@FauxFox @System Error
Theo reached an arm out to the child. “What’s wrong kid? Just because you’ve got an Ogerpon mask on doesn’t mean you are one, they probably won’t think so. I mean, they didn’t attack the Ogerpon actor on stage. Besides, the, what were they called, the Loyal Three are the protectors of this place, right? So there’s nothing to worry about.” Theo said, trying to reassure the child.
Something Theo said seemed to have struck a chord with the poncho-wearing child, because they patted Theo's hand, as if to reassure
him. Their poncho felt smooth and almost waxy, like the surface of a leaf.
I will do my best not to worry. But I fear these Loyal Three are not all they seem.
"I know the truth behind those lousy three," she says bluntly to the child in the poncho, kneeling down and briefly lifting her mask with one hand while she swept her bag in front of her with the other. She quickly retrieves one of the gifts she had brought: a beautiful handcrafted mask that looks like a magnificent nondescript white bird with sky blue plumage. It wouldn't look out of place in their collection, although it lacks any special power radiating from it. She holds it out and speaks quickly and quietly. "A gift I made for you." Not how she was expecting to give it, but oh well. "Wear this, it'll throw them off. I'll safeguard the Teal Mask; you'll get it back when it's safe, of course. A friend of mine is helping with some of the rest." There is an earnest and serious, yet also urgent look in her eyes.
Satomi's suggestion, on the other hand, caused the child clear distress. They clutched again at their mask.
N-no! I can't! This is--this is the last I have.
Nevertheless, they did consider the alternative mask Satomi held out. After a moment of hesitation, the child took it from her, then turned away, hiding their face from Theo and Satomi both. After a moment of rustling, the large mask they'd been wearing disappeared beneath their poncho, and the bird mask had taken its place. The child peered up at the other two uncertainly.
Is it... good?
@Seren
It certainly seemed that a lot of the other festivalgoers were taking the sudden turn of events seriously. People milled and jostled, confronting anyone wearing an Ogerpon mask, or any pokémon that might be considered ogrelike.
"Hey, everyone, look, I found the ogre!" yelled one young man, pointing to his rather large companion.
"Funny, Moji," his friend said, but when several other people didn't take it as a joke and got in his face, demanding answers, he raised his hands. "Whoah, hey! Knock it off! I'm a human, obviously!" But even so, he had to flip his mask up to show his face before the searchers could be convinced to move on.
There were points of drama here and there in the crowd--an old woman and a kid with a tail were comforting another kid wearing a green poncho, who seemed to be in some distress. The photographer with the Hisuian growlithe was hustling towards the festival entrance to get shots of Munkidori, who was entertaining himself by mugging for the crowd. A young man in an Ogerpon mask was headed in the same direction but kept getting stopped by people who were troll-hunting.
Meanwhile the food and fun of the festival continued unabated. At least the candy apple-sellers didn't see any reason to slow their business down because some legends had supposedly returned from the dead.
@Flyg0n @Sinderella
Fezandipiti stalked back and forth across the stage, keeping an eye on the milling crowd and inspecting anyone brought forth under suspicion of being the ogre. Thus far he had rejected a snorlax, two politoed, and one extremely offended milotic. Every now and again he shot an anxious glance at the Cornerstone Mask, which had been propped up against the side of the shrine, waiting for a Loyal Third to come and claim it.
Fezandipiti noticed Marcel making his way over, Vienna shortly behind, and turned to face them.
What's this? Are we bringing forth the fearsome beast to face judgement? He flicked a wing out, the tips of the feathers just barely grazing Marcel's Ogerpon mask.
But no. Of course I can see that you're human. What can I help you with, my friend?
He couldn't help but feel conscious of his choice of mask. "Perhaps I can offer some help," he said to Fezandipiti. "What else do you know about how this... Ogrepon likes to fight? Or hide? The more we know the easier it is to set things straight." And find the truth.
He listened to Marcel's questions with head cocked to one side.
From personal experience, the ogre prefers to attack with its cudgel. It's a terrible weapon, all wrapped round with thorns. Take it from me. Certainly the ogre has an affinity for plants. A nasty kick, too. He shook his head ruefully.
The ogre was never one to hide, but it doesn't look so different from a young human. It may simply be trying to blend with the crowd, hoping its mask will hide its true nature.
“And what happens when we find your culprit here? Finding them is one thing, but what comes after that?” she pressed. “Surely they’ll retaliate upon being caught and I would assume you wouldn’t want anybody hurt on your watch…right?”
Then he turned to Vienna.
As far as what happens when we confront the ogre... Well, that's largely up to our monstrous friend, isn't it? I do fear that, based on past experience, the ogre isn't likely to give up what it stole or accept banishment without a fight. Of course, if we simply let it run around and do whatever it wants, who knows how many people it might hurt? Fezandipiti spread his wings in a gesture of defeat.
What can one do with someone who meets each slight with violence?
@ShiniGojira @IFBench
"Mighty?" Evie scoffed. "Puh-lease. I've seen and fought beasts tougher than the likes of you." She nudged the Oshawott with a leg, silently gesturing for him to run. "If you're as mighty as you are ugly then I'm sure you could give me a somewhat-decent workout."
Gen was trembling, paws gripped tightly onto his reunion cape. He was so scared, he didn't register Evie's signal for him to run.
"...n-no," he finally said, his entire body shaking.
The big pokémon barked a hearty laugh in response to Evie's taunts.
Oh? Well, if it's a fight you want, I accept your challenge! There's nothing more invigorating after a long rest. In the meantime, I must thank you for this generous offering. It finished eating Carmine's berries and scooped some from Gen and Evie's table, now, to continue snacking. Though the pokémon gave Gen a sidelong look when he stammered out a "no," it seemed to dismiss the response as unimportant and merrily continued eating.
Then Carmine came galloping up. "Hey, get away from the berries, you--!" She lost her train of thought, gaping nakedly at the pokémon. "A-are you... Okidogi? Are you *real*?" She slid down from her stantler's back and walked up to the pokémon, who watched her approach casually, not even reacting when she poked it in the side. "Y-you're, you're really--"
Okidogi chuckled and flexed a bicep.
The very same! It's been far too long, hasn't it? I must commend you for collecting these--
At that moment, a bronzong wearing some kind of full-body human-shaped mask swept down the slope, eyes flashing wildly. It let out a loud droning noise, a burst of psychic energy slamming down on Okidogi and knocking him facedown in the dirt.
Carmine gaped a second, but when the bronzong kept coming, she sprang into action. "Hey! Leave him alone! Morpeko!" She grabbed a pokéball off her belt and released a sparking mouse pokémon onto the ground between Okidogi and the bronzong. All of a sudden the Ogre Oustin' course had become rather crowded: Gen and Evie trying to defend their table, Carmine and her morpeko staring down the bronzong, and Okidogi slowly pulling himself up from the ground, a snarl twisting up his muzzle.
