Field Test: Spotlight Scarf
(Before Chapter 1)
Assignment Description: Field Test
Esther! Meet me in my workshop pronto! This is an emergency!
Client:
You already know who~
Objective:
Look so good they can't help but stare!
Place:
I'm feeling coastal, let's head to Sol Cove today!
Difficulty:
For you? If you do something about that drab color scheme, then none whatsoever!
Reward:
The ability to bask in the admiration of all your friends, and the company of yours truly~
Esther smiled to herself once she finished reading the assignment on the board. It looked like today was going to be fun.
With a pop, she was in Purl's workspace. More specifically, she had popped on top of his head while he glared at the mirror in front of him. He had multiple scarves held in his ribbons as he put them in front of himself and tried on different poses.
Used to her antics, he didn't flinch at the cold feeling of a ghost suddenly sitting on his head. Instead he glanced upward and muttered.
"...What do you think, pink for color consistency, or fuschia for boldness? Oh! Maybe we could go sun-yellow because of the scenery where we're going? I have options~"
"Are you sure you want a drab doll like me to give you advice?" she rested her arms on top of his head, idly twirling a ribbon in her claw.
"You can have good ideas sometimes. Occasionally. You know, once every blue moon."
"I'm flattered." She burst over to the worktable where a pink glasses frame rested. Lenses of various shapes surrounded it.
"You really want to be starting a new project now? I feel like we're making a breakthrough with our Charm Specs. Soon they'll be ready for testing..."
"Uggh," groaned Purl. "Esther, I'm an artist! I can't just focus on one thing, the creative juices in my mind need to flow constantly!"
"Must be a clog somewhere."
"Clearly a demonstration is in order~" he turned around and stood up straight, head tilted upward with a smug grin. With his ribbons, he wrapped the yellow scarf around his neck and stared directly at Esther. She was about to roll her eyes, when she realized that her eyes weren't moving. In fact, they couldn't move anywhere else. Try as she might, her eyes were glued to the smirking Sylveon in front of her, as if there were some kind of string that constantly pulled her gaze toward him.
"Commanding the attention of everyone you meet is a skill that takes ages to master. With this scarf, simply put it on and nobody can look away. It'll be a hit! Name is still in progress though. What do you think?"
"I think the view is pretty lacking," she drawled. Purl pouted and removed the scarf, freeing her eyes.
"Boo. You're no fun."
"Although..." she floated over to inspect the rest of the scarves. "I can see some use for these. Let me guess, you used the Follow Me energy pattern?"
"That cute Indeedee, Sybil, volunteered to help infuse it. It was actually pretty simple, I'm surprised nobody else has thought of it!"
"Hmm. Indeed...ee." While Purl screamed, Esther considered the scarf. She truly did respect Purl's ability to create enhanced clothing; infusion was never "simple." Still, she had the suspicion that her partner's diva tendencies were preventing him from seeing some of the more practical applications of the scarf. She grinned.
She would help him.
"Very well. Let's go see what this scarf is capable of." She was wrapped in a tight hug in an instant, although decided to just let him have it.
"Oooooooh, thanks Esther! Pack your bags, we're headin'out!" he released her and leapt out of the room, excited. The ghost eyed the rest of the scarves, and a dastardly idea formed in her mind. She put the rest of the scarves into her own satchel, and floated out to meet her partner.
She still had to get him back for that 'drab' comment.
Sol Cove was a Dungeon that had its entrance in a rock tunnel formed at the end of the beach to the west, located north where the mountains met the sea. It was a solid three hour walk, but the banter between the two partners and friends kept them more than occupied. They came upon the beach and enjoyed a nice stroll. The white sand and sound of the waves as they lapped on the beach were calming, and Esther let out a content sigh as she lounged on Purl's back. The multicolored entrance to the dungeon came into view, but it was still a ways away.
"...I have to say Purl, I appreciate the chance to get outside. I've been feeling a mite cooped up in my workshop recently."
"I thought ghosts were more comfortable with being indoors and tight spaces?"
