003 // Video

[pipers_son]

Nah, it's tied on well enough, don't you worry.

[Excuse Joker. He was going to start things right off, but he's currently busy gently shooing away what looks to be a couple of vines. If you guess "grass type Pokemon", you're right... Although the shy thing won't be making an appearance on screen. Joker reaches up to pat at what the vines had been fiddling with- a very thick knitted scarf, some faint yellow color. It's obviously been handmade, and well worn.]

[He finally smiles to the camera.]

Well, that was a surprise! There was a lad worried about Santa's reindeer, wasn't there? I'll be glad ta let ya know that apparently when you try to catch one of them, ya get a gift instead! Clever man, our good Saint Nick is. Very practical too! With this weather, a scarf will be put ta good use.

[There's positively no mention that this was his before it appeared in a little wrapped box, or that the last time he was handling it, it was to give to someone else. Joker prefers to keep his personal life quiet.]

Hope you've all had a very Merry Christmas! But I've been meanin' ta ask something of ya for a while now.

I heard a little while ago that an ol' friend of mine was here but then he left. Just wonderin' if ya knew him! His name's Snake- pale hair, green eyes, a bit of scales on his skin... Had snake Pokemon with him, no doubt.

That's all! Let's hope Christmas night wraps up nicely, eh? And Suit- a word if ya have the time?

[He gives a little wave to the camera and once again lightly touches his scarf before he reaches over to turn the 'Gear off.]

Comments

[lamortenoir]

[ That's his bedroom name. ]

It isn't kindness. There just simply are no rules that state we aren't allowed to disclose this information.

[ Aristotle doesn't appreciate being jostled from his spot though so have a pidove squinting at you. He doesn't do anything about it though as he's perfectly warm ruffled up against William's shoulder. He takes the time to pet the bird though, trying to calm it. ]

We are only prohibited from informing the living of their appointed time, nothing more.

[pipers_son]

[Oh my~. Does Grell know?]

Even if there's no rules, that still doesn't mean ya had ta tell me.

[Such a stiff guy! Joker supposes he really doesn't have any sense of humor at all. Such tragedy.]

Well, that's all I wanted ta know, really. Since I don't have any place better ta be, care to get a drink while Christmas ends, Suit?

[lamortenoir]

[ Of course not! And gosh stop making him sound so nice. If his associates hear of this, they'll start thinking they can slack off.

There's a pause as he exhales once. ]


...I suppose it can't be helped. Would you know of somewhere?

[pipers_son]

[Joker will do his very best not to absolutely trash Will's strict reputation. He also makes no promises.]

"Can't be helped"? Ya could always refuse. [He might still bug you, but hey, that's a risk you'd have to take, Will.] Well, I'm fairly certain that's a place still open, but it might be crowded considerin' things. Could always go ta my place in the hotel. I was plannin' ta just drink by myself with my friends here, but a couple more won't put much of a dent in that plan.

[lamortenoir]

[ Sob.

But he says nothing about that statement. His pidove though looks a little less raptorlike and more agreeable with the idea. ]


Very well. Lead the way, if you please.

[pipers_son]

[The Pidove seems easier to work with than William, so Joker will take this as a victory.]

Just follow me then. Ah, hold on- [He gives a whistle, and the Furret comes racing over. It drapes itself over Joker's shoulders, looking obnoxiously pleased. Joker doesn't seem to much mind the snow.] There we go, everyone's all together then. C'mon.

[He starts to trot through the town, a bit of a brighter colored figure than his new friend here. He makes sure to keep his Ponyta between the both of them- enjoy that bit of heat, William.]

Got any plans while yer stayin' in town?

[lamortenoir]

[ Okay he has to admit, the fire horse is a little welcoming. Don't mind him inching a bit closer. Aristotle, if anything, is more welcoming than his owner. ]

Not at the moment. I had heard of the gym but Aristotle isn't quite ready. And you? Made a permanent residence of this town?

[pipers_son]

Well, we might give it a go sometime soon ourselves. I'd like ta ask that Falkner a few questions besides.

[The question he gets asked in return actually makes Joker chuckle.]

No, far from it. Just stayin' in an inn, although I've heard there's places available. Just wanna get the badge and get ta Goldenrod. Have plans for when I make it there.

[lamortenoir]

[ There's a pause and a raised brow. What? What's so funny? But he won't question it.

Goodness you kind of remind him of someone back home. ]

Perhaps when I've trained Aristotle a bit more, we might attempt the gym.

[ Another pause to adjust his glasses. ]

It seems everyone flocks to Goldenrod one way or another.

[pipers_son]

Wouldn't mind helpin' ya out a bit in that regard. Might help them out a bit, too. [A nod to his group, who all seem quite happy and lazy on the Ponyta's warm back.] Never really fought against a group that had a person with 'em.

[Joker gives a lazy shrug, finally reaching the inn he's staying at. He'll hold the door open, but, sorry Will, it's more for his Pokemon than you.]

