01 | Video | Action on Route 29

[nobodyschemes]

[Ienzo had waited until they were out of the town a fair bit before poking at his 'gear some more, hoping it would calm his Ralts down and he wouldn't have to ask for help.

It didn't, and so here he is. The Ralts in question is clinging almost desperately to neck from where she sits on his shoulder (she's a tiny one).]

I'm hoping someone who has been here longer than a day might have a solution to a problem I seem to be having. This...Ralts, I think it was, seems to be utterly terrified of me, or maybe just the world in general. I have my suspicions as to why she might be afraid of me personally, and there is unfortunately nothing I can do about that. Does anyone who might be listening have any suggestion for calming her anxiety, or if there are none would someone be willing to take--

[The Ralts hugs his neck even tighter, nearly choking Ienzo as she cries out in fear. It takes a second for Ienzo to get her to loosen her grip]

--ah. Never mind that last one for now.

Comments

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[islandshore]

Hmm... Well, Ralts are psychic types, so they're pretty good at picking up on emotions and thoughts.

[So says the young man, around twenty-one, who may look vaguely familiar. Sound familiar, too.

Of course, he doesn't recognize Ienzo.]

If she is afraid of you, maybe it has something to do with your subconscious? I mean, I'm no psychologist, but it's the first thing that comes to mind.

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[nobodyschemes]

[...Riku. At least, it looks and sounds like him, if considerably older than the last time they met. And he shows no signs of recognition, which wouldn't make sense as the memory games weren't played on him.

Interesting. Still, if Riku doesn't recognize him, Ienzo sees no reason to bring it up. One less thing he has to deal with right now]

That is exactly what my suspicion is. There's hardly anything I can do about it, though.

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[islandshore]

Hmm... Well, any way you can suppress those thoughts? Or if that won't work, maybe talk it over with your starter? They're pretty perceptive.

And if it's still intimidated, you could always take it slow. Maybe offer a berry as a peace offering.

[It's tricky, though. None of his psychic types have been particularly shy, nor has he had heaps of baggage or other such issues that would frighten them.

Assuming this guy's problem is psychological. For all he knows, the little Ralts could just be skittish!]

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[nobodyschemes]

It has nothing to do with my thoughts and everything to do with the fact she's empathetic.

[This Riku really doesn't recognize him.]

And what sort of berry?

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[When the video switches on, the face of a pokemon takes up most of it. The pokemon makes a noise of concern, focusing more on the ralts than Ienzo, and the camera shakes a bit. There's a "hm?" from someone off-screen, and the device is handed off to a young woman.]

Oh!

[She smiles, a sympathetic sort of look as she takes in the situation.]

Ralts and their evolutions are incredibly empathetic creatures. Even if they're not afraid of people, loud noises or new situations might frighten them just as much.

[Over her shoulder, the Gardevoir nods.]

Just try and find someplace quiet and shady, off the main path with no other pokemon nearby. That might help.

[video]

[nobodyschemes]

I have. I'm afraid it's that empathy that's likely causing the problems here.

[The young Ralts tries to hide herself in Ienzo's hair. She is unfortunately on the wrong side of his face for that, and so it just looks silly]

Or she may be sick, but I've no way of determining that.

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[The Gardevoir that answered is watching over Elsa's shoulder, and makes a worried noise, clearly directed at the Ralts. Elsa seems to echo her concern.]

If you think she's sick, there's a Pokemon Center located in the next town. If you're worried about her empathy...

[There's a pause. The man seems to be pretty calm, but Elsa of all people should know that just because you look okay, it doesn't mean you are okay.]

I think the only course of action in that case might just be to wait, and give yourself time to get used to this land. You may not think this change is affecting you much, but... [Again: she knows.] If you give yourself some time to adapt, she might adapt as well.

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[modulatingphases]

[Dude.

He's definitely gotten a few different reactions from the pokemon he's caught so far. But none of them have ever actually seemed terrified of anything. Even when they probably should be.]

Giving her away might not be that easy. They're pretty loyal.

[And strong, by the looks of it.]

Have you tried putting her in a pokeball? That helps calm them down sometimes.

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[nobodyschemes]

I did. The reaction was...

[Yeah. Bad. Ienzo sighs.]

