007. Video/Action for Ecruteak City

[ardent]

[Well, tonight will see another post from Ishimaru, and while the sun has long since dipped down beneath the horizon, the video is lit by an odd, bright purple light somewhere in front of him, and a dimmer red one that seems to be sort of sliding around slowly just out of view somewhere to his left; he's back in that white uniform, simply because it feels weird to him not to wear it, and while he's definitely outdoors, he seems to be rather high up - really, if the texture of the floor he's kneeling on is any indication, he seems to be on a roof somewhere.

Of course, if you're familiar with Ecruteak City, you'll likely recognize the view just barely visible behind him; he's up atop the Tin Tower today.

Either way, however, he seems in much higher spirits this time around; he's sort of smiling, even, though not quite - he's never really done happiness very well as far as facial expressions go, nor has he really done it very naturally - and his words are quick, rushed with excitement.]

Most of my studies deal in concrete fact - the paranormal, the theistic and the unexplained have never been anything that I've found useful, and so while I know a few of the more common myths from my own world, I've been willing to set them aside as just stories! But since coming here, I've met people who can say those stories are a reality - people who have spoken to ghosts, or been ghosts themselves; people who know of the existence of fairies and done magic themselves, or people from other worlds entirely. It's been interesting, if difficult to believe sometimes!

But it also makes me wonder how many of the myths here are true; I think a lot of it is like our creation mythology back home, just centered around Pokémon - people saw the animals here and attributed the creation of the world to their power, when that might not be the case. I think it warrants further study either way, though!

The place I'm at now...they say that one of the Legendary Pokémon used to call it home, but now it travels the world looking for trainers who are pure-hearted. I'm pretty sure that means I'll never see it, but I'd like to become the sort of person where it's at least a possibility someday.

[He'll be up there for some time longer, after the video cuts out and the feed goes dark; he's got his Litwick up there with him, and he's leaning up against one of the railings, looking out over the city skyline.

He also has a rather small Slugma up on the railing next to him; just...try not to knock it off if you join him, that'd make everyone kind of upset...]

Comments

[ACTION]

[diamondo]

[Mondo's just getting off work at the Pokémart when he catches the video; it doesn't take him long to pinpoint Ishimar's location and make his way over. The Tin Tower is a bit too tall to bother scaling, so instead he calls out his Aerodactyl and has him fly him up to the top. Mondo lands a little ways away from Ishimaru and approaches, grinning.]

Hey, kyoudai! I caught your video; sounds like you've taken a liking to the myths here, yeah?

[The Aerodactyl is content to be ignored, folding his wings and staring out at the skyline while Mondo talks. Mondo notices the candle and grins; at least Ishimaru's getting some use out of his birthday present!]

I'm pretty eager to get to Blackthorn, but I'm kinda glad we stopped here anyway. The myths are kinda interesting.

[...not like he's been studying up on them or anything...]

[ardent]

[Well, he's certainly not displeased for the company! He doesn't turn around, though he does offer Mondo a glance over his shoulder before turning back to the skyline; he seems...pretty relaxed overall, actually. It's a nice departure from the massive amounts of tension back in Violet and Goldenrod, anyway.]

Ah, they really are, aren't they?

[...waaaaaaaaaaaait.]

Have you been reading up on them, kyoudai?

voice

[beholdmydemons]

[Well jeez. This post is...it's so quaint. He has to sit here for a moment and appreciate that thought before he asks what he wants to ask.]

So...what does it do with these "pure-hearted trainers" once it finds them? [Quaintness aside, he's curious about this so-called "legendary".

...If Pokemon weren't so damn benign on the whole, he'd assume that it ate them, but...]

voice

[ardent]

[..wow, this is someone who's actually asking him questions about these things instead of just calling him insipid or asking him if he's ever properly spoken to another human being in his life.

That's...new. :|a Welcome, though!]

Well, the Pokémon we're talking about is a symbol of hope and joy among the locals. What I've gotten from my studies is that seeing it is considered a blessing; a trainer chosen to stand in its presence is supposed to be granted eternal happiness, and sometimes they're given a gift that's said to be able to revive the dead.

action;

[nostabbing]

[Oh boy, roofs! Parker loves roofs. Parker's also pretty partial to this particular tower on account of the fact that it's got those nifty bells, which are probably rare and valuable and expensive, and therefore now stand a heightened chance of conspicuously disappearing round about the same time that Parker does.

BUT THAT IS NEITHER HERE NOR THERE.

That is because what is here is Ishimaru, and therefore there comes a Parker to investigate and keep him company, hauling a delighted green Politoed along with her.]

Hi, Ishimaru!

[...and friends. Is that a fire slug? Because that's pretty cool.]

What're you looking at?

[ardent]

Ah, Alice-san!

