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[comparative_insanity]

[Fai is looking unusually somber, and even in monochrome, it's easy to tell that he's a lot paler than usual. On his shoulder stands Babycakes, now evolved into a Floette, like an equally serious guard of honor with her flower like a rifle against her shoulder.]

[The young man says nothing at first, just holds up a rather skillfull sketch of a poké ball. Those with a bit of knowledge in history should probably recognise at least the general shape and design of it.]

Nevermind that they put those machines there to force Tyrantrum to evolve without their consent, but... they use these. Team Evolution, I mean. They keep pokémon imprisoned in these things, just like in the old days.

[He draws a deep, shaky breath.]

Despite how abhorrent this practice is - and believe me, I understand if you're angry - we should remember that they are from a different place with different laws. Wild accusations and demands aren't going to do us any good, is it? It's better if we try to reason with them, try to make them see why such treatment is wrong.

After all, the people in the old days were not all evil. If they were, why would the Savior have thought us worth sacrificing herself over? They were just ignorant.

But I thought you should be... warned.

Comments

[comparative_insanity]

They did. But we had someone among us who showed humility, and because of that, we were ultimately spared. We learned from that. But they fought their way through it - and with the help of a pokémon that might very well have been... well, their slave.

[He nods, managing a bleak smile.] And yes, it is. The woman I spoke with, the scientist, was very interested in knowing more about them. I believe that she, at least, definitely considers them an alternative.

[stahlflugel]

So... they fought and won? That's crazy... that Pokémon must have been powerful. Legendary! But enslaved...? That's terrible. I can't imagine making Pokémon do things they don't wan to do. [Even as much as Eren doesn't like most pokémon, he'd never force them into things against their will]

Oh! I talked to her, too! She seemed nice. But... just imagine. How strong we could be if we combined our ability to bond with Pokémon with their technology? The options are limitless!

[comparative_insanity]

It seems like it. I don't understand how they managed, but... Well, from what I understand, the slavery back then didn't mean that all pokémon hated the people who owned them. I don't think it's as simple as all that. So maybe there were more who fought on the side of the humans there.

[Which is a horrible thought in and of itself - but then again, no one is going to force the pokémon that accompany these people to abandon their previous masters. They should just be given the choice, that is all.]

Then our impressions are the same. Good. [A somewhat less forced smile.] And... you're right. No matter how hard, we should think of this as an opportunity for improvement, both for them and us.

[stahlflugel]

But how can you not hate someone that's making you do things against your will? I don't understand. Unless they decided to join with them willingly... I guess that's kind of the same thing as our Warp Bands, just... different? If they only used the devices on Pokémon that allowed it, I guess it'd be ok.

[Eren is so confused. TECHNOLOGY IS GOOD. HUMANS ARE GOOD. But hurting pokémon and enslaving them is wrong...]

Right! We don't need to be enemies. I don't think they even knew they were hurting the Pokémon... I mean, they don't have any Enlightened to help translate, so it must be pretty hard to figure out what they're thinking.

[comparative_insanity]

Because they thought it was normal. I mean, I- My parents tried to get me to marry against my will, and I was prepared to do it. But then I met other people who weren't nobles and didn't have their lives planned out like that, and I realized I had a choice. [He shrugs lightly.] But if all the pokémon they ever met back then were either other slaves or the wild ones that they fought... how could they know there was any other way to live?

[Fai shakes his head with a sigh.]

But hopefully we'll be able to solve this in as unbloody a fashion as possible, and no one will act rashly and without thinking before the Council has had a chance to talk to them.