003. Audio/also one other thing

[scientificflair]

[AUDIO]

[Well, the last month has seen Cobra attacking a bunch of children in the name of...taking over the world or something (and apparently plotting something else, if his last post over the Rocket frequency is any indication), one of the new scientists attempting to vivisect a Voltorb and threatening to blow up the lab in the process, Gorthan being a goddamn alien, and some member of the organization apparently losing his mind and going on an anonymous rampage the likes of which are rarely seen outside of...I don't know, 4chan.

Between all of this, March has pretty much confirmed to Descole that he is the only sane man in Team Rocket, and come the full moon he won't be surprised if everyone else in the base mutates into something horrific and develops an unholy craving for chicken hearts.

Today, he's trying to get his mind off of it; he's not exactly in the mood to put on much of a performance for the camera, so you can have an audio post instead today, Johto. His tone is clipped and a bit annoyed; this is due to the fact that he's had this damn...egg-thing for over a month now and he's trying to resist the urge to punt it across the room, but no one really needs to know that right now.]

For those creatures that are supposed to evolve through...I don't know, friendship or happiness or whatever you feel like calling it - how can you tell if these things even like you, much less are close to evolving?


[PRIVATE TEXT TO EMMY ALTAVA]

I see your "friend" struck a second time.

We need to talk. Are you in town?

Comments

[private text]

[snapandscoot]

[[Emmy is currently sitting on that same bench as before, thinking about nothing in particular. Her Pokemon are trying to convince her to train with them, but she's just...not feeling it. She's not sure why.

When her Pokegear vibrates, she blinks in confusion.]]

A text...?

[[Wincing, despite herself, Emmy is...well. When she sees who it's from, she relaxes. She shouldn't be relaxing when it comes to him, but...he's a lot more preferable to some others who have been texting her lately.]]

Yes, I am. Where are you?

[private text]

[scientificflair]

[There's a bit of a pause between texts, though it isn't terribly long; just long enough for him to consider it, really.]

I'll meet you. Same place as last?

[private text]

[snapandscoot]

[[Emmy also pauses before she replies; this is....odd. Not odd enough to prevent her hitting the 'send' button once she's typed a response, but it's...still strange.

But really, she's glad he seems to have come around with that whole 'us Londoners shouldn't fight while there are bigger problems' thing. She didn't actually think he would.

Hm. Maybe he has more surprises in store.]]

I'm on the bench as we speak.

[[...another pause, and then...]]

See you soon.

[[It just...seemed polite! And the Professor wouldn't approve of her being rude, even to Descole!]]

[private text → action forever, then]

[scientificflair]

[Well, it's less "we Londoners shouldn't fight while there are bigger problems" and more "we Londoners should...maybe bicker less while there are bigger problems", but it's a similar concept, yes.

...either way, that...ending there will just get a lot of staring for a moment before he responds. There's a difference between not fighting and...whatever that's trying to be - what in the world, Emmy, are we being entirely civil now?]

Yes, of course.

[That square she's in is easy enough to find; he's there in a short amount of time. And he's left the damn egg in the base, thank you, though he does have one of his Pokémon out with him regardless - the Ratra-Gigant is bounding along at his side, rather pleased to be out of the ball and behaving much like a dog that's been invited on a car ride.

...there's a reason he doesn't leave his Pokémon out of the ball; herpy behavior is a major factor.

Of course, once he's seen her, greeting her is awkward as hell.]

Hopefully you weren't kept waiting too long.

[sounds good!]

[snapandscoot]

[[Emmy has recalled most of her Pokemon but kept her Nidoqueen out, who is currently boxing with her shadow. She's sitting somewhat awkwardly on the bench, as if undecided on how she's supposed to present herself. How does one present themselves when waiting for the nemesis of their boss?

Although really, the Professor has never spoken about Descole in that way...

...really, he never speaks much about Descole at all....

...hm.

Finally deciding to sit with her legs daintily crossed, Emmy smiles slightly when said nemesis...person makes his appearance.]]

You could have been a little quicker; it's not polite to keep a lady waiting, you know.

Audio

[hintcoinplz]

[Luke's also been incredibly annoyed at the recent increase in Rocket attacks, and with Clive just recently gone into a coma, he's even more irritated and worried.

But he'll grudgingly answer Descole's question, biting his tongue before he can say anything too mean.]

Feeding it berries it likes, keeping it well-groomed, and training it seems to be the best way to get those kinds of Pokemon to evolve. Most importantly, being patient and nice to it is the fastest way to get it to evolve. As far as telling how close it is to evolving, it's hard to tell. Some Pokemon have a strange way of showing how much they like you.

