ACTION

[kaidont]

[You know who's, for once, not found outside Union? This guy.

Partly because of the people camping outside. The city officials might be all chummy with them, but he almost got trampled by a rampaging Nidoking because of them, and he doesn't feel like talking to them nicely. Or handing them any piece of technology, for that matter.

He knows himself well enough to know he'll just start fights if he tries interacting with them, so he's keeping himself inside the walls for now. It's probably best after this mindless training anyway.

The other reason is currently resting against his legs. His egg finally hatched, revealing a Trapinch... which is cool and all, except it keeps kind of falling forward with the weight of its own head if it's standing on the ground... and he can't keep it burried all the time. Especially when you live in a tower.

So his baby Trapinch is slowly following after him, bumping its head against his legs whenever they stop. He would have lost his patience long ago, had his newly evolved Floette not been calming him down.

Be careful not to fall into any holes. Thankfully, they shouldn't be too deep]

Comments

[at_too_low]

[Isn't it almost magical how Atsuro almost always shows up, no matter where you go? Enjoy the miracle this time, too - he's noticed and is approaching you slowly-- mostly for the sake of his own Pokemon baby, Budew, who's sitting on his arms. Daily walks, lots of fresh air, all good for babies, etc etc. He nods at you with a smile.]

Hey.

[kaidont]

... hey.

[He mellows a bit. Floette comes to check on Budew, smiling. She's so excited to have a fellow flower mon at home]

[at_too_low]

Training again?

[The real question is "is there a time when you are NOT training". Budew chirps happily at Floette - she's kind of like a big sister to it, and Budew's always more happy and relaxed when she's around.]

[kaidont]

Nah. I'm not leaving the city.

[He sighs in frustration]

Well, might as well wait until this guy's steady on his feet, anyway.

[at_too_low]

[He averts his eyes for a second]

Yeah.

[Said in a darker tone of voice, a hint of conflict and-- regret? in it. He quickly shifts his attention to Trapinch, too, and so does Budew - they've seen each other quite a bit around the house, before Kaido's started taking Trapinch training, so... Playmates???]

Still has trouble keeping his balance, does he? Don't worry, he should learn soon enough. Just be careful around him, and make sure he doesn't bump into something dangerous or injures himself by accident. The neck muscles are probably not developed enough yet, so it's dangerous to let it get into unnatural positions, too-- it's kind of like letting a broken limb heal wrong.

[kaidont]

Yeah I've been keeping an eye on him. I'm more worried about the holes, to be honest.

[Like the one it's digging right now. It's already half hidden under the ground, only its eyes showing]

[at_too_low]

[Okay he laughs at that]

Yeah, we'll have to make sure he doesn't try that at home! But that's how they hunt, so you can't really stop him from doing it. Once he can dig them big enough, the most you'll be able to do is put warning signs so no one falls into it accidentally or tries to investigate. A Trapinch bite can take your foot clean off, and that's if you're lucky.

[kaidont]

[Yeah he's groaning and rubbing his forehead, and it's not at your infodumping for once]

[at_too_low]

Hey, I thought you were all about that kind of thing. Hunting habits, sharp teeth, et cetera.

[Welp he misunderstands]

[kaidont]

Yeah I am when I don't have to put up signs because people can't watch where they step.

[at_too_low]

Kaido, think of the children.

[kaidont]

Exactly. I'm thinking of the children. I don't want to have to deal with them falling in, so I kind of wish the whole dig holes, make trap, bite foot thing wasn't a thing.

[at_too_low]

Well, like I said, you can't stop him from doing it, either. It's probably possible to teach him not to actually-- well, bite when something falls in. I can look into that. Also, it's possible to just find some location where you can let him do what he wants and clean up the pits afterwards. No one gets hurt, and it probably counts as a good workout.

[kaidont]

... yeah I'll try to do that after those guys get the fuck out of the city.

[at_too_low]

... Yeah. I hope that goes okay.

[He pauses and frowns a little - he is-- was very enthusiastic about the fact that there ARE people outside Union, but the actual encounter with them was not... what he'd hoped for. He knows it was childish to hope everyone would get along right away and continue to work towards uniting humanity again, but... Well, a boy can dream.]

T-They're not all bad people, though, but... I suppose we are too different after all. I hope we can get along, though. Maybe establish better contact and understanding over the next few years...

[kaidont]

That's what they want you to think. We can't trust them just because they send in a smooth talking pretty boy and a couple of scientists.

[at_too_low]

[Another frown]

I didn't say I trust them, exactly. I wish I could. But it won't get us anywhere if we continue to act like we're right and they're wrong. They'll do the same.

... It's bad enough that we have the same goal and very different methods.

[kaidont]

["Same goal and very different methods?" He's giving you a questioning look]

What d'you mean?

1/2

[at_too_low]

Oh. Restoration of humanity, of course.

[at_too_low]

... And unification.

[kaidont]

[... looking at you silently. He didn't think you looked that far]

[at_too_low]

[It's not really that far to look, honestly. He's sounding a little bitter there]

In cases like this, it always becomes a rivaling struggle, and one always wants to get the other to become part of them. Give up their territory, believes, knowledge and such, all in the name of the greater good. And neither side wants to give up.

[Sigh]

And... it probably wasn't just me, their leader's speech sounded a little threatening. If we don't give them the tech, they'll still leave... And no mention that they won't come back. With more people, more tech, more power.

[kaidont]

Yeah, I don't like his sweet talk one bit. He's there looking all innocent but he's still making veiled threats.

[at_too_low]

[He gives a small laugh, trying to brighten the atmosphere a little]

Well, I guess that's how a diplomat should be. Smooth looks, smooth talking, big appetites and probably no mercy. A Liepard, really.

[kaidont]

[snerk]

I'd prefer a Liepard. I can get real predators at least.

Prettyboys aren't in my field of expertise.