(video)

[grice]

Hi— My name is Falco. That’s Poppie.

[ “poppie” is a proud piplup, and waves a flipper with her chest puffed out when she’s given attention. they seem to be in the room of an inn, resting from plenty of days on the road. the window is open to allow a pidgey on the windowsill, in and out. underneath it are three encased eggs, wrapped in blankets and pillows to keep warm.

the boy, on the other hand, is no older than thirteen. he’s twelve, small and young faced, but bright and enthusiastic after a day’s worth of rest. ]

I’m supposed to be a Breeder, and I wanted to start my first test clutch soon to get an idea on how it works. So— I’d like to know from my elders, or from other Trainers, [ “elders”— don’t hurt him, he’s baby, and he’s trying to be extra respectful, ] what would you say are popular Pokémon to breed? What do you look for the most, or . . . What would you want to see more of?

And, um— does anyone have [ he holds up a journal with the names primeape, zangoose, infernape, lucario, smeargle, though smeargle seems to be underlined in red, ] one of these? I read in the handbook that it’s common to borrow Pokémon for breeding, so— May I borrow one? I can send you an Egg that comes from the clutch as a thank you.

[ well, now with that all said, he bows his head! ]

—Thank you.

Comments

[schachmeister]

[What a polite young boy. Armin is absolutely going to try and help him.]

Hello Falco.

If you are looking for a popular pokemon to start breeding, lots of people like cute pokemon like Vulpix or Eevee or dog-like pokemon like Growlithe or Rockruff. They make for good companions, but they can also hold their own while battling, so they are a popular choice with both people who like to battle and people who just like to keep pokemon as pets. So if you are looking for sought-after pokemon, that aren't too difficult for a beginning breeder to handle, you might want to look into those.

There are other popular species, of course. Lots of dragon pokemon are very popular, but they can be much harder to handle, and more difficult for you to get your hands on in this stage.

[video]

[paladinlost]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Falco and Poppie!

[It's so nice to see young people who've not yet decided that breeding is more trouble than it's worth. Cecil almost misses those days.]

I'm not the most informed about stable popularity trends, to tell the truth, but I've plenty of experience with breeding, two male Lucario and one male Infernape. What exactly are you aiming for, when looking for breeding partners?

[grice]

[ his first reaction is a wide-eyed oh, listening intently and watching himself to not interject at any moment. he knows you, guy. he knows an armin.

but he’s pretty sure that after jean band from this, he doesn’t recognize him either. it’s best not to do anything immediately. falco chooses to reply first, albeit a touch flustered about it. ]

I thought so about Eevee, [ versatile little things, and cute, too. ] I just got an egg for one, too. I’ll keep the other ones in mind— just not the dragons. For now.

[ he is definitely more the type to self preserve if he could. dragons for a novice like him seemed like a bad move. ]

Thanks, Mister Armin.

[video]

[grice]

Um, [ falco hesitates for an answer, but maybe he should be honest, even if it showcases just how much of a novice he is. ] I don’t know. I was thinking about movesets.

[ and the ones that those pokemon have specifically. ]

Is there something else I should keep an eye out for?

[video]

[paladinlost]

Certain breeders choose pairs specifically so their children will have a chance of being a special color, or might posses a rare ability. But you'd need to find or borrow very specific Pokémon to achieve that, so it's not the best goal for a test clutch.

[It is also, admittedly, not a part of breeding Cecil understands much, so he has hardly any advice to offer about it.]

As far as movesets go, are you aiming for specific moves, or do you simply wish for the child to have as many as possible? Depending on your answer and the species you want to breed, I'll have a better idea of which Pokémon to recommend.

[grice]

[ oh, the “shinies”, as he’s heard. breeders are the only registered people out there to breed them. they really must be rare, though— even if he’s already tried to buy one by chance and failed. ]

I’m looking for “Close Combat” to hatch a fairy type with. [ he seems to be almost reluctant to give away the species, so he gently adds: ] I think . . . Specific moves might make them more valuable too, won’t it?

[schachmeister]

[Armin blinks, momentarily distracted from giving out more breeding advice (he has plenty!) by the sound of his name.]

You... you know my name?

[Had someone perhaps mentioned him already? Did he have that sort of reputation where people name-dropped him to new people?]

[video]

[insidegalra]

[Thace is in what appears to be a garden and has paused in tending to the Berry plants next to him. There's at least one Leafeon helping out in the background and a Happiny picking berries one by one to put into a basket next to him.]

Hello. I may be able to offer assistance, if my Pokemon are interested.

[Thace calls out over his shoulder.] Ylut! Blorfan! Someone wishes to meet you.

[It takes a bit but then a Lucario who's missing the lower part of one arm (not that it seems to slow her down at all) and a Smeargle toting a notepad as large as himself with complicated diagrams approach.]

This young one is looking to get started as a breeder and is asking for assistance.

[Both Pokemon then look at the 'gear expectantly, waiting for further information.]

[paladinlost]

[Such mystery! But boys are allowed their secrets, so Cecil chooses to not ask for further details.]

That is true. Moves that cover a Pokémon's weaknesses are always prized, as are certain skills such as Pay Day.

