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Team Bitter-cold application

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HUNTERS GUILD: Team Bitter-cold
Date Joined: 16/06/14
Current Funds: 3 St

Merits: 1
Strikes: 0

-------------------------------------

Nunatak
Species: Bergmite
Nature: Relaxed
-Characteristic: Strong willed
Gender: Male                 Age: 20
Ability: Own Tempo

Strength: 4                 Agility: 1
Intelligence:  3            Charisma: 2+2

Total Points Left: 0/10
Type Bonus: Ice -> Charisma

Move 1 Bite
Move 2 Icy Wind
Move 3 Sharpen
Move 4 Take Down

Inventory:

Shawl
----Description: A black shawl that drapes around Nunatak’s pointed back. A free accessory from Wear and Flair.

Swindler's coin
----Description: A reward for preventing other teams from letting a certain Mienshao from having his way. Gives the ability of snatch and is stored under Nunatak's cloak.

-Item 3
----Description:

-------------------------------------

R2R2
Species: Klink
Nature: Quirky
-Characteristic: Capable of taking hits
Gender: Identifies as male           Age: ?? (acts like a 17 year old)
Ability: Minus

Strength: 3+2            Agility: 3
Intelligence: 2            Charisma: 1

Total Points Left: 1/10
Type Bonus: Steel -> Strength

Move 1 Charge Beam
Move 2 Thundershock
Move 3 Gear Grind
Move 4 Bind

Inventory:

Free Accessory Voucher
----Description: A voucher from Wear and Flair. R2R2 currently does not wear any accessories due to his form and personal choice.

Iaponese Paper Doll
----Description: A mysterious doll from the Iapon Ambassador that initiates Grudge if destroyed. Given personally to R2R2 for his protection services.

Body Paint
----Description: Body paint as a reward for participating in the festival. Can be used to change some colours. Currently held by R2R2 as he decides if he wants to use it.

-------------------------------------

Halvor
Species: Graveler
Nature: Modest
-Characteristic: Strongly Defiant
Gender: Male                 Age: 33
Ability: Sturdy

Strength: 2+2                 Agility: 4
Intelligence:  2           Charisma: 2

Total Points Left: 0/10
Type Bonus: Ground/Rock -> Strength

Move 1 Stone Edge
Move 2 Rock Throw
Move 3 Earthquake
Move 4 Double-edge

Inventory:

Scarf
----Description: A black scarf used more as a headband around Halvor’s rocky features. A free accessory from Wear and Flair.

-Item 2
----Description:

-Item 3
----Description:

========== WRITTEN TEST ==========

[For this portion of the application, make your best effort to follow the italicized lines and NPC dialogue with whatever you wish, in order to explain your team. You can even change the setting of the interaction as long as the NPC still asks all the necessary questions. Be creative! You may delete this line if you wish.]

Above your team stands one of the few restaurants around Andalusst that could be considered ritzy, Café Obscurité. The name is often looked upon as ironic, due to the establishment's success and popularity. Many can't afford to dine here, but it is where the Hunters have invited your team to speak with a Guild representative. Hopefully they don't expect you to pay...

Pay was one of the many items they currently did not own. They had been lucky enough to get those free vouchers, with Nunatak purchasing his own black shawl while R2R2, his companion, had wished for nothing. Still, such an establishment like this suggested that 1; the hunters were wealthy and 2, that they weren’t afraid to reveal themselves. It was almost midnight now and Nunatak had been very impressed with the city. Market Pokémon had finished their day’s work several hours ago and only the odd less ‘savoury’ mon could be seen crawling the streets. Such a time would mean that hunters could meet in secret, the perfect opportunity to make their case to join this guild. Nunatak approved. Yes, Andallust. This was where they were going to make it happen. The scene was set.

Nunatak’s companion, a floating Klink, was not sharing his expression. Nunatak turned to look at him, noting the rather frantic look in their eyes at the tall buildings and the shifty glances of the other Pokémon. R2R2 had never been fond of any number of Pokémon just in case his unique form of speech was taken the wrong way. Nunatak knew he was just lucky to have got round his friend’s communication. Also, he knew what he was doing. Years of crowd control, looking for signs of anger, fear, happiness, sadness, humour and, most importantly, absentmindedness meant the he knew who to avoid and who to look for. It was time to move.

“Feeling ok my friend?”

Although R2R2 was technically two minds in one, it was never they but him, as he described himself.

“<Yes>,” he said mechanically and with no confidence.

