Handsome Jack here! I'm way too busy being awesome to answer the phone, but tell me why you're calling and if you're important enough, your people will hear from my people.
Oh- I'm sorry, that sucks. At least you've still got one of them, though.
I've heard a little bit about people leaving this place, but also that it's not something people really decide they wanna do? And they just up and disappear without warning. Is that true?
Yeah, you just...poof. I dunno, it sucks, but that's pretty much how it happens. You never know when you're gonna lose somebody, and you're gonna lose a lot of people here.
It's something I'm pretty used to, you know, uh- the possibility of people I care about just. Gone. But at least there's a tangible reason. Even if that reason is, you know, "got eaten alive by giant monsters"- that just- really sucks, dude.
[This is genuinely Newt's best effort at being comforting, which is kind of sad.]
Who's been here the longest? Aside from, like, the people who were already living here before people like us showed up. Unless everyone here is from another universe? Eh, I dunno.
[Newt stands up immediately at Jack's last statement, his Espurr mewling in surprise as she gets jostled around on his shoulder. He scoops her up and cradles her like a baby.]
Hell yeah, dude! I'm, like, so ready for this, you have no idea.
No clue. But yeah, there's locals. More locals than not. I think the longest anyone's been here's a decade? But don't quote me on that.
[This is just what Jack has heard, and it could be one of those 'girlfriend on Eden' kind of deals. Just something somebody claims.]
[Once outside, Jack pulls out one of his pokeballs and tosses it into a nearby open area to let out his shiny Charizard. Sure, Newt's seen it on the 'gear, but that's nothing like getting a look at the real life thing.]
[All six and a half feet of him, currently snorting and flaring his wings.]
Huh. Was that person, like, the first person brought here, or were there other people here first who just didn't stay as long?
[Newt makes an excited little noise as Warrior appears. There are stars in this man's eyes and he is practically bouncing on his feet with excitement.]
No idea. I think it's only been happening ten or a dozen years, though, so maybe.
[It's not something Jack's ever investigated, and it's nothing Rocket has info lying around on.]
Sure, knock yourself out! Shit, you can ride him, if ya want. He's friendly. Enough. I didn't bring any of my nasty ones - I got some that are kinda battle hungry, if ya get my drift? Warrior though, he's cool. He was a tiny little thing when he hatched! Looked kinda like a dinosaur.
[Newt reaches out one hand to tentatively, gently stroke Warrior's snout. His eyes wander to Warrior's unfurled wings.]
He's gorgeous, dude. Those wings are a little smaller than I'd expect for an animal so big, so he's gotta have some powerful goddamn muscles to be capable of extended flight. Does he have hollow bones? Wait, nevermind, you said something earlier about not, like, paying attention to stuff like that- but they've gotta be, right? You know, some people have calculated that if a human had wings, the wings would have to be at least 7 or 8 meters long to carry our weight, thats like at least 20-something feet in length, and that's not even counting the weight of the wings themselves, which probably wouldn't even be able to fly due to their size- and you look at that, and then you look at this guy, and just- holy shit, how does he do it? And it's not even something you'd think about, you'd take it for granted like, yeah, of course the dragon can fly, water is wet and all that, but it's really so fascinating to take that into account and then look at stuff like him and wonder how the hell he's able to do it! It's like he's a miracle of nature, you know?
[Jack has successfully unlocked the "Never shuts the fuck up" mode on Newt.]
Wow, whoah, okay. Calm down. We gotta get you on decaf! Uh...yeah, I think hollow bones. But strong? 'Cause yeah, I can ride him. And I mean...uh...probably something to do with the fire? Heat? Heat rises...I dunno.
[Jack's just spitting out logic that makes sense to him. Boy, Newt is really excited about this Pokemon, and it's not even the weirdest one Jack has to show off.]
But yeah, he's got weirdly small wings. Flies like an ace, though! Here, lemme show you the electric sheep.
[And he tosses out another ball, letting out his particularly dainty Mareep.]
