welcome to calamity! we are an au pokemon site based in hoenn. we do not have canons so you can pick them as your fcs! we have a short one hundred word word count. and you get to also pick your own starter! calamity is going to focus on providing users with a good and stable plot line to follow. this helps each character progress and some might even have a play in affecting the plot! we hope you enjoy your time here and if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask.
hey guys! we've finally hit our three month mark! let's stay strong. the activity check and gala have ended, if your character has been archived and you need them back please pm one of the admins! unfortunately, noods has steped down from his admin position. make sure you say your goodbyes here!
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JUNE 18TH, 2015
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hello calamity! we're nearing the two months mark in a few weeks. how time flies! right now we have two things going on that need your participation. the first is an activity check! it is impotant that you check in so you don't lose your face claim. the second is the otm nomiations! we're doing it a bit different than last time. so please submit your nominations in. a vote thread will be up in the next few days. there will also be a formal event coming very soon, so keep your eye out for that. keep being cool!
we're currently about to host calamity's first contest in slatepor. trainers are flocking to the city to see, the city's been trying to get good pr since the gala, and it seems to be working! they're asking for both coordinators and volunteer judges to sign up.
CALAMITY is a roleplaying forum inspired by the popular franchise POKEMON, which does not belong to us. the skin was crafted by PHARAOH LEAP of GANGNAM STYLE. special thanks to SPIRAL for contributing ideas! all art on the forum does not belong to us unless stated otherwise, while all written works belong to the members who posted them. DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING that is not yours, please. thank you.
It had been a long while since she'd last been in Littleroot. In fact, when Gwen first left Route 101 to enter the little town she found it hard to remember when she'd last been there. There had been some kind of little event at Birch's lab years ago, a greeting to the young scientists showing up on the scene. She could distinctly remember giving a speech on pokemon physiology and its reactions with type effectiveness, but not to who. Either way she was back at Professor Birch's request. What he wanted of her she couldn't say.
What she could say, however, was that Littleroot was not her kind of town. Sure it had some of the things she liked. It was small and quiet with a booming pokemon population. If she was just here to study that would have been fine. But no, she was here to meet with people, and the small town feel had never been to her liking. The people that waved when you walked by, the strangers that would come up and start talks with you. It was too personal for her liking. She was always left feeling uncomfortable, and if there was one thing she hated more than all else it was feeling uncomfortable.
"If I can just remember where the lab is. . ." She murmured, fishing a map out of her bag. The town was of course no colossal challenge to navigate, but the collection of small houses and cramped streets did make it a bit of a hassle to go from point a to b, and while she was a researcher with a good head on her shoulders Gwen had never been the best navigator in unfamiliar surroundings. Still, she found some kind of path using the map and, after marking it with a black line from her pen, started off.
"I hope he doesn't keep me for too long." A sigh slipped from between Gwen's lips as she started her walk, adjusting the cargo shorts hanging off her waist and readjusting her bag's on her shoulder, trying to make sure it didn't tug too much on her sweater.
@open note:looking for one more participant taken by freak
Post by Sylvester Blackburne on Aug 7, 2015 23:39:29 GMT
"Who are you talking about?" Sylvester noticed a lady with bags making her way through town, listening in and questioning about what she had said. Sylvester had just came back from Birch's lab, having tried to ask him personally about a bug type pokemon he had recently captured. Yet he was told to go away since the professor was apparently supposed to be in a meeting right now...
"Oh right, I should say hello first. Sorry about that...I'm Sylvester Blackburne." Doing his best to fasten a smile across his face, Sylvester reached his hand out towards them in a friendly gesture. Whether or not she accepted the handshake mattered little. Instead, Sylvester was fixated on her bags and clothes. "Who are you?"
As if summoned by Gwens thoughts on things she hated about this community, a man popped up during her following of the route she'd charted. Within the space of just a few seconds he managed to stop her forward movement, admit to eavesdropping on her quiet comments, and intruded into her personal business. To say she disliked him upon first inspection would have been an understatement. The corners of her mouth twitched downwards into a frown, and the extended hand went ignored.
