Oscar let out a chuckle, amused by Mint's apparent discomfort. "I promise to turn off the on-ride photo in the elevator." Once his suit was properly zipped and his covered hood was secure, Oscar would toddle his way toward the door to his office. He checked the unassuming red light directly next to it, which was luckily still brightly shining. Good, that meant Zapdos was still in.

When Mint was ready, Oscar would lead him through the door and down the hall to the elevator. "You know, I wanted to have the elevator come directly to my office but apparently that's a security issue. I don't see why, you need a key card anyway." Upon entering the elevator, Oscar would push the following floor buttons in a specific order: 7, 1, 8, 4, 7 again, and 3. He then swiped his card, which caused all of the floor buttons to light up.

"The password is new." Oscar said as he put his keycard into the chest pocket of the suit. "I don't want anyone surprising Zapdos while he's chillin'." Or was Oscar just becoming possessive of the bird? It was hard to tell, he did not really know. What he did know was that Zapdos needed to be protected while it was staying on his property, lest the wrong people find their way to its perch.

The elevator rose for a long time, which made since; The Perch was the highest point within Mauville's power plant. When they finally arrived, the doors would open to a cascade of electricity. They probably would have been thoroughly zapped if not for their suits. Oscar stepped through the wave of voltage, out into the bowl shaped home of Zapdos. The legendary bird was indeed standing upon its perch, absorbing an unending stream of electric power that came from the countless pylons dotted across the sides of the 'bowl'. The ceiling was open, revealing the blackened sky that followed Zapdos wherever it travels--bursts of lightning rolling through the churning clouds.

The mighty Zapdos looked to the elevator, at first raising itself to look especially threatening. It did not enjoy unannounced company, and while their suits would protect his visitors from stray electric shocks they would do little to save them from the great bird's wrath. After a moment of examination however, Zapdos would recognize the face of Oscar Clayton and relax slightly. He was not an unwelcome sight, even if he had brought a plus one. Oscar gave Zapdos a small bow, low enough to show respect but short enough to not show reverence. Believe it or not, it was what the mighty bird preferred.

"Hey there, long time no see." Zapdos nodded slowly, a sign of welcome. They were officially its guest within this Perch. Oscar pointed to Mint, "This is my friend Mint, and he had some questions for you. Is that alright?" Zapdos was still for a moment, as if considering if it had the patience to be interviewed. Eventually it would nod. Oscar gave the bird a thumbs up and looked to Mint. "Alright you start."

mint frost

Zapdos stared at Mint, waiting patiently for his questions. True it had grown weary of questions, but at the same time it broke up the monotony of its day. It would answer whatever the humans needed--until it got bored anyway. It helped that Mint gave out compliments, Zapdos was a sucker for a solid boost to its ego.

Mint's first question was simple, and it allowed for a simple answer. Zapdos nodded sagely, only once to indicate an answer to both of parts of Mint's inquiry. Oscar looked excitedly to Mint, the idea that the other birds were within arm's reach was wonderful news. Oscar decided to take a turn with a question of his own. "Would you be willing to help us track down the ones in hiding?"

Zapdos shook its head, it was not a compass and it would not be used as some sort of 'detector' for its brethren. Oscar's face slacked a bit, this was unwelcome news. After a moment he would provide a follow up question. "Is there a way you could be convinced to help us?" Zapdos thought for a moment, genuinely thinking of what it would take make the effort worth it.

Eventually it would shrug its shoulders and nod. There was hope yet.

mint frost

Zapdos leered at Mint at the mention of Lugia before looking upward. Oscar awkwardly chuckled, "Uh, it's already reunited with Lugia. Its reaction was decisively indifferent." It was a little frustrating actually, Zapdos reacted very rarely to anything in general. The only thing that seem to make it happy is consuming energy, the fucker was a glutton if ever one existed.

Mint brought up a good point though, perhaps Zapdos was indeed waiting for something. It gave Oscar an idea, "Hmmm, if I can get you a more powerful kind of energy to feed on would you give us more information about your relatives?" Zapdos looked to Oscar, leaning in slowly as if deciding if it should eat him or not. While maintaining intense eye contact, the legendary bird would nod.

Oscar, trying not to get nervous from the bird's intensity, chuckled at the compromise. "Sounds um--easy enough. Uh, any more questions on your end Mint?"

mint frost

Oscar was fine with Mint coming and going because he trusted him. Zapdos though? Oscar was not certain, Zapdos did not seem to really trust anyone. Even its bond with Oscar seemed tolerated at best, no doubt because Oscar provided it with continual sustenance. It did not outright refuse though, instead looking to the sky and then back down upon the two humans. It tilted its head with a sort of resigned leer, which Oscar would translate.

"Uh, looks like it's cool with it as long as it's in the mood on the days you come. Naturally I'm cool with it too just let me know when you want to." After Oscar spoke Zapdos would nod before hopping into the air. It turned in place, causing a wide wave of sparks to cover the duo as the great bird turned its back on them. It would seem that Zapdos was done conversing for now.

Oscar nodded gratefully, even though Zapdos would be unable to see him. "Thank you Zapdos, rest up. I'll get you some new energy to absorb when I can." Zapdos rolled its shoulders, its final acknowledgement before it would attempt to nap.

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