ardent | 002. Video/Action for Route 35 (just outside Goldenrod)

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002. Video/Action for Route 35 (just outside Goldenrod)

[VIDEO]

[Well, today's video from Ishimaru is no less shouty than the first, though he seems to be less...manically enthusiastic this time around. Surely, this is progress!

Or, well, it would be, if it weren't so damn awkward-looking; he hasn't quite gotten the hang of addressing large groups of people over the feed like this, and as such his posture is a bit too tight, arms folded close against his chest, and his expression is still incredibly severe, though it's difficult to tell if it's through anger or just sheer...uh, passion. Let's. Let's call it that.

That said, he's still outside, seeming to be on one of the routes, the device apparently propped up on something; Goldenrod's skyline is rather visible close behind him, though, so he obviously hasn't gone too far.]

Through both my own curiosity and in the name of a personal project I'm undertaking, I have a request for the rest of you that have found yourselves in this place! It's not very much, and will only take a moment of your time - but if you have any sort of particular life motto or words that you happen to live by, I would like to hear them! If you have several, I would like all of them...and if you don't happen to have any, I'm sure that others would be willing to inspire you, should you want it!!

[...honey.]

Otherwise, keep your heads up and your gazes trained toward the horizon; it's been a beautiful day today - if a bit wet out sometimes - and hopefully a highly productive one for all of you!

[Okay, so he still hasn't quite learned how to people. He's working on it...]

[ACTION]

[Well! It seems that Ishimaru vs. Johto has not been going too badly lately - if the Shinx in front of him is any indication, he's managed to capture something halfway useful (and not Team Rocket property), at least. Now, if he can only work out what to do with the fish he's been given...

Today he is standing around on Route 35 near the entrance to Goldenrod, still wearing that pristine white uniform, hands firmly on hips and just looking like the most demented little drill instructor ever; he's got the fish on one side of his tiny makeshift battlefield, the Shinx on the other, and it's obvious that the Shinx's role in the proceedings is to stand there and be patient while Ishimaru tries to work out how to actually do something with the Magikarp.

To its credit, said Magikarp is flopping about heroically; Splash may be useless, but god, this thing is trying harder than He-Man in this institution. And to his own credit, Ishimaru is clearly trying to be encouraging, though judging from the weird pitchy quality to his voice he's more than slightly unsure of what to do with this poor stupid thing.]

Ah, that was better - that was much better! The...the height on that was very impressive!

[He withdraws a bit after that, posture-wise, his stance tightening while he thinks; there has to be some way to utilize this...]

...Have you tried just landing on your target, instead of staying over there?

[The Magikarp looks at his trainer like he may have, in fact, just received divine revelation; Ishimaru grins.]

Go on, then! Show Yoritsugu the force of your effort!

[Yoritsugu (that would be the Shinx, who is now seriously wondering why on earth he had to be caught by this fuckin' guy) just kind of stares at both of them as though minds have definitely been lost; however, that Magikarp seems to be feeling particularly empowered - Splash goes off without a hitch, this time aimed directly at the Shinx, and it...!!

...it...goes about as well as one would expect, really. There certainly was a lot of effort, but as Splash deals no damage whatsoever, there wasn't a whole lot of effect with the effort; it's managed to push Yoritsugu into the ground due to sheer weight and physics, but otherwise...yeeeah.

As such, for a long, awkward moment there is a completely bewildered Shinx splayed out on the ground with a fish on its back; after a while, said fish just kind of...slides off sideways onto the ground, and Ishimaru busies himself with burying his face in his hands, uttering a very muffled "Why..." once he's there.

However, once Ishimaru manages to compose himself well enough to actually look back up, that fish is looking proud as hell because good lord, trainer, it did a thing! Kinda! ...Yeah, Ishimaru just kind of smiles again, the expression clearly exasperated, as he moves to pick it up; the fish just...wriggles a bit as he does so, but at least it's not trying to get away.]

Yes, well. That was a splendid attempt indeed!