"As far as I understand it's much more polite to explain yourself before quizzing other people about their business and identities," her response was terse, cut short by both her desire to get moving and her distaste for the man standing before her. That introduction had likely done permanent damage to her perception of this man -- Sylvester. Looking on him now she saw him as nothing but an intrusive nuisance. He'd have to do some work to shake that image
"My name is Gwen Darby, although I'll be Dr. Darby to you," her tone was still tense when she continued. When she followed up on her previous comment she did so with her frown -- a contrast to the man's cheery expression -- still etched onto her face and her now narrowed eyes locked upwards, quietly inspecting the man who'd so rudely stepped into her path.
Post by Sylvester Blackburne on Aug 8, 2015 0:23:22 GMT
"Does it really matter what I want?" Judging by how she responded to his presence, Gwen here did not like him whatsoever. A pity, truly, but not enough to hinder Sylvester from pursuing further discussion with the stranger...if he could still call her that. "I would refer to you as a doctor, but that would imply I hold some form of respect for you and your...profession?" He made this remark in a way that suggested she wasn't better than him, even if she was some sort of scholarly scientist. It seemed that as a doctor, Miss Darby here had become accustomed to a busy lifestyle, and proved rude to the "common folk" who simply wanted to converse.
"Whatever that may be, I don't think it's enough to make up for your awful demeanor. We may have just met, but that is no reason to treat me like some plebeian." At this point, Sylvester's intention wasn't to talk with her. He had a little more ambition than that. Instead, he would try to antagonize her. She may very well have pointed out that his approach was rude of him, but her attitude made for quite the hypocrite. "I suppose what I want is to waste your time. That is until you decide to lighten up, Doctor Gwen Darby."
It appeared Gwen had gotten to Sylvester, and now he would strive to make every second of her day unnerving. Failure to do so was not a valid option...
"No, I suppose it doesn't matter what you want," Gwen didn't even think before responding. She'd asked it more or less out of frustration, she really didn't care what the man wanted. She was on a schedule. She had two meetings back to back, one with Birch and another with an oversea client. She didn't want to sit here for any stretch of time conversing with some town folk. Especially one as off putting as this one.
"No, calling me doctor would simply imply you have basic knowledge of what titles are and how they function," As she spoke she moved to walk around Sylvester, her lips pressed tight together, "I graduated from college, have several published papers, and have a rapport with the scientific community. I'm referred to by colleagues and the general public as 'doctor'. If that's not enough for you Blackburne it's also worth noting that the term 'first name basis' exists for a reason."
None of her words were meant to bite, they were simply the truth. Gwen didn't want or require the man's respect, and in fact didn't think respect had anything to do with the title of 'doctor'. There were plenty of doctors she knew who she didn't respect. Crackpots who went on about miracle formulas, old and young graduates who hadn't been published in years, some even decades. She still called them doctor. It was simply how it worked.
"I'm not treating you like a plebian, I'm treating you like a nuisance," again she simply spoke her mind, "you truly are a common person, but I'm not talking to you how I am out of this fact. I'm talking to you how I am because you intruded on my personal thoughts, impeded my path to a meeting, and acted as a nuisance, whether you intended to or not."
Realizing she was likely stuck in this conversation now Gwen stopped her attempts to simply move on, turning to Sylvester with a face that couldn't have screamed "irritated" more if she tried. If he wanted to waste her time, fine. She'd give him the satisfaction for a couple of minutes, but then she'd brush him off. If her watch was right it wasn't like she excessively behind as it was.
"Now you're playing the active nuisance, and if you expect me to 'lighten up' as long as you persist in this act you're setting yourself up for disappointment." She spoke matter-of-factly, adjusting her bag on her shoulder once more and putting her map back inside of it. With that done she crossed her arms, waiting for whatever he had to say next.
Post by Sylvester Blackburne on Aug 8, 2015 1:12:19 GMT
"You're a lively one, aren't you?" Rhetorical, yet Gwen was free to respond if she were willing. Sylvester simply did his best to take up her time and savor the tension of the moment. "I like to think we are on a first name basis. I'm growing more fond of you with each and every passing moment." Blatant sarcasm, yet the stark grin on his face suggested otherwise. Sylvester was having lots of fun with this little quarrel they both were making...
