Bond 002 [Action]: Winter Blues

[megabond]

Winter has come to Genessia and thankfully, Professor Sycamore managed to adapt his new home after a few weeks he arrived. Not only that, he managed to find a job at Moonbucks as a store clerk, which takes care of his money problem for now. However, with his time in the Commonspace about to end and Christmas coming up, he was busy as ever and if you're lucky, you might run into him in these times.

[Action; Afternoon] Moonbucks, Genessia City

You can expect to find him working behind the counter. Although Sycamore had trouble regarding greeting the customers due to the fact he hadn't done this kind of job before. Thankfully, he managed to get through his first job without a hitch. Once he was given a break, you can find him sitting at the table, sighing to himself out of exhaustion.

[Action; Evening] Sidewalks of Genessia City

Right after work, he then left Moonbucks and walked through the sidewalks as he contemplates at what he will do next while staring at the falling snow right in front of him. Not only he needed to find a permanent residence before his stay in Commonspace expires, but he still needs to find a way to continue his research with the limited materials he has right now.

Maybe you can try to approach him and have a little chat?

Comments

Moonbucks - Afternoon

[sonicosuper]

Sonico had headed in for a coffee to keep her going - she had been working that morning, and was pretty tired by now. She had ordered a sweet vanilla coffee to go, but paused on her way out when she saw the professor sitting at a table. Of course, she decided to head on over, "Good afternoon...You work now, Professor?"

Re: Moonbucks - Afternoon

[megabond]

Sycamore's eyes widened once he heard that familiar voice and when he turned around, he found Sonico approaching her. Thankfully for him, seeing a familiar face made him perked up after an exhausting day.

"Hello, Sonico. And yes, I managed to get a job here as a store clerk to earn enough money to move to a permanent residence."

[sonicosuper]

"Well, that's great to hear. It's good that you seem to be settling nicely." It wasn't the type of job she expected him to have, but she was too polite to say so. "How are things? Is Genessia working out okay for you?"

[megabond]

It was a little embarrassing for her seeing him like this and the fact this is the only job he found with minimum skill, but it might be worth it for him. "Why yes. I did run into some strange events, but I managed to work it out. What about you?"

[sonicosuper]

"Strange events, hmm?" Sonico sighed a little, though somewhat amused and not completely in disdain. "The strangest things can happen here sometimes... But I'm glad things have worked out." She took a pause to sip at her coffee, now that it had cooled, "I'm just keeping really busy, as usual. I've been rehearsing for an upcoming event too, so that's been fun. I'm looking forward to it."

[megabond]

At least he now knows strange things can happen everyday, especially after he saw a flying white-haired boy in blue hoodie and the strange phenomenon some of the residents mentioned to him back then.

"Rehearsing? Are you a musician as well?"

Also, he's also curious at the event she mentioned as well.

[sonicosuper]

Sonico smiled and nodded, "Mhm. I sing and play guitar, though at this next event I think I'll just be singing. But I'm happy with that." Then she took another sip of coffee and sighed, as though finally being able to relax.

[megabond]

"Well, I love to see you perform then." Indeed since she helped him a lot during his first day in here, he should try seeing her concert out of gratitude. "What kind of event is itt?"

[sonicosuper]

"Great! I think it will be a fun event!" She definitely looked please to hear that a friend would be coming along to support her. "It's a winter wonderland themed fundraiser. For the scientific research centre." And she did seem quite proud to be taking part in an event for such a cause.

Action - Evening

[youfool]

A little chat? Don't mind if he does!

Ted usually wanders around the city with nothing to do in particular. Striking up new acquaintances, walking down roads less-traveled, and so on. It's on one such snowy sidewalk he encounters a wild professor.

"Oh, Augustine, hello!" A name he's so fond of he forgot he prefers the other. "If it isn't my favorite Professor. Or only, but I suppose it still counts. Good evening! How are you making out?"

Re: Action - Evening

[megabond]

Well, this is a surprise...

As soon he heard that familiar voice, Sycamore turned around and saw Ted right in front of him. The first time he met him was through a video call on his first day in Genessia, so this is his first meeting him in person. "Hello, Ted. I'm okay, I've just finished my first day at work. What about you?"

