[ The feed clicks on to nothing but Leon's voice, calm and even. If you know him, however, you might realize that he's a touch worried. ]

I heard Lockon was sent home, but has anyone seen Carly? One of her pokemon was transfer---

[ Another voice breaks in, high-pitched and excited and decidedly belonging to a certain ninja. ]

--Leon! Your egg! Gimme that!

[ There's a scuffling noise as Yuffie swipes the gear straight from Leon's hands; no, he gets no say in the matter. She immediately turns on video, and you get a good shot at the inside of Leon's room at the inn. It looks like what you would expect Leon's room to look like: spartan, meticulously kept, nothing of any personal significance on mantelpieces or the wall. Aerith is sitting in a small chair by the bed, Maria on her lap, watching the proceedings with some trepidation. What should attract attention, however, is the pack of dogs crowding the space: Romeo, the big Arcanine, with Mosey the Houndoom sitting sedately beside him. At their feet are Al the Poochyena and the yet-unnamed Riolu. Even Skarmory is there, with Lucky Duck on her back; all six pokemon have their eyes on Leon as he moves towards his backpack, which is now glowing.

Or not quite.

He pulls out the Growlithe egg; it's flickering, which is not something Yuffie's ever seen an egg do, because her voice is a bit cautious when she speaks. ]

Er, Leon? Is it supposed to be doing that?

( what happens next )

[ Slightly backdated to somewhere between incredibly late/ridiculously early on Tuesday, for those among you who like to tune in at all hours. Someone woke up and couldn't get back to sleep again. ]

Asleep for three days? Tch. Like I'd believe that.

[ Leon's voice is tense and slightly hoarse, hiding the edge of a snarl. He's clearly wound up over something. ]

Has anyone seen Aerith, recently? Long brown hair, wears pink; she has a Chansey with her. I keep trying to call her, but she's not answering, even though her gear is still online.

[ Of course, the last time he tried was apparently three whole days ago, which isn't helping. He knows she's a grown woman and perfectly capable of handling her own, but at this rate it'd be far more reassuring to know she was safe at home rather than lost in a ditch somewhere.

There's a few tiny background noises for a moment, then the feed clicks off. ]



( Private text message to Lightning )

[ The camera feed opens to reveal...Jigglypuffs.

( cut for image )

Yes indeedy, all of Leon's team have been ~*~magically~*~ transformed into Jigglypuffs. The first one opens its mouth, cawing like a Skarmory. The second one rumbles out in an Onix's deep bass. The third just kind of...rolls there, making wet noises. And the fourth looks positively horrified, making distressed Scyther shrieks. Yes, even Green. Sorry, Zack! ]

Someone had better have a good explanation for this.

[ The feed clicks on, showing one very put-out Scyther, standing in the pokémon center lobby. He looks about as miserable as Scythers get, really, because hnnngh Zack where are you. ;A; ]

I found Green out on the road near Violet yesterday. [ Yes, Aerith, this is why Leon was late but he's STILL MIFFED AT YOU about Struggle like the mature 26-year-old he is. ]

...if anyone sees Zack, let him know I've got his pokémon.

[ There's a pause, as Leon realizes this probably means Zack went home--just like what happened to Mosey--and that isn't something he's going to say out loud in front of Green right now. Sad Scyther is sad. :C Leon's mostly posting this for Green's benefit, after all. After a few more seconds, the feed shuts out. ]

[ The video feed clicks on, and between the gray sky, the gray ocean and the gray pebbly shore bathed in equally gray morning light, it's hard to discern Skarmory where she's settled down on the sand. From the skewed angle, and the way you can see her just beyond the back of Leon's knees, Leon isn't the one holding the pokégear.

Skarmory's head is down, her wings laid flat as if she were sunbathing. She cracks open one blue eye, sees the pokegear, then sluggishly gets to her feet. She looks tired, though it could just be from the early hour. She stretches her neck and yawns, pawing the sand and lifting her legs one at a time. Her metal skin makes a grating noise as she moves. ] You need a bath. And some rest. [ Or motor oil, but Leon isn't sure where to buy that. Skarmory shakes her head in response, though, and flaps once, twice, then takes off; the camera follows her as she draws a long arc over the water. Watch her go, boss. (Totally showing off for the camera. Eat it, Green.) Leon removes the pokégear from the clutches of whoever had it, turning it around to reveal--surprise, surprise--a bright blue Tentacool, looking up at him expectantly. Give him back the toy, boss. ]

Don't play with that. [ His tone is serious; Tentacool lowers his eyes. Leon decides he might as well use the pokégear now that it's on. ] I caught a...jellyfish. Skarmory's immune to poison, apparently. [ Tentacool makes a vaguely displeased noise. Skarmory is totally weaker than he is, she just has a stupid type advantage. Not fair. ]

He needs a name. 'Tentacool'...can't say I like it. [ YES Leon is taking suggestions. Otherwise poor Tentacool will end up with something hideous. The feed ends with Leon putting Tentacool back into his pokeball and calling Skarmory to shore. ]




( private text to Aerith )



[ ooc. This Tentacool is mod-approved. 8|b ]

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. ]