ice_aged | File 01 [Video]

[A bit of prodding and device-inspecting and very displeased grunts and mumbles finally bring Vexen's face into view. And boy does he look angry.]

Who's brilliant idea was it to have me teleported to such a place as this?! Xigbar, if you teamed up with Axel and this is another one of your pranks, I will not have it! So help me, once the Superior finds out about this...

[He takes a breath, using the additional few seconds to inspect his surroundings. His face goes from 'intrigued' to 'annoyed' to 'curious' to glaring at the device again.] And if this is not one of Xigbar's foolish shenanigans, then will someone kindly explain to me which world this is? And that... that ridiculous woman in there?

[In his moment of frustration, he accidentally drops the device. As it falls into the snow, the clunking of the backpack soon follows, and Vexen just grumbles even more.]

The nerve of them...

Honestly! She's younger than I am, how could she be my mother?! I just need to return before the Superior--

[There's a long, long moment of silence. The slow, sinking realization that he was definitely exploded finally sinks in. Once he grabs the device, he just clicks it off.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Ordinarily, Valeria would be all for breaking out the video transmission in turn as is courteous, but this broadcast just so happens to rub her just slightly wrong. 'Axel'? 'The Superior'? 'Which world'? While she knows there are people who are aware of the existence of other worlds prior to their arrival in Johto, the mention of 'Axel,' which she knows to be the name of one of Xion's Pokemon, has her pausing. As if that wasn't enough, 'the Superior'? Color her curious as to any potential connection between this slightly off-putting-and-definitely-older-than-thirty man and Xion, if not a little on the protective side. ]

I trust you've been told by now, but if you haven't, you'll find returning to your world an impossibility at this time. You're in the world of Pokemon now, probably in New Bark Town. You'll find you've been stripped of any abilities and weapons you had on you before arrival and that you're expected to rely on the animal-like partner you've been given and others you will capture as your primary means of battling and protection.

[ She holds to her matter-of-fact tone as she continues to speak. ]

As the for the woman you met, she does that to everyone. Now then! [ She's given him everything he's asked for and then some. It's time to collect. ] What is your connection to Xion?

So I've been told... [Oh jeez another mystery voice. He's slowly getting used to this.] Would you care to elaborate on their purpose? Battling? For what cause? And protection from which harms?

Xion... I take it that you've met her here? Who are you? [AKA he's not telling you his name until he knows who's asking.]

The cause typically depends upon the person, but the majority of trainers battle for sport with currency and pride on the line. Those who seek to test their skills as trainers take it upon themselves to compete against the gym leaders for badges. The harms generally consist of malevolently minded people who use Pokemon to perpetrate crimes and wild Pokemon, who are guaranteed to attack you when you travel from one place to another. The bottom line is, if you don't train your Pokemon and build your team, you won't get far, physically or otherwise.

[ Smart man. Not that she took him for an idiot, but this does make for some rapid decision making. Given her immediate concern is his connection with Xion -- ] I met Xion in this world, yes. You can call me Valeria. [ -- she'll do what she has to do to get that answer, her tone still matter-of-fact despite her unseen expression. It's not like she doesn't have other means of acquiring information after the fact~~, like observing all your conversations ever~~. ]

So in a way, although training and fighting with these monsters is merely for sport, it's still necessary if one wishes to accomplish anything in this world?

How peculiar...

[Though Xion's new acquaintance now has his full attention.] Valeria... You may call me Vexen. Xion is from my world. [Leaving out that 'I created her' info, that's not needed right now, nope.]

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