Ninth Spell: Eggs Whut? [Video. Open to video/text/voice.]

[behindblueskin]

Keldor would like to tell you about how he'd known what cold was until the Frigibax came to town [he'll probably have to scrape the hoarfrost off its pokeball whenever he takes the one he got out of storage]. He'd like to tell you about how the Azumarills that invaded were a little tougher than usual [Grass is supposed to be strong against Water, but these Azumarills didn't get that memo].

He'd even like to talk about the egg he got from Arceus around Christmas time [hi, Shishito!].

But no. He's not talking about that. Yet.

The camera is angled so that you can see a pair of eggs sitting on top of a bed, with their parents standing off-camera.

They were laid yesterday, when he'd let his pokemon—including the Decidueye—out of their balls for a stretch [he'd only been out of the room for a few minutes when it happened!].

"I was told this was a thing that can occur," his offscreen voice can be heard speaking, while the parents stand by looking proud and Shishito crawls over them. This is still quite the surprise. "But I was not expecting it to happen ... if not ever, then at least not for some time."

He's not entirely sure if he should A: give away/sell them or B: keep them and be a kind of honourary granddad to a couple of Rowlets.

Maybe he should think on that.

Comments

[behindblueskin]

From the sounds of it, the Rowlet twins won't be hatching shiny. Neither Decidueye is one of these rare colour variants—they've got nothing to pass down to their offspring in that department.

"I see. And this batch you have will be normally-coloured?"

He's getting to asking.

"How many did they give you this time?"

[crystalmaster]

"Most likely."

He smiles. "By now I have five couples. This last batch was 15 eggs. Some of my other Eevees might also breed when they're older."

[behindblueskin]

"That is rather a lot."

He's glad now that he was surprised with just the two. Imagine having to care for fifteen eggs...

"Have they all of them been spoken for yet? If not, then I would like to be added to whatever list you have for potential buyers."

[crystalmaster]

"Yeah, it sure is. Luckily, they're all happy to help keep them warm."

He smiles. "I saved one in case you were ready."

[behindblueskin]

"I would hope you had some sort of assistance."

Pause.

"And yes, I am."

[crystalmaster]

"Lots of furry Eevees are great at assisting," Radley smiled. "Some of the kitties helped too."

He smiled more, pleased. "Great! Just tell me where to send it."

[behindblueskin]

"I am still residing in Azalea Town, so you may send it there."

"Coco?"

"You are wanting to warm up the egg, Shishito?"

"Co!"

"Very well. You may."

"COCO!"

[crystalmaster]

Radley smiles at the cuteness. "Okay, will do! So are you snowed in there or are you thinking you might settle there?" He's curious. A lot of people seem to like it there a lot.

[behindblueskin]

"I am staying until I challenge and defeat the local gym leader for his badge."

They also hang around because they're planning on taking the gym challenge.

[crystalmaster]

"Ahh, cool. Well, good luck with that when you go at it," Radley says.

[behindblueskin]

"I may even film it for the network. I understand that it is a thing sometimes done."

Hey why not? He's getting good at this, and it wouldn't hurt to have friends and potential friends watch his efforts.

[crystalmaster]

"That's a great idea! You should do it! I've been making some videos about breeding tips."

[behindblueskin]

"I think I will. It will be an interesting experiment."

Then...

"'Tips'? Is breeding a complicated occupation?"

No more than training is?

[crystalmaster]

"It will be!"

He smirked. "Oh yeah, there's lots of tricks to the trade to help make it easier. But a lot of it's common sense, like keeping the Pokemon happy and the eggs warm, and ways to do it."

[behindblueskin]

Such things are basic husbandry. Even Keldor knows that. Being a trainer involves things like keeping your 'mons happy and content so that they'll be more willing to battle.

It's the other things that Keldor's interested in. The things that are a priority to a breeder in a way that isn't to trainers.

"What sorts of tricks?"

[crystalmaster]

"Well, one thing I like to do is hold the eggs and talk or sing to them, telling the Pokemon about myself and the other Pokemon and how excited we all are for them to join us," Radley says. "It helps a strong bond start forming right away. If they're eggs I'm selling, I don't wanna get too attached or get them too attached, but I still talk to them encouragingly about the new people they're going to have."

[behindblueskin]

Singing to your eggs. That's a rather novel method. But one that's been working out for Radley, if he does it regularly.

Trust is important to build up, and eventually Keldor will find novel approaches of his own.

"Are these your only methods? Or just the ones you intend to share with the network?"

Everyone eventually finds a method that works so well for them it becomes their "secret ingredient".

[crystalmaster]

"I also take them around the house," Radley says. "I let them be there while I'm doing things around the house, like cooking. I'm getting them used to our routines.

"We also go walking a lot."

[behindblueskin]

More things to consider, though some of them are better suited for when one has a home of their own.

Something as large as a Stantler galavanting about a hotel room is not the sort of thing that'll endear you to others.

And he says as much.

"While I am certain that my pokemon would appreciate the opportunity to stretch their limbs, it would be more prudent to wait until suitable accommodations are acquired first."

[crystalmaster]

Radley smirks a bit in sympathy. "Yeah, it would for Pokemon out of the eggs, but I was talking about what I do with the eggs to nurture them."

[behindblueskin]

"So you were. Perhaps I am not as accustomed to thinking of my pokemon as 'yet to be hatched', but rather 'awaiting training'. Still, I do not think such methods as yours would yield different results depending on whether a pokemon was hatched or not."

[crystalmaster]

"'Awaiting training' is a nice way to think of it." And then Radley looks a bit mischievous. "Well, one difference is you wouldn't have to worry about eggs possibly running amuk."

[behindblueskin]

"No, no I do not think I would."

Pause.

"Unless, of course, that is a possibility."

Hey you never know with pokemon.

[crystalmaster]

Radley has to laugh. "Okay, yeah, who knows. If it's a Togepi, they like to keep staying in the egg. And there's Exeggcute...."

[behindblueskin]

"There is also anything new that is yet to be discovered."

Like his Fuecoco. He's certain that's new. The 'dex didn't have much info to give him about it when Shishito hatched recently, and that usually happens when the data available is insufficient.