bottlebay | [Video]

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[An 'unfamiliar' face projects through the Pearls... except if you look closely, it's not that unfamiliar. The shape of the plumes on his head carry the same general silhouette as a certain Rookidee...

But now he's larger, longer, and has a noticeably bigger beak. In fact, he looks far more like a crow than he did before!

And so Akechi fluffs up his feathers a bit and addresses the Pearl at last.]

Greetings. This is Akechi. I realize that this transformation may be a bit alarming, but I thought it best to announce my recent evolution so that no one believes I've disappeared.

This new form is far more suitable, though I wish it hadn't been so overdue. Still, it seems that being put into highly dangerous situations is one way to provoke evolution.

I suppose this does bring up a curious question, though. To evolve, or not to evolve. For me, it was a no brainer, but others may be less enthused about changing their physical forms yet again. Evolution is, after all, irreversible.

So humor me. Do you wish to evolve, or are you content as you are?

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Some mistook me for a child. Others believed that my small stature meant I was less capable, less powerful, or needed coddling. Moreover, I was taller than the average Japanese boy prior to coming here, so to change into something so compact while others got to revel in larger and more imposing forms felt like a cosmic insult.

[He huffs lightly, feathers just a little ruffled.]

[ there's a long pause. she gets that, somewhat. but still. ]

We all had to prove ourselves as capable, even the Pokemon smaller than you. Aren't you one of the highest ranked members of the guild?

I am, but I worked hard to achieve such a standing, and furthermore...

[He takes a slow, soft breath.]

There are very few Pokémon that are smaller, and plenty more that are noticeably larger.

That's how animals work, I don't see your point.

[ that's how humans work, even. eleanor being seven feet tall is an outlier and absolutely shouldn't be counted, but on average? ]

You're telling me I should have been more patient, when I arrived in a body that was small, fragile, and many among my guild arrived in fully evolved forms. And those who weren't fully evolved at least were larger.

You are saying a year in a body like that "isn't a long time," yet you at least had the luxury of arriving as a middle-staged Pokémon. Even Mightyena-san found it odd that I hadn't evolved for this long!

[So, yes. He is indignant. Thank you for asking.]

Christ. I'm in your guild, I know that.

[ she huffs. ] I think you need to get your head out of your arse if you think any of this is a luxury for anyone. [ she prefers this body, sure. but that's because she isn't some mutant freak - she's just normal eleanor. ]

Comparable luxury, to start with more powerful forms. And it's rather funny that you're complaining about me having a stick up my ass when you came here to lecture me about patience unprompted.

[Really now. Who's the instigator here? This all feels so petty...]

Your head. What, so far up you can't hear me either? And if you think a single sentence I uttered with my tongue in my cheek is a lecture I think you've proven my point. Nobody in the Bay was evolving, even the natives. You're not bloody special - Mightyena's comment meant nothing when it wasn't happening to anyone.

Did I say I was special? You're making assumption after assumption, when all I had intended was to inform people of my evolution, share possible leads on what triggers it, and have some thoughtful discussion.

I really don't know what you hope to accomplish here.

[ there's a long pause. so long, in fact, that she wouldn't fault akechi for thinking she disconnected from the network. ]

...sorry. I'm in a bad mood, I shouldn't take that out on you.

[It takes a moment for Akechi to respond, partially so he can compose himself.]

The entire mishap with the teleporters was... trying. I can acknowledge that.

However, I'd rather direct my frustrations at those who enabled the situation in the first place and hold them accountable. It will do us no good to be at each other's throats.

I was just being a dick for the sake of it, don't give me that much grace. [ the embarrassment is practically radiating off of her. ] It's my own fault I ended up in here anyway, but it isn't like I can challenge the researchers to a battle when I have stitches the nurses don't want me to open.

What's it like being bigger, anyway?

Indeed. But it is entertaining to imagine.

[But that's beside the point. Best to focus on more relevant matters...]

It's... interesting. I'm more comfortable in this body, but I've had to acclimate to new proportions and an adjusted center of gravity. Everything is... longer, for lack of a better word. Limbs, my body... I have a proper neck.

I hadn't even considered the gravity to be an issue. [ it makes sense, though. ] Has that messed with your ability to fly, then? I imagine you're a fair bit heavier, too.

I can fly, but I'm having to readjust to my own weight and and anatomy. Even walking has been less graceful than I'd care to admit, on account of longer legs and a longer neck and torso.

Very different from a growth spurt, since those happen more gradually. The evolution was instantaneous, and I had the benefit of adrenaline to keep me focused in battle.

Take it from me, it's hard to walk with longer legs. [ that shit hurted. ] I can't imagine what it must have been like getting that way instantly.

[ she pauses. ]

So it happens in battle, does it?

Not necessarily. Grovyle-san evolved during the holiday festivities, and he was the first example of evolution since we started appearing...

[Which is still curious. Why wasn't it working for so long? He gives a thoughtful hum.]

That I evolved not long after the rogue Mega Evolutions does leave me wondering about a possible connection...

Interesting.

[ it's annoying he has no real way of testing that hypothesis at the moment. that's not going to stop eleanor from throwing a hat into the ring. ]

Maybe it's about some sort of energy that they had too much of? Like, everyone needs it to evolve but it got concentrated on them?

It's possible, given that evolution makes a Pokémon glow. Or, perhaps there's some outside force that wields a power similar to Everstones...

[Though, obviously, that obstacle is no longer in place...]

I wonder if anyone at the Archives has bothered to put any research into it. I suppose they're all a bit preoccupied fixing the teleporter, though... [ she frowns. ]

I'm sure there's something, but it may simply be that it's all natural to them. Then again, things that are natural are one of the prime sources of scientific study...

Where you're from, maybe. It might not be something that'd occur to someone in others.

[ or, secret third option: superpower drug slugs. shudder. ]

It wouldn't hurt to ask.

Frankly, it's likely worth it by virtue of all the strange methods of evolution. The Eevee line alone has so many branching forms...

And that isn't even considering different forms of the same Pokemon. You know, like Vulpix and Ninetails.

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