firstnothing

[Audio only. The voice is a rather pleasant baritone.]

Good evening, denizens of this new world, human and pokemon alike. I am Xemnas. Perhaps there will be a few of you who recognize such a name.

[His pleasant tone never wavers; there's almost no emotional inflection at all.] This is a world I know little of. I have studied the information I have been able to find, and this little foal has been very dutiful in attempting to aid me in that search. [At this, there is a small, cheerful-sounding "Blitz!" in the background.]

If one could supply further information, or where to find it, I would be ... grateful. But tell me, countless unknown strangers, is it truly so that the humans of this world avoid combat in favor of asking their pokemon to do it for them? My small friend here seems incapable of fighting anything much tougher than a tumbleweed- [A protesting whinny this time.] -and yet I am to rely on it for my defense against all this strange world might strike with?

[It's thoughtfully said, as if this 'Xemnas' has no investment in the question or possible answers.]

[OOC: yeah I stole the sample post off my app. ;_; guilty.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The truth is far more shameful and embarrassing, and thus Xemnas isn't enlightening anyone. He hasn't figured out the video feature yet.]

I disagree. I have in my travels across countless worlds seen mere powerless humans bring down far greater monstrosities than a pokemon. Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours. I choose to not abide by others' expectations of my capabilities. You would do well to do the same.

[A touch of bewilderment enters his smooth baritone voice then.]

...However I have not said anything about anyone making anything do anything at all.

[His words actually make her think of a certain couple of humans she once knew who could do just that... but they had advantages that you just won't be able to get in Johto.]

If someone manages to bring down one of the stronger Pokemon without aid of their own, I'll be more than happy to retract the statement.

[She rolls her eyes at that response, thinking he's being deliberately obtuse about word choice. "Ask", "make", it's still the same argument dozens of people before him have made.]

Alright, "ask", then. Either way, it's still usually the Pokemon who has more of an investment in it then the trainer. After all, they're the ones who grow stronger each battle. Of course, most trainers quickly learn the advantage of having stronger Pokemon, but for them it's almost all instinct. They don't need to even think about it.

Which is kind of a good thing, for some of them...

Name these stronger species, and I will be certain to provide you with that information when it is acquired.

[Not even a flicker of tone shift. He's still neutral. It's like he doesn't actually even care about his own questions, by sound alone.]

There is a vast difference between forcing someone to do something and requesting they do something, young lady. The difference is not mere word-games or semantics. Discover it, learn it, burn it into your heart. It will do you well.

Are you used to relying on others for your needs, be it defense or otherwise? Have you fought for yourself, or simply waited for others to tend to such matters for you?

Rhydon. Garchomp. Dusclops. Gyarados.

There are others, but any of those four would be impressive enough in and of themselves.

[She can't help but grin a bit at the mental image of this man trying to beat up a Gyarados with his own hands... Though the fact that she doesn't actually know what he looks like gives her some problems. But moving on.]

That depends on the relationship between you and the other person, now doesn't it? There are some times when even a request can carry just as much weight as any demand. But to answer your question... well, there's only so much I can say. I'm as much of a fighter as I look. [She chuckles merrily, apparently completely unperturbed by her obvious physical weakness.] My talents lie elsewhere. Let's just say I'm quite used to the idea of having a partner.

[There is a faint scratch-scratch-scratch. The very perceptive might note it sounds like pen on paper. Gotta take notes.]

Very well.

[It's a small list but one to consider for the future. Having something to work on as a goal will be better than nothing at all.]

Those used to relying on the strength of others by their experiences will have different views and expectations than those willing, able and used to being able to fight for themselves. It is perhaps how you might react upon being told that now you must do all your fighting on your own, as relying on others is illegal, here is your sword, good luck.

[Well, he's certainly taking this seriously. She wonders just how he plans to pull if off.]

Oh I'd die very soon in a situation like that. [Well she sounds remarkably blase about that fact.] At least you don't have to worry about that, right?

Or did no one tell you we can't die here?

[It's good that she had a realistic view of her own survival chances. ...Though with enough time and training, and the right weapons.. Xemnas sets the thought aside swiftly as irrelevant.]

I did not have to worry about such a thing previously. There is one familiar thing, then.

[Now that's not precisely true, but there's really no way to tell at all, and Xemnas wasn't about to explain time travel to this girl, it'd take way too long.]

The lack of death in this world as well raises a further question about why the humans are afraid to use their own weapons. Merely lack of a challenge?

Didn't have to worry about dying? Were you immortal?

[That would be the most impressive thing she's heard all day.]

Well I think it's simple. They're playing their role. The Pokemon fight, the humans guide them. To them it's how the world works. It wouldn't make sense to change the order, especially since it seems to work for them.

It is difficult to kill what does not exist.

[He sounds faintly amused, as if it's an old and familiar joke.]

There is much that makes internal sense to a world that to an outsider seems unusually strange. I have heard that ledges are a difficult hurdle to overcome if one wishes to go up.

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[A picture is worth a thousand words (but Xemnas has over nine)]

[What?? Over nine thousand??? (sounds)]