video - do you want to pick up some trash? of course you do

[h2no]

[what a lovely scene; the sun is shining, the seagulls are shrieking, and archie has a cool pair of shades on. observant viewers will note that the people walking past archie seem to be disturbed by something that isn't on the screen.]

Yo. Any 'a you lot know what Heropa's city council is doin' about the litter all around here? There's a buncha bins over full and every time I try and tell 'em I just get an automated message. You'd think they'd keep the bally public areas clean, right? They're a lot more on top of that in Hoenn.

[he snorts.]

Then again, if ya don't where I come from, ya get these hanging around. [archie moves the camera, showing his Pal: a very large, very sentient pile of slime absolutely going to town on one of the bins.

when it notices archie pointing the camera at it, it waves happily.]

Muk, muk!

Yeah, hi to you too, ya stinky bastard. See, these form. Not here, though. Anyway, you'd think they'd listen to an imPort, right? Ain't we meant to have some kinda standin'? Or is it because I haven't personally saved the world? [his lip curls.] Whatever. Anyone that wants to give me a hand wi' the government or this crap lemme know. Muk here is basically a living trash can, so it's good eatin' whatever. Those garbage trucks ain't got a foot to stand on with him around. I can't do much ta help those afflicted with the sleepin', so might as well make sure what they're wakin' up to ain't fulla garbage, right?

[this also may be a low-key way to find out who might want to join the new team aqua when he sets them up. archie's decided they'll definitely work on environmental issues, and this is just one of them.

the camera lingers on muk for a few minutes more, showing a brave passer-by tossing an empty wrapper to it with archie's encouragement, then them both laughing as muk enthusiastically devours it.]

Comments

( video )

[drizzle]

I think it may be getting full due to the situation with everyone falling asleep. It'll most likely take a while for anything to change. Maybe until the current issue gets resolved.

[At least, that's where everything seems to be heading to. Nike has wondered about the consequences over the population of sleepers growing in numbers will cause. Now, it seems to be appearing in a more environmental level. Which won't be long until her attention will turn to the moving pile of slime or gulp walking around, eating trash, which was both incredible and....weird.]

...hey, what's that though? The moving creature that likes to eat trash. I've never seen anything like it before. How did you get one?

Re: ( video )

[h2no]

Ehh... I noticed it happenin' before.

[probably because there's a bunch of tourists at the beach and with no threat of a grimer forming, they get cleaned on a schedule. archie, however, is an gjw (garbage rights warrior)]

That's Muk! I caught 'im as a Grimer. People don't tend to like 'em... but, well. I do!

( video )

[drizzle]

Why not? Is it because of the stink? I know you mentioned that...

[That is, if she was even paying attention after her initial awe in getting to see such a mysterious creature.]

Wait, he was a "Grimer" before? And you caught him? Why does he have a different name now?

Re: ( video )

[h2no]

Yeah, that's one reason. They're also born of pollution so people see them as a curse. But... it's not their fault they exist! They only come around when humans pollute too much!

[as such, archie sees that treating muk badly because of that is utterly abhorrent.]

That's the first stage! Then it levels up and evolves into Muk!

[airshow]

Wait a second, wait a second, go back to the talking blob thing. You get those if you litter?

[h2no]

Yep!

[watch the entire point of this soar over archie's head.]

Didja know Muk make great moms? They're one of the best at lookin' after their eggs!

[airshow]

[ Hey, it's fine, he can roll with crazy. The man's wearing incredible sunglasses, whatever he has to say must be good. ]

I didn't know that! Tell me something else I don't know!

video; post-sleeping sickness bc tara was knocked the Heck out

[taraincognita]

I'm not registered or anything, but I can definitely help out with feeding your weird slime monster thing if this offer's still on the table. Gotta get some community service points, or something. Make up my debt to society and all that.

[she shrugs. is she just looking for more excuses to hang out with archie's cool pets? maybe. but tara's gonna be outdoors, anyway, so she might as well pick up trash for the slimeball.

no offense intended.]

rip

[h2no]

I don't think bein' registered has anythin' to do with picking trash up off the ground...

[he sounds happy she wants to, though.]

Aw, don't worry! Ya can say it. You can admit you think Muk is cute. Muk! You're cute, right?

[muk turns around and makes a kissy face at the camera.]

rip in pieces

[taraincognita]

Well, you mentioned talking to the government. Just highlighting that that isn't an option for me, yanno?

[she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, giggling when muk makes that face at the camera. it's so goofy. it reminds her of someone. her heart hurts, just a little bit, but she grins, anyway.]

Muk is adorable! What, uh. Is it? And where are you, again? Be there in a jiffy.

[to pick up trash. whatever. it's better than just wandering around, anyway.]

one day i will not be slow molasses tagger i'm srry

[akito]

[ clearly the most important thing about this whole post is: ] Ah! I know what that one is!

sorry for what I SEE NO PROBLEM HERE MY GUY

[h2no]

Really? What do ya reckon?

[archie deigns not to mention the fact muk literally says its own name.]

[akito]

[ actually ... now i wonder how universal translators work for pokemon. does it localize them?! ]

It's the poison-type, ベトベトン. A sentient pile of toxic sludge, ne?

[ofwilds]

Looks kinda like a Chu Chu. [Folds his arms and tilts his head, examining the scene.]

It's admirable that you're trying to clean this place up. [Link himself really isn't used to all of the littering. Hyrule is squeaky clean, most of the time.]

[h2no]

A what?

[archie is immediately interested. new type of pokémon?? new friend????]

Eh, it's just the right thing ta do, ya know? There's kids around here, 'n shit.

[ofwilds]

Oh, right. [Not everyone knows your weird monsters, Link.]

They're like...blobs...from where I come from. [The picture of eloquence.]

I could help, if you wanted.

video;

[marriedmedium]

Darling, what you have there is a job opportunity.

Re: video;

[h2no]

[it's true, he does, but archie is only testing the waters, as it were.]

Sure do. Ain't gonna pay anyone unless I get paid, though. That's how Capitalism works.

video;

[marriedmedium]

You don't have to pay anyone else, but just think of the example you could set by doing a little cleaning! Not everywhere, of course, but if your little friend were to tidy up a block, that would be a clear demonstration of the value of its skills!

[video]

[pushtheboundaries]

[........]

What did you call it, again?

Re: [video]

[h2no]

Muk.

[just to punctuate, muk pops into frame.]

Muk, Muk, Muuuuuuk!

[video]

[pushtheboundaries]

And it's - what, a pet that eats trash?

[this seems like a very bad thing]

video!

[eatsnutsandkicksbutts]

Your buddy's really OK eating all that garbage? He won't get sick or anything?

Re: video!

[h2no]

Aye. I wouldn't let 'im eat it if I thought it would make 'im sick.

[archie loves all his pokéchildren too much for that.]

He's pretty much made of the same stuff, anyway. Like I said, Muk only form through human pollution.

Re: video!

[eatsnutsandkicksbutts]

... Right, sorry. Back home, pollution-goop isn't usually sentient, and doesn't really pack an appetite.

I could ask some squirrels to help out with clean-up duty, if you like?