015 // Video

[pipers_son]

[The video suddenly flickers onto a familiar pair of faces, both of them leaning close to another 'Gear. Considering the name registered to the video, it must be Joker's that's being used for filming and Jimmy's that the pair are using. The rest of the room is dark, just leaving the light from the Pokegear.]

[Joker is looking a bit jumpy, and the expression on his face is one of a man from 1880s who is not entirely sure if what he's looking at will steal his soul or not.]

I'm tellin' ya, they can't just bleedin' well teleport, and they wouldn't give us this camera thing if it was useless, would they? Go on, switch elsewhere then.

Alright, lesse…

[Jimmy lifts a hand to switch to a different camera, lingering only for a second or two on each one, giving them enough time to glance around to be sure nothing is really there. The gym floor, lockers, bathrooms...everything seems pretty empty, yet they could have sworn that they saw something a minute ago.]

I...I don’t see anything else, do you?

Somethin’ was off but bugger all if I could tell what it was.

[Joker makes a face before giving a helpless shrug.]

Hell with it, let’s put it down then, everythin’ seems in order this time.

[Jimmy looks back down at the screen, at the camera that is currently looking out over the entirety of the gym. He nods and moves to switch the camera off…

When suddenly, the view of the screen is filled with the limp body of what appears to be a Frillish, shining a strange hue of gold in the darkness. It’s lying up against the wall, staring back at them with dead, hollow eyes. And Jimmy’s reaction, naturally, is to nearly drop the Gear entirely as he chokes back a strangled scream.]

W-what is that!?

[Joker’s reaction is a lot less verbal and lot more punching Jimmy’s Pokegear right in the keyboard, making it clatter back onto the desk they’re seated at. There’s a muffled swear under his voice as he quickly grabs it back.]

Aw ‘ell, switched it back ta the cameras- wait, where’d the bloody thing go?!
[Because yep, that sure is an empty video game office and no creepy Golden Florence Frillish about! Joker’s expression has changed from ‘unsure if going to steal my soul’ to ‘DEFINITELY going to steal my soul, well dammit’.]

I- I don’t know!

[This game is suddenly a lot less fun as opposed to outright terrifying because where the heck did it go. Not to mention the fact that the lights near the doors are still flickering every so often, and Jimmy’s almost certain that at any minute something is going to come charging through.]

We only got an hour left and like...15% power or something. Do you think we can make it not watching the cameras?

I think we should-

[And that’s when something seems to enter the room causing Jimmy to fall out of his chair with a yelp and Joker to swear- louder this time- and throw the ‘gear somewhere. Whoever is filming this ridiculous scene seems to be having a hard time not laughing as they change it to show three Pokemon standing in the doorway- a Vulpix, a Houndoom, and a Bunnelby.]

Comments

[pipers_son]

Oh, that thing actually moves, eh?

[islandshore]

Yeah, after the first few nights. Worst part is, it likes to hide in the shadows, and the only way you can tell it's coming is when you hear this creepy laughter.

[pipers_son]

Charmin'. So guess a sharp ear is yer best friend, then, eh?

[islandshore]

Yep. Problem with that is that you risk blowing your eardrums if you mess up.

I dunno. Maybe you're making the right move by calling it quits. It's just so addicting.

[pipers_son]

Well, I do like ta know that I have a sense a self preservation an' all.

Maybe we'll pick it up when our hearts have stopped beatin' so hard. This was Jims' idea, and he might still be interested and all.

[islandshore]

Depends on if he can stomach a few more hours of panic-inducing gameplay. Having to toggle between doors and cameras and keep the power up is a tough gig.

I'm just glad it's not in real time. Can you imagine sitting there for six hours per night?

[pipers_son]

Well, with all the work I do? Ha!

[islandshore]

Hey, at least the circus isn't haunted by bloodthirsty Pokémon that leap outta the shadows. Might make for a good Halloween show, but as a full-time gig? No thank you.

[pipers_son]

Ya don't think there's somethin' like this actually out there, do ya?

[He normally wouldn't ask it if he was back in London, but this is Pokemon. He's seen what the hell is up with Ghost types, SO...]

[islandshore]

[An eerie smile spreads across Riku's lips, and he speaks in a low, spooky voice:]

To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey’s shadow and silently waits for an opportunity.

[...]

Haunter is a dangerous Pokémon. If one beckons you while floating in darkness, you must never approach it. This Pokémon will try to lick you with its tongue and steal your life away. Its tongue is made of gas. If licked, its victim starts shaking constantly until death eventually comes.

[pipers_son]

...Riku? Anyone ever tell ya yer a cruel little bugger?

[islandshore]

Hey, it's close to Halloween. I'm just trying to get into the holiday spirit.

[And yet his voice is totally unapologetic. That reaction alone was totally worth it.]

[pipers_son]

Yeah? Cuz I think ya would do this, Hallow's Eve or not.