Get excite!

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“Well, I was actually going to ask if you knew any tips about aura massage...”

“Aura massage can wait, but yes, I’ll give you some lessons.”

“Okay. I want to take an inner journey.” You say, determined. But another though creeps up on you. “If that’s not too much trouble.”

She rolls her eyes and almost laughs. “I offered, didn’t I? You should be asking Gardevoir if it’s alright.”

You turn to Gardevoir. Before you can even ask, she nods. She hasn’t been talking since you got here.

“Oh right.” You scratch your face. “But why do we need Gardevoir?”

“For something like this, it’s a lot easier having a psychic. And I hate asking Clair because she’s just so...” She let’s the sentence fade off there. “Look, Herb. Your aura is bright and cheerful, but that doesn’t always mean it’s the same when you really get deep. There’s a chance you can find stuff out about yourself that you can’t unlearn.”

You take her warning into consideration, but decide to press on. “I understand. I’ve done something like this before with the elders.

“I figured you had some sort of experience. There are some opened pathways there.” She picks at something around you. “Okay. There are a few ways to do this. You don’t just dive in anywhere. Think of your inner self like an ocean. We want to dive into places where we might find something. What do you want to discover about yourself?

>Explore the parts of yourself that make you uncomfortable
>Where your limits are
>Something else

>>2231823
>Explore the parts of yourself that make you uncomfortable

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I've been wondering, Gobble. Why do you repost the OP block in the same thread? Even if it's two separate sessions, it still seems silly to have it twice a thread. I imagine archival readers would be even more confused.

>>2231823
>>Explore the parts of yourself that make you uncomfortable

>>2231823
>Explore the parts of yourself that make you uncomfortable

>>2231823
>Explore the parts of yourself that make you uncomfortable

>>2231823
>Explore the parts of yourself that make you uncomfortable
Like I've said before, I'm interested in what would happen when Herb hits his limit and rampages.

>>2231823
>>Explore the parts of yourself that make you uncomfortable

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>>2231837
[I thought it would be helpful for showing when a new session starts. Is it confusing/weird? I don't mind changing it.]

>>2231848
I don't think it really affects anything in either direction.

>Alright Herb, let's dive into and adress your inner darkness.
>Huh, there's not much here, is there.

>>2231848
It's not a problem or anything, I just wondered why you went all in with the links and stuff instead of just hoping "We're back!"

>>2231851
>dark Kat makes a guest appearance
>she seems oddly offended

>>2231851
He's still kinda got issues with not being manly. And he had issues with dressing like a chick iirc. Tho I'm not really sure that last one counts.

>>2231857
Yeah, that was mostly “welp, I’m not into this.” But there was also “why is this so convincing?”

>>2231851
>Herb and Jeanine meet Dark Herb
>Dark Herb gives them burnt pancakes.
>Herb is horrified. Jeanine just laughs.

Odds on dark Herb showing up? And he's more just depressing and apathetic as opposed to how confrontational dark Kat was.

>>2231868
Because he's super cute.

>>2231870
>Dark Herb walks out wearing brown socks and sandals
>Herb goes into a coma

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“I want to explore parts of myself that I don’t normally face. The parts I’m not comfortable with.”

She considers you for a moment. “Alright. Before we begin, there are some things you should know. I will be able to sense you, but not what you see or hear or anything like that. If I think you’re getting overwhelmed I’ll pull you out.”

You nod, feeling a sense of relief that she’ll be looking out for you.

“Gardevoir on the other hand, will see imagery.”

You glance to Gardevoir, wondering about if you’re being unfair to her. She looks confused, and responds. “I wish to know more about emotions. Maybe I can learn to control myself better.”

“You can talk?” Jeanine coughs on her tea, wheezing. “Wait, more important, you can’t filter emotions? Nope. No. We’re not doing this.You’ll feel everything he feels but without context or ability to stop it.”

Gardevoir looks pleadingly at her. “I’m already like that.”

There’s a moment of hesitation in Jeanine. She looks at Gardevoir, at you, and at the others nearby. She sighs. “Okay. But I’m stopping it if I think things are going out of control. No complaints. I’m only saying yes because Herb’s a little sunshine child.”

“Sunshine child?” You’re not exactly a kid anymore, are you?

Jeanine looks at you again, assessing your expression. “You’re a strapping young man. You just have a bright aura is all. But I have a feeling we’ll know one of the things you’ll be looking at.” She hints. “Now, sit, relax, and breath.”

You follow her instructions.

“Good. Now, we need to calibrate your emotions, for lack of a better term. Think of something that makes you angry. Furious, even.”

“Why angry?” You peak.

“Close your eyes. And it’s because it’s not something I can't see on your surface at all right now. Quick, what’s something that will tick you off? First thing that comes to mind. You’re throwing a punch at a wall, why?”

>Think of yourself letting down others
>Think of how good you looked as a girl
>Think of someone abusing their pokemon
>All the times you’ve been insulted and hurt by people you’ve never done anything to
>Something else

>>2231907
>Think of someone abusing their pokemon
>All the times you’ve been insulted and hurt by people you’ve never done anything to

>>2231907
>All the times you’ve been insulted and hurt by people you’ve never done anything to

>>2231907
>Think of yourself letting down others
>Think of someone abusing their pokemon

>>2231907
>Think of people mocking Hana or Laki.

>>2231907
>Think of yourself letting down others
I think it would be kind of neat if the only one Herb gets truly mad at is himself.

>>2231907
>Think of Maxamillion

>>2231907
>Think of yourself letting down others

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>>2231907
>All the times you’ve been insulted and hurt by people you’ve never done anything to

>>2231927
Yup. Max makes us angrier than anything. Seriously, what's his problem!?

>>2231907
>Think of someone abusing their pokemon
>All the times you’ve been insulted and hurt by people you’ve never done anything to

>>2231907
>>Think of someone abusing their pokemon
>>All the times you’ve been insulted and hurt by people you’ve never done anything to

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A lot of things flash in your mind. Times you were insulted or hurt by people for no reason. But what bothers you about it is your failures to do anything about it. You remember once when your sister saved you from being bullied. She asked you why you didn’t fight back. You didn’t know. She gave you this look that made you...mad at yourself. Furious!

“There’s something.” Jeanine and Gardevoir’s voice say in sync. “I see a flare up.”

“What now?” You’re a little embarrassed at being exposed, even if Jeanine can’t see what you pictured.

“Oh, embarrassment now?” She says. “That pairs with anger a lot. Keep your breathing normal, and hold on.”

Hold on? Why-

Woah. You feel like you just fell backwards a hundred feet. The small sensations like the light wind and sunshine and sounds of the real world are long gone. You hear your heartbeat, you think. Like your ears are covered and you’re under a heavy blanket. But the blanket expands into a room, removing that warm and comfortable feeling while still cutting you off from the world outside.

“We’ll be looking at fears now. As we go deeper, you’ll have trouble hearing me.” A voice yells from above. “You have a lot of restraint, Herb. That’s normally a good thing. But in my experience there’s usually a reason for that. You’ve heard the expression ‘the bigger they are, the harder they fall?’ The more restrained someone is, the harder they lash out when those restraints are gone. Be careful.”

You look around. There’s only a faint red light now. Shadows begin to form and dance on the walls and floors. You expect and find a few that look like Mr. Mime, and they send a chill over you, but you sense something worse beyond. Something deeper. You’re drawn to a rock on the ground. One you would normally never look under. One you realize now is behind bars, guarded. You step forward anyway, pushing yourself to find out what’s under it.

You walk past the guards; faceless, featureless humanoids. You slip between the bars, feeling small and insignificant. You lift the rock of your fears, and under it you see...

>A monstrous and unfiltered, almost snapped version of yourself hurting everyone around you. Nobody is able to stop you after you failed to stop yourself
>A cowardly version of yourself, with lots of power, who could fix so much if you only had the will
>An incompetent version of yourself, trying your best and not measuring up. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, sexually
>Confusion. A world that doesn’t make sense and never will
>Something else

>>2232015
>A cowardly version of yourself, with lots of power, who could fix so much if you only had the will
>An incompetent version of yourself, trying your best and not measuring up. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, sexually

I think these kinda go hand in hand.

