Pair talk 7

W-well? What do you think? Did I get the dance right?

You gotta go with the rhythm mooore. Gotta flow with the flooow.

Th-the flow? ...Like this?

Hmmmmmm. Lotad... Could it be that dancing maaaybe makes you feel embaaarrassed?

Urk!

I feel yooouuu. It takes courage to do something you’re not uuused to.
But I wanna know more about you and what you’re feeliiing. You gotta let your passion run freeeeee.

My...passion?

Yeahhh. Take a good look at me...
I don’t look embaaarrassed at all, riiight?

Yeah, you look...really cool. And like you’re having fun.

Riiight? You’ll stop caring what others think when you just go aaall in on something...
And that’s not my ooonly secret. I also just really like myself when I’m daaancing!

OK... I think I understand! I gotta show my passion.
...How’s this?

…Niiice! That’s passion!…
I could reeeaaally tell how you felt when you danced just now. You were having so much fun! Just keep up the paaassion!

Yeah! I’ll do my best!

Yooo, Decidueye! You’re always so cool and composed. I wanna be like you!

Heh... Is that so?
If you ask me, everyone else is just too excitable.

Huh? Uh... Decidueye, is that Gengar behind you? They’re just sittin’ there starin’ at us, and it’s kinda creepy...

WHAT?! Where?

…BOO!!!…

…SCREEEEEE!!!…

Whoa. Uh...sorry, yo. Didn’t expect ya to get so scared...
I was thinkin’ you’d just stay cool and composed no matter what, but I guess I got to see a new side of you just now!

Sableye. Your eyes sparkle greatly. Why? It makes me a small amount of jealous.

I do not know. Maybe because I eat many sparkling gems.
Glimmora. Your petals are very nice as well.

Oh. Is it true? What do you find very nice?

Their gradient color is nice. And their smoothness. But. Mostly, I like the hunger they cause in my stomach.

The...hunger.

The hunger. Yes. Oh, no. Drool. I cannot help it.
…I must munch them.…

You must not. I am poison.

There is no problem. Poison does not affect me a large amount.

... ... ...
I have just remembered. I must do a thing. It is a very important thing. It is for (your name).
So, I must say goodbye for today. I must. Yes. Goodbye.

*sniffle* You bumped into me! It really hurt! Waaah!

Oh, I’m sorry, but um... You’re faking crying, aren’t you?

... ... ...
You can tell?! Wowww!

Yeah, I mean...it’s a vibe thing...

Awww... Was it THAT easy to tell they weren’t real tears? I gotta get better at faking.

Well... I don’t know if it’s a good idea to try and trick someone. If you get too carried away, you never know...
That “someone” might just gobble you up one of these days.

... ... ... ... ... ... *whimper*

Come on, I just told you that fake crying isn’t a good ide—

……WAAAHHH!!! YOU’RE SO SCARY!!! AAAHHHNNNAAAHHH!!!…

Uagh! Th-this is fake crying too, right? Right?!

Todaaay I’m going to tell you a stooory about a heated battle I once had...

Yay! I wanna hear it! Tell me, tell me!

All riiiiight. Here I go...
Maaany moons ago, when I was still young, my home fell under attack...
So I jumped out all on my own and fought off muuultiple opponents all by myself...

Whoa, that’s awesome! What happened next?!

Hahaaa. I see you are warming up to my stooory...
What was I talking about agaaaiiin? Oh yeah, my battle...
Just as I was about to breathe ooone final breath of fire to end it, it suddenly started to raaaiiin...

Uh-oh, sounds like a setback! What’d you do, then?!

Hmm... You’ve warmed up so muuuch that now you’re starting to get heated. Let’s take a quick breeeaaak...

What?! Awww...

That cooled you down faaast, huh? Hahaha. Your emotions are so obvious... We can finish the story laaater...

But what happens next?! I gotta know!

Whoooaaa there... You’re getting really heated again. It’s so difficult to control your fiiire...

Kriii uuuuuune...

Yooo, you have such a good sound, Kricketune. It really, like, pulls at my heartstrings ’n’ stuff.
What’s the secret to makin’ such a pretty sound?

Hmmm, good question. First, lemme hear your sound.

Y-yeah, sure! Tot... Tot... Tot...
Hmmm... I dunno, yo. It just sounds like it lacks a bit of a punch or somethin’.

Ha! What’s wrong with that? Sounds cute to me!

Heyyy! Don’t make fun of my sound... This is a super serious issue for me, yo!

Whoa, sorry, pal! I didn’t mean it like that.
See, I can’t make that sound anymore, so I’m kinda jealous of ya.

H-huh? YOU’RE jealous of ME?

Ha! Guess the grass is always greener, huh?
But it’s pretty fun tinkerin’ around to make your own tune. If you can’t make a certain sound, try to work around it and keep striving to produce one you DO want.
By the time you’re done, you’ll have your very own, unique sound!

