[action] the pokemon master, it is not you

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

[Paprika would like to think that she's getting better at this Pokemon business, having just successfully chucked a ball at what she really hopes isn't just a regular old bird.  So she's feeling pretty awesome about herself now, walking along Route 2 back to Accumula Town to go show off to her mildly socially inept travelling buddies.  Old Man trundles along behind her faithfully, given that she still has yet to figure out how to put him back into his ball, and he doesn't seem too interested in going there, oops.]

Y'know, I think I'm getting the hang of this, man!

[Feel free to come along and gently break it to her that no, she really isn't.]

Comments

[the-nth-power.livejournal.com]

[And N is there to greet her! ... With an uncertain frown. He strides up to her, hands in his pockets and his pair of Pokemon at his heels. They rush forward to sniff at Paprika's feet as N kneels beside Old Man, giving the Numel a pat on the head.]

I suppose your little trip went well then, Paprika? [He peers up at her expectantly.]

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

[She crouches in turn to pet fuzzy things and grins.]

Yeah! There was this bird, and I caught it and it didn't, like, maul me or anything! Y'know, like the kid in the show and he took that chick's bike, but then the birds attacked him like it was some Alfred Hitchcock movie or something?

[Somebody should probably brush up on her Pokemon knowledge.]

[the-nth-power.livejournal.com]

[He just blinks, looking so very, very lost. What show? He took a chick's bike? But why? And who is this Alfred person, making movies about Pokemon mauling people for no reason? He can't handle these references...! He shakes his head.]
Ah... A... bird? ["What is a bird?" he would ask, but he can just find that out for himself. He gets to his feet.]

Will you let me speak to it? [Paprika clearly wasn't cruel to Pokemon-- Zorua and Zigzagoon's liking of her was evidence enough-- but it was always good to make sure the Pokemon was alright with being captured.]

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

Uh, sure, just a sec...

[She produces a ball from the pocket of her sweater and proceeds to poke, prod, and tug at it for a minute or two before sheepishly preferring it to N.]

I kinda forgot how to open the thing.

[the-nth-power.livejournal.com]

[He raises an eyebrow with a slight smirk. "Getting the hang of it" indeed. But oh well... He supposes operating a Pokeball would be a bit tricky on your first try. He takes the Pokeball carefully and points to the button in the center.]

When you want to call forth a Pokemon from one of these, you press this button. The mechanism will expand and open. Most trainers will throw it and call the Pokemon that way. [He's still not quite sure how humane that is, but... Oh well, the Pokemon he'd spoken to didn't seem to mind it. He hands it back to her, using both hands.] Give it a try.

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

[Paprika takes the ball back, and holding it up to her face, presses the button carefully. This probably isn't the best idea, as it releases a rather confused Taillow right into her face.]

Holy crap!

[the-nth-power.livejournal.com]

[N takes a little step backward, startled.]
Ah-- Careful, Paprika! Give it space.

[He studies the Pokemon for a moment, his face lighting up with wonder.]
A Taillow! [Another out-of-region species he's never seen before.] It's beautiful.

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

Trying!

[She flails back a little, not quite sure how she's supposed to do that when the Pokemon's gone and perched itself on her shoulder to inspect her hair.]

...It is a Pokemon, right? Not just, like, some random bird?

[...She was a Gen I kid, okay?]

[the-nth-power.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's a Pokemon. [He watches the Taillow with a smile.] And it seems fond enough of you already. [Zorua peers up at the new Pokemon, and quickly takes on its appearance. Another one for the growing collection of disguises!]

I do not know what else it would be... I've never heard this word you're using-- "bird". Is it like the "dog" you spoke of?

[action]

[adarkfuture.livejournal.com]

[Well. You're getting it more then Dragonderp (who hasn't even captured a second Pokemon). Who's just standing there, looking over her female companion. And by that, I do mean Paprika, and I do mean she's getting really close.]
You're back?

[action]

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

[She has a very selective concept of personal space, so it all works out.]

Yup! I caught me a...

[Oh, god, what if it's just a regular bird?]

A thing! Yeah, a cool thing.

[action]

[adarkfuture.livejournal.com]

What sort of... 'cool thing'?
[What is with your casual tone and casual words. WHAT DO THEY MEAN.]

[action]

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

A cool bird thing that I thiiiink is a Pokemon? Maybe?

[Someone should get a translator for all her jargon.]

Re: [action]

[adarkfuture.livejournal.com]

...So, you got a Pokemon. [Don't mind that slightly curious, slightly disgusted look.] Basically.

[action]

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't mind--heck, she doesn't even notice.]

D'you wanna take a look and make sure? Since you're, y'know, a Pokemon and stuff?

[action]

[adarkfuture.livejournal.com]

...Yeah. I'll look - and if it's not a Pokemon...
[Best not finish that sentence. Because she was gonna say that she was gonna eat it.]

[action]

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

...If it's not, I guess I'll just let it go or something.

[Obliviously, Paprika begins to shake the ball up and down, hoping that will make something come out of it.]

[brightvesperia.livejournal.com]

Estelle skips merrily across the path Paprika seems to be walking on, a new companion on her shoulder, a Tailow that is, her Lillipup and Audino following close behind, enjoying the fresh air.

Estelle gives a small nod to Paprika as they cross paths.

"Nice weather we're having, isn't it~?" Estelle commented, engaging in conversation. Wow she sure seems bold.

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

Now that she's actually in possession of warmer clothes, Paprika might be a bit more inclined to agree. She waves back, never one to turn down a conversation with anybody, stranger or not.

"'s nicer with a jacket, that's for sure. Dunno whose idea winter in August was, though."

[brightvesperia.livejournal.com]

"Yes, it's very strange~ But I've been to a lot of places hot and cold~ Well, not here, but from somewhere else~" Estelle giggled, stroking the head of her shoulder-perched Tailow.

"Say do you know how far Nacrene might be from here? I know it's two towns away according to the map, but I'm unsure of how long that might take me," Estelle mused, looking a bit worried.

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

Having never heard the name of the place before, nor even looked at a map of Unova before, Paprika can really only shrug.

"Can't say I know--I'm still kinda getting used to the whole 'getting dumped into a parallel universe' or whatever business."

[brightvesperia.livejournal.com]

"Oh dear! You're from elsewhere as well? My apologies! I've mistaken you for someone who knows the region," Estelle apologized, blushing.

....Awkward silence filled the moments after, Estelle nervously fidgeting at her blunder.

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

Never one to let an awkward silence phase her, Paprika sticks out her hand in a gesture she hopes the other girl will recognize, since she sure as heck doesn't look like she's from anywhere on Earth.

"S'cool! My name's Paprika, by the way."

[brightvesperia.livejournal.com]

"Oh! Well it's very nice to meet you Paprika~" Estelle giggled, taking the girl's hand and shaking it.

"I've forgotten to introduce myself as well! How unthoughtful of me! I am Estellise Sidos Heurassein~ Please, call me Estelle~" Estelle commented, curtsying formally.

[noplaidshirt.livejournal.com]

"Uh, yeah, just 'Estelle' sounds great," Paprika comments with a bewildered chuckle, having already completely forgotten the full name. "If you need to know how to get to, uh, Whatchamacallit City, I know this dude who could probably tell you, though!"