>>2232015
>>A monstrous and unfiltered, almost snapped version of yourself hurting everyone around you. Nobody is able to stop you after you failed to stop yourself

Herb does seem to have a great fear of hurting people

>>2232015
>An incompetent version of yourself, trying your best and not measuring up. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, sexually
>A cowardly version of yourself, with lots of power, who could fix so much if you only had the will

>>2232015
>>A monstrous and unfiltered, almost snapped version of yourself hurting everyone around you. Nobody is able to stop you after you failed to stop yourself.
>After all what can heal can harm so much more easily

>>2232015
>>Confusion. A world that doesn’t make sense and never will
Doesn't it just suck when you try your best to do things right, and you only make things worse?

When your own ignorance of the world, of people, of yourself, leads to you trying and failing to do what you needed, to hurting people you thought you were helping, causing relationships both with and between others to break down under the strain of dealing with your shitshows?

>>2232015
>An incompetent version of yourself, trying your best and not measuring up. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, sexually
Herb will never be as good of a man as grampa, and will never be as good a trainer as dad.

>>2232015
>>Confusion. A world that doesn’t make sense and never will
>>Something else
If this version is also completely and uderly alone.

I think that's Herb's greatest fear. That know one will ever like him understand him flaws and all and that his adventure is a brief detour from that and he'll be alone and friendless again just like before his move.

>>2232015
>>A monstrous and unfiltered, almost snapped version of yourself hurting everyone around you. Nobody is able to stop you after you failed to stop yourself
we dark herb now boys

>>2232015
>Something else
Being all alone

you gotta remember, Herb's only big freakout was during the waifu wars because he "hurt" Hana and Laki, was also when the dark herb talk started.

>>2232015
>An incompetent version of yourself, trying your best and not measuring up. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, sexually

>alone

>>2232047
True

>>2232015
>An incompetent version of yourself, trying your best and not measuring up. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, sexually
>a lonely version of yourself. You let them down, and they let you go.

>>2232015
>An incompetent version of yourself, trying your best and not measuring up. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, sexually
I see this the most. I don't think Herb is a coward or a monster in any light, and I wouldn't see how it's possible for him to suspect that about himself.

However, I can easily see him doubting whether he measures up as a human being.

>>2232056
My thinking is that he's always second guessing himself and if he's doing the right thing, but also worried that no matter what he does it won't be good enough.

>>2232015
>A monstrous and unfiltered, almost snapped version of yourself hurting everyone around you. Nobody is able to stop you after you failed to stop yourself

Only so many people are willing to be friends with you.

>>2232064
Most of Herbs faults tend to include the key word "enough". Am I kind enough? Am I masculine enough? Am I strong enough? Etc.

He doesn't seem cowardly, and whenever he's had an issue with that it tends to be wrapped up into "Am I masculine enough?" instead of "Am I a pussy?"

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You see a version of yourself that feels too true. Too uncomfortable. Like a joke that has just a little too much truth to it. He hurts the people around him, but not out of a lack of restraint or monstrous cruelty. He’s incompetent. Freakishly skinny and weak, but somehow with a potbelly too. Dullwitted and slow, but still trusted with way more than he should be given. Laki and Hana talk and whisper behind his naked body, slowly walking off to see other, real men. He breaks down crying.

A Celebi comes, taking pity and offering him a wish. He wishes not for anything that will help him, but for safety. An impenetrable bubble surrounds him. He’s safe, able to be fearless now. But as he runs out to see others, he can’t touch them. They can’t hear him. The bubble fogs over in his panic and they can’t see him. He’s alone, forever.

You real back. This version of yourself fills you with disgust and horror. Not because it’s foreign, but because it’s a part of you that you never wanted to face. You run.

“It’ll be okay, Herb.” A voice yells from above. A hand reaches out and you almost take it, but you stop. No. Not yet. It pulls itself back, understanding.

You see something. A door. You open it to find a bizarre, open market. Not like a usual mall or flea market or one of the farmer’s markets you love so much. Red lights are strung across in this shady back alley. Strange merchants and merchandise are displayed all over. Things you want, but shouldn’t want. Times, despite yourself, you craved and desired things you felt guilty over. Hidden and secret desires you’d rather not acknowledge that you’re base enough to want.

Your hands are suddenly filled with a magical currency that they take here, and you see a reflection of yourself in a mirror with a mask. You can buy anything here. You have the means, and you’re shielded from all judgement. Nobody will know and nobody will stop you from obtaining whatever you want. You watch yourself make a purchase. You buy something that fills you with shame and guilt.

>A harem of all your attractive friends
>A absurdly powerful pokemon that doesn’t need the reassuring or guidance your others do
>Fame and ego strokers that always assure you no matter what you do
>A new identity so you can leave behind all the responsibilities others keep putting on you
>Something else

>>2232119
>A harem of all your attractive friends
Duh.

>>2232119
>A new identity so you can leave behind all the responsibilities others keep putting on you

>>2232119
>A harem of all your attractive friends
ALL THE GIRL WILL LOOK AT ME
NO MAN WILL BE ABLE TO DENY WHO I AM
IM THE BIGGEST MAN EVER, I GOT THE BITCHES TO PROVE IT

>>2232119
>A new identity so you can leave behind all the responsibilities others keep putting on you

>>2232119
>>A new identity so you can leave behind all the responsibilities others keep putting on you

Herb aint no player

>>2232119
>You real back.

Shouldn't this be reel? Or did you feel like being deep?

>>2232119
>A new identity so you can leave behind all the responsibilities others keep putting on you

>>2232119
>>>A harem of all your attractive friends
Herb doesn't seem to upset over his responsibilities in general.

This means he's treating his friends like objects, too. Gotta sting when you want to be helpful to people but realize you don't actually think of your friends as *people*, right?

>>2232119
>A harem of all your attractive friends

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>>2232142
[Oops]

>>2232119
>A harem of all your attractive friends

>>2232119
>A harem of all your attractive friends

Not because Herb’s some nymphomaniac, but because having a harem makes him worry that he is.

>>2232167
>>2232157
>>2232151
>>2232149
>>2232133
>>2232130
Do you guys really think Herb feels ashamed and guilty for being in a relationship with both Hana and Laki? That doesn't seem to fit at all to me. It's a source of stress, sure, because it's more to keep track of and he worries he'll mess it up, but I don't see shame involved.

>>2232175
They're not voting for herb. They're voting for themselves.

>>2232175
I agree with this, i just don't feel like herb has ever felt shame for loving both girls, but he's mentioned countless times how inadequate he feels. Herb always mentions that he feels unsuited to leadership yet still finds himself making decisions because his friends trust him so much. I think that is much more liely to be his secret feear that he would rather abandon his friends because he is selfish.

>>2232175
Hmmmm yoi have a point. To be fair, Herb's sexuality is a big part of his character.
>>2232119
>>2232133
>A new identity so you can leave behind all the responsibilities others keep putting on you

>>2232175
>Do you guys really think Herb feels ashamed and guilty for being in a relationship with both Hana and Laki?
I think he feels shame for wanting to be in a relationship with Hana, Laki, Kiera, Valerie, Jane, and everyone else he could get away with. He's a teenager and the realm of harem has already opened up for him.

>>2232180
Let's not make it all passive aggressive. The very fact that there's still people getting all snippy about relationship stuff means that we, essentially the committee running Herb's subconscious, have a pretty strong reason to select that.

Have you seen any massive flamewars about him wanting power or fame? No? It's probably because dick troubles are far more serious to us, and therefore him. He never ran away and had to do soul searching over whether or not his pokemon were strong enough.

>>2232175
I don't see it as something he feels guilty about. On the other hand, he's never really considered himself to have this much power before. Who's to say this isn't how he'd take advantage of the ability to buy people and own them for sexual use if he caved in?

To be fair, Hana could let us treat her like property if Herb were willing to abuse her in the right ways. Maybe seeing that behavior helped bring this idea into his head, even if he didn't realize it.

>>2232167
Like, I imagine this whole experience has got to be a little bit scary, even after a while, since he grew up without the concept of polyamory.

Am I being faithful? Is it okay that I’m still attracted to girls I’m not dating? Shouldn’t I just be happy with what I have? Is Hana really okay with this or does she just think sharing a man is the best she can do and is settling? Was I emotionally manipulative? Did I hurt Hana when I said I wanted to date her and then confessed feeling for another woman? Why isn’t she mad at me? Be mad at me! Am I being greedy? Why does Laki have these weird and regressive-seeming ideas about what men and women should do in a relationship? (Like the man sets the rules, and the woman supports)

>>2232175
Hey, the kid just unlocked his libido back at the fire temple. If that’s not scary then what is? Not to mention, he still doesn’t really know all of what’s expected in this type of relationship. We haven’t even heard the canon term for Laki and Hana’s relationship.

