[Video + Text] [002]

[plasticasshole]

[The first thing you'll hear is crying. It's not Connor, though. The video is focused on a Yamask, hovering just slightly above a neatly made bed, looking at the mask in its hands and sobbing. A Popplio is trying to pat the pokemon reassuringly, and a Growlithe is bringing it random items from the room, but even with these odd things piling up around it, it continues to wail.]

Does... anybody know how to stop these pokemon from crying? He's been at it for a few hours now. I know I could just put him in the ball to stop the sound, but I'd feel bad about just leaving him to cry.

[The video switches off abruptly, since Connor has said all he thinks he needs to say. Except he totally hasn't, so later a text is sent out:]

Does anyone know where I can find a Porygon? And is anyone breeding or selling a Pikachu?

Comments

Video

[sleepallthewayhome]

[Video in return because she's got a Porygon floating next to her.]

You can win them at the game center in Goldenrod. I haven't seen any in wild but I might have missed them.

[plasticasshole]

The game center? I haven't gotten that far yet. I'm still only in Cherrygrove City.

[But the Porygon interests him. Hank had said he'd wanted one, but Connor might see if he can get one for himself, too.]

Is it hard to win?

[sleepallthewayhome]

It takes a while. It took me three weeks to get Bishop. But it was fun.

[And something to take her mind off of things.]

And they agreed to come with me and now we're friends.

[plasticasshole]

Well, we don't mind staying in places for a while. It's nice to relax after all the walking to get there.

[A Magnemite zooms closer to the camera, curious about the Porygon. Connor tilts to accommodate the both of them in the frame, smiling at Newt's story.]

Bishop is a nice name. How did you choose it?

[sleepallthewayhome]

He's a friend from home. And the pokemon reminded me of him because they're both calm and smart and nice.

And I read that Porygon are kind of like A.I pokemon and Bishop is an android.

Video;

[schachmeister]

Do you have any idea why he is crying? I think, knowing that, it might be easier to find a solution.

As for the Pikachu. I'm afraid I don't have one myself, but there is a small daycare centre nearby here that sells Pichu eggs. Maybe that is an option.

[plasticasshole]

The pokedex says they look at their masks and cry. It reminds them of their former lives. I didn't realise they'd cry for quite so long though, and I can't do anything about the mask.

[Well, at least there's some good news.]

Oh, maybe. I'm in Johto, though. Would that be an issue?

[schachmeister]

Oh. [Wow, boy, that is troublesome. And nothing Armin has an easy solution for.] Did you just catch this Yamask? Maybe it just needs some time.

[Just give it a few more hours. Or days. It has to stop eventually, right?]

I'm not sure. I'm in the Sevii region. I don't know if they will transfer eggs to other regions. Though, there is no harm in asking.

[plasticasshole]

It just hatched. It was fine at first, but then it saw the mask it was holding and it hasn't stopped since.

[He runs a hand through his hair tiredly. Maybe he really will have to just wait for it to stop on its own.]

I'll ask. I'd really like a Pikachu.

Action

[sociallychallenged]

[Hank isn't faring much better than the Pokemon in this venture, really. He's bringing it a berry, because what the fuck else can he do, right?]

Jesus, Connor. Is anyone giving you anything? I'm fuckin' at a loss here.

[It's constantly crying! What's he supposed to do!]

[This is karma, isn't it? This is karma for every person in the world that has to deal with his depressing bullshit for any amount of time. Fucking... just someone fucking help them, please.] Come on! It's not so bad. You've... got a mask, I guess... It's a good mask?

[Fuck.]

[plasticasshole]

The mask is what's making it cry, Lieutenant. But... not so far, no. I did find out where to get a Porygon, though.

[He says that over the crying, as if it'll make Hank's day any better. He goes to sit by the pokemon, patting it on the back.]

[sociallychallenged]

I've never dealt with... whatever sort of mask makes someone fucking cry before! I don't know! [He gestures at the Yamask.]

