starfishbucks | (no subject)

Character: N
Fandom: Pokemon Black and White
Player: JeniOctavia

[There was a general consensus around the bubble that new arrivals were going to react in a number of ways, but most of them scaling various ranges of upset, confused and freaked out. Even if the new arrival wasn't exactly yelling their disgust at the situation or panicking over some one they left back home, chances were they weren't being entirely calm about things. They'd just been dragged against their will to another world, after all. It wasn't exactly something that sat well in most people's minds.

But this one... well, it would be safe to say he wasn't exactly "most people". If he was irritated, upset, or otherwise perturbed about this situation, he certainly wasn't showing it.

While others had gone for the towels, or went to pick up pamphlets or even talk to other people that were around, N was simply sitting on the ground, back against the fountain, still dripping wet from his trip through the sea. His face was turned up, baseball cap sitting next to him along with two red and white Pokeballs, though his focus was almost entirely on the bubble that enclosed the city and kept the sea back.

Eventually he did move, though, but only to pick up one of the Pokeballs and stare at it, expression just as blank as it had been a moment ago.]

So... this is how it is then.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hey N, guess what.

There's an Eevee pawing at your leg right now. He noticed you looked a little wet and also you have pokeballs so you are a friend maybe??? :D?

He skips around a bit to the pokeballs and rolls them slightly before taking a sniff. Then he is joined by a girl walking up and kneeling to be at his and N's level.]

What'd you find, Pip? A newcomer? [And to N--] Hi there, sorry if he's bugging you, he's really curious.

[Ohmy what a ~~fat~~ fluffy Eevee. So adorable.

N's expression doesn't change too much, but his eyes do seem to light up past that blank, distant look he had earlier.

There's a very bare acknowledgement of Maka's approach, just a glance in her direction before he rests a hand on Pip's head gently.]

You're not bothering me at all. Pip... what a curious name for an Eevee.

Edited (aaaa formating) 2013-03-27 02:11 (UTC)

[...Huh.

Ah, well, if he's okay with Pip being around, Maka will just go to retrieve towels while Pip leans into N's hand, rubbing against it affectionately.

"My daddy named me! Do you have Pokemon? I haven't seen those balls with anyone but the poffin-hat lady before!"]

['Daddy'? That's... certainly an interesting thing to call a trainer. And he's noticing as he pets Pip that the "fluff" isn't entirely fur. He's rather... large. What in the world has this Pokemon been fed?]

Poffin-hat lady? I'm sorry, I don't know anyone like that.

[Actually he does, but that's not how he remembers Bianca.

He moves his hand down to scratch under Pip's chin.]

I have friends with me, yes. Tell me, Pip, are there others like you here?

["Ummm...there are geese! And ducks! ...Mama tells me those aren't Pokemon, though." HE LOOKS REALLY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THAT. "Poffin-hat lady lets me play with her Pokemon, though! And I saw a really really big one that looked like a fat duck wearing a hat!"

Not to interrupt the conversation, but Maka's returning with a couple of towels and setting them next to N.]

I think that makes you the third Pokemon trainer here, sir. There's Bianca, I met another one named Wallace, and I've seen another one around in the park sometimes drawing. [She means Burgh, but she's never interacted with him directly.] Pip? Are you guarding him? [Pip nods, chirruping with enthusiasm.]

[N can't help but chuckle at Pip's words, though it's quiet and partially hidden behind a hand.]

No, those aren't Pokemon. But I'm glad you're able to play with others, Pip.

[When Maka returns, N finally gives her enough attention to actually speak directly to her instead of to Pip.]

I see...

[So Bianca is here. Maybe that's the one Pip is speaking of. But more importantly-]

Why does Pip refer to his trainers as "Papa" and "Mama"?

[Pip answers before Maka, happily sqeuaking with his tail a-wagging: "Mommy and Daddy were there when I was born!"

Maka looks mildly surprised, but then smiles again.]

Us? I wouldn't call us his trainers...we were there when he hatched, so I guess he sees us like his parents then. You understand what he's saying?

[Parents?

What.

He can't--...]

... I... can understand Pokemon, yes. Better than humans, even.

[He shakes his head slowly, looking absolutely baffled.]

I don't understand, though. Why aren't you trainers?

Well...I don't like the idea of him battling...so the only training he really gets is how you would train a pet.

[But obviously he's still spoiled as hell and curious, as he is now flipping over N's hat and seeing how much of himself he can fit inside.

Achievement unlocked: Pipmaru.]

Bianca's been helping me ease into him getting more activity, though, since he plainly wants to be a guard Pokemon for us. I still don't understand the idea of "trainers" myself, though, it seems really cruel to send out creatures like Pip to fight other creatures. But I'm not from your world, so I don't understand the culture, I guess .

[Hope you don't mind creepy unnerving stares, Maka, because that is exactly what N is doing. He might be... happy? But it's kind of hard to tell given that his default expression tends to be rather blank and hard to read.

And when he starts talking it's a lot more rapid than it was a moment ago.]

So it's true then? There really are people from other worlds here? I've never any humans who don't want to be trainers or work with Pokemon in some way. Meeting some one else who sees Pokemon battles as cruel... it's such a relief to know there are others who see things the way I do!

You do? But...[she glances down at the pokeballs] you're a trainer, too, aren't you? Or...Bianca's really friendly with her Pokemon, is it possible then that they're more like companions to you?

["Maybe he's a papa, too!"

Pip that's cute and all but Maka can't actually understand you even if N can.]

They're my friends.

[He says it with a strong sort of conviction, as if he's saying it not just to Maka but to Pip as well.]

Trainers still use their Pokemon as tools. I know now there are those who don't treat them poorly, or see them as companions, but making them fight is still cruel, even if it supposedly strengthens the bond between Pokemon and trainer.

Edited 2013-03-27 07:57 (UTC)

I see...

[That makes her sad when he puts it like that, which seems to alert Pip as he stumbles out of his little nest-via-N's-hat and paws insistently at Maka.

"Mama, I'll protect you even if I get hurt!"

~~Good thing she trimmed his nails recently~~]

I really don't understand it. Battling, I mean, it's not that much better than forcing dogs to fight back in my world--and that's illegal. It's considered animal abuse and it could--could kill them.

[That makes her swallow, throat suddenly dry, as she turns back to Pip and scratches his ears.]

I know this one's really bold and wants to protect our household, but there are things out there much bigger than him.