[N glances over his shoulder at Dodger, quietly considering the idea.] ... No. You must learn how to solve a problem like this without killing. For yourself. [He stares critically at Thomas, just briefly, then turns away again, distracted by an approaching pair of Baltoy. He winces at their apparent vengefulness, and gestures to them with a sweep of his hand.]
Zorua, Pursuit. [Zorua's fur begins to glow again, and she launches herself at the approaching couple, agilely knocking one back and vaulting off to attack the other. He begins to speak to Thomas without facing him:] If you are going to stay here, you need to learn how we accomplish things. In battle, one strategizes, plans, calculates-- it is nothing so mindless as pulling a trigger on some impulse. You have to think before you strike.
[The Baltoy lash out in retaliation, and Zorua, stricken, tumbles backward. Concern crosses N's expression, but Zorua is back on her feet before he has to call out to her. He reaches for another Pokeball, releasing Zigzagoon to fight at her side.] Growl. [Zigzagoon does so, and the Baltoy flinch slightly. Decreased attack strength. N continues fluidly, his usual quick speech pattern reclaimed:] You do not kill-- you subdue.
You can learn to do that, can't you, Thomas? [It sounds slightly condescending as he says it, like it's the most obvious lesson to learn in the world, but it's an honest question. A part of him is screaming in protest-- he shouldn't be leaving Dodger in Thomas' control at all, and he should liberate any other Pokemon Thomas had caught! But he doesn't do that anymore, does he? He frowns, cringing slightly as the Baltoy begin to rush for Zigzagoon.] Observe and learn. Prove that you are not deserving of my rage. [Getting him to understand the ways of Pokemon seemed impossible... But if N was going to try, he would start with a battle. The bullets were in his pocket; if Thomas was going to fight, he would have to rely on Dodger.]
no subject
... No. You must learn how to solve a problem like this without killing. For yourself. [He stares critically at Thomas, just briefly, then turns away again, distracted by an approaching pair of Baltoy. He winces at their apparent vengefulness, and gestures to them with a sweep of his hand.]
Zorua, Pursuit. [Zorua's fur begins to glow again, and she launches herself at the approaching couple, agilely knocking one back and vaulting off to attack the other. He begins to speak to Thomas without facing him:] If you are going to stay here, you need to learn how we accomplish things. In battle, one strategizes, plans, calculates-- it is nothing so mindless as pulling a trigger on some impulse. You have to think before you strike.
[The Baltoy lash out in retaliation, and Zorua, stricken, tumbles backward. Concern crosses N's expression, but Zorua is back on her feet before he has to call out to her. He reaches for another Pokeball, releasing Zigzagoon to fight at her side.] Growl. [Zigzagoon does so, and the Baltoy flinch slightly. Decreased attack strength. N continues fluidly, his usual quick speech pattern reclaimed:] You do not kill-- you subdue.
You can learn to do that, can't you, Thomas? [It sounds slightly condescending as he says it, like it's the most obvious lesson to learn in the world, but it's an honest question. A part of him is screaming in protest-- he shouldn't be leaving Dodger in Thomas' control at all, and he should liberate any other Pokemon Thomas had caught! But he doesn't do that anymore, does he? He frowns, cringing slightly as the Baltoy begin to rush for Zigzagoon.] Observe and learn. Prove that you are not deserving of my rage. [Getting him to understand the ways of Pokemon seemed impossible... But if N was going to try, he would start with a battle. The bullets were in his pocket; if Thomas was going to fight, he would have to rely on Dodger.]