united_one | 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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[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.

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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