francia | [Post 046] Video/Action for Blackthorn City

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[Post 046] Video/Action for Blackthorn City

[France has clearly planned this communication. His hair is nice and neat, usually facial scruff clean and trimmed, and friendly smile firmly in place. So this isn't his usual I'm here to boast/show off or Watch me do something silly/stupid/sensation in the name of cosmic irony. No, this is France, ready and with clear purpose at the 'Gear. Treasure this rare sight.]

Back in October, I asked about taking the gym challenge and how I should best go about it. Because of a combination of various circumstances -

[This is a lie. France is just lazy.]

I am only now ready to do so. I'm currently in Blackthorn City, and I've decided to take on Clair because I believe her to be a worthy opponent for this France!

[Ah, and there's the arrogance France is reknowned for.]

So, I wish to inquire specifically as to what I should expect from such a beautiful dragoon and if there are particular moves that I would find useful. In exchange for your information, which I do understand has been hard won, I would be willing to offer compensation in the form of a painting. Perhaps a portrait of someone you care about here or your pokémon.

[France grins winningly. Sparkles may feature unsubtly in the background, although that might just be static.]

I would also be willing to negotiate fees for my paintings if you're interested and don't have information.

Thank you very much for your attention, and I look forward to your response.

[A grand, flourishing gesture, and then the feed cuts.]

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You should expect strong attacks, Pokémon that are not all Dragon-types, and a few minutes of complete denial of her loss after the fact.

[Um.]

I'd suggest Thunderbolt for the Gyarados and Ice Beam for everything else, at the very least. Blizzard combined with Hail would be more damaging, but that particular TM comes with Mahogany's badge.

[France's eyebrows go up briefly before they lower as he frowns slightly.]

I don't currently have any pokemon with those moves. Are they completely necessary or can victory be accomplished with other movesets?

Any Electric- and Ice-type moves would be helpful. Those two merely happen to be both accurate and strong, and are also available as TMs in Goldenrod.

I should probably swing by Goldenrod, then. It would be a good idea to have a bit more diversity in my pokémons' movesets anyways, if I'm going to be doing more battling.

[He nods slightly to himself as if internalizing this wisdom.]

Gyarados isn't actually a dragon type, though, is it? It looks like one, but it's types are different?

Moves learned through TMs also seem more likely to be passed down to offspring, somehow. That's always an advantage.

[Even for someone like him who isn't actually a breeder.]

It's a Water- and Electric-type. I've no doubt you can imagine why Thunderbolt would be an asset.

[France rubs his chin thoughtfully.]

It is curious that TM moves get passed down more frequently than others. It's almost like they've evolved to give us cause to spend money. I do wonder how economy here even evolved...

...Through experience, trade and valuable items?

[He probably deserves to be shot for that one.]

[That cheek earns quite some amusement from France. He waves a hand vaguely, chuckling.]

Oh, yes, of course. I guess I find it shocking because so many of the local population lack entrepreneurial ambition outside of pokémon battling or breeding. That does, however, explain why everything seems to be run homogeneously. It's as if both Kanto and Johto are company countries.

A company country? As in, a country owned by a company? If that were the case, you'd think they'd try to smother the businesses we run, such as the Breeding Centre.

Edited 2013-05-18 00:36 (UTC)

I would think so, but we still have no idea how most of the consumables in this place are made let alone sourced or manufactured. Perhaps the only reason the Breeding Centre hasn't met problems is that it's a faucet that this place hadn't quite come up with as it seems most pokémon belonging to locals are somehow hereditary.

After all this time, you'd think they'd have realized its use and popularity. Yet they've not created their own equivalent.

[France grins in a way that conveys how much he expects this place to make sense.]

I have come to not expect anything resembling reason or logic from this place.

[He laughs a little.]

Sometimes I think this world runs on magic. I wouldn't have thought such a thing even probable a year ago, but now it seems to be the most likely explanation.

A world ruled by magic would be more organized and orderly, unless it's a type of magic beyond anything I know.

[France frowns slightly, but his eyes are curious.]

What sort of magic do you know?

Black, white, ninja and summoning magic. I can only cast white spells myself, but I've seen enough of the others to know that they cannot influence the economy.

I'm afraid I don't have any advice to offer aside from recommending ice type moves. However, I do wish you luck on your battle. Dragon types are tough, I hear.

Dragon types appear to be one of the hardiest of pokémon species and are the perfect challenge for my wonderful team.

[Arrogance +100, check.]

[Thankfully, a thought occurs to France, which distracts him somewhat from his posturing.]

I'll be teaching my Milotic, Cecilia, Ice Beam once I pick the TM up from the Goldenrod Department Store. Do you happen to need anything from there?

Edited 2013-05-17 23:18 (UTC)

Are you sure that the hardiest type is really the best challenge for you? [Ah, Ludwig, ever the skeptic. He hesitates before going on.] Well, you have been here longer than I have. I imagine that your Pokemon are more used to battle than mine are.

