[Action/Video]

[tsoukalos_disciple]

(Action)

Romani seems to be doing remarkably well despite her situation. The very idea that if she acts strong and dependable, Cremia will appear and reward her. It helps her go on.

That, and a Turtwig.

Romani can be found marching down sidewalks like the conductor of a parade, along with a Turtwig matching her steps the best it can. But then she stops and points at a bizarre creature.

"Look there, is that a Pokemon?"

Indeed it is, but does it belong to someone? It looks well behaved.

(Video)

Sometime during the day, Romani comes on the network with a relatively harmless and innocent question.

"Hello! Romani heard stories that when a Princess sings, animals will come out and listen to her. Has anyone tried doing this with Pokemon?"

Comments

[Action]

[mysteryhero]

[Here's someone Romani may recognize from the network and their discussion about Papyrus the other day - but now he's wearing normal clothing - a brown sweater and tan trousers.]

Hey, Romani. What do you have there?

[Action]

[tsoukalos_disciple]

[Whatever Pokémon she spotted, it ran away now. Too bad. That's just one less distraction so she can talk to him.]

Oh, Swallowtail. Romani has a Pokémon now. This is Turty.

[The Turtwig trots up, gazing up at Quentin. It wants to say hi.]

[Action]

[mysteryhero]

Oh, well, isn't that the cutest thing...

[He observes it curiously.]

Your pet?

[Action]

[tsoukalos_disciple]

[The Turtwig seems to be waiting for something. A pat on the head, maybe?]

Yes, he's Romani's friend now. Turty is just like a plant, so he's easy to care for. Do you have a Pokémon, Swallowtail?

[mysteryhero]

No. I've been a bit preoccupied with settling in and finding a job.

[He notices the Turtwig was still looking up at him expectantly. After a moment, he does give it a light little pat.]

Where'd you get him?

[tsoukalos_disciple]

From someone named Professor Teak. Romani was also given this "Pokedex" and "Pokeballs."

[The Turtwig bounces happily after getting attention. Then, Romani uncaps a bottle of water and trickles it over Turtwig's back.]

Romani is looking for more Pokemon for protection and help me on the ranch. Pappy is looking for a "Dig Let."

[mysteryhero]

I can't help you there. I don't know anything about these little critters.

Are you watering him like an actual plant?

[tsoukalos_disciple]

He is a plant. Professor Teak said it's a "Grass-type" and feeds on water and sunlight.

Go on, Swallowtail! Touch Turty's shell. It feels like fresh soil.

[Should he do so, the shell on the Turtwig's back does indeed feel like a hard mass of fertile soil.]

[mysteryhero]

[He does as she suggests. Interesting. He's not that familiar with Pokemon in general so this is all new to him. But he's beginning to learn there were many creatures here that didn't exist in his reality on Earth.]

I'm sure you'll take great care of... Turty. You're very responsible, aren't you?

[Jobs with Guardians and now pets.]

[tsoukalos_disciple]

[Swelling in self pride right now. She kneels down to give the Turtwig some well-deserved scritches.]

Romani has to do good and be dependable. That way when Sis sees Romani, she'll let me go to the Carnival of Time when we go home and then she'll make me a mask to show Romani is an adult.

[mysteryhero]

Sis? You have a sister?

[tsoukalos_disciple]

Yes, but she isn't here.

[That made her sad a bit. But she tries to hold on that Cremia will show up soon.]

[mysteryhero]

I'm sure we're all missing family or friends.

[He says sympathetically, as if to say she isn't alone.]

[tsoukalos_disciple]

You too, Swallowtail?

[Her Turtwig waddles off to lay in a patch of sunlight.]

[mysteryhero]

[He glances downward, one hand going to the other to touch a ring on his finger, a sadder expression in his eyes.]

Yes, but I won't see them again.

[tsoukalos_disciple]

[A difficult concept that she still doesn't understand.]

