14th Grail: [Video]

[dressofheaven]

I don't tend to make a big deal out of this sort of thing, ordinarily. But under the circumstances it seems appropriate.

[Ilya holds up Claire's Rising Badge to the camera, then shows off the other seven badges pinned to her collar. She adds the last one and makes no effort to restrain her victorious smirk.]

That's the eight badges of Johto collected. I hope the elite battles over in Kanto give a bit more of a challenge. I don't suppose anyone can give me an idea of what to expect from them. I'd like to hear any stories you might have.

Oh, but I'm feeling nostalgic. Even if you haven't fought the elite matches yet, even if you only have one or two badges, why don't you tell me about them? It seems like as good a way as any to celebrate, at least until I get my little gathering underway.

Also, Claire, if you're listening. Gyarados still isn't a dragon type.

Comments

[dressofheaven]

I'd feel sorry for anyone with Pokemon like that, but frankly if the Pokemon care that little, the trainer's done something wrong.

[captainash]

Or the Pokémon itself is an emotionless psychopath, and there's nothing the trainer can do about that.

[A beat.]

...Even then, any well-raised Pokémon would probably fight back, if only because their trainer is useful and convenient.

[dressofheaven]

You know, despite two of my Pokemon being literally made of steel, I've never had any like that.

[Though privately she thinks she could handle even one like that.]

[captainash]

Thank your lucky stars, then. Steel-types can be dangerous if you're not careful; psychopatic Pokémon are dangerous even if you're careful. I'd rather not imagine a combination of the two.

[Except now he is imagining it. Damn it.]

[dressofheaven]

You sound like you're speaking from experience, there.

[And she can't help but be a little curious.]

[captainash]

Let's just say I wouldn't wish my Purugly on my worse enemy, and she's just a cat. If she was a Steelix or a Scizor instead...

[He shudders. Terrible mental images here.]

[dressofheaven]

Oh, a cat.

[From the expression on Ilya's face, it sounds like that just explained everything.]

Now it makes sense.

[captainash]

That's the usual reaction when I mention her, for some reason.

[Not that he's truly surprised.]

[dressofheaven]

Cats are little monsters to begin with. It's no surprise a Pokemon version of them would be cruel. I hope you at least keep any birds you have out of her reach.

[Ah, so that's where her sympathies lie.]

[captainash]

My birds are the lucky ones; they can fly out of her reach before she even gets her claws out, especially now that they know her quirks.

[dressofheaven]

Good for them! Let her whine about not being able to get at them.

[captainash]

Believe me, she whines a lot. ...And then she attacks the rest of us instead, but everyone else has long learned when to dodge, too.

[dressofheaven]

Well at least you know how to deal with her. I can't fathom why you keep her around though.

[captainash]

Why wouldn't I? Not all mementos are pleasant, and besides she's a talented battler.

[dressofheaven]

A Pokemon that won't obey properly is a liability. A Pokemon that actually threatens their trainer is worse.

[captainash]

She's a dangerous liability that strikes fear into the heart of every soul that fights her. I can work with that.

[dressofheaven]

Well, I can respect the intimidation factor... I still wouldn't keep a loose cannon around, but I can see your point.

[captainash]

The great thing about that particular loose cannon is that I can shove her in the PC for a month, if she gets too violent. That helps dealing with her, too.

[dressofheaven]

[She can't help but laugh.]

Alright, so at least you've got a plan to deal with her worked out. Fine, it's just that all of my Pokemon are fiercely loyal and obedient. I train them for those traits, and I've never accepted anything less.

Even if some of them do like to chew on my hair.

[captainash]

Please, that doesn't even count as misbehavior. It's obviously a sign of affection. ...Or a sign that a change of shampoo might be a good idea. One or the other.

[dressofheaven]

I know it's a sign of affection, but it doesn't stop it from being aggravating. I spend a lot of time on my hair.

[captainash]

...I was joking at first, but have you tried using a different shampoo? If they end up not liking the taste...

[dressofheaven]

I've switched a few times, but it's never made any difference. I think they're just determined to show me how much they love me through my hair, no matter what I do.

At least it is a sign of affection and not some sort of rebellion, though. I'd have to discipline them severely for the latter.

[captainash]

...I'd suggest pulling it up for a while, but I get the feeling that wouldn't stop them. And then you'd really have to discipline them, affection or not.

[dressofheaven]

It doesn't help that one of them is a Hydreigon. Not only does he have three mouths to bother me with, but I had to focus very hard on teaching him not to bite anything that would hurt someone growing up. Unfortunately my Garchomp seems to have taught him that biting my hair doesn't actually hurt me.

It could be worse, though. It could be a Goodra.