Heard it's quite the big city. Not surprisin' that people want ta go there more than anythin'.

[lamortenoir]

[ Already he's checking out what Joker's got -- and by that, meaning he's sizing up his team. He doesn't have much himself. Just his pidove. ]

That can be arranged. Perhaps when the weather is more favourable.

[ Aristotle is going to just settle himself on the ponyta's back now. That spot's warmer than his trainer's shoulder. ]

It certainly doesn't surprise me. Those aiming to make a place for themselves, perhaps start a business.. the city would be a good start.

[pipers_son]

[Well, there's... a lot of fluff. His Furret, his Luxio, the Zorua... They all look fairly unassuming for now. Still, it's almost a full team, so that's something.]

Could always do it inside that tower, too, don't think they'd much mind. [Joker digs through is pocket, getting his keys out as he walks through the lobby and down a particular hallways.]

That's my plan too. Started a circus once, figure I might be able ta do it again, right? [He glances back to Will with a grin.] Don't suppose you'd care to join again?

[lamortenoir]

The locals seem to hold some sort of reverence toward the tower. One can't help but wonder why.

[ He takes a moment to look up at the tower. That frown on his brow seems to say "What IS that thing?" but he turns his attention back ahead at the mention of the Circus plan. ]

There simply isn't any further need to but I wish you luck all the same. Perhaps it would do well to raise the morale of those who have been here long enough.

[pipers_son]

[Dismissive handwave.] Some sorta religious thing, probably. [That's Joker's guess, anyway.]

Most of 'em seem to be dealin' pretty well here, actually! Guess I'm not the only one not particularly concerned with gettin' home.

[lamortenoir]

Perhaps.

[ If he's talking about the tower or Joker's statement, it really isn't clear. But he follows behind in relative silence. ]

And just how long have you been here, if I may ask...?

[pipers_son]

Hm, a bit more than a month. Admittedly been spending most of it here, seems like..

[He finally reaches his room, unlocking the door with his key. As a hotel room, it's a bit uniform but there's spatterings of Joker's presence here and there. Perhaps a bit noticeable is the Meganium on his bed. She looks up a bit awkwardly at the sight of William.]

We're back, Haru~. No worries about our friend here, none at all.

[Hopefully the Pidove is in for a bit of a ride, because the Ponyta bolts in once the door is open wide enough. The entire team scatters, including the Furret on Joker's shoulders. Hey, Pidove, hey, you're going to be having a giant ferret thing trying to cuddle and sniff at you a bunch.]

[lamortenoir]

You arrived before I did.

[ It's an observation, not a question. Though he seems a little odd for entering someone's hotel room (much less another man's hotel room for Death's sake) he'll still be polite. There's a nod to the Meganium as he steps in.

Aristotle, however, isn't quite as congenial. He was almost close to falling asleep when the sudden movement jostles him awake and he's left to flap back to his trainer's shoulder. ]

It seems you've made quite a home of this place.

[pipers_son]

[Nooooo, bird friend! The Furret is now pawing at William's legs, looking up with wide eyes. Let him love you.]

[Joker just laughs again, settling down onto the bed to stroke along the Meganium's long neck.]

Really? Suppose I'm just used ta makin' myself at home in a jiffy. Feel free ta make yourself comfortable.

[lamortenoir]

[ He glances at the furret a moment, hand reaching up to smooth down Aristotle's ruffled feathers. ]

Pardon my intrusion.

[ Sitting on the bed? That's awkward too. So he'll just look for a chair or a couch to crash on if it's all the same. ]

I suppose that comes with a measure of your adaptability.

[pipers_son]

Mhm. All that travelin' gets to ya.

[Fortunately, there is a spare chair and none of the Pokemon have taken over it yet.]

Don't ya travel, Suit? Think ya would with all yer kinda work.

[lamortenoir]

[ And consider that chair occupied. ]

We have our ways of travel that don't take as much time as conventional forms of travel. Unlike the others, I don't usually take the time to settle in. There's far too much work to be done.

[ Unlike the time he actually had to with the circus, of course. That one took longer than necessary. ]

[pipers_son]

[William can thus consider his lap occupied. That sure is a determined Furret...]

Have ta stay busy, huh? I suppose I was the same, but at least I had fun with most a what I did.

[Mostly the actual circus parts. The kidnapping small children part was... less fun.]

[lamortenoir]

[ Oh, fine. He'll let the furret settle down. It helps with the warmth, after all. ]

Of course.

[ Glancing out the window now, the slightest furrow on his brow. ]

I suppose you've wondered if you'll ever see the rest of your companions again.

[pipers_son]

[Joker's smile seems to get just a little bit thinner, and he gives a shrug.]

Well, I'm here, ain't I? Who knows what could happen.

[lamortenoir]

It seems anything can happen in this world, given the absurdity of the circumstances.

[ Oh look, his hand is absently petting at the furret. ]