ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

"Is this... wise? What has been introduced so far is localized, and I can't lie but I'm scared of what would happen if something that could be used for warfare is introduced. In any case, I don't know how much any of us truly know about our technology. For example, if you asked a random mon from the city how to work a printing press, they probably wouldn't know how. Same for us."

Mila tries to keep a level tone with Merqury, despite her fears. She can tell that getting him worked up will only lead to more problems.

*Voxno-V does that weird eyebrowless raised eyebrow thing again, a bit taken aback by the pricing* 5000 Poké is quite significantly above the going rate for a blank book. It is also worth mentioning that... *it telekinetically removes the three books from its new bag, turning their pages in a dramatic display to the Malamar* ...these three books, two of which are noticeably larger, came up to 4000 combined.

*meanwhile, in the dark alleyway, Jani keeps tabs of a number of points, though she gets a noticeable headache when "human technologies" are mentioned. She opts to respond them to one at a time*

*looking up and a little to the side, she looks up as she speculates* I suppose that surface-dwelling Digletts... *twinge* ...wouldn't necessarily be aware of such things. *then looking smugly toward Bella, she continues* Oh, and it's not an "Eloi tale", it's H. G. Wells' The Time Machine. I suppose I shouldn't expect you to be versed in the classics...

*resuming her cautious pacing from earlier, she brings up the second point* "Thug", huh? Until three days ago, I was just a nerdy little bookworm† who didn't seek out trouble. *her smug look transforms into a wicked grin, as she proclaims, looking straight at Bella* But we both know who's to blame for that.

*switching to a somewhat off-handed expression, she concludes* I'll grant you one thing: The state I'm in now...the state that you are responsible for, does not lend to being taken seriously. However...

*maintaining her faux-uncaring expression, afraid to screw the pooch with this one, she continues, hoping to address a couple concerns regarding Belladonna's mentioning she knew many other Digletts*

You said you knew other Digletts. From where might you, and these Digletts, hail?

† Her Media Buff trait, disfigured by her condition.

"...what?" [This is what we were brought here for? This?? Some jackass wants an economical edge on his fucking student?!]

"...wh, what makes you think we can provide you with that kinda shit? Most of us aren't exactly skilled electricians or specialists with that sort of thing." [It's not completely free from rage, but I'm holding a lot back.]

"Eliot, calm down. It's alright." She turns back to the boss.

"But he's right. Just because we know about it doesn't mean we know all of its workings. We don't have anything to offer you."

But sir, back home we were just people who didn't really delve into technology more complicated than computers.

The Malamar leans over the counter some, somewhat eyeing the books, but it's clear that's not the only thing he's meaning to do as he almost pushes his presence and lets it spill over the counter

"Are you questioning my pricing," he begins, his voice taking on a sinister edge. "The cover of this notebook is made from cork leather imported two islands over, bound with over 100 sheets of heavyweight paper made from palmetto bark, and you expect me to charge any less for it?"

Merqury growled under his breath a little bit, his face seeming to twist up. Grunting, he snatched a bottle from off his desk and took a swig, despite both Ripley and Turtledove making a token attempt to step forward with hand outstretched, as though they were about to take it from him.

Soon, he emptied the bottle and slammed it down on the desk. "So... I'm having just a little trouble comprehending this. Surely if the hu-... you sent someone out here, they'd have sent their best and brightest, no? That's what I would do. ...Or perhaps... if there are Gods, they'd have done the same. Humans don't just... appear in the future, transformed into one of us with no reason! It cannot be! There has to be some reason behind it, and whoever is responsible, Gods, kings, smartasses with lab coats, they'd have sent someone with KNOWLEDGE. ...Unless it's the Gods just... fucking with me again..." he began to sound distinctly slurry by now.

Ripley turned to the party, trying her best to look apologetic. "Wh-what the Chairgon means by this is that... he... he might have been expecting someone... different... from you. You understand, we... didn't bank all our hopes on that, he was just curious," she said, doing her best to lie on his behalf.

edited 4th Aug '17 4:02:44 PM by PresidentStalkeyes

"I'm really sorry to say, but we're just as confused as to why we're here as you. We just woke up like this." Finley tries to reason. Regardless she takes one step back. Something about this guy's sudden shift in attitude is scaring the shit out of her.

edited 4th Aug '17 4:03:49 PM by BaconZorp

(Outside in the Bazaar, away from anyone else in the main party, the Ninetales is exploring the Bazaar, looking for somewhere she can sign up for the tournament.)

Excuse me, (she says, walking up to the Vaporeon twins.) Would you, by any chance, know where I might be able to sign up for the local tournament here?

Um...we've only been here a couple of days and we haven't had the chance to look around. (says Penny) We mostly just hang around here.

What she means is, we don't know. (says Jenny) Sorry. Could we interest you in an evolutionary item?

Oh, no thank you. (The Ninetails says.) Thanks for your help anyway.

(She walks off. The twins take note of her two missing tails.)

Wow, sis, how do you think she lost those? (Penny asks.)

I dunno. But if it was another Pokémon...I feel so sorry for them. You think the rumors about Ninetails putting curses on other Pokémon for messing with their tails is true?

