united_one | 003 ♖ [video]

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Current Location: Striaton City

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003 ♖ [video]

[It's fairly late in the evening when N decides to make a broadcast. In a shift from previous messages, he's looking rather chipper, beaming at the screen. He's sitting in the center of a bed (one of those provided to travelers by the Pokemon Center), legs folded. An egg with a dark purple shell sits in his lap, wrapped up in a sort of makeshift nest formed by some of N's clothes.]

Look. [The Xtransceiver is adjusted to better show the egg in his lap. There is a patient silence from N, until the egg makes the smallest movement-- a slight twitch. N's face lights up with wonder.] There! It moved! Did you see?

[The swell of pride in his expression is almost akin to a doting parent's.] It's amazing, really, that there's a Pokemon inside this. I hope I'm caring for it correctly... [All the Pokemon N ever cared for were full-grown; this is his first experience watching over an unhatched one.] Linoone and I have been keeping it warm and watching over it. Oh! And I can hear the Pokemon inside it sometimes too! When it moves. That's good, right?

[And here he's supposed to be the expert of Unova. He pauses as the aforementioned Linoone steps onscreen, with... what appear to be several DVDs in its mouth.]
Ah. Right. Paprika, I found a video store nearby! I... wasn't sure which genres to look for, so I had Linoone pick out some. [Yeah, fool proof plan there, N.] Is that okay? I think he got you a zombie movie. [He picks out one of the DVDs and scrutinizes it.] ... But I do not approve of the portrayal of the Pokemon on the cover. It is... unsettling. [A movie with zombie humans and zombie Pokemon! Linoone hit the jackpot.]

((OoC: Moving Team Socially Awkward Failboat to Striaton, if that's alright with everybody! If it's not and I'm moving too fast or something, please let me know!))

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So... that's what this is? [See Dragonite peering over at you - from nearby, of course. Of course, as soon as the others go to sleep, she'll be sleeping outside. It just feels more... normal to her. But whatevs.

Also, Swablu is warming Dragonites egg.]

[He sets the video down on the bed. Linoone darts over and returns it to the pile.] Do you mean the egg? [He carefully shifts his position to face Dragonite and give her a better view of the egg. He looks up at her with a broad smile.]

It's fascinating, isn't it? It could be any type... But if it's purple, maybe it will be a Dark type? [A Purrloin's fur was purple, after all.] Or perhaps Poison? I don't know. [Which just makes it all the more exciting.

He glances over at Dragonite's egg.] ... Have you ever cared for an egg before, Dragonite? [He hadn't thought about it before, but he didn't know how old Dragonite was. Did she have children? He doubted it; she seemed too solitary to have a mate, and too busy surviving to raise young.]

[Dragonite gave a small snort - yeah, she meant the egg. But... she leaned in, still a bit more curious.

But with the slighest pause, Dragonite shook her head - letting out a small laugh.] Of course not - it'd be weakness to have something like that. And I can't let myself get weak. [Though, she had been. With her lack of battling and sharpening herself... she would be dead by now back home.]

[He gives a slight nod.] I see.

[He glances over at Dragonite's egg again, offering Swablu a smile.] Well, if you need help with it, you can ask me anything you'd like. Though... it looks like Swablu is already handling it just fine. [He laughs lightly.]

...
So...

...How do I know if it's working? [If it's still alive, she means. Dragonite is not good with babbies.]

[He can't help but give an amused grin at that.]
Well... Sometimes, the egg will shake or twitch, like mine did-- that's the Pokemon inside moving. And if you listen closely, you can hear sounds from the inside too.

[As if on cue, the egg in his lap gives a very slight twitch. N beams.] Did you see? This one moves around a lot! Maybe it is close to hatching...? [Or maybe he just has a hyperactive baby oh no.]

[Of course, twitches make Dragonite nervous.]
...So, you can basically hear life.
[She's silent for a few minutes (yes, minutes), before sitting down next to Swablu and egg. She's listening for any sounds, any twitches...

...And then it makes the slighest of movements. Most people wouldn't notice such a twitch, but, hey. Dragonite is used to seeing the slighest movements.]
...Hah, so I guess it's alive. I wonder what my egg was like?

