I am Nori Phoris of the Ultra Recon Squad. My usual partner has finally returned and I am currently doing research as part of a collaborative effort with the scientists of Alola. Customs here are different although I will try to respect them as much as I can. I also have a somewhat unique ability to see some types of energy and am open to questioning.
Here is my team. The picture was borrowed as I refuse to have mine taken.
I look forward to talking with you.
//other characters and important posts below the cut//
Alola! Itās Tod! Iām a scientist who works at the HeaHea Dimensional Research Lab along with Nori. Iām the main guy who helps him with battles ācause I went through my own Island challenge years back. Feel free to ask me stuff too!
Hello, I am Ulva Cassius of the Ultra Recon Squad, although I would prefer if you all just call me Cassius. After a harrowing mission away from my squad members I am happy to report that I am once again in Alola with Nori, my partner. I look forward to speaking with you all.
//these are characters that will appear from time to time but wonāt talk reliably (this section is kind of like a wiki, just to help people remember who characters I only mention once are)
Alaria Murlins (Transports between Alola and Ultra Space. Friends with Nori due to the fact that they talk a lot. Overall sheās pretty relaxed and acts much more uncaring than she actually is.)
Jania Halion (Exploring the frontier of documented Ultra Space. Partnered with Pikeo.)
Pikeo Nordica (Studying the effects of long distance travel through Ultra Space. Partnered with Jania.)
Halurus Culosi (Officially heās a member of the Ultra Recon Squad but itās more that heās a member of the Ultra Defense Force that is experimenting with the help of the Recon members. His official title is that he's researching training and utilizing Pokemon and Beasts for technological advances.)
Osmund Phoris (A teacher of self defense and Ultra Beast confrontations for the URS and UDF. Sheās saved Noriās life and even gifted him her last name. Theyāre very close.)
Stinger is Ulva Cassiusās ace pokemon (Naganadle) and tends to be stubborn and rude without their trainer
Durvillaea is the name of Noriās Noivern. While not his first pokemon (that would be Solgeleo, which he cannot use in battle) Durvillaea was the first pokemon he caught and formed a bond with. She is named after a species of seaweed that grows in Antarctica which represents both her and Noriās drive to become better even under the worst circumstances. Also itās dark there, Noivern like the dark.
Additional Nori background: When he was a young kid (8-10) he appeared in the middle of nowhere with no memories other than a voice screaming out his name and a feeling of guilt. From there he was found by the URS and essentially adopted by the group. He has a fear of touching or being too close to pokemon/Ultra Beasts due to his many injuries and accidents with them. This means that while he is fine with hybrids/eebeeys/sentient pokemon in theory, if he ever meets one in person he will often be nervous and keep his distance, although try and carry the conversation like normal.
// fully ooc stuff now! This blog is run by @cucco-haha (also I have @cuccosrpstuff I guess)
links to various posts: Noriās face/first of Noriās stories, Mysterious Partner, The Tale of the Greedy Man, Noriās first mission (Noriās Stories 2), Helping Pandoria, Noriās Trust (Noriās Stories 3), Start of The Troubled Truth, The Beginning of the Beginning (NS4?), Making a Decision
References:
Picrew and Tod reference, Nori and technical sketches, Mysterious Partner (linked above) has headshots for both Nori and Ulva.
We are continuing our occupation of this blog until we receive the information we require. I suppose you may call me The Smothered Shadow, or S.S. if you require. Your questions may or may not be answered. Thank you for your cooperation,
This account has been found to be leaking dangerous information to the public. It has been transmitting this information across worlds for reasons unknown. These practices are unacceptable. Communication to and from "Nori Phoris" and "Cassius" has been terminated. There will be no formal apologies issued for any inconveniences that this causes. Thank you for your cooperation.
Hello? I found this strange device and applications. Iām not sure what it is or what it does but I should probably look into it. I need to start working hard if I want to join the Ultra Recon Squad. Thatās what Captain Phyco said. My name is Nori! I lost my memory a bit ago so if you have any information for me I would really like that. I would bring this device back to Captain Phyco but this other person who also found it doesnāt want me to.
Yeah well who knows what they would do with it! I want to look into it myself you knucklehead. I donāt want this getting taken by the UDF or worseā¦ whoever those secret keepers are. This could be the discovery of a lifetime and Iāll be damned if Iām not looking into it first. Iāve clobbered people for less you know! Iām Ulva the Child Beast, greatest fighter youāll ever see even with my age. Now can it brainiac, we have work to do.
