Video;

[nightyorb]

[The video starts by recording a pond -- the one in Ecruteak City for those that are familiar with it, before it shifts to focus on the Mandalorian who stands a few feet away from the water's edge. He seems to be studying the water, though who can really tell with that helmet he wears.

Perched on his shoulder sits one Riz Gukgak, who is remarkably dressed down for Riz's standard; his suit jacket, vest and tie have been removed, leaving him just in slacks and a button-down. The sleeves of his shirt have been rolled up, displaying an impressive array of tattoos on his arms (wait, how old is this kid again?). Even his hat is gone, leaving his surprisingly nice curls on display.

For a moment, both the Mandalorian and Riz just seem to be intently staring at the water, before Riz's hand shoots up, pointing at the expanse of blue.]

There!

[And then everything goes really quick -- The Mandalorian goes from standing at pseudo-ease into a pitcher's stance, body angled away from the water to increase momentum. He's holding no ball though; he's holding The Ball.

Which is to say, Riz nimbly hops onto Mando's throwing hand, before Mando chucks him full force at the water like a fastball special. Riz goes into the water with a large splash, and for a moment, there is only the sight of churning water slowly going still, before Riz pops up again, a wide toothy grin on his face, and a struggling Wishiwashi in his arms.]

Got it!

Comments

Video

[heartofalioness]

[Oh no... for a second, Allura worries it's more Zorua nonsense, but nope, that is absolutely 100% Riz and Mando. She honestly can't help but chuckle as Riz pops out of the water, that's way too cute.]

Congratulations, well done!

Video

[nightyorb]

[The response comes a little slow. When it comes, Riz still looks a bit damp, but he's properly dressed again, his hat shoved back onto his damp curls. He's also wrapped up in the rough fabric of someone's huge cloak.

He looks a little surprised, but not embarrassed.]

Wow, uh, this wasn't supposed to go on the network, but thanks. We tried normal fishing first, but it wasn't working at all.

[heartofalioness]

So I see. Just for practice, or do you intend to keep them?

[nightyorb]

No, no, I'm keeping it. I need a water pokemon and... they kinda remind me of Goblins.

[Obviously, not physically, but still.]

[heartofalioness]

[Ah... her mind flicks back to her time inside Riz's memories as she nods.]

I see. There is a bit of a resemblance, isn't there? That is a Wishiwashi, yes? [She remembers them from swims in Four Island's waters before she and Keith started traveling.] I didn't realize they lived in landlocked bodies of water too.

[nightyorb]

Yeah. It's been the only one we saw all day. They are supposed to live in big groups, but this one just seems to be out there on its own.

Must've been kinda lonely.

[Sort of like being the only two Goblins in Elmville.]

[heartofalioness]

[Aw, honey...]

Well, I'm sure you and your other Pokémon will take very good care of it, Riz. Have you thought of a name yet?

[nightyorb]

[As one of the few Alteans left, Allura probably recognises the feeling.]

Yeah. I'm gonna called her Niknik. It's, uh, a goblin name. Or, I guess, less of a name and more of... a nickname?

[heartofalioness]

[A soft chuckle at the (unintended?) pun.]

I see. It's actually rather similar to my Nidorina's Nikki. I wonder if it meant something similar in Rainer's world?

[nightyorb]

No idea. Rainer's world and mine... I mean, there were some similarities, but also a lot of differences. And I never thought to ask if Rainer could speak Ghukliak at all.

Niknik means small thing. Like, you'd use for a kid.

[heartofalioness]

I see. [Okay no, she can't keep the smile off her face, or a light laugh.] That's... actually adorable, if you don't mind me saying so.

[nightyorb]

I don't mind. Most people think Ghukliak sounds threatening or ugly, so it's nice someone thinks it is cute, at least.

[heartofalioness]

[A soft nod.]

Altean tends to be a bit softer-sounding, although some of the words can still be a bit difficult for non-native speakers to pronounce.

[Altean tends to either go nice and melodic, or pure tongue twister.]

Video

[singlespacedad]

[Give them a few minutes; Mando has to fish Riz and his catch out of the water, and then bundle them up inside Mando's cape. It's March, and still cold out. Once he's sure Riz won't die of hypothermia, Mando answers.]

Thank you.

[He glances back at Riz.]

Excuse me. I need to go build a fire.

[heartofalioness]

[Awwww that's kind of cute, but she tightens her lips to keep from blurting that out.]

Of course. Good to see you again, Mando.

[singlespacedad]

You too.

[He sets the communicator down after that, but it's still recording. It shows him gathering some sticks and setting them up in a little pyramid, and then Crest the Fletchling uses Ember Breath to set it ablaze. While she struts in a proud little circle around the fire, Mando starts digging in one of their bags.]

Have you ever had coffee made over a fire, Allura?

[heartofalioness]

[Yes, good Fletchling, practice that Ember.]

No, I haven't. Coming to this world is the first time I've encountered coffee, although I know it's a common substance on my human friends' version of Earth.

[And Shiro prefers something a bit quicker than a campfire to get his near insatiable caffeine fix.]

[singlespacedad]

Next time we see each other, I'll make you some.

[Maaaaaybe slightly higher caliber than this cheap shit Riz buys. Allura seems like she'd appreciate something a bit nicer.]

It tastes better when you make it over a fire.

[heartofalioness]

[Awww that's actually nice of him.]

I appreciate that. Thank you, Mando. I think my friends Shiro and Keith might be interested as well.

[And not that she knows a thing about Star Wars, but Shiro may or may not fanboy a bit about the coffee's source, depending on the strength of the fourth wall.]

[singlespacedad]

I've met Shiro.

[OOC: and I can't remember if this is before or after the Braviary event, so we'll just ignore the whole Keith situation for now.]

He was a space scientist who got attacked.

[The way Mando says that heavily implies that he is not a fan of scientists getting attacked.]

It's a couple weeks after

[heartofalioness]

[Ah. Her expression immediately sobers as she nods.]

He is a great many more things than that [all of them good and great, in her eyes], but... yes, that is true.

[singlespacedad]

I'm sure he is.

[Mando stirs the fire with a stick.]

Do you know who attacked him?

CW: Wartime slavery of a host of flavors...

[heartofalioness]

[Another nod, her gaze firmly on the fire.]

The Galra Empire I mentioned. They often took prisoners and slaves, for forced labor, gladiatorial sport, scientific experiments...

[singlespacedad]

Is that how the two of you met?

[Sounds like pretty typical empire behaviour to Mando.]

[heartofalioness]

Yes and no. He had already been rescued from the Galra and had just made it back to Earth. He and the other members of what would become our team found him, and together they found what the Galra had come to Earth to search for: the Blue Lion. Blue bonded with Lance and transported them to the planet Arus via wormhole. The Castle of Lions had landed there ten thousand years ago, and I and my father's advisor Coran were in a cryogenic slumber. They entered the Castle and woke the two of us up.

[There are probably a lot of details she's leaving out, she knows. If Mando asks, she'll explain more; the details aren't secret, just painful.]