adamant | 1st roar [ video ]

Hn. It's working. No, get away from it. I don't want you to break it.

[ The feed clicks on, revealing a very familiar voice; eventually the camera function starts up, zooming in and out on the neckline of a white t-shirt. After a few moments, the person holding the device seems to be satisfied that they've figured out all its functions, and the camera pans up to finally reveal one scarred, frowning face. The eyes are dark, the brow only slightly furrowed; while Leon's face is difficult to read on a good day, he looks particularly subdued today. Anyone familiar with him knows this is because he is royally pissed. ]

If the words 'Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee' ring any bells, now'd be a good time to speak up. I--hey, careful.

[ A massive metal shape comes into view--Skarmory's head, peering down at the camera. Those big blue eyes are bright and alert, seeming incredibly out of place in a face that looks like it could rip someone in half. Skarmory makes a raucous, curious noise, somewhere between a chirp and grinding sawblades. Leon gently but firmly uses his arm to push the bird out of the way. ]

Anyone with any clear information on what to do with--that-- [ He glances away from the camera; it's pretty clear he's talking about Skarmory. ] --would be appreciated.

[ A pause. ]

Thank you.

[ The feed clicks off. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ That description sends a shiver up Leon's spine, because it's pretty dead-on. This explains Ventus' two Aeriths, as well. As much as he doesn't want to accept it, there seems to be a distinct possibility that he'll meet himself here, or a version of himself ten years younger. ]

...huh. Well, that's a comforting thought. [ Not. ]

[Shaking his head.]

I don't have my own, not that I know of anyway, so I cant imagine how it would feel.

[ Leon huffs lightly, looking away from the camera. Depending on how well Hope knows Squall, he might pick up on Leon being a little shaken. Skarmory pokes her head up in his space, gently prodding his jaw. The action makes his head turn. Skarmory makes a much softer noise this time, and Leon responds by scratching two glove-covered fingers at her throat. Her eyes close happily. Leon's expression softens imperceptibly, before turning back to Hope. ]

I'll tell you when I meet him. If I meet him. [ Dryly. ] I just hope I don't leave as bad an impression as he did.

[Hope smiles at the interaction. No, he doesn't know Squall well, and maybe what he knows is prejudice, but... he knows good people when he sees them.]

I don't think you'd have to worry about that.

[ Yeah yeah, like you're a decent judge of character, Mr 'let's-kill-Snow-Villiers-and-follow-strange-ladies-into-creepy-ruins'. Also Leon sees you seeing that interaction, and frowns. You didn't see anything, got it? ]

Good. How long have you been here, Hope?

[Well at least I take matters into my own hands and not rely on a derpy kid to save the world-universe. And he did see it, so did the Drifblim that just passed by.]

Kai, don't go too far.

[He gets a Driiiif~ in reply. Sigh, Pokémon.]

Three months. Almost four.

[ Blank look at Drifblim. What is that thing? Leon has a hard time believing that Skarmory and Drifblim are somehow part of the same wonky animal kingdom. Also-- ]

...you gave it a name?

A lot of us do. It's kind of a way for us to make them different from others like them. Besides, I like naming them.

They don't mind? Seems like something you'd do to a pet.

[ Skarmory starts making a hideous noise again, and Leon doesn't even think before reaching for her throat. Scritch scritch. Skrrrrr. ]

[Shakes his head.]

You nurture a pet, give them everything they need, let them out to walk, and don't think twice about bringing them to the doctor if they need it. Trainers do that too, but... I see them as my friends. They're like me-- they think, they feel, they do stupid things like other people, but I don't mind as long as they don't get themselves or other people hurt, because I like them and I care for them. That's the difference.

I see your point. These 'pokemon' are definitely way more intelligent than any animal I've met back home.

[ They seem to actually understand verbal language, in a way that goes beyond responding to commands. At least, Skarmory does, even if her wants and needs seem simple to him so far. ]

She's told me she doesn't mind answering to 'Skarmory', so I guess that'll be it for now. [ Skarmory nods absently, before presenting her throat. Do that again, boss. ]

[Well then, Leon should have seen the animals back in Gran Pulse. Now those were smart and scary.]

Well, if she says so...

[ Leon's met Pluto, who was...scarily smart? /rimshot
Actually, Skarmory is probably level with Pluto in terms of cognitive ability, which is saying a lot. Leon nudges Skarmory to get her attention. ]

You don't mind not having a nickname, do you?

[ She blinks. Haven't they been through this already? She'll give Hope the same answer she gave Kay: a quick but firm shake of the head. She doesn't mind. ]

There you go.

[Hope grins more at Skarmory than Leon.]

So you don't mind being with that guy?

[Just teasing!]

[ Skarmory squawks, and it's halfway indignant. She gets up close to the video feed, making a string of noises. The gist of it is that he's stuck with her, not the other way around! Besides, he gives awesome throat scratches. Luckily for Hope, most of this is clear from her expression.

Leon just lets her go at it, most of her reaction sailing clear over his head; he's not used to deciphering her quite yet. He wonders if what she's saying isn't negative. ]

[Hope's laughing a little, and Kai the Drifblim comes along to see just what's up with her trainer, attaching herself to his back.]

I think you'll be fine, Skarmory.

[ Leon looks from Hope to Skarmory and back again, brows furrowed. What just went on...? Does he want to know? ]

...What did she say?

I cant understand Pokémon but from how she sounded, I think she's the boss, and not you.

[ Leon gives Skarmory a dry look. In response, she caws at him playfully. Sounds about right to her! ]

...we'll see about that.

You might not have any choice in it, Leon.

[And look, Kai agrees too, bobbing up and down.]

1st roar [ video ]

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fjdkshfg i'm sorry this took so long this tag just wasn't speaking to me ;A;

it's fine!

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