014 - video

[nastyboy]

[A tournament is happening. So you would think that Dimitri would be spending a non-inconsiderable amount of time going over his strategy with his team, and agonizing over what moves to use, and when, and all of that.]

[Instead, he is showing up on the network.... camera just a little too close to his face as he starts up the video, but, listen, his thumb isn't on the lens this time, it's fine. He pulls away when he realizes the recording light is on.]

So, some of you may have had the opportunity to meet my Hisuian Zoroark, Mononoke. [He... is pretty sure he's said that right, Mononoke has bitten him when he hasn't.] As is apparently common in his type, he has been known to play... tricks, on occasion.

...And walk around in an illusion using something similar to my own appearance.

[Dimitri, could you sound a little more concerned about that...]

His mischievous ways, along with his rather proud nature, have made him occasionally difficult to keep a handle on, especially when I am not personally there to watch over him. Hafren, my Alolan Marowak, has had an effect on him, but only to some degree...

But it seems as though I have managed to find a way to calm him down!

[And with that, the camera fumbles a bit as Dimitri turns it around.... and steadies it on the sight of his Zoroark in question.]

[To be exact, his Zoroark seated on the grass outside somewhere while a large Hisuian Typhlosion just... patiently licks at his mane. In front of him, what must be Hafren the Marowak is doing a little dance, her bone club burning with that strange green fire.]

[Mononoke seems completely zoned out. Like a cat that's just... had so much nip. The normally thin pupils are just blown right out.]

[Dimitri, at least, sounds cheerful.]

This is the most calm he's ever been!

Comments

[crystalmaster]

[Radley laughs in surprise.]

Wow, what is it about those dances that the Zorua family love?

[Although in this case it's probably the mane-licking too.]

[Video]

[perfectteatime]

Um. Dimitri... is-

Is he okay? He seems kind of-

[ Zooted. ]

A bit out of it? Not that I'm complaining about that after he tried to kiss me while disguised as you and then sprayed shaving cream into my mouth. But still.

[ STILL. ]

Video

[lightningbearer]

"Think that'd work with electric types, too?"

Geddoe sounds just so exasperated right now.

video;

[thetombkeeper]

... Is he in a trance? You can... do that to pokémon? Huh...

[Don't just call him out like that, Marik.]

[zukeini]

Huh.

Cant tell whether or not that’s discipline or a trance.

[nastyboy]

Oh, I highly doubt it is discipline, he does not respond to that well most of the time. Hafren's ankle taps seem more akin to getting his attention.

...

Do you think a trance would be a bad thing? I do not know if there is cultural subtext I am missing with use of the word.

[nastyboy]

.....I suppose that is indeed one way to describe it.

Normally Hafren on her own does not have this effect.

[thetombkeeper]

Then you must have found the right combination to make Mononoke completely docile. Maybe it's similar to how a mother cat would lick her children clean?

[A pause.]

You said he's able to shapeshift and even mimic human form?

[nastyboy]

Perhaps... Certainly Twyi is a very warm and reassuring presence.

[And honestly, ghost types are fucking weird, Dimitri isn't sure how to solve this mystery.]

Ah, yes - they are illusions. Zorua, their young and pre-evolved stage, are capable of some minor ones, but... Zoroark seem to have a far better aptitude, or perhaps more reserves of power, to make more complex things.

It is actually rather impressive... or it would be if he were not using it for mischief.

Video

[shiningkindness]

Aww, that's so sweet. I'm glad you guys were able to find something that helps him.

[nastyboy]

Dimitri has to think on that one, a low hum filtering through into the mic.

"I do not think my Tywi would have the same effect on an electric type..." It only really seems to work, Dimitri thinks, because they're all ghost types... and ghost types are just weird. "However... Well, possibly a Joltik could help you with your problem? Although that may cause different problems to arise."

[nastyboy]

Indeed! He did often come off as rather angry at things at times, which is why I think he was prone to acting up on more than one occasion...

So it is nice to think he can have a moment of peace!

