pokedressing | Welcome/Welcome back, you crazy diamonds!

Welcome/Welcome back, you crazy diamonds!

[An island! This is most certainly not where everyone was just a few moments ago. ...Alright, maybe some of you were on an island. Don't get cheeky.

At everyone's feet is a small note. It gives no description of their location or explanation, of course; it only says one simple thing.

Please choose one.

The note comes along with three Pokéballs with different "starter" Pokémon in them- the three Pokémon can be anything, from a Froakie, Charmander, and Treecko to a Rattata, Patrat, and Bidoof if you're particularly unlucky- and everything in between. If it's not a legendary Pokémon, it's fair game.

Of course, you can only pick one! Trying to go for a second will leave you thinking that you better not get too greedy. If you're one of those types that wouldn't care either way, the other two Pokéballs will simply disappear.

Now go forth, and into a world of Pokémon!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh, it's Calem... She shrugs, crossing her arms.]

There's a lot of them, different sizes, but these ones seem to make up the majority. It's likely that if a lot of trainers and Pokémon arrive, some of them'll be forced into living into these. [She guesses technically, there are worse things - like homelessness! - but she's used to beautiful ~~suburban~~ Vaniville Town and her two-story house.

And no, he does not eat flies. But he did have like three mocha spice puffs today. Very delicious. The ones with cream on top of them. Chased any chickens today, Delphine?]

At least it's a place to stay, I guess. I wonder if we could just make them bigger. [He is too! Even in Sinnoh, they had nice homes!

Calem's so not looking forward to knocking out walls to try and make things bigger though.

And no, he has not chased any chickens today. He's been delegated to babysitting duty for these little things. Curious little creatures, aren't they swamp breath?]

[That sounds like a job and a half. The Makuhita she picked up could probably help out though...]

We could just cinch ourselves a bigger one right now, I guess. [Hmm.] I'm sure that's what everyone else'll be thinking once they've started exploring, too.

[Yes, they are, He-Who-Chews-On-Sticks-Like-A-Common-Poochyena. He particularly likes the monkey. It seems fast and energetic and fun, unlike some pokémon.]

Right. So, let's look for the biggest place and settle in!

[Together.

Hee.

The monkey would certainly fit in with Master Calem's theme of Fire-types, but I'm rather fond of the toddling turtle. Look at him go. Slow, just like a certain someone I know. So intense.]

[Together?]

I think I'd like to stay by myself, actually. [An apologetic smile.] My team and I are going to be working hard to master whatever we can, and I'm afraid I wouldn't be a very comfortable person to live with.

[It's rude to speak of Chesnaught when he isn't present, though I expected no less from someone who shares traits with the small penguin.]

[The most silent of tears, Serena. They're not visible. Just like the wounds on his heart.]

Oh, that's fine. I just offered the idea since we're friends and all. Let's find two of the biggest houses, then.

[Chestnaught isn't slow! He's just... You know, he's very thoughtful. Someone like you, who doesn't have a mind to mouth filter, should take notes.]

[Phew, awkward staying-with-someone-she-might-like avoided.]

All right. [And off she starts! Greninja decides he's going to walk with Delphine though, so he can continue their... conversation.

At least I speak to people instead of raising my nose at them, finick-kin.]

[Delphine is trying his hardest not to let Greninja get to him.

You barely have a nose to raise, ground licker. Why don't you try shoving all that back into your mouth where it belongs?]

... They're as friendly as-- Oh! Serena, can I ask your opinion on something?

[If I do that then I can't do this --

Greninja used Lick on Delphine!]

They are -- um, yes?

[You are a disgusting and ungrateful--

Piplup is quick to defend Delphine with a Tackle, though it's really doing nothing...

Calem watches the pack, then motions to them.]

I'm not sure which to choose. So I'd like a second opinion. The penguin seems to have a crush on Delphine, but... It's a Water-type.

[Woah. Slow down, tiny penguin. Ninja frog doesn't want to hurt you.]

It'll be easier on you if your Pokémon get along. [Hmmmmmmmmm.] But your team's fire-centric, right? This is pretty though.

