ohmyarceus | JANUARY - FEBRUARY TEST DRIVE MEME

That's also fitting, from what I remember of our school days.

[ Wait. What? ]

I should say the same thing to you- I saw none of the Blue Lions at all! Bandits, yes, and the professor, miraculously, but none of you.

The professor? That's preposterous. They were with us.

[He rubs his temples.] Claude will know better than I do what this means. But it sounds like we remember completely different things.

To answer your question, Dimitri escaped execution. He wasn't alright for a long time. He's...better now. Claude and Sylvain are fine.

He'll certainly love a nice mystery to sink his teeth into, even if it's not his regular faire.

[ Still, she listens earnestly- it's a relief to hear that everyone is alright, and that Dimitri was healing at that. Frankly she hadn't expected to see it, ever. ]

That's good to hear. I'm glad that you're all safe and sound... aside from being wherever this place is. It seems so idyllic, it's jarring, to be honest.

Hmph. You’re telling me. It’s been nothing but nonstop mysteries with him this whole time. [Maybe weirdly, he doesn’t sound as legitimately annoyed about this as he probably would have when Lysithea knew him. More exasperated and maybe a little fond.]

[Felix nods.] I know what you mean. Have you tried casting a spell yet? You won’t be able to. Sylvain and I can’t either. And we all arrived without our weapons. The only weapons that apparently exist in this world at all are wooden ones. It’s like...we landed in some kind of dream.

[ That certainly is an odd attitude, but... well. It's been five years. Maybe despite everything, he's actually mellowed out some? ]

From the sounds of this place, he'll be without want for more discoveries and questions to ask and answer for quite a while... Wait.

We're really without magic?! What about our Crests?

Edited (word choice slipped me for a sec) 2021-01-12 03:04 (UTC)

Those don't work either. Dimitri's strength is that of a normal person here. I don't mind relying on skill alone, not that there are any real battles to fight even if I did.

The Pokemon have abilities much like the magic we're used to, though. I can't cast Thunder, but...

[He turns and whistles, and soon a literal blue lion with a black mane pads over to peer at the screen.]

Show her. Charge.

[The Luxray makes a satisfied noise and its fur starts to glow brightly, until sparks of electricity run across its body, its mane standing on end. After a few seconds, Felix gives the lion a nod and the glow fades, making the sparks vanish too.]

[ Even the Crests didn't work here? Were they gone completely? What did that mean for her then? It's almost too much to think about, especially given that she has no way of answering that for sure.

And if her mind wasn't blown enough, Felix commands a literal blue lion to harvest lightning for itself- Lysithea watches in awe and tries to stomp down her own horrific theories on why. Her experiences are not universal, after all. ]

That's incredible! Does it harm them to be able to cast like that, or is this a natural ability? And the coloration- this place is insane!

You'll get no argument from me. It's natural, as far as I know. They have some of these abilities as soon as they hatch and learn others through training. They all have some kind of affinity, just like Reason magic does.

[He turns the Gear so that Lysithea can see what looks like a piece of fruit--a mangosteen, though Felix doesn't know what that is--sitting on the windowsill on the other side of the hotel room.]

Hey, Inda. Turn around.

[...and then the fruit gets up on its tiny, stubby little legs and turns around to smile widely at the Gear.]

Her affinity is with grass. Sylvain hatched her from an egg.

I... really can't be surprised that what looks to be a fruit is alive like this, given my own companion. But they have no limit to what they are or could be, do they?

[ How Claude hasn't devoured this realm whole with questions was a miracle. ]

... Wait, 'hatched'? Not... grown? Or something?

If there is a limit, I haven't seen it yet. One of Claude's is a teacup.

And yes. Not grown. Hatched. Apparently, all Pokemon come from eggs. Even the cats. And how they produce the eggs is another damn mystery.

Did you receive supplies for training or breeding them?

That's so strange... Oh- I hadn't even thoroughly checked my supplies yet. How remiss of me!

[ She can be seen reaching for something under the table, and then she brings out a backpack that seems to match her regular outfit. With a few moments of careful searching- everything is perfectly organized already after all- she pulls out a book- though she notes there's two. ]

It says... this is a manual for Pokémon Breeding? I must admit, that is not what I expected.

