011 [ audio / action for Otacon ]

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake had missed Tenten's birthday, but then again, he wasn't much of a birthday kind of guy anyway. What was a lot more important to him was the fact that Otacon was finally in Mahogany... It felt a bit weird to see him. He wasn't sure if he was entirely over what happened a few years ago in this place, but it wasn't fair to blame this Otacon for that stuff.

What Snake didn't know was that his Bloober had gucked up the PokeGear, which made it nearly impossible to turn it off once it was on video, so it was either always video-recording, or always audio-recording. The best way to stop it was to muffle it under a bunch of things.

For now, Snake is standing just outside a cafe, avoiding the rain overhead, smoking a cigarette. Otacon was nearby... Snake had plans to give him Asimov, but he didn't want to disappoint the Ampharos. It would probably feel sad about it all. For the moment, the old soldier holds up his Pokegear and speaks into it. ]

Anyone have any recommendations for cleaning out a PokeGear that's been infused with Bloober goo? It's really nasty... I'm not sure how to go about cleaning it without just tossing it in a river. Any input would be appreciated, as long as it's not stupid.

[ Because Snake is really the best judge of that. And then he remembers something. ]

Sorry for missing your party, Tenten. Maybe next time.

Comments

action;

[otakon_geek]

[Otacon had enjoyed walking about Mahogany and exploring, as he often did. He desperately wanted to meet up with Snake, after taking Piplup to the Pokémon Centre for a check-up. His Pokémon had shown signs of a stomach upset, but it had been nothing but Piplup eating too many berries. Otacon was at least relieved there was nothing seriously wrong with Piplup.

The engineer had his PokeGear close at hand if he needed to contact Snake. He knew he was within the city but wasn't exactly sure where, as the city was quite big. Much bigger than New Bark Town, which was to be expected. He made his way towards a café, shielding his head with his free hands. Piplup was sitting tightly on Otacon's shoulder, enjoying the fresh rain. He always did like rain.

Otacon wiped his glasses and then saw a smoke trail disappear into the sky outside the café. Who else would smoke like that? He smiled to himself as he turned the corner and saw his old friend. He immediately smiled broadly, as he walked up to Snake.]

Snake! Oh, it's good to see you at last. How are you? [He couldn't help but hug the old guy. He had missed him.]

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake isn't much of a huggy guy, unless the situation really calls for it. It had been a while since he'd seen Otacon, but... instead of taking the hug, he backs away from it, instead going for a handshake. It was nothing personal... Though, maybe it was... for a different Otacon. ]

Not bad. This rain's keeping me from getting any real training done... [ He exhales some smoke away from Otacon, and he notices the Piplup on his friend's shoulder. ] Looks like you two are getting along really well.

[otakon_geek]

[Otacon would have been surprised if Snake actually reciprocated and offered him a hug back. He couldn't help it though. He wanted to see his soldier friend and buddy.]

Yeah, the rain isn't great. Does it rain a lot here in Mahogany? [The engineer ran a hand through his unkempt hair.]

Oh, Piplup? Yeah, he's really taken to me. [He looked across as the little, blue penguin, who was now puffing his chest out to Snake.]

[imthe_shit]

Depends on the weather, I guess. Springtime usually gets a lot of rain.

[ Snake shrugs his shoulders. ] The weather can have an effect on your Pokemon in battles, too. If it's raining, water types will do better... at least, that was my experience. Fire types like hot weather more... [ Snake smirks. ] Summer's hell on my body as usual, same with winter.

[otakon_geek]

[Otacon nodded and found the whole talk about weather effecting different Pokémon to be very interesting. If anyone could teach him about Pokémon it would be Snake.]

So, the whole Pokémon world is based around the elements? Interesting. I wonder what happens if different types of weather occur during a battle. As in wind and rain together. What outcomes will eventually present themselves. [Piplup looked rather bored, as Otacon delved into the science part again.]

You're always too tough on yourself, Snake. Try and stay out of the elements when you're feeling down, ok? You don't want to make your condition...any worse, ok?

[imthe_shit]

My condition's only going to get worse, Otacon. I'm an old man. There's only one way to go from there... No fountain of youth for me.

[ He smirks anyway. ]

Besides... This place is pretty nice. Kind of like a vacation.

[otakon_geek]

Yeah, I know. You're not an old man really, you just look old, which isn't your fault. Your spirit is still strong and you've got life left in you yet, Snake. [He gave Snake a pat on the shoulder and a smile.]

A vacation is nice now and again. Especially with Pokémon.

