united_one | [action] the pokemon master, it is still not you

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[action] the pokemon master, it is still not you

[It's late in the afternoon when Paprika pops up on the video feed of anyone who might be watching, brow furrowed a bit in concentration as she tries to get both her face and a shiny new Trio Badge to fit into the view of the Xtransciever's screen. Finally managing the feat, she bursts into a grin and waves the little badge around.]

So like, you're supposed to tell everyone when you get one of these thingies, right? Not gonna lie, though, this Gym thing is pretty legit.

[She makes a move to just sort of casually turn the feed off, but seems to reconsider.]

Oh, uh, if you guys [with absolutely no qualification as to who "you guys" entails] don't have anything else to do, I'm all ready to move on and stuff. [A sheepish grin, and one last addition before she turns off the feed for real.] Sorry that it took, like, forever, but I think I'm kinda getting the hang of it now!

((WOW PAPRIKA YOU ARE JUST SPEED RACER RIGHT NOW GETTING THAT BADGE MONTHS AFTER EVERYONE ELSE GJ.))

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[And here's Dragonite, checking out the badge.] I'm still not getting this. [The whole gym thing, that is. Fighting for fun?]

D'you mean the Gym thing?

[She shrugs.]

Iunno, I guess it's just like, something to do? Like going to school, only cooler and more badass?

[Dragonite let out a huff.] I don't know what 'school' is. [Maybe that's why you can't read or write, Dragonite? And then...] But as long as we get moving, I'm fine.

School? It's like, this place where you go from when you're a little kid to when you're a teenager, and you learn stuff and stay outta trouble. Most of the time.

[Which isn't to say Paprika's done anything mildly ridiculous, nope.]

But yeah, we can totally get going now!

I guess we didn't have places like that in my world. [She shrugged. And then gave a small smile! Gasp!] Good. I'm sick of this city.

[Paprika chuckles apologetically.]

Sorry 'bout that. Iunno, I kinda like it. Reminds me a bit of where I'm from, y'know?

Your home? It's like this?

Sorta! I mean, there's no Pokemon or anything, and we've got cars and stuff, but I kinda just feel like I've been here before or something.

[She pauses, trying to determine just where exactly a Pokemon would even live. In a forest?]

So what's it even like where you're from? I mean, are there like, Pokemon communes or something?

[Dragonite shrugged.] It's nothing like this. There's no... sun, or warmth. There were floating bits of land, but everything had stopped moving except for us Pokemon.
[...]
And I lived in a cave. Alone.

That... Wow, dang. That really sucks, man.

[She's really not sure what else to say to that whammy.]

You have...

A thumbs up!

Golett quite handily holds up a chalkboard they seem to have purchased.

Congratulations..!

Was it too difficult? I've been training nearby to avoid too much trouble myself.

[After puzzling over the spectacle for a minute, Paprika settles on talking slowly and making a lot of gesticulations that end up being pretty unhelpful.]

Uh, I guess it wasn't too bad? Like, I'm not actually that good, but I muddled through it. Iunno if they'll let a Pokemon do it without a person around, though.

Otogi has a hand on his chin at that, looking up for a moment before taking his chalkboard back from Golett.

Aah- well... Would you know what I can expect in there? The pokemon I'll probably fight I mean?

Uh, lessee... Like, I only fought one guy, but there are three of 'em, and they basically said you can do one or all three. The guy I went with only used Fire Pokemon, and Iunno if this is really a thing here, but since the other two guys have green and blue hair, I guess they're gonna have plants and water or whatever? 'M not sure if those are the real type names or anything, but that's what they had.

Ah. So I suppose I should be fine then...

I was more worried about any normal types they could potentially have- Golett is Ghost type after all, so her better attacks don't affect them...

Wait, what? D'you mean, like, she's weak to them?

[She still doesn't even know all the names of the types, nevermind all of the strengths and weaknesses of them--she's trying, though. Really.]

Not at all- actually, normal type attacks don't affect her either.

The problem however, is that if neither can hit the other properly, it's not a very successful battle.

Ooooh. Gotcha. I'm not totally sure about all this type stuff yet, but I'm pretty sure you guys'll be okay!

Thanks for the support..! We'll do our best.

...So will Audino, but Audino is busy snoring away somewhere...

[She grins, pretty pleased with herself for coming off like she actually knows much about Pokemon.]

No problem! Good luck, uh...

A smile-

Otogi Ryuuji.

[After squinting at the name for a moment, Paprika just gives up and realizes she will never be able to pronounce the names of half of the people she's met here.]

'M Paprika--y'know, like the spice.