[ She's the bane of the Death Knight for the Saints' sake-- ]

Huh. That's not what I expected either. Although you're clearly interested in learning more about the nature of Pokemon, so I suppose it does make sense. You were always studying back at the academy.

Sylvain is a breeder too. Dimitri, Claude, and I are trainers. Which means we've been training our Pokemon teams for battle. But I wouldn't suggest neglecting your team's training either, even if you won't be competing much. You'll still run into wild Pokemon that you'll have to fight off or catch. And there's a large bandit organization in this world; we had to fend them off not long ago.

[He rolls his eyes.] I'm still trying to drill this into Sylvain's head. He's as lazy about his training as ever.

As much as I'd like to enjoy some peace times, I'm not about to leave myself defenseless- especially when I'm separated from everyone else. You don't need to worry about that.

[ If they'll have her, that is. ]

... I suppose there are worse things to do with my time than helping another living creature thrive.

[ Certainly not the impact she thought she'd be making... ... does she have to worry about borrowed time any more? She quickly pushes those thoughts elsewhere. There's more to prepare for. ]

Tell me about these bandits- if they're actually organized they may be a bigger threat than we're used to from that sort.

Good. [He frowns in thought.] None of us has a flying Pokemon that knows how to carry riders. You'll probably have to catch up with us on foot, until you catch and evolve something big enough to ride. There are devices that cast Warp in each town, once you register your Gear. So we can meet up whenever you reach a new town.

[Felix nods.] They are and they aren't. It is an organization, but they don't seem to be organized very well. And they are dangerous, through sheer numbers and a lot of powerful Pokemon. Most of which I assume are stolen. But they're not life-threatening. Mostly. From what I can tell, their goals are to exploit Pokemon for wealth and power.

One of them was willing to fight me with a wooden candy cane, though.

I see. That is troublesome- but if I'm reading this map right, there's at least one town not too far from this 'New Bark Town'. The journey will be unpleasant in this cold, but we've all marched through unpleasant weather before. Since you've done this journey before, is there anything I should look into specifically? Supplies or Pokémon.

[ Not that it seemed like there were any stores or such things in the hamlet. She might have to ask around further, but if travelers were so common it might not be as worrisome as it seems. ]

Even the criminals and bandits seem softer in this world- though the bar's rather low in that regard. ... Wait, I'm sorry, what? A wooden candy cane?

It's not cold. You'll be fine.

[At least, it's not cold unless you're rolling around in the snow for half an hour. Or, you know, not from Faerghus.]

Wild Pokemon will harass you, so bring plenty of pokeballs. And I have my doubts that your blob of goo can fight effectively, so try to find something that can before you get too far. Otherwise you'll end up like Sylvain. He started with a fish.

[He nods.] There's a strange being here called Santa Claus. He has something to do with a local gift-giving holiday. Candy canes are common. This bandit was dressed as some kind of ostentatious mockery of Santa, and had a large wooden candy cane. He wielded it as a weapon. More effectively than I would have expected.

Maybe for you! We're from very different climates, if you don't remember.

[ SHE'S A HOTHOUSE FLOWER, FELIX, EVEN WITHOUT HER ACTUAL HEALTH-INFLICTED PHYSICAL WEAKNESS AND FRAGILITY. ]

... A fish. On the dry land? [ Normally she would snap at the ridiculous notion, but she's also carrying a living dollop of cream that floats and speaks and breathes, so. She's gonna try to keep an open mind. ] ... I suppose these devices that house the creatures may be safe enough to carry it around since it looks as if they're designed to contain whichever type safely, but that is quite the jarring mental image. But thank you, I will keep all of this in mind.

[ And train the milcery well- if Lysithea could fight, so will it. ... Perhaps that is why she received it? After all, if anyone knew about pushing yourself past the limits of frailty and weakness, it was certainly her. ]

That holiday does sound rather nice... But it says a lot about the bandit himself, to insult such a notion. I bet you're rather pleased that you won't be completely wanting for skilled opponents?

Pff. As if I could forget, with Claude whining about the cold every five minutes.