I feel like even if Herb doesn’t like all the responsibility he’s been getting lately, he wants the ability to handle it more than he wants to escape it.

>>2232192
>>2232199
>>2232219
>>2232221
Damn check out these well justified explanations.
You really have a great thing going on here Gobble.

>>2232199
>I think he feels shame for wanting to be in a relationship with Hana, Laki, Kiera, Valerie, Jane, and everyone else he could get away with.
I don't recall Herb expressing much of any sexual interest in Valerie. I feel like she got friendzoned pretty fast. Jane had some tension, but that was as much trying to correct her impression of us as anything else, and it seems to have faded entirely between Fug problems and her beefs with Laki.
I'll give you Keira, though, wanting to bring her in would make sense as a guilty temptation. Though I'm entirely shameless about wanting that to happen regardless.

>>2232219
>Who's to say this isn't how he'd take advantage of the ability to buy people and own them for sexual use if he caved in?
I really don't see that at all. Are we reading the same quest? Herb, the dude who responded to Hana's "You can have me do ANYTHING~" with handholding. That Herb.

>>2232230
Careful, you'll jinx it.

>>2232259
I'd point to my previous sentence, where Herb has *never* thought he has the power to demand these things. His self-esteem issues run deeper than anything else, but I didn't think any of the other options fit and I wasn't up to writing a "Something Else" this time around.

If the lack of self-esteem runs deep enough, you won't wish for fame and groupies (option 3) even if it's practically given to you. Option 4 doesn't fit either since he doesn't want to abandon his friends or anything, he just thinks he isn't good enough. And running away hurts them too. When all roads lead to failure you may as well go with the route that gives the most illusion of control, which in this case would be sticking around for as long as your friends can stomach having you around and trying to help. 2 is eh since he sorta assumes other people have their shit together anyway so having a pokemon that has its shit together isn't anything special.

That leaves 1, and we can go some interesting directions with 1.

>>2232230
I’m fucking invested in this story and Herb as a character. I’ve been reading this thing the whole like 15 months.

>>2232259
Well, we have seen Val in some pretty lewd circumstances. The time Bella pranked us and that one video. Plus, Laki has said she’d be into inviting her to the bedroom, and Hana’s said she’s done some “stuff” with her before. Also, Jane has grabbed our song and “dated” us and is, at least physically, our type. Plus, we’ve got a keen eye for what looks good and recognized abigail’s cuteness.

I agree that Keira makes the most sense as a worry though. We’re very close and we’ve had a couple canon lewdbins together.

>>2232299
2 is probably the least likely of all, IMO. His pokemon need him, and that makes him feel useful to someone. A pokemon that clearly doesn't need him would just make him feel worse.

Maybe he'd pick the harem option because he thinks it'd price he's manly.

>>2232299
>I'd point to my previous sentence, where Herb has *never* thought he has the power to demand these things
I'm aware, but Herb doesn't seem like the sort who'd consider those things even if he thought he did have the power. It just wouldn't come to mind. Herb is still, despite awaking his libido, a pretty pure person.

>>2232332
*Prove. Damn you phone posting!

>>2232346
>>2232332
Now that I think about it, that makes sense. He's not ashamed of having a harem, he's ashamed of having a selfish reason for it.

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You think for a moment, torn between two choices. You feel like a passenger in your own body as you watch how you act, though. Like you’re unable to apply any conscious or rational thought.

You pay the faceless merchant and find your female friends hanging off your arms, laughing as you all walk into a private room with a huge, pink bed. They’re all giggling, dressed lewdly, and touching you all over.

You think of all the times you caught peaks of their bodies, or maybe there was some light, innocent comment or flirting that some part of you reacted to. Nothing you were consciously aware of but something that deep down stoked just the slightest ember of lust. Well now it’s time to let it become an inferno.

You make love to Laki and Hana. No, that’s a lie. It’s not love you’re making right now. You roll them over and fuck them. Words and actions that you could never say or take in real life all spill out from you. You take your girlfriends, then turn on Valerie. Of course, Laki and Hana both lust after her, and being the sexual champion you are, you know you can make it happen. She giggles as you push her onto her back and do things to her that make her squirm and scream. You conquer her completely, then let Hana and Laki play with her when you’re done. And then there’s sweet, naive Keira. She wants to learn, and you teach her. You teach her over and over again until she’s submissive and well trained. And Jane. You take Jane so many times that she admits she was always wrong about you and will do anything to keep you pleasuring her toned, sweaty body. But she also comes to like you like the others and you all laugh and play and enjoy each other.

Sometimes it’s angry and hard. Other times it’s slow and sweat. Maybe it’s teasing and drawn out and maybe it’s quick and subtle. It’s every possible way you can imagine with every possible body that arouses your lust and every personality you want to see in your bed. You're a man and you take them all.

When you’re done, exhausted, and finally tired of it all, you notice something change. You see their bellies begin to swell. They grow concerned, looking to you. You try to hold their hands but you only have two. You try to assure them but they’re all talking at once.

You quickly back away, rushing out back to the market. You make another purchase. A new identity. You’ve spent your life living for others and dealing with responsibilities. Not anymore. You leave it all behind, embracing your selfishness and guilty desires, and just let the responsibilities be something else's issue for once.

(continued)

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>>2232359
You can’t believe what you just saw yourself do. It’s...it’s not you. It can’t be. You care about your friends more than just as sexual objects. You’d never abandon them. You’d never act like that.

But, maybe, no matter how hard you try to be a good person, no matter what, there’s always going to be temptations. Even if they’re small and guarded. They exist. No matter what you’d never do, there’s still always the capability. And you had a feeling the entire time that this was just a spec. A tiny, almost insignificant part of you. Something any human would feel and that you’re still on the most extreme end of pure on.

You wear those thoughts like a jacket in the cold.

You pace down a small cobblestone street. It’s deserted and lightly rainy.

Why do you always take on responsibilities, anyway? Why does it have to be you? You always volunteer to fix things and when there’s nothing to fix you try to feed and even clothe everyone. You have this need for them, if you’re being honest. A drive to be the one to be responsible for everything. You know some of the reasons. You like to help. You hate to see others suffer. All good reasons. But they're not the only reasons. There are other motivations, no matter how small, at play.
What’s the less noble reason for you always taking on responsibility?
>You’re vain and think you’re more competent than most
>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing
>You’re too much of a submissive coward to say no to anybody
>Something else

>>2232374
>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing

>>2232374
>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing

>>2232374
>>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing

>>2232374
>>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing
Oh god, here it comes. This is getting dark.

>>2232374
>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing
>If people didn’t get anything from you they’d leave.

Also, that pic
>Meloetta
Radica-
>Bonnie
Hey!

>>2232374
>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing
I still want to impregnate all the girls though.

>>2232374
>>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing

>>2232393
Found the spec.

(Which I think is supposed to be spelled speck, gobble)

>>2232374
>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing
Yeah, def this one. It's feels good to be useful to others, especially if you being a tool for others to be happy is the most you could ever hope to accomplish. You'd never succeed at being a real person like everyone else anyway, so why not spare everyone the effort and do something productive with your life instead?

We're verging on Hana-tier now, aren't we?

>>2232374
>>2232391
that's a good addition

>>2232393
Herb colonizes the islands.

>>2232374
>>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing

>>2232374
>Because if you’re not needed, you’re nothing
>You’re too much of a submissive coward to say no to anybody

gee I wonder which option is going to win?

>>2232391
Hey, we're not sure why people have stuck around as long as they have anyway. I mean, there's only so much time in the day, and there's got to be better friends out there than us. If we were them, we'd be spending more time with those better friends instead of us.

>>2232401
Nah, this is buried deep but it’s not exactly foundational.

It’s like Herb’s just got a sprinkling of it. The lid on Hana’s shaker was unscrewed.

>>2232425
"Foundational" is a good way to describe the difference, yeah. It's more a knock on how close we're touching her issues.

The same issues, really, it's just that ours aren't so widespread that we have to consider how brittle we are if we think about trying to fix it.

>>2232476
I think the most telling, scariest thing Hana's ever said to us was that "I'd have been okay if you wanted to keep me a secret." She's too willing to accept mistreatment. I want to let her know that if something we're doing ever hurts her, she needs to tell us so we can stop hurting her.