"And you're wrong, I was already disappointed before you came along. But now that you're here? My day has gotten a lot more entertaining." He smirked further and gently scoffed at what Gwen had to say of Sylvester and his aspirations for her to lighten up. It was clear already that she just was not that kind of person. "I'm also not as common as you'd like to think. There isn't another person in this town like me. Yet, there is another scholar in this town like you—Professor Birch. Though, I am sure you already know of him. Perhaps that is also who you are supposed to meet?" As he pursued Gwen further, the realization had hit him. Perhaps she really was on her way to go with him, and she was the one Birch would be seeing in the meeting?
Yet that only meant Gwen was the reason he couldn't go ask Birch about his new pokemon...it was almost as if they were destined to get in a little spat like this and bicker to their little hearts out...
Most of her Sylvester's words weren't even registering any more. All she needed to know was he was rambling about inconsequential things and trying his damnedest to be as annoying to her as possible. He'd made that clear himself. So instead she studied her watch, checked her clothes for wrinkles, explored the surroundings with her eyes. She'd dealt with colleagues ten times as annoying as he could ever be. It would take more to draw her attention than that. But, more he did indeed have. The name Birch got her eyes and mind's focus.
"Yes, on both accounts. I've collaborated with Birch several times in field work and am at the moment meeting up with him to talk about my study on climate across the region," The second half was more or less a lie. He'd summoned her to his lab, but more to talk about her lack of published papers in the last couple of years. There was some concern that he was throwing away opportunities or losing her passion. Whatever it was she was ready to dispel those thoughts and get back to her work. Though to do that she'd have to get past him.
"You know what, if we're going to waste my time we're going to do it in some kind of interesting way," Gwen spoke suddenly before making a b-line for the tree line, walking briskly and with a slight bounce to each step. She'd noticed something worth observing while scanning the town, and quickly found it. A Taillow, twittering down at her from a branch.
"How about we talk about this. Taillow. One of many flying type pokemon, with a common typing and set of skills. So common that there is more or less an equivalent for it in each and every region of the pokemon world," As she spoke she reached up to stroke it, and found it more than willing to abide to her wish.
"Pidgey, Spearow, Starly, Fletchling, though the last one does differ in later stages, are all Normal/Flying pokemon, found in small town areas in great numbers and spread wide across their respective regions. They all evolve to be similar sizes with similar skill sets, with their differences being more or less superficial.
We think it has to do with the differences in the regions. The varied berries, the presence or lack of intense seasons, the way the cities themselves have been constructed. It's probable that they all had some kind of common ancestor, with some speculating it to be one of the fossil pokemon discovered in Unova. Though it itself has a unique typing that leaves us wondering if it really is the link we've been seeking."
"Isn't that interesting?" Gwen turned to ask Sylvester the simple question, expecting little more than sass in response.
Post by Sylvester Blackburne on Aug 8, 2015 2:17:44 GMT
Following along with Gwen, Sylvester couldn't help but feel a tinge of boredom encroaching the depths of his lightly troubled mind. She went on a long discussion about these simple pokemon being related to a fossil, and while it was actually mildly interesting to contemplate...the Tailow certainly wasn't.
"Eh, I'm not really a fan of flying type pokemon. Though it would be cool to see this fossil you speak of." Divulging a little more about himself, Sylvester dared to see if he could get her to talk about other pokemon. "However, I am much more intrigued by currently living pokemon. For instance...I caught a new bug type pokemon I was hoping to ask Birch about. It's a Venipede...any advice on things they like to do or eat? 'Cause honestly, I don't like bugs...they kinda creep me out, same with marine life. I don't want it trying to bite me or anything." Because then Sylvester would probably try to squash it, and what good would that do them?
"Venipede," Gwen couldn't help but crinkle her nose at the name. She didn't have any special problem with bug pokemon at large, but this particular breed was something she did her best to avoid. Very poisonous and very aggressive, more likely to cause trouble thank anything else. Still she turned to face Sylvester so that she could answer his questions.
"The Venipede line is incredibly aggressive. Once they've been caught and tamed they're not so bad, but out in the wild especially they're a dangerous sort. At least they usually are," She stuck her hands in her pockets as she tried to run through all she knew about the line in her head.
"They're primarily carnivorous, but like any pokemon can be sated through special food or treats -- pokefood, pokeblocks, poffins -- but really you should try and keep their diet as treat free as possible if you want them growing strong. The biting is a real problem, you're going to want to be careful with it and test its temperament before feeding it or interacting with it. Unless, for whatever reason, you think it'll be harmless towards you."
