victory_road | FOURTH WALL MINGLE LOG

[Newt might think nothing over offering a hand to Armin, but it is a little more complicated for Armin. Luckily Dougal's sudden appearance saves him from having to decide whether or not to hold Newt's offered hand. Instead, his attention goes entirely to the creature clinging to Newt's back and he recognises it. How could he not? He's spent plenty of time pouring over those pages in his book, completely drinking in each and every illustration.]

That's... that's a demiguise, isn't it?

[Nice distraction tactic, Armin.]

Oh, yes! My apologies--Armin, this is Dougal. Dougal, this is Armin, one of the new friends I've made in this place.

[As Newt introduces them Dougal seems to relax a bit more and hauls himself up on the wizard's back properly now so he can see Armin. Large glass blue eyes study the young man, head tilting curiously before the Demiguise lifts a hand in a wave.]

He's quite shy but once he gets use to your presence he can be a very lovely companion.

[Armin is practically biting his lip in delight when Dougal lifts a hand in a wave, coping his gesture to give him a little wave in return.

It's strange. When he had first arrived here in the Pokemon world, Armin hadn't at all been very comfortable with animals. He had been pretty nervous handling even his sweet little Hoothoot. But right now, he feels no nerves surrounded by all these magical creatures. Maybe the year worth of handling Pokemon has left him far more at ease with animals of all kinds (though he still isn't the type to wrestle them enthusiastically like some people do). Or maybe it is the book Newt had given him for his birthday. Maybe the ease comes from feeling like he already knows these creatures a bit and knows what behaviours to avoid.]

These are the ones that can foresee the future, right?

That's right. It's part of what makes them rather difficult to encounter in the wild. You have to be extremely unpredictable if you want to outwit one of them.

[Dougal let's out a soft sound and Newt chuckles as he reaches back to gently pet the Demiguise's head.]

Yes, that's right. Our meeting was rather unpredictable, wasn't it?

[This is why it was so easy for Newt to interact with Pokemon. Why so many of them liked to travel with him.

He was so at ease around creatures.]

But he is just one of many. Which would you like to meet next, Armin?

[Really, Armin doesn't have a preference. He wants to see and meet as many of the animals in Newt's suitcase as he can. He knows from past experiences that these strange times don't tend to happen for long. It doesn't seem like anyone really understands why and how they happen, but everybody agrees that they only last for a few days.

So in response to Newt's question, he can only give a little shake of the head. Whichever animal Newt thinks will be best. Besides, he has something else he is curious about now.]

How did you and Dougal meet?

[Where to begin then...

Newt motions for Armin to follow and leads both the younger man and Cornelius towards the Graphorn enclosure while Dougal stayed contently on his back.]

I found him being smuggled into England, actually. Quite a few of the creatures that reside here were apart of that particular raid. Dougal was the only Demiguise in the mix and I offered him residence here until I could get him home.

[Armin follows Newt to the Graphorn enclosure, though his attention is still on Dougal for the moment.]

He looks quite at home, already. [At least, to Armin. Look how comfortably he clings to Newt's shoulder.] Are all the animals you have ones you are returning to their homes? Like Dougal?

Yes. Well, that is the plan at least. It is a lot easier said than done, unfortunately. There are many people in the world that would prefer to have them for their own purposes.

[Parts for spells. A trophy. It was terrible. And Newt had to take care to find the best place to re-home his companions.]

There are some that are permanent residents, at least for the time being.

[He came to a stop and as if on cue there was a low rumble of hooves hitting the ground as the two adult Graphorns made their appearance. The larger of the two let out a rumbling sound as it greeted Newt, moving close to give him a sloppy, tentacle-y kiss that got a chuckle from the wizard.]

Like these lovely creatures.

[The low rumble of hooves is what has Armin tearing his eyes away from Newt, and it's just in time to see the two adult Graphorns make their appearance. And yes, they absolutely make him jump a little because those are some big creatures.

Still, it's just a momentary jump. Newt is here and Newt is obviously going to know exactly how to treat these animals. As long as Armin follows any instructions of his, he should be fine. ]

I don't think these are in the book you gave me. What are they?

No, they weren't. But the next volume will have my notes on them, I promise.

[Newt's smile grew as the second adult came close to shower him with affection as well.]

These are Graphorns, one of the last breeding pairs in the world I'm afraid. Over hunting took quite the toll on their numbers in the wild so these two have been living with me for some time now.

[As Newt explained, Armin would feel something odd touching his arm and once he looked, he'd find himself being investigated by two small Graphorns.]

Those are their children. The first they've produced since I invited them to stay. Lovely aren't they?

[Armin jumps a little at the sudden, unexpected touch, turning his head to look at the two babies. They are... adorable in an odd tentacle-y way. And far less intimidating than their parents. He lets them investigate his arm at their leisure, glancing at Newt.]

