JANUARY - FEBRUARY TEST DRIVE MEME

[indigo_events]

➞ Post with a character you wish to test drive in this game's setting.
➞ Tag other people's starters and thread out shenanigans!
➞ Invite your friends! Try out new characters! Come play with us!
➞ Have fun!

NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN YOUR TEST-DRIVE JOURNEY?
CHECK OUT ALL THE LOCATIONS WE HAVE AVAILABLE IN:

JOHTO | KANTO | SEVII ISLANDS

Feel free to make various prompts in multiple locations!

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OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
NAVIGATION | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS

Comments

[brokencode]

[She knows that name anywhere, and it makes her heart leap into her throat.]

Hello, Armin.

[schachmeister]

[You know what, this is not the kind of conversation to have over text.

When the video connects, there is Armin. He looks maybe a bit older, his hair cut short to the tips of his ears, but really, he hasn't changed all that much. Still that round baby-face and those big blue eyes. Blue eyes that are currently, unabashedly, filling with tears as he peers into the camera, his voice catching a little.]

It's you. It's really you. Angel-- [there are five hundred things competing in his brain that he wants to tell her; how much he has missed her, all the things he has seen while she was gone, that Krieg is still here and he's doing fine, that Miss Maya is as well. He's got so much to say, it actually leaves him tongue-tied.] It's-- Welcome back.

[brokencode]

[Angel told herself she wouldn't cry. She's done that the last handful of times she's crash landed here, and she was determined to not do it again.

But then Armin starts crying and, well... It can't be helped at this point.]

It's good to be back. [And it is. She can't remember being gone. She had simply closed her eyes and woken up back in New Bark Town. She knows where she went, though, and that's enough for her.]

Is everyone... Is Krieg...?

[schachmeister]

[It's not embarrassing when it's both of them blubbering like babies.]

He's still here. He's doing fine, incredibly even. Miss Maya too. I know Krieg has missed you so much.

[Unfortunately, so is her father. Not that Armin has ever spoken to him since he found out what Jack had done to her, but he still seems him on the network from time to time. Which had always seemed unfair. Why did a man like that deserve to stay here, while someone like Angel didn't? He knows that is not how it works, that being here is a matter of chance rather than worthiness, but that doesn't mean seeing Jack on the network doesn't fill his mouth with a bitter taste.

But that is something that can be discussed later. Because as many thoughts are going through his head right now, thoughts of Jack are not among them.]

[brokencode]

[The tears come all the faster as he affirms Krieg's continued existence. Doubtless, she'll learn of plenty of friends who have been sent back to their own worlds. She'll deal with that in time. For now, she knows that at least three of the people most important to her remained.]

Thank you. I've missed him. And you, and -- [She laughs, the sound soft and thick with tears.] I said that already.

[schachmeister]

Where are you? I'll-- I can come and pick you up. We can go to where Krieg is.

[Does Armin know where Krieg is right now? No, but damnit, they can figure that out while they are on the road. They'll just have to call up Krieg, and Armin is sure Krieg will be more than happy to tell them exactly where he is.]

[brokencode]

New Bark, of course.

[She's already familiar with the path. Even with a flying pokemon and the warp pads, it'll still be a long journey. Better to get started now.]

We can meet in Cherrygrove, if you'd like?

[schachmeister]

Of course.

[He laughs. Really, he should've known the answer to that but right now he's dealing with so many emotions and thoughts he's speaking whatever comes to mind. For once, he doesn't want to think things over and talk; all he wants to do is give her a long overdue hug.]

Cherrygrove. I can do that. Is there anything else I can bring you? The weather is still cold. Do you need an extra coat?

[brokencode]

No, no, I think I'm fine.

[Mom certainly didn't let her "children" go out unprepared. Given that her pokemon was no longer on the warm side, she was going to need whatever warmth she could manage.

The sooner she tracked down her Pokemon, the better.]

I'm looking forward to seeing you, Armin. I can't wait to hear all of your new breakthroughs.

[schachmeister]

I'm looking forward to telling you all about it.

[And boy, does he have a lot to tell her. Even if most of it will end up being chatter about his Lapras pod. He probably won't even remember he's one of the few Elite Four champions until much later.

And with that, he signs off, dashing through his boat like a small whirlwind, stuffing things in a shoulder bag, digging out his warmest jacket and scarf and gloves. He's got several good fliers standing by to make the trip over to Cherrygrove on, but in this weather, he's going to freeze his ears off if he doesn't dress up warmly. Once he's got everything he thinks he will need, it's off on Skarmory's back to Cherrygrove. And he's got Amadeus and Samwise standing by too. When one pokemon starts getting tired, he'll switch to the other, all in order to make the best time.]

[[just kind of fudging travel times a little in the interest of continuing

[brokencode]

[The journey to Cherrygrove may be a familiar one by now, but it's no less exhausting than the first time she attempted the trek. Though she's maintained her physique from her previous visit for the most part, her body still feels sluggish, bordering on unshakable sluggishness.

Her new companion makes the going just a little more tedious. She'd already made it known that she had no plans to stay in her ball right now. Walking with her is out of the question, considering just how slow she inched along. That made carrying the creature, awkwardly cinching her into a backpack with her head sticking out, the only feasible solution. And while she might have been stronger, carrying lumpy 8 pounds of ice was a little outside the realm of comfort.

Nevertheless, she still makes good time into the city, thanks largely in part to a kind stranger that offers her and snom a ride. It's dark by the time she makes it in, and a hint colder than she expected, but she's there.

She settles into the the center to wait, her new companion seated beside her (and more than happy to be out of the confines of its canvas trap)]]

[schachmeister]

[When Armin finally lands in Cherrygrove, it's night. All in all, he made good time, cycling between his three fliers. His skin is reddened by the wind, his hair just slightly damp from the clouds they flew through and swept back in a slightly odd way. No time to care about that though. Armin shoves the goggles he has been wearing up onto his forehead, puts Hilde back into her ball with a quiet whisper of gratitude, before he steps into the pokemon center, his eyes scanning the room, hoping to see--]

Angel!

[When he spots her, he lets out a cry. It gathers him some attention, a few of the late-night guests of the center looking turning their eyes in their direction, but Armin doesn't care. He's crossing the room to where she is as quick as he can, already spreading his arms open wide for a huge.

Because spoiler, she is getting a hug. She is getting such a hug.]

[brokencode]

[Every time the door opens, Angel's eyes lift in unmasked excitement. It takes three or four swings of the door for her to be rewarded for her diligence by the sight of the younger, blond man. She's on her feet in seconds, crossing as quickly as she dares (without being outright impolite and sprinting). Her arms slide around his neck and shoulders easily, securing herself to the young man.

It won't be long until Armin finds his shoulder wet. It's probably obvious why from the faint tremors rocking through Angel's body. He's warm, and real, and it feels like it's been far too long since she's been able to see him.]

Armin -- [She tries to say more, but all that comes out is a tight little croak.] You made it.

[schachmeister]

[His coat was already somewhat damp, but honestly, Armin wouldn't care even if Angel put tears and snot down the front of his whole shirt. She was here again! Back again! And right now, she could commit a murder and Armin'd still want to hug her after.

(but lets not do that, this is not Pandora, after all.)

His arms find her just as quickly, encircling her with a tight hug. And hey, for all that she is crying into his shoulder, his hair is also probably getting suspiciously wet where he has his face buried against it. He doesn't really say anything, just murmuring soothing soft noises.

Their audience has swelled. They are everybody's favourite soap opera in the pokemon center right now. People are probably writing their own backstories already. Someone is thinking of going for popcorn.]