Video - slightly backdated

[schachmeister]

[ooc: this is probably back-dated about a day or three.]

[The video turns on the show a rather mountainous hill-side. For people who have visited the place before, they might recognize it as Cinnabar Island.

Armin is holding the gear in his hands, aiming it at himself. He looks… a bit drawn, a bit tired, and a bit pale. He’s probably not the only one who looks like that right now though. And he’s not here to talk about that. He’s got something else in mind.

It is not just him in the camera’s view either. He’s got two odd… stalk-like, hand-like barnacles with him, one on each shoulder. The right is taller and skinny, while the left is a bit squatter, but they are very definitely a pair of Binacle minus their normal rock home.]

Hello. [As always there is just a hint of awkwardness to his voice. Addressing the network is like addressing a crowd of people and he is not exactly good at that.] I wanted to show— I caught this Pokemon. These two were hatching a ride on one of my Wailord’s flippers and I discovered them when we got to Cinnabar Island. It looks like they’ve lost their rock, so we’re trying to replace that. I’ll admit, it got me—

[A trumpeting sound cuts in, and Armin pauses, adjusting the camera a bit so it can focus on a cheery looking Phanpy who is trotting up. He’s carrying a large volcanic boulder in his trunk, depositing it at Armin’s feet, where several other (rejected) boulders already lie. Immediately the two barnacle stalks hop down from his shoulders and start examining the rock like two guys trying to purchase a car off poke Craig's list. There might be some kicking of the proverbial tires while they bicker about it.

Armin makes himself more comfortable on the rock he’s sitting one. He’s seen them do this before and he knows they’ll be a while. At this rate, they’ll be here all afternoon trying to find the perfect rock, but ah, that’s not so bad either. The view here is spectacular. He wishes he could climb all the way to the top and see the whole volcano, but that might not be the wisest thing to do.]

What I wanted to talk about is… how do we draw the line on what constitutes a singular Pokemon?

According to the Pokedex, this is one Pokemon. But it seems to me that they are both individuals with their own bodies. They can even split up and find another binacle to live with, so there is no guarantee these two are even related.

[Though they act enough like brothers that they probably are.]

I guess it is probably not really important, it just makes me wonder. There are lots of other Pokemon that live close together and depend on each other, but those aren’t collectively referred to as one Pokemon. It just keeps me thinking about how the line is drawn.

[And hey, thinking about stuff like that sure as heck keeps you from thinking about your nightmares!

Before Armin can shut off the device, one of the binacle (the short, stouter one) hops back up onto his shoulder, shaking his head.]

Ah, no good?

[The binacle sticks out his tongue very empathically letting the whole world know that, yeah, that rock just ain’t any good. A very bad rock. 0/10. Would not recommend.]

I see. [Why did he end up with the world's pickiest binacle?] I guess we'll be here for a little while longer. I would appreciate hearing anyone's thoughts on this matter. If they have any. Thank you.

Comments

[video]

[paladinlost]

[Ah, a distraction. He really appreciates distractions, these days.]

They have their own bodies, and they can split up... But can a single Binacle evolve by itself, or survive for an extended period of time?

[That's a potential explanation, right?]

[video]

[schachmeister]

Huh, that is a good point. I hadn't considered the evolution angle.

I wonder if anyone did any studies about that. The Pokedex doesn't really have a lot of information available...

[He wishes he could just grab a book on this stuff, but there are days away from the nearest library.]

[video]

[paladinlost]

Surely the matter has caught the attention of a professor out there. If only to explain how a single Magnemite can triple itself upon evolving.

[Which is a somewhat different yet related matter, now that he thinks about it.]

Binacles have only recently migrated to Johto and Kanto, though. Any existing studies would have been done in Kalos.

[video]

[schachmeister]

It feels like there are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to Pokemon evolution.

[Because yes, how do Pokemon like Magnemite triple themselves upon evolution? The Pokedex sure doesn't answer that particular question.]

I wonder if you could find books with those kinds of studies in libraries here. Though we'd need to get off Cinnabar Island and onto the next town with a library to check that.

[video]

[paladinlost]

Ah, yes, you're... unlikely to find useful information on Cinnabar.

[He's unlikely to find anything useful on Cinnabar, but that's Cecil painful experiences speaking.]

Viridian might have what you seek, between its library and its proximity to Pallet's lab. It's certainly a better bet than the Seafoam Islands.

action because he's probably hanging around anyway

[notvaljean]

[Jean has been roaming around the hills today too; he doesn't have anything better to do, and Fat Ice Dog and Andrea wanted to play with Atty, so he took them out on Rock Quest. Neither of the ice Pokemon can carry rocks as easily as Atty, but when they find a likely looking one, they stop and wait for Atty to come get it, and then go looking for another. Really, it's been a fairly pleasant day.]