Re: Action - Evening

[youfool]

He's just as blonde and colorfully dressed in person, too.

"Oh? Well, congratulations! What's your occupation?

I've been doing...so-so. Elections are rolling around; that's always tense. Do you have time for a talk about something orthogonal to your usual expertise?"

Re: Action - Evening

[megabond]

"A store clerk at Moonbucks... That's the only job I found in the agency that might be easy on my schedule."

A little out of place for a Pokemon Professor, which he's aware of it. Regardless, he hoped that working there might let him meet more residents in Genessia. As for the said elections, he was aware of it because he saw some campaigns happening around him as well a debate going on. Although, he wished that Ted might talk normally for once.

"Um... Okay? What do you want to know?"

Re: Action - Evening

[youfool]

[Ted was almost sad at that. Such is the way for those whose professions were too contextual. He hopes one day he'll be back with his usual thing. Mainly so he can see what a Mega-Gengar looked like.]

"Aheh, well I'm glad you found convenience. It's about pokemon, naturally enough."

[His tone became less cheery and more mystical]

"There's a lot of mysteries about them, of course. The one that has my attention now is their capture; the way they're domesticated, seemingly in the blink of eye through the ritual of beating and ball. Suppose back in their heyday everyone knew it was more important to accept it than understand it.

Well, now I should like to understand it, if you can tell me. How do pokeballs work? By what method can something as fiercely and savagely independent as a pokemon become servile and loyal? What on earth does it do to them?"

Re: Action - Evening

[megabond]

So, Ted wants to know more about what happens after a Pokemon is captured? He can answer that, but answering about the Poke Ball's mechanics might not be easy for him to explain due to its complex technology behind it.

"Well, I know about what happens about the captured Pokemon, but I don't know about the Poke Ball... It has a very complex technology and explaining about it might be very difficult for me to do so. However, all I know is that it is designed to mimic the Pokemon's habitat inside to discourage the Pokemon from escaping.

But it's not that simple as a healthy Pokemon can easily escape from a Poke Ball easily. That's why you have to battle it to weaken before capturing it, although there are cases that a Pokemon will willingly capture itself in it for their own reason, like your Gengar you have."

As he explained this, he remembered one case where Ash befriended a Froakie that often returned to him due to his behavior, which in turn allowed himself to be captured after seeing his trainer's selfless acts.

"As for after they were captured, it depends on how trainers treat them. Some treated them as partners and some treated them as friends. It also depends on the trainer's personalities as the Pokemon sometimes take on some of their traits. However, trainers who abuses them tends to disobey them or traumatized them, which I highly discouraged."

Re: Action - Evening

[youfool]

[Ted listens with rapt attention, head nodding and eyes unwavering.]

"Mm. Well I meant more...psychologically. It seems such a strange thing, going from 'foe' to 'friend' in seconds. It's such drastic domination. Do you know the secret for how their hearts turn so quickly? Do they...worship power, or something, and so willingly lend their aid to whomever they see has the most? Wait, no, then they'd defect after a single defeat..."

[He really hopes it's not something as low as that. He perks up as he remembers to deepen the line of questioning.]

"And...suppose you caught a pokemon that, er, hated you, and would rather die rather than so much as dream of serving you or your ilk. Would it still work irresistibly, even then?"

Re: Action - Evening

[megabond]

Now that's very hard to explain. Sycamore isn't an expert on Pokemon psychology and while he knew about Mega Evolution is connected to bonds between a trainer and Pokemon, he can't fully answer those questions completely.

"I doubt I can answer regarding that question. However, even if you captured a Pokemon, they sometimes won't obey you quickly. And I doubt they can turn on you after one defeat if you can cheer them up. Some Pokemon can join willingly if you are worthy or you bonded with them when they were wild. But like I said, it depends on their personality."

He then raised his eyebrow, confused regarding Ted's second question.

"I don't know about that. Though if you can work hard to gain their trust, they might change their views about you. It depends on how you try to befriend them before or after their capture."

If only if Ted would talk normally, he might try to answer the second question correctly.

action at moonbucks!

