Welcome to Gaia! ::

"If I said yes, would you believe me?" Paul grunted, not really caring. They had a few options now, and they all needed to discuss it. First things first, though.

"Alright, buddy, disembark. We've brought you to Riverdale. You folks, I leave him in your capable hands. He wants to heal his pokémon. I don't know his legal status and frankly, I don't care. Willam, here's your crap back," Paul told him, unbelting and detaching all of Willam's miscellaneous garbage and handing it back to him. As promised. He, of course, waited for the criminal(?) to move a safe distance away before committing to this transaction.

"Juno, Willam, I'm going to let you make the decision on this one. I have a couple things to take care of while I'm in town. I'd like to check on my house, but there's probably not time. Anyway, we need to decide on whether or not we're gonna go chasing after them. I leave it to you two to figure out the plan." Paul then stepped aside, grabbing one of the Minutemen. "I need to talk to a superior just briefly."

Ulysses watched the young ones leave somewhat sadly; he had yet to speak to any of them. Still, they were restless, and had been through much it seemed. If their journeys had been anything at all like his, it was very likely it had been far more harrowing for all of them than aging Shonevsky and his pokéclan.

He finished his glass of water before looking to Nayana with his natural smile. "Mm. Well, I do what I can, ma'am." He followed her gesture toward Dr. Bogdan and his eyes immediately lit up. How had he not seen the fellow sooner? Ulysses rose to his feet with a faint sigh, which he realized was probably more out of habit than any real strain- the flower's impact was still felt. "Why yes I do." Then, in a much louder tone so that the other men could hear him. "Doctor Andrej Bogdan." The ether specialist approached with a congenial expression. "It's been... quite some time, I believe."

At least before the Calamity, to be certain. Nothing more than an academic relationship- and even then, it had been limited. Most interaction had occurred because they both knew someone: Professor Beatrice Oak.

Flora didn't move, still staring at her. I wasn't much, but he tried to make her gaze softer, trying to share her compassion with Alex. But she seemed almost... scared of her. Lorenzo laughed to himself under his breath.

Still got the social skills of a walnut despite your efforts, huh?

Lorenzo was walking a few steps behind Alex when she turned around and stated the news of the Exterminant. He scratched the crown of his head. Exterminants. He didn't know much about them, but he did know enough to know that he didn't want to bump into one. Flora, however, didn't know much about what Exterminants were, and padded along next to Alex. Or at least she tried. Before she could take three steps, a Sentret came out of nowhere towards her, examined her, then ran away before she could react. She shook her head in confusion, and tried to make her way back to Alex. Only to be stopped again. Except this time it was Lorenzo scooping her into his arms and cradling her like a child with her forelegs slung over his back.

"Flora, that's enough. I see what you're doing, but those kinds of problems need to work themselves out on their own."

Lorenzo lied. He wanted just as much as Flora to reach out to Alex and hug her until she felt better. He suddenly stopped himself.

Wait. Why would I even think of hugging her...?

He thought it was probably because of Maddie. She had been in a similar if not the same predicament, and that had marked him for years. He frowned at the word he used so much.

Had.

A word to remind him of all the other "had"s in his life. He suddenly didn't mind having Flora slung over his shoulder anymore. She was light compared to the rest of the things he held inside. He held her in place with one arm while he stuffed the second's hand into a jacket pocket. Flora remained silent as she contemplated how she should get to Alex.

Lorenzo followed Gerard when he made the motion to move onto his house until they rounded the corner and told he and Lexi what they were to do. When he left, Lorenzo sighed.

"Please tell me you remember the directions. I have a horrible sense of direction."

As Alex came 'round the corner to a small open area between the buildings of Glenville, she saw the fiery-headed Exterminant agent devouring an apple ravenously. The bulky woman had snatched the fruit on her way back here, hungry as she was.

Upon seeing Alex, she sneered. "You, girl. Come here." She waited until Alex made her way over to her before throwing the apple core over her shoulder. "What's the situation like around here? I'm looking for troops and supplies to stage an attack, so hurry up and report." Standing so close to her, Alex could feel the threatening aura that poured off of the one-eyed woman.