[Paprika finds N and his merry band of Pokemon a few minutes later, an egg of her own held with surprising care coming from someone who might have mistaken it for an oddly coloured football that morning. Perched on her Trainer's shoulder, Robin offers a merry chirp to announce their arrival.]

So does every movie have Pokemon in it now? Because I can think of, like, a thousand things that just got way cooler now.

[Linoone leaps off the bed and rushes for Paprika's feet, sniffing at them. Just checking where you've been today, don't mind him! N looks up, the video still in his hand.]

I don't know. This one seems to, at least. [He holds up the video for Paprika to behold the gore and zombies in their obviously photoshopped glory. It depicts a variety of zombie Pokemon chasing down unsuspecting humans, all beneath a title in green lettering: Night of the Lost. It's no Night of the Living Dead, but it sure is close.]

This is... cool? [N grimaces.]

[She supposes badger-raccoon-things are receptive to petting, so she plops down on the floor and commences scratching behind Linoone's ears. At the sight of the movie in all of its aforementioned Photoshopped glory, Paprika makes a sort of waving gesticulation with her outstretched hand to indicate that she wants to see it up close, since she's not too inclined to get up for it, what with the Pokemon sitting on her and all. Either that, or she's just being a typical lazy teenager.]

If it's good, yeah. Not that crappy movies can't be fun or anything--every April Fool's Day in my Film Study class, we jut watch really crummy ones for shits and giggles.

[If badger-raccoons could purr, Linoone would be doing so right about now. Paprika is the best traveling buddy yes.]

Oh. Okay. [N can't quite understand how a bad (that's what "crappy" meant, right?) movie could be fun... Then again, he probably wouldn't be able to tell a bad movie from a good one. After a moment, he gets Paprika's gesture and carefully moves from his spot on the bed, egg still bundled up in his arms. He steps over to her and sits with her on the floor, holding the video out.]

There were so many-- I couldn't tell which ones would be good. I think Linoone made a better selection that I would have.

[One look at the back cover is enough to tell her that "Night of the Lost" is not exactly a paragon of quality zombie filmmaking, but she's pretty sure she saw "Diary of the Dead" on the bed, and she's seen that one quite a few times.]

Seems legit.

[This is said humorously, though she's not sure whether or not it'll catch on.]

D'you wanna try and lure Thomas and Dragonite back in for tonight? I'd send 'em a text or something, but I'm pretty sure they don't have those in other-Pokemon-land or ye olde England, y'know?

[Okay, Paprika has a rough idea that Thomas isn't from that far back, but what the hey.]

[One day he will compile a list of these terms Paprika uses and just take a day to sit down and define them.

At the suggestion, he grins approvingly.] Yes! Let's do that. [And then he pauses uncertainly.] Oh... I'm not sure if they would even know what movies are either... [He doesn't want either of them getting startled by the idea-- or worse, convinced the images on the screen were real. But maybe he's being paranoid; they'd seen plenty of startling things in this world already. He thinks for a moment.] Which one were you planning on watching?

[That venture is going to take a very long time.]

S'not a big deal--I mean, we could just explain before we start so they don't flip out or whatever.

[Watch all the movies? Watch ALL the movies!]

We're gonna watch 'em all, man! That's why it's called a marathon, 'cause you watch a bunch in a row.

Oh! [So that's what marathon meant!] Ah... That will take a long time. [But he still seems intrigued. Can he handle that many hours of film-watching, having never seen a single movie in his entire life? Can he do it?]

Alright. I believe Thomas will end up here when he decides to retire for the day... [His eyes wander off toward the window.] And I can find Dragonite outside. She prefers sleeping out there, you know.

[Of course he can! What could possibly go wrong? Paprika squints out the window, but no sign of dapper chaps or dragons, at least as far as she can see.]

I guess old dragon-ey habits die hard?

Oh, good! N! [Thomas appears on the screen, looking slightly frazzled.] I didn't want to bother you, but, ha, here you are. Couple questions! [He takes a moment to compose himself: running his hand over his hair and replacing his cap, brushing some dust from his coat sleeve. Then he takes a deep breath and looks back to the screen.]