>>2232488
Gotta protect that smile.

>>2232488
Hana...had a hard life

Oh Christ, I just realized something. Gardevoir can see everything. Gardevoir is Hana's. Gardevoir has trouble turning the whole empath deal off.

Hana's going to get a brainful of Herb problems sooner or later, possibly alongside the orgy scene.

>>2232555
How is that different than her usual thoughts?

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>>2232555

>>2232555
>Hana sees the orgy
Is that a good thing? Or a bad thing?
On the one hand she might be all for it.

On the other she has self esteem issues.

>>2232561
Point.

>>2232563
>robin
This amuses me on several levels.

>>2232555
Gardevoir isn't Hana's last I checked, she's nobodies; she's just there of her own will.

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You know why. You feel a bullet of truth strike right through you. One made up of the fact that without being needed, without being an essential cog in someone else’s life, you’re nothing. It doesn’t make blood spill out, it just erases the parts of you it hit.

Another bullet rips through you, then more follow.

Who would want you around if you weren’t useful in the moment? If you weren’t making life easier in some way? Who would tolerate what an incompetent, indecisive lump of a crybaby like you of you made your life about yourself? You don’t resent the responsibilities you have, you resent needing them!

The bullets stop. Not out of mercy, but because you realize there’s nothing left of you. You’re nothing without being needed.

You awaken in a warm room. Somehow, you were recovered from that awful, cold, and cruel underground city and places somewhere nice and familiar. A warm cabin like Grandpa’s. The smell of cookies fills the air. You get up and are handed a cup of hot chocolate.

“There he is.” Mom says, patting you on the back. “My good boy. I’m so proud of you.”

Dad’s there too. Everyone is! Your friends, your pokemon, your family. Even people you’ve only met a few times but felt like you got along with. It’s nice here. Safe.

But the mood suddenly changes. Everyone’s crowded around something you can’t see. A few of them glare back at you now. What were once welcoming eyes are now filled with nothing but loathing. They’ve seen something. Something horrible about you. Bella slaps you. Dice bites you, but not in his usual friendly way. Mace and Gobble push you away and Sorbet huffs cold at you to drive you back. The crowd starts throwing things at you.

You’re getting kicked out. What they saw was something you know you’d be rejected for. Something nobody should have known about. You finally get a glimpse of it. But it’s not something you’ve done. It’s something from your future. Something you do that leaves you alone after your journey.

>You sabotaged something so somebody always needs you
>It’s nothing, because there’s nothing you can do to avoid it
>You peaked in your growth and abilities while everyone else outgrew you
>You died, and making no real impact on the world you became forgotten
>Something else

>>2232575
>>You peaked in your growth and abilities while everyone else outgrew you

I'm sorta split between option 3 and 4, I need to think on this.

>>2232555
Gardevoir isn't Hana's pokemon. Gardevoir is her own pokemon. Hana just really likes Gardevoir since she grew up with Clair's Gardevoir around and Hana thinks Gardevoirs are hot.

And beyond that, Gardevoir has a harder time filtering out incoming emotions than outgoing ones.

>>2232575
>You peaked in your growth and abilities while everyone else outgrew you
>You're just a supporting character, and you can't keep up with everyone else.

>>2232575
>Nothing. They just grew bored of you, like a passing phase.

>>2232575
>>You peaked in your growth and abilities while everyone else outgrew you
>>You're just a supporting character, and you can't keep up with everyone else.

>>2232575
>You sabotaged something so somebody always needs you
Honestly I'm not sure this fits, but I can't think of anything and none of the others really seem like they'd provoke rejection, honestly. The middle two imply quiet abandonment and the last one resentment, but you can't drive out a dead man.

>>2232575
>You peaked in your growth and abilities while everyone else outgrew you.

Perhaps a link to Mace here, Herb feels he didn't push his pokemon enough for fear of scaring them away as came close to happening in the recent evolution scandal.

>>2232575
>It’s nothing, because there’s nothing you can do to avoid it
>You peaked in your growth and abilities while everyone else outgrew you

>>2232575
>You peaked in your growth and abilities while everyone else outgrew you

>>2232575
>You peaked in your growth and abilities while everyone else outgrew you
>>You died, and making no real impact on the world you became forgotten
>>2232584
Pick three AND four, bro. It's double tragic.

>>2232575
>>You sabotaged something so somebody always needs you
It'd validate the fear that we're truly nothing since we'd have lost our morals. It's one of the things we've been impressively hard-headed about so far by turning down money from Jane's grandfather and turning away the shard for the spicy food contest at the fire temple because we didn't quite make it. We should have some actual *pride* in those decisions, and sabotaging someone for our own needs would take away that pride in a heartbeat.

>>2232575
>It’s nothing, because there’s nothing you can do to avoid it

>>2232595
Just thought of something else, Herb has introduced himself very humbly to elders and gym leaders, seemingly in a "I'm just Herb" feel. Maybe this also plays into this, as "just Herb" alienates his personal growth.

>>2232595
Oh, if Herb's biggest fear is being left behind or abandoned, Made trying to fly off must have been devastating.

>>2232601
You make a good point.
I'll add
>You died, and making no real impact on the world you became forgotten
to my vote.
>>2232598
>>2232575

>>2232618
It probably would have been if he had gotten away...

>>2232592
>>2232590
These. Seeing others just slowly grow to despise is would be the worst.

>>2232601
I totally disagree. I think
>It’s nothing, because there’s nothing you can do to avoid it
>You peaked in your growth and abilities while everyone else outgrew you

is worse because that means he's going to be left alone for the rest of his life and there is nothing he can do about it.

>>2232656
You have a good point, but I think it's more tragic if there was something he could have done, but failed to, died failing, and everyone forgot about him ever having been there.

>>2232672
Death is easy. Living with failure is harder. You don't care about everyone forgetting you if you're dead.

Waking up every day and knowing they moved on without you...

>>2232704
Unless there's an afterlife (and, at least in-game, it seems there is), then you might care

>>2232712
There are actual ghosts in Pokemon, there is definitely an afterlife.

>>2232712
If there is an afterlife I seriously doubt earthly concerns will bother him. Unless he's a ghost?

>>2232712
If there's an afterlife, you can handwave things by saying "well, I'll get it right next time". Takes some of the impact out of dying with things left unresolved.

>>2232719
Depends on the nature of the afterlife, doesn't it?

>>2232723
I don't think so. As we've seen with ghost pokemon, they only get stuck here if they have earthly concerns.

So if herb passes on, he's got other shit on his plate.

>>2232728
But do we know that it works the same for humans as it does for pokemon? I mean, we could reasonably assume so, but...

>>2232722
That assumes reincarnation is a thing

>>2232733
I'm going to go with yes. Hell I think Ghastly and the tree thing are people ghosts.

If there's an afterlife, it's probably busy.

Unless herb goes to a hell or some such. But I don't think he's done anything to warrant that.

>>2232733
Not really. If there's an afterlife then you have at least two chances to get things right - life, and then the afterlife.

You could get 2+ with reincarnation, though. Even more opportunities to get things right (and break them!)

>>2232742
True, but who knows?

Dead Herb when?

>>2232748
>Gobble runs a thread where Herb dies and Kiera has to put his soul to rest.

Prepare for feels.

>>2232753
I don't want this. Take it back.

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>>2232753

>>2232756
It's too late anon. Eye want to see where this goes.

>>2232753
Could be one of the side stories - Herb and Keira got together and lived a full life, but he happened to die first.

Alternately, it's cut short. We try to make friends with a lot of dangerous pokemon, and some day that fails us. We're torn apart by a dragon pokempon, and only pieces of our body were ever recovered. Regretting the fact that we left Keira behind, we've appeared as a ghost and it's her job to send us on and leave her behind...

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You see yourself in the future. It’s not what you expected at all. There’s not much change. Sure, you’re a little older, you’re a little taller, but that’s about it. You haven’t grown at all. You friends and pokemon stand over you like giants, extending up into the sky. They have so many accomplishments, so much more potential they used. You were just a flash in the pan. A kid who peaked and never went anywhere beyond. Maybe there was nothing you could do. Maybe this was just a cruel bit of fate from your lack of ability or unwillingess to take chances. You don’t know, but you know that the time others wasted on you when you were never going to become anything more leaves them regretful. You were a waste of time. A poor emotional investment.

