paladinlost | 71st moon [video]

[Woah, that is a lot of eggs.]

I'll take the Togepi and Swablu off your hands. I know somebody who would like one of those as a gift.

Edited 2012-12-19 00:37 (UTC)

Miss, you are a wonderful person and I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart.

[He very carefully takes two of the eggs from the pile.]

Where should I send them?

[Misaki cracked a smile at Cecil's comment before returning back to her normal face.]

Goldenrod Pokemon Center. Tell them its for an Asou Misaki.

Goldenrod, understood. Please expect a proud mother to show up soon and try to tell you how to raise her child. And possibly attempt to clean your belongings at the same time.

Should I tip her if she cleans my stuff?

You should tell her to stop cleaning and return home before the snow becomes too much. Otherwise, you'll never be rid of her.

Um, got it.

...In fact, you should ignore any parenting tips she might offer, if you can understand them. She's never raised a single egg in her life.

Eggs...? What's in them?

{She's curious, ok.}

It depends-

[Hang on a second that face is familiar. But question first!]

It depends on the color. Those pink ones are Cleffas and Happinies, I think the blueish-green one is a Tangela, the green ones with those red spots are Ralts...

...do you mean to say that there are creatures inside those eggs?

Indeed. All species of Pokémon come from eggs, even the plants and the rocks. Not matter what size they are meant to be.

What. {Her eyes are the size of saucers right now. This is weird.}

But.. that doesn't make sense! Mammals don't hatch from eggs!

...You've just arrived, have you not.

[That's not even a question.]

...yes. {Looking slightly sheepish.}

I can tell. You can still easily see the ways this world does not make sense.

[It's almost said with pride.]

However, it appears that mammals do hatch from eggs here, and that they can breed beyond their species. Take the Ralts; their mothers resemble strange women wearing white dresses, but their father is an animated ghost plush toy.

An animated... {what} Perhaps I should just stop questioning things.

Don't. Keep questioning what does not make sense to you; every so often you might actually receive an answer.

Then, how often have you received an answer to your questions?

...Not nearly as often as I'd like.

I suppose I can't help with that...

{Hmmm.}

Well, would you mind terribly if I bought one of your, um, eggs?

Of course not. You can buy as many as you wish. ...Or can afford, but that might not be wise.

I think I should start with one, maybe.

Very well. What kind of species are you interested in?

The, um. {Thinking..!}

Tangela..? May I please buy one of those?

Of course. This is my first time breeding one, so I've no idea what sorts of attacks it'll know at birth.

Hmm. After looking it over I'd like to purchase a Ralts egg and a Chikorita egg.

I am more than happy to sell them both to you. Where would you like me to send them?

Violet City in Johto, at the Pokemon Center.

Violet City, then. A Butterfree should contact you within a day or two.

Edited 2012-12-19 00:53 (UTC)

The Pokebeasts Lay Eggs
I Hadnt Realized

That they do, very often and without their trainers' approval. The first Rock-type that hatches in front of you is always the most surprising.

I See
I Am A Breeder So I Suppose I Will Find Out Eventually
Do You Always End Up With So Many

It depends on the size of your team, and I do believe that breeders somehow obtain more eggs than trainers. But in this case, I could have had many more; a great part of my team refrained from adding more children to the pile.

Perhaps It Is a Biological Side Effect Of Your Presence As A Breeder
Though Figuring Out How That Would Work Is Hard To Say

Do You Prefer When They Dont

I'm a trainer, actually; I doubt I could withstand a breeder's batch. My main problem with it is that they always decide to have their children at the same time. Finding homes for them all is far from easy.

Oh
I Assume From The Volume
Never Mind

You Sell Them Though
That Seems Like A Valid Reason To Want Many
Especially Given How Little Money We Appear To Start With Here

If I was a more recent arrival, perhaps. But I've been here for more than two years, and spent many of those days working. I could live comfortably for quite some time.

Most Of The People I Speak To Seem To Have Been Here For Ages

I Already Spent Most Of The Money I Arrived With On A Coat
Its Freezing Here

Buying that coat is the best possible decision you could have made, believe me. Have you thought about working a few days at the Pokémon Center? It pays more than the stores.

I Hadnt Given It Any Thought
I Never Had To Work At Home

I Hadnt Even Realized How Important Money Would Be Until I Bought The Coat And Saw Your Egg Thing

Never at all? You had no part-time work, no inherited position, no need to kill monsters for money...?

I Killed The Monsters That Lurked On The Island When The Sun Was Up But Mostly Because They Were Pests
Otherwise No
By Troll Standards I Was Still A Child

I see. In that case, the Center would indeed be ideal. It's mostly greeting patients and directing them to the right nurse.

