scientificflair | 004. Action for northern Route 34/also one other thing

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004. Action for northern Route 34/also one other thing

[PRIVATE TEXT TO EMMY ALTAVA]

We need to talk. Now.

[ACTION]

[Well, some of you may remember that...weirdly terse post from Descole that went out about a month ago, asking exactly how one would know if their Pokémon that requires happiness to evolve is anywhere near pleased with you. You'll be pleased to know that it's -

...seriously not anything he'll have to worry about anytime soon. No. Really. It's not.

It's not exactly something he's keeping to himself, either. Oh, no. It's incredibly evident in several ways, the primary one being the fact that he's currently skulking around on Route 34, just outside of Goldenrod City, and that Togepi he's been training is currently wailing up a storm.

Descole doesn't seem to know what he's supposed to do with the fact that the damn thing simply will not stop crying; to his credit, he isn't just up and ditching the thing, though from the look of it he's clearly considering - once in a while he'll get fed up and stomp off a few feet, only for the wailing to intensify the further he gets. The result is this...bizarre storming back-and-forth routine, simply because Descole is the paragon of grace and charm and he cannot figure out how to make the damn thing shut up.

Yes, he has tried everything from leaving it alone to being in its presence to...yelling at it to shut up. No, he has not worked out the incredibly obvious solution of "pick the little crying eggthing up."

-50 PICARATS FOR YOU, DESCOLE.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[...Gorthan, you will learn that there are some humans that just shouldn't breed. Descole is probably one of them - not because he's defective, but because his temper would probably result in...uh, well, a lot of what he's been doing, honestly, just with a human baby.

He does stop the skulking in order to reply properly, however.]

Tell me - do I really seem like proper parenting material, Gorthan?

[...okay, so it's a really bitchy, very self-aware reply, but a proper one.]

I believe anyone can be at least decent parenting material, provided they're intelligent enough to make the required effort. Even I have more children than I can count. And I trust that your intelligence is more than sufficient.

Pick it up in your arms. I won't do it for you. I recall you wanted to obtain a happiness evolution. For that purpose, you probably want it to bond with you, and not with someone else entirely.

[Even so, he has to admit that the Togepi is super cute. He bends down to take a closer look at it.]

[He shoots a rather disdainful look at that Togepi without moving to touch it just yet; as it stands, the thing is still kind of crying, but at least the flat-out wailing has died down at Gorthan's approach.]

If you think intelligence is all that's required for parenting, then I can't exactly say that I -

[...okay, wait, what.]

You have children.

[That's more than a bit incredulous there.]

Forgive my rudeness, but you don't seem the sort.

I engineer soldiers. Many of them, I have nurtured from their very first cells until adult stage and beyond. While a lot of them don't even know what a parent is, I consider them all my children regardless.

[His tone is rather dismissive and he's still looking at the Togepi, showing the tiny Pokémon a small smile.

... There's definitely a part of Gorthan's brain that's being all "aaah, cute baby!" right now. But, the alien still cares about maintaining some degree of dignity.]

I'm waiting, Descole.

You'll find there's a definite difference between engineering and raising soldiers and actually raising children, Gorthan. Some of us may be cut out to do the former, but certainly not the latter. And vice-versa.

[That said, he's just going to be picking up that Togepi like he fully expects the thing to explode on him or something; the Togepi, to his credit, quits wailing in favor of looking completely damn confused.

...huh. Well, that didn't suck nearly as badly as it could have, now, did it.]

I believe I was a good father to all of my creations. With one exception.

[He nods in approval. And the truth is that he's probably been in a similar situation before. Evronians are understandably always very tense around their blind, inscrutable and voracious young. Not Gorthan, who's dealt with the things all his life.]

Very well. Now keep it there. Close to your body, if you can. That is what its parent would do. And don't be so tense - it can feel it, you know. It's far more intelligent than it looks.

Ah, Descole. There is something I have been meaning to ask you.

[...well, at least there's a purpose to you being here outside of criticizing his parenting skills; he's actually grateful for the subject change.]

Oh? Do go on, my friend; I'm listening.

It is simply this - it's occurred to me that I have never asked you if someone you knew from your world of origin is present here in Johto.

[Pensively, and not looking at Descole - chiefly because... he's never going to make eye contact with the guy anyway - he starts giving the Togepi a few head scritches.]

Personally, I would think it would be a privilege and a fortune, to be able to navigate an odd and mysterious world such as this one while having familiar faces by my side. But I have had no such luck - have you?