Thank you for the offer. I bought most of what I needed at Goldenrod before I left, but... perhaps, if possible, could you buy me an Ice Beam TM as well? I'll pay you back.

[France grins winningly.]

This France never turns down an opportunity to showcase prowess! I know that my pokémon have more than the capacity to conquer any gym. We have been training regularly for over two years.

[Mostly again wild pokémon, but that does count for something eventually.]

[At the mention of payment, France scoffs and waves his right hand dismissively.]

No, no, you must accept the TM as a gift. I implore you.

Over two years... that certainly dwarfs the amount of time I've been here. I just hope that experience you have is enough to allow you to pull through. There's always the chance that you're missing something...

[Ludwig pauses and then sighs.]

Fine. I'll take it as a gift.

[France's expression twists slightly. He snorts softly, shaking his head.]

This place is designed to ensure we are always missing something. At least the random weekends that end in loss of memories and unexplained injuries seem to have reduced in occurrence.

[Ludwig's face just about falls when he hears that.]

Wait, what? I remember hearing something about soul-stealing bugs, but this is new.

[Well, when France puts himself on video, it doesn't make it too difficult to track him down — particularly when it just so happens the two of them are sharing a city. And naturally, it isn't often that someone can say they've had the pleasure of meeting a nation face-to-face, so far be it from Carmen to let the opportunity pass her by now.

The weather's getting hot lately, and as a result she's actually forgone her usual red coat and hat (in the interest of not overheating, getting lightheaded, and passing out in the street) this afternoon; on the contrary, she's looking rather breezy in a white blouse, wide belt, and charcoal gray pencil skirt accompanying her traditional red pumps. With her long, dark hair tied off in a side ponytail and Cooper's Vulpix, Aidan, trotting along at her side, she makes for quite the picture as she comes strolling along to approach France, dark sunglasses and one rebellious wisp of hair concealing the mirth in her brilliant blue eyes.

The only way this entrance could be better, in her opinion, is if she could greet the man (nation) wholly in French. What a shame that Johto has seen fit to make that so blasted difficult. Ah, well, c'est la vie.]

Still in search of good advice, monsieur?

[Hello, France.]

[France looks up from where he's seated on a patch of grass outside, tools spread out on a cloth as he goes about Marianne's regular grooming session. Marianne makes a low noise from deep in her chest, and France looks up from trimming the fur around the pads of her feet towards what has caught her attention. His eyebrows go up at the image of summer beauty before him, and France sets down the small scissors to get hastily to his feet.]

Ah -

[He wipes his hands on a clean cloth tucked into his right pants pocket before extending his hand, smiling in a friendly, curious manner.]

Yes, and may I say it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mademoiselle...?

[Marianne's behavior is anything but welcoming, though. She stares darkly at Carmen as if warning her off any funny business before turning her narrow-eyed look to Aidan.]

[The look from Marianne doesn't go unnoticed, but admittedly Carmen's more dryly amused than anything else by it. She'll have to watch her step around that one, evidently — at least until she's had more of a chance to demonstrate that she's a friend.]

Carmen Sandiego. We've spoken before, but never in person.

[It's far too hot for leather gloves, but that hasn't stopped her from wearing them. She'd feel incomplete without something covering her hands, after all. And so it's a black-gloved hand that France receives in answer to his own.]

And if memory serves, I think you're already acquainted with Aidan — he belongs to a mutual friend of ours, I believe. Special Agent Cooper.

[Belongs. It's no accident that the word isn't past tense. Aidan may be in her care now, but he's not hers. Not deep down.]

[Marianne is mostly harmless in the same way The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy means Earth is mostly harmless. France is hers, and she will protect her own; she hopes this woman knows it.]

[France remains oblivious to Marianne's hostility, his demeanor further brightening when Carmen accepts his hand. He shakes hers firmly, eyes glancing down to admire the leather gloves before returning to her face.]

Then it is a pleasure to meet you in person, Mademoiselle Sandiego. You are, if I may say, stunning.

[He relinquishes her hand politely when she indicates Aidan and crouches down to get a better look at the Vulpix. Marianne only turns her head, continuing to sit imperially upon the large grooming cloth as she observes her offspring. The brightness to France's face dims slightly as he studies Aiden.]

Ah, yes, I remember.

[France looks up at Carmen, smile quirked slightly in a way that's softer and more honest than his demeanor before.]

I'm glad that he has someone who was close to Cooper to care for him.

[Well, she's not immune to flattery by any means, and doubly so when she doesn't have the filter of text or a monitor to act as an intermediary to it. If there's a pleasant flush in her cheeks at that moment, it might be from the compliment, or it might be from the heat of the day; who can say, really?

But like France, the charm gradually fades into something more genuine at the way he treats Cooper's Vulpix. As if she didn't have plenty of reasons to like France already.]

