victory_road | [text]

Entry tags:

[text]

[ Here's a picture of a Cursola in a tent. It's not looking very happy, but when does Cursola ever look happy? ]

Advice from ghost type trainers needed!

I've had Conny here since she was an egg, and she's always been a difficult child. Touching her branches in her previous evolution apparently removes life energy from you (yes, really), but everyone on the team gave their best to avoid it as much as possible and raise her strong and healthy.

Now she evolved into Cursola and touching her ectoplasm body at all is paralyzing. As you can see, she's mostly ectoplasm.

I know she isn't happy, but I can't figure out what to do about it when I can't approach her like I would approach the other members of my team.

If you have a ghost type with a curse or similar issues, how do you deal with it? How do you provide a happy life for them?

Thanks in advance,

James Griffin

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I may only have one ghost Pokemon (my Chandelure, Captain) but my experience with him is similar. He's got Flame Body so I can't physically touch him without getting burnt. :(

Have you tried experimenting with different types of foods to see what she likes? I've found that playing catch with Captain and rewarding him with a berry for retrieving the ball in his own ghosty way makes him happy.

She seems to be into spicy food, from what I can tell...? She just shovels it down, even if her expression is always a little gloomy.

Guess I need to get cooking in more Pokémon treats.

If you need any assistance, just let me know! I like to think that I'm a good cook and my Pokemon seem to have liked what I've made for them so far! :)

You need to stop offering me so much support, I'm barely keeping up with ways to return the favors ;)

Okay, but in all seriousness, making food and eating all together would be nice.

While I'd argue that they aren't favors that need to be returned, I wouldn't say no to seeing what you come up with. ;)

Oh, of course! I can show you some of the recipes I've come up with. Some of them may need to be adjusted depending on what your Pokemon need, but I'm sure we can figure something out.

you might want to look into getting another ghost type pokemon to keep her company
ghost types want to have close bonds to others just as much as any other pokemon, but sometimes they don't know how or they can't because of things like life force drain. sword-buddy's like that too, even if it's not his whole body
i think that's why pal learned how to write so we can all understand each other better

[It's a nicer thought than "Pal is trying to troll us all" at any rate...]

if she wants conny can come spend some time with buddy, pal, friend, ally, cobleslack, regris and the baby some time

We should try that! She's not disinclined to spending time with my team either, but the others are a bit spooked by her now after having gotten paralyzed once or twice...

That's REALLY brought the mood down around here. Making new friends who intuitively understand her better might be good for her.

worth a shot
tonight maybe?
got something i wanted to talk to you about anyway

Sure, I'm down for that.

It's all pretty calm with us sticking around for the festivities after all.

[SEVERAL HOURS LATER AT THE GHOST PARTY AROUND A CAMP FIRE....

Once everyone has settled down and all the little ghosties have been properly introduced to one another, Keith sits back to watch as his ghost crew start talking amongst themselves. Seeing as nobody seems to be causing mayhem right this second, Keith turns to James.]

So were you ever going to tell me about you and Romelle.

[It's not stated in an accusatory tone exactly, but don't be fooled. It's definitely an accusation.]

[ Conny seems pretty curious and excited about fellow ghosts, so this is shaping up to be a success that James really enjoys watching and---

----- and then Keith says that and he is left just gaping, because that sure came out of left field. Technically, it's logical that Keith knows. But also, what even. ]

If it came up, sure...? We had one date, it's not like there's anything official going on.

[Wrong answer apparently. Keith narrows his eyes, suspicious.]

She told me you were going on another one together.

[Again, another not-accusation-accusation. But at least the ghosts are having fun? The campfire is bright purple because it's been lit with Will-O-Wisps rather than actual fire, and soon enough Cobleslack has picked up a skewer in each one of his hands to start roasting marshmallows alongside Pal. Regris, mystery dad, plops Dreepy on one of Conny's coral branches.]

[ James is momentarily distracted by fear that the Dreepy might end up paralyzed like everyone else, but the ghost type match-up seems to actually make... something happen here. Either Dreepy is immune or Conny is controlling herself better, but the Pokémon seem to be doing fine here. Good.

He breathes out. ]

We are, yes. This one was... kind of a mess in regards to knowing and not knowing what it was supposed to be, so we're going for a rerun that is an actual date. You know, where all participants are certain that's what it is.

I still need to think up a good date spot for that one.

[Keith gives James the flattest look as he starts rambling.]