"We are, which is why it's interesting being in the open like this. My sister is much more of a homebody than I am, however."
"Ooh, that's right you have a sister! What was her name again..."
"Poly."
"Right! What a nice...name..." he stopped and hung his head when the pun clicked in his mind, and Esther giggled. He sighed and continued on.
"Do you know how she's doing?"
"We exchange letters occasionally. As far as I know she's doing fine. Finally opened that boutique back home in Viola." He perked up at that.
"We should go visit sometime, I'm sure we could exchange notes."
"Hmm. Yes I do believe she mentioned needing a new mannequin. Or was it a pincushion?" She giggled and leaned forward to wrap her arms around his neck. He gulped and quickened his pace.
Soon they arrived in front of the swirling miasma of colors that marked the entrance to the Dungeon. A rock formation framed the portal, with the sand growing a touch darker as it led inside. The two stepped forward unconcerned, far too used to the feeling of reality shifting visibly around them. Soon the colours settled into a semi-open cavern, the wall opened to a view of the sea to their left.
Incidentally, there were also openings that let one view the sea in front, to the sides, and behind them. If the Dungeon liked the scenic view, it would have its scenic view.
The Sylveon stopped to let his passenger off his back, and began to pace in place.
"Alright, first order of business, let's get into some trouble!"
"I do believe trouble has found us," she gestured to a side entrance, where four Pokemon were already advancing toward them. The Corphish and Shellos stalked closer to Purl, while the Staryu and Finneon drifted towards Esther.
Purl rolled to the side to avoid a stream of bubbles from the crab while Esther floated to be behind him.
"Whenever you're ready," she said. She made sure to put on her Safety Goggles to avoid the effects of his scarf.
"Right!" he reached into his satchel and whipped out the yellow scarf with a flourish. Once he put it on, the attacking Pokemon's heads turned to follow as he jogged to the far side of the room.
"Now, all of you plebians, bask in my glory!" he stuck his front paw in the air in what he was sure was a heroic pose. One by one, the Water Pokemon turned to follow him, albeit with a confused glint to their eyes.
"Well well..." intoned Esther, approvingly. As expected, the Pokemon did seem unable to focus on anything other than Purl. She grinned as she dug her claws into her bag and zoomed over to the Sylveon.
"Esther, it's looking like a success!" he exclaimed as he backed up a bit from the approaching group.
"I'm not sure, I think we need just a bit more data."
"Oh?"
Before he could act, Esther ripped out the other colored scarves Purl discarded earlier, and wrapped them around the Sylveon's neck. With dexterity born from years of working with fabric, she tied them all together into a solid knot. Even through her goggles, the urge to fix her attention on the Sylveon was almost overpowering, but she managed to maintain her composure.
The same could not be said for the mob that began to chase Purl around the room.
"E-Esther! Eeeeek!" He dove forward as the Staryu threw itself like a ninja star at his head before needing to hop to the side to avoid a stream of water.
"What did you doooooooo!? Help meeee!"
"I thought you wanted to be the center of attention!" She called from the sidelines. Her celebratory giggle was interrupted when she felt rumbles on the ground. They got louder and more powerful, until eventually the source of the sound became clear.
From every entrance in the room they were in, mobs of pokemon rushed in, all focused on the desperate Sylveon who performed rather impressive acrobatics to avoid their ire.
"Oh dear."
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Purl screamed bloody murder as he dipped and dodged throughout the cavern. His ribbons tugged uselessly at the scarves on his neck, before he gave up and sprinted out of the room to the dungeon beyond. A train of every Pokemon in the dungeon chased after him.
Purl's screams echoed throughout the cavern, much to Esther's amusement. She would get up and go save him with an Escape Orb in a bit, but for now she leaned back on the wall to enjoy the moment.
Before she forgot, she pulled out her notepad and jotted down a note:
_
Spotlight Scarf: When equipped, this item causes the wearer to be the center of attention, forcing opposing Pokémon to use their moves on the user rather than the intended target.