So! I am on the Route... um, 2, back where we were, and... well, all right, first off! My dog -- I mean, Ratter, the Lillipup, she... kind of... grew up? All at once? She's not enormous or anything; actually she looks quite a bit like any old terrier... I don't know, I guess that's supposed to happen? The Xtransceiver just says "Herdier" now where it used to say "Lillipup". [He smiles lopsidedly for a moment, endlessly amused by the names of the Pokemon.] Just thought I'd bring it up! Figured you'd know either way. She acts just the same, rather like nothing happened at all.

But, um, more pressing matter. That egg I received... I brought it out with me, you know, to keep an eye on it, and... Well, just look! [Thomas lifts the Xtransceiver and turns it, taking a few seconds to stabilize the camera towards what he's trying to show: a bluish-grey egg lying on its side, cushioned by Thomas's backpack which is lying on the ground. On top of the egg, seated quite comfortably, is a Pidgey glaring daggers toward the camera.] I just came back and there it was, like a great bloody hen. It won't let me get near it; I tried to and it swooped up and started pecking at my head. I'd get Dodger to run her off but I don't want to hurt the egg. [The screen returns to Thomas's face.] Could you, I don't know, talk to it?

Oh! [N looks rather pleased with this information. With the issue of other worlds lacking Pokemon very prevalent, he had considered that there was no evolution either.] She evolved! When Pokemon are trained well enough, some evolve into more developed stages. Like Linoone. [Linoone nods and raises a paw. Hey, Thomas!] Some evolve, others do not, or choose not to for whatever reason. But if your Lillipup has evolved, you must have been training her well. [He smiles approvingly...

And only continues to do so when he sees the Pidgey.] I see. [He chuckles lightly and sets down the zombie video; Linoone picks it up and places it with the others in a neat pile.] Yes, I'll see what I can do. Route 2, you said?

She evolved? [Thomas considers that quietly for a moment. He is fairly sure that the 'evolution' he is vaguely familiar with doesn't work that way, but biology was never a big interest of his. He grins proudly when he hears that he's been training her correctly, instantly forgetting any possible discrepancies.] Well, I'm glad for that, then!

[But his grin fades when he remembers the Pidgey. He glares over at it in an 'I have met the enemy and it is a large sparrow' kind of way. The fact that N is simply amused by the predicament isn't lost on him. This is serious! The bird pecked at his head! And flapped its wings in his face! And it took his backpack hostage! Oh, right, and also the egg! It's got that, too!] Yes, I just thought I'd wander around near the city gate, get Dodge' and Ratter some exercise. You know, in the tall grass. I'm not too far off, really. You'll come? [He smiles a bit more desperately than the situation should probably require.] I'll just... have a seat over here... No, no, no, don't move, bird, I'm not going over there. ...Okay. [He sits down on the ground a good 15 feet from the Pidgey and watches it warily.] Okay, good, I will wait here for you.

[He just laughs again.] Yes, I shall be there. Just try not to agitate it. [With that, he cuts the feed.

Sigilyph arrives at the scene first, apparently sent ahead by N to locate Thomas. She hovers for a moment before fluttering off, and returns a minute later with N in tow. N is still carrying the purple egg in its bundle as he strides over to Thomas' side.]
Hello, Thomas. [He looks up, and offers the bird Pokemon a smile.] And Pidgey.

[In the minutes after N cuts the feed, Thomas attempts to occupy himself by repeatedly opening and closing the zip of his new, modern coat. He's still pretty fascinated with zippers, something that didn't exist in his time, so that actually passes the time fairly well. He glances up guiltily when Sigilyph appears and gives a little wave, frowning when she flies off. His gaze turns slowly back to the Pidgey, who has one eye closed and the other trained on Thomas. The awkward interaction stretches on until Thomas hears N approaching. He sighs in relief and stands up, brushing the dust off his clothes.]

Hello! Thank you for coming out! [The Pidgey watches N and Sigilyph suspiciously. She puffs out her feathers briefly upon being addressed, then shifts her weight on the egg, clearly not intending to move. Thomas gestures towards her hopelessly.] You see my problem.

