coolestcat | video † 1

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[Video feed drifts lazily about New Bark Town. I'm sure you've seen it all before. An amused, disembodied voice begins speaking.]

All right. Obviously, there isn't enough room in this town for an asylum, so I won't bother trying to check into one.

[The camera lingers briefly on Mom's house. The unspoken implication is 'or trying to get others committed.'. The camera comes to focus on Youji's face. His smile is pleasant and friendly.]

I heard the 'Welcome to the world of Pokemon, they're fantastic,' spiel, so elaboration on what's going on is unnecessary. Far too sober to make sense of it anyway. I'd much rather hear about how you're dealing with this.

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[ She has to pause at the sight of the Smoochum, which causes her smile to widen a little bit, but she's quick to return her focus to the stranger. ]

It's usually best to have some kind of goal, isn't it? Particularly if you're stuck in an unfamiliar place and you're going to be a while, which you are. No one really has a say in when they're returned home and improvisation only gets you so far, but...

[ And that smile of hers tugs just a little wider. ]

Well, if you really are set on knocking back a few drinks, you'll probably find the best selection of alcohol in Goldenrod, so I'd say whoever told you things improve in Goldenrod is correct. From what I've been able to gather, it's the closest thing to an actual city in this place, so.

You have a marked gift for encouragement. I feel incredibly uplifted by this conversation--dammit, quit that, you don't know where it's been--not knowing how to get home notwithstanding.

[The Smoochum, getting used to the phrase 'dammit quit,' looks innocent.]

May I ask what your goals are? And your name, if you care to?

[ And she just barely manages not to chuckle at the Smoochum's behavior, let alone his colorful both the responses that follow. ]

Of course! My name is Valeria. As for my goals, I'm presently looking for any leads and information to answer my growing number of unanswered questions and ultimately for a way back to my respective world. I'll take what I can in the way of information and friends in the meantime and if the former means taking the gym challenge as well, so be it.

[ A beat. ]

And your name is...?

Valeria. What an elegant name. Very suitable. I'm afraid I can only make do with Youji, but I'm more than pleased to offer it.

[The little Smoochum pouts a bit, before scrabbling up Youji's shoulders and trying to get a look at her reflection in his sunglasses. Youji politely ignores her.]

Those are such lofty goals, it's a wonder you can keep moving. I notice you mentioned the gym challenge. How has your luck been in that regard?

You certainly know how to flatter a woman, Youji. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[ The hitherto silent Dratini cants her head to one side at the Smoochum, but says nothing. Her expression is somewhere between concern and "aaaaw". ]

My team isn't ready to take clip the wings of the first gym leader's wings at the level they are now. It seems no matter how hard I train them, the most they can gain is five levels per week and Falkner's Pokemon are in the low to mid-thirties, so we're still preparing. Luck is only half the battle, what with levels and type advantages and disadvantages to consider, after all.

Nonsense. I only express my own observations.

[Youji looks from the Dratini to the Smoochum and appears thoughtful.]

Wings... then there's bird-like variants of these things? Or insects.

Or hell, bats.

Birds, insects, bats, dogs, cats, mice -- there are variants of just about any animal you know and can imagine, and nothing but. Pokémon are the equivalent of animals here in Johto and the majority of them are intelligent. In fact, I can't say I've run into a Pokémon that didn't understand what I was saying, wild or tame.

[ Valeria lifts a gloved hand to pat the Dratini on the head as she speaks, contemplating her words. ]

Not all of them resemble animals, though. Some resemble plants and inanimate objects like magnets. What you find generally depends on where and when you look really. They're... interesting, to say the least.

Charades must be quite the experience here.

That they're intelligent is interesting. It doesn't surprise me, this little one certainly has a mind of her own. I expressed doubt in her ability to fight and she went and found something to prove me wrong with.

I can't say I've seen it yet, but I imagine so.

Somehow, I'm not surprised, though. She's pretty cute, but it's often the cute ones you have to watch out for, don't you think?

[ Pausing briefly, she looks between Youji and the Smoochum with a smile. ]

I can't say I've seen one quite like her before, though. What's her name?

I will take your word for it. You're quite cute yourself, you must be an expert.

[He gives the Smoochum a thoughtful look. She attempts to kiss his nose.]

She responds equally well to "Darling" and "Dammit, quit--"

[See, she's backed off, looking pouty. Youji can't help a fond smile.]

That encyclopedia that looks like a calculator called her a Smoochum.

Why, thank you, Youji.

[ The smile on her lips tugs a little wider at their display. ]

I'd say all but the second one suit her just fine, too. It looks like you're going to have your hands pretty full, at the very least.

[ Pausing, she inclines her head forward. ]

Do you have any questions? I can't say I have all the answers, but I've collected a good few during my stay and I'd be happy to share.

Never thank a man for stating a fact. While I know better, some might get a swelled head.

[He stops to think a moment.]

Here's one. I've lived my entire life within running distance of Tokyo. 'Valeria' sounds more like an Italian name, and while I'm reasonably conversant in Italian, I'm pretty sure I'm not speaking it now. I'm not even sure I'm speaking my native language. Any thoughts?

I'll keep that in mind.

[ Crossing her arms, she pauses as she considers his words. That smile of hers sinks a bit as she speaks. ]

I can't say I've heard of Tokyo, nor am I familiar with the Italian language. It's more likely that we're from two separate worlds, hard though that may be to believe. I'm fairly sure we aren't speaking our native tongues, though. I've tried and the result is generally a headache from intense concentration and a little gibberish I can't even understand, verbal or written.

Well, if you'd said you hadn't heard of, say, Monaco or the Navajo language, I'd be a lot more optimistic.

Tokyo's a big city, the capital of my country, and we're industrialized, a key loser in a fairly recent war, and a unique culture besides. You'd have to be under a very remote rock not to have heard of it, and you can't get much more remote than another world.

[Pauses slightly, before smiling slyly.]

But we'll have to find a way around that block. To go your entire life without knowledge of the Italian language... it's the language of lovers, where I come from.

Tokyo... it sounds a bit like Midgar with the exception of being the capital of a country and a key loser in a fairly recent war. I suppose you could call it the technology capital of the world seeing as is the singlemost technologically advanced city in the world. It was the victor of the most recent war, though.

[ And she pauses, her tone somewhere between almost yet perhaps not quite but maybe considering. ]

The language of lovers, hmm? I take it your fluent?

Edited 2011-02-06 01:54 (UTC)

I've been told I am.

[He's setting aside the serious talk now. May come back to it later.]

I can't say I'm surprised. You're an interesting man, Youji. I can't say I've had the pleasure of running into many like you.

You haven't? My condolences!

[The Smoochum looks at him incredulously.]

Well, let's make sure we make the best of it, hm? I'm afraid to ask how far ahead of me you are.

Hmmmm. Well, it takes a minimum of... I wanna say one week and three days of steady traveling to reach Violet City from New Bark Town. I can't guarantee I'll still be there by then, though.

[ There's a questioning draaa from her Dratini, who turns her head to look at her. ]

I believe my traveling companions are almost done preparing to challenge Falkner. They'll likely want to move to the next city after they do and if that's the case, I'm likely to miss you.

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