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

[firealone]

[Green cat! Somehow, despite all of the strange creatures he's seen, a Sprigatito is the most fascinating one.]

I'll try to seek him out. Hopefully I can be a good teacher, I've never tried teaching other cats before.

[But it's exciting! And so is, generally, the idea of getting to hang out with another cat.]

[truthdecided]

It must be an exciting life.

[To travel freely, unhindered by the same obligations that kept him trapped in a gilded cage... So many of his 'travels' were purely for the benefit of those who controlled him.

But that goes unsaid, of course. There are more pressing matters at hand.]

Frankly, it's all still surprising that so many different creatures live so harmoniously. The culture seems so... picturesque.

[truthdecided]

That's good to hear. Then again, these creatures seem more accepting than most humans.

[He's human. He's allowed to say that. After all, he's seen humanity at their worst. Been humanity at its worst.]

[truthdecided]

He's quite a fan of cats, but being one is uncharted territory for him. His own cat already bossed him around quite a bit, though, so I'm sure he'll take your instruction like a hand to a glove.

[Will that metaphor even make sense to a cat? Well, he already said it.]

[truthdecided]

Can you imagine if Boss arrived here?

[This is an absolutely ridiculous thought experiment, but perhaps Ren will find it amusing.]

I wonder what he'd even be...

[truthdecided]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if trade and bartering were a facet of this society. The technology level here seems closer to the pre-industrial era, where trading thrived.

[But it's really just a guess. With only a few weeks here, he has a limited amount of information to draw from.]

[truthdecided]

[Heh, heh... Oh, how delightful. Time to deliver a grand reveal...]

Oh, did I not tell you? Back home, I was a bit of a celebrity. The "second coming of the Detective Prince."

[...]

Though, frankly, I'm content to leave the obsessive fans behind.

[truthdecided]

[Um... wait. Is that—

Akechi smacks a wing over his face, grumbling.]

...A Rick Roll. Of all the ways you could respond, you chose Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up.

[Well. Points for creativity...?]

[seacub]

Heheh, of course. What if it didn't work?

[quirkynote]

Mhm....Mhmhmhmhm~

[She's....giggling.]

I think you misunderstand, I merely said I was fine~ ...Although...

[A beat.]

I'm thankful for the Oran Berries... They seem...keen on accepting the unacceptable...

[There are...a lot of strange feelings she's still trying to sort out ever since Mightyena approached her. But that's just something she'll have to figure out for another day.]

[outbounds]

That does sound like Victini, yup. [ interesting! ] I don't suppose there's a matching set for Truth and Ideals? Or maybe the Forces of Nature?

[ since this is all telepathic Akechi can probably 'hear' the capitals intended with the concepts, as well as all the free association tied to each because they were definitely thought as concepts and not just the words. blazing, bright and vast white, banked flames, one-half of the same whole, retribution for the greedy; and storms and generators and deep black, the other half, equal and opposed, a warning for the unjust; then four seasons, four winds, endless bickering for the last. ]

[offtracks]

Hmmmm...yes, I suppose.

[Pre-industrial era???]

Provided we can all perform some sort of useful task, I am sure we will be alright. And anyone who does not know how to do that can learn!

[firealone]

Like a... huh?

[It does not, even a little bit.]

A hand is a paw, right? What's a glove?

[truthdecided]

I have certain skills that may come in handy. After all, the locals seemed to struggle in rooting out the culprit behind the pranked accessories.

[As pleased as he is by this fact, though...]

Though I can't take all the credit, admittedly. Others, such as Doc-san and Shoka-san joined in the investigation.

[truthdecided]

I suppose it was an effect way to gauge reactions.

[You know what? Just for that, he'll project another song through his thoughts. A meme for a meme.]

The internet is a truly fascinating place.

[truthdecided]

There are gods and goddesses of truth, such as Veritas and Alethia of Roman and Greek origin, though "ideals" tend to be broken down into more specific concepts, more often than not.

[As he describes these goddesses, images of ancient temples, detailed statues, and painted vases flicker through his thoughts.]

Forces of nature might be broken down into specific gods as well, such as Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, or Ra, the Egyptian sun god.

[At the mention of Poseidon, a bearded man with a trident appears, with crashing waves behind him, followed by a man with a bird's head.]

Though gods, goddesses, and the supernatural vary drastically depending on the cultures surrounding them. For instance, one of the most famous mythical creatures in Japan is the kitsune, immortal trickster foxes with the ability to shapeshift, who were said to be messengers of the god Inari.

[truthdecided]

It almost feels too good to be true.

[There's a wistfulness to his words, a tinge of sadness.]

Not many people are so eager to pick up strays. Though, really, if people consider you unacceptable, that's all the more reason to prove them wrong.

[quirkynote]

Mhm~ Your sentiment is sweet...but I'm not looking to prove anyone wrong... It may be difficult to grasp since you come from the perspective of a human, but I know I wasn't made to fit into this world or any other world. I embrace it.

[Still...]

It's...simply nice when others embrace it alongside me.

[Which is somehow completely different.]

Unless, of course, that was a more general "you" you were speaking of. Tell me, do you often find yourself trying to prove others wrong?

[outbounds]

[ well, that's kind of specific, isn't it?

the response this time is somewhat slower than the previous. halting, a little more carefully measured. there's probably a sense of various pieces of information being sorted and filtered through, parts withheld for now and not immediately being spoken about. ]

As far as I know, Zoroark are not messengers of anything in particular. But. There are legends apparently about the kind I have become. You would have to ask Ingo. He can tell them better than me.

[ pause. ]

Seems like there isn't as close a comparison to Reshiram and Zekrom the way there is one for Victini. Not if the two aren't paired.

Also. Much of your gods and goddesses are very human-shaped? At least, the ones you have shown.

[offtracks]

Ah, you are a detective!

[how on earth does he know what a detective is, don't question him or he'll get confused about it]

[telewarped]

[Shoka is apparently still reeling over the 105 thing because, before she can manage her intended reply, a few threads of incomplete thought slip through: Not my Shibuya. Same city, but a different version. Another world's? The Composer could—]

Yeah, no—you neglected to mention that fun fact. But it explains so much.

[The way he was so eager to play detective back at the market, the pompous attitude...]

Well, glad you're so sick of your adoring fans, 'cause that means a whole lotta nothing to me. Don't even know who the first coming was.

[truthdecided]

[Those incomplete thoughts give Akechi some pause. They're interesting, but there are more pressing topics to prioritize.]

My predecessor was a literal prodigy, having solved many cases even before their first year in high school. It was a title well earned.

[Unlike Akechi. His skills meant little when he'd participated in so much fraudulent activity.]

Not that it matters. Here, I'm working without prior reputation. It's an opportunity to carve my own path.

[truthdecided]

I had to. It's what happens when the deck is stacked against you from birth.

[Though his words come with an air of nonchalance, ripples of something darker accompany the message. Resentment, guilt...

Pay no mind to that.]

[bladeofnymeia]

Mayhap the conflicts they face are not between each other, but them as a group and...another group. [The sense of a shrug.] 'Tis merely speculation.

[truthdecided]

[Ah, right. He's a cat. Certain metaphors might not make sense...]

Gloves are clothing that humans wear over their hands. Sometimes it's to keep them warm, sometimes it's for protection, and other times it's merely for aesthetics.