02 [Video]

[withcourage]

[The screen flickers on to show not a human, but an Eevee looking pretty smug about something.]

Is this thing on? Well, looks like it. It's really dusty...

[The Eevee is speaking, though he seems to forget that not everyone can understand him. He rubs a paw against the screen and then makes a slightly disgusted face as his paw comes back with a bunch of dust clinging to his brown fur.]

'Kay. Well, anyway. The boss and I recently got this thing here.

[The pokemon bats against the screen to tilt it so that a Thunderstone is in view.]

Since I kept pestering the boss about evolving, he found out that these things can make me become a Jolteon, so I wanted to show my evolution off to everyone!

[In the distance, there's a voice that sounds like it's calling for something or someone. Tonitrus' ears twitch as he glances back. His attention returns to the screen and he places a paw on the stone. There's a bright light as the Eevee's form starts to change, a jolt of electricity spreads around the glowing white form...and suddenly after a moment, a Jolteon is revealed!]

How's THAT? Pretty cool, right?

[The distant voice becomes less distant as in the background of the video, Aster can be seen approaching the newly-evolved pokemon. He eyes the Jolteon and shakes his head before kneeling before the video feed and speaking.]

Sorry about him bothering you all. He can be a bit of a show-off sometimes.

[The pokemon researcher eyes the Jolteon meaningfully. The Jolteon ignores this and instead rolls his eyes, plops down on the floor, and watches the screen before the feed ends.]

Comments

[nateurally]

Ah, no... no I'm not.

I'm from a place called Sekiun. It's never had contact with Union. I'm basically an exile...

[withcourage]

Oh...I'm sorry to hear that, then.

[A short pause before his expression turns to a bright smile.]

Well, at least since you're here in Union now...you're among friends here!

[nateurally]

Everyone's been pretty welcoming. It's almost hard to believe people can be so friendly.

[withcourage]

Yes, most of the people I've run into seem to be rather nice!

[Of course, he would think anyone is nice enough given that they don't act like a complete jerk.]

Is it really so hard to believe? Were the people where you are from were not quite so open, then?

[Aster's expression becomes contemplative. From his interactions with people the past few months, he would have figured that that was how most people were--generally good and nice. Thinking realistically, though, he could not necessarily just expect it to be so, could he?]

Though if you'd rather not talk about it, I'll not bring it up again!

[nateurally]

Mmm, it seems all I ever do is talk about it. I think I'll leave off at the fact that my village didn't care for Pokemon or outsiders and leave it at that.

[withcourage]

Lots of people here are simply curious about other places, because at least some of us believed for the longest time that we might have been all that was left of humanity. I won't press any more!

However, I am curious -- how do you feel about pokemon, then? And if you don't want to answer that, either, don't feel as if you need to!

[nateurally]

Oh, I have two Pokemon as my partners. I'm not like a lot of my people, trust me.

That said... still having trouble figuring them out.

[withcourage]

[He smiles again.]

I see! That's good that you give them the chance.

Oh? Well, I suppose that makes sense. I've grown up around pokemon and been communicating with them my whole life. I don't know if I can fully help you, but...I suppose the best I could say is that pokemon are like us--they have thoughts and emotions, and they are our equal, just in different forms.

Of course, I can say that, but it might not necessarily help too much.

[The researcher frowns.]

I wish I could be more help.

[nateurally]

Ha ha, it's alright. But no one can really help me but me.

But uh... have you ever dealt with Pokemon that are... more gung ho about fighting, by any chance?

[withcourage]

Not that I can remember. Tonitrus has been pestering me about going to train a lot, but that's more from a desire to get stronger so that exploration would not be quite as dangerous. I'm guessing you're talking about a pokemon that simply likes to fight?

[nateurally]

The Pokemon around Sekiun are used to an environment of the survival of the fittest. Might makes right. Axew wants to assert his dominance, so to speak.

[withcourage]

Hmm...

[It's definitely different from what he was used to, that's for sure. Most of his experiences had to deal with the pokemon around Union, and occasionally those in the Old City. Union pokemon were far more docile than those found outside the city.]

[Aster sighs after a period of silent thought, unable to think of anything at the moment that could help.]

Unfortunately, I don't have much experience with very aggressive pokemon. That is, that I know of. I've actually only been outside Union a handful of times, and not usually for very long.

[nateurally]

That's fine. This is something I have to figure out on my own, anyway.

[withcourage]

Right.

[He nods.]

Well, if there is ever anything that I could help with, feel free to get in contact with me, and I'll help if I can! Otherwise, I wish you luck with everything, Nate!

[Aster ends this with another smile.]

[nateurally]

Thank you. That's very kind of you, Aster.

[withcourage]

[Aster waves it off.]

Hey, people should all help each other out when they can, shouldn't they? So I just want to help out if I can!

[nateurally]

Ha, that's what I said when we first made contact with someone from outside the village.

... That seems like a lifetime ago.

[withcourage]

[Aster is curious, and it shows on his face, but he had promised not to press.]

I know the feeling. Some of...the things that have happened in the past almost seem like it was just yesterday or just last year.

[nateurally]

Yeah... it's really doubly so when things seriously change, isn't it?

[withcourage]

[Aster closes his eyes wistfully. When he speaks again, his voice is a bit softer.]

Yeah, it really is.

[nateurally]

But at the same time, change can be good. The kind of place I was in... the person I was...

... I don't want to go back to being like that.

Sorry for lateness! Finally got off my hiatus!

[withcourage]

[Aster nods and smiles brightly.]

You gotta keep moving forward! The past can be a good reminder, but we can't keep trying to go back, right?

is okay

[nateurally]

Hah, you're pretty wise. Yeah, that sounds about right.

Re: is okay

[withcourage]

It's just what I try to live by! Of course, I try, but that doesn't mean I always succeed in it.

[nateurally]

Ha ha, I know what that's like. All you can do is try I suppose.