video - 2/14

[deathknightdestroyer]

[ When the feed clicks on, a young woman is sat at a table in front of a large window. Occasionally, an indeedee darts by outside, and there's a faint background noise that any café-goer will recognize. In front of Lysithea is an open notebook, but her handwriting is too small to decipher upside down. ]

All day I've been seeing an abundance of a certain pokémon- and earlier this month there was another occurrence as well, with those owls. Is this sort of thing common? And do they always come with such an active mission? That's the only way I can think to describe the deliveries they insist on making.

Comments

[un_oiseau_rebelle]

Swarms happen fairly regularly, but the pokemon that are swarming in them vary. This particular swarm's focus on their "mission" is unusual, though, as far as I can tell. It might be because it's coinciding with a popular holiday.

[deathknightdestroyer]

I had noticed the festivities, but it hadn't occurred to me that their behavior might coincide- surely it would have been announced, after all?

Still, that's rather interesting. These swarms overtake both regions and the neighboring islands, correct? Even if it may be unfavorable conditions for the pokémon. Has the cause been discovered?

[un_oiseau_rebelle]

Most swarms seem to be more random; I don't know that a cause has been pinpointed.

This swarm is unusually focused, but they're evasive about why; they just keep repeating that they're on a mission of love and refusing to say anything more about it. I don't think that's typical.

[deathknightdestroyer]

That does sound rather strange, even from a newcomer's standpoint. ... These notes are rather targeted. But I wouldn't consider them particularly loving for a day that's supposed to be romantic...

If I may, how are you able to communicate with them?

[un_oiseau_rebelle]

I'd say they're more intimate than anything else - some of them might be romantic, but that's not a given. But they were very insistent that this was about love. Granted, there are a lot of different kinds of love.

It's a remnant of an ability I had before I was brought here - I used to be able to interact freely with animals, ghosts, and spirits. Now I can only communicate with pokemon.

[deathknightdestroyer]

I imagine this may not be going quite as they planned, to be honest, but you do have a point.

[ If you saw her flinch at the mention of ghosts and spirits no you didn't. ]

Oh- so some powers still linger... I wonder how it differentiates between what gets to stay and what doesn't.

[apshot]

Pretty annoying if you ask me. I can't go anywhere without bumping into those shitty things.

[deathknightdestroyer]

I wound up taking refuge inside because of just that. At least if they come in, they'll be gone just as quickly and there's no worry of collision. It looks as if the natives are used to such events, and I can't help but wonder if similar occurrences are why the cities seem to be so open.

[ She's a nerd, sorry Bakugou. ]

[apshot]

[ Oh. The cities are pretty open aren't they? ]

Figured that was to accommodate the larger ones so they can move around.

[ Secretly a nerd, thanks. ]

[deathknightdestroyer]

The spacious city planning has multiple benefits, then. Assuming we're even right, that is. But it's still thoughtful and shows a sense of kindness to people and pokémon alike- it's nice to think about.

[ Nerds flock together! That's a fact. ]

[apshot]

I don't know that it's so much nice as it is ingrained in their culture. It looks like the relationship between human and Pokémon is more symbiotic in nature.

[ He just doesn't own it. ]

[Video]

[gautsome]

[I'm sorry, Lysithea. Did you have a legitimate question? Because Sylvain is bursting in here with some nonsense.]

Thank the Goddess you're here, Lysithea. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I think I'm about to die from eating all of Felix's spare desserts.

[ video ]

[deathknightdestroyer]

[ ... She wishes she could say she's surprised. Both at his nonsense, and the utter weakness. Imagine. Getting sick from desserts. RIP to you Sylvain but she's different. ]

Of all the things to need rescuing from, that's arguably the most pleasant.

[gautsome]

You know. I thought you might say that. In fact, I think you should say thank you to me. [He laughs, as if this is the funniest thing he's heard all day. Typical Sylvain charm.]

It's good to see you. You've gotten -- [He was going to say bigger, but even he knows that's a bad idea.] -- way more powerful, haven't you? I can practically see it on you.

[deathknightdestroyer]

I'll have to discern your tastes first. [ Thats a joke, but part of the joke is in how seriously she says it. ] But if you insist, I'll take what you can't.

