003//video;

[thetombkeeper]

[The feed starts to Marik holding the small, freshly polished face mask of Yamask in one hand as he settles in to sit back down then passes it off to Chenzira, who looks quite pleased and sets it back to its proper spot on his tail. There's an amused smirk before he turns his full attention to his device. What a fitting time to bring up ghosts with the holiday he's unaware of approaching.]

I've been trying to learn as much as I can of Yamask since I arrived in this world. I think I've got a fairly good understanding of them by now. I wasn't entirely convinced of their pokedex entry at first but after spending more time with them, I believe there's some truth behind their story of origin. It's too on the nose not to be.

I don't know if anyone's interested in hearing about it. I.. guess if people want, I can post a summary of what I learned.

[It's a weird thought, that people might be genuinely interested in hearing what he has to say instead of him just talking to hear himself speak. Because he does that a lot. Not as much as before but still.]

I've tried asking some of the natives about it, particularly the people working at the Ruins of Alph but they all gave rather vague responses that didn't answer any of my questions at all.

[Marik clicks his tongue in annoyance.]

I know Yamask aren't the only ones with human origin. There's a number of ghost types that are said to be once human in their previous life and some that take others to the Afterlife.

[He's been reading up on the legends of the legendary pokémon in his free time, trying to make sense of everything.]

So both reincarnation and an afterlife exist here. Has anyone been able to learn any more stories or history about... any of those subjects? I'm genuinely curious.

[A pause as he exchanges a look with his Yamask.]

And does anyone have or seen a Cofagrigus in person? Neither myself of Chenzira here want him to evolve but I'm still interested in learning about his evolved species.


[attachment: text file titled "research notes"]


[ooc: I'll be tweaking with the info and layout as time goes on. ]

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[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba's content to sit with their teams for the evening. He finds himself curling against Zephyra more and more as the chilly nights approach, grateful that she keeps him warm so easily. Selene the Eevee sits in his lap, and King's already snuggling in his shell for the night.

He quietly listens to Marik's discussion of his research, lost in thought for a little while. And then: ]

You know I have trouble believing in all of that. But I guess it's not that different from...I've heard some people say they wouldn't mind being reincarnated as a companion, like a cat or dog. Pokémon are a fair bit stronger. And more spoiled if they find you.

[thetombkeeper]

[Oba's curled up towards the opening of King's shell as always and the rest of Marik's team besides Chen are in their pokéballs for the night. When Kaiba speaks up, the blonde looks over at him. He debates mentioning that everyone has seen or heard Arceus at one point when they returned to Johto.]

If you do good in life and once you finally take the path to Duat, the God Osiris will decide if you're worthy of being reborn. You don't really have a choice in what He picks though. That's what I was taught, at least.

I suppose whatever deity here who's domain is death and the afterlife might be the one deciding who gets reincarnated. I need to figure out which one it is... Arceus's direct "children" seem to encompass time and space rather than life and death. I don't know if it's Arceus itself that governs those domains.

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba is content to sit and pet Selene for a few moments. It's comfortable, and he's making room just in case Marik and Chen are cold. ]

I wonder...might be fun to scare people, but it might also be lonely until you find someone who understands you.

[ Deep sigh. ]

The priest was lucky he became me, though I guess I can't entirely rule out being a Garchomp at some point.

[thetombkeeper]

[Marik is always cold so he'll gladly join him. Chen slides into his trainer's coat and peeps his head out from the top underneath Marik's chin.]

Yeah... I wonder if that's why Gahiji acted the way he did... I always assumed you weren't meant to remember. That would just hinder your enjoyment of your new life because you'd always be comparing it to the last. Unless you're alright with that sort of thing.

[He wrinkles his nose and laughs.]

... You would be a Garchomp.

[blue_ice]

He was in love with a woman named Kisara. Her soul was the Blue Eyes White Dragon. That's...the main thing I inherited from him, I suppose.

[ He pets Selene as he wonders. ]

Holding multiple lifetimes of memories inside you would give you a headache. But the power to tear down enemies...heh, that wouldn't be so bad.

[thetombkeeper]

[That explains... a lot, actually.]

I would say that and your strategic mind. You do tear down your enemies regardless of the format.

... By her soul though, you mean... her Ka?

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba smiles a little. He does enjoy the thrill of battle...but. Hm. ]

I'll defer to you, you're the expert on these things. But...yes. She unleashed the dragon from herself to protect him, and I denied this for a long time, but she's real. I've felt connected to her since I was a child.