Lexi grimaced slightly as Alex lectured her. “I am used to it. I just still don’t like it, so I mess with my computer until things get interesting again.” She laughed though when she got poked in the shoulder. “Yeah, that much I know I have. At this point I’d have to be an idiot to not see that.” Her eyes then slipped to the ground as a certain bad-tempered fox decided to…quit being bad tempered? So far the pokemon had bitten or snapped at everything that moved anywhere near her, but Alex seemed to be the exception. Alex still seemed nervous though. “I don’t think she wants to bite you…actually, I think she kinda likes you...”

The girl frowned though as Alex told her she was leaving to pee…the woman may have spent a long time living in the wilderness, but who would choose an unknown potty or a random section of pavement, when one that had to be at least reasonable was nearby?… Yeah, Lexi didn’t believe it for a second and looked askance at Alex, which seemed to work, as the woman changed her story. The truth was uglier, but Lexi was definitely glad Alex had told them, though she couldn’t help looking around when Alex said she had seen part of the Exterminant…

Lexi took the controller from Alex and immediately started looking it over out of habit. There didn’t seem to be any sound controls, so she doubted the device could transmit sound, but other than that it was a nifty little gadget…However, a new toy couldn’t completely dampen Lexi’s view of the older girl’s plan, and she glared. It had been a long time since Lexi believed in what Alex said about her life being so much more important. She had been worse than Alex so far…she’d been a lousy guide, and a liability in every fight…and at least Gerard was carrying important data…when she got back to the lab, she was fully expecting to be told to return home…possibly minus Phoenix. However, she could tell Alex was set in her choice to try and go this alone, so she didn’t say anything.

At least until she was gone and Gerard decided to chase after her. She grabbed the boy by an ear. “Oh, no you don’t…First of all, I am not going to be the one telling your ‘rents that you can’t be there because you’re off somewhere you’re likely to get yourself killed. Second of all, I’m not just watching on some two-bit video screen while my best friend in many years goes and faces off with some goddamn Exterminant idiot, while my second best friend follows her into the Entei’s den. And third, a day’s rations says I can stay hidden as well as you can…Didn’t keep the ‘net back home up and running by listening to the no trespassing signs, I can tell you that much…and besides who else would cover your a**?” Yes, hide and seek was her game…hide and seek tag too if necessary.

She smiled at Lorenzo when he asked about directions, and nodded in the direction Gerard left in. “That way.” She didn’t know Glenville like Gerard, but she was good at remembering paths that she had taken, and she melted into the shadows letting her ears see what her eyes couldn’t, until she saw the barrel Gerard had climbed up on. Instead of climbing there however, she picked a different roof. She didn’t need to see, as she had the giddy-cam for that, she only needed to hear, and while she knew the limits of her skills, she couldn’t say the same about Lorenzo. She settled in against a ridge that was the closest thing to a railing for her roof. From her perch, she could see Gerard, and therefore he could see her if he looked hard enough, but any view of Alex and her ‘friend’ was blocked, though she could hear unless things got too quiet.

[[Sorry this took a bit...school started for me today, so there's been a lot of moving and driving and me not posting in my RPs lately...]]

(Sorry for the major delay! Without further ado, my much tardy return post! sweatdrop )

Thomas has eaten his meal in almost complete silence, watching the others with suspicion. It had been a while since he had eaten at a table for a proper meal with other people, but he had not forgotten his manners and did his best to be polite and to ignore any curious looks at the way he wore his headband. The food was good and the people around the table seemed friendly enough, but Thomas had learned not to put yourself out too far too soon over the years. Once all the food was done, all the 'non adults' were scurried outside. He promptly snuck back in, admittedly feeling far more comfortable near the doctor after seeing the impressive display of power before. He stood silently in the doorway outside of the kitchen, doing his best not to be noticed. He wasn't really eavesdropping, he just didn't socialize well. Nevertheless when Ulysses addressed Dr. Bogdan, Thomas couldn't help but turn his head towards the two gentlemen. It seemed the doctor had met this man before? He was admittedly curious about the old man, but would this be the right way to find out?