They all leave, one by one. Gobble, having felt held back. Bella, all grown. Laki, not wanting to waste her time with some kid. Your little brother, finding better heroes to look up to. They all forget about you and move on. Mace is the last, and when he flies off, seeing you as the ultimate proof that he has no new experiences to see, you’re finally and truly alone.

Oh no.

Please, somebody.

Please.

“Herb! Herb, it’s okay.” A voice calls out from above. “It’s over.”

A light breaks from above, and an angel comes down to take you out. You’re a little ashamed of how tightly you cling to her. But as you ascend, you feel warmer, safer. You go through more layers of yourself, seeing all the good. Seeing parts of yourself that you’re proud of. Parts that make you feel human, and good, and strong and safe. Like warm sunlight on a cold day it makes everything better. Before you know it the tears you realize you were crying are those of joy and relief. Yes, there are some very uncomfortable things down there, but they’re nothing compared to what’s up here. It’s so much bigger here. There’s so much more. Knowing this exists makes everything else seem easy to handle now.

Your eyes shoot open. You gasp for air.

“Hey.” You see Jeanine, barely. It’s dark out now. “You’re okay, right?”

You pat yourself down. “Umm, yeah.” You’re more worn out than anything.

“The crawl space of your soul isn’t bad.” She comments. “You’re a good kid.”

“I thought you said you couldn’t see anything.”

“Except for you.” She smiles. At least, you think she does, it’s dark out. “I had a hunch you were well balanced. Most people bail out their first time down there. You’re very brave, Herb. I couldn’t be happier that you and Hana found each other. And umm, Laki too.” She adds on. “Speaking of which, she ran off with my husband on some training exercise. I hope they come back soon. It’s getting late.”

(Continued)

>>2232765
Oh no, full on, Herb walks down the street and gets hit by a bus. Everyone is devastated. Then at night, things move, someone thinks they see Herb, and Keira starts crying.

>>2232772
This is funnier than it should be.

>>2232756
second, if Herb dies I riot.

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>>2232769
You look to Gardevoir. She seems a little shell-shocked. Despite the darkness, you can see she’s very tired and confused.

>Ask Gardevoir to keep what she saw a secret
>Hug Gardevoir
>Quickly go find someone close to you for emotional support
>What was the point of that journey? Except for the end, It was terrible!
>Something else

>>2232796
>Hug Gardevoir

>>2232796
>Hug Gardevoir
>Quickly go find someone close to you for emotional support

>>2232796
>>Hug Gardevoir

Hugs are nice

>>2232796
>>Ask Gardevoir to keep what she saw a secret
>Hug Gardevoir

as brave as Herb is I don't think he would want anyone else knowing his darkest shit.

>Hug Gardevoir
Some people are worse than us. Some are better. It'd help if she learned to focus on pieces of people like Jeanine did so she could pay attention to the bright spots when people are feeling worse than usual.

>>2232810
>>2232769
Whoops. Forgot to link my vote.

>>2232796
>Hug Gardevoir
then
Thank Jeanine for her help and remind her about aura massage lessons.

>>2232796
>>Hug Gardevoir
Honestly I think it might be time to ask her to join us for good. She's been through a lot with us and has now experienced a raw part of our soul. It would feel wrong to not at least offer her to be our companion as well.

>>2232796
>Hug Gardevoir
A good long tight one.
>You wanna talk about it?

>Let her know that you're both fine. You've just got to experience your insecurities to know how to address them.

>Right Jeneane?

>>2232818
She's already our friend. If she wants in she knows how to ask.

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[Last update for tonight. I'm aiming for a thread Wednesday if I don't get the short stories done. Sorry about the delays on that, lots of stuff that just keeps ballooning out of control there.

I love all the conversations everyone has in regards to what fits and hope the general spirit of the updates reflects that. Sleep tight, everyone!]

>>2232826
Awesome mindscape thread gobble, been missing stuff like this. Kat was always the one with tons of baggage afterall. Night, Gobble!

>>2232826
hey Gobble, what are the odds on some short POV stuff from the old gang on the new gang? maybe some lewd thought from claire since she went there, Kat being just the tiniest bit suspicious of Laki and Vance running off, Jeneane's thoughts on Herb, really anything you can think of from them?

Love having the old crew back by the way and thanks for running today, made today a whole lot better!

>>2232826
thanks for running! great thread.

>>2232826
Good night gobble, amazing thread today.

>>2232826
I don't pay attention to when you say short stories will be ready. It means I'm always surprised and happy when one comes out!

But seriously, don't worry about it and finish them when you can get around to them.

Also, we wouldn't take the time to flesh out why we were making our choices if we didn't think you would do a good job at representing them. Thanks for the run, Gobble!

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>>2232835
>>2232842
>>2232843
>>2232847
[Thanks for all the contributions!]

>>2232840
[Someone mentioned something similar to that to me too and at first I wasn't sure how to make it fit but now I think there's an idea forming. Consider it added!]

>>2232856
oh right I almost forgot, thanks for running Gobble, captcha has been being a huge bitch tonight so I had to go through like 5 mins of annoying bullshit just to post this so know that I truly appreciate it.

>>2232742
>Herb was never baptized
>Goes to pokemon hell

Arceus is cruel.

>>2232856
Does Canada not have a Martin Luther King Jr. day?

>>2232882
Why would they? He's American.

>>2232856
Well crap, hate that I missed this MOST EXCELLENT session. Thanks for running Gobble!

>I'm not alone on the conquistador train

Be excellent to each, party on dudes.

>>2233021
>>I'm not alone on the conquistador train
Not at all, my friend.

Here's a thought. What if Herb were to take over the island of mainlander pokemon and turn it into a Safari Zone? Thos pokemon could really use better management (the Loanans just throw them all onto one island and forget about them), and it would give the Loanans a chance to catch a pokemon that would be seen to them as rare and exotic (remember how excited the Grass acolytes were about Bella?). And Herb himself would be, iirc, sorta following in his Grandpa's footsteps.

>>2233618
That’s pretty cool.

>I personally hope we continue with the idea about the pokemon cafe/restaurant.
>Maybe after having a go at the league, I still think it'd be fun for Herb to try for something like that.

>>2233618
That's quite the idea, I'm wholeheartedly for it. This reminds me, I still really want to see how Herb reacted at his Grandpa's funeral. Or to have a flashback involving his grandpa. He sounded like a amazing dude and I like to see more memories of him in the future.

>>2233618
I really like this idea but I also still want to do the cafe thing too

>>2233784
I’m still waiting for the episode where we go back to the mainland for the reading of the will.

>>2233618
I like that....but let's have an island cafe on top of it if we can.

>>2233640
>>2233618
>>2234166
There's nothing stopping us from running the island as a Safari Zone and using the cafe as the check-in place. Everyone who wants to participate in the Zone needs to start and end their trip at the restaurant, where they can sit down for a while, enjoy the good food and atmosphere, and even have a Munchlax (or Snorlax, dunno what will happen to Gobble) come out and prepare their meal in front of them. The only caveat is that they'll have to share it with him!

>>2233859
I agree, I also want the Grandpa's Will episode.


>>2234410
Sounds good, let's start the ground work on this right away.

>>2234486
Alrighty then.

First point of order would be to bring additional people on board that'll keep us motivated and tasked on this since we'll probably get distracted by all the other cool stuff Gobble throws at us. That'll entail Hana and Laki at the minimum since we're dating them, and I'd suggest Val as well since setting up for a small contest area would be a nice touch. Once she gets bigger, she could host her own contests on the island as a trial ground for new ideas and possibly as a small revenue stream for the island's operations.

We'd want to run this by *someone* in power to make sure we aren't stepping on any toes. Keira would be our best source of information on whether or not we need to worry about that.

We would need resources to build the structures that we needed, and we'd want some guidance on how to properly care for pokemon. Pretty sure the old gang can help with the latter, and we could probably drum up the former from either Val or from Loanah.

That's as far as I'm willing to think this through. I imagine we'd want to keep up our journey for a while since it'll involve more battles and excitement, so I'm not thinking we'll advance much past this phase for a while.

>>2234652
Eh, for now I think just learning more about that island and the pokemon that live there is good.

You know, while what I want most for Herb to learn is aura massage, I also want him to learn to take aura the same way he gives it during healing. Imagine if we could use Wailord as battery for our healing. Or exhausting a rampaging pokemon with a touch.

Speaking of our healing, if I were Herb I'd feel kinda obligated to work in medicine, assuming they don't have pokemon like Sylveon shunting Wishes into patients in the ER or other similar mystical healing.

