01: Testing, 1, 2, 3...

[truthdecided]

[Upon receiving his Grumpearl, Akechi seizes the opportunity to test it. It seems pertinent to get a grasp on the communications technology, even if it's nowhere near as direct as a cell phone.

So, if he thinks, will that be enough? Akechi hums, then tries broadcasting his thoughts.]

Greetings. This is Akechi. I suspect a great many of you encountered me here and there. I'm the... "Rookidee" who was investigating the strange side effects of the various clothing articles and accessories.

[As he tries to figure out what to say, a song starts to play in his head.

Shit. Wait. Is that also being broadcast? Shit. Okay. Time to reedirect his thoughts to more sophisticated music.

Erm. Anyway.]

Please disregard that interruption. As I was saying, I've a vested interest in investigating our present set of circumstances. Recently, Mightyena-san approached me with an offer to join the Oran Berries, so that is where I'll be residing for the near future.

However, regardless of guild allegiances, I believe we could all benefit from using this network to share findings. To start us off, here is what I have learned after speaking to two individuals more familiar with the nature of Pokémon:

First, it would seem there are worlds where humans hold more authority over Pokémon, though their relationship seems more mutually beneficial on slightly more equal footing than humans and pets (Emmet-san and Ingo-san, feel free to correct me if necessary).

Moreover, there are a vast array of different types, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and certain "moves" that might seem unassuming, such as a wag of the tail or a snarl can and do affect our combat capabilities.

Thirdly, many species of Pokémon undergo a metamorphosis called evolution, not to be confused with Darwin's theory of evolution. Those of us who took on smaller and feebler forms may be able to reach even greater heights...

But in a broader sense, it seems there is some power at play that translates our speech regardless of our native tongue. I also heard of "legendary" and "mythical" Pokémon, though whether or not they have anything to do with our arrival here remains to be seen.

I suppose the next question is what exactly determined our present forms. I can see some reason behind my avian appearance, and Ren is fairly cat-like in his own right, but I obviously can't speak for everyone else.

[As he mentions Ren, there's a flicker of an image of a Sprigatito and then a very embarrassing memory he did not intend to broadcast. The jazzy music also gets a little louder before he decides to end the message.]

Comments

[quirkynote]

[As important as this conversation is to her, and as much as she wants to come off like she has this psychic pearl business down, even A.B.A can't fight off the stray thoughts.]

Oh! Do you keep a grudge diary, too?!

[truthdecided]

A grudge diary.

[That's... incredibly specific, and it brings to mind an image of a black, leather journal full of angry ranting and images of despised individuals crossed out in red.

In particular, a bald man in sunglasses.

Pay no mind to that. Or do. He can't control A.B.A's impulses.]

Well, let's just say a lifelong grudge shaped me for better or worse.

[No need to go into details just like that, but there's little reason to deny that much either.]

[quirkynote]

[Oh! Would you look at that! Well, if A.B.A was losing focus before, she's certainly off track now. Without even really realizing it, she injects the image of her own journal, although this one is much more colorful in comparison and even sports a cartoonishly ghoulish face.

Her words suddenly buzz with excitement. A bit...too much excitement, honestly.]

It really is such a practical tool, the mind eases when stressors are written down, even if my grudges may run eternal, although I admit I've been using mine less frequently and might have even repurposed some of its pages for other activities such as writing down calculations or figuring out fashion designs and-

[The more she rambles, the faster the words go on until finally she seems to realize what's going on and.................silence.]




Your book is lovely.

[truthdecided]

...Thank you? It was more of a hypothetical, but...

[Well. That was a lot of information to process.

Give him a moment.]

One might argue that calculations and fashion design are healthier hobbies than an all-consuming desire for vengeance.

[Which is to say, yes. He's aware of what an idiot he was.]

1/2

[quirkynote]

Decree to disagree.

[Oh... She's even messing up phrases in her mind...]

...although...I do miss it. Carrying a book of any sort is just not feasible as a quadruped, and it'll be some time before I can afford a full outfit. That's not even considering if it would be complex enough to have sufficient pockets... Maybe I could design something in the meantime...

[quirkynote]

[...wait. Her form. What was it about her form that was important to this conversation again...??]

Eeeek!! I forgot to share my theory!!

[truthdecided]

You mean agree to disagree?

[Well, whatever. It's just semantics, and her theory is likely more important.]

Well, the floor is yours if you wish to elaborate on that theory.

[bladeofnymeia]

The concept is similar to something from home, but you actually speak into it. It's not your...thoughts.

[Why is it so hard to find one sound clip. Anyway. Just imagine the weird ringing plays just once.]

I was tutored in the basics at home by my mother, as most people usually are. Schooling beyond that - or even this compulsory schooling - is more common in a place like Old Sharlayan. Or...I think the Empire had that in the capitol...? I should've asked-

[Oh dear. Thoughts as conversation can be kind of rambling, more than Firoza would like. She puts the breaks on that before she goes far off course of the conversation.]

Sorry. Again. [A pause to recenter herself.] If he isn't busy, Doctor Denne would be the first person we should ask. He answered my questions about what I had become very aptly.

[quirkynote]

[Well...now she just feels like she's been put on the spot. Which is weird, considering she's the one who put herself there.]

...I-It isn't anything you haven't already concluded, more like...stronger supporting evidence. My transformation...I've yet to know its name, my species appears to be entirely unknown to even those who understand Pokémon. ...To even the Pokémon themselves. All I've been told is that I'm synthetic...unnatural...

