ohmyarceus | Test Drive Meme - January & February edition

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Test Drive Meme - January & February edition

➞ 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!

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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:
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If you say so.

Pokémon Gods. Isn't that charming? And you are correct. It didn't matter before then either though.

You never know. More still may trickle in to this bizarre world. Perhaps ones you personally know.

[As Joey gets ready to exclaim his willingness to help with the moves and such Mai teases him about not going a date with her and he gets even redder. Seeing her smile, Joey turns around, even more emberassed now only for her to reveal she noticed him blushing all along.]

It's not blush! It's... just cold out, so I musta gotten windburn or somethin'!

[Joey half-mumbles the last part, knowing his protestation isn't convincing anyone but still feeling the ned to do so regardless.

As his emberrasment subsides a bit Joey turns around, coming to face her in-time to be facing her when she accepts his offer to travel together.]

Dat's great! I've got some cash saved-up from workin' deliveries and hittin' da game centers so I'm happy ta put us up in places until ya got a bettah idea whatcha wanna do.

[He smiles and gives a reassuring thumbs-up.]

I've actually just stahted a run through of fightin' da different champions of dis place too, so whenever I beat one'a dem der's a decent cash prize.

[Joey reaches into his pocket and produces a little case. Opening it reveals two small badges and spaces for quite a few more.]

I just got da first two dis week, so you actually came in here right as things got real for ol' Joey. Means I'll have a lot more stuff soon, so I get'ta actually be helpful for once.

[Joey's voice trails off a bit as he says the last part, not meaning to have burnt himself as hard as he did. He bounces back quickly though, and a big smile spreads across his face.]

I'm even more excited about hitting deez Gyms den' I'd been before doe, cuz now I get'ta share da experience with you! It's gonna be awesome!

Windburn... Is that even really a thing?

[ honestly, it's amusing. but it's always fun to watch joey squirm whenever she speaks with him. true, she has used her wiles on other men before but there's always been something about joey that she's been too afraid to admit out loud. traveling together can act as a start, maybe? ]

Delivery boy? Is that right? There's something kinky in there, I think.

[ she taps her chin, smirking. ]

But it's nice of you to offer to house me for a while. I suppose I'll have to accept since I don't have any money on me that works here.

[ mai peers at the small but nice looking case and eyes the decorative badges within them. ]

So these are kind of like the star chips from way back in Duelist Kingdom, then? I'm somehow not surprised that you're working your way through the champs. Seems like you're doing pretty decently.

[ when he digs at himself, she raises her brows and there's a hint of a frown that displays on her face. mai takes a step closer to him and lifts a bold hand to pat him on the chest, once, over the material of his shirt. ]

Come on, even I can admit you've always been pretty decent at being there for people in a bind...

[ ...especially herself. ]

Someone's excited.

[ she sets her palm to her hip again. ]

I guess there are worse people to for me to figure things out with. I suppose I'll owe you thanks. How about... When I manage to make myself some money around here, I'll buy you a nice dinner?

[IV smiles and coos some more at the cute doll-like pokemon before he straightens back up, and gives Mai a curt gentlemanly bow.]

Thanks for letting me play with your partner. She's the most delightful little thing.

Oh geez!

[Joey makes an embarrassed face at the delivery inuendo.]

Nothin' like dat I swear! Just like bike messenger stuff ta pay da bills. I put aside a decent amount doin' it doe, since I ain't much in da way of expenses in dis place. I've got some stuff for my Pokémon dat's gonna cost some'a da cash, but I can definitely get some nice hotels for travelin' from place ta place. Each gym dat I beat's gonna pay out a bunch cash too, so I should have no problem stayin' afloat.

[Upon talking of Gyms again, he turns his attention back to the badges.]

Dey're kinda like da Stah Chips for sure, but der's specific people ya gotta fight in orda ta get 'em. I guess it's like if ya needed to fight dose' Playah-Eliminatah people like dat guy Pain except, y'know, not creepy. Each one comes with cool prizes when ya beat it doe', n' ya even get da chance to run ya own Gym if ya beat all'a dem.

[Mai giving him a consoling pat surprises him in a good way. It's a touching gesture, and her subsequent reassurance goes a long way in walking back the hit he'd given himself. For as much as he gets torn down, knowing he's done right by someone he cares for is a good grounding to keep his doubts at bay, and he gives a warm and meaningful smile to her by way of reply.

Her subsequent proposition of dinner, though, hits him like a time-delayed bomb. The way she put it, the way she's standing... would that be... a date?! Joey's eyes widen momentarily, every part of his brain scrambling to process what's happening, but he recovers quickly and regains his composure.]

