Third Flake [video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[One day, Elsa will make a post to the network that doesn't involve questioning everyone. Today? not really one of those days.]

I'm sorry I've asked so many questions every time I post messages here. After being here for over a month, one would think that I knew enough to not need to ask so many questions. But this is just... something I haven't seen before. So I have to ask.

[The camera shifts from Elsa's face down to her lap. Wriggling happily upon it, nose pushing against her palm as it snuffles curiously, is a Dratini. But there's something a little.... odd about it.]

Do pokemon come in different colors? From what I've been able to tell with others of the species I've seen, it hasn't been the case, but this little one hatched today, and she's.... different, from the pictures I've seen of this species. Is this normal?

Comments

Video

[dreamsofahero]

That is quite normal, yes, albeit rather rare.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa lets out a small breath.]

Well, that's good to know. I knew it couldn't have meant anything bad, considering how active this little one seems to be... [She giggles a little as she gently prods the dratini's middle, and it squeaks in surprise.] But I've heard that colorings out of the norm could be a hint that there's something... different about someone.

[She's kind of an example of that, isn't she? The only fair-haired member of her otherwise dark-haired family.....]

Video

[red_roses]

[Ib gasps with delight!] Wow! You hatched a shiny Pokemon, Miss Elsa!

[defyingfrigidity]

Shiny? [She looks down at the dratini in her lap, running a hand over its smooth skin as it wriggles happily.] There doesn't seem to be anything "shiny" about her skin.

[Video]

[francia]

Yes, they can have different colouring, although it's quite rare. I think it might be a genetic mutation; it's completely benign and often pretty. The phenomeon is called, rather appropriately, "shiny."

[defyingfrigidity]

Benign? Thank goodness... I was wondering if this change in color made her any different, so it's very good to know that it doesn't.

[Elsa really didn't seem too worried about this strange occurrence, but even so. There's still a bit of relief there.]

And you're right, it is quite pretty. [She scratches the Dratini under its chin, smiling as it squeals happily.] Not quite a color I was expecting of a dragon, but it's very nice.

video;

[in_praetego]

It's possible... but I've been told they're a really rare occurrence.

[ And a sheepish little smile. ]

And don't worry about asking too many questions. I think I kind of have the same problem.

[defyingfrigidity]

I know, I know. The people here have been very helpful, so I don't feel too bad asking questions. Still... asking for help with things I don't know about is still rather.... new to me.

[video]

[enjoymyatelier]

There's really no need to apologize, as this place is... complicated. But that... well, I wouldn't say it's normal, but it's not anything to worry about, either.

Have you heard of more traditional animals having rare color mutations? I think albinism is the one most people would be familiar with, and while that's not as benign as being a "shiny" would typically be, that's the best comparison I can draw.

[defyingfrigidity]

I've heard of albinism, yes. And I knew it could cause.... complications, sometimes.

[She isn't really sure about the specifics behind it THANKS EARLY 1800'S SCIENCE but that was one of the excuses her parents had come up with for keeping her sheltered for so long....]

Are you sure that there are no bad side-effects to this? I'm sorry if it seems like I'm doubting your word, but... [BUT ELSA IS A GIANT MOTHER HEN WITH THESE EGG BABIES] But I just worry, that's all.

[paopuprincess]

Oh wow! I've never seen a dratini like that!

[defyingfrigidity]

I have to say, I think I almost prefer this color... they're very cute in their normal colors, don't get me wrong, but this seems a bit more... elegant, I suppose?

action;

[loveisanopendoor]

I was thinking about it a little bit, and you know that one Pokemon, Shellos? It's blue and green when you find it on this side of the region, like on the Violet City side and to the east of it. But on the other side, closer to Goldenrod and all that? It's actually pink and white! But when I looked into it, as far as I can tell, Shellos and its evolution are the only Pokemon like that for some reason...so it looks like you've got a special case on your hands!

[Anna, of course, is completely in love with it, too...she's been gushing over the little sweetheart since she hatched.]