After speaking she dug around in her pocket, pulling out a white box. When flipped open several cigarettes could be seen inside, the pack something like half empty at this point. She slipped one of them between her lips and lit it, replacing the box and inhaling before pulling it away from her mouth and blowing a line of smoke away from the both of them.
"If you don't like bug types this isn't going to be a good introduction to training them, but if you're capable you should be fine," after another drag from her cigarette her eyes widened and she reached in her pocket once again, leaving the cigarette dangling between her teeth. When she pulled out the box again she held it out towards Sylvester.
"Want one Blackburne? I forgot to ask," if she did anything else the man deemed rude she figured he'd only bother her for longer.
Post by Sylvester Blackburne on Aug 8, 2015 3:47:58 GMT
Sylvester wasn't sure if the ruse of her forgetting to ask if he wanted a cigarette was a reference to him forgetting to ask her name and introduce himself before asking a question or just plain coincidence. Regardless of that he seemed reluctant at first, though overcame it and pulled an alabaster stick from the paper carton before lighting it aflame with his own lighter. "Yeah sure. Sounds like he might be a drag, though. He's poisonous to boot, so it sounds like I shouldn't be too nonchalant around him." Which was bad, as Sylvester was hoping for it to be just like any other pokemon. That was far from the case.
"So..." Since they were able to talk, and Gwen seemed intent on answering more questions because of her vast expertise and the need to show for it...why not ask her about her won pokemon? "What about you? Do you have any pokemon, or do you just like to look at them and their fossils?" That would be pretty boring, and as he thought about it that may have been why she seemed so cranky and frustrated. All the time, going around to meetings to talk about things they could have discussed on the phone. Well, to be fair Sylvester could vouch that speaking in person was much more efficient, but it could be a reason why...
The taste of nicotine on her tongue always managed to unwind Gwen. No matter how frustrated she was, how mad she was about some implied disrespect, a couple drags of a cigarette let it all go -- dispelled with the smoke she blew. So she found herself a small bit more amiable after a couple drags, and even felt a little conversational. Still, even with this new mood she had places to go.
"Let's walk and talk," she suggested without force, but with a kind of sureness that would let Sylvester know shew as going to start walking whether or not he came with her. And indeed she did, walking at a slow but even pace back towards where they'd started their conversation. The Taillow twittered behind her possibly as a farewell or maybe just to hear itself.
"Yeah, I'd recommend being careful with that Venipede until it's attached to you. Their poison is wicked on pokemon, and much worse on humans. Just make sure you stay alert. If it bares its teeth to bite you or seems to be readying its claws back off and let it cool off. By the time it evolves it should trust you enough not to get defensive like that, but then you have to watch out for any temperamental spinning. They're handfuls."
The question about her own pokemon was unexpected. She had assumed that the man would more or less want to get information on his own pokemon and then leave. Not like the question was unwelcome. Quite the opposite really. Gwen didn't get too many opportunities to talk about herself and her pokemon, not that it was much to talk about. At the moment she only had the one.
"I've got a Litleo, a present from one of my employers. They gave it to me with their grant," Knowing how foolish it would be to elaborate, Gwen was careful not to mention -- or even imply -- that those benefactors were Team Magma, or that the pokemon was given to her with the intent that she start exercising their will through force at some point. A point she hoped would stay away so long as she kept up her research and reporting. As soon as she started hassling people her good name was as would be dead. Not that it wouldn't be worth it for Team Magma. Her loyalties were with them first and herself second.
Post by Sylvester Blackburne on Aug 8, 2015 5:26:00 GMT
Gwen certainly was spontaneous. First the walk over to the Tailow, then she just wanted to walk while they talked. Maybe she just liked walking? Sylvester didn't think it likely, since she was the scholarly type. Maybe it just helped her mind keep moving forward and not stalling or regressing? Either way, the mention of her only pokemon being a Litleo made him chuckle lightly. "A Litleo, really? Seems unfortunate." He looked in the distance as he exhale, a poof of smoke dissipating into the open air as a gentle breeze rolled past.
