Official Hunters Guild App - Scorch Recon

HUNTERS GUILD: Scorch Recon
Date Joined: 28/09/13
Current Funds: 12 St

Merits: 0
Strikes: 0

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[Ardor Ra’Ael]
Species: Quilava
Nature: Relaxed
-Characteristic: Sturdy Body 
Gender: Male                Age:19
Ability: Blaze

Strength:3                   Agility: 4
Intelligence: 3              Charisma: 0+2 

Total Points Left: 0/10

Type Bonus: Fire -> Charisma 

Move 1: Crush Claw
Move 2: Incinerate
Move 3: Double Edge
Move 4: Lava Plume

Inventory:

-Recon Cloak
----Description: A fire resistant black colored cloak adorned with golden trims. Comes with a retractable face mask and detachable hood.

-Black Vest
----Description: A simple black vest with high collar. Worn as a casual clothing, often equipped with the hood from his cloak.

-Item 3
----Description: 

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[Derek]
Species: Monferno
Nature: Adamant. 
-Characteristic: Often lost in thought
Gender: Male               Age: 17
Ability: Iron Fist

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

Total Points Left: 0/10

Type Bonus: Fire -> Charisma 

Move 1: Flame Charge
Move 2: Acrobatics
Move 3: Mach Punch
Move 4: Protect

Inventory:

-Baldric Scarf
----Description: A long black scarf with red and gold linings wrapped around Derek’s shoulders and chest, equipped with a set of steel clasps which could act as a fastening for Cael (Derek's Honedge companion) or any kinds of swords. 

-Item 2
----Description: 

-Item 3
----Description: 

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

“Are you sure this is the right place?”

Ardor gazed on the sign above their heads. “Well, it does say Café Obscurité.” He said before looking down to the fancy looking building. For a café, it sure was sophisticatedly flashy. The café was at least three stories high with huge, imposing white marble pillars; tall, elegant glass windows; and expensively decorated with brass, wrought iron, and gold.

“This seems to be a high-end class restaurant.” Derek frowned, glancing at the number of fine looking ‘mons in sleek and shiny attire queuing around them, waiting to be shown inside by the waiter on the front desk. To his dismay, some of them were wrinkling their noses at the two, giving the two fire types the ‘you-don’t-belong-here-peasants’ look. Fidgeting, the young fire type voiced his doubt again. “Are you sure this is where the Hunters representative will meet us?”

Ardor sighed exasperatedly. “Yes, this is definitely the place. The Guild has ties with the nobility here, so I guess it’s only natural if this is their choice of place.”

Derek nodded absentmindedly as he glanced at the female Linoone in elegant white dress that was talking to the waiter on the front desk in front of them. The Chimchar fumbled around with his scarf for the umpteenth time, feeling self-conscious.

“I am so underdressed.” He muttered as they moved closer to the entrance.

“Of course Miss Holford, we pride ourselves on our dishes. I’m sure that your guests will have the best dining in the world.” Ardor heard the Scolipede waiter replied in a silky tone at the question directed by the white clad Linoone.

“I sure you will, Mr. Arkwright.” Replied Miss Holford evenly, depositing her long, fluffy scarf to the attending Loppuny waitress as she walked inside.

Awkwright nodded with a smile as the Linoone disappeared into the café. But it disappeared in less than a second when his eyes landed on the two fire types standing in front of the counter. “May I have your name, sirs?” He sniffed, looking at Ardor and Derek in unconcealed distaste.

“Ardor Ra’Ael and Derek.” The Quilava stated, his voice firm.

Derek frowned. Well, his attitude changed quickly, he thought dryly.

“And what is your purpose here, sirs?” Awkwright continued, eyeing them with a sneer on his face.

Ardor looked like he was fighting the urge to throttle the bug-type. Derek wished he did so, but the Quilava settled on a glare instead. Reaching for the folded letter in his cloak, he said, “We are here on Hunters Guild’s invitation.”

The Scolipede’s eyes widened when he saw the Hunters Guild’s seal on the parchment, and it went wider when he read the contents. The bug type choked and quickly checked his guest list, looking back and forth between the letter, his list, and the two fire types before him. With a mix of squeaking and choking noise, Arkwright quickly ushered the two fire types inside the restaurant, fervently apologizing along the way.

***

Unlike its exterior, Café Obscurité was quite dark on the inside. A huge bronze dome glinted up on the high ceiling, golden chandeliers hanging on thick steel chains. And the windows were covered with thick velvet curtains, letting minimum amount of light in. No wonder the place was dark. The only sources of illumination were the dim chandeliers and some chargestone orbs in ornamental bronze cages hanging on the walls.