Dat would be real nice Mai. Grabbin dinnah would be great, but only if ya wanna. You know I've got ya back, so I hope ya won't feel like ya owe me for real or nothin'. I know you'd do da same for me if things were flipped, so I just hope I'm able ta make things nice for ya.

[Joey gives a playful wink, full-well believing he nailed the reply. He's about as inexperienced with this kind of thing as it's possible to be, though, so who's to say.]

No worries, it's all good. [About as good as calling Cherry Peach or Spinach would be, that is.]

Nah, I'm the Asia Champion in the competitive sport I'm doing. Not that that means very much here. So you're not going by a nickname like your friends do? Yeah, that's right. They're a lot like your summoned Duel Monsters, if they were actually real. The sound it makes is most likely what it's called. You can use that little pocket computer they gave you to check. And I told you you wouldn't like my theory. At least I don't think we're dead yet. More like in a version of a limbo.

[ she raises her brow at the bow and soon a smirk tugs her lips in amusement. this guy is a trip— a good one at that. she flips her hair over her shoulder and smugly sets palms to her hips afterward. ]

Yeah, she's a real gem. Not surprised you'd think so.

[ she motions to his rockruff behind him. ]

Who's your cutie over there? I gather he's a bit jealous but he is pretty adorable. Think he'd grant me the same favour Gothita did for you?

[ aka, can she please pet the cute pupper? thanks in advance. ]

[ mai gives a laugh of sheer amusement. ]

You're adorable. I was just kidding, Joseph, relax.

[ she waves her hand somewhat flippantly but smiles to him more genuinely than she usually does. ]

I'm glad that you seem to be doing so well here, it's a breath of fresh air, hm? So, what kind of things can you get this little critters? Treats or... something?

[ she snerks. ]

At least they're not creepy. So the end goal is to run one of these gyms of your own? Is that what you want to do?

[ she lifts her hands into the air and spreads them as though showing off a sign as she speaks the next words: ]

"Joseph Wheeler, Gym Leader" — well, honey, you could have worse titles, you know? Besides, I'm sure it would be a great goal to achieve, right? I suppose the only downside is having to pay someone beaucoup bucks if they beat you. Still... Sounds pretty good to me. Nice to have stability, right?

[ stability is something mai's been lacking over the course of her life. so the idea of getting a place to (her)himself sounds pretty great to her. she's not sure that would be the path she would take, but, it's nice to have options.

no words are needed in the moment between them from her touch and his reactionary smile. however, if he had voiced concerns about whether or not he'd done right by people, mai could have provided several examples of his bravery and kindness.

the playful wink he gives just swells amusement in her chest all the more. she chuckles and shakes her head lightly, shrugging her shoulders to him. ]

Well, I'll owe you anyway, you dork. Especially if you end up my proverbial "teacher" on how to do things in this place. Ha! Imagine that, learning something from Joey Wheeler; who'd have thought?

[ it's a joke. honestly, mai's learned the most about friendship and caring about others, and letting said others inside her guarded walls from the guy. he always seemed to be around to help her work through problems, even if she didn't always show her gratitude. it was time to change that. her tone shifts to being more "real" with him and becomes softer. ]

Seriously, though. Let me do something to repay you. I want to, alright?

[When most people call Joey by his full name it bugs the dickens out of him, but somehow it doesn't sound bad when Mai says it. He remembers having his skin crawl when Pegasus insisted on calling him Joseph, yet the energy couldn't be more different when it comes from her. He wonders why that is, but enjoys the warmth of her familiar mannerisms as they wash over him. He'd missed this... he'd missed her.]

Dang it Mai, you always know how to get da better'a me.

[He smiles again, laughing as he does so. He's been smiling so much, in fact, that his face is starting to hurt a little from smiling so much. It's a good pain to be sure, and reminds him of when he was last hanging with the gang. Good times.]

In regahds to da critters, most'a da Pokemon are alright. I gotta warn you dat dere's definitely some funky ones out der doe. Da good thing is dat der's no reason ta catch one you don't know ya want since you can look dem all up on da little phone thing ya got comin' in here. Let's you put all your eggs in a row before ya go hikin' off into da wilderness, and helps ya put togetha a butt-kickin' team like da one I got.

[He beams talking about the team he put together. He'll be proud-as-can-be to show her what he's put together, but that'll come later. The stage needs to be set for that, and the first time laying eyes on her in who knows how long isn't that. Besides, there's questions she's asked that need answering.]