It's comforting to have him. Not just for the sake of memory, but...a few of us have been tracking down what happened to his Pokemon after he left. We've been able to find almost all of them, and they all made it to good homes.

[There's a moment of brief hesitation here, but then she makes her choice and adds: ]

That's what brought me to Blackthorn City. What brings you here, France?

[France's smile smoothes out into one that is sincerely happy at her words. He looks back at Aiden with a definite fondness about his demeanor, reaching up out of habit to pet gently at the crown of Marianne's head. She glances over at him before shifting her attention to Aiden, her air less one of approval and more grudging acceptance of the Vulpix. Marianne won't be winning any awards for best mother any time soon.]

I'm glad that you and others who know Cooper are doing so.

[He looks up at Caren again, the expression in his eyes communicating gratefulness.]

It would be comforting to him should he return.

[France stands back up, keeping the hand on Marianne's head there absentmindedly even though he shrugs leisurely in response to her question, expression coming lighter and easier.]

Oh, the prom brought me here, and I have stayed for a bit more while Envy was challenging the gym. We haven't decided yet where to head off to. What brings you here?

[She's tempted to assure France that Dale Cooper would be in no shortage of comfort if he were to return to Johto, but sometimes Carmen does in fact know when to keep her mouth shut, and there are moments to be coy and moments to be serious. This one is one of the latter.]

A gym challenge. This was my last badge to earn in Johto.

[It was also far, far away from where she'd been before, and there was something to that too.]

If you're still looking for advice about Clair, I can offer a few bits from my own experience. It's useful to have an Ice-type around when challenging her, but it's not strictly necessary. I fielded a winning team against her in the form of a Spinarak, a Joltik, and an Empoleon, myself.

[France brightens further, most of the shadow of their earlier discussion seeming to dissipate. It really hasn't, but France does know how to compartmentalize when he wants to.]

Congratulations on earning your last badge here!

[France raises an eyebrow, and his expression turns to one of pleasure at her information.]

That was close to what I had actually been planning to do. I suspect that my pokémon are going to be much more powerful in comparison to Clair's based on the gym battles I've watched in person and on the network. But I suppose I am biased to believe that my pokémon need no assistance.

[Or, really, he thinks of them as exceptions to this world's rules. Marianne visibly preens under this very obvious favoritism.]

[[OOC: I know I totally dropped the ball on this thread, so you are free to continue, drop, and/or handwave whatever you like in relation to it and what we had planned. I'm sorry because this was completely my fault.]]

[has no information, was about to move past this but gets caught by the mention of painting]

You're a painter?

[France puts on a million watt smile.]

I am one of the very best! As the Republic of France, I couldn't very well be anything less.

The Republic of France?

[France makes a grandiose gesture that includes himself and, presumably, everything he affects.]

The one and only! And may I ask the pleasure of your acquaintance?

[so some guy is claiming to be a country? Weird okay if he can believe in Jack Frost and pony people, he can... Maybe believe that. He did recently meet someone named America... Was he the country also?]

My name is Steve Rogers. Is there a name you prefer to go by or should I just call you France?

[Envy's out training in the route below Blackthorn. He's been on edge recently, but it doesn't show much at all when he responds.]

I got her badge just last week, she's a good challenge. I'd go with ice type attacks, or grass or electric for her first two. Do you have anything with Ice Fang?

Oh yeah, and she doesn't like losing almost as much as Whitney. [He snorts, half amused and half disdainful.]

[France has noticed that Envy's been on edge, but he hasn't brought it up yet. He understands the need to blow off steam, and he has assumed that Envy is out and about training to do just that. France grins widely, lightly, but his eyes are gentle.]

I've got grass type moves covered, but I'm thinking of ordering an Ice Beam TM from the Goldenrod Store to teach Cecelia since I haven't any ice types or moves.

[At that last part, France sighs, shaking his head slowly.]

Oh, dear, really? These gym leaders have no concept of professionalism...

They really don't, she made me go on some sort of quest to prove myself in the dragon cave near the gym. Nothing difficult, but she wouldn't give me my badge until I'd done it.

[He shakes his head, frowning in remembered frustration.]

Still, with Ice Beam you should be okay. Have a few other strong ones for backup against her Dragonite. Louis ought to work for that one.

[France pulls a face and sighs dramatically.]

Oh, no. I've had enough quests to last me many human lifetimes.

[He pouts mightily.]

What sort of "proof" is required?

I had to go hike through that Dragon's Den place until I found a shrine. I don't even know what that's supposed to prove, but it made her give me the badge.

[He disappears from the screen for a minute while he puts his 'Gear down to search through his bag, but he finds his badge case and pulls it out, showing the new Rising Badge in it to France. He grins.]

Shouldn't be any trouble for you. And this one's even cool looking.

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[Post 046] Video/Action for Blackthorn City

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