001. video; un: cendre

[holocast]

[The video opens on someone who...well, is rather clearly used to using devices such as these to address people. Cleanly centered and well-grounded, focused easily on the man sitting at the table in what looks like one of the nicer apartments available. Not as upscale as his tastes would like, but sufficient for the time being.

His accent is unmistakably French, and his words are easy when he speaks; another thing he seems practiced at.]

Fellow Moonblessed – hopefully this message finds you well, despite all the chaos currently occurring throughout Lunatia. I am Lysandre, a recent arrival from the Kalos region of the world I'm from; more to the point, I'm a scientist and inventor. I specialize in communications technology, mainly, but with regards to other disciplines... Let's say I learn quickly.

The level of technology here is slightly beyond my own world's, but I've been acquainting myself with it since my arrival; I'm interested in speaking to those who have been doing similarly.

I'm also a Pokémon trainer, though I understand that's a bit more uncommon in this place – Pokémon are our dearest companions, and as such something has struck me as odd about the creatures populating this place. Some of them seem intelligent, but the others...

[He gestures a little, vaguely, both to imply the all of that that he finds the others to be, as well as to serve as a placeholder while he figures out what he wants to say.]

They seem a little simple, and strange behind the eyes. Are all of them like that?

[...Lysandre.]

Either way... Thank you for your time, and remain well.

Comments

[holocast]

[...o...kay, that is a thing that happened and honestly, he seems grateful for it; he relaxes rather easily once he gets over the immediate sense of whiplash, and he's at least able to resume working on it.]

It's coming along well enough that I think I have it in me to forgive you. It's been a while since I've last worked on anything in front of you, I'm fairly sure, so I'm still getting reacquainted with doing this with an audience.

[sycamour]

[Sycamore similarly relaxes once he sees that the topic change worked; if anything, it feels like a weight has lifted off his shoulders. They're far too good at disappearing into lighthearted topics when things get difficult.

...although this time, admittedly, he feels they've earned it.]

At least you know I can't sit here and point out how you're doing it wrong? I barely understand the technology as it is.

[Honestly, it's incredibly impressive.]

Besides, I like watching you work. There's something calming about how easy you make it look. Plus, it's all the more exciting when I know the work is for me. Like a present!

[holocast]

If I'm making it look easy, then I really am doing my job properly.

[Like, god forbid this actually look difficult.]

Don't be surprised if I want to do things to it again later; the technology in this world is fascinating, I'm sure there's plenty I can pick up from it.

[sycamour]

I will happily be your test subject. You only have to ask.

[He knows what you're like; by the time you've finished with the thing, it'll probably be able to predict which moonblessing transformation he's got coming up.

...

...that would admittedly be a very handy app to have, wink wink.]

On the condition that you let me watch you do it, of course.

[holocast]

I wouldn't mind that.

[He's quiet for a moment once that's out there, though. Not seeming upset, just...considering things, really.]

I do want to continue spending time with you, you know. It's not as though I'm angry with you, or upset with you in any way.

[That much is true, even though he can certainly see where he may have seemed it both times they've spoken.]

[sycamour]

[...ah. Well, that makes Sycamore similarly grow quiet, content to watch Lysandre's hands while he thinks.]

...I know you aren't. We're both trying our best with what is...rather difficult material.

[To put it mildly.]

I'm just glad you want to spend time with me, Lysandre. We can tackle everything that's happened in small doses, when we feel up to it.

It should go without saying that I'm available whenever you'd like me to be.

[holocast]

Yes, of course.

[He does know that, for what it's worth. ...That said, hm.]

I don't suppose you'd mind if I asked you something, however. Nothing immediately pressing, just something I'm curious about.

[sycamour]

Of course! No need to ask for permission; I'm an open book.

[Ask away! The continued distraction is...nice.]

[holocast]

I met a man named Yashiro over the network today. He's an interesting person.

What did you tell him about me.

[sycamour]

[...

the book just closed.]

Yashiro?

[Oh god, of all the people-]

Why, what did he say?

[WHAT DID YOU SAY, YASHIRO??]

[holocast]

[...]

How much did you tell him...

[sycamour]

[...

...alright, think. This has to be one of two things; either the fact that he told Yashiro about Lysandre leading Team Flare, or....or...