Hi Nori do you have a favourite bug type pokemon? If you don't that's OK but I like asking people about bugs. :)
@harlowsbeautiflies
I do not believe that I have a favorite bug type pokemon in particular, although there are some species that I know better than others. I have technically caught a Dewpider, although I have not really trained it or gotten to know it quite yet. My partner, Ulva Cassius, has a Ninjask named Cassini, although I have not yet asked to study them.
I have heard that quite a few humans are afraid of bug types, or have a general dislike of them but this is not the case for me. I simply have just not spent the time researching them that I currently have other pokemon, although I am looking to change that eventually. Currently, I know more about Buzzwole and Pheramosa (two bug type Ultra Beasts) than I do most bug type pokemon. I do appreciate your question, thank you.
I feel as though my forced medical leave has been somewhat suffocating. I honestly want to be out in the field working. I am surprisingly missing the overwhelming brightness of the Terran sun. Not to mention how even with many of my memories returning I am not much closer to understanding my past. Although, given how few happy memories Iāve been able to recall perhaps thatās for the best. This guilt will stay with me unanswered, along with the absence of parents I now know existed. Although Iām not sure I would even consider them my parents. They were not the ones who raised me, after all. The URS and Osmund Phoris are the ones who taught me and took care of me when I needed it. I suppose my forced medical leave is them taking care of me now. I simplyā¦ I want to be useful again. I know Cassius would yell at me for thinking Iām not useful now, or for expressing the idea that by unnecessarily hurting myself I could be more useful. The worst part is that sheās right.
For now I will continue to work on my own projects here in the city. There are a few things that need to be sorted out yet.
Operation Subdivision: URS HQ and surrounding research districts.
Personal: Nori [REDACTED], Cassius.
Report:
Majority of ducts within HQ have been gone through. Updates of all locking mechanisms have yet to be preformed. Survey of all research projects within assigned districts is approximately 80% complete. Entrances and exits are yet to be remapped. All external issues encountered so far have been anticipated. Some internal affairs are currently limiting progress. These issues are to be addressed on outside time. Some additional support may be required to ensure proper documentation of the research districts within a reasonable timeframe. Any contact for this support is to be expected at the typical times and locations. No discoveries regarding Megalo Tower or the High Council chambers.
A Solgaleo delivered three our wrapped gifts (inside a fancy space travel box) - One addressed to Nori, one addressed to Cassius, and one for them both. One pair of gifts sweaters that may or may not be slightly over-sized for them both. Nori's had a pattern that looked like the northern lights, and Cassius's sweater had a pattern consisting of ones and zeroes (should she take the time to translate the binary, it simply translates to "sweater").
There is a note for the both of them!
Both notes read:
HAPY HOLIDAY FREND [NORI/CASSIUS]! AM NOT SUR IF IT COLD IN ULTRA SPAC BUT IF IT IS I GOT U BOTH SWEATRS 2 KEEP U WARM!
LOV,
TORRENT
(//note: name changes depending on which)
The third gift has a note attached on the outside, that reads:
"Greetings, Nori and Cassius! Whether or not you celebrate any of the Terran holidays happening around this time of year, I thought I may send you both some treats made during these festivities! They are known as "gingerbread cookies". They may be a little burnt, but I hope you like them! I have been told by my Terran colleagues at the sanctuary that they are rather good.
Happy Holidays, and may the Blinding One guide your paths!
Regards,
Tero of the Anomaly Sanctum"
Inside the present is, indeed, a metal tin full of soft gingerbread cookies.
[Once again there are two files, with one being a more typical video and the other being in some alien format. It beings with Nori and Cassius reading through the notes before pulling out the gifts within the box. Cassius smiles at the camera before speaking. āThank you Torrent! Iāve never had a sweater so I appreciate the gesture, friend.ā
Nori takes a second to examine his own sweater as he takes it from the box. āThe average temperature in Ultra Megalopolis does not necessarily require such warm garments and we would not be allowed to wear such on many URS missions. However, perhaps I will find time to appreciate it while I am here on leave. The design is nice, after all. It is made to be reminiscent of Terraās ānorthern lightsā, is it not?ā
Cassius brings out her own sweater before furrowing her brows. Then, she grabs her visor from next to her and puts it on. She adjusts some dials before giving a little chuckle and flashing a smile at the camera. āI like the labeling.ā
Finally they get to Teroās present. They both read through the note and give a gesture of thanks. Nori reaches in and opens the tin of cookies. His eyebrows give a little raise while he looks inside. Cassius follows suit with a little whistle. āYour gift will be appreciated, Tero, thatās for sure. Besides, even if they are burnt we wonāt know the difference!ā
Nori tries to project annoyance at Ulvaās joke but itās clear that it made him smile. āThank you again. May The Blinding One light your path as well. Happy holidays.ā The videos then end shortly after. ] (// @anomaly-sanctum )
The insectoid wyvern hovers outside the URS facility on the landing pad containing a somewhat shoddily wrapped package in silvery wrapping paper with a note on top. It seems hastily put together, but contains several things inside. Gifts for Nori and Cassius ā and Seira. If Pandoria was not here to give these items to her compatriot, then itād make sense for the allies she had stationed in her homeworld to give it to her.
