.001 Δ [Video/Action for Cherrygrove]

[ratherbelocky]

[The feed flips on to show a man holding a brush in one hand and a young Shinx in his lap. Both of them appear to have been freshly bathed, with the damp Shinx swaddled in one of Cherrygrove Inn's warm, fluffy towels. When all of her wriggling and protesting comes to naught, she just lies there in her towel burrito and seethes. York, on the other hand, has found that shops in this world do, apparently, sell hair product for humans, and he couldn't be happier. He's fixed his hair for the first time in days. Life is wonderful.

Not that vanity's necessarily the reason he hasn't introduced himself to the PokéConnect community at large yet. It's just. You know. Coincidence.]

Good morning, people. And Pokémon, too, of course, can't forget you guys. For those of you I haven't spoken to yet, I'm York, I'm one of your more recent unwitting transplants to sunny Johto. Or, well, partially cloudy Johto, anyway. How about that weather, huh?

[The temperature has dropped literally twenty degrees in the five days since he got here, oh my god, why. Being caught out on the road in yesterday's rainstorm sucked. Now he's warm and dry and comfortable in a clean shirt a couple sizes too big for him (and he's not exactly a small man). Really, what could be better than being alive here and now?

He rubs the Shinx's fur drier, unwraps her, and then holds her still before she can escape so he can brush the tangles out. She mewls fussily, but his hands are steady, and eventually she relaxes--if mutinously--into the attention. He chuckles a little.]

But okay, I'm not actually here to make small talk. I got a question for you folks.

[He turns the PokéGear with the back of his brush to show another Pokémon, an Elgyem, bundled up in a blanket on the bed, fast asleep.]

Can someone tell me more about Psychic Pokémon? [He goes back to brushing.] I get that they read minds--Delta Two there communicates with me all the time--but she doesn't use words so it's hard to get more...complicated ideas across, sometimes. I was wondering, can you train them to talk? Or do other things? These guys are obviously a lot more intelligent than the animals back on my Earth, so I guess you could say I'm curious about what they can do.

[The Shinx's eyes are half-closed now as York brushes away. Someone's a sleepy baby.]

'Preciate your time. Over and out.

((Action also available for Cherrygrove, where he can be found at the inn or browsing the PokéMart stock.))

Comments

[Video]

[dangerousidol]

[From the size of that Shinx to the size of that guy, Kanji might just have a run for his money. But that's okay.

Rise has a big smile on, a female Meowstic in her lap.]

Hi! I'm Rise! And this is Nanako.

[Nanako nods, keeping her eyes firmly trained on York.]

The reading minds thing was weird when I first got her, and it was confusing. But then I taught her how to read, and it's a lot easier to understand her now. It's also made her a lot more possessive since she knows what people want from me, but that's okay! At least she doesn't try and explain she's hungry with little fish pictures in my head anymore.

[Video]

[ratherbelocky]

[Oh, Rise, honey, you should see the dude he stole this shirt from. And even North wasn't the biggest Freelancer.]

You can teach them how to read?

[Well, color him surprised. And also interested. Keenly interested.]

I don't mind the mental intrusion so much, that much I'm used to. But really, they can read? Hell, that'd make my life so much easier.

[Video]

[dangerousidol]

[That is tall. Probably break her poor neck tall.]

Yeah! Not all of them can, but the ones interested I teach. I've caught Nanako sending messages to other Pokémon with my Gear that way. She has about as many friends as I do here~

[She moves off screen for a moment to grab something. Meanwhile, Nanako has that same stare for York as she has had since the beginning. When Rise pops back up, she has a book in her hand.]

I found this and some other kids books in Cherrygrove when I first got here. I'm teaching my little Pumpkaboo, Kabocha, how to read right now, and she's so excited!

[Action!]

[seasaltkey]

[This tiny blond, being a veteran of this place, has been spending quite a while in the PokéMart looking for just the right supplies. As in snacks for his friends. Since it's not summer anymore, some of the snacks have been rotated out much to his chagrin. His little Dedenne, ever present, was sitting nestled in this hair, looking around excitedly.

Roxas catches something tall out of the corner of his eyes and turns- WOW THAT GUY IS INCREDIBLY TALL.....]

... he's taller than Riku...

[Action]

[ratherbelocky]

[Half-blind as he is and living on the run so long, York's had to develop a little situational awareness. He catches the comment and turns, then smiles, flattered in spite of himself.

Back in Project Freelancer next to assholes like Wash and North and fucking Maine, he hardly ever got called tall.]

Well, you know. Whatever helps me reach the high shelves.

