backdated to jelly 3 (video)

[blue_ice]

[ It's Kaiba. Somewhat unusually, he's in the greenhouse car, watching as a small apple...? Lizard? The friend-shaped creature (bottom right) is about the size of a cantaloupe and bravely crawling through the grass, the oversized apple bobbing up and down as she does so. ]

It's been a while. I have two quick announcements.

[ He scoops her up so the ICP can see her face. ]

The first is that this is Snapper. She's my Pokémon, not a fruit, and absolutely not edible. I'll make you pay if you try it.

[ Cough. He sets her in his lap, where she flops down to snooze almost immediately. ]

The second is that I've built wiring and circuitry practice kits with accompanying lesson plans. I made them for Orange, since we're usually stuck with the most repair work, but I thought I'd offer the training to everyone. I know there's probably not much time until the next mission, but even the basics are better than nothing if you're so inclined.

That's it. [ One last nod and he shuts it off. ]

Comments

action

[blitzcheer]

[ Nice tomato.

Alright, no, he won't say it. But Tidus is absolutely calling that thing a tomato in his head. Argues with himself if he wants to wants to go saying it out loud along the way, until he enters in the greenhouse car, and all its flourish.

And one Seto and a tomato thing. ]

Cute pet, Seto. [ There we go, how about that for a greeting. ] Those pokémon sure come in all shapes and sizes.

[ He's walking over to meet the guy, cheerful enough. ]

How you doing?

[blue_ice]

She's not a pet. She's a fierce and terrifying dragon who will rule the land someday.

[ Yeah, okay...it's clear from his tone that even he doesn't believe that. And then she undermines him by yawning cutely and stretching her little legs in his lap. ]

I've been making finishing touches on these lesson plans in between helping Yugi build a game. I just have to keep this one from running away with a part in her mouth. Not that she runs fast.

Does your friend give you trouble all the time?

[blitzcheer]

Mmmmhmmm.

[ The kind of agreeing hum that full of absolute belief and fear for this future ruler of worlds. Just don't mind the tight grin Tidus wears. ]

Gibbs? Nah, he's cool. Most of the time we play soccer together or I get him to help with fighting. He's got some watery moves he can pull off, or help me with. It was weird at first, but we make a good team!

[ ...well- ] The 'living in my heart' part's something I don't think about much.

[ For reasons. ]

[blue_ice]

[ That last comment has his eyebrows shooting into his hairline. ]

Wow. Those implications aside...sounds like you two are a good match. Snapper's too young for battle, but Eva tells me she'll be a tank someday, though she won't get much bigger.

[ Speaking of her, it's time to investigate a new person! She rolls a little clumsily into the grass, then blinks up at Tidus with a curious flick of her tail. Her eyes are big and cute, but she's good at the sharp and assessing stare, much like her trainer. ]

Video

[firewalled]

Aww, but who would even try to eat such a cutie patootie?

[Rich, you are an utter embarrassment. He gives a more wobbly smile after, though, the cooing over Snapper clearly an attempt to get himself in a better mood.]

I'd like to try practicing with a couple of those, if you don't mind.

[blue_ice]

I don't know, and I don't want to find out who would.

[ She's lifted her head to blink up at Rich, waving her tail lazily. ]

Mm. They should be detailed enough to self-teach if that's how you learn, or I can go through it with you. Just tell me when.

[firewalled]

[Rich smiles and gives her a little wave back. God, that's adorable. At the question, though, he shrugs.]

Well, whenever you're free, I guess? I don't have anything to do right now, but if that's too short notice, we can meet up tomorrow.

[Video]

[fashionably_strong]

She's adorable! I'll punch anyone who tries to eat people's Pokemon on this train.

[Not that she looks very intimidating, but the cheerfully stated threat is there all the same.]

[blue_ice]

We both appreciate it.

[ Snort. Snapper flicks her tongue curiously. So many people!

He opens his mouth to say something else, only half-paying attention because Snapper's trying to wander off---he gently herds her back. ]

I was going to say---do you know a Bulma?

[fashionably_strong]

Bulma is my mother. I know there's a pretty strong family resemblance.

[To put it mildly. She's been mistaken for her mother more than once.]

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin is in the Garden Car with his new harp that he picked up on platform day. He likes the acoustics of all the stone and water. ]

Hi there, Snapper! Don't worry, I won't try to eat your Pokémon. She's safe with me.

And thanks, Kaiba, for assembling the practice kits. If you need any help with the training, I'll gladly participate. My specialty, as you know, is more focused on electrical engineering, but I do know something of electronics.

[blue_ice]

Hah. No, I'd never suspect you.

[ He smiles a little as she lifts her head, investigating the new sound. ]

I'd like that. I'm not that busy these days, but the more people we can train the better.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin watches Snapper with interest. He isn't familiar with all that many Pokémons, just Eva's, but he's always happy to meet more. They are such interesting beings! ]

Good, then we'll plan on it. Do you have a preference as to a particular train carriage to use for an electronics lab?

video

[sos_pilot]

Is it just me, or has everybody been getting little monster pets lately?

video

[blue_ice]

Eva thinks I need a baby to keep me from thinking too much. Maybe she's right.

[ Snapper flicks her tail. Hello, new interesting being! ]

I'd get you one if I could, but hologram shows are about the best I can do. Maybe a robot if we ever have a surplus of parts.

Re: video

[sos_pilot]

Nah, I'm cool. To me, I've already got a train full of babies.

[ In other words, she's fully aware she's the team mom. ]

[Video]

[melodiouspacifist]

Uh, what's circuitry?

[ It's the worst case scenario Kaiba. He's on the orange team at that. ]

[Video]

[blue_ice]

The inner components of an electronic device. If you opened your SCA, you'd see some.

...don't do that, by the way. We're not fully confident in repairing them.

You can come see the practice board if you're curious.

[melodiouspacifist]

Wait, there's stuff inside this thing?

[ He shakes his wrist like that's going to do anything. ]

Isn't it magic?

[Video]

[goingthroughaphase]

I like your friend, she's adorable.

And I wouldn't mind having a couple lessons. I'm kinda self-taught with what I can see when I, uh...get inside circuitry, and I don't get to practice often, so having some official instructions would be great.

[Video]

[blue_ice]

[ Snapper cranes her neck to poke her snout at the screen. He has to lean around her. ]

Glad to hear it. The more coverage we have, the better. Just let me know when you're ready.

[Video]

[goingthroughaphase]

[ She giggles a little as Snapper crowds the screen. Man, she wants one. ]

Well, I'm not doing anything right now.

[radishlobbyist]

[ Honestly, the thing does look edible but... Wen Qing isn't tactless enough to say so. ]

Your new friend is very cute. I don't know how anyone could try to eat her.

[ And then on to what had actually caught her interest. ]

As for these practice kits, are they suited to people who have no experience with technology at all? I would like to learn new skills, not for this upcoming mission but in general.

[blue_ice]

She does resemble an apple if you're not paying attention...and considering the state I've found some of us in at times, it's a legitimate concern.

[ He nods. ]

Of course. I can get anyone up to a base level, but in your case it might be easier if I walk you through the first few lessons. Tech on this level isn't all that different from basic physics, so you might not be as out of your depth as you think you are.

[radishlobbyist]

Thank you, I would appreciate the instructions. [ She grimaces, somewhat chagrined. ] And I will need them, truth be told. My world is very far removed from the technology here, and while I have learned to use some devices, I know nothing about how they work.