Stress-Testing 🧸

[fractales]

Type: Video
Sender ID: fractales (Professor Turo)
To: General public
Subject: Stress-Testing Substitute Dolls
Warnings: N/A

[Visible on camera would be two different dolls- the Substitute Doll, and the Poké Doll side by side, the Substitute nearly twice as large as the Poké Doll.

Then there was a sleeve as Turo picked the shellphone up in order to zoom it out so he was finally visible as well just behind the desk the dolls were sitting on.]

Hello, I am Professor Turo- the same one mentioned on one of the MANTA board quests for those that have given it a look. I am requesting help in order to test two objects very common in my world, and often used to escape dangerous encounters with creatures known as Pokémon- or simply avoiding a fight with a wild encounter if not wanted. This is to collect data, so that I may make future iterations of these two items better suited for this world.

I do not doubt there are some out there that would rather avoid harming a creature that feels it necessary to defend itself or its territory, given we are the ones stumbling into their territory more often than not.

Also, I felt it would be easier to put a face and ID to the name, given many have yet to meet me, and for those who wish to collect their reward in turn for whatever data may be collected from testing. Far easier for those who may have questions about the Dolls themselves as well.

[Don't mind the odd robotic creature just barely wandering into the bottom of the frame. It's fine.]

Comments

video; sender id: netherese

[netherese]

[Ah! Gale had noticed the quest in question while he'd been perusing the board's offerings, and had given it some consideration, but seeing the items for himself through this device has piqued his interest further. Warmly:]

These could prove to be a great aid to many who aren't necessarily inclined towards combat. Sometimes, all a person wants is to pass through peacefully, but we do make missteps from time to time, don't we?

[He knows he's certainly been on the wrong side of any number of creatures out in the wild, often unintentionally.]

Illusion spells can be used to similar effect where I come from— the principle is much the same. These are a common need in your world, you said?

Video

[fractales]

Indeed. Even someone familiar with the area can make a mistake if they do not remain aware of where they are.

[All the better to give that chance to get away without anyone getting hurt.]

Correct. It is a common occurrence in the world I am from, given the wild areas and even tall grasses can be teaming with wild creatures itching for a battle to test those they come across- on top of protecting either territory or those they are bonded with and may be weaker, including young ones.

[A hand rested just on top of the pink doll's head-] It is why we created Poké Dolls, for someone to toss one out and hopefully distract the pokémon that has jumped out. Sometimes it may not work right away, or at all, if the Pokémon is enraged and focused in that anger; one reason I wish to collect further data here, to help raise the chance of them working as needed.

Some back home also give them to young children due to how soft and 'cute' they are.

[netherese]

I would certainly be interested to see these in action. You'll have my aid— I'll be certain to record field results in great detail.

[He sounds quite cheerful about that, actually.]

The more information the better when it comes to any sort of experiment, yes? I will admit, they are charming in their own way. It almost seems a waste. No doubt many get destroyed or lost in the process... I can't imagine everyone who uses these collects them once they've served their initial purpose.

[fractales]

That will be greatly appreciated. I plan on stress testing them myself as well, and the more data I have the more I can improve upon them.

[Which he is very excited about- the growth of something he knows, shaping it into something that much more helpful here.]

Correct, and all of the information gathered can only help further improve their design. Many do often get destroyed or simply lost, though there are some who do find and pick them up along their journeys only to make use of them again or keep them on hand in case there is a need. The Poké Doll here- [Picking up the pink plush as he spoke.] -is designed to look much like a creature known as a Clefairy, and quite a few are left scattered about to be picked up and reused by whoever happens to find one in the wild.

They are not designed to take act as a substitute, but they are designed to last and weather much.

[netherese]

Interesting— so not quite destined for a single-use as they might have been otherwise. I suppose the more durable we prove this lot to be, the better, if people can make use of those they find out in the wild, as well.

[Really no different than collecting potions or other trinkets that have been left about in one's travels.]

Very clever, these decoys of yours. I've seen magic used to this same effect, but not everyone is capable of using it to protect themselves or otherwise divert danger.

Action

[detectiveforhierophant]

"...Hm?"

Dojima had just came in at the end of Turo's video presentation, opening the door without thinking much-

Only to find Turo with those two...dolls? On a desk, and...

A... Robot penguin... Walking around?

...Alright, fine. Sure. Why not.

"Something you're working on, Turo?"

Closing the door behind him so the Robot bird thing wouldn't leave the room.

[fractales]

He set the phone down on the desk, just between the two dolls he had set upon it to give a clear visual of what he had been talking about, head tilting when he heard the door.

"Ah, yes. Two items that are common in my world that I believe could be useful here."

Turning, pausing as Iron Bundle walked in front of him and towards one of the other dolls in the room to- well, its head tilted while staring at the pink plush.

"I put in a request for others to help in collecting data on them so that I might improve them for use in this world," For those that may pay more attention to the MANTA Board than the shellphones. "With that I did feel it a good idea to make it clear who the data was going to, and what the two items looked like."

[detectiveforhierophant]

"Oh right, the decoys against aggressive fauna, huh?"

Which honestly? Dojima thought was a smart idea. Who knew what these creatures could do, and if there was a way to avoid either animal or person from getting hurt, all the better.

"Gotta say, that's a pretty smart idea, Turo." No wonder the guy was a Professor. Though, also...

Stepping in closer, he leaned down to take a better look at the plush toys.

"...These look well made, did you make them yourself?"

...For now, ignoring the Robot in the Room. One... thing at a time.

[fractales]

"Correct and thank you, Dojima. They both serve technical differences in that function, but at their most basic are for the same thing," and which was used likely depended a bit on the situation and creature encountered. All the more reason for both, he thought.

