#001; video

[bentspooner]

[ Sabrina is sat down on a couch, standard furnishings that come with all the Heropa townhouses. Her government-issues device is floating far enough away from her that it has to be held up by some sort of powers, it would definitely explain the green glow around the edges of the frame. She sits, cross-armed and cross-legged, her file on the couch cushion next to her, and...a yellow humanoid creature making vaguely threatening gestures at a man in deep sleep on the carpet. You might recognize the man as Itsuki, friendly neighborhood flesh-eating abomination.

She turns to face the naughty Hypno, saying nothing, but somehow convincing him to quit being a brat anyway. He stomps off, and she faces the camera again. She's gone over the literature several times, and found the beginner's guide from pouring over the network on her own, but still, it seems like it's customary to introduce yourself. It would be best to be polite while she gains her bearings, she thinks. ]

Hello. My name is Sabrina, I'm from the Kanto region. I was a Pokemon gym leader there, though it appears that holds no relevance or prestige in this world. [ Which bothers her, a lot, given how hard she worked to get that far. Back to square one, in an unfamiliar world, it seems. ]

Who are the leaders in this 'imPort' community? [ She says the word like a woman trying to be more sure of herself than she really is, she hasn't been here long enough to take that on as an identity, no matter how quick the crowds of photographers and fans are to label her as such. ] Officially and otherwise. I would like to meet them, get a better idea of how this works in practice, beyond the time-and-space meddling that's going on.

Comments

[d33tached]

[The word "psychic" sets off a couple of alarms - has he ever met a psychic Pokémon before? He's not entirely sure.]

I might assume that they possess psychic abilities of some sort, then?

Might you elaborate upon those?

[He's not nervous about this at all, no sir.]

[bentspooner]

It varies, depending on the species. Telekinesis, mind reading, hypnosis, precognition. Woobat's evolution can emit waves that make other Pokemon fall in love with it.

[d33tached]

I see.

[Just kidding. He's definitely nervous. He doesn't want anyone reading his mind - not even a Pokémon.]

Do they do this only on your command? They're used for battling, correct?

[bentspooner]

Not exclusively, but I am their trainer. They listen to me. They aren't malicious, but Hypno thinks it's funny to put people to sleep. So watch for that.

[d33tached]

[It sounds like he could have used Hypno a couple of months ago (not that he would have).]

I would request that they refrain from trying to read my mind when they're in my presence.

[bentspooner]

They won't. Only Alakazam is really able to without a noticable effort, but he knows when it's inappropriate. He's more advanced than humans.

[d33tached]

[Now, that's intriguing.]

How so?

[bentspooner]

They're fifty times smarter than the average human, faster than a computer, and never forgets anything. Its brain never stops growing, so its head gets so big to accommodate that they have to use telekinesis to keep their head upright. They can do all of the things I listed before, teleport, and attack with psychic energy.

If they were more populus, the humans of our world would probably be obsolete.

1/2

[d33tached]

[Holy fuck?]

2/2

[d33tached]

I see. That is quite fascinating.

[Also incredibly unnerving. He doesn't hesitate to believe her, by the way.]

I suppose I would be rather interested in meeting one should the occasion arise.

[bentspooner]

I'm always happy to help people understand and learn about Pokemom, if you'd like to meet him.

All that sounds intimidating, but he's a softie, deep down. Serious, but sweet.

[d33tached]

I do tend to find myself quite fascinated with Pokémon the more that I learn about them.

[He wants one so bad, Sabrina.]

Perhaps we could meet upon some occasion. I do tend to frequent one trainer's home when I can.

Have you yet met a man by the name of Archie?

[bentspooner]

I met him earlier, actually. He was helpful. It's a relief to have someone to heal my Pokemon if something happens, back home there were special hospitals for them. None here, obviously, just Archie's house.

You two are friends?

[d33tached]

I suppose one might be able to make that assumption.

[Did he just? Admit to having a friend? That's his bff.]

He live with other trainers as well. His home seems rather suitable to your creatures as far as I can tell.

[bentspooner]

Red and Blue. Those two I do know, from back home, since they were kids.

[d33tached]

Is that so?

[Should he feel sorry for you? He kind of feels sorry for you. Blue as a child? He cannot imagine and also doesn't want to.]

[bentspooner]

They both challenged my gym, not long after they started their training journey.

[d33tached]

If I am to be completely honest with you, my understanding of Pokémon gyms and the role they play is rudimentary at best, though I did read the guide that was provided to the network some time ago.

[He really likes Pokémon, okay?]

[bentspooner]

We are community leaders, mentors to less experiences trainers, and enforcers of Pokemon League rules and regulations. Every major city has one. My city is the largest in the region, so it's busier than most.

[d33tached]

I see. Is all of this in relation to the battling?

[bentspooner]

Battling, bonding, training. As a League representative, that's my main focus. Lots of people keep Pokemon as pets or helpers, and I help them too, if they come to me for advice. It isn't a priority unless there's evidence of abuse or something like that.

[d33tached]

Yes, of course.

I do understand that these creatures are quite ingrained in the lives of those that come from your world.

[bentspooner]

They are. This place is a struggle to adjust to. I wonder if our own cities would have gotten this big, if the wildlife were so small and helpless

[d33tached]

I know little of either, if I am to be honest with you, but I am aware that the animals in this world are far from sentient.

[bentspooner]

I understand that the larger ones stay far from the cities. Or are put in small fabricated habitats for human amusement.