eyes widened when she started to walk closer. Slowly, but she was. ❝Wait--❞ he raised his hand, trying to discourage her, but it was a weak response; he could feel beads of sweat roll down his skin. ❝I...don't know, but it's here. I don't know how to get rid of it. That's why...❞ he was scared. He made a terrible decision to message her. He should've just figured out how to do this himself. Why did he get her involved? He had no clue what this parasite did outside of Mistra, for he could always feel it sticking to him, lying in wait. Was it contagious, did it spread through contact? There were so many unknowns...
❝I know I could've said this through a message, but I just...wanted to warn you. About Mistra.❞ and he wasn't sure if he should really meet others until he figured out how to take it out. |
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odile
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The Tempest
Round 2
Posts: 125
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Claudia Kingsley
OOC Username: mar
Arena Points: 20
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Post by odile on Jun 30, 2023 0:59:27 GMT 9
Mistra. She had heard of it; whenever she went into the big map, she could see the different areas of the game currently available, and Mistra was among them. Listed as impassable though, so she didn't think too much of it. The area just wasn't ready yet, but would be eventually. He had... gone there? What possessed him to? And now... he got this parasite thing form there?
What was in there then?
Her steps eventually lead to being next to him, knees bending as Odile kneeled down, her face still soft and gentle as morning dew. Whatever fears she had was shut behind her expression, only offering him some support. He clearly needed it. "I appreciate the warning Kallisto, I do. Listen, I don't know what's in there, but I won't go if you don't want me to." Odile began, faintly feeling the small pads of Mercurio as he hopped onto her, clambering up onto her shoulder. He took carried concern, though... the Froakie would be remiss to say it was more so centered around her than him.
"But we gotta do something about this parasite. I know you said you didn't know how to get rid of it, but we can figure something out right?" A two-fold offer, as her hand was left outstretched for him to take. "There's gotta be people that know more about it. Players and NPCs. Places we can go to? I don't think it's anything that's unfixable Kallisto. You're still here after all."
She remembered her hospitals stays well; maybe a bit too well. How so many had spoken lowly in hallways, thinking the young girl couldn't hear them as they spoke prospects. How it didn't seem like she would have much of a life outside of the sterilized walls. How she still defied them all.
Why couldn't he as well? |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2023 12:41:02 GMT 9
He thought something was going to happen, that something might possess him and lash out for some reason, but there was...nothing? Had he been imagining everything this whole time? He had been closing his eyes tightly, trembling, remembering the melt, the dripping of flesh. Her voice was calm, and he tried to use that to ground him. Right, he took a deep breath, this wasn't a horror game, and as far as he knew, he did not feel any inkling of losing control here.
❝Yeah don't. Definitely not worth it, if you don't want something personal creeping up on you. I really don't know how they did that, but it was a fucking low blow. They somehow took something from my dreams...❞ to this day he would wonder if he was hallucinating the whole thing or they were really able to get his memories somehow, but it was a risk that he didn't want Odile to take. Everyone had secrets they didn't want others to know.
But he was surprised that she wanted to help, that she offered in his pitiful state. It was a logical solution, a seemingly simple answer, but here he was wallowing and being useless. He could feel his throat getting dry and his eyes a little wet, yet he really didn't want to cry here. ❝Ah...sorry, I...❞ he took a deep breath, noting her extended hand. Was something going to happen if he took it? Would the parasite jump out of his skin and infect Odile? Or could it only possess people in Mistra? There were so many unknowns...
Yet he took it. Nothing happened. He was trembling ever so slightly. ❝...you're right. Fuck. I should be asking people, though that NPC who was dealing with the corruption was certainly of no help.❞ he let out a frustrated noise. ❝I almost lost Aegis in there. I guess the silver lining is that it hit me and not him instead.❞ he rubbed his eyes for a moment, trying to get his bearings.
❝...also, you're not theatre, right? Are you some kind of idol undercover?❞ this was in reference to the answer that he had yet to receive for his question, though he wasn't sure if she remembered. Well, it wouldn't matter if she answered. Maybe the less one shared about themselves in UNOVR, the better, but it wasn't like he shared much about himself and the corruption was able to swallow him anyway. Their presence here was already enough, it looked like... |
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odile
•
The Tempest
Round 2
Posts: 125
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Claudia Kingsley
OOC Username: mar
Arena Points: 20
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Post by odile on Jul 2, 2023 22:08:57 GMT 9
Her lips wanted to flatline the more he spoke and explained it all. Took something from his... dreams? But how? How was that possible? She doesn't know too much about the actual back-end of how UNOVR works (too much being nothing at all) but it does have to draw a lot from you yourself for inputs huh? Regardless, whatever Kallisto went through clearly did a number on him. He was so sure of him when she had met him. Now look at him. Almost a different person.
Almost. She can still see the groundwork that was still 'him' per say. Even if he had changed completely, would that change her friendship with him?
"Hey hey, it's alright..." Odile quietly uttered, smiling more as he took her hand. Her squeezed his, tugging lightly as to get him back onto his feet. Kallisto just looked a little bit too sad, a little bit too lonely on the ground. He deserved to stand on his own two feet with someone along his side. "You did great, and I know Aegis appreciated that you tried to save him. What happened back there is now in the past, and we're gonna move forward now to get rid of this parasite. We're gonna take it in steps, okay?"
