1st Shot | Video/Action

[loveshiscity]

Video

--Yeah, yeah. I know that already.

[It would seem that Union was being treated to a fragmented conversation that the feed had suddenly started right in the middle of. No faces could be seen on screen yet, save for a gloved hand and the hemline of a white jacket. Off screen, a stern, feminine voice could be heard delivering a severe reminder about all of the paperwork that should have been done weeks ago, and how it was irresponsible of him to not have introduced himself to the rest of the community yet.

The owner of the gloved hand could be heard chuckling.]

And my family'd be ashamed of me too, right? [Then, the feed started to move as he continued in a more brisk tone.] Don't worry 'bout it, okay? I'm working on it right now. C'mon, J.

[But what about the--

The voice was promptly cut off by the sound of a door clicking shut, followed by a sigh. Then, the face of a young man with brilliant green eyes came fully into view on the feed. He offered an apologetic smile for the audience.]

Sorry about that. Some girls can really be demanding.

[There was a subtle rumble that was suddenly audible on the feed-- those who understood Pokespeak would recognize it as a quiet reminder from someone off screen. 'Daisuke. You're stalling.']

What? J, not you too!

[The blond at least had the foresight now to share the screen with his pokemon-- an inscrutable looking Beldum who was strangely clad in a brimmed hat and scarf. The humming continued. 'A man shouldn't try the patience of his coworkers or his audience.'

Daisuke sighed-- and actively closed out the feed.]

Action

[Later, people wandering through the downtown might find a slender blond man in a crisp white jacket hanging around the streetside food stands near the theater, nonchalantly scarfing down a bowl of noodles as if he had all the time in the world. But, don't let the ease of his manner fool you-- he's definitely paying attention to what's happening around him.

As for the rather fashionable Beldum? He's hanging around...somewhere. Daisuke isn't sure, but he suspects that the Beldum has taken to visiting the theater for reasons that only he would know.]

Comments

action

[actsmagnificent]

[ There is A Loiterer outside of the theater. But this theater is the cover for a top-secret organization, so it, naturally, has plenty of extremely alert guards.

One self-appointed guard bristles in the shadows, watching the Beldum through narrowed eyes. You're going to try to enter, aren't you? You're going to try and get in. Not if this intrepid young sentinel has anything to say about it!!

A tiny figure curls itself into a ball, preparing to pounce. Just give him a reason. Give him a reason to spring from behind! He'll look so impressive if he apprehends a ruffian! ]

action

[loveshiscity]

[The Beldum stopped its motion the second it noted the sensation of another presence in the vicinity, and it hung in the air with an unnatural silence as it conducted a quick scan. The self-appointe guard may have seen this Beldum before-- after all, one's chosen appearance is a part of how they choose to present themselves to the world, and is a very personal choice for a Man regardless of true gender or species. This Beldum's chosen sartorial style could be considered classical at best-- and, honestly, he would have pulled it off better had he been blessed with proper arms and legs.

Suddenly, the Beldum dropped it's altitude until it was barely skimming the ground, its brilliant single eye unwaveringly focused on the bushes.

Almost gently, he let out a low, rumbling hum: "Come out. I will not attack."]

action

[actsmagnificent]

[ Gasp! How did his fashionably-attired quarry know?! The spines along the guard's back stiffen upon finding himself addressed, but he refuses to betray his position. He can wait this out, no problem! Then, when the Suspicious Entity's back is turned, he'll -

- realize he should have been watching his own back, because someone else just ran into him from behind.

Gold the Jolteon bounds up to the Beldum, bright, cheery, and completely oblivious to the curled-up male Nidoran he just bowled J's way. Hello!!! Are you visiting the theater? Did you need something? Can he help?! ] Jolteon???

[ Ferrari the Nidoran rolls along the ground, hating his life. Once again, his chance at gallantry has been snatched away. ]

action

[loveshiscity]

[...

J blinked slowly in a precise, calculated movement. The Jolteon hadn't even been in his awareness-- a mistake that he would have to rectify before the next time he and Daisuke were out in the field. Such mistakes could have devastating consequences that he didn't wish upon his partner.

