united_one | 003 ♖ [video]

Current Mood: giddy
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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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.

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003 ♖ [video]

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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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