[thetombkeeper]

[Marik sheepishly scratches at his cheek.]

I wouldn't say expert... My siblings paid way more attention than I did to our lessons on the ancient ways and beliefs.

[He knows more than he thinks he does. You have to, to actually be a follower and practitioner, even if his own faith in what the Gods seem to want struggles from time to time.

He takes a moment to try and remember more of what he learned as a child.]

Considering your connection is that strong, even in both of your new forms... her Ka must have imprinted or left a small piece on to yours.

[blue_ice]

[ Seto reaches for his deck and draws from the top to admire her...there she is. Looking at that image always brings him peace, though he's surrounded by a new set of beloved dragons now. ]

Hm...I'd like to believe that.

But no matter what form we take, it seems humans and Pokémon are able to forge strong bonds with each other. I wonder...if they recognized something familiar in you, or a kindred spirit.

[thetombkeeper]

[Marik smiles as he watches Kaiba but makes sure not to look for too long. He doesn't want to intrude or make the other uncomfortable, especially with him as close as he is right now.]

They do... I really like that about this world...

[He blinks. Chenzira cranes to look up at Kaiba from his spot under Marik's chin.]

You mean Chen and the other Yamask?

[The teen chuckles to himself. He has his own theories as to why he seems to have a particular fondness for the species and why they're so accepting of him. He's far too proud to admit that he thinks it's mostly due to his duty in life. Of course the sarcophagi based pokémon would love him.]

... Might be the left over Shadow Magic in me from the Rod. I'm not sure.

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba shifts as he listens to this. Is Marik still worried about that...? ]

You understand. You're not afraid. That's important to them, I'm sure. I'm still learning more about the ghosts here...I've been considering trying to find one of my own to train.

They're good partners.

[thetombkeeper]

[It's hard not to be when a human isn't meant to experience such darkness. Combine said pure darkness with dark tendencies and, well, Kaiba got to see that first hand with his other half.

Having stewed in that power for over four years then suddenly taken away leaves you feeling... odd. Hollow? Craving more? He's not sure how to describe it.]

Mnn. Yeah, you're right.

[Chen closes his eyes and huddles up in his comfy place in Marik's coat.]

They are good partners... I think I'm kind of biased though. What sort of ghost were you looking to get?

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba smiles as he watches them. It's hard...but in his opinion they're doing all right. He just has to be here to help out. ]

The tournament champion used one that I thought was interesting. Aegislash...changing stances like that is like flipping between attack and defense modes. And it requires a leaderly command to work with.

I believe its pre-evolved form is at the Ruins of Alph. I can warp back there once we're in Azalea. Just...as long as I can find it among those Unown spelling crude words.

[thetombkeeper]

[Both he and Chen are grateful for everything Kaiba does for them.]

Oh, yeah. The sword pokémon. I think that's a good fit for you.

[He perks up.]

... You want to go together? I want to find a Cofagrigus. Someone told me they've seen them there so... two birds, one stone. I can help you keep an eye out for... uh... I think it's a Honedge.

And Chen can visit his extended family again.

[Chenzira lets out a sleepy murmur.]

[blue_ice]

[ Seto smiles at them again. ]

Of course. I'd like to meet one. And...anything that'll make Chen happy is fine with me.

[ He's grown very fond of the little guy. ]

[thetombkeeper]

[Chenzira has gotten very used to their travel troupe. The Yamasks at the Ruins might be related to him but Marik, Kaiba, and all of their pokémon are his real family. He's adjusting pretty quickly to Atem too.]

I'm glad you feel the same way.

[Marik grins cheekily. It's hard not to become attached to the little Yamask, who's currently fallen asleep with his head still peeping out from the opening in the blonde's coat.]

You want to hit Azalea Gym before or after the trip?

[blue_ice]

After, I think. Zephyra and Leizi can handle most of the battle, but I've been thinking about giving Selene a chance to try now that she's strong enough.

[ He gently rubs the Eevee's head, stretching his other arm over Zephyra. ]

[thetombkeeper]

Alright. Maybe our Eevees will evolve before then. That would be a flashy way to take on the next gym.

[He'll just have a certain something delivered to Violet City and keep it in his pack until a certain day. That should work out perfectly.]

Obviously if we get split up at the Ruins and we catch what the other wants, we trade, right?