bravenewworld | video;

[the warp band video is as grainy and black and white as always. When it comes on, it's pointed toward the kitchen table. Laid out on the table are feathers. Three of them are about three feet long, and another four are between a foot and six inches. Even without color, it's possible to tell that these aren't just any ordinary feathers. These feathers seem to be made of gleaming metal, the individual barbs at the base coalescing into solid steel just a few inches higher.

Then, Eren speaks]

Hey. I'm finally done molting, so I have a new crop of feathers to sell or trade. Molting sucks. But at least I can make some money off of it. I used two of them to make new swords for myself, and then payment for the blacksmith, and then a few weren't really high enough quality to be used…

uh. Oh! If you don't know, Skarmory feathers make some of the best swords ever. They're light and just flexible enough to not break, and they hold an edge like no one's business. [Eren turns the warp band to himself, and he draws one of his swords. It only vaguely resembles the feathers on the table] You just have to take them to one of the blacksmiths in town and you can get whatever kind of hilt you want on it. The smaller feathers make good knives and stuff.

Anyway, prices are negotiable, but don't expect to get these cheap. They're worth a lot more than you'd think, but I'd figure I'd try and sell them over the warp bands first. I know there's lots of Guards and Rangers and [he makes a small gagging noise] Swords check the warp network a lot. [pause] Even if you don't need a blade, they make good gifts.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I do, actually. They're a hundred dollars each. Or, you know, something worth about that. Then I think the blacksmith will put a hilt on it and refine it for $25?

[A soft chuckle. It's not like he has a lot of possessions that are worth money.] That should be... okay. Unless you wanted a Pokemon egg in return or something, I don't have much.

What's it like? Molting. [Slightly bemused by this.]

Oh hell no. I don't want another baby. Fig is enough for a lifetime. [maybe he'll be able to have another baby pokémon sometime. One that's less pathetic]

Itchy. Like. The itchiest thing ever. It's like you've been bitten by mosquitos all over, always. And if you scratch too hard, you might pop a blood feather, and bleed everywhere. It sucks.

Really? [He remembers that conversation well, but oh man, Eren you opened yourself up to the teasing.] Don't want to try your luck again and get him a friend? They're from the breeding centre, so they might not be whatever the hell he is.

Even for steel Skarmories? [He knows they're birds and only their feathers and some skin are steel, but some steel type Pokemon are more than just that, and it feels unnatural in his mind.] This should make up for some of it at least.

Sigilyph. Reminds me, I need to go pick him up from daycare... [he glares at Riku over the warp band] No freakin' thanks. Not until he's fledged and able to take care of himself! It should be soon, now...

Yeah. The feathers all have a blood supply for a little while, while they grow. Just like normal feathers, except made of metal instead of... uh... whatever normal feathers are made of. Proteins? Whatever. [he sighs] Most of it is going to go right down the drain; literally. The plumbing in my kitchen is a mess.

[Aw, Eren. As freaky as that bird is, it's so easy to tease you using Fig as a subject. Riku only smirks at that glare, brushing it off.] How old is he anyway?

Still better than using you own paycheck to fix it. A secondary supply of income always helps for things like that. [Of course, that's his opinion, and he doesn't exactly have a secondary job.] Anyways, I think... I should be able to afford one of the small ones.

Geez. Two months and some change, now? He has his adult feathers, at least.

Yeah. A nice little chunk of change once a year is helpful. Too bad it itches so much. [he blinks, then grins] Really? Great! Do you want to come pick one out...? The big feathers are all kind of the same, but the smaller ones have some minor differences in shape and size.

Sounds like he's growing up just fine. Still spoon feeding him? [Like he can forget the mass of teeth inside that bird. Yeesh.]

Still is worth it. [Don't knock another method to making money!] Yeah, sure. Name the time and place, and I'll come.

Only sometimes. He mostly eats by himself, now. Thank Savior.

How about you come to my apartment? Uh... this evening, maybe?

I doubt anyone's going to try and steal his meal from him with that set of teeth.

Sounds fine with me. Where's your place?

Good point... Even though they're small, they're sharp!

[Address yay]

Alright. Be there around seven. That's when I'll get off. [And when the sun sets enough so that he doesn't have to wear sunglasses everywhere.]

Mind if my Pokémon tag along? I think my Houndour wants to see Fig for himself.

That'd be fine with me. I should be home then... And bring whoever you want. Just no really big pokémon.

Don't even really have any ginormous partners, so that shouldn't be a problem. [It creates more of a problem at home actually. Too many bodies for his piddly little apartment sometimes.] See you then.

[It might be just a little bit later than the promised time, but Riku's there at Eren's door, Houndour at his heels as he knocks.]

Great. See you soon.

[Eren is washing dishes (carefully, so as to not dislodge his home repairs in the plumbing below) when the knock comes. Victor, the lombre, is nearby, flipping through a fashion magazine and drawing ideas on a scrap of paper. Eren calls to him in Pokémon]

Get the door, would you? My hands are full.

[Victor complains, but does as asked, unlatching and opening the door for Riku. He looks up and offers a weird quacking noise as a greeting]

Is that you, Riku?

[Whelp, its not everyday when you get greeted by a fashionable Lombre.

Eren must be busy then. He nods to Victor while Mickey, by his side, barks happily in greeting at him, butt and short tail wiggling. He bounds on into the apartment while Riku walks in casually, sunglasses covering his eyes.]

Yeah, its me. Sorry I'm a little late.

[he is, in fact, the only fashionista lombre in all of Union. He makes a face at the weird, rambunctious dog pokémon before going back to his magazines and sketch pad.

Eren offer a wave to Riku and a few ear scratches for Mickey]

It's alright. I got busy anyway. [he wipes his hands dry on a nearby towel and walks over to meet Riku face to face]

You wanted to look at the feathers, right?

[Hey! Don't make weird faces at him! He's not weird, he just is more happy than your average Houndour. Its better than all the other Houndours. Most of them are just grumpy mutts.

Mickey trots around the apartment, scoping the place out before he finally goes over and investigates Victor's little work area. A magazine and sketch pad? What are you planning on doing here? Opening up a fashion store?

...For a moment, he's distracted. Notably by the way Eren walks. Its rude, he feels bad, but its just so strange and he can't help but stare. Man, shifters are kinda weird.]

Yeah, only the short ones. The long ones are too far out of my price range.

[they are totally grumpy. And mean. And territorial! It's refreshing to see a friendly one. But that doesn't mean Victor wants dog slobber on his clothes and magazines.]

[Hey, don't step on materials, ok? Yes, I'm designing a line of clothing for Pokémon.]

[Eren's way of walking is bizarre. He doesn't have the same smoothness to his gait as normal humans. He has to pick up his feet more, and each time he does, he curls his toes in completely. It had been very hard to get used to when he first acquired them, but now he'd managed to make it look almost natural.

Almost. Which meant it was still unnatural enough to be unsettling.

Eren has the feathers wrapped in cloth on the table; one bundle is longer than the other. He unwraps the shorter bundle and reveals several feathers, between six inches and a little more than a foot]

Here you go, these are what I've got. [he gestures to them] Feel for yourself how sharp they are, it's pretty crazy.

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