gochuugoku | [001] Action/Voice/Video

[The video flickers on to a close up of the face of an irritated China and slowly backs up. His lips are still forming a frown.]

Ivan, I swear, aru... I really will kill you this time, aru! I know that this is one of your twisted jokes, aru! It has to be, aru!!

[Anyone listening will wonder who this "Ivan" is and why he keeps ending his sentences with "aru."
The angle of the camera suddenly becomes crooked as Yao looks down. His angry-looking face softens and a small smile replaces his frown.]

Li! Did you get out of your pokeball again, aru? [It's obvious that he's not addressing the camera anymore. His voice is not angry at all. He simply chuckles.]

Seel! Seel! [The pokemon sounds happy as well.

The camera angle becomes even more crooked as Yao leans down to stroke the Seel's head with his free hand.]

Well, at least you're here to keep me company, aru. I don't know what I would do without you, aru.

[Yao stops stroking the pokemon so he can grab the map. He opens it and looks at it in a quizzical manner.]

Well... This is unlike any other map I've seen, aru. [He tilts his head.]

Cherrygrove City? Where is that, aru? And that music is starting to give me a migraine, aru.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The good news is, highly poisonous as Renhou is, Litchi's a walking Antidote arsenal anymore. ♥

She just chuckles softly.] Most of the time, yes, he's very friendly. He can be a little obstinate around strangers, though.

Ah, but your Li really is adorable~! By any chance, do you happen to know what breed it is?

[Yao gives a nervous laugh.

He clears his throat.] Why thank you, aru!

[He nods his head.] Of course I do, aru. Li is a male Seel, aru. And according to the small computer, that makes Li a Water-type pokemon, aru. What about Renhou? What breed is it?

He's a Grimer. It's a Poison-type... which I realize sounds rather dangerous, but he's really fairly harmless.

[Says the woman with an almost all-Poison team. Definitely an Antidote master.]

R-Really, aru? A Poison-type, aru? He must be a strong pokemon, then, aru. [He fails to keep the nervousness out of his voice.

He changes the subject in an attempt to calm his nerves.]

S-So, Faye-Ling, tell me, aru. Are you alone, or are there people you know that are here as well?, aru

[She can appreciate the nervousness -- after all, she was on edge around Renhou for the first couple weeks as well -- so she just goes with the flow.]

Yes, actually, although there's only one person here that I knew back home. I haven't been able to meet up with him just yet, but... I've made some good friends here to travel with.

I realize this is all a little overwhelming at first, but I'm sure you'll be able to find some familiar faces soon enough.

Really, aru? What's his name, if you don't mind me asking, aru?

[He thinks about himself.] As for me, I haven't seen anyone familiar yet, aru. The only ones I've met so far are you and Li. [He sighs.]

But you're right, aru. I'll adjust to this place eventually, aru. Besides, I've been adjusting to the world for over four thousand-- [He realizes what he's about to say and quickly covers his mouth with his hand.]

Ah-- I imagine he would be going by "Arakune" right now, though I may be wrong. It's... complicated.

[Thank goodness for distractions. She blinks.] I'm sorry... "four thousand"...?

Arakune? That's an odd name, aru. [He does not want to be rude by asking more personal questions, so he stops pressing for more answers.

[He takes the hand off his mouth. He is barely able to keep a calm expression on his face.] It-It's nothing, aru. I'm just speaking gibberish again like an old man, aru. Just forget about it, aru.

[Li knows that Yao is not telling the truth, so he gives his human partner an irritated look and begins to pull on the fabric of his pants with its mouth.]

I can't really say I disagree... [But it is an accurate one. Although that's a detail she won't be mentioning out loud.

Luckily for Yao, though, Litchi is easily distracted by cute. The Seel tugging on his pants -- irritated though it looks -- is just way too adorable. Any questions about the "four thousand" can wait until later. ~~Although it feels so very familiar for some reason.~~]

Ah, if you insist. And you hardly look like an old man; you really shouldn't put yourself down like that.

[Yao only nods his head.

He is more than relieved that Litchi doesn't ask anymore questions about the "four thousand," but he frowns at Li as he continues to tug at his pants leg.] Cut it out, aru!

[He can't help but give a big smile at hearing her comment.] Why, thank you, aru! Even though I don't look old, I still have back problems from time to time, aru. One of my brothers is the same way, aru.

Is that so? [She gives a soft laugh.] What a coincidence, then! Traditional Chinese medicine and herbology is actually my area of expertise. Although I'm afraid I haven't found all the right equivalents in this world just yet.

[Warm smile. It's so nice to finally meet someone who won't give her a weird look for some of the things she prescribes for cures.] I'm sure I can fix something up to help with your back pain, though, if you'd like.

Really, aru? I also happen to be familiar with Chinese medicine, aru! [He nods his head in understanding.] I'm sure you'll find them eventually, aru. After all, finding the right ingredients is not always an easy task, especially in this strange place, aru.

[He returns the warm smile with one of his own. Litchi really was a kind person. Perhaps... he could call her the first human friend he made since his arrival. He says human because Li was the first pokemon friend he made.] Thank you very much, aru. I am very lucky that I found such a kind person like yourself.

[Litchi blushes a bit at the compliment.] W-well, thank you, but it's... really nothing. Just doing my job, that's all.

[Yao continues to smile warmly.] You are quite welcome, aru.

[Suddenly he remembers the odd map.] By the way, Litchi, would you know how to get to Cherrygrove City, aru? I looked at my map, but it's unlike any other map I've seen before, aru.

Ah, yes, actually! You're in New Bark Town, yes?

[She pauses for just a moment to remember the specifics.] There should be a road leading west that will take you right into Cherrygrove. It takes three days to make it there, but the road is pretty straightforward.

[Yao glances at his map and nods.]

I believe so, aru.

[Yao nods his head as she tells him the directions.] Three days, huh? That road is called Route 29, right, aru?

[001] Action/Voice/Video

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

[video] (Sorry for late reply!)