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

[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. ]

[fractales]

I'd be happy to pass a few to you; I have created a way to make them far more easy to carry, but of course I can leave one or two their normal size without that if you wish as well.

[Ready to be squished and be cute, rather than easily throwable.]

[vermilloci]

[ She clasps her hands together. ] In that case, I'll take a hundred!

[ Hoooollllding for effect! ] Kidding, kidding. [ She chuckles softly. ] Just "a few" is fine, any size.

[ Rem brings a hand up to her cheek, tilting her head to the side. ] Do you mind if I ask, how did you learn how to make these things? A hobby, maybe?

[fractales]

[There was a warm chuckle- even if there had been that moment of surprise as well. Okay.]

Your enthusiasm is appreciated all the same. Perhaps one day I may be able to produce so many.

[Easily available to those who wanted them.

Turo did pick up a small pink blush that fit easily into the palm of is hand as he spoke.]

You could say it was once a part of my job as a Pokémon Scientist turned Pokémon Professor in my world, to help provide these items to those who ventured out into the world to help make their journeys safe. [He made sure to give the little Poké Doll a toss, and the moment it landed on the desk it expanded near instantly in size into a large fluffy plush.] Until my studies took me elsewhere, of course, so that the Director of the local Academy and its teachers provide more than enough for those who come to learn there. Such Items are widely available at various shops as well.

I still had to learn how to create them, simply because it could be easier to have the know how if they were not available otherwise.

[vermilloci]

A professor, huh? [ "Pokémon". He'd mentioned that in his post. It seems they're some sort of creatures, and not only that, but it seems they can be dangerous. It makes sense that they'd warrant their own field of study.

Still, it amuses her that apparently these pokémon can also be distracted by cute, fluffy dolls. ] Does all your research involve this kind of adorableness?

[fractales]

Correct- though I shall admit, the last several years back home have been spent within a great crater. Researching what inhabits it, and much time spent at the very bottom of the area. [All he had ever known for, perhaps to some, far too long.

Nevertheless—

The Poké Doll was picked up, held so very easily despite the size as if he had picked up and carried something similar enough so many times.]

I am afraid not- at least not when it moves away from most pokémon, given that there are many that most would find adorable. There is also the study of plants and other materials, how to best use them and also preserve them so that we do not take too much away from the land and incidentally destroy something that should never be lost. A balance some find difficult or do not think of when it comes to creating a better future.

Making life better for people and pokémon alike.

[vermilloci]

[ Rem lifts her hand up her chest, as if moved by his explanation of his field of study. ]

Your mission sounds incredible. [ She finishes, softly. It would be difficult in practice, yet so easy a choice to sacrifice years to such a cause. A timid, but earnest smile replaces the one from before, and her fingers curl around the clasp holding her cloak in place. ] The world is.. so very fragile. Fragile, but precious.

It has to be protected.

[fractales]

It is, and that it does. In fact our world has quite a few legends of the consequences of the world falling out of balance for any reason; each one having a Legendary Pokémon that embodies something like time and space- or even life and death. Should something be disrupted, or someone try to capture a power they should not have messed with, a Legendary Pokémon may be unleashed upon the world. [So many different stories from different regions, the warnings and truths scattered about in each legend and myth.

His gaze did drop briefly towards a violet book there on his desk, the reason for his path in life. Why Turo was—]

It is a reason those in my world try to live in harmony with Pokémon and the land itself to the best of our abilities; even as we progress towards the future.

[vermilloci]

[ Being a student in her own world, she finds it easy to settle back and listen to someone scholarly speak, even if his countenance is vastly different from the instructors and commanding officers in her own world— or. Something. She can’t quite remember all of them. Regardless, it’s a rather refreshing change. Rem’s hands clasp together in front of her, and she inclines her head forward politely.

A history lesson of another world?? Yes plz. ]

I’m guessing that you’d want to stop that— the appearance of the legendary ones— before it gets too bad.

[fractales]

[Turo set the doll down carefully on his desk once more.]

Unfortunately there are those who have forced such Legendary Pokémon to appear, be it through somehow shifting a power balance, or forcefully calling them- but each and every time there are young trainers and the pokémon they have bonded with at their sides to bring back some order.

The bond between person and pokémon can do wonderous things, beating odds that seem impossible. I have seen it for myself. [... and he was grateful for it, even still.]

[vermilloci]

...A bond between a "pokémon" and human, huh? [ Her lips purse together, thoughtful. It sounds like proof of harmony between nature and mankind. ]

The future you wish to see... It sounds like it'll be all right.

[fractales]

Yes, pokémon are just as common as humans, and growing strong together is quite the bond many strive for. A friendship that carries strength that may never be broken- this is how humans survived in my world, once fear was overcome. [Quite the recorded history there after all, with photographic evidence thanks to a certain professor.

Then came the curious head of a robotic 'creature' from just the bottom of the screen. A curious series of beeps-like-a-squawk from it.]

I hope so, even if it takes a lot of work.

[vermilloci]

It's worth fighting for.

[ Perhaps "fighting" is the wrong word, here. Striving for might have been better, but Rem appears content with the sentiment. ]

[fractales]

Indeed it is. That same thought and energy is something I hope to use here as well, to further help others.

[Even this was one step towards that.]

[vermilloci]

I'm not sure how much this will mean, Professor, but-- [ A hand lifts to her chest, fingers curling around the clasp that holds her cloak together. ] ...I'll fight with you for that better future. For whatever it'll entail. You'll have one more ally, here, at least.

[fractales]

[That was- well. It was enough to bring Turo pause, but there was that faint smile there. Warmth he was not used to expressing just yet-] I appreciate it, more than I have words to say.

Working together is one of the best ways, no matter how small the group may be. There still can be great powered carried in hope, and what hard work may come. This world deserves it as much as any other, I believe.

[vermilloci]

[ She nods, smiling, and after another moment, appears to think of another question. ]

Your research involves preserving a balance in the world... So I have to ask, what do you think of this one? Any telling signs it might not be balanced?

[fractales]

I am actually looking in to it, and part of that will mean researching just how magic and nature work together. Odd phenomenon in my world often affect the creatures and the environment through that. [Taking up a notebook from his desk, looking through it while he spoke-]

My experience there may help in spotting anything similar here, and from there it would work towards seeing how people here deal with that. So far many are thriving in their own ways, but there are new discoveries and things yet to be found.

Or simply rediscovering what may be lost to time.

[vermilloci]

[ Seems like he has a great interest in this world, too... ]

You know, Professor. There are a lot of calls for research. From your own on this post, to magic-technology, and to the frightening items like the tombstone that arrived on that haunted ship. Seeing as Pokémon aren't native to this world, but I'll gladly take any assistance and insight you offer into researching other things. If you're willing to help, that is.

[fractales]

[A strong want to help was ingrained into him, in a way. A new world that offered more than he thought he may ever see, had wanted to see and explore—]

I am gladly willing to help, there are so many mysteries that as many eyes as possible is far better. Sharing what one may find, what someone else discovers possibly expanding on that- working as a team can be far better than not.

[—an adventure ahead, not just words attempting to soothe a drastic departure.]

I've skills in various fields, whatever I may be able to help with.

[vermilloci]

[ She nods, smiling. ]

In that case, I'll be sure to keep in touch. Thank you.

[fractales]

Please do, and thank you as well.

[A nod of his own in turn, a polite good bye for then.]