001. Video

[leaveyourstarburning]

...destroyed it entirely, did it...

[The words are muttered quietly over a mostly-dark feed; from the sound of it, the person speaking doesn't even seem to have realized they've managed to turn the Gear on - he sounds distracted, clearly speaking to himself rather than to any audience, and there's a good amount of jittercam action before he seems to realize that it's broadcasting.

The speaker is male, dark-haired and deathly pale; he's smiling a bit, but the expression doesn't reach his eyes at all. The look there isn't cruel, however; just rather lost.]

Is this how this works?

[His speech is a bit odd; it's in the common language spoken by all in Johto, but there's something there - a strangeness in pronunciation that indicates that he would have a hell of an accent in whatever world he just came from, as though he didn't grow up speaking whatever it is he's trying to utilize now. The statement is still oddly blank, though, as though he's addressing himself more than an audience; at least he doesn't seem to be expecting an answer - he simply checks something on the Gear before moving on.]

I understand that there are more survivors out there; from the look of it, there are many of you. I come to you seeking information - I mean you no harm, nor do I expect anything of you. [His gaze darts offscreen, focusing downward for a moment before he continues speaking.] This isn't anything like what I was told the Motherland would be; some of the machinery involved in transporting us may have taken some severe damage.

["May have." He uses the term lightly. He definitely knows it took damage of some sort; he broke the thing. He just doesn't know how severely he broke it; given that he's currently...nowhere near where he's supposed to be, he's assuming he broke it pretty spectacularly. He's a bit uncomfortable with the half-truth, though.

...that said, Zulf has seriously just informed all of Johto that he does, in fact, come in peace. There are some things that you just don't blatantly say...

However, he isn't dwelling on it; his gaze is darting downward again. Clearly there's something fascinating down there; he pauses for a moment before tilting the camera downward - there is a Chinchou rubbing against the lower half of his clothes, which appears to be a...very ugly skirt, if we're going to be honest.

Whatever it is, the Pokémon seems determined to love all over it; Zulf's tone has actually lightened a bit when he speaks, seeming much more comfortable now that he's not being focused on.]

Although, Motherland or not...it's good to see these creatures being so trusting. We've done enough to the rest of them.

[...someone please inform the guy that he's not in Kansas anymore.]

Comments

[determinator]

[Again Archer is caught off-guard; Zulf is incredibly blunt, it's a bit startling.]

I do what I can. I see no reason to keep you in the dark about what's going on in this world. There were those who helped me when I arrived; I can at least return the favor.

[That's bullshit, but there's no reason to say "well I only contacted you because you look like a younger version of me..."]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Ah, but what was said pleases him, though!]

I can understand that; I've been there before myself. I'll do the same if I can.

[determinator]

[What does he even do with you? You're being downright adorable.]

Of course. You've only just arrived here, correct? What creature were you given?

[Let's just... change the topic then! Because this is awkward. orz]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[He glances down at something on the ground, well out of the shot; he sets the 'Gear down on something unseen, the camera jittering a bit as he does so before coming back into focus, and he bends down to pick up that creature that's been loving on his leg pretty much this entire time.

The Chinchou looks at the camera curiously, the small bulbs on the end of her antennae blinking as she does so.]

This is what I was given; did you receive one from that woman as well?

[His expression tightens a bit at the vague mention of "Mom", but he doesn't dwell on it; his attention is on the Chinchou.

...either she's particularly huge or he's particularly short, um.]

[determinator]

[Oh what in the sweet fuck is that?]

[Johto certainly has an interesting selection of weird shit, doesn't it?]

[Archer has no idea how big those things are supposed to be - it looks small, but the Gear isn't the most reliable. He tips his head slightly at that.]

I've never seen one of those before. No, I received a bat when I arrived here.

[That's not technically a lie! He just didn't mention that he didn't get it from "Mom" and instead ended up in Mahogany Town! No big deal!]

What... is it? Have you tried battling with it yet?

[leaveyourstarburning]

It's called a Chinchou, according to the device.

[More blinking from those antennae; clearly she recognizes her species name, if nothing else.]

And no, I haven't battled with it - why would I...?

[From the sound of it, he's less accusing and more confused by the question; his first thought upon receiving it wasn't exactly "Oh, you're cute, let's go make you attack something," after all.]

[determinator]

Ah, no one's explained the purpose of these creatures yet?

[Oh boy...]

These creatures are called Pokémon. They are used to fight in this world; the strongest Pokémon trainers have power here. You can challenge the Gym Leaders with your Pokémon; you must defeat them and the Elite Four to return home. Having your Pokémon battle will obviously be very beneficial here.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Well, that's...certainly something, isn't it.]

