two; video/action for violet city

[arcanaeum]

Ah...that's better.

[ One thing doesn't change no matter what world he's in: without someone prodding and motivating him, Minato tends to sit around like a bit of a lump. It's been about a month since he first used his Gear and rarely since then - never to talk, only to respond and try to gain some understanding.

To even leave New Bark: a week, once the food and money had run out. Getting money from battles had been a nice surprise. Just like Tartarus, he had adapted quickly enough to this new style of battle. With Gastly by his side and a habit for travelling at night, it had only been natural that Hoothoot would be the next Pokemon which caught his eye.

Another two weeks in Cherrygrove before he had the money and will to move on. Roxy had been right. That diner was excellent and he had quickly become a fixture. It had been the vague obligation of gyms and battling which drove him onwards, wondering a little more every day about the people he had left at home in that strange festival.

Now, here he was: the feed clicking on as he sat in a booth at a different diner, set up next to the open window. It's obvious from the shape of Sprout Tower in the background that he's in Violet. Minato stares out the window a while, watching something while he sips his coffee. ]

For all this fighting...this place really is peaceful. [ Another sip of coffee, flicking his eyes back to the Gear. ] Even if there's thing to do back home, there's no real rush. ...it's weird, taking things at your own pace.

[ As always, Gastly is bobbing in and out of frame, floating in circles in the sun. Minato's eyes turn outwards to the window again, just in time for Hoothoot to flutter down and perch on the windowsill. Minato takes a chip from his plate and feeds it to the owl, just in time for the waitress to bustle over with a pot of coffee. ]

Refill, hon? Oh, you've got your Pokemon with you! Ain't they cute...what are their names?

Ah...their names?

[ A glance to the camera. Is...is that something he should have done? ]

I'm not sure.

Hmm...well, think on it! They're your friends, after all! Gotta have names.

[ She refills his proffered coffee and bustles off. Minato gives the camera a look, Gastly and Hoothoot leaning in to examine closely as well. ]

I guess...I should name them.

Comments

[video]

[captainash]

You don't have to if you'd prefer not, but giving them names helps if one of them runs off. Besides, it makes them happy.

[arcanaeum]

Ah, that's true...I hadn't thought of that.

[ He shares a look with Gastly. Over a month without a name and he loved to float off...whoops. ]

You think so?

Gas gas!

[captainash]

[Ash nods.]

All of mine did, at least. Not sure if it's because of the naming itself, or if it's because of the time spent choosing something suitable and fitting.

[arcanaeum]

Hm.

[ He keeps looking at his two Pokemon: one perched on the windowsill, the other floating next to it. Fitting names... ]

What'd you name yours?

[captainash]

...Got a few hours of free time to listen to the whole list, or would you rather just hear a few?

[Because Ash has tons of Pokémon. Tons and tons of Pokémon.]

[arcanaeum]

I might. But give me the highlights.

[captainash]

In that case, I obviously have to begin with my starter, Dark Hound. You might say that naming a dog after a machine is a bit cold, but since it fit so well... I'm particularly proud of my Persian's name, Catherine, if only because it managed to unite my whole team in thinking it was a terrible pun. And then there's Hellspawn, who proves she deserves it every day...

Action!

[meteorman]

[Ford is sitting one booth over, writing in his journal with his Zubat perched on his shoulder and his Elgyem sitting across from him prim and proper and practically like a human. Occasionally she steals a fry from his plate and psychically floats it over to her total-lack-of-mouth. He doesn't particularly seem to notice or care.

What he does notice is the little conversation between Minato and his waitress, and like the nosy old man he is, he can't help but offer his opinion. He turns in his seat and peers over the top of the booth (ah! A Gastly and a Hoothoot! Delightful).]

I don't believe that it's a requirement, but at least in my experience the proper name often presents itself in due time. I still haven't found a name for this young lady.

[He tips his head sideways to indicate the Zubat.]

[arcanaeum]

[ Nosy old men are a worrying constant in his life. He lifts his head, the Gear held in one hand, and looks.

Ghost, owl and emo kid. It's the edgiest combination. ]

You haven't had any ideas?

[meteorman]

None as of yet. A Dracula reference would seem like the obvious choice, but I feel as though it's almost too on-the-nose.

[Luckily, Ford completely missed the rise of Emo culture since he was in another universe at the time. He doesn't realize exactly how much of a trope he's looking at here.]

[arcanaeum]

Ah, that's true...Bram or Vlad.

[ It's a hard job, but someone has to do it. ]

Maybe something more obscure.

[meteorman]

Ah, well. The other issue is that this Zubat happens to be female. You see why 'Vlad' doesn't quite fit the bill. There aren't many female --

[He snaps his fingers, eyes lighting up.]

Claudia.

[For once, a piece of media is old enough that he actually knows it and can make a reference to it. Sure, the movie came out in 1994, but the original Interview with the Vampire was published in '76.]

[arcanaeum]

Ah...from that movie, right?

[ The slogan of every teenager. "From the movie, not the book." ]

That's a good one.

Video;

[schachmeister]

It does seem to help creating a bond with them.

[Armin is stroking his own hoothoot, who is perched on his knee, curiously staring at the other hoothoot on the screen.

Armin's expression becomes a little self-depreciating as he smiles. ]

... I'll admit, I'm not really good at it though.

[arcanaeum]

Yeah? What names did you pick?

[schachmeister]

I still only have my starter, but I named him Amadeus.

I think... it probably fits.

[In any case, Amadeus the hoothoot seems to like it well enough.]

[arcanaeum]

It does.

[ Nerrrrrrrrrrrrrrd. ]

It might be important to keep a theme, too.

[schachmeister]

A theme?

I... I hadn't thought about that.

[No, Minato, what have you done! He already overthinks everything.]

[arcanaeum]

If that interests you.

[ Either way is fine, he seems to be saying. But a theme...well, if there's one thing he can theme by, it's his previous cadre of weird monsters. Even if those were already in his head. ]

Gastly.

Gas?

How about...Omoikane?

[ The ghost thinks about it, retracting his tongue. Then: ] Gaaaas! Gas-gas.

[Video]

[callbacks]

Shit, man, do you need help? I'm a naming machine, welcome to Strider's Moniker Emporium, what can I do you for.

[Well, someone here certainly looks a bit like one Miss Roxy Lalonde.]

[arcanaeum]

Ah, thanks for your help.

[ He sure does. Brother? Minato studies him a moment before moving on, gesturing to his Hoothoot perched one-footed on the windowsill. A little bleary-eyed in the day, but largely alert, snatching another fry from Minato's hand. ]

What about this owl?

[callbacks]

Boy or girl? Wait, no, doesn't matter, it's gotta be Tik Tok. Two words, no c's.

[Sure, the song came out past the meteor death of his Earth, but Dave's devoted a lot of time and energy into catching up on whatever music he can find here, Pok*eacutemonified or not.]

[arcanaeum]

...like a clock?

[ And the party don't stop, etc etc. ]

Why that?

[callbacks]

I've seen those guys around. You can use them as metronomes, they're that accurate. Go on, watch its head, you'll see what I mean.

[arcanaeum]

...

[ He looks back at the owl. Back, forth, back, forth, back, forth...

His head might start moving a little with it. ]