[N just continues to smile.]
Likely just an instinctual reaction on her part. We are all carrying parentless eggs, after all. [He takes a moment to look the Pidgey over.] And I believe it's female... [That only provided more evidence toward a parental instinct.

He is silent and still for another moment, glancing back and forth between the Pidgey and the egg in his own arms. Hesitantly, he places the bundle in the grass; Sigilyph is quick to hover protectively over it. With that done, N begins to step slowly toward the Pidgey.] Hello there, friend. I do not wish to fight you, but that egg was already being cared for.

[Thomas throws up his hands and steps back out of the way, standing beside Sigilyph. He crosses his arms, watching the proceedings with skeptical amusement, and prepares to see N's head get pecked at.

[The Pidgey watches N approach and tilts her head, looking N up and down and getting the measure of him. She blinks at what he says, though and raises her wings defiantly. Wasn't! It was just here! It's mine! Of course there isn't any use saying that to a human, though, they can't understand words. She coils up, ready to fly up and scare off N.]

[He puts his hands up, prepared to shield himself, and continues on gently.] Even if it was left alone for a moment, that does not mean it is yours.

[He pauses, gathering his thoughts and words. Of course, he does believe a Pokemon could raise an egg better than a human would, but...] Consider this: Do you know what Pokemon is inside that egg? Is it your own species? [Would a wild Pokemon even be willing to care for one of another species? N... isn't sure.]

[The Pidgey pauses and looks down at the egg. She taps it gently with her beak and tilts her head as if listening for a response. Okay, it's not MY egg. But I found it!

She puffs up her feathers, not liking the use of all this logic, but she's calmed by N's words. After a moment of thought, she hops off the egg to stand beside it and appraise it from the ground. ...That other human says it's his egg. She coos quietly, a little bird laugh. Humans don't have eggs! Right? She glances towards N's egg, then hops up to perch on top of Thomas's egg again. This is an egg and I found it!]

[He gives a slight smile.] This is true. Humans do not have eggs. However... [Cautiously, he crouches to be closer to the Pidgey's eye level.] ... these particular ones were given to us. They do not seem to have parents, and are in need of caretakers. So, my-- [He glances over his shoulder at Thomas.] --friend there was not lying. Technically, it is his egg.

It cannot be good for the egg to be given back and forth amongst numerous parents, can it? [At least, he doesn't think so. He recalls reading that Pokemon, even when inside eggs, had some consciousness of the outside world. How would it respond to having no definite parent? Would that change it? And there's always the other issue:] Would you be willing to care for the child if it did not hatch looking like you? [He doesn't seem to be asking it to make a particular point; he's genuinely curious.]

[The Pidgey bristles for a moment as N crouches, but quickly gets distracted by the conversation. She looks from N to Thomas and back, then tilts her head curiously. ...Oh. They were given to you so they are yours. Human eggs!

She considers the questions, preening her wing idly. Back and forth eggs... probably not good. After a second she seems to decide this is the correct conclusion and nods sharply. She hops off the egg for a second, then back on, thinking about the second question.

Umm. If you gave me this egg it would be my egg! I would caretaker it. She blinks and studies the egg closely. It is not a Pidgey egg. It is something else. Silence for a few seconds; it seems she hadn't considered that yet. But it would be my egg so... my hatchling! She looks up at N earnestly, flapping her wings once for emphasis. Yes! She lowers her beak sadly. But it is not mine. Somewhat dejected, she hops a few feet away from the egg.

Thomas watches the Pidgey and takes a small step forward.] ...Did you convince her?

Thank you, friend. And I am glad to hear that answer. It is very noble of you. [He smiles gently and looks over his shoulder, giving a brief nod to Thomas. He moves aside a bit, following the Pidgey.] Yes. You may reclaim your egg.

[But it still feels somewhat wrong to take the egg from her, after seeing her reaction.] I'm sorry. I'm sure you would make a fine parent, but this one is not your egg to keep. [Another smile, this time a bit weak.]

[Thomas steps forward hesitantly, eyeing the Pidgey. When he nears the egg, he stands over it and sighs. He turns to N.] Look, tell her -- wait, I will. [Frowning slightly, he faces Pidgey.] I don't know anything about hatching an egg; we never kept chickens on the estate and -- Anyway, you're a bird, this is an egg.

