Voice

[notcominghome]

-ow it works? I can't really tell if it's on. Hey Roy, what do you think?

[There's some rustling, followed by a tapping sound as what seems to be a Cyndaquil tapping against the screen of the Pokegear.]

Cynda?

I think it's working. Alright! Now that we've got this Pokegear running we've got to record our lines now for the voicemail! It's got to be something really, really adorable so that everyone who calls us will be able to remember how cute you two boys are. Look I've already got a script-

Quil Cyndaquil!

Hmm? Aw, there's no need to be mad. I don't know why you get so riled up, you ARE a cute little fire-breathing porcupin-OWCH HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!

[The Gear falls down from Hughes's hand and clutters onto the ground, landing on the "OFF" button and effectively ending that 'recording' session.]

Comments

voice;

[ossifragant]

[He was going to ignore this, but hearing some newcomer get attacked by his Pokemon is one of the funnier things he's encountered recently so why not?]

I didn't know it was possible to rile one of those little guys up.

Voice

[notcominghome]

Hm?

[That catches him by surprise. Hughes walks over and picks up the Gear.]

You can hear me over this?

Voice

[ossifragant]

Yeah, it's like a phone.

You must have clicked it on by accident. You can also use one of the options and make yourself appear on it, too, and other people can as well. It's like a [what was that word again] movie.

[envy_the_sinners]

Some Pokémon are more difficult to manage than others, especially at first. I think your best hope at the moment is that it will grow to like you.

[And... not set him on fire.]

Assuming that's Voice?

[notcominghome]

[...well that's a voice that rings a bell somewhere. Hughes frowns for a second; has he spoken to this man before...?

Eh, probably not.]

Nah, little Roy likes me just fine.

[Hughes checks over his shoulder to ensure his Cyndaquil is still sulking in the corner before he whispers conspiratorially into the Gear.]

He just really hates being called cute. I can't figure him out; it's good to be so adorable, that way all the girls will fall for his charm!

[He chuckles at the thought of Roy being swamped my female Pokemon, but jokes aside he resumes his normal tone.]

Anyway I didn't intend to actually make that voice call to everyone, but since we're talking already...my name is Maes Hughes. It's nice to meet you!

[usedwrench]

[WELL THEN. There's a voice she thought she'd never hear again, so excuse Winry for a moment, while she thinks her heart might almost stop beating. Okay, girl, breathe. It's not the first time he's here, she's been here at the same time with him too - twice, kind of - but ... he's been gone for almost two years.

Hands still shaking, she decides to go with audio first. Hard swallow. Okay, she can do this. Somehow. Just one of the most amazing persons she's ever known there, alive and sounds like he doesn't remember being here before, but that's okay!!

Wait, you two boys? ... ...Does that mean he caught another pokemon by now, or does it mean that he's a rocket again? Well, only one way to find out.

Right. Need to think of something to say once she actually stops crying. Thanks for that, not like tears of joy are a bad thing but... Ummmm.]

It... actually connects you to a place called network or something, where everyone can hear what you say. There's a voicemail too though, but -- [Winry really doesn't know what to say here, so let's start with some technical basics.]

Your Cyndaquil sounds adorable... though it might take a little time for him to get used to being called adorable or cute.

[notcominghome]

W...Winry?

[Hughes immediately snatches the gear up from the ground and jams it to his ear. He probably shouldn't shout into the receiver like that, but he's really, really so happy to hear her voice.]

Winry! I didn't know you were here too. How are you? Are you doing OK? Where are you right now?

[voice]

[rocketralph]

_{[What...is Ralph listening to. A pokemon attack?]}

I don't think your fire porcupine agrees with you there, pal.

[notcominghome]

Heh, that's what he, owch, says. I think he's just a little embarrassed, I think he's pretty good-looking as far as fire hedgehogs go!

voice;

[doitrockapella]

Having a bit of trouble, are we?

[notcominghome]

No trouble at all! He's just a little shy; I'm sure he'll think differently once he's a older. If he's anything like the guy I name him after, he's definitely going to be a lady-killer.

Thanks for asking though. My name is Maes Hughes and I'm one of those new people that pop up every now and then.

[voice]

[exeggutorhead]

[Oh, it's this guy again. And...Envy can't tell from the message whether Hughes remembers the last time he was here. Or much of anything that he'd actually want to know, really. He doesn't want to ask outright, because that could just bring up a lot of questions.]

[...well there's one way to find out.]

Sounds like he disagrees with you.

[notcominghome]

[...that voice. Hughes actually stops for a second; compared to the man he spoke with earlier, this one really, really nags at him. He should know who this guy is!

Too bad that being half dead at the time meant that things were a little fuzzy. Hughes gives himself another five seconds before he gives up; maybe he should just ask this guy instead.]

For now. I'm sure he'll come around to embracing his cuteness, especially when it nets him all the ladies! He's actually really, really adorable. I don't have a picture with me but he's got a long snout and a round body, and his head is almost like a perfect circle. And when he gets mad his face actually turns a little red so he ends up looking like an adorable tomato!