[...Parker you had better not steal those bells or so help him -

and yes this is a fire slug

he is amazing and kind of hideously tiny for a fireslug but that is okay

as this species goes that really just means it's like the size of a housecat or something which is still pretty big for a fireslug not gonna lie]

I'm not looking at anything in particular; it's just nice to see the city like this, that's all! What are you doing up here?

video;

[ghostytrainer]

From what I can tell, Ho-Oh's standards for someone who is pure of heart are ridiculously high anyway. I mean...it's supposedly been searching for hundreds of years and when you think about it, that's just a little bit depressing. So either it's standards are literally through the roof or humans are just that terrible on the whole. And, I don't know about you, but I prefer to think it's the former.

[Sure, there are some terrible people out there but, jeez. Really Ho-Oh?]

But the legends here are really great, aren't they? I especially love the ones from Ecruteak. Have you heard the one about the other tower yet? With the beasts?

video;

[ardent]

They are! That one you've referenced is actually what got me interested in the city and Ho-Oh to begin with; stories like that have been particularly interesting to me lately - I wouldn't have appreciated them very much when I was younger, I think, I would have just questioned what the point was...but now I do tend to like them quite a bit!

As for Ho-Oh itself, I think the question of how high its standards are depends on how you interpret the legend. The part about it seeking out pure-hearted trainers tend to be pretty straightforward, but the legends also mention that trainers have been gifted with its feathers, and with Sacred Ash. So I have to wonder whether it's seeking out one particularly pure-hearted trainer to be some sort of companion or chosen master - which I suppose is one interpretation - or whether it's simply blessing those it believes to be worthy of its presence and then moving on to the next.

video;

[hipstermark]

[oh hey it's this girl again]
I sort of like it when it's just a myth...
[Creatures with these powers - she'd only heard a little over the network, but she likes being free from being gods playthings okay. Somewhere deep in her, she wonders if this 'Legendary Pokemon' is just looking for somebody to give a Focus. Vanille plz.]
You seem pretty pure-hearted to me, though! Unless it means something different in your world.

video;

[ardent]

[Oh. Well. Hello, you!]

...Thank you...?

[WHAT DOES HE DO WITH YOU, HE STILL HASN'T FIGURED OUT WHAT TO DO WITH YOU]

...So you mean things like that aren't just myths, in your experience?

video;

[cakelover]

I think that's a noble goal~! Ah, but what does "pure-hearted" mean in the context of the myth?

video;

[ardent]

[...huh. That is a good question, isn't it.]

The myth doesn't really specify! I guess it would be the Legendary's decision - I don't know what sort of standards that it would use, exactly.

[video]

[enjoymyatelier]

[...oh fuck you he was content to look down his nose at you from afar after a terrible first impression

now you're talking about something he gives a lot of fucks about

uggggggh okay he'll do it but he'll be snide as fuck]

Perhaps we could have significantly more information about the ones involved in creation myths were it not for the misplaced nationalism of the booksellers in this region, but there's nothing that can be done about that. I would presume it to be some sort of mix, personally - I can believe that some of these creatures of legend are on par with gods, but looking for "pure-hearted" trainers sounds unbelievably saccharine.

[video]

[ardent]

[you know ishimaru really does try to give almost everyone the benefit of the doubt

and then there's this asshole]

That may be, but it's really no more so than any of the legends and religious stories back home! Most of them involve some sort of messiah granting grace to mankind through their divinity simply because they can - I don't see how that's any different from choosing to bless those that are pure-hearted with eternal happiness.

[video]

[no_ufo_ending]

Well, there's ghosts because there's ghost pokemon...so there's that.

[video]

[ardent]

Well, yes, but are they ghosts in the traditional sense? I mean, I have several myself, but they hatched from eggs that way!

[...WOW.]

...and as implications go, that's really unfortunate.

[video; OH NO I'M LATE]

[solas_ion]

I love hearing about legends; can't help but notice they're usually true.

[lancer...]

So I'd bet anything there's some giant legendary Pokemon out there wandering around. But if it's looking for a pure-hearted trainer, I gotta say it's probably having a hell of a time searching.

[video; YOU LOOK RIGHT ON TIME TO ME TBH]

[ardent]

[...oh...dear, um.

W-Well, this will likely go a lot better now that this isn't in person and he isn't actively trying to rip you off? Maybe?

...hope springs eternal.]

I wouldn't be surprised! Although the myth never does state what the criteria is for being "pure-hearted," so I guess that part is up for interpretation - but I can't think of very many who would deserve that sort of title in the first place. I mean, even the most pure-hearted person I know has still done something terrible.

[Video]

[friendyousohard]

One thing I've learned is that what is an absolute fact in one world is completely untrue in another. It does lead one to be a bit more open-minded when listening to other people describing their worlds.

At any rate, about that myth... what exactly do you think it means by "pure hearted"? It can't mean completely devoid of dark thoughts. I don't think there's anyone like that in any world.

