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

[offtracks]

A bit, yes! It was all rather vague, or broad, but I have been pursuing more and more exciting battles ever since then!

[truthdecided]

Well then. Perhaps battling with fellow guild members would spark something as well.

[It's not an overt challenge but, well... He did fight Emmet. He didn't win, but it was enlightening.]

[offtracks]

Perhaps so! This is rather different from how I would have battled before...but I am still very excited to try it out!

[And hey, at least this happened after the point where Ingo could definitely for sure verify that he wasn't a Pokemon at some point before Hisui!]

[truthdecided]

Well, it only makes sense. Giving commands is quite different from fighting directly.

[There's a slight degree of separation even with his Persona, but it's different. Personas are still a part of them, after all.]

Perhaps the direct experience will serve you well upon your return.

[offtracks]

I think it must! It's an incredible opportunity to understand my Pokemon's perspective! It is only a shame i do not have a Typhlosion on my team...

[truthdecided]

You could always find one later, couldn't you?

[Of course, that depends on how easy it is to find one. For all Akechi knows, they're quite rare.]

[offtracks]

I could. I probably will, at some point! But I doubt that they will stay with me long-term...I think I am about at my capacity.

[He technically has the space for nearly as many Pokemon as he wishes, living alone as he does! But six feels traditional. Besides, even if he has the space, and most of his Pokemon hunt for themselves, Ingo's time and attention is still limited. Better to form proper bonds with fewer Pokemon than to overreach and cause wounded feelings.]

I often work temporarily with Pokemon, though! I like to present Miss Akari with fresh challenges, and there are often Pokemon willing to spend some time in town in return for food and specialized training.

[truthdecided]

[Hmm... Interesting.]

So, in other words, you've worked with other Pokémon in the past without fully domesticating them.

[They do seem intelligent, so that's not entirely surprising. One might even argue it's more ethical to let them come and go as they please.]

[offtracks]

Ah...well, yes, I suppose.

[They're not becoming domestic, so?]

Though some of them have gone to live with other humans since!

[truthdecided]

Hmm... I suppose there are advantages to human companionship. Not having to hunt in the wild, stable habitat...

[Among other things. There's a consistency the wild lacks.]

[offtracks]

Yes, quite so! Even if they are not interested in reaching their top battling potential, it is certainly a much more comfortable life simply to share a human's home.

[truthdecided]

I suppose it's a matter of comfort versus freedom. Firepaw-kun used to be a domestic cat, but chose a life in the wild instead.

[Not quite the same as Pokémon, mind, but it is a convenient point of comparison.]

Ultimately, it likely boils down to the individual and what they value in their lives.

[offtracks]

Quite so! It takes many different sorts of people to form a world!

[truthdecided]

For better and for worse. Though, I suppose there's something to be said about this city being so harmonious. A part of me still fully expects there to be some sort of seedy underbelly, but time will tell.

[It'd be nice if that wasn't so, but he can't bring himself to embrace optimism.]

[offtracks]

A seedy underbelly?

[What a strange idea! Though, Ingo supposes that one fellow with the mochi did turn out to be a secret ninja...is it still a seedy underbelly if it happens at the behest of the village leadership? Probably, he thinks.]

I suppose it's possible, but I do not see why...

[truthdecided]

Perhaps I'm just jaded.

[Flickers of dark alleyways, of shady men leering at women and approaching high schoolers with suspicious envelopes accompany his thoughts. All things considered, it's rather tame; Akechi knows better than to subject the most grotesque aspects of life in the city to one who didn't ask.]

Where I'm from, corruption and injustice run rampant, even though many prefer not to acknowledge its presence in their day to day lives. Systems meant to uphold law and order often ignore the suffering of those most vulnerable, while those in power trample over innocents undeterred.

[offtracks]

[Ugh. Ingo's expression doesn't shift, but there's a definite flicker of alarm and disgust.]

What is the purpose of any of them at all, then?

[truthdecided]

Control, I suppose. The corruption leads to an abuse of power, but it benefits those who have the power, so it's very difficult to challenge the norms.

[There's a strange cocktail of irritation and resignation, but also a flare of defiance. He wants to do more. He has the opportunity, since he survived after all...

But for now, he is here.]

Thankfully, I've yet to see signs of such corruption here. At the very least, Mightyena-san seems sincere in her intentions.

[offtracks]

Mm, yes. She reminds me a bit of - [A vague image of a young woman.] - well, perhaps the sort of person my own clan leader may grow to be! She's quite young still, she only took over the clan around the time I arrived.

[truthdecided]

[Young, and thrust into leadership... It's not as though it's outlandish. Ren is a high schooler who led one of the most infamous vigilante groups in the world.

But a small group is very different from an entire clan.]

That's quite the responsibility. She must feel a great deal of pressure living up to her predecessors.

[offtracks]

She does, yes.

[A flicker of...something a little more sober. Ingo may have his own thoughts about it, but it isn't something he can change; she was leader before he was a member of the clan at all.]

But she has done excellently. She has spoken to Palkia itself! The Pokemon long since revered as the Pearl Clan's patron deity!

[truthdecided]

One of those "Legendary Pokémon," correct?

[He'd seen some from Emmet as well. Flickers of large, black and white dragons of a sort accompany his thoughts.]

If they're on the level of gods, then that's truly impressive.

[offtracks]

Indeed! It could speak into her mind, she says, though it is not a psychic-type...I have met and spoken to it as well, but it did not do that for me.

[truthdecided]

Hmm... Perhaps it's selective? That, or only a select few can share such a link.

[offtracks]

Oh, don't misunderstand me, I am not upset! It can do whatever it likes! But, yes, maybe it is something like that...maybe it is only that she is the Clan leader.