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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Aug 22, 2020 10:59:58 GMT
Aliana unlocks that case and fetches the ball for Thel. Handing the smooth, sleek Pokeball to the boy, she has a seat to one side of the room and crosses her legs. "Go ahead and take the time you need to get acquainted."
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 22, 2020 17:09:13 GMT
Taking a deep breath, Thel takes the ball, almost feeling like he's marring it just by touch. He looks to Aliana, asking "Is it okay to release it inside here?" as he's getting mental images of the size of Jasmine's snake. Upon confirmation he releases... whatever is inside to the ground before him.
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Aug 22, 2020 19:41:19 GMT
"Let's go out to one of the practice fields... I'll cover some of the basics with you." Aliana leads the boy outside to one of the fields that looked to double as a sports court when it wasn't being used for battling. On releasing the Pokemon there was a dramatic flash of gold... and an extremely large quadruped with long sharp claws appeared. Its tail was folded up over the length of its body. Mostly black and white, its fur looks to have been treated with fine oils and slicked down. Sitting on its haunches, it regarded Thel with a look of attentiveness, as though expecting something of him.
"Ah a Skuntank, a Poison/Dark type. Interesting pull. They're usually known for a pretty severe odor, but the ones kept here are actually pretty pleasant. Something they bathe them with, I think."
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 22, 2020 20:00:28 GMT
He goes a little pale when Aliana mentions smells. Flashbacks to before. No, no no no, not again. Surely it's not like that. "I... I see," he says, taking some deep breaths to steady himself. It's about the same size as the Lady was, but with a lot more bulk. No, don't concentrate on that. Concentrate on something else.
"So... okay. Basics. Where do we start?" he asks the girl, giving wary looks at the feline(?).
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Aug 22, 2020 20:18:10 GMT
"They all have a universal command to get you familiar with their abilities. Skuntank, Display please." With a nod to Aliana it languidly got to its feet, making the move look effortless despite its size. It then uses Taunt, Nasty Plot, Flamethrower, Sludge Bomb, Dark Pulse, and Hyper Beam in sequence giving Thel the look and feel of the attacks. With each, the Pokemon gives a little dismissive flick if its tail to launch the attacks that have to gather power. Blinking a few times, it gives him a sideways glance, eyes lidded.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 22, 2020 20:24:17 GMT
"Oh, that's... useful," Thel says, before getting distracted by the display. "Whoa..." he breathes. "That, uh, that's definitely more power than I'm used to dealing with. Makes me a little bit nervous. And... they're all like this? All this strong?" He stares wide-eyed at the Skuntank.
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Aug 23, 2020 2:19:48 GMT
"The rentals are all top league level Pokemon, yes. Does it having so much power discourage you from getting to know it better?". Aliana asked curiously, admiring the boy as he seems stunned by the sheer power of the creature at his command. "Have you challenged many gyms yet?"
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 23, 2020 2:33:07 GMT
"It's just... mostly I worry that I'll end up doing something wrong, and something bad'll happen," he says, sheepishly. "At least when training with Hope or whatever, the worst that can happen is some sparkles get somewhere until they eventually fade. Power like that... it really feels like there's a sense of finality to throwing it around. In that you really need to make sure you know what you're doing."
"And, I've challenged two gyms," he says, nodding. "Ecruteak and Goldenrod. Very tense, but we pulled through."
Taking another breath, he crouches down towards the Pokémon's level, thankful that the skirt is as long as it is. "Hi there, it's nice to meet you," he says. "I'm Thel. I'm hoping that I can learn a lot from working with you today."
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Aug 23, 2020 14:26:43 GMT
Aliana falls quiet as she watches you interact with the Pokemon. The Skuntank sniffs at his hand, and makes a small sound of acknowledgement. While Thel is close, he has its full attention, as though there were nothing else for it outside of this moment of interaction. It doesn't languish or frolic, and hardly so much as considers the surroundings. It has been in that state since Aliana have it her initial command.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 23, 2020 18:24:28 GMT
"Is this... is this how trained Pokémon are supposed to act?" he asks, looking up at Aliana, as he gives the Pokémon a small pet on the head. It's certainly nothing like the wild, and it's absolutely nothing like how any of his own Pokémon are. He reflects on the fact that he hasn't really seen any Trainer's Pokémon outside of battle though, really. Besides Whitney's Pokémon comforting her. Is this what he's expected to do with his own? Have them always act like this? He isn't sure if he likes that thought.
"So... what do we do next? I'll admit," he gives a bit of a laugh, "this isn't exactly how I've gone around doing things in the past. It's usually just getting pushed into things, and hoping my Pokémon know things better than I do. I don't expect that'll work here, though, given what I've been told."