[Well, tiny penguin wants to hurt you! How dare you harm her precious court magician!

... Delphine doesn't particularly like this. The monkey likes Serena a lot, holding up his arms for her to pick him up, while the turtle toddles up to nuzzle against Calem's leg.]

That's why I asked. Delphine won't really have a problem with any of them, I think, so it's really up to me. I just wish I knew what they were like. The Dex says they're Piplup, Chimchar, and Turtwig, but that's about all I've got beside their moves.

[Hahahahaha him, precious -- oh you're being serious. Oh. Let him just croaklaugh more hahahahhaha.]

If you want to keep your theme going then the choice is obvious, right? [She wonders which one she'd choose, given the chance. Maybe Turtwig, since Piplup - her ordinary choice - doesn't seem to like Greninja at all.

And really, she kind of admires him for sticking to one type and one type only. Even if it limited his scope of training a lot.]

Right. But letting them interact like this might've been a mistake since I kind of want to break it.

[Calem kneels down, bringing Piplup away from Greninja and Chimchar naturally following to climb up onto the trainer's shoulder. Turtwig's already here, so. Arg. Tough, tough.]

I wish I could pick them all.

I wish I could pick one of them too. I'm happy with the one I chose, though.

[Here, meet Makuhita.]

It's a fighting-type first recorded in Hoenn, I believe. They're very strong, but not very fast.

[Kind of like a nice balancer to all the speedy assholes in her team.]

That's a nice balancer, I think, since you have so many speed hitters. Like a yellow Chesnaught.

[Delphine is offended do not compare Chesnaught to that tubby thing. No, no, bad Calem.

... Piplup even mimics his smacking. No, no, bad Calem.

And then Chimchar does it.

And finally, last but not least, Turtwig follows in suit.

Calem is't sure what to say.]

[Neither is Serena. Nor Greninja. Though the frog starts snickering.

You've got a nice pack there, Foxy.]

Maybe you'll be able to find whichever one you don't pick here somewhere. [She studies them.] The safari in Kiloude City allows you to do that, doesn't it? Maybe it's the same here as well.

[Delphine, Froggy. Learn some respect.

Like these little ones. Calem, I have to request we keep them all.]

I hope so. Delphine seems pretty fond of them all of a sudden. [You vulpine jerk.] Then... Which one's first.

[Delphine must request the Piplup. Pat pat. Piplup. Please. She's very darling. And is going to wipe the floor with swamp breath over there.]

Delphine seems to like Piplup best, actually... Hopefully they'll get along better than he and Greninja do.

[Greninja gets along swimmingly with both of his fellow starters, Serena. As long as they respect his ninja clan.]

[Delphine similarly gets along with both of his fellow starters. As long as they respect his withcraft practices.]

I guess it's time to break my trend and try something new. I'm trusting you to give me some pointers about Water-types, Serena. I'll see you two later. [He hugs both Chimchar and Turtwig tightly, then returns them and pats Piplup.] And you'll be Piplet.

[Delphine is quite happy with Calem's decision. Good boy, good boy.

And Piplet mimics it too. Good boy, good boy.]

[No one likes a user of black magic, dress-boy.]

I'll do my best. [Matter at hand, though --] Let's keep looking for houses.

[Excuse you, frog face.

(Yeah! Excuse you, frog face! Don't treat my magician that way!)]

Maybe we'll be getting first pick, too. I wonder if they're already furnished, or if we'll have to find things to put in them ourselves. [Serena's house would probably be cute... Girly and pink, with a hint of that battling coolness he's come to expect from her...]

[Here I stand, with my ninja clan, with no suck-ups or witches around.]

I wonder... Why don't we check out some of the smaller ones first to see?

[Piplet is gonna put a hurtin' on you--

No, Piplet, I can assure you he is not worth the wasted effort. Let's follow Master Calem.]

I hope we don't disturb any of the Pokémon that might've taken shelter there.

[Let's see... That one over there, maybe? It's pretty small.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Welcome/Welcome back, you crazy diamonds!

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