➵ 001 [video]

[healthepot]

[There's some fussing with the camera when the feed first starts up, but soon enough it settles in one spot. Natalia, with her Dratini draped across her shoulders, leans back now that she's satisfied with the warp band's placement.]

Say, I have a question for any Engineers out there. Would any of you happen to have experience in making arrows? While I don't think I'll need any right away, there's a possibility I will in the future and it never hurts to ask ahead of time, right?

[She reaches up and strokes her Dratini's head, offering a smile.] That's all I wanted to know, thank you for your time.

Comments

[healthepot]

... Sure you don't. [Yeah, she doesn't believe that one bit. Draco doesn't look convinced either.]

[tracedarte]

You're just playing favorites like usual. [Someone might be a little bitter?]

[healthepot]

Did you hear me deny Asch having a temper? [... Though in a way, he's right. Natalia is a little predisposed to taking Asch's side in these kinds of things and she knows it.

... It's not that she really means to play favorites, she just... knows Asch better than she knows Luke...

... but that isn't really the point, is it?]

[tracedarte]

But you didn't say he did! You just ignored it, cause you think I'm some kid.

[healthepot]

No, the conversation was about you and not Asch, so I didn't mention that I think Asch gets angry at some pretty stupid things sometimes. [A lot of the time.]

[tracedarte]

Whatever, you're gonna give me a headache if you keep yelling at me all the time.

[Luke... your defense mechanisms are way too childish.]

Where are you gonna go outside first? The island is awesome.

[healthepot]

[Well, the change of subject is more than welcome at this point.] I'm planning on going to the island soon, actually! I need to get some of those crystals used for Water Stones and I was told some could probably be found there.

I can't wait to see it! [A pause.] What other kinds of places have you seen?

[tracedarte]

Well we went there with dad when it was discovered because he wondered if it might help mom's health in the warmer weather... I wonder if you could build a house or something? I dunno about crystals though.

[He pushes something on his Warp Band and his Totodile Chomper appears, squirming down onto his lap too and predictably biting Luke's fingers.]

O-Ow!! Hey!-- [There's a moment of scuffle and Luke finally lifts the Water Type up by the scruff for Natalia to see.]

That's where I found this idiot!

[healthepot]

It's just what I heard from that Engineer friend of Lux's... [She shrugs.

Although the amusement doesn't last long after Chomper appears.] Oh my goodness! [Even Draco's echoing the sentiment with a "Are you alright?!" directed at Luke.

The commotion has also earned a curious Houndour pushing his nose into view.]

What a lively little one...

[tracedarte]

I'm fine! [He answers the Pokemon without really realizing it's Dratini speaking and not Natalia. He shakes off his gnawed hand, lucky that his Pokemon likes teasing more than anything and has never broken his bones or skin with those jaws.]

He basically followed me home, it was annoying.

[healthepot]

I can only imagine... [She is glad she doesn't have something that is 1: that bite-happy or 2: with comparable jaws. Just you wait, Natty.]

He's rather cute despite the biting.

[tracedarte]

He isn't cute! He's-- owwwowowowoww Chomper quit it!

[Luke is the most creative at naming lemme tell you. He shakes Chomper off his arm this time.]

He thinks he can bully me now... feh...

[healthepot]

For a certain measure of-- [Wincing again. That does not look fun.

Meanwhile, the Houndour is pushing himself fully into view. What's going on, he wants to see!] A-ah, hey...

[tracedarte]

[Luke finally gets a good look at her Houndour when he finally just lets Chomper up to sit on his shoulder and perch like a bird, the Water Type guffawing at nothing as usual.]

What's that thing?

[healthepot]

Oh, he's a Houndour. Dark and Fire-type, they're all over the place in that burnt up forest. [The Houndour looks annoyed when Natalia starts petting him, but grudgingly leans into the touch.]

This one just happens to be... very serious and kind of grumpy. [Sounds a lot like someone they both know.]

[tracedarte]

Looks like a lapdog to me.

[Natalia you're really stereotypical. Do you really want to go become a trainer?]

[After a minute, Luke laughs.]

He sneers just like Asch! No wonder he followed you home.

[healthepot]

[That gets an annoyed growl out of the Houndour. Excuse you, he is a guard dog, not some lapdog.

Natalia just laughs as well.] He is quite reminiscent of Asch, isn't he?

[tracedarte]

Uuugh, he even sounds like him. Natalia, you have the worst luck.

[healthepot]

I'll have to take your word for it, seeing as you're the one who can understand him and not me.

[There's a pause where Natalia's obviously trying to stifle another laugh.] Three guesses what I named him and the first two don't count.

[tracedarte]

Uhhhh... [He tries not to listen to the Houndour grumbling but...]

Wait-- wait! You named him Asch? That's hilarious!

[healthepot]

The resemblance was too great. I couldn't not do so. [She's nearly grinning as she pats the Houndour's head. He just continues grumbling.]

[tracedarte]

Well he is grumpy and mostly ugly. It's pretty good, Natalia.

[healthepot]

"Mostly ugly"?

[There's some mumbling from the currently unseen Draco about how Asch the person and Asch the Houndour are basically identical. And from the Dratini's tone, it's clear he doesn't find it a favorable comparison.]

[tracedarte]

Well I can't exactly say he's ugly, we're identical. His personality is super ugly though.

[healthepot]

Fair enough! [Though in her opinion, Luke's personality is hardly any better. She won't say that, though. Not while Luke can hear her at least.]