5 ♣ [VIDEO/ACTION FOR GOLDENROD CITY]

[divinitea]

VIDEO

[Celes is sitting on a couch, when the video opens, her Eevee sitting on her knee and flicking her ears around. Those of you who are familiar with it might recognize it as the Dangan House - apparently someone made the questionable life decision of letting Celes inside, or she just...found a way in.

...lovely.]

I have a question for those of you who have raised one of these creatures.

[The 'creature' in question is her Eevee, who doesn't seem to have any problem with being called a 'creature'. Hey, she's heard worse from her trainer.]

I feel it is high time she evolved, and I have been looking at all my options...what I would most like, however, is the chance to hear some first-hand accounts from those of you who have raised any of the evolutions.

Such a thing would be most appreciated.

[Linking her fingers in her trademark pose, Celes tilts her head and smiles prettily at the camera.]

Thank you for listening.


ACTION

[Having spent a fair bit of time away from Goldenrod, Celes is dedicating the day to perusing all of the shops and boutiques the city has to offer, her Ninetales following dutifully after her. Being on the road is such a tiresome thing, after all, and it's nice to just...indulge, in what she's used to. She's still not sure if those stupid badges are worth the trouble it takes to get them, but...at least the, ah...monetary compensation is rather nice.

She's in an exceptionally good mood, so if you happen to spot her wandering, feel free to have a chat with her (even you, Hagakure!

...alright, maybe not you, Hagakure.)]

Comments

video

[islandshore]

[Hmm, experience with raising Eevee evolutions, eh? Well, fortunately, Riku's got a fair bit. He could go on about the strengths and weaknesses of each, but there are other traits worth mentioning. More practical things to know.

Ah, he'll start with the beginning, brow furrowing in thought.]

Well, if you're thinking about getting an Umbreon, I'd be careful not to get on her bad side. They might not look it, but if you tick one off, they can spew poisonous sweat. Nothing deadly, but it is painful.

[Hmm, moving down the list...]

And they're not the only ones with some nasty tricks. Jolteons can shoot electric needles out of their body if you rub them the wrong. Having a walking thunderstorm never hurts, though, even if brushing them's a pain. As for Vaporeons, the scales mean you don't have to worry about grooming them. Instead, you just better hope yours isn't too big of a prankster, since they can melt themselves into puddles.

[Basically, they can hide anywhere. Good for giving people the slip, literally.]

[divinitea]

[...you know, Riku, perhaps if you were telling a normal person these things, they would be mildly horrified or worried.

But this is Celes.

She's excited.]

Such devilish creatures...I had no idea these evolutions were so fascinating.

[Poisonous sweat sounds good...or maybe electric needles...hmmm...]

Are the others as interesting?

[islandshore]

Hmm...

[He crosses his arms and tips his head to the side.]

I haven't had a lot of hands-on experience with the others, but just by looking at the Pokédex, it looks like Espeon's got the power to predict the future. Stuff like weather patterns, anyway. Glaceon can freeze its fur into needles, and Flareon can crank its body temperature up to--

[He has to stop for a second to make sure he's reading this right.]

Sheesh! Over a thousand degrees.

[divinitea]

[Ugh, they all sound so fantastic...if only she could have more than one! Anyway...]

Well. Which one is your favourite, of the ones you have trained?

[...ah...]

Provided they aren't listening, of course.

action;

[aufsassig]

[On one hand, with two days left before the APB on the mysterious guy who attacked Hagakure is up, Schuldig's not in any particular hurry to push his luck and get himself thrown in the slammer when he's this close to success; on the other hand, no self-respecting assassin would be lounging around on a park bench outside of the department store, playing with an adorable (and only a few-days-old, besides) kitten, which is exactly why he's doing it.

It's sunny out, and he's tired of being cooped up. Besides, he's interested in seeing what this little thing can do.

And it seems he's just discovered that the little darling was born knowing Pay Day, because she is doing her absolute damnedest to fling coins onto the sidewalk as frequently as possible — having learned quickly that doing so earned her a big smile and a lot of proud cuddles from her master when she did.

Most all of his roster, he'll rule by fear, and that's fine. It can't hurt to have one sweet thing to pull out when the bleeding hearts are around, after all.]