[imthe_shit]

When you say that, you sound like you're advertising a video game... [ He gives a bit of a chuckle, and then he takes out a Pokeball. He opens it up out of the rain, letting Boss (his Torkoal) out for a breather. ]

Boss, meet Otacon. Otacon, this is Boss. [ Almost immediately, the tortoise Pokemon attempts to grab Snake's cigarette out of his hand with his mouth, but Snake moves his hand out of the way reflexively. ]

...He keeps trying to eat my cigarettes, like I've said.

[otakon_geek]

[Otacon laughed softly and pushed his glasses up his nose. Piplup went to pull his glasses off, as the constant pushing glasses thing up annoyed him some. Otacon waved his finger at the little penguin, who gave his trainer his glasses back with a sigh.]

Maybe I could advertise a game. I love video games. [Otacon's eyes widened when Snake brought out Boss. He looked rather dangerous with the smoke coming from his body and his strong stature.]

Wow. He's bigger than I thought he would be. I see what you mean about the eating cigarettes thing. You two are made for one another.

Audio;

[extraordinariness]

All signs so far indicate that it would be far easier to just get yourself a new one, the hassle seems far more trouble than it's worth.

Audio;

[imthe_shit]

... I'm not sure I want to get rid of it so easily, but it is pretty much ruined... [ He exhales. ] Damn blob getting in everything. I thought I didn't have to deal with this now that they were all gone... [ he starts muttering. ] stupid blob... shouldn't have caught one... ruins my stuff...

Audio;

[extraordinariness]

You won't find me disagreeing with you, I'm of the opinion that no one should ever have captured any of them. The fascination I've seen people have over them is baffling.

[She sighs.]

Considering the device's overall importance here, I would imagine it would be easy to find a replacement, so you shouldn't worry so much about having to get rid of it.

Audio;

[imthe_shit]

... Hnn.

[ Snake rubs his eyelids, thinking his options over. ]

All right... I'll ask around and see about getting a replacement. I never had to replace it the last time I was here... Maybe it won't be so bad. [ Never had to worry about replacing the codec... ]

Audio;

[extraordinariness]

The last time you were here?

[Her interest is suddenly piqued.]

You were here before and came back?

Audio;

[imthe_shit]

Yeah... About three years ago. [ Snake winced... It had really only felt like a day or so passed when he'd first come back, but everything was really confusing... It was like he was a walking time paradox. ]

It's complicated; I don't know how to explain it. All I know is that this place was different back then... At least in terms of people. I don't have the same Pokemon I had the last time I was here, but some of them are still around, with other people.

Audio;

[extraordinariness]

How strange...

[And very frustrating.]

More than anything, I wish I knew how this place has the power to bring people here, no matter who they happen to be or how important they are where they come from. It's all a terrible, terrible inconvenience.

I can only imagine how awful it must be to have to experience this place twice.

Audio;

[imthe_shit]

Awful?

Huh.

[ From his voice, he sounded amused. ] I wouldn't say it's awful. I guess it's an inconvenience, but... Compared to where I'm from, this place is like a breath of fresh air.

I just think of it as a vacation... Time doesn't seem to pass back home while I'm here, or it passes at weird intervals. That's the impression I've gotten since speaking to people I know... I even met... my old commander here while he was younger, something that shouldn't even be possible, since I didn't meet him until he was in his early 60's when I met him.

[ He exhales. ] If time progressed the way it should back home while I was here, then yeah... I'd be pretty angry. There are things I have to do back home... But since it doesn't, well... I'm just going to take it easy until I'm back where I'm supposed to be.

[audio]

[captainash]

People have been recommending Wonder Clean for pretty much every case of Bloober goo, but I'm not sure I'd trust it with electronics.

[audio]

[imthe_shit]

... Am I really going to have to ditch this thing? Where do I get a replacement?

[audio]

[captainash]

I know that at least a few Pokémon Centers offer replacements, but I'm not sure if they charge you for those. There might be a small fee involved.

[audio]

[imthe_shit]

That's not too much of an issue... Probably. [ Snake hasn't exactly been battling anyone since he got back. Probably should get on that. ]

[audio]

[captainash]

What, is your money also covered in goo?

[...He wasn't asking that seriously, but now that he thinks about it...]

[audio]

[imthe_shit]

I haven't really been making much of it. I haven't battled anyone since getting here... And I had a job for a bit when I was in Pallet, but that's not really helping me anymore.

[audio]

[captainash]

There<s always the option of catching a Meowth and not letting it evolve until level thirty. That allows them to learn an attack that creates money.

[audio]

[imthe_shit]

... Sounds kind of fraudulent... Isn't that like printing money? You can get arrested for that, at least where I'm from... Not that desperate to make money.