Seymour got the sense that the men were not exactly trustworthy, but didn't want to outright lie to them. Especially since their pokedexes recorded everything. So he was glad that Portia showed up and directed them on a wild goose chase. He merely stepped aside and gestured in the same direction as Portia and watched them rush off.

Just as Seymour was noticing Houdini was missing, the abra reappeared holding the fugitive pokemon. "Oh, so that's where you ended up," he commented to the Laconney. Then to Portia, he added, "Have you considered offering a pokeball to lay low in?" The Laconney would certainly be much less likely to be spotted if it was inside a pokeball. And it seemed like it might already be making quick friends of Portia's abra already anyway.

---

Seymour is hinting to Portia that she might want to consider asking it to join her party, if she wants to. If she doesn't want to, Seymour might make the offer himself, but he is definitely giving Portia "fist dibs."

While Seymour was reluctant to lie to the men, Portia had no such qualms and did so with ease.  She watched as they hurried away out of sight and, after a few moments to ensure they were well and good gone, held out her arms in a cradling gesture just in time for Houdini and the Laconney to spontaneously pop into existence within her waiting embrace.  "I love it when a plan comes together.  Well done, and thanks for sticking your neck out like that." Portia gave Seymour a grateful smile and a playful bump of her hip to his side for jumping to thier defense.

She gave a curious look to Houdini when he indicated the distant castle and nodded, though Seymour's remark about using a Pokeball drew a bit of a rueful smirk out of her.  "You say that like it's so easy to do.  My first reaction to meeting a new Pokemon has never been to try and capture them.  Bringing a Pokemon into your care is a huge responsibility." It went unmentioned that she also had extremely few supplies in that regard and couldn't use them carelessly, but she wasn't about to fess to that so quickly.  "In any case, the Professor just shot me a text - apparently there's some latecomer at the lab who missed our train and needs a pick-up, so we may have a new traveling companion joining our little troupe.  I was thinking of taking this little one to the lab for safe keeping."

On that, Portia hoisted her Abra back up to his usual spot astride her shoulders and held the frightened Laconney affectionately cradled to her chest, warm and supported.  "What do you say, little one?  Do you want to be taken to the castle, to the Professor's lab outside of this city..." she cast a look Seymour's way and conceded a shrug.  "...or do you want to come with us?  Fair warning though - I'm traveling with a bunch of Trainers, so they're gonna want to get into battles and win gym badges.  But if that's your thing, they're your best choice."

Portia isn't looking to add the Laconney to her team, but is giving it the choice of where it wants to ultimately go to.  If it wants to join the party, she'll readily let Seymour take it.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:28, Tue 19 Nov 2019.

You're not sure if the Pokémon understood you or not. All it does, is make soft whines while looking toward the castle.

---

Meanwhile, at the hotel...

Jakey has just started to look through his Pokédex's functions, when an employee of the hotel walks up to him and Evelyn. "Excuse me, miss Nomura-Wataru? Someone left a message for you." The woman hand Evelyn a small white envelope.

Portia frowned a bit as the little rabbit seemed to struggle to understand what she said.  Pokemon had a very wide range when it came to their capacity to understand Humans - there were the hyper-intelligent sort like her Abra who matched and readily exceeded mankind's mental abilities on one end of the scale, but then there was the far end where some Pokemon behaved as little more than dumb, instinct-driven brutes.  It was hard to tell where the Laconney fell on that spectrum, but it did seem to give a clear enough indication as it's gaze remained fast on the imposing castle in the distance.

"Looks like it wants to go to the Castle... maybe it already has a Trainer there?  C'mon, let's hurry.  Keep an eye out for those guys." Portia unzipped her jacket a ways to tuck the Laconney inside, kept mostly out of sight with just its cute little head poking up into view.  Perhaps they'd get lucky and be able to find that Lieutenant Barry person again.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Tue 19 Nov 2019.

Seymour probably would have been offended by Portia's accusation about catching pokemon if it weren't so true. His mind did go to capturing awfully quickly. Especially when presented with a pokemon he had never seen or heard of before. Plus, fire and ice type? How awesome was that!?

But Seymour didn't press the issue any further after Portia conversed with the pokemon herself. It seemed the castle was their new destination. "Let's just try not to stir up any inter-regional drama if we can help it," Seymour commented as he followed along. He kept an eye out for the rabbit's pursuers, as requested.

