bravenewworld | First Rumble: Incongruous Evolutions [Video]

[The video feed opens up to a scene of a teenage girl out in the Rolling Plains, standing there looking extremely confused as she stares at something off the screen with wide eyes. Small feline hands adjust the camera to get it to zoom out a bit, and the source of Yakumo's befuddlement becomes quite apparent. And she's not the only one. A Pikachu and a Breloom are gaping right beside her, and a baby Riolu seems to actually be hiding behind one of her pant legs.

All this because her Drilbur, Ishihara? Has evolved! And unlike the cuddly, cute, super friendly little Pokemon she'd met before...Excadrill is decidedly rougher looking. Shiny, sharp, newly pointy bits stick out all over and the Pokemon looks extremely proud of itself. The change is jarring, and apparently Iori has decided to broadcast it to everyone with a Warp Band.

The girl takes a tentative step closer...and the Excadrill seems to sense her unease and tries smiling. It's awkward, given it's fearsome appearance though, but it seems to help. And it's about then that Yakumo notices what the Meowstic is up to and practically jumps out of her skin!]

Oh! Oh! Iori, you...

[A pleased purr follows, and Yakumo reaches out and picks up the Warp Band. Since she's got an audience, she figures she may as well go ahead and ask the question that's on her mind.]

Um...does...anyone know how to take care of Pokemon like this? I...haven't got a lot of experience with anything like an...Excadrill. And I'm not really sure how to keep him happy. He seems...[She swallows, offering the Pokemon an awkward smile...] a lot different.

Also...do...Pokemon's personalities change much, after an evolution?

[Because this is a pretty intense looking Pokemon...]

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[That's a big Pokemon. Most of Lucas's have stayed small and cuddly, mostly because no one's felt any particular need to evolve.]

...Maybe it wants a hug.

[Excadrill eyes Lucas, eyes wide and grateful. Finally someone that gets it! He's just as shocked as his trainer!]

Maybe. I just...he's so sharp looking.

A lot of Pokemon become a little more... threatening when they evolve, I think. It's probably to protect themselves from the wild.

When something that's hard to treat comes into the Medical Center, the doctors usually wear a lot of protection...

[Lucas will refrain from suggesting that he make an extra fluffy sweater for Yakumo.]

[Yakumo smiles at the boy, trying very hard not to look patronizing. He's very sweet, and she knows he's trying...but...]

What sort of protection, do you think? Armor? Or something rubber for his claws?

...That might work.

Sometimes, I even have to put up a shield for them just in case.

[He'll look at Excadrill a little more critically.]

Maybe if he holds his arms out reaaaally wide, he won't cut you when you hug him, too.

A shield?

[She doesn't quite know what that means...but Ishihara does hold his arms out wide and very carefully hugs his trainer's waist. See...he's still cuddly. She stiffens a bit at first, but starts to relax a little when she sees just how careful he's being.]

[Awwwww. Lucas smiles and claps his hands a little before deciding that was probably embarrassing for them.]

That's OK, right?

I've only had one Pokemon evolved, but he didn't really change that much, even if he got bigger. Mostly he just ate more...

Well...I think we have food covered, but I'm not really able to hold a shield or anything.

[She can, actually...but she's never told anyone she's a Psychic type, and she doesn't know Lucas is even Enlightened.]

I guess we'll just have to be careful.

Mm... I'd try and come to help, but I don't think the shield would last very long after I leave.

...Maybe you can find mittens for him.

Mittens? That...that might be good, yes.

[A nod from both of them, Excadrill already liking the sound of that.]

They'd keep him warm too.

If they don't have mittens that size, I bet there are giant oven mitts somewhere you could use for now.

[If Excadrill doesn't tear right through them.]

If that doesn't work, I'm sure we can come up with other ideas. Nature wouldn't make a Pokemon that couldn't give hugs, right?

Oven mitts may work. I'll have to give that a try.

[Well, she has to admire his enthusiasm. But then, heh...he's not entirely right. Slugmas exist.]

And you know, I think you're right. Nature is pretty good about making Pokemon very huggable.

[And think how lonely Slugmas must be!!]

Mm-hmm. And I bet even the dangerous ones can still hug each other.

[Pokemon eggs are created through hugging this is a fact.]

Anyway... They might get a little more confident when they evolve, but I think they're probably still the same, mostly...

Well I'm sure they'll have to find a way, you're right. Especially with their babies.

[Can you imagine? Two baby Larvitars and a big momma Tyranitar?]

And I...think that's becoming more clear. I've just never have a Pokemon evolve and get so big before.

Hee... I was a little surprised when I saw my first evolution too.

Don't you think it's strange that Pokemon do that? People just... grow up, but it's like they save all their growing up for one big burst.

Well, when Espurr and Shroomish evolved, it was less...startling?

[She can't help but giggle a little bit though.]

And you know, I guess we evolve too. Just slower, more gradually.]=

And some Pokemon don't ever feel like evolving, right? Or sometimes they can't evolve 'cause they need something else.

...I wonder if that really means anything.

Right. I think that's a matter of choice, honestly. They evolve when they reach a certain point. But also when they feel like it.

As for the ones that need stones or items or...trading? I honestly can't say. That's difficult, I think, to really understand. Maybe it's related to energy?

It must be weird to be able to decide how much you're going to grow up. ...I bet there are lots of Pokemon who don't ever really feel like evolving, too, or can't.

I think I understand a little. Sometimes I'd really like to grow up quick, but then... sometimes I think it's better just to stay like this for a long time.

I think everyone can be like that at times, Lucas.

[She was pretty indecisive as a kid too.]

I guess we don't really have a choice.

[...]

Oh - anyway, I'm glad your mole friend was able to evolve. I bet he must really trust you.

I think he probably does. [She beams at him. And remembers something.]

Did you get the packages I sent? Those old clothes?

((Gonna assume this was something that happened off screen!))

Oh, yes! They came just a few days ago. Thanks a lot!

I've been trying to practice more... but we're getting more patients at the Medical Center, too, since it's getting into winter. But I'm trying to get another sweater made as soon as I can.

((Yep!))

Of course. If you need more material, let me know, alright? But focus on the medical center first, of course. That's important.

I'll do my best!

I think they might let me start taking care of less ill patients now instead of just watching... so that's a little exciting.

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psychicsister - 2014-12-09 04:38 (UTC) - Expand

a_gentle_boy - 2014-12-10 03:59 (UTC) - Expand