princelyspirit | Duel 02 // Video // Violet City

Steady, steady...

[The camera swerves and shakes, and glimpses of one of Violet City's inn rooms can be seen as it slows down]

There! Perfect!

[And soon it focuses in on a teenage girl, sitting crosslegged and barefoot on a bed, her back against the wall. She's dressed a lot like a cyclist - if cyclists wore red instead of pink, that is]

Alright, so. [Takes a deep breath] I've been slacking off a little - okay, no, I've been slacking off a lot since I came here. But, I think it's time to start doing more. To get out and actually see this place. And for that, I need to start training - both myself, and my pokemon.

But... there's one thing.

[She waves her hand, and the camera sweeps over to a Kakuna resting upright against the pillows. It zooms in and the Kakuna twitches... right before it flops over and falls on its side. Utena sighs and catches it before it can roll off the mattress, and sets to putting it back upright]

I have no idea what I'm going to do about her. I mean, these bug things are supposed to evolve pretty quickly, right? But it feels like she's been stuck in this cocoon for forever. I'm not going to take her to the gym with me, so maybe it doesn't matter, but...I don't know, I can't help but worry a little-

[And there's a light "paff" as the Kakuna falls over. Again.]

...anyway, if anyone has any advice, that would be great. For Kakuna over here, or the Violet City Gym.

[And she picks her up again, right before the camera cuts off.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Some creatures express with their whole bodies. And I've heard Pokemon can talk to each other. So have one of your others ask her?

[[ ooc: no worries! c: it happens ]]

[face brightens]

Yeah, I could try tha-

[and then it falls]

...hmn, but then I'd have no way to talk to the other pokemon...

They seem to understand human speech better than we understand their language. You may not be able to get much information, but at least asking as series of yes or no answers and getting nods or headshakes would be better than nothing?

[And finally, she cracks a smile]

Actually, that's not a bad idea - I guess we're all just so used to talking that we forget about other ways to show our feelings. I think I found someone who can get to the bottom of this, though, but... well, it's not like I'm going to stop helping my pokemon after this, right?

Of course! It's good to know how to communicate with them. No matter what you end up using them for.

Yeah, exactly.

[tilts her head] But what about you? I mean, how often do you check up on your pokemon like this?

Well, Treble follows me everywhere. [ In fact, there's that Graveler in the background if you look close enough ] So I'd like to think we've had a few good conversations.

And Valkyrie and Ray at least once a day during training. Gotta get to know them, you know?

Just like you do with your human friends - I think I get that. And...well, I admit I could do a better job talking to them, but I like to think that we're getting to know each other in our own way. Plus, it's kind of interesting isn't it? Seeing how different they can be from one another.

Everyone has different ways of connecting with others. That's what makes us and our relationships unique.

And they really are very different from one another, aren't they...?

Yeah, and it's not just because they're different kinds of pokemon, either. Like earlier, someone was telling me about her old Kakuna and how excited he was to evolve. To be honest, it sort of reminds me of how little kids are, sometimes - some of them just want to be big and grownup as soon as possible, while others are kind of scared of it.

[ He has to laugh at that one ]

Sounds like a very good comparison. Or, some are simply having too much of a good time as they are and don't want to become an adult just yet.

[Laughs along]

I guess so. Though, being a kid isn't always that fun. You don't have to worry about work or bills, but it feels like everyone's breathing down your neck, telling you how you've got to do this or that... honestly, it can be kind of a pain sometimes.

Taking care of kids isn't so easy either.

[ Just a joke. He only really took care of one for a short while. ]

I imagine that's less of a problem for those here. I've seen kids that must be at most 10 years old training Pokemon better than I ever could.

Yeah... like, back home, if a kid went off on their own like this everybody would be freaking out. But around here, everybody acts like it's, well, normal.

Though, I guess it's not that bad. I mean, the pokemon take care of anything dangerous that's out on the road, and everyone pretty much looks out for each other around here. If anybody needs any help, all they have to do is hop on their Gear and ask for it.

I wonder if "Mom" was as forceful with her own kid as she was with me [ Laughing. Because, seriously. That woman was either his age or probably younger. ... Calling herself his mom... ]

You don't see the same kind of comradery where you're from?

[ Just curious. He certainly didn't see any of that where he's from. ]

Mmn, not exactly. We aren't tearing at each others' throat or anything like that, but everyone just sorta keeps to themselves. It's not that the people back home are unfriendly, just... everyone takes care of their own problems. Then again, nobody really packs up and hits the road like they do in Johto, so I guess it's not as important.

[But, she doesn't want to think about that for too long. So! Topic change!]

But what about you? Well, your home, I mean. Do they act like the people here in Johto?

Depends. Most people I know are like those in your world. Everyone for themselves... but there are one or two who'd risk their lives for others... I knew a kid like that.

They're rare, though. [ A soft laugh ] Or it might be that I'm old and behind the times.

...sorry, I'm afraid things haven't changed that much.

[She wanted to be a person like that, but... well, there's a difference between wanting to be something and actually succeeding at it. There's a distant, faraway look in her eyes, before she tries to force a smile]

But, I'm glad you were able to find someone like that. Whoever they are, they must be a pretty amazing person.

Duel 02 // Video // Violet City

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I'm so sorry it's been so slow /sob

don't worry, it's cool!

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