[Newt pats the Mareep's head, the hair on his arms standing up on end from static electricity. He's already used to the same feeling from Yamarashi, luckily, and it doesn't stop him from continuing to pet the wool.]
Do people sheer these guys like regular sheep? And, where'd you get her?
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I've heard a little bit about people leaving this place, but also that it's not something people really decide they wanna do? And they just up and disappear without warning. Is that true?
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[Jack knocks back his drink.]
A lot.
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It's something I'm pretty used to, you know, uh- the possibility of people I care about just. Gone. But at least there's a tangible reason. Even if that reason is, you know, "got eaten alive by giant monsters"- that just- really sucks, dude.
[This is genuinely Newt's best effort at being comforting, which is kind of sad.]
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[Jack stands, gesturing for Newt to do the same.]
If ya can't tell, I've been here for years. Multiple birthdays. And I still couldn't tell you how shit works. This is the weirdest friggin planet...
[It doesn't make any sense to him, it still doesn't. Even all these years in Team Rocket, with access to all their research, he doesn't get it.]
But screw that depressing stuff, let's show off our Pokemon.
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[Newt stands up immediately at Jack's last statement, his Espurr mewling in surprise as she gets jostled around on his shoulder. He scoops her up and cradles her like a baby.]
Hell yeah, dude! I'm, like, so ready for this, you have no idea.
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[This is just what Jack has heard, and it could be one of those 'girlfriend on Eden' kind of deals. Just something somebody claims.]
[Once outside, Jack pulls out one of his pokeballs and tosses it into a nearby open area to let out his shiny Charizard. Sure, Newt's seen it on the 'gear, but that's nothing like getting a look at the real life thing.]
[All six and a half feet of him, currently snorting and flaring his wings.]
There he is! My Warrior!
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[Newt makes an excited little noise as Warrior appears. There are stars in this man's eyes and he is practically bouncing on his feet with excitement.]
Holy shit. Holy shit, can I pet him?
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[It's not something Jack's ever investigated, and it's nothing Rocket has info lying around on.]
Sure, knock yourself out! Shit, you can ride him, if ya want. He's friendly. Enough. I didn't bring any of my nasty ones - I got some that are kinda battle hungry, if ya get my drift? Warrior though, he's cool. He was a tiny little thing when he hatched! Looked kinda like a dinosaur.
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He's gorgeous, dude. Those wings are a little smaller than I'd expect for an animal so big, so he's gotta have some powerful goddamn muscles to be capable of extended flight. Does he have hollow bones? Wait, nevermind, you said something earlier about not, like, paying attention to stuff like that- but they've gotta be, right? You know, some people have calculated that if a human had wings, the wings would have to be at least 7 or 8 meters long to carry our weight, thats like at least 20-something feet in length, and that's not even counting the weight of the wings themselves, which probably wouldn't even be able to fly due to their size- and you look at that, and then you look at this guy, and just- holy shit, how does he do it? And it's not even something you'd think about, you'd take it for granted like, yeah, of course the dragon can fly, water is wet and all that, but it's really so fascinating to take that into account and then look at stuff like him and wonder how the hell he's able to do it! It's like he's a miracle of nature, you know?
[Jack has successfully unlocked the "Never shuts the fuck up" mode on Newt.]
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[Jack's just spitting out logic that makes sense to him. Boy, Newt is really excited about this Pokemon, and it's not even the weirdest one Jack has to show off.]
But yeah, he's got weirdly small wings. Flies like an ace, though! Here, lemme show you the electric sheep.
[And he tosses out another ball, letting out his particularly dainty Mareep.]
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[Newt finally leaves Warrior behind to get a closer look at the Mareep.]
Ohhh, look at you! You're so cute! Hey, will petting her, like, electrocute me or something?
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Nah, just feel tingly. She's real friendly, she likes people. I haven't had her too long,
[She certainly seems friendly, bouncing around and 'maaaaa' and 'reeeep'ing all over the place in excitement.]
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Do people sheer these guys like regular sheep? And, where'd you get her?