Feather 17 [Video]

[usedfeatherdance]

[ The video clicks on to a view of the ceiling in one of the rooms of the Blackthorn Inn. The fan is slowly circling, and the only other thing visible in the frame is an arm reaching straight up from slightly off screen, holding up a Rising Badge. ]

We've already figured out that collecting a whole set of badges doesn't actually get you anything of value, right? Or did that finally change while I wasn't looking?

[ Joshua sighs, and the arm lowers out of the feed. There's the sound of it hitting the bed, and the camera shakes just the slightest. ]

You'd think that after I spent this long collecting them, I'd feel prouder at finally winning the last one. Mmm, perhaps this isn't really for me after all.

[ After a pause, he giggles. Then he rolls over and leans over the Gear, his face finally entering the camera's view. ]

How about this? Tell me about the worst thing that happened to you at home that you're still willing to talk about. Even if it doesn't seem to compare to what others have been through. Tragedy is quite relative, after all.

Comments

[video]

[paladinlost]

It does give you a sizable discount in stores, if you happen to be a trainer.

[Not touching that other question with a ten foot pole, thank you.]

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

Mmm, but so I can do what? Buy more items to make my Pokemon stronger, so I can win more battles? Unless you live in the city, it seems the only other thing to purchase are basic necessities. Whatever happened to simple hobbies?

[video]

[paladinlost]

You can find art supplies and cooking implements in some of the smaller towns, though their quality is usually low at best. But if you prefer music or gardening, you're out of luck.

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

Ah, as I feared. [ He giggles. ] At this rate I'll completely forget all of my well-practiced violin skills!

Do you have a hobby here that doesn't involve Pokemon?

Audio;

[tentacletrainer]

Whether they have some value attached to them or not, it's quite the accomplishment collecting them. As for your last suggestion, it would be easier to say that I do not wish to return home at this point.

Audio;

[usedfeatherdance]

That good, hmm? I have time. Care to share a story?

[text forever]

[explosivecombat]

You know, I'll actually humor that question of yours if you're willing to return the favor.

[text it is]

[usedfeatherdance]

Technically I don't have to. My cooperation would simply change the metric of which story you'd be willing to tell, now wouldn't it?

[text]

[explosivecombat]

I don't recall asking you to go first.

[text]

[usedfeatherdance]

You didn't. But you asked me to go either first or second.

[video]

[soundmind]

My best friend almost died because I was careless in battle.

[She doesn't say that with shame, or sadness, just the resolute expression that shows she acknowledges that it happened, she screwed up and she's moved on to keep that from happening again.]

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

What did you do? Or fail to do, I suppose.

[video]

[soundmind]

We fought against someone too strong for us, for one thing. I wouldn't block with him because I was afraid he would get hurt, then he just ended up covering me anyway.

[Basically it was just a completely hopeless situation regardless of what she did.]

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

... You know, you come from a very odd-sounding world.

[ "block with him" isn't something Joshua exactly hears often. ]

[video]

[digitalorunknown]

[h...uh.]

That's a weird thing to want to know. [Not that he's averse to answering, but...seriously, that's really weird.]

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

Why? Because I'm letting people set their own comfort levels?

[ No, Josh, that's just a problem with you. ]

[video]

[digitalorunknown]

Um. [How is he going to put this...] I mean...why do you want to hear about bad things? Won't it just be sad? [Information on local, relevant terrible things, he could understand. Inviting people to spill their past troubles for no apparent reason...that's a new one.]

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

Considering they're still alive to talk about it [ technically, now ] I can't imagine it would be too sad. And even if it is, there's things to be learned from difficult experiences.

video

[readapts]

Why do you want to hear about...bad things?

[Tentatively, of course. Not to say he won't answer, but it's not a question you hear often, is it...]

video

[usedfeatherdance]

Oh, there's plenty of reasons. Perhaps I just want to know how nice and peaceful it is here in comparison.

[ Or perhaps not, but shhh. ]

video

[readapts]

Well... It's really nice compared to where I came from, but... It isn't like it's always bad there, either.

A lot of things just...happened.

video

[usedfeatherdance]

What sort of things?

[video]

[darkenedgales]

Nothing aside from discounts in markets and bragging rights, nope.

[Crow may not actually like that, but doesn't really sound overly bothered by the fact. He's had more than enough time to get used to the thought.

He does, however, wince at the (slightly morbid, in his opinion) question.]

... Ain't that a little depressing?

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

I won't know until I hear that, now will I? It's at least good for conversation.

[video]

[darkenedgales]

... I have a feeling most people wouldn't consider it a "good" conversation if they were to talk about the worst moments of their lives, y'know.

[He knows he wouldn't.]