At the castle...

As Seymour and Portia get closer to the castle, they notice there seems to be more people around then earlier. Not at the exit where they passed, but a good distance off to the side. And although you try to avoid the crowd, the Laconney struggles to head that way.

You get a better look of what is drawing the people's attention. A police barricade has been placed near the castle, and a group of agents in protective coveralls are working around a small group of bushes near the wall.

Portia had decided to follow the Laconney's lead by that point since it seemed as though it had somewhere it wanted to go, but she did feel a fair bit of hesitation at the sight of a crowd and police on site.  She stopped short a ways from the thick of it all, reluctant to get much closer since the officials had on protective gear.

"What do you think happened?" she muttered as she leaned in closer to Seymour.

If Eve at all considered that what she had said was taken as offensive, she showed no sigh at all, only nodding in agreeance. "It sounds farfetched in normal circumstances, but there really aren't many other reasons. In a military state like this one, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest that there would be up cropping of people super resentful to the government."

She happily paid for the rooms herself and went to sit in the lobby. She honestly expected Jake to leave her alone. With her lack of ability to travel for long and the city open to explore, she didn't want to hold anyone back. Really, she was used to beinf left behind. It didnt really bother her anymore. When he stayed and asked for her help, she brightened visibly. "Of course I would!" she said eagerly. "And you had asked about how to be a good trainer, too, right? I can answer some questions, too! I'm no expert but I think I can help you if you're brand new to training." She moved to sit right next to him and began pointing out the features of the Pokedex. She proved to be an exceedingly patient teacher, happy to answer any questions he had.

The interruption surprised her, and she looked up at the receptionist as she handed her the envelope. "Thank you," she said courteously as she took the envelope. She smiled at Jake as the deliverer walked away. "Just one sec. It might be from my family," she said apologetically before she opened the envelope to read the message.

JirachiWish... Evelyn had seen the name before, in video games advertisement. To see it in a letter addressed to her was unexpected, to say the least...

"Thanks a bunch! I will try to think of some questions once we are done with figuring this thing out."
Jake was happy to have a teacher to demonstrate the different functions of the pokedex and someone of similar age to chat with about something. It was always hardest to talk to someone when there wasn't a topic at hand. There was no feature he seemed most interested in, but he was enthusiastic about such an advanced device in general.

After Eve got her letter, he pulled out his own pokedex and held it close to him in a guarded fashion. He looked at the city map for a bit before tabbing over to see if he had any messages. He wasn't sure if he would see anything. He didn't add any of the other trainer's numbers due to his prior lack of skill, but it was possible the professor had already pre-added them.

"I'm not sure," Seymour admitted to Portia. "But I'll see if I can figure it out."

The trainer took a step forward toward the gathered crowd, then paused and looked back again. "It may take a few minutes. Did you want to collect the new trainer while I go poke around? I assume the Professor was intending for you to teleport, correct?" What a useful skill teleportation would be, Seymour mused.

Regardless of Portia's decision, however, Seymour approached the scene to see if he could glean what was going on. Both by listening to the rumors of the crowd, observing what he could from behind the barricades, and maybe even asking a question or two if the opportunity presented itself.

---

Seymour is using his Intuition and IQ to try and piece together what is (or was) going on at the castle.

At the hotel...

The first thing Evelyn showed to Jakey was how to the rest of the group to his contacts. As she was focused on her letter, he looked through the map for points of interest.

---

At the castle...

Seymour makes his way closer to the barricade, to take a better look at the area. Although there are soldiers on the walls, none of them are close to the crime scene. The police officers seem rather disturbed by what happened, though it's hard to figure out what that was. One thing leads Seymour to suspect a violent crime: some of the crime scene investigator have dark stains on their coveralls. Blood, perhaps?
The other bystander don't seem too well informed either, though one word seems to come up regularly: terrorist. Unfortunately, there seems to be little else they can tell you. The cops probably know more, but it would be hard to get answers from them...

Eve slightly pursed her lip, cocking her head slightly. JirachiWish... How peculiar. She had done promotional material before, for a few reasons, back in Kanto, but this company, while the name was familiar, she was sure she had never worked with before. The fact that they knew where to deliver the message was more than a little off putting, but then again, this was Cadien, and not Kanto. Her movements, like everyone with a Pokedex, were closely monitored by the government, and big corporations often had their fingers in the government's dealings...

