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

From:

hollower

From what I can tell, most of the creatures here do indeed become much larger when they're fully grown. I've seen some of them... And if yours is a horse, then I'd expect it to be large enough to ride once grown. [She sighs, and looks up at the sky. She'd love for a horse to ride a well, or something to carry her around. Anything is better than walking.] The birds, too, I expect will grow substantially if we're supposed to use them to fly with.

[Speaking of which, Perona cast her gaze away from her pokegear, taking Mihawk's pokeball into her hand to look at.] ...Mihawk. I decided to name him Mihawk - after someone I knew back home. They're similar in some ways...I suppose.

From:

firstnothing

I have seen few birds large enough to carry an adult human. That will be something to look forward to, I think. Should yours ever achieve this great size, would you be kind enough to allow me to see it?

[By her sigh, perhaps she's not used to doing a lot of walking around. He wasn't either, but the idea of it didn't bother him much. What did, was not having a kitchen he could raid for regular meals.]

And if it does not, perhaps there will be other breeds capable of it.

[He falls silent for a few moments as the name of Perona's starter is revealed, before he makes a low, thoughtful noise.]

There seems little harm in it. 'Mihawk'. At the least to the ignorant such as myself, it is a name that conjures up birds of prey, and not other individuals.

From:

hollower

Oh, I've seen plenty of animals that could easily swallow an entire ship whole, let alone carry a fleet on their backs or heads. [Sea kings, man, they're scary little jerks - and also huge.] I don't doubt there are animals here that could grow substantially larger than you or me, but I have no objections to showing you what Mihawk-sama will look like when he grows.

[And while Mihawk isn't her starter (that's a Teddiursa named Bearsy), he was her first capture, and already has touched her heart a bit. Perona looks at the pokeball holding the feathery animal, then releases him from its confines. The Pidgey chirps, then looks up at his master questioningly. She holds out her hand, and he climbs on carefully.]

Horohoro...the man he's named after is known on the seas as 'Hawk-Eyes' Mihawk, because he has a stare that pierces right through you - like the eyes of a hawk. [She rubs a finger against her pidgey's cheek, who also has a rather piercing look to it, but it leans into her touch subtly, one eye squinting shut.] This little one's eyes reminded me of that, and that he's a cute bird as well seemed appropriate. And he has a spirit that's similar, even if he's a bit delicate right now. Oi!

[Mihawk had snapped at Perona finger, puffing up at the 'delicate' comment.]

From:

firstnothing

[This business of critters being large enough to eat ships is taken with only a small grain of salt. The worlds had incredible varieties, and he knew things like krakens existed, so why not monsters that could carry entire fleets? Xemnas makes a low, thoughtful noise but makes no comment. Such a world as Perona's might be interesting to visit, given the native wildlife. If he could ever get off this world..]

I appreciate your cooperativeness, miss.

[Xemnas hadn't asked her name, but a proper opportunity had yet to arise. Instead, he observes her small bird-friend, presuming it to be her starter. He'd heard that a trainer had a close bond with their first pokemon quite often.]

He seems feisty enough when he has to be, that little bird. I should look forward to seeing him grown and well-trained. Perhaps by then I will in turn have something worth showing off a little in return.

[Something like amusement or humor creeps into his voice, but it doesn't last long. He seems content with polite neutrality.]

This man, 'Mihawk', I presume he is not likewise in this world?

From:

hollower

[There's many things in Perona's world that come with a grain of salt. To any normal person, her entire world wouldn't make a lick of sense - logic and even physics sometimes just didn't work the ways they were supposed to. Even Perona herself can't believe some of the things that happen in her world.]

You can call me Perona, Mr. Xemnas.

[Quick, curt, but still with a pleasant enough smile. Perona likes this man, he's been nothing but polite thus far - he deserves to know her name, as she knows his. Moving on, however, Perona shifts the little brown bird to her lap, keeping her fingers away from his beak. Mihawk looks into the pokegear, his eyes sharp as his master tries to relax him with a few pets.]

Horohoro, no...the Mihawk I know isn't here as far as I'm aware. [And thank god, she wouldn't know how t react to that.] I think it better he stay there as well...I can't imagine he'd take to losing his weapon and his strength, and gaining a tiny animal to care for.

[The mental image itself is laughable, and Perona actually covers her mouth and looks away from her gear to giggle into her hand. Oh god, she can just imagine Mihawk with a fluffy animal rubbing against his leg...pffft!]

From:

firstnothing

[It would be an adventure to visit. If he ever found it. Then again, the Organization finding a world inevitably led to trouble for that world shortly later. ...It's probably for the best Xemnas is trapped in this one, powerless, with a baby electric zebra for a companion.]

Very well, then. 'Xemnas' will do fine, even my subordinates do not call me 'Mister'.

[Occasionally they called him 'Lord' but not 'Mister', he's content to do without either. She didn't seem the sort to bother with the whole 'Lord' thing anyway, and it would be awkward.

