ohmyarceus | January - February Test drive

[The man shown in the response video isn't visibly Galra either, although there are a couple of tells. Human irises aren't usually bright gold, for one, and the streaks in his hair are actually faint lavender rather than the grey they might be mistaken for at first glance.

Thace for his part is almost bursting with hope. Could it be? It very well could, but the transformation to human does complicate matters. At least there's instant confirmation that this man was also another species.]

Brother...?

[It's soft and hopeful, but quiet enough to be easily brushed aside if it doesn't get the response he's hoping for. A brother Blade (who's been a Blade longer than young Keith has) would be so welcome.]

To answer your questions, you are in another world, or reality if you prefer that term for it. Everyone brought here from their home realities is changed to fit the human norms for the most part. The most prominent theory as to how is that the being locally considered a god brings us here for some purpose known only to them. It takes a while to get used to the change in species, but the Pokemon partners and the peaceful state of this world almost make up for it completely.

[Yes, those were very good tells indeed, considering Ulaz had never really seen that in most of the races that they had knowledge of. It was something decidedly Galran as far as he was aware.

He did hear the very faint comment before the other started speaking. He was almost positive who he was speaking to, but he didn't was to presume either]

Knowledge or death.

[Well, he was at least fairly certain that he was speaking with another Blade]

I see. That is interesting information. Given how little I have seen of this world so far, I will take your word as to why this has happened. But certainly agree about the Pokemon partners.

[He'd only had this little guy for maybe an hour and he would already protect him with his life]

Knowledge or death. It's so good to see another sibling Blade here. Brother Keith is here, but I don't get to see him often.

[For reasons that he's not going to burden someone with right on arrival. But he does adjust the camera view to a more wide shot of what could be a cozy little apartment, with lots of Pokemon hanging around. Including an animate sword who waves her tassel at the camera when mentioned.]

This is my first partner, Vrig.

[Thace has never made his interest in the history and culture of the Empire before the corruption a secret among the other Blades. He's a nerd and proud of it.]

[Cue the surprised look] Paladin Keith has Galra blood? He was asking about my blade on the Thaldycon communication base, but that was all I got to hear of it.

[This was what happened when you die early in the fighting, Ulaz...

Ulaz was certainly impressed as the screen adjusted to the apartment. Looks like he had been here a while. He gave a nod at the pokemon who makes an appearance when mentioned as though in greeting]

An appropriate partner. I do not have a name for this one yet.

[His poochyena was leaning closer towards the screen now that there were more pokemon, but how to get to them...]

[Thace nods, happy at first, but then looking away, pensive.]

Keith can tell you more about it when you get a chance to talk to him, but yes. He was vital to helping me complete my mission to sabotage Central Command after my capture; a true Blade in every way.

[Thace chuckles a little.] A name will come, I'm sure. I've been taking names from history, myths and legends mostly, but I admit that my Pokemon family has grown enough that it's hard to think of new ones that fit sometimes.

[Vrig spots the Poochyena and sounds out a happy greeting. Someone her Thace likes so much will be an excellent partner!]

I see. I will have to ask him more about it when I see him. I'm afraid Thaldycon was the end of my mission. But it is good that he is doing the Blade proud.

[Poochyena replied to Vrig, trying to lean just a little closer. Lucky that the pokemon had Ulaz to hold it there and even move it just a bit closer to the screen. This is was probably going to turn into pokemon partners talking soon if they weren't careful]

I will have to consider options. Seems a bit too important to just think of something haphazardly.

[Thace nods seriously.] The attack on Central Command was the end of mine. I've been told the future bodes well for the Blades' mission as a whole.

[In spite of casualties, but Thace will leave that to Keith, who told him about what happened with Voltron and the Blades after to begin with.]

This world, for all the minor annoyances about species changes, has been a second chance to experience the ideal of a peaceful, honorable life for me. I hope it can become the same for you.

[Vrig will happily start giving Poochyena tips and tricks on how to take care of her trainer (because she's fairly certain none of the trainers from Thace's world actually know how to take care of themselves at this point) but she pauses each time Thace or Ulaz says something because that conversation is important for Poochyena to know too!]

You could ask her what name she might like. That's often what I do with my family here. One of mine, Athvrix, has gotten very good at translating, and I've also taught several of mine sign, based on the old sign language that our hand signs evolved from.

That is promising to hear. I'm sure Kolivan will be pleased.

[He didn't doubt there would have been casualties. Not like the Galra military were known for being kind and understanding. Hence why Ulaz had been assigned to do what he had done while undercover and the fact they had sent a robeast to Thaldycon to try and destroy Voltron]

I hope so. It has been... a very long time since I have been able to have any sort of life that was considered peaceful. It will take some getting used to, but I would like to try.

[He looked over at Poochyena when Thace suggested asking her. Poochyena in turn, looked back at him]

I will have to do that. It would also be nice to figure out a way to communicate.