[Video]

[ardent]

I think it's hard to say without having any direct experience with the creature in question, or knowing anyone who has - but if I had to guess, I'd assume purity of heart would have to do with actions rather than thoughts. Since people have apparently been blessed by the Pokémon in the past, otherwise we'd have nothing to base that part of the myth on in the first place, it can't be something that's impossible for humans to do...but there's something to be said for someone who has dark thoughts and manages to overcome them, or at least has the discipline to not act on them. It's a valuable trait that's rare and difficult to maintain, but not impossible.

As for what you said before - about absolute facts being complete untruths and vice-versa - that's a good way of looking at it, I think! I can't argue it, anyway; I've heard a lot of strange things in my time here, but at least keeping that in mind might help with working out how to handle those things!

[redenzione]

No man is free from sin or misdeeds. I am sure that should you continue on the path of righteousness and good, you will one day meet this Legendary Pokemon if you decide to do so.

[ardent]

Maybe - but I guess it depends on what can be considered "purity." The point of something being pure is that it doesn't need redemption or atonement in the first place, right? If that were the case, I'd think it wouldn't be as rare a trait.

video;

[superordinary]

[ Oh. Naegi remembers hearing a little about the Pokémon during his brief stay in Ecruteak, but he never really looked into the stories and legends. Maybe he should do that sometime. ]

I wonder what that Pokémon is like...do they say why it's searching for pure-hearted trainers?

video;

[ardent]

[...Naegi-kun, how can you not, this stuff is absolutely fascinating.]

Well, it began its search for those trainers after the destruction of the towers; the Tin Tower was rebuilt, but the Pokémon that resided here never returned on a permanent basis. The reason why is left unspecified in one version of the myth - it says that the towers were destroyed due to fires caused by lightning strikes that occurred during that drought mentioned in Azalea Town's history. The downpour that the Slowpokes caused, the one that put an end to that drought, is what put the fires out, but not before three Pokémon died in the incident - the Pokémon in question resurrected them as the Legendary Beasts before setting out on its own.

The second version I've heard says that the towers were destroyed due to war caused by man, which would explain why the Pokémon never returned permanently and would want to seek out someone truly pure-hearted, I think; restoring faith in humanity, perhaps? But the first version ties more together; the Legendary Beasts are electric, fire, and water-types, which would symbolize the lightning strikes that hit the towers, the fire that destroyed them and the water that quenched the fires.

So I guess the best answer is that nobody knows for sure, but there are theories; it's interesting, at any rate!

[video]

[crystalballer]

Y'know if I didn't know any better Ishimaru-chi, I'd think you were talkin' to me this whole post. [He frowns somewhat.] But I'm glad you're not 'cause come on man, you should've come to that conclusion just by meeting me! I talk to spirits all the time, and by the way, absolutely all of that kind of stuff is true and useful, thank you very much.

[He's really passionate about this okay.

Once that rant is over, Hagakure takes the time to examine Ishimaru's location. He can't make out a lot of detail, but he does like what he sees.]

Where are you anyway? That place looks pretty cool!

[video]

[ardent]

[...You know, he really shouldn't be surprised, should he...]

Ah, Hagakure-kun! I'm in Ecruteak City, it's a few days north of Goldenrod City - it's really nice here, I think you would like it! There's a lot of history and mythology centered around the place, and I think you might get along with the Gym Leader; his name is Morty, he's said to be able to speak to spirits and see the future as well. You seem to have a lot of things in common with him, anyway!

No offense was meant, though! It's just strange to meet so many people who have had similar experiences, I guess, since that sort of thing is seen as so unusual where we're from!

[...no comment on how true it may or may not be, though, much less how useful..]

[video]

[styxiedust]

Oh, well.

[Hey Ishimaru, have a girl staring into the screen with a Mismagius hovering around behind her grinning ominously and occasionally giggling.

The girl seems either oblivious to this or just serenely accepting.]

It comes with the territory, personally. Talking to ghosts, I mean.

[video]

[ardent]

[Oh. Well. Hello there! That is...

...that certainly is a thing, um.]

I know there are plenty of ghosts here, at any rate! I have several of the ghost-types myself, though nowhere near all of them; one of the ones I'm closest to is the first form of the one you have there, actually!

But it's seen as unusual to speak to there, where I'm from - I know of one person who supposedly can talk to spirits, but that sort of thing isn't really considered "real" by most. There seem to be more here that are accepting of it, though!

[locked video]

[divinitea]

[Celes politely waits for Ishimaru to stop talking about all that nonsense, before opening up her own feed. She's seated on her bed in the Rocket base (still in her regular clothes, of course), stroking the ears of a rather self-satisfied Meowth.]

Good evening, Ishimaru-kun.

[And isn't it just!]

Are you well? I have some questions to ask you.

[locked video]

[ardent]

[...absolutely...beautiful, uh.

Well. He did say that he was going to try to cut ties with Celes; his brother thinks that would be for the best, and he has to say that he agrees with that, really. At the same time, he can't ignore her, either.

...he'd consider it awkward, but that just makes it a day ending in Y.]

Ah, Celes-kun - a good evening indeed! What is it you wanted to ask about?