[divinitea]

[Schuldig, Celes isn't quite thirsty enough for $$$ that she would just pick up coins flung onto the sidewalk, you know!

...that's what her Ninetales is for.

Regardless, it will certainly get her attention well enough; she owns a Persian, and she's familiar with the line and all their...quirks. Besides, the trainer is young and good-looking.

...very good-looking. Hmm...maybe she deserves to have some fun. So she'll turn and face him, when another load of coins land at her feet, smiling prettily and tilting her head.]

Your Meowth is quite the generous sort.

[...get those fucking coins, Beatrice, she has a castle to buy.]

[aufsassig]

[Oh, what's this? He bends down and plucks the Meowth off the ground, settling her in his lap so he can give her plenty of love and attention while he talks to this girl who stopped by.

Girls like cute animals, right? Couldn't hurt.]

Ah, I'm sorry she made such a mess; it's her favorite trick. Let me clean that up before you go on your way, I'd hate to see you slip and fall on one of her coins by mistake.

[divinitea]

How very gentlemanly of you.

[Well, she's not going to stop you, Schuldig, although she'll certainly watch approvingly if you do intend to get those coins out of her way.

She does so enjoy seeing a little servitude, after all. Particularly from handsome men.]

Meowths can be such mischievous creatures.

[action]

[codeforhope]

[...Well, after some thought, Chihiro realized that it might be a bit rude to just answer Celes by video when they're literally in the same house together, so when he spots the video come up on the Network while he helps Shiruku string some of her silk onto spools, he hops down from the bed and cautiously heads into the hallway with his Flareon at his heels.

He'll just wander the halls and house itself until he finds her, with Henko weaving between his ankles as he makes his way. When he finally does he stops short a few feet away with his hands folded before him, the Flareon watching Celes and her Eevee with her head poking between Chihiro's legs.]

U-um....Celes-san? ...I couldn't help but notice your...video.

[He gives the Flareon a brief glance before looking back up, reaching a hand up to brush a lock of hair from his eyes.]

Henko hasn't been evolved for long, but I....I can...try to help, if you would like.

[Normally, Chihiro might have otherwise clammed up and remained in his room, but....well, the house has been a bit empty as of late, and talking to people over the Gears only does so much.]

[action]

[divinitea]

[Celes was in the action of pocketing her Gear when she heard Chihiro's voice, and she turns curiously to face him, noting the Flareon at his legs. Hmm.

Fortunately enough, Chihiro is one of the few members of her class that she can tolerate in small doses, so with a smile (admittedly a cold one, but, then again, she's never been good at being warm) she indicates the spot on the couch next to her.]

I would like that very much, Fujisaki-kun. Ah...if it is alright to call you that.

I can use Fujisaki-san, if you would prefer it.

[action]

[codeforhope]

[Celes might notice the abrupt change in posture that Chihiro adopts at the different honorific, his heels coming together and his shoulders going a bit rigid, forcing Henko to move sideways and stand next to his side instead. He quickly forces himself to relax a bit, but the revelation is already there. By now he's well aware that his classmates know his secret, but...still trying to keep it secret has caused him to forget that it's not so locked into secrecy any longer.

He swallows hard and nods his head a little, carefully stepping over to sit on the edge of the couch.]

N-no it....it's alright.

[Chihiro's gaze is fixed down at his hands on his knees, which nervously move to smooth out the surface of his skirt now and then. Ever since Togami made those pants for him, he hasn't...really worn them. He just can't bring himself to, at least not yet. Henko moves to take a seat at Chihiro's feet, looking up at him with concern.]

[action]

[divinitea]

[Oh, don't you worry Chihiro; Celes is taking careful note of every little nuance. It's useful information to have, after all.

Smiling, she holds out a hand, as if expecting something to appear in it. Well, it...actually does, when her Gothitelle appears holding a tray, featuring a teapot and two teacups. The crockery is actually quite nice, with pictures of the Litwick line decorating it.]

Some tea?

[action]

[crystalballer]

[Hagakure's wandering around the house, his daily ritual for the last couple of weeks, when he hears a familiar voice downstairs. He knows that coldly polite voice from anywhere.

Even though he knows who's showed up downstairs, it doesn't stop him from wandering down to check up on Celes. Creeping across the hall to the Study, he peers into the room. Sure enough...]

Celes-chi? When did you get back?