Why not? Is it because is those bridges you told Romani about?

[mysteryhero]

Not exactly. It happened before those bridges.

[He frowns, shakes his head.]

It's not something you need worry about, Romani.

[tsoukalos_disciple]

[If its related to friends or family, she will worry.]

Did they go away like my Papa did?

[mysteryhero]

[A sad smile.]

My entire world went away, Romani.

[Then a pause.]

You lost your father...? Before this place?

[tsoukalos_disciple]

[An entire world? That's a bit much for her to understand.]

Romani was really little when Papa went away. Romani only has... Had Sis.

[mysteryhero]

And here you have... Pappy? Papyrus?

[tsoukalos_disciple]

[She lightly shakes her head.]

Romani lives alone. In the Oak Gardens. Pappy only lets me help on the farm and eat what I pick from there.

[mysteryhero]

Nobody else takes care of you?

[Was that normal here, he wonders. Kids just allowed to run free with no supervision. Maybe it was usually peaceful enough to not be a concern?]

[tsoukalos_disciple]

[Another shake of the little head. It's lonely, but it makes her feel grown up.]

Romani is alone.

[mysteryhero]

Listen, if you need anything, you contact me, OK?

[tsoukalos_disciple]

OK. Romani will see you if I need anything.

[She holds a hand up. Pinky swear maybe?]

[mysteryhero]

[He puts his hand out so she can instigate the swear, which he'll oblige.]

Video

[notquitedracula]

I don't know if anyone's tried it with the pokemon, but I know a few people that could probably manage something similar.

[Now that he's paying attention, this is definitely someone he's never seen before. Pointed ears... wasn't there a tiny blacksmith around a while back that looked a little like her? His memory is fuzzy - he'd never interacted with her, after all.]

Are you new here? I'm sorry for asking, but most of us like to make sure children are taken care of if they show up.

Re: Video

[tsoukalos_disciple]

Hmm~ Maybe Romani should try...

[She does have a bit of pride in her singing. She is actually pretty good at it.]

Romani is new here, yes. Romani has been here about a week now. Maybe more. Do lots of kids show up here?

Re: Video

[notquitedracula]

We get one about once a year, I think. Are you staying with someone, or still at the starter apartment?

[He'll let her consider the merits of singing - he's okay at it, but definitely not princess levels.]

Re: Video

[tsoukalos_disciple]

[She's no princess either, but some animals seem calmed.]

Romani lives alone at the Oak Gardens.

[Proudly said as it is a pretty grown-up thing to accomplish.]

Re: Video

[notquitedracula]

[Soma nods at her assertion - he may be a little too trusting of other people's self-sufficiency, honestly.]

As long as you have a place to stay and regular meals, I guess that's everything that can reasonably be hoped for. Feel free to call me if you need anything - I run a shop over in Everglade, and I split my time between Everglade and Nova pretty evenly.

[He's just about to let her go when he remembers he hasn't even told her his name. Oops.]

Oh! You, uh, probably need my name. I'm Soma. Soma Cruz.

Re: Video

[tsoukalos_disciple]

Soma? Pleased to meet you. Romani is my name.

[Thinking for a moment...]

Soma is a good name... But how about Cloud? It's because you have a lot of white on you.

Re: Video

[notquitedracula]

[Head...tilt. He's not used to getting nicknames, especially from children.]

I, uh, I suppose that's okay? It's definitely a way that I can tell it's you, if you text me or anything.

Re: Video

[tsoukalos_disciple]

Okay, Romani will call you if I need anything.

Talk to you later, Cloud?

Re: Video

[notquitedracula]

[She gets a smile from him, finally.] Of course. I'll be around whenever.

[Action]

[burnt_offering]

[Ace wasn't planning on stopping and chatting with a kid, but when she asks if that creature is a Pokemon? He feels like he has to stop and confirm it.] Yeah, that's one of 'em. I dunno what kind though.