The Bergmite positioned himself next to his friend. “Just stay close to me, my nervous friend, and you will be fine.”

R2R2 shook his head and moved closer. Nunatak pulled himself together. Surely that guild would accept them? He thought a bit more, a second chance. That was what he needed. That was what this city promised him. Even those of the fog knew the city, a pinnacle of unity. He had already made one link in the chain, maybe in Andallust he could… It was time to get himself together. The Bergmite pushed open the door, with his Klink friend following closely.

The moment you step foot inside, the Pokémon at the front desk approaches you and shows your team to a table. It's located in one of the darker corners of the already-dim establishment, and it's already attended by a sly, smiling Furret with a blue newsboy cap. The Hunters representative, you realize, though he hardly seems like a good fit for the present surroundings.

"Hey, pull up a seat. Order your favourites; this one's on the Guild's checkbook," he greets with a quick wave.

Quickly but politely, Nunatak heaved himself into a chair and looked at the Furret. He appeared to have a curious defect in his eyes, although whether it was fake or real he couldn’t tell. Still, this Pokémon looked like he knew how to take care of himself and must be quite trusted with the guild to meet them here. However, they almost started off on the wrong foot.

“I <do> want a meal!” R2R2 replied in an aggressive tone.

The Bergmite nudged him sharply and hissed, “Order something small. Just be polite.”

The Klink looked at him nervously before doing a full bodied nod. Good, at least R2R2 wouldn’t cause any problems now. The Furret looked mightily pleased.

“Sure, I know it ain’t every day you get to have such a fine meal. I tell you, mates, you will be knocked right off your seats, hah!”

Shortly after your team is situated, an Empoleon waiter arrives at your table and passes a fancy-looking menu to everyone present. A number of higher-class dishes are represented on it, along with equally high-class prices. "The usual," the Normal-type comments with disregard, gently pushing the menu back against the Empoleon's chest. The waiter merely rolls his eyes and turns his attention to your team, waiting expectantly for your team to order.

Nunatak had taken a swift glance at the menu before replying promptly. He knew what he would like. “May I have the delight of ordering the grilled Magikarp on a bed of seaweed? My companion wouldn’t like a main meal.”

R2R2 swiftly got the hint and touched the menu. He hadn’t actually picked anything, having touched the title ‘Deserts’, but it was close enough for Nunatak to identify. “He would like to go straight to desert with the poached rawst berries with a seasonal sorbet.”

Once he has everyone's orders, the waiter shoots one last annoyed glance at the strange fellow, who appears unfazed, before walking off. "No sense of humour," the Furret remarks with a shrug, before lazily slumping back in his seat. His gaze doesn't settle on anyone in particular, as though he's simply staring off somewhere.

So, he was partly sighted, or was it all a great act? It didn’t matter, but that Empoleon clearly didn’t like having the Furret around. Maybe the hunters were even less trusted than first thought? That would work even better. Nunatak focused on the mon in question who was now introducing himself.

"The name's Cuffin, but I'm sure you've already heard of me. No need for introductions on your part, I already know who ya are," Cuffin says with another sly smirk, tapping his paws together.

“Do you now?” Nunatak replied, not in the least bit concerned, “Then what are our names?”

“Nunatak and R2R2,” he replied swiftly, “I make it me job to know ya all.”

“My name does <not> mean Ruffusto and Reamusto,” R2R2 couldn’t help chipping in.

Cuffin looked at them in confusion. Nunatak couldn’t resist smiling. “Ah! I see you didn’t know about my friend’s little quirk. My worthwhile companion has a unique taste in speech. In everything he says he actually means the opposite, which means he is really completely honest. Isn’t that right, R2R2?”

“<No>.”

“See, there he means yes, I am right. You can always tell where he is lying by how loud he says each word: even when shouting it is always the same. When the word is louder, that is where he lies. Do you understand, my knowledgeable friend?”

Cuffin took all this the right way. “Sure I do. Ya certainly don’t mince your words and you have manners. I like that.”

He paused before continuing.

"So... I work for this kid, Sundance. He made me promise to ask ya a few things before I go off on my own thing. He'll get his feathers in a bunch if I don't, so humour me. First things first: why do you wanna join the Hunters?" The last question is accompanied by a roll of the eyes and a dramatic recitation, as if driving home the fact that he's being forced to ask this.

