|8| [Video]

[wing_attack]

- There.

[Tobias moves back from the camera so that everyone can be seen in the shot. He's sitting in a park today, back in Goldenrod. Regal the Braviary is sitting next to him, but he's also got a Hawlucha, a Talonflame, some Spritzee, an Empoleon, and a Swablu with him. He clears his throat a little, indicating to the group to settle down.]

Right. So... I was thinking about something that I might be able to help other people with. It's... kind of weird, so hear me out on this one.

I have kind of an... understanding with birds. I can't read their minds or anything, but I know a lot about birds back home, and it's helped me out here. Especially with the bird-like Pokemon that are more like birds of prey... or really territorial, like Nacho here.

[The Hawlucha moves a little closer at the mention of his name, and Tobias scratches one of his wing joints gently.]

So I thought that if anyone is having problem with bird-like Pokemon, I could help out? I'm not going to claim I can fix every problem, but I might be able to help you figure out more of what's going on. At the very least, if you're really having problems it might be better than nothing, right?

Oh. Uh... and my name's Tobias, if we haven't met. Just let me know if you want me to help. ... Thanks.

[He reaches over for the Pokegear and turns it off.]

Comments

[video]

[wing_attack]

Huh... what species is Meeko?

[This might call for some in-person work...]

[video]

[walkersystem]

Linoone.

Jay - that's my Amaura - he can make her play nice sometimes. But sometimes she's unfriendly. I don't want to release her or anything if I don't have to though.

Unless maybe she'd be happier?

_{[What is training birds??]}

[video]

[wing_attack]

That's probably because Amaura are part ice type.

But maybe it's because she thinks Meeko is prey. I might be able to get her to calm down a little bit... I'm staying at the circus for now, if you want to meet me there?

[video]

[unkinder]

Trust me, I don't plan on it. I would prefer to not talk about him at all, if it's all the same.

[video] > [action]

[walkersystem]

Okay. I'm staying there too, I'll come back and find you.

<sub>[She'd been out, but she doesn't mind turning around - and when they've worked out a time and place, she gets there soon enough. It functions as home, for now, so she drops her backpack near her cot and then goes to find Tobias.]

[She does that with a small smile.]</sub>

Hi.

[video]

[wing_attack]

That's okay.

[He looks up at Seiun again, smiling a little.]

You know it's okay not to like the same people your trainer likes, right? I get why you're frustrated, but you can't force him to like someone.

[wing_attack]

[Tobias is there with Regal and Nacho, the two flying-types seated on the ground. Nacho seems to be nibbling on a berry, and he looks up in alarm as someone enters.]

Hey. Calm down.

[The Hawlucha makes a displeased noise, but goes back to his berry. Tobias smiles at Molly.]

Hi. How are you doing?

[video]

[unkinder]

[Nagi watches Seiun as he turns back to Tobias. Before speaking, though, the owl shoots Neba a sharp look, warning him not to attempt to filter anything he's saying back to his trainer.]

Between you and I, there are not very many people that my trainer likes.

[walkersystem]

I'm okay. Are you?

_{[She's playing a little with a pokéball in her hand, and her Natu Aria is perched on her shoulder, but has nobody else with her. Aria is obviously not the problem bird: she's affectionate and even a little shy when she looks at the other two birds present.]}

[video]

[wing_attack]

[Regal screeches in laughter, and Tobias just raises an eyebrow. He can't exactly get a translation, but at least Regal's amused.]

Mine was like that too for a long time! Maybe he's scared like mine was.

[wing_attack]

Yeah. I've been practicing a lot lately, which is why I've been staying here.

[He'd have already dealt with Cianwood's gym if he didn't need so much practice right now, but he can always do that after the show.]

Ah... and who's this?

[He looks over at Aria and digs in his bag, pulling out some dried berry and handing it to Molly. Molly's her trainer, after all.]

[video]

[unkinder]

Perhaps. He is very distrusting of others of his own kind. I'm surprised to hear that this isn't uncommon among humans.

[walkersystem]

I live here now. I'm staying with Jimmy.

<sub>[There's something aaalmost touching on proud in the way she says that, mostly because she really likes Jimmy, so there's some of that little sister like kind of worship.]

[And there's even more of that touch of pride when she smiles and accepts the berry from Tobias and coaxes Aria into her hands.]</sub>

Aria! She's my starter. Aren't you, Aria?

_{[And Aria carefully lets out a little trill before she pecks at that berry.]}

[video]

[wing_attack]

Mine sounds like he didn't have a very good life before he came here...

[wing_attack]

It's nice to meet you, Aria.

[Nacho squawks in annoyance.]

Oh, be nice. This is Nacho. He's one of the ones I've worked with a lot.

[video]

[unkinder]

...I do not know the entire story, but I do not think mine did, either.

[walkersystem]

_{[Molly has a moment of definite amusement.]}

Why'd you name him Nacho?

[wing_attack]

Well... he has a face that looks like a luchador's mask. They're Mexican masked wrestlers. And I don't really know Spanish, so I named him after my favorite Mexican food.

[Are nachos actually Mexican? He has no idea.]

[video]

[wing_attack]

It's sad, but we have to do what we can to help them. They're our friends, not just our trainers.

[walkersystem]

_{[Sry Tobias, she has to giggle a little.]}

Sure.

Hey, did you want to meet Feather?

[video]

[unkinder]

Friends...right.

I will do what I can, then.

[wing_attack]

[It made sense at the time!]

Sure. You said she's an Unfezant?

[Not a species he's dealt with before... but he can probably make it work.]

[video]

[wing_attack]

Good! I think you'll both be happier for it.

[Regal nuzzles into Tobias' side, and he ruffles the feathers around Regal's neck.]

[walkersystem]

Yeah.

<sub>[Letting Aria hop to the crook of her elbow, Molly lightly tosses the pokéball she's carrying into the air and it reveals an Unfezant who immediately shakes herself out and gives Tobias' two birds a critical kind of look.]

[Molly looks at her for a moment.]</sub>

Her name's Feather.

Don't be mean, okay Feather?

_{[Feather clicks her beak but apparently refrains from puffing up at Molly's request.]}

[wing_attack]

[Nacho eyes her up, but doesn't say anything. Regal chirps in a friendly manner. Hello, Feather!]

Hey there.

[Tobias keeps his expression neutral, and looks right at her.]

Why don't you tell us what's wrong? What's bothering you, Feather?