62nd treasure [photo + text]

[captainash]

[Sent to the network at about 1 AM on February 16th: a picture, apparently taken in a badly lit kitchen that very night. In the center, an Applin trembles as a Skwovet's fangs almost pierce its skin. The Skwovet appears frozen in place, surely startled by its trainer's arrival, its gaze fixed on the Pokégear's camera. Three minutes later, a message follows:]

Would you say that's the face of a sleepy squirrel who accidentally chomped on her own teammate while looking for a midnight snack? Or the look of a remorseless would-be murderer, caught red-handed by pure chance while attempting to feast upon the only member of the household too weak to fight her off?

Comments

Text

[notyourgoddess]

I think that depends more on if it happens again. Or if there's past track record.

How's the apple pokemon doing after that?

Text

[captainash]

Only had her for a month and a half, so no track record yet. She kinda patted him after backing off, though. Maybe that's a good sign.

He looked a bit shaken, but he still managed to go back to sleep. I hope that doesn't mean he's used to almost getting eaten.

Text

[notyourgoddess]

It might be, or just that she was caught.

He does look like an apple. That can't be a safe sort of look for a creature.

Text

[captainash]

Yeah. He's bigger than a regular apple, but if you're not paying attention or happen to be a large Pokémon that can eat any fruit whole in the first place, there's nothing stopping you from accidentally taking a bite. Hell, his only damaging move is Astonish, so he's completely defenseless against half the rodents in this world.

Text

[notyourgoddess]

Only one damage move? And it looks a lot like something a lot of other pokemon eat. That doesn't sound like a pokemon that would do well in the wild.

Text

[captainash]

Considering the ones that were not caught all disappeared after a single day, that's an understatement.

I know that's the case with nearly all swarms, but still.

Text

[notyourgoddess]

Most other swarms don't also look like giant apples that can't fight back.

That still seems rather off for this world, for lack of a better word. If I were somewhere else I'd be certain they were just all eaten. But here...

[angewiesen]

To be fair, that's an apple. Literally an apple. I'd try to eat too, it if it were dark enough.

[captainash]

A fair point, yes, but it's still extremely alarming to get up to grab a glass of water and almost witness a murder. Involving the two babies of the team, to boot.

[angewiesen]

True. Maybe you should make sure you don't have both of them out at the same time for awhile. Hopefully the little apple one evolves into something less edible?

[captainash]

Considering that it's half a dragon, I assume it will at some point. But those tend to evolve very late, so it looks like we'll need chaperones for a very long time.

[angewiesen]

Half Dragon? That thing? Seriously?

[captainash]

He doesn't look like it, does he? I mean, the Grass-type makes sense, but I wouldn't have guessed the rest without the Pokédex.

[sociallychallenged]

I gotta go with history of violent or murderous intent too, here.

No history? Then probably an accidental chomp. Haven't had many murder attempts in my household.

[Even if he wishes one of the cats would have gone after the birds while they were there.]

[captainash]

She't less than two months old. If she already had a criminal history, I'd worry.

That said, she doesn't act even remotely like my Purugly, who DOES try to murder people and Pokémon on a regular basis. That a good sign?

[sociallychallenged]

Wow, I guess it can happen.

How did you come into possession of such a little prick?

[captainash]

Wanted more Normal-types, bought a few eggs, witnessed baby's first attempted murder a few minutes after she hatched. Poor Cheria was absolutely horrified when she found out, since neither of Hellspawn's parents was like that.

[sociallychallenged]

Sounds like she needs a supervisor. You got any pokemon watching out for her?

I can see where your concern for finding another potential thug comes from.

[captainash]

I have a dedicated spot in the PC, kept warm and toasty just for her, plus plenty of duct tape to keep her pokéball shut when she's out. That's usually enough. Wouldn't want to have to do that twice over, though. It only takes a single second of carelessness for those claws to start aiming for the eyes.

Text

[dreamsofahero]

Are you quite certain that it isn't a case of both of those reasons at once?

Text

[captainash]

I don't yet have enough data to tell what option is most likley, and I'm strongly hoping I never will. So I guess 'both' is also an option, yes.

Re: Text

[dreamsofahero]

In that case it would seem that the new members of your team will require some additional supervision, for the time being. At least until you can become familiar enough to properly discern intent.

Text

[captainash]

I'll put my Noctowl on the case for now, I think. That insomnia of his will finally be useful for more than battle again. And since I'll be actively training them both, I'll be in a good position to discern potential follow-up attempts.

Re: Text

[dreamsofahero]

Do you already have a plan in mind for dealing with any such attempts, should they occur?

Text

[captainash]

The usual. Long stays in the PC, full-time monitoring, keeping them separated, duct tape around her pokéball. That works well enough.