video - 001

[nastyboy]

[For those who happen to check into this particular Pokegear feed, they'll find a... bit of a mess at first. It's the awkward fumbling glitch of a person who has never used technology: random noises, constantly shifting camera views, going from selfie mode to camera mode... a mess! But eventually, after a few minutes of this mess, the scene finally stabilizes...]

[To a view of a video game loading screen. To be exact, Misty Mendacity.]

[After another second, a smaller screen pops up in the corner of the video - the camera of the Pokegear that's streaming this whole mess. And it's not a person, despite the name attached to this Pokegear being "Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd". Rather, it's.. a Rattata.]

[Yes, someone's Pokemon has learned how to use it before the actual owner.]

[Yes, a purple rat is streaming what the kids call a "let's play".]

[The head of a rather skeptical Shinx joins the Rattata as the game starts, leading through the opening scene with an ominous Mismagius explaining the story, and then the first level starts off with what looks like a hotel and way too much Aipom imagery scattered about. It seems to play sort of like a 3D Pacman, for those familiar with that game...]

[And, also, you know, murderous looking Aipom animatics with enormous teeth that lead to a jump scare and "death" screen.]

[The first time this happens, the Rattata shrieks and scurries off while the Shinx merely jolts in surprise before leaning forward with the glare of suspicious cats everywhere. After a few moments, the Rattata creeps back with morbid curiosity, and hits the 'continue' button.]

[Encourage the Rattata's endeavors? Or wait a few hours later until there's the sound of a door opening into what's clearly a hotel room behind the little Rattata and a confused (and deep, if you're into that) voice speaks up.]

What are you doing...?

Comments

[forsaintcecilia]

[Kazuki, once he realizes that it's a Pokemon playing a video game, simply watches as if he were browsing StaryuTube. Because it's cute! But when the jumpscare pops up, he yelps and flinches back along with the Rattata.]

It's one of those games? I can't deal with horror...

[nastyboy]

[YO PEOPLE ARE STILL TALKING TO HIM ON THE GAME THING]

[excellent]

[When he skitters back, the Rattata flails his little front paws around as if to go CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT]

[forsaintcecilia]

I know, right? Why does anyone think that's fun? Jump scares give me heart attacks!

[nastyboy]

[There's more rat flailing. What this means is a question for the ages.]

[At some point, however, that flailing gains a purpose, and Gremlin the Rattata clicks out of Misty Mendacity. Instead, the screen is now on a page on different games to download...]

[A lot of the mare horror. Of course they are. It's October. No wonder the rat tripped into one. Still, he's carefully surveying his options.... and has apparently forgotten to scroll down for things possibly not horror related.]

[forsaintcecilia]

I think you're stuck in the horror genre, maybe try hitting back?

[nastyboy]

[HMM. The Rattata considers this before doing a bit more screen smacking. The site goes a bit wild - does this rat even know what it's doing?? - but then they're back at the main genre selection portion of the site.]

[So that's nice.]

[There are still more than a few scary games being highlighted... but there's other stuff as well, and the Rattata starts to scroll through before looking up and making unknown Pokemon chittering.]

[forsaintcecilia]

Hmmm... What kind of games do Pokemon like to play? None of mine have ever shown interest.

I like simple games, like jumping games or matching games, but that's only because I don't have the patience for complicated games...

[nastyboy]

[Gremlin cocks his head to the side and then hops up in the air for a moment. Jumping???]

[forsaintcecilia]

Oh, you know! Where you move the character to the right, and you jump over stuff.

[Platforming, Kazuki, that's called Platforming]

[nastyboy]

[HMMMM..... Gremlin tries to smack a little more slowly along the screen.]

[They are now.... in MMOs. Is this what he was talking about??]

[forsaintcecilia]

Oh no, those are those big online games that lots of people play at once. Those take forever. Like, literally, I don't think they ever end!

[nastyboy]

[Gremlin goes wide eyed and drops his little rat jaw. NEVER ENDS????]

[Pressing back again!!!!]

