shadowdive | 40 // video

[The feed opens up a bit into the bushes, a Buizel chittering away behind the screen and a Litwick wiggling just in the right hand corner, and paws are rolling the gear around. It takes a few minutes for the camera to be righted and pointing a direction that doesn't show leaves and snow, and then it's displaying a yard. A backyard.

Out in that backyard, Vanitas is practicing hand to hand combat with his Riolu and Croagunk; all three are working on their form today, led by "Instructor Zuru" the Scraggy. It seems to be going well enough, some simple arm thrusts and kicks being worked through, before they split into two groups. Riot starts off with a fierce volley of kicks at Zuru, who starts countering and dodging, and Vanitas takes a charge at the Croagunk.. who looks overly nonchalant.

It's a split second movement that the frog fighter makes, and not one Vanitas was particularly ready for; Croagunk used foul play and downright sucker punched his trainer in the gut, doing a fine job of knocking him off his feet and flat on his back. The resulting pained wheeze is enough to make the voyeur Pokemon go running, the Buizel leaving the gear behind in the bushes to time out on its own.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Squirt bottle won't work.

[Why yes, he saw Rikku's comment there.]

At least, it won't if your Croagunk's ability is Dry Skin.

[By the way, there's a Toxicroak looming in the background. Staring, watching, unmoving and unblinking.]

Your best bet's to use one of your stronger Pokémon to knock it down a few pegs.

Tch. I'll fight it myself. [Aka, yes, it has dry skin, and Vanitas just gives that Toxicroak in the background a sour look.]

The parent, I assume? Giving the same shitty expression..

Suit yourself. Might help to assert your position, anyway.

[Hiiiii, Vanitas. Hiiiiii.

Dart is just gonna... keep staring. Quietly croaking. Rrrribbit. Rrrrribbit.

Still not blinking.]

I'd rather it respected me and listened to me, instead of only listening because it'll get a beat down from another Pokemon.

[Narrowing his eyes at Dart.] ... Does that thing ever blink?

Respect might be tougher, depending on his attitude. But I guess you had to have done something right to get Dartanian to obey.

[He remembers how much trouble Sora had, yup.

As for his Dart... he shakes his head.]

If she does blink, it's never when I'm looking.

Dartanian wanted to fight, so giving him a spar every few days keeps him satisfied.

[Finally picking himself up and dusting his back off, his Riolu is coming over now in concern and making a displeased face at first, Dart on the screen, then the Croagunk that took a step behind Vanitas after he sat up.

Both Pokemon go jumping off then, sparring in the background where Riot is keeping the Croagunk occupied with sharp movements.]