He merely hung there in the air, regarding the duo with a solemn gaze that was neither surprised nor judgemental. He was simply curious.

This time the hum was louder, more directed at the two pokemon that he had visually confirmed standing before him.

"I was curious about when the next performance at this theater is scheduled for. My partner has given me leave to do as I wish when we are not on duty, and I would like to see another play."

...There was no rule that said that a man couldn't appreciate artistic beauty or learn something from the classics.]

oh yeesh j i'm sorry i sacrificed your street cred for a gag ;a;

[actsmagnificent]

Eon! [ Whoa, that's a really good question! Gold looks down at Ferrari to see whether he knows the answer, but the smaller Pokémon is too busy getting all his limbs where they should be again after his humiliating adventure. He's sure they'll be holding another one sooner or later, but there's been some hold-up picking plays....and then the city keeps coming under attack....He'll go find out for you! Ferrari, can you look after their guest? Unless you wanted to go, but Gold figures it'd be faster if he did. His legs are longer. ] Jolteon! Jolt!

[ When Ferrari doesn't reply, he bounds away, leaving the would-be guard with his would-be quarry. Ferrari's nose twitches. You....uh. You like the plays, huh? ] ....Ni.

he doesn't care about his street cred, no worries.

[loveshiscity]

[The clumsy yet eager attempts at being helpful were met with a calm, non-judgemental gaze from J, his uncanny stillness a stark contrast against the energy exciteable Jolteon. Without time to properly answer, he merely watched-- and turned that same eerie gaze upon the Nidoran when the interloper had bounded off to complete his task.

Gravely, the slim machine bobbed it's single eye up and down as if to mimic a human nodding.

"A man always appreciates the heartfelt work of another."]

[actsmagnificent]

Nido. [ Now that he has a better look at this intruder - fan? Really just a fan? Ferrari won't be deceived so easily! - the Nidoran does have to admit this Beldum cuts a dashing profile. Someone who ties their scarf with such flair cannot possibly mean ill, can they? His Trainer wears a scarf like that in the plays sometimes, and his Trainer always saves the day!

...but, right. He's been told life doesn't work like the plays. And yet - this Beldum seems to have stepped right off of the stage and into his life! Ferrari doesn't know what to make of this discrepancy. He must investigate.

His little claws curl back into fists, and he tries to look as cool and dashing as possible, himself. You talk big, good sir! That must mean you're strong. He doesn't mean to brag, but he's the strongest Nidoran he knows! How's that? Food for thought?

.....sssh. Stradivarius evolved. She doesn't count. ] Nidoran ni!

[loveshiscity]

[Another blink. This young Nidoran seemed to be acting in...a most peculiar way. J filed this data away for further use, and searched briefly though his own algorithms for something to offer this energetic young pokemon.

"A man doesn't show his strength through words alone. He must act in accordance to his beliefs, and protect what he values in this world."

Dramatic? Perhaps. It might even be construed as theatrical-- but, these visits to the theater over the last several months had taught him much about humans and what they hold dear to their hearts.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Now that is impressive! The way this Beldum just said that - no ifs, ands, or buts about it! He just flat-up laid down the line about the way things should be, and brooked no argument! That is coolness! That is noble!

Shaba-da-doo.

Ferrari is so impressed it only barely registers he might have just been criticized. He nods. But - life is complicated, isn't it? Sometimes what's most worth protecting doesn't want your protection! Sometimes it even evolves before you do. He's speaking purely theoretically, of course. To pass the time while they wait for Gold. ] Nido ni. Nido do doran.

[ A "jol" from the dorms signals Gold is on the move again, and took a turn a bit wide. ]

[loveshiscity]

[The singular eye, still lit with that unsettling gleam, briefly flicked upward in the direction of the startled Jolteon's cry before honing in once again on the young Nidoran standing before him.

"Those are merely excuses for not doing all that you can to defend what is important in your heart."

