[video]

[logdates]

[The oddly-dressed woman on camera is holding her Gear up at an angle, so both herself and her Pumpkaboo - who is a little over half as tall as she - are visible. She gives an agitated sigh and rubs at her forehead. Her gem is gone, her powers over metal aren't working, she's a human now... All of that on top of being taken from her home. It's been a day.]

Okay, this place really doesn't make sense to me. I understand the idea of competitive sparring, sure! But then you also fight Pokemon to subdue them for capture, right? Only instead of behaving like captives, they'll be your friends if you succeed.

I've been spending years figuring out how things work on Earth! And on Earth, things sure don't work like that! So what, now I have to start all over in a whole new place that makes no sense to me?

(ooc: art credit!)

Comments

[necrodentia]

You're from the Elemental Plane of Earth?

[logdates]

I'm from Earth. Well, now. I don't know what the rest means.

[necrodentia]

Yeah, the Elemental Plane of Earth. That's what your plane of existence is called, or at least that's what we call it on Nua. We're talking about the same thing.

[ They are absolutely not talking about the same thing. ]

Did you get turned human when you came here, too? [ Most denizens of the Earth plane are some kind of elemental. ] That happened to some people I know, I know it can be pretty frustrating.

[floatsaway]

[Oh jeez, this poor thing. Ochako can spot a newbie from a mile away, and she actually turns on her gear, taking down her ponytail after a day of training herself, shaking the brown locks out before she responds.]

No, you're absolutely right, it doesn't make much sense at all. I've been here for a few months now, and even though I get that these creatures enjoy battling...some more than others, it still feels kind of weird, you know? But apparently there's a legend in this world that says Pokey-Mobs [Nope.] appear before people because they want to be together with them - and fighting is just a way of them testing to see if you're skilled enough to raise them, or something.

Though, honestly, I've managed to catch a few of my friends without battling them. They sort of just followed after me from when I was out in the wilds.

[logdates]

Thank you! [On saying that, Peridot throws her arms up in the air, briefly messing up what's being recorded. A moment to correct that, then-] I have a friend who likes to fight for fun, but it's-- Hmm. I suppose it being a test of skill makes it a little better?

[She grunts in her confused frustration.]

I guess I'm at least glad that my role doesn't involve as much battling. It seems like breeders focus more on overseeing the production of new Pok-

Oh. This is kind of like working as a Kindergartner again. [Sarcastically:]Great!

[floatsaway]

[Friend who likes to fight for fun...ahaha. That sounds familiar indeed. Heck, even a handful of her Pokemon are like that, too - the true "I'll kick you ass, I'll kick your dog's ass, I'll kick my own ass" of Ochako's party being her Mienfoo, who literally came out of her egg swinging. Little Chow Mein has piss and vinegar in her veins and isn't afraid to show it.]

Mmh, that's what people here say, at least. You get used to the weirdness, or at least acclimate to it eventually...though looking back, there's really no easy way to describe it all. I'm still confused about a lot of things that go on around here.

[But oh, another breeder! And it seems like this one's not all that excited about it...ahah. B-But there's a topic change in there, anyway, or at least a misconception that Ochako keys in on.]

Oh, did you used to work with children before, miss? I'm uh...n-not sure exactly, since I'm a trainer myself, bu I'm pretty sure it's different than dealing with actual kids, ehehe.

[instrumentally]

Yes.

[...Sorry, she's like this sometimes.]

[logdates]

[The simple, blunt answer catches Peridot a little off guard, although she's sure Garnet would have said the same thing to her.]

Well what if I don't want to?!

[instrumentally]

The answer will not change. Even if it is not what one wishes it to be.

text

[chirpier]

It does sound weird, especially when generalized.

If anything, I know for a fact that it doesn't work with all of them that way? All of the Pokemon I've caught, I haven't fought. And I'm sure that some wouldn't appreciate getting captured if they enjoy the wild.

Maybe it has to do with strength value, for many of them? Kind of like Alphas in an animal pack.

text

[logdates]

Someone else did mention catching Pokemon without battling them, so it's good to know that's doable. I'd rather not force anything to be somewhere it doesn't want to be.

Something I guess whatever force put me here has no problem with!

video

[fearinahandfulof]

You... sort of get used to it? Mostly. Eventually. Though having to do it twice sounds... [terrifying] ...not fun.

But yes. This world is confusing.

[logdates]

No, it's not fun. The first time wasn't fun, but at least it ended well. Although now that's the problem; I was happy where I was!

Video

[lifebloomsanew]

It does seem all rather strange at first! But fighting isn't the same for Pokemon as it is for...well...nearly every other species!

[logdates]

[Peridot just stares at first, uncertain. She recognizes this person, because Rose - Pink? - looks more or less the same as she did in that unnervingly large portrait that used to hang in Steven's home. And... She really isn't sure how she feels. She'd probably look to Steven and Amethyst as guides on the subject, and - especially after learning about the whole Diamond thing - their feelings had been complicated, and not often openly shared.

Besides, they're not here... But Peridot is. And Rose is. It seems almost unfair.

After a few seconds of staring, Peridot lets out a nasal squeak, then says - in a very small voice:] I don't know how to process this.

video

[epitaffio]

"On Earth"...? Were you from somewhere else?

[Never mind the part about fighting Pokémon to befriend them. That's just a Pokémon thing, he figures... but he gets the feeling just saying that won't be very helpful right now.]

Re: video

[logdates]

Yes, I was created on the Gem Homeworld, a planet very far from Earth.

Earth is far superior to Homeworld. Where this place falls in that ranking remains to be seen.

[cometkin]

[Greg stares at the screen. And stares. And stares a little longer.]

... Peridot?

[Well. At least he still knows who she is?]

[logdates]

Greg! Wow, I haven't been this happy to see you since-- Well, ever!

[Look, it's nothing personal, she just thinks Steven is the superior Universe.]

[Video]

[bigsadwolf]

If it helps, things don't exactly work like that on the Earth I am familiar with either...but you get used to it.

Re: [Video]

[logdates]

Well, I know I have the capability to do so. It just took so long last time!

What's your Earth like?

video

[songstressedout]

[ Yeah... arriving here certainly is a day for everyone, isn't it? Kicked out by a lady calling herself your mom and then walking to the next town over. Crazy, honestly, but strangely easy to get used to. ]

Yeah, it doesn't make a lot of sense... weirdly though, it's pretty easy to get used to it?

[ Certainly not how you'd expect things to go, but... she's got a Sylveon nuzzling up to her as she speaks. ]

I think the best thing I can say is... this whole place is a little weird? Remember whatever you've already figured out but just know that Pokemon are a little different?

Plus, not every Pokemon will be nice right away. It sort of just... depends. Sometimes they're just really nice, other times they aren't.

[logdates]

You know, that's good advice. I guess I'm not really starting over from the beginning again, I just need to add to what I learned before.

[islandshore]

Trust me when I say you get used to it... mostly.

[Riku offers a small, sympathetic smile.]

Been here eleven years. Some things still throw me off, but after a while, you learn to run with it. Pokemon battles. Pokemon training. Endless background music and impossible ledges. Helps if you think of it like a video game made real, I guess.

[logdates]

I guess it can't be too difficult if you're so calm about being here eleven years, right? I mean, I'm pretty sure that's kind of a long time to humans.

If you are a human.

[Hey, he may only look human, as she does now!]