For da Gym Leadah position it's pretty cool. Seems dat, once you got da application in, dey'll build you a whole buidling to ya exact wants once ya get approved. You get'ta design da badge you give out, get'ta recruit people ta be da junior trainahs in ya gym, and even get'ta put togetha challenges folks gotta go through before dey can challenge ya. Da Pokémon League pays da reward for if anyone beats ya, too, so it sounds like a win-win!

[Joey tempers his excitement and gives Mai a meaningful look as he continues.]

Dat's only one'a da things ya can do in dis place doe, so don't let me make ya feel like dat's what ya gotta do. Whatevah you end up wantin' ta do here I've got ya back 100%. Even if ya do end up goin' dat route and I do end up ya "teacher"- [He smirks at how ridiculous that sounds] -you know I'm gonna do everythin' I can ta do right by ya.

[Provided she let him, Joey would place a hand reassuringly on her shoulder.]

So whetha you end up as Mai Valentine da Gym Leadah or decide you just wanna be just-plain Mai Valentine don't let nobody or nuthin' make you feel bad about dat. Der's nowhere we gotta be and nobody we gotta impress here. It's weird and scary to be in dis kinda pickle, but it's definitely got its upsides too y'know?

[Assuming he'd been allowed to put his hand on her shoulder, he'd give it a light squeeze before returning it to his side.]

And, once we getcha comfortable, I'd be happy ta grab dat dinnah.

[ she's not really certain why she insists on using his name in this manner. maybe it's just because it feels like she's teasing him on some level that only she can do. maybe it's because she likes the guy and seeing him squirm at its usage is amusing to her. although, let's be honest— most things that come out of pegasus's mouth make people's skin crawl.

she can admit ( to herself ) that she's also missed this sort of banter with him. he was always pretty easy to be like this with. ]

It's just a talent from a beautiful lady, you know?

[ ~~he can smile all he wants because it's truly very adorable.~~ cough, who said that? ]

Oh wait, this old thing?

[ she lifts the pokedex and turns it over in her hand somewhat. ]

Well, that'll be handy in the future, I suppose. Thanks for the heads up.

[ mai crosses her arms to focus on listening to him as he discusses the gym leader position. he sounds really excited about it so she can tell that this is a goal of his— or at least it seems like one. she's always seen him be passionate about his duel monsters team and being one of the very best duelists out there so she's not surprised at how much pride he's giving off about his team here. she smiles at him. ]

You know, Joey, I think you'd be a great leader and trainer to anyone who wants to learn from you at a gym. You certainly have the "go get 'em" attitude that you'd need for it.

[ the smirk that he gives her makes her chuckle. shaking her head, mai gives him a wink and grins. ]

You know, there's a fair bit of naughtiness between a teacher and their pupil too, Joseph.

[ ...sorry, she really can't help but to tease the poor guy. getting more sincere, she nods. his words dig deep into the walls she builds up whenever someone wants to talk about feelings or remind her that she's always felt alone. there's some emotions that cause her chest to tighten but— not in a bad way. it's more frightening to her than bad, per se. she's just never really had someone be so candid about wanting to help her— apart from joey, really. sure, other people have been her "friends" and shown they care but it's just never felt quite as deeply truthful as it has with him.

she allows him to touch her shoulder and curses the tears that well up. not a woman to let her emotions show that much, she wills them back and smiles to him. ]

Thank you, though. I've... never had a lot of people on my side for... much. So it's nice to know you'll be there for me. It... means a lot.

[He smiles, silently noting the body language and nuances of her choice of phrasing like the sly manipulator that he is. IV doesn't mean anything bad to Mai yet, he really just likes her adorable pokemon, but old habits die hard.]

That's my Rockruff. He doesn't have a name yet, although 'Attila the Hun' is becoming increasingly tempting, given his exploits.

[Said miniature 'Hun' is ignoring its master to happily saunter forward and give Mai an expectant look.]

[ he'll have to try hard to manipulate this one. she's been through the wringer and isn't going to fall for much at this point in her life. ]

Rockruff, huh? That's an interesting name. Why would you choose that of all the things?

[ she crouches down and pets the cute little guy and smiles to him. ]

Aren't you a doll?

[It's a good thing that IV doesn't know that. Mai doesn't exactly fall into his prey pattern, either. IV prefers to target the naive and the ones that get on his nerves. Mai hasn't shown herself as either, yet.]

It's his species, not his name. They tend to name their monster types after the noises they make here. So your Gothita is most likely just that; a Gothita.

I'm IV, by the way.