...If his words were theatrical, the Nidoran could hazard a few guesses about why. The theater was a wonderful way to learn about the strange world they existed in.]

[actsmagnificent]

....Ni. [ One of those tiny fists thumps his heart. Yes, sir! He'll remember that, sir! Theoretically!

And here's Gold, bounding back up but slowing to a walk before he can careen out of control again. And he's brought a human. A tall, ambling human who couldn't be bothered to put on a coat before coming out in the cold. ]

....This guy?

Jol! [ Gold is not sure whether the Beldum will like the news he has to convey or not. So, as a bonus, he's brought a Real Live Actor. That should make up for it.

Haruka grins. ] You don't look like the theater type.

[loveshiscity]

[With a low, rumbling hum J cast his gaze upward at the newcomer, recognizing the tones and inflections of the infamous Haruka Tenoh. The human, indeed, was just as impressive in person as up on stage-- in respect for the difference in their relative height, he allowed himself to gain enough altitude so that the human didn't need to strain.

In the worn, wide brimmed hat and clean scarf, he did cut a rather dashing figure for a Beldum.

"There is more to a man than just his appearance," is what the whirring sounds he emitted would have translated to for anyone who understood Pokespeak.

Somehow, beyond the warp band attunement that many humans in this city were partial to, J doubted that Haruka could.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka can't, no. Ferrari does his best to translate, but the message gets garbled and he ends up saying something along the lines of "this guy is really cool, so don't knock him, Trainer". ] Nido ni. Nidoran.

[ Unfortunately for Ferrari, Haruka doesn't exactly set much store by his opinions. She'll treat this Beldum like she does everybody else - on their own terms. ] The next play's still in progress, so if you're after dates we can't oblige yet, sorry. There'll be posters once that's announced.

Jolteon! Jolt jolt ee! [ Big ones! With leaves on them! And - though Trainer didn't say this since it wasn't part of the question - they're going to ask people outside the Theater to perform, if you know anybody who likes to dance or sing!

Haruka looks down at Gold but neither contradicts nor stops this additional information. It's not wrong, so why bother. ]

[loveshiscity]

[--That was a curious bit of information in regards to the next performance. He would be certain to pass it on, although he doubted that his own trainer would be interested in performing on stage unless there were other circumstances in play that would force his hand. For an investigator, he was quite indolent.

He tilted his eye up and down in that motion intended to mimic a nod, and hummed once again. "Thank you. That is all I required, and I will share this information with my friends."]

[actsmagnificent]

Anytime. Sorry we can't be more helpful. [ This after a translation - first from Ferrari, and then from Gold to be sure Ferrari hadn't changed anything. Whoever's Pokémon this is, he seems to have a good head on his.....leg. That's refreshing.

Gold barks a happy farewell, and Ferrari fidgets. Um. He'll....attempt those tenets you bestowed upon him, sir. You shall be impressed when next you visit! ] Nidoran.

[ A man should protect no matter what. That's right up his alley. He can do this! ]

[loveshiscity]

[J made that strange, nodding movement once more, and eyed Haruka with a strange gravitas that simply shouldn't be carried by a pokemon of his size and stature, and made a faint whirring sound. "You have helped enough."

Then, he eyed the young Nidoran with similar seriousness as he once again dropped down to that level, so they could regard eachother more directly. Another rumbling hum: "I look forward to seeing your progress."

With the current business taken care of, J once again nodded at the trio and made his way off of the Theater's property-- his soft scarf billowed outward in the wind that had picked up as he departed.]

[actsmagnificent]

Later. [ The guy knows how to make an exit, huh? Haruka shrugs to herself, satisfied, and turns to head back indoors (it's cold). They should really get on picking a play soon, shouldn't they. How about that.

Gold follows Haruka in, but turns to look over his shoulder while standing in the doorway. Ferrari remains outside, watching J's receding figure. A tiny fist is clenched over the Nidoran's heart. ]

....Jol. [ Gold isn't Psychic like his Trainer, or his Trainer's Trainer. But for a moment, he almost gets the shivers. ]