Unfortunately he would probably never find out as he leaned forward just a little too much in his moment of curiosity, and his presence in the room was quickly revealed to anyone who hadn't already realized he was behind the door.

"...Excuse me." he muttered with a cough, "I was looking for the bathroom and got lost..."

It was a weak excuse at best, but it wasn't as if they had been discussing important matters so hopefully the reprimand would be small.

((I AM THE FOOL. IGNORE MY LAST POSTINGSES.))

Vivian had to actually hold in the urge to laugh as Maddy revealed her goat-throwing experiences. Just what was up with this woman? Vivian tensed again, however, as Smiffy began morphing, but that was a bust; he just reverted to normal form. Grudgingly agreeing to not point her gun at Maddy, Vivian nonetheless did not relax in the slightest.

She growled low in her throat. "Don't you condescend me like that, you runt," Vivian said darkly. "I'm on the run. My team got completely destroyed by the Exterminant, so I need to figure out a way to get out of here without the same happening to me." She didn't mention her long-term goal of returning to exterminate the Exterminant, because...well, why would she?

((Jeez, no need to apologize for every delay! XD We all have difficulties, and I'm certainly not regular with postings. Anyways, please welcome Windfiar *applause* who will be playing a veteran by the name of Ryan E. Ramsden. On another note, be keeping track of your AP - I have been updating them with decent regularity, so when you want to spend them, let me know.))

The woman who had caught Alex's eye watched the girl's face intently as she spoke, seeking out every lingering twitch and every facet of her expressions and tone. As close as she was, Alex had almost no choice but to recognize this woman as the Bishop Sarah Amlund. "At least you're off the drugs, for now. Although you'll need some if you're going to survive; you know as well as I do they're the only reason you're alive now. I invented them.

"I am here to intercept the children and take them to the Reverend, for the good of all souls. Your assignment is to stay here and infiltrate the security so our brothers and sisters have the advantage during the second wave. We will..." She smirked. "Exterminate the heathens of this pathetic smudge, and seize control of the Oaks." Her face and her intonation were clipped and demanding. They were those of a superior who expected nothing but compliance.

Overhead, Lorenzo began to hear the dull shudders and shakes of something heavy ascending to his hideout. Three slate ridges crested the edge of the roof, followed by a softly-molded, granite skull with the marked, extended shape characteristic of a machop. As the thing placed its tremendous arms on the edges of the roof and hoisted itself up, though, the machoke fully revealed itself. Immediately, it held up a pacifying hand and put a finger to its lips - as though it were a master of stealth itself. It then pantomimed injecting itself with a needle, paused, formed an X with its arms, and shook its head. It then made the same injecting motion, pointed at Lorenzo, and drew a finger across its throat.

---

Willam was momentarily stunned, once again, after the hug. He had watched Juno visit her family's graves with a kind of awkward detachment. He hadn't been in contact with his family for a long time, and Juno's first hug had let loose a flood of memories of his mother such that he was in a dazed state as she paid her respects. In short, when she asked, his hands went to the knife he'd taken off one of the Minutemen and he started toying with it, passing it from hand to hand. "I... dunno. I kinda planned on, y'know, just stayin' with you and that jarhead. But..." He looked at her intently. "You ain't staying with him, are you? He'd toss me under a bus and sell you for a new gun. The guy's a mercenary; you saw what he did t' what's-'er-name, Jñan. He ain't got morals, but he ain't got no morals like I ain't got no morals. I ain't gonna sell you." He smirked, the greasiness leaking back into his expression after his childish confusion. "I'll steal you and anyone lookin' at you blind, but I ain't gonna putcha through more'n the Haven." It seemed to be his attempt to be friendly, although it came off strangely; it was clear his primary attempts at amiability had been sycophancy, to get another host or another piece of bait.

---

Paul, meanwhile, received confirmation from the Minutemen. They were a little confused, but this was not a man they were given to mistrust. "Sure thing, Paul. Keep that girl safe - she's been through enough hell. And look out for Dr. Bogdan and the little kid with him, too, if you come across 'em; there's a lot of new danger goin' on. 'sides..." The man gave a significant look to the few others in the room and leaned in close for his next words. They left, one of them apparently patting himself down in an effort to find what was likely a knife.