I Will Think About It
Once My Friends Get Here And I Know What Is Going on

Is People Selling Them The Main Way To Acquire Additional Beasts

It's the easiest way to get a few of the rarer species, but plenty can be found in the wild, as long as you have the pokéballs to catch them.

I Have Five Of Those
I Found Them In My Bag
I Will Have To Look Into This

I Cant Actually Breed Them If I Only Have One

They're kind enough to give us that many, at least. You'd need a second Pokémon, and it'd also have to be from the same egg group as the first. And of the opposite gender, of course.

Hmm
An Oddly Restrictive Breeding Requirement
Similar To Humans Though So I Suppose It Makes Sense Since This Is Their World

...The egg groups, or the genders?

Genders
The Species Aspect Makes Sense
You Would Not Breed A Fishbeast And A Treebeast

...And yet you can breed a snake with a lion. How would it work without genders?

Gender Is Simply Not A Specific Restriction On Alternia
Trolls Can Breed With Members Of The Opposite Gender Or Their Own

Not needing children of opposite genders would be very useful when arranging marriages, I have to admit. They'd love that in Troia.

We Didnt Really Do That
Marriage
We Had Matesprites But They Werent Arranged

They were love matches, then? That's quite lucky.

Ah
Somewhat
Love As A Concept Is Similar
But We Didnt Call It That

Is it more platonic, or different in another way?

[John can't help but chuckle.]

Well with a sales pitch like that, how can anybody refuse? [Just...peering at those eggs, only for his eyes to brighten as they land on one in particular.] Is that...please tell me that's a Shuppet egg I see there.

[He takes a second to check.]

...That is indeed a Shuppet egg. One has to wonder how he managed to... connect with both the mother and the daughter of my Gardevoir pair, truly.

Aha...yeah that's...I asked myself that same thing the first time my ghosts bred.

[How in the world do they do it. Seriously. How.]

Anyway, I would be all too happy to take that one off of your hands for you.

Please. That would make me happier than nearly everything else in the world at the moment.

HAha, you drive a hard bargain, Cecil, but what choice do I have? I can even send one of my Pokemon to get if need be.

Thank you, but it's fine. I have plenty of Flying-types who'd be very happy to stretch their wings for a few days.

Alright, sounds good. I am in Goldenrod, so hopefully that will give them a respectable stretch.

Goldenrod? That's another delivery for my Alteria; she'll be happy to hear it. The flight from and back to Celadon should be more than enough for her.

I will keep an eye out for her then. Thanks!

You're welcome. I hope you new Shuppet will be better behaved than his father.

[...Cecil this is not how you conclude a sale.]

Oh jeez, I should have seen that coming. Alright, lay it on me. What have I gotten myself into here?

[At least he's taking it well?]

...Well, he forced me to hallucinate my worst nightmares, but that was under special circumstances. Mostly he teases Rosie, and once the two of them joined forces and tried to paint the walls of a pokémart.

Err...elaborate on the special circumstances. The other stuff I can handle, no problem. Another prankster-y ghost will fit in well with my team, to be honest. Not that either of these things will change my mind, it just never hurts to be prepared.

During our first September here, there were a few days of hallucination-inducing fog. It turned out to have been caused by hundreds of Ghost-types working together, and Avenger was one of them.

Ohhhh, I see. So it's kind of like the Shedinja thing? On his own, Avenger has never done anything bad, but in a group...

Well, he's spilled Rosie's paint bottles more times than I can count, but he's definitely not nearly as alarming as he was with a like-minded group.

Edited 2012-12-25 17:51 (UTC)

[He giggles a little bit.]

Nothing I can't handle then.

[Until there's a ghost uprising or something. Then he's screwed.] What about the mother though? As long as we're discussing it.

The mother is... most likely a Gardevoir. He's bred with both of mine, along with my Lampent, so that's two chances out of three. But they all behave themselves well, and are very pleasant.

[Thumbs up.]

Got it. Sorry, my fiancee is a breeder so I have to ask these sorts of questions. Well that and I think it's kind of interesting to see what does and doesn't pass down.

Well, If you tell me what attacks it knows when it hatches, I might be able to tell you which mother it was. They've all learned different TMs, and I think those can be passed down.

Eggs?

That's right. My Pokémon wished to... spread the love, so to speak. It happens relatively often.

I could get another friend from one?

[She pushes her Golett in front of the camera.]

You could indeed. Does your Golett also want a new friend?

We want many friends.

Well, this is the right world for that. What kind of friends would you like to have?

I...don't really know.