[No one ever complains about an extra source of money, for some reason.]

Is Close Combat the only move you are aiming for at the moment? All three of my Pokémon have been strengthened by tutoring and TMs, so they can all transmit a variety of options. I can send you an exact list of what we offer, if you'd like.

[grice]

[ falco nods at this! well, at both, to be honest— ]

That’d be great. I’m just focusing on Close Combat, for now . . . I think trying to figure out too many moves at once might get confusing.

[ for a first time? oh, definitely. ]

[grice]

Ah—

[ well, that was a slip up. ]

Mister Jean mentioned you were here, and— well, um . . . We’ve met before, in my time.

[ it felt kind of strange to use “my time”, but if thats how the world turns? so be it! ]

[grice]

Hello.

[ to the man as well as his three pokémon! the piplup with the boy joins in in the waving as well! falco hesitates, and realizes that they’re waiting for more information. oh— ]

Right— I’m looking to breed a fairy type with Close Combat. It’s . . . Supposed to be a gift. Do any of them know that move, Sir?

[schachmeister]

I see. So we are from the same world.

[How strange. Not having someone here from the same world -- Armin has had that experience, certainly. But to have someone who knows him but who he does not know at all.]

I'm sorry that I don't -- [A small hesitation as he tries to word it correct; remember isn't quite the right way, but what else could he use? 'haven't experienced you yet'?] remember you. Uhm, are you... are you a new trainee? Or a member of the Survey Corps?

[insidegalra]

[Thace nods, smiling.]

Ylut certainly does. And Blorfan--

[Here Thace raises an eyebrow at the Smeargle who just makes a paw motion and a (fondly) disgruntled sigh.]

Hasn't settled on which moves to Sketch yet, so technically still could learn it.

A fairy type with Close Combat though; an interesting exercise to tackle. I know that fairy types with the right physique can often pick up punching moves, or things like Break Break and Rock Smash. Azumarill learn Superpower naturally, and several punching moves via other methods, but definitely aren't able to acquire Close Combat. Hm.

[Thace gestures, and Blorfan opens to a new page and starts scribbling out a diagram. It's very complicated.]

Are you thinking of a particular Pokemon to breed with Close Combat? Or just looking for a fairy type that can?

[paladinlost]

Very well. Please wait a moment!

[Cecil must have already prepared the three lists in question, because it does indeed take only a moment.]

[questioneverything]

There are quite a few breeders. I'm not one, myself, but I don't mind lending a Pokémon for breeding if someone wants to try.

My name is Romelle.

[grice]

Oh, Thank you, Miss Romelle. What kind of Pokémon do you usually work with?

[grice]

Thank you, Sir.

[ oh, goodness, look at all of them! they are quite the bachelors . . . although there's one that happens to stick out the most. it takes a little while for the boy to get back to him. he really wants to at least study each option thoroughly. ]

Would I be able to use Firion?

[grice]

[ he learns something new every day, wow. falco's mouth opens and closes; it looks like he wants to answer it, but— ]

I have one in mind— Is this call private, sir? I wouldn't want my friend to see it.

[grice]

[ oh, damn— that far back? well, in fear of overstepping any boundaries already set (and promised), falco smiles. he's good at wearing it, even if a trained eye might notice that there's something a touch tense about it. ]

I'm just an ally. It's nice to meet you again.

[ under better circumstances. that brings more ease to his little shoulders. ]

video;

[singlespacedad]

I'm trying to get a Mimikyu.

[Nice, straightforward, and to the point.]

If you ever get a Mimikyu egg, I'll buy it from you.

[grice]

[ —oh! already given a task! falco can't contain all of his youthful delight at the fact that he's being given work! ]

I'll make sure that's my next one, sir! Mimikyu— [ he's honestly never heard of that one, but that's not a problem. there're so many pokemon it's pretty impossible to hear about them all so soon. ] Is there a specific move you'd like on it? Or, [ aha. he remembers what cecil has mentioned. putting that in practice—! ] as many moves as possible?

[singlespacedad]

You don't have to call me sir.

[Does this kid think he's a Stormtrooper or something? The very idea!]

You can call me Mando.

[With that out of the way, Mando thinks for a moment about what he'd like. His team is fairly well-rounded, but Fairy moves are woefully underrepresented.]

If you can, I want one with Plays Rough. I think you'll have to breed for that, though.

[grice]

[ he needs to buy a paperback copy on an encyclopedia of some sort, even if he'll be forced to carry it around with him. he'll have to use the pokedex for now, which is actually better and far more compact, but he's old school. it'll take some getting used to. ]

Play Rough . . . [ he seems to be jotting all of this down to research later! a little scholar! ] I'd love to take it as a challenge, Mister Mando. Is that a fairy type?

[ he took a look at snubbull already— it looks familiar. ]

[private and encrypted!]

[insidegalra]

It was not.

[Thace chuckles.] But now it is. Someone would have to be very skilled at de-encrypting to see and hear our conversation now.

Are you planning a surprise for someone? That's the first possibility that comes to mind.

[There are many other reasons to want private conversations, but Thace has come to the realization that most otherworlders don't have the same hard won paranoia that Thace does.]