62 days till Halloween [Video]

[quickattackjack]

_{[It's early. It's way, way too early, but here's Jack outside in the dawn fog, perched precariously on a ladder and stringing up lights along the eaves of his mansion. The Halloween decorations haven't even been taken down. Why would they be? Of course he's going to address the network!]}

Jingle bells! Silver bells!... Bells bells bells! Aha-hah! I can't believe it, it's already here!

_{[At least he didn't do this on November first, right?]}

I hope you've all been good! I know I have! What are you hoping to get this year from old Sandy Claws?

_{[His joyful yammering is cut off for a moment as his ladder wobbles and he pinwheels his arms (gear in-hand) to catch his balance. Somewhere off-screen it's possible to hear a Yamask having a poke'breakdown.]}

That was a close one...I think. I think this year I'd like...a quiet holiday. And maybe hiking boots.

Comments

[captainash]

True, flying might be even better than a motorbike. ...In that case, I guess I'd wish for my mobile suit instead, even if that's definitely asking for two much.

[quickattackjack]

Mobile suit?

_{[Yes, tell Jack about GIANT ROBOTS.]}

[captainash]

[GIANT ROBOTS are BEST ROBOTS.]

Humanoid robots that are mostly used as weapons, but also in construction and manufacturing. The common models are usually made for either space or ground combat, but a few are capable of independant atmospheric flight. Even a Pidgeot could catch up to one in a race.

[quickattackjack]

Humanoid robots...

_{[Jack taps his chin thoughtfully. He only has a vague grasp of what a robot is. Dr. Finklestein has made a few but they were all rather poorly put together. A robot that could go into space? To the moon even?]}

Interesting...

[captainash]

That they are. Honestly, I'm somewhat surprised the local don't have equivalents based on Pokémon. I mean, some of the models back home already look like dragons, so it would work.

[This is probably not a good idea to have.]

[quickattackjack]

_{[More chin tapping. His mindgears are whirring now.]}

Magnemite looks a bit like a little tin robot, doesn't it?

[captainash]

[He ponders that for a moment. It's not nearly humanoid enough for his world's robots, but...]

...Maybe a little like that drill lemon suit the Vagans used at La Gramis, except less ridiculous-looking.

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack has no idea what that means, but he's grinning anyway.]}

This world isn't terribly behind, then!

[captainash]

If anything, it was even closer before. Have you ever seen a Golurk? They're only missing the metal and the pilot.

[And the beam weapons, but considering the local laws that's probably asking for too much.]

[quickattackjack]

I think I have, actually! In passing! They look like giant iron stoves!

[captainash]

Giant iron stoves that can punch things unconscious and fly using rockets. More appliances should have those abilities, really.

[quickattackjack]

I should look into finding one of those! It could be nice to have a Golurk around this winter.

[captainash]

I got my egg from the Breeding Center, ages ago. Maybe they still have a few.

[quickattackjack]

I work there from time to time! I should check!

[captainash]

I'd do so quickly; there weren't a lot, and I think they don't stay on the shelves very long.

[quickattackjack]

I'll check this afternoon if I remember! I have a lot of decorating to do.

_{[But at least he didn't have to UN-decorate for Halloween first.]}

[captainash]

I can imagine. So, what takes longer: putting up the decorations, or making them Pokémon-proof?

[quickattackjack]

Oh, my Pokemon are very well-behaved! They're professionals, they wouldn't cause a problem.

_{[Keep telling yourself that, Jack.]}

[captainash]

...That's usually what people think of their neighbors right before they get arrested, too.

[Just saying.]

[quickattackjack]

<sub>[Jack laughs. What a good joke!]

[...It's a joke, right?]</sub>

[captainash]

[Considering the fact that his best friend was a talented and beloved student right up until the military tried to arrest him for spying at their graduation ceremony...]

...That's also a common neighborly reaction.

[quickattackjack]

_{[...oh dear! Jack shuts his yap.]}

I'm sorry, I didn't mean any harm...is this a common occurrence where you're from?

[captainash]

It's not common, but it tends to be... memorable. Especially when you're the one saying that your neighbor would never cause problems.

[And even more when you're proven wrong.]

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack's brows knit together.]}

This sounds like a personal story.

[captainash]

It is.

[A beat.]

...And if you're lucky or a good judge of character, you won't have one of your own by the end of the holidays season. Unless you have a cat; then you're screwed.