There's a lot of Pokémon, aren't there?

Hundreds upon hundreds, each with their own abilities and strengths. I've been here for over two years, and I've still not seen them all.

Which ones do you have?

I have plenty. Dogs, snakes, lion, dancers, rocks of all kinds...

That sounds very impressive!

Thank you. My Pokémon of all species have grown splendidly, and I've no doubt their children will do the same.

Do you have any fluffy ones?

Fluffy? Swablus are fluffy, and so are Growlithes to a certain degree...

What do they look like?

Swablus are little blue birds with cotton wings that become Dragon-types when they evolve. Growlithes are tiger-striped Fire-type dogs, and if you use a Fire Stone on them they become large enough to ride.

They both sound really nice. I'll have to decide.

Would you like to see what they'll grow up to become? It could help you choose.

Edited 2012-12-19 02:32 (UTC)

Sure!

I'll be back in an instant.

[And indeed he is, his Altaria and Arcanine at his side.]

Here they are.

[She seems to be in awe of them.]

I like the one with the wings that look like clouds.

[Mist preens proudly at that.]

That's an Altaria, an older Swablu. You'd like one of those, then?

Mmhm!

Do I have to come find you?

That'll be unnecessary. I have plenty of Flying-types; they can deliver the egg wherever you are.

Really?

Do I pay you that way too?

I give my Pokémon little pouches to hold when they make deliveries. You only need to put the money there and they'll take care of the rest.

Okay.

I should be in...New Bark Town? For at least a few days.

New Bark Town? Perfect. The egg's father will take care of the delivery. He's a great orange dragon, you could hardly miss him.

I'll keep an eye out for him, then. Thank you very much!

You're welcome. I hope you'll get along with the baby.

I'm sure we will.

And if you have any questions about the egg, please do not hesitate to contact me, miss...?

Okay. I'm Ushio.

My name is Cecil. Cecil Harvey. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ushio.

It's nice to meet you too.

You've just arrived, then?

Yes. How long have you been here?

Over two years and three months ago. A few people have been here even longer.

That's a long time.

It is, but thankfully this world is usually peaceful.

That's good to hear. I really hope it stays that way.

We try very to ensure that, when it becomes less stable.

It's been unstable before?

Team Rocket stages attacks, every so often. And then there are those missing days.

What's Team Rocket? Why would they attack?

A group of criminals. They want power and control over others, I suppose.

That's...there has to be another reason.

If there is, they've not shared it with the rest of us.

I can't bring myself to believe that they only do it for completely selfish reasons. I'm sorry if that seems wrong.

It might not be, for all we know. But what reason could be worth harming innocents?

I'm not sure. We'll have to find out what the real reason is.

That might take some time. They don't seem to want to share it.

I've got plenty of time now.

...I suppose you do, at that, unless you happen to disappear quickly.

I could disappear?

People return home, sometimes, for good or for ill.

[... that is a lot of eggs]

Merry early Christmas?

Thank you. May I return my presents to the senders? I've no need for them.

I'd be pretty impressed if you found a way to do that.

..So would I be, as I'm still not certain how they managed to get created.

You look away long enough. . .

I am nearly certain those Ekans egg were fathered by my Luxray. A snake and a lion.

[Thinking about the specifics hurts his soul.]

What did I tell you about applying logic to Johto?

[a beat]

And Kanto, too.

...Snakes are meant to hatch from eggs, at the very least.

[See? A small ray of logic!]

[with amusement]

You're trying too hard again.

I need a distraction, even if it must drive me to madness.

I'd offer to take an egg off of your hands, but my team is already a handful.

So is mine, yet I still found myself buying one recently. You think I'd know better.

Maybe we all hold out hope that that one egg will be more behaved than the others.

Whether it behaves or not it'll be useful, at least. And it'll serve as an appropriate homage, too.

Good luck. In case you need it.

Thank you. With any luck the worst I'll need to worry about will be its potential friendliness with Gogo.

Do you happen to have any fire-type for sale, there?
[IT'S LAGUNA, MAN, GOING THE HARD WAY FOR BABIES]

I have three species, as a matter of fact. My fire moth is the only one that showed some restraint.

Can I see them? I might as well pick one up.
[mostly for the little girl he's taking care of also himself]

Of course. Would you rather see the eggs, the evolved versions of what they'll hatch into, or both?

Well...
[...]
I think I'd better see both. After all, I've got to pick a good one.
[or the candle monster]

Very well. Please wait a moment.

[He leaves for about five minutes or so, before coming back with his Houndoom, Arcanine and Lampent. He places the three eggs in front of their respective parent.]