Mmn. Nice to meet you!

So d'you think you're gonna go do the Gym thing now?

I think I will actually. Some nodding accompanies that statement.

Good luck, then!

[She flashes another thumbs-up.]

I'll do my best!

[And here's N to give you some applause! Minun does the same from his shoulder.]
Congratulations, Paprika. [Minun gives a little echoing cheer.]

Hmm, do not be ashamed of how long it took you. I'm glad you seem to be learning! How did your Pokemon fare?

[She turns around at the sound of his voice and grins, flashing a thumbs-up in return.]

Well, I only used Old Man for the real deal, but dude, he was awesome!

[She purses her lips a bit, as if she's pondering something.]

I mean, I still kinda suck at it, though--when I was done, the guy I fought was totally cool about it, but the really girly dude with the blue hair was all like, "Yeah so you're, like, relying on your Pokemon too much". Or something like that.

I'm glad to hear that! Be sure to tell him so, if you have not already.

Hmm, but Cress told you that...? [He furrows his brow.] That seems to have been a problem for you for a while now. Your Pokemon certainly have potential by themselves, but it is not right for them to carry all the weight of a battle.

[She frowns a little, but contemplatively as opposed to angrily.]

So, uh, how d'you even fix that? I mean, it kinda seems like you've either got it, or you don't, y'know?

[He smiles reassuringly.] I don't know about that. I believe most trainers have difficulty with it at first. At least, it would not surprise me.

I think you can be taught, though perhaps I am not an efficient enough teacher. [Maybe Hilda could...? He shakes his head.] I believe what you must focus on is learning more about your Pokemon-- their strengths, their weaknesses... That should be the first step.

Nah, dude, you're totally fine--I don't even think I would've, like, even started if we hadn't done that one battle, y'know?

[Oh no wait she's got this type business down!!]

Like how water is weak to plant, but fire's good against plant, but then water's like, "haha fuck you fire I'm water so I put you out"?

[He smiles somewhat sheepishly.] I'm glad to hear that, though it's likely there is much I neglected...

[And he grins, amused.] Good. More or less. Fire is also effective against Bug and Steel. [A pause.] Hmm... Now, how do you combat a Psychic-type?

Uh... Think nasty thoughts?

[She shrugs sheepishly in defeat.]

Iunno, man.

[He shakes his head with a chuckle.]
Pokemon with Psychic typing have a weakness to Dark, Ghost, and Bug-types. There, you see? That is something I have neglected to explain in full.

Though, I suppose, if you are to continue challenging gyms, you should be prepared to face Normal-types.

Oh! Those... Those can't hit ghosts, but then ghosts can't hit them, right? 'Cause I was talking--well, sorta talking--to this one guy, and he said something like that.

That's right. And the only type disadvantage Normal-types have is to Fighting-types. [A pause.] Hmm, you have a Croagunk, don't you?

D'you mean Greg? I can bring him out, if you want.

[He nods.]
That would be advisable. He should be your greatest asset in battling for your second badge.

Him? Iunno, man, he's kinda a stick in the mud, and he doesn't really listen to me, y'know?

[Nonetheless, she sends Greg out, who proceeds to glare up at N with the signs of a particularly bad Napoleon complex.]

[N meets the Pokemon's glare with a neutral gaze. After a moment, he gives a slight frown, apparently able to tell Greg hasn't been trained as much as some of Paprika's other Pokemon.

Eventually, he kneels to be closer to the Croagunk's eye level.] Hm. Why is it that you don't listen to Paprika, friend? Do you not enjoy battling?

[Paprika watches with a bit of a blank expression, trying to piece together how a zillion different variations on the word "Croagunk" could actually mean "No, but this bimbo couldn't figure her way out of a wet paper bag even if she had a type advantage against it".]

[Despite himself, he snickers just slightly.]
How harsh! Quite the sharp tongue you have, my friend. [Even though it might be a tiny bit true. He sighs shortly.] Now, Paprika is still learning. This world is very different from her own, and it is quite a bit to get used to. I'm doing my best to teach her battle strategy, but if you two do not cooperate, it is for naught.

[Greg's response quickly devolves into incomprehensible grumbling, punctuated occasionally by the kind of language generally not acceptable for public usage. Completely oblivious, Paprika crouches down to pat him on the head. He doesn't pull away, but he stiffens noticeably and treats N to a long-suffering look.]

So, uh, what'd he even say?

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[action] the pokemon master, it is still not you

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As agreed, the last line is ignored. -u-

ah yes good uwu

Re: ah yes good uwu

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-pushes through two gym posts- |D

xD

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