[lightningbearer]

"Isn't that another electric type?"

Geddoe's not as well-versed in all the Pokemon as some, but he does try to keep himself informed.

"I don't think that'd help much."

Seeing as the problem is he sort of wound up with two electric-type starters and they are currently Having A Rivalry.

[thetombkeeper]

[Ghost types are weird and Marik loves them.]

Huh... That's interesting. I had no idea pokémon were capable of that, illusion or not. My Duskull's capable of sort of mimicking voices but to take on the form of something is really impressive. ... Even if it's for mischief.

[He remembers Loki having a Hisui Zorua. What a fitting starter for him.]

Are they capable of disguising their voices as well? Or capable of speech at all?

[zukeini]

Well, it's kinda like you're half awake due to something around you. So you don't really react to anything.

Which I guess can be bad...or good? Hypnosis during therapy is a real thing but I never really, uh, tried.

[shiningkindness]

Oh yeah, that sounds like it could certainly be the case. If they have no way to express their frustration, it becomes easier to lash out.

Have you been able to figure out he seems so angry?

[nastyboy]

Oh, do you also have experience with Zorua and Marowak's dancing affecting them, Radley?

[Dimitri had rather hoped that someone would, of course, because that would mean at least someone would have an idea of what's going on.]

[Video]

[nastyboy]

Well, he has always seemed to like Hafren's dances, so I - wait.

Byleth, he... What did he do?

[MONONOKE WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHEN HE IS NOT LOOKING]

[nastyboy]

"Bug and electric!"

A very helpful distinction.

"They are an interesting breed, because their very food source is electricity. So, if watched carefully, it is possible that they could establish a very friendly relationship with one of yours, and help ease up on some of the electrical energy which courses through them so strongly. Of course, that is only a guess on my part... I cannot guarantee anything with any certainty, especially as personalities are a very important factor."

[crystalmaster]

Yeah, there was another guy having that problem. We never did figure out why, as far as I know, but his Marowak had to keep dancing and dancing for the Zorua, and they were so fascinated they started imitating her. It went on for hours!

[perfectteatime]

I just told you.

[ DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. ]

[nastyboy]

Oh, yes - or at least Mononoke is also quite adept at it. And, while it is not exactly the same, I have found that a few Psychic types are capable of communicating in their own ways, although not... aloud.

[Which can be a really disconcerting sensation]

[...Unless you are prone to auditory hallucinations already]

[In which case it has the potential of starting an anxiety attack at the very least, but that's why Dimitri's psychic types mostly refrain and instead just eat his dreams.]

[anyway]

I've found that Mononoke has quite a talent for changing his voice, although I would not necessarily this is always a good thing... But the others seem to delight in having him narrate things for them if they can merely get him to cooperate.

[lightningbearer]

"The li- electricity's not the problem."

Well, it is a problem, but secondary to the main one. Especially seeing as Geddoe has somewhat higher tolerance than most people for getting shocked.

"Zipper and Bolt keep picking fights with each other."

[thetombkeeper]

That's both terrifying and impressive. Pokémon really are full of surprises, aren't they? Just when you think you've mostly figured them out, they throw you another curve ball.

[He taps his finger against his necklace in thought.]

Huh... If Mononoke's left unchecked, do you think he could be legitimately dangerously or just keep it to light mischief?

[nastyboy]

Oh, yes, he has quite a bit of hatred laying within him.

[....Just going to say that really casually, are we, Dimitri.]

Of course, in many instances, I do not get the impression he feels the... need to do it, especially to most. Rather, he would prefer other people to simply suffer in different ways. I wonder if that has anything to do with the nature of this place...

At any rate, it is mainly thanks to Hafren that he has in the past been so well behaved. She has a way with... that particular typing, amongst a few others, and so he has not caused as many problems as he might otherwise.

Of course, I at times do my best to watch him, and he seems to do well then... Although he still seems inclined to picking fights like that. With my face...

It seems that he only needed one more minder to calm down!