silph_co | [video] some time earlier this week because what even is time

((OOC: Putting a big ol' content warning for discussion of parasites in here, because Doppio is very upset about Parasect.))

[The familiar scenery of Violet City is visible behind Doppio, who is in clear and visible distress. He speaks in a hushed tone -]

T... This is terrible! How is this normal? This can't be normal! Rosso... Rosso is dead!

[And then the scenery is mostly obscured by the Pokémon Doppio drags in front of him, a large Parasect. It stares into the PokéGear with its blank eyes, softly pinching at Doppio's sweater.]

Do you see that? He just evolved. So I checked the Pokédex, and it says... it says the mushroom is in control now? And if that's in the Pokédex, that means it's normal, right? But... But doesn't anybody else think that's awful? Isn't this place supposed to be family-friendly?! Rosso had a personality... He had likes and dislikes! And now this mushroom is just puppeteering his body around?!

[He seems to let that hang in the air for a bit, hugging Rosso close to him. Then he adds, in a tone that's more self-conscious than panicked:]

By the way, uh... Does anybody know if [Quieter still.] the higher-ups can cover for accidental damages while you're [And quieter again.] in plain-clothes? I... Pesci evolved right next to one of those bridges to that big tower.

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Huh? They are, but... Doesn't it freak you out? Why does this place have parasites?!

[ That was met with a huff of a laugh from Diego, shaking his head just a little. ]

Why would a place like this be exempt from the laws of nature? It's crawling with strange creatures, the likes of which I've never seen before in my life...

[ A pause as he tilted his head. ]

...I think I'd be more concerned over the rock creatures before worrying about parasites.

Rock... creatures?

[Doppio has not yet had the pleasure of seeing a Geodude up close.]

What's so bad about those? Sure they probably look weird, but they're not the only things here that do, right?

Of course they're not, but I doubt that rocks were sentient where you came from, were they?

[ Rocks shouldn't move on their own, Doppio!!! ]

No, but still... [He tilts his head in thought. How should he put it?] I bet the rocks here mind their own business, right? They're not going around taking over people's bodies.

[ That was a sadly valid point, Diego frowning as he brought up a hand to his chin thoughtfully. ]

I certainly see your point there, but are you sure? I'll admit that the likelihood of it is fairly low, but I wouldn't discount the concept completely without some sort of proof.

[ He pulled his hand away from his face, offering a seemingly sincere smile to the camera. Maybe it was real and maybe it wasn't, he wasn't going to dwell on it. ]

Just because we don't see it doesn't mean that it can't happen, right?

[... Now he's honestly unsure if parasitic rocks are any more upsetting than regular old parasites already are. Does it really matter, though...?

Wait, it definitely doesn't! Rocks are nowhere even near the point of all this!]

Sure, but that's not what's bothering me! [Okay, well, the parasite thing in and of itself does inherently bother him, but--] If people can't even die here, why are parasites allowed?

Have you stopped to think about the entire concept of a parasite and host relationship?

[ He was trying to think of how he wanted to put it, quiet contemplation before continuing. ]

I'm not sure you need to be as concerned as you're making yourself. In theory the host is still alive, yes? If it were completely dead there wouldn't be anything for the parasite to gain, wouldn't you say? No nutrients, I would imagine impaired motor functions as well...

[ Here he goes again. ]

It's when the parasite is gone that you need to be concerned.

[For a second or two there, Doppio looks like he might be... just sort of... spacing out a bit.

Then he blinks, picks up his PokéGear and starts flicking through it.]

Well, it says here that the host is mostly dead.

And mostly isn't completely, yes?

[ That had been an interesting pause... ]

I... guess so...?

[But it's still upsetting to him! And, by proxy - if not for the same reasons - upsetting to someone else.

If Doppio knew how much his line of thought is stressing that particular person out, he'd do his best to cut it out, personal feelings be damned. But he can't know, of course. Even utmost trust has its limits.]

It's a yes or no question, if you've eaten most of your lunch it doesn't mean that the entire thing is gone. I think that should be easy enough to agree with.

[ He was picking on him too much, perhaps it would be fine to give him a break now and he let out a soft chuckle. ]

I'm not sure where your guesses are coming from but I suppose I can't really fault you for it. I can't stop the way you think any more than you can stop the way I think.

I still think being mostly a puppet is pretty awful, but...

[Well, this guy is probably right about one thing: neither of them are going to budge.]

Um, we haven't met, have we?

I'm sure it is, but be grateful you're not the one on the receiving end of it.

[ He could appreciate that Doppio had come to his senses, even if that part of the conversation had become little more than a stalemate. ]

But no, I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting before. Diego Brando, though you can call me Dio as well, I'll respond to either. Your turn...

[Dio? Doppio raises an eyebrow - that's kind of presumptuous, isn't it? But yes, his name -]

Uh, Doppio. My name's Doppio. Vinegar Doppio, but... just Doppio is good!

[ Don't you judge the name his mother gave him! Nickname? Either way, it came from his mother and he's going to use it! He paused again, unsure how he was supposed to react to the name being presented to him as well and he found that he couldn't stop himself.

It wasn't meant to to be combative and it certainly wasn't meant to be rude but out came the question regardless of whether it should have or not. ]

What sort of a name is Vinegar?

[ Vinegar...? Who on earth could be so cruel to their child. ]

[Okay, you know what? He wasn't going to say it, but you've forced his hand!]

What kind of name is Dio?

[Not that he's... offended? Or anything? I mean, who the hell knows who gave him that name in the first place. And it's not like anybody uses it, anyway... BUT THE POINT IS, BOLD WORDS COMING FROM MISTER "GOD".]

[ There wasn't anything particularly wrong with that question, Diego huffing out a laugh in response with a tilt of his head. ]

A pet name, I suppose, given to me by my mother. I would be doing her a disservice if I didn't continue using it...

[ Ha! Touché! ]

Ah... Sorry! I didn't mean any offense!

[... Like. It's still a weird nickname, but if it was his mother, then he doesn't want to show any disrespect??]

[video] some time earlier this week because what even is time

never be

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