Here they are. Flare and Minerva had their eggs together, while Lia had hers with my Banette.

[He looked between the three for a little - but something about that Lampent... he likes it. It just looks kinda odd, and warm too.]
That third one - that's Lia, right? She looks pretty warm.

She does, and she is. A few of them were floating around street lights some weeks ago. It was a pretty scene to behold.

That does sound beautiful - moreso then normal street lamps, that is. [They're pretty normal in his world. Except they happen to not be lifesuckers.] So, can I buy one?

Of course. I should send it to New Bark Town, I suppose?

Of course! I probably won't be able to move on for a day or two... [Or longer.] What should I be on the lookout for?

...I'll send my Dragonite. Big orange dragon, with tiny wings that do not look like they can bear that much weight. Kayne is my fastest flyer.

That sounds like it looks pretty odd - so it'd be easy to spot! Let me guess - if I don't pay, it attacks me?

Oh, no, I couldn't trust Kayne to keep would-be thieves alive. In this case I'd take care of the attacking myself.

[...That dangerous? Guuuulp. Gotta make sure he has the money ready, then.]
Would it really take out humans?

...No, though stealing would still be a bad idea. We cannot die in this world, but we can certainly break limbs. And also lose them, perhaps.

[They can't die? Well, that's nice to know. Maybe.]
I'm not planning on it!
[Seriously.]

I thought not.

[He didn't, really.]

But with Team Rocket around, one can never be too prudent.

Who's Team Rocket?
['course he doesn't know, he's a newbie! :D]

A crime syndicate. They steal Pokémon and attack important landmarks, often causing injuries to both us and the locals.

[ . . .
oh. There's suddenly a glimmer of... something in Lagunas eyes.]
Well then - I'll make sure to not be like them. After all - I'm a good guy!

I know. But a few people find themselves with them, instead of in New Bark Town. I doubt it's a pleasant experience.

Of course it wouldn't be. I'd hate to be part of an evil group, and I don't think there's many people who'd like it!
[What about villians?]

...I can think of too many people who would not mind it that much.

Really?
[...]
Well, where's there's good, there's got to be some bad apples.

Along with piles of rot that probably never were apples.

[*coughcoughexdeathcoughcough*]

But -- there's always more good guys!
[Right? Riiiight?]
And with these beasts, we aren't defenseless.

Team Rocket has them, too. They have a taste for Poison-types.

So what? We'll just need some Antidotes, right, and they'll be unable to do much!
[laguna is pumped up.]
When they strike again, that is.

A Steel-type would be more helpful than antidotes. They're immune against Poison-type attacks.

[Cecil, you seem very, very tired.]

I'll, uh, I'll take the Happiny egg off your hands?

[He's interested in it, and he's helping a friend in the process. Win win.]

...I appreciate that offer so much, you have no idea.

[Or maybe he does, with the way Cecil looks.]

I might have an inkling.

[Poor Cecil.]

I'm, uh, in Saffron. I'm just a couple minutes from the Center.

Good, that's close. You'll have your egg within the hour. Expect a Delibird, and accept nothing else he might try to give you.

Thank you. I'll give him the money.

...What else would he give me? [Seriously. What do Delibirds carry in their non-existent pockets?]

A present. Possibly refreshing and helpful, possibly explosive. You cannot tell until it's taken effect.

I'll, uh... keep that in mind. Thanks for the heads up.

You're welcome. It's always my pleasure to spare others from his... interesting main attack.

Hi! Could I get one of those Cleffa eggs?

It would be my pleasure to sell it to you. Where do you need it sent?

The Goldenrod City Pokémon Center is fine.

Goldenrod? In that case, it will be delivered by an Altaria. Please keep an eye out for her.

Okay, I will! Thank you!

You're welcome! I hope you'll get along with your new fairy!

I am sure I will.

...And I also hope the delivery Altaria will not fuss too much over you. I apologize in advance if she does.

[Jade laughs a little at that.] It's all right! I'm sure I'll live.

Undoubtedly. She'd never risk dirtying her wings with blood.

You're selling monster eggs?

[See this is a bad tone.]

[That's okay, he deals with bad tones at work all the time.]

I am. I've no room in my PC to keep them all, and I do need to keep their parents fed.

[This business. Eggs and monsters inside a window-machine.]

What...happens if nobody takes them?

It depends. We can send them to the Breeding Center where they'll be cared for until they find owners, give them to the nurses to be set free in their proper habitats... Certain parents insist on keeping their children, but mine have no such desire.

[So they get to be lonely in a building somewhere or released parentless into the wild lands around here...

Raven finds herself disagreeing a little bit with this scenario.]