This doesn't bother me, it's always been true of me, even back before coming here. I'm an artificial lifeform. I am a homunculus. That even my own transformation would reflect this, with the vast amount of documented species of Pokémon, I refuse to believe this is more than mere coincidence... What would be the odds that I just so happened to turn into an artificial Pokémon by chance?

Your transformation may not be as significant, but it still holds enough meaning that it only cements my belief.

[offtracks]

Me, too. I would be glad for more regular tasks! I've tried my best to keep busy, but since the cleanup is mostly over, there are fewer odd jobs around.

[Or at least, Ingo isn't looking in the right places.]

[conradachenleck]

[Wow, that's a lot. Conrad pretty much knows all of this already, though...]

I have no idea why I'm this out of all the Pokémon I could be.

And, uh... Yeah, it is very odd there aren't any humans here. Pokémon are supposed to live alongside people, usually. Humans are the trainers or breeders or whatever. You're supposed to become the very best trainer you can be and beat all the other Pokémon in battles. To catch them is your real test, to train them is your cause...

[OH, oh no!... The OG Pokémon theme song starts playing in his head because of course... This definitely wasn't intentional, though, and it's not going to stop until the end.]

[telewarped]

[Accustomed to scanning for thought fragments throughout her years spent in the UG, Shoka doesn't find the sensation of receiving Akechi's thoughts to be all that unusual. What she isn't used to is having the thought-sharing be a two-way street.

As she's considering his words, a series of images appear in his mind without her meaning them to: the impression of a chickadee, followed by a memory of Akechi himself, Rookidee-formed and shivering in his scarf. She knows him. An image of Ren, then, and a place that might be Shibuya, paired with a sudden, sharp pang of grief.

Finally, there's a sliver of amused laughter she does mean to send him, before:]

Now that's a look. Were you actually going for the "just rolled outta bed" vibe, or...?

[moondregs]

Even though you just came here? And don’t know if tomorrow you’ll just be somewhere else again?

[truthdecided]

It's been long enough that I see no reason not to prepare for a longer stay. Clearly, returning home won't be so simple, and I'd rather pursue any battle advantages that I can, since I'm lacking my typical skill set.

[As he mentions that, an imposing archer flickers through his thoughts, along with a feeling of yearning.]

[truthdecided]

It sounds like you're well traveled.

[An empire, even... It almost sounds like the sort of place you'd find in a fantasy novel or a role playing game. "Sharlayan" certainly evokes something foreign to Akechi, yet it would hardly be the first time.]

Dr. Denne was certainly courteous when I first arrived. I suppose his expertise is to be expected, with such a diverse population present.

[truthdecided]

[It's quite a lot to take in, even if the concept of a homunculus isn't that foreign to him. He's read enough fiction, seen the diversity of Shadows within the Metaverse.

Artificial life forms date back to many old stories and even myths.]

That does seem incredibly deliberate. I trust you haven't encountered too much trouble? People often fear and judge what they fail to understand.

[But perhaps Pokémon are kinder in that regard.]

[truthdecided]

Not to mention, we can only get away with handouts for so long. Businesses do require currency to stay afloat.

[It's simply how it works in most organized societies. Money, trade... Some form of exchange.]

[truthdecided]

[It takes a moment for Akechi to respond because, damn it, that's a catchy song. What right does it have to be so catchy?

Erm. Right. He should probably say something.]

There's a theme song?

[And here's another familiar with Pokémon in some capacity...]

I must confess, I'm curious what your relationship to Pokémon is.

[The way he speaks, it seems more like secondhand experience than the direct, lived experiences of Emmet and Ingo.]

[offtracks]

My Clan still operates primarily via trade and bartering...but, yes, you're certainly correct.

[The point is that one has to work! You need goods or services to barter with, after all!]

[truthdecided]

[...Interesting. He certainly recognizes Shibuya, and a similar image manifests, albeit with a 105 building instead.]

It was Ren's idea.

[A similar image appears from before, this time showing Ren coming up to Akechi at that cafe table, messing up his hair, and slapping his glasses over Akechi's eyes.]

Some fangirls of mine had trailed us to the cafe, so he improvised to get them off our trail.

i'm not sorry

[seacub]

[Emporio................is patient.

Well okay mostly he's shy and under socialized and incredibly overwhelmed even now that he's moved into a house where each inhabitant, including the Enormous Dragon, can have their own space. But he's patient!!! He's letting that pearl broadcast and learning!!

and then decides on the worst possible test song to play]

........................

[Ohoh.] Heh...Huh. I guess that's how it works.

[He needs this.]

[telewarped]

Wait. That—wasn't Wunafo?

[104, she means, but her thoughts are getting away from her.]

Fangirls?

[colorsflyinghigh]

Song?

[Oh- shit, he's projecting that all over the network? Oops. He tries to smother it to a lower volume, at least. This has... some success. It's a little wobbly, though. He's not used to having to police his thoughts.]

Uh, thanks, anyway. It's one of my favorites to chill to.

[An image of a certain cafe comes to mind...]

[bladeofnymeia]

A touch more than most.

[It's not a boast in the slightest - more an honest statement of fact.]

I'm an adventurer at my core, and I love my home. Faults and all. Finding new things I've never experienced before, big and small, is what I do.

[But yes, the good Doctor.]

The creatures here are lucky to have him - as are we, I suppose.

[quirkynote]

[People often fear and judge what they fail to understand? Oh...if only A.B.A could realize the irony.]

What? N-No...I'm fine.