[Just. So much awkward, forced laughter because this is totally a good thing, right

...orz

Feel free to try to save the idiot and the fish from themselves; they could probably use the break.]

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I... see. [ At least he's enthusiastic about it, he thinks to himself. The Furret tilts its head to the side curiously and stands up on its hind legs to get a better view of the fish in Ishimaru's arms. Yep, that sure looks like a big failure. ]

How's it going so far? Magikarp is a pretty difficult Pokémon to raise.

Ah, is that common knowledge...?

[Because there's no point in denying that it's difficult, really.]

I'm not familiar with the games this world is based around - it's a bit of a disadvantage, in some ways, but it's one I'm willing to work through!

It's been years since I played the games but if I remember correctly, Magikarp doesn't really... do anything except splash around until it evolves.

...Really?

[He gives Naegi a strange look at that before glancing down at that fish of his, because that is seriously not news he wanted to hear - he's worked this poor dumb thing up as many levels as he can per week without letting himself get supremely frustrated with it and it's still failing miserably, and for the longest time he just sort of stares at it because the idea of continuing to do that for an indefinite period of time hadn't occurred to him. He's been operating under the assumption that it would eventually learn to do something...]

[...before seeming to shrug it off as best he can, his expression slipping into something decidedly more ambitious.]

Well, we'll just have to keep persevering until then, won't we?! I've raised it six levels already, and I think we're both up to the challenge!

In that case, I know you can do it. You've made a lot of progress already so it's really only a matter of time before it evolves. [ Here's hoping that Ishimaru is fully prepared for the raging sea serpent that failfish is going to be. ]

...By the way, do you mind if I stick around and train my Pokémon here? We could talk and get to know each other better while we train.

[His expression flickers, though it isn't through displeasure - rather, he seems a bit surprised by that.]

You would like to...?

[He shakes it off quickly enough, though.]

I would like that, Naegi-kun - and I would like to see the Pokémon you've been raising in action as well, I'm sure they're magnificent!

Great! [ aw yeah time to give him your free time events ]

This one here is Yukitaro. [ He places a hand on the Furret's head and ruffles its fur lightly, which earns him a pleased noise. ]

He's been with me the longest, other than my starter. I caught him almost immediately after I left New Bark.

[And hey, this way it doesn't even involve him storming up to you and demanding to see you naked out of nowhere!

...yet.

At any rate - goodness lawd that certainly is a massive ferret; Ishimaru takes a moment to study it, stepping a bit closer as he does so, though at least this time he manages to keep a reasonable distance from everyone's bubbles of personal space. Animals have never really been his...thing, after all.]

And what was it that made you decide to capture this one?

[Because surely there are reasons for everything.]

[ Please don't suggest they should train their Pokémon in the nude, Ishimaru!! 8| ]

I figured catching a second Pokémon as quickly as possible would be a good idea since I was going to walk for three days and I didn't want to let my starter wear herself out taking care of every battle. [ Especially when said starter only knew Metronome at the time and the RNG gods are assholes. It would suck if the eggthing exploded and left him without any unusable Pokémon. ]

Yukitaro was really friendly when I encountered him, so that's why I caught him.

[ The Furret walks up to Ishimaru to sniff at him with its tiny nose, its tail swishing back and forth. ]

[Oh, don't worry, he's perfectly content not mentioning anyone's nude bodies in the same general vicinity of tall grass full of wild Pokémon, just because someone has given him a rather...charmingly graphic idea of what Rattatas like to do to people; it's completely wrong in about 99.5% of cases and best not mentioned in polite company besides, but he'd rather not tempt fate.]

Three days, Naegi-kun?

[The words are blunted as usual, but there's undeniably something behind them that may or may not be an incredibly awkward sort of concern; he shifts the way he's holding that fish in his arms and reaches out toward the Furret one-handed, though he stops short of touching it - best to let these things get your scent first, right? That's what Oowada-kun had tried to teach him for quite some time, with regards to that dog of his...]