As the three ‘mons made their way across the thick, expensive Aranyssan carpet and rows of tables in silvery silk tablecloths, Ardor could feel several eyes following them with muted, confused and gossipy chatters filling the air. Some were even pointing at them. The Chimchar beside him grimaced and tugged at his scarf again. A sign of his discomfort. Derek was never good at being the center of attention, and Ardor knew that the Chimp Pokémon was dying to get out of the stiff restaurant. The sooner the better.

“Here you are, sirs. Have a good day.” The Scolipede stopped, bowing slightly at the two fire types before shuffling away. Ardor blinked. The waiter had brought them into the darker corners of the restaurant. Each table were placed inside a cubicle covered with lavish purple velvet curtains with gold embroidery, framed by an ornate and complex looking wrought iron work.

And sitting on one of the tables was-

“Cuffin?“ Ardor voiced his surprise.

“Yes. Me.” The milky-eyed Furret was leaning on the huge, comfortable looking dining chair with his fingers intertwined, legs crossed, and his blue newsboy cap drawn so low that it covered his eyes. He slowly raised his head and flashed them a rather manic grin. Obviously, he was trying to imitate the villains in the spy fiction stories Derek sometimes read in the library. But the effect Cuffin was trying to convey ended up silly instead of intimidating.  “Welcome, welcome. I have been expecting you two.” He said in a funny Northern accent.

Derek stared with his mouth open. Is this guy serious?

“Ha! You should’ve seen your faces!” the Furret broke into a laugh after a minute of awkward silence, earning glares from the diners around him. Ardor simply shook his head and crossed his arms, not amused. Derek continued staring at the Furret with an odd expression. 

“Geez, can’t take on a good humour?” Cuffin sighed. “Well, come on, pull up a seat. Order your favorites.” He gestured to the three empty seats around the oval shaped table. “It’s on the guild’s checkbook so don’t worry.”  He added, snapping his fingers several times to get the attention of the nearby waiter.

Derek continued to stare as he took the seat right next to Cuffin. “You’re the Hunters’ representative?” he asked disbelievingly. “I thought you said that you’re a trader.”

“Oh come on. You fell for that?” Cuffin laughed lightly, shaking his head. Right then, an Empoleon in a fancy looking suit arrived, handing them each one a fancy looking menu.

“What will be your order, sirs?” he asked smoothly.

Derek gaped at the menu as his eyes ran down the list of food provided. All of them were fancy upper class foods with equally high class prices. And he didn’t understand what was listed either. Forget hors d’oeuvers, what in the name of the oblivion were roast squab & cress, cold asparagus vinaigrette, parmenitier & chateau potatoes, and pecha chartreuse jelly?

“The usual.” Cuffin said, not even glancing at the waiter as he pushed the menu at him. He smirked as turned his attention to Ardor, who was staring blankly at the menu card. “Having a hard time, hmm?”

Ardor nodded numbly as he flipped the page to the desserts. He seemed to have the same difficulty Derek has. Well, it was expected of course. As a Pokémon from the Middle Eastern Parai, the foods must have sounded alien to him.

“Er... I’ll have the filet mignons.” Derek finally told the Empoleon with slight hesitation. “Whatever that is.” He added in an undertone.

The Empoleon jotted down his order. “A prime choice, sir.” He said, turning his head to the Quilava expectantly.

Ardor glanced at Cuffin, who was trying to hide his amusement, and then to the Empoleon, who was waiting patiently. Deciding that his chances were better with the waiter, he asked, “Excuse me, can you tell me what consommé olga is?”

The Empoleon blinked, his eyes raised slightly as if he was surprised to find a ‘mon who didn’t know a consommé olga. “It is a broth, sir.” He started slowly. “It’s essentially Breff Berry stock with frothed egg white with vegetables and meat mixed with garnish.”

“Ah.” Ardor nodded, closing the menu. “Well, I’ll have that one then.”

“A fine selection, sir.” The Empoleon wrote down Ardor’s order. “Any more order to your liking, sirs?”

“No more. Now can you leave?” Cuffin shooed him away.

The Empoleon glared at the Furret, looking quite insulted. He collected their menus, stacked them together and left briskly with his beak on the air.

“No sense of humour at all.” Cuffin shrugged, chuckling.  “So...” he sat straighter, looking at the two fire types sitting around him with what could be presumed as a renewed interest. But it was quite hard to tell with his miliky white eyes that weren’t quite focused on them. “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. You know, with our underground networks and all…” he chuckled, winking at Ardor meaningfully. “So you guys decided to work with the Hunters, huh?”

“It seems like it.” Ardor replied carefully. Despite Cuffin’s laid back appearance, the Furret was starting to give off a muted, wild sense  that set Ardor on edge. Though, Cuffin’s wasn’t really as threatening as the ones Ardor had faced during his years fighting off the Order, but one can never be too careful.

