[video; filtered away from Falcon] I'M LOOKING FOR SOME BALLS...

[icequeen_aran]

[Normally Samus would be inclined to secrecy and mystery through either text or audio-only messages to the school's network; bounty hunter habits were hard to break and usually for good reason. However, this time she deemed it important to showcase her normalcy for what she was about to request, dry and unamused in delivery as usual;]

If I could get a headcount of who has and hasn't been afflicted with the latest outbreak of whatever strange and wonderful circumstance has befallen the school this week, I would be appreciative. I know it's probably been rough for a lot of you so far... but things like this in the past have never been permanent.

[I dearly hope that remains the case.]

Also...

[Samus squirms a little in her chair, uncomfortable. Been rough was putting it lightly... She has purposefully angled the camera so she and her cleavage the floor occupies the majority of the screen, though some of the background is viewable. Most of it is unassuming brick wall with scattered pieces of highly advanced, almost-alien looking technology along the periphery of the video. A sharp eye could determine she was not currently anywhere at the school.

...And that there was, very unknown to her, a golden feather lodged in her hair, easy to miss among her blonde strands.]

I'm-- [ASKING FOR HELP IS SO HARD] I need information on Pokecare. Of a Blaziken, specifically. And how Pokeballs work in the event of an emergency.

Comments

[reservedempath]

...Lack of badges?

[icequeen_aran]

[blink blink]

What?

[reservedempath]

I know this holds true for contest and league Pokémon, but if you lack the badge for the level of said Pokémon, he or she won't listen to you. At least, not until you've acquired that badge.

So I wondered if yours doesn't listen because you don't have enough badges.

[icequeen_aran]

[Why are Pokemon so needlessly complicated...]

I don't have any at all. I guess that explains something. [a little shrug]

[What disjointed information she has collected about Pokemon over the years is starting to come together into a whole picture now, however.]

That's what the gyms and gym leaders are for, right?

[reservedempath]

[She nods.]

That's right. Pokémon have movesets that fit along with their type. Usually. Sometimes you can have some abilities that seem simply additional or for convenience of the Pokémon. A Pokémon whose level is higher than that of its trainer's leadership ability, will refuse to execute said moves.

And as far as I know, in general will disobey. At least, that's how the story goes.

The different regions have a variety of gym leaders, and I'm aware we've had some here. I do believe Green is a gym leader as well. I'm not sure we have any others at the academy currently.

[icequeen_aran]

So acquisition of badges are simply a means of garnering respect.

[She raises a brow questioningly at that. ARE YOU TELLING HER... she could theoretically waltz up to Green, shake some badges out of him and Falcon will stop being a little shit?

That sounds entirely too easy.]

[reservedempath]

I'm not sure how trainers and gym leaders would explain it. I've never been used for the league or Indigo Plateau. I only know that the badges show as a mark of progression, just as contest ribbons do.

The more you have, the more capable a trainer you are. Although I couldn't tell you if there's another mechanic aside from respect for training Pokémon.

[icequeen_aran]

Badges and ribbons sound like safe bet either way.

I know Green's a gym leader. Giovanni used to be one too, right? Who else do you know of?

[reservedempath]

Miss Erika, the girl with shorter dark hair. She was a gym leader who I think was often around flowers. And there was the boy who was instructing the Pokémon breeding course: Brock.

I have known many trainers in my short days, but I've not known much in the way of gym leaders. Contests and the league do not cross pathways.

[icequeen_aran]

Contests...

[The idea of earning respect with Falcon through a contest was at first laughable but then again

F-Zero was essentially a giant racing contest.]

That was what was going on in Host Club last time, wasn't it? How do those work?

[reservedempath]

Back in Lilycove the contests go based off of movesets as well. Different kinds of moves have a different affect on either the audience or on your competition. Like some moves will make the Pokémon before you get nervous, which results in you looking better.

[Voile gives an idle shrug.]

It's all about strategy and timing. And there are contests that judge segments on a Pokémon's talent, whatever it might be. Some can sing. Some can dance. It definitely differs from Pokémon to Pokémon.

[icequeen_aran]

Interesting. I can see how easily that could become as much of a competitive sport as any other.

[Strategy and tactics in singing and dancing. It was almost absurd.]

[reservedempath]

It really is. A Pokémon entirely groomed for battling often won't understand the appeal of contests, and the same goes the opposite way. But I'm not groomed for battling, so I think I really only have one offensive move.

Contests are where I belong and where I feel most comfortable. It was why I wanted to bring a little of that here with the town's contest hall.