As the little bird peers into the video, unseen in return Xemnas simply watches it back, before almost on whim tilting his own device so the little blitzle could see it. She sniffs at the image, then gives a disdainful snort; THAT'S not something she can fight, it's just pictures!]

It would be a difficult transition for him then? A pity for us and a bonus for him. Unexpected circumstances teach adaptability like little else.

[Not that Xemnas liked being stripped of his own power and stuffed in a world with only a pokemon for defense or offense, but he'll manage. It came with a heart, after all. A heart that didn't drown out him in favor of what it wanted to be.]

As I'm sure you've discovered yourself. May that particular tiny animal grow to be everything you wish it to be.

[Transportation.]

From:

hollower

...Very well. Xemnas.

[It's a little weird to not add a title - Perona's a stickler for formalities - but she'll learn to adjust in time. It just feels so...impersonal, but if he asked for it, she should at least try to oblige.

Mihawk the Pidgey puffs up at the image of the little zebra, continuing with its leering. He only 'deflates' once the electric type departs and when his trainer puts her hands on his head to stroke his fringe.]

I can't be sure exactly, but I don't think the world's greatest swordsman would take too well to losing his blade, and having it replaced with an animal or something. I've found certain men are quite attached to their weapons...though the value of the black blade is unlike most treasure you find on the sea. But then again, he's always been intelligent...and I think he'd adapt in time. [Perona moves her Pidgey to her shoulder, where he sits and quietly nestles into her long hair.] Though I'm sure he wouldn't be happy.

[Kind of like her Perona hates not having her ghosts to accompany her, to scout for information for her, and to teach lessons to the idiots and unholy horrorterrors called bugs crawling around in the brush.]

Hm~! I'm sure he will be. You as well - I hope you have a noble steed in due time.

From:

firstnothing

Perhaps he would see it as a challenge. The weapon a swordsman wields is an extension of himself, perhaps a pokemon of the right sort could step into that role. I'm told this issue of training and battling can take immense skill. It's difficult to say without being put in the situation.

[Xemnas makes a thoughtful noise.]

There are a small number of individuals I know here that were quite attached to their own weapons. I should find out how they're adapting without having such weaponry to rely on.

[Not so much an issue with him. He pauses again, longer this time, weighing for several moments.]

Though if I am keeping you from other tasks, it occurs to me suddenly that perhaps I should let you be on your way.

[If not, well, Xemnas has plenty more things to gently pry out of her. Perona's been a veritable wellspring so far.]

From:

hollower

Perhaps...but I don't think Mihawk-sama [She hush her Pidgey with a "not you" wen it chirps and peers up at her.] would even like that. As far as I know, he's had his sword since he was young - my age or younger. Taking that from him...and replacing it with something very different, I just couldn't imagine that. Nor would I want to bear anywhere near him if that were to ever happen. I better for everyone if he stays where he is.

[Despite all that, though, it may be nice to maybe have Mihawk around. Maybe after he calmed down or something - or if she herself didn't have to give him the news that he couldn't get his sword and knife in this place. It'd be better to travel with someone she was familiar with, at the very least.]

Oh, you're not keeping me from much... But I should let you be on your way, M--eh, Xemnas. You should make your first step in this world - everything comes easier from experiencing it all firsthand. Perhaps if you make good time traveling, I may even see you in a city somewhere very soon.

From:

firstnothing

Perhaps so. It would be worth observing, for me. If I knew what to watch for, at any rate; a stranger is a stranger at this point in the journey, with few to call familiar. I would likely no sooner recognize your friend Mihawk than I would whatever ruler governs your world.

[Xemnas can admit to ignorance! He knew beans about it! Of course that just meant he wanted to know, as not knowing drove him absolutely up the wall, but for now there was nothing he could do.]

Mmm. I suppose I should leave, yes. There are many things to do, and not all of them can be done at once.

[There's a moment's pause, then a sigh that almost sounds like a chuckle's mixed in.]

Well, I best be on my way then. No time like the present, I suppose. Thank you for your assistance, Miss Perona. It has been a very enlightening conversation. I look forward to crossing paths in person one day.

From:

hollower

[Perona's smile twitches, then disappears altogether at the thought of someone like that from her world arriving. The world rulers of her world would be hundreds of thousands of times worse than anyone else to show up here. At the very least she could kill them without much consequence. She can't be caught by the marines if they don't exist here, now can she? Even so, the thought of a Celestial Dragon in this place is repulsive.]

It was my pleasure. [She laughs again, and her pleasant smile is back - shaking the thought of a despicable world leader is pretty easy, thank god.] Good luck on your travels, Xemnas-san. It was nice speaking with you, and I really do hope we can speak again. ...I haven't had an intelligent conversation in person with someone ever since I came here, but I won't trouble you with that. I wish you well.

From:

firstnothing

I'm sure we will meet again, be it by these pokedexes or in person. May your journeys be entertaining, Miss Perona.

[It takes him several moments to recall how to shut the thing off, but it does get shut off. That went better than he'd expected. Nice surprises were always welcome.]