>>2234853
Herb can open a small cafe and clinic.

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Gobble, I feel like I should mention that I’ve always visualized Laki as the girl on this bottle of bath salts.

>>2236613
Sounds like you use a lot of bath salts, anon.

>>2237426
Pft, I wish.

Say, do you guys think we got anything out of that experience? Did Gardevoir? Because it seems like we just managed to scare the two of us. Hopefully Jeneane can contextualize the experience with some wisdom so that this was a learning experience and not just an opportunity to be scared of Herb now.

Also, I’d like to get Jeanine or Keira to give us a proper aura reading and see what types our aura is.

I’m thinking normal/fairy.

>>2237551
We already talked about this, we're Fairy/Grass, or at least we were earlier in the story. We may have developed more heavily towards pure fairy by now.

>>2236613
A buffer version of this yeah. Her wide hips have been mentioned a few times too.

>>2237773
Wide, Child Baring hips. We're gonna get 6 Herblings out of her easy

>>2237942
If we do end up with a lot of kids, we should give them all a spice nickname. That way, we can give them all the nickname "our spice rack".

>>2237773
>>2237942
Is... is Herb Mormon?

>>2238073
Mom's catholic

>>2238439
Is she? I know there's the whole Arceus thing, but did Gobble ever mention a pope-like figure at the head of the religion?

She might be closer to Baptist or Presbyterian.

>>2238594
[I haven't. I tried to leave it intentionally vague to avoid direct analogues to the real world.

That being said, if anyone has any suggestions on how they'd like to see that shaped up, I'd love to hear them.]

>>2238826
They seem like Christians to me, but I'm not tied to the idea. I think that Arceus has churches and pastors (ie a shepherd of a congregation) and their believe in the one true God is the defining quality of their religion. What do y'all think?

>>2238862
I remember something about Arceus priests in the Hoopa movie that could just straight up do magic. But I think they might have been poke-Muslims or poke-Jews. Not sure.

>>2238862
I'd go with that.

>>2238826
I suppose the most interesting part to consider is that Arceus is a Pokemon, not a human. People are distinctly *not* made in the image of their creator, which is different from Christian religions, and would probably lead to a different viewpoint on our place in the universe.

For religious texts, I'd guess that Arceus would have penned nothing, but a human was likely influenced by Arceus and became the poke-Moses, writing down the first snippets of knowledge that would eventually become a religion.

I'm... not sure what it would entail, but just for the sake of throwing something out there I'd say the knowledge focused on why Arceus created in the first place and how it accomplished it. Hell if I know whether this is answered in canon or not, but let's say Arceus was trying to answer a question it asked of itself, that life as we know it was an unfinished answer. It wouldn't share the question itself, though.It didn't think that would be appropriate.

The first converts would have rallied around Arceus, and laid out their thoughts on what the questions of a divine being could be, and looked into how they might aid Arceus in finding its conclusion.

Over time, that quest codified into an organization dedicated to Arceus and telling people how best to aid their creator in its search.

This church would be somewhat pro-science, and probably established rituals and ways of living more as a side-effect of the need to organize themselves as the flock grew than anything in their doctrine.

It'd still allow for conflicts both internally and externally, as there's a great deal of flexibility in how people choose to serve Arceus in pursuit of its answer *and* people still get kinda upset if you say their creator doesn't exist/isn't all that hot anyway. But it paints them in a fairly soft image and leaves room for why Herb's mom has been okay with handling Loanah religion.

>>2238989
I think I got banned on my phone for posting this. Not sure why.

>>2239099
Well, we know Arceus was hatched from an egg, that humans used to be pokemon, and that Arceus has priests in that one city modeled after Dubai in the Hoopa movie, and he empowers them to perform miracles. Also, sometimes Arceus shows up if the Sinnoh dragons are getting out of control.

I wanna battle Kat. Have her challenge Herb to get a real measure of his character before completely accepting him or something. I know we'd lose but it'd still be fun. Maybe have it be 1 v 5 or something to really show the difference in strength.

>>2239184
Nevermind, looks like it was an IP issue.

Say, since we didn't run today, are we getting a bin? That's what I got from >>2232826

>>2239189
I think Jane should battle Kat in front of Herb. It would go about as well as Paul vs Cynthia.

>>2239099
I like your musings anon, the more you discuss it the more it seems more like Judaism rather than Catholicism, as the more moderate members of that people are fairly scientific leaning.

It's also a pretty nondescript religion, doesn't try to evangelize, even if it does allow converts. The main differences I see is having priests rather than a Rabbi or something similar, that's one of the main contentions.

>>2239588
Well, I'd probably want to tweak it based on what >>2239184 said. It'd be best if I mused with some actual canon and all.

Evangelizing could be a thing, as what I had suggested would be generally supportive of multiple denominations and most of the dominant ones would be the ones that evangelize. They're the ones actively converting, after all!

It'd also fit in from a historical perspective - the only way Arceism could have grown so widespread is if people early on made an effort to evangelize. It's not part of doctrine, but as an early part of the religious institution built around that doctrine it's likely that many followers are okay with or outright support evangelizing.

Suffice it to say that Arceism would have some very disparate schools of thought running through it that involved the place of the institution, its congregants, and non-believers that would cause clashes or outright schisms at various times.

We don't know much about the Helix Fossil, which is apparently a competeing religion that Herb's dad dabbled with a while ago. I'd be interested to see how that gained in power.

I'd want to say it'd be related to a new prophet that not everyone accepted, but if Arceus is semi-active in worldly affairs then Arceus would straighten that shit out itself and avoid the whole "schism" thing.

>>2239099
I would say that's one denomination. But the central concept is that humans were NOT made in Arceus's image, which sets them apart from the majority of life on this world (and others, if extraterrestrial mons like Deoxys are any indication). That means that humans aren't just another life-form, but some sort of "custom job" for which Arceus has a particular purpose in mind.

I'd say the biggest denomination argue that that purpose is building civilization for the benefit of human and pokemon alike. After all, just look at how much the quality of life has improved as human technology has advanced. They would have spread because this kind of thinking naturally lead to longer and more comfortable lives for adherents and those who lived near them.

>>2240149
LIke... reverse Amish.

Still, if that library in diamond and pearl is anything to go by, humans did used to be pokemon. It seems to me like it's the source of the divergence that would be most contested. Whether it's natural speciation or divine intervention.

You know, one interesting thing about believing that Arceus created the universe is that it raises the question of who created the other universes. We've been trading with parellel worlds since Red and Blue, and ORAS made a big deal about it during the delta episode. Plus now there's people like Anabelle.

Arceus was said to have created the universe with its thousand arms. There's a couple of interpretations of this.

One is that Arceus used the Unown to write the universe.

Another is that each arm is an Arceus and that each Arceus created one universe and is a part of a larger god. The kind of god that can't be caught in a ball.

We should call polu up soon. We've seen everyone but him lately. It'd suck if he showed up and saw the whole group hanging out without him.

>>2245352
To be fair, I wouldn't expect him to be too into helping out the temples.

But yeah, it's rematch time soon.

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http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Pokemon%20Island%20Adventure%20Quest
https://twitter.com/GobbleQM
Character info pastebin in progress: http://pastebin.com/iB0tb7rz
Dice odds for best of 3: http://pastebin.com/994WTT3g

General rules:

There is a 10 minute voting period after each post. Non-contradictory votes will be combined as best as possible.

Write-ins for all votes are always welcome and encouraged. They may not all make it into the post or be altered to fit in, but I'll do my best to at least try to address the spirit of the write-in.

Very important or contentious votes may be redone in a stricter voting system as circumstances warrant.

Combat mechanics involve three rolls of 1d100, taking the best, and using the base accuracy and crit ranges of the the PTU system, roughly, but the 'turn order' will be more like the anime, where sometimes you can do a few moves in a row or be hit by a combo of moves yourself, all depending on circumstances. Stronger moves tend to take more time and have more cooldown than weaker moves and also may leave you open to an interrupt, so beware of that timing. Speed is more important for closing ground, intercepting, and other things and doesn't necessarily mean going first.

Pokemon and trainers are unique, and may have certain specializations, skills, or other things that the video-game mechanics might not allow. Some examples: That kung fu Bellsprout in the anime, that crystal Onix, or a Roggenrolla that can fly. Herb's perception skills, pokemon knowledge, context clues in general, and other things will hopefully come into play to avoid completely unfair, unforeseeable bullshit, but expect more bullshit from more advanced trainers.