[He pronounces it like 'Four'. In the meantime Rockruff leans into Mai's touches, making soft 'Rrrck' and 'Rff'-like noises under its breath. Its bushy tail is going a mile an hour.]

[Joey has a hard time processing compliments, with them either going straight to his ego or just turning him into a puddle of "d'aawww shucks", and Mai's endorsement of his quest to become a Gym Leader solidly hits him in the second category. Crossing his arms to prevent from fidgeting, Joey makes an embarrassed happy face.]

Ya really think so? I've sure been bustin' my butt so I hoped I was making headway, but it seems dat every time I hit somethin' hard like dis it turns out otha people've just been waitin' in da wings ta show me just how far behind I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm aimin' straight for da top, but I'm still worried. It don't seem right bein' someplace like dis without some giant bad guy waitin' ta jump out from behind da bushes and make everythin' about ending da world again.

[Just as Joey is shaking-off the embarrassment from the compliment Mai's flirtatious remark about teacher and pupil hits him, and he proceeds to go beet red once again.]

Y-y-ya don't say!

[Steam practically wafts off of him from how hot his face is. Though Joey is someone you could realistically call a straight arrow, Mai is very good at flirting and Joey was very unprepared for that kind of mental image.]

Gaaah!

[He shakes his head and tries to recover, eventually letting the combination of the cool air and the breeze he's kicked-up help to cool the burning forge that his cheeks had become. By the time the conversation moved back towards more somber and heartfelt topics he'd bounced-back to his usual self.]

You don't gotta thank me Mai. A'course I'm der for ya Mai. Ride-or-die, I got ya back. We been through too many crooks and bad eggs ta let people like dat take any more'a our lives den dey already have. Here on out, it's gonna be good times. Dat. Dat I can promise ya.

[Joey's nowhere near as good at reading emotions or social cues as folks like Yugi or Tea, but he could've sworn she tensed-up when he had his hand on her shoulder. God he hopes he didn't overstep or anything. Why is this kind of thing so hard? Distraction conversational topic, go!]

Speakin'a da future, doe, you got a place ta stay or anythin' yet? I'm guessin' ya just got in seein' as how you're in front of "Mom's"- [Joey throws-up air quotes as he says the word.] -house, but have ya gotten ya bearing's or have ya sights set on someplace in pahticulah yet?

[ mai is anything but naive. ]

Well, I meant the name of the species. I'm fully aware that Gothita's name isn't technically Gothita. I guess I'll work on a name for her though.

Mai.

[ she nods to him in more of a proper greeting with their names out of the way. she remains interested in rockruff, petting him gently. ]

What a cutie pie. Don't you think so?

[ she talks to her gothita over her shoulder and smiles to the pair of pokemon. gothita heads on over to the rockruff and eyes him. after a moment of sizing him up, she lifts a hand and waves to the canine 'mon. ]

Maybe you two can be friends, hm?

[ it's always amusing to see the "d'aww shucks" look on his face so she takes it in while she can. as he speaks, she notices that he's trying not to fidget and wonders if that's because of her — or because he's worried that people will cut down his goal? ]

Come on, Joey.

[ she shifts her footing, sticking her hip out slightly as her palms come to rest on them. ]

Don't let anyone take away the dream you've built up, hmm? And if anything or anyone is waiting in the wings to ruin what you've accomplished so far then I'll just have to step in and take them down a notch or two. You deserve to have things go right.

[ she chuckles when he realizes the "depth" of her remark about teachers and pupils. mai is really just too good at flirting which had been a defense mechanism for a rather long time and a means to get money, among other things. she just ends up laughing at his blushing response to her teasing but simmers down when they fall onto a more serious topic once again. ]

Joey...

[ she's touched, really. no one has ever called her their "ride or die," she's pretty used to being abandoned and retreating into herself rather than let herself have a glimmer of hope for things to go right. she had tensed up but he hadn't done anything wrong. she was just having a moment to herself and it passed as swiftly as it had came to her.

mai shakes her head when he asks her about whether or not she has somewhere to lay her head down at night. ]

Am I that transparent?

[ she jokes. ]

I haven't found anywhere yet, no. I was just gathering myself from having appeared in a room that isn't mine and talking to a "mom" that also isn't mine. Got any tips?

Of course.

[He nods, offering her a brief smile before he self-consciously brushes his bigger blond bangs back over the ruined right half of his face.]

It's a pleasure.