This was the part that he had been secretly dreading, but Nunatak was determined not to show it. “Well, it is like this. I am from, how shall we say, a poor and untrustworthy background. Such a history means that I am instantly not liked, while my companion’s speech has earned him enemies. Because of these, we have had to learn the ways of life swiftly. That means we have fallen into some forms of habit that I know would scare the living daylights out of researchers and explorers. However, I have heard of you hunters. You don’t do things by the book. Both your methods and ours interact well. Perhaps we can further ourselves through you.”

There, that was his rehearsed speech. Would Cuffin accept it?

At the very least, Cuffin looks interested as he listens. Perhaps it isn't the question itself he's so annoyed about. "All right. Respectable, yeah. Down the list..." The scruffy Furret reaches for a parchment already settled upon the table. Rather than hold it up to read, he crumples it in his paws rather rudely, then promptly tosses it over his shoulder. "What can you bring to the Hunters? What skills or talents can you utilize for us?" Once again, his recitation of the question is somewhat mocking.

Nunatak ignored his rather off attitude to the question. It was the process rather than them that were the issues he reasoned. Still, here he would need to be balanced.
“Well, I think we can prove ourselves useful. I certainly have experience of handling myself. Shall I speak for both of us, R2R2?”

“<No!>”

“Excellent,” Nunatak said, glad to at least keep up the conversation himself, “R2R2 might not be the brightest and his quirky way of speaking might cause some heads to spin, but he is the strongest Klink I have ever known. Also, unlike me, he is fast moving. I go at a Slugma pace. Having said that, I can also hold my own in battle, I have the wits for the street and, some might say, a civilised tongue that seems to win over even the most obnoxious of Pokémon. Will that serve us well, Cuffin?”

"Yeah, yeah, I gotcha. I guess we'll get to see some of that soon enough. Don't get me wrong; your answer don't mean you're gonna be taken or thrown out. This is basically... formalities..." Cuffin pauses, tilting his head upward thoughtfully. "...Yeah, formalities. I think that's the word he used. Whatever that means."

So, this was all paperwork, not an interview. That meant that had already been accepted. Desperate times maybe? Well, it wasn’t his place to say, so Nunatak continued to listen. R2R2 was also looking more comfortable now that his speech had been explained.

A grin comes over the Furret's fuzzy face as he readies himself for his next question, lowering the register of his voice. "This one's more interestin', to the little guy's credit. Are you against doin' things that the Royal Guard ain't gonna like if they catch ya doin' em?"

Nunatak smiled slyly. “You mean activities others would find despicable? You have no worry. As long as it is not murder or some other form of act that even I with the demeanour of a gentleman would find assaulting on my record, then yes. Thieving, spying and lying, yes, I believe we can. And, more importantly, we could wriggle our way out if the Royal Guard do catch us.”

“Either by saying <horrible> things or by <not> running or fighting.”

Cuffin nodded briefly at R2R2’s sentence. He understood. Good.

The Normal-type's pointed ears twitch at the reply. "It ain't me, just sayin'. I know well enough that if yer here, then you an' I are prolly already aware of the answer to that question. I just needed somethin' to tell the kid." With a sigh of relief, Cuffin tosses his hands in the air, then at the sides of the chair dramatically. "Whew. All right, enough of that stuff. The kid is on the right track, but sometimes it seems like the royals crammed a stick really far up there, if ya know what I mean. All these "formalities" and junk... anyway, the rest is straight from me."

“As one might say, hit us with it.”

He looks left, then right... but given the way his bright eyes are never quite focusing on your team, this seems to be one of those "formalities" of his own. He then begins to explain in an oddly sincere fashion, "You already know the basic stuff, so I'm gonna level with ya. Truth is, the Hunters are all about knowin' things about everybody else. Yer gonna learn secrets that nobody else will know. It'll change the way you look at this whole city, and yer prolly not gonna like what you see, but you'll always know exactly what's goin' on under the coat of sugar. I wouldn't blame ya if you'd rather go hang with a Guild that doesn't deal in the worst of what Andalusst can offer."

R2R2 said confusedly “Why would we <not> care?”

Nuntak nodded. “We understand that every city, town, village, family and even Pokémon have their own little secrets, some darker than others. While I like what I see in this city that may change. We are prepared for all eventualities. Knowing the truth is not going to be a problem, I assure you. The hunters are the guild we wish to join and no one will change our minds.”

“They have <every> chance of doing that.”

Cuffin's non-serious demeanour returns with a smirk at your response. "Is that so? Well... to be honest, I would've blamed ya, actually," he jokes with a lightly teasing tone. "Who doesn't wanna know everything about everybody? Life is all about keepin' yer options as open as possible 'til the right moment."