"Word is, we're gearing up to take down Cliffshire. There's been sneaky activity that direction, our scouts say, and we want to let those bastards know once and for all we ain't takin' their s**t anymore. Plan is intimidation - we don't want to hurt anybody, but if we can scare 'em into handing over their guns, I know they sure as hell can't get anymore and there's nuttin' else to worry about, right? Yeah, they got pokémon, but nothing we can't handle, what with the river on our side. Still hush-hush, though; I probably shouldn't know, myself." He grinned and pulled back away, sure of himself, and gave Paul time to digest it.

"Thanks for updating him, Bennie-boy," a sharpened voice said as the door slammed open, making Benjamin jump. "Now get out." Even though to do so, he was going to have to walk past a half-shaven, broad-faced, ox-shouldered, barrel-chested man who barely fit through the door himself, Ben somehow managed to slip through, his face white as a sheet. "How are you, McCulloch? Good to see you're alive with that girl. Boy's a trouble-maker, but he'll leave soon enough. Actually, I got a job for you - head on over to Woodmount and make sure they ain't doin' the same thing. Scouts that way... don't make it back as often." His face turned grave and his eyes went distant for just a moment. "Can you do that for me? We can restock you if you haven't yet."

---

Ryan E. Ramsden left the room with a troubled mind. McCulloch hadn't seemed himself and he didn't know what to make of the odd request. Granted, Ramsden didn't know much of the man; he had only seen him now again and heard stories. He knew far more that Juno Galledeigh was his friend Benjamin's niece, and that if she was being sought by people powerful to ask an entire town to lie about, she'd need someone of McCulloch's strength on her side - but how much did she know? And surely it was frightening to someone her age. And the boy with her did not seem wholly trustworthy... but at the same time, if the rumors he had heard were true, Riverdale needed as much. Besides, if McCulloch was with her, there was no way she needed one other militant bothering her. Things were moving - it was time to make a decision on where he was going.

---

Sigmund Oak walked into the mess hall at roughly the time Rikes revealed himself. He smiled in greeting at the boy and approached the two older gentlemen, beckoning Thomas over. After short greetings, he collected the drive Bogdan had been asked to retrieve. "Thank you, Andrej. It can't have been easy to leave your post on such short notice. Elian should be on her way here - she seems to have been wounded by some... high-density force... something of negative ether. Thomas - have you gotten to know your pokémon very well? The other children appear to have gone wandering - perhaps you'd like to train with it? We have facilities for that, or I'm sure one of the doctors would be happy to help you discover its powers."

---

"There. I did what he told me - they're yours. You can take what you want from the house."

The woman to whom Jacob Thatcher was speaking smirked at him from beneath the pink, cross-shaped scar on her forehead, cocked her gun, and fired twice. The Drs. Howard were no more. Their pokémon were released from their prisons so they could see their masters' corpses and feel their deaths - as had become the norm with psychic types, they released silent screams and vanished in flashes of iridescent light.

His lips taught, Jacob turned towards his contact in a rage and tackled her with a roar. The gun fired again, but he quickly disarmed her. After just a few moments of eerily silent scuffling, he managed to get his hands around her jaw and head to snap her neck.

Breathing heavily, Jacob stood up and walked out of the house. He had done his job. It was time to collect - but first, he needed to be heavily armed. No one, especially a mercenary, went to the Reverend unprepared.

---

Dr. Alex Terrian stumbled down his private passageway into the corridors of the Light of the World. This was the next on his rounds; the next distraction to keep tabs on; the next... something...

Gabrielle Santa, back from the dead, and become... something horrible. Empowered and employed... he could be a kink in everything, but Terrian could not ignore his potential as a tool. But now... he was so tired... he hadn't slept in weeks, and today had been... so trying...

"I hate sleeping," he muttered, and tripped over a stone to land face-down on the ground, his hat sliding off his onyx hair. His eyes flickered open once, shining a deep, violet color, then closed in unconsciousness.