usedlaserbeam | 003 | Violet City

[Greetings, Johto! This video is coming to you from some secluded part of the streets of Violet City, courtesy of PhantomCam™, and features one Yagyuu Hiroshi sitting comfortably on a bench beneath the shade of a tree, engrossed in a book with his backpack resting securely at his feet. Perhaps most notably, he's not wearing his yellow-and-black Regulars jersey today, which is largely because it's currently piled next to him on the bench in something vaguely approximating a nest, with what can only be a Pokemon egg resting safely inside.

Yagyuu, for his part, is mostly oblivious to the fact that he's currently on candid cam, but the reason for it quickly becomes apparent—the egg in its nest is beginning to rock gently from side to side, making vaguely egg-like noises, and gradually beginning to glow.

(Fortunately, Phantom is wise enough to the workings of Pokemon hatchings that he's taken the initative to record this for posterity, regardless of whether or not his trainer is as quick on the uptake about it.)

Another few moments pass, and now at last Yagyuu takes notice, setting his book aside and turning his full attention to watch as the egg wobbles, brightens, cracks—]

Vee! Eevee!
[—and yields a bouncing newborn Eevee, still snug and secure in the jersey-nest, taking her first look at the world.

Book completely forgotten now, Yagyuu carefully extends a hand to his newest Pokemon, letting her inspect him a minute; after a few courtesy sniffs and nudges, the Eevee hops out of her nest and climbs up into Yagyuu's lap instead, settling in to ensure his full attention as she carefully inspects the human who's going to be her trainer. A minute later, Yagyuu's hands come to rest on her back, stroking through her fur as he conducts an appraisal of his own. This is, after all, his first attempt at breeding a Pokemon, and he's clearly intent on thoroughly examining just how well it turned out.]

Ah, aren't you a friendly one. Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you, too.

[And as Yagyuu continues to fuss over his new Eevee, Phantom apparently decides that his work here is done, and switches the feed off.]

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[Of course Yukimura catches the recording, watching the video with keen interest.]

An excellent job, Yagyuu. It looks like it's turned out very well.

[Yukimura is probably one of the few people who can read just how proud Yagyuu is at the moment--though his expression is still somewhat reserved, he's got the same look as the one he wears when he's just mastered a new move or formation or gamewinning strategy.]

Ah, thank you, Yukimura-kun. She seems quite strong and healthy already; I'll be looking forward to seeing how she progresses from here on out.

You'll have to train her well, Rikkai deserves nothing less. And she is a Rikkai-bred Pokemon, isn't she?

[And honestly, Yukimura's rather proud of him as well. Success looks good on Yagyuu.]

I'll come see her, if you don't mind.

Evidently so. She even seems to be quite attached to my jersey--I believe she's already fostering aspirations of being a regular, herself.

[Yagyuu making jokes? He must be pleased.]

Please do. She ought to meet her captain.

She'll have to work very hard if that's what she's hoping for.

[But Yukimura's pleased, both at Yagyuu's jokes and at the new Eevee.]

I'll be there soon.

[And off he goes to find Yagyuu, strangely happy to be called a Pokemon's captain. Or maybe just because Yagyuu so easily accepts him as captain, even now.]

[And Yagyuu really hasn't moved since his broadcast, though his Pokemon around him have shifted a little. By the time Yukimura arrives, Phantom has moved to lie down at Yagyuu's feet, head still up and alert to the movements of any passerby; the Eevee, in contrast, is contently snuggled into a ball in Yagyuu's lap and shows no sign of caring about anything at all, save for the fact that he's gently stroking her fur.]

[And as Yukimura approaches, it becomes obvious that he let Aya out of her ball so she can greet her... child. Or however those things work in Pokemon land.]

Ah, I'd forgotten how cute they are when they're just Eevees.

[Aya is going to sniff at this new baby Eevee. Hello!]

[For most of the other people that have passed by this particular bench, Phantom has shot dark looks and warning glares toward anyone that came too close to his trainer and Eevee; Yukimura and Aya's approach doesn't start out much differently, but Phantom vaguely recognizes them both as people his trainer trusts, and after a glance up at Yagyuu, he settles back down to let them draw near without protest.

The Eevee, at the nudging, opens her eyes and proceeds to return the sniffing. She is surrounded by her mommies and daddies at the moment!]

She is lovely, isn't she? And Kirihara-kun's offered a name for her already--one I'm finding myself rather fond of.

[Aya doesn't quite seem to know what to do with her baby, so after a moment, she starts licking it. Probably grooming - probably. Yukimura takes a seat on the bench with Yagyuu.]

It looks like you'll be an excellent breeder, Yagyuu. I'm not surprised. What did Akaya name her?

[Grooming is highly acceptable to to the Eevee, who appears to have a fondness for being doted on. In another minute, she's shifting to make herself more accessible, trilling softly at the attention.

When Yukimura sits, Yagyuu glances over with a smile.]

He called her "Lady". Because I'm the Gentleman.

[Yukimura smiles too, watching the two Pokemon. Aya seems quite happy to dote on her daughter.]

I see. That does seem very appropriate, though of course - she'll have to live up to the name.

I doubt there's any need for concern over that. I believe she's already made it quite clear she intends to be first in my affections. With that sort of ambition, I have no doubt she'll earn it in due time.

Your others will get jealous at that rate. But I can't really blame you, she's adorable. Do you know what you want to evolve her into yet?

Perhaps that'll be the incentive they need to fuel their own ambitions.

[He looks vaguely amused at the prospect.]

I've had suggestions, but I think I'll wait to see how she develops first. I'd rather not choose a destiny for her without giving her ample opportunity to find her own.

Setting them against each other to compete for your affection? A bit cruel, but probably effective.

[Yukimura is proud.]

Mm, that's awfully poetic. I certainly hope she's able to find her path.

I don't intend to deliberately encourage jealousy among them, but an incentive is an incentive. And coddling a team is no way to help them improve.

[Obviously, this will be a very Rikkai team in general.]

We found ours. I have confidence in her ability to do the same.

Of course not. I'm sure you can help your team level up very quickly if you try.

[He approves. Whatever works, after all.]

Yes. Though I imagine it's different for Pokemon.

They'll work hard. I don't have much experience in a captain's role, but I do at least have excellent models to emulate.

[And at that, he laughs.]

How flattering. Unless, of course, you were talking about another captain - perhaps Atobe, or Tezuka?

No, I think not. Emulating Atobe-kun might require a bit more flamboyance than I have in me to provide, you know.

I imagine it would be difficult for anyone. Niou might be able to manage it if he tried very hard, though.

I've long since learned never to underestimate Niou-kun when it comes to matters of imitation. Though I'm told he's even tried to persuade you into it before?

Yes. [But it might be better to not go into that at the moment.] But I don't think I'd make a very good Atobe at all.

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