[Thereās a video here in both a normal video format and a more typical holographic one in an alien format. In the video Nori and Cassius are quietly reading through the note and then opening the package to see for themselves what lies inside. Cassius just raises her eyebrows and whistles while Nori tries his best to conceal his smile before making a gesture of gratitude. āRaį¹£ayi eru, Pandoriaā He quietly says as he takes the book and carving out and examines them. āI will certainly be learning from these. I very much appreciate it.ā
Ulva then takes out the necklace and looks at it from a few different angles before slipping it around her neck. āItās beautiful, honestly. We will be certain to cherish them!ā They spend a few more moments looking over the gifts before Nori shakes himself off a bit and nudges Ulva. āOh, right! We will make sure that Seiraās present is delivered. I am sure she will enjoy it. May The Blinding One light your path as well.ā The video ends. ]
While āDelibird Dayā is not celebrated in Ultra Megalopolis, Tod from the Dimensional Research Lab managed to get ahold of someone else in the URS to ensure that I was able to enjoy some form of the festivities despite my current medical leave. I will be sure to set up what the human scientist has sent me and be āmerryā to the best of my abilities.
[attached is a picture of a small potted Christmas tree (although it looks like it might be fake) covered in a wide variety of pokemon shaped ornaments. There is a box of lights that has been resealed and pushed off to the side with āDo Not Useā written on it. A few small presents are gathered around the tree.]
What was the most challenging mission you all been on? How did you overcome it?
That is certainly a difficult question. I have been on plenty challenging missions for the URS under a wide variety of circumstances so it is hard to point out one specific assignment. The use of the word āchallengingā also makes this question more complicated, as there are many aspects of a mission that can lead to being such. You could be referring to the specific tasks needed to accomplish the end goal rather than the overall danger associated with the location, for example. For these reasons and a few others I will be ruling out my first official mission, my initial missions to Terra, and most UB accidents inside of Headquarters.
From here I believe that the best answer to this question would be either one of my missions into Ultra Deep Sea to collect complex energy readings, or my longest stay at the Ultra Plant Extended Research Base. The first is due to not only the inherent danger of Ultra Deep Sea (simply because of the presence of Nihilego) but also because I was tasked with leading all data collection regarding Infinity and Beast energy. I was not in change of that mission as a whole but it was still a very important and challenging position. I also chose the second due to the logistics of staying in such a place for such a period. I tend to stress more over close proximity to Ultra Beasts than others in the squadron, and so staying at the base was much more than being away from the familiarity of Ultra Megalopolis but also of managing my mental responses to constant exposure to stressful situations.
On both missions I overcame these challenges by not only trusting in my own abilities and careful judgment, but relying on those around me to support me. My partner, Cassius, is a major supporter in my life both on missions and off them. The URS can accomplish what we do because of our teamwork and communication. I appreciate your question and I hope my response has been adequate.
This is Cassius. Iā¦ donāt believe I can legally answer the question. Perhaps you could try again in 10-20 years?
The sky had grown dark, and the storm was raging all around you. Lightning struck the ground in the distance, and all sorts of large objects were being lifted into the air by an intense whirlwind - rocks, cars, pieces of buildingsā¦ Pokemon were growing to a horrific size, with a red hazy aura about them, and started rampaging the area, destroying whatever they could.
You looked over the city in horror, and turned immediately to the source - a horror beyond comprehension. Its serpentine body twisted from the vortex in the sky as its five heads stared not only at you, but through you. It knows. It knows you are the cause of this. It knows you had woken it from its slumber. But it isn't grateful. No, all it feels is a primal hunger for the energy that flows through the region.
At the point were the five heads connect, you can see a red build up at their center. While it grew blinding, everything else seemed to grow darker, until that light was all you could see. The monster shot the light towards you, and all you can do is hold your hand out in front of you in the split second of time you have left before-
ā¦ You wake up.
