decrees | SECOND ORDER ♛ VIDEO

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SECOND ORDER ♛ VIDEO

[The video opens up to a Dratini egg. Standing around it are a few Pokémon: a Torchic, a Vulpix, and a Staravia. The trio seem curious about the egg, as if they've never seen it before.]

How do you get an egg to hatch?

[The question comes from somewhere off-screen. The video swivels to look up at Logan, who is frowning at the egg. He doesn't seem to notice the camera is pointed at him.]

I've had this one for well over a month. It doesn't even show signs of hatching.

[And the one Reaver got hatched quite some time ago! Clearly this is an exercise in Logan's shitty luck. Then again, looking at those unevolved Pokémon it's quite possible that he just sucks at this whole "Pokémon training" thing. Or a horrible combination of that and shit luck. That's probably it.]

I have kept the egg with me at all times. What else does it require?

[He hasn't even dropped it! Come on, that has got to count for something!]

I also have a question in regards to evolution. Is it possible for a Pokémon to simply decide not to evolve? I have two that should have evolved by now but haven't for... some reason I can't figure out.

[Logan turns a bit, realizing that the camera is focused on him, and gestures to the Torchic. He retrieves the 'Gear from the cameraman, a sulking Snivy, and gestures to it as well.]

I would appreciate any advice on either subject. Thank you.

[And with that, he shuts the feed off.]

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[He does what he can....]

How do you use alchemy?

[Is it like the magical gauntlets his sister has? Or is it like his mother, who could just use magic for no real reason? Or maybe it's some sort of potion you use? Omg deets, Kimblee!]

[...Logan, you may be here for a while...]

It requires the usage of materials and transmutation circles. We can't create from nothing, nor can we render something into nothing; it all adheres to the principle of Equivalent Exchange, which basically states that we can only work with the materials we have. While this principle can be defied, it comes at a cost; whatever toll the forces of the world deem acceptable will be taken from either the alchemist directly, or the surrounding area. It's not uncommon for people to lose body parts, their lives, or the lives of others in the rebounds they've created; it's something we want to avoid, and as such it's always better to underestimate than overestimate your abilities.

However, once you have the suitable materials, you draw your transmutation circle in the general vicinity of what you want to work with; the more advanced circles are always personalized, with various symbols that hold meaning to the alchemist and represent what it is they're trying to do - alchemists have to have a deep understanding of the process they're trying to undertake, before they even attempt. But once they're prepared, it's just a matter of activating the circle and performing the transmutation - that's done using a combination of will and one's own life energy.

It sounds complex, but it's incredibly easy once you're accustomed to doing it.

Ah, so it is sort of like magic, then.

[HEY YOU SAID "WILL".....]

It does sound incredibly complex. How long have you been doing it?

[...KIMBLEE ARE YOU A HERO...?]

It's a science, actually, but most who aren't familiar with it tend to think it's some sort of magic. It's not looked highly upon to refer to it as such in Amestris; I'll have to ask you to refrain from doing so, if you don't mind.

[He doesn't sound offended, however; he's gotten that more than enough here to get offended over it anymore.]

As for how long I've been at it, I've been capable since I was a child. However, I didn't start to actually hone my craft until I was a teenager, which is a fairly late start, as things go back in my world.

Ah, my apologies, then.

[He's not sure how that could possibly be offensive, but alright! He'll keep that in mind!]

Is there any particular reason for that? How were you able to understand all that as a child?

It takes a certain aptitude; some of it is natural talent and innate understanding, but the rest has to be learned through practice and study. That sort of natural talent came easily to me, even though I didn't understand all of the principles behind it - what I was working with as a child were very simple, basic transmutations that didn't require a high level of skill or a lot of comprehension to carry out. However, I wasn't one for traditional study, and I soon fell out of practice with it; it caught my interest again when I was a bit older.

I see.

[Kind of. Apparently you're just really bright. :|a ]

I take it this is something very important to you, then? Can you use it here?

[...that too, yes, but he won't be quite that blunt in stroking his own ego.]

It is, yes...however, it's as it is with most abilities like that - I'm afraid this place has seen fit to ensure I can't use it.

[...oh my god a normal person! It's sad when this is surprising. He's been spending way too much time around Reaver.]

That's unfortunate. I am sorry to hear that.

[But you're getting by! Right? It's not like you need your alchemy or anything!!]

Oh, I'm rather used to it by this point; I've been here almost eleven months now, and I've always believed in the principle of "adapt and overcome" besides.

Ah, an excellent principle.

[And one he tries to stick to! ...He fails, but that's not the point!!]

You're perfectly content being here for so long? I imagine you have things to get back to; you're fine leaving them?

[...Project a little harder, Logan...]

[...oh...boy, let's try to avoid answering this.]

I've spoken to some people who have returned to their world of origin; it seems that time doesn't pass for us back home, for as long as we remain in Johto.

Technically speaking, you aren't missing anything at all, much less anything important.

Is that the case?

[...Really? That means he can actually relax here. He doesn't have to hurry home...! That's certainly something.]

I can see where that would make it tempting to stay here, then.

It does, yes. It helps that I don't have anything terribly important awaiting me back home.

[Like, you know

life]

You don't have anything?

[Hang on, trrrrrying to fathom this...]

You don't have a family or friends to return to?

I don't, no. I wasn't a terribly popular person back home, unfortunately, and I never really made friends very easily; as for family, I've never married, nor do I have any real interest in dating anyone back home. I have a younger sister who's understandably rather angry with me for things I've done in the past; no parents.

If anything, I'm faring better here than I was there.

[He doesn't sound bothered by any of that, either; he's simply stating facts, really.]

[How can you not be bothered by it? All you're missing is a horribly demanding job and incoming darkness that will swallow your country and your life would be the same as his! Logan nods slowly, but doesn't respond right away.]

...Do you prefer it here, then?

[They're obviously not in the exact same situation. Logan still doesn't know if he wants to hear the answer.]

[AHAHAHA. haha. ha. oh. oh my god.

you don't know the half of it]

I do, yes.

...I see. So you would choose to stay here instead of returning home?

[He can understand why. If time doesn't pass at home then why should he return so soon? It's not something he likes thinking about.]

[...you are asking a lot of questions for someone who's just idly curious, you know.]

If I may...are you still so eager to return home yourself, or do you find yourself questioning?

[The question catches Logan off-guard, and he hesitates for a moment longer than necessary before answering.]

...No. I need to return home as soon as possible. It doesn't matter if time doesn't pass there - I can't waste time here on frivolities when I have consequences to deal with back home.

[He tips his head a bit in acknowledgement of the answer, though his expression doesn't give too much away when it comes to exactly what he thinks of that.]

That's a viewpoint I've discussed often with my battling partner here, actually; he seems to feel the same way, for the most part.

He's rather like you, in some ways; don't worry, that isn't an insult.

Oh?

[Well come on, he's clearly the mirror universe version of Archer! He's got the goatee and everything! Spoilers: Archer's the evil one.]

What has he decided to do?

[Yes, Kimblee is realizing this - if for no better reason than Logan is scanning as far less wrong than Archer tends to.]

We're assessing our options as they present themselves; for the time being, he doesn't have much choice but to wait. We've been here for almost a year now; I've been here for almost eleven months, he's been here for a bit longer than that.

Did you two know each other before you arrived here?

[Something about what Kimblee said is striking him oddly. "We're" instead of "he's"; do the two of you always make decisions together like that? It's a little odd...]

That certainly is a long time. This place hasn't become boring to either of you, then?

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