[...Hughes, are you saying that you're teasing your Pokemon so that he looks cuter?]

[voice]

[artfuldestruction]

[Well. That's rather amusing, isn't it?]

Having some trouble with your Cyndaquil? They can be rather fiery creatures.

[HAAAA HAHAHA oh god, he's so funny....]

[notcominghome]

Not as fiery as some of my friends at home! And it's no trouble at all; he's just being a little shy. I think he's kinda like those young kids who want to be recognized as grown-ups but who don't realise that eight is as good as any other age there is. I guess I'm lucky my daughter hasn't started there yet.

Anyway my name's Maes Hughes! Who's on the line?

VOICE

[athirst]

[ on the other end of this response, there's another cyndaquil— a she, and she seems to be laughing at the scene and the reaction of the other cyndaquil and it's trainer, and not too worried about hiding the fact that she's doing so out loud. it was 'a moment' thing, and "the moment" said "do what you feel like doing". and that was this.

her trainer isn't on the scene just yet, but when he does see what she's doing . . . ! ]

[notcominghome]

[Roy is far from amused; in fact he's trying to reach for the Gear to scold this girl Cyndaquil for laughing at him. Thankfully Hughes still has the height to hold it up higher than Roy can reach, and has the humour to see how funny this whole scene looks like despite nursing slightly burned fingers.]

Oh, is this another Cyndaquil? Hello there! I'm Hughes, and my Cyndaquil friend here is Roy. Hey Roy, do you wanna say hi?

[Nope, Roy does not want to say hi. In fact, Roy is voicing his displeasure at being made to look like a fool in public. Too bad all Hughes can hear is Quil Quil Cynda Cynda Quiiiil!!!!]

Wow, he sure sounds excited to meet you!

[VOICE]

[sadisticwarfare]

[...Well, well, guess who he thought was never coming back. Archer would be inclined to greet Hughes in a more familiar manner, but this Hughes doesn't seem familiar with Pokémon at all. If he remembered this place, he wouldn't be acting like this. So either this is Hughes from Kimblee's world without his memories of this place, or this is Hughes from Archer's world. One of those versions he really doesn't like, so it's better to play it safe and greet him as a former superior officer.]

I do hope you're not injured, Lieutenant Colonel. If you're not careful those creatures can kill you.

[So let's see if Hughes recognizes his voice.]

Voice

[notcominghome]

[Hughes stops teasing his Cyndaquil for a moment, ignoring Roy's angry squeaks; again, that's someone addressing him as Lieutenant Colonel. This time though he's fairly certain he's never met this person before...

...maybe someone else mentioned him in passing? Who knows? Whatever it is, there's no reason for him to give anything other than a friendly reply.]

Don't worry about it, Roy would never hurt me. Right buddy?

[That murderous glare is very reassuring. What's that chill down his back...?]

A-anyway, thanks for the concern. I'm sure me and my Pokemon will get along just fine!

[voice]

[beholdmydemons]

[fire-types c: ]

I think you've wounded his pride.

[notcominghome]

I think he's got a bit of a temper on him! But it's fine, one day he'll realise how lucky he is when he's got a good female Pokemon by his side. He's seriously really cute though; I wish I could show you pictures! He doesn't like me doing it either but because he's got soft fur and he's a fire Pokemon, cuddling him is like hugging a nice, furry and warm teddy bear! And he's really clever. He's a short little thing, but he's already figured out ways to reach surfaces and door knobs above his height.

video

[islandshore]

[Okay, that... wasn't quite what he expected to hear over the network. A raging Cyndaquil? All over being called cute?

Heh. Riku chuckles, unable to hide the smirk on his face.]

He might be cute now, but just wait until he evolves. Maybe he's already embracing his inner Typhlosion...

Voice

[notcominghome]

[OH! SOMEONE IS TALKING ON THE TINY SCREEN. Hughes picks up the Gear and peers curiously at Riku...not that the silver-haired boy can see him.]

I hope not! It would be seriously uncute of him to be so grouchy at such a young age. And Typhlosion is his last evolution so hopefully he'll learn how to smile and relax a little more by then. Otherwise...

[SHUDDERS. He doesn't want to be blown up, thanks.]

[voice]

[ajustcaws]

...you... really ought to be careful with these little guys, they can be more of a handful than you expect!

Still, you should definitely show them off! You can even use moving pictures on this thing, you know?

[...CYNTHIA NO DON'T TELL HIM THAT]

Voice

[notcominghome]

I'm sure it's nothing I can't handle. I'm a father after all; taking care of little terrors is part of my job description. Except my Elicia was the most peeeerfect angel in the world! She never cried too hard or pulled tantrums and she was always the most thoughtful baby in the world to her mama and papa! And also the most beautiful baby too; she takes after my wife so much, and that's a pretty good thing because I'm not really much to look at!

[He ends that with a short bark of laughter.]

Someone spoke to me with the moving picture, but I haven't tried it yet. Do I need to cancel this call and press the button, or can I just switch to it right now?