04--video

[shatterings]

[ The video flickers on and Naminé's looking incredibly unsettled. She's quiet for a while until she opens the door of her room. There, standing in the hallway, are two Meowstics--one female, one male--and a lone Espurr. Kind of like this, with the Espurr right in the middle. Standing. Staring.

Quietly, Naminé turns the camera toward herself. ]

When we woke up, we found them like this. I... I'm not sure why they're doing this.

... Is this normal?

Comments

[shatterings]

[ Naminé just gives a nod, then holds her hand out after a moment to the Houndoom. ]

Hello, Cerberus. I think this is the first time we've met.

[dressofheaven]

[Cerberus turns her attention to Namine with ponderous seriousness, snuffling over her hand very deliberately before she decides to demonstrate her acceptance by flopping her head directly into her lap. Ilya, of course, finds this hilarious.]

I gather you approve of her, then, don't you Cerberus?

[shatterings]

[ She's expecting Cerberus to sniff her hand, sure, but she's surprised when Cerberus plops right down. With a little laugh, she pets the Houndoom's head. ]

I'm glad she does.

[dressofheaven]

All of mine seem to take to you nicely. You have a way with Pokemon, Namine.

[The fact that she can probably easily con Namine into endless rounds of ear-scratches may have factored into Cerberus's plans.]

[shatterings]

I... you think so?

[ Well, she looks pleased about that! With a smile, she makes a motion to scratch beneath Cerberus's chin. ]

[dressofheaven]

No, I don't. I know so.

[And Ilya has no intention of allowing Namine to doubt her. Of course, given Cerberus's pleased dog-grin in response to the chin scratchings, she really does seem to have a point.]

I've paid very close attention to them all as they grew up, you know. I more than anyone can tell who they're fond of and who they're not.

[shatterings]

[ Naminé is definitely loving that Cerberus looks so happy because of her. It's a nice feeling. ]

I'm glad, then. It's hard not to be fond of them, too.

[dressofheaven]

Oh you say that now, but wait until Hydra decides to copy what Typhon did and starts chewing on your hair, only with three heads. Or until-

[Ilya is interrupted by Cerberus licking Namine's face. Very wetly.]

... Well, that.

[shatterings]

Three h-- o-oh! Cerberus!

[ That gets a laugh from Naminé, one that bursts forth as if she can't contain it anymore. And Cerberus earns a hug from Naminé--she's just too adorable. ]

[dressofheaven]

[By now the theoretically fearsome hellhound is nuzzling Namine like an eager puppy, and Ilya's giggling herself silly.]

And to think I decided to entrust you with guard duty, you ridiculous mutt!

[Cerberus responds with a bark of offense. But Mistress, trusting her with guard duty was a good idea! She'll be the perfect guard dog! No one will get past her!]

[shatterings]

[ What a predicament! Dog slobber aside, Naminé's having a ball. Cerberus even gets her ears played with. ]

I think she's doing just fine. Aren't you, Cerberus?

[dressofheaven]

[Yeeeees she loves it when her ears are played with do that more Namine.]

Well, at the very least she won't be leaving you alone anytime soon. I suppose that counts for something.

[shatterings]

I don't mind at all. She's very good company.

[ It helps that her ears are very soft. ]

[dressofheaven]

Well at least I know what to do if you ever have nightmares. I'll just send her to you to scare them away.

[Not that Ilya isn't going to come running herself if she hears Namine screaming in the night, because of course she is.]

[shatterings]

Thank you, Ilya. I'll keep that in mind.

[ Well, her nightmares aren't the screaming kind, at least. They're more the "waking up in a cold sweat" type. ]

[dressofheaven]

Oh don't mention it. She's hardly going to complain.

[Given that Cerberus has now flopped her head back into Namine's lap, this is hardly a contestable statement.]

[shatterings]

[ And Naminé settles into a steady rhythm, gentle stroking and scratching little circles behind Cerberus's ears. ]

Are your other Pokémon I haven't met this affectionate?

[dressofheaven]

Some of them. Aphrodite is probably the most cuddly of them all, except perhaps Iris. But they're all protective, and kind in their own way assuming they like you. Talos is probably the most interesting, since he's the only one of mine who can really "talk".

[shatterings]

I don't think I've met Talos... Oh! You can teach them to speak?

[dressofheaven]

No... well, you sort of can, if they really want to. One of Riku's can do that. But when I say "talk", I mean Talos is psychic. He... or it, since it doesn't really have a gender, is a Metagross, a very powerful steel and psychic type.

[shatterings]

That's incredible... they're so smart. [ Oh, so like Hope. Naminé nods. ] Mm. I remember you told me about that, when I first arrived.

[dressofheaven]

Right. Talos was the one who I was talking about, but all Psychics can do that if they want to. I'd show you him, but it's not wise to let him out indoors. He's very heavy.

[shatterings]

I'd like that... whenever we're outside next.

[dressofheaven]

Well, we could go out right now if you really wanted to. Of course, that would mean walking past Goggle out there, but I'm sure Cerberus will keep you safe.

[shatterings]

[ She gives Cerberus a gentle pat on the head. ]

That sounds nice. Would you like that, Cerberus?