002. [Text/Action for Route 44]

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT]

And a good evening to you, Johto.

Conversations with a few of you have shed some interesting light on opinions of exactly what it is we do here. The mandates we've received from the faceless entities that have brought us here make it very plain that we're supposed to humor them, to collect these 'badges' and essentially wander around for no real reason other than training these creatures and strengthening them - not so much a militaristic society as it is battle culture, if you will. However, others refer to these creatures as 'pets' or 'companions'; while I suppose the act of training these things may lead to bonds being formed, such people seem to have a different view of this world entirely.

I ask, then: from whatever standpoint you hold, be it one geared more toward companionship or more toward advancement - at what point does it become acceptable to you to release these creatures back into the wilderness? Surely there are some that aren't exactly battle-capable, or at least not as capable as others may be, and effort goes into their training; when do you decide that continuing to train them is no longer granting you benefit equal to the effort you're putting in?

I'll grant that "never" may be a perfectly valid answer, should your tendencies lean that way.

[ACTION]

[Well, whatever Kimblee was going on about before, it's clearly not affecting his relations with his own Pokémon any; he's currently standing beneath one of those trees on Route 43, though the white coat he's usually wearing makes him a bit obvious. He's always been a bit curious regarding what these things will do when not given orders, and he's keeping an eye on what appears to be a new member of his team from a distance; judging from the Swinub he's watching from a short distance away, apparently the answer is "generally snuffle about, and occasionally roll around for no real reason."

Of course, he seems to have another new one with him today - he did purchase two eggs from Xanxus, after all, and as a result Kimblee is now the proud owner of what seems to be the smuggest Vulpix on the planet.

...it doesn't help that Kimblee doesn't seem to have put the fox down since he hatched it, instead choosing to carry it around like a somewhat oversized cat. Seriously, Ernst Stavro Blofeld would look at him and tell him he's spoiling the damn thing.

His life, his choices, etc.]

Comments

[ACTION]

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[Today has been a damn good day for training. The bat and bird actually work quite well together now that they both respond to Archer's commands without needing attack names shouted at them. He's quite pleased with his work and originally intended to rest up for a bit - ah, but Kimblee would have something to say to the entire network, wouldn't he? Time to go figure out just what he's rambling about now!]

[Though Archer is immediately distracted once he enters the area by the two new chimeras. Archer has the Murkrow on his shoulder, the bat flying behind him, and is still carrying around that damn egg; but it looks as though Kimblee has obtained more chimeras.]

I thought we were going to keep our number of chimeras equal. It wouldn't be fair to battle with an advantage in numbers. [Though he'll approach to examine the... fox-thing curiously - it's far more interesting than the pig derping it up on the ground.]

[explosivecombat]

Then I would suggest you either keep up with the raising stakes, or find another person to battle with. I see no reason why I should delay my own activities because you're taking your time.

[Excuse him while he side-eyes that egg a bit, though; how long ago did you obtain that thing?

As it is, however, the Vulpix will just be the little prince Kimblee is raising him into by looking over at Archer for a few moments before seeming to decide it's not worth his time to really investigate, instead pressing into Kimblee's arms a bit and pawing at him. Clearly, he doesn't like having attention taken, here.]

[Text]

[alpha_stigma.livejournal.com]

If they decide to stay, I won't say no. If they decide to leave, I won't stop them.

[Text]

[explosivecombat]

And am I to assume you would have no preference either way? Or is it simply that you refuse to try to force your decision on them?

[text]

[exeggutorhead]

do you type that much all the time or just on special occasions?

[...He might get around to answering Kimblee's actual question at some point.]

[text]

[explosivecombat]

Sarcasm aside, I would hardly call this a special occasion; it's just a question, nothing more.

[Action.]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[There's a certain blond scientist walking towards you at a leisurely pace, Kimblee. Apparently he thinks it's perfectly acceptable to hike around Johto in a white lab coat. He's not really looking at you, however - apparently the Pokégear in his hand is much more interesting right now.]

When you have spent so much time and effort on a single creature, fostering the growth of a bond of loyalty between the two of you, the idea of simply ditching it is quite foolish, don't you think? Unless. Either the creature in question has gained so much power it is no longer under your control, or it has betrayed your trust in some way. Or, of course, both.