Well, it's fortunate that you had such a companion with you! I'm still studying them, myself...I've never been very good with pets or animals, and the ones here are no exception - I'm still attempting to get the one I started with to understand proper conduct!

Yes, three days.

[ Three days of fumbling about in the wilderness of Johto with little to no idea how to actually make the trip. Naegi has enough common sense to figure out that finding a shelter is a good idea when sleeping in the great outdoors, but at that point he had no idea how to build one himself.

...At any rate, Naegi doesn't really feel like talking about that. He made it to Cherrygrove just fine but his feet were sore as hell by the time he got there. The Furret sniffs at the hand eagerly and then butts at it with its head, presumably in an attempt to get Ishimaru to pet it. ]

I used to be in the animal-rearing club back in junior high, so I'm used to animals. I think that helps me understand how to handle them, though they're still pretty different from normal animals... What did you start with, Ishimaru-kun?

[That light headbutting gets a soft but pleasantly surprised noise out of Ishimaru; he's perfectly willing to indulge the unspoken request for pettings while Naegi speaks, though he's still taking in what's being said, and he pulls away once that last question comes around.]

He's a Fire-type, very enthusiastic in battle despite any temperament issues that he may have! [And Alice-san has proposed both the enthusiasm and the issues are because it's probably "evil" but everybody knows that's just silly.] He's learned many attacks very quickly, I'm pleased with his progress so far! No evolutions yet, but I imagine that will come eventually - ah, let me show you...

[He considers setting the fish down, but after a brief moment of debating it mentally he recalls it instead; there's something kind of awkward about leaving it to flop about on its own, even if it's shown that it can rather confusingly survive with no water whatsoever anywhere near it. At any rate, though! Once that's sorted, he's quick to send out his starter (albeit with a fair amount of silent pleading that it should behave) - said starter is the crimson ball of energy known as Darumaka, and thankfully, it seems more interested in the newcomers than it does hassling Ishimaru for the time being.]

This is Munenori.

[ The Furret is a little disappointed when Ishimaru stops, and returns to Naegi's side to give his clothes a small tug; if it can't get enough from Ishimaru, then its actual trainer better step in and pet him. Naegi isn't one to deny his Pokémon affection, so he scratches Yukitaro behind the ears while keeping his attention on what Ishimaru is saying.

When Munenori comes out from its Pokéball, Naegi looks at it with great interest. He hasn't seen this particular species before, so he crouches down to get a better look at it. ]

Ah, he's very cute... He kind of resembles a Daruma doll.

[Ishimaru keeps an eye on Munenori, though the thing for all intents and purposes seems to be all right; for the time being, it's curious about Naegi because it's rare that Ishimaru interacts with people that aren't Oowada on a face-to-face sort of level.

It's also far better at playing nice and cute around others than it is being patient for its trainer, who is pretty much the worst asset to Team Rocket in the world and it knows this.

However, Ishimaru seems pretty content with the knowledge that it won't bite Naegi's face and Munenori is currently going to just...roll around and adorable it up once it figures out that Naegi isn't going to do anything too objectionable, and all is right in the world for the time being.]

He does indeed! And given that the species is named Darumaka, it seems that someone here was aware of that when naming it...it's interesting to me, that this place would understand such a direct reference to Bodhidharma when so little else seems to have carried over, culturally.

[ Playing nice and cute is good. Not biting Naegi's face is also good (really good, one might add). Ishimaru said it has temperament issues so he waits a moment to see how it's going to behave before slowly holding out his hand to the creature, his palm open. ]

Not only does he look like a Daruma doll, he's also a Fire-type... I find that interesting. [ The typing makes sense, given that the dolls are brought back to the temple they were purchased from for a traditional burning ceremony at the end of each year. ]

I have no idea how it all works. It's yet another one of Johto's many mysteries, isn't it?

There seems to be no shortage of those - but I can't say it troubles me too badly! After all, I intend to be here for quite a long time; once this issue with our classmates is resolved, I would be interested in looking into some of these mysteries myself.

