02 ✦ Video

[mightdoriya]

[It's been an eventful past few days for Izuku. Not only has his group finally broken their way through the thick forest of Ilex, they're on their way to one of if not the largest city in the Johto region: Goldenrod. Boasting it's huge department store full of items likely far too expensive for him to be able to afford, but hey. He plans on at least getting a little something for each of his team members...and his travel partners too, even if he's broke afterwards. It's fine, so long as he pays Kirishima back he's okay with being broke for a while.

But traveling the last stretch of route has gotten interesting, to say the least. Namely the fact that Izuku's team has nearly totally filled out since he checked up on the network last. They have a bit of a ways to go on Route 34 before Goldenrod comes up, and while travel has been made much quicker in lieu of Pokemon to ride on, it also brings up the issue of the fact that all of his Pokemon enjoy getting some time out of their balls and, well...

Cue Izuku turning on the feed of his Gear to the tune of an Eevee, Buneary, and Rowlet all crowding in his lap at once. Thirteen the baby Duskull is latched onto his arm instead of his neck for once, visibly asleep with his face pressed into his elbow. The real camera hog though is the massive Pokemon hulking behind Izuku, basically glorming onto him from behind with copious amounts of vines just...draped all over him in the fascimile of a hug from behind. Hello, she's here too.

She being the shiny Tangrowth that scared several years off his life yesterday. Izuku looks...tired.]

I'm guessing it's something you get used to, but...taking care of Pokemon is a lot of work. I don't know how people can manage having so many...

[Famous last words, probably.]

Comments

video;

[schachmeister]

[Armin feels called out. He should be called out. He's got a good 60 pokemon by now.]

I-it's a task and a half, that's for sure. Having help, uh, helps. So does having a permanent home. At this point, most of my pokemon roam freely in the water around my gym, so they don't always need as much attention from me. I guess the fact that most of them have been with me for a few years now helps too. Young pokemon tend to be more clingy.

But it's not all bad either. It might be a lot of work, but it's very rewarding too.

[mightdoriya]

[Gym? This guy has his own gym and everything? That is...impressive, good lord.]

Yeah, I feel like I've experienced all of that at this point...well, except having a Pokemon for a couple years. But Kamui here just joined me yesterday and is acting like I've...had her for forever...Kamui-ii you're h-heavy...

[The Tangrowth just gurgles happily and lets even more of herself drape all over Izuku's shoulders and head.]

How many Pokemon do you have?

[schachmeister]

I--

[A pause as Armin thinks and counts and oh god. The number is clearly a surprise to him too, judging by his face.]

Sixty-some. But twenty-five of those belong to my breeding project, most of which are meant to be released when they are old enough. And a few of them are part of my fossil pokemon tank.

[Just another pause. And then, as if he is admitting some sort of sin:]

... I really had no idea the number had gotten that big. It crept up on me.

[mightdoriya]

S...six...

[He promises he's not judging you Armin, but holy shit. That is....WAY more than his meager five Pokemon, five that he's already feeling slightly overwhelmed with. He can understand if most of them are for breeding projects or prospects for eventual release, but...

Sixty...]

Are...are they all different Pokemon?

[schachmeister]

[Don't worry, Armin feels like he should be judged a bit, because wow. That sure is a lot of pokemon.]

No, not entirely. Twenty-five of those are Lapras from my Lapras breeding project. And I have two Wailords. But the rest are all different.

idk can be in person or over network you decide

[apshot]

You mean the shitty nerd can't handle it. Hah!

[ Just don't point out that his shiny capture had been a Hoothoot of all things. This is Katsuki being able to snort at Deku and his exhaustion. Not talking about embarrassing moments for Bakugou! ]

in person cause that's more fun

[mightdoriya]

[Thank you, Kacchan, for just sitting there watching while his Tangrowth nearly bowls him over with her weight. Izuku actually has to turn to push her back a little, though it doesn't seem to move her very far.]

I never s-said I couldn't handle it! It's just...a lot of new stuff to get used to, okay?

[He says while not noticing that Hawks the Rowlet has been nibbling on the edge of his shirt for a while now, starting to pull at the threads.]

[apshot]

[ Of course he is. Bakugou's been the one so far that manages housing and finances. Naturally he is just going to watch as he comes back from finding them a place to stay while they are in town. Too bad they can't rent the house that Kirishima and Katsuki had stayed in before. ]

Ah huh. You mean you haven't adapted yet? Tch! At this rate how can you even hope to catch up, Deku?

[ Katsuki's noticed it, of course. He's not going to say anything though. It's more fun for him this way. ]

[mightdoriya]

[Both Izuku and Kirishima surely appreciate you for all the hard work you do to keep them afloat, Katsuki. Honestly they'd probably be broke otherwise.]

You make it sound like you've done this before.

[It's not even as comparable to dealing with children in the field, either. It's similar in some ways, but completely different in others.

...actually, maybe Katsuki DOES have more experience in this than Izuku, even beyond being here for longer.]

[apshot]

I've been doing this for months already. Are you brain dead from using your energy to chase these things around?

[ They would definitely be in a pickle if Katsuki hadn't been here to redirect their energies. Holy hell these two get distracted by things! ]

You're too soft.