[If it was going to be with him all the time, the least he could do was figure out a way for Poochyena to be able to talk to him]

It is worth the effort.

[Thace's agreement to the statement is soft, a little distant, like he's thinking about something else for a split second, and then his whole attention is on Ulaz and Poochyena again.]

That's actually a... mm, I'm not sure I'd call it a hobby? An interest of mine here. Pokemon seem to understand the gist of what we say without any training or effort on their parts, but the reverse isn't quite true. With experience, there can certainly be communication without any additional methods, and some will refuse to use them at all, but additional methods are helpful. I've attempted to learn their means of communication, but there's something about it beyond the physical that I can't replicate. So most of my family has taken upon themselves to learn the additional methods to make things easier for me.

One of my family, Vonir--

[And at this point a very fluffy Flareon bounds into Thace's lap, startling him into a laugh, and he pauses to bunt foreheads with her affectionately before continuing.]

She's decided to learn to write. I'm working on perfecting a device that will make it easier to manipulate writing utensils with her paws, but honestly, she hardly needs it.

[The Flareon bounds offscreen only to come back a second later with a pad of paper in her mouth. The letters are large and a little wobbly but it clearly says "Hi! Happy to meet new friends!"]

[Ulaz nodded slightly as he listened. In the midst of it, he casually moved his hand to let Poochyena sit on his shoulder if it wished. The pokemon seemed to take it, secure in the fact that his partner wasn't going to let him fall. So now there was a rather odd choice for a shoulder sitter]

Ah, very impressive, Vonir. And hello as well.

[So many different pokemon...]

There is no harm in trying to learn something like that. It sounds like it would be a worthwhile use of time here, trying to work on new methods of communication. I wonder if this one will eventually be able to learn something like that.

[Vonir chirps a happy response to the hello.]

I don't see why not, provided there's interest in learning. They're as intelligent as we are, if not moreso in some cases. I find myself wondering sometimes if it's something to do with quintessence that is the missing piece I lack when I try to communicate with their language. Their abilities seem to suggest strong quintessence if nothing else.

[Thace shakes his head, chuckling.] I've had a lot of time to think; it's nice. More practically, a Pokemon who's already learned the skill in question makes the lessons go more quickly, but I've never encountered a lack of ability. Only lack of interest.

[As he spoke, Poochyena was staring rather intently at the screen. So many pokemons and they were all so far away, but yet so close...]

I suppose some form of quintessence could be responsible for the intelligence of these creatures, though it would be hard to confirm for certain without a way to detect it. The ones I have seen so far have been very smart.

[Aww... Poochyena knew that included her so she made a happy sound and nuzzled up against him. Partner was calling her smart. Ulaz couldn't help a faint smile and reached to pet her]

Would you also be interested in trying to learn? [He asked this to his Poochyena, who made another sound] Sounds like that might have been agreement.

[Thace is wearing a very knowing smile at the actions. He knows exactly how it feels.]

Then it will be done. Would you and your partner like to come to Goldenrod right away? The apartment just upstairs is vacant right now. It's one of the larger cities, and has been a good base to arrange travel and other things out of. There's even quick travel to the other region from here. I can warp out to Cherrygrove in a matter of minutes and fly with Zirthe to where you are in a few hours after that.

We could even take the longer route back so you can pick up the warps for both Violet and Azalea on the way to Goldenrod.

Though if you prefer to walk the routes and camp out, well, I certainly enjoyed that experience when I first arrived, but I also know that some people--

[His voice goes so warm and fondly exasperated and playful at that that there must be a very specific 'some people' he's referring to.]

--greatly dislike the cold and foot travel.

[He considered that for a moment. He really didn't mind camping out so much. Not that he had much experience with it anymore having lived in space for too many years, first on a Galra ship and then the Thaldycon base.

Oddly though, he was thinking more about Poochyena. Would she prefer to have a physical location to go back to at some point? Was hard to tell]

I suppose having a place to serve as a central location would not be a bad idea. If we chose to go out from there and camp then that is still an option.

I'll start heading your way then, after I tell my partner--

[The word Thace uses for partner definitely has strong romantic connotations.]

If he wanted to come along to meet you, would you want to meet him?

I will wait here then.

[He had a friend to keep him company at least. Poochyena was good company]

If your partner would like to come, I should like to meet him.

I'll ask him right now, and tell my family what's happening. We'll get to you as quick as we can.

[Thace looks almost giddy with excitement, and delight, and maybe a little relief too.]

Of course. I appreciate that.

[He was glad that he wasn't the only Blade here. It would be nice having another one. And he was looking forward to seeing Thace again, with his family]

[A short while later, Thace sends a brief message.]

We're on our way. I look forward to this meeting.

[And indeed, some short hours later Thace arrives]

January - February Test drive

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