They are very nice.

What were they hunted for?

[The babies seem delighted that they're allowed to investigate and start circling Armin, trying to get a good look at him.]

Their horns have very strong magical properties when used in potions and they were highly sought because of it.

[Newt frowned gently, momentarily pressing his forehead against one of the adult's heads.]

It's a shame, really. There could be an entire group of wizards and witches in the future that never get a chance to see these lovely creatures.

[Babies, no. Why are you poking your weird little tentacles at his ear? That is not where tentacles go.

He frowns a little, hearing Newt's tale.]

What sort of potions could you make of their horns?

[Armin feels like he could at least sympathise a little if it was a very important potion, something with no alternative. Dreamer though he might be, deep down, he's also pragmatic. If a potion made of Graphorn horn was the only thing that could keep Mikasa or Eren alive, he can't say he would've kept from killing one, even if he would've disliked doing it.

But on the other hand, he's also heard about people hunting down animals for far less sympathetic reasons. He might be able to sympathise or even agree with hunting for food or medicine, but something like status or unnecessary things? Not that sort of thing.]

[Um, it most definitely is they want to figure out what those weird things on the side of your head are, Armin!]

It's most commonly used in the antidote to uncommon poisons, such as from a doxy bite. It..does have its uses but I'm afraid people tend to forget to stop and take it too far at times. There's really no need for a surplus of the stuff which is what has led to the low numbers.

[It was a shame, really. They were such beautiful creatures after all.]

[Armin nods, and really, he wants to give Newt a proper and sensible response to his words. What ends up happening though is that he ends up giggling, embarrassingly high and girly, when he opens his mouth, owing to some little tentacles that have managed to find the ticklish spots around his ears.

He snaps his mouth shut again, flushing.

(Not being the most manly dude in the room is a bit of a sore point with him at times)]

[The laughter startles Newt but he quickly realizes what's happening and it gets a chuckle out of him as well.]

Enough of that you two!

[The scolding is gentle and tinged with laughter as the wizard gently shoos the young Graphorns back, the pair letting out delighted sounds and scampering off because clearly this is a game now!]

They are extremely curious creatures and tend to not understand personal boundaries at all.

It's all right. They weren't hurting anyone.

[They are just babies, after all. Who could expect babies to understand personal boundaries? Especially those of a whole different species.]

Were those babies born here? In your suitcase?

They were, yes.

[Newt looks very proudly at the parents, stroke the mother's neck as she tosses her head in delight.]

I had initially taken in their parents to keep them safe and they apparently trusted me enough to start a proper family here.

Do you think I could--

[He gestures a little at the pair of older graphorns. He'd like to pet them as Newt is doing, but he's not just going to assume these two will be fine with that. He is a stranger to them, after all.]

Hm? Oh, yes of course! Just make sure not to surprise them--make sure they can see you coming so they don't startle.

[Newt gives him an encouraging smile as the pair of adults peer at Armin curiously. The one closest to the blonde, the male, tosses his head slightly, tentacle-like appendages waving about.

Yes please pet them.]

All right.

[He extends a hand, slowly approaching. He's moving much how they had taught him to approach the horses back home --Survey Corps horses were fabled for the easy tempers, but you still didn't want to startle one-- even though these creatures are quite a bit bigger than that. Still, Mr Newt wouldn't have given his okay if it wasn't okay for him to do so. Armin fully trusts in that.]

[The male watches Armin approach and is clearly at ease with his movements. Tossing his head again, the Graphorn steps forward and meets the blonde halfway, tentecles wrapping around his hand in greeting as he let's out a content rumble.

Beside the female, Newt's smile softens.]

He likes you.

[The sensation of the tentacles is still a strange one. But this time it is not so ticklish when it is not playing with his ear.]

I'm glad.

[Really. He is. Look at the size of that thing. Armin doesn't want to even think about what sort of damage it could do to him if it didn't like him.

Allowing the Graphorn to wrap his tentacle around his arm, he carefully reaches up with his other hand to gentle give the beast's skin a few pats.]

Do they have names?

No, they don't. Most of the creatures here are nameless.

[He admits it a bit sheepishly, almost feeling bad that he hadn't really come up with a name for everyone.]

I'll admit, I'm not very good at coming up with names most of the time. The majority of my Pokemon companions are simply named after historical figures from my home.

[Stop being so endearing, Newt!]

That's all right. I'm not really good at coming up with names either. [he gives a small shrug.] With my Pokemon, I usually end up naming them after something I'm reading at the time. I was reading a lot about the planets and moons when my Eevee hatched, so I named him Phobos.

FOURTH WALL MINGLE LOG

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