January - February Test drive

[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!

✭ ✭ ✭


OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
NAVIGATION | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS

Comments

[nightyorb]

Yes! It turned me into a human and I'm not the only one. I've even heard that it can turn robots into humans as well.

And even if you are already human before coming here, if you got any sort of magic or abilities, it'll take those too.

[Fortunately, all of Riz's abilities are just rogue stuff and not dependent on magic (just the element of surprise, bitch) though it is pretty hard to use any of that stuff without his gun.]

[singlespacedad]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Mando can't even imagine being turned into another species. No thank you!]

It doesn't seem to take things you've learned through training, though.

[Unfortunately for all of them, Mando doesn't need to be a space wizard to get things done. It'll be harder without his weapons or jetpack, but those are just stumbling blocks to be overcome.]

That's an oversight.

[One that could be exploited.]

[nightyorb]

Maybe. Unfortunately, most of the people here seem to be happy to just [A short, jabbing gesture that oozes frustration] accept all of this? Nobody seems to be digging into why we are here and how to get back to our homes. They even seem to be content to ignore super obvious suspicious things.

Like, those nurses. Did you know they are all exactly alike? Wait, I've got--

[Open clicks the briefcase again, Riz digging inside of it before he extracts a pile of pictures (only slightly creased at the edges).]

I've got more of the Jennies --who are suppose to be what counts for police in this world-- but look.

[Riz sets down several pictures of several groups of Joys on the table in front of Mando. If it wasn't for the difference in background, it could very well be pictures of the same group of people.]

This one was taken in Goldenrod city, and this one in Violet City, and this one in Cherrygrove. Three different poke-centrums, and at least nine completely identical nurses. And it's supposed to be the same in every town. That's-- that's just not normal!

[singlespacedad]

[Mando bends over the photos, and yeah, that is weird. He listens to Riz's explanation, then gestures at the pile.]

May I?

[Once he has permission, he'll pick up the photos and start shuffling through them.]

It must be cloning technology.

[Huh. That had been outlawed after the Clone Wars.]

They're hiding some impressive tech somewhere.

[nightyorb]

[Riz is familiar with cloning, though only through magic rather than tech. Still, that is not a sufficient answer for him!]

Which just makes it more suspicious, right? If that kind of technology exists, why are they hiding it? And why are they using it to create nursing and police staff?

And I know for a fact the Jennies don't solve any actual crimes. I broke into one of their precincts and they had nothing related to any ongoing cases inside. Or even solved cases!

[singlespacedad]

All good questions.

[Riz's observations about the police not doing their actual jobs doesn't surprise Mando too much.]

I doubt it's in their interest to solve crimes. It's much easier to let outside factions enforce order.

[Spoken like someone who has been on the wrong side of the law a time or several in his life.]

What did you find in their precinct?

[Mando is fairly impressed by that revelation. It's not like this world seems to have great security, but for a kid on his own? Nice work, Riz.]

[nightyorb]

Like I said, nothing. I took pictures and video footage if you want to see, but essentially, the only paperwork they had were onboarding guides. There were no ongoing case files or evidence. There wasn't even an evidence room.

[And not a single cool murder board!! For shame.

Riz frowns for a moment, trying to find a good way to describe what he found.]

It was almost like a, hmm, like a movie set, I guess. It looks right from the outside, but once you dig, it just doesn't hold up.

[singlespacedad]

Suspicious.

[Okay, yeah, this is something Mando can sink his teeth into!]

They must be covering for something, or someone, else.

[nightyorb]

[Riz nods with great enthusiasm, glad to finally have found someone who is taking this as serious as he feels everybody should be taking it.]

Right! That was what I was thinking too.

Personally, I think they might be connected to Team Rocket.

[singlespacedad]

Who is Team Rocket?

[Give him the dirt, Riz. This sounds like a crime syndicate.]

[nightyorb]

Apparently, they are the main criminal organisation in this world-- well, these regions at least. Apparently there are more regions that we aren't allowed to visit, which, again, weird but whatever.

[Not being allowed to go somewhere does make Riz suspicious, but on the other hand, he wants out of this world entirely, not into a different part of it.]

Most of their crimes involve pokemon somehow. I know the rank and file members target trainers with rare and otherwise special pokemon to try and steal them. And I've spoken to at least one person who was kidnapped by them. They tried to press-gang him into working for them, though he managed to escape. Which, for the record, when they heard about this, the Jennies did nothing.

[Riz just looks offended. If you are going to be a fake police force, at least try maybe?]

I'm sure they are involved in plenty of other stuff too. I read old newspaper articles about bombings and, uh, some sort of kidnapping of a beloved sports mascot? Either way, they are bad news.

[singlespacedad]

[Mando listens to this explanation with all due respect and intensity, and when Riz is finished speaking, he leans back and drums his fingers on the table. When he answers, he definitely sounds like there's a faint smile happening behind that helmet.]

Good to know. Sounds like they're the group with at least some of the answers we're looking for.

[Which means he's ready to team up and start doing some recon.]

You interested in a partner?

[nightyorb]

Uh. In the interests of fairness, I should point out I already have a party back home so this can't be a permanent thing but--

Yeah, I wouldn't mind some back-up.

[Two people can break into more shit do more than one. And while Riz obviously isn't immediately trusting this guy, it'll be nice to have someone who is taking this as serious as he is.]

[singlespacedad]

So do I. This would be for while we're here.

[If there's one thing Mando has learned over the course of two and a half seasons, it's that having people to watch your back makes you stronger. He also thinks, although he won't say it, that Riz could use some muscle on his side.]

[Or at least someone who can reach the top shelf.]

[Mando extends his hand across the table to shake.]

[nightyorb]

[Mando's hand absolutely dwarfs Riz's one as he reaches over the table to give it an eager shake, but if that bothers him, he doesn't show it.

(it doesn't bother him; Riz's so used to being the smallest one in the room, always surrounded by humans and elves and orcs.)

And it is absolutely correct he needs some muscle on his side. He is but a humble rogue, after all. He's supposed to strike from the shadows while the fighters act as the meat shield keep the enemy distracted.

And as for reaching the top shelf... just wait until Mando sees how fast Riz can scale those.]