[The Rockruff visibly preens at all the praise, throwing his own trainer a not-so-subtle side-glance as if to say 'see how it's done?' But then his eyes widen and he stares at Gothita - before pointedly turning his head away with a "Ruff!" Rockruff even goes so far as to warningly rattle the little, sharp stones that are embedded in the fur around his neck.]

Hey! [Leaning down, IV catches Rockruff by his mane-like scuff and lifts him up.] Behave. Are you really that jealous just because of Gothita? You're not putting on that kind of attitude with Shark!

Edited 2023-03-03 23:05 (UTC)

Hmm?

[ when the rockruff starts to get agitated, she nudges her precious gothita back just to ensure that she's fine if rockruff feels like trying to attack — although unlikely without the trainer ordering a move. ]

Oops, get they won't be pals after all. Don't worry, I can put an end to it for now.

[ mai reaches for the pokeball on her belt and calls for gothita to return to her home for now. rockruff can feel less bothered now but the questions begs to be asked... ]

Who's Shark?

[Mai's reassurance is exactly what Joey needed to hear. He loves the gang to death, but it would be lying to say that they don't tear him down more than a little. Between that and seemingly always coming up just short when it counts Joey's developed quite a voice of doubt in the back of his mind. Having someone put the voice in-check, let alone someone who's gone through the same kind of doubts, was just the ticket. Joey purses his lips in determination and nods in agreement with her.]

Ya know what, you're absolutely right. I don't know how or why I got pulled inta dis funky world but I'm gonna become da best Gym Leader dis place has evah seen, and I'll fight-off anyone who tries keep me down! Doubly so now dat you're here too. Da kind a baddies you n' me have seen? What da heck does dis place have dat stands a chance eh?

[Joey thumps his chest triumphantly in an effort to show he's feeling better, but then turns his attention towards the topic of travel. The Pokégear has a map in it, sure, but it's tiny so Joey's got a proper one of those laminated fold-out maps on-hand as well. Reaching into one of his backpack's side pockets he produces the map and unfolds it for both of them to see.]

Depends on what kinda place you wanna hit up. Der's some real nice smaller towns with things ta do n' such, but der's a couple'a real big cities we could go to as well. I gotta warn ya doe, there's some travel time ta most'a deez places.

Sorry, his manners are still lacking.

[Seeing that the danger is gone, IV releases his Rockruff. The canine stands perfectly still, then checks to see if his 'rival' is still anywhere around and then trots right back to Mai to beg for more pets.

IV straightens back up and sighs.]

.....as he's proofing right now. Rockruff, heel!

[The pokemon ignores him.]

Shark is the other monster in my current deck. A fish.

[ she's amused with the pompous nature of the rockruff. as soon as he comes nearer to herself, mai shakes her head and crouches down once more to pet the sweet looking little canine pokemon. ]

You know what you want and you know how to get it, don't you?

[ she chuckles. ]

A fish? I suppose that one needs to be within water? Considering.

You mean, he knows how to be a shameless menace.

[He shakes his head as he stares at his wayward partner.]

He used to behave better when I got him, I swear. But no, actually. Shark is a fish monster that's about as useless in the water as it is out of it. But he still keeps trying to pick on foes twice his size, which is why I named him after somebody I know.

[ she gives a laugh about calling the rockruff a menace. he's cute and does what he can to be the star of the show. mai can't blame him at all. ]

I see. So Shark just wants to show you his mettle. It's good to have that kind of bravery but also sometimes stupid depending on the situation. Either way, looks like you've got things pretty sorted out here. How long have you been in this place?

Yeah. Either that or he's just as stupid as he looks. [He pauses for a moment before pulling a face.] ....which is another thing that fish and the human I named him after have in common. Stupid, stubborn idiots!

[One he somehow can't help but be impressed with, when he's willing to be fair enough to leave all other outside influences aside. Alas, jealousy is a strong force.]

Barely a month. I take it you're newer?

I don't just say it, I know it. There's no way the Chazz just passed quietly in his sleep.

This really is like some adjacent world to Duel Monsters. What kind of a lame human-cyborg were you if you had absolutely nothing going on when you were alive?

With my luck, it would probably be the ones I least want to see.

[Like Chumley]

Edited 2023-03-05 05:37 (UTC)

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Page 19 of 24

Test Drive Meme - January & February edition

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Re: Sorry for any spelling errors. Using mobile atm, so the keyboard's iffy.

no problem, i know how it be.

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Re: Got the next three days off, so I'm looking forward to tagging :)

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oh, heck yeah! i'm excited. :)

Re: Saw you got on the reserves! Congrats!

thanks! had to make sure that no one took my spot for my lady, here.

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