|10| [Video]

[wing_attack]

[... Oh. Tobias happened to look at the date, and think back. It's... weird to think that he's been here so long, but he feels the need to reflect on it. He's not really a public person, but... there are things he has to say. So when he turns the video on, it's with him sitting on a couch with Regal's head on his lap.]

I didn't notice it earlier in the month, but I've been here a year. Kind of. I mean... I went home for a bit but I came back, so adding it all together I've spent a year here. It's... kind of weird here, still. Not that I'm a stranger to weird creatures, but it's... different. This place is nice, and with the exception of one of those teams starting trouble, it's peaceful here.

[He looks down to scratch Regal's head gently, before looking back at the camera.]

... There's a lot of people here that don't care who you are or where you came from, and I mean that in a good way. As long as you don't start trouble with people, people are usually nice. You could have been someone high ranking or you could have been the janitor or something, and it doesn't matter. I mean... I'm a bird most of the time at home, and people here don't seem to mind. People are friendly and nice and...

[He needs to stop that line of thinking, he's having an emotion.]

... I mean. ... There's a lot of great people here. And as far as I'm concerned... this place is more of a home than a lot of places I've been. So... I guess I just wanted to say thanks to people, even the people who aren't here anymore. And... here's to some more great years.

[He turns the camera to Regal, who squawks happily at the feed, before turning off the Pokegear.]

Comments

[fairy_tale_trainer]

You spent most of your time as a bird? That's amazing! What is it like to be a bird? I've always been curious.

[shatterings]

I'm doing much better, thank you. I think... getting some rest helped.

[wing_attack]

It's pretty cool, actually. Thumbs are nice, but flying's really awesome.

[audio]

[wing_attack]

[Honestly he'd prefer no murderers at all but...]

Exactly. And most Pokemon are pretty cool. Some of them are weird, but they're good listeners. And some of them can talk back, too.

[wing_attack]

Good. I'm glad. Usually -

[There's a squawk, and Tobias turns the camera to find... a Rufflet jumping on Regal's wing.]

Hey! Cut it out!

[He sighs and watches as his Hawlucha drags the baby bird off.]

... Sorry about that. Anyway, usually I feel better after a nap and some food.

[fairy_tale_trainer]

I think I would like flying!

Does it feel weird not to be a bird?

[video]

[no_ufo_ending]

I understand...

_{[He catches himself wishing sometimes that his whole apartment complex, those who are left, could appear in this weird magical animal paradise.}

(Video)

[stonebird]

I wouldn't know much about that. I'm...normal. (Mostly?) Is it difficult to be without it?

[wing_attack]

It does, a lot of the time. But I've been here for a year, so I've had a lot of time to get used to being a human again.

(Video)

[wing_attack]

It... is, though I've been here for a year without it so it's not so bad.

[video]

[wing_attack]

They still might show up?

[Maybe. Possibly.]

(Video)

[stonebird]

I like this world. I still haven't fully accepted that it's...completely independent...from mine. (How is that possible?) But it must be. It's much kinder.

(Video)

[wing_attack]

Yeah it does take some getting used to, but... I think it's a pretty great place.

[video]

[no_ufo_ending]

Any day. Any day at all.

_{[He manages a smile.]}

(Video)

[stonebird]

The Pokémon make it even better, though I'm not comfortable with them fighting for some kind of sport.

(It reminds her too heavily of jousting.)

(Video)

[wing_attack]

They don't really get permanently hurt, if that helps. But you don't really have to fight if you don't want to.

[video]

[wing_attack]

Yeah. It's... possible, at least.

[video]

[no_ufo_ending]

So, going to do anything special? I wonder if people should make their arrival day like a birthday.

_{[Any excuse for cake really.]}

[video]

[wing_attack]

Maybe. I've actually been thinking of getting something made but I don't know who could make it... but it's a good excuse for this.

[Give him a sec to put the Pokegear down as he rustles through some papers and pulls out a drawing. It looks a little bit like a skydiving outfit, but with fabric between the arms and legs like a flying squirrel. There's also a loop on the back.]

Not just for the circus act, but I was thinking it would be cool to have something like this just for flying around. ... It's not perfect since it's not really wings, but Regal could hold me and I could fly.

[audio]

[unkinder]

[Hm...it's the boy who helped him out with Seiun. This video isn't much different from any others he's seen like them, but it's what he says that catches his attention. Nagi decides to respond verbally, which isn't something he usually does, but Tobias...seems to be at a range conversationally that he can keep up with.]

It's strange how the fact you so casually mention you're a bird, of all things, isn't that surprising at all. I suppose that explains why you work so well with them.

[And here goes Nagi, completely missing the point of this entire video but...so it goes.]

[audio]

[wing_attack]

[Oh! It's him. He grins, even if Nagi can't see it.]

Honestly, considering this entire world, I don't think there's a lot that could be considered really weird. But that's probably right. I wasn't born a bird, but living as a hawk with hawk instincts for about three years solid gives you a pretty good idea of how they work.

[audio]

[unkinder]

I'm assuming something happened to you, then?

[audio]

[wing_attack]

I... got the power to change into whatever animal I could touch. But there's a time limit, and I went over the limit, so I got stuck as a hawk. I got the ability back later, but with hawk as my 'normal' form, so unless I want to never be able to change again... I have to stay as a hawk.

[audio]

[unkinder]

[Hmm.]

Do you prefer it over being human?

[It's been three years after all, apparently.]

[audio]

[wing_attack]

Thumbs are nice, but... I do, actually. It's a lot easier.