"Falkner, please," she said with an air of guilt, "give me just one second. I just have to make a quick phone call." Giving him an apologetic smile, she popped open her Pokedex and (taking the opportunity to show Jakey how to do it) tapped out the number in the letter. She might as well meet with them, she supposed. Brushing her long platinum hair out of the way, she pressed her Pokedex to her ear, waiting for someone to answer.

When they did, she put on a much more prim and professional voice than when she had been speaking to Jakey. She was polite and respectful, but spoke in an air that clearly expected it to be returned. "Hello. This is Evelyn Wataru-Nomura. I just received a letter from a Ms. Regina Valeria Walls, with instruction to call this number if I wished to arrange a meeting."

Jake seemed to take inspiration from looking at the map and squirmed in his seat. As Eve apologized for the call she was about to take, Jake piped in,
"No worries, I am going to run out a bit, its a huge city out there!"

Despite his enthusiastic phrasing, he seemed a bit less transparently excited than he typically did. He also called his mudkip back into its pokeball as he quickly walked out of the hotel. It seemed apparent that on reviewing the pokedex that there was a place that he wanted or needed to go.

That some sort of terrorist attack had taken place so soon after the party had gotten jumped on the road didn't settle well with Portia at all.  While she was suspicious a to what a militarized region like Cadien would label as 'terrorist' actions, it didn't change the fact that things seemed to be in a bad way so close to the border.  "I don't think we're gonna be able to get into the castle at a time like this." she muttered as she shifted in close at Seymour's side to whisper to him.  "Do you want to take the little one back to the hotel and we can try getting into the castle tomorrow?  Or should I just take it to the Professor?"

Last chance if Seymour wants to keep Laconney for himself.

Portia seemed to have similar feelings as Seymour about the whole "terrorist" thing. When they were away from the crowd, he said, "Yeah, it is probably best we keep our distance. As outsiders we would probably automatically be under suspicion. Our pokedex recordings would ensure nothing was actually tied to us, but I would still rather avoid any interrogations if possible. So yeah, let's check back tomorrow."

That said, he turned his attention back to the Laconney once Portia mentioned it. "You're more than welcome to come with me, Laconney. But I would feel a lot safer if you were hiding in a pokeball." He held out an empty ball for it. "Or you can stay with Portia and go to the Professor if you prefer. That is just fine too." His voice was gentle and sincere.

---

Figured I might as well try and convince it to join the team, since Portia offered. ;-)

I'll use up to the full 25 favor points on any roll needed to convince it, and reduce my pokeball stat too, if needed.

Evelyn...

A woman's voice answers the call. "Ah, miss Wataru-Nomura, I was told to expect your call. Madam Walls would like to meet you at Sekheta's Trove for supper. We will send a car to pick you up. Would you like to bring guests with you?"

---

Jakey...

Jakey leaves the hotel, and soon finds himself at a nice open park. Grabbing a bite to eat, he takes a moment to enjoy the sights.

---

At the castle...

It seems Laconney has something else in mind, as he starts struggling to escape Portia. She manages to hold on, but not before drawing the attention of one of the cops. "Hold up kids. Is this your Pokémon?" He moves closer to look at the Laconney, then gives a sad sigh. "Kids... I think you should come with me..."
He notices Seymour and Portia freezing for a moment, and he raises his hands in a calming gesture. "Calm down, you're not in trouble. I'm officer Joshua, and... well, I have bad news about your new companion..." At the man's tone and gesture, the Laconney stops struggling, instead shaking in fear.

OOC: Sorry if it looks like I'm stretching things, but this talk is what will convince Laconney to join. Portia, you can pass the bunny to Seymour if you want, it's clear it doesn't want to leave right now. The cop will have no problem with you teleporting away, if Seymour stays with the Pokémon.

The approach of the officer was plenty to put Portia on edge and the partial explanation offered didn't do anything to ease her concerns.  She glanced past to the odd markings scattered across the blocked-of scene and grimaced as her imagination took a turn for the worse as to what was at hand.