These creatures should not be incredibly different from my subjects in that regard.

[... He also seems to think that it's perfectly acceptable and normal to answer texts by discussing them in person. What do.]

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee actually sees nothing wrong with this sort of behavior; after all, given that they are in the same approximate area, it would be somewhat ridiculous to have a conversation via text, where not all inflections and meanings can be properly conveyed. Face-to-face conversations are perfectly fine!

...to say nothing of the fact that relying on the device to communicate with others is still something that Kimblee isn't too fond of - technology like this is simultaneously fascinating and uncomfortable, he finds.

However! You can have him shifting his grip on that Vulpix long enough for him to tip that fedora of his in your general direction, good sir!]

Gorthan - quite the pleasure, as always.

[...formalities are now out of the way and he now has a vaguely indignant fire fox that does not like being shuffled around, but Kimblee pays him no real mind and the creature settles quickly enough.]

As for your point, I can't exactly say that I agree with you, as it implies that loyalty should come before usefulness - when one is in battle, loyal soldiers mean nothing if they're incompetent enough to hinder you.

[Text]

[foolishwren]

if you don't want it, release it or give/trade it to somebody

not exactly rocket science

_{[As much as Heather's grown attached to her beasties, she's never felt bad about giving away the ones she doesn't want. ... Little more iffy on releasing, but hey, if it could reasonably survive in the wild...]}

[text]

[explosivecombat]

Oh, believe me, I'm rather inclined to agree with you, and that line of thinking in general; I simply find it interesting how many aren't.

[text]

[usedraindance.livejournal.com]

[text]

[explosivecombat]

[That will get some headtilting before he responds; clearly, no one has taught half of you people how to spell, but he can work out what's meant.]

As fair a point as any, I suppose. I assume, then, that you find these creatures to be closer to companions than weapons?

[text;]

[foreveraclone]

I tried getting rid of mine, but it followed me back to the hotel I was staying at.

[text]

[explosivecombat]

[...that's new.]

And what reason did you have for getting rid of it, if I may?

Textl

[8etterl8.livejournal.com]

[text]

[explosivecombat]

[...what in the world is this, and what is that...thing at the end even supposed to be here]

Well! I suppose I can appreciate your ambition, if not your syntax - how many have you discarded, and how many have you kept?

text;

[usedlaserbeam.livejournal.com]

[text]

[explosivecombat]

Always. Consider it a fascination of mine - after all, as much as the ends may justify the means, that doesn't imply the means aren't an interesting topic of discussion.

text

[homofuckiens.livejournal.com]

[text]

[explosivecombat]

...you are possibly the angriest individual I've had the pleasure of communicating with so far.

I commend you on this accomplishment; well done.

[Text]

[fullmetalbro.livejournal.com]

When did you start caring about what other people thought about you? If you're thinking about letting your Pokemon go, then just do it.

[text]

[explosivecombat]

As full of assumptions as always, Fullmetal - this has very little to do with me personally. But that was a lovely guess.

[text]

[usedbide.livejournal.com]

Dunno. Most of mine train themselves.

[ Where "most" is "one" and "train" is "maul anything that moves." ]

[text]

[explosivecombat]

[...well, this is one of the more interesting ones he's heard today.]

Is that so? And how exactly did you manage this?

text

[gochuugoku.livejournal.com]

Releasing Pokemon back into the wild is a personal choice. If you wish to do it, then do so.

Personally speaking, I haven't released any of my own yet, in the whole year that I've been stranded here.

[text]

[explosivecombat]

Don't misunderstand me; I'm not at a point at which that would be necessary. Consider this a matter of curiosity.

Although, your situation - is this through personal choice, or simply because you've been cautious in what you capture?

[Text]

[bent-causality.livejournal.com]

Huh? What exactly are you talking about..?

[text]

[explosivecombat]

[Ah, hello again.]

Well, to start - would you find it acceptable to release these creatures back into the wild or not?

Text

[nasa-dreams.livejournal.com]

That's....pretty cold.

[text]

[explosivecombat]

I don't suppose you could elaborate?

[Text]

[eatsyouout]

Only when they've served their purpose.

[text]

[explosivecombat]

And might I ask when you would consider their purpose to have been served?