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]

Not necessarily. Crows and I have a fair bit in common. They're intelligent, adaptable, and can harbor a grudge for quite some time...

Not to mention, my Metaverse attire shares a similar palette to my current form.

[After a bit of focus, he projects an image of a tall, teenage boy in a dark, imposing outfit. There's a serrated, red saber in his left hand.]

[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.

[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.

[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.]

[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.

[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.]

[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.]

[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?

[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.]

[quirkynote]

From birth...? Since you were....a baby? Humans have such surprisingly high standards...

[She barely understands babies as it is. How is an infant supposed to prove people wrong??? Maybe they're smarter than she realized...]

[truthdecided]

They do. Children born out of wedlock, for instance, are marked down as such in the koseki. A family registry, in other words. This lack of "legitimacy" follows them throughout their lives.

[He phrases it like an example, a distant hypothetical, though if A.B.A. reads between the lines, perhaps she'll notice it's not so distant in truth.]

[quirkynote]

[She would......if she wasn't so easily distracted. "Wedlock" gets her thinking of a beautiful wedding, like one you'd see in a fairy tale.

By the sea...

Oh, with a big wedding cake-!]

Mhmfufufu~ I do hope to have children one day... I wonder what they'd look like... Would they have Paracelsus's big, beautiful eyes? I can only hope so...

[Sorry, Akechi, were you having trauma just now?]

[truthdecided]

[That's... quite the segue. She went from revenge journals to fantasizing about motherhood?

It's all so... picturesque.]

With all due respect, I believe we're getting off track.

[quirkynote]

Hm? No...I don't think so... There is no wrong track when the train is love...

[She is incredibly off track.]

What were we talking about again? You wanted to get married? That's so beautiful... Young love....

[truthdecided]

I've never had a romantic relationship, and even if I did, it's not as though men can marry one another.

[Not in Japan, anyway. Other countries, yes, but it's far from universal.

Young love... as if someone like him could even love after everything he's endured.]

[quirkynote]

Never? How sad... I feel so bad for you... But I disagree, you can marry whoever you want, the heart will always guide you to your beloved...

[A.B.A is...probably not the best when it comes to how marriage works.]

[truthdecided]

I'm referring to the law. In Japan, they only permit marriage between men and women. So, even if I were of age, and even if I wished to do so, would not be permitted.

[Does she not understand legality? Then again, she does seem to be a bit unaware of certain social graces...]

[quirkynote]

[There's a pause on her end.]



...the islands of Japan were destroyed over one hundred years ago. There's no reason to follow outdated laws.