Great. That's not what I was --

[Seeing James tense up, Keith's attention likewise flickers back to Regris, the baby and Conny. He raises an eyebrow as the tiny Dreepy carefully crawls down to the top of Cursola's head where. to Keith's horror, it opens its mouth and licks the ectoplasm billowing from Conny's body.]

Regris, no!

[But it's a bit late for that. The baby stares blankly as always, then gives a whole body shudder. Keith's just about ready to snatch up his bag and make a dash to the pokemon center, but instead the Dreepy lets out a thunderous burp that seems to echo into the forest.

Immediately, all the other ghost pokemon start laughing.]

Edited 2020-02-29 03:04 (UTC)

[ Conny goes very still for a moment, clearly afraid, but then when everyone starts laughing, her ectoplasmic body starts wobbling as well. If it had been anyone on her team, this could have gone badly! But this is fine and she doesn't have a lot of experience in things being fine, it's a new levity and she's enjoying it.

James lets himself fall backwards as soon as the situation seems diffused. ]

... god. Looks like mingling with ghosts was the right idea, but this is giving me grey hairs.

[With clear pride, Regris plucks the baby off of Conny's head and gives it an affectionate nuzzle before putting it back on his own head. When the first batch of marshmallows are finished roasting, Cobleslack comes on over to offer the baby and Conny one each. Keith lets out a deep sigh, but gives a reluctant smile of his own when everyone sits in a circle around Conny.]

....yeah.

[When he turns back to James, however, he remembers what he'd been about to say which wipes the smile right off his face again.]

So do you actually like Romelle or are you just trying to get in her pants?

[ James looks positively scandalized by this accusation, which is probably a good sign. ]

Just what kind of guy do you think I am?!

[ It's probably for the best that Keith does not answer this, but James still wonders just when he'd given the impression he was scummy in his dating life! ]

Romelle is a really sweet girl, I enjoy her company a lot. We had a really nice date and want to try out another. Is that a crime?

A recluse who just started being social again?

[It's stated somewhat flatly, like this is all somewhat obvious.]

Look. I'm not asking just because it's you. I'd ask anyone Romelle was interested in because I don't want anyone taking advantage of her.

[ Will anyone ever let him live the recluse phase down.....? Probably not, but James sure wishes we could all just forget about it.

Keith's elaboration is a little calming at least. He's going to pretend he didn't hear that 'just'. ]

If we end up going out for real, then it will be because I like her and for no other reason. I promise that. I don't play around with the hearts of people I am seeing.

[Can Cecil's experience raising three Honedges and a Litwick help that poor Cursola? He doesn't know, but...]

This is perhaps something you've considered already, but can her ectoplasma 'work' through clothes, so to speak? Even if it generally does, certain materials may still be able to block its power. Having to wear a special suit to hug her would be inconvenient, but far less painful than seeing her so upset.

[ James turns on video in response as well. He's seated next to the Cursola who's just doing her ghosty wobbling. ]

That's an idea! Thin clothed don't really do anything, but I'm sure there has to be something... She's scared off some teammates since her evolution and I think it's weighing on her.

I've no doubt it does. Even if her body is not suited to close camaraderie, that does not stop her heart from desiring it, and the thought of harming those would would normally be her close friends...

[He frowns, a sad look in his eyes. He can imagine worse things, but not many.]

Perhaps a winter coat would be thick enough? They sell very puffy ones, with down feathers to cushion them.

[ Though he didn't exactly set out to depress anyone with his advice request, he supposes that he should have expected it. It really isn't a fun situation for anyone involved. ]

I'm going to try that as soon as possible. If I get paralyzed again, that's life. I can handle it by now. I just want to pet her head and tell her she's doing fine.

That's a wonderful goal to have! And paralysis is a small price to pay to achieve it, truly, though it does make the act of petting her itself far more difficult.

[He knows what he's talking about, he's been paralyzed by monsters hundreds of times.]

Aww, Conny looks so cute! And don't worry, you get used to the ectoplasm after awhile! But if you want I can rig up some anti-ectoplasm gloves for you so you can interact with she more easily 💖👻👻✋

Otherwise, just make sure she's loved! Often a ghost wants love but show it in weird and, for lack of a better term, alien ways. I'm sure as long as you don't give her any reason to see you as a thread that you two will get along great soon!

There's gloves for that? :D

I would absolutely pay you to buy some off you. Alternate ways of affection are good and well, but sometimes during playtime and such, being unable to touch is really straining. She notices that, too.