I want one. [No hesitation. Not remembering her own parents or even what parent feel like adds a lot to her decision.

The money thing might be an issue.]

Well, then, what kind of Pokémon would you like to raise?

[They can cross that bridge when they reach it.]

[Tough question.]

I like birds. [As evidenced by the Swablu looking content as a clam on her head.]

Birds, you said? The only one I have would be another Swablu, I'm sorry to say.

Mmh. [That would be fine by her but she's come to understand that the goal is to have a lot of different monster partners.]

What else...is there?

Quite a few things: lions, psychic dancers, snakes, rock snakes...

[None of those sound particularly pleasant. Raven drums her fingers.]

What are their real names?

Shinx, Palts, Ekans and Onix. I think I might have a Houndour and a Lunatone left, too.

[And of course she can't work out how to make the Pokédex tell her about any of those things.]

Do you have pictures?

Of course, please wait a moment.

[He leaves and returns within two minutes, book in hand.]

The purple one is Ekans, and the rocky one Onix-

[He turns a few pages.]

-that dog is Houndour, they're sweeter than they look-

[A few more.]

-Ralts is the white one, that little crescent moon is Lunatone-

[One last time.]

-and here's Shinx. The little lion.

[Oh. He really does have pictures. Something about the dog intrigues her but the skull and bones are scary. The lion is cute. ...Really cute, come to think of it. It's not her usual style at all.

But perhaps.]

I like...Shinx.

An excellent choice. They can cover both Electric- and Dark-type attacks easily, and happen to be very affectionate. Where should I send the egg?

I don't know if I have enough money.

[Technically she does, but there's food and supplies to consider.]

I'm going to Violet City.

That's no trouble. You can simply pay for it once you do.

[Completely trusting here. Also, has trained very good enforcers if needed.]

A Butterfree will bring it to you within the next few days.

Okay. ...Thanks.

[She doesn't know what she'll do with a monster egg but it's better than the chance of it going unwanted.]

You're welcome. I hope the two of you will get along.

Hmmm... Which one of these do you think would make a good Christmas present for a fairly new trainer who already has a Charmander, Squirtle, and Pichu? I'm leaning towards the Chikorita so she can have one of each starter element.

You could hardly go wrong with that one, even if it will not be very helpful for the first few Gyms. The parents were surprisingly compatible; it might hatch with a few nice tricks.

Then I think I'll get it. I'm not worried about her performance at the first couple of gyms. She can snatch up a Geodude from the cave for Falkner if she really needs the type advantage, and her Charmander should handle Bugsy just fine. The Chikorita well be the best grass type she can get for a while, so getting it for her now sounds like a great plan.

So, P1500, right?

Or a Mareep. A future Ampharos would be a great help against Misty.

[Good ol' Misty.]

Yes. If you tell me where you are, I can tell you which delivery Pokémon to expect.

Well, that would be doubling up on Electric types... even if I don't share most people's affection for the Pikachu line. They're cute, but I don't know why this world seems to love them so much, and they're so useless in the Pichu stage.

I'm in Violet, and I expect to be there for some time.

She'll find herself doubling up on types no matter what, if she catches a lot. Does she intend to evolve it into a Raichu? Very few people do.

Violet, good. Your delivery will come by Butterfree within the next few days.

I'm almost positive she'll want it to reach its maximum potential. Rainbow's extremely competitive. And you raise a good point, but I figure it's better to wait until later in the journey to do that, if you can.

Excellent, thank you. I'll make sure she doesn't see it until the big day.

Unless you happen to favor a particular type, but it does not seem to be the case for her.

I'll help. It'll be in a Pokémart bag; surely that'll not attract much attention.

Well, she does seem to have a particular affinity for fire... which is kind of weird actually, I'd have expected flying.

I appreciate the help in that!

Considering the weather, I can understand why she'd favor those over her normal affinities.

You raise an excellent point. And it's not like Fire/Flying is an unheard of combination, anyway.

Charizards do look rather impressive. It's no wonder they are popular.

[Sup, Cecil. Have a Lightning who looks just as weary as you do, and flushed to boot. Somebody's got a damned fever, and she's still up anyway.]

Any chance you have a water type in there somewhere?

[Because it's about time she gets one...that's a hole in her team that needs filling.]

I only have a Lapras; my Milotic managed to refrain from joining in this time, somehow. ...Are you alright?

[He sees that flush and that weariness, missy.]

[a soft hmm. Lapras, Lapras...okay then. Time to see if her team will let her out of the hotel room.] 1500, you said?

[also, that was indeed a grimace. That bad looking, huh? Damn.]