[whiteas]

After Teanie Teas had closed with Luke's departure, Weiss had found herself out of a solid coffeehouse to keep coming back to. That had been her favorite and the other just hadn't measured up to her expectations yet. As such, it was time to try yet another coffeehouse-- and she needed one that fit her... somewhat odd request that's entirely a former Genessian's fault. When she arrived at the counter she looked directly at Sycamore, a firm tone gracing her voice-- largely because she's tired of asking.

"I need a coffee, black, and a cup of tea brewed from loose leaves-- but in a bowl, not a cup. Is that doable here?"

Re: action at moonbucks!

[megabond]

Sycamore was surprised at this young woman's order. Regardless, he then typed down on the cash register and said, "Yes, is that all?"

However, as he tried to get the price of her order, he noticed some people are staring at the young woman, whispering and gossiping about her, which made him wonder if she is famous.

action at moonbucks!

[whiteas]

For many people, Weiss's face was the first one that they saw in Genessia. It was even more common in Nova City though, where she had risen as City Guardian. She wasn't unused to being spoken about. Particularly since people tended to make a fuss.

"Are Pokemon allowed here if they're well-mannered? The tea is for Char. Someone we used to know taught him to like tea and now he demands at least one a week. It's never exactly the way that Zuko used to make it but if it's not close we'll keep looking."

It was the nicest possible way to say that the order better be perfect or they weren't coming back.

Re: action at moonbucks!

[megabond]

Now that he thought about it, Sycamore did remember that this woman looks like the same one from that holographic message from when he came out of the Bay.

And before he can think anything else, his eyes widened in shock when he heard the "P" word. Right now, he's aware that Pokemon exists in this world, but he learned that they tended to appear and disappear at certain times except few of them thanks to the people he just spoke during his first day. So in that case, that would mean she also owned some of them.

"I think so, but I'll try to ask them just in case. As for the tea, I'll see what we can do."

But just as he tells her the price of her orders, he then whispers, "Can I speak with you during my break?"

Re: action at moonbucks!

[whiteas]

Weiss had no idea that the word Pokemon meant anything more to him than it did anyone else besides Mewtwo here, so when he asked to meet with her, she immediately assumed it would probably have something to do with her city guardian duties.

That was something that made her far more likely to agree to meet with anyone, but more than that she was already here, even if it wasn't her jurisdiction.

"As long as your break is in the next 30 minutes to an hour. I can't stick around a coffee shop forever as much as I'd like to if you have decent coffee and tea here."

Weiss paid the man with a few red bills to cover the cost of the drinks, then went to go grab the table she wanted- one slightly out of the way so no one would run into the fire at the end of Charizard's tail and next to the wall so she could rest Myrtenaster against it.

Re: action at moonbucks!

[megabond]

As he accepted her payment, Sycamore was surprised once more at the woman's attitude. Considering that she's somehow famous thanks to the holographic message he saw, he wondered that she must be a busy woman. Thankfully for him, he only has 10 more minutes before his next break and once he's done with his work, he left the counter and approached the white-haired woman in a hurry.

"Thank you for waiting," he said as he took a nearby seat. "I'm sorry to ask this all of the sudden, but can you let me check on one of your Pokemon for a while?"

With this new world, he wondered how this woman took care of her Pokemon with some little knowledge about them.

Re: action at moonbucks!

[whiteas]

She and Mewtwo may disagree on a lot, but the one thing that they can both agree on is that Weiss is good to her Pokemon and careful not to do anything that would push them too far. He's the one she asks questions of when she doesn't know something, which you can bet she's going to ask about whoever this man is at this point.

Weiss's eyes narrow slightly when he asks that question.

"You can look at them right here and now, but you're not taking any of my Pokemon. You're a complete stranger and I don't know you well enough to trust you."

Re: action at moonbucks!

[megabond]

Whoops... Maybe he should have introduce himself first before asking about her Pokemon. Although he's a renowned Pokemon professor in Kalos doesn't mean he is known in Genessia, considering that he's a newcomer to this world.

"Oh... I'm sorry about that. My name is Augustine Sycamore, a Pokemon professor back in my world. I've arrived here a few weeks ago and I'm still adapting to the city."

He became worried as his apology was not enough or that she thinks he's a crook, but if she still refuses, he'll understand her reasons.