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]

[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.

[nastyboy]

I see... That makes sense.

[You have to start with the simple things first, before you get to anything too complex. Even Dimitri can understand that. He thinks for a moment.]

Would I be permitted to watch?

[Gremlin is already excitedly smacking his hands around, which is a solid Yes in rat-speak.]

[forsaintcecilia]

Of course! It's your Pokemon after all. Maybe you could learn to play games with him too?

[nastyboy]

...I would break the Gear.

[Dimitri is absolutely sure of that.]

[forsaintcecilia]

Ah, strong grip? Phones can be pretty fragile. Maybe you could get a sturdier model?

[nastyboy]

...How sturdy do they become?

[He didn't know they could make sturdier things, but he supposes that's just - common sense. He's just been pretty dazed at how different everything is.]

[forsaintcecilia]

You can get really heavy duty ones-- you can drop them or get them wet and they won't break! Or you can just buy a good case for the one you have, that might protect it enough.

[nastyboy]

[Rat and man alike pause as they take in this information.]

....I had not known they were not to deal with water.

[This... is something he will have to make sure to remember in the future. h u h.]

If there are ones that are stronger... then perhaps I will look into playing video games like this. [Certainly that simple sentence makes Gremlin perk up.] Until then.. he seems happy to know you.

[forsaintcecilia]

Oh yeah, anything electronic should be kept away from water. It can break the device, or worse, give you a bad shock. But yes, they do make ones that you don't have to be so careful with.

It's good to meet the both of you! And I'm happy to play with him a bit when he'd like to.

[nastyboy]

I see... It is good to know that, then. I would not want to break this carelessly.

[Then it would be kind of a moot point for him to take so much care in handling it.]

I will make sure he does not bother you too much.. While we are here in this town, we have a great deal of spare time.

[forsaintcecilia]

He's not a bother at all! Where are you right now?

[nastyboy]

We arrived in Cherrygrove not that long ago... Myself and two other companions. I am uncertain of how long we will stay here...

[It seems to be working out so far, honestly, but they do have an antsy child on their hands.]

[forsaintcecilia]

Oh! Did you just get there from New Bark? You're newer than I thought!

I'm in Azalea. If you go in the order most people take, you'll be here 2 towns down.

[nastyboy]

Two towns down... I see. I am not certain how long it will take us to get there... Although one of my companions seems certain that there is something we must do in each town.

So perhaps... We will be there eventually.

[forsaintcecilia]

Maybe he's doing the Gym Challenge? Where you have to stop in each town and face the Leader there in a Pokemon battle for a badge? If that's the case, you'll definitely pass through Azelea, since we've got our own Gym here.

[nastyboy]

Yes, that's right...

[At least, that sounds familiar to what Chip has excitedly rambled about to Dimitri when he's been willing to listen. This is most times, admittedly; Dimitri can't refuse children.]

What is the Azelea Gym like...? If I may ask.

[Dimitri figures he should probably hear about it, and, if he hears any useful information, he can pass it along to Chip.]

[forsaintcecilia]

It's a Bug Type Gym! I don't really battle at all, but I'm pretty sure they're weak to Fire, Rock and Flying Types.

[nastyboy]

I will let my traveling companion know, thank you.

[Not that Chip seems to be using things like "types" or "fire" or "rock", but still.]

...The culture seems inclined to battling, here.

[forsaintcecilia]

Yeah, they are! I think it's cool, but I'm not really into it myself. I'm not competitive at all, and you've got to have that kind of spirit to do well at it.

[nastyboy]

I see... That does make sense. Back home in Faerghus as well... Not everyone was suited for fighting with weapons, or even with magic. The same is true no matter where or how one is...

[Some people are called to being a knight, while others are happier as simple merchants. The world is vast, and so is the array of people within it.]

...Although that makes me wonder... what one does, if they are not traveling and training, here.

[forsaintcecilia]

Well, I'm a musician by trade. That's what I do back home, and I've done a lot of it here too. It's how I've made my living. But I've also taken to performing and doing Contests with my Pokemon-- You probably haven't seen one yet, but it's basically an event that happens every once in awhile where people think up performances to do with their Pokemon that matches a theme the judges think up. It's a lot of fun!

Right now though, I'm working on renovating an old, abandoned inn here in Azalea. Over they years I've been here in this world, I've gotten a lot of Pokemon that either needed some kind of rehabilitation, or were rescues from certain situations, and it got me to thinking, what if I could do that for more Pokemon in need? So I'm trying to turn the property into a place where Pokemon and people who need to rest and rejuvenate can come and recover. It's still a work in progress, but I'm hopeful about it!