Yooo! Thanks, Kricketune! I think I understand! I’m gonna work hard to find my own ideal sound, just like you!

Yooo, Dartrix! You’re always so cool and composed and... y’know, cool!

Heh. You’re not wrong.

Are you even like that in battle?!

Of course. I start off by closely observing my opponents’ movements...

Uh-huh, uh-huh.

Then I instantly intuit where my opponent will be and what they will do in the very next second. And then... I strike them down with a single blow!

So cool!!!

That’s the secret to winning a battle without breaking a sweat—it all comes down to using your head.

My head?! I’m SO good at using my head, yo! I once knocked out 30 opponents in a row with just Headbutt!

Well... I guess there are lots of ways to use your head, huh.

Hey, bud. That’s a sturdy-lookin’ head ya got there.

Wh-whoa... What’s with the sudden cooompliment? I think I’m blushiiing...

We gotta have a battle! Let’s see if your head is any match against my pulverizing headbutt!

Whaaat? H-hey... You’re making a scaaary face...

…HERE I COME! GRAHHHR!…

H-heyyy...

... ... ...

Uuugh, that really surpriiised me... And it kinda hurt? It’s been a whiiile since something hurt me.

Oof...
Can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this much pain...

Ummm... Are we comparing who’s strooonger?
’Cause if so, I guess it’s myyy turn next? OK, I won’t hold baaack...

W-wait, no! Ummm...
Y-ya know what? I just remembered—it’s about time for some grub... Guess we’ll have to stop here for today!

Now then, I shall begin...

Yeah! Bring it on, yo!

... ... ...

Chato-to-tooo! ♪

Hm! ... ... ...

Cha!!! Chato chato! ♪

... ... ... Huh!

Chatotooo... TOT! ♪

Not bad... Not bad at all! A most excellent jam session.

Hehe! Don’t underestimate me, yo! And you were pretty awesome yourself!

... ... ... You’re doing well, Riolu. I see definite improvement.
Next, let’s work on refining your aura. Quietly now... Feel the power inside you...

*pant pant* Y-yes, Sensei!

... ... ... ... ... ...…

... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ...…

... ... ...Ah!
Heh heh, why don’t we get you something to eat, Riolu.

...Huh? ... ... ... *rumble*
Oh!

Heh! It appears you’ve been concentrating so hard, you didn’t even notice you were hungry.

I can’t believe you had to notice for me, Sensei... I’m so embarrassed! I’m really sorry!

There’s no need to be embarrassed, Riolu. Let’s get you fed so you can start afresh on a full stomach!
Ah—one moment. We have nothing here to eat. So that will be the next step in your training! Find some berries!
Do you think you can handle that, Riolu?

Yes, Sensei! I’ll do my best so I can be like you someday!

Reading the mind of one’s opponent and then outwitting them—that is the true essence of battle.

Yeah, you seem like you’d be pretty good at that sorta thing. I’d love to figure out how to do that myself.

Heh heh. Well then, how about a bit of training?

Seriously? Heck yeah! Let’s do it!

In that case... In a moment, I will throw either a punch or a kick. Try to predict which it will be.

Gotcha! OK, let’s see...
Got it! You’re gonna kick!

I’m afraid not.

Nooo! Thought I had it for sure...

Well then, what do you predict I’ll unleash next?

I’ll definitely nail it this time!
You’re gonna...punch! Yeah, that’s gotta be it!

Unfortunately, the correct answer was Aura Sphere.

Whoa, hey! No fair! That’s not a punch OR a kick!

Heh heh. As I said, the true essence of battle is to outwit one’s opponent.

Grgh... Guess I’m just not cut out for this!

...Here I gooo.
Ahhh.

What the blazes?! Th-that flame—!

Hmmmmmm?

Despite its magnificent size and appearance, you managed to keep that fire from burning too hot...
To produce—let alone control—a flame like that must require a lot of skill.

Hmmm? You think sooo?

You’re an expert in the art of flame manipulation, aren’t you? Please, share your secrets with me!

Weeell, there was a berry...

A berry! I see, that never occurred to me.
Start by eating your favorite berry, relax both mind and body—then concentrate. That’s it, yes?

Nooo... Uhhh...
I wanted to kinda char a berry a bit befooore I ate it...but I accidentally burned it up insteeeaaad.
If you bring me a berryyy I can teach you, though.

I...I see. Of course, whenever you have the time, I would love to learn from you!

Raaawr! Why’re you bigger than me?! It’s not fair!

Not fair?

You heard me! This means we gotta battle!
I’ll show you that I’m stronger, even if you’re bigger!

Hmmm... I’ll pass. I don’t really like fighting.

Fine by me. That means YOU lose, and I’M the strongest!

*sigh* Fine. If you’re going to be like that, I’ll battle you.

Hehe, I knew you’d come around. No matter what kind of battle you choose, I’m gonna win!

OK then, how about this? Whoever speaks next loses.

Aw yeah, game on!

Heh. Looks like I won.