[It would be even more pleasant if Jean had slept at all in the last week, but details!]

[Jean strides up the hill, carrying a rock that Andrea found under one arm, and drops it at Armin's feet before collapsing net to him.]

I don't know how you do it, but you always find the pickiest, most difficult Pokemon.

[Says the guy who trained Blitz, Mr. Hypocrite Hypocrisy.]

action

[schachmeister]

[Hey, wow, who are you calling picking, buddy?

The binacle on Armin's shoulder, the one who had just made his feelings on the rock very clear whips around to face Jean, chittering angrily before sticking out his tongue again.]

Really? I find most of mine to be very easy going.

[Seriously, compared to Blitz every Pokemon is easy going.]

Besides, it is going to be their home. I think it is fair to be a little picky about where you are going to live. If you have the opportunity to.

action

[notvaljean]

[Jean lifts his hand and acts like he's going to tweak the binacle when it sticks its tongue out at him. The little Pokemon is uncowed, and continues to glower menacingly at him.]

[Like that's going to have any effect on Jean. Buddy, he deals with Blitz and his shitty attitude every day of his life, you're going to have to step up your Shitty Behavior game if you're going to properly threaten Jean.]

I guess, but the ones you do have that are picky are SUPER picky.

[Like these guys. Or Hooke, who refuses to believe she looks like a butt. Which she does.]

They're making you do all the work, though. [Jean stretches and slouches lower in the grass, propping himself up with his elbows.] Seems like they're taking advantage of you.

action

[schachmeister]

I'd say Atticus is doing most of the work.

[Do you see Armin dragging heavy rocks around? No, you do not. Maybe just one of them, but for the most part, it was the little ground Pokemon who had done all the work. He likes this sort of stuff though, and he is ridiculously strong for something that small.]

I think he likes it though. It's like a game to him.

[Meanwhile, the second binacle stalk, the taller one, has been watching Jean lift his hand as if to tweak his brother, and now just hold a fucking minute there. They might argue nearly constantly, but that is his bronacle you are trying to tweak there, sir, and that just ain't on. So while Jean has his attention on one Binacle, the other one hops close on the ground and aims a water gun at Jean's ankle. Good luck with your wet sock, asshole.]

action

[notvaljean]

Everything is like a game to him. That doesn't mean they're not... HEY!

[That is a suddenly wet sock he's got, and Jean jolts back into an upright position.]

You little shit!

[See? YOU SEE? Ill-mannered all the way!]

voice/action-ish

[bertall]

There's probably more to them than the Pokedex says. Arcanine's entry doesn't say how they can run so far in a day, only that they have some sort of fire burning inside of them. They, uh... They don't really seem to go into detail about each individual Pokemon.

_{[A beat, and Bertolt's frown comes through in his voice.]}

...Have you seen Reiner, by the way? We were near one of the construction sites by the Pokemon Center and he vanished. None of the workers saw him either.

<sub>[It's scary how quiet big Pokemon like that Aggron can move, and how fast they can get once they get something in their heads. Bertolt's is no different - after sneaking away, he picked up the smell of something weird and decided to go find it. With some pit stops to dig into the hillsides, of course. Maybe he could find the source in the dirt?

Six holes later and with nothing to show for it, the Aggron nearly turned back to find his trainer when he caught another whiff of that. It was closer now, and by Arceus he was going to find it and take it back home to keep all to himself. Maybe he'd share it with Doodle, but he'd be the only one. And that was a maybe. First things first though, he had to find it. The only thing he finds however is the small, nervous blond boy that his trainer talks to. And Atticus, but no-- Wait.

There. The rock by Armin's feet.

With all the stealth the big Aggron can muster, he drops to all fours and tries to tiptoe as close as he can get without being seen. As long as he stays on this side of Armin, maybe he can reach out and sneak it...? Maybe nobody will notice him reaching out to try and snag it on the tips of his claws?

He's not that lucky, though.]</sub>

voice/action-ish

[schachmeister]

A good point, actually, though first let Armin address Bertolt's other question which might be a bit more time sensitive.]

Reiner? No, I have seen--

[Actually, hold that thought. Armin frowns slightly at the sound of rocks moving just to his side --the hillside is strewn with loose rocks, enough that even someone light like Armin has trouble moving without a sound, so nevermind a giant rock monster like Reiner-- turning to glance there and. Well. That sure is a thing.

For a moment Armin is just left staring at Reiner and his... is he trying to sneak? Is that is what is happening here? What the heck is happening here?

Atticus, recognizing his big friend --everybody is his friend-- trumpets and happily trots towards Reiner. Hello friend. What are you doing?]

Uh. I've found... Reiner.