Nunatak nodded again. “Indeed. Oh, and by the way, do we need to provide our team name?”
“Sure, I forgot about that. Say it.”

“<Sweet-heat>!” R2R2 yelled without thinking.

Cuffin burst out in laughter, and even Nunatak couldn’t repress a smile. “No, not Sweet-heat, Team Bitter-cold is our name.”

Just then, the waiter comes into earshot, flippers laden with everyone's orders. As he hesitates with the platter containing Cuffin's meal, one can't help but wonder if he's contemplating on spitting in it. The Furret doesn't appear to be looking at him anyway... and your team may begin to suspect that he couldn't even if he wanted to. The silver platters are placed on the table with mild clatter, but Cuffin faces your team again before paying them any mind.

"Before we eat..." he interrupts, reaching down and palming the nearest glass. He holds it up and forward across the table. "Let's toast, to the new recruits," Cuffin proposes, though he leans in and adds with a whisper, "...That's you, just so ya know."

The Bergmite held up his glass as high as he could while R2R2 just motioned with his gears. “Thank you. And may I propose a toast to the Hunters Guild.”

“May the <least frightening, weakest and maddest bunch of goons> never succeed!”

Nunatak smiled. “Or, in other words, may all our endeavours be met with achievement!”
With the toasts done, they settled themselves to their meals, albeit messily in R2R2’s case. The fish was good, and so would their new life be.

---

It’s been weeks since you sent in the recruitment slip, the one to certify your new teammate as a member of the Hunters Guild. You followed the instructions on the slip carefully, making sure the envelope was sealed and using the odd delivery address (“The wheelbarrow sitting three doors down from the berry shop of Ms. K-, Andalusst”). But so far you’ve heard nothing back, and you’re starting to worry. What if it was the wrong wheelbarrow?

“Well, I never knew wheelbarrows were tricky things…”

Halvor sat waiting in the sun, enjoying the last of the scenery in the Cactus Fields, which had been his home for some time. He would miss the place, but probably not the Pokémon. They hadn’t cared much for the Graveler, a rock type was a little out of place here. He’d made some new friends now anyway: all that was left was confirmation of his place. It was…just taking longer than anticipated. They were going to leave soon, and he had to know…

“Letter for Halvor the Graveler!”

The envelope was practically shoved into one of Havlor’s many hands. A black blur went passed quite quickly…and with a lot of changes to direction. The wavy line left in its wake suggested that whoever it was wasn’t in the best frame of mind. Curious, Halvor looked at the letter.

Then, one afternoon, you find a letter waiting for you in its own sealed envelope, unmarked except for your team’s name. The parchment inside is fine-quality, neatly cut and folded, but the writing on it is a messy, uneven scrawl. As you strain to make out the words, you notice a few tawny hairs stuck to the page:

“Yo,

Hope you don’t gotta screw your eyes up too much to read this. I ain't the best writer, but I like to handle personal letters myself. Been hearin' a lot about you newbies lately. That you got involved in some interesting stuff, and that you hooked up with a new buddy to boot. So maybe you ain't such newbies anymore, huh? You can handle yourselves, right? Well, that’s what I said, but kid Sundance thought I should “check in” on you. So I am. No fancy dinner this time, though. Sorry to disappoint you mooches.

Wish I’d saved the note the kid gave me last time, coulda just cut and pasted it and called it a day. Anyhow, here’s a couple questions for the new newbie. I couldn’t care less if you answer, but it might look good on your record, so give it a shot.

First, I bet your buddies filled you in about the Hunters, what they do and all. But let me reiterate: the Hunters are all about findin' out about stuff. Stuff that's lost, or hidden, or secret. And it ain't always pleasant stuff, get it? Think you're up for that?

Second, if you are up for that, then how? What kinda skills do you have that might help with this job?

And third - you mighta' figured this out already, but what the Hunters get up to ain’t always “legal,” strictly speakin'. That okay? Or are you tryin' to turn over a new leaf?

Done with those? Alright, one last thing, for the whole team this time. While you've been out doin' jobs for the guild, did you ever find yourselves workin' against each other? Or were you ever worried that a teammate or a guildmate might, say, turn on you? If not, great, just maybe keep it in mind.

Well, that’s all I got. The address changed; drunk Donphan flattened that dumb wheelbarrow the guild was usin'. You can send this to “the third crevice in the wall on the street just behind Wear n’ Flair.” Or just drop by one of the night markets if you’re in town, chances are I’ll be around.

Good luck, especially to the newbie. You’ll need it.

