strideways | > Dave: Be the pied piper.

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> Dave: Be the pied piper.

[ Oh, look! A blurry thumb! The 'Gear is fumbled for a moment — looks like someone's having trouble holding onto it, or aiming it the right direction, at any rate.

When the camera steadies, the cameraman finally comes into view.

It's a bird! No, it's a... bunch of birds! It's... a really bad scarecrow?

Actually, it's Dave Strider. Guess who left his bird swag on?

Dave is almost literally covered in Murkrows. They're clinging to his clothes, perched all over his arms and his head and shoulders, sitting on his feet.... One of them, nestled in beneath his jaw on the right side, as cloooose as she can get, is wearing an orange ribbon around her neck. She looks like she's sulking. ]

Caught one of those dog Pokémon lurking around — Houndour, I guess. They're Fire- and Dark-type.

[ He's apparently determined to pretend the crows aren't even fucking there, because when one of them pecks at the 'Gear, he just moves it aside slightly and continues in the same tone of voice. ]

Was battling with my Gyarados, but I actually had to break out Tock to knock out a couple of them before I found one that wasn't level Fuck You, Strider. We're probably lucky they're not aggressive.

[ The ribboned Murkrow on his shoulder suddenly puffs herself up and lashes out at her neighbour, scattering a few crows for all of twenty seconds. They settle back down, with Dave's Murkrow looking unhappier than ever.

A few crows are lifted in front of the camera as he raises his left arm. If you're watching closely, he reaches up to scratch lightly at his Murkrow's talon. ]

And I'm pretty sure I saw a Gengar earlier. Those weren't around here before.

[ This is effectively a query: anyone know what's going on?

Before he can actually ask, though (if he was even going to), a bird on his left shoulder makes a grab for his shades. Dave jerks his head away, and his own Murkrow snatches at the sunglasses from the opposite side.

The 'Gear clatters to the ground, landing faceup and with an excellent, if fleeting, view of a crow flying off, an orange ribbon around her neck and a pair of sunglasses in one claw. A moment later, a hand covers the camera completely, and the feed shuts off. ]

[ Feel free to approach; he's near the north edge of Goldenrod. Just don't expect him to be very friendly — or look you in the eye. ]

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Well don't you look like you're enjoying yourself?

[[Strolling up behind the mass of Murkrows, Rose can't decide if she should feel sorry for Dave or laugh.]]

And to think, I was just going out to train my pack of cats. Would you care for some assistance from them? I'm sure you look like heaven to their little feline eyes right now.

Edited 2011-06-14 03:30 (UTC)

[ Dave glances over his shoulder, now re-equipped with a pair of shades that aren't his. He rolls his eyes behind them. ]

You sure your cats would come out on the winning end?

Not positive, no. Depends on the levels.

[[Dave, she's calling out a few Pokemon. Meet a glaring Skitty and a Glameow that instantly skitters up her leg and hides in her hair.]]

And then, of course, there is always Guile and Karkitty here.

[[Here she indicates to the two Pokemon that were already out. The Espeon he met previously, and a Purugly, both sitting by her feet now.]]

Would you like me to try?

Edited 2011-06-14 04:51 (UTC)

[ Dave eyes the cats for a moment before — awkwardly, thanks to his hangers-on — folding his arms. ]

Yeah, sure, but if I get mauled, you're patching me up and buying me lunch.

It'll be worth it.

[[With that, she gives the four a go ahead, and wouldn't you know it? They certainly are.

...well, three of them at least. Nartac, the Glameow, is not budging. Actually, he is retreating into the hood of her jacket.

There are swipes from the Purugly, psychic attacks from the Espeon, and angry biting from the Skitty (who doesn't really seem to be aiming at anything in particular, so don't be surprised if you get a few nips on your ankles, Dave).

How's it working on those Murkrows?]]

[ Dave stands his ground admirably under the dual assault of birds and felines. His pokerface remains intact, in fact. The only sign that he's even aware anything's going on is the occasional subtle wince when he's grazed by talon or teeth.

The Murkrows stir up a fuss when the cats come running, most of them launching off of Dave and flapping up into the air. Some of them flee altogether, unwilling to take on the challenge, even for the reward of Dave's swag. Perhaps some of them have had enough.

Others, however, just double back and dive at the assailants. Of these, the majority are easily discouraged once someone gets their teeth or claws into them. A few higher-level birds try some strong Dark attacks, which prove trouble for the poor Espeon. ]

[[Okay, this was more than she had been expecting, especially considering she hadn't factored in dark attacks. While they keep up admirably, she sends out her last two - that being Prick the Quagsire (who is wearing an awfully familiar looking pair of shades) and Tick the Noctowl.]]

Dave, can't you turn off your bird magnet for merely a few moments? Honestly. This is ridiculous.

[[Sending the last two out, Tick taking advantage of Hypnosis and Prick being a chill Pokebro and taking these things on one at a time, she can't help but wonder how he made it through the forest outside Cherrygrove without attracting Hoothoots.

Or maybe that is just an incident he wouldn't want to talk about.]]

