[video/action if you're in mahogany town]

[epitaffio]

[Once again, it would seem like Doppio is staying at some kind of traditional-looking inn. There is some faint yipping and barking in the background before he starts talking.]

So... I've been curious about something. This is Scarabella...

[He holds up to the camera a pink-purpleish Heracross. It looks smaller than average, and veterans may notice there is something else that's unusual about its appearance.]

... She hatched just last week. I've seen some Heracross here and there, and when I did some looking into it, I kind of noticed there's something-- Ah, I don't mean the color! I know about Shiny Pokémon. But...

[If Doppio intended to use the PokéGear for something else, too bad, because Scarabella is now sucking on the bottom of the screen. Oh well. Also, is the barking getting louder?]

Uh, I guess you'll have to check your Pokédex if you don't know what I'm talking about, but it looks like male Heracross usually have a sort of branched horn, like a rhinoceros beetle, and female Heracross usually have what looks like a heart on the tip of their horn... But Scarabella's heart is upside-down. [Almost like...] Does that kind of thing happen a lot? I mean... differences that don't really show up on the Pokédex?

[Really, he just wants to know the odds that he'll be forced to hand in an ultra-rare specimen to Team Rocket. Scarabella is cute... It'd be a shame. Hey, that's some REALLY loud yipping--

A horde of Yamper rushes in through the window.

He is on the second floor.]

Oh yeah if you want one of these little guys you should come to Mahogany Town, there's a ton and they're everywhere, try catching a few, okay bye!

[... He'll be replying through text.]

Comments

[epitaffio]

[Well, if she's serious about this...]

How soon do you think you could make it?
Don't get me wrong, these guys are really cute, but I've got stuff to do.

[questioneverything]

Not long at all, really. I'm already in the town with the first warp. There's no real travel time, so... with a small break between warps to avoid any sickness, maybe fifteen minutes?

[epitaffio]

Really?

[WELL THAT WORKS FOR HIM]

I'll be right there!

text -> action?

[questioneverything]

Really! :)

See you soon!

action!

[epitaffio]

[When Doppio arrives at Ecruteak, two things are immediately obvious.

One, he does not look particularly sick. Which is good, because it was just one warp for him, but it wouldn't have been his most embarrassing display to date so he's choosing to celebrate it internally.

Two, there are, indeed, eight or so Yamper crowded around his legs even now.

He sighs.]

[questioneverything]

[Romelle arrived as she said she would. She was mildly woozy, but nothing that would end up with her making a spectacle of herself... especially when she sees all the cute Yampers! How could anyone not feel better after seeing them with their cute stubby legs and lightning bolt tails! She squeaks in excitement.]

They're adorable!!

[epitaffio]

Yeah, yeah...

[It's just that the novelty kind of wears off after a few days.

In any case, the Yamper see Romelle! They just... seem more interested in staying by Doppio's side.]

Okay, um, good luck. I can't get them to stay in a ball even after tiring 'em out.

[questioneverything]

[Hm. To say that Romelle was disappointed that they didn't really respond to her attentions wouldn't be wrong. She considered the situation carefully, and then stepped back, being careful of where she tossed her ball to make sure not to accidentally hit Doppio.

Not that she thought it would trap him, but... well, she might think that...]

Okay. Here goes.

[Aaaaaaand... toss!]

[epitaffio]

[Doppio fitting inside a Pokéball wouldn't be the strangest thing his body can do.

Luckily, she doesn't hit him, but one of the Yamper instead. Not so luckily, the Yamper bursts free immediately.]

See? It keeps happening!

[questioneverything]

Oh. [Romelle looked disappointed. Darn. And they definitely weren't paying her enough mind that she'd risk a battle or anything. She pouted just a little.]

So, you said they showed up when?

[epitaffio]

A bit after the Snorunt. Did you see those around too?

[questioneverything]

I did.

[And, as if on cue, some kid came running into town.]

There you are!

[Romelle cringed.]

I seem to have developed a rival since then.

[epitaffio]

This is probably all connected, huh...? [He sighs.] I don't get how it works, though.

[questioneverything]

It's quite possible.

[Meanwhile, her 'rival', a 'youngster' type, was pestering her for a battle, accusing her of littering three routes away. She gave a long-suffering sigh.]

If you'll excuse me for a moment.

[Thankfully, even though the child was clearly determined to keep going, the Pokémon team wasn't very high leveled. Romelle was able to make quick work of the battle, sending the kid running back to the PokeCenter and yelling about how she'll lose next time and get the punishment she deserved. She returned to Doppio.]

I have no idea where this child came from or why I'm being accused of so many ridiculous petty crimes that I didn't even do, but the timing of this 'rival' certainly coincides with the snorunt swarm and your yamper problem.

[epitaffio]

... Geez. I almost feel like I lucked out now.

[Which is pretty impressive, considering his usual luck!]

Come to think of it, I think I kept getting spam calls around this time last year...

[questioneverything]

Spam calls? [She had no idea what those were.] Did it also coincide with the snorunts?

[epitaffio]

Yeah. Yeah!... I think so.

[Sorry, Romelle. His memory is not the most reliable.]

And... I think it just happened all month, and then it stopped?

[questioneverything]

I wonder if this is the same thing... [She looked thoughtful, still trying to get the attention of at least one of the Yampers, but with no real success.] We did just have a swarm of them, and it hasn't been a month, yet.

[epitaffio]

[Alas, the Yampers remain content to run circles around Doppio. What a strange fortune...]

How can they do stuff like this, though? And to more than one person at once?

[questioneverything]

Well, there were more than one Snorunt, so perhaps it's one Snorunt per person. I can't imagine just one Snorunt doing all of this to everyone who's been affected.

[epitaffio]

[That... actually sounds kind of plausible. His eyes widen.]

So... You're saying there might be a Snorunt who keeps sending Yamper after me?

[questioneverything]

It certainly seems that way. I don't know how this young child keeps finding me, even after warping, but you just saw that battle. [She sighed.] It just keeps happening, but the timing is quite coincidental. I have to wonder. Though, this is my first time experiencing it. Perhaps someone who's been here longer would know better?

[epitaffio]

Yeah... Someone like that Armin guy.

[For now, though... He kind of wonders if this means he's simply doomed to be stalked by adorable Yampers for a few more weeks.]

[questioneverything]

[Romelle brightened a bit.]

Yes! Armin would be perfect to ask about that! Though, he does have a preference for water types. I believe Snorunts are ice.

[epitaffio]

Ice types are kind of close, right?