A Pokemon Conversation I actually understood

Tonight I was talking to a couple of seven year-old boys about Pokemon. For months now, no matter how a conversation starts with my son and his friends, it always devolves into undecipherable Pokemon banter. Seriously, the kids were talking about swine flu. I mentioned some of the symptoms, including sneezing and within about seconds the two kids were talking about the damage points of some freaking Pokemon named Sneasel. I nearly said, "I quit. I give up. Nothing's good enough for anybody else... it seems."

However, before I walked away like some dejected character on Degrassi Jr. High, I gave it one last shot. Surprisingly, what I assumed was a nothing more Hail Mary pass actually worked. In fact, the kids were a little disappointed when I called it quits and left the porch swing and went into the house. My trick was simple: I just started to ask questions as if these boys and their Pokemon characters lived on my planet and not theirs.

Here are a two of the better interactions:

Q: Which Pokemon would be the worst to have at a sleepover?
A1: [Some Pokemon I don't remember but assume it was "Hemroidichu"] because he is so big and fat, he might roll over and smash you.
A2: Uhhh, that would hurt.... Hemroidichu, get off me! No, [Insert another Pokemon name, like "Michaeljacksonito"] because it sings you to sleep and then attacks you.

Q: If you were on a camp out and you needed a Pokemon to help you roast marshmallows, who would you ask?
A1: [Some other Pokemon, assume "Burningmon"] because he is made of fire. Don't give him your stick though.
A2: Yeah, use a hanger not a stick... but don't touch the metal.