Edited 2011-06-14 06:00 (UTC)

[ He unfolds his arms to hold them out, as if to say 'what do you expect me to do?' (Or maybe just 'come at me, bro.')

As the new arrivals join the fray, the remaining handful of birds begin to falter — a couple of them are put to sleep, and land on the ground in small heaps of feathers. The last few seem to rethink their strategy and take their leave of the whole mess, winging up and away.

Dave and Rose are left with only the few that are now asleep, scattered on the ground. ]

... Not bad.

Thank you.

[[Tick takes her place perched onto Rose's head, while Dave now finds himself being inspected by Karkitty (who promptly turns his nose up and goes to sit by Guile), the Skitty (who takes to biting and tugging on his pantleg impatiently) and Prick (who doesn't outwardly show any interest, simply looking on behind his shades.)]]

I had forgotten those were Dark types.

[ Dave glances down at the Skitty skeptically. Attempting contact could prove painful, but he's already a little scratched up, and he'd honestly rather bandage his hand than try to repair his pants. He reaches down slowly as he speaks. ]

Yeah, I kinda thought you had when you sent Guile at them.

She held up well though, despite.

[[The Skitty stops it's attempts at his pants, watching his hand warily.

Rose, meanwhile, has retrieved a few potions from her bag and is tending her Pokemon.]]

She bites. Be careful.

Yeah, my ankles learned that lesson already.

[ He pauses, his hand hovering just barely within biting distance, and addresses the Skitty. ]

What? If you're feeling froggy, jump. I dare you.

[[There's no reply from the Skitty vocally, but she crouches a little, wiggles her tails, and leaps up. Yes, she is going to try and bite your hand, Dave. You gave her invitation.]]

Must I still purchase you lunch if you allow her to injure you, or do those injuries not count as they are sustained from your own apparent masochism?

[ He lets his hand be caught, and uses it to pin the cat to the ground on her back. Feline secured, he looks up at Rose, touching a scratch on his cheek with his free hand. ]

No, but you are patching me up.

[[Wiggle wiggle! That little kitty is obviously not happy with this predicament. Just going to chew and gnaw on your hand more now.]]

I already had planned on that, so no worries. Though I will have to invite you back to my room to be able to. Unlike I do with Pokemon, I do not normally carry first aid for humans on me whilst waltzing about the city.

[ Dave grimaces at the Skitty, wincing slightly. ]

You brought this on yourself, little girl. Quit fucking with Striders; it's bad for your health.

[ He releases her, shoving her away in the process, and examines the damage to his hand briefly. ]

The blind guy gonna be there?

[[The Skitty swipes at him once before running over to Rose. Who promptly receives a bite as well when she tries to tend the few wounds she received from the Murkrow incident too. With a snort and a frown, she recalls the cat, rubbing her wrist.]]

Yes, I suppose he will. I'm not quite sure what he does during the day, or if he leaves often. Perhaps it would be better at your room? Do you have proper medical supplies?

[ Dave considers this. Does he? Yes. There's a first-aid kit in the room; he used it to clean John up after his Umbreon encounter. But what the fuck did he do with it after that?

... ]

Uh, no, probably not my room. I've got no fucking clue where the first-aid kit is.

[[Pause.]]

...Why do you not know where the first aid kit is?

[[Facepalm.]]

Well, in that case, I'm also capable of purchasing you another one. It might be good for you to have a back up. But it's your choice, whichever is more comfortable for you.

I don't remember where I put it.

[ Shrug. He's not even sure why she's surprised by this. ]

Guess another first-aid kit wouldn't hurt. It'll give me something else to lose, anyway.

[[...of course. She isn't surprised now. Returning Prick to his Pokeball and picking up her bag, she lets the Noctowl and Glameow situate themselves on her head and shoulders before motioning Dave to follow.]]

To the Department Store then, I suppose. Is there anything else you've lost that needs replacing, while we're here?

[ Dave spares a glance over his shoulder at the murder in the sky before he follows behind his sister. The bird will come back. ]

Hah. Besides my shades? Not really. I'll get those back later, anyway.

Thinking about buying something for Captain Ampora, though. [ His voice gets deliberately breathy on the troll's name, and he feigns a little swoon. ] Any ideas?

Oh, those aren't simply a new fashion statement of yours? Those are temporary sha--Ugh.

[[If her disdain for him wasn't obvious in her voice, the heavy set glower should be enough evidence of that.]]

And just why would you want to purchase anything for that...vainglorious pompous buffoon?

[ He snorts. Yeah, he'd known she didn't like him, but she really doesn't like him, does she? ]

Trolling 101, sis. I took him on a date the other day; got the kid hooked on the Striderismo. Now it's time to reel him in nice and slow.

[[No, no she doesn't. Sometimes she wishes she could string him up by his cape, gather up all the little kids in Johto, and convince them that he's a pinata full of candy.

She'd even dump candy out a window every time they whacked him with a stick to keep the magic alive.

The mention of trolling, however, brings a smirk to her face.]]

That's no surprise, with how desperate he is. You didn't even have to try, did you? Hmm, what to get for the floundering ignoramus...

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