[nastyboy]

I have found that having other Pokemon helps you, along with slowly and steadily getting to know them.

[Oh, is it time to dad? Dimitri thinks it is time to dad, by imparting the wisdom of someone who has dad'd many Pokemon now.]

For example, my starter, Dean, is very mature and patient - apparently Tepig and their evolutionary lineup have a reputation as such. In the beginning, he was actually very attentive to things that were going on.

Other Paliens - [Sorry, Izuku, he's not going to stop using that term.] - might have a particular interest in some thing or another. For example, Gremlin, one of my Rattata, has gained an interest in video games on the Gear. If I am interested in keeping him in one place, I hand him one of my Gear, and he is often sated by that.

Of course, it is always good to make sure that you let your Paliens have plenty of exercise and time outdoors... That is as much for health and expending their energy as it is for leveling.

They are more intelligent than one might think, frankly speaking, so you can actually speak with them on what they want, and how you can work alongside one another. What do you know of your current companions?

[mightdoriya]

[HI DAD...Izuku really appreciates the advice, even if he isn't sure how well he can truly apply it sometimes. But explaining what he knows about his Pokemon is a good place to start, even as the three little ones in his lap are constantly jockeying for the most prime lap-space while he's trying to talk.]

Well...Mighty, my Eevee, really likes people and other Pokemon. It means he's constantly getting into battles before I can stop him, even when he just wants to play. He's really curious and gets into things when I'm not looking too. Mirko here- [He places a hand atop the Buneary's head, causing her to bring her paws up to hide her face.] Is a little shy, but very sweet. Thirteen, the Duskull, is still a baby. He's really clingy and a little more difficult to please than the rest. He really doesn't want much to do with other people, though he's started to warm up to Kacchan and Kirishima-kun, I think.

And these two...

[He moves his hand to the Rowlet's head, who gives a soft hoot in reply, and jerks a thumb back to the Tangrowth who is still trying desperately to become one with her trainer.]

Kamui scared me in the forest...I threw a ball at her just to keep her from coming after me. I didn't realize until after she was caught that she was just messing around. And Hawks is...I'm not sure, actually? He just seems really calm and quiet mostly, but that's the most I could hope for right now.

[nastyboy]

[Dimitri listens attentively to Izuku's list of Pokemon, nodding along with the descriptions. It seems like a varied crew already...]

I see. They all seem like good companions, from what I can tell of them.

[If he had to make a choice... Well, he doesn't want to be rude, so he nods to the Pokemon.]

Hello, Mighty. Hello, Mirko and Thirteen. And it is nice to meet you, Kamui and Hawks.

Would you all like to help your human?

[mightdoriya]

[All of the Pokemon look to the Gear as their names are called, all save for Thirteen who is still asleep. They each nod or give varying degrees of approving noises, such as Kamui who hasn't quite stopped her deep gurgling just yet.

Izuku smiles, looking embarrassed...but appreciative.]

They've been really fun to have around, as much as I make it seem like they're a lot of work. I can't say that I mind it.

[nastyboy]

Yes... That is the benefit of being partners with all of them, I think.

[Dimitri also suspects that's kind of like parenthood of a sort, but listen...]

All right, everyone... Which of you would like to help guide training, to make sure that everyone doesn't go over the top, or gets hurt?

Video, Pls excuse any wonky formatting, am on phone

[neverfinishanyth]

[Leonardo takes a little time finding the video function, and when he does, one can see that he is sitting on a nice bench, a Pidove cooing softly in the background.]

Perhaps it is the pokémon who are taking care of you.

[mightdoriya]

That...wouldn't surprise me.

[He is a hot mess, most days.]

They're very enthusiastic about it, that's for sure.

[neverfinishanyth]

My Yamper can't seem to go a few feet without stumbling across a pokeball or getting himself into some sort of trouble. He's a very energetic little friend.

[mightdoriya]

Hm...maybe in that case I should just let them all run around more? It might help get their energy out before the end of the day...

[Well. For most of them. Mighty is an outlier and should not be counted.]

[neverfinishanyth]

[He shrugs his shoulders.]

I can't see how it would hurt.

video

[demonpuppy]

You just gotta play with them a lot!

[Says the kid that's had adults around to help them with the chores-adjacent parts the whole time--]

It's real hard when you can't have them all around on the road, though.

[mightdoriya]

Yeah...it's only six you can carry at once, right? I guess I can understand having rules like that, but it wouldn't be that hard to carry a few more balls with you.

[Theoretically.]

They do love to play at least. Especially Mighty.

[demonpuppy]

Well, it'd be cheating if you can battle with more than six, right?

[Chip nods firmly; yes, this a very Correct statement.] Paliens are the best at playing. Which one is Mighty?

[mightdoriya]

Yeah, I guess it would be. And you really don't want to get caught cheating.

[Is that an arrestable offence in Pokemon world, he wonders...

As for Chip's question, Izuku reaches down and puts a hand on top of his Eevee's head, who yips and rubs against his palm.]

This is Mighty. He was my first Pokemon, and-

[...]

Dimitri-san calls them Paliens too...wait, are you Chip?

[demonpuppy]

[--UH. They immediately shrink in a bit, a bit defensively but more like they're worried they got caught doing something wrong.]

...yeah?