Where do we get a Porygon?

Hey hey! Shhhhh. [He attempts to soothe it again. Uhhhh.. God, what used to help with Cole. Honestly what the Growlithe is doing used to help with Cole.] And there's no way we can get the mask away with it? Why do they all come with cursed fucking masks, Connor? Why is this something that happens?

[Excuse him he needs to find something else because sweet things are just not working. He goes to look around in his pack for just... anything... that might work.]

[plasticasshole]

The mask reminds it of its former life. Before it died.

[Said as if this wasn't completely creepy.]

At the game center in Goldenrod. You have to play games to win one. It took Newt three weeks.

[Connor shakes his head, his Spinarak crawling into his lap. Of course, of all the pokemon to prefer laps it would be the giant spider.]

I don't think trying to take away the mask would be a good idea. I'm starting to think maybe he just needs time to cry. Is that something that happens?

Video

[tearsofademon]

Ahh... Have you tried asking him what's wrong? Or if there's anything you can do to help?

[plasticasshole]

I've tried talking to him. I think it really is just the mask that's upsetting him, but I can't take it away. I'm a little lost.

[tearsofademon]

Yeah, no, definitely don't even try to take it...

Yamasks are human souls who died and were reincarnated. The Pokedex sometimes exaggerates things, but it's not lying about this one... He's probably missing his past life, is my best guess. You could try asking if he had any hobbies, or if there's anything in particular he misses that you could try to help him have again.

[plasticasshole]

[He nods, sitting beside the Yamask and talking gently to it.]

Is there anything I can do to help? What did you like about your past life?

[All he gets in return is a wailed "maaaask!" and more sobs. He sighs, looking back to the camera.]

I can't understand him when he's like this.

[Or, well, at all, really. But maybe if he wasn't crying he could at least show Connor what he liked.]

video;

[sassymaru]

Ah... how odd. My own Yamask is rarely performing such displays.

Perhaps they could speak with one another? Attempt to raise his spirits?

[plasticasshole]

How long have you had yours?

[If there's hope that it gets better, he'll take it. Of course, his might just be a crybaby.]

I'll try anything at this point.

[Just as long as it doesn't bring the other Yamask down and make it cry, too.]

[sassymaru]

Some weeks now. He's a rather cheerful sort, come to think of it. He even goes by the name "Spookymaru".

One moment, I'll locate him for you.

[plasticasshole]

Spookymaru? [Cute.] Mine is called Goldblume.

And... I'll wait.

[Not like he has anything else to do. He does pat the Yamask on the back while he waits, though.]

Video

[isleavepossible]

I think it depends on the individual pokemon. I have one and when he gets like this he tends to calm down if I talk to him, or tell him a story. I think it helps distract him from the mask.

Or sometimes some of my other pokemon will spend time with him and keep him company. How long have you had yours for?

[plasticasshole]

He only hatched a few hours ago. He was fine for roughly 30 minutes before he caught sight of his mask, and he hasn't stopped crying since.

[He looks exhausted, and the pile of useless odds and ends from the room is only growing around the Yamask as the Growlithe keeps trying to distract it.]

Nothing seems to distract him. He's very intent on crying.

[isleavepossible]

Oh, huh. Well if he just hatched, then that might be why. I caught mine, so I'm not sure what he was like when he was first hatched. It might be something they just do the first time they see their mask. Or maybe some of them?

You might just have to wait it out, if nothing seems to help. But unless they're pushing you away, staying with them might be good?

[She thinks for a moment. She always feels bad when Calvin Gilbert cries so she doesn't want to have no advice to offer for someone else in a similar poistion.]

I mean I guess you could try to treat it like a human baby that's crying. Like try to give it food, a drink...something else to hold?

[plasticasshole]

I suppose the first time they're reminded of their previous life might be distressing, yes.

[He moves to sit beside the Yamask though, taking his bag with him. He offers it a poffin, but the pokemon ignores it.]

I've never interacted with a human baby before. Do they really cry like this?