Video

[bravury]

[The camera feed clicks on to the view of a fairly normal looking man in not so normal looking armor. His eyebrows are furrowed in concentration as he still messes with the pokegear in question for a good minute before-]

Ah. Is this thing working?

[Look, it's a good thing he got practice during that weird weekend or he would be worse at this. His gloves aren't really making things easier either but.]

If fate should decide I must be stuck here, then so be it. I was already made aware of such things during a... 'weird weekend' I believe it was called.

Nay... [He shakes his head before turning the camera to the real point of this video. His Galarian Meowth who is just living it's life. Head slightly turned, chewing on some long grass. Little bit of a vacant wild expression to it.]

I understand we are supposed to rely on beasts here, but I don't see how. It just keeps wanting to chew on grass.

Comments

[bravury]

[Oh thank the gods, some who isn’t Emet. The advice is... helpful, but not quite his current problem. It’s still good to know and pretty surprising information besides.]

What? Just like that? It just... conjures money?

[It almost sounds too good to be true tbh. The pokegear was still turned to the meowth, if there was any flip camera button on the device he’s definitely missed it and is doing it manually. It also means he’s missing out on Steven’s side of the video for now.]

Well then, you heard him. Go on and use this so called ‘Pay Day’.

[The meowth who was still slowly munching on grass pauses a moment, clearly registering it was being addressed at least. It even seemed like its eyes focused a bit to look up at the pokegear and to the video of Steven. It stays still, staring....

Then yawns and looks away. Sorry it’s too low a level to use that move.]

[fingersandteeth]

Ah hell. I think that means he's still not able to use it. It takes a while for them to learn that one and even when they do, it only makes a little bit of money first. It's all related to their 'level.' If you check his entry on your pokegear, you'll be able to see that for him.

But yes. Meowths can literally create money from the coin on their head, usually about twenty times a day. It's pretty unique to them, as far as I know. I don't think any other kind of Pokemon learns it naturally... though I wonder if you'd be able to teach it to any other cat by breeding. Huh.

sorry work ate me lol

[bravury]

Ah. I read about these creatures and their levels, from gaining battle experience if I recall.

[That made sense then that the Meowth couldn't use it yet. From the few battles Ardbert had seen it do thus far, it wasn't very experienced at all. At least the failed attempt at a move was a distraction to get the cat to stop eating grass. Instead it turned its back to them to wander off.

Given that his Pokemon had stopped, he turned his gear back to finally get a look at Steven and in turn giving Steven a better look Ardbert.]

I know little of the beasts of this world and even less so of their inheriting of... skills from breeding. [By the look on his face and his hesitation he's clearly not going to be getting that one soon.]

Still. It's a comfort to know I won't want for coin during my travels and for that you have my thanks.

Re: sorry work ate me lol

[fingersandteeth]

Honestly, I don't completely get it myself. My friend Armin's an actual breeder. I just sell the eggs that are mysteriously produced.

And it's no problem, really. Just keep training the little guy up, because the coin definitely scales with their level.

What's your own world like, by the by?

[What? He's curious.]

[bravury]

Eggs? [Excuse you, what?] ...How strange.

Well, as luck would have it, battling seems to be the only thing it can keep it's attention on. It's eager despite it's obvious lack of experience.

[It doesn't help that galarian meowth doesn't seem to know any useful attack moves until level 8...It's been quite pitiful watching it try to battle.]

My world? [It's subtle, but his face drops somewhat at the question as does his following tone. A bit more somber, a bit more reflective.]

We've plenty of beasts, like here, looking to ambush the unsuspecting in their travels. Though we weren't forced to rely on other beasts to fight for us. Nay, anyone willing could arm themselves with weapons or learn magic for their defense. ...Or they could just hire an adventurer and save themselves the trouble.

There's more danger to be had there than here certainly, but that was the way of things.

[fingersandteeth]

Eggs. All pokemon lay them, even the ones that you'd assume would give birth live.

And-- I think a lot of worlds are more dangerous than this one.

[bravury]

What an odd place this is...

[It's bizarre, but he has no reason to doubt what this man says.]

But I do not claim my world to be special in that regard. I have traveled another much the same as mine before. I take it your world is similar?

—Ah, but where are my manners. I'm Ardbert. You'll have to forgive me, it's been far too long since I've spoken to someone like this.

[Well never actually, video wasn't a thing for him. But in general it's been a while!]

[fingersandteeth]

Steven.

And, ah, mine is dangerous in a different way. You're far less likely to be attacked by monsters in the wilderness, far more likely to be attacked by the monsters lurking among your fellow men.

[bravury]

Ah, I'm no stranger to betrayals if that's what you mean. If I had to choose, I'd much rather the beasts in the wilderness.

[He of course doesn't take it literally. Men could be just as vicious as the beasts of his realm. He's heard and seen people turn into monsters too, but the root of the cause was usually one person delving into powers no mortal ever should. Like the court mage in Voeburt.]

[fingersandteeth]

My world definitely has plenty of that too.

[Just also vampires, werewolves, and Frankenstein's monsters.]