-Cuffin"

Well, that was a nice surprise. Halvor began writing a reply, finding space on the back of the letter to write is own reply. He did so instinctively, with very little deep thought, and in rather scruffy handwriting.

“Howdy!

Wait, howdy probably ain’t the best word…but it will do. I like you’re way of writing, partner! I don’t mind the checking in at all.
So to answer your dandy questions:

1. Findin’ out stuff? Most of it unpleasant? Count me in! I get up to that kind of stuff already, partner! I was employed in the Cactus Fields as a kind of police force, but that be a term that is loose. Really, I just round up the naughty ones. To do that, you gotta put your face to the sand and start searching for stuff. Pokémon out here ain’t the nicest, and I know some things that would make the faint heart…faint. It ain’t gonna be a problem!

2. Imma different from the usual Graveler, I am a speedy boulder of a rock! I can run, jump, stomp, and do it without breakin’ a sweat (not that rocks sweat anyway)! I may not be the smartest, though I do have desert smarts, and I may not be smooth with the way I act towards others, but I know how to pull me weight and make the most of it. Tough situation? Nothin’ that I can’t handle!

3. Yeah, me new partners told me all about this. Let me just write this again: I may have been a police officer, but only loosely. I am already used to illegal stuff. Sometimes, if you have to do somethin’, you’re gonna have to break plenty of rules. Just don’t get caught. Sometimes I think the force around here does a better job of that than the actual crooks…so don’t you get you’re fur messed up, I’m sticking here!”

At this point, Halvor paused. The next part of Cuffin’s letter talked about…teammates turning on one another. As far as he knew, Nunatak and R2R2 were the closest of friends. However, what he now knew about them…was it possible that they could? Could his presence actually hinder that? If so, then why had the accepted him into their team? Nah, this was crazy talk! That wouldn’t happen! He ignored that part and finished up his letter.

“I can see that a drunken Donphan were responsible for this. No worries, I’m sure this will get back and Imma proud to join the crew!

Back at ya!

Halvor, latest member of Team Bitter-cold!”

With that, the Graveler sealed the letter, scribbled out the address on the envelope and replaced it with Cuffin and the third crevice in the wall on the street just behind Wear n’ Flair. He rushed over to the guilds, who were packing up to move out. He handed it over to a Cacnea. Funnily enough, this was one merchant who had been saved during the guild’s time here and was heading to Andalusst for trade. The Cacnea nodded and piled it with several other letters. He didn’t seem to mind the sudden mass of paper. Someone called his name.

“Ready to go, Halvor?”

He turned to see Nunatak the Bergmite and R2R2 the Klink, both their eyes wide. Havlor was happy to live up to their expectations.

“You bet! Let’s get this show on the road, partners!”
Finally, this is for the Hunters Guild.

Anything that R2R2 says that is inside these:<> means that he is saying them loudly and thus he is actually meaning the opposite. I tried doing it in bold, but my writing program, when I uploaded it, wouldn't register, so I had to think of something else.

Nunatak has the gift of the gab and considers himself to be a gentleman with a mysterious background. He wouldn't go as far as to kill anyone but he would use lying, for example, as a way of achieving results. He feels the fact that he didn't have a comfortable upbringing, which no one but R2R2 knows about, rather keenly. Nevertheless, he has cunning and understanding under his belt. He is slow moving, but R2R2 moves quickly and, when directed, powerfully. The Klink is a bit slow witted, and suffers from his unusual opposite speak which often lands him into trouble. He is very nervous around others because of this and sticks close to Nunatak. He is a reliable friend and is, in reality, actually very truthful.

This will be updated and edited every so often.

EDIT: These guys now have a visual ref: fav.me/d7qnqc0 and they have the Iaponese Doll for the June Hunters task 2. 2 star coins, one for errand 6, one for errand 10 and the other for registering on the atlas. They also received a merit for the task. Body paint has been added to the inventory as a reward for the Frosty Festival participation.

EDIT 2: They have a new team mate! Meet Halvor (fav.me/d9r71uu), the Graveler with a big heart and big physique, plus an odd way of speaking. Team Bitter-cold has a gift there! He's a previous 'police officer' wanting more from life. He should fit in well. The Cacnea mentioned was saved by Team Wishlings so I figured he would send messages on as a kind of thanks.

Pokémon belongs to Nintendo. Any NPCs mentioned belong to their creators.
© 2014 - 2024 confusedkangaroo
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Unexus's avatar
Wow! this team look amazing~