Fine. Had a run-in with something that didn't agree with me.

[Not specifying what that something is. Could have been a pokemon, could have been bad food. Classic Lightning avoidance to nip concern in the bud.]

1500, yes. I did not bother to assign different prizes for each species. Would that something happen to be the chocobo flu? Kain had the exact same look on his face when he caught it.

[You'd think a man who knows Esuna would be able to recognize a poisoning, even over the Gear.]

Give me a few minutes and you'll have the money. I need to get to the Center first. [Coat, left boot--where's the right boot? Okay now she's got to find her shoe. Great.

And cue surprised blink when he mentions Chocobo Flu, because really, Cecil? Really?]

Not unless that messes with your stomach and gives you a fever at the same time.

[Hey, if he's not recognizing it, she's not going to give him any hints. She doesn't want people getting worried about her or anything.]

You could just give it to the delivery Pokémon, instead of going out in this weather.

[Hey, by his standards she's not nearly purple enough to be poisoned.]

It does both and more, though I guess in this world it'd be more of a Doduo flu. With those symptoms you really might be better off staying inside.

If I could find one. [shrug.] I'd still have to leave my room for that.

[And by her standards, she's not green enough to be poisoned. That all faded out yesterday, thank Etro.]

I've walked further with worse issues, Cecil. I'll be fine. [Granted that was across an open field and not through what has to be at least two feet of snow already, but...bah. Details. She's going anyway. Maybe the snow'll make her stop feeling like a roasted fish.]

I can send one of mine. They're very good at finding people.

[That much green would probably have been enough for him to figure it out, world differences or not.]

Of course you'll be fine. The question is whether or not you'll be comfortable and happy.

[That, admittedly, makes her pause.] Could they get through the storm? Most Pokemon I know of can't fly through something like this.

[Not unless there's some fire/flying type she doesn't know about...which is probably pretty likely.

And it's a good thing she's not that green anymore, then. A worried Cecil was not something she wanted to deal with.]

Happier than I would be staying in here all day. It wouldn't take long, anyway.

[So please don't tell Hope on her. Please.]

Most of my flyers seem to see the current weather as a challenge, really. ...But even if it becomes too much for the others, Tellah and Ceo could take care of it without trouble. They're part Ice- and Fire-type, respectively.

[A worried Cecil involves fluffy pillows and Blissey omelets. Who would say no to those?]

As long as you can see where you're going, at least. I can hardly see the neighboring building at times.

And if the storm gets worse? Could they make it back to you through the snow if it gets higher?

[Lightning would clearly say no to fluffy pillows and omelettes. She's just not the type to let people fuss over her, sadly.]

Even if I couldn't, I know the way to the Center from here. [Spent enough time in Goldenrod to be sure of her route, at least. So long as nothing spins her around.] It'll be fine.

It would take them longer than usual, but yes. Volcarona is said to be an embodiment of the sun; what's a little snow against that power.

[...He is so not inviting her to lunch anymore.]

And you'll have someone with you, just in case you feel unwell on your way?

[A pause as she turns the gear to the window, showing the snow outside. It's not a full blown blizzard, but...] Nothing, but you call that a little snow? Seems like a lot more than a little from where I'm standing.

[Sure, she grew up on the coast with controlled coastal storms, but this is her third winter. Even she knows that's not "just a little snow".

And she wouldn't have taken him up on that invite anyway. She never sits for a meal these days.]

I'll have my Arcanine with me. [and her gear to call Hope if worse come to wear...she's not a child, Cecil. She knows what she's doing.]

...That one storm two years ago was worse, from what I remember.

[At least he's not outside traveling this time. Just inside baking delicious cookies.]

In that case, I have no doubt you'll manage to reach the Center in one relatively unfrozen piece.

It was. There was a lot more snow back then. Not much of anything else. [Well, besides a metric ton of wind.

Cookies are good. Cookies are safe things to be baking. You know. So long as they're baked properly and not laced with Toxic.]

Provided she lets me leave the room. [Another shift of the gear, this time to the door that leads to the hotel hallway, and...yep, that's Lucky sitting on guard, ears pricked in Lightning's direction. Nope, bosslady ain't going anywhere.]

Traveling without a Growlithe at the time would have been suicide, truly.

[None of his Toxic-knowing Pokémon would dare waste perfectly good cookies, really.]

...Speaking of which, I can try to help with that. Flare, please come tell your sister to allow her trainer out of the room!

[New Arcanine face on the feed, now, relaying that exact message in his most big brotherly bark.]

[A soft hmm in response because she knows what he means even if she wasn't on the road during that storm. And oh, good. She can eat his cookies without fearing for her stomach this time. Wonderful. She'll seriously appreciate that.