And are these challenges required? I understand that this is how one returns home, but outside of that - is it required by some law of this world?

[determinator]

You have no interest in returning home?

[Well that's... certainly something, isn't it. Archer nods after a moment though; if Zulf wants to go into detail about it, he will. Otherwise there's no sense trying to pressure him for details.]

No, it isn't. There are people here who don't battle with their Pokémon and instead keep them as pets. There are those who breed Pokémon as well.

[...What else do you non-Rockets do anyway? It seems really boring.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

...breeding.

[He pauses for a moment, setting the Chinchou down and rummaging through his bag. He eventually finds what he was looking for - a copy of the guidebook given to breeders specifically.]

Did you receive one of these as well, when you arrived?

[determinator]

[Yes, yes, he knows it sounds horrible-- Oh? What's that?]

What is it?

[It's certainly not the letter from the mysterious Boss.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

It's some sort of guidebook, regarding the breeding of these creatures.

[He flips through it a bit as he speaks.]

The identification card I received has my status listed as a 'Breeder' as well. I'm guessing that's what you were referring to earlier?

[determinator]

Ah, yes, that's correct. I wasn't aware Breeders received some sort of guide. That should be incredibly useful should you choose to breed your Pokémon.

[It probably says something about cats hatching from eggs. That would have been useful to know in advance...]

[leaveyourstarburning]

And you said this is a recognized alternative to this...'challenge' you were mentioning?

[Well, a lot of it certainly looks...like a hot mess, to be honest; he snaps the book closed and returns his attention to the Gear.]

[determinator]

Yes, it is. You can sell the eggs and earn money that way instead of training and battling.

[He likes breeding his Pokémon, sure, but why would you choose that over battling...? It must be because of that peace ambassador thing. Though why you'd want to advocate peace is beyond him.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

...I suppose that sounds fair enough. I won't refuse to train her at all, but I won't use her as a weapon.

[He glances back down at that Chinchou; she's...back to creating way too much static in his clothes.]

Do you raise yours for battle, then?

[determinator]

[...That's almost a sweet sentiment, Zulf. Almost.]

Yes, I do. I've dabbled a bit in breeding as well, but ultimately I prefer battling.

[Let's face it, nothing can top taking down a legendary Pokémon.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

You enjoy fighting, then.

[Again, it's a blunt statement, but there's actually nothing judgmental behind his words.]

[determinator]

Not personally, no. I don't mind commanding, however.

[Possibly the biggest understatement ever, but Archer doesn't feel the need to elaborate. He's thankful it's dark in the caves; hopefully Zulf won't see the far more vicious smirk that's appeared there. He quickly controls his expression.]

As I said, it is the norm for this world. Most people start as trainers.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf is well accustomed to how things look in the dark, Archer. Well accustomed.

He definitely notices, but he doesn't comment; he'll make a mental note of it for later, certainly, and his expression flickers momentarily, something dark crossing his features, but it passes quickly enough.]

...I understand. Either way, these creatures are going to need to know how to fend for themselves; given how young this one seems, I'm more concerned for her than myself.

[determinator]

The majority of them hatch knowing moves they can use to defend themselves. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Oh come on, how is he supposed to know that paleness is because of living underground? That makes too much sense, Zulf!]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[No, the paleness is due to a combination of genetics and...well, all right, the 'living underground' point is a valid one in some ways, but it doesn't explain Zia...

...either way, that point just kind of makes him lineface a bit. He wasn't born yesterday, Archer.]

If they were perfectly able to defend themselves from birth, training wouldn't be necessary at all.

[determinator]

[Zia is magical, let's just leave it at that. And are you sure about that? You look like you're ten.]

Training is to ensure they can stand up to far more powerful Pokémon. The levels are very important; a level five Pokémon can't possibly defeat a level one hundred Pokémon. They can defend themselves from the wild Pokémon, however. The ones in the wild are usually far weaker than trainer-owned Pokémon.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...the...point, you are missing the point.]

It's the ones raised by others that are the concern. While I won't use them as weapons, you say that it's to be expected that others will. I know that I can fend for myself against those others; the issue is raising my own Pokémon to a point where they can fend for themselves in battle as well.

[determinator]

If that's your concern, you'll need to train them just as hard as any trainer would. It would be better to find a place to stay in town, where it's far less likely that you'll be asked to battle. The majority of the people here will not attack you without requesting a battle. There are... some trainers who will attack as soon as you walk into their line of sight, but they're the people who have always lived in this world, they're odd, but not a threat.

[Archer pauses; time to discuss Team Rocket.]

The only people you need to look out for are members of Team Rocket. They're an organization who steal Pokémon from trainers. They will attack without warning, and have attacked people in the past.