007 || video/action for travel party;

[majorcrotchgrab]

[The recording starts with just Raikov's upper body visible on screen. He looks exhausted and not at all his usual sassy self. There's the sound of sobbing in the background.]

I had the bright idea to get a ghost-type [despite being absolutely terrified of them] and now I don't know what to do. I'm at my wits end.

[He turns his Gear towards the tiny Yamask floating by his feet that's making rather pathetic noises. She only gets louder while the video's recording her so Raikov turns it back to himself.]

She was fine the first day she hatched but now she just keeps crying. It started after I had her do a quick battle. You'd think she'd be happy about winning... Apparently not.

And that's got me wondering... Are battles that stressful to some species or is this a common trait among Yamasks?

[For the sake of his new traveling buddies, he's kept her in her pokeball most of the time just so they don't have to listen to her wail all day long.]

Comments

[majorcrotchgrab]

I don't really understand it myself. I guess they were humans once and when they died, they became Yamasks...

[otakon_geek]

That's kind of weird and spooky. [Were a lot of ghost Pokémon like that?] Yet, you have Yamask now and she needs you as a trainer and friend. Maybe you can bond with her to find out what sort of person she used to be in her past. [Right?]

[majorcrotchgrab]

I don't know. That might depress her more if I try asking her about her previous life.

[otakon_geek]

Well....you could try and get to know her better by reassuring her. Perhaps that will stop her from crying? Or giving her a berry. That always helps my Pokémon.

[majorcrotchgrab]

I've tried feeding her already. Tried talking. I guess maybe she just needs time.

[otakon_geek]

Yeah. Some Pokémon just need time to find their feet or uh, their wings. [Yamask didn't have either, did she?] Perhaps talking to her once she has let all of the bad feeling out?

[majorcrotchgrab]

Pretty much the only thing I can do at this point.

[otakon_geek]

I guess. I've been thinking about getting my own ghost-type but I'm still a bit wary about entering Sprout Tower. Stupid I know, but still. Where did you find Yamask?

[majorcrotchgrab]

Bought the egg from Botan. Yamasks are fairly withdrawn from what I've been told. She certainly fits that bill...

And I never entered Sprout Tower myself.

[otakon_geek]

Ah, Botan. I recently acquired a Vulpix egg from her. She's a great Breeder. [Did Botan always offer up eggs? If so, Otacon would make a note for future meetings with her.]

For some reason I thought you did. It must have been the Ruins I was thinking of.

[majorcrotchgrab]

She's an amazing cook as well.

[Because that's how he met her. Food.]

Yeah. It was the Ruins. I wasn't expecting to fall through the floors there. Also there was no swaying pillar so it was initially less intimidating.

[otakon_geek]

I remember saying you like food when we first met. [Nothing wrong with that at all.] What is Botan's cooking like? Perhaps I will ask her what she can cook when I see her next.

I'm a hopeless cook. [Yep.]

The swaying pillar.....yeah, I remember that too.

1/2

[majorcrotchgrab]

She and Killuia make sweets for both humans and pokemon. You should order from them sometime. It's so good.

[majorcrotchgrab]

And you only have yourself to blame for being a bad cook.

[otakon_geek]

[Gee thanks, Raikov.]

Sweets? Oh, they sound awesome. My Pokémon would love to try some of her sweets. Killuia? Is that her friend?

I know I'm a bad cook but we've already talked about how bad at cooking I am.

[majorcrotchgrab]

I know we have. You can only improve by practicing.

[A pause.]

I'm guessing so, since they work together.

[otakon_geek]

Yeah, I guess you're right. I've just never been much for practicing cooking at all. [Sunny was a better cook than him.]

Thanks for telling me about the sweets. Are they hard candies?

[majorcrotchgrab]

[Raikov rolls his eyes. Excuses, excuses. Oh well. His loss.]

They make all sorts. Cookies, candies, poffins...

[otakon_geek]

Really? They sound like an awesome cooking duo. I only wish I could create things like that for my own Pokémon, without poisoning them. Berries will have to do for now. [He smiled at Piplup.]

What can you cook, Raikov?

[majorcrotchgrab]

I was looking up recipes online and they have a few that teach you how to make your own poffins. I've yet to try it but it seems fun.

I can cook all sorts of things though.

[otakon_geek]

What sort of things can you cook? I'm just curious is all. [Being one of the world's worst cooks ever.]

I bet the other soldiers in the base looked upon you to cook them a good meal, right?

1/2

[majorcrotchgrab]

Meals, soups, breakfast, desserts... If you give me a recipe, I can cook it.

1/2

[majorcrotchgrab]

[His expression turns more serious.]

Otacon... what did I tell you shortly after I arrived about that subject?

[otakon_geek]

Uh, you mentioned something about your food being prepared for you. Sorry, I just imagine you as a guy that would be proud to cook for others is all. [He shrugged his shoulders. Raikov seemed so interested in talking about food.]

[majorcrotchgrab]

I believe I said not to talk about my life in the military.