lieutenantantichrist | [19] Video/Action for Olivine - "Warm Sun, Cool Ocean Breezes, Getting Ripshit On Ham"

[The camera is pointed at the sky. It's clear for now, though clouds aren't far distant. There's the sound of waves, underlain by clicks and scraping noises very close to the speakers. The screen shifts until it is angled properly to show the one positioning it - a Clauncher. With careful movements of his claws, he makes sure that the Gear is balanced against the rocks behind it. Once he's satisfied, he scuttles backward daintily until he has room to work.

In the background, Blake is visible, wearing swim trunks and reclining on a distant beach chair and soaking in the last of the summer. Now and then an Emolga hops up and drops a Frisbee onto his bare chest, and he tosses it off across the beach again.

The Clauncher has found an expanse of clear sand and a period of time in which he is given no heed, and intends to make the most of both. With a wriggle of his tail to steady himself, he rises up and lifts his claw. A slender stream of water arcs to the ground, forming the shape of graceful cursive letters writ in dampened sand.]

SOS, please hear and heed
I've come from 'neath the sea
Observe misfortune's bitter grasp
See what's befallen me.

I came with brethren plentiful
I know not whence or why
Only that by some mischance
I caught a native's eye.

I am a humble creature; still,
I've pride and dignity
I'll tell you now, I wasn't hatched
For a brute's menagerie.

Won't anyone come lend a hand
Or wing, or pseudopod?
I'll find my way as best I can-
But spirit me from this clod!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Steve gets a wave back and a smile while the Clauncher is writing. Wow, those rhymes are spontaneous?]

Oh, yeah, that would be a bit of a shock, if it's your first interaction with humans. But if it makes you feel better, it's supposed to be a mutually beneficial relationship. You fight for him and help him along on his journey, he helps you become stronger and ensures you have anything you might possibly need.

[The Clauncher looks dubiously at the man as he lazily throws the Frisbee, sending the Emolga scampering after it.]

I suppose it's too late to return
To the trackless, wat'ry deep
But really, what could I ever learn
From a man and his electric sheep?

All sorts of things. How to use TM and move tutor moves, how to deal with all sorts of humans...

[He shoots a quick look at the Emolga.]

...how to catch Frisbees...

[The Clauncher watches the track of the disc, and looks as thoughtful as a lobster can.]

I must admit, I've had my thoughts
Of coming up to roam
Already this day I've seen more new
Than in a year beneath the foam.

And there's still a lot more to see out there: human cities, flower fields that go on and on, dark forests, caves made of ice...

[He laughs for a few seconds.]

Though I guess the Ice Cave might be a little unpleasantly cold for you.

[His antennae perk up.]

So as the algae or coral grow
There are forests above ground?
Cold or hot, dark or not,
'Twould be worth looking round.

There are indeed forests, with trees and plants and all sorts of Pokémon. There's even one between Goldenrod and Azalea, to the southeast. I bet he'd take you there for a visit, if you asked nicely.

[Or else he'll be disappointed.]

In light of the scores of years I've lived,
A wide, bright world of novelty...
New things to taste and see and hear

[He casts his eye at the shirtless man who is holding a Frisbee high, just out of reach of the Emolga that keeps springing up toward it and stretching out its little paws, before he flings the disc out toward the surf.]

May be worth the company.

[Ash's smile widens slightly.]

You'll be fine, don't worry. He'll bring you all over both regions, and I'm reasonably sure he won't force you to play sports if you don't feel like it.

I must admit, I've had my thoughts
Of lands mysterious and chancy
Dismissing it as passed the years
As a young lad's fancy.

[The loops of his letters are quicker as he becomes excited, thinking of the possibilities.]

Sir, is it true, as rumors tell
There's thousands of my kin
Of all wondrous variety
In fur and chitin, scale and skin?

Sure it is. You could meet a species you've never seen before every day, and still not be done meeting all the Pokémon out there after a year. You'll see feathers and rocks, slime and ice...

[Okay, so maybe he's counting evolutions as different species for that, but what's the harm in encouraging hopes and dreams?]

[The Clauncher's antennae give a brisk twitch.]

And what works of your own human kind
Might there be to enlighten
What works of art or discoveries
To match those of us with chitin?

I'm no expert in art, but Ecruteak's architecture is worth a visit or six. And Azalea has a little gallery near the forest, though it's on a much smaller scale. And that's only for Johto; I'd bet Kanto has tons of art of its own.

[Or at least a nice statue or two.]

Things to find and things to see...
I thank you for the guide
Perhaps it's not as bad as I thought
Here on the sunward side.

It might take some time to get used to it, but I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. And if not, well, at least you'll have plenty of stories to tell other bright young lobsters someday.

[...Was that even supposed to be encouraging, or what.]

[The Clauncher tips his antennae in gratitude, then starts pacing excitedly, planning out the places to make his human take him. You've given him quite a lot to think about.]

[He's glad to have been of help! ...And now he might feel a little bad about grabbing all those Claunchers by the tail before trading them away.]

[19] Video/Action for Olivine - "Warm Sun, Cool Ocean Breezes, Getting Ripshit On Ham"

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