Marowak Dojo ~ Living Quarters

[windskull]

Nip crossed his arms and perked up. Though he was doubtful they could do anything against someone as powerful as either of the gods, it didn't hurt to find out what Cabot had in mind.

 

[Virgil134]

"Astrid, you remember how you let me jump off your back so I could hit Sushi harder?" Cabot began. "I noticed that even after I did that I was able to do more damage somehow. Not the only that, but the same thing happened when Owen cheered me on later. It seemed to be even more effective than Dave's howling."

The Cranidos sat down beside them as he continued on.

"I'm not sure how, but I think our new bodies allow us to boost each other's powers even without using moves. If that's true, we could temporarily become a lot stronger in a short period of time by combining that with some of the new moves we learned."

 

[TheGOAT]

Astrid thought about it for a moment, pawing at the ground. “Hmm… I remember that feeling. I felt it too, when I was powering you up. What do you think we could do with it?”

 

[Virgil134]

"Well, at the TM shop I heard they have Power Swap in stock as well, which I think could be the key to all of this if you'd learn it," Cabot explained. "Basically as soon as the fight starts, two people would power me up, and then Dave would do the same by howling. If you then use Psych Up on me, your strength will be boosted as well. If Dave then howls a second time and focuses on both of us, you could use Power Swap on Nip so me and him will be able to hit much harder when the battle has only just begun. While we do that someone can even boost Nip's speed while he uses Agility, so he'll be much stronger and faster."

 

[TheGOAT]

Astrid thought in silence for a moment. A pen and paper would be nice to have right now, if nothing else than to save her from any mental gymnastics.

“What if,” she began, facing the Cranidos, “Nip was powered up instead? Then I could Psych Up his speed and Power Swap you while still having time to get up the occasional Aurora Veil.”

It sounded reasonable enough when said out loud, but the notion felt bizarre to say. She’d never used Aurora Veil in her life; not once. The chance to use it when sparring against Dave never arose. Here‘s hoping it would be as simple as the shopkeeper had offhandedly claimed (whom, it occurred to her, couldn’t use it at all, and thus couldn’t possibly know to begin with).

 

[windskull]

"I like the way you guys think," Nip said, crossing his arms and flashing a toothy grin. "If someone will boost my speed, I could even have time to hone my claws before throwing my first attack. Which would allow whoever is bosting our strength to focus on someone else."

 

[Virgil134]

"Oh, that's pretty smart!" Cabot exclaimed. "So that way me and Nip are still powered up just as fast, but you'll also be able to cover the team with Aurora Veil. Giving us both strong offense and defense."

The Cranidos paused a moment as Nip proposed his idea.

"Actually… you sure you want to do that, Nip?" he asked. "I noticed these powers let us boost each other's strength just as much as a Swords Dance would. So in the time you'd need to spend honing your claws to power yourself up enough in order for this plan to work, you could also attack an enemy twice with the same amount of power you'd otherwise get only after honing your claws."

 

[windskull]

He paused, tilting his head. "That's a fair point," Nip admitted. "Though I don't think it's a bad idea to fall back on. You never know when plans might have to change at the last minute."

 

[Virgil134]

"Hm! That's a good point as well," Cabot nodded, before looking back at Astrid. "Think you'll get Power Swap from the Kecleon Market then?"

 

[TheGOAT]

“Yeah!” She was awake now, excitement flashing in her eyes. “I like these ideas! I’ll grab Power Swap here pretty soon.”

(OOC: next post is in Woodland Outskirts)

 

[Virgil134]

"Alright! I'll go look for three others who can help us with this," Cabot said. "You wanna join me, Nip? Owen powered me up last time, so I think he'll definitely be willing to help..."

 

[windskull]

Nip dipped his head to Cabot. "I may as well take a break from my training."

 

[Virgil134]

Cabot gave Nip a small smile. "Alright, let's go look for Owen first then."