I don't understand it either. The fish survive on land even outside their balls. They just flop around like--uh. You know. I had one too, but I caught it later. Both of them have now evolved into large river serpents. Before you ask, I have no idea how that works.

[Felix wears a small, satisfied smirk.] Yes, fortunately I have found plenty of skilled opponents here. It came as a surprise given the eerily placid nature of this place, but it seems that plenty of other visitors like us are used to combat. And of course, I spar with Dimitri often.

[He glances elsewhere then, focusing on something (or maybe nothing) just offscreen.] I don't suppose you've seen Annette since you arrived, have you?

What does "evolved" mean, in terms of these creatures? Clearly there's some great change, but you must remember: I've only just arrived today.

[ And doesn't he look so pleased! She'd always admired his drive and skill, even if his attitude could leave something to be desired at times- not that she could talk, truly. ]

At least all that work won't go to waste then. I wish I could say the same for my magic, but I refuse to let the rest of my studies be useless here.

No, I haven't. I thought I spotted Ashe, and I've seen Leonie, but otherwise I've only gotten word from you and now Claude. I'm sorry. If she does show up, I'll bring her with me though, I promise.

Oh. As Pokemon train and get stronger, they take on more advanced forms. Alexandre used to be a small cub. He evolved twice, into adulthood. My sword Pokemon evolved from one sword to two.

[He nods in approval. This is why he's always liked Lysithea--she seems to be the only one who understands why he never stops training. Well, that and she actually managed to make a cake he liked. Truly a miracle.]

Exactly. I've heard there are Pokemon scholars and professors in this world willing to share their studies. It wouldn't take long for you to catch up.

[He gives the space next to his screen a curt nod.] Thank you.

[ As he explains, Lysithea is also turning through one of the guidebooks given to her, until she finds something relevant. ]

I see! So they experience a sudden, permanent transformation that both represents their newfound strength and grants them further capabilities. What fascinating creatures- and so unlike the monsters we're used to.

[ And the milcery seems proud at her wording. Do you hear that, world? It's fascinating! And then it dissolves- uh, but not literally- into giggly coos as Lysithea absently pets the top of it's head. It doesn't feel at all what she thought it would! And she's not sure how concerned about that she should be, actually. ]

It sounds as if there will be plenty to ask about. Thank you for all of your advice so far, Felix. I won't put it to waste.

Mm. There's a type of creature here in Goldenrod called an Eevee that can evolve into different forms depending on the method used. I've heard it's common to study them. I'll catch one for you.

So then certain Pokémon require specific situations to change? I wonder how people stumbled upon them! Are humans required to enact them? From what I'm seeing in this book, while they do live in the wild, these creatures and humans have a highly cooperative relationship.

Oh! That- sounds wonderful. Thank you, Felix.

I just couldn't stand to see you flail around trying to fend off wild Pokemon with nothing but a blob, that's all.

[Sure, Felix. That's the only reason. You can't just be nice or anything.]

In Azalea, the people let dozens of notoriously stupid pink lizards live all over their town, wherever they want. You can hardly walk down the street without tripping over one. Here in Goldenrod, there's some kind of...thunder ghost that possesses devices to take on different forms, they're everywhere. But those forms aren't permanent.

As for evolution, the only ways I've seen it happen so far is through training and experience or with special stones or items. If there are other ways, I don't know what they are.

[A pause.] Oh. I suppose you were bound to find out eventually. But there are ghost Pokemon here.

Edited 2021-01-14 23:24 (UTC)

Since when do I flail around? The nerve, honestly.

[ She sounds offended but she looks fond. ]

It sounds like they really live hand in hand with nature. It's admirable, honestly. Maybe there's something for us to learn from it... as inconvenient as large lizards may possibly be.

[ And then "ghost" register, and while she tries not to, she freezes instantly.

How fast can she leave?! ]

That- that's utterly ridiculous! What does that even mean!?

JANUARY - FEBRUARY TEST DRIVE MEME

i'm not changing this because this is too good.

yesssss

me, already peppering in some Angst about that in claude's tags: :3c

I love it >:D

u w u i live to make everyone a little sad... and incredibly happy!

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