[ ... She sees you. But other than a slight huff, she decides against raising a fuss. It's been too long, after all, and this place is so much kinder than home. Also, she's in public and she's not that 15 year old girl who doesn't care about causing a scene anymore. (Which isn't to say she won't- but like, choose the hills you want to die vocally and publicly on, yeah?) ]

I'm glad to see that you're doing well. I... suppose you're right, though in truth I wish it wasn't as required. I'm sure you understand when I say I don't want to go further into that subject, however... Though I haven't been here for long, I'm greatly enjoying the opportunity to delve into kinder subjects.

I haven't had the opportunity to explore much, as I'm afraid the winter cold is too much for me- so you'll have to tell me about the cities you've visited instead.

[bestswordmaster]

It is. People call them 'swarms.' For obvious reasons.

[He scowls.] A few weeks ago, there was a swarm of Snorunts. Small Ice Pokemon that look like...hats. [Yes, he knows how stupid that sounds.]

At the time they didn't seem to have any agenda, but apparently they have some power over fortune, good and bad. At least, that's the superstition, and given the headache we dealt with for the last month, I'm willing to believe it.

[Now, anyway. Ever since Jinx pointed out that luck powers were clearly a thing.]

[deathknightdestroyer]

I never figured you would be the sort to believe in luck- though with what pokémon are capable of, perhaps it's not unfounded here. But what could have possibly happened last month?

[bestswordmaster]

Ordinarily I wouldn't, but I've met someone who possessed a type of magic that cursed others with bad luck back in her home world. And as you say, Pokemon often have strange powers.

[His scowl deepens.] Somehow, Dimitri, Claude, and I were constantly mistaken for some performing group in this world whose followers are rabid fanatics. We couldn't go anywhere without being accosted by those absolute vultures, with their cameras and obnoxious squawking.

[deathknightdestroyer]

... That would do it. I'd love to learn more about that though, it sounds fascinating.

[ Felix was no fool- if given irrefutable proof, or as irrefutable as it could get when dealing with other worlds and an absence of the ability to truly cast, he would accept it. ... Wow, that is a story. ]

That sounds awful. It sounds like it's died down, thankfully, but I can't imagine the frustrations.

[bestswordmaster]

That's all I know. You would have to ask Jinx if you want to hear more. --oh. She's my student. She likes cake almost as much as you do.

[Felix facepalms briefly.] You're right. You can't. They kept showing up in droves at my gym challenges, as well. If I see them at the next one, I may just let my Gyarados do as he pleases.

[nastyboy]

[Ah yes, of course. Right into solving mysteries. Dimitri can't help feeling some fondness for his friends who have such a drive for knowledge. At least he looks decent when he opens up his video feed - mostly in terms of clearly having been able to sleep.]

[He can't help but feel sheepish, and ashamed, and scared, however. What was the last she saw of him...]

It is good to see that you have adjusted well enough to get right to work, Lysithea...

As for the swarms, as you have no doubt heard, they are fairly common. And yet they've been nothing like this before...

[deathknightdestroyer]

Dimitri! I'm glad to see that you're doing well. I heard from Claude, but it's nice to see it for myself.

[ She gives him a warm smile- it really is a relief, to know he's doing well. He's older now, and perhaps more... hollowed, in some form. But he's just as polite and gentle as she's used to. ]

I can hardly let something like this [ as if being brought to another universe is something small. ] slow me down. Besides, there's tons to look into!

[nastyboy]

Well, if there is anything that I can offer to assist with this endeavor... I may not know about swarms, but I can offer some other things I have learned while here.

Have you heard about the unique stones here, such as everstones?

[deathknightdestroyer]

Just barely, but given that they seem to only be available in certain places and many consider them to be nonapplicable in Cherrygrove, not as much as I'd like. I take it you have experience with them?

[nastyboy]

Yes. My Rattata disliked the thought of evolving, you see, and so inquiries to the network revealed that there existed a type of stone which could halt the process completely, so long as the Palien in question had a hold of it.

We were able to get it fitted into a collar, and so now he wears it constantly.

It is apparently a rare thing, for them to not be interested in evolution... IT makes them stronger, and understanding of new abilities. Yet he seems quite content in this choice.