Call me out on a mistake and receive a suggestive picture, mostly likely a butt.

Pokemon:
Gobble (Munchlax)
Mace (Roggenrola)
Belladonna (Roserade)
Dice (Croconaw)
Sorbet (Vulpix)

Location: A small ocean-side clearing on Tabo Island

Gob gob gob!

lets rock

>>2246381
Ble ble ble!

You know, now Bella can learn "Laser Focus" and "Magical leaf". Laser focus causes the next hit to be a critical and Magical leaf always hits.

Plus, her new ability boosts magical leaf from base power 60 to base power 90.

Not to mention she can learn ingrain and weather ball.

>>2246427
I love anime stuff where this crap is viable

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You lock eyes with Gardevoir. She seems shaken up. Worried. You give her a hug.

She’s limp for a moment, but hugs you back. Ow. Ow ow ow. You quickly readjust so she’s not poking you so hard.

“I apologize.” She says after a moment. Her voice usually comes out a little flat and disinterested, but not this time. “I did not mean to harm you. If I did, I assure you that it would be far more effective.”

“Uhh, no problem.” You say, looking to Jeanine to see if she heard that. She did, but doesn’t seem that concerned so you relax. “Umm, sorry if my brain was a little dark.”

“I’ve seen the thoughts of many.” She breaks the hug, “and felt them. But not as....deeply. I feel I understand people more. You are much more like pokemon than I had realized. Occupied with the same base fears and desires. Such as procreation.”

You shrink from Jeanine’s vision, but she laughs and pats you on the back. “That’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re a teenage boy. I sort of assumed that would come up.”

Despite her comforting words you’re still desperate for any change of subject. “Laki’s out with Vance, but where’s everyone else?”

There’s a boom off in the distance.

“It’s fine.” Clair appears from the darkness. How long was she there? “That angry friend of yours and Kat are battling. Kat acts tough but she’s a softy when you ask her for anything.”

“You’re not watching?” You shoot up.

“If I wanted to watch Kat spank someone with short hair...” Clair lets her sentence trail off as she watches you. Your mind tickles and you aren’t sure why. You’re busy thinking of what the battle must be like. “Ugh. Nevermind.”

Jeanine rolls over laughing. She wipes away a tear. “Are you big into battling too? If you want we can ask Kat or Robin to give you a battle too. I don’t really follow that stuff as well but they can give good tips. I’ll teach you some tips on aura massage like I promised in the morning before we leave. Or we can sit here and work on aura massage and other stuff all night if you’re up for it too.”

“All night?” Clair raises an eyebrow.

“He’s young, and he’s got a lot of potential.”

“Yeah, but you’re not young any-” Clair is caught in Jeanine’s headlock before she even finishes the sentence.


>You’d like to battle Kat please
>You’d like to battle Robin please
>You’d like to work on aura stuff all night
>Would Vance be able to give me pointers on self-defence?
>No thanks. You don’t want to be a bother
>Something else

>>2246469
>>You’d like to battle Kat please
>>You’d like to battle Robin please
vs us and laki, heaven or hell, let's rock!

>>2246427
>Not to mention she can learn ingrain and weather ball.
What does that do?

>>2246469
>>You’d like to battle Kat please
>>You’d like to battle Robin please
We need to work on our battlin'. We have two champs who we can impose on. Let's do it!

>>2246469
I'll support this >>2246475
We haven't had a double battle in a while

>>2246469
I like
>>2246475

>>2246469
>>You’d like to work on aura stuff all night
Min-Maxing please.

>>2246477
Ingrain is healing over time, weather ball is a good substitute for either flame thrower, hydro pump, or ice beam, depending on the weather.

>"Hey Herb! What have you been up to?"

>"Oh, pursuing inner peace."

>"Cool. My recommendation is to fuse together with your dark reflection."

>>2246469
>You’d like to work on aura stuff all night
Imma be honest, fighting either of them just sounds painful.

>>2246469
>>You’d like to work on aura stuff all night

>>2246469
>You’d like to work on aura stuff all night

>>2246606
I just don't like it because Herb battles but it's not his main thing and I think missing out on aura training is an absolute shame.

>>2246308
He doesn't have to be into whatever we're currently up to. It'd be nice just to catch up. We really haven't seen him since that night on Valerie's boat way back I think.

>>2246639
She said she'd still train us in the morning and battling is my favorite part of the quest

I'm just gonna point out that most of the aura votes came in after the voting period, so we're probably getting a double battle.

>>2246656
Even if they weren't late, it'd still be a tie.

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>>2246469
Waiting warmly, in the mean time a thing for you Gobs <3

>>2246735
UM

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“Could Laki and I battle them together?” You ask before you think. You’ve been wanting to do more activities with her. You turn around back to Clair and Jeanine, still struggling with their headlock. Woah! You almost bumped into Clair’s face. Oh wow, she must really moisturize. Her skin looks great.

Clair stops struggling, looking please with herself. “I’ll arrange it. I know how to ask so they can’t say no.”

“Really?” You feel a little guilty. “Thanks! Is there anything I can do in return?”

She waves off your concern. “Nah.”

Jeanine stretches. “Well, want to go see how your friend is doing?”

You and her walk towards the sound of battle. Kat must be letting loose to make all those explosions and noises. At least, that’s what you thought before you arrive to the scene. Most of your friends are gathered around the clearing, watching the spectacle. Jane has three pokemon against Kat’s Gyarados, who seems to be mostly defending for now. They keep swarming at it and it manages to tank or deflect their blows. As Hitmonlee kicks, the Gyarados donuts around it’s extended leg and spins around, tossing it at Nidoqueen. Dewpider lands on Gyarados’s back, holding on well. Every time Gyarados tries to buck it off, it quickly scatters somewhere else.

“Well done.” Kat compliments. “What’s your plan?”

Jane looks frustrated but determined. You suspect having to battle Kat three-on-one and still not landing any clean blows that you can see is hurting her ego. “Dewpider, Bite on it. Don’t worry about power. Flinch it down and the others will land the heavy blows. She can’t match your speed. They can’t target you.”

“That’s a good plan.” Kat says. “Levi. Scary Face!”

Jane looks confused. She just pointed out how Leviathan can’t match Dewpider’s speed on it’s back. But it becomes clearer when the Gyarados rushes to the water. It slams it’s tail down, making the water flat and still for an instant, and uses Scary Face into it. Dewpider see’s the eyes in the reflection and slows considerably. Levi shakes it off and it catches itself on the water’s surface.

But while that’s happening. Nidoqueen rushes over with a Body Slam. The Gyarados waves an Aqua Tail at it and you think Nidoqueen is going to be whacked away before it’s attack hits, but Hitmonlee intercepts with Wide Guard.

Levi is hit! And paralyzed, too!

(continued)

>>2246786
Really Jane? Trying Paraflinch on the queen of Parafuse?

File: creatures_of_sea-1024x819.png (1.02 MB, 1024x819)

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>>2246786
There’s a shock in the audience. But it doesn’t last long. Gyarados, despite being paralyzed, quickly retaliates. The three pokemon just can’t handle it’s sheer strength. They do get a few more blows in, but it’s not enough to stop the ensuing rampage. Towards the end of the fight, Kat looks worked up. Like she's having a fantastic time. It's then that you realize it's not a rampage at all. It's a series of careful blows and calculated moves. Levi and Kat work together to fluster and frustrate Jane's attacks while giving the impression of an out of control series of attacks. With each move, she counter Jane's plans to capitalize on the paralyzation and attempts to flinch. It's like Kat's a mind reader.

Hitmonlee is the last to face down Leviathan. As a last ditch effort, Jane had the others run interference while it pumped itself up. It flies at Levi, going for one last kick. But it’s blow right out of the air by a Dark Pulse.

Jane stands there, her face hidden. “You toyed with us.” She mutters low enough that you don’t think others heard. You can see her fist shake a little. Knowing her, she might be on the verge of saying something you'll regret. You know she’s put a lot of effort into controlling her anger lately.

Levi breathes heavily. She’s not in any danger of being knocked out at all, but you can see that she did work up a bit of a sweat taking on all three pokemon at once.