[Action]

[seasaltkey]

[Roxas can't help but jump a little at that. He could have sworn he said it quiet enough not to get that guys attention... did tall people have good hearing? Wait, no, don't answer that. Saix had impecable hearing.

He smiles sheepishly in response, his little mouse waving at this new person.]

Right. I think... I know only one person taller than you, and I'm glad he's not here.

[Laxaeus was like a wall.]

[Video]

[kingofthetvworld]

[That man is torturing that cat. What a horrible thing to start recording, is he just...proud of his cat torturing ways? It makes him sic-

Oh hey, questions.]

You gotta feed them alphabet soup. I totally saw it in a book once, trust me.

[Granted it was probably a children's book, but a book nonetheless.]

[Video]

[ratherbelocky]

[Oh, Teddie, if only you knew Empress's struggles. SHE HAS BEEN PETTED AND FED AND SHELTERED FROM THE RAIN AND NOW HE'S TAKING ALL THE BURRS AND MATTING OUT OF HER COAT AND IT'S JUST BEEN AWFUL.

She half-opens one eye to look at the person on the feed, then closes her eyes again and imperiously allows York to get on with the grooming.]

Oh, really?

[This conversation is going to be amazing, York can already tell.]

I'll be sure to pick some up from the store later. You got a favorite brand to recommend? 'Fraid I'm not familiar with the ones I saw.

[Video]

[kingofthetvworld]

[Absolutely terrible. Teddie would call the police if he wasn't distracted by things like...soup.]

Erm, I can't think of anything in bearticular... All soup is good soup if you ask me! ...I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

[Looks like someone has dinner plans.]

Just don't give 'em too much, or you might overload their brains. Safety first!

Action

[usedlightscreen]

[Oh good the thing he ordered in the middle of the night while he thought nobody was awake is in his PC.

...Somehow the ability to convert creatures to data and transfer them through the intertubes is not the weirdest thing he's found here.

ANYWAY he has a present for York and he is going to be holding his arms suspiciously behind his back when he finds him.]

Action

[ratherbelocky]

[York doesn't notice for a moment, chatting with people and petting the Shinx he caught yesterday, but when he finally registers North in his peripheral vision, he signs off and looks at him over his shoulder.

...Bro, what. What are you. York tilts his head.]

Yyyeeeah? What's up, man?

video;

[occultigen]

Well, a very good day to you as well, Mr. York! I'm afraid you'll find that many people on this network aren't much for the preliminaries, when it comes to making conversation, but you mustn't think they're unmannerly for it. It's simply the custom to, er...dive right in with whatever topic you please, I suppose!

How are you finding Johto, may I ask? I know the, um...the first stretch of walking can be a bit...difficult, for some.

[SHE LITERALLY ALMOST DIED IN THE WOODS, IT WAS AWFUL but let's not talk about that.]

video;

[ratherbelocky]

[Good LORD but she's English. Possibly even more English than Reggie. Cute as a button, too. Honestly, just better than Reggie in every possible way. Fuck that guy.]

You know? It was okay, slogging through the rain aside. Can't say I'm used to traveling at the mercy of the elements like that, but it doesn't look like I can just rent a Pelican to pick me up, huh? Just gotta make do.

To whom do I owe the pleasure, miss?

text;

[doitrockapella]

HELLO TRAINER DESIGNATION YORK

HELLO
ALOHA
BONJOUR
SALUTATIONS

Y O R K

PSYCHIC POKEMON ARE VERY
S M A R T !

THEY CAN DO LOTS OF THINGS

BEEP BOP BOOP

text;

[ratherbelocky]

[Oh dear sweet Master Chief's dick what is he looking at here. He's been playing with the Gear's settings as much as he can over the past few days, trying to figure out a configuration that won't hurt too much to read, but it's still a chore. It's in times like this he really misses Delta.

Also. "Beep bop boop"? Really?]

Hey.

Am I talking to a computer?

[secondplacing]

[Since arriving in Cherrygrove, Carolina's been busy.

She's had a few vanity issues herself, it would seem, and after going through yesterday's weather without a suit of armor covering her head, she's made some decisions. A razor comb and a few hours of cleanup later, Carolina's hair is now trimmed short.

Though she's been running around all day, she eventually has to come home to put the egg she's picked up for North in a safe place. Carrying it in her backpack and carrying that backpack in front of her, she enters the room the freelancers are sharing and happens upon York with Stripes still weaving between her feet.]

Hey.

[A gentle greeting, but she seems amused.]

Managed to get her all washed up then, huh?

[ratherbelocky]

[He hums a return greeting as he continues to brush his sparkcat.]

