voicetesting

[fatalstrikes]

I;

[This place is a little weird, but Yuri’s settled in well enough. He’s in a Pokémon Center currently, sitting on the floor instead of using a chair like a normal person. His Riolu’s sitting nearby, staring at the floor and not really reacting to anything going on around them. Yuri digs around in his backpack for a moment before coming up with an Oran berry.]

Here we go. I guess we’re going to need more food before we set out again, huh?

[The Riolu doesn’t react and Yuri shrugs as if the silence doesn’t bother him any.]

It’s all yours, pal.

[He sets the berry down in front of the Riolu, who continues staring at it listlessly. The Riolu still hasn’t moved even once Yuri’s closed the backpack and dropped it carelessly beside him.]

...You’re a bit of an odd one.

[He stretches his arms above his head before standing up, which is about when he’ll notice you.]

Hey, does your partner act like this too?

II;

[It’s a gloomy, dark day out on one of the routes. It’s the sort of day where you want to stay indoors and maybe take a nap, but that’s not exactly a good idea when you’re out camping like this. It looks like it’ll start storming at any minute, so you might want to hurry and find shelter.

There’s a cave up ahead, and if you approach it you’re going to hear footsteps. Hurried footsteps, like someone’s desperate to get out—]

Hey, look out!

[A Riolu comes running full speed out of the cave and might just slam into you if you don’t move. Either way, a dark-haired man rushes out after the Pokémon.]

Watch where you’re going next time, Ry. Hey there, sorry about him.

[Yuri seems calm enough, but there’s a loud sound from inside the cave and he glances over his shoulder.]

Are they still following us? I thought getting out of the cave would be good enough… C’mon, Ry, let’s pick up the pace!

[It looks like they’re going to hurry off, and the strange shrieking sound from the cave is just getting louder. What do you do?]

Don’t just stand there, come on!

[Sounds like that’s directed at you.]

III;

[Deep in Eterna Forest is the Old Chateau. Maybe you stumbled across this place accidentally or maybe you were trying to get here. Either way, you’re here now, and you’re not alone.]

Strange place, huh? I bet there are some interesting Pokémon inside.

[Yuri’s looking in on the place curiously, one hand on his hip. He doesn’t seem bothered at all by the creepy atmosphere.]

The place might be haunted. It doesn’t look like anyone’s been here for years.

[Without any further fanfare, he’ll just start heading inside. Are you coming along? Are you going to try to stop him? Some other third option?]

Comments

[semistableman]

Repede, huh? What's he like?

[fatalstrikes]

Some people like to call him a dog, but Repede is Repede. He's a tough fighter and a great companion. Doesn't judge you, doesn't get in your way... He's a good friend. I don't know where I'd be without him.

[He sounds very happy talking about Repede, though he does miss him, of course.]

[semistableman]

Sounds like a good companion to have.

A buddy of mine would get a kick out of that. He's told me about his coworkers I haven't met, and the ones I have are a weird bunch.

[fatalstrikes]

Oh yeah? What are they like?

[And Yuri will just... sit on the floor again. Story time!! There are chairs nearby if you want to use one of them like a normal person.]

[semistableman]

The ones I've met or the ones I've been told about?

[fatalstrikes]

Let's start with the ones you've met.

[semistableman]

Let's see, there's Natasha. She's like m-

[He cuts himself off, tries again.]

She knows how to fight. Good at it, too. Probably one of the best.

Then there's Wilson, and he's got this device that lets him fly, like he's got wings. There's Clint, and he's a good guy, but I haven't spoken to him much. And Wanda, she's a good kid-- doesn't have good control over her powers yet, but I'd rely on her in a crisis.

[fatalstrikes]

Powers? Is she some kinda mage?

[That's what it sounds like, anyway.]

[semistableman]

That might be your word for it?

[He frowns in thought.]

She can move things with her mind, but she's young, still getting used to it.

[fatalstrikes]

Huh. Never heard of a mage who could do that. They'd need a pretty powerful blastia for something like that.

[Probably. He doesn't really know much about magic.]

[semistableman]

Blastia?

Wilson's the only one of the group who uses machines.

[...He guesses that's what a Blastia is?]

Unless you count guns, I guess.

[fatalstrikes]

You don't have blastia where you're from? They're tools used to do... well, everything. Pumping water, providing light, keeping monsters out the cities... and the smaller ones allow people to use magic or strike artes.

[semistableman]

Huh.

[He moves to idly scratch the blue squirrel under its chin, even if it doesn't react at all.]

We don't have anything like that. I don't think so, anyway. I'm not up to date on the technology, to tell you the truth.

[fatalstrikes]

Huh. Didn't think there'd be anywhere out there that doesn't use blastia... You learn something new every day.

[He leans back on his hands, glancing down at the Riolu.]

Oh, hey, you finally ate it.

[Yep, the berry's gone and the Riolu looks up at his trainer blankly.]

Yeah, you're welcome.

[semistableman]

There's a lotta stuff I'm still getting used to things in the world. Like the Internet. 's really brought the world together, even if it's not all good.

[He watches the Riolu, looking tired.]

We'll help 'em. I don't know how, but I'm not going to give up on them.

[fatalstrikes]

[What's an internet... you know what, he's probably better off not knowing.]

This sorta thing really bothers you, huh? Well, I don't have any plans on letting 'em stay like this either.

[semistableman]

I used to be just like 'em.

Still would be, if it wasn't for Steve.

[fatalstrikes]

[That gets him to pause. He glances up after a moment.]

What happened?

[semistableman]

I was captured by some bad people, brainwashed. They have a machine capable of wiping away memories, your very self. I spent a long time being their weapon because of it.

Not of my own free will; I hate them. I'd never work for them willingly.

[fatalstrikes]

...Sorry to hear that.

[that's rough, buddy.]

I know a guy who went something kinda similar. It sounds tough. But at least your friend broke you away from it, yeah?

[semistableman]

[Look, there's a reason he's being vague about it.]

Yeah. I'm never going to be able to repay him.

[Especially since Steve went on to destroy a good handful of friendships, his career and identity to keep Bucky safe.

You know. No homo.]

[fatalstrikes]

So tell me about this guy. Steve, was it? What's he like?

[semistableman]

Painfully idealistic, always wanting to do the right thing. He's very good at seeing the best in people.

[fatalstrikes]

Heh, sounds familiar. I know someone who's a lot like that too. Always trying to do what's right, willing to change the system for it.

[He sounds fond, but there's something hard in his expression.]

[semistableman]

It's going to get him killed in the long run.

[At least, that's how Bucky feels about it.]