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.]

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[And now he really does smile, one of the rare and genuine ones that so few people ever see. It's oddly comforting, Jackal's new presence in Johto, and it's one that Yagyuu enjoys. The technicalities of his musings may be better suited for a discussion with Renji, but that doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate Jackal's straightforward perspective just as much.]

I'm told the same is true for tennis teams.

[And his gaze flickers from Jackal to Vampa, and then back again.]

Well, one thing for certain is that Vampa is, as you so eloquently put it, a damn good horse. And being that finding him a damn good partner isn't particularly difficult to arrange, I'd say it's well worth giving your procedure a try. Wouldn't you agree?

[Jackal, being Jackal, understands the rarity of Yagyuu's smile, and therefore is pleased by the gesture in his usual straight-forward manner. while he may not know what he said to elicit that positive gesture, he does think that it's nice to see Yagyuu in good spirits.

what Yagyuu is saying is also fairly straightforward. he considers this, then nods, confident.]

Definitely sounds like somethin' worth lookin' into. [and because he invitation was implied in Yagyuu's speech, he figures that it doesn't hurt to say it outright.] I grew up with horses, so if you need an extra pair of hands for that experiment of yours, I wouldn't mind raisin' one.

I'm relieved to hear that, Jackal-kun, since I was planning on entrusting the egg to your care anyway. There is, after all, one more component to the formula that you neglected to mention, and that's raising the horse under a damn good trainer.

[It's subtle, but the implication is there--a Rikkai horse should belong to a Rikkai trainer. And Vampa, like the rest of Yagyuu's Pokemon, is undeniably a Rikkai horse.]

[he takes it both as what was implied as well as an edge-wise compliment, rubbing at the back of his head sheepishly. however, with the Rikkai pride up as a topic of conversation, he straightens proudly.]

Damn straight. By the sounds of it, then, you're also plannin' on gettin' everyone a horse?

[And that warrants a glance between Vampa and Arsène, who is still over playing with the Gear. One for everyone? That'll be quite the effort expended by Vampa. Hopefully he'll enjoy it.]

...Come to think of it, Kirihara-kun's birthday is this month, isn't it?

Oh, man, is it-- [though not for forgetting Akaya's birthdate, because this just doesn't happen. however, he does fish out his gear to check the date on it, looking sheepish.]

Man, I forgot the months completely switched over. So that makes it... twenty-one days? Damn, that's not a lot of time.

That's right, it's September here now. Don't worry, you'll become accustomed to the switch soon enough.

[He tilts his head, his smile turning faintly wry.]

With all the traveling he does, his own horse might be a worthwhile investment. But does this mean you're making plans for his birthday already?

Heh, that gift's gonna be hard to top, that's for sure.

[but a distinct lack of negativity, there. rather, he's pleased by the prospect. Akaya'd be safer, traveling on horseback. it all works out \o/ ]

And you bet I am. It's his fourteenth, you know? And he's probably got lots of friends from around these parts-- gonna need a place for us all to celebrate.

It is a gift with strings attached. I'll still gain the benefit of seeing the results of his raising it, after all.

[Oh, Jackal. Always thinking of everyone else. But someone probably has to, so it works out indeed.]

We've had quite the celebration in the backyard of the house before, if that helps in your search. Though I'm sure there are other venues that would work just as well.

Strings or no strings, doesn't mean it ain't a good gift.

Backyard might be easiest, actually. If anyone damages any property, at least we can get that fixed without troublin' anyone.

007 | Outskirts of Goldenrod City | Video / Action;

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