Yep. Only took about an hour. Scrawny little thing really didn't want to touch the water. I'm lucky she's not strong enough yet to electrocute m--

[And then he looks up.

And stops.]

...Carolina?

action ;; IT'S TIME

[armalite]

[ Bumping his was into the 'Mart, Lockon just finished reasoning with his Ponyta to STAY OUTSIDE FOR TWO MINUTES WHILE DADDY GOES SHOPPING... And hopefully she believes him and stays that way. Just for a minute...

With his little Espurr (who he doesn't have the heart to put back in the ball quite yet) in his arms, he swings his gaze about the little store in an attempt to decipher the wares. His hair is a touch damp, but still maintains that STYLISH gentle curl at the tips. ]

Hey... [ He squints and then straightens up when he spots someone he rather remembers from a few days ago. Without a beat, he strolls over to the other man. Hopefully it doesn't look weird. ] York, right?

action ;; YES HELLO

[ratherbelocky]

[York almost doesn't notice Lockon before he speaks--dude's in his blind spot--but it's amazing how several years on the lam will sharpen one's sensitivity to motion, and he looks up just in time not to be startled.]

Oh, hey, man!

[York lifts a hand in something that's not really a wave but neither is it a salute.]

You know, I forgot to ask. You prefer Lockon or Stratos?

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

[Oh. Naoya smiles the barest bit, and gestures his Gardevoir over before he turns on the video.]

It's hard for Pokemon when they're young. When they evolve, or after some time with them, they tend to get a better idea. It's like trying to teach a baby how to talk.

But we can speak just fine after some time training. It's really just a matter of being patient.

... As you can see.

[Video]

[ratherbelocky]

[The sensation of another mind, something not quite human brushing against his consciousness, is still so familiar and out of place that he's not sure how to respond for a moment. In the end, he goes for a smile and a half-nod to one side.

He really misses Delta.]

I'm starting to get a feel for how it works. Found out some of 'em can read and write, too. The connection itself's kind of interesting to me, though. We don't really have anything like it back where I'm from.

[Implants are one thing. That's science. This is something totally unreal.]

It's not neural, but empathic, right? Just...straight up telepathic shit.

[VIDEO]

[adai]

Ah, hello! I actually had the same problem you're experiencing, though it was with a different species of Pokémon.

[Rossiu motions and a Delphox joins him onscreen, dipping his head slightly in greeting.]

This is Blaze. He started as a Fire-type Pokémon and once he evolved he gained a secondary Psychic-type. At first he didn't really know how to communicate so he was only able to send pictures and vague ideas. It was difficult at first, but my Meowstic was able to help teach him a few things.

[The Meowstic in question is lounging on the bed in the background, not paying any attention to her trainer.]

Perhaps you could look for a Psychic-type Pokémon in the area? I captured Ellie as an Espurr fairly early on in my journey.

[VIDEO]

[ratherbelocky]

There's a thought. Sort of like a 'mon-to-'mon mentorship, yeah? Sounds like it'd be educational to watch, if nothing else. These guys are pretty fascinating.

[Fascinating and adorable, so far.]

Thing is, a lot of what I'm looking for, they're kind of overtly human problems, you know? I don't know if the little wild guys you can find around here can do too much to help me read or run the depth calculations I need to adjust for my bad eye.

[islandshore]

[The feed begins not with a trainer, but a Weavile who seems more than ready to answer York's question. He's a bit of a pompous windbag, and one of the more ambitious 'mons in that he... taught himself to speak.

He grins at the camera, clearing his throat, expecting to take center stage. His accent is unbearably fake, but may sound slightly British.]

I think you'll find that we Pokémon possess many special talents beyond our physical limita--

[Before he gets a chance to finish, the 'gear's swept away by a tall, fairly muscular young man of about twenty with silver hair and... a dry expression.]

Sorry about that. You, uh... wanted to know about Psychics, right?

[There's a muttered, 'Not dark types. aimed at the Weavile, who slumps and slinks away.]

So, yeah... In my experience, they can start using words once they've evolved, but it might vary. It's not the same as actual talking-- more like projecting words in your head. Just hope they don't start yelling, or you might wind up with a migraine.

[ratherbelocky]

[Holy shit, it talks.

The Weavile takes him so much by surprise that York just stares after him for a minute while Riku talks. When he remembers he's having a conversation, though, York shakes his head and clears his throat.]

Right, yeah. I mean, that's no problem, I'm used to that kind of thing. Voices in your skull, headaches, all that.

...Which sounded less crazy before I said it out loud. I promise I'm sane, it was just the military doing science experiments in my head. No big deal.