(please don't be the Iris stuff please don't be the Iris stuff-)]

About...what? You, I'm assuming, but...what context?

[holocast]

I'm finding the fact that you're avoiding the topic to be somewhat concerning, you know.

He said you told him about the two of us being in the same line of work, and given the rest of the conversation I'm a little surprised he had that much tact about it.

[Yashiro is fucking delightful? He's fucking delightful.]

[sycamour]

[Oh thank Arceus, it's just the crime!

...

...which is...really not a sentence he thought he would be thinking today, but today has been...a lot.]

...ah. Yashiro is a criminal leader in his home world, if that's what you're asking.

[Please do not ask him how he keeps making friends with crime lords, it's a sensitive subject-]

I told him that one of my close friends was also the leader of a criminal gang, but nothing more than that. To be fair, this was before you had arrived.

[Back when, you know. You were still kind of dead.]

[holocast]

[He's still kind of dead, just not...here, and that is accounting for like 95% of all of his problems.]

I see. Well, I did tell him not to yell about it in front of everyone and he seemed content to let it go, but it was also made clear that I knew what he was talking about.

As I said, he's an interesting person. ...He also implied that you would rather like to talk to me, but said it looked like we were handling that on our own.

[sycamour]

He's a very interesting person. I'm quite fond of him, and I'm thrilled to hear the two of you are getting along. Ask him about his bodyguard sometime.

[And be prepared for all the juicy details.

...which are the best part, if he's being honest. Speaking...of which...]

And why wouldn't I want to talk to you, mon ami?

[Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary, here!]

[holocast]

Fair enough, I'm just not certain why he would have been told that.

[like???]

[sycamour]

[why can't you just focus on his goddamn watch again-]

Well, I...I'd mentioned you to him before you arrived, and then after we'd spoken, with the dragons, I messaged him to let him know you were here. It was also to update him on some experiments-

[-oh GOD NO NO NO WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THOSE EXPERIMENTS, QUICK, TOPIC SWERVE-]

-and you know, just to say hello! Is there a reason you're so curious?

[holocast]

I would think it natural to be curious when greeted by someone you don't know, informing you that they've heard a lot about you.

[LIKE???

...don't worry, he's still working on the damn watch.]

Besides, you seem flustered over nothing, and that's interesting to me.

[sycamour]

I'm not flustered!

[He said, flusteredly-]

I...alright, I'm a bit flustered. Yashiro and I tend to talk rather openly about the...sexual side of Lunatia, so perhaps I'm just projecting. He was curious about you because I sang your praises to him, mon ami, that's all.

[That is it! That is all. Nothing else to be said, because nothing else was said. Done.]

Speaking of which; if you have any questions about the moonblessings, I'm happy to answer them.

[holocast]

...We had a discussion about all of that as well. He seems rather enthusiastic about it.

[To. Put it gently.]

As it stands, I'm...somewhat intrigued by the whole thing, to be honest, but as it stands a good amount has yet to be confirmed for me. I'll see what happens, whenever it hits me.

[sycamour]

...'enthusiastic' is a good way to put it.

[He is living his best Lunatia life and no-one can stop him. Honestly, it's inspiring.]

I may be being presumptuous, but I think you'll be Sanguis. It's coming soon, so just...be ready for it. You may find yourself feeling more aggressive than usual.

[holocast]

So I've heard. I'm sure I'll manage, either way...

[This is going to suck!

That said, he seems to have sorted out what he was doing before, and he'll start on closing up the watch again.]

I'm going to want you to test this before you leave, obviously, just to make sure everything is in working order.

[sycamour]

...you know you can always call me if you're struggling.

[Even though if you are struggling, he knows you won't call him, but...that's a discussion for another day.

...and ooh his watch is ready, how exciting!

(far more exciting than trying to dodge the fact that he's told Yashiro...a lot, about you.)]

All the more reason for us to test the Holocaster, really. I'll want to know everything is working properly, so I don't miss your call.

[holocast]

Of course, Augustine.

[In response to both the notion that he can call, and the fact that testing it is a sound idea all around. He isn't going to call if there's an issue, but he does know the offer is there.

Also, have your watch.]

Hopefully it's to your liking.