[Video] [005]

[plasticasshole]

[The video isn't immediately focused on Connor today, instead it's focused on a Swanna. Said Swanna is in the process of sneaking up behind Hank, wings flared, and she pecks at his ankles (earning an "ow, what the fuck!") before realising the camera is on her. Then she hides her face behind a wing, demure as anything.]

Everyone saw that, you know.

[The camera shifts closer to her, and she waddles off to hide. Almost as soon as the focus is off her? There's another swear from Hank, followed by a deep sigh.]

Well, I was hoping being seen by everyone would make her stop. She's quite shy usually. Does anyone with a Swanna have this problem? Hank doesn't like birds as it is, I don't want to have to keep her in her ball all of the time just to stop her from doing this. Bribing her with food isn't working.

And I suppose I'll ask while I'm here, does anyone have any recommendations for dark or psychic type pokemon? I have a Kadabra, a Houndoom and an Alolan Meowth. And if anyone has a Carvanha or Lileep that they wouldn't mind breeding, I'd like to know.

[Connor likes to just chase after certain pokemon to train up sometimes.]

Comments

[video]

[paladinlost]

I'd be happy to breed you a Lileep, though I only have a single egg moveset to offer. For your Dark and Psychic-types, are you looking for specific skills or secondary types?

[plasticasshole]

Oh, I don't mind what moves it comes with. I'd just like one to train. I'd appreciate it if you could breed one for me.

As for the other pokemon, I'm looking to train them for my next Gym battle. So my only requirements are that they're dark or psychic types, since I'll be going up against ghost pokemon.

[paladinlost]

I'd be happy to do so. Where would you like me to deliver the egg?

[Even as he speaks, he starts looking through his papers for the notes he took about previous clutches.]

Against Morty, I'd recommend the Sandygast line. Their secondary Ground-type has the advantage over the Gastly line's Poison, they learn a few life-draining moves to reduce the number of potions you'll need, and they can learn Psychic from a TM in a pinch.

[plasticasshole]

I'm in Goldenrod at the moment.

[He takes a moment to look up Sandygast.]

I hadn't considered other ghost types, but that does sound helpful. Where would I find a Sandygast?

Video

[sleepallthewayhome]

You should get an Absol. They're really great. They're a dark type and mine's a really good fighter.

[plasticasshole]

[Connor stops to write down "Absol" on a scrap of paper.]

Do you know where I could find one? Oh, and I have something for you. I've been training a Butterfree for you. I was hoping it would help you overcome your fear of bug pokemon a little. She's very sweet.

[sleepallthewayhome]

I saw some wild ones in Blackthorn City when I was there.

[Her's had been a gift.]

....You have? Really?

[Butterfly pokemon are honestly the part thing to start her on.]

[plasticasshole]

Yes, her name is Wiggles. She has all of her learned moves, so I can send her over whenever you feel you're ready for her.

[He gets up from the desk he's sitting at briefly to go get the pokeball the Butterfree is in, and lets her out. She flutters by the camera, letting out a "freee!"]

How would you feel about meeting her?

Video;

[schachmeister]

I'm afraid my Sharpedo is not available for breeding.

[She just has had A Past and with Team Rocket dragging her away from her pack, Armin doesn't want her to have to give up on any of her children.]

But Carvanha are pretty common here. If you want, I could catch one for you.

As for your Swanna - I'm not really familiar with them, so I can't say if this is ordinary behaviour for them. Does she just do it with Hank or will she attack anyone?

[plasticasshole]

I'd appreciate that, yes. I don't think you can find them in Johto.

[He wouldn't want to put any pokemon under unnecessary stress, so he's fine with Armin just catching one.]

Well, she only evolved a few days ago. The behaviour only started then. She only seems to attack Hank right now.

[Maybe she just finds his reactions amusing?]

[schachmeister]

No, I don't think so. They are really more of an open sea pokemon. They are an excellent choice for a team though, especially when they evolve. They've got a bit of a reputation, but honestly, they can be incredibly sweet.

[Okay, sure they can chomp a boat to bits in under a few minutes, but they are still cute.]

Hmm. It might be his reactions. Especially if he does dislike birds as you say. [Because sometimes pokemon are dicks.] You said bribing with food didn't help. Is there anything else you've tried?

[plasticasshole]

Looks can be deceiving, yes.

[They look mean, but he's hoping he'll be able to bond with a Carvanha just fine.]

Well, I tried talking with her. She seemed to listen, but then she just started to do it when she thought I wasn't looking.

[Action]

[sociallychallenged]

[Hank is getting frustrated to the point that he's starting to put his pokemon away in Pokeballs. He's not mad, he's silent mad at the moment. Which is almost worse than swearing mad.]

[He's also trying to stay within Connor's field of view.]

[Finally he says-]

I'm gonna go to the front desk and see if they have a room next door. Let me know if anyone has any ideas.

