usedlaserbeam | 007 | Outskirts of Goldenrod City

[It's late afternoon on the outskirts of Goldenrod City, where Yagyuu has evidently been out training his team; it's a somewhat unusual sight to see them all out of their Pokeballs at once, but at the moment the full roster has been released to roam around the open expanse of field chosen for today's practice grounds.

Or at least, most of the full roster is: there's an Absol staked out relatively near his trainer, seemingly on high alert as he surveys the other Pokemon in his midst. Farther back from the camera, a Rapidash is roaming with a stately air as a very small Vulpix trots along beside him, bounding four steps for every one of his own. And even Yagyuu's Ditto seems to be present— if the occasional glimpse of purple molecular goo seeping over the edges of the camera lens is any indication.

Yagyuu himself is visible, too; he's crouching down to administer his Eevee's usual meticulous grooming— an activity she clearly seems to enjoy, given the way her tail is flicking with pleasure at the attention— and speaking quietly to her while he's at it.]

Now that Vampa's evolved, that only leaves you to go, doesn't it?

[And she coos, pushing her head against his hand insistently.]

You're certainly growing strong enough for it. And the necessary stones aren't particularly difficult to come by, either; a quick trip to the department store will easily take care of that. So it's just a matter of deciding which type suits you best, isn't it?

[He glances over, surveying his team as they roam and remarking almost absently:]

An electric type, perhaps, might—

[But he never gets the chance to finish the sentence, as the Eevee lets out one last emphatic trill before taking one step back and beginning to glow with bright, almost blinding light—

— and when it clears, there's an Espeon in her place, just as perfectly well-groomed and somehow managing to look twice as haughty for it.

Yagyuu, for his part, just stares for a few seconds before shaking his head in what is probably half amusement and half disbelief.]

...Ah.

[And he keeps staring, up until a Pidgeot comes flapping down from overhead a few minutes later, drawing his attention up and away from the Espeon and toward this latest arrival.]

Irene, another excellent job, but I see we'll have to work at perfecting your aim—

[And on that fairly cryptic note, purple goo oozes completely over the lens, and the Gear switches off.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mm! Still... I don't think I've ever seen an Eevee-- or an Espeon, rather-- with such a well groomed coat... You must have some high quality grooming gear.

It's the repetition that makes the difference, in my experience. She's had a thorough grooming every day since she hatched, so staying well-kempt becomes much easier.

[He glances back at her.]

Though I suppose I'll have to get used to thinking of her as an Espeon now, you're right about that.

Heeee~h... The only one of mine that I make sure to brush everyday is Hina, my Arcanine. I rotate the rest of them out too often now to groom them all everyday... I'd never have any free time if I spent it all brushing the ones who would need it.

... if nothing else, it should be easier to groom an Espeon. Their fur isn't nearly as thick as an Eevee.

Rotate them out? You must have quite a few in need of care, then.

[Not that he's much different, really, since Lady is by far the favorite of the team. And it shows.]

And I imagine it's much harder still to groom an Arcanine, being considerably bigger.

Yup, I have a solid sixteen right now! It gets pretty hard to give all of them the attention they deserve... Even harder when it comes to pampering or grooming.

*He is letting out a tiny sigh at that*

Yeah... Hina can be a big mess if I've been riding her... But it's always worth keeping her mane well groomed, since it's so fluffy you could easily drift off just from resting against it for a minute or two. ♥

Sixteen. [His eyebrows go up at that.] That's quite an ensemble. And yes, I can imagine how that must make time management difficult; I've found it a challenge with only six, much less nearly tripling the number to look after.

Hehe... When you've been here as long as I have, it's only natural to have around as many as I do. Though I could understand if some people stuck with six if they weren't interested in having the full variety.

In that case, may I ask how long you've been around? I know some people have been here as long as a year or more, but most seem to measure their stay in months.

I'm one of those year long veterans! ... In fact, I think I'm at exactly a year and two months!

Mm. I'd wish you a happy anniversary, but I'm not entirely certain if spending a year and two months in a place like this is really something to be happy about.

... if anything, it's something to be shocked and awed about...

It would just feel extremely unnatural if I celebrated being here that long in some manner.

I'd certainly imagine so. Traditionally, people generally don't celebrate forced confinement.

Yeah... It would just feel like some kind of bad, underhanded joke to throw a party about it.

I agree wholeheartedly, Ayasaki-san.

... on the other hand, I wouldn't mind celebrating with all of the friends I've made here... Just... Not for that reason.

After a year and two months, you must have quite a few of them. I imagine it'd be quite an affair.

--ah. Not that many, actually... I just have a handful that I'm really close to. The hard part would be getting the ones that I don't travel with all in one place.

Everyone having their own travel plans and agendas makes planning a thing like that a pretty huge investment.

Ah, you're the type to travel, then? Are you pursuing the gym challenge, as well?

Mm! I'm just about done it, actually! I should have the last two badges by the end of the month, or early October...

After so long, I suppose it's only to be expected, but congratulations nonetheless.

Ahaha... It feels like I've been slacking though, you know? Not having them all after being here this long is just a pretty solid indicator that I'm not the best group leader...

Or that you simply have different priorities, perhaps.

Uuuu... I... I didn't really have any, though... I just kind of... Um... Let us linger in each town way too long before gearing up to move on...

...Ah.

[Welp, he's...not particularly impressed.]

Well, I suppose one could argue that a lack of priorities in and of itself is a priority of some variety.

And every time I tried to gear us up to move on some huge event happened, or the weather goes against us, or even Team Rocket finally acted up...

Haaaa... I'll be glad when I'm done organizing my group to travel, just do I don't jinx us further.