[Video]

[black_black_heart]

[ Have a Tannusen, clearly in Velvet Lust -- though it's during the day, so no one else is in there with him and more lights are on than usual. It's the downstairs area, all gleaming dark hardwood and metal inlays and all that good stuff. ]

So, I scored these little shits.

[ The camera is panned around as he flips his phone over, and its focus lands on a Pichu and a Cinccino having what appears to be a deadly face-off on top of one of the pool tables. They're about the same size, and they're both bipedal, so it's something of a slap-fight.

An adorable, somewhat staticky slap-fight. ]

But I don't actually know anything about rodents. I'm a bloody cat, okay? Rodents aren't my specialty. Is this normal? The dinosaur, it just kind of perches on rooftops and screams a lot, I think because Tektite's been encouraging it...

[ That's right, Tektite, he's onto you. ]

But these two...

[ The Pichu throws a cue ball at the Cinccino, and then the latter rodent launches itself right at the former's face. Vicious, adorable wrestling match! ]

They generally get along, but I think they're just kinda... hyper. So do I get them a big hamster wheel, or what?

Do they even make them big enough for these nerds?

Comments

[captain_by_the_book]

I don't know if they make them that big. Kay's Joltik is much smaller, and we never tried to keep any of the others in cages.

[Cassian's eyes stray back from the man to the rodents.]

But now I feel a little bit better about the amount of trouble ours get into.

[Hey, it doesn't lessen his troubles, but shared misery is progress, too.]

[black_black_heart]

Oh, I don't mean a cage, just the wheel. You know, like a treadmill for...

[ A vague gesture toward the scuffling pair.

Honestly, he knows what the solution is going to end up being. One, these idiots need things to fight. Two, he'll probably take them out somewhere and run around with them in his other form. That's sure to wear the little buggers out.

But hey, excuse for a cute pet video.

Full of violence! ]

What do yours do?

[ Tek 2: the Tekkening, his aforementioned aerodactyl, can be heard screaming very faintly in the background. ]

[captain_by_the_book]

Cassian winces in sympathy at the screech.]

Is that another one of yours? We have a loud one as well. Hoth has just discovered you can startle people by screaming. Now she keeps climbing onto my shoulder and shrieking into my ear. [He grimaces.] Of course, it's worse when Stardust is sitting on me, too. He startles easily, and then he gives you electric shocks.

If you get the impression that he's kind of stressed... that's because he's kind of stressed. Spy school didn't prepare him for five pokemon and a cat.]

[black_black_heart]

Oh, yeah, the yellow one spews electricity all the time too. Quite a lot of it, for something so tiny.

[ Tannusen takes the phone outside, however, out through the front door and then he angles the camera up at the edge of the rooftop. Yep, there's a fucking dinosaur up there, wings mantled as it starts off on another scream. Something pitch black is up there with it, laughing a horrible gravelly laugh. ]

That one's Tek. The dinosaur, anyway. The other person up there's who I named it after, Tektite. She's security here, I let her live on the roof.

[ He goes back inside right as they both start screaming from the rooftop. Again. ]

[captain_by_the_book]

That sounds... interesting. How do you put up with it all the time?

[Even listening over video feed he can barely stifle his wince.]

What kind of creature is it? It looks very impressive.

[k2so]

Awww look at them try to claw each other's face off.

On the bright side, they're not joining forces to fight you instead. These pokemons might be small but they're vicious.

[black_black_heart]

I think they've already realized they'd lose if they tried.

[k2so]

Point for them then, they're smarter than most. One of mine practically attacks everyone on sight, he's a menace.

[AND THE SIZE OF A HAMSTER, but that Kay doesn't point out.]

[black_black_heart]

They're all a very feisty group, aren't they? I can kinda see why everyone lets them fight each other.

[ A particularly vicious attack from one of the rodents has the other squealing, and Tannusen moves without really thinking about it, his hand appearing on-camera as he plucks the pair apart. They're both about a foot tall. ]

Come on, you two have to live with each other.

[k2so]

They can be a handful and some do seem to enjoy fighting for the sake of it.

[Like having children, hands down.]

Try feeding them? Ours always clam down when we feed them berries.

[black_black_heart]

Berries, huh? Like from the forest or?

[k2so]

You can find them in any grocery store or fruit shops. They're not the cheapest fruits but they're worth the calm that they will bring to your life.

Video

[hamusukethewise]

[ Hamusuke should be an expert on rodents, but she's never seen another of her kind.]

Perhaps, they are vying for dominance? Have you been training them, and battling them with other Pokémon?

I have heard that they enjoy battle, that I have.

[black_black_heart]

[ The tiger pooka, who is used to people who are also animals -- like himself -- doesn't even bat an eye at the... other rodent suddenly speaking to him on his phone.

Other than the fact that that's a neat trick. He can't talk in his other form! ]

I admit I haven't been letting them fight others, but I also just got all three of them through trades.

Honestly, aiming for a pecking order sounds as likely as not. They're so close in size...

[ Aaaaand the pair of pokemon go toppling off of the pool table and onto the floor.