[forsaintcecilia]

Oh, there, try that one! Super Lucario Brothers! That looks like a game from my world!

[nastyboy]

[! Well, if he's so excited, Gremlin has no choice but to play! He downloads the game and immediately smacks at the menu screen until Super Lucario Brothers lets him hop right in there.]

[....He then proceeds to run full speed into an enemy Shroomish.]

[forsaintcecilia]

Jump! You've gotta jump over them, or stomp on top of them!

[nastyboy]

[Okay. Okay!!!!!! He has more lives than just the one, he can do this! Gremlin tries again, does a little jump....]

[Success! He raises his tiny rat hands up high in triumph. It's just one enemy, but he feels very proud of this.]

[He starts to go through more of the game, and seems quite cheery as he finishes his first level All By Himself.... but some more smacking on the screen and suddenly....]

DAB would like to be your friend in Super Lucario Brothers! Accept y/n?

[forsaintcecilia]

[Kazuki sees the friend request, and accepts. Why not? Just because it's a Pokemon doesn't mean they can't be friends.]

See? Those kinds of games are really fun!

[nastyboy]

[There's an excited nod. Much less terrifying than the other game!]

[A little more slapping... and is that an invite to play in the game too? Hey, it's called Brothers, not just Lucario, single!]

[forsaintcecilia]

[An invite? Well, he's got a few minutes to himself, why not? Kazuki accepts, and a yellow Lucario shows up on screen with the Rattata's blue one.]

[nastyboy]

[Along with the excited chittering over the feed, the little blue Lucario on screen jumps up a few times - an exclamation of delight if there ever was one.]

[Playing with a Rattata - or at least this one - is very much like just... playing with a little kid, frankly. There are a few mistakes like the run-straight-into-the-enemy incident from before, but he otherwise is more than glad to mimic whatever Kazuki does. That makes going through the levels a bit easier.]

[After a few minutes, however, the screen showing Gremlin changes by the presence of Dimitri finally coming back to check in on his rat. He doesn't interrupt just yet, just crouches there behind his Pokemon and watches.]

[forsaintcecilia]

[There's something uniquely fun about playing with someone who's somewhat incompetent, like playing with your kid brother or sister. They seem to have a lot of fun over very simple things that most experienced players would gloss over. Kazuki is all for that childish enthusiasm, and he plays into the Rattata's joyful exploration, following him around instead of bullishly plowing ahead.]

[It takes a moment of stillness after completing a level for Kazuki to notice the presence looming over the little Rattata... Oh. He looks a little mad. More than mad. He seems to be positively skulking.]

Ah-- I'm sorry! Do you need your Pokemon for something? We were just playing!

[nastyboy]

[Unfortunately, Dimitri very easily gives off that impression... and his tendency for wearing the black leather jacket "Mom" gave him really doesn't lessen that impression.]

[At the sudden voice, however, he blinks, and refocuses on the tiny video playing on the Gear.]

Ah... No. I did not mean to interrupt this. However... This is different from what he was playing earlier. I suppose I was - curious.

[Gremlin makes a happy chitter, and makes his little Lucario bounce up and down again. Dimitri just... nods, after a minute.]

Yes, I can see that. Very good.

[Listen... Sometimes you have to praise your rat, even if you have no idea what's going on.]

[forsaintcecilia]

[Oh! Despite appearances, the guy doesn't seem to be too bad. Maybe he just has an unfortunate case of resting evil face.]

Oh, yeah! It's a different game. We talked about it for a sec-- well, I mean, as well as a Pokemon and a person can communicate-- and I showed him this game we could play together that isn't so scary. I'm the yellow Lucario, see?

[Kazuki makes his character jump as well.]

[nastyboy]

I see... I had been told that games such as that were good for honing one's reflexes.

...But I take it you did not like that.

[That last line is spoken to his Rattata, who just cocks his head to the side and makes his own little blue Lucario jump up and down again.]

[forsaintcecilia]

Yeah, it was a little too spooky for this guy. But, uh, these kinds of games need you to be sharp too! We're on the easy levels now, but later on your need to be pretty quick.