"We found it running around the side-streets by the shopping center - it was hurt and being chased by some weirdos in tie-dye shirts.  We were trying to figure out what to do with it, but it wanted to come here to the castle." she explained hesitantly.  While she rarely held any trust for adults, honesty was the best policy when it came to such situations.  Portia cradled the Laconney closer to her chest and covered its ears down under her palm, both in a soothing gesture to try and calm it while also blocking its hearing as best she could.  "The attack... was its Trainer involved in this?" she asked, uncertain of whether such a person was responsible or perhaps a victim caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I hate to keep Atticus waiting on me, but this doesn't seem like a good spot for Portia to just bail on or to bring Atticus back into.  I figured she'd jump to get him once she and Seymour were ready to return to the hotel.

At the castle...

The officer shakes his head. "I don't think it had a trainer, but it likely involved the man who were chasing it." He guides you near a police car, behind the barricade and where the crowd can't hear you.

"Those weirdos... they were probably part of Team Gaia. They're a group who's opposed to Cadien's military traditions. That usually means protesting any military or governmental buildings, but sometime it extends to interfering with Gym challenges or other League activities."
His tone drops as he continues. "But... some of them are more agressive, going so far as to turn to terrorism." He nods to the crime scene. "In this case, they attacked the wild Pokémon nesting near the castle... this guy's family."

Such a claim left Portia with a stricken look on her face, though it lasted only for a moment before her expression darkened.  It was the same kind of sour look she'd given the Professor when he explained the situation in Cadien back at the lab - a distrustful glower, as if she didn't quite buy the line she'd been fed.

"That doesn't make any sense - why would they attack wild Pokemon?  Why would they chase after this one?" she muttered as she held the Laconney tighter to herself with a tremble in her hands.  If the so-called terrorists were just trying to cause chaos or hurt the military, there were much better ways than to indiscriminately attack Pokemon who had nothing to do with anything.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:17, Sat 23 Nov 2019.

Seymour's jaw dropped as the officer explained the situation. That was why the rabbit wanted to return to the castle? A wave of sadness and worry washed over him. Emotions the laconney was probably experiencing one hundred times worse. It's whole family...

"Terrorist plots don't usually make sense to those of sound mind," Seymour replied to Portia, doing his best to hold it together. "In Hoenn, there was once a criminal organization that attempted to erupt a volcano in order to create new habitats for pokemon. It would have destroyed countless habitats for people and pokemon in the process. So yeah, I wouldn't waste too much time trying to follow the logic of someone who would do something this barbaric." He gave the laconney another sympathetic look.

"Officer, do you think there is any way our laconney friend here could spend a moment in their home? Get a bit of closure?"

"They were targeted for a simple reason. Despite being wild, the Pokémon that nest near barraks are treated as both mascot, and guards. Anyone trying to attack a military base would rile up the nest, ruining most attempt at surprise attack. And soldiers, or their family, would often bound with some of the child of the nest, eventually adopting them as their companions. To Team Gaia, that's corrupting Pokémon with our human military ways."

The officer takes a deep breath. "Team Gaia promotes wild behaviour from their Pokémon. Including... eating the Pokémon they defeat." He takes a moment to let that sink in. "I don't think it should go in there... They took away all it's siblings, and neither it's mother or father survived..."

The Laconney gives a mournful cry.

While the practice of eating Pokemon itself wasn't a bother to Portia in and of itself, she could only concede to it as a matter of survival.  Pokemon as food wasn't an issue - they preyed on one another all the time and there were plenty of ways they would produce by-products or share their bounty with Humans willingly.  But to eat Pokemon needlessly, or worse still because of a misguided effort to make a point... Portia's stomach turned from anger more than anything.

She began to speak but her voice faltered and stopped short, only to be steadied after a quick breath.  "Let's... let's go back to the hotel.  We shouldn't be here." she urged Seymour.

Seymour nodded solemnly to Portia. "Yeah, let's go. Thank you officer. Let us know if there is anything more we can do." He turned to leave.

Then Seymour reached out to scratch the laconney behind the ear in an effort to comfort it, if even just a little bit. The poor bunny. "I am sorry about your family, laconney. You are certainly welcome to stay with us as long as you need."

Eve smiled and waved goodbye to Jakey as he walked out to leave her alone. "Certainly, that would be lovely," she said to the voice on the end of the line. "Guests? Yes, I would like to bring my traveling companions, if they are available at the time. Three of them. I will send them an invitation via Pokedex. What time would you like me ready for pick up?"