013 | Goldenrod City | Video / Action;

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[Oh, hey there, Johto. Hope none of you out there get motion sickness, because today's broadcast starts out a little...haphazard, courtesy of a pair of clawed purple hands unearthing the Pokegear from the depths of a backpack and shaking it around a little in the process of turning it on. But eventually the Gear comes to rest on the floor, propped

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[video] HIII

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[Cooper didn't have much interest in this feed - at least not until he saw just who it featured. He recognises the other easily; the appearance, sure, but also the mannerisms, the pattern of speech. It's all there.]

[This is good news to him, really, because while it hadn't been a pressing issue, he's definitely been curious as to who, precisely, this guy was.]

[So when he opens his own video transmission, he does it with a hint of a smile. He can't hide his mirth at that masterful jumpscare the Gengar performed, but his eyes do hold a certain level of seriousness.]

I think I've yet to see a ghost type without a liking for trickery.

[video] WHY HELLO THERE

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[The response comes delayed by a minute or two, after Phantom has had a chance to retrieve the Gear and bring it over for his owner, and after Yagyuu has had a chance to figuratively put his pants back on after the Gengar scared them off of him.

And oh, it's...right, the capable guy from the train. It takes him a second to place the face-it's a little different recognizing someone in leisurely downtime versus in the heat of a crisis-but then it clicks.]

That does seem to be their nature. Which is unfortunate, as it's a habit I'd rather not encourage.

[video]

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[Spotting the recognition, Coop gives a light nod in a quiet greeting - and something of a confirmation as well. A "yeah, I'm that guy".]

I can see why. We're fortunate they usually stop at your average mischief despite having the potential to cause a lot more damage.

[If there'd been Rocket-trained ghosts on that train, for example, that turnout could have gotten a lot uglier in a shorter period of time.]

[video]

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[He will not shoot a dirty look in the general direction of the Gengar's last known hiding place. He will not. This is because he is a mature adult teenager and does not hold grudges against small purple creatures over his embarrassing phobias.]

Really, the same could be said of any variety of Pokemon. The Ghosts may seem to demonstrate the highest innate tendency for mischief, but the destructive potential of any one of them is fairly astounding. Quite frankly, it's surprising we manage to control them in the first place.

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[Oh, that's okay. Coop's got embarrassing phobias too - but his beef with ghost pokémon in particular doesn't stem from that, but rather the fact that he's witnessed one of his friends get possessed by one. That he himself was possessed by one. He doesn't trust them - and that kind of destruction is far creepier to him than the more physical, straightforward kind you'd expect from any other pokémon.]

[Well ... with the possible exception of Psychics, but they have yet to make him side-eye them.]

I can't argue with that. And frankly it's a topic that could be discussed for hours, but I'd rather take this opportunity to express my thanks for your assistance back on the train.

[And though his words are very formal, they're sincere.]

[video]

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[From Yagyuu's perspective, the gratitude is mostly unnecessary, but it earns Coop a slight smile nonetheless-because manners are something that Yagyuu approves of, and some adults wouldn't be nearly so generous in extending such a courtesy to someone his age.]

Ah, there's really no need, but I'm glad I was able to be of some service. In a situation like that, taking action is more a matter of necessity than of heroism. [He pauses, indulging in one moment of pride.] My team spent a goodly length of time recovering afterward, but I couldn't have asked for a finer effort from them.

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[He wouldn't be, back home - most teenagers he's met are, frankly, idiots. But he's met a lot of competent teens here and he knows to give credit where it's due. It's not so much a genuine thank you, because he agrees, it's necessity and not heroism, but it is an acknowledgment. And appreciation that action was taken, because there are always a lot of people who can't or won't act at all.]

[He smiles a little though. He can relate.]

You and me both. They just keep proving themselves, don't they?

[video]

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[Shifting the Gear to his other hand, Yagyuu leans over and brushes some of the scattered slips of paper off one of the couch cushions, making room to sit down and conduct the conversation a little more comfortably. He'll eventually have to sort them all again, but that can be handled later.]

In some cases, I'd even go so far as to say they're surpassing their own limits. Which reminds me-how is your Eevee? Well, I hope, considering what an aid she was to me on that train.

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[That it can. Cooper is also inside in the warmth. The Saffron Hotel is up to his standards - the coffee is mediocre, but the beds are great and the view is nice.]

[The question has him leaning back to show the Eevee in question sleeping up on the window sill, long legs awkwardly stretched out.]

As questionable as that might seem, she's doing just fine, as are my others. Turns out a few days' rest can really do the trick.

What about yourself? I know a lot of people were injured in addition to the hits the pokémon ended up taking.

[video]

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[Whether or not Yagyuu can place the hotel room as the one in Saffron is debatable; he did spend some time there, but a day or two isn't necessarily enough for that kind of precise recollection-particularly considering he had a lot else on his mind at the time. It is a hotel room, though, which suggests Coop is in a city, which is something he approves of. He is, after all, vaguely fond of the man, and a city is far more secure a locale than one of the routes, particularly in weather like this.

But his expression warms noticeably at the sight of the Eevee; Lady was his favorite from the day she hatched, and the brown fur and tufted tail is wholly nostalgic.]

It's not that questionable. They're particular creatures, Eevees; I've learned it's best to simply take their quirks as they come.

And I was fortunate enough to come out of it with no more than bruises and scrapes. An acquaintance of mine wasn't so lucky.

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[Winter is best spent indoors, at least for the most part. Cooper himself isn't likely to set out to travel anytime soon, so there's no need to worry about that.]

[The Eevee comment earns Yagyuu another brief smile, because it's true. Emily might not be the quirkiest pokémon in his team but she does stand out (especially her sleeping habits) which really just makes her all the more endearing to him.]

[There's a solemn nod to accompany his next words, though.]

I hope it wasn't too bad. I know a few who didn't get easily out of the ordeal either.

[video]

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[He shrugs slightly, casting an unconscious glance down toward the floor, where his Persian is still moping sadly. It's not intentional, but the contrast between the two is unmistakable, and it pings him subconsciously.

Not that he's going to let it show on his face, of course.]

She won't play tennis again for a while, but her prognosis is good. They let her out of their care after a few days, and we were both back in Goldenrod shortly thereafter.

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[Coop does pick up on a slight difference there, when Yagyuu looks down, but he doesn't know what it means and won't ask. Instead he offers a genuine "I'm glad to hear it". Things do have a tendency to work out in the end, or at least he'd like to think so.]

[He shifts the gear a little, which makes for a small break in the conversation. He picks it up soon enough -- in a blunt, almost sudden fashion.]

Introductions are almost a little overdue at this point. Dale Cooper.

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[If the bluntness catches him by surprise, he doesn't show it. Though it is interesting-albeit perhaps typical, for a man Yagyuu is fairly sure is American.]

Ah, that's right. I should apologize; I'd completely forgotten, myself. Though it's understandable enough, given the circumstances.

It's a pleasure to officially make your acquaintance, Cooper-san. I'm Yagyuu Hiroshi-or Hiroshi Yagyuu, if you prefer the Western order. But just Yagyuu is fine.

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Alright, Yagyuu. The pleasure is all mine.

[He takes note of the name - another Asian one, no doubt. The amount of Asian people in Johto continues to intrigue him.]

[It warrants a question, of course. His normal curiosity is something Yagyuu will undoubtably get used to.]

Is that Japanese?

[video]

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That's right. I'm from the Kanagawa area, more specifically.