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Aug 24, 2020 2:19:15 GMT
"Well, this is how a Pokemon trained for show and high society acts when performing. They probably want for things like any companion, but they have restraint taught to them typically from a very young age.". Aliana explained, folding her hands in her lap. "How would you normally interact with one of yours?"
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 24, 2020 2:38:11 GMT
"They all love brushes, so that's something that we often do. I like doing it, I like seeing them happy," Thel says. "And often we just... wander, and I see what they're interested in. Hope likes peering at everything with so much curiosity, for instance. While Serenity just enjoys company, and occasionally running around. I like letting them be themselves. They feel far more like friends and equals. And I like that."
"I constantly worry that... well, I'm just forcing my will onto them," he explains. "I don't want to be that sort of Trainer. I want them to be with me because they're happy to, because they want to. They're the ones who are pulling all the weight in battles, after all. And I wouldn't be where I am now without them. So I like seeing the feedback that they're happy, and that they can enjoy life."
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Aug 24, 2020 3:32:21 GMT
"Well, the way I see it you have two options. You can exclusively use the rentals to get you through your time here, or you can try to curb bad behavior and see if your Pokemon can learn the charm curriculum with you."
At the mention of brushies there is a distinct shift in the Skuntank's expression, now lending itself to interest. One might even call it eager.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 24, 2020 4:03:52 GMT
"I'll do what I can to have my Pokémon learn alongside me," Thel says, nodding. "I want to try and teach them. I don't know how well I'll do, but I have to give it a shot!"
His face falls when he sees the eagerness on the Pokémon's face. "I'm sorry, friend," he says, quietly, petting its back and running his fingers through its fur. "I don't have my brushes or anything with me. I left it all in my room. I wasn't expecting to meet any other Pokémon today, and mine aren't allowed out outside my room... I'll make sure to carry them around in the future, in case we meet again."
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Aug 24, 2020 13:30:56 GMT
"I can't fault you there, really. I much prefer my own, even if Hecatoncheires gets uppity when he isn't the center of attention, or given praise for short periods of good behavior. Learning their disposition and how to limit acting out is very helpful. With him, I will often release him in private and offer that reassurance, and limit the amount of time he's out. Dragon-Type Pokemon aren't known for their obedience."
The Skuntank presses its head gently into the palm of Thel's hand after carefully considering the surroundings, and Aliana's posture. The fur is coarse and a bit waxy, though the latter texture is probably a sealing product of some sort.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 24, 2020 16:38:17 GMT
"...yep," Thel agrees. "I'm still trying to figure out how to limit Bliss acting out and getting problematic with my others, so I can imagine what that'd be like. Hopefully it'll all work out naturally, but, if not, maybe some of the lessons here will help. She just needs some help connecting with the others, I think."
The skunk definitely feels a lot different than he's used to while petting. Certainly nothing like Hope's short fluff, or Serenity's long silk, or Patience's almost bristly fur. Serenity's is probably the one that feels the best to pet, but-
He realizes that he's drifting in his train of thought a bit, and finishes up a last bit of petting and scratching under its chin, before standing up. "So, Aliana, what sort of typical stuff would one do to practice out here? Any advice about what I should be looking out for, or working on?"
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Aug 24, 2020 17:46:22 GMT
"Sometimes a firm touch is what's needed, but it is different individual to individual. Trying to exert my will over Hec just incites him to act out worse, so compromise is the only option." She watched Thel and the Skuntank bonding quietly in a distracted fashion. "I will answer your question with a question. Do you know why a gym leader like Jasmine doesn't lead with her strongest Pokemon and finish fights in a single decisive attack? Whitney could likely do the same. Many gym leaders have tricks up their sleeve that make regular battlers pale in comparison."
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 24, 2020 17:55:56 GMT
"To teach, presumably," he says. "To help people grow. Because that's what the journey is, from the sounds of it. A way of discovery, of growth. And there's no point just crushing everyone unless they've already fully grown, unless you want no challengers. Which doesn't seem to be the intent. They try and help people."
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Aug 24, 2020 18:00:48 GMT
"That is part of it, the other part is showmanship. Gym leaders aren't just a strong battler and teacher, they are a brand. Their popularity, and their fame is based on how vibrant their battles are. Eye catching, inspiring. If every fight was hand-holding, they would never see challengers from other regions. The Pokemon League is a global business that provides for them. Gym leaders inspire so much when on the world stage. The battling facet of these courses is to capture that essence."
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 24, 2020 18:07:00 GMT
"Ohhhhhh... I see," Thel says, nodding. "Well, kinda. The showmanship things makes sense. The 'brand' think I don't really understand, but I think I get it. But... I see. They're trying to boost people up just enough to provide a good sight. For the possibility for them to lose. Because people don't want to watch something if they know how it'll end. I think? Did I get... most of that right?"
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