[That's back to Bertolt, though he isn't looking at the screen.]

[bertall]

--Where? He's okay, right?

<sub>[He will fight anyone who tries to leave a scratch on his big lug, okay? He will fight.

With all of the attention focused on him now, the Aggron just sort of... freezes for a moment, his eyes darting frantically between Armin, Atticus, the rock, and the pair of Binacle perched on Armin's shoulders. He can either make a grab for the rock and bolt, or he can stay still.

He's choosing to stay still. If he doesn't move, no one will see him.]</sub>

[schachmeister]

Oh, yes, he's okay. I'm just not... entirely certain what he is doing.

[He really has not a single clue what is happening. If only Reiner knew that he didn't need to do all this sneaking. The to binacle have already rejected this rock and he could have it for a snack if he wanted.

Atticus meanwhile reaches his big friend, tilting his head in confusion as he trots up right in front of him, patting him with his little trunk. What is happening here? Is this a new game? Are we playing? Can Atty play too?]

[bertall]

...That could be bad.

_{[It's really not, though.]}

Uh... I'll come get him - where are you?

<sub>[Maybe one day he'll get better at this sneaking thing. Galliard is even better at it, and he's way bigger! It's not fair!

The little pap to his nose earns a small snort and a rumble, one that clearly shows that he's after something. His attention keeps dropping down to the rock at Armin's feet, and he makes a sad sort of grumble after he gets a few more pats. He wants that.]</sub>

[forsaintcecilia]

Those two are one Pokemon? [How is that possible? Kazuki hasn't seen any Magneton, or Dodrio yet, or any other multiple Pokemon like them.] They look like they're separate, but they're not?

Oh, and um, hi! It's good to see you again, Armin!

[schachmeister]

Apparently. It's strange. I'd say they are two individual Pokemon too, but the dex sees them as one. Someone mentioned that it might be because they need to both be present for this Pokemon to evolve. I wish I could check up on that.

And it is good to see you too again. Have you been able to settle in?

[forsaintcecilia]

Huh. So they're not just buddies? Although I guess you never see just one barnacle growing anywhere. They're always in big groups.

Yeah, I'm doing pretty good! I made it to Goldenrod City, and I've been working as a waiter... And I, uh, "caught" two more Pokemon! And a really nice old man gave me a new trumpet!

[So yeah, he's doing great! The Pokemon world is extremely similar to his own, so he didn't have any trouble fitting in.]

[schachmeister]

I'm not even sure if you could call them buddies exactly...

[They have that special shounen rivalry relationship going on there. Or something. Let's just say they remind Armin very strongly of another pair of idiots he knows.]

It sounds like you are settling in just fine then. To be honest, it took me a while before I caught my first Pokemon.

[because Armin is the type to overthink literally everything.]

And a trumpet? Are you a musician?

[forsaintcecilia]

[Yeah, Kazuki hasn't had the whole existential crisis about "capturing" Pokemon. Everyone did it, and the people were happy, and the Pokemon seemed happy, so why not? It's... It's really a good thing that he doesn't live in a world like Armin's. He wouldn't last three seconds.]

Xylo kinda came to me on his own, so I don't know if he really counts... But they say you should have more than one Pokemon if you wanna travel around, so I should have a bigger team!

[Too bad Kricketot/Kricketune is literally the weakest ever. Still good enough to fight off wild Pokemon, at least.]

Yup! I guess you could call me aspiring since I'm still in school, but the trumpet is my major! And I'm super glad I got I new one, I was going crazy without an instrument to play!

Video

[dreamsofahero]

It's hard to say. I imagine it has to do with the actual pokemon in question; whether it--or they, as the case may be--feel close enough together that it can be caught with a single pokeball, for example.

Video

[schachmeister]

That could be it.

Though I guess that brings up the question of, well, how exactly do pokeballs work? There isn't a lot of information available on how they work.

[The different kinds of pokeballs? Sure. Even a tiny bit about their history. But exactly how they work? Nothing that Armin has found.]

Re: Video

[dreamsofahero]

That's one of the things I wish I had something of an answer to.

Video

[schachmeister]

I'll admit, I'd sort of hoped there'd be something in your library on them. But I guess that sort of information must be really hard to track down.

[Sion and Ryner have an impressive library. And Armin is most definitely keeping a little list of things he wants to read up on the next time they are near enough to visit. Nothing on it is immediately important --which is why he hadn't contacted Sion about it directly-- just something he wants to look into at some point or another.]

Re: Video

[dreamsofahero]

I've found a few books which mention something of their history, but none that go into any detail of how it actually works.

*he'd definitely be curious to know that, himself...*

Although I can't help but wonder if it's something that those who make them wish not to be public knowledge. It would make it rather hard to sell them if people could make their own, after all.