Turo did pick up one of the substitutes from where he had most of them piled together, turning the green doll over in his hands slowly.

"I did, once I was able to find material that could work for the different purposes. It took a little time."

It didn't hurt that Turo didn't have to spend much money for his own needs and could save up here and there when purchasing a certain thing was needed. More so to make them easier for people to carry on them, make them compact in order to be easily tossed and only expand then.

"I plan on doing some rounds of hands on testing myself as well."

[detectiveforhierophant]

Dojima meanwhile, picked up the pink one, turning it in his hands.

"... I don't know much about this sort of thing..." Cute things, namely.

"But... I feel like if I brought this home for my daughter, she'd love it." A soft chuckle, looking up at Turo with a wry smile.

"...And a teen I know back home would be thrilled to see a guy like you able to make toys too." Give him some reassurance Dojima felt he could use, some days. He tilted his head a bit at Turo talking about testing...

"Want me to come with you when you do?"

Video; Id: vermilloci

[vermilloci]

Oh, but they’re so cute!

[ Can one accept a MANTA request just because the item within it is, frankly, adorable?

Rem brings a hand to her lips as she lets out a small giggle. ] Are they as soft as they look?

Video

[fractales]

That is the appeal of the pink one- it is actually modeled off a creature of my world known as a Clefairy.

[He did move his hand over and picked up the Poké Doll, lifting it up and giving it a very satisfying sort of 'squish' just to show how soft it was.] They are.

It is not uncommon for young children to own them simply because they are 'cute' and 'cuddly'.

Permavid

[vermilloci]

[ It’s so

squishy!!! She finds herself laughing softly again. ] You have to be a kid to appreciate their adorableness.

Did you make them yourself?

[fractales]

They have a charming quality to them, and is partly why they also distract the creatures of my world so someone can escape a fight they do not wish to have. [Clefairy were cute, after all.

What better pokémon to model an escape item after?]

I did here, yes. It took some time to collect the needed materials, but I collected enough to make quite a few of them at once. [Which meant he knew where to go to get more as needed.]

[vermilloci]

Well, I'll gladly take a few of them off of your hands. For this Manta quest... and any extras.

[ She looks a little too eager. ]

sender id: activatingcombatmode

[activatingcombatmode]

Prof! Hey, these things look like they'll be great if I run into any huge nasty beasties that are giving me too much of a hard time. Sometimes it's better to run, I'll admit that.

Give me a bunch of them, I'll test them out all month.

[fractales]

Hello, Zack. Sometimes it is better indeed, and is why the Poké Doll was created- the Substitute Doll serves more to take hits if one may need a breather, but I imagine here it can serve a similar service as the Poké Doll- but last longer if the encountered wildlife is more on the aggressive side an the Poké Doll wouldn't work well.

A better chance at getting away.

[The Substitute Doll served its name well after all-]

I can give you a pack mixed with both, and have them converted into a more convenient state for portability, convenience, and throwability; they will expand to proper size after being tossed out. Hopefully with their testing I will be able to improve upon their designs to be more suitable for this world.

[activatingcombatmode]

Sure, yeah that sounds great. I'll make sure I test both kinds out and try to take some decent notes on it.

But since we're talking... Just how big can these things distract? Are we talking chocobo-sized creatures or giant lake snakes that are bigger than buildings?

[fractales]

I appreciate the help.

Well, you could say it depends on just how focused and aggressive the creature is; the Poké Doll is suited for creatures that are not so intent on causing harm, while the Substitute Doll draws the aggression and takes a certain amount of damage meant for the initial target. Imagine it as less size and more how intent the creature is on attacking, their focus.

[Picking up one of the green dolls as he spoke.]

Of course, the amount of hits the Substitute Doll can take depends on the attack power thrown at it. This is something I hope to improve on so that here they can hold the attention of something like a giant lake snake bigger than a building for far longer than a hit or two if the amount of power behind such a creature meant it was very strong as well.

[Squeezing the Substitute Doll in hand.]

You are more than welcome to test how many hits one can take for yourself as well, to have a better estimate than what I can only guess for now. The creatures of this world are different from the Pokémon of mine after all.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Wow, the professor is really giving him a whole school lecture. He wonders if he should be taking notes...]

Yeah. Okay, I think I got it. So you think the doll should be able to take at least a couple of hits from a giant snake but we're not sure exactly how many hits. I think I can get a gauge on that. It's a good thing I'm fine with dealing with a giant snake if I really need to.

You're a good teach, Prof. It's no wonder you're into this stuff.

video, un: sylreha

[sylreha]

That's a really good idea, professor! Sometimes you've gotta know when to fold 'em.

I usually used smoke balls for that kind of thing, though. How do dolls help?

Perma video

[fractales]

The dolls tend to either distract or, as the Substitute Doll's name implies, act as a stand in to take whatever hits instead of the intended target by drawing aggression.

I very much hope that through gathering data that I will be able to improve them; the amount of damage taken, and how well they distract as well. For now I only have what is known from my world behind them.

[sylreha]

Huh. I guess that makes sense...and it's probably easier to build than a smoke bomb, huh?

I can take care of myself, I could probably give it a try?

[fractales]

Quite a bit easier, even if at times acquiring materials is part of the work put into it. Smoke bombs were used in the past of my world when it came to dealing with and getting away from aggressive creatures, at times alongside Poké Dolls.

I would appreciate it- I intend to test them as well, but I believe that gathering data from a wider use will further aide in bettering their design to be more useful to this world.

[sylreha]

Sure thing! Just let me know when to drop by and I'll do what I can. There are so many beautiful creatures here, I don't want to hurt them.