It's alright to say you want it

( 'I named my shark after my dead boyfriend.' - A love story about a man and his pokemon. )

[Video;]

[Raikov's managed to dry off by the time he decides to post on to the network. He's still sitting at the pier with his newest pokemon though.]

I take back what I said about my luck for good weather in my last post. That was the worst storm I've ever been in - and that's saying something considering the weather conditions in the Motherland. We usually only have rain and snow. Not flying sharks. I'd like to be able to say "now I've seen it all," but I know I've barely even scratched the surface with this place.

[He lets out an exaggerated sigh.]

Moving on though... I'm amazed at how quickly the Pokecenter work with healing humans. The technology they have here is amazing. Obviously far advanced than anything I've ever seen. If I had gotten hurt like this back home, I'd be in the hospital for a few weeks. I'm glad to know if I ever get seriously injured, the Pokecenter will have no problem in fixing me up.

[The Sharpedo props himself on to the pier and rests his massive head between his owner's legs. Raikov leans over, wrapping his arms around the shark's snout and lies his head against it. Yevgeny rumbles contently, causing Raikov to look rather relaxed despite everything.]

Mmn. At least one good thing came out of that bizarre storm. I finally got a water-type.

[The feed starts with Raikov looking rather proud of himself. He's sitting on a bench inside the park. A Butterfree can be seen over his shoulder chattering away with Katya, who's sitting on her trainer's head.]

Guess I'm not so bad at this trainer thing as I thought. I got off my ass and started traveling again - as nice as staying in Goldenrod was... I'll probably end up going back eventually. Also Pasha finally evolved from that cocoon form of his and the egg that I bought hatched. As much as I love my bugs, I feel a bit safer having a Growlithe around. And he's quite handsome. My compliments to the breeder.

[The Growlithe in question is off screen resting at Raikov's feet. The Butterfree lets out a sad sound, causing Raikov to reach back and pat him on the head. The next thing he says is in Russian and it takes him a bit to properly speak it. So far that's the one part he hates about this place: He actually has to concentrate to speak in his native tongue.]

/You're just as handsome as he is, Pasha. Don't worry./

[Pasha coos, nuzzling himself against his hand. Raikov lets a gentle smile slip before he returns his attention back to his Gear, his expression turning back to his usual stoic-but-somehow-cocky look.]

... Oh, yes. I've been meaning to ask. I heard of an item that stops evolution. An... Ever Stone, I think it was called? Does anyone know where to locate one?

[Because he checked out what Joltiks evolve into and he'd much rather keep his little fluffball this way forever.]

I still have a bit before I need one but... the sooner, the better.

[The feed starts but it just appears black aside from a pulsating red light in the upper corner. A groan can be heard and some rustling, followed by a squeak that sounds a lot like a child saying "Jolt!"]

Shit... That hurt...! Why the hell do they have this place open to the public if the floor just randomly gives away! Ugh... Katya? Katya, are you alright?

[Chirp!]

I'll take that as a yes. Nghh.. My back is killing me...

[Finally Raikov's face appears as he grabs his gear and turns on a flashlight. He looks a little worse for wear and despite how panicky he feels, he's trying not to show it. As if finding out Ocelot here wasn't bad enough, now he's injured his back and is stuck in some creepy, dark ruins.]

Has anyone ever inspected the.. er... Ruins of... Alph before? ... I think I might be trapped.

[An odd distorted sound starts playing from his radio and his faux-calmness is now gone. Katya scurries up on to his shoulder and shudders as Raikov glances around, biting his bottom lip]

And I don't think I'm alone....


... Someone help?