victory_road | [video]

[Unfortunately for the current residents of Johto, they might be unfortunate enough to find what might be one of the worst video feeds ever on the network. It seems to cut in and out at first, and even after it manages to stay on for longer than ten seconds, the video is really just... the world spinning endlessly. Ground, leaves, sky, ground, leaves, sky -- Occasionally a tree is visible for half a second and the direction of movement seems to change, but other than that, it's an endless loop of ground-leaves-sky.

It might eventually be obvious that the camera appears to be attached to something that is rolling quickly down a hill. It probably helps that the entire feed is accompanied by the sound of what's clearly a Pokémon "hooting" over and over - rather excitedly, at that - and a voice somewhere in the distance. Pay close enough attention and the words being yelled out are things along the lines of--]

Wait!! Come back!! Just-- Spread your wings and stop rolling already!!

[Does that sound like a new trainer in need of help? That's probably because that's more less exactly what it is.]

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*No worries, Thicket's pretty chill. Well, except that one minor point eventually occurs to him...*

Your feathers will get dirty if you keep doing that.

*.... His priorities might be just a little skewed.*

[Alas, that comment seems to just go in one Rowlet ear and out the other.

So what?]

*Thicket actually draws away from the gear, a surprised expression on his face. Not that anyone's looking at the moment, but....*

It looks unkempt! Don't you wish to have a good, tidy appearance?

[That earns Thicket the vocal Rowlet equivalent of a shrug. You are harshing his buzz, old man.

I'll get a bath when I'm done rolling!]

A bath won't fix tattered feathers!

*Look Thicket's just concerned okay, he can't contemplate someone somehow not wanting to look their best!

... on the other hand though, apparently he's made enough of a commotion now to be noticed, to judge by the decidedly human voice that comes in from the background*

What's going on? Is there a problem in there?

[That's just proof that I'm aliiiive!!

This Rowlet is perplexed by all this concern. He's excited about getting to rough it and about battling and everything. Rolling willy-nilly down a hill is just Step One.

Thicket's human might be hearing some even louder trilling and hooting over the 'gear, because... Well. Rowlet's just kicking his game up a notch.]

*Well by this point Sion's spotted Thicket with the 'gear in claw, but....*

Dare I ask...?

*Thicket hoots a response that amounts to some explanation of the little one getting himself terribly dirty and so on; Sion of course can't understand it all, but he can pick up on the concerned tone, at least*

Perhaps I should have a look.

*That earns an enthusiastic affirmation and the 'gear is handed back to its proper master.... who then has to take a moment to figure out what, exactly, he's seeing in the wildly spinning image on the screen*

... Are you all right?

[The only response to that question is... Well, even more excited noises. Because the "little one", as Thicket has referred to him, is just plain having the time of his life. Sure, the human can't understand a word Rowlet might be saying, but it's pretty clear that he's not in any kind of trouble or hurt in any way.

The trainer running after him and shouting in the background is a slightly different story. But Rowlet's having a great time!]

*Sion has to look to Dusk, the absol that's nearly always by his side, for confirmation that whoever's on the other side of the 'gear is really okay ~~since Thicket is being no help right now~~ but at least that part's cleared up! But from what he can make out in the background...*

You know, if that's your trainer, they seem quite distressed...

[There's a double-hoot in response to that; I know.

He's not terribly concerned. Clearly this is a great game that he's invented to bond with his trainer and it's going really well.]

*Sion might not know the words but he can catch the gist of the tone*

Perhaps your trainer would be more willing to play along if they were assured you're all right? Someone who's just arrived here probably doesn't realize just what a pokemon is; it may help to spend some time introducing yourself first.

And then imagine the sort of things you might be able to come up with together...

*okay, maybe he's stretching it a bit, but it's worth a shot, right?*

[This time there's a funny kind of chirruping noise in response to that. He's curious about this idea - clearly he hadn't tried it - and it's enough to literally slow his roll.

Maybe? Maybe?

And then the rolling stops, Rowlet allowing his wings to unfurl and he flutters up a few feet... and then lands on a nearby rock. Time to test the disembodied human voice's theory!]

*well, that's a start, at least! And thank goodness, watching that spinning image was a bit dizzying*

Ah, and of course, if you need help explaining things to your trainer, I'd be more than happy to assist.

*which he's totally offering to do just to be helpful and not at all because it would get the 'gear back in the hands of its proper owner and a chance for the poor trainer to have a calm, rational conversation*

[Rowlet approves of this plan. Since... well, it's not like he can actually speak to his new trainer properly. Humans and their human-speak only...ness.

Before a minute even passes Pidge is approaching Rowlet's new perch, much to the little Pokémon's delight. He hoots and trills cheerily, fluttering his wings in a very Great job, you did it! kind of way.

On the other hand, Pidge looks more exhausted than anything else. It's a moment before a hand can even come up to pat the little bird on his head.] F-Finally... Geez...

*oh dear, that poor trainer really looks out of it. Sion waits just a moment, no need to startle someone who's already that worn out, before speaking up*

You may want to know, it seems your partner managed to turn on your 'gear in its enthusiasm...

[The voice coming from the device does indeed surprise Pidge, but the reaction is little more than a few surprised blinks. In the next moment Pidge is reaching to take the 'gear from where Rowlet is clutching it in one little claw and peering curiously into the screen. It's not exactly unfamiliar tech, but put together in this way is something Pidge hasn't quite seen before.]

Oh- Uh, sorry about that. [A glance over to the little bird, and he just sort of preens in response.] I have no idea what his deal is.

There's no need to apologize. It would seem he merely got a bit overexcited.

I take it you've recently arrived here?

[Pidge lets out a tired little groan.] How could you tell.

[Surely it couldn't be the sight of the Rowlet moving closer to Pidge's head, and then promptly beginning to chew on some of the unkempt tufts of hair.]

One learns to recognize the clues, after a while, I suppose.

[video]

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