“So I work with Sundance, that’s the would-be-leader of the Hunters, mind you.” Cuffin continued. “He made me promise to ask ya a few things before I go off on my own thing.” He rolled his eyes. “He'll get his feathers in a bunch if I don't. So humour me. “

Ardor nodded, knowing how Sundance will react to certain things, if his little outburst in the aftermath of the Guardian Statue rampage is any indicator. Though, he was a little apprehensive on what Sundance had listed for the Furret. “Sure. Fire away.”

“Great.” Cuffin grinned manically. “Okay, first things first: why do you wanna join the Hunters?"

Derek glanced at Ardor, cocking his head slightly. The Quilava sighed, closing his eyes. The Hunters were the oldest of Guilds in Andalusst, and they have an extensive network of Intel spread across the city. And of course, they were the ones who kept the peace within Andalusst, no matter what the cost. In one way or another, the Hunters were similar to that of the Brotherhood. Well, except for the Treasure Hunter aspect of the Hunters.

“Perhaps as the Hunters representative, I’m sure that you already know what our reason and goal in joining the Hunters.” Ardor started, his pale green eyes boring into Cuffin’s white ones. The Furret shrugged, but gestured for Ardor to continue. “The Hunters Guild’s exploits on traversing the dungeons and labyrinths to search for lost treasures caught our interest, though that was only a part of our -my- reason.”

Cuffin raised an eyebrow.

“The Hunters have influence and knowledge more than anyone else in the city.” Ardor continued. “I am looking for an ancient artifact within the depths of the labyrinth of an untold power, and it somehow ties with my Chimchar partner here.” He glanced at the aforementioned fire type, recalling the bit of conversation he and Darius had with the Chimchar’s Honedge regarding the vision he had showed to the Quilava. To say the least, their discussion revealed several worrying revelations.

“I intended to know how this powerful artifact ties with us, how fate worked her strings around our lives. I seek for knowledge. The Researchers would perhaps sound more appropriate, but I am not looking for the kind of wisdom the Researchers seek. I am not interested with the workings of the world.” The Volcano Pokémon turned his attention back to the Furret, who was now listening intently. “Some said that in much wisdom is much grief. But from knowledge comes power. Without wisdom, one could never dream of achieving their goals, no matter how strong they are.”

“Ah. Right.” Cuffin nodded thoughtfully. "So in another words, you are looking for secrets and forbidden knowledge the Hunters hold, to obtain power.” He smirked. “I like you.” Sniggering, he turned his head to the Chimchar sitting beside him. “What ‘bout you, kid? Are you seeking forbidden knowledge like your partner here?”

“Well, maybe not the knowledge part, but I’d like to get stronger.” Derek replied, brows furrowing in deep thought. “And don’t call me kid. I aim to become stronger. I didn’t remember exactly why, but the thought had been sticking at the back of my head for who knows how long.” His frown deepened, feeling a slight headache coming. “And I’m trying to find why my memories have been wiped clean.”

“Hmm… interesting. Well, all right. Respectable, yeah.”  The scruffy Furret nodded and reached for a parchment that was already settled upon the table. Surprisingly, he squeezed the parchment into a shapeless blob and then promptly tosses it over his shoulder, right over the curtains.

There was a splash as utensils clinked, followed with a startled yelp from the booth next to theirs. Both Ardor and Derek winced. It sounded like a ‘mon had gotten splashed with hot soup. Cuffin sighed softly and groaned.

"Alright, so now.” He continued, ignoring the angry Kricketune that was ranting about sending whoever tossed the soggy parchment into the gallows. “What can you bring to the Hunters? What skills or talents can you utilize for us?" He drawled, sounding like he was reciting from a rule book or something. “So, what is it?”

Derek rested his head on his elbows. “Well, I’m good at martial arts, and I could use a sword well. That’s all I know. I’m still missing a few important things, you know, my head.” He tapped his temple. “So I couldn’t really tell you much.”

“Alright, and you?” Cuffin turned to Ardor, who had kept silent for the last fifteen minutes.

The Quilava glanced at the scruffy furred normal type for a few seconds before answering, “Well, Derek is a skilled swordsman, I can tell you that. Give him the right sword; he’ll cut you down in a flash. Even Darius said so. I guess he’ll do well in the Hunter’s strike team. It’s led by Kara, wasn’t it?” he smirked at the sight of Cuffin’s stunned expression.

“Wait, how did you know-“

“As for me, I’m good at gathering information. Like I said, I seek and value knowledge. I  think I’m more appropriate in your...” Ardor tapped his chin.  “Spy network. I think Kara will agree on that. Though, I don’t mind being in your regular division. I’m quite skilled with my moves, and I have a few years of experience delving into the labyrinths. So I’m not a complete greenhorn as you thought. ”

Cuffin stared at the darker coloured Quilava for a full minute. "Yeah, yeah, I gotcha. I guess we'll get to see some of that soon enough.” He said, scratching the back of his neck. Ardor raised his eyebrow.