So sure that NPC wasn't that helpful, but surely some other players know about this right? There were resources out there. Kallisto couldn't be the only one with this thing, right? Hopefully not. Or, well, Odile hoped no one else was dealing with this, but if they were, they would probably know about this thing? So then maybe—
—So wrapped up in her thoughts, she almost missed Kallisto's question. "Huh?" Violet eyes blinked twice, before chuckling and shaking her head. "No! Oh heavens no. I'm a ballerina! So like I said, theater adjacent." People could argue it was a form of theater; she preformed in one, they told stories like they did. Just by dance rather than saying or singing. "You didn't even get to let me say it last time! I would have if you didn't run off you know."
Not so secretly, she hoped this little distraction would help too. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2023 16:14:31 GMT 9
A part of Kallisto wondered if Odile was just pretending to be as nice as she was. It wasn't like anything prompted it: it was more of like...she was just really, really nice. And for a moment it made him doubt, because the world was normally not nice, not as nice as this, anyway. Maybe it was because they were in a game that she was acting nicely, or maybe that was really how she was, and in a world like Pokemon, people can leave behind the ugliness of real life...or so he thought, anyway, before the parasite jumped on him.
Odile was being very optimistic about it being in the past, though. It was wholly possible that he would have to venture in there again in hopes of removing it, or it was also possible that the parasite already inside of him was worming its way through his avatar, eventually taking over and, he didn't know, turn him into a zombie or something? Was there any precedent of that happening? It wasn't like customer service was helpful when he asked about it via email. All they said that it was a feature, not a bug...(was the whole getting into their memories a part of it too?)
But she was right, there was really little else to do but figure out what to do next, as he had agreed to.
❝Oh...that makes sense. I can see it.❞ he didn't have any deeper meaning behind it; the thought of her doing ballet on stage just seemed to suit her. He then rubbed the back of his head, looking bashful. ❝Sorry, I remembered I had something to do.❞ it felt like that was such a long time ago that he couldn't even remember what it was. It was rather insignificant, he thought, just some errand in the real world. Or maybe what was bugging him at the time was something else? That seemed about right.
❝I'm glad that you decided to meet up with me anyway, even if I was kind of cold. I thought that's how I wanted that character to be like, but it was bothering me, so I ditched it.❞ he was a little surprised that she hadn't commented on his current look. It was certainly more plain than how Alexander looked like, and he wondered if that affected how she saw him (okay, it very likely did, but in what way? Well, he was already acting rather pathetic a while ago...ugh, maybe he should stop thinking about it before he put himself down more).
He was thinking of what else to say before he thought he heard something rustle nearby. Hmmm, he did ask them to meet in Route 1, perhaps this place wasn't as deserted as he thought? How nice for the game to let them talk before sending a spawn out to meet them, though. Maybe they were listening in. |
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odile
•
The Tempest
Round 2
Posts: 125
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Claudia Kingsley
OOC Username: mar
Arena Points: 20
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Post by odile on Jul 21, 2023 22:28:41 GMT 9
So it was just a persona Kallisto was playing as. Now that she thought about it, it made sense. People loved to make all sorts of different characters for games like this. In a place where you can be anyone, why not be someone different? That had been what she did on the stage after all. Maybe not with words, but with her costumes and dances. They still played their roles. It was part of the reason why Claudia had actually made Odile so close to herself; so much of her time was getting into the mindset of another character. It was nice to just be her for a change. Just with some extras here and there.
"Hey it's okay. I didn't mind too too much. Does explain the get-up." A hand waved over him, towards the far more normal clothes he had on. "I think I like this a bit better, if you want me to be honest. It's a bit more... true to yourself, I guess you can say? I think that just suits you. It's not easy staying in character all the time. Trust me, I know."
A bit easier when Odile didn't have to speak in the role though, she'll admit that much.
The rustling took her attention, Mercurio already moving off of her and back onto the grassy ground, looking right at where it was coming from. "I think we got a visitor, Kal. Come on. We don't have that Porygon giving us a tutorial anymore. This should be easy." Odile flashed him a smile, Mercurio in position. It was literally Route 1, the easiest it could ever be. Beyond the tutorial of course, but this should be in the bag. They were clearly better than before. "Let's do it together." |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2023 22:47:08 GMT 9
ooc: summoning angst...
Kallisto let out a small laugh, but it wasn't exactly amused, more of remorseful about how he had acted previously. Odile wasn't far off, actually. He was trying to act more like how he imagined this other self to be like. Well, to call Alexander another self was not the most accurate. He "moved" the model and spoke through him, changing his voice to do so, but...what of his personality outside the random lore assigned to him? Was that still him, just a part of it? A sliver shown on screen? And he thought that maybe he could figure out what he wanted from Alexander here, but that only ended up being mean and cold and at the very least, Remmiel knew he was not like that.
❝I guess you've had your fair share of masks? It doesn't look like you have one on right now, though.❞ unless he was wrong, which he could've been. It was very easy to lie in UNOVR, but he thought to trust her. ❝'Twas silly of me to think that the game is about playing pretend. Everything feels a little too blurred to real life for me to do it well.❞ even if he had voice acted a couple of times, there was a clear disconnect between who he was voicing and who he was. In here, in the deep dive, looking at his own hands, arms, clothes...it was hard. It felt like an extension of himself.
❝Heh, I'm not worried about the spawn.❞ and they were two against one. ❝I almost feel sorry for it.❞ he let out a sharp exhale. ❝And I won't leave after we catch it this time.❞ his hand hovered over the Poke Balls, thinking to send out Aegis, for Kallisto knew next to nothing about Pokemon typing, and the little penguin was his most staunch ally.
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