majorcrotchgrab | 010 || video;

[Well. Someone's more chipper than usual. Must be his holiday spirit coming through.]

I believe I can safely say that this New Years was the best one I've had in a long, long time. The cruise was wonderful. Especially the food. Really, they should have stuff like that more often. It was nice to be able to include the pokémon as well.

[As Katya shows off her ribbon bow from her spot on his shoulder. Stylish as always, just like her trainer. She looks rather proud of herself even though she hasn't done anything to merit it.]

Thank you to those of you who got me gifts. I apologize that mine were "late." I wasn't about to send them out during a holiday I don't celebrate though. I'm sure you understand.

[He almost says "and I hope you appreciate them" but decides against it. Don't want to come off as too much of a pompous asshole. So he decides to steer the conversation towards something else but still related to the topic, and glances off screen for a moment.]

I had heard about last Christmas and how some people got eggs or items from their worlds. I was pleasantly surprised by what I received... especially considering that my egg would hatch into... ah... I believe they're called "shiny?" His coloring is different from the normal species from what the pokédex has shown me.

[He moves the camera down so a shiny Elekid is in view. It's hard to tell at first glance since it's only a little lighter than the normal colored ones but the sparkle is definitely there. The pokémon puffs out his chest and bangs his fists together.]

Did this happen last year? I mean the eggs hatching into "shinies," that is. And has anyone else gotten one this year? I am rather fantastic but I doubt I'm the only person to have gotten one.

[~~Don't sound so humble, Raikov.~~ Enough of his adorable Elekid. Time to fix the camera on his beautiful face once more.]

Oh- I almost forgot... I'm pretty sure none of you celebrate Old New Years but if you'd like to or just want an excuse to eat classic, good Russian dishes - courtesy of my amazing cooking skills - and drink lots of vodka, let me know. One should share their happiness during this time, after all.

[OOC: Raikov's gift list is here. He sent his out on the 30th a note attached to each package that said "Do not open until the 1st!"]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This man speaks his language... literally. Or at least he knows how to say happy new year. Oh. And he has silver hair! Raikov perks up and smiles.]

And to you too. You certainly picked a good time to arrive here - as well as earning "brownie points" with me, if I'm using the term correctly.

Are you from the motherland or simply far more educated in important matters than most here?

Ah, no. I'm Japanese. I haven't been to Russia for many years, but I've picked up quite a few languages in my time.

[It's not... entirely a lie, at least.]

The place has always been interesting to me, though. On a political scale, if nothing else.

I see. It is a rather interesting place, isn't it?

[... Even if he was kicked out of it.]

Were there any particular dishes you liked? I may be willing to make an exception for you.

Edited 2015-01-15 02:32 (UTC)

It is. They have a culture all their own, neither what scholars would call Eastern nor Western. As for cooking... well, I admit I'm partial to desserts, but in terms of main dishes... I got quite used to shchi and ukha while I was there. I wasn't in a very well-off area of Russia, unfortunately.

I do enjoy our culture, even if our country is far from perfect.

And desserts are generally the best anywhere you go. shchi was a staple meal in my house. I was planning on making some, actually...

Edited 2015-01-15 03:35 (UTC)

No country is perfect. But to have a perfect country would be boring, anyway. And ah, really? Unfortunately I'm probably far away from you. I've just arrived in this place recently, after all.

Hn. Maybe.

[He'd take boring back home anyday. But that's enough about that topic. Food is more important.]

Did you arrive in Goldenrod or New Bark?

[Different levels of 'boring'. He has plenty of experience with both boring and exciting.]

New Bark. From what I've heard, Goldenrod is the biggest city around here, correct?

[I'm sure Naoya remembers the Cold War.]

It is. It's a nice place to settle down in, especially with the colder weather. But the trip from New Bark to Goldenrod is a couple weeks if you travel straight through the routes...

[Hmmm. Normally he's not this friendly with strangers but this guy actually knows some things about his heritage... and it's been forever since he's cooked Russian food. (Aside from whatever he made on New Years.)]

Ring me up when you get to Goldenrod. I need an excuse to make more Soviet meals anyways.

I will. Let's see here...

[Aaaaand saving this number... oh yeah, it has the name pop up. That's handy.]

Ivan. Or would you prefer Mister Raikov?

Ivan is fine. "Mister Raikov" makes me sound old.

[And he's not old, dammit. N-not that old, at least...]

And you are...?

Ivan, then. My name is Naoya.

It's been a pleasure chatting with you, Naoya. If you have any questions about this place, I might be able to help.

Thank you. That's very kind of you. I may take you up on it once I get a bit more settled.

Good luck and stay warm.

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