Still wrasslin'.

Tannusen really shouldn't laugh, should he? That would be terrible.

...

...Have a quiet chuckle. ]

Determined, aren't they?

[hamusukethewise]

[ She only has giant Djungarian hamster form, with a snake tail.]

They appear to be evenly matched, that they do.
If it helps them get stronger, then it shouldn't be a problem.

I admit, I haven't battled my little one as much I as should, that I have not.

[ She shows her Togedemaru. The rodent Pokémon perfectly suits its owner.>

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[kingslight]

...They look like stuffed animals!

[Oh, it's love at first sight!

Regis' eyes lights up with such intrigue once he catches sight of these painfully cute pokemon. He seen other pokemons before but never has he seen these cute little critters. They remind him of the toys he used to purchase for Noctis when his son was little.

The prince had a small army of toys to keep him company.]

The poor dears must be bored. Perhaps you should purchase them some pet friendly toys. They would be a little too big for a hamster wheel.

[black_black_heart]

They kinda do, don't they? Especially the floofy white one.

[ Tannusen obligingly keeps the camera on the brawling critters, though he can see his screen. ]

What, like chew toys?

[ The Pichu starts gnawing on the Cinccino's scarf-like fur while they're tussling, as though taking that as a suggestion and running with it. ]

...You know, you might have a point.

[kingslight]

Yes, especially the fluffy one. I particularly like that adorable creature.

[The old king can't help but watch the little rodents duke it out with a hint of amusement in his gaze. He utterly loves these charming creatures so much.]

Exactly like a chew toy. The little yellow one is teething. Just look at him!

[Regis squints some.]

Or is it a she? I certainly can't tell.

[black_black_heart]

No, you had it right, that one's a he. The fluffy one's a she.

[ A beat. ]

I... think. Most of that kind are, apparently.

[ He hasn't actually tried to figure that out, although he's just tacitly admitted to reading up on them enough to know most Cinccinos are female.

Shh. ]

[kingslight]

Ah, so the yellow one is a little boy.

[He laughs heartily at that revelation.]

Little boys have a habit of bullying the girls they like. Be mindful of those two dears. The floofy little lady might sock him one.

[Oh, Tannusen is quite precious. Regis knows the alleged "cat" likes his new pets.]

Have you bothered to name these two?

[black_black_heart]

I'm kinda waiting to get to know them a bit before names happen.

[ After all, they may be weird, alien, bizarre animals, but they're still animals. They've got personalities! He ought to know, being thought of by his own kind as a weird, alien, bizarre animal. ]

I can already tell you they're both pillow hogs. And waking up with the yellow one glued to your scalp makes for an interesting hair day.

[ Even as he says it, electricity cracks over the Pichu as the two go toppling over on the green felt of the pool table. Balls from some poor sap's paused game go skittering in all directions.

The Cinccino doesn't seem to get shocked, though. Something about the properties of that fur. ]

[kingslight]

Talk about a bad hair day. [He couldn't help but laugh some at his very lame joke.] Perhaps you should purchase a pillow for them or a little bed. They need somewhere to sleep too.

[If he had any pokemons, Regis would spoil the poor dear rotten.]

Oh, the little yellow one can use magic?

[He leans into the screen with some interest now.]

An electrical mouse? How odd.

[black_black_heart]

I think they all use magic to some degree. This one builds up a charge over time and he's supposed to sorta... store it, but they're apparently really bad at it when they're this small.

[ Not that the Pikachu form is any taller, really, but certainly bigger. Less made of ears. ]

We've tried giving them somewhere else to sleep. There's over-stuffed chairs and a sofa in the living room, but they kick up a fuss if we lock them out of the bedroom too many times in a row. So we put down a few pillows in the bedroom, but they seem determined to climb into the bed with us.

[ Look at all that plural. ]

I think we're just doomed. I don't want to use the 'pokeballs' they can live in, unless I have to for an emergency or something.

[ For some reason, the tiger's not fond of the concept of the balls, even if the pokemon supposedly don't mind it. ]

[kingslight]

[A faint smirk lingers upon Regis' lips briefly once I hears that 'plural'. He won't say anything but he noticed it right away. Excuse him for a bit. He's chuckling quietly.]

Much like all children, the little ones desire to be close to their parents. I know from experience with my own son and the cat I once owned.

[He's still chuckling quite a bit.]

Certainly does sound like you and your friend are doomed to a lifetime of bad hair days. Might as well get used to it and take care of the little dears.

[black_black_heart]

[ Tannusen's had kids before; twins, in fact. But he hadn't been around to help raise them. Partially out of fear of what his own father would do to them if discovered; partially out of fear of becoming like his father. ]

You should see what it does to the other guy's hair. It's already so thick and fluffy, add in some electricity...

[ The two seem to have reached a stalemate, at least, their wrestling slowing to a state where they end up just sitting on the green felt of the pool table, both out of breath. It's somehow still awfully cute. ]

That was a bit of emphasis on 'cat', there.

[ Yeah, yeah, let's hear the jokes. ]