I have my suspicions as to what has made her so afraid, at least of me, but the longer she sits here, the more I suspect she may simply be afraid of life. I would need more time with her to be sure, and of course there's no way to test just what exactly she's afraid of without further upsetting her.

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[modulatingphases]

[There's a soft nod in understanding at hearing her reaction. Some of the pokemon he had encountered seem to hate going into their pokeballs, even just long enough to be captured, whiles other's didn't seem to want to leave once they had settled.]

Not sure there's really anything you can do. [There's a soft chirp coming from the area of his lap and he glances down at the pidgeotto that currently resides there, as if he'll somehow have the answer.] Just be gentle with her. Partnering up for the first time can be kind of rough.

[Video]

[notachocobo]

[Cloud's definitely dealt with quite a few odd ball pokemon since he arrived here but this Ralts..is definitely something else.]

Like Zack said, I think it might be a good idea to take her to a clinic. Every town should have one.

[He frowns a bit as, in his hair, a small Joltik squirms into few, peer at the video display with wide eyes.]

Where are you right now?

[Video]

[nobodyschemes]

[Zack must be the black-haired man.]

There is a spider in your hair.

[Not scared, just observing because what. Also Ienzo is not the most trusting, so he studies the man for a moment before asking:]

Why do you want to know?

[Video]

[notachocobo]

I'm aware.

[It's where the tiny thing prefers to stay. Junon seems quite pleased at being noticed, sparking a bit in content which makes Cloud flinch just the slightest bit.]

So I can tell you which city you're closest to and what's there for you to utilize.

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[schachmeister]

I don't think she looks very scared of you.

[Armin doesn't know that much about pokemon just yet, but he feels simple logic would dictate that if it was its trainer it was scared of that this... Ralts was it --yet another new species to learn about-- wouldn't be clinging to him so.]

I'm not sure if it will work, but back home we were taught that talking can help calm down a nervous animal.

[Okay, that was horse and the other half of that lecture was 'don't be an idiot and walk behind a horse', but Armin doesn't think that last part exactly applies here.]

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[nobodyschemes]

She screamed when she first saw me and cowers should I leave her sight and return. I believe she's scared of me.

[Poor thing]

I don't see how talking to her will help her calm down, given the circumstances. She is empathetic, after all, and I doubt anything I said would be believed.

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[schachmeister]

She might just be scared of new things. She does seem to cling to you, so you probably offer her some comfort.

[Take it from him, he was an easily scared kid.]

Even if she is empathic, talking to her might reinforce your intentions.

[Assuming he has good comforting intentions, of course. But then, Armin reasons, that if this guy didn't have good intentions for his pokemon, he wouldn't have posted a message for help.]

I've been reading up since I arrived here myself. It seems like their abilities get stronger as they age and level up. If yours is young [And she certainly looks young. Or at least her behaviour does] her abilities might not be developed and she might need verbal reassurance as well.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

... It takes time, assuming it's something you can't control. They tend to be better about being able to shield themselves as they evolve, in my experience. But as long as you can assure her that you mean her no intentional, personal harm... she should calm down eventually.

[He tilts his head to the side, indicating his Gardevoir who's just wandered into the shot behind him.]

[Video]

[nobodyschemes]

That I might be able to do. Empathy is a very complicated ability.

[He glances down at his tiny little Ralts]

That is the second of those I've seen. Are they somehow related to Ralts?

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Yes. Gardevoir is one of the two end points for a Ralts' evolution. I believe only a male Kirlia can become a Gallade. Ralts evolves into Kirlia with enough experience.

[Video]

[garbagechild]

I think if she was afraid of you, she wouldn't be hugging you like that.

When I'm afraid of something, the last thing I wanna do is hug it.

[Video]

[nobodyschemes]

I think she's afraid of everything, and I've proven I won't hurt her.

[Video]

[garbagechild]

Well, yes, but if you proved you won't hurt her, and she's holding onto you, that probably means she's not terrified of you like you said.

Maybe you make her less scared!

You might just have to let her stay there.

It's the only way.

video; i am so late i am sorry

[heartdive]

At least now you know she isn't terrified of you, right?

video; it's fine!

[nobodyschemes]

[...is that who he thinks it is?]

I think she likely still is, I am just less scary than anything else right now.

video; ;A;

[heartdive]

I'm sure it will be different once she gets to know you.