>Stay out of it
>Congratulate her on landing good blows on a champion
>Go heal her pokemon
>Run to Kat quickly and try to warn her about Jane’s temper so that maybe she’ll be forgiving of it
>Go congratulate Levi on dealing with such tough opponents
>Something else

>>2246832
>>Stay out of it

Let the girl walk on her own.

>>2246832
>>Go heal her pokemon

>>2246832
>>Stay out of it

>>2246832
>Stay out of it

>>2246832
>Stay out of it
Offering to heal would seem condescending.

>>2246832
>>Stay out of it

>>2246832
>>Congratulate her on landing good blows on a champion
That's a pretty serious porkieman

>>2246832

>Stay out of it
>Go heal her pokemon

If she gets too worked up ask her if she'd rather have just gotten curb stomped. Kat is a multiple time champ. It was never a contest.

>>2246832
>>Stay out of it

>>2246832
"Holy shit"

>>2246908
"Fossilized Arceus Shit!"

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You stay out of it.

“You toyed with us!” Jane shouts.

Kat raises an eyebrow. “Sorry?”

“You told me that you’d take us seriously if I agreed to a three-on-one. I...” Jane inhales deeply. She seems to choke something down. “I’m grateful for your time.” The words force themselves through her teeth. Her fake smile is scarier than her usual glare.

An understanding look washes over Kat. “We did take you seriously. Isn’t that right, Levi?”

Levi stops cleaning herself to give her attention. She grunts.

“You kept dodging and tossing my pokemon around.” Jane says, looking a little ashamed to still be on the topic. You get the sense that she’d like to drop it and have everyone forget about her almost-outburst.

“We were being careful.” Kat says. “Even as tough as Levi is, she can’t take on three coordinated pokemon if they spring a trap.” Levi roars in protest. But she calms down with some ear scratching. “And that instinct paid off, because you had some good ones. Your pokemon are very well trained.” Kat finishes.

“Really?” Jane let’s a slightly hopeful look come through. “I...” She turns to her pokemon, “did you hear that?”

Hitmonlee weakly limps up to her, looking happy.

“I’d love to help train you Jane, but the truth is that it’d be a waste of time.”

“I...you just said they were well trained!” Jane clenches a fist. She calms herself yet again. “Would you mind explaining what you mean, please?”

“You battle just like me. Heck, maybe even with more forethought than I had when I was your age. I was a mess back then. Indecisive and all over the place.” Kat sighs. “Anyway, I could teach you a few tricks, but the biggest difference between you and I is just experience. Robin is the one you want to learn from.”

Eyes turn to Robin. You haven’t heard from her much. She looks uncomfortable from all the attention but forces herself to hold her head high. “Oh. Well, sure. I can give you some pointers.”

Jane follows Robin off to the side where they discuss their battle. Before you can say anything, Clair goes to Kat. She looks back at you first, though. “Give me about twenty minutes and you’ll have your battle.”

Huh. Okay then. You look around for Laki. But you see Hana off in the corner of the clearing first. She looks conflicted and worried.

“Are you okay?” You ask.

“Huh? Oh. Yeah. I’m fine.” She smiles.

>Take her word for it
>Press her. She just needs a little push to open up
>Put the moves on her. That usually cheers her up
>Ask her help to find Laki. Hana loves helping
>Ask her advice on your upcoming battle. She’d know a lot
>Something else

>>2247049
>Something else

Just ask how she's doing and if we made a good impression. Try not to worry. Worry a lot.

>>2247049
>>2247060
Second.

>>2247049
>>2247060

>>2247049
>Put the moves on her. That usually cheers her up

>>2247049
>Rub her shoulders a little

>Tell her you think you’ve been making a good impression, especially if Jeneane vouches for you.

>Tell her you hope that meeting Laki’s parents goes this well.

>>2247060
>>2247049
Backing this. Talking about how unworried we are about making a good impression is a plus.

On the note of
>Something else
I'm wondering if she doesn't like the fact that when her adoptive family is around she's basically invisible. Everyone is far more famous/interesting then her in her mind, I'm sure.

Should we ask?

>>2247049
>>2247060

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You position yourself behind her and rub her shoulders. It’s usually Laki that you give massages to, but Hana looks like she could use it. “How are you doing?” Do you think we’re making a good impression?”

Hana is about to say something, but your last question seemed to switch tracks in her brain. “I...well yeah, actually. I think they’re not worried about you at all. I knew they wouldn’t be. You’re like the nicest guy in the world.”

“That’s a huge relief.” You relax a little. Just a little though. And then you go back to worrying a lot again. “I hope meeting Laki’s parents goes this well.”

“You’ll be fine. I’m the one that’s got to work on making an impression. Not like I stick out all that well.” She fiddles with her metal arm. “I mean, I stick out, but not because of me.” She reaches down and scratches Mace. She’s the only one that can make him relax like that. “Not that I’m not grateful. They rebuilt me. And not just with this stuff. I mean, I was broken before them. They’re...they’re amazing. They’ve done so much and they spend all this time and effort on me and the only thing I’m even sort of good at is...uh, you know.” She opens her mouth and pokes the side of her cheek with her tongue.


>That’s not true! You’re good at lots of things, like... (write in)
>You’re stronger and faster than anyone
>You’re tough on the inside. Hana can handle anything
>Skills don’t matter, you’re irreplaceable
>We all feel that way sometimes. Don’t let it stress you
>Something else

>>2247298

>That’s not true! You’re good at lots of things, like... (write in)
>You’re stronger and faster than anyone
>You’re tough on the inside. Hana can handle anything

But to me you're irreplaceable no matter what. All I can do is cook.

>>2247298
>Honey, no.
>Remember when we gave Mace his first flight lesson together, and you were so insightful?
>Remember the shard you just got?
>Remember when you convinced the Murkrow to let us help her when none of us could?

>Kat just told us that she was a mess at our age. We're on this journey to grow, right? I think we're doing a great job of it. Both of us.

>>2247298
This
>>2247313
But never this
>>2247305

>>2247298
>>That’s not true! You’re good at lots of things, like... (write in)
You are without a doubt one of the kindest, bravest, most giving people I know.
>>2247313
this stuff too

>>2247298
Supporting
>>2247313

>>2247298
>That’s not true! You’re good at lots of things, like... (write in)
Taking control, she was in charge of that play and it went off splendidly with minimal time. Herb would have also noticed how brave she is, the time she tried diving in near the start of their journey, her capture of Chinchou, and her trust of revealing her vulnerabilities with Laki and Herb.

>>2247298
>That’s not true! You’re good at lots of things, like... (write in)
Hana is incredibly creative, she totally nailed that play even with the complications it had.

I'll also support >>2247313

>>2247313
This is all really good but I'm not sure if Herb is confidant enough to pull it off exactly like this yet.

I'm looking forward to confidant reassuring Herb but he's not there yet. I'm my opinion anyway.

>>2247318
>>2247320
>>2247322
>>2247329

Or I'm totally wrong!

>>2247298
>That’s not true! You’re good at lots of things, like... (write in)
She pays attention to how people feel and makes sure that she always puts in effort to help them.

She knows how to use her strengths when she isn't down on them, like she's doing by petting Mace *at this very moment*. I also seem to remember her taking a dive to protect Val(?) early on in the quest from a missed shot in a Jane/Laki match (we blocked it due to better reaction time, but she was faster than we were due to her leg).

She's good at listening people need that. Some people try to shove advice down your throat if you try and talk about why you feel bad when you already *know* that advice, and then you're left feeling like you may as well have not bothered.

>We all feel that way sometimes. Don’t let it stress you
We took an aura dive with Jeanine. We didn't like what we saw there, and neither would she. But that's not all of who we are, and she can be more than her fears if she puts her mind to it.

>>2247359
Nah. Not totally. Herb's still got self-confidence issues to iron out and can be nervous in front of a crowd or an authority figure, or when being sexual, like with public displays of affection.

But being emotional with his girls is a skill of his.

>>2247380
True but I'd rather he be more unsure of himself after what he saw with the aura reading. Like an Anon said before, herbs issues stem from not being enough but he just saw what happens when he's too much.

I'd like to think that throws him off his usual earnest game. At least a little bit.

>>2247396
Yeah, it'd be nice to see what sort of impact that left on Herb. Is he upset? Is he closer to conquering those demons and achieving inner peace?

>>2247424
Either way I hope it's not a brief thing and then done. But I have faith in Gobble

...Although to be fair, Hana is right that she's a total Lopunny in the sack.

>>2247461
Also true. Herb should incredibly awkwardly try to say he likes that.