[audio]

[scientificflair]

[Oh good goddamn, he's getting advice from Layton's brat now, what has his life become - ]

...I'll keep that in mind, I suppose.

[It's difficult to be nice to something this utterly useless, Luke.]

I take it you have experience with these things, then?

[audio]

[hintcoinplz]

[Luke folds his arms across his chest. He will take some pride in this.]

Of course I do, I'm an experienced trainer after all!

[audio]

[scientificflair]

[Oh, eyeroll.

...that can't actually be seen because lol audio, also mask, but it's the thought that counts!!!]

Hmph. What are you, seven?

[audio]

[hintcoinplz]

[Wait no Descole you're supposed to be impressed!!]

I'm fourteen, and at least I can get my own Pokemon to like me!

[Although judging where this conversation is going, he might as well be seven.]

audio

[3_butterflies]

If you have to ask that, they may not like you that much already...

[audio]

[scientificflair]

[It's fortunate, perhaps, that this is over audio; it prevents whomever this is from seeing the glare Descole's shooting the thing at the sound of that.]

I imagined that might be the case, yes.

[audio]

[3_butterflies]

[she means well ;; ]

Forcing friendship won't result in what you want... It has to be real. You have to like them too. Why should they try to help somepony they don't even like? They're your partners... Your family.

[audio]

[scientificflair]

I suppose that -

[...wait wait what]

I'm sorry, did you just... "somepony"?

[audio]

[3_butterflies]

Oh, I'm sorry... I meant somebody.

[sorry man, not even people trying to help you are normal.]

[video]

[paladinlost]

It's usually simple enough to tell if they like you enough.

[With the evolution and all.]

If you need to make one happier, I suggest buying them a TM or bringing them to a Move Tutor. They appreciate it if they have any interest in battling, and it's also useful to you.

[video]

[scientificflair]

[...wherever would he be without that completely obvious first point, Cecil, thank you. He'll just be ignoring that bit of wisdom in favor of focusing on the second part, if you don't mind.]

Move Tutors, is it...where can they be located?

[video]

[paladinlost]

[Hey, considering the brain power of some of the trainers here...]

One lives in Ilex Forest and teaches only Headbutt. The others travel between cities, but they are simple enough to find. Keep an eye on the Pokémon Center; you should find one there within the next two weeks, if he or she is not already in town.

[video]

[scientificflair]

[...okay, he'll actually grant that one.]

Good to know, then - consider it appreciated.

[video]

[paladinlost]

You're welcome. I'd suggest requesting attacks that cover your Pokémon's weaknesses. There should be one or two available, even if they might not be particularly powerful.

[...Cecil, stop helping the criminal.]

[Audio]

[determinator]

[Oh, hey! It's that hilariously awesome guy from Team Rocket! Descole, right? Yes, that's it! Archer sounds quite pleased when he responds, though whether it's because he actually has an answer or whether it's because it's Descole is unclear.]

It's fairly easy to tell when they don't like you - but it depends on their personality. They're all quite different, in case you haven't noticed.

[The last part is mocking, but it's very light teasing.]

I've had to evolve one through friendship and it took me four months. It seemed to like me well enough the majority of the time, but from what I've read trading it away will essentially "reset" it's happiness level. Keep it out of the ball if you can, feed it treats, use items on it, let it battle without fainting... There are quite a few things you can do to get it to like you.

Most importantly, however, is to ensure that you keep it with you at all times. It will take quite a bit of time, but it should be worth it. What are you attempting to raise?

[Audio]

[scientificflair]

[Well, well! Archer, wasn't it?]

Ah, it's something that was captured over that...rather lovely Valentine's Day - one of those things that isn't commonly about in these parts. I'm not sure how one would describe it, other than utterly useless, but I'm sure I'll manage.

[Audio]

[determinator]

You don't need to describe it. You do have a video function, you know.

[Again, light teasing.]

I'm certain you'll manage to get an evolution out of it eventually, but it might be best to wait to train it, depending on what it evolves into.

[Audio]

[scientificflair]

[Ignoring that very valid point, thank you!]

From what I understand, its final form learns very few moves, if any at all. So some training is necessary, at least, assuming I want a properly varied movepool.

[Nerds. We are nerds, Archer.]

Audio.

[shakespearealien]

[Uh... the background noise for this specific audio feed is horrendous. It sounds like Gorthan is in a large, crowded room where several people are yelling or talking loudly.]

It is actually quite easy. Most of them are rather expressive creatures, even those who lack facial features and means of expressing emotions that we consider conventional. Do not be afraid to spend time with them as much as you can, and you will learn to pick up on the signs quickly enough.

Also, as I am sure you have realized, gaining experience in battle contributes to their satisfaction with themselves, and, by reflex, with their trainer.