(//from @witheredcosmos)
Dream Log
[Itās an audio file. It begins with the sound of someone gasping for air before attempting to steady their heavy breaths. The words come out in a shaking manner, hard to understand at first. āThat was not my dream, that was not my memory. The- that monster. That beast. Unnatural concoction, tearing at the fabric of the world. Horrendous horror, a destroyer in disarray.ā
He devolves into a coaching fit now, choking on the air heās attempting to breathe. Thereās some sounds of shuffling around before he speaks again. āI donāt know what that thing was. It scares me. I donāt know who that dream, potentially a memory, belonged to. That blast. That light. It reminds me of that day. The day The Blinding One escaped. The power, the hunger, the panic. I would never forget it. Perhaps it reminds me of the guilt as well, one of my memories that has not yet been restored.ā
Thereās a moment of silence as he collects his thoughts. Eventually Nori continues speaking in a much more steady tone. āI have a feeling I have seen that pokemon before, if it even is a pokemon. It was related toā¦ Kalos? No, Galar. That red, serpentine body. I must have read about it at some point. Iāll sketch it and show it to Cassius, maybe she will know more. I- that was a horrible dream. Iām still shaking from the fear. End log.ā ]
You said bare hands, which implies a lack of tools as well as weapons. However, would my typical uniform (specially designed padded suit for protection against radiation as well as minor impacts) count against this? I would also have to ask about my visor and/or glasses which would provide me information and track data in real time. Since these are not actively or physically aiding me (both attributes assigned respectively) I am assuming they are allowed.
Additionally, I would be assuming that such fights would be taking place in a neutral and ideal hypothetical setting. This means that I would assume I could fight these creatures in an area that would not include ābrightā lights (if I am without my aforementioned visor), as I am unused to such things given that my world is without natural light. Am I correct in these assumptions? I figured it would be best to ask, as I am unsure.
This time of year is supposedly one revolving around connection and togetherness, and yet I have isolated myself from my allies just to pursue something for my own personal gain. I tire of this longing, of being alone.
Should I postpone this expedition across Hoenn despite the fact that I still have much to see and learn for myself?
Or should I not concern myself with such feelings since they have only arisen because of these human customs that I am not accustomed to?
I fuckin. I fuckin get that. I aināt gonna say why but I get that shit šŖšŖ
Think you should focus on YOU. š«µ donāt let some damn stupid custom get you down. You got all the damn time in the world to go back to em. This Hoenn shit is for you.
But I study the cultures of other worlds and these feelings directly conflict with my research. I should not even have them to begin with since I am so accustomed to doing solo work, and yetā¦
What if I do not have time to return? What if something happens?
While I doubt that something terrible will happen in the time you are in Hoenn for this expedition, that is still a possibility. I am sure we both have experience with sudden and horrific events occurring when they were not expected. Regardless, with every decision we make we are taking a gamble on what we spend our time on. Oftentimes that gamble will pay off. Occasionally we will regret our mistakes for years to come.
Many emotions, like fear, are a tool to be used. They are trying to tell you something and it is your job to hear them. You do not have to act on their guidance but you should listen to them all the same.
Pandoria, if I may, do what will make you feel better. It may be optimal to continue working through this time, who knows this might be the best time you have to get some report finished or something like that, but you have to take care of yourself first. If taking care of yourself means coming back then I say go for it. This time of the year will come again, your life will not. Treat yourself, even if you donāt feel you deserve it.
Alola! Itās Tod! Iām stealing Noriās blog for a second. Yeah so I work at the Dimensional Research Lab and Iāve got no clue whatās up with most of you. The literal aliens are very much within my pay grade. The average person on rotomblr? Yeah no thatās not happening. So ya, thatās apparently our reality for you. Or wellā¦ realities. My reality, which by technicality of association includes your dimensions. I donāt know how this site works either.
Can you at least explain how in the Tapu's name we can talk to each other through the internet if we're all in different universes? That highkey puzzles me too.
Iām gonna be so real with you, Iāve got no clue. It makes no sense. Weāve talked with the Ultra Recon Squad ābout that and they have no clue either. My best guess is that thereās some crazy anomaly somewhere that we donāt even know how to track, or the siteās just that broken. Everyone is stumped and thereās been no recent progress so idk what to tell ya.
Alola! Itās Tod! Iām stealing Noriās blog for a second. Yeah so I work at the Dimensional Research Lab and Iāve got no clue whatās up with most of you. The literal aliens are very much within my pay grade. The average person on rotomblr? Yeah no thatās not happening. So ya, thatās apparently our reality for you. Or wellā¦ realities. My reality, which by technicality of association includes your dimensions. I donāt know how this site works either.
