004

[a_gentle_boy]

[video, public, today]
Oh, everyone!

[Lucas doesn't usually make public calls, but he seems quite pleased with himself.]

I was thinking about something that someone had said the other day - about how there were still a lot of ways we could help improve Union. I thought about it, and I wasn't really sure what I could do by myself, but... Dozer evolved a few days ago, and I suddenly had a thought.

Do you remember last winter when a bunch of people were saying that they were feeling pretty chilly? Well, that was only the ones with Warp Bands, so there must be a lot more out there who could use warm clothing. And then Dozer evolved, and I remembered - Leavanny are famous for being able to make clothes, right?

So Dozer and I are going to do our best to sew as much as we can before this winter comes around. Like this!

[Lucas holds something up proudly to the Warp Band.

.......It is vaguely recognizable as clothing, shirts and pants, though only if you have a strong imagination. It doesn't really help that they're obviously made out of padded layers of chewed up leaves. In the background, a newly evolved Dozer yawns and lazily spits out some more thread that it proceeds to spin at random with its eyes firmly fixed out the window, which perhaps explains the quality of this work.]

If we make 5 sets a week, we'll have at least 100 by the time winter comes around again. It might not be enough for everyone who was feeling cold last year, but I think it should help. And there will be a lot more if other people with Leavanny can help, too.

Comments

[faithful_kitsune]

...Those are... adequate, I suppose. Are you sure your friend is really into the project?

[a_gentle_boy]

...Huh?

[Lucas glances back and Dozer is miraculously working hard again the moment he turns around.]

Well. ...I guess it's not perfect. But Dozer's trying as hard as he can, so -- I'm not going to be really picky.

[faithful_kitsune]

...

[She spits something out in Pokemonese. Lucas probably doesn't understand it, but Dozer certainly should, and it's something along the lines of "You should be ashamed of yourself. He means well and you should respect those intentions."]

You should be a little picky at least. A good student will not learn without proper discipline.

[a_gentle_boy]

[Lucas's abilities afford him a measure of the disapproval that Ran is sending Dozer's way, in any case, and he frowns slightly.]

But I think I'm the student. Dozer is teaching me how to sew when we have time, but...

I'm really not anywhere close to making clothing yet.

[faithful_kitsune]

Is that so? I could teach you how to, if you'd like.

[And she'd be a lot more enthusiastic about it too.]

[a_gentle_boy]

Oh -- I'd hate to impose on you.

[Dozer has suddenly stiffened and avoids looking anywhere near the Warp Band.]

I wanted to try and help Union if I could. I'd feel bad if I had to waste someone else's time for my sake...

[faithful_kitsune]

[Hmmm... did she offend Dozer's pride?]

Well, it wouldn't be a waste of time for me to be honest, as I make my own clothing a lot of times anyway. But if you would rather not, I understand.

[incousinswithyou]

[...wow. Uh. If this is how it's going to be, she's not looking forward to when her partner's Sewaddle evolves.]

I was under the impression that Leavanny used intact leaves, not pulp. [or mostly intact, in any case]

[a_gentle_boy]

I think that's right. But I asked Dozer to make it extra thick so it would be warmer for winter, and... this was the solution he came up with.

[It actually does look pretty thick. Whether or not that's a good thing is in the eye of the beholder.]

[incousinswithyou]

[if she was given the choice of death or wearing that in public, she would be hard-pressed to make a decision.]

I also wasn't aware that leaves could last that long, considering it's spring now.

[a_gentle_boy]

O.... h.

[...]

Aaaaaaaaah I didn't think of that! I thought they would just stay OK like normal clothes but no one will want to wear rotting clothing!

[In the background, Dozer looks incredibly relieved.]

[incousinswithyou]

[oh good. She didn't have to crush some kid's dream of helping people.]

A good idea, but perhaps raising a couple of fire Pokemon could be useful as well.

[she's not about to suggest raising Mareep and harvest the wool, given the quality of these leaf clothes.]

[a_gentle_boy]

T-There has to be a way to fix this...

If we dry the leaves out and spin them together with a lot more silk...

[Dozer sighs and looks resigned to its fate again.]

video

[realmenknitplushies]

The hell? You, in the back! A real craftsman - uh, crafts-mon doesn't half-ass what he's doin'!

[Kanji stops and looks sheepish.]...Uh, sorry. But you might wanna have a word with your pal about things.

[a_gentle_boy]

[It may very well be that Dozer has no interest whatsoever in being a real craftsmon as it glances towards the Warp Band and yawns again.

Lucas will look upset on Dozer's behalf.]

I-It's not the best, but that's not a reason to yell...

We'll get better with a little more practice.

[realmenknitplushies]

Gah! N-no, I ain't yellin' because you're new at this stuff! No-one's great first time... And it's good ya wanna get the practice in.
But he's sittin' over there yawning. Seriously.

[a_gentle_boy]

...

[Lucas turns around in time to catch the latter half of the yawn, which isn't as quickly stifled as Dozer would like it to be.]

...

M-Maybe he's tired from working so much...

[realmenknitplushies]

You know him better'n me. But ... I dunno about that.

[a_gentle_boy]

...

[Lucas sighs a little.]

I guess not. But he really is trying. I think he just doesn't want to look like he is in front of everyone...

[That may also be questionable.]

[flowerofsendai]

That's... very sweet of you.

[What do you even say to this? He's trying so hard but...]

[a_gentle_boy]

Thanks, Miss Sakura.

...It sounds like people aren't so interested, though...

[Lucas looks a little down.]

But - as long as one person can use it, that's all that matters.

[flowerofsendai]

Well, I'm sure they can use them for something.

[What, she's not so sure.]

In any case, I'm sure that this could have other useful utilities. How strong is the thread Dozer makes?

[a_gentle_boy]

Um. Pretty strong, I think. I haven't ever really tested it, but...

[He pulls at the objects that vaguely pass for clothing.]

They don't fall apart very easily or anything.

[flowerofsendai]

I wonder if you could use it to make things like rope.

[No leaf clothes please]

[a_gentle_boy]

Rope?

[He blinks for a bit.]

Would... that help people stay warm in the winter?