008 || video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

[The feed starts and viewers are greeted to the sight of Raikov attempting to put little booties on Katya's feet. She already clad in a tiny scarf. Dat Joltik has sum style.]

... I'd take the crazy weather over terrorist-like attacks any day. Things might be quiet for now but who knows how long that'll last? Was it like this in any of the previous years?

[Because he really hopes this isn't a repeating offense. This place was supposed to be war free... It just doesn't feel right. He'd never admit it out loud but that weapon Cobra showed last week has him worried. The last thing this world needs is a nuclear super weapon or something like it.

He lets out an exasperated sigh. Always the drama queen. Katya just chirps and tilts her head.]

I've been meaning to ask a few other things as well.

For the pokemon that evolve via stone, when do you know is the "right" moment to give them one? Is there ever one...?

How difficult are the routes to travel during the winter?

And lastly... Why the hell is everyone doing their holiday shopping so early? New Years isn't for another month and a half.

[Someone isn't aware of "Christmas" outside of the Motherland. Oops.]


[Private to Scar//Unhackable;]
Hey. Is Kashet doing any better? Natasha's mood has been improving since their play date. I think it really helped her. Perhaps we should get together for another. Do you like tea?

Comments

video;

[bertall]

I remember when I bought a fire stone for my Growlithe I kept it in my backpack for the longest time... He ended up finding it and when I wouldn't give it to him he kept whining at me until I finally did.

_{[And that's how he ended up with an oversized bear-dog.]}

As for traveling in the winter, I've never had a problem with it. I actually like it more than traveling in the summer, but I've got some fire types to keep my warm on the trail.

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

Huh. That's actually why I asked about it. My Growlithe's grown a lot but I wonder if I'm holding him back by keeping him in that form...?

How cold does the weather get here?

[He's a Russian and Russians are immune to the cold but it's always better to be safe than sorry.]

video;

[bertall]

It's really between you two, I think. Every pokemon seems to be different, I mean if it was up to me I would've kept Berwick as a Vulpix.

_{[But then he was stolen and when he got him back, bam. He was a Ninetales.]}

A-And I don't really remember to be honest! The cold never really bothered me back home and with the pokemon I had during my first winter here, it wasn't that bad. Since it's getting colder though, I guess we'll find out.

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

Oh...? What happened, if you don't mind me asking?

[He pauses.]

And if you have a tolerance to cold, I guess I should be okay...

video;

[loveisanopendoor]

I've been wondering the same thing myself, actually. Apparently Eevee is a Pokemon that evolves by a whole bunch of different methods...I was at the Goldenrod Department Store with my sister, and they have so many different stones there to evolve Eevee with! There are even Grass ones and Ice ones! ...But I don't want my Eevee to feel pressured to change or anything, you know? There are so many different options that it's a little overwhelming, but I don't want Dawn to think that she has to evolve anytime soon.

...As for Odin, my Kirlia? He really wanted to evolve the second he saw a Dawn Stone. I think only male Kirlia react to them like that, but he's very protective of Elsa's Kirlia, you know? So after he saw it, I guess he figured a chance to get stronger...it was something he really wanted.

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

Huh. That's interesting to know, actually...

I guess I could take Alexei to the department store so he can see the stone for himself. I sort of did that with Katya when she was getting close to evolving. It was a bit selfish of me to give her an Everstone so she wouldn't evolve but she seems happy with my choice. She's far cuter as a Joltik and is the perfect travel size.

[loveisanopendoor]

It could be worth a shot! I think that whatever's most comfortable is best; there's no reason to force it to evolve if it doesn't want to. I mean, you know me, I'd be satisfied even if, say, Magikarp never evolved...

[Video]

[francia]

It's always been a bit, ah, odd around here around this time of the year. Somehow this place seems to be aware of the holiday season.

[France tries to laugh at this, but it comes out more like an awkward cough.]

[He soldiers on.]

With my Marianne, she wanted to evolve pretty much as soon as I had access to a fire stone. She's always been very proactive in her training, though, so it might be her personality just as much as her glorious ambition.