“What do you mean?” Derek frowned.

“Well don't get me wrong; your answer don't mean you're gonna be taken or thrown out.” the Furret replied quickly. “This is basically... formalities..." Cuffin paused, tilting his head upward thoughtfully. "...Yeah, formalities. I think that's the word the kid used. Whatever that means." He shrugged, scratching the side of his face. “Well then, this one’s more interestin’, to the little guy’s credit.” he lowered his voice and leaned over the table with a wicked grin playing on his face. “Are ya against doin’ things that the Royal Guards ain’t gonna like if they catch ya doin’ em?”

Derek stared blankly at the ferret-like Pokémon. “What?”

“I think you know the answer to your own question, Cuffin.” Ardor raised an eyebrow.

Cuffin glanced at Ardor’s way. “I wasn’t asking you.” He nodded to Derek wiggling his eyebrows. The Chimp Pokémon frowned.

“I… would prefer that I don’t get in their way, but…” he scratched the back of his head, frowning. “If it’s necessary, I wouldn’t mind, really. Why do you ask?” The last came up sharply.

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 tossed 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."

Derek huffed and rolled his eyes. So much for formalities...

Cuffin then turned his head around. He looked left, then right, and then back again... but given the way his bright eyes are never quite focusing on the three ‘mons in front of him, this seems to be one of those "formalities" of his own.

Still in his undertone, he continued, "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." He said, smirking. “But I betcha that you guys are fine with that eh?”

Ardor fought the urge to smirk back. You would know, wouldn’t you? “I have grown with secrets running about for my life.” He spoke. “Secrets are just hidden knowledge waiting to be found. I don’t think any of Andalusst’s secrets could shock us to the core. To me, knowledge is knowledge, no matter how disturbing they are.”

Glancing to his right, he saw a familiar figure waddling towards them through the sea of dining ‘mons. “I don’t mind, really. Our decision is final.” Ardor replied evenly. “I think we can handle what the Hunters throw on us.”

Cuffin's non-serious demeanor returns with a smirk at Ardor’s response. Derek blinked thoughtfully.

"Is that so? Well... to be honest, I would've blamed ya, actually," Cuffin joked 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."

Right then, the Empoleon waiter came right up into the private booth, his flippers laden with everyone’s orders. Ardor frowned slightly. Something’s different about this Empoleon, but he couldn’t really place it. Perhaps it was his gait, or the attire, but the stoat was quite sure that the Empoleon was the one who took their orders.

The penguin-like Pokemon bowed before he began to place everyone’s orders, starting with Derek’s filet mignons -which turns out to be thick slice of fried Breff Berry with sticky dark coloured sauce- and ended with Ardor’s. He hesitates as he was about to hand Cuffin’s meal, looking as if he couldn’t decide whether he should, or shouldn’t spit on it. The Empoleon finally decided against it and placed the silver platter none to gently in front of the Furret, who raised his eyebrows slightly.

As the Empoleon handed Ardor a mouth-watering bowl of soup, the tray on his flippers tilted slightly, the ceramic salt and pepper shakers tipped off from the silvery tray into the carpeted floor.

“Ah, forgive me, sirs.” The Empoleon muttered, bending his back to retrieve the containers from the floor. Ardor tensed slightly as he felt the Empoleon’s flippers brushed his paws as a small piece of folded paper fell into his lap. The Quilava took a quick glance to the water/steel type, who gave a slight nod before he stood straight and waddled away. The fire type was about to open the piece of paper before Cuffin interrupted.

"Before we eat..." he reached down and palming the nearest glass, which had been filled with a dark red liquid. He held it up and forward across the table. "Let's toast, to the new recruits," Cuffin proposed, though he leans in and adds with a whisper, "...That's you guys, just so ya know."

Ardor nodded with a slight smile, clinked his own glass with Cuffin’s. As he and Derek began to eat, the Quilava unfolded the paper discreetly, and was quite surprised to find a familiar cuneiform message written over the parchment. Even without looking at the initial written below the message, he knew who wrote it. Frowning, he read the message.

Hellhounds from the City of Festives

The Emperor will show you

- C -

Ardor huffed. Typical, He thought as he stored the parchment inside his pouches. Looking through the crowd, he saw the Empoleon waddled towards the kitchens, no doubt he will be waiting at the back alley. Shaking his head out of the thoughts, Ardorhe dug into his soup. He had to admit, the Scolipede waiter was right about the food. This Consomme-whatsits name was absolutely delicious. Too bad they cost as much as Darius’ expenses in renovating the dojo. Oh well. He only hoped that Cuffin wasn't kidding when he said that the bill's on the Hunters checkbook.