...Which is kinda fitting, isn't it, Elsa? I mean, leave it to a super-one-of-a-kind person to get a super-one-of-a-kind Pokemon, and, like, she's so cute, too, she's such a pretty shade of pink and she's so full of energy and I bet she thinks you're her mommy too...

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa can't help but blush at the "one of a kind" compliment. Even after hearing all of Anna's praise since their reunion... Elsa still really isn't used to it.]

I'm going to have quite the odd brood of children by the time we return to Arendelle, won't I? Here's hoping Olaf and Marshmallow won't get jealous.

video;

[heartdive]

Oh! Pink! I haven't seen a Dratini in pink before.

[defyingfrigidity]

Cute, isn't she?

[The Dratini certainly seems to be enjoying the attention, still squirming in Elsa's lap with each compliment she receives.]

[Video]

[infinityunlimitedflame]

I know little of these creatures, but if its coloring is extraordinary, then it is something to be treasured.

[Except replace little with nothing because he hasn't even seen a Dratini yet.]

Be sure that you take good care of it, lest you incur its wrath!

[defyingfrigidity]

Oh, I'd treasure her even if she was the same color as all of these little dragons.

[Oh. Dramatic one, isn't he? Still, Elsa gives him a reassuring smile.]

I'll do my very best to take care of her. I've already learned quite a bit about taking care of pokemon when they're newly-hatched babies like this, so she'll be fine.

[friendyousohard]

It looks like some of the others have filled you in on the "shiny" nature of your Dratini there. I can promise you you're not the only one with an oddly colored Pokemon like that.

[She tosses out a ball, and her own shiny Golurk pops out and strikes a pose.]

You probably haven't seen a Golurk, or its younger form, a Golett, yet in your journey, but they're usually light blue, rather than grayish black like Robo here.

[defyingfrigidity]

Are these "shiny" pokemon all the same color? Er, per species, that is. [She gently taps on her Dratini's head, and the little dragon huffs and shakes away Elsa's finger.] I mean, are there other colors of "shiny" dratini? Or is pink the only kind?

[Elsa's face lights up a bit when she sees the Golurk. She may be unfamiliar with giant robots and thus can't make that kind of association, but she knows about golems. This is just one more thing from the old stories she used to read coming to life!]

Oh wow, now that's an interesting pokemon!

[peach_boy]

Woah! Your Pokémon has a different color?! That's so cool!

[defyingfrigidity]

It does! It is... um. Cool. [It's weird not hearing that be used as a pun in her presence.]

From what the others have been telling me, it seems like quite a rare occurrence.

[berkthorn]

Ah, looks like you've got what I like to call a LuckDratini!

[Once upon a time, Hiccup had become very enthralled by The Neverending Story by Michael EnDewott.]

I hatched one once, too, and she's grown up just fine. I wouldn't worry about her.

[defyingfrigidity]

A... "Luck" Dratini?

[wing_attack]

... I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Other people would know more than me, but as long as it seems healthy and the nurses at the Pokemon Center aren't worried, I don't think you should be, either.

[defyingfrigidity]

The nurses did seem surprised... but as far as I could tell, not in a bad way.

[She sighs.] Still, I worry. I've grown quite attached to all these little critters in such a short amount of time, after all.

[islandshore]

I don't know if I'd call it normal, but there aren't really any drawbacks to it. If anything, shiny Pokémon are sought after because they're so rare.

[He's probably seen a shiny Dratini in passing, but the color difference is fascinating. Riku's not much of a pink guy, but even so, he's eying the camera intently.]

I think the worst thing you might have to deal with are self-esteem issues. That's what happened to my shiny Charizard, and I'd say it's all on an individual basis.

[defyingfrigidity]

[OH BOY DOES ELSA KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES.]

I'll make sure this little girl feels nothing of the sort. [She may not be able to deal with her own issues, but she can sure as hell focus on helping others - pokemon or not - so they don't feel the same way she did.] I'll make sure that she knows she's just as special as the rest of the brood we have here.