[He's standing in the doorway now, scratching at one of his legs with his other foot. It's apparent that he hasn't bothered to get out of his pajamas yet, but it's not like he minds if his classmates see them.]

[action]

[divinitea]

[...Hagakure what did she say about talking to her]

...Hagakure-kun.

[She'll flick her eyes up and down your body, taking in...everything. Lovely. That's just lovely.]

You look homeless. Business as usual, then?

[action]

[crystalballer]

[We've been over this already Celes, he can't read minds. He's not that kind of psychic!

Also really? Really.]

I dunno, I'd call it super early sleepover.

[...yeah.]

So where've you been? Out doing some traveling?

[action]

[divinitea]

Mhmm. I've been to Olivine City and Cianwood City. Charming little places, but not really enough to capture my interest for a prolonged period.

[Aka she got her badges and got the hell out of there. Ew.

As she speaks, Celes' Gothitelle will appear and offer her a tray bearing a teapot and cup. You might recognize them.]

But I now have six badges, so I suppose it wasn't a total waste of my time.

[pipers_son]

Funny yer askin', Miss Celes, since I just so happened ta evolve Ace not too long ago.

[Ace being the Glaceon that's enjoying it's spot on Joker's lap, enjoying itself happily.]

Didn't really have an ice type, and Ace didn't seem to mind the idea, so here we are.

[divinitea]

[...now this actually gets her interest; Glaceon was the Eeveelution she was considering the most. Peering into the camera, she examines Ace, eyes unblinking.

...that might be a little creepy, but...well, you know. It's Celes.]

Ah, Joker-san...what a lovely creature you have there.

[Hmm.]

Tell me about it.

[pipers_son]

[Whups, accidentally hitting Celes' interests again. It must be a talent of his.]

[Fortunately Joker is used to folks acting a bit peculiar- circuses tend to attract that sort. So he brushes that staring off.]

Well, obviously ya know it's a Glaceon- [Eeveelutions definitely seem to be a popular breed, so far as he's been able to tell, so he's just assuming here.] Ya might like the coat, mostly short and smoothlike. 'Course, ya gotta be careful ya don't rile 'em up although with Ace that hasn't happened much. Fur tends ta turn inta ice and you'll prick yourself something awful if ya don't take care.

Outta be handy when the weather gets warmer too! Ace tends ta make the air 'bout him a whole lot colder without even thinkin' about it.

[divinitea]

[Don't think she's forgotten about that talent of yours, Joker. You're still top of her 'potential vampire servant' list, after all~!]

Fur turning to ice...I like it.

[It's so...cold. Like her! Surely, it will suit her well. Plus, they have similar hairstyles.

...she considers the important things, alright. Aesthetics are very important!]

Is it powerful? What kind of attacks does it use?

[Video]

[francia]

[France holds up his Umbreon, Thérèse. She seems, at best, mildly interested in being held but not at all in the video.]

You should definitely try for an Umbreon! They're the most unique and beautiful of the Eevee line of evolutions in my expert opinion. They're elegant, self-assured, and even glow when they're in battle.

[Video]

[divinitea]

[Ah yes, Umbreon...honestly the most tempting Eeveelution, but Celes is trying (trying) to branch out a little from her comfort zone.

...it's rather tempting, though.]

I see! You sound most taken by yours, sir. Is she powerful?

[Video]

[francia]

[France adjusts his hold on Thérèse so that she actually looks at the screen briefly. She stares for a moment, like she can be so fussed to consider the contraption, before, returns to using her left paw to demand France's attention (or at least his continued petting).]

That she is. She's part of my battle team and has been trained up to her maximum stats and level. I personally haven't had the trouble I assume others have had with the poisonous sweat; she only gives it off when we're training or in battle. I assume it's a stress-response of some sort.

[video]

[solas_ion]

I never had one myself, but a good friend of mine had a Flareon some time ago. She seemed to get along really well with it as a companion, but I can't remember ever seeing it in battle.

[sitdownbecider]

Got two, actually. Umbreons can take a lickin' like no pokemon I've ever seen, but you'll have a hard time trainin' 'em during the day. They're pretty good at blendin' in at night, too.

Vaporeons are playful little fellers, too. Love to play tricks, especially in the water. I swear, mine'd find a glass of water an' still try and swim in it.