[Speaking of not being troubled - that Darumaka isn't exactly receptive to the hand it's being offered for examination, but it doesn't seem particularly bothered, either; if anything, it doesn't seem too sure about what Naegi's expecting it to do with that, and if it tilts any further in confusion it's liable to fall over.]

It doesn't trouble me much, either, to be honest. I have no intention of ever going back if it means I'm going to be trapped inside the school with Monobear again. Johto's a really weird place, but it's a much better place than Hope's Peak. I can't wait to see everyone else again... I hope they'll like it here.

[ Naegi assumes the creature isn't interested, and promptly pulls his hand back. He knows better than to try touching the Pokémon if it doesn't seem receptive and risk getting his hoodie set on fire. ]

We'll see them again soon, Naegi-kun; I'm sure of it!

[He hesitates for a moment once that's out there, though; he isn't entirely sure he wants to know, but...]

About Hope's Peak, though...I do have some questions for you, about that conversation we had shortly after you arrived.

[ Naegi stands up from crouching and gives him a nod. He gets the feeling he's not going to like having to answer said questions, but Ishimaru has the right to know. ]

Go ahead and ask, Ishimaru-kun.

[He recalls Munenori once Naegi is standing again; he glances back to locate Yoritsugu, as though to make sure the Shinx hasn't gone anywhere - but since it's occupying itself with stalking some...something-or-other that Ishimaru can't see through the grass, he sees no harm in leaving it be for the time being.

It's not quite stalling, as he knows what he wants to ask, but it's close enough for him to not be altogether comfortable with it; he makes himself re-establish eye contact before getting on with it.]

I won't make you answer questions about my brother, first of all - it isn't my place to ask about that, especially if he doesn't know himself. So for now, while it isn't the only question I have, the most pressing is if I...

[He falters then, though he quickly berates himself mentally for it. He has no reason to be avoidant about this; he has enough faith in his own willpower to know the answer already, doesn't he?

But the situation in Hope's Peak is far from normal and he knows it; he can't be sure unless he asks.]

...was I executed?

[It's a bit roundabout, but it gets the point across, he's fairly sure; either way, he's clearly nervous as he asks. There are many reasons why such a thing may have come to pass; killing someone and murdering them in cold blood are two different things, but somehow he doubts Monobear is going to make much of a distinction.]

[ Naegi expected this question. Phrased in a different way, perhaps, but the essence is the same. He straightens his back somewhat, and looks Ishimaru in the eye when he responds. ]

No, Ishimaru-kun.

[ He closes his mouth shut briefly, stopping himself from continuing so he can give put some thought into what he wants to say and how exactly he should say it. ]

...You didn't kill anyone.

[ It's better if he leaves it at that, he realizes. Proccess of elimination makes the reason behind Ishimaru's death clear, and Naegi doesn't want to say it out loud. He can't just drop the bomb on someone by telling them the full story of how they died because that's just common decency. If Ishimaru wants to know the details, it's his choice but Naegi won't tell him unless he's prompted to. ]

[It's obvious from the way his posture relaxes and that light, odd sound that accompanies the release of breath that he didn't even realize that he was holding that he's relieved; he hadn't lied or exaggerated any when he'd said that was the most pressing question he had, in regards to this.]

Good...that's very good! I didn't think that I would, of course, but...!

[He trails off for a moment after that, thinking.]

Has the culprit been revealed, or is the investigation still ongoing? Names aren't necessary; I just want to know if punishment has been carried out.

We figured out what happened during the trial that followed.

[ This part is a little easier to say, though he still keeps things brief and without much detail. ]

Anything else you want to know?

[He isn't quite smiling when he replies, but the expression is close enough.]

Ah, it must be troublesome, to have to talk to someone about their own death like this - but you can believe me when I say that it's greatly appreciated. I won't press you for anything further, Naegi-kun.

002. Video/Action for Route 35 (just outside Goldenrod)

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