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

[truthdecided]

No, that's reasonable. A common enemy can unite many people. Perhaps in this case, it's humans...

[But then, the guilds accepted them despite their origins, so maybe that's not the case. There could be something else...]

[bladeofnymeia]

[Maybe they're different because they've become Pokemon, so they're judged as safe...?]

I suppose we won't know until the situation arises.

[truthdecided]

True. We've got to get our bearings and adapt, for the time being. New bodies, new abilities...

[And a new world, though that goes without saying.]

[bladeofnymeia]

Mm. I think we shall adapt well, keeping communications open this way. Together we can persevere.

[There's a strong sense of certainty to the words - Firoza believes in what she's talking about, 100%.]

[truthdecided]

You sound incredibly confident. Then again, a traveler like you must have experience adapting to new circumstances.

[There's an air of understanding. He's adapted in his own way, but not in nearly as grand of circumstances.]

[bladeofnymeia]

[A sheepish smile.]

I have seen and done much, 'tis true. But the greatest accomplishments were only done through cooperation amongst many, time and again. Sometimes to the point of surprise, seeing how far the reach of friendship goes.

[truthdecided]

You'd likely get along with my rival. He's the walking embodiment of "bonds" and their power.

[There's an odd mix of amusement and envy flowing through these thoughts.]

He's the sort of person who would stubbornly sympathize with someone who deeply wronged him, even when he'd be better off severing that connection.

[bladeofnymeia]

He might've been just as surprised at sympathizing with someone he disagreed with. I have had that happen myself.

[Let's just absolutely not let the memory of that revelation leak out...just the sense of the memory of absolute exhaustion, mingled with an epiphany.]

...It took a lot to get there. Perhaps more than it aught.

[truthdecided]

It goes deeper than disagreements, I'm afraid. There was attempted murder involved, albeit under orders. Not that the orders mean anything, when the end result was nearly the same.

[These words carry a feeling of frustration, of regret.

...Don't worry about it. It's nothing.]

Then again, I'm no idealist. I've seen too much evil to even fathom the minds of hopeful dreamers.

[bladeofnymeia]

Ooh. [A pause.] At least you didn't fight to the death. Abandon weaponry and skills for just punching the stuffing out of one another. That sort of thing.

[Still just holding down that memory in a strangle hold.]

I would not advocate doing that, though. If only because it feels horrid.

[Incredible amounts of sheepish shame just radiating off of her, though.]

[truthdecided]

[That's an oddly specific respone, which suggests...]

You have personal experience, I take it?

[My. Not that Akechi hasn't had brutal fights with Ren, but at least there were Personas and weapons involved.]

[bladeofnymeia]

...Aye.

[Just. The brief flash of a memory of punching a man in the jaw and sending him flying and spitting blood while you yourself are teetering on the verge of collapse.]

He made a convincing argument, for once.

[truthdecided]

Convincing enough to escalate to a brawl.

[Or perhaps the argument ended it.]

Well, I'm certainly in no position to judge.

[bladeofnymeia]

Mm, aye. And thank you. I was given an incredible talking-to afterwards...not that it wasn't warranted. But it was lecture enough to last a lifetime.

[truthdecided]

All things considered, a lecture is rather light. Never pleasant, but something you can learn from.

[Lectures would hardly erase the damage done by Akechi. No words could.]

[bladeofnymeia]

It is very effective when everyone is crying on top of you.

[truthdecided]

Clearly, they cared. You're very fortunate in that respect.

[No one would cry over Akechi.

Well, perhaps that isn't true.

Ren might. He probably did, even. Not that it matters now.]

[bladeofnymeia]

...Ah, this is more than I meant to share about those times. I apologize. These pearls make it far too easy to say a thousand things.

[truthdecided]

I'm not entirely fond of my thoughts being so easily viewed either. The mind can wander and waver, and without extreme diligence, certain thoughts and memories can slip through the cracks.

[For now, he's keeping a cool head. His words come across matter of factly.

However, it's taking significant restraint on his end.]

[bladeofnymeia]

...I suppose we'll all have to practice.