Just like she appreciates Flare's bark right then, because Lucky hasn't heard any of her siblings in months and aaaahhh her family is still here so she'll be bounding forward to bark in return, greetings and salutations and an amused sound from Lightning as she can finally get out of the room, Lucky practically glued to her side to speak with Flare longer.]

Thanks, Cecil. They'll be at that for hours now.

[The thanks is meant seriously, though. She does need some fresh air.]

[Flare is the happiest dog in the world right now, and apparently the most camera-hogging also. He's so busy going 'hello' and 'how are you baby sister I missed you' and 'ooh, new trainer, does she give you bacon?' that there's no more room on the screen for Cecil himself.]

That'll definitely be the case, yes. It'd be sweet if he wasn't so heavy and if he wasn't shedding hair all over me.

[Happiest firedog in the world, huh? Lucky's trying to usurp that title, bouncing at Lightning's side as she answers with "hi hi hi" and "I missed you too big bro!" and "no bacon but she gives me lots of pets and scritches and runs so life's good!" and "how's your trainer treating you?" and other...firedog questions. They'll be at it all night if Cecil and Lightning let them.]

You could always throw the gear somewhere else, you know. He'd probably go chase it.

[Lucky certainly would if she did that, and not just because it's a moving object.]

[They could probably go for the team prize, with the way he responds 'I bet she knows all the best scritches spots' and 'he asked me to fight a lot a while back, it was great' and 'he's making cookies, lots and lots of cookies'. That last part comes out particularly happy.]

And get dog slobber all over the buttons? I think I'd rather spend the next few hours without proper bloodflow in my legs.

[It might be uncomfortable, but he wouldn't want to miss the big reunion either.]

[Definitely the team prize, because Lucky's responses run the gamut from "Oh yes she does!" to "I bet I could beat you in a fight, big bro!" to a disgusted snort and some hopes that "Cecil better be a better cook than whoever sold cookies to trainer last because those were bad". It comes out kind of angry sounding, too.]

You won't be saying that if you have to get up sooner. Gears are pretty easy to clean.

[Okay so missing the reunion would be pretty bad, but if nature calls or he has to get cookies out of the oven? It wouldn't be good to be stuck sitting then!]

['Someone was mean enough to make bad cookies?' It comes out particularly horrified, with some unwillingness to imagine such a sin, to the point that Cecil starts petting his head reassuringly.]

I can push him off if needed. Probably. He can usually tell when I truly need him to move, at least. Isn't there a risk it might seep in and damage the wires?

[Luckily, Flare would never dare endanger food.]

['poisoned cookies, big bro! Trainer was sick for days!' It comes out even angrier than her previous comment, and Lightning glances down at Lucky, but because she doesn't understand firedog, all that happens is a concerned frown.]

Not in my experience. Lucky's carried it a few times and it always comes out fine.

[If a bit slick. And they are very lucky Flare wouldn't endanger food. Lucky might have pounced him if he did...though she probably still will if they ever meet again because Big Bro!!!]

['What? That's mean and rude and a waste of cookies!' He's almost growling by that point. Cecil intensifies his pettings with a frown.]

Perhaps it'd be fine after all, then. I doubt she's more careful than he is.

[Pouncing is a perfectly acceptable siblingly reaction, barring enormous shoulder spikes and other complications.]

['I know! And it makes me wanna bite somebody!' if Flare is almost growling, Lucky's baring her teeth. What in the world are those two talking about, Lightning wonders.]

Probably not. Does he go charging after Mareep and Ekans even though he's been shocked or bitten before? [slightly annoyed sigh.] Because she still does, and I doubt that's careful behavior.

[Well then! Since they have no shoulder spikes or other complications, tehre will be all the pouncing! All of it...even if Flare most likely outweighs her by a bunch.]

['Rip their head off! Make chewtoys out of their bones and offer them to your trainer!' He might be repeating lines from Kayne and Dora. That tone sounds very familiar to Cecil, at least.]

He does not, but that's because we've not seen any wild ones for some time. He goes after everything that knows Stun Spore, instead.

[No need to worry, Flare knows the difference between pouncing and squishing very well! ...Barring that one incident with Leviathan back when she was a Feebas, of course.]

Oh my! I don't suppose you have any grass types in that pile?

I have three different species of them. Are you looking for a certain kind of Pokémon in particular?

I have a list of pokemon I'm trying to keep an eye out for - but which three do you have?

Petilil, Chikorita and Tangela. They all have the same father.

Oh! I'd be interested in a Petilil egg, if I could...

