|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

[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?

[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.]}

[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.]

[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.]}

[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.

[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.]

[walkersystem]

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

Sure.

Hey, did you want to meet Feather?

[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.]

[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?

[walkersystem]

<sub>[Feather stares back at him, but then ruffles her feathers up again, turning sideways in a demonstrative way. She doesn't need to talk to you. Either of you.]

[Sighing, Molly reaches out and touches the bird - she's allowed to, even if with some reluctance.]</sub>

Come on. He's just trying to help.

_{[Which slooowly has Feather look back at Tobias, but she keeps a haughty look on him - kind of critical, really. She doesn't need help. She's tough.]}

[wing_attack]

[... Oh. He thinks he's got an idea. He's seen it in guys his age as well as other birds.]

It's not like anyone's going to think you can't protect territory if you show affection. It's okay to be sensitive sometimes.

[walkersystem]

<sub>[HUFF!! She doesn't need to be sensitive. She totally isn't sensitive. She's way too good for that, and she can protect her territory just fine without being sensitive. GOD.]

[She opens her wings slightly in a somewhat threatening display, but doesn't approach, just eyes Tobias almost warily.]

[Molly takes a step back and stares between them, a little wide on the eyes. Feather hasn't ever hurt or attacked anyone, so she's not worried about that, but she's still not sure what might go down.]</sub>

[wing_attack]

[Nacho fluffs up a bit, but Tobias shoots him a look and he backs off.]

You don't have to put on a show for anyone here. We're not interested in hurting you.

[Nacho makes a small noise of annoyance.]

Your trainer's your alpha, got it? Like it or not, listening to her's only going to help you. Most of the trainers here are okay. And if my trainer likes yours she must be all right.

[walkersystem]

_{[Feather makes a sound of annoyance right back, thank you very much.]}

I listen to her but I don't have to be soft. I know what it's like around here. You have to stay on guard.

_{[Straightening up to her full height, she shoots Tobias another look.]}

[wing_attack]

[Tobias doesn't flinch from the look, but stares her down. He may be trying to help, but that doesn't mean he has to be easily cowed by another bird.]

Yeah, yeah. But your trainer's got other Pokemon, right? Let them share the watch. Makes it easier on everyone.

You can calm down now. Like I said, we're not trying to hurt you. We're trying to help. And it's pretty clear that your behavior's distressing to your trainer, because she asked for help.

[walkersystem]

_{[Feather falters a bit and shoots a look at Molly, who after looking to Tobias reaches a hand out to her.]}

Come on, Feather. You're so angry all the time.

_{[Feather hesitates but after a quick momentary touch of affection, she ruffles her wings and fans her tail out, straightening up again. Molly mostly seems concerned, and she again looks to Tobias.]}

What do you think is wrong?

[wing_attack]

... I think she just thinks that everything is a threat. It might take a while, but I think just showing her affection and maybe getting some of your more gentle Pokemon to talk to her might help.

[Nacho looks up at Tobias, and squawks his approval. Yeah. That should work.]

It's not an easy fix... sorry.

[walkersystem]

_{[Molly nods and steps forward to gently touch over one of Feather's wings, which she allows with some resignation.]}

It's okay. I know it's not easy to care for animals all the time.

_{[She hesitates for a moment, clearly thinking.]}

So really ... she's kind of scared?

[wing_attack]

... I think so. It's more of a pride thing. How long has it been since you got her?

[walkersystem]

I caught her in Violet.

So ... a few months ago. I always wondered if maybe she just wanted to be released, but then she idn't seem to want to when I asked.

[wing_attack]

Was she around other Unfezant or... uh... Pidove, when you caught her? Maybe she was some kind of leader of her flock there... or the one on the bottom rung of the group.

[walkersystem]

No ...

_{[She pauses, thinking hard. Feather is looking away stubbornly, cause some of Tobias' speculation is likely hitting home.]}

I think she was alone. I didn't see any other Pidove anyway. Cause it wasn't right in town where there's usually a lot of them.

[wing_attack]

Then she probably had to fend for herself a lot. A lot of birds get really territorial, so if she didn't have territory of her own then she probably had to fight a lot.