[...oh god, this Togepi. He is the most content thing right now because Descole is actually showing him more affection than one would a screaming brick or something, and he is getting scritches and life is awesome, okay.

As for Descole, he just kind of smirks at that a bit; the expression isn't a malicious one, just...something he does because smiling is generally a bit beyond him and he isn't too sure what to do with his face otherwise. He's never really interacted well with others on a genuine, personal basis; it shows sometimes.]

Ah, there have been quite a few, actually - there are four of them here that I know in some way. It isn't a good familiarity with most of them, but I do know them.

[Such a lovely baby! Gorthan actually finds him endearing, and his smile shows it. Have more scritches, Togepi.]

See? It wasn't so hard, was it?

[His tone saying that is pretty light - he doesn't actually mean to patronize you, Descole, even though a lot of the stuff that comes out of his mouth may sound like it. That's just how Upper Caste Evronians work.]

Four? How lucky. What are they like? I think I would like to meet them.

[If Descole is at all bothered by...anything Gorthan is saying, it doesn't show in his demeanor; he just tips his head a bit, thinking.]

And why would you like to meet them, if I might ask?

[Gorthan blinks a little and... actually looks up at Descole, in search of some obviously impossible eye contact.

... Does he need a reason to meet new people?]

Well, I would like to know more about the England of your world, I suppose.

[Well, he is meeting your gaze, it's just impossible to tell...

As it stands, he laughs a bit, though it isn't a cruel sound at all.]

There's no reason to be so bewildered - it was mere curiosity, Gorthan. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to introduce you to them - they aren't terribly fond.

[... Oh.]

So you have enemies here. Why didn't you tell me before?

[He's looking at the Togepi again, now. Ah, head scritches can be relaxing for the giver, too.]

Not enemies, really. More like rivals, though it isn't a...terribly friendly rivalry.

[There's a bit of oddly stifled laughter - like he was originally going to laugh, but changed his mind the following moment.]

I see. Tell me more! Who is it that is capable of giving you a rough ride?

Ah, the primary one is an intellectual rival of sorts - a fellow archaeologist, employed at Gressenheller University in London. He and I often find ourselves in pursuit of the same goals - he always seems to turn up when I'm on the verge of a breakthrough.

[Because that's totally how it happened.]

The last few times we've met, he's utilized my research and resources for the sake of claiming credit for world-changing discoveries; he's taken two out of three of the Aslant Legacies from me in such a way.

[YEP. YEP, THAT'S TOTALLY HOW IT HAPPENED.]

He's been taking credit for that which isn't his; needless to say, I'm looking forward to the day when he's revealed for the fraud that he is.

[OH MY GOD DESCOLE SHUT UP.]

A... rivalry between archaeologists? What a fascinating story! And... "Aslant Legacies"...?

[Gorthan's eyes light up, and his interest is unmistakably genuine.]

And what is your rival's name, if I may ask?

Hershel Layton.

I see. I will keep that name in mind.

So, if I may ask, what are the "Aslant Legacies" that you mentioned? And what about the other three people from your world that are here? Are they more rivals of yours?

[Aah, all the questions. All of them.]

Ah, the Aslant Legacies. Remnants of an ancient civilization, my friend, of great interest to me. Two of three have been discovered - those being the Golden Garden and the Lost City of Ambrosia. Both were heavily shrouded in myth and legend, but I can assure you that they were, in fact, real.

I won't disclose any more than that; surely you understand a protectiveness over one's life's work.

As for the others, they primarily assist Layton and are ultimately of no consequence. Children.

Indeed. I merely wonder if there's any need for such protectiveness here. But you seem to have made up your mind. I will drop the subject, even if I have to admit that those names sound absolutely fascinating.

And... have I heard correctly? Your rival relies on assistance from children?

[How can you possibly be the bad guy in this?]

[CLEARLY, HE ISN'T

LAYTON IS A BOUNDER AND A CAD AND NOT NEARLY AS MUCH OF A GENTLEMAN AS HE THINKS HE IS

oh my god descole shut up]

He does, yes. He refers to them as apprentices, but clearly sees no fault in putting them in harm's way.

[First you, then Layton... does anybody like children in your world? Seriously.]

Well, that seems to me the very definition of dishonorable. If you need a hand against your rival, I will be more than glad to help you out.

[...no. :| Especially not him.]

I'll definitely keep that offer in mind. However, defeating Layton isn't my first priority - my work comes first. Always.

004. Action for northern Route 34/also one other thing

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