4 ∅ [Video]

[callbacks]

[The video starts on an unsure-looking Kirlia. He starts to edge away, but Dave--apparently behind the camera--speaks.]

Naw, go ahead, dude. C'mon. Don't be shy.

[The Kirlia sighs, extremely put upon, and then ballet-toes back into place. There's a Dawn Stone on the floor nearby; the Kirlia bends primly at the waist to pick it up, and:

Presto.

Wart the Gallade examines his arm-blades for a moment, then shoots Dave a look as if to say, "If we're quite done now." Dave chuckles quietly.]

Yeah, yeah, thanks for humoring me, bro. The moment has been secured for posterity. Duty discharged. [The relief on the Gallade's face is palpable before Dave turns the camera towards his own movie star mug. Hello, Johto.]

So, hey. I get that baby's first evolution is probably ancient headwear for most of you, but he's the first guy I got all the way to his final form. That's worth some kind of jokey home video.

[Yeah, because he's obviously being ironic about this. He's not Proud Dadding all over his starter, no sirree.]

Anyway, I've been hearing about a bunch of different evolutionary paths our Poképals can take, and, I dunno. I'm curious, I guess. If you ever made a choice like that, what made you pick one way or the other?

Comments

[VIDEO]

[callbacks]

[Dave looks off-screen to see if Wart caught that. The answer is apparently yes, because Dave offers Nowi a slim grin and a thumbs-up. Message received. Wart is probably blushing out of frame. Dave nods and returns to the conversation.]

Yeah, I've got one of those, which is part of why I'm asking. But he's a baby so I can't exactly put the question to him, or even convey the concept of what passes for evolution in this universe. He'd just blink at me and make baby animal noises, which, you know. Cute, but not totally helpful towards the subject at hand.

[invigorating]

[GOOD, HE'S THE CUTEST POKÉMON!!!]

Oh nooooo, that's so cute!! But yeah, probably not very helpful right now... Maybe in a little while he'll be able to tell you what he'd like!

[callbacks]

Yeah. I don't know how long they take to grow up, but, eh, I'm not in like a rush or anything. I know I'm supposed to be training them up to take on the bosses in each town, but interested's more or less the last thing I am in that. It's mostly just been kind of neat getting to know each new little guy I get. Figure out their powers and shit.

[invigorating]

Oh gosh, yeah! Same here! I don't really have any interest in that badge stuff. I haven't even left Cherrygrove yet!

[...nowi you're an embarrassment]

But I'm always super happy to get to meet a new friend! They're all so cute and wonderful!

[callbacks]

[Okay even Dave has left Cherrygrove. Holy shit, Nowi.]

Uh.

['Uh' is pretty much all there is to say on the matter.]

But wouldn't you meet more if you got out more often? I mean, I'm not exactly one to talk, but.

[invigorating]

Yep, I definitely would! Buuuut I really like it here! I've got a nice job and I wouldn't want to travel without my bestest best friend! He's pretty happy here too!

[they've been here since april]

[callbacks]

Oh, yeah, cushy jobs totally change matters. I'd be less about traveling if anyplace would hire a kid for more than part-time pay.

[It's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LAME.]

What do you guys do back in Cherrygrove?

[invigorating]

Try Pokémonsitting! You get to take care of all kinds of different Pokémon and they'll pay you lots and lots for it!

[...This is probably why Cherrygrove was a good idea, since apparently it's a tourist trap!! This was a surprisingly smart move????]

Ginti and I play a lot of games! He's really good at them and he's got no problems keeping up with me! ...As long as I don't call him in the middle of work. But! I usually don't do that, so!

Sometimes we go to the ocean or the lake, but there are jellyfish in the ocean, so that's kinda... not good. Ohh, and we've got a lot of our own Pokémon to take care of! He's really good at training them too!

[just s-rank him already]

[callbacks]

Uhhh, I don't know if I'm the best person to be put in charge of other people's friends. On account of being pretty new here still and all. And also on account of not actually knowing how to take care of a living, breathing creature that depends on me in any way.

[Basically, it's a good thing Pokémon are good at communicating their needs and also fending for themselves in large ways. Also, good thing he basically has two competent teenage babysitters.]

But that sounds fun. I didn't spend too long in Cherrygrove, once my friend got there we pretty much bailed before the weather could happen too much.

[invigorating]

Oh gosh, it's really not that difficult! They mostly just want you to play with them and keep them entertained, so! At least, that's what I've been doing, I dunno if it'd be any different elsewhere.

[Huh.]

Well, I guess Cherrygrove is kind of a small town? But that's okay, because it's plenty big for me! I kinda prefer small towns anyway!

[callbacks]

Not an urban girl, huh?

[invigorating]

Nooope, not at all! I don't mind towns and stuff, but big cities aren't really my thing!

[callbacks]

I guess they're annoying if you're not used to them. I grew up in a pretty populous seat, though, so all the quiet and nature and stuff around here's basically bizarre to me.

[invigorating]

Oh gosh, really? I've always loved nature! It's really nice and relaxing... 'Course, I couldn't live without other people around, so this is pretty much perfect for me!

[callbacks]

So, not too Metropolis, but no Fortress of Solitude, either. You gotta position your territory just right, yeah? I can respect that, turf's important.