3rd Pokeball: Actors Wanted

[unbroken_chain]

As the feed snaps on, it shows Kotoha in profile, leaning back in a chair and looking thoughtful. The chair itself is tilting back on two legs as Kotoha starts speaking without looking at the camera.

"So I found the Velvet Room earlier today, and Caroline asked me to bring her a movie. Apparently they don't...have movies in there."

At this, Kotoha sits up a little straighter, the front legs of the chair falling to the ground with a thunk. She proceeds to flip the chair around so the back of it is facing the camera, and rotates to look directly into it, straddling the chair with her arms resting on the back.

"So, listen. My pride as an actress won't let me just...go out and buy her a DVD."

A pause for a slightly wry smirk.

"Well...maybe if it was one of my DVDs, but fat chance of finding one of those here. Anyway."

A slight cough to clear her throat before she continues.

"What I'd like to do is actually make a movie for her - which brings me, at last, to the actual point. I can handle a lot of the stuntwork and special effects and stuff, but it won't change the fact that it's only...well, me. So what I need are, you know...actors."

Behind her, a large black bipedal fox creature sneaks into the frame, holding up a sign with the lettering OUT OF WORK WILL ACT 4 FOOD on it, snickering under its breath. Not taking her eyes off the feed, Kotoha addresses it, sounding weary.

"Put the sign down, Zoroark, you aren't as funny as you think you are. Anyway, if you're interested in being in a movie, feel free to contact me."

Comments

[hachitaro]

... His face kind of goes pale for a second, before the expression goes away and he nods.

"Yeah. No problem!"

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha is very, very good at reading people.

"If it's not a problem, why did you look like something passed over your grave?"

[travelingtheworlds]

[Sasha's attention was on something other than the ad itself...]

That creature with the sign... is that a Paction?

[unbroken_chain]

Huh?

"No, Zoroark's a Pokemon. What's a Paction?"

[travelingtheworlds]

Huh indeed.

"Pactions are creatures from a world I visited. They're named that because you can make pacts with them and summon them with the right equipment. Now, it's my turn to ask... what's a Pokemon?"

[unbroken_chain]

"The long version is Pocket Monster. They're called that because..."

Hold on while she takes out a tiny sphere. Toggling the button on the front, it suddenly expands to the size of a softball.

"Well, inside the Pokeballs, they fit in your pocket."

[hachitaro]

"I've... seen Zubats before. They're uh... everywhere in those caves."

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha freezes at that. It takes several seconds before she reacts.

"...you know what Zubat are?"

[hachitaro]

Crap. How to explain this how to explain this.

"Um. I've... played a game with Pokemon in it. They're not exactly around in my world. I dunno, maybe there's someone who can peek across the multiverses. I try not to think about it too hard."

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha considers this.

"Oh, that makes sense! I guess you have Nintendo in your world, too!"

[hachitaro]

How does she - never mind.

"Yeah, we do. I've been pretty busy the last decade though, so I haven't really kept up."

[unbroken_chain]

"Haha, yeah, the original training simulators they published were pretty regional. Took 'em years to admit that we had Pokemon in North America."

[hachitaro]

Training simulations... regional... oh. ... Man, he has not kept up in a long time. Wasn't the last one Gold or something? ... Whatever.

"Huh. That's weird. But yeah. I think it was... what was it called. Kanto? The one I played."

This is very close to the weirdest conversation he has ever had.

[unbroken_chain]

"Oh wow, that was the first one! There's been a rumor going around for ages that it was the 'secret project' that lead to the creation of Porygon."

[hachitaro]

""It's been a long time since I played it."

Some memories fade, but FUCKING ZUBATS are forever.

[unbroken_chain]

"Even if it's only second hand, it's nice to meet someone that knows what a Pokemon is."

[hachitaro]

He just grins.

"Anyway, just let me know what else I can do to help."

[travelingtheworlds]

Cue Sasha's eyes getting about as big as the Pokeball.

"Wow! That's amazing! You can actually carry them around with you that way? I wonder what the Pokemon think about it, though. The pact-making equipment lets the Pactions go anywhere they want before you summon them, and sends them back."

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha glances over at Zoroark and makes a sort of 'feel free' gesture. The fox-like creature nods in response, grinning broadly, as his form shimmers and changes. When it's over, Kotoha suddenly has a twin sister. Zoroark-Kotoha, still wearing a foxy grin, leans over Actual Kotoha's shoulder to address Sasha directly.

"We're fine with it. Any pokemon that has a problem with it simply won't reveal itself to humans."

[shadowsher]

You're actually going to make a whole movie? That's impressive, Kotoha.

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha grins.

"You should come too! It'll be fun!"

[shadowsher]

Well, uh... I could watch... [ Not sure how well he'd fair around a camera. ] Do you need... costumes... or anything?

[unbroken_chain]

"Well, someone's already agreed to make the costumes if I provide the materials, and..."

She trails off, a look of slowly dawning realization coming over her face.

"...and we're...filming using a holocamera that can...make the sets...um. Hm."

A pause.

"...I might not need to buy a bunch of fabric, seems like."

[shadowsher]

O-oh...

Wow, I've never heard of a holocamera... That's impressive.

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha perks right up at that.

"It pays to have a well-developed social circle!"

Hint.

Hint.