[Feeling very foolish, he raises his palms and struggles to continue. The Pidgey just stares back, confused.] If you promise not to peck at my head or anything you could keep caring for it? I guess I'd have to catch you to make this legitimate, can't just leave the egg out here, after all... [Thomas glances towards N and shrugs.] I don't know, would that make sense?

[The Pidgey seems to catch the gist of what Thomas is proposing and looks eagerly from Thomas to N. Your friend gives egg to me? ]

[N looks up at Thomas, eyes wide.] ... Yes, I suppose that would be a logical idea. [Not that it was one he was expecting Thomas to make. Not one he'd expect anyone to make, really.] I think she would make a good caretaker, her egg or not.

[He turns back to the Pidgey, his expression brightening.] Y-yes! I suppose he is!

[Thomas smiles. He hadn't expected the idea to go over so well and mentally pats himself on the back for thinking of it. He hadn't been looking forward to taking care of an egg anyway!] Excellent!

[The Pidgey gives a little hop of excitement and returns to the egg, giving it a soft tap with her beak. She turns and stands at attention by Thomas's feet, prepared to be captured.]

O-oh. Right. [Thomas pulls an empty Great Ball (one of Dodger's acccumulated treasures) from his coat pocket and awkwardly holds it out towards the Pidgey. After she is called into the ball, Thomas laughs softly.]

Well, that was interesting. Thank you again for your assistance, N. [He leans and carefully scoops up his egg in one arm, hooking his backpack strap on the other and slinging it over one shoulder.] It's getting quite late, I'll be glad to get back to the Pokemon Center.

"Oh my goodness you too? And there's a Pokemon in here? How precious!" Estelle gasped, barging in on N's video feed, proudly displaying a grey egg with blue fin designs to the feed.

"I'd like to do further research on this topic but if I take my experience on other types of eggs I think moving means the organism is well formed and trying out its muscles so it can hatch~!" Estelle giggled, remembering a book about chicken eggs she read in her world.

[N nods, still beaming.] Mm-hm! Judging by how often my own moves, perhaps it will hatch soon? [That, or he just happened to get the one hyperactive baby. He glances up from his own egg at Estelle's, and gasps in wonder.] Yours has fins! [Maybe it's a Water-type! It's all very fascinating to N.

He falls silent to listen to Estelle's words, and nods slowly.] I see. So... if it is well-formed, maybe it really will hatch soon. [Oh Arceus he hopes he'll make a good caretaker.] Have you cared for eggs before?

"Oh, well I've read books about how Egg-layers and their young work in my world so I think it might be a bit similar~ I don't have any real experience though, eheh~" Estelle giggled sheepishly.

"And if it's moving quite frequently it's quite the possibility~! So exciting~" Estelle giggled, hers suddenly wobbling on its own.

"Ah! There it goes~ We'll have precious little baby Pokemon ready to jump into the world with proper care~"

[He nods, still smiling. He likes Estelle's attitude.] Seems so. [He adjusts the makeshift nest he's made for his egg, swaddling it in a white shirt of his.]

My name is N. [He tilts his head slightly. He should introduce himself at this point, right?] What is yours?

"N, is it? I am Estellise Sidos Heurassein, please, call me Estellise~" Estelle giggled, curtsying as best as she could in front of the XTransceiver.

"It's very nice to meet you."

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003 ♖ [video]

[action] FINE WITH ME.

[action] GOOD GOOD <3

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casually makes this [action]

[action] yes good

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[action] LJ's being kinda wonky for me atm- sorry if you get this three times sdkfjldsf

[action] no worries--I only got it once <3

[action] ah okay good! ;u;

[action] :>

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[action] good time management, it is me. I am it.

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[video >>> action]

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[action] Sorry this is late! LJ just started working for me. D:

[action] No worries!

[action] Thanks! ;u;

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[VIDEO EGG DISCUSSION]

[VIDEO] Sorry this is late! LJ was on the fritz for me. D:

[VIDEO] ONORE LJ

[VIDEO] SOB

[VIDEO] THERE THERE N-KUN KIMI WA CHAMPION KOERU