(Penny shrugs. Shortly afterward, the twins busy themselves to talking with a pair of Slowpokes as the Ninetails continues her search...)

(The Ninetails begins wondering if she'll meet this certain old acquaintance of hers that keeps entering her mind again while here...)

I must not...I cannot face him again...I never return to the people I...

(She nearly bumps into a Druddigon couple, interrupting her thoughts. She pushes the thought from her mind and continues searching for the place to sign up...)

"Look, we're just as confused as you. We never asked to wake up here one day, in the bodies of Pokemon. It just... happened. I'm sorry if you were expecting something different, but that's not what you've got. Anyways, I would have thought the chaos following us would have been a good indication that we don't know what we're doing."

Mila tries to lighten the situation with a small amount of humor, but she can already tell that it probably won't be received well. She hopes he doesn't snap at them, though he does seem unstable.

How did he keep control over this place? He's not exactly the most insightful politician I've seen.

I wander around the bazaar, making sure to avoid the area with the Vaporeons. (They were probably just talking shit,) I assure myself.

(Shit, this guy isn't pleased with what we offered him. I woke up days after everyone else, but I feel like we're all...connected.)

Guy simply scratched the back of his head. "Hm."

"Well... what connection is there between you all? There has to be something," Merqury said; just barely restraining himself from punching his desk again.

"It's a weak one, but we all visited this one..." Can't say website, we wouldn't know what that is. "Forum. We all vaguely knew each other before being sent here. But, that's about it."

We...were all users of a forum called TV Quotes. Something like that.

"Tropes, not Quotes." Why does everyone say Quotes...?

PJ: "Sir, I apologize, but we are not here by choice. We have no idea why we are here or how we were brought here. Sadly, many of us lack the knowledge you desire, including myself. My proficiency is with the arts rather than any sort of mechanics, science, or engineering. Now, on the subject of a connection..."

(Well, maybe there is credit to the whole TV Tropes thing, but how much of a connection is it? This could entirely be coincidental...)

PJ: "Well, sir, we have only theories at this point, but as my comrades have said, it is at least known that we shared a social circle in our human lives, though many of us have taken up aliases at present or otherwise do not recognize any of our fellows."

*steady and unfazed as ever, Voxno reluctantly removes its own notebook from the Koss baggy it resides in, being careful to keep it shut while merely rotating it telekinetically to make a point, while saying* I believe there may have been a misunderstanding. What I intend to scribe is, for all intents and purposes, insignificant to historians. I suppose my more excitable form does lack an attention to detail.

*putting its notebook back in the baggie, it elaborates* I merely need a notebook which... *Voxno actually lists out the technical specifications of its current notebook, the Cliff's Notes version being cheap paper, cheap covers, and disappointingly inexpensive* ...or your nearest equivalent.

There is a Zoroark roaming the bazaar. They seem to notice the Ninetales, and approach her.

"You seem lost."

"Apologies, sir, but my knowledge is only as far as how to buttle..."

I'm looking for where to sign up for the local tournament here. (The Ninetales answers.) Are you aware of where it is?

"GGGRRNRNRNRNNNNGGHH-" Merqury seemed ready to snap upon hearing the connection between these supposedly valuable humans was so... banal. And yet, though he tensed up and clenched his fists together, alarming his two companions, he was nonetheless barely able to hold himself back. Instead, he relaxed, sighed, and once more slumped into his chair.

"Gods, give me strength..." he muttered. "Ah... who the hell am I kidding? They're the head of this... Serris, Khmalidze, these sons-of-bitching guild aipoms... they're all in on it, they all want a piece of me, and the Gods are behind it all, and they send me these... mongrels!" he began to rant again, swiping at one of his bottles and reaching for the cork.

It was at this point that Ripley finally decided enough was enough. She lunged in, forcibly taking hold of the bottle of alcoholic beverage, trying to pull it from Merq's grasp. "Chairgon, stop! Think rationally! This rubbish is clouding your judgement!"

"Get... off! I'm an adult, I'll drink what I damn well please! To hell with my judgement!" Merq yelled, taking hold of the bottle with both hands and pulling it out of Ripley's wings.

Ripley relented, but stood back, and for the first time seemed genuinely exasperated. "Chairgon, please. Calm. Down! This is exactly how Serris and Khmalidze have been able to take advantage of you so easily!"

"Fuck them, and fuck you! Who are you, my mother?!" Merqury yelled, seemingly calming down a little to slump back in his chair. He dismissively waved a hand in his assistant's direction. "Get the fuck out of my office."

Ripley pleaded with him. "But, Chairgon-"

"I said GET OUT!" he bellowed, practically jumping to a standing position, with the bottle still in his hand. "ALL OF YOU!"

Ripley finally gave in. "...As you wish, sir," she said, sighing and shaking her head. Gazing towards the ground, she and Turtledove ushered the party back outside the office, taking one last look at the now very melancholy-looking dragon at the desk about to hit the bottle again before softly closing the door, leaving the rather spooked Turtonator to stand in front.

edited 4th Aug '17 4:49:04 PM by PresidentStalkeyes

(I turn away from Merq.)

Come on guys, let's just get out of here.

Cyk absconds.