Never the less there is a wonder...

[emptymarionette]

[Astrid's never been one to have true expressions of emotion. Most who know her status as 'the marionette' know this well. She's always wondered though about the people who were normal. From that cupcake excursion, she could see quite a few emotions in people's faces. Ones that she wanted to understand, in a sense...

Thus, Astrid is right in the

Comments

[oldhakutaku]

...Hey.

[emptymarionette]

[Astrid blinks a bit from hearing the voice, but looks up with a smile as always.]

Ah, hello there...

[oldhakutaku]

[ Knoll looks at the notepad. ]

Studying something?

[emptymarionette]

[Astrid nods, gesturing to what looks to be the general hustle and bustle of the CMA.]

Everyone around here, as a matter of fact. There's just...something about them that they all have...that I don't understand. [She looks back to the notes for a moment, her face still having that smile...before shifting into an almost neutral expression.]

[aberdiemusik]

[ Have a curious Meloetta? ]

[emptymarionette]

[O-oh my...! The legendary Pokemon...Astrid's face goes into some genuine shock. Absolutely genuine shock...]

...Hello there, great one. [Sorry, the marionette is currently dumbstruck. Please hold--]

[aberdiemusik]

[ The Meloetta blinks at that. ]

Oh! There's no need for that...please just call me Moll or Meloetta.

[emptymarionette]

A-ah. My apologize...Meloetta. [Astrid stands up, before giving a small curtsy to the legendary Pokemon.]

Are you a native to this place?

1 / 2 I AM NOT SORRY

[aquaboss]

[If you happen to look behind you, Astrid, you might notice a certain Team Aqua boss camping out in the bushes with a Sharpedo at his side. Both of them are staring in the direction of a flock of wild Duckletts that have apparently taken up residence in a nearby pond. If you were to get a little closer, you might actually notice that Archie also has a notebook out and is jotting down notes.]

[Not that anyone could ever read his handwriting, but that's another matter entirely. Sharpedo, on the other hand, seems more antsy than his trainer and is moving back and forth in the bushes, getting shushed every once in awhile by his trainer. He doesn't seem pleased that they're just sitting there and not attacking.]

[It seems Archie's talking to the shark Pokemon, or at least thinking aloud.] ...Never seen somethin' like this before. Flyin'-Type obviously, probably Water-Type too... I do need a Pokemon that can fly... Doubt that thing could do it, but maybe it evolves? [Sharpedo makes a low growl that Archie seems to take for an answer.] No

2 / 2 NOT A BIT

[aquaboss]

[...It's pink.]

[It's a fucking pink duck.]

[What. The. Hell.]

Don't be, Redd~ <3

[emptymarionette]

[Astrid blinks in surprise when she hears the flock of Ducklett flying, Swanna conveniently coming out of her Poke Ball. This is disconcerting...but Astrid begins going over to where it appears the attackers have taken refuge. Oh, does she have a right mind to sa--

...Is that...]

Ah, sir. That is not the normal color of Ducklett... [Here she thought Serperior was the only oddly colored one! Swanna will be coming forward, cocking her head towards the young one...is he alright?]

BBY YOU KNOW I NEVER WILL BE~

[aquaboss]

[Okay, pink duck. Alright. This is just... too weird. Archie is about to tell Sharpedo to release it so they can walk away and pretend nothing happened when suddenly some girl comes out of the bushes to confront them - and what is with her attitude, aren't all kids really obnoxious and rude? - and it's too late just to let the thing go and leave it there and damn, how did Archie get caught with a pink duck in the first place?]

I didn't think so. [The other ones were blue. Blue was an okay color. Blue was perfectly fine. Pink? Not so much.]

[That little Ducklett wiggles a bit and Sharpedo carefully sets him down. Instead of flying off like any smart Pokemon would, this one seems quite content to quack at the Swanna in a greeting. Apparently he's found a trainer, and he's also apparently been looking for one. Sharpedo's expression slowly changes to match his trainer's. This is not what he expected either.]

So, uh. Why is it different colored? [And the thing - the pink duck thing - is now waltzing around his feet like it owns him and

is it okay if I assume they know each other a bit? IT'S ALL GOOD EITHER WAY THOUGH

[horrorthreshold]

[Isn't that...yes, the girl who is Mr. Geechisu's follower.]

...Astrid?

That's fine~

[emptymarionette]

[Astrid blinked a bit, before looking up to see Theo. Ah, a fellow Surrogate! Astrid stands, giving a small curtsy.]

Ah, hello! You are Theo, correct?

[horrorthreshold]

That's right. What are you up to?

[emptymarionette]

I'm trying to study all of these emotions everyone else seems to be expressing. To be honest...I've never really understood them. [It's because you keep smiling all the time, Astrid.]

[endgamerepeat]

[Jiro really hasn't been out all too much every since shenanigans over in that one strange town--but he figured he couldn't keep himself cooped up forever. It wasn't fair to his Pokémon. When spotting Astrid he'll blink, stopping and wondering if he should approach her.

Of course his overly friendly Azumarill will make a decision for him by rushing over to get Astrid's attention. This will force Jiro to chase after his own Pokémon, and lift the blob of a mouse into his arms.]

S-sorry...my Azumarill's really friendly to others....

[emptymarionette]

[O-oh! Hello there indeed. Astrid will look over to Jiro and Azumarill--ah.]

It is fine. I don't mind at all, as a matter of fact. [Astrid smiles, like usual~]

[endgamerepeat]

O-...oh, I'm glad...

[He'll laugh. Did it sound too forced? He wasn't so used to talking to girls his age. Rhiannon not included. She was...different. Anyway, Jiro will offer a smile of his own while holding his Azumarill closer.]

... ...are you working on something?

[emptymarionette]

[She'll show off the notebook, with a bit of a smile.]

I'm trying to find out about all of these emotions people express. Some express them for different reasons...but they all express them so differently. It's...fascinating.