"The first gym leader of Petalburg City has a Litleo, and I spanked him good. I'd be surprised if he isn't still sore that just one of my pokemon beat all three of his own." After saying that, Sylvester realized just how arrogant he would sound. Doing well to keep that in mind, he tried to relent a little on the topic as best he could. "Though it could always be worse. Besides, none of Norman's pokemon had even evolved yet. Not really the greatest example to base the strength of the pokemon off of." He wondered what Gwen would have to say about it all, pondering between her being offended or educated enough to know more about the pokemon's potential than even Sylvester.
Again, Gwen didn't care so much what Sylvester thought about her, and this opinion extended to her pokemon. When he called her Litleo unfortunate she did, admittedly, blow out her next stream of smoke harder than the last, but she still kept her composure when she looked over her shoulder to respond. Needless to say she didn't think Litleo was unfortunate at all.
"Fast, with a talent for ranged fire-based attacks. It's a strong pokemon for quick fights and surprise attacks. Couple that with its sound based attacks at later levels and it makes for a good pokemon to disorient the opponent," she took another drag of her cigarette, now nearly half gone, before continuing.
"As for Norman, there's a couple things to consider. Was he your first badge? Gym Leaders are equipped with pokemon of various levels so that they can fight trainers at any point of their journey. If he was your first badge you only fought his weakest team, and thus, his weakest Litleo," bluntness coated her words but venom was distinctly lacking from every one, "On top of that, Norman is a headstrong battler from what I hear. I doubt he has the finesse to pull off a Litleo or Pyroar correctly. And regardless, I'm a researcher. Battling is one of the last things on my mind.
So I guess you're a trainer then? That explains a lot actually. I'm curious, what kind of pokemon do you favor? Do you like strength? Stamina? Hardiness? Maybe you're one of those that likes a bit of style in their battles? No, the last one doesn't sound right. You seem like the more straightforward type. No time for fancy maneuvering. No offense, of course.
Either way you shouldn't judge pokemon by the first time you see them. Some Caterpie have the potential to take down even the most vicious Venipede, and every once and awhile you'll see a Magikarp go toe to toe with a Carvanha and somehow come out on top. A weak pokemon with potential and drive can do amazing things. Not so unlike a person," one last breath finished off her cigarette. She dropped the stub of a stick into the grass before stomping it out, blowing her last lungful of smoke into the air as she did so.
"Anyway, this is my stop," She stated simply, looking up at the lab. A glance at her watch earned a scowl, "And I'm late." Rolling her shoulders and adjusting her strap one last time she looked back at Sylvester.
"Any parting words plebian," She used the title with a new expression, a small grin. Just a twitch at the left side of her mouth. Sylvester wasn't so bad. Or at least wasn't as terrible as his introduction had made him out to be.
Post by Sylvester Blackburne on Aug 8, 2015 6:04:37 GMT
Above all, Sylvester would defend his pokemon, if not himself. They meant a lot to him, perhaps the world. At least some of it...but that wasn't the point. "Diversity. I like way too many pokemon not to try and capture different species. So far I have two rare pokemon, being a Combusken and a Sylveon. The rest are just as great, even if a lot more common, Venipede included." Sylvester began to display a fervent passion towards his team, forgetting about how Gwen just called him a plebeian before trying to make her escape into the lab. That was when he realized his suspicions had been confirmed before his very own eyes.
'So she is the reason I couldn't speak with Birch.' Sylvester couldn't help but think 'Wow, what a b****...' Yet he liked that about her, since it was less that, and more his own actions working against him. Lots of attitude, brains, and he enjoyed her for it all.
Hearing about Sylvester's other pokemon painted a good picture for Gwen about how he operated. Despite what she said he did have a flashier pokemon, and Combusken was no pushover. He was sure to be a formidable trainer. Diversity was the key to any good team, and a good team was the key to any battle. Her grin widened somewhat when he confirmed that he perhaps had both.
"Good answer," Her parting words were simple before she turned to open the door to the lab, looking at him one more time before entering, "I'll make sure to pass on your questions about Venipede onto Birch," despite the kind promise she was offering her face returned to an impassive state. After all, she was walking into a business environment. And then she was gone, within the lab with the door closing behind her before Sylvester could say anything else.
"He could be trouble down the road," she murmured to herself once the door clicked shut. Diverse trainer with a good team. All the makings of an obstacle to Magma's plans. Hopefully she could dissuade him from being one before he got himself hurt. But that was a train of thought for a different time. Right now she had to talk with Birch and put a stop to his own suspicions.