[plasticasshole]

[Well, keeping Odette out of her ball right now doesn't seem to be working. He's been trying to train her not to do it rather than give up, but if Hank is so angry that he's thinking of getting a different room then maybe he has no choice. He sighs, giving the Swanna an almost hurt look.]

You're making things very difficult, Odette.

[For what it's worth, she does seem to look sorry, drooping her head a little.]

Please don't leave. I'll put her in her ball if I have to. I just didn't want to give up so easily.

[sociallychallenged]

Well, I don't want to leave, either. I'll be as close as I can. But I think it's pretty fuckin' reasonable to not want to be attacked by a bird all the time.

[Even Hank has his limits. He starts packing up his bag in mild frustration.] Too bad she couldn't have stayed the duck.

[Even fantasy swans are assholes, it turns out.]

[plasticasshole]

[He bites back the urge to suggest that maybe he's goading the swan on by reacting so much to it. He's not used to the idea of a pokemon actively wanting to be an asshole, since he's had nothing but good experiences so far. But Odette seems quite humbled by the show of Hank leaving, and the look of resignation on Connor's face.]

I said I'd put her away.

[He places a tentative hand on Hank's arm.]

I understand, it's not unreasonable at all. I can just let her out when we're outside.

[The Swanna lets out the bird version of a whine. Which just makes Connor feel guilty.]

[styxiedust]

Oh! Let me look in my registry for what eggs I have right now--

[As in give her a second to click on some buttons, aaaand boop! Three Pokemon come up as attached images--Sableye, Gothita, and Pawniard.]

I have eggs for these three ready to go! Sableye is a Dark/Ghost type--a tricky combination for most people, Gothita is a Psychic type despite its appearance, and Pawniard is a Dark/Steel type--very sturdy for when you're dealing with Fairy types.

It's all up to you, of course. And I'm sorry to say I don't have any advice about your Swanna except I could ask what her problem is if you like? Got a knack for talking to Pokemon.

[She just. Says that all casually. And probably in a chirpy rapid tone, dammit Botan, do you not BREATHE?]

[plasticasshole]

Oh, I like the Gothita and the Pawniard.

[The Sableye seems like it would be good too, but taking on three new pokemon at once seems like it might be challenging. Especially if he's going to start training his Staryu and Kadabra, too. He likes to keep a few slots in his party free for his three main pokemon, so it's already going to be a lot of switching around.]

How much would you want for the eggs? And if you'd talk to her I'd appreciate it. I can only talk to my Magnezone, I'm not sure I could do the same with her.

[styxiedust]

No charge, just take good care of them! I have a shop of my own, so I don't feel the need to charge for eggs.

[Yes. It's that simple.]

I can do that! Whenever you're ready, of course.

video;

[sunspotted]

[ marco has a "hey it's that guy" moment when he sees hank and then hears connor's voice, talking about his swanna problems. the expression on his face is sympathetic. ]

I actually have a Lileep, although I haven't bred her before. She's back home in Sevii if you'd like to borrow her at some point...

[ jokes on marco, she's about to deposit two eggs on him from her omanyte friend. ]

As for the Swanna problem... we used to have dogs that would do things like this at home. We ignored them when they were doing it, because it was for attention. It took some trying to get it to stick, though.

[ and whapping them on the nose if you were the one getting bitten.

marco is not about to suggest that one, though. ]

[plasticasshole]

Oh, I've already been offered an egg by someone else. It's kind of you to offer, though.

[He listens thoughtfully to Marco's advice.]

She's very hard to ignore. Especially for Hank, since it's his ankles that she's biting. I haven't tried ignoring her myself though, I've only tried telling her to stop.

[Which is attention, he realises now, and so he's giving her exactly what she wants.]

[sunspotted]

You're welcome! I guess if you ever need a second, you know who to ask.

[ also she's named after his sister so it would have been odd, now that he considers it.

marco tilts his head a little, nodding after a moment. ]

I'm not sure what your friend could do, other than maybe spend some time away from her. You could also try wearing her out by playing or battling with her?

[ maybe she doesn't feel engaged or something, is his angle there. ]

Video

[icecastlemadonna]

I'm sorry you're having problems with her...her dad can be pretty temperamental at times, and it got more frequent after he evolved. I think that's just how many Swanna are.

[Somehow Yuuko can't help but feel partially responsible since she's the one Connor got his Swanna from in the first place.]

[plasticasshole]

Well, I'm glad to hear that it's not just her. I was beginning to think I'd done something wrong.

[The Swanna waddles up to Connor at that moment and peers into the camera. Connor pats her idly, even though he probably shouldn't.]

Still, I'll need to do something about this behaviour.

[icecastlemadonna]

Hmm...could it be because she's bored and she's trying to get attention? Maybe you could get a toy for her, in that case.