Huh? ...HUH? ... ... ...NOOOOOOOOO!!!
Dang it, you got me... Let’s have a rematch! I’ll win next time for sure!

I’ll let you know when I feel like it.

La la laaa... ♪

Whoa! That’s a pretty awesome singin’ voice ya got there. Sure wish I could sing like that!

Why, thank you, dear! I’m sure you could do it too if you put your mind to it.
Why not give it a try? Come on—let’s hear those pipes!

Ya really think so? OK, I’ll give it a go! Ahem... Noyyy-VERRRNNNNNN!

Ngh! That’s...quite a distinctive sound you’ve got.

Hey, thanks! I bet everyone would enjoy hearin’ my sweet singin’ voice, too! Now, who should I sing to first...

W-wait a second!

Huh? Wait? What for?

Your singing voice is really quite impressive, but...well, m-maybe it’s TOO impressive!
I think you might want to consider singing somewhere far, FAR away from everyone else.

But then no one’ll be able to hear me sing!

Don’t worry about that, hon! The charm of your singing voice is sure to reach them regardless!

Ya think so? Well, cool! Thanks for the advice!

…Keeeeeeeee...

Uh... Whaaa? Whoooaaa...

Oh, sorry. I was just sending out some ultrasonic waves. It’s a little hard to control where they go, so I—

That...was...AWESOME! Will you do it once more? Pretty pretty please?

What? You’re unharmed?

I mean, it made me feel all tingly...but in a way that was like, again, do it again!

I, er...don’t think that’s a good idea. It could be dangerous.

Aww... Why?

When I use ultrasonic waves to see what’s around me, I sometimes have a hard time moderating their strength and wind up confusing those nearby...

That’s amazing! I wonder if I could do it too. OK, I wanna try! Watch me, watch!
…HoowOOOOOOOOO!
How’d I do? Are ya super tingly now?

You might need a little more practice...

Why, hello, Rowlet. How nice to see you looking as cheerful as ever... Heh.

Heh. I’m doing great! ...Heh.

Did you just say “heh” to imitate me? Heh.

Yup! I wanna be super cool when I grow up—just like you, Decidueye! So I’ll start copying you sometimes. Heh.

Heh... I’m flattered, truly.
By the way, I happened upon some rather tasty-looking berries earlier. May I offer you some?

Yayyy! I wanna eat ’em! Can I, pretty please?
Wait, no! What I MEANT to say was...yes, I’d like some. ...Heh.

...Heh.

I’m sooo excited... Heh.

*munch munch*... *CRUNCH*
Ouch ouch ooouuuch! I bit down on a rock...

Why’d you put somethin’ like THAT in your mouth, yo?

’Cause I ate all the berries I had saved up. My poor cheeks just felt super empty, so...

Oh darn. Maybe you should just train real hard so you can keep more berries in there in the future?
Try openin’ your mouth REAL wide! Like this!

Train? Ummm... Like...this?

Yeah! Like that, yo! Now you just gotta stuff a bunch of things in there.
You gotta be willing to take on any challenge! Even if that means chompin’ down on something bigger than you are!

Hmm, OK! I’m gonna try it!
…So I just open my mouth reeeaaally wide? OK, here goes... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!

Y-yooo?! Don’t chomp ME!

*blang-blang-twang!* *blaaaang twang-TWANG!!!*
Aw yeah! Another day, another tasty riff from yours truly!

I mean... It’s not bad, I guess...

Huh?! What’d you say?!

I just think you can do better...

That’s big talk from a li’l pipsqueak!
Lay it on me, then. What can I do to make my riffs even tastier?

You don’t need so much strength in your fingers... Make them go all relaxed, just like a Slowpoke...
Also I think you need to work on your wrist movements... They should be sharper, like when you use Poison Jab...

So...completely change my style? Easier said than done... But sure, why not? I’ll give it a shot. Let’s see...
…*bleowww wah wah-wah WAHHH!*
Hey, heyyy! Now THAT’s a new sound!

Heh heh... I knew you could do it...

Say, bud! Uh...maybe you could swing by every now and then to listen to me jam? Y’know, if ya feel like it!

Heh... Sure. Every now and then, anyway...

You and I are quite similar in appearance, but...the flames that burn within us seem fairly different.

Yeah... Your flames are so bright and strong... Just looking at them makes my heart grow hot!

Really? Well, I think your flames possess a wonderful, soothing quality.

You...think so? Well, thank you. It makes me happy to hear you say that!

What do you think, (your name)? Whose flames do you like most?

…Yeah, I agree! I feel like it shows a fiery, passionate soul... It’s so cool!

That seems a bit exaggerated, but...thank you.

Heh. I knew you’d be able to appreciate their beauty. You must desire peace of mind.

W-well... I’m a bit embarrassed, but...thanks.

You and I may have our differences, but it seems we share a desire for strength.

I agree! We can do our best together, Armarouge!…
I want you to witness us too, (your name)... I promise I’ll become stronger than ever!