It's all yours if you want it. Where do you need it sent?

Goldenrod, please!

Expect a delivery Altaria, then. A very fussy one.

Ah, should I have a treat ready, or is it a different sort of fussy?

The sort of fussy that will wipe your counters clean and offer incomprehensible parenting advice. Be wary.

Oh, I can handle that sort of fussy!

Good. You might survive the encounter mostly intact, then.

Ah...I didn't catch your name, by the way? I'm Aradia Megido!

My name is Cecil. Cecil Harvey. It's a pleasure to meet you.

It's a pleasure to meet you, too. Are you a breeder?

I'm a trainer, actually. My batches are mostly accidental, unless someone needs a particular species.

Oh, got it! I'm a breeder, myself, so...

...So you look forward to your first batch of that size?

Of any size, really!

Good luck with it! Hopefully your team will take the time and energy you have into account before they breed.

I hope so! But since I'm a breeder, I rather think I have to be ready for anything.

More or less. If your team is not too latge you can assume that they'll not all be ready to breed at the same time, unless you have a Ditto.

I do have a ditto, actually!

...It seems I must wish you good luck again, then.

Thank you! I'll do my best.

I've no doubt your best will be more than enough.

They... Really went all out this time...

That they did, and half my team still managed to stay out of it.

That sounds a little terrifying.

Have you had any luck finding a place for them...?

There are plenty of interested trainers, but I fear the eggs are plentier.

I see...

Maybe I can help by taking one as well? Most of my pokémon are far past their childhood, so a newcomer would be able to get all the attention needed.

...In doing so you would be earning my eternal gratitude, I promise you. They would not tease a new baby too much, would they?

I don't think so, everyone has always been really nice to each other. [Or they get buttpinched until they do. Same thing.]

I have a few pokémon that are quite in touch with their motherly instincts, so I think the baby would be really well cared for.

Or completely smothered with love, which is hardly a bad thing.

[He thinks. He hopes.]

What sort of Pokémon would you like to raise?

I don't really mind... Would you mind showing me the eggs?

Edited 2012-12-19 18:21 (UTC)

Here they are.

[He takes one egg from each unsold species and brings them all closer. Those poor Rock-type eggs look sadly unloved.]

[Lion is usually not one to go for "instinct" usually adhering to common sense above all. But this time, there is a particular one that looks different to the eggs Lion usually sees so...]

What can you tell me about that one? I don't remember ever seeing one like that.

[Lion will be pointing out to the Lunatone one, of course, probably by numbering the position xD]

Ah, that would be a Lunatone. Rock- and Psychic-type, some very interesting attacks for both. As they're genderless, Gogo must be the other parent; I doubt they'll be born with new attacks.

That sounds really interesting... I think I'll be keeping that one then, if that is fine?

It's perfectly fine. I appreciate any request for eggs, truly.

I'll take good care of it. Hopefully you will find homes for all the others as well...

It's going well enough, though it appears Ekans and Rock-types are not very popular.

I don't think I have seen many trainers with those types either...

That's a shame. The thought of a poisonous snake nearby can be alarming at first, but Leila is a sweetheart. Klu is an excellent interpreter with his psychic powers, and heavens know Longjing is dear to me.

I agree that it is a shame... But I'm sure that eventually they will find a place with a trainer who appreciates them as much as you do.

I hope so. I know they'll be a great asset to any team they might join.

I'll let you know if I find anyone interested.

Thank you, I appreciate it. I'd rather not have to leave them with shady trainers met on the streets.

I agree.

There is always the breeding center, but I'm sure that you prefer to know the trainers personally.

I do if it's at all possible, but at least I do know that the Center is staffed by good people.

That's true. All the people I've met who are working there seem to be really nice.

Their service is excellent, too. I've never found myself with a damaged or unhappy egg.

[Well, now.]

I'm unfamiliar with practically all of those eggs you have. Do you have any psychic types in that pile?

I have two, as a matter of fact. Ralts are pure Psychic-types, though one of their evolutions can be part Fighting-type, and Lunatones are also half Rock-types.

[Taking a quick look at the 'dex.]

Hm. I think I'd like to take a Ralts off your hands. [Mostly because it looks cute.]

I've no doubt you'll not regret that decision. Where should I send it?

Goldenrod City, please.

That's another delivery for Mist, my Altaria. She'll be glad to hear it.

Cabin fever?

Competitive streak, especially against my Dragonite. I'll never understand how they manage to stay in the same room long enough to breed.

Perhaps that, too, is a competition to them. Or they turn it into one.

Or perhaps the thought of children with strong abilities at birth is that tempting.

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