006 | Avert Your Ears

[diehardreaper]

[ And today, you are greeted by the sound of what seems to be a meowth being stretched on a rack. The camera isn't pointed at anything in particular but it does seem to be a rather good view of one of the routes. Too bad those sounds are ruining the scenery. These are screeches and yowls so vicious, you'd probably think it was two meowth fighting over a rattata. It goes on for probably five minutes in what seems to be a poorly attempted "Ode to Joy" and then stops abruptly due to a vicious

CRACK. ]

Ow!

[ Ow? Rattata don't go ow. And neither do pokemon. What you do get afterward though is the sound of ruffling and a "funf" as someone deposits himself right next to the Gear. ]

Blimey, Niccolo, can we take a break? At the rate you're going, m'prolly going to end up being unable to use this hand for a week!

[ And then you hear chittering.

ANGRY Kricketune chittering.

And a sigh from the poor belaguered Mister Knox. ]

Listen, I appreciate you trying to teach me the violin and all but could you take it e-- [ CRACK ] OW!

Alright, alright. Let's have at it again then.

[ To which the yowling begins anew. ]

Comments

[death_glare]

[ That's quite the assignment Ronald's just given himself. Good luck with that one.

Sighing. All the sighing. ]

Fine. Do you need extra tutoring? I can let Ludwig out to help.

[diehardreaper]

[ Anything to get senpai to notice him!

But there's a bit of surprise at that. ]

eh? One of yours, sir?

[capitald]

I've met several wonderful women, though I've not had much luck in my pursuits. Some already have partners, and others weren't particularly thrilled by my advances.

[Lightning immediately springs to mind, bringing a sheepish smile to his face.]

But I've not given up! The world is vast, and women plentiful.

[death_glare]

[ But don't you want attention that's in a good light, Ronnie? ]

Yes, I have a Kricketot as well.

[diehardreaper]

[ Hey, he's getting attention after all. Always a good thing.

But there's a grimace there. ]

is he going to start rapping on my knuckles too?

[diehardreaper]

You too, eh? I've only had a fair bit of luck lately. Haven't found a sweet little thing to call my own yet but... There's the proper attitude for you!

[ And a grin back. ]

we might get lucky yet, mate!

[death_glare]

Not if you put in effort.

[ If anything he might just sit there and laugh in his own crickety way. ]

[capitald]

Well, cliché as it is, they do say hope springs eternal. That, and I'm still holding out hope that my dear Edea may arrive.

[He laughs at the thought, shaking his head.]

I fully suspect that if she does appear, I'll be out of change within the night.

[diehardreaper]

Who knows? Didn't think anyone I'd know'd show up then out of the blue, I find Mister Spears'd arrived so... There might be hope for your Edea yet!

[ And a small chuckle at his statement. ]

A lady with expensive tastes, is she? Wouldn't surprise me, really. She sounds like she's got the name of a noble if I didn't know any better.

[diehardreaper]

Well, I've been trying to put a bit of effort in... Honest I have, sir!

[ And that whine gives off the air of "but daaaaaaaaaad" if anything. ]

S'just my first time is all!

[death_glare]

[ Not gonna comment on the innuendo of Ron's last bit. ]

What in Death's name made you decide to attempt this, anyway?

[capitald]

You wouldn't be wrong. After all, Edea is the daughter of the Grand Marshal of Eternia, whose power has spread all across Luxendarc.

[With... rather unpleasant results, though he'll not bring those up for the time being.]

...okay this got lost, wow

[styxiedust]

Probably, she fancies the Kimono Girls over in Ecruteak, reckons she was one of them in her previous life.

[Considering how odd everything here is, Botan hasn't written it off.]

I've read that's very usual for the species, they look like they're based on some type of cricket.

No problemo yo!

[diehardreaper]

Could be! Do all dead folk become Pokemon here, d'you think?

[ There's a sigh though. ]

wouldn't put it behind Nico either. Crickets always did sound rather pretty at night so that'd make sense, eh?

[diehardreaper]

[ And there's an impressed whistle there. He has no idea what that title means but boy does it sound fancy. ]

wager you'd better get to saving up a decent mount of dosh before she arrives eh?

[diehardreaper]

[ Totes unintentional -- for once ]

I needed something to pass the time and Nico's been meaning to give it a go since he heard me playing a leaf.

[pinnedbangs]

I don't really get it, but it sounds awesome! Next time we meet up, you gotta show me!

[RIN IS GOING TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY A LEAF AND A GUITAR. HE IS SO WELL-ROUNDED.]

[capitald]

Ah, but the temptation to shop is just so strong! I can't wear the same clothes forever. Then there's the matter of food, travel supplies, Pokémon maintenance.

[He heaves a soft little sigh, fidgeting with a Pokéball.]

I'm sure I'll manage, but I daresay that this whole world is like a money sink.

[diehardreaper]

It is, innit? It's the whole travelling and training bit that drains the wallet.

[ A small hum of thought though. ]

Ever thought of taking up a job or two?

[diehardreaper]

You're prolly the sort that learns better by seeing, I wager! No worries, then! Next time we meet, I'll give you a small lesson.

[pinnedbangs]

Yeah, that's me! I'm a hands-on kinda guy!

[styxiedust]

I hope not, there's also an implication behind it that people who do simply couldn't reach the afterlife. I wonder how difficult it is to get there if even Pokemon are acting as guides? It certainly doesn't sound like they have any system in place.

[William was already not very happy with that.]

[capitald]

All the more reason to catch a Meowth, I suppose. I've noticed they can create coins out of thin air!

[A strange, but convenient ability, and one worth investigating.]

Luckily, I've made a decent living in Goldenrod thus far. Waiting tables isn't the most lucrative career choice, but it does allow me the chance to mingle on a more personal level.

[Certainly more personal than some office job.]

[death_glare]

Perhaps you should stick to the leaf.

[ Isn't he encouraging? He's so encouraging! ]

[diehardreaper]

Doesn't seem so, no.... M'sure Mister Spears'd given anyone who'd listen a piece of his mind about that...

[ And a thought ]

what if that is their afterlife though, d'you think? They live as a pokemon for a bit then when the pokemon dies, they become human? Or prolly another pokemon?