[ The video is very brief: it's Leon's room at the inn, which you all might recognize from the last video, if you're paying attention, with one very large discrepancy:

Skarmory is taking up the entire bed, along with a clutch of six. Six gigantic, reflective metal eggs.

She's looking pretty pleased with herself, crooning and cooing over them, occasionally scratching the shells with her beak and trying to simulate brambles, which aren't common around Goldenrod, much less in Leon's bedroom. When the feed turns back to Mr. Lineface, he looks...no, furious isn't the word. It's not upset, either.

He looks...aghast. ]

Quistis. [ Translation: You have so much explaining to do. ] Yours did this, didn't he?

[ Guess who came home from the road only to find the pokemon he'd sent ahead...making a nest? That hooligan King went and knocked up Leon's baby girl pokemon! Disapproving father to the max.

In his rage, he attempted to lock this post to Quistis, but oops, it didn't go through and he didn't bother to fix it. Too much seething, you see. Also: the eggs have all been claimed, so while you can feel free to come lulz, please don't nab an egg unless you're Isa, Sora, Riku, Kay, Daisuke or Lightning. ]

[ 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 )

[ 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. ]