The Cranidos waved Astrid goodbye before leaving the dojo with Nip. All the while he couldn't help but imagine scenarios in his head where about he and his teammates took down powerful foes using their new strategy. Whoever it was they had to face next, they'd be ready.

<><><><><>

 

[RJR Basimilus]

Seyka thought long and hard. Would he truly be more aerodynamic if he filed the horn off the top of his head?

Interrupting this thought was the wall, which the Skarmory crashed right into, falling backwards.

"You're right," Seyka said to no one. "If I got rid of this thing, then maybe I would be able to feel the air currents. I wouldn't have to use my eyes at all!"

"Oooh, but what does it matter? I can't help Boxy like that..." Seyka stopped, frowning. "Ah, I still don't know anyone's names. I keep forgetting to ask. Oops."

 

[Adamhuarts]

Cynthian had just made his way back to the living quarters from the guild. His flowers seemed to pull him down and his whole body was sore from exhaustion. Then he heard a crash into the wall and quickly became aware of another mon's presence in the room. The Skarmory...

"Boxy? Who's that? And are you okay? You just crashed into the wall by yourself," Cynthian said with a head tilt as he walked into the center of the room. "You're... Seyka, right?"

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"Hmm?" Seyka looked around in confusion before spotting the Roselia. "Wow! You're like a flower, but not really- actually you are. And you know my name too?"

Seyka looked back at the wall. "I guess I did crash, I'm okay though, cause I'm all steel on the outside." The Skarmory leaned down to the Roselia. "And I might be steel on the inside too. Scary right?" he whispered.

"Anyway, Boxy is my friend- I guess yours too," Seyka continued, "You know, he looks like uh- the thing."

 

[Adamhuarts]

It took Cynthian a few seconds to connect the association between Boxy and Necrozma, and he failed to stifle the snort that came right after.

"Aha, so that's what you call him? Well, it's better than what Curio had for him. She calls him Tin Can." Cynthian walked up to Seyka and sat a few feet away. He waved his black rose and said, "I happened to catch your name a few days ago, though I guess we've never properly talked before. I'm Roselia Cynthian."

Cynthian lowered his flower and hummed. "I don't really know if Necrozma considers me a friend, but I do like him for the most part. You talk to him often?"

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"Nope! Only once," Seyka said. "But you know, sometimes that's all you need."

The Skarmory stretched his neck from side to side. "Nice to meet you, Cynth- Cynthe- Cyntho... Cinnamon. So Boxy's name is Necrozma?" Seyka closed his eyes in thought for a moment. "Mm, too long, I'll stick with what I got. It's only been a few weeks and there's already so much to work with. Kind of annoying in a way."

Seyka leaned his head against the wall. "Being a hero is hard work. Everyone seems to be having a rough time."

 

[Adamhuarts]

The Skarmory stretched his neck from side to side. "Nice to meet you, Cynth- Cynthe- Cyntho... Cinnamon.

Cynthian rubbed the back of his head with a chuckle. "You can just call me Cindy for short. Some mon resorted to calling me that back home too."

"Mm, too long, I'll stick with what I got. It's only been a few weeks and there's already so much to work with. Kind of annoying in a way."

"I often just refer to him as Necky. It also rhymes with Boxy. Does this make us two peas in a pod?" Cynthian muttered to himself as he crossed his legs.

Seyka leaned his head against the wall. "Being a hero is hard work. Everyone seems to be having a rough time."

"Well, I wouldn't call us heroes. Some of us surely aren't, like the thieving Zangoose. And certainly not me," Cynthian said with a huff.

 

[RJR Basimilus]

Seyka made a face. "Humility would dictate that you can never acknowledge the fact, but I think you guys are heroes, even the Zangoose!"

"Maybe the definition of hero is a bit more malleable than I thought," Seyka murmured. "You helped out back in that fight earlier right? You shielded someone else." Seyka stared at Cynthian intently. "A hero is someone who sacrifices themselves for someone else's benefit."

"But if heroism is a good or bad thing, that's for you to decide."