smokinghunter | [Video] / Action for Violet City

[Smoker's up on Sprout Tower. The outside of it, high up. How he got there is better left unasked.]

And here I thought I promised never to come back here.

[What can he say, he's feeling nostalgic, even if he spent months in this city with people no longer in the world. Just one of those days. Around his neck he's sporting a certain monkey wearing a straw-hat. Though he's got his murkrow out next to him. But for once, they aren't bickering, just quietly reflecting his own distant mood. What can he say indeed? He should be chasing pirates, or dealing with his crew nearly blowing themselves up or some other stupid thing. Instead he's surrounded by animals and little kids. But that's almost a good thing, which really just makes it weird.]

I hate the song for this place. [And nope, he never can master the art of tuning it out.] All right, everyone on this fake den den mushi thing, what's the rarest pokemon you've seen or heard of? One you're sure almost no one else has? Would you rather have one like that, or just one you consider strong? Maybe one you can be friends with?

Certain idiots in my world have a convoluted idea of treasure. For the stupidest of them, it's money or gold. For the wiser ones, it's usually some random piece of junk that has memories attached to it. Actually, my world is a lot like this place. Millions of idiots try to rush to the end of the end of the Grand Line, fighting other pirates or marines just like gym leaders, all to prove they're the strongest, or the best, or to try to reach the end and see what the greatest treasure in all the world is. It makes me wonder if there really is a treasure at the end of all this, but then, I was never one to hunt One Piece, just the pirates along the way.

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Actually settle down and have kids. The argument that I need pirates for my job is very old and tired woman.

[And just plain irritating, but he's sure she knows that.]

[A thoughtful chuckle.]

Somehow I didn't see you as the domestic type.

[But it does explain his almost fatherly patience with Luffy.]

I'm sure there's a lot you don't know about me, woman.

I won't deny it.

[It doesn't seem to bother her much, either.]

See if you can't keep it that way.

[/Tsuntsun.]

[She salutes sarcastically, not making any promises whatsoever.]

So. If I make my way to the gym, what am I up against?

A bunch of tough birds.

It's been just under two years since I fought him so I couldn't tell you specifically. He's had to have grown since then.

Hmmm....

[Flying types, then. Her team ought to do alright, provided they've got enough experience.]

Seems like poor planning to make some people fight significantly higher leveled pokemon, simply because they showed up a year or two later. It throws the validity of the badges into disarray.

They were always pretty strong. Tons of idiots thought that it would start off weak just for location.

It's the same as the pirates who assumed Loguetown would be easy to pass for being in the East Blue.

[And thus why he almost cheered for Falkner more than the trainers :|]

How would one know if they're ready for the challenge, then? Or is it expected you'll go and be completely wiped out at least once?

Probably that, which is why you should get stronger.

[She waves a dismissive hand.]

There's a limit to how much these guys can do in one day.

I didn't mean instantly. Quite the opposite. Take longer so you'll be stronger when you do fight him.

[She chuckles.]

I am. Otherwise you wouldn't be moping on top of that tower.

I'm not moping.

Brooding, then.

[The video shakes for a moment as Robin sets it on the ground next to her and stretches.]

I think we're maxed out for the day. Should I start dinner for two or will you be pining for the rest of the evening?

[Brooding he'll accept. Pining he won't.]

I don't pine either.

Che, I'll be down in a bit, but let's go out. I've been working in the shop all day and you can't be any worse on my wallet than the brat always was.

[Oh, come on. Her cooking isn't that bad...]

If you insist.

[She probably ought to get in to the pokemon center for a shower, lest they offend the public.]

[It's not her cooking, he's just ~~Ash Ketchum~~ a fan of eating out. Relying on her cooking is too domestic for him unless they're cooking and then he can split the chores at least.]

Meet you back at the pokecenter.

[Robin doesn't mind getting free food legally, so she won't complain.]

Mm.

[And she cuts the video feed.]