[Okay. You'll need to give Steven a moment. He just read something about removing life energy by touch and--]

Where did you get her???

[Ah no, damn it that, that came out wrong. Breathe, Steven.]

Ah. Sorry. I'm just a fan of Ghost-type Pokemon and she sounds fascinating.

None of my own ghosts have a curse, exactly. But it does seem to make them happy to have other ghosts to spend time with. Two of them--my first, Charley, who's a Misdreavous, and Fangorn, my Phantump--are very fond of each other.

[Someday he's going to go down into the basement and be very confused as to why an egg mysteriously appeared down there.]

[ It seems he successfully lured out all the ghost fans?? Success. ]

She's from an egg I randomly received at the whims of this place. I genuinely don't know who her parents might be, I don't think I've seen another of her species around. Corsola, sure, but not the version the Pokédex labels as 'Galarian Corsola'. It's not making it easier to care for her, that's for sure.

I'll send her on a playdate with a friends' ghost team at the next opportunity and see how it goes. Hopefully other ghosts have a more intuitive understanding of how to interact with her than my team of other types.

Huh.

If you see any others like her, could you tell me?

Sure. I'll be keeping an eye out anyway.

I really do wonder what happened to the Corsola species between their normal state and this.

What are Corsola normally like, anyway? Little coral things?

Yes, that. Pink and friendly to boot.

Are they ghosts too?

No, Water/Rock.

It's like a grisly before-after picture.

Oh.

This is just a theory, mind you. But she's white, like dead coral. And I think, maybe, just maybe, Galarian Corsola might be a subspecies that went extinct. So. You know. Literal grisly before-after picture.

....

This makes way too much sense for my liking D:

I'm more determined than ever to make Conny happy.

Yeah. I know.

Good luck with that?

I will absolutely need it.

I can try having Haunter talk to her if you want. Or my Mimikyu. I've had both of them for a long time now, maybe they could help.

Keith also offered, but you know what, we should just put them all together for a ghost convention.

If anybody can come up with something, it's probably all of them.

Ghost convention might not be a bad idea. Haunter's pretty responsible -- for a ghost. Or at least, he's aware of what humans... what humans can handle.

[And thus can maybe talk Cursola into not paralyzing her trainer.]

That's a good start.

Not that I think Conny hurts me and the others on purpose. She's just not good at controlling her power, if she can at all.

Then, yeah, I think having other ghosts assist would be the best plan. I know Haunter will be up for it.

Thank you for your help. Sincerely.

Raising Pokémon has been fairly easy to adapt to generally, so this caught me out of left field.

It's not a problem. I'm happy to help. There's always going to be something. Like how apparently Tropius can fly, or... Ditto in general.

I'm afraid I don't have much experience with ghost types, so I'll leave the advice giving to others. But, I hope you don't mind me asking - is that... a type of Corsola? An evolution? Where did you find her?

[Move over, Water pokemon nerd is on the scene.]

Oh, yes! She's an evolved Corsola - well, Galarian Corsola, according to the Pokédex. I got her from one of the egg rewards that we sometimes receive.

Unlike normal Corsola, she's been a ghost the whole time. Wait, let me just send you a picture.

[ Attached is an image of a Galarian Corsola sitting on a nest of jackets. A meowstic lingers close-by, curious. These are the baby pics! ]

[Armin would like five of them immediately.]

That's incredible. Could you tell me more about her? Is she a pure ghost type, or does she still retain either Corsola's water or rock typing? What about her ability? And what caused her to evolve? Was it just getting to a certain level or did she require anything else? What does the pokedex say about them? Anything about what circumstances they normally live under?

[People who say text can't convey tone, have never seen a water nerd fire off countless of questions upon seeing a new ocean creature.]

[ Send help???? ]

Okay, going in order...

1. She's pure ghost, both before and after evolution.

2. Her ability is Weak Amor.

3. I'm not sure how exactly she evolved. It was during training, but whether it was triggered by a level-up or her zapping some more of my energy by accident... I'm not sure. It was kind of a confusing situation and I was drowsy from the energy-taking.

4. The PokéDex says she'll curse you if you kick her by accident since she might look like a stone, for the Corsola form. For Cursola it's "Its shell is overflowing with its heightened otherworldly energy. The ectoplasm serves as protection for this Pokémon's core spirit."

5. The Corsola entry implied that her habitat may be dried out oceanbeds.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[text]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

action;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject