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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Both, really. Unless I'm feelin' generous. Then I might let it go at one outta two.

[ Niou, for his part, alternates between scanning the café for familiar or pretty faces and watching his partner with an ill-concealed pleased expression. ]

And are you feeling generous today? If so, I'll ask you what you'd like me to order for you.

Yeah, I might be. Gimme a try.

[ He reclines a little, letting his feet bump innocuously against Yagyuu's. ]

[Effortlessly, then, and with a careful degree of vagueness that can only be deliberate: ]

What is it you want, Niou-kun?

[ Niou steals another glance at his partner that shows he clearly understands precisely why he was vague and what sort of answer he might be fishing for. Then he settles back with a smile. ]

Grande white chocolate hazelnut-raspberry latte.

[ Whether that's his 'usual' or just some new concoction thought up on the spot is anyone's guess — except Yagyuu's. His partner would know that the white chocolate is the only constant, and everything else is in flux and prone to flights of fancy. ]

Adventurous today.

[And when the opportunity arises to place an order (thankfully not from the waitress in the Butterfree costume, whose wings are lovely at a distance but somewhat unfortunate up close), that's exactly what Niou will get, accompanied by a considerably more boring—but predictable—cup of tea for Yagyuu, and a blackberry muffin on the side.]

I'm always adventurous on Mondays.

[ He lounges for the duration of the wait, and when their orders arrive, he's prompt in reaching out to snatch a bit off the muffin. ]

[The theft is far from unexpected; on the contrary, it was outright anticipated. Such are the ways of things between them.]

And Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and Thursdays...

Sometimes on the weekends, too.

[ Niou pops the bite of muffin into his mouth and slouches in his seat. It's a conscious gesture, but such a common one as to go nearly unnoticed. ]

Are you feelin' adventurous, Yeeeahgyuu?

[He retrieves his tea and takes a slow sip, the picture of dignity next to Niou's much more relaxed posture. There are plenty of words that might describe him at that moment, but 'adventurous' likely wouldn't be the first that came to mind. Still, he smiles faintly.]

Suppose, for argument's sake, I say yes. What then?

Maybe I propose some upskirt photography, or maybe I suggest we find some paintball guns and snipe people from the roof of the Pokémon Center.

That's not adventure, that's hooliganism.

[ Niou snorts. ]

Is 'hooliganism' even a word?

I should hope so. It's something you excel at.

[Muffin thief.]

[ And he's not done yet. He snatches another bit off the top. ]

Well, hooliganism is pretty adventurous for you.

Conceding to your wishes and whims alone makes me adventurous, Niou-kun. Everything else is just a matter of degree.

That's a pretty fair assessment.

So what sort of hypothetical shenanigans would you classify as 'adventurous?'

[He sips his tea again, but there's no doubting the innocence of the gesture is nothing but an act.]

Hypothetically speaking? Deciding to let the proprietors of this fine establishment pick up the check as opposed to seeing to it myself, perhaps.

I did mean to clarify adventurous as opposed to hooliganism.

[ Niou is vastly amused. ]

And that is simply a question of finesse.

[He is the picture of innocence. Really.]

Is there a way to instill paintball guns with finesse?

[ This is a serious question, Yagyuu. ]

[And one warranting a serious answer.]

I think that's usually done with the inclusion of a well-calibrated scope.

I think that's doable. All the better for snipin' with, after all.

And do you have a target in mind already? Or is it simply whichever unlucky person happens across your path today? If it's the latter, I'll make sure to watch my step.