Routes will be affected by the general weather. If it's a horrid storm out, I don't suggest travelling unless absolutely necessary.

[Answering those two questions seems to have allowed France to find his footing again. Or maybe it's just his enjoyment of shopping that allows him to show an enthusiastic smile. Who knows?]

I don't enjoy the Christmas rush, but I do love preparing for the holidays! The earlier you get started, the better, or else you'll have to slodge through the crowds.

[Video]

[majorcrotchgrab]

Makes sense. Anna was saying the same thing. Guess Alexei and I will be taking a trip to the department store. And I should probably just stay in Goldenrod, considering the other places I still need to visit are near water or really far...

[Raikov pauses and raises an eyebrow.]

... "Christmas," Francis...?

[Surely you of all people know how censored the Soviet Union is!]

[Video]

[francia]

[France blinks before understanding dawns in his eyes. His expression softens a bit, although it's uncertain if it's due to a bizarre sort of nostalgia or pity.]

Ah, it's a traditionally religious holiday. Very deeply engrained for me, so I tend to have a bad habit of assuming. Generally, here in this place, it's not religious at all: the concentration is on gift-giving and spending quality time with family and friends.

[video]

[twinsanity]

[...Well. You've contacted him a couple of times, so he...might as well attempt to do the sociable thing for once and say hello or something.]

This place always seems to lose its collective mind in autumn; it'll settle down once it gets too cold for the terrorists to do anything, because apparently even they have priorities, albeit terrible ones.

As for the holidays, I would ask if you've forgotten Christmas in there somewhere, but since it falls only a week before the new year you still have a point.

[video]

[majorcrotchgrab]

[How thoughtful of you, Alfred.]

That's... slightly reassuring. I wonder what it is about autumn that makes everyone become like that?

[There's a long pause. Obviously Raikov feels stupid asking this but...]

What the hell is "Christmas?"

[video]

[twinsanity]

If you ever figure it out, do let me know. It seems the region itself loses its mind in October, while the terrorists take over in November. It's impressive, what a pattern it's settled into.

[...Ah. Christmas. Right. This discussion tends to go really poorly, but let's see how this ends up.]

And that...depends, do you want the religious or the secular explanation?

[lieutenantantichrist]

[What do you know, it's that loud-mouthed, gray-haired pervert. At least he's wearing a shirt this time.

What Blake should do is ignore the phone and go back to reading the paper before his little squirrel thing steals more of it to make a nest. But thee he is, picking it up and hitting the button.]

New Years shopping is easy. It goes, "Gimme a bottle of Jack and a party hat."

[majorcrotchgrab]

[oh hay bb. Now that he knows the difference between Christmas and New Years, he wrinkles his nose.]

Yeah, if you want to celebrate it like an asshole.

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Blake tilts his head.]

You don't have to have the hat.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

I think the only one who can really decide that is you.

The evolution thing, I mean.

I've had a Firestone for literally four years now.

Still haven't evolved my starter.

[Video]

[majorcrotchgrab]

Mn. I gave my Joltik an Everstone a while back so she could stay in her first form. A few of my others have evolved but those were natural... so why does a stone evolution feel so different?

[Video]

[foolishwren]

I guess 'cause when they evolve naturally it's about them feeling ready to do it.

With a stone, you're the one who makes the choice so it's about whether you're ready or not.

[voice]

[wakeupslap]

...Y'know, the weather would be better if I was wearin' a shirt. But I ain't. So it's awful!

[voice]

[majorcrotchgrab]

Then buy a shirt.

[voice]

[wakeupslap]

Where would you even do that?! I don't even think I got money!

LATE voice

[envy_the_sinners]

She's improved marginally, but is still having similar issues.

[Oh God, but what has he gotten himself into...]

Tea is okay.

private;

[majorcrotchgrab]

Guess they both need it then.

[A pause.]

Just "okay?" Is there something else you'd prefer?

[envy_the_sinners]

I do not care.

[So friendly.]