39th treasure [audio]

[captainash]

Everyone, my team has a question and demands an answer. Think about it carefully.

[The team in question can be heard, yipping and meowing and squawking animatedly. But that all stops the moment Ash takes a deep breath and speaks again.]

...Which are better: dogs, cats, or birds?

Comments

(Audio)

[captainash]

First a dog, then a bird, but no cat. Do you prefer the smaller breeds for companionship, or the larger ones that can guard a house?

(Audio)

[stonebird]

Small birds and big dogs. Some ladies may own small dogs, but I prefer the sort that can guard me and take care of themselves. And birds...

I like songbirds.

(Audio)

[captainash]

Even the small dogs are adequate guards around here, but the large ones definitely have their charms. As for songbirds... Have you ever seen a Chatot? Not only can they sing, they can also learn lyrics.

(Audio)

[stonebird]

A...Chatot? (Her delight is hard to hide.) I must secure one for my own. Oh what would I name...

A Bard's name, perhaps. Something musical.

(Audio)

[captainash]

As long as the name pleases it, of course. They can express their opinion on the matter, after all.

Yes we can, miss lady!

[Those last words are spoken in a very high voice, further away from the Pokégear. It seems someone is listening in.]

(Audio)

[stonebird]

I have noticed they can be very opinionated. (She falls quiet at the second voice, leaning in closer out of curiosity.) Is someone else there?

(Audio/Video)

[captainash]

That would depend on your definition of 'someone'.

[Ash turns the video on for a few moments, long enough to show Sansa Haro the Chatot flying through the room to perch on his shoulder.]

They're all awaiting the results of this little poll with great anticipation.

(Video)

[stonebird]

Oh?

(She smiles in surprise at the Chatot, inclining her head in welcome.)

Are you deciding what sort of Pokémon you are going to add to your group next?

(Video)

[captainash]

I already have a few ideas, but I might still be convinced if the vote proves decisive enough. Though I already have plenty of all three.

Never too many! Never too many!

[Haro looks almost insulted by that notion.]

(Video)

[stonebird]

I cannot say you will go wrong no matter who you choose.

(She laughs gently at Haro.)

He only wishes to ensure he can take care of you.

(Video)

[captainash]

He wishes for more friends who prefer to play at night, or new hide-and-seek players. Taking care of me is merely a bonus.

Good bonus! Best bonus!

(Video)

[stonebird]

Those seem like admirable wishes. (She shakes her head in amusement.) A bonus he delights in, I see.

(Cirrus her Swablu hops onto her shoulder and snuggles close against her hair.)

(Video)

[captainash]

Thankfully. If it was unwanted, my feelings would be so hurt I'd never recover. My heart would break and never heal again.

[Haro snorts at the obvious lie, before waving at Cirrus with his left wing.]

(Video)

[stonebird]

You are a terrible liar, ser. (Says Sansa Stark. If she can spot the lie, you know you're bad.

Cirrus blinks contentedly and chirps a greeting.)

(Video)

[captainash]

[Ash merely laughs at that.]

Fine, fine. I'd get over it quickly enough. But it's still appreciated.

[He pats Haro even as the bird rolls his eyes. Trainers are silly sometimes, right?]

(Video)

[stonebird]

It's good to know you have confidence in yourself. (She admires that - even if he is silly. Cirrus shakes his head sadly. His trainer won't even go to a doctor!)

(Video)

[captainash]

Why, thank you. I'm glad to hear it; I spent years building it up, after all. I wouldn't want to have wasted all that time on an off-putting personality trait.

[Now that's just silly! That's like refusing to visit the nice nurses! Who would say no to that?]