I've never seen that one before, but from what I understand there are a lot of Pokemon that look... one way and are another. Or don't look like any sort of recognizable gender. But they're not human, so I suppose that makes sense.
[He has no idea what Absols are supposed to be an equivalent to.]
That would depend entirely on which mythology you are asking about. [ He's gotten up far too close and personal with Chinese mythology for his liking, after all. ] But I assume from your second question that we are discussing Judeo-Christian mythology, in which case: yes, I'm quite familiar. You're a religious man, then, Mr. Kureshima?
Not at all. But the fact that you know it proves a point - this fruit, whether it shows up in Judeo-Christian mythology, Norse, Greek, or whatever other mythology - is something that many religions have in common. Have you ever wondered why?
... Because, at least in my world, it's real. It's a fruit, yes, but more than that it's something truly powerful. Once a world has been devoured by something called the Helheim Forest, the person who possesses it decides what to do with the world. Remake it? Destroy it completely? Or something else?
[ Well, it's a good thing talking to that pleasant young man from the demon-infested world has prepared him to deal with the topic of worlds in which religion is reality. Though given all the other weirdnesses that apparently exist in his own world, he supposes it isn't out of the realm of possibility that it might be one of them. ]
So in your world, there exists a real, tangible forbidden fruit that allows one to control the fate of worlds. And this had to do with your attacking me... how?
[Sometimes you have to stop to breathe, Valmont. Seriously.]
The Helheim Forest has a number of fruits. A... researcher from my world found a way to turn those fruits into items that allow someone to transform, in order to have a better chance at fighting the monsters that appeared.
... I thought that if those things had appeared again, maybe there was a chance to win the Fruit here. And since only those who could fight survived... well. You were a tempting target to take out in order to reduce the competition.
I know it sounds stupid. I thought it was stupid, too. And yes, it does. That's the Hell Fruit Lockseed. It transforms me into that particular armor, though I had others at home.
[ He takes a sip of his tea, which has arrived. Of course he ordered tea. Of course he did. ]
Well, I suppose I can understand wanting to take out the greatest threat. It's just that I don't appreciate it when I'm the one being taken out, you understand. At least now you realize that I'm the more powerful of the two of us, I hope?
[ Not when you don't have the talismans on you, you're not. ]
Pretty fair. But I'm a lot more agile than I look. I spent a long time in a dance team, and fighting monsters has improved my reflexes even without the aid of transforming.
Is that so? I suppose we shall have to spar at some point, then, shan't we. [ Privately, he thinks the boy doesn't stand a chance, not against himself, but who knows. Maybe he'll surprise him yet. ]
[He sighs. Shut up about the fruit. It's not his fault Ryouma is weird. But if Valmont wants to assume things he never actually promised and therefore doesn't have to follow through on, that's fine.]
Yes, actually. Where did you get those talismans you were holding?
In response to the boy's question, he gives a brief shrug. ] Your guess is as good as mine, I'm afraid. They simply appeared in my room that morning. The last I'd been aware, they had been locked in the vault of a government organization back in my world, so, as I say, I've really no clue.
Oh? Well, they did seem powerful... so I suppose it's not surprising that something like that would be locked away. How did you run into them in your world in the first place?
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[He has no idea what Absols are supposed to be an equivalent to.]
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[ The Gothorita huffs. He's perfectly natural! You're unnatural! ]
Now, what was it you were planning to tell me? Or would you prefer to wait until after we've ordered?
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[Micchy looks down before looking back up at Valmont.]
... How much do you know about mythology? Or, at the very least, are you familiar with the idea of the "forbidden fruit"?
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... Because, at least in my world, it's real. It's a fruit, yes, but more than that it's something truly powerful. Once a world has been devoured by something called the Helheim Forest, the person who possesses it decides what to do with the world. Remake it? Destroy it completely? Or something else?
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So in your world, there exists a real, tangible forbidden fruit that allows one to control the fate of worlds. And this had to do with your attacking me... how?
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[Sometimes you have to stop to breathe, Valmont. Seriously.]
The Helheim Forest has a number of fruits. A... researcher from my world found a way to turn those fruits into items that allow someone to transform, in order to have a better chance at fighting the monsters that appeared.
... I thought that if those things had appeared again, maybe there was a chance to win the Fruit here. And since only those who could fight survived... well. You were a tempting target to take out in order to reduce the competition.
[Nothing personal. Maybe.]
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You transform... using fruit.
[ Nope, doesn't sound any less ridiculous when he says it. ]
Does this have anything to do with that absurd getup you were wearing?
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[ He takes a sip of his tea, which has arrived. Of course he ordered tea. Of course he did. ]
Well, I suppose I can understand wanting to take out the greatest threat. It's just that I don't appreciate it when I'm the one being taken out, you understand. At least now you realize that I'm the more powerful of the two of us, I hope?
[ Not when you don't have the talismans on you, you're not. ]
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I'd think that both of us are somewhat evenly matched without abilities.
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Are we?
[ He raises an eyebrow. ]
How are your hand-to-hand combat skills, would you say, Mr. Kureshima?
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Pretty fair. But I'm a lot more agile than I look. I spent a long time in a dance team, and fighting monsters has improved my reflexes even without the aid of transforming.
[Siiiiip.]
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Is that so? I suppose we shall have to spar at some point, then, shan't we. [ Privately, he thinks the boy doesn't stand a chance, not against himself, but who knows. Maybe he'll surprise him yet. ]
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[He grins into his cup for a brief moment before returning to the conversation.]
But you can see why that explanation was not exactly one I wanted to talk about around a large group of people.
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[ He's still not over the bit about using fruit to transform. Fruit, seriously? ]
Still. Your telling me is... appreciated. As is the fact you'll not be pulling any stunts like that in future.
[ He didn't actually say he wouldn't, V. ]
Was there anything else you wished to discuss, while we're here?
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Yes, actually. Where did you get those talismans you were holding?
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In response to the boy's question, he gives a brief shrug. ] Your guess is as good as mine, I'm afraid. They simply appeared in my room that morning. The last I'd been aware, they had been locked in the vault of a government organization back in my world, so, as I say, I've really no clue.
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Oh? Well, they did seem powerful... so I suppose it's not surprising that something like that would be locked away. How did you run into them in your world in the first place?
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It's a long story. [ He frowns down at his tea. ] A very long